JOHNFORSTER。
Inacknowledgmentoftheserviceswhichhehasrenderedtothecauseofliteraturebyhis“LifeofGoldsmith;“andinaffectionateremembranceofafriendshipwhichisassociatedwithsomeofthehappiestyearsofmylife。
READERSingeneral——onwhosefriendlyreceptionexperiencehasgivenmesomereasontorely——will，Iventuretohope，appreciatewhatevermerittheremaybeinthisstorywithoutanyprefatorypleadingforitonmypart。Theywill，Ithink，seethatithasnotbeenhastilymeditatedoridlywroughtout。Theywilljudgeitaccordingly，andIasknomore。
Readersinparticularwill，Ihavesomereasontosuppose，behereandtheredisturbed，perhapsevenoffended，byfindingthat“Armadale“oversteps，inmorethanonedirection，thenarrowlimitswithinwhichtheyaredisposedtorestrictthedevelopmentofmodernfiction——iftheycan。
NothingthatIcouldsaytothesepersonsherewouldhelpmewiththemasTimewillhelpmeifmyworklasts。Iamnotafraidofmydesignbeingpermanentlymisunderstood，providedtheexecutionhasdoneitanysortofjustice。Estimatedbytheclap-trapmoralityofthepresentday，thismaybeaverydaringbook。
JudgedbytheChristianmoralitywhichisofalltime，itisonlyabookthatisdaringenoughtospeakthetruth。
LONDON，April，1866。
ARMADALE。
PROLOGUE。
CHAPTERI。
THETRAVELERS。
ITwastheopeningoftheseasonofeighteenhundredandthirty-two，attheBathsofWILDBAD。
TheeveningshadowswerebeginningtogatheroverthequietlittleGermantown，andthediligencewasexpectedeveryminute。
Beforethedooroftheprincipalinn，waitingthearrivalofthefirstvisitorsoftheyear，wereassembledthethreenotablepersonagesofWildbad，accompaniedbytheirwives——themayor，representingtheinhabitants;thedoctor，representingthewaters;thelandlord，representinghisownestablishment。Beyondthisselectcircle，groupedsnuglyaboutthetrimlittlesquareinfrontoftheinn，appearedthetowns-peopleingeneral，mixedhereandtherewiththecountrypeople，intheirquaintGermancostume，placidlyexpectantofthediligence——themeninshortblackjackets，tightblackbreeches，andthree-corneredbeaverhats;thewomenwiththeirlonglighthairhanginginonethicklyplaitedtailbehindthem，andthewaistsoftheirshortwoolengownsinsertedmodestlyintheregionoftheirshoulder-blades。
Roundtheouteredgeoftheassemblagethusformed，flyingdetachmentsofplumpwhite-headedchildrencareeredinperpetualmotion;while，mysteriouslyapartfromtherestoftheinhabitants，themusiciansoftheBathsstoodcollectedinonelostcorner，waitingtheappearanceofthefirstvisitorstoplaythefirsttuneoftheseasonintheformofaserenade。ThelightofaMayeveningwasstillbrightonthetopsofthegreatwoodedhillswatchinghighoverthetownontherighthandandtheleft;
andthecoolbreezethatcomesbeforesunsetcamekeenlyfragrantherewiththebalsamicodorofthefirstoftheBlackForest。
“Mr。Landlord。”saidthemayor’swife(givingthelandlordhistitle)，“haveyouanyforeignguestscomingonthisfirstdayoftheseason？”
“MadameMayoress。”repliedthelandlord(returningthecompliment)，“Ihavetwo。Theyhavewritten——theonebythehandofhisservant，theotherbyhisownhandapparently——toordertheirrooms;andtheyarefromEngland，both，asIthinkbytheirnames。Ifyouaskmetopronouncethosenames，mytonguehesitates;ifyouaskmetospellthem，heretheyare，letterbyletter，firstandsecondintheirorderastheycome。First，ahigh-bornstranger(bytitleMister)whointroduceshimselfineightletters，A，r，m，a，d，a，l，e——andcomesillinhisowncarriage。Second，ahigh-bornstranger(bytitleMisteralso)，whointroduceshimselfinfourletters——N，e，a，l——andcomesillinthediligence。Hisexcellencyoftheeightletterswritestome(byhisservant)inFrench;hisexcellencyofthefourletterswritestomeinGerman。Theroomsofbothareready。Iknownomore。”
“Perhaps。”suggestedthemayor’swife，“Mr。Doctorhasheardfromoneorbothoftheseillustriousstrangers？”
“Fromoneonly，MadamMayoress;butnot，strictlyspeaking，fromthepersonhimself。Ihavereceivedamedicalreportofhisexcellencyoftheeightletters，andhiscaseseemsabadone。
Godhelphim！“
“Thediligence！“criedachildfromtheoutskirtsofthecrowd。
Themusiciansseizedtheirinstruments，andsilencefellonthewholecommunity。Fromfarawayinthewindingsoftheforestgorge，theringofhorses’bellscamefaintlyclearthroughtheeveningstillness。Whichcarriagewasapproaching——theprivatecarriagewithMr。Armadale，orthepubliccarriagewithMr。Neal？
“Play，myfriends！“criedthemayortothemusicians。“Publicorprivate，herearethefirstsickpeopleoftheseason。Letthemfinduscheerful。”
Thebandplayedalivelydancetune，andthechildreninthesquarefooteditmerrilytothemusic。Atthesamemoment，theireldersneartheinndoordrewaside，anddisclosedthefirstshadowofgloomthatfelloverthegayetyandbeautyofthescene。Throughtheopeningmadeoneitherhand，alittleprocessionofstoutcountrygirlsadvanced，eachdrawingafterheranemptychaironwheels;eachinwaiting(andknittingwhileshewaited)fortheparalyzedwretcheswhocamehelplessbyhundredsthen——whocomehelplessbythousandsnow——tothewatersofWildbadforrelief。
Whilethebandplayed，whilethechildrendanced，whilethebuzzofmanytalkersdeepened，whilethestrongyoungnursesofthecomingcripplesknittedimpenetrably，awoman’sinsatiablecuriosityaboutotherwomenasserteditselfinthemayor’swife。
Shedrewthelandladyaside，andwhisperedaquestiontoheronthespot。
“Awordmore，ma’am。”saidthemayor’swife，“aboutthetwostrangersfromEngland。Aretheirlettersexplicit？Havetheygotanyladieswiththem？”
“Theonebythediligence——no。”repliedthelandlady。“Buttheonebytheprivatecarriage——yes。Hecomeswithachild;hecomeswithanurse;and。”concludedthelandlady，skillfullykeepingthemainpointofinteresttillthelast，“hecomeswithaWife。”
Themayoressbrightened;thedoctoress(assistingattheconference)brightened;thelandladynoddedsignificantly。Inthemindsofallthreethesamethoughtstartedintolifeatthesamemoment——“WeshallseetheFashions！“
Inaminutemore，therewasasuddenmovementinthecrowd;andachorusofvoicesproclaimedthatthetravelerswereathand。
