Isabella,
you
are
worthy
of
your
noble
sire
,
"
said
the
countess
enthusiastically
.
And
,
even
in
the
hour
of
their
misfortune
,
that
exiled
—
ruined
family
found
inexpressible
solace
in
the
sweet
balm
of
each
other
's
love
!
CHAPTER
LXXVII
.
A
WOMAN
'S
SECRET
.
IT
was
now
seven
months
since
Ellen
Monroe
became
the
victim
of
George
Greenwood
.
She
bore
in
her
bosom
the
fruit
of
that
amour
;
and
until
the
present
time
she
had
managed
to
conceal
her
situation
from
those
around
her
.
She
now
began
to
perceive
the
utter
impossibility
of
veiling
her
disgrace
much
longer
.
Her
health
was
failing
;
and
her
father
and
Markham
were
constantly
urging
upon
her
the
necessity
of
receiving
medical
advice
.
This
recommendation
she
invariably
combated
to
the
utmost
of
her
power
;
and
in
order
to
give
a
colour
to
her
assurance
that
she
suffered
only
from
some
trivial
physical
ailment
,
she
was
compelled
to
affect
a
flow
of
good
spirits
which
she
was
far
—
very
far
from
experiencing
.
Markham
had
frequently
questioned
her
with
the
most
earnest
and
friendly
solicitude
relative
to
the
causes
of
those
intervals
of
deep
depression
which
it
was
impossible
for
her
to
conceal
;
—
he
had
implored
her
to
open
her
mind
to
him
,
as
a
sister
might
to
a
brother
;
—
he
had
suggested
to
her
change
of
scene
,
diversion
,
and
other
means
of
restoring
her
lost
spirits
;
—
but
to
all
he
advanced
she
returned
evasive
replies
.
Richard
and
the
aged
father
of
the
young
lady
frequently
convened
together
upon
the
subject
,
and
lost
themselves
in
conjectures
relative
to
the
cause
of
that
decaying
health
and
increasing
unhappiness
for
which
the
sufferer
herself
would
assign
no
feasible
motive
.
At
times
Mr.
Monroe
was
inclined
to
believe
that
the
privations
and
vicissitudes
which
his
daughter
had
experienced
during
the
two
years
previous
to
their
reception
at
the
hospitable
dwelling
of
Richard
Markham
,
had
engendered
a
profound
melancholy
in
a
mind
that
had
been
so
painfully
harassed
,
and
had
implanted
the
germs
of
a
subtle
malady
in
a
system
never
constitutionally
strong
.
This
belief
appeared
the
more
reasonable
when
the
old
man
called
to
mind
the
hours
of
toil
—
the
wearisome
vigils
—
and
the
exposure
to
want
,
cold
,
and
inclement
weather
,
which
had
been
endured
by
the
poor
girl
in
the
court
in
Golden
Lane
;
and
Markham
sometimes
yielded
to
the
same
impression
relative
to
the
causes
of
a
mental
and
physical
decline
which
every
day
became
more
apparent
.
Then
,
again
,
Richard
thought
that
the
fresh
air
of
the
healthy
locality
where
she
now
dwelt
,
and
the
absence
of
all
care
in
respect
to
the
wherewithal
to
sustain
life
,
would
have
produced
a
beneficial
effect
.
He
enjoined
her
father
to
question
her
whether
she
cherished
some
secret
affection
—
some
love
that
had
experienced
disappointment
;
but
to
this
demand
she
returned
a
positive
negative
:
and
her
father
assured
his
young
friend
that
Ellen
had
had
no
opportunity
of
obtaining
the
affection
of
another
,
or
of
bestowing
her
own
upon
any
being
who
now
slighted
it
.
Of
course
her
true
position
was
never
suspected
for
a
moment
;
and
thus
the
cause
of
Ellen
's
unhappiness
remained
an
object
of
varied
and
conflicting
conjectures
.
Seven
months
had
now
passed
since
that
fatal
day
when
the
accursed
old
hag
,
whose
name
we
have
not
allowed
to
defile
these
pages
,
handed
her
over
to
the
arms
of
a
ruthless
libertine
;
—
seven
months
of
mental
anguish
and
physical
suffering
had
nearly
flown
;
—
the
close
of
July
was
at
hand
;
—
and
as
yet
Ellen
had
decided
upon
no
plan
to
direct
her
future
proceedings
.
She
sometimes
thought
of
returning
to
Greenwood
,
and
endeavouring
to
touch
his
heart
;
—
but
then
she
remembered
the
way
in
which
they
had
parted
on
the
occasion
of
her
visit
to
his
house
in
Spring-Gardens
;
—
she
recalled
to
mind
all
she
knew
of
the
character
of
the
man
;
—
and
she
was
compelled
to
abandon
this
idea
.
She
felt
that
she
would
sooner
die
than
accept
his
succour
in
the
capacity
of
a
mistress
;
—
and
there
were
,
moreover
,
moments
when
she
entertained
sentiments
of
profound
hatred
,
and
experienced
a
longing
for
revenge
,
against
the
man
who
refused
to
do
her
justice
.
Then
,
again
,
she
recollected
that
he
was
the
father
of
the
child
which
she
bore
in
her
bosom
;
and
all
her
rancorous
feelings
dissolved
in
tears
.
At
other
times
she
thought
of
throwing
herself
at
her
father
's
feet
,
and
confessing
all
.
But
what
woman
does
not
shudder
at
such
a
step
?
Moreover
,
frail
mortals
invariably
place
reliance
in
the
chapter
of
accidents
,
and
entertain
hopes
,
even
in
situations
where
it
is
impossible
for
those
hopes
to
be
realised
.
To
Richard
Markham
she
would
not
—
dared
not
breathe
a
syllable
that
might
lead
him
to
infer
her
shame
;
—
and
yet
,
where
was
she
to
find
a
friend
save
in
the
persons
of
her
father
and
her
benefactor
?
Most
pitiable
was
the
situation
of
this
poor
girl
.
And
yet
she
already
felt
a
mother
's
feeling
of
love
and
solicitude
for
her
unborn
babe
.
Often
—
often
,
in
the
still
hour
of
night
,
when
others
slept
,
did
she
sit
up
and
weep
in
her
chamber
:
—
often
—
often
,
while
others
forgot
their
cares
in
the
arms
of
slumber
,
was
she
a
prey
to
an
agony
of
mind
which
seemed
to
admit
of
no
solace
.
And
then
,
in
those
hours
of
intense
wretchedness
,
would
the
idea
of
suicide
steal
into
her
mind
—
that
idea
which
suggests
a
last
resource
and
a
sore
relief
as
a
term
for
misery
grown
too
heavy
for
mortal
endurance
.
But
,
oh
!
she
trembled
—
she
trembled
in
the
presence
of
that
dread
thought
,
which
each
night
assumed
a
shape
more
awfully
palpable
,
more
fearfully
defined
to
her
imagination
.
She
struggled
against
the
idea
:
she
exclaimed
,
in
the
bitterness
of
her
agony
,
"
Get
thee
behind
me
,
tempter
;
"
—
and
yet
there
the
tempter
stood
,
more
plainly
seen
,
more
positive
in
its
allurement
than
ever
!
That
poor
,
helpless
girl
balanced
in
her
mind
whether
she
should
dare
human
scorn
,
or
in
one
mad
moment
resign
her
soul
to
Satan
!
There
was
a
piece
of
water
at
the
back
of
the
house
close
by
the
main
road
;
and
thither
would
her
footsteps
lead
her
—
almost
unvoluntarily
,
for
the
tempter
pushed
her
onward
from
behind
;
—
thither
would
she
repair
at
noon
,
to
contemplate
the
sleeping
waters
of
the
lake
within
whose
depths
lurked
one
pearl
more
precious
in
the
eyes
of
the
unhappy
than
the
brightest
ornaments
set
in
regal
diadems
,
—
the
pearl
of
Oblivion
!
