"Well，Iwon’taskmorethanIought，andI’mmuchobligedtoyouforyourpromisetobequiet。Itrusttoyourdiscretion。Good-by。"

"YououghttoREWARDmydiscretion，"saidBaron，comingouttothelanding。

Shehadpartlydescendedthestaircaseandshestopped，leaningagainstthebalusterandsmilingupathim。"Surelyyou’vehadyourrewardinthehonourofmyvisit。"

"That’sdelightfulasfarasitgoes。ButwhatwillyoudoformeifIburnthepapers？"

Mrs。Ryvesconsideredamoment。"Burnthemfirstandyou’llsee！"

Onthisshewentrapidlydownstairs，andBaron，towhomtheanswerappearedinadequateandthepropositionindeedinthatformgrosslyunfair，returnedtohisroom。Thevivacityofherinterestinaquestioninwhichshehaddiscoverablynothingatstakemystified，amusedand，inaddition，irresistiblycharmedhim。Shewasdelicate，imaginative，inflammable，quicktofeel，quicktoact。Hedidn’tcomplainofit，itwasthewayhelikedwomentobe；，buthewasnotimpelledforthehourtocommitthesealedpacketstotheflames。Hedroppedthemagainintotheirsecretwell，andafterthathewentout。Hefeltrestlessandexcited；anotherdaywaslostforwork——

thedreadfuljobtobeperformedforMr。Locketwasstillfurtheroff。

CHAPTERIII。

TendaysafterMrs。Ryves’svisithepaidbyappointmentanothercallontheeditorofthePromiscuous。HefoundhiminthelittlewainscotedChelseahouse，whichhadtoPeter’ssensethesmokybrownnessofanoldpipebowl，surroundedwithalltheemblemsofhisoffice——alitterofpapers，ahedgeofencyclopaedias，aphotographicgalleryofpopularcontributors——andhepromisedatfirsttoconsumeveryfewofthemomentsforwhichsomanyclaimscompeted。ItwasMr。Lockethimselfhoweverwhopresentlymadetheinterviewspacious，gaveitairafterdiscoveringthatpoorBaronhadcometotellhimsomethingmoreinterestingthanthathecouldn’tafterallpatchuphistale。Peterhadbegunwiththis，hadintimatedrespectfullythatitwasacaseinwhichbothpracticeandprinciplerebelled，andthen，perceivinghowlittleMr。Locketwasaffectedbyhisaudacity，hadfeltweakandslightlysilly，leftwithhisheroismonhishands。

Hehadarmedhimselfforastruggle，butthePromiscuousdidn’tevenprotest，andtherewouldhavebeennothingforhimbuttogoawaywiththeprospectofnevercomingagainhadhenotchancedtosayabruptly，irrelevantly，ashegotupfromhischair：

"DoyouhappentobeatallinterestedinSirDominickFerrand？"

Mr。Locket，whohadalsogotup，lookedoverhisglasses。"ThelateSirDominick？"

"Theonlyone；youknowthefamily’sextinct。"

Mr。Locketshothisyoungfriendanothersharpglance，asilentretorttotheglibnessofthisinformation。"Veryextinctindeed。

I’mafraidthesubjecttodaywouldscarcelyberegardedasattractive。"

"Areyouverysure？"Baronasked。

Mr。Locketleanedforwardalittle，withhisfingertipsonhistable，intheattitudeofgivingpermissiontoretire。"Imightconsiderthequestioninaspecialconnection。"Hewassilentaminute，inawaythatrelegatedpoorPetertothegeneral；butmeetingtheyoungman’seyesagainheasked："Areyou——a——thinkingofproposinganarticleuponhim？"

"Notexactlyproposingit——becauseIdon’tyetquiteseemyway；buttheidearatherappealstome。"

Mr。Locketemittedthesafeassertionthatthiseminentstatesmanhadbeenastrikingfigureinhisday；thenheadded："Haveyoubeenstudyinghim？"

"I’vebeendippingintohim。"

"I’mafraidhe’sscarcelyaquestionofthehour，"saidMr。Locket，shufflingpaperstogether。

"IthinkIcouldmakehimone，"PeterBarondeclared。

Mr。Locketstaredagain；hewasunabletorepressanunattenuated"You？"

"Ihavesomenewmaterial，"saidtheyoungman，colouringalittle。

"Thatoftenfreshensupanoldstory。"

"Itburiesitsometimes。It’softenonlyanothertombstone。"

"Thatdependsuponwhatitis。However，"Peteradded，"thedocumentsIspeakofwouldbeacrushingmonument。"

Mr。Locket，hesitating，shotanotherglanceunderhisglasses。"Doyoualludeto——a——revelations？"

"Verycuriousones。"