Bythistimethecomingvehiclewasinsight，andallfurtherdoubtwasatanend。Itwasthediligencethatnowapproachedbythelongstreetleadingintothesquare——thediligence(inadazzlingnewcoatofyellowpaint)thatdeliveredthefirstvisitorsoftheseasonattheinndoor。Ofthetentravelersreleasedfromthemiddlecompartmentandthebackcompartmentofthecarriage——allfromvariouspartsofGermany——threewereliftedouthelpless，andwereplacedinthechairsonwheelstobedrawntotheirlodgingsinthetown。Thefrontcompartmentcontainedtwopassengersonly——Mr。Nealandhistravelingservant。Withanarmoneithersidetoassisthim，thestranger(whosemaladyappearedtobelocallyconfinedtoalamenessinoneofhisfeet)succeededindescendingthestepsofthecarriageeasilyenough。Whilehesteadiedhimselfonthepavementbythehelpofhisstick——lookingnotover-patientlytowardthemusicianswhowereserenadinghimwiththewaltzin“DerFreischutz“——hispersonalappearanceratherdampedtheenthusiasmofthefriendlylittlecircleassembledtowelcomehim。Hewasalean，tall，serious，middle-agedman，withacoldgrayeyeandalongupperlip，withoverhangingeyebrowsandhighcheek-bones;amanwholookedwhathewas——everyinchaScotchman。
“Whereistheproprietorofthishotel？”heasked，speakingintheGermanlanguage，withafluentreadinessofexpression，andanicycoldnessofmanner。“Fetchthedoctor。”hecontinued，whenthelandlordhadpresentedhimself，“Iwanttoseehimimmediately。”
“Iamherealready，sir。”saidthedoctor，advancingfromthecircleoffriends，“andmyservicesareentirelyatyourdisposal。”
“Thankyou。”saidMr。Neal，lookingatthedoctor，astherestofuslookatadogwhenwehavewhistledandthedoghascome。“I
shallbegladtoconsultyouto-morrowmorning，atteno’clock，aboutmyowncase。IonlywanttotroubleyounowwithamessagewhichIhaveundertakentodeliver。Weovertookatravelingcarriageontheroadherewithagentlemaninit——anEnglishman，Ibelieve——whoappearedtobeseriouslyill。Aladywhowaswithhimbeggedmetoseeyouimmediatelyonmyarrival，andtosecureyourprofessionalassistanceinremovingthepatientfromthecarriage。Theircourierhasmetwithanaccident，andhasbeenleftbehindontheroad，andtheyareobligedtotravelveryslowly。Ifyouarehereinanhour，youwillbehereintimetoreceivethem。Thatisthemessage。Whoisthisgentlemanwhoappearstobeanxioustospeaktome？Themayor？Ifyouwishtoseemypassport，sir，myservantwillshowittoyou。No？Youwishtowelcomemetotheplace，andtoofferyourservices？Iaminfinitelyflattered。Ifyouhaveanyauthoritytoshortentheperformancesofyourtownband，youwouldbedoingmeakindnesstoexertit。Mynervesareirritable，andIdislikemusic。Whereisthelandlord？No;Iwanttoseemyrooms。Idon’twantyourarm;Icangetupstairswiththehelpofmystick。Mr。MayorandMr。Doctor，weneednotdetainoneanotheranylonger。Iwishyougood-night。”
BothmayoranddoctorlookedaftertheScotchmanashelimpedupstairs，andshooktheirheadstogetherinmutedisapprovalofhim。Theladies，asusual，wentastepfurther，andexpressedtheiropinionsopenlyintheplainestwords。Thecaseunderconsideration(sofaras_they_wereconcerned)wasthescandalouscaseofamanwhohadpassedthemoverentirelywithoutnotice。Mrs。Mayorcouldonlyattributesuchanoutragetothenativeferocityofasavage。Mrs。Doctortookastrongerviewstill，andconsidereditasproceedingfromtheinbredbrutalityofahog。
Thehourofwaitingforthetraveling-carriageworeon，andthecreepingnightstoleupthehillsidessoftly。Onebyonethestarsappeared，andthefirstlightstwinkledinthewindowsoftheinn。Asthedarknesscame，thelastidlersdesertedthesquare;asthedarknesscame，themightysilenceoftheforestaboveflowedinonthevalley，andstrangelyandsuddenlyhushedthelonelylittletown。
Thehourofwaitingworeout，andthefigureofthedoctor，walkingbackwardandforwardanxiously，wasstilltheonlylivingfigureleftinthesquare。Fiveminutes，tenminutes，twentyminutes，werecountedoutbythedoctor’swatch，beforethefirstsoundcamethroughthenightsilencetowarnhimoftheapproachingcarriage。Slowlyitemergedintothesquare，atthewalkingpaceofthehorses，anddrewup，asahearsemighthavedrawnup，atthedooroftheinn。
“Isthedoctorhere？”askedawoman’svoice，speaking，outofthedarknessofthecarriage，intheFrenchlanguage。
“Iamhere，madam。”repliedthedoctor，takingalightfromthelandlord’shandandopeningthecarriagedoor。
Thefirstfacethatthelightfellonwasthefaceoftheladywhohadjustspoken——ayoung，darklybeautifulwoman，withthetearsstandingthickandbrightinhereagerblackeyes。Thesecondfacerevealedwasthefaceofashriveledoldnegress，sittingoppositetheladyonthebackseat。Thethirdwasthefaceofalittlesleepingchildinthenegress’slap。Withaquickgestureofimpatience，theladysignedtothenursetoleavethecarriagefirstwiththechild。“Praytakethemoutoftheway。”shesaidtothelandlady;“praytakethemtotheirroom。”Shegotoutherselfwhenherrequesthadbeencompliedwith。Thenthelightfellclearforthefirsttimeonthefurthersideofthecarriage，andthefourthtravelerwasdisclosedtoview。
Helayhelplessonamattress，supportedbyastretcher;hishair，longanddisordered，underablackskull-cap;hiseyeswideopen，rollingtoandfroceaselesslyanxious;therestofhisfaceasvoidofallexpressionofthecharacterwithinhim，andthethoughtwithinhim，asifhehadbeendead。Therewasnolookingathimnow，andguessingwhathemightoncehavebeen。
Theleadenblankofhisfacemeteveryquestionastohisage，hisrank，histemper，andhislookswhichthatfacemightoncehaveanswered，inimpenetrablesilence。Nothingspokeforhimnowbuttheshockthathadstruckhimwiththedeath-in-lifeofparalysis。Thedoctor’seyequestionedhislowerlimbs，andDeath-in-Lifeanswered，_Iamhere。_Thedoctor’seye，risingattentivelybywayofhishandsandarms，questionedupwardandupwardtothemusclesroundhismouth，andDeath-in-Lifeanswered，_Iamcoming。_
Inthefaceofacalamitysounsparingandsodreadful，therewasnothingtobesaid。Thesilentsympathyofhelpwasallthatcouldbeofferedtothewomanwhostoodweepingatthecarriagedoor。
Astheyborehimonhisbedacrossthehallofthehotel，hiswanderingeyesencounteredthefaceofhiswife。Theyrestedonherforamoment，andinthatmomenthespoke。
“Thechild？”hesaidinEnglish，withaslow，thick，laboringarticulation。
“Thechildissafeupstairs。”sheanswered，faintly。
“Mydesk？”
“Itisinmyhands。Look！Iwon’ttrustittoanybody;Iamtakingcareofitforyoumyself。”