Thither
did
the
lost
one
stray
:
upon
the
margin
of
that
water
did
she
hover
like
the
ghost
of
one
who
had
sought
repose
beneath
that
silver
surface
;
—
and
,
oh
!
how
she
longed
to
plunge
into
the
shining
water
—
and
dared
not
.
At
eve
,
too
,
when
the
sun
had
set
,
and
every
star
on
the
dark
vault
above
was
reflected
on
the
bosom
of
the
lake
,
and
the
pure
argent
rays
of
the
lovely
moon
seemed
to
fathom
its
mysterious
depths
,
—
then
again
did
she
seek
the
bank
;
and
as
she
stood
gazing
upon
the
motionless
pool
,
she
prepared
herself
to
take
the
one
fatal
leap
that
should
terminate
her
sorrows
—
and
dared
not
.
No
—
she
shrank
from
suicide
;
and
yet
the
time
had
now
come
when
she
most
nerve
herself
to
adopt
some
decided
plan
;
for
a
prolonged
concealment
of
her
condition
was
impossible
.
Markham
's
household
consisted
of
Whittingham
,
Holford
,
and
a
female
domestic
of
the
name
of
Marian
.
This
woman
was
a
widow
,
and
had
been
in
the
service
of
our
hero
only
since
his
release
from
incarceration
.
She
was
between
forty
and
fifty
;
and
her
disposition
was
kind
,
easy
,
and
compassionate
.
One
night
—
about
an
hour
after
the
inmates
of
the
Place
had
retired
to
their
chambers
—
Ellen
was
sitting
,
as
usual
,
mournfully
in
her
room
,
pondering
upon
her
unhappy
condition
,
and
dreading
to
seek
a
couch
where
her
ideas
assumed
an
aspect
which
made
her
brain
reel
as
if
with
incipient
madness
,
—
when
she
heard
a
low
knock
at
her
door
.
She
hastened
to
open
it
;
and
Marian
instantly
entered
the
room
.
"
Hush
,
my
dear
young
lady
,
"
she
said
in
a
whisper
:
"
do
not
be
alarmed
;
"
—
and
she
carefully
closed
the
door
behind
her
.
"
What
is
the
matter
,
Marian
?
"
exclaimed
Ellen
"
has
any
thing
happened
?
is
my
father
ill
?
"
"
No
,
Miss
—
do
not
frighten
yourself
,
I
say
,
"
replied
the
servant
.
"
I
have
come
to
console
you
for
I
ca
n't
bear
to
see
you
pining
away
like
this
—
dying
by
inches
.
"
"
What
do
you
mean
,
Marian
?
"
said
Ellen
much
confused
.
"
I
mean
,
my
dear
Miss
,
"
continued
the
servant
,
"
that
if
you
wo
n't
think
me
impertinent
.
I
might
befriend
you
.
The
eyes
of
a
woman
are
sharp
and
penetrating
,
Miss
;
and
while
every
body
else
in
the
house
is
wondering
what
can
make
you
so
pale
,
and
low-spirited
,
I
do
not
want
to
conjecture
to
discover
the
cause
.
"
"
My
God
,
Marian
!
"
ejaculated
the
young
lady
,
sinking
into
a
chair
;
"
you
—
you
really
frighten
me
:
you
mistake
—
you
—
"
And
Ellen
burst
into
tears
.
The
servant
took
her
hand
kindly
,
and
said
"
Miss
,
forgive
my
boldness
;
but
I
am
a
woman
—
and
I
cannot
bear
to
see
one
of
my
own
sex
suffer
as
you
do
.
Besides
,
you
are
so
good
and
gentle
—
and
when
I
was
ill
a
few
weeks
ago
,
you
behaved
with
so
much
kindness
to
me
,
that
my
heart
bleeds
for
you
—
it
does
indeed
.
I
was
coming
down
to
you
last
night
—
and
the
night
before
—
and
the
night
before
that
too
;
but
I
did
n't
like
to
intrude
upon
you
.
And
to-day
I
saw
how
very
much
you
was
altered
;
and
I
could
restrain
myself
no
longer
.
So
,
Miss
,
if
I
have
done
wrong
,
forgive
me
;
for
I
have
come
with
a
good
intention
—
and
I
would
go
a
hundred
miles
to
serve
you
.
In
a
word
,
Miss
,
you
require
a
friend
—
a
faithful
friend
;
and
if
you
will
confide
in
me
,
Miss
,
I
will
give
you
the
best
advice
,
and
help
you
in
the
best
way
I
can
.
"
"
Marian
,
this
is
very
kind
of
you
—
very
kind
,
"
answered
Ellen
,
to
whose
ear
these
words
of
female
sympathy
came
ineffably
sweet
;
"
but
I
shall
be
better
soon
—
I
shall
get
well
—
"
"
Ah
!
Miss
,
"
interrupted
Marian
,
soothingly
,
"
do
n't
hesitate
to
confide
in
me
.
I
know
what
ails
you
—
I
understand
your
situation
;
and
I
feel
for
you
deeply
—
indeed
,
indeed
I
do
.
"
"
Marian
—
"
"
Yes
,
Miss
:
you
cannot
conceal
it
from
others
much
longer
.
For
God
's
sake
take
some
step
before
you
kill
yourself
and
your
child
at
the
same
time
.
"
"
Marian
—
Marian
,
what
do
you
say
?
"
exclaimed
Ellen
,
sobbing
violently
,
as
if
her
heart
would
break
.
"
Miss
Monroe
,
you
will
shortly
become
a
mother
!
"
"
Ah
!
my
God
—
kill
me
,
kill
me
!
Save
me
from
this
deep
degradation
—
this
last
disgrace
!
"
"
Calm
yourself
,
Miss
—
calm
yourself
;
and
I
will
be
your
friend
,
"
said
Marian
.
"
I
have
been
thinking
of
your
condition
for
some
time
past
—
and
I
have
already
settled
in
my
mind
a
plan
to
save
you
!
"
"
To
save
me
—
to
save
me
!
"
exclaimed
Ellen
.
"
Oh
!
how
can
I
ever
repay
you
for
this
kindness
?
"
"
I
am
but
a
poor
ignorant
woman
.
Miss
,
"
answered
Marian
;
"
but
I
hope
that
I
do
not
possess
a
bad
heart
.
At
all
events
I
can
feel
for
you
.
"
"
A
bad
heart
,
Marian
!
"
repeated
Ellen
.
"
Oh
!
no
—
you
are
goodness
itself
.
But
you
said
you
had
some
plan
to
save
me
,
Marian
?
"
"
Yes
,
Miss.
I
have
a
sister
,
who
is
married
and
lives
with
her
husband
a
few
miles
off
.
He
is
a
market-gardener
;
and
they
have
a
nice
little
cottage
.
They
will
be
delighted
to
do
all
they
can
for
you
.
"
"
But
how
can
I
leave
this
house
and
remain
absent
for
weeks
without
acquainting
my
benefactor
Mr.
Markham
,
and
my
poor
old
father
?
You
forget
,
Marian
—
you
forget
that
were
I
to
steal
away
,
and
leave
no
trace
behind
me
,
it
would
break
my
father
's
heart
.
"
"
Then
,
Miss
,
you
had
better
throw
yourself
at
your
father
's
feet
,
and
tell
him
all
.
"
"
Never
—
never
,
Marian
!
"
ejaculated
Ellen
,
clasping
her
hands
together
,
while
her
bosom
heaved
convulsively
.
"
Trust
in
Mr.
Markham
,
Miss
—
let
me
break
the
truth
to
him
?
"
"
Impossible
,
Marian
!
I
should
never
dare
to
look
him
in
the
face
again
.
