ItwasaboutthethirdweekinMaythatMrs。Mullet，relictofthelateSylvesterMullet，andmotherofTobyandabunchofdaughters，assailedClovisSangrailontheoutskirtsofthevillagewithabreathlesscatalogueoflocalhappenings。
"Youknowournewneighbour，Mr。Penricarde？"shevociferated；"awfullyrich，ownstinminesinCornwall，middle-agedandratherquiet。He'stakentheRedHouseonalongleaseandspentalotofmoneyonalterationsandimprovements。Well，Toby'ssoldhimtheBrogue！"
Clovisspentamomentortwoinassimilatingtheastonishingnews；thenhebrokeoutintounstintedcongratulation。IfhehadbelongedtoamoreemotionalracehewouldprobablyhavekissedMrs。Mullet。
"Howwonderfullyluckytohavepulleditoffatlast！Nowyoucanbuyadecentanimal。I'vealwayssaidthatTobywasclever。Eversomanycongratulations。"
"Don'tcongratulateme。It'sthemostunfortunatethingthatcouldhavehappened！"saidMrs。Mulletdramatically。
Clovisstaredatherinamazement。
"Mr。Penricarde，"saidMrs。Mullet，sinkinghervoicetowhatsheimaginedtobeanimpressivewhisper，thoughitratherresembledahoarse，excitedsqueak，"Mr。
PenricardehasjustbeguntopayattentionstoJessie。
Slightatfirst，butnowunmistakable。Iwasafoolnottohaveseenitsooner。Yesterday，attheRectorygardenparty，heaskedherwhatherfavouriteflowerswere，andshetoldhimcarnations，andto-dayawholestackofcarnationshasarrived，cloveandmalmaisonandlovelydarkredones，regularexhibitionblooms，andaboxofchocolatesthathemusthavegotonpurposefromLondon。
Andhe'saskedhertogoroundthelinkswithhimto-
morrow。Andnow，justatthiscriticalmoment，Tobyhassoldhimthatanimal。It'sacalamity！"
"Butyou'vebeentryingtogetthehorseoffyourhandsforyears，"saidClovis。
"I'vegotahousefulofdaughters，"saidMrs。
Mullet，"andI'vebeentrying-well，nottogetthemoffmyhands，ofcourse，butahusbandortwowouldn'tbeamissamongthelotofthem；therearesixofthem，youknow。"
"Idon'tknow，"saidClovis，"I'venevercounted，butIexpectyou'rerightastothenumber；mothersgenerallyknowthesethings。"
"Andnow，"continuedMrs。Mullet，inhertragicwhisper，"whenthere'sarichhusband-in-prospectimminentonthehorizonTobygoesandsellshimthatmiserableanimal。Itwillprobablykillhimifhetriestorideit；anywayitwillkillanyaffectionhemighthavefelttowardsanymemberofourfamily。Whatistobedone？Wecan'tverywellasktohavethehorseback；
yousee，wepraisedituplikeanythingwhenwethoughttherewasachanceofhisbuyingit，andsaiditwasjusttheanimaltosuithim。"
"Couldn'tyoustealitoutofhisstableandsendittograssatsomefarmmilesaway？"suggestedClovis；
"write'VotesforWomen'onthestabledoor，andthethingwouldpassforaSuffragetteoutrage。Noonewhoknewthehorsecouldpossiblysuspectyouofwantingtogetitbackagain。"
"Everynewspaperinthecountrywouldringwiththeaffair，"saidMrs。Mullet；"can'tyouimaginetheheadline，'ValuableHunterStolenbySuffragettes'？Thepolicewouldscourthecountrysidetilltheyfoundtheanimal。"
"Well，JessiemusttryandgetitbackfromPenricardeonthepleathatit'sanoldfavourite。Shecansayitwasonlysoldbecausethestablehadtobepulleddownunderthetermsofanoldrepairinglease，andthatnowithasbeenarrangedthatthestableistostandforacoupleofyearslonger。"
"Itsoundsaqueerproceedingtoaskforahorsebackwhenyou'vejustsoldhim，"saidMrs。Mullet，"butsomethingmustbedone，anddoneatonce。Themanisnotusedtohorses，andIbelieveItoldhimitwasasquietasalamb。Afterall，lambsgokickingandtwistingaboutasiftheyweredemented，don'tthey？"
"Thelambhasanentirelyunmeritedcharacterforsedateness，"agreedClovis。
Jessiecamebackfromthegolflinksnextdayinastateofmingledelationandconcern。
"It'sallrightabouttheproposal，"sheannouncedhecameoutwithitatthesixthhole。IsaidImusthavetimetothinkitover。Iacceptedhimattheseventh。"
"Mydear，"saidhermother，"Ithinkalittlemoremaidenlyreserveandhesitationwouldhavebeenadvisable，asyou'veknownhimsoshortatime。Youmighthavewaitedtilltheninthhole。"
"Theseventhisaverylonghole，"saidJessie；
"besides，thetensionwasputtingusbothoffourgame。
Bythetimewe'dgottotheninthholewe'dsettledlotsofthings。ThehoneymoonistobespentinCorsica，withperhapsaflyingvisittoNaplesifwefeellikeit，andaweekinLondontowindupwith。Twoofhisniecesaretobeaskedtobebridesmaids，sowithourlottherewillbeseven，whichisratheraluckynumber。Youaretowearyourpearlgrey，withanyamountofHonitonlacejabbedintoit。Bytheway，he'scomingoverthiseveningtoaskyourconsenttothewholeaffair。Sofarall'swell，butabouttheBrogueit'sadifferentmatter。