Mr。Locket，stillonhisfeet，hadkepthisbodyatthebowingangle；

itwasthereforeeasyforhimafteraninstanttobendalittlefurtherandtosinkintohischairwithamovementofhishandtowardtheseatBaronhadoccupied。Baronresumedpossessionofthisconvenience，andtheconversationtookafreshstartonabasiswhichsuchanextensionofprivilegecouldrenderbutlittlelesshumiliatingtoouryoungman。HehadmaturednoplanofconfidinghissecrettoMr。Locket，andhehadreallycomeouttomakehimconscientiouslythatotherannouncementastowhichitappearedthatsomuchartisticagitationhadbeenwasted。Hehadindeedduringthepastdays——daysofpainfulindecision——appealedinimaginationtotheeditorofthePromiscuous，ashehadappealedtoothersourcesofcomfort；buthisscruplesturnedtheirfaceuponhimfromquartershighaswellaslow，andifontheonehandhehadbynomeansmadeuphismindnottomentionhisstrangeknowledge，hehadstillmorelefttothedeterminationofthemomentthequestionofhowheshouldintroducethesubject。Hewasinfacttoonervoustodecide；heonlyfeltthatheneededforhispeaceofmindtocommunicatehisdiscovery。Hewantedanopinion，theimpressionofsomebodyelse，andeveninthisintenselyprofessionalpresence，fiveminutesafterhehadbeguntotellhisqueerstory，hefeltrelievedofhalfhisburden。Hisstorywasveryqueer；hecouldtakethemeasureofthathimselfashespoke；butwouldn’tthisverycircumstancequalifyitforthePromiscuous？

"Ofcoursethelettersmaybeforgeries，"saidMr。Locketatlast。

"I’venodoubtthat’swhatmanypeoplewillsay。"

"Havetheybeenseenbyanyexpert？"

"Noindeed；they’vebeenseenbynobody。"

"Haveyougotanyofthemwithyou？"

"No；Ifeltnervousaboutbringingthemout。"

"That’sapity。Ishouldhavelikedthetestimonyofmyeyes。"

"Youmayhaveitifyou’llcometomyrooms。Ifyoudon’tcaretodothatwithoutafurtherguaranteeI’llcopyyououtsomepassages。"

"Selectafewoftheworst！"Mr。Locketlaughed。OverBaron’sdistressinginformationhehadbecomequitehumanandgenial。Butheaddedinamomentmoredryly："Youknowtheyoughttobeseenbyanexpert。"

"That’sexactlywhatIdread，"saidPeter。

"They’llbeworthnothingtomeifthey’renot。"

Petercommunedwithhisinnermostspirit。"HowmuchwilltheybeworthtoMEiftheyARE？"

Mr。Locketturnedinhisstudy-chair。"Ishouldrequiretolookatthembeforeansweringthatquestion。"

"I’vebeentotheBritishmuseum——therearemanyofhislettersthere。I’veobtainedpermissiontoseethem，andI’vecomparedeverythingcarefully。Irepudiatethepossibilityofforgery。Nosignofgenuinenessiswanting；therearedetails，downtotheverypostmarks，thatnoforgercouldhaveinvented。Besides，whoseinterestcoulditconceivablyhavebeen？Alaborofunspeakabledifficulty，andallforwhatadvantage？Therearesomanyletters，too——twenty-seveninall。"

"Lord，whatanass！"Mr。Locketexclaimed。

"Itwillbeoneofthestrangestpost-mortemrevelationsofwhichhistorypreservestherecord。"

Mr。Locket，gravenow，worriedwithapaper-knifethecreviceofadrawer。"It’sveryodd。Buttobeworthanythingsuchdocumentsshouldbesubjectedtoasearchingcriticism——Imeanofthehistoricalkind。"

"Certainly；thatwouldbethetaskofthewriterintroducingthemtothepublic。"

AgainMr。Locketconsidered；thenwithasmilehelookedup。"Youhadbettergiveuporiginalcompositionandtaketobuyingoldfurniture。"

"Doyoumeanbecauseitwillpaybetter？"

"Foryou，Ishouldthink，originalcompositioncouldn’tpayworse。

Thecreativefaculty’ssorare。"

"Idofeeltemptedtoturnmyattentiontorealheroes，"Peterreplied。

"I’mboundtodeclarethatSirDominickFerrandwasneveroneofmine。Flashy，crafty，second-rate——that’showI’vealwaysreadhim。

Itwasneverasecret，moreover，thathisprivatelifehaditsweakspots。Hewasamereflashinthepan。"

"Hespeakstothepeopleofthiscountry，"saidBaron。

"Hedid；buthisvoice——thevoice，Imean，ofhisprestige——isscarcelyaudiblenow。"

"They’restillproudofsomeofthethingshedidattheForeignOffice——thefamous’exchange’withSpain，intheMediterranean，whichtookEuropesobysurpriseandbywhichshefeltinjured，especiallywhenitbecameapparenthowmuchwehadthebestofthebargain。

Thenthesudden，unexpectedshowofforcebywhichheimposedontheUnitedStatesourinterpretationofthattiresometreaty——Icouldnevermakeoutwhatitwasabout。Thesewerebothmattersthatnoonereallycaredastrawabout，buthemadeeveryonefeelasiftheycared；thenationrosetothewayheplayedhistrumps——itwasuncommon。Hewasoneofthefewmenwe’vehad，inourperiod，whotookEurope，ortookAmerica，bysurprise，madethemjumpabit；andthecountrylikedhisdoingit——itwasapleasantchange。Therestoftheworldconsideredthattheyknewinanycaseexactlywhatwewoulddo，whichwasusuallynothingatall。Saywhatyoulike，he’sstillahighname；partlyalso，nodoubt，onaccountofotherthingshisearlysuccessandearlydeath，hispolitical’cheek’andwit；hisveryappearance——hecertainlywashandsome——andthepossibilities（offuturepersonalsupremacy）whichitwasthefashionatthetime，whichit’sthefashionstill，tosayhadpassedawaywithhim。HehadbeentwiceattheForeignOffice；thatalonewasremarkableforamandyingatforty-four。Whatthereforewillthecountrythinkwhenitlearnshewasvenal？"