"
"
And
the
person
—
the
individual
—
the
father
of
your
child
,
Miss
—
"
said
the
servant
,
hesitatingly
.
"
Mention
not
him
—
allude
not
to
him
,
"
cried
Ellen
;
then
,
after
a
pause
,
she
added
in
a
low
and
almost
despairing
tone
,
"
No
!
—
hope
exists
not
there
!
"
"
And
yet
,
Miss
,
"
continued
Marian
,
"
you
must
make
up
your
mind
to
something
—
and
that
soon
.
You
cannot
conceal
your
situation
another
fortnight
without
danger
to
yourself
and
the
little
unborn
innocent
.
Besides
,
you
have
made
no
preparations
,
Miss
;
and
if
any
sudden
accident
—
"
"
Ah
!
Marian
,
you
remind
me
of
my
duty
,
"
interrupted
Ellen
.
"
I
must
not
sacrifice
the
life
of
that
being
who
has
not
asked
me
to
give
it
existence
—
who
is
the
innocent
fruit
of
my
shame
,
—
I
must
not
sacrifice
its
life
to
any
selfish
scruples
of
mine
!
Thank
you
,
Marian
—
thank
you
!
You
have
reminded
me
of
my
duty
!
come
to
me
again
to-morrow
night
,
and
I
will
tell
you
what
step
I
have
determined
to
take
without
delay
!
"
The
servant
then
retired
;
and
Ellen
remained
alone
—
alone
with
the
most
desolating
,
heart-breaking
reflections
.
At
length
her
ideas
produced
a
mental
agony
which
was
beyond
endurance
.
She
rose
from
her
chair
,
and
advanced
towards
the
window
,
against
the
cold
glass
of
which
she
leant
her
brow
—
her
burning
brow
,
to
cool
it
.
The
moon
shone
brightly
,
and
edged
the
clouds
of
night
with
silver
.
The
eyes
of
the
wretched
girl
wandered
over
the
landscape
,
the
outlines
of
which
were
strongly
marked
beneath
the
lustre
of
the
moon
;
and
amongst
other
objects
,
she
caught
sight
of
the
small
lake
at
a
little
distance
.
It
shone
like
a
pool
of
quicksilver
,
and
seemed
to
woo
her
to
its
bosom
.
Upon
that
lake
her
eyes
rested
long
and
wistfully
;
and
again
the
tempter
stood
behind
her
,
and
urged
her
to
seek
repose
beneath
that
shining
surface
.
She
asked
herself
for
what
she
had
to
live
?
She
did
not
seek
to
combat
the
arguments
of
the
secret
tempter
;
but
she
collected
into
one
focus
all
her
sorrows
;
and
at
length
the
contemplation
of
that
mass
of
misery
strengthened
the
deep
anxiety
which
she
felt
to
escape
from
this
world
for
ever
.
And
all
the
while
she
kept
her
eyes
fixed
upon
the
lake
that
seemed
sleeping
beneath
the
moonlight
which
kissed
its
bosom
.
But
her
poor
father
!
and
the
babe
that
she
bore
in
her
breast
!
Oh
!
no
—
she
dared
not
die
!
Her
suicide
would
not
comprise
one
death
only
;
—
but
it
would
be
the
death
of
a
second
,
and
the
death
of
a
third
,
—
the
death
of
her
father
,
and
the
death
of
her
still
unborn
child
!
She
turned
away
from
the
window
,
and
hastened
to
seek
her
couch
.
But
slumber
did
not
visit
her
eyes
.
She
lay
pondering
on
the
best
course
for
her
to
pursue
;
but
the
more
she
reflected
upon
her
condition
,
the
farther
off
did
she
seem
to
wander
from
any
settled
point
.
At
length
she
sank
into
an
uneasy
sleep
;
and
her
grief
pursued
her
in
her
dreams
.
She
rose
late
;
and
when
she
descended
to
the
breakfast-room
she
learnt
that
Richard
Markham
was
about
to
depart
immediately
for
the
Continent
.
Whittingham
was
busily
occupied
in
packing
his
master
's
baggage
in
the
hall
;
and
Holford
had
been
despatched
into
town
to
order
a
post-chaise
.
Markham
explained
this
sudden
movement
on
his
part
by
placing
a
letter
in
Ellen
's
hand
,
saying
at
the
same
time
,
"
This
is
from
a
man
who
has
been
a
friend
to
me
:
I
cannot
hesitate
a
moment
to
obey
his
summons
.
"
Ellen
cast
her
eyes
over
the
letter
and
read
as
follows
:
—
"
Boulogne-sur-Mer
,
France
,
"
July
24
,
1839.
"
My
dear
young
Friend
,
"
If
you
can
possibly
dispose
of
your
time
for
a
few
days
,
come
to
me
at
once
.
A
severe
accident
—
which
may
prove
fatal
—
renders
it
prudent
that
I
should
attend
to
my
worldly
affairs
;
and
to
this
end
I
require
the
assistance
of
a
friend
.
Such
I
know
you
to
be
.
"
THOMAS
ARMSTRONG
.
"
"
The
accident
which
my
friend
has
met
with
must
have
been
a
serious
one
,
"
said
Markham
,
"
or
his
letter
would
be
more
explicit
.
I
feel
deeply
anxious
to
know
the
whole
truth
;
for
it
was
he
who
gave
me
courage
to
face
the
world
,
and
taught
me
how
to
raise
my
head
again
,
after
my
release
from
imprisonment
;
—
he
also
introduced
me
to
one
—
—
"
Markham
ceased
:
and
for
some
moments
his
thought
were
bent
wholly
on
Isabella
.
At
length
the
post-chaise
arrived
,
and
Richard
departed
on
his
journey
,
after
bidding
adieu
to
Mr.
Monroe
and
Ellen
,
and
having
received
a
special
request
from
the
faithful
Whittingham
"
to
mind
and
not
be
conglomerated
by
any
such
fellers
as
Kidderminster
and
them
wulgar
chaps
which
called
butlers
tulips
.
"
CHAPTER
LXXVIII
.
MARIAN
.
IN
the
evening
Ellen
retired
early
to
her
apartment
,
for
she
felt
very
unwell
;
and
certain
sensations
which
she
had
experienced
during
the
day
had
alarmed
her
.
A
short
time
after
she
had
withdrawn
to
the
seclusion
of
her
own
chamber
,
the
faithful
and
kind-hearted
Marian
made
her
appearance
.
"
This
is
very
good
of
you
,
Marian
,
"
said
Ellen
.
"
I
never
felt
the
want
of
some
one
to
talk
to
and
console
me
,
so
much
as
I
do
to-night
.
"
"
You
look
very
pale
and
ill
,
Miss
,
"
observed
the
servant
:
"
had
you
not
better
retire
to
rest
?
"
"
Yes
,
"
said
Ellen
.
"
I
wish
to
struggle
against
a
sense
of
weariness
and
oppression
which
comes
over
me
;
and
I
cannot
.
"
"
Heavens
,
Miss
!
—
if
any
thing
was
to
happen
to
you
to-night
—
"
"
It
cannot
be
that
,
Marian
;
but
I
feel
very
,
very
ill.
"
Marian
aided
Miss
Monroe
to
divest
herself
of
her
garments
;
and
the
young
lady
retired
to
her
couch
.
"
How
do
you
feel
now
,
Miss
?
"
"
Alas
!
I
am
not
better
,
good
Marian
.
I
feel
—
I
feel
—
"
"
My
God
,
Miss
!
you
are
about
to
become
a
mother
this
very
night
.
Oh
!
what
is
to
be
done
?
what
is
to
be
done
?
"
"
Save
me
,
save
me
,
Marian
—
do
not
suffer
me
to
be
exposed
!
"
cried
Ellen
wildly
.
"
Why
did
I
not
speak
to
you
before
last
night
?
