itsravages
.
That
hideous
old
woman
considered
corpses
an
article
of
commerce
,
and
handled
her
wares
as
a
trader
does
his
merchandize
.
She
cared
no
more
for
the
sickly
and
fetid
odour
which
they
sent
forth
,
than
the
tanner
does
for
the
smell
of
the
tan-yard
,
or
the
scourer
for
the
fumes
of
his
bleaching-liquid
.
The
Mummy
entered
the
back-room
,
holding
a
candle
in
her
hand
.
Markham
started
forward
,
and
caught
her
by
the
wrist
.
She
uttered
a
sort
of
growl
of
savage
disappointment
,
but
gave
no
sign
of
alarm
.
"
Vile
wretch
!
"
exclaimed
Richard
;
"
God
has
at
length
sent
me
to
discover
and
expose
your
crimes
!
"
"
Do
n't
do
me
any
harm
—
do
n't
hurt
me
,
"
said
the
old
woman
;
"
and
I
will
do
any
thing
you
want
of
me
.
"
"
Answer
me
,
"
cried
Markham
:
"
that
corpse
in
the
other
room
—
—
"
"
Murdered
by
my
son
,
"
replied
the
hag
.
"
And
the
clothes
?
where
are
the
clothes
?
They
may
contain
some
papers
which
may
throw
a
light
upon
the
name
and
residence
of
your
victim
.
"
"
Follow
me
—
I
will
show
you
.
"
The
old
woman
turned
and
walked
slowly
out
of
the
room
.
Markham
went
after
her
;
for
he
thought
that
if
he
could
discover
who
the
unfortunate
person
was
that
had
met
his
death
in
that
accursed
dwelling
,
he
might
be
enabled
to
relieve
his
family
at
least
from
the
horrors
of
suspense
,
although
he
should
be
the
bearer
of
fatal
news
indeed
.
The
Mummy
opened
the
door
of
a
cupboard
formed
beneath
the
staircase
,
and
holding
forward
the
light
,
pointed
to
some
clothes
which
hung
upon
a
nail
inside
.
"
There
—
take
them
yourself
if
you
want
them
,
"
said
the
old
woman
;
"
I
wo
n't
touch
them
.
"
With
these
words
she
drew
back
,
but
still
held
the
candle
in
such
a
way
as
to
throw
the
light
into
the
closet
.
Markham
stepped
forward
to
reach
the
clothes
,
and
,
in
extending
his
hand
to
take
them
from
the
peg
,
he
advanced
one
of
his
feet
upon
the
floor
of
the
closet
.
A
trap-door
instantly
gave
way
beneath
his
foot
:
he
lost
his
balance
,
and
fell
precipitately
into
a
subterranean
excavation
.
The
trap-door
,
which
moved
with
a
spring
,
closed
by
itself
above
his
head
,
and
he
heard
the
triumphant
cackling
laugh
of
the
old
hag
,
as
she
fastened
it
with
a
large
iron
bolt
.
The
Mummy
then
went
and
seated
herself
by
the
corpse
in
the
front
room
;
and
,
while
she
rocked
backwards
and
forwards
in
her
chair
,
she
crooned
the
following
song
:
—
THE
BODY-SNATCHER
'S
SONG
.
In
the
churchyard
the
body
is
laid
,
There
they
inter
the
beautiful
maid
:
"
Earth
to
earth
"
is
the
solemn
sound
!
Over
the
sod
where
their
daughter
sleeps
,
The
father
prays
,
and
the
mother
weeps
:
"
Ashes
to
ashes
"
echoes
around
!
Come
with
the
axe
,
and
come
with
the
spade
;
Come
where
the
beautiful
virgin
's
laid
:
Earth
from
earth
must
we
take
back
now
!
The
sod
is
damp
,
and
the
grave
is
cold
:
Lay
the
white
corpse
on
the
dark
black
mould
,
That
the
pale
moonbeam
may
kiss
its
brow
!
Throw
back
the
earth
,
and
heap
up
the
clay
;
This
cold
white
corpse
we
will
bear
away
,
Now
that
the
moonlight
waxes
dim
;
For
the
student
doth
his
knife
prepare
To
hack
all
over
this
form
so
fair
,
And
sever
the
virgin
limb
from
limb
!
At
morn
the
mother
will
come
to
pray
Over
the
grave
where
her
child
she
lay
,
And
freshest
flowers
thereon
will
spread
:
And
on
that
spot
will
she
kneel
and
weep
,
Nor
dream
that
we
have
disturbed
the
sleep
Of
her
who
lay
in
that
narrow
bed
.
We
must
leave
the
Mummy
singing
her
horrible
staves
,
and
accompany
the
body-snatchers
in
their
proceedings
at
Shoreditch
Church
.
CHAPTER
XLIV
.
THE
BODY-SNATCHERS
.
THE
Resurrection
Man
,
the
Cracksman
,
and
the
Buffer
hastened
rapidly
along
the
narrow
lanes
and
filthy
alleys
leading
towards
Shoreditch
Church
.
They
threaded
their
way
in
silence
,
through
the
jet-black
darkness
of
the
night
,
and
without
once
hesitating
as
to
the
particular
turnings
which
they
were
to
follow
.
Those
men
were
as
familiar
with
that
neighbourhood
as
a
person
can
be
with
the
rooms
and
passages
in
his
own
house
.
At
length
the
body-snatchers
reached
the
low
wall
surmounted
with
a
high
railing
which
encloses
Shoreditch
churchyard
.
They
were
now
at
the
back
part
of
that
burial
ground
,
in
a
narrow
and
deserted
street
,
whose
dark
and
lonely
appearance
tended
to
aid
their
designs
upon
an
edifice
situated
in
one
of
the
most
populous
districts
in
all
London
.
For
some
minutes
before
their
arrival
an
individual
,
enveloped
in
a
long
cloak
,
was
walking
up
and
down
beneath
the
shadow
of
the
wall
.
This
was
the
surgeon
,
whose
thirst
after
science
had
called
into
action
the
energies
of
the
body-snatchers
that
night
.
The
Cracksman
advanced
first
,
and
ascertained
that
the
surgeon
had
already
arrived
,
and
that
the
coast
was
otherwise
clear
.
He
then
whistled
in
a
low
and
peculiar
manner
;
and
his
two
confederates
came
up
.
"
You
have
got
all
your
tools
?
"
said
the
surgeon
in
a
hasty
whisper
.
"
Every
one
that
we
require
,
"
answered
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
For
opening
a
vault
inside
the
church
,
mind
?
"
added
the
surgeon
,
interrogatively
.
"
You
show
us
the
vault
,
sir
,
and
we
'll
soon
have
out
the
body
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
All
right
,
"
whispered
the
surgeon
;
"
and
my
own
carriage
will
be
in
this
street
at
three
precisely
.
We
shall
have
plenty
of
time
—
there
's
no
one
stirring
till
five
,
and
its
dark
till
seven
.
"
The
surgeon
and
the
body-snatchers
then
scaled
the
railing
,
and
in
a
few
moments
stood
in
the
churchyard
.
The
Resurrection
Man
addressed
himself
to
his
two
confederates
and
the
surgeon
,
and
said
,
"
Do
you
lie
snug
under
the
wall
here
while
I
go
forward
and
see
how
we
must
manage
the
door
.
"
With
these
words
he
crept
stealthily
along
,
amidst
the
tomb-stones
,
towards
the
church
.
The
surgeon
and
the
Cracksman
seated
themselves
upon
a
grave
close
to
the
wall
;
and
the
Buffer
threw
himself
flat
upon
his
stomach
,
with
his
ear
towards
the
ground
.
He
remained
in
this
position
for
some
minutes
,
and
then
uttered
a
species
of
low
growl
as
if
he
were
answering
some
signal
which
caught
his
ears
alone
.