PeterBaronhimselfwasnotangrywithSirDominickFerrand，whohadsimplybecometohim（hehadbeen"readingup"feverishlyforaweek）

averycurioussubjectofpsychologicalstudy；buthecouldeasilyputhimselfintheplaceofthatportionofthepublicwhosememorywaslongenoughfortheirpatriotismtoreceiveashock。Itwassometimefortunatelysincetheconductofpublicaffairshadwantedformenofdisinterestedability，buttheextraordinarydocumentsconcealed（ofallplacesintheworld——itwasasfantasticasanightmare）ina"bargain"pickedupatsecond-handbyanobscurescribbler，wouldbeacalculableblowtotheretrospectivemind。

Baronsawvividlythatiftheserelicsshouldbemadepublicthescandal，thehorror，thechatterwouldbeimmense。Immensewouldbealsothecontributiontotruth，therectificationofhistory。Hehadfeltforseveraldays（anditwasexactlywhathadmadehimsonervous）asifheheldinhishandthekeytopublicattention。

"Therearetoomanythingstoexplain，"Mr。Locketwenton，"andthesingularprovenanceofyourpaperswouldcountalmostoverwhelminglyagainstthemeveniftheotherobjectionsweremet。Therewouldbeaperfectandprobablyaverycomplicatedpedigreetotrace。Howdidtheygetintoyourdavenport，asyoucallit，andhowlonghadtheybeenthere？Whathandssecretedthem？whathandshad，soincredibly，clungtothemandpreservedthem？Whoarethepersonsmentionedinthem？whoarethecorrespondents，thepartiestothenefarioustransactions？Yousaythetransactionsappeartobeoftwodistinctkinds——someofthemconnectedwithpublicbusinessandothersinvolvingobscurepersonalrelations。"

"Theyallhavethisincommon，"saidPeterBaron，"thattheyconstituteevidenceofuneasiness，insomeinstancesofpainfulalarm，onthewriter’spart，inrelationtoexposure——theexposureintheonecase，asIgather，ofthefactthathehadavailedhimselfofofficialopportunitiestopromoteenterprises（publicworksandthatsortofthing）inwhichhehadapecuniarystake。Thedreadofthelightintheotherconnectionisevidentlydifferent，andtheselettersaretheearliestindate。Theyareaddressedtoawoman，fromwhomhehadevidentlyreceivedmoney。"

Mr。Locketwipedhisglasses。"Whatwoman？"

"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。TherearelotsofquestionsIcan’tanswer，ofcourse；lotsofidentitiesIcan’testablish；lotsofgapsIcan’tfill。ButastotwopointsI’mclear，andtheyaretheessentialones。Inthefirstplacethepapersinmypossessionaregenuine；inthesecondplacethey’recompromising。"

WiththisPeterBaronroseagain，rathervexedwithhimselfforhavingbeenledontoadvertisehistreasure（itwashisinterlocutor’sperfectlynaturalscepticismthatproducedthiseffect），forhefeltthathewasputtinghimselfinafalseposition。

HedetectedinMr。Locket’sstudieddetachmentthefermentationofimpulsesfromwhich，unsuccessfulashewas，hehimselfprayedtobedelivered。

Mr。Locketremainedseated；hewatchedBarongoacrosstheroomforhishatandumbrella。"Ofcourse，thequestionwouldcomeupofwhosepropertytodaysuchdocumentswouldlegallyhe。Thereareheirs，descendants，executorstoconsider。"

"Insomedegreeperhaps；hutI’vegoneintothatalittle。SirDominickFerrandhadnochildren，andheleftnobrothersandnosisters。Hiswifesurvivedhim，butshediedtenyearsago。Hecanhavehadnoheirsandnoexecutorstospeakof，forheleftnoproperty。"

’’That’stohishonourandagainstyourtheory，’’saidMr。Locket。

"IHAVEnotheory。Heleftalargeishmassofdebt，"PeterBaronadded。AtthisMr。Locketgotup，whilehisvisitorpursued："SofarasIcanascertain，thoughofcoursemyinquirieshavehadtobeveryrapidandsuperficial，thereisnoonenowliving，directlyorindirectlyrelatedtothepersonageinquestion，whowouldbelikelytosufferfromanystepsinthedirectionofpublicity。Ithappenstobearareinstanceofalifethathad，asitwere，nolooseends。

Atleasttherearenoneperceptibleatpresent。"

"Isee，Isee，"saidMr。Locket。"ButIdon’tthinkIshouldcaremuchforyourarticle。"

"Whatarticle？"

"Theoneyouseemtowishtowrite，embodyingthisnewmatter。"

