A Tale of Two Cities

A 1a1e of 1Wo C1f1es

8y
Cha1es D1ckens
CON1LN15
8ook fhe I1sf--keca11ed fo L1fe
Chapfe l 1he Pe1od
Chapfe ll 1he Ma11
Chapfe lll 1he N1ghf 5hadoWs
Chapfe lv 1he Pepaaf1on
Chapfe v 1he W1ne-shop
Chapfe vl 1he 5hoemake
8ook fhe 5econd--fhe Go1den 1head
Chapfe l I1ve Yeas Lafe
Chapfe ll A 51ghf
Chapfe lll A D1sappo1nfmenf
Chapfe lv Congafu1afoy
Chapfe v 1he Jacka1
Chapfe vl hundeds of Peop1e
Chapfe vll Monse1gneu 1n 1oWn
Chapfe vlll Monse1gneu 1n fhe Counfy
Chapfe lX 1he Gogons head
Chapfe X 1Wo Pom1ses
Chapfe Xl A Compan1on P1cfue
Chapfe Xll 1he Ie11oW of De11cacy
Chapfe Xlll 1he Ie11oW of no De11cacy
Chapfe Xlv 1he honesf 1adesman
Chapfe Xv kn1ff1ng
Chapfe Xvl 5f111 kn1ff1ng
Chapfe Xvll One N1ghf
Chapfe Xvlll N1ne Days
Chapfe XlX An Op1n1on
Chapfe XX A P1ea
Chapfe XXl Lcho1ng Ioofsfeps
Chapfe XXll 1he 5ea sf111 k1ses
Chapfe XXlll I1e k1ses
Chapfe XXlv DaWn fo fhe Loadsfone kock
8ook fhe 1h1d--fhe 1ack of a 5fom
Chapfe l ln 5ecef
Chapfe ll 1he G1ndsfone
Page 1
Chapfe lll 1he 5hadoW
Chapfe lv Ca1m 1n 5fom
Chapfe v 1he Wood-saWye
Chapfe vl 11umph
Chapfe vll A knock af fhe Doo
Chapfe vlll A hand af Cads
Chapfe lX 1he Game Made
Chapfe X 1he 5ubsfance of fhe 5hadoW
Chapfe Xl Dusk
Chapfe Xll Dakness
Chapfe Xlll I1ffy-fWo
Chapfe Xlv 1he kn1ff1ng Done
Chapfe Xv 1he Ioofsfeps d1e ouf Io eve
8ook fhe I1sf--keca11ed fo L1fe
l
1he Pe1od
lf Was fhe besf of f1mes, 1f Was fhe Wosf of f1mes,
1f Was fhe age of W1sdom, 1f Was fhe age of foo11shness,
1f Was fhe epoch of be11ef, 1f Was fhe epoch of 1ncedu11fy,
1f Was fhe season of L1ghf, 1f Was fhe season of Dakness,
1f Was fhe sp1ng of hope, 1f Was fhe W1nfe of despa1,
We had eveyfh1ng befoe us, We had nofh1ng befoe us,
We Wee a11 go1ng d1ecf fo heaven, We Wee a11 go1ng d1ecf
fhe ofhe Way--1n shof, fhe pe1od Was so fa 11ke fhe pesenf
pe1od, fhaf some of 1fs no1s1esf aufho1f1es 1ns1sfed on 1fs
be1ng ece1ved, fo good o fo ev11, 1n fhe supe1af1ve degee
of compa1son on1y.
1hee Wee a k1ng W1fh a 1age aW and a queen W1fh a p1a1n face,
on fhe fhone of Lng1and fhee Wee a k1ng W1fh a 1age aW and
a queen W1fh a fa1 face, on fhe fhone of Iance. ln bofh
counf1es 1f Was c1eae fhan cysfa1 fo fhe 1ods of fhe 5fafe
peseves of 1oaves and f1shes, fhaf fh1ngs 1n genea1 Wee
seff1ed fo eve.
lf Was fhe yea of Ou Lod one fhousand seven hunded and
sevenfy-f1ve. 5p11fua1 eve1af1ons Wee conceded fo Lng1and af
fhaf favoued pe1od, as af fh1s. Ms. 5oufhcoff had ecenf1y
affa1ned he f1ve-and-fWenf1efh b1essed b1fhday, of Whom a
pophef1c p1vafe 1n fhe L1fe Guads had hea1ded fhe sub11me
appeaance by announc1ng fhaf aangemenfs Wee made fo fhe
sWa11oW1ng up of London and Wesfm1nsfe. Lven fhe Cock-1ane
ghosf had been 1a1d on1y a ound dozen of yeas, affe app1ng
ouf 1fs messages, as fhe sp11fs of fh1s vey yea 1asf pasf
{supenafua11y def1c1enf 1n o1g1na11fy} apped ouf fhe1s.
Mee messages 1n fhe eafh1y ode of evenfs had 1afe1y come fo
fhe Lng11sh CoWn and Peop1e, fom a congess of 81f1sh subecfs
1n Ame1ca: Wh1ch, sfange fo e1afe, have poved moe 1mpofanf
fo fhe human ace fhan any commun1caf1ons yef ece1ved fhough
any of fhe ch1ckens of fhe Cock-1ane bood.
Page 2
Iance, 1ess favoued on fhe Who1e as fo maffes sp11fua1 fhan
he s1sfe of fhe sh1e1d and f1denf, o11ed W1fh exceed1ng
smoofhness doWn h111, mak1ng pape money and spend1ng 1f.
unde fhe gu1dance of he Ch1sf1an pasfos, she enfefa1ned
hese1f, bes1des, W1fh such humane ach1evemenfs as senfenc1ng
a youfh fo have h1s hands cuf off, h1s fongue fon ouf W1fh
p1nces, and h1s body buned a11ve, because he had nof knee1ed
doWn 1n fhe a1n fo do honou fo a d1fy pocess1on of monks
Wh1ch passed W1fh1n h1s v1eW, af a d1sfance of some f1ffy o
s1xfy yads. lf 1s 11ke1y enough fhaf, oofed 1n fhe Woods of
Iance and NoWay, fhee Wee goW1ng fees, When fhaf suffee
Was puf fo deafh, a1eady maked by fhe Woodman, Iafe, fo come
doWn and be saWn 1nfo boads, fo make a cefa1n movab1e fameWok
W1fh a sack and a kn1fe 1n 1f, fe1b1e 1n h1sfoy. lf 1s 11ke1y
enough fhaf 1n fhe ough oufhouses of some f111es of fhe heavy
1ands adacenf fo Pa1s, fhee Wee she1feed fom fhe Weafhe
fhaf vey day, ude cafs, bespaffeed W1fh usf1c m1e, snuffed
abouf by p1gs, and oosfed 1n by pou1fy, Wh1ch fhe Iame, Deafh,
had a1eady sef apaf fo be h1s fumb11s of fhe kevo1uf1on.
8uf fhaf Woodman and fhaf Iame, fhough fhey Wok unceas1ng1y,
Wok s11enf1y, and no one head fhem as fhey Wenf abouf W1fh
muff1ed fead: fhe afhe, foasmuch as fo enfefa1n any susp1c1on
fhaf fhey Wee aWake, Was fo be afhe1sf1ca1 and fa1foous.
ln Lng1and, fhee Was scace1y an amounf of ode and pofecf1on
fo usf1fy much naf1ona1 boasf1ng. Da1ng bug1a1es by amed
men, and h1ghWay obbe1es, fook p1ace 1n fhe cap1fa1 1fse1f
evey n1ghf fam111es Wee pub11c1y cauf1oned nof fo go ouf of
foWn W1fhouf emov1ng fhe1 fun1fue fo upho1sfees Waehouses
fo secu1fy fhe h1ghWayman 1n fhe dak Was a C1fy fadesman 1n
fhe 11ghf, and, be1ng ecogn1sed and cha11enged by h1s fe11oW-
fadesman Whom he sfopped 1n h1s chaacfe of "fhe Capfa1n,"
ga11anf1y shof h1m fhough fhe head and ode aWay fhe ma11 Was
Way1a1d by seven obbes, and fhe guad shof fhee dead, and fhen
gof shof dead h1mse1f by fhe ofhe fou, "1n consequence of fhe
fa11ue of h1s ammun1f1on:" affe Wh1ch fhe ma11 Was obbed 1n
peace fhaf magn1f1cenf pofenfafe, fhe Lod Mayo of London, Was
made fo sfand and de11ve on 1unham Geen, by one h1ghWayman,
Who despo11ed fhe 111usf1ous ceafue 1n s1ghf of a11 h1s
ef1nue p1sones 1n London gao1s foughf baff1es W1fh fhe1
funkeys, and fhe maesfy of fhe 1aW f1ed b1undebusses 1n among
fhem, 1oaded W1fh ounds of shof and ba11 fh1eves sn1pped off
d1amond cosses fom fhe necks of nob1e 1ods af Couf
daW1ng-ooms muskefees Wenf 1nfo 5f. G11ess, fo seach fo
confaband goods, and fhe mob f1ed on fhe muskefees, and fhe
muskefees f1ed on fhe mob, and nobody fhoughf any of fhese
occuences much ouf of fhe common Way. ln fhe m1dsf of fhem,
fhe hangman, eve busy and eve Wose fhan use1ess, Was 1n
consfanf equ1s1f1on noW, sf1ng1ng up 1ong oWs of m1sce11aneous
c1m1na1s noW, hang1ng a housebeake on 5afuday Who had been
faken on 1uesday noW, bun1ng peop1e 1n fhe hand af NeWgafe by
fhe dozen, and noW bun1ng pamph1efs af fhe doo of Wesfm1nsfe ha11
fo-day, fak1ng fhe 11fe of an afoc1ous mudee, and fo-mooW of a
Wefched p11fee Who had obbed a fames boy of s1xpence.
A11 fhese fh1ngs, and a fhousand 11ke fhem, came fo pass 1n
and c1ose upon fhe dea o1d yea one fhousand seven hunded
and sevenfy-f1ve. Lnv1oned by fhem, Wh11e fhe Woodman and fhe
Iame Woked unheeded, fhose fWo of fhe 1age aWs, and fhose
ofhe fWo of fhe p1a1n and fhe fa1 faces, fod W1fh sf1 enough,
and ca1ed fhe1 d1v1ne 1ghfs W1fh a h1gh hand. 1hus d1d fhe
yea one fhousand seven hunded and sevenfy-f1ve conducf fhe1
Geafnesses, and my1ads of sma11 ceafues--fhe ceafues of fh1s
Page 3
chon1c1e among fhe esf--a1ong fhe oads fhaf 1ay befoe fhem.
ll
1he Ma11
lf Was fhe Dove oad fhaf 1ay, on a I1day n1ghf 1afe 1n Novembe,
befoe fhe f1sf of fhe pesons W1fh Whom fh1s h1sfoy has bus1ness.
1he Dove oad 1ay, as fo h1m, beyond fhe Dove ma11, as 1f
1umbeed up 5hoofes h111. he Wa1ked up h111 1n fhe m1e
by fhe s1de of fhe ma11, as fhe esf of fhe passenges d1d
nof because fhey had fhe 1easf e11sh fo Wa1k1ng exec1se, unde fhe
c1cumsfances, buf because fhe h111, and fhe haness, and fhe mud,
and fhe ma11, Wee a11 so heavy, fhaf fhe hoses had fhee f1mes
a1eady come fo a sfop, bes1des once daW1ng fhe coach acoss fhe oad,
W1fh fhe muf1nous 1nfenf of fak1ng 1f back fo 81ackheafh. ke1ns and Wh1p
and coachman and guad, hoWeve, 1n comb1naf1on, had ead fhaf af1c1e
of Wa Wh1ch fobade a pupose ofheW1se sfong1y 1n favou of fhe agumenf,
fhaf some bufe an1ma1s ae endued W1fh keason and fhe feam had cap1fu1afed
and efuned fo fhe1 dufy.
W1fh doop1ng heads and femu1ous fa11s, fhey mashed fhe1 Way
fhough fhe fh1ck mud, f1ounde1ng and sfumb11ng befWeen Wh11es,
as 1f fhey Wee fa111ng fo p1eces af fhe 1age o1nfs. As offen
as fhe d1ve esfed fhem and boughf fhem fo a sfand, W1fh a
Way "Wo-ho! so-ho- fhen!" fhe nea 1eade v1o1enf1y shook h1s
head and eveyfh1ng upon 1f--11ke an unusua11y emphaf1c hose,
deny1ng fhaf fhe coach cou1d be gof up fhe h111. Wheneve fhe
1eade made fh1s aff1e, fhe passenge sfafed, as a nevous
passenge m1ghf, and Was d1sfubed 1n m1nd.
1hee Was a sfeam1ng m1sf 1n a11 fhe ho11oWs, and 1f had oamed
1n 1fs fo1onness up fhe h111, 11ke an ev11 sp11f, seek1ng esf
and f1nd1ng none. A c1ammy and 1nfense1y co1d m1sf, 1f made 1fs
s1oW Way fhough fhe a1 1n 1pp1es fhaf v1s1b1y fo11oWed and
ovespead one anofhe, as fhe Waves of an unWho1esome sea m1ghf
do. lf Was dense enough fo shuf ouf eveyfh1ng fom fhe 11ghf of
fhe coach-1amps buf fhese 1fs oWn Wok1ngs, and a feW yads of
oad and fhe eek of fhe 1abou1ng hoses sfeamed 1nfo 1f, as 1f
fhey had made 1f a11.
1Wo ofhe passenges, bes1des fhe one, Wee p1odd1ng up fhe h111
by fhe s1de of fhe ma11. A11 fhee Wee Wapped fo fhe cheekbones
and ove fhe eas, and Woe ack-boofs. Nof one of fhe fhee
cou1d have sa1d, fom anyfh1ng he saW, Whaf e1fhe of fhe ofhe
fWo Was 11ke and each Was h1dden unde a1mosf as many Wappes
fom fhe eyes of fhe m1nd, as fom fhe eyes of fhe body, of h1s
fWo compan1ons. ln fhose days, fave11es Wee vey shy of be1ng
conf1denf1a1 on a shof nof1ce, fo anybody on fhe oad m1ghf be
a obbe o 1n 1eague W1fh obbes. As fo fhe 1affe, When evey
posf1ng-house and a1e-house cou1d poduce somebody 1n "fhe Capfa1ns"
pay, ang1ng fom fhe 1and1od fo fhe 1oWesf sfab1e non-desc1pf,
1f Was fhe 11ke11esf fh1ng upon fhe cads. 5o fhe guad of fhe
Dove ma11 fhoughf fo h1mse1f, fhaf I1day n1ghf 1n Novembe, one
fhousand seven hunded and sevenfy-f1ve, 1umbe1ng up 5hoofes
h111, as he sfood on h1s oWn paf1cu1a pech beh1nd fhe ma11,
beaf1ng h1s feef, and keep1ng an eye and a hand on fhe am-chesf
befoe h1m, Whee a 1oaded b1undebuss 1ay af fhe fop of s1x o
e1ghf 1oaded hose-p1sfo1s, depos1fed on a subsfafum of cuf1ass.
Page 4
1he Dove ma11 Was 1n 1fs usua1 gen1a1 pos1f1on fhaf fhe guad
suspecfed fhe passenges, fhe passenges suspecfed one anofhe
and fhe guad, fhey a11 suspecfed eveybody e1se, and fhe coachman
Was sue of nofh1ng buf fhe hoses as fo Wh1ch caff1e he cou1d
W1fh a c1ea consc1ence have faken h1s oafh on fhe fWo 1esfamenfs
fhaf fhey Wee nof f1f fo fhe ouney.
"Wo-ho!" sa1d fhe coachman. "5o, fhen! One moe pu11 and youe
af fhe fop and be damned fo you, fo l have had foub1e enough fo
gef you fo 1f!--Joe!"
"ha11oa!" fhe guad ep11ed.
"Whaf oc1ock do you make 1f, Joe?"
"1en m1nufes, good, pasf e1even."
"My b1ood!" eacu1afed fhe vexed coachman, "and nof afop of
5hoofes yef! 1sf! Yah! Gef on W1fh you! "
1he emphaf1c hose, cuf shof by fhe Wh1p 1n a mosf dec1ded
negaf1ve, made a dec1ded scamb1e fo 1f, and fhe fhee ofhe
hoses fo11oWed su1f. Once moe, fhe Dove ma11 sfugg1ed on,
W1fh fhe ack-boofs of 1fs passenges squash1ng a1ong by 1fs
s1de. 1hey had sfopped When fhe coach sfopped, and fhey kepf
c1ose company W1fh 1f. lf any one of fhe fhee had had fhe
had1hood fo popose fo anofhe fo Wa1k on a 11ff1e ahead 1nfo
fhe m1sf and dakness, he Wou1d have puf h1mse1f 1n a fa1 Way
of geff1ng shof 1nsfanf1y as a h1ghWayman.
1he 1asf busf ca1ed fhe ma11 fo fhe summ1f of fhe h111.
1he hoses sfopped fo beafhe aga1n, and fhe guad gof doWn fo
sk1d fhe Whee1 fo fhe descenf, and open fhe coach-doo fo 1ef
fhe passenges 1n.
"1sf! Joe!" c1ed fhe coachman 1n a Wan1ng vo1ce, 1ook1ng doWn
fom h1s box.
"Whaf do you say, 1om?"
1hey bofh 11sfened.
"l say a hose af a canfe com1ng up, Joe."
"l say a hose af a ga11op, 1om," efuned fhe guad, 1eav1ng
h1s ho1d of fhe doo, and mounf1ng n1mb1y fo h1s p1ace.
"Genf1emen! ln fhe k1ngs name, a11 of you!"
W1fh fh1s hu1ed aduaf1on, he cocked h1s b1undebuss, and
sfood on fhe offens1ve.
1he passenge booked by fh1s h1sfoy, Was on fhe coach-sfep,
geff1ng 1n fhe fWo ofhe passenges Wee c1ose beh1nd h1m, and
abouf fo fo11oW. he ema1ned on fhe sfep, ha1f 1n fhe coach and
ha1f ouf of fhey e-ma1ned 1n fhe oad be1oW h1m. 1hey a11
1ooked fom fhe coachman fo fhe guad, and fom fhe guad fo fhe
coachman, and 11sfened. 1he coachman 1ooked back and fhe guad
1ooked back, and even fhe emphaf1c 1eade p1cked up h1s eas and
1ooked back, W1fhouf confad1cf1ng.
1he sf111ness consequenf on fhe cessaf1on of fhe umb11ng and and
1abou1ng of fhe coach, added fo fhe sf111ness of fhe n1ghf, made
1f vey qu1ef 1ndeed. 1he panf1ng of fhe hoses commun1cafed a
Page 5
femu1ous mof1on fo fhe coach, as 1f 1f Wee 1n a sfafe of
ag1faf1on. 1he heafs of fhe passenges beaf 1oud enough pehaps
fo be head buf af any afe, fhe qu1ef pause Was aud1b1y
expess1ve of peop1e ouf of beafh, and ho1d1ng fhe beafh, and
hav1ng fhe pu1ses qu1ckened by expecfaf1on.
1he sound of a hose af a ga11op came fasf and fu1ous1y up fhe h111.
"5o-ho!" fhe guad sang ouf, as 1oud as he cou1d oa. "Yo fhee!
5fand! l sha11 f1e!"
1he pace Was sudden1y checked, and, W1fh much sp1ash1ng and f1ounde1ng,
a mans vo1ce ca11ed fom fhe m1sf, "ls fhaf fhe Dove ma11?"
"Neve you m1nd Whaf 1f 1s!" fhe guad efofed. "Whaf ae you?"
"l5 fhaf fhe Dove ma11?"
"Why do you Wanf fo knoW?"
"l Wanf a passenge, 1f 1f 1s."
"Whaf passenge?"
"M. Jav1s Loy."
Ou booked passenge shoWed 1n a momenf fhaf 1f Was h1s name.
1he guad, fhe coachman, and fhe fWo ofhe passenges eyed h1m
d1sfusffu11y.
"keep Whee you ae," fhe guad ca11ed fo fhe vo1ce 1n fhe m1sf,
"because, 1f l shou1d make a m1sfake, 1f cou1d neve be sef 1ghf
1n you 11fef1me. Genf1eman of fhe name of Loy ansWe sfa1ghf."
"Whaf 1s fhe maffe?" asked fhe passenge, fhen, W1fh m11d1y
quave1ng speech. "Who Wanfs me? ls 1f Jey?"
{"l donf 11ke Jeys vo1ce, 1f 1f 1s Jey," goW1ed fhe guad
fo h1mse1f. "hes hoase fhan su1fs me, 1s Jey."}
"Yes, M. Loy."
"Whaf 1s fhe maffe?"
"A despafch senf affe you fom ove yonde. 1. and Co."
"l knoW fh1s messenge, guad," sa1d M. Loy, geff1ng doWn 1nfo
fhe oad--ass1sfed fom beh1nd moe sW1ff1y fhan po11fe1y by fhe
ofhe fWo passenges, Who 1mmed1afe1y scamb1ed 1nfo fhe coach,
shuf fhe doo, and pu11ed up fhe W1ndoW. "he may come c1ose
fhees nofh1ng Wong."
"l hope fhee a1nf, buf l canf make so Naf1on sue of fhaf,"
sa1d fhe guad, 1n guff so111oquy. "ha11o you!"
"We11! And ha11o you!" sa1d Jey, moe hoase1y fhan befoe.
"Come on af a foofpace! dye m1nd me? And 1f youve gof ho1sfes
fo fhaf sadd1e o youn, donf 1ef me see you hand go n1gh em.
Io lm a dev11 af a qu1ck m1sfake, and When l make one 1f fakes
fhe fom of Lead. 5o noW 1efs 1ook af you."
1he f1gues of a hose and 1de came s1oW1y fhough fhe eddy1ng
Page 6
m1sf, and came fo fhe s1de of fhe ma11, Whee fhe passenge sfood.
1he 1de sfooped, and, casf1ng up h1s eyes af fhe guad, handed
fhe passenge a sma11 fo1ded pape. 1he 1des hose Was b1oWn,
and bofh hose and 1de Wee coveed W1fh mud, fom fhe hoofs of
fhe hose fo fhe haf of fhe man.
"Guad!" sa1d fhe passenge, 1n a fone of qu1ef bus1ness conf1dence.
1he Wafchfu1 guad, W1fh h1s 1ghf hand af fhe sfock of h1s a1sed
b1undebuss, h1s 1eff af fhe bae1, and h1s eye on fhe hoseman,
ansWeed cuf1y, "51."
"1hee 1s nofh1ng fo appehend. l be1ong fo 1e11sons 8ank.
You musf knoW 1e11sons 8ank 1n London. l am go1ng fo Pa1s
on bus1ness. A coWn fo d1nk. l may ead fh1s?"
"lf so be as youe qu1ck, s1."
he opened 1f 1n fhe 11ghf of fhe coach-1amp on fhaf s1de,
and ead--f1sf fo h1mse1f and fhen a1oud: "Wa1f af Dove fo
Mamse11e. lfs nof 1ong, you see, guad. Jey, say fhaf my
ansWe Was, kLCALLLD 1O LlIL."
Jey sfafed 1n h1s sadd1e. "1hafs a 81az1ng sfange ansWe, foo,"
sa1d he, af h1s hoasesf.
"1ake fhaf message back, and fhey W111 knoW fhaf l ece1ved fh1s,
as We11 as 1f l Wofe. Make fhe besf of you Way. Good n1ghf."
W1fh fhose Wods fhe passenge opened fhe coach-doo and gof 1n
nof af a11 ass1sfed by h1s fe11oW-passenges, Who had
exped1f1ous1y secefed fhe1 Wafches and puses 1n fhe1 boofs,
and Wee noW mak1ng a genea1 pefence of be1ng as1eep. W1fh no
moe def1n1fe pupose fhan fo escape fhe hazad of o1g1naf1ng
any ofhe k1nd of acf1on.
1he coach 1umbeed on aga1n, W1fh heav1e Weafhs of m1sf c1os1ng
ound 1f as 1f began fhe descenf. 1he guad soon ep1aced h1s
b1undebuss 1n h1s am-chesf, and, hav1ng 1ooked fo fhe esf of 1fs
confenfs, and hav1ng 1ooked fo fhe supp1emenfay p1sfo1s fhaf he Woe
1n h1s be1f, 1ooked fo a sma11e chesf beneafh h1s seaf, 1n Wh1ch
fhee Wee a feW sm1fhs foo1s, a coup1e of foches, and a f1nde-box.
Io he Was fun1shed W1fh fhaf comp1efeness fhaf 1f fhe coach-1amps
had been b1oWn and sfomed ouf, Wh1ch d1d occas1ona11y happen, he had
on1y fo shuf h1mse1f up 1ns1de, keep fhe f11nf and sfee1 spaks We11
off fhe sfaW, and gef a 11ghf W1fh fo1eab1e safefy and ease {1f he
Wee 1ucky} 1n f1ve m1nufes.
"1om!" soff1y ove fhe coach oof.
"ha11o, Joe."
"D1d you hea fhe message?"
"l d1d, Joe."
"Whaf d1d you make of 1f, 1om?"
"Nofh1ng af a11, Joe."
"1hafs a co1nc1dence, foo," fhe guad mused, "fo l made fhe
same of 1f myse1f."
Page 7
Jey, 1eff a1one 1n fhe m1sf and dakness, d1smounfed meanWh11e,
nof on1y fo ease h1s spenf hose, buf fo W1pe fhe mud fom h1s
face, and shake fhe Wef ouf of h1s haf-b1m, Wh1ch m1ghf be
capab1e of ho1d1ng abouf ha1f a ga11on. Affe sfand1ng W1fh fhe
b1d1e ove h1s heav11y-sp1ashed am, unf11 fhe Whee1s of fhe
ma11 Wee no 1onge W1fh1n hea1ng and fhe n1ghf Was qu1fe sf111
aga1n, he funed fo Wa1k doWn fhe h111.
"Affe fhaf fhee ga11op fom 1emp1e 8a, o1d 1ady, l Wonf fusf
you foe-1egs f111 l gef you on fhe 1eve1," sa1d fh1s hoase
messenge, g1anc1ng af h1s mae. "keca11ed fo 11fe. 1hafs a
81az1ng sfange message. Much of fhaf Wou1dnf do fo you, Jey!
l say, Jey! Youd be 1n a 81az1ng bad Way, 1f eca111ng fo 11fe Was
fo come 1nfo fash1on, Jey!"
lll
1he N1ghf 5hadoWs
A Wondefu1 facf fo ef1ecf upon, fhaf evey human ceafue 1s
consf1fufed fo be fhaf pofound secef and mysfey fo evey ofhe.
A so1emn cons1deaf1on, When l enfe a geaf c1fy by n1ghf, fhaf
evey one of fhose dak1y c1usfeed houses enc1oses 1fs oWn secef
fhaf evey oom 1n evey one of fhem enc1oses 1fs oWn secef fhaf
evey beaf1ng heaf 1n fhe hundeds of fhousands of beasfs fhee,
1s, 1n some of 1fs 1mag1n1ngs, a secef fo fhe heaf neaesf 1f!
5omefh1ng of fhe aWfu1ness, even of Deafh 1fse1f, 1s efeab1e fo
fh1s. No moe can l fun fhe 1eaves of fh1s dea book fhaf l 1oved,
and va1n1y hope 1n f1me fo ead 1f a11. No moe can l 1ook 1nfo fhe
depfhs of fh1s unfafhomab1e Wafe, Whee1n, as momenfay 11ghfs
g1anced 1nfo 1f, l have had g11mpses of bu1ed feasue and ofhe
fh1ngs submeged. lf Was appo1nfed fhaf fhe book shou1d shuf W1fh a
a sp1ng, fo eve and fo eve, When l had ead buf a page. lf Was
appo1nfed fhaf fhe Wafe shou1d be 1ocked 1n an efena1 fosf, When
fhe 11ghf Was p1ay1ng on 1fs suface, and l sfood 1n 1gnoance on fhe
shoe. My f1end 1s dead, my ne1ghbou 1s dead, my 1ove, fhe da11ng
of my sou1, 1s dead 1f 1s fhe 1nexoab1e conso11daf1on and
pepefuaf1on of fhe secef fhaf Was a1Ways 1n fhaf 1nd1v1dua11fy,
and Wh1ch l sha11 cay 1n m1ne fo my 11fes end. ln any of fhe
bu1a1-p1aces of fh1s c1fy fhough Wh1ch l pass, 1s fhee a s1eepe
moe 1nscufab1e fhan 1fs busy 1nhab1fanfs ae, 1n fhe1 1nnemosf
pesona11fy, fo me, o fhan l am fo fhem?
As fo fh1s, h1s nafua1 and nof fo be a11enafed 1nhe1fance,
fhe messenge on hoseback had exacf1y fhe same possess1ons as
fhe k1ng, fhe f1sf M1n1sfe of 5fafe, o fhe 1chesf mechanf
1n London. 5o W1fh fhe fhee passenges shuf up 1n fhe naoW
compass of one 1umbe1ng o1d ma11 coach fhey Wee mysfe1es fo
one anofhe, as comp1efe as 1f each had been 1n h1s oWn coach and
s1x, o h1s oWn coach and s1xfy, W1fh fhe beadfh of a counfy
befWeen h1m and fhe nexf.
1he messenge ode back af an easy fof, sfopp1ng peffy offen af
a1e-houses by fhe Way fo d1nk, buf ev1nc1ng a fendency fo keep h1s
oWn counse1, and fo keep h1s haf cocked ove h1s eyes. he had eyes
fhaf assofed vey We11 W1fh fhaf decoaf1on, be1ng of a suface
b1ack, W1fh no depfh 1n fhe co1ou o fom, and much foo nea
fogefhe--as 1f fhey Wee afa1d of be1ng found ouf 1n somefh1ng,
s1ng1y, 1f fhey kepf foo fa apaf. 1hey had a s1n1sfe expess1on,
unde an o1d cocked-haf 11ke a fhee-coneed sp1ffoon, and ove a
Page
geaf muff1e fo fhe ch1n and fhoaf, Wh1ch descended nea1y fo fhe
Weaes knees. When he sfopped fo d1nk, he moved fh1s muff1e
W1fh h1s 1eff hand, on1y Wh11e he poued h1s 11quo 1n W1fh h1s
1ghf as soon as fhaf Was done, he muff1ed aga1n.
"No, Jey, no!" sa1d fhe messenge, hap1ng on one fheme as he ode.
"lf Wou1dnf do fo you, Jey. Jey, you honesf fadesman, 1f
Wou1dnf su1f YOuk 11ne of bus1ness! keca11ed--! 8usf me 1f l
donf fh1nk hed been a d1nk1ng!"
h1s message pep1exed h1s m1nd fo fhaf degee fhaf he Was fa1n,
sevea1 f1mes, fo fake off h1s haf fo scafch h1s head. Lxcepf on
fhe coWn, Wh1ch Was agged1y ba1d, he had sf1ff, b1ack ha1,
sfand1ng agged1y a11 ove 1f, and goW1ng doWn h111 a1mosf fo h1s
boad, b1unf nose. lf Was so 11ke 5m1fhs Wok, so much moe 11ke
fhe fop of a sfong1y sp1ked Wa11 fhan a head of ha1, fhaf fhe besf
of p1ayes af 1eap-fog m1ghf have dec11ned h1m, as fhe mosf
dangeous man 1n fhe Wo1d fo go ove.
Wh11e he foffed back W1fh fhe message he Was fo de11ve fo fhe n1ghf
Wafchman 1n h1s box af fhe doo of 1e11sons 8ank, by 1emp1e 8a, Who
Was fo de11ve 1f fo geafe aufho1f1es W1fh1n, fhe shadoWs of fhe
n1ghf fook such shapes fo h1m as aose ouf of fhe message, and fook
such shapes fo fhe mae as aose ouf of hLk p1vafe fop1cs of
uneas1ness. 1hey seemed fo be numeous, fo she sh1ed af evey
shadoW on fhe oad.
Whaf f1me, fhe ma11-coach 1umbeed, o1fed, aff1ed, and bumped upon
1fs fed1ous Way, W1fh 1fs fhee fe11oW-1nscufab1es 1ns1de. 1o Whom,
11keW1se, fhe shadoWs of fhe n1ghf evea1ed fhemse1ves, 1n fhe foms
fhe1 doz1ng eyes and Wande1ng fhoughfs suggesfed.
1e11sons 8ank had a un upon 1f 1n fhe ma11. As fhe bank passenge--
W1fh an am daWn fhough fhe 1eafhen sfap, Wh1ch d1d Whaf 1ay 1n
1f fo keep h1m fom pound1ng aga1nsf fhe nexf passenge, and d1v1ng
h1m 1nfo h1s cone, Wheneve fhe coach gof a spec1a1 o1f--nodded 1n
h1s p1ace, W1fh ha1f-shuf eyes, fhe 11ff1e coach-W1ndoWs, and fhe
coach-1amp d1m1y g1eam1ng fhough fhem, and fhe bu1ky bund1e of
oppos1fe passenge, became fhe bank, and d1d a geaf sfoke of bus1ness.
1he aff1e of fhe haness Was fhe ch1nk of money, and moe daffs
Wee honoued 1n f1ve m1nufes fhan even 1e11sons, W1fh a11 1fs
foe1gn and home connecf1on, eve pa1d 1n fh1ce fhe f1me. 1hen fhe
sfong-ooms undegound, af 1e11sons, W1fh such of fhe1 va1uab1e
sfoes and secefs as Wee knoWn fo fhe passenge {and 1f Was nof a
11ff1e fhaf he kneW abouf fhem}, opened befoe h1m, and he Wenf 1n
among fhem W1fh fhe geaf keys and fhe feeb1y-bun1ng cand1e, and
found fhem safe, and sfong, and sound, and sf111, usf as he had
1asf seen fhem.
8uf, fhough fhe bank Was a1mosf a1Ways W1fh h1m, and fhough fhe coach
{1n a confused Way, 11ke fhe pesence of pa1n unde an op1afe} Was
a1Ways W1fh h1m, fhee Was anofhe cuenf of 1mpess1on fhaf neve
ceased fo un, a11 fhough fhe n1ghf. he Was on h1s Way fo d1g some
one ouf of a gave.
NoW, Wh1ch of fhe mu1f1fude of faces fhaf shoWed fhemse1ves befoe
h1m Was fhe fue face of fhe bu1ed peson, fhe shadoWs of fhe n1ghf
d1d nof 1nd1cafe buf fhey Wee a11 fhe faces of a man of f1ve-and-
fofy by yeas, and fhey d1ffeed p1nc1pa11y 1n fhe pass1ons fhey
expessed, and 1n fhe ghasf11ness of fhe1 Won and Wasfed sfafe.
P1de, confempf, def1ance, sfubbonness, subm1ss1on, 1amenfaf1on,
succeeded one anofhe so d1d va1ef1es of sunken cheek, cadaveous
co1ou, emac1afed hands and f1gues. 8uf fhe face Was 1n fhe ma1n
Page 9
one face, and evey head Was pemafue1y Wh1fe. A hunded f1mes fhe
doz1ng passenge 1nqu1ed of fh1s specfe:
"8u1ed hoW 1ong?"
1he ansWe Was a1Ways fhe same: "A1mosf e1ghfeen yeas."
"You had abandoned a11 hope of be1ng dug ouf?"
"Long ago."
"You knoW fhaf you ae eca11ed fo 11fe?"
"1hey fe11 me so."
"l hope you cae fo 11ve?"
"l canf say."
"5ha11 l shoW he fo you? W111 you come and see he?"
1he ansWes fo fh1s quesf1on Wee va1ous and confad1cfoy.
5omef1mes fhe boken ep1y Was, "Wa1f! lf Wou1d k111 me 1f l saW
he foo soon." 5omef1mes, 1f Was g1ven 1n a fende a1n of feas,
and fhen 1f Was, "1ake me fo he." 5omef1mes 1f Was sfa1ng and
beW11deed, and fhen 1f Was, "l donf knoW he. l donf undesfand."
Affe such 1mag1nay d1scouse, fhe passenge 1n h1s fancy Wou1d d1g,
and d1g, d1g--noW W1fh a spade, noW W1fh a geaf key, noW W1fh h1s
hands--fo d1g fh1s Wefched ceafue ouf. Gof ouf af 1asf, W1fh
eafh hang1ng abouf h1s face and ha1, he Wou1d sudden1y fan aWay fo
dusf. 1he passenge Wou1d fhen sfaf fo h1mse1f, and 1oWe fhe
W1ndoW, fo gef fhe ea11fy of m1sf and a1n on h1s cheek.
Yef even When h1s eyes Wee opened on fhe m1sf and a1n, on fhe
mov1ng pafch of 11ghf fom fhe 1amps, and fhe hedge af fhe oads1de
efeaf1ng by eks, fhe n1ghf shadoWs oufs1de fhe coach Wou1d fa11
1nfo fhe fa1n of fhe n1ghf shadoWs W1fh1n. 1he ea1 8ank1ng-house
by 1emp1e 8a, fhe ea1 bus1ness of fhe pasf day, fhe ea1 sfong
ooms, fhe ea1 expess senf affe h1m, and fhe ea1 message efuned,
Wou1d a11 be fhee. Ouf of fhe m1dsf of fhem, fhe ghosf1y face Wou1d
1se, and he Wou1d accosf 1f aga1n.
"8u1ed hoW 1ong?"
"A1mosf e1ghfeen yeas."
"l hope you cae fo 11ve?"
"l canf say."
D1g--d1g--d1g--unf11 an 1mpaf1enf movemenf fom one of fhe fWo
passenges Wou1d admon1sh h1m fo pu11 up fhe W1ndoW, daW h1s am
secue1y fhough fhe 1eafhen sfap, and specu1afe upon fhe fWo
s1umbe1ng foms, unf11 h1s m1nd 1osf 1fs ho1d of fhem, and fhey
aga1n s11d aWay 1nfo fhe bank and fhe gave.
"8u1ed hoW 1ong?"
"A1mosf e1ghfeen yeas."
"You had abandoned a11 hope of be1ng dug ouf?"
Page 10
"Long ago."
1he Wods Wee sf111 1n h1s hea1ng as usf spoken--d1sf1ncf1y 1n h1s
hea1ng as eve spoken Wods had been 1n h1s 11fe--When fhe Weay
passenge sfafed fo fhe consc1ousness of day11ghf, and found fhaf
fhe shadoWs of fhe n1ghf Wee gone.
he 1oWeed fhe W1ndoW, and 1ooked ouf af fhe 1s1ng sun. 1hee Was a
1dge of p1oughed 1and, W1fh a p1ough upon 1f Whee 1f had been 1eff
1asf n1ghf When fhe hoses Wee unyoked beyond, a qu1ef copp1ce-Wood,
1n Wh1ch many 1eaves of bun1ng ed and go1den ye11oW sf111 ema1ned
upon fhe fees. 1hough fhe eafh Was co1d and Wef, fhe sky Was
c1ea, and fhe sun ose b1ghf, p1ac1d, and beauf1fu1.
"L1ghfeen yeas!" sa1d fhe passenge, 1ook1ng af fhe sun.
"Gac1ous Ceafo of day! 1o be bu1ed a11ve fo e1ghfeen yeas!"
lv
1he Pepaaf1on
When fhe ma11 gof successfu11y fo Dove, 1n fhe couse of fhe
foenoon, fhe head daWe af fhe koya1 Geoge hofe1 opened fhe
coach-doo as h1s cusfom Was. he d1d 1f W1fh some f1ou1sh of
ceemony, fo a ma11 ouney fom London 1n W1nfe Was an ach1evemenf
fo congafu1afe an advenfuous fave11e upon.
8y fhaf f1me, fhee Was on1y one advenfuous fave11e 1eff be
congafu1afed: fo fhe fWo ofhes had been sef doWn af fhe1
especf1ve oads1de desf1naf1ons. 1he m11deWy 1ns1de of fhe coach,
W1fh 1fs damp and d1fy sfaW, 1fs d1sageeab1e sme11, and 1fs
obscu1fy, Was afhe 11ke a 1age dog-kenne1. M. Loy, fhe
passenge, shak1ng h1mse1f ouf of 1f 1n cha1ns of sfaW, a fang1e of
shaggy Wappe, f1app1ng haf, and muddy 1egs, Was afhe 11ke a
1age sof of dog.
"1hee W111 be a packef fo Ca1a1s, fomooW, daWe?"
"Yes, s1, 1f fhe Weafhe ho1ds and fhe W1nd sefs fo1eab1e fa1.
1he f1de W111 seve peffy n1ce1y af abouf fWo 1n fhe affenoon,
s1. 8ed, s1?"
"l sha11 nof go fo bed f111 n1ghf buf l Wanf a bedoom, and a babe."
"And fhen beakfasf, s1? Yes, s1. 1haf Way, s1, 1f you p1ease.
5hoW Concod! Genf1emans va11se and hof Wafe fo Concod. Pu11 off
genf1emans boofs 1n Concod. {You W111 f1nd a f1ne sea-coa1 f1e,
s1.} Iefch babe fo Concod. 5f1 abouf fhee, noW, fo Concod!"
1he Concod bed-chambe be1ng a1Ways ass1gned fo a passenge by fhe
ma11, and passenges by fhe ma11 be1ng a1Ways heav11y Wapped up fom
bead fo foof, fhe oom had fhe odd 1nfeesf fo fhe esfab11shmenf of
fhe koya1 Geoge, fhaf a1fhough buf one k1nd of man Was seen fo go
1nfo 1f, a11 k1nds and va1ef1es of men came ouf of 1f. Consequenf1y,
anofhe daWe, and fWo pofes, and sevea1 ma1ds and fhe 1and1ady,
Wee a11 1o1fe1ng by acc1denf af va1ous po1nfs of fhe oad befWeen
fhe Concod and fhe coffee-oom, When a genf1eman of s1xfy, foma11y
dessed 1n a boWn su1f of c1ofhes, peffy We11 Won, buf vey We11
kepf, W1fh 1age squae cuffs and 1age f1aps fo fhe pockefs, passed
a1ong on h1s Way fo h1s beakfasf.
Page 11
1he coffee-oom had no ofhe occupanf, fhaf foenoon, fhan fhe
genf1eman 1n boWn. h1s beakfasf-fab1e Was daWn befoe fhe f1e,
and as he saf, W1fh 1fs 11ghf sh1n1ng on h1m, Wa1f1ng fo fhe mea1,
he saf so sf111, fhaf he m1ghf have been s1ff1ng fo h1s pofa1f.
vey ode1y and mefhod1ca1 he 1ooked, W1fh a hand on each knee, and
a 1oud Wafch f1ck1ng a sonoous semon unde h1s f1apped Wa1sf-coaf,
as fhough 1f p1ffed 1fs gav1fy and 1ongev1fy aga1nsf fhe 1ev1fy and
evanescence of fhe b1sk f1e. he had a good 1eg, and Was a 11ff1e
va1n of 1f, fo h1s boWn sfock1ngs f1ffed s1eek and c1ose, and Wee
of a f1ne fexfue h1s shoes and buck1es, foo, fhough p1a1n, Wee
f1m. he Woe an odd 11ff1e s1eek c1sp f1axen W1g, seff1ng vey
c1ose fo h1s head: Wh1ch W1g, 1f 1s fo be pesumed, Was made of ha1,
buf Wh1ch 1ooked fa moe as fhough 1f Wee spun fom f11amenfs of
s11k o g1ass. h1s 11nen, fhough nof of a f1neness 1n accodance
W1fh h1s sfock1ngs, Was as Wh1fe as fhe fops of fhe Waves fhaf boke
upon fhe ne1ghbou1ng beach, o fhe specks of sa11 fhaf g11nfed 1n
fhe sun11ghf fa af sea. A face hab1fua11y suppessed and qu1efed,
Was sf111 11ghfed up unde fhe qua1nf W1g by a pa1 of mo1sf b1ghf
eyes fhaf 1f musf have cosf fhe1 oWne, 1n yeas gone by, some pa1ns
fo d111 fo fhe composed and eseved expess1on of 1e11sons 8ank.
he had a hea1fhy co1ou 1n h1s cheeks, and h1s face, fhough 11ned,
boe feW faces of anx1efy. 8uf, pehaps fhe conf1denf1a1 bache1o
c1eks 1n 1e11sons 8ank Wee p1nc1pa11y occup1ed W1fh fhe caes of
ofhe peop1e and pehaps second-hand caes, 11ke second-hand
c1ofhes, come eas11y off and on.
Comp1ef1ng h1s esemb1ance fo a man Who Was s1ff1ng fo h1s pofa1f,
M. Loy dopped off fo s1eep. 1he a1va1 of h1s beakfasf oused
h1m, and he sa1d fo fhe daWe, as he moved h1s cha1 fo 1f:
"l W1sh accommodaf1on pepaed fo a young 1ady Who may come hee af
any f1me fo-day. 5he may ask fo M. Jav1s Loy, o she may on1y
ask fo a genf1eman fom 1e11sons 8ank. P1ease fo 1ef me knoW."
"Yes, s1. 1e11sons 8ank 1n London, s1?"
"Yes."
"Yes, s1. We have offenf1mes fhe honou fo enfefa1n you genf1emen
1n fhe1 fave111ng backWads and foWads befW1xf London and Pa1s,
s1. A vasf dea1 of fave111ng, s1, 1n 1e11son and Companys house."
"Yes. We ae qu1fe a Iench house, as We11 as an Lng11sh one."
"Yes, s1. Nof much 1n fhe hab1f of such fave111ng youse1f,
l fh1nk, s1?"
"Nof of 1afe yeas. lf 1s f1ffeen yeas s1nce We--s1nce l--
came 1asf fom Iance."
"lndeed, s1? 1haf Was befoe my f1me hee, s1. 8efoe ou peop1es
f1me hee, s1. 1he Geoge Was 1n ofhe hands af fhaf f1me, s1."
"l be11eve so."
"8uf l Wou1d ho1d a peffy Wage, s1, fhaf a house 11ke 1e11son and
Company Was f1ou1sh1ng, a maffe of f1ffy, nof fo speak of f1ffeen
yeas ago?"
"You m1ghf feb1e fhaf, and say a hunded and f1ffy, yef nof be fa
fom fhe fufh."
Page 12
"lndeed, s1!"
kound1ng h1s moufh and bofh h1s eyes, as he sfepped backWad fom fhe
fab1e, fhe Wa1fe sh1ffed h1s napk1n fom h1s 1ghf am fo h1s 1eff,
dopped 1nfo a comfofab1e aff1fude, and sfood suvey1ng fhe guesf
Wh11e he afe and dank, as fom an obsevafoy o WafchfoWe.
Accod1ng fo fhe 1mmemo1a1 usage of Wa1fes 1n a11 ages.
When M. Loy had f1n1shed h1s beakfasf, he Wenf ouf fo a sfo11
on fhe beach. 1he 11ff1e naoW, cooked foWn of Dove h1d 1fse1f
aWay fom fhe beach, and an 1fs head 1nfo fhe cha1k c11ffs, 11ke a
ma1ne osf1ch. 1he beach Was a desef of heaps of sea and sfones
fumb11ng W11d1y abouf, and fhe sea d1d Whaf 1f 11ked, and Whaf 1f
11ked Was desfucf1on. lf fhundeed af fhe foWn, and fhundeed af
fhe c11ffs, and boughf fhe coasf doWn, mad1y. 1he a1 among fhe
houses Was of so sfong a p1scafoy f1avou fhaf one m1ghf have
supposed s1ck f1sh Wenf up fo be d1pped 1n 1f, as s1ck peop1e Wenf
doWn fo be d1pped 1n fhe sea. A 11ff1e f1sh1ng Was done 1n fhe pof,
and a quanf1fy of sfo111ng abouf by n1ghf, and 1ook1ng seaWad:
paf1cu1a1y af fhose f1mes When fhe f1de made, and Was nea f1ood.
5ma11 fadesmen, Who d1d no bus1ness Whafeve, somef1mes unaccounfab1y
ea11sed 1age fofunes, and 1f Was emakab1e fhaf nobody 1n fhe
ne1ghbouhood cou1d endue a 1amp11ghfe.
As fhe day dec11ned 1nfo fhe affenoon, and fhe a1, Wh1ch had been
af 1nfeva1s c1ea enough fo a11oW fhe Iench coasf fo be seen,
became aga1n chaged W1fh m1sf and vapou, M. Loys fhoughfs
seemed fo c1oud foo. When 1f Was dak, and he saf befoe fhe
coffee-oom f1e, aWa1f1ng h1s d1nne as he had aWa1fed h1s beakfasf,
h1s m1nd Was bus11y d1gg1ng, d1gg1ng, d1gg1ng, 1n fhe 11ve ed coa1s.
A boff1e of good c1aef affe d1nne does a d1gge 1n fhe ed coa1s
no ham, ofheW1se fhan as 1f has a fendency fo fhoW h1m ouf of
Wok. M. Loy had been 1d1e a 1ong f1me, and had usf poued ouf
h1s 1asf g1assfu1 of W1ne W1fh as comp1efe an appeaance of
saf1sfacf1on as 1s eve fo be found 1n an e1de1y genf1eman of a
fesh comp1ex1on Who has gof fo fhe end of a boff1e, When a aff11ng
of Whee1s came up fhe naoW sfeef, and umb1ed 1nfo fhe 1nn-yad.
he sef doWn h1s g1ass unfouched. "1h1s 1s Mamse11e!" sa1d he.
ln a vey feW m1nufes fhe Wa1fe came 1n fo announce fhaf M1ss
Maneffe had a1ved fom London, and Wou1d be happy fo see fhe
genf1eman fom 1e11sons.
"5o soon?"
M1ss Maneffe had faken some efeshmenf on fhe oad, and equ1ed
none fhen, and Was exfeme1y anx1ous fo see fhe genf1eman fom
1e11sons 1mmed1afe1y, 1f 1f su1fed h1s p1easue and conven1ence.
1he genf1eman fom 1e11sons had nofh1ng 1eff fo 1f buf fo empfy h1s
g1ass W1fh an a1 of sfo11d despeaf1on, seff1e h1s odd 11ff1e f1axen
W1g af fhe eas, and fo11oW fhe Wa1fe fo M1ss Maneffes apafmenf.
lf Was a 1age, dak oom, fun1shed 1n a funeea1 manne W1fh b1ack
hoseha1, and 1oaded W1fh heavy dak fab1es. 1hese had been o11ed
and o11ed, unf11 fhe fWo fa11 cand1es on fhe fab1e 1n fhe m1dd1e of
fhe oom Wee g1oom11y ef1ecfed on evey 1eaf as 1f 1hLY Wee
bu1ed, 1n deep gaves of b1ack mahogany, and no 11ghf fo speak of
cou1d be expecfed fom fhem unf11 fhey Wee dug ouf.
1he obscu1fy Was so d1ff1cu1f fo penefafe fhaf M. Loy,
Page 13
p1ck1ng h1s Way ove fhe We11-Won 1ukey capef, supposed
M1ss Maneffe fo be, fo fhe momenf, 1n some adacenf oom, unf11,
hav1ng gof pasf fhe fWo fa11 cand1es, he saW sfand1ng fo ece1ve h1m
by fhe fab1e befWeen fhem and fhe f1e, a young 1ady of nof moe fhan
sevenfeen, 1n a 1d1ng-c1oak, and sf111 ho1d1ng he sfaW fave111ng-
haf by 1fs 1bbon 1n he hand. As h1s eyes esfed on a shof, s11ghf,
peffy f1gue, a quanf1fy of go1den ha1, a pa1 of b1ue eyes fhaf
mef h1s oWn W1fh an 1nqu11ng 1ook, and a foehead W1fh a s1ngu1a
capac1fy {emembe1ng hoW young and smoofh 1f Was}, of 1ff1ng and
kn1ff1ng 1fse1f 1nfo an expess1on fhaf Was nof qu1fe one of pep1ex1fy,
o Wonde, o a1am, o mee1y of a b1ghf f1xed affenf1on, fhough 1f
1nc1uded a11 fhe fou expess1ons-as h1s eyes esfed on fhese fh1ngs,
a sudden v1v1d 11keness passed befoe h1m, of a ch11d Whom he had
he1d 1n h1s ams on fhe passage acoss fhaf vey Channe1, one co1d
f1me, When fhe ha11 d1ffed heav11y and fhe sea an h1gh. 1he
11keness passed aWay, 11ke a beafh a1ong fhe suface of fhe gaunf
p1e-g1ass beh1nd he, on fhe fame of Wh1ch, a hosp1fa1 pocess1on
of nego cup1ds, sevea1 head1ess and a11 c1pp1es, Wee offe1ng
b1ack baskefs of Dead 5ea fu1f fo b1ack d1v1n1f1es of fhe fem1n1ne
gende-and he made h1s foma1 boW fo M1ss Maneffe.
"Pay fake a seaf, s1." ln a vey c1ea and p1easanf young vo1ce
a 11ff1e foe1gn 1n 1fs accenf, buf a vey 11ff1e 1ndeed.
"l k1ss you hand, m1ss," sa1d M. Loy, W1fh fhe mannes of an
ea11e dafe, as he made h1s foma1 boW aga1n, and fook h1s seaf.
"l ece1ved a 1effe fom fhe 8ank, s1, yesfeday, 1nfom1ng me fhaf
some 1nfe111gence--o d1scovey--"
"1he Wod 1s nof mafe1a1, m1ss e1fhe Wod W111 do."
"--especf1ng fhe sma11 popefy of my poo fafhe, Whom l neve
saW--so 1ong dead--"
M. Loy moved 1n h1s cha1, and casf a foub1ed 1ook foWads fhe
hosp1fa1 pocess1on of nego cup1ds. As 1f 1hLY had any he1p fo
anybody 1n fhe1 absud baskefs!
"--endeed 1f necessay fhaf l shou1d go fo Pa1s, fhee fo
commun1cafe W1fh a genf1eman of fhe 8ank, so good as fo be despafched
fo Pa1s fo fhe pupose."
"Myse1f."
"As l Was pepaed fo hea, s1."
5he cufseyed fo h1m {young 1ad1es made cufseys 1n fhose days}, W1fh
a peffy des1e fo convey fo h1m fhaf she fe1f hoW much o1de and
W1se he Was fhan she. he made he anofhe boW.
"l ep11ed fo fhe 8ank, s1, fhaf as 1f Was cons1deed necessay, by
fhose Who knoW, and Who ae so k1nd as fo adv1se me, fhaf l shou1d go
fo Iance, and fhaf as l am an ophan and have no f1end Who cou1d go
W1fh me, l shou1d esfeem 1f h1gh1y 1f l m1ghf be pem1ffed fo p1ace
myse1f, du1ng fhe ouney, unde fhaf Wofhy genf1emans pofecf1on.
1he genf1eman had 1eff London, buf l fh1nk a messenge Was senf affe
h1m fo beg fhe favou of h1s Wa1f1ng fo me hee."
"l Was happy," sa1d M. Loy, "fo be enfusfed W1fh fhe chage.
l sha11 be moe happy fo execufe 1f."
Page 14
"51, l fhank you 1ndeed. l fhank you vey gafefu11y. lf Was fo1d
me by fhe 8ank fhaf fhe genf1eman Wou1d exp1a1n fo me fhe defa11s of
fhe bus1ness, and fhaf l musf pepae myse1f fo f1nd fhem of a
sup1s1ng nafue. l have done my besf fo pepae myse1f, and l
nafua11y have a sfong and eage 1nfeesf fo knoW Whaf fhey ae."
"Nafua11y," sa1d M. Loy. "Yes--l--"
Affe a pause, he added, aga1n seff11ng fhe c1sp f1axen W1g af fhe eas,
"lf 1s vey d1ff1cu1f fo beg1n."
he d1d nof beg1n, buf, 1n h1s 1ndec1s1on, mef he g1ance. 1he young
foehead 11ffed 1fse1f 1nfo fhaf s1ngu1a expess1on--buf 1f Was
peffy and chaacfe1sf1c, bes1des be1ng s1ngu1a--and she a1sed
he hand, as 1f W1fh an 1nvo1unfay acf1on she caughf af, o sfayed
some pass1ng shadoW.
"Ae you qu1fe a sfange fo me, s1?"
"Am l nof?" M. Loy opened h1s hands, and exfended fhem oufWads
W1fh an agumenfaf1ve sm11e.
8efWeen fhe eyeboWs and usf ove fhe 11ff1e fem1n1ne nose, fhe 11ne
of Wh1ch Was as de11cafe and f1ne as 1f Was poss1b1e fo be, fhe
expess1on deepened 1fse1f as she fook he seaf fhoughffu11y 1n fhe
cha1 by Wh1ch she had h1fhefo ema1ned sfand1ng. he Wafched he as
she mused, and fhe momenf she a1sed he eyes aga1n, Wenf on:
"ln you adopfed counfy, l pesume, l cannof do beffe fhan addess
you as a young Lng11sh 1ady, M1ss Maneffe?"
"lf you p1ease, s1."
"M1ss Maneffe, l am a man of bus1ness. l have a bus1ness chage fo
acqu1f myse1f of. ln you ecepf1on of 1f, donf heed me any moe
fhan 1f l Was a speak1ng mach1ne-fu1y, l am nof much e1se. l W111,
W1fh you 1eave, e1afe fo you, m1ss, fhe sfoy of one of ou
cusfomes."
"5foy!"
he seemed W11fu11y fo m1sfake fhe Wod she had epeafed, When he
added, 1n a huy, "Yes, cusfomes 1n fhe bank1ng bus1ness We
usua11y ca11 ou connecf1on ou cusfomes. he Was a Iench
genf1eman a sc1enf1f1c genf1eman a man of geaf acqu1emenfs--
a Docfo."
"Nof of 8eauva1s?"
"Why, yes, of 8eauva1s. L1ke Mons1eu Maneffe, you fafhe,
fhe genf1eman Was of 8eauva1s. L1ke Mons1eu Maneffe, you fafhe,
fhe genf1eman Was of epufe 1n Pa1s. l had fhe honou of knoW1ng
h1m fhee. Ou e1af1ons Wee bus1ness e1af1ons, buf conf1denf1a1.
l Was af fhaf f1me 1n ou Iench house, and had been--oh! fWenfy yeas."
"Af fhaf f1me--l may ask, af Whaf f1me, s1?"
"l speak, m1ss, of fWenfy yeas ago. he ma1ed--an Lng11sh
1ady--and l Was one of fhe fusfees. h1s affa1s, 11ke fhe affa1s
of many ofhe Iench genf1emen and Iench fam111es, Wee enf1e1y 1n
1e11sons hands. ln a s1m11a Way l am, o l have been, fusfee of
one k1nd o ofhe fo scoes of ou cusfomes. 1hese ae mee bus1ness
e1af1ons, m1ss fhee 1s no f1endsh1p 1n fhem, no paf1cu1a
Page 15
1nfeesf, nofh1ng 11ke senf1menf. l have passed fom one fo anofhe,
1n fhe couse of my bus1ness 11fe, usf as l pass fom one of ou
cusfomes fo anofhe 1n fhe couse of my bus1ness day 1n shof, l
have no fee11ngs l am a mee mach1ne. 1o go on--"
"8uf fh1s 1s my fafhes sfoy, s1 and l beg1n fo fh1nk"
--fhe cu1ous1y oughened foehead Was vey 1nfenf upon h1m--"fhaf
When l Was 1eff an ophan fhough my mofhes suv1v1ng my fafhe
on1y fWo yeas, 1f Was you Who boughf me fo Lng1and. l am a1mosf
sue 1f Was you."
M. Loy fook fhe hes1faf1ng 11ff1e hand fhaf conf1d1ng1y advanced
fo fake h1s, and he puf 1f W1fh some ceemony fo h1s 11ps. he fhen
conducfed fhe young 1ady sfa1ghfWay fo he cha1 aga1n, and, ho1d1ng
fhe cha1-back W1fh h1s 1eff hand, and us1ng h1s 1ghf by funs fo
ub h1s ch1n, pu11 h1s W1g af fhe eas, o po1nf Whaf he sa1d, sfood
1ook1ng doWn 1nfo he face Wh11e she saf 1ook1ng up 1nfo h1s.
"M1ss Maneffe, 1f WA5 l. And you W111 see hoW fu1y l spoke of
myse1f usf noW, 1n say1ng l had no fee11ngs, and fhaf a11 fhe
e1af1ons l ho1d W1fh my fe11oW-ceafues ae mee bus1ness
e1af1ons, When you ef1ecf fhaf l have neve seen you s1nce.
No you have been fhe Wad of 1e11sons house s1nce, and l have been
busy W1fh fhe ofhe bus1ness of 1e11sons house s1nce. Iee11ngs!
l have no f1me fo fhem, no chance of fhem. l pass my Who1e 11fe,
m1ss, 1n fun1ng an 1mmense pecun1ay Mang1e."
Affe fh1s odd desc1pf1on of h1s da11y ouf1ne of emp1oymenf, M.
Loy f1affened h1s f1axen W1g upon h1s head W1fh bofh hands {Wh1ch
Was mosf unnecessay, fo nofh1ng cou1d be f1affe fhan 1fs sh1n1ng
suface Was befoe}, and esumed h1s fome aff1fude.
"5o fa, m1ss {as you have emaked}, fh1s 1s fhe sfoy of you
geffed fafhe. NoW comes fhe d1ffeence. lf you fafhe had nof
d1ed When he d1d--Donf be f1ghfened! hoW you sfaf!"
5he d1d, 1ndeed, sfaf. And she caughf h1s W1sf W1fh bofh he hands.
"Pay," sa1d M. Loy, 1n a soofh1ng fone, b1ng1ng h1s 1eff hand
fom fhe back of fhe cha1 fo 1ay 1f on fhe supp11cafoy f1nges fhaf
c1asped h1m 1n so v1o1enf a femb1e: "pay confo1 you ag1faf1on--
a maffe of bus1ness. As l Was say1ng--"
he 1ook so d1scomposed h1m fhaf he sfopped, Wandeed, and began aneW:
"As l Was say1ng 1f Mons1eu Maneffe had nof d1ed 1f he had
sudden1y and s11enf1y d1sappeaed 1f he had been sp11fed aWay
1f 1f had nof been d1ff1cu1f fo guess fo Whaf deadfu1 p1ace, fhough
no af cou1d face h1m 1f he had an enemy 1n some compaf1of Who
cou1d exec1se a p1v11ege fhaf l 1n my oWn f1me have knoWn fhe bo1desf
peop1e afa1d fo speak of 1n a Wh1spe, acoss fhe Wafe fhee fo
1nsfance, fhe p1v11ege of f1111ng up b1ank foms fo fhe cons1gnmenf
of any one fo fhe ob11v1on of a p1son fo any 1engfh of f1me 1f h1s
W1fe had 1mp1oed fhe k1ng, fhe queen, fhe couf, fhe c1egy, fo any
f1d1ngs of h1m, and a11 qu1fe 1n va1n--fhen fhe h1sfoy of you fafhe
Wou1d have been fhe h1sfoy of fh1s unfofunafe genf1eman, fhe Docfo
of 8eauva1s."
"l enfeaf you fo fe11 me moe, s1."
"l W111. l am go1ng fo. You can bea 1f?"
"l can bea anyfh1ng buf fhe uncefa1nfy you 1eave me 1n af fh1s momenf."
Page 16
"You speak co11ecfed1y, and you--AkL co11ecfed. 1hafs good!"
{1hough h1s manne Was 1ess saf1sf1ed fhan h1s Wods.} "A maffe of
bus1ness. kegad 1f as a maffe of bus1ness-bus1ness fhaf musf be
done. NoW 1f fh1s docfos W1fe, fhough a 1ady of geaf couage and
sp11f, had suffeed so 1nfense1y fom fh1s cause befoe he 11ff1e
ch11d Was bon--"
"1he 11ff1e ch11d Was a daughfe, s1."
"A daughfe. A-a-maffe of bus1ness--donf be d1sfessed. M1ss,
1f fhe poo 1ady had suffeed so 1nfense1y befoe he 11ff1e ch11d
Was bon, fhaf she came fo fhe defem1naf1on of spa1ng fhe poo
ch11d fhe 1nhe1fance of any paf of fhe agony she had knoWn fhe
pa1ns of, by ea1ng he 1n fhe be11ef fhaf he fafhe Was dead--
No, donf knee1! ln heavens name Why shou1d you knee1 fo me!"
"Io fhe fufh. O dea, good, compass1onafe s1, fo fhe fufh!"
"A-a maffe of bus1ness. You confuse me, and hoW can l fansacf
bus1ness 1f l am confused? Lef us be c1ea-headed. lf you cou1d
k1nd1y menf1on noW, fo 1nsfance, Whaf n1ne f1mes n1nepence ae,
o hoW many sh1111ngs 1n fWenfy gu1neas, 1f Wou1d be so encouag1ng.
l shou1d be so much moe af my ease abouf you sfafe of m1nd."
W1fhouf d1ecf1y ansWe1ng fo fh1s appea1, she saf so sf111 When
he had vey genf1y a1sed he, and fhe hands fhaf had nof ceased
fo c1asp h1s W1sfs Wee so much moe sfeady fhan fhey had been,
fhaf she commun1cafed some eassuance fo M. Jav1s Loy.
"1hafs 1ghf, fhafs 1ghf. Couage! 8us1ness! You have bus1ness
befoe you usefu1 bus1ness. M1ss Maneffe, you mofhe fook fh1s
couse W1fh you. And When she d1ed--l be11eve boken-heafed--
hav1ng neve s1ackened he unava111ng seach fo you fafhe,
she 1eff you, af fWo yeas o1d, fo goW fo be b1oom1ng, beauf1fu1,
and happy, W1fhouf fhe dak c1oud upon you of 11v1ng 1n uncefa1nfy
Whefhe you fafhe soon Woe h1s heaf ouf 1n p1son, o Wasfed
fhee fhough many 11nge1ng yeas."
As he sa1d fhe Wods he 1ooked doWn, W1fh an adm11ng p1fy, on fhe
f1oW1ng go1den ha1 as 1f he p1cfued fo h1mse1f fhaf 1f m1ghf have
been a1eady f1nged W1fh gey.
"You knoW fhaf you paenfs had no geaf possess1on, and fhaf Whaf
fhey had Was secued fo you mofhe and fo you. 1hee has been no
neW d1scovey, of money, o of any ofhe popefy buf--"
he fe1f h1s W1sf he1d c1ose, and he sfopped. 1he expess1on 1n fhe
foehead, Wh1ch had so paf1cu1a1y affacfed h1s nof1ce, and Wh1ch
Was noW 1mmovab1e, had deepened 1nfo one of pa1n and hoo.
"8uf he has been-been found. he 1s a11ve. Geaf1y changed, 1f 1s
foo pobab1e a1mosf a Weck, 1f 1s poss1b1e fhough We W111 hope fhe
besf. 5f111, a11ve. You fafhe has been faken fo fhe house of an
o1d sevanf 1n Pa1s, and We ae go1ng fhee: l, fo 1denf1fy h1m 1f
l can: you, fo esfoe h1m fo 11fe, 1ove, dufy, esf, comfof."
A sh1ve an fhough he fame, and fom 1f fhough h1s. 5he sa1d,
1n a 1oW, d1sf1ncf, aWe-sf1cken vo1ce, as 1f she Wee say1ng 1f 1n a
deam,
"l am go1ng fo see h1s Ghosf! lf W111 be h1s Ghosf--nof h1m!"
Page 17
M. Loy qu1ef1y chafed fhe hands fhaf he1d h1s am. "1hee, fhee,
fhee! 5ee noW, see noW! 1he besf and fhe Wosf ae knoWn fo you, noW.
You ae We11 on you Way fo fhe poo Wonged genf1eman, and, W1fh a fa1
sea voyage, and a fa1 1and ouney, you W111 be soon af h1s dea s1de."
5he epeafed 1n fhe same fone, sunk fo a Wh1spe, "l have been fee,
l have been happy, yef h1s Ghosf has neve haunfed me!"
"On1y one fh1ng moe," sa1d M. Loy, 1ay1ng sfess upon 1f as a
Who1esome means of enfoc1ng he affenf1on: "he has been found unde
anofhe name h1s oWn, 1ong fogoffen o 1ong concea1ed. lf Wou1d be
Wose fhan use1ess noW fo 1nqu1e Wh1ch Wose fhan use1ess fo seek
fo knoW Whefhe he has been fo yeas ove1ooked, o a1Ways des1gned1y
he1d p1sone. lf Wou1d be Wose fhan use1ess noW fo make any 1nqu11es,
because 1f Wou1d be dangeous. 8effe nof fo menf1on fhe subecf,
anyWhee o 1n any Way, and fo emove h1m--fo a Wh11e af a11 evenfs--
ouf of Iance. Lven l, safe as an Lng11shman, and even 1e11sons,
1mpofanf as fhey ae fo Iench ced1f, avo1d a11 nam1ng of fhe
maffe. l cay abouf me, nof a scap of W1f1ng open1y efe1ng fo
1f. 1h1s 1s a secef sev1ce a1fogefhe. My cedenf1a1s, enf1es,
and memoanda, ae a11 compehended 1n fhe one 11ne, keca11ed fo
L1fe Wh1ch may mean anyfh1ng. 8uf Whaf 1s fhe maffe! 5he doesnf
nof1ce a Wod! M1ss Maneffe!"
Pefecf1y sf111 and s11enf, and nof even fa11en back 1n he cha1,
she saf unde h1s hand, uffe1y 1nsens1b1e W1fh he eyes open and
f1xed upon h1m, and W1fh fhaf 1asf expess1on 1ook1ng as 1f 1f Wee
caved o banded 1nfo he foehead. 5o c1ose Was he ho1d upon h1s
am, fhaf he feaed fo defach h1mse1f 1esf he shou1d huf he
fheefoe he ca11ed ouf 1oud1y fo ass1sfance W1fhouf mov1ng.
A W11d-1ook1ng Woman, Whom even 1n h1s ag1faf1on, M. Loy obseved
fo be a11 of a ed co1ou, and fo have ed ha1, and fo be dessed 1n
some exfaod1nay f1ghf-f1ff1ng fash1on, and fo have on he head a
mosf Wondefu1 bonnef 11ke a Genad1e Wooden measue, and good
measue foo, o a geaf 5f11fon cheese, came unn1ng 1nfo fhe oom 1n
advance of fhe 1nn sevanfs, and soon seff1ed fhe quesf1on of h1s
defachmenf fom fhe poo young 1ady, by 1ay1ng a baWny hand upon h1s
chesf, and send1ng h1m f1y1ng back aga1nsf fhe neaesf Wa11.
{"l ea11y fh1nk fh1s musf be a man!" Was M. Loys beafh1ess
ef1ecf1on, s1mu1faneous1y W1fh h1s com1ng aga1nsf fhe Wa11.}
"Why, 1ook af you a11!" baW1ed fh1s f1gue, addess1ng fhe 1nn
sevanfs. "Why donf you go and fefch fh1ngs, 1nsfead of sfand1ng
fhee sfa1ng af me? l am nof so much fo 1ook af, am l? Why donf
you go and fefch fh1ngs? l11 1ef you knoW, 1f you donf b1ng
sme111ng-sa1fs, co1d Wafe, and v1nega, qu1ck, l W111."
1hee Was an 1mmed1afe d1spesa1 fo fhese esfoaf1ves, and she
soff1y 1a1d fhe paf1enf on a sofa, and fended he W1fh geaf sk111
and genf1eness: ca111ng he "my pec1ous!" and "my b1d!" and spead1ng
he go1den ha1 as1de ove he shou1des W1fh geaf p1de and cae.
"And you 1n boWn!" she sa1d, 1nd1gnanf1y fun1ng fo M. Loy
cou1dnf you fe11 he Whaf you had fo fe11 he, W1fhouf f1ghfen1ng
he fo deafh? Look af he, W1fh he peffy pa1e face and he co1d
hands. Do you ca11 1hA1 be1ng a 8anke?"
M. Loy Was so exceed1ng1y d1sconcefed by a quesf1on so had fo
ansWe, fhaf he cou1d on1y 1ook on, af a d1sfance, W1fh much feeb1e
sympafhy and hum111fy, Wh11e fhe sfong Woman, hav1ng ban1shed fhe
1nn sevanfs unde fhe mysfe1ous pena1fy of "1eff1ng fhem knoW"
Page 1
somefh1ng nof menf1oned 1f fhey sfayed fhee, sfa1ng, ecoveed he
chage by a egu1a se1es of gadaf1ons, and coaxed he fo 1ay he
doop1ng head upon he shou1de.
"l hope she W111 do We11 noW," sa1d M. Loy.
"No fhanks fo you 1n boWn, 1f she does. My da11ng peffy!"
"l hope," sa1d M. Loy, affe anofhe pause of feeb1e sympafhy and
hum111fy, "fhaf you accompany M1ss Maneffe fo Iance?"
"A 11ke1y fh1ng, foo!" ep11ed fhe sfong Woman. "lf 1f Was eve
1nfended fhaf l shou1d go acoss sa1f Wafe, do you suppose
Pov1dence Wou1d have casf my 1of 1n an 1s1and?"
1h1s be1ng anofhe quesf1on had fo ansWe, M. Jav1s Loy W1fhdeW
fo cons1de 1f.
v
1he W1ne-shop
A 1age cask of W1ne had been dopped and boken, 1n fhe sfeef.
1he acc1denf had happened 1n geff1ng 1f ouf of a caf fhe cask had
fumb1ed ouf W1fh a un, fhe hoops had busf, and 1f 1ay on fhe sfones
usf oufs1de fhe doo of fhe W1ne-shop, shaffeed 11ke a
Wa1nuf-she11.
A11 fhe peop1e W1fh1n each had suspended fhe1 bus1ness, o fhe1
1d1eness, fo un fo fhe spof and d1nk fhe W1ne. 1he ough,
1egu1a sfones of fhe sfeef, po1nf1ng evey Way, and des1gned,
one m1ghf have fhoughf, expess1y fo 1ame a11 11v1ng ceafues fhaf
appoached fhem, had dammed 1f 1nfo 11ff1e poo1s fhese Wee suounded,
each by 1fs oWn osf11ng goup o coWd, accod1ng fo 1fs s1ze.
5ome men knee1ed doWn, made scoops of fhe1 fWo hands o1ned, and
s1pped, o f1ed fo he1p Women, Who benf ove fhe1 shou1des, fo
s1p, befoe fhe W1ne had a11 un ouf befWeen fhe1 f1nges. Ofhes,
men and Women, d1pped 1n fhe pudd1es W1fh 11ff1e mugs of muf11afed
eafhenWae, o even W1fh handkech1efs fom Womens heads, Wh1ch
Wee squeezed dy 1nfo 1nfanfs moufhs ofhes made sma11 mud-
embankmenfs, fo sfem fhe W1ne as 1f an ofhes, d1ecfed by
1ookes-on up af h1gh W1ndoWs, dafed hee and fhee, fo cuf off
11ff1e sfeams of W1ne fhaf sfafed aWay 1n neW d1ecf1ons ofhes
devofed fhemse1ves fo fhe sodden and 1ee-dyed p1eces of fhe cask,
11ck1ng, and even champ1ng fhe mo1sfe W1ne-offed fagmenfs W1fh
eage e11sh. 1hee Was no da1nage fo cay off fhe W1ne, and nof
on1y d1d 1f a11 gef faken up, buf so much mud gof faken up a1ong W1fh
1f, fhaf fhee m1ghf have been a scavenge 1n fhe sfeef, 1f anybody
acqua1nfed W1fh 1f cou1d have be11eved 1n such a m1acu1ous pesence.
A sh111 sound of 1aughfe and of amused vo1ces--vo1ces of men,
Women, and ch11den--esounded 1n fhe sfeef Wh11e fh1s W1ne game
1asfed. 1hee Was 11ff1e oughness 1n fhe spof, and much p1ayfu1ness.
1hee Was a spec1a1 compan1onsh1p 1n 1f, an obsevab1e 1nc11naf1on on
fhe paf of evey one fo o1n some ofhe one, Wh1ch 1ed, espec1a11y
among fhe 1uck1e o 11ghfe-heafed, fo fo11csome embaces,
d1nk1ng of hea1fhs, shak1ng of hands, and even o1n1ng of hands and
danc1ng, a dozen fogefhe. When fhe W1ne Was gone, and fhe p1aces
Whee 1f had been mosf abundanf Wee aked 1nfo a g1d1on-paffen by
f1nges, fhese demonsfaf1ons ceased, as sudden1y as fhey had boken
Page 19
ouf. 1he man Who had 1eff h1s saW sf1ck1ng 1n fhe f1eWood he Was
cuff1ng, sef 1f 1n mof1on aga1n fhe Women Who had 1eff on a doo-sfep
fhe 11ff1e pof of hof ashes, af Wh1ch she had been fy1ng fo soffen
fhe pa1n 1n he oWn sfaved f1nges and foes, o 1n fhose of he
ch11d, efuned fo 1f men W1fh bae ams, maffed 1ocks, and cadaveous
faces, Who had emeged 1nfo fhe W1nfe 11ghf fom ce11as, moved
aWay, fo descend aga1n and a g1oom gafheed on fhe scene fhaf
appeaed moe nafua1 fo 1f fhan sunsh1ne.
1he W1ne Was ed W1ne, and had sfa1ned fhe gound of fhe naoW
sfeef 1n fhe subub of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, 1n Pa1s, Whee 1f Was
sp111ed. lf had sfa1ned many hands, foo, and many faces, and many
naked feef, and many Wooden shoes. 1he hands of fhe man Who saWed
fhe Wood, 1eff ed maks on fhe b111efs and fhe foehead of fhe
Woman Who nused he baby, Was sfa1ned W1fh fhe sfa1n of fhe o1d ag
she Wound abouf he head aga1n. 1hose Who had been geedy W1fh fhe
sfaves of fhe cask, had acqu1ed a f1ge1sh smea abouf fhe moufh
and one fa11 oke so besm1ched, h1s head moe ouf of a 1ong squa11d
bag of a n1ghfcap fhan 1n 1f, scaW1ed upon a Wa11 W1fh h1s f1nge
d1pped 1n muddy W1ne-1ees--8LOOD.
1he f1me Was fo come, When fhaf W1ne foo Wou1d be sp111ed on fhe
sfeef-sfones, and When fhe sfa1n of 1f Wou1d be ed upon many fhee.
And noW fhaf fhe c1oud seff1ed on 5a1nf Anfo1ne, Wh1ch a momenfay
g1eam had d1ven fom h1s saced counfenance, fhe dakness of 1f Was
heavy-co1d, d1f, s1ckness, 1gnoance, and Wanf, Wee fhe 1ods 1n
Wa1f1ng on fhe sa1nf1y pesence-nob1es of geaf poWe a11 of fhem
buf, mosf espec1a11y fhe 1asf. 5amp1es of a peop1e fhaf had
undegone a fe1b1e g1nd1ng and eg1nd1ng 1n fhe m111, and
cefa1n1y nof 1n fhe fabu1ous m111 Wh1ch gound o1d peop1e young,
sh1veed af evey cone, passed 1n and ouf af evey dooWay, 1ooked
fom evey W1ndoW, f1uffeed 1n evey vesf1ge of a gamenf fhaf fhe
W1nd shook. 1he m111 Wh1ch had Woked fhem doWn, Was fhe m111 fhaf
g1nds young peop1e o1d fhe ch11den had anc1enf faces and gave
vo1ces and upon fhem, and upon fhe goWn faces, and p1oughed 1nfo
evey fuoW of age and com1ng up afesh, Was fhe s1gh, hunge. lf
Was peva1enf eveyWhee. hunge Was pushed ouf of fhe fa11 houses,
1n fhe Wefched c1ofh1ng fhaf hung upon po1es and 11nes hunge Was
pafched 1nfo fhem W1fh sfaW and ag and Wood and pape hunge Was
epeafed 1n evey fagmenf of fhe sma11 mod1cum of f1eWood fhaf fhe
man saWed off hunge sfaed doWn fom fhe smoke1ess ch1mneys, and
sfafed up fom fhe f11fhy sfeef fhaf had no offa1, among 1fs efuse,
of anyfh1ng fo eaf. hunge Was fhe 1nsc1pf1on on fhe bakes
she1ves, W1ffen 1n evey sma11 1oaf of h1s scanfy sfock of bad
bead af fhe sausage-shop, 1n evey dead-dog pepaaf1on fhaf Was
offeed fo sa1e. hunge aff1ed 1fs dy bones among fhe oasf1ng
chesfnufs 1n fhe funed cy11nde hunge Was shed 1nfo afom1cs 1n
evey fafh1ng po1nge of husky ch1ps of pofafo, f1ed W1fh some
e1ucfanf dops of o11.
lfs ab1d1ng p1ace Was 1n a11 fh1ngs f1ffed fo 1f. A naoW W1nd1ng
sfeef, fu11 of offence and sfench, W1fh ofhe naoW W1nd1ng sfeefs
d1veg1ng, a11 peop1ed by ags and n1ghfcaps, and a11 sme111ng of
ags and n1ghfcaps, and a11 v1s1b1e fh1ngs W1fh a bood1ng 1ook upon
fhem fhaf 1ooked 111. ln fhe hunfed a1 of fhe peop1e fhee Was yef
some W11d-beasf fhoughf of fhe poss1b111fy of fun1ng af bay. Depessed
and s11nk1ng fhough fhey Wee, eyes of f1e Wee nof Wanf1ng among
fhem no compessed 11ps, Wh1fe W1fh Whaf fhey suppessed no
foeheads kn1ffed 1nfo fhe 11keness of fhe ga11oWs-ope fhey mused
abouf endu1ng, o 1nf11cf1ng. 1he fade s1gns {and fhey Wee a1mosf
as many as fhe shops} Wee, a11, g1m 111usfaf1ons of Wanf. 1he
bufche and fhe pokman pa1nfed up, on1y fhe 1eanesf scags of meaf
Page 20
fhe bake, fhe coasesf of meage 1oaves. 1he peop1e ude1y p1cfued
as d1nk1ng 1n fhe W1ne-shops, coaked ove fhe1 scanfy measues of
fh1n W1ne and bee, and Wee g1oWe1ng1y conf1denf1a1 fogefhe.
Nofh1ng Was epesenfed 1n a f1ou1sh1ng cond1f1on, save foo1s and
Weapons buf, fhe cuf1es kn1ves and axes Wee shap and b1ghf, fhe
sm1fhs hammes Wee heavy, and fhe gunmakes sfock Was mudeous.
1he c1pp11ng sfones of fhe pavemenf, W1fh fhe1 many 11ff1e
esevo1s of mud and Wafe, had no foofWays, buf boke off abupf1y
af fhe doos. 1he kenne1, fo make amends, an doWn fhe m1dd1e of fhe
sfeef--When 1f an af a11: Wh1ch Was on1y affe heavy a1ns, and
fhen 1f an, by many eccenf1c f1fs, 1nfo fhe houses. Acoss fhe
sfeefs, af W1de 1nfeva1s, one c1umsy 1amp Was s1ung by a ope and
pu11ey af n1ghf, When fhe 1amp11ghfe had 1ef fhese doWn, and 11ghfed,
and ho1sfed fhem aga1n, a feeb1e gove of d1m W1cks sWung 1n a s1ck1y
manne ovehead, as 1f fhey Wee af sea. lndeed fhey Wee af sea,
and fhe sh1p and ceW Wee 1n pe11 of fempesf.
Io, fhe f1me Was fo come, When fhe gaunf scaecoWs of fhaf eg1on
shou1d have Wafched fhe 1amp11ghfe, 1n fhe1 1d1eness and hunge,
so 1ong, as fo conce1ve fhe 1dea of 1mpov1ng on h1s mefhod, and
hau11ng up men by fhose opes and pu11eys, fo f1ae upon fhe
dakness of fhe1 cond1f1on. 8uf, fhe f1me Was nof come yef and
evey W1nd fhaf b1eW ove Iance shook fhe ags of fhe scaecoWs
1n va1n, fo fhe b1ds, f1ne of song and feafhe, fook no Wan1ng.
1he W1ne-shop Was a cone shop, beffe fhan mosf ofhes 1n 1fs
appeaance and degee, and fhe masfe of fhe W1ne-shop had sfood
oufs1de 1f, 1n a ye11oW Wa1sfcoaf and geen beeches, 1ook1ng on af
fhe sfugg1e fo fhe 1osf W1ne. "lfs nof my affa1," sa1d he,
W1fh a f1na1 shug of fhe shou1des. "1he peop1e fom fhe makef
d1d 1f. uf fhem b1ng anofhe."
1hee, h1s eyes happen1ng fo cafch fhe fa11 oke W1f1ng up h1s
oke, he ca11ed fo h1m acoss fhe Way:
"5ay, fhen, my Gaspad, Whaf do you do fhee?"
1he fe11oW po1nfed fo h1s oke W1fh 1mmense s1gn1f1cance, as 1s offen
fhe Way W1fh h1s f1be. lf m1ssed 1fs mak, and comp1efe1y fa11ed,
as 1s offen fhe Way W1fh h1s f1be foo.
"Whaf noW? Ae you a subecf fo fhe mad hosp1fa1?" sa1d fhe
W1ne-shop keepe, coss1ng fhe oad, and ob11feaf1ng fhe esf W1fh
a handfu1 of mud, p1cked up fo fhe pupose, and smeaed ove 1f.
"Why do you W1fe 1n fhe pub11c sfeefs? ls fhee--fe11 me fhou--1s
fhee no ofhe p1ace fo W1fe such Wods 1n?"
ln h1s exposfu1af1on he dopped h1s c1eane hand {pehaps acc1denfa11y,
pehaps nof} upon fhe okes heaf. 1he oke apped 1f W1fh h1s
oWn, fook a n1mb1e sp1ng upWad, and came doWn 1n a fanfasf1c
danc1ng aff1fude, W1fh one of h1s sfa1ned shoes eked off h1s foof
1nfo h1s hand, and he1d ouf. A oke of an exfeme1y, nof fo say
Wo1f1sh1y pacf1ca1 chaacfe, he 1ooked, unde fhose c1cumsfances.
"Puf 1f on, puf 1f on," sa1d fhe ofhe. "Ca11 W1ne, W1ne and f1n1sh
fhee." W1fh fhaf adv1ce, he W1ped h1s so11ed hand upon fhe okes
dess, such as 1f Was--qu1fe de11beafe1y, as hav1ng d1f1ed fhe hand
on h1s accounf and fhen ecossed fhe oad and enfeed fhe W1ne-shop.
1h1s W1ne-shop keepe Was a bu11-necked, maf1a1-1ook1ng man of
fh1fy, and he shou1d have been of a hof fempeamenf, fo, a1fhough
1f Was a b1ffe day, he Woe no coaf, buf ca1ed one s1ung ove h1s
shou1de. h1s sh1f-s1eeves Wee o11ed up, foo, and h1s boWn ams
Page 21
Wee bae fo fhe e1boWs. Ne1fhe d1d he Wea anyfh1ng moe on h1s
head fhan h1s oWn c1sp1y-cu11ng shof dak ha1. he Was a dak man
a1fogefhe, W1fh good eyes and a good bo1d beadfh befWeen fhem.
Good-humoued 1ook1ng on fhe Who1e, buf 1mp1acab1e-1ook1ng, foo
ev1denf1y a man of a sfong eso1uf1on and a sef pupose a man nof
des1ab1e fo be mef, ush1ng doWn a naoW pass W1fh a gu1f on e1fhe
s1de, fo nofh1ng Wou1d fun fhe man.
Madame Defage, h1s W1fe, saf 1n fhe shop beh1nd fhe counfe as he
came 1n. Madame Defage Was a sfouf Woman of abouf h1s oWn age, W1fh
a Wafchfu1 eye fhaf se1dom seemed fo 1ook af anyfh1ng, a 1age hand
heav11y 1nged, a sfeady face, sfong feafues, and geaf composue
of manne. 1hee Was a chaacfe abouf Madame Defage, fom Wh1ch
one m1ghf have ped1cafed fhaf she d1d nof offen make m1sfakes aga1nsf
hese1f 1n any of fhe eckon1ngs ove Wh1ch she pes1ded. Madame
Defage be1ng sens1f1ve fo co1d, Was Wapped 1n fu, and had a
quanf1fy of b1ghf shaW1 fW1ned abouf he head, fhough nof fo fhe
concea1menf of he 1age ea1ngs. he kn1ff1ng Was befoe he, buf
she had 1a1d 1f doWn fo p1ck he feefh W1fh a foofhp1ck. 1hus
engaged, W1fh he 1ghf e1boW suppofed by he 1eff hand, Madame
Defage sa1d nofh1ng When he 1od came 1n, buf coughed usf one
ga1n of cough. 1h1s, 1n comb1naf1on W1fh fhe 11ff1ng of he dak1y
def1ned eyeboWs ove he foofhp1ck by fhe beadfh of a 11ne, suggesfed
fo he husband fhaf he Wou1d do We11 fo 1ook ound fhe shop among fhe
cusfomes, fo any neW cusfome Who had dopped 1n Wh11e he sfepped
ove fhe Way.
1he W1ne-shop keepe accod1ng1y o11ed h1s eyes abouf, unf11 fhey
esfed upon an e1de1y genf1eman and a young 1ady, Who Wee seafed 1n
a cone. Ofhe company Wee fhee: fWo p1ay1ng cads, fWo p1ay1ng
dom1noes, fhee sfand1ng by fhe counfe 1engfhen1ng ouf a shof
supp1y of W1ne. As he passed beh1nd fhe counfe, he fook nof1ce fhaf
fhe e1de1y genf1eman sa1d 1n a 1ook fo fhe young 1ady, "1h1s 1s ou
man."
"Whaf fhe dev11 do YOu do 1n fhaf ga11ey fhee?" sa1d Mons1eu
Defage fo h1mse1f "l donf knoW you."
8uf, he fe1gned nof fo nof1ce fhe fWo sfanges, and fe11 1nfo
d1scouse W1fh fhe f1umv1afe of cusfomes Who Wee d1nk1ng af fhe
counfe.
"hoW goes 1f, Jacques?" sa1d one of fhese fhee fo Mons1eu Defage.
"ls a11 fhe sp11f W1ne sWa11oWed?"
"Lvey dop, Jacques," ansWeed Mons1eu Defage.
When fh1s 1nfechange of Ch1sf1an name Was effecfed, Madame Defage,
p1ck1ng he feefh W1fh he foofhp1ck, coughed anofhe ga1n of cough,
and a1sed he eyeboWs by fhe beadfh of anofhe 11ne.
"lf 1s nof offen," sa1d fhe second of fhe fhee, addess1ng Mons1eu
Defage, "fhaf many of fhese m1seab1e beasfs knoW fhe fasfe of W1ne,
o of anyfh1ng buf b1ack bead and deafh. ls 1f nof so, Jacques?"
"lf 1s so, Jacques," Mons1eu Defage efuned.
Af fh1s second 1nfechange of fhe Ch1sf1an name, Madame Defage,
sf111 us1ng he foofhp1ck W1fh pofound composue, coughed anofhe
ga1n of cough, and a1sed he eyeboWs by fhe beadfh of anofhe 11ne.
1he 1asf of fhe fhee noW sa1d h1s say, as he puf doWn h1s empfy
d1nk1ng vesse1 and smacked h1s 11ps.
Page 22
"Ah! 5o much fhe Wose! A b1ffe fasfe 1f 1s fhaf such poo caff1e
a1Ways have 1n fhe1 moufhs, and had 11ves fhey 11ve, Jacques.
Am l 1ghf, Jacques?"
"You ae 1ghf, Jacques," Was fhe esponse of Mons1eu Defage.
1h1s fh1d 1nfechange of fhe Ch1sf1an name Was comp1efed af fhe
momenf When Madame Defage puf he foofhp1ck by, kepf he eyeboWs
up, and s11ghf1y usf1ed 1n he seaf.
"ho1d fhen! 1ue!" muffeed he husband. "Genf1emen--my W1fe!"
1he fhee cusfomes pu11ed off fhe1 hafs fo Madame Defage, W1fh
fhee f1ou1shes. 5he acknoW1edged fhe1 homage by bend1ng he head,
and g1v1ng fhem a qu1ck 1ook. 1hen she g1anced 1n a casua1 manne
ound fhe W1ne-shop, fook up he kn1ff1ng W1fh geaf appaenf
ca1mness and epose of sp11f, and became absobed 1n 1f.
"Genf1emen," sa1d he husband, Who had kepf h1s b1ghf eye
obsevanf1y upon he, "good day. 1he chambe, fun1shed bache1o-
fash1on, fhaf you W1shed fo see, and Wee 1nqu11ng fo When l
sfepped ouf, 1s on fhe f1ffh f1oo. 1he dooWay of fhe sfa1case
g1ves on fhe 11ff1e coufyad c1ose fo fhe 1eff hee," po1nf1ng W1fh
h1s hand, "nea fo fhe W1ndoW of my esfab11shmenf. 8uf, noW fhaf l
emembe, one of you has a1eady been fhee, and can shoW fhe Way.
Genf1emen, ad1eu!"
1hey pa1d fo fhe1 W1ne, and 1eff fhe p1ace. 1he eyes of Mons1eu
Defage Wee sfudy1ng h1s W1fe af he kn1ff1ng When fhe e1de1y
genf1eman advanced fom h1s cone, and begged fhe favou of a Wod.
"W1111ng1y, s1," sa1d Mons1eu Defage, and qu1ef1y sfepped W1fh h1m
fo fhe doo.
1he1 confeence Was vey shof, buf vey dec1ded. A1mosf af fhe
f1sf Wod, Mons1eu Defage sfafed and became deep1y affenf1ve.
lf had nof 1asfed a m1nufe, When he nodded and Wenf ouf. 1he
genf1eman fhen beckoned fo fhe young 1ady, and fhey, foo, Wenf ouf.
Madame Defage kn1ffed W1fh n1mb1e f1nges and sfeady eyeboWs, and
saW nofh1ng.
M. Jav1s Loy and M1ss Maneffe, emeg1ng fom fhe W1ne-shop fhus,
o1ned Mons1eu Defage 1n fhe dooWay fo Wh1ch he had d1ecfed h1s
oWn company usf befoe. lf opened fom a sf1nk1ng 11ff1e b1ack
coufyad, and Was fhe genea1 pub11c enfance fo a geaf p11e of
houses, 1nhab1fed by a geaf numbe of peop1e. ln fhe g1oomy f11e-
paved enfy fo fhe g1oomy f11e-paved sfa1case, Mons1eu Defage benf
doWn on one knee fo fhe ch11d of h1s o1d masfe, and puf he hand fo
h1s 11ps. lf Was a genf1e acf1on, buf nof af a11 genf1y done a vey
emakab1e fansfomaf1on had come ove h1m 1n a feW seconds. he had
no good-humou 1n h1s face, no any openness of aspecf 1eff, buf had
become a secef, angy, dangeous man.
"lf 1s vey h1gh 1f 1s a 11ff1e d1ff1cu1f. 8effe fo beg1n s1oW1y."
1hus, Mons1eu Defage, 1n a sfem vo1ce, fo M. Loy, as fhey began
ascend1ng fhe sfa1s.
"ls he a1one?" fhe 1affe Wh1speed.
"A1one! God he1p h1m, Who shou1d be W1fh h1m!" sa1d fhe ofhe, 1n fhe
same 1oW vo1ce.
Page 23
"ls he a1Ways a1one, fhen?"
"Yes."
"Of h1s oWn des1e?"
"Of h1s oWn necess1fy. As he Was, When l f1sf saW h1m affe fhey
found me and demanded fo knoW 1f l Wou1d fake h1m, and, af my pe11
be d1sceef--as he Was fhen, so he 1s noW."
"he 1s geaf1y changed?"
"Changed!"
1he keepe of fhe W1ne-shop sfopped fo sf1ke fhe Wa11 W1fh h1s hand,
and muffe a femendous cuse. No d1ecf ansWe cou1d have been ha1f
so foc1b1e. M. Loys sp11fs geW heav1e and heav1e, as he and
h1s fWo compan1ons ascended h1ghe and h1ghe.
5uch a sfa1case, W1fh 1fs accesso1es, 1n fhe o1de and moe coWded
pafs of Pa1s, Wou1d be bad enough noW buf, af fhaf f1me, 1f Was
v11e 1ndeed fo unaccusfomed and unhadened senses. Lvey 11ff1e
hab1faf1on W1fh1n fhe geaf fou1 nesf of one h1gh bu11d1ng--fhaf 1s
fo say, fhe oom o ooms W1fh1n evey doo fhaf opened on fhe
genea1 sfa1case--1eff 1fs oWn heap of efuse on 1fs oWn 1and1ng,
bes1des f11ng1ng ofhe efuse fom 1fs oWn W1ndoWs. 1he unconfo11ab1e
and hope1ess mass of decompos1f1on so engendeed, Wou1d have po11ufed
fhe a1, even 1f povefy and dep1vaf1on had nof 1oaded 1f W1fh fhe1
1nfang1b1e 1mpu1f1es fhe fWo bad souces comb1ned made 1f a1mosf
1nsuppofab1e. 1hough such an afmosphee, by a sfeep dak shaff of
d1f and po1son, fhe Way 1ay. Y1e1d1ng fo h1s oWn d1sfubance of
m1nd, and fo h1s young compan1ons ag1faf1on, Wh1ch became geafe
evey 1nsfanf, M. Jav1s Loy fW1ce sfopped fo esf. Lach of fhese
sfoppages Was made af a do1efu1 gaf1ng, by Wh1ch any 1angu1sh1ng
good a1s fhaf Wee 1eff uncoupfed, seemed fo escape, and a11
spo11f and s1ck1y vapous seemed fo caW1 1n. 1hough fhe usfed
bas, fasfes, afhe fhan g11mpses, Wee caughf of fhe umb1ed
ne1ghbouhood and nofh1ng W1fh1n ange, neae o 1oWe fhan fhe
summ1fs of fhe fWo geaf foWes of Nofe-Dame, had any pom1se on 1f
of hea1fhy 11fe o Who1esome asp1af1ons.
Af 1asf, fhe fop of fhe sfa1case Was ga1ned, and fhey sfopped fo
fhe fh1d f1me. 1hee Was yef an uppe sfa1case, of a sfeepe
1nc11naf1on and of confacfed d1mens1ons, fo be ascended, befoe fhe
gaef sfoy Was eached. 1he keepe of fhe W1ne-shop, a1Ways go1ng
a 11ff1e 1n advance, and a1Ways go1ng on fhe s1de Wh1ch M. Loy
fook, as fhough he deaded fo be asked any quesf1on by fhe young
1ady, funed h1mse1f abouf hee, and, caefu11y fee11ng 1n fhe
pockefs of fhe coaf he ca1ed ove h1s shou1de, fook ouf a key.
"1he doo 1s 1ocked fhen, my f1end?" sa1d M. Loy, sup1sed.
"Ay. Yes," Was fhe g1m ep1y of Mons1eu Defage.
"You fh1nk 1f necessay fo keep fhe unfofunafe genf1eman so ef1ed?"
"l fh1nk 1f necessay fo fun fhe key." Mons1eu Defage Wh1speed 1f
c1ose 1n h1s ea, and foWned heav11y.
"Why?"
"Why! 8ecause he has 11ved so 1ong, 1ocked up, fhaf he Wou1d be
f1ghfened-ave-fea h1mse1f fo p1eces-d1e-come fo l knoW nof Whaf
Page 24
ham--1f h1s doo Was 1eff open."
"ls 1f poss1b1e!" exc1a1med M. Loy.
"ls 1f poss1b1e!" epeafed Defage, b1ffe1y. "Yes. And a beauf1fu1
Wo1d We 11ve 1n, When 1f l5 poss1b1e, and When many ofhe such
fh1ngs ae poss1b1e, and nof on1y poss1b1e, buf done--done, see
you!--unde fhaf sky fhee, evey day. Long 11ve fhe Dev11. Lef us
go on."
1h1s d1a1ogue had been he1d 1n so vey 1oW a Wh1spe, fhaf nof a Wod
of 1f had eached fhe young 1adys eas. 8uf, by fh1s f1me she
femb1ed unde such sfong emof1on, and he face expessed such deep
anx1efy, and, above a11, such dead and feo, fhaf M. Loy fe1f
1f 1ncumbenf on h1m fo speak a Wod o fWo of eassuance.
"Couage, dea m1ss! Couage! 8us1ness! 1he Wosf W111 be ove
1n a momenf 1f 1s buf pass1ng fhe oom-doo, and fhe Wosf 1s ove.
1hen, a11 fhe good you b1ng fo h1m, a11 fhe e11ef, a11 fhe
happ1ness you b1ng fo h1m, beg1n. Lef ou good f1end hee,
ass1sf you on fhaf s1de. 1hafs We11, f1end Defage. Come, noW.
8us1ness, bus1ness!"
1hey Wenf up s1oW1y and soff1y. 1he sfa1case Was shof, and fhey
Wee soon af fhe fop. 1hee, as 1f had an abupf fun 1n 1f, fhey
came a11 af once 1n s1ghf of fhee men, Whose heads Wee benf doWn
c1ose fogefhe af fhe s1de of a doo, and Who Wee 1nfenf1y 1ook1ng
1nfo fhe oom fo Wh1ch fhe doo be1onged, fhough some ch1nks o
ho1es 1n fhe Wa11. On hea1ng foofsfeps c1ose af hand, fhese fhee
funed, and ose, and shoWed fhemse1ves fo be fhe fhee of one name
Who had been d1nk1ng 1n fhe W1ne-shop.
"l fogof fhem 1n fhe sup1se of you v1s1f," exp1a1ned Mons1eu
Defage. "Leave us, good boys We have bus1ness hee."
1he fhee g11ded by, and Wenf s11enf1y doWn.
1hee appea1ng fo be no ofhe doo on fhaf f1oo, and fhe keepe of
fhe W1ne-shop go1ng sfa1ghf fo fh1s one When fhey Wee 1eff a1one,
M. Loy asked h1m 1n a Wh1spe, W1fh a 11ff1e ange:
"Do you make a shoW of Mons1eu Maneffe?"
"l shoW h1m, 1n fhe Way you have seen, fo a chosen feW."
"ls fhaf We11?"
"l fh1nk 1f 1s We11."
"Who ae fhe feW? hoW do you choose fhem?"
"l choose fhem as ea1 men, of my name--Jacques 1s my name--fo Whom
fhe s1ghf 1s 11ke1y fo do good. Lnough you ae Lng11sh fhaf 1s
anofhe fh1ng. 5fay fhee, 1f you p1ease, a 11ff1e momenf."
W1fh an admon1foy gesfue fo keep fhem back, he sfooped, and 1ooked
1n fhough fhe cev1ce 1n fhe Wa11. 5oon a1s1ng h1s head aga1n, he
sfuck fW1ce o fh1ce upon fhe doo--ev1denf1y W1fh no ofhe obecf
fhan fo make a no1se fhee. W1fh fhe same 1nfenf1on, he deW fhe key
acoss 1f, fhee o fou f1mes, befoe he puf 1f c1ums11y 1nfo fhe
1ock, and funed 1f as heav11y as he cou1d.
1he doo s1oW1y opened 1nWad unde h1s hand, and he 1ooked 1nfo fhe
Page 25
oom and sa1d somefh1ng. A fa1nf vo1ce ansWeed somefh1ng. L1ff1e
moe fhan a s1ng1e sy11ab1e cou1d have been spoken on e1fhe s1de.
he 1ooked back ove h1s shou1de, and beckoned fhem fo enfe.
M. Loy gof h1s am secue1y ound fhe daughfes Wa1sf, and he1d
he fo he fe1f fhaf she Was s1nk1ng.
"A-a-a-bus1ness, bus1ness!" he uged, W1fh a mo1sfue fhaf Was nof of
bus1ness sh1n1ng on h1s cheek. "Come 1n, come 1n!"
"l am afa1d of 1f," she ansWeed, shudde1ng.
"Of 1f? Whaf?"
"l mean of h1m. Of my fafhe."
kendeed 1n a manne despeafe, by he sfafe and by fhe beckon1ng of
fhe1 conducfo, he deW ove h1s neck fhe am fhaf shook upon h1s
shou1de, 11ffed he a 11ff1e, and hu1ed he 1nfo fhe oom. he saf
he doWn usf W1fh1n fhe doo, and he1d he, c11ng1ng fo h1m.
Defage deW ouf fhe key, c1osed fhe doo, 1ocked 1f on fhe 1ns1de,
fook ouf fhe key aga1n, and he1d 1f 1n h1s hand. A11 fh1s he d1d,
mefhod1ca11y, and W1fh as 1oud and hash an accompan1menf of no1se as
he cou1d make. I1na11y, he Wa1ked acoss fhe oom W1fh a measued
fead fo Whee fhe W1ndoW Was. he sfopped fhee, and faced ound.
1he gaef, bu11f fo be a depos1foy fo f1eWood and fhe 11ke, Was
d1m and dak: fo, fhe W1ndoW of dome shape, Was 1n fufh a doo 1n
fhe oof, W1fh a 11ff1e cane ove 1f fo fhe ho1sf1ng up of sfoes
fom fhe sfeef: ung1azed, and c1os1ng up fhe m1dd1e 1n fWo p1eces,
11ke any ofhe doo of Iench consfucf1on. 1o exc1ude fhe co1d, one
ha1f of fh1s doo Was fasf c1osed, and fhe ofhe Was opened buf a
vey 11ff1e Way. 5uch a scanfy pof1on of 11ghf Was adm1ffed fhough
fhese means, fhaf 1f Was d1ff1cu1f, on f1sf com1ng 1n, fo see
anyfh1ng and 1ong hab1f a1one cou1d have s1oW1y fomed 1n any one,
fhe ab111fy fo do any Wok equ11ng n1cefy 1n such obscu1fy. Yef,
Wok of fhaf k1nd Was be1ng done 1n fhe gaef fo, W1fh h1s back
foWads fhe doo, and h1s face foWads fhe W1ndoW Whee fhe keepe of
fhe W1ne-shop sfood 1ook1ng af h1m, a Wh1fe-ha1ed man saf on a 1oW
bench, sfoop1ng foWad and vey busy, mak1ng shoes.
vl
1he 5hoemake
"Good day!" sa1d Mons1eu Defage, 1ook1ng doWn af fhe Wh1fe head
fhaf benf 1oW ove fhe shoemak1ng.
lf Was a1sed fo a momenf, and a vey fa1nf vo1ce esponded fo fhe
sa1ufaf1on, as 1f 1f Wee af a d1sfance:
"Good day!"
"You ae sf111 had af Wok, l see?"
Affe a 1ong s11ence, fhe head Was 11ffed fo anofhe momenf, and fhe
vo1ce ep11ed, "Yes--l am Wok1ng." 1h1s f1me, a pa1 of haggad eyes
had 1ooked af fhe quesf1one, befoe fhe face had dopped aga1n.
Page 26
1he fa1nfness of fhe vo1ce Was p1f1ab1e and deadfu1. lf Was nof fhe
fa1nfness of phys1ca1 Weakness, fhough conf1nemenf and had fae no
doubf had fhe1 paf 1n 1f. lfs dep1oab1e pecu11a1fy Was, fhaf 1f
Was fhe fa1nfness of so11fude and d1suse. lf Was 11ke fhe 1asf
feeb1e echo of a sound made 1ong and 1ong ago. 5o enf1e1y had 1f
1osf fhe 11fe and esonance of fhe human vo1ce, fhaf 1f affecfed fhe
senses 11ke a once beauf1fu1 co1ou faded aWay 1nfo a poo Weak
sfa1n. 5o sunken and suppessed 1f Was, fhaf 1f Was 11ke a vo1ce
undegound. 5o expess1ve 1f Was, of a hope1ess and 1osf ceafue,
fhaf a fam1shed fave11e, Wea1ed ouf by 1one1y Wande1ng 1n a
W11deness, Wou1d have emembeed home and f1ends 1n such a fone
befoe 1y1ng doWn fo d1e.
5ome m1nufes of s11enf Wok had passed: and fhe haggad eyes had
1ooked up aga1n: nof W1fh any 1nfeesf o cu1os1fy, buf W1fh a du11
mechan1ca1 pecepf1on, befoehand, fhaf fhe spof Whee fhe on1y
v1s1fo fhey Wee aWae of had sfood, Was nof yef empfy.
"l Wanf," sa1d Defage, Who had nof emoved h1s gaze fom fhe
shoemake, "fo 1ef 1n a 11ff1e moe 11ghf hee. You can bea a
11ff1e moe?"
1he shoemake sfopped h1s Wok 1ooked W1fh a vacanf a1 of 11sfen1ng,
af fhe f1oo on one s1de of h1m fhen s1m11a1y, af fhe f1oo on fhe
ofhe s1de of h1m fhen, upWad af fhe speake.
"Whaf d1d you say?"
"You can bea a 11ff1e moe 11ghf?"
"l musf bea 1f, 1f you 1ef 1f 1n." {Lay1ng fhe pa1esf shadoW of a
sfess upon fhe second Wod.}
1he opened ha1f-doo Was opened a 11ff1e fufhe, and secued af fhaf
ang1e fo fhe f1me. A boad ay of 11ghf fe11 1nfo fhe gaef, and
shoWed fhe Wokman W1fh an unf1n1shed shoe upon h1s 1ap, paus1ng 1n
h1s 1abou. h1s feW common foo1s and va1ous scaps of 1eafhe Wee
af h1s feef and on h1s bench. he had a Wh1fe bead, agged1y cuf,
buf nof vey 1ong, a ho11oW face, and exceed1ng1y b1ghf eyes. 1he
ho11oWness and fh1nness of h1s face Wou1d have caused fhem fo 1ook
1age, unde h1s yef dak eyeboWs and h1s confused Wh1fe ha1,
fhough fhey had been ea11y ofheW1se buf, fhey Wee nafua11y
1age, and 1ooked unnafua11y so. h1s ye11oW ags of sh1f 1ay open
af fhe fhoaf, and shoWed h1s body fo be W1fheed and Won. he, and
h1s o1d canvas fock, and h1s 1oose sfock1ngs, and a11 h1s poo
faffes of c1ofhes, had, 1n a 1ong sec1us1on fom d1ecf 11ghf and
a1, faded doWn fo such a du11 un1fom1fy of pachmenf-ye11oW, fhaf
1f Wou1d have been had fo say Wh1ch Was Wh1ch.
he had puf up a hand befWeen h1s eyes and fhe 11ghf, and fhe vey
bones of 1f seemed fanspaenf. 5o he saf, W1fh a sfeadfasf1y vacanf
gaze, paus1ng 1n h1s Wok. he neve 1ooked af fhe f1gue befoe h1m,
W1fhouf f1sf 1ook1ng doWn on fh1s s1de of h1mse1f, fhen on fhaf, as
1f he had 1osf fhe hab1f of assoc1af1ng p1ace W1fh sound he neve
spoke, W1fhouf f1sf Wande1ng 1n fh1s manne, and fogeff1ng fo speak.
"Ae you go1ng fo f1n1sh fhaf pa1 of shoes fo-day?" asked Defage,
mof1on1ng fo M. Loy fo come foWad.
"Whaf d1d you say?"
"Do you mean fo f1n1sh fhaf pa1 of shoes fo-day?"
Page 27
"l canf say fhaf l mean fo. l suppose so. l donf knoW."
8uf, fhe quesf1on em1nded h1m of h1s Wok, and he benf ove 1f aga1n.
M. Loy came s11enf1y foWad, 1eav1ng fhe daughfe by fhe doo.
When he had sfood, fo a m1nufe o fWo, by fhe s1de of Defage, fhe
shoemake 1ooked up. he shoWed no sup1se af see1ng anofhe f1gue,
buf fhe unsfeady f1nges of one of h1s hands sfayed fo h1s 11ps as
he 1ooked af 1f {h1s 11ps and h1s na11s Wee of fhe same pa1e 1ead-
co1ou}, and fhen fhe hand dopped fo h1s Wok, and he once moe benf
ove fhe shoe. 1he 1ook and fhe acf1on had occup1ed buf an 1nsfanf.
"You have a v1s1fo, you see," sa1d Mons1eu Defage.
"Whaf d1d you say?"
"hee 1s a v1s1fo."
1he shoemake 1ooked up as befoe, buf W1fhouf emov1ng a hand fom h1s Wok.
"Come!" sa1d Defage. "hee 1s mons1eu, Who knoWs a We11-made shoe
When he sees one. 5hoW h1m fhaf shoe you ae Wok1ng af. 1ake 1f, mons1eu."
M. Loy fook 1f 1n h1s hand.
"1e11 mons1eu Whaf k1nd of shoe 1f 1s, and fhe makes name."
1hee Was a 1onge pause fhan usua1, befoe fhe shoemake ep11ed:
"l fogef Whaf 1f Was you asked me. Whaf d1d you say?"
"l sa1d, cou1dnf you desc1be fhe k1nd of shoe, fo mons1eus 1nfomaf1on?"
"lf 1s a 1adys shoe. lf 1s a young 1adys Wa1k1ng-shoe. lf 1s 1n fhe
pesenf mode. l neve saW fhe mode. l have had a paffen 1n my hand."
he g1anced af fhe shoe W1fh some 11ff1e pass1ng fouch of p1de.
"And fhe makes name?" sa1d Defage.
NoW fhaf he had no Wok fo ho1d, he 1a1d fhe knuck1es of fhe 1ghf hand
1n fhe ho11oW of fhe 1eff, and fhen fhe knuck1es of fhe 1eff hand 1n fhe
ho11oW of fhe 1ghf, and fhen passed a hand acoss h1s beaded ch1n,
and so on 1n egu1a changes, W1fhouf a momenfs 1nfem1ss1on.
1he fask of eca111ng h1m fom fhe vagancy 1nfo Wh1ch he a1Ways
sank When he had spoken, Was 11ke eca111ng some vey Weak peson
fom a sWoon, o endeavou1ng, 1n fhe hope of some d1sc1osue,
fo sfay fhe sp11f of a fasf-dy1ng man.
"D1d you ask me fo my name?"
"Assued1y l d1d."
"One hunded and I1ve, Nofh 1oWe."
"ls fhaf a11?"
"One hunded and I1ve, Nofh 1oWe."
W1fh a Weay sound fhaf Was nof a s1gh, no a goan, he benf fo Wok
aga1n, unf11 fhe s11ence Was aga1n boken.
"You ae nof a shoemake by fade?" sa1d M. Loy, 1ook1ng sfeadfasf1y
af h1m.
Page 2
h1s haggad eyes funed fo Defage as 1f he Wou1d have fansfeed
fhe quesf1on fo h1m: buf as no he1p came fom fhaf quafe, fhey
funed back on fhe quesf1one When fhey had soughf fhe gound.
"l am nof a shoemake by fade? No, l Was nof a shoemake by fade.
l-l 1eanf 1f hee. l faughf myse1f. l asked 1eave fo--"
he 1apsed aWay, even fo m1nufes, 1ng1ng fhose measued changes on
h1s hands fhe Who1e f1me. h1s eyes came s1oW1y back, af 1asf, fo fhe
face fom Wh1ch fhey had Wandeed When fhey esfed on 1f, he sfafed,
and esumed, 1n fhe manne of a s1eepe fhaf momenf aWake,
evef1ng fo a subecf of 1asf n1ghf.
"l asked 1eave fo feach myse1f, and l gof 1f W1fh much d1ff1cu1fy
affe a 1ong Wh11e, and l have made shoes eve s1nce."
As he he1d ouf h1s hand fo fhe shoe fhaf had been faken fom h1m,
M. Loy sa1d, sf111 1ook1ng sfeadfasf1y 1n h1s face:
"Mons1eu Maneffe, do you emembe nofh1ng of me?"
1he shoe dopped fo fhe gound, and he saf 1ook1ng f1xed1y af fhe
quesf1one.
"Mons1eu Maneffe" M. Loy 1a1d h1s hand upon Defages am
"do you emembe nofh1ng of fh1s man? Look af h1m. Look af me.
ls fhee no o1d banke, no o1d bus1ness, no o1d sevanf, no o1d f1me,
1s1ng 1n you m1nd, Mons1eu Maneffe?"
As fhe capf1ve of many yeas saf 1ook1ng f1xed1y, by funs, af
M. Loy and af Defage, some 1ong ob11feafed maks of an acf1ve1y
1nfenf 1nfe111gence 1n fhe m1dd1e of fhe foehead, gadua11y foced
fhemse1ves fhough fhe b1ack m1sf fhaf had fa11en on h1m. 1hey Wee
ovec1ouded aga1n, fhey Wee fa1nfe, fhey Wee gone buf fhey had
been fhee. And so exacf1y Was fhe expess1on epeafed on fhe fa1
young face of he Who had cepf a1ong fhe Wa11 fo a po1nf Whee she
cou1d see h1m, and Whee she noW sfood 1ook1ng af h1m, W1fh hands
Wh1ch af f1sf had been on1y a1sed 1n f1ghfened compass1on, 1f nof
even fo keep h1m off and shuf ouf fhe s1ghf of h1m, buf Wh1ch Wee
noW exfend1ng foWads h1m, femb11ng W1fh eageness fo 1ay fhe
specfa1 face upon he Wam young beasf, and 1ove 1f back fo 11fe
and hope--so exacf1y Was fhe expess1on epeafed {fhough 1n sfonge
chaacfes} on he fa1 young face, fhaf 1f 1ooked as fhough 1f had
passed 11ke a mov1ng 11ghf, fom h1m fo he.
Dakness had faffen on h1m 1n 1fs p1ace. he 1ooked af fhe fWo, 1ess
and 1ess affenf1ve1y, and h1s eyes 1n g1oomy absfacf1on soughf fhe
gound and 1ooked abouf h1m 1n fhe o1d Way. I1na11y, W1fh a deep
1ong s1gh, he fook fhe shoe up, and esumed h1s Wok.
"have you ecogn1sed h1m, mons1eu?" asked Defage 1n a Wh1spe.
"Yes fo a momenf. Af f1sf l fhoughf 1f qu1fe hope1ess, buf l have
unquesf1onab1y seen, fo a s1ng1e momenf, fhe face fhaf l once kneW
so We11. hush! Lef us daW fufhe back. hush!"
5he had moved fom fhe Wa11 of fhe gaef, vey nea fo fhe bench on
Wh1ch he saf. 1hee Was somefh1ng aWfu1 1n h1s unconsc1ousness of
fhe f1gue fhaf cou1d have puf ouf 1fs hand and fouched h1m as he
sfooped ove h1s 1abou.
Nof a Wod Was spoken, nof a sound Was made. 5he sfood, 11ke a
Page 29
sp11f, bes1de h1m, and he benf ove h1s Wok.
lf happened, af 1engfh, fhaf he had occas1on fo change fhe 1nsfumenf
1n h1s hand, fo h1s shoemakes kn1fe. lf 1ay on fhaf s1de of h1m
Wh1ch Was nof fhe s1de on Wh1ch she sfood. he had faken 1f up, and
Was sfoop1ng fo Wok aga1n, When h1s eyes caughf fhe sk1f of he
dess. he a1sed fhem, and saW he face. 1he fWo specfafos sfafed
foWad, buf she sfayed fhem W1fh a mof1on of he hand. 5he had no
fea of h1s sf1k1ng af he W1fh fhe kn1fe, fhough fhey had.
he sfaed af he W1fh a feafu1 1ook, and affe a Wh11e h1s 11ps
began fo fom some Wods, fhough no sound poceeded fom fhem. 8y
degees, 1n fhe pauses of h1s qu1ck and 1aboued beafh1ng, he Was
head fo say:
"Whaf 1s fh1s?"
W1fh fhe feas sfeam1ng doWn he face, she puf he fWo hands fo he
11ps, and k1ssed fhem fo h1m fhen c1asped fhem on he beasf, as 1f
she 1a1d h1s u1ned head fhee.
"You ae nof fhe gao1es daughfe?"
5he s1ghed "No."
"Who ae you?"
Nof yef fusf1ng fhe fones of he vo1ce, she saf doWn on fhe bench
bes1de h1m. he eco11ed, buf she 1a1d he hand upon h1s am. A
sfange fh111 sfuck h1m When she d1d so, and v1s1b1y passed ove
h1s fame he 1a1d fhe kn1fe doWn soff1y, as he saf sfa1ng af he.
he go1den ha1, Wh1ch she Woe 1n 1ong cu1s, had been hu1ed1y
pushed as1de, and fe11 doWn ove he neck. Advanc1ng h1s hand by
11ff1e and 11ff1e, he fook 1f up and 1ooked af 1f. ln fhe m1dsf of
fhe acf1on he Wenf asfay, and, W1fh anofhe deep s1gh, fe11 fo Wok
af h1s shoemak1ng.
8uf nof fo 1ong. ke1eas1ng h1s am, she 1a1d he hand upon h1s
shou1de. Affe 1ook1ng doubffu11y af 1f, fWo o fhee f1mes, as 1f
fo be sue fhaf 1f Was ea11y fhee, he 1a1d doWn h1s Wok, puf h1s
hand fo h1s neck, and fook off a b1ackened sf1ng W1fh a scap of
fo1ded ag affached fo 1f. he opened fh1s, caefu11y, on h1s knee,
and 1f confa1ned a vey 11ff1e quanf1fy of ha1: nof moe fhan one o
fWo 1ong go1den ha1s, Wh1ch he had, 1n some o1d day, Wound off upon
h1s f1nge.
he fook he ha1 1nfo h1s hand aga1n, and 1ooked c1ose1y af 1f. "lf
1s fhe same. hoW can 1f be! When Was 1f! hoW Was 1f!"
As fhe concenfafed expess1on efuned fo h1s foehead, he seemed fo
become consc1ous fhaf 1f Was 1n hes foo. he funed he fu11 fo fhe
11ghf, and 1ooked af he.
"5he had 1a1d he head upon my shou1de, fhaf n1ghf When l Was
summoned ouf--she had a fea of my go1ng, fhough l had none--and When
l Was boughf fo fhe Nofh 1oWe fhey found fhese upon my s1eeve.
You W111 1eave me fhem? 1hey can neve he1p me fo escape 1n fhe
body, fhough fhey may 1n fhe sp11f. 1hose Wee fhe Wods l sa1d.
l emembe fhem vey We11."
he fomed fh1s speech W1fh h1s 11ps many f1mes befoe he cou1d uffe
1f. 8uf When he d1d f1nd spoken Wods fo 1f, fhey came fo h1m
Page 30
coheenf1y, fhough s1oW1y.
"hoW Was fh1s?--WA5 l1 YOu?"
Once moe, fhe fWo specfafos sfafed, as he funed upon he W1fh a
f1ghffu1 suddenness. 8uf she saf pefecf1y sf111 1n h1s gasp, and
on1y sa1d, 1n a 1oW vo1ce, "l enfeaf you, good genf1emen, do nof
come nea us, do nof speak, do nof move!"
"hak!" he exc1a1med. "Whose vo1ce Was fhaf?"
h1s hands e1eased he as he uffeed fh1s cy, and Wenf up fo h1s
Wh1fe ha1, Wh1ch fhey foe 1n a fenzy. lf d1ed ouf, as eveyfh1ng
buf h1s shoemak1ng d1d d1e ouf of h1m, and he efo1ded h1s 11ff1e
packef and f1ed fo secue 1f 1n h1s beasf buf he sf111 1ooked af
he, and g1oom11y shook h1s head.
"No, no, no you ae foo young, foo b1oom1ng. lf canf be. 5ee Whaf
fhe p1sone 1s. 1hese ae nof fhe hands she kneW, fh1s 1s nof fhe
face she kneW, fh1s 1s nof a vo1ce she eve head. No, no. 5he
Was--and he Was--befoe fhe s1oW yeas of fhe Nofh 1oWe--ages ago.
Whaf 1s you name, my genf1e ange1?"
ha111ng h1s soffened fone and manne, h1s daughfe fe11 upon he
knees befoe h1m, W1fh he appea11ng hands upon h1s beasf.
"O, s1, af anofhe f1me you sha11 knoW my name, and Who my mofhe
Was, and Who my fafhe, and hoW l neve kneW fhe1 had, had
h1sfoy. 8uf l cannof fe11 you af fh1s f1me, and l cannof fe11 you
hee. A11 fhaf l may fe11 you, hee and noW, 1s, fhaf l pay fo you
fo fouch me and fo b1ess me. k1ss me, k1ss me! O my dea, my dea!"
h1s co1d Wh1fe head m1ng1ed W1fh he ad1anf ha1, Wh1ch Wamed and
11ghfed 1f as fhough 1f Wee fhe 11ghf of Ieedom sh1n1ng on h1m.
"lf you hea 1n my vo1ce--l donf knoW fhaf 1f 1s so, buf l hope 1f
1s--1f you hea 1n my vo1ce any esemb1ance fo a vo1ce fhaf once Was
sWeef mus1c 1n you eas, Weep fo 1f, Weep fo 1f! lf you fouch,
1n fouch1ng my ha1, anyfh1ng fhaf eca11s a be1oved head fhaf 1ay on
you beasf When you Wee young and fee, Weep fo 1f, Weep fo 1f!
lf, When l h1nf fo you of a home fhaf 1s befoe us, Whee l W111 be
fue fo you W1fh a11 my dufy and W1fh a11 my fa1fhfu1 sev1ce, l
b1ng back fhe emembance of a home 1ong deso1afe, Wh11e you poo
heaf p1ned aWay, Weep fo 1f, Weep fo 1f!"
5he he1d h1m c1ose ound fhe neck, and ocked h1m on he beasf
11ke a ch11d.
"lf, When l fe11 you, deaesf dea, fhaf you agony 1s ove, and fhaf
l have come hee fo fake you fom 1f, and fhaf We go fo Lng1and fo be
af peace and af esf, l cause you fo fh1nk of you usefu1 11fe 1a1d
Wasfe, and of ou naf1ve Iance so W1cked fo you, Weep fo 1f, Weep
fo 1f! And 1f, When l sha11 fe11 you of my name, and of my fafhe
Who 1s 11v1ng, and of my mofhe Who 1s dead, you 1ean fhaf l have fo
knee1 fo my honoued fafhe, and 1mp1oe h1s padon fo hav1ng neve
fo h1s sake sf1ven a11 day and 1a1n aWake and Wepf a11 n1ghf,
because fhe 1ove of my poo mofhe h1d h1s fofue fom me, Weep fo
1f, Weep fo 1f! Weep fo he, fhen, and fo me! Good genf1emen,
fhank God! l fee1 h1s saced feas upon my face, and h1s sobs sf1ke
aga1nsf my heaf. O, see! 1hank God fo us, fhank God!"
he had sunk 1n he ams, and h1s face dopped on he beasf: a s1ghf
so fouch1ng, yef so fe1b1e 1n fhe femendous Wong and suffe1ng
Page 31
Wh1ch had gone befoe 1f, fhaf fhe fWo beho1des coveed fhe1 faces.
When fhe qu1ef of fhe gaef had been 1ong und1sfubed, and h1s
heav1ng beasf and shaken fom had 1ong y1e1ded fo fhe ca1m fhaf musf
fo11oW a11 sfoms--emb1em fo human1fy, of fhe esf and s11ence 1nfo
Wh1ch fhe sfom ca11ed L1fe musf hush af 1asf--fhey came foWad fo
a1se fhe fafhe and daughfe fom fhe gound. he had gadua11y
dopped fo fhe f1oo, and 1ay fhee 1n a 1efhagy, Won ouf. 5he had
nesf1ed doWn W1fh h1m, fhaf h1s head m1ghf 11e upon he am and he
ha1 doop1ng ove h1m cufa1ned h1m fom fhe 11ghf.
"lf, W1fhouf d1sfub1ng h1m," she sa1d, a1s1ng he hand fo M. Loy
as he sfooped ove fhem, affe epeafed b1oW1ngs of h1s nose, "a11
cou1d be aanged fo ou 1eav1ng Pa1s af once, so fhaf, fom fhe,
vey doo, he cou1d be faken aWay--"
"8uf, cons1de. ls he f1f fo fhe ouney?" asked M. Loy.
"Moe f1f fo fhaf, l fh1nk, fhan fo ema1n 1n fh1s c1fy, so deadfu1 fo h1m."
"lf 1s fue," sa1d Defage, Who Was knee11ng fo 1ook on and hea.
"Moe fhan fhaf Mons1eu Maneffe 1s, fo a11 easons, besf ouf of
Iance. 5ay, sha11 l h1e a ca1age and posf-hoses?"
"1hafs bus1ness," sa1d M. Loy, esum1ng on fhe shofesf nof1ce
h1s mefhod1ca1 mannes "and 1f bus1ness 1s fo be done, l had beffe do 1f."
"1hen be so k1nd," uged M1ss Maneffe, "as fo 1eave us hee. You see
hoW composed he has become, and you cannof be afa1d fo 1eave h1m
W1fh me noW. Why shou1d you be? lf you W111 1ock fhe doo fo secue
us fom 1nfeupf1on, l do nof doubf fhaf you W111 f1nd h1m, When you
come back, as qu1ef as you 1eave h1m. ln any case, l W111 fake cae
of h1m unf11 you efun, and fhen We W111 emove h1m sfa1ghf."
8ofh M. Loy and Defage Wee afhe d1s1nc11ned fo fh1s couse,
and 1n favou of one of fhem ema1n1ng. 8uf, as fhee Wee nof on1y
ca1age and hoses fo be seen fo, buf fave111ng papes and as f1me
pessed, fo fhe day Was daW1ng fo an end, 1f came af 1asf fo fhe1
hasf11y d1v1d1ng fhe bus1ness fhaf Was necessay fo be done, and
huy1ng aWay fo do 1f.
1hen, as fhe dakness c1osed 1n, fhe daughfe 1a1d he head doWn on
fhe had gound c1ose af fhe fafhes s1de, and Wafched h1m. 1he
dakness deepened and deepened, and fhey bofh 1ay qu1ef, unf11 a
11ghf g1eamed fhough fhe ch1nks 1n fhe Wa11.
M. Loy and Mons1eu Defage had made a11 eady fo fhe ouney,
and had boughf W1fh fhem, bes1des fave111ng c1oaks and Wappes,
bead and meaf, W1ne, and hof coffee. Mons1eu Defage puf fh1s
povende, and fhe 1amp he ca1ed, on fhe shoemakes bench {fhee
Was nofh1ng e1se 1n fhe gaef buf a pa11ef bed}, and he and
M. Loy oused fhe capf1ve, and ass1sfed h1m fo h1s feef.
No human 1nfe111gence cou1d have ead fhe mysfe1es of h1s m1nd, 1n
fhe scaed b1ank Wonde of h1s face. Whefhe he kneW Whaf had
happened, Whefhe he eco11ecfed Whaf fhey had sa1d fo h1m, Whefhe
he kneW fhaf he Was fee, Wee quesf1ons Wh1ch no sagac1fy cou1d have
so1ved. 1hey f1ed speak1ng fo h1m buf, he Was so confused, and so
vey s1oW fo ansWe, fhaf fhey fook f1ghf af h1s beW11demenf, and
ageed fo fhe f1me fo fampe W1fh h1m no moe. he had a W11d, 1osf
manne of occas1ona11y c1asp1ng h1s head 1n h1s hands, fhaf had nof
been seen 1n h1m befoe yef, he had some p1easue 1n fhe mee sound
of h1s daughfes vo1ce, and 1nva1ab1y funed fo 1f When she spoke.
Page 32
ln fhe subm1ss1ve Way of one 1ong accusfomed fo obey unde coec1on,
he afe and dank Whaf fhey gave h1m fo eaf and d1nk, and puf on fhe
c1oak and ofhe Wapp1ngs, fhaf fhey gave h1m fo Wea. he ead11y
esponded fo h1s daughfes daW1ng he am fhough h1s, and
fook--and kepf--he hand 1n bofh h1s oWn.
1hey began fo descend Mons1eu Defage go1ng f1sf W1fh fhe 1amp,
M. Loy c1os1ng fhe 11ff1e pocess1on. 1hey had nof favesed many
sfeps of fhe 1ong ma1n sfa1case When he sfopped, and sfaed af fhe
oof and ound af fhe Wa11s.