We
might
have
made
some
arrangement
—
invented
some
plan
:
but
now
—
now
,
it
is
impossible
!
"
"
Do
not
say
it
is
impossible
,
Marian
—
do
not
take
away
every
remaining
hope
—
for
I
am
wretched
,
very
wretched
.
"
"
Poor
young
lady
!
"
said
Marian
,
advancing
towards
the
bed
,
and
taking
Ellen
's
hand
.
"
It
is
not
for
myself
that
I
care
so
much
,
"
continued
the
unhappy
girl
;
"
it
is
for
my
poor
father
.
It
would
break
his
heart
—
oh
!
it
would
,
break
his
heart
!
"
"
And
he
is
a
good
,
kind
old
gentleman
,
"
observed
Marian
.
"
And
he
has
tasted
already
so
deeply
of
the
bitter
cup
of
adversity
,
"
said
Ellen
,
"
that
a
blow
like
this
would
send
him
to
his
grave
.
I
know
him
so
well
—
he
would
never
survive
my
dishonour
.
He
has
loved
me
so
tenderly
—
he
has
taken
such
pride
in
me
,
it
would
kill
him
!
Do
you
hear
,
Marian
?
—
it
would
kill
him
.
Ah
!
you
weep
—
you
weep
for
me
,
kind
Marian
!
"
"
Yes
,
Miss
:
I
would
do
any
thing
I
could
to
serve
you
.
But
now
—
it
is
too
late
—
"
"
Say
not
that
it
is
too
late
!
"
ejaculated
Ellen
,
distractedly
:
"
say
not
that
all
chance
of
avoiding
exposure
has
fled
!
take
compassion
on
me
,
Marian
;
take
compassion
on
my
poor
old
father
!
Ah
!
these
pains
—
"
"
Tell
me
how
I
can
serve
you
,
Miss
—
"
"
Alas
!
I
cannot
concentrate
my
ideas
,
Marian
;
I
am
bewildered
—
I
am
reduced
to
despair
!
Oh
!
if
men
only
knew
what
bitter
,
bitter
anguish
they
entail
upon
poor
woman
,
when
they
sacrifice
her
to
their
desires
—
"
"
Do
not
make
yourself
miserable
,
dear
young
lady
,
"
interrupted
Marian
,
whose
eyes
were
dimmed
with
tears
.
"
Something
must
be
done
!
How
do
you
feel
now
?
"
"
I
cannot
explain
my
sensations
.
My
mental
pangs
are
so
great
that
they
almost
absorb
my
bodily
sufferings
;
and
yet
,
it
seems
as
if
the
latter
were
increasing
every
moment
.
"
"
There
can
be
no
doubt
of
it
,
Miss
,
"
said
Marian
.
"
Do
you
know
that
when
I
heard
this
morning
of
Mr.
Markham
's
intended
departure
for
France
,
it
struck
me
at
the
moment
that
Providence
interfered
in
your
behalf
.
I
do
not
know
why
such
an
idea
should
have
come
across
me
;
for
I
could
not
foresee
that
you
would
be
so
soon
overtaken
with
—
"
"
I
feel
that
I
am
getting
worse
,
Marian
;
can
nothing
be
done
?
must
my
poor
father
know
all
?
Oh
!
think
of
his
grey
hairs
—
his
wrinkles
!
Think
how
he
loves
me
—
his
only
child
!
Alas
!
can
nothing
be
done
to
save
me
from
disgrace
?
How
shall
I
ever
be
able
to
meet
Mr.
Markham
again
?
Ah
!
Marian
,
you
would
not
desert
me
in
such
a
moment
as
this
?
"
"
No
,
dear
young
lady
—
not
for
worlds
!
"
"
Thank
you
,
Marian
!
And
yet
forgive
me
if
I
say
again
,
do
not
desert
me
—
do
not
expose
me
!
Oh
!
let
me
die
rather
than
have
my
shame
made
known
.
Think
,
Marian
—
do
you
not
know
of
any
means
of
screening
me
?
"
"
I
am
bewildered
,
"
exclaimed
the
poor
woman
.
"
How
do
you
feel
now
?
"
"
My
fears
augment
,
that
—
"
"
Ah
!
it
is
premature
,
you
see
,
Miss
!
What
is
to
be
done
?
what
shall
we
do
?
"
"
Marian
,
I
beseech
you
—
I
implore
you
not
to
expose
me
!
"
said
Ellen
in
a
tone
of
such
intense
agony
,
that
the
good-hearted
woman
was
touched
to
the
very
soul
.
A
sudden
idea
seemed
to
strike
her
.
"
I
know
a
young
surgeon
in
the
village
—
who
is
just
married
,
and
has
only
set
up
in
business
a
few
weeks
—
he
is
very
poor
—
and
he
does
not
know
where
I
am
now
in
service
.
"
"
Do
any
thing
you
choose
,
Marian
—
follow
the
dictates
of
your
own
mind
—
but
do
not
expose
me
!
Oh
!
my
God
!
what
misery
—
what
misery
is
this
!
"
"
Yes
,
"
continued
Marian
,
musing
,
"
there
is
no
other
resource
.
But
,
Miss
,
"
she
added
,
turning
towards
the
suffering
girl
,
"
if
I
can
save
you
from
exposure
,
you
must
part
with
your
child
,
should
it
be
born
alive
!
"
"
I
am
in
your
hands
:
save
me
from
exposure
—
for
my
poor
old
father
's
sake
!
That
is
all
I
ask
.
"
"
This
,
then
,
"
said
Marian
,
"
is
the
only
alternative
;
there
is
nothing
else
to
be
done
!
And
perhaps
even
he
will
not
consent
—
"
"
To
whom
do
you
allude
?
"
demanded
Ellen
impatiently
.
"
To
the
young
surgeon
of
whom
I
spoke
.
But
I
must
try
:
at
all
events
his
assistance
must
be
had
.
Miss
,
my
plan
is
too
long
to
tell
you
now
:
do
you
think
it
is
safe
to
leave
you
alone
for
three
quarters
of
an
hour
?
"
"
Oh
!
yes
—
if
it
be
for
my
benefit
,
kind
—
good
Marian
,
"
said
Ellen
.
"
But
I
must
not
be
exposed
—
even
to
the
surgeon
!
"
"
The
room
must
then
be
quite
dark
,
"
observed
Marian
.
"
Do
you
mind
that
?
"
Ellen
shook
her
head
.
"
Then
,
take
courage
,
Miss
—
and
I
think
I
can
promise
—
but
we
shall
see
.
"
The
servant
then
hastily
extinguished
the
lights
and
left
the
room
.
She
hurried
up
to
her
own
chamber
,
took
from
her
box
a
purse
containing
forty
sovereigns
—
all
her
little
savings
,
put
on
her
bonnet
and
shawl
,
concealed
her
face
with
a
thick
black
veil
,
and
then
stole
carefully
down
stairs
.
All
was
quiet
;
and
she
left
the
house
by
the
back
door
.
In
three
quarters
of
an
hour
two
persons
advanced
together
up
the
garden
at
the
back
of
the
house
.
One
was
a
woman
;
and
she
led
a
man
,
whose
eyes
were
blindfolded
with
a
black
handkerchief
.
"
Your
hand
trembles
,
"
said
Marian
—
for
she
was
the
female
alluded
to
.
"
No
,
"
answered
the
surgeon
.
"
But
one
word
—
ere
I
proceed
farther
.
"
"
Speak
—
do
not
delay
.
"
"
You
gave
me
forty
pounds
for
this
night
's
work
.
What
guarantee
do
you
offer
me
that
the
child
—
should
it
survive
—
will
not
be
left
on
my
hands
,
altogether
unprovided
for
?
"
"
Trust
to
paternal
affection
,
sir
,
"
answered
Marian
.
