nearer.
Drowning
must
be
slow
and
painful
—
the
other
will
be
instantaneous
.
From
the
river
I
might
be
rescued
;
but
no
human
power
can
snatch
me
from
death
during
a
fall
from
that
dizzy
height
.
"
And
she
glanced
upwards
to
the
colossal
pillar
whose
base
she
had
now
reached
.
At
that
moment
two
men
,
evidently
belonging
to
the
working
classes
,
passed
her
.
A
portion
of
their
conversation
met
her
ears
.
"
And
so
she
was
not
his
sister
,
then
?
"
said
one
.
"
No
such
thing
,
"
replied
the
other
.
"
I
heard
the
governor
of
Newgate
tell
all
about
it
to
one
of
the
City
officers
scarcely
half
an
hour
ago
.
The
governor
was
coming
out
of
a
lawyer
's
house
—
Tracy
's
lawyer
,
I
believe
—
and
the
City
officer
was
waiting
for
him
at
the
door
.
He
then
told
him
that
it
was
a
lady
of
fashion
—
with
a
name
something
like
Cecilia
Scarborough
,
I
think
—
—
"
The
men
were
now
too
far
for
the
wretched
woman
to
hear
any
more
of
their
conversation
.
"
Merciful
heavens
!
"
she
said
,
scarcely
able
to
prevent
herself
from
wringing
her
hands
;
"
even
at
this
moment
I
am
not
safe
!
"
Then
,
without
farther
hesitation
,
she
passed
round
the
base
of
the
Monument
,
and
crossed
the
threshold
.
"
Sixpence
,
if
you
please
,
ma'am
,
"
said
the
man
who
received
the
fees
from
visitors
.
Lady
Cecilia
exercised
an
almost
superhuman
power
over
her
distracted
feelings
,
so
as
to
appear
composed
,
while
she
drew
forth
the
coin
from
her
purse
.
"
It
's
a
fine
day
to
view
London
,
ma'am
,
"
said
the
man
,
as
he
took
the
money
.
"
Beautiful
,
"
answered
Cecilia
.
She
then
began
the
tedious
ascent
.
And
now
what
awful
emotions
laboured
in
her
breast
as
she
toiled
up
that
winding
staircase
.
"
My
God
!
my
God
!
"
she
murmured
to
herself
;
"
is
it
indeed
come
to
this
?
"
Once
she
was
compelled
to
stop
and
lean
against
the
wall
for
support
.
Then
she
wrung
her
hands
in
agony
—
indescribable
agony
of
mind
.
"
And
yet
there
is
no
alternative
!
"
she
thought
;
"
none
—
none
!
But
my
mother
—
my
poor
mother
!
what
will
be
her
feelings
?
Oh
!
better
to
know
that
I
am
dead
,
than
an
inmate
of
Newgate
!
"
And
,
somewhat
encouraged
in
her
dreadful
purpose
by
this
idea
,
she
pursued
her
way
.
In
a
few
moments
the
fresh
air
blew
in
her
face
.
She
was
near
the
top
!
A
dozen
more
steps
—
and
the
brilliant
sun-light
burst
upon
her
eyes
.
It
was
indeed
a
lovely
morning
;
and
the
Thames
appeared
like
a
huge
serpent
of
quicksilver
,
meandering
its
way
amidst
the
myriads
of
buildings
that
stretched
on
either
side
,
far
as
the
eye
could
reach
.
The
din
of
the
huge
city
reached
the
ears
of
the
wretched
woman
who
now
stood
upon
that
tremendous
eminence
.
All
was
life
—
bustle
—
business
—
activity
below
!
And
above
was
the
serene
blue
sky
of
an
early
spring
,
illuminated
by
the
bright
and
cloudless
sun
.
"
But
yesterday
,
"
thought
Cecilia
,
as
she
surveyed
the
exciting
scene
spread
beneath
her
,
"
had
any
one
said
to
me
,
'
Thou
wilt
seek
death
to-morrow
,
'
I
should
have
ridiculed
the
idea
.
And
yet
it
has
come
to
this
!
Oh
!
it
is
hard
to
quit
this
world
of
pleasure
—
to
leave
that
city
of
enjoyment
!
Never
more
to
behold
that
gorgeous
sun
—
never
more
to
hear
those
busy
sounds
!