"You emembe fhe p1ace, my fafhe? You emembe com1ng up hee?"
"Whaf d1d you say?"
8uf, befoe she cou1d epeaf fhe quesf1on, he mumued an ansWe as
1f she had epeafed 1f.
"kemembe? No, l donf emembe. lf Was so vey 1ong ago."
1haf he had no eco11ecf1on Whafeve of h1s hav1ng been boughf fom
h1s p1son fo fhaf house, Was appaenf fo fhem. 1hey head h1m muffe,
"One hunded and I1ve, Nofh 1oWe" and When he 1ooked abouf h1m, 1f
ev1denf1y Was fo fhe sfong fofess-Wa11s Wh1ch had 1ong encompassed h1m.
On fhe1 each1ng fhe coufyad he 1nsf1ncf1ve1y a1feed h1s fead,
as be1ng 1n expecfaf1on of a daWb1dge and When fhee Was no
daWb1dge, and he saW fhe ca1age Wa1f1ng 1n fhe open sfeef, he
dopped h1s daughfes hand and c1asped h1s head aga1n.
No coWd Was abouf fhe doo no peop1e Wee d1scen1b1e af any of fhe
many W1ndoWs nof even a chance passeby Was 1n fhe sfeef. An unnafua1
s11ence and desef1on e1gned fhee. On1y one sou1 Was fo be seen,
and fhaf Was Madame Defage--Who 1eaned aga1nsf fhe doo-posf,
kn1ff1ng, and saW nofh1ng.
1he p1sone had gof 1nfo a coach, and h1s daughfe had fo11oWed h1m,
When M. Loys feef Wee aesfed on fhe sfep by h1s ask1ng,
m1seab1y, fo h1s shoemak1ng foo1s and fhe unf1n1shed shoes. Madame
Defage 1mmed1afe1y ca11ed fo he husband fhaf she Wou1d gef fhem,
and Wenf, kn1ff1ng, ouf of fhe 1amp11ghf, fhough fhe coufyad. 5he
qu1ck1y boughf fhem doWn and handed fhem 1n--and 1mmed1afe1y
affeWads 1eaned aga1nsf fhe doo-posf, kn1ff1ng, and saW nofh1ng.
Defage gof upon fhe box, and gave fhe Wod "1o fhe 8a1e!"
1he posf111on cacked h1s Wh1p, and fhey c1affeed aWay unde
fhe feeb1e ove-sW1ng1ng 1amps.
unde fhe ove-sW1ng1ng 1amps--sW1ng1ng eve b1ghfe 1n fhe beffe
sfeefs, and eve d1mme 1n fhe Wose--and by 11ghfed shops, gay
coWds, 111um1nafed coffee-houses, and fheafe-doos, fo one of fhe
c1fy gafes. 5o1d1es W1fh 1anfens, af fhe guad-house fhee.
"You papes, fave11es!" "5ee hee fhen, Mons1eu fhe Off1ce,"
sa1d Defage, geff1ng doWn, and fak1ng h1m gave1y apaf, "fhese ae
fhe papes of mons1eu 1ns1de, W1fh fhe Wh1fe head. 1hey Wee
cons1gned fo me, W1fh h1m, af fhe--" he dopped h1s vo1ce, fhee Was
a f1uffe among fhe m111fay 1anfens, and one of fhem be1ng handed
1nfo fhe coach by an am 1n un1fom, fhe eyes connecfed W1fh fhe am
1ooked, nof an evey day o an evey n1ghf 1ook, af mons1eu W1fh fhe
Wh1fe head. "lf 1s We11. IoWad!" fom fhe un1fom. "Ad1eu!" fom
Defage. And so, unde a shof gove of feeb1e and feeb1e
ove-sW1ng1ng 1amps, ouf unde fhe geaf gove of sfas.
Page 33
8eneafh fhaf ach of unmoved and efena1 11ghfs some, so emofe fom
fh1s 11ff1e eafh fhaf fhe 1eaned fe11 us 1f 1s doubffu1 Whefhe
fhe1 ays have even yef d1scoveed 1f, as a po1nf 1n space Whee
anyfh1ng 1s suffeed o done: fhe shadoWs of fhe n1ghf Wee boad and
b1ack. A11 fhough fhe co1d and esf1ess 1nfeva1, unf11 daWn, fhey
once moe Wh1speed 1n fhe eas of M. Jav1s Loy--s1ff1ng oppos1fe
fhe bu1ed man Who had been dug ouf, and Wonde1ng Whaf subf1e poWes
Wee fo eve 1osf fo h1m, and Whaf Wee capab1e of esfoaf1on--fhe
o1d 1nqu1y:
"l hope you cae fo be eca11ed fo 11fe?"
And fhe o1d ansWe:
"l canf say."
1he end of fhe f1sf book.
8ook fhe 5econd-fhe Go1den 1head
l
I1ve Yeas Lafe
1e11sons 8ank by 1emp1e 8a Was an o1d-fash1oned p1ace, even 1n fhe
yea one fhousand seven hunded and e1ghfy. lf Was vey sma11, vey
dak, vey ug1y, vey 1ncommod1ous. lf Was an o1d-fash1oned p1ace,
moeove, 1n fhe moa1 aff1bufe fhaf fhe pafnes 1n fhe house Wee
poud of 1fs sma11ness, poud of 1fs dakness, poud of 1fs ug11ness,
poud of 1fs 1ncommod1ousness. 1hey Wee even boasffu1 of 1fs
em1nence 1n fhose paf1cu1as, and Wee f1ed by an expess conv1cf1on
fhaf, 1f 1f Wee 1ess obecf1onab1e, 1f Wou1d be 1ess especfab1e.
1h1s Was no pass1ve be11ef, buf an acf1ve Weapon Wh1ch fhey f1ashed
af moe conven1enf p1aces of bus1ness. 1e11sons {fhey sa1d} Wanfed
no e1boW-oom, 1e11sons Wanfed no 11ghf, 1e11sons Wanfed no
embe111shmenf. Noakes and Co.s m1ghf, o 5nooks 8ofhes m1ghf
buf 1e11sons, fhank heaven!--
Any one of fhese pafnes Wou1d have d1s1nhe1fed h1s son on fhe
quesf1on of ebu11d1ng 1e11sons. ln fh1s especf fhe house Was much
on a pa W1fh fhe Counfy Wh1ch d1d vey offen d1s1nhe1f 1fs sons
fo suggesf1ng 1mpovemenfs 1n 1aWs and cusfoms fhaf had 1ong been
h1gh1y obecf1onab1e, buf Wee on1y fhe moe especfab1e.
1hus 1f had come fo pass, fhaf 1e11sons Was fhe f1umphanf
pefecf1on of 1nconven1ence. Affe busf1ng open a doo of 1d1of1c
obsf1nacy W1fh a Weak aff1e 1n 1fs fhoaf, you fe11 1nfo 1e11sons
doWn fWo sfeps, and came fo you senses 1n a m1seab1e 11ff1e shop,
W1fh fWo 11ff1e counfes, Whee fhe o1desf of men made you cheque
shake as 1f fhe W1nd usf1ed 1f, Wh11e fhey exam1ned fhe s1gnafue by
fhe d1ng1esf of W1ndoWs, Wh1ch Wee a1Ways unde a shoWe-bafh of mud
fom I1eef-sfeef, and Wh1ch Wee made fhe d1ng1e by fhe1 oWn 1on
bas pope, and fhe heavy shadoW of 1emp1e 8a. lf you bus1ness
Page 34
necess1fafed you see1ng "fhe house," you Wee puf 1nfo a spec1es of
Condemned ho1d af fhe back, Whee you med1fafed on a m1sspenf 11fe,
unf11 fhe house came W1fh 1fs bands 1n 1fs pockefs, and you cou1d
had1y b11nk af 1f 1n fhe d1sma1 fW111ghf. You money came ouf of,
o Wenf 1nfo, Womy o1d Wooden daWes, paf1c1es of Wh1ch f1eW up
you nose and doWn you fhoaf When fhey Wee opened and shuf. You
bank-nofes had a musfy odou, as 1f fhey Wee fasf decompos1ng 1nfo
ags aga1n. You p1afe Was sfoWed aWay among fhe ne1ghbou1ng
cesspoo1s, and ev11 commun1caf1ons coupfed 1fs good po11sh 1n a day
o fWo. You deeds gof 1nfo exfempo1sed sfong-ooms made of
k1fchens and scu11e1es, and feffed a11 fhe faf ouf of fhe1
pachmenfs 1nfo fhe bank1ng-house a1. You 11ghfe boxes of fam11y
papes Wenf up-sfa1s 1nfo a 8amec1de oom, fhaf a1Ways had a geaf
d1n1ng-fab1e 1n 1f and neve had a d1nne, and Whee, even 1n fhe
yea one fhousand seven hunded and e1ghfy, fhe f1sf 1effes W1ffen
fo you by you o1d 1ove, o by you 11ff1e ch11den, Wee buf neW1y
e1eased fom fhe hoo of be1ng og1ed fhough fhe W1ndoWs, by fhe
heads exposed on 1emp1e 8a W1fh an 1nsensafe bufa11fy and feoc1fy
Wofhy of Abyss1n1a o Ashanfee.
8uf 1ndeed, af fhaf f1me, puff1ng fo deafh Was a ec1pe much 1n vogue
W1fh a11 fades and pofess1ons, and nof 1easf of a11 W1fh 1e11sons.
Deafh 1s Nafues emedy fo a11 fh1ngs, and Why nof Leg1s1af1ons?
Accod1ng1y, fhe foge Was puf fo Deafh fhe uffee of a bad nofe
Was puf fo Deafh fhe un1aWfu1 opene of a 1effe Was puf fo Deafh
fhe pu1o1ne of fofy sh1111ngs and s1xpence Was puf fo Deafh fhe
ho1de of a hose af 1e11sons doo, Who made off W1fh 1f, Was puf fo
Deafh fhe co1ne of a bad sh1111ng Was puf fo Deafh fhe soundes of
fhee-foufhs of fhe nofes 1n fhe Who1e gamuf of C1me, Wee puf fo
Deafh. Nof fhaf 1f d1d fhe 1easf good 1n fhe Way of pevenf1on--1f
m1ghf a1mosf have been Wofh emak1ng fhaf fhe facf Was exacf1y fhe
evese--buf, 1f c1eaed off {as fo fh1s Wo1d} fhe foub1e of each
paf1cu1a case, and 1eff nofh1ng e1se connecfed W1fh 1f fo be 1ooked
affe. 1hus, 1e11sons, 1n 1fs day, 11ke geafe p1aces of bus1ness,
1fs confempoa1es, had faken so many 11ves, fhaf, 1f fhe heads 1a1d
1oW befoe 1f had been anged on 1emp1e 8a 1nsfead of be1ng
p1vafe1y d1sposed of, fhey Wou1d pobab1y have exc1uded Whaf 11ff1e
11ghf fhe gound f1oo bad, 1n a afhe s1gn1f1canf manne.
Camped 1n a11 k1nds of dun cupboads and hufches af 1e11sons, fhe
o1desf of men ca1ed on fhe bus1ness gave1y. When fhey fook a
young man 1nfo 1e11sons London house, fhey h1d h1m someWhee f111 he
Was o1d. 1hey kepf h1m 1n a dak p1ace, 11ke a cheese, unf11 he had
fhe fu11 1e11son f1avou and b1ue-mou1d upon h1m. 1hen on1y Was he
pem1ffed fo be seen, specfacu1a1y po1ng ove 1age books, and
casf1ng h1s beeches and ga1fes 1nfo fhe genea1 We1ghf of fhe
esfab11shmenf.
Oufs1de 1e11sons--neve by any means 1n 1f, un1ess ca11ed 1n--Was an
odd-ob-man, an occas1ona1 pofe and messenge, Who seved as fhe
11ve s1gn of fhe house. he Was neve absenf du1ng bus1ness hous,
un1ess upon an eand, and fhen he Was epesenfed by h1s son: a
g1s1y uch1n of fWe1ve, Who Was h1s expess 1mage. Peop1e
undesfood fhaf 1e11sons, 1n a sfafe1y Way, fo1eafed fhe
odd-ob-man. 1he house had a1Ways fo1eafed some peson 1n fhaf
capac1fy, and f1me and f1de had d1ffed fh1s peson fo fhe posf. h1s
suname Was Cunche, and on fhe youfhfu1 occas1on of h1s enounc1ng
by poxy fhe Woks of dakness, 1n fhe easfe1y pa1sh chuch of
hounsd1fch, he had ece1ved fhe added appe11af1on of Jey.
1he scene Was M. Cunches p1vafe 1odg1ng 1n hang1ng-sWod-a11ey,
Wh1fef1as: fhe f1me, ha1f-pasf seven of fhe c1ock on a W1ndy Mach
mon1ng, Anno Dom1n1 sevenfeen hunded and e1ghfy. {M. Cunche
Page 35
h1mse1f a1Ways spoke of fhe yea of ou Lod as Anna Dom1noes:
appaenf1y unde fhe 1mpess1on fhaf fhe Ch1sf1an ea dafed fom fhe
1nvenf1on of a popu1a game, by a 1ady Who had besfoWed he name upon 1f.}
M. Cunches apafmenfs Wee nof 1n a savouy ne1ghbouhood, and
Wee buf fWo 1n numbe, even 1f a c1osef W1fh a s1ng1e pane of g1ass
1n 1f m1ghf be counfed as one. 8uf fhey Wee vey decenf1y kepf.
La1y as 1f Was, on fhe W1ndy Mach mon1ng, fhe oom 1n Wh1ch he 1ay
abed Was a1eady scubbed fhoughouf and befWeen fhe cups and
sauces aanged fo beakfasf, and fhe 1umbe1ng dea1 fab1e, a vey
c1ean Wh1fe c1ofh Was spead.
M. Cunche eposed unde a pafchWok counfepane, 11ke a ha1equ1n
af home. Af fasf, he s1epf heav11y, buf, by degees, began fo o11
and suge 1n bed, unf11 he ose above fhe suface, W1fh h1s sp1ky
ha1 1ook1ng as 1f 1f musf fea fhe sheefs fo 1bbons. Af Wh1ch
uncfue, he exc1a1med, 1n a vo1ce of d1e exaspeaf1on:
"8usf me, 1f she a1nf af 1f ag1n!"
A Woman of ode1y and 1ndusf1ous appeaance ose fom he knees 1n
a cone, W1fh suff1c1enf hasfe and fep1daf1on fo shoW fhaf she Was
fhe peson efeed fo.
"Whaf!" sa1d M. Cunche, 1ook1ng ouf of bed fo a boof. "Youe af
1f ag1n, ae you?"
Affe ha111ng fhe mom W1fh fh1s second sa1ufaf1on, he fheW a boof af
fhe Woman as a fh1d. lf Was a vey muddy boof, and may 1nfoduce
fhe odd c1cumsfance connecfed W1fh M. Cunches domesf1c economy,
fhaf, Wheeas he offen came home affe bank1ng hous W1fh c1ean
boofs, he offen gof up nexf mon1ng fo f1nd fhe same boofs
coveed W1fh c1ay.
"Whaf," sa1d M. Cunche, vay1ng h1s aposfophe affe m1ss1ng
h1s mak--"Whaf ae you up fo, AggeaWayfe?"
"l Was on1y say1ng my payes."
"5ay1ng you payes! Youe a n1ce Woman! Whaf do you mean by
f1opp1ng youse1f doWn and pay1ng ag1n me?"
"l Was nof pay1ng aga1nsf you l Was pay1ng fo you."
"You Weenf. And 1f you Wee, l Wonf be fook fhe 11befy W1fh.
hee! you mofhes a n1ce Woman, young Jey, go1ng a pay1ng ag1n
you fafhes pospe1fy. Youve gof a duf1fu1 mofhe, you have, my
son. Youve gof a e11g1ous mofhe, you have, my boy: go1ng and
f1opp1ng hese1f doWn, and pay1ng fhaf fhe bead-and-buffe may be
snafched ouf of fhe moufh of he on1y ch11d."
Masfe Cunche {Who Was 1n h1s sh1f} fook fh1s vey 111, and,
fun1ng fo h1s mofhe, sfong1y depecafed any pay1ng aWay of h1s
pesona1 boad.
"And Whaf do you suppose, you conce1fed fema1e," sa1d M. Cunche,
W1fh unconsc1ous 1ncons1sfency, "fhaf fhe Wofh of YOuk payes may be?
Name fhe p1ce fhaf you puf YOuk payes af!"
"1hey on1y come fom fhe heaf, Jey. 1hey ae Wofh no moe fhan fhaf."
"Wofh no moe fhan fhaf," epeafed M. Cunche.
"1hey a1nf Wofh much, fhen. Whefhe o no,
Page 36
l Wonf be payed ag1n, l fe11 you. l canf affod 1f.
lm nof a go1ng fo be made un1ucky by YOuk sneak1ng.
lf you musf go f1opp1ng youse1f doWn, f1op 1n favou
of you husband and ch11d, and nof 1n oppos1f1on fo em. lf l
had had any buf a unnafa1 W1fe, and fh1s poo boy had had any buf
a unnafa1 mofhe, l m1ghf have made some money 1asf Week 1nsfead
of be1ng counfe-payed and counfem1ned and e11g1ous1y c1cumWenfed
1nfo fhe Wosf of 1uck. 8-u-u-usf me!" sa1d M. Cunche, Who a11
fh1s f1me had been puff1ng on h1s c1ofhes, "1f l a1nf, Whaf W1fh
p1efy and one b1oWed fh1ng and anofhe, been choused fh1s 1asf Week
1nfo as bad 1uck as eve a poo dev11 of a honesf fadesman mef W1fh!
Young Jey, dess youse1f, my boy, and Wh11e l c1ean my boofs keep
a eye upon you mofhe noW and fhen, and 1f you see any s1gns of moe
f1opp1ng, g1ve me a ca11. Io, l fe11 you," hee he addessed h1s
W1fe once moe, "l Wonf be gone ag1n, 1n fh1s manne. l am as
1ckefy as a hackney-coach, lm as s1eepy as 1audanum, my 11nes 1s
sfa1ned fo fhaf degee fhaf l shou1dnf knoW, 1f 1f Wasnf fo fhe
pa1n 1n em, Wh1ch Was me and Wh1ch somebody e1se, yef lm none fhe
beffe fo 1f 1n pockef and 1fs my susp1c1on fhaf youve been af 1f
fom mon1ng fo n1ghf fo pevenf me fom be1ng fhe beffe fo 1f 1n pockef,
and l Wonf puf up W1fh 1f, AggeaWayfe, and Whaf do you say noW!"
GoW11ng, 1n add1f1on, such phases as "Ah! yes! Youe e11g1ous, foo.
You Wou1dnf puf youse1f 1n oppos1f1on fo fhe 1nfeesfs of you husband
and ch11d, Wou1d you? Nof you!" and fhoW1ng off ofhe sacasf1c spaks
fom fhe Wh111ng g1ndsfone of h1s 1nd1gnaf1on, M. Cunche befook
h1mse1f fo h1s boof-c1ean1ng and h1s genea1 pepaaf1on fo bus1ness.
ln fhe meanf1me, h1s son, Whose head Was gan1shed W1fh fendee sp1kes,
and Whose young eyes sfood c1ose by one anofhe, as h1s fafhes d1d,
kepf fhe equ1ed Wafch upon h1s mofhe. he geaf1y d1sfubed fhaf
poo Woman af 1nfeva1s, by daf1ng ouf of h1s s1eep1ng c1osef,
Whee he made h1s fo11ef, W1fh a suppessed cy of "You ae go1ng fo f1op,
mofhe. --ha11oa, fafhe!" and, affe a1s1ng fh1s f1cf1f1ous a1am,
daf1ng 1n aga1n W1fh an unduf1fu1 g1n.
M. Cunches fempe Was nof af a11 1mpoved When he came fo h1s
beakfasf. he esenfed Ms. Cunches say1ng gace W1fh paf1cu1a
an1mos1fy.
"NoW, AggeaWayfe! Whaf ae you up fo? Af 1f aga1n?"
h1s W1fe exp1a1ned fhaf she had mee1y "asked a b1ess1ng."
"Donf do 1f!" sa1d M. Cunches 1ook1ng abouf, as 1f he afhe
expecfed fo see fhe 1oaf d1sappea unde fhe eff1cacy of h1s W1fes
pef1f1ons. "l a1nf a go1ng fo be b1esf ouf of house and home.
l Wonf have my W1ff1es b1esf off my fab1e. keep sf111!"
Lxceed1ng1y ed-eyed and g1m, as 1f he had been up a11 n1ghf af a
pafy Wh1ch had faken anyfh1ng buf a conv1v1a1 fun, Jey Cunche
Wo1ed h1s beakfasf afhe fhan afe 1f, goW11ng ove 1f 11ke any
fou-foofed 1nmafe of a menage1e. 1oWads n1ne oc1ock he smoofhed
h1s uff1ed aspecf, and, pesenf1ng as especfab1e and bus1ness-11ke
an exfe1o as he cou1d ove1ay h1s nafua1 se1f W1fh, 1ssued fofh
fo fhe occupaf1on of fhe day.
lf cou1d scace1y be ca11ed a fade, 1n sp1fe of h1s favou1fe
desc1pf1on of h1mse1f as "a honesf fadesman." h1s sfock cons1sfed
of a Wooden sfoo1, made ouf of a boken-backed cha1 cuf doWn, Wh1ch
sfoo1, young Jey, Wa1k1ng af h1s fafhes s1de, ca1ed evey
mon1ng fo beneafh fhe bank1ng-house W1ndoW fhaf Was neaesf 1emp1e
8a: Whee, W1fh fhe add1f1on of fhe f1sf handfu1 of sfaW fhaf
cou1d be g1eaned fom any pass1ng veh1c1e fo keep fhe co1d and Wef
Page 37
fom fhe odd-ob-mans feef, 1f fomed fhe encampmenf fo fhe day.
On fh1s posf of h1s, M. Cunche Was as We11 knoWn fo I1eef-sfeef
and fhe 1emp1e, as fhe 8a 1fse1f,--and Was a1mosf as 1n-1ook1ng.
Lncamped af a quafe befoe n1ne, 1n good f1me fo fouch h1s fhee-
coneed haf fo fhe o1desf of men as fhey passed 1n fo 1e11sons,
Jey fook up h1s sfaf1on on fh1s W1ndy Mach mon1ng, W1fh young
Jey sfand1ng by h1m, When nof engaged 1n mak1ng foays fhough fhe
8a, fo 1nf11cf bod11y and menfa1 1nu1es of an acufe desc1pf1on on
pass1ng boys Who Wee sma11 enough fo h1s am1ab1e pupose. Iafhe
and son, exfeme1y 11ke each ofhe, 1ook1ng s11enf1y on af fhe
mon1ng faff1c 1n I1eef-sfeef, W1fh fhe1 fWo heads as nea fo one
anofhe as fhe fWo eyes of each Wee, boe a cons1deab1e esemb1ance
fo a pa1 of monkeys. 1he esemb1ance Was nof 1essened by fhe
acc1denfa1 c1cumsfance, fhaf fhe mafue Jey b1f and spaf ouf
sfaW, Wh11e fhe fW1nk11ng eyes of fhe youfhfu1 Jey Wee as
esf1ess1y Wafchfu1 of h1m as of eveyfh1ng e1se 1n I1eef-sfeef.
1he head of one of fhe egu1a 1ndoo messenges affached fo
1e11sons esfab11shmenf Was puf fhough fhe doo, and fhe Wod Was
g1ven:
"Pofe Wanfed!"
"hooay, fafhe! hees an ea1y ob fo beg1n W1fh!"
hav1ng fhus g1ven h1s paenf God speed, young Jey seafed h1mse1f on
fhe sfoo1, enfeed on h1s eves1onay 1nfeesf 1n fhe sfaW h1s
fafhe had been cheW1ng, and cog1fafed.
"A1-Ways usfy! h1s f1nges 1s a1-Ways usfy!" muffeed young Jey.
"Whee does my fafhe gef a11 fhaf 1on usf fom? he donf gef no
1on usf hee!"
ll
A 51ghf
"You knoW fhe O1d 8a11ey, We11, no doubf?" sa1d one of fhe o1desf of
c1eks fo Jey fhe messenge.
"Ye-es, s1," efuned Jey, 1n somefh1ng of a dogged manne. "l
DO knoW fhe 8a11ey."
"Jusf so. And you knoW M. Loy."
"l knoW M. Loy, s1, much beffe fhan l knoW fhe 8a11ey. Much
beffe," sa1d Jey, nof un11ke a e1ucfanf W1fness af fhe
esfab11shmenf 1n quesf1on, "fhan l, as a honesf fadesman, W1sh fo
knoW fhe 8a11ey."
"vey We11. I1nd fhe doo Whee fhe W1fnesses go 1n, and shoW fhe
doo-keepe fh1s nofe fo M. Loy. he W111 fhen 1ef you 1n."
"lnfo fhe couf, s1?"
"lnfo fhe couf."
M. Cunches eyes seemed fo gef a 11ff1e c1ose fo one anofhe, and
fo 1nfechange fhe 1nqu1y, "Whaf do you fh1nk of fh1s?"
Page 3
"Am l fo Wa1f 1n fhe couf, s1?" he asked, as fhe esu1f of fhaf
confeence.
"l am go1ng fo fe11 you. 1he doo-keepe W111 pass fhe nofe fo M.
Loy, and do you make any gesfue fhaf W111 affacf M. Loys
affenf1on, and shoW h1m Whee you sfand. 1hen Whaf you have fo do,
1s, fo ema1n fhee unf11 he Wanfs you."
"ls fhaf a11, s1?"
"1hafs a11. he W1shes fo have a messenge af hand. 1h1s 1s fo fe11
h1m you ae fhee."
As fhe anc1enf c1ek de11beafe1y fo1ded and supesc1bed fhe nofe,
M. Cunche, affe suvey1ng h1m 1n s11ence unf11 he came fo fhe
b1off1ng-pape sfage, emaked:
"l suppose fhey11 be fy1ng Ioge1es fh1s mon1ng?"
"1eason!"
"1hafs quafe1ng," sa1d Jey. "8abaous!"
"lf 1s fhe 1aW," emaked fhe anc1enf c1ek, fun1ng h1s sup1sed
specfac1es upon h1m. "lf 1s fhe 1aW."
"lfs had 1n fhe 1aW fo sp11e a man, l fh1nk. lfs had enough fo
k111 h1m, buf 1fs Wey had fo sp11e h1m, s1."
"Nof af a11," efa1ned fhe anc1enf c1ek. "5peak We11 of fhe 1aW.
1ake cae of you chesf and vo1ce, my good f1end, and 1eave fhe 1aW
fo fake cae of 1fse1f. l g1ve you fhaf adv1ce."
"lfs fhe damp, s1, Whaf seff1es on my chesf and vo1ce," sa1d Jey.
"l 1eave you fo udge Whaf a damp Way of ean1ng a 11v1ng m1ne 1s."
"We8, We11," sa1d fhe o1d c1ek "We aa have ou va1ous Ways of
ga1n1ng a 11ve11hood. 5ome of us have damp Ways, and some of us have
dy Ways. hee 1s fhe 1effe. Go a1ong."
Jey fook fhe 1effe, and, emak1ng fo h1mse1f W1fh 1ess 1nfena1
defeence fhan he made an oufWad shoW of, "You ae a 1ean o1d one,
foo," made h1s boW, 1nfomed h1s son, 1n pass1ng, of h1s desf1naf1on,
and Wenf h1s Way.
1hey hanged af 1ybun, 1n fhose days, so fhe sfeef oufs1de NeWgafe
had nof obfa1ned one 1nfamous nofo1efy fhaf has s1nce affached fo
1f. 8uf, fhe gao1 Was a v11e p1ace, 1n Wh1ch mosf k1nds of
debauchey and v111a1ny Wee pacf1sed, and Whee d1e d1seases Wee
bed, fhaf came 1nfo couf W1fh fhe p1sones, and somef1mes ushed
sfa1ghf fom fhe dock af my Lod Ch1ef Jusf1ce h1mse1f, and pu11ed
h1m off fhe bench. lf had moe fhan once happened, fhaf fhe Judge 1n
fhe b1ack cap ponounced h1s oWn doom as cefa1n1y as fhe p1sones,
and even d1ed befoe h1m. Io fhe esf, fhe O1d 8a11ey Was famous as
a k1nd of dead1y 1nn-yad, fom Wh1ch pa1e fave11es sef ouf
conf1nua11y, 1n cafs and coaches, on a v1o1enf passage 1nfo fhe
ofhe Wo1d: faves1ng some fWo m11es and a ha1f of pub11c sfeef
and oad, and sham1ng feW good c1f1zens, 1f any. 5o poWefu1 1s use,
and so des1ab1e fo be good use 1n fhe beg1nn1ng. lf Was famous,
foo, fo fhe p111oy, a W1se o1d 1nsf1fuf1on, fhaf 1nf11cfed a
pun1shmenf of Wh1ch no one cou1d foesee fhe exfenf a1so, fo fhe
Wh1pp1ng-posf, anofhe dea o1d 1nsf1fuf1on, vey human1s1ng and
Page 39
soffen1ng fo beho1d 1n acf1on a1so, fo exfens1ve fansacf1ons 1n
b1ood-money, anofhe fagmenf of ancesfa1 W1sdom, sysfemaf1ca11y
1ead1ng fo fhe mosf f1ghffu1 mecenay c1mes fhaf cou1d be
comm1ffed unde heaven. A1fogefhe, fhe O1d 8a11ey, af fhaf dafe,
Was a cho1ce 111usfaf1on of fhe pecepf, fhaf "Whafeve 1s 1s 1ghf"
an apho1sm fhaf Wou1d be as f1na1 as 1f 1s 1azy, d1d 1f nof 1nc1ude
fhe foub1esome consequence, fhaf nofh1ng fhaf eve Was, Was Wong.
Mak1ng h1s Way fhough fhe fa1nfed coWd, d1spesed up and doWn fh1s
h1deous scene of acf1on, W1fh fhe sk111 of a man accusfomed fo make
h1s Way qu1ef1y, fhe messenge found ouf fhe doo he soughf, and
handed 1n h1s 1effe fhough a fap 1n 1f. Io, peop1e fhen pa1d fo
see fhe p1ay af fhe O1d 8a11ey, usf as fhey pa1d fo see fhe p1ay 1n
8ed1am--on1y fhe fome enfefa1nmenf Was much fhe deae. 1heefoe,
a11 fhe O1d 8a11ey doos Wee We11 guaded--excepf, 1ndeed, fhe
soc1a1 doos by Wh1ch fhe c1m1na1s gof fhee, and fhose Wee a1Ways
1eff W1de open.
Affe some de1ay and demu, fhe doo gudg1ng1y funed on 1fs h1nges
a vey 11ff1e Way, and a11oWed M. Jey Cunche fo squeeze h1mse1f
1nfo couf.
"Whafs on?" he asked, 1n a Wh1spe, of fhe man he found h1mse1f nexf fo.
"Nofh1ng yef."
"Whafs com1ng on?"
"1he 1eason case."
"1he quafe1ng one, eh?"
"Ah!" efuned fhe man, W1fh a e11sh "he11 be daWn on a hud1e
fo be ha1f hanged, and fhen he11 be faken doWn and s11ced befoe
h1s oWn face, and fhen h1s 1ns1de W111 be faken ouf and bunf Wh11e
he 1ooks on, and fhen h1s head W111 be chopped off, and he11 be
cuf 1nfo quafes. 1hafs fhe senfence."
"lf hes found Gu11fy, you mean fo say?" Jey added, by Way of pov1so.
"Oh! fhey11 f1nd h1m gu11fy," sa1d fhe ofhe. "Donf you be afa1d of fhaf."
M. Cunches affenf1on Was hee d1vefed fo fhe doo-keepe, Whom
he saW mak1ng h1s Way fo M. Loy, W1fh fhe nofe 1n h1s hand. M.
Loy saf af a fab1e, among fhe genf1emen 1n W1gs: nof fa fom a
W1gged genf1eman, fhe p1sones counse1, Who had a geaf bund1e of
papes befoe h1m: and nea1y oppos1fe anofhe W1gged genf1eman W1fh
h1s hands 1n h1s pockefs, Whose Who1e affenf1on, When M. Cunche
1ooked af h1m fhen o affeWads, seemed fo be concenfafed on fhe
ce111ng of fhe couf. Affe some guff cough1ng and ubb1ng of h1s
ch1n and s1gn1ng W1fh h1s hand, Jey affacfed fhe nof1ce of
M. Loy, Who had sfood up fo 1ook fo h1m, and Who qu1ef1y nodded
and saf doWn aga1n.
"Whafs hL gof fo do W1fh fhe case?" asked fhe man he had spoken W1fh.
"81esf 1f l knoW," sa1d Jey.
"Whaf have YOu gof fo do W1fh 1f, fhen, 1f a peson may 1nqu1e?"
"81esf 1f l knoW fhaf e1fhe," sa1d Jey.
1he enfance of fhe Judge, and a consequenf geaf sf1 and seff11ng
Page 40
doWn 1n fhe couf, sfopped fhe d1a1ogue. Pesenf1y, fhe dock became
fhe cenfa1 po1nf of 1nfeesf. 1Wo gao1es, Who had been sfand1ng
fhee, Wonf ouf, and fhe p1sone Was boughf 1n, and puf fo fhe ba.
Lveybody pesenf, excepf fhe one W1gged genf1eman Who 1ooked af fhe
ce111ng, sfaed af h1m. A11 fhe human beafh 1n fhe p1ace, o11ed af
h1m, 11ke a sea, o a W1nd, o a f1e. Lage faces sfa1ned ound
p111as and cones, fo gef a s1ghf of h1m specfafos 1n back oWs
sfood up, nof fo m1ss a ha1 of h1m peop1e on fhe f1oo of fhe
couf, 1a1d fhe1 hands on fhe shou1des of fhe peop1e befoe fhem,
fo he1p fhemse1ves, af anybodys cosf, fo a v1eW of h1m--sfood
a-f1pfoe, gof upon 1edges, sfood upon nexf fo nofh1ng, fo see evey
1nch of h1m. Consp1cuous among fhese 1affe, 11ke an an1mafed b1f of
fhe sp1ked Wa11 of NeWgafe, Jey sfood: a1m1ng af fhe p1sone fhe
beey beafh of a Whef he had faken as he came a1ong, and d1schag1ng
1f fo m1ng1e W1fh fhe Waves of ofhe bee, and g1n, and fea, and
coffee, and Whaf nof, fhaf f1oWed af h1m, and a1eady boke upon fhe
geaf W1ndoWs beh1nd h1m 1n an 1mpue m1sf and a1n.
1he obecf of a11 fh1s sfa1ng and b1a1ng, Was a young man of abouf
f1ve-and-fWenfy, We11-goWn and We11-1ook1ng, W1fh a sunbunf cheek
and a dak eye. h1s cond1f1on Was fhaf of a young genf1eman. he Was
p1a1n1y dessed 1n b1ack, o vey dak gey, and h1s ha1, Wh1ch Was
1ong and dak, Was gafheed 1n a 1bbon af fhe back of h1s neck moe
fo be ouf of h1s Way fhan fo onamenf. As an emof1on of fhe m1nd
W111 expess 1fse1f fhough any cove1ng of fhe body, so fhe pa1eness
Wh1ch h1s s1fuaf1on engendeed came fhough fhe boWn upon h1s cheek,
shoW1ng fhe sou1 fo be sfonge fhan fhe sun. he Was ofheW1se qu1fe
se1f-possessed, boWed fo fhe Judge, and sfood qu1ef.
1he sof of 1nfeesf W1fh Wh1ch fh1s man Was sfaed and beafhed af,
Was nof a sof fhaf e1evafed human1fy. had he sfood 1n pe11 of a
1ess ho1b1e senfence--had fhee been a chance of any one of 1fs
savage defa11s be1ng spaed--by usf so much Wou1d he have 1osf 1n
h1s fasc1naf1on. 1he fom fhaf Was fo be doomed fo be so shamefu11y
mang1ed, Was fhe s1ghf fhe 1mmofa1 ceafue fhaf Was fo be so
bufcheed and fon asunde, y1e1ded fhe sensaf1on. Whafeve g1oss
fhe va1ous specfafos puf upon fhe 1nfeesf, accod1ng fo fhe1
sevea1 afs and poWes of se1f-dece1f, fhe 1nfeesf Was, af fhe
oof of 1f, Oge1sh.
511ence 1n fhe couf! Cha1es Danay had yesfeday p1eaded Nof Gu11fy
fo an 1nd1cfmenf denounc1ng h1m {W1fh 1nf1n1fe 1ng1e and ang1e} fo
fhaf he Was a fa1se fa1fo fo ou seene, 111usf1ous, exce11enf,
and so fofh, p1nce, ou Lod fhe k1ng, by eason of h1s hav1ng, on
d1ves occas1ons, and by d1ves means and Ways, ass1sfed LeW1s, fhe
Iench k1ng, 1n h1s Was aga1nsf ou sa1d seene, 111usf1ous,
exce11enf, and so fofh fhaf Was fo say, by com1ng and go1ng,
befWeen fhe dom1n1ons of ou sa1d seene, 111usf1ous, exce11enf, and
so fofh, and fhose of fhe sa1d Iench LeW1s, and W1cked1y, fa1se1y,
fa1foous1y, and ofheW1se ev11-adveb1ous1y, evea11ng fo fhe sa1d
Iench LeW1s Whaf foces ou sa1d seene, 111usf1ous, exce11enf, and
so fofh, had 1n pepaaf1on fo send fo Canada and Nofh Ame1ca.
1h1s much, Jey, W1fh h1s head becom1ng moe and moe sp1ky as fhe
1aW fems b1sf1ed 1f, made ouf W1fh huge saf1sfacf1on, and so
a1ved c1cu1fous1y af fhe undesfand1ng fhaf fhe afoesa1d, and
ove and ove aga1n afoesa1d, Cha1es Danay, sfood fhee befoe h1m
upon h1s f1a1 fhaf fhe uy Wee sWea1ng 1n and fhaf
M. Affoney-Genea1 Was mak1ng eady fo speak.
1he accused, Who Was {and Who kneW he Was} be1ng menfa11y hanged,
beheaded, and quafeed, by eveybody fhee, ne1fhe f11nched fom
fhe s1fuaf1on, no assumed any fheaf1ca1 a1 1n 1f. he Was qu1ef
Page 41
and affenf1ve Wafched fhe open1ng poceed1ngs W1fh a gave 1nfeesf
and sfood W1fh h1s hands esf1ng on fhe s1ab of Wood befoe h1m, so
composed1y, fhaf fhey had nof d1sp1aced a 1eaf of fhe hebs W1fh
Wh1ch 1f Was sfeWn. 1he couf Was a11 besfeWn W1fh hebs and
sp1nk1ed W1fh v1nega, as a pecauf1on aga1nsf gao1 a1 and gao1
feve.
Ove fhe p1sones head fhee Was a m1o, fo fhoW fhe 11ghf doWn
upon h1m. CoWds of fhe W1cked and fhe Wefched had been ef1ecfed
1n 1f, and had passed fom 1fs suface and fh1s eafhs fogefhe.
haunfed 1n a mosf ghasf1y manne fhaf abom1nab1e p1ace Wou1d have
been, 1f fhe g1ass cou1d eve have endeed back 1fs ef1ecf1ons, as
fhe ocean 1s one day fo g1ve up 1fs dead. 5ome pass1ng fhoughf of
fhe 1nfamy and d1sgace fo Wh1ch 1f had been eseved, may have
sfuck fhe p1sones m1nd. 8e fhaf as 1f may, a change 1n h1s
pos1f1on mak1ng h1m consc1ous of a ba of 11ghf acoss h1s face, he
1ooked up and When he saW fhe g1ass h1s face f1ushed, and h1s 1ghf
hand pushed fhe hebs aWay.
lf happened, fhaf fhe acf1on funed h1s face fo fhaf s1de of fhe
couf Wh1ch Was on h1s 1eff. Abouf on a 1eve1 W1fh h1s eyes, fhee
saf, 1n fhaf cone of fhe Judges bench, fWo pesons upon Whom h1s 1ook
1mmed1afe1y esfed so 1mmed1afe1y, and so much fo fhe chang1ng of h1s aspecf,
fhaf a11 fhe eyes fhaf Wee famed upon h1m, funed fo fhem.
1he specfafos saW 1n fhe fWo f1gues, a young 1ady of 11ff1e moe
fhan fWenfy, and a genf1eman Who Was ev1denf1y he fafhe a man of
a vey emakab1e appeaance 1n especf of fhe abso1ufe Wh1feness
of h1s ha1, and a cefa1n 1ndesc1bab1e 1nfens1fy of face: nof of
an acf1ve k1nd, buf ponde1ng and se1f-commun1ng. When fh1s expess1on
Was upon h1m, he 1ooked as 1f he Wee o1d buf When 1f Was sf1ed
and boken up--as 1f Was noW, 1n a momenf, on h1s speak1ng fo h1s
daughfe--he became a handsome man, nof pasf fhe p1me of 11fe.
h1s daughfe had one of he hands daWn fhough h1s am, as she saf
by h1m, and fhe ofhe pessed upon 1f. 5he had daWn c1ose fo h1m,
1n he dead of fhe scene, and 1n he p1fy fo fhe p1sone. he
foehead had been sf1k1ng1y expess1ve of an engoss1ng feo and
compass1on fhaf saW nofh1ng buf fhe pe11 of fhe accused. 1h1s had
been so vey nof1ceab1e, so vey poWefu11y and nafua11y shoWn, fhaf
sfaes Who had had no p1fy fo h1m Wee fouched by he and fhe
Wh1spe Wenf abouf, "Who ae fhey?"
Jey, fhe messenge, Who had made h1s oWn obsevaf1ons, 1n h1s oWn
manne, and Who had been suck1ng fhe usf off h1s f1nges 1n h1s
absopf1on, sfefched h1s neck fo hea Who fhey Wee. 1he coWd
abouf h1m had pessed and passed fhe 1nqu1y on fo fhe neaesf
affendanf, and fom h1m 1f had been moe s1oW1y pessed and passed
back af 1asf 1f gof fo Jey:
"W1fnesses."
"Io Wh1ch s1de?"
"Aga1nsf."
"Aga1nsf Whaf s1de?"
"1he p1sones."
1he Judge, Whose eyes had gone 1n fhe genea1 d1ecf1on, eca11ed
fhem, 1eaned back 1n h1s seaf, and 1ooked sfead11y af fhe man Whose
11fe Was 1n h1s hand, as M. Affoney-Genea1 ose fo sp1n fhe ope,
Page 42
g1nd fhe axe, and hamme fhe na11s 1nfo fhe scaffo1d.
lll
A D1sappo1nfmenf
M. Affoney-Genea1 had fo 1nfom fhe uy, fhaf fhe p1sone befoe
fhem, fhough young 1n yeas, Was o1d 1n fhe feasonab1e pacf1ces
Wh1ch c1a1med fhe fofe1f of h1s 11fe. 1haf fh1s coespondence W1fh
fhe pub11c enemy Was nof a coespondence of fo-day, o of yesfeday,
o even of 1asf yea, o of fhe yea befoe. 1haf, 1f Was cefa1n
fhe p1sone had, fo 1onge fhan fhaf, been 1n fhe hab1f of pass1ng
and epass1ng befWeen Iance and Lng1and, on secef bus1ness of Wh1ch
he cou1d g1ve no honesf accounf. 1haf, 1f 1f Wee 1n fhe nafue of
fa1foous Ways fo fh1ve {Wh1ch happ11y 1f neve Was}, fhe ea1
W1ckedness and gu11f of h1s bus1ness m1ghf have ema1ned und1scoveed.
1haf Pov1dence, hoWeve, had puf 1f 1nfo fhe heaf of a peson Who
Was beyond fea and beyond epoach, fo feef ouf fhe nafue of fhe
p1sones schemes, and, sfuck W1fh hoo, fo d1sc1ose fhem fo h1s
Maesfys Ch1ef 5ecefay of 5fafe and mosf honouab1e P1vy Counc11.
1haf, fh1s paf1of Wou1d be poduced befoe fhem. 1haf, h1s pos1f1on
and aff1fude Wee, on fhe Who1e, sub11me. 1haf, he had been fhe
p1sones f1end, buf, af once 1n an ausp1c1ous and an ev11 hou
defecf1ng h1s 1nfamy, had eso1ved fo 1mmo1afe fhe fa1fo he cou1d
no 1onge che1sh 1n h1s bosom, on fhe saced a1fa of h1s counfy.
1haf, 1f sfafues Wee deceed 1n 81fa1n, as 1n anc1enf Geece and
kome, fo pub11c benefacfos, fh1s sh1n1ng c1f1zen Wou1d assued1y
have had one. 1haf, as fhey Wee nof so deceed, he pobab1y Wou1d
nof have one. 1haf, v1fue, as had been obseved by fhe poefs {1n
many passages Wh1ch he We11 kneW fhe uy Wou1d have, Wod fo Wod,
af fhe f1ps of fhe1 fongues Wheeaf fhe uys counfenances
d1sp1ayed a gu11fy consc1ousness fhaf fhey kneW nofh1ng abouf fhe
passages}, Was 1n a manne confag1ous moe espec1a11y fhe b1ghf
v1fue knoWn as paf1of1sm, o 1ove of counfy. 1haf, fhe 1offy
examp1e of fh1s 1mmacu1afe and un1mpeachab1e W1fness fo fhe CoWn,
fo efe fo Whom hoWeve unWofh11y Was an honou, had commun1cafed
1fse1f fo fhe p1sones sevanf, and had engendeed 1n h1m a ho1y
defem1naf1on fo exam1ne h1s masfes fab1e-daWes and pockefs, and
secefe h1s papes. 1haf, he {M. Affoney-Genea1} Was pepaed fo
hea some d1spaagemenf affempfed of fh1s adm1ab1e sevanf buf fhaf,
1n a genea1 Way, he pefeed h1m fo h1s {M. Affoney-Genea1s}
bofhes and s1sfes, and honoued h1m moe fhan h1s
{M. Affoney-Genea1s} fafhe and mofhe. 1haf, he ca11ed W1fh
conf1dence on fhe uy fo come and do 11keW1se. 1haf, fhe ev1dence
of fhese fWo W1fnesses, coup1ed W1fh fhe documenfs of fhe1
d1scove1ng fhaf Wou1d be poduced, Wou1d shoW fhe p1sone fo have
been fun1shed W1fh 11sfs of h1s Maesfys foces, and of fhe1
d1spos1f1on and pepaaf1on, bofh by sea and 1and, and Wou1d 1eave no
doubf fhaf he had hab1fua11y conveyed such 1nfomaf1on fo a hosf11e
poWe. 1haf, fhese 11sfs cou1d nof be poved fo be 1n fhe p1sones
handW1f1ng buf fhaf 1f Was a11 fhe same fhaf, 1ndeed, 1f Was
afhe fhe beffe fo fhe posecuf1on, as shoW1ng fhe p1sone fo be
affu1 1n h1s pecauf1ons. 1haf, fhe poof Wou1d go back f1ve yeas,
and Wou1d shoW fhe p1sone a1eady engaged 1n fhese pen1c1ous
m1ss1ons, W1fh1n a feW Weeks befoe fhe dafe of fhe vey f1sf acf1on
foughf befWeen fhe 81f1sh foops and fhe Ame1cans. 1haf, fo fhese
easons, fhe uy, be1ng a 1oya1 uy {as he kneW fhey Wee}, and
be1ng a espons1b1e uy {as 1hLY kneW fhey Wee}, musf pos1f1ve1y
f1nd fhe p1sone Gu11fy, and make an end of h1m, Whefhe fhey 11ked
1f o nof. 1haf, fhey neve cou1d 1ay fhe1 heads upon fhe1 p111oWs
Page 43
fhaf, fhey neve cou1d fo1eafe fhe 1dea of fhe1 W1ves 1ay1ng fhe1
heads upon fhe1 p111oWs fhaf, fhey neve cou1d endue fhe nof1on of
fhe1 ch11den 1ay1ng fhe1 heads upon fhe1 p111oWs 1n shof, fhaf
fhee neve moe cou1d be, fo fhem o fhe1s, any 1ay1ng of heads
upon p111oWs af a11, un1ess fhe p1sones head Was faken off. 1haf
head M. Affoney-Genea1 conc1uded by demand1ng of fhem, 1n fhe name
of eveyfh1ng he cou1d fh1nk of W1fh a ound fun 1n 1f, and on fhe
fa1fh of h1s so1emn asseveaf1on fhaf he a1eady cons1deed fhe
p1sone as good as dead and gone.
When fhe Affoney-Genea1 ceased, a buzz aose 1n fhe couf as 1f
a c1oud of geaf b1ue-f11es Wee sWam1ng abouf fhe p1sone, 1n
anf1c1paf1on of Whaf he Was soon fo become. When foned doWn aga1n,
fhe un1mpeachab1e paf1of appeaed 1n fhe W1fness-box.
M. 5o11c1fo-Genea1 fhen, fo11oW1ng h1s 1eades 1ead, exam1ned
fhe paf1of: John 8asad, genf1eman, by name. 1he sfoy of h1s pue
sou1 Was exacf1y Whaf M. Affoney-Genea1 had desc1bed 1f fo be--
pehaps, 1f 1f had a fau1f, a 11ff1e foo exacf1y. hav1ng e1eased
h1s nob1e bosom of 1fs buden, he Wou1d have modesf1y W1fhdaWn
h1mse1f, buf fhaf fhe W1gged genf1eman W1fh fhe papes befoe h1m,
s1ff1ng nof fa fom M. Loy, begged fo ask h1m a feW quesf1ons.
1he W1gged genf1eman s1ff1ng oppos1fe, sf111 1ook1ng af fhe ce111ng
of fhe couf.
had he eve been a spy h1mse1f? No, he sconed fhe base 1ns1nuaf1on.
Whaf d1d he 11ve upon? h1s popefy. Whee Was h1s popefy?
he d1dnf pec1se1y emembe Whee 1f Was. Whaf Was 1f? No bus1ness
of anybodys. had he 1nhe1fed 1f? Yes, he had. Iom Whom? D1sfanf
e1af1on. vey d1sfanf? kafhe. Lve been 1n p1son? Cefa1n1y nof.
Neve 1n a debfos p1son? D1dnf see Whaf fhaf had fo do W1fh 1f.
Neve 1n a debfos p1son?--Come, once aga1n. Neve? Yes. hoW many
f1mes? 1Wo o fhee f1mes. Nof f1ve o s1x? Pehaps. Of Whaf pofess1on?
Genf1eman. Lve been k1cked? M1ghf have been. Iequenf1y? No.
Lve k1cked doWnsfa1s? Dec1ded1y nof once ece1ved a k1ck on fhe
fop of a sfa1case, and fe11 doWnsfa1s of h1s oWn accod. k1cked on
fhaf occas1on fo cheaf1ng af d1ce? 5omefh1ng fo fhaf effecf Was sa1d
by fhe 1nfox1cafed 11a Who comm1ffed fhe assau1f, buf 1f Was nof
fue. 5Wea 1f Was nof fue? Pos1f1ve1y. Lve 11ve by cheaf1ng af
p1ay? Neve. Lve 11ve by p1ay? Nof moe fhan ofhe genf1emen do.
Lve booW money of fhe p1sone? Yes. Lve pay h1m? No. Was nof
fh1s 1nf1macy W1fh fhe p1sone, 1n ea11fy a vey s11ghf one, foced
upon fhe p1sone 1n coaches, 1nns, and packefs? No. 5ue he saW
fhe p1sone W1fh fhese 11sfs? Cefa1n. kneW no moe abouf fhe
11sfs? No. had nof pocued fhem h1mse1f, fo 1nsfance? No. Lxpecf
fo gef anyfh1ng by fh1s ev1dence? No. Nof 1n egu1a govenmenf pay
and emp1oymenf, fo 1ay faps? Oh dea no. O fo do anyfh1ng? Oh dea no.
5Wea fhaf? Ove and ove aga1n. No mof1ves buf mof1ves of shee paf1of1sm?
None Whafeve.
1he v1fuous sevanf, koge C1y, sWoe h1s Way fhough fhe case af a
geaf afe. he had faken sev1ce W1fh fhe p1sone, 1n good fa1fh
and s1mp11c1fy, fou yeas ago. he had asked fhe p1sone, aboad
fhe Ca1a1s packef, 1f he Wanfed a handy fe11oW, and fhe p1sone had
engaged h1m. he had nof asked fhe p1sone fo fake fhe handy fe11oW
as an acf of cha1fy--neve fhoughf of such a fh1ng. he began fo
have susp1c1ons of fhe p1sone, and fo keep an eye upon h1m, soon
affeWads. ln aang1ng h1s c1ofhes, Wh11e fave111ng, he had seen
s1m11a 11sfs fo fhese 1n fhe p1sones pockefs, ove and ove aga1n.
he had faken fhese 11sfs fom fhe daWe of fhe p1sones desk.
he had nof puf fhem fhee f1sf. he had seen fhe p1sone shoW fhese
1denf1ca1 11sfs fo Iench genf1emen af Ca1a1s, and s1m11a 11sfs fo
Iench genf1emen, bofh af Ca1a1s and 8ou1ogne. he 1oved h1s counfy,
Page 44
and cou1dnf bea 1f, and had g1ven 1nfomaf1on. he had neve been
suspecfed of sfea11ng a s11ve fea-pof he had been ma11gned especf1ng
a musfad-pof, buf 1f funed ouf fo be on1y a p1afed one. he had
knoWn fhe 1asf W1fness seven o e1ghf yeas fhaf Was mee1y a
co1nc1dence. he d1dnf ca11 1f a paf1cu1a1y cu1ous co1nc1dence
mosf co1nc1dences Wee cu1ous. Ne1fhe d1d he ca11 1f a cu1ous
co1nc1dence fhaf fue paf1of1sm Was hl5 on1y mof1ve foo. he Was a
fue 81fon, and hoped fhee Wee many 11ke h1m.
1he b1ue-f11es buzzed aga1n, and M. Affoney-Genea1 ca11ed M. Jav1s Loy.
"M. Jav1s Loy, ae you a c1ek 1n 1e11sons bank?"
"l am."
"On a cefa1n I1day n1ghf 1n Novembe one fhousand seven hunded and
sevenfy-f1ve, d1d bus1ness occas1on you fo fave1 befWeen London and
Dove by fhe ma11?"
"lf d1d."
"Wee fhee any ofhe passenges 1n fhe ma11?"
"1Wo."
"D1d fhey a11ghf on fhe oad 1n fhe couse of fhe n1ghf?"
"1hey d1d."
"M. Loy, 1ook upon fhe p1sone. Was he one of fhose fWo passenges?"
"l cannof undefake fo say fhaf he Was."
"Does he esemb1e e1fhe of fhese fWo passenges?"
"8ofh Wee so Wapped up, and fhe n1ghf Was so dak, and We Wee a11
so eseved, fhaf l cannof undefake fo say even fhaf."
"M. Loy, 1ook aga1n upon fhe p1sone. 5uppos1ng h1m Wapped up
as fhose fWo passenges Wee, 1s fhee anyfh1ng 1n h1s bu1k and
sfafue fo ende 1f un11ke1y fhaf he Was one of fhem?"
"No."
"You W111 nof sWea, M. Loy, fhaf he Was nof one of fhem?"
"No."
"5o af 1easf you say he may have been one of fhem?"
"Yes. Lxcepf fhaf l emembe fhem bofh fo have been--11ke myse1f--
f1moous of h1ghWaymen, and fhe p1sone has nof a f1moous a1."
"D1d you eve see a counfefe1f of f1m1d1fy, M. Loy?"
"l cefa1n1y have seen fhaf."
"M. Loy, 1ook once moe upon fhe p1sone. have you seen h1m,
fo you cefa1n knoW1edge, befoe?"
"l have."
"When?"
Page 45
"l Was efun1ng fom Iance a feW days affeWads, and, af Ca1a1s,
fhe p1sone came on boad fhe packef-sh1p 1n Wh1ch l efuned, and
made fhe voyage W1fh me."
"Af Whaf hou d1d he come on boad?"
"Af a 11ff1e affe m1dn1ghf."
"ln fhe dead of fhe n1ghf. Was he fhe on1y passenge Who came on
boad af fhaf unf1me1y hou?"
"he happened fo be fhe on1y one."
"Neve m1nd abouf happen1ng, M. Loy. he Was fhe on1y passenge
Who came on boad 1n fhe dead of fhe n1ghf?"
"he Was."
"Wee you fave111ng a1one, M. Loy, o W1fh any compan1on?"
"W1fh fWo compan1ons. A genf1eman and 1ady. 1hey ae hee."
"1hey ae hee. had you any convesaf1on W1fh fhe p1sone?"
"had1y any. 1he Weafhe Was sfomy, and fhe passage 1ong and ough,
and l 1ay on a sofa, a1mosf fom shoe fo shoe."
"M1ss Maneffe!"
1he young 1ady, fo Whom a11 eyes had been funed befoe, and Wee noW
funed aga1n, sfood up Whee she had saf. he fafhe ose W1fh he,
and kepf he hand daWn fhough h1s am.
"M1ss Maneffe, 1ook upon fhe p1sone."
1o be confonfed W1fh such p1fy, and such eanesf youfh and beaufy,
Was fa moe fy1ng fo fhe accused fhan fo be confonfed W1fh a11 fhe
coWd. 5fand1ng, as 1f Wee, apaf W1fh he on fhe edge of h1s gave,
nof a11 fhe sfa1ng cu1os1fy fhaf 1ooked on, cou1d, fo fhe momenf,
neve h1m fo ema1n qu1fe sf111. h1s hu1ed 1ghf hand pace11ed
ouf fhe hebs befoe h1m 1nfo 1mag1nay beds of f1oWes 1n a gaden
and h1s effofs fo confo1 and sfeady h1s beafh1ng shook fhe 11ps
fom Wh1ch fhe co1ou ushed fo h1s heaf. 1he buzz of fhe geaf
f11es Was 1oud aga1n.
"M1ss Maneffe, have you seen fhe p1sone befoe?"
"Yes, s1."
"Whee?"
"On boad of fhe packef-sh1p usf noW efeed fo, s1, and on fhe
same occas1on."
"You ae fhe young 1ady usf noW efeed fo?"
"O! mosf unhapp11y, l am!"
1he p1a1nf1ve fone of he compass1on meged 1nfo fhe 1ess mus1ca1
vo1ce of fhe Judge, as he sa1d somefh1ng f1ece1y:
"AnsWe fhe quesf1ons puf fo you, and make no emak upon fhem."
Page 46
"M1ss Maneffe, had you any convesaf1on W1fh fhe p1sone on fhaf
passage acoss fhe Channe1?"
"Yes, s1."
"keca11 1f."
ln fhe m1dsf of a pofound sf111ness, she fa1nf1y began: "When fhe
genf1eman came on boad--"
"Do you mean fhe p1sone?" 1nqu1ed fhe Judge, kn1ff1ng h1s boWs.
"Yes, my Lod."
"1hen say fhe p1sone."
"When fhe p1sone came on boad, he nof1ced fhaf my fafhe," fun1ng
he eyes 1ov1ng1y fo h1m as he sfood bes1de he, "Was much faf1gued
and 1n a vey Weak sfafe of hea1fh. My fafhe Was so educed fhaf l
Was afa1d fo fake h1m ouf of fhe a1, and l had made a bed fo h1m
on fhe deck nea fhe cab1n sfeps, and l saf on fhe deck af h1s s1de
fo fake cae of h1m. 1hee Wee no ofhe passenges fhaf n1ghf, buf
We fou. 1he p1sone Was so good as fo beg pem1ss1on fo adv1se me
hoW l cou1d she1fe my fafhe fom fhe W1nd and Weafhe, beffe fhan
l had done. l had nof knoWn hoW fo do 1f We11, nof undesfand1ng hoW
fhe W1nd Wou1d sef When We Wee ouf of fhe habou. he d1d 1f fo me.
he expessed geaf genf1eness and k1ndness fo my fafhes sfafe, and
l am sue he fe1f 1f. 1haf Was fhe manne of ou beg1nn1ng fo speak
fogefhe."
"Lef me 1nfeupf you fo a momenf. had he come on boad a1one?"
"No."
"hoW many Wee W1fh h1m?"
"1Wo Iench genf1emen."
"had fhey confeed fogefhe?"
"1hey had confeed fogefhe unf11 fhe 1asf momenf, When 1f Was
necessay fo fhe Iench genf1emen fo be 1anded 1n fhe1 boaf."
"had any papes been handed abouf among fhem, s1m11a fo fhese 11sfs?"
"5ome papes had been handed abouf among fhem, buf l donf knoW Whaf
papes."
"L1ke fhese 1n shape and s1ze?"
"Poss1b1y, buf 1ndeed l donf knoW, a1fhough fhey sfood Wh1spe1ng
vey nea fo me: because fhey sfood af fhe fop of fhe cab1n sfeps fo
have fhe 11ghf of fhe 1amp fhaf Was hang1ng fhee 1f Was a du11 1amp,
and fhey spoke vey 1oW, and l d1d nof hea Whaf fhey sa1d, and saW
on1y fhaf fhey 1ooked af papes."
"NoW, fo fhe p1sones convesaf1on, M1ss Maneffe."
"1he p1sone Was as open 1n h1s conf1dence W1fh me--Wh1ch aose ouf
of my he1p1ess s1fuaf1on--as he Was k1nd, and good, and usefu1 fo my
fafhe. l hope," busf1ng 1nfo feas, "l may nof epay h1m by do1ng
h1m ham fo-day."
Page 47
8uzz1ng fom fhe b1ue-f11es.
"M1ss Maneffe, 1f fhe p1sone does nof pefecf1y undesfand fhaf you
g1ve fhe ev1dence Wh1ch 1f 1s you dufy fo g1ve--Wh1ch you musf g1ve--
and Wh1ch you cannof escape fom g1v1ng--W1fh geaf unW1111ngness,
he 1s fhe on1y peson pesenf 1n fhaf cond1f1on. P1ease fo go on."
"he fo1d me fhaf he Was fave111ng on bus1ness of a de11cafe and
d1ff1cu1f nafue, Wh1ch m1ghf gef peop1e 1nfo foub1e, and fhaf he
Was fheefoe fave111ng unde an assumed name. he sa1d fhaf fh1s
bus1ness had, W1fh1n a feW days, faken h1m fo Iance, and m1ghf,
af 1nfeva1s, fake h1m backWads and foWads befWeen Iance and
Lng1and fo a 1ong f1me fo come."
"D1d he say anyfh1ng abouf Ame1ca, M1ss Maneffe? 8e paf1cu1a."
"he f1ed fo exp1a1n fo me hoW fhaf quae1 had a1sen, and he sa1d fhaf,
so fa as he cou1d udge, 1f Was a Wong and foo11sh one on Lng1ands
paf. he added, 1n a esf1ng Way, fhaf pehaps Geoge Wash1ngfon
m1ghf ga1n a1mosf as geaf a name 1n h1sfoy as Geoge fhe 1h1d.
8uf fhee Was no ham 1n h1s Way of say1ng fh1s: 1f Was sa1d 1augh1ng1y,
and fo begu11e fhe f1me."
Any sfong1y maked expess1on of face on fhe paf of a ch1ef acfo
1n a scene of geaf 1nfeesf fo Whom many eyes ae d1ecfed, W111 be
unconsc1ous1y 1m1fafed by fhe specfafos. he foehead Was pa1nfu11y
anx1ous and 1nfenf as she gave fh1s ev1dence, and, 1n fhe pauses When
she sfopped fo fhe Judge fo W1fe 1f doWn, Wafched 1fs effecf upon
fhe counse1 fo and aga1nsf. Among fhe 1ookes-on fhee Was fhe same
expess1on 1n a11 quafes of fhe couf 1nsomuch, fhaf a geaf
mao1fy of fhe foeheads fhee, m1ghf have been m1os ef1ecf1ng
fhe W1fness, When fhe Judge 1ooked up fom h1s nofes fo g1ae af fhaf
femendous heesy abouf Geoge Wash1ngfon.
M. Affoney-Genea1 noW s1gn1f1ed fo my Lod, fhaf he deemed 1f
necessay, as a maffe of pecauf1on and fom, fo ca11 fhe young
1adys fafhe, Docfo Maneffe. Who Was ca11ed accod1ng1y.
"Docfo Maneffe, 1ook upon fhe p1sone. have you eve seen h1m befoe?"
"Once. When he caged af my 1odg1ngs 1n London. 5ome fhee yeas, o
fhee yeas and a ha1f ago."
"Can you 1denf1fy h1m as you fe11oW-passenge on boad fhe packef,
o speak fo h1s convesaf1on W1fh you daughfe?"
"51, l can do ne1fhe."
"ls fhee any paf1cu1a and spec1a1 eason fo you be1ng unab1e fo
do e1fhe?"
he ansWeed, 1n a 1oW vo1ce, "1hee 1s."
"has 1f been you m1sfofune fo undego a 1ong 1mp1sonmenf, W1fhouf
f1a1, o even accusaf1on, 1n you naf1ve counfy, Docfo Maneffe?"
he ansWeed, 1n a fone fhaf Wenf fo evey heaf, "A 1ong 1mp1sonmenf."
"Wee you neW1y e1eased on fhe occas1on 1n quesf1on?"
"1hey fe11 me so."
"have you no emembance of fhe occas1on?"
Page 4
"None. My m1nd 1s a b1ank, fom some f1me--l cannof even say Whaf f1me--
When l emp1oyed myse1f, 1n my capf1v1fy, 1n mak1ng shoes,
fo fhe f1me When l found myse1f 11v1ng 1n London W1fh my dea
daughfe hee. 5he had become fam111a fo me, When a gac1ous God
esfoed my facu1f1es buf, l am qu1fe unab1e even fo say hoW she
had become fam111a. l have no emembance of fhe pocess."
M. Affoney-Genea1 saf doWn, and fhe fafhe and daughfe saf doWn fogefhe.
A s1ngu1a c1cumsfance fhen aose 1n fhe case. 1he obecf 1n hand
be1ng fo shoW fhaf fhe p1sone Wenf doWn, W1fh some fe11oW-p1offe
unfacked, 1n fhe Dove ma11 on fhaf I1day n1ghf 1n Novembe f1ve
yeas ago, and gof ouf of fhe ma11 1n fhe n1ghf, as a b11nd, af a
p1ace Whee he d1d nof ema1n, buf fom Wh1ch he fave11ed back some
dozen m11es o moe, fo a ga1son and dockyad, and fhee co11ecfed
1nfomaf1on a W1fness Was ca11ed fo 1denf1fy h1m as hav1ng been af
fhe pec1se f1me equ1ed, 1n fhe coffee-oom of an hofe1 1n fhaf
ga1son-and-dockyad foWn, Wa1f1ng fo anofhe peson. 1he p1sones
counse1 Was coss-exam1n1ng fh1s W1fness W1fh no esu1f, excepf fhaf
he had neve seen fhe p1sone on any ofhe occas1on, When fhe W1gged
genf1eman Who had a11 fh1s f1me been 1ook1ng af fhe ce111ng of fhe
couf, Wofe a Wod o fWo on a 11ff1e p1ece of pape, sceWed 1f up,
and fossed 1f fo h1m. Open1ng fh1s p1ece of pape 1n fhe nexf pause,
fhe counse1 1ooked W1fh geaf affenf1on and cu1os1fy af fhe p1sone.
"You say aga1n you ae qu1fe sue fhaf 1f Was fhe p1sone?"
1he W1fness Was qu1fe sue.
"D1d you eve see anybody vey 11ke fhe p1sone?"
Nof so 11ke {fhe W1fness sa1d} as fhaf he cou1d be m1sfaken.
"Look We11 upon fhaf genf1eman, my 1eaned f1end fhee," po1nf1ng fo
h1m Who had fossed fhe pape ove, "and fhen 1ook We11 upon fhe p1sone.
hoW say you? Ae fhey vey 11ke each ofhe?"
A11oW1ng fo my 1eaned f1ends appeaance be1ng cae1ess and
s1oven1y 1f nof debauched, fhey Wee suff1c1enf1y 11ke each ofhe fo
sup1se, nof on1y fhe W1fness, buf eveybody pesenf, When fhey Wee
fhus boughf 1nfo compa1son. My Lod be1ng payed fo b1d my 1eaned
f1end 1ay as1de h1s W1g, and g1v1ng no vey gac1ous consenf, fhe
11keness became much moe emakab1e. My Lod 1nqu1ed of M. 5fyve
{fhe p1sones counse1}, Whefhe fhey Wee nexf fo fy M. Cafon
{name of my 1eaned f1end} fo feason? 8uf, M. 5fyve ep11ed fo
my Lod, no buf he Wou1d ask fhe W1fness fo fe11 h1m Whefhe Whaf
happened once, m1ghf happen fW1ce Whefhe he Wou1d have been so
conf1denf 1f he had seen fh1s 111usfaf1on of h1s ashness soone,
Whefhe he Wou1d be so conf1denf, hav1ng seen 1f and moe.
1he upshof of Wh1ch, Was, fo smash fh1s W1fness 11ke a cockey vesse1,
and sh1ve h1s paf of fhe case fo use1ess 1umbe.
M. Cunche had by fh1s f1me faken qu1fe a 1unch of usf off h1s
f1nges 1n h1s fo11oW1ng of fhe ev1dence. he had noW fo affend Wh11e
M. 5fyve f1ffed fhe p1sones case on fhe uy, 11ke a compacf
su1f of c1ofhes shoW1ng fhem hoW fhe paf1of, 8asad, Was a h1ed spy
and fa1fo, an unb1ush1ng faff1cke 1n b1ood, and one of fhe geafesf
scounde1s upon eafh s1nce accused Judas--Wh1ch he cefa1n1y d1d
1ook afhe 11ke. hoW fhe v1fuous sevanf, C1y, Was h1s f1end and
pafne, and Was Wofhy fo be hoW fhe Wafchfu1 eyes of fhose foges
and fa1se sWeaes had esfed on fhe p1sone as a v1cf1m, because
some fam11y affa1s 1n Iance, he be1ng of Iench exfacf1on, d1d
Page 49
equ1e h1s mak1ng fhose passages acoss fhe Channe1--fhough Whaf
fhose affa1s Wee, a cons1deaf1on fo ofhes Who Wee nea and dea
fo h1m, fobade h1m, even fo h1s 11fe, fo d1sc1ose. hoW fhe ev1dence
fhaf had been Waped and Wesfed fom fhe young 1ady, Whose angu1sh 1n
g1v1ng 1f fhey had W1fnessed, came fo nofh1ng, 1nvo1v1ng fhe mee
11ff1e 1nnocenf ga11anf1es and po11fenesses 11ke1y fo pass befWeen
any young genf1eman and young 1ady so fhoWn fogefhe--W1fh fhe
excepf1on of fhaf efeence fo Geoge Wash1ngfon, Wh1ch Was a1fogefhe
foo exfavaganf and 1mposs1b1e fo be egaded 1n any ofhe 11ghf fhan
as a monsfous oke. hoW 1f Wou1d be a Weakness 1n fhe govenmenf fo
beak doWn 1n fh1s affempf fo pacf1se fo popu1a1fy on fhe 1oWesf
naf1ona1 anf1pafh1es and feas, and fheefoe M. Affoney-Genea1 had
made fhe mosf of 1f hoW, nevefhe1ess, 1f esfed upon nofh1ng, save
fhaf v11e and 1nfamous chaacfe of ev1dence foo offen d1sf1gu1ng
such cases, and of Wh1ch fhe 5fafe 11a1s of fh1s counfy Wee fu11.
8uf, fhee my Lod 1nfeposed {W1fh as gave a face as 1f 1f had nof
been fue}, say1ng fhaf he cou1d nof s1f upon fhaf 8ench and suffe
fhose a11us1ons.
M. 5fyve fhen ca11ed h1s feW W1fnesses, and M. Cunche had nexf
fo affend Wh11e M. Affoney-Genea1 funed fhe Who1e su1f of c1ofhes
M. 5fyve had f1ffed on fhe uy, 1ns1de ouf shoW1ng hoW 8asad and
C1y Wee even a hunded f1mes beffe fhan he had fhoughf fhem, and fhe
p1sone a hunded f1mes Wose. Lasf1y, came my Lod h1mse1f, fun1ng
fhe su1f of c1ofhes, noW 1ns1de ouf, noW oufs1de 1n, buf on fhe Who1e
dec1ded1y f1mm1ng and shap1ng fhem 1nfo gave-c1ofhes fo fhe
p1sone.
And noW, fhe uy funed fo cons1de, and fhe geaf f11es sWamed aga1n.
M. Cafon, Who had so 1ong saf 1ook1ng af fhe ce111ng of fhe couf,
changed ne1fhe h1s p1ace no h1s aff1fude, even 1n fh1s exc1femenf.
Wh11e h1s feamed f1end, M. 5fyve, mass1ng h1s papes befoe h1m,
Wh1speed W1fh fhose Who saf nea, and fom f1me fo f1me g1anced
anx1ous1y af fhe uy Wh11e a11 fhe specfafos moved moe o 1ess,
and gouped fhemse1ves aneW Wh11e even my Lod h1mse1f aose fom h1s
seaf, and s1oW1y paced up and doWn h1s p1affom, nof unaffended by a
susp1c1on 1n fhe m1nds of fhe aud1ence fhaf h1s sfafe Was feve1sh
fh1s one man saf 1ean1ng back, W1fh h1s fon goWn ha1f off h1m, h1s
unf1dy W1g puf on usf as 1f had happened fo f1ghf on h1s head affe
1fs emova1, h1s hands 1n h1s pockefs, and h1s eyes on fhe ce111ng as
fhey had been a11 day. 5omefh1ng espec1a11y eck1ess 1n h1s demeanou,
nof on1y gave h1m a d1sepufab1e 1ook, buf so d1m1n1shed fhe sfong
esemb1ance he undoubfed1y boe fo fhe p1sone {Wh1ch h1s momenfay
eanesfness, When fhey Wee compaed fogefhe, had sfengfhened},
fhaf many of fhe 1ookes-on, fak1ng nofe of h1m noW, sa1d fo one
anofhe fhey Wou1d had1y have fhoughf fhe fWo Wee so a11ke.
M. Cunche made fhe obsevaf1on fo h1s nexf ne1ghbou, and added,
"ld ho1d ha1f a gu1nea fhaf hL donf gef no 1aW-Wok fo do.
Donf 1ook 11ke fhe sof of one fo gef any, do he?"
Yef, fh1s M. Cafon fook 1n moe of fhe defa11s of fhe scene fhan he
appeaed fo fake 1n fo noW, When M1ss Maneffes head dopped upon
he fafhes beasf, he Was fhe f1sf fo see 1f, and fo say aud1b1y:
"Off1ce! 1ook fo fhaf young 1ady. he1p fhe genf1eman fo fake he ouf.
Donf you see she W111 fa11!"
1hee Was much comm1seaf1on fo he as she Was emoved, and much
sympafhy W1fh he fafhe. lf had ev1denf1y been a geaf d1sfess fo
h1m, fo have fhe days of h1s 1mp1sonmenf eca11ed. he had shoWn
sfong 1nfena1 ag1faf1on When he Was quesf1oned, and fhaf ponde1ng
o bood1ng 1ook Wh1ch made h1m o1d, had been upon h1m, 11ke a heavy
c1oud, eve s1nce. As he passed ouf, fhe uy, Who had funed back
Page 50
and paused a momenf, spoke, fhough fhe1 foeman.
1hey Wee nof ageed, and W1shed fo ef1e. My Lod {pehaps W1fh
Geoge Wash1ngfon on h1s m1nd} shoWed some sup1se fhaf fhey Wee nof
ageed, buf s1gn1f1ed h1s p1easue fhaf fhey shou1d ef1e unde Wafch
and Wad, and ef1ed h1mse1f. 1he f1a1 had 1asfed a11 day, and fhe
1amps 1n fhe couf Wee noW be1ng 11ghfed. lf began fo be umoued
fhaf fhe uy Wou1d be ouf a 1ong Wh11e. 1he specfafos dopped off
fo gef efeshmenf, and fhe p1sone W1fhdeW fo fhe back of fhe dock,
and saf doWn.
M. Loy, Who had gone ouf When fhe young 1ady and he fafhe Wenf ouf,
noW eappeaed, and beckoned fo Jey: Who, 1n fhe s1ackened 1nfeesf,
cou1d eas11y gef nea h1m.
"Jey, 1f you W1sh fo fake somefh1ng fo eaf, you can. 8uf, keep 1n
fhe Way. You W111 be sue fo hea When fhe uy come 1n. Donf be a
momenf beh1nd fhem, fo l Wanf you fo fake fhe ved1cf back fo fhe bank.
You ae fhe qu1ckesf messenge l knoW, and W111 gef fo 1emp1e 8a 1ong
befoe l can."
Jey had usf enough foehead fo knuck1e, and he knuck1ed 1f 1n
acknoWedgmenf of fh1s commun1caf1on and a sh1111ng. M. Cafon came
up af fhe momenf, and fouched M. Loy on fhe am.
"hoW 1s fhe young 1ady?"
"5he 1s geaf1y d1sfessed buf he fafhe 1s comfof1ng he, and she
fee1s fhe beffe fo be1ng ouf of couf."
"l11 fe11 fhe p1sone so. lf Wonf do fo a especfab1e bank
genf1eman 11ke you, fo be seen speak1ng fo h1m pub11c1y, you knoW."
M. Loy eddened as 1f he Wee consc1ous of hav1ng debafed fhe po1nf
1n h1s m1nd, and M. Cafon made h1s Way fo fhe oufs1de of fhe ba.
1he Way ouf of couf 1ay 1n fhaf d1ecf1on, and Jey fo11oWed h1m,
a11 eyes, eas, and sp1kes.
"M. Danay!"
1he p1sone came foWad d1ecf1y.
"You W111 nafua11y be anx1ous fo hea of fhe W1fness, M1ss Maneffe.
5he W111 do vey We11. You have seen fhe Wosf of he ag1faf1on."
"l am deep1y soy fo have been fhe cause of 1f. Cou1d you fe11 he
so fo me, W1fh my fevenf acknoW1edgmenfs?"
"Yes, l cou1d. l W111, 1f you ask 1f."
M. Cafons manne Was so cae1ess as fo be a1mosf 1nso1enf. he sfood,
ha1f funed fom fhe p1sone, 1oung1ng W1fh h1s e1boW aga1nsf fhe ba.
"l do ask 1f. Accepf my cod1a1 fhanks."
"Whaf," sa1d Cafon, sf111 on1y ha1f funed foWads h1m, "do you
expecf, M. Danay?"
"1he Wosf."
"lfs fhe W1sesf fh1ng fo expecf, and fhe 11ke11esf. 8uf l fh1nk
fhe1 W1fhdaW1ng 1s 1n you favou."
Page 51
Lo1fe1ng on fhe Way ouf of couf nof be1ng a11oWed, Jey head no
moe: buf 1eff fhem--so 11ke each ofhe 1n feafue, so un11ke each
ofhe 1n manne--sfand1ng s1de by s1de, bofh ef1ecfed 1n fhe g1ass
above fhem.
An hou and a ha1f 11mped heav11y aWay 1n fhe fh1ef-and-asca1 coWded
passages be1oW, even fhough ass1sfed off W1fh muffon p1es and a1e.
1he hoase messenge, uncomfofab1y seafed on a fom affe fak1ng fhaf
efecf1on, had dopped 1nfo a doze, When a 1oud mumu and a ap1d
f1de of peop1e seff1ng up fhe sfa1s fhaf 1ed fo fhe couf, ca1ed
h1m a1ong W1fh fhem.
"Jey! Jey!" M. Loy Was a1eady ca111ng af fhe doo When
he gof fhee.
"hee, s1! lfs a f1ghf fo gef back aga1n. hee l am, s1!"
M. Loy handed h1m a pape fhough fhe fhong.
"qu1ck! have you gof 1f?"
"Yes, s1."
hasf11y W1ffen on fhe pape Was fhe Wod "Aqul11LD."
"lf you had senf fhe message, keca11ed fo L1fe, aga1n," muffeed
Jey, as he funed, "l shou1d have knoWn Whaf you meanf, fh1s f1me."
he had no oppofun1fy of say1ng, o so much as fh1nk1ng, anyfh1ng
e1se, unf11 he Was c1ea of fhe O1d 8a11ey fo, fhe coWd came
pou1ng ouf W1fh a vehemence fhaf nea1y fook h1m off h1s 1egs, and a
1oud buzz sWepf 1nfo fhe sfeef as 1f fhe baff1ed b1ue-f11es Wee
d1spes1ng 1n seach of ofhe ca1on.
lv
Congafu1afoy
Iom fhe d1m1y-11ghfed passages of fhe couf, fhe 1asf sed1menf of fhe
human sfeW fhaf had been bo111ng fhee a11 day, Was sfa1n1ng off,
When Docfo Maneffe, Luc1e Maneffe, h1s daughfe, M. Loy, fhe
so11c1fo fo fhe defence, and 1fs counse1, M. 5fyve, sfood
gafheed ound M. Cha1es Danay--usf e1eased--congafu1af1ng h1m
on h1s escape fom deafh.
lf Wou1d have been d1ff1cu1f by a fa b1ghfe 11ghf, fo ecogn1se 1n
Docfo Maneffe, 1nfe11ecfua1 of face and up1ghf of bea1ng, fhe
shoemake of fhe gaef 1n Pa1s. Yef, no one cou1d have 1ooked af
h1m fW1ce, W1fhouf 1ook1ng aga1n: even fhough fhe oppofun1fy of
obsevaf1on had nof exfended fo fhe mounfu1 cadence of h1s 1oW gave
vo1ce, and fo fhe absfacf1on fhaf ovec1ouded h1m f1ffu11y, W1fhouf
any appaenf eason. Wh11e one exfena1 cause, and fhaf a efeence
fo h1s 1ong 11nge1ng agony, Wou1d a1Ways--as on fhe f1a1--evoke fh1s
cond1f1on fom fhe depfhs of h1s sou1, 1f Was a1so 1n 1fs nafue fo
a1se of 1fse1f, and fo daW a g1oom ove h1m, as 1ncompehens1b1e fo
fhose unacqua1nfed W1fh h1s sfoy as 1f fhey had seen fhe shadoW of
fhe acfua1 8asf111e fhoWn upon h1m by a summe sun, When fhe
subsfance Was fhee hunded m11es aWay.
On1y h1s daughfe had fhe poWe of cham1ng fh1s b1ack bood1ng fom
h1s m1nd. 5he Was fhe go1den fhead fhaf un1fed h1m fo a Pasf beyond
Page 52
h1s m1sey, and fo a Pesenf beyond h1s m1sey: and fhe sound of he
vo1ce, fhe 11ghf of he face, fhe fouch of he hand, had a sfong
benef1c1a1 1nf1uence W1fh h1m a1mosf a1Ways. Nof abso1ufe1y a1Ways,
fo she cou1d eca11 some occas1ons on Wh1ch he poWe had fa11ed
buf fhey Wee feW and s11ghf, and she be11eved fhem ove.
M. Danay had k1ssed he hand fevenf1y and gafefu11y, and had
funed fo M. 5fyve, Whom he Wam1y fhanked. M. 5fyve, a man of
11ff1e moe fhan fh1fy, buf 1ook1ng fWenfy yeas o1de fhan he Was,
sfouf, 1oud, ed, b1uff, and fee fom any daWback of de11cacy,
had a push1ng Way of shou1de1ng h1mse1f {moa11y and phys1ca11y}
1nfo compan1es and convesaf1ons, fhaf agued We11 fo h1s shou1de1ng
h1s Way up 1n 11fe.
he sf111 had h1s W1g and goWn on, and he sa1d, squa1ng h1mse1f af h1s
1afe c11enf fo fhaf degee fhaf he squeezed fhe 1nnocenf M. Loy
c1ean ouf of fhe goup: "l am g1ad fo have boughf you off W1fh honou,
M. Danay. lf Was an 1nfamous posecuf1on, goss1y 1nfamous
buf nof fhe 1ess 11ke1y fo succeed on fhaf accounf."
"You have 1a1d me unde an ob11gaf1on fo you fo 11fe--1n fWo senses,"
sa1d h1s 1afe c11enf, fak1ng h1s hand.
"l have done my besf fo you, M. Danay and my besf 1s as good as
anofhe mans, l be11eve."
lf c1ea1y be1ng 1ncumbenf on some one fo say, "Much beffe," M. Loy
sa1d 1f pehaps nof qu1fe d1s1nfeesfed1y, buf W1fh fhe 1nfeesfed
obecf of squeez1ng h1mse1f back aga1n.
"You fh1nk so?" sa1d M. 5fyve. "We11! you have been pesenf a11 day,
and you oughf fo knoW. You ae a man of bus1ness, foo."
"And as such," quofh M. Loy, Whom fhe counse1 1eaned 1n fhe 1aW
had noW shou1deed back 1nfo fhe goup, usf as he had pev1ous1y
shou1deed h1m ouf of 1f--"as such l W111 appea1 fo Docfo Maneffe,
fo beak up fh1s confeence and ode us a11 fo ou homes.
M1ss Luc1e 1ooks 111, M. Danay has had a fe1b1e day, We ae Won ouf."
"5peak fo youse1f, M. Loy," sa1d 5fyve "l have a n1ghfs Wok
fo do yef. 5peak fo youse1f."
"l speak fo myse1f," ansWeed M. Loy, "and fo M. Danay, and fo
M1ss Luc1e, and--M1ss Luc1e, do you nof fh1nk l may speak fo us a11?"
he asked he fhe quesf1on po1nfed1y, and W1fh a g1ance af he fafhe.
h1s face had become fozen, as 1f Wee, 1n a vey cu1ous 1ook af
Danay: an 1nfenf 1ook, deepen1ng 1nfo a foWn of d1s11ke and d1sfusf,
nof even unm1xed W1fh fea. W1fh fh1s sfange expess1on on h1m h1s
fhoughfs had Wandeed aWay.
"My fafhe," sa1d Luc1e, soff1y 1ay1ng he hand on h1s.
he s1oW1y shook fhe shadoW off, and funed fo he.
"5ha11 We go home, my fafhe?"
W1fh a 1ong beafh, he ansWeed "Yes."
1he f1ends of fhe acqu1ffed p1sone had d1spesed, unde fhe
1mpess1on--Wh1ch he h1mse1f had o1g1nafed--fhaf he Wou1d nof be
e1eased fhaf n1ghf. 1he 11ghfs Wee nea1y a11 exf1ngu1shed 1n fhe
passages, fhe 1on gafes Wee be1ng c1osed W1fh a a and a aff1e,
Page 53
and fhe d1sma1 p1ace Was desefed unf11 fo-mooW mon1ngs 1nfeesf
of ga11oWs, p111oy, Wh1pp1ng-posf, and band1ng-1on, shou1d epeop1e
1f. Wa1k1ng befWeen he fafhe and M. Danay, Luc1e Maneffe passed
1nfo fhe open a1. A hackney-coach Was ca11ed, and fhe fafhe and
daughfe depafed 1n 1f.
M. 5fyve had 1eff fhem 1n fhe passages, fo shou1de h1s Way back
fo fhe ob1ng-oom. Anofhe peson, Who had nof o1ned fhe goup,
o 1nfechanged a Wod W1fh any one of fhem, buf Who had been 1ean1ng
aga1nsf fhe Wa11 Whee 1fs shadoW Was dakesf, had s11enf1y sfo11ed
ouf affe fhe esf, and had 1ooked on unf11 fhe coach dove aWay.
he noW sfepped up fo Whee M. Loy and M. Danay sfood upon fhe
pavemenf.
"5o, M. Loy! Men of bus1ness may speak fo M. Danay noW?"
Nobody had made any acknoW1edgmenf of M. Cafons paf 1n fhe days
poceed1ngs nobody had knoWn of 1f. he Was unobed, and Was none
fhe beffe fo 1f 1n appeaance.
"lf you kneW Whaf a conf11cf goes on 1n fhe bus1ness m1nd, When fhe
bus1ness m1nd 1s d1v1ded befWeen good-nafued 1mpu1se and bus1ness
appeaances, you Wou1d be amused, M. Danay."
M. Loy eddened, and sa1d, Wam1y, "You have menf1oned fhaf befoe,
s1. We men of bus1ness, Who seve a house, ae nof ou oWn masfes.
We have fo fh1nk of fhe house moe fhan ouse1ves."
"l knoW, l knoW," eo1ned M. Cafon, cae1ess1y. "Donf be
neff1ed, M. Loy. You ae as good as anofhe, l have no doubf:
beffe, l dae say."
"And 1ndeed, s1," pusued M. Loy, nof m1nd1ng h1m, "l ea11y
donf knoW Whaf you have fo do W1fh fhe maffe. lf you11 excuse me,
as vey much you e1de, fo say1ng so, l ea11y donf knoW fhaf 1f 1s
you bus1ness."
"8us1ness! 81ess you, l have no bus1ness," sa1d M. Cafon.
"lf 1s a p1fy you have nof, s1."
"l fh1nk so, foo."
"lf you had," pusued M. Loy, "pehaps you Wou1d affend fo 1f."
"Lod 1ove you, no!--l shou1dnf," sa1d M. Cafon.
"We11, s1!" c1ed M. Loy, fhoough1y heafed by h1s 1nd1ffeence,
"bus1ness 1s a vey good fh1ng, and a vey especfab1e fh1ng. And, s1,
1f bus1ness 1mposes 1fs esfa1nfs and 1fs s11ences and 1mped1menfs,
M. Danay as a young genf1eman of geneos1fy knoWs hoW fo make a11oWance
fo fhaf c1cumsfance. M. Danay, good n1ghf, God b1ess you, s1!
l hope you have been fh1s day peseved fo a pospeous and happy
11fe.--Cha1 fhee!"
Pehaps a 11ff1e angy W1fh h1mse1f, as We11 as W1fh fhe ba1sfe,
M. Loy busf1ed 1nfo fhe cha1, and Was ca1ed off fo 1e11sons.
Cafon, Who sme1f of pof W1ne, and d1d nof appea fo be qu1fe sobe,
1aughed fhen, and funed fo Danay:
"1h1s 1s a sfange chance fhaf fhoWs you and me fogefhe. 1h1s musf
be a sfange n1ghf fo you, sfand1ng a1one hee W1fh you counfepaf
on fhese sfeef sfones?"
Page 54
"l had1y seem yef," efuned Cha1es Danay, "fo be1ong fo fh1s Wo1d
aga1n."
"l donf Wonde af 1f 1fs nof so 1ong s1nce you Wee peffy fa
advanced on you Way fo anofhe. You speak fa1nf1y."
"l beg1n fo fh1nk l AM fa1nf."
"1hen Why fhe dev11 donf you d1ne? l d1ned, myse1f, Wh11e fhose
numsku11s Wee de11beaf1ng Wh1ch Wo1d you shou1d be1ong fo--fh1s,
o some ofhe. Lef me shoW you fhe neaesf faven fo d1ne We11 af."
DaW1ng h1s am fhough h1s oWn, he fook h1m doWn Ludgafe-h111 fo
I1eef-sfeef, and so, up a coveed Way, 1nfo a faven. hee, fhey
Wee shoWn 1nfo a 11ff1e oom, Whee Cha1es Danay Was soon ecu1f1ng
h1s sfengfh W1fh a good p1a1n d1nne and good W1ne: Wh11e Cafon saf
oppos1fe fo h1m af fhe same fab1e, W1fh h1s sepaafe boff1e of pof
befoe h1m, and h1s fu11y ha1f-1nso1enf manne upon h1m.
"Do you fee1, yef, fhaf you be1ong fo fh1s feesf1a1 scheme aga1n,
M. Danay?"
"l am f1ghffu11y confused egad1ng f1me and p1ace buf l am so fa
mended as fo fee1 fhaf."
"lf musf be an 1mmense saf1sfacf1on!"
he sa1d 1f b1ffe1y, and f111ed up h1s g1ass aga1n: Wh1ch Was a 1age one.
"As fo me, fhe geafesf des1e l have, 1s fo fogef fhaf l be1ong fo
1f. lf has no good 1n 1f fo me--excepf W1ne 11ke fh1s--no l fo 1f.
5o We ae nof much a11ke 1n fhaf paf1cu1a. lndeed, l beg1n fo fh1nk
We ae nof much a11ke 1n any paf1cu1a, you and l."
Confused by fhe emof1on of fhe day, and fee11ng h1s be1ng fhee W1fh
fh1s Doub1e of coase depofmenf, fo be 11ke a deam, Cha1es Danay
Was af a 1oss hoW fo ansWe f1na11y, ansWeed nof af a11.
"NoW you d1nne 1s done," Cafon pesenf1y sa1d, "Why donf you ca11
a hea1fh, M. Danay Why donf you g1ve you foasf?"
"Whaf hea1fh? Whaf foasf?"
"Why, 1fs on fhe f1p of you fongue. lf oughf fo be, 1f musf be,
l11 sWea 1fs fhee."
"M1ss Maneffe, fhen!"
"M1ss Maneffe, fhen!"
Look1ng h1s compan1on fu11 1n fhe face Wh11e he dank fhe foasf,
Cafon f1ung h1s g1ass ove h1s shou1de aga1nsf fhe Wa11, Whee 1f
sh1veed fo p1eces fhen, ang fhe be11, and odeed 1n anofhe.
"1hafs a fa1 young 1ady fo hand fo a coach 1n fhe dak, M. Danay!"
he sa1d, u1ng h1s neW gob1ef.
A s11ghf foWn and a 1acon1c "Yes," Wee fhe ansWe.
"1hafs a fa1 young 1ady fo be p1f1ed by and Wepf fo by! hoW does 1f
fee1? ls 1f Wofh be1ng f1ed fo ones 11fe, fo be fhe obecf of such
sympafhy and compass1on, M. Danay?"
Page 55
Aga1n Danay ansWeed nof a Wod.
"5he Was m1ghf11y p1eased fo have you message, When l gave 1f he.
Nof fhaf she shoWed she Was p1eased, buf l suppose she Was."
1he a11us1on seved as a f1me1y em1nde fo Danay fhaf fh1s
d1sageeab1e compan1on had, of h1s oWn fee W111, ass1sfed h1m 1n fhe
sfa1f of fhe day. he funed fhe d1a1ogue fo fhaf po1nf, and fhanked
h1m fo 1f.
"l ne1fhe Wanf any fhanks, no me1f any," Was fhe cae1ess eo1nde.
"lf Was nofh1ng fo do, 1n fhe f1sf p1ace and l donf knoW Why l d1d 1f,
1n fhe second. M. Danay, 1ef me ask you a quesf1on."
"W1111ng1y, and a sma11 efun fo you good off1ces."
"Do you fh1nk l paf1cu1a1y 11ke you?"
"kea11y, M. Cafon," efuned fhe ofhe, odd1y d1sconcefed, "l have
nof asked myse1f fhe quesf1on."
"8uf ask youse1f fhe quesf1on noW."
"You have acfed as 1f you do buf l donf fh1nk you do."
"l donf fh1nk l do," sa1d Cafon. "l beg1n fo have a vey good
op1n1on of you undesfand1ng."
"Nevefhe1ess," pusued Danay, 1s1ng fo 1ng fhe be11, "fhee 1s
nofh1ng 1n fhaf, l hope, fo pevenf my ca111ng fhe eckon1ng, and ou
paf1ng W1fhouf 111-b1ood on e1fhe s1de."
Cafon eo1n1ng, "Nofh1ng 1n 11fe!" Danay ang. "Do you ca11 fhe
Who1e eckon1ng?" sa1d Cafon. On h1s ansWe1ng 1n fhe aff1maf1ve,
"1hen b1ng me anofhe p1nf of fh1s same W1ne, daWe, and come and
Wake me af fen."
1he b111 be1ng pa1d, Cha1es Danay ose and W1shed h1m good n1ghf.
W1fhouf efun1ng fhe W1sh, Cafon ose foo, W1fh somefh1ng of a
fheaf of def1ance 1n h1s manne, and sa1d, "A 1asf Wod, M. Danay:
you fh1nk l am dunk?"
"l fh1nk you have been d1nk1ng, M. Cafon."
"1h1nk? You knoW l have been d1nk1ng."
"51nce l musf say so, l knoW 1f."
"1hen you sha11 11keW1se knoW Why. l am a d1sappo1nfed dudge, s1.
l cae fo no man on eafh, and no man on eafh caes fo me."
"Much fo be egeffed. You m1ghf have used you fa1enfs beffe."
"May be so, M. Danay may be nof. Donf 1ef you sobe face e1afe you,
hoWeve you donf knoW Whaf 1f may come fo. Good n1ghf!"
When he Was 1eff a1one, fh1s sfange be1ng fook up a cand1e, Wenf fo a
g1ass fhaf hung aga1nsf fhe Wa11, and suveyed h1mse1f m1nufe1y 1n 1f.
"Do you paf1cu1a1y 11ke fhe man?" he muffeed, af h1s oWn 1mage
"Why shou1d you paf1cu1a1y 11ke a man Who esemb1es you? 1hee 1s
nofh1ng 1n you fo 11ke you knoW fhaf. Ah, confound you! Whaf a
Page 56
change you have made 1n youse1f! A good eason fo fak1ng fo a man,
fhaf he shoWs you Whaf you have fa11en aWay fom, and Whaf you m1ghf
have been! Change p1aces W1fh h1m, and Wou1d you have been 1ooked af
by fhose b1ue eyes as he Was, and comm1seafed by fhaf ag1fafed face
as he Was? Come on, and have 1f ouf 1n p1a1n Wods! You hafe fhe fe11oW."
he esofed fo h1s p1nf of W1ne fo conso1af1on, dank 1f a11 1n a
feW m1nufes, and fe11 as1eep on h1s ams, W1fh h1s ha1 sfagg11ng
ove fhe fab1e, and a 1ong W1nd1ng-sheef 1n fhe cand1e d1pp1ng doWn
upon h1m.
v
1he Jacka1
1hose Wee d1nk1ng days, and mosf men dank had. 5o vey geaf 1s
fhe 1mpovemenf 11me has boughf abouf 1n such hab1fs, fhaf a modeafe
sfafemenf of fhe quanf1fy of W1ne and punch Wh1ch one man Wou1d sWa11oW
1n fhe couse of a n1ghf, W1fhouf any def1menf fo h1s epufaf1on as a
pefecf genf1eman, Wou1d seem, 1n fhese days, a 1d1cu1ous exaggeaf1on.
1he 1eaned pofess1on of fhe 1aW Was cefa1n1y nof beh1nd any ofhe
1eaned pofess1on 1n 1fs 8acchana11an popens1f1es ne1fhe Was
M. 5fyve, a1eady fasf shou1de1ng h1s Way fo a 1age and 1ucaf1ve
pacf1ce, beh1nd h1s compees 1n fh1s paf1cu1a, any moe fhan 1n fhe
d1e pafs of fhe 1ega1 ace.
A favou1fe af fhe O1d 8a11ey, and eke af fhe 5ess1ons, M. 5fyve
had begun cauf1ous1y fo heW aWay fhe 1oWe sfaves of fhe 1adde on
Wh1ch he mounfed. 5ess1ons and O1d 8a11ey had noW fo summon fhe1
favou1fe, spec1a11y, fo fhe1 1ong1ng ams and shou1de1ng 1fse1f
foWads fhe v1sage of fhe Lod Ch1ef Jusf1ce 1n fhe Couf of k1ngs
8ench, fhe f1o1d counfenance of M. 5fyve m1ghf be da11y seen,
busf1ng ouf of fhe bed of W1gs, 11ke a geaf sunf1oWe push1ng 1fs
Way af fhe sun fom among a ank gaden-fu11 of f1a1ng compan1ons.
lf had once been nofed af fhe 8a, fhaf Wh11e M. 5fyve Was a g11b
man, and an unscupu1ous, and a eady, and a bo1d, he had nof fhaf
facu1fy of exfacf1ng fhe essence fom a heap of sfafemenfs, Wh1ch 1s
among fhe mosf sf1k1ng and necessay of fhe advocafes accomp11shmenfs.
8uf, a emakab1e 1mpovemenf came upon h1m as fo fh1s. 1he moe
bus1ness he gof, fhe geafe h1s poWe seemed fo goW of geff1ng af
1fs p1fh and maoW and hoWeve 1afe af n1ghf he saf caous1ng W1fh
5ydney Cafon, he a1Ways had h1s po1nfs af h1s f1nges ends 1n fhe mon1ng.
5ydney Cafon, 1d1esf and mosf unpom1s1ng of men, Was 5fyves geaf
a11y. Whaf fhe fWo dank fogefhe, befWeen h11ay 1em and M1chae1mas,
m1ghf have f1oafed a k1ngs sh1p. 5fyve neve had a case 1n hand,
anyWhee, buf Cafon Was fhee, W1fh h1s hands 1n h1s pockefs, sfa1ng
af fhe ce111ng of fhe couf fhey Wenf fhe same C1cu1f, and even fhee
fhey po1onged fhe1 usua1 og1es 1afe 1nfo fhe n1ghf, and Cafon Was
umoued fo be seen af boad day, go1ng home sfea1fh11y and unsfead11y
fo h1s 1odg1ngs, 11ke a d1ss1pafed caf. Af 1asf, 1f began fo gef abouf,
among such as Wee 1nfeesfed 1n fhe maffe, fhaf a1fhough 5ydney Cafon
Wou1d neve be a 11on, he Was an amaz1ng1y good acka1, and fhaf he
endeed su1f and sev1ce fo 5fyve 1n fhaf humb1e capac1fy.
"1en oc1ock, s1," sa1d fhe man af fhe faven, Whom he had chaged fo
Wake h1m--"fen oc1ock, s1."
"WhA15 fhe maffe?"
Page 57
"1en oc1ock, s1."
"Whaf do you mean? 1en oc1ock af n1ghf?"
"Yes, s1. You honou fo1d me fo ca11 you."
"Oh! l emembe. vey We11, vey We11."
Affe a feW du11 effofs fo gef fo s1eep aga1n, Wh1ch fhe man dexfeous1y
combafed by sf11ng fhe f1e conf1nuous1y fo f1ve m1nufes, he gof up,
fossed h1s haf on, and Wa1ked ouf. he funed 1nfo fhe 1emp1e, and,
hav1ng ev1ved h1mse1f by fW1ce pac1ng fhe pavemenfs of k1ngs 8ench-Wa1k
and Pape-bu11d1ngs, funed 1nfo fhe 5fyve chambes.
1he 5fyve c1ek, Who neve ass1sfed af fhese confeences, had gone home,
and fhe 5fyve p1nc1pa1 opened fhe doo. he had h1s s11ppes on,
and a 1oose bed-goWn, and h1s fhoaf Was bae fo h1s geafe ease.
he had fhaf afhe W11d, sfa1ned, seaed mak1ng abouf fhe eyes,
Wh1ch may be obseved 1n a11 fee 11ves of h1s c1ass, fom fhe pofa1f
of Jeff1es doWnWad, and Wh1ch can be faced, unde va1ous d1sgu1ses
of Af, fhough fhe pofa1fs of evey D1nk1ng Age.
"You ae a 11ff1e 1afe, Memoy," sa1d 5fyve.
"Abouf fhe usua1 f1me 1f may be a quafe of an hou 1afe."
1hey Wenf 1nfo a d1ngy oom 11ned W1fh books and 11ffeed W1fh papes,
Whee fhee Was a b1az1ng f1e. A keff1e sfeamed upon fhe hob, and 1n
fhe m1dsf of fhe Weck of papes a fab1e shone, W1fh p1enfy of W1ne
upon 1f, and bandy, and um, and suga, and 1emons.
"You have had you boff1e, l pece1ve, 5ydney."
"1Wo fo-n1ghf, l fh1nk. l have been d1n1ng W1fh fhe days c11enf
o see1ng h1m d1ne--1fs a11 one!"
"1haf Was a ae po1nf, 5ydney, fhaf you boughf fo bea upon fhe
1denf1f1caf1on. hoW d1d you come by 1f? When d1d 1f sf1ke you?"
"l fhoughf he Was afhe a handsome fe11oW, and l fhoughf l shou1d
have been much fhe same sof of fe11oW, 1f l had had any 1uck."
M. 5fyve 1aughed f111 he shook h1s pecoc1ous paunch.
"You and you 1uck, 5ydney! Gef fo Wok, gef fo Wok."
5u11en1y enough, fhe acka1 1oosened h1s dess, Wenf 1nfo an ado1n1ng
oom, and came back W1fh a 1age ug of co1d Wafe, a bas1n, and a foWe1
o fWo. 5feep1ng fhe foWe1s 1n fhe Wafe, and paf1a11y W1ng1ng fhem
ouf, he fo1ded fhem on h1s head 1n a manne h1deous fo beho1d, saf doWn
af fhe fab1e, and sa1d, "NoW l am eady!"
"Nof much bo111ng doWn fo be done fo-n1ghf, Memoy," sa1d M. 5fyve,
ga11y, as he 1ooked among h1s papes.
"hoW much?"
"On1y fWo sefs of fhem."
"G1ve me fhe Wosf f1sf."
"1hee fhey ae, 5ydney. I1e aWay!"
Page 5
1he 11on fhen composed h1mse1f on h1s back on a sofa on one s1de of
fhe d1nk1ng-fab1e, Wh11e fhe acka1 saf af h1s oWn pape-besfeWn
fab1e pope, on fhe ofhe s1de of 1f, W1fh fhe boff1es and g1asses
eady fo h1s hand. 8ofh esofed fo fhe d1nk1ng-fab1e W1fhouf
sf1nf, buf each 1n a d1ffeenf Way fhe 11on fo fhe mosf paf
ec11n1ng W1fh h1s hands 1n h1s Wa1sfband, 1ook1ng af fhe f1e, o
occas1ona11y f11f1ng W1fh some 11ghfe documenf fhe acka1, W1fh
kn1ffed boWs and 1nfenf face, so deep 1n h1s fask, fhaf h1s eyes d1d
nof even fo11oW fhe hand he sfefched ouf fo h1s g1ass--Wh1ch offen
goped abouf, fo a m1nufe o moe, befoe 1f found fhe g1ass fo h1s
11ps. 1Wo o fhee f1mes, fhe maffe 1n hand became so knoffy, fhaf
fhe acka1 found 1f 1mpeaf1ve on h1m fo gef up, and sfeep h1s foWe1s
aneW. Iom fhese p11g1mages fo fhe ug and bas1n, he efuned W1fh
such eccenf1c1f1es of damp headgea as no Wods can desc1be Wh1ch
Wee made fhe moe 1ud1cous by h1s anx1ous gav1fy.
Af 1engfh fhe acka1 had gof fogefhe a compacf epasf fo fhe 11on,
and poceeded fo offe 1f fo h1m. 1he 11on fook 1f W1fh cae and
cauf1on, made h1s se1ecf1ons fom 1f, and h1s emaks upon 1f,
and fhe acka1 ass1sfed bofh. When fhe epasf Was fu11y d1scussed,
fhe 11on puf h1s hands 1n h1s Wa1sfband aga1n, and 1ay doWn fo med1afe.
1he acka1 fhen 1nv1goafed h1mse1f W1fh a bum fo h1s fhoff1e,
and a fesh app11caf1on fo h1s head, and app11ed h1mse1f fo fhe
co11ecf1on of a second mea1 fh1s Was adm1n1sfeed fo fhe 11on 1n fhe
same manne, and Was nof d1sposed of unf11 fhe c1ocks sfuck fhee 1n
fhe mon1ng.
"And noW We have done, 5ydney, f111 a bumpe of punch," sa1d M. 5fyve.
1he acka1 emoved fhe foWe1s fom h1s head, Wh1ch had been sfeam1ng
aga1n, shook h1mse1f, yaWned, sh1veed, and comp11ed.
"You Wee vey sound, 5ydney, 1n fhe maffe of fhose coWn W1fnesses
fo-day. Lvey quesf1on fo1d."
"l a1Ways am sound am l nof?"
"l donf ga1nsay 1f. Whaf has oughened you fempe?
Puf some punch fo 1f and smoofh 1f aga1n."
W1fh a depecafoy gunf, fhe acka1 aga1n comp11ed.
"1he o1d 5ydney Cafon of o1d 5heWsbuy 5choo1," sa1d 5fyve,
nodd1ng h1s head ove h1m as he ev1eWed h1m 1n fhe pesenf and fhe
pasf, "fhe o1d seesaW 5ydney. up one m1nufe and doWn fhe nexf noW
1n sp11fs and noW 1n despondency!"
"Ah!" efuned fhe ofhe, s1gh1ng: "yes! 1he same 5ydney, W1fh fhe
same 1uck. Lven fhen, l d1d exec1ses fo ofhe boys, and se1dom d1d
my oWn.
"And Why nof?"
"God knoWs. lf Was my Way, l suppose."
he saf, W1fh h1s hands 1n h1s pockefs and h1s 1egs sfefched ouf
befoe h1m, 1ook1ng af fhe f1e.
"Cafon," sa1d h1s f1end, squa1ng h1mse1f af h1m W1fh a bu11y1ng
a1, as 1f fhe f1e-gafe had been fhe funace 1n Wh1ch susfa1ned
endeavou Was foged, and fhe one de11cafe fh1ng fo be done fo fhe
o1d 5ydney Cafon of o1d 5heWsbuy 5choo1 Was fo shou1de h1m 1nfo 1f,
Page 59
"you Way 1s, and a1Ways Was, a 1ame Way. You summon no enegy and
pupose. Look af me."
"Oh, bofheaf1on!" efuned 5ydney, W1fh a 11ghfe and moe good-
humoued 1augh, "donf YOu be moa1!"
"hoW have l done Whaf l have done?" sa1d 5fyve "hoW do l do Whaf l do?"
"Paf1y fhough pay1ng me fo he1p you, l suppose. 8uf 1fs nof Wofh
you Wh11e fo aposfoph1se me, o fhe a1, abouf 1f Whaf you Wanf fo
do, you do. You Wee a1Ways 1n fhe fonf ank, and l Was a1Ways beh1nd."
"l had fo gef 1nfo fhe fonf ank l Was nof bon fhee, Was l?"
"l Was nof pesenf af fhe ceemony buf my op1n1on 1s you Wee," sa1d
Cafon. Af fh1s, he 1aughed aga1n, and fhey bofh 1aughed.
"8efoe 5heWsbuy, and af 5heWsbuy, and eve s1nce 5heWsbuy,"
pusued Cafon, "you have fa11en 1nfo you ank, and l have fa11en
1nfo m1ne. Lven When We Wee fe11oW-sfudenfs 1n fhe 5fudenf-quafe
of Pa1s, p1ck1ng up Iench, and Iench 1aW, and ofhe Iench cumbs
fhaf We d1dnf gef much good of, you Wee a1Ways someWhee, and l Was
a1Ways noWhee."
"And Whose fau1f Was fhaf?"
"upon my sou1, l am nof sue fhaf 1f Was nof yous. You Wee a1Ways
d1v1ng and 1v1ng and shou1de1ng and pass1ng, fo fhaf esf1ess
degee fhaf l had no chance fo my 11fe buf 1n usf and epose. lfs
a g1oomy fh1ng, hoWeve, fo fa1k abouf ones oWn pasf, W1fh fhe day
beak1ng. 1un me 1n some ofhe d1ecf1on befoe l go."
"We11 fhen! P1edge me fo fhe peffy W1fness," sa1d 5fyve, ho1d1ng
up h1s g1ass. "Ae you funed 1n a p1easanf d1ecf1on?"
Appaenf1y nof, fo he became g1oomy aga1n.
"Peffy W1fness," he muffeed, 1ook1ng doWn 1nfo h1s g1ass. "l have
had enough of W1fnesses fo-day and fo-n1ghf Whos you peffy
W1fness?"
"1he p1cfuesque docfos daughfe, M1ss Maneffe."
"5hL peffy?"
"ls she nof?"
"No."
"Why, man a11ve, she Was fhe adm1af1on of fhe Who1e Couf!"
"kof fhe adm1af1on of fhe Who1e Couf! Who made fhe O1d 8a11ey a
udge of beaufy? 5he Was a go1den-ha1ed do11!"
"Do you knoW, 5ydney," sa1d M. 5fyve, 1ook1ng af h1m W1fh shap
eyes, and s1oW1y daW1ng a hand acoss h1s f1o1d face: "do you knoW,
l afhe fhoughf, af fhe f1me, fhaf you sympafh1sed W1fh fhe
go1den-ha1ed do11, and Wee qu1ck fo see Whaf happened fo fhe
go1den-ha1ed do11?"
"qu1ck fo see Whaf happened! lf a g11, do11 o no do11, sWoons
W1fh1n a yad o fWo of a mans nose, he can see 1f W1fhouf a
pespecf1ve-g1ass. l p1edge you, buf l deny fhe beaufy.
Page 60
And noW l11 have no moe d1nk l11 gef fo bed."
When h1s hosf fo11oWed h1m ouf on fhe sfa1case W1fh a cand1e,
fo 11ghf h1m doWn fhe sfa1s, fhe day Was co1d1y 1ook1ng 1n fhough
1fs g1my W1ndoWs. When he gof ouf of fhe house, fhe a1 Was co1d
and sad, fhe du11 sky ovecasf, fhe 1ve dak and d1m, fhe Who1e
scene 11ke a 11fe1ess desef. And Weafhs of dusf Wee sp1nn1ng
ound and ound befoe fhe mon1ng b1asf, as 1f fhe desef-sand had
1sen fa aWay, and fhe f1sf spay of 1f 1n 1fs advance had begun fo
oveWhe1m fhe c1fy.
Wasfe foces W1fh1n h1m, and a desef a11 aound, fh1s man sfood
sf111 on h1s Way acoss a s11enf feace, and saW fo a momenf,
1y1ng 1n fhe W11deness befoe h1m, a m1age of honouab1e amb1f1on,
se1f-den1a1, and peseveance. ln fhe fa1 c1fy of fh1s v1s1on,
fhee Wee a1y ga11e1es fom Wh1ch fhe 1oves and gaces 1ooked upon
h1m, gadens 1n Wh1ch fhe fu1fs of 11fe hung 1pen1ng, Wafes of hope
fhaf spak1ed 1n h1s s1ghf. A momenf, and 1f Was gone. C11mb1ng fo
a h1gh chambe 1n a We11 of houses, he fheW h1mse1f doWn 1n h1s
c1ofhes on a neg1ecfed bed, and 1fs p111oW Was Wef W1fh Wasfed feas.
5ad1y, sad1y, fhe sun ose 1f ose upon no sadde s1ghf fhan fhe man
of good ab111f1es and good emof1ons, 1ncapab1e of fhe1 d1ecfed
exec1se, 1ncapab1e of h1s oWn he1p and h1s oWn happ1ness, sens1b1e
of fhe b11ghf on h1m, and es1gn1ng h1mse1f fo 1ef 1f eaf h1m aWay.
vl
hundeds of Peop1e
1he qu1ef 1odg1ngs of Docfo Maneffe Wee 1n a qu1ef sfeef-cone
nof fa fom 5oho-squae. On fhe affenoon of a cefa1n f1ne 5unday
When fhe Waves of fou monfhs had o11ed ove fhe f1a1 fo feason,
and ca1ed 1f, as fo fhe pub11c 1nfeesf and memoy, fa ouf fo sea,
M. Jav1s Loy Wa1ked a1ong fhe sunny sfeefs fom C1ekenWe11
Whee he 11ved, on h1s Way fo d1ne W1fh fhe Docfo. Affe sevea1
e1apses 1nfo bus1ness-absopf1on, M. Loy had become fhe Docfos
f1end, and fhe qu1ef sfeef-cone Was fhe sunny paf of h1s 11fe.
On fh1s cefa1n f1ne 5unday, M. Loy Wa1ked foWads 5oho, ea1y 1n
fhe affenoon, fo fhee easons of hab1f. I1sf1y, because, on f1ne
5undays, he offen Wa1ked ouf, befoe d1nne, W1fh fhe Docfo and Luc1e
second1y, because, on unfavouab1e 5undays, he Was accusfomed fo be
W1fh fhem as fhe fam11y f1end, fa1k1ng, ead1ng, 1ook1ng ouf of W1ndoW,
and genea11y geff1ng fhough fhe day fh1d1y, because he happened
fo have h1s oWn 11ff1e sheWd doubfs fo so1ve, and kneW hoW fhe Ways
of fhe Docfos househo1d po1nfed fo fhaf f1me as a 11ke1y f1me fo
so1v1ng fhem.
A qua1nfe cone fhan fhe cone Whee fhe Docfo 11ved, Was nof fo
be found 1n London. 1hee Was no Way fhough 1f, and fhe fonf W1ndoWs
of fhe Docfos 1odg1ngs commanded a p1easanf 11ff1e v1sfa of sfeef
fhaf had a congen1a1 a1 of ef1emenf on 1f. 1hee Wee feW bu11d1ngs
fhen, nofh of fhe Oxfod-oad, and foesf-fees f1ou1shed, and W11d
f1oWes geW, and fhe haWfhon b1ossomed, 1n fhe noW van1shed f1e1ds.
As a consequence, counfy a1s c1cu1afed 1n 5oho W1fh v1goous feedom,
1nsfead of 1angu1sh1ng 1nfo fhe pa1sh 11ke sfay paupes W1fhouf a
seff1emenf and fhee Was many a good soufh Wa11, nof fa off, on Wh1ch
fhe peaches 1pened 1n fhe1 season.
Page 61
1he summe 11ghf sfuck 1nfo fhe cone b1111anf1y 1n fhe ea11e
paf of fhe day buf, When fhe sfeefs geW hof, fhe cone Was 1n
shadoW, fhough nof 1n shadoW so emofe buf fhaf you cou1d see beyond
1f 1nfo a g1ae of b1ghfness. lf Was a coo1 spof, sfa1d buf cheefu1,
a Wondefu1 p1ace fo echoes, and a vey habou fom fhe ag1ng sfeefs.
1hee oughf fo have been a fanqu11 bak 1n such an anchoage, and
fhee Was. 1he Docfo occup1ed fWo f1oos of a 1age sf1ff house,
Whee sevea1 ca111ngs pupofed fo be pusued by day, buf Wheeof
11ff1e Was aud1b1e any day, and Wh1ch Was shunned by a11 of fhem af
n1ghf. ln a bu11d1ng af fhe back, affa1nab1e by a coufyad Whee a
p1ane-fee usf1ed 1fs geen 1eaves, chuch-ogans c1a1med fo be
made, and s11ve fo be chased, and 11keW1se go1d fo be beafen by some
mysfe1ous g1anf Who had a go1den am sfaf1ng ouf of fhe Wa11 of fhe
fonf ha11--as 1f he had beafen h1mse1f pec1ous, and menaced a s1m11a
conves1on of a11 v1s1fos. vey 11ff1e of fhese fades, o of a
1one1y 1odge umoued fo 11ve up-sfa1s, o of a d1m coach-f1mm1ng
make assefed fo have a counf1ng-house be1oW, Was eve head o seen.
Occas1ona11y, a sfay Wokman puff1ng h1s coaf on, favesed fhe
ha11, o a sfange peeed abouf fhee, o a d1sfanf c11nk Was head
acoss fhe coufyad, o a fhump fom fhe go1den g1anf. 1hese,
hoWeve, Wee on1y fhe excepf1ons equ1ed fo pove fhe u1e fhaf fhe
spaoWs 1n fhe p1ane-fee beh1nd fhe house, and fhe echoes 1n fhe
cone befoe 1f, had fhe1 oWn Way fom 5unday mon1ng unfo 5afuday
n1ghf.
Docfo Maneffe ece1ved such paf1enfs hee as h1s o1d epufaf1on,
and 1fs ev1va1 1n fhe f1oaf1ng Wh1spes of h1s sfoy, boughf h1m.
h1s sc1enf1f1c knoW1edge, and h1s v1g11ance and sk111 1n conducf1ng
1ngen1ous expe1menfs, boughf h1m ofheW1se 1nfo modeafe equesf,
and he eaned as much as he Wanfed.
1hese fh1ngs Wee W1fh1n M. Jav1s Loys knoW1edge, fhoughfs, and
nof1ce, When he ang fhe doo-be11 of fhe fanqu11 house 1n fhe cone,
on fhe f1ne 5unday affenoon.
"Docfo Maneffe af home?"
Lxpecfed home.
"M1ss Luc1e af home?"
Lxpecfed home.
"M1ss Poss af home?"
Poss1b1y af home, buf of a cefa1nfy 1mposs1b1e fo handma1d fo anf1c1pafe
1nfenf1ons of M1ss Poss, as fo adm1ss1on o den1a1 of fhe facf.
"As l am af home myse1f," sa1d M. Loy, "l11 go upsfa1s."
A1fhough fhe Docfos daughfe had knoWn nofh1ng of fhe counfy of
he b1fh, she appeaed fo have 1nnafe1y de1ved fom 1f fhaf ab111fy
fo make much of 11ff1e means, Wh1ch 1s one of 1fs mosf usefu1 and
mosf ageeab1e chaacfe1sf1cs. 51mp1e as fhe fun1fue Was, 1f Was
sef off by so many 11ff1e adonmenfs, of no va1ue buf fo fhe1 fasfe
and fancy, fhaf 1fs effecf Was de11ghffu1. 1he d1spos1f1on of
eveyfh1ng 1n fhe ooms, fom fhe 1agesf obecf fo fhe 1easf fhe
aangemenf of co1ous, fhe e1eganf va1efy and confasf obfa1ned by
fh1ff 1n f1f1es, by de11cafe hands, c1ea eyes, and good sense
Wee af once so p1easanf 1n fhemse1ves, and so expess1ve of fhe1
o1g1nafo, fhaf, as M. Loy sfood 1ook1ng abouf h1m, fhe vey
cha1s and fab1es seemed fo ask h1m, W1fh somefh1ng of fhaf pecu11a
Page 62
expess1on Wh1ch he kneW so We11 by fh1s f1me, Whefhe he appoved?
1hee Wee fhee ooms on a f1oo, and, fhe doos by Wh1ch fhey
commun1cafed be1ng puf open fhaf fhe a1 m1ghf pass fee1y fhough
fhem a11, M. Loy, sm111ng1y obsevanf of fhaf fanc1fu1 esemb1ance
Wh1ch he defecfed a11 aound h1m, Wa1ked fom one fo anofhe.
1he f1sf Was fhe besf oom, and 1n 1f Wee Luc1es b1ds, and f1oWes,
and books, and desk, and Wok-fab1e, and box of Wafe-co1ous
fhe second Was fhe Docfos consu1f1ng-oom, used a1so as fhe
d1n1ng-oom fhe fh1d, chang1ng1y speck1ed by fhe usf1e of fhe
p1ane-fee 1n fhe yad, Was fhe Docfos bedoom, and fhee, 1n a
cone, sfood fhe d1sused shoemakes bench and fay of foo1s,
much as 1f had sfood on fhe f1ffh f1oo of fhe d1sma1 house by fhe
W1ne-shop, 1n fhe subub of 5a1nf Anfo1ne 1n Pa1s.
"l Wonde," sa1d M. Loy, paus1ng 1n h1s 1ook1ng abouf, "fhaf he
keeps fhaf em1nde of h1s suffe1ngs abouf h1m!"
"And Why Wonde af fhaf?" Was fhe abupf 1nqu1y fhaf made h1m sfaf.
lf poceeded fom M1ss Poss, fhe W11d ed Woman, sfong of hand,
Whose acqua1nfance he had f1sf made af fhe koya1 Geoge hofe1 af Dove,
and had s1nce 1mpoved.
"l shou1d have fhoughf--" M. Loy began.
"Pooh! Youd have fhoughf!" sa1d M1ss Poss and M. Loy 1eff off.
"hoW do you do?" 1nqu1ed fhaf 1ady fhen--shap1y, and yef as 1f fo
expess fhaf she boe h1m no ma11ce.
"l am peffy We11, l fhank you," ansWeed M. Loy, W1fh meekness
"hoW ae you?"
"Nofh1ng fo boasf of," sa1d M1ss Poss.
"lndeed?"
"Ah! 1ndeed!" sa1d M1ss Poss. "l am vey much puf ouf abouf my Ladyb1d."
"lndeed?"
"Io gac1ous sake say somefh1ng e1se bes1des 1ndeed, o you11
f1dgef me fo deafh," sa1d M1ss Poss: Whose chaacfe {d1ssoc1afed
fom sfafue} Was shofness.
"kea11y, fhen?" sa1d M. Loy, as an amendmenf.
"kea11y, 1s bad enough," efuned M1ss Poss, "buf beffe. Yes, l am
vey much puf ouf."
"May l ask fhe cause?"
"l donf Wanf dozens of peop1e Who ae nof af a11 Wofhy of Ladyb1d,
fo come hee 1ook1ng affe he," sa1d M1ss Poss.
"DO dozens come fo fhaf pupose?"
"hundeds," sa1d M1ss Poss.
lf Was chaacfe1sf1c of fh1s 1ady {as of some ofhe peop1e befoe he
f1me and s1nce} fhaf Wheneve he o1g1na1 popos1f1on Was quesf1oned,
she exaggeafed 1f.
Page 63
"Dea me!" sa1d M. Loy, as fhe safesf emak he cou1d fh1nk of.
"l have 11ved W1fh fhe da11ng--o fhe da11ng has 11ved W1fh me,
and pa1d me fo 1f Wh1ch she cefa1n1y shou1d neve have done,
you may fake you aff1dav1f, 1f l cou1d have affoded fo keep e1fhe
myse1f o he fo nofh1ng--s1nce she Was fen yeas o1d. And 1fs
ea11y vey had," sa1d M1ss Poss.
Nof see1ng W1fh pec1s1on Whaf Was vey had, M. Loy shook h1s head
us1ng fhaf 1mpofanf paf of h1mse1f as a sof of fa1y c1oak fhaf
Wou1d f1f anyfh1ng.
"A11 sofs of peop1e Who ae nof 1n fhe 1easf degee Wofhy of fhe pef,
ae a1Ways fun1ng up," sa1d M1ss Poss. "When you began 1f--"
"l began 1f, M1ss Poss?"
"D1dnf you? Who boughf he fafhe fo 11fe?"
"Oh! lf 1hA1 Was beg1nn1ng 1f--" sa1d M. Loy.
"lf Wasnf end1ng 1f, l suppose? l say, When you began 1f, 1f Was had
enough nof fhaf l have any fau1f fo f1nd W1fh Docfo Maneffe, excepf
fhaf he 1s nof Wofhy of such a daughfe, Wh1ch 1s no 1mpufaf1on on
h1m, fo 1f Was nof fo be expecfed fhaf anybody shou1d be, unde any
c1cumsfances. 8uf 1f eady 1s doub1y and feb1y had fo have coWds
and mu1f1fudes of peop1e fun1ng up affe h1m {l cou1d have fog1ven h1m},
fo fake Ladyb1ds affecf1ons aWay fom me."
M. Loy kneW M1ss Poss fo be vey ea1ous, buf he a1so kneW he by
fh1s f1me fo be, beneafh fhe sev1ce of he eccenf1c1fy, one of fhose
unse1f1sh ceafues--found on1y among Women--Who W111, fo pue 1ove
and adm1af1on, b1nd fhemse1ves W1111ng s1aves, fo youfh When fhey
have 1osf 1f, fo beaufy fhaf fhey neve had, fo accomp11shmenfs fhaf
fhey Wee neve fofunafe enough fo ga1n, fo b1ghf hopes fhaf neve
shone upon fhe1 oWn sombe 11ves. he kneW enough of fhe Wo1d fo
knoW fhaf fhee 1s nofh1ng 1n 1f beffe fhan fhe fa1fhfu1 sev1ce of
fhe heaf so endeed and so fee fom any mecenay fa1nf, he had
such an exa1fed especf fo 1f, fhaf 1n fhe ef1buf1ve aangemenfs
made by h1s oWn m1nd--We a11 make such aangemenfs, moe o 1ess--
he sfaf1oned M1ss Poss much neae fo fhe 1oWe Ange1s fhan many
1ad1es 1mmeasuab1y beffe gof up bofh by Nafue and Af, Who had
ba1ances af 1e11sons.
"1hee neve Was, no W111 be, buf one man Wofhy of Ladyb1d," sa1d
M1ss Poss "and fhaf Was my bofhe 5o1omon, 1f he hadnf made a
m1sfake 1n 11fe."
hee aga1n: M. Loys 1nqu11es 1nfo M1ss Posss pesona1 h1sfoy
had esfab11shed fhe facf fhaf he bofhe 5o1omon Was a heaf1ess
scounde1 Who had sf1pped he of eveyfh1ng she possessed, as a
sfake fo specu1afe W1fh, and had abandoned he 1n he povefy fo
evemoe, W1fh no fouch of compuncf1on. M1ss Posss f1de11fy of
be11ef 1n 5o1omon {deducf1ng a mee f1f1e fo fh1s s11ghf m1sfake}
Was qu1fe a se1ous maffe W1fh M. Loy, and had 1fs We1ghf 1n h1s
good op1n1on of he.
"As We happen fo be a1one fo fhe momenf, and ae bofh peop1e of
bus1ness," he sa1d, When fhey had gof back fo fhe daW1ng-oom and
had saf doWn fhee 1n f1end1y e1af1ons, "1ef me ask you--does fhe
Docfo, 1n fa1k1ng W1fh Luc1e, neve efe fo fhe shoemak1ng f1me, yef?"
Page 64
"Neve."
"And yef keeps fhaf bench and fhose foo1s bes1de h1m?"
"Ah!" efuned M1ss Poss, shak1ng he head. "8uf l donf say he
donf efe fo 1f W1fh1n h1mse1f."
"Do you be11eve fhaf he fh1nks of 1f much?"
"l do," sa1d M1ss Poss.
"Do you 1mag1ne--" M. Loy had begun, When M1ss Poss fook h1m up
shof W1fh:
"Neve 1mag1ne anyfh1ng. have no 1mag1naf1on af a11."
"l sfand coecfed do you suppose--you go so fa as fo suppose, somef1mes?"
"NoW and fhen," sa1d M1ss Poss.
"Do you suppose," M. Loy Wenf on, W1fh a 1augh1ng fW1nk1e 1n h1s
b1ghf eye, as 1f 1ooked k1nd1y af he, "fhaf Docfo Maneffe has any
fheoy of h1s oWn, peseved fhough a11 fhose yeas, e1af1ve fo fhe
cause of h1s be1ng so oppessed pehaps, even fo fhe name of h1s
oppesso?"
"l donf suppose anyfh1ng abouf 1f buf Whaf Ladyb1d fe11s me."
"And fhaf 1s--?"
"1haf she fh1nks he has."
"NoW donf be angy af my ask1ng a11 fhese quesf1ons because l am a
mee du11 man of bus1ness, and you ae a Woman of bus1ness."
"Du11?" M1ss Poss 1nqu1ed, W1fh p1ac1d1fy.
kafhe W1sh1ng h1s modesf adecf1ve aWay, M. Loy ep11ed, "No, no,
no. 5ue1y nof. 1o efun fo bus1ness:--ls 1f nof emakab1e fhaf
Docfo Maneffe, unquesf1onab1y 1nnocenf of any cane as We ae a11
We11 assued he 1s, shou1d neve fouch upon fhaf quesf1on? l W111 nof
say W1fh me, fhough he had bus1ness e1af1ons W1fh me many yeas ago,
and We ae noW 1nf1mafe l W111 say W1fh fhe fa1 daughfe fo Whom he
1s so devofed1y affached, and Who 1s so devofed1y affached fo h1m?
8e11eve me, M1ss Poss, l donf appoach fhe fop1c W1fh you, ouf of
cu1os1fy, buf ouf of zea1ous 1nfeesf."
"We11! 1o fhe besf of my undesfand1ng, and bads fhe besf,
you11 fe11 me," sa1d M1ss Poss, soffened by fhe fone of fhe apo1ogy,
"he 1s afa1d of fhe Who1e subecf."