"Oh，Idon’twishtowriteit！"Peterexclaimed。Andthenhebadehishostgood-by。

"Good-by，"saidMr。Locket。"Mindyou，Idon’tsaythatIthinkthere’snothinginit。"

"Youwouldthinktherewassomethinginitifyouweretoseemydocuments。"

"Ishouldliketoseethesecretcompartment，"

thecausticeditorrejoined。"Copymeoutsomeextracts。"

"Towhatend，ifthere’snoquestionoftheirbeingofusetoyou？"

"Idon’tsaythat——Imightlikethelettersthemselves。"

"Themselves？"

"Notasthebasisofapaper，butjusttopublish——forasensation。"

"They’dsellyournumber！"Baronlaughed。

"IdaresayIshouldliketolookatthem，"Mr。Locketconcededafteramoment。"WhenshouldIfindyouathome？"

"Don’tcome，"saidtheyoungman。"Imakeyounooffer。"

"ImightmakeYOUone，"theeditorhinted。"Don’ttroubleyourself；

Ishallprobablydestroythem。"WiththisPeterBarontookhisdeparture，waitinghoweverjustafterwards，inthestreetnearthehouse，asifhehadbeenlookingoutforastrayhansom，towhichhewouldnothavesignalledhaditappeared。HethoughtMr。Locketmighthurryafterhim，butMr。Locketseemedtohaveotherthingstodo，andPeterBaronreturnedonfoottoJerseyVillas。

CHAPTERIV。

OntheeveningthatsucceededthisapparentlypointlessencounterhehadaninterviewmoreconclusivewithMrs。Bundy，forwhoseshrewdandphilosophicviewoflifehehadseveraltimesexpressed，eventothegoodwomanherself，aconsiderablerelish。ThesituationatJerseyVillas（Mrs。RyveshadsuddenlyflownofftoDover）wassuchastocreateinhimadesireformoralsupport，andtherewasakindofdomesticdeterminationinMrs。Bundywhichseemed，ingeneral，toadvertiseit。Hehadaskedforheroncomingin，buthadbeentoldshewasabsentforthehour；uponwhichhehadaddressedhimselfmechanicallytothetaskofdoinguphisdishonouredmanuscript——theingeniousfictionaboutwhichMr。Lockethadbeensostupid——forfurtheradventuresandnotimprobabledefeats。Hepassedarestless，ineffectiveafternoon，askinghimselfifhisgeniuswereahorriddelusion，lookingoutofhiswindowforsomethingthatdidn’thappen，somethingthatseemednowtobetheadventofapersuasiveMr。Locketandnowthereturn，fromanabsencemoredisappointingeventhanMrs。

Bundy’s，ofhisinterestingneighbouroftheparlours。Hewassonervousandsodepressedthathewasunableeventofixhismindonthecompositionofthenotewithwhich，onitsnextperegrination，itwasnecessarythathismanuscriptshouldbeaccompanied。Hewastoonervoustoeat，andheforgoteventodine；heforgottolighthiscandles，helethisfiregoout，anditwasinthemelancholychillofthelateduskthatMrs。Bundy，arrivingatlastwithhislamp，foundhimextendedmoodilyuponhissofa。Shehadbeeninformedthathewishedtospeaktoher，andassheplacedonthemalodorousluminaryanoilyshadeofgreenpasteboardsheexpressedthefriendlyhopethattherewasnothingwrongwithhis’ealth。

Theyoungmanrosefromhiscouch，pullinghimselftogethersufficientlytoreplythathishealthwaswellenoughbutthathisspiritsweredowninhishoots。Hehadastrongdispositionto"draw"hislandladyonthesubjectofMrs。Ryves，aswellasavividconvictionthatsheconstitutedathemeastowhichMrs。Bundywouldrequirelittlepressuretotellhimevenmorethansheknew。Atthesametimehehatedtoappeartopryintothesecretsofhisabsentfriend；todiscussherwiththeirbustlinghostessresembledtoomuchforhistasteagossipwithatattlingservantaboutanunconsciousemployer。HeleftoutofaccounthoweverMrs。Bundy’sknowledgeofthehumanheart，foritwasthisfineprinciplethatbrokedownthebarriersafterhehadreflectedreassuringlythatitwasnotmeddlingwithMrs。Ryves’saffairstotryandfindoutifshestrucksuchanobserverashappy。Crudely，abruptly，evenalittleblushingly，heputthedirectquestiontoMrs。Bundy，andthisledtolerablystraighttoanotherquestion，which，onhisspirit，satequallyheavy（theywereindeedbutdifferentphasesofthesame），andwhichthegoodwomanansweredwithexpressionwhensheejaculated："Thinkitalibertyforyoutorundownforafewhours？Ifshedo，mydearsir，justsendhertometotalkto！"AsregardshappinessindeedshewarnedBaronagainstimposingtoohighastandardonayoungthingwhohadbeenthroughsomuch，andbeforeheknewithefoundhimself，withouttheresponsibilityofchoice，insubmissivereceiptofMrs。