"
The
skeleton-keys
wo
n't
open
the
side-door
,
the
Resurrection
Man
says
,
"
whispered
the
Buffer
,
raising
his
head
towards
the
surgeon
and
the
Cracksman
.
He
then
laid
his
ear
close
to
the
ground
once
more
,
and
resumed
his
listening
posture
.
In
a
few
minutes
he
again
replied
to
a
signal
;
and
this
time
his
answer
was
conveyed
by
means
of
a
short
sharp
whistle
.
"
It
appears
there
is
a
bolt
;
and
it
will
take
a
quarter
of
an
hour
to
saw
through
the
padlock
that
holds
it
,
"
observed
the
Buffer
in
a
whisper
.
Nearly
twenty
minutes
elapsed
after
this
announcement
.
The
surgeon
's
teeth
chattered
with
the
intense
cold
;
and
he
could
not
altogether
subdue
certain
feelings
of
horror
at
the
idea
of
the
business
which
had
brought
him
thither
.
The
almost
mute
correspondence
which
those
two
men
were
enabled
to
carry
on
together
—
the
methodical
precision
with
which
they
performed
their
avocations
—
and
the
coolness
they
exhibited
in
undertaking
a
sacrilegious
task
,
made
a
powerful
impression
upon
his
mind
.
He
shuddered
from
head
to
foot
:
—
his
feelings
of
aversion
were
the
same
as
he
would
have
experienced
had
a
loathsome
reptile
crawled
over
his
naked
flesh
.
"
It
's
all
right
now
!
"
suddenly
exclaimed
the
Buffer
,
rising
from
the
ground
.
"
Come
along
.
"
The
surgeon
and
the
Cracksman
followed
the
Buffer
to
the
southern
side
of
the
church
where
there
was
a
flight
of
steps
leading
up
to
a
side-door
in
a
species
of
lobby
,
or
lodge
.
This
door
was
open
;
and
the
Resurrection
Man
was
standing
inside
the
lodge
.
As
soon
as
they
had
all
entered
the
sacred
edifice
,
the
door
was
carefully
closed
once
more
.
We
have
before
said
that
the
night
was
cold
:
but
the
interior
of
the
church
was
of
a
chill
so
intense
,
that
an
icy
feeling
appeared
to
penetrate
to
the
very
back-bone
.
The
wind
murmured
down
the
aisle
;
and
every
footstep
echoed
,
like
a
hollow
sound
in
the
distance
,
throughout
the
spacious
pile
.
"
Now
,
sir
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
to
the
surgeon
,
"
it
is
for
you
to
tell
us
whereabouts
we
are
to
begin
.
"
The
surgeon
groped
his
way
towards
the
communion-table
,
and
at
the
northern
side
of
the
railings
which
surrounded
it
he
stopped
short
.
"
I
must
now
be
standing
,
"
he
said
,
"
upon
the
very
stone
which
you
are
to
remove
.
You
can
,
however
,
soon
ascertain
;
for
the
funeral
only
took
place
yesterday
morning
,
and
the
mortar
must
be
quite
soft
.
"
The
Resurrection
Man
stooped
down
,
felt
with
his
hand
for
the
joints
of
the
pavement
in
that
particular
spot
,
and
thrust
his
knife
between
them
.
"
Yes
,
"
he
said
,
after
a
few
minutes
'
silence
:
"
this
stone
has
only
been
put
down
a
day
or
two
.
But
do
you
wish
,
sir
,
that
all
traces
of
our
work
should
disappear
?
"
"
Certainly
!
I
would
not
for
the
world
that
the
family
of
the
deceased
should
learn
that
this
tomb
has
been
violated
.
Suspicion
would
immediately
fall
upon
me
;
for
it
would
be
remembered
how
earnestly
I
desired
to
open
the
body
,
and
how
resolutely
my
request
was
refused
.
"
"
We
must
use
a
candle
,
then
,
presently
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
;
"
and
that
is
the
most
dangerous
part
of
the
whole
proceeding
.
"
"
It
cannot
be
helped
,
"
returned
the
surgeon
,
in
a
decided
tone
.
"
The
fact
that
the
side-door
has
been
opened
by
unfair
means
must
transpire
in
a
day
or
two
;
and
search
will
then
be
made
inside
the
church
to
ascertain
whether
those
who
have
been
guilty
of
the
sacrilege
were
thieves
or
resurrection-men
.
You
see
,
then
,
how
necessary
it
is
that
there
should
remain
no
proofs
of
the
violation
of
a
tomb
.
"
"
Well
and
good
,
sir
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
You
command
—
we
obey
.
Now
,
then
,
my
mates
,
to
work
.
"
In
a
moment
the
Resurrection
Man
lighted
a
piece
of
candle
,
and
placed
it
in
the
tin
shade
before
alluded
to
.
The
glare
which
it
shed
was
thereby
thrown
almost
entirely
downwards
.
He
then
carefully
,
and
with
surprising
rapidity
,
examined
the
joints
of
the
large
flag-stone
which
was
to
be
removed
,
and
on
which
no
inscription
had
yet
been
engraved
.
He
observed
the
manner
in
which
the
mortar
was
laid
down
,
and
noticed
even
the
places
where
it
spread
a
little
over
the
adjoining
stones
:
or
where
it
was
slightly
deficient
.
This
inspection
being
completed
,
he
extinguished
the
light
,
and
set
to
work
in
company
with
the
Cracksman
and
the
Buffer
.
The
eyes
of
the
surgeon
gradually
became
accustomed
to
the
obscurity
;
and
he
was
enabled
to
observe
to
some
extent
the
proceedings
of
the
body-snatchers
.
These
men
commenced
by
pouring
vinegar
over
the
mortar
round
the
stone
which
they
were
to
raise
.
They
then
took
long
clasp-knives
,
with
very
thin
and
flexible
blades
,
from
their
pockets
;
and
inserted
them
between
the
joints
of
the
stones
.
They
moved
these
knives
rapidly
backwards
and
forwards
for
a
few
seconds
,
so
as
effectually
to
loosen
the
mortar
,
and
moistened
the
interstices
several
times
with
the
vinegar
.
This
operation
being
finished
,
they
introduced
the
thin
and
pointed
end
of
a
lever
between
the
end
of
the
stone
which
they
were
to
raise
and
the
one
adjoining
it
.
The
Resurrection
Man
,
who
held
the
lever
,
only
worked
it
very
gently
;
but
at
every
fresh
effort
on
his
part
,
the
Cracksman
and
the
Buffer
introduced
each
a
wedge
of
wood
into
the
space
which
thus
grew
larger
and
larger
.
By
these
means
,
had
the
lever
suddenly
given
way
,
the
stone
would
not
have
fallen
back
into
its
setting
.
At
length
it
was
raised
to
a
sufficient
height
to
admit
of
its
being
supported
by
a
thick
log
about
three
feet
in
length
.
While
these
three
men
were
thus
proceeding
as
expeditiously
as
possible
with
their
task
,
the
surgeon
,
although
a
man
of
a
naturally
strong
mind
,
could
not
control
the
strange
feelings
which
crept
upon
him
.
It
suddenly
appeared
to
him
as
if
he
beheld
those
men
for
the
first
time
.
That
continuation
of
regular
and
systematic
movements
—
that
silent
perseverance
,
faintly
shadowed
forth
amidst
the
obscurity
of
the
night
,
at
length
assumed
so
singular
a
character
,
that
the
surgeon
felt
as
if
he
beheld
three
demons
disinterring
a
doomed
one
to
carry
him
off
to
hell
!
He
was
aroused
from
this
painful
reverie
by
the
Resurrection
Man
,
who
said
to
him
,
"
Come
and
help
us
remove
the
stone
.
"
The
surgeon
applied
all
his
strength
to
this
task
;
and
the
huge
flag-stone
was
speedily
moved
upon
two
wooden
rollers
away
from
the
mouth
of
the
grave
.
"
You
are
certain
that
this
is
the
place
?