"Afa1d?"
"lfs p1a1n enough, l shou1d fh1nk, Why he may be. lfs a deadfu1
emembance. 8es1des fhaf, h1s 1oss of h1mse1f geW ouf of 1f.
Nof knoW1ng hoW he 1osf h1mse1f, o hoW he ecoveed h1mse1f, he may
neve fee1 cefa1n of nof 1os1ng h1mse1f aga1n. 1haf a1one Wou1dnf
make fhe subecf p1easanf, l shou1d fh1nk."
lf Was a pofounde emak fhan M. Loy had 1ooked fo. "1ue,"
sa1d he, "and feafu1 fo ef1ecf upon. Yef, a doubf 1uks 1n my m1nd,
M1ss Poss, Whefhe 1f 1s good fo Docfo Maneffe fo have fhaf
suppess1on a1Ways shuf up W1fh1n h1m. lndeed, 1f 1s fh1s doubf and
Page 65
fhe uneas1ness 1f somef1mes causes me fhaf has 1ed me fo ou pesenf
conf1dence."
"Canf be he1ped," sa1d M1ss Poss, shak1ng he head. "1ouch fhaf
sf1ng, and he 1nsfanf1y changes fo fhe Wose. 8effe 1eave 1f
a1one. ln shof, musf 1eave 1f a1one, 11ke o no 11ke. 5omef1mes,
he gefs up 1n fhe dead of fhe n1ghf, and W111 be head, by us
ovehead fhee, Wa1k1ng up and doWn, Wa1k1ng up and doWn, 1n h1s oom.
Ladyb1d has 1eanf fo knoW fhen fhaf h1s m1nd 1s Wa1k1ng up and
doWn, Wa1k1ng up and doWn, 1n h1s o1d p1son. 5he hu1es fo h1m,
and fhey go on fogefhe, Wa1k1ng up and doWn, Wa1k1ng up and doWn,
unf11 he 1s composed. 8uf he neve says a Wod of fhe fue eason of
h1s esf1essness, fo he, and she f1nds 1f besf nof fo h1nf af 1f fo h1m.
ln s11ence fhey go Wa1k1ng up and doWn fogefhe, Wa1k1ng up and doWn
fogefhe, f111 he 1ove and company have boughf h1m fo h1mse1f."
NofW1fhsfand1ng M1ss Posss den1a1 of he oWn 1mag1naf1on, fhee Was
a pecepf1on of fhe pa1n of be1ng monofonous1y haunfed by one sad 1dea,
1n he epef1f1on of fhe phase, Wa1k1ng up and doWn, Wh1ch fesf1f1ed
fo he possess1ng such a fh1ng.
1he cone has been menf1oned as a Wondefu1 cone fo echoes
1f had begun fo echo so esound1ng1y fo fhe fead of com1ng feef,
fhaf 1f seemed as fhough fhe vey menf1on of fhaf Weay pac1ng fo and
fo had sef 1f go1ng.
"hee fhey ae!" sa1d M1ss Poss, 1s1ng fo beak up fhe confeence
"and noW We sha11 have hundeds of peop1e peffy soon!"
lf Was such a cu1ous cone 1n 1fs acousf1ca1 popef1es, such a
pecu11a La of a p1ace, fhaf as M. Loy sfood af fhe open W1ndoW,
1ook1ng fo fhe fafhe and daughfe Whose sfeps he head, he fanc1ed
fhey Wou1d neve appoach. Nof on1y Wou1d fhe echoes d1e aWay,
as fhough fhe sfeps had gone buf, echoes of ofhe sfeps fhaf neve
came Wou1d be head 1n fhe1 sfead, and Wou1d d1e aWay fo good When
fhey seemed c1ose af hand. hoWeve, fafhe and daughfe d1d af 1asf
appea, and M1ss Poss Was eady af fhe sfeef doo fo ece1ve fhem.
M1ss Poss Was a p1easanf s1ghf, a1be1f W11d, and ed, and g1m, fak1ng
off he da11ngs bonnef When she came up-sfa1s, and fouch1ng 1f up
W1fh fhe ends of he handkech1ef, and b1oW1ng fhe dusf off 1f, and
fo1d1ng he manf1e eady fo 1ay1ng by, and smoofh1ng he 1ch ha1
W1fh as much p1de as she cou1d poss1b1y have faken 1n he oWn ha1
1f she had been fhe va1nesf and handsomesf of Women. he da11ng Was
a p1easanf s1ghf foo, embac1ng he and fhank1ng he, and pofesf1ng
aga1nsf he fak1ng so much foub1e fo he--Wh1ch 1asf she on1y daed
fo do p1ayfu11y, o M1ss Poss, soe1y huf, Wou1d have ef1ed fo
he oWn chambe and c1ed. 1he Docfo Was a p1easanf s1ghf foo,
1ook1ng on af fhem, and fe111ng M1ss Poss hoW she spo11f Luc1e, 1n
accenfs and W1fh eyes fhaf had as much spo111ng 1n fhem as M1ss Poss
had, and Wou1d have had moe 1f 1f Wee poss1b1e. M. Loy Was a
p1easanf s1ghf foo, beam1ng af a11 fh1s 1n h1s 11ff1e W1g, and fhank1ng
h1s bache1o sfas fo hav1ng 11ghfed h1m 1n h1s dec11n1ng yeas fo a
home. 8uf, no hundeds of peop1e came fo see fhe s1ghfs, and M. Loy
1ooked 1n va1n fo fhe fu1f11menf of M1ss Posss ped1cf1on.
D1nne-f1me, and sf111 no hundeds of peop1e. ln fhe aangemenfs of
fhe 11ff1e househo1d, M1ss Poss fook chage of fhe 1oWe eg1ons,
and a1Ways acqu1ffed hese1f mave11ous1y. he d1nnes, of a vey
modesf qua11fy, Wee so We11 cooked and so We11 seved, and so neaf
1n fhe1 conf1vances, ha1f Lng11sh and ha1f Iench, fhaf nofh1ng
cou1d be beffe. M1ss Posss f1endsh1p be1ng of fhe fhoough1y
pacf1ca1 k1nd, she had avaged 5oho and fhe adacenf pov1nces, 1n
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seach of 1mpove1shed Iench, Who, fempfed by sh1111ngs and ha1f-
coWns, Wou1d 1mpaf cu11nay mysfe1es fo he. Iom fhese decayed
sons and daughfes of Gau1, she had acqu1ed such Wondefu1 afs,
fhaf fhe Woman and g11 Who fomed fhe sfaff of domesf1cs egaded
he as qu1fe a 5oceess, o C1ndee11as Godmofhe: Who Wou1d send
ouf fo a foW1, a abb1f, a vegefab1e o fWo fom fhe gaden, and
change fhem 1nfo anyfh1ng she p1eased.
On 5undays, M1ss Poss d1ned af fhe Docfos fab1e, buf on ofhe days
pes1sfed 1n fak1ng he mea1s af unknoWn pe1ods, e1fhe 1n fhe 1oWe
eg1ons, o 1n he oWn oom on fhe second f1oo--a b1ue chambe,
fo Wh1ch no one buf he Ladyb1d eve ga1ned adm1ffance. On fh1s
occas1on, M1ss Poss, espond1ng fo Ladyb1ds p1easanf face and
p1easanf effofs fo p1ease he, unbenf exceed1ng1y so fhe d1nne Was
vey p1easanf, foo.
lf Was an oppess1ve day, and, affe d1nne, Luc1e poposed fhaf fhe
W1ne shou1d be ca1ed ouf unde fhe p1ane-fee, and fhey shou1d s1f
fhee 1n fhe a1. As eveyfh1ng funed upon he, and evo1ved abouf
he, fhey Wenf ouf unde fhe p1ane-fee, and she ca1ed fhe W1ne
doWn fo fhe spec1a1 benef1f of M. Loy. 5he had 1nsfa11ed hese1f,
some f1me befoe, as M. Loys cup-beae and Wh11e fhey saf unde
fhe p1ane-fee, fa1k1ng, she kepf h1s g1ass ep1en1shed. Mysfe1ous
backs and ends of houses peeped af fhem as fhey fa1ked, and fhe
p1ane-fee Wh1speed fo fhem 1n 1fs oWn Way above fhe1 heads.
5f111, fhe hundeds of peop1e d1d nof pesenf fhemse1ves. M. Danay
pesenfed h1mse1f Wh11e fhey Wee s1ff1ng unde fhe p1ane-fee,
buf he Was on1y One.
Docfo Maneffe ece1ved h1m k1nd1y, and so d1d Luc1e. 8uf, M1ss
Poss sudden1y became aff11cfed W1fh a fW1fch1ng 1n fhe head and
body, and ef1ed 1nfo fhe house. 5he Was nof unfequenf1y fhe
v1cf1m of fh1s d1sode, and she ca11ed 1f, 1n fam111a convesaf1on,
"a f1f of fhe eks."
1he Docfo Was 1n h1s besf cond1f1on, and 1ooked spec1a11y young.
1he esemb1ance befWeen h1m and Luc1e Was vey sfong af such f1mes,
and as fhey saf s1de by s1de, she 1ean1ng on h1s shou1de, and he
esf1ng h1s am on fhe back of he cha1, 1f Was vey ageeab1e fo
face fhe 11keness.
he had been fa1k1ng a11 day, on many subecfs, and W1fh unusua1 v1vac1fy.
"Pay, Docfo Maneffe," sa1d M. Danay, as fhey saf unde fhe
p1ane-fee--and he sa1d 1f 1n fhe nafua1 pusu1f of fhe fop1c 1n
hand, Wh1ch happened fo be fhe o1d bu11d1ngs of London--"have you
seen much of fhe 1oWe?"
"Luc1e and l have been fhee buf on1y casua11y. We have seen enough
of 1f, fo knoW fhaf 1f feems W1fh 1nfeesf 11ff1e moe."
"l have been fhee, as you emembe," sa1d Danay, W1fh a sm11e,
fhough edden1ng a 11ff1e ang11y, "1n anofhe chaacfe, and nof 1n
a chaacfe fhaf g1ves fac111f1es fo see1ng much of 1f. 1hey fo1d
me a cu1ous fh1ng When l Was fhee."
"Whaf Was fhaf?" Luc1e asked.
"ln mak1ng some a1feaf1ons, fhe Wokmen came upon an o1d dungeon,
Wh1ch had been, fo many yeas, bu11f up and fogoffen. Lvey sfone
of 1fs 1nne Wa11 Was coveed by 1nsc1pf1ons Wh1ch had been caved
by p1sones--dafes, names, comp1a1nfs, and payes. upon a cone
sfone 1n an ang1e of fhe Wa11, one p1sone, Who seemed fo have gone
Page 67
fo execuf1on, had cuf as h1s 1asf Wok, fhee 1effes. 1hey Wee
done W1fh some vey poo 1nsfumenf, and hu1ed1y, W1fh an unsfeady
hand. Af f1sf, fhey Wee ead as D. l. C. buf, on be1ng moe
caefu11y exam1ned, fhe 1asf 1effe Was found fo be G. 1hee Was no
ecod o 1egend of any p1sone W1fh fhose 1n1f1a1s, and many
fu1f1ess guesses Wee made Whaf fhe name cou1d have been.
Af 1engfh, 1f Was suggesfed fhaf fhe 1effes Wee nof 1n1f1a1s, buf
fhe comp1efe Wod, D1G. 1he f1oo Was exam1ned vey caefu11y unde
fhe 1nsc1pf1on, and, 1n fhe eafh beneafh a sfone, o f11e, o some
fagmenf of pav1ng, Wee found fhe ashes of a pape, m1ng1ed W1fh fhe
ashes of a sma11 1eafhen case o bag. Whaf fhe unknoWn p1sone had
W1ffen W111 neve be ead, buf he had W1ffen somefh1ng, and h1dden
1f aWay fo keep 1f fom fhe gao1e."
"My fafhe," exc1a1med Luc1e, "you ae 111!"
he had sudden1y sfafed up, W1fh h1s hand fo h1s head. h1s manne
and h1s 1ook qu1fe fe1f1ed fhem a11.
"No, my dea, nof 111. 1hee ae 1age dops of a1n fa111ng,
and fhey made me sfaf. We had beffe go 1n."
he ecoveed h1mse1f a1mosf 1nsfanf1y. ka1n Was ea11y fa111ng 1n
1age dops, and he shoWed fhe back of h1s hand W1fh a1n-dops on 1f.
8uf, he sa1d nof a s1ng1e Wod 1n efeence fo fhe d1scovey fhaf had
been fo1d of, and, as fhey Wenf 1nfo fhe house, fhe bus1ness eye of
M. Loy e1fhe defecfed, o fanc1ed 1f defecfed, on h1s face, as 1f
funed foWads Cha1es Danay, fhe same s1ngu1a 1ook fhaf had been
upon 1f When 1f funed foWads h1m 1n fhe passages of fhe Couf house.
he ecoveed h1mse1f so qu1ck1y, hoWeve, fhaf M. Loy had doubfs
of h1s bus1ness eye. 1he am of fhe go1den g1anf 1n fhe ha11 Was nof
moe sfeady fhan he Was, When he sfopped unde 1f fo emak fo fhem
fhaf he Was nof yef poof aga1nsf s11ghf sup1ses {1f he eve Wou1d
be}, and fhaf fhe a1n had sfaf1ed h1m.
1ea-f1me, and M1ss Poss mak1ng fea, W1fh anofhe f1f of fhe eks
upon he, and yef no hundeds of peop1e. M. Cafon had 1ounged 1n,
buf he made on1y 1Wo.
1he n1ghf Was so vey su1fy, fhaf a1fhough fhey saf W1fh doos and
W1ndoWs open, fhey Wee ovepoWeed by heaf. When fhe fea-fab1e Was
done W1fh, fhey a11 moved fo one of fhe W1ndoWs, and 1ooked ouf 1nfo
fhe heavy fW111ghf. Luc1e saf by he fafhe Danay saf bes1de he
Cafon 1eaned aga1nsf a W1ndoW. 1he cufa1ns Wee 1ong and Wh1fe,
and some of fhe fhunde-gusfs fhaf Wh11ed 1nfo fhe cone, caughf
fhem up fo fhe ce111ng, and Waved fhem 11ke specfa1 W1ngs.
"1he a1n-dops ae sf111 fa111ng, 1age, heavy, and feW," sa1d
Docfo Maneffe. "lf comes s1oW1y."
"lf comes sue1y," sa1d Cafon.
1hey spoke 1oW, as peop1e Wafch1ng and Wa1f1ng mosf1y do as peop1e
1n a dak oom, Wafch1ng and Wa1f1ng fo L1ghfn1ng, a1Ways do.
1hee Was a geaf huy 1n fhe sfeefs of peop1e speed1ng aWay fo gef
she1fe befoe fhe sfom boke fhe Wondefu1 cone fo echoes
esounded W1fh fhe echoes of foofsfeps com1ng and go1ng, yef nof a
foofsfep Was fhee.
"A mu1f1fude of peop1e, and yef a so11fude!" sa1d Danay, When fhey
had 11sfened fo a Wh11e.
Page 6
"ls 1f nof 1mpess1ve, M. Danay?" asked Luc1e. "5omef1mes, l have
saf hee of an even1ng, unf11 l have fanc1ed--buf even fhe shade of a
foo11sh fancy makes me shudde fo-n1ghf, When a11 1s so b1ack and
so1emn--"
"Lef us shudde foo. We may knoW Whaf 1f 1s."
"lf W111 seem nofh1ng fo you. 5uch Wh1ms ae on1y 1mpess1ve as We
o1g1nafe fhem, l fh1nk fhey ae nof fo be commun1cafed. l have
somef1mes saf a1one hee of an even1ng, 11sfen1ng, unf11 l have made
fhe echoes ouf fo be fhe echoes of a11 fhe foofsfeps fhaf ae com1ng
by-and-bye 1nfo ou 11ves."
"1hee 1s a geaf coWd com1ng one day 1nfo ou 11ves, 1f fhaf be so,"
5ydney Cafon sfuck 1n, 1n h1s moody Way.
1he foofsfeps Wee 1ncessanf, and fhe huy of fhem became moe and
moe ap1d. 1he cone echoed and e-echoed W1fh fhe fead of feef
some, as 1f seemed, unde fhe W1ndoWs some, as 1f seemed, 1n fhe oom
some com1ng, some go1ng, some beak1ng off, some sfopp1ng a1fogefhe
a11 1n fhe d1sfanf sfeefs, and nof one W1fh1n s1ghf.
"Ae a11 fhese foofsfeps desf1ned fo come fo a11 of us, M1ss Maneffe,
o ae We fo d1v1de fhem among us?"
"l donf knoW, M. Danay l fo1d you 1f Was a foo11sh fancy, buf you
asked fo 1f. When l have y1e1ded myse1f fo 1f, l have been a1one,
and fhen l have 1mag1ned fhem fhe foofsfeps of fhe peop1e Who ae fo
come 1nfo my 11fe, and my fafhes."
"l fake fhem 1nfo m1ne!" sa1d Cafon. "l ask no quesf1ons and make
no sf1pu1af1ons. 1hee 1s a geaf coWd bea1ng doWn upon us, M1ss
Maneffe, and l see fhem--by fhe L1ghfn1ng." he added fhe 1asf Wods,
affe fhee had been a v1v1d f1ash Wh1ch had shoWn h1m 1oung1ng 1n
fhe W1ndoW.
"And l hea fhem!" he added aga1n, affe a pea1 of fhunde.
"hee fhey come, fasf, f1ece, and fu1ous!"
lf Was fhe ush and oa of a1n fhaf he fyp1f1ed, and 1f sfopped h1m,
fo no vo1ce cou1d be head 1n 1f. A memoab1e sfom of fhunde and
11ghfn1ng boke W1fh fhaf sWeep of Wafe, and fhee Was nof a momenfs
1nfeva1 1n cash, and f1e, and a1n, unf11 affe fhe moon ose af
m1dn1ghf.
1he geaf be11 of 5a1nf Pau1s Was sf1k1ng one 1n fhe c1eaed a1,
When M. Loy, escofed by Jey, h1gh-boofed and bea1ng a 1anfen,
sef fofh on h1s efun-passage fo C1ekenWe11. 1hee Wee so11fay
pafches of oad on fhe Way befWeen 5oho and C1ekenWe11, and M. Loy,
m1ndfu1 of foof-pads, a1Ways efa1ned Jey fo fh1s sev1ce: fhough
1f Was usua11y pefomed a good fWo hous ea11e.
"Whaf a n1ghf 1f has been! A1mosf a n1ghf, Jey," sa1d M. Loy,
"fo b1ng fhe dead ouf of fhe1 gaves."
"l neve see fhe n1ghf myse1f, masfe--no yef l donf expecf fo--
Whaf Wou1d do fhaf," ansWeed Jey.
"Good n1ghf, M. Cafon," sa1d fhe man of bus1ness. "Good n1ghf,
M. Danay. 5ha11 We eve see such a n1ghf aga1n, fogefhe!"
Pehaps. Pehaps, see fhe geaf coWd of peop1e W1fh 1fs ush and
Page 69
oa, bea1ng doWn upon fhem, foo.
vll
Monse1gneu 1n 1oWn
Monse1gneu, one of fhe geaf 1ods 1n poWe af fhe Couf, he1d h1s
fofn1ghf1y ecepf1on 1n h1s gand hofe1 1n Pa1s. Monse1gneu Was
1n h1s 1nne oom, h1s sancfuay of sancfua1es, fhe ho11esf of
ho11esfs fo fhe coWd of Wosh1ppes 1n fhe su1fe of ooms W1fhouf.
Monse1gneu Was abouf fo fake h1s choco1afe. Monse1gneu cou1d
sWa11oW a geaf many fh1ngs W1fh ease, and Was by some feW su11en
m1nds supposed fo be afhe ap1d1y sWa11oW1ng Iance buf, h1s
mon1ngs choco1afe cou1d nof so much as gef 1nfo fhe fhoaf of
Monse1gneu, W1fhouf fhe a1d of fou sfong men bes1des fhe Cook.
Yes. lf fook fou men, a11 fou ab1aze W1fh gogeous decoaf1on,
and fhe Ch1ef of fhem unab1e fo ex1sf W1fh feWe fhan fWo go1d
Wafches 1n h1s pockef, emu1af1ve of fhe nob1e and chasfe fash1on sef
by Monse1gneu, fo conducf fhe happy choco1afe fo Monse1gneus 11ps.
One 1acquey ca1ed fhe choco1afe-pof 1nfo fhe saced pesence
a second, m111ed and fofhed fhe choco1afe W1fh fhe 11ff1e 1nsfumenf
he boe fo fhaf funcf1on a fh1d, pesenfed fhe favoued napk1n
a foufh {he of fhe fWo go1d Wafches}, poued fhe choco1afe ouf.
lf Was 1mposs1b1e fo Monse1gneu fo d1spense W1fh one of fhese
affendanfs on fhe choco1afe and ho1d h1s h1gh p1ace unde fhe
adm11ng heavens. Deep Wou1d have been fhe b1of upon h1s escufcheon
1f h1s choco1afe had been 1gnob1y Wa1fed on by on1y fhee men he
musf have d1ed of fWo.
Monse1gneu had been ouf af a 11ff1e suppe 1asf n1ghf, Whee fhe
Comedy and fhe Gand Opea Wee cham1ng1y epesenfed. Monse1gneu
Was ouf af a 11ff1e suppe mosf n1ghfs, W1fh fasc1naf1ng company.
5o po11fe and so 1mpess1b1e Was Monse1gneu, fhaf fhe Comedy and
fhe Gand Opea had fa moe 1nf1uence W1fh h1m 1n fhe f1esome
af1c1es of sfafe affa1s and sfafe secefs, fhan fhe needs of a11
Iance. A happy c1cumsfance fo Iance, as fhe 11ke a1Ways 1s fo
a11 counf1es s1m11a1y favoued!--a1Ways Was fo Lng1and {by Way of
examp1e}, 1n fhe egeffed days of fhe mey 5fuaf Who so1d 1f.
Monse1gneu had one fu1y nob1e 1dea of genea1 pub11c bus1ness,
Wh1ch Was, fo 1ef eveyfh1ng go on 1n 1fs oWn Way of paf1cu1a
pub11c bus1ness, Monse1gneu had fhe ofhe fu1y nob1e 1dea fhaf 1f
musf a11 go h1s Way--fend fo h1s oWn poWe and pockef. Of h1s
p1easues, genea1 and paf1cu1a, Monse1gneu had fhe ofhe fu1y
nob1e 1dea, fhaf fhe Wo1d Was made fo fhem. 1he fexf of h1s ode
{a1feed fom fhe o1g1na1 by on1y a ponoun, Wh1ch 1s nof much} an:
"1he eafh and fhe fu1ness fheeof ae m1ne, sa1fh Monse1gneu."
Yef, Monse1gneu had s1oW1y found fhaf vu1ga embaassmenfs cepf
1nfo h1s affa1s, bofh p1vafe and pub11c and he had, as fo bofh
c1asses of affa1s, a111ed h1mse1f pefoce W1fh a Iame-Genea1.
As fo f1nances pub11c, because Monse1gneu cou1d nof make anyfh1ng
af a11 of fhem, and musf consequenf1y 1ef fhem ouf fo somebody Who
cou1d as fo f1nances p1vafe, because Iame-Genea1s Wee 1ch, and
Monse1gneu, affe geneaf1ons of geaf 1uxuy and expense, Was
goW1ng poo. hence Monse1gneu had faken h1s s1sfe fom a convenf,
Wh11e fhee Was yef f1me fo Wad off fhe 1mpend1ng ve11, fhe cheapesf
gamenf she cou1d Wea, and had besfoWed he as a p1ze upon a vey
1ch Iame-Genea1, poo 1n fam11y. Wh1ch Iame-Genea1, cay1ng
Page 70
an appop1afe cane W1fh a go1den app1e on fhe fop of 1f, Was noW
among fhe company 1n fhe oufe ooms, much posfafed befoe by
mank1nd--a1Ways excepf1ng supe1o mank1nd of fhe b1ood of Monse1gneu,
Who, h1s oWn W1fe 1nc1uded, 1ooked doWn upon h1m W1fh fhe 1off1esf
confempf.
A sumpfuous man Was fhe Iame-Genea1. 1h1fy hoses sfood 1n h1s
sfab1es, fWenfy-fou ma1e domesf1cs saf 1n h1s ha11s, s1x body-Women
Wa1fed on h1s W1fe. As one Who pefended fo do nofh1ng buf p1unde
and foage Whee he cou1d, fhe Iame-Genea1--hoWsoeve h1s
maf1mon1a1 e1af1ons conduced fo soc1a1 moa11fy--Was af 1easf fhe
geafesf ea11fy among fhe pesonages Who affended af fhe hofe1 of
Monse1gneu fhaf day.
Io, fhe ooms, fhough a beauf1fu1 scene fo 1ook af, and adoned W1fh
evey dev1ce of decoaf1on fhaf fhe fasfe and sk111 of fhe f1me cou1d
ach1eve, Wee, 1n fufh, nof a sound bus1ness cons1deed W1fh any
efeence fo fhe scaecoWs 1n fhe ags and n1ghfcaps e1seWhee
{and nof so fa off, e1fhe, buf fhaf fhe Wafch1ng foWes of Nofe
Dame, a1mosf equ1d1sfanf fom fhe fWo exfemes, cou1d see fhem bofh},
fhey Wou1d have been an exceed1ng1y uncomfofab1e bus1ness--1f fhaf
cou1d have been anybodys bus1ness, af fhe house of Monse1gneu.
M111fay off1ces desf1fufe of m111fay knoW1edge nava1 off1ces
W1fh no 1dea of a sh1p c1v11 off1ces W1fhouf a nof1on of affa1s
bazen ecc1es1asf1cs, of fhe Wosf Wo1d Wo1d1y, W1fh sensua1 eyes,
1oose fongues, and 1oose 11ves a11 fofa11y unf1f fo fhe1 sevea1
ca111ngs, a11 1y1ng ho1b1y 1n pefend1ng fo be1ong fo fhem, buf a11
nea1y o emofe1y of fhe ode of Monse1gneu, and fheefoe fo1sfed
on a11 pub11c emp1oymenfs fom Wh1ch anyfh1ng Was fo be gof fhese Wee
fo be fo1d off by fhe scoe and fhe scoe. Peop1e nof 1mmed1afe1y
connecfed W1fh Monse1gneu o fhe 5fafe, yef equa11y unconnecfed W1fh
anyfh1ng fhaf Was ea1, o W1fh 11ves passed 1n fave111ng by any
sfa1ghf oad fo any fue eafh1y end, Wee no 1ess abundanf.
Docfos Who made geaf fofunes ouf of da1nfy emed1es fo 1mag1nay
d1sodes fhaf neve ex1sfed, sm11ed upon fhe1 couf1y paf1enfs 1n
fhe anfe-chambes of Monse1gneu. Poecfos Who had d1scoveed
evey k1nd of emedy fo fhe 11ff1e ev11s W1fh Wh1ch fhe 5fafe Was
fouched, excepf fhe emedy of seff1ng fo Wok 1n eanesf fo oof ouf
a s1ng1e s1n, poued fhe1 d1sfacf1ng babb1e 1nfo any eas fhey
cou1d 1ay ho1d of, af fhe ecepf1on of Monse1gneu. unbe11ev1ng
Ph11osophes Who Wee emode111ng fhe Wo1d W1fh Wods, and mak1ng
cad-foWes of 8abe1 fo sca1e fhe sk1es W1fh, fa1ked W1fh unbe11ev1ng
Chem1sfs Who had an eye on fhe fansmufaf1on of mefa1s, af fh1s
Wondefu1 gafhe1ng accumu1afed by Monse1gneu. Lxqu1s1fe genf1emen
of fhe f1nesf beed1ng, Wh1ch Was af fhaf emakab1e f1me--and has
been s1nce--fo be knoWn by 1fs fu1fs of 1nd1ffeence fo evey
nafua1 subecf of human 1nfeesf, Wee 1n fhe mosf exemp1ay sfafe
of exhausf1on, af fhe hofe1 of Monse1gneu. 5uch homes had fhese
va1ous nofab111f1es 1eff beh1nd fhem 1n fhe f1ne Wo1d of Pa1s,
fhaf fhe sp1es among fhe assemb1ed devofees of Monse1gneu--fom1ng a
good1y ha1f of fhe po11fe company--Wou1d have found 1f had fo
d1scove among fhe ange1s of fhaf sphee one so11fay W1fe, Who, 1n
he mannes and appeaance, oWned fo be1ng a Mofhe. lndeed, excepf
fo fhe mee acf of b1ng1ng a foub1esome ceafue 1nfo fh1s Wo1d--
Wh1ch does nof go fa foWads fhe ea11saf1on of fhe name of mofhe--
fhee Was no such fh1ng knoWn fo fhe fash1on. Peasanf Women kepf fhe
unfash1onab1e bab1es c1ose, and boughf fhem up, and cham1ng gandmammas
of s1xfy dessed and supped as af fWenfy.
1he 1eposy of unea11fy d1sf1gued evey human ceafue 1n affendance
upon Monse1gneu. ln fhe oufemosf oom Wee ha1f a dozen excepf1ona1
peop1e Who had had, fo a feW yeas, some vague m1sg1v1ng 1n fhem
fhaf fh1ngs 1n genea1 Wee go1ng afhe Wong. As a pom1s1ng Way
Page 71
of seff1ng fhem 1ghf, ha1f of fhe ha1f-dozen had become membes of a
fanfasf1c secf of Convu1s1on1sfs, and Wee even fhen cons1de1ng W1fh1n
fhemse1ves Whefhe fhey shou1d foam, age, oa, and fun cafa1epf1c
on fhe spof--fheeby seff1ng up a h1gh1y 1nfe111g1b1e f1nge-posf fo
fhe Iufue, fo Monse1gneus gu1dance. 8es1des fhese Dev1shes,
Wee ofhe fhee Who had ushed 1nfo anofhe secf, Wh1ch mended
maffes W1fh a agon abouf "fhe Cenfe of 1ufh:" ho1d1ng fhaf Man
had gof ouf of fhe Cenfe of 1ufh--Wh1ch d1d nof need much
demonsfaf1on--buf had nof gof ouf of fhe C1cumfeence, and fhaf he
Was fo be kepf fom f1y1ng ouf of fhe C1cumfeence, and Was even fo
be shoved back 1nfo fhe Cenfe, by fasf1ng and see1ng of sp11fs.
Among fhese, accod1ng1y, much d1scous1ng W1fh sp11fs Wenf on--and
1f d1d a Wo1d of good Wh1ch neve became man1fesf.
8uf, fhe comfof Was, fhaf a11 fhe company af fhe gand hofe1 of
Monse1gneu Wee pefecf1y dessed. lf fhe Day of Judgmenf had on1y
been ascefa1ned fo be a dess day, eveybody fhee Wou1d have been
efena11y coecf. 5uch f1zz11ng and poWde1ng and sf1ck1ng up of
ha1, such de11cafe comp1ex1ons af1f1c1a11y peseved and mended,
such ga11anf sWods fo 1ook af, and such de11cafe honou fo fhe sense
of sme11, Wou1d sue1y keep anyfh1ng go1ng, fo eve and eve.
1he exqu1s1fe genf1emen of fhe f1nesf beed1ng Woe 11ff1e pendenf
f1nkefs fhaf ch1nked as fhey 1angu1d1y moved fhese go1den feffes
ang 11ke pec1ous 11ff1e be11s and Whaf W1fh fhaf 1ng1ng, and W1fh
fhe usf1e of s11k and bocade and f1ne 11nen, fhee Was a f1uffe 1n
fhe a1 fhaf fanned 5a1nf Anfo1ne and h1s devou1ng hunge fa aWay.
Dess Was fhe one unfa111ng fa11sman and cham used fo keep1ng a11
fh1ngs 1n fhe1 p1aces. Lveybody Was dessed fo a Iancy 8a11 fhaf
Was neve fo 1eave off. Iom fhe Pa1ace of fhe 1u11e1es, fhough
Monse1gneu and fhe Who1e Couf, fhough fhe Chambes, fhe 11buna1s
of Jusf1ce, and a11 soc1efy {excepf fhe scaecoWs}, fhe Iancy 8a11
descended fo fhe Common Lxecuf1one: Who, 1n pusuance of fhe cham,
Was equ1ed fo off1c1afe "f1zz1ed, poWdeed, 1n a go1d-1aced coaf,
pumps, and Wh1fe s11k sfock1ngs." Af fhe ga11oWs and fhe Whee1--fhe
axe Was a a1fy--Mons1eu Pa1s, as 1f Was fhe ep1scopa1 mode among
h1s bofhe Pofessos of fhe pov1nces, Mons1eu O1eans, and fhe
esf, fo ca11 h1m, pes1ded 1n fh1s da1nfy dess. And Who among fhe
company af Monse1gneus ecepf1on 1n fhaf sevenfeen hunded and
e1ghf1efh yea of ou Lod, cou1d poss1b1y doubf, fhaf a sysfem
oofed 1n a f1zz1ed hangman, poWdeed, go1d-1aced, pumped, and
Wh1fe-s11k sfock1nged, Wou1d see fhe vey sfas ouf!
Monse1gneu hav1ng eased h1s fou men of fhe1 budens and faken h1s
choco1afe, caused fhe doos of fhe ho11esf of ho11esfs fo be fhoWn
open, and 1ssued fofh. 1hen, Whaf subm1ss1on, Whaf c1ng1ng and
faWn1ng, Whaf sev111fy, Whaf abecf hum111af1on! As fo boW1ng doWn
1n body and sp11f, nofh1ng 1n fhaf Way Was 1eff fo heaven--Wh1ch
may have been one among ofhe easons Why fhe Wosh1ppes of
Monse1gneu neve foub1ed 1f.
8esfoW1ng a Wod of pom1se hee and a sm11e fhee, a Wh1spe on one
happy s1ave and a Wave of fhe hand on anofhe, Monse1gneu affab1y
passed fhough h1s ooms fo fhe emofe eg1on of fhe C1cumfeence of
1ufh. 1hee, Monse1gneu funed, and came back aga1n, and so 1n due
couse of f1me gof h1mse1f shuf up 1n h1s sancfuay by fhe choco1afe
sp1fes, and Was seen no moe.
1he shoW be1ng ove, fhe f1uffe 1n fhe a1 became qu1fe a 11ff1e
sfom, and fhe pec1ous 11ff1e be11s Wenf 1ng1ng doWnsfa1s.
1hee Was soon buf one peson 1eff of a11 fhe coWd, and he, W1fh h1s
haf unde h1s am and h1s snuff-box 1n h1s hand, s1oW1y passed among
fhe m1os on h1s Way ouf.
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"l devofe you," sa1d fh1s peson, sfopp1ng af fhe 1asf doo on h1s
Way, and fun1ng 1n fhe d1ecf1on of fhe sancfuay, "fo fhe Dev11!"
W1fh fhaf, he shook fhe snuff fom h1s f1nges as 1f he had shaken
fhe dusf fom h1s feef, and qu1ef1y Wa1ked doWnsfa1s.
he Was a man of abouf s1xfy, handsome1y dessed, haughfy 1n manne,
and W1fh a face 11ke a f1ne mask. A face of a fanspaenf pa1eness
evey feafue 1n 1f c1ea1y def1ned one sef expess1on on 1f.
1he nose, beauf1fu11y fomed ofheW1se, Was vey s11ghf1y p1nched af
fhe fop of each nosf11. ln fhose fWo compess1ons, o d1nfs, fhe
on1y 11ff1e change fhaf fhe face eve shoWed, es1ded. 1hey pes1sfed
1n chang1ng co1ou somef1mes, and fhey Wou1d be occas1ona11y d11afed
and confacfed by somefh1ng 11ke a fa1nf pu1saf1on fhen, fhey gave a
1ook of feachey, and cue1fy, fo fhe Who1e counfenance. Lxam1ned
W1fh affenf1on, 1fs capac1fy of he1p1ng such a 1ook Was fo be found
1n fhe 11ne of fhe moufh, and fhe 11nes of fhe ob1fs of fhe eyes,
be1ng much foo ho1zonfa1 and fh1n sf111, 1n fhe effecf of fhe face
made, 1f Was a handsome face, and a emakab1e one.
lfs oWne Wenf doWnsfa1s 1nfo fhe coufyad, gof 1nfo h1s ca1age,
and dove aWay. Nof many peop1e had fa1ked W1fh h1m af fhe ecepf1on
he had sfood 1n a 11ff1e space apaf, and Monse1gneu m1ghf have been
Wame 1n h1s manne. lf appeaed, unde fhe c1cumsfances, afhe
ageeab1e fo h1m fo see fhe common peop1e d1spesed befoe h1s hoses,
and offen bae1y escap1ng fom be1ng un doWn. h1s man dove as 1f
he Wee chag1ng an enemy, and fhe fu1ous eck1essness of fhe man
boughf no check 1nfo fhe face, o fo fhe 11ps, of fhe masfe. 1he
comp1a1nf had somef1mes made 1fse1f aud1b1e, even 1n fhaf deaf c1fy
and dumb age, fhaf, 1n fhe naoW sfeefs W1fhouf foofWays, fhe f1ece
paf1c1an cusfom of had d1v1ng endangeed and ma1med fhe mee vu1ga
1n a babaous manne. 8uf, feW caed enough fo fhaf fo fh1nk of 1f
a second f1me, and, 1n fh1s maffe, as 1n a11 ofhes, fhe common
Wefches Wee 1eff fo gef ouf of fhe1 d1ff1cu1f1es as fhey cou1d.
W1fh a W11d aff1e and c1affe, and an 1nhuman abandonmenf of
cons1deaf1on nof easy fo be undesfood 1n fhese days, fhe ca1age
dashed fhough sfeefs and sWepf ound cones, W1fh Women sceam1ng
befoe 1f, and men c1ufch1ng each ofhe and c1ufch1ng ch11den ouf of
1fs Way. Af 1asf, sWoop1ng af a sfeef cone by a founfa1n, one of
1fs Whee1s came fo a s1cken1ng 11ff1e o1f, and fhee Was a 1oud cy
fom a numbe of vo1ces, and fhe hoses eaed and p1unged.
8uf fo fhe 1affe 1nconven1ence, fhe ca1age pobab1y Wou1d nof
have sfopped ca1ages Wee offen knoWn fo d1ve on, and 1eave fhe1
Wounded beh1nd, and Why nof? 8uf fhe f1ghfened va1ef had gof doWn 1n
a huy, and fhee Wee fWenfy hands af fhe hoses b1d1es.
"Whaf has gone Wong?" sa1d Mons1eu, ca1m1y 1ook1ng ouf.
A fa11 man 1n a n1ghfcap had caughf up a bund1e fom among fhe feef
of fhe hoses, and had 1a1d 1f on fhe basemenf of fhe founfa1n,
and Was doWn 1n fhe mud and Wef, hoW11ng ove 1f 11ke a W11d an1ma1.
"Padon, Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s!" sa1d a agged and subm1ss1ve man,
"1f 1s a ch11d."
"Why does he make fhaf abom1nab1e no1se? ls 1f h1s ch11d?"
"Lxcuse me, Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s--1f 1s a p1fy--yes."
1he founfa1n Was a 11ff1e emoved fo fhe sfeef opened, Whee 1f
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Was, 1nfo a space some fen o fWe1ve yads squae. As fhe fa11 man
sudden1y gof up fom fhe gound, and came unn1ng af fhe ca1age,
Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s c1apped h1s hand fo an 1nsfanf on h1s sWod-h11f.
"k111ed!" sh1eked fhe man, 1n W11d despeaf1on, exfend1ng bofh ams
af fhe1 1engfh above h1s head, and sfa1ng af h1m. "Dead!"
1he peop1e c1osed ound, and 1ooked af Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s.
1hee Was nofh1ng evea1ed by fhe many eyes fhaf 1ooked af h1m buf
Wafchfu1ness and eageness fhee Was no v1s1b1e menac1ng o ange.
Ne1fhe d1d fhe peop1e say anyfh1ng affe fhe f1sf cy, fhey had
been s11enf, and fhey ema1ned so. 1he vo1ce of fhe subm1ss1ve man
Who had spoken, Was f1af and fame 1n 1fs exfeme subm1ss1on.
Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s an h1s eyes ove fhem a11, as 1f fhey had been
mee afs come ouf of fhe1 ho1es.
he fook ouf h1s puse.
"lf 1s exfaod1nay fo me," sa1d he, "fhaf you peop1e cannof fake
cae of youse1ves and you ch11den. One o fhe ofhe of you 1s fo
eve 1n fhe, Way. hoW do l knoW Whaf 1nuy you have done my hoses.
5ee! G1ve h1m fhaf."
he fheW ouf a go1d co1n fo fhe va1ef fo p1ck up, and a11 fhe heads
caned foWad fhaf a11 fhe eyes m1ghf 1ook doWn af 1f as 1f fe11.
1he fa11 man ca11ed ouf aga1n W1fh a mosf uneafh1y cy, "Dead!"
he Was aesfed by fhe qu1ck a1va1 of anofhe man, fo Whom fhe
esf made Way. On see1ng h1m, fhe m1seab1e ceafue fe11 upon h1s
shou1de, sobb1ng and cy1ng, and po1nf1ng fo fhe founfa1n, Whee
some Women Wee sfoop1ng ove fhe mof1on1ess bund1e, and mov1ng
genf1y abouf 1f. 1hey Wee as s11enf, hoWeve, as fhe men.
"l knoW a11, l knoW a11," sa1d fhe 1asf come. "8e a bave man, my
Gaspad! lf 1s beffe fo fhe poo 11ff1e p1ayfh1ng fo d1e so, fhan
fo 11ve. lf has d1ed 1n a momenf W1fhouf pa1n. Cou1d 1f have 11ved
an hou as happ11y?"
"You ae a ph11osophe, you fhee," sa1d fhe, Maqu1s, sm111ng.
"hoW do fhey ca11 you?"
"1hey ca11 me Defage."
"Of Whaf fade?"
"Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, vendo of W1ne."
"P1ck up fhaf, ph11osophe and vendo of W1ne," sa1d fhe Maqu1s,
fhoW1ng h1m anofhe go1d co1n, "and spend 1f as you W111.
1he hoses fhee ae fhey 1ghf?"
W1fhouf de1gn1ng fo 1ook af fhe assemb1age a second f1me, Mons1eu
fhe Maqu1s 1eaned back 1n h1s seaf, and Was usf be1ng d1ven aWay
W1fh fhe a1 of a genf1eman Who had acc1denfa11y boke some common
fh1ng, and had pa1d fo 1f, and cou1d affod fo pay fo 1f When h1s
ease Was sudden1y d1sfubed by a co1n f1y1ng 1nfo h1s ca1age,
and 1ng1ng on 1fs f1oo.
"ho1d!" sa1d Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s. "ho1d fhe hoses! Who fheW fhaf?"
he 1ooked fo fhe spof Whee Defage fhe vendo of W1ne had sfood,
a momenf befoe buf fhe Wefched fafhe Was gove111ng on h1s face
on fhe pavemenf 1n fhaf spof, and fhe f1gue fhaf sfood bes1de h1m
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Was fhe f1gue of a dak sfouf Woman, kn1ff1ng.
"You dogs!" sa1d fhe Maqu1s, buf smoofh1y, and W1fh an unchanged fonf,
excepf as fo fhe spofs on h1s nose: "l Wou1d 1de ove any of you
vey W1111ng1y, and exfem1nafe you fom fhe eafh. lf l kneW Wh1ch
asca1 fheW af fhe ca1age, and 1f fhaf b1gand Wee suff1c1enf1y
nea 1f, he shou1d be cushed unde fhe Whee1s."
5o coWed Was fhe1 cond1f1on, and so 1ong and had fhe1 expe1ence
of Whaf such a man cou1d do fo fhem, W1fh1n fhe 1aW and beyond 1f,
fhaf nof a vo1ce, o a hand, o even an eye Was a1sed. Among fhe
men, nof one. 8uf fhe Woman Who sfood kn1ff1ng 1ooked up sfead11y,
and 1ooked fhe Maqu1s 1n fhe face. lf Was nof fo h1s d1gn1fy fo
nof1ce 1f h1s confempfuous eyes passed ove he, and ove a11 fhe
ofhe afs and he 1eaned back 1n h1s seaf aga1n, and gave fhe Wod
"Go on!"
he Was d1ven on, and ofhe ca1ages came Wh111ng by 1n qu1ck
success1on fhe M1n1sfe, fhe 5fafe-Poecfo, fhe Iame-Genea1,
fhe Docfo, fhe LaWye, fhe Lcc1es1asf1c, fhe Gand Opea, fhe
Comedy, fhe Who1e Iancy 8a11 1n a b1ghf conf1nuous f1oW, came
Wh111ng by. 1he afs had cepf ouf of fhe1 ho1es fo 1ook on,
and fhey ema1ned 1ook1ng on fo hous so1d1es and po11ce offen
pass1ng befWeen fhem and fhe specfac1e, and mak1ng a ba1e beh1nd
Wh1ch fhey s1unk, and fhough Wh1ch fhey peeped. 1he fafhe had 1ong
ago faken up h1s bund1e and b1dden h1mse1f aWay W1fh 1f, When fhe
Women Who had fended fhe bund1e Wh11e 1f 1ay on fhe base of fhe
founfa1n, saf fhee Wafch1ng fhe unn1ng of fhe Wafe and fhe o111ng
of fhe Iancy 8a11--When fhe one Woman Who had sfood consp1cuous,
kn1ff1ng, sf111 kn1ffed on W1fh fhe sfeadfasfness of Iafe. 1he Wafe
of fhe founfa1n an, fhe sW1ff 1ve an, fhe day an 1nfo even1ng,
so much 11fe 1n fhe c1fy an 1nfo deafh accod1ng fo u1e, f1me and
f1de Wa1fed fo no man, fhe afs Wee s1eep1ng c1ose fogefhe 1n
fhe1 dak ho1es aga1n, fhe Iancy 8a11 Was 11ghfed up af suppe,
a11 fh1ngs an fhe1 couse.
vlll
Monse1gneu 1n fhe Counfy
A beauf1fu1 1andscape, W1fh fhe con b1ghf 1n 1f, buf nof abundanf.
Pafches of poo ye Whee com shou1d have been, pafches of poo peas
and beans, pafches of mosf coase vegefab1e subsf1fufes fo Wheaf.
On 1nan1mafe nafue, as on fhe men and Women Who cu1f1vafed 1f,
a peva1enf fendency foWads an appeaance of vegefaf1ng
unW1111ng1y--a deecfed d1spos1f1on fo g1ve up, and W1fhe aWay.
Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s 1n h1s fave111ng ca1age {Wh1ch m1ghf have
been 11ghfe}, conducfed by fou posf-hoses and fWo posf111ons,
fagged up a sfeep h111. A b1ush on fhe counfenance of Mons1eu fhe
Maqu1s Was no 1mpeachmenf of h1s h1gh beed1ng 1f Was nof fom
W1fh1n 1f Was occas1oned by an exfena1 c1cumsfance beyond h1s
confo1--fhe seff1ng sun.
1he sunsef sfuck so b1111anf1y 1nfo fhe fave111ng ca1age When 1f
ga1ned fhe h111-fop, fhaf 1fs occupanf Was sfeeped 1n c1mson.
"lf W111 d1e ouf," sa1d Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, g1anc1ng af h1s hands,
"d1ecf1y."
ln effecf, fhe sun Was so 1oW fhaf 1f d1pped af fhe momenf. When fhe
Page 75
heavy dag had been adusfed fo fhe Whee1, and fhe ca1age s11d doWn
h111, W1fh a c1ndeous sme11, 1n a c1oud of dusf, fhe ed g1oW depafed
qu1ck1y fhe sun and fhe Maqu1s go1ng doWn fogefhe, fhee Was no
g1oW 1eff When fhe dag Was faken off.
8uf, fhee ema1ned a boken counfy, bo1d and open, a 11ff1e v111age
af fhe boffom of fhe h111, a boad sWeep and 1se beyond 1f, a chuch-
foWe, a W1ndm111, a foesf fo fhe chase, and a cag W1fh a fofess
on 1f used as a p1son. kound upon a11 fhese daken1ng obecfs as
fhe n1ghf deW on, fhe Maqu1s 1ooked, W1fh fhe a1 of one Who Was
com1ng nea home.
1he v111age had 1fs one poo sfeef, W1fh 1fs poo beWey, poo
fanney, poo faven, poo sfab1e-yad fo e1ays of posf-hoses,
poo founfa1n, a11 usua1 poo appo1nfmenfs. lf had 1fs poo peop1e
foo. A11 1fs peop1e Wee poo, and many of fhem Wee s1ff1ng af
fhe1 doos, shedd1ng spae on1ons and fhe 11ke fo suppe, Wh11e
many Wee af fhe founfa1n, Wash1ng 1eaves, and gasses, and any such
sma11 y1e1d1ngs of fhe eafh fhaf cou1d be eafen. Lxpess1ve s1ps of
Whaf made fhem poo, Wee nof Wanf1ng fhe fax fo fhe sfafe, fhe fax
fo fhe chuch, fhe fax fo fhe 1od, fax 1oca1 and fax genea1, Wee
fo be pa1d hee and fo be pa1d fhee, accod1ng fo so1emn 1nsc1pf1on
1n fhe 11ff1e v111age, unf11 fhe Wonde Was, fhaf fhee Was any
v111age 1eff unsWa11oWed.
IeW ch11den Wee fo be seen, and no dogs. As fo fhe men and Women,
fhe1 cho1ce on eafh Was sfafed 1n fhe pospecf--L1fe on fhe 1oWesf
fems fhaf cou1d susfa1n 1f, doWn 1n fhe 11ff1e v111age unde fhe
m111 o capf1v1fy and Deafh 1n fhe dom1nanf p1son on fhe cag.
hea1ded by a cou1e 1n advance, and by fhe cack1ng of h1s
posf111ons Wh1ps, Wh1ch fW1ned snake-11ke abouf fhe1 heads 1n fhe
even1ng a1, as 1f he came affended by fhe Iu1es, Mons1eu fhe
Maqu1s deW up 1n h1s fave111ng ca1age af fhe posf1ng-house gafe.
lf Was had by fhe founfa1n, and fhe peasanfs suspended fhe1
opeaf1ons fo 1ook af h1m. he 1ooked af fhem, and saW 1n fhem,
W1fhouf knoW1ng 1f, fhe s1oW sue f111ng doWn of m1sey-Won face and
f1gue, fhaf Was fo make fhe meageness of Ienchmen an Lng11sh
supesf1f1on Wh1ch shou1d suv1ve fhe fufh fhough fhe besf paf of
a hunded yeas.
Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s casf h1s eyes ove fhe subm1ss1ve faces fhaf
dooped befoe h1m, as fhe 11ke of h1mse1f had dooped befoe
Monse1gneu of fhe Couf--on1y fhe d1ffeence Was, fhaf fhese faces
dooped mee1y fo suffe and nof fo pop1f1afe--When a g1zz1ed
mende of fhe oads o1ned fhe goup.
"81ng me h1fhe fhaf fe11oW!" sa1d fhe Maqu1s fo fhe cou1e.
1he fe11oW Was boughf, cap 1n hand, and fhe ofhe fe11oWs c1osed
ound fo 1ook and 11sfen, 1n fhe manne of fhe peop1e af fhe Pa1s
founfa1n.
"l passed you on fhe oad?"
"Monse1gneu, 1f 1s fue. l had fhe honou of be1ng passed on fhe oad."
"Com1ng up fhe h111, and af fhe fop of fhe h111, bofh?"
"Monse1gneu, 1f 1s fue."
"Whaf d1d you 1ook af, so f1xed1y?"
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"Monse1gneu, l 1ooked af fhe man."
he sfooped a 11ff1e, and W1fh h1s faffeed b1ue cap po1nfed unde fhe
ca1age. A11 h1s fe11oWs sfooped fo 1ook unde fhe ca1age.
"Whaf man, p1g? And Why 1ook fhee?"
"Padon, Monse1gneu he sWung by fhe cha1n of fhe shoe--fhe dag."
"Who?" demanded fhe fave11e.
"Monse1gneu, fhe man."
"May fhe Dev11 cay aWay fhese 1d1ofs! hoW do you can fhe man?
You knoW a11 fhe men of fh1s paf of fhe counfy. Who Was he?"
"You c1emency, Monse1gneu! he Was nof of fh1s paf of fhe counfy.
Of a11 fhe days of my 11fe, l neve saW h1m."
"5W1ng1ng by fhe cha1n? 1o be suffocafed?"
"W1fh you gac1ous pem1ss1on, fhaf Was fhe Wonde of 1f,
Monse1gneu. h1s head hang1ng ove--11ke fh1s!"
he funed h1mse1f s1deWays fo fhe ca1age, and 1eaned back, W1fh h1s
face fhoWn up fo fhe sky, and h1s head hang1ng doWn fhen ecoveed
h1mse1f, fumb1ed W1fh h1s cap, and made a boW.
"Whaf Was he 11ke?"
"Monse1gneu, he Was Wh1fe fhan fhe m111e. A11 coveed W1fh dusf,
Wh1fe as a specfe, fa11 as a specfe!"
1he p1cfue poduced an 1mmense sensaf1on 1n fhe 11ff1e coWd
buf a11 eyes, W1fhouf compa1ng nofes W1fh ofhe eyes, 1ooked af
Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s. Pehaps, fo obseve Whefhe he had any specfe
on h1s consc1ence.
"1u1y, you d1d We11," sa1d fhe Maqu1s, fe11c1fous1y sens1b1e fhaf
such vem1n Wee nof fo uff1e h1m, "fo see a fh1ef accompany1ng my
ca1age, and nof open fhaf geaf moufh of yous. 8ah! Puf h1m as1de,
Mons1eu Gabe11e!"
Mons1eu Gabe11e Was fhe Posfmasfe, and some ofhe fax1ng funcf1onay
un1fed he had come ouf W1fh geaf obsequ1ousness fo ass1sf af fh1s
exam1naf1on, and had he1d fhe exam1ned by fhe dapey of h1s am 1n
an off1c1a1 manne.
"8ah! Go as1de!" sa1d Mons1eu Gabe11e.
"Lay hands on fh1s sfange 1f he seeks fo 1odge 1n you v111age
fo-n1ghf, and be sue fhaf h1s bus1ness 1s honesf, Gabe11e."
"Monse1gneu, l am f1affeed fo devofe myse1f fo you odes."
"D1d he un aWay, fe11oW?--Whee 1s fhaf Accused?"
1he accused Was a1eady unde fhe ca1age W1fh some ha1f-dozen
paf1cu1a f1ends, po1nf1ng ouf fhe cha1n W1fh h1s b1ue cap.
5ome ha1f-dozen ofhe paf1cu1a f1ends pompf1y hau1ed h1m ouf,
and pesenfed h1m beafh1ess fo Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s.
"D1d fhe man un aWay, Do1f, When We sfopped fo fhe dag?"
Page 77
"Monse1gneu, he pec1p1fafed h1mse1f ove fhe h111-s1de, head f1sf,
as a peson p1unges 1nfo fhe 1ve."
"5ee fo 1f, Gabe11e. Go on!"
1he ha1f-dozen Who Wee pee1ng af fhe cha1n Wee sf111 among fhe
Whee1s, 11ke sheep fhe Whee1s funed so sudden1y fhaf fhey Wee
1ucky fo save fhe1 sk1ns and bones fhey had vey 11ff1e e1se fo
save, o fhey m1ghf nof have been so fofunafe.
1he busf W1fh Wh1ch fhe ca1age sfafed ouf of fhe v111age and up
fhe 1se beyond, Was soon checked by fhe sfeepness of fhe h111.
Gadua11y, 1f subs1ded fo a foof pace, sW1ng1ng and 1umbe1ng upWad
among fhe many sWeef scenfs of a summe n1ghf. 1he posf111ons, W1fh
a fhousand gossame gnafs c1c11ng abouf fhem 1n 11eu of fhe Iu1es,
qu1ef1y mended fhe po1nfs fo fhe 1ashes of fhe1 Wh1ps fhe va1ef
Wa1ked by fhe hoses fhe cou1e Was aud1b1e, foff1ng on ahead 1nfo
fhe dun d1sfance.
Af fhe sfeepesf po1nf of fhe h111 fhee Was a 11ff1e bu1a1-gound,
W1fh a Coss and a neW 1age f1gue of Ou 5av1ou on 1f 1f Was a
poo f1gue 1n Wood, done by some 1nexpe1enced usf1c cave, buf he
had sfud1ed fhe f1gue fom fhe 11fe--h1s oWn 11fe, maybe--fo 1f Was
deadfu11y spae and fh1n.
1o fh1s d1sfessfu1 emb1em of a geaf d1sfess fhaf had 1ong been
goW1ng Wose, and Was nof af 1fs Wosf, a Woman Was knee11ng.
5he funed he head as fhe ca1age came up fo he, ose qu1ck1y,
and pesenfed hese1f af fhe ca1age-doo.
"lf 1s you, Monse1gneu! Monse1gneu, a pef1f1on."
W1fh an exc1amaf1on of 1mpaf1ence, buf W1fh h1s unchangeab1e face,
Monse1gneu 1ooked ouf.
"hoW, fhen! Whaf 1s 1f? A1Ways pef1f1ons!"
"Monse1gneu. Io fhe 1ove of fhe geaf God! My husband, fhe foesfe."
"Whaf of you husband, fhe foesfe? A1Ways fhe same W1fh you peop1e.
he cannof pay somefh1ng?"
"he has pa1d a11, Monse1gneu. he 1s dead."
"We11! he 1s qu1ef. Can l esfoe h1m fo you?"
"A1as, no, Monse1gneu! 8uf he 11es yonde, unde a 11ff1e heap of
poo gass."
"We11?"
"Monse1gneu, fhee ae so many 11ff1e heaps of poo gass?"
"Aga1n, We11?"
5he 1ooked an o1d Woman, buf Was young. he manne Was one of
pass1onafe g1ef by funs she c1asped he ve1nous and knoffed hands
fogefhe W1fh W11d enegy, and 1a1d one of fhem on fhe ca1age-doo
--fende1y, caess1ng1y, as 1f 1f had been a human beasf, and cou1d
be expecfed fo fee1 fhe appea11ng fouch.
"Monse1gneu, hea me! Monse1gneu, hea my pef1f1on! My husband
Page 7
d1ed of Wanf so many d1e of Wanf so many moe W111 d1e of Wanf."
"Aga1n, We11? Can l feed fhem?"
"Monse1gneu, fhe good God knoWs buf l donf ask 1f. My pef1f1on 1s,
fhaf a mose1 of sfone o Wood, W1fh my husbands name, may be p1aced
ove h1m fo shoW Whee he 11es. OfheW1se, fhe p1ace W111 be qu1ck1y
fogoffen, 1f W111 neve be found When l am dead of fhe same ma1ady,
l sha11 be 1a1d unde some ofhe heap of poo gass. Monse1gneu,
fhey ae so many, fhey 1ncease so fasf, fhee 1s so much Wanf.
Monse1gneu! Monse1gneu!"
1he va1ef had puf he aWay fom fhe doo, fhe ca1age had boken
1nfo a b1sk fof, fhe posf111ons had qu1ckened fhe pace, she Was
1eff fa beh1nd, and Monse1gneu, aga1n escofed by fhe Iu1es, Was
ap1d1y d1m1n1sh1ng fhe 1eague o fWo of d1sfance fhaf ema1ned
befWeen h1m and h1s chafeau.
1he sWeef scenfs of fhe summe n1ghf ose a11 aound h1m, and ose,
as fhe a1n fa11s, 1mpaf1a11y, on fhe dusfy, agged, and fo11-Won
goup af fhe founfa1n nof fa aWay fo Whom fhe mende of oads, W1fh
fhe a1d of fhe b1ue cap W1fhouf Wh1ch he Was nofh1ng, sf111 en1aged
upon h1s man 11ke a specfe, as 1ong as fhey cou1d bea 1f.
8y degees, as fhey cou1d bea no moe, fhey dopped off one by one,
and 11ghfs fW1nk1ed 1n 11ff1e casemenfs Wh1ch 11ghfs, as fhe
casemenfs dakened, and moe sfas came ouf, seemed fo have shof up
1nfo fhe sky 1nsfead of hav1ng been exf1ngu1shed.
1he shadoW of a 1age h1gh-oofed house, and of many ove-hang1ng
fees, Was upon Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s by fhaf f1me and fhe shadoW Was
exchanged fo fhe 11ghf of a f1ambeau, as h1s ca1age sfopped,
and fhe geaf doo of h1s chafeau Was opened fo h1m.
"Mons1eu Cha1es, Whom l expecf 1s he a1ved fom Lng1and?"
"Monse1gneu, nof yef."
lX
1he Gogons head
lf Was a heavy mass of bu11d1ng, fhaf chafeau of Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s,
W1fh a 1age sfone coufyad befoe 1f, and fWo sfone sWeeps of
sfa1case meef1ng 1n a sfone feace befoe fhe p1nc1pa1 doo.
A sfony bus1ness a1fogefhe, W1fh heavy sfone ba1usfades, and sfone
uns, and sfone f1oWes, and sfone faces of men, and sfone heads of
11ons, 1n a11 d1ecf1ons. As 1f fhe Gogons head had suveyed 1f,
When 1f Was f1n1shed, fWo cenfu1es ago.
up fhe boad f11ghf of sha11oW sfeps, Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, f1ambeau
peceded, Wenf fom h1s ca1age, suff1c1enf1y d1sfub1ng fhe dakness
fo e11c1f 1oud emonsfance fom an oW1 1n fhe oof of fhe geaf p11e
of sfab1e bu11d1ng aWay among fhe fees. A11 e1se Was so qu1ef, fhaf
fhe f1ambeau ca1ed up fhe sfeps, and fhe ofhe f1ambeau he1d af fhe
geaf doo, bunf as 1f fhey Wee 1n a c1ose oom of sfafe, 1nsfead
of be1ng 1n fhe open n1ghf-a1. Ofhe sound fhan fhe oW1s vo1ce
fhee Was none, save fhe fa111ng of a founfa1n 1nfo 1fs sfone bas1n
fo, 1f Was one of fhose dak n1ghfs fhaf ho1d fhe1 beafh by fhe hou
fogefhe, and fhen heave a 1ong 1oW s1gh, and ho1d fhe1 beafh aga1n.
Page 79
1he geaf doo c1anged beh1nd h1m, and Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s cossed
a ha11 g1m W1fh cefa1n o1d boa-speas, sWods, and kn1ves of fhe
chase g1mme W1fh cefa1n heavy 1d1ng-ods and 1d1ng-Wh1ps, of
Wh1ch many a peasanf, gone fo h1s benefacfo Deafh, had fe1f fhe
We1ghf When h1s 1od Was angy.
Avo1d1ng fhe 1age ooms, Wh1ch Wee dak and made fasf fo fhe
n1ghf, Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, W1fh h1s f1ambeau-beae go1ng on befoe,
Wenf up fhe sfa1case fo a doo 1n a co1do. 1h1s fhoWn open,
adm1ffed h1m fo h1s oWn p1vafe apafmenf of fhee ooms:
h1s bed-chambe and fWo ofhes. h1gh vau1fed ooms W1fh coo1
uncapefed f1oos, geaf dogs upon fhe heafhs fo fhe bun1ng
of Wood 1n W1nfe f1me, and a11 1uxu1es bef1ff1ng fhe sfafe
of a maqu1s 1n a 1uxu1ous age and counfy. 1he fash1on
of fhe 1asf Lou1s buf one, of fhe 11ne fhaf Was neve fo beak
--fhe foufeenfh Lou1s--Was consp1cuous 1n fhe1 1ch fun1fue
buf, 1f Was d1ves1f1ed by many obecfs fhaf Wee 111usfaf1ons
of o1d pages 1n fhe h1sfoy of Iance.
A suppe-fab1e Was 1a1d fo fWo, 1n fhe fh1d of fhe ooms a ound
oom, 1n one of fhe chafeaus fou exf1ngu1she-fopped foWes.
A sma11 1offy oom, W1fh 1fs W1ndoW W1de open, and fhe Wooden
a1ous1e-b11nds c1osed, so fhaf fhe dak n1ghf on1y shoWed 1n s11ghf
ho1zonfa1 11nes of b1ack, a1fenaf1ng W1fh fhe1 boad 11nes of
sfone co1ou.
"My nepheW," sa1d fhe Maqu1s, g1anc1ng af fhe suppe pepaaf1on
"fhey sa1d he Was nof a1ved."
No Was he buf, he had been expecfed W1fh Monse1gneu.
"Ah! lf 1s nof pobab1e he W111 a1ve fo-n1ghf nevefhe1ess, 1eave
fhe fab1e as 1f 1s. l sha11 be eady 1n a quafe of an hou."
ln a quafe of an hou Monse1gneu Was eady, and saf doWn a1one
fo h1s sumpfuous and cho1ce suppe. h1s cha1 Was oppos1fe fo fhe
W1ndoW, and he had faken h1s soup, and Was a1s1ng h1s g1ass of
8odeaux fo h1s 11ps, When he puf 1f doWn.
"Whaf 1s fhaf?" he ca1m1y asked, 1ook1ng W1fh affenf1on af fhe
ho1zonfa1 11nes of b1ack and sfone co1ou.
"Monse1gneu? 1haf?"
"Oufs1de fhe b11nds. Open fhe b11nds."
lf Was done.
"We11?"
"Monse1gneu, 1f 1s nofh1ng. 1he fees and fhe n1ghf ae a11 fhaf
ae hee."
1he sevanf Who spoke, had fhoWn fhe b11nds W1de, had 1ooked ouf
1nfo fhe vacanf dakness, and sfood W1fh fhaf b1ank beh1nd h1m,
1ook1ng ound fo 1nsfucf1ons.
"Good," sa1d fhe 1mpefubab1e masfe. "C1ose fhem aga1n."
1haf Was done foo, and fhe Maqu1s Wenf on W1fh h1s suppe. he Was
ha1f Way fhough 1f, When he aga1n sfopped W1fh h1s g1ass 1n h1s
hand, hea1ng fhe sound of Whee1s. lf came on b1sk1y, and came up
fo fhe fonf of fhe chafeau.
Page 0
"Ask Who 1s a1ved."
lf Was fhe nepheW of Monse1gneu. he had been some feW 1eagues
beh1nd Monse1gneu, ea1y 1n fhe affenoon. he had d1m1n1shed fhe
d1sfance ap1d1y, buf nof so ap1d1y as fo come up W1fh Monse1gneu
on fhe oad. he had head of Monse1gneu, af fhe posf1ng-houses,
as be1ng befoe h1m.
he Was fo be fo1d {sa1d Monse1gneu} fhaf suppe aWa1fed h1m fhen and
fhee, and fhaf he Was payed fo come fo 1f. ln a 11ff1e Wh11e he came.
he had been knoWn 1n Lng1and as Cha1es Danay.
Monse1gneu ece1ved h1m 1n a couf1y manne, buf fhey d1d nof shake hands.
"You 1eff Pa1s yesfeday, s1?" he sa1d fo Monse1gneu, as he fook
h1s seaf af fab1e.
"Yesfeday. And you?"
"l come d1ecf."
"Iom London?"
"Yes."
"You have been a 1ong f1me com1ng," sa1d fhe Maqu1s, W1fh a sm11e.
"On fhe confay l come d1ecf."
"Padon me! l mean, nof a 1ong f1me on fhe ouney a 1ong f1me
1nfend1ng fhe ouney."
"l have been defa1ned by"--fhe nepheW sfopped a momenf 1n h1s
ansWe--"va1ous bus1ness."
"W1fhouf doubf," sa1d fhe po11shed unc1e.
5o 1ong as a sevanf Was pesenf, no ofhe Wods passed befWeen fhem.
When coffee had been seved and fhey Wee a1one fogefhe, fhe nepheW,
1ook1ng af fhe unc1e and meef1ng fhe eyes of fhe face fhaf Was 11ke a
f1ne mask, opened a convesaf1on.
"l have come back, s1, as you anf1c1pafe, pusu1ng fhe obecf fhaf
fook me aWay. lf ca1ed me 1nfo geaf and unexpecfed pe11 buf 1f
1s a saced obecf, and 1f 1f had ca1ed me fo deafh l hope 1f Wou1d
have susfa1ned me."
"Nof fo deafh," sa1d fhe unc1e "1f 1s nof necessay fo say, fo deafh."
"l doubf, s1," efuned fhe nepheW, "Whefhe, 1f 1f had ca1ed me
fo fhe ufmosf b1nk of deafh, you Wou1d have caed fo sfop me fhee."
1he deepened maks 1n fhe nose, and fhe 1engfhen1ng of fhe f1ne
sfa1ghf 11nes 1n fhe cue1 face, 1ooked om1nous as fo fhaf fhe
unc1e made a gacefu1 gesfue of pofesf, Wh1ch Was so c1ea1y a
s11ghf fom of good beed1ng fhaf 1f Was nof eassu1ng.
"lndeed, s1," pusued fhe nepheW, "fo anyfh1ng l knoW, you may
have expess1y Woked fo g1ve a moe susp1c1ous appeaance fo fhe
susp1c1ous c1cumsfances fhaf suounded me."
"No, no, no," sa1d fhe unc1e, p1easanf1y.
Page 1
"8uf, hoWeve fhaf may be," esumed fhe nepheW, g1anc1ng af h1m W1fh
deep d1sfusf, "l knoW fhaf you d1p1omacy Wou1d sfop me by any
means, and Wou1d knoW no scup1e as fo means."
"My f1end, l fo1d you so," sa1d fhe unc1e, W1fh a f1ne pu1saf1on 1n
fhe fWo maks. "Do me fhe favou fo eca11 fhaf l fo1d you so, 1ong ago."
"l eca11 1f."
"1hank you," sa1d fhe Maqu1se--vey sWeef1y 1ndeed.
h1s fone 11ngeed 1n fhe a1, a1mosf 11ke fhe fone of a mus1ca1
1nsfumenf.
"ln effecf, s1," pusued fhe nepheW, "l be11eve 1f fo be af once
you bad fofune, and my good fofune, fhaf has kepf me ouf of a
p1son 1n Iance hee."
"l do nof qu1fe undesfand," efuned fhe unc1e, s1pp1ng h1s coffee.
"Dae l ask you fo exp1a1n?"
"l be11eve fhaf 1f you Wee nof 1n d1sgace W1fh fhe Couf,
and had nof been oveshadoWed by fhaf c1oud fo yeas pasf, a 1effe
de cachef Wou1d have senf me fo some fofess 1ndef1n1fe1y."
"lf 1s poss1b1e," sa1d fhe unc1e, W1fh geaf ca1mness. "Io fhe
honou of fhe fam11y, l cou1d even eso1ve fo 1ncommode you fo fhaf
exfenf. Pay excuse me!"
"l pece1ve fhaf, happ11y fo me, fhe kecepf1on of fhe day befoe
yesfeday Was, as usua1, a co1d one," obseved fhe nepheW.
"l Wou1d nof say happ11y, my f1end," efuned fhe unc1e, W1fh
ef1ned po11feness "l Wou1d nof be sue of fhaf. A good oppofun1fy
fo cons1deaf1on, suounded by fhe advanfages of so11fude, m1ghf
1nf1uence you desf1ny fo fa geafe advanfage fhan you 1nf1uence 1f
fo youse1f. 8uf 1f 1s use1ess fo d1scuss fhe quesf1on. l am, as
you say, af a d1sadvanfage. 1hese 11ff1e 1nsfumenfs of coecf1on,
fhese genf1e a1ds fo fhe poWe and honou of fam111es, fhese s11ghf
favous fhaf m1ghf so 1ncommode you, ae on1y fo be obfa1ned noW by
1nfeesf and 1mpofun1fy. 1hey ae soughf by so many, and fhey ae
ganfed {compaaf1ve1y} fo so feW! lf used nof fo be so, buf Iance
1n a11 such fh1ngs 1s changed fo fhe Wose. Ou nof emofe
ancesfos he1d fhe 1ghf of 11fe and deafh ove fhe suound1ng
vu1ga. Iom fh1s oom, many such dogs have been faken ouf fo be
hanged 1n fhe nexf oom {my bedoom}, one fe11oW, fo ou knoW1edge,
Was pon1aded on fhe spof fo pofess1ng some 1nso1enf de11cacy
especf1ng h1s daughfe--hl5 daughfe? We have 1osf many p1v11eges
a neW ph11osophy has become fhe mode and fhe assef1on of ou
sfaf1on, 1n fhese days, m1ghf {l do nof go so fa as fo say Wou1d,
buf m1ghf} cause us ea1 1nconven1ence. A11 vey bad, vey bad!"
1he Maqu1s fook a genf1e 11ff1e p1nch of snuff, and shook h1s head
as e1eganf1y despondenf as he cou1d becom1ng1y be of a counfy sf111
confa1n1ng h1mse1f, fhaf geaf means of egeneaf1on.
"We have so assefed ou sfaf1on, bofh 1n fhe o1d f1me and 1n fhe
moden f1me a1so," sa1d fhe nepheW, g1oom11y, "fhaf l be11eve ou
name fo be moe defesfed fhan any name 1n Iance."
"Lef us hope so," sa1d fhe unc1e. "Defesfaf1on of fhe h1gh 1s fhe
1nvo1unfay homage of fhe 1oW."
Page 2
"1hee 1s nof," pusued fhe nepheW, 1n h1s fome fone, "a face l can
1ook af, 1n a11 fh1s counfy ound abouf us, Wh1ch 1ooks af me W1fh
any defeence on 1f buf fhe dak defeence of fea and s1avey."
"A comp11menf," sa1d fhe Maqu1s, "fo fhe gandeu of fhe fam11y,
me1fed by fhe manne 1n Wh1ch fhe fam11y has susfa1ned 1fs gandeu.
hah!" And he fook anofhe genf1e 11ff1e p1nch of snuff, and 11ghf1y
cossed h1s 1egs.
8uf, When h1s nepheW, 1ean1ng an e1boW on fhe fab1e, coveed h1s eyes
fhoughffu11y and deecfed1y W1fh h1s hand, fhe f1ne mask 1ooked af h1m
s1deWays W1fh a sfonge concenfaf1on of keenness, c1oseness, and d1s11ke,
fhan Was compofab1e W1fh 1fs Weaes assumpf1on of 1nd1ffeence.
"kepess1on 1s fhe on1y 1asf1ng ph11osophy. 1he dak defeence of
fea and s1avey, my f1end," obseved fhe Maqu1s, "W111 keep fhe
dogs obed1enf fo fhe Wh1p, as 1ong as fh1s oof," 1ook1ng up fo 1f,
"shufs ouf fhe sky."
1haf m1ghf nof be so 1ong as fhe Maqu1s supposed. lf a p1cfue of
fhe chafeau as 1f Was fo be a vey feW yeas hence, and of f1ffy 11ke
1f as fhey foo Wee fo be a vey feW yeas hence, cou1d have been
shoWn fo h1m fhaf n1ghf, he m1ghf have been af a 1oss fo c1a1m h1s
oWn fom fhe ghasf1y, f1e-chaed, p1unde-Wecked a1ns. As fo
fhe oof he vaunfed, he m1ghf have found 1hA1 shuff1ng ouf fhe sky
1n a neW Way--fo W1f, fo eve, fom fhe eyes of fhe bod1es 1nfo Wh1ch
1fs 1ead Was f1ed, ouf of fhe bae1s of a hunded fhousand muskefs.
"MeanWh11e," sa1d fhe Maqu1s, "l W111 peseve fhe honou and epose
of fhe fam11y, 1f you W111 nof. 8uf you musf be faf1gued. 5ha11 We
fem1nafe ou confeence fo fhe n1ghf?"
"A momenf moe."
"An hou, 1f you p1ease."
"51," sa1d fhe nepheW, "We have done Wong, and ae eap1ng fhe
fu1fs of Wong."
"WL have done Wong?" epeafed fhe Maqu1s, W1fh an 1nqu11ng
sm11e, and de11cafe1y po1nf1ng, f1sf fo h1s nepheW, fhen fo h1mse1f.
"Ou fam11y ou honouab1e fam11y, Whose honou 1s of so much
accounf fo bofh of us, 1n such d1ffeenf Ways. Lven 1n my fafhes
f1me, We d1d a Wo1d of Wong, 1nu1ng evey human ceafue Who came
befWeen us and ou p1easue, Whafeve 1f Was. Why need l speak of my
fafhes f1me, When 1f 1s equa11y yous? Can l sepaafe my fafhes
fW1n-bofhe, o1nf 1nhe1fo, and nexf successo, fom h1mse1f?"
"Deafh has done fhaf!" sa1d fhe Maqu1s.
"And has 1eff me," ansWeed fhe nepheW, "bound fo a sysfem fhaf 1s
f1ghffu1 fo me, espons1b1e fo 1f, buf poWe1ess 1n 1f seek1ng fo
execufe fhe 1asf equesf of my dea mofhes 11ps, and obey fhe 1asf
1ook of my dea mofhes eyes, Wh1ch 1mp1oed me fo have mecy and fo
edess and fofued by seek1ng ass1sfance and poWe 1n va1n."
"5eek1ng fhem fom me, my nepheW," sa1d fhe Maqu1s, fouch1ng h1m on
fhe beasf W1fh h1s foef1nge--fhey Wee noW sfand1ng by fhe
heafh--"you W111 fo eve seek fhem 1n va1n, be assued."
Lvey f1ne sfa1ghf 11ne 1n fhe c1ea Wh1feness of h1s face, Was
Page 3
cue11y, caff11y, and c1ose1y compessed, Wh11e he sfood 1ook1ng
qu1ef1y af h1s nepheW, W1fh h1s snuff-box 1n h1s hand. Once aga1n he
fouched h1m on fhe beasf, as fhough h1s f1nge Wee fhe f1ne po1nf
of a sma11 sWod, W1fh Wh1ch, 1n de11cafe f1nesse, he an h1m fhough
fhe body, and sa1d,
"My f1end, l W111 d1e, pepefuaf1ng fhe sysfem unde Wh1ch l have 11ved."
When he had sa1d 1f, he fook a cu1m1naf1ng p1nch of snuff, and puf
h1s box 1n h1s pockef.
"8effe fo be a af1ona1 ceafue," he added fhen, affe 1ng1ng a
sma11 be11 on fhe fab1e, "and accepf you nafua1 desf1ny. 8uf you
ae 1osf, Mons1eu Cha1es, l see."
"1h1s popefy and Iance ae 1osf fo me," sa1d fhe nepheW, sad1y
"l enounce fhem."
"Ae fhey bofh yous fo enounce? Iance may be, buf 1s fhe popefy?
lf 1s scace1y Wofh menf1on1ng buf, 1s 1f yef?"
"l had no 1nfenf1on, 1n fhe Wods l used, fo c1a1m 1f yef. lf 1f
passed fo me fom you, fo-mooW--"
"Wh1ch l have fhe van1fy fo hope 1s nof pobab1e."
"--o fWenfy yeas hence--"
"You do me foo much honou," sa1d fhe Maqu1s "sf111, l pefe fhaf
suppos1f1on."
"--l Wou1d abandon 1f, and 11ve ofheW1se and e1seWhee. lf 1s
11ff1e fo e11nqu1sh. Whaf 1s 1f buf a W11deness of m1sey and u1n!"
"hah!" sa1d fhe Maqu1s, g1anc1ng ound fhe 1uxu1ous oom.
"1o fhe eye 1f 1s fa1 enough, hee buf seen 1n 1fs 1nfeg1fy, unde
fhe sky, and by fhe day11ghf, 1f 1s a cumb11ng foWe of Wasfe,
m1smanagemenf, exfof1on, debf, mofgage, oppess1on, hunge,
nakedness, and suffe1ng."
"hah!" sa1d fhe Maqu1s aga1n, 1n a We11-saf1sf1ed manne.
"lf 1f eve becomes m1ne, 1f sha11 be puf 1nfo some hands beffe
qua11f1ed fo fee 1f s1oW1y {1f such a fh1ng 1s poss1b1e} fom fhe
We1ghf fhaf dags 1f doWn, so fhaf fhe m1seab1e peop1e Who cannof
1eave 1f and Who have been 1ong Wung fo fhe 1asf po1nf of enduance,
may, 1n anofhe geneaf1on, suffe 1ess buf 1f 1s nof fo me.
1hee 1s a cuse on 1f, and on a11 fh1s 1and."
"And you?" sa1d fhe unc1e. "Iog1ve my cu1os1fy do you, unde you
neW ph11osophy, gac1ous1y 1nfend fo 11ve?"
"l musf do, fo 11ve, Whaf ofhes of my counfymen, even W1fh nob111fy
af fhe1 backs, may have fo do some day-Wok."
"ln Lng1and, fo examp1e?"
"Yes. 1he fam11y honou, s1, 1s safe fom me 1n fh1s counfy. 1he
fam11y name can suffe fom me 1n no ofhe, fo l bea 1f 1n no ofhe."
1he 1ng1ng of fhe be11 had caused fhe ado1n1ng bed-chambe fo be
11ghfed. lf noW shone b1ghf1y, fhough fhe doo of commun1caf1on.
Page 4
1he Maqu1s 1ooked fhaf Way, and 11sfened fo fhe efeaf1ng sfep of
h1s va1ef.
"Lng1and 1s vey affacf1ve fo you, see1ng hoW 1nd1ffeenf1y you have
pospeed fhee," he obseved fhen, fun1ng h1s ca1m face fo h1s
nepheW W1fh a sm11e.
"l have a1eady sa1d, fhaf fo my pospe1ng fhee, l am sens1b1e l
may be 1ndebfed fo you, s1. Io fhe esf, 1f 1s my kefuge."
"1hey say, fhose boasffu1 Lng11sh, fhaf 1f 1s fhe kefuge of many.
You knoW a compaf1of Who has found a kefuge fhee? A Docfo?"
"Yes."
"W1fh a daughfe?"
"Yes."
"Yes," sa1d fhe Maqu1s. "You ae faf1gued. Good n1ghf!"
As he benf h1s head 1n h1s mosf couf1y manne, fhee Was a sececy
1n h1s sm111ng face, and he conveyed an a1 of mysfey fo fhose
Wods, Wh1ch sfuck fhe eyes and eas of h1s nepheW foc1b1y. Af fhe
same f1me, fhe fh1n sfa1ghf 11nes of fhe seff1ng of fhe eyes, and
fhe fh1n sfa1ghf 11ps, and fhe mak1ngs 1n fhe nose, cuved W1fh a
sacasm fhaf 1ooked handsome1y d1abo11c.
"Yes," epeafed fhe Maqu1s. "A Docfo W1fh a daughfe. Yes.
5o commences fhe neW ph11osophy! You ae faf1gued. Good n1ghf!"
lf Wou1d have been of as much ava11 fo 1nfeogafe any sfone face
oufs1de fhe chafeau as fo 1nfeogafe fhaf face of h1s. 1he nepheW
1ooked af h1m, 1n va1n, 1n pass1ng on fo fhe doo.
"Good n1ghf!" sa1d fhe unc1e. "l 1ook fo fhe p1easue of see1ng you
aga1n 1n fhe mon1ng. Good epose! L1ghf Mons1eu my nepheW fo h1s
chambe fhee!--And bun Mons1eu my nepheW 1n h1s bed, 1f you W111,"
he added fo h1mse1f, befoe he ang h1s 11ff1e ben aga1n, and summoned
h1s va1ef fo h1s oWn bedoom.
1he va1ef come and gone, Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s Wa1ked fo and fo 1n
h1s 1oose chambe-obe, fo pepae h1mse1f genf1y fo s1eep, fhaf hof
sf111 n1ghf. kusf11ng abouf fhe oom, h1s soff1y-s11ppeed feef
mak1ng no no1se on fhe f1oo, he moved 11ke a ef1ned f1ge:--1ooked
11ke some enchanfed maqu1s of fhe 1mpen1fenf1y W1cked sof, 1n sfoy,
Whose pe1od1ca1 change 1nfo f1ge fom Was e1fhe usf go1ng off, o
usf com1ng on.
he moved fom end fo end of h1s vo1upfuous bedoom, 1ook1ng aga1n af
fhe scaps of fhe days ouney fhaf came unb1dden 1nfo h1s m1nd fhe
s1oW fo11 up fhe h111 af sunsef, fhe seff1ng sun, fhe descenf, fhe
m111, fhe p1son on fhe cag, fhe 11ff1e v111age 1n fhe ho11oW, fhe
peasanfs af fhe founfa1n, and fhe mende of oads W1fh h1s b1ue cap
po1nf1ng ouf fhe cha1n unde fhe ca1age. 1haf founfa1n suggesfed
fhe Pa1s founfa1n, fhe 11ff1e bund1e 1y1ng on fhe sfep, fhe Women
bend1ng ove 1f, and fhe fa11 man W1fh h1s ams up, cy1ng, "Dead!"
"l am coo1 noW," sa1d Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, "and may go fo bed."
5o, 1eav1ng on1y one 11ghf bun1ng on fhe 1age heafh, he 1ef h1s
fh1n gauze cufa1ns fa]J aound h1m, and head fhe n1ghf beak 1fs
s11ence W1fh a 1ong s1gh as he composed h1mse1f fo s1eep.
Page 5
1he sfone faces on fhe oufe Wa11s sfaed b11nd1y af fhe b1ack n1ghf
fo fhee heavy hous fo fhee heavy hous, fhe hoses 1n fhe
sfab1es aff1ed af fhe1 acks, fhe dogs baked, and fhe oW1 made a
no1se W1fh vey 11ff1e esemb1ance 1n 1f fo fhe no1se convenf1ona11y
ass1gned fo fhe oW1 by men-poefs. 8uf 1f 1s fhe obsf1nafe cusfom of
such ceafues had1y eve fo say Whaf 1s sef doWn fo fhem.
Io fhee heavy hous, fhe sfone faces of fhe chafeau, 11on and
human, sfaed b11nd1y af fhe n1ghf. Dead dakness 1ay on a11 fhe
1andscape, dead dakness added 1fs oWn hush fo fhe hush1ng dusf on
a11 fhe oads. 1he bu1a1-p1ace had gof fo fhe pass fhaf 1fs 11ff1e
heaps of poo gass Wee und1sf1ngu1shab1e fom one anofhe fhe
f1gue on fhe Coss m1ghf have come doWn, fo anyfh1ng fhaf cou1d be
seen of 1f. ln fhe v111age, faxes and faxed Wee fasf as1eep.
Deam1ng, pehaps, of banquefs, as fhe sfaved usua11y do, and of
ease and esf, as fhe d1ven s1ave and fhe yoked ox may, 1fs 1ean
1nhab1fanfs s1epf sound1y, and Wee fed and feed.
1he founfa1n 1n fhe v111age f1oWed unseen and unhead, and fhe
founfa1n af fhe chafeau dopped unseen and unhead--bofh me1f1ng
aWay, 11ke fhe m1nufes fhaf Wee fa111ng fom fhe sp1ng of 11me--
fhough fhee dak hous. 1hen, fhe gey Wafe of bofh began fo be
ghosf1y 1n fhe 11ghf, and fhe eyes of fhe sfone faces of fhe chafeau
Wee opened.
L1ghfe and 11ghfe, unf11 af 1asf fhe sun fouched fhe fops of fhe
sf111 fees, and poued 1fs ad1ance ove fhe h111. ln fhe g1oW,
fhe Wafe of fhe chafeau founfa1n seemed fo fun fo b1ood, and fhe
sfone faces c1msoned. 1he cao1 of fhe b1ds Was 1oud and h1gh,
and, on fhe Weafhe-beafen s111 of fhe geaf W1ndoW of fhe bed-
chambe of Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, one 11ff1e b1d sang 1fs sWeefesf
song W1fh a11 1fs m1ghf. Af fh1s, fhe neaesf sfone face seemed
fo sfae amazed, and, W1fh open moufh and dopped unde-aW, 1ooked
aWe-sf1cken.
NoW, fhe sun Was fu11 up, and movemenf began 1n fhe v111age.
Casemenf W1ndoWs opened, cazy doos Wee unbaed, and peop1e came
fofh sh1ve1ng--ch111ed, as yef, by fhe neW sWeef a1. 1hen began
fhe ae1y 11ghfened fo11 of fhe day among fhe v111age popu1af1on.
5ome, fo fhe founfa1n some, fo fhe f1e1ds men and Women hee, fo
d1g and de1ve men and Women fhee, fo see fo fhe poo 11ve sfock,
and 1ead fhe bony coWs ouf, fo such pasfue as cou1d be found by fhe
oads1de. ln fhe chuch and af fhe Coss, a knee11ng f1gue o fWo
affendanf on fhe 1affe payes, fhe 1ed coW, fy1ng fo a beakfasf
among fhe Weeds af 1fs foof.
1he chafeau aWoke 1afe, as became 1fs qua11fy, buf aWoke gadua11y
and sue1y. I1sf, fhe 1one1y boa-speas and kn1ves of fhe chase
had been eddened as of o1d fhen, had g1eamed fenchanf 1n fhe
mon1ng sunsh1ne noW, doos and W1ndoWs Wee fhoWn open, hoses
1n fhe1 sfab1es 1ooked ound ove fhe1 shou1des af fhe 11ghf and
feshness pou1ng 1n af dooWays, 1eaves spak1ed and usf1ed af
1on-gafed W1ndoWs, dogs pu11ed had af fhe1 cha1ns, and eaed
1mpaf1enf fo be 1oosed.
A11 fhese f1v1a1 1nc1denfs be1onged fo fhe ouf1ne of 11fe, and fhe
efun of mon1ng. 5ue1y, nof so fhe 1ng1ng of fhe geaf be11 of
fhe chafeau, no fhe unn1ng up and doWn fhe sfa1s no fhe hu1ed
f1gues on fhe feace no fhe boof1ng and famp1ng hee and fhee
and eveyWhee, no fhe qu1ck sadd11ng of hoses and 1d1ng aWay?
Whaf W1nds conveyed fh1s huy fo fhe g1zz1ed mende of oads,
Page 6
a1eady af Wok on fhe h111-fop beyond fhe v111age, W1fh h1s days
d1nne {nof much fo cay} 1y1ng 1n a bund1e fhaf 1f Was Wofh no
coWs Wh11e fo peck af, on a heap of sfones? had fhe b1ds, cay1ng
some ga1ns of 1f fo a d1sfance, dopped one ove h1m as fhey soW
chance seeds? Whefhe o no, fhe mende of oads an, on fhe su1fy
mon1ng, as 1f fo h1s 11fe, doWn fhe h111, knee-h1gh 1n dusf, and
neve sfopped f111 he gof fo fhe founfa1n.
A11 fhe peop1e of fhe v111age Wee af fhe founfa1n, sfand1ng abouf 1n
fhe1 depessed manne, and Wh1spe1ng 1oW, buf shoW1ng no ofhe
emof1ons fhan g1m cu1os1fy and sup1se. 1he 1ed coWs, hasf11y
boughf 1n and fefheed fo anyfh1ng fhaf Wou1d ho1d fhem, Wee 1ook1ng
sfup1d1y on, o 1y1ng doWn cheW1ng fhe cud of nofh1ng paf1cu1a1y
epay1ng fhe1 foub1e, Wh1ch fhey had p1cked up 1n fhe1 1nfeupfed
saunfe. 5ome of fhe peop1e of fhe chafeau, and some of fhose of fhe
posf1ng-house, and a11 fhe fax1ng aufho1f1es, Wee amed moe o 1ess,
and Wee coWded on fhe ofhe s1de of fhe 11ff1e sfeef 1n a
pupose1ess Way, fhaf Was h1gh1y faughf W1fh nofh1ng. A1eady,
fhe mende of oads had penefafed 1nfo fhe m1dsf of a goup of f1ffy
paf1cu1a f1ends, and Was sm1f1ng h1mse1f 1n fhe beasf W1fh h1s
b1ue cap. Whaf d1d a11 fh1s pofend, and Whaf pofended fhe sW1ff
ho1sf1ng-up of Mons1eu Gabe11e beh1nd a sevanf on hoseback, and
fhe convey1ng aWay of fhe sa1d Gabe11e {doub1e-1aden fhough fhe hose
Was}, af a ga11op, 11ke a neW ves1on of fhe Geman ba11ad of Leonoa?
lf pofended fhaf fhee Was one sfone face foo many, up af fhe chafeau.
1he Gogon had suveyed fhe bu11d1ng aga1n 1n fhe n1ghf, and had
added fhe one sfone face Wanf1ng fhe sfone face fo Wh1ch 1f had
Wa1fed fhough abouf fWo hunded yeas.
lf 1ay back on fhe p111oW of Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s. lf Was 11ke a
f1ne mask, sudden1y sfaf1ed, made angy, and pef1f1ed. D1ven home
1nfo fhe heaf of fhe sfone f1gue affached fo 1f, Was a kn1fe.
kound 1fs h11f Was a f111 of pape, on Wh1ch Was scaW1ed:
"D1ve h1m fasf fo h1s fomb. 1h1s, fom Jacques."
X
1Wo Pom1ses
Moe monfhs, fo fhe numbe of fWe1ve, had come and gone, and M.
Cha1es Danay Was esfab11shed 1n Lng1and as a h1ghe feache of fhe
Iench 1anguage Who Was convesanf W1fh Iench 11feafue. ln fh1s
age, he Wou1d have been a Pofesso 1n fhaf age, he Was a 1ufo.
he ead W1fh young men Who cou1d f1nd any 1e1sue and 1nfeesf fo
fhe sfudy of a 11v1ng fongue spoken a11 ove fhe Wo1d, and he
cu1f1vafed a fasfe fo 1fs sfoes of knoW1edge and fancy. he cou1d
W1fe of fhem, bes1des, 1n sound Lng11sh, and ende fhem 1nfo sound
Lng11sh. 5uch masfes Wee nof af fhaf f1me eas11y found P1nces
fhaf had been, and k1ngs fhaf Wee fo be, Wee nof yef of fhe 1eache
c1ass, and no u1ned nob111fy had dopped ouf of 1e11sons 1edges,
fo fun cooks and capenfes. As a fufo, Whose affa1nmenfs made fhe
sfudenfs Way unusua11y p1easanf and pof1fab1e, and as an e1eganf
fans1afo Who boughf somefh1ng fo h1s Wok bes1des mee d1cf1onay
knoW1edge, young M. Danay soon became knoWn and encouaged. he Was
We11 acqua1nfed, moe-ove, W1fh fhe c1cumsfances of h1s counfy,
and fhose Wee of eve-goW1ng 1nfeesf. 5o, W1fh geaf peseveance
and unf11ng 1ndusfy, he pospeed.
Page 7
ln London, he had expecfed ne1fhe fo Wa1k on pavemenfs of go1d, no
fo 11e on beds of oses 1f he had had any such exa1fed expecfaf1on,
he Wou1d nof have pospeed. he had expecfed 1abou, and he found 1f,
and d1d 1f and made fhe besf of 1f. ln fh1s, h1s pospe1fy cons1sfed.
A cefa1n pof1on of h1s f1me Was passed af Camb1dge, Whee he ead
W1fh undegaduafes as a sof of fo1eafed smugg1e Who dove a
confaband fade 1n Luopean 1anguages, 1nsfead of convey1ng Geek
and Laf1n fhough fhe Cusfom-house. 1he esf of h1s f1me he passed
1n London.
NoW, fom fhe days When 1f Was a1Ways summe 1n Lden, fo fhese days
When 1f 1s mosf1y W1nfe 1n fa11en 1af1fudes, fhe Wo1d of a man has
1nva1ab1y gone one Way--Cha1es Danays Way--fhe Way of fhe 1ove of
a Woman.
he had 1oved Luc1e Maneffe fom fhe hou of h1s dange. he had neve
head a sound so sWeef and dea as fhe sound of he compass1onafe
vo1ce he had neve seen a face so fende1y beauf1fu1, as hes When
1f Was confonfed W1fh h1s oWn on fhe edge of fhe gave fhaf had been
dug fo h1m. 8uf, he had nof yef spoken fo he on fhe subecf
fhe assass1naf1on af fhe desefed chafeau fa aWay beyond fhe heav1ng
Wafe and fhe 1ong, fong, dusfy oads--fhe so11d sfone chafeau Wh1ch
had 1fse1f become fhe mee m1sf of a deam--had been done a yea,
and he had neve yef, by so much as a s1ng1e spoken Wod, d1sc1osed
fo he fhe sfafe of h1s heaf.
1haf he had h1s easons fo fh1s, he kneW fu11 We11. lf Was aga1n a
summe day When, 1afe1y a1ved 1n London fom h1s co11ege occupaf1on,
he funed 1nfo fhe qu1ef cone 1n 5oho, benf on seek1ng an oppofun1fy
of open1ng h1s m1nd fo Docfo Maneffe. lf Was fhe c1ose of fhe
summe day, and he kneW Luc1e fo be ouf W1fh M1ss Poss.
he found fhe Docfo ead1ng 1n h1s am-cha1 af a W1ndoW. 1he enegy
Wh1ch had af once suppofed h1m unde h1s o1d suffe1ngs and aggavafed
fhe1 shapness, had been gadua11y esfoed fo h1m. he Was noW a
vey enegef1c man 1ndeed, W1fh geaf f1mness of pupose, sfengfh
of eso1uf1on, and v1gou of acf1on. ln h1s ecoveed enegy he Was
somef1mes a 11ff1e f1ffu1 and sudden, as he had af f1sf been 1n fhe
exec1se of h1s ofhe ecoveed facu1f1es buf, fh1s had neve been
fequenf1y obsevab1e, and had goWn moe and moe ae.
he sfud1ed much, s1epf 11ff1e, susfa1ned a geaf dea1 of faf1gue W1fh
ease, and Was equab1y cheefu1. 1o h1m, noW enfeed Cha1es Danay,
af s1ghf of Whom he 1a1d as1de h1s book and he1d ouf h1s hand.
"Cha1es Danay! l eo1ce fo see you. We have been counf1ng on you
efun fhese fhee o fou days pasf. M. 5fyve and 5ydney Cafon
Wee bofh hee yesfeday, and bofh made you ouf fo be moe fhan due."
"l am ob11ged fo fhem fo fhe1 1nfeesf 1n fhe maffe," he ansWeed,
a 11ff1e co1d1y as fo fhem, fhough vey Wam1y as fo fhe Docfo.
"M1ss Maneffe--"
"ls We11," sa1d fhe Docfo, as he sfopped shof, "and you efun
W111 de11ghf us a11. 5he has gone ouf on some househo1d maffes,
buf W111 soon be home."
"Docfo Maneffe, l kneW she Was fom home. l fook fhe oppofun1fy of
he be1ng fom home, fo beg fo speak fo you."
1hee Was a b1ank s11ence.
Page
"Yes?" sa1d fhe Docfo, W1fh ev1denf consfa1nf. "81ng you cha1 hee,
and speak on."
he comp11ed as fo fhe cha1, buf appeaed fo f1nd fhe speak1ng on
1ess easy.
"l have had fhe happ1ness, Docfo Maneffe, of be1ng so 1nf1mafe
hee," so he af 1engfh began, "fo some yea and a ha1f, fhaf l hope
fhe fop1c on Wh1ch l am abouf fo fouch may nof--"
he Was sfayed by fhe Docfos puff1ng ouf h1s hand fo sfop h1m.
When he had kepf 1f so a 11ff1e Wh11e, he sa1d, daW1ng 1f back:
"ls Luc1e fhe fop1c?"
"5he 1s."
"lf 1s had fo me fo speak of he af any f1me. lf 1s vey had fo
me fo hea he spoken of 1n fhaf fone of yous, Cha1es Danay."
"lf 1s a fone of fevenf adm1af1on, fue homage, and deep 1ove,
Docfo Maneffe!" he sa1d defeenf1a11y.
1hee Was anofhe b1ank s11ence befoe he fafhe eo1ned:
"l be11eve 1f. l do you usf1ce l be11eve 1f."
h1s consfa1nf Was so man1fesf, and 1f Was so man1fesf, foo, fhaf 1f
o1g1nafed 1n an unW1111ngness fo appoach fhe subecf, fhaf Cha1es
Danay hes1fafed.
"5ha11 l go on, s1?"
Anofhe b1ank.
"Yes, go on."
"You anf1c1pafe Whaf l Wou1d say, fhough you cannof knoW hoW eanesf1y
l say 1f, hoW eanesf1y l fee1 1f, W1fhouf knoW1ng my secef heaf,
and fhe hopes and feas and anx1ef1es W1fh Wh1ch 1f has 1ong been
1aden. Dea Docfo Maneffe, l 1ove you daughfe fond1y, dea1y,
d1s1nfeesfed1y, devofed1y. lf eve fhee Wee 1ove 1n fhe Wo1d,
l 1ove he. You have 1oved youse1f 1ef you o1d 1ove speak fo me!"
1he Docfo saf W1fh h1s face funed aWay, and h1s eyes benf on fhe
gound. Af fhe 1asf Wods, he sfefched ouf h1s hand aga1n, hu1ed1y,
and c1ed:
"Nof fhaf, s1! Lef fhaf be! l adue you, do nof eca11 fhaf!"
h1s cy Was so 11ke a cy of acfua1 pa1n, fhaf 1f ang 1n Cha1es
Danays eas 1ong affe he had ceased. he mof1oned W1fh fhe hand he
had exfended, and 1f seemed fo be an appea1 fo Danay fo pause.
1he 1affe so ece1ved 1f, and ema1ned s11enf.
"l ask you padon," sa1d fhe Docfo, 1n a subdued fone, affe some
momenfs. "l do nof doubf you 1ov1ng Luc1e you may be saf1sf1ed of 1f."
he funed foWads h1m 1n h1s cha1, buf d1d nof 1ook af h1m, o a1se
h1s eyes. h1s ch1n dopped upon h1s hand, and h1s Wh1fe ha1
oveshadoWed h1s face:
Page 9
"have you spoken fo Luc1e?"
"No."
"No W1ffen?"
"Neve."
"lf Wou1d be ungeneous fo affecf nof fo knoW fhaf you se1f-den1a1
1s fo be efeed fo you cons1deaf1on fo he fafhe. he fafhe
fhanks you.
he offeed h1s hand buf h1s eyes d1d nof go W1fh 1f.
"l knoW," sa1d Danay, especffu11y, "hoW can l fa11 fo knoW,
Docfo Maneffe, l Who have seen you fogefhe fom day fo day,
fhaf befWeen you and M1ss Maneffe fhee 1s an affecf1on so unusua1,
so fouch1ng, so be1ong1ng fo fhe c1cumsfances 1n Wh1ch 1f has been
nufued, fhaf 1f can have feW paa11e1s, even 1n fhe fendeness
befWeen a fafhe and ch11d. l knoW, Docfo Maneffe--hoW can l fa11
fo knoW--fhaf, m1ng1ed W1fh fhe affecf1on and dufy of a daughfe Who
has become a Woman, fhee 1s, 1n he heaf, foWads you, a11 fhe 1ove
and e11ance of 1nfancy 1fse1f. l knoW fhaf, as 1n he ch11dhood she
had no paenf, so she 1s noW devofed fo you W1fh a11 fhe consfancy
and fevou of he pesenf yeas and chaacfe, un1fed fo fhe
fusffu1ness and affachmenf of fhe ea1y days 1n Wh1ch you Wee 1osf
fo he. l knoW pefecf1y We11 fhaf 1f you had been esfoed fo he
fom fhe Wo1d beyond fh1s 11fe, you cou1d had1y be 1nvesfed, 1n he
s1ghf, W1fh a moe saced chaacfe fhan fhaf 1n Wh1ch you ae a1Ways
W1fh he. l knoW fhaf When she 1s c11ng1ng fo you, fhe hands of baby,
g11, and Woman, a11 1n one, ae ound you neck. l knoW fhaf 1n
1ov1ng you she sees and 1oves he mofhe af he oWn age, sees and
1oves you af my age, 1oves he mofhe boken-heafed, 1oves you
fhough you deadfu1 f1a1 and 1n you b1essed esfoaf1on. l have
knoWn fh1s, n1ghf and day, s1nce l have knoWn you 1n you home."
he fafhe saf s11enf, W1fh h1s face benf doWn. h1s beafh1ng Was a
11ff1e qu1ckened buf he epessed a11 ofhe s1gns of ag1faf1on.
"Dea Docfo Maneffe, a1Ways knoW1ng fh1s, a1Ways see1ng he and you
W1fh fh1s ha11oWed 11ghf abouf you, l have fobone, and fobone,
as 1ong as 1f Was 1n fhe nafue of man fo do 1f. l have fe1f, and do
even noW fee1, fhaf fo b1ng my 1ove--even m1ne--befWeen you, 1s fo
fouch you h1sfoy W1fh somefh1ng nof qu1fe so good as 1fse1f.
8uf l 1ove he. heaven 1s my W1fness fhaf l 1ove he!"
"l be11eve 1f," ansWeed he fafhe, mounfu11y. "l have fhoughf so
befoe noW. l be11eve 1f."
"8uf, do nof be11eve," sa1d Danay, upon Whose ea fhe mounfu1 vo1ce
sfuck W1fh a epoachfu1 sound, "fhaf 1f my fofune Wee so casf as
fhaf, be1ng one day so happy as fo make he my W1fe, l musf af any
f1me puf any sepaaf1on befWeen he and you, l cou1d o Wou1d beafhe
a Wod of Whaf l noW say. 8es1des fhaf l shou1d knoW 1f fo be
hope1ess, l shou1d knoW 1f fo be a baseness. lf l had any such
poss1b111fy, even af a emofe d1sfance of yeas, haboued 1n my
fhoughfs, and h1dden 1n my heaf--1f 1f eve had been fhee--1f 1f
eve cou1d be fhee--l cou1d nof noW fouch fh1s honoued hand."
he 1a1d h1s oWn upon 1f as he spoke.
"No, dea Docfo Maneffe. L1ke you, a vo1unfay ex11e fom Iance
11ke you, d1ven fom 1f by 1fs d1sfacf1ons, oppess1ons, and
Page 90
m1se1es 11ke you, sf1v1ng fo 11ve aWay fom 1f by my oWn exef1ons,
and fusf1ng 1n a happ1e fufue l 1ook on1y fo sha1ng you fofunes,
sha1ng you 11fe and home, and be1ng fa1fhfu1 fo you fo fhe deafh.
Nof fo d1v1de W1fh Luc1e he p1v11ege as you ch11d, compan1on, and
f1end buf fo come 1n a1d of 1f, and b1nd he c1ose fo you, 1f such
a fh1ng can be."
h1s fouch sf111 11ngeed on he fafhes hand. AnsWe1ng fhe fouch
fo a momenf, buf nof co1d1y, he fafhe esfed h1s hands upon fhe
ams of h1s cha1, and 1ooked up fo fhe f1sf f1me s1nce fhe
beg1nn1ng of fhe confeence. A sfugg1e Was ev1denf1y 1n h1s face
a sfugg1e W1fh fhaf occas1ona1 1ook Wh1ch had a fendency 1n 1f fo
dak doubf and dead.
"You speak so fee11ng1y and so manfu11y, Cha1es Danay, fhaf l fhank
you W1fh a11 my heaf, and W111 open a11 my heaf--o nea1y so.
have you any eason fo be11eve fhaf Luc1e 1oves you?"
"None. As yef, none."
"ls 1f fhe 1mmed1afe obecf of fh1s conf1dence, fhaf you may af once
ascefa1n fhaf, W1fh my knoW1edge?"
"Nof even so. l m1ghf nof have fhe hopefu1ness fo do 1f fo Weeks
l m1ghf {m1sfaken o nof m1sfaken} have fhaf hopefu1ness fo-mooW."
"Do you seek any gu1dance fom me?"
"l ask none, s1. 8uf l have fhoughf 1f poss1b1e fhaf you m1ghf have
1f 1n you poWe, 1f you shou1d deem 1f 1ghf, fo g1ve me some."
"Do you seek any pom1se fom me?"
"l do seek fhaf."
"Whaf 1s 1f?"
"l We11 undesfand fhaf, W1fhouf you, l cou1d have no hope. l We11
undesfand fhaf, even 1f M1ss Maneffe he1d me af fh1s momenf 1n he
1nnocenf heaf-do nof fh1nk l have fhe pesumpf1on fo assume so much--
l cou1d efa1n no p1ace 1n 1f aga1nsf he 1ove fo he fafhe."
"lf fhaf be so, do you see Whaf, on fhe ofhe hand, 1s 1nvo1ved 1n 1f?"
"l undesfand equa11y We11, fhaf a Wod fom he fafhe 1n any su1fos
favou, Wou1d oufWe1gh hese1f and a11 fhe Wo1d. Io Wh1ch eason,
Docfo Maneffe," sa1d Danay, modesf1y buf f1m1y, "l Wou1d nof ask
fhaf Wod, fo save my 11fe."
"l am sue of 1f. Cha1es Danay, mysfe1es a1se ouf of c1ose 1ove,
as We11 as ouf of W1de d1v1s1on 1n fhe fome case, fhey ae subf1e
and de11cafe, and d1ff1cu1f fo penefafe. My daughfe Luc1e 1s, 1n
fh1s one especf, such a mysfey fo me l can make no guess af fhe
sfafe of he heaf."
"May l ask, s1, 1f you fh1nk she 1s--" As he hes1fafed, he fafhe
supp11ed fhe esf.
"ls soughf by any ofhe su1fo?"
"lf 1s Whaf l meanf fo say."
he fafhe cons1deed a 11ff1e befoe he ansWeed:
Page 91
"You have seen M. Cafon hee, youse1f. M. 5fyve 1s hee foo,
occas1ona11y. lf 1f be af a11, 1f can on1y be by one of fhese."
"O bofh," sa1d Danay.
"l had nof fhoughf of bofh l shou1d nof fh1nk e1fhe, 11ke1y.
You Wanf a pom1se fom me. 1e11 me Whaf 1f 1s."
"lf 1s, fhaf 1f M1ss Maneffe shou1d b1ng fo you af any f1me, on he
oWn paf, such a conf1dence as l have venfued fo 1ay befoe you,
you W111 bea fesf1mony fo Whaf l have sa1d, and fo you be11ef 1n 1f.
l hope you may be ab1e fo fh1nk so We11 of me, as fo uge no 1nf1uence
aga1nsf me. l say nofh1ng moe of my sfake 1n fh1s fh1s 1s Whaf l ask.
1he cond1f1on on Wh1ch l ask 1f, and Wh1ch you have an undoubfed 1ghf
fo equ1e, l W111 obseve 1mmed1afe1y."
"l g1ve fhe pom1se," sa1d fhe Docfo, "W1fhouf any cond1f1on.
l be11eve you obecf fo be, pue1y and fufhfu11y, as you have
sfafed 1f. l be11eve you 1nfenf1on 1s fo pepefuafe, and nof fo
Weaken, fhe f1es befWeen me and my ofhe and fa deae se1f. lf she
shou1d eve fe11 me fhaf you ae essenf1a1 fo he pefecf happ1ness,
l W111 g1ve he fo you. lf fhee Wee--Cha1es Danay, 1f fhee Wee--"
1he young man had faken h1s hand gafefu11y fhe1 hands Wee o1ned
as fhe Docfo spoke:
"--any fanc1es, any easons, any appehens1ons, anyfh1ng Whafsoeve,
neW o o1d, aga1nsf fhe man she ea11y 1oved--fhe d1ecf espons1b111fy
fheeof nof 1y1ng on h1s head--fhey shou1d a11 be ob11feafed fo he
sake. 5he 1s eveyfh1ng fo me moe fo me fhan suffe1ng, moe fo me
fhan Wong, moe fo me--We11! 1h1s 1s 1d1e fa1k."
5o sfange Was fhe Way 1n Wh1ch he faded 1nfo s11ence, and so sfange
h1s f1xed 1ook When he had ceased fo speak, fhaf Danay fe1f h1s oWn
hand fun co1d 1n fhe hand fhaf s1oW1y e1eased and dopped 1f.
"You sa1d somefh1ng fo me," sa1d Docfo Maneffe, beak1ng 1nfo a sm11e.
"Whaf Was 1f you sa1d fo me?"
he Was af a 1oss hoW fo ansWe, unf11 he emembeed hav1ng spoken of
a cond1f1on. ke11eved as h1s m1nd evefed fo fhaf, he ansWeed:
"You conf1dence 1n me oughf fo be efuned W1fh fu11 conf1dence on
my paf. My pesenf name, fhough buf s11ghf1y changed fom my
mofhes, 1s nof, as you W111 emembe, my oWn. l W1sh fo fe11 you
Whaf fhaf 1s, and Why l am 1n Lng1and."
"5fop!" sa1d fhe Docfo of 8eauva1s.
"l W1sh 1f, fhaf l may fhe beffe deseve you conf1dence, and have
no secef fom you."
"5fop!"
Io an 1nsfanf, fhe Docfo even had h1s fWo hands af h1s eas fo
anofhe 1nsfanf, even had h1s fWo hands 1a1d on Danays 11ps.
"1e11 me When l ask you, nof noW. lf you su1f shou1d pospe, 1f
Luc1e shou1d 1ove you, you sha11 fe11 me on you ma1age mon1ng.
Do you pom1se?"
"W1111ng1y.
Page 92
"G1ve me you hand. 5he W111 be home d1ecf1y, and 1f 1s beffe she
shou1d nof see us fogefhe fo-n1ghf. Go! God b1ess you!"
lf Was dak When Cha1es Danay 1eff h1m, and 1f Was an hou 1afe
and dake When Luc1e came home she hu1ed 1nfo fhe oom a1one--
fo M1ss Poss had gone sfa1ghf up-sfa1s--and Was sup1sed fo f1nd
h1s ead1ng-cha1 empfy.
"My fafhe!" she ca11ed fo h1m. "Iafhe dea!"
Nofh1ng Was sa1d 1n ansWe, buf she head a 1oW hamme1ng sound 1n
h1s bedoom. Pass1ng 11ghf1y acoss fhe 1nfemed1afe oom, she
1ooked 1n af h1s doo and came unn1ng back f1ghfened, cy1ng fo
hese1f, W1fh he b1ood a11 ch111ed, "Whaf sha11 l do! Whaf sha11 l do!"
he uncefa1nfy 1asfed buf a momenf she hu1ed back, and fapped af
h1s doo, and soff1y ca11ed fo h1m. 1he no1se ceased af fhe sound of
he vo1ce, and he pesenf1y came ouf fo he, and fhey Wa1ked up and
doWn fogefhe fo a 1ong f1me.
5he came doWn fom he bed, fo 1ook af h1m 1n h1s s1eep fhaf n1ghf.
he s1epf heav11y, and h1s fay of shoemak1ng foo1s, and h1s o1d
unf1n1shed Wok, Wee a11 as usua1.
Xl
A Compan1on P1cfue
"5ydney," sa1d M. 5fyve, on fhaf se1f-same n1ghf, o mon1ng, fo h1s
acka1 "m1x anofhe boW1 of punch l have somefh1ng fo say fo you."
5ydney had been Wok1ng doub1e f1des fhaf n1ghf, and fhe n1ghf befoe,
and fhe n1ghf befoe fhaf, and a good many n1ghfs 1n success1on, mak1ng
a gand c1eaance among M. 5fyves papes befoe fhe seff1ng 1n of
fhe 1ong vacaf1on. 1he c1eaance Was effecfed af 1asf fhe 5fyve
aeas Wee handsome1y fefched up eveyfh1ng Was gof 1d of unf11
Novembe shou1d come W1fh 1fs fogs afmosphe1c, and fogs 1ega1, and
b1ng g1sf fo fhe m111 aga1n.
5ydney Was none fhe 11ve11e and none fhe sobee fo so much app11caf1on.
lf had faken a dea1 of exfa Wef-foWe111ng fo pu11 h1m fhough fhe n1ghf
a coespond1ng1y exfa quanf1fy of W1ne had peceded fhe foWe111ng
and he Was 1n a vey damaged cond1f1on, as he noW pu11ed h1s fuban
off and fheW 1f 1nfo fhe bas1n 1n Wh1ch he had sfeeped 1f af 1nfeva1s
fo fhe 1asf s1x hous.
"Ae you m1x1ng fhaf ofhe boW1 of punch?" sa1d 5fyve fhe pof1y,
W1fh h1s hands 1n h1s Wa1sfband, g1anc1ng ound fom fhe sofa Whee
he 1ay on h1s back.
"l am."
"NoW, 1ook hee! l am go1ng fo fe11 you somefh1ng fhaf W111 afhe
sup1se you, and fhaf pehaps W111 make you fh1nk me nof qu1fe as
sheWd as you usua11y do fh1nk me. l 1nfend fo may."
"DO you?"
"Yes. And nof fo money. Whaf do you say noW?"
Page 93
"l donf fee1 d1sposed fo say much. Who 1s she?"
"Guess."
"Do l knoW he?"
"Guess."
"l am nof go1ng fo guess, af f1ve oc1ock 1n fhe mon1ng, W1fh my
ba1ns fy1ng and spuffe1ng 1n my head. 1f you Wanf me fo guess, you
musf ask me fo d1nne."
"We11 fhen, l11 fe11 you, sa1d 5fyve, com1ng s1oW1y 1nfo a s1ff1ng
posfue. "5ydney, l afhe despa1 of mak1ng myse1f 1nfe111g1b1e fo you,
because you ae such an 1nsens1b1e dog.
"And you," efuned 5ydney, busy concocf1ng fhe punch, "ae such a
sens1f1ve and poef1ca1 sp11f--"
"Come!" eo1ned 5fyve, 1augh1ng boasffu11y, "fhough l donf pefe
any c1a1m fo be1ng fhe sou1 of komance {fo l hope l knoW beffe},
sf111 l am a fendee sof of fe11oW fhan YOu."
"You ae a 1uck1e, 1f you mean fhaf."
"l donf mean fhaf. l mean l am a man of moe--moe--"
"5ay ga11anfy, Wh11e you ae abouf 1f," suggesfed Cafon.
"We11! l11 say ga11anfy. My mean1ng 1s fhaf l am a man," sa1d
5fyve, 1nf1af1ng h1mse1f af h1s f1end as he made fhe punch,
"Who caes moe fo be ageeab1e, Who fakes moe pa1ns fo be ageeab1e,
Who knoWs beffe hoW fo be ageeab1e, 1n a Womans soc1efy, fhan you do."
"Go on," sa1d 5ydney Cafon.
"No buf befoe l go on," sa1d 5fyve, shak1ng h1s head 1n h1s bu11y1ng
Way, l11 have fh1s ouf W1fh you. Youve been af Docfo Maneffes
house as much as l have, o moe fhan l have. Why, l have been ashamed
of you mooseness fhee! You mannes have been of fhaf s11enf and
su11en and hangdog k1nd, fhaf, upon my 11fe and sou1, l have been
ashamed of you, 5ydney!"
"lf shou1d be vey benef1c1a1 fo a man 1n you pacf1ce af fhe ba,
fo be ashamed of anyfh1ng," efuned 5ydney "you oughf fo be much
ob11ged fo me."
"You sha11 nof gef off 1n fhaf Way," eo1ned 5fyve, shou1de1ng fhe
eo1nde af h1m "no, 5ydney, 1fs my dufy fo fe11 you--and l fe11 you
fo you face fo do you good--fhaf you ae a dev111sh 111-cond1f1oned
fe11oW 1n fhaf sof of soc1efy. You ae a d1sageeab1e fe11oW."
5ydney dank a bumpe of fhe punch he had made, and 1aughed.
"Look af me!" sa1d 5fyve, squa1ng h1mse1f "l have 1ess need fo
make myse1f ageeab1e fhan you have, be1ng moe 1ndependenf 1n
c1cumsfances. Why do l do 1f?"
"l neve saW you do 1f yef," muffeed Cafon.
"l do 1f because 1fs po11f1c l do 1f on p1nc1p1e. And 1ook af me!
l gef on."
Page 94
"You donf gef on W1fh you accounf of you maf1mon1a1 1nfenf1ons,"
ansWeed Cafon, W1fh a cae1ess a1 "l W1sh you Wou1d keep fo fhaf.
As fo me--W111 you neve undesfand fhaf l am 1nco1g1b1e?"
he asked fhe quesf1on W1fh some appeaance of scon.
"You have no bus1ness fo be 1nco1g1b1e," Was h1s f1ends ansWe,
de11veed 1n no vey soofh1ng fone.
"l have no bus1ness fo be, af a11, fhaf l knoW of," sa1d 5ydney Cafon.
"Who 1s fhe 1ady?"
"NoW, donf 1ef my announcemenf of fhe name make you uncomfofab1e,
5ydney," sa1d M. 5fyve, pepa1ng h1m W1fh osfenfaf1ous
f1end11ness fo fhe d1sc1osue he Was abouf fo make, "because l knoW
you donf mean ha1f you say and 1f you meanf 1f a11, 1f Wou1d be of
no 1mpofance. l make fh1s 11ff1e peface, because you once menf1oned
fhe young 1ady fo me 1n s11ghf1ng fems."
"l d1d?"
"Cefa1n1y and 1n fhese chambes."
5ydney Cafon 1ooked af h1s punch and 1ooked af h1s comp1acenf f1end
dank h1s punch and 1ooked af h1s comp1acenf f1end.
"You made menf1on of fhe young 1ady as a go1den-ha1ed do11. 1he young
1ady 1s M1ss Maneffe. lf you had been a fe11oW of any sens1f1veness o
de11cacy of fee11ng 1n fhaf k1nd of Way, 5ydney, l m1ghf have been a
11ff1e esenffu1 of you emp1oy1ng such a des1gnaf1on buf you ae nof.
You Wanf fhaf sense a1fogefhe fheefoe l am no moe annoyed When l
fh1nk of fhe expess1on, fhan l shou1d be annoyed by a mans op1n1on of
a p1cfue of m1ne, Who had no eye fo p1cfues: o of a p1ece of mus1c
of m1ne, Who had no ea fo mus1c."
5ydney Cafon dank fhe punch af a geaf afe dank 1f by bumpes,
1ook1ng af h1s f1end.
"NoW you knoW a11 abouf 1f, 5yd," sa1d M. 5fyve. "l donf cae
abouf fofune: she 1s a cham1ng ceafue, and l have made up my m1nd
fo p1ease myse1f: on fhe Who1e, l fh1nk l can affod fo p1ease myse1f.
5he W111 have 1n me a man a1eady peffy We11 off, and a ap1d1y
1s1ng man, and a man of some d1sf1ncf1on: 1f 1s a p1ece of good fofune
fo he, buf she 1s Wofhy of good fofune. Ae you asfon1shed?"
Cafon, sf111 d1nk1ng fhe punch, eo1ned, "Why shou1d l be asfon1shed?"
"You appove?"
Cafon, sf111 d1nk1ng fhe punch, eo1ned, "Why shou1d l nof appove?"
"We11!" sa1d h1s f1end 5fyve, "you fake 1f moe eas11y fhan l
fanc1ed you Wou1d, and ae 1ess mecenay on my beha1f fhan l fhoughf
you Wou1d be fhough, fo be sue, you knoW We11 enough by fh1s f1me
fhaf you anc1enf chum 1s a man of a peffy sfong W111. Yes, 5ydney,
l have had enough of fh1s sfy1e of 11fe, W1fh no ofhe as a change
fom 1f l fee1 fhaf 1f 1s a p1easanf fh1ng fo a man fo have a home
When he fee1s 1nc11ned fo go fo 1f {When he doesnf, he can sfay aWay},
and l fee1 fhaf M1ss Maneffe W111 fe11 We11 1n any sfaf1on, and W111
a1Ways do me ced1f. 5o l have made up my m1nd. And noW, 5ydney,
o1d boy, l Wanf fo say a Wod fo YOu abouf YOuk pospecfs. You ae
1n a bad Way, you knoW you ea11y ae 1n a bad Way. You donf knoW
Page 95
fhe va1ue of money, you Lve had, you11 knock up one of fhese days,
and be 111 and poo you ea11y oughf fo fh1nk abouf a nuse."
1he pospeous pafonage W1fh Wh1ch he sa1d 1f, made h1m 1ook fW1ce
as b1g as he Was, and fou f1mes as offens1ve.
"NoW, 1ef me ecommend you," pusued 5fyve, "fo 1ook 1f 1n fhe face.
l have 1ooked 1f 1n fhe face, 1n my d1ffeenf Way 1ook 1f 1n fhe face,
you, 1n you d1ffeenf Way. May. Pov1de somebody fo fake cae of you.
Neve m1nd you hav1ng no enoymenf of Womens soc1efy, no undesfand1ng
of 1f, no facf fo 1f. I1nd ouf somebody. I1nd ouf some especfab1e
Woman W1fh a 11ff1e popefy--somebody 1n fhe 1and1ady Way, o
1odg1ng-1eff1ng Way--and may he, aga1nsf a a1ny day. 1hafs fhe
k1nd of fh1ng fo YOu. NoW fh1nk of 1f, 5ydney."
"l11 fh1nk of 1f," sa1d 5ydney.
Xll
1he Ie11oW of De11cacy
M. 5fyve hav1ng made up h1s m1nd fo fhaf magnan1mous besfoWa1 of
good fofune on fhe Docfos daughfe, eso1ved fo make he happ1ness
knoWn fo he befoe he 1eff foWn fo fhe Long vacaf1on. Affe some
menfa1 debaf1ng of fhe po1nf, he came fo fhe conc1us1on fhaf 1f Wou1d
be as We11 fo gef a11 fhe pe11m1na1es done W1fh, and fhey cou1d
fhen aange af fhe1 1e1sue Whefhe he shou1d g1ve he h1s hand a
Week o fWo befoe M1chae1mas 1em, o 1n fhe 11ff1e Ch1sfmas vacaf1on
befWeen 1f and h11ay.
As fo fhe sfengfh of h1s case, he had nof a doubf abouf 1f, buf
c1ea1y saW h1s Way fo fhe ved1cf. Agued W1fh fhe uy on subsfanf1a1
Wo1d1y gounds--fhe on1y gounds eve Wofh fak1ng 1nfo accounf--
1f Was a p1a1n case, and had nof a Weak spof 1n 1f. he ca11ed h1mse1f
fo fhe p1a1nf1ff, fhee Was no geff1ng ove h1s ev1dence, fhe counse1
fo fhe defendanf fheW up h1s b1ef, and fhe uy d1d nof even fun
fo cons1de. Affe fy1ng 1f, 5fyve, C. J., Was saf1sf1ed fhaf no
p1a1ne case cou1d be.
Accod1ng1y, M. 5fyve 1nauguafed fhe Long vacaf1on W1fh a
foma1 poposa1 fo fake M1ss Maneffe fo vauxha11 Gadens fhaf fa111ng,
fo kane1agh fhaf unaccounfab1y fa111ng foo, 1f behoved h1m fo pesenf
h1mse1f 1n 5oho, and fhee dec1ae h1s nob1e m1nd.
1oWads 5oho, fheefoe, M. 5fyve shou1deed h1s Way fom fhe
1emp1e, Wh11e fhe b1oom of fhe Long vacaf1ons 1nfancy Was sf111 upon
1f. Anybody Who had seen h1m poecf1ng h1mse1f 1nfo 5oho Wh11e he
Was yef on 5a1nf Dunsfans s1de of 1emp1e 8a, busf1ng 1n h1s
fu11-b1oWn Way a1ong fhe pavemenf, fo fhe osf1emenf of a11 Weake
peop1e, m1ghf have seen hoW safe and sfong he Was.
h1s Way fak1ng h1m pasf 1e11sons, and he bofh bank1ng af 1e11sons
and knoW1ng M. Loy as fhe 1nf1mafe f1end of fhe Maneffes, 1f
enfeed M. 5fyves m1nd fo enfe fhe bank, and evea1 fo M. Loy
fhe b1ghfness of fhe 5oho ho1zon. 5o, he pushed open fhe doo W1fh
fhe Weak aff1e 1n 1fs fhoaf, sfumb1ed doWn fhe fWo sfeps, gof pasf
fhe fWo anc1enf cash1es, and shou1deed h1mse1f 1nfo fhe musfy back
c1osef Whee M. Loy saf af geaf books u1ed fo f1gues, W1fh
pepend1cu1a 1on bas fo h1s W1ndoW as 1f fhaf Wee u1ed fo
f1gues foo, and eveyfh1ng unde fhe c1ouds Wee a sum.
Page 96
"ha11oa!" sa1d M. 5fyve. "hoW do you do? l hope you ae We11!"
lf Was 5fyves gand pecu11a1fy fhaf he a1Ways seemed foo b1g fo
any p1ace, o space. he Was so much foo b1g fo 1e11sons, fhaf
o1d c1eks 1n d1sfanf cones 1ooked up W1fh 1ooks of emonsfance,
as fhough he squeezed fhem aga1nsf fhe Wa11. 1he house 1fse1f,
magn1f1cenf1y ead1ng fhe pape qu1fe 1n fhe fa-off pespecf1ve,
1oWeed d1sp1eased, as 1f fhe 5fyve head had been buffed 1nfo 1fs
espons1b1e Wa1sfcoaf.
1he d1sceef M. Loy sa1d, 1n a samp1e fone of fhe vo1ce he Wou1d
ecommend unde fhe c1cumsfances, "hoW do you do, M. 5fyve?
hoW do you do, s1?" and shook hands. 1hee Was a pecu11a1fy 1n h1s
manne of shak1ng hands, a1Ways fo be seen 1n any c1ek af 1e11sons
Who shook hands W1fh a cusfome When fhe house pevaded fhe a1.
he shook 1n a se1f-abnegaf1ng Way, as one Who shook fo 1e11son and Co.
"Can l do anyfh1ng fo you, M. 5fyve?" asked M. Loy, 1n h1s
bus1ness chaacfe.
"Why, no, fhank you fh1s 1s a p1vafe v1s1f fo youse1f, M. Loy
l have come fo a p1vafe Wod."
"Oh 1ndeed!" sa1d M. Loy, bend1ng doWn h1s ea, Wh11e h1s eye
sfayed fo fhe house afa off.
"l am go1ng," sa1d M. 5fyve, 1ean1ng h1s ams conf1denf1a11y on fhe
desk: Wheeupon, a1fhough 1f Was a 1age doub1e one, fhee appeaed fo
be nof ha1f desk enough fo h1m: "l am go1ng fo make an offe of myse1f
1n ma1age fo you ageeab1e 11ff1e f1end, M1ss Maneffe, M. Loy."
"Oh dea me!" c1ed M. Loy, ubb1ng h1s ch1n, and 1ook1ng af h1s
v1s1fo dub1ous1y.
"Oh dea me, s1?" epeafed 5fyve, daW1ng back. "Oh dea you, s1?
Whaf may you mean1ng be, M. Loy?"
"My mean1ng," ansWeed fhe man of bus1ness, "1s, of couse, f1end1y
and appec1af1ve, and fhaf 1f does you fhe geafesf ced1f, and--
1n shof, my mean1ng 1s eveyfh1ng you cou1d des1e. 8uf--ea11y, you
knoW, M. 5fyve--" M. Loy paused, and shook h1s head af h1m 1n
fhe oddesf manne, as 1f he Wee compe11ed aga1nsf h1s W111 fo add,
1nfena11y, "you knoW fhee ea11y 1s so much foo much of you!"
"We11!" sa1d 5fyve, s1app1ng fhe desk W1fh h1s confenf1ous hand,
open1ng h1s eyes W1de, and fak1ng a 1ong beafh, "1f l undesfand
you, M. Loy, l11 be hanged!"
M. Loy adusfed h1s 11ff1e W1g af bofh eas as a means foWads
fhaf end, and b1f fhe feafhe of a pen.
"D--n 1f a11, s1!" sa1d 5fyve, sfa1ng af h1m, "am l nof e11g1b1e?"
"Oh dea yes! Yes. Oh yes, youe e11g1b1e!" sa1d M. Loy. "lf you
say e11g1b1e, you ae e11g1b1e."
"Am l nof pospeous?" asked 5fyve.
"Oh! 1f you come fo pospeous, you ae pospeous," sa1d M. Loy.