Heclosedhiseyesforthefirsttimeafterthatanswer，andsaidnomore。Tenderlyandskillfullyhewascarriedupthestairs，withhiswifeononesideofhim，andthedoctor(ominouslysilent)ontheother。Thelandlordandtheservantsfollowingsawthedoorofhisroomopenandcloseonhim;heardtheladyburstoutcryinghystericallyassoonasshewasalonewiththedoctorandthesickman;sawthedoctorcomeout，halfanhourlater，withhisruddyfaceashadepalerthanusual;pressedhimeagerlyforinformation，andreceivedbutoneanswertoalltheirinquiries——“WaittillIhaveseenhimto-morrow。Askmenothingto-night。”Theyallknewthedoctor’sways，andtheyauguredillwhenheleftthemhurriedlywiththatreply。
SothetwofirstEnglishvisitorsoftheyearcametotheBathsofWildbadintheseasonofeighteenhundredandthirty-two。
CHAPTERII。
THESOLIDSIDEOFTHESCOTCHCHARACTER。
ATteno’clockthenextmorning，Mr。Neal——waitingforthemedicalvisitwhichhehadhimselfappointedforthathour——lookedathiswatch，anddiscovered，tohisamazement，thathewaswaitinginvain。Itwascloseonelevenwhenthedooropenedatlast，andthedoctorenteredtheroom。
“Iappointedteno’clockforyourvisit。”saidMr。Neal。“Inmycountry，amedicalmanisapunctualman。”
“Inmycountry。”returnedthedoctor，withouttheleastill-humor，“amedicalmanisexactlylikeothermen——heisatthemercyofaccidents。Praygrantmeyourpardon，sir，forbeingsolongaftermytime;Ihavebeendetainedbyaverydistressingcase——thecaseofMr。Armadale，whosetraveling-carriageyoupassedontheroadyesterday。”
Mr。Neallookedathismedicalattendantwithasoursurprise。
Therewasalatentanxietyinthedoctor’seye，alatentpreoccupationinthedoctor’smanner，whichhewasatalosstoaccountfor。Foramomentthetwofacesconfrontedeachothersilently，inmarkednationalcontrast——theScotchman’s，longandlean，hardandregular;theGerman’s，plumpandflorid，softandshapeless。Onefacelookedasifithadneverbeenyoung;theother，asifitwouldnevergrowold。
“MightIventuretoremindyou。”saidMr。Neal，“thatthecasenowunderconsiderationisMYcase，andnotMr。Armadale’s？”
“Certainly。”repliedthedoctor，stillvacillatingbetweenthecasehehadcometoseeandthecasehehadjustleft。“Youappeartobesufferingfromlameness;letmelookatyourfoot。”
Mr。Neal’smalady，howeverseriousitmightbeinhisownestimation，wasofnoextraordinaryimportanceinamedicalpointofview。Hewassufferingfromarheumaticaffectionoftheankle-joint。Thenecessaryquestionswereaskedandansweredandthenecessarybathswereprescribed。Intenminutestheconsultationwasatanend，andthepatientwaswaitinginsignificantsilenceforthemedicaladvisertotakehisleave。
“Icannotconcealfrommyself。”saidthedoctor，rising，andhesitatingalittle，“thatIamintrudingonyou。ButIamcompelledtobegyourindulgenceifIreturntothesubjectofMr。Armadale。”
“MayIaskwhatcompelsyou？”
“ThedutywhichIoweasaChristian。”answeredthedoctor，“toadyingman。”
Mr。Nealstarted。Thosewhotouchedhissenseofreligiousdutytouchedthequickestsenseinhisnature。
“Youhaveestablishedyourclaimonmyattention。”hesaid，gravely。“Mytimeisyours。”
“Iwillnotabuseyourkindness。”repliedthedoctor，resuminghischair。“IwillbeasshortasIcan。Mr。Armadale’scaseisbrieflythis:HehaspassedthegreaterpartofhislifeintheWestIndies——awildlife，andaviciouslife，byhisownconfession。Shortlyafterhismarriage——nowsomethreeyearssince——thefirstsymptomsofanapproachingparalyticaffectionbegantoshowthemselves，andhismedicaladvisersorderedhimawaytotrytheclimateofEurope。SinceleavingtheWestIndieshehaslivedprincipallyinItaly，withnobenefittohishealth。
FromItaly，beforethelastseizureattackedhim，heremovedtoSwitzerland，andfromSwitzerlandhehasbeensenttothisplace。
SomuchIknowfromhisdoctor’sreport;therestIcantellyoufrommyownpersonalexperience。Mr。ArmadalehasbeensenttoWildbadtoolate:heisvirtuallyadeadman。Theparalysisisfastspreadingupward，anddiseaseofthelowerpartofthespinehasalreadytakenplace。Hecanstillmovehishandsalittle，buthecanholdnothinginhisfingers。Hecanstillarticulate，buthemaywakespeechlessto-morrowornextday。IfIgivehimaweekmoretolive，IgivehimwhatIhonestlybelievetobetheutmostlengthofhisspan。AthisownrequestItoldhim，ascarefullyandastenderlyasIcould，whatIhavejusttoldyou。
Theresultwasverydistressing;theviolenceofthepatient’sagitationwasaviolencewhichIdespairofdescribingtoyou。I
tookthelibertyofaskinghimwhetherhisaffairswereunsettled。Nothingofthesort。HiswillisinthehandsofhisexecutorinLondon，andheleaveshiswifeandchildwellprovidedfor。Mynextquestionsucceededbetter;ithitthemark:
’Haveyousomethingonyourmindtodobeforeyoudiewhichisnotdoneyet？’Hegaveagreatgaspofrelief，whichsaid，asnowordscouldhavesaidit，Yes。’CanIhelpyou？’’Yes。IhavesomethingtowritethatI_must_write;canyoumakemeholdapen？’
“HemightaswellhaveaskedmeifIcouldperformamiracle。I
couldonlysayNo。’IfIdictatethewords，’hewenton，’canyouwritewhatItellyoutowrite？’OncemoreIcouldonlysayNo。I
understandalittleEnglish，butIcanneitherspeakitnorwriteit。Mr。ArmadaleunderstandsFrenchwhenitisspoken(asIspeakittohim)slowly，buthecannotexpresshimselfinthatlanguage;andofGermanheistotallyignorant。Inthisdifficulty，Isaid，whatanyoneelseinmysituationwouldhavesaid:’Whyask_me？_thereisMrs。Armadaleatyourserviceinthenextroom。’BeforeIcouldgetupfrommychairtofetchher，hestoppedme——notbywords，butbyalookofhorrorwhichfixedme，bymainforceofastonishment，inmyplace。’Surely，’Isaid，’yourwifeisthefittestpersontowriteforyouasyoudesire？’
’Thelastpersonunderheaven！’heanswered。’What！’Isaid，’youaskme，aforeignerandastranger，towritewordsatyourdictationwhichyoukeepasecretfromyourwife！’Conceivemyastonishmentwhenheansweredme，withoutamoment’shesitation，’Yes！’Isatlost;Isatsilent。’If_you_can’twriteEnglish，’
hesaid，’findsomebodywhocan。’Itriedtoremonstrate。Heburstintoadreadfulmoaningcry——adumbentreaty，liketheentreatyofadog。’Hush！hush！’Isaid，’Iwillfindsomebody。’
’To-day！’hebrokeout，’beforemyspeechfailsme，likemyhand。’’To-day，inanhour’stime。’Heshuthiseyes;hequietedhimselfinstantly。’WhileIamwaitingforyou，’hesaid，’letmeseemylittleboy。’Hehadshownnotendernesswhenhespokeofhiswife，butIsawthetearsonhischeekswhenheaskedforhischild。Myprofession，sir，hasnotmademesohardamanasyoumightthink;andmydoctor’sheartwasasheavy，whenIwentouttofetchthechild，asifIhadnotbeenadoctoratall。Iamafraidyouthinkthisratherweakonmypart？”