Itoldhimthelegendaboutthestable，andhowkeenwewereaboutbuyingthehorseback，butheseemsequallykeenonkeepingit。Hesaidhemusthavehorseexercisenowthathe'slivinginthecountry，andhe'sgoingtostartridingtomorrow。He'sriddenafewtimesintheRow，onananimalthatwasaccustomedtocarryoctogenariansandpeopleundergoingrestcures，andthat'saboutallhisexperienceinthesaddle-oh，andherodeaponyonceinNorfolk，whenhewasfifteenandtheponytwenty-four；andtomorrowhe'sgoingtoridetheBrogue！IshallbeawidowbeforeI'mmarried，andIdosowanttoseewhatCorsica'slike；itlookssosillyonthemap。"
Cloviswassentforinhaste，andthedevelopmentsofthesituationputbeforehim。
"Nobodycanridethatanimalwithanysafety，"saidMrs。Mullet，"exceptToby，andheknowsbylongexperiencewhatitisgoingtoshyat，andmanagestoswerveatthesametime。"
"IdidhinttoMr。Penricarde-toVincent，Ishouldsay-thattheBroguedidn'tlikewhitegates，"saidJessie。
"Whitegates！"exclaimedMrs。Mullet；"didyoumentionwhateffectapighasonhim？He'llhavetogopastLockyer'sfarmtogettothehighroad，andthere'ssuretobeapigortwogruntingaboutinthelane。"
"He'stakenratheradisliketoturkeyslately，"
saidToby。
"It'sobviousthatPenricardemustn'tbeallowedtogooutonthatanimal，"saidClovis，"atleastnottillJessiehasmarriedhim，andtiredofhim。Itellyouwhat：askhimtoapicnicto-morrow，startingatanearlyhour；he'snotthesorttogooutforaridebeforebreakfast。ThedayafterI'llgettherectortodrivehimovertoCrowleighbeforelunch，toseethenewcottagehospitalthey'rebuildingthere。TheBroguewillbestandingidleinthestableandTobycanoffertoexerciseit；thenitcanpickupastoneorsomethingofthesortandgoconvenientlylame。Ifyouhurryontheweddingabitthelamenessfictioncanbekeptuptilltheceremonyissafelyover。"
Mrs。Mulletbelongedtoanemotionalrace，andshekissedClovis。
Itwasnobody'sfaultthattheraincamedownintorrentsthenextmorning，makingapicnicafantasticimpossibility。Itwasalsonobody'sfault，butsheerill-luck，thattheweatherclearedupsufficientlyintheafternoontotemptMr。PenricardetomakehisfirstessaywiththeBrogue。TheydidnotgetasfarasthepigsatLockyer'sfarm；therectorygatewaspaintedadullunobtrusivegreen，butithadbeenwhiteayearortwoago，andtheBrogueneverforgotthathehadbeeninthehabitofmakingaviolentcurtsey，aback-pedalandaswerveatthisparticularpointoftheroad。
Subsequently，therebeingapparentlynofurthercallonhisservices，hebrokehiswayintotherectoryorchard，wherehefoundahenturkeyinacoop；latervisitorstotheorchardfoundthecoopalmostintact，butverylittleleftoftheturkey。
Mr。Penricarde，alittlestunnedandshaken，andsufferingfromabruisedkneeandsomeminordamages，good-naturedlyascribedtheaccidenttohisowninexperiencewithhorsesandcountryroads，andallowedJessietonursehimbackintocompleterecoveryandgolf-
fitnesswithinsomethinglessthanaweek。
Inthelistofweddingpresentswhichthelocalnewspaperpublishedafortnightorsolaterappearedthefollowingitem：
"Brownsaddle-horse，'TheBrogue，'bridegroom'sgifttobride。"
"Whichshows，"saidTobyMullet，"thatheknewnothing。"
"Orelse，"saidClovis，"thathehasaverypleasingwit。"
THEHEN
"DORABITTHOLZiscomingonThursday，"saidMrs。
Sangrail。
"ThisnextThursday？"askedClovisHismothernodded。
"You'veratherdoneit，haven'tyou？"hechuckled；
"JaneMartlethasonlybeenherefivedays，andsheneverstayslessthanafortnight，evenwhenshe'saskeddefinitelyforaweek。You'llnevergetheroutofthehousebyThursday。"
"WhyshouldI？"askedMrs。Sangrail；"sheandDoraaregoodfriends，aren'tthey？Theyusedtobe，asfarasIremember。"
"Theyusedtobe；that'swhatmakesthemallthemorebitternow。Eachfeelsthatshehasnursedaviperinherbosom。Nothingfanstheflameofhumanresentmentsomuchasthediscoverythatone'sbosomhasbeenutilisedasasnakesanatorium。"
"Butwhathashappened？Hassomeonebeenmakingmischief？"
"Notexactly，"saidClovis；"ahencamebetweenthem。"
"Ahen？Whathen？"
"ItwasabronzeLeghornorsomesuchexoticbreed，andDorasoldittoJaneataratherexoticprice。Theybothgoinforprizepoultry，youknow，andJanethoughtshewasgoingtogethermoneybackinalargefamilyofpedigreechickens。Thebirdturnedouttobeanabstainerfromtheegghabit，andI'mtoldthattheletterswhichpassedbetweenthetwowomenwerearevelationastohowmuchinvectivecouldbegotontoasheetofnotepaper。"
"Howridiculous！"saidMrs。Sangrail。"Couldn'tsomeoftheirfriendscomposethequarrel？"
"Peopletried，"saidClovis，"butitmusthavebeenratherlikecomposingthestormmusicofthe`FliegendeHollander。'JanewaswillingtotakebacksomeofhermostlibellousremarksifDorawouldtakebackthehen，butDorasaidthatwouldbeowningherselfinthewrong，andyouknowshe'dassoonthinkofowningslumpropertyinWhitechapelasdothat。"
"It'samostawkwardsituation，"saidMrs。Sangrail。
"Doyousupposetheywon'tspeaktooneanother？"
"Onthecontrary，thedifficultywillbetogetthemtoleaveoff。Theirremarksoneachother'sconductandcharacterhavehithertobeengovernedbythefactthatonlyfourouncesofplainspeakingcanbesentthroughthepostforapenny。"