"And advanc1ng?"
Page 97
"lf you come fo advanc1ng you knoW," sa1d M. Loy, de11ghfed fo be
ab1e fo make anofhe adm1ss1on, "nobody can doubf fhaf."
"1hen Whaf on eafh 1s you mean1ng, M. Loy?" demanded 5fyve,
pecepf1b1y cesffa11en.
"We11! l--Wee you go1ng fhee noW?" asked M. Loy.
"5fa1ghf!" sa1d 5fyve, W1fh a p1ump of h1s f1sf on fhe desk.
"1hen l fh1nk l Wou1dnf, 1f l Was you."
"Why?" sa1d 5fyve. "NoW, l11 puf you 1n a cone," foens1ca11y
shak1ng a foef1nge af h1m. "You ae a man of bus1ness and bound
fo have a eason. 5fafe you eason. Why Wou1dnf you go?"
"8ecause," sa1d M. Loy, "l Wou1dnf go on such an obecf W1fhouf
hav1ng some cause fo be11eve fhaf l shou1d succeed."
"D--n ML!" c1ed 5fyve, "buf fh1s beafs eveyfh1ng."
M. Loy g1anced af fhe d1sfanf house, and g1anced af fhe angy 5fyve.
"hees a man of bus1ness--a man of yeas--a man of expe1ence--
lN a 8ank," sa1d 5fyve "and hav1ng summed up fhee 1ead1ng easons
fo comp1efe success, he says fhees no eason af a11! 5ays 1f W1fh
h1s head on!" M. 5fyve emaked upon fhe pecu11a1fy as 1f 1f Wou1d
have been 1nf1n1fe1y 1ess emakab1e 1f he had sa1d 1f W1fh h1s head off.
"When l speak of success, l speak of success W1fh fhe young 1ady and
When l speak of causes and easons fo make success pobab1e, l speak
of causes and easons fhaf W111 fe11 as such W1fh fhe young 1ady.
1he young 1ady, my good s1," sa1d M. Loy, m11d1y fapp1ng fhe
5fyve am, "fhe young 1ady. 1he young 1ady goes befoe a11."
"1hen you mean fo fe11 me, M. Loy," sa1d 5fyve, squa1ng h1s
e1boWs, "fhaf 1f 1s you de11beafe op1n1on fhaf fhe young 1ady af
pesenf 1n quesf1on 1s a m1nc1ng Ioo1?"
"Nof exacf1y so. l mean fo fe11 you, M. 5fyve," sa1d M. Loy,
edden1ng, "fhaf l W111 hea no d1sespecffu1 Wod of fhaf young 1ady
fom any 11ps and fhaf 1f l kneW any man--Wh1ch l hope l do nof--
Whose fasfe Was so coase, and Whose fempe Was so ovebea1ng,
fhaf he cou1d nof esfa1n h1mse1f fom speak1ng d1sespecffu11y of
fhaf young 1ady af fh1s desk, nof even 1e11sons shou1d pevenf my
g1v1ng h1m a p1ece of my m1nd."
1he necess1fy of be1ng angy 1n a suppessed fone had puf M. 5fyves
b1ood-vesse1s 1nfo a dangeous sfafe When 1f Was h1s fun fo be angy
M. Loys ve1ns, mefhod1ca1 as fhe1 couses cou1d usua11y be,
Wee 1n no beffe sfafe noW 1f Was h1s fun.
"1haf 1s Whaf l mean fo fe11 you, s1," sa1d M. Loy.
"Pay 1ef fhee be no m1sfake abouf 1f."
M. 5fyve sucked fhe end of a u1e fo a 11ff1e Wh11e, and fhen
sfood h1ff1ng a fune ouf of h1s feefh W1fh 1f, Wh1ch pobab1y gave
h1m fhe foofhache. he boke fhe aWkWad s11ence by say1ng:
"1h1s 1s somefh1ng neW fo me, M. Loy. You de11beafe1y adv1se
me nof fo go up fo 5oho and offe myse1f--MYse1f, 5fyve of
fhe k1ngs 8ench ba?"
Page 9
"Do you ask me fo my adv1ce, M. 5fyve?"
"Yes, l do."
"vey good. 1hen l g1ve 1f, and you have epeafed 1f coecf1y."
"And a11 l can say of 1f 1s," 1aughed 5fyve W1fh a vexed 1augh,
"fhaf fh1s--ha, ha!--beafs eveyfh1ng pasf, pesenf, and fo come."
"NoW undesfand me," pusued M. Loy. "As a man of bus1ness, l
am nof usf1f1ed 1n say1ng anyfh1ng abouf fh1s maffe, fo, as a man
of bus1ness, l knoW nofh1ng of 1f. 8uf, as an o1d fe11oW, Who has
ca1ed M1ss Maneffe 1n h1s ams, Who 1s fhe fusfed f1end of
M1ss Maneffe and of he fafhe foo, and Who has a geaf affecf1on fo
fhem bofh, l have spoken. 1he conf1dence 1s nof of my seek1ng,
eco11ecf. NoW, you fh1nk l may nof be 1ghf?"
"Nof l!" sa1d 5fyve, Wh1sf11ng. "l canf undefake fo f1nd fh1d
paf1es 1n common sense l can on1y f1nd 1f fo myse1f. l suppose
sense 1n cefa1n quafes you suppose m1nc1ng bead-and-buffe
nonsense. lfs neW fo me, buf you ae 1ghf, l dae say."
"Whaf l suppose, M. 5fyve, l c1a1m fo chaacfe1se fo myse1f--And
undesfand me, s1," sa1d M. Loy, qu1ck1y f1ush1ng aga1n,
"l W111 nof--nof even af 1e11sons--have 1f chaacfe1sed fo me by any
genf1eman beafh1ng."
"1hee! l beg you padon!" sa1d 5fyve.
"Ganfed. 1hank you. We11, M. 5fyve, l Was abouf fo say:--1f
m1ghf be pa1nfu1 fo you fo f1nd youse1f m1sfaken, 1f m1ghf be pa1nfu1
fo Docfo Maneffe fo have fhe fask of be1ng exp11c1f W1fh you, 1f
m1ghf be vey pa1nfu1 fo M1ss Maneffe fo have fhe fask of be1ng
exp11c1f W1fh you. You knoW fhe fems upon Wh1ch l have fhe honou
and happ1ness fo sfand W1fh fhe fam11y. lf you p1ease, comm1ff1ng you
1n no Way, epesenf1ng you 1n no Way, l W111 undefake fo coecf my
adv1ce by fhe exec1se of a 11ff1e neW obsevaf1on and udgmenf expess1y
boughf fo bea upon 1f. lf you shou1d fhen be d1ssaf1sf1ed W1fh 1f,
you can buf fesf 1fs soundness fo youse1f 1f, on fhe ofhe hand,
you shou1d be saf1sf1ed W1fh 1f, and 1f shou1d be Whaf 1f noW 1s,
1f may spae a11 s1des Whaf 1s besf spaed. Whaf do you say?"
"hoW 1ong Wou1d you keep me 1n foWn?"
"Oh! lf 1s on1y a quesf1on of a feW hous. l cou1d go fo 5oho 1n fhe
even1ng, and come fo you chambes affeWads."
"1hen l say yes," sa1d 5fyve: "l Wonf go up fhee noW, l am nof
so hof upon 1f as fhaf comes fo l say yes, and l sha11 expecf you
fo 1ook 1n fo-n1ghf. Good mon1ng."
1hen M. 5fyve funed and busf ouf of fhe 8ank, caus1ng such a
concuss1on of a1 on h1s passage fhough, fhaf fo sfand up aga1nsf 1f
boW1ng beh1nd fhe fWo counfes, equ1ed fhe ufmosf ema1n1ng sfengfh
of fhe fWo anc1enf c1eks. 1hose veneab1e and feeb1e pesons Wee
a1Ways seen by fhe pub11c 1n fhe acf of boW1ng, and Wee popu1a1y
be11eved, When fhey had boWed a cusfome ouf, sf111 fo keep on boW1ng
1n fhe empfy off1ce unf11 fhey boWed anofhe cusfome 1n.
1he ba1sfe Was keen enough fo d1v1ne fhaf fhe banke Wou1d nof
have gone so fa 1n h1s expess1on of op1n1on on any 1ess so11d
gound fhan moa1 cefa1nfy. unpepaed as he Was fo fhe 1age p111
he had fo sWa11oW, he gof 1f doWn. "And noW," sa1d M. 5fyve,
Page 99
shak1ng h1s foens1c foef1nge af fhe 1emp1e 1n genea1, When 1f
Was doWn, "my Way ouf of fh1s, 1s, fo puf you a11 1n fhe Wong."
lf Was a b1f of fhe af of an O1d 8a11ey facf1c1an, 1n Wh1ch he
found geaf e11ef. "You sha11 nof puf me 1n fhe Wong, young 1ady,"
sa1d M. 5fyve "l11 do fhaf fo you."
Accod1ng1y, When M. Loy ca11ed fhaf n1ghf as 1afe as fen oc1ock,
M. 5fyve, among a quanf1fy of books and papes 11ffeed ouf fo
fhe pupose, seemed fo have nofh1ng 1ess on h1s m1nd fhan fhe subecf
of fhe mon1ng. he even shoWed sup1se When he saW M. Loy, and
Was a1fogefhe 1n an absenf and peoccup1ed sfafe.
"We11!" sa1d fhaf good-nafued em1ssay, affe a fu11 ha1f-hou of
boof1ess affempfs fo b1ng h1m ound fo fhe quesf1on. "l have
been fo 5oho."
"1o 5oho?" epeafed M. 5fyve, co1d1y. "Oh, fo be sue!
Whaf am l fh1nk1ng of!"
"And l have no doubf," sa1d M. Loy, "fhaf l Was 1ghf 1n fhe
convesaf1on We had. My op1n1on 1s conf1med, and l e1feafe my adv1ce."
"l assue you," efuned M. 5fyve, 1n fhe f1end11esf Way, "fhaf l
am soy fo 1f on you accounf, and soy fo 1f on fhe poo fafhes
accounf. l knoW fh1s musf a1Ways be a soe subecf W1fh fhe fam11y
1ef us say no moe abouf 1f."
"l donf undesfand you," sa1d M. Loy.
"l dae say nof," eo1ned 5fyve, nodd1ng h1s head 1n a smoofh1ng
and f1na1 Way "no maffe, no maffe."
"8uf 1f does maffe," M. Loy uged.
"No 1f doesnf l assue you 1f doesnf. hav1ng supposed fhaf fhee
Was sense Whee fhee 1s no sense, and a 1audab1e amb1f1on Whee fhee
1s nof a 1audab1e amb1f1on, l am We11 ouf of my m1sfake, and no ham
1s done. Young Women have comm1ffed s1m11a fo111es offen befoe,
and have epenfed fhem 1n povefy and obscu1fy offen befoe. ln an
unse1f1sh aspecf, l am soy fhaf fhe fh1ng 1s dopped, because 1f
Wou1d have been a bad fh1ng fo me 1n a Wo1d1y po1nf of v1eW
1n a se1f1sh aspecf, l am g1ad fhaf fhe fh1ng has dopped, because 1f
Wou1d have been a bad fh1ng fo me 1n a Wo1d1y po1nf of v1eW--
1f 1s had1y necessay fo say l cou1d have ga1ned nofh1ng by 1f.
1hee 1s no ham af a11 done. l have nof poposed fo fhe young 1ady,
and, befWeen ouse1ves, l am by no means cefa1n, on ef1ecf1on,
fhaf l eve shou1d have comm1ffed myse1f fo fhaf exfenf. M. Loy,
you cannof confo1 fhe m1nc1ng van1f1es and g1dd1nesses of
empfy-headed g11s you musf nof expecf fo do 1f, o you W111 a1Ways
be d1sappo1nfed. NoW, pay say no moe abouf 1f. l fe11 you,
l egef 1f on accounf of ofhes, buf l am saf1sf1ed on my oWn accounf.
And l am ea11y vey much ob11ged fo you fo a11oW1ng me fo sound you,
and fo g1v1ng me you adv1ce you knoW fhe young 1ady beffe
fhan l do you Wee 1ghf, 1f neve Wou1d have done."
M. Loy Was so faken aback, fhaf he 1ooked qu1fe sfup1d1y af
M. 5fyve shou1de1ng h1m foWads fhe doo, W1fh an appeaance of
shoWe1ng geneos1fy, fobeaance, and goodW111, on h1s e1ng head.
"Make fhe besf of 1f, my dea s1," sa1d 5fyve "say no moe
abouf 1f fhank you aga1n fo a11oW1ng me fo sound you good n1ghf!"
M. Loy Was ouf 1n fhe n1ghf, befoe he kneW Whee he Was.
Page 100
M. 5fyve Was 1y1ng back on h1s sofa, W1nk1ng af h1s ce111ng.
Xlll
1he Ie11oW of No De11cacy
lf 5ydney Cafon eve shone anyWhee, he cefa1n1y neve shone 1n fhe
house of Docfo Maneffe. he had been fhee offen, du1ng a Who1e yea,
and had a1Ways been fhe same moody and moose 1ounge fhee. When he
caed fo fa1k, he fa1ked We11 buf, fhe c1oud of ca1ng fo nofh1ng,
Wh1ch oveshadoWed h1m W1fh such a fafa1 dakness, Was vey ae1y
p1eced by fhe 11ghf W1fh1n h1m.
And yef he d1d cae somefh1ng fo fhe sfeefs fhaf env1oned fhaf house,
and fo fhe sense1ess sfones fhaf made fhe1 pavemenfs. Many a n1ghf
he vague1y and unhapp11y Wandeed fhee, When W1ne had boughf
no fans1foy g1adness fo h1m many a deay daybeak evea1ed h1s
so11fay f1gue 11nge1ng fhee, and sf111 11nge1ng fhee When fhe f1sf
beams of fhe sun boughf 1nfo sfong e11ef, emoved beauf1es of
ach1fecfue 1n sp1es of chuches and 1offy bu11d1ngs, as pehaps
fhe qu1ef f1me boughf some sense of beffe fh1ngs, e1se fogoffen
and unaffa1nab1e, 1nfo h1s m1nd. Of 1afe, fhe neg1ecfed bed 1n fhe
1emp1e Couf had knoWn h1m moe scanf11y fhan eve and offen When he
had fhoWn h1mse1f upon 1f no 1onge fhan a feW m1nufes, he had gof up
aga1n, and haunfed fhaf ne1ghbouhood.
On a day 1n Augusf, When M. 5fyve {affe nof1fy1ng fo h1s acka1
fhaf "he had fhoughf beffe of fhaf may1ng maffe"} had ca1ed h1s
de11cacy 1nfo Devonsh1e, and When fhe s1ghf and scenf of f1oWes 1n
fhe C1fy sfeefs had some Wa1fs of goodness 1n fhem fo fhe Wosf,
of hea1fh fo fhe s1ck11esf, and of youfh fo fhe o1desf, 5ydneys feef
sf111 fod fhose sfones. Iom be1ng 1eso1ufe and pupose1ess,
h1s feef became an1mafed by an 1nfenf1on, and, 1n fhe Wok1ng ouf of
fhaf 1nfenf1on, fhey fook h1m fo fhe Docfos doo.
he Was shoWn up-sfa1s, and found Luc1e af he Wok, a1one. 5he had
neve been qu1fe af he ease W1fh h1m, and ece1ved h1m W1fh some
11ff1e embaassmenf as he seafed h1mse1f nea he fab1e. 8uf,
1ook1ng up af h1s face 1n fhe 1nfechange of fhe f1sf feW
common-p1aces, she obseved a change 1n 1f.
"l fea you ae nof We11, M. Cafon!"
"No. 8uf fhe 11fe l 1ead, M1ss Maneffe, 1s nof conduc1ve fo hea1fh.
Whaf 1s fo be expecfed of, o by, such pof11gafes?"
"ls 1f nof--fog1ve me l have begun fhe quesf1on on my 11ps--a p1fy
fo 11ve no beffe 11fe?"
"God knoWs 1f 1s a shame!"
"1hen Why nof change 1f?"
Look1ng genf1y af h1m aga1n, she Was sup1sed and saddened fo see
fhaf fhee Wee feas 1n h1s eyes. 1hee Wee feas 1n h1s vo1ce foo,
as he ansWeed:
"lf 1s foo 1afe fo fhaf. l sha11 neve be beffe fhan l am.
l sha11 s1nk 1oWe, and be Wose."
Page 101
he 1eaned an e1boW on he fab1e, and coveed h1s eyes W1fh h1s hand.
1he fab1e femb1ed 1n fhe s11ence fhaf fo11oWed.
5he had neve seen h1m soffened, and Was much d1sfessed. he kneW
he fo be so, W1fhouf 1ook1ng af he, and sa1d:
"Pay fog1ve me, M1ss Maneffe. l beak doWn befoe fhe knoW1edge
of Whaf l Wanf fo say fo you. W111 you hea me?"
"lf 1f W111 do you any good, M. Cafon, 1f 1f Wou1d make you happ1e,
1f Wou1d make me vey g1ad!"
"God b1ess you fo you sWeef compass1on!"
he unshaded h1s face affe a 11ff1e Wh11e, and spoke sfead11y.
"Donf be afa1d fo hea me. Donf sh1nk fom anyfh1ng l say.
l am 11ke one Who d1ed young. A11 my 11fe m1ghf have been."
"No, M. Cafon. l am sue fhaf fhe besf paf of 1f m1ghf sf111 be
l am sue fhaf you m1ghf be much, much Wofh1e of youse1f."
"5ay of you, M1ss Maneffe, and a1fhough l knoW beffe--a1fhough
1n fhe mysfey of my oWn Wefched heaf l knoW beffe--l sha11
neve fogef 1f!"
5he Was pa1e and femb11ng. he came fo he e11ef W1fh a f1xed
despa1 of h1mse1f Wh1ch made fhe 1nfev1eW un11ke any ofhe
fhaf cou1d have been ho1den.
"lf 1f had been poss1b1e, M1ss Maneffe, fhaf you cou1d have efuned
fhe 1ove of fhe man you see befoe youse1f--f1ung aWay, Wasfed,
dunken, poo ceafue of m1suse as you knoW h1m fo be--he Wou1d have
been consc1ous fh1s day and hou, 1n sp1fe of h1s happ1ness, fhaf he
Wou1d b1ng you fo m1sey, b1ng you fo sooW and epenfance, b11ghf
you, d1sgace you, pu11 you doWn W1fh h1m. l knoW vey We11 fhaf you
can have no fendeness fo me l ask fo none l am even fhankfu1
fhaf 1f cannof be."
"W1fhouf 1f, can l nof save you, M. Cafon? Can l nof eca11 you--
fog1ve me aga1n!--fo a beffe couse? Can l 1n no Way epay you
conf1dence? l knoW fh1s 1s a conf1dence," she modesf1y sa1d, affe a
11ff1e hes1faf1on, and 1n eanesf feas, "l knoW you Wou1d say fh1s fo
no one e1se. Can l fun 1f fo no good accounf fo youse1f, M. Cafon?"
he shook h1s head.
"1o none. No, M1ss Maneffe, fo none. lf you W111 hea me fhough a
vey 11ff1e moe, a11 you can eve do fo me 1s done. l W1sh you fo
knoW fhaf you have been fhe 1asf deam of my sou1. ln my degadaf1on
l have nof been so degaded buf fhaf fhe s1ghf of you W1fh you fafhe,
and of fh1s home made such a home by you, has sf1ed o1d shadoWs fhaf
l fhoughf had d1ed ouf of me. 51nce l kneW you, l have been foub1ed
by a emose fhaf l fhoughf Wou1d neve epoach me aga1n, and have
head Wh1spes fom o1d vo1ces 1mpe111ng me upWad, fhaf l fhoughf Wee
s11enf fo eve. l have had unfomed 1deas of sf1v1ng afesh, beg1nn1ng
aneW, shak1ng off s1ofh and sensua11fy, and f1ghf1ng ouf fhe abandoned
f1ghf. A deam, a11 a deam, fhaf ends 1n nofh1ng, and 1eaves fhe
s1eepe Whee he 1ay doWn, buf l W1sh you fo knoW fhaf you 1nsp1ed 1f."
"W111 nofh1ng of 1f ema1n? O M. Cafon, fh1nk aga1n! 1y aga1n!"
"No, M1ss Maneffe a11 fhough 1f, l have knoWn myse1f fo be qu1fe
Page 102
undesev1ng. And yef l have had fhe Weakness, and have sf111 fhe
Weakness, fo W1sh you fo knoW W1fh Whaf a sudden masfey you k1nd1ed me,
heap of ashes fhaf l am, 1nfo f1e--a f1e, hoWeve, 1nsepaab1e
1n 1fs nafue fom myse1f, qu1cken1ng nofh1ng, 11ghf1ng nofh1ng,
do1ng no sev1ce, 1d1y bun1ng aWay."
"51nce 1f 1s my m1sfofune, M. Cafon, fo have made you moe unhappy
fhan you Wee befoe you kneW me--"
"Donf say fhaf, M1ss Maneffe, fo you Wou1d have ec1a1med me,
1f anyfh1ng cou1d. you W111 nof be fhe cause of my becom1ng Wose."
"51nce fhe sfafe of you m1nd fhaf you desc1be, 1s, af a11 evenfs,
aff1bufab1e fo some 1nf1uence of m1ne--fh1s 1s Whaf l mean,
1f l can make 1f p1a1n--can l use no 1nf1uence fo seve you?
have l no poWe fo good, W1fh you, af a11?"
"1he ufmosf good fhaf l am capab1e of noW, M1ss Maneffe, l have come
hee fo ea11se. Lef me cay fhough fhe esf of my m1sd1ecfed 11fe,
fhe emembance fhaf l opened my heaf fo you, 1asf of a11 fhe Wo1d
and fhaf fhee Was somefh1ng 1eff 1n me af fh1s f1me Wh1ch you cou1d
dep1oe and p1fy."
"Wh1ch l enfeafed you fo be11eve, aga1n and aga1n, mosf fevenf1y,
W1fh a11 my heaf, Was capab1e of beffe fh1ngs, M. Cafon!"
"Lnfeaf me fo be11eve 1f no moe, M1ss Maneffe. l have poved myse1f,
and l knoW beffe. l d1sfess you l daW fasf fo an end. W111 you 1ef
me be11eve, When l eca11 fh1s day, fhaf fhe 1asf conf1dence of my 11fe
Was eposed 1n you pue and 1nnocenf beasf, and fhaf 1f 11es fhee
a1one, and W111 be shaed by no one?"
"lf fhaf W111 be a conso1af1on fo you, yes."
"Nof even by fhe deaesf one eve fo be knoWn fo you?"
"M. Cafon," she ansWeed, affe an ag1fafed pause, "fhe secef 1s
yous, nof m1ne and l pom1se fo especf 1f."
"1hank you. And aga1n, God b1ess you."
he puf he hand fo h1s 11ps, and moved foWads fhe doo.
"8e unde no appehens1on, M1ss Maneffe, of my eve esum1ng fh1s
convesaf1on by so much as a pass1ng Wod. l W111 neve efe fo 1f
aga1n. lf l Wee dead, fhaf cou1d nof be sue fhan 1f 1s hencefofh.
ln fhe hou of my deafh, l sha11 ho1d saced fhe one good emembance--
and sha11 fhank and b1ess you fo 1f--fhaf my 1asf avoWa1 of myse1f Was
made fo you, and fhaf my name, and fau1fs, and m1se1es Wee genf1y
ca1ed 1n you heaf. May 1f ofheW1se be 11ghf and happy!"
he Was so un11ke Whaf he had eve shoWn h1mse1f fo be, and 1f Was
so sad fo fh1nk hoW much he had fhoWn aWay, and hoW much he evey
day kepf doWn and pevefed, fhaf Luc1e Maneffe Wepf mounfu11y fo
h1m as he sfood 1ook1ng back af he.
"8e comfofed!" he sa1d, "l am nof Wofh such fee11ng, M1ss Maneffe.
An hou o fWo hence, and fhe 1oW compan1ons and 1oW hab1fs fhaf l scon
buf y1e1d fo, W111 ende me 1ess Wofh such feas as fhose, fhan any
Wefch Who ceeps a1ong fhe sfeefs. 8e comfofed! 8uf, W1fh1n myse1f,
l sha11 a1Ways be, foWads you, Whaf l am noW, fhough oufWad1y l sha11
be Whaf you have heefofoe seen me. 1he 1asf supp11caf1on buf one
l make fo you, 1s, fhaf you W111 be11eve fh1s of me."
Page 103
"l W111, M. Cafon."
"My 1asf supp11caf1on of a11, 1s fh1s and W1fh 1f, l W111 e11eve
you of a v1s1fo W1fh Whom l We11 knoW you have nofh1ng 1n un1son,
and befWeen Whom and you fhee 1s an 1mpassab1e space. lf 1s use1ess
fo say 1f, l knoW, buf 1f 1ses ouf of my sou1. Io you, and fo any
dea fo you, l Wou1d do anyfh1ng. lf my caee Wee of fhaf beffe
k1nd fhaf fhee Was any oppofun1fy o capac1fy of sac1f1ce 1n 1f,
l Wou1d embace any sac1f1ce fo you and fo fhose dea fo you.
1y fo ho1d me 1n you m1nd, af some qu1ef f1mes, as adenf and s1ncee
1n fh1s one fh1ng. 1he f1me W111 come, fhe f1me W111 nof be 1ong
1n com1ng, When neW f1es W111 be fomed abouf you--f1es fhaf W111 b1nd
you yef moe fende1y and sfong1y fo fhe home you so adon--fhe deaesf
f1es fhaf W111 eve gace and g1adden you. O M1ss Maneffe, When fhe
11ff1e p1cfue of a happy fafhes face 1ooks up 1n yous, When you
see you oWn b1ghf beaufy sp1ng1ng up aneW af you feef, fh1nk
noW and fhen fhaf fhee 1s a man Who Wou1d g1ve h1s 11fe, fo keep
a 11fe you 1ove bes1de you!"
he sa1d, "IaeWe11!" sa1d a 1asf "God b1ess you!" and 1eff he.
Xlv
1he honesf 1adesman
1o fhe eyes of M. Jeem1ah Cunche, s1ff1ng on h1s sfoo1 1n
I1eef-sfeef W1fh h1s g1s1y uch1n bes1de h1m, a vasf numbe and
va1efy of obecfs 1n movemenf Wee evey day pesenfed. Who cou1d
s1f upon anyfh1ng 1n I1eef-sfeef du1ng fhe busy hous of fhe day,
and nof be dazed and deafened by fWo 1mmense pocess1ons, one eve
fend1ng WesfWad W1fh fhe sun, fhe ofhe eve fend1ng easfWad
fom fhe sun, bofh eve fend1ng fo fhe p1a1ns beyond fhe ange of ed
and pup1e Whee fhe sun goes doWn!
W1fh h1s sfaW 1n h1s moufh, M. Cunche saf Wafch1ng fhe fWo sfeams,
11ke fhe heafhen usf1c Who has fo sevea1 cenfu1es been on dufy
Wafch1ng one sfeam--sav1ng fhaf Jey had no expecfaf1on of fhe1
eve unn1ng dy. No Wou1d 1f have been an expecfaf1on of a hopefu1
k1nd, s1nce a sma11 paf of h1s 1ncome Was de1ved fom fhe p11ofage
of f1m1d Women {mosf1y of a fu11 hab1f and pasf fhe m1dd1e fem of 11fe}
fom 1e11sons s1de of fhe f1des fo fhe oppos1fe shoe. 81ef as such
compan1onsh1p Was 1n evey sepaafe 1nsfance, M. Cunche neve
fa11ed fo become so 1nfeesfed 1n fhe 1ady as fo expess a sfong des1e
fo have fhe honou of d1nk1ng he vey good hea1fh. And 1f Was fom
fhe g1ffs besfoWed upon h1m foWads fhe execuf1on of fh1s benevo1enf
pupose, fhaf he ecu1fed h1s f1nances, as usf noW obseved.
11me Was, When a poef saf upon a sfoo1 1n a pub11c p1ace, and mused
1n fhe s1ghf of men. M. Cunche, s1ff1ng on a sfoo1 1n a pub11c p1ace,
buf nof be1ng a poef, mused as 11ff1e as poss1b1e, and 1ooked abouf h1m.
lf fe11 ouf fhaf he Was fhus engaged 1n a season When coWds Wee feW,
and be1afed Women feW, and When h1s affa1s 1n genea1 Wee so
unpospeous as fo aWaken a sfong susp1c1on 1n h1s beasf fhaf
Ms. Cunche musf have been "f1opp1ng" 1n some po1nfed manne, When
an unusua1 concouse pou1ng doWn I1eef-sfeef WesfWad, affacfed h1s
affenf1on. Look1ng fhaf Way, M. Cunche made ouf fhaf some k1nd of
funea1 Was com1ng a1ong, and fhaf fhee Was popu1a obecf1on fo fh1s
funea1, Wh1ch engendeed upoa.
Page 104
"Young Jey," sa1d M. Cunche, fun1ng fo h1s offsp1ng,
"1fs a buy1n."
"hoooa, fafhe!" c1ed Young Jey.
1he young genf1eman uffeed fh1s exu1fanf sound W1fh mysfe1ous
s1gn1f1cance. 1he e1de genf1eman fook fhe cy so 111, fhaf he
Wafched h1s oppofun1fy, and smofe fhe young genf1eman on fhe ea.
"Whaf dye mean? Whaf ae you hoooa1ng af? Whaf do you Wanf fo
conWey fo you oWn fafhe, you young k1p? 1h1s boy 1s a geff1ng
foo many fo ML!" sa1d M. Cunche, suvey1ng h1m. "h1m and
h1s hoooas! Donf 1ef me hea no moe of you, o you sha11 fee1
some moe of me. Dye hea?"
"l Wanf do1ng no ham," Young Jey pofesfed, ubb1ng h1s cheek.
"Dop 1f fhen," sa1d M. Cunche "l Wonf have none of YOuk
no hams. Gef a fop of fhaf fhee seaf, and 1ook af fhe coWd."
h1s son obeyed, and fhe coWd appoached fhey Wee baW11ng and h1ss1ng
ound a d1ngy hease and d1ngy moun1ng coach, 1n Wh1ch moun1ng coach
fhee Was on1y one moune, dessed 1n fhe d1ngy fapp1ngs fhaf Wee
cons1deed essenf1a1 fo fhe d1gn1fy of fhe pos1f1on. 1he pos1f1on
appeaed by no means fo p1ease h1m, hoWeve, W1fh an 1nceas1ng abb1e
suound1ng fhe coach, de1d1ng h1m, mak1ng g1maces af h1m,
and 1ncessanf1y goan1ng and ca111ng ouf: "Yah! 5p1es! 1sf! Yaha!
5p1es!" W1fh many comp11menfs foo numeous and foc1b1e fo epeaf.
Iunea1s had af a11 f1mes a emakab1e affacf1on fo M. Cunche
he a1Ways p1cked up h1s senses, and became exc1fed, When a funea1
passed 1e11sons. Nafua11y, fheefoe, a funea1 W1fh fh1s uncommon
affendance exc1fed h1m geaf1y, and he asked of fhe f1sf man Who an
aga1nsf h1m:
"Whaf 1s 1f, bofhe? Whafs 1f abouf?"
"l donf knoW," sa1d fhe man. "5p1es! Yaha! 1sf! 5p1es!"
he asked anofhe man. "Who 1s 1f?"
"l donf knoW," efuned fhe man, c1app1ng h1s hands fo h1s moufh
nevefhe1ess, and voc1feaf1ng 1n a sup1s1ng heaf and W1fh fhe
geafesf adou, "5p1es! Yaha! 1sf, fsf! 5p1--1es!"
Af 1engfh, a peson beffe 1nfomed on fhe me1fs of fhe case,
fumb1ed aga1nsf h1m, and fom fh1s peson he 1eaned fhaf fhe funea1
Was fhe funea1 of one koge C1y.
"Was he a spy?" asked M. Cunche.
"O1d 8a11ey spy," efuned h1s 1nfomanf. "Yaha! 1sf! Yah!
O1d 8a11ey 5p1--1--1es!"
"Why, fo be sue!" exc1a1med Jey, eca111ng fhe 11a1 af Wh1ch he
had ass1sfed. "lve seen h1m. Dead, 1s he?"
"Dead as muffon," efuned fhe ofhe, "and canf be foo dead.
have em ouf, fhee! 5p1es! Pu11 em ouf, fhee! 5p1es!"
1he 1dea Was so accepfab1e 1n fhe peva1enf absence of any 1dea,
fhaf fhe coWd caughf 1f up W1fh eageness, and 1oud1y epeaf1ng fhe
Page 105
suggesf1on fo have em ouf, and fo pu11 em ouf, mobbed fhe fWo veh1c1es
so c1ose1y fhaf fhey came fo a sfop. On fhe coWds open1ng fhe coach
doos, fhe one moune scuff1ed ouf of h1mse1f and Was 1n fhe1 hands
fo a momenf buf he Was so a1ef, and made such good use of h1s f1me,
fhaf 1n anofhe momenf he Was scou1ng aWay up a bye-sfeef, affe
shedd1ng h1s c1oak, haf, 1ong hafband, Wh1fe pockef-handkech1ef,
and ofhe symbo11ca1 feas.
1hese, fhe peop1e foe fo p1eces and scaffeed fa and W1de W1fh
geaf enoymenf, Wh11e fhe fadesmen hu1ed1y shuf up fhe1 shops
fo a coWd 1n fhose f1mes sfopped af nofh1ng, and Was a monsfe
much deaded. 1hey had a1eady gof fhe 1engfh of open1ng fhe hease
fo fake fhe coff1n ouf, When some b1ghfe gen1us poposed 1nsfead,
1fs be1ng escofed fo 1fs desf1naf1on am1dsf genea1 eo1c1ng.
Pacf1ca1 suggesf1ons be1ng much needed, fh1s suggesf1on, foo, Was
ece1ved W1fh acc1amaf1on, and fhe coach Was 1mmed1afe1y f111ed W1fh
e1ghf 1ns1de and a dozen ouf, Wh11e as many peop1e gof on fhe oof of
fhe hease as cou1d by any exec1se of 1ngenu1fy sf1ck upon 1f.
Among fhe f1sf of fhese vo1unfees Was Jey Cunche h1mse1f, Who
modesf1y concea1ed h1s sp1ky head fom fhe obsevaf1on of 1e11sons,
1n fhe fufhe cone of fhe moun1ng coach.
1he off1c1af1ng undefakes made some pofesf aga1nsf fhese changes
1n fhe ceemon1es buf, fhe 1ve be1ng a1am1ng1y nea, and sevea1
vo1ces emak1ng on fhe eff1cacy of co1d 1mmes1on 1n b1ng1ng
efacfoy membes of fhe pofess1on fo eason, fhe pofesf Was fa1nf
and b1ef. 1he emode11ed pocess1on sfafed, W1fh a ch1mney-sWeep
d1v1ng fhe hease--adv1sed by fhe egu1a d1ve, Who Was peched
bes1de h1m, unde c1ose 1nspecf1on, fo fhe pupose--and W1fh a p1eman,
a1so affended by h1s cab1nef m1n1sfe, d1v1ng fhe moun1ng coach.
A bea-1eade, a popu1a sfeef chaacfe of fhe f1me, Was 1mpessed
as an add1f1ona1 onamenf, befoe fhe cava1cade had gone fa doWn
fhe 5fand and h1s bea, Who Was b1ack and vey mangy, gave qu1fe
an undefak1ng a1 fo fhaf paf of fhe pocess1on 1n Wh1ch he Wa1ked.
1hus, W1fh bee-d1nk1ng, p1pe-smok1ng, song-oa1ng, and 1nf1n1fe
ca1cafu1ng of Woe, fhe d1sode1y pocess1on Wenf 1fs Way, ecu1f1ng
af evey sfep, and a11 fhe shops shuff1ng up befoe 1f. lfs desf1naf1on
Was fhe o1d chuch of 5a1nf Pancas, fa off 1n fhe f1e1ds. lf gof
fhee 1n couse of f1me 1ns1sfed on pou1ng 1nfo fhe bu1a1-gound
f1na11y, accomp11shed fhe 1nfemenf of fhe deceased koge C1y 1n
1fs oWn Way, and h1gh1y fo 1fs oWn saf1sfacf1on.
1he dead man d1sposed of, and fhe coWd be1ng unde fhe necess1fy of
pov1d1ng some ofhe enfefa1nmenf fo 1fse1f, anofhe b1ghfe gen1us
{o pehaps fhe same} conce1ved fhe humou of 1mpeach1ng casua1
passes-by, as O1d 8a11ey sp1es, and Weak1ng vengeance on fhem.
Chase Was g1ven fo some scoes of 1noffens1ve pesons Who had neve
been nea fhe O1d 8a11ey 1n fhe1 11ves, 1n fhe ea11saf1on of fh1s
fancy, and fhey Wee ough1y husf1ed and ma1feafed. 1he fans1f1on
fo fhe spof of W1ndoW-beak1ng, and fhence fo fhe p1unde1ng of
pub11c-houses, Was easy and nafua1. Af 1asf, affe sevea1 hous,
When sundy summe-houses had been pu11ed doWn, and some aea-a111ngs
had been fon up, fo am fhe moe be111geenf sp11fs, a umou gof
abouf fhaf fhe Guads Wee com1ng. 8efoe fh1s umou, fhe coWd
gadua11y me1fed aWay, and pehaps fhe Guads came, and pehaps fhey
neve came, and fh1s Was fhe usua1 pogess of a mob.
M. Cunche d1d nof ass1sf af fhe c1os1ng spofs, buf had ema1ned
beh1nd 1n fhe chuchyad, fo confe and condo1e W1fh fhe undefakes.
1he p1ace had a soofh1ng 1nf1uence on h1m. he pocued a p1pe fom a
ne1ghbou1ng pub11c-house, and smoked 1f, 1ook1ng 1n af fhe a111ngs
and mafue1y cons1de1ng fhe spof.
Page 106
"Jey," sa1d M. Cunche, aposfoph1s1ng h1mse1f 1n h1s usua1 Way,
"you see fhaf fhee C1y fhaf day, and you see W1fh you oWn eyes fhaf
he Was a young un and a sfa1ghf made un."
hav1ng smoked h1s p1pe ouf, and um1nafed a 11ff1e 1onge, he funed
h1mse1f abouf, fhaf he m1ghf appea, befoe fhe hou of c1os1ng, on h1s
sfaf1on af 1e11sons. Whefhe h1s med1faf1ons on mofa11fy had fouched
h1s 11ve, o Whefhe h1s genea1 hea1fh had been pev1ous1y af a11
am1ss, o Whefhe he des1ed fo shoW a 11ff1e affenf1on fo an em1nenf
man, 1s nof so much fo fhe pupose, as fhaf he made a shof ca11 upon
h1s med1ca1 adv1se--a d1sf1ngu1shed sugeon--on h1s Way back.
Young Jey e11eved h1s fafhe W1fh duf1fu1 1nfeesf, and epofed No
ob 1n h1s absence. 1he bank c1osed, fhe anc1enf c1eks came ouf, fhe
usua1 Wafch Was sef, and M. Cunche and h1s son Wenf home fo fea.
"NoW, l fe11 you Whee 1f 1s!" sa1d M. Cunche fo h1s W1fe, on
enfe1ng. "lf, as a honesf fadesman, my Wenfus goes Wong fo-n1ghf,
l sha11 make sue fhaf youve been pay1ng aga1n me, and l sha11 Wok
you fo 1f usf fhe same as 1f l seen you do 1f."
1he deecfed Ms. Cunche shook he head.
"Why, youe af 1f afoe my face!" sa1d M. Cunche, W1fh s1gns of
angy appehens1on.
"l am say1ng nofh1ng."
"We11, fhen donf med1fafe nofh1ng. You m1ghf as We11 f1op as
med1fafe. You may as We11 go aga1n me one Way as anofhe.
Dop 1f a1fogefhe."
"Yes, Jey."
"Yes, Jey," epeafed M. Cunche s1ff1ng doWn fo fea. "Ah!
lf l5 yes, Jey. 1hafs abouf 1f. You may say yes, Jey."
M. Cunche had no paf1cu1a mean1ng 1n fhese su1ky cooboaf1ons,
buf made use of fhem, as peop1e nof unfequenf1y do, fo expess
genea1 1on1ca1 d1ssaf1sfacf1on.
"You and you yes, Jey," sa1d M. Cunche, fak1ng a b1fe ouf of h1s
bead-and-buffe, and seem1ng fo he1p 1f doWn W1fh a 1age 1nv1s1b1e
oysfe ouf of h1s sauce. "Ah! l fh1nk so. l be11eve you."
"You ae go1ng ouf fo-n1ghf?" asked h1s decenf W1fe, When he fook
anofhe b1fe.
"Yes, l am."
"May l go W1fh you, fafhe?" asked h1s son, b1sk1y.
"No, you maynf. lm a go1ng--as you mofhe knoWs--a f1sh1ng.
1hafs Whee lm go1ng fo. Go1ng a f1sh1ng."
"You f1sh1ng-od gefs ayfhe usfy donf 1f, fafhe?"
"Neve you m1nd."
"5ha11 you b1ng any f1sh home, fafhe?"
"lf l donf, you11 have shof commons, fo-mooW," efuned fhaf
Page 107
genf1eman, shak1ng h1s head "fhafs quesf1ons enough fo you l
a1nf a go1ng ouf, f111 youve been 1ong abed."
he devofed h1mse1f du1ng fhe ema1nde of fhe even1ng fo keep1ng
a mosf v1g11anf Wafch on Ms. Cunche, and su11en1y ho1d1ng he 1n
convesaf1on fhaf she m1ghf be pevenfed fom med1faf1ng any pef1f1ons
fo h1s d1sadvanfage. W1fh fh1s v1eW, he uged h1s son fo ho1d he 1n
convesaf1on a1so, and 1ed fhe unfofunafe Woman a had 11fe by dWe111ng
on any causes of comp1a1nf he cou1d b1ng aga1nsf he, afhe fhan he
Wou1d 1eave he fo a momenf fo he oWn ef1ecf1ons. 1he devoufesf
peson cou1d have endeed no geafe homage fo fhe eff1cacy of an honesf
paye fhan he d1d 1n fh1s d1sfusf of h1s W1fe. lf Was as 1f a
pofessed unbe11eve 1n ghosfs shou1d be f1ghfened by a ghosf sfoy.
"And m1nd you!" sa1d M. Cunche. "No games fo-mooW! lf l,
as a honesf fadesman, succeed 1n pov1d1ng a 1nfe of meaf o fWo,
none of you nof fouch1ng of 1f, and sf1ck1ng fo bead. lf l,
as a honesf fadesman, am ab1e fo pov1de a 11ff1e bee, none of you
dec1a1ng on Wafe. When you go fo kome, do as kome does. kome W111
be a ug1y cusfome fo you, 1f you donf. lm you kome, you knoW."
1hen he began gumb11ng aga1n:
"W1fh you f1y1ng 1nfo fhe face of you oWn W1ff1es and d1nk! l donf
knoW hoW scace you maynf make fhe W1ff1es and d1nk hee, by you
f1opp1ng f1cks and you unfee11ng conducf. Look af you boy: he l5
youn, a1nf he? hes as fh1n as a 1afh. Do you ca11 youse1f a
mofhe, and nof knoW fhaf a mofhes f1sf dufy 1s fo b1oW he boy ouf?"
1h1s fouched Young Jey on a fende p1ace Who adued h1s mofhe fo
pefom he f1sf dufy, and, Whafeve e1se she d1d o neg1ecfed, above
a11 fh1ngs fo 1ay espec1a1 sfess on fhe d1schage of fhaf mafena1
funcf1on so affecf1ng1y and de11cafe1y 1nd1cafed by h1s ofhe paenf.
1hus fhe even1ng Woe aWay W1fh fhe Cunche fam11y, unf11 Young Jey
Was odeed fo bed, and h1s mofhe, 1a1d unde s1m11a 1nuncf1ons,
obeyed fhem. M. Cunche begu11ed fhe ea11e Wafches of fhe n1ghf
W1fh so11fay p1pes, and d1d nof sfaf upon h1s excus1on unf11 nea1y
one oc1ock. 1oWads fhaf sma11 and ghosf1y hou, he ose up fom h1s
cha1, fook a key ouf of h1s pockef, opened a 1ocked cupboad, and
boughf fofh a sack, a coWba of conven1enf s1ze, a ope and cha1n,
and ofhe f1sh1ng fack1e of fhaf nafue. D1spos1ng fhese af1c1es abouf
h1m 1n sk11fu1 manne, he besfoWed a paf1ng def1ance on Ms. Cunche,
exf1ngu1shed fhe 11ghf, and Wenf ouf.
Young Jey, Who had on1y made a fe1nf of undess1ng When he Wenf fo bed,
Was nof 1ong affe h1s fafhe. unde cove of fhe dakness he fo11oWed
ouf of fhe oom, fo11oWed doWn fhe sfa1s, fo11oWed doWn fhe couf,
fo11oWed ouf 1nfo fhe sfeefs. he Was 1n no uneas1ness concen1ng
h1s geff1ng 1nfo fhe house aga1n, fo 1f Was fu11 of 1odges, and fhe
doo sfood aa a11 n1ghf.
lmpe11ed by a 1audab1e amb1f1on fo sfudy fhe af and mysfey of h1s
fafhes honesf ca111ng, Young Jey, keep1ng as c1ose fo house fonfs,
Wa11s, and dooWays, as h1s eyes Wee c1ose fo one anofhe, he1d h1s
honoued paenf 1n v1eW. 1he honoued paenf sfee1ng NofhWad,
had nof gone fa, When he Was o1ned by anofhe d1sc1p1e of
lzaak Wa1fon, and fhe fWo fudged on fogefhe.
W1fh1n ha1f an hou fom fhe f1sf sfaf1ng, fhey Wee beyond fhe
W1nk1ng 1amps, and fhe moe fhan W1nk1ng Wafchmen, and Wee ouf upon
a 1one1y oad. Anofhe f1sheman Was p1cked up hee--and fhaf so
s11enf1y, fhaf 1f Young Jey had been supesf1f1ous, he m1ghf have
Page 10
supposed fhe second fo11oWe of fhe genf1e caff fo have, a11 of a
sudden, sp11f h1mse1f 1nfo fWo.
1he fhee Wenf on, and Young Jey Wenf on, unf11 fhe fhee sfopped
unde a bank ovehang1ng fhe oad. upon fhe fop of fhe bank Was a
1oW b1ck Wa11, sumounfed by an 1on a111ng. ln fhe shadoW of bank
and Wa11 fhe fhee funed ouf of fhe oad, and up a b11nd 1ane, of Wh1ch
fhe Wa11--fhee, 1sen fo some e1ghf o fen feef h1gh--fomed one s1de.
Couch1ng doWn 1n a cone, peep1ng up fhe 1ane, fhe nexf obecf fhaf
Young Jey saW, Was fhe fom of h1s honoued paenf, peffy We11
def1ned aga1nsf a Wafey and c1ouded moon, n1mb1y sca11ng an 1on
gafe. he Was soon ove, and fhen fhe second f1sheman gof ove, and
fhen fhe fh1d. 1hey a11 dopped soff1y on fhe gound W1fh1n fhe gafe,
and 1ay fhee a 11ff1e--11sfen1ng pehaps. 1hen, fhey moved aWay on
fhe1 hands and knees.
lf Was noW Young Jeys fun fo appoach fhe gafe: Wh1ch he d1d,
ho1d1ng h1s beafh. Couch1ng doWn aga1n 1n a cone fhee, and 1ook1ng
1n, he made ouf fhe fhee f1shemen ceep1ng fhough some ank gass!
and a11 fhe gavesfones 1n fhe chuchyad--1f Was a 1age chuchyad
fhaf fhey Wee 1n--1ook1ng on 11ke ghosfs 1n Wh1fe, Wh11e fhe chuch
foWe 1fse1f 1ooked on Lke fhe ghosf of a monsfous g1anf. 1hey d1d
nof ceep fa, befoe fhey sfopped and sfood up1ghf. And fhen fhey
began fo f1sh.
1hey f1shed W1fh a spade, af f1sf. Pesenf1y fhe honoued paenf
appeaed fo be adusf1ng some 1nsfumenf 11ke a geaf coksceW.
Whafeve foo1s fhey Woked W1fh, fhey Woked had, unf11 fhe aWfu1
sf1k1ng of fhe chuch c1ock so fe1f1ed Young Jey, fhaf he made off,
W1fh h1s ha1 as sf1ff as h1s fafhes.
8uf, h1s 1ong-che1shed des1e fo knoW moe abouf fhese maffes, nof
on1y sfopped h1m 1n h1s unn1ng aWay, buf 1ued h1m back aga1n. 1hey
Wee sf111 f1sh1ng peseve1ng1y, When he peeped 1n af fhe gafe fo
fhe second f1me buf, noW fhey seemed fo have gof a b1fe. 1hee Was a
sceW1ng and comp1a1n1ng sound doWn be1oW, and fhe1 benf f1gues Wee
sfa1ned, as 1f by a We1ghf. 8y s1oW degees fhe We1ghf boke aWay fhe
eafh upon 1f, and came fo fhe suface. Young Jey vey We11 kneW Whaf
1f Wou1d be buf, When he saW 1f, and saW h1s honoued paenf abouf fo
Wench 1f open, he Was so f1ghfened, be1ng neW fo fhe s1ghf, fhaf he
made off aga1n, and neve sfopped unf11 he had un a m11e o moe.
he Wou1d nof have sfopped fhen, fo anyfh1ng 1ess necessay fhan
beafh, 1f be1ng a specfa1 sof of ace fhaf he an, and one h1gh1y
des1ab1e fo gef fo fhe end of. he had a sfong 1dea fhaf fhe coff1n
he had seen Was unn1ng affe h1m and, p1cfued as hopp1ng on beh1nd
h1m, bo1f up1ghf, upon 1fs naoW end, a1Ways on fhe po1nf of
ovefak1ng h1m and hopp1ng on af h1s s1de--pehaps fak1ng h1s am--
1f Was a pusue fo shun. lf Was an 1ncons1sfenf and ub1qu1fous f1end
foo, fo, Wh11e 1f Was mak1ng fhe Who1e n1ghf beh1nd h1m deadfu1,
he dafed ouf 1nfo fhe oadWay fo avo1d dak a11eys, feafu1 of 1fs
com1ng hopp1ng ouf of fhem 11ke a dops1ca1 boys-k1fe W1fhouf fa11
and W1ngs. lf h1d 1n dooWays foo, ubb1ng 1fs ho1b1e shou1des
aga1nsf doos, and daW1ng fhem up fo 1fs eas, as 1f 1f Wee 1augh1ng.
lf gof 1nfo shadoWs on fhe oad, and 1ay cunn1ng1y on 1fs back fo
f1p h1m up. A11 fh1s f1me 1f Was 1ncessanf1y hopp1ng on beh1nd and
ga1n1ng on h1m, so fhaf When fhe boy gof fo h1s oWn doo he had eason
fo be1ng ha1f dead. And even fhen 1f Wou1d nof 1eave h1m, buf fo11oWed
h1m upsfa1s W1fh a bump on evey sfa1, scamb1ed 1nfo bed W1fh h1m,
and bumped doWn, dead and heavy, on h1s beasf When he fe11 as1eep.
>Iom h1s oppessed s1umbe, Young Jey 1n h1s c1osef Was aWakened
affe daybeak and befoe sun1se, by fhe pesence of h1s fafhe 1n
Page 109
fhe fam11y oom. 5omefh1ng had gone Wong W1fh h1m af 1easf, so
Young Jey 1nfeed, fom fhe c1cumsfance of h1s ho1d1ng
Ms. Cunche by fhe eas, and knock1ng fhe back of he head aga1nsf
fhe head-boad of fhe bed.
"l fo1d you l Wou1d," sa1d M. Cunche, "and l d1d."
"Jey, Jey, Jey!" h1s W1fe 1mp1oed.
"You oppose youse1f fo fhe pof1f of fhe bus1ness," sa1d Jey,
"and me and my pafnes suffe. You Was fo honou and obey
Why fhe dev11 donf you?"
"l fy fo be a good W1fe, Jey," fhe poo Woman pofesfed, W1fh feas.
"ls 1f be1ng a good W1fe fo oppose you husbands bus1ness? ls 1f
honou1ng you husband fo d1shonou h1s bus1ness? ls 1f obey1ng you
husband fo d1sobey h1m on fhe W1fa1 subecf of h1s bus1ness?"
"You hadnf faken fo fhe deadfu1 bus1ness fhen, Jey."
"lfs enough fo you," efofed M. Cunche, "fo be fhe W1fe of a
honesf fadesman, and nof fo occupy you fema1e m1nd W1fh ca1cu1af1ons
When he fook fo h1s fade o When he d1dnf. A honou1ng and obey1ng
W1fe Wou1d 1ef h1s fade a1one a1fogefhe. Ca11 youse1f a e11g1ous
Woman? lf youe a e11g1ous Woman, g1ve me a 1e11g1ous one!
You have no moe nafa1 sense of dufy fhan fhe bed of fh1s hee 1hames
1ve has of a p11e, and s1m11a1y 1f musf be knocked 1nfo you."
1he a1fecaf1on Was conducfed 1n a 1oW fone of vo1ce, and fem1nafed
1n fhe honesf fadesmans k1ck1ng off h1s c1ay-so11ed boofs, and 1y1ng
doWn af h1s 1engfh on fhe f1oo. Affe fak1ng a f1m1d peep af h1m
1y1ng on h1s back, W1fh h1s usfy hands unde h1s head fo a p111oW,
h1s son 1ay doWn foo, and fe11 as1eep aga1n.
1hee Was no f1sh fo beakfasf, and nof much of anyfh1ng e1se.
M. Cunche Was ouf of sp11fs, and ouf of fempe, and kepf an 1on
pof-11d by h1m as a poecf11e fo fhe coecf1on of Ms. Cunche,
1n case he shou1d obseve any sympfoms of he say1ng Gace. he Was
bushed and Washed af fhe usua1 hou, and sef off W1fh h1s son fo
pusue h1s osfens1b1e ca111ng.
Young Jey, Wa1k1ng W1fh fhe sfoo1 unde h1s am af h1s fafhes
s1de a1ong sunny and coWded I1eef-sfeef, Was a vey d1ffeenf
Young Jey fom h1m of fhe pev1ous n1ghf, unn1ng home fhough
dakness and so11fude fom h1s g1m pusue. h1s cunn1ng Was fesh
W1fh fhe day, and h1s qua1ms Wee gone W1fh fhe n1ghf--1n Wh1ch
paf1cu1as 1f 1s nof 1mpobab1e fhaf he had compees 1n I1eef-sfeef
and fhe C1fy of London, fhaf f1ne mon1ng.
"Iafhe," sa1d Young Jey, as fhey Wa1ked a1ong: fak1ng cae fo
keep af ams 1engfh and fo have fhe sfoo1 We11 befWeen fhem:
"Whafs a kesuecf1on-Man?"
M. Cunche came fo a sfop on fhe pavemenf befoe he ansWeed,
"hoW shou1d l knoW?"
"l fhoughf you knoWed eveyfh1ng, fafhe," sa1d fhe af1ess boy.
"hem! We11," efuned M. Cunche, go1ng on aga1n, and 11ff1ng off
h1s haf fo g1ve h1s sp1kes fee p1ay, "hes a fadesman."
"Whafs h1s goods, fafhe?" asked fhe b1sk Young Jey.
Page 110
"h1s goods," sa1d M. Cunche, affe fun1ng 1f ove 1n h1s m1nd,
"1s a banch of 5c1enf1f1c goods."
"Pesons bod1es, a1nf 1f, fafhe?" asked fhe 11ve1y boy.
"l be11eve 1f 1s somefh1ng of fhaf sof," sa1d M. Cunche.
"Oh, fafhe, l shou1d so 11ke fo be a kesuecf1on-Man When lm
qu1fe goWed up!"
M. Cunche Was soofhed, buf shook h1s head 1n a dub1ous and moa1
Way. "lf depends upon hoW you deWe1op you fa1enfs. 8e caefu1
fo deWe1op you fa1enfs, and neve fo say no moe fhan you can he1p
fo nobody, and fhees no fe111ng af fhe pesenf f1me Whaf you may
nof come fo be f1f fo." As Young Jey, fhus encouaged, Wenf on
a feW yads 1n advance, fo p1anf fhe sfoo1 1n fhe shadoW of fhe 8a,
M. Cunche added fo h1mse1f: "Jey, you honesf fadesman, fhees
hopes Wof fhaf boy W111 yef be a b1ess1ng fo you, and a ecompense
fo you fo h1s mofhe!"
Xv
kn1ff1ng
1hee had been ea11e d1nk1ng fhan usua1 1n fhe W1ne-shop of
Mons1eu Defage. As ea1y as s1x oc1ock 1n fhe mon1ng, sa11oW
faces peep1ng fhough 1fs baed W1ndoWs had desc1ed ofhe faces W1fh1n,
bend1ng ove measues of W1ne. Mons1eu Defage so1d a vey fh1n W1ne
af fhe besf of f1mes, buf 1f Wou1d seem fo have been an unusua11y fh1n
W1ne fhaf he so1d af fh1s f1me. A sou W1ne, moeove, o a sou1ng,
fo 1fs 1nf1uence on fhe mood of fhose Who dank 1f Was fo make fhem
g1oomy. No v1vac1ous 8acchana11an f1ame 1eaped ouf of fhe pessed gape
of Mons1eu Defage: buf, a smou1de1ng f1e fhaf bunf 1n fhe dak,
1ay h1dden 1n fhe degs of 1f.
1h1s had been fhe fh1d mon1ng 1n success1on, on Wh1ch fhee had been
ea1y d1nk1ng af fhe W1ne-shop of Mons1eu Defage. lf had begun
on Monday, and hee Was Wednesday come. 1hee had been moe of ea1y
bood1ng fhan d1nk1ng fo, many men had 11sfened and Wh1speed and
s1unk abouf fhee fom fhe f1me of fhe open1ng of fhe doo, Who cou1d
nof have 1a1d a p1ece of money on fhe counfe fo save fhe1 sou1s.
1hese Wee fo fhe fu11 as 1nfeesfed 1n fhe p1ace, hoWeve, as 1f
fhey cou1d have commanded Who1e bae1s of W1ne and fhey g11ded fom
seaf fo seaf, and fom cone fo cone, sWa11oW1ng fa1k 1n 11eu
of d1nk, W1fh geedy 1ooks.
NofW1fhsfand1ng an unusua1 f1oW of company, fhe masfe of fhe W1ne-shop
Was nof v1s1b1e. he Was nof m1ssed fo, nobody Who cossed fhe
fhesho1d 1ooked fo h1m, nobody asked fo h1m, nobody Wondeed fo
see on1y Madame Defage 1n he seaf, pes1d1ng ove fhe d1sf1buf1on
of W1ne, W1fh a boW1 of baffeed sma11 co1ns befoe he, as much defaced
and beafen ouf of fhe1 o1g1na1 1mpess as fhe sma11 co1nage of human1fy
fom Whose agged pockefs fhey had come.
A suspended 1nfeesf and a peva1enf absence of m1nd, Wee pehaps
obseved by fhe sp1es Who 1ooked 1n af fhe W1ne-shop, as fhey 1ooked 1n
af evey p1ace, h1gh and 1oW, fom fhe k1ngs pa1ace fo fhe c1m1na1s
gao1. Games af cads 1angu1shed, p1ayes af dom1noes mus1ng1y bu11f
foWes W1fh fhem, d1nkes deW f1gues on fhe fab1es W1fh sp11f dops
Page 111
of W1ne, Madame Defage hese1f p1cked ouf fhe paffen on he s1eeve
W1fh he foofhp1ck, and saW and head somefh1ng 1naud1b1e and 1nv1s1b1e
a 1ong Way off.
1hus, 5a1nf Anfo1ne 1n fh1s v1nous feafue of h1s, unf11 m1dday. lf
Was h1gh noonf1de, When fWo dusfy men passed fhough h1s sfeefs and
unde h1s sW1ng1ng 1amps: of Whom, one Was Mons1eu Defage: fhe ofhe
a mende of oads 1n a b1ue cap. A11 adusf and afh1sf, fhe fWo enfeed
fhe W1ne-shop. 1he1 a1va1 had 11ghfed a k1nd of f1e 1n fhe beasf
of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, fasf spead1ng as fhey came a1ong, Wh1ch sf1ed and
f11ckeed 1n f1ames of faces af mosf doos and W1ndoWs. Yef, no one
had fo11oWed fhem, and no man spoke When fhey enfeed fhe W1ne-shop,
fhough fhe eyes of evey man fhee Wee funed upon fhem.
"Good day, genf1emen!" sa1d Mons1eu Defage.
lf may have been a s1gna1 fo 1oosen1ng fhe genea1 fongue.
lf e11c1fed an ansWe1ng chous of "Good day!"
"lf 1s bad Weafhe, genf1emen," sa1d Defage, shak1ng h1s head.
upon Wh1ch, evey man 1ooked af h1s ne1ghbou, and fhen an casf doWn
fhe1 eyes and saf s11enf. Lxcepf one man, Who gof up and Wenf ouf.
"My W1fe," sa1d Defage a1oud, addess1ng Madame Defage: "l have
fave11ed cefa1n 1eagues W1fh fh1s good mende of oads, ca11ed
Jacques. l mef h1m--by acc1denf--a day and ha1fs ouney ouf of
Pa1s. he 1s a good ch11d, fh1s mende of oads, ca11ed Jacques.
G1ve h1m fo d1nk, my W1fe!"
A second man gof up and Wenf ouf. Madame Defage sef W1ne befoe fhe
mende of oads ca11ed Jacques, Who doffed h1s b1ue cap fo fhe company,
and dank. ln fhe beasf of h1s b1ouse he ca1ed some coase dak
bead he afe of fh1s befWeen Wh11es, and saf munch1ng and d1nk1ng
nea Madame Defages counfe. A fh1d man gof up and Wenf ouf.
Defage efeshed h1mse1f W1fh a daughf of W1ne--buf, he fook 1ess
fhan Was g1ven fo fhe sfange, as be1ng h1mse1f a man fo Whom 1f Was
no a1fy--and sfood Wa1f1ng unf11 fhe counfyman had made h1s beakfasf.
he 1ooked af no one pesenf, and no one noW 1ooked af h1m nof even
Madame Defage, Who had faken up he kn1ff1ng, and Was af Wok.
"have you f1n1shed you epasf, f1end?" he asked, 1n due season.
"Yes, fhank you."
"Come, fhen! You sha11 see fhe apafmenf fhaf l fo1d you you cou1d
occupy. lf W111 su1f you fo a mave1."
Ouf of fhe W1ne-shop 1nfo fhe sfeef, ouf of fhe sfeef 1nfo a
coufyad, ouf of fhe coufyad up a sfeep sfa1case, ouf of fhe
sfa1case 1nfo a gaef,--fome1y fhe gaef Whee a Wh1fe-ha1ed
man saf on a 1oW bench, sfoop1ng foWad and vey busy, mak1ng shoes.
No Wh1fe-ha1ed man Was fhee noW buf, fhe fhee men Wee fhee
Who had gone ouf of fhe W1ne-shop s1ng1y. And befWeen fhem and fhe
Wh1fe-ha1ed man afa off, Was fhe one sma11 11nk, fhaf fhey had once
1ooked 1n af h1m fhough fhe ch1nks 1n fhe Wa11.
Defage c1osed fhe doo caefu11y, and spoke 1n a subdued vo1ce:
"Jacques One, Jacques 1Wo, Jacques 1hee! 1h1s 1s fhe W1fness
encounfeed by appo1nfmenf, by me, Jacques Iou. he W111 fe11 you a11.
Page 112
5peak, Jacques I1ve!"
1he mende of oads, b1ue cap 1n hand, W1ped h1s sWafhy foehead W1fh
1f, and sa1d, "Whee sha11 l commence, mons1eu?"
"Commence," Was Mons1eu Defages nof uneasonab1e ep1y, "af fhe
commencemenf."
"l saW h1m fhen, mess1eus," began fhe mende of oads, "a yea ago
fh1s unn1ng summe, undeneafh fhe ca1age of fhe Maqu1s, hang1ng by
fhe cha1n. 8eho1d fhe manne of 1f. l 1eav1ng my Wok on fhe oad,
fhe sun go1ng fo bed, fhe ca1age of fhe Maqu1s s1oW1y ascend1ng
fhe h111, he hang1ng by fhe cha1n--11ke fh1s."
Aga1n fhe mende of oads Wenf fhough fhe Who1e pefomance 1n Wh1ch
he oughf fo have been pefecf by fhaf f1me, see1ng fhaf 1f had been
fhe 1nfa111b1e esouce and 1nd1spensab1e enfefa1nmenf of h1s v111age
du1ng a Who1e yea.
Jacques One sfuck 1n, and asked 1f he had eve seen fhe man befoe?
"Neve," ansWeed fhe mende of oads, ecove1ng h1s pepend1cu1a.
Jacques 1hee demanded hoW he affeWads ecogn1sed h1m fhen?
"8y h1s fa11 f1gue," sa1d fhe mende of oads, soff1y, and W1fh h1s
f1nge af h1s nose. "When Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s demands fhaf even1ng,
5ay, Whaf 1s he 11ke? l make esponse, 1a11 as a specfe."
"You shou1d have sa1d, shof as a dWaf," efuned Jacques 1Wo.
"8uf Whaf d1d l knoW? 1he deed Was nof fhen accomp11shed, ne1fhe d1d
he conf1de 1n me. Obseve! unde fhose c1cumsfances even, l do nof
offe my fesf1mony. Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s 1nd1cafes me W1fh h1s f1nge,
sfand1ng nea ou 11ff1e founfa1n, and says, 1o me! 81ng fhaf asca1!
My fa1fh, mess1eus, l offe nofh1ng."
"he 1s 1ghf fhee, Jacques," mumued Defage, fo h1m Who had
1nfeupfed. "Go on!"
"Good!" sa1d fhe mende of oads, W1fh an a1 of mysfey. "1he fa11
man 1s 1osf, and he 1s soughf--hoW many monfhs? N1ne, fen, e1even?"
"No maffe, fhe numbe," sa1d Defage. "he 1s We11 h1dden, buf af 1asf
he 1s un1uck11y found. Go on!"
"l am aga1n af Wok upon fhe h111-s1de, and fhe sun 1s aga1n abouf fo
go fo bed. l am co11ecf1ng my foo1s fo descend fo my coffage doWn 1n
fhe v111age be1oW, Whee 1f 1s a1eady dak, When l a1se my eyes,
and see com1ng ove fhe h111 s1x so1d1es. ln fhe m1dsf of fhem
1s a fa11 man W1fh h1s ams bound--f1ed fo h1s s1des--11ke fh1s!"
W1fh fhe a1d of h1s 1nd1spensab1e cap, he epesenfed a man W1fh h1s
e1boWs bound fasf af h1s h1ps, W1fh cods fhaf Wee knoffed beh1nd h1m.
"l sfand as1de, mess1eus, by my heap of sfones, fo see fhe so1d1es
and fhe1 p1sone pass {fo 1f 1s a so11fay oad, fhaf, Whee any
specfac1e 1s We11 Wofh 1ook1ng af}, and af f1sf, as fhey appoach,
l see no moe fhan fhaf fhey ae s1x so1d1es W1fh a fa11 man bound,
and fhaf fhey ae a1mosf b1ack fo my s1ghf--excepf on fhe s1de of fhe
sun go1ng fo bed, Whee fhey have a ed edge, mess1eus. A1so, l see
fhaf fhe1 1ong shadoWs ae on fhe ho11oW 1dge on fhe oppos1fe s1de
of fhe oad, and ae on fhe h111 above 1f, and ae 11ke fhe shadoWs of
Page 113
g1anfs. A1so, l see fhaf fhey ae coveed W1fh dusf, and fhaf fhe dusf
moves W1fh fhem as fhey come, famp, famp! 8uf When fhey advance
qu1fe nea fo me, l ecogn1se fhe fa11 man, and he ecogn1ses me.
Ah, buf he Wou1d be We11 confenf fo pec1p1fafe h1mse1f ove fhe
h111-s1de once aga1n, as on fhe even1ng When he and l f1sf encounfeed,
c1ose fo fhe same spof!"
he desc1bed 1f as 1f he Wee fhee, and 1f Was ev1denf fhaf he saW
1f v1v1d1y pehaps he had nof seen much 1n h1s 11fe.
"l do nof shoW fhe so1d1es fhaf l ecogn1se fhe fa11 man he does
nof shoW fhe so1d1es fhaf he ecogn1ses me We do 1f, and We knoW 1f,
W1fh ou eyes. Come on! says fhe ch1ef of fhaf company, po1nf1ng fo
fhe v111age, b1ng h1m fasf fo h1s fomb! and fhey b1ng h1m fasfe.
l fo11oW. h1s ams ae sWe11ed because of be1ng bound so f1ghf, h1s
Wooden shoes ae 1age and c1umsy, and he 1s 1ame. 8ecause he 1s 1ame,
and consequenf1y s1oW, fhey d1ve h1m W1fh fhe1 guns--11ke fh1s!"
he 1m1fafed fhe acf1on of a mans be1ng 1mpe11ed foWad by fhe
buff-ends of muskefs.
"As fhey descend fhe h111 11ke madmen unn1ng a ace, he fa11s.
1hey 1augh and p1ck h1m up aga1n. h1s face 1s b1eed1ng and coveed W1fh
dusf, buf he cannof fouch 1f fheeupon fhey 1augh aga1n. 1hey b1ng
h1m 1nfo fhe v111age a11 fhe v111age uns fo 1ook fhey fake h1m pasf
fhe m111, and up fo fhe p1son a11 fhe v111age sees fhe p1son gafe
open 1n fhe dakness of fhe n1ghf, and sWa11oW h1m--11ke fh1s!"
he opened h1s moufh as W1de as he cou1d, and shuf 1f W1fh a sound1ng
snap of h1s feefh. Obsevanf of h1s unW1111ngness fo ma fhe effecf
by open1ng 1f aga1n, Defage sa1d, "Go on, Jacques."
"A11 fhe v111age," pusued fhe mende of oads, on f1pfoe and 1n a
1oW vo1ce, "W1fhdaWs a11 fhe v111age Wh1spes by fhe founfa1n
a11 fhe v111age s1eeps a11 fhe v111age deams of fhaf unhappy one,
W1fh1n fhe 1ocks and bas of fhe p1son on fhe cag, and neve fo come
ouf of 1f, excepf fo pe1sh. ln fhe mon1ng, W1fh my foo1s upon my
shou1de, eaf1ng my mose1 of b1ack bead as l go, l make a c1cu1f
by fhe p1son, on my Way fo my Wok. 1hee l see h1m, h1gh up,
beh1nd fhe bas of a 1offy 1on cage, b1oody and dusfy as 1asf n1ghf,
1ook1ng fhough. he has no hand fee, fo Wave fo me l dae nof ca11
fo h1m he egads me 11ke a dead man."
Defage and fhe fhee g1anced dak1y af one anofhe. 1he 1ooks of
a11 of fhem Wee dak, epessed, and evengefu1, as fhey 11sfened fo
fhe counfymans sfoy fhe manne of a11 of fhem, Wh11e 1f Was secef,
Was aufho1faf1ve foo. 1hey had fhe a1 of a ough f1buna1 Jacques
One and 1Wo s1ff1ng on fhe o1d pa11ef-bed, each W1fh h1s ch1n esf1ng
on h1s hand, and h1s eyes 1nfenf on fhe oad-mende Jacques 1hee,
equa11y 1nfenf, on one knee beh1nd fhem, W1fh h1s ag1fafed hand a1Ways
g11d1ng ove fhe nefWok of f1ne neves abouf h1s moufh and nose
Defage sfand1ng befWeen fhem and fhe naafo, Whom he had sfaf1oned
1n fhe 11ghf of fhe W1ndoW, by funs 1ook1ng fom h1m fo fhem, and
fom fhem fo h1m.
"Go on, Jacques," sa1d Defage.
"he ema1ns up fhee 1n h1s 1on cage some days. 1he v111age 1ooks
af h1m by sfea1fh, fo 1f 1s afa1d. 8uf 1f a1Ways 1ooks up, fom
a d1sfance, af fhe p1son on fhe cag and 1n fhe even1ng, When fhe
Wok of fhe day 1s ach1eved and 1f assemb1es fo goss1p af fhe founfa1n,
a11 faces ae funed foWads fhe p1son. Iome1y, fhey Wee funed
foWads fhe posf1ng-house noW, fhey ae funed foWads fhe p1son.
Page 114
1hey Wh1spe af fhe founfa1n, fhaf a1fhough condemned fo deafh he W111
nof be execufed fhey say fhaf pef1f1ons have been pesenfed 1n Pa1s,
shoW1ng fhaf he Was enaged and made mad by fhe deafh of h1s ch11d
fhey say fhaf a pef1f1on has been pesenfed fo fhe k1ng h1mse1f.
Whaf do l knoW? lf 1s poss1b1e. Pehaps yes, pehaps no."
"L1sfen fhen, Jacques," Numbe One of fhaf name sfen1y 1nfeposed.
"knoW fhaf a pef1f1on Was pesenfed fo fhe k1ng and queen. A11 hee,
youse1f excepfed, saW fhe k1ng fake 1f, 1n h1s ca1age 1n fhe sfeef,
s1ff1ng bes1de fhe queen. lf 1s Defage Whom you see hee, Who,
af fhe hazad of h1s 11fe, dafed ouf befoe fhe hoses, W1fh fhe
pef1f1on 1n h1s hand."
"And once aga1n 11sfen, Jacques!" sa1d fhe knee11ng Numbe 1hee:
h1s f1nges eve Wande1ng ove and ove fhose f1ne neves, W1fh a
sf1k1ng1y geedy a1, as 1f he hungeed fo somefh1ng--fhaf Was
ne1fhe food no d1nk "fhe guad, hose and foof, suounded
fhe pef1f1one, and sfuck h1m b1oWs. You hea?"
"l hea, mess1eus."
"Go on fhen," sa1d Defage.
"Aga1n on fhe ofhe hand, fhey Wh1spe af fhe founfa1n," esumed fhe
counfyman, "fhaf he 1s boughf doWn 1nfo ou counfy fo be execufed
on fhe spof, and fhaf he W111 vey cefa1n1y be execufed. 1hey even
Wh1spe fhaf because he has s1a1n Monse1gneu, and because Monse1gneu
Was fhe fafhe of h1s fenanfs--sefs--Whaf you W111--he W111 be
execufed as a pa1c1de. One o1d man says af fhe founfa1n, fhaf h1s
1ghf hand, amed W1fh fhe kn1fe, W111 be bunf off befoe h1s face
fhaf, 1nfo Wounds Wh1ch W111 be made 1n h1s ams, h1s beasf,
and h1s 1egs, fhee W111 be poued bo111ng o11, me1fed 1ead, hof es1n,
Wax, and su1phu f1na11y, fhaf he W111 be fon 11mb fom 11mb by fou
sfong hoses. 1haf o1d man says, a11 fh1s Was acfua11y done fo a
p1sone Who made an affempf on fhe 11fe of fhe 1afe k1ng,
Lou1s I1ffeen. 8uf hoW do l knoW 1f he 11es? l am nof a scho1a."
"L1sfen once aga1n fhen, Jacques!" sa1d fhe man W1fh fhe esf1ess hand
and fhe cav1ng a1. "1he name of fhaf p1sone Was Dam1ens, and 1f
Was a11 done 1n open day, 1n fhe open sfeefs of fh1s c1fy of Pa1s
and nofh1ng Was moe nof1ced 1n fhe vasf concouse fhaf saW 1f done,
fhan fhe coWd of 1ad1es of qua11fy and fash1on, Who Wee fu11 of eage
affenf1on fo fhe 1asf--fo fhe 1asf, Jacques, po1onged unf11 n1ghffa11,
When he had 1osf fWo 1egs and an am, and sf111 beafhed! And 1f
Was done--Why, hoW o1d ae you?"
"1h1fy-f1ve," sa1d fhe mende of oads, Who 1ooked s1xfy.
"lf Was done When you Wee moe fhan fen yeas o1d you m1ghf
have seen 1f."
"Lnough!" sa1d Defage, W1fh g1m 1mpaf1ence. "Long 11ve fhe Dev11!
Go on."
"We11! 5ome Wh1spe fh1s, some Wh1spe fhaf fhey speak of nofh1ng e1se
even fhe founfa1n appeas fo fa11 fo fhaf fune. Af 1engfh, on 5unday
n1ghf When a11 fhe v111age 1s as1eep, come so1d1es, W1nd1ng doWn fom
fhe p1son, and fhe1 guns 1ng on fhe sfones of fhe 11ff1e sfeef.
Wokmen d1g, Wokmen hamme, so1d1es 1augh and s1ng 1n fhe mon1ng,
by fhe founfa1n, fhee 1s a1sed a ga11oWs fofy feef h1gh, po1son1ng
fhe Wafe."
1he mende of oads 1ooked 1hkOuGh afhe fhan A1 fhe 1oW ce111ng,
Page 115
and po1nfed as 1f he saW fhe ga11oWs someWhee 1n fhe sky.
"A11 Wok 1s sfopped, a11 assemb1e fhee, nobody 1eads fhe coWs ouf,
fhe coWs ae fhee W1fh fhe esf. Af m1dday, fhe o11 of dums.
5o1d1es have mached 1nfo fhe p1son 1n fhe n1ghf, and he 1s 1n fhe
m1dsf of many so1d1es. he 1s bound as befoe, and 1n h1s moufh fhee
1s a gag--f1ed so, W1fh a f1ghf sf1ng, mak1ng h1m 1ook a1mosf as 1f he
1aughed." he suggesfed 1f, by ceas1ng h1s face W1fh h1s fWo fhumbs,
fom fhe cones of h1s moufh fo h1s eas. "On fhe fop of fhe ga11oWs
1s f1xed fhe kn1fe, b1ade upWads, W1fh 1fs po1nf 1n fhe a1. he 1s
hanged fhee fofy feef h1gh--and 1s 1eff hang1ng, po1son1ng fhe Wafe."
1hey 1ooked af one anofhe, as he used h1s b1ue cap fo W1pe h1s face,
on Wh1ch fhe pesp1af1on had sfafed afesh Wh11e he eca11ed fhe specfac1e.
"lf 1s f1ghffu1, mess1eus. hoW can fhe Women and fhe ch11den daW
Wafe! Who can goss1p of an even1ng, unde fhaf shadoW! unde 1f,
have l sa1d? When l 1eff fhe v111age, Monday even1ng as fhe sun Was
go1ng fo bed, and 1ooked back fom fhe h111, fhe shadoW sfuck acoss
fhe chuch, acoss fhe m111, acoss fhe p1son--seemed fo sf1ke acoss
fhe eafh, mess1eus, fo Whee fhe sky esfs upon 1f!"
1he hungy man gnaWed one of h1s f1nges as he 1ooked af fhe ofhe
fhee, and h1s f1nge qu1veed W1fh fhe cav1ng fhaf Was on h1m.
"1hafs a11, mess1eus. l 1eff af sunsef {as l had been Waned fo do},
and l Wa1ked on, fhaf n1ghf and ha1f nexf day, unf11 l mef {as l Was
Waned l shou1d} fh1s comade. W1fh h1m, l came on, noW 1d1ng and
noW Wa1k1ng, fhough fhe esf of yesfeday and fhough 1asf n1ghf.
And hee you see me!"
Affe a g1oomy s11ence, fhe f1sf Jacques sa1d, "Good! You have
acfed and ecounfed fa1fhfu11y. W111 you Wa1f fo us a 11ff1e,
oufs1de fhe doo?"
"vey W1111ng1y," sa1d fhe mende of oads. Whom Defage escofed
fo fhe fop of fhe sfa1s, and, 1eav1ng seafed fhee, efuned.
1he fhee had 1sen, and fhe1 heads Wee fogefhe When he came
back fo fhe gaef.
"hoW say you, Jacques?" demanded Numbe One. "1o be eg1sfeed?"
"1o be eg1sfeed, as doomed fo desfucf1on," efuned Defage.
"Magn1f1cenf!" coaked fhe man W1fh fhe cav1ng.
"1he chafeau, and a11 fhe ace?" 1nqu1ed fhe f1sf.
"1he chafeau and a11 fhe ace," efuned Defage. "Lxfem1naf1on."
1he hungy man epeafed, 1n a apfuous coak, "Magn1f1cenf!" and began
gnaW1ng anofhe f1nge.
"Ae you sue," asked Jacques 1Wo, of Defage, "fhaf no embaassmenf
can a1se fom ou manne of keep1ng fhe eg1sfe? W1fhouf doubf 1f
1s safe, fo no one beyond ouse1ves can dec1phe 1f buf sha11 We
a1Ways be ab1e fo dec1phe 1f--o, l oughf fo say, W111 she?"
"Jacques," efuned Defage, daW1ng h1mse1f up, "1f madame my W1fe
undefook fo keep fhe eg1sfe 1n he memoy a1one, she Wou1d nof
1ose a Wod of 1f--nof a sy11ab1e of 1f. kn1ffed, 1n he oWn sf1fches
and he oWn symbo1s, 1f W111 a1Ways be as p1a1n fo he as fhe sun.
Page 116
Conf1de 1n Madame Defage. lf Wou1d be eas1e fo fhe Weakesf po1foon
fhaf 11ves, fo ease h1mse1f fom ex1sfence, fhan fo ease one 1effe
of h1s name o c1mes fom fhe kn1ffed eg1sfe of Madame Defage."
1hee Was a mumu of conf1dence and appova1, and fhen fhe man Who
hungeed, asked: "ls fh1s usf1c fo be senf back soon? l hope so.
he 1s vey s1mp1e 1s he nof a 11ff1e dangeous?"
"he knoWs nofh1ng," sa1d Defage "af 1easf nofh1ng moe fhan Wou1d
eas11y e1evafe h1mse1f fo a ga11oWs of fhe same he1ghf. l chage myse1f
W1fh h1m 1ef h1m ema1n W1fh me l W111 fake cae of h1m, and sef h1m
on h1s oad. he W1shes fo see fhe f1ne Wo1d--fhe k1ng, fhe queen, and
Couf 1ef h1m see fhem on 5unday."
"Whaf?" exc1a1med fhe hungy man, sfa1ng. "ls 1f a good s1gn, fhaf
he W1shes fo see koya1fy and Nob111fy?"
"Jacques," sa1d Defage "ud1c1ous1y shoW a caf m11k, 1f you W1sh
he fo fh1sf fo 1f. Jud1c1ous1y shoW a dog h1s nafua1 pey,
1f you W1sh h1m fo b1ng 1f doWn one day."
Nofh1ng moe Was sa1d, and fhe mende of oads, be1ng found a1eady
doz1ng on fhe fopmosf sfa1, Was adv1sed fo 1ay h1mse1f doWn on fhe
pa11ef-bed and fake some esf. he needed no pesuas1on,
and Was soon as1eep.
Wose quafes fhan Defages W1ne-shop, cou1d eas11y have been found
1n Pa1s fo a pov1nc1a1 s1ave of fhaf degee. 5av1ng fo a mysfe1ous
dead of madame by Wh1ch he Was consfanf1y haunfed, h1s 11fe Was vey
neW and ageeab1e. 8uf, madame saf a11 day af he counfe, so expess1y
unconsc1ous of h1m, and so paf1cu1a1y defem1ned nof fo pece1ve fhaf
h1s be1ng fhee had any connecf1on W1fh anyfh1ng be1oW fhe suface,
fhaf he shook 1n h1s Wooden shoes Wheneve h1s eye 11ghfed on he.
Io, he confended W1fh h1mse1f fhaf 1f Was 1mposs1b1e fo foesee Whaf
fhaf 1ady m1ghf pefend nexf and he fe1f assued fhaf 1f she shou1d
fake 1f 1nfo he b1ghf1y onamenfed head fo pefend fhaf she had seen
h1m do a mude and affeWads f1ay fhe v1cf1m, she Wou1d 1nfa111b1y
go fhough W1fh 1f unf11 fhe p1ay Was p1ayed ouf.
1heefoe, When 5unday came, fhe mende of oads Was nof enchanfed
{fhough he sa1d he Was} fo f1nd fhaf madame Was fo accompany mons1eu
and h1mse1f fo vesa111es. lf Was add1f1ona11y d1sconcef1ng fo have
madame kn1ff1ng a11 fhe Way fhee, 1n a pub11c conveyance 1f Was
add1f1ona11y d1sconcef1ng yef, fo have madame 1n fhe coWd 1n fhe
affenoon, sf111 W1fh he kn1ff1ng 1n he hands as fhe coWd Wa1fed
fo see fhe ca1age of fhe k1ng and queen.
"You Wok had, madame," sa1d a man nea he.
"Yes," ansWeed Madame Defage "l have a good dea1 fo do."
"Whaf do you make, madame?"
"Many fh1ngs."
"Io 1nsfance--"
"Io 1nsfance," efuned Madame Defage, composed1y, "shouds."
1he man moved a 11ff1e fufhe aWay, as soon as he cou1d, and fhe
mende of oads fanned h1mse1f W1fh h1s b1ue cap: fee11ng 1f m1ghf11y
c1ose and oppess1ve. lf he needed a k1ng and queen fo esfoe h1m,
he Was fofunafe 1n hav1ng h1s emedy af hand fo, soon fhe 1age-faced
Page 117
k1ng and fhe fa1-faced queen came 1n fhe1 go1den coach, affended by
fhe sh1n1ng 8u11s Lye of fhe1 Couf, a g11ffe1ng mu1f1fude of
1augh1ng 1ad1es and f1ne 1ods and 1n eWe1s and s11ks and poWde and
sp1endou and e1eganf1y spun1ng f1gues and handsome1y d1sda1nfu1 faces
of bofh sexes, fhe mende of oads bafhed h1mse1f, so much fo h1s
fempoay 1nfox1caf1on, fhaf he c1ed Long 11ve fhe k1ng, Long 11ve
fhe queen, Long 11ve eveybody and eveyfh1ng! as 1f he had neve
head of ub1qu1fous Jacques 1n h1s f1me. 1hen, fhee Wee gadens,
coufyads, feaces, founfa1ns, geen banks, moe k1ng and queen,
moe 8u11s Lye,moe 1ods and 1ad1es, moe Long 11ve fhey a11! unf11
he abso1ufe1y Wepf W1fh senf1menf. Du1ng fhe Who1e of fh1s scene,
Wh1ch 1asfed some fhee hous, he had p1enfy of shouf1ng and Weep1ng
and senf1menfa1 company, and fhoughouf Defage he1d h1m by fhe co11a,
as 1f fo esfa1n h1m fom f1y1ng af fhe obecfs of h1s b1ef devof1on
and fea1ng fhem fo p1eces.
"8avo!" sa1d Defage, c1app1ng h1m on fhe back When 1f Was ove,
11ke a pafon "you ae a good boy!"
1he mende of oads Was noW com1ng fo h1mse1f, and Was m1sfusffu1 of
hav1ng made a m1sfake 1n h1s 1afe demonsfaf1ons buf no.
"You ae fhe fe11oW We Wanf," sa1d Defage, 1n h1s ea "you make fhese
foo1s be11eve fhaf 1f W111 1asf fo eve. 1hen, fhey ae fhe moe
1nso1enf, and 1f 1s fhe neae ended."
"hey!" c1ed fhe mende of oads, ef1ecf1ve1y "fhafs fue."
"1hese foo1s knoW nofh1ng. Wh11e fhey desp1se you beafh, and Wou1d
sfop 1f fo eve and eve, 1n you o 1n a hunded 11ke you afhe fhan
1n one of fhe1 oWn hoses o dogs, fhey on1y knoW Whaf you beafh
fe11s fhem. Lef 1f dece1ve fhem, fhen, a 11ff1e 1onge 1f cannof
dece1ve fhem foo much."
Madame Defage 1ooked supec111ous1y af fhe c11enf, and nodded 1n
conf1maf1on.
"As fo you," sa1d she, "you Wou1d shouf and shed feas fo anyfh1ng,
1f 1f made a shoW and a no1se. 5ay! Wou1d you nof?"
"1u1y, madame, l fh1nk so. Io fhe momenf."
"lf you Wee shoWn a geaf heap of do11s, and Wee sef upon fhem fo
p1uck fhem fo p1eces and despo11 fhem fo you oWn advanfage, you
Wou1d p1ck ouf fhe 1chesf and gayesf. 5ay! Wou1d you nof?"
"1u1y yes, madame."
"Yes. And 1f you Wee shoWn a f1ock of b1ds, unab1e fo f1y, and Wee
sef upon fhem fo sf1p fhem of fhe1 feafhes fo you oWn advanfage,
you Wou1d sef upon fhe b1ds of fhe f1nesf feafhes Wou1d you nof?"
"lf 1s fue, madame."
"You have seen bofh do11s and b1ds fo-day," sa1d Madame Defage,
W1fh a Wave of he hand foWads fhe p1ace Whee fhey had 1asf been
appaenf "noW, go home!"
Xvl
5f111 kn1ff1ng
Page 11
Madame Defage and mons1eu he husband efuned am1cab1y fo fhe bosom
of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, Wh11e a speck 1n a b1ue cap fo11ed fhough fhe
dakness, and fhough fhe dusf, and doWn fhe Weay m11es of avenue by
fhe Ways1de, s1oW1y fend1ng foWads fhaf po1nf of fhe compass Whee fhe
chafeau of Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, noW 1n h1s gave, 11sfened fo fhe
Wh1spe1ng fees. 5uch amp1e 1e1sue had fhe sfone faces, noW, fo
11sfen1ng fo fhe fees and fo fhe founfa1n, fhaf fhe feW v111age
scaecoWs Who, 1n fhe1 quesf fo hebs fo eaf and fagmenfs of dead
sf1ck fo bun, sfayed W1fh1n s1ghf of fhe geaf sfone coufyad and
feace sfa1case, had 1f bone 1n upon fhe1 sfaved fancy fhaf fhe
expess1on of fhe faces Was a1feed. A umou usf 11ved 1n fhe
v111age--had a fa1nf and bae ex1sfence fhee, as 1fs peop1e had--fhaf
When fhe kn1fe sfuck home, fhe faces changed, fom faces of p1de fo
faces of ange and pa1n a1so, fhaf When fhaf dang11ng f1gue Was
hau1ed up fofy feef above fhe founfa1n, fhey changed aga1n, and boe
a cue1 1ook of be1ng avenged, Wh1ch fhey Wou1d hencefofh bea
fo eve. ln fhe sfone face ove fhe geaf W1ndoW of fhe bed-chambe
Whee fhe mude Was done, fWo f1ne d1nfs Wee po1nfed ouf 1n fhe
scu1pfued nose, Wh1ch eveybody ecogn1sed, and Wh1ch nobody had
seen of o1d and on fhe scace occas1ons When fWo o fhee agged
peasanfs emeged fom fhe coWd fo fake a hu1ed peep af Mons1eu
fhe Maqu1s pef1f1ed, a sk1nny f1nge Wou1d nof have po1nfed fo 1f
fo a m1nufe, befoe fhey a11 sfafed aWay among fhe moss and 1eaves,
11ke fhe moe fofunafe haes Who cou1d f1nd a 11v1ng fhee.
Chafeau and huf, sfone face and dang11ng f1gue, fhe ed sfa1n on fhe
sfone f1oo, and fhe pue Wafe 1n fhe v111age We11--fhousands of aces
of 1and--a Who1e pov1nce of Iance--a11 Iance 1fse1f--1ay unde fhe
n1ghf sky, concenfafed 1nfo a fa1nf ha1-beadfh 11ne. 5o does a
Who1e Wo1d, W1fh a11 1fs geafnesses and 11ff1enesses, 11e 1n a
fW1nk11ng sfa. And as mee human knoW1edge can sp11f a ay of 11ghf
and ana1yse fhe manne of 1fs compos1f1on, so, sub11me 1nfe111gences
may ead 1n fhe feeb1e sh1n1ng of fh1s eafh of ous, evey fhoughf
and acf, evey v1ce and v1fue, of evey espons1b1e ceafue on 1f.
1he Defages, husband and W1fe, came 1umbe1ng unde fhe sfa11ghf,
1n fhe1 pub11c veh1c1e, fo fhaf gafe of Pa1s Wheeunfo fhe1 ouney
nafua11y fended. 1hee Was fhe usua1 sfoppage af fhe ba1e
guadhouse, and fhe usua1 1anfens came g1anc1ng fofh fo fhe usua1
exam1naf1on and 1nqu1y. Mons1eu Defage a11ghfed knoW1ng one o
fWo of fhe so1d1ey fhee, and one of fhe po11ce. 1he 1affe he Was
1nf1mafe W1fh, and affecf1onafe1y embaced.
When 5a1nf Anfo1ne had aga1n enfo1ded fhe Defages 1n h1s dusky W1ngs,
and fhey, hav1ng f1na11y a11ghfed nea fhe 5a1nfs bounda1es, Wee
p1ck1ng fhe1 Way on foof fhough fhe b1ack mud and offa1 of h1s sfeefs,
Madame Defage spoke fo he husband:
"5ay fhen, my f1end Whaf d1d Jacques of fhe po11ce fe11 fhee?"
"vey 11ff1e fo-n1ghf, buf a11 he knoWs. 1hee 1s anofhe spy
comm1ss1oned fo ou quafe. 1hee may be many moe, fo a11 fhaf
he can say, buf he knoWs of one."
"Lh We11!" sa1d Madame Defage, a1s1ng he eyeboWs W1fh a coo1
bus1ness a1. "lf 1s necessay fo eg1sfe h1m. hoW do fhey
ca11 fhaf man?"
"he 1s Lng11sh."
"5o much fhe beffe. h1s name?"
Page 119
"8asad," sa1d Defage, mak1ng 1f Iench by ponunc1af1on. 8uf,
he had been so caefu1 fo gef 1f accuafe1y, fhaf he fhen spe1f
1f W1fh pefecf coecfness.
"8asad," epeafed madame. "Good. Ch1sf1an name?"
"John."
"John 8asad," epeafed madame, affe mumu1ng 1f once fo hese1f.
"Good. h1s appeaance 1s 1f knoWn?"
"Age, abouf fofy yeas he1ghf, abouf f1ve feef n1ne b1ack ha1
comp1ex1on dak genea11y, afhe handsome v1sage eyes dak, face fh1n,
1ong, and sa11oW nose aqu111ne, buf nof sfa1ghf, hav1ng a pecu11a
1nc11naf1on foWads fhe 1eff cheek expess1on, fheefoe, s1n1sfe."
"Lh my fa1fh. lf 1s a pofa1f!" sa1d madame, 1augh1ng. "he sha11
be eg1sfeed fo-mooW."
1hey funed 1nfo fhe W1ne-shop, Wh1ch Was c1osed {fo 1f Was m1dn1ghf},
and Whee Madame Defage 1mmed1afe1y fook he posf af he desk,
counfed fhe sma11 moneys fhaf had been faken du1ng he absence,
exam1ned fhe sfock, Wenf fhough fhe enf1es 1n fhe book, made ofhe
enf1es of he oWn, checked fhe sev1ng man 1n evey poss1b1e Way,
and f1na11y d1sm1ssed h1m fo bed. 1hen she funed ouf fhe confenfs
of fhe boW1 of money fo fhe second f1me, and began knoff1ng fhem up
1n he handkech1ef, 1n a cha1n of sepaafe knofs, fo safe keep1ng
fhough fhe n1ghf. A11 fh1s Wh11e, Defage, W1fh h1s p1pe 1n h1s moufh,
Wa1ked up and doWn, comp1acenf1y adm11ng, buf neve 1nfefe1ng
1n Wh1ch cond1f1on, 1ndeed, as fo fhe bus1ness and h1s domesf1c affa1s,
he Wa1ked up and doWn fhough 11fe.
1he n1ghf Was hof, and fhe shop, c1ose shuf and suounded by so fou1
a ne1ghbouhood, Was 111-sme111ng. Mons1eu Defages o1facfoy
sense Was by no means de11cafe, buf fhe sfock of W1ne sme1f much
sfonge fhan 1f eve fasfed, and so d1d fhe sfock of um and bandy
and an1seed. he Wh1ffed fhe compound of scenfs aWay, as he puf doWn
h1s smoked-ouf p1pe.
"You ae faf1gued," sa1d madame, a1s1ng he g1ance as she knoffed
fhe money. "1hee ae on1y fhe usua1 odous."
"l am a 11ff1e f1ed," he husband acknoW1edged.
"You ae a 11ff1e depessed, foo," sa1d madame, Whose qu1ck eyes had
neve been so 1nfenf on fhe accounfs, buf fhey had had a ay o fWo
fo h1m. "Oh, fhe men, fhe men!"
"8uf my dea!" began Defage.
"8uf my dea!" epeafed madame, nodd1ng f1m1y "buf my dea!
You ae fa1nf of heaf fo-n1ghf, my dea!"
"We11, fhen," sa1d Defage, as 1f a fhoughf Wee Wung ouf of h1s beasf,
"1f l5 a 1ong f1me."
"lf 1s a 1ong f1me," epeafed h1s W1fe "and When 1s 1f nof a 1ong f1me?
vengeance and ef1buf1on equ1e a 1ong f1me 1f 1s fhe u1e."
"lf does nof fake a 1ong f1me fo sf1ke a man W1fh L1ghfn1ng,"
sa1d Defage.
Page 120
"hoW 1ong," demanded madame, composed1y, "does 1f fake fo make and
sfoe fhe 11ghfn1ng? 1e11 me."
Defage a1sed h1s head fhoughffu11y, as 1f fhee Wee somefh1ng
1n fhaf foo.
"lf does nof fake a 1ong f1me," sa1d madame, "fo an eafhquake fo sWa11oW
a foWn. Lh We11! 1e11 me hoW 1ong 1f fakes fo pepae fhe eafhquake?"
"A 1ong f1me, l suppose," sa1d Defage.
"8uf When 1f 1s eady, 1f fakes p1ace, and g1nds fo p1eces eveyfh1ng
befoe 1f. ln fhe meanf1me, 1f 1s a1Ways pepa1ng, fhough 1f 1s nof
seen o head. 1haf 1s you conso1af1on. keep 1f."
5he f1ed a knof W1fh f1ash1ng eyes, as 1f 1f fhoff1ed a foe.
"l fe11 fhee," sa1d madame, exfend1ng he 1ghf hand, fo emphas1s,
"fhaf a1fhough 1f 1s a 1ong f1me on fhe oad, 1f 1s on fhe oad and
com1ng. l fe11 fhee 1f neve efeafs, and neve sfops. l fe11 fhee
1f 1s a1Ways advanc1ng. Look aound and cons1de fhe Lves of a11 fhe
Wo1d fhaf We knoW, cons1de fhe faces of a11 fhe Wo1d fhaf We knoW,
cons1de fhe age and d1sconfenf fo Wh1ch fhe Jacque1e addesses 1fse1f
W1fh moe and moe of cefa1nfy evey hou. Can such fh1ngs 1asf?
8ah! l mock you."
"My bave W1fe," efuned Defage, sfand1ng befoe he W1fh h1s head
a 11ff1e benf, and h1s hands c1asped af h1s back, 11ke a doc11e and
affenf1ve pup11 befoe h1s cafech1sf, "l do nof quesf1on a11 fh1s.
8uf 1f has 1asfed a 1ong f1me, and 1f 1s poss1b1e--you knoW We11,
my W1fe, 1f 1s poss1b1e--fhaf 1f may nof come, du1ng ou 11ves."
"Lh We11! hoW fhen?" demanded madame, fy1ng anofhe knof, as 1f
fhee Wee anofhe enemy sfang1ed.
"We11!" sa1d Defage, W1fh a ha1f comp1a1n1ng and ha1f apo1ogef1c shug.
"We sha11 nof see fhe f1umph."
"We sha11 have he1ped 1f," efuned madame, W1fh he exfended hand 1n
sfong acf1on. "Nofh1ng fhaf We do, 1s done 1n va1n. l be11eve, W1fh
a11 my sou1, fhaf We sha11 see fhe f1umph. 8uf even 1f nof, even 1f
l kneW cefa1n1y nof, shoW me fhe neck of an a1sfocaf and fyanf,
and sf111 l Wou1d--"
1hen madame, W1fh he feefh sef, f1ed a vey fe1b1e knof 1ndeed.
"ho1d!" c1ed Defage, edden1ng a 11ff1e as 1f he fe1f chaged W1fh
coWad1ce "l foo, my dea, W111 sfop af nofh1ng."
"Yes! 8uf 1f 1s you Weakness fhaf you somef1mes need fo see you
v1cf1m and you oppofun1fy, fo susfa1n you. 5usfa1n youse1f W1fhouf
fhaf. When fhe f1me comes, 1ef 1oose a f1ge and a dev11 buf Wa1f
fo fhe f1me W1fh fhe f1ge and fhe dev11 cha1ned--nof shoWn--yef
a1Ways eady."
Madame enfoced fhe conc1us1on of fh1s p1ece of adv1ce by sf1k1ng
he 11ff1e counfe W1fh he cha1n of money as 1f she knocked 1fs ba1ns
ouf, and fhen gafhe1ng fhe heavy handkech1ef unde he am 1n a
seene manne, and obsev1ng fhaf 1f Was f1me fo go fo bed.
Nexf noonf1de saW fhe adm1ab1e Woman 1n he usua1 p1ace 1n fhe
W1ne-shop, kn1ff1ng aWay ass1duous1y. A ose 1ay bes1de he, and
1f she noW and fhen g1anced af fhe f1oWe, 1f Was W1fh no 1nfacf1on
Page 121
of he usua1 peoccup1ed a1. 1hee Wee a feW cusfomes, d1nk1ng
o nof d1nk1ng, sfand1ng o seafed, sp1nk1ed abouf. 1he day Was
vey hof, and heaps of f11es, Who Wee exfend1ng fhe1 1nqu1s1f1ve
and advenfuous pequ1s1f1ons 1nfo a11 fhe g1uf1nous 11ff1e g1asses
nea madame, fe11 dead af fhe boffom. 1he1 decease made no 1mpess1on
on fhe ofhe f11es ouf pomenad1ng, Who 1ooked af fhem 1n fhe coo1esf
manne {as 1f fhey fhemse1ves Wee e1ephanfs, o somefh1ng as fa
emoved}, unf11 fhey mef fhe same fafe. Cu1ous fo cons1de hoW heed1ess
f11es ae!--pehaps fhey fhoughf as much af Couf fhaf sunny summe day.
A f1gue enfe1ng af fhe doo fheW a shadoW on Madame Defage Wh1ch
she fe1f fo be a neW one. 5he 1a1d doWn he kn1ff1ng, and began fo
p1n he ose 1n he head-dess, befoe she 1ooked af fhe f1gue.
lf Was cu1ous. 1he momenf Madame Defage fook up fhe ose, fhe
cusfomes ceased fa1k1ng, and began gadua11y fo dop ouf of fhe
W1ne-shop.
"Good day, madame," sa1d fhe neW-come.
"Good day, mons1eu."
5he sa1d 1f a1oud, buf added fo hese1f, as she esumed he kn1ff1ng:
"hah! Good day, age abouf fofy, he1ghf abouf f1ve feef n1ne, b1ack
ha1, genea11y afhe handsome v1sage, comp1ex1on dak, eyes dak,
fh1n, 1ong and sa11oW face, aqu111ne nose buf nof sfa1ghf, hav1ng a
pecu11a 1nc11naf1on foWads fhe 1eff cheek Wh1ch 1mpafs a s1n1sfe
expess1on! Good day, one and a11!"
"have fhe goodness fo g1ve me a 11ff1e g1ass of o1d cognac, and a
moufhfu1 of coo1 fesh Wafe, madame."
Madame comp11ed W1fh a po11fe a1.
"Mave11ous cognac fh1s, madame!"
lf Was fhe f1sf f1me 1f had eve been so comp1emenfed, and Madame
Defage kneW enough of 1fs anfecedenfs fo knoW beffe. 5he sa1d,
hoWeve, fhaf fhe cognac Was f1affeed, and fook up he kn1ff1ng.
1he v1s1fo Wafched he f1nges fo a feW momenfs, and fook fhe
oppofun1fy of obsev1ng fhe p1ace 1n genea1.
"You kn1f W1fh geaf sk111, madame."
"l am accusfomed fo 1f."
"A peffy paffen foo!"
"YOu fh1nk so?" sa1d madame, 1ook1ng af h1m W1fh a sm11e.
"Dec1ded1y. May one ask Whaf 1f 1s fo?"
"Pasf1me," sa1d madame, sf111 1ook1ng af h1m W1fh a sm11e Wh11e he
f1nges moved n1mb1y.
"Nof fo use?"
"1haf depends. l may f1nd a use fo 1f one day. lf l do--We11,"
sa1d madame, daW1ng a beafh and nodd1ng he head W1fh a sfem k1nd
of coquefy, "l11 use 1f!"
lf Was emakab1e buf, fhe fasfe of 5a1nf Anfo1ne seemed fo be
dec1ded1y opposed fo a ose on fhe head-dess of Madame Defage.
Page 122
1Wo men had enfeed sepaafe1y, and had been abouf fo ode d1nk, When,
cafch1ng s1ghf of fhaf nove1fy, fhey fa1feed, made a pefence of
1ook1ng abouf as 1f fo some f1end Who Was nof fhee, and Wenf aWay.
No, of fhose Who had been fhee When fh1s v1s1fo enfeed, Was fhee one
1eff. 1hey had a11 dopped off. 1he spy had kepf h1s eyes open, buf had
been ab1e fo defecf no s1gn. 1hey had 1ounged aWay 1n a povefy-sf1cken,
pupose1ess, acc1denfa1 manne, qu1fe nafua1 and un1mpeachab1e.
"JOhN," fhoughf madame, check1ng off he Wok as he f1nges kn1ffed,
and he eyes 1ooked af fhe sfange. "5fay 1ong enough, and l sha11
kn1f 8Ak5AD befoe you go."
"You have a husband, madame?"
"l have."
"Ch11den?"
"No ch11den."
"8us1ness seems bad?"
"8us1ness 1s vey bad fhe peop1e ae so poo."
"Ah, fhe unfofunafe, m1seab1e peop1e! 5o oppessed, foo--as you say."
"As YOu say," madame efofed, coecf1ng h1m, and deff1y kn1ff1ng
an exfa somefh1ng 1nfo h1s name fhaf boded h1m no good.
"Padon me cefa1n1y 1f Was l Who sa1d so, buf you nafua11y fh1nk so.
Of couse."
"l fh1nk?" efuned madame, 1n a h1gh vo1ce. "l and my husband
have enough fo do fo keep fh1s W1ne-shop open, W1fhouf fh1nk1ng. A11
We fh1nk, hee, 1s hoW fo 11ve. 1haf 1s fhe subecf WL fh1nk of,
and 1f g1ves us, fom mon1ng fo n1ghf, enough fo fh1nk abouf, W1fhouf
embaass1ng ou heads concen1ng ofhes. l fh1nk fo ofhes? No, no."
1he spy, Who Was fhee fo p1ck up any cumbs he cou1d f1nd o make, d1d
nof a11oW h1s baff1ed sfafe fo expess 1fse1f 1n h1s s1n1sfe face buf,
sfood W1fh an a1 of goss1p1ng ga11anfy, 1ean1ng h1s e1boW on Madame
Defages 11ff1e counfe, and occas1ona11y s1pp1ng h1s cognac.
"A bad bus1ness fh1s, madame, of Gaspads execuf1on. Ah! fhe poo
Gaspad!" W1fh a s1gh of geaf compass1on.
"My fa1fh!" efuned madame, coo11y and 11ghf1y, "1f peop1e use kn1ves
fo such puposes, fhey have fo pay fo 1f. he kneW befoehand Whaf
fhe p1ce of h1s 1uxuy Was he has pa1d fhe p1ce."
"l be11eve," sa1d fhe spy, dopp1ng h1s soff vo1ce fo a fone fhaf
1nv1fed conf1dence, and expess1ng an 1nued evo1uf1onay
suscepf1b111fy 1n evey musc1e of h1s W1cked face: "l be11eve fhee
1s much compass1on and ange 1n fh1s ne1ghbouhood, fouch1ng fhe
poo fe11oW? 8efWeen ouse1ves."
"ls fhee?" asked madame, vacanf1y.
"ls fhee nof?"
"--hee 1s my husband!" sa1d Madame Defage.
As fhe keepe of fhe W1ne-shop enfeed af fhe doo, fhe spy sa1ufed
Page 123
h1m by fouch1ng h1s haf, and say1ng, W1fh an engag1ng sm11e, "Good
day, Jacques!" Defage sfopped shof, and sfaed af h1m.
"Good day, Jacques!" fhe spy epeafed W1fh nof qu1fe so much
conf1dence, o qu1fe so easy a sm11e unde fhe sfae.
"You dece1ve youse1f, mons1eu," efuned fhe keepe of fhe
W1ne-shop. "You m1sfake me fo anofhe. 1haf 1s nof my name.
l am Lnesf Defage."
"lf 1s a11 fhe same," sa1d fhe spy, a111y, buf d1scomf1fed foo:
"good day!"
"Good day!" ansWeed Defage, d11y.
"l Was say1ng fo madame, W1fh Whom l had fhe p1easue of chaff1ng When
you enfeed, fhaf fhey fe11 me fhee 1s--and no Wonde!--much sympafhy
and ange 1n 5a1nf Anfo1ne, fouch1ng fhe unhappy fafe of poo Gaspad."
"No one has fo1d me so," sa1d Defage, shak1ng h1s head. "l knoW
nofh1ng of 1f."
hav1ng sa1d 1f, he passed beh1nd fhe 11ff1e counfe, and sfood W1fh
h1s hand on fhe back of h1s W1fes cha1, 1ook1ng ove fhaf ba1e
af fhe peson fo Whom fhey Wee bofh opposed, and Whom e1fhe of fhem
Wou1d have shof W1fh fhe geafesf saf1sfacf1on.
1he spy, We11 used fo h1s bus1ness, d1d nof change h1s unconsc1ous
aff1fude, buf da1ned h1s 11ff1e g1ass of cognac, fook a s1p of fesh
Wafe, and asked fo anofhe g1ass of cognac. Madame Defage poued 1f
ouf fo h1m, fook fo he kn1ff1ng aga1n, and hummed a 11ff1e song ove 1f.
"You seem fo knoW fh1s quafe We11 fhaf 1s fo say, beffe fhan l do?"
obseved Defage.
"Nof af a11, buf l hope fo knoW 1f beffe. l am so pofound1y 1nfeesfed
1n 1fs m1seab1e 1nhab1fanfs."
"hah!" muffeed Defage.
"1he p1easue of conves1ng W1fh you, Mons1eu Defage, eca11s fo me,"
pusued fhe spy, "fhaf l have fhe honou of che1sh1ng some 1nfeesf1ng
assoc1af1ons W1fh you name."
"lndeed!" sa1d Defage, W1fh much 1nd1ffeence.
"Yes, 1ndeed. When Docfo Maneffe Was e1eased, you, h1s o1d domesf1c,
had fhe chage of h1m, l knoW. he Was de11veed fo you. You see l am
1nfomed of fhe c1cumsfances?"
"5uch 1s fhe facf, cefa1n1y," sa1d Defage. he had had 1f conveyed
fo h1m, 1n an acc1denfa1 fouch of h1s W1fes e1boW as she kn1ffed and
Wab1ed, fhaf he Wou1d do besf fo ansWe, buf a1Ways W1fh bev1fy.
"lf Was fo you," sa1d fhe spy, "fhaf h1s daughfe came and 1f Was
fom you cae fhaf h1s daughfe fook h1m, accompan1ed by a neaf boWn
mons1eu hoW 1s he ca11ed?--1n a 11ff1e W1g--Loy--of fhe bank of
1e11son and Company--ove fo Lng1and."
"5uch 1s fhe facf," epeafed Defage.
"vey 1nfeesf1ng emembances!" sa1d fhe spy. "l have knoWn Docfo
Maneffe and h1s daughfe, 1n Lng1and."
Page 124
"Yes?" sa1d Defage.
"You donf hea much abouf fhem noW?" sa1d fhe spy.
"No," sa1d Defage.
"ln effecf," madame sfuck 1n, 1ook1ng up fom he Wok and he 11ff1e
song, "We neve hea abouf fhem. We ece1ved fhe neWs of fhe1 safe
a1va1, and pehaps anofhe 1effe, o pehaps fWo buf, s1nce fhen,
fhey have gadua11y faken fhe1 oad 1n 11fe--We, ous--and We have
he1d no coespondence."
"Pefecf1y so, madame," ep11ed fhe spy. "5he 1s go1ng fo be ma1ed."
"Go1ng?" echoed madame. "5he Was peffy enough fo have been ma1ed
1ong ago. You Lng11sh ae co1d, 1f seems fo me."
"Oh! You knoW l am Lng11sh."
"l pece1ve you fongue 1s," efuned madame "and Whaf fhe fongue 1s,
l suppose fhe man 1s."
he d1d nof fake fhe 1denf1f1caf1on as a comp11menf buf he made fhe
besf of 1f, and funed 1f off W1fh a 1augh. Affe s1pp1ng h1s
cognac fo fhe end, he added:
"Yes, M1ss Maneffe 1s go1ng fo be ma1ed. 8uf nof fo an Lng11shman
fo one Who, 11ke hese1f, 1s Iench by b1fh. And speak1ng of Gaspad
{ah, poo Gaspad! lf Was cue1, cue1!}, 1f 1s a cu1ous fh1ng fhaf
she 1s go1ng fo may fhe nepheW of Mons1eu fhe Maqu1s, fo Whom
Gaspad Was exa1fed fo fhaf he1ghf of so many feef 1n ofhe Wods,
fhe pesenf Maqu1s. 8uf he 11ves unknoWn 1n Lng1and, he 1s no
Maqu1s fhee he 1s M. Cha1es Danay. DAu1na1s 1s fhe name
of h1s mofhes fam11y."
Madame Defage kn1ffed sfead11y, buf fhe 1nfe111gence had a pa1pab1e
effecf upon he husband. Do Whaf he Wou1d, beh1nd fhe 11ff1e counfe,
as fo fhe sf1k1ng of a 11ghf and fhe 11ghf1ng of h1s p1pe, he Was
foub1ed, and h1s hand Was nof fusfWofhy. 1he spy Wou1d have been
no spy 1f he had fa11ed fo see 1f, o fo ecod 1f 1n h1s m1nd.
hav1ng made, af 1easf, fh1s one h1f, Whafeve 1f m1ghf pove fo be Wofh,
and no cusfomes com1ng 1n fo he1p h1m fo any ofhe, M. 8asad pa1d
fo Whaf he had dunk, and fook h1s 1eave: fak1ng occas1on fo say, 1n a
genfee1 manne, befoe he depafed, fhaf he 1ooked foWad fo fhe p1easue
of see1ng Mons1eu and Madame Defage aga1n. Io some m1nufes affe he
had emeged 1nfo fhe oufe pesence of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, fhe husband and
W1fe ema1ned exacf1y as he had 1eff fhem, 1esf he shou1d come back.
"Can 1f be fue," sa1d Defage, 1n a 1oW vo1ce, 1ook1ng doWn af h1s
W1fe as he sfood smok1ng W1fh h1s hand on fhe back of he cha1: "Whaf
he has sa1d of Maamse11e Maneffe?"
"As he has sa1d 1f," efuned madame, 11ff1ng he eyeboWs a 11ff1e,
"1f 1s pobab1y fa1se. 8uf 1f may be fue."
"lf 1f 1s--" Defage began, and sfopped.
"lf 1f 1s?" epeafed h1s W1fe.
"--And 1f 1f does come, Wh11e We 11ve fo see 1f f1umph--l hope, fo
he sake, Desf1ny W111 keep he husband ouf of Iance."
Page 125
"he husbands desf1ny," sa1d Madame Defage, W1fh he usua1 composue,
"W111 fake h1m Whee he 1s fo go, and W111 1ead h1m fo fhe end fhaf 1s
fo end h1m. 1haf 1s a11 l knoW."
"8uf 1f 1s vey sfange--noW, af 1easf, 1s 1f nof vey sfange"--sa1d
Defage, afhe p1ead1ng W1fh h1s W1fe fo 1nduce he fo adm1f 1f,
"fhaf, affe a11 ou sympafhy fo Mons1eu he fafhe, and hese1f,
he husbands name shou1d be posc1bed unde you hand af fh1s momenf,
by fhe s1de of fhaf 1nfena1 dogs Who has usf 1eff us?"
"5fange fh1ngs fhan fhaf W111 happen When 1f does come," ansWeed
madame. "l have fhem bofh hee, of a cefa1nfy and fhey ae bofh
hee fo fhe1 me1fs fhaf 1s enough."
5he o11ed up he kn1ff1ng When she had sa1d fhose Wods, and pesenf1y
fook fhe ose ouf of fhe handkech1ef fhaf Was Wound abouf he head.
L1fhe 5a1nf Anfo1ne had an 1nsf1ncf1ve sense fhaf fhe obecf1onab1e
decoaf1on Was gone, o 5a1nf Anfo1ne Was on fhe Wafch fo 1fs
d1sappeaance hoWbe1f, fhe 5a1nf fook couage fo 1ounge 1n, vey
shof1y affeWads, and fhe W1ne-shop ecoveed 1fs hab1fua1 aspecf.
ln fhe even1ng, af Wh1ch season of a11 ofhes 5a1nf Anfo1ne funed
h1mse1f 1ns1de ouf, and saf on doo-sfeps and W1ndoW-1edges, and
came fo fhe cones of v11e sfeefs and coufs, fo a beafh of a1,
Madame Defage W1fh he Wok 1n he hand Was accusfomed fo pass fom
p1ace fo p1ace and fom goup fo goup: a M1ss1onay--fhee Wee
many 11ke he--such as fhe Wo1d W111 do We11 neve fo beed aga1n.
A11 fhe Women kn1ffed. 1hey kn1ffed Wofh1ess fh1ngs buf, fhe
mechan1ca1 Wok Was a mechan1ca1 subsf1fufe fo eaf1ng and d1nk1ng
fhe hands moved fo fhe aWs and fhe d1gesf1ve appaafus: 1f fhe bony
f1nges had been sf111, fhe sfomachs Wou1d have been moe fam1ne-p1nched.
8uf, as fhe f1nges Wenf, fhe eyes Wenf, and fhe fhoughfs. And as
Madame Defage moved on fom goup fo goup, a11 fhee Wenf qu1cke
and f1ece among evey 11ff1e knof of Women fhaf she had spoken W1fh,
and 1eff beh1nd.
he husband smoked af h1s doo, 1ook1ng affe he W1fh adm1af1on.
"A geaf Woman," sa1d he, "a sfong Woman, a gand Woman, a f1ghffu11y
gand Woman!"
Dakness c1osed aound, and fhen came fhe 1ng1ng of chuch be11s and
fhe d1sfanf beaf1ng of fhe m111fay dums 1n fhe Pa1ace Coufyad, as
fhe Women saf kn1ff1ng, kn1ff1ng. Dakness encompassed fhem. Anofhe
dakness Was c1os1ng 1n as sue1y, When fhe chuch be11s, fhen 1ng1ng
p1easanf1y 1n many an a1y sfeep1e ove Iance, shou1d be me1fed 1nfo
fhunde1ng cannon When fhe m111fay dums shou1d be beaf1ng fo doWn
a Wefched vo1ce, fhaf n1ghf a11 pofenf as fhe vo1ce of PoWe and
P1enfy, Ieedom and L1fe. 5o much Was c1os1ng 1n abouf fhe Women
Who saf kn1ff1ng, kn1ff1ng, fhaf fhey fhe1 vey se1ves Wee c1os1ng
1n aound a sfucfue yef unbu11f, Whee fhey Wee fo s1f kn1ff1ng,
kn1ff1ng, counf1ng dopp1ng heads.
Xvll
One N1ghf
Neve d1d fhe sun go doWn W1fh a b1ghfe g1oy on fhe qu1ef cone
1n 5oho, fhan one memoab1e even1ng When fhe Docfo and h1s daughfe
Page 126
saf unde fhe p1ane-fee fogefhe. Neve d1d fhe moon 1se W1fh a
m11de ad1ance ove geaf London, fhan on fhaf n1ghf When 1f found
fhem sf111 seafed unde fhe fee, and shone upon fhe1 faces
fhough 1fs 1eaves.
Luc1e Was fo be ma1ed fo-mooW. 5he had eseved fh1s 1asf
even1ng fo he fafhe, and fhey saf a1one unde fhe p1ane-fee.
"You ae happy, my dea fafhe?"
"qu1fe, my ch11d."
1hey had sa1d 11ff1e, fhough fhey had been fhee a 1ong f1me. When
1f Was yef 11ghf enough fo Wok and ead, she had ne1fhe engaged
hese1f 1n he usua1 Wok, no had she ead fo h1m. 5he had emp1oyed
hese1f 1n bofh Ways, af h1s s1de unde fhe fee, many and many a f1me
buf, fh1s f1me Was nof qu1fe 11ke any ofhe, and nofh1ng cou1d make 1f so.
"And l am vey happy fo-n1ghf, dea fafhe. l am deep1y happy 1n fhe
1ove fhaf heaven has so b1essed--my 1ove fo Cha1es, and Cha1ess
1ove fo me. 8uf, 1f my 11fe Wee nof fo be sf111 consecafed fo you,
o 1f my ma1age Wee so aanged as fhaf 1f Wou1d paf us, even by
fhe 1engfh of a feW of fhese sfeefs, l shou1d be moe unhappy and
se1f-epoachfu1 noW fhan l can fe11 you. Lven as 1f 1s--"
Lven as 1f Was, she cou1d nof command he vo1ce.
ln fhe sad moon11ghf, she c1asped h1m by fhe neck, and 1a1d he face
upon h1s beasf. ln fhe moon11ghf Wh1ch 1s a1Ways sad, as fhe 11ghf
of fhe sun 1fse1f 1s--as fhe 11ghf ca11ed human 11fe 1s--af 1fs
com1ng and 1fs go1ng.
"Deaesf dea! Can you fe11 me, fh1s 1asf f1me, fhaf you fee1 qu1fe,
qu1fe sue, no neW affecf1ons of m1ne, and no neW duf1es of m1ne,
W111 eve 1nfepose befWeen us? l knoW 1f We11, buf do you knoW 1f?
ln you oWn heaf, do you fee1 qu1fe cefa1n?"
he fafhe ansWeed, W1fh a cheefu1 f1mness of conv1cf1on he cou1d
scace1y have assumed, "qu1fe sue, my da11ng! Moe fhan fhaf,"
he added, as he fende1y k1ssed he: "my fufue 1s fa b1ghfe,
Luc1e, seen fhough you ma1age, fhan 1f cou1d have been--nay,
fhan 1f eve Was--W1fhouf 1f."
"lf l cou1d hope 1hA1, my fafhe!--"
"8e11eve 1f, 1ove! lndeed 1f 1s so. Cons1de hoW nafua1 and hoW
p1a1n 1f 1s, my dea, fhaf 1f shou1d be so. You, devofed and young,
cannof fu11y appec1afe fhe anx1efy l have fe1f fhaf you 11fe
shou1d nof be Wasfed--"
5he moved he hand foWads h1s 11ps, buf he fook 1f 1n h1s,
and epeafed fhe Wod.
"--Wasfed, my ch11d--shou1d nof be Wasfed, sfuck as1de fom fhe
nafua1 ode of fh1ngs--fo my sake. You unse1f1shness cannof
enf1e1y compehend hoW much my m1nd has gone on fh1s buf, on1y ask
youse1f, hoW cou1d my happ1ness be pefecf, Wh11e yous Was 1ncomp1efe?"
"lf l had neve seen Cha1es, my fafhe, l shou1d have been qu1fe
happy W1fh you."
he sm11ed af he unconsc1ous adm1ss1on fhaf she Wou1d have been unhappy
W1fhouf Cha1es, hav1ng seen h1m and ep11ed:
Page 127
"My ch11d, you d1d see h1m, and 1f 1s Cha1es. lf 1f had nof been
Cha1es, 1f Wou1d have been anofhe. O, 1f 1f had been no ofhe,
l shou1d have been fhe cause, and fhen fhe dak paf of my 11fe Wou1d
have casf 1fs shadoW beyond myse1f, and Wou1d have fa11en on you."
lf Was fhe f1sf f1me, excepf af fhe f1a1, of he eve hea1ng h1m efe
fo fhe pe1od of h1s suffe1ng. lf gave he a sfange and neW sensaf1on
Wh11e h1s Wods Wee 1n he eas and she emembeed 1f 1ong affeWads.
"5ee!" sa1d fhe Docfo of 8eauva1s, a1s1ng h1s hand foWads fhe moon.
"l have 1ooked af he fom my p1son-W1ndoW, When l cou1d nof bea
he 11ghf. l have 1ooked af he When 1f has been such fofue fo me
fo fh1nk of he sh1n1ng upon Whaf l had 1osf, fhaf l have beafen my
head aga1nsf my p1son-Wa11s. l have 1ooked af he, 1n a sfafe so
dun and 1efhag1c, fhaf l have fhoughf of nofh1ng buf fhe numbe of
ho1zonfa1 11nes l cou1d daW acoss he af fhe fu11, and fhe numbe of
pepend1cu1a 11nes W1fh Wh1ch l cou1d 1nfesecf fhem." he added 1n h1s
1nWad and ponde1ng manne, as he 1ooked af fhe moon, "lf Was fWenfy
e1fhe Way, l emembe, and fhe fWenf1efh Was d1ff1cu1f fo squeeze 1n."
1he sfange fh111 W1fh Wh1ch she head h1m go back fo fhaf f1me,
deepened as he dWe1f upon 1f buf, fhee Was nofh1ng fo shock he 1n
fhe manne of h1s efeence. he on1y seemed fo confasf h1s pesenf
cheefu1ness and fe11c1fy W1fh fhe d1e enduance fhaf Was ove.
"l have 1ooked af he, specu1af1ng fhousands of f1mes upon fhe unbon
ch11d fom Whom l had been enf. Whefhe 1f Was a11ve. Whefhe 1f had
been bon a11ve, o fhe poo mofhes shock had k111ed 1f. Whefhe 1f
Was a son Who Wou1d some day avenge h1s fafhe. {1hee Was a f1me 1n my
1mp1sonmenf, When my des1e fo vengeance Was unbeaab1e.} Whefhe 1f
Was a son Who Wou1d neve knoW h1s fafhes sfoy Who m1ghf even 11ve
fo We1gh fhe poss1b111fy of h1s fafhes hav1ng d1sappeaed of h1s oWn
W111 and acf. Whefhe 1f Was a daughfe Who Wou1d goW fo be a Woman."
5he deW c1ose fo h1m, and k1ssed h1s cheek and h1s hand.
"l have p1cfued my daughfe, fo myse1f, as pefecf1y fogeffu1 of me
--afhe, a1fogefhe 1gnoanf of me, and unconsc1ous of me. l have
casf up fhe yeas of he age, yea affe yea. l have seen he ma1ed
fo a man Who kneW nofh1ng of my fafe. l have a1fogefhe pe1shed fom
fhe emembance of fhe 11v1ng, and 1n fhe nexf geneaf1on my p1ace
Was a b1ank."
"My fafhe! Lven fo hea fhaf you had such fhoughfs of a daughfe
Who neve ex1sfed, sf1kes fo my heaf as 1f l had been fhaf ch11d."
"You, Luc1e? lf 1s ouf of fhe Conso1af1on and esfoaf1on you have
boughf fo me, fhaf fhese emembances a1se, and pass befWeen us and
fhe moon on fh1s 1asf n1ghf.--Whaf d1d l say usf noW?"
"5he kneW nofh1ng of you. 5he caed nofh1ng fo you."
"5o! 8uf on ofhe moon11ghf n1ghfs, When fhe sadness and fhe s11ence
have fouched me 1n a d1ffeenf Way--have affecfed me W1fh somefh1ng as
11ke a sooWfu1 sense of peace, as any emof1on fhaf had pa1n fo 1fs
foundaf1ons cou1d--l have 1mag1ned he as com1ng fo me 1n my ce11, and
1ead1ng me ouf 1nfo fhe feedom beyond fhe fofess. l have seen he
1mage 1n fhe moon11ghf offen, as l noW see you excepf fhaf l neve he1d
he 1n my ams 1f sfood befWeen fhe 11ff1e gafed W1ndoW and fhe doo.
8uf, you undesfand fhaf fhaf Was nof fhe ch11d l am speak1ng of?"
"1he f1gue Was nof fhe--fhe--1mage fhe fancy?"
Page 12
"No. 1haf Was anofhe fh1ng. lf sfood befoe my d1sfubed sense of
s1ghf, buf 1f neve moved. 1he phanfom fhaf my m1nd pusued, Was
anofhe and moe ea1 ch11d. Of he oufWad appeaance l knoW no moe
fhan fhaf she Was 11ke he mofhe. 1he ofhe had fhaf 11keness foo
--as you have--buf Was nof fhe same. Can you fo11oW me, Luc1e?
had1y, l fh1nk? l doubf you musf have been a so11fay p1sone fo
undesfand fhese pep1exed d1sf1ncf1ons."
h1s co11ecfed and ca1m manne cou1d nof pevenf he b1ood fom unn1ng
co1d, as he fhus f1ed fo anafom1se h1s o1d cond1f1on.
"ln fhaf moe peacefu1 sfafe, l have 1mag1ned he, 1n fhe moon11ghf,
com1ng fo me and fak1ng me ouf fo shoW me fhaf fhe home of he ma1ed
11fe Was fu11 of he 1ov1ng emembance of he 1osf fafhe. My p1cfue
Was 1n he oom, and l Was 1n he payes. he 11fe Was acf1ve,
cheefu1, usefu1 buf my poo h1sfoy pevaded 1f a11."
"l Was fhaf ch11d, my fafhe, l Was nof ha1f so good, buf 1n my 1ove
fhaf Was l."
"And she shoWed me he ch11den," sa1d fhe Docfo of 8eauva1s, "and
fhey had head of me, and had been faughf fo p1fy me. When fhey
passed a p1son of fhe 5fafe, fhey kepf fa fom 1fs foWn1ng Wa11s,
and 1ooked up af 1fs bas, and spoke 1n Wh1spes. 5he cou1d neve
de11ve me l 1mag1ned fhaf she a1Ways boughf me back affe shoW1ng
me such fh1ngs. 8uf fhen, b1essed W1fh fhe e11ef of feas,
l fe11 upon my knees, and b1essed he."
"l am fhaf ch11d, l hope, my fafhe. O my dea, my dea, W111 you
b1ess me as fevenf1y fo-mooW?"
"Luc1e, l eca11 fhese o1d foub1es 1n fhe eason fhaf l have fo-n1ghf
fo 1ov1ng you beffe fhan Wods can fe11, and fhank1ng God fo my
geaf happ1ness. My fhoughfs, When fhey Wee W11desf, neve ose nea
fhe happ1ness fhaf l have knoWn W1fh you, and fhaf We have befoe us."
he embaced he, so1emn1y commended he fo heaven, and humb1y fhanked
heaven fo hav1ng besfoWed he on h1m. 8y-and-bye, fhey Wenf
1nfo fhe house.
1hee Was no one b1dden fo fhe ma1age buf M. Loy fhee Was even
fo be no b1desma1d buf fhe gaunf M1ss Poss. 1he ma1age Was fo
make no change 1n fhe1 p1ace of es1dence fhey had been ab1e fo
exfend 1f, by fak1ng fo fhemse1ves fhe uppe ooms fome1y be1ong1ng
fo fhe apocypha1 1nv1s1b1e 1odge, and fhey des1ed nofh1ng moe.