"
I
can
promise
you
that
the
child
will
not
even
remain
long
with
you
.
"
"
Well
,
I
will
venture
it
,
"
said
the
surgeon
.
"
Your
money
will
save
me
from
being
compelled
to
shut
up
my
establishment
after
an
unsuccessful
struggle
of
only
a
few
weeks
;
and
I
ought
not
to
ask
too
many
questions
.
"
"
And
you
remember
your
solemn
promise
,
sir
,
not
to
attempt
to
obtain
any
clue
to
the
place
to
which
I
am
conducting
you
.
"
"
On
my
honour
as
a
man
—
on
my
solemn
word
as
a
gentleman
.
"
"
Enough
,
sir
.
Let
us
proceed
.
"
Marian
let
the
surgeon
onward
,
and
admitted
him
into
the
house
by
the
back
door
.
All
was
still
quiet
.
We
have
said
on
a
previous
occasion
that
the
mansion
was
a
spacious
one
.
Ellen
's
apartment
was
far
removed
from
that
in
which
her
father
slept
;
and
the
rooms
occupied
by
Whittingham
and
Holford
were
on
the
uppermost
storey
.
There
consequently
existed
little
chance
of
disturbing
any
one
.
Marian
led
the
surgeon
very
cautiously
up
the
staircase
to
Ellen
's
chamber
,
which
they
entered
as
noiselessly
as
possible
.
Upon
advancing
into
the
room
,
which
was
quite
dark
,
the
surgeon
struck
against
a
chest
of
drawers
,
and
uttered
a
slight
ejaculation
of
pain
;
but
not
loud
enough
to
reach
the
ears
of
those
from
whom
it
was
necessary
to
conceal
this
nocturnal
proceeding
.
Ellen
was
in
the
pangs
of
maternity
when
Marian
and
the
surgeon
came
to
her
assistance
;
and
in
a
few
moments
after
their
arrival
,
she
was
the
mother
of
a
boy
.
Oh
!
who
can
express
her
feelings
when
the
gentle
cry
of
the
child
fell
upon
her
ears
—
that
child
from
whom
she
was
to
part
in
a
few
minutes
,
perhaps
for
ever
?
Half
an
hour
afterwards
Marian
and
the
surgeon
were
again
threading
the
garden
;
—
but
this
time
their
steps
led
them
away
from
the
house
.
Beneath
her
thick
shawl
,
carefully
wrapped
up
,
the
servant
carried
Ellen
's
child
.
She
conducted
the
surgeon
to
within
a
short
distance
of
his
own
abode
,
placed
the
child
in
his
arms
,
and
hurried
rapidly
away
.
She
returned
to
the
Place
,
and
ascended
to
Ellen
's
chamber
without
disturbing
the
other
inmates
.
"
Ah
!
Marian
,
"
said
Ellen
,
"
how
can
I
ever
sufficiently
thank
you
for
your
kindness
of
this
night
?
"
"
Silence
,
my
dear
young
lady
.
Do
not
mention
it
!
You
must
keep
yourself
very
tranquil
and
quiet
;
and
in
the
morning
I
must
say
that
you
are
too
unwell
to
rise
.
"
"
And
that
surgeon
—
"
"
I
know
what
you
would
ask
,
Miss
,
"
interrupted
Marian
.
"
All
is
safe
and
secret
—
the
bandage
was
never
raised
from
the
surgeon
's
eyes
from
the
moment
he
left
his
own
house
until
he
was
far
away
from
here
again
;
nor
did
he
once
catch
a
glimpse
of
my
face
,
for
when
I
first
went
to
explain
the
business
to
him
and
engage
his
assistance
,
he
came
down
from
his
bed-chamber
and
spoke
to
me
in
the
passage
where
it
was
quite
dark
.
Moreover
,
I
had
taken
my
thick
black
veil
with
me
by
way
of
precaution
.
Therefore
,
he
can
never
know
me
again
.
"
"
But
the
means
of
securing
his
assistance
?
how
did
you
contrive
that
,
Marian
?
"
"
Well
,
Miss
,
if
you
must
know
,
"
said
the
servant
,
after
some
hesitation
,
"
I
had
saved
up
forty
pounds
—
"
"
And
you
gave
him
all
!
"
exclaimed
Ellen
.
"
Oh
!
this
was
truly
noble
!
However
—
I
shall
know
how
to
repay
you
fourfold
.
"
"
We
will
speak
of
that
another
time
,
Miss
,
"
answered
Marian
.
"
You
must
now
endeavour
to
obtain
some
sleep
;
—
and
I
shall
sit
with
you
all
night
.
"
"
Tell
me
one
thing
,
Marian
,
"
said
Ellen
,
with
tears
in
her
eyes
;
—
"
the
child
—
"
"
Will
be
well
taken
care
of
,
Miss.
Do
not
alarm
yourself
about
that
.
And
now
you
must
try
and
obtain
some
repose
.
"
In
a
few
moments
the
young
mother
was
overtaken
by
a
profound
sleep
—
the
first
she
had
enjoyed
for
many
,
many
weeks
.
But
even
this
slumber
was
not
attended
by
dreams
of
unmixed
pleasure
:
the
thoughts
of
her
child
—
her
new-born
child
,
entrusted
to
the
care
of
strangers
,
and
severed
from
the
maternal
bosom
—
followed
her
in
her
visions
.
She
awoke
,
considerably
refreshed
,
at
about
seven
o'clock
in
the
morning
.
The
faithful
Marian
was
still
watching
by
her
side
,
and
had
prepared
her
some
refreshment
,
of
which
Ellen
partook
.
The
young
mother
then
asked
for
writing
materials
;
and
,
in
spite
of
the
remonstrances
of
Marian
,
sate
up
in
her
bed
,
and
wrote
a
letter
.
When
she
had
sealed
and
addressed
it
,
she
spoke
in
the
following
manner
:
"
Marian
,
I
have
now
one
favour
to
ask
you
.
You
have
already
given
me
such
proofs
of
friendship
and
fidelity
,
that
I
need
not
implore
you
to
observe
the
strictest
secrecy
with
respect
to
the
request
that
I
am
about
to
make
.
At
the
same
time
,
I
shall
feel
more
happy
if
you
will
promise
me
,
that
under
any
circumstances
—
whether
my
shame
remain
concealed
,
or
not
—
you
will
never
disclose
,
without
my
consent
,
the
name
of
the
person
to
whom
this
letter
is
addressed
,
and
to
whom
you
must
carry
it
as
speedily
as
possible
.
"
"
You
know
,
Miss
,
that
I
will
do
any
thing
I
can
to
make
you
happy
.
Your
secret
is
safe
in
my
keeping
.
"
"
Thank
you
,
Marian
!
My
father
would
curse
me
—
Mr.
Markham
would
scorn
me
,
did
they
know
that
I
held
communication
with
this
man
;
"
—
and
she
showed
the
address
upon
the
letter
to
Marian
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
!
"
exclaimed
the
servant
.
"
Ah
!
now
I
recollect
—
Whittingham
has
told
me
that
he
is
the
person
who
ruined
your
poor
father
,
and
robbed
Mr.
Markham
of
nearly
all
his
property
.
"
"
And
yet
,
Marian
,
"
said
Ellen
,
"
that
man
—
that
same
Mr.
Greenwood
,
who
reduced
my
poor
father
to
beggary
,
and
plundered
Mr.
Markham
—
that
very
same
individual
is
the
father
of
my
child
!
"
"
Ah
!
Miss
,
now
I
understand
how
impossible
it
was
for
you
to
reveal
your
condition
to
your
father
,
or
to
Mr.
Markham
.
The
blow
would
have
been
too
severe
upon
both
!
"
"
Yes
,
Marian
—
Mr.