"Ican'tputDoraoff，"saidMrs。Sangrail。"I'vealreadypostponedhervisitonce，andnothingshortofamiraclewouldmakeJaneleavebeforeherself-allottedfortnightisover。"
"Miraclesareratherinmyline，"saidClovis。"I
don'tpretendtobeveryhopefulinthiscasebutI'lldomybest。"
"Aslongasyoudon'tdragmeintoit-"stipulatedhismother。
****
"Servantsareabitofanuisance，"mutteredClovis，ashesatinthesmoking-roomafterlunch，talkingfitfullytoJaneMartletintheintervalsofputtingtogetherthematerialsofacocktail，whichhehadirreverentlypatentedunderthenameofanEllaWheelerWilcox。Itwaspartlycompoundedofoldbrandyandpartlyofcuracoa；therewereotheringredients，buttheywereneverindiscriminatelyrevealed。
"Servantsanuisance！"exclaimedJane，boundingintothetopicwiththeexuberantplungeofahunterwhenitleavesthehighroadandfeelsturfunderitshoofs；"I
shouldthinktheywere！ThetroubleI'vehadingettingsuitedthisyearyouwouldhardlybelieve。ButIdon'tseewhatyouhavetocomplainof-yourmotherissowonderfullyluckyinherservants。Sturridge，forinstance-he'sbeenwithyouforyears，andI'msurehe'saparagonasbutlersgo。"
"That'sjustthetrouble，"saidClovis。"It'swhenservantshavebeenwithyouforyearsthattheybecomeareallyseriousnuisance。The'hereto-dayandgoneto-
morrow'sortdon'tmatter-you'vesimplygottoreplacethem；it'sthestayersandtheparagonsthataretherealworry。"
"Butiftheygivesatisfaction-"
"Thatdoesn'tpreventthemfromgivingtrouble。
Now，you'vementionedSturridge-itwasSturridgeIwasparticularlythinkingofwhenImadetheobservationaboutservantsbeinganuisance。"
"TheexcellentSturridgeanuisance！Ican'tbelieveit。"
"Iknowhe'sexcellent，andwejustcouldn'tgetalongwithouthim；he'stheonereliableelementinthisratherhaphazardhousehold。Buthisveryorderlinesshashadaneffectonhim。Haveyoueverconsideredwhatitmustbeliketogoonunceasinglydoingthecorrectthinginthecorrectmannerinthesamesurroundingsforthegreaterpartofalifetime？Toknowandordainandsuperintendexactlywhatsilverandglassandtablelinenshallbeusedandsetoutonwhatoccasions，tohavecellarandpantryandplate-cupboardunderaminutelydevisedandundeviatingadministration，tobenoiseless，impalpable，omnipresent，and，asfarasyourowndepartmentisconcerned，omniscient？"
"Ishouldgomad，"saidJanewithconviction。
"Exactly，"saidClovisthoughtfully，swallowinghiscompletedEllaWheelerWilcox。
"ButSturridgehasn'tgonemad，"saidJanewithaflutterofinquiryinhervoice。
"Onmostpointshe'sthoroughlysaneandreliable，"
saidClovis，"butattimesheissubjecttothemostobstinatedelusions，andonthoseoccasionshebecomesnotmerelyanuisancebutadecidedembarrassment。"
"Whatsortofdelusions？"
"Unfortunatelytheyusuallycentreroundoneoftheguestsofthehouseparty，andthatiswheretheawkwardnesscomesin。Forinstance，hetookitintohisheadthatMatildaSheringhamwastheProphetElijah，andasallthatherememberedaboutElijah'shistorywastheepisodeoftheravensinthewildernessheabsolutelydeclinedtointerferewithwhatheimaginedtobeMatilda'sprivatecateringarrangements，wouldn'tallowanyteatobesentuptoherinthemorning，andifhewaswaitingattablehepassedheroveraltogetherinhandingroundthedishes。"
"Howveryunpleasant。Whateverdidyoudoaboutit？"
"Oh，Matildagotfed，afterafashion，butitwasjudgedtobebestforhertocuthervisitshort。Itwasreallytheonlythingtobedone，"saidCloviswithsomeemphasis。
"Ishouldn'thavedonethat，"saidJane，"Ishouldhavehumouredhiminsomeway。Icertainlyshouldn'thavegoneaway。"
Clovisfrowned。
"Itisnotalwayswisetohumourpeoplewhentheygettheseideasintotheirheads。There'snoknowingtowhatlengthstheymaygoifyouencouragethem。"
"Youdon'tmeantosayhemightbedangerous，doyou？"askedJanewithsomeanxiety。
"Onecanneverbecertain，"saidClovis；"nowandthenhegetssomeideaaboutaguestwhichmighttakeanunfortunateturn。Thatispreciselywhatisworryingmeatthepresentmoment。"
"What，hashetakenafancyaboutsomeoneherenow？"askedJaneexcitedly；"howthrilling！Dotellmewhoitis。"
You，"saidClovisbriefly。
"Me？"
Clovisnodded。
"WhoonearthdoeshethinkIam？"
"QueenAnne，"wastheunexpectedanswer。
"QueenAnne！Whatanidea。But，anyhow，there'snothingdangerousabouther；she'ssuchacolourlesspersonality。"
"WhatdoesposteritychieflysayaboutQueenAnne？"
askedClovisrathersternly。
"TheonlythingthatIcanrememberabouther，"saidJane，"isthesaying'QueenAnne'sdead。'"
"Exactly，"saidClovis，staringattheglassthathadheldtheEllaWheelerWilcox，"dead。"
"DoyoumeanhetakesmefortheghostofQueenAnne？"askedJane。