But
if
I
hesitate
,
my
heart
will
turn
coward
;
and
then
—
Newgate
—
Newgate
!
"
These
last
words
were
uttered
aloud
in
the
shrill
and
piercing
tones
of
despair
.
She
clasped
her
hands
together
,
and
prayed
for
a
few
moments
.
Then
,
as
if
acting
by
a
sudden
impulse
,
—
as
if
afraid
to
trust
herself
with
the
thoughts
that
were
crowding
into
her
mind
,
—
she
placed
her
hands
upon
the
railing
.
One
leap
—
and
she
stood
upon
the
rail
.
For
a
single
instant
she
seemed
as
if
she
would
fall
backwards
upon
the
platform
of
the
Monument
;
and
her
arms
were
agitated
convulsively
,
like
the
motions
of
one
who
endeavours
to
gain
a
lost
balance
.
Then
she
sprang
forwards
.
Terrific
screams
burst
from
her
lips
as
she
rolled
over
and
over
in
her
precipitate
whirl
.
Down
she
fell
!
Her
head
dashed
against
the
pavement
,
at
a
distance
of
three
yards
from
the
base
of
the
Monument
.
Her
brains
were
scattered
upon
the
stones
.
She
never
moved
from
the
moment
she
touched
the
ground
:
—
the
once
gay
,
sprightly
,
beautiful
patrician
lady
was
no
more
!
A
crowd
instantaneously
collected
around
her
;
and
horror
was
depicted
on
every
countenance
,
save
one
,
that
gazed
upon
the
sad
spectacle
.
And
that
one
wretch
who
showed
no
feeling
,
was
the
old
hag
of
Golden
Lane
.
"
She
cannot
now
betray
me
for
procuring
the
poison
,
"
thought
the
vile
harridan
,
as
she
calmly
contemplated
the
mangled
corpse
at
her
feet
.
CHAPTER
CLXII
.
THE
BEQUEST
.
Two
days
after
the
suicide
of
Lady
Cecilia
Harborough
,
—
an
event
which
created
a
profound
sensation
in
the
fashionable
world
,
and
plunged
the
Tremordyn
family
into
mourning
,
—
Richard
Markham
was
a
passenger
in
a
coach
that
passed
through
Hounslow
.
At
this
town
he
alighted
,
and
inquired
the
way
to
the
residence
of
Mr.
Bennet
,
a
small
farmer
in
the
neighbourhood
.
A
guide
was
speedily
procured
at
the
inn
;
and
after
a
pleasant
walk
of
about
three
miles
,
across
a
country
which
already
bore
signs
of
the
genial
influence
of
an
early
spring
,
Richard
found
himself
at
the
gate
of
a
comfortable-looking
farm-house
.
He
dismissed
his
guide
with
a
gratuity
,
and
was
shortly
admitted
by
a
buxom
servant-girl
into
a
neat
little
parlour
,
where
he
was
presently
joined
by
Katherine
.
The
young
maiden
was
rejoiced
to
see
her
benefactor
;
and
tears
started
into
her
eyes
,
though
her
lips
were
wreathed
in
smiles
;
—
but
they
were
tears
of
pleasure
and
gratitude
.
"
This
is
kind
of
you
,
Mr.
Markham
,
"
she
said
,
as
he
shook
her
hand
with
friendly
warmth
.
"
I
am
come
to
see
you
upon
important
business
,
Katherine
,
"
observed
Richard
.
"
But
first
let
me
inquire
after
the
good
people
with
whom
you
reside
?
"
"
I
am
sorry
to
say
,
"
answered
Katherine
,
"
that
Mrs.
Bennet
experienced
a
relapse
after
her
return
from
London
;
and
she
is
not
able
to
leave
her
chamber
.
She
is
,
however
,
much
better
.
Her
husband
is
a
kind-hearted
,
good
man
,
and
he
behaves
like
a
father
to
me
.
He
is
now
occupied
with
the
business
of
his
farm
,
but
will
be
in
presently
.
"
"
And
now
,
Katherine
,
listen
to
the
tidings
which
I
have
to
communicate
,
"
said
Markham
.
"
Have
you
received
any
news
from
London
within
the
last
day
or
two
?