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
As
certain
as
one
can
be
who
stood
by
the
grave
for
a
quarter
of
an
hour
in
day-light
,
and
who
has
to
recognise
it
again
in
total
darkness
,
"
answered
the
surgeon
.
"
Besides
,
the
mortar
was
soft
—
—
"
"
There
might
have
been
another
burial
close
by
,
"
interrupted
the
Resurrection
Man
;
"
but
we
will
soon
find
out
whether
you
are
right
or
not
,
sir
.
Was
the
coffin
a
wooden
one
?
"
"
Yes
!
an
elm
coffin
,
covered
with
black
cloth
,
"
replied
the
surgeon
.
"
I
gave
the
instructions
for
the
funeral
myself
,
being
the
oldest
friend
of
the
family
.
"
The
Resurrection
Man
took
one
of
the
long
flexible
rods
which
we
have
before
noticed
,
and
thrust
it
down
into
the
vault
.
The
point
penetrated
into
the
lid
of
a
coffin
.
He
drew
it
back
,
put
the
point
to
his
tongue
,
and
tasted
it
.
"
Yes
,
"
he
said
,
smacking
his
lips
,
"
the
coffin
in
this
vault
is
an
elm
one
,
and
is
covered
with
black
cloth
.
"
"
I
thought
I
could
not
be
wrong
,
"
observed
the
surgeon
.
The
body-snatchers
then
proceeded
to
raise
the
coffin
,
by
means
of
ropes
passed
underneath
it
.
This
was
a
comparatively
easy
portion
of
their
task
;
and
in
a
few
moments
it
was
placed
upon
the
flag-stones
of
the
church
.
The
Resurrection
Man
took
a
chisel
and
opened
the
lid
with
considerable
care
.
He
then
lighted
his
candle
a
second
time
;
and
the
glare
fell
upon
the
pale
features
of
the
corpse
in
its
narrow
shell
.
"
This
is
the
right
one
,
"
said
the
surgeon
,
casting
a
hasty
glance
upon
the
face
of
the
dead
body
,
which
was
that
of
a
young
girl
of
about
sixteen
.
The
Resurrection
Man
extinguished
the
light
;
and
he
and
his
companions
proceeded
to
lift
the
corpse
out
of
the
coffin
.
The
polished
marble
limbs
of
the
deceased
were
rudely
grasped
by
the
sacrilegious
hands
of
the
body-snatchers
;
and
,
having
stripped
the
corpse
stark
naked
,
they
tied
its
neck
and
heels
together
by
means
of
a
strong
cord
.
They
then
thrust
it
into
a
large
sack
made
for
the
purpose
.
The
body-snatchers
then
applied
themselves
to
the
restoration
of
the
vault
to
its
original
appearance
.
The
lid
of
the
coffin
was
carefully
fastened
down
;
and
that
now
tenantless
bed
was
lowered
into
the
tomb
.
The
stone
was
rolled
over
the
mouth
of
the
vault
;
and
one
of
the
small
square
boxes
previously
alluded
to
,
furnished
mortar
wherewith
to
fill
up
the
joints
.
The
Resurrection
Man
lighted
his
candle
a
third
time
,
and
applied
the
cement
in
such
a
way
that
even
the
very
workman
who
laid
the
stone
down
after
the
funeral
would
not
have
known
that
it
had
been
disturbed
.
Then
,
as
this
mortar
was
a
shade
fresher
and
lighter
than
that
originally
used
,
the
Resurrection
Man
scattered
over
it
a
thin
brown
powder
,
which
was
furnished
by
the
second
box
brought
away
from
his
house
on
this
occasion
.
Lastly
,
a
light
brush
was
swept
over
the
scene
of
these
operations
,
and
the
necessary
precautions
were
complete
.
The
clock
struck
three
as
the
surgeon
and
the
body-snatchers
issued
from
the
church
,
carrying
the
sack
containing
the
corpse
between
them
.
They
reached
the
wall
at
the
back
of
the
churchyard
,
and
there
deposited
their
burden
,
while
the
Cracksman
hastened
to
see
if
the
surgeon
's
carriage
had
arrived
.
In
a
few
minutes
he
returned
to
the
railing
,
and
said
in
a
low
tone
,
"
All
right
!
"
The
body
was
lifted
over
the
iron
barrier
and
conveyed
to
the
vehicle
.
The
surgeon
counted
ten
sovereigns
into
the
hands
of
each
of
the
body-snatchers
;
and
,
having
taken
his
seat
inside
the
vehicle
,
close
by
his
strange
freight
,
was
whirled
rapidly
away
towards
his
own
abode
.
The
three
body-snatchers
retraced
their
steps
to
the
house
in
the
vicinity
of
the
Bird-cage
Walk
;
and
the
Cracksman
and
Buffer
,
having
deposited
the
implements
of
their
avocation
in
the
corner
of
the
front
room
,
took
their
departure
.
The
moment
the
Resurrection
Man
was
thus
relieved
from
the
observation
of
his
companions
,
he
seized
the
candle
and
hastened
into
the
back
room
,
where
he
expected
to
find
the
corpse
of
Richard
Markham
stripped
and
washed
.
To
his
surprise
the
room
was
empty
.
"
What
the
devil
has
the
old
fool
been
up
to
?
"
he
exclaimed
:
then
,
hastening
to
the
foot
of
the
stairs
,
he
cried
,
"
Mummy
,
are
you
awake
?
"
In
a
few
moments
a
door
on
the
first
floor
opened
,
and
the
old
woman
appeared
in
her
night
gear
at
the
head
of
the
stairs
.
"
Is
that
you
,
Tony
?
"
she
exclaimed
.
"
Yes
!
who
the
hell
do
you
think
it
could
be
?
But
what
have
you
done
with
the
fresh
'
un
?
"
"
The
fresh
'
un
came
alive
again
—
—
"
"
Gammon
!
Where
is
the
money
?
how
much
was
there
?
and
is
his
skull
fractured
?
"
demanded
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
I
tell
you
that
he
came
to
his
senses
,
"
returned
the
old
hag
:
"
and
that
he
sprung
upon
me
like
a
tiger
when
I
went
into
the
back
room
after
you
was
gone
.
"
"
Damnation
!
what
a
fool
I
was
not
to
stick
three
inches
of
cold
steel
into
him
!
"
ejaculated
the
Resurrection
Man
,
stamping
his
foot
.
"
So
I
suppose
he
got
clear
away
—
money
and
all
?
—
gone
,
may
be
,
to
fetch
the
traps
!
"
"
Do
n't
alarm
yourself
,
Tony
,
"
said
the
old
hag
,
with
a
horrible
cackling
laugh
;
"
he
's
safe
enough
,
I
'll
warrant
it
!
"
"
Safe
!
where
—
where
?
"
"
Where
his
betters
have
been
'
afore
him
,
"
answered
the
Mummy
.
"
What
!
—
in
the
well
in
the
yard
?
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
,
in
a
state
of
horrible
suspense
.
"
No
—
in
the
hole
under
the
stairs
.
"
"
Wretch
!
—
drivelling
fool
!
—
idiot
that
you
are
!
"
cried
the
Resurrection
Man
in
a
voice
of
thunder
:
"
you
decoyed
him
into
the
very
place
from
which
he
was
sure
to
escape
!
"
"
Escape
!
"
exclaimed
the
Mummy
,
in
a
tone
of
profound
alarm
.
"
Yes
—
escape
!
"
repeated
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Did
I
not
tell
you
a
month
or
more
ago
that
the
wall
between
the
hole
and
the
saw-pit
in
the
empty
house
next
door
had
given
way
!
"
"
No
—
you
never
told
me
!
I
'll
swear
you
never
told
me
!
"
cried
the
old
hag
,
now
furious
in
her
turn
.
"
You
only
say
so
to
throw
all
the
blame
on
me
:
it
's
just
like
you
.
"
"
Do
n't
provoke
me
,
mother
!
