THEmainpurposeofthisstoryistoappealtothereader'sinterestinasubjectwhichhasbeenthethemeofsomeofthegreatestwriters，livinganddead——butwhichhasneverbeen，andcanneverbe，exhausted，becauseitisasubjecteternallyinterestingtoallmankind。Hereisonemorebookthatdepictsthestruggleofahumancreature，underthoseopposinginfluencesofGoodandEvil，whichwehaveallfelt，whichwehaveallknown。Ithasbeenmyaimtomakethecharacterof“Magdalen，“whichpersonifiesthisstruggle，apatheticcharactereveninitsperversityanditserror；andIhavetriedhardtoattainthisresultbytheleastobtrusiveandtheleastartificialofallmeans——byaresoluteadherencethroughouttothetruthasitisinNature。Thisdesignwasnoeasyonetoaccomplish；andithasbeenagreatencouragementtome(duringthepublicationofmystoryinitsperiodicalform)toknow，ontheauthorityofmanyreaders，thattheobjectwhichIhadproposedtomyself，Imight，insomedegree，considerasanobjectachieved。
Roundthecentralfigureinthenarrativeothercharacterswillbefoundgrouped，insharpcontrast——contrast，forthemostpart，inwhichIhaveendeavoredtomaketheelementofhumormainlypredominant。Ihavesoughttoimpartthisrelieftothemoreseriouspassagesinthebook，notonlybecauseIbelievemyselftobejustifiedindoingsobythelawsofArt——butbecauseexperiencehastaughtme(whattheexperienceofmyreaderswilldoubtlessconfirm)thatthereisnosuchmoralphenomenonasunmixedtragedytobefoundintheworldaroundus。Lookwherewemay，thedarkthreadsandthelightcrosseachotherperpetuallyinthetextureofhumanlife。
TopassfromtheCharacterstotheStory，itwillbeseenthatthenarrativerelatedinthesepageshasbeenconstructedonaplanwhichdiffersfromtheplanfollowedinmylastnovel，andinsomeotherofmyworkspublishedatanearlierdate。TheonlySecretcontainedinthisbookisrevealedmidwayinthefirstvolume。Fromthatpoint，allthemaineventsofthestoryarepurposelyforeshadowedbeforetheytakeplace——mypresentdesignbeingtorousethereader'sinterestinfollowingthetrainofcircumstancesbywhichtheseforeseeneventsarebroughtabout。Intryingthisnewground，IamnotturningmybackindoubtonthegroundwhichIhavepassedoveralready。Myoneobjectinfollowinganewcourseistoenlargetherangeofmystudiesintheartofwritingfiction，andtovarytheforminwhichImakemyappealtothereader，asattractivelyasIcan。
Thereisnoneedformetoaddmoretothesefewprefatorywordsthanisherewritten。WhatImightotherwisehavewishedtosayinthisplace，Ihaveendeavoredtomakethebookitselfsayforme。
THEhandsonthehall-clockpointedtohalf-pastsixinthemorning。ThehousewasacountryresidenceinWestSomersetshire，calledCombe-Raven。ThedaywasthefourthofMarch，andtheyearwaseighteenhundredandforty-six。
Nosoundsbutthesteadytickingoftheclock，andthelumpishsnoringofalargedogstretchedonamatoutsidethedining-roomdoor，disturbedthemysteriousmorningstillnessofhallandstaircase。Whowerethesleepershiddenintheupperregions？Letthehouserevealitsownsecrets；and，onebyone，astheydescendthestairsfromtheirbeds，letthesleepersdisclosethemselves。
Astheclockpointedtoaquartertoseven，thedogwokeandshookhimself。Afterwaitinginvainforthefootman，whowasaccustomedtolethimout，theanimalwanderedrestlesslyfromonecloseddoortoanotherontheground-floor；and，returningtohismatingreatperplexity，appealedtothesleepingfamilywithalongandmelancholyhowl。
Beforethelastnotesofthedog'sremonstrancehaddiedaway，theoakenstairsinthehigherregionsofthehousecreakedunderslowly-descendingfootsteps。Inaminutemorethefirstofthefemaleservantsmadeherappearance，withadingywoolenshawloverhershoulders——fortheMarchmorningwasbleak；andrheumatismandthecookwereoldacquaintances。
Receivingthedog'sfirstcordialadvanceswiththeworstpossiblegrace，thecookslowlyopenedthehalldoorandlettheanimalout。Itwasawildmorning。Overaspaciouslawn，andbehindablackplantationoffirs，therisingsunrentitswayupwardthroughpilesofraggedgraycloud；heavydropsofrainfellfewandfarbetween；theMarchwindshudderedroundthecornersofthehouse，andthewettreesswayedwearily。
Seveno'clockstruck；andthesignsofdomesticlifebegantoshowthemselvesinmorerapidsuccession。
Thehousemaidcamedown——tallandslim，withthestateofthespringtemperaturewrittenredlyonhernose。Thelady's-maidfollowed——young，smart，plump，andsleepy。Thekitchen-maidcamenext——afflictedwiththeface-ache，andmakingnosecretofhersufferings。Lastofall，thefootmanappeared，yawningdisconsolately；thelivingpictureofamanwhofeltthathehadbeendefraudedofhisfairnight'srest。
Theconversationoftheservants，whentheyassembledbeforetheslowlylightingkitchenfire，referredtoarecentfamilyevent，andturnedatstartingonthisquestion:HadThomas，thefootman，seenanythingoftheconcertatClifton，atwhichhismasterandthetwoyoungladieshadbeenpresentonthepreviousnight？Yes；Thomashadheardtheconcert；hehadbeenpaidfortogoinattheback；itwasaloudconcert；itwasahotconcert；itwasdescribedatthetopofthebillsasGrand；whetheritwasworthtravelingsixteenmilestohearbyrailway，withtheadditionalhardshipofgoingbacknineteenmilesbyroad，athalf-pastoneinthemorning——wasaquestionwhichhewouldleavehismasterandtheyoungladiestodecide；hisownopinion，inthemeantime，beingunhesitatingly，No。Furtherinquiries，onthepartofallthefemaleservantsinsuccession，elicitednoadditionalinformationofanysort。Thomascouldhumnoneofthesongs，andcoulddescribenoneoftheladies'dresses。Hisaudience，accordingly，gavehimupindespair；andthekitchensmall-talkflowedbackintoitsordinarychannels，untiltheclockstruckeightandstartledtheassembledservantsintoseparatingfortheirmorning'swork。
Aquarterpasteight，andnothinghappened。Half-past——andmoresignsoflifeappearedfromthebedroomregions。ThenextmemberofthefamilywhocamedownstairswasMr。AndrewVanstone，themasterofthehouse。
Tall，stout，andupright——withbrightblueeyes，andhealthy，floridcomplexion——hisbrownplushshooting-jacketcarelesslybuttonedawry；hisvixenishlittleScotchterrierbarkingunrebukedathisheels；onehandthrustintohiswaistcoatpocket，andtheothersmackingthebanisterscheerfullyashecamedownstairshummingatune——Mr。Vanstoneshowedhischaracteronthesurfaceofhimfreelytoallmen。Aneasy，hearty，handsome，good-humoredgentleman，whowalkedonthesunnysideofthewayoflife，andwhoaskednothingbetterthantomeetallhisfellow-passengersinthisworldonthesunnyside，too。Estimatinghimbyyears，hehadturnedfifty。Judginghimbylightnessofheart，strengthofconstitution，andcapacityforenjoyment，hewasnoolderthanmostmenwhohaveonlyturnedthirty。
“Thomas！“criedMr。Vanstone，takinguphisoldfelthatandhisthickwalkingstickfromthehalltable。“Breakfast，thismorning，atten。Theyoungladiesarenotlikelytobedownearlieraftertheconcertlastnight——By-the-by，howdidyouliketheconcertyourself，eh？Youthoughtitwasgrand？Quiteright；soitwas。Nothingbutcrash-bang，variednowandthenbybang-crash；allthewomendressedwithinaninchoftheirlives；smotheringheat，blazinggas，andnoroomforanybody——yes，yes，Thomas；grand'sthewordforit，andcomfortableisn't。“Withthatexpressionofopinion，Mr。Vanstonewhistledtohisvixenishterrier；flourishedhisstickatthehalldoorincheerfuldefianceoftherain；andsetoffthroughwindandweatherforhismorningwalk。
Thehands，stealingtheirsteadywayroundthedialoftheclock，pointedtotenminutestonine。Anothermemberofthefamilyappearedonthestairs——MissGarth，thegoverness。
NoobservanteyescouldhavesurveyedMissGarthwithoutseeingatoncethatshewasanorth-countrywoman。Herhardfeaturedface；hermasculinereadinessanddecisionofmovement；herobstinatehonestyoflookandmanner，allproclaimedherborderbirthandbordertraining。Thoughlittlemorethanfortyyearsofage，herhairwasquitegray；andsheworeoverittheplaincapofanoldwoman。Neitherhairnorhead-dresswasoutofharmonywithherface——itlookedolderthanheryears:thehardhandwritingoftroublehadscoreditheavilyatsomepasttime。Theself-possessionofherprogressdownstairs，andtheairofhabitualauthoritywithwhichshelookedabouther，spokewellforherpositioninMr。Vanstone'sfamily。Thiswasevidentlynotoneoftheforlorn，persecuted，pitiablydependentorderofgovernesses。Herewasawomanwholivedonascertainedandhonorabletermswithheremployers——awomanwholookedcapableofsendinganyparentsinEnglandtotheright-about，iftheyfailedtorateheratherpropervalue。