"Ghost？Dearno。Nooneeverheardofaghostthatcamedowntobreakfastandatekidneysandtoastandhoneywithahealthyappetite。No，it'sthefactofyoubeingsoverymuchaliveandflourishingthatperplexesandannoyshim。AllhislifehehasbeenaccustomedtolookonQueenAnneasthepersonificationofeverythingthatisdeadanddonewith，'asdeadasQueenAnne，'youknow；andnowhehastofillyourglassatlunchanddinnerandlistentoyouraccountsofthegaytimeyouhadattheDublinHorseShow，andnaturallyhefeelsthatsomething'sverywrongwithyou。"
"Buthewouldn'tbedownrighthostiletomeonthataccount，wouldhe？"Janeaskedanxiously。
"Ididn'tgetreallyalarmedaboutittilllunchto-
day，"saidClovis；"Icaughthimgloweringatyouwithaverysinisterlookandmuttering：'Oughttobedeadlongago，sheought，andsomeoneshouldseetoit。'That'swhyImentionedthemattertoyou。"
"Thisisawful，"saidJane；"yourmothermustbetoldaboutitatonce。"
"Mymothermustn'thearawordaboutit，"saidClovisearnestly；"itwouldupsetherdreadfully。ShereliesonSturridgeforeverything。"
"Buthemightkillmeatanymoment，"protestedJane。
"Notatanymoment；he'sbusywiththesilveralltheafternoon。"
"You'llhavetokeepasharplook-outallthetimeandbeonyourguardtofrustrateanymurderousattack，"
saidJane，addinginatoneofweakobstinacy："It'sadreadfulsituationtobein，withamadbutlerdanglingoveryouliketheswordofWhat's-his-name，butI'mcertainlynotgoingtocutmyvisitshort。"
Clovissworehorriblyunderhisbreath；themiraclewasanobviousmisfire。
ItwasinthehallthenextmorningafteralatebreakfastthatClovishadhisfinalinspirationashestoodengagedincoaxingrustspotsfromanoldputter。
"WhereisMissMartlet？"heaskedthebutler，whowasatthatmomentcrossingthehall。
"Writinglettersinthemorning-room，sir，"saidSturridge，announcingafactofwhichhisquestionerwasalreadyaware。
"Shewantstocopytheinscriptiononthatoldbasket-hiltedsabre，"saidClovis，pointingtoavenerableweaponhangingonthewall。"Iwishyou'dtakeittoher；myhandsarealloveroil。Takeitwithoutthesheath，itwillbelesstrouble。"
Thebutlerdrewtheblade，stillkeenandbrightinitswell-caredforoldage，andcarrieditintothemorning-room。Therewasadoornearthewriting-tableleadingtoabackstairway；Janevanishedthroughitwithsuchlightningrapiditythatthebutlerdoubtedwhethershehadseenhimcomein。HalfanhourlaterCloviswasdrivingherandherhastily-packedluggagetothestation。
"Motherwillbeawfullyvexedwhenshecomesbackfromherrideandfindsyouhavegone，"heobservedtothedepartingguest，"butI'llmakeupsomestoryaboutanurgentwirehavingcalledyouaway。Itwouldn'tdotoalarmherunnecessarilyaboutSturridge。"
JanesniffedslightlyatClovis'ideasofunnecessaryalarm，andwasalmostrudetotheyoungmanwhocameroundwiththoughtfulinquiriesastoluncheon-
baskets。
ThemiraclelostsomeofitsusefulnessfromthefactthatDorawrotethesamedaypostponingthedateofhervisit，but，atanyrate，ClovisholdstherecordastheonlyhumanbeingwhoeverhustledJaneMartletoutofthetime-tableofhermigrations。
THEOPENWINDOW
"MYauntwillbedownpresently，Mr。Nuttel，"saidaveryself-possessedyoungladyoffifteen；"inthemeantimeyoumusttryandputupwithme。"
FramtonNuttelendeavouredtosaythecorrectsomethingwhichshoulddulyflatterthenieceofthemomentwithoutundulydiscountingtheauntthatwastocome。Privatelyhedoubtedmorethaneverwhethertheseformalvisitsonasuccessionoftotalstrangerswoulddomuchtowardshelpingthenervecurewhichhewassupposedtobeundergoing。
"Iknowhowitwillbe，"hissisterhadsaidwhenhewaspreparingtomigratetothisruralretreat；"youwillburyyourselfdownthereandnotspeaktoalivingsoul，andyournerveswillbeworsethaneverfrommoping。I
shalljustgiveyoulettersofintroductiontoallthepeopleIknowthere。Someofthem，asfarasIcanremember，werequitenice。"
FramtonwonderedwhetherMrs。Sappleton，theladytowhomhewaspresentingoneofthelettersofintroduction，cameintothenicedivision。
"Doyouknowmanyofthepeopleroundhere？"askedtheniece，whenshejudgedthattheyhadhadsufficientsilentcommunion。
"Hardlyasoul，"saidFramton。"Mysisterwasstayinghere，attherectory，youknow，somefouryearsago，andshegavemelettersofintroductiontosomeofthepeoplehere。"
Hemadethelaststatementinatoneofdistinctregret。
"Thenyouknowpracticallynothingaboutmyaunt？"
pursuedtheself-possessedyounglady。
"Onlyhernameandaddress，"admittedthecaller。
HewaswonderingwhetherMrs。Sappletonwasinthemarriedorwidowedstate。Anundefinablesomethingabouttheroomseemedtosuggestmasculinehabitation。
"Hergreattragedyhappenedjustthreeyearsago，"
saidthechild；"thatwouldbesinceyoursister'stime。"
"Hertragedy？"askedFramton；somehowinthisrestfulcountryspottragediesseemedoutofplace。
"YoumaywonderwhywekeepthatwindowwideopenonanOctoberafternoon，"saidtheniece，indicatingalargeFrenchwindowthatopenedontoalawn。
"Itisquitewarmforthetimeoftheyear，"saidFramton；"buthasthatwindowgotanythingtodowiththetragedy？"