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
grinding
his
teeth
.
"
You
know
that
I
told
you
about
the
wall
falling
down
;
and
you
know
that
I
spoke
to
you
about
not
using
the
place
any
more
!
"
"
It
's
false
!
"
exclaimed
the
Mummy
.
"
It
's
true
;
for
I
said
to
you
at
the
time
that
I
must
brick
up
the
wall
myself
some
night
,
before
any
new
people
take
the
carpenter
's
yard
,
or
they
might
wonder
what
the
devil
we
could
want
with
a
place
under
ground
like
that
;
and
it
would
be
the
means
of
blowing
us
!
"
"
It
's
a
lie
!
you
never
told
me
a
word
about
it
,
"
persisted
the
old
harridan
doggedly
.
"
Perdition
take
you
!
"
cried
the
man
.
"
The
affair
of
this
cursed
Markham
will
be
the
ruin
of
us
both
!
"
The
Resurrection
Man
still
had
a
hope
left
:
the
subterranean
pit
beneath
the
stairs
was
deep
,
and
Markham
might
have
been
stunned
by
the
fall
.
He
hastened
to
the
trap-door
,
and
raised
it
.
The
vivid
light
of
his
candle
was
thrown
to
the
very
bottom
of
the
pit
by
means
of
the
bright
reflector
of
tin
.
The
hole
was
empty
.
Maddened
by
disappointment
—
a
prey
to
the
most
terrible
apprehensions
—
and
uncertain
whether
to
flee
or
remain
in
his
den
,
the
Resurrection
Man
paced
the
passage
in
a
state
of
mind
which
would
not
have
been
envied
by
even
a
criminal
on
his
way
to
execution
.
CHAPTER
XLV
.
THE
FRUITLESS
SEARCH
.
WHEN
Richard
Markham
was
precipitated
into
the
hole
beneath
the
stairs
,
by
the
perfidy
of
the
Mummy
,
he
fell
with
his
head
against
a
stone
,
and
became
insensible
.
He
lay
in
this
manner
for
upwards
of
half
an
hour
,
when
a
current
of
air
which
blew
steadily
upon
his
face
,
revived
him
;
and
he
awoke
to
all
the
horrors
of
his
situation
.
He
had
seen
and
passed
through
enough
that
night
to
unhinge
the
strongest
mind
.
The
secrets
of
the
accursed
den
in
a
subterranean
dungeon
of
which
he
now
lay
,
—
the
atrocious
mysteries
revealed
by
the
conversation
of
the
body-snatchers
ere
they
set
out
on
their
expedition
to
Shoreditch
Church
,
—
the
cold
corpse
of
some
unfortunate
being
most
inhumanly
murdered
,
and
all
the
paraphernalia
of
a
hideous
death
,
in
the
front-room
of
that
outpost
of
hell
,
—
haunted
his
imagination
,
and
worked
him
up
to
a
pitch
of
excitement
bordering
upon
frenzy
.
He
felt
that
if
he
did
not
escape
from
that
hole
,
he
should
dash
his
head
against
the
wall
,
or
go
raving
mad
.
He
clenched
his
fists
and
struck
them
against
his
forehead
in
an
access
of
despair
.
And
then
he
endeavoured
to
reason
with
himself
,
and
to
look
the
perils
that
beset
him
,
in
the
face
.
But
he
could
not
remain
cool
—
he
could
not
control
his
agonising
emotions
.
"
O
God
!
"
he
exclaimed
aloud
;
"
what
have
I
done
to
be
thus
afflicted
?
What
sin
have
I
committed
to
be
thus
tortured
?
Have
I
not
served
thee
in
word
and
deed
to
the
best
of
my
ability
?
Do
I
not
worship
—
venerate
—
adore
thee
?
O
God
!
why
wilt
thou
that
I
should
die
thus
early
—
and
die
,
too
,
so
cruel
a
death
?
Is
there
not
room
on
earth
enough
for
a
worm
like
me
?
Have
I
not
been
sufficiently
tried
,
O
my
God
?
and
in
the
hour
of
my
deepest
—
bitterest
anguish
,
did
I
ever
deny
thee
?
Did
I
repine
against
thy
supreme
will
when
false
men
encompassed
me
to
destroy
me
in
the
opinion
of
the
world
?
Hear
me
,
O
God
—
hear
me
!
and
let
me
not
die
this
time
;
—
let
me
not
perish
,
O
Lord
,
thus
miserably
!
"
Such
was
the
fervent
,
heart-felt
prayer
which
Markham
breathed
to
heaven
,
in
the
agony
and
despair
of
his
soul
.
He
extended
his
arms
,
with
his
hands
clasped
together
,
in
the
ardour
of
his
appeal
;
and
they
encountered
an
opening
in
the
wall
.
A
ray
of
hope
penetrated
to
his
heart
;
and
when
upon
further
search
,
he
discovered
an
aperture
sufficiently
wide
for
him
to
creep
through
,
he
exclaimed
,
"
O
Lord
!
I
thank
thee
,
thou
hast
heard
my
prayer
!
Pardon
—
oh
!
pardon
my
repinings
;
—
forgive
me
that
I
dared
to
question
thy
sovereign
will
!
"
At
all
risks
he
determined
to
pass
through
the
opening
—
lead
whithersoever
it
might
;
for
he
knew
that
he
could
scarcely
be
worse
off
;
and
he
felt
a
secret
influence
which
prompted
him
thus
to
act
,
and
for
which
he
could
not
wholly
account
.
He
crept
through
the
hole
in
the
partition-wall
,
and
found
himself
upon
a
soft
damp
ground
.
Every
thing
was
veiled
in
the
blackest
obscurity
.
He
groped
about
with
his
hands
,
and
stepped
cautiously
forward
,
pausing
at
every
pace
.
Presently
his
foot
encountered
what
appeared
to
be
a
step
:
to
his
infinite
joy
he
ascertained
,
in
another
moment
,
that
he
was
at
the
bottom
of
a
flight
of
stone
stairs
.
He
ascended
them
,
and
came
to
a
door
,
which
yielded
to
his
touch
.
He
proceeded
slowly
and
cautiously
along
a
passage
,
groping
his
way
with
his
hands
;
and
,
in
a
few
moments
he
reached
another
door
,
which
opened
with
a
latch
.
He
was
now
in
the
open
street
!
Carefully
closing
the
door
behind
him
,
he
hurried
away
from
that
accursed
vicinity
as
if
he
were
pursued
by
blood-hounds
.
He
ran
—
he
ran
,
reckless
of
the
deep
pools
of
stagnant
water
,
careless
of
the
heaps
of
thick
mud
through
which
he
passed
,
—
indifferent
to
the
bruises
which
he
sustained
against
the
angles
of
houses
,
the
corners
of
streets
,
and
the
stone-steps
of
doors
,
—
unmindful
of
the
dangers
which
he
dared
in
threading
thus
wildly
those
rugged
and
uneven
thoroughfares
amidst
the
dense
obscurity
which
covered
the
earth
.
He
ran
—
he
ran
,
a
delirium
of
joy
thrilling
in
his
brain
,
and
thanksgiving
in
his
soul
;
for
now
that
he
had
escaped
from
the
peril
which
so
lately
beset
him
,
it
appeared
to
his
imagination
a
thousand
times
more
frightful
than
when
it
actually
impended
over
him
.
Oh
!
he
was
happy
—
happy
—
thrice
happy
,
in
the
enjoyment
of
liberty
,
and
the
security
of
life
once
more
;
—
and
he
began
to
look
upon
the
scenes
of
that
eventful
night
as
an
accumulation
of
horrors
which
could
have
possibility
only
in
a
dream
!
He
ran
—
he
ran
,
amidst
those
filthy
lanes
and
foul
streets
,
where
a
nauseating
atmosphere
prevailed
;
—
but
had
he
been
threading
a
labyrinth
of
rose-trees
,
amongst
the
most
delicious
perfumes
,
he
could
not
have
experienced
a
more
burning
—
ardent
—
furious
joy
!