“Breakfastatten？“repeatedMissGarth，whenthefootmanhadansweredthebell，andhadmentionedhismaster'sorders。“Ha！Ithoughtwhatwouldcomeofthatconcertlastnight。Whenpeoplewholiveinthecountrypatronizepublicamusements，publicamusementsreturnthecomplimentbyupsettingthefamilyafterwardfordaystogether。You'reupset，Thomas，Icansee——youreyesareasredasaferret's，andyourcravatlooksasifyouhadsleptinit。Bringthekettleataquartertoten——andifyoudon'tgetbetterinthecourseoftheday，cometome，andI'llgiveyouadoseofphysic。That'sawell-meaninglad，ifyouonlylethimalone，“continuedMissGarth，insoliloquy，whenThomashadretired；“buthe'snotstrongenoughforconcertstwentymilesoff。Theywantedmetogowiththemlastnight。Yes:catchme！“
Nineo'clockstruck；andtheminute-handstoleontotwentyminutespastthehour，beforeanymorefootstepswereheardonthestairs。Attheendofthattime，twoladiesappeared，descendingtothebreakfast-roomtogether——Mrs。Vanstoneandhereldestdaughter。
IfthepersonalattractionsofMrs。Vanstone，atanearlierperiodoflife，haddependedsolelyonhernativeEnglishcharmsofcomplexionandfreshness，shemusthavelongsincelostthelastrelicsofherfairerself。Butherbeautyasayoungwomanhadpassedbeyondtheaveragenationallimits；andshestillpreservedtheadvantageofhermoreexceptionalpersonalgifts。Althoughshewasnowinherforty-fourthyear；althoughshehadbeentried，inbygonetimes，bytheprematurelossofmorethanoneofherchildren，andbylongattacksofillnesswhichhadfollowedthosebereavementsofformeryears——shestillpreservedthefairproportionandsubtledelicacyoffeature，onceassociatedwiththeall-adorningbrightnessandfreshnessofbeauty，whichhadlefthernevertoreturn。Hereldestchild，nowdescendingthestairsbyherside，wasthemirrorinwhichshecouldlookbackandseeagainthereflectionofherownyouth。There，foldedthickonthedaughter'shead，laythemassivedarkhair，which，onthemother's，wasfastturninggray。There，inthedaughter'scheek，glowedthelovelyduskyredwhichhadfadedfromthemother'stobloomagainnomore。MissVanstonehadalreadyreachedthefirstmaturityofwomanhood；shehadcompletedhersix-and-twentiethyear。Inheritingthedarkmajesticcharacterofhermother'sbeauty，shehadyethardlyinheritedallitscharms。Thoughtheshapeofherfacewasthesame，thefeatureswerescarcelysodelicate，theirproportionwasscarcelysotrue。Shewasnotsotall。Shehadthedark-browneyesofhermother——fullandsoft，withthesteadylusterinthemwhichMrs。Vanstone'seyeshadlost——andyettherewaslessinterest，lessrefinementanddepthoffeelinginherexpression:itwasgentleandfeminine，butcloudedbyacertainquietreserve，fromwhichhermother'sfacewasfree。Ifwedaretolookcloselyenough，maywenotobservethatthemoralforceofcharacterandthehigherintellectualcapacitiesinparentsseemoftentowearoutmysteriouslyinthecourseoftransmissiontochildren？Inthesedaysofinsidiousnervousexhaustionandsubtly-spreadingnervousmalady，isitnotpossiblethatthesamerulemayapply，lessrarelythanwearewillingtoadmit，tothebodilygiftsaswell？
Themotheranddaughterslowlydescendedthestairstogether——thefirstdressedindarkbrown，withanIndianshawlthrownoverhershoulders；thesecondmoresimplyattiredinblack，withaplaincollarandcuffs，andadarkorange-coloredribbonoverthebosomofherdress。Astheycrossedthehallandenteredthebreakfast-room，MissVanstonewasfulloftheall-absorbingsubjectofthelastnight'sconcert。
“Iamsosorry，mamma，youwerenotwithus，“shesaid。“Youhavebeensostrongandsowelleversincelastsummer——youhavefeltsomanyyearsyounger，asyousaidyourself——thatIamsuretheexertionwouldnothavebeentoomuchforyou。“
“Perhapsnot，mylove——butitwasaswelltokeeponthesafeside。“
“Quiteaswell，“remarkedMissGarth，appearingatthebreakfast-roomdoor。“LookatNorah(good-morning，mydear)——look，Isay，atNorah。Aperfectwreck；alivingproofofyourwisdomandmineinstayingathome。Thevilegas，thefoulair，thelatehours——whatcanyouexpect？She'snotmadeofiron，andshesuffersaccordingly。No，mydear，youneedn'tdenyit。Iseeyou'vegotaheadache。“
Norah'sdark，handsomefacebrightenedintoasmile——thenlightlycloudedagainwithitsaccustomedquietreserve。
“Averylittleheadache；nothalfenoughtomakemeregrettheconcert，“shesaid，andwalkedawaybyherselftothewindow。
Onthefarsideofagardenandpaddocktheviewoverlookedastream，somefarmbuildingswhichlaybeyond，andtheopeningofawooded，rockypass(called，inSomersetshire，aCombe)，whichherecleftitswaythroughthehillsthatclosedtheprospect。Awindingstripofroadwasvisible，atnogreatdistance，amidtheundulationsoftheopenground；andalongthisstripthestalwartfigureofMr。Vanstonewasnoweasilyrecognizable，returningtothehousefromhismorningwalk。Heflourishedhisstickgayly，asheobservedhiseldestdaughteratthewindow。Shenoddedandwavedherhandinreturn，verygracefullyandprettily——butwithsomethingofold-fashionedformalityinhermanner，whichlookedstrangelyinsoyoungawoman，andwhichseemedoutofharmonywithasalutationaddressedtoherfather。
Thehall-clockstrucktheadjournedbreakfast-hour。Whentheminutehandhadrecordedthelapseoffiveminutesmoreadoorbangedinthebedroomregions——aclearyoungvoicewasheardsingingblithely——light，rapidfootstepspatteredontheupperstairs，descendedwithajumptothelanding，andpatteredagain，fasterthanever，downthelowerflight。InanothermomenttheyoungestofMr。Vanstone'stwodaughters(andtwoonlysurvivingchildren)dashedintoviewonthedingyoldoakenstairs，withthesuddennessofaflashoflight；andclearingthelastthreestepsintothehallatajump，presentedherselfbreathlessinthebreakfast-roomtomakethefamilycirclecomplete。
ByoneofthosestrangecapricesofNature，whichscienceleavesstillunexplained，theyoungestofMr。Vanstone'schildrenpresentednorecognizableresemblancetoeitherofherparents。Howhadshecomebyherhair？howhadshecomebyhereyes？Evenherfatherandmotherhadaskedthemselvesthosequestions，asshegrewuptogirlhood，andhadbeensorelyperplexedtoanswerthem。Herhairwasofthatpurelylight-brownhue，unmixedwithflaxen，oryellow，orred——whichisoftenerseenontheplumageofabirdthanontheheadofahumanbeing。Itwassoftandplentiful，andwaveddownwardfromherlowforeheadinregularfolds——but，tosometastes，itwasdullanddead，initsabsolutewantofglossiness，initsmonotonouspurityofplainlightcolor。Hereyebrowsandeyelasheswerejustashadedarkerthanherhair，andseemedmadeexpresslyforthoseviolet-blueeyes，whichasserttheirmostirresistiblecharmwhenassociatedwithafaircomplexion。Butitwashereexactlythatthepromiseofherfacefailedofperformanceinthemoststartlingmanner。Theeyes，whichshouldhavebeendark，wereincomprehensiblyanddiscordantlylight；theywereofthatnearlycolorlessgraywhich，thoughlittleattractiveinitself，possessestherarecompensatingmeritofinterpretingthefinestgradationsofthought，thegentlestchangesoffeeling，thedeepesttroubleofpassion，withasubtletransparencyofexpressionwhichnodarkereyescanrival。Thusquaintlyself-contradictoryintheupperpartofherface，shewashardlylessatvariancewithestablishedideasofharmonyinthelower。Herlipshadthetruefemininedelicacyofform，hercheeksthelovelyroundnessandsmoothnessofyouth——butthemouthwastoolargeandfirm，thechintoosquareandmassiveforhersexandage。Hercomplexionpartookofthepuremonotonyoftintwhichcharacterizedherhair——itwasofthesamesoft，warm，creamyfairnessallover，withoutatingeofcolorinthecheeks，exceptonoccasionsofunusualbodilyexertionorsuddenmentaldisturbance。Thewholecountenance——soremarkableinitsstronglyopposedcharacteristics——wasrenderedadditionallystrikingbyitsextraordinarymobility。Thelarge，electric，light-grayeyeswerehardlyeverinrepose；allvarietiesofexpressionfollowedeachotherovertheplastic，ever-changingface，withagiddyrapiditywhichleftsoberanalysisfarbehindintherace。Thegirl'sexuberantvitalityasserteditselfalloverher，fromheadtofoot。Herfigure——tallerthanhersister's，tallerthantheaverageofwoman'sheight；instinctwithsuchaseductive，serpentinesuppleness，solightlyandplayfullygraceful，thatitsmovementssuggested，notunnaturally，themovementsofayoungcat——herfigurewassoperfectlydevelopedalreadythatnoonewhosawhercouldhavesupposedthatshewasonlyeighteen。Shebloomedinthefullphysicalmaturityoftwentyyearsormore——bloomednaturallyandirresistibly，inrightofhermatchlesshealthandstrength。Here，intruth，laythemainspringofthisstrangely-constitutedorganization。Herheadlongcoursedownthehousestairs；thebriskactivityofallhermovements；theincessantsparkleofexpressioninherface；theenticinggayetywhichtooktheheartsofthequietestpeoplebystorm——eventherecklessdelightinbrightcolorswhichshoweditselfinherbrilliantly-stripedmorningdress，inherflutteringribbons，inthelargescarletrosettesonhersmartlittleshoes——allsprangalikefromthesamesource；fromtheoverflowingphysicalhealthwhichstrengthenedeverymuscle，bracedeverynerve，andsetthewarmyoungbloodtinglingthroughherveins，likethebloodofagrowingchild。