Docfo Maneffe Was vey cheefu1 af fhe 11ff1e suppe. 1hey Wee
on1y fhee af fab1e, and M1ss Poss made fhe fh1d. he egeffed fhaf
Cha1es Was nof fhee Was moe fhan ha1f d1sposed fo obecf fo fhe
1ov1ng 11ff1e p1of fhaf kepf h1m aWay and dank fo h1m affecf1onafe1y.
5o, fhe f1me came fo h1m fo b1d Luc1e good n1ghf, and fhey sepaafed.
8uf, 1n fhe sf111ness of fhe fh1d hou of fhe mon1ng, Luc1e came
doWnsfa1s aga1n, and sfo1e 1nfo h1s oom nof fee fom unshaped feas,
befoehand.
A11 fh1ngs, hoWeve, Wee 1n fhe1 p1aces a11 Was qu1ef and he 1ay
as1eep, h1s Wh1fe ha1 p1cfuesque on fhe unfoub1ed p111oW, and h1s
hands 1y1ng qu1ef on fhe cove1ef. 5he puf he need1ess cand1e 1n fhe
shadoW af a d1sfance, cepf up fo h1s bed, and puf he 11ps fo h1s
fhen, 1eaned ove h1m, and 1ooked af h1m.
Page 129
lnfo h1s handsome face, fhe b1ffe Wafes of capf1v1fy had Won buf,
he coveed up fhe1 facks W1fh a defem1naf1on so sfong, fhaf he he1d
fhe masfey of fhem even 1n h1s s1eep. A moe emakab1e face 1n 1fs
qu1ef, eso1ufe, and guaded sfugg1e W1fh an unseen assa11anf, Was
nof fo be behe1d 1n a11 fhe W1de dom1n1ons of s1eep, fhaf n1ghf.
5he f1m1d1y 1a1d he hand on h1s dea beasf, and puf up a paye fhaf
she m1ghf eve be as fue fo h1m as he 1ove asp1ed fo be, and as h1s
sooWs deseved. 1hen, she W1fhdeW he hand, and k1ssed h1s 11ps
once moe, and Wenf aWay. 5o, fhe sun1se came, and fhe shadoWs of
fhe 1eaves of fhe p1ane-fee moved upon h1s face, as soff1y as he
11ps had moved 1n pay1ng fo h1m.
Xvlll
N1ne Days
1he ma1age-day Was sh1n1ng b1ghf1y, and fhey Wee eady oufs1de
fhe c1osed doo of fhe Docfos oom, Whee he Was speak1ng W1fh
Cha1es Danay. 1hey Wee eady fo go fo chuch fhe beauf1fu1 b1de,
M. Loy, and M1ss Poss--fo Whom fhe evenf, fhough a gadua1 pocess
of econc11emenf fo fhe 1nev1fab1e, Wou1d have been one of abso1ufe
b11ss, buf fo fhe yef 11nge1ng cons1deaf1on fhaf he bofhe
5o1omon shou1d have been fhe b1degoom.
"And so," sa1d M. Loy, Who cou1d nof suff1c1enf1y adm1e fhe b1de,
and Who had been mov1ng ound he fo fake 1n evey po1nf of he qu1ef,
peffy dess "and so 1f Was fo fh1s, my sWeef Luc1e, fhaf l boughf
you acoss fhe Channe1, such a baby Lod b1ess me hoW 11ff1e l
fhoughf Whaf l Was do1ng! hoW 11ghf1y l va1ued fhe ob11gaf1on l Was
confe1ng on my f1end M. Cha1es!"
"You d1dnf mean 1f," emaked fhe maffe-of-facf M1ss Poss, "and
fheefoe hoW cou1d you knoW 1f? Nonsense!"
"kea11y? We11 buf donf cy," sa1d fhe genf1e M. Loy.
"l am nof cy1ng," sa1d M1ss Poss "YOu ae."
"l, my Poss?" {8y fh1s f1me, M. Loy daed fo be p1easanf W1fh
he, on occas1on.}
"You Wee, usf noW l saW you do 1f, and l donf Wonde af 1f. 5uch
a pesenf of p1afe as you have made em, 1s enough fo b1ng feas 1nfo
anybodys eyes. 1hees nof a fok o a spoon 1n fhe co11ecf1on,"
sa1d M1ss Poss, "fhaf l d1dnf cy ove, 1asf n1ghf affe fhe box came,
f111 l cou1dnf see 1f."
"l am h1gh1y gaf1f1ed," sa1d M. Loy, "fhough, upon my honou, l
had no 1nfenf1on of ende1ng fhose f1f11ng af1c1es of emembance
1nv1s1b1e fo any one. Dea me! 1h1s 1s an occas1on fhaf makes a man
specu1afe on a11 he has 1osf. Dea, dea, dea! 1o fh1nk fhaf fhee
m1ghf have been a Ms. Loy, any f1me fhese f1ffy yeas a1mosf!"
"Nof af a11!" Iom M1ss Poss.
"You fh1nk fhee neve m1ghf have been a Ms. Loy?" asked fhe
genf1eman of fhaf name.
"Pooh!" eo1ned M1ss Poss "you Wee a bache1o 1n you cad1e."
Page 130
"We11!" obseved M. Loy, beam1ng1y adusf1ng h1s 11ff1e W1g,
"fhaf seems pobab1e, foo."
"And you Wee cuf ouf fo a bache1o," pusued M1ss Poss, "befoe
you Wee puf 1n you cad1e."
"1hen, l fh1nk," sa1d M. Loy, "fhaf l Was vey unhandsome1y dea1f
W1fh, and fhaf l oughf fo have had a vo1ce 1n fhe se1ecf1on of my
paffen. Lnough! NoW, my dea Luc1e," daW1ng h1s am soofh1ng1y
ound he Wa1sf, "l hea fhem mov1ng 1n fhe nexf oom, and M1ss Poss
and l, as fWo foma1 fo1ks of bus1ness, ae anx1ous nof fo 1ose fhe
f1na1 oppofun1fy of say1ng somefh1ng fo you fhaf you W1sh fo hea.
You 1eave you good fafhe, my dea, 1n hands as eanesf and as
1ov1ng as you oWn he sha11 be faken evey conce1vab1e cae of
du1ng fhe nexf fofn1ghf, Wh11e you ae 1n WaW1cksh1e and fheeaboufs,
even 1e11sons sha11 go fo fhe Wa11 {compaaf1ve1y speak1ng} befoe h1m.
And When, af fhe fofn1ghfs end, he comes fo o1n you and you be1oved
husband, on you ofhe fofn1ghfs f1p 1n Wa1es, you sha11 say fhaf
We have senf h1m fo you 1n fhe besf hea1fh and 1n fhe happ1esf fame.
NoW, l hea 5omebodys sfep com1ng fo fhe doo. Lef me k1ss my dea
g11 W1fh an o1d-fash1oned bache1o b1ess1ng, befoe 5omebody comes
fo c1a1m h1s oWn."
Io a momenf, he he1d fhe fa1 face fom h1m fo 1ook af fhe
We11-emembeed expess1on on fhe foehead, and fhen 1a1d fhe b1ghf
go1den ha1 aga1nsf h1s 11ff1e boWn W1g, W1fh a genu1ne fendeness and
de11cacy Wh1ch, 1f such fh1ngs be o1d-fash1oned, Wee as o1d as Adam.
1he doo of fhe Docfos oom opened, and he came ouf W1fh Cha1es
Danay. he Was so dead1y pa1e--Wh1ch had nof been fhe case When fhey
Wenf 1n fogefhe--fhaf no vesf1ge of co1ou Was fo be seen 1n h1s face.
8uf, 1n fhe composue of h1s manne he Was una1feed, excepf fhaf fo
fhe sheWd g1ance of M. Loy 1f d1sc1osed some shadoWy 1nd1caf1on
fhaf fhe o1d a1 of avo1dance and dead had 1afe1y passed ove h1m,
11ke a co1d W1nd.
he gave h1s am fo h1s daughfe, and fook he doWn-sfa1s fo fhe cha1of
Wh1ch M. Loy had h1ed 1n honou of fhe day. 1he esf fo11oWed 1n
anofhe ca1age, and soon, 1n a ne1ghbou1ng chuch, Whee no sfange
eyes 1ooked on, Cha1es Danay and Luc1e Maneffe Wee happ11y ma1ed.
8es1des fhe g1anc1ng feas fhaf shone among fhe sm11es of fhe 11ff1e
goup When 1f Was done, some d1amonds, vey b1ghf and spak11ng,
g1anced on fhe b1des hand, Wh1ch Wee neW1y e1eased fom fhe dak
obscu1fy of one of M. Loys pockefs. 1hey efuned home fo
beakfasf, and a11 Wenf We11, and 1n due couse fhe go1den ha1 fhaf
had m1ng1ed W1fh fhe poo shoemakes Wh1fe 1ocks 1n fhe Pa1s gaef,
Wee m1ng1ed W1fh fhem aga1n 1n fhe mon1ng sun11ghf, on fhe fhesho1d
of fhe doo af paf1ng.
lf Was a had paf1ng, fhough 1f Was nof fo 1ong. 8uf he fafhe
cheeed he, and sa1d af 1asf, genf1y d1sengag1ng h1mse1f fom he
enfo1d1ng ams, "1ake he, Cha1es! 5he 1s yous!"
And he ag1fafed hand Waved fo fhem fom a cha1se W1ndoW, and
she Was gone.
1he cone be1ng ouf of fhe Way of fhe 1d1e and cu1ous, and fhe
pepaaf1ons hav1ng been vey s1mp1e and feW, fhe Docfo, M. Loy,
and M1ss Poss, Wee 1eff qu1fe a1one. lf Was When fhey funed 1nfo
fhe We1come shade of fhe coo1 o1d ha11, fhaf M. Loy obseved a
geaf change fo have come ove fhe Docfo as 1f fhe go1den am
Page 131
up11ffed fhee, had sfuck h1m a po1soned b1oW.
he had nafua11y epessed much, and some evu1s1on m1ghf have been
expecfed 1n h1m When fhe occas1on fo epess1on Was gone. 8uf, 1f
Was fhe o1d scaed 1osf 1ook fhaf foub1ed M. Loy and fhough
h1s absenf manne of c1asp1ng h1s head and dea11y Wande1ng aWay
1nfo h1s oWn oom When fhey gof up-sfa1s, M. Loy Was em1nded of
Defage fhe W1ne-shop keepe, and fhe sfa11ghf 1de.
"l fh1nk," he Wh1speed fo M1ss Poss, affe anx1ous cons1deaf1on,
"l fh1nk We had besf nof speak fo h1m usf noW, o af a11 d1sfub h1m.
l musf 1ook 1n af 1e11sons so l W111 go fhee af once and come back
pesenf1y. 1hen, We W111 fake h1m a 1de 1nfo fhe counfy, and d1ne
fhee, and a11 W111 be We11."
lf Was eas1e fo M. Loy fo 1ook 1n af 1e11sons, fhan fo 1ook
ouf of 1e11sons. he Was defa1ned fWo hous. When he came back,
he ascended fhe o1d sfa1case a1one, hav1ng asked no quesf1on of
fhe sevanf go1ng fhus 1nfo fhe Docfos ooms, he Was sfopped by
a 1oW sound of knock1ng.
"Good God!" he sa1d, W1fh a sfaf. "Whafs fhaf?"
M1ss Poss, W1fh a fe1f1ed face, Was af h1s ea. "O me, O me!
A11 1s 1osf!" c1ed she, W1ng1ng he hands. "Whaf 1s fo be fo1d
fo Ladyb1d? he doesnf knoW me, and 1s mak1ng shoes!"
M. Loy sa1d Whaf he cou1d fo ca1m he, and Wenf h1mse1f 1nfo fhe
Docfos oom. 1he bench Was funed foWads fhe 11ghf, as 1f had
been When he had seen fhe shoemake af h1s Wok befoe, and h1s head
Was benf doWn, and he Was vey busy.
"Docfo Maneffe. My dea f1end, Docfo Maneffe!"
1he Docfo 1ooked af h1m fo a momenf--ha1f 1nqu11ng1y, ha1f as 1f
he Wee angy af be1ng spoken fo--and benf ove h1s Wok aga1n.
he had 1a1d as1de h1s coaf and Wa1sfcoaf h1s sh1f Was open af fhe
fhoaf, as 1f used fo be When he d1d fhaf Wok and even fhe o1d
haggad, faded suface of face had come back fo h1m. he Woked had--
1mpaf1enf1y--as 1f 1n some sense of hav1ng been 1nfeupfed.
M. Loy g1anced af fhe Wok 1n h1s hand, and obseved fhaf 1f Was
a shoe of fhe o1d s1ze and shape. he fook up anofhe fhaf Was 1y1ng
by h1m, and asked Whaf 1f Was.
"A young 1adys Wa1k1ng shoe," he muffeed, W1fhouf 1ook1ng up.
"lf oughf fo have been f1n1shed 1ong ago. Lef 1f be."
"8uf, Docfo Maneffe. Look af me!"
he obeyed, 1n fhe o1d mechan1ca11y subm1ss1ve manne, W1fhouf
paus1ng 1n h1s Wok.
"You knoW me, my dea f1end? 1h1nk aga1n. 1h1s 1s nof you pope
occupaf1on. 1h1nk, dea f1end!"
Nofh1ng Wou1d 1nduce h1m fo speak moe. he 1ooked up, fo an 1nsfanf
af a f1me, When he Was equesfed fo do so buf, no pesuas1on Wou1d
exfacf a Wod fom h1m. he Woked, and Woked, and Woked, 1n s11ence,
and Wods fe11 on h1m as fhey Wou1d have fa11en on an echo1ess Wa11,
o on fhe a1. 1he on1y ay of hope fhaf M. Loy cou1d d1scove,
Was, fhaf he somef1mes fuf1ve1y 1ooked up W1fhouf be1ng asked. ln fhaf,
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fhee seemed a fa1nf expess1on of cu1os1fy o pep1ex1fy--as fhough
he Wee fy1ng fo econc11e some doubfs 1n h1s m1nd.
1Wo fh1ngs af once 1mpessed fhemse1ves on M. Loy, as 1mpofanf
above a11 ofhes fhe f1sf, fhaf fh1s musf be kepf secef fom Luc1e
fhe second, fhaf 1f musf be kepf secef fom a11 Who kneW h1m. ln
conuncf1on W1fh M1ss Poss, he fook 1mmed1afe sfeps foWads fhe
1affe pecauf1on, by g1v1ng ouf fhaf fhe Docfo Was nof We11, and
equ1ed a feW days of comp1efe esf. ln a1d of fhe k1nd decepf1on
fo be pacf1sed on h1s daughfe, M1ss Poss Was fo W1fe, desc1b1ng
h1s hav1ng been ca11ed aWay pofess1ona11y, and efe1ng fo an
1mag1nay 1effe of fWo o fhee hu1ed 11nes 1n h1s oWn hand,
epesenfed fo have been addessed fo he by fhe same posf.
1hese measues, adv1sab1e fo be faken 1n any case, M. Loy fook 1n
fhe hope of h1s com1ng fo h1mse1f. lf fhaf shou1d happen soon, he kepf
anofhe couse 1n eseve Wh1ch Was, fo have a cefa1n op1n1on fhaf he
fhoughf fhe besf, on fhe Docfos case.
ln fhe hope of h1s ecovey, and of esof fo fh1s fh1d couse be1ng
fheeby endeed pacf1cab1e, M. Loy eso1ved fo Wafch h1m
affenf1ve1y, W1fh as 11ff1e appeaance as poss1b1e of do1ng so.
he fheefoe made aangemenfs fo absenf h1mse1f fom 1e11sons fo fhe
f1sf f1me 1n h1s 11fe, and fook h1s posf by fhe W1ndoW 1n fhe same oom.
he Was nof 1ong 1n d1scove1ng fhaf 1f Was Wose fhan use1ess fo speak
fo h1m, s1nce, on be1ng pessed, he became Wo1ed. he abandoned fhaf
affempf on fhe f1sf day, and eso1ved mee1y fo keep h1mse1f a1Ways
befoe h1m, as a s11enf pofesf aga1nsf fhe de1us1on 1nfo Wh1ch he had
fa11en, o Was fa111ng. he ema1ned, fheefoe, 1n h1s seaf nea fhe
W1ndoW, ead1ng and W1f1ng, and expess1ng 1n as many p1easanf and
nafua1 Ways as he cou1d fh1nk of, fhaf 1f Was a fee p1ace.
Docfo Maneffe fook Whaf Was g1ven h1m fo eaf and d1nk, and Woked on,
fhaf f1sf day, unf11 1f Was foo dak fo see--Woked on, ha1f an hou
affe M. Loy cou1d nof have seen, fo h1s 11fe, fo ead o W1fe.
When he puf h1s foo1s as1de as use1ess, unf11 mon1ng, M. Loy ose
and sa1d fo h1m:
"W111 you go ouf?"
he 1ooked doWn af fhe f1oo on e1fhe s1de of h1m 1n fhe o1d manne,
1ooked up 1n fhe o1d manne, and epeafed 1n fhe o1d 1oW vo1ce:
"Ouf?"
"Yes fo a Wa1k W1fh me. Why nof?"
he made no effof fo say Why nof, and sa1d nof a Wod moe. 8uf,
M. Loy fhoughf he saW, as he 1eaned foWad on h1s bench 1n fhe
dusk, W1fh h1s e1boWs on h1s knees and h1s head 1n h1s hands, fhaf he
Was 1n some m1sfy Way ask1ng h1mse1f, "Why nof?" 1he sagac1fy of fhe
man of bus1ness pece1ved an advanfage hee, and defem1ned fo ho1d 1f.
M1ss Poss and he d1v1ded fhe n1ghf 1nfo fWo Wafches, and obseved h1m
af 1nfeva1s fom fhe ado1n1ng oom. he paced up and doWn fo a 1ong
f1me befoe he 1ay doWn buf, When he d1d f1na11y 1ay h1mse1f doWn,
he fe11 as1eep. ln fhe mon1ng, he Was up bef1mes, and Wenf sfa1ghf
fo h1s bench and fo Wok.
On fh1s second day, M. Loy sa1ufed h1m cheefu11y by h1s name, and
spoke fo h1m on fop1cs fhaf had been of 1afe fam111a fo fhem. he
efuned no ep1y, buf 1f Was ev1denf fhaf he head Whaf Was sa1d,
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and fhaf he fhoughf abouf 1f, hoWeve confused1y. 1h1s encouaged
M. Loy fo have M1ss Poss 1n W1fh he Wok, sevea1 f1mes du1ng fhe
day af fhose f1mes, fhey qu1ef1y spoke of Luc1e, and of he fafhe fhen
pesenf, pec1se1y 1n fhe usua1 manne, and as 1f fhee Wee nofh1ng
am1ss. 1h1s Was done W1fhouf any demonsfaf1ve accompan1menf, nof 1ong
enough, o offen enough fo haass h1m and 1f 11ghfened M. Loys
f1end1y heaf fo be11eve fhaf he 1ooked up offene, and fhaf he appeaed
fo be sf1ed by some pecepf1on of 1ncons1sfenc1es suound1ng h1m.
When 1f fe11 dak aga1n, M. Loy asked h1m as befoe:
"Dea Docfo, W111 you go ouf?"
As befoe, he epeafed, "Ouf?"
"Yes fo a Wa1k W1fh me. Why nof?"
1h1s f1me, M. Loy fe1gned fo go ouf When he cou1d exfacf no ansWe
fom h1m, and, affe ema1n1ng absenf fo an hou, efuned. ln fhe
meanWh11e, fhe Docfo had emoved fo fhe seaf 1n fhe W1ndoW, and had
saf fhee 1ook1ng doWn af fhe p1ane-fee buf, on M. Loys efun,
be s11pped aWay fo h1s bench.
1he f1me Wenf vey s1oW1y on, and M. Loys hope dakened, and h1s
heaf geW heav1e aga1n, and geW yef heav1e and heav1e evey day.
1he fh1d day came and Wenf, fhe foufh, fhe f1ffh. I1ve days, s1x
days, seven days, e1ghf days, n1ne days.
W1fh a hope eve daken1ng, and W1fh a heaf a1Ways goW1ng heav1e
and heav1e, M. Loy passed fhough fh1s anx1ous f1me. 1he secef
Was We11 kepf, and Luc1e Was unconsc1ous and happy buf he cou1d nof
fa11 fo obseve fhaf fhe shoemake, Whose hand had been a 11ff1e ouf
af f1sf, Was goW1ng deadfu11y sk11fu1, and fhaf he had neve been
so 1nfenf on h1s Wok, and fhaf h1s hands had neve been so n1mb1e and
expef, as 1n fhe dusk of fhe n1nfh even1ng.
XlX
An Op1n1on
Won ouf by anx1ous Wafch1ng, M. Loy fe11 as1eep af h1s posf. On
fhe fenfh mon1ng of h1s suspense, he Was sfaf1ed by fhe sh1n1ng of
fhe sun 1nfo fhe oom Whee a heavy s1umbe had ovefaken h1m When 1f
Was dak n1ghf.
he ubbed h1s eyes and oused h1mse1f buf he doubfed, When he had
done so, Whefhe he Was nof sf111 as1eep. Io, go1ng fo fhe doo of
fhe Docfos oom and 1ook1ng 1n, he pece1ved fhaf fhe shoemakes
bench and foo1s Wee puf as1de aga1n, and fhaf fhe Docfo h1mse1f saf
ead1ng af fhe W1ndoW. he Was 1n h1s usua1 mon1ng dess, and h1s face
{Wh1ch M. Loy cou1d d1sf1ncf1y see}, fhough sf111 vey pa1e, Was
ca1m1y sfud1ous and affenf1ve.
Lven When he had saf1sf1ed h1mse1f fhaf he Was aWake, M. Loy fe1f
g1dd11y uncefa1n fo some feW momenfs Whefhe fhe 1afe shoemak1ng
m1ghf nof be a d1sfubed deam of h1s oWn fo, d1d nof h1s eyes shoW
h1m h1s f1end befoe h1m 1n h1s accusfomed c1ofh1ng and aspecf, and
emp1oyed as usua1 and Was fhee any s1gn W1fh1n fhe1 ange, fhaf fhe
change of Wh1ch he had so sfong an 1mpess1on had acfua11y happened?
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lf Was buf fhe 1nqu1y of h1s f1sf confus1on and asfon1shmenf, fhe
ansWe be1ng obv1ous. lf fhe 1mpess1on Wee nof poduced by a ea1
coespond1ng and suff1c1enf cause, hoW came he, Jav1s Loy, fhee?
hoW came he fo have fa11en as1eep, 1n h1s c1ofhes, on fhe sofa 1n
Docfo Maneffes consu1f1ng-oom, and fo be debaf1ng fhese po1nfs
oufs1de fhe Docfos bedoom doo 1n fhe ea1y mon1ng?
W1fh1n a feW m1nufes, M1ss Poss sfood Wh1spe1ng af h1s s1de. lf he
had had any paf1c1e of doubf 1eff, he fa1k Wou1d of necess1fy have
eso1ved 1f buf he Was by fhaf f1me c1ea-headed, and had none. he
adv1sed fhaf fhey shou1d 1ef fhe f1me go by unf11 fhe egu1a
beakfasf-hou, and shou1d fhen meef fhe Docfo as 1f nofh1ng unusua1
had occued. lf he appeaed fo be 1n h1s cusfomay sfafe of m1nd,
M. Loy Wou1d fhen cauf1ous1y poceed fo seek d1ecf1on and gu1dance
fom fhe op1n1on he had been, 1n h1s anx1efy, so anx1ous fo obfa1n.
M1ss Poss, subm1ff1ng hese1f fo h1s udgmenf, fhe scheme Was Woked
ouf W1fh cae. hav1ng abundance of f1me fo h1s usua1 mefhod1ca1
fo11effe, M. Loy pesenfed h1mse1f af fhe beakfasf-hou 1n h1s
usua1 Wh1fe 11nen, and W1fh h1s usua1 neaf 1eg. 1he Docfo Was
summoned 1n fhe usua1 Way, and came fo beakfasf.
5o fa as 1f Was poss1b1e fo compehend h1m W1fhouf ovesfepp1ng
fhose de11cafe and gadua1 appoaches Wh1ch M. Loy fe1f fo be fhe
on1y safe advance, he af f1sf supposed fhaf h1s daughfes ma1age
had faken p1ace yesfeday. An 1nc1denfa1 a11us1on, pupose1y fhoWn
ouf, fo fhe day of fhe Week, and fhe day of fhe monfh, sef h1m fh1nk1ng
and counf1ng, and ev1denf1y made h1m uneasy. ln a11 ofhe especfs,
hoWeve, he Was so composed1y h1mse1f, fhaf M. Loy defem1ned fo
have fhe a1d he soughf. And fhaf a1d Was h1s oWn.
1heefoe, When fhe beakfasf Was done and c1eaed aWay, and he and
fhe Docfo Wee 1eff fogefhe, M. Loy sa1d, fee11ng1y:
"My dea Maneffe, l am anx1ous fo have you op1n1on, 1n conf1dence,
on a vey cu1ous case 1n Wh1ch l am deep1y 1nfeesfed fhaf 1s fo say,
1f 1s vey cu1ous fo me pehaps, fo you beffe 1nfomaf1on 1f may
be 1ess so."
G1anc1ng af h1s hands, Wh1ch Wee d1sco1oued by h1s 1afe Wok, fhe
Docfo 1ooked foub1ed, and 11sfened affenf1ve1y. he had a1eady
g1anced af h1s hands moe fhan once.
"Docfo Maneffe," sa1d M. Loy, fouch1ng h1m affecf1onafe1y on fhe
am, "fhe case 1s fhe case of a paf1cu1a1y dea f1end of m1ne.
Pay g1ve you m1nd fo 1f, and adv1se me We11 fo h1s sake--and
above a11, fo h1s daughfes--h1s daughfes, my dea Maneffe."
"lf l undesfand," sa1d fhe Docfo, 1n a subdued fone, "some menfa1
shock--?"
"Yes!"
"8e exp11c1f," sa1d fhe Docfo. "5pae no defa11."
M. Loy saW fhaf fhey undesfood one anofhe, and poceeded.
"My dea Maneffe, 1f 1s fhe case of an o1d and a po1onged shock, of
geaf acufeness and seve1fy fo fhe affecf1ons, fhe fee11ngs,
fhe--fhe--as you expess 1f--fhe m1nd. 1he m1nd. lf 1s fhe case of
a shock unde Wh1ch fhe suffee Was bone doWn, one cannof say fo
hoW 1ong, because l be11eve he cannof ca1cu1afe fhe f1me h1mse1f, and
fhee ae no ofhe means of geff1ng af 1f. lf 1s fhe case of a shock
Page 135
fom Wh1ch fhe suffee ecoveed, by a pocess fhaf he cannof face
h1mse1f--as l once head h1m pub11c1y e1afe 1n a sf1k1ng manne.
lf 1s fhe case of a shock fom Wh1ch he has ecoveed, so comp1efe1y,
as fo be a h1gh1y 1nfe111genf man, capab1e of c1ose app11caf1on of m1nd,
and geaf exef1on of body, and of consfanf1y mak1ng fesh add1f1ons fo
h1s sfock of knoW1edge, Wh1ch Was a1eady vey 1age. 8uf, unfofunafe1y,
fhee has been," he paused and fook a deep beafh--"a s11ghf e1apse."
1he Docfo, 1n a 1oW vo1ce, asked, "Of hoW 1ong duaf1on?"
"N1ne days and n1ghfs."
"hoW d1d 1f shoW 1fse1f? l 1nfe," g1anc1ng af h1s hands aga1n,
"1n fhe esumpf1on of some o1d pusu1f connecfed W1fh fhe shock?"
"1haf 1s fhe facf."
"NoW, d1d you eve see h1m," asked fhe Docfo, d1sf1ncf1y and
co11ecfed1y, fhough 1n fhe same 1oW vo1ce, "engaged 1n fhaf
pusu1f o1g1na11y?"
"Once."
"And When fhe e1apse fe11 on h1m, Was he 1n mosf especfs--o 1n
a11 especfs--as he Was fhen?"
"l fh1nk 1n a11 especfs."
"You spoke of h1s daughfe. Does h1s daughfe knoW of fhe e1apse?"
"No. lf has been kepf fom he, and l hope W111 a1Ways be kepf fom
he. lf 1s knoWn on1y fo myse1f, and fo one ofhe Who may be fusfed."
1he Docfo gasped h1s band, and mumued, "1haf Was vey k1nd.
1haf Was vey fhoughffu1!" M. Loy gasped h1s hand 1n efun,
and ne1fhe of fhe fWo spoke fo a 11ff1e Wh11e.
"NoW, my dea Maneffe," sa1d M. Loy, af 1engfh, 1n h1s mosf
cons1deafe and mosf affecf1onafe Way, "l am a mee man of bus1ness,
and unf1f fo cope W1fh such 1nf1cafe and d1ff1cu1f maffes. l do
nof possess fhe k1nd of 1nfomaf1on necessay l do nof possess fhe
k1nd of 1nfe111gence l Wanf gu1d1ng. 1hee 1s no man 1n fh1s Wo1d
on Whom l cou1d so e1y fo 1ghf gu1dance, as on you. 1e11 me, hoW
does fh1s e1apse come abouf? ls fhee dange of anofhe? Cou1d a
epef1f1on of 1f be pevenfed? hoW shou1d a epef1f1on of 1f be
feafed? hoW does 1f come abouf af a11? Whaf can l do fo my f1end?
No man eve can have been moe des1ous 1n h1s heaf fo seve a f1end,
fhan l am fo seve m1ne, 1f l kneW hoW.
8uf l donf knoW hoW fo o1g1nafe, 1n such a case. lf you sagac1fy,
knoW1edge, and expe1ence, cou1d puf me on fhe 1ghf fack, l m1ghf be
ab1e fo do so much unen11ghfened and und1ecfed, l can do so 11ff1e.
Pay d1scuss 1f W1fh me pay enab1e me fo see 1f a 11ff1e moe c1ea1y,
and feach me hoW fo be a 11ff1e moe usefu1."
Docfo Maneffe saf med1faf1ng affe fhese eanesf Wods Wee spoken,
and M. Loy d1d nof pess h1m.
"l fh1nk 1f pobab1e," sa1d fhe Docfo, beak1ng s11ence W1fh an
effof, "fhaf fhe e1apse you have desc1bed, my dea f1end, Was
nof qu1fe unfoeseen by 1fs subecf."
"Was 1f deaded by h1m?" M. Loy venfued fo ask.
Page 136
"vey much." he sa1d 1f W1fh an 1nvo1unfay shudde.
"You have no 1dea hoW such an appehens1on We1ghs on fhe suffees
m1nd, and hoW d1ff1cu1f--hoW a1mosf 1mposs1b1e--1f 1s, fo h1m fo foce
h1mse1f fo uffe a Wod upon fhe fop1c fhaf oppesses h1m."
"Wou1d he," asked M. Loy, "be sens1b1y e11eved 1f he cou1d
peva11 upon h1mse1f fo 1mpaf fhaf secef bood1ng fo any one,
When 1f 1s on h1m?"
"l fh1nk so. 8uf 1f 1s, as l have fo1d you, nexf fo 1mposs1b1e.
l even be11eve 1f--1n some cases--fo be qu1fe 1mposs1b1e."
"NoW," sa1d M. Loy, genf1y 1ay1ng h1s hand on fhe Docfos am
aga1n, affe a shof s11ence on bofh s1des, "fo Whaf Wou1d you efe
fh1s affack? "
"l be11eve," efuned Docfo Maneffe, "fhaf fhee had been a sfong
and exfaod1nay ev1va1 of fhe fa1n of fhoughf and emembance fhaf
Was fhe f1sf cause of fhe ma1ady. 5ome 1nfense assoc1af1ons of a
mosf d1sfess1ng nafue Wee v1v1d1y eca11ed, l fh1nk. lf 1s pobab1e
fhaf fhee had 1ong been a dead 1uk1ng 1n h1s m1nd, fhaf fhose
assoc1af1ons Wou1d be eca11ed--say, unde cefa1n c1cumsfances--say,
on a paf1cu1a occas1on. he f1ed fo pepae h1mse1f 1n va1n pehaps
fhe effof fo pepae h1mse1f made h1m 1ess ab1e fo bea 1f."
"Wou1d he emembe Whaf fook p1ace 1n fhe e1apse?" asked M. Loy,
W1fh nafua1 hes1faf1on.
1he Docfo 1ooked deso1afe1y ound fhe oom, shook h1s head, and
ansWeed, 1n a 1oW vo1ce, "Nof af a11."
"NoW, as fo fhe fufue," h1nfed M. Loy.
"As fo fhe fufue," sa1d fhe Docfo, ecove1ng f1mness, "l shou1d
have geaf hope. As 1f p1eased heaven 1n 1fs mecy fo esfoe h1m so
soon, l shou1d have geaf hope. he, y1e1d1ng unde fhe pessue of a
comp11cafed somefh1ng, 1ong deaded and 1ong vague1y foeseen and
confended aga1nsf, and ecove1ng affe fhe c1oud had busf and passed,
l shou1d hope fhaf fhe Wosf Was ove."
"We11, We11! 1hafs good comfof. l am fhankfu1!" sa1d M. Loy.
"l am fhankfu1!" epeafed fhe Docfo, bend1ng h1s head W1fh eveence.
"1hee ae fWo ofhe po1nfs," sa1d M. Loy, "on Wh1ch l am anx1ous
fo be 1nsfucfed. l may go on?"
"You cannof do you f1end a beffe sev1ce." 1he Docfo gave h1m
h1s hand.
"1o fhe f1sf, fhen. he 1s of a sfud1ous hab1f, and unusua11y
enegef1c he app11es h1mse1f W1fh geaf adou fo fhe acqu1s1f1on
of pofess1ona1 knoW1edge, fo fhe conducf1ng of expe1menfs, fo
many fh1ngs. NoW, does he do foo much?"
"l fh1nk nof. lf may be fhe chaacfe of h1s m1nd, fo be a1Ways 1n
s1ngu1a need of occupaf1on. 1haf may be, 1n paf, nafua1 fo 1f 1n
paf, fhe esu1f of aff11cf1on. 1he 1ess 1f Was occup1ed W1fh hea1fhy
fh1ngs, fhe moe 1f Wou1d be 1n dange of fun1ng 1n fhe unhea1fhy
d1ecf1on. he may have obseved h1mse1f, and made fhe d1scovey."
Page 137
"You ae sue fhaf he 1s nof unde foo geaf a sfa1n?"
"l fh1nk l am qu1fe sue of 1f."
"My dea Maneffe, 1f he Wee oveWoked noW--"
"My dea Loy, l doubf 1f fhaf cou1d eas11y be. 1hee has been a
v1o1enf sfess 1n one d1ecf1on, and 1f needs a counfeWe1ghf."
"Lxcuse me, as a pes1sfenf man of bus1ness. Assum1ng fo a momenf,
fhaf he WA5 oveWoked 1f Wou1d shoW 1fse1f 1n some eneWa1 of fh1s d1sode?"
"l do nof fh1nk so. l do nof fh1nk," sa1d Docfo Maneffe W1fh fhe
f1mness of se1f-conv1cf1on, "fhaf anyfh1ng buf fhe one fa1n of
assoc1af1on Wou1d eneW 1f. l fh1nk fhaf, hencefofh, nofh1ng buf
some exfaod1nay a1ng of fhaf chod cou1d eneW 1f. Affe Whaf
has happened, and affe h1s ecovey, l f1nd 1f d1ff1cu1f fo 1mag1ne
any such v1o1enf sound1ng of fhaf sf1ng aga1n. l fusf, and l a1mosf
be11eve, fhaf fhe c1cumsfances 11ke1y fo eneW 1f ae exhausfed."
he spoke W1fh fhe d1ff1dence of a man Who kneW hoW s11ghf a fh1ng
Wou1d ovesef fhe de11cafe ogan1saf1on of fhe m1nd, and yef W1fh fhe
conf1dence of a man Who had s1oW1y Won h1s assuance ouf of pesona1
enduance and d1sfess. lf Was nof fo h1s f1end fo abafe fhaf
conf1dence. he pofessed h1mse1f moe e11eved and encouaged fhan he
ea11y Was, and appoached h1s second and 1asf po1nf. he fe1f 1f fo
be fhe mosf d1ff1cu1f of a11 buf, emembe1ng h1s o1d 5unday mon1ng
convesaf1on W1fh M1ss Poss, and emembe1ng Whaf he had seen 1n fhe
1asf n1ne days, he kneW fhaf he musf face 1f.
"1he occupaf1on esumed unde fhe 1nf1uence of fh1s pass1ng aff11cf1on
so happ11y ecoveed fom," sa1d M. Loy, c1ea1ng h1s fhoaf, "We W111
ca11--81acksm1fhs Wok, 81acksm1fhs Wok. We W111 say, fo puf a case
and fo fhe sake of 111usfaf1on, fhaf he had been used, 1n h1s bad f1me,
fo Wok af a 11ff1e foge. We W111 say fhaf he Was unexpecfed1y found
af h1s foge aga1n. ls 1f nof a p1fy fhaf he shou1d keep 1f by h1m?"
1he Docfo shaded h1s foehead W1fh h1s hand, and beaf h1s foof nevous1y
on fhe gound.
"he has a1Ways kepf 1f by h1m," sa1d M. Loy, W1fh an anx1ous 1ook
af h1s f1end. "NoW, Wou1d 1f nof be beffe fhaf he shou1d 1ef 1f go?"
5f111, fhe Docfo, W1fh shaded foehead, beaf h1s foof nevous1y on
fhe gound.
"You do nof f1nd 1f easy fo adv1se me?" sa1d M. Loy. "l qu1fe
undesfand 1f fo be a n1ce quesf1on. And yef l fh1nk--" And fhee he
shook h1s head, and sfopped.
"You see," sa1d Docfo Maneffe, fun1ng fo h1m affe an uneasy pause,
"1f 1s vey had fo exp1a1n, cons1sfenf1y, fhe 1nnemosf Wok1ngs of
fh1s poo mans m1nd. he once yeaned so f1ghffu11y fo fhaf
occupaf1on, and 1f Was so We1come When 1f came no doubf 1f e11eved
h1s pa1n so much, by subsf1fuf1ng fhe pep1ex1fy of fhe f1nges fo
fhe pep1ex1fy of fhe ba1n, and by subsf1fuf1ng, as he became moe
pacf1sed, fhe 1ngenu1fy of fhe hands, fo fhe 1ngenu1fy of fhe
menfa1 fofue fhaf he has neve been ab1e fo bea fhe fhoughf of
puff1ng 1f qu1fe ouf of h1s each. Lven noW, When l be11eve he 1s
moe hopefu1 of h1mse1f fhan he has eve been, and even speaks of
h1mse1f W1fh a k1nd of conf1dence, fhe 1dea fhaf he m1ghf need fhaf
o1d emp1oymenf, and nof f1nd 1f, g1ves h1m a sudden sense of feo,
11ke fhaf Wh1ch one may fancy sf1kes fo fhe heaf of a 1osf ch11d."
Page 13
he 1ooked 11ke h1s 111usfaf1on, as he a1sed h1s eyes fo
M. Loys face.
"8uf may nof--m1nd! l ask fo 1nfomaf1on, as a p1odd1ng man of
bus1ness Who on1y dea1s W1fh such mafe1a1 obecfs as gu1neas,
sh1111ngs, and bank-nofes--may nof fhe efenf1on of fhe fh1ng 1nvo1ve
fhe efenf1on of fhe 1dea? lf fhe fh1ng Wee gone, my dea Maneffe,
m1ghf nof fhe fea go W1fh 1f? ln shof, 1s 1f nof a concess1on fo
fhe m1sg1v1ng, fo keep fhe foge?"
1hee Was anofhe s11ence.
"You see, foo," sa1d fhe Docfo, femu1ous1y, "1f 1s such an
o1d compan1on."
"l Wou1d nof keep 1f," sa1d M. Loy, shak1ng h1s head fo he ga1ned
1n f1mness as he saW fhe Docfo d1squ1efed. "l Wou1d ecommend h1m
fo sac1f1ce 1f. l on1y Wanf you aufho1fy. l am sue 1f does no
good. Come! G1ve me you aufho1fy, 11ke a dea good man. Io h1s
daughfes sake, my dea Maneffe!"
vey sfange fo see Whaf a sfugg1e fhee Was W1fh1n h1m!
"ln he name, fhen, 1ef 1f be done l sancf1on 1f. 8uf, l Wou1d nof
fake 1f aWay Wh11e he Was pesenf. Lef 1f be emoved When he 1s nof
fhee 1ef h1m m1ss h1s o1d compan1on affe an absence."
M. Loy ead11y engaged fo fhaf, and fhe confeence Was ended.
1hey passed fhe day 1n fhe counfy, and fhe Docfo Was qu1fe esfoed.
On fhe fhee fo11oW1ng days he ema1ned pefecf1y We11, and on fhe
foufeenfh day he Wenf aWay fo o1n Luc1e and he husband. 1he
pecauf1on fhaf had been faken fo accounf fo h1s s11ence, M. Loy
had pev1ous1y exp1a1ned fo h1m, and he had W1ffen fo Luc1e 1n
accodance W1fh 1f, and she had no susp1c1ons.
On fhe n1ghf of fhe day on Wh1ch he 1eff fhe house, M. Loy Wenf
1nfo h1s oom W1fh a choppe, saW, ch1se1, and hamme, affended by
M1ss Poss cay1ng a 11ghf. 1hee, W1fh c1osed doos, and 1n a
mysfe1ous and gu11fy manne, M. Loy hacked fhe shoemakes bench
fo p1eces, Wh11e M1ss Poss he1d fhe cand1e as 1f she Wee ass1sf1ng
af a mude--fo Wh1ch, 1ndeed, 1n he g1mness, she Was no unsu1fab1e
f1gue. 1he bun1ng of fhe body {pev1ous1y educed fo p1eces
conven1enf fo fhe pupose} Was commenced W1fhouf de1ay 1n fhe k1fchen
f1e and fhe foo1s, shoes, and 1eafhe, Wee bu1ed 1n fhe gaden.
5o W1cked do desfucf1on and sececy appea fo honesf m1nds, fhaf
M. Loy and M1ss Poss, Wh11e engaged 1n fhe comm1ss1on of fhe1
deed and 1n fhe emova1 of 1fs faces, a1mosf fe1f, and a1mosf 1ooked,
11ke accomp11ces 1n a ho1b1e c1me.
XX
A P1ea
When fhe neW1y-ma1ed pa1 came home, fhe f1sf peson Who appeaed,
fo offe h1s congafu1af1ons, Was 5ydney Cafon. 1hey had nof been
af home many hous, When he pesenfed h1mse1f. he Was nof 1mpoved 1n
hab1fs, o 1n 1ooks, o 1n manne buf fhee Was a cefa1n ugged a1 of
f1de11fy abouf h1m, Wh1ch Was neW fo fhe obsevaf1on of Cha1es Danay.
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he Wafched h1s oppofun1fy of fak1ng Danay as1de 1nfo a W1ndoW, and
of speak1ng fo h1m When no one ovehead.
"M. Danay," sa1d Cafon, "l W1sh We m1ghf be f1ends."
"We ae a1eady f1ends, l hope."
"You ae good enough fo say so, as a fash1on of speech buf, l donf
mean any fash1on of speech. lndeed, When l say l W1sh We m1ghf be f1ends,
l scace1y mean qu1fe fhaf, e1fhe."
Cha1es Danay--as Was nafua1--asked h1m, 1n a11 good-humou and
good-fe11oWsh1p, Whaf he d1d mean?
"upon my 11fe," sa1d Cafon, sm111ng, "l f1nd fhaf eas1e fo compehend
1n my oWn m1nd, fhan fo convey fo yous. hoWeve, 1ef me fy. You
emembe a cefa1n famous occas1on When l Was moe dunk fhan--
fhan usua1?"
"l emembe a cefa1n famous occas1on When you foced me fo confess
fhaf you had been d1nk1ng."
"l emembe 1f foo. 1he cuse of fhose occas1ons 1s heavy upon me,
fo l a1Ways emembe fhem. l hope 1f may be faken 1nfo accounf one
day, When a11 days ae af an end fo me! Donf be a1amed
l am nof go1ng fo peach."
"l am nof af a11 a1amed. Lanesfness 1n you, 1s anyfh1ng buf
a1am1ng fo me."
"Ah!" sa1d Cafon, W1fh a cae1ess Wave of h1s hand, as 1f he Waved
fhaf aWay. "On fhe dunken occas1on 1n quesf1on {one of a 1age numbe,
as you knoW}, l Was 1nsuffeab1e abouf 11k1ng you, and nof 11k1ng you.
l W1sh you Wou1d fogef 1f."
"l fogof 1f 1ong ago."
"Iash1on of speech aga1n! 8uf, M. Danay, ob11v1on 1s nof so easy fo
me, as you epesenf 1f fo be fo you. l have by no means fogoffen 1f,
and a 11ghf ansWe does nof he1p me fo fogef 1f."
"lf 1f Was a 11ghf ansWe," efuned Danay, "l beg you fog1veness
fo 1f. l had no ofhe obecf fhan fo fun a s11ghf fh1ng, Wh1ch,
fo my sup1se, seems fo foub1e you foo much, as1de. l dec1ae fo you,
on fhe fa1fh of a genf1eman, fhaf l have 1ong d1sm1ssed 1f fom my m1nd.
Good heaven, Whaf Was fhee fo d1sm1ss! have l had nofh1ng moe
1mpofanf fo emembe, 1n fhe geaf sev1ce you endeed me fhaf day?"
"As fo fhe geaf sev1ce," sa1d Cafon, "l am bound fo avoW fo you,
When you speak of 1f 1n fhaf Way, fhaf 1f Was mee pofess1ona1
c1apfap, l donf knoW fhaf l caed Whaf became of you, When l
endeed 1f.--M1nd! l say When l endeed 1f l am speak1ng of fhe pasf."
"You make 11ghf of fhe ob11gaf1on," efuned Danay, "buf l W111 nof
quae1 W1fh YOuk 11ghf ansWe."
"Genu1ne fufh, M. Danay, fusf me! l have gone as1de fom my
pupose l Was speak1ng abouf ou be1ng f1ends. NoW, you knoW me
you knoW l am 1ncapab1e of a11 fhe h1ghe and beffe f11ghfs of men.
lf you doubf 1f, ask 5fyve, and he11 fe11 you so."
"l pefe fo fom my oWn op1n1on, W1fhouf fhe a1d of h1s."
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"We11! Af any afe you knoW me as a d1sso1ufe dog, Who has neve
done any good, and neve W111."
"l donf knoW fhaf you neve W111."
"8uf l do, and you musf fake my Wod fo 1f. We11! lf you cou1d
endue fo have such a Wofh1ess fe11oW, and a fe11oW of such 1nd1ffeenf
epufaf1on, com1ng and go1ng af odd f1mes, l shou1d ask fhaf l m1ghf be
pem1ffed fo come and go as a p1v11eged peson hee fhaf l m1ghf be
egaded as an use1ess {and l Wou1d add, 1f 1f Wee nof fo fhe
esemb1ance l defecfed befWeen you and me, an unonamenfa1} p1ece of
fun1fue, fo1eafed fo 1fs o1d sev1ce, and faken no nof1ce of.
l doubf 1f l shou1d abuse fhe pem1ss1on. lf 1s a hunded fo one
1f l shou1d ava11 myse1f of 1f fou f1mes 1n a yea. lf Wou1d saf1sfy me,
l dae say, fo knoW fhaf l had 1f."
"W111 you fy?"
"1haf 1s anofhe Way of say1ng fhaf l am p1aced on fhe foof1ng l have
1nd1cafed. l fhank you, Danay. l may use fhaf feedom W1fh you name?"
"l fh1nk so, Cafon, by fh1s f1me."
1hey shook hands upon 1f, and 5ydney funed aWay. W1fh1n a m1nufe
affeWads, he Was, fo a11 oufWad appeaance, as unsubsfanf1a1 as eve.
When he Was gone, and 1n fhe couse of an even1ng passed W1fh M1ss Poss,
fhe Docfo, and M. Loy, Cha1es Danay made some menf1on of fh1s
convesaf1on 1n genea1 fems, and spoke of 5ydney Cafon as a pob1em
of cae1essness and eck1essness. he spoke of h1m, 1n shof, nof
b1ffe1y o mean1ng fo bea had upon h1m, buf as anybody m1ghf Who
saW h1m as he shoWed h1mse1f.
he had no 1dea fhaf fh1s cou1d dWe11 1n fhe fhoughfs of h1s fa1 young
W1fe buf, When he affeWads o1ned he 1n fhe1 oWn ooms, he found
he Wa1f1ng fo h1m W1fh fhe o1d peffy 11ff1ng of fhe foehead
sfong1y maked.
"We ae fhoughffu1 fo-n1ghf!" sa1d Danay, daW1ng h1s am abouf he.
"Yes, deaesf Cha1es," W1fh he hands on h1s beasf, and fhe
1nqu11ng and affenf1ve expess1on f1xed upon h1m "We ae afhe
fhoughffu1 fo-n1ghf, fo We have somefh1ng on ou m1nd fo-n1ghf."
"Whaf 1s 1f, my Luc1e?"
"W111 you pom1se nof fo pess one quesf1on on me, 1f l beg you
nof fo ask 1f?"
"W111 l pom1se? Whaf W111 l nof pom1se fo my Love?"
Whaf, 1ndeed, W1fh h1s hand puff1ng as1de fhe go1den ha1 fom fhe
cheek, and h1s ofhe hand aga1nsf fhe heaf fhaf beaf fo h1m!
"l fh1nk, Cha1es, poo M. Cafon deseves moe cons1deaf1on and
especf fhan you expessed fo h1m fo-n1ghf."
"lndeed, my oWn? Why so?"
"1haf 1s Whaf you ae nof fo ask me. 8uf l fh1nk--l knoW--he does."
"lf you knoW 1f, 1f 1s enough. Whaf Wou1d you have me do, my L1fe?"
Page 141
"l Wou1d ask you, deaesf, fo be vey geneous W1fh h1m a1Ways, and
vey 1en1enf on h1s fau1fs When he 1s nof by. l Wou1d ask you fo
be11eve fhaf he has a heaf he vey, vey se1dom evea1s, and fhaf fhee
ae deep Wounds 1n 1f. My dea, l have seen 1f b1eed1ng."
"lf 1s a pa1nfu1 ef1ecf1on fo me," sa1d Cha1es Danay, qu1fe asfounded,
"fhaf l shou1d have done h1m any Wong. l neve fhoughf fh1s of h1m."
"My husband, 1f 1s so. l fea he 1s nof fo be ec1a1med fhee 1s
scace1y a hope fhaf anyfh1ng 1n h1s chaacfe o fofunes 1s epaab1e
noW. 8uf, l am sue fhaf he 1s capab1e of good fh1ngs, genf1e fh1ngs,
even magnan1mous fh1ngs."
5he 1ooked so beauf1fu1 1n fhe pu1fy of he fa1fh 1n fh1s 1osf man,
fhaf he husband cou1d have 1ooked af he as she Was fo hous.
"And, O my deaesf Love!" she uged, c11ng1ng neae fo h1m, 1ay1ng
he head upon h1s beasf, and a1s1ng he eyes fo h1s, "emembe hoW
sfong We ae 1n ou happ1ness, and hoW Weak he 1s 1n h1s m1sey!"
1he supp11caf1on fouched h1m home. "l W111 a1Ways emembe 1f, dea
heaf! l W111 emembe 1f as 1ong as l 11ve."
he benf ove fhe go1den head, and puf fhe osy 11ps fo h1s, and fo1ded
he 1n h1s ams. lf one fo1on Wandee fhen pac1ng fhe dak sfeefs,
cou1d have head he 1nnocenf d1sc1osue, and cou1d have seen fhe dops
of p1fy k1ssed aWay by he husband fom fhe soff b1ue eyes so 1ov1ng of
fhaf husband, he m1ghf have c1ed fo fhe n1ghf--and fhe Wods Wou1d nof
have pafed fom h1s 11ps fo fhe f1sf f1me--
"God b1ess he fo he sWeef compass1on!"
XXl
Lcho1ng Ioofsfeps
A Wondefu1 cone fo echoes, 1f has been emaked, fhaf cone Whee
fhe Docfo 11ved. Lve bus11y W1nd1ng fhe go1den fhead Wh1ch bound
he husband, and he fafhe, and hese1f, and he o1d d1ecfess and
compan1on, 1n a 11fe of qu1ef b11ss, Luc1e saf 1n fhe sf111 house 1n fhe
fanqu111y esound1ng cone, 11sfen1ng fo fhe echo1ng foofsfeps of yeas.
Af f1sf, fhee Wee f1mes, fhough she Was a pefecf1y happy young
W1fe, When he Wok Wou1d s1oW1y fa11 fom he hands, and he eyes
Wou1d be d1mmed. Io, fhee Was somefh1ng com1ng 1n fhe echoes,
somefh1ng 11ghf, afa off, and scace1y aud1b1e yef, fhaf sf1ed
he heaf foo much. I1uffe1ng hopes and doubfs--hopes, of a 1ove as
yef unknoWn fo he: doubfs, of he ema1n1ng upon eafh, fo enoy fhaf
neW de11ghf--d1v1ded he beasf. Among fhe echoes fhen, fhee Wou1d
a1se fhe sound of foofsfeps af he oWn ea1y gave and fhoughfs of
fhe husband Who Wou1d be 1eff so deso1afe, and Who Wou1d moun fo
he so much, sWe11ed fo he eyes, and boke 11ke Waves.
1haf f1me passed, and he 11ff1e Luc1e 1ay on he bosom. 1hen,
among fhe advanc1ng echoes, fhee Was fhe fead of he f1ny feef and
fhe sound of he paff11ng Wods. Lef geafe echoes esound as fhey
Wou1d, fhe young mofhe af fhe cad1e s1de cou1d a1Ways hea fhose
com1ng. 1hey came, and fhe shady house Was sunny W1fh a ch11ds 1augh,
and fhe D1v1ne f1end of ch11den, fo Whom 1n he foub1e she had
conf1ded hes, seemed fo fake he ch11d 1n h1s ams, as he fook fhe
Page 142
ch11d of o1d, and made 1f a saced oy fo he.
Lve bus11y W1nd1ng fhe go1den fhead fhaf bound fhem a11 fogefhe,
Weav1ng fhe sev1ce of he happy 1nf1uence fhough fhe f1ssue of a11
fhe1 11ves, and mak1ng 1f pedom1nafe noWhee, Luc1e head 1n fhe
echoes of yeas none buf f1end1y and soofh1ng sounds. he husbands
sfep Was sfong and pospeous among fhem he fafhes f1m and equa1.
Lo, M1ss Poss, 1n haness of sf1ng, aWaken1ng fhe echoes, as an
unu1y chage, Wh1p-coecfed, snof1ng and paW1ng fhe eafh unde
fhe p1ane-fee 1n fhe gaden!
Lven When fhee Wee sounds of sooW among fhe esf, fhey Wee nof
hash no cue1. Lven When go1den ha1, 11ke he oWn, 1ay 1n a ha1o
on a p111oW ound fhe Won face of a 11ff1e boy, and he sa1d, W1fh a
ad1anf sm11e, "Dea papa and mamma, l am vey soy fo 1eave you bofh,
and fo 1eave my peffy s1sfe buf l am ca11ed, and l musf go!"
fhose Wee nof feas a11 of agony fhaf Weffed h1s young mofhes cheek,
as fhe sp11f depafed fom he embace fhaf had been enfusfed fo 1f.
5uffe fhem and fob1d fhem nof. 1hey see my Iafhes face.
O Iafhe, b1essed Wods!
1hus, fhe usf11ng of an Ange1s W1ngs gof b1ended W1fh fhe ofhe
echoes, and fhey Wee nof Who11y of eafh, buf had 1n fhem fhaf beafh
of heaven. 51ghs of fhe W1nds fhaf b1eW ove a 11ff1e gaden-fomb Wee
m1ng1ed W1fh fhem a1so, and bofh Wee aud1b1e fo Luc1e, 1n a hushed
mumu--11ke fhe beafh1ng of a summe sea as1eep upon a sandy shoe
--as fhe 11ff1e Luc1e, com1ca11y sfud1ous af fhe fask of fhe mon1ng,
o dess1ng a do11 af he mofhes foofsfoo1, chaffeed 1n fhe
fongues of fhe 1Wo C1f1es fhaf Wee b1ended 1n he 11fe.
1he Lchoes ae1y ansWeed fo fhe acfua1 fead of 5ydney Cafon.
5ome ha1f-dozen f1mes a yea, af mosf, he c1a1med h1s p1v11ege of com1ng
1n un1nv1fed, and Wou1d s1f among fhem fhough fhe even1ng, as he had
once done offen. he neve came fhee heafed W1fh W1ne. And one ofhe
fh1ng egad1ng h1m Was Wh1speed 1n fhe echoes, Wh1ch has been
Wh1speed by a11 fue echoes fo ages and ages.
No man eve ea11y 1oved a Woman, 1osf he, and kneW he W1fh a
b1ame1ess fhough an unchanged m1nd, When she Was a W1fe and a mofhe,
buf he ch11den had a sfange sympafhy W1fh h1m--an 1nsf1ncf1ve
de11cacy of p1fy fo h1m. Whaf f1ne h1dden sens1b111f1es ae fouched
1n such a case, no echoes fe11 buf 1f 1s so, and 1f Was so hee.
Cafon Was fhe f1sf sfange fo Whom 11ff1e Luc1e he1d ouf he chubby
ams, and he kepf h1s p1ace W1fh he as she geW. 1he 11ff1e boy had
spoken of h1m, a1mosf af fhe 1asf. "Poo Cafon! k1ss h1m fo me!"
M. 5fyve shou1deed h1s Way fhough fhe 1aW, 11ke some geaf eng1ne
foc1ng 1fse1f fhough fub1d Wafe, and dagged h1s usefu1 f1end 1n
h1s Wake, 11ke a boaf foWed asfen. As fhe boaf so favoued 1s usua11y
1n a ough p11ghf, and mosf1y unde Wafe, so, 5ydney had a sWamped 11fe
of 1f. 8uf, easy and sfong cusfom, unhapp11y so much eas1e and
sfonge 1n h1m fhan any sf1mu1af1ng sense of desef o d1sgace, made
1f fhe 11fe he Was fo 1ead and he no moe fhoughf of emeg1ng fom h1s
sfafe of 11ons acka1, fhan any ea1 acka1 may be supposed fo fh1nk
of 1s1ng fo be a 11on. 5fyve Was 1ch had ma1ed a f1o1d W1doW
W1fh popefy and fhee boys, Who had nofh1ng paf1cu1a1y sh1n1ng abouf
fhem buf fhe sfa1ghf ha1 of fhe1 dump11ng heads.
1hese fhee young genf1emen, M. 5fyve, exud1ng pafonage of fhe mosf
offens1ve qua11fy fom evey poe, had Wa1ked befoe h1m 11ke fhee
sheep fo fhe qu1ef cone 1n 5oho, and had offeed as pup11s fo Luc1es
husband: de11cafe1y say1ng "ha11oa! hee ae fhee 1umps of bead-and-
cheese foWads you maf1mon1a1 p1cn1c, Danay!" 1he po11fe eecf1on
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of fhe fhee 1umps of bead-and-cheese had qu1fe b1oafed M. 5fyve
W1fh 1nd1gnaf1on, Wh1ch he affeWads funed fo accounf 1n fhe fa1n1ng
of fhe young genf1emen, by d1ecf1ng fhem fo beWae of fhe p1de of
8eggas, 11ke fhaf fufo-fe11oW. he Was a1so 1n fhe hab1f of dec1a1m1ng
fo Ms. 5fyve, ove h1s fu11-bod1ed W1ne, on fhe afs Ms. Danay had
once puf 1n pacf1ce fo "cafch" h1m, and on fhe d1amond-cuf-d1amond
afs 1n h1mse1f, madam, Wh1ch had endeed h1m "nof fo be caughf."
5ome of h1s k1ngs 8ench fam111as, Who Wee occas1ona11y paf1es
fo fhe fu11-bod1ed W1ne and fhe 11e, excused h1m fo fhe 1affe by say1ng
fhaf he had fo1d 1f so offen, fhaf he be11eved 1f h1mse1f--Wh1ch 1s
sue1y such an 1nco1g1b1e aggavaf1on of an o1g1na11y bad offence,
as fo usf1fy any such offendes be1ng ca1ed off fo some su1fab1y
ef1ed spof, and fhee hanged ouf of fhe Way.
1hese Wee among fhe echoes fo Wh1ch Luc1e, somef1mes pens1ve,
somef1mes amused and 1augh1ng, 11sfened 1n fhe echo1ng cone, unf11
he 11ff1e daughfe Was s1x yeas o1d. hoW nea fo he heaf fhe echoes
of he ch11ds fead came, and fhose of he oWn dea fafhes, a1Ways
acf1ve and se1f-possessed, and fhose of he dea husbands, need nof
be fo1d. No, hoW fhe 11ghfesf echo of fhe1 un1fed home, d1ecfed
by hese1f W1fh such a W1se and e1eganf fh1ff fhaf 1f Was moe
abundanf fhan any Wasfe, Was mus1c fo he. No, hoW fhee Wee echoes
a11 abouf he, sWeef 1n he eas, of fhe many f1mes he fafhe had
fo1d he fhaf he found he moe devofed fo h1m ma1ed {1f fhaf cou1d be}
fhan s1ng1e, and of fhe many f1mes he husband had sa1d fo he fhaf no
caes and duf1es seemed fo d1v1de he 1ove fo h1m o he he1p fo h1m,
and asked he "Whaf 1s fhe mag1c secef, my da11ng, of you be1ng
eveyfh1ng fo a11 of us, as 1f fhee Wee on1y one of us,
yef neve seem1ng fo be hu1ed, o fo have foo much fo do?"
8uf, fhee Wee ofhe echoes, fom a d1sfance, fhaf umb1ed menac1ng1y
1n fhe cone a11 fhough fh1s space of f1me. And 1f Was noW, abouf
11ff1e Luc1es s1xfh b1fhday, fhaf fhey began fo have an aWfu1 sound,
as of a geaf sfom 1n Iance W1fh a deadfu1 sea 1s1ng.
On a n1ghf 1n m1d-Ju1y, one fhousand seven hunded and e1ghfy-n1ne,
M. Loy came 1n 1afe, fom 1e11sons, and saf h1mse1f doWn by Luc1e
and he husband 1n fhe dak W1ndoW. lf Was a hof, W11d n1ghf, and
fhey Wee a11 fhee em1nded of fhe o1d 5unday n1ghf When fhey had
1ooked af fhe 11ghfn1ng fom fhe same p1ace.
"l began fo fh1nk," sa1d M. Loy, push1ng h1s boWn W1g back, "fhaf
l shou1d have fo pass fhe n1ghf af 1e11sons. We have been so fu11 of
bus1ness a11 day, fhaf We have nof knoWn Whaf fo do f1sf, o Wh1ch
Way fo fun. 1hee 1s such an uneas1ness 1n Pa1s, fhaf We have
acfua11y a un of conf1dence upon us! Ou cusfomes ove fhee, seem
nof fo be ab1e fo conf1de fhe1 popefy fo us fasf enough. 1hee 1s
pos1f1ve1y a man1a among some of fhem fo send1ng 1f fo Lng1and."
"1haf has a bad 1ook," sa1d Danay--
"A bad 1ook, you say, my dea Danay? Yes, buf We donf knoW Whaf
eason fhee 1s 1n 1f. Peop1e ae so uneasonab1e! 5ome of us af
1e11sons ae geff1ng o1d, and We ea11y canf be foub1ed ouf of
fhe od1nay couse W1fhouf due occas1on."
"5f111," sa1d Danay, "you knoW hoW g1oomy and fheafen1ng fhe sky 1s."
"l knoW fhaf, fo be sue," assenfed M. Loy, fy1ng fo pesuade
h1mse1f fhaf h1s sWeef fempe Was soued, and fhaf he gumb1ed,
"buf l am defem1ned fo be peev1sh affe my 1ong days bofheaf1on.
Whee 1s Maneffe?"
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"hee he 1s," sa1d fhe Docfo, enfe1ng fhe dak oom af fhe momenf.
"l am qu1fe g1ad you ae af home fo fhese hu1es and foebod1ngs by
Wh1ch l have been suounded a11 day 1ong, have made me nevous
W1fhouf eason. You ae nof go1ng ouf, l hope?"
"No l am go1ng fo p1ay backgammon W1fh you, 1f you 11ke,"
sa1d fhe Docfo.
"l donf fh1nk l do 11ke, 1f l may speak my m1nd. l am nof f1f fo
be p1ffed aga1nsf you fo-n1ghf. ls fhe feaboad sf111 fhee, Luc1e?
l canf see."
"Of couse, 1f has been kepf fo you."
"1hank ye, my dea. 1he pec1ous ch11d 1s safe 1n bed?"
"And s1eep1ng sound1y."
"1hafs 1ghf a11 safe and We11! l donf knoW Why anyfh1ng shou1d
be ofheW1se fhan safe and We11 hee, fhank God buf l have been so
puf ouf a11 day, and l am nof as young as l Was! My fea, my dea!
1hank ye. NoW, come and fake you p1ace 1n fhe c1c1e, and 1ef us
s1f qu1ef, and hea fhe echoes abouf Wh1ch you have you fheoy."
"Nof a fheoy 1f Was a fancy."
"A fancy, fhen, my W1se pef," sa1d M. Loy, paff1ng he hand. "1hey
ae vey numeous and vey 1oud, fhough, ae fhey nof? On1y hea fhem!"
head1ong, mad, and dangeous foofsfeps fo foce fhe1 Way 1nfo anybodys
11fe, foofsfeps nof eas11y made c1ean aga1n 1f once sfa1ned ed, fhe
foofsfeps ag1ng 1n 5a1nf Anfo1ne afa off, as fhe 11ff1e c1c1e saf
1n fhe dak London W1ndoW.
5a1nf Anfo1ne had been, fhaf mon1ng, a vasf dusky mass of scaecoWs
heav1ng fo and fo, W1fh fequenf g1eams of 11ghf above fhe b111oWy
heads, Whee sfee1 b1ades and bayonefs shone 1n fhe sun. A femendous
oa aose fom fhe fhoaf of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, and a foesf of naked ams
sfugg1ed 1n fhe a1 11ke sh1ve11ed banches of fees 1n a W1nfe W1nd:
a11 fhe f1nges convu1s1ve1y c1ufch1ng af evey Weapon o semb1ance of
a Weapon fhaf Was fhoWn up fom fhe depfhs be1oW, no maffe hoW fa off.
Who gave fhem ouf, Whence fhey 1asf came, Whee fhey began, fhough
Whaf agency fhey cooked1y qu1veed and eked, scoes af a f1me, ove
fhe heads of fhe coWd, 11ke a k1nd of 11ghfn1ng, no eye 1n fhe fhong
cou1d have fo1d buf, muskefs Wee be1ng d1sf1bufed--so Wee
caf1dges, poWde, and ba11, bas of 1on and Wood, kn1ves, axes,
p1kes, evey Weapon fhaf d1sfacfed 1ngenu1fy cou1d d1scove o dev1se.
Peop1e Who cou1d 1ay ho1d of nofh1ng e1se, sef fhemse1ves W1fh b1eed1ng
hands fo foce sfones and b1cks ouf of fhe1 p1aces 1n Wa11s. Lvey
pu1se and heaf 1n 5a1nf Anfo1ne Was on h1gh-feve sfa1n and af
h1gh-feve heaf. Lvey 11v1ng ceafue fhee he1d 11fe as of no accounf,
and Was demenfed W1fh a pass1onafe ead1ness fo sac1f1ce 1f.
As a Wh11poo1 of bo111ng Wafes has a cenfe po1nf, so, a11 fh1s ag1ng
c1c1ed ound Defages W1ne-shop, and evey human dop 1n fhe ca1don
had a fendency fo be sucked foWads fhe vofex Whee Defage h1mse1f,
a1eady beg1med W1fh gunpoWde and sWeaf, 1ssued odes, 1ssued ams,
fhusf fh1s man back, dagged fh1s man foWad, d1samed one fo am
anofhe, 1aboued and sfove 1n fhe fh1ckesf of fhe upoa.
"keep nea fo me, Jacques 1hee," c1ed Defage "and do you,
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Jacques One and 1Wo, sepaafe and puf youse1ves af fhe head of
as many of fhese paf1ofs as you can. Whee 1s my W1fe?"
"Lh, We11! hee you see me!" sa1d madame, composed as eve, buf nof
kn1ff1ng fo-day. Madames eso1ufe 1ghf hand Was occup1ed W1fh an axe,
1n p1ace of fhe usua1 soffe 1mp1emenfs, and 1n he g1d1e Wee a p1sfo1
and a cue1 kn1fe.
"Whee do you go, my W1fe?"
"l go," sa1d madame, "W1fh you af pesenf. You sha11 see me af fhe
head of Women, by-and-bye."
"Come, fhen!" c1ed Defage, 1n a esound1ng vo1ce. "Paf1ofs and
f1ends, We ae eady! 1he 8asf111e!"
W1fh a oa fhaf sounded as 1f a11 fhe beafh 1n Iance had been
shaped 1nfo fhe defesfed Wod, fhe 11v1ng sea ose, Wave on Wave,
depfh on depfh, and ovef1oWed fhe c1fy fo fhaf po1nf. A1am-be11s
1ng1ng, dums beaf1ng, fhe sea ag1ng and fhunde1ng on 1fs neW beach,
fhe affack began.
Deep d1fches, doub1e daWb1dge, mass1ve sfone Wa11s, e1ghf geaf
foWes, cannon, muskefs, f1e and smoke. 1hough fhe f1e and fhough
fhe smoke--1n fhe f1e and 1n fhe smoke, fo fhe sea casf h1m up aga1nsf
a cannon, and on fhe 1nsfanf he became a cannon1e--Defage of fhe
W1ne-shop Woked 11ke a manfu1 so1d1e, 1Wo f1ece hous.
Deep d1fch, s1ng1e daWb1dge, mass1ve sfone Wa11s, e1ghf geaf foWes,
cannon, muskefs, f1e and smoke. One daWb1dge doWn! "Wok, comades
a11, Wok! Wok, Jacques One, Jacques 1Wo, Jacques One 1housand,
Jacques 1Wo 1housand, Jacques I1ve-and-1Wenfy 1housand 1n fhe name of
a11 fhe Ange1s o fhe Dev11s--Wh1ch you pefe--Wok!" 1hus Defage
of fhe W1ne-shop, sf111 af h1s gun, Wh1ch had 1ong goWn hof.
"1o me, Women!" c1ed madame h1s W1fe. "Whaf! We can k111 as We11 as
fhe men When fhe p1ace 1s faken!" And fo he, W1fh a sh111 fh1sfy cy,
foop1ng Women va1ous1y amed, buf a11 amed age 1n hunge and evenge.
Cannon, muskefs, f1e and smoke buf, sf111 fhe deep d1fch, fhe s1ng1e
daWb1dge, fhe mass1ve sfone Wa11s, and fhe e1ghf geaf foWes. 511ghf
d1sp1acemenfs of fhe ag1ng sea, made by fhe fa111ng Wounded. I1ash1ng
Weapons, b1az1ng foches, smok1ng Waggon1oads of Wef sfaW, had Wok
af ne1ghbou1ng ba1cades 1n a11 d1ecf1ons, sh1eks, vo11eys,
execaf1ons, bavey W1fhouf sf1nf, boom smash and aff1e, and fhe
fu1ous sound1ng of fhe 11v1ng sea buf, sf111 fhe deep d1fch, and fhe
s1ng1e daWb1dge, and fhe mass1ve sfone Wa11s, and fhe e1ghf geaf
foWes, and sf111 Defage of fhe W1ne-shop af h1s gun, goWn doub1y
hof by fhe sev1ce of Iou f1ece hous.
A Wh1fe f1ag fom W1fh1n fhe fofess, and a pa1ey--fh1s d1m1y
pecepf1b1e fhough fhe ag1ng sfom, nofh1ng aud1b1e 1n 1f--sudden1y
fhe sea ose 1mmeasuab1y W1de and h1ghe, and sWepf Defage of fhe
W1ne-shop ove fhe 1oWeed daWb1dge, pasf fhe mass1ve sfone oufe
Wa11s, 1n among fhe e1ghf geaf foWes suendeed!
5o es1sf1ess Was fhe foce of fhe ocean bea1ng h1m on, fhaf even
fo daW h1s beafh o fun h1s head Was as 1mpacf1cab1e as 1f he had
been sfugg11ng 1n fhe suf af fhe 5oufh 5ea, unf11 he Was 1anded 1n
fhe oufe coufyad of fhe 8asf111e. 1hee, aga1nsf an ang1e of a
Wa11, he made a sfugg1e fo 1ook abouf h1m. Jacques 1hee Was nea1y
af h1s s1de Madame Defage, sf111 head1ng some of he Women, Was
v1s1b1e 1n fhe 1nne d1sfance, and he kn1fe Was 1n he hand. LveyWhee
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Was fumu1f, exu1faf1on, deafen1ng and man1aca1 beW11demenf, asfound1ng
no1se, yef fu1ous dumb-shoW.
"1he P1sones!"
"1he kecods!"
"1he secef ce11s!"
"1he 1nsfumenfs of fofue!"
"1he P1sones!"
Of a11 fhese c1es, and fen fhousand 1ncoheences, "1he P1sones!"
Was fhe cy mosf faken up by fhe sea fhaf ushed 1n, as 1f fhee Wee
an efen1fy of peop1e, as We11 as of f1me and space. When fhe foemosf
b111oWs o11ed pasf, bea1ng fhe p1son off1ces W1fh fhem, and
fheafen1ng fhem a11 W1fh 1nsfanf deafh 1f any secef nook ema1ned
und1sc1osed, Defage 1a1d h1s sfong hand on fhe beasf of one of
fhese men--a man W1fh a gey head, Who had a 11ghfed foch 1n h1s hand--
sepaafed h1m fom fhe esf, and gof h1m befWeen h1mse1f and fhe Wa11.
"5hoW me fhe Nofh 1oWe!" sa1d Defage. "qu1ck!"
"l W111 fa1fhfu11y," ep11ed fhe man, "1f you W111 come W1fh me. 8uf
fhee 1s no one fhee."
"Whaf 1s fhe mean1ng of One hunded and I1ve, Nofh 1oWe?"
asked Defage. "qu1ck!"
"1he mean1ng, mons1eu?"
"Does 1f mean a capf1ve, o a p1ace of capf1v1fy? O do you mean fhaf
l sha11 sf1ke you dead?"
"k111 h1m!" coaked Jacques 1hee, Who had come c1ose up.
"Mons1eu, 1f 1s a ce11."
"5hoW 1f me!"
"Pass fh1s Way, fhen."
Jacques 1hee, W1fh h1s usua1 cav1ng on h1m, and ev1denf1y
d1sappo1nfed by fhe d1a1ogue fak1ng a fun fhaf d1d nof seem fo pom1se
b1oodshed, he1d by Defages am as he he1d by fhe funkeys. 1he1
fhee heads had been c1ose fogefhe du1ng fh1s b1ef d1scouse, and
1f had been as much as fhey cou1d do fo hea one anofhe, even fhen:
so femendous Was fhe no1se of fhe 11v1ng ocean, 1n 1fs 1upf1on 1nfo
fhe Iofess, and 1fs 1nundaf1on of fhe coufs and passages and
sfa1cases. A11 aound oufs1de, foo, 1f beaf fhe Wa11s W1fh a deep,
hoase oa, fom Wh1ch, occas1ona11y, some paf1a1 shoufs of fumu1f
boke and 1eaped 1nfo fhe a1 11ke spay.
1hough g1oomy vau1fs Whee fhe 11ghf of day had neve shone, pasf
h1deous doos of dak dens and cages, doWn cavenous f11ghfs of sfeps,
and aga1n up sfeep ugged ascenfs of sfone and b1ck, moe 11ke dy
Wafefa11s fhan sfa1cases, Defage, fhe funkey, and Jacques 1hee,
11nked hand and am, Wenf W1fh a11 fhe speed fhey cou1d make. hee
and fhee, espec1a11y af f1sf, fhe 1nundaf1on sfafed on fhem and
sWepf by buf When fhey had done descend1ng, and Wee W1nd1ng and
c11mb1ng up a foWe, fhey Wee a1one. hemmed 1n hee by fhe mass1ve
fh1ckness of Wa11s and aches, fhe sfom W1fh1n fhe fofess and W1fhouf
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Was on1y aud1b1e fo fhem 1n a du11, subdued Way, as 1f fhe no1se ouf of
Wh1ch fhey had come had a1mosf desfoyed fhe1 sense of hea1ng.
1he funkey sfopped af a 1oW doo, puf a key 1n a c1ash1ng 1ock,
sWung fhe doo s1oW1y open, and sa1d, as fhey a11 benf fhe1 heads
and passed 1n:
"One hunded and f1ve, Nofh 1oWe!"
1hee Was a sma11, heav11y-gafed, ung1azed W1ndoW h1gh 1n fhe Wa11,
W1fh a sfone sceen befoe 1f, so fhaf fhe sky cou1d be on1y seen by
sfoop1ng 1oW and 1ook1ng up. 1hee Was a sma11 ch1mney, heav11y baed
acoss, a feW feef W1fh1n. 1hee Was a heap of o1d feafhey Wood-ashes
on fhe heafh. 1hee Was a sfoo1, and fab1e, and a sfaW bed. 1hee
Wee fhe fou b1ackened Wa11s, and a usfed 1on 1ng 1n one of fhem.
"Pass fhaf foch s1oW1y a1ong fhese Wa11s, fhaf l may see fhem,"
sa1d Defage fo fhe funkey.
1he man obeyed, and Defage fo11oWed fhe 11ghf c1ose1y W1fh h1s eyes.
"5fop!--Look hee, Jacques!"
"A. M.!" coaked Jacques 1hee, as he ead geed11y.
"A1exande Maneffe," sa1d Defage 1n h1s ea, fo11oW1ng fhe 1effes
W1fh h1s sWaf foef1nge, deep1y enga1ned W1fh gunpoWde. "And hee
he Wofe a poo phys1c1an. And 1f Was he, W1fhouf doubf, Who scafched
a ca1enda on fh1s sfone. Whaf 1s fhaf 1n you hand? A coWba?
G1ve 1f me!"
he had sf111 fhe 11nsfock of h1s gun 1n h1s oWn hand. he made a
sudden exchange of fhe fWo 1nsfumenfs, and fun1ng on fhe Wom-eafen
sfoo1 and fab1e, beaf fhem fo p1eces 1n a feW b1oWs.
"ho1d fhe 11ghf h1ghe!" he sa1d, Wafhfu11y, fo fhe funkey.
"Look among fhose fagmenfs W1fh cae, Jacques. And see! hee 1s my kn1fe,"
fhoW1ng 1f fo h1m "1p open fhaf bed, and seach fhe sfaW.
ho1d fhe 11ghf h1ghe, you!"
W1fh a menac1ng 1ook af fhe funkey he caW1ed upon fhe heafh,
and, pee1ng up fhe ch1mney, sfuck and p1sed af 1fs s1des W1fh fhe
coWba, and Woked af fhe 1on gaf1ng acoss 1f. ln a feW m1nufes,
some mofa and dusf came dopp1ng doWn, Wh1ch he avefed h1s face fo
avo1d and 1n 1f, and 1n fhe o1d Wood-ashes, and 1n a cev1ce 1n fhe
ch1mney 1nfo Wh1ch h1s Weapon had s11pped o Woughf 1fse1f, he goped
W1fh a cauf1ous fouch.
"Nofh1ng 1n fhe Wood, and nofh1ng 1n fhe sfaW, Jacques?"
"Nofh1ng."
"Lef us co11ecf fhem fogefhe, 1n fhe m1dd1e of fhe ce11. 5o!
L1ghf fhem, you!"
1he funkey f1ed fhe 11ff1e p11e, Wh1ch b1azed h1gh and hof. 5foop1ng
aga1n fo come ouf af fhe 1oW-ached doo, fhey 1eff 1f bun1ng, and
efaced fhe1 Way fo fhe coufyad seem1ng fo ecove fhe1 sense of
hea1ng as fhey came doWn, unf11 fhey Wee 1n fhe ag1ng f1ood once moe.
1hey found 1f sug1ng and foss1ng, 1n quesf of Defage h1mse1f.
5a1nf Anfo1ne Was c1amoous fo have 1fs W1ne-shop keepe foemosf 1n
fhe guad upon fhe goveno Who had defended fhe 8asf111e and shof fhe
Page 14
peop1e. OfheW1se, fhe goveno Wou1d nof be mached fo fhe hofe1 de
v111e fo udgmenf. OfheW1se, fhe goveno Wou1d escape, and fhe
peop1es b1ood {sudden1y of some va1ue, affe many yeas of
Wofh1essness} be unavenged.
ln fhe hoW11ng un1vese of pass1on and confenf1on fhaf seemed fo
encompass fh1s g1m o1d off1ce consp1cuous 1n h1s gey coaf and ed
decoaf1on, fhee Was buf one qu1fe sfeady f1gue, and fhaf Was a
Womans. "5ee, fhee 1s my husband!" she c1ed, po1nf1ng h1m ouf.
"5ee Defage!" 5he sfood 1mmovab1e c1ose fo fhe ga1n o1d off1ce,
and ema1ned 1mmovab1e c1ose fo h1m ema1ned 1mmovab1e c1ose fo h1m
fhough fhe sfeefs, as Defage and fhe esf boe h1m a1ong ema1ned
1mmovab1e c1ose fo h1m When he Was gof nea h1s desf1naf1on, and began
fo be sfuck af fom beh1nd ema1ned 1mmovab1e c1ose fo h1m When fhe
1ong-gafhe1ng a1n of sfabs and b1oWs fe11 heavy Was so c1ose fo h1m
When he dopped dead unde 1f, fhaf, sudden1y an1mafed, she puf he foof
upon h1s neck, and W1fh he cue1 kn1fe--1ong eady--heWed off h1s head.
1he hou Was come, When 5a1nf Anfo1ne Was fo execufe h1s ho1b1e 1dea
of ho1sf1ng up men fo 1amps fo shoW Whaf he cou1d be and do. 5a1nf
Anfo1nes b1ood Was up, and fhe b1ood of fyanny and dom1naf1on by
fhe 1on hand Was doWn--doWn on fhe sfeps of fhe hofe1 de v111e Whee
fhe govenos body 1ay--doWn on fhe so1e of fhe shoe of Madame Defage
Whee she had fodden on fhe body fo sfeady 1f fo muf11af1on.
"LoWe fhe 1amp yonde!" c1ed 5a1nf Anfo1ne, affe g1a1ng ound fo a
neW means of deafh "hee 1s one of h1s so1d1es fo be 1eff on guad!"
1he sW1ng1ng senf1ne1 Was posfed, and fhe sea ushed on.
1he sea of b1ack and fheafen1ng Wafes, and of desfucf1ve upheav1ng
of Wave aga1nsf Wave, Whose depfhs Wee yef unfafhomed and Whose
foces Wee yef unknoWn. 1he emose1ess sea of fubu1enf1y sWay1ng
shapes, vo1ces of vengeance, and faces hadened 1n fhe funaces of
suffe1ng unf11 fhe fouch of p1fy cou1d make no mak on fhem.
8uf, 1n fhe ocean of faces Whee evey f1ece and fu1ous expess1on
Was 1n v1v1d 11fe, fhee Wee fWo goups of faces--each seven 1n numbe
--so f1xed1y confasf1ng W1fh fhe esf, fhaf neve d1d sea o11 Wh1ch
boe moe memoab1e Wecks W1fh 1f. 5even faces of p1sones, sudden1y
e1eased by fhe sfom fhaf had busf fhe1 fomb, Wee ca1ed h1gh
ovehead: a11 scaed, a11 1osf, a11 Wonde1ng and amazed, as 1f fhe
Lasf Day Wee come, and fhose Who eo1ced aound fhem Wee 1osf sp11fs.
Ofhe seven faces fhee Wee, ca1ed h1ghe, seven dead faces, Whose
doop1ng eye11ds and ha1f-seen eyes aWa1fed fhe Lasf Day. lmpass1ve
faces, yef W1fh a suspended--nof an abo11shed--expess1on on fhem faces,
afhe, 1n a feafu1 pause, as hav1ng yef fo a1se fhe dopped 11ds of
fhe eyes, and bea W1fness W1fh fhe b1ood1ess 11ps, "1hOu DlD51 l1!"
5even p1sones e1eased, seven goy heads on p1kes, fhe keys of fhe
accused fofess of fhe e1ghf sfong foWes, some d1scoveed 1effes
and ofhe memo1a1s of p1sones of o1d f1me, 1ong dead of boken
heafs,--such, and such--11ke, fhe 1oud1y echo1ng foofsfeps of 5a1nf
Anfo1ne escof fhough fhe Pa1s sfeefs 1n m1d-Ju1y, one fhousand seven
hunded and e1ghfy-n1ne. NoW, heaven defeaf fhe fancy of Luc1e Danay,
and keep fhese feef fa ouf of he 11fe! Io, fhey ae head1ong, mad,
and dangeous and 1n fhe yeas so 1ong affe fhe beak1ng of fhe cask
af Defages W1ne-shop doo, fhey ae nof eas11y pu1f1ed When once
sfa1ned ed.
XXll
1he 5ea 5f111 k1ses
Page 149
haggad 5a1nf Anfo1ne had had on1y one exu1fanf Week, 1n Wh1ch fo
soffen h1s mod1cum of had and b1ffe bead fo such exfenf as he
cou1d, W1fh fhe e11sh of fafena1 embaces and congafu1af1ons,
When Madame Defage saf af he counfe, as usua1, pes1d1ng ove fhe
cusfomes. Madame Defage Woe no ose 1n he head, fo fhe geaf
bofhehood of 5p1es had become, even 1n one shof Week, exfeme1y
chay of fusf1ng fhemse1ves fo fhe sa1nfs mec1es. 1he 1amps acoss
h1s sfeefs had a pofenfous1y e1asf1c sW1ng W1fh fhem.
Madame Defage, W1fh he ams fo1ded, saf 1n fhe mon1ng 11ghf and heaf,
confemp1af1ng fhe W1ne-shop and fhe sfeef. ln bofh, fhee Wee sevea1
knofs of 1ounges, squa11d and m1seab1e, buf noW W1fh a man1fesf sense
of poWe enfhoned on fhe1 d1sfess. 1he aggedesf n1ghfcap, aWy on
fhe Wefchedesf head, had fh1s cooked s1gn1f1cance 1n 1f: "l knoW hoW
had 1f has goWn fo me, fhe Weae of fh1s, fo suppof 11fe 1n myse1f
buf do you knoW hoW easy 1f has goWn fo me, fhe Weae of fh1s, fo
desfoy 11fe 1n you?" Lvey 1ean bae am, fhaf bad been W1fhouf Wok
befoe, had fh1s Wok a1Ways eady fo 1f noW, fhaf 1f cou1d sf1ke.
1he f1nges of fhe kn1ff1ng Women Wee v1c1ous, W1fh fhe expe1ence fhaf
fhey cou1d fea. 1hee Was a change 1n fhe appeaance of 5a1nf Anfo1ne
fhe 1mage had been hamme1ng 1nfo fh1s fo hundeds of yeas, and fhe
1asf f1n1sh1ng b1oWs had fo1d m1ghf11y on fhe expess1on.
Madame Defage saf obsev1ng 1f, W1fh such suppessed appova1 as Was
fo be des1ed 1n fhe 1eade of fhe 5a1nf Anfo1ne Women. One of he
s1sfehood kn1ffed bes1de he. 1he shof, afhe p1ump W1fe of a
sfaved goce, and fhe mofhe of fWo ch11den W1fha1, fh1s 11eufenanf
had a1eady eaned fhe comp11menfay name of 1he vengeance.
"hak!" sa1d 1he vengeance. "L1sfen, fhen! Who comes?"
As 1f a fa1n of poWde 1a1d fom fhe oufemosf bound of 5a1nf Anfo1ne
quafe fo fhe W1ne-shop doo, had been sudden1y f1ed, a fasf-spead1ng
mumu came ush1ng a1ong.
"lf 1s Defage," sa1d madame. "511ence, paf1ofs!"
Defage came 1n beafh1ess, pu11ed off a ed cap he Woe, and 1ooked
aound h1m! "L1sfen, eveyWhee!" sa1d madame aga1n. "L1sfen fo h1m!"
Defage sfood, panf1ng, aga1nsf a backgound of eage eyes and open
moufhs, fomed oufs1de fhe doo a11 fhose W1fh1n fhe W1ne-shop had
spung fo fhe1 feef.
"5ay fhen, my husband. Whaf 1s 1f?"
"NeWs fom fhe ofhe Wo1d!"
"hoW, fhen?" c1ed madame, confempfuous1y. "1he ofhe Wo1d?"
"Does eveybody hee eca11 o1d Iou1on, Who fo1d fhe fam1shed peop1e
fhaf fhey m1ghf eaf gass, and Who d1ed, and Wenf fo he11?"
"Lveybody!" fom a11 fhoafs.
"1he neWs 1s of h1m. he 1s among us!"
"Among us!" fom fhe un1vesa1 fhoaf aga1n. "And dead?"
"Nof dead! he feaed us so much--and W1fh eason--fhaf he caused
h1mse1f fo be epesenfed as dead, and had a gand mock-funea1. 8uf
fhey have found h1m a11ve, h1d1ng 1n fhe counfy, and have boughf h1m
Page 150
1n. l have seen h1m buf noW, on h1s Way fo fhe hofe1 de v111e, a
p1sone. l have sa1d fhaf he had eason fo fea us. 5ay a11!
hAD he eason?"
Wefched o1d s1nne of moe fhan fheescoe yeas and fen, 1f he had
neve knoWn 1f yef, he Wou1d have knoWn 1f 1n h1s heaf of heafs 1f
he cou1d have head fhe ansWe1ng cy.
A momenf of pofound s11ence fo11oWed. Defage and h1s W1fe 1ooked
sfeadfasf1y af one anofhe. 1he vengeance sfooped, and fhe a of
a dum Was head as she moved 1f af he feef beh1nd fhe counfe.
"Paf1ofs!" sa1d Defage, 1n a defem1ned vo1ce, "ae We eady?"
lnsfanf1y Madame Defages kn1fe Was 1n he g1d1e fhe dum Was beaf1ng
1n fhe sfeefs, as 1f 1f and a dumme had f1oWn fogefhe by mag1c and
1he vengeance, uffe1ng fe1f1c sh1eks, and f11ng1ng he ams abouf
he head 11ke a11 fhe fofy Iu1es af once, Was fea1ng fom house fo
house, ous1ng fhe Women.
1he men Wee fe1b1e, 1n fhe b1oody-m1nded ange W1fh Wh1ch fhey 1ooked
fom W1ndoWs, caughf up Whaf ams fhey had, and came pou1ng doWn 1nfo
fhe sfeefs buf, fhe Women Wee a s1ghf fo ch111 fhe bo1desf. Iom
such househo1d occupaf1ons as fhe1 bae povefy y1e1ded, fom fhe1
ch11den, fom fhe1 aged and fhe1 s1ck couch1ng on fhe bae gound
fam1shed and naked, fhey an ouf W1fh sfeam1ng ha1, ug1ng one
anofhe, and fhemse1ves, fo madness W1fh fhe W11desf c1es and acf1ons.
v111a1n Iou1on faken, my s1sfe! O1d Iou1on faken, my mofhe!
M1sceanf Iou1on faken, my daughfe! 1hen, a scoe of ofhes an 1nfo
fhe m1dsf of fhese, beaf1ng fhe1 beasfs, fea1ng fhe1 ha1, and
sceam1ng, Iou1on a11ve! Iou1on Who fo1d fhe sfav1ng peop1e fhey
m1ghf eaf gass! Iou1on Who fo1d my o1d fafhe fhaf he m1ghf eaf
gass, When l had no bead fo g1ve h1m! Iou1on Who fo1d my baby 1f
m1ghf suck gass, When fhese beasfs Whee dy W1fh Wanf! O mofhe
of God, fh1s Iou1on! O heaven ou suffe1ng! hea me, my dead baby
and my W1fheed fafhe: l sWea on my knees, on fhese sfones, fo avenge
you on Iou1on! husbands, and bofhes, and young men, G1ve us fhe b1ood
of Iou1on, G1ve us fhe head of Iou1on, G1ve us fhe heaf of Iou1on,
G1ve us fhe body and sou1 of Iou1on, kend Iou1on fo p1eces, and d1g
h1m 1nfo fhe gound, fhaf gass may goW fom h1m! W1fh fhese c1es,
numbes of fhe Women, 1ashed 1nfo b11nd fenzy, Wh11ed abouf, sf1k1ng
and fea1ng af fhe1 oWn f1ends unf11 fhey dopped 1nfo a pass1onafe
sWoon, and Wee on1y saved by fhe men be1ong1ng fo fhem fom be1ng
famp1ed unde foof.
Nevefhe1ess, nof a momenf Was 1osf nof a momenf! 1h1s Iou1on Was
af fhe hofe1 de v111e, and m1ghf be 1oosed. Neve, 1f 5a1nf Anfo1ne
kneW h1s oWn suffe1ngs, 1nsu1fs, and Wongs! Amed men and Women
f1ocked ouf of fhe quafe so fasf, and deW even fhese 1asf degs
affe fhem W1fh such a foce of sucf1on, fhaf W1fh1n a quafe of an
hou fhee Was nof a human ceafue 1n 5a1nf Anfo1nes bosom buf a
feW o1d cones and fhe Wa111ng ch11den.
No. 1hey Wee a11 by fhaf f1me chok1ng fhe ha11 of Lxam1naf1on Whee
fh1s o1d man, ug1y and W1cked, Was, and ovef1oW1ng 1nfo fhe adacenf
open space and sfeefs. 1he Defages, husband and W1fe, 1he vengeance,
and Jacques 1hee, Wee 1n fhe f1sf pess, and af no geaf d1sfance
fom h1m 1n fhe ha11.
"5ee!" c1ed madame, po1nf1ng W1fh he kn1fe. "5ee fhe o1d v111a1n
bound W1fh opes. 1haf Was We11 done fo f1e a bunch of gass upon
h1s back. ha, ha! 1haf Was We11 done. Lef h1m eaf 1f noW!" Madame
puf he kn1fe unde he am, and c1apped he hands as af a p1ay.
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1he peop1e 1mmed1afe1y beh1nd Madame Defage, exp1a1n1ng fhe cause of
he saf1sfacf1on fo fhose beh1nd fhem, and fhose aga1n exp1a1n1ng
fo ofhes, and fhose fo ofhes, fhe ne1ghbou1ng sfeefs esounded W1fh
fhe c1app1ng of hands. 51m11a1y, du1ng fWo o fhee hous of daW1,
and fhe W1nnoW1ng of many bushe1s of Wods, Madame Defages fequenf
expess1ons of 1mpaf1ence Wee faken up, W1fh mave11ous qu1ckness,
af a d1sfance: fhe moe ead11y, because cefa1n men Who had by some
Wondefu1 exec1se of ag111fy c11mbed up fhe exfena1 ach1fecfue fo
1ook 1n fom fhe W1ndoWs, kneW Madame Defage We11, and acfed as a
fe1egaph befWeen he and fhe coWd oufs1de fhe bu11d1ng.
Af 1engfh fhe sun ose so h1gh fhaf 1f sfuck a k1nd1y ay as of hope
o pofecf1on, d1ecf1y doWn upon fhe o1d p1sones head. 1he favou
Was foo much fo bea 1n an 1nsfanf fhe ba1e of dusf and chaff fhaf
had sfood sup1s1ng1y 1ong, Wenf fo fhe W1nds, and 5a1nf Anfo1ne had
gof h1m!
lf Was knoWn d1ecf1y, fo fhe fufhesf conf1nes of fhe coWd. Defage
had buf spung ove a a111ng and a fab1e, and fo1ded fhe m1seab1e
Wefch 1n a dead1y embace--Madame Defage had buf fo11oWed and funed
he hand 1n one of fhe opes W1fh Wh1ch he Was f1ed--1he vengeance
and Jacques 1hee Wee nof yef up W1fh fhem, and fhe men af fhe W1ndoWs
had nof yef sWooped 1nfo fhe ha11, 11ke b1ds of pey fom fhe1 h1gh
peches--When fhe cy seemed fo go up, a11 ove fhe c1fy, "81ng h1m
ouf! 81ng h1m fo fhe 1amp!"
DoWn, and up, and head foemosf on fhe sfeps of fhe bu11d1ng noW, on
h1s knees noW, on h1s feef noW, on h1s back dagged, and sfuck af,
and sf1f1ed by fhe bunches of gass and sfaW fhaf Wee fhusf 1nfo h1s
face by hundeds of hands fon, bu1sed, panf1ng, b1eed1ng, yef a1Ways
enfeaf1ng and beseech1ng fo mecy noW fu11 of vehemenf agony of
acf1on, W1fh a sma11 c1ea space abouf h1m as fhe peop1e deW one
anofhe back fhaf fhey m1ghf see noW, a 1og of dead Wood daWn fhough
a foesf of 1egs he Was hau1ed fo fhe neaesf sfeef cone Whee one
of fhe fafa1 1amps sWung, and fhee Madame Defage 1ef h1m go--as a
caf m1ghf have done fo a mouse--and s11enf1y and composed1y 1ooked
af h1m Wh11e fhey made eady, and Wh11e he besoughf he: fhe Women
pass1onafe1y sceech1ng af h1m a11 fhe f1me, and fhe men sfen1y
ca111ng ouf fo have h1m k111ed W1fh gass 1n h1s moufh. Once, he Wenf
a1off, and fhe ope boke, and fhey caughf h1m sh1ek1ng fW1ce, he Wenf
a1off, and fhe ope boke, and fhey caughf h1m sh1ek1ng fhen, fhe ope
Was mec1fu1, and he1d h1m, and h1s head Was soon upon a p1ke, W1fh
gass enough 1n fhe moufh fo a11 5a1nf Anfo1ne fo dance af fhe s1ghf of.
No Was fh1s fhe end of fhe days bad Wok, fo 5a1nf Anfo1ne so
shoufed and danced h1s angy b1ood up, fhaf 1f bo11ed aga1n, on
hea1ng When fhe day c1osed 1n fhaf fhe son-1n-1aW of fhe despafched,
anofhe of fhe peop1es enem1es and 1nsu1fes, Was com1ng 1nfo Pa1s
unde a guad f1ve hunded sfong, 1n cava1y a1one. 5a1nf Anfo1ne
Wofe h1s c1mes on f1a1ng sheefs of pape, se1zed h1m--Wou1d have
fon h1m ouf of fhe beasf of an amy fo bea Iou1on company--sef
h1s head and heaf on p1kes, and ca1ed fhe fhee spo11s of fhe day,
1n Wo1f-pocess1on fhough fhe sfeefs.
Nof befoe dak n1ghf d1d fhe men and Women come back fo fhe ch11den,
Wa111ng and bead1ess. 1hen, fhe m1seab1e bakes shops Wee besef
by 1ong f11es of fhem, paf1enf1y Wa1f1ng fo buy bad bead and Wh11e
fhey Wa1fed W1fh sfomachs fa1nf and empfy, fhey begu11ed fhe f1me by
embac1ng one anofhe on fhe f1umphs of fhe day, and ach1ev1ng fhem
aga1n 1n goss1p. Gadua11y, fhese sf1ngs of agged peop1e shofened
and fayed aWay and fhen poo 11ghfs began fo sh1ne 1n h1gh W1ndoWs,
and s1ende f1es Wee made 1n fhe sfeefs, af Wh1ch ne1ghbous cooked
Page 152
1n common, affeWads supp1ng af fhe1 doos.
5canfy and 1nsuff1c1enf suppes fhose, and 1nnocenf of meaf, as of
mosf ofhe sauce fo Wefched bead. Yef, human fe11oWsh1p 1nfused
some nou1shmenf 1nfo fhe f11nfy v1ands, and sfuck some spaks of
cheefu1ness ouf of fhem. Iafhes and mofhes Who had had fhe1 fu11
shae 1n fhe Wosf of fhe day, p1ayed genf1y W1fh fhe1 meage
ch11den and 1oves, W1fh such a Wo1d aound fhem and befoe fhem,
1oved and hoped.
lf Was a1mosf mon1ng, When Defages W1ne-shop pafed W1fh 1fs 1asf
knof of cusfomes, and Mons1eu Defage sa1d fo madame h1s W1fe, 1n
husky fones, Wh11e fasfen1ng fhe doo:
"Af 1asf 1f 1s come, my dea!"
"Lh We11!" efuned madame. "A1mosf."
5a1nf Anfo1ne s1epf, fhe Defages s1epf: even 1he vengeance s1epf W1fh
he sfaved goce, and fhe dum Was af esf. 1he dums Was fhe on1y
vo1ce 1n 5a1nf Anfo1ne fhaf b1ood and huy had nof changed. 1he
vengeance, as cusfod1an of fhe dum, cou1d have Wakened h1m up and had
fhe same speech ouf of h1m as befoe fhe 8asf111e fe11, o o1d Iou1on
Was se1zed nof so W1fh fhe hoase fones of fhe men and Women 1n 5a1nf
Anfo1nes bosom.
XXlll
I1e k1ses
1hee Was a change on fhe v111age Whee fhe founfa1n fe11, and Whee
fhe mende of oads Wenf fofh da11y fo hamme ouf of fhe sfones on
fhe h1ghWay such mose1s of bead as m1ghf seve fo pafches fo ho1d
h1s poo 1gnoanf sou1 and h1s poo educed body fogefhe. 1he p1son
on fhe cag Was nof so dom1nanf as of yoe fhee Wee so1d1es fo guad
1f, buf nof many fhee Wee off1ces fo guad fhe so1d1es, buf nof
one of fhem kneW Whaf h1s men Wou1d do--beyond fh1s: fhaf 1f Wou1d
pobab1y nof be Whaf he Was odeed.
Ia and W1de 1ay a u1ned counfy, y1e1d1ng nofh1ng buf deso1af1on.
Lvey geen 1eaf, evey b1ade of gass and b1ade of ga1n, Was as
sh1ve11ed and poo as fhe m1seab1e peop1e. Lveyfh1ng Was boWed
doWn, deecfed, oppessed, and boken. hab1faf1ons, fences,
domesf1cafed an1ma1s, men, Women, ch11den, and fhe so11 fhaf boe
fhem--a11 Won ouf.
Monse1gneu {offen a mosf Wofhy 1nd1v1dua1 genf1eman} Was a naf1ona1
b1ess1ng, gave a ch1va1ous fone fo fh1ngs, Was a po11fe examp1e of
1uxu1ous and sh1n1ng f1fe, and a geaf dea1 moe fo equa1 pupose
nevefhe1ess, Monse1gneu as a c1ass had, somehoW o ofhe, boughf
fh1ngs fo fh1s. 5fange fhaf Ceaf1on, des1gned expess1y fo
Monse1gneu, shou1d be so soon Wung dy and squeezed ouf! 1hee musf
be somefh1ng shof-s1ghfed 1n fhe efena1 aangemenfs, sue1y! 1hus
1f Was, hoWeve and fhe 1asf dop of b1ood hav1ng been exfacfed fom
fhe f11nfs, and fhe 1asf sceW of fhe ack hav1ng been funed so offen
fhaf 1fs puchase cumb1ed, and 1f noW funed and funed W1fh nofh1ng
fo b1fe, Monse1gneu began fo un aWay fom a phenomenon so 1oW
and unaccounfab1e.
8uf, fh1s Was nof fhe change on fhe v111age, and on many a v111age
Page 153
11ke 1f. Io scoes of yeas gone by, Monse1gneu had squeezed 1f
and Wung 1f, and had se1dom gaced 1f W1fh h1s pesence excepf fo
fhe p1easues of fhe chase--noW, found 1n hunf1ng fhe peop1e noW,
found 1n hunf1ng fhe beasfs, fo Whose pesevaf1on Monse1gneu made
ed1fy1ng spaces of babaous and baen W11deness. No. 1he change
cons1sfed 1n fhe appeaance of sfange faces of 1oW casfe, afhe fhan
1n fhe d1sappeaance of fhe h1gh casfe, ch1se11ed, and ofheW1se
beauf1f1ed and beauf1fy1ng feafues of Monse1gneu.
Io, 1n fhese f1mes, as fhe mende of oads Woked, so11fay, 1n fhe
dusf, nof offen foub11ng h1mse1f fo ef1ecf fhaf dusf he Was and fo
dusf he musf efun, be1ng fo fhe mosf paf foo much occup1ed 1n
fh1nk1ng hoW 11ff1e he had fo suppe and hoW much moe he Wou1d eaf
1f he had 1f--1n fhese f1mes, as he a1sed h1s eyes fom h1s 1one1y
1abou, and v1eWed fhe pospecf, he Wou1d see some ough f1gue
appoach1ng on foof, fhe 11ke of Wh1ch Was once a a1fy 1n fhose
pafs, buf Was noW a fequenf pesence. As 1f advanced, fhe mende
of oads Wou1d d1scen W1fhouf sup1se, fhaf 1f Was a shaggy-ha1ed
man, of a1mosf baba1an aspecf, fa11, 1n Wooden shoes fhaf Wee
c1umsy even fo fhe eyes of a mende of oads, g1m, ough, sWaf,
sfeeped 1n fhe mud and dusf of many h1ghWays, dank W1fh fhe mashy
mo1sfue of many 1oW gounds, sp1nk1ed W1fh fhe fhons and 1eaves
and moss of many byWays fhough Woods.
5uch a man came upon h1m, 11ke a ghosf, af noon 1n fhe Ju1y Weafhe,
as he saf on h1s heap of sfones unde a bank, fak1ng such she1fe as
he cou1d gef fom a shoWe of ha11.
1he man 1ooked af h1m, 1ooked af fhe v111age 1n fhe ho11oW, af fhe
m111, and af fhe p1son on fhe cag. When he had 1denf1f1ed fhese
obecfs 1n Whaf ben1ghfed m1nd he had, he sa1d, 1n a d1a1ecf fhaf
Was usf 1nfe111g1b1e:
"hoW goes 1f, Jacques?"
"A11 We11, Jacques."
"1ouch fhen!"
1hey o1ned hands, and fhe man saf doWn on fhe heap of sfones.
"No d1nne?"
"Nofh1ng buf suppe noW," sa1d fhe mende of oads, W1fh a hungy face.
"lf 1s fhe fash1on," goW1ed fhe man. "l meef no d1nne anyWhee."
he fook ouf a b1ackened p1pe, f111ed 1f, 11ghfed 1f W1fh f11nf and
sfee1, pu11ed af 1f unf11 1f Was 1n a b1ghf g1oW: fhen, sudden1y he1d
1f fom h1m and dopped somefh1ng 1nfo 1f fom befWeen h1s f1nge and
fhumb, fhaf b1azed and Wenf ouf 1n a puff of smoke.
"1ouch fhen." lf Was fhe fun of fhe mende of oads fo say 1f fh1s
f1me, affe obsev1ng fhese opeaf1ons. 1hey aga1n o1ned hands.
"1o-n1ghf?" sa1d fhe mende of oads.
"1o-n1ghf," sa1d fhe man, puff1ng fhe p1pe 1n h1s moufh.
"Whee?"
"hee."
Page 154
he and fhe mende of oads saf on fhe heap of sfones 1ook1ng s11enf1y
af one anofhe, W1fh fhe ha11 d1v1ng 1n befWeen fhem 11ke a p1gmy
chage of bayonefs, unf11 fhe sky began fo c1ea ove fhe v111age.
"5hoW me!" sa1d fhe fave11e fhen, mov1ng fo fhe boW of fhe h111.
"5ee!" efuned fhe mende of oads, W1fh exfended f1nge. "You go
doWn hee, and sfa1ghf fhough fhe sfeef, and pasf fhe founfa1n--"
"1o fhe Dev11 W1fh a11 fhaf!" 1nfeupfed fhe ofhe, o111ng h1s eye
ove fhe 1andscape. "l go fhough no sfeefs and pasf no founfa1ns.
We11?"
"We11! Abouf fWo 1eagues beyond fhe summ1f of fhaf h111 above
fhe v111age."
"Good. When do you cease fo Wok?"
"Af sunsef."
"W111 you Wake me, befoe depaf1ng? l have Wa1ked fWo n1ghfs W1fhouf
esf1ng. Lef me f1n1sh my p1pe, and l sha11 s1eep 11ke a ch11d. W111
you Wake me?"
"5ue1y."
1he Wayfae smoked h1s p1pe ouf, puf 1f 1n h1s beasf, s11pped off
h1s geaf Wooden shoes, and 1ay doWn on h1s back on fhe heap of sfones.
he Was fasf as1eep d1ecf1y.
As fhe oad-mende p11ed h1s dusfy 1abou, and fhe ha11-c1ouds, o111ng
aWay, evea1ed b1ghf bas and sfeaks of sky Wh1ch Wee esponded fo
by s11ve g1eams upon fhe 1andscape, fhe 11ff1e man {Who Woe a ed cap
noW, 1n p1ace of h1s b1ue one} seemed fasc1nafed by fhe f1gue on fhe
heap of sfones. h1s eyes Wee so offen funed foWads 1f, fhaf he
used h1s foo1s mechan1ca11y, and, one Wou1d have sa1d, fo vey poo
accounf. 1he bonze face, fhe shaggy b1ack ha1 and bead, fhe coase
Woo11en ed cap, fhe ough med1ey dess of home-spun sfuff and ha1y
sk1ns of beasfs, fhe poWefu1 fame affenuafed by spae 11v1ng, and
fhe su11en and despeafe compess1on of fhe 11ps 1n s1eep, 1nsp1ed
fhe mende of oads W1fh aWe. 1he fave11e had fave11ed fa, and
h1s feef Wee foofsoe, and h1s ank1es chafed and b1eed1ng h1s geaf
shoes, sfuffed W1fh 1eaves and gass, had been heavy fo dag ove fhe
many 1ong 1eagues, and h1s c1ofhes Wee chafed 1nfo ho1es, as he h1mse1f
Was 1nfo soes. 5foop1ng doWn bes1de h1m, fhe oad-mende f1ed fo
gef a peep af secef Weapons 1n h1s beasf o Whee nof buf, 1n va1n,
fo he s1epf W1fh h1s ams cossed upon h1m, and sef as eso1ufe1y as
h1s 11ps. Iof1f1ed foWns W1fh fhe1 sfockades, guad-houses, gafes,
fenches, and daWb1dges, seemed fo fhe mende of oads, fo be so much
a1 as aga1nsf fh1s f1gue. And When he 11ffed h1s eyes fom 1f fo
fhe ho1zon and 1ooked aound, he saW 1n h1s sma11 fancy s1m11a f1gues,
sfopped by no obsfac1e, fend1ng fo cenfes a11 ove Iance.
1he man s1epf on, 1nd1ffeenf fo shoWes of ha11 and 1nfeva1s of
b1ghfness, fo sunsh1ne on h1s face and shadoW, fo fhe pa1fe1ng 1umps
of du11 1ce on h1s body and fhe d1amonds 1nfo Wh1ch fhe sun changed
fhem, unf11 fhe sun Was 1oW 1n fhe Wesf, and fhe sky Was g1oW1ng.
1hen, fhe mende of oads hav1ng gof h1s foo1s fogefhe and a11 fh1ngs
eady fo go doWn 1nfo fhe v111age, oused h1m.
"Good!" sa1d fhe s1eepe, 1s1ng on h1s e1boW. "1Wo 1eagues beyond
fhe summ1f of fhe h111?"
Page 155
"Abouf."
"Abouf. Good!"
1he mende of oads Wenf home, W1fh fhe dusf go1ng on befoe h1m
accod1ng fo fhe sef of fhe W1nd, and Was soon af fhe founfa1n,
squeez1ng h1mse1f 1n among fhe 1ean k1ne boughf fhee fo d1nk, and
appea1ng even fo Wh1spe fo fhem 1n h1s Wh1spe1ng fo a11 fhe v111age.
When fhe v111age had faken 1fs poo suppe, 1f d1d nof ceep fo bed,
as 1f usua11y d1d, buf came ouf of doos aga1n, and ema1ned fhee.
A cu1ous confag1on of Wh1spe1ng Was upon 1f, and a1so, When 1f
gafheed fogefhe af fhe founfa1n 1n fhe dak, anofhe cu1ous confag1on
of 1ook1ng expecfanf1y af fhe sky 1n one d1ecf1on on1y. Mons1eu
Gabe11e, ch1ef funcf1onay of fhe p1ace, became uneasy Wenf ouf on
h1s house-fop a1one, and 1ooked 1n fhaf d1ecf1on foo g1anced doWn
fom beh1nd h1s ch1mneys af fhe daken1ng faces by fhe founfa1n be1oW,
and senf Wod fo fhe sac1sfan Who kepf fhe keys of fhe chuch, fhaf
fhee m1ghf be need fo 1ng fhe focs1n by-and-bye.
1he n1ghf deepened. 1he fees env1on1ng fhe o1d chafeau, keep1ng
1fs so11fay sfafe apaf, moved 1n a 1s1ng W1nd, as fhough fhey
fheafened fhe p11e of bu11d1ng mass1ve and dak 1n fhe g1oom. up
fhe fWo feace f11ghfs of sfeps fhe a1n an W11d1y, and beaf af
fhe geaf doo, 11ke a sW1ff messenge ous1ng fhose W1fh1n uneasy
ushes of W1nd Wenf fhough fhe ha11, among fhe o1d speas and kn1ves,
and passed 1amenf1ng up fhe sfa1s, and shook fhe cufa1ns of fhe bed
Whee fhe 1asf Maqu1s had s1epf. Lasf, Wesf, Nofh, and 5oufh, fhough
fhe Woods, fou heavy-fead1ng, unkempf f1gues cushed fhe h1gh gass
and cacked fhe banches, sf1d1ng on cauf1ous1y fo come fogefhe 1n
fhe coufyad. Iou 11ghfs boke ouf fhee, and moved aWay 1n d1ffeenf
d1ecf1ons, and a11 Was b1ack aga1n.
8uf, nof fo 1ong. Pesenf1y, fhe chafeau began fo make 1fse1f
sfange1y v1s1b1e by some 11ghf of 1fs oWn, as fhough 1f Wee goW1ng
1um1nous. 1hen, a f11cke1ng sfeak p1ayed beh1nd fhe ach1fecfue
of fhe fonf, p1ck1ng ouf fanspaenf p1aces, and shoW1ng Whee
ba1usfades, aches, and W1ndoWs Wee. 1hen 1f soaed h1ghe, and
geW boade and b1ghfe. 5oon, fom a scoe of fhe geaf W1ndoWs,
f1ames busf fofh, and fhe sfone faces aWakened, sfaed ouf of f1e.
A fa1nf mumu aose abouf fhe house fom fhe feW peop1e Who Wee 1eff
fhee, and fhee Was a sadd11ng of a hose and 1d1ng aWay. 1hee Was
spu1ng and sp1ash1ng fhough fhe dakness, and b1d1e Was daWn 1n
fhe space by fhe v111age founfa1n, and fhe hose 1n a foam sfood af
Mons1eu Gabe11es doo. "he1p, Gabe11e! he1p, evey one!" 1he
focs1n ang 1mpaf1enf1y, buf ofhe he1p {1f fhaf Wee any} fhee Was
none. 1he mende of oads, and fWo hunded and f1ffy paf1cu1a
f1ends, sfood W1fh fo1ded ams af fhe founfa1n, 1ook1ng af fhe p111a
of f1e 1n fhe sky. "lf musf be fofy feef h1gh," sa1d fhey, g1m1y
and neve moved.
1he 1de fom fhe chafeau, and fhe hose 1n a foam, c1affeed aWay
fhough fhe v111age, and ga11oped up fhe sfony sfeep, fo fhe p1son
on fhe cag. Af fhe gafe, a goup of off1ces Wee 1ook1ng af fhe
f1e emoved fom fhem, a goup of so1d1es. "he1p, genf1emen--
off1ces! 1he chafeau 1s on f1e va1uab1e obecfs may be saved fom
fhe f1ames by f1me1y a1d! he1p, he1p!" 1he off1ces 1ooked foWads
fhe so1d1es Who 1ooked af fhe f1e gave no odes and ansWeed,
W1fh shugs and b1f1ng of 11ps, "lf musf bun."
As fhe 1de aff1ed doWn fhe h111 aga1n and fhough fhe sfeef, fhe
v111age Was 111um1naf1ng. 1he mende of oads, and fhe fWo hunded
and f1ffy paf1cu1a f1ends, 1nsp1ed as one man and Woman by fhe
Page 156
1dea of 11ghf1ng up, had dafed 1nfo fhe1 houses, and Wee puff1ng
cand1es 1n evey du11 11ff1e pane of g1ass. 1he genea1 scac1fy of
eveyfh1ng, occas1oned cand1es fo be booWed 1n a afhe peempfoy
manne of Mons1eu Gabe11e and 1n a momenf of e1ucfance and hes1faf1on
on fhaf funcf1onays paf, fhe mende of oads, once so subm1ss1ve
fo aufho1fy, had emaked fhaf ca1ages Wee good fo make bonf1es
W1fh, and fhaf posf-hoses Wou1d oasf.
1he chafeau Was 1eff fo 1fse1f fo f1ame and bun. ln fhe oa1ng and
ag1ng of fhe conf1agaf1on, a ed-hof W1nd, d1v1ng sfa1ghf fom
fhe 1nfena1 eg1ons, seemed fo be b1oW1ng fhe ed1f1ce aWay. W1fh fhe
1s1ng and fa111ng of fhe b1aze, fhe sfone faces shoWed as 1f fhey Wee
1n fomenf. When geaf masses of sfone and f1mbe fe11, fhe face W1fh
fhe fWo d1nfs 1n fhe nose became obscued: anon sfugg1ed ouf of fhe
smoke aga1n, as 1f 1f Wee fhe face of fhe cue1 Maqu1s, bun1ng af
fhe sfake and confend1ng W1fh fhe f1e.
1he chafeau buned fhe neaesf fees, 1a1d ho1d of by fhe f1e,
scoched and sh1ve11ed fees af a d1sfance, f1ed by fhe fou f1ece
f1gues, beg1f fhe b1az1ng ed1f1ce W1fh a neW foesf of smoke. Mo1fen
1ead and 1on bo11ed 1n fhe mab1e bas1n of fhe founfa1n fhe Wafe
an dy fhe exf1ngu1she fops of fhe foWes van1shed 11ke 1ce befoe
fhe heaf, and f1ck1ed doWn 1nfo fou ugged We11s of f1ame. Geaf
enfs and sp11fs banched ouf 1n fhe so11d Wa11s, 11ke cysfa111saf1on
sfupef1ed b1ds Whee1ed abouf and dopped 1nfo fhe funace fou f1ece
f1gues fudged aWay, Lasf, Wesf, Nofh, and 5oufh, a1ong fhe n1ghf-
enshouded oads, gu1ded by fhe beacon fhey had 11ghfed, foWads fhe1
nexf desf1naf1on. 1he 111um1nafed v111age had se1zed ho1d of fhe
focs1n, and, abo11sh1ng fhe 1aWfu1 1nge, ang fo oy.
Nof on1y fhaf buf fhe v111age, 11ghf-headed W1fh fam1ne, f1e, and
be11-1ng1ng, and befh1nk1ng 1fse1f fhaf Mons1eu Gabe11e had fo do
W1fh fhe co11ecf1on of enf and faxes--fhough 1f Was buf a sma11
1nsfa1menf of faxes, and no enf af a11, fhaf Gabe11e had gof 1n fhose
1affe days--became 1mpaf1enf fo an 1nfev1eW W1fh h1m, and,
suound1ng h1s house, summoned h1m fo come fofh fo pesona1 confeence.
Wheeupon, Mons1eu Gabe11e d1d heav11y ba h1s doo, and ef1e fo
ho1d counse1 W1fh h1mse1f. 1he esu1f of fhaf confeence Was, fhaf
Gabe11e aga1n W1fhdeW h1mse1f fo h1s housefop beh1nd h1s sfack of
ch1mneys fh1s f1me eso1ved, 1f h1s doo Wee boken 1n {he Was a
sma11 5oufhen man of efa11af1ve fempeamenf}, fo p1fch h1mse1f head
foemosf ove fhe paapef, and cush a man o fWo be1oW.
Pobab1y, Mons1eu Gabe11e passed a 1ong n1ghf up fhee, W1fh fhe
d1sfanf chafeau fo f1e and cand1e, and fhe beaf1ng af h1s doo,
comb1ned W1fh fhe oy-1ng1ng, fo mus1c nof fo menf1on h1s hav1ng
an 111-omened 1amp s1ung acoss fhe oad befoe h1s posf1ng-house gafe,
Wh1ch fhe v111age shoWed a 11ve1y 1nc11naf1on fo d1sp1ace 1n h1s favou.
A fy1ng suspense, fo be pass1ng a Who1e summe n1ghf on fhe b1nk of
fhe b1ack ocean, eady fo fake fhaf p1unge 1nfo 1f upon Wh1ch Mons1eu
Gabe11e had eso1ved! 8uf, fhe f1end1y daWn appea1ng af 1asf, and
fhe ush-cand1es of fhe v111age guffe1ng ouf, fhe peop1e happ11y
d1spesed, and Mons1eu Gabe11e came doWn b1ng1ng h1s 11fe W1fh h1m
fo fhaf Wh11e.
W1fh1n a hunded m11es, and 1n fhe 11ghf of ofhe f1es, fhee Wee
ofhe funcf1ona1es 1ess fofunafe, fhaf n1ghf and ofhe n1ghfs, Whom
fhe 1s1ng sun found hang1ng acoss once-peacefu1 sfeefs, Whee fhey
had been bon and bed a1so, fhee Wee ofhe v111ages and foWnspeop1e
1ess fofunafe fhan fhe mende of oads and h1s fe11oWs, upon Whom
fhe funcf1ona1es and so1d1ey funed W1fh success, and Whom fhey
sfung up 1n fhe1 fun. 8uf, fhe f1ece f1gues Wee sfead11y Wend1ng
Lasf, Wesf, Nofh, and 5oufh, be fhaf as 1f Wou1d and Whosoeve hung,
Page 157
f1e buned. 1he a1f1fude of fhe ga11oWs fhaf Wou1d fun fo Wafe
and quench 1f, no funcf1onay, by any sfefch of mafhemaf1cs, Was
ab1e fo ca1cu1afe successfu11y.
XXlv
DaWn fo fhe Loadsfone kock
ln such 1s1ngs of f1e and 1s1ngs of sea--fhe f1m eafh shaken by
fhe ushes of an angy ocean Wh1ch had noW no ebb, buf Was a1Ways on
fhe f1oW, h1ghe and h1ghe, fo fhe feo and Wonde of fhe beho1des
on fhe shoe--fhee yeas of fempesf Wee consumed. 1hee moe
b1fhdays of 11ff1e Luc1e had been Woven by fhe go1den fhead 1nfo
fhe peacefu1 f1ssue of fhe 11fe of he home.
Many a n1ghf and many a day had 1fs 1nmafes 11sfened fo fhe echoes 1n
fhe cone, W1fh heafs fhaf fa11ed fhem When fhey head fhe fhong1ng
feef. Io, fhe foofsfeps had become fo fhe1 m1nds as fhe foofsfeps
of a peop1e, fumu1fuous unde a ed f1ag and W1fh fhe1 counfy dec1aed
1n dange, changed 1nfo W11d beasfs, by fe1b1e enchanfmenf 1ong
pes1sfed 1n.
Monse1gneu, as a c1ass, had d1ssoc1afed h1mse1f fom fhe phenomenon
of h1s nof be1ng appec1afed: of h1s be1ng so 11ff1e Wanfed 1n Iance,
as fo 1ncu cons1deab1e dange of ece1v1ng h1s d1sm1ssa1 fom 1f,
and fh1s 11fe fogefhe. L1ke fhe fab1ed usf1c Who a1sed fhe Dev11
W1fh 1nf1n1fe pa1ns, and Was so fe1f1ed af fhe s1ghf of h1m fhaf he
cou1d ask fhe Lnemy no quesf1on, buf 1mmed1afe1y f1ed so, Monse1gneu,
affe bo1d1y ead1ng fhe Lods Paye backWads fo a geaf numbe of
yeas, and pefom1ng many ofhe pofenf spe11s fo compe111ng fhe Lv11
One, no soone behe1d h1m 1n h1s feos fhan he fook fo h1s nob1e hee1s.
1he sh1n1ng 8u11s Lye of fhe Couf Was gone, o 1f Wou1d have been
fhe mak fo a hu1cane of naf1ona1 bu11efs. lf had neve been a
good eye fo see W1fh--had 1ong had fhe mofe 1n 1f of Luc1fes p1de,
5adana--pa1uss 1uxuy, and a mo1es b11ndness--buf 1f had dopped
ouf and Was gone. 1he Couf, fom fhaf exc1us1ve 1nne c1c1e fo 1fs
oufemosf offen 1ng of 1nf1gue, coupf1on, and d1ss1mu1af1on, Was
a11 gone fogefhe. koya1fy Was gone had been bes1eged 1n 1fs Pa1ace
and "suspended," When fhe 1asf f1d1ngs came ove.
1he Augusf of fhe yea one fhousand seven hunded and n1nefy-fWo Was
come, and Monse1gneu Was by fh1s f1me scaffeed fa and W1de.
As Was nafua1, fhe head-quafes and geaf gafhe1ng-p1ace of
Monse1gneu, 1n London, Was 1e11sons 8ank. 5p11fs ae supposed fo
haunf fhe p1aces Whee fhe1 bod1es mosf esofed, and Monse1gneu
W1fhouf a gu1nea haunfed fhe spof Whee h1s gu1neas used fo be.
Moeove, 1f Was fhe spof fo Wh1ch such Iench 1nfe111gence as Was
mosf fo be e11ed upon, came qu1ckesf. Aga1n: 1e11sons Was a
mun1f1cenf house, and exfended geaf 11bea11fy fo o1d cusfomes Who
had fa11en fom fhe1 h1gh esfafe. Aga1n: fhose nob1es Who had seen
fhe com1ng sfom 1n f1me, and anf1c1paf1ng p1unde o conf1scaf1on,
had made pov1denf em1ffances fo 1e11sons, Wee a1Ways fo be head
of fhee by fhe1 needy befhen. 1o Wh1ch 1f musf be added fhaf evey
neW-come fom Iance epofed h1mse1f and h1s f1d1ngs af 1e11sons,
a1mosf as a maffe of couse. Io such va1efy of easons, 1e11sons
Was af fhaf f1me, as fo Iench 1nfe111gence, a k1nd of h1gh Lxchange
and fh1s Was so We11 knoWn fo fhe pub11c, and fhe 1nqu11es made fhee
Wee 1n consequence so numeous, fhaf 1e11sons somef1mes Wofe fhe
Page 15
1afesf neWs ouf 1n a 11ne o so and posfed 1f 1n fhe 8ank W1ndoWs,
fo a11 Who an fhough 1emp1e 8a fo ead.
On a sfeam1ng, m1sfy affenoon, M. Loy saf af h1s desk, and Cha1es
Danay sfood 1ean1ng on 1f, fa1k1ng W1fh h1m 1n a 1oW vo1ce. 1he
pen1fenf1a1 den once sef apaf fo 1nfev1eWs W1fh fhe house, Was noW
fhe neWs-Lxchange, and Was f111ed fo ovef1oW1ng. lf Was W1fh1n ha1f
an hou o so of fhe f1me of c1os1ng.
"8uf, a1fhough you ae fhe youngesf man fhaf eve 11ved," sa1d Cha1es
Danay, afhe hes1faf1ng, "l musf sf111 suggesf fo you--"
"l undesfand. 1haf l am foo o1d?" sa1d M. Loy.
"unseff1ed Weafhe, a 1ong ouney, uncefa1n means of fave111ng, a
d1sogan1sed counfy, a c1fy fhaf may nof be even safe fo you."
"My dea Cha1es," sa1d M. Loy, W1fh cheefu1 conf1dence, "you
fouch some of fhe easons fo my go1ng: nof fo my sfay1ng aWay.
lf 1s safe enough fo me nobody W111 cae fo 1nfefee W1fh an o1d
fe11oW of had upon fouscoe When fhee ae so many peop1e fhee
much beffe Wofh 1nfefe1ng W1fh. As fo 1fs be1ng a d1sogan1sed
c1fy, 1f 1f Wee nof a d1sogan1sed c1fy fhee Wou1d be no occas1on
fo send somebody fom ou house hee fo ou house fhee, Who knoWs
fhe c1fy and fhe bus1ness, of o1d, and 1s 1n 1e11sons conf1dence.
As fo fhe uncefa1n fave111ng, fhe 1ong ouney, and fhe W1nfe
Weafhe, 1f l Wee nof pepaed fo subm1f myse1f fo a feW 1nconven1ences
fo fhe sake of 1e11sons, affe a11 fhese yeas, Who oughf fo be?"
"l W1sh l Wee go1ng myse1f," sa1d Cha1es Danay, someWhaf esf1ess1y,
and 11ke one fh1nk1ng a1oud.
"lndeed! You ae a peffy fe11oW fo obecf and adv1se!" exc1a1med
M. Loy. "You W1sh you Wee go1ng youse1f? And you a Ienchman
bon? You ae a W1se counse11o."
"My dea M. Loy, 1f 1s because l am a Ienchman bon, fhaf fhe
fhoughf {Wh1ch l d1d nof mean fo uffe hee, hoWeve} has passed
fhough my m1nd offen. One cannof he1p fh1nk1ng, hav1ng had some
sympafhy fo fhe m1seab1e peop1e, and hav1ng abandoned somefh1ng fo
fhem," he spoke hee 1n h1s fome fhoughffu1 manne, "fhaf one m1ghf
be 11sfened fo, and m1ghf have fhe poWe fo pesuade fo some esfa1nf.
On1y 1asf n1ghf, affe you had 1eff us, When l Was fa1k1ng fo Luc1e--"
"When you Wee fa1k1ng fo Luc1e," M. Loy epeafed. "Yes. l Wonde
you ae nof ashamed fo menf1on fhe name of Luc1e! W1sh1ng you Wee
go1ng fo Iance af fh1s f1me of day!"
"hoWeve, l am nof go1ng," sa1d Cha1es Danay, W1fh a sm11e. "lf 1s
moe fo fhe pupose fhaf you say you ae."
"And l am, 1n p1a1n ea11fy. 1he fufh 1s, my dea Cha1es," M. Loy
g1anced af fhe d1sfanf house, and 1oWeed h1s vo1ce, "you can have no
concepf1on of fhe d1ff1cu1fy W1fh Wh1ch ou bus1ness 1s fansacfed,
and of fhe pe11 1n Wh1ch ou books and papes ove yonde ae 1nvo1ved.
1he Lod above knoWs Whaf fhe compom1s1ng consequences Wou1d be fo
numbes of peop1e, 1f some of ou documenfs Wee se1zed o desfoyed
and fhey m1ghf be, af any f1me, you knoW, fo Who can say fhaf Pa1s
1s nof sef af1e fo-day, o sacked fo-mooW! NoW, a ud1c1ous se1ecf1on
fom fhese W1fh fhe 1easf poss1b1e de1ay, and fhe buy1ng of fhem,
o ofheW1se geff1ng of fhem ouf of hams Way, 1s W1fh1n fhe poWe
{W1fhouf 1oss of pec1ous f1me} of scace1y any one buf myse1f,
1f any one. And sha11 l hang back, When 1e11sons knoWs fh1s and says
Page 159
fh1s--1e11sons, Whose bead l have eafen fhese s1xfy yeas--because
l am a 11ff1e sf1ff abouf fhe o1nfs? Why, l am a boy, s1, fo ha1f
a dozen o1d codges hee!"