Bundy’sversionofthisexperience。Itwasaninterestingpicture，thoughithaditsinfirmities，oneofthemcongenitalandconsistingofthefactthatithadsprungessentiallyfromthevirginalbrainofMissTeagle。Amplified，edited，embellishedbytherichergeniusofMrs。Bundy，whohadincorporatedwithitandnowliberallyintroducedcopiousinterleavingsofMissTeagle’sownromance，itgavePeterBaronmuchfoodformeditation，atthesametimethatitonlyhalfrelievedhiscuriosityaboutthecausesofthecharmingwoman’sunderlyingstrangeness。HesoundedthisnoteexperimentallyinMrs。

Bundy’sear，butitwaseasytoseethatitdidn’treverberateinherfancy。ShehadnoideaofthepictureitwouldhavebeennaturalforhimtodesirethatMrs。Ryvesshouldpresenttohim，andshewasthereforeunabletoestimatethepointsinrespecttowhichhisactualimpressionwasirritating。Shehadindeednoadequateconceptionoftheintellectualrequirementsofayoungmaninlove。

Shecouldn’ttellhimwhytheirfaultlessfriendwassoisolated，sounrelated，sonervously，shrinkinglyproud。Ontheotherhandshecouldtellhim（heknewitalready）thatshehadpassedmanyyearsofherlifeintheacquisitionofaccomplishmentsataseatoflearningnolessremotethanBoulogne，andthatMissTeaglehadbeenintimatelyacquaintedwiththelateMr。EverardRyves，whowasa"mostrising"youngmaninthecity，notmakinganyyearlessthanhiscleartwelvehundred。"Nowthatheisn’ttheretomakethem，hismourningwidowcan’tliveasshehadthen，canshe？"Mrs。Bundyasked。

Baronwasnotpreparedtosaythatshecould，buthethoughtofanotherwayshemightliveashesat，thenextday，inthetrainwhichrattledhimdowntoDover。Theplace，asheapproachedit，seemedbrightandbreezytohim；hisroamingshadbeenneitherfarenoughnorfrequentenoughtomakethecockneyfiedcoastinsipid。

Mrs。Bundyhadofcoursegivenhimtheaddressheneeded，andonemergingfromthestationhewasonthepointofaskingwhatdirectionheshouldtake。Hisattentionhoweveratthismomentwasdrawnawaybythebustleofthedepartingboat。HehadbeenlongenoughshutupinLondontobeconsciousofrefreshmentinthemereactofturninghisfacetoParis。Hewanderedofftothepierincompanywithhappiertouristsand，leaningonarail，watchedenviouslythepreparation，theagitationofforeigntravel。Itwasforsomeminutesaforetasteofadventure；but，ah，whenwashetohavetheverydraught？Heturnedawayashedroppedthisinterrogativesigh，andindoingsoperceivedthatinanotherpartofthepiertwoladiesandalittleboyweregatheredwithsomethingofthesamewistfulness。Thelittleboyindeedhappenedtolookroundforamoment，uponwhich，withthekeennessofthepredatoryage，herecognisedinouryoungmanasourceofpleasuresfromwhichhelatelyhadbeenweaned。Heboundedforwardwithirrepressiblecriesof"Geegee！"andPeterliftedhimaloftforanembrace。OnputtinghimdownthepilgrimfromJerseyVillasstoodconfrontedwithasensiblysevereMissTeagle，whohadfollowedherlittlecharge。

"What’sthematterwiththeoldwoman？"heaskedhimselfasheofferedherahandwhichshetreatedasthemerestdetail。Whateveritwas，itwas（andveryproperly，onthepartofaloyalsuivante）

thesamecomplaintasthatofheremployer，towhom，fromadistance，forMrs。Ryveshadnotadvancedaninch，heflourishedhishatasshestoodlookingathimwithafacethatheimaginedratherwhite。Mrs。

Ryves’sresponsetothissalutationwastoshiftherpositioninsuchamannerastoappearagainabsorbedintheCalaisboat。PeterBaron，however，keptholdofthechild，whomMissTeagleartfullyendeavouredtowrestfromhim——apolicyinwhichhewasaidedbySidney’sownroughbutinstinctiveloyalty；andhewasthankfulforthehappyeffectofbeingdraggedbyhisjubilantfriendintheverydirectioninwhichhehadtendedforsomanyhours。Mrs。Ryvesturnedoncemoreashecamenear，andthen，fromthesweet，strainedsmilewithwhichsheaskedhimifhewereonhiswaytoFrance，hesawthatifshehadbeenangryathishavingfollowedhershehadquicklygotoverit。

"No，I’mnotcrossing；butitcameovermethatyoumightbe，andthat’swhyIhurrieddown——tocatchyoubeforeyouwereoff。"

"Oh，wecan’tgo——more’sthepity；butwhy，ifwecould，"Mrs。Ryvesinquired，"shouldyouwishtopreventit？"

"BecauseI’vesomethingtoaskyoufirst，somethingthatmaytakesometime。"Hesawnowthatherembarrassmenthadreallynotbeenresentful；ithadbeennervous，tremulous，astheemotionofanunexpectedpleasuremighthavebeen。"That’sreallywhyIdeterminedlastnight，withoutaskingyourleavefirsttopayyouthislittlevisit——thatandtheintensedesireforanotherboutofhorse-playwithSidney。Oh，I’vecometoseeyou，"PeterBaronwenton，"andI

won’tmakeanysecretofthefactthatIexpectyoutoresignyourselfgracefullytothetrialandgivemeallyourtime。Theday’slovely，andI’mreadytodeclarethattheplaceisasgoodastheday。Letmedrinkdeepofthesethings，drainthecuplikeamanwhohasn’tbeenoutofLondonformonthsandmonths。Letmewalkwithyouandtalkwithyouandlunchwithyou——Igobackthisafternoon。Givemeallyourhoursinshort，sothattheymayliveinmymemoryasoneofthesweetestoccasionsoflife。"