Greenwood
is
the
father
of
my
child
;
and
more
than
that
—
he
is
—
but
no
matter
,
"
said
Ellen
,
suddenly
checking
herself
.
"
You
now
know
my
secret
,
Marian
;
and
you
will
never
reveal
it
?
"
"
Never
,
Miss
,
I
promise
you
most
solemnly
.
"
"
And
you
will
take
this
letter
to
him
to-day
—
and
you
will
wait
for
his
reply
.
"
"
I
will
go
this
afternoon
,
Miss
;
and
I
will
obey
your
wishes
in
every
way
.
"
"
And
now
,
Marian
,
hasten
to
tell
my
father
that
I
am
unwell
;
and
resist
any
desire
on
his
part
to
obtain
medical
assistance
.
"
"
Leave
that
to
me
,
Miss.
You
already
appear
so
much
better
that
the
old
gentleman
will
easily
be
induced
to
suppose
that
a
little
rest
is
all
you
require
.
"
"
Ah
!
Marian
—
how
can
I
ever
reward
you
for
all
your
goodness
towards
me
?
"
CHAPTER
LXXIX
.
THE
BILL
.
—
A
FATHER
.
NOTHING
could
be
more
business-like
than
the
study
of
Mr.
Greenwood
.
The
sofa
was
heaped
up
with
papers
tied
round
with
red
tape
,
and
endorsed
,
some
"
Corn-Laws
,
"
others
"
New
Poor
Law
,
"
a
third
batch
"
Rottenborough
Union
,
"
a
fourth
"
Select
Committee
on
Bribery
at
Elections
;
"
and
so
on
.
Piles
of
letters
lay
upon
one
table
;
piles
of
newspapers
upon
another
;
and
a
number
of
Reports
of
various
Committees
of
the
House
of
Commons
,
easily
recognised
by
their
unwieldy
shapes
and
blue
covers
,
was
heaped
up
on
the
cheffonier
between
the
windows
.
The
writing-table
was
also
arranged
,
with
a
view
to
effect
,
in
the
manner
described
upon
a
former
occasion
;
and
in
his
arm-chair
lounged
Mr.
Greenwood
,
pleasantly
engaged
in
perusing
the
daily
newspaper
which
contained
the
oration
that
he
had
delivered
in
the
House
on
the
preceding
evening
.
It
was
about
three
o'clock
in
the
afternoon
.
Mr.
Greenwood
had
risen
late
,
for
the
House
had
not
separated
until
half-past
two
in
the
morning
,
and
the
member
for
Rottenborough
was
a
man
of
too
decidedly
business-habits
to
leave
his
post
in
the
middle
of
a
debate
.
Lafleur
entered
,
and
announced
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
"
I
have
called
about
that
bill
again
,
"
said
the
baronet
.
"
When
it
came
due
at
the
end
of
March
,
we
renewed
it
for
four
months
.
It
will
be
due
again
to-morrow
.
"
"
I
am
aware
of
it
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
What
do
you
propose
to
do
?
"
"
I
am
in
no
condition
to
pay
it
,
"
answered
the
baronet
.
"
You
must
provide
a
portion
,
and
renew
for
the
remainder
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
It
is
impossible
,
my
dear
fellow
!
"
exclaimed
Sir
Rupert
.
"
I
am
completely
at
low
water-mark
again
,
upon
my
honour
!
"
"
And
yet
I
have
heard
that
you
and
Chichester
have
not
been
altogether
unsuccessful
in
the
play-world
during
the
last
few
months
,
"
observed
Greenwood
.
"
Not
so
prosperous
as
you
may
fancy
,
"
returned
the
baronet
.
"
Come
,
what
shall
we
say
about
this
bill
?
"
"
I
have
told
you
.
The
bill
was
originally
given
for
fifteen
hundred
pounds
—
"
"
For
which
I
only
had
a
thousand
.
"
"
I
do
n't
recollect
now
.
At
all
events
,
it
fell
due
;
and
fortunately
I
had
not
passed
it
away
.
"
"
Of
course
not
.
You
promised
to
retain
it
in
your
portfolio
.
"
"
I
do
n't
recollect
.
You
could
not
pay
it
;
and
I
agreed
to
renew
it
—
"
"
On
condition
of
making
it
sixteen
hundred
,
"
said
the
baronet
.
"
I
do
n't
recollect
,
"
observed
Greenwood
again
.
"
Now
you
come
to
me
,
and
tell
me
that
you
can
do
nothing
towards
it
.
Things
cannot
go
on
so
.
"
"
But
you
knew
very
well
,
Greenwood
,
when
you
took
it
,
that
the
day
of
payment
might
be
rather
distant
.
"
"
I
do
n't
recollect
.
You
must
bring
me
the
six
hundred
,
and
I
will
renew
for
the
thousand
—
without
interest
.
There
!
"
"
And
where
the
devil
am
I
to
find
six
hundred
pounds
on
a
sudden
like
this
?
"
exclaimed
Sir
Rupert
.
"
I
am
sure
I
am
not
aware
of
your
private
resources
,
my
good
sir
,
"
answered
Greenwood
,
coolly
.
"
You
must
be
well
aware
that
I
cannot
afford
to
remain
without
my
money
in
this
manner
;
and
since
it
would
appear
you
do
not
wish
Lord
Tremordyn
to
know
that
you
have
not
paid
the
acceptance
which
he
so
kindly
lent
you
—
"
"
Lent
me
!
"
ejaculated
Sir
Rupert
,
now
really
alarmed
.
"
Of
course
.
He
could
not
possibly
have
owed
you
the
amount
.
"
"
Greenwood
,
what
do
you
mean
by
this
?
"
cried
the
baronet
.
"
Upon
my
honour
,
one
would
almost
suppose
that
you
had
forgotten
the
real
nature
of
the
transaction
.
"
"
Possibly
I
may
not
recall
to
mind
some
of
the
minor
details
.
One
thing
is
,
however
,
certain
:
I
have
in
my
possession
a
bill
bearing
your
endorsement
and
accepted
by
Lord
Tremordyn
,
for
sixteen
hundred
pounds
;
and
I
offer
you
the
most
easy
terms
I
can
think
of
for
its
payment
.
"
"
Greenwood
,
you
cannot
have
forgotten
—
"
"
Forgotten
what
?
"
"
Forgotten
that
the
acceptance
—
"
"
Well
?
"
"
Is
not
Lord
Tremordyn
's
.
"
"
The
acceptance
not
Lord
Tremordyn
's
!
"
cried
Mr.
Greenwood
,
affecting
to
be
quite
confounded
by
this
statement
.
"
Certainly
not
,
"
answered
the
baronet
.
"
You
yourself
suggested
to
me
—
"
"
I
suggested
!
"
cried
Greenwood
,
now
pretending
indignation
.
"
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
what
are
you
aiming
at
?
to
what
point
would
you
arrive
?
"
"
Oh
!
if
I
were
not
in
the
power
of
this
man
!
"
thought
the
baronet
,
actually
grinding
his
teeth
with
rage
;
but
suppressing
his
feelings
,
he
said
,
"
My
dear
Greenwood
,
pray
renew
this
bill
for
four
months
more
,
and
it
shall
be
paid
at
maturity
.
"
"
No
,
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
"
replied
the
capitalist
,
who
had
not
failed
to
notice
the
emotions
of
concentrated
rage
which
filled
the
mind
of
the
baronet
.
"
I
am
decided
:
give
me
six
hundred
pounds
,
and
I
renew
for
the
thousand
;
otherwise
—
"
"
Otherwise
,
"
repeated
Sir
Rupert
mechanically
.
"
I
shall
pay
the
bill
into
my
banker
's
this
afternoon
,
and
it
will
be
presented
for
payment
at
Lord
Tremordyn
's
agent
's
to-morrow
morning
.