"Outthroughthatwindow，threeyearsagotoaday，herhusbandandhertwoyoungbrotherswentofffortheirday'sshooting。Theynevercameback。Incrossingthemoortotheirfavouritesnipe-shootinggroundtheywereallthreeengulfedinatreacherouspieceofbog。Ithadbeenthatdreadfulwetsummer，youknow，andplacesthatweresafeinotheryearsgavewaysuddenlywithoutwarning。Theirbodieswereneverrecovered。Thatwasthedreadfulpartofit。"Herethechild'svoicelostitsself-possessednoteandbecamefalteringlyhuman。
"Poorauntalwaysthinksthattheywillcomebacksomeday，theyandthelittlebrownspanielthatwaslostwiththem，andwalkinatthatwindowjustastheyusedtodo。
Thatiswhythewindowiskeptopeneveryeveningtillitisquitedusk。Poordearaunt，shehasoftentoldmehowtheywentout，herhusbandwithhiswhitewaterproofcoatoverhisarm，andRonnie，heryoungestbrother，singing'Bertie，whydoyoubound？'ashealwaysdidtoteaseher，becauseshesaiditgotonhernerves。Doyouknow，sometimesonstill，quieteveningslikethis，Ialmostgetacreepyfeelingthattheywillallwalkinthroughthatwindow-"
Shebrokeoffwithalittleshudder。ItwasarelieftoFramtonwhentheauntbustledintotheroomwithawhirlofapologiesforbeinglateinmakingherappearance。
"IhopeVerahasbeenamusingyou？"shesaid。
"Shehasbeenveryinteresting，"saidFramton。
"Ihopeyoudon'tmindtheopenwindow，"saidMrs。
Sappletonbriskly；"myhusbandandbrotherswillbehomedirectlyfromshooting，andtheyalwayscomeinthisway。
They'vebeenoutforsnipeinthemarshesto-day，sothey'llmakeafinemessovermypoorcarpets。Solikeyoumen-folk，isn'tit？"
Sherattledoncheerfullyabouttheshootingandthescarcityofbirds，andtheprospectsforduckinthewinter。ToFramtonitwasallpurelyhorrible。Hemadeadesperatebutonlypartiallysuccessfulefforttoturnthetalkontoalessghastlytopic；hewasconsciousthathishostesswasgivinghimonlyafragmentofherattention，andhereyeswereconstantlystrayingpasthimtotheopenwindowandthelawnbeyond。Itwascertainlyanunfortunatecoincidencethatheshouldhavepaidhisvisitonthistragicanniversary。
"Thedoctorsagreeinorderingmecompleterest，anabsenceofmentalexcitement，andavoidanceofanythinginthenatureofviolentphysicalexercise，"announcedFramton，wholabouredunderthetolerablywide-spreaddelusionthattotalstrangersandchanceacquaintancesarehungryfortheleastdetailofone'sailmentsandinfirmities，theircauseandcure。"Onthematterofdiettheyarenotsomuchinagreement，"hecontinued。
"No？"saidMrs。Sappleton，inavoicewhichonlyreplacedayawnatthelastmoment。Thenshesuddenlybrightenedintoalertattention-butnottowhatFramtonwassaying。
"Heretheyareatlast！"shecried。"Justintimefortea，anddon'ttheylookasiftheyweremuddyuptotheeyes！"
Framtonshiveredslightlyandturnedtowardstheniecewithalookintendedtoconveysympatheticcomprehension。Thechildwasstaringoutthroughtheopenwindowwithdazedhorrorinhereyes。InachillshockofnamelessfearFramtonswungroundinhisseatandlookedinthesamedirection。
Inthedeepeningtwilightthreefigureswerewalkingacrossthelawntowardsthewindow；theyallcarriedgunsundertheirarms，andoneofthemwasadditionallyburdenedwithawhitecoathungoverhisshoulders。A
tiredbrownspanielkeptcloseattheirheels。
Noiselesslytheynearedthehouse，andthenahoarseyoungvoicechantedoutofthedusk："Isaid，Bertie，whydoyoubound？"
Framtongrabbedwildlyathisstickandhat；thehall-door，thegravel-drive，andthefrontgateweredimly-notedstagesinhisheadlongretreat。Acyclistcomingalongtheroadhadtorunintothehedgetoavoidanimminentcollision。
"Hereweare，mydear，"saidthebearerofthewhitemackintosh，cominginthroughthewindow；"fairlymuddy，butmostofit'sdry。Whowasthatwhoboltedoutaswecameup？"
"Amostextraordinaryman，aMr。Nuttel，"saidMrs。
Sappleton；"couldonlytalkabouthisillnesses，anddashedoffwithoutawordofgood-byeorapologywhenyouarrived。Onewouldthinkhehadseenaghost。"
"Iexpectitwasthespaniel，"saidtheniececalmly；"hetoldmehehadahorrorofdogs。HewasoncehuntedintoacemeterysomewhereonthebanksoftheGangesbyapackofpariahdogs，andhadtospendthenightinanewlyduggravewiththecreaturessnarlingandgrinningandfoamingjustabovehim。Enoughtomakeanyonetheirnerve。"
Romanceatshortnoticewasherspeciality。
THETREASURESHIP
THEgreatgalleonlayinsemi-retirementunderthesandandweedandwaterofthenorthernbaywherethefortuneofwarandweatherhadlongagoensconcedit。
Threeandaquartercenturieshadpassedsincethedaywhenithadtakenthehighseasasanimportantunitofafightingsquadron-preciselywhichsquadronthelearnedwerenotagreed。Thegalleonhadbroughtnothingintotheworld，butithad，accordingtotraditionandreport，takenmuchoutofit。Buthowmuch？Thereagainthelearnedwereindisagreement。Somewereasgenerousintheirestimateasanincome-taxassessor，othersappliedaspeciesofhighercriticismtothesubmergedtreasurechests，anddebasedtheircontentstothecurrencyofgoblingold。OftheformerschoolwasLulu，DuchessofDulverton。