TheemissionofsteamfromtheFrenchpacketmadesuchanuproarthatBaroncouldbreathehispassionintotheyoungwoman’searwithoutscandalisingthespectators；andthecharmwhichlittlebylittleitscatteredoverhisfleetingvisitprovedindeedtobethecollectiveinfluenceoftheconditionshehadputintowords。"Whatisityouwishtoaskme？"Mrs。Ryvesdemanded，astheystoodtheretogether；

towhichherepliedthathewouldtellherallaboutitifshewouldsendMissTeagleoffwithSidney。MissTeagle，whowasalwaysanticipatinghercue，hadalreadybegunostentatiouslytogazeatthedistantshoresofFranceandwaseasilyenoughinducedtotakeanearlierstarthomeandrisetotheresponsibilityofstoppingonherwaytocontendwiththebutcher。ShehadhowevertoretirewithoutSidney，whoclungtohisrecoveredprey，sothattherestoftheepisodewasseasoned，toBaron’ssense，bytheimportunatetwitchofthechild’slittle，plump，coolhand。ThefriendswanderedtogetherwithaconjugalairandSidneynotbetweenthem，hangingwistfully，first，overthelengthenedpictureoftheCalaisboat，tilltheycouldlookafterit，asitmovedrumblingaway，inaspellofsilencewhichseemedtoconfess——especiallywhen，amomentlater，theireyesmet——thatitproducedthesamefondfancyineach。Thepresenceoftheboymoreoverwasnohindrancetotheirtalkinginamannerthattheymadebelievewasveryfrank。PeterBaronpresentlytoldhiscompanionwhatitwashehadtakenajourneytoask，andhehadtimeafterwardstogetoverhisdiscomfitureatherappearanceofhavingfancieditmightbesomethinggreater。Sheseemeddisappointed（butshewasforgiving）onlearningfromhimthathehadonlywishedtoknowifshejudgedferociouslyhisnothavingcompliedwithherrequesttorespectcertainseals。

"Howferociouslydoyoususpectmeofhavingjudgedit？"sheinquired。

"Why，totheextentofleavingthehousethenextmoment。"

Theywerestilllingeringonthegreatgranitepierwhenhetouchedonthismatter，andshesatdownattheendwhilethebreeze，warmedbythesunshine，ruffledthepurplesea。Shecolouredalittleandlookedtroubled，andafteraninstantsherepeatedinterrogatively：

"Thenextmoment？"

"AssoonasItoldyouwhatIhaddone。Iwasscrupulousaboutthis，youwillremember；Iwentstraightdownstairstoconfesstoyou。Youturnedawayfromme，sayingnothing；Icouldn’timagine——asIvowI

can’timaginenow——whysuchamattershouldappearsocloselytotouchyou。IwentoutonsomebusinessandwhenIreturnedyouhadquittedthehouse。Ithadallthelookofmyhavingoffendedyou，ofyourwishingtogetawayfromme。Youdidn’tevengivemetimetotellyouhowitwasthat，inspiteofyouradvice，Ideterminedtoseeformyselfwhatmydiscoveryrepresented。Youmustdomejusticeandhearwhatdeterminedme。"

Mrs。Ryvesgotupfromherscatandaskedhim，asaparticularfavour，nottoalludeagaintohisdiscovery。Itwasnoconcernofhersatall，andshehadnowarrantforpryingintohissecrets。Shewasverysorrytohavebeenforamomentsoabsurdastoappeartodoso，andshehumblybeggedhispardonforhermeddling。Sayingthisshewalkedonwithacharmingcolourinhercheek，whilehelaughedout，thoughhewasreallybewildered，attheendlesscapriciousnessofwomen。Fortunatelytheincidentdidn’tspoilthehour，inwhichtherewereothersourcesofsatisfaction，andtheytooktheircoursetoherlodgingswithsuchpleasantlittlepausesandexcursionsbythewayaspermittedhertoshowhimtheobjectsofinterestatDover。Shelethimstopatawine-merchant’sandbuyabottleforluncheon，ofwhich，initsorder，theypartook，togetherwithapuddinginventedbyMissTeagle，which，astheyhypocriticallyswallowedit，madethemlookateachotherinanintimacyofindulgence。Theycameoutagainand，whileSidneygrubbedinthegraveloftheshore，satselfishlyontheParade，tothedisappointmentofMissTeagle，whohadfixedherhopesonaflyandaladylikevisittothecastle。Baronhadhiseyeonhiswatch——hehadtothinkofhistrainandthedismalreturnandmanyothermelancholythings；buttheseaintheafternoonlightwasamoreappealingpicture；thewindhadgonedown，theChannelwascrowded，thesailsoftheshipswerewhiteinthepurpledistance。Theyoungmanhadaskedhiscompanion（hehadaskedherbefore）whenshewastocomebacktoJerseyVillas，andshehadsaidthatsheshouldprobablystayatDoveranotherweek。Itwasdreadfullyexpensive，butitwasdoingthechildallthegoodintheworld，andifMissTeaglecouldgoupforsomethingssheshouldprobablybeabletomanageanextension。