ThedoctorlookedappealinglyatMr。Neal。HemightaswellhavelookedatarockintheBlackForest。Mr。NealentirelydeclinedtobedrawnbyanydoctorinChristendomoutoftheregionsofplainfact。
“Goon。”hesaid。“Ipresumeyouhavenottoldmeallthatyouhavetotellme，yet？”
“Surelyyouunderstandmyobjectincominghere，now？”returnedtheother“Yourobjectisplainenough，atlast。Youinvitemetoconnectmyselfblindfoldwithamatterwhichisinthelastdegreesuspicious，sofar。IdeclinegivingyouanyansweruntilIknowmorethanIknownow。Didyouthinkitnecessarytoinformthisman’swifeofwhathadpassedbetweenyou，andtoaskherforanexplanation？”
“OfcourseIthoughtitnecessary！“saidthedoctor，indignantatthereflectiononhishumanitywhichthequestionseemedtoimply。“IfeverIsawawomanfondofherhusband，andsorryforherhusband，itisthisunhappyMrs。Armadale。Assoonaswewereleftalonetogether，Isatdownbyherside，andItookherhandinmine。Whynot？Iamanuglyoldman，andImayallowmyselfsuchlibertiesasthese！“
“Excuseme。”saidtheimpenetrableScotchman。“Ibegtosuggestthatyouarelosingthethreadofthenarrative。”
“Nothingmorelikely。”returnedthedoctor，recoveringhisgoodhumor。“Itisinthehabitofmynationtobeperpetuallylosingthethread;anditisevidentlyinthehabitofyours，sir，tobeperpetuallyfindingit。Whatanexamplehereoftheorderoftheuniverse，andtheeverlastingfitnessofthings！“
“Willyouobligeme，onceforall，byconfiningyourselftothefacts。”persistedMr。Neal，frowningimpatiently。“MayIinquire，formyowninformation，whetherMrs。Armadalecouldtellyouwhatitisherhusbandwishesmetowrite，andwhyitisthatherefusestoletherwriteforhim？”
“Thereismythreadfound——andthankyouforfindingit！“saidthedoctor。“YoushallhearwhatMrs。Armadalehadtotellme，inMrs。Armadale’sownwords。’Thecausethatnowshutsmeoutofhisconfidence，’shesaid，’is，Ifirmlybelieve，thesamecausethathasalwaysshutmeoutofhisheart。Iamthewifehehaswedded，butIamnotthewomanheloves。Iknewwhenhemarriedmethatanothermanhadwonfromhimthewomanheloved。I
thoughtIcouldmakehimforgether。IhopedwhenImarriedhim;
IhopedagainwhenIborehimason。NeedItellyoutheendofmyhopes——youhaveseenitforyourself。’(Wait，sir，Ientreatyou！Ihavenotlostthethreadagain;Iamfollowingitinchbyinch。)’Isthisallyouknow？’Iasked。’AllIknew，’shesaid，’tillashorttimesince。ItwaswhenwewereinSwitzerland，andwhenhisillnesswasnearlyatitsworst，thatnewscametohimbyaccidentofthatotherwomanwhohasbeentheshadowandthepoisonofmylife——newsthatshe(likeme)hadborneherhusbandason。Ontheinstantofhismakingthatdiscovery——atriflingdiscovery，ifevertherewasoneyet——amortalfearseizedonhim:notforme，notforhimself;afearforhisownchild。Thesameday(withoutawordtome)hesentforthedoctor。Iwasmean，wicked，whatyouplease——Ilistenedatthedoor。Iheardhimsay:_Ihavesomethingtotellmyson，whenmysongrowsoldenoughtounderstandme。ShallIlivetotellit？_Thedoctorwouldsaynothingcertain。Thesamenight(stillwithoutawordtome)helockedhimselfintohisroom。Whatwouldanywoman，treatedasIwas，havedoneinmyplace？ShewouldhavedoneasI
did——shewouldhavelistenedagain。Iheardhimsaytohimself:
_Ishallnotlivetotellit:Imust;writeitbeforeIdie。_I
heardhispenscrape，scrape，scrapeoverthepaper;Iheardhimgroaningandsobbingashewrote;IimploredhimforGod’ssaketoletmein。Thecruelpenwentscrape，scrape，scrape;thecruelpenwasalltheanswerhegaveme。Iwaitedatthedoor——hours——Idon’tknowhowlong。Onasudden，thepenstopped;
andIheardnomore。Iwhisperedthroughthekeyholesoftly;I
saidIwascoldandwearywithwaiting;Isaid，Oh，mylove，letmein！Noteventhecruelpenansweredmenow:silenceansweredme。WithallthestrengthofmymiserablehandsIbeatatthedoor。Theservantscameupandbrokeitin。Weweretoolate;theharmwasdone。Overthatfatalletter，thestrokehadstruckhim——overthatfatalletter，wefoundhimparalyzedasyouseehimnow。ThosewordswhichhewantsyoutowritearethewordshewouldhavewrittenhimselfifthestrokehadsparedhimtillthemorningFromthattimetothistherehasbeenablankplaceleftintheletter;anditisthatblankplacewhichhehasjustaskedyoutofillup。’——InthosewordsMrs。Armadalespoketome;inthosewordsyouhavethesumandsubstanceofalltheinformationIcangive。Say，ifyouplease，sir，haveIkeptthethreadatlast？HaveIshownyouthenecessitywhichbringsmeherefromyourcountryman’sdeath-bed？”
“Thusfar。”saidMr。Neal，“youmerelyshowmethatyouareexcitingyourself。Thisistooseriousamattertobetreatedasyouaretreatingitnow。YouhaveinvolvedMeinthebusiness，andIinsistonseeingmywayplainly。Don’traiseyourhands;
yourhandsarenotapartofthequestion。IfIamtobeconcernedinthecompletionofthismysteriousletter，itisonlyanactofjustifiableprudenceonmyparttoinquirewhattheletterisabout。Mrs。Armadaleappearstohavefavoredyouwithaninfinitenumberofdomesticparticulars——inreturn，Ipresume，foryourpoliteattentionintakingherbythehand。MayIaskwhatshecouldtellyouaboutherhusband’sletter，sofarasherhusbandhaswrittenit？”
“Mrs。Armadalecouldtellmenothing。”repliedthedoctor，withasuddenformalityinhismanner，whichshowedthathisforbearancewasatlastfailinghim。“Beforeshewascomposedenoughtothinkoftheletter，herhusbandhadaskedforit，andhadcausedittobelockedupinhisdesk。Sheknowsthathehassince，timeaftertime，triedtofinishit，andthat，timeaftertime，thepenhasdroppedfromhisfingers。Sheknows，whenallotherhopeofhisrestorationwasatanend，thathismedicaladvisersencouragedhimtohopeinthefamouswatersofthisplace。Andlast，sheknowshowthathopehasended;forsheknowswhatItoldherhusbandthismorning。”
ThefrownwhichhadbeengatheringlatterlyonMr。Neal’sfacedeepenedanddarkened。Helookedatthedoctorasifthedoctorhadpersonallyoffendedhim。
“ThemoreIthinkofthepositionyouareaskingmetotake。”hesaid，“thelessIlikeit。CanyouundertaketosaypositivelythatMr。Armadaleisinhisrightmind？”
“Yes;aspositivelyaswordscansayit。”
“Doeshiswifesanctionyourcomingheretorequestmyinterference？”
“Hiswifesendsmetoyou——theonlyEnglishmaninWildbad——towriteforyourdyingcountrymanwhathecannotwriteforhimself;
andwhatnooneelseinthisplacebutyoucanwriteforhim。”
ThatanswerdroveMr。Nealbacktothelastinchofgroundlefthimtostandon。EvenonthatinchtheScotchmanresistedstill。
