Theyembracedandparted。Astheclatterofhoofsinthecourt-
yarddiedaway，theLadySelinasankintothechairshehadjustquitted。
"Theseventeenth，"sherepeatedslowly，withthesamefatefulshudder。"Ah！——whatifheshouldknowthatIhaveanotherhusbandliving？DareIrevealtohimthatIhavetwolegitimateandthreenaturalchildren？DareIrepeattohimthehistoryofmyyouth？
DareIconfessthatattheageofsevenIpoisonedmysister，byputtingverdigrisinhercream-tarts，——thatIthrewmycousinfromaswingattheageoftwelve？Thatthelady’s-maidwhoincurredthedispleasureofmygirlhoodnowliesatthebottomofthehorse-
pond？No！no！heistoopure，——toogood，——tooinnocent，tohearsuchimproperconversation！"andherwholebodywrithedassherockedtoandfroinaparoxysmofgrief。
Butshewassooncalm。Risingtoherfeet，sheopenedasecretpanelinthewall，andrevealedaslow-matchreadyforlighting。
"Thismatch，"saidtheLadySelina，"isconnectedwithaminebeneaththewesterntower，wheremythreechildrenareconfined;
anotherbranchofitliesundertheparishchurch，wheretherecordofmyfirstmarriageiskept。Ihaveonlytolightthismatchandthewholeofmypastlifeissweptaway！"sheapproachedthematchwithalightedcandle。
Butahandwaslaiduponherarm，andwithashriektheLadySelinafellonherkneesbeforethespectreofSirGuy。
CHAPTERII。
"Forbear，Selina，"saidthephantominahollowvoice。
"WhyshouldIforbear？"respondedSelinahaughtily，assherecoveredhercourage。"Youknowthesecretofourrace？"
"Ido。Understandme，——Idonotobjecttotheeccentricitiesofyouryouth。Iknowthefearfuldestinywhich，pursuingyou，ledyoutopoisonyoursisteranddrownyourlady’s-maid。IknowtheawfuldoomwhichIhavebroughtuponthishouse！Butifyoumakewaywiththesechildren——"
"Well，"saidtheLadySelina，hastily。
"Theywillhauntyou！"
"Well，Ifearthemnot，"saidSelina，drawinghersuperbfiguretoitsfullheight。
"Yes，but，mydearchild，whatplacearetheytohaunt？Theruinissacredtoyouruncle’sspirit。Yourauntmonopolizesthepark，and，Imustbeallowedtostate，notunfrequentlytrespassesuponthegroundsofothers。Thehorse-pondisfrequentedbythespiritofyourmaid，andyourmurderedsisterwalksthesecorridors。Tobeplain，thereisnoroomatSlopertonGrangeforanotherghost。
Icannothavetheminmyroom，——foryouknowIdon’tlikechildren。
Thinkofthis，rashgirl，andforbear！Wouldyou，Selina，"saidthephantom，mournfully，——"wouldyouforceyourgreat-grandfather’sspirittotakelodgingselsewhere？"
LadySelina’shandtrembled;thelightedcandlefellfromhernervelessfingers。
"No，"shecriedpassionately;"never！"andfellfaintingtothefloor。
CHAPTERIII
EdgardogallopedrapidlytowardsSloperton。WhentheoutlineoftheGrangehadfadedawayinthedarkness，hereinedhismagnificentsteedbesidetheruinsofGuy’sKeep。
"Itwantsbutafewminutesofthehour，"hesaid，consultinghiswatchbythelightofthemoon。"Hedarenotbreakhisword。Hewillcome。"Hepaused，andpeeredanxiouslyintothedarkness。
"Butcomewhatmay，sheismine，"hecontinued，ashisthoughtsrevertedfondlytothefairladyhehadquitted。"Yetifsheknewall。IfsheknewthatIwereadisgracedandruinedman，——afelonandanoutcast。IfsheknewthatattheageoffourteenImurderedmyLatintutorandforgedmyuncle’swill。IfsheknewthatIhadthreewivesalready，andthatthefourthvictimofmisplacedconfidenceandmyunfortunatepeculiarityisexpectedtobeatSlopertonbyto-night’strainwithherbaby。Butno;shemustnotknowit。Constancemustnotarrive。BurketheSloggermustattendtothat。
"Ha！hereheis！Well？"
Thesewordswereaddressedtoaruffianinaslouchedhat，whosuddenlyappearedfromGuy’sKeep。
"Ibe’shere，measter，"saidthevillain，withadisgracefullylowaccentandcompletedisregardofgrammaticalrules。
"Itiswell。Listen：I’minpossessionoffactsthatwillsendyoutothegallows。IknowofthemurderofBillSmithers，therobberyofthetollgate-keeper，andthemakingawayoftheyoungestdaughterofSirReginalddeWalton。Awordfromme，andtheofficersofjusticeareonyourtrack。"
BurketheSloggertrembled。
"Harkye！servemypurpose，andImayyetsaveyou。The5。30trainfromClaphamwillbedueatSlopertonat9。25。ITMUSTNOT
ARRIVE！"
Thevillain’seyessparkledashenoddedatEdgardo。
"Enough，——youunderstand;leaveme！"
CHAPTERIV。
AbouthalfamilefromSlopertonStationtheSouthClaphamandMedwaylinecrossedabridgeoverSloperton-on-Trent。Astheshadesofeveningwereclosing，amaninaslouchedhatmighthavebeenseencarryingasawandaxeunderhisarm，hangingaboutthebridge。Fromtimetotimehedisappearedintheshadowofitsabutments，butthesoundofasawandaxestillbetrayedhisvicinity。Atexactlynineo’clockhereappeared，and，crossingtotheSlopertonside，restedhisshoulderagainsttheabutmentandgaveashove。Thebridgeswayedamoment，andthenfellwithasplashintothewater，leavingaspaceofonehundredfeetbetweenthetwobanks。Thisdone，BurketheSlogger，——foritwashe，——withafiendishchuckleseatedhimselfonthedividedrailwaytrackandawaitedthecomingofthetrain。