"
"
You
would
not
wish
to
ruin
me
,
Greenwood
!
"
"
Such
a
course
will
not
ruin
you
:
Lord
Tremordyn
will
of
course
honour
his
acceptance
.
"
"
Greenwood
,
you
drive
me
mad
!
"
"
I
am
really
very
sorry
to
hear
it
;
but
if
every
one
who
could
not
meet
his
bills
were
driven
mad
by
being
asked
for
payment
of
them
,
every
third
house
in
the
street
would
become
a
lunatic-asylum
.
"
"
You
can
spare
your
raillery
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
said
the
baronet
.
"
Do
you
wish
to
have
me
transported
?
"
"
Certainly
not
.
I
want
a
proper
settlement
in
this
respect
.
"
"
And
how
can
I
settle
the
bill
?
Where
am
I
to
procure
six
hundred
pounds
at
a
moment
's
warning
?
"
"
A
moment
's
warning
!
you
have
had
four
clear
months
.
"
"
But
I
fancied
—
I
hoped
you
would
renew
the
bill
from
time
to
time
until
I
could
pay
it
.
You
said
as
much
when
you
lent
me
the
money
upon
it
.
"
"
I
do
n't
recollect
.
"
"
You
did
indeed
;
and
upon
the
faith
of
that
promise
,
I
—
"
"
I
do
n't
recollect
.
"
"
My
God
!
what
am
I
to
do
?
"
cried
Sir
Rupert
,
despairingly
.
"
I
have
no
means
of
raising
half
the
sum
you
require
.
"
"
Then
why
did
you
take
my
money
seven
months
ago
?
"
"
Why
did
I
take
the
money
?
why
did
I
take
it
?
Because
you
yourself
proposed
the
transaction
.
You
said
,
'
Bring
me
the
acceptance
of
Lord
Tremordyn
for
fifteen
hundred
pounds
,
and
I
will
lend
you
a
thousand
upon
it
immediately
.
'
"
"
I
do
n't
recollect
.
"
"
And
you
said
emphatically
and
distinctly
that
you
should
not
call
upon
Lord
Tremordyn
to
inquire
if
it
were
his
acceptance
.
"
"
Of
course
not
.
Amongst
gentlemen
such
a
proceeding
would
be
unpardonable
.
"
"
Oh
!
Greenwood
,
you
affect
ignorance
in
all
this
!
and
yet
it
was
you
who
put
the
infernal
idea
into
my
head
—
"
"
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
"
said
the
capitalist
,
rising
from
his
chair
;
"
enough
of
this
!
I
put
no
infernal
ideas
into
any
one
's
head
.
Settle
the
bill
in
the
way
I
propose
;
or
it
shall
take
its
course
.
"
"
But
—
my
God
!
you
will
send
me
to
the
Old
Bailey
!
"
cried
the
baronet
,
whose
countenance
was
actually
livid
with
rage
and
alarm
.
"
And
did
you
not
send
Richard
Markham
thither
?
"
said
Greenwood
,
fixing
his
piercing
dark
eyes
upon
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
in
so
strange
a
manner
that
the
unhappy
man
shrank
from
that
fearful
glance
.
"
But
what
matters
that
to
you
?
"
cried
the
baronet
.
"
In
one
word
,
will
you
ruin
me
?
or
will
you
give
me
time
to
pay
this
accursed
bill
?
"
"
I
have
stated
my
conditions
:
I
will
not
depart
from
them
,
"
replied
Greenwood
in
a
determined
manner
.
"
You
have
plenty
of
time
before
you
.
I
will
keep
the
bill
back
until
to-morrow
morning
at
twelve
o'clock
.
"
"
Very
good
,
sir
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
scarcely
able
to
repress
his
rage
.
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
then
withdrew
,
a
prey
to
feelings
more
easily
imagined
than
described
.
"
Why
should
I
allow
this
gambler
to
retain
my
money
without
even
paying
me
the
interest
?
"
said
Greenwood
to
himself
,
when
he
was
again
alone
.
"
I
can
keep
him
in
my
power
as
well
with
a
forged
bill
for
a
thousand
,
as
for
sixteen
hundred
pounds
.
As
for
his
wife
,
the
beautiful
Cecilia
—
I
am
now
wearied
of
that
intrigue
,
which
,
moreover
,
becomes
too
expensive
!
Lady
Cecilia
's
extravagance
is
unbounded
.
I
must
put
an
end
to
that
connexion
without
delay
!
"
Lafleur
entered
the
room
at
this
moment
,
and
said
,
"
A
female
,
sir
,
desires
to
see
you
upon
particular
business
.
"
"
Is
it
anybody
whom
you
know
?
"
Lafleur
replied
in
the
negative
.
"
Never
mind
!
I
will
see
her
,
"
said
Greenwood
;
and
,
unaware
who
she
might
be
,
he
seated
himself
at
his
writing-table
,
where
he
appeared
to
be
profoundly
occupied
with
some
deeds
that
were
lying
before
him
.
In
a
few
moments
Marian
entered
the
room
.
"
Well
,
my
good
woman
,
what
is
the
object
of
your
call
?
"
demanded
Greenwood
.
"
I
am
the
bearer
of
a
letter
,
sir
,
from
Miss
Monroe
,
"
was
the
reply
.
"
From
Miss
Monroe
!
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
;
and
he
hastened
to
peruse
the
letter
which
the
servant
placed
in
his
hand
.
Its
contents
ran
thus
:
—
"
You
are
the
father
of
a
boy
.
The
excellent
woman
who
bears
this
will
explain
every
thing
to
you
.
I
should
not
recall
myself
to
your
memory
—
if
you
have
forgotten
the
mother
of
your
child
—
did
not
a
sacred
duty
towards
the
female
whom
I
have
above
alluded
to
,
and
towards
the
helpless
infant
who
perhaps
will
never
know
a
parent
's
care
,
compel
me
thus
to
address
you
.
The
kind
woman
who
will
give
you
this
,
expended
forty
pounds
—
all
her
little
savings
—
to
save
me
from
disgrace
.
The
surgeon
to
whose
care
the
child
is
entrusted
,
must
receive
a
small
allowance
for
its
support
.
If
you
ever
entertained
one
generous
feeling
towards
me
,
relieve
my
mind
on
these
two
subjects
.
"
ELLEN
MONROE
.
"
For
some
minutes
Mr.
Greenwood
appeared
to
be
absorbed
in
thought
.
He
then
questioned
Marian
relative
to
the
particulars
of
Ellen
's
accouchement
;
and
she
detailed
to
him
every
particular
with
which
the
reader
is
already
acquainted
.
"
You
managed
the
matter
admirably
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
There
are
two
points
to
which
Miss
Monroe
directs
my
attention
in
this
note
.
In
the
first
place
,
she
speaks
of
your
most
disinterested
services
.
Accept
this
as
a
trifling
mark
of
my
gratitude
:
"
—
and
he
placed
six
Bank-notes
for
ten
pounds
each
in
Marian
's
hand
.
"
I
do
not
desire
any
remuneration
,
sir
,
"
said
the
kind-hearted
woman
.
"
I
will
take
my
forty
pounds
;
but
the
other
two
notes
I
must
beg
to
return
.
"
"
No
—
keep
them
,
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
I
thank
you
,
sir
,
most
sincerely
,
"
said
the
servant
firmly
;
"
but
I
would
rather
not
.
I
rendered
Miss
Monroe
that
service
which
one
female
should
afford
another
in
such
a
case
;
and
I
cannot
think
of
accepting
any
recompense
.
"
With
these
words
she
laid
two
of
the
notes
upon
the
table
.
"
You
are
really
a
most
extraordinary
woman
,
"
cried
Greenwood
,
who
was
perfectly
astonished
at
the
idea
of
any
one
in
her
class
of
life
refusing
money
.