“Waitalittle！“hesaid。“Youputitstrongly;letusbequitesureyouputitcorrectlyaswell。Letusbequitesurethereisnobodytotakethisresponsibilitybutmyself。ThereisamayorinWildbad，tobeginwith——amanwhopossessesanofficialcharactertojustifyhisinterference。”
“Amanofathousand。”saidthedoctor。“Withonefault——heknowsnolanguagebuthisown。”
“ThereisanEnglishlegationatStuttgart。”persistedMr。Neal。
“AndtherearemilesonmilesoftheforestbetweenthisandStuttgart。”rejoinedthedoctor。“Ifwesentthismoment，wecouldgetnohelpfromthelegationbeforeto-morrow;anditisaslikelyasnot，inthestateofthisdyingman’sarticulation，thatto-morrowmayfindhimspeechless。Idon’tknowwhetherhislastwishesarewishesharmlesstohischildandtoothers，wisheshurtfultohischildandtoothers;butI_do_knowthattheymustbefulfilledatonceornever，andthatyouaretheonlymanthatcanhelphim。”
Thatopendeclarationbroughtthediscussiontoaclose。ItfixedMr。NealfastbetweenthetwoalternativesofsayingYes，andcommittinganactofimprudence，orofsayingNo，andcommittinganactofinhumanity。Therewasasilenceofsomeminutes。TheScotchmansteadilyreflected;andtheGermansteadilywatchedhim。
TheresponsibilityofsayingthenextwordsrestedonMr。Neal，andincourseoftimeMr。Nealtookit。Herosefromhischairwithasullensenseofinjuryloweringonhisheavyeyebrows，andworkingsourlyinthelinesatthecornersofhismouth。
“Mypositionisforcedonme。”hesaid。“Ihavenochoicebuttoacceptit。”
Thedoctor’simpulsivenatureroseinrevoltagainstthemercilessbrevityandgracelessnessofthatreply。“IwishtoGod。”hebrokeoutfervently，“IknewEnglishenoughtotakeyourplaceatMr。Armadale’sbedside！“
“BatingyourtakingthenameoftheAlmightyinvain。”answeredtheScotchman，“Ientirelyagreewithyou。Iwishyoudid。”
Withoutanotherwordoneitherside，theylefttheroomtogether——thedoctorleadingtheway。
CHAPTERIII。
THEWRECKOFTHETIMBERSHIP。
NOoneansweredthedoctor’sknockwhenheandhiscompanionreachedtheantechamberdoorofMr。Armadale’sapartments。Theyenteredunannounced;andwhentheylookedintothesitting-room，thesitting-roomwasempty。
“ImustseeMrs。Armadale。”saidMr。Neal。“IdeclineactinginthematterunlessMrs。Armadaleauthorizesmyinterferencewithherownlips。”
“Mrs。Armadaleisprobablywithherhusband。”repliedthedoctor。
Heapproachedadoorattheinnerendofthesitting-roomwhilehespoke——hesitated——and，turningroundagain，lookedathissourcompanionanxiously。“IamafraidIspokealittleharshly，sir，whenwewereleavingyourroom。”hesaid。“Ibegyourpardonforit，withallmyheart。Beforethispoorafflictedladycomesin，willyou——willyouexcusemyaskingyourutmostgentlenessandconsiderationforher？”
“No，sir。”retortedtheotherharshly;“Iwon’texcuseyou。WhatrighthaveIgivenyoutothinkmewantingingentlenessandconsiderationtowardanybody？”
Thedoctorsawitwasuseless。“Ibegyourpardonagain。”hesaid，resignedly，andlefttheunapproachablestrangertohimself。
Mr。Nealwalkedtothewindow，andstoodthere，withhiseyesmechanicallyfixedontheprospect，composinghismindforthecominginterview。
Itwasmidday;thesunshonebrightandwarm;andallthelittleworldofWildbadwasaliveandmerryinthegenialspringtime。
Nowandagainheavywagons，withblack-facedcartersincharge，rolledbythewindow，bearingtheirpreciousladingofcharcoalfromtheforest。Nowandagain，hurledovertheheadlongcurrentofthestreamthatrunsthroughthetown，greatlengthsoftimber，looselystrungtogetherininterminableseries——withthebootedraftsmen，poleinhand，poisedwatchfulateitherend——shotswiftandserpent-likepastthehousesontheircoursetothedistantRhine。Highandsteepabovethegabledwoodenbuildingsontheriver-bank，thegreathillsides，crestedblackwithfirs，shonetotheshiningheavensinagloryoflustrousgreen。Inandout，wheretheforestfoot-pathswoundfromthegrassthroughthetrees，fromthetreesoverthegrass，thebrightspringdressesofwomenandchildren，onthesearchforwildflowers，traveledtoandfrointheloftydistancelikespotsofmovinglight。Below，onthewalkbythestreamside，theboothsofthelittlebazarthathadopenedpunctuallywiththeopeningseasonshowedalltheirglitteringtrinkets，andflutteredinthebalmyairtheirsplendorofmany-coloredflags。
Longingly，herethechildrenlookedattheshow;patientlythesunburnedlassespliedtheirknittingastheypacedthewalk;
courteouslythepassingtownspeople，byfoursandfives，andthepassingvisitors，byonesandtwos，greetedeachother，hatinhand;andslowly，slowly，thecrippleandthehelplessintheirchairsonwheelscameoutinthecheerfulnoontidewiththerest，andtooktheirshareoftheblessedlightthatcheers，oftheblessedsunthatshinesforall。
OnthisscenetheScotchmanlooked，witheyesthatnevernoteditsbeauty，withamindfarawayfromeverylessonthatittaught。Onebyonehemeditatedthewordsheshouldsaywhenthewifecamein。Onebyoneheponderedovertheconditionshemightimposebeforehetookthepeninhandatthehusband’sbedside。
“Mrs。Armadaleishere。”saidthedoctor’svoice，interposingsuddenlybetweenhisreflectionsandhimself。
Heturnedontheinstant，andsawbeforehim，withthepuremiddaylightshiningfullonher，awomanofthemixedbloodoftheEuropeanandtheAfricanrace，withtheNortherndelicacyintheshapeofherface，andtheSouthernrichnessinitscolor——awomanintheprimeofherbeauty，whomovedwithaninbredgrace，wholookedwithaninbredfascination，whoselarge，languidblackeyesrestedonhimgratefully，whoselittleduskyhandoffereditselftohiminmuteexpressionofherthanks，withthewelcomethatisgiventothecomingofafriend。ForthefirsttimeinhislifetheScotchmanwastakenbysurprise。Everyself-preservativewordthathehadbeenmeditatingbutaninstantsincedroppedoutofhismemory。Histhriceimpenetrablearmorofhabitualsuspicion，habitualself-discipline，andhabitualreserve，whichhadneverfallenfromhiminawoman’spresencebefore，fellfromhiminthiswoman’spresence，andbroughthimtohisknees，aconqueredman。Hetookthehandsheofferedhim，andbowedoverithisfirsthonesthomagetothesex，insilence。
Shehesitatedonherside。Thequickfeminineperceptionwhich，inhappiercircumstances，wouldhavepouncedonthesecretofhisembarrassmentinaninstant，failedhernow。Sheattributedhisstrangereceptionofhertopride，toreluctance——toanycausebuttheunexpectedrevelationofherownbeauty。“Ihavenowordstothankyou。”shesaid，faintly，tryingtopropitiatehim。“I