Ashriekfromthewoodsannounceditsapproach。ForaninstantBurketheSloggersawtheglaringofaredlamp。Thegroundtrembled。Thetrainwasgoingwithfearfulrapidity。Anothersecondandithadreachedthebank。BurketheSloggerutteredafiendishlaugh。Butthenextmomentthetrainleapedacrossthechasm，strikingtherailsexactlyeven，and，dashingoutthelifeofBurketheSlogger，spedawaytoSloperton。
ThefirstobjectthatgreetedEdgardo，asherodeuptothestationonthearrivalofthetrain，wasthebodyofBurketheSloggerhangingonthecow-catcher;thesecondwasthefaceofhisdesertedwifelookingfromthewindowsofasecond-classcarriage。
CHAPTERV。
AnamelessterrorseemedtohavetakenpossessionofClarissa，LadySelina’smaid，assherushedintothepresenceofhermistress。
"Omylady，suchnews！"
"Explainyourself，"saidhermistress，rising。
"Anaccidenthashappenedontherailway，andamanhasbeenkilled。"
"What——notEdgardo！"almostscreamedSelina。
"No，BurketheSlogger！"yourladyship。
"Myfirsthusband！"saidLadySelina，sinkingonherknees。"JustHeaven，Ithankthee！"
CHAPTERVI。
ThemorningoftheseventeenthdawnedbrightlyoverSloperton。"A
finedayforthewedding，"saidthesextontoSwipes，thebutlerofSlopertonGrange。Theagedretainershookhisheadsadly。"Alas！
there’snotrustinginsigns！"hecontinued。"Seventy-fiveyearsago，onadaylikethis，myyoungmistress——"Buthewascutshortbytheappearanceofastranger。
"IwouldseeSirEdgardo，"saidthenew-comer，impatiently。
Thebridegroom，who，withtherestofthewedding-train，wasaboutsteppingintothecarriagetoproceedtotheparishchurch，drewthestrangeraside。
"It’sdone！"saidthestranger，inahoarsewhisper。
"Ah！andyouburiedher？"
"Withtheothers！"
"Enough。Nomoreatpresent。Meetmeaftertheceremony，andyoushallhaveyourreward。"
Thestrangershuffledaway，andEdgardoreturnedtohisbride。"A
triflingmatterofbusinessIhadforgotten，mydearSelina;letusproceed。"Andtheyoungmanpressedthetimidhandofhisblushingbrideashehandedherintothecarriage。Thecavalcaderodeoutofthecourt-yard。Atthesamemoment，thedeepbellonGuy’sKeeptolledominously。
CHAPTERVII。
Scarcelyhadthewedding-trainlefttheGrange，thanAliceSedilia，youngestdaughterofLadySelina，madeherescapefromthewesterntower，owingtoalackofwatchfulnessonthepartofClarissa。
Theinnocentchild，freedfromrestraint，rambledthroughthelonelycorridors，andfinally，openingadoor，foundherselfinhermother’sboudoir。Forsometimesheamusedherselfbyexaminingthevariousornamentsandeleganttrifleswithwhichitwasfilled。
Then，inpursuanceofachildishfreak，shedressedherselfinhermother’slacesandribbons。Inthisoccupationshechancedtotouchapegwhichprovedtobeaspringthatopenedasecretpanelinthewall。Aliceutteredacryofdelightasshenoticedwhat，toherchildishfancy，appearedtobetheslow-matchofafire-
work。Takingalucifermatchinherhandsheapproachedthefuse。
Shehesitatedamoment。Whatwouldhermotherandhernursesay？
SuddenlytheringingofthechimesofSlopertonparishchurchmetherear。Aliceknewthatthesoundsignifiedthatthemarriagepartyhadenteredthechurch，andthatshewassecurefrominterruption。Withachildishsmileuponherlips，AliceSediliatouchedofftheslow-match。
CHAPTERVIII。
Atexactlytwoo’clockontheseventeenth，RupertSedilia，whohadjustreturnedfromIndia，wasthoughtfullydescendingthehilltowardSlopertonmanor。"IfIcanprovethatmyauntLadySelinawasmarriedbeforemyfatherdied，IcanestablishmyclaimtoSlopertonGrange，"heuttered，halfaloud。Hepaused，forasuddentremblingoftheearthbeneathhisfeet，andaterrificexplosion，asofaparkofartillery，arrestedhisprogress。AtthesamemomenthebeheldadensecloudofsmokeenvelopthechurchyardofSloperton，andthewesterntoweroftheGrangeseemedtobeliftedbodilyfromitsfoundation。Theairseemedfilledwithfallingfragments，andtwodarkobjectsstrucktheearthcloseathisfeet。
Rupertpickedthemup。Oneseemedtobeaheavyvolumeboundinbrass。
Acryburstfromhislips。
"TheParishRecords。"Heopenedthevolumehastily。ItcontainedthemarriageofLadySelinato"BurketheSlogger。"
Thesecondobjectprovedtobeapieceofparchment。Hetoreitopenwithtremblingfingers。ItwasthemissingwillofSirJamesSedilia！
CHAPTERIX。
WhenthebellsagainrangonthenewparishchurchofSlopertonitwasforthemarriageofSirRupertSediliaandhiscousin，theonlyremainingmembersofthefamily。
FivemoreghostswereaddedtothesupernaturalpopulationofSlopertonGrange。PerhapsthiswasthereasonwhySirRupertsoldthepropertyshortlyafterward，andthatformanyyearsadarkshadowseemedtohangovertheruinsofSlopertonGrange。
THENINETY-NINEGUARDSMEN。
BYAL——X——D——RD——M——S
CHAPTERI。
SHOWINGTHEQUALITYOFTHECUSTOMERSOFTHEINNKEEPEROFPROVINS。
Twentyyearsafter，thegiganticinnkeeperofProvinsstoodlookingatacloudofdustonthehighway。
Thiscloudofdustbetokenedtheapproachofatraveller。
TravellershadbeenrarethatseasononthehighwaybetweenParisandProvins。
Theheartoftheinnkeeperrejoiced。TurningtoDamePerigord，hiswife，hesaid，strokinghiswhiteapron：——