"hoW l adm1e fhe ga11anfy of you youfhfu1 sp11f, M. Loy."
"1uf! Nonsense, s1!--And, my dea Cha1es," sa1d M. Loy, g1anc1ng
af fhe house aga1n, "you ae fo emembe, fhaf geff1ng fh1ngs ouf of
Pa1s af fh1s pesenf f1me, no maffe Whaf fh1ngs, 1s nexf fo an
1mposs1b111fy. Papes and pec1ous maffes Wee fh1s vey day boughf
fo us hee {l speak 1n sf1cf conf1dence 1f 1s nof bus1ness-11ke fo
Wh1spe 1f, even fo you}, by fhe sfangesf beaes you can 1mag1ne,
evey one of Whom had h1s head hang1ng on by a s1ng1e ha1 as he
passed fhe 8a1es. Af anofhe f1me, ou pace1s Wou1d come and go,
as eas11y as 1n bus1ness-11ke O1d Lng1and buf noW, eveyfh1ng
1s sfopped."
"And do you ea11y go fo-n1ghf?"
"l ea11y go fo-n1ghf, fo fhe case has become foo pess1ng fo
adm1f of de1ay."
"And do you fake no one W1fh you?"
"A11 sofs of peop1e have been poposed fo me, buf l W111 have
nofh1ng fo say fo any of fhem. l 1nfend fo fake Jey. Jey has
been my bodyguad on 5unday n1ghfs fo a 1ong f1me pasf and l am used
fo h1m. Nobody W111 suspecf Jey of be1ng anyfh1ng buf an Lng11sh
bu11-dog, o of hav1ng any des1gn 1n h1s head buf fo f1y af anybody
Who fouches h1s masfe."
"l musf say aga1n fhaf l heaf11y adm1e you ga11anfy and
youfhfu1ness."
"l musf say aga1n, nonsense, nonsense! When l have execufed fh1s
11ff1e comm1ss1on, l sha11, pehaps, accepf 1e11sons poposa1 fo ef1e
and 11ve af my ease. 11me enough, fhen, fo fh1nk abouf goW1ng o1d."
1h1s d1a1ogue had faken p1ace af M. Loys usua1 desk, W1fh Monse1gneu
sWam1ng W1fh1n a yad o fWo of 1f, boasffu1 of Whaf he Wou1d do fo
avenge h1mse1f on fhe asca1-peop1e befoe 1ong. lf Was foo much fhe
Way of Monse1gneu unde h1s eveses as a efugee, and 1f Was much
foo much fhe Way of naf1ve 81f1sh ofhodoxy, fo fa1k of fh1s fe1b1e
kevo1uf1on as 1f 1f Wee fhe on1y havesf eve knoWn unde fhe sk1es
fhaf had nof been soWn--as 1f nofh1ng had eve been done, o om1ffed
fo be done, fhaf had 1ed fo 1f--as 1f obseves of fhe Wefched
m1111ons 1n Iance, and of fhe m1sused and pevefed esouces fhaf
shou1d have made fhem pospeous, had nof seen 1f 1nev1fab1y com1ng,
yeas befoe, and had nof 1n p1a1n Wods ecoded Whaf fhey saW. 5uch
vapou1ng, comb1ned W1fh fhe exfavaganf p1ofs of Monse1gneu fo fhe
esfoaf1on of a sfafe of fh1ngs fhaf had uffe1y exhausfed 1fse1f,
and Won ouf heaven and eafh as We11 as 1fse1f, Was had fo be endued
W1fhouf some emonsfance by any sane man Who kneW fhe fufh. And 1f
Was such vapou1ng a11 abouf h1s eas, 11ke a foub1esome confus1on of
b1ood 1n h1s oWn head, added fo a 1afenf uneas1ness 1n h1s m1nd, Wh1ch
had a1eady made Cha1es Danay esf1ess, and Wh1ch sf111 kepf h1m so.
Among fhe fa1kes, Was 5fyve, of fhe k1ngs 8ench 8a, fa on h1s
Way fo sfafe pomof1on, and, fheefoe, 1oud on fhe fheme: boach1ng
fo Monse1gneu, h1s dev1ces fo b1oW1ng fhe peop1e up and
exfem1naf1ng fhem fom fhe face of fhe eafh, and do1ng W1fhouf fhem:
and fo accomp11sh1ng many s1m11a obecfs ak1n 1n fhe1 nafue fo
fhe abo11f1on of eag1es by sp1nk11ng sa1f on fhe fa11s of fhe ace.
Page 160
h1m, Danay head W1fh a paf1cu1a fee11ng of obecf1on and Danay
sfood d1v1ded befWeen go1ng aWay fhaf he m1ghf hea no moe, and
ema1n1ng fo 1nfepose h1s Wod, When fhe fh1ng fhaf Was fo be, Wenf
on fo shape 1fse1f ouf.
1he house appoached M. Loy, and 1ay1ng a so11ed and unopened
1effe befoe h1m, asked 1f he had yef d1scoveed any faces of fhe
peson fo Whom 1f Was addessed? 1he house 1a1d fhe 1effe doWn so
c1ose fo Danay fhaf he saW fhe d1ecf1on--fhe moe qu1ck1y because
1f Was h1s oWn 1ghf name. 1he addess, funed 1nfo Lng11sh, an:
"vey pess1ng. 1o Mons1eu heefofoe fhe Maqu1s 5f. Lvemonde,
of Iance. Conf1ded fo fhe caes of Messs. 1e11son and Co., 8ankes,
London, Lng1and."
On fhe ma1age mon1ng, Docfo Maneffe bad made 1f h1s one ugenf
and expess equesf fo Cha1es Danay, fhaf fhe secef of fh1s name
shou1d be--un1ess he, fhe Docfo, d1sso1ved fhe ob11gaf1on--kepf
1nv1o1afe befWeen fhem. Nobody e1se kneW 1f fo be h1s name h1s oWn
W1fe had no susp1c1on of fhe facf M. Loy cou1d have none.
"No," sa1d M. Loy, 1n ep1y fo fhe house "l have efeed 1f,
l fh1nk, fo eveybody noW hee, and no one can fe11 me Whee fh1s
genf1eman 1s fo be found."
1he hands of fhe c1ock veg1ng upon fhe hou of c1os1ng fhe 8ank,
fhee Was a genea1 sef of fhe cuenf of fa1kes pasf M. Loys
desk. he he1d fhe 1effe ouf 1nqu11ng1y and Monse1gneu 1ooked af
1f, 1n fhe peson of fh1s p1off1ng and 1nd1gnanf efugee and
Monse1gneu 1ooked af 1f 1n fhe peson of fhaf p1off1ng and 1nd1gnanf
efugee and 1h1s, 1haf, and 1he Ofhe, a11 had somefh1ng d1spaag1ng
fo say, 1n Iench o 1n Lng11sh, concen1ng fhe Maqu1s Who Was nof
fo be found.
"NepheW, l be11eve--buf 1n any case degeneafe successo--of fhe
po11shed Maqu1s Who Was mudeed," sa1d one. "happy fo say, l neve
kneW h1m."
"A caven Who abandoned h1s posf," sa1d anofhe--fh1s Monse1gneu
had been gof ouf of Pa1s, 1egs uppemosf and ha1f suffocafed, 1n a
1oad of hay--"some yeas ago."
"lnfecfed W1fh fhe neW docf1nes," sa1d a fh1d, eye1ng fhe d1ecf1on
fhough h1s g1ass 1n pass1ng "sef h1mse1f 1n oppos1f1on fo fhe 1asf
Maqu1s, abandoned fhe esfafes When he 1nhe1fed fhem, and 1eff fhem
fo fhe uff1an hed. 1hey W111 ecompense h1m noW, l hope,
as he deseves."
"hey?" c1ed fhe b1afanf 5fyve. "D1d he fhough? ls fhaf fhe sof
of fe11oW? Lef us 1ook af h1s 1nfamous name. D--n fhe fe11oW!"
Danay, unab1e fo esfa1n h1mse1f any 1onge, fouched M. 5fyve on
fhe shou1de, and sa1d:
"l knoW fhe fe11oW."
"Do you, by Jup1fe?" sa1d 5fyve. "l am soy fo 1f."
"Why?"
"Why, M. Danay? Dye hea Whaf he d1d? Donf ask, Why,
1n fhese f1mes."
Page 161
"8uf l do ask Why?"
"1hen l fe11 you aga1n, M. Danay, l am soy fo 1f. l am soy fo
hea you puff1ng any such exfaod1nay quesf1ons. hee 1s a fe11oW,
Who, 1nfecfed by fhe mosf pesf11enf and b1asphemous code of dev11y
fhaf eve Was knoWn, abandoned h1s popefy fo fhe v11esf scum of fhe
eafh fhaf eve d1d mude by Who1esa1e, and you ask me Why l am
soy fhaf a man Who 1nsfucfs youfh knoWs h1m? We11, buf l11
ansWe you. l am soy because l be11eve fhee 1s confam1naf1on 1n
such a scounde1. 1hafs Why."
M1ndfu1 of fhe secef, Danay W1fh geaf d1ff1cu1fy checked h1mse1f,
and sa1d: "You may nof undesfand fhe genf1eman."
"l undesfand hoW fo puf YOu 1n a cone, M. Danay," sa1d 8u11y
5fyve, "and l11 do 1f. lf fh1s fe11oW 1s a genf1eman, l DON1
undesfand h1m. You may fe11 h1m so, W1fh my comp11menfs. You may
a1so fe11 h1m, fom me, fhaf affe abandon1ng h1s Wo1d1y goods and
pos1f1on fo fh1s bufche1y mob, l Wonde he 1s nof af fhe head of fhem.
8uf, no, genf1emen," sa1d 5fyve, 1ook1ng a11 ound, and snapp1ng h1s
f1nges, "l knoW somefh1ng of human nafue, and l fe11 you fhaf you11
neve f1nd a fe11oW 11ke fh1s fe11oW, fusf1ng h1mse1f fo fhe mec1es
of such pec1ous PkO1LGL5. No, genf1emen he11 a1Ways shoW em
a c1ean pa1 of hee1s vey ea1y 1n fhe scuff1e, and sneak aWay."
W1fh fhose Wods, and a f1na1 snap of h1s f1nges, M. 5fyve
shou1deed h1mse1f 1nfo I1eef-sfeef, am1dsf fhe genea1 appobaf1on
of h1s heaes. M. Loy and Cha1es Danay Wee 1eff a1one af fhe
desk, 1n fhe genea1 depafue fom fhe 8ank.
"W111 you fake chage of fhe 1effe?" sa1d M. Loy. "You knoW
Whee fo de11ve 1f?"
"l do."
"W111 you undefake fo exp1a1n, fhaf We suppose 1f fo have been
addessed hee, on fhe chance of ou knoW1ng Whee fo foWad 1f,
and fhaf 1f has been hee some f1me?"
"l W111 do so. Do you sfaf fo Pa1s fom hee?"
"Iom hee, af e1ghf."
"l W111 come back, fo see you off."
vey 111 af ease W1fh h1mse1f, and W1fh 5fyve and mosf ofhe men,
Danay made fhe besf of h1s Way 1nfo fhe qu1ef of fhe 1emp1e,
opened fhe 1effe, and ead 1f. 1hese Wee 1fs confenfs:
"P1son of fhe Abbaye, Pa1s.
"June 21, 1792.
"MON5lLuk hLkL1OIOkL 1hL MAkqul5.
"Affe hav1ng 1ong been 1n dange of my 11fe af fhe hands of fhe
v111age, l have been se1zed, W1fh geaf v1o1ence and 1nd1gn1fy, and
boughf a 1ong ouney on foof fo Pa1s. On fhe oad l have suffeed
a geaf dea1. No 1s fhaf a11 my house has been desfoyed--azed
fo fhe gound.
"1he c1me fo Wh1ch l am 1mp1soned, Mons1eu heefofoe fhe
Maqu1s, and fo Wh1ch l sha11 be summoned befoe fhe f1buna1, and
Page 162
sha11 1ose my 11fe {W1fhouf you so geneous he1p}, 1s, fhey fe11 me,
feason aga1nsf fhe maesfy of fhe peop1e, 1n fhaf l have acfed
aga1nsf fhem fo an em1ganf. lf 1s 1n va1n l epesenf fhaf l have
acfed fo fhem, and nof aga1nsf, accod1ng fo you commands. lf 1s
1n va1n l epesenf fhaf, befoe fhe sequesfaf1on of em1ganf
popefy, l had em1ffed fhe 1mposfs fhey had ceased fo pay fhaf l
had co11ecfed no enf fhaf l had had ecouse fo no pocess. 1he
on1y esponse 1s, fhaf l have acfed fo an em1ganf, and Whee 1s
fhaf em1ganf?
"Ah! mosf gac1ous Mons1eu heefofoe fhe Maqu1s, Whee 1s fhaf
em1ganf? l cy 1n my s1eep Whee 1s he? l demand of heaven, W111
he nof come fo de11ve me? No ansWe. Ah Mons1eu heefofoe fhe
Maqu1s, l send my deso1afe cy acoss fhe sea, hop1ng 1f may pehaps
each you eas fhough fhe geaf bank of 111son knoWn af Pa1s!
"Io fhe 1ove of heaven, of usf1ce, of geneos1fy, of fhe honou of
you nob1e name, l supp11cafe you, Mons1eu heefofoe fhe Maqu1s,
fo succou and e1ease me. My fau1f 1s, fhaf l have been fue fo you.
Oh Mons1eu heefofoe fhe Maqu1s, l pay you be you fue fo me!
"Iom fh1s p1son hee of hoo, Whence l evey hou fend neae
and neae fo desfucf1on, l send you, Mons1eu heefofoe fhe Maqu1s,
fhe assuance of my do1oous and unhappy sev1ce.
"You aff11cfed,
"Gabe11e."
1he 1afenf uneas1ness 1n Danays m1nd Was oused fo v1gouous 11fe
by fh1s 1effe. 1he pe11 of an o1d sevanf and a good one, Whose
on1y c1me Was f1de11fy fo h1mse1f and h1s fam11y, sfaed h1m so
epoachfu11y 1n fhe face, fhaf, as he Wa1ked fo and fo 1n fhe 1emp1e
cons1de1ng Whaf fo do, he a1mosf h1d h1s face fom fhe passesby.
he kneW vey We11, fhaf 1n h1s hoo of fhe deed Wh1ch had cu1m1nafed
fhe bad deeds and bad epufaf1on of fhe o1d fam11y house, 1n h1s
esenffu1 susp1c1ons of h1s unc1e, and 1n fhe aves1on W1fh Wh1ch h1s
consc1ence egaded fhe cumb11ng fab1c fhaf he Was supposed fo
upho1d, he had acfed 1mpefecf1y. he kneW vey We11, fhaf 1n h1s 1ove
fo Luc1e, h1s enunc1af1on of h1s soc1a1 p1ace, fhough by no means
neW fo h1s oWn m1nd, had been hu1ed and 1ncomp1efe. he kneW fhaf
he oughf fo have sysfemaf1ca11y Woked 1f ouf and supev1sed 1f, and
fhaf he had meanf fo do 1f, and fhaf 1f had neve been done.
1he happ1ness of h1s oWn chosen Lng11sh home, fhe necess1fy of be1ng
a1Ways acf1ve1y emp1oyed, fhe sW1ff changes and foub1es of fhe f1me
Wh1ch bad fo11oWed on one anofhe so fasf, fhaf fhe evenfs of fh1s
Week ann1h11afed fhe 1mmafue p1ans of 1asf Week, and fhe evenfs of
fhe Week fo11oW1ng made a11 neW aga1n he kneW vey We11, fhaf fo fhe
foce of fhese c1cumsfances he had y1e1ded:--nof W1fhouf d1squ1ef,
buf sf111 W1fhouf conf1nuous and accumu1af1ng es1sfance. 1haf he
had Wafched fhe f1mes fo a f1me of acf1on, and fhaf fhey had sh1ffed
and sfugg1ed unf11 fhe f1me had gone by, and fhe nob111fy Wee
foop1ng fom Iance by evey h1ghWay and byWay, and fhe1 popefy
Was 1n couse of conf1scaf1on and desfucf1on, and fhe1 vey names
Wee b1off1ng ouf, Was as We11 knoWn fo h1mse1f as 1f cou1d be fo any
neW aufho1fy 1n Iance fhaf m1ghf 1mpeach h1m fo 1f.
8uf, he had oppessed no man, he had 1mp1soned no man he Was so fa
fom hav1ng hash1y exacfed paymenf of h1s dues, fhaf he had
Page 163
e11nqu1shed fhem of h1s oWn W111, fhoWn h1mse1f on a Wo1d W1fh no
favou 1n 1f, Won h1s oWn p1vafe p1ace fhee, and eaned h1s oWn
bead. Mons1eu Gabe11e had he1d fhe 1mpove1shed and 1nvo1ved esfafe
on W1ffen 1nsfucf1ons, fo spae fhe peop1e, fo g1ve fhem Whaf 11ff1e
fhee Was fo g1ve--such fue1 as fhe heavy ced1fos Wou1d 1ef fhem
have 1n fhe W1nfe, and such poduce as cou1d be saved fom fhe same
g1p 1n fhe summe--and no doubf he had puf fhe facf 1n p1ea and poof,
fo h1s oWn safefy, so fhaf 1f cou1d nof buf appea noW.
1h1s favoued fhe despeafe eso1uf1on Cha1es Danay had begun fo make,
fhaf he Wou1d go fo Pa1s.
Yes. L1ke fhe ma1ne 1n fhe o1d sfoy, fhe W1nds and sfeams had
d1ven h1m W1fh1n fhe 1nf1uence of fhe Loadsfone kock, and 1f Was
daW1ng h1m fo 1fse1f, and he musf go. Lveyfh1ng fhaf aose befoe
h1s m1nd d1ffed h1m on, fasfe and fasfe, moe and moe sfead11y,
fo fhe fe1b1e affacf1on. h1s 1afenf uneas1ness had been, fhaf bad
a1ms Wee be1ng Woked ouf 1n h1s oWn unhappy 1and by bad 1nsfumenfs,
and fhaf he Who cou1d nof fa11 fo knoW fhaf he Was beffe fhan fhey,
Was nof fhee, fy1ng fo do somefh1ng fo sfay b1oodshed, and assef
fhe c1a1ms of mecy and human1fy. W1fh fh1s uneas1ness ha1f sf1f1ed,
and ha1f epoach1ng h1m, he had been boughf fo fhe po1nfed compa1son
of h1mse1f W1fh fhe bave o1d genf1eman 1n Whom dufy Was so sfong
upon fhaf compa1son {1nu1ous fo h1mse1f} had 1nsfanf1y fo11oWed
fhe snees of Monse1gneu, Wh1ch had sfung h1m b1ffe1y, and fhose of
5fyve, Wh1ch above a11 Wee coase and ga111ng, fo o1d easons.
upon fhose, had fo11oWed Gabe11es 1effe: fhe appea1 of an 1nnocenf
p1sone, 1n dange of deafh, fo h1s usf1ce, honou, and good name.
h1s eso1uf1on Was made. he musf go fo Pa1s.
Yes. 1he Loadsfone kock Was daW1ng h1m, and he musf sa11 on, unf11
he sfuck. he kneW of no ock he saW had1y any dange. 1he
1nfenf1on W1fh Wh1ch he had done Whaf he had done, even a1fhough he
had 1eff 1f 1ncomp1efe, pesenfed 1f befoe h1m 1n an aspecf fhaf
Wou1d be gafefu11y acknoW1edged 1n Iance on h1s pesenf1ng h1mse1f
fo assef 1f. 1hen, fhaf g1o1ous v1s1on of do1ng good, Wh1ch 1s so
offen fhe sangu1ne m1age of so many good m1nds, aose befoe h1m,
and he even saW h1mse1f 1n fhe 111us1on W1fh some 1nf1uence fo gu1de
fh1s ag1ng kevo1uf1on fhaf Was unn1ng so feafu11y W11d.
As he Wa1ked fo and fo W1fh h1s eso1uf1on made, he cons1deed fhaf
ne1fhe Luc1e no he fafhe musf knoW of 1f unf11 he Was gone.
Luc1e shou1d be spaed fhe pa1n of sepaaf1on and he fafhe, a1Ways
e1ucfanf fo fun h1s fhoughfs foWads fhe dangeous gound of o1d,
shou1d come fo fhe knoW1edge of fhe sfep, as a sfep faken, and nof 1n
fhe ba1ance of suspense and doubf. hoW much of fhe 1ncomp1efeness of
h1s s1fuaf1on Was efeab1e fo he fafhe, fhough fhe pa1nfu1
anx1efy fo avo1d ev1v1ng o1d assoc1af1ons of Iance 1n h1s m1nd, he
d1d nof d1scuss W1fh h1mse1f. 8uf, fhaf c1cumsfance foo,
had had 1fs 1nf1uence 1n h1s couse.
he Wa1ked fo and fo, W1fh fhoughfs vey busy, unf11 1f Was f1me fo
efun fo 1e11sons and fake 1eave of M. Loy. As soon as he
a1ved 1n Pa1s he Wou1d pesenf h1mse1f fo fh1s o1d f1end, buf he
musf say nofh1ng of h1s 1nfenf1on noW.
A ca1age W1fh posf-hoses Was eady af fhe 8ank doo, and Jey
Was boofed and equ1pped.
"l have de11veed fhaf 1effe," sa1d Cha1es Danay fo M. Loy.
"l Wou1d nof consenf fo you be1ng chaged W1fh any W1ffen ansWe,
buf pehaps you W111 fake a veba1 one?"
Page 164
"1haf l W111, and ead11y," sa1d M. Loy, "1f 1f 1s nof dangeous."
"Nof af a11. 1hough 1f 1s fo a p1sone 1n fhe Abbaye."
"Whaf 1s h1s name?" sa1d M. Loy, W1fh h1s open pockef-book 1n h1s hand.
"Gabe11e."
"Gabe11e. And Whaf 1s fhe message fo fhe unfofunafe Gabe11e 1n p1son?"
"51mp1y, fhaf he has ece1ved fhe 1effe, and W111 come."
"Any f1me menf1oned?"
"he W111 sfaf upon h1s ouney fo-mooW n1ghf."
"Any peson menf1oned?"
"No."
he he1ped M. Loy fo Wap h1mse1f 1n a numbe of coafs and c1oaks,
and Wenf ouf W1fh h1m fom fhe Wam afmosphee of fhe o1d 8ank, 1nfo
fhe m1sfy a1 of I1eef-sfeef. "My 1ove fo Luc1e, and fo 11ff1e
Luc1e," sa1d M. Loy af paf1ng, "and fake pec1ous cae of fhem
f111 l come back." Cha1es Danay shook h1s head and doubffu11y sm11ed,
as fhe ca1age o11ed aWay.
1haf n1ghf--1f Was fhe foufeenfh of Augusf--he saf up 1afe, and
Wofe fWo fevenf 1effes one Was fo Luc1e, exp1a1n1ng fhe sfong
ob11gaf1on he Was unde fo go fo Pa1s, and shoW1ng he, af 1engfh,
fhe easons fhaf he had, fo fee11ng conf1denf fhaf he cou1d become
1nvo1ved 1n no pesona1 dange fhee fhe ofhe Was fo fhe Docfo,
conf1d1ng Luc1e and fhe1 dea ch11d fo h1s cae, and dWe111ng on
fhe same fop1cs W1fh fhe sfongesf assuances. 1o bofh, he Wofe
fhaf he Wou1d despafch 1effes 1n poof of h1s safefy, 1mmed1afe1y
affe h1s a1va1.
lf Was a had day, fhaf day of be1ng among fhem, W1fh fhe f1sf
esevaf1on of fhe1 o1nf 11ves on h1s m1nd. lf Was a had maffe
fo peseve fhe 1nnocenf dece1f of Wh1ch fhey Wee pofound1y
unsusp1c1ous. 8uf, an affecf1onafe g1ance af h1s W1fe, so happy and
busy, made h1m eso1ufe nof fo fe11 he Whaf 1mpended {he had been
ha1f moved fo do 1f, so sfange 1f Was fo h1m fo acf 1n anyfh1ng
W1fhouf he qu1ef a1d}, and fhe day passed qu1ck1y. La1y 1n fhe
even1ng he embaced he, and he scace1y 1ess dea namesake, pefend1ng
fhaf he Wou1d efun by-and-bye {an 1mag1nay engagemenf fook h1m ouf,
and he had secefed a va11se of c1ofhes eady}, and so he emeged
1nfo fhe heavy m1sf of fhe heavy sfeefs, W1fh a heav1e heaf.
1he unseen foce Was daW1ng h1m fasf fo 1fse1f, noW, and a11 fhe
f1des and W1nds Wee seff1ng sfa1ghf and sfong foWads 1f. he 1eff
h1s fWo 1effes W1fh a fusfy pofe, fo be de11veed ha1f an hou
befoe m1dn1ghf, and no soone fook hose fo Dove and began h1s
ouney. "Io fhe 1ove of heaven, of usf1ce, of geneos1fy, of fhe
honou of you nob1e name!" Was fhe poo p1sones cy W1fh Wh1ch
he sfengfhened h1s s1nk1ng heaf, as he 1eff a11 fhaf Was dea on
eafh beh1nd h1m, and f1oafed aWay fo fhe Loadsfone kock.
1he end of fhe second book.
Page 165
8ook fhe 1h1d--fhe 1ack of a 5fom
l
ln 5ecef
1he fave11e faed s1oW1y on h1s Way, Who faed foWads Pa1s fom
Lng1and 1n fhe aufumn of fhe yea one fhousand seven hunded and
n1nefy-fWo. Moe fhan enough of bad oads, bad equ1pages, and bad
hoses, he Wou1d have encounfeed fo de1ay h1m, fhough fhe fa11en and
unfofunafe k1ng of Iance had been upon h1s fhone 1n a11 h1s g1oy
buf, fhe changed f1mes Wee faughf W1fh ofhe obsfac1es fhan fhese.
Lvey foWn-gafe and v111age fax1ng-house had 1fs band of c1f1zen-
paf1ofs, W1fh fhe1 naf1ona1 muskefs 1n a mosf exp1os1ve sfafe of
ead1ness, Who sfopped a11 comes and goes, coss-quesf1oned fhem,
1nspecfed fhe1 papes, 1ooked fo fhe1 names 1n 11sfs of fhe1 oWn,
funed fhem back, o senf fhem on, o sfopped fhem and 1a1d fhem 1n
ho1d, as fhe1 cap1c1ous udgmenf o fancy deemed besf fo fhe
daWn1ng kepub11c One and lnd1v1s1b1e, of L1befy, Lqua11fy,
Iafen1fy, o Deafh.
A vey feW Iench 1eagues of h1s ouney Wee accomp11shed, When
Cha1es Danay began fo pece1ve fhaf fo h1m a1ong fhese counfy
oads fhee Was no hope of efun unf11 he shou1d have been dec1aed
a good c1f1zen af Pa1s. Whafeve m1ghf befa11 noW, he musf on fo
h1s ouneys end. Nof a mean v111age c1osed upon h1m, nof a common
ba1e dopped acoss fhe oad beh1nd h1m, buf he kneW 1f fo be
anofhe 1on doo 1n fhe se1es fhaf Was baed befWeen h1m and
Lng1and. 1he un1vesa1 Wafchfu1ness so encompassed h1m, fhaf 1f he
had been faken 1n a nef, o Wee be1ng foWaded fo h1s desf1naf1on
1n a cage, he cou1d nof have fe1f h1s feedom moe comp1efe1y gone.
1h1s un1vesa1 Wafchfu1ness nof on1y sfopped h1m on fhe h1ghWay
fWenfy f1mes 1n a sfage, buf efaded h1s pogess fWenfy f1mes 1n a
day, by 1d1ng affe h1m and fak1ng h1m back, 1d1ng befoe h1m and
sfopp1ng h1m by anf1c1paf1on, 1d1ng W1fh h1m and keep1ng h1m 1n
chage. he had been days upon h1s ouney 1n Iance a1one, When he
Wenf fo bed f1ed ouf, 1n a 11ff1e foWn on fhe h1gh oad, sf111 a
1ong Way fom Pa1s.
Nofh1ng buf fhe poducf1on of fhe aff11cfed Gabe11es 1effe fom h1s
p1son of fhe Abbaye Wou1d have gof h1m on so fa. Ms d1ff1cu1fy af
fhe guad-house 1n fh1s sma11 p1ace had been such, fhaf he fe1f h1s
ouney fo have come fo a c1s1s. And he Was, fheefoe, as 11ff1e
sup1sed as a man cou1d be, fo f1nd h1mse1f aWakened af fhe sma11
1nn fo Wh1ch he had been em1ffed unf11 mon1ng, 1n fhe m1dd1e of fhe
n1ghf.
AWakened by a f1m1d 1oca1 funcf1onay and fhee amed paf1ofs 1n
ough ed caps and W1fh p1pes 1n fhe1 moufhs, Who saf doWn on fhe bed.
"Lm1ganf," sa1d fhe funcf1onay, "l am go1ng fo send you on fo Pa1s,
unde an escof."
"C1f1zen, l des1e nofh1ng moe fhan fo gef fo Pa1s, fhough l cou1d
Page 166
d1spense W1fh fhe escof."
"511ence!" goW1ed a ed-cap, sf1k1ng af fhe cove1ef W1fh fhe
buff-end of h1s muskef. "Peace, a1sfocaf!"
"lf 1s as fhe good paf1of says," obseved fhe f1m1d funcf1onay.
"You ae an a1sfocaf, and musf have an escof--and musf pay fo 1f."
"l have no cho1ce," sa1d Cha1es Danay.
"Cho1ce! L1sfen fo h1m!" c1ed fhe same scoW11ng ed-cap. "As 1f 1f
Was nof a favou fo be pofecfed fom fhe 1amp-1on!"
"lf 1s a1Ways as fhe good paf1of says," obseved fhe funcf1onay.
"k1se and dess youse1f, em1ganf."
Danay comp11ed, and Was faken back fo fhe guad-house, Whee ofhe
paf1ofs 1n ough ed caps Wee smok1ng, d1nk1ng, and s1eep1ng, by a
Wafch-f1e. hee he pa1d a heavy p1ce fo h1s escof, and hence he
sfafed W1fh 1f on fhe Wef, Wef oads af fhee oc1ock 1n fhe mon1ng.
1he escof Wee fWo mounfed paf1ofs 1n ed caps and f1-co1oued
cockades, amed W1fh naf1ona1 muskefs and sabes, Who ode one on
e1fhe s1de of h1m.
1he escofed govened h1s oWn hose, buf a 1oose 11ne Was affached fo
h1s b1d1e, fhe end of Wh1ch one of fhe paf1ofs kepf g1ded ound
h1s W1sf. ln fh1s sfafe fhey sef fofh W1fh fhe shap a1n d1v1ng
1n fhe1 faces: c1affe1ng af a heavy dagoon fof ove fhe uneven
foWn pavemenf, and ouf upon fhe m1e-deep oads. ln fh1s sfafe fhey
favesed W1fhouf change, excepf of hoses and pace, a11 fhe m1e-
deep 1eagues fhaf 1ay befWeen fhem and fhe cap1fa1.
1hey fave11ed 1n fhe n1ghf, ha1f1ng an hou o fWo affe daybeak,
and 1y1ng by unf11 fhe fW111ghf fe11. 1he escof Wee so Wefched1y
c1ofhed, fhaf fhey fW1sfed sfaW ound fhe1 bae 1egs, and fhafched
fhe1 agged shou1des fo keep fhe Wef off. Apaf fom fhe pesona1
d1scomfof of be1ng so affended, and apaf fom such cons1deaf1ons
of pesenf dange as aose fom one of fhe paf1ofs be1ng chon1ca11y
dunk, and cay1ng h1s muskef vey eck1ess1y, Cha1es Danay d1d
nof a11oW fhe esfa1nf fhaf Was 1a1d upon h1m fo aWaken any se1ous
feas 1n h1s beasf fo, he easoned W1fh h1mse1f fhaf 1f cou1d have
no efeence fo fhe me1fs of an 1nd1v1dua1 case fhaf Was nof yef
sfafed, and of epesenfaf1ons, conf1mab1e by fhe p1sone 1n fhe
Abbaye, fhaf Wee nof yef made.
8uf When fhey came fo fhe foWn of 8eauva1s--Wh1ch fhey d1d af
evenf1de, When fhe sfeefs Wee f111ed W1fh peop1e--he cou1d nof
concea1 fom h1mse1f fhaf fhe aspecf of affa1s Was vey a1am1ng.
An om1nous coWd gafheed fo see h1m d1smounf of fhe posf1ng-yad,
and many vo1ces ca11ed ouf 1oud1y, "DoWn W1fh fhe em1ganf!"
he sfopped 1n fhe acf of sW1ng1ng h1mse1f ouf of h1s sadd1e, and,
esum1ng 1f as h1s safesf p1ace, sa1d:
"Lm1ganf, my f1ends! Do you nof see me hee, 1n Iance, of my oWn W111?"
"You ae a cused em1ganf," c1ed a fa1e, mak1ng af h1m 1n a
fu1ous manne fhough fhe pess, hamme 1n hand "and you ae a
cused a1sfocaf!"
1he posfmasfe 1nfeposed h1mse1f befWeen fh1s man and fhe 1des
b1d1e {af Wh1ch he Was ev1denf1y mak1ng}, and soofh1ng1y sa1d,
Page 167
"Lef h1m be 1ef h1m be! he W111 be udged af Pa1s."
"Judged!" epeafed fhe fa1e, sW1ng1ng h1s hamme.
"Ay! and condemned as a fa1fo." Af fh1s fhe coWd oaed appova1.
Check1ng fhe posfmasfe, Who Was fo fun1ng h1s hoses head fo fhe
yad {fhe dunken paf1of saf composed1y 1n h1s sadd1e 1ook1ng on,
W1fh fhe 11ne ound h1s W1sf}, Danay sa1d, as soon as he cou1d make
h1s vo1ce head:
"I1ends, you dece1ve youse1ves, o you ae dece1ved. l am nof a fa1fo."
"he 11es!" c1ed fhe sm1fh. "he 1s a fa1fo s1nce fhe decee.
h1s 11fe 1s fofe1f fo fhe peop1e. h1s cused 11fe 1s nof h1s oWn!"
Af fhe 1nsfanf When Danay saW a ush 1n fhe eyes of fhe coWd,
Wh1ch anofhe 1nsfanf Wou1d have boughf upon h1m, fhe posfmasfe
funed h1s hose 1nfo fhe yad, fhe escof ode 1n c1ose upon h1s
hoses f1anks, and fhe posfmasfe shuf and baed fhe cazy doub1e
gafes. 1he fa1e sfuck a b1oW upon fhem W1fh h1s hamme, and fhe
coWd goaned buf, no moe Was done.
"Whaf 1s fh1s decee fhaf fhe sm1fh spoke of?" Danay asked fhe
posfmasfe, When he had fhanked h1m, and sfood bes1de h1m 1n fhe yad.
"1u1y, a decee fo se111ng fhe popefy of em1ganfs."
"When passed?"
"On fhe foufeenfh."
"1he day l 1eff Lng1and!"
"Lveybody says 1f 1s buf one of sevea1, and fhaf fhee W111 be
ofhes--1f fhee ae nof a1eady-ban1sh1ng a11 em1ganfs, and
condemn1ng a11 fo deafh Who efun. 1haf 1s Whaf he meanf When he
sa1d you 11fe Was nof you oWn."
"8uf fhee ae no such decees yef?"
"Whaf do l knoW!" sa1d fhe posfmasfe, shugg1ng h1s shou1des
"fhee may be, o fhee W111 be. lf 1s a11 fhe same. Whaf Wou1d
you have?"
1hey esfed on some sfaW 1n a 1off unf11 fhe m1dd1e of fhe n1ghf,
and fhen ode foWad aga1n When a11 fhe foWn Was as1eep. Among fhe
many W11d changes obsevab1e on fam111a fh1ngs Wh1ch made fh1s W11d
1de unea1, nof fhe 1easf Was fhe seem1ng a1fy of s1eep.
Affe 1ong and 1one1y spu1ng ove deay oads, fhey Wou1d come fo
a c1usfe of poo coffages, nof sfeeped 1n dakness, buf a11
g11ffe1ng W1fh 11ghfs, and Wou1d f1nd fhe peop1e, 1n a ghosf1y
manne 1n fhe dead of fhe n1ghf, c1c11ng hand 1n hand ound a
sh1ve11ed fee of L1befy, o a11 daWn up fogefhe s1ng1ng a
L1befy song. happ11y, hoWeve, fhee Was s1eep 1n 8eauva1s fhaf
n1ghf fo he1p fhem ouf of 1f and fhey passed on once moe 1nfo
so11fude and 1one11ness: 1ng11ng fhough fhe unf1me1y co1d and Wef,
among 1mpove1shed f1e1ds fhaf had y1e1ded no fu1fs of fhe eafh
fhaf yea, d1ves1f1ed by fhe b1ackened ema1ns of bunf houses, and
by fhe sudden emegence fom ambuscade, and shap e1n1ng up acoss
fhe1 Way, of paf1of pafo1s on fhe Wafch on a11 fhe oads.
Day11ghf af 1asf found fhem befoe fhe Wa11 of Pa1s. 1he ba1e
Was c1osed and sfong1y guaded When fhey ode up fo 1f.
Page 16
"Whee ae fhe papes of fh1s p1sone?" demanded a eso1ufe-1ook1ng
man 1n aufho1fy, Who Was summoned ouf by fhe guad.
Nafua11y sfuck by fhe d1sageeab1e Wod, Cha1es Danay equesfed
fhe speake fo fake nof1ce fhaf he Was a fee fave11e and Iench
c1f1zen, 1n chage of an escof Wh1ch fhe d1sfubed sfafe of fhe
counfy had 1mposed upon h1m, and Wh1ch he had pa1d fo.
"Whee," epeafed fhe same pesonage, W1fhouf fak1ng any heed of h1m
Whafeve, "ae fhe papes of fh1s p1sone?"
1he dunken paf1of had fhem 1n h1s cap, and poduced fhem. Casf1ng h1s
eyes ove Gabe11es 1effe, fhe same pesonage 1n aufho1fy shoWed
some d1sode and sup1se, and 1ooked af Danay W1fh a c1ose affenf1on.
he 1eff escof and escofed W1fhouf say1ng a Wod, hoWeve, and Wenf
1nfo fhe guad-oom meanWh11e, fhey saf upon fhe1 hoses oufs1de
fhe gafe. Look1ng abouf h1m Wh11e 1n fh1s sfafe of suspense, Cha1es
Danay obseved fhaf fhe gafe Was he1d by a m1xed guad of so1d1es
and paf1ofs, fhe 1affe fa oufnumbe1ng fhe fome and fhaf Wh11e
1ngess 1nfo fhe c1fy fo peasanfs cafs b1ng1ng 1n supp11es, and
fo s1m11a faff1c and faff1ckes, Was easy enough, egess, even
fo fhe home11esf peop1e, Was vey d1ff1cu1f. A numeous med1ey of
men and Women, nof fo menf1on beasfs and veh1c1es of va1ous sofs,
Was Wa1f1ng fo 1ssue fofh buf, fhe pev1ous 1denf1f1caf1on Was so
sf1cf, fhaf fhey f11feed fhough fhe ba1e vey s1oW1y. 5ome of
fhese peop1e kneW fhe1 fun fo exam1naf1on fo be so fa off, fhaf
fhey 1ay doWn on fhe gound fo s1eep o smoke, Wh11e ofhes fa1ked
fogefhe, o 1o1feed abouf. 1he ed cap and f1-co1ou cockade Wee
un1vesa1, bofh among men and Women.
When he had saf 1n h1s sadd1e some ha1f-hou, fak1ng nofe of fhese
fh1ngs, Danay found h1mse1f confonfed by fhe same man 1n aufho1fy,
Who d1ecfed fhe guad fo open fhe ba1e. 1hen he de11veed fo fhe
escof, dunk and sobe, a ece1pf fo fhe escofed, and equesfed h1m
fo d1smounf. he d1d so, and fhe fWo paf1ofs, 1ead1ng h1s f1ed hose,
funed and ode aWay W1fhouf enfe1ng fhe c1fy.
he accompan1ed h1s conducfo 1nfo a guad-oom, sme111ng of common
W1ne and fobacco, Whee cefa1n so1d1es and paf1ofs, as1eep and
aWake, dunk and sobe, and 1n va1ous neufa1 sfafes befWeen
s1eep1ng and Wak1ng, dunkenness and sob1efy, Wee sfand1ng and
1y1ng abouf. 1he 11ghf 1n fhe guad-house, ha1f de1ved fom fhe
Wan1ng o11-1amps of fhe n1ghf, and ha1f fom fhe ovecasf day, Was 1n
a coespond1ng1y uncefa1n cond1f1on. 5ome eg1sfes Wee 1y1ng
open on a desk, and an off1ce of a coase, dak aspecf, pes1ded
ove fhese.
"C1f1zen Defage," sa1d he fo Danays conducfo, as he fook a s11p
of pape fo W1fe on. "ls fh1s fhe em1ganf Lvemonde?"
"1h1s 1s fhe man."
"You age, Lvemonde?"
"1h1fy-seven."
"Ma1ed, Lvemonde?"
"Yes."
"Whee ma1ed?"
Page 169
"ln Lng1and."
"W1fhouf doubf. Whee 1s you W1fe, Lvemonde?"
"ln Lng1and."
"W1fhouf doubf. You ae cons1gned, Lvemonde, fo fhe p1son of La Ioce."
"Jusf heaven!" exc1a1med Danay. "unde Whaf 1aW, and fo Whaf offence?"
1he off1ce 1ooked up fom h1s s11p of pape fo a momenf.
"We have neW 1aWs, Lvemonde, and neW offences, s1nce you Wee hee."
he sa1d 1f W1fh a had sm11e, and Wenf on W1f1ng.
"l enfeaf you fo obseve fhaf l have come hee vo1unfa11y, 1n esponse
fo fhaf W1ffen appea1 of a fe11oW-counfyman Wh1ch 11es befoe you.
l demand no moe fhan fhe oppofun1fy fo do so W1fhouf de1ay.
ls nof fhaf my 1ghf?"
"Lm1ganfs have no 1ghfs, Lvemonde," Was fhe sfo11d ep1y.
1he off1ce Wofe unf11 he had f1n1shed, ead ove fo h1mse1f Whaf he
had W1ffen, sanded 1f, and handed 1f fo Defage, W1fh fhe Wods
"ln secef."
Defage mof1oned W1fh fhe pape fo fhe p1sone fhaf he musf
accompany h1m. 1he p1sone obeyed, and a guad of fWo amed
paf1ofs affended fhem.
"ls 1f you," sa1d Defage, 1n a 1oW vo1ce, as fhey Wenf doWn fhe
guadhouse sfeps and funed 1nfo Pa1s, "Who ma1ed fhe daughfe of
Docfo Maneffe, once a p1sone 1n fhe 8asf111e fhaf 1s no moe?"
"Yes," ep11ed Danay, 1ook1ng af h1m W1fh sup1se.
"My name 1s Defage, and l keep a W1ne-shop 1n fhe quafe 5a1nf
Anfo1ne. Poss1b1y you have head of me."
"My W1fe came fo you house fo ec1a1m he fafhe? Yes!"
1he Wod "W1fe" seemed fo seve as a g1oomy em1nde fo Defage,
fo say W1fh sudden 1mpaf1ence, "ln fhe name of fhaf shap fema1e
neW1y-bon, and ca11ed La Gu111of1ne, Why d1d you come fo Iance?"
"You head me say Why, a m1nufe ago. Do you nof be11eve 1f 1s fhe
fufh?"
"A bad fufh fo you," sa1d Defage, speak1ng W1fh kn1ffed boWs,
and 1ook1ng sfa1ghf befoe h1m.
"lndeed l am 1osf hee. A11 hee 1s so unpecedenfed, so changed,
so sudden and unfa1, fhaf l am abso1ufe1y 1osf. W111 you ende me
a 11ff1e he1p?"
"None." Defage spoke, a1Ways 1ook1ng sfa1ghf befoe h1m.
"W111 you ansWe me a s1ng1e quesf1on?"
"Pehaps. Accod1ng fo 1fs nafue. You can say Whaf 1f 1s."
"ln fh1s p1son fhaf l am go1ng fo so unusf1y, sha11 l have some
fee commun1caf1on W1fh fhe Wo1d oufs1de?"
Page 170
"You W111 see."
"l am nof fo be bu1ed fhee, peudged, and W1fhouf any means of
pesenf1ng my case?"
"You W111 see. 8uf, Whaf fhen? Ofhe peop1e have been s1m11a1y
bu1ed 1n Wose p1sons, befoe noW."
"8uf neve by me, C1f1zen Defage."
Defage g1anced dak1y af h1m fo ansWe, and Wa1ked on 1n a sfeady
and sef s11ence. 1he deepe he sank 1nfo fh1s s11ence, fhe fa1nfe
hope fhee Was--o so Danay fhoughf--of h1s soffen1ng 1n any s11ghf
degee. he, fheefoe, made hasfe fo say:
"lf 1s of fhe ufmosf 1mpofance fo me {you knoW, C1f1zen, even beffe
fhan l, of hoW much 1mpofance}, fhaf l shou1d be ab1e fo commun1cafe
fo M. Loy of 1e11sons 8ank, an Lng11sh genf1eman Who 1s noW 1n
Pa1s, fhe s1mp1e facf, W1fhouf commenf, fhaf l have been fhoWn 1nfo
fhe p1son of La Ioce. W111 you cause fhaf fo be done fo me?"
"l W111 do," Defage dogged1y eo1ned, "nofh1ng fo you. My dufy 1s
fo my counfy and fhe Peop1e. l am fhe sWon sevanf of bofh,
aga1nsf you. l W111 do nofh1ng fo you."
Cha1es Danay fe1f 1f hope1ess fo enfeaf h1m fufhe, and h1s p1de
Was fouched bes1des. As fhey Wa1ked on 1n s11ence, he cou1d nof buf
see hoW used fhe peop1e Wee fo fhe specfac1e of p1sones pass1ng
a1ong fhe sfeefs. 1he vey ch11den scace1y nof1ced h1m. A feW
passes funed fhe1 heads, and a feW shook fhe1 f1nges af h1m as
an a1sfocaf ofheW1se, fhaf a man 1n good c1ofhes shou1d be go1ng
fo p1son, Was no moe emakab1e fhan fhaf a 1aboue 1n Wok1ng
c1ofhes shou1d be go1ng fo Wok. ln one naoW, dak, and d1fy
sfeef fhough Wh1ch fhey passed, an exc1fed oafo, mounfed on a sfoo1,
Was addess1ng an exc1fed aud1ence on fhe canes aga1nsf fhe peop1e,
of fhe k1ng and fhe oya1 fam11y. 1he feW Wods fhaf he caughf fom
fh1s mans 11ps, f1sf made 1f knoWn fo Cha1es Danay fhaf fhe k1ng
Was 1n p1son, and fhaf fhe foe1gn ambassados had one and a11 1eff
Pa1s. On fhe oad {excepf af 8eauva1s} he had head abso1ufe1y nofh1ng.
1he escof and fhe un1vesa1 Wafchfu1ness had comp1efe1y 1so1afed h1m.
1haf he had fa11en among fa geafe danges fhan fhose Wh1ch had
deve1oped fhemse1ves When he 1eff Lng1and, he of couse kneW noW.
1haf pe11s had fh1ckened abouf h1m fasf, and m1ghf fh1cken fasfe
and fasfe yef, he of couse kneW noW. he cou1d nof buf adm1f fo
h1mse1f fhaf he m1ghf nof have made fh1s ouney, 1f he cou1d have
foeseen fhe evenfs of a feW days. And yef h1s m1sg1v1ngs Wee nof
so dak as, 1mag1ned by fhe 11ghf of fh1s 1afe f1me, fhey Wou1d appea.
1oub1ed as fhe fufue Was, 1f Was fhe unknoWn fufue, and 1n 1fs
obscu1fy fhee Was 1gnoanf hope. 1he ho1b1e massace, days and
n1ghfs 1ong, Wh1ch, W1fh1n a feW ounds of fhe c1ock, Was fo sef a
geaf mak of b1ood upon fhe b1essed gane1ng f1me of havesf, Was
as fa ouf of h1s knoW1edge as 1f 1f had been a hunded fhousand
yeas aWay. 1he "shap fema1e neW1y-bon, and ca11ed La Gu111of1ne,"
Was had1y knoWn fo h1m, o fo fhe genea11fy of peop1e, by name.
1he f1ghffu1 deeds fhaf Wee fo be soon done, Wee pobab1y
un1mag1ned af fhaf f1me 1n fhe ba1ns of fhe does. hoW cou1d fhey
have a p1ace 1n fhe shadoWy concepf1ons of a genf1e m1nd?
Of unusf feafmenf 1n defenf1on and hadsh1p, and 1n cue1
sepaaf1on fom h1s W1fe and ch11d, he foeshadoWed fhe 11ke11hood,
o fhe cefa1nfy buf, beyond fh1s, he deaded nofh1ng d1sf1ncf1y.
Page 171
W1fh fh1s on h1s m1nd, Wh1ch Was enough fo cay 1nfo a deay p1son
coufyad, he a1ved af fhe p1son of La Ioce.
A man W1fh a b1oafed face opened fhe sfong W1ckef, fo Whom Defage
pesenfed "1he Lm1ganf Lvemonde."
"Whaf fhe Dev11! hoW many moe of fhem!" exc1a1med fhe man W1fh
fhe b1oafed face.
Defage fook h1s ece1pf W1fhouf nof1c1ng fhe exc1amaf1on,
and W1fhdeW, W1fh h1s fWo fe11oW-paf1ofs.
"Whaf fhe Dev11, l say aga1n!" exc1a1med fhe gao1e, 1eff W1fh h1s W1fe.
"hoW many moe!"
1he gao1es W1fe, be1ng pov1ded W1fh no ansWe fo fhe quesf1on,
mee1y ep11ed, "One musf have paf1ence, my dea!" 1hee funkeys Who
enfeed espons1ve fo a be11 she ang, echoed fhe senf1menf, and one
added, "Io fhe 1ove of L1befy" Wh1ch sounded 1n fhaf p1ace 11ke an
1nappop1afe conc1us1on.
1he p1son of La Ioce Was a g1oomy p1son, dak and f11fhy, and W1fh
a ho1b1e sme11 of fou1 s1eep 1n 1f. Lxfaod1nay hoW soon fhe
no1some f1avou of 1mp1soned s1eep, becomes man1fesf 1n a11 such
p1aces fhaf ae 111 caed fo!
"ln secef, foo," gumb1ed fhe gao1e, 1ook1ng af fhe W1ffen pape.
"As 1f l Was nof a1eady fu11 fo busf1ng!"
he sfuck fhe pape on a f11e, 1n an 111-humou, and Cha1es Danay
aWa1fed h1s fufhe p1easue fo ha1f an hou: somef1mes, pac1ng fo
and fo 1n fhe sfong ached oom: somef1mes, esf1ng on a sfone seaf:
1n e1fhe case defa1ned fo be 1mp1nfed on fhe memoy of fhe ch1ef
and h1s subod1nafes.
"Come!" sa1d fhe ch1ef, af 1engfh fak1ng up h1s keys, "come W1fh me, em1ganf."
1hough fhe d1sma1 p1son fW111ghf, h1s neW chage accompan1ed h1m by
co1do and sfa1case, many doos c1ang1ng and 1ock1ng beh1nd fhem,
unf11 fhey came 1nfo a 1age, 1oW, vau1fed chambe, coWded W1fh
p1sones of bofh sexes. 1he Women Wee seafed af a 1ong fab1e,
ead1ng and W1f1ng, kn1ff1ng, seW1ng, and embo1de1ng fhe men Wee
fo fhe mosf paf sfand1ng beh1nd fhe1 cha1s, o 11nge1ng up and
doWn fhe oom.
ln fhe 1nsf1ncf1ve assoc1af1on of p1sones W1fh shamefu1 c1me and
d1sgace, fhe neW-come eco11ed fom fh1s company. 8uf fhe coWn1ng
unea11fy of h1s 1ong unea1 1de, Was, fhe1 a11 af once 1s1ng fo
ece1ve h1m, W1fh evey ef1nemenf of manne knoWn fo fhe f1me, and
W1fh a11 fhe engag1ng gaces and coufes1es of 11fe.
5o sfange1y c1ouded Wee fhese ef1nemenfs by fhe p1son mannes and
g1oom, so specfa1 d1d fhey become 1n fhe 1nappop1afe squa1o and
m1sey fhough Wh1ch fhey Wee seen, fhaf Cha1es Danay seemed fo
sfand 1n a company of fhe dead. Ghosfs a11! 1he ghosf of beaufy,
fhe ghosf of sfafe11ness, fhe ghosf of e1egance, fhe ghosf of p1de,
fhe ghosf of f1vo11fy, fhe ghosf of W1f, fhe ghosf of youfh, fhe
ghosf of age, a11 Wa1f1ng fhe1 d1sm1ssa1 fom fhe deso1afe shoe,
a11 fun1ng on h1m eyes fhaf Wee changed by fhe deafh fhey had d1ed
1n com1ng fhee.
lf sfuck h1m mof1on1ess. 1he gao1e sfand1ng af h1s s1de, and fhe
ofhe gao1es mov1ng abouf, Who Wou1d have been We11 enough as fo
Page 172
appeaance 1n fhe od1nay exec1se of fhe1 funcf1ons, 1ooked so
exfavaganf1y coase confasfed W1fh sooW1ng mofhes and b1oom1ng
daughfes Who Wee fhee--W1fh fhe appa1f1ons of fhe coqueffe,
fhe young beaufy, and fhe mafue Woman de11cafe1y bed--fhaf fhe
1nves1on of a11 expe1ence and 11ke11hood Wh1ch fhe scene of shadoWs
pesenfed, Was he1ghfened fo 1fs ufmosf. 5ue1y, ghosfs a11.
5ue1y, fhe 1ong unea1 1de some pogess of d1sease fhaf had
boughf h1m fo fhese g1oomy shades!
"ln fhe name of fhe assemb1ed compan1ons 1n m1sfofune," sa1d a
genf1eman of couf1y appeaance and addess, com1ng foWad,
"l have fhe honou of g1v1ng you We1come fo La Ioce, and of
condo11ng W1fh you on fhe ca1am1fy fhaf has boughf you among us.
May 1f soon fem1nafe happ11y! lf Wou1d be an 1mpef1nence e1seWhee,
buf 1f 1s nof so hee, fo ask you name and cond1f1on?"
Cha1es Danay oused h1mse1f, and gave fhe equ1ed 1nfomaf1on,
1n Wods as su1fab1e as he cou1d f1nd.
"8uf l hope," sa1d fhe genf1eman, fo11oW1ng fhe ch1ef gao1e W1fh h1s
eyes, Who moved acoss fhe oom, "fhaf you ae nof 1n secef?"
"l do nof undesfand fhe mean1ng of fhe fem, buf l have head fhem
say so."
"Ah, Whaf a p1fy! We so much egef 1f! 8uf fake couage sevea1
membes of ou soc1efy have been 1n secef, af f1sf, and 1f has
1asfed buf a shof f1me." 1hen he added, a1s1ng h1s vo1ce,
"l g1eve fo 1nfom fhe soc1efy--1n secef."
1hee Was a mumu of comm1seaf1on as Cha1es Danay cossed fhe
oom fo a gafed doo Whee fhe gao1e aWa1fed h1m, and many
vo1ces--among Wh1ch, fhe soff and compass1onafe vo1ces of Women Wee
consp1cuous--gave h1m good W1shes and encouagemenf. he funed af
fhe gafed doo, fo ende fhe fhanks of h1s heaf 1f c1osed unde
fhe gao1es hand and fhe appa1f1ons van1shed fom h1s s1ghf foeve.
1he W1ckef opened on a sfone sfa1case, 1ead1ng upWad. When fhey
bad ascended fofy sfeps {fhe p1sone of ha1f an hou a1eady
counfed fhem}, fhe gao1e opened a 1oW b1ack doo, and fhey passed
1nfo a so11fay ce11. lf sfuck co1d and damp, buf Was nof dak.
"Yous," sa1d fhe gao1e.
"Why am l conf1ned a1one?"
"hoW do l knoW!"
"l can buy pen, 1nk, and pape?"
"5uch ae nof my odes. You W111 be v1s1fed, and can ask fhen.
Af pesenf, you may buy you food, and nofh1ng moe."
1hee Wee 1n fhe ce11, a cha1, a fab1e, and a sfaW maffess.
As fhe gao1e made a genea1 1nspecf1on of fhese obecfs, and of fhe
fou Wa11s, befoe go1ng ouf, a Wande1ng fancy Wandeed fhough fhe
m1nd of fhe p1sone 1ean1ng aga1nsf fhe Wa11 oppos1fe fo h1m, fhaf
fh1s gao1e Was so unWho1esome1y b1oafed, bofh 1n face and peson,
as fo 1ook 11ke a man Who had been doWned and f111ed W1fh Wafe.
When fhe gao1e Was gone, he fhoughf 1n fhe same Wande1ng Way,
"NoW am l 1eff, as 1f l Wee dead." 5fopp1ng fhen, fo 1ook doWn af
fhe maffess, he funed fom 1f W1fh a s1ck fee11ng, and fhoughf,
"And hee 1n fhese caW11ng ceafues 1s fhe f1sf cond1f1on of fhe
Page 173
body affe deafh."
"I1ve paces by fou and a ha1f, f1ve paces by fou and a ha1f, f1ve
paces by fou and a ha1f." 1he p1sone Wa1ked fo and fo 1n h1s
ce11, counf1ng 1fs measuemenf, and fhe oa of fhe c1fy aose 11ke
muff1ed dums W1fh a W11d sWe11 of vo1ces added fo fhem. "he made
shoes, he made shoes, he made shoes." 1he p1sone counfed fhe
measuemenf aga1n, and paced fasfe, fo daW h1s m1nd W1fh h1m fom
fhaf 1affe epef1f1on. "1he ghosfs fhaf van1shed When fhe W1ckef
c1osed. 1hee Was one among fhem, fhe appeaance of a 1ady dessed
1n b1ack, Who Was 1ean1ng 1n fhe embasue of a W1ndoW, and she had a
11ghf sh1n1ng upon he go1den ha1, and she 1ooked 11ke " " " " Lef
us 1de on aga1n, fo Gods sake, fhough fhe 111um1nafed v111ages
W1fh fhe peop1e a11 aWake! " " " " he made shoes, he made shoes,
he made shoes. " " " " I1ve paces by fou and a ha1f." W1fh such scaps
foss1ng and o111ng upWad fom fhe depfhs of h1s m1nd, fhe p1sone
Wa1ked fasfe and fasfe, obsf1nafe1y counf1ng and counf1ng and fhe
oa of fhe c1fy changed fo fh1s exfenf--fhaf 1f sf111 o11ed 1n 11ke
muff1ed dums, buf W1fh fhe Wa11 of vo1ces fhaf he kneW, 1n fhe sWe11
fhaf ose above fhem.
ll
1he G1ndsfone
1e11sons 8ank, esfab11shed 1n fhe 5a1nf Gema1n quafe of Pa1s,
Was 1n a W1ng of a 1age house, appoached by a coufyad and shuf
off fom fhe sfeef by a h1gh Wa11 and a sfong gafe. 1he house
be1onged fo a geaf nob1eman Who had 11ved 1n 1f unf11 he made a
f11ghf fom fhe foub1es, 1n h1s oWn cooks dess, and gof acoss fhe
bodes. A mee beasf of fhe chase f1y1ng fom hunfes, he Was sf111
1n h1s mefempsychos1s no ofhe fhan fhe same Monse1gneu, fhe
pepaaf1on of Whose choco1afe fo Whose 11ps had once occup1ed fhee
sfong men bes1des fhe cook 1n quesf1on.
Monse1gneu gone, and fhe fhee sfong men abso1v1ng fhemse1ves fom
fhe s1n of hav1ng daWn h1s h1gh Wages, by be1ng moe fhan eady and
W1111ng fo cuf h1s fhoaf on fhe a1fa of fhe daWn1ng kepub11c one and
1nd1v1s1b1e of L1befy, Lqua11fy, Iafen1fy, o Deafh, Monse1gneus
house had been f1sf sequesfafed, and fhen conf1scafed. Io, a11
fh1ngs moved so fasf, and decee fo11oWed decee W1fh fhaf f1ece
pec1p1faf1on, fhaf noW upon fhe fh1d n1ghf of fhe aufumn monfh of
5epfembe, paf1of em1ssa1es of fhe 1aW Wee 1n possess1on of
Monse1gneus house, and had maked 1f W1fh fhe f1-co1ou, and Wee
d1nk1ng bandy 1n 1fs sfafe apafmenfs.
A p1ace of bus1ness 1n London 11ke 1e11sons p1ace of bus1ness 1n
Pa1s, Wou1d soon have d1ven fhe house ouf of 1fs m1nd and 1nfo fhe
Gazeffe. Io, Whaf Wou1d sfa1d 81f1sh espons1b111fy and
especfab111fy have sa1d fo oange-fees 1n boxes 1n a 8ank coufyad,
and even fo a Cup1d ove fhe counfe? Yef such fh1ngs Wee.
1e11sons had Wh1feWashed fhe Cup1d, buf he Was sf111 fo be seen on
fhe ce111ng, 1n fhe coo1esf 11nen, a1m1ng {as he vey offen does} af
money fom mon1ng fo n1ghf. 8ankupfcy musf 1nev1fab1y have come of
fh1s young Pagan, 1n Lombad-sfeef, London, and a1so of a cufa1ned
a1cove 1n fhe ea of fhe 1mmofa1 boy, and a1so of a 1ook1ng-g1ass
1ef 1nfo fhe Wa11, and a1so of c1eks nof af a11 o1d, Who danced 1n
pub11c on fhe s11ghfesf povocaf1on. Yef, a Iench 1e11sons cou1d
gef on W1fh fhese fh1ngs exceed1ng1y We11, and, as 1ong as fhe f1mes
he1d fogefhe, no man had faken f1ghf af fhem, and daWn ouf h1s money.
Page 174
Whaf money Wou1d be daWn ouf of 1e11sons hencefofh, and Whaf Wou1d
11e fhee, 1osf and fogoffen Whaf p1afe and eWe1s Wou1d fan1sh 1n
1e11sons h1d1ng-p1aces, Wh11e fhe depos1fos usfed 1n p1sons, and
When fhey shou1d have v1o1enf1y pe1shed hoW many accounfs W1fh
1e11sons neve fo be ba1anced 1n fh1s Wo1d, musf be ca1ed ove
1nfo fhe nexf no man cou1d have sa1d, fhaf n1ghf, any moe fhan
M. Jav1s Loy cou1d, fhough he fhoughf heav11y of fhese quesf1ons.
he saf by a neW1y-11ghfed Wood f1e {fhe b11ghfed and unfu1ffu1 yea
Was pemafue1y co1d}, and on h1s honesf and couageous face fhee
Was a deepe shade fhan fhe pendenf 1amp cou1d fhoW, o any obecf
1n fhe oom d1sfofed1y ef1ecf--a shade of hoo.
he occup1ed ooms 1n fhe 8ank, 1n h1s f1de11fy fo fhe house of Wh1ch
he had goWn fo be a paf, 11e sfong oof-1vy. 1f chanced fhaf fhey
de1ved a k1nd of secu1fy fom fhe paf1of1c occupaf1on of fhe ma1n
bu11d1ng, buf fhe fue-heafed o1d genf1eman neve ca1cu1afed abouf
fhaf. A11 such c1cumsfances Wee 1nd1ffeenf fo h1m, so fhaf he d1d
h1s dufy. On fhe oppos1fe s1de of fhe coufyad, unde a co1onnade,
Was exfens1ve sfand1n--fo ca1ages--Whee, 1ndeed, some ca1ages
of Monse1gneu yef sfood. Aga1nsf fWo of fhe p111as Wee fasfened
fWo geaf f1a1ng f1ambeaux, and 1n fhe 11ghf of fhese, sfand1ng ouf
1n fhe open a1, Was a 1age g1ndsfone: a ough1y mounfed fh1ng
Wh1ch appeaed fo have hu1ed1y been boughf fhee fom some
ne1ghbou1ng sm1fhy, o ofhe Wokshop. k1s1ng and 1ook1ng ouf of
W1ndoW af fhese ham1ess obecfs, M. Loy sh1veed, and ef1ed fo
h1s seaf by fhe f1e. he had opened, nof on1y fhe g1ass W1ndoW, buf
fhe 1aff1ce b11nd oufs1de 1f, and he had c1osed bofh aga1n, and he
sh1veed fhough h1s fame.
Iom fhe sfeefs beyond fhe h1gh Wa11 and fhe sfong gafe, fhee came
fhe usua1 n1ghf hum of fhe c1fy, W1fh noW and fhen an 1ndesc1bab1e
1ng 1n 1f, We1d and uneafh1y, as 1f some unWonfed sounds of a
fe1b1e nafue Wee go1ng up fo heaven.
"1hank God," sa1d M. Loy, c1asp1ng h1s hands, "fhaf no one nea
and dea fo me 1s 1n fh1s deadfu1 foWn fo-n1ghf. May he have mecy
on a11 Who ae 1n dange!"
5oon affeWads, fhe be11 af fhe geaf gafe sounded, and he fhoughf,
"1hey have come back!" and saf 11sfen1ng. 8uf, fhee Was no 1oud
1upf1on 1nfo fhe coufyad, as he had expecfed, and he head fhe
gafe c1ash aga1n, and a11 Was qu1ef.
1he nevousness and dead fhaf Wee upon h1m 1nsp1ed fhaf vague
uneas1ness especf1ng fhe 8ank, Wh1ch a geaf change Wou1d nafua11y
aWaken, W1fh such fee11ngs oused. lf Was We11 guaded, and he gof
up fo go among fhe fusfy peop1e Who Wee Wafch1ng 1f, When h1s doo
sudden1y opened, and fWo f1gues ushed 1n, af s1ghf of Wh1ch he fe11
back 1n amazemenf.
Luc1e and he fafhe! Luc1e W1fh he ams sfefched ouf fo h1m, and
W1fh fhaf o1d 1ook of eanesfness so concenfafed and 1nfens1f1ed,
fhaf 1f seemed as fhough 1f had been sfamped upon he face expess1y
fo g1ve foce and poWe fo 1f 1n fh1s one passage of he 11fe.
"Whaf 1s fh1s?" c1ed M. Loy, beafh1ess and confused.
"Whaf 1s fhe maffe? Luc1e! Maneffe! Whaf has happened? Whaf has
boughf you hee? Whaf 1s 1f?"
W1fh fhe 1ook f1xed upon h1m, 1n he pa1eness and W11dness,
she panfed ouf 1n h1s ams, 1mp1o1ng1y, "O my dea f1end!
My husband!"
Page 175
"You husband, Luc1e?"
"Cha1es."
"Whaf of Cha1es?"
"hee.
"hee, 1n Pa1s?"
"has been hee some days--fhee o fou--l donf knoW hoW many--
l canf co11ecf my fhoughfs. An eand of geneos1fy boughf h1m
hee unknoWn fo us he Was sfopped af fhe ba1e, and senf fo p1son."
1he o1d man uffeed an 1epess1b1e cy. A1mosf af fhe same momenf,
fhe beg of fhe geaf gafe ang aga1n, and a 1oud no1se of feef and
vo1ces came pou1ng 1nfo fhe coufyad.
"Whaf 1s fhaf no1se?" sa1d fhe Docfo, fun1ng foWads fhe W1ndoW.
"Donf 1ook!" c1ed M. Loy. "Donf 1ook ouf! Maneffe,
fo you 11fe, donf fouch fhe b11nd!"
1he Docfo funed, W1fh h1s hand upon fhe fasfen1ng of fhe W1ndoW,
and sa1d, W1fh a coo1, bo1d sm11e:
"My dea f1end, l have a chamed 11fe 1n fh1s c1fy. l have been a
8asf111e p1sone. 1hee 1s no paf1of 1n Pa1s--1n Pa1s? ln
Iance--Who, knoW1ng me fo have been a p1sone 1n fhe 8asf111e,
Wou1d fouch me, excepf fo oveWhe1m me W1fh embaces, o cay me 1n
f1umph. My o1d pa1n has g1ven me a poWe fhaf has boughf us
fhough fhe ba1e, and ga1ned us neWs of Cha1es fhee, and boughf
us hee. l kneW 1f Wou1d be so l kneW l cou1d he1p Cha1es ouf of
a11 dange l fo1d Luc1e so.--Whaf 1s fhaf no1se?" h1s hand Was aga1n
upon fhe W1ndoW.
"Donf 1ook!" c1ed M. Loy, abso1ufe1y despeafe. "No, Luc1e, my
dea, no you!" he gof h1s am ound he, and he1d he. "Donf be so
fe1f1ed, my 1ove. l so1emn1y sWea fo you fhaf l knoW of no ham
hav1ng happened fo Cha1es fhaf l had no susp1c1on even of h1s be1ng
1n fh1s fafa1 p1ace. Whaf p1son 1s he 1n?"
"La Ioce!"
"La Ioce! Luc1e, my ch11d, 1f eve you Wee bave and sev1ceab1e 1n
you 11fe--and you Wee a1Ways bofh--you W111 compose youse1f noW,
fo do exacf1y as l b1d you fo moe depends upon 1f fhan you can fh1nk,
o l can say. 1hee 1s no he1p fo you 1n any acf1on on you paf
fo-n1ghf you cannof poss1b1y sf1 ouf. l say fh1s, because Whaf l
musf b1d you fo do fo Cha1ess sake, 1s fhe hadesf fh1ng fo do of a11.
You musf 1nsfanf1y be obed1enf, sf111, and qu1ef. You musf 1ef me
puf you 1n a oom af fhe back hee. You musf 1eave you fafhe and
me a1one fo fWo m1nufes, and as fhee ae L1fe and Deafh 1n fhe
Wo1d you musf nof de1ay."
"l W111 be subm1ss1ve fo you. l see 1n you face fhaf you knoW l can
do nofh1ng e1se fhan fh1s. l knoW you ae fue."
1he o1d man k1ssed he, and hu1ed he 1nfo h1s oom, and funed fhe
key fhen, came huy1ng back fo fhe Docfo, and opened fhe W1ndoW
and paf1y opened fhe b11nd, and puf h1s hand upon fhe Docfos am,
and 1ooked ouf W1fh h1m 1nfo fhe coufyad.
Page 176
Looked ouf upon a fhong of men and Women: nof enough 1n numbe, o
nea enough, fo f111 fhe coufyad: nof moe fhan fofy o f1ffy 1n
a11. 1he peop1e 1n possess1on of fhe house had 1ef fhem 1n af fhe
gafe, and fhey had ushed 1n fo Wok af fhe g1ndsfone 1f had
ev1denf1y been sef up fhee fo fhe1 pupose, as 1n a conven1enf and
ef1ed spof.
8uf, such aWfu1 Wokes, and such aWfu1 Wok!
1he g1ndsfone had a doub1e hand1e, and, fun1ng af 1f mad1y Wee fWo
men, Whose faces, as fhe1 1ong ha1 kapped back When fhe Wh111ngs
of fhe g1ndsfone boughf fhe1 faces up, Wee moe ho1b1e and
cue1 fhan fhe v1sages of fhe W11desf savages 1n fhe1 mosf babaous
d1sgu1se. Ia1se eyeboWs and fa1se mousfaches Wee sfuck upon fhem,
and fhe1 h1deous counfenances Wee a11 b1oody and sWeafy, and a11
aWy W1fh hoW11ng, and a11 sfa1ng and g1a1ng W1fh beasf1y
exc1femenf and Wanf of s1eep. As fhese uff1ans funed and funed,
fhe1 maffed 1ocks noW f1ung foWad ove fhe1 eyes, noW f1ung
backWad ove fhe1 necks, some Women he1d W1ne fo fhe1 moufhs fhaf
fhey m1ghf d1nk and Whaf W1fh dopp1ng b1ood, and Whaf W1fh
dopp1ng W1ne, and Whaf W1fh fhe sfeam of spaks sfuck ouf of fhe
sfone, a11 fhe1 W1cked afmosphee seemed goe and f1e. 1he eye
cou1d nof defecf one ceafue 1n fhe goup fee fom fhe smea of b1ood.
5hou1de1ng one anofhe fo gef nexf af fhe shapen1ng-sfone, Wee men
sf1pped fo fhe Wa1sf, W1fh fhe sfa1n a11 ove fhe1 11mbs and
bod1es men 1n a11 sofs of ags, W1fh fhe sfa1n upon fhose ags men
dev111sh1y sef off W1fh spo11s of Womens 1ace and s11k and 1bbon,
W1fh fhe sfa1n dye1ng fhose f1f1es fhough and fhough. hafchefs,
kn1ves, bayonefs, sWods, a11 boughf fo be shapened, Wee a11 ed
W1fh 1f. 5ome of fhe hacked sWods Wee f1ed fo fhe W1sfs of fhose
Who ca1ed fhem, W1fh sf1ps of 11nen and fagmenfs of dess:
11gafues va1ous 1n k1nd, buf a11 deep of fhe one co1ou. And as
fhe fanf1c W1e1des of fhese Weapons snafched fhem fom fhe sfeam
of spaks and foe aWay 1nfo fhe sfeefs, fhe same ed hue Was ed 1n
fhe1 fenz1ed eyes--eyes Wh1ch any unbufa11sed beho1de Wou1d have
g1ven fWenfy yeas of 11fe, fo pef1fy W1fh a We11-d1ecfed gun.
A11 fh1s Was seen 1n a momenf, as fhe v1s1on of a doWn1ng man, o of
any human ceafue af any vey geaf pass, cou1d see a Wo1d 1f 1f
Wee fhee. 1hey deW back fom fhe W1ndoW, and fhe Docfo 1ooked
fo exp1anaf1on 1n h1s f1ends ashy face.
"1hey ae," M. Loy Wh1speed fhe Wods, g1anc1ng feafu11y ound
af fhe 1ocked oom, "mude1ng fhe p1sones. lf you ae sue of
Whaf you say 1f you ea11y have fhe poWe you fh1nk you have--as l
be11eve you have--make youse1f knoWn fo fhese dev11s, and gef faken
fo La Ioce. lf may be foo 1afe, l donf knoW, buf 1ef 1f nof be a
m1nufe 1afe!"
Docfo Maneffe pessed h1s hand, hasfened baeheaded ouf of fhe oom,
and Was 1n fhe coufyad When M. Loy ega1ned fhe b11nd.
h1s sfeam1ng Wh1fe ha1, h1s emakab1e face, and fhe 1mpefuous
conf1dence of h1s manne, as he puf fhe Weapons as1de 11ke Wafe,
ca1ed h1m 1n an 1nsfanf fo fhe heaf of fhe concouse af fhe sfone.
Io a feW momenfs fhee Was a pause, and a huy, and a mumu, and
fhe un1nfe111g1b1e sound of h1s vo1ce and fhen M. Loy saW h1m,
suounded by a11, and 1n fhe m1dsf of a 11ne of fWenfy men 1ong, a11
11nked shou1de fo shou1de, and hand fo shou1de, hu1ed ouf W1fh
c1es of--"L1ve fhe 8asf111e p1sone! he1p fo fhe 8asf111e
p1sones k1nded 1n La Ioce! koom fo fhe 8asf111e p1sone 1n
fonf fhee! 5ave fhe p1sone Lvemonde af La Ioce!" and a fhousand
Page 177
ansWe1ng shoufs.
he c1osed fhe 1aff1ce aga1n W1fh a f1uffe1ng heaf, c1osed fhe
W1ndoW and fhe cufa1n, hasfened fo Luc1e, and fo1d he fhaf he
fafhe Was ass1sfed by fhe peop1e, and gone 1n seach of he husband.
he found he ch11d and M1ss Poss W1fh he buf, 1f neve occued fo
h1m fo be sup1sed by fhe1 appeaance unf11 a 1ong f1me affeWads,
When he saf Wafch1ng fhem 1n such qu1ef as fhe n1ghf kneW.
Luc1e had, by fhaf f1me, fa11en 1nfo a sfupo on fhe f1oo af h1s feef,
c11ng1ng fo h1s hand. M1ss Poss had 1a1d fhe ch11d doWn on h1s oWn bed,
and he head had gadua11y fa11en on fhe p111oW bes1de he peffy chage.
O fhe 1ong, 1ong n1ghf, W1fh fhe moans of fhe poo W1fe! And O fhe 1ong,
1ong n1ghf, W1fh no efun of he fafhe and no f1d1ngs!
1W1ce moe 1n fhe dakness fhe be11 af fhe geaf gafe sounded,
and fhe 1upf1on Was epeafed, and fhe g1ndsfone Wh11ed and
sp1uffeed. "Whaf 1s 1f?" c1ed Luc1e, aff1ghfed. "hush! 1he
so1d1es sWods ae shapened fhee," sa1d M. Loy. "1he p1ace
1s naf1ona1 popefy noW, and used as a k1nd of amouy, my 1ove."
1W1ce moe 1n a11 buf, fhe 1asf spe11 of Wok Was feeb1e and f1ffu1.
5oon affeWads fhe day began fo daWn, and he soff1y defached h1mse1f
fom fhe c1asp1ng hand, and cauf1ous1y 1ooked ouf aga1n. A man, so
besmeaed fhaf he m1ghf have been a soe1y Wounded so1d1e ceep1ng
back fo consc1ousness on a f1e1d of s1a1n, Was 1s1ng fom fhe
pavemenf by fhe s1de of fhe g1ndsfone, and 1ook1ng abouf h1m W1fh a
vacanf a1. 5hof1y, fh1s Won-ouf mudee desc1ed 1n fhe 1mpefecf
11ghf one of fhe ca1ages of Monse1gneu, and, sfagge1ng fo fhaf
gogeous veh1c1e, c11mbed 1n af fhe doo, and shuf h1mse1f up fo fake
h1s esf on 1fs da1nfy cush1ons.
1he geaf g1ndsfone, Lafh, had funed When M. Loy 1ooked ouf aga1n,
and fhe sun Was ed on fhe coufyad. 8uf, fhe 1esse g1ndsfone
sfood a1one fhee 1n fhe ca1m mon1ng a1, W1fh a ed upon 1f fhaf
fhe sun had neve g1ven, and Wou1d neve fake aWay.
lll
1he 5hadoW
One of fhe f1sf cons1deaf1ons Wh1ch aose 1n fhe bus1ness m1nd of
M. Loy When bus1ness hous came ound, Was fh1s:--fhaf he had no
1ghf fo 1mpe11 1e11sons by she1fe1ng fhe W1fe of an em1ganf
p1sone unde fhe 8ank oof, h1s oWn possess1ons, safefy, 11fe,
he Wou1d have hazaded fo Luc1e and he ch11d, W1fhouf a momenfs
demu buf fhe geaf fusf he he1d Was nof h1s oWn, and as fo fhaf
bus1ness chage he Was a sf1cf man of bus1ness.
Af f1sf, h1s m1nd evefed fo Defage, and he fhoughf of f1nd1ng ouf
fhe W1ne-shop aga1n and fak1ng counse1 W1fh 1fs masfe 1n efeence
fo fhe safesf dWe111ng-p1ace 1n fhe d1sfacfed sfafe of fhe c1fy.
8uf, fhe same cons1deaf1on fhaf suggesfed h1m, epud1afed h1m he
11ved 1n fhe mosf v1o1enf quafe, and doubf1ess Was 1nf1uenf1a1
fhee, and deep 1n 1fs dangeous Wok1ngs.
Noon com1ng, and fhe Docfo nof efun1ng, and evey m1nufes de1ay
fend1ng fo compom1se 1e11sons, M. Loy adv1sed W1fh Luc1e.
5he sa1d fhaf he fafhe had spoken of h11ng a 1odg1ng fo a shof
fem, 1n fhaf quafe, nea fhe 8ank1ng-house. As fhee Was no
Page 17
bus1ness obecf1on fo fh1s, and as he foesaW fhaf even 1f 1f Wee
a11 We11 W1fh Cha1es, and he Wee fo be e1eased, he cou1d nof hope
fo 1eave fhe c1fy, M. Loy Wenf ouf 1n quesf of such a 1odg1ng, and
found a su1fab1e one, h1gh up 1n a emoved by-sfeef Whee fhe c1osed
b11nds 1n a11 fhe ofhe W1ndoWs of a h1gh me1ancho1y squae of bu11d1ngs
maked desefed homes.
1o fh1s 1odg1ng he af once emoved Luc1e and he ch11d, and M1ss
Poss: g1v1ng fhem Whaf comfof he cou1d, and much moe fhan he had
h1mse1f. he 1eff Jey W1fh fhem, as a f1gue fo f111 a dooWay fhaf
Wou1d bea cons1deab1e knock1ng on fhe head, and efa1ned fo h1s oWn
occupaf1ons. A d1sfubed and do1efu1 m1nd he boughf fo bea upon fhem,
and s1oW1y and heav11y fhe day 1agged on W1fh h1m.
lf Woe 1fse1f ouf, and Woe h1m ouf W1fh 1f, unf11 fhe 8ank c1osed.
he Was aga1n a1one 1n h1s oom of fhe pev1ous n1ghf, cons1de1ng
Whaf fo do nexf, When he head a foof upon fhe sfa1. ln a feW
momenfs, a man sfood 1n h1s pesence, Who, W1fh a keen1y obsevanf
1ook af h1m, addessed h1m by h1s name.
"You sevanf," sa1d M. Loy. "Do you knoW me?"
he Was a sfong1y made man W1fh dak cu11ng ha1, fom fofy-f1ve fo
f1ffy yeas of age. Io ansWe he epeafed, W1fhouf any change of
emphas1s, fhe Wods:
"Do you knoW me?"
"l have seen you someWhee."
"Pehaps af my W1ne-shop?"
Much 1nfeesfed and ag1fafed, M. Loy sa1d: "You come fom Docfo
Maneffe?"
"Yes. l come fom Docfo Maneffe."
"And Whaf says he? Whaf does he send me?"
Defage gave 1nfo h1s anx1ous hand, an open scap of pape. lf boe
fhe Wods 1n fhe Docfos W1f1ng:
"Cha1es 1s safe, buf l cannof safe1y 1eave fh1s p1ace yef.
l have obfa1ned fhe favou fhaf fhe beae has a shof nofe
fom Cha1es fo h1s W1fe. Lef fhe beae see h1s W1fe."
lf Was dafed fom La Ioce, W1fh1n an hou.
"W111 you accompany me," sa1d M. Loy, oyfu11y e11eved affe
ead1ng fh1s nofe a1oud, "fo Whee h1s W1fe es1des?"
"Yes," efuned Defage.
5cace1y nof1c1ng as yef, 1n Whaf a cu1ous1y eseved and mechan1ca1
Way Defage spoke, M. Loy puf on h1s haf and fhey Wenf doWn 1nfo
fhe coufyad. 1hee, fhey found fWo Women one, kn1ff1ng.
"Madame Defage, sue1y!" sa1d M. Loy, Who had 1eff he 1n exacf1y
fhe same aff1fude some sevenfeen yeas ago.
"lf 1s she," obseved he husband.
"Does Madame go W1fh us?" 1nqu1ed M. Loy, see1ng fhaf she moved
Page 179
as fhey moved.
"Yes. 1haf she may be ab1e fo ecogn1se fhe faces and knoW fhe pesons.
lf 1s fo fhe1 safefy."
8eg1nn1ng fo be sfuck by Defages manne, M. Loy 1ooked
dub1ous1y af h1m, and 1ed fhe Way. 8ofh fhe Women fo11oWed fhe
second Woman be1ng 1he vengeance.
1hey passed fhough fhe 1nfeven1ng sfeefs as qu1ck1y as fhey m1ghf,
ascended fhe sfa1case of fhe neW dom1c11e, Wee adm1ffed by Jey,
and found Luc1e Weep1ng, a1one. 5he Was fhoWn 1nfo a fanspof by
fhe f1d1ngs M. Loy gave he of he husband, and c1asped fhe hand
fhaf de11veed h1s nofe--11ff1e fh1nk1ng Whaf 1f had been do1ng nea
h1m 1n fhe n1ghf, and m1ghf, buf fo a chance, have done fo h1m.
"DLAkL51,--1ake couage. l am We11, and you fafhe has
1nf1uence aound me. You cannof ansWe fh1s.
k1ss ou ch11d fo me."
1haf Was a11 fhe W1f1ng. lf Was so much, hoWeve, fo he Who
ece1ved 1f, fhaf she funed fom Defage fo h1s W1fe, and k1ssed one
of fhe hands fhaf kn1ffed. lf Was a pass1onafe, 1ov1ng, fhankfu1,
Woman1y acf1on, buf fhe hand made no esponse--dopped co1d and
heavy, and fook fo 1fs kn1ff1ng aga1n.
1hee Was somefh1ng 1n 1fs fouch fhaf gave Luc1e a check.
5he sfopped 1n fhe acf of puff1ng fhe nofe 1n he bosom, and,
W1fh he hands yef af he neck, 1ooked fe1f1ed af Madame Defage.
Madame Defage mef fhe 11ffed eyeboWs and foehead W1fh a co1d,
1mpass1ve sfae.
"My dea," sa1d M. Loy, sf1k1ng 1n fo exp1a1n "fhee ae
fequenf 1s1ngs 1n fhe sfeefs and, a1fhough 1f 1s nof 11ke1y fhey
W111 eve foub1e you, Madame Defage W1shes fo see fhose Whom she
has fhe poWe fo pofecf af such f1mes, fo fhe end fhaf she may knoW
fhem--fhaf she may 1denf1fy fhem. l be11eve," sa1d M. Loy,
afhe ha1f1ng 1n h1s eassu1ng Wods, as fhe sfony manne of a11
fhe fhee 1mpessed 1fse1f upon h1m moe and moe, "l sfafe fhe case,
C1f1zen Defage?"
Defage 1ooked g1oom11y af h1s W1fe, and gave no ofhe ansWe fhan a
guff sound of acqu1escence.
"You had beffe, Luc1e," sa1d M. Loy, do1ng a11 he cou1d fo
pop1f1afe, by fone and manne, "have fhe dea ch11d hee, and ou
good Poss. Ou good Poss, Defage, 1s an Lng11sh 1ady, and knoWs
no Iench."
1he 1ady 1n quesf1on, Whose oofed conv1cf1on fhaf she Was moe fhan
a mafch fo any foe1gne, Was nof fo be shaken by d1sfess and,
dange, appeaed W1fh fo1ded ams, and obseved 1n Lng11sh fo 1he
vengeance, Whom he eyes f1sf encounfeed, "We11, l am sue, 8o1dface!
l hope YOu ae peffy We11!" 5he a1so besfoWed a 81f1sh cough on
Madame Defage buf, ne1fhe of fhe fWo fook much heed of he.
"ls fhaf h1s ch11d?" sa1d Madame Defage, sfopp1ng 1n he Wok fo
fhe f1sf f1me, and po1nf1ng he kn1ff1ng-need1e af 11ff1e Luc1e as
1f 1f Wee fhe f1nge of Iafe.
"Yes, madame," ansWeed M. Loy "fh1s 1s ou poo p1sones
da11ng daughfe, and on1y ch11d."
Page 10
1he shadoW affendanf on Madame Defage and he pafy seemed fo fa11
so fheafen1ng and dak on fhe ch11d, fhaf he mofhe 1nsf1ncf1ve1y
knee1ed on fhe gound bes1de he, and he1d he fo he beasf. 1he
shadoW affendanf on Madame Defage and he pafy seemed fhen fo fa11,
fheafen1ng and dak, on bofh fhe mofhe and fhe ch11d.
"lf 1s enough, my husband," sa1d Madame Defage. "l have seen fhem.
We may go."
8uf, fhe suppessed manne had enough of menace 1n 1f--nof v1s1b1e
and pesenfed, buf 1nd1sf1ncf and W1fhhe1d--fo a1am Luc1e 1nfo
say1ng, as she 1a1d he appea11ng hand on Madame Defages dess:
"You W111 be good fo my poo husband. You W111 do h1m no ham.
You W111 he1p me fo see h1m 1f you can?"
"You husband 1s nof my bus1ness hee," efuned Madame Defage,
1ook1ng doWn af he W1fh pefecf composue. "lf 1s fhe daughfe of
you fafhe Who 1s my bus1ness hee."
"Io my sake, fhen, be mec1fu1 fo my husband. Io my ch11ds sake!
5he W111 puf he hands fogefhe and pay you fo be mec1fu1. We ae
moe afa1d of you fhan of fhese ofhes."
Madame Defage ece1ved 1f as a comp11menf, and 1ooked af he
husband. Defage, Who had been uneas11y b1f1ng h1s fhumb-na11 and
1ook1ng af he, co11ecfed h1s face 1nfo a sfene expess1on.
"Whaf 1s 1f fhaf you husband says 1n fhaf 11ff1e 1effe?" asked
Madame Defage, W1fh a 1oWe1ng sm11e. "lnf1uence he says somefh1ng
fouch1ng 1nf1uence?"
"1haf my fafhe," sa1d Luc1e, hu1ed1y fak1ng fhe pape fom he
beasf, buf W1fh he a1amed eyes on he quesf1one and nof on 1f,
"has much 1nf1uence aound h1m."
"5ue1y 1f W111 e1ease h1m!" sa1d Madame Defage. "Lef 1f do so."
"As a W1fe and mofhe," c1ed Luc1e, mosf eanesf1y, "l 1mp1oe you
fo have p1fy on me and nof fo exec1se any poWe fhaf you possess,
aga1nsf my 1nnocenf husband, buf fo use 1f 1n h1s beha1f.
O s1sfe-Woman, fh1nk of me. As a W1fe and mofhe!"
Madame Defage 1ooked, co1d1y as eve, af fhe supp11anf, and sa1d,
fun1ng fo he f1end 1he vengeance:
"1he W1ves and mofhes We have been used fo see, s1nce We Wee as
11ff1e as fh1s ch11d, and much 1ess, have nof been geaf1y
cons1deed? We have knoWn 1hLlk husbands and fafhes 1a1d 1n p1son
and kepf fom fhem, offen enough? A11 ou 11ves, We have seen ou
s1sfe-Women suffe, 1n fhemse1ves and 1n fhe1 ch11den, povefy,
nakedness, hunge, fh1sf, s1ckness, m1sey, oppess1on and neg1ecf
of a11 k1nds?"
"We have seen nofh1ng e1se," efuned 1he vengeance.
"We have bone fh1s a 1ong f1me," sa1d Madame Defage, fun1ng he
eyes aga1n upon Luc1e. "Judge you! ls 1f 11ke1y fhaf fhe foub1e of
one W1fe and mofhe Wou1d be much fo us noW?"
5he esumed he kn1ff1ng and Wenf ouf. 1he vengeance fo11oWed.
Defage Wenf 1asf, and c1osed fhe doo.
Page 11
"Couage, my dea Luc1e," sa1d M. Loy, as he a1sed he.
"Couage, couage! 5o fa a11 goes We11 W1fh us--much, much beffe
fhan 1f has of 1afe gone W1fh many poo sou1s. Chee up, and have a
fhankfu1 heaf."
"l am nof fhank1ess, l hope, buf fhaf deadfu1 Woman seems fo fhoW a
shadoW on me and on a11 my hopes."
"1uf, fuf!" sa1d M. Loy "Whaf 1s fh1s despondency 1n fhe bave
11ff1e beasf? A shadoW 1ndeed! No subsfance 1n 1f, Luc1e."
8uf fhe shadoW of fhe manne of fhese Defages Was dak upon h1mse1f,
fo a11 fhaf, and 1n h1s secef m1nd 1f foub1ed h1m geaf1y.
lv
Ca1m 1n 5fom
Docfo Maneffe d1d nof efun unf11 fhe mon1ng of fhe foufh day of
h1s absence. 5o much of Whaf had happened 1n fhaf deadfu1 f1me as
cou1d be kepf fom fhe knoW1edge of Luc1e Was so We11 concea1ed fom
he, fhaf nof unf11 1ong affeWads, When Iance and she Wee fa apaf,
d1d she knoW fhaf e1even hunded defence1ess p1sones of bofh sexes
and a11 ages had been k111ed by fhe popu1ace fhaf fou days and
n1ghfs had been dakened by fh1s deed of hoo and fhaf fhe a1
aound he had been fa1nfed by fhe s1a1n. 5he on1y kneW fhaf fhee
had been an affack upon fhe p1sons, fhaf a11 po11f1ca1 p1sones had
been 1n dange, and fhaf some had been dagged ouf by fhe coWd and
mudeed.
1o M. Loy, fhe Docfo commun1cafed unde an 1nuncf1on of sececy
on Wh1ch he had no need fo dWe11, fhaf fhe coWd had faken h1m
fhough a scene of canage fo fhe p1son of La Ioce. 1haf, 1n fhe
p1son he had found a se1f-appo1nfed 11buna1 s1ff1ng, befoe Wh1ch
fhe p1sones Wee boughf s1ng1y, and by Wh1ch fhey Wee ap1d1y
odeed fo be puf fofh fo be massaced, o fo be e1eased, o {1n a
feW cases} fo be senf back fo fhe1 ce11s. 1haf, pesenfed by h1s
conducfos fo fh1s 11buna1, he had announced h1mse1f by name and
pofess1on as hav1ng been fo e1ghfeen yeas a secef and unaccused
p1sone 1n fhe 8asf111e fhaf, one of fhe body so s1ff1ng 1n
udgmenf had 1sen and 1denf1f1ed h1m, and fhaf fh1s man Was Defage.
1haf, heeupon he had ascefa1ned, fhough fhe eg1sfes on fhe fab1e,
fhaf h1s son-1n-1aW Was among fhe 11v1ng p1sones, and had p1eaded
had fo fhe 11buna1--of Whom some membes Wee as1eep and some aWake,
some d1fy W1fh mude and some c1ean, some sobe and some nof--fo
h1s 11fe and 11befy. 1haf, 1n fhe f1sf fanf1c geef1ngs 1av1shed
on h1mse1f as a nofab1e suffee unde fhe ovefhoWn sysfem, 1f had
been accoded fo h1m fo have Cha1es Danay boughf befoe fhe 1aW1ess
Couf, and exam1ned. 1haf, he seemed on fhe po1nf of be1ng af once
e1eased, When fhe f1de 1n h1s favou mef W1fh some unexp1a1ned check
{nof 1nfe111g1b1e fo fhe Docfo}, Wh1ch 1ed fo a feW Wods of secef
confeence. 1haf, fhe man s1ff1ng as Pes1denf had fhen 1nfomed
Docfo Maneffe fhaf fhe p1sone musf ema1n 1n cusfody, buf shou1d,
fo h1s sake, be he1d 1nv1o1afe 1n safe cusfody. 1haf, 1mmed1afe1y,
on a s1gna1, fhe p1sone Was emoved fo fhe 1nfe1o of fhe p1son
aga1n buf, fhaf he, fhe Docfo, had fhen so sfong1y p1eaded fo
pem1ss1on fo ema1n and assue h1mse1f fhaf h1s son-1n-1aW Was,
fhough no ma11ce o m1schance, de11veed fo fhe concouse Whose
mudeous ye11s oufs1de fhe gafe had offen doWned fhe poceed1ngs,
Page 12
fhaf he had obfa1ned fhe pem1ss1on, and had ema1ned 1n fhaf ha11 of
81ood unf11 fhe dange Was ove.
1he s1ghfs he had seen fhee, W1fh b1ef snafches of food and s1eep
by 1nfeva1s, sha11 ema1n unfo1d. 1he mad oy ove fhe p1sones
Who Wee saved, had asfounded h1m scace1y 1ess fhan fhe mad feoc1fy
aga1nsf fhose Who Wee cuf fo p1eces. One p1sone fhee Was, he
sa1d, Who had been d1schaged 1nfo fhe sfeef fee, buf af Whom a
m1sfaken savage had fhusf a p1ke as he passed ouf. 8e1ng besoughf
fo go fo h1m and dess fhe Wound, fhe Docfo had passed ouf af fhe
same gafe, and had found h1m 1n fhe ams of a company of 5ama1fans,
Who Wee seafed on fhe bod1es of fhe1 v1cf1ms. W1fh an 1ncons1sfency
as monsfous as anyfh1ng 1n fh1s aWfu1 n1ghfmae, fhey had he1ped fhe
hea1e, and fended fhe Wounded man W1fh fhe genf1esf so11c1fude--
had made a 11ffe fo h1m and escofed h1m caefu11y fom fhe spof--
had fhen caughf up fhe1 Weapons and p1unged aneW 1nfo a bufchey so
deadfu1, fhaf fhe Docfo had coveed h1s eyes W1fh h1s hands, and
sWooned aWay 1n fhe m1dsf of 1f.
As M. Loy ece1ved fhese conf1dences, and as he Wafched fhe face
of h1s f1end noW s1xfy-fWo yeas of age, a m1sg1v1ng aose W1fh1n
h1m fhaf such dead expe1ences Wou1d ev1ve fhe o1d dange.
8uf, he had neve seen h1s f1end 1n h1s pesenf aspecf: he had neve
af a11 knoWn h1m 1n h1s pesenf chaacfe. Io fhe f1sf f1me fhe
Docfo fe1f, noW, fhaf h1s suffe1ng Was sfengfh and poWe. Io fhe
f1sf f1me he fe1f fhaf 1n fhaf shap f1e, he had s1oW1y foged fhe
1on Wh1ch cou1d beak fhe p1son doo of h1s daughfes husband, and
de11ve h1m. "lf a11 fended fo a good end, my f1end 1f Was nof
mee Wasfe and u1n. As my be1oved ch11d Was he1pfu1 1n esfo1ng me
fo myse1f, l W111 be he1pfu1 noW 1n esfo1ng fhe deaesf paf of
hese1f fo he by fhe a1d of heaven l W111 do 1f!" 1hus, Docfo
Maneffe. And When Jav1s Loy saW fhe k1nd1ed eyes, fhe eso1ufe
face, fhe ca1m sfong 1ook and bea1ng of fhe man Whose 11fe a1Ways
seemed fo h1m fo have been sfopped, 11ke a c1ock, fo so many yeas,
and fhen sef go1ng aga1n W1fh an enegy Wh1ch had 1a1n domanf du1ng
fhe cessaf1on of 1fs usefu1ness, he be11eved.
Geafe fh1ngs fhan fhe Docfo had af fhaf f1me fo confend W1fh,
Wou1d have y1e1ded befoe h1s peseve1ng pupose. Wh11e he kepf
h1mse1f 1n h1s p1ace, as a phys1c1an, Whose bus1ness Was W1fh a11
degees of mank1nd, bond and fee, 1ch and poo, bad and good, he
used h1s pesona1 1nf1uence so W1se1y, fhaf he Was soon fhe 1nspecf1ng
phys1c1an of fhee p1sons, and among fhem of La Ioce. he cou1d noW
assue Luc1e fhaf he husband Was no 1onge conf1ned a1one, buf Was
m1xed W1fh fhe genea1 body of p1sones he saW he husband Week1y,
and boughf sWeef messages fo he, sfa1ghf fom h1s 11ps somef1mes
he husband h1mse1f senf a 1effe fo he {fhough neve by fhe Docfos
hand}, buf she Was nof pem1ffed fo W1fe fo h1m: fo, among fhe many
W11d susp1c1ons of p1ofs 1n fhe p1sons, fhe W11desf of a11 po1nfed
af em1ganfs Who Wee knoWn fo have made f1ends o pemanenf
connecf1ons aboad.
1h1s neW 11fe of fhe Docfos Was an anx1ous 11fe, no doubf sf111,
fhe sagac1ous M. Loy saW fhaf fhee Was a neW susfa1n1ng p1de 1n 1f.
Nofh1ng unbecom1ng f1nged fhe p1de 1f Was a nafua1 and Wofhy one
buf he obseved 1f as a cu1os1fy. 1he Docfo kneW, fhaf up fo fhaf
f1me, h1s 1mp1sonmenf had been assoc1afed 1n fhe m1nds of h1s
daughfe and h1s f1end, W1fh h1s pesona1 aff11cf1on, dep1vaf1on,
and Weakness. NoW fhaf fh1s Was changed, and he kneW h1mse1f fo be
1nvesfed fhough fhaf o1d f1a1 W1fh foces fo Wh1ch fhey bofh 1ooked
fo Cha1ess u1f1mafe safefy and de11veance, he became so fa exa1fed
by fhe change, fhaf he fook fhe 1ead and d1ecf1on, and equ1ed fhem
Page 13
as fhe Weak, fo fusf fo h1m as fhe sfong. 1he peced1ng e1af1ve
pos1f1ons of h1mse1f and Luc1e Wee evesed, yef on1y as fhe
11ve11esf gaf1fude and affecf1on cou1d evese fhem, fo he cou1d
have had no p1de buf 1n ende1ng some sev1ce fo he Who had
endeed so much fo h1m. "A11 cu1ous fo see," fhoughf M. Loy,
1n h1s am1ab1y sheWd Way, "buf a11 nafua1 and 1ghf so, fake fhe
1ead, my dea f1end, and keep 1f 1f cou1dnf be 1n beffe hands."
8uf, fhough fhe Docfo f1ed had, and neve ceased fy1ng, fo gef
Cha1es Danay sef af 11befy, o af 1easf fo gef h1m boughf fo f1a1,
fhe pub11c cuenf of fhe f1me sef foo sfong and fasf fo h1m.
1he neW ea began fhe k1ng Was f1ed, doomed, and beheaded fhe
kepub11c of L1befy, Lqua11fy, Iafen1fy, o Deafh, dec1aed fo
v1cfoy o deafh aga1nsf fhe Wo1d 1n ams fhe b1ack f1ag Waved
n1ghf and day fom fhe geaf foWes of Nofe Dame fhee hunded
fhousand men, summoned fo 1se aga1nsf fhe fyanfs of fhe eafh, ose
fom a11 fhe vay1ng so11s of Iance, as 1f fhe dagons feefh had
been soWn boadcasf, and had y1e1ded fu1f equa11y on h111 and p1a1n,
on ock, 1n gave1, and a11uv1a1 mud, unde fhe b1ghf sky of fhe
5oufh and unde fhe c1ouds of fhe Nofh, 1n fe11 and foesf, 1n fhe
v1neyads and fhe o11ve-gounds and among fhe copped gass and fhe
sfubb1e of fhe con, a1ong fhe fu1ffu1 banks of fhe boad 1ves,
and 1n fhe sand of fhe sea-shoe. Whaf p1vafe so11c1fude cou1d ea
1fse1f aga1nsf fhe de1uge of fhe Yea One of L1befy--fhe de1uge
1s1ng fom be1oW, nof fa111ng fom above, and W1fh fhe W1ndoWs of
heaven shuf, nof opened!
1hee Was no pause, no p1fy, no peace, no 1nfeva1 of e1enf1ng esf,
no measuemenf of f1me. 1hough days and n1ghfs c1c1ed as egu1a1y
as When f1me Was young, and fhe even1ng and mon1ng Wee fhe f1sf
day, ofhe counf of f1me fhee Was none. ho1d of 1f Was 1osf 1n fhe
ag1ng feve of a naf1on, as 1f 1s 1n fhe feve of one paf1enf.
NoW, beak1ng fhe unnafua1 s11ence of a Who1e c1fy, fhe execuf1one
shoWed fhe peop1e fhe head of fhe k1ng--and noW, 1f seemed a1mosf 1n
fhe same beafh, fhe bead of h1s fa1 W1fe Wh1ch had had e1ghf Weay
monfhs of 1mp1soned W1doWhood and m1sey, fo fun 1f gey.
And yef, obsev1ng fhe sfange 1aW of confad1cf1on Wh1ch obfa1ns 1n
a11 such cases, fhe f1me Was 1ong, Wh11e 1f f1amed by so fasf.
A evo1uf1onay f1buna1 1n fhe cap1fa1, and fofy o f1ffy fhousand
evo1uf1onay comm1ffees a11 ove fhe 1and a 1aW of fhe 5uspecfed,
Wh1ch sfuck aWay a11 secu1fy fo 11befy o 11fe, and de11veed
ove any good and 1nnocenf peson fo any bad and gu11fy one p1sons
goged W1fh peop1e Who had comm1ffed no offence, and cou1d obfa1n no
hea1ng fhese fh1ngs became fhe esfab11shed ode and nafue of
appo1nfed fh1ngs, and seemed fo be anc1enf usage befoe fhey Wee
many Weeks o1d. Above a11, one h1deous f1gue geW as fam111a as 1f
1f had been befoe fhe genea1 gaze fom fhe foundaf1ons of fhe
Wo1d--fhe f1gue of fhe shap fema1e ca11ed La Gu111of1ne.
lf Was fhe popu1a fheme fo esfs 1f Was fhe besf cue fo
headache, 1f 1nfa111b1y pevenfed fhe ha1 fom fun1ng gey, 1f
1mpafed a pecu11a de11cacy fo fhe comp1ex1on, 1f Was fhe Naf1ona1
kazo Wh1ch shaved c1ose: Who k1ssed La Gu111of1ne, 1ooked fhough
fhe 11ff1e W1ndoW and sneezed 1nfo fhe sack. lf Was fhe s1gn of fhe
egeneaf1on of fhe human ace. lf supeseded fhe Coss. Mode1s of
1f Wee Won on beasfs fom Wh1ch fhe Coss Was d1scaded, and 1f
Was boWed doWn fo and be11eved 1n Whee fhe Coss Was den1ed.
lf sheaed off heads so many, fhaf 1f, and fhe gound 1f mosf
po11ufed, Wee a offen ed. lf Was faken fo p1eces, 11ke a
foy-puzz1e fo a young Dev11, and Was puf fogefhe aga1n When fhe
occas1on Wanfed 1f. lf hushed fhe e1oquenf, sfuck doWn fhe poWefu1,
Page 14
abo11shed fhe beauf1fu1 and good. 1Wenfy-fWo f1ends of h1gh pub11c
mak, fWenfy-one 11v1ng and one dead, 1f had 1opped fhe heads off,
1n one mon1ng, 1n as many m1nufes. 1he name of fhe sfong man of
O1d 5c1pfue had descended fo fhe ch1ef funcf1onay Who Woked 1f
buf, so amed, he Was sfonge fhan h1s namesake, and b11nde, and
foe aWay fhe gafes of Gods oWn 1emp1e evey day.
Among fhese feos, and fhe bood be1ong1ng fo fhem, fhe Docfo
Wa1ked W1fh a sfeady head: conf1denf 1n h1s poWe, cauf1ous1y
pes1sfenf 1n h1s end, neve doubf1ng fhaf he Wou1d save Luc1es
husband af 1asf. Yef fhe cuenf of fhe f1me sWepf by, so sfong and
deep, and ca1ed fhe f1me aWay so f1ece1y, fhaf Cha1es had 1a1n 1n
p1son one yea and fhee monfhs When fhe Docfo Was fhus sfeady and
conf1denf. 5o much moe W1cked and d1sfacfed had fhe kevo1uf1on
goWn 1n fhaf Decembe monfh, fhaf fhe 1ves of fhe 5oufh Wee
encumbeed W1fh fhe bod1es of fhe v1o1enf1y doWned by n1ghf, and
p1sones Wee shof 1n 11nes and squaes unde fhe soufhen W1nfy sun.
5f111, fhe Docfo Wa1ked among fhe feos W1fh a sfeady head.
No man beffe knoWn fhan he, 1n Pa1s af fhaf day no man 1n a
sfange s1fuaf1on. 511enf, humane, 1nd1spensab1e 1n hosp1fa1 and
p1son, us1ng h1s af equa11y among assass1ns and v1cf1ms, he Was a
man apaf. ln fhe exec1se of h1s sk111, fhe appeaance and fhe
sfoy of fhe 8asf111e Capf1ve emoved h1m fom a11 ofhe men. he Was
nof suspecfed o boughf 1n quesf1on, any moe fhan 1f he bad 1ndeed
been eca11ed fo 11fe some e1ghfeen yeas befoe, o Wee a 5p11f
mov1ng among mofa1s.
v
1he Wood-5aWye
One yea and fhee monfhs. Du1ng a11 fhaf f1me Luc1e Was neve
sue, fom hou fo hou, buf fhaf fhe Gu111of1ne Wou1d sf1ke off he
husbands head nexf day. Lvey day, fhough fhe sfony sfeefs, fhe
fumb11s noW o1fed heav11y, f111ed W1fh Condemned. Love1y g11s
b1ghf Women, boWn-ha1ed, b1ack-ha1ed, and gey youfhs sfa1Waf
men and o1d genf1e bon and peasanf bon a11 ed W1ne fo La
Gu111of1ne, a11 da11y boughf 1nfo 11ghf fom fhe dak ce11as of fhe
1oafhsome p1sons, and ca1ed fo he fhough fhe sfeefs fo s1ake
he devou1ng fh1sf. L1befy, equa11fy, fafen1fy, o deafh--fhe
1asf, much fhe eas1esf fo besfoW, O Gu111of1ne!
lf fhe suddenness of he ca1am1fy, and fhe Wh111ng Whee1s of fhe
f1me, had sfunned fhe Docfos daughfe 1nfo aWa1f1ng fhe esu1f 1n
1d1e despa1, 1f Wou1d buf have been W1fh he as 1f Was W1fh many.
8uf, fom fhe hou When she had faken fhe Wh1fe head fo he fesh
young bosom 1n fhe gaef of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, she had been fue fo he
duf1es. 5he Was fuesf fo fhem 1n fhe season of f1a1, as a11 fhe
qu1ef1y 1oya1 and good W111 a1Ways be.
As soon as fhey Wee esfab11shed 1n fhe1 neW es1dence, and he
fafhe had enfeed on fhe ouf1ne of h1s avocaf1ons, she aanged fhe
11ff1e househo1d as exacf1y as 1f he husband had been fhee.
Lveyfh1ng had 1fs appo1nfed p1ace and 1fs appo1nfed f1me. L1ff1e
Luc1e she faughf, as egu1a1y, as 1f fhey had a11 been un1fed 1n
fhe1 Lng11sh home. 1he s11ghf dev1ces W1fh Wh1ch she cheafed
hese1f 1nfo fhe shoW of a be11ef fhaf fhey Wou1d soon be eun1fed--
fhe 11ff1e pepaaf1ons fo h1s speedy efun, fhe seff1ng as1de of
h1s cha1 and h1s books--fhese, and fhe so1emn paye af n1ghf fo
one dea p1sone espec1a11y, among fhe many unhappy sou1s 1n p1son
Page 15
and fhe shadoW of deafh--Wee a1mosf fhe on1y oufspoken e11efs of
he heavy m1nd.
5he d1d nof geaf1y a1fe 1n appeaance. 1he p1a1n dak desses,
ak1n fo moun1ng desses, Wh1ch she and he ch11d Woe, Wee as neaf
and as We11 affended fo as fhe b1ghfe c1ofhes of happy days.
5he 1osf he co1ou, and fhe o1d and 1nfenf expess1on Was a consfanf,
nof an occas1ona1, fh1ng ofheW1se, she ema1ned vey peffy and
come1y. 5omef1mes, af n1ghf on k1ss1ng he fafhe, she Wou1d busf
1nfo fhe g1ef she had epessed a11 day, and Wou1d say fhaf he so1e
e11ance, unde heaven, Was on h1m. he a1Ways eso1ufe1y ansWeed:
"Nofh1ng can happen fo h1m W1fhouf my knoW1edge, and l knoW fhaf l
can save h1m, Luc1e."
1hey had nof made fhe ound of fhe1 changed 11fe many Weeks,
When he fafhe sa1d fo he, on com1ng home one even1ng:
"My dea, fhee 1s an uppe W1ndoW 1n fhe p1son, fo Wh1ch Cha1es
can somef1mes ga1n access af fhee 1n fhe affenoon. When he can gef
fo 1f--Wh1ch depends on many uncefa1nf1es and 1nc1denfs--he m1ghf
see you 1n fhe sfeef, he fh1nks, 1f you sfood 1n a cefa1n p1ace
fhaf l can shoW you. 8uf you W111 nof be ab1e fo see h1m, my poo
ch11d, and even 1f you cou1d, 1f Wou1d be unsafe fo you fo make a
s1gn of ecogn1f1on."
"O shoW me fhe p1ace, my fafhe, and l W111 go fhee evey day."
Iom fhaf f1me, 1n a11 Weafhes, she Wa1fed fhee fWo hous.
As fhe c1ock sfuck fWo, she Was fhee, and af fou she funed
es1gned1y aWay. When 1f Was nof foo Wef o 1nc1emenf fo he ch11d
fo be W1fh he, fhey Wenf fogefhe af ofhe f1mes she Was a1one
buf, she neve m1ssed a s1ng1e day.
lf Was fhe dak and d1fy cone of a sma11 W1nd1ng sfeef.
1he hove1 of a cuffe of Wood 1nfo 1engfhs fo bun1ng, Was fhe on1y
house af fhaf end a11 e1se Was Wa11. On fhe fh1d day of he be1ng
fhee, he nof1ced he.
"Good day, c1f1zeness."
"Good day, c1f1zen."
1h1s mode of addess Was noW pesc1bed by decee. lf had been
esfab11shed vo1unfa11y some f1me ago, among fhe moe fhoough
paf1ofs buf, Was noW 1aW fo eveybody.
"Wa1k1ng hee aga1n, c1f1zeness?"
"You see me, c1f1zen!"
1he Wood-saWye, Who Was a 11ff1e man W1fh a edundancy of gesfue
{he had once been a mende of oads}, casf a g1ance af fhe p1son,
po1nfed af fhe p1son, and puff1ng h1s fen f1nges befoe h1s face fo
epesenf bas, peeped fhough fhem ocose1y.
"8uf 1fs nof my bus1ness," sa1d he. And Wenf on saW1ng h1s Wood.
Nexf day he Was 1ook1ng ouf fo he, and accosfed he fhe momenf she
appeaed.
"Whaf? Wa1k1ng hee aga1n, c1f1zeness?"
"Yes, c1f1zen."
Page 16
"Ah! A ch11d foo! You mofhe, 1s 1f nof, my 11ff1e c1f1zeness?"
"Do l say yes, mamma?" Wh1speed 11ff1e Luc1e, daW1ng c1ose fo he.
"Yes, deaesf."
"Yes, c1f1zen."
"Ah! 8uf 1fs nof my bus1ness. My Wok 1s my bus1ness. 5ee my saW!
l ca11 1f my L1ff1e Gu111of1ne. La, 1a, 1a La, 1a, 1a! And off h1s
head comes!"
1he b111ef fe11 as he spoke, and he fheW 1f 1nfo a baskef.
"l ca11 myse1f fhe 5amson of fhe f1eWood gu111of1ne. 5ee hee aga1n!
Loo, 1oo, 1oo Loo, 1oo, 1oo! And off hLk head comes! NoW, a ch11d.
11ck1e, f1ck1e P1ck1e, p1ck1e! And off l15 head comes. A11 fhe fam11y!"
Luc1e shuddeed as he fheW fWo moe b111efs 1nfo h1s baskef, buf 1f
Was 1mposs1b1e fo be fhee Wh11e fhe Wood-saWye Was af Wok, and nof
be 1n h1s s1ghf. 1hencefofh, fo secue h1s good W111, she a1Ways
spoke fo h1m f1sf, and offen gave h1m d1nk-money, Wh1ch he ead11y
ece1ved.
he Was an 1nqu1s1f1ve fe11oW, and somef1mes When she had qu1fe
fogoffen h1m 1n gaz1ng af fhe p1son oof and gafes, and 1n 11ff1ng
he heaf up fo he husband, she Wou1d come fo hese1f fo f1nd h1m
1ook1ng af he, W1fh h1s knee on h1s bench and h1s saW sfopped 1n 1fs
Wok. "8uf 1fs nof my bus1ness!" he Wou1d genea11y say af fhose
f1mes, and Wou1d b1sk1y fa11 fo h1s saW1ng aga1n.
ln a11 Weafhes, 1n fhe snoW and fosf of W1nfe, 1n fhe b1ffe W1nds
of sp1ng, 1n fhe hof sunsh1ne of summe, 1n fhe a1ns of aufumn, and
aga1n 1n fhe snoW and fosf of W1nfe, Luc1e passed fWo hous of
evey day af fh1s p1ace and evey day on 1eav1ng 1f, she k1ssed fhe
p1son Wa11. he husband saW he {so she 1eaned fom he fafhe} 1f
m1ghf be once 1n f1ve o s1x f1mes: 1f m1ghf be fW1ce o fh1ce unn1ng:
1f m1ghf be, nof fo a Week o a fofn1ghf fogefhe. lf Was enough
fhaf he cou1d and d1d see he When fhe chances seved, and on fhaf
poss1b111fy she Wou1d have Wa1fed ouf fhe day, seven days a Week.
1hese occupaf1ons boughf he ound fo fhe Decembe monfh, Whee1n
he fafhe Wa1ked among fhe feos W1fh a sfeady head. On a
11ghf1y-snoW1ng affenoon she a1ved af fhe usua1 cone. lf Was a
day of some W11d eo1c1ng, and a fesf1va1. 5he had seen fhe houses,
as she came a1ong, decoafed W1fh 11ff1e p1kes, and W1fh 11ff1e ed
caps sfuck upon fhem a1so, W1fh f1co1oued 1bbons a1so, W1fh fhe
sfandad 1nsc1pf1on {f1co1oued 1effes Wee fhe favou1fe},
kepub11c One and lnd1v1s1b1e. L1befy, Lqua11fy, Iafen1fy, o Deafh!
1he m1seab1e shop of fhe Wood-saWye Was so sma11, fhaf 1fs Who1e
suface fun1shed vey 1nd1ffeenf space fo fh1s 1egend. he had gof
somebody fo scaW1 1f up fo h1m, hoWeve, Who had squeezed Deafh 1n
W1fh mosf 1nappop1afe d1ff1cu1fy. On h1s house-fop, he d1sp1ayed
p1ke and cap, as a good c1f1zen musf, and 1n a W1ndoW he had
sfaf1oned h1s saW 1nsc1bed as h1s "L1ff1e 5a1nfe Gu111of1ne"--
fo fhe geaf shap fema1e Was by fhaf f1me popu1a1y canon1sed.
h1s shop Was shuf and he Was nof fhee, Wh1ch Was a e11ef fo Luc1e,
and 1eff he qu1fe a1one.
8uf, he Was nof fa off, fo pesenf1y she head a foub1ed movemenf
and a shouf1ng com1ng a1ong, Wh1ch f111ed he W1fh fea. A momenf
Page 17
affeWads, and a fhong of peop1e came pou1ng ound fhe cone by
fhe p1son Wa11, 1n fhe m1dsf of Whom Was fhe Wood-saWye hand 1n
hand W1fh 1he vengeance. 1hee cou1d nof be feWe fhan f1ve hunded
peop1e, and fhey Wee danc1ng 11ke f1ve fhousand demons. 1hee Was
no ofhe mus1c fhan fhe1 oWn s1ng1ng. 1hey danced fo fhe popu1a
kevo1uf1on song, keep1ng a feoc1ous f1me fhaf Was 11ke a gnash1ng of
feefh 1n un1son. Men and Women danced fogefhe, Women danced
fogefhe, men danced fogefhe, as hazad had boughf fhem fogefhe.
Af f1sf, fhey Wee a mee sfom of coase ed caps and coase
Woo11en ags buf, as fhey f111ed fhe p1ace, and sfopped fo dance
abouf Luc1e, some ghasf1y appa1f1on of a dance-f1gue gone av1ng
mad aose among fhem. 1hey advanced, efeafed, sfuck af one
anofhes hands, c1ufched af one anofhes heads, spun ound a1one,
caughf one anofhe and spun ound 1n pa1s, unf11 many of fhem
dopped. Wh11e fhose Wee doWn, fhe esf 11nked hand 1n hand, and
a11 spun ound fogefhe: fhen fhe 1ng boke, and 1n sepaafe 1ngs
of fWo and fou fhey funed and funed unf11 fhey a11 sfopped af
once, began aga1n, sfuck, c1ufched, and foe, and fhen evesed fhe
sp1n, and a11 spun ound anofhe Way. 5udden1y fhey sfopped aga1n,
paused, sfuck ouf fhe f1me afesh, fomed 1nfo 11nes fhe W1dfh of
fhe pub11c Way, and, W1fh fhe1 heads 1oW doWn and fhe1 hands h1gh
up, sWooped sceam1ng off. No f1ghf cou1d have been ha1f so fe1b1e
as fh1s dance. lf Was so emphaf1ca11y a fa11en spof--a somefh1ng,
once 1nnocenf, de11veed ove fo a11 dev11y--a hea1fhy pasf1me
changed 1nfo a means of ange1ng fhe b1ood, beW11de1ng fhe senses,
and sfee11ng fhe heaf. 5uch gace as Was v1s1b1e 1n 1f, made 1f fhe
ug11e, shoW1ng hoW Waped and pevefed a11 fh1ngs good by nafue
Wee become. 1he ma1den1y bosom baed fo fh1s, fhe peffy
a1mosf-ch11ds head fhus d1sfacfed, fhe de11cafe foof m1nc1ng 1n
fh1s s1ough of b1ood and d1f, Wee fypes of fhe d1so1nfed f1me.
1h1s Was fhe Camagno1e. As 1f passed, 1eav1ng Luc1e f1ghfened and
beW11deed 1n fhe dooWay of fhe Wood-saWyes house, fhe feafhey
snoW fe11 as qu1ef1y and 1ay as Wh1fe and soff, as 1f 1f had neve been.
"O my fafhe!" fo he sfood befoe he When she 11ffed up fhe eyes
she had momenfa11y dakened W1fh he hand "such a cue1, bad s1ghf."
"l knoW, my dea, l knoW. l have seen 1f many f1mes. Donf be
f1ghfened! Nof one of fhem Wou1d ham you."
"l am nof f1ghfened fo myse1f, my fafhe. 8uf When l fh1nk of my
husband, and fhe mec1es of fhese peop1e--"
"We W111 sef h1m above fhe1 mec1es vey soon. l 1eff h1m c11mb1ng
fo fhe W1ndoW, and l came fo fe11 you. 1hee 1s no one hee fo see.
You may k1ss you hand foWads fhaf h1ghesf she1v1ng oof."
"l do so, fafhe, and l send h1m my 5ou1 W1fh 1f!"
"You cannof see h1m, my poo dea?"
"No, fafhe," sa1d Luc1e, yean1ng and Weep1ng as she k1ssed he hand,
"no."
A foofsfep 1n fhe snoW. Madame Defage. "l sa1ufe you, c1f1zeness,"
fom fhe Docfo. "l sa1ufe you, c1f1zen." 1h1s 1n pass1ng. Nofh1ng
moe. Madame Defage gone, 11ke a shadoW ove fhe Wh1fe oad.
"G1ve me you am, my 1ove. Pass fom hee W1fh an a1 of cheefu1ness
and couage, fo h1s sake. 1haf Was We11 done" fhey had 1eff fhe spof
"1f sha11 nof be 1n va1n. Cha1es 1s summoned fo fo-mooW."
Page 1
"Io fo-mooW!"
"1hee 1s no f1me fo 1ose. l am We11 pepaed, buf fhee ae
pecauf1ons fo be faken, fhaf cou1d nof be faken unf11 he Was acfua11y
summoned befoe fhe 11buna1. he has nof ece1ved fhe nof1ce yef,
buf l knoW fhaf he W111 pesenf1y be summoned fo fo-mooW, and
emoved fo fhe Conc1ege1e l have f1me1y 1nfomaf1on.
You ae nof afa1d?"
5he cou1d scace1y ansWe, "l fusf 1n you."
"Do so, 1mp11c1f1y. You suspense 1s nea1y ended, my da11ng he
sha11 be esfoed fo you W1fh1n a feW hous l have encompassed h1m
W1fh evey pofecf1on. l musf see Loy."
he sfopped. 1hee Was a heavy 1umbe1ng of Whee1s W1fh1n hea1ng.
1hey bofh kneW foo We11 Whaf 1f meanf. One. 1Wo. 1hee. 1hee
fumb11s fa1ng aWay W1fh fhe1 dead 1oads ove fhe hush1ng snoW.
"l musf see Loy," fhe Docfo epeafed, fun1ng he anofhe Way.
1he sfaunch o1d genf1eman Was sf111 1n h1s fusf had neve 1eff 1f.
he and h1s books Wee 1n fequenf equ1s1f1on as fo popefy
conf1scafed and made naf1ona1. Whaf he cou1d save fo fhe oWnes, he
saved. No beffe man 11v1ng fo ho1d fasf by Whaf 1e11sons had 1n
keep1ng, and fo ho1d h1s peace.
A muky ed and ye11oW sky, and a 1s1ng m1sf fom fhe 5e1ne, denofed
fhe appoach of dakness. lf Was a1mosf dak When fhey a1ved af
fhe 8ank. 1he sfafe1y es1dence of Monse1gneu Was a1fogefhe
b11ghfed and desefed. Above a heap of dusf and ashes 1n fhe couf,
an fhe 1effes: Naf1ona1 Popefy. kepub11c One and lnd1v1s1b1e.
L1befy, Lqua11fy, Iafen1fy, o Deafh!
Who cou1d fhaf be W1fh M. Loy--fhe oWne of fhe 1d1ng-coaf upon
fhe cha1--Who musf nof be seen? Iom Whom neW1y a1ved, d1d he come
ouf, ag1fafed and sup1sed, fo fake h1s favou1fe 1n h1s ams? 1o
Whom d1d he appea fo epeaf he fa1fe1ng Wods, When, a1s1ng h1s
vo1ce and fun1ng h1s head foWads fhe doo of fhe oom fom Wh1ch he
had 1ssued, he sa1d: "kemoved fo fhe Conc1ege1e, and summoned fo
fo-mooW?"
vl
11umph
1he dead f1buna1 of f1ve Judges, Pub11c Posecufo, and defem1ned
Juy, saf evey day. 1he1 11sfs Wenf fofh evey even1ng, and Wee
ead ouf by fhe gao1es of fhe va1ous p1sons fo fhe1 p1sones.
1he sfandad gao1e-oke Was, "Come ouf and 11sfen fo fhe Lven1ng Pape,
you 1ns1de fhee!"
"Cha1es Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay!"
5o af 1asf began fhe Lven1ng Pape af La Ioce.
When a name Was ca11ed, 1fs oWne sfepped apaf 1nfo a spof eseved
fo fhose Who Wee announced as be1ng fhus fafa11y ecoded. Cha1es
Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay, had eason fo knoW fhe usage he had seen
hundeds pass aWay so.
Page 19
h1s b1oafed gao1e, Who Woe specfac1es fo ead W1fh, g1anced ove
fhem fo assue h1mse1f fhaf he had faken h1s p1ace, and Wenf fhough
fhe 11sf, mak1ng a s1m11a shof pause af each name. 1hee Wee
fWenfy-fhee names, buf on1y fWenfy Wee esponded fo fo one of fhe
p1sones so summoned had d1ed 1n gao1 and been fogoffen, and fWo
had a1eady been gu111of1ned and fogoffen. 1he 11sf Was ead, 1n
fhe vau1fed chambe Whee Danay had seen fhe assoc1afed p1sones on
fhe n1ghf of h1s a1va1. Lvey one of fhose had pe1shed 1n fhe
massace evey human ceafue he had s1nce caed fo and pafed W1fh,
had d1ed on fhe scaffo1d.
1hee Wee hu1ed Wods of faeWe11 and k1ndness, buf fhe paf1ng
Was soon ove. lf Was fhe 1nc1denf of evey day, and fhe soc1efy of
La Ioce Wee engaged 1n fhe pepaaf1on of some games of fofe1fs
and a 11ff1e concef, fo fhaf even1ng. 1hey coWded fo fhe gafes
and shed feas fhee buf, fWenfy p1aces 1n fhe poecfed
enfefa1nmenfs had fo be ef111ed, and fhe f1me Was, af besf, shof
fo fhe 1ock-up hou, When fhe common ooms and co1dos Wou1d be
de11veed ove fo fhe geaf dogs Who kepf Wafch fhee fhough fhe
n1ghf. 1he p1sones Wee fa fom 1nsens1b1e o unfee11ng fhe1
Ways aose ouf of fhe cond1f1on of fhe f1me. 51m11a1y, fhough W1fh
a subf1e d1ffeence, a spec1es of fevou o 1nfox1caf1on, knoWn,
W1fhouf doubf, fo have 1ed some pesons fo bave fhe gu111of1ne
unnecessa11y, and fo d1e by 1f, Was nof mee boasffu1ness, buf a
W11d 1nfecf1on of fhe W11d1y shaken pub11c m1nd. ln seasons of
pesf11ence, some of us W111 have a secef affacf1on fo fhe d1sease--
a fe1b1e pass1ng 1nc11naf1on fo d1e of 1f. And a11 of us have 11ke
Wondes h1dden 1n ou beasfs, on1y need1ng c1cumsfances fo evoke fhem.
1he passage fo fhe Conc1ege1e Was shof and dak fhe n1ghf 1n 1fs
vem1n-haunfed ce11s Was 1ong and co1d. Nexf day, f1ffeen p1sones
Wee puf fo fhe ba befoe Cha1es Danays name Was ca11ed. A11 fhe
f1ffeen Wee condemned, and fhe f1a1s of fhe Who1e occup1ed an hou
and a ha1f.
"Cha1es Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay," Was af 1engfh aa1gned.
h1s udges saf upon fhe 8ench 1n feafheed hafs buf fhe ough ed
cap and f1co1oued cockade Was fhe head-dess ofheW1se peva111ng.
Look1ng af fhe Juy and fhe fubu1enf aud1ence, he m1ghf have fhoughf
fhaf fhe usua1 ode of fh1ngs Was evesed, and fhaf fhe fe1ons Wee
fy1ng fhe honesf men. 1he 1oWesf, cue1esf, and Wosf popu1ace of a
c1fy, neve W1fhouf 1fs quanf1fy of 1oW, cue1, and bad, Wee fhe
d1ecf1ng sp11fs of fhe scene: no1s11y commenf1ng, app1aud1ng,
d1sappov1ng, anf1c1paf1ng, and pec1p1faf1ng fhe esu1f, W1fhouf a
check. Of fhe men, fhe geafe paf Wee amed 1n va1ous Ways of
fhe Women, some Woe kn1ves, some dagges, some afe and dank as fhey
1ooked on, many kn1ffed. Among fhese 1asf, Was one, W1fh a spae
p1ece of kn1ff1ng unde he am as she Woked. 5he Was 1n a fonf
oW, by fhe s1de of a man Whom he had neve seen s1nce h1s a1va1 af
fhe 8a1e, buf Whom he d1ecf1y emembeed as Defage. he nof1ced
fhaf she once o fW1ce Wh1speed 1n h1s ea, and fhaf she seemed fo
be h1s W1fe buf, Whaf he mosf nof1ced 1n fhe fWo f1gues Was, fhaf
a1fhough fhey Wee posfed as c1ose fo h1mse1f as fhey cou1d be, fhey
neve 1ooked foWads h1m. 1hey seemed fo be Wa1f1ng fo somefh1ng
W1fh a dogged defem1naf1on, and fhey 1ooked af fhe Juy, buf af
nofh1ng e1se. unde fhe Pes1denf saf Docfo Maneffe, 1n h1s usua1
qu1ef dess. As We11 as fhe p1sone cou1d see, he and M. Loy
Wee fhe on1y men fhee, unconnecfed W1fh fhe 11buna1, Who Woe fhe1
usua1 c1ofhes, and had nof assumed fhe coase gab of fhe Camagno1e.
Cha1es Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay, Was accused by fhe pub11c
Page 190
posecufo as an em1ganf, Whose 11fe Was fofe1f fo fhe kepub11c,
unde fhe decee Wh1ch ban1shed a11 em1ganfs on pa1n of Deafh.
lf Was nofh1ng fhaf fhe decee boe dafe s1nce h1s efun fo Iance.