Onherentryintothebreakfast-room，shewassalutedwiththecustomaryremonstrancewhichherflightydisregardofallpunctualityhabituallyprovokedfromthelong-sufferinghouseholdauthorities。InMissGarth'sfavoritephrase，“Magdalenwasbornwithallthesenses——exceptasenseoforder。“
Magdalen！Itwasastrangenametohavegivenher？Strange，indeed；andyet，chosenundernoextraordinarycircumstances。ThenamehadbeenbornebyoneofMr。Vanstone'ssisters，whohaddiedinearlyyouth；and，inaffectionateremembranceofher，hehadcalledhisseconddaughterbyit——justashehadcalledhiseldestdaughterNorah，forhiswife'ssake。Magdalen！Surely，thegrandoldBiblename——suggestiveofasadandsomberdignity；recalling，initsfirstassociation，mournfulideasofpenitenceandseclusion——hadbeenhere，aseventshadturnedout，inappropriatelybestowed？Surely，thisself-contradictorygirlhadperverselyaccomplishedonecontradictionmore，bydevelopingintoacharacterwhichwasoutofallharmonywithherownChristianname！
“Lateagain！“saidMrs。Vanstone，asMagdalenbreathlesslykissedher。
“Lateagain！“chimedinMissGarth，whenMagdalencameherwaynext。“Well？“shewenton，takingthegirl'schinfamiliarlyinherhand，withahalf-satirical，half-fondattentionwhichbetrayedthattheyoungestdaughter，withallherfaults，wasthegoverness'sfavorite——“Well？andwhathastheconcertdoneforyou？Whatformofsufferinghasdissipationinflictedonyoursystemthismorning？“
“Suffering！“repeatedMagdalen，recoveringherbreath，andtheuseofhertonguewithit。“Idon'tknowthemeaningoftheword:ifthere'sanythingthematterwithme，I'mtoowell。Suffering！I'mreadyforanotherconcertto-night，andaballto-morrow，andaplaythedayafter。Oh，“criedMagdalen，droppingintoachairandcrossingherhandsrapturouslyonthetable，“howIdolikepleasure！“
“Come！that'sexplicitatanyrate，“saidMissGarth。“IthinkPopemusthavehadyouinhismindwhenhewrotehisfamouslines:“'Mensometobusiness，sometopleasuretake，
Buteverywomanisatheartarake。'“
“Thedeucesheis！“criedMr。Vanstone，enteringtheroomwhileMissGarthwasmakingherquotation，withthedogsathisheels。“Well；liveandlearn。Ifyou'reallrakes，MissGarth，thesexesareturnedtopsy-turvywithavengeance；andthemenwillhavenothingleftforitbuttostopathomeanddarnthestockings——Let'shavesomebreakfast。“
“How-d'ye-do，papa？“saidMagdalen，takingMr。VanstoneasboisterouslyroundtheneckasifhebelongedtosomelargerorderofNewfoundlanddog，andwasmadetoberompedwithathisdaughter'sconvenience。“I'mtherakeMissGarthmeans；andIwanttogotoanotherconcert——oraplay，ifyoulike——oraball，ifyoupreferit——oranythingelseinthewayofamusementthatputsmeintoanewdress，andplungesmeintoacrowdofpeople，andilluminatesmewithplentyoflight，andsetsmeinatingleofexcitementallover，fromheadtofoot。Anythingwilldo，aslongasitdoesn'tsendustobedateleveno'clock。“
Mr。Vanstonesatdowncomposedlyunderhisdaughter'sflowoflanguage，likeamanwhowaswellusedtoverbalinundationfromthatquarter。“IfIamtobeallowedmychoiceofamusementsnexttime，“saidtheworthygentleman，“Ithinkaplaywillsuitmebetterthanaconcert。Thegirlsenjoyedthemselvesamazingly，mydear，“hecontinued，addressinghiswife。“MorethanIdid，Imustsay。Itwasaltogetherabovemymark。Theyplayedonepieceofmusicwhichlastedfortyminutes。Itstoppedthreetimes，by-the-way；andweallthoughtitwasdoneeachtime，andclappedourhands，rejoicedtoberidofit。Butonitwentagain，toourgreatsurpriseandmortification，tillwegaveitupindespair，andallwishedourselvesatJericho。Norah，mydear！whenwehadcrash-bangforfortyminutes，withthreestoppagesby-the-way，whatdidtheycallit？“
“Asymphony，papa，“repliedNorah。
“Yes，youdarlingoldGoth，asymphonybythegreatBeethoven！“addedMagdalen。“Howcanyousayyouwerenotamused？Haveyouforgottentheyellow-lookingforeignwoman，withtheunpronounceablename？Don'tyourememberthefacesshemadewhenshesang？andthewayshecourtesiedandcourtesied，tillshecheatedthefoolishpeopleintocryingencore？Lookhere，mamma——lookhere，MissGarth！“
Shesnatchedupanemptyplatefromthetable，torepresentasheetofmusic，helditbeforeherintheestablishedconcert-roomposition，andproducedanimitationoftheunfortunatesinger'sgrimacesandcourtesyings，soaccuratelyandquaintlytruetotheoriginal，thatherfatherroaredwithlaughter；andeventhefootman(whocameinatthatmomentwiththepost-bag)rushedoutoftheroomagain，andcommittedtheindecorumofechoinghismasteraudiblyontheothersideofthedoor。
“Letters，papa。Iwantthekey，“saidMagdalen，passingfromtheimitationatthebreakfast-tabletothepost-bagonthesideboardwiththeeasyabruptnesswhichcharacterizedallheractions。
Mr。Vanstonesearchedhispocketsandshookhishead。Thoughhisyoungestdaughtermightresemblehiminnothingelse，itwaseasytoseewhereMagdalen'sunmethodicalhabitscamefrom。
“IdaresayIhaveleftitinthelibrary，alongwithmyotherkeys，“saidMr。Vanstone。“Goandlookforit，mydear。“
“YoureallyshouldcheckMagdalen，“pleadedMrs。Vanstone，addressingherhusbandwhenherdaughterhadlefttheroom。“Thosehabitsofmimicryaregrowingonher；andshespeakstoyouwithalevitywhichitispositivelyshockingtohear。“
“ExactlywhatIhavesaidmyself，tillIamtiredofrepeatingit，“remarkedMissGarth。“ShetreatsMr。Vanstoneasifhewasakindofyoungerbrotherofhers。“
“Youarekindtousineverythingelse，papa；andyoumakekindallowancesforMagdalen'shighspirits——don'tyou？“saidthequietNorah，takingherfather'spartandhersister'swithsolittleshowofresolutiononthesurfacethatfewobserverswouldhavebeensharpenoughtodetectthegenuinesubstancebeneathit。
“Thankyou，mydear，“saidgood-naturedMr。Vanstone。“Thankyouforaveryprettyspeech。AsforMagdalen，“hecontinued，addressinghiswifeandMissGarth，“she'sanunbrokenfilly。Lethercaperandkickinthepaddocktoherheart'scontent。Timeenoughtobreakhertoharnesswhenshegetsalittleolder。“
Thedooropened，andMagdalenreturnedwiththekey。Sheunlockedthepost-bagatthesideboardandpouredoutthelettersinaheap。Sortingthemgaylyinlessthanaminute，sheapproachedthebreakfast-tablewithbothhandsfull，anddeliveredthelettersallroundwiththebusiness-likerapidityofaLondonpostman。
“TwoforNorah，“sheannounced，beginningwithhersister。“ThreeforMissGarth。Noneformamma。Oneforme。Andtheothersixallforpapa。Youlazyolddarling，youhateansweringletters，don'tyou？“pursuedMagdalen，droppingthepostman'scharacterandassumingthedaughter's。“Howyouwillgrumbleandfidgetinthestudy！andhowyouwillwishtherewerenosuchthingsaslettersintheworld！andhowredyourniceoldbaldheadwillgetatthetopwiththeworryofwritingtheanswers；andhowmanyoftheanswersyouwillleaveuntiltomorrowafterall！TheBristolTheater'sopen，papa，“shewhispered，slylyandsuddenly，inherfather'sear；“IsawitinthenewspaperwhenIwenttothelibrarytogetthekey。Let'sgoto-morrownight！“
Whilehisdaughterwaschattering，Mr。Vanstonewasmechanicallysortinghisletters。Heturnedoverthefirstfourinsuccessionandlookedcarelesslyattheaddresses。Whenhecametothefifthhisattention，whichhadhithertowanderedtowardMagdalen，suddenlybecamefixedonthepost-markoftheletter。
Stoopingoverhim，withherheadonhisshoulder，Magdalencouldseethepost-markasplainlyasherfathersawit——NEWORLEANS。
“AnAmericanletter，papa！“shesaid。“WhodoyouknowatNewOrleans？“
Mrs。Vanstonestarted，andlookedeagerlyatherhusbandthemomentMagdalenspokethosewords。
Mr。Vanstonesaidnothing。Hequietlyremovedhisdaughter'sarmfromhisneck，asifhewishedtobefreefromallinterruption。Shereturned，accordingly，toherplaceatthebreakfast-table。Herfather，withtheletterinhishand，waitedalittlebeforeheopenedit；hermotherlookingathim，thewhile，withaneager，expectantattentionwhichattractedMissGarth'snotice，andNorah's，aswellasMagdalen's。
AfteraminuteormoreofhesitationMr。Vanstoneopenedtheletter。
Hisfacechangedcolortheinstanthereadthefirstlines；hischeeksfadingtoadull，yellow-brownhue，whichwouldhavebeenashypalenessinalessfloridman；andhisexpressionbecomingsaddenedandovercloudedinamoment。NorahandMagdalen，watchinganxiously，sawnothingbutthechangethatpassedovertheirfather。MissGarthaloneobservedtheeffectwhichthatchangeproducedontheattentivemistressofthehouse。
Itwasnottheeffectwhichshe，oranyone，couldhaveanticipated。Mrs。Vanstonelookedexcitedratherthanalarmed。Afaintflushroseonhercheeks——hereyesbrightened——shestirredthetearoundandroundinhercupinarestless，impatientmannerwhichwasnotnaturaltoher。
Magdalen，inhercapacityofspoiledchild，was，asusual，thefirsttobreakthesilence。
“Whatisthematter，papa？“sheasked。
“Nothing，“saidMr。Vanstone，sharply，withoutlookingupather。
“I'msuretheremustbesomething，“persistedMagdalen。“I'msurethereisbadnews，papa，inthatAmericanletter。“