"St。Denis！makehasteandspreadthecloth。AddabottleofCharlevoixtothetable。Thistraveller，whoridessofast，byhispacemustbeaMonseigneur。"
Trulythetraveller，cladintheuniformofamusketeer，ashedrewuptothedoorofthehostelry，didnotseemtohavesparedhishorse。Throwinghisreinstothelandlord，heleapedlightlytotheground。Hewasayoungmanoffour-and-twenty，andspokewithaslightGasconaccent。
"Iamhungry，Morbleu！Iwishtodine！"
Thegiganticinnkeeperbowedandledthewaytoaneatapartment，whereatablestoodcoveredwithtemptingviands。Themusketeeratoncesettowork。Fowls，fish，andpatesdisappearedbeforehim。
Perigordsighedashewitnessedthedevastations。Onlyoncethestrangerpaused。
"Wine！"Perigordbroughtwine。Thestrangerdrankadozenbottles。Finallyherosetodepart。Turningtotheexpectantlandlord，hesaid：——
"Chargeit。"
"Towhom，yourhighness？"saidPerigord，anxiously。
"TohisEminence！"
"Mazarin！"ejaculatedtheinnkeeper。
"Thesame。Bringmemyhorse，"andthemusketeer，remountinghisfavoriteanimal，rodeaway。
Theinnkeeperslowlyturnedbackintotheinn。Scarcelyhadhereachedthecourtyardbeforetheclatterofhoofsagaincalledhimtothedoorway。Ayoungmusketeerofalightandgracefulfigurerodeup。
"Parbleu，mydearPerigord，Iamfamishing。Whathaveyougotfordinner？"
"Venison，capons，larks，andpigeons，yourexcellency，"repliedtheobsequiouslandlord，bowingtotheground。
"Enough！"Theyoungmusketeerdismountedandenteredtheinn。
SeatinghimselfatthetablereplenishedbythecarefulPerigord，hespeedilysweptitascleanasthefirstcomer。
"Somewine，mybravePerigord，"saidthegracefulyoungmusketeer，assoonashecouldfindutterance。
PerigordbroughtthreedozenofCharlevoix。Theyoungmanemptiedthemalmostatadraught。
"By-by，Perigord，"hesaidlightly，wavinghishand，as，precedingtheastonishedlandlord，heslowlywithdrew。
"But，yourhighness，——thebill，"saidtheastoundedPerigord。
"Ah，thebill。Chargeit！"
"Towhom？"
"TheQueen！"
"What，Madame？"
"Thesame。Adieu，mygoodPerigord。"Andthegracefulstrangerrodeaway。Anintervalofquietsucceeded，inwhichtheinnkeepergazedwofullyathiswife。Suddenlyhewasstartledbyaclatterofhoofs，andanaristocraticfigurestoodinthedoorway。
"Ah，"saidthecourtiergood-naturedly。"What，domyeyesdeceiveme？No，itisthefestiveandluxuriousPerigord。Perigord，listen。Ifamish。Ilanguish。Iwoulddine。"
Theinnkeeperagaincoveredthetablewithviands。AgainitwassweptcleanasthefieldsofEgyptbeforethemiraculousswarmoflocusts。Thestrangerlookedup。
"Bringmeanotherfowl，myPerigord。"
"Impossible，yourexcellency;thelarderisstrippedclean。"
"Anotherflitchofbacon，then。"
"Impossible，yourhighness;thereisnomore。"
"Well，then，wine！"
Thelandlordbroughtonehundredandforty-fourbottles。Thecourtierdrankthemall。
"Onemaydrinkifonecannoteat，"saidthearistocraticstranger，good-humoredly。
Theinnkeepershuddered。
Theguestrosetodepart。Theinnkeepercameslowlyforwardwithhisbill，towhichhehadcovertlyaddedthelosseswhichhehadsufferedfromthepreviousstrangers。
"Ah，thebill。Chargeit。"
"Chargeit！towhom？"
"TotheKing，"saidtheguest。
"What！hisMajesty？"
"Certainly。Farewell，Perigord。"
Theinnkeepergroaned。Thenhewentoutandtookdownhissign。
Thenremarkedtohiswife：——
"Iamaplainman，anddon’tunderstandpolitics。Itseems，however，thatthecountryisinatroubledstate。BetweenhisEminencetheCardinal，hisMajestytheKing，andherMajestytheQueen，Iamaruinedman。"
"Stay，"saidDamePerigord，"Ihaveanidea。"
"Andthatis——"
"Becomeyourselfamusketeer。"
CHAPTERII。
THECOMBAT。
OnleavingProvinsthefirstmusketeerproceededtoNangis，wherehewasreinforcedbythirty-threefollowers。Thesecondmusketeer，arrivingatNangisatthesamemoment，placedhimselfattheheadofthirty-threemore。ThethirdguestofthelandlordofProvinsarrivedatNangisintimetoassembletogetherthirty-threeothermusketeers。
ThefirststrangerledthetroopsofhisEminence。
ThesecondledthetroopsoftheQueen。
ThethirdledthetroopsoftheKing。
Thefightcommenced。Itragedterriblyforsevenhours。ThefirstmusketeerkilledthirtyoftheQueen’stroops。ThesecondmusketeerkilledthirtyoftheKing’stroops。ThethirdmusketeerkilledthirtyofhisEminence’stroops。
Bythistimeitwillbeperceivedthenumberofmusketeershadbeennarroweddowntofouroneachside。
Naturallythethreeprincipalwarriorsapproachedeachother。
Theysimultaneouslyutteredacry。
"Aramis！"
"Athos！"
"D’Artagnan！"
Theyfellintoeachother’sarms。
"Anditseemsthatwearefightingagainsteachother，mychildren，"saidtheCountdelaFere，mournfully。
"Howsingular！"exclaimedAramisandD’Artagnan。
"Letusstopthisfratricidalwarfare，"saidAthos。
"Wewill！"theyexclaimedtogether。
"Buthowtodisbandourfollowers？"queriedD’Artagnan。
Aramiswinked。Theyunderstoodeachother。"Letuscut’emdown！"
Theycut’emdown。Aramiskilledthree。D’Artagnanthree。Athosthree。
Thefriendsagainembraced。"Howlikeoldtimes，"saidAramis。
"Howtouching！"exclaimedtheseriousandphilosophicCountdelaFere。