Yes
—
his
delight
was
madness
,
frenzy
!
On
,
on
—
splashed
with
mud
—
floundering
through
black
puddles
—
knee-deep
in
mire
,
—
on
,
on
he
went
—
reckless
which
direction
he
pursued
,
so
long
as
the
rapidity
of
his
pace
removed
him
afar
from
the
accursed
house
that
had
nearly
become
his
tomb
!
For
an
hour
did
he
thus
pursue
his
way
.
At
length
he
stopped
through
sheer
exhaustion
,
and
seated
himself
upon
the
steps
of
a
door
over
which
a
lamp
was
flickering
.
He
collected
his
scattered
ideas
as
well
as
he
could
,
and
began
to
wonder
whither
his
wild
and
reckless
course
had
led
him
:
but
no
conjecture
on
his
part
furnished
him
with
any
clue
to
solve
the
mystery
of
his
present
whereabouts
.
He
knew
that
he
must
be
somewhere
in
the
eastern
district
of
the
metropolis
;
but
in
what
precise
spot
it
was
impossible
for
him
to
tell
.
While
he
was
thus
lost
in
vain
endeavours
to
unravel
the
tangled
topographical
skein
which
perplexed
his
imagination
,
he
heard
footsteps
advancing
along
the
street
.
By
the
light
of
the
lamp
he
soon
distinguished
a
policeman
,
walking
with
slow
and
measured
steps
along
his
beat
.
"
Will
you
have
the
kindness
to
tell
me
where
I
am
?
"
said
Richard
,
accosting
the
officer
:
"
I
have
lost
my
way
.
What
neighbourhood
is
this
?
"
"
Ratcliff
Highway
,
"
answered
the
policeman
:
"
in
the
middle
of
Wapping
,
you
know
.
"
"
In
the
midst
of
Wapping
?
"
ejaculated
Markham
,
in
a
tone
of
surprise
and
vexation
.
And
,
truly
enough
,
there
he
was
in
the
centre
of
that
immense
assemblage
of
dangerous
streets
,
cutthroat
lanes
,
and
filthy
alleys
,
which
swarm
with
crimps
ever
ready
to
entrap
the
reckless
and
generous-hearted
sailor
;
publicans
who
farm
the
unloading
of
the
colliers
,
and
compel
those
whom
they
employ
to
take
out
half
their
wages
in
vile
adulterated
beer
;
and
poor
half-starved
coal-heavers
whose
existence
alternates
between
crushing
toil
and
killing
intoxication
.
It
was
in
this
neighbourhood
that
Richard
Markham
now
was
!
Heaven
alone
can
tell
what
tortuous
paths
and
circuitous
routes
he
had
been
pursuing
during
the
hour
of
his
precipitate
flight
;
but
his
feet
must
have
passed
over
many
miles
of
ground
from
the
instant
that
he
emerged
from
the
murderers
'
den
until
he
sank
exhausted
on
the
steps
of
a
house
in
Ratcliff
Highway
.
He
was
wet
and
covered
with
mud
,
and
very
cold
.
But
he
suddenly
remembered
that
there
was
a
duty
which
he
owed
to
society
—
an
imperative
duty
which
he
dared
not
neglect
.
He
was
impressed
with
the
idea
that
Providence
had
that
night
favoured
his
escape
from
the
jaws
of
death
,
in
order
that
he
might
become
the
means
of
rooting
up
a
den
of
horrors
.
There
was
not
a
moment
to
be
lost
:
the
three
miscreants
,
unconscious
of
peril
,
had
repaired
to
Shoreditch
Church
to
exercise
the
least
terrible
portion
of
their
avocations
in
that
sacred
edifice
:
—
it
might
yet
be
time
to
secure
them
there
!
The
policeman
was
still
standing
near
him
.
"
Which
is
the
way
to
the
station-house
?
"
suddenly
exclaimed
Markham
.
"
I
have
matters
of
the
deepest
importance
to
communicate
to
the
police
,
—
I
can
place
them
upon
the
scent
of
three
miscreants
—
three
demons
in
human
form
—
—
"
"
And
how
came
you
to
know
about
them
?
"
asked
the
officer
.
"
Oh
!
it
is
too
long
to
tell
you
now
—
we
shall
only
be
wasting
time
;
and
the
villains
may
escape
,
"
cried
Richard
,
in
a
tone
of
excitement
and
with
a
wildness
of
manner
which
induced
the
officer
to
fancy
that
his
brain
was
turned
.
"
Well
,
come
along
with
me
,
"
said
the
policeman
;
"
and
you
can
tell
all
you
know
to
the
Superintendent
.
"
Markham
signified
his
readiness
to
accompany
the
officer
;
and
they
proceeded
to
the
station-house
in
the
neighbourhood
.
There
Richard
was
introduced
to
the
Superintendent
.
"
I
have
this
night
,
"
said
the
young
man
,
"
escaped
from
the
most
fearful
perils
.
I
was
proceeding
along
a
dark
,
narrow
,
and
dirty
street
somewhere
in
the
neighbourhood
of
Shoreditch
Church
,
when
I
was
knocked
down
,
and
carried
into
a
house
where
murder
—
yes
,
murder
,
"
added
Markham
,
in
a
tone
of
fearful
excitement
,
"
seems
to
be
committed
At
this
moment
there
is
a
corpse
—
the
corpse
of
some
unfortunate
man
who
has
been
assassinated
in
a
most
inhuman
manner
—
lying
stretched
out
in
that
house
!
I
could
tell
you
how
the
miscreants
who
frequent
that
den
dispose
of
their
victims
,
—
how
they
pounce
upon
those
who
pass
their
door
,
and
drag
them
into
that
human
slaughter-house
,
—
and
how
they
make
away
with
them
;
—
I
could
tell
you
horrors
which
would
make
your
hair
stand
on
end
;
—
but
we
should
lose
time
;
for
you
may
yet
capture
the
three
wretches
whose
crimes
have
been
this
night
so
providentially
revealed
to
me
!
"
"
And
where
can
we
capture
these
men
?
"
inquired
the
Superintendent
,
surveying
Markham
from
head
to
foot
in
a
strange
manner
.
"
They
are
at
this
moment
at
Shoreditch
Church
,
"
returned
the
young
man
;
"
they
are
engaged
in
exhuming
a
corpse
for
a
surgeon
whom
they
were
to
meet
at
half-past
one
at
the
back
of
the
burial-ground
.
"
"
And
it
is
now
three
o'clock
,
"
said
the
Superintendent
.
"
I
dare
say
they
have
got
over
their
business
by
this
time
.
You
had
much
better
sit
down
here
by
the
fire
and
rest
yourself
;
and
when
it
is
daylight
some
one
shall
see
you
home
to
your
friends
.
"
"
Sit
here
tranquilly
,
when
justice
claims
its
due
!
"
ejaculated
Markham
;
"
impossible
!
If
you
will
not
second
my
endeavours
to
expose
a
most
appalling
system
of
wholesale
murder
—
—
"
"
My
dear
sir
,
"
interrupted
the
Superintendent
,
"
do
compose
yourself
,
and
get
such
horrid
thoughts
out
of
your
head
.
Come
—
be
reasonable
.
This
is
London
,
you
know
—
and
it
is
impossible
that
the
things
you
have
described
could
be
committed
in
so
populous
a
city
.
"
"
I
tell
you
that
every
word
I
have
uttered
is
the
strict
truth
,
"
cried
Markham
emphatically
.
"
And
how
came
you
to
escape
from
such
a
place
?
"
demanded
the
Superintendent
.
"
The
villain
who
attacked
me
thought
me
dead
—
he
fancied
that
I
was
killed
by
the
blow
;
but
it
had
only
stunned
me
for
a
few
moments
—
—
"
"
Just
now
there
were
three
murderers
,
"
whispered
one
policeman
to
another
:
"
now
there
is
only
one
.