“Thereisnothingintheletterthatconcernsyou，“saidMr。Vanstone。
ItwasthefirstdirectrebuffthatMagdalenhadeverreceivedfromherfather。Shelookedathimwithanincreduloussurprise，whichwouldhavebeenirresistiblyabsurdunderlessseriouscircumstances。
Nothingmorewassaid。Forthefirsttime，perhaps，intheirlives，thefamilysatroundthebreakfast-tableinpainfulsilence。Mr。Vanstone'sheartymorningappetite，likehisheartymorningspirits，wasgone。Heabsentlybrokeoffsomemorselsofdrytoastfromtheracknearhim，absentlyfinishedhisfirstcupoftea——thenaskedforasecond，whichheleftbeforehimuntouched。
“Norah，“hesaid，afteraninterval，“youneedn'twaitforme。Magdalen，mydear，youcangowhenyoulike。“
Hisdaughtersroseimmediately；andMissGarthconsideratelyfollowedtheirexample。Whenaneasy-temperedmandoesasserthimselfinhisfamily，therarityofthedemonstrationinvariablyhasitseffect；andthewillofthateasy-temperedmanisLaw。
“Whatcanhavehappened？“whisperedNorah，astheyclosedthebreakfast-roomdoorandcrossedthehall。
“WhatdoespapameanbybeingcrosswithMe？“exclaimedMagdalen，chafingunderasenseofherowninjuries。
“MayIask——whatrightyouhadtopryintoyourfather'sprivateaffairs？“retortedMissGarth。
“Right？“repeatedMagdalen。“Ihavenosecretsfrompapa——whatbusinesshaspapatohavesecretsfromme！Iconsidermyselfinsulted。“
“Ifyouconsideredyourselfproperlyreprovedfornotmindingyourownbusiness，“saidtheplain-spokenMissGarth，“youwouldbeatriflenearerthetruth。Ah！youarelikealltherestofthegirlsinthepresentday。Notoneinahundredofyouknowswhichendofher'suppermost。“
Thethreeladiesenteredthemorning-room；andMagdalenacknowledgedMissGarth'sreproofbybangingthedoor。
Halfanhourpassed，andneitherMr。Vanstonenorhiswifeleftthebreakfast-room。Theservant，ignorantofwhathadhappened，wentintoclearthetable——foundhismasterandmistressseatedclosetogetherindeepconsultation——andimmediatelywentoutagain。Anotherquarterofanhourelapsedbeforethebreakfast-roomdoorwasopened，andtheprivateconferenceofthehusbandandwifecametoanend。
“Ihearmammainthehall，“saidNorah。“Perhapssheiscomingtotellussomething。“
Mrs。Vanstoneenteredthemorning-roomasherdaughterspoke。Thecolorwasdeeperonhercheeks，andthebrightnessofhalf-driedtearsglistenedinhereyes；herstepwasmorehasty，allhermovementswerequickerthanusual。
“Ibringnews，mydears，whichwillsurpriseyou，“shesaid，addressingherdaughters。“YourfatherandIaregoingtoLondonto-morrow。“
Magdalencaughthermotherbythearminspeechlessastonishment。MissGarthdroppedherworkonherlap；eventhesedateNorahstartedtoherfeet，andamazedlyrepeatedthewords，“GoingtoLondon！“
“Withoutus？“addedMagdalen。
“YourfatherandIaregoingalone，“saidMrs。Vanstone。“Perhaps，foraslongasthreeweeks——butnotlonger。Wearegoing“——shehesitated——“wearegoingonimportantfamilybusiness。Don'tholdme，Magdalen。Thisisasuddennecessity——Ihaveagreatdealtodoto-day——manythingstosetinorderbeforetomorrow。There，there，mylove，letmego。“
Shedrewherarmaway；hastilykissedheryoungestdaughterontheforehead；andatoncelefttheroomagain。EvenMagdalensawthathermotherwasnottobecoaxedintohearingoransweringanymorequestions。
Themorningworeon，andnothingwasseenofMr。Vanstone。Withtherecklesscuriosityofherageandcharacter，Magdalen，indefianceofMissGarth'sprohibitionandhersister'sremonstrances，determinedtogotothe，studyandlookforherfatherthere。Whenshetriedthedoor，itwaslockedontheinside。Shesaid，“It'sonlyme，papa；“andwaitedfortheanswer。“I'mbusynow，mydear，“wastheanswer。“Don'tdisturbme。“
Mrs。Vanstonewas，inanotherway，equallyinaccessible。Sheremainedinherownroom，withthefemaleservantsabouther，immersedinendlesspreparationsfortheapproachingdeparture。Theservants，littleusedinthatfamilytosuddenresolutionsandunexpectedorders，wereawkwardandconfusedinobeyingdirections。Theyranfromroomtoroomunnecessarily，andlosttimeandpatienceinjostlingeachotheronthestairs。Ifastrangerhadenteredthehousethatday，hemighthaveimaginedthatanunexpecteddisasterhadhappenedinit，insteadofanunexpectednecessityforajourneytoLondon。Nothingproceededinitsordinaryroutine。Magdalen，whowasaccustomedtopassthemorningatthepiano，wanderedrestlesslyaboutthestaircasesandpassages，andinandoutofdoorswhentherewereglimpsesoffineweather。Norah，whosefondnessforreadinghadpassedintoafamilyproverb，tookupbookafterbookfromtableandshelf，andlaidthemdownagain，indespairoffixingherattention。EvenMissGarthfelttheall-pervadinginfluenceofthehouseholddisorganization，andsatalonebythemorning-roomfire，withherheadshakingominously，andherworklaidaside。
“Familyaffairs？“thoughtMissGarth，ponderingoverMrs。Vanstone'svagueexplanatorywords。“IhavelivedtwelveyearsatCombe-Raven；andthesearethefirstfamilyaffairswhichhavegotbetweentheparentsandthechildren，inallmyexperience。Whatdoesitmean？Change？IsupposeI'mgettingold。Idon'tlikechange。“
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter2CHAPTERII。
ATteno'clockthenextmorningNorahandMagdalenstoodaloneinthehallatCombe-RavenwatchingthedepartureofthecarriagewhichtooktheirfatherandmothertotheLondontrain。
Uptothelastmoment，boththesistershadhopedforsomeexplanationofthatmysterious“familybusiness“towhichMrs。Vanstonehadsobrieflyalludedonthepreviousday。Nosuchexplanationhadbeenoffered。Eventheagitationoftheleave-taking，undercircumstancesentirelynewinthehomeexperienceoftheparentsandchildren，hadnotshakentheresolutediscretionofMr。andMrs。Vanstone。Theyhadgone——withthewarmesttestimoniesofaffection，withfarewellembracesferventlyreiteratedagainandagain——butwithoutdroppingoneword，fromfirsttolast，ofthenatureoftheirerrand。
Asthegratingsoundofthecarriage-wheelsceasedsuddenlyataturnintheroad，thesisterslookedoneanotherintheface；eachfeeling，andeachbetrayinginherownway，thedrearysensethatshewasopenlyexcluded，forthefirsttime，fromtheconfidenceofherparents。Norah'scustomaryreservestrengthenedintosullensilence——shesatdowninoneofthehallchairsandlookedoutfrowninglythroughtheopenhousedoor。Magdalen，asusualwhenhertemperwasruffled，expressedherdissatisfactionintheplainestterms。“Idon'tcarewhoknowsit——Ithinkwearebothofusshamefullyill-used！“Withthosewords，theyoungladyfollowedhersister'sexamplebyseatingherselfonahallchairandlookingaimlesslyoutthroughtheopenhousedoor。
AlmostatthesamemomentMissGarthenteredthehallfromthemorning-room。Herquickobservationshowedherthenecessityforinterferingtosomepracticalpurpose；andherreadygoodsenseatoncepointedtheway。
“Lookup，bothofyou，ifyouplease，andlistentome，“saidMissGarth。“Ifweareallthreetobecomfortableandhappytogether，nowwearealone，wemuststicktoourusualhabitsandgooninourregularway。Thereisthestateofthingsinplainwords。Acceptthesituation——astheFrenchsay。HereamItosetyoutheexample。Ihavejustorderedanexcellentdinneratthecustomaryhour。Iamgoingtothemedicine-chestnext，tophysicthekitchen-maid——anunwholesomegirl，whoseface-acheisallstomach。Inthemeantime，Norah，mydear，youwillfindyourworkandyourbooks，asusual，inthelibrary。Magdalen，supposeyouleaveofftyingyourhandkerchiefintoknotsanduseyourfingersonthekeysofthepianoinstead？We'lllunchatone，andtakethedogsoutafterward。BeasbriskandcheerfulbothofyouasIam。Come，rouseupdirectly。IfIseethosegloomyfacesanylonger，assureasmyname'sGarth，I'llgiveyourmotherwrittenwarningandgobacktomyfriendsbythemixedtrainattwelveforty。“
Concludingheraddressofexpostulationinthoseterms，MissGarthledNorahtothelibrarydoor，pushedMagdalenintothemorning-room，andwentonherownwaysternlytotheregionsofthemedicine-chest。
Inthishalf-jesting，half-earnestmannershewasaccustomedtomaintainasortoffriendlyauthorityoverMr。Vanstone'sdaughters，afterherproperfunctionsasgovernesshadnecessarilycometoanend。Norah，itisneedlesstosay，hadlongsinceceasedtobeherpupil；andMagdalenhad，bythistime，completedhereducation。ButMissGarthhadlivedtoolongandtoointimatelyunderMr。Vanstone'srooftobepartedwithforanypurelyformalconsiderations；andthefirsthintatgoingawaywhichshehadthoughtitherdutytodropwasdismissedwithsuchaffectionatewarmthofprotestthatsheneverrepeateditagain，exceptinjest。Theentiremanagementofthehouseholdwas，fromthattimeforth，leftinherhands；andtothosedutiesshewasfreetoaddwhatcompanionableassistanceshecouldrendertoNorah'sreading，andwhatfriendlysuperintendenceshecouldstillexerciseoverMagdalen'smusic。SuchwerethetermsonwhichMissGarthwasnowaresidentinMr。Vanstone'sfamily。