Thegallopingofhoofscausedthemtowithdrawfromeachother’sembraces。Agiganticfigurerapidlyapproached。
"TheinnkeeperofProvins！"theycried，drawingtheirswords。
"Perigord，downwithhim！"shoutedD’Artagnan。
"Stay，"saidAthos。
Thegiganticfigurewasbesidethem。Heutteredacry。
"Athos，Aramis，D’Artagnan！"
"Porthos！"exclaimedtheastonishedtrio。
"Thesame。"Theyallfellineachother’sarms。
TheCountdelaFereslowlyraisedhishandstoHeaven。"Blessyou！Blessus，mychildren！Howeverdifferentouropinionmaybeinregardtopolitics，wehavebutoneopinioninregardtoourownmerits。WherecanyoufindabettermanthanAramus？"
"ThanPorthos？"saidAramis。
"ThanD’Artagnan？"saidPorthos。
"ThanAthos？"saidD’Artagnan。
CHAPTERIII。
SHOWINGHOWTHEKINGOFFRANCEWENTUPALADDER。
TheKingdescendedintothegarden。Proceedingcautiouslyalongtheterracedwalk，hecametothewallimmediatelybelowthewindowsofMadame。Totheleftweretwowindows，concealedbyvines。TheyopenedintotheapartmentsofLaValliere。
TheKingsighed。
"Itisaboutnineteenfeettothatwindow，"saidtheKing。"IfI
hadaladderaboutnineteenfeetlong，itwouldreachtothatwindow。Thisislogic。"
SuddenlytheKingstumbledoversomething。"St。Denis！"heexclaimed，lookingdown。Itwasaladder，justnineteenfeetlong。
TheKingplaceditagainstthewall。Insodoing，hefixedthelowerendupontheabdomenofamanwholayconcealedbythewallThemandidnotutteracryorwince。TheKingsuspectednothing。
Heascendedtheladder。
Theladderwastooshort。LouistheGrandwasnotatallman。Hewasstilltwofeetbelowthewindow。
"Dearme！"saidtheKing。
Suddenlytheladderwasliftedtwofeetfrombelow。ThisenabledtheKingtoleapinthewindow。Atthefartherendoftheapartmentstoodayounggirl，withredhairandalameleg。Shewastremblingwithemotion。
"Louise！"
"TheKing！"
"Ah，myGod，mademoiselle。"
"Ah，myGod，sire。"
Butalowknockatthedoorinterruptedthelovers。TheKingutteredacryofrage;Louiseoneofdespair。
ThedooropenedandD’Artagnanentered。
"Goodevening，sire，"saidthemusketeer。
TheKingtouchedabell。Porthosappearedinthedoorway。
"Goodevening，sire。"
"ArrestM。D’Artagnan。"
PorthoslookedatD’Artagnan，anddidnotmove。
TheKingalmostturnedpurplewithrage。Heagaintouchedthebell。Athosentered。
"Count，arrestPorthosandD’Artagnan。"
TheCountdelaFereglancedatPorthosandD’Artagnan，andsmiledsweetly。
"Sacre！WhereisAramis？"saidtheKing，violently。
"Here，sire，"andAramisentered。
"ArrestAthos，Porthos，andD’Artagnan。"
Aramisbowedandfoldedhisarms。
"Arrestyourself！"
Aramisdidnotmove。
TheKingshudderedandturnedpale。"AmInotKingofFrance？"
"Assuredly，sire，butwearealsoseverally，Porthos，Aramis，D’Artagnan，andAthos。"
"Ah！"saidtheKing。
"Yes，sire。"
"Whatdoesthismean？"
"Itmeans，yourMajesty，"saidAramis，steppingforward，"thatyourconductasamarriedmanishighlyimproper。IamanAbbe，andI
objecttotheseimproprieties。Myfriendshere，D’Artagnan，Athos，andPorthos，pure-mindedyoungmen，arealsoterriblyshocked。
Observe，sire，howtheyblush！"
Athos，Porthos，andD’Artagnanblushed。"Ah，"saidtheKing，thoughtfully。"Youteachmealesson。Youaredevotedandnobleyounggentlemen，butyouronlyweaknessisyourexcessivemodesty。
FromthismomentImakeyouallMarshalsandDukes，withtheexceptionofAramis。"
"Andme，sire？"saidAramis。
"YoushallbeanArchbishop！"
Thefourfriendslookedupandthenrushedintoeachother’sarms。
TheKingembracedLouisedelaValliere，bywayofkeepingthemcompany。Apauseensued。AtlastAthosspoke：——
"Swear，mychildren，that，nexttoyourselves，youwillrespect——
theKingofFrance;andrememberthat’Fortyyearsafter’wewillmeetagain。"
THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
BYSIRED——DL——TT——NB——LW——R。
BOOKI。
THEPROMPTINGSOFTHEIDEAL。
Itwasnoon。SirEdwardhadsteppedfromhisbroughamandwasproceedingonfootdowntheStrand。Hewasdressedwithhisusualfaultlesstaste，butinalightingfromhisvehiclehisfoothadslipped，andasmallrounddiskofconglomeratedsoil，whichinstantlyappearedonhishigharchedinstep，marredtheharmoniousglitterofhisboots。SirEdwardwasfastidious。Castinghiseyesaround，atalittledistanceheperceivedthestandofayouthfulbootblack。Thitherhesauntered，andcarelesslyplacinghisfootonthelowstool，hewaitedtheapplicationofthepolisher’sart。
"’Tistrue，"saidSirEdwardtohimself，yethalfaloud，"thecontactoftheFoulandtheDisgustingmarsthegeneraleffectoftheShinyandtheBeautiful——and，yet，whyamIhere？Irepeatit，calmlyanddeliberately——whyamIhere？Ha！Boy！"
TheBoylookedup——hisdarkItalianeyesglancedintelligentlyatthePhilosopher，andaswithonehandhetossedbackhisglossycurls，fromhismarblebrow，andwiththeotherhespreadtheequallyglossyDay&MartinovertheBaronet’sboot，heansweredindeeprichtones："TheIdealissubjectivetotheReal。Theexerciseofapperceptiongivesadistinctivenesstoidiocracy，whichis，however，subjecttothelimitsofME。YouareanadmireroftheBeautiful，sir。Youwishyourbootsblacked。TheBeautifulisattainablebymeansoftheCoin。"