He
is
as
mad
as
a
March-hare
.
"
"
Then
I
was
decoyed
into
a
deep
pit
,
"
continued
Markham
;
"
and
I
escaped
through
an
aperture
opening
into
another
pit
,
with
stone
steps
to
it
,
in
the
next
house
.
"
The
two
policemen
turned
round
to
conceal
their
inclination
to
laugh
;
and
the
Superintendent
could
scarcely
maintain
a
serious
countenance
.
"
And
now
will
you
come
with
me
to
Shoreditch
Church
,
and
capture
the
villains
?
"
cried
Markham
.
"
We
had
better
wait
till
morning
.
Pray
sit
down
and
compose
yourself
.
You
are
wet
and
covered
with
mud
—
you
have
evidently
been
walking
a
great
distance
.
"
"
Oh
!
now
I
understand
the
cause
of
your
hesitation
,
"
ejaculated
Markham
:
"
you
do
not
believe
me
—
you
fancy
that
I
am
labouring
under
a
delusion
.
I
conjure
you
not
to
suffer
justice
to
be
defeated
by
that
idea
!
The
tale
is
strange
;
and
I
myself
,
had
it
been
communicated
to
me
as
it
now
is
to
you
,
should
look
upon
it
as
improbable
.
No
doubt
,
too
,
my
appearance
is
strange
;
and
my
manner
may
be
excited
,
and
my
tone
wild
;
—
but
,
I
swear
to
you
by
the
great
God
who
hears
us
,
that
I
am
sane
—
in
the
possession
of
my
reason
,
—
although
,
heaven
knows
!
I
have
this
night
passed
through
enough
to
unhinge
the
strongest
intellects
!
"
"
Can
you
lead
us
to
the
house
where
you
allege
that
these
enormities
are
committed
?
"
demanded
the
Superintendent
,
moved
by
the
solemnity
and
rationality
with
which
Markham
had
uttered
this
last
appeal
to
him
.
"
No
,
I
cannot
,
"
was
the
reply
:
"
I
had
lost
my
way
amongst
those
streets
with
which
I
was
totally
unacquainted
:
the
night
was
dark
—
dark
as
it
is
now
;
—
and
therefore
I
could
not
guide
you
to
that
den
of
such
black
atrocities
.
But
,
I
repeat
the
murderers
left
that
house
a
little
after
one
to
commit
a
deed
of
sacrilege
in
Shoreditch
Church
.
You
say
that
it
is
now
three
:
perhaps
their
resurrection-labours
are
not
terminated
yet
;
and
you
might
then
capture
them
in
the
midst
of
their
unholy
pursuits
.
"
"
And
if
we
do
not
find
that
Shoreditch
Church
has
been
broken
open
?
"
said
the
Superintendent
;
"
you
will
admit
—
—
"
"
Admit
that
I
am
mad
—
that
I
have
deceived
you
—
that
I
deserve
to
be
consigned
to
a
lunatic
asylum
,
"
exclaimed
Markham
,
in
a
tone
which
inspired
the
Superintendent
with
confidence
.
That
officer
accordingly
gave
instructions
to
four
constables
to
accompany
Markham
to
Shoreditch
Church
.
The
little
party
proceeded
thither
with
all
possible
expedition
;
but
the
clock
struck
four
just
as
they
reached
the
point
of
destination
.
They
hastily
scaled
the
railings
around
the
burial-ground
,
and
proceeded
to
the
very
door
from
which
the
body-snatchers
had
emerged
an
hour
previously
.
One
of
the
policemen
tried
the
door
;
and
it
immediately
yielded
to
his
touch
.
At
the
same
moment
his
foot
struck
against
something
upon
the
top
step
.
He
picked
it
up
:
—
it
was
a
padlock
with
the
semicircular
bolt
sawed
through
.
The
policemen
and
Markham
entered
the
church
;
and
the
former
commenced
a
strict
search
by
means
of
their
bull's-eye
lanterns
.
"
There
's
no
doubt
that
the
gentleman
was
right
,
and
all
he
said
was
true
,
"
observed
one
of
the
officers
;
"
but
the
birds
have
flown
—
that
's
clear
.
"
"
Well
—
they
must
have
done
their
work
pretty
cleverly
if
they
have
n't
left
a
trace
,
"
said
another
.
"
I
have
heard
it
stated
,
"
remarked
Richard
,
"
that
resurrection-men
are
so
expert
at
their
calling
,
that
they
can
defy
the
most
acute
eye
to
discover
the
spot
upon
which
they
have
been
operating
.
"
"
Well
,
if
we
do
n't
find
out
which
vault
they
have
opened
,
it
's
no
matter
.
We
have
seen
enough
to
convince
us
that
you
were
right
,
sir
,
in
all
you
told
us
.
"
"
And
as
the
body-snatchers
are
not
here
,
"
added
another
police-officer
,
"
we
had
better
get
back
as
quick
as
we
can
and
report
the
church
's
having
been
broke
open
to
our
Superintendent
.
"
"
And
I
will
return
with
you
,
"
said
Markham
;
"
for
when
it
is
light
I
may
perhaps
be
enabled
to
conduct
you
to
within
a
short
distance
of
the
street
—
even
if
not
into
the
very
street
itself
—
where
the
den
is
situated
which
those
monsters
frequent
or
inhabit
.
"
The
officers
and
Richard
accordingly
returned
to
the
station-house
whence
they
came
;
and
as
soon
as
the
Superintendent
heard
that
the
church
had
really
been
broken
open
,
he
apologised
to
Markham
for
his
former
incredulity
.
"
You
will
,
however
,
admit
,
sir
,
"
said
this
functionary
,
"
that
your
narrative
was
calculated
to
excite
strange
suspicions
relative
to
the
condition
of
the
intellects
of
the
person
who
told
it
.
"
"
I
presume
you
fancied
that
I
had
escaped
from
a
madhouse
?
"
observed
Markham
.
"
To
tell
you
the
truth
,
I
did
,
"
answered
the
Superintendent
:
"
you
were
in
such
a
dreadful
condition
!
And
that
reminds
me
that
you
are
all
wet
and
covered
with
mud
:
please
to
step
into
my
private
room
,
and
you
will
find
every
thing
necessary
to
make
you
clean
and
comfortable
.
"
*
*
*
*
*
Day
dawned
shortly
after
seven
;
and
at
that
time
might
be
seen
Richard
Markham
,
accompanied
by
an
officer
in
plain
clothes
,
and
followed
by
others
at
a
distance
,
threading
the
streets
and
alleys
in
the
neighbourhood
of
the
Bird-cage
Walk
.
The
sun
rose
upon
that
labyrinth
of
close
,
narrow
,
and
wretched
thoroughfares
,
and
irradiated
those
sinks
of
misery
and
crime
as
well
as
the
regal
palace
and
the
lordly
mansion
at
the
opposite
end
of
London
.
But
the
search
after
the
house
in
which
Markham
had
witnessed
such
horrors
and
endured
such
intense
mental
agony
on
the
preceding
night
,
was
as
vain
and
fruitless
as
if
its
existence
were
but
a
dream
.
There
was
not
a
street
which
Markham
could
remember
having
passed
through
;
there
was
not
a
house
to
which
even
his
suspicions
attached
.
And
yet
,
may
be
,
he
and
his
official
companions
proceeded
up
the
very
street
,
and
went
by
the
door
of
the
very
house
,
which
they
sought
.
After
a
useless
search
throughout
that
neighbourhood
for
nearly
four
hours
,
Markham
declared
that
he
was
completely
at
fault
.
The
police
accordingly
abandoned
any
further
proceedings
on
that
occasion
.