Towardtheafternoontheweatherimproved。Athalf-pastonethesunwasshiningbrightly；andtheladiesleftthehouse，accompaniedbythedogs，tosetforthontheirwalk。
Theycrossedthestream，andascendedbythelittlerockypasstothehillsbeyond；thendivergedtotheleft，andreturnedbyacross-roadwhichledthroughthevillageofCombe-Raven。
Astheycameinsightofthefirstcottages，theypassedaman，hangingabouttheroad，wholookedattentively，firstatMagdalen，thenatNorah。Theymerelyobservedthathewasshort，thathewasdressedinblack，andthathewasatotalstrangertothem——andcontinuedtheirhomewardwalk，withoutthinkingmoreabouttheloiteringfoot-passengerwhomtheyhadmetontheirwayback。
Aftertheyhadleftthevillage，andhadenteredtheroadwhichledstraighttothehouse，MagdalensurprisedMissGarthbyannouncingthatthestrangerinblackhadturned，aftertheyhadpassedhim，andwasnowfollowingthem。“HekeepsonNorah'ssideoftheroad，“shesaid，mischievously。“I'mnottheattraction——don'tblameme。“
Whetherthemanwasreallyfollowingthem，ornot，madelittledifference，fortheywerenowclosetothehouse。Astheypassedthroughthelodge-gates，MissGarthlookedround，andsawthatthestrangerwasquickeninghispace，apparentlywiththepurposeofenteringintoconversation。Seeingthis，sheatoncedirectedtheyoungladiestogoontothehousewiththedogs，whilesheherselfwaitedforeventsatthegate。
Therewasjusttimetocompletethisdiscreetarrangement，beforethestrangerreachedthelodge。HetookoffhishattoMissGarthpolitely，assheturnedround。Whatdidhelooklike，onthefaceofhim？Helookedlikeaclergymanindifficulties。
Takinghisportrait，fromtoptotoe，thepictureofhimbeganwithatallhat，broadlyencircledbyamourningbandofcrumpledcrape。Belowthehatwasalean，long，sallowface，deeplypittedwiththesmallpox，andcharacterized，veryremarkably，byeyesoftwodifferentcolors——onebiliousgreen，onebiliousbrown，bothsharplyintelligent。Hishairwasiron-gray，carefullybrushedroundatthetemples。Hischeeksandchinwereinthebluestbloomofsmoothshaving；hisnosewasshortRoman；hislipslong，thin，andsupple，curledupatthecornerswithamildly-humoroussmile。Hiswhitecravatwashigh，stiff，anddingy；thecollar，higher，stiffer，anddingier，projecteditsrigidpointsoneithersidebeyondhischin。Lowerdown，thelithelittlefigureofthemanwasarrayedthroughoutinsober-shabbyblack。Hisfrock-coatwasbuttonedtightroundthewaist，andlefttobulgeopenmajesticallyatthechest。Hishandswerecoveredwithblackcottonglovesneatlydarnedatthefingers；hisumbrella，worndownattheferuletothelastquarterofaninch，wascarefullypreserved，nevertheless，inanoilskincase。Thefrontviewofhimwastheviewinwhichhelookedoldest；meetinghimfacetoface，hemighthavebeenestimatedatfiftyormore。Walkingbehindhim，hisbackandshoulderswerealmostyoungenoughtohavepassedforfive-and-thirty。Hismannersweredistinguishedbyagraveserenity。Whenheopenedhislips，hespokeinarichbassvoice，withaneasyflowoflanguage，andastrictattentiontotheelocutionaryclaimsofwordsinmorethanonesyllable。Persuasiondistilledfromhismildly-curlinglips；and，shabbyashewas，perennialflowersofcourtesybloomedalloverhimfromheadtofoot。
“ThisistheresidenceofMr。Vanstone，Ibelieve？“hebegan，withacircularwaveofhishandinthedirectionofthehouse。“HaveIthehonorofaddressingamemberofMr。Vanstone'sfamily？“
“Yes，“saidtheplain-spokenMissGarth。“YouareaddressingMr。Vanstone'sgoverness。“
Thepersuasivemanfellbackastep——admiredMr。Vanstone'sgoverness——advancedastepagain——andcontinuedtheconversation。
“Andthetwoyoungladies，“hewenton，“thetwoyoungladieswhowerewalkingwithyouaredoubtlessMr。Vanstone'sdaughters？Irecognizedthedarkerofthetwo，andtheelderasIapprehend，byherlikenesstoherhandsomemother。Theyoungerlady——“
“YouareacquaintedwithMrs。Vanstone，Isuppose？“saidMissGarth，interruptingthestranger'sflowoflanguage，which，allthingsconsidered，wasbeginning，inheropinion，toflowratherfreely。Thestrangeracknowledgedtheinterruptionbyoneofhispolitebows，andsubmergedMissGarthinhisnextsentenceasifnothinghadhappened。
“Theyoungerlady，“heproceeded，“takesafterherfather，Ipresume？Iassureyou，herfacestruckme。Lookingatitwithmyfriendlyinterestinthefamily，Ithoughtitveryremarkable。Isaidtomyself——Charming，Characteristic，Memorable。Notlikehersister，notlikehermother。Nodoubt，theimageofherfather？“
OncemoreMissGarthattemptedtostemtheman'sflowofwords。ItwasplainthathedidnotknowMr。Vanstone，evenbysight——otherwisehewouldneverhavecommittedtheerrorofsupposingthatMagdalentookafterherfather。DidheknowMrs。Vanstoneanybetter？HehadleftMissGarth'squestiononthatpointunanswered。Inthenameofwonder，whowashe？Powersofimpudence！whatdidhewant？
“Youmaybeafriendofthefamily，thoughIdon'trememberyourface，“saidMissGarth。“Whatmayyourcommandsbe，ifyouplease？DidyoucomeheretopayMrs。Vanstoneavisit？“
“IhadanticipatedthepleasureofcommunicatingwithMrs。Vanstone，“answeredthisinveteratelyevasiveandinveteratelycivilman。“Howisshe？“
“Muchasusual，“saidMissGarth，feelingherresourcesofpolitenessfastfailingher。
“Issheathome？“
“No。“
“Outforlong？“
“GonetoLondonwithMr。Vanstone。“
Theman'slongfacesuddenlygrewlonger。Hisbiliousbrowneyelookeddisconcerted，andhisbiliousgreeneyefolloweditsexample。Hismannerbecamepalpablyanxious；andhischoiceofwordswasmorecarefullyselectedthanever。
“IsMrs。Vanstone'sabsencelikelytoextendoveranyverylengthenedperiod？“heinquired。
“Itwillextendoverthreeweeks，“repliedMissGarth。“Ithinkyouhavenowaskedmequestionsenough，“shewenton，beginningtolethertempergetthebetterofheratlast。“Besogood，ifyouplease，astomentionyourbusinessandyourname。IfyouhaveanymessagetoleaveforMrs。Vanstone，Ishallbewritingtoherbyto-night'spost，andIcantakechargeofit。“
“Athousandthanks！Amostvaluablesuggestion。Permitmetotakeadvantageofitimmediately。“
HewasnotintheleastaffectedbytheseverityofMissGarth'slooksandlanguage——hewassimplyrelievedbyherproposal，andheshoweditwiththemostengagingsincerity。Thistimehisbiliousgreeneyetooktheinitiative，andsethisbiliousbrowneyetheexampleofrecoveredserenity。Hiscurlinglipstookanewtwistupward；hetuckedhisumbrellabrisklyunderhisarm；andproducedfromthebreastofhiscoatalargeold-fashionedblackpocketbook。Fromthishetookapencilandacard——hesitatedandconsideredforamoment——wroterapidlyonthecard——andplacedit，withthepolitestalacrity，inMissGarth'shand。
“Ishallfeelpersonallyobligedifyouwillhonormebyinclosingthatcardinyourletter，“hesaid。Thereisnonecessityformytroublingyouadditionallywithamessage。MynamewillbequitesufficienttorecallalittlefamilymattertoMrs。Vanstone，whichhasnodoubtescapedhermemory。Acceptmybestthanks。Thishasbeenadayofagreeablesurprisestome。Ihavefoundthecountryhereaboutsremarkablypretty；IhaveseenMrs。Vanstone'stwocharmingdaughters；IhavebecomeacquaintedwithanhonoredpreceptressinMr。Vanstone'sfamily。Icongratulatemyself——Iapologizeforoccupyingyourvaluabletime——Ibegmyrenewedacknowledgments——Iwishyougood-morning。“
Heraisedhistallhat。Hisbrowneyetwinkled，hisgreeneyetwinkled，hiscurlylipssmiledsweetly。Inamomentheturnedonhisheel。Hisyouthfulbackappearedtothebestadvantage；hisactivelittlelegstookhimawaytrippinglyinthedirectionofthevillage。One，two，three——andhereachedtheturnintheroad。Four，five，six——andhewasgone。
MissGarthlookeddownatthecardinherhand，andlookedupagaininblankastonishment。Thenameandaddressoftheclerical-lookingstranger(bothwritteninpencil)ranasfollows:
CaptainWragge。Post-office，Bristol。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter3CHAPTERIII。
WHENshereturnedtothehouse，MissGarthmadenoattempttoconcealherunfavorableopinionofthestrangerinblack。Hisobjectwas，nodoubt，toobtainpecuniaryassistancefromMrs。Vanstone。Whatthenatureofhisclaimonhermightbeseemedlessintelligible——unlessitwastheclaimofapoorrelation。HadMrs。Vanstoneevermentioned，inthepresenceofherdaughters，thenameofCaptainWragge？Neitherofthemrecollectedtohavehearditbefore。HadMrs。Vanstoneeverreferredtoanypoorrelationswhoweredependentonher？Onthecontraryshehadmentionedoflateyearsthatshedoubtedhavinganyrelationsatallwhowerestillliving。AndyetCaptainWraggehadplainlydeclaredthatthenameonhiscardwouldrecall“afamilymatter“toMrs。Vanstone'smemory。Whatdiditmean？Afalsestatement，onthestranger'spart，withoutanyintelligiblereasonformakingit？Orasecondmystery，followingcloseontheheelsofthemysteriousjourneytoLondon？