"Ah，"saidSirEdwardthoughtfully，gazinguponthealmostsupernalbeautyoftheChildbeforehim;"youspeakwell。YouhavereadKant。"
TheBoyblusheddeeply。HedrewacopyofKantfromhisblouse，butinhisconfusionseveralothervolumesdroppedfromhisbosomontheground。TheBaronetpickedthemup。
"Ah！"saidthePhilosopher，"what’sthis？Cicero’sDeSenectute，atyourage，too？Martial’sEpigrams，Caesar’sCommentaries。
What！aclassicalscholar？"
"EpluribusUnum。Nuxvomica。Nildesperandum。Nihilfit！"saidtheBoy，enthusiastically。ThePhilosophergazedattheChild。A
strangepresenceseemedtotransfuseandpossesshim。OverthebrowoftheBoyglitteredthepalenimbusoftheStudent。
"Ah，andSchiller’sRobbers，too？"queriedthePhilosopher。
"Dasistausgespielt，"saidtheBoy，modestly。
"ThenyouhavereadmytranslationofSchiller’sBallads？"
continuedtheBaronet，withsomeshowofinterest。
"Ihave，andinfinitelypreferthemtotheoriginal，"saidtheBoy，withintellectualwarmth。"YouhaveshownhowinActuallifewestriveforaGoalwecannotreach;howintheIdealtheGoalisattainable，andthereeffortisvictory。YouhavegivenustheAntithesiswhichisakeytotheRemainder，andconstantlybalancesbeforeustheconditionsoftheActualandtheprivilegesoftheIdeal。"
Myverywords，"saidtheBaronet;"wonderful，wonderful！"andhegazedfondlyattheItalianboy，whoagainresumedhismenialemployment。Alas！thewingsoftheIdealwerefolded。TheStudenthadbeenabsorbedintheBoy。
ButSirEdward’sbootswereblacked，andheturnedtodepart。
PlacinghishandupontheclusteringtendrilsthatsurroundedtheclassicnoboftheinfantItalian，hesaidsoftly，likeastrainofdistantmusic：——
"Boy，youhavedonewell。LovetheGood。ProtecttheInnocent。
ProvideforTheIndigent。RespectthePhilosopher……Stay！
CanyoutellwewhatISTheTrue，TheBeautiful，TheInnocent，TheVirtuous？"
"Theyarethingsthatcommencewithacapitalletter，"saidtheBoy，promptly。
"Enough！Respecteverythingthatcommenceswithacapitalletter！
RespectME！"anddroppingahalf-pennyinthehandoftheboy，hedeparted。
TheBoygazedfixedlyatthecoin。Afrightfulandinstantaneouschangeoverspreadhisfeatures。Hisnoblebrowwascorrugatedwithbaserlinesofcalculation。Hisblackeye，serpent-like，glitteredwithsuppressedpassion。Droppinguponhishandsandfeet，hecrawledtothecurbstoneandhissedaftertheretreatingformoftheBaronet，thesingleword：——
"Bilk！"
BOOKII。
INTHEWORLD。
"Elevenyearsago，"saidSirEdwardtohimself，ashisbroughamslowlyrolledhimtowardtheCommitteeRoom;"justelevenyearsagomynaturalsondisappearedmysteriously。Ihavenodoubtintheworldbutthatthislittlebootblackishe。HismotherdiedinItaly。Heresembleshismotherverymuch。PerhapsIoughttoprovideforhim。ShallIdisclosemyself？No！no！BetterheshouldtastethesweetsofLabor。PenuryennoblesthemindandkindlestheLoveoftheBeautiful。Iwillacttohim，notlikeaFather，notlikeaGuardian，notlikeaFriend——butlikeaPhilosopher！"
Withthesewords，SirEdwardenteredtheCommitteeRoom。HisSecretaryapproachedhim。"SirEdward，therearefearsofadivisionintheHouse，andthePrimeMinisterhassentforyou。"
"Iwillbethere，"saidSirEdward，asheplacedhishandonhischestandutteredahollowcough！
NoonewhoheardtheBaronetthatnight，inhissarcasticandwitheringspeechontheDrainageandSewerageBill，wouldhaverecognizedtheloveroftheIdealandthePhilosopheroftheBeautiful。NoonewholistenedtohiseloquencewouldhavedreamedoftheSpartanresolutionthisironmanhadtakeninregardtotheLostBoy——hisownbelovedLionel。None！
"AfinespeechfromSirEdwardto-night，"saidLordBillingsgate，as，arm-and-armwiththePremier，heenteredhiscarriage。
"Yes！buthowdreadfullyhecoughs！"
"Exactly。Dr。Bolussayshislungsareentirelygone;hebreathesentirelybyaneffortofwill，andaltogetherindependentofpulmonaryassistance。"
"Howstrange！"andthecarriagerolledaway。
BOOKIII。
THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
"ADONAI，appear！appear！"
AndastheSeerspoke，theawfulPresenceglidedoutofNothingness，andsat，sphinx-like，atthefeetoftheAlchemist。
"Iamcome！"saidtheThing。
"Youshouldsay，’Ihavecome，’——it’sbettergrammar，"saidtheBoy-Neophyte，thoughtfullyaccentingthesubstitutedexpression。
"Hush，rashBoy，"saidtheSeer，sternly。"WouldyouopposeyourfeebleknowledgetotheinfiniteintelligenceoftheUnmistakable？
Aword，andyouarelostforever。"
TheBoybreathedasilentprayer，and，handingasealedpackagetotheSeer，beggedhimtohandittohisfatherincaseofhisprematuredecease。
"Youhavesentforme，"hissedthePresence。"Beholdme，Apokatharticon，——theUnpronounceable。Inmeallthingsexistthatarenotalreadycoexistent。IamtheUnattainable，theIntangible，theCause，andtheEffect。InmeobservetheBrahmaofMr。
Emerson;notonlyBrahmahimself，butalsothesacredmusicalcompositionrehearsedbythefaithfulHindoo。IamtherealGyges。
Noneothersaregenuine。"
AndtheveiledSonoftheStarbeamlaidhimselflooselyabouttheroom，andpermeatedSpacegenerally。