Earlierinthedayshehadsaidthatsheperhapswouldn’treturntoJerseyVillasatall，oronlyreturntowindupherconnectionwithMrs。Bundy。Atanothermomentshehadspokenofanearlydate，animmediatereoccupationofthewonderfulparlours。Baronsawthatshehadnoplan，norealreasons，thatshewasvagueand，insecret，worriedandnervous，waitingforsomethingthatdidn’tdependonherself。Asilenceofseveralminuteshadfallenuponthemwhiletheywatchedtheshiningsails；towhichMrs。Ryvesputanendbyexclaimingabruptly，butwithoutcompletinghersentence："Oh，ifyouhadcometotellmeyouhaddestroyedthem——"

"Thoseterriblepapers？Ilikethewayyoutalkabout’destroying！’

Youdon’tevenknowwhattheyare。"

"Idon’twanttoknow；theyputmeintoastate。"

"Whatsortofastate？"

"Idon’tknow；theyhauntme。"

"Theyhauntedme；thatwaswhy，earlyonemorning，suddenly，I

couldn’tkeepmyhandsoffthem。IhadtoldyouIwouldn’ttouchthem。Ihaddeferredtoyourwhim，yoursuperstition（whatisit？）

butatlasttheygotthebetterofme。Ihadlainawakeallnightthreshingabout，itchingwithcuriosity。Itmademeill；myownnerves（asImaysay）wereirritated，mycapacitytoworkwasgone。

Ithadcomeovermeinthesmallhoursintheshapeofanobsession，afixedidea，thattherewasnothingintheridiculousrelicsandthatmyexaggeratedscruplesweremakingafoolofme。Itwastentoonetheywererubbish，theywerevain，theywereempty；thattheyhadbeenevenapracticaljokeonthepartofsomeweak-mindedgentlemanofleisure，theformerpossessoroftheconfoundeddavenport。ThelongerIhoveredaboutthemwithsuchprecautionsthelongerIwastakenin，andthesoonerIexposedtheirinsignificancethesoonerI

shouldgetbacktomyusualoccupations。ThisconvictionmademyhandsouncontrollablethatthatmorningbeforebreakfastIbrokeoneoftheseals。Ittookmebutafewminutestoperceivethatthecontentswerenotrubbish；thelittlebundlecontainedoldletters——

verycuriousoldletters。"

"Iknow——Iknow；’privateandconfidential。’Soyoubroketheotherseals？"Mrs。Ryveslookedathimwiththestrangeapprehensionhehadseeninhereyeswhensheappearedathisdoorthemomentafterhisdiscovery。

"Youknow，ofcourse，becauseItoldyouanhourlater，thoughyouwouldletmetellyouverylittle。"

Baron，ashemetthisqueergaze，smiledhardathertopreventherguessingthathesmartedwiththefinereproachconveyedinthetoneofherlastwords；butsheappearedabletoguesseverything，forsheremindedhimthatshehadnothadtowaitthatmorningtillhecamedownstairstoknowwhathadhappenedabove，buthadshownhimatthemomenthowshehadbeenconsciousofitanhourbefore，hadpassedonhersidethesametormentednightashe，andhadhadtoexertextraordinaryself-commandnottorushuptohisroomswhilethestudyoftheopenpacketswasgoingon。"You’resosensitivelyorganisedandyou’vesuchmysteriouspowersthatyoureuncanny，"

Barondeclared。

"Ifeelwhattakesplaceatadistance；that’sall。"

"Onewouldthinksomebodyyoulikedwasindanger。"

"ItoldyouthatthatwaswhatwaspresenttomethedayIcameuptoseeyou。"

"Oh，butyoudon’tlikemesomuchasthat，"Baronargued，laughing。

Shehesitated。"No，Idon’tknowthatIdo。"

"Itmustbeforsomeoneelse——theotherpersonconcerned。Theotherday，however，youwouldn’tletmetellyouthatperson’sname。"

Mrs。Ryves，atthis，rosequickly。"Idon’twanttoknowit；it’snoneofmybusiness。"

"No，fortunately，Idon’tthinkitis，"Baronrejoined，walkingwithheralongtheParade。ShehadSidneybythehandnow，andtheyoungmanwasontheothersideofher。Theymovedtowardthestation——shehadofferedtogopartoftheway。"Butwithyourmiraculousgiftit’sawonderyouhaven’tdivined。"

"IonlydivinewhatIwant，"saidMrs。Ryves。

"That’sveryconvenient！"exclaimedPeter，towhomSidneyhadpresentlycomeroundagain。"Only，beingthusinthedark，it’sdifficulttoseeyourmotiveforwishingthepapersdestroyed。"

Mrs。Ryvesmeditated，lookingfixedlyattheground。"Ithoughtyoumightdoittoobligeme。"

"Doesitstrikeyouthatsuchanexpectation，formedinsuchconditions，isreasonable？"