Alltheprobabilitiesseemedtopointtosomehiddenconnectionbetweenthe“familyaffairs“whichhadtakenMr。andMrs。Vanstonesosuddenlyfromhomeandthe“familymatter“associatedwiththenameofCaptainWragge。MissGarth'sdoubtsthrongedbackirresistiblyonhermindasshesealedherlettertoMrs。Vanstone，withthecaptain'scardaddedbywayofinclosure。
Byreturnofposttheanswerarrived。
Alwaystheearliestriseramongtheladiesofthehouse，MissGarthwasaloneinthebreakfast-roomwhentheletterwasbroughtin。Herfirstglanceatitscontentsconvincedherofthenecessityofreadingitcarefullythroughinretirement，beforeanyembarrassingquestionscouldbeputtoher。LeavingamessagewiththeservantrequestingNorahtomaketheteathatmorning，shewentupstairsatoncetothesolitudeandsecurityofherownroom。
Mrs。Vanstone'sletterextendedtosomelength。ThefirstpartofitreferredtoCaptainWragge，andenteredunreservedlyintoallnecessaryexplanationsrelatingtothemanhimselfandtothemotivewhichhadbroughthimtoCombe-Raven。
ItappearedfromMrs。Vanstone'sstatementthathermotherhadbeentwicemarried。Hermother'sfirsthusbandhadbeenacertainDoctorWragge——awidowerwithyoungchildren；andoneofthosechildrenwasnowtheunmilitary-lookingcaptain，whoseaddresswas“Post-office，Bristol。“Mrs。Wraggehadleftnofamilybyherfirsthusband；andhadafterwardmarriedMrs。Vanstone'sfather。OfthatsecondmarriageMrs。Vanstoneherselfwastheonlyissue。Shehadlostbothherparentswhileshewasstillayoungwoman；and，incourseofyears，hermother'sfamilyconnections(whowerethenhernearestsurvivingrelatives)hadbeenoneafteranotherremovedbydeath。Shewasleft，atthepresentwriting，withoutarelationintheworld——excepting，perhaps，certaincousinswhomshehadneverseen，andofwhoseexistenceeven，atthepresentmoment，shepossessednopositiveknowledge。
Underthesecircumstances，whatfamilyclaimhadCaptainWraggeonMrs。Vanstone？
Nonewhatever。Asthesonofhermother'sfirsthusband，bythathusband'sfirstwife，noteventhewideststretchofcourtesycouldhaveincludedhimatanytimeinthelistofMrs。Vanstone'smostdistantrelations。Wellknowingthis(theletterproceededtosay)，hehadneverthelesspersistedinforcinghimselfuponherasaspeciesoffamilyconnection:andshehadweaklysanctionedtheintrusion，solelyfromthedreadthathewouldotherwiseintroducehimselftoMr。Vanstone'snotice，andtakeunblushingadvantageofMr。Vanstone'sgenerosity。Shrinking，naturally，fromallowingherhusbandtobeannoyed，andprobablycheatedaswell，byanypersonwhoclaimed，howeverpreposterously，afamilyconnectionwithherself，ithadbeenherpractice，formanyyearspast，toassistthecaptainfromherownpurse，ontheconditionthatheshouldnevercomenearthehouse，andthatheshouldnotpresumetomakeanyapplicationwhatevertoMr。Vanstone。
Readilyadmittingtheimprudenceofthiscourse，Mrs。Vanstonefurtherexplainedthatshehadperhapsbeenthemoreinclinedtoadoptitthroughhavingbeenalwaysaccustomed，inherearlydays，toseethecaptainlivingnowupononemember，andnowuponanother，ofhermother'sfamily。Possessedofabilitieswhichmighthaveraisedhimtodistinctioninalmostanycareerthathecouldhavechosen，hehadnevertheless，fromhisyouthupward，beenadisgracetoallhisrelatives。Hehadbeenexpelledthemilitiaregimentinwhichheonceheldacommission。Hehadtriedoneemploymentafteranother，andhaddiscreditablyfailedinall。Hehadlivedonhiswits，inthelowestandbasestmeaningofthephrase。Hehadmarriedapoorignorantwoman，whohadservedasawaitressatsomeloweating-house，whohadunexpectedlycomeintoalittlemoney，andwhosesmallinheritancehehadmercilesslysquanderedtothelastfarthing。Inplainterms，hewasanincorrigiblescoundrel；andhehadnowaddedonemoretothelistofhismanymisdemeanorsbyimpudentlybreakingtheconditionsonwhichMrs。Vanstonehadhithertoassistedhim。Shehadwrittenatoncetotheaddressindicatedonhiscard，insuchtermsandtosuchpurposeaswouldpreventhim，shehopedandbelieved，fromeverventuringnearthehouseagain。SuchwerethetermsinwhichMrs。VanstoneconcludedthatfirstpartofherletterwhichreferredexclusivelytoCaptainWragge。
AlthoughthestatementthuspresentedimpliedaweaknessinMrs。Vanstone'scharacterwhichMissGarth，aftermanyyearsofintimateexperience，hadneverdetected，sheacceptedtheexplanationasamatterofcourse；receivingitallthemorereadilyinasmuchasitmight，withoutimpropriety，becommunicatedinsubstancetoappeasetheirritatedcuriosityofthetwoyoungladies。Forthisreasonespeciallysheperusedthefirsthalfoftheletterwithanagreeablesenseofrelief。Fardifferentwastheimpressionproducedonherwhensheadvancedtothesecondhalf，andwhenshehadreadittotheend。
ThesecondpartoftheletterwasdevotedtothesubjectofthejourneytoLondon。
Mrs。VanstonebeganbyreferringtothelongandintimatefriendshipwhichhadexistedbetweenMissGarthandherself。Shenowfeltitduetothatfriendshiptoexplainconfidentiallythemotivewhichhadinducedhertoleavehomewithherhusband。MissGarthhaddelicatelyrefrainedfromshowingit，butshemustnaturallyhavefelt，andmuststillbefeeling，greatsurpriseatthemysteryinwhichtheirdeparturehadbeeninvolved；andshemustdoubtlesshaveaskedherselfwhyMrs。Vanstoneshouldhavebeenassociatedwithfamilyaffairswhich(inherindependentpositionastorelatives)mustnecessarilyconcernMr。Vanstonealone。
Withouttouchingonthoseaffairs，whichitwasneitherdesirablenornecessarytodo，Mrs。VanstonethenproceededtosaythatshewouldatoncesetallMissGarth'sdoubtsatrest，sofarastheyrelatedtoherself，byoneplainacknowledgment。HerobjectinaccompanyingherhusbandtoLondonwastoseeacertaincelebratedphysician，andtoconsulthimprivatelyonaverydelicateandanxiousmatterconnectedwiththestateofherhealth。Inplainertermsstill，thisanxiousmattermeantnothinglessthanthepossibilitythatshemightagainbecomeamother。
Whenthedoubthadfirstsuggesteditselfshehadtreateditasameredelusion。Thelongintervalthathadelapsedsincethebirthofherlastchild；theseriousillnesswhichhadafflictedherafterthedeathofthatchildininfancy；thetimeoflifeatwhichshehadnowarrived——allinclinedhertodismisstheideaassoonasitaroseinhermind。Ithadreturnedagainandagaininspiteofher。Shehadfeltthenecessityofconsultingthehighestmedicalauthority；andhadshrunk，atthesametime，fromalarmingherdaughtersbysummoningaLondonphysiciantothehouse。Themedicalopinion，soughtunderthecircumstancesalreadymentioned，hadnowbeenobtained。Herdoubtwasconfirmedasacertainty；andtheresult，whichmightbeexpectedtotakeplacetowardtheendofthesummer，was，atherageandwithherconstitutionalpeculiarities，asubjectforseriousfutureanxiety，tosaytheleastofit。Thephysicianhaddonehisbesttoencourageher；butshehadunderstoodthedriftofhisquestionsmoreclearlythanhesupposed，andsheknewthathelookedtothefuturewithmorethanordinarydoubt。
Havingdisclosedtheseparticulars，Mrs。Vanstonerequestedthattheymightbekeptasecretbetweenhercorrespondentandherself。ShehadfeltunwillingtomentionhersuspicionstoMissGarth，untilthosesuspicionshadbeenconfirmed——andshenowrecoiled，withevengreaterreluctance，fromallowingherdaughterstobeinanywayalarmedabouther。Itwouldbebesttodismissthesubjectforthepresent，andtowaithopefullytillthesummercame。Inthemeantimetheywouldall，shetrusted，behappilyreunitedonthetwenty-thirdofthemonth，whichMr。Vanstonehadfixedonasthedayfortheirreturn。Withthisintimation，andwiththecustomarymessages，theletter，abruptlyandconfusedly，cametoanend。
Forthefirstfewminutes，anaturalsympathyforMrs。VanstonewastheonlyfeelingofwhichMissGarthwasconsciousaftershehadlaidtheletterdown。Erelong，however，thereroseobscurelyonhermindadoubtwhichperplexedanddistressedher。Wastheexplanationwhichshehadjustreadreallyassatisfactoryandascompleteasitprofessedtobe？Testingitplainlybyfacts，surelynot。
Onthemorningofherdeparture，Mrs。Vanstonehadunquestionablyleftthehouseingoodspirits。Atherage，andinherstateofhealth，weregoodspiritscompatiblewithsuchanerrandtoaphysicianastheerrandonwhichshewasbent？Then，again，hadthatletterfromNewOrleans，whichhadnecessitatedMr。Vanstone'sdeparture，noshareinoccasioninghiswife'sdepartureaswell？Why，otherwise，hadshelookedupsoeagerlythemomentherdaughtermentionedthepostmark。Grantingtheavowedmotiveforherjourney——didnothermanner，onthemorningwhentheletterwasopened，andagainonthemorningofdeparture，suggesttheexistenceofsomeothermotivewhichherletterkeptconcealed？
Ifitwasso，theconclusionthatfollowedwasaverydistressingone。Mrs。Vanstone，feelingwhatwasduetoherlongfriendshipwithMissGarth，hadapparentlyplacedthefullestconfidenceinher，ononesubject，bywayofunsuspiciouslymaintainingthestrictestreservetowardheronanother。Naturallyfrankandstraightforwardinallherowndealings，MissGarthshrankfromplainlypursuingherdoubtstothisresult:awantofloyaltytowardhertriedandvaluedfriendseemedimpliedinthemeredawningofitonhermind。