"UnfathomableMystery，"saidtheRosicrucianinalow，sweetvoice。
"BraveChildwiththeVitreousOptic！Thouwhopervadestallthingsandrubbestagainstuswithoutabrasionofthecuticle。I
commandthee，speak！"
Andthemisty，intangible，indefinitePresencespoke。
BOOKIV。
MYSELF。
Aftertheeventsrelatedinthelastchapter，thereaderwillperceivethatnothingwaseasierthantoreconcileSirEdwardtohissonLionel，nortoresuscitatethebeautifulItaliangirl，who，itappears，wasnotdead，andtocauseSirEdwardtomarryhisfirstandboyishlove，whomhehaddeserted。TheyweremarriedinSt。George’s，HanoverSquare。Asthebridalpartystoodbeforethealtar，SirEdward，withasweetsadsmile，said，inquitehisoldmanner：——
"TheSublimeandBeautifularetheReal;theonlyIdealistheRidiculousandHomely。Letusalwaysrememberthis。Letusthroughlifeendeavortopersonifythevirtues，andalwaysbegin’emwithacapitalletter。Letus，wheneverwecanfindanopportunity，deliveroursentimentsintheformofround-handcopies。RespecttheAged。EschewVulgarity。AdmireOurselves。
RegardtheNovelist。"
THEHAUNTEDMAN。
ACHRISTMASSTORY。
BYCH——R——SD——CK——NS。
PARTI。
THEFIRSTPHANTOM。
Don’ttellmethatitwasn’taknocker。Ihadseenitoftenenough，andIoughttoknow。Sooughtthethree-o’clockbeer，indirtyhigh-lows，swinginghimselfovertherailing，orexecutingademoniacaljiguponthedoorstep;sooughtthebutcher，althoughbutchersasageneralthingarescornfulofsuchtrifles;sooughtthepostman，towhomknockersofthemostextravagantdescriptionweremerelyhumanweaknesses，thatweretobepitiedandused。Andsoought，forthematterofthat，etc。，etc。，etc。
ButthenitwasSUCHaknocker。Awild，extravagant，andutterlyincomprehensibleknocker。AknockersomysteriousandsuspiciousthatPolicemanX37，firstcominguponit，feltinclinedtotakeitinstantlyincustody，butcompromisedwithhisprofessionalinstinctsbysharplyandsternlynotingitwithaneyethatadmittedofnononsense，butconfidentlyexpectedtodetectitssecretyet。Anuglyknocker;aknockerwithahard，humanface，thatwasatypeoftheharderhumanfacewithin。Ahumanfacethatheldbetweenitsteethabrazenrod。Sohereafter，inthemysteriousfutureshouldbeheld，etc。，etc。
Butiftheknockerhadafiercehumanaspectintheglareofday，youshouldhaveseenitatnight，whenitpeeredoutofthegatheringshadowsandsuggestedanambushedfigure;whenthelightofthestreetlampsfelluponit，andwroughtaplayofsinisterexpressioninitshardoutlines;whenitseemedtowinkmeaninglyatashroudedfigurewho，asthenightfelldarkly，creptupthestepsandpassedintothemysterioushouse;whentheswingingdoordisclosedablackpassageintowhichthefigureseemedtoloseitselfandbecomeapartofthemysteriousgloom;whenthenightgrewboisterousandthefiercewindmadefuriouschargesattheknocker，asiftowrenchitoffandcarryitawayintriumph。Suchanightasthis。
Itwasawildandpitilesswind。Awindthathadcommencedlifeasagentlecountryzephyr，butwanderingthroughmanufacturingtownshadbecomedemoralized，andreachingthecityhadplungedintoextravagantdissipationandwildexcesses。AroisteringwindthatindulgedinBacchanalianshoutsonthestreetcorners，thatknockedoffthehatsfromtheheadsofhelplesspassengers，andthenfulfilleditsdutiesbyspeedingaway，likeallyoungprodigals，——
tosea。
Hesataloneinagloomylibrarylisteningtothewindthatroaredinthechimney。Aroundhimnovelsandstory-bookswerestrewnthickly;inhislapheheldonewithitspagesfreshlycut，andturnedtheleaveswearilyuntilhiseyesresteduponaportraitinitsfrontispiece。Andasthewindhowledthemorefiercely，andthedarknesswithoutfellblacker，astrangeandfatefullikenesstothatportraitappearedabovehischairandleaneduponhisshoulder。TheHauntedMangazedattheportraitandsighed。Thefiguregazedattheportraitandsighedtoo。
"Hereagain？"saidtheHauntedMan。
"Hereagain，"itrepeatedinalowvoice。
"Anothernovel？"
"Anothernovel。"
"Theoldstory？"
"Theoldstory。"
"Iseeachild，"saidtheHauntedMan，gazingfromthepagesofthebookintothefire，——"amostunnaturalchild，amodelinfant。Itisprematurelyoldandphilosophic。Itdiesinpovertytoslowmusic。Itdiessurroundedbyluxurytoslowmusic。Itdieswithanaccompanimentofgoldenwaterandrattlingcartstoslowmusic。
Previoustoitsdeceaseitmakesawill;itrepeatstheLord’sPrayer，itkissesthe’booferlady。’Thatchild——"
"Ismine，"saidthephantom。
"Iseeagoodwoman，undersized。Iseeseveralcharmingwomen，buttheyareallundersized。Theyaremoreorlessimbecileandidiotic，butalwaysfascinatingandundersized。Theywearcoquettishcapsandaprons。Iobservethatfemininevirtueisinvariablybelowthemediumheight，andthatitisalwayssimpleandinfantine。Thesewomen——"
"Aremine。"
"Iseeahaughty，proud，andwickedlady。Sheistallandqueenly。
Iremarkthatallproudandwickedwomenaretallandqueenly。
Thatwoman——"
"Ismine，"saidthephantom，wringinghishands。