It
was
however
agreed
between
them
and
Markham
that
the
strictest
secresy
should
be
preserved
relative
to
the
entire
business
,
in
order
that
the
measures
to
be
subsequently
adopted
with
a
view
to
discover
the
den
of
the
murderers
,
might
not
be
defeated
by
the
tattle
of
busy
tongues
.
CHAPTER
XLVI
.
RICHARD
AND
ISABELLA
.
RICHARD
Markham
had
determined
to
lose
no
time
in
revealing
to
Count
Alteroni
those
adventures
which
had
rendered
him
an
inmate
of
the
Giltspur
Street
Compter
for
two
years
.
And
yet
it
was
hard
to
dare
the
destruction
of
the
bright
visions
which
had
dawned
upon
him
in
respect
to
the
Signora
Isabella
:
it
was
cruel
to
dash
away
from
his
lips
the
only
cup
of
enjoyment
which
he
had
tasted
for
a
long
time
.
He
knew
not
how
the
count
would
receive
such
a
narrative
as
he
had
to
tell
.
Doubtless
it
would
alarm
him
:
"
for
society
,
"
thought
Richard
,
"
was
too
apt
to
judge
rashly
by
outward
appearances
.
"
Should
the
count
,
however
,
nobly
and
generously
rise
above
the
prejudices
of
the
world
,
and
believe
the
statement
of
Markham
's
innocence
,
corroborated
as
it
was
by
the
document
signed
by
Talbot
,
alias
Pocock
,
much
would
have
been
gained
by
a
candid
and
honourable
confession
.
But
if
the
reverse
ensued
,
and
the
count
banished
Richard
from
his
friendship
,
the
young
man
felt
that
he
himself
would
only
have
performed
a
melancholy
duty
,
and
broken
asunder
of
his
own
accord
those
bonds
which
,
were
he
to
remain
silent
,
an
accident
might
one
day
snap
abruptly
and
rudely
.
"
I
feel
happy
,
"
said
Markham
to
himself
,
as
he
arose
in
the
morning
after
the
day
on
which
the
fruitless
search
mentioned
in
the
preceding
chapter
took
place
,
—
"
I
feel
happy
even
while
about
to
consummate
a
sacrifice
which
may
destroy
the
most
golden
of
my
dreams
!
The
Infinite
Being
has
declared
that
the
days
of
our
life
shall
be
marked
with
sorrow
;
and
they
are
—
as
I
can
well
testify
!
But
the
afflictions
to
which
we
are
subject
are
attended
with
blessed
antidotes
;
—
moral
sources
of
enjoyment
are
given
to
us
,
as
fruits
and
flowers
for
the
soul
;
and
the
teachings
of
interest
,
as
well
as
the
impulses
of
gratitude
,
should
lead
us
to
consider
with
attention
those
duties
we
owe
each
other
,
for
the
sake
of
the
bounties
the
Almighty
showers
upon
us
.
"
So
reasoned
Richard
Markham
.
That
evening
he
arrived
at
the
count
's
abode
near
Richmond
,
a
few
minutes
before
dinner
.
A
kind
welcome
awaited
him
on
the
part
of
the
count
and
countess
;
and
the
eyes
of
Signora
Isabella
expressed
the
satisfaction
she
experienced
at
his
return
.
When
Markham
was
seated
with
the
count
after
dinner
,
he
determined
to
commence
the
explanation
which
he
had
resolved
to
give
.
He
was
just
about
to
broach
the
subject
,
when
the
count
observed
,
"
By
the
bye
,
I
am
happy
to
inform
you
that
I
received
letters
from
Greenwood
this
morning
;
and
he
assures
me
that
the
speculation
looks
admirably
.
"
"
I
am
delighted
to
hear
it
,
"
returned
Richard
.
"
But
the
chief
object
of
my
present
visit
—
—
"
"
Was
to
speak
about
this
Steam
Packet
business
,
no
doubt
,
"
interrupted
the
count
.
"
Well
,
if
you
like
to
take
shares
in
it
,
it
is
not
too
late
.
But
what
do
you
think
?
I
am
going
to
tell
you
a
secret
.
You
know
that
I
look
upon
you
as
a
friend
of
the
family
;
besides
,
I
am
well
aware
that
you
respect
Isabel
and
love
her
like
a
brother
—
—
"
"
What
did
you
say
,
count
?
"
stammered
Markham
.
"
I
was
going
to
tell
you
that
Mr.
Greenwood
—
who
is
immensely
rich
—
has
taken
a
liking
to
Isabella
—
—
"
"
Indeed
!
"
"
Yes
—
and
I
gave
him
some
little
encouragement
.
"
"
What
!
without
previously
ascertaining
whether
the
Signora
's
feelings
are
reciprocal
?
"
cried
Richard
.
"
As
for
that
,
my
dear
Markham
,
remember
that
a
dutiful
daughter
knows
no
will
and
no
inclination
save
those
of
her
parents
.
"
"
This
is
not
an
English
doctrine
,
"
said
Markham
,
"
so
far
as
the
principle
applies
to
affairs
of
the
heart
.
"
"
It
is
nevertheless
an
Italian
doctrine
,
"
exclaimed
the
count
,
somewhat
haughtily
;
"
and
I
have
no
doubt
that
Isabella
will
ever
recognise
the
authority
of
her
parents
in
this
as
in
all
other
matters
.
"
As
the
count
uttered
these
words
,
he
rose
and
led
the
way
to
the
drawing-room
;
and
thus
deprived
Markham
of
that
opportunity
of
making
the
confession
he
had
intended
.
Richard
was
unhappy
and
dispirited
.
He
perceived
that
the
count
was
inclined
to
favour
Mr.
Greenwood
's
suit
;
and
he
now
felt
how
dear
Isabella
was
to
him
—
how
profoundly
seated
was
his
love
for
the
beauteous
Italian
!
Misfortunes
never
come
alone
.
Richard
was
destined
to
receive
a
crushing
blow
,
although
innocently
inflicted
,
the
moment
he
entered
the
drawing-room
.
The
countess
was
conversing
with
her
daughter
upon
her
own
family
connections
.
"
Do
not
let
us
interrupt
your
conversation
,
"
said
the
count
,
as
he
took
his
seat
upon
the
sofa
near
his
wife
.
"
We
were
only
talking
about
the
Chevalier
Guilderstein
,
whose
death
was
mentioned
in
yesterday
's
newspaper
,
"
observed
the
countess
.
"
I
was
saying
that
I
remembered
how
delighted
I
was
when
I
discovered
a
few
years
ago
that
the
chevalier
was
not
related
to
our
family
,
as
he
had
always
pretended
to
be
.
"
"
And
why
so
?
"
inquired
the
count
.
"
Because
the
father
of
the
chevalier
was
put
to
death
in
Austria
for
coining
—
or
rather
upon
a
charge
of
coining
,
"
answered
the
countess
;
"
and
although
his
innocence
was
discovered
and
proclaimed
a
few
years
after
his
death
,
I
should
not
like
to
have
amongst
my
ancestors
a
man
who
had
been
criminally
convicted
,
however
innocent
he
may
in
reality
have
been
.
"
"
Certainly
not
,
"
said
the
count
.
"
I
should
be
very
sorry
for
any
one
whose
character
had
ever
been
tainted
with
suspicion
,
to
have
the
slightest
connection
with
our
family
.
"
"
I
cannot
say
that
I
agree
with
you
,
"
observed
Isabel
.
"
There
can
be
no
disgrace
attached
to
one
who
has
suffered
under
a
false
accusation
:
on
the
contrary
—
such
a
person
is
rather
deserving
of
our
deepest
sympathy
and
—
—
"
"
Heavens
,
Mr.
Markham
!
"
ejaculated
the
countess
;
"
are
you
ill
?
Bella
,
dear
—
ring
the
bell
—
get
Mr.
Markham
a
glass
of
water
—
—
"
"
It
is
nothing
—
nothing
,
I
can
assure
you
,
"
stammered
Richard
,
whose
countenance
was
as
pale
as
that
of
a
corpse
.