Shelockeduptheletterinherdesk；rousedherselfresolutelytoattendtothepassinginterestsoftheday；andwentdownstairsagaintothebreakfast-room。Amidmanyuncertainties，thisatleastwasclear，Mr。andMrs。Vanstonewerecomingbackonthetwenty-thirdofthemonth。Whocouldsaywhatnewrevelationsmightnotcomebackwiththem？
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter4CHAPTERIV。
Nonewrevelationscamebackwiththem:noanticipationsassociatedwiththeirreturnwererealized。OntheoneforbiddensubjectoftheirerrandinLondon，therewasnomovingeitherthemasterorthemistressofthehouse。Whatevertheirobjectmighthavebeen，theyhadtoallappearancesuccessfullyaccomplishedit——fortheybothreturnedinperfectpossessionoftheirevery-daylooksandmanners。Mrs。Vanstone'sspiritshadsubsidedtotheirnaturalquietlevel；Mr。Vanstone'simperturbablecheerfulnesssataseasilyandindolentlyonhimasusual。Thiswastheonenoticeableresultoftheirjourney——this，andnomore。Hadthehouseholdrevolutionrunitscoursealready？Wasthesecretthusfarhiddenimpenetrably，hiddenforever？
Nothinginthisworldishiddenforever。Thegoldwhichhaslainforcenturiesunsuspectedintheground，revealsitselfonedayonthesurface。Sandturnstraitor，andbetraysthefootstepthathaspassedoverit；watergivesbacktothetell-talesurfacethebodythathasbeendrowned。Fireitselfleavestheconfession，inashes，ofthesubstanceconsumedinit。Hatebreaksitsprison-secrecyinthethoughts，throughthedoorwayoftheeyes；andLovefindstheJudaswhobetraysitbyakiss。Lookwherewewill，theinevitablelawofrevelationisoneofthelawsofnature:thelastingpreservationofasecretisamiraclewhichtheworldhasneveryetseen。
HowwasthesecretnowhiddeninthehouseholdatCombe-Ravendoomedtodiscloseitself？Throughwhatcomingeventinthedailylivesofthefather，themother，andthedaughters，wasthelawofrevelationdestinedtobreakthefatalwaytodiscovery？Thewayopened(unseenbytheparents，andunsuspectedbythechildren)throughthefirsteventthathappenedafterMr。andMrs。Vanstone'sreturn——aneventwhichpresented，onthesurfaceofit，nointerestofgreaterimportancethanthetrivialsocialceremonyofamorningcall。
ThreedaysafterthemasterandmistressofCombe-Ravenhadcomeback，thefemalemembersofthefamilyhappenedtobeassembledtogetherinthemorning-room。Theviewfromthewindowslookedovertheflower-gardenandshrubbery；thislastbeingprotectedatitsoutwardextremitybyafence，andapproachedfromthelanebeyondbyawicket-gate。Duringanintervalintheconversation，theattentionoftheladieswassuddenlyattractedtothisgate，bythesharpsoundoftheironlatchfallinginitssocket。Someonehadenteredtheshrubberyfromthelane；andMagdalenatonceplacedherselfatthewindowtocatchthefirstsightofthevisitorthroughthetrees。
Afterafewminutes，thefigureofagentlemanbecamevisible，atthepointwheretheshrubberypathjoinedthewindinggarden-walkwhichledtothehouse。Magdalenlookedathimattentively，withoutappearing，atfirst，toknowwhohewas。Ashecamenearer，however，shestartedinastonishment；and，turningquicklytohermotherandsister，proclaimedthegentlemaninthegardentobenootherthan“Mr。FrancisClare。“
ThevisitorthusannouncedwasthesonofMr。Vanstone'soldestassociateandnearestneighbor。
Mr。Claretheelderinhabitedanunpretendinglittlecottage，situatedjustoutsidetheshrubberyfencewhichmarkedthelimitoftheCombe-Ravengrounds。Belongingtotheyoungerbranchofafamilyofgreatantiquity，theoneinheritanceofimportancethathehadderivedfromhisancestorswasthepossessionofamagnificentlibrary，whichnotonlyfilledalltheroomsinhismodestlittledwelling，butlinedthestaircasesandpassagesaswell。Mr。Clare'sbooksrepresentedtheoneimportantinterestofMr。Clare'slife。Hehadbeenawidowerformanyyearspast，andmadenosecretofhisphilosophicalresignationtothelossofhiswife。Asafather，heregardedhisfamilyofthreesonsinthelightofanecessarydomesticevil，whichperpetuallythreatenedthesanctityofhisstudyandthesafetyofhisbooks。Whentheboyswenttoschool，Mr。Claresaid“good-by“tothem——and“thankGod“tohimself。Asforhissmallincome，andhisstillsmallerdomesticestablishment，helookedatthembothfromthesamesatiricallyindifferentpointofview。Hecalledhimselfapauperwithapedigree。Heabandonedtheentiredirectionofhishouseholdtotheslatternlyoldwomanwhowashisonlyservant，ontheconditionthatshewasnevertoventurenearhisbooks，withadusterinherhand，fromoneyear'sendtotheother。HisfavoritepoetswereHoraceandPope；hischosenphilosophers，HobbesandVoltaire。Hetookhisexerciseandhisfreshairunderprotest；andalwayswalkedthesamedistancetoayard，ontheugliesthigh-roadintheneighborhood。Hewascrookedofback，andquickoftemper。Hecoulddigestradishes，andsleepaftergreentea。HisviewsofhumannatureweretheviewsofDiogenes，temperedbyRochefoucauld；hispersonalhabitswereslovenlyinthelastdegree；andhisfavoriteboastwasthathehadoutlivedallhumanprejudices。
Suchwasthissingularman，inhismoresuperficialaspects。Whatnoblerqualitieshemightpossessbelowthesurface，noonehadeverdiscovered。Mr。Vanstone，itistrue，stoutlyassertedthat“Mr。Clare'sworstsidewashisoutside“——butinthisexpressionofopinionhestoodaloneamonghisneighbors。Theassociationbetweenthesetwowidely-dissimilarmenhadlastedformanyyears，andwasalmostcloseenoughtobecalledafriendship。Theyhadacquiredahabitofmeetingtosmoketogetheroncertaineveningsintheweek，inthecynic-philosopher'sstudy，andoftheredisputingoneveryimaginablesubject——Mr。Vanstoneflourishingthestoutcudgelsofassertion，andMr。Claremeetinghimwiththekeenedged-toolsofsophistry。Theygenerallyquarreledatnight，andmetontheneutralgroundoftheshrubberytobereconciledtogetherthenextmorning。ThebondofintercoursethuscuriouslyestablishedbetweenthemwasstrengthenedonMr。Vanstone'ssidebyaheartyinterestinhisneighbor'sthreesons——aninterestbywhichthosesonsbenefitedallthemoreimportantly，seeingthatoneoftheprejudiceswhichtheirfatherhadoutlivedwasaprejudiceinfavorofhisownchildren。
“Ilookatthoseboys，“thephilosopherwasaccustomedtosay，“withaperfectlyimpartialeye；Idismisstheunimportantaccidentoftheirbirthfromallconsideration；andIfindthembelowtheaverageineveryrespect。Theonlyexcusewhichapoorgentlemanhasforpresumingtoexistinthenineteenthcentury，istheexcuseofextraordinaryability。Myboyshavebeenaddle-headedfrominfancy。IfIhadanycapitaltogivethem，IshouldmakeFrankabutcher，Cecilabaker，andArthuragrocer——thosebeingtheonlyhumanvocationsIknowofwhicharecertaintobealwaysinrequest。Asitis，Ihavenomoneytohelpthemwith；andtheyhavenobrainstohelpthemselves。Theyappeartometobethreehumansuperfluitiesindirtyjacketsandnoisyboots；and，unlesstheyclearthemselvesoffthecommunitybyrunningaway，Idon'tmyselfprofesstoseewhatistobedonewiththem。“
Fortunatelyfortheboys，Mr。Vanstone'sviewswerestillfastimprisonedintheordinaryprejudices。Athisintercession，andthroughhisinfluence，Frank，Cecil，andArthurwerereceivedonthefoundationofawell-reputedgrammar-school。Inholiday-timetheyweremercifullyallowedtherunofMr。Vanstone'spaddock；andwerehumanizedandrefinedbyassociation，indoors，withMrs。Vanstoneandherdaughters。Ontheseoccasions，Mr。Clareusedsometimestowalkacrossfromhiscottage(inhisdressing-gownandslippers)，andlookattheboysdisparagingly，throughthewindoworoverthefence，asiftheywerethreewildanimalswhomhisneighborwasattemptingtotame。“Youandyourwifeareexcellentpeople，“heusedtosaytoMr。Vanstone。“Irespectyourhonestprejudicesinfavorofthoseboysofminewithallmyheart。Butyouaresowrongaboutthem——youareindeed！Iwishtogivenooffense；Ispeakquiteimpartially——butmarkmywords，Vanstone:they'llallthreeturnoutill，inspiteofeverythingyoucandotopreventit。“
Inlateryears，whenFrankhadreachedtheageofseventeen，thesamecuriousshiftingoftherelativepositionsofparentandfriendbetweenthetwoneighborswasexemplifiedmoreabsurdlythanever。AcivilengineerinthenorthofEngland，whoowedcertainobligationstoMr。Vanstone，expressedhiswillingnesstotakeFrankundersuperintendence，ontermsofthemostfavorablekind。Whenthisproposalwasreceived，Mr。Clare，asusual，firstshiftedhisowncharacterasFrank'sfatheronMr。Vanstone'sshoulders——andthenmoderatedhisneighbor'sparentalenthusiasmfromthepointofviewofanimpartialspectator。
“It'sthefinestchanceforFrankthatcouldpossiblyhavehappened，“criedMr。Vanstone，inaglowoffatherlyenthusiasm。
“Mygoodfellow，hewon'ttakeit，“retortedMr。Clare，withtheicycomposureofadisinterestedfriend。
“Butheshalltakeit，“persistedMr。Vanstone。