"Iseeseveralthingscontinuallyimpending。Iobservethatwheneveranaccident，amurder，ordeathisabouttohappen，thereissomethinginthefurniture，inthelocality，intheatmosphere，thatforeshadowsandsuggestsityearsinadvance。IcannotsaythatinreallifeIhavenoticedit，——theperceptionofthissurprisingfactbelongs——"
"Tome！"saidthephantom。TheHauntedMancontinued，inadespairingtone：——
"Iseetheinfluenceofthisinthemagazinesanddailypapers;I
seeweakimitatorsriseupandenfeebletheworldwithsenselessformula。Iamgettingtiredofit。Itwon’tdo，Charles！itwon’tdo！"andtheHauntedManburiedhisheadinhishandsandgroaned。
Thefigurelookeddownuponhimsternly：theportraitinthefrontispiecefrownedashegazed。
"Wretchedman，"saidthephantom，"andhowhavethesethingsaffectedyou？"
"OnceIlaughedandcried，butthenIwasyounger。Now，IwouldforgetthemifIcould。"
"Havethenyourwish。Andtakethiswithyou，manwhomIrenounce。
FromthisdayhenceforthyoushalllivewiththosewhomIdisplace。
Withoutforgettingme，’twillbeyourlottowalkthroughlifeasifwehadnotmet。Butfirstyoushallsurveythesescenesthathenceforthmustbeyours。Atoneto-night，preparetomeetthephantomIhaveraised。Farewell！"
Thesoundofitsvoiceseemedtofadeawaywiththedyingwind，andtheHauntedManwasalone。Butthefirelightflickeredgayly，andthelightdancedonthewalls，makinggrotesquefiguresofthefurniture。
"Ha，ha！"saidtheHauntedMan，rubbinghishandsgleefully;"nowforawhiskeypunchandacigar。"
BOOKII。
THESECONDPHANTOM。
One！Thestrokeofthefar-offbellhadhardlydiedbeforethefrontdoorclosedwithareverberatingclang。Stepswereheardalongthepassage;thelibrarydoorswungopenofitself，andtheKnocker——yes，theKnocker——slowlystrodeintotheroom。TheHauntedManrubbedhiseyes，——no！therecouldbenomistakeaboutit，——itwastheKnocker’sface，mountedonamisty，almostimperceptiblebody。Thebrazenrodwastransferredfromitsmouthtoitsrighthand，whereitwasheldlikeaghostlytruncheon。
"It’sacoldevening，"saidtheHauntedMan。
"Itis，"saidtheGoblin，inahard，metallicvoice。
"Itmustbeprettycoldoutthere，"saidtheHauntedMan，withvaguepoliteness。"Doyouever——willyou——takesomehotwaterandbrandy？"
"No，"saidtheGoblin。
"Perhapsyou’dlikeitcold，bywayofchange？"continuedtheHauntedMan，correctinghimself，asherememberedthepeculiartemperaturewithwhichtheGoblinwasprobablyfamiliar。
"Timeflies，"saidtheGoblincoldly。"Wehavenoleisureforidletalk。Come！"Hemovedhisghostlytruncheontowardthewindow，andlaidhishandupontheother’sarm。AthistouchthebodyoftheHauntedManseemedtobecomeasthinandincorporealasthatoftheGoblinhimself，andtogethertheyglidedoutofthewindowintotheblackandblowynight。
IntherapidityoftheirflightthesensesoftheHauntedManseemedtoleavehim。Atlengththeystoppedsuddenly。
"Whatdoyousee？"askedtheGoblin。
"Iseeabattlementedmediaevalcastle。Gallantmeninmailrideoverthedrawbridge，andkisstheirgauntletedfingerstofairladies，whowavetheirlilyhandsinreturn。Iseefightandfrayandtournament。Ihearroaringheraldsbawlingthecharmsofdelicatewomen，andshamelesslyproclaimingtheirlovers。Stay。I
seeaJewessabouttoleapfromabattlement。Iseeknightlydeeds，violence，rapine，andagooddealofblood。I’veseenprettymuchthesameatAstley’s。"
"Lookagain。"
"Iseepurplemoors，glens，masculinewomen，bare-leggedmen，priggishbook-worms，moreviolence，physicalexcellence，andblood。
Alwaysblood，——andthesuperiorityofphysicalattainments。"
"Andhowdoyoufeelnow？"saidtheGoblin。
TheHauntedManshruggedhisshoulders。"Nonethebetterforbeingcarriedbackandaskedtosympathizewithabarbarousage。"
TheGoblinsmiledandclutchedhisarm;theyagainspedrapidlythroughtheblacknightandagainhalted。
"Whatdoyousee？"saidtheGoblin。
"Iseeabarrackroom，withamesstable，andagroupofintoxicatedCelticofficerstellingfunnystories，andgivingchallengestoduel。IseeayoungIrishgentlemancapableofperformingprodigiesofvalor。Ilearnincidentallythattheacmeofallheroismisthecornetcyofadragoonregiment。IhearagooddealofFrench！No，thankyou，"saidtheHauntedManhurriedly，ashestayedthewavinghandoftheGoblin;"IwouldratherNOTgotothePeninsula，anddon’tcaretohaveaprivateinterviewwithNapoleon。"
AgaintheGoblinflewawaywiththeunfortunateman，andfromastrangeroaringbelowthemhejudgedtheywereabovetheocean。A
shiphoveinsight，andtheGoblinstayeditsflight。"Look，"hesaid，squeezinghiscompanion’sarm。
TheHauntedManyawned。"Don’tyouthink，Charles，you’reratherrunningthisthingintotheground？Ofcourseit’sverymoralandinstructive，andallthat。Butain’ttherealittletoomuchpantomimeaboutit？Comenow！"
"Look！"repeatedtheGoblin，pinchinghisarmmalevolently。TheHauntedMangroaned。
"O，ofcourse，IseeherMajesty’sshipArethusa。OfcourseIamfamiliarwithhersternFirstLieutenant，hereccentricCaptain，heronefascinatingandseveralmischievousmidshipmen。OfcourseIknowit’sasplendidthingtoseeallthis，andnottobeseasick。O，theretheyounggentlemenaregoingtoplayatrickonthepurser。ForGod’ssake，letusgo，"andtheunhappymanabsolutelydraggedtheGoblinawaywithhim。