TheDuchesswasnotonlyabelieverintheexistenceofasunkentreasureofalluringproportions；shealsobelievedthatsheknewofamethodbywhichthesaidtreasuremightbepreciselylocatedandcheaplydisembedded。Anauntonhermother'ssideofthefamilyhadbeenMaidofHonourattheCourtofMonaco，andhadtakenarespectfulinterestinthedeep-searesearchesinwhichtheThroneofthatcountry，impatientperhapsofitsterrestrialrestrictions，waswonttoimmerseitself。
ItwasthroughtheinstrumentalityofthisrelativethattheDuchesslearnedofaninvention，perfectedandverynearlypatentedbyaMonegaskansavant，bymeansofwhichthehome-lifeoftheMediterraneansardinemightbestudiedatadepthofmanyfathomsinacoldwhitelightofmorethanball-roombrilliancy。Implicatedinthisinvention（and，intheDuchess'seyes，themostattractivepartofit）wasanelectricsuctiondredge，speciallydesignedfordraggingtothesurfacesuchobjectsofinterestandvalueasmightbefoundinthemoreaccessiblelevelsoftheocean-bed。Therightsoftheinventionweretobeacquiredforamatterofeighteenhundredfrancs，andtheapparatusforafewthousandmore。TheDuchessofDulvertonwasrich，astheworldcountedwealth；shenursedthehope，ofbeingonedayrichatherowncomputation。Companieshadbeenformedandeffortshadbeenmadeagainandagainduringthecourseofthreecenturiestoprobefortheallegedtreasuresoftheinterestinggalleon；withtheaidofthisinventionsheconsideredthatshemightgotoworkonthewreckprivatelyandindependently。Afterall，oneofherancestorsonhermother'ssidewasdescendedfromMedinaSidonia，soshewasofopinionthatshehadasmuchrighttothetreasureasanyone。Sheacquiredtheinventionandboughttheapparatus。
Amongotherfamilytiesandencumbrances，Lulupossessedanephew，VascoHoniton，ayounggentlemanwhowasblessedwithasmallincomeandalargecircleofrelatives，andlivedimpartiallyandprecariouslyonboth。ThenameVascohadbeengivenhimpossiblyinthehopethathemightliveuptoitsadventuroustradition，buthelimitedhimselfstrictlytothehomeindustryofadventurer，preferringtoexploittheassuredratherthantoexploretheunknown。Lulu'sintercoursewithhimhadbeenrestrictedofrecentyearstothenegativeprocessesofbeingoutoftownwhenhecalledonher，andshortofmoneywhenhewrotetoher。Now，however，shebethoughtherselfofhiseminentsuitabilityforthedirectionofatreasure-seekingexperiment；ifanyonecouldextractgoldfromanunpromisingsituationitwouldcertainlybeVasco-ofcourse，underthenecessarysafeguardsinthewayofsupervision。WheremoneywasinquestionVasco'sconsciencewasliabletofitsofobstinatesilence。
SomewhereonthewestcoastofIrelandtheDulvertonpropertyincludedafewacresofshingle，rock，andheather，toobarrentosupportevenanagrarianoutrage，butembracingasmallandfairlydeepbaywherethelobsteryieldwasgoodinmostseasons。Therewasableaklittlehouseontheproperty，andforthosewholikedlobstersandsolitude，andwereabletoacceptanIrishcook'sideasastowhatmightbeperpetratedinthenameofmayonnaise，Innisglutherwasatolerableexileduringthesummermonths。Luluseldomwentthereherself，butshelentthehouselavishlytofriendsandrelations。SheputitnowatVasco'sdisposal。
"Itwillbetheveryplacetopractiseandexperimentwiththesalvageapparatus，"shesaid；"thebayisquitedeepinplaces，andyouwillbeabletotesteverythingthoroughlybeforestartingonthetreasurehunt。"
InlessthanthreeweeksVascoturnedupintowntoreportprogress。
"Theapparatusworksbeautifully，"heinformedhisaunt；"thedeeperonegottheclearereverythinggrew。
Wefoundsomethinginthewayofasunkenwrecktooperateon，too！"
"AwreckinInnisglutherBay！"exclaimedLulu。
"Asubmergedmotor-boat，theSUB-ROSA，"saidVasco。
"No！really？"saidLulu；"poorBillyYuttley'sboat。
Irememberitwentdownsomewhereoffthatcoastsomethreeyearsago。HisbodywaswashedashoreatthePoint。Peoplesaidatthetimethattheboatwascapsizedintentionally-acaseofsuicide，youknow。
Peoplealwayssaythatsortofthingwhenanythingtragichappens。"
"Inthiscasetheywereright，"saidVasco。
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedtheDuchesshurriedly。
"Whatmakesyouthinkso？"
"Iknow，"saidVascosimply。
"Know？Howcanyouknow？Howcananyoneknow？Thethinghappenedthreeyearsago。"
"InalockeroftheSUB-ROSAIfoundawater-tightstrong-box。Itcontainedpapers。"Vascopausedwithdramaticeffectandsearchedforamomentintheinnerbreast-pocketofhiscoat。Hedrewoutafoldedslipofpaper。TheDuchesssnatchedatitinalmostindecenthasteandmovedappreciablynearerthefireplace。
"WasthisintheSUB-ROSA'Sstrong-box？"sheasked。
"Ohno，"saidVascocarelessly，"thatisalistofthewell-knownpeoplewhowouldbeinvolvedinaverydisagreeablescandaliftheSUB-ROSA'Spapersweremadepublic。I'veputyouattheheadofit，otherwiseitfollowsalphabeticalorder。"