“Sayheshallhaveamathematicalhead，“rejoinedMr。Clare；“sayheshallpossessindustry，ambition，andfirmnessofpurpose。Pooh！pooh！youdon'tlookathimwithmyimpartialeyes。Isay，Nomathematics，noindustry，noambition，nofirmnessofpurpose。Frankisacompoundofnegatives——andtheretheyare。“
“Hangyournegatives！“shoutedMr。Vanstone。“Idon'tcarearushfornegatives，oraffirmativeseither。Frankshallhavethissplendidchance；andI'lllayyouanywageryoulikehemakesthebestofit。“
“Iamnotrichenoughtolaywagers，usually，“repliedMr。Clare；“butIthinkIhavegotaguineaaboutthehousesomewhere；andI'lllayyouthatguineaFrankcomesbackonourhandslikeabadshilling。“
“Done！“saidMr。Vanstone。“No:stopaminute！Iwon'tdothelad'scharactertheinjusticeofbackingitatevenmoney。I'lllayyoufivetooneFrankturnsuptrumpsinthisbusiness！Yououghttobeashamedofyourselffortalkingofhimasyoudo。Whatsortofhocus-pocusyoubringitaboutby，Idon'tpretendtoknow；butyoualwaysendinmakingmetakehispart，asifIwashisfatherinsteadofyou。Ahyes！giveyoutime，andyou'lldefendyourself。Iwon'tgiveyoutime；Iwon'thaveanyofyourspecialpleading。Black'swhiteaccordingtoyou。Idon'tcare:it'sblackforallthat。Youmaytalknineteentothedozen——IshallwritetomyfriendandsayYes，inFrank'sinterests，byto-day'spost。“
SuchwerethecircumstancesunderwhichMr。FrancisClaredepartedforthenorthofEngland，attheageofseventeen，tostartinlifeasacivilengineer。
Fromtimetotime，Mr。Vanstone'sfriendcommunicatedwithhimonthesubjectofthenewpupil。Frankwaspraised，asaquiet，gentleman-like，interestinglad——buthewasalsoreportedtoberatherslowatacquiringtherudimentsofengineeringscience。Otherletters，laterindate，describedhimasalittletooreadytodespondabouthimself；ashavingbeensentaway，onthataccount，tosomenewrailwayworks，toseeifchangeofscenewouldrousehim；andashavingbenefitedineveryrespectbytheexperiment——exceptperhapsinregardtohisprofessionalstudies，whichstilladvancedbutslowly。Subsequentcommunicationsannouncedhisdeparture，undercareofatrustworthyforeman，forsomepublicworksinBelgium；touchedonthegeneralbenefitheappearedtoderivefromthisnewchange；praisedhisexcellentmannersandaddress，whichwereofgreatassistanceinfacilitatingbusinesscommunicationswiththeforeigners——andpassedoverinominoussilencethemainquestionofhisactualprogressintheacquirementofknowledge。Thesereports，andmanyotherswhichresembledthem，wereallconscientiouslypresentedbyFrank'sfriendtotheattentionofFrank'sfather。Oneachoccasion，Mr。ClareexultedoverMr。Vanstone，andMr。VanstonequarreledwithMr。Clare。“Oneofthesedaysyou'llwishyouhadn'tlaidthatwager，“saidthecynicphilosopher。“OneofthesedaysIshallhavetheblessedsatisfactionofpocketingyourguinea，“criedthesanguinefriend。TwoyearshadthenpassedsinceFrank'sdeparture。Inoneyearmoreresultsassertedthemselves，andsettledthequestion。
TwodaysafterMr。Vanstone'sreturnfromLondon，hewascalledawayfromthebreakfast-tablebeforehehadfoundtimeenoughtolookoverhisletters，deliveredbythemorning'spost。Thrustingthemintooneofthepocketsofhisshooting-jacket，hetookthelettersoutagain，atonegrasp，toreadthemwhenoccasionserved，laterintheday。Thegraspincludedthewholecorrespondence，withoneexception——thatexceptionbeingafinalreportfromthecivilengineer，whichnotifiedtheterminationoftheconnectionbetweenhispupilandhimself，andtheimmediatereturnofFranktohisfather'shouse。
WhilethisimportantannouncementlayunsuspectedinMr。Vanstone'spocket，theobjectofitwastravelinghome，asfastasrailwayscouldtakehim。Athalf-pasttenatnight，whileMr。Clarewassittinginstudioussolitudeoverhisbooksandhisgreentea，withhisfavoriteblackcattokeephimcompany，heheardfootstepsinthepassage——thedooropened——andFrankstoodbeforehim。
Ordinarymenwouldhavebeenastonished。Butthephilosopher'scomposurewasnottobeshakenbyanysuchtrifleastheunexpectedreturnofhiseldestson。HecouldnothavelookedupmorecalmlyfromhislearnedvolumeifFrankhadbeenabsentforthreeminutesinsteadofthreeyears。
“ExactlywhatIpredicted，“saidMr。Clare。“Don'tinterruptmebymakingexplanations；anddon'tfrightenthecat。Ifthereisanythingtoeatinthekitchen，getitandgotobed。YoucanwalkovertoCombe-RaventomorrowandgivethismessagefrommetoMr。Vanstone:'Father'scompliments，sir，andIhavecomebackuponyourhandslikeabadshilling，ashealwayssaidIshould。Hekeepshisownguinea，andtakesyourfive；andhehopesyou'llmindwhathesaystoyouanothertime。'Thatisthemessage。Shutthedoorafteryou。Good-night。“
Undertheseunfavorableauspices，Mr。FrancisClaremadehisappearancethenextmorninginthegroundsatCombe-Raven；and，somethingdoubtfulofthereceptionthatmightawaithim，slowlyapproachedtheprecinctsofthehouse。
ItwasnotwonderfulthatMagdalenshouldhavefailedtorecognizehimwhenhefirstappearedinview。Hehadgoneawayabackwardladofseventeen；hereturnedayoungmanoftwenty。Hisslimfigurehadnowacquiredstrengthandgrace，andhadincreasedinstaturetothemediumheight。Thesmallregularfeatures，whichhewassupposedtohaveinheritedfromhismother，wereroundedandfilledout，withouthavinglosttheirremarkabledelicacyofform。Hisbeardwasstillinitsinfancy；andnascentlinesofwhiskertracedtheirmodestwaysparelydownhischeeks。Hisgentle，wanderingbrowneyeswouldhavelookedtobetteradvantageinawoman'sface——theywantedspiritandfirmnesstofitthemforthefaceofaman。Hishandshadthesamewanderinghabitashiseyes；theywereconstantlychangingfromonepositiontoanother，constantlytwistingandturninganylittlestraythingtheycouldpickup。Hewasundeniablyhandsome，graceful，well-bred——butnocloseobservercouldlookathimwithoutsuspectingthatthestoutoldfamilystockhadbeguntowearoutinthelatergenerations，andthatMr。FrancisClarehadmoreinhimoftheshadowofhisancestorsthanofthesubstance。
Whentheastonishmentcausedbyhisappearancehadpartiallysubsided，asearchwasinstitutedforthemissingreport。ItwasfoundintheremotestrecessesofMr。Vanstone'scapaciouspocket，andwasreadbythatgentlemanonthespot。
Theplainfacts，asstatedbytheengineer，werebrieflythese:Frankwasnotpossessedofthenecessaryabilitiestofithimforhisnewcalling；anditwasuselesstowastetimebykeepinghimanylongerinanemploymentforwhichhehadnovocation。This，afterthreeyears'trial，beingtheconvictiononbothsides，themasterhadthoughtitthemoststraightforwardcourseforthepupiltogohomeandcandidlyplaceresultsbeforehisfatherandhisfriends。Insomeotherpursuit，forwhichhewasmorefit，andinwhichhecouldfeelaninterest，hewouldnodoubtdisplaytheindustryandperseverancewhichhehadbeentoomuchdiscouragedtopracticeintheprofessionthathehadnowabandoned。Personally，hewaslikedbyallwhoknewhim；andhisfutureprosperitywasheartilydesiredbythemanyfriendswhomhehadmadeintheNorth。Suchwasthesubstanceofthereport，andsoitcametoanend。
Manymenwouldhavethoughttheengineer'sstatementrathertoocarefullyworded；and，suspectinghimoftryingtomakethebestofabadcase，wouldhaveentertainedseriousdoubtsonthesubjectofFrank'sfuture。Mr。Vanstonewastooeasy-temperedandsanguine——andtooanxious，aswell，nottoyieldhisoldantagonistaninchmoregroundthanhecouldhelp——tolookattheletterfromanysuchunfavorablepointofview。WasitFrank'sfaultifhehadnotgotthestuffinhimthatengineersweremadeof？Didnootheryoungmeneverbeginlifewithafalsestart？Plentybeganinthatway，andgotoverit，anddidwondersafterward。Withthesecommentariesontheletter，thekind-heartedgentlemanpattedFrankontheshoulder。“Cheerup，mylad！“saidMr。Vanstone。“Wewillbeevenwithyourfatheroneofthesedays，thoughhehaswonthewagerthistime！“
Theexamplethussetbythemasterofthehousewasfollowedatoncebythefamily——withthesolitaryexceptionofNorah，whoseincurableformalityandreserveexpressedthemselves，nottoograciously，inherdistantmannertowardthevisitor。Therest，ledbyMagdalen(whohadbeenFrank'sfavoriteplayfellowinpasttimes)glidedbackintotheiroldeasyhabitswithhimwithoutaneffort。Hewas“Frank“withallofthembutNorah，whopersistedinaddressinghimas“Mr。Clare。“Eventheaccounthewasnowencouragedtogiveofthereceptionaccordedtohimbyhisfather，onthepreviousnight，failedtodisturbNorah'sgravity。Shesatwithherdark，handsomefacesteadilyaverted，hereyescastdown，andtherichcolorinhercheekswarmeranddeeperthanusual。Alltherest，MissGarthincluded，foundoldMr。Clare'sspeechofwelcometohissonquiteirresistible。Thenoiseandmerrimentwereattheirheightwhentheservantcamein，andstruckthewholepartydumbbytheannouncementofvisitorsinthedrawing-room。“Mr。Marrable，Mrs。Marrable，andMissMarrable；EvergreenLodge，Clifton。“
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