shouldonlydistressyouifItriedtospeak。”Herlipbegantotremble，shedrewbackalittle，andturnedawayherheadinsilence。
Thedoctor，whohadbeenstandingapart，quietlyobservantinacorner，advancedbeforeMr。Nealcouldinterfere，andledMrs。
Armadaletoachair。“Don’tbeafraidofhim。”whisperedthegoodman，pattinghergentlyontheshoulder。“Hewashardasironinmyhands，butIthink，bythelookofhim，hewillbesoftaswaxinyours。SaythewordsItoldyoutosay，andletustakehimtoyourhusband’sroom，beforethosesharpwitsofhishavetimetorecoverthemselves。”
Sherousedhersinkingresolution，andadvancedhalf-waytothewindowtomeetMr。Neal。“Mykindfriend，thedoctor，hastoldme，sir，thatyouronlyhesitationincominghereisahesitationonmyaccount。”shesaid，herheaddroopingalittle，andherrichcolorfadingawaywhileshespoke。“Iamdeeplygrateful，butIentreatyounottothinkof_me。_Whatmyhusbandwishes——“
Hervoicefaltered;shewaitedresolutely，andrecoveredherself。
“Whatmyhusbandwishesinhislastmoments，Iwishtoo。”
ThistimeMr。Nealwascomposedenoughtoanswerher。Inlow，earnesttones，heentreatedhertosaynomore。“Iwasonlyanxioustoshowyoueveryconsideration。”hesaid。“Iamonlyanxiousnowtospareyoueverydistress。”Ashespoke，somethinglikeaglowofcolorroseslowlyonhissallowface。Hereyeswerelookingathim，softlyattentive;andhethoughtguiltilyofhismeditationsatthewindowbeforeshecamein。
Thedoctorsawhisopportunity。HeopenedthedoorthatledintoMr。Armadale’sroom，andstoodbyit，waitingsilently。Mrs。
Armadaleenteredfirst。Inaminutemorethedoorwasclosedagain;andMr。Nealstoodcommittedtotheresponsibilitythathadbeenforcedonhim——committedbeyondrecall。
Theroomwasdecoratedinthegaudycontinentalfashion，andthewarmsunlightwasshininginjoyously。Cupidsandflowerswerepaintedontheceiling;brightribbonsloopedupthewhitewindow-curtains;asmartgiltclocktickedonavelvet-coveredmantelpiece;mirrorsgleamedonthewalls，andflowersinallthecolorsoftherainbowspeckledthecarpet。Inthemidstofthefinery，andtheglitter，andthelight，laytheparalyzedman，withhiswanderingeyes，andhislifelesslowerface——hisheadproppedhighwithmanypillows;hishelplesshandslaidoutoverthebed-clotheslikethehandsofacorpse。Bythebedheadstood，grim，andold，andsilent，theshriveledblacknurse;andonthecounter-pane，betweenhisfather’soutspreadhands，laythechild，inhislittlewhitefrock，absorbedintheenjoymentofanewtoy。Whenthedooropened，andMrs。Armadaleledthewayin，theboywastossinghisplaything——asoldieronhorseback——backwardandforwardoverthehelplesshandsoneithersideofhim;andthefather’swanderingeyeswerefollowingthetoytoandfro，withastealthyandceaselessvigilance——avigilanceasofawildanimal，terribletosee。
ThemomentMr。Nealappearedinthedoorway，thoserestlesseyesstopped，lookedup，andfastenedonthestrangerwithafierceeagernessofinquiry。Slowlythemotionlesslipsstruggledintomovement。Withthick，hesitatingarticulation，theyputthequestionwhichtheeyesaskedmutely，intowords:“Areyoutheman？”
Mr。Nealadvancedtothebedside，Mrs。Armadaledrawingbackfromitasheapproached，andwaitingwiththedoctoratthefurtherendoftheroom。Thechildlookedup，toyinhand，asthestrangercamenear，openedhisbrightbrowneyesinmomentaryastonishment，andthenwentonwithhisgame。
“Ihavebeenmadeacquaintedwithyoursadsituation，sir。”saidMr。Neal;“andIhavecomeheretoplacemyservicesatyourdisposal——serviceswhichnoonebutmyself，asyourmedicalattendantinformsme，isinapositiontorenderyouinthisstrangeplace。MynameisNeal。IamawritertothesignetinEdinburgh;andImaypresumetosayformyselfthatanyconfidenceyouwishtoplaceinmewillbeconfidencenotimproperlybestowed。”
Theeyesofthebeautifulwifewerenotconfusinghimnow。Hespoketothehelplesshusbandquietlyandseriously，withouthiscustomaryharshness，andwithagravecompassioninhismannerwhichpresentedhimathisbest。Thesightofthedeath-bedhadsteadiedhim。
“Youwishmetowritesomethingforyou？”heresumed，afterwaitingforareply，andwaitinginvain。
“Yes！“saidthedyingman，withtheall-masteringimpatiencewhichhistonguewaspowerlesstoexpress，glitteringangrilyinhiseye。“Myhandisgone，andmyspeechisgoing。Write！“
Beforetherewastimetospeakagain，Mr。Nealheardtherustlingofawoman’sdress，andthequickcreakingofcastersonthecarpetbehindhim。Mrs。Armadalewasmovingthewriting-tableacrosstheroomtothefootofthebed。Ifhewastosetupthosesafeguardsofhisowndevisingthatweretobearhimharmlessthroughallresultstocome，nowwasthetime，ornever。He，kepthisbackturnedonMrs。Armadale，andputhisprecautionaryquestionatonceintheplainestterms。
“MayIask，sir，beforeItakethepeninhand，whatitisyouwishmetowrite？”
Theangryeyesoftheparalyzedmanglitteredbrighterandbrighter。Hislipsopenedandclosedagain。Hemadenoreply。
Mr。Nealtriedanotherprecautionaryquestion，inanewdirection。
“WhenIhavewrittenwhatyouwishmetowrite。”heasked，“whatistobedonewithit？”
Thistimetheanswercame:
“Sealitupinmypresence，andpostittomyex——“
Hislaboringarticulationsuddenlystoppedandhelookedpiteouslyinthequestioner’sfaceforthenextword。
“Doyoumeanyourexecutor？”
“Yes。”
“Itisaletter，Isuppose，thatIamtopost？”Therewasnoanswer。“MayIaskifitisaletteralteringyourwill？”
“Nothingofthesort。”
Mr。Nealconsideredalittle。Themysterywasthickening。Theonewayoutofit，sofar，wasthewaytracedfaintlythroughthatstrangestoryoftheunfinishedletterwhichthedoctorhadrepeatedtohiminMrs。Armadale’swords。Thenearerheapproachedhisunknownresponsibility，themoreominousitseemedofsomethingserioustocome。Shouldheriskanotherquestionbeforehepledgedhimselfirrevocably？Asthedoubtcrossedhismind，hefeltMrs。Armadale’ssilkdresstouchhimonthesidefurthestfromherhusband。Herdelicatedarkhandwaslaidgentlyonhisarm;herfulldeepAfricaneyeslookedathiminsubmissiveentreaty。“Myhusbandisveryanxious。”shewhispered。
“Willyouquiethisanxiety，sir，bytakingyourplaceatthewriting-table？”
Itwasfrom_her_lipsthattherequestcame——fromthelipsofthepersonwhohadthebestrighttohesitate，thewifewhowasexcludedfromthesecret！MostmeninMr。Neal’spositionwouldhavegivenupalltheirsafeguardsonthespot。TheScotchmangavethemallupbutone。