Mrs。Ryvesstoppedshort，andthistimesheturnedonhimthecloudedclearnessofhereyes。"Whatdoyoumeantodowiththem？"

ItwasPeterBaron’sturntomeditate，whichhedid，ontheemptyasphaltoftheParade（the"season，"atDover，wasnotyet），wheretheirshadowswerelongintheafternoonlight。Hewasundersuchacharmashehadneverknown，andhewantedimmenselytobeabletoreply："I’lldoanythingyoulikeifyou’llloveme。"Thesewords，however，wouldhaverepresentedaresponsibilityandhaveconstitutedwhatwasvulgarlytermedanoffer。Anofferofwhat？hequicklyaskedhimselfhere，ashehadalreadyaskedhimselfaftermakinginspiritotherawkwarddashesinthesamedirection——ofwhatbuthispoverty，hisobscurity，hisattemptsthathadcometonothing，hisabilitiesforwhichtherewasnothingtoshow？Mrs。Ryveswasnotexactlyasuccess，butshewasagreatersuccessthanPeterBaron。

Poorashewashehatedthesordid（heknewshedidn’tloveit），andhefeltsmallfortalkingofmarriage。Thereforehedidn’tputthequestioninthewordsitwouldhavepleasedhimmosttohearhimselfutter，buthecompromised，withanangryyoungpang，andsaidtoher：

"WhatwillyoudoformeifIputanendtothem？"

Sheshookherheadsadly——itwasalwaysherprettiestmovement。"I

canpromisenothing——oh，no，Ican’tpromise！Wemustpartnow，"sheadded。"You’llmissyourtrain。"

Helookedathiswatch，takingthehandsheheldouttohim。Shedrewitawayquickly，andnothingthenwaslefthim，beforehurryingtothestation，buttocatchupSidneyandsqueezehimtillheutteredalittleshriek。Onthewaybacktotownthesituationstruckhimasgrotesque。

CHAPTERV。

Ittormentedhimsothenextmorningthatafterthreshingitoutalittlefurtherhefelthehadsomethingofagrievance。Mrs。Ryves’sinterventionhadmadehimacutelyuncomfortable，forshehadtakentheattitudeofexertingpressurewithout，itappeared，recognisingonhispartanequalright。Shehadimposedherselfasaninfluence，yetsheheldherselfaloofasaparticipant；therewerethingsshelookedtohimtodoforher，yetshecouldtellhimofnogoodthatwouldcometohimfromthedoing。Sheshouldeitherhavehadlesstosayorhavebeenwillingtosaymore，andheaskedhimselfwhyheshouldbethesportofhermoodsandhermysteries。Heperceivedherknackofpunctualinterferencetobestriking，butitwasjustthisapparentinfallibilitythatheresented。Whydidn’tshesetupatonceasaprofessionalclairvoyantandekeoutherlittleincomemoresuccessfully？Inpurelyprivatelifesuchagiftwasdisconcerting；

herdivinations，herevasionsdisturbedatanyratehisowntranquillity。

WhatdisturbeditstillfurtherwasthathereceivedearlyinthedayavisitfromMr。Locket，who，leavinghimundernoillusionastothegroundsofsuchanhonour，remarkedassoonashehadgotintotheroomorratherwhilehestillpantedonthesecondflightandthesmudgedlittleslaveyheldopenBaron’sdoor，thathehadtakenuphisyoungfriend’sinvitationtolookatSirDominickFerrand’slettersforhimself。PeterdrewthemforthwithapromptitudeintendedtoshowthatherecognisedthecommercialcharacterofthecallandwithoutattenuatingtheinconsequenceofthisdeparturefromthelastdeterminationhehadexpressedtoMr。Locket。Heshowedhisvisitorthedavenportandthehiddenrecess，andhesmokedacigarette，hummingsoftly，withasenseofunwontedadvantageandtriumph，whilethecautiouseditorsatsilentandhandledthepapers。

ForallhiscautionMr。LocketwasunabletokeepawarmerlightoutofhisjudicialeyeashesaidtoBaronatlastwithsociablebrevity——atonethattookmanythingsforgranted："I’lltakethemhomewithme——theyrequiremuchattention。"

Theyoungmanlookedathimamoment。"Doyouthinkthey’regenuine？"Hedidn’tmeantobemocking，hemeantnottobe；butthewordssoundedsotohisownear，andhecouldseethattheyproducedthateffectonMr。Locket。

"Ican’tintheleastdetermine。Ishallhavetogointothematmyleisure，andthat’swhyIaskyoutolendthemtome。"

Hehadshuffledthepaperstogetherwithamovementcharged，whilehespoke，withtheairofbeingpreliminarytothatofthrustingthemintoalittleblackbagwhichhehadbroughtwithhimandwhich，restingontheshelfofthedavenport，struckPeter，whovieweditaskance，asanobjectdarklyeditorial。Itmadeouryoungman，somehow，suddenlyapprehensive；theadvantageofwhichhehadjustbeenconsciouswasabouttobetransferredbyaquietprocessoflegerdemaintoapersonwhoalreadyhadadvantagesenough。Baron，inshort，feltadeeppangofanxiety；hecouldn’thavesaidwhy。Mr。

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