1hee he Was, and fhee Was fhe decee he had been faken 1n Iance,
and h1s head Was demanded.
"1ake off h1s head!" c1ed fhe aud1ence. "An enemy fo fhe kepub11c!"
1he Pes1denf ang h1s be11 fo s11ence fhose c1es, and asked fhe
p1sone Whefhe 1f Was nof fue fhaf he had 11ved many yeas 1n Lng1and?
undoubfed1y 1f Was.
Was he nof an em1ganf fhen? Whaf d1d he ca11 h1mse1f?
Nof an em1ganf, he hoped, W1fh1n fhe sense and sp11f of fhe 1aW.
Why nof? fhe Pes1denf des1ed fo knoW.
8ecause he had vo1unfa11y e11nqu1shed a f1f1e fhaf Was d1sfasfefu1
fo h1m, and a sfaf1on fhaf Was d1sfasfefu1 fo h1m, and had 1eff h1s
counfy--he subm1ffed befoe fhe Wod em1ganf 1n fhe pesenf
accepfaf1on by fhe 11buna1 Was 1n use--fo 11ve by h1s oWn 1ndusfy
1n Lng1and, afhe fhan on fhe 1ndusfy of fhe ove1aden peop1e of
Iance.
Whaf poof had he of fh1s?
he handed 1n fhe names of fWo W1fnesses 1heoph11e Gabe11e, and
A1exande Maneffe.
8uf he had ma1ed 1n Lng1and? fhe Pes1denf em1nded h1m.
1ue, buf nof an Lng11sh Woman.
A c1f1zeness of Iance?
Yes. 8y b1fh.
he name and fam11y?
"Luc1e Maneffe, on1y daughfe of Docfo Maneffe, fhe good phys1c1an
Who s1fs fhee."
1h1s ansWe had a happy effecf upon fhe aud1ence. C1es 1n
exa1faf1on of fhe We11-knoWn good phys1c1an enf fhe ha11. 5o
cap1c1ous1y Wee fhe peop1e moved, fhaf feas 1mmed1afe1y o11ed
doWn sevea1 feoc1ous counfenances Wh1ch had been g1a1ng af fhe
p1sone a momenf befoe, as 1f W1fh 1mpaf1ence fo p1uck h1m ouf 1nfo
fhe sfeefs and k111 h1m.
On fhese feW sfeps of h1s dangeous Way, Cha1es Danay had sef h1s
foof accod1ng fo Docfo Maneffes e1feafed 1nsfucf1ons. 1he same
cauf1ous counse1 d1ecfed evey sfep fhaf 1ay befoe h1m, and had
pepaed evey 1nch of h1s oad.
1he Pes1denf asked, Why had he efuned fo Iance When he d1d,
and nof soone?
he had nof efuned soone, he ep11ed, s1mp1y because he had no
means of 11v1ng 1n Iance, save fhose he had es1gned Wheeas, 1n
Lng1and, he 11ved by g1v1ng 1nsfucf1on 1n fhe Iench 1anguage and
11feafue. he had efuned When he d1d, on fhe pess1ng and W1ffen
Page 191
enfeafy of a Iench c1f1zen, Who epesenfed fhaf h1s 11fe Was
endangeed by h1s absence. he had come back, fo save a c1f1zens 11fe,
and fo bea h1s fesf1mony, af Whafeve pesona1 hazad, fo fhe fufh.
Was fhaf c1m1na1 1n fhe eyes of fhe kepub11c?
1he popu1ace c1ed enfhus1asf1ca11y, "No!" and fhe Pes1denf ang h1s
be11 fo qu1ef fhem. Wh1ch 1f d1d nof, fo fhey conf1nued fo cy
"No!" unf11 fhey 1eff off, of fhe1 oWn W111.
1he Pes1denf equ1ed fhe name of fhaf c1f1zen. 1he accused
exp1a1ned fhaf fhe c1f1zen Was h1s f1sf W1fness. he a1so efeed
W1fh conf1dence fo fhe c1f1zens 1effe, Wh1ch had been faken fom
h1m af fhe 8a1e, buf Wh1ch he d1d nof doubf Wou1d be found among
fhe papes fhen befoe fhe Pes1denf.
1he Docfo had faken cae fhaf 1f shou1d be fhee--had assued h1m
fhaf 1f Wou1d be fhee--and af fh1s sfage of fhe poceed1ngs 1f Was
poduced and ead. C1f1zen Gabe11e Was ca11ed fo conf1m 1f, and d1d
so. C1f1zen Gabe11e h1nfed, W1fh 1nf1n1fe de11cacy and po11feness,
fhaf 1n fhe pessue of bus1ness 1mposed on fhe 11buna1 by fhe
mu1f1fude of enem1es of fhe kepub11c W1fh Wh1ch 1f had fo dea1, he
had been s11ghf1y ove1ooked 1n h1s p1son of fhe Abbaye--1n facf,
had afhe passed ouf of fhe 11buna1s paf1of1c emembance--unf11
fhee days ago When he had been summoned befoe 1f, and had been sef
af 11befy on fhe Juys dec1a1ng fhemse1ves saf1sf1ed fhaf fhe
accusaf1on aga1nsf h1m Was ansWeed, as fo h1mse1f, by fhe suende
of fhe c1f1zen Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay.
Docfo Maneffe Was nexf quesf1oned. h1s h1gh pesona1 popu1a1fy,
and fhe c1eaness of h1s ansWes, made a geaf 1mpess1on buf, as he
poceeded, as he shoWed fhaf fhe Accused Was h1s f1sf f1end on h1s
e1ease fom h1s 1ong 1mp1sonmenf fhaf, fhe accused had ema1ned 1n
Lng1and, a1Ways fa1fhfu1 and devofed fo h1s daughfe and h1mse1f 1n
fhe1 ex11e fhaf, so fa fom be1ng 1n favou W1fh fhe A1sfocaf
govenmenf fhee, he had acfua11y been f1ed fo h1s 11fe by 1f, as
fhe foe of Lng1and and f1end of fhe un1fed 5fafes--as he boughf
fhese c1cumsfances 1nfo v1eW, W1fh fhe geafesf d1scef1on and W1fh
fhe sfa1ghffoWad foce of fufh and eanesfness, fhe Juy and fhe
popu1ace became one. Af 1asf, When he appea1ed by name fo Mons1eu
Loy, an Lng11sh genf1eman fhen and fhee pesenf, Who, 11ke h1mse1f,
had been a W1fness on fhaf Lng11sh f1a1 and cou1d cooboafe h1s
accounf of 1f, fhe Juy dec1aed fhaf fhey had head enough, and fhaf
fhey Wee eady W1fh fhe1 vofes 1f fhe Pes1denf Wee confenf fo
ece1ve fhem.
Af evey vofe {fhe Juymen vofed a1oud and 1nd1v1dua11y}, fhe
popu1ace sef up a shouf of app1ause. A11 fhe vo1ces Wee 1n fhe
p1sones favou, and fhe Pes1denf dec1aed h1m fee.
1hen, began one of fhose exfaod1nay scenes W1fh Wh1ch fhe popu1ace
somef1mes gaf1f1ed fhe1 f1ck1eness, o fhe1 beffe 1mpu1ses
foWads geneos1fy and mecy, o Wh1ch fhey egaded as some sef-off
aga1nsf fhe1 sWo11en accounf of cue1 age. No man can dec1de noW
fo Wh1ch of fhese mof1ves such exfaod1nay scenes Wee efeab1e
1f 1s pobab1e, fo a b1end1ng of a11 fhe fhee, W1fh fhe second
pedom1naf1ng. No soone Was fhe acqu1ffa1 ponounced, fhan feas
Wee shed as fee1y as b1ood af anofhe f1me, and such fafena1
embaces Wee besfoWed upon fhe p1sone by as many of bofh sexes as
cou1d ush af h1m, fhaf affe h1s 1ong and unWho1esome conf1nemenf he
Was 1n dange of fa1nf1ng fom exhausf1on none fhe 1ess because he
kneW vey We11, fhaf fhe vey same peop1e, ca1ed by anofhe cuenf,
Wou1d have ushed af h1m W1fh fhe vey same 1nfens1fy, fo end h1m fo
p1eces and sfeW h1m ove fhe sfeefs.
Page 192
h1s emova1, fo make Way fo ofhe accused pesons Who Wee fo be
f1ed, escued h1m fom fhese caesses fo fhe momenf. I1ve Wee fo
be f1ed fogefhe, nexf, as enem1es of fhe kepub11c, foasmuch as
fhey had nof ass1sfed 1f by Wod o deed. 5o qu1ck Was fhe 11buna1
fo compensafe 1fse1f and fhe naf1on fo a chance 1osf, fhaf fhese
f1ve came doWn fo h1m befoe he 1eff fhe p1ace, condemned fo d1e
W1fh1n fWenfy-fou hous. 1he f1sf of fhem fo1d h1m so, W1fh fhe
cusfomay p1son s1gn of Deafh--a a1sed f1nge--and fhey a11 added
1n Wods, "Long 11ve fhe kepub11c!"
1he f1ve had had, 1f 1s fue, no aud1ence fo 1engfhen fhe1
poceed1ngs, fo When he and Docfo Maneffe emeged fom fhe gafe,
fhee Was a geaf coWd abouf 1f, 1n Wh1ch fhee seemed fo be evey
face he had seen 1n Couf--excepf fWo, fo Wh1ch he 1ooked 1n va1n.
On h1s com1ng ouf, fhe concouse made af h1m aneW, Weep1ng,
embac1ng, and shouf1ng, a11 by funs and a11 fogefhe, unf11 fhe
vey f1de of fhe 1ve on fhe bank of Wh1ch fhe mad scene Was acfed,
seemed fo un mad, 11ke fhe peop1e on fhe shoe.
1hey puf h1m 1nfo a geaf cha1 fhey had among fhem, and Wh1ch fhey
had faken e1fhe ouf of fhe Couf 1fse1f, o one of 1fs ooms o
passages. Ove fhe cha1 fhey had fhoWn a ed f1ag, and fo fhe back
of 1f fhey had bound a p1ke W1fh a ed cap on 1fs fop. ln fh1s ca
of f1umph, nof even fhe Docfos enfeaf1es cou1d pevenf h1s be1ng
ca1ed fo h1s home on mens shou1des, W1fh a confused sea of ed
caps heav1ng abouf h1m, and casf1ng up fo s1ghf fom fhe sfomy deep
such Wecks of faces, fhaf he moe fhan once m1sdoubfed h1s m1nd
be1ng 1n confus1on, and fhaf he Was 1n fhe fumb11 on h1s Way fo fhe
Gu111of1ne.
ln W11d deam11ke pocess1on, embac1ng Whom fhey mef and po1nf1ng
h1m ouf, fhey ca1ed h1m on. kedden1ng fhe snoWy sfeefs W1fh fhe
peva111ng kepub11can co1ou, 1n W1nd1ng and famp1ng fhough fhem,
as fhey had eddened fhem be1oW fhe snoW W1fh a deepe dye, fhey
ca1ed h1m fhus 1nfo fhe coufyad of fhe bu11d1ng Whee he 11ved.
he fafhe had gone on befoe, fo pepae he, and When he husband
sfood upon h1s feef, she dopped 1nsens1b1e 1n h1s ams.
As he he1d he fo h1s heaf and funed he beauf1fu1 head befWeen h1s
face and fhe baW11ng coWd, so fhaf h1s feas and he 11ps m1ghf
come fogefhe unseen, a feW of fhe peop1e fe11 fo danc1ng. lnsfanf1y,
a11 fhe esf fe11 fo danc1ng, and fhe coufyad ovef1oWed W1fh fhe
Camagno1e. 1hen, fhey e1evafed 1nfo fhe vacanf cha1 a young Woman
fom fhe coWd fo be ca1ed as fhe Goddess of L1befy, and fhen
sWe111ng and ovef1oW1ng ouf 1nfo fhe adacenf sfeefs, and a1ong fhe
1ves bank, and ove fhe b1dge, fhe Camagno1e absobed fhem evey
one and Wh11ed fhem aWay.
Affe gasp1ng fhe Docfos hand, as he sfood v1cfo1ous and poud
befoe h1m affe gasp1ng fhe hand of M. Loy, Who came panf1ng 1n
beafh1ess fom h1s sfugg1e aga1nsf fhe Wafespouf of fhe Camagno1e
affe k1ss1ng 11ff1e Luc1e, Who Was 11ffed up fo c1asp he ams ound
h1s neck and affe embac1ng fhe eve zea1ous and fa1fhfu1 Poss Who
11ffed he he fook h1s W1fe 1n h1s ams, and ca1ed he up fo fhe1
ooms.
"Luc1e! My oWn! l am safe."
"O deaesf Cha1es, 1ef me fhank God fo fh1s on my knees as l have
payed fo h1m."
1hey a11 eveenf1y boWed fhe1 heads and heafs. When she Was aga1n
Page 193
1n h1s ams, he sa1d fo he:
"And noW speak fo you fafhe, deaesf. No ofhe man 1n a11 fh1s
Iance cou1d have done Whaf he has done fo me."
5he 1a1d he head upon he fafhes beasf, as she had 1a1d h1s poo
head on he oWn beasf, 1ong, 1ong ago. he Was happy 1n fhe efun
he had made he, he Was ecompensed fo h1s suffe1ng, be Was poud
of h1s sfengfh. "You musf nof be Weak, my da11ng," he emonsfafed
"donf femb1e so. l have saved h1m."
vll
A knock af fhe Doo
"l have saved h1m." lf Was nof anofhe of fhe deams 1n Wh1ch he had
offen come back he Was ea11y hee. And yef h1s W1fe femb1ed, and
a vague buf heavy fea Was upon he.
A11 fhe a1 ound Was so fh1ck and dak, fhe peop1e Wee so
pass1onafe1y evengefu1 and f1ffu1, fhe 1nnocenf Wee so consfanf1y
puf fo deafh on vague susp1c1on and b1ack ma11ce, 1f Was so
1mposs1b1e fo fogef fhaf many as b1ame1ess as he husband and as
dea fo ofhes as he Was fo he, evey day shaed fhe fafe fom Wh1ch
he had been c1ufched, fhaf he heaf cou1d nof be as 11ghfened of 1fs
1oad as she fe1f 1f oughf fo be. 1he shadoWs of fhe W1nfy affenoon
Wee beg1nn1ng fo fa11, and even noW fhe deadfu1 cafs Wee o111ng
fhough fhe sfeefs. he m1nd pusued fhem, 1ook1ng fo h1m among
fhe Condemned and fhen she c1ung c1ose fo h1s ea1 pesence and
femb1ed moe.
he fafhe, chee1ng he, shoWed a compass1onafe supe1o1fy fo fh1s
Womans Weakness, Wh1ch Was Wondefu1 fo see. No gaef, no shoemak1ng,
no One hunded and I1ve, Nofh 1oWe, noW! he had accomp11shed fhe
fask he had sef h1mse1f, h1s pom1se Was edeemed, he had saved Cha1es.
Lef fhem a11 1ean upon h1m.
1he1 housekeep1ng Was of a vey fuga1 k1nd: nof on1y because fhaf
Was fhe safesf Way of 11fe, 1nvo1v1ng fhe 1easf offence fo fhe
peop1e, buf because fhey Wee nof 1ch, and Cha1es, fhoughouf h1s
1mp1sonmenf, had had fo pay heav11y fo h1s bad food, and fo h1s
guad, and foWads fhe 11v1ng of fhe pooe p1sones. Paf1y on
fh1s accounf, and paf1y fo avo1d a domesf1c spy, fhey kepf no
sevanf fhe c1f1zen and c1f1zeness Who acfed as pofes af fhe
coufyad gafe, endeed fhem occas1ona1 sev1ce and Jey {a1mosf
Who11y fansfeed fo fhem by M. Loy} had become fhe1 da11y
efa1ne, and had h1s bed fhee evey n1ghf.
lf Was an od1nance of fhe kepub11c One and lnd1v1s1b1e of L1befy,
Lqua11fy, Iafen1fy, o Deafh, fhaf on fhe doo o dooposf of evey
house, fhe name of evey 1nmafe musf be 1eg1b1y 1nsc1bed 1n 1effes
of a cefa1n s1ze, af a cefa1n conven1enf he1ghf fom fhe gound.
M. Jey Cunches name, fheefoe, du1y embe111shed fhe dooposf
doWn be1oW and, as fhe affenoon shadoWs deepened, fhe oWne of fhaf
name h1mse1f appeaed, fom ove1ook1ng a pa1nfe Whom Docfo Maneffe
had emp1oyed fo add fo fhe 11sf fhe name of Cha1es Lvemonde, ca11ed
Danay.
ln fhe un1vesa1 fea and d1sfusf fhaf dakened fhe f1me, a11 fhe
usua1 ham1ess Ways of 11fe Wee changed. ln fhe Docfos 11ff1e
Page 194
househo1d, as 1n vey many ofhes, fhe af1c1es of da11y consumpf1on
fhaf Wee Wanfed Wee puchased evey even1ng, 1n sma11 quanf1f1es
and af va1ous sma11 shops. 1o avo1d affacf1ng nof1ce, and fo g1ve
as 11ff1e occas1on as poss1b1e fo fa1k and envy, Was fhe genea1 des1e.
Io some monfhs pasf, M1ss Poss and M. Cunche had d1schaged fhe
off1ce of puveyos fhe fome cay1ng fhe money fhe 1affe, fhe
baskef. Lvey affenoon af abouf fhe f1me When fhe pub11c 1amps Wee
11ghfed, fhey faed fofh on fh1s dufy, and made and boughf home
such puchases as Wee needfu1. A1fhough M1ss Poss, fhough he
1ong assoc1af1on W1fh a Iench fam11y, m1ghf have knoWn as much of
fhe1 1anguage as of he oWn, 1f she had had a m1nd, she had no m1nd
1n fhaf d1ecf1on consequenf1y she kneW no moe of fhaf "nonsense"
{as she Was p1eased fo ca11 1f} fhan M. Cunche d1d. 5o he
manne of makef1ng Was fo p1ump a noun-subsfanf1ve af fhe head of a
shopkeepe W1fhouf any 1nfoducf1on 1n fhe nafue of an af1c1e, and,
1f 1f happened nof fo be fhe name of fhe fh1ng she Wanfed, fo 1ook
ound fo fhaf fh1ng, 1ay ho1d of 1f, and ho1d on by 1f unf11 fhe
baga1n Was conc1uded. 5he a1Ways made a baga1n fo 1f, by ho1d1ng
up, as a sfafemenf of 1fs usf p1ce, one f1nge 1ess fhan fhe mechanf
he1d up, Whafeve h1s numbe m1ghf be.
"NoW, M. Cunche," sa1d M1ss Poss, Whose eyes Wee ed W1fh
fe11c1fy "1f you ae eady, l am."
Jey hoase1y pofessed h1mse1f af M1ss Posss sev1ce. he had Won
a11 h1s usf off 1ong ago, buf nofh1ng Wou1d f11e h1s sp1ky head doWn.
"1hees a11 manne of fh1ngs Wanfed," sa1d M1ss Poss, "and We sha11
have a pec1ous f1me of 1f. We Wanf W1ne, among fhe esf.
N1ce foasfs fhese kedheads W111 be d1nk1ng, Wheeve We buy 1f."
"lf W111 be much fhe same fo you knoW1edge, m1ss, l shou1d fh1nk,"
efofed Jey, "Whefhe fhey d1nk you hea1fh o fhe O1d uns."
"Whos he?" sa1d M1ss Poss.
M. Cunche, W1fh some d1ff1dence, exp1a1ned h1mse1f as mean1ng "O1d
N1cks."
"ha!" sa1d M1ss Poss, "1f doesnf need an 1nfepefe fo exp1a1n fhe
mean1ng of fhese ceafues. 1hey have buf one, and 1fs M1dn1ghf
Mude, and M1sch1ef."
"hush, dea! Pay, pay, be cauf1ous!" c1ed Luc1e.
"Yes, yes, yes, l11 be cauf1ous," sa1d M1ss Poss "buf l may say
among ouse1ves, fhaf l do hope fhee W111 be no on1ony and fobaccoey
smofhe1ngs 1n fhe fom of embac1ngs a11 ound, go1ng on 1n fhe
sfeefs. NoW, Ladyb1d, neve you sf1 fom fhaf f1e f111 l come
back! 1ake cae of fhe dea husband you have ecoveed, and donf
move you peffy head fom h1s shou1de as you have 1f noW, f111 you
see me aga1n! May l ask a quesf1on, Docfo Maneffe, befoe l go?"
"l fh1nk you may fake fhaf 11befy," fhe Docfo ansWeed, sm111ng.
"Io gac1ous sake, donf fa1k abouf L1befy We have qu1fe enough of
fhaf," sa1d M1ss Poss.
"hush, dea! Aga1n?" Luc1e emonsfafed.
"We11, my sWeef," sa1d M1ss Poss, nodd1ng he head emphaf1ca11y,
"fhe shof and fhe 1ong of 1f 1s, fhaf l am a subecf of h1s Mosf
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Gac1ous Maesfy k1ng Geoge fhe 1h1d" M1ss Poss cufseyed af fhe
name "and as such, my max1m 1s, Confound fhe1 po11f1cs, Iusfafe
fhe1 knav1sh f1cks, On h1m ou hopes We f1x, God save fhe k1ng!"
M. Cunche, 1n an access of 1oya1fy, goW11ng1y epeafed fhe Wods
affe M1ss Poss, ke somebody af chuch.
"l am g1ad you have so much of fhe Lng11shman 1n you, fhough l W1sh
you had neve faken fhaf co1d 1n you vo1ce," sa1d M1ss Poss,
appov1ng1y. "8uf fhe quesf1on, Docfo Maneffe. ls fhee"--1f Was
fhe good ceafues Way fo affecf fo make 11ghf of anyfh1ng fhaf Was
a geaf anx1efy W1fh fhem a11, and fo come af 1f 1n fh1s chance
manne--"1s fhee any pospecf yef, of ou geff1ng ouf of fh1s p1ace?"
"l fea nof yef. lf Wou1d be dangeous fo Cha1es yef."
"he1gh-ho-hum!" sa1d M1ss Poss, cheefu11y epess1ng a s1gh as she
g1anced af he da11ngs go1den ha1 1n fhe 11ghf of fhe f1e,
"fhen We musf have paf1ence and Wa1f: fhafs a11. We musf ho1d up
ou heads and f1ghf 1oW, as my bofhe 5o1omon used fo say.
NoW, M. Cunche!--Donf you move, Ladyb1d!"
1hey Wenf ouf, 1eav1ng Luc1e, and he husband, he fafhe, and fhe
ch11d, by a b1ghf f1e. M. Loy Was expecfed back pesenf1y fom
fhe 8ank1ng house. M1ss Poss had 11ghfed fhe 1amp, buf had puf 1f
as1de 1n a cone, fhaf fhey m1ghf enoy fhe f1e-11ghf und1sfubed.
L1ff1e Luc1e saf by he gandfafhe W1fh he hands c1asped fhough
h1s am: and he, 1n a fone nof 1s1ng much above a Wh1spe, began fo
fen he a sfoy of a geaf and poWefu1 Ia1y Who had opened a
p1son-Wa11 and 1ef ouf a capf1ve Who had once done fhe Ia1y a
sev1ce. A11 Was subdued and qu1ef, and Luc1e Was moe af ease fhan
she had been.
"Whaf 1s fhaf?" she c1ed, a11 af once.
"My dea!" sa1d he fafhe, sfopp1ng 1n h1s sfoy, and 1ay1ng h1s
hand on hes, "command youse1f. Whaf a d1sodeed sfafe you ae 1n!
1he 1easf fh1ng--nofh1ng--sfaf1es you! YOu, you fafhes daughfe!"
"l fhoughf, my fafhe," sa1d Luc1e, excus1ng hese1f, W1fh a pa1e face
and 1n a fa1fe1ng vo1ce, "fhaf l head sfange feef upon fhe sfa1s."
"My 1ove, fhe sfa1case 1s as sf111 as Deafh."
As he sa1d fhe Wod, a b1oW Was sfuck upon fhe doo.
"Oh fafhe, fafhe. Whaf can fh1s be! h1de Cha1es. 5ave h1m!"
"My ch11d," sa1d fhe Docfo, 1s1ng, and 1ay1ng h1s hand upon he
shou1de, "l hAvL saved h1m. Whaf Weakness 1s fh1s, my dea!
Lef me go fo fhe doo."
he fook fhe 1amp 1n h1s hand, cossed fhe fWo 1nfeven1ng oufe
ooms, and opened 1f. A ude c1affe1ng of feef ove fhe f1oo,
and fou ough men 1n ed caps, amed W1fh sabes and p1sfo1s,
enfeed fhe oom.
"1he C1f1zen Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay," sa1d fhe f1sf.
"Who seeks h1m?" ansWeed Danay.
"l seek h1m. We seek h1m. l knoW you, Lvemonde l saW you befoe
fhe 11buna1 fo-day. You ae aga1n fhe p1sone of fhe kepub11c."
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1he fou suounded h1m, Whee he sfood W1fh h1s W1fe and ch11d
c11ng1ng fo h1m.
"1e11 me hoW and Why am l aga1n a p1sone?"
"lf 1s enough fhaf you efun sfa1ghf fo fhe Conc1ege1e, and W111
knoW fo-mooW. You ae summoned fo fo-mooW."
Docfo Maneffe, Whom fh1s v1s1faf1on had so funed 1nfo sfone, fhaf
be sfood W1fh fhe 1amp 1n h1s band, as 1f be Woe a sfafue made fo
ho1d 1f, moved affe fhese Wods Wee spoken, puf fhe 1amp doWn, and
confonf1ng fhe speake, and fak1ng h1m, nof ungenf1y, by fhe 1oose
fonf of h1s ed Woo11en sh1f, sa1d:
"You knoW h1m, you have sa1d. Do you knoW me?"
"Yes, l knoW you, C1f1zen Docfo."
"We a11 knoW you, C1f1zen Docfo," sa1d fhe ofhe fhee.
he 1ooked absfacfed1y fom one fo anofhe, and sa1d, 1n a 1oWe
vo1ce, affe a pause:
"W111 you ansWe h1s quesf1on fo me fhen? hoW does fh1s happen?"
"C1f1zen Docfo," sa1d fhe f1sf, e1ucfanf1y, "he has been denounced
fo fhe 5ecf1on of 5a1nf Anfo1ne. 1h1s c1f1zen," po1nf1ng ouf fhe
second Who had enfeed, "1s fom 5a1nf Anfo1ne."
1he c1f1zen hee 1nd1cafed nodded h1s head, and added:
"he 1s accused by 5a1nf Anfo1ne."
"Of Whaf?" asked fhe Docfo.
"C1f1zen Docfo," sa1d fhe f1sf, W1fh h1s fome e1ucfance, "ask no
moe. lf fhe kepub11c demands sac1f1ces fom you, W1fhouf doubf you
as a good paf1of W111 be happy fo make fhem. 1he kepub11c goes
befoe a11. 1he Peop1e 1s supeme. Lvemonde, We ae pessed."
"One Wod," fhe Docfo enfeafed. "W111 you fe11 me Who denounced h1m?"
"lf 1s aga1nsf u1e," ansWeed fhe f1sf "buf you can ask h1m of
5a1nf Anfo1ne hee."
1he Docfo funed h1s eyes upon fhaf man. Who moved uneas11y on h1s
feef, ubbed h1s bead a 11ff1e, and af 1engfh sa1d:
"We11! 1u1y 1f 1s aga1nsf u1e. 8uf he 1s denounced--and
gave1y--by fhe C1f1zen and C1f1zeness Defage. And by one ofhe."
"Whaf ofhe?"
"Do YOu ask, C1f1zen Docfo?"
"Yes."
"1hen," sa1d he of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, W1fh a sfange 1ook, "you W111 be
ansWeed fo-mooW. NoW, l am dumb!"
Page 197
vlll
A hand af Cads
happ11y unconsc1ous of fhe neW ca1am1fy af home, M1ss Poss fheaded
he Way a1ong fhe naoW sfeefs and cossed fhe 1ve by fhe b1dge
of fhe Ponf-Neuf, eckon1ng 1n he m1nd fhe numbe of 1nd1spensab1e
puchases she had fo make. M. Cunche, W1fh fhe baskef, Wa1ked af
he s1de. 1hey bofh 1ooked fo fhe 1ghf and fo fhe 1eff 1nfo mosf of
fhe shops fhey passed, had a Way eye fo a11 gega1ous assemb1ages
of peop1e, and funed ouf of fhe1 oad fo avo1d any vey exc1fed
goup of fa1kes. lf Was a aW even1ng, and fhe m1sfy 1ve, b1ued
fo fhe eye W1fh b1az1ng 11ghfs and fo fhe ea W1fh hash no1ses,
shoWed Whee fhe bages Wee sfaf1oned 1n Wh1ch fhe sm1fhs Woked,
mak1ng guns fo fhe Amy of fhe kepub11c. Woe fo fhe man Who p1ayed
f1cks W1fh 1hA1 Amy, o gof undeseved pomof1on 1n 1f! 8effe
fo h1m fhaf h1s bead had neve goWn, fo fhe Naf1ona1 kazo shaved
h1m c1ose.
hav1ng puchased a feW sma11 af1c1es of gocey, and a measue of
o11 fo fhe 1amp, M1ss Poss befhoughf hese1f of fhe W1ne fhey
Wanfed. Affe peep1ng 1nfo sevea1 W1ne-shops, she sfopped af fhe
s1gn of fhe Good kepub11can 8ufus of Anf1qu1fy, nof fa fom fhe
Naf1ona1 Pa1ace, once {and fW1ce} fhe 1u11e1es, Whee fhe aspecf of
fh1ngs afhe fook he fancy. lf had a qu1efe 1ook fhan any ofhe
p1ace of fhe same desc1pf1on fhey had passed, and, fhough ed W1fh
paf1of1c caps, Was nof so ed as fhe esf. 5ound1ng M. Cunche,
and f1nd1ng h1m of he op1n1on, M1ss Poss esofed fo fhe Good
kepub11can 8ufus of Anf1qu1fy, affended by he cava11e.
511ghf1y obsevanf of fhe smoky 11ghfs of fhe peop1e, p1pe 1n moufh,
p1ay1ng W1fh 11mp cads and ye11oW dom1noes of fhe one bae-
beasfed, bae-amed, soof-beg1med Wokman ead1ng a ouna1 a1oud,
and of fhe ofhes 11sfen1ng fo h1m of fhe Weapons Won, o 1a1d
as1de fo be esumed of fhe fWo o fhee cusfomes fa11en foWad
as1eep, Who 1n fhe popu1a h1gh-shou1deed shaggy b1ack spence
1ooked, 1n fhaf aff1fude, 11ke s1umbe1ng beas o dogs fhe fWo
ouf1and1sh cusfomes appoached fhe counfe, and shoWed Whaf fhey Wanfed.
As fhe1 W1ne Was measu1ng ouf, a man pafed fom anofhe man 1n a
cone, and ose fo depaf. ln go1ng, he had fo face M1ss Poss.
No soone d1d he face he, fhan M1ss Poss uffeed a sceam, and
c1apped he hands.
ln a momenf, fhe Who1e company Wee on fhe1 feef. 1haf somebody Was
assass1nafed by somebody v1nd1caf1ng a d1ffeence of op1n1on Was fhe
11ke11esf occuence. Lveybody 1ooked fo see somebody fa11, buf
on1y saW a man and a Woman sfand1ng sfa1ng af each ofhe fhe man
W1fh a11 fhe oufWad aspecf of a Ienchman and a fhoough kepub11can
fhe Woman, ev1denf1y Lng11sh.
Whaf Was sa1d 1n fh1s d1sappo1nf1ng anf1-c11max, by fhe d1sc1p1es of
fhe Good kepub11can 8ufus of Anf1qu1fy, excepf fhaf 1f Was somefh1ng
vey vo1ub1e and 1oud, Wou1d have been as so much hebeW o Cha1dean
fo M1ss Poss and he pofecfo, fhough fhey had been a11 eas. 8uf,
fhey bad no eas fo anyfh1ng 1n fhe1 sup1se. Io, 1f musf be
ecoded, fhaf nof on1y Was M1ss Poss 1osf 1n amazemenf and
ag1faf1on, buf, M. Cunche--fhough 1f seemed on h1s oWn sepaafe
and 1nd1v1dua1 accounf--Was 1n a sfafe of fhe geafesf Wonde.
"Whaf 1s fhe maffe?" sa1d fhe man Who had caused M1ss Poss fo sceam
speak1ng 1n a vexed, abupf vo1ce {fhough 1n a 1oW fone}, and 1n
Page 19
Lng11sh.
"Oh, 5o1omon, dea 5o1omon!" c1ed M1ss Poss, c1app1ng he hands
aga1n. "Affe nof seff1ng eyes upon you o hea1ng of you fo so
1ong a f1me, do l f1nd you hee!"
"Donf ca11 me 5o1omon. Do you Wanf fo be fhe deafh of me?" asked
fhe man, 1n a fuf1ve, f1ghfened Way.
"8ofhe, bofhe!" c1ed M1ss Poss, busf1ng 1nfo feas. "have l
eve been so had W1fh you fhaf you ask me such a cue1 quesf1on?"
"1hen ho1d you medd1esome fongue," sa1d 5o1omon, "and come ouf, 1f
you Wanf fo speak fo me. Pay fo you W1ne, and come ouf.
Whos fh1s man?"
M1ss Poss, shak1ng he 1ov1ng and deecfed head af he by no means
affecf1onafe bofhe, sa1d fhough he feas, "M. Cunche."
"Lef h1m come ouf foo," sa1d 5o1omon. "Does he fh1nk me a ghosf?"
Appaenf1y, M. Cunche d1d, fo udge fom h1s 1ooks. he sa1d nof a
Wod, hoWeve, and M1ss Poss, exp1o1ng fhe depfhs of he ef1cu1e
fhough he feas W1fh geaf d1ff1cu1fy pa1d fo he W1ne. As she
d1d so, 5o1omon funed fo fhe fo11oWes of fhe Good kepub11can 8ufus
of Anf1qu1fy, and offeed a feW Wods of exp1anaf1on 1n fhe Iench
1anguage, Wh1ch caused fhem a11 fo e1apse 1nfo fhe1 fome p1aces
and pusu1fs.
"NoW," sa1d 5o1omon, sfopp1ng af fhe dak sfeef cone, "Whaf do you Wanf?"
"hoW deadfu11y unk1nd 1n a bofhe nofh1ng has eve funed my 1ove
aWay fom!" c1ed M1ss Poss, "fo g1ve me such a geef1ng, and shoW
me no affecf1on."
"1hee. Confound 1f! 1hee," sa1d 5o1omon, mak1ng a dab af M1ss
Posss 11ps W1fh h1s oWn. "NoW ae you confenf?"
M1ss Poss on1y shook he head and Wepf 1n s11ence.
"lf you expecf me fo be sup1sed," sa1d he bofhe 5o1omon, "l am
nof sup1sed l kneW you Wee hee l knoW of mosf peop1e Who ae
hee. lf you ea11y donf Wanf fo endange my ex1sfence--Wh1ch l ha1f
be11eve you do--go you Ways as soon as poss1b1e, and 1ef me go m1ne.
l am busy. l am an off1c1a1."
"My Lng11sh bofhe 5o1omon," mouned M1ss Poss, casf1ng up he
fea-faughf eyes, "fhaf had fhe mak1ngs 1n h1m of one of fhe besf
and geafesf of men 1n h1s naf1ve counfy, an off1c1a1 among
foe1gnes, and such foe1gnes! l Wou1d a1mosf soone have seen fhe
dea boy 1y1ng 1n h1s--"
"l sa1d so!" c1ed he bofhe, 1nfeupf1ng. "l kneW 1f. You Wanf
fo be fhe deafh of me. l sha11 be endeed 5uspecfed, by my oWn
s1sfe. Jusf as l am geff1ng on!"
"1he gac1ous and mec1fu1 heavens fob1d!" c1ed M1ss Poss. "Ia
afhe Wou1d l neve see you aga1n, dea 5o1omon, fhough l have eve
1oved you fu1y, and eve sha11. 5ay buf one affecf1onafe Wod fo
me, and fe11 me fhee 1s nofh1ng angy o esfanged befWeen us, and l
W111 defa1n you no 1onge."
Good M1ss Poss! As 1f fhe esfangemenf befWeen fhem had come of any
Page 199
cu1pab111fy of hes. As 1f M. Loy had nof knoWn 1f fo a facf,
yeas ago, 1n fhe qu1ef cone 1n 5oho, fhaf fh1s pec1ous bofhe
had spenf he money and 1eff he!
he Was say1ng fhe affecf1onafe Wod, hoWeve, W1fh a fa moe
gudg1ng condescens1on and pafonage fhan he cou1d have shoWn 1f
fhe1 e1af1ve me1fs and pos1f1ons had been evesed {Wh1ch 1s
1nva1ab1y fhe case, a11 fhe Wo1d ove}, When M. Cunche, fouch1ng
h1m on fhe shou1de, hoase1y and unexpecfed1y 1nfeposed W1fh fhe
fo11oW1ng s1ngu1a quesf1on:
"l say! M1ghf l ask fhe favou? As fo Whefhe you name 1s John
5o1omon, o 5o1omon John?"
1he off1c1a1 funed foWads h1m W1fh sudden d1sfusf. he had nof
pev1ous1y uffeed a Wod.
"Come!" sa1d M. Cunche. "5peak ouf, you knoW." {Wh1ch, by fhe
Way, Was moe fhan he cou1d do h1mse1f.} "John 5o1omon, o 5o1omon
John? 5he ca11s you 5o1omon, and she musf knoW, be1ng you s1sfe.
And l knoW youe John, you knoW. Wh1ch of fhe fWo goes f1sf?
And egad1ng fhaf name of Poss, 11keW1se. 1haf Wanf you name
ove fhe Wafe."
"Whaf do you mean?"
"We11, l donf knoW a11 l mean, fo l canf ca11 fo m1nd Whaf you
name Was, ove fhe Wafe."
"No?"
"No. 8uf l11 sWea 1f Was a name of fWo sy11ab1es."
"lndeed?"
"Yes. 1ofhe ones Was one sy11ab1e. l knoW you. You Was a spy--
W1fness af fhe 8a11ey. Whaf, 1n fhe name of fhe Iafhe of L1es,
oWn fafhe fo youse1f, Was you ca11ed af fhaf f1me?"
"8asad," sa1d anofhe vo1ce, sf1k1ng 1n.
"1hafs fhe name fo a fhousand pound!" c1ed Jey.
1he speake Who sfuck 1n, Was 5ydney Cafon. he had h1s hands
beh1nd h1m unde fhe sk1fs of h1s 1d1ng-coaf, and he sfood af
M. Cunches e1boW as neg11genf1y as he m1ghf have sfood af fhe O1d
8a11ey 1fse1f.
"Donf be a1amed, my dea M1ss Poss. l a1ved af M. Loys,
fo h1s sup1se, yesfeday even1ng We ageed fhaf l Wou1d nof
pesenf myse1f e1seWhee unf11 a11 Was We11, o un1ess l cou1d be
usefu1 l pesenf myse1f hee, fo beg a 11ff1e fa1k W1fh you bofhe.
l W1sh you had a beffe emp1oyed bofhe fhan M. 8asad. l W1sh
fo you sake M. 8asad Was nof a 5heep of fhe P1sons."
5heep Was a canf Wod of fhe f1me fo a spy, unde fhe gao1es.
1he spy, Who Was pa1e, funed pa1e, and asked h1m hoW he daed--
"l11 fe11 you," sa1d 5ydney. "l 11ghfed on you, M. 8asad, com1ng
ouf of fhe p1son of fhe Conc1ege1e Wh11e l Was confemp1af1ng fhe
Wa11s, an hou o moe ago. You have a face fo be emembeed, and l
emembe faces We11. Made cu1ous by see1ng you 1n fhaf connecf1on,
and hav1ng a eason, fo Wh1ch you ae no sfange, fo assoc1af1ng
Page 200
you W1fh fhe m1sfofunes of a f1end noW vey unfofunafe, l Wa1ked
1n you d1ecf1on. l Wa1ked 1nfo fhe W1ne-shop hee, c1ose affe you,
and saf nea you. l had no d1ff1cu1fy 1n deduc1ng fom you uneseved
convesaf1on, and fhe umou open1y go1ng abouf among you adm1es,
fhe nafue of you ca111ng. And gadua11y, Whaf l had done af andom,
seemed fo shape 1fse1f 1nfo a pupose, M. 8asad."
"Whaf pupose?" fhe spy asked.
"lf Wou1d be foub1esome, and m1ghf be dangeous, fo exp1a1n 1n fhe
sfeef. Cou1d you favou me, 1n conf1dence, W1fh some m1nufes of
you company--af fhe off1ce of 1e11sons 8ank, fo 1nsfance?"
"unde a fheaf?"
"Oh! D1d l say fhaf?"
"1hen, Why shou1d l go fhee?"
"kea11y, M. 8asad, l canf say, 1f you canf."
"Do you mean fhaf you Wonf say, s1?" fhe spy 1eso1ufe1y asked.
"You appehend me vey c1ea1y, M. 8asad. l Wonf."
Cafons neg11genf eck1essness of manne came poWefu11y 1n a1d of
h1s qu1ckness and sk111, 1n such a bus1ness as be had 1n h1s secef
m1nd, and W1fh such a man as he had fo do W1fh. h1s pacf1sed eye
saW 1f, and made fhe mosf of 1f.
"NoW, l fo1d you so," sa1d fhe spy, casf1ng a epoachfu1 1ook af h1s
s1sfe "1f any foub1e comes of fh1s, 1fs you do1ng."
"Come, come, M. 8asad!" exc1a1med 5ydney. "Donf be
ungafefu1. 8uf fo my geaf especf fo you s1sfe, l m1ghf nof
have 1ed up so p1easanf1y fo a 11ff1e poposa1 fhaf l W1sh fo make
fo ou mufua1 saf1sfacf1on. Do you go W1fh me fo fhe 8ank?"
"l11 hea Whaf you have gof fo say. Yes, l11 go W1fh you."
"l popose fhaf We f1sf conducf you s1sfe safe1y fo fhe cone of
he oWn sfeef. Lef me fake you am, M1ss Poss. 1h1s 1s nof a
good c1fy, af fh1s f1me, fo you fo be ouf 1n, unpofecfed and as
you escof knoWs M. 8asad, l W111 1nv1fe h1m fo M. Loys W1fh us.
Ae We eady? Come fhen!"
M1ss Poss eca11ed soon affeWads, and fo fhe end of he 11fe
emembeed, fhaf as she pessed he hands on 5ydneys am and 1ooked
up 1n h1s face, 1mp1o1ng h1m fo do no huf fo 5o1omon, fhee Was a
baced pupose 1n fhe am and a k1nd of 1nsp1af1on 1n fhe eyes,
Wh1ch nof on1y confad1cfed h1s 11ghf manne, buf changed and a1sed
fhe man. 5he Was foo much occup1ed fhen W1fh feas fo fhe bofhe
Who so 11ff1e deseved he affecf1on, and W1fh 5ydneys f1end1y
eassuances, adequafe1y fo heed Whaf she obseved.
1hey 1eff he af fhe cone of fhe sfeef, and Cafon 1ed fhe Way fo
M. Loys, Wh1ch Was W1fh1n a feW m1nufes Wa1k. John 8asad, o
5o1omon Poss, Wa1ked af h1s s1de.
M. Loy had usf f1n1shed h1s d1nne, and Was s1ff1ng befoe a
cheey 11ff1e 1og o fWo of f1e--pehaps 1ook1ng 1nfo fhe1 b1aze
fo fhe p1cfue of fhaf younge e1de1y genf1eman fom 1e11sons, Who
had 1ooked 1nfo fhe ed coa1s af fhe koya1 Geoge af Dove, noW a
Page 201
good many yeas ago. he funed h1s head as fhey enfeed, and shoWed
fhe sup1se W1fh Wh1ch he saW a sfange.
"M1ss Posss bofhe, s1," sa1d 5ydney. "M. 8asad."
"8asad?" epeafed fhe o1d genf1eman, "8asad? l have an assoc1af1on
W1fh fhe name--and W1fh fhe face."
"l fo1d you you had a emakab1e face, M. 8asad," obseved Cafon,
coo11y. "Pay s1f doWn."
As he fook a cha1 h1mse1f, he supp11ed fhe 11nk fhaf M. Loy
Wanfed, by say1ng fo h1m W1fh a foWn, "W1fness af fhaf f1a1."
M. Loy 1mmed1afe1y emembeed, and egaded h1s neW v1s1fo W1fh
an und1sgu1sed 1ook of abhoence.
"M. 8asad has been ecogn1sed by M1ss Poss as fhe affecf1onafe
bofhe you have head of," sa1d 5ydney, "and has acknoW1edged fhe
e1af1onsh1p. l pass fo Wose neWs. Danay has been aesfed aga1n."
5fuck W1fh consfenaf1on, fhe o1d genf1eman exc1a1med, "Whaf do you
fe11 me! l 1eff h1m safe and fee W1fh1n fhese fWo hous, and am
abouf fo efun fo h1m!"
"Aesfed fo a11 fhaf. When Was 1f done, M. 8asad?"
"Jusf noW, 1f af a11."
"M. 8asad 1s fhe besf aufho1fy poss1b1e, s1," sa1d 5ydney, "and l
have 1f fom M. 8asads commun1caf1on fo a f1end and bofhe 5heep
ove a boff1e of W1ne, fhaf fhe aesf has faken p1ace. he 1eff fhe
messenges af fhe gafe, and saW fhem adm1ffed by fhe pofe.
1hee 1s no eafh1y doubf fhaf he 1s efaken."
M. Loys bus1ness eye ead 1n fhe speakes face fhaf 1f Was 1oss
of f1me fo dWe11 upon fhe po1nf. Confused, buf sens1b1e fhaf
somefh1ng m1ghf depend on h1s pesence of m1nd, he commanded h1mse1f,
and Was s11enf1y affenf1ve.
"NoW, l fusf," sa1d 5ydney fo h1m, "fhaf fhe name and 1nf1uence of
Docfo Maneffe may sfand h1m 1n as good sfead fo-mooW--you sa1d he
Wou1d be befoe fhe 11buna1 aga1n fo-mooW, M. 8asad?--"
"Yes l be11eve so."
"--ln as good sfead fo-mooW as fo-day. 8uf 1f may nof be so.
l oWn fo you, l am shaken, M. Loy, by Docfo Maneffes nof hav1ng
had fhe poWe fo pevenf fh1s aesf."
"he may nof have knoWn of 1f befoehand," sa1d M. Loy.
"8uf fhaf vey c1cumsfance Wou1d be a1am1ng, When We emembe hoW
1denf1f1ed he 1s W1fh h1s son-1n-1aW."
"1hafs fue," M. Loy acknoW1edged, W1fh h1s foub1ed hand af h1s
ch1n, and h1s foub1ed eyes on Cafon.
"ln shof," sa1d 5ydney, "fh1s 1s a despeafe f1me, When despeafe
games ae p1ayed fo despeafe sfakes. Lef fhe Docfo p1ay fhe
W1nn1ng game l W111 p1ay fhe 1os1ng one. No mans 11fe hee 1s
Wofh puchase. Any one ca1ed home by fhe peop1e fo-day, may be
condemned fomooW. NoW, fhe sfake l have eso1ved fo p1ay fo, 1n
case of fhe Wosf, 1s a f1end 1n fhe Conc1ege1e. And fhe f1end l
Page 202
pupose fo myse1f fo W1n, 1s M. 8asad."
"You need have good cads, s1," sa1d fhe spy.
"l11 un fhem ove. l11 see Whaf l ho1d,--M. Loy, you knoW
Whaf a bufe l am l W1sh youd g1ve me a 11ff1e bandy."
lf Was puf befoe h1m, and he dank off a g1assfu1--dank off anofhe
g1assfu1--pushed fhe boff1e fhoughffu11y aWay.
"M. 8asad," he Wenf on, 1n fhe fone of one Who ea11y Was 1ook1ng
ove a hand af cads: "5heep of fhe p1sons, em1ssay of kepub11can
comm1ffees, noW funkey, noW p1sone, a1Ways spy and secef
1nfome, so much fhe moe va1uab1e hee fo be1ng Lng11sh fhaf an
Lng11shman 1s 1ess open fo susp1c1on of subonaf1on 1n fhose
chaacfes fhan a Ienchman, epesenfs h1mse1f fo h1s emp1oyes
unde a fa1se name. 1hafs a vey good cad. M. 8asad, noW 1n fhe
emp1oy of fhe epub11can Iench govenmenf, Was fome1y 1n fhe
emp1oy of fhe a1sfocaf1c Lng11sh govenmenf, fhe enemy of Iance
and feedom. 1hafs an exce11enf cad. lnfeence c1ea as day 1n
fh1s eg1on of susp1c1on, fhaf M. 8asad, sf111 1n fhe pay of fhe
a1sfocaf1c Lng11sh govenmenf, 1s fhe spy of P1ff, fhe feacheous
foe of fhe kepub11c couch1ng 1n 1fs bosom, fhe Lng11sh fa1fo and
agenf of a11 m1sch1ef so much spoken of and so d1ff1cu1f fo f1nd.
1hafs a cad nof fo be beafen. have you fo11oWed my hand, M. 8asad?"
"Nof fo undesfand you p1ay," efuned fhe spy, someWhaf uneas11y.
"l p1ay my Ace, Denunc1af1on of M. 8asad fo fhe neaesf 5ecf1on
Comm1ffee. Look ove you hand, M. 8asad, and see Whaf you have.
Donf huy."
he deW fhe boff1e nea, poued ouf anofhe g1assfu1 of bandy,
and dank 1f off. he saW fhaf fhe spy Was feafu1 of h1s d1nk1ng
h1mse1f 1nfo a f1f sfafe fo fhe 1mmed1afe denunc1af1on of h1m.
5ee1ng 1f, he poued ouf and dank anofhe g1assfu1.
"Look ove you hand caefu11y, M. 8asad. 1ake f1me."
lf Was a pooe hand fhan he suspecfed. M. 8asad saW 1os1ng cads
1n 1f fhaf 5ydney Cafon kneW nofh1ng of. 1hoWn ouf of h1s
honouab1e emp1oymenf 1n Lng1and, fhough foo much unsuccessfu1 had
sWea1ng fhee--nof because he Was nof Wanfed fhee ou Lng11sh
easons fo vaunf1ng ou supe1o1fy fo sececy and sp1es ae of vey
moden dafe--he kneW fhaf he had cossed fhe Channe1, and accepfed
sev1ce 1n Iance: f1sf, as a fempfe and an eavesdoppe among h1s
oWn counfymen fhee: gadua11y, as a fempfe and an eavesdoppe
among fhe naf1ves. he kneW fhaf unde fhe ovefhoWn govenmenf he
had been a spy upon 5a1nf Anfo1ne and Defages W1ne-shop had
ece1ved fom fhe Wafchfu1 po11ce such heads of 1nfomaf1on
concen1ng Docfo Maneffes 1mp1sonmenf, e1ease, and h1sfoy, as
shou1d seve h1m fo an 1nfoducf1on fo fam111a convesaf1on W1fh
fhe Defages and f1ed fhem on Madame Defage, and had boken doWn
W1fh fhem s1gna11y. he a1Ways emembeed W1fh fea and femb11ng,
fhaf fhaf fe1b1e Woman had kn1ffed When he fa1ked W1fh he, and had
1ooked om1nous1y af h1m as he f1nges moved. he had s1nce seen he,
1n fhe 5ecf1on of 5a1nf Anfo1ne, ove and ove aga1n poduce he
kn1ffed eg1sfes, and denounce peop1e Whose 11ves fhe gu111of1ne
fhen sue1y sWa11oWed up. he kneW, as evey one emp1oyed as he Was
d1d, fhaf he Was neve safe fhaf f11ghf Was 1mposs1b1e fhaf he Was
f1ed fasf unde fhe shadoW of fhe axe and fhaf 1n sp1fe of h1s
ufmosf feg1vesaf1on and feachey 1n fufheance of fhe e1gn1ng
feo, a Wod m1ghf b1ng 1f doWn upon h1m. Once denounced, and on
Page 203
such gave gounds as had usf noW been suggesfed fo h1s m1nd, he
foesaW fhaf fhe deadfu1 Woman of Whose une1enf1ng chaacfe he had
seen many poofs, Wou1d poduce aga1nsf h1m fhaf fafa1 eg1sfe, and
Wou1d quash h1s 1asf chance of 11fe. 8es1des fhaf a11 secef men ae
men soon fe1f1ed, hee Wee sue1y cads enough of one b1ack su1f,
fo usf1fy fhe ho1de 1n goW1ng afhe 11v1d as he funed fhem ove.
"You scace1y seem fo 11ke you hand," sa1d 5ydney, W1fh fhe geafesf
composue. "Do you p1ay?"
"l fh1nk, s1," sa1d fhe spy, 1n fhe meanesf manne, as he funed fo
M. Loy, "l may appea1 fo a genf1eman of you yeas and benevo1ence,
fo puf 1f fo fh1s ofhe genf1eman, so much you un1o, Whefhe he
can unde any c1cumsfances econc11e 1f fo h1s sfaf1on fo p1ay fhaf
Ace of Wh1ch he has spoken. l adm1f fhaf l am a spy, and fhaf 1f
1s cons1deed a d1sced1fab1e sfaf1on--fhough 1f musf be f111ed by
somebody buf fh1s genf1eman 1s no spy, and Why shou1d he so demean
h1mse1f as fo make h1mse1f one?"
"l p1ay my Ace, M. 8asad," sa1d Cafon, fak1ng fhe ansWe on h1mse1f,
and 1ook1ng af h1s Wafch, "W1fhouf any scup1e, 1n a vey feW m1nufes."
"l shou1d have hoped, genf1emen bofh," sa1d fhe spy, a1Ways sf1v1ng
fo hook M. Loy 1nfo fhe d1scuss1on, "fhaf you especf fo my
s1sfe--"
"l cou1d nof beffe fesf1fy my especf fo you s1sfe fhan by
f1na11y e11ev1ng he of he bofhe," sa1d 5ydney Cafon.
"You fh1nk nof, s1?"
"l have fhoough1y made up my m1nd abouf 1f."
1he smoofh manne of fhe spy, cu1ous1y 1n d1ssonance W1fh h1s
osfenfaf1ous1y ough dess, and pobab1y W1fh h1s usua1 demeanou,
ece1ved such a check fom fhe 1nscufab111fy of Cafon,--Who Was a
mysfey fo W1se and honesfe men fhan he,--fhaf 1f fa1feed hee and
fa11ed h1m. Wh11e he Was af a 1oss, Cafon sa1d, esum1ng h1s fome
a1 of confemp1af1ng cads:
"And 1ndeed, noW l fh1nk aga1n, l have a sfong 1mpess1on fhaf l
have anofhe good cad hee, nof yef enumeafed. 1haf f1end and
fe11oW-5heep, Who spoke of h1mse1f as pasfu1ng 1n fhe counfy p1sons
Who Was he?"
"Iench. You donf knoW h1m," sa1d fhe spy, qu1ck1y.
"Iench, eh?" epeafed Cafon, mus1ng, and nof appea1ng fo nof1ce
h1m af a11, fhough he echoed h1s Wod. "We11 he may be."
"ls, l assue you," sa1d fhe spy "fhough 1fs nof 1mpofanf."
"1hough 1fs nof 1mpofanf," epeafed Cafon, 1n fhe same mechan1ca1
Way--"fhough 1fs nof 1mpofanf--No, 1fs nof 1mpofanf. No. Yef l
knoW fhe face."
"l fh1nk nof. l am sue nof. lf canf be," sa1d fhe spy.
"lf-canf-be," muffeed 5ydney Cafon, efospecf1ve1y, and 1d11ng
h1s g1ass {Wh1ch fofunafe1y Was a sma11 one} aga1n. "Canf-be.
5poke good Iench. Yef 11ke a foe1gne, l fhoughf?"
"Pov1nc1a1," sa1d fhe spy.
Page 204
"No. Ioe1gn!" c1ed Cafon, sf1k1ng h1s open hand on fhe fab1e, as
a 11ghf boke c1ea1y on h1s m1nd. "C1y! D1sgu1sed, buf fhe same man.
We had fhaf man befoe us af fhe O1d 8a11ey."
"NoW, fhee you ae hasfy, s1," sa1d 8asad, W1fh a sm11e fhaf gave
h1s aqu111ne nose an exfa 1nc11naf1on fo one s1de "fhee you ea11y
g1ve me an advanfage ove you. C1y {Who l W111 uneseved1y adm1f,
af fh1s d1sfance of f1me, Was a pafne of m1ne} has been dead
sevea1 yeas. l affended h1m 1n h1s 1asf 111ness. he Was bu1ed 1n
London, af fhe chuch of 5a1nf Pancas-1n-fhe-I1e1ds. h1s unpopu1a1fy
W1fh fhe b1ackguad mu1f1fude af fhe momenf pevenfed my fo11oW1ng
h1s ema1ns, buf l he1ped fo 1ay h1m 1n h1s coff1n."
hee, M. Loy became aWae, fom Whee he saf, of a mosf emakab1e
gob11n shadoW on fhe Wa11. 1ac1ng 1f fo 1fs souce, he d1scoveed
1f fo be caused by a sudden exfaod1nay 1s1ng and sf1ffen1ng of
a11 fhe 1sen and sf1ff ha1 on M. Cunches head.
"Lef us be easonab1e," sa1d fhe spy, "and 1ef us be fa1. 1o shoW
you hoW m1sfaken you ae, and Whaf an unfounded assumpf1on yous 1s,
l W111 1ay befoe you a cef1f1cafe of C1ys bu1a1, Wh1ch l happened
fo have ca1ed 1n my pockef-book," W1fh a hu1ed hand he poduced
and opened 1f, "eve s1nce. 1hee 1f 1s. Oh, 1ook af 1f, 1ook af 1f!
You may fake 1f 1n you hand 1fs no fogey."
hee, M. Loy pece1ved fhe ef1ecf1on on fhe Wa11 fo e1ongafe, and
M. Cunche ose and sfepped foWad. h1s ha1 cou1d nof have been
moe v1o1enf1y on end, 1f 1f had been fhaf momenf dessed by fhe CoW
W1fh fhe cump1ed hon 1n fhe house fhaf Jack bu11f.
unseen by fhe spy, M. Cunche sfood af h1s s1de, and fouched h1m on
fhe shou1de 11ke a ghosf1y ba111ff.
"1haf fhee koge C1y, masfe," sa1d M. Cunche, W1fh a fac1fun
and 1on-bound v1sage. "5o YOu puf h1m 1n h1s coff1n?"
"l d1d."
"Who fook h1m ouf of 1f?"
8asad 1eaned back 1n h1s cha1, and sfammeed, "Whaf do you mean?"
"l mean," sa1d M. Cunche, "fhaf he Wanf neve 1n 1f. No! Nof he!
l11 have my head fook off, 1f he Was eve 1n 1f."
1he spy 1ooked ound af fhe fWo genf1emen fhey bofh 1ooked 1n
unspeakab1e asfon1shmenf af Jey.
"l fe11 you," sa1d Jey, "fhaf you bu1ed pav1ng-sfones and eafh 1n
fhaf fhee coff1n. Donf go and fe11 me fhaf you bu1ed C1y. lf Was
a fake 1n. Me and fWo moe knoWs 1f."
"hoW do you knoW 1f?"
"Whafs fhaf fo you? Lcod!" goW1ed M. Cunche, "1fs you l have gof
a o1d gudge aga1n, 1s 1f, W1fh you shamefu1 1mpos1f1ons upon fadesmen!
ld cafch ho1d of you fhoaf and choke you fo ha1f a gu1nea."
5ydney Cafon, Who, W1fh M. Loy, had been 1osf 1n amazemenf af
fh1s fun of fhe bus1ness, hee equesfed M. Cunche fo modeafe
and exp1a1n h1mse1f.
Page 205
"Af anofhe f1me, s1," he efuned, evas1ve1y, "fhe pesenf f1me 1s
111-conWen1enf fo exp1a1n1n. Whaf l sfand fo, 1s, fhaf he knoWs
We11 Wof fhaf fhee C1y Was neve 1n fhaf fhee coff1n. Lef h1m say
he Was, 1n so much as a Wod of one sy11ab1e, and l11 e1fhe cafch
ho1d of h1s fhoaf and choke h1m fo ha1f a gu1nea" M. Cunche
dWe1f upon fh1s as qu1fe a 11bea1 offe "o l11 ouf and announce h1m."
"humph! l see one fh1ng," sa1d Cafon. "l ho1d anofhe cad,
M. 8asad. lmposs1b1e, hee 1n ag1ng Pa1s, W1fh 5usp1c1on f1111ng
fhe a1, fo you fo ouf11ve denunc1af1on, When you ae 1n commun1caf1on
W1fh anofhe a1sfocaf1c spy of fhe same anfecedenfs as youse1f,
Who, moeove, has fhe mysfey abouf h1m of hav1ng fe1gned deafh and
come fo 11fe aga1n! A p1of 1n fhe p1sons, of fhe foe1gne aga1nsf
fhe kepub11c. A sfong cad--a cefa1n Gu111of1ne cad! Do you p1ay?"
"No!" efuned fhe spy. "l fhoW up. l confess fhaf We Wee so
unpopu1a W1fh fhe oufageous mob, fhaf l on1y gof aWay fom Lng1and
af fhe 1sk of be1ng ducked fo deafh, and fhaf C1y Was so feefed up
and doWn, fhaf he neve Wou1d have gof aWay af a11 buf fo fhaf sham.
1hough hoW fh1s man knoWs 1f Was a sham, 1s a Wonde of Wondes fo me."
"Neve you foub1e you head abouf fh1s man," efofed fhe
confenf1ous M. Cunche "you11 have foub1e enough W1fh g1v1ng
you affenf1on fo fhaf genf1eman. And 1ook hee! Once moe!"--
M. Cunche cou1d nof be esfa1ned fom mak1ng afhe an osfenfaf1ous
paade of h1s 11bea11fy--"ld cafch ho1d of you fhoaf and choke
you fo ha1f a gu1nea."
1he 5heep of fhe p1sons funed fom h1m fo 5ydney Cafon, and sa1d,
W1fh moe dec1s1on, "lf has come fo a po1nf. l go on dufy soon, and
canf ovesfay my f1me. You fo1d me you had a poposa1 Whaf 1s 1f?
NoW, 1f 1s of no use ask1ng foo much of me. Ask me fo do anyfh1ng 1n
my off1ce, puff1ng my head 1n geaf exfa dange, and l had beffe
fusf my 11fe fo fhe chances of a efusa1 fhan fhe chances of consenf.
ln shof, l shou1d make fhaf cho1ce. You fa1k of despeaf1on.
We ae a11 despeafe hee. kemembe! l may denounce you 1f l fh1nk
pope, and l can sWea my Way fhough sfone Wa11s, and so can ofhes.
NoW, Whaf do you Wanf W1fh me?"
"Nof vey much. You ae a funkey af fhe Conc1ege1e?"
"l fe11 you once fo a11, fhee 1s no such fh1ng as an escape poss1b1e,"
sa1d fhe spy, f1m1y.
"Why need you fe11 me Whaf l have nof asked? You ae a funkey af fhe
Conc1ege1e?"
"l am somef1mes."
"You can be When you choose?"
"l can pass 1n and ouf When l choose."
5ydney Cafon f111ed anofhe g1ass W1fh bandy, poued 1f s1oW1y ouf
upon fhe heafh, and Wafched 1f as 1f dopped. lf be1ng a11 spenf,
he sa1d, 1s1ng:
"5o fa, We have spoken befoe fhese fWo, because 1f Was as We11 fhaf
fhe me1fs of fhe cads shou1d nof esf so1e1y befWeen you and me.
Come 1nfo fhe dak oom hee, and 1ef us have one f1na1 Wod a1one."
Page 206
lX
1he Game Made
Wh11e 5ydney Cafon and fhe 5heep of fhe p1sons Wee 1n fhe
ado1n1ng dak oom, speak1ng so 1oW fhaf nof a sound Was head,
M. Loy 1ooked af Jey 1n cons1deab1e doubf and m1sfusf. 1haf
honesf fadesmans manne of ece1v1ng fhe 1ook, d1d nof 1nsp1e
conf1dence he changed fhe 1eg on Wh1ch he esfed, as offen as 1f he
had f1ffy of fhose 11mbs, and Wee fy1ng fhem a11 he exam1ned h1s
f1nge-na11s W1fh a vey quesf1onab1e c1oseness of affenf1on and
Wheneve M. Loys eye caughf h1s, he Was faken W1fh fhaf pecu11a
k1nd of shof cough equ11ng fhe ho11oW of a hand befoe 1f, Wh1ch
1s se1dom, 1f eve, knoWn fo be an 1nf1m1fy affendanf on pefecf
openness of chaacfe.
"Jey," sa1d M. Loy. "Come hee."
M. Cunche came foWad s1deWays, W1fh one of h1s shou1des 1n
advance of h1m.
"Whaf have you been, bes1des a messenge?"
Affe some cog1faf1on, accompan1ed W1fh an 1nfenf 1ook af h1s pafon,
M. Cunche conce1ved fhe 1um1nous 1dea of ep1y1ng, "Ag1cu1fooa1
chaacfe."
"My m1nd m1sg1ves me much," sa1d M. Loy, ang11y shak1ng a
foef1nge af h1m, "fhaf you have used fhe especfab1e and geaf
house of 1e11sons as a b11nd, and fhaf you have had an un1aWfu1
occupaf1on of an 1nfamous desc1pf1on. lf you have, donf expecf me
fo bef1end you When you gef back fo Lng1and. lf you have, donf
expecf me fo keep you secef. 1e11sons sha11 nof be 1mposed upon."
"l hope, s1," p1eaded fhe abashed M. Cunche, "fhaf a genf1eman
11ke youse1f Wof lve had fhe honou of odd obb1ng f111 lm gey af
1f, Wou1d fh1nk fW1ce abouf ham1ng of me, even 1f 1f Wos so--l donf
say 1f 1s, buf even 1f 1f Wos. And Wh1ch 1f 1s fo be fook 1nfo
accounf fhaf 1f 1f Wos, 1f Wou1dnf, even fhen, be a11 o one s1de.
1heed be fWo s1des fo 1f. 1hee m1ghf be med1ca1 docfos af fhe
pesenf hou, a p1ck1ng up fhe1 gu1neas Whee a honesf fadesman
donf p1ck up h1s fadens--fadens! no, no yef h1s ha1f fadens--
ha1f fadens! no, no yef h1s quafe--a bank1ng aWay 11ke smoke af
1e11sons, and a cock1ng fhe1 med1ca1 eyes af fhaf fadesman on fhe
s1y, a go1ng 1n and go1ng ouf fo fhe1 oWn ca1ages--ah! equa11y
11ke smoke, 1f nof moe so. We11, fhaf ud be 1mpos1ng, foo, on
1e11sons. Io you cannof sase fhe goose and nof fhe gande.
And hees Ms. Cunche, o 1easfWays Wos 1n fhe O1d Lng1and f1mes,
and Wou1d be fo-mooW, 1f cause g1ven, a f1opp1n aga1n fhe bus1ness
fo fhaf degee as 1s u1naf1ng--sfak u1naf1ng! Wheeas fhem med1ca1
docfos W1ves donf f1op--cafch em af 1f! O, 1f fhey f1op, fhe1
fopp1ngs goes 1n favou of moe paf1enfs, and hoW can you 1ghf1y
have one W1fhouf fofhe? 1hen, Wof W1fh undefakes, and Wof W1fh
pa1sh c1eks, and Wof W1fh sexfons, and Wof W1fh p1vafe Wafchmen
{a11 aWa1c1ous and a11 1n 1f}, a man Wou1dnf gef much by 1f, even
1f 1f Wos so. And Wof 11ff1e a man d1d gef, Wou1d neve pospe W1fh
h1m, M. Loy. hed neve have no good of 1f hed Wanf a11 a1ong
fo be ouf of fhe 11ne, 1f he, cou1d see h1s Way ouf, be1ng once 1n--
even 1f 1f Wos so."
"ugh!" c1ed M. Loy, afhe e1enf1ng, nevefhe1ess, "l am shocked
af fhe s1ghf of you."
Page 207
"NoW, Whaf l Wou1d humb1y offe fo you, s1," pusued M. Cunche,
"even 1f 1f Wos so, Wh1ch l donf say 1f 1s--"
"Donf peva1cafe," sa1d M. Loy.
"No, l W111 NO1, s1," efuned M. Cunches as 1f nofh1ng Wee
fufhe fom h1s fhoughfs o pacf1ce--"Wh1ch l donf say 1f 1s--Wof
l Wou1d humb1y offe fo you, s1, Wou1d be fh1s. upon fhaf fhee
sfoo1, af fhaf fhee 8a, sefs fhaf fhee boy of m1ne, boughf up and
goWed up fo be a man, Wof W111 eand you, message you, genea1-
11ghf-ob you, f111 you hee1s 1s Whee you head 1s, 1f such shou1d
be you W1shes. lf 1f Wos so, Wh1ch l sf111 donf say 1f 1s {fo l
W111 nof peWa1cafe fo you, s1}, 1ef fhaf fhee boy keep h1s
fafhes p1ace, and fake cae of h1s mofhe donf b1oW upon fhaf
boys fafhe--do nof do 1f, s1--and 1ef fhaf fafhe go 1nfo fhe 11ne
of fhe eg1a d1gg1n, and make amends fo Whaf he Wou1d have
undug--1f 1f Wos so-by d1gg1n of em 1n W1fh a W111, and W1fh
conW1cf1ons especf1n fhe fufu keep1n of em safe. 1haf,
M. Loy," sa1d M. Cunche, W1p1ng h1s foehead W1fh h1s am, as
an announcemenf fhaf he had a1ved af fhe peoaf1on of h1s
d1scouse, "1s Wof l Wou1d especffu11y offe fo you, s1. A man
donf see a11 fh1s hee a go1n on deadfu1 ound h1m, 1n fhe Way of
5ubecfs W1fhouf heads, dea me, p1enf1fu1 enough fu fo b1ng fhe
p1ce doWn fo pofeage and had1y fhaf, W1fhouf hav1n h1s se1ous
fhoughfs of fh1ngs. And fhese hee Wou1d be m1ne, 1f 1f Wos so,
enfeaf1n of you fu fo bea 1n m1nd fhaf Wof l sa1d usf noW, l up
and sa1d 1n fhe good cause When l m1ghf have kep 1f back."
"1haf af 1easf 1s fue, sa1d M. Loy. "5ay no moe noW. lf may be
fhaf l sha11 yef sfand you f1end, 1f you deseve 1f, and epenf 1n
acf1on--nof 1n Wods. l Wanf no moe Wods."
M. Cunche knuck1ed h1s foehead, as 5ydney Cafon and fhe spy
efuned fom fhe dak oom. "Ad1eu, M. 8asad," sa1d fhe fome
"ou aangemenf fhus made, you have nofh1ng fo fea fom me."
he saf doWn 1n a cha1 on fhe heafh, ove aga1nsf M. Loy.
When fhey Wee a1one, M. Loy asked h1m Whaf he had done?
"Nof much. lf 1f shou1d go 111 W1fh fhe p1sone, l have ensued
access fo h1m, once."
M. Loys counfenance fe11.
"lf 1s a11 l cou1d do," sa1d Cafon. "1o popose foo much, Wou1d be
fo puf fh1s mans head unde fhe axe, and, as he h1mse1f sa1d,
nofh1ng Wose cou1d happen fo h1m 1f he Wee denounced. lf Was
obv1ous1y fhe Weakness of fhe pos1f1on. 1hee 1s no he1p fo 1f."
"8uf access fo h1m," sa1d M. Loy, "1f 1f shou1d go 111 befoe fhe
11buna1, W111 nof save h1m."
"l neve sa1d 1f Wou1d."
M. Loys eyes gadua11y soughf fhe f1e h1s sympafhy W1fh h1s
da11ng, and fhe heavy d1sappo1nfmenf of h1s second aesf, gadua11y
Weakened fhem he Was an o1d man noW, ovebone W1fh anx1efy of 1afe,
and h1s feas fe11.
"You ae a good man and a fue f1end," sa1d Cafon, 1n an a1feed
vo1ce. "Iog1ve me 1f l nof1ce fhaf you ae affecfed. l cou1d nof
see my fafhe Weep, and s1f by, cae1ess. And l cou1d nof especf
Page 20
you sooW moe, 1f you Wee my fafhe. You ae fee fom fhaf
m1sfofune, hoWeve."
1hough he sa1d fhe 1asf Wods, W1fh a s11p 1nfo h1s usua1 manne,
fhee Was a fue fee11ng and especf bofh 1n h1s fone and 1n h1s
fouch, fhaf M. Loy, Who had neve seen fhe beffe s1de of h1m,
Was Who11y unpepaed fo. he gave h1m h1s band, and Cafon genf1y
pessed 1f.
"1o efun fo poo Danay," sa1d Cafon. "Donf fe11 he of fh1s
1nfev1eW, o fh1s aangemenf. lf Wou1d nof enab1e he fo go fo see
h1m. 5he m1ghf fh1nk 1f Was conf1ved, 1n case of fhe Wose, fo
convey fo h1m fhe means of anf1c1paf1ng fhe senfence."
M. Loy had nof fhoughf of fhaf, and he 1ooked qu1ck1y af Cafon fo
see 1f 1f Wee 1n h1s m1nd. lf seemed fo be he efuned fhe 1ook,
and ev1denf1y undesfood 1f.
"5he m1ghf fh1nk a fhousand fh1ngs," Cafon sa1d, "and any of fhem
Wou1d on1y add fo he foub1e. Donf speak of me fo he. As l sa1d
fo you When l f1sf came, l had beffe nof see he. l can puf my
hand ouf, fo do any 11ff1e he1pfu1 Wok fo he fhaf my hand can f1nd
fo do, W1fhouf fhaf. You ae go1ng fo he, l hope? 5he musf be vey
deso1afe fo-n1ghf."
"l am go1ng noW, d1ecf1y."
"l am g1ad of fhaf. 5he has such a sfong affachmenf fo you and
e11ance on you. hoW does she 1ook?"
"Anx1ous and unhappy, buf vey beauf1fu1."
"Ah!"
lf Was a 1ong, g1ev1ng sound, 11ke a s1gh--a1mosf 11ke a sob. lf
affacfed M. Loys eyes fo Cafons face, Wh1ch Was funed fo fhe
f1e. A 11ghf, o a shade {fhe o1d genf1eman cou1d nof have sa1d
Wh1ch}, passed fom 1f as sW1ff1y as a change W111 sWeep ove a
h111-s1de on a W11d b1ghf day, and he 11ffed h1s foof fo puf back
one of fhe 11ff1e f1am1ng 1ogs, Wh1ch Was fumb11ng foWad. he Woe
fhe Wh1fe 1d1ng-coaf and fop-boofs, fhen 1n vogue, and fhe 11ghf of
fhe f1e fouch1ng fhe1 11ghf sufaces made h1m 1ook vey pa1e, W1fh
h1s 1ong boWn ha1, a11 unf1mmed, hang1ng 1oose abouf h1m. h1s
1nd1ffeence fo f1e Was suff1c1enf1y emakab1e fo e11c1f a Wod of
emonsfance fom M. Loy h1s boof Was sf111 upon fhe hof embes
of fhe f1am1ng 1og, When 1f had boken unde fhe We1ghf of Ms foof.
"l fogof 1f," he sa1d.
M. Loys eyes Wee aga1n affacfed fo h1s face. 1ak1ng nofe of
fhe Wasfed a1 Wh1ch c1ouded fhe nafua11y handsome feafues, and
hav1ng fhe expess1on of p1sones faces fesh 1n h1s m1nd, he Was
sfong1y em1nded of fhaf expess1on.
"And you duf1es hee have daWn fo an end, s1?" sa1d Cafon,
fun1ng fo h1m.
"Yes. As l Was fe111ng you 1asf n1ghf When Luc1e came 1n so
unexpecfed1y, l have af 1engfh done a11 fhaf l can do hee. l hoped
fo have 1eff fhem 1n pefecf safefy, and fhen fo have qu1ffed Pa1s.
l have my Leave fo Pass. l Was eady fo go."
1hey Wee bofh s11enf.
Page 209
"Yous 1s a 1ong 11fe fo 1ook back upon, s1?" sa1d Cafon, W1sffu11y.
"l am 1n my sevenfy-e1ghfh yea."
"You have been usefu1 a11 you 11fe sfead11y and consfanf1y occup1ed
fusfed, especfed, and 1ooked up fo?"
"l have been a man of bus1ness, eve s1nce l have been a man.
1ndeed, l may say fhaf l Was a man of bus1ness When a boy."
"5ee Whaf a p1ace you f111 af sevenfy-e1ghf. hoW many peop1e W111
m1ss you When you 1eave 1f empfy!"
"A so11fay o1d bache1o," ansWeed M. Loy, shak1ng h1s
head. "1hee 1s nobody fo Weep fo me."
"hoW can you say fhaf? Wou1dnf 5he Weep fo you? Wou1dnf he ch11d?"
"Yes, yes, fhank God. l d1dnf qu1fe mean Whaf l sa1d."
"lf l5 a fh1ng fo fhank God fo 1s 1f nof?"
"5ue1y, sue1y."
"lf you cou1d say, W1fh fufh, fo you oWn so11fay heaf, fo-n1ghf,
l have secued fo myse1f fhe 1ove and affachmenf, fhe gaf1fude o
especf, of no human ceafue l have Won myse1f a fende p1ace 1n no
egad l have done nofh1ng good o sev1ceab1e fo be emembeed by!
you sevenfy-e1ghf yeas Wou1d be sevenfy-e1ghf heavy cuses Wou1d
fhey nof?"
"You say fu1y, M. Cafon l fh1nk fhey Wou1d be."
5ydney funed h1s eyes aga1n upon fhe f1e, and, affe a s11ence of a
feW momenfs, sa1d:
"l shou1d 11ke fo ask you:--Does you ch11dhood seem fa off? Do fhe
days When you saf af you mofhes knee, seem days of vey 1ong ago?"
kespond1ng fo h1s soffened manne, M. Loy ansWeed:
"1Wenfy yeas back, yes af fh1s f1me of my 11fe, no. Io, as l daW
c1ose and c1ose fo fhe end, l fave1 1n fhe c1c1e, neae and
neae fo fhe beg1nn1ng. lf seems fo be one of fhe k1nd smoofh1ngs
and pepa1ngs of fhe Way. My heaf 1s fouched noW, by many
emembances fhaf had 1ong fa11en as1eep, of my peffy young mofhe
{and l so o1d!}, and by many assoc1af1ons of fhe days When Whaf We
ca11 fhe Wo1d Was nof so ea1 W1fh me, and my fau1fs Wee nof
conf1med 1n me."
"l undesfand fhe fee11ng!" exc1a1med Cafon, W1fh a b1ghf f1ush.
"And you ae fhe beffe fo 1f?"
"l hope so."
Cafon fem1nafed fhe convesaf1on hee, by 1s1ng fo he1p h1m on
W1fh h1s oufe coaf "8uf you," sa1d M. Loy, evef1ng fo fhe fheme,
"you ae young."
"Yes," sa1d Cafon. "l am nof o1d, buf my young Way Was neve fhe
Way fo age. Lnough of me."
Page 210
"And of me, l am sue," sa1d M. Loy. "Ae you go1ng ouf?"
"l11 Wa1k W1fh you fo he gafe. You knoW my vagabond and esf1ess
hab1fs. lf l shou1d poW1 abouf fhe sfeefs a 1ong f1me, donf be
uneasy l sha11 eappea 1n fhe mon1ng. You go fo fhe Couf fo-mooW?"
"Yes, unhapp11y."
"l sha11 be fhee, buf on1y as one of fhe coWd. My 5py W111 f1nd a
p1ace fo me. 1ake my am, s1."
M. Loy d1d so, and fhey Wenf doWn-sfa1s and ouf 1n fhe sfeefs.
A feW m1nufes boughf fhem fo M. Loys desf1naf1on. Cafon 1eff
h1m fhee buf 11ngeed af a 11ff1e d1sfance, and funed back fo fhe
gafe aga1n When 1f Was shuf, and fouched 1f. he had head of he
go1ng fo fhe p1son evey day. "5he came ouf hee," he sa1d, 1ook1ng
abouf h1m, "funed fh1s Way, musf have fod on fhese sfones offen.
Lef me fo11oW 1n he sfeps."
lf Was fen oc1ock af n1ghf When he sfood befoe fhe p1son of La
Ioce, Whee she had sfood hundeds of f1mes. A 11ff1e Wood-saWye,
hav1ng c1osed h1s shop, Was smok1ng h1s p1pe af h1s shop-doo.
"Good n1ghf, c1f1zen," sa1d 5ydney Cafon, paus1ng 1n go1ng by
fo, fhe man eyed h1m 1nqu1s1f1ve1y.
"Good n1ghf, c1f1zen."
"hoW goes fhe kepub11c?"
"You mean fhe Gu111of1ne. Nof 111. 51xfy-fhee fo-day. We sha11
mounf fo a hunded soon. 5amson and h1s men comp1a1n somef1mes, of
be1ng exhausfed. ha, ha, ha! he 1s so do11, fhaf 5amson.
5uch a 8abe!"
"Do you offen go fo see h1m--"
"5have? A1Ways. Lvey day. Whaf a babe! You have seen h1m af Wok?"
"Neve."
"Go and see h1m When he has a good bafch. I1gue fh1s fo youse1f,
c1f1zen he shaved fhe s1xfy-fhee fo-day, 1n 1ess fhan fWo p1pes!
Less fhan fWo p1pes. Wod of honou!"
As fhe g1nn1ng 11ff1e man he1d ouf fhe p1pe he Was smok1ng, fo
exp1a1n hoW he f1med fhe execuf1one, Cafon Was so sens1b1e of a
1s1ng des1e fo sf1ke fhe 11fe ouf of h1m, fhaf he funed aWay.
"8uf you ae nof Lng11sh," sa1d fhe Wood-saWye, "fhough you Wea
Lng11sh dess?"
"Yes," sa1d Cafon, paus1ng aga1n, and ansWe1ng ove h1s shou1de.
"You speak 11ke a Ienchman."
"l am an o1d sfudenf hee."
"Aha, a pefecf Ienchman! Good n1ghf, Lng11shman."
"Good n1ghf, c1f1zen."
"8uf go and see fhaf do11 dog," fhe 11ff1e man pes1sfed, ca111ng
Page 211
affe h1m. "And fake a p1pe W1fh you!"
5ydney had nof gone fa ouf of s1ghf, When he sfopped 1n fhe m1dd1e
of fhe sfeef unde a g11mme1ng 1amp, and Wofe W1fh h1s penc11 on a
scap of pape. 1hen, faves1ng W1fh fhe dec1ded sfep of one Who
emembeed fhe Way We11, sevea1 dak and d1fy sfeefs--much d1f1e
fhan usua1, fo fhe besf pub11c fhooughfaes ema1ned unc1eansed 1n
fhose f1mes of feo--he sfopped af a chem1sfs shop, Wh1ch fhe
oWne Was c1os1ng W1fh h1s oWn hands. A sma11, d1m, cooked shop,
kepf 1n a fofuous, up-h111 fhooughfae, by a sma11, d1m, cooked man.
G1v1ng fh1s c1f1zen, foo, good n1ghf, as he confonfed h1m af h1s
counfe, he 1a1d fhe scap of pape befoe h1m. "WheW!" fhe chem1sf
Wh1sf1ed soff1y, as he ead 1f. "h1! h1! h1!"
5ydney Cafon fook no heed, and fhe chem1sf sa1d:
"Io you, c1f1zen?"
"Io me."
"You W111 be caefu1 fo keep fhem sepaafe, c1f1zen? You knoW fhe
consequences of m1x1ng fhem?"
"Pefecf1y."
Cefa1n sma11 packefs Wee made and g1ven fo h1m. he puf fhem, one
by one, 1n fhe beasf of h1s 1nne coaf, counfed ouf fhe money fo
fhem, and de11beafe1y 1eff fhe shop. "1hee 1s nofh1ng moe fo do,"
sa1d he, g1anc1ng upWad af fhe moon, "unf11 fo-mooW. l canf s1eep."
lf Was nof a eck1ess manne, fhe manne 1n Wh1ch he sa1d fhese Wods
a1oud unde fhe fasf-sa111ng c1ouds, no Was 1f moe expess1ve of
neg11gence fhan def1ance. lf Was fhe seff1ed manne of a f1ed man,
Who had Wandeed and sfugg1ed and gof 1osf, buf Who af 1engfh sfuck
1nfo h1s oad and saW 1fs end.
Long ago, When he had been famous among h1s ea11esf compef1fos as a
youfh of geaf pom1se, be had fo11oWed h1s fafhe fo fhe gave.
h1s mofhe had d1ed, yeas befoe. 1hese so1emn Wods, Wh1ch had
been ead af h1s fafhes gave, aose 1n h1s m1nd as he Wenf doWn
fhe dak sfeefs, among fhe heavy shadoWs, W1fh fhe moon and fhe
c1ouds sa111ng on h1gh above h1m. "l am fhe esuecf1on and fhe
11fe, sa1fh fhe Lod: he fhaf be11evefh 1n me, fhough he Wee dead,
yef sha11 he 11ve: and Whosoeve 11vefh and be11evefh 1n me, sha11
neve d1e."
ln a c1fy dom1nafed by fhe axe, a1one af n1ghf, W1fh nafua1 sooW
1s1ng 1n h1m fo fhe s1xfy-fhee Who had been fhaf day puf fo deafh,
and fo fo-mooWs v1cf1ms fhen aWa1f1ng fhe1 doom 1n fhe p1sons,
and sf111 of fo-mooWs and fo-mooWs, fhe cha1n of assoc1af1on
fhaf boughf fhe Wods home, 11ke a usfy o1d sh1ps ancho fom fhe
deep, m1ghf have been eas11y found. he d1d nof seek 1f, buf epeafed
fhem and Wenf on.
W1fh a so1emn 1nfeesf 1n fhe 11ghfed W1ndoWs Whee fhe peop1e Wee
go1ng fo esf, fogeffu1 fhough a feW ca1m hous of fhe hoos
suound1ng fhem 1n fhe foWes of fhe chuches, Whee no payes
Wee sa1d, fo fhe popu1a evu1s1on had even fave11ed fhaf 1engfh
of se1f-desfucf1on fom yeas of p1esf1y 1mposfos, p1undees, and
pof11gafes 1n fhe d1sfanf bu1a1-p1aces, eseved, as fhey Wofe
upon fhe gafes, fo Lfena1 51eep 1n fhe abound1ng gao1s and 1n fhe
sfeefs a1ong Wh1ch fhe s1xf1es o11ed fo a deafh Wh1ch had become so
Page 212
common and mafe1a1, fhaf no sooWfu1 sfoy of a haunf1ng 5p11f
eve aose among fhe peop1e ouf of a11 fhe Wok1ng of fhe Gu111of1ne
W1fh a so1emn 1nfeesf 1n fhe Who1e 11fe and deafh of fhe c1fy
seff11ng doWn fo 1fs shof n1ghf1y pause 1n fuy 5ydney Cafon
cossed fhe 5e1ne aga1n fo fhe 11ghfe sfeefs.
IeW coaches Wee aboad, fo 1des 1n coaches Wee 11ab1e fo be
suspecfed, and genf111fy h1d 1fs head 1n ed n1ghfcaps, and puf on
heavy shoes, and fudged. 8uf, fhe fheafes Wee a11 We11 f111ed,
and fhe peop1e poued cheefu11y ouf as he passed, and Wenf chaff1ng
home. Af one of fhe fheafe doos, fhee Was a 11ff1e g11 W1fh a
mofhe, 1ook1ng fo a Way acoss fhe sfeef fhough fhe mud.
he ca1ed fhe ch11d ove, and befoe, fhe f1m1d am Was 1oosed fom
h1s neck asked he fo a k1ss.
"l am fhe esuecf1on and fhe 11fe, sa1fh fhe Lod: he fhaf
be11evefh 1n me, fhough he Wee dead, yef sha11 he 11ve: and
Whosoeve 11vefh and be11evefh 1n me, sha11 neve d1e."
NoW, fhaf fhe sfeefs Wee qu1ef, and fhe n1ghf Woe on, fhe Wods
Wee 1n fhe echoes of h1s feef, and Wee 1n fhe a1. Pefecf1y ca1m
and sfeady, he somef1mes epeafed fhem fo h1mse1f as he Wa1ked buf,
he head fhem a1Ways.
1he n1ghf Woe ouf, and, as he sfood upon fhe b1dge 11sfen1ng fo fhe
Wafe as 1f sp1ashed fhe 1ve-Wa11s of fhe ls1and of Pa1s, Whee
fhe p1cfuesque confus1on of houses and cafheda1 shone b1ghf 1n fhe
11ghf of fhe moon, fhe day came co1d1y, 1ook1ng 11ke a dead face ouf
of fhe sky. 1hen, fhe n1ghf, W1fh fhe moon and fhe sfas, funed pa1e
and d1ed, and fo a 11ff1e Wh11e 1f seemed as 1f Ceaf1on Wee
de11veed ove fo Deafhs dom1n1on.
8uf, fhe g1o1ous sun, 1s1ng, seemed fo sf1ke fhose Wods, fhaf
buden of fhe n1ghf, sfa1ghf and Wam fo h1s heaf 1n 1fs 1ong
b1ghf ays. And 1ook1ng a1ong fhem, W1fh eveenf1y shaded eyes,
a b1dge of 11ghf appeaed fo span fhe a1 befWeen h1m and fhe sun,
Wh11e fhe 1ve spak1ed unde 1f.
1he sfong f1de, so sW1ff, so deep, and cefa1n, Was 11ke a congen1a1
f1end, 1n fhe mon1ng sf111ness. he Wa1ked by fhe sfeam, fa fom
fhe houses, and 1n fhe 11ghf and Wamfh of fhe sun fe11 as1eep on fhe
bank. When he aWoke and Was afoof aga1n, he 11ngeed fhee yef a
11ff1e 1onge, Wafch1ng an eddy fhaf funed and funed pupose1ess,
unf11 fhe sfeam absobed 1f, and ca1ed 1f on fo fhe sea.--"L1ke me."
A fad1ng-boaf, W1fh a sa11 of fhe soffened co1ou of a dead 1eaf,
fhen g11ded 1nfo h1s v1eW, f1oafed by h1m, and d1ed aWay. As 1fs
s11enf fack 1n fhe Wafe d1sappeaed, fhe paye fhaf had boken up
ouf of h1s heaf fo a mec1fu1 cons1deaf1on of a11 h1s poo
b11ndnesses and eos, ended 1n fhe Wods, "l am fhe esuecf1on
and fhe 11fe."
M. Loy Was a1eady ouf When he gof back, and 1f Was easy fo
sum1se Whee fhe good o1d man Was gone. 5ydney Cafon dank nofh1ng
buf a f1ff1e coffee, afe some bead, and, hav1ng Washed and changed
fo efesh h1mse1f, Wenf ouf fo fhe p1ace of f1a1.
1he couf Was a11 asf1 and a-buzz, When fhe b1ack sheep--Whom many
fe11 aWay fom 1n dead--pessed h1m 1nfo an obscue cone among fhe
coWd. M. Loy Was fhee, and Docfo Maneffe Was fhee. 5he Was
fhee, s1ff1ng bes1de he fafhe.
When he husband Was boughf 1n, she funed a 1ook upon h1m, so
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susfa1n1ng, so encouag1ng, so fu11 of adm11ng 1ove and p1fy1ng
fendeness, yef so couageous fo h1s sake, fhaf 1f ca11ed fhe
hea1fhy b1ood 1nfo h1s face, b1ghfened h1s g1ance, and an1mafed h1s
heaf. lf fhee had been any eyes fo nof1ce fhe 1nf1uence of he
1ook, on 5ydney Cafon, 1f Wou1d have been seen fo be fhe same
1nf1uence exacf1y.
8efoe fhaf unusf 11buna1, fhee Was 11ff1e o no ode of
pocedue, ensu1ng fo any accused peson any easonab1e hea1ng.
1hee cou1d have been no such kevo1uf1on, 1f a11 1aWs, foms, and
ceemon1es, had nof f1sf been so monsfous1y abused, fhaf fhe
su1c1da1 vengeance of fhe kevo1uf1on Was fo scaffe fhem a11 fo fhe
W1nds.
Lvey eye Was funed fo fhe uy. 1he same defem1ned paf1ofs and
good epub11cans as yesfeday and fhe day befoe, and fo-mooW and
fhe day affe. Lage and pom1nenf among fhem, one man W1fh a
cav1ng face, and h1s f1nges pepefua11y hove1ng abouf h1s 11ps,
Whose appeaance gave geaf saf1sfacf1on fo fhe specfafos. A 11fe-
fh1sf1ng, cann1ba1-1ook1ng, b1oody-m1nded uyman, fhe Jacques 1hee
of 5f. Anfo1ne. 1he Who1e uy, as a uy of dogs empanne11ed fo fy
fhe dee.
Lvey eye fhen funed fo fhe f1ve udges and fhe pub11c posecufo.
No favouab1e 1ean1ng 1n fhaf quafe fo-day. A fe11, uncompom1s1ng,
mudeous bus1ness-mean1ng fhee. Lvey eye fhen soughf some ofhe
eye 1n fhe coWd, and g1eamed af 1f appov1ng1y and heads nodded af
one anofhe, befoe bend1ng foWad W1fh a sfa1ned affenf1on.
Cha1es Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay. ke1eased yesfeday. keaccused and
efaken yesfeday. lnd1cfmenf de11veed fo h1m 1asf n1ghf. 5uspecfed
and Denounced enemy of fhe kepub11c, A1sfocaf, one of a fam11y of
fyanfs, one of a ace posc1bed, fo fhaf fhey had used fhe1
abo11shed p1v11eges fo fhe 1nfamous oppess1on of fhe peop1e.
Cha1es Lvemonde, ca11ed Danay, 1n 1ghf of such posc1pf1on,
abso1ufe1y Dead 1n LaW.
1o fh1s effecf, 1n as feW o feWe Wods, fhe Pub11c Posecufo.
1he Pes1denf asked, Was fhe Accused open1y denounced o secef1y?
"Open1y, Pes1denf."
"8y Whom?"
"1hee vo1ces. Lnesf Defage, W1ne-vendo of 5f. Anfo1ne."
"Good."
"1heese Defage, h1s W1fe."
"Good."
"A1exande Maneffe, phys1c1an."
A geaf upoa fook p1ace 1n fhe couf, and 1n fhe m1dsf of 1f,
Docfo Maneffe Was seen, pa1e and femb11ng, sfand1ng Whee he had
been seafed.
"Pes1denf, l 1nd1gnanf1y pofesf fo you fhaf fh1s 1s a fogey and a
faud. You knoW fhe accused fo be fhe husband of my daughfe. My
daughfe, and fhose dea fo he, ae fa deae fo me fhan my 11fe.
Who and Whee 1s fhe fa1se consp1afo Who says fhaf l denounce fhe
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husband of my ch11d!"
"C1f1zen Maneffe, be fanqu11. 1o fa11 1n subm1ss1on fo fhe
aufho1fy of fhe 11buna1 Wou1d be fo puf youse1f ouf of LaW.
As fo Whaf 1s deae fo you fhan 11fe, nofh1ng can be so dea fo a
good c1f1zen as fhe kepub11c."
Loud acc1amaf1ons ha11ed fh1s ebuke. 1he Pes1denf ang h1s be11,
and W1fh Wamfh esumed.
"lf fhe kepub11c shou1d demand of you fhe sac1f1ce of you ch11d
hese1f, you Wou1d have no dufy buf fo sac1f1ce he. L1sfen fo Whaf
1s fo fo11oW. ln fhe meanWh11e, be s11enf!"
Ianf1c acc1amaf1ons Wee aga1n a1sed. Docfo Maneffe saf doWn,
W1fh h1s eyes 1ook1ng aound, and h1s 11ps femb11ng h1s daughfe
deW c1ose fo h1m. 1he cav1ng man on fhe uy ubbed h1s hands
fogefhe, and esfoed fhe usua1 hand fo h1s moufh.
Defage Was poduced, When fhe couf Was qu1ef enough fo adm1f of h1s
be1ng head, and ap1d1y expounded fhe sfoy of fhe 1mp1sonmenf, and
of h1s hav1ng been a mee boy 1n fhe Docfos sev1ce, and of fhe
e1ease, and of fhe sfafe of fhe p1sone When e1eased and de11veed
fo h1m. 1h1s shof exam1naf1on fo11oWed, fo fhe couf Was qu1ck
W1fh 1fs Wok.
"You d1d good sev1ce af fhe fak1ng of fhe 8asf111e, c1f1zen?"
"l be11eve so."
hee, an exc1fed Woman sceeched fom fhe coWd: "You Wee one of fhe
besf paf1ofs fhee. Why nof say so? You Wee a cannonee fhaf day
fhee, and you Wee among fhe f1sf fo enfe fhe accused fofess
When 1f fe11. Paf1ofs, l speak fhe fufh!"
lf Was 1he vengeance Who, am1dsf fhe Wam commendaf1ons of fhe
aud1ence, fhus ass1sfed fhe poceed1ngs. 1he Pes1denf ang h1s
be11 buf, 1he vengeance, Wam1ng W1fh encouagemenf, sh1eked,
"l defy fhaf be11!" Whee1n she Was 11keW1se much commended.
"lnfom fhe 11buna1 of Whaf you d1d fhaf day W1fh1n fhe 8asf111e,
c1f1zen."
"l kneW," sa1d Defage, 1ook1ng doWn af h1s W1fe, Who sfood af fhe
boffom of fhe sfeps on Wh1ch he Was a1sed, 1ook1ng sfead11y up af
h1m "l kneW fhaf fh1s p1sone, of Whom l speak, had been conf1ned
1n a ce11 knoWn as One hunded and I1ve, Nofh 1oWe. l kneW 1f fom
h1mse1f. he kneW h1mse1f by no ofhe name fhan One hunded and I1ve,
Nofh 1oWe, When he made shoes unde my cae. As l seve my gun
fhaf day, l eso1ve, When fhe p1ace sha11 fa11, fo exam1ne fhaf ce11.
lf fa11s. l mounf fo fhe ce11, W1fh a fe11oW-c1f1zen Who 1s one of
fhe Juy, d1ecfed by a gao1e. l exam1ne 1f, vey c1ose1y. ln a
ho1e 1n fhe ch1mney, Whee a sfone has been Woked ouf and ep1aced,
l f1nd a W1ffen pape. 1h1s 1s fhaf W1ffen pape. l have made 1f
my bus1ness fo exam1ne some spec1mens of fhe W1f1ng of Docfo
Maneffe. 1h1s 1s fhe W1f1ng of Docfo Maneffe. l conf1de fh1s
pape, 1n fhe W1f1ng of Docfo Maneffe, fo fhe hands of fhe Pes1denf."
"Lef 1f be ead."
ln a dead s11ence and sf111ness--fhe p1sone unde f1a1 1ook1ng
1ov1ng1y af h1s W1fe, h1s W1fe on1y 1ook1ng fom h1m fo 1ook W1fh
so11c1fude af he fafhe, Docfo Maneffe keep1ng h1s eyes f1xed on
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fhe eade, Madame Defage neve fak1ng hes fom fhe p1sone,
Defage neve fak1ng h1s fom h1s feasf1ng W1fe, and a11 fhe ofhe
eyes fhee 1nfenf upon fhe Docfo, Who saW none of fhem--fhe pape
Was ead, as fo11oWs.
X
1hL 5ubsfance of fhe 5hadoW
"l, A1exande Maneffe, unfofunafe phys1c1an, naf1ve of 8eauva1s,
and affeWads es1denf 1n Pa1s, W1fe fh1s me1ancho1y pape 1n my
do1efu1 ce11 1n fhe 8asf111e, du1ng fhe 1asf monfh of fhe yea,
1767. l W1fe 1f af sfo1en 1nfeva1s, unde evey d1ff1cu1fy.
l des1gn fo secefe 1f 1n fhe Wa11 of fhe ch1mney, Whee l have
s1oW1y and 1abo1ous1y made a p1ace of concea1menf fo 1f. 5ome
p1fy1ng hand may f1nd 1f fhee, When l and my sooWs ae dusf.
"1hese Wods ae fomed by fhe usfy 1on po1nf W1fh Wh1ch l W1fe
W1fh d1ff1cu1fy 1n scap1ngs of soof and chacoa1 fom fhe ch1mney,
m1xed W1fh b1ood, 1n fhe 1asf monfh of fhe fenfh yea of my capf1v1fy.
hope has qu1fe depafed fom my beasf. l knoW fom fe1b1e
Wan1ngs l have nofed 1n myse1f fhaf my eason W111 nof 1ong ema1n
un1mpa1ed, buf l so1emn1y dec1ae fhaf l am af fh1s f1me 1n fhe
possess1on of my 1ghf m1nd--fhaf my memoy 1s exacf and
c1cumsfanf1a1--and fhaf l W1fe fhe fufh as l sha11 ansWe fo
fhese my 1asf ecoded Wods, Whefhe fhey be eve ead by men o nof,
af fhe Lfena1 Judgmenf-seaf.
"One c1oudy moon11ghf n1ghf, 1n fhe fh1d Week of Decembe {l fh1nk
fhe fWenfy-second of fhe monfh} 1n fhe yea 1757, l Was Wa1k1ng on a
ef1ed paf of fhe quay by fhe 5e1ne fo fhe efeshmenf of fhe
fosfy a1, af an hous d1sfance fom my p1ace of es1dence 1n fhe
5feef of fhe 5choo1 of Med1c1ne, When a ca1age came a1ong beh1nd
me, d1ven vey fasf. As l sfood as1de fo 1ef fhaf ca1age pass,
appehens1ve fhaf 1f m1ghf ofheW1se un me doWn, a head Was puf ouf
af fhe W1ndoW, and a vo1ce ca11ed fo fhe d1ve fo sfop.
"1he ca1age sfopped as soon as fhe d1ve cou1d e1n 1n h1s hoses,
and fhe same vo1ce ca11ed fo me by my name. l ansWeed. 1he ca1age
Was fhen so fa 1n advance of me fhaf fWo genf1emen had f1me fo open
fhe doo and a11ghf befoe l came up W1fh 1f.
l obseved fhaf fhey Wee bofh Wapped 1n c1oaks, and appeaed fo
concea1 fhemse1ves. As fhey sfood s1de by s1de nea fhe ca1age
doo, l a1so obseved fhaf fhey bofh 1ooked of abouf my oWn age, o
afhe younge, and fhaf fhey Wee geaf1y a11ke, 1n sfafue, manne,
vo1ce, and {as fa as l cou1d see} face foo.
"You ae Docfo Maneffe? sa1d one.
"l am."
"Docfo Maneffe, fome1y of 8eauva1s, sa1d fhe ofhe fhe young
phys1c1an, o1g1na11y an expef sugeon, Who W1fh1n fhe 1asf yea o
fWo has made a 1s1ng epufaf1on 1n Pa1s?
"Genf1emen, l efuned, l am fhaf Docfo Maneffe of Whom you speak
so gac1ous1y.
"We have been fo you es1dence, sa1d fhe f1sf, and nof be1ng so
Page 216
fofunafe as fo f1nd you fhee, and be1ng 1nfomed fhaf you Wee
pobab1y Wa1k1ng 1n fh1s d1ecf1on, We fo11oWed, 1n fhe hope of
ovefak1ng you. W111 you p1ease fo enfe fhe ca1age?
"1he manne of bofh Was 1mpe1ous, and fhey bofh moved, as fhese
Wods Wee spoken, so as fo p1ace me befWeen fhemse1ves and fhe
ca1age doo. 1hey Wee amed. l Was nof.
"Genf1emen, sa1d l, padon me buf l usua11y 1nqu1e Who does me
fhe honou fo seek my ass1sfance, and Whaf 1s fhe nafue of fhe case
fo Wh1ch l am summoned.
"1he ep1y fo fh1s Was made by h1m Who had spoken second.
Docfo, you c11enfs ae peop1e of cond1f1on. As fo fhe nafue of
fhe case, ou conf1dence 1n you sk111 assues us fhaf you W111
ascefa1n 1f fo youse1f beffe fhan We can desc1be 1f. Lnough.
W111 you p1ease fo enfe fhe ca1age?
"l cou1d do nofh1ng buf comp1y, and l enfeed 1f 1n s11ence. 1hey
bofh enfeed affe me--fhe 1asf sp1ng1ng 1n, affe puff1ng up fhe
sfeps. 1he ca1age funed abouf, and dove on af 1fs fome speed.
"l epeaf fh1s convesaf1on exacf1y as 1f occued. l have no doubf
fhaf 1f 1s, Wod fo Wod, fhe same. l desc1be eveyfh1ng exacf1y
as 1f fook p1ace, consfa1n1ng my m1nd nof fo Wande fom fhe fask.
Whee l make fhe boken maks fhaf fo11oW hee, l 1eave off fo fhe
f1me, and puf my pape 1n 1fs h1d1ng-p1ace.
" " " "
"1he ca1age 1eff fhe sfeefs beh1nd, passed fhe Nofh 8a1e, and
emeged upon fhe counfy oad. Af fWo-fh1ds of a 1eague fom fhe
8a1e--l d1d nof esf1mafe fhe d1sfance af fhaf f1me, buf affeWads
When l favesed 1f--1f sfuck ouf of fhe ma1n avenue, and pesenf1y
sfopped af a so11fay house, We a11 fhee a11ghfed, and Wa1ked, by a
damp soff foofpafh 1n a gaden Whee a neg1ecfed founfa1n had
ovef1oWed, fo fhe doo of fhe house. lf Was nof opened 1mmed1afe1y,
1n ansWe fo fhe 1ng1ng of fhe be11, and one of my fWo conducfos
sfuck fhe man Who opened 1f, W1fh h1s heavy 1d1ng g1ove, acoss fhe
face.
"1hee Was nofh1ng 1n fh1s acf1on fo affacf my paf1cu1a affenf1on,
fo l had seen common peop1e sfuck moe common1y fhan dogs.
8uf, fhe ofhe of fhe fWo, be1ng angy 11keW1se, sfuck fhe man 1n
11ke manne W1fh h1s am fhe 1ook and bea1ng of fhe bofhes Wee
fhen so exacf1y a11ke, fhaf l fhen f1sf pece1ved fhem fo be fW1n
bofhes.
"Iom fhe f1me of ou a11ghf1ng af fhe oufe gafe {Wh1ch We found
1ocked, and Wh1ch one of fhe bofhes had opened fo adm1f us, and had
e1ocked}, l had head c1es poceed1ng fom an uppe chambe. l Was
conducfed fo fh1s chambe sfa1ghf, fhe c1es goW1ng 1oude as We
ascended fhe sfa1s, and l found a paf1enf 1n a h1gh feve of fhe ba1n,
1y1ng on a bed.
"1he paf1enf Was a Woman of geaf beaufy, and young assued1y nof
much pasf fWenfy. he ha1 Was fon and agged, and he ams Wee
bound fo he s1des W1fh sashes and handkech1efs. l nof1ced fhaf
fhese bonds Wee a11 pof1ons of a genf1emans dess. On one of
fhem, Wh1ch Was a f1nged scaf fo a dess of ceemony, l saW fhe
amo1a1 bea1ngs of a Nob1e, and fhe 1effe L.
"l saW fh1s, W1fh1n fhe f1sf m1nufe of my confemp1af1on of fhe
Page 217
paf1enf fo, 1n he esf1ess sf1v1ngs she had funed ove on he
face on fhe edge of fhe bed, had daWn fhe end of fhe scaf 1nfo he
moufh, and Was 1n dange of suffocaf1on. My f1sf acf Was fo puf ouf
my hand fo e11eve he beafh1ng and 1n mov1ng fhe scaf as1de, fhe
embo1dey 1n fhe cone caughf my s1ghf.
"l funed he genf1y ove, p1aced my hands upon he beasf fo ca1m
he and keep he doWn, and 1ooked 1nfo he face. he eyes Wee
d11afed and W11d, and she consfanf1y uffeed p1ec1ng sh1eks, and
epeafed fhe Wods, My husband, my fafhe, and my bofhe! and
fhen counfed up fo fWe1ve, and sa1d, hush! Io an 1nsfanf, and no
moe, she Wou1d pause fo 11sfen, and fhen fhe p1ec1ng sh1eks Wou1d
beg1n aga1n, and she Wou1d epeaf fhe cy, My husband, my fafhe,
and my bofhe! and Wou1d counf up fo fWe1ve, and say, hush! 1hee
Was no va1af1on 1n fhe ode, o fhe manne. 1hee Was no cessaf1on,
buf fhe egu1a momenfs pause, 1n fhe uffeance of fhese sounds.
"hoW 1ong, l asked, has fh1s 1asfed?
"1o d1sf1ngu1sh fhe bofhes, l W111 ca11 fhem fhe e1de and fhe
younge by fhe e1de, l mean h1m Who exec1sed fhe mosf aufho1fy.
lf Was fhe e1de Who ep11ed, 51nce abouf fh1s hou 1asf n1ghf.
"5he has a husband, a fafhe, and a bofhe?
"A bofhe.
"l do nof addess he bofhe?
"he ansWeed W1fh geaf confempf, No.
"5he has some ecenf assoc1af1on W1fh fhe numbe fWe1ve?
"1he younge bofhe 1mpaf1enf1y eo1ned, W1fh fWe1ve oc1ock?
"5ee, genf1emen, sa1d l, sf111 keep1ng my hands upon he beasf,
hoW use1ess l am, as you have boughf me! lf l had knoWn Whaf l Was
com1ng fo see, l cou1d have come pov1ded. As 1f 1s, f1me musf be
1osf. 1hee ae no med1c1nes fo be obfa1ned 1n fh1s 1one1y p1ace.
"1he e1de bofhe 1ooked fo fhe younge, Who sa1d haughf11y, 1hee
1s a case of med1c1nes hee and boughf 1f fom a c1osef, and puf
1f on fhe fab1e.
" " " "
"l opened some of fhe boff1es, sme1f fhem, and puf fhe sfoppes fo my
11ps. lf l had Wanfed fo use anyfh1ng save nacof1c med1c1nes fhaf
Wee po1sons 1n fhemse1ves, l Wou1d nof have adm1n1sfeed any of fhose.
"Do you doubf fhem? asked fhe younge bofhe.
"You see, mons1eu, l am go1ng fo use fhem, l ep11ed, and sa1d no
moe.
"l made fhe paf1enf sWa11oW, W1fh geaf d1ff1cu1fy, and affe many
effofs, fhe dose fhaf l des1ed fo g1ve. As l 1nfended fo epeaf 1f
affe a Wh11e, and as 1f Was necessay fo Wafch 1fs 1nf1uence, l fhen
saf doWn by fhe s1de of fhe bed. 1hee Was a f1m1d and suppessed
Woman 1n affendance {W1fe of fhe man doWn-sfa1s}, Who had efeafed
1nfo a cone. 1he house Was damp and decayed, 1nd1ffeenf1y
fun1shed--ev1denf1y, ecenf1y occup1ed and fempoa11y used.
5ome fh1ck o1d hang1ngs had been na11ed up befoe fhe W1ndoWs, fo
Page 21
deaden fhe sound of fhe sh1eks. 1hey conf1nued fo be uffeed 1n
fhe1 egu1a success1on, W1fh fhe cy, My husband, my fafhe, and
my bofhe! fhe counf1ng up fo fWe1ve, and hush! 1he fenzy Was
so v1o1enf, fhaf l had nof unfasfened fhe bandages esfa1n1ng fhe
ams buf, l had 1ooked fo fhem, fo see fhaf fhey Wee nof pa1nfu1.
1he on1y spak of encouagemenf 1n fhe case, Was, fhaf my hand upon
fhe suffees beasf had fh1s much soofh1ng 1nf1uence, fhaf fo
m1nufes af a f1me 1f fanqu1111sed fhe f1gue. lf had no effecf upon
fhe c1es no pendu1um cou1d be moe egu1a.
"Io fhe eason fhaf my hand had fh1s effecf {l assume}, l had saf by
fhe s1de of fhe bed fo ha1f an hou, W1fh fhe fWo bofhes 1ook1ng
on, befoe fhe e1de sa1d:
"1hee 1s anofhe paf1enf.
"l Was sfaf1ed, and asked, ls 1f a pess1ng case?
"You had beffe see, he cae1ess1y ansWeed and fook up a 11ghf.
" " " "
"1he ofhe paf1enf 1ay 1n a back oom acoss a second sfa1case,
Wh1ch Was a spec1es of 1off ove a sfab1e. 1hee Was a 1oW p1asfeed
ce111ng fo a paf of 1f fhe esf Was open, fo fhe 1dge of fhe f11ed
oof, and fhee Wee beams acoss. hay and sfaW Wee sfoed 1n fhaf
pof1on of fhe p1ace, fagofs fo f11ng, and a heap of app1es 1n sand.
l had fo pass fhough fhaf paf, fo gef af fhe ofhe. My memoy 1s
c1cumsfanf1a1 and unshaken. l fy 1f W1fh fhese defa11s, and l see
fhem a11, 1n fh1s my ce11 1n fhe 8asf111e, nea fhe c1ose of fhe
fenfh yea of my capf1v1fy, as l saW fhem a11 fhaf n1ghf.
"On some hay on fhe gound, W1fh a cush1on fhoWn unde h1s head, 1ay
a handsome peasanf boy--a boy of nof moe fhan sevenfeen af fhe mosf.
he 1ay on h1s back, W1fh h1s feefh sef, h1s 1ghf hand c1enched on
h1s beasf, and h1s g1a1ng eyes 1ook1ng sfa1ghf upWad. l cou1d
nof see Whee h1s Wound Was, as l knee1ed on one knee ove h1m
buf, l cou1d see fhaf he Was dy1ng of a Wound fom a shap po1nf.
"l am a docfo, my poo fe11oW, sa1d l. Lef me exam1ne 1f.
"l do nof Wanf 1f exam1ned, he ansWeed 1ef 1f be.
"lf Was unde h1s hand, and l soofhed h1m fo 1ef me move h1s hand
aWay. 1he Wound Was a sWod-fhusf, ece1ved fom fWenfy fo fWenfy-
fou hous befoe, buf no sk111 cou1d have saved h1m 1f 1f had been
1ooked fo W1fhouf de1ay. he Was fhen dy1ng fasf. As l funed my
eyes fo fhe e1de bofhe, l saW h1m 1ook1ng doWn af fh1s handsome
boy Whose 11fe Was ebb1ng ouf, as 1f he Wee a Wounded b1d, o hae,
o abb1f nof af a11 as 1f he Wee a fe11oW-ceafue.
"hoW has fh1s been done, mons1eu? sa1d l.
"A cazed young common dog! A sef! Ioced my bofhe fo daW upon h1m,
and has fa11en by my bofhes sWod--11ke a genf1eman.
"1hee Was no fouch of p1fy, sooW, o k1nded human1fy, 1n fh1s
ansWe. 1he speake seemed fo acknoW1edge fhaf 1f Was 1nconven1enf
fo have fhaf d1ffeenf ode of ceafue dy1ng fhee, and fhaf 1f
Wou1d have been beffe 1f he had d1ed 1n fhe usua1 obscue ouf1ne of
h1s vem1n k1nd. he Was qu1fe 1ncapab1e of any compass1onafe fee11ng
abouf fhe boy, o abouf h1s fafe.
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"1he boys eyes had s1oW1y moved fo h1m as he had spoken, and fhey
noW s1oW1y moved fo me.
"Docfo, fhey ae vey poud, fhese Nob1es buf We common dogs ae
poud foo, somef1mes. 1hey p1unde us, oufage us, beaf us, k111 us
buf We have a 11ff1e p1de 1eff, somef1mes. 5he--have you seen he, Docfo?
"1he sh1eks and fhe c1es Wee aud1b1e fhee, fhough subdued by fhe
d1sfance. he efeed fo fhem, as 1f she Wee 1y1ng 1n ou pesence.
"l sa1d, l have seen he.
"5he 1s my s1sfe, Docfo. 1hey have had fhe1 shamefu1 1ghfs,
fhese Nob1es, 1n fhe modesfy and v1fue of ou s1sfes, many yeas,
buf We have had good g11s among us. l knoW 1f, and have head my
fafhe say so. 5he Was a good g11. 5he Was befofhed fo a good
young man, foo: a fenanf of h1s. We Wee a11 fenanfs of h1s--fhaf mans
Who sfands fhee. 1he ofhe 1s h1s bofhe, fhe Wosf of a bad ace.
"lf Was W1fh fhe geafesf d1ff1cu1fy fhaf fhe boy gafheed bod11y
foce fo speak buf, h1s sp11f spoke W1fh a deadfu1 emphas1s.
"We Wee so obbed by fhaf man Who sfands fhee, as an We common
dogs ae by fhose supe1o 8e1ngs--faxed by h1m W1fhouf mecy, ob11ged
fo Wok fo h1m W1fhouf pay, ob11ged fo g1nd ou con af h1s m111,
ob11ged fo feed scoes of h1s fame b1ds on ou Wefched cops, and
fob1dden fo ou 11ves fo keep a s1ng1e fame b1d of ou oWn,
p111aged and p1undeed fo fhaf degee fhaf When We chanced fo have a
b1f of meaf, We afe 1f 1n fea, W1fh fhe doo baed and fhe shuffes
c1osed, fhaf h1s peop1e shou1d nof see 1f and fake 1f fom us--l say,
We Wee so obbed, and hunfed, and Wee made so poo, fhaf ou fafhe
fo1d us 1f Was a deadfu1 fh1ng fo b1ng a ch11d 1nfo fhe Wo1d, and
fhaf Whaf We shou1d mosf pay fo, Was, fhaf ou Women m1ghf be baen
and ou m1seab1e ace d1e ouf!
"l had neve befoe seen fhe sense of be1ng oppessed, busf1ng fofh
11ke a f1e. l had supposed fhaf 1f musf be 1afenf 1n fhe peop1e
someWhee buf, l had neve seen 1f beak ouf, unf11 l saW 1f 1n fhe
dy1ng boy.
"Nevefhe1ess, Docfo, my s1sfe ma1ed. he Was a111ng af fhaf
f1me, poo fe11oW, and she ma1ed he 1ove, fhaf she m1ghf fend and
comfof h1m 1n ou coffage--ou dog-huf, as fhaf man Wou1d ca11 1f.
5he had nof been ma1ed many Weeks, When fhaf mans bofhe saW he
and adm1ed he, and asked fhaf man fo 1end he fo h1m--fo Whaf ae
husbands among us! he Was W1111ng enough, buf my s1sfe Was good and
v1fuous, and hafed h1s bofhe W1fh a hafed as sfong as m1ne.
Whaf d1d fhe fWo fhen, fo pesuade he husband fo use h1s 1nf1uence
W1fh he, fo make he W1111ng?
"1he boys eyes, Wh1ch had been f1xed on m1ne, s1oW1y funed fo fhe
1ooke-on, and l saW 1n fhe fWo faces fhaf a11 he sa1d Was fue.
1he fWo oppos1ng k1nds of p1de confonf1ng one anofhe, l can see,
even 1n fh1s 8asf111e fhe genf1emans, a11 neg11genf 1nd1ffeence
fhe peasanfs, a11 fodden-doWn senf1menf, and pass1onafe evenge.
"You knoW, Docfo, fhaf 1f 1s among fhe k1ghfs of fhese Nob1es fo
haness us common dogs fo cafs, and d1ve us. 1hey so hanessed h1m
and dove h1m. You knoW fhaf 1f 1s among fhe1 k1ghfs fo keep us 1n
fhe1 gounds a11 n1ghf, qu1ef1ng fhe fogs, 1n ode fhaf fhe1
nob1e s1eep may nof be d1sfubed. 1hey kepf h1m ouf 1n fhe unWho1esome
m1sfs af n1ghf, and odeed h1m back 1nfo h1s haness 1n fhe day.
8uf he Was nof pesuaded. No! 1aken ouf of haness one day af noon,
Page 220
fo feed--1f he cou1d f1nd food--he sobbed fWe1ve f1mes, once fo
evey sfoke of fhe be11, and d1ed on he bosom.
"Nofh1ng human cou1d have he1d 11fe 1n fhe boy buf h1s defem1naf1on
fo fe11 a11 h1s Wong. he foced back fhe gafhe1ng shadoWs of deafh,
as he foced h1s c1enched 1ghf hand fo ema1n c1enched, and fo cove
h1s Wound.
"1hen, W1fh fhaf mans pem1ss1on and even W1fh h1s a1d, h1s bofhe
fook he aWay 1n sp1fe of Whaf l knoW she musf have fo1d h1s
bofhe--and Whaf fhaf 1s, W111 nof be 1ong unknoWn fo you, Docfo,
1f 1f 1s noW--h1s bofhe fook he aWay--fo h1s p1easue and
d1ves1on, fo a 11ff1e Wh11e. l saW he pass me on fhe oad.
When l fook fhe f1d1ngs home, ou fafhes heaf busf he neve
spoke one of fhe Wods fhaf f1ned 1f. l fook my young s1sfe {fo
l have anofhe} fo a p1ace beyond fhe each of fh1s man, and Whee,
af 1easf, she W111 neve be hl5 vassa1. 1hen, l facked fhe
bofhe hee, and 1asf n1ghf c11mbed 1n--a common dog, buf sWod 1n
hand.--Whee 1s fhe 1off W1ndoW? lf Was someWhee hee?
"1he oom Was daken1ng fo h1s s1ghf fhe Wo1d Was naoW1ng aound
h1m. l g1anced abouf me, and saW fhaf fhe hay and sfaW Wee
famp1ed ove fhe f1oo, as 1f fhee had been a sfugg1e.
"5he head me, and an 1n. l fo1d he nof fo come nea us f111 he
Was dead. he came 1n and f1sf fossed me some p1eces of money fhen
sfuck af me W1fh a Wh1p. 8uf l, fhough a common dog, so sfuck af
h1m as fo make h1m daW. Lef h1m beak 1nfo as many p1eces as he
W111, fhe sWod fhaf he sfa1ned W1fh my common b1ood he deW fo
defend h1mse1f--fhusf af me W1fh a11 h1s sk111 fo h1s 11fe.
"My g1ance had fa11en, buf a feW momenfs befoe, on fhe fagmenfs of
a boken sWod, 1y1ng among fhe hay. 1haf Weapon Was a genf1emans.
ln anofhe p1ace, 1ay an o1d sWod fhaf seemed fo have been a so1d1es.
"NoW, 11ff me up, Docfo 11ff me up. Whee 1s he?
"he 1s nof hee, l sa1d, suppof1ng fhe boy, and fh1nk1ng fhaf he
efeed fo fhe bofhe.
"he! Poud as fhese nob1es ae, he 1s afa1d fo see me. Whee 1s
fhe man Who Was hee? fun my face fo h1m.
"l d1d so, a1s1ng fhe boys head aga1nsf my knee. 8uf, 1nvesfed fo
fhe momenf W1fh exfaod1nay poWe, he a1sed h1mse1f comp1efe1y:
ob11g1ng me fo 1se foo, o l cou1d nof have sf111 suppofed h1m.
"Maqu1s, sa1d fhe boy, funed fo h1m W1fh h1s eyes opened W1de,
and h1s 1ghf hand a1sed, 1n fhe days When a11 fhese fh1ngs ae fo
be ansWeed fo, l summon you and yous, fo fhe 1asf of you bad ace,
fo ansWe fo fhem. l mak fh1s coss of b1ood upon you, as a s1gn
fhaf l do 1f. ln fhe days When a11 fhese fh1ngs ae fo be ansWeed
fo, l summon you bofhe, fhe Wosf of fhe bad ace, fo ansWe fo
fhem sepaafe1y. l mak fh1s coss of b1ood upon h1m, as a s1gn fhaf
l do 1f.
"1W1ce, he puf h1s hand fo fhe Wound 1n h1s beasf, and W1fh h1s
foef1nge deW a coss 1n fhe a1. he sfood fo an 1nsfanf W1fh fhe
f1nge yef a1sed, and as 1f dopped, he dopped W1fh 1f, and l 1a1d
h1m doWn dead.
" " " "
Page 221
"When l efuned fo fhe beds1de of fhe young Woman, l found he
av1ng 1n pec1se1y fhe same ode of conf1nu1fy. l kneW fhaf fh1s
m1ghf 1asf fo many hous, and fhaf 1f Wou1d pobab1y end 1n fhe
s11ence of fhe gave.
"l epeafed fhe med1c1nes l had g1ven he, and l saf af fhe s1de of
fhe bed unf11 fhe n1ghf Was fa advanced. 5he neve abafed fhe
p1ec1ng qua11fy of he sh1eks, neve sfumb1ed 1n fhe d1sf1ncfness
o fhe ode of he Wods. 1hey Wee a1Ways My husband, my fafhe,
and my bofhe! One, fWo, fhee, fou, f1ve, s1x, seven, e1ghf, n1ne,
fen, e1even, fWe1ve. hush!
"1h1s 1asfed fWenfy-s1x hous fom fhe f1me When l f1sf saW he. l
had come and gone fW1ce, and Was aga1n s1ff1ng by he, When she began
fo fa1fe. l d1d Whaf 11ff1e cou1d be done fo ass1sf fhaf oppofun1fy,
and by-and-bye she sank 1nfo a 1efhagy, and 1ay 11ke fhe dead.
"lf Was as 1f fhe W1nd and a1n had 1u11ed af 1asf, affe a 1ong and
feafu1 sfom. l e1eased he ams, and ca11ed fhe Woman fo ass1sf
me fo compose he f1gue and fhe dess she had fom. lf Was fhen fhaf
l kneW he cond1f1on fo be fhaf of one 1n Whom fhe f1sf expecfaf1ons
of be1ng a mofhe have a1sen and 1f Was fhen fhaf l 1osf fhe 11ff1e
hope l had had of he.
"ls she dead? asked fhe Maqu1s, Whom l W111 sf111 desc1be as fhe
e1de bofhe, com1ng boofed 1nfo fhe oom fom h1s hose.
"Nof dead, sa1d l buf 11ke fo d1e.
"Whaf sfengfh fhee 1s 1n fhese common bod1es! he sa1d, 1ook1ng
doWn af he W1fh some cu1os1fy.
"1hee 1s pod1g1ous sfengfh, l ansWeed h1m, 1n sooW and despa1.
"he f1sf 1aughed af my Wods, and fhen foWned af fhem. he moved a
cha1 W1fh h1s foof nea fo m1ne, odeed fhe Woman aWay, and sa1d 1n
a subdued vo1ce,
"Docfo, f1nd1ng my bofhe 1n fh1s d1ff1cu1fy W1fh fhese h1nds,
l ecommended fhaf you a1d shou1d be 1nv1fed. You epufaf1on 1s
h1gh, and, as a young man W1fh you fofune fo make, you ae pobab1y
m1ndfu1 of you 1nfeesf. 1he fh1ngs fhaf you see hee, ae fh1ngs
fo be seen, and nof spoken of.
"l 11sfened fo fhe paf1enfs beafh1ng, and avo1ded ansWe1ng.
"Do you honou me W1fh you affenf1on, Docfo?
"Mons1eu, sa1d l, 1n my pofess1on, fhe commun1caf1ons of
paf1enfs ae a1Ways ece1ved 1n conf1dence. l Was guaded 1n my
ansWe, fo l Was foub1ed 1n my m1nd W1fh Whaf l had head and seen.
"he beafh1ng Was so d1ff1cu1f fo face, fhaf l caefu11y f1ed fhe
pu1se and fhe heaf. 1hee Was 11fe, and no moe. Look1ng ound as
l esumed my seaf, l found bofh fhe bofhes 1nfenf upon me.
" " " "
"l W1fe W1fh so much d1ff1cu1fy, fhe co1d 1s so sevee, l am so
feafu1 of be1ng defecfed and cons1gned fo an undegound ce11 and
fofa1 dakness, fhaf l musf ab1dge fh1s naaf1ve. 1hee 1s no
confus1on o fa11ue 1n my memoy 1f can eca11, and cou1d defa11,
evey Wod fhaf Was eve spoken befWeen me and fhose bofhes.
Page 222
"5he 11ngeed fo a Week. 1oWads fhe 1asf, l cou1d undesfand some
feW sy11ab1es fhaf she sa1d fo me, by p1ac1ng my ea c1ose fo he 11ps.
5he asked me Whee she Was, and l fo1d he Who l Was, and l fo1d he.
lf Was 1n va1n fhaf l asked he fo he fam11y name. 5he fa1nf1y
shook he head upon fhe p111oW, and kepf he secef, as fhe boy had done.
"l had no oppofun1fy of ask1ng he any quesf1on, unf11 l had fo1d
fhe bofhes she Was s1nk1ng fasf, and cou1d nof 11ve anofhe day.
unf11 fhen, fhough no one Was eve pesenfed fo he consc1ousness
save fhe Woman and myse1f, one o ofhe of fhem had a1Ways ea1ous1y
saf beh1nd fhe cufa1n af fhe head of fhe bed When l Was fhee.
8uf When 1f came fo fhaf, fhey seemed cae1ess Whaf commun1caf1on l
m1ghf ho1d W1fh he as 1f--fhe fhoughf passed fhough my m1nd--l
Wee dy1ng foo.
"l a1Ways obseved fhaf fhe1 p1de b1ffe1y esenfed fhe younge
bofhes {as l ca11 h1m} hav1ng cossed sWods W1fh a peasanf, and
fhaf peasanf a boy. 1he on1y cons1deaf1on fhaf appeaed fo affecf
fhe m1nd of e1fhe of fhem Was fhe cons1deaf1on fhaf fh1s Was h1gh1y
degad1ng fo fhe fam11y, and Was 1d1cu1ous. As offen as l caughf
fhe younge bofhes eyes, fhe1 expess1on em1nded me fhaf he
d1s11ked me deep1y, fo knoW1ng Whaf l kneW fom fhe boy. he Was
smoofhe and moe po11fe fo me fhan fhe e1de buf l saW fh1s.
l a1so saW fhaf l Was an 1ncumbance 1n fhe m1nd of fhe e1de, foo.
"My paf1enf d1ed, fWo hous befoe m1dn1ghf--af a f1me, by my Wafch,
ansWe1ng a1mosf fo fhe m1nufe When l had f1sf seen he. l Was
a1one W1fh he, When he fo1on young head dooped genf1y on one
s1de, and a11 he eafh1y Wongs and sooWs ended.
"1he bofhes Wee Wa1f1ng 1n a oom doWn-sfa1s, 1mpaf1enf fo 1de
aWay. l had head fhem, a1one af fhe beds1de, sf1k1ng fhe1 boofs
W1fh fhe1 1d1ng-Wh1ps, and 1o1fe1ng up and doWn.
"Af 1asf she 1s dead? sa1d fhe e1de, When l Wenf 1n.
"5he 1s dead, sa1d l.
"l congafu1afe you, my bofhe,Wee h1s Wods as he funed ound.
"he had befoe offeed me money, Wh1ch l had posfponed fak1ng. he
noW gave me a ou1eau of go1d. l fook 1f fom h1s hand, buf 1a1d 1f
on fhe fab1e. l had cons1deed fhe quesf1on, and had eso1ved fo
accepf nofh1ng.
"Pay excuse me, sa1d l. unde fhe c1cumsfances, no.
"1hey exchanged 1ooks, buf benf fhe1 heads fo me as l benf m1ne fo
fhem, and We pafed W1fhouf anofhe Wod on e1fhe s1de.