“Iwillwritewhatyouwishmetowrite。”hesaid，addressingMr。
Armadale。“Iwillsealitinyourpresence;andIwillpostittoyourexecutormyself。But，inengagingtodothis，ImustbegyoutorememberthatIamactingentirelyinthedark;andImustaskyoutoexcuseme，ifIreservemyownentirefreedomofaction，whenyourwishesinrelationtothewritingandthepostingoftheletterhavebeenfulfilled。”
“Doyougivemeyourpromise？”
“Ityouwantmypromise，sir，Iwillgiveit——subjecttotheconditionIhavejustnamed。”
“Takeyourcondition，andkeepyourpromise。Mydesk。”headded，lookingathiswifeforthefirsttime。
Shecrossedtheroomeagerlytofetchthedeskfromachairinacorner。Returningwithit，shemadeapassingsigntothenegress，whostillstood，grimandsilent，intheplacethatshehadoccupiedfromthefirst。Thewomanadvanced，obedienttothesign，totakethechildfromthebed。Attheinstantwhenshetouchedhim，thefather’seyes——fixedpreviouslyonthedesk——turnedonherwiththestealthyquicknessofacat。“No！“
hesaid。“No！“echoedthefreshvoiceoftheboy，stillcharmedwithhisplaything，andstilllikinghisplaceonthebed。Thenegresslefttheroom，andthechild，inhightriumph，trottedhistoysoldierupanddownonthebedclothesthatlayrumpledoverhisfather’sbreast。Hismother’slovelyfacecontractedwithapangofjealousyasshelookedathim。
“ShallIopenyourdesk？”sheasked，pushingbackthechild’splaythingsharplywhileshespoke。Anansweringlookfromherhusbandguidedherhandtotheplaceunderhispillowwherethekeywashidden。Sheopenedthedesk，anddisclosedinsidesomesmallsheetsofmanuscriptpinnedtogether。“These？”sheinquired，producingthem。
“Yes。”hesaid。“Youcangonow。”
TheScotchmansittingatthewriting-table，thedoctorstirringastimulantmixtureinacorner，lookedateachotherwithananxietyinboththeirfaceswhichtheycouldneitherofthemcontrol。Thewordsthatbanishedthewifefromtheroomwerespoken。Themomenthadcome。
“Youcangonow。”saidMr。Armadale，forthesecondtime。
Shelookedatthechild，establishedcomfortablyonthebed，andanashypalenessspreadslowlyoverherface。Shelookedatthefatalletterwhichwasasealedsecrettoher，andatortureofjealoussuspicion——suspicionofthatotherwomanwhohadbeentheshadowandthepoisonofherlife——wrunghertotheheart。Aftermovingafewstepsfromthebedside，shestopped，andcamebackagain。Armedwiththedoublecourageofherloveandherdespair，shepressedherlipsonherdyinghusband’scheek，andpleadedwithhimforthelasttime。Herburningtearsdroppedonhisfaceasshewhisperedtohim:“Oh，Allan，thinkhowIhavelovedyou！
thinkhowhardIhavetriedtomakeyouhappy！thinkhowsoonI
shallloseyou！Oh，myownlove！don’t，don’tsendmeaway！“
Thewordspleadedforher;thekisspleadedforher;therecollectionofthelovethathadbeengiventohim，andneverreturned，touchedtheheartofthefast-sinkingmanasnothinghadtoucheditsincethedayofhismarriage。Aheavysighbrokefromhim。Helookedather，andhesitated。
“Letmestay。”shewhispered，pressingherfaceclosertohis。
“Itwillonlydistressyou。”hewhisperedback。
“Nothingdistressesme，butbeingsentawayfrom_you！_“
Hewaited。Shesawthathewasthinking，andwaitedtoo。
“IfIletyoustayalittle——？”
“Yes！yes！“
“WillyougowhenItellyou？”
“Iwill。”
“Onyouroath？”
Thefettersthatboundhistongueseemedtobeloosenedforamomentinthegreatoutburstofanxietywhichforcedthatquestiontohislips。Hespokethosestartlingwordsashehadspokennowordsyet。
“Onmyoath！“sherepeated，and，droppingonherkneesatthebedside，passionatelykissedhishand。Thetwostrangersintheroomturnedtheirheadsawaybycommonconsent。Inthesilencethatfollowed，theonesoundstirringwasthesmallsoundofthechild’stoy，ashemovedithitherandthitheronthebed。
Thedoctorwasthefirstwhobrokethespellofstillnesswhichhadfallenonallthepersonspresent。Heapproachedthepatient，andexaminedhimanxiously。Mrs。Armadalerosefromherknees;
and，firstwaitingforherhusband’spermission，carriedthesheetsofmanuscriptwhichshehadtakenoutofthedesktothetableatwhichMr。Nealwaswaiting。Flushedandeager，morebeautifulthaneverinthevehementagitationwhichstillpossessedher，shestoopedoverhimassheputtheletterintohishands，and，seizingonthemeanstoherendwithawoman’sheadlongself-abandonmenttoherownimpulses，whisperedtohim，“Readitoutfromthebeginning。Imustandwillhearit！“Hereyesflashedtheirburninglightintohis;herbreathbeatonhischeek。Beforehecouldanswer，beforehecouldthink，shewasbackwithherhusband。Inaninstantshehadspoken，andinthatinstantherbeautyhadbenttheScotchmantoherwill。Frowninginreluctantacknowledgmentofhisowninabilitytoresisther，heturnedovertheleavesoftheletter;lookedattheblankplacewherethepenhaddroppedfromthewriter’shandandhadleftablotonthepaper;turnedbackagaintothebeginning，andsaidthewords，inthewife’sinterest，whichthewifeherselfhadputintohislips。
“Perhaps，sir，youmaywishtomakesomecorrections。”hebegan，withallhisattentionapparentlyfixedontheletter，andwitheveryoutwardappearanceoflettinghissourtemperagaingetthebetterofhim。“ShallIreadovertoyouwhatyouhavealreadywritten？”
Mrs。Armadale，sittingatthebedheadononeside，andthedoctor，withhisfingersonthepatient’spulse，sittingontheother，waitedwithwidelydifferentanxietiesfortheanswertoMr。Neal’squestion。Mr。Armadale’seyesturnedsearchinglyfromhischildtohiswife。
“You_will_hearit？”hesaid。Herbreathcameandwentquickly;
herhandstoleupandtookhis;shebowedherheadinsilence。
Herhusbandpaused，takingsecretcounselwithhisthoughts，andkeepinghiseyesfixedonhiswife。Atlasthedecided，andgavetheanswer。“Readit。”hesaid，“andstopwhenItellyou。”
Itwascloseononeo’clock，andthebellwasringingwhichsummonedthevisitorstotheirearlydinnerattheinn。Thequickbeatoffootsteps，andthegatheringhumofvoicesoutside，penetratedgaylyintotheroom，asMr。Nealspreadthemanuscriptbeforehimonthetable，andreadtheopeningsentencesinthesewords:
“Iaddressthislettertomyson，whenmysonisofanagetounderstandit。Havinglostallhopeoflivingtoseemyboygrowuptomanhood，IhavenochoicebuttowriteherewhatIwouldfainhavesaidtohimatafuturetimewithmyownlips。