TheDuchessgazedhelplesslyatthestringofnames，whichseemedforthemomenttoincludenearlyeveryonesheknew。Asamatteroffact，herownnameattheheadofthelistexercisedanalmostparalysingeffectonherthinkingfaculties。
"Ofcourseyouhavedestroyedthepapers？"sheasked，whenshehadsomewhatrecoveredherself。Shewasconsciousthatshemadetheremarkwithanentirelackofconviction。
Vascoshookhishead。
"Butyoushouldhave，"saidLuluangrily；"if，asyousay，theyarehighlycompromising-"
"Oh，theyare，Iassureyouofthat，"interposedtheyoungman。
"Thenyoushouldputthemoutofharm'swayatonce。
Supposinganythingshouldleakout，thinkofallthesepoor，unfortunatepeoplewhowouldbeinvolvedinthedisclosures，"andLulutappedthelistwithanagitatedgesture。
"Unfortunate，perhaps，butnotpoor，"correctedVasco；"ifyoureadthelistcarefullyyou'llnoticethatIhaven'ttroubledtoincludeanyonewhosefinancialstandingisn'tabovequestion。"
Luluglaredathernephewforsomemomentsinsilence。Thensheaskedhoarsely："Whatareyougoingtodo？"
"Nothing-fortheremainderofmylife，"heansweredmeaningly。"Alittlehunting，perhaps，"hecontinued，"andIshallhaveavillaatFlorence。TheVillaSub-Rosawouldsoundratherquaintandpicturesque，don'tyouthink，andquitealotofpeoplewouldbeabletoattachameaningtothename。AndIsupposeImusthaveahobby；IshallprobablycollectRaeburns。"
Lulu'srelative，wholivedattheCourtofMonaco，gotquiteasnappishanswerwhenshewroterecommendingsomefurtherinventionintherealmofmarineresearch。
THECOBWEB
THEfarmhousekitchenprobablystoodwhereitdidasamatterofaccidentorhaphazardchoice；yetitssituationmighthavebeenplannedbyamaster-strategistinfarmhousearchitecture。Dairyandpoultry-yard，andherbgarden，andallthebusyplacesofthefarmseemedtoleadbyeasyaccessintoitswideflaggedhaven，wheretherewasroomforeverythingandwheremuddybootslefttracesthatwereeasilysweptaway。Andyet，forallthatitstoodsowellinthecentreofhumanbustle，itslong，latticedwindow，withthewidewindow-seat，builtintoanembrasurebeyondthehugefireplace，lookedoutonawildspreadingviewofhillandheatherandwoodedcombe。Thewindownookmadealmostalittleroominitself，quitethepleasantestroominthefarmasfarassituationandcapabilitieswent。YoungMrs。Ladbruk，whosehusbandhadjustcomeintothefarmbywayofinheritance，castcovetouseyesonthissnugcorner，andherfingersitchedtomakeitbrightandcosywithchintzcurtainsandbowlsofflowers，andashelfortwoofoldchina。Themustyfarmparlour，lookingoutontoaprim，cheerlessgardenimprisonedwithinhigh，blankwalls，wasnotaroomthatlentitselfreadilyeithertocomfortordecoration。
"WhenwearemoresettledIshallworkwondersinthewayofmakingthekitchenhabitable，"saidtheyoungwomantoheroccasionalvisitors。Therewasanunspokenwishinthosewords，awishwhichwasunconfessedaswellasunspoken。EmmaLadbrukwasthemistressofthefarm；
jointlywithherhusbandshemighthavehersay，andtoacertainextentherway，inorderingitsaffairs。Butshewasnotmistressofthekitchen。
Ononeoftheshelvesofanolddresser，incompanywithchippedsauce-boats，pewterjugs，cheese-graters，andpaidbills，restedawornandraggedBible，onwhosefrontpagewastherecord，infadedink，ofabaptismdatedninety-fouryearsago。"MarthaCrale"wasthenamewrittenonthatyellowpage。Theyellow，wrinkledolddamewhohobbledandmutteredaboutthekitchen，lookinglikeadeadautumnleafwhichthewinterwindsstillpushedhitherandthither，hadoncebeenMarthaCrale；
forseventyoddyearsshehadbeenMarthaMountjoy。Forlongerthananyonecouldremembershehadpatteredtoandfrobetweenovenandwash-houseanddairy，andouttochicken-runandgarden，grumblingandmutteringandscolding，butworkingunceasingly。EmmaLadbruk，ofwhosecomingshetookaslittlenoticeasshewouldofabeewanderinginatawindowonasummer'sday，usedatfirsttowatchherwithakindoffrightenedcuriosity。
Shewassooldandsomuchapartoftheplace，itwasdifficulttothinkofherexactlyasalivingthing。OldShep，thewhite-nozzled，stiff-limbedcollie，waitingforhistimetodie，seemedalmostmorehumanthanthewithered，dried-upoldwoman。Hehadbeenariotous，roysteringpuppy，madwiththejoyoflife，whenshewasalreadyatottering，hobblingdame；nowhewasjustablind，breathingcarcase，nothingmore，andshestillworkedwithfrailenergy，stillsweptandbakedandwashed，fetchedandcarried。Ifthereweresomethinginthesewiseolddogsthatdidnotperishutterlywithdeath，Emmausedtothinktoherself，whatgenerationsofghost-dogstheremustbeoutonthosehills，thatMarthahadrearedandfedandtendedandspokenalastgoodbyewordtointhatoldkitchen。Andwhatmemoriesshemusthaveofhumangenerationsthathadpassedawayinhertime。Itwasdifficultforanyone，letaloneastrangerlikeEmma，togethertotalkofthedaysthathadbeen；