"
Will
you
not
permit
me
to
offer
you
a
ring
—
a
watch
—
or
some
trinket
—
"
"
No
,
sir
,
"
replied
Marian
,
with
severe
firmness
of
tone
and
manner
.
"
Miss
Monroe
is
so
kind
—
so
good
—
so
gentle
,
I
would
go
to
the
end
of
the
world
to
serve
her
.
"
"
Well
—
you
must
have
your
own
way
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
The
next
point
in
Miss
Monroe
's
letter
is
a
provision
for
her
child
.
What
sum
do
you
suppose
would
content
the
surgeon
and
his
wife
who
have
taken
care
of
it
?
"
"
They
are
poor
people
,
sir
—
struggling
against
difficulties
—
and
having
their
way
to
make
in
the
world
—
"
"
Suppose
we
say
forty
pounds
a
year
for
the
present
,
"
interrupted
Greenwood
.
"
Oh
!
sir
—
that
will
be
ample
!
"
exclaimed
Marian
:
"
and
Miss
Monroe
will
be
so
rejoiced
!
Ah
!
sir
—
what
consolation
to
the
poor
young
lady
!
"
"
What
is
the
address
of
the
surgeon
?
"
demanded
Greenwood
.
"
Mr.
Wentworth
,
Lower
Holloway
,
"
was
the
reply
.
"
My
servant
shall
call
upon
that
gentleman
this
very
evening
,
and
carry
him
the
first
quarter
's
payment
,
"
continued
Greenwood
.
"
You
can
say
to
Miss
Monroe
—
but
stay
:
I
will
write
her
a
few
lines
.
"
"
Oh
!
do
,
sir
.
Who
knows
but
it
may
console
her
?
"
ejaculated
the
kind-hearted
Marian
.
Mr.
Greenwood
wrote
as
follows
:
—
"
Your
wishes
are
attended
to
in
every
point
.
The
existence
of
the
child
need
never
be
known
to
either
Mr.
Monroe
or
Mr.
Richard
Markham
.
Keep
faithfully
all
the
secrets
which
are
treasured
in
your
bosom
;
and
I
will
never
desert
the
child
.
I
will
watch
over
its
welfare
from
a
distance
:
trust
to
me
.
You
were
wrong
to
hesitate
to
apply
to
me
.
My
purse
is
at
all
times
at
your
disposal
—
so
long
as
those
secrets
remain
undivulged
.
"
G
.
M
.
G
.
"
Marian
,
prompted
by
that
inherently
kind
feeling
which
had
influenced
her
entire
conduct
towards
Ellen
,
hesitated
for
a
few
moments
,
after
receiving
this
letter
,
and
seemed
anxious
to
speak
.
She
would
have
pleaded
in
behalf
of
the
young
mother
:
she
would
have
implored
Greenwood
to
make
her
his
own
in
the
sight
of
heaven
,
and
acknowledge
their
child
.
But
her
tongue
clave
to
the
roof
of
her
mouth
;
—
and
she
at
length
retired
,
unable
to
give
utterance
to
a
single
word
in
favour
of
poor
Ellen
.
As
soon
as
she
was
gone
,
Greenwood
rang
for
his
faithful
French
valet
.
"
Lafleur
,
"
said
he
,
"
you
will
take
these
ten
pounds
,
and
proceed
without
delay
to
the
house
of
Mr.
Wentworth
,
a
surgeon
residing
in
Lower
Holloway
.
You
will
say
to
him
,
'
The
father
of
the
child
which
was
entrusted
to
you
last
night
in
so
mysterious
a
manner
,
will
allow
you
forty
pounds
a
year
for
its
support
.
As
it
grows
older
,
and
the
expenses
it
incurs
augment
,
this
allowance
will
be
proportionately
increased
.
But
should
you
endeavour
to
find
out
who
are
the
parents
of
that
child
,
it
will
instantly
be
removed
to
the
care
of
others
who
may
possess
less
curious
dispositions
.
'
—
You
will
pay
him
those
ten
pounds
:
you
will
tell
him
that
every
three
months
you
will
call
with
a
similar
sum
;
and
you
will
see
the
child
.
Remember
,
you
will
see
the
child
.
If
it
have
any
peculiar
mark
about
it
,
notice
that
mark
:
at
all
events
,
study
it
well
,
that
you
may
know
it
again
.
You
will
moreover
direct
that
its
Christian
name
be
Richard
:
its
surname
is
immaterial
.
In
a
word
,
you
will
neither
say
nor
do
a
whit
more
nor
less
than
I
have
told
you
.
"
"
I
understand
,
sir
,
"
answered
Lafleur
.
"
Any
further
commands
?
"
"
No
—
not
at
present
.
Be
cautious
how
you
conduct
this
business
.
It
is
delicate
.
"
"
You
may
depend
upon
me
,
sir
.
"
And
Lafleur
retired
.
"
Thus
far
it
is
well
,
"
said
Greenwood
to
himself
,
when
he
was
again
alone
.
"
I
am
relieved
of
a
subject
of
frequent
annoying
reflection
and
suspense
.
Ellen
's
shame
is
unknown
to
those
from
whom
I
was
most
anxious
it
should
be
concealed
.
It
can
never
transpire
now
!
"
The
clock
struck
six
;
and
Mr.
Greenwood
repaired
to
his
dressing-room
to
arrange
his
toilet
for
dinner
.
CHAPTER
LXXX
.
THE
REVELATION
.
THAT
same
evening
Mr.
Chichester
dined
with
his
friend
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
at
the
dwelling
of
the
latter
in
Tavistock
Square
.
Whenever
her
husband
invited
this
guest
,
Lady
Cecilia
invariably
made
it
a
rule
to
accept
an
invitation
elsewhere
.
The
baronet
and
his
friend
were
therefore
alone
together
.
"
This
is
awkward
—
very
awkward
,
"
said
Chichester
,
when
the
cloth
was
removed
,
and
the
two
gentlemen
were
occupied
with
their
wine
.
"
Awkward
!
I
believe
you
,
"
exclaimed
the
baronet
.
"
Upon
my
honour
,
that
Greenwood
ought
to
be
well
thrashed
!
"
"
He
is
an
insufferable
coxcomb
,
"
said
Chichester
.
"
A
conceited
humbug
,
"
added
the
baronet
.
"
A
self-sufficient
fool
,
"
remarked
Chichester
.
"
A
consummate
scoundrel
,
"
cried
Sir
Rupert
.
"
So
he
is
,
"
observed
Chichester
.
"
But
all
this
will
not
pay
my
bill
,
"
continued
the
baronet
;
"
and
where
to
obtain
six
hundred
pounds
,
the
deuce
take
me
if
I
can
tell
.
"
"
No
—
nor
I
either
,
"
said
Chichester
;
"
unless
we
get
a
couple
of
horses
and
ride
down
towards
Hounslow
upon
a
venture
.
"
"
You
never
can
be
serious
,
Chichester
?
What
!
turn
highwaymen
!
"
"
I
was
only
joking
.
But
do
you
really
think
that
Greenwood
will
press
you
so
hard
?
"
"
He
will
send
the
bill
to
Lord
Tremordyn
's
banker
's
to-morrow
.
Oh
!
I
can
assure
you
he
was
quite
high
about
it
,
and
pretended
to
forget
all
the
circumstances
that
had
led
to
the
transaction
.
To
every
word
I
said
,
it
was
'
I
do
n't
recollect
.
'
May
the
devil
take
him
!
"
"
And
so
he
has
got
you
completely
in
his
power
?
"
"
Completely
.
"
"
And
you
would
like
to
have
your
revenge
?
"
"
Of
course
I
should
.
But
what
is
the
use
of
talking
in
this
manner
?
You
know
very
well
that
I
can
do
him
no
injury
!
"
"
I
am
not
quite