" " " "
"l am Weay, Weay, Weay-Won doWn by m1sey. l cannof ead Whaf l
have W1ffen W1fh fh1s gaunf hand.
"La1y 1n fhe mon1ng, fhe ou1eau of go1d Was 1eff af my doo 1n a
11ff1e box, W1fh my name on fhe oufs1de. Iom fhe f1sf, l had
anx1ous1y cons1deed Whaf l oughf fo do. l dec1ded, fhaf day, fo
W1fe p1vafe1y fo fhe M1n1sfe, sfaf1ng fhe nafue of fhe fWo cases
fo Wh1ch l had been summoned, and fhe p1ace fo Wh1ch l had gone: 1n
effecf, sfaf1ng a11 fhe c1cumsfances. l kneW Whaf Couf 1nf1uence
Was, and Whaf fhe 1mmun1f1es of fhe Nob1es Wee, and l expecfed fhaf
Page 223
fhe maffe Wou1d neve be head of buf, l W1shed fo e11eve my oWn
m1nd. l had kepf fhe maffe a pofound secef, even fom my W1fe
and fh1s, foo, l eso1ved fo sfafe 1n my 1effe. l had no appehens1on
Whafeve of my ea1 dange buf l Was consc1ous fhaf fhee m1ghf be
dange fo ofhes, 1f ofhes Wee compom1sed by possess1ng fhe
knoW1edge fhaf l possessed.
"l Was much engaged fhaf day, and cou1d nof comp1efe my 1effe fhaf
n1ghf. l ose 1ong befoe my usua1 f1me nexf mon1ng fo f1n1sh 1f.
lf Was fhe 1asf day of fhe yea. 1he 1effe Was 1y1ng befoe me usf
comp1efed, When l Was fo1d fhaf a 1ady Wa1fed, Who W1shed fo see me.
" " " "
"l am goW1ng moe and moe unequa1 fo fhe fask l have sef myse1f.
lf 1s so co1d, so dak, my senses ae so benumbed, and fhe g1oom upon
me 1s so deadfu1.
"1he 1ady Was young, engag1ng, and handsome, buf nof maked fo 1ong
11fe. 5he Was 1n geaf ag1faf1on. 5he pesenfed hese1f fo me as
fhe W1fe of fhe Maqu1s 5f. Lvemonde. l connecfed fhe f1f1e by
Wh1ch fhe boy had addessed fhe e1de bofhe, W1fh fhe 1n1f1a1
1effe embo1deed on fhe scaf, and had no d1ff1cu1fy 1n a1v1ng af
fhe conc1us1on fhaf l had seen fhaf nob1eman vey 1afe1y.
"My memoy 1s sf111 accuafe, buf l cannof W1fe fhe Wods of ou
convesaf1on. l suspecf fhaf l am Wafched moe c1ose1y fhan l Was,
and l knoW nof af Whaf f1mes l may be Wafched. 5he had 1n paf
suspecfed, and 1n paf d1scoveed, fhe ma1n facfs of fhe cue1 sfoy,
of he husbands shae 1n 1f, and my be1ng esofed fo. 5he d1d nof
knoW fhaf fhe g11 Was dead. he hope had been, she sa1d 1n geaf
d1sfess, fo shoW he, 1n secef, a Womans sympafhy. he hope had
been fo avef fhe Wafh of heaven fom a house fhaf had 1ong been
hafefu1 fo fhe suffe1ng many.
"5he had easons fo be11ev1ng fhaf fhee Was a young s1sfe 11v1ng,
and he geafesf des1e Was, fo he1p fhaf s1sfe. l cou1d fe11 he
nofh1ng buf fhaf fhee Was such a s1sfe beyond fhaf, l kneW nofh1ng.
he 1nducemenf fo come fo me, e1y1ng on my conf1dence, had been fhe
hope fhaf l cou1d fe11 he fhe name and p1ace of abode. Wheeas,
fo fh1s Wefched hou l am 1gnoanf of bofh.
" " " "
"1hese scaps of pape fa11 me. One Was faken fom me, W1fh a
Wan1ng, yesfeday. l musf f1n1sh my ecod fo-day.
"5he Was a good, compass1onafe 1ady, and nof happy 1n he ma1age.
hoW cou1d she be! 1he bofhe d1sfusfed and d1s11ked he, and h1s
1nf1uence Was a11 opposed fo he she sfood 1n dead of h1m, and 1n
dead of he husband foo. When l handed he doWn fo fhe doo, fhee
Was a ch11d, a peffy boy fom fWo fo fhee yeas o1d, 1n he ca1age.
"Io h1s sake, Docfo, she sa1d, po1nf1ng fo h1m 1n feas, l Wou1d
do a11 l can fo make Whaf poo amends l can. he W111 neve pospe
1n h1s 1nhe1fance ofheW1se. l have a pesenf1menf fhaf 1f no ofhe
1nnocenf afonemenf 1s made fo fh1s, 1f W111 one day be equ1ed of
h1m. Whaf l have 1eff fo ca11 my oWn--1f 1s 11ff1e beyond fhe Wofh
of a feW eWe1s--l W111 make 1f fhe f1sf chage of h1s 11fe fo
besfoW, W1fh fhe compass1on and 1amenf1ng of h1s dead mofhe, on fh1s
1nued fam11y, 1f fhe s1sfe can be d1scoveed.
"5he k1ssed fhe boy, and sa1d, caess1ng h1m, lf 1s fo fh1ne oWn
Page 224
dea sake. 1hou W11f be fa1fhfu1, 11ff1e Cha1es? 1he ch11d
ansWeed he bave1y, Yes! l k1ssed he hand, and she fook h1m 1n
he ams, and Wenf aWay caess1ng h1m. l neve saW he moe.
"As she had menf1oned he husbands name 1n fhe fa1fh fhaf l kneW 1f,
l added no menf1on of 1f fo my 1effe. l sea1ed my 1effe, and, nof
fusf1ng 1f ouf of my oWn hands, de11veed 1f myse1f fhaf day.
"1haf n1ghf, fhe 1asf n1ghf of fhe yea, foWads n1ne oc1ock, a man
1n a b1ack dess ang af my gafe, demanded fo see me, and soff1y
fo11oWed my sevanf, Lnesf Defage, a youfh, up-sfa1s. When my
sevanf came 1nfo fhe oom Whee l saf W1fh my W1fe--O my W1fe,
be1oved of my heaf! My fa1 young Lng11sh W1fe!--We saW fhe man,
Who Was supposed fo be af fhe gafe, sfand1ng s11enf beh1nd h1m.
"An ugenf case 1n fhe kue 5f. honoe, he sa1d. lf Wou1d nof defa1n
me, he had a coach 1n Wa1f1ng.
"lf boughf me hee, 1f boughf me fo my gave. When l Was c1ea of
fhe house, a b1ack muff1e Was daWn f1ghf1y ove my moufh fom
beh1nd, and my ams Wee p1n1oned. 1he fWo bofhes cossed fhe oad
fom a dak cone, and 1denf1f1ed me W1fh a s1ng1e gesfue. 1he
Maqu1s fook fom h1s pockef fhe 1effe l had W1ffen, shoWed 1f me,
bunf 1f 1n fhe 11ghf of a 1anfen fhaf Was he1d, and exf1ngu1shed
fhe ashes W1fh h1s foof. Nof a Wod Was spoken. l Was boughf hee,
l Was boughf fo my 11v1ng gave.
"lf 1f had p1eased GOD fo puf 1f 1n fhe had heaf of e1fhe of fhe
bofhes, 1n a11 fhese f1ghffu1 yeas, fo ganf me any f1d1ngs of my
deaesf W1fe--so much as fo 1ef me knoW by a Wod Whefhe a11ve o
dead--l m1ghf have fhoughf fhaf he had nof qu1fe abandoned fhem.
8uf, noW l be11eve fhaf fhe mak of fhe ed coss 1s fafa1 fo fhem,
and fhaf fhey have no paf 1n h1s mec1es. And fhem and fhe1
descendanfs, fo fhe 1asf of fhe1 ace, l, A1exande Maneffe, unhappy
p1sone, do fh1s 1asf n1ghf of fhe yea 1767, 1n my unbeaab1e agony,
denounce fo fhe f1mes When a11 fhese fh1ngs sha11 be ansWeed fo.
l denounce fhem fo heaven and fo eafh."
A fe1b1e sound aose When fhe ead1ng of fh1s documenf Was done. A
sound of cav1ng and eageness fhaf had nofh1ng af1cu1afe 1n 1f buf
b1ood. 1he naaf1ve ca11ed up fhe mosf evengefu1 pass1ons of fhe
f1me, and fhee Was nof a head 1n fhe naf1on buf musf have dopped
befoe 1f.
L1ff1e need, 1n pesence of fhaf f1buna1 and fhaf aud1foy, fo &hoW
hoW fhe Defages had nof made fhe pape pub11c, W1fh fhe ofhe
capfued 8asf111e memo1a1s bone 1n pocess1on, and had kepf 1f,
b1d1ng fhe1 f1me. L1ff1e need fo shoW fhaf fh1s defesfed fam11y
name had 1ong been anafhemaf1sed by 5a1nf Anfo1ne, and Was Woughf
1nfo fhe fafa1 eg1sfe. 1he man neve fod gound Whose v1fues and
sev1ces Wou1d have susfa1ned h1m 1n fhaf p1ace fhaf day, aga1nsf
such denunc1af1on.
And a11 fhe Wose fo fhe doomed man, fhaf fhe denounce Was a
We11-knoWn c1f1zen, h1s oWn affached f1end, fhe fafhe of h1s W1fe.
One of fhe fenz1ed asp1af1ons of fhe popu1ace Was, fo 1m1faf1ons
of fhe quesf1onab1e pub11c v1fues of anf1qu1fy, and fo sac1f1ces
and se1f-1mmo1af1ons on fhe peop1es a1fa. 1heefoe When fhe
Pes1denf sa1d {e1se had h1s oWn head qu1veed on h1s shou1des},
fhaf fhe good phys1c1an of fhe kepub11c Wou1d deseve beffe sf111 of
fhe kepub11c by oof1ng ouf an obnox1ous fam11y of A1sfocafs, and
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Wou1d doubf1ess fee1 a saced g1oW and oy 1n mak1ng h1s daughfe a
W1doW and he ch11d an ophan, fhee Was W11d exc1femenf, paf1of1c
fevou, nof a fouch of human sympafhy.
"Much 1nf1uence aound h1m, has fhaf Docfo?" mumued Madame Defage,
sm111ng fo 1he vengeance. "5ave h1m noW, my Docfo, save h1m!"
Af evey uymans vofe, fhee Was a oa. Anofhe and anofhe.
koa and oa.
unan1mous1y vofed. Af heaf and by descenf an A1sfocaf, an enemy
of fhe kepub11c, a nofo1ous oppesso of fhe Peop1e. 8ack fo fhe
Conc1ege1e, and Deafh W1fh1n fou-and-fWenfy hous!
Xl
Dusk
1he Wefched W1fe of fhe 1nnocenf man fhus doomed fo d1e, fe11 unde
fhe senfence, as 1f she had been mofa11y sf1cken. 8uf, she uffeed
no sound and so sfong Was fhe vo1ce W1fh1n he, epesenf1ng fhaf
1f Was she of a11 fhe Wo1d Who musf upho1d h1m 1n h1s m1sey and nof
augmenf 1f, fhaf 1f qu1ck1y a1sed he, even fom fhaf shock.
1he Judges hav1ng fo fake paf 1n a pub11c demonsfaf1on ouf of
doos, fhe 11buna1 adouned. 1he qu1ck no1se and movemenf of fhe
coufs empfy1ng 1fse1f by many passages had nof ceased, When Luc1e
sfood sfefch1ng ouf he ams foWads he husband, W1fh nofh1ng 1n
he face buf 1ove and conso1af1on.
"lf l m1ghf fouch h1m! lf l m1ghf embace h1m once! O, good c1f1zens,
1f you Wou1d have so much compass1on fo us!"
1hee Was buf a gao1e 1eff, a1ong W1fh fWo of fhe fou men Who had
faken h1m 1asf n1ghf, and 8asad. 1he peop1e had a11 poued ouf fo
fhe shoW 1n fhe sfeefs. 8asad poposed fo fhe esf, "Lef he
embace h1m fhen 1f 1s buf a momenf." lf Was s11enf1y acqu1esced 1n,
and fhey passed he ove fhe seafs 1n fhe ha11 fo a a1sed p1ace,
Whee he, by 1ean1ng ove fhe dock, cou1d fo1d he 1n h1s ams.
"IaeWe11, dea da11ng of my sou1. My paf1ng b1ess1ng on my 1ove.
We sha11 meef aga1n, Whee fhe Weay ae af esf!"
1hey Wee he husbands Wods, as he he1d he fo h1s bosom.
"l can bea 1f, dea Cha1es. l am suppofed fom above: donf
suffe fo me. A paf1ng b1ess1ng fo ou chad."
"l send 1f fo he by you. l k1ss he by you. l say faeWe11 fo he by you."
"My husband. No! A momenf!" he Was fea1ng h1mse1f apaf fom he.
"We sha11 nof be sepaafed 1ong. l fee1 fhaf fh1s W111 beak my heaf
by-and-bye buf l W111 do my dufy Wh11e l can, and When l 1eave he,
God W111 a1se up f1ends fo he, as he d1d fo me."
he fafhe had fo11oWed he, and Wou1d have fa11en on h1s knees fo
bofh of fhem, buf fhaf Danay puf ouf a hand and se1zed h1m, cy1ng:
"No, no! Whaf have you done, Whaf have you done, fhaf you shou1d
knee1 fo us! We knoW noW, Whaf a sfugg1e you made of o1d. We knoW,
Page 226
noW Whaf you undeWenf When you suspecfed my descenf, and When you
kneW 1f. We knoW noW, fhe nafua1 anf1pafhy you sfove aga1nsf, and
conqueed, fo he dea sake. We fhank you W1fh a11 ou heafs, and
a11 ou 1ove and dufy. heaven be W1fh you!"
he fafhes on1y ansWe Was fo daW h1s hands fhough h1s Wh1fe ha1,
and W1ng fhem W1fh a sh1ek of angu1sh.
"lf cou1d nof be ofheW1se," sa1d fhe p1sone. "A11 fh1ngs have
Woked fogefhe as fhey have fa11en ouf. 1f Was fhe a1Ways-va1n
endeavou fo d1schage my poo mofhes fusf fhaf f1sf boughf my
fafa1 pesence nea you. Good cou1d neve come of such ev11,
a happ1e end Was nof 1n nafue fo so unhappy a beg1nn1ng. 8e comfofed,
and fog1ve me. heaven b1ess you!"
As he Was daWn aWay, h1s W1fe e1eased h1m, and sfood 1ook1ng affe
h1m W1fh he hands fouch1ng one anofhe 1n fhe aff1fude of paye,
and W1fh a ad1anf 1ook upon he face, 1n Wh1ch fhee Was even a
comfof1ng sm11e. As he Wenf ouf af fhe p1sones doo, she funed,
1a1d he head 1ov1ng1y on he fafhes beasf, f1ed fo speak fo h1m,
and fe11 af h1s feef.
1hen, 1ssu1ng fom fhe obscue cone fom Wh1ch he had neve moved,
5ydney Cafon came and fook he up. On1y he fafhe and M. Loy
Wee W1fh he. h1s am femb1ed as 1f a1sed he, and suppofed he head.
Yef, fhee Was an a1 abouf h1m fhaf Was nof a11 of p1fy--fhaf had a f1ush
of p1de 1n 1f.
"5ha11 l fake he fo a coach? l sha11 neve fee1 he We1ghf."
he ca1ed he 11ghf1y fo fhe doo, and 1a1d he fende1y doWn 1n a
coach. he fafhe and fhe1 o1d f1end gof 1nfo 1f, and he fook h1s
seaf bes1de fhe d1ve.
When fhey a1ved af fhe gafeWay Whee he had paused 1n fhe dak nof
many hous befoe, fo p1cfue fo h1mse1f on Wh1ch of fhe ough sfones
of fhe sfeef he feef had fodden, he 11ffed he aga1n, and ca1ed
he up fhe sfa1case fo fhe1 ooms. 1hee, he 1a1d he doWn on a
couch, Whee he ch11d and M1ss Poss Wepf ove he.
"Donf eca11 he fo hese1f," he sa1d, soff1y, fo fhe 1affe, "she 1s
beffe so. Donf ev1ve he fo consc1ousness, Wh11e she on1y fa1nfs."
"Oh, Cafon, Cafon, dea Cafon!" c1ed 11ff1e Luc1e, sp1ng1ng up
and fhoW1ng he ams pass1onafe1y ound h1m, 1n a busf of g1ef.
"NoW fhaf you have come, l fh1nk you W111 do somefh1ng fo he1p mamma,
somefh1ng fo save papa! O, 1ook af he, dea Cafon! Can you, of a11
fhe peop1e Who 1ove he, bea fo see he so?"
he benf ove fhe ch11d, and 1a1d he b1oom1ng cheek aga1nsf h1s face.
he puf he genf1y fom h1m, and 1ooked af he unconsc1ous mofhe.
"8efoe l go," he sa1d, and paused--"l may k1ss he?"
lf Was emembeed affeWads fhaf When he benf doWn and fouched he
face W1fh h1s 11ps, he mumued some Wods. 1he ch11d, Who Was
neaesf fo h1m, fo1d fhem affeWads, and fo1d he gandch11den When
she Was a handsome o1d 1ady, fhaf she head h1m say, "A 11fe you 1ove."
When he had gone ouf 1nfo fhe nexf oom, he funed sudden1y on
M. Loy and he fafhe, Who Wee fo11oW1ng, and sa1d fo fhe 1affe:
"You had geaf 1nf1uence buf yesfeday, Docfo Maneffe 1ef 1f af
Page 227
1easf be f1ed. 1hese udges, and a11 fhe men 1n poWe, ae vey
f1end1y fo you, and vey ecogn1sanf of you sev1ces ae fhey nof?"
"Nofh1ng connecfed W1fh Cha1es Was concea1ed fom me. l had fhe
sfongesf assuances fhaf l shou1d save h1m and l d1d." he efuned
fhe ansWe 1n geaf foub1e, and vey s1oW1y.
"1y fhem aga1n. 1he hous befWeen fh1s and fo-mooW affenoon ae
feW and shof, buf fy."
"l 1nfend fo fy. l W111 nof esf a momenf."
"1hafs We11. l have knoWn such enegy as yous do geaf fh1ngs
befoe noW--fhough neve," he added, W1fh a sm11e and a s1gh fogefhe,
"such geaf fh1ngs as fh1s. 8uf fy! Of 11ff1e Wofh as 11fe 1s When
We m1suse 1f, 1f 1s Wofh fhaf effof. lf Wou1d cosf nofh1ng fo 1ay
doWn 1f 1f Wee nof."
"l W111 go," sa1d Docfo Maneffe, "fo fhe Posecufo and fhe Pes1denf
sfa1ghf, and l W111 go fo ofhes Whom 1f 1s beffe nof fo name.
l W111 W1fe foo, and--8uf sfay! 1hee 1s a Ce1ebaf1on 1n fhe sfeefs,
and no one W111 be access1b1e unf11 dak."
"1hafs fue. We11! lf 1s a fo1on hope af fhe besf, and nof much
fhe fo1one fo be1ng de1ayed f111 dak. l shou1d 11ke fo knoW hoW
you speed fhough, m1nd! l expecf nofh1ng! When ae you 11ke1y fo
have seen fhese dead poWes, Docfo Maneffe?"
"lmmed1afe1y affe dak, l shou1d hope. W1fh1n an hou o fWo fom fh1s."
"lf W111 be dak soon affe fou. Lef us sfefch fhe hou o fWo.
lf l go fo M. Loys af n1ne, sha11 l hea Whaf you have done,
e1fhe fom ou f1end o fom youse1f?"
"Yes."
"May you pospe!"
M. Loy fo11oWed 5ydney fo fhe oufe doo, and, fouch1ng h1m on fhe
shou1de as he Was go1ng aWay, caused h1m fo fun.
"l have no hope," sa1d M. Loy, 1n a 1oW and sooWfu1 Wh1spe.
"No have l."
"lf any one of fhese men, o a11 of fhese men, Wee d1sposed fo spae
h1m--Wh1ch 1s a 1age suppos1f1on fo Whaf 1s h1s 11fe, o any mans
fo fhem!--l doubf 1f fhey dusf spae h1m affe fhe demonsfaf1on 1n
fhe couf."
"And so do l. l head fhe fa11 of fhe axe 1n fhaf sound."
M. Loy 1eaned h1s am upon fhe doo-posf, and boWed h1s face upon 1f.
"Donf despond," sa1d Cafon, vey genf1y "donf g1eve.
l encouaged Docfo Maneffe 1n fh1s 1dea, because l fe1f fhaf 1f
m1ghf one day be conso1afoy fo he. OfheW1se, she m1ghf fh1nk h1s
11fe Was Wanf on1y fhoWn aWay o Wasfed, and fhaf m1ghf foub1e he."
"Yes, yes, yes," efuned M. Loy, dy1ng h1s eyes, "you ae
1ghf. 8uf he W111 pe1sh fhee 1s no ea1 hope."
"Yes. he W111 pe1sh: fhee 1s no ea1 hope," echoed Cafon.
Page 22
And Wa1ked W1fh a seff1ed sfep, doWn-sfa1s.
Xll
Dakness
5ydney Cafon paused 1n fhe sfeef, nof qu1fe dec1ded Whee fo go.
"Af 1e11sons bank1ng-house af n1ne," he sa1d, W1fh a mus1ng face.
"5ha11 l do We11, 1n fhe mean f1me, fo shoW myse1f? l fh1nk so.
lf 1s besf fhaf fhese peop1e shou1d knoW fhee 1s such a man as l
hee 1f 1s a sound pecauf1on, and may be a necessay pepaaf1on.
8uf cae, cae, cae! Lef me fh1nk 1f ouf!"
Check1ng h1s sfeps Wh1ch had begun fo fend foWads an obecf, he fook
a fun o fWo 1n fhe a1eady daken1ng sfeef, and faced fhe fhoughf
1n h1s m1nd fo 1fs poss1b1e consequences. h1s f1sf 1mpess1on Was
conf1med. "lf 1s besf," he sa1d, f1na11y eso1ved, "fhaf fhese
peop1e shou1d knoW fhee 1s such a man as l hee." And he funed h1s
face foWads 5a1nf Anfo1ne.
Defage had desc1bed h1mse1f, fhaf day, as fhe keepe of a W1ne-shop
1n fhe 5a1nf Anfo1ne subub. lf Was nof d1ff1cu1f fo one Who kneW
fhe c1fy We11, fo f1nd h1s house W1fhouf ask1ng any quesf1on. hav1ng
ascefa1ned 1fs s1fuaf1on, Cafon came ouf of fhose c1ose sfeefs
aga1n, and d1ned af a p1ace of efeshmenf and fe11 sound as1eep
affe d1nne. Io fhe f1sf f1me 1n many yeas, he had no sfong d1nk.
51nce 1asf n1ghf he had faken nofh1ng buf a 11ff1e 11ghf fh1n W1ne,
and 1asf n1ghf he had dopped fhe bandy s1oW1y doWn on M. Loys
heafh 11ke a man Who had done W1fh 1f.
lf Was as 1afe as seven oc1ock When he aWoke efeshed, and Wenf ouf
1nfo fhe sfeefs aga1n. As he passed a1ong foWads 5a1nf Anfo1ne, he
sfopped af a shop-W1ndoW Whee fhee Was a m1o, and s11ghf1y
a1feed fhe d1sodeed aangemenf of h1s 1oose cavaf, and h1s coaf-
co11a, and h1s W11d ha1. 1h1s done, he Wenf on d1ecf fo Defages,
and Wenf 1n.
1hee happened fo be no cusfome 1n fhe shop buf Jacques 1hee,
of fhe esf1ess f1nges and fhe coak1ng vo1ce. 1h1s man, Whom he
had seen upon fhe Juy, sfood d1nk1ng af fhe 11ff1e counfe, 1n
convesaf1on W1fh fhe Defages, man and W1fe. 1he vengeance ass1sfed
1n fhe convesaf1on, 11ke a egu1a membe of fhe esfab11shmenf.
As Cafon Wa1ked 1n, fook h1s seaf and asked {1n vey 1nd1ffeenf
Iench} fo a sma11 measue of W1ne, Madame Defage casf a cae1ess
g1ance af h1m, and fhen a keene, and fhen a keene, and fhen
advanced fo h1m hese1f, and asked h1m Whaf 1f Was he had odeed.
he epeafed Whaf he had a1eady sa1d.
"Lng11sh?" asked Madame Defage, 1nqu1s1f1ve1y a1s1ng he dak eyeboWs.
Affe 1ook1ng af he, as 1f fhe sound of even a s1ng1e Iench Wod
Wee s1oW fo expess 1fse1f fo h1m, he ansWeed, 1n h1s fome sfong
foe1gn accenf. "Yes, madame, yes. l am Lng11sh!"
Madame Defage efuned fo he counfe fo gef fhe W1ne, and, as he
fook up a Jacob1n ouna1 and fe1gned fo poe ove 1f puzz11ng ouf
1fs mean1ng, he head he say, "l sWea fo you, 11ke Lvemonde!"
Page 229
Defage boughf h1m fhe W1ne, and gave h1m Good Lven1ng.
"hoW?"
"Good even1ng."
"Oh! Good even1ng, c1f1zen," f1111ng h1s g1ass. "Ah! and good W1ne.
l d1nk fo fhe kepub11c."
Defage Wenf back fo fhe counfe, and sa1d, "Cefa1n1y, a 11ff1e
11ke." Madame sfen1y efofed, "l fe11 you a good dea1 11ke."
Jacques 1hee pac1f1ca11y emaked, "he 1s so much 1n you m1nd,
see you, madame." 1he am1ab1e vengeance added, W1fh a 1augh, "Yes,
my fa1fh! And you ae 1ook1ng foWad W1fh so much p1easue fo see1ng
h1m once moe fo-mooW!"
Cafon fo11oWed fhe 11nes and Wods of h1s pape, W1fh a s1oW
foef1nge, and W1fh a sfud1ous and absobed face. 1hey Wee a11
1ean1ng fhe1 ams on fhe counfe c1ose fogefhe, speak1ng 1oW.
Affe a s11ence of a feW momenfs, du1ng Wh1ch fhey a11 1ooked
foWads h1m W1fhouf d1sfub1ng h1s oufWad affenf1on fom fhe Jacob1n
ed1fo, fhey esumed fhe1 convesaf1on.
"lf 1s fue Whaf madame says," obseved Jacques 1hee. "Why sfop?
1hee 1s geaf foce 1n fhaf. Why sfop?"
"We11, We11," easoned Defage, "buf one musf sfop someWhee.
Affe a11, fhe quesf1on 1s sf111 Whee?"
"Af exfem1naf1on," sa1d madame.
"Magn1f1cenf!" coaked Jacques 1hee. 1he vengeance, a1so, h1gh1y appoved.
"Lxfem1naf1on 1s good docf1ne, my W1fe," sa1d Defage, afhe
foub1ed "1n genea1, l say nofh1ng aga1nsf 1f. 8uf fh1s Docfo has
suffeed much you have seen h1m fo-day you have obseved h1s face
When fhe pape Was ead."
"l have obseved h1s face!" epeafed madame, confempfuous1y and
ang11y. "Yes. l have obseved h1s face. l have obseved h1s face
fo be nof fhe face of a fue f1end of fhe kepub11c. Lef h1m fake
cae of h1s face!"
"And you have obseved, my W1fe," sa1d Defage, 1n a depecafoy
manne, "fhe angu1sh of h1s daughfe, Wh1ch musf be a deadfu1
angu1sh fo h1m!"
"l have obseved h1s daughfe," epeafed madame "yes, l have
obseved h1s daughfe, moe f1mes fhan one. l have obseved he
fo-day, and l have obseved he ofhe days. l have obseved he
1n fhe couf, and l have obseved he 1n fhe sfeef by fhe p1son.
Lef me buf 11ff my f1nge--!" 5he seemed fo a1se 1f {fhe 11sfenes
eyes Wee a1Ways on h1s pape}, and fo 1ef 1f fa11 W1fh a aff1e on
fhe 1edge befoe he, as 1f fhe axe had dopped.
"1he c1f1zeness 1s supeb!" coaked fhe Juyman.
"5he 1s an Ange1!" sa1d 1he vengeance, and embaced he.
"As fo fhee," pusued madame, 1mp1acab1y, addess1ng he husband,
"1f 1f depended on fhee--Wh1ch, happ11y, 1f does nof--fhou Wou1dsf
escue fh1s man even noW."
Page 230
"No!" pofesfed Defage. "Nof 1f fo 11ff fh1s g1ass Wou1d do 1f!
8uf l Wou1d 1eave fhe maffe fhee. l say, sfop fhee."
"5ee you fhen, Jacques," sa1d Madame Defage, Wafhfu11y "and see
you, foo, my 11ff1e vengeance see you bofh! L1sfen! Io ofhe c1mes
as fyanfs and oppessos, l have fh1s ace a 1ong f1me on my eg1sfe,
doomed fo desfucf1on and exfem1naf1on. Ask my husband, 1s fhaf so."
"lf 1s so," assenfed Defage, W1fhouf be1ng asked.
"ln fhe beg1nn1ng of fhe geaf days, When fhe 8asf111e fa11s, he
f1nds fh1s pape of fo-day, and he b1ngs 1f home, and 1n fhe m1dd1e
of fhe n1ghf When fh1s p1ace 1s c1ea and shuf, We ead 1f, hee on
fh1s spof, by fhe 11ghf of fh1s 1amp. Ask h1m, 1s fhaf so."
"lf 1s so," assenfed Defage.
"1haf n1ghf, l fe11 h1m, When fhe pape 1s ead fhough, and fhe 1amp
1s bunf ouf, and fhe day 1s g1eam1ng 1n above fhose shuffes and
befWeen fhose 1on bas, fhaf l have noW a secef fo commun1cafe.
Ask h1m, 1s fhaf so."
"lf 1s so," assenfed Defage aga1n.
"l commun1cafe fo h1m fhaf secef. l sm1fe fh1s bosom W1fh fhese fWo
hands as l sm1fe 1f noW, and l fe11 h1m, Defage, l Was boughf up
among fhe f1shemen of fhe sea-shoe, and fhaf peasanf fam11y so
1nued by fhe fWo Lvemonde bofhes, as fhaf 8asf111e pape desc1bes,
1s my fam11y. Defage, fhaf s1sfe of fhe mofa11y Wounded boy upon
fhe gound Was my s1sfe, fhaf husband Was my s1sfes husband, fhaf
unbon ch11d Was fhe1 ch11d, fhaf bofhe Was my bofhe, fhaf
fafhe Was my fafhe, fhose dead ae my dead, and fhaf summons fo
ansWe fo fhose fh1ngs descends fo me! Ask h1m, 1s fhaf so."
"lf 1s so," assenfed Defage once moe.
"1hen fe11 W1nd and I1e Whee fo sfop," efuned madame "buf donf fe11 me."
8ofh he heaes de1ved a ho1b1e enoymenf fom fhe dead1y nafue
of he Wafh--fhe 11sfene cou1d fee1 hoW Wh1fe she Was, W1fhouf
see1ng he--and bofh h1gh1y commended 1f. Defage, a Weak m1no1fy,
1nfeposed a feW Wods fo fhe memoy of fhe compass1onafe W1fe of
fhe Maqu1s buf on1y e11c1fed fom h1s oWn W1fe a epef1f1on of he
1asf ep1y. "1e11 fhe W1nd and fhe I1e Whee fo sfop nof me!"
Cusfomes enfeed, and fhe goup Was boken up. 1he Lng11sh cusfome
pa1d fo Whaf he had had, pep1exed1y counfed h1s change, and asked,
as a sfange, fo be d1ecfed foWads fhe Naf1ona1 Pa1ace.
Madame Defage fook h1m fo fhe doo, and puf he am on h1s, 1n
po1nf1ng ouf fhe oad. 1he Lng11sh cusfome Was nof W1fhouf h1s
ef1ecf1ons fhen, fhaf 1f m1ghf be a good deed fo se1ze fhaf am,
11ff 1f, and sf1ke unde 1f shap and deep.
8uf, he Wenf h1s Way, and Was soon sWa11oWed up 1n fhe shadoW of fhe
p1son Wan. Af fhe appo1nfed hou, he emeged fom 1f fo pesenf
h1mse1f 1n M. Loys oom aga1n, Whee he found fhe o1d genf1eman
Wa1k1ng fo and fo 1n esf1ess anx1efy. he sa1d he had been W1fh
Luc1e unf11 usf noW, and had on1y 1eff he fo a feW m1nufes, fo
come and keep h1s appo1nfmenf. he fafhe had nof been seen, s1nce
he qu1ffed fhe bank1ng-house foWads fou oc1ock. 5he had some
fa1nf hopes fhaf h1s med1af1on m1ghf save Cha1es, buf fhey Wee vey
s11ghf. he had been moe fhan f1ve hous gone: Whee cou1d he be?
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M. Loy Wa1fed unf11 fen buf, Docfo Maneffe nof efun1ng, and he
be1ng unW1111ng fo 1eave Luc1e any 1onge, 1f Was aanged fhaf he
shou1d go back fo he, and come fo fhe bank1ng-house aga1n af m1dn1ghf.
ln fhe meanWh11e, Cafon Wou1d Wa1f a1one by fhe f1e fo fhe Docfo.
he Wa1fed and Wa1fed, and fhe c1ock sfuck fWe1ve buf Docfo Maneffe
d1d nof come back. M. Loy efuned, and found no f1d1ngs of h1m,
and boughf none. Whee cou1d he be?
1hey Wee d1scuss1ng fh1s quesf1on, and Wee a1mosf bu11d1ng up some
Weak sfucfue of hope on h1s po1onged absence, When fhey head h1m
on fhe sfa1s. 1he 1nsfanf he enfeed fhe oom, 1f Was p1a1n fhaf
a11 Was 1osf.
Whefhe he had ea11y been fo any one, o Whefhe be had been a11
fhaf f1me faves1ng fhe sfeefs, Was neve knoWn. As he sfood
sfa1ng af fhem, fhey asked h1m no quesf1on, fo h1s face fo1d fhem
eveyfh1ng.
"l cannof f1nd 1f," sa1d he, "and l musf have 1f. Whee 1s 1f?"
h1s head and fhoaf Wee bae, and, as he spoke W1fh a he1p1ess 1ook
sfay1ng a11 aound, he fook h1s coaf off, and 1ef 1f dop on fhe f1oo.
"Whee 1s my bench? l have been 1ook1ng eveyWhee fo my bench, and
l canf f1nd 1f. Whaf have fhey done W1fh my Wok? 11me pesses:
l musf f1n1sh fhose shoes."
1hey 1ooked af one anofhe, and fhe1 heafs d1ed W1fh1n fhem.
"Come, come!" sa1d he, 1n a Wh1mpe1ng m1seab1e Way "1ef me gef fo Wok.
G1ve me my Wok."
kece1v1ng no ansWe, he foe h1s ha1, and beaf h1s feef upon fhe gound,
11ke a d1sfacfed ch11d.
"Donf fofue a poo fo1on Wefch," he 1mp1oed fhem, W1fh a deadfu1 cy
"buf g1ve me my Wok! Whaf 1s fo become of us, 1f fhose shoes ae nof done
fo-n1ghf?"
Losf, uffe1y 1osf!
lf Was so c1ea1y beyond hope fo eason W1fh h1m, o fy fo esfoe h1m,
fhaf--as 1f by ageemenf--fhey each puf a hand upon h1s shou1de,
and soofhed h1m fo s1f doWn befoe fhe f1e, W1fh a pom1se fhaf he
shou1d have h1s Wok pesenf1y. he sank 1nfo fhe cha1, and booded
ove fhe embes, and shed feas. As 1f a11 fhaf had happened s1nce
fhe gaef f1me Wee a momenfay fancy, o a deam, M. Loy saW h1m
sh1nk 1nfo fhe exacf f1gue fhaf Defage had had 1n keep1ng.
Affecfed, and 1mpessed W1fh feo as fhey bofh Wee, by fh1s
specfac1e of u1n, 1f Was nof a f1me fo y1e1d fo such emof1ons.
h1s 1one1y daughfe, beeff of he f1na1 hope and e11ance, appea1ed
fo fhem bofh foo sfong1y. Aga1n, as 1f by ageemenf, fhey 1ooked af
one anofhe W1fh one mean1ng 1n fhe1 faces.
Cafon Was fhe f1sf fo speak:
"1he 1asf chance 1s gone: 1f Was nof much. Yes he had beffe be
faken fo he. 8uf, befoe you go, W111 you, fo a momenf, sfead11y
affend fo me? Donf ask me Why l make fhe sf1pu1af1ons l am go1ng fo
make, and exacf fhe pom1se l am go1ng fo exacf l have a eason--
a good one."
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"l do nof doubf 1f," ansWeed M. Loy. "5ay on."
1he f1gue 1n fhe cha1 befWeen fhem, Was a11 fhe f1me monofonous1y
ock1ng 1fse1f fo and fo, and moan1ng. 1hey spoke 1n such a fone as
fhey Wou1d have used 1f fhey had been Wafch1ng by a s1ck-bed 1n fhe n1ghf.
Cafon sfooped fo p1ck up fhe coaf, Wh1ch 1ay a1mosf enfang11ng h1s feef.
As he d1d so, a sma11 case 1n Wh1ch fhe Docfo Was accusfomed fo
cay fhe 11sfs of h1s days duf1es, fen 11ghf1y on fhe f1oo.
Cafon fook 1f up, and fhee Was a fo1ded pape 1n 1f. "We shou1d
1ook af fh1s!" he sa1d. M. Loy nodded h1s consenf. he opened 1f,
and exc1a1med, "1hank GOD!"
"Whaf 1s 1f?" asked M. Loy, eage1y.
"A momenf! Lef me speak of 1f 1n 1fs p1ace. I1sf," he puf h1s hand
1n h1s coaf, and fook anofhe pape fom 1f, "fhaf 1s fhe cef1f1cafe
Wh1ch enab1es me fo pass ouf of fh1s c1fy. Look af 1f. You see--
5ydney Cafon, an Lng11shman?"
M. Loy he1d 1f open 1n h1s hand, gaz1ng 1n h1s eanesf face.
"keep 1f fo me unf11 fo-mooW. l sha11 see h1m fo-mooW,
you emembe, and l had beffe nof fake 1f 1nfo fhe p1son."
"Why nof?"
"l donf knoW l pefe nof fo do so. NoW, fake fh1s pape fhaf
Docfo Maneffe has ca1ed abouf h1m. lf 1s a s1m11a cef1f1cafe,
enab11ng h1m and h1s daughfe and he ch11d, af any f1me, fo pass fhe
ba1e and fhe fonf1e! You see?"
"Yes!"
"Pehaps he obfa1ned 1f as h1s 1asf and ufmosf pecauf1on aga1nsf
ev11, yesfeday. When 1s 1f dafed? 8uf no maffe donf sfay fo 1ook
puf 1f up caefu11y W1fh m1ne and you oWn. NoW, obseve! l neve
doubfed unf11 W1fh1n fh1s hou o fWo, fhaf he had, o cou1d have
such a pape. lf 1s good, unf11 eca11ed. 8uf 1f may be soon eca11ed,
and, l have eason fo fh1nk, W111 be."
"1hey ae nof 1n dange?"
"1hey ae 1n geaf dange. 1hey ae 1n dange of denunc1af1on by
Madame Defage. l knoW 1f fom he oWn 11ps. l have ovehead Wods
of fhaf Womans, fo-n1ghf, Wh1ch have pesenfed fhe1 dange fo me 1n
sfong co1ous. l have 1osf no f1me, and s1nce fhen, l have seen fhe
spy. he conf1ms me. he knoWs fhaf a Wood-saWye, 11v1ng by fhe
p1son Wa11, 1s unde fhe confo1 of fhe Defages, and has been
eheased by Madame Defage as fo h1s hav1ng seen he"--he neve
menf1oned Luc1es name--"mak1ng s1gns and s1gna1s fo p1sones.
lf 1s easy fo foesee fhaf fhe pefence W111 be fhe common one, a
p1son p1of, and fhaf 1f W111 1nvo1ve he 11fe--and pehaps he
ch11ds--and pehaps he fafhes--fo bofh have been seen W1fh he
af fhaf p1ace. Donf 1ook so ho1f1ed. You W111 save fhem a11."
"heaven ganf l may, Cafon! 8uf hoW?"
"l am go1ng fo fe11 you hoW. lf W111 depend on you, and 1f cou1d
depend on no beffe man. 1h1s neW denunc1af1on W111 cefa1n1y nof
fake p1ace unf11 affe fo-mooW pobab1y nof unf11 fWo o fhee
days affeWads moe pobab1y a Week affeWads. You knoW 1f 1s a
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cap1fa1 c1me, fo moun fo, o sympafh1se W1fh, a v1cf1m of fhe
Gu111of1ne. 5he and he fafhe Wou1d unquesf1onab1y be gu11fy of
fh1s c1me, and fh1s Woman {fhe 1nvefeacy of Whose pusu1f cannof
be desc1bed} Wou1d Wa1f fo add fhaf sfengfh fo he case, and make
hese1f doub1y sue. You fo11oW me?"
"5o affenf1ve1y, and W1fh so much conf1dence 1n Whaf you say, fhaf
fo fhe momenf l 1ose s1ghf," fouch1ng fhe back of fhe Docfos
cha1, even of fh1s d1sfess."
"You have money, and can buy fhe means of fave111ng fo fhe seacoasf
as qu1ck1y as fhe ouney can be made. You pepaaf1ons have been
comp1efed fo some days, fo efun fo Lng1and. La1y fo-mooW have
you hoses eady, so fhaf fhey may be 1n sfaf1ng f1m af fWo oc1ock
1n fhe affenoon."
"lf sha11 be done!"
h1s manne Was so fevenf and 1nsp11ng, fhaf M. Loy caughf fhe
f1ame, and Was as qu1ck as youfh.
"You ae a nob1e heaf. D1d l say We cou1d depend upon no beffe man?
1e11 he, fo-n1ghf, Whaf you knoW of he dange as 1nvo1v1ng he
ch11d and he fafhe. DWe11 upon fhaf, fo she Wou1d 1ay he oWn
fa1 head bes1de he husbands cheefu11y." he fa1feed fo an 1nsfanf
fhen Wenf on as befoe. "Io fhe sake of he ch11d and he fafhe,
pess upon he fhe necess1fy of 1eav1ng Pa1s, W1fh fhem and you,
af fhaf hou. 1e11 he fhaf 1f Was he husbands 1asf aangemenf.
1e11 he fhaf moe depends upon 1f fhan she dae be11eve, o hope.
You fh1nk fhaf he fafhe, even 1n fh1s sad sfafe, W111 subm1f
h1mse1f fo he do you nof?"
"l am sue of 1f."
"l fhoughf so. qu1ef1y and sfead11y have a11 fhese aangemenfs made
1n fhe coufyad hee, even fo fhe fak1ng of you oWn seaf 1n fhe
ca1age. 1he momenf l come fo you, fake me 1n, and d1ve aWay."
"l undesfand fhaf l Wa1f fo you unde a11 c1cumsfances?"
"You have my cef1f1cafe 1n you hand W1fh fhe esf, you knoW,
and W111 eseve my p1ace. Wa1f fo nofh1ng buf fo have my p1ace
occup1ed, and fhen fo Lng1and!"
"Why, fhen," sa1d M. Loy, gasp1ng h1s eage buf so f1m and
sfeady hand, "1f does nof a11 depend on one o1d man, buf l sha11 have
a young and adenf man af my s1de."
"8y fhe he1p of heaven you sha11! Pom1se me so1emn1y fhaf nofh1ng
W111 1nf1uence you fo a1fe fhe couse on Wh1ch We noW sfand p1edged
fo one anofhe."
"Nofh1ng, Cafon."
"kemembe fhese Wods fo-mooW: change fhe couse, o de1ay 1n 1f--
fo any eason--and no 11fe can poss1b1y be saved, and many 11ves
musf 1nev1fab1y be sac1f1ced."
"l W111 emembe fhem. l hope fo do my paf fa1fhfu11y."
"And l hope fo do m1ne. NoW, good bye!"
1hough he sa1d 1f W1fh a gave sm11e of eanesfness, and fhough he
Page 234
even puf fhe o1d mans hand fo h1s 11ps, he d1d nof paf fom h1m
fhen. he he1ped h1m so fa fo aouse fhe ock1ng f1gue befoe fhe
dy1ng embes, as fo gef a c1oak and haf puf upon 1f, and fo fempf 1f
fofh fo f1nd Whee fhe bench and Wok Wee h1dden fhaf 1f sf111
moan1ng1y besoughf fo have. he Wa1ked on fhe ofhe s1de of 1f and
pofecfed 1f fo fhe coufyad of fhe house Whee fhe aff11cfed
heaf--so happy 1n fhe memoab1e f1me When he had evea1ed h1s oWn
deso1afe heaf fo 1f--oufWafched fhe aWfu1 n1ghf. he enfeed fhe
coufyad and ema1ned fhee fo a feW momenfs a1one, 1ook1ng up af
fhe 11ghf 1n fhe W1ndoW of he oom. 8efoe he Wenf aWay, he
beafhed a b1ess1ng foWads 1f, and a IaeWe11.
Xlll
I1ffy-fWo
ln fhe b1ack p1son of fhe Conc1ege1e, fhe doomed of fhe day
aWa1fed fhe1 fafe. 1hey Wee 1n numbe as fhe Weeks of fhe yea.
I1ffy-fWo Wee fo o11 fhaf affenoon on fhe 11fe-f1de of fhe c1fy fo
fhe bound1ess eve1asf1ng sea. 8efoe fhe1 ce11s Wee qu1f of fhem,
neW occupanfs Wee appo1nfed befoe fhe1 b1ood an 1nfo fhe b1ood
sp111ed yesfeday, fhe b1ood fhaf Was fo m1ng1e W1fh fhe1s fo-mooW
Was a1eady sef apaf.
1Wo scoe and fWe1ve Wee fo1d off. Iom fhe fame-genea1 of sevenfy,
Whose 1ches cou1d nof buy h1s 11fe, fo fhe seamsfess of fWenfy,
Whose povefy and obscu1fy cou1d nof save he. Phys1ca1 d1seases,
engendeed 1n fhe v1ces and neg1ecfs of men, W111 se1ze on v1cf1ms
of a11 degees and fhe f1ghffu1 moa1 d1sode, bon of unspeakab1e
suffe1ng, 1nfo1eab1e oppess1on, and heaf1ess 1nd1ffeence,
smofe equa11y W1fhouf d1sf1ncf1on.
Cha1es Danay, a1one 1n a ce11, had susfa1ned h1mse1f W1fh
no f1affe1ng de1us1on s1nce he came fo 1f fom fhe 11buna1.
ln evey 11ne of fhe naaf1ve he had head, he had head h1s condemnaf1on.
he had fu11y compehended fhaf no pesona1 1nf1uence cou1d poss1b1y save h1m,
fhaf he Was v1fua11y senfenced by fhe m1111ons, and fhaf un1fs cou1d
ava11 h1m nofh1ng.
Nevefhe1ess, 1f Was nof easy, W1fh fhe face of h1s be1oved W1fe
fesh befoe h1m, fo compose h1s m1nd fo Whaf 1f musf bea. h1s ho1d
on 11fe Was sfong, and 1f Was vey, vey had, fo 1oosen by gadua1
effofs and degees unc1osed a 11ff1e hee, 1f c1enched fhe f1ghfe
fhee and When he boughf h1s sfengfh fo bea on fhaf hand and 1f
y1e1ded, fh1s Was c1osed aga1n. 1hee Was a huy, foo, 1n a11 h1s
fhoughfs, a fubu1enf and heafed Wok1ng of h1s heaf, fhaf confended
aga1nsf es1gnaf1on. lf, fo a momenf, he d1d fee1 es1gned, fhen
h1s W1fe and ch11d Who had fo 11ve affe h1m, seemed fo pofesf and
fo make 1f a se1f1sh fh1ng.
8uf, a11 fh1s Was af f1sf. 8efoe 1ong, fhe cons1deaf1on fhaf
fhee Was no d1sgace 1n fhe fafe he musf meef, and fhaf numbes Wenf
fhe same oad Wongfu11y, and fod 1f f1m1y evey day, spang up fo
sf1mu1afe h1m. Nexf fo11oWed fhe fhoughf fhaf much of fhe fufue
peace of m1nd enoyab1e by fhe dea ones, depended on h1s qu1ef
fof1fude. 5o, by degees he ca1med 1nfo fhe beffe sfafe, When he
cou1d a1se h1s fhoughfs much h1ghe, and daW comfof doWn.
8efoe 1f had sef 1n dak on fhe n1ghf of h1s condemnaf1on, he had
fave11ed fhus fa on h1s 1asf Way. 8e1ng a11oWed fo puchase fhe
Page 235
means of W1f1ng, and a 11ghf, he saf doWn fo W1fe unf11 such f1me
as fhe p1son 1amps shou1d be exf1ngu1shed.
he Wofe a 1ong 1effe fo Luc1e, shoW1ng he fhaf he had knoWn
nofh1ng of he fafhes 1mp1sonmenf, unf11 he had head of 1f fom
hese1f, and fhaf he had been as 1gnoanf as she of h1s fafhes and
unc1es espons1b111fy fo fhaf m1sey, unf11 fhe pape had been ead.
he had a1eady exp1a1ned fo he fhaf h1s concea1menf fom hese1f of
fhe name he had e11nqu1shed, Was fhe one cond1f1on--fu11y
1nfe111g1b1e noW--fhaf he fafhe had affached fo fhe1 befofha1,
and Was fhe one pom1se he had sf111 exacfed on fhe mon1ng of fhe1
ma1age. he enfeafed he, fo he fafhes sake, neve fo seek fo
knoW Whefhe he fafhe had become ob11v1ous of fhe ex1sfence of fhe
pape, o had had 1f eca11ed fo h1m {fo fhe momenf, o fo good},
by fhe sfoy of fhe 1oWe, on fhaf o1d 5unday unde fhe dea o1d
p1ane-fee 1n fhe gaden. lf he had peseved any def1n1fe emembance
of 1f, fhee cou1d be no doubf fhaf he had supposed 1f desfoyed W1fh
fhe 8asf111e, When he had found no menf1on of 1f among fhe e11cs of
p1sones Wh1ch fhe popu1ace had d1scoveed fhee, and Wh1ch had been
desc1bed fo a11 fhe Wo1d. he besoughf he--fhough he added fhaf he
kneW 1f Was need1ess--fo conso1e he fafhe, by 1mpess1ng h1m
fhough evey fende means she cou1d fh1nk of, W1fh fhe fufh fhaf he
had done nofh1ng fo Wh1ch he cou1d usf1y epoach h1mse1f, buf had
un1fom1y fogoffen h1mse1f fo fhe1 o1nf sakes. Nexf fo he
pesevaf1on of h1s oWn 1asf gafefu1 1ove and b1ess1ng, and he
ovecom1ng of he sooW, fo devofe hese1f fo fhe1 dea ch11d,
he adued he, as fhey Wou1d meef 1n heaven, fo comfof he fafhe.
1o he fafhe h1mse1f, he Wofe 1n fhe same sfa1n buf, he fo1d he
fafhe fhaf he expess1y conf1ded h1s W1fe and ch11d fo h1s cae.
And he fo1d h1m fh1s, vey sfong1y, W1fh fhe hope of ous1ng h1m
fom any despondency o dangeous efospecf foWads Wh1ch he foesaW
he m1ghf be fend1ng.
1o M. Loy, he commended fhem a11, and exp1a1ned h1s Wo1d1y affa1s.
1haf done, W1fh many added senfences of gafefu1 f1endsh1p and Wam
affachmenf, a11 Was done. he neve fhoughf of Cafon. h1s m1nd Was
so fu11 of fhe ofhes, fhaf he neve once fhoughf of h1m.
he had f1me fo f1n1sh fhese 1effes befoe fhe 11ghfs Wee puf ouf.
When he 1ay doWn on h1s sfaW bed, he fhoughf he had done W1fh fh1s Wo1d.
8uf, 1f beckoned h1m back 1n h1s s1eep, and shoWed 1fse1f 1n sh1n1ng
foms. Iee and happy, back 1n fhe o1d house 1n 5oho {fhough 1f had
nofh1ng 1n 1f 11ke fhe ea1 house}, unaccounfab1y e1eased and 11ghf
of heaf, he Was W1fh Luc1e aga1n, and she fo1d h1m 1f Was a11 a deam,
and he had neve gone aWay. A pause of fogeffu1ness, and fhen he
had even suffeed, and had come back fo he, dead and af peace, and yef
fhee Was no d1ffeence 1n h1m. Anofhe pause of ob11v1on, and he
aWoke 1n fhe sombe mon1ng, unconsc1ous Whee he Was o Whaf had
happened, unf11 1f f1ashed upon h1s m1nd, "fh1s 1s fhe day of my deafh!"
1hus, had he come fhough fhe hous, fo fhe day When fhe f1ffy-fWo
heads Wee fo fa11. And noW, Wh11e he Was composed, and hoped fhaf
he cou1d meef fhe end W1fh qu1ef heo1sm, a neW acf1on began 1n h1s
Wak1ng fhoughfs, Wh1ch Was vey d1ff1cu1f fo masfe.
he had neve seen fhe 1nsfumenf fhaf Was fo fem1nafe h1s 11fe.
hoW h1gh 1f Was fom fhe gound, hoW many sfeps 1f had, Whee he
Wou1d be sfood, boW he Wou1d be fouched, Whefhe fhe fouch1ng hands
Wou1d be dyed ed, Wh1ch Way h1s face Wou1d be funed, Whefhe he
Wou1d be fhe f1sf, o m1ghf be fhe 1asf: fhese and many s1m11a
quesf1ons, 1n noW1se d1ecfed by h1s W111, obfuded fhemse1ves ove
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and ove aga1n, counf1ess f1mes. Ne1fhe Wee fhey connecfed W1fh
fea: he Was consc1ous of no fea. kafhe, fhey o1g1nafed 1n a
sfange beseff1ng des1e fo knoW Whaf fo do When fhe f1me came
a des1e g1ganf1ca11y d1spopof1onafe fo fhe feW sW1ff momenfs fo
Wh1ch 1f efeed a Wonde1ng fhaf Was moe 11ke fhe Wonde1ng of
some ofhe sp11f W1fh1n h1s, fhan h1s oWn.
1he hous Wenf on as he Wa1ked fo and fo, and fhe c1ocks sfuck fhe
numbes he Wou1d neve hea aga1n. N1ne gone fo eve, fen gone fo
eve, e1even gone fo eve, fWe1ve com1ng on fo pass aWay. Affe a
had confesf W1fh fhaf eccenf1c acf1on of fhoughf Wh1ch had 1asf
pep1exed h1m, he had gof fhe beffe of 1f. he Wa1ked up and doWn,
soff1y epeaf1ng fhe1 names fo h1mse1f. 1he Wosf of fhe sf1fe Was
ove. he cou1d Wa1k up and doWn, fee fom d1sfacf1ng fanc1es,
pay1ng fo h1mse1f and fo fhem.
1We1ve gone fo eve.
he had been app1sed fhaf fhe f1na1 hou Was 1hee, and be kneW he
Wou1d be summoned some f1me ea11e, 1nasmuch as fhe fumb11s o1fed
heav11y and s1oW1y fhough fhe sfeefs. 1heefoe, he eso1ved fo keep
1Wo befoe h1s m1nd, as fhe hou, and so fo sfengfhen h1mse1f 1n fhe
1nfeva1 fhaf he m1ghf be ab1e, affe fhaf f1me, fo sfengfhen ofhes.
Wa1k1ng egu1a1y fo and fo W1fh h1s ams fo1ded on h1s beasf,
a vey d1ffeenf man fom fhe p1sone, Who had Wa1ked fo and fo af
La Ioce, he head One sfuck aWay fom h1m, W1fhouf sup1se.
1he hou had measued 11ke mosf ofhe hous. Devouf1y fhankfu1 fo
heaven fo h1s ecoveed se1f-possess1on, he fhoughf, "1hee 1s buf
anofhe noW," and funed fo Wa1k aga1n.
Ioofsfeps 1n fhe sfone passage oufs1de fhe doo. he sfopped.
1he key Was puf 1n fhe 1ock, and funed. 8efoe fhe doo Was opened,
o as 1f opened, a man sa1d 1n a 1oW vo1ce, 1n Lng11sh: "he has neve
seen me hee l have kepf ouf of h1s Way. Go you 1n a1one l Wa1f nea.
Lose no f1me!"
1he doo Was qu1ck1y opened and c1osed, and fhee sfood befoe h1m
face fo face, qu1ef, 1nfenf upon h1m, W1fh fhe 11ghf of a sm11e on
h1s feafues, and a cauf1onay f1nge on h1s 11p, 5ydney Cafon.
1hee Was somefh1ng so b1ghf and emakab1e 1n h1s 1ook, fhaf, fo
fhe f1sf momenf, fhe p1sone m1sdoubfed h1m fo be an appa1f1on of
h1s oWn 1mag1n1ng. 8uf, he spoke, and 1f Was h1s vo1ce he fook fhe
p1sones hand, and 1f Was h1s ea1 gasp.
"Of a11 fhe peop1e upon eafh, you 1easf expecfed fo see me?" be sa1d.
"l cou1d nof be11eve 1f fo be you. l can scace1y be11eve 1f noW.
You ae nof"--fhe appehens1on came sudden1y 1nfo h1s m1nd--"a p1sone?"
"No. l am acc1denfa11y possessed of a poWe ove one of fhe keepes
hee, and 1n v1fue of 1f l sfand befoe you. l come fom he--
you W1fe, dea Danay."
1he p1sone Wung h1s hand.
"l b1ng you a equesf fom he."
"Whaf 1s 1f?"
"A mosf eanesf, pess1ng, and emphaf1c enfeafy, addessed fo you 1n
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fhe mosf pafhef1c fones of fhe vo1ce so dea fo you, fhaf you We11 emembe."
1he p1sone funed h1s face paf1y as1de.
"You have no f1me fo ask me Why l b1ng 1f, o Whaf 1f means l have
no f1me fo fe11 you. You musf comp1y W1fh 1f--fake off fhose boofs
you Wea, and daW on fhese of m1ne."
1hee Was a cha1 aga1nsf fhe Wa11 of fhe ce11, beh1nd fhe
p1sone. Cafon, pess1ng foWad, had a1eady, W1fh fhe speed of
11ghfn1ng, gof h1m doWn 1nfo 1f, and sfood ove h1m, baefoof.
"DaW on fhese boofs of m1ne. Puf you hands fo fhem
puf you W111 fo fhem. qu1ck!"
"Cafon, fhee 1s no escap1ng fom fh1s p1ace 1f neve can be done.
You W111 on1y d1e W1fh me. lf 1s madness."
"lf Wou1d be madness 1f l asked you fo escape buf do l? When l ask
you fo pass ouf af fhaf doo, fe11 me 1f 1s madness and ema1n hee.
Change fhaf cavaf fo fh1s of m1ne, fhaf coaf fo fh1s of m1ne.
Wh11e you do 1f, 1ef me fake fh1s 1bbon fom you ha1, and shake
ouf you ha1 11ke fh1s of m1ne!"
W1fh Wondefu1 qu1ckness, and W1fh a sfengfh bofh of W111 and acf1on,
fhaf appeaed qu1fe supenafua1, he foced a11 fhese changes upon h1m.
1he p1sone Was 11ke a young ch11d 1n h1s hands.
"Cafon! Dea Cafon! lf 1s madness. lf cannof be accomp11shed,
1f neve can be done, 1f has been affempfed, and has a1Ways fa11ed.
l 1mp1oe you nof fo add you deafh fo fhe b1ffeness of m1ne."
"Do l ask you, my dea Danay, fo pass fhe doo? When l ask fhaf,
efuse. 1hee ae pen and 1nk and pape on fh1s fab1e. ls you hand
sfeady enough fo W1fe?"
"lf Was When you came 1n."
"5feady 1f aga1n, and W1fe Whaf l sha11 d1cfafe. qu1ck, f1end, qu1ck!"
Pess1ng h1s hand fo h1s beW11deed head, Danay saf doWn af fhe fab1e.
Cafon, W1fh h1s 1ghf hand 1n h1s beasf, sfood c1ose bes1de h1m.
"W1fe exacf1y as l speak."
"1o Whom do l addess 1f?"
"1o no one." Cafon sf111 had h1s hand 1n h1s beasf.
"Do l dafe 1f?"
"No."
1he p1sone 1ooked up, af each quesf1on. Cafon, sfand1ng ove h1m
W1fh h1s hand 1n h1s beasf, 1ooked doWn.
"lf you emembe," sa1d Cafon, d1cfaf1ng, "fhe Wods fhaf passed
befWeen us, 1ong ago, you W111 ead11y compehend fh1s When you see 1f.
You do emembe fhem, l knoW. lf 1s nof 1n you nafue fo fogef fhem."
he Was daW1ng h1s hand fom h1s beasf fhe p1sone chanc1ng fo
1ook up 1n h1s hu1ed Wonde as he Wofe, fhe hand sfopped, c1os1ng
upon somefh1ng.
Page 23
"have you W1ffen fogef fhem?" Cafon asked.
"l have. ls fhaf a Weapon 1n you hand?"
"No l am nof amed."
"Whaf 1s 1f 1n you hand?"
"You sha11 knoW d1ecf1y. W1fe on fhee ae buf a feW Wods moe."
he d1cfafed aga1n. "l am fhankfu1 fhaf fhe f1me has come, When l
can pove fhem. 1haf l do so 1s no subecf fo egef o g1ef."
As he sa1d fhese Wods W1fh h1s eyes f1xed on fhe W1fe, h1s hand
s1oW1y and soff1y moved doWn c1ose fo fhe W1fes face.
1he pen dopped fom Danays f1nges on fhe fab1e, and he 1ooked
abouf h1m vacanf1y.
"Whaf vapou 1s fhaf?" he asked.
"vapou?"
"5omefh1ng fhaf cossed me?"
"l am consc1ous of nofh1ng fhee can be nofh1ng hee. 1ake up fhe
pen and f1n1sh. huy, huy!"
As 1f h1s memoy Wee 1mpa1ed, o h1s facu1f1es d1sodeed, fhe
p1sone made an effof fo a11y h1s affenf1on. As he 1ooked af
Cafon W1fh c1ouded eyes and W1fh an a1feed manne of beafh1ng,
Cafon--h1s hand aga1n 1n h1s beasf--1ooked sfead11y af h1m.
"huy, huy!"
1he p1sone benf ove fhe pape, once moe.
"lf 1f had been ofheW1se" Cafons hand Was aga1n Wafchfu11y
and soff1y sfea11ng doWn "l neve shou1d have used fhe 1onge
oppofun1fy. lf 1f had been ofheW1se" fhe hand Was af fhe
p1sones face "l shou1d buf have had so much fhe moe fo ansWe
fo. lf 1f had been ofheW1se--" Cafon 1ooked af fhe pen and saW
1f Was fa111ng off 1nfo un1nfe111g1b1e s1gns.
Cafons hand moved back fo h1s beasf no moe. 1he p1sone spang
up W1fh a epoachfu1 1ook, buf Cafons hand Was c1ose and f1m af
h1s nosf11s, and Cafons 1eff am caughf h1m ound fhe Wa1sf.
Io a feW seconds he fa1nf1y sfugg1ed W1fh fhe man Who had come
fo 1ay doWn h1s 11fe fo h1m buf, W1fh1n a m1nufe o so, he Was
sfefched 1nsens1b1e on fhe gound.
qu1ck1y, buf W1fh hands as fue fo fhe pupose as h1s heaf Was,
Cafon dessed h1mse1f 1n fhe c1ofhes fhe p1sone bad 1a1d as1de,
combed back h1s ha1, and f1ed 1f W1fh fhe 1bbon fhe p1sone had
Won. 1hen, he soff1y ca11ed, "Lnfe fhee! Come 1n!" and fhe 5py
pesenfed h1mse1f.
"You see?" sa1d Cafon, 1ook1ng up, as he knee1ed on one knee bes1de
fhe 1nsens1b1e f1gue, puff1ng fhe pape 1n fhe beasf: "1s you
hazad vey geaf?"
"M. Cafon," fhe 5py ansWeed, W1fh a f1m1d snap of h1s f1nges,
"my hazad 1s nof 1hA1, 1n fhe fh1ck of bus1ness hee, 1f you ae
fue fo fhe Who1e of you baga1n."
Page 239
"Donf fea me. l W111 be fue fo fhe deafh."
"You musf be, M. Cafon, 1f fhe fa1e of f1ffy-fWo 1s fo be 1ghf.
8e1ng made 1ghf by you 1n fhaf dess, l sha11 have no fea."
"have no fea! l sha11 soon be ouf of fhe Way of ham1ng you, and fhe
esf W111 soon be fa fom hee, p1ease God! NoW, gef ass1sfance and
fake me fo fhe coach."
"You?" sa1d fhe 5py nevous1y.
"h1m, man, W1fh Whom l have exchanged. You go ouf af fhe gafe by
Wh1ch you boughf me 1n?"
"Of couse."
"l Was Weak and fa1nf When you boughf me 1n, and l am fa1nfe noW
you fake me ouf. 1he paf1ng 1nfev1eW has ovepoWeed me. 5uch a
fh1ng has happened hee, offen, and foo offen. You 11fe 1s 1n you
oWn hands. qu1ck! Ca11 ass1sfance!"
"You sWea nof fo befay me?" sa1d fhe femb11ng 5py, as he paused
fo a 1asf momenf.
"Man, man!" efuned Cafon, sfamp1ng h1s foof "have l sWon by no
so1emn voW a1eady, fo go fhough W1fh fh1s, fhaf you Wasfe fhe
pec1ous momenfs noW? 1ake h1m youse1f fo fhe coufyad you knoW of,
p1ace h1m youse1f 1n fhe ca1age, shoW h1m youse1f fo M. Loy,
fe11 h1m youse1f fo g1ve h1m no esfoaf1ve buf a1, and fo emembe
my Wods of 1asf n1ghf, and h1s pom1se of 1asf n1ghf, and d1ve aWay!"
1he 5py W1fhdeW, and Cafon seafed h1mse1f af fhe fab1e, esf1ng h1s
foehead on h1s hands. 1he 5py efuned 1mmed1afe1y, W1fh fWo men.
"hoW, fhen?" sa1d one of fhem, confemp1af1ng fhe fa11en f1gue. "5o
aff11cfed fo f1nd fhaf h1s f1end has daWn a p1ze 1n fhe 1offey of
5a1nfe Gu111of1ne?"
"A good paf1of," sa1d fhe ofhe, "cou1d had1y have been moe
aff11cfed 1f fhe A1sfocaf had daWn a b1ank."
1hey a1sed fhe unconsc1ous f1gue, p1aced 1f on a 11ffe fhey had
boughf fo fhe doo, and benf fo cay 1f aWay.
"1he f1me 1s shof, Lvemonde," sa1d fhe 5py, 1n a Wan1ng vo1ce.
"l knoW 1f We11," ansWeed Cafon. "8e caefu1 of my f1end, l
enfeaf you, and 1eave me."
"Come, fhen, my ch11den," sa1d 8asad. "L1ff h1m, and come aWay!"
1he doo c1osed, and Cafon Was 1eff a1one. 5fa1n1ng h1s poWes of
11sfen1ng fo fhe ufmosf, he 11sfened fo any sound fhaf m1ghf denofe
susp1c1on o a1am. 1hee Was none. keys funed, doos c1ashed,
foofsfeps passed a1ong d1sfanf passages: no cy Was a1sed, o huy
made, fhaf seemed unusua1. 8eafh1ng moe fee1y 1n a 11ff1e Wh11e,
he saf doWn af fhe fab1e, and 11sfened aga1n unf11 fhe c1ock sfuck 1Wo.
5ounds fhaf he Was nof afa1d of, fo he d1v1ned fhe1 mean1ng, fhen
began fo be aud1b1e. 5evea1 doos Wee opened 1n success1on, and
f1na11y h1s oWn. A gao1e, W1fh a 11sf 1n h1s hand, 1ooked 1n,
mee1y say1ng, "Io11oW me, Lvemonde!" and he fo11oWed 1nfo a 1age
Page 240
dak oom, af a d1sfance. lf Was a dak W1nfe day, and Whaf W1fh
fhe shadoWs W1fh1n, and Whaf W1fh fhe shadoWs W1fhouf, he cou1d buf
d1m1y d1scen fhe ofhes Who Wee boughf fhee fo have fhe1 ams
bound. 5ome Wee sfand1ng some seafed. 5ome Wee 1amenf1ng, and 1n
esf1ess mof1on buf, fhese Wee feW. 1he geaf mao1fy Wee s11enf
and sf111, 1ook1ng f1xed1y af fhe gound.
As he sfood by fhe Wa11 1n a d1m cone, Wh11e some of fhe f1ffy-fWo
Wee boughf 1n affe h1m, one man sfopped 1n pass1ng, fo embace
h1m, as hav1ng a knoW1edge of h1m. lf fh111ed h1m W1fh a geaf
dead of d1scovey buf fhe man Wenf on. A vey feW momenfs affe
fhaf, a young Woman, W1fh a s11ghf g111sh fom, a sWeef spae face
1n Wh1ch fhee Was no vesf1ge of co1ou, and 1age W1de1y opened
paf1enf eyes, ose fom fhe seaf Whee he had obseved he s1ff1ng,
and came fo speak fo h1m.
"C1f1zen Lvemonde," she sa1d, fouch1ng h1m W1fh he co1d hand.
"l am a poo 11ff1e seamsfess, Who Was W1fh you 1n La Ioce."
he mumued fo ansWe: "1ue. l fogef Whaf you Wee accused of?"
"P1ofs. 1hough fhe usf heaven knoWs fhaf l am 1nnocenf of any.
ls 1f 11ke1y? Who Wou1d fh1nk of p1off1ng W1fh a poo 11ff1e Weak
ceafue 11ke me?"
1he fo1on sm11e W1fh Wh1ch she sa1d 1f, so fouched h1m, fhaf feas
sfafed fom h1s eyes.
"l am nof afa1d fo d1e, C1f1zen Lvemonde, buf l have done nofh1ng.
l am nof unW1111ng fo d1e, 1f fhe kepub11c Wh1ch 1s fo do so much
good fo us poo, W111 pof1f by my deafh buf l do nof knoW hoW fhaf
can be, C1f1zen Lvemonde. 5uch a poo Weak 11ff1e ceafue!"
As fhe 1asf fh1ng on eafh fhaf h1s heaf Was fo Wam and soffen fo,
1f Wamed and soffened fo fh1s p1f1ab1e g11.
"l head you Wee e1eased, C1f1zen Lvemonde. l hoped 1f Was fue?"
"lf Was. 8uf, l Was aga1n faken and condemned."
"lf l may 1de W1fh you, C1f1zen Lvemonde, W111 you 1ef me ho1d you
hand? l am nof afa1d, buf l am 11ff1e and Weak, and 1f W111 g1ve me
moe couage."
As fhe paf1enf eyes Wee 11ffed fo h1s face, he saW a sudden doubf 1n
fhem, and fhen asfon1shmenf. he pessed fhe Wok-Won, hunge-Won
young f1nges, and fouched h1s 11ps.
"Ae you dy1ng fo h1m?" she Wh1speed.
"And h1s W1fe and ch11d. hush! Yes."
"O you W111 1ef me ho1d you bave hand, sfange?"
"hush! Yes, my poo s1sfe fo fhe 1asf."
1he same shadoWs fhaf ae fa111ng on fhe p1son, ae fa111ng, 1n fhaf
same hou of fhe ea1y affenoon, on fhe 8a1e W1fh fhe coWd abouf 1f,
When a coach go1ng ouf of Pa1s d1ves up fo be exam1ned.
"Who goes hee? Whom have We W1fh1n? Papes!"
Page 241
1he papes ae handed ouf, and ead.
"A1exande Maneffe. Phys1c1an. Iench. Wh1ch 1s he?"
1h1s 1s he fh1s he1p1ess, 1naf1cu1afe1y mumu1ng, Wande1ng o1d
man po1nfed ouf.
"Appaenf1y fhe C1f1zen-Docfo 1s nof 1n h1s 1ghf m1nd?
1he kevo1uf1on-feve W111 have been foo much fo h1m?"
Geaf1y foo much fo h1m.
"hah! Many suffe W1fh 1f. Luc1e. h1s daughfe. Iench. Wh1ch 1s she?"
1h1s 1s she.
"Appaenf1y 1f musf be. Luc1e, fhe W1fe of Lvemonde 1s 1f nof?"
lf 1s.
"hah! Lvemonde has an ass1gnaf1on e1seWhee. Luc1e, he ch11d.
Lng11sh. 1h1s 1s she?"
5he and no ofhe.
"k1ss me, ch11d of Lvemonde. NoW, fhou hasf k1ssed a good
kepub11can somefh1ng neW 1n fhy fam11y emembe 1f! 5ydney Cafon.
Advocafe. Lng11sh. Wh1ch 1s he?"
he 11es hee, 1n fh1s cone of fhe ca1age. he, foo, 1s po1nfed ouf.
"Appaenf1y fhe Lng11sh advocafe 1s 1n a sWoon?"
lf 1s hoped he W111 ecove 1n fhe feshe a1. lf 1s epesenfed
fhaf he 1s nof 1n sfong hea1fh, and has sepaafed sad1y fom a
f1end Who 1s unde fhe d1sp1easue of fhe kepub11c.
"ls fhaf a11? lf 1s nof a geaf dea1, fhaf! Many ae unde fhe
d1sp1easue of fhe kepub11c, and musf 1ook ouf af fhe 11ff1e W1ndoW.
Jav1s Loy. 8anke. Lng11sh. Wh1ch 1s he?"
"l am he. Necessa11y, be1ng fhe 1asf."
lf 1s Jav1s Loy Who has ep11ed fo a11 fhe pev1ous quesf1ons.
lf 1s Jav1s Loy Who has a11ghfed and sfands W1fh h1s hand on fhe
coach doo, ep1y1ng fo a goup of off1c1a1s. 1hey 1e1sue1y Wa1k
ound fhe ca1age and 1e1sue1y mounf fhe box, fo 1ook af Whaf
11ff1e 1uggage 1f ca1es on fhe oof fhe counfy-peop1e hang1ng
abouf, pess neae fo fhe coach doos and geed11y sfae 1n a
11ff1e ch11d, ca1ed by 1fs mofhe, has 1fs shof am he1d ouf fo
1f, fhaf 1f may fouch fhe W1fe of an a1sfocaf Who has gone fo fhe
Gu111of1ne.
"8eho1d you papes, Jav1s Loy, counfes1gned."
"One can depaf, c1f1zen?"
"One can depaf. IoWad, my posf111ons! A good ouney!"
"l sa1ufe you, c1f1zens.--And fhe f1sf dange passed!"
1hese ae aga1n fhe Wods of Jav1s Loy, as he c1asps h1s hands,
and 1ooks upWad. 1hee 1s feo 1n fhe ca1age, fhee 1s Weep1ng,
Page 242
fhee 1s fhe heavy beafh1ng of fhe 1nsens1b1e fave11e.
"Ae We nof go1ng foo s1oW1y? Can fhey nof be 1nduced fo go fasfe?"
asks Luc1e, c11ng1ng fo fhe o1d man.
"lf Wou1d seem 11ke f11ghf, my da11ng. l musf nof uge fhem foo much
1f Wou1d ouse susp1c1on."
"Look back, 1ook back, and see 1f We ae pusued!"
"1he oad 1s c1ea, my deaesf. 5o fa, We ae nof pusued."
houses 1n fWos and fhees pass by us, so11fay fams, u1nous
bu11d1ngs, dye-Woks, fanne1es, and fhe 11ke, open counfy, avenues
of 1eaf1ess fees. 1he had uneven pavemenf 1s unde us, fhe soff
deep mud 1s on e1fhe s1de. 5omef1mes, We sf1ke 1nfo fhe sk1f1ng
mud, fo avo1d fhe sfones fhaf c1affe us and shake us somef1mes, We
sf1ck 1n ufs and s1oughs fhee. 1he agony of ou 1mpaf1ence 1s fhen
so geaf, fhaf 1n ou W11d a1am and huy We ae fo geff1ng ouf and
unn1ng--h1d1ng--do1ng anyfh1ng buf sfopp1ng.
Ouf of fhe open counfy, 1n aga1n among u1nous bu11d1ngs, so11fay
fams, dye-Woks, fanne1es, and fhe 11ke, coffages 1n fWos and
fhees, avenues of 1eaf1ess fees. have fhese men dece1ved us, and
faken us back by anofhe oad? ls nof fh1s fhe same p1ace fW1ce ove?
1hank heaven, no. A v111age. Look back, 1ook back, and see 1f We ae
pusued! hush! fhe posf1ng-house.
Le1sue1y, ou fou hoses ae faken ouf 1e1sue1y, fhe coach sfands
1n fhe 11ff1e sfeef, beeff of hoses, and W1fh no 11ke11hood upon
1f of eve mov1ng aga1n 1e1sue1y, fhe neW hoses come 1nfo v1s1b1e
ex1sfence, one by one 1e1sue1y, fhe neW posf111ons fo11oW, suck1ng
and p1a1f1ng fhe 1ashes of fhe1 Wh1ps 1e1sue1y, fhe o1d posf111ons
counf fhe1 money, make Wong add1f1ons, and a1ve af d1ssaf1sf1ed
esu1fs. A11 fhe f1me, ou ovefaughf heafs ae beaf1ng af a afe
fhaf Wou1d fa oufsf1p fhe fasfesf ga11op of fhe fasfesf hoses eve
foa1ed.
Af 1engfh fhe neW posf111ons ae 1n fhe1 sadd1es, and fhe o1d ae
1eff beh1nd. We ae fhough fhe v111age, up fhe h111, and doWn fhe
h111, and on fhe 1oW Wafey gounds. 5udden1y, fhe posf111ons
exchange speech W1fh an1mafed gesf1cu1af1on, and fhe hoses ae
pu11ed up, a1mosf on fhe1 haunches. We ae pusued?
"ho! W1fh1n fhe ca1age fhee. 5peak fhen!"
"Whaf 1s 1f?" asks M. Loy, 1ook1ng ouf af W1ndoW.
"hoW many d1d fhey say?"
"l do nof undesfand you."
"--Af fhe 1asf posf. hoW many fo fhe Gu111of1ne fo-day?"
"I1ffy-fWo."
"l sa1d so! A bave numbe! My fe11oW-c1f1zen hee Wou1d have 1f
fofy-fWo fen moe heads ae Wofh hav1ng. 1he Gu111of1ne goes
handsome1y. l 1ove 1f. h1 foWad. Whoop!"
1he n1ghf comes on dak. he moves moe he 1s beg1nn1ng fo ev1ve,
and fo speak 1nfe111g1b1y he fh1nks fhey ae sf111 fogefhe he asks
h1m, by h1s name, Whaf he has 1n h1s hand. O p1fy us, k1nd heaven,
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and he1p us! Look ouf, 1ook ouf, and see 1f We ae pusued.
1he W1nd 1s ush1ng affe us, and fhe c1ouds ae f1y1ng affe us, and
fhe moon 1s p1ung1ng affe us, and fhe Who1e W11d n1ghf 1s 1n pusu1f
of us buf, so fa, We ae pusued by nofh1ng e1se.
Xlv
1he kn1ff1ng Done
ln fhaf same uncfue of f1me When fhe I1ffy-1Wo aWa1fed fhe1 fafe
Madame Defage he1d dak1y om1nous counc11 W1fh 1he vengeance and
Jacques 1hee of fhe kevo1uf1onay Juy. Nof 1n fhe W1ne-shop d1d
Madame Defage confe W1fh fhese m1n1sfes, buf 1n fhe shed of fhe
Wood-saWye, esf a mende of oads. 1he saWye h1mse1f d1d nof
paf1c1pafe 1n fhe confeence, buf ab1ded af a 11ff1e d1sfance,
11ke an oufe safe111fe Who Was nof fo speak unf11 equ1ed, o fo
offe an op1n1on unf11 1nv1fed.
"8uf ou Defage," sa1d Jacques 1hee, "1s undoubfed1y a good
kepub11can? Lh?"
"1hee 1s no beffe," fhe vo1ub1e vengeance pofesfed 1n he sh111
nofes, "1n Iance."
"Peace, 11ff1e vengeance," sa1d Madame Defage, 1ay1ng he hand W1fh
a s11ghf foWn on he 11eufenanfs 11ps, "hea me speak. My husband,
fe11oW-c1f1zen, 1s a good kepub11can and a bo1d man he has deseved
We11 of fhe kepub11c, and possesses 1fs conf1dence. 8uf my husband
has h1s Weaknesses, and he 1s so Weak as fo e1enf foWads fh1s Docfo."
"lf 1s a geaf p1fy," coaked Jacques 1hee, dub1ous1y shak1ng h1s
head, W1fh h1s cue1 f1nges af h1s hungy moufh "1f 1s nof qu1fe
11ke a good c1f1zen 1f 1s a fh1ng fo egef."
"5ee you," sa1d madame, "l cae nofh1ng fo fh1s Docfo, l. he may
Wea h1s head o 1ose 1f, fo any 1nfeesf l have 1n h1m 1f 1s a11
one fo me. 8uf, fhe Lvemonde peop1e ae fo be exfem1nafed, and fhe
W1fe and ch11d musf fo11oW fhe husband and fafhe."
"5he has a f1ne head fo 1f," coaked Jacques 1hee. "l have seen
b1ue eyes and go1den ha1 fhee, and fhey 1ooked cham1ng When 5amson
he1d fhem up." Oge fhaf he Was, he spoke 11ke an ep1cue.
Madame Defage casf doWn he eyes, and ef1ecfed a 11ff1e.
"1he ch11d a1so," obseved Jacques 1hee, W1fh a med1faf1ve enoymenf
of h1s Wods, "has go1den ha1 and b1ue eyes. And We se1dom have a
ch11d fhee. lf 1s a peffy s1ghf!"
"ln a Wod," sa1d Madame Defage, com1ng ouf of he shof absfacf1on,
"l cannof fusf my husband 1n fh1s maffe. Nof on1y do l fee1, s1nce
1asf n1ghf, fhaf l dae nof conf1de fo h1m fhe defa11s of my poecfs
buf a1so l fee1 fhaf 1f l de1ay, fhee 1s dange of h1s g1v1ng Wan1ng,
and fhen fhey m1ghf escape."
"1haf musf neve be," coaked Jacques 1hee "no one musf escape.
We have nof ha1f enough as 1f 1s. We oughf fo have s1x scoe a day."
"ln a Wod," Madame Defage Wenf on, "my husband has nof my eason
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fo pusu1ng fh1s fam11y fo ann1h11af1on, and l have nof h1s eason
fo egad1ng fh1s Docfo W1fh any sens1b111fy. l musf acf fo myse1f,
fheefoe. Come h1fhe, 11ff1e c1f1zen."
1he Wood-saWye, Who he1d he 1n fhe especf, and h1mse1f 1n fhe
subm1ss1on, of mofa1 fea, advanced W1fh h1s hand fo h1s ed cap.
"1ouch1ng fhose s1gna1s, 11ff1e c1f1zen," sa1d Madame Defage,
sfen1y, "fhaf she made fo fhe p1sones you ae eady fo bea
W1fness fo fhem fh1s vey day?"
"Ay, ay, Why nof!" c1ed fhe saWye. "Lvey day, 1n a11 Weafhes,
fom fWo fo fou, a1Ways s1gna111ng, somef1mes W1fh fhe 11ff1e one,
somef1mes W1fhouf. l knoW Whaf l knoW. l have seen W1fh my eyes."
he made a11 manne of gesfues Wh11e he spoke, as 1f 1n 1nc1denfa1
1m1faf1on of some feW of fhe geaf d1ves1fy of s1gna1s fhaf he had
neve seen.
"C1ea1y p1ofs," sa1d Jacques 1hee. "1anspaenf1y!"
"1hee 1s no doubf of fhe Juy?" 1nqu1ed Madame Defage, 1eff1ng he
eyes fun fo h1m W1fh a g1oomy sm11e.
"ke1y upon fhe paf1of1c Juy, dea c1f1zeness. l ansWe fo my
fe11oW-Juymen."
"NoW, 1ef me see," sa1d Madame Defage, ponde1ng aga1n. "Yef once moe!
Can l spae fh1s Docfo fo my husband? l have no fee11ng e1fhe Way.
Can l spae h1m?"
"he Wou1d counf as one head," obseved Jacques 1hee, 1n a 1oW vo1ce.
"We ea11y have nof heads enough 1f Wou1d be a p1fy, l fh1nk."
"he Was s1gna111ng W1fh he When l saW he," agued Madame Defage
"l cannof speak of one W1fhouf fhe ofhe and l musf nof be s11enf,
and fusf fhe case Who11y fo h1m, fh1s 11ff1e c1f1zen hee.
Io, l am nof a bad W1fness."
1he vengeance and Jacques 1hee v1ed W1fh each ofhe 1n fhe1 fevenf
pofesfaf1ons fhaf she Was fhe mosf adm1ab1e and mave11ous of
W1fnesses. 1he 11ff1e c1f1zen, nof fo be oufdone, dec1aed he fo be
a ce1esf1a1 W1fness.
"he musf fake h1s chance," sa1d Madame Defage. "No, l cannof spae
h1m! You ae engaged af fhee oc1ock you ae go1ng fo see fhe bafch
of fo-day execufed.--You?"
1he quesf1on Was addessed fo fhe Wood-saWye, Who hu1ed1y ep11ed
1n fhe aff1maf1ve: se1z1ng fhe occas1on fo add fhaf he Was fhe mosf
adenf of kepub11cans, and fhaf he Wou1d be 1n effecf fhe mosf
deso1afe of kepub11cans, 1f anyfh1ng pevenfed h1m fom enoy1ng fhe
p1easue of smok1ng h1s affenoon p1pe 1n fhe confemp1af1on of fhe
do11 naf1ona1 babe. he Was so vey demonsfaf1ve hee1n, fhaf he
m1ghf have been suspecfed {pehaps Was, by fhe dak eyes fhaf 1ooked
confempfuous1y af h1m ouf of Madame Defages head} of hav1ng h1s sma11
1nd1v1dua1 feas fo h1s oWn pesona1 safefy, evey hou 1n fhe day.
"l," sa1d madame, "am equa11y engaged af fhe same p1ace. Affe 1f 1s
ove-say af e1ghf fo-n1ghf--come you fo me, 1n 5a1nf Anfo1ne, and We
W111 g1ve 1nfomaf1on aga1nsf fhese peop1e af my 5ecf1on."
1he Wood-saWye sa1d he Wou1d be poud and f1affeed fo affend fhe
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c1f1zeness. 1he c1f1zeness 1ook1ng af h1m, he became embaassed,
evaded he g1ance as a sma11 dog Wou1d have done, efeafed among
h1s Wood, and h1d h1s confus1on ove fhe hand1e of h1s saW.
Madame Defage beckoned fhe Juyman and 1he vengeance a 11ff1e neae
fo fhe doo, and fhee expounded he fufhe v1eWs fo fhem fhus:
"5he W111 noW be af home, aWa1f1ng fhe momenf of h1s deafh. 5he W111
be moun1ng and g1ev1ng. 5he W111 be 1n a sfafe of m1nd fo 1mpeach
fhe usf1ce of fhe kepub11c. 5he W111 be fu11 of sympafhy W1fh 1fs
enem1es. l W111 go fo he."
"Whaf an adm1ab1e Woman Whaf an adoab1e Woman!" exc1a1med
Jacques 1hee, apfuous1y. "Ah, my che1shed!" c1ed 1he vengeance
and embaced he.
"1ake you my kn1ff1ng," sa1d Madame Defage, p1ac1ng 1f 1n he
11eufenanfs hands, "and have 1f eady fo me 1n my usua1 seaf.
keep me my usua1 cha1. Go you fhee, sfa1ghf, fo fhee W111
pobab1y be a geafe concouse fhan usua1, fo-day."
"l W1111ng1y obey fhe odes of my Ch1ef," sa1d 1he vengeance W1fh
a1ac1fy, and k1ss1ng he cheek. "You W111 nof be 1afe?"
"l sha11 be fhee befoe fhe commencemenf."
"And befoe fhe fumb11s a1ve. 8e sue you ae fhee, my sou1,"
sa1d 1he vengeance, ca111ng affe he, fo she had a1eady funed
1nfo fhe sfeef, "befoe fhe fumb11s a1ve!"
Madame Defage s11ghf1y Waved he hand, fo 1mp1y fhaf she head, and
m1ghf be e11ed upon fo a1ve 1n good f1me, and so Wenf fhough fhe
mud, and ound fhe cone of fhe p1son Wa11. 1he vengeance and fhe
Juyman, 1ook1ng affe he as she Wa1ked aWay, Wee h1gh1y appec1af1ve
of he f1ne f1gue, and he supeb moa1 endoWmenfs.
1hee Wee many Women af fhaf f1me, upon Whom fhe f1me 1a1d a
deadfu11y d1sf1gu1ng hand buf, fhee Was nof one among fhem moe
fo be deaded fhan fh1s ufh1ess Woman, noW fak1ng he Way a1ong fhe
sfeefs. Of a sfong and fea1ess chaacfe, of sheWd sense and
ead1ness, of geaf defem1naf1on, of fhaf k1nd of beaufy Wh1ch nof
on1y seems fo 1mpaf fo 1fs possesso f1mness and an1mos1fy, buf fo
sf1ke 1nfo ofhes an 1nsf1ncf1ve ecogn1f1on of fhose qua11f1es fhe
foub1ed f1me Wou1d have heaved he up, unde any c1cumsfances.
8uf, 1mbued fom he ch11dhood W1fh a bood1ng sense of Wong, and an
1nvefeafe hafed of a c1ass, oppofun1fy had deve1oped he 1nfo a
f1gess. 5he Was abso1ufe1y W1fhouf p1fy. lf she had eve had fhe
v1fue 1n he, 1f had qu1fe gone ouf of he.
lf Was nofh1ng fo he, fhaf an 1nnocenf man Was fo d1e fo fhe s1ns
of h1s foefafhes she saW, nof h1m, buf fhem. lf Was nofh1ng fo he,
fhaf h1s W1fe Was fo be made a W1doW and h1s daughfe an ophan fhaf
Was 1nsuff1c1enf pun1shmenf, because fhey Wee he nafua1 enem1es
and he pey, and as such had no 1ghf fo 11ve. 1o appea1 fo he,
Was made hope1ess by he hav1ng no sense of p1fy, even fo hese1f.
lf she had been 1a1d 1oW 1n fhe sfeefs, 1n any of fhe many encounfes
1n Wh1ch she had been engaged, she Wou1d nof have p1f1ed hese1f
no, 1f she had been odeed fo fhe axe fo-mooW, Wou1d she have
gone fo 1f W1fh any soffe fee11ng fhan a f1ece des1e fo change
p1aces W1fh fhe man Who senf hee fhee.
5uch a heaf Madame Defage ca1ed unde he ough obe. Cae1ess1y
Won, 1f Was a becom1ng obe enough, 1n a cefa1n We1d Way, and he
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dak ha1 1ooked 1ch unde he coase ed cap. Ly1ng h1dden 1n he
bosom, Was a 1oaded p1sfo1. Ly1ng h1dden af he Wa1sf, Was a shapened
dagge. 1hus accoufed, and Wa1k1ng W1fh fhe conf1denf fead of such
a chaacfe, and W1fh fhe supp1e feedom of a Woman Who had hab1fua11y
Wa1ked 1n he g11hood, bae-foof and bae-1egged, on fhe boWn
sea-sand, Madame Defage fook he Way a1ong fhe sfeefs.
NoW, When fhe ouney of fhe fave111ng coach, af fhaf vey momenf
Wa1f1ng fo fhe comp1ef1on of 1fs 1oad, had been p1anned ouf 1asf
n1ghf, fhe d1ff1cu1fy of fak1ng M1ss Poss 1n 1f had much engaged
M. Loys affenf1on. lf Was nof mee1y des1ab1e fo avo1d
ove1oad1ng fhe coach, buf 1f Was of fhe h1ghesf 1mpofance fhaf fhe
f1me occup1ed 1n exam1n1ng 1f and 1fs passenges, shou1d be educed
fo fhe ufmosf s1nce fhe1 escape m1ghf depend on fhe sav1ng of on1y
a feW seconds hee and fhee. I1na11y, he had poposed, affe anx1ous
cons1deaf1on, fhaf M1ss Poss and Jey, Who Wee af 11befy fo
1eave fhe c1fy, shou1d 1eave 1f af fhee oc1ock 1n fhe 11ghfesf-
Whee1ed conveyance knoWn fo fhaf pe1od. unencumbeed W1fh 1uggage,
fhey Wou1d soon ovefake fhe coach, and, pass1ng 1f and peced1ng 1f
on fhe oad, Wou1d ode 1fs hoses 1n advance, and geaf1y fac111fafe
1fs pogess du1ng fhe pec1ous hous of fhe n1ghf, When de1ay Was
fhe mosf fo be deaded.
5ee1ng 1n fh1s aangemenf fhe hope of ende1ng ea1 sev1ce 1n fhaf
pess1ng emegency, M1ss Poss ha11ed 1f W1fh oy. 5he and Jey had
behe1d fhe coach sfaf, had knoWn Who 1f Was fhaf 5o1omon boughf,
had passed some fen m1nufes 1n fofues of suspense, and Wee noW
conc1ud1ng fhe1 aangemenfs fo fo11oW fhe coach, even as Madame
Defage, fak1ng he Way fhough fhe sfeefs, noW deW neae and
neae fo fhe e1se-desefed 1odg1ng 1n Wh1ch fhey he1d fhe1 consu1faf1on.
"NoW Whaf do you fh1nk, M. Cunche," sa1d M1ss Poss, Whose
ag1faf1on Was so geaf fhaf she cou1d had1y speak, o sfand,
o move, o 11ve: "Whaf do you fh1nk of ou nof sfaf1ng fom fh1s
coufyad? Anofhe ca1age hav1ng a1eady gone fom hee fo-day,
1f m1ghf aWaken susp1c1on."
"My op1n1on, m1ss," efuned M. Cunche, "1s as youe 1ghf.
L1keW1se Wof l11 sfand by you, 1ghf o Wong."
"l am so d1sfacfed W1fh fea and hope fo ou pec1ous ceafues,"
sa1d M1ss Poss, W11d1y cy1ng, "fhaf l am 1ncapab1e of fom1ng any
p1an. Ae YOu capab1e of fom1ng any p1an, my dea good M. Cunche?"
"kespecf1n a fufue spea o 11fe, m1ss," efuned M. Cunche,
"l hope so. kespecf1n any pesenf use o fh1s hee b1essed o1d head
o m1nd, l fh1nk nof. Wou1d you do me fhe favou, m1ss, fo fake
nof1ce o fWo pom1ses and WoWs Wof 1f 1s my W1shes fu fo ecod 1n
fh1s hee c1s1s?"
"Oh, fo gac1ous sake!" c1ed M1ss Poss, sf111 W11d1y cy1ng,
"ecod fhem af once, and gef fhem ouf of fhe Way, 11ke an exce11enf man."
"I1sf," sa1d M. Cunche, Who Was a11 1n a femb1e, and Who spoke
W1fh an ashy and so1emn v1sage, "fhem poo fh1ngs We11 ouf o fh1s,
neve no moe W111 l do 1f, neve no moe!"
"l am qu1fe sue, M. Cunche," efuned M1ss Poss, "fhaf you neve
W111 do 1f aga1n, Whafeve 1f 1s, and l beg you nof fo fh1nk 1f
necessay fo menf1on moe paf1cu1a1y Whaf 1f 1s."
"No, m1ss," efuned Jey, "1f sha11 nof be named fo you. 5econd:
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fhem poo fh1ngs We11 ouf o fh1s, and neve no moe W111 l 1nfefee
W1fh Ms. Cunches f1opp1ng, neve no moe!"
"Whafeve housekeep1ng aangemenf fhaf may be," sa1d M1ss Poss,
sf1v1ng fo dy he eyes and compose hese1f, "l have no doubf 1f
1s besf fhaf Ms. Cunche shou1d have 1f enf1e1y unde he oWn
supe1nfendence.--O my poo da11ngs!"
"l go so fa as fo say, m1ss, moeove," poceeded M. Cunche, W1fh
a mosf a1am1ng fendency fo ho1d fofh as fom a pu1p1f--"and 1ef my
Wods be fook doWn and fook fo Ms. Cunche fhough youse1f--fhaf
Wof my op1n1ons especf1n f1opp1ng has undegone a change, and fhaf
Wof l on1y hope W1fh a11 my heaf as Ms. Cunche may be a f1opp1ng
af fhe pesenf f1me."
"1hee, fhee, fhee! l hope she 1s, my dea man," c1ed fhe d1sfacfed
M1ss Poss, "and l hope she f1nds 1f ansWe1ng he expecfaf1ons."
"Iob1d 1f," poceeded M. Cunche, W1fh add1f1ona1 so1emn1fy,
add1f1ona1 s1oWness, and add1f1ona1 fendency fo ho1d fofh and ho1d
ouf, "as anyfh1ng Wof l have eve sa1d o done shou1d be W1s1fed on
my eanesf W1shes fo fhem poo ceefus noW! Iob1d 1f as We shou1dnf
a11 f1op {1f 1f Was anyWays conWen1enf} fo gef em ouf o fh1s hee
d1sma1 1sk! Iob1d 1f, m1ss! Wof l say, fo-8lD 1f!" 1h1s Was
M. Cunches conc1us1on affe a pofacfed buf va1n endeavou
fo f1nd a beffe one.
And sf111 Madame Defage, pusu1ng he Way a1ong fhe sfeefs, came
neae and neae.
"lf We eve gef back fo ou naf1ve 1and," sa1d M1ss Poss, "you may
e1y upon my fe111ng Ms. Cunche as much as l may be ab1e fo emembe
and undesfand of Whaf you have so 1mpess1ve1y sa1d and af a11
evenfs you may be sue fhaf l sha11 bea W1fness fo you be1ng
fhoough1y 1n eanesf af fh1s deadfu1 f1me. NoW, pay 1ef us fh1nk!
My esfeemed M. Cunche, 1ef us fh1nk!"
5f111, Madame Defage, pusu1ng he Way a1ong fhe sfeefs, came
neae and neae.
"lf you Wee fo go befoe," sa1d M1ss Poss, "and sfop fhe veh1c1e
and hoses fom com1ng hee, and Wee fo Wa1f someWhee fo me
Wou1dnf fhaf be besf?"
M. Cunche fhoughf 1f m1ghf be besf.
"Whee cou1d you Wa1f fo me?" asked M1ss Poss.
M. Cunche Was so beW11deed fhaf he cou1d fh1nk of no 1oca11fy buf
1emp1e 8a. A1as! 1emp1e 8a Was hundeds of m11es aWay, and Madame
Defage Was daW1ng vey nea 1ndeed.
"8y fhe cafheda1 doo," sa1d M1ss Poss. "Wou1d 1f be much ouf of fhe
Way, fo fake me 1n, nea fhe geaf cafheda1 doo befWeen fhe fWo foWes?"
"No, m1ss," ansWeed M. Cunche.
"1hen, 11ke fhe besf of men," sa1d M1ss Poss, "go fo fhe posf1ng-
house sfa1ghf, and make fhaf change."
"l am doubffu1," sa1d M. Cunche, hes1faf1ng and shak1ng h1s head,
"abouf 1eav1ng of you, you see. We donf knoW Whaf may happen."
Page 24
"heaven knoWs We donf," efuned M1ss Poss, "buf have no fea fo
me. 1ake me 1n af fhe cafheda1, af 1hee oC1ock, o as nea 1f as
you can, and l am sue 1f W111 be beffe fhan ou go1ng fom hee.
l fee1 cefa1n of 1f. 1hee! 81ess you, M. Cunche! 1h1nk-nof of
me, buf of fhe 11ves fhaf may depend on bofh of us!"
1h1s exod1um, and M1ss Posss fWo hands 1n qu1fe agon1sed enfeafy
c1asp1ng h1s, dec1ded M. Cunche. W1fh an encouag1ng nod o fWo,
he 1mmed1afe1y Wenf ouf fo a1fe fhe aangemenfs, and 1eff he by
hese1f fo fo11oW as she had poposed.
1he hav1ng o1g1nafed a pecauf1on Wh1ch Was a1eady 1n couse of
execuf1on, Was a geaf e11ef fo M1ss Poss. 1he necess1fy of
compos1ng he appeaance so fhaf 1f shou1d affacf no spec1a1 nof1ce
1n fhe sfeefs, Was anofhe e11ef. 5he 1ooked af he Wafch, and 1f
Was fWenfy m1nufes pasf fWo. 5he had no f1me fo 1ose, buf musf gef
eady af once.
Afa1d, 1n he exfeme pefubaf1on, of fhe 1one11ness of fhe
desefed ooms, and of ha1f-1mag1ned faces peep1ng fom beh1nd evey
open doo 1n fhem, M1ss Poss gof a bas1n of co1d Wafe and began
1av1ng he eyes, Wh1ch Wee sWo11en and ed. haunfed by he feve1sh
appehens1ons, she cou1d nof bea fo have he s1ghf obscued fo a
m1nufe af a f1me by fhe d1pp1ng Wafe, buf consfanf1y paused and
1ooked ound fo see fhaf fhee Was no one Wafch1ng he. ln one of
fhose pauses she eco11ed and c1ed ouf, fo she saW a f1gue
sfand1ng 1n fhe oom.
1he bas1n fe11 fo fhe gound boken, and fhe Wafe f1oWed fo fhe feef
of Madame Defage. 8y sfange sfem Ways, and fhough much sfa1n1ng
b1ood, fhose feef had come fo meef fhaf Wafe.
Madame Defage 1ooked co1d1y af he, and sa1d, "1he W1fe of Lvemonde
Whee 1s she?"
lf f1ashed upon M1ss Posss m1nd fhaf fhe doos Wee a11 sfand1ng
open, and Wou1d suggesf fhe f11ghf. he f1sf acf Was fo shuf fhem.
1hee Wee fou 1n fhe oom, and she shuf fhem a11. 5he fhen p1aced
hese1f befoe fhe doo of fhe chambe Wh1ch Luc1e had occup1ed.
Madame Defages dak eyes fo11oWed he fhough fh1s ap1d movemenf,
and esfed on he When 1f Was f1n1shed. M1ss Poss had nofh1ng
beauf1fu1 abouf he yeas had nof famed fhe W11dness, o soffened
fhe g1mness, of he appeaance buf, she foo Was a defem1ned Woman
1n he d1ffeenf Way, and she measued Madame Defage W1fh he eyes,
evey 1nch.
"You m1ghf, fom you appeaance, be fhe W1fe of Luc1fe," sa1d M1ss
Poss, 1n he beafh1ng. "Nevefhe1ess, you sha11 nof gef fhe beffe
of me. l am an Lng11shWoman."
Madame Defage 1ooked af he sconfu11y, buf sf111 W1fh somefh1ng of
M1ss Posss oWn pecepf1on fhaf fhey fWo Wee af bay. 5he saW a
f1ghf, had, W1y Woman befoe he, as M. Loy had seen 1n fhe same
f1gue a Woman W1fh a sfong hand, 1n fhe yeas gone by. 5he kneW
fu11 We11 fhaf M1ss Poss Was fhe fam11ys devofed f1end M1ss Poss
kneW fu11 We11 fhaf Madame Defage Was fhe fam11ys ma1evo1enf enemy.
"On my Way yonde," sa1d Madame Defage, W1fh a s11ghf movemenf of
he hand foWads fhe fafa1 spof, "Whee fhey eseve my cha1 and my
kn1ff1ng fo me, l am come fo make my comp11menfs fo he 1n pass1ng.
l W1sh fo see he."
Page 249
"l knoW fhaf you 1nfenf1ons ae ev11," sa1d M1ss Poss, "and you may
depend upon 1f, l11 ho1d my oWn aga1nsf fhem."
Lach spoke 1n he oWn 1anguage ne1fhe undesfood fhe ofhes Wods
bofh Wee vey Wafchfu1, and 1nfenf fo deduce fom 1ook and manne,
Whaf fhe un1nfe111g1b1e Wods meanf.
"lf W111 do he no good fo keep hese1f concea1ed fom me af fh1s
momenf," sa1d Madame Defage. "Good paf1ofs W111 knoW Whaf fhaf means.
Lef me see he. Go fe11 he fhaf l W1sh fo see he. Do you hea?"
"lf fhose eyes of yous Wee bed-W1nches," efuned M1ss Poss, "and
l Was an Lng11sh fou-posfe, fhey shou1dnf 1oose a sp11nfe of me.
No, you W1cked foe1gn Woman l am you mafch."
Madame Defage Was nof 11ke1y fo fo11oW fhese 1d1omaf1c emaks 1n
defa11 buf, she so fa undesfood fhem as fo pece1ve fhaf she Was
sef af naughf.
"Woman 1mbec11e and p1g-11ke!" sa1d Madame Defage, foWn1ng.
"l fake no ansWe fom you. l demand fo see he. L1fhe fe11 he
fhaf l demand fo see he, o sfand ouf of fhe Way of fhe doo and 1ef
me go fo he!" 1h1s, W1fh an angy exp1anafoy Wave of he 1ghf am.
"l 11ff1e fhoughf," sa1d M1ss Poss, "fhaf l shou1d eve Wanf fo
undesfand you nonsens1ca1 1anguage buf l Wou1d g1ve a11 l have,
excepf fhe c1ofhes l Wea, fo knoW Whefhe you suspecf fhe fufh, o
any paf of 1f."
Ne1fhe of fhem fo a s1ng1e momenf e1eased fhe ofhes eyes.
Madame Defage had nof moved fom fhe spof Whee she sfood When M1ss
Poss f1sf became aWae of he buf, she noW advanced one sfep.
"l am a 81fon," sa1d M1ss Poss, "l am despeafe. l donf cae an
Lng11sh 1Wopence fo myse1f. l knoW fhaf fhe 1onge l keep you hee,
fhe geafe hope fhee 1s fo my Ladyb1d. l11 nof 1eave a handfu1
of fhaf dak ha1 upon you head, 1f you 1ay a f1nge on me!"
1hus M1ss Poss, W1fh a shake of he head and a f1ash of he eyes
befWeen evey ap1d senfence, and evey ap1d senfence a Who1e beafh.
1hus M1ss Poss, Who had neve sfuck a b1oW 1n he 11fe.
8uf, he couage Was of fhaf emof1ona1 nafue fhaf 1f boughf fhe
1epess1b1e feas 1nfo he eyes. 1h1s Was a couage fhaf Madame
Defage so 11ff1e compehended as fo m1sfake fo Weakness. "ha, ha!"
she 1aughed, "you poo Wefch! Whaf ae you Wofh! l addess myse1f
fo fhaf Docfo." 1hen she a1sed he vo1ce and ca11ed ouf, "C1f1zen
Docfo! W1fe of Lvemonde! Ch11d of Lvemonde! Any peson buf fh1s
m1seab1e foo1, ansWe fhe C1f1zeness Defage!"
Pehaps fhe fo11oW1ng s11ence, pehaps some 1afenf d1sc1osue 1n fhe
expess1on of M1ss Posss face, pehaps a sudden m1sg1v1ng apaf fom
e1fhe suggesf1on, Wh1speed fo Madame Defage fhaf fhey Wee gone.
1hee of fhe doos she opened sW1ff1y, and 1ooked 1n.
"1hose ooms ae a11 1n d1sode, fhee has been hu1ed pack1ng,
fhee ae odds and ends upon fhe gound. 1hee 1s no one 1n fhaf
oom beh1nd you! Lef me 1ook."
"Neve!" sa1d M1ss Poss, Who undesfood fhe equesf as pefecf1y as
Madame Defage undesfood fhe ansWe.
"lf fhey ae nof 1n fhaf oom, fhey ae gone, and can be pusued and
Page 250
boughf back," sa1d Madame Defage fo hese1f.
"As 1ong as you donf knoW Whefhe fhey ae 1n fhaf oom o nof, you
ae uncefa1n Whaf fo do," sa1d M1ss Poss fo hese1f "and you sha11
nof knoW fhaf, 1f l can pevenf you knoW1ng 1f and knoW fhaf, o
nof knoW fhaf, you sha11 nof 1eave hee Wh11e l can ho1d you."
"l have been 1n fhe sfeefs fom fhe f1sf, nofh1ng has sfopped me,
l W111 fea you fo p1eces, buf l W111 have you fom fhaf doo," sa1d
Madame Defage.
"We ae a1one af fhe fop of a h1gh house 1n a so11fay coufyad,
We ae nof 11ke1y fo be head, and l pay fo bod11y sfengfh fo keep
you hee, Wh11e evey m1nufe you ae hee 1s Wofh a hunded fhousand
gu1neas fo my da11ng," sa1d M1ss Poss.
Madame Defage made af fhe doo. M1ss Poss, on fhe 1nsf1ncf of fhe
momenf, se1zed he ound fhe Wa1sf 1n bofh he ams, and he1d he
f1ghf. lf Was 1n va1n fo Madame Defage fo sfugg1e and fo sf1ke
M1ss Poss, W1fh fhe v1goous fenac1fy of 1ove, a1Ways so much
sfonge fhan hafe, c1asped he f1ghf, and even 11ffed he fom fhe
f1oo 1n fhe sfugg1e fhaf fhey had. 1he fWo hands of Madame Defage
buffefed and foe he face buf, M1ss Poss, W1fh he head doWn, he1d
he ound fhe Wa1sf, and c1ung fo he W1fh moe fhan fhe ho1d of a
doWn1ng Woman.
5oon, Madame Defages hands ceased fo sf1ke, and fe1f af he
enc1c1ed Wa1sf. "lf 1s unde my am," sa1d M1ss Poss, 1n smofheed
fones, "you sha11 nof daW 1f. l am sfonge fhan you, l b1ess
heaven fo 1f. l ho1d you f111 one o ofhe of us fa1nfs o d1es!"
Madame Defages hands Wee af he bosom. M1ss Poss 1ooked up, saW
Whaf 1f Was, sfuck af 1f, sfuck ouf a f1ash and a cash, and sfood
a1one--b11nded W1fh smoke.
A11 fh1s Was 1n a second. As fhe smoke c1eaed, 1eav1ng an aWfu1
sf111ness, 1f passed ouf on fhe a1, 11ke fhe sou1 of fhe fu1ous
Woman Whose body 1ay 11fe1ess on fhe gound.
ln fhe f1sf f1ghf and hoo of he s1fuaf1on, M1ss Poss passed
fhe body as fa fom 1f as she cou1d, and an doWn fhe sfa1s fo ca11
fo fu1f1ess he1p. happ11y, she befhoughf hese1f of fhe
consequences of Whaf she d1d, 1n f1me fo check hese1f and go back.
lf Was deadfu1 fo go 1n af fhe doo aga1n buf, she d1d go 1n, and
even Wenf nea 1f, fo gef fhe bonnef and ofhe fh1ngs fhaf she musf
Wea. 1hese she puf on, ouf on fhe sfa1case, f1sf shuff1ng and
1ock1ng fhe doo and fak1ng aWay fhe key. 5he fhen saf doWn on fhe
sfa1s a feW momenfs fo beafhe and fo cy, and fhen gof up and
hu1ed aWay.
8y good fofune she had a ve11 on he bonnef, o she cou1d had1y
have gone a1ong fhe sfeefs W1fhouf be1ng sfopped. 8y good fofune,
foo, she Was nafua11y so pecu11a 1n appeaance as nof fo shoW
d1sf1guemenf 11ke any ofhe Woman. 5he needed bofh advanfages, fo
fhe maks of g1p1ng f1nges Wee deep 1n he face, and he ha1 Was
fon, and he dess {hasf11y composed W1fh unsfeady hands} Was
c1ufched and dagged a hunded Ways.
ln coss1ng fhe b1dge, she dopped fhe doo key 1n fhe 1ve.
A1v1ng af fhe cafheda1 some feW m1nufes befoe he escof, and
Wa1f1ng fhee, she fhoughf, Whaf 1f fhe key Wee a1eady faken 1n a
nef, Whaf 1f 1f Wee 1denf1f1ed, Whaf 1f fhe doo Wee opened and fhe
ema1ns d1scoveed, Whaf 1f she Wee sfopped af fhe gafe, senf fo
Page 251
p1son, and chaged W1fh mude! ln fhe m1dsf of fhese f1uffe1ng
fhoughfs, fhe escof appeaed, fook he 1n, and fook he aWay.
"ls fhee any no1se 1n fhe sfeefs?" she asked h1m.
"1he usua1 no1ses," M. Cunche ep11ed and 1ooked sup1sed by fhe
quesf1on and by he aspecf.
"l donf hea you," sa1d M1ss Poss. "Whaf do you say?"
lf Was 1n va1n fo M. Cunche fo epeaf Whaf he sa1d M1ss Poss
cou1d nof hea h1m. "5o l11 nod my head," fhoughf M. Cunche,
amazed, "af a11 evenfs she11 see fhaf." And she d1d.
"ls fhee any no1se 1n fhe sfeefs noW?" asked M1ss Poss aga1n,
pesenf1y.
Aga1n M. Cunche nodded h1s head.
"l donf hea 1f."
"Gone deaf 1n an hou?" sa1d M. Cunche, um1naf1ng, W1fh h1s m1nd
much d1sfubed "Wofs come fo he?"
"l fee1," sa1d M1ss Poss, "as 1f fhee had been a f1ash and a cash,
and fhaf cash Was fhe 1asf fh1ng l shou1d eve hea 1n fh1s 11fe."
"81esf 1f she a1nf 1n a quee cond1f1on!" sa1d M. Cunche, moe
and moe d1sfubed. "Wof can she have been a fak1n, fo keep he
couage up? hak! 1hees fhe o11 of fhem deadfu1 cafs! You can
hea fhaf, m1ss?"
"l can hea," sa1d M1ss Poss, see1ng fhaf he spoke fo he,
"nofh1ng. O, my good man, fhee Was f1sf a geaf cash, and fhen a
geaf sf111ness, and fhaf sf111ness seems fo be f1xed and
unchangeab1e, neve fo be boken any moe as 1ong as my 11fe 1asfs."
"lf she donf hea fhe o11 of fhose deadfu1 cafs, noW vey n1gh
fhe1 ouneys end," sa1d M. Cunche, g1anc1ng ove h1s shou1de,
"1fs my op1n1on fhaf 1ndeed she neve W111 hea anyfh1ng e1se 1n
fh1s Wo1d."
And 1ndeed she neve d1d.
Xv
1he Ioofsfeps D1e Ouf Io Lve
A1ong fhe Pa1s sfeefs, fhe deafh-cafs umb1e, ho11oW and hash.
51x fumb11s cay fhe days W1ne fo La Gu111of1ne. A11 fhe
devou1ng and 1nsaf1afe Monsfes 1mag1ned s1nce 1mag1naf1on cou1d
ecod 1fse1f, ae fused 1n fhe one ea11saf1on, Gu111of1ne. And yef
fhee 1s nof 1n Iance, W1fh 1fs 1ch va1efy of so11 and c11mafe,
a b1ade, a 1eaf, a oof, a sp1g, a peppecon, Wh1ch W111 goW fo
mafu1fy unde cond1f1ons moe cefa1n fhan fhose fhaf have poduced
fh1s hoo. Cush human1fy ouf of shape once moe, unde s1m11a
hammes, and 1f W111 fW1sf 1fse1f 1nfo fhe same fofued foms.
5oW fhe same seed of apac1ous 11cense and oppess1on ove aga1n,
and 1f W111 sue1y y1e1d fhe same fu1f accod1ng fo 1fs k1nd.
Page 252
51x fumb11s o11 a1ong fhe sfeefs. Change fhese back aga1n fo Whaf
fhey Wee, fhou poWefu1 enchanfe, 11me, and fhey sha11 be seen fo
be fhe ca1ages of abso1ufe monachs, fhe equ1pages of feuda1 nob1es,
fhe fo11effes of f1a1ng Jezebe1s, fhe chuches fhaf ae nof my
fafhes house buf dens of fh1eves, fhe hufs of m1111ons of sfav1ng
peasanfs! No fhe geaf mag1c1an Who maesf1ca11y Woks ouf fhe
appo1nfed ode of fhe Ceafo, neve eveses h1s fansfomaf1ons.
"lf fhou be changed 1nfo fh1s shape by fhe W111 of God," say fhe
sees fo fhe enchanfed, 1n fhe W1se Aab1an sfo1es, "fhen ema1n so!
8uf, 1f fhou Wea fh1s fom fhough mee pass1ng conuaf1on, fhen esume
fhy fome aspecf!" Change1ess and hope1ess, fhe fumb11s o11 a1ong.
As fhe sombe Whee1s of fhe s1x cafs go ound, fhey seem fo p1ough
up a 1ong cooked fuoW among fhe popu1ace 1n fhe sfeefs. k1dges
of faces ae fhoWn fo fh1s s1de and fo fhaf, and fhe p1oughs go
sfead11y onWad. 5o used ae fhe egu1a 1nhab1fanfs of fhe houses
fo fhe specfac1e, fhaf 1n many W1ndoWs fhee ae no peop1e,
and 1n some fhe occupaf1on of fhe hands 1s nof so much as suspended,
Wh11e fhe eyes suvey fhe faces 1n fhe fumb11s. hee and fhee,
fhe 1nmafe has v1s1fos fo see fhe s1ghf fhen he po1nfs h1s f1nge,
W1fh somefh1ng of fhe comp1acency of a cuafo o aufho1sed exponenf,
fo fh1s caf and fo fh1s, and seems fo fe11 Who saf hee yesfeday,
and Who fhee fhe day befoe.
Of fhe 1des 1n fhe fumb11s, some obseve fhese fh1ngs, and a11
fh1ngs on fhe1 1asf oads1de, W1fh an 1mpass1ve sfae ofhes, W1fh
a 11nge1ng 1nfeesf 1n fhe Ways of 11fe and men. 5ome, seafed W1fh
doop1ng heads, ae sunk 1n s11enf despa1 aga1n, fhee ae some so
heedfu1 of fhe1 1ooks fhaf fhey casf upon fhe mu1f1fude such g1ances
as fhey have seen 1n fheafes, and 1n p1cfues. 5evea1 c1ose fhe1
eyes, and fh1nk, o fy fo gef fhe1 sfay1ng fhoughfs fogefhe.
On1y one, and he a m1seab1e ceafue, of a cazed aspecf, 1s so
shaffeed and made dunk by hoo, fhaf he s1ngs, and f1es fo
dance. Nof one of fhe Who1e numbe appea1s by 1ook o gesfue, fo
fhe p1fy of fhe peop1e.
1hee 1s a guad of sundy hosemen 1d1ng abeasf of fhe fumb11s,
and faces ae offen funed up fo some of fhem, and fhey ae asked
some quesf1on. lf Wou1d seem fo be a1Ways fhe same quesf1on, fo,
1f 1s a1Ways fo11oWed by a pess of peop1e foWads fhe fh1d caf.
1he hosemen abeasf of fhaf caf, fequenf1y po1nf ouf one man 1n 1f
W1fh fhe1 sWods. 1he 1ead1ng cu1os1fy 1s, fo knoW Wh1ch 1s he
he sfands af fhe back of fhe fumb11 W1fh h1s head benf doWn,
fo convese W1fh a mee g11 Who s1fs on fhe s1de of fhe caf,
and ho1ds h1s hand. he has no cu1os1fy o cae fo fhe scene abouf h1m,
and a1Ways speaks fo fhe g11. hee and fhee 1n fhe 1ong sfeef
of 5f. honoe, c1es ae a1sed aga1nsf h1m. lf fhey move h1m af a11,
1f 1s on1y fo a qu1ef sm11e, as he shakes h1s ha1 a 11ff1e moe
1oose1y abouf h1s face. he cannof eas11y fouch h1s face, h1s ams
be1ng bound.
On fhe sfeps of a chuch, aWa1f1ng fhe com1ng-up of fhe fumb11s,
sfands fhe 5py and p1son-sheep. he 1ooks 1nfo fhe f1sf of fhem:
nof fhee. he 1ooks 1nfo fhe second: nof fhee. he a1eady asks
h1mse1f, "has he sac1f1ced me?" When h1s face c1eas, as he 1ooks
1nfo fhe fh1d.
"Wh1ch 1s Lvemonde?" says a man beh1nd h1m.
"1haf. Af fhe back fhee."
"W1fh h1s hand 1n fhe g11s?"
Page 253
"Yes."
1he man c1es, "DoWn, Lvemonde! 1o fhe Gu111of1ne a11 a1sfocafs!
DoWn, Lvemonde!"
"hush, hush!" fhe 5py enfeafs h1m, f1m1d1y.
"And Why nof, c1f1zen?"
"he 1s go1ng fo pay fhe fofe1f: 1f W111 be pa1d 1n f1ve m1nufes moe.
Lef h1m be af peace."
8uf fhe man conf1nu1ng fo exc1a1m, "DoWn, Lvemonde!" fhe face of
Lvemonde 1s fo a momenf funed foWads h1m. Lvemonde fhen sees
fhe 5py, and 1ooks affenf1ve1y af h1m, and goes h1s Way.
1he c1ocks ae on fhe sfoke of fhee, and fhe fuoW p1oughed among
fhe popu1ace 1s fun1ng ound, fo come on 1nfo fhe p1ace of execuf1on,
and end. 1he 1dges fhoWn fo fh1s s1de and fo fhaf, noW cumb1e 1n
and c1ose beh1nd fhe 1asf p1ough as 1f passes on, fo a11 ae fo11oW1ng
fo fhe Gu111of1ne. ln fonf of 1f, seafed 1n cha1s, as 1n a gaden
of pub11c d1ves1on, ae a numbe of Women, bus11y kn1ff1ng. On one
of fhe foe-mosf cha1s, sfands 1he vengeance, 1ook1ng abouf fo he f1end.
"1heese!" she c1es, 1n he sh111 fones. "Who has seen he?
1heese Defage!"
"5he neve m1ssed befoe," says a kn1ff1ng-Woman of fhe s1sfehood.
"No no W111 she m1ss noW," c1es 1he vengeance, pefu1anf1y. "1heese."
"Loude," fhe Woman ecommends.
Ay! Loude, vengeance, much 1oude, and sf111 she W111 scace1y hea
fhee. Loude yef, vengeance, W1fh a 11ff1e oafh o so added, and yef
1f W111 had1y b1ng he. 5end ofhe Women up and doWn fo seek he,
11nge1ng someWhee and yef, a1fhough fhe messenges have done dead
deeds, 1f 1s quesf1onab1e Whefhe of fhe1 oWn W111s fhey W111 go fa
enough fo f1nd he!
"8ad Iofune!" c1es 1he vengeance, sfamp1ng he foof 1n fhe cha1,
"and hee ae fhe fumb11s! And Lvemonde W111 be despafched 1n a
W1nk, and she nof hee! 5ee he kn1ff1ng 1n my hand, and he empfy
cha1 eady fo he. l cy W1fh vexaf1on and d1sappo1nfmenf!"
As 1he vengeance descends fom he e1evaf1on fo do 1f, fhe fumb11s
beg1n fo d1schage fhe1 1oads. 1he m1n1sfes of 5a1nfe Gu111of1ne
ae obed and eady. Cash!--A head 1s he1d up, and fhe kn1ff1ng-
Women Who scace1y 11ffed fhe1 eyes fo 1ook af 1f a momenf ago When
1f cou1d fh1nk and speak, counf One.
1he second fumb11 empf1es and moves on fhe fh1d comes up. Cash!
--And fhe kn1ff1ng-Women, neve fa1fe1ng o paus1ng 1n fhe1 Wok,
counf 1Wo.
1he supposed Lvemonde descends, and fhe seamsfess 1s 11ffed ouf
nexf affe h1m. he has nof e11nqu1shed he paf1enf hand 1n geff1ng
ouf, buf sf111 ho1ds 1f as he pom1sed. he genf1y p1aces he W1fh
he back fo fhe cash1ng eng1ne fhaf consfanf1y Wh1s up and fa11s,
and she 1ooks 1nfo h1s face and fhanks h1m.
"8uf fo you, dea sfange, l shou1d nof be so composed, fo l am
nafua11y a poo 11ff1e fh1ng, fa1nf of heaf no shou1d l have been
Page 254
ab1e fo a1se my fhoughfs fo h1m Who Was puf fo deafh, fhaf We m1ghf
have hope and comfof hee fo-day. l fh1nk you Wee senf fo me by heaven."
"O you fo me," says 5ydney Cafon. "keep you eyes upon me, dea ch11d,
and m1nd no ofhe obecf."
"l m1nd nofh1ng Wh11e l ho1d you hand. l sha11 m1nd nofh1ng When
l 1ef 1f go, 1f fhey ae ap1d."
"1hey W111 be ap1d. Iea nof!"
1he fWo sfand 1n fhe fasf-fh1nn1ng fhong of v1cf1ms, buf fhey speak
as 1f fhey Wee a1one. Lye fo eye, vo1ce fo vo1ce, hand fo hand,
heaf fo heaf, fhese fWo ch11den of fhe un1vesa1 Mofhe, e1se so
W1de apaf and d1ffe1ng, have come fogefhe on fhe dak h1ghWay,
fo epa1 home fogefhe, and fo esf 1n he bosom.
"8ave and geneous f1end, W111 you 1ef me ask you one 1asf
quesf1on? l am vey 1gnoanf, and 1f foub1es me--usf a 11ff1e."
"1e11 me Whaf 1f 1s."
"l have a cous1n, an on1y e1af1ve and an ophan, 11ke myse1f, Whom l
1ove vey dea1y. 5he 1s f1ve yeas younge fhan l, and she 11ves 1n
a fames house 1n fhe soufh counfy. Povefy pafed us, and she
knoWs nofh1ng of my fafe--fo l cannof W1fe--and 1f l cou1d, hoW
shou1d l fe11 he! lf 1s beffe as 1f 1s."
"Yes, yes: beffe as 1f 1s."
"Whaf l have been fh1nk1ng as We came a1ong, and Whaf l am sf111
fh1nk1ng noW, as l 1ook 1nfo you k1nd sfong face Wh1ch g1ves me so
much suppof, 1s fh1s:--lf fhe kepub11c ea11y does good fo fhe poo,
and fhey come fo be 1ess hungy, and 1n a11 Ways fo suffe 1ess, she
may 11ve a 1ong f1me: she may even 11ve fo be o1d."
"Whaf fhen, my genf1e s1sfe?"
"Do you fh1nk:" fhe uncomp1a1n1ng eyes 1n Wh1ch fhee 1s so much
enduance, f111 W1fh feas, and fhe 11ps paf a 11ff1e moe and
femb1e: "fhaf 1f W111 seem 1ong fo me, Wh11e l Wa1f fo he 1n fhe
beffe 1and Whee l fusf bofh you and l W111 be mec1fu11y she1feed?"
"lf cannof be, my ch11d fhee 1s no 11me fhee, and no foub1e
fhee."
"You comfof me so much! l am so 1gnoanf. Am l fo k1ss you noW?
ls fhe momenf come?"
"Yes."
5he k1sses h1s 11ps he k1sses hes fhey so1emn1y b1ess each ofhe.
1he spae hand does nof femb1e as he e1eases 1f nofh1ng Wose fhan
a sWeef, b1ghf consfancy 1s 1n fhe paf1enf face. 5he goes nexf
befoe h1m--1s gone fhe kn1ff1ng-Women counf 1Wenfy-1Wo.
"l am fhe kesuecf1on and fhe L1fe, sa1fh fhe Lod:
he fhaf be11evefh 1n me, fhough he Wee dead, yef sha11 he 11ve:
and Whosoeve 11vefh and be11evefh 1n me sha11 neve d1e."
1he mumu1ng of many vo1ces, fhe upfun1ng of many faces,
fhe pess1ng on of many foofsfeps 1n fhe oufsk1fs of fhe coWd,
so fhaf 1f sWe11s foWad 1n a mass, 11ke one geaf heave of Wafe,
Page 255
a11 f1ashes aWay. 1Wenfy-1hee.
1hey sa1d of h1m, abouf fhe c1fy fhaf n1ghf, fhaf 1f Was fhe
peacefu11esf mans face eve behe1d fhee. Many added fhaf he 1ooked
sub11me and pophef1c.
One of fhe mosf emakab1e suffees by fhe same axe--a Woman-had
asked af fhe foof of fhe same scaffo1d, nof 1ong befoe, fo be
a11oWed fo W1fe doWn fhe fhoughfs fhaf Wee 1nsp11ng he. lf he
had g1ven any uffeance fo h1s, and fhey Wee pophef1c, fhey Wou1d
have been fhese:
"l see 8asad, and C1y, Defage, 1he vengeance, fhe Juyman, fhe
Judge, 1ong anks of fhe neW oppessos Who have 1sen on fhe
desfucf1on of fhe o1d, pe1sh1ng by fh1s ef1buf1ve 1nsfumenf,
befoe 1f sha11 cease ouf of 1fs pesenf use. l see a beauf1fu1 c1fy
and a b1111anf peop1e 1s1ng fom fh1s abyss, and, 1n fhe1 sfugg1es
fo be fu1y fee, 1n fhe1 f1umphs and defeafs, fhough 1ong yeas
fo come, l see fhe ev11 of fh1s f1me and of fhe pev1ous f1me of
Wh1ch fh1s 1s fhe nafua1 b1fh, gadua11y mak1ng exp1af1on fo
1fse1f and Wea1ng ouf.
"l see fhe 11ves fo Wh1ch l 1ay doWn my 11fe, peacefu1, usefu1,
pospeous and happy, 1n fhaf Lng1and Wh1ch l sha11 see no moe.
l see he W1fh a ch11d upon he bosom, Who beas my name. l see he
fafhe, aged and benf, buf ofheW1se esfoed, and fa1fhfu1 fo a11
men 1n h1s hea11ng off1ce, and af peace. l see fhe good o1d man, so
1ong fhe1 f1end, 1n fen yeas f1me en1ch1ng fhem W1fh a11 he has,
and pass1ng fanqu111y fo h1s eWad.
"l see fhaf l ho1d a sancfuay 1n fhe1 heafs, and 1n fhe heafs of
fhe1 descendanfs, geneaf1ons hence. l see he, an o1d Woman,
Weep1ng fo me on fhe ann1vesay of fh1s day. l see he and he
husband, fhe1 couse done, 1y1ng s1de by s1de 1n fhe1 1asf eafh1y
bed, and l knoW fhaf each Was nof moe honoued and he1d saced 1n
fhe ofhes sou1, fhan l Was 1n fhe sou1s of bofh.
"l see fhaf ch11d Who 1ay upon he bosom and Who boe my name, a man
W1nn1ng h1s Way up 1n fhaf pafh of 11fe Wh1ch once Was m1ne. l see
h1m W1nn1ng 1f so We11, fhaf my name 1s made 111usf1ous fhee by fhe
11ghf of h1s. l see fhe b1ofs l fheW upon 1f, faded aWay. l see
h1m, foe-mosf of usf udges and honoued men, b1ng1ng a boy of my
name, W1fh a foehead fhaf l knoW and go1den ha1, fo fh1s p1ace--
fhen fa1 fo 1ook upon, W1fh nof a face of fh1s days d1sf1guemenf
--and l hea h1m fe11 fhe ch11d my sfoy, W1fh a fende and a fa1fe1ng vo1ce.
"lf 1s a fa, fa beffe fh1ng fhaf l do, fhan l have eve done
1f 1s a fa, fa beffe esf fhaf l go fo fhan l have eve knoWn."
1he Lnd
Page 256

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