hershrill，quaveringspeechwasofdoorsthathadbeenleftunfastened，pailsthathadgotmislaid，calveswhosefeeding-timewasoverdue，andthevariouslittlefaultsandlapsesthatchequerafarmhouseroutine。Nowandagain，whenelectiontimecameround，shewouldunstoreherrecollectionsoftheoldnamesroundwhichthefighthadwagedinthedaysgoneby。TherehadbeenaPalmerston，thathadbeenanamedownTivertonway；
Tivertonwasnotafarjourneyasthecrowflies，buttoMarthaitwasalmostaforeigncountry。LatertherehadbeenNorthcotesandAclands，andmanyothernewernamesthatshehadforgotten；thenameschanged，butitwasalwaysLibrulsandToories，YellowsandBlues。Andtheyalwaysquarrelledandshoutedastowhowasrightandwhowaswrong。Theonetheyquarrelledaboutmostwasafineoldgentlemanwithanangryface-shehadseenhispictureonthewalls。Shehadseenitonthefloortoo，witharottenapplesquashedoverit，forthefarmhadchangeditspoliticsfromtimetotime。Marthahadneverbeenononesideortheother；noneof"they"hadeverdonethefarmastrokeofgood。Suchwashersweepingverdict，givenwithallapeasant'sdistrustoftheoutsideworld。
Whenthehalf-frightenedcuriosityhadsomewhatfadedaway，EmmaLadbrukwasuncomfortablyconsciousofanotherfeelingtowardstheoldwoman。Shewasaquaintoldtradition，lingeringabouttheplace，shewaspartandparcelofthefarmitself，shewassomethingatoncepatheticandpicturesque-butshewasdreadfullyintheway。Emmahadcometothefarmfullofplansforlittlereformsandimprovements，inparttheresultoftraininginthenewestwaysandmethods，inparttheoutcomeofherownideasandfancies。Reformsinthekitchenregion，ifthosedeafoldearscouldhavebeeninducedtogivethemevenahearing，wouldhavemetwithshortshriftandscornfulrejection，andthekitchenregionspreadoverthezoneofdairyandmarketbusinessandhalftheworkofthehousehold。Emma，withthelatestscienceofdead-poultrydressingatherfinger-tips，satby，anunheededwatcher，whileoldMarthatrussedthechickensforthemarket-stallasshehadtrussedthemfornearlyfour-scoreyears-alllegandnobreast。Andthehundredhintsanenteffectivecleaningandlabour-
lighteningandthethingsthatmakeforwholesomenesswhichtheyoungwomanwasreadytoimpartortoputintoactiondroppedawayintonothingnessbeforethatwan，muttering，unheedingpresence。Aboveall，thecovetedwindowcorner，thatwastobeadainty，cheerfuloasisinthegauntoldkitchen，stoodnowchokedandlumberedwithalitterofoddsandendsthatEmma，forallhernominalauthority，wouldnothavedaredorcaredtodisplace；
overthemseemedtobespuntheprotectionofsomethingthatwaslikeahumancobweb。DecidedlyMarthawasintheway。Itwouldhavebeenanunworthymeannesstohavewishedtoseethespanofthatbraveoldlifeshortenedbyafewpaltrymonths，butasthedaysspedbyEmmawasconsciousthatthewishwasthere，disownedthoughitmightbe，lurkingatthebackofhermind。
Shefeltthemeannessofthewishcomeoverherwithaqualmofself-reproachonedaywhenshecameintothekitchenandfoundanunaccustomedstateofthingsinthatusuallybusyquarter。OldMarthawasnotworking。A
basketofcornwasonthefloorbyherside，andoutintheyardthepoultrywerebeginningtoclamouraprotestofoverduefeeding-time。ButMarthasathuddledinashrunkenbunchonthewindowseat，lookingoutwithherdimoldeyesasthoughshesawsomethingstrangerthantheautumnlandscape。
"Isanythingthematter，Martha？"askedtheyoungwoman。
"'Tisdeath，'tisdeatha-coming，"answeredthequaveringvoice；"Iknew'twerecoming。Iknewit。
'Tweren'tfornothingthatoldShep'sbeenhowlingallmorning。An'lastnightIheardthescreech-owlgivethedeath-cry，andthereweresomethingwhiteasrunacrosstheyardyesterday；'tweren'tacatnorastoat，'tweresomething。Thefowlsknew'tweresomething；theyalldrewofftooneside。Ay，there'sbeenwarnings。Iknewitwerea-coming。"
Theyoungwoman'seyescloudedwithpity。Theoldthingsittingtheresowhiteandshrunkenhadoncebeenamerry，noisychild，playingaboutinlanesandhay-loftsandfarmhousegarrets；thathadbeeneightyoddyearsago，andnowshewasjustafrailoldbodycoweringundertheapproachingchillofthedeaththatwascomingatlasttotakeher。Itwasnotprobablethatmuchcouldbedoneforher，butEmmahastenedawaytogetassistanceandcounsel。Herhusband，sheknew，wasdownatatree-
fellingsomelittledistanceoff，butshemightfindsomeotherintelligentsoulwhoknewtheoldwomanbetterthanshedid。Thefarm，shesoonfoundout，hadthatfacultycommontofarmyardsofswallowingupandlosingitshumanpopulation。Thepoultryfollowedherininterestedfashion，andswinegruntedinterrogationsatherfrombehindthebarsoftheirstyes，butbarnyardandrickyard，orchardandstablesanddairy，gavenorewardtohersearch。Then，assheretracedherstepstowardsthekitchen，shecamesuddenlyonhercousin，youngMr。
Jim，aseveryonecalledhim，whodividedhistimebetweenamateurhorse-dealing，rabbit-shooting，andflirtingwiththefarmmaids。
返回顶部