Whentheynexthalted，itwasattheedgeofabroadandboundlessprairie，inthemiddleofanoakopening。
"Isee，"saidtheHauntedMan，withoutwaitingforhiscue，butmechanically，andasifhewererepeatingalessonwhichtheGoblinhadtaughthim，——"IseetheNobleSavage。Heisveryfinetolookat！ButIobserveunderhiswar-paint，feathers，andpicturesqueblanket，dirt，disease，andanunsymmetricalcontour。Iobservebeneathhisinflatedrhetoricdeceitandhypocrisy;beneathhisphysicalhardihood，cruelty，malice，andrevenge。TheNobleSavageisahumbug。IremarkedthesametoMr。Catlin。"
"Come，"saidthephantom。
TheHauntedMansighed，andtookouthiswatch。"Couldn’twedotherestofthisanothertime？"
"Myhourisalmostspent，irreverentbeing，butthereisyetachanceforyourreformation。Come！"
Againtheyspedthroughthenight，andagainhalted。Thesoundofdeliciousbutmelancholymusicfellupontheirears。
"Isee，"saidtheHauntedMan，withsomethingofinterestinhismanner，——"Iseeanoldmoss-coveredmansebesideasluggish，flowingriver。Iseeweirdshapes：witches，Puritans，clergymen，littlechildren，judges，mesmerizedmaidens，movingtothesoundofmelodythatthrillsmewithitssweetnessandpurity。But，althoughcarriedalongitscalmandevenlyflowingcurrent，theshapesarestrangeandfrightful：aneatinglichengnawsattheheartofeach。Notonlytheclergymen，butwitch，maiden，judge，andPuritan，allwearScarletLettersofsomekindburnedupontheirhearts。Iamfascinatedandthrilled，butIfeelamorbidsensitivenesscreepingoverme。I——Ibegyourpardon。"TheGoblinwasyawningfrightfully。"Well，perhapswehadbettergo。"
"Onemore，andthelast，"saidtheGoblin。
Theyweremovinghome。Streaksofredwerebeginningtoappearintheeasternsky。Alongthebanksoftheblacklyflowingriverbymoorlandandstagnantfens，bylowhouses，clusteringclosetothewater’sedge，likestrangemollusks，crawleduponthebeachtodry;
bymistyblackbarges，themoremistyandindistinctseenthroughitsmysteriousveil，theriverfogwasslowlyrising。SorolledawayandrosefromtheheartoftheHauntedMan，etc。，etc。
Theystoppedbeforeaquaintmansionofredbrick。TheGoblinwavedhishandwithoutspeaking。
"Isee，"saidtheHauntedMan，"agaydrawing-room。Iseemyoldfriendsoftheclub，ofthecollege，ofsociety，evenastheylivedandmoved。Iseethegallantandunselfishmen，whomIhaveloved，andthesnobswhomIhavehated。Iseestrangelyminglingwiththem，andnowandthenblendingwiththeirforms，ouroldfriendsDickSteele，Addison，andCongreve。Iobserve，though，thatthesegentlemenhaveahabitofgettingtoomuchintheway。TheroyalstandardofQueenAnne，notinitselfabeautifulornament，israthertooprominentinthepicture。Thelonggalleriesofblackoak，theformalfurniture，theoldportraits，arepicturesque，butdepressing。Thehouseisdamp。Ienjoymyselfbetterhereonthelawn，wheretheyaregettingupaVanityFair。See，thebellrings，thecurtainisrising，thepuppetsarebroughtoutforanewplay。Letmesee。"
TheHauntedManwaspressingforwardinhiseagerness，butthehandoftheGoblinstayedhim，andpointingtohisfeethesaw，betweenhimandtherisingcurtain，anew-madegrave。Andbendingabovethegraveinpassionategrief，theHauntedManbeheldthephantomofthepreviousnight。
*****
TheHauntedManstarted，and——woke。Thebrightsunshinestreamedintotheroom。Theairwassparklingwithfrost。Heranjoyouslytothewindowandopenedit。Asmallboysalutedhimwith"MerryChristmas。"TheHauntedManinstantlygavehimaBankofEnglandnote。"HowmuchlikeTinyTim，Tom，andBobbythatboylooked，——
blessmysoul，whatageniusthisDickenshas！"
Aknockatthedoor，andBootsentered。
"Consideryoursalarydoubledinstantly。HaveyoureadDavidCopperfield？"
"Yezzur。"
"Yoursalaryisquadrupled。WhatdoyouthinkoftheOldCuriosityShop？"
Themaninstantlyburstintoatorrentoftears，andthenintoaroaroflaughter。
"Enough！Herearefivethousandpounds。Openaporter-house，andcallit，’OurMutualFriend。’Huzza！Ifeelsohappy！"AndthehauntedMandancedabouttheroom。
Andso，bathedinthelightofthatblessedsun，andyetglowingwiththewarmthofagoodaction，theHauntedMan，hauntednolonger，savebythoseshapeswhichmakethedreamsofchildrenbeautiful，reseatedhimselfinhischair，andfinishedOurMutualFriend。
MISSMIX。
BYCH——L——TTEBR——NTE。
CHAPTERI。
Myearliestimpressionsareofahuge，misshapenrock，againstwhichthehoarsewavesbeatunceasingly。Onthisrockthreepelicansarestandinginadefiantattitude。Adarkskylowersinthebackground，whiletwosea-gullsandagiganticcormoranteyewithextremedisfavorthefloatingcorpseofadrownedwomanintheforeground。Afewbracelets，coralnecklaces，andotherarticlesofjewelry，scatteredaroundloosely，completethisremarkablepicture。
Itisonewhich，insomevague，unconsciousway，symbolizes，tomyfancy，thecharacterofaman。Ihaveneverbeenabletoexplainexactlywhy。IthinkImusthaveseenthepictureinsomeillustratedvolume，whenababy，ormymothermayhavedreameditbeforeIwasborn。
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