“Ihavethreeobjectsinwriting。First，torevealthecircumstanceswhichattendedthemarriageofanEnglishladyofmyacquaintance，intheislandofMadeira。Secondly，tothrowthetruelightonthedeathofherhusbandashorttimeafterward，onboardtheFrenchtimbership_LaGracedeDieu。_Thirdly，towarnmysonofadangerthatliesinwaitforhim——adangerthatwillrisefromhisfather’sgravewhentheearthhasclosedoverhisfather’sashes。
“ThestoryoftheEnglishlady’smarriagebeginswithmyinheritingthegreatArmadaleproperty，andmytakingthefatalArmadalename。
“IamtheonlysurvivingsonofthelateMathewWrentmore，ofBarbadoes。Iwasbornonourfamilyestateinthatisland，andI
lostmyfatherwhenIwasstillachild。Mymotherwasblindlyfondofme;shedeniedmenothing，sheletmeliveasIpleased。
Myboyhoodandyouthwerepassedinidlenessandself-indulgence，amongpeople——slavesandhalf-castesmostly——towhommywillwaslaw。IdoubtifthereisagentlemanofmybirthandstationinallEnglandasignorantasIamatthismoment。Idoubtiftherewaseverayoungmaninthisworldwhosepassionswereleftsoentirelywithoutcontrolofanykindasminewereinthoseearlydays。
“Mymotherhadawoman’sromanticobjectiontomyfather’shomelyChristianname。IwaschristenedAllan，afterthenameofawealthycousinofmyfather’s——thelateAllanArmadale——whopossessedestatesinourneighborhood，thelargestandmostproductiveintheisland，andwhoconsentedtobemygodfatherbyproxy。Mr。ArmadalehadneverseenhisWestIndianproperty。HelivedinEngland;and，aftersendingmethecustomarygodfather’spresent，heheldnofurthercommunicationwithmyparentsforyearsafterward。Iwasjusttwenty-onebeforeweheardagainfromMr。Armadale。OnthatoccasionmymotherreceivedaletterfromhimaskingifIwasstillalive，andofferingnoless(ifIwas)
thantomakemetheheirtohisWestIndianproperty。
“ThispieceofgoodfortunefelltomeentirelythroughthemisconductofMr。Armadale’sson，anonlychild。Theyoungmanhaddisgracedhimselfbeyondallredemption;hadlefthishomeanoutlaw;andhadbeenthereuponrenouncedbyhisfatheratonceandforever。Havingnoothernearmalerelativetosucceedhim，Mr。Armadalethoughtofhiscousin’ssonandhisowngodson;andheofferedtheWestIndianestatetome，andmyheirsafterme，ononecondition——thatIandmyheirsshouldtakehisname。Theproposalwasgratefullyaccepted，andtheproperlegalmeasureswereadoptedforchangingmynameinthecolonyandinthemothercountry。BythenextmailinformationreachedMr。Armadalethathisconditionhadbeencompliedwith。Thereturnmailbroughtnewsfromthelawyers。Thewillhadbeenalteredinmyfavor，andinaweekafterwardthedeathofmybenefactorhadmademethelargestproprietorandtherichestmaninBarbadoes。
“Thiswasthefirsteventinthechain。Thesecondeventfolloweditsixweeksafterward。
“Atthattimetherehappenedtobeavacancyintheclerk’sofficeontheestate，andtherecametofillitayoungmanaboutmyownagewhohadrecentlyarrivedintheisland。HeannouncedhimselfbythenameofFergusIngleby。Myimpulsesgovernedmeineverything;Iknewnolawbutthelawofmyowncaprice，andI
tookafancytothestrangerthemomentIseteyesonhim。Hehadthemannersofagentleman，andhepossessedthemostattractivesocialqualitieswhich，inmysmallexperience，Ihadevermetwith。WhenIheardthatthewrittenreferencestocharacterwhichhehadbroughtwithhimwerepronouncedtobeunsatisfactory，I
interfered，andinsistedthatheshouldhavetheplace。Mywillwaslaw，andhehadit。
“MymotherdislikedanddistrustedInglebyfromthefirst。Whenshefoundtheintimacybetweenusrapidlyripening;whenshefoundmeadmittingthisinferiortotheclosestcompanionshipandconfidence(Ihadlivedwithmyinferiorsallmylife，andI
likedit)，shemadeeffortafterefforttopartus，andfailedinoneandall。Driventoherlastresources，sheresolvedtotrytheonechanceleft——thechanceofpersuadingmetotakeavoyagewhichIhadoftenthoughtof——avoyagetoEngland。
“Beforeshespoketomeonthesubject，sheresolvedtointerestmeintheideaofseeingEngland，asIhadneverbeeninterestedyet。Shewrotetoanoldfriendandanoldadmirerofhers，thelateStephenBlanchard，ofThorpeAmbrose，inNorfolk——agentlemanoflandedestate，andawidowerwithagrown-upfamily。
After-discoveriesinformedmethatshemusthavealludedtotheirformerattachment(whichwaschecked，Ibelieve，bytheparentsoneitherside);andthat，inaskingMr。Blanchard’swelcomeforhersonwhenhecametoEngland，shemadeinquiriesabouthisdaughter，whichhintedatthechanceofamarriageunitingthetwofamilies，iftheyoungladyandImetandlikedoneanother。
Wewereequallymatchedineveryrespect，andmymother’srecollectionofhergirlishattachmenttoMr。Blanchardmadetheprospectofmymarryingheroldadmirer’sdaughterthebrightestandhappiestprospectthathereyescouldsee。OfallthisIknewnothinguntilMr。Blanchard’sanswerarrivedatBarbadoes。Thenmymothershowedmetheletter，andputthetemptationwhichwastoseparatemefromFergusInglebyopenlyinmyway。
“Mr。Blanchard’sletterwasdatedfromtheIslandofMadeira。Hewasoutofhealth，andhehadbeenorderedtherebythedoctorstotrytheclimate。Hisdaughterwaswithhim。Afterheartilyreciprocatingallmymother’shopesandwishes，heproposed(ifI
intendedleavingBarbadoesshortly)thatIshouldtakeMadeiraonmywaytoEngland，andpayhimavisitathistemporaryresidenceintheisland。Ifthiscouldnotbe，hementionedthetimeatwhichheexpectedtobebackinEngland，whenImightbesureoffindingawelcomeathisownhouseofThorpeAmbrose。Inconclusion，heapologizedfornotwritingatgreaterlength;
explainingthathissightwasaffected，andthathehaddisobeyedthedoctor’sordersbyyieldingtothetemptationofwritingtohisoldfriendwithhisownhand。
“Kindlyasitwasexpressed，theletteritselfmighthavehadlittleinfluenceonme。Buttherewassomethingelsebesidestheletter;therewasinclosedinitaminiatureportraitofMissBlanchard。Atthebackoftheportrait，herfatherhadwritten，half-jestingly，half-tenderly，’Ican’taskmydaughtertosparemyeyesasusual，withouttellingherofyourinquiries，andputtingayounglady’sdiffidencetotheblush。SoIsendherineffigy(withoutherknowledge)toanswerforherself。Itisagoodlikenessofagoodgirl。Ifshelikesyourson——andifI
likehim，whichIamsureIshall——wemayyetlive，mygoodfriend，toseeourchildrenwhatwemightoncehavebeenourselves——manandwife。’Mymothergavemetheminiaturewiththeletter。Theportraitatoncestruckme——Ican’tsaywhy，I
can’tsayhow——asnothingofthekindhadeverstruckmebefore。
返回顶部