"
Miss
Isabella
,
do
not
give
yourself
any
trouble
!
It
was
only
a
sudden
faintness
—
a
spasm
:
but
it
is
over
now
.
"
With
these
words
Markham
hurried
to
the
bed-chamber
which
was
always
allotted
to
him
when
he
visited
the
count
's
residence
.
All
the
horrible
tortures
which
man
can
conceive
,
harassed
him
at
that
moment
.
He
threw
himself
upon
his
couch
—
he
writhed
—
he
struggled
,
as
if
against
a
serpent
which
held
him
in
its
embraces
.
His
eyes
seemed
as
if
they
were
about
to
start
from
their
sockets
;
his
teeth
were
fast
closed
—
he
wrung
his
hair
—
he
beat
his
breast
—
and
low
moans
escaped
from
his
bosom
.
The
fiat
of
the
count
had
gone
forth
.
He
who
would
claim
or
aspire
to
connection
with
his
family
must
be
like
the
wife
of
Cæsar
—
beyond
all
suspicion
.
It
was
not
enough
that
such
an
one
should
be
innocent
of
any
crime
:
he
must
never
have
even
been
accused
of
one
.
Such
was
the
disposition
of
the
count
—
elicited
by
an
accident
,
and
unexpectedly
;
and
Markham
could
now
divine
the
nature
of
the
treatment
which
he
would
be
likely
to
experience
,
were
he
to
reveal
his
misfortunes
to
a
nobleman
who
entertained
such
punctilious
and
extremely
scrupulous
notions
!
"
But
I
was
mad
to
imagine
that
Isabella
would
ever
become
mine
,
"
thought
Markham
within
himself
,
as
soon
as
he
became
somewhat
more
tranquillised
.
"
It
was
folly
—
supreme
folly
—
rank
,
idiotic
,
inconceivable
folly
,
in
me
to
have
cherished
a
hope
which
could
never
be
realised
!
All
that
now
remains
for
me
to
do
,
is
to
abandon
myself
to
my
adverse
fate
—
to
attempt
no
more
struggles
against
the
destinies
that
await
me
,
—
to
leave
this
house
without
delay
—
to
return
home
,
and
bury
myself
in
a
solitude
from
which
no
persuasions
nor
attractions
shall
henceforth
induce
me
to
emerge
!
Would
that
I
could
leave
this
house
this
very
evening
;
—
but
appearances
compel
me
to
remain
at
least
until
to-morrow
!
I
must
endeavour
to
assume
that
ease
of
manner
—
that
friendly
confidence
,
which
is
reciprocal
here
:
—
for
a
few
hours
I
must
consent
to
act
the
hypocrite
;
and
to-morrow
—
to-morrow
,
I
shall
be
relieved
from
that
dread
necessity
,
—
I
shall
be
compelled
to
bid
adieu
to
Isabella
for
ever
!
No
avowal
of
my
past
sufferings
is
now
required
—
since
I
shall
to-morrow
leave
this
hospitable
mansion
,
never
to
return
!
"
A
flood
of
tears
relieved
the
unfortunate
young
man
;
and
he
descended
once
more
to
the
drawing-room
—
very
pale
,
but
as
calm
and
tranquil
as
usual
.
Isabella
glanced
towards
him
from
time
to
time
with
evident
anxiety
;
and
,
in
spite
of
all
his
endeavours
to
appear
cheerful
and
at
his
ease
,
he
was
embarrassed
,
cool
,
and
reserved
.
Isabella
was
wounded
and
mortified
by
his
conduct
:
—
she
attempted
to
rally
him
,
and
to
ascertain
whether
he
was
really
chilling
in
his
manners
on
purpose
,
or
only
melancholy
against
his
will
:
but
she
received
frigid
and
laconic
replies
,
which
annoyed
and
disheartened
the
poor
girl
to
such
an
extent
that
she
could
scarcely
refrain
from
tears
.
Markham
felt
that
,
as
an
honourable
man
,
he
could
no
longer
aspire
to
the
hand
of
the
signora
,
after
the
expression
of
opinion
accidentally
conveyed
to
him
by
the
count
and
countess
;
and
he
therefore
forbore
from
any
attempt
to
render
himself
agreeable
,
or
to
afford
the
slightest
testimony
of
his
passion
.
Acting
with
these
views
,
and
endeavouring
to
seem
only
properly
polite
,
he
fell
into
the
opposite
extreme
,
and
grew
cold
and
reserved
.
The
count
and
countess
imagined
that
he
was
unwell
,
and
were
not
therefore
annoyed
by
his
conduct
;
—
but
poor
Isabella
,
who
was
deeply
attached
to
him
,
set
down
his
behaviour
to
indifference
.
This
idea
on
her
part
was
confirmed
,
when
Markham
,
in
the
course
of
conversation
,
intimated
his
intention
of
returning
home
on
the
following
day
.
"
Return
home
!
and
what
for
?
"
ejaculated
the
count
.
"
You
have
no
society
there
,
and
here
you
have
some
—
unamusing
and
tedious
though
it
may
be
.
"
"
Never
did
I
pass
a
happier
period
of
my
existence
than
that
which
I
have
spent
in
your
hospitable
abode
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
Then
remain
with
us
at
least
ten
days
or
a
fortnight
,
"
cried
the
count
.
"
We
shall
then
be
visiting
London
ourselves
,
for
we
have
promised
to
pass
a
few
weeks
with
Lord
and
Lady
Tremordyn
.
"
"
Lord
Tremordyn
!
"
exclaimed
Richard
.
"
Yes
—
do
you
know
him
?
"
"
Only
by
name
.
But
did
not
his
daughter
marry
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
?
"
said
Markham
,
shuddering
as
he
pronounced
the
abhorred
name
.
"
The
same
.
Sir
Robert
treats
her
shamefully
—
neglects
her
in
every
way
,
and
passes
whole
months
away
from
his
home
.
He
has
,
moreover
,
expended
all
the
fortune
she
brought
him
,
and
is
again
,
I
understand
,
deeply
involved
in
debt
.
"
"
Poor
Lady
Cecilia
!
"
ejaculated
Isabella
.
"
She
is
deeply
to
be
pitied
!
"
"
But
to
return
to
this
sudden
resolution
of
yours
to
depart
to-morrow
,
"
said
the
count
.
"
Which
resolution
is
very
suddenly
taken
,
"
added
the
signora
,
affecting
to
be
engaged
in
contemplating
a
book
of
prints
which
lay
upon
the
table
before
her
,
while
her
beautiful
countenance
was
suffused
with
a
deep
blush
.
"
My
resolution
is
sudden
,
certainly
,
"
observed
Richard
.
"
Circumstances
over
which
I
have
no
control
,
and
which
it
would
be
useless
to
communicate
to
you
,
frequently
compel
me
to
adopt
sudden
resolutions
,
and
act
up
to
them
.
Be
assured
,
however
,
that
the
memory
of
your
kindness
will
always
be
dear
to
me
.
"
"
You
speak
as
if
we
were
never
to
meet
again
,
"
exclaimed
the
count
.
"
We
cannot
dispose
of
events
in
this
world
according
to
our
own
will
,
"
said
Markham
,
emphatically
.
"
Would
to
God
we
could
!
"
"
But
there
are
certain
circumstances
in
which
we
seem
to
be
free
agents
,
"
said
Isabella
,
still
holding
down
her
head
;
"
and
remaining
in
one
place
,
or
going
to
another
,
appears
to
be
amongst
those
actions
which
depend
upon
our
own
volition
.
"
At
this
moment
a
servant
entered
the
room
and
informed
the
count
that
the
private
secretary
of
the
envoy
of
the
Grand
Duke
of
Castelcicala
to
the
English
court
desired
to
speak
with
him
in
another
apartment
.
"
Oh
!
I
am
interested
in
this
,
"
exclaimed
the
countess
;
and
,
upon
a
signal