"
"
No
—
not
a
word
,
"
returned
Katherine
,
already
alarmed
lest
some
new
misfortune
was
about
to
be
announced
to
her
.
"
Compose
yourself
,
"
said
Richard
;
"
the
news
that
I
have
for
you
are
good
.
But
first
I
must
inform
you
that
your
late
master
,
Mr.
Reginald
Tracy
,
is
no
more
.
"
"
Dead
!
"
exclaimed
Katherine
.
"
He
put
a
period
to
his
own
existence
,
"
continued
Markham
;
"
but
not
before
he
made
you
all
the
amends
in
his
power
for
the
deep
injury
which
his
own
guilt
entailed
upon
you
.
"
"
Then
he
confessed
his
crime
,
and
thus
established
my
innocence
beyond
all
doubt
?
"
said
Katherine
.
"
And
he
has
bequeathed
to
you
his
whole
fortune
,
with
the
exception
of
a
small
legacy
to
Mrs.
Bennet
,
whom
his
guilt
deprived
of
a
sister
,
"
added
our
hero
.
"
Oh
!
then
he
died
penitent
!
"
exclaimed
Katherine
,
weeping
—
for
her
goodness
of
heart
prompted
her
to
shed
tears
even
for
one
who
had
involved
her
in
such
a
labyrinth
of
misery
as
that
from
which
she
had
only
so
recently
been
extricated
.
"
He
died
by
his
own
hands
,
"
said
Richard
;
"
and
the
world
will
not
generally
admit
that
such
an
act
can
be
consonant
with
sincere
penitence
.
That
he
attempted
to
make
his
peace
with
heaven
ere
he
rushed
into
the
presence
of
the
Almighty
,
let
us
hope
:
—
that
he
did
all
he
could
to
recompense
those
whom
his
crime
had
injured
,
is
apparent
.
But
this
letter
will
probably
tell
you
more
on
that
head
.
"
Richard
handed
to
Katherine
a
letter
,
as
he
uttered
these
words
.
It
was
addressed
,
"
Miss
Katherine
Wilmot
.
"
With
a
trembling
hand
the
young
girl
opened
it
;
and
with
tearful
eyes
she
read
the
following
words
:
—
"
To
you
,
Katherine
Wilmot
,
a
man
about
to
appear
before
his
Maker
appeals
for
pardon
.
That
man
is
deeply
imbued
with
a
sense
of
the
injury
—
the
almost
irreparable
injury
which
his
enormous
guilt
caused
you
to
sustain
.
But
in
confessing
that
this
guilt
was
all
and
solely
his
own
,
—
in
proclaiming
your
complete
innocence
,
—
and
in
offering
you
the
means
of
henceforth
enjoying
independence
,
and
fulfilling
the
dictates
of
your
charitable
disposition
,
—
that
great
criminal
entertains
a
hope
that
you
will
accord
him
your
forgiveness
,
and
that
you
will
appreciate
his
anxiety
to
do
you
justice
in
his
last
moments
.
My
solicitor
is
already
acquainted
with
my
intentions
;
and
he
will
faithfully
execute
my
wishes
.
This
letter
will
be
forwarded
to
him
,
to
be
delivered
to
you
,
through
your
benefactor
—
that
noble-hearted
young
man
,
Mr.
Richard
Markham
.
The
bulk
of
my
fortune
,
amounting
to
eighteen
thousand
pounds
,
I
have
made
over
to
my
solicitor
in
trust
for
yourself
,
and
under
certain
conditions
which
I
have
devised
exclusively
for
your
benefit
.
The
sum
of
five
hundred
pounds
I
have
,
in
addition
,
bequeathed
to
Rachel
Bennet
,
with
the
hope
that
she
will
extend
her
pardon
also
to
the
man
who
deprived
her
of
an
affectionate
sister
.
This
letter
is
written
in
a
hurried
manner
,
and
under
circumstances
whose
appalling
nature
you
may
well
conceive
.
May
heaven
bless
you
!
Refuse
not
to
pray
for
the
soul
of
"
REGINALD
TRACY
.
"
Katherine
perused
this
letter
,
and
then
handed
it
to
Richard
Markham
.
While
he
read
it
,
the
young
maiden
prayed
inwardly
but
sincerely
for
the
eternal
welfare
of
him
whose
course
had
been
dazzling
like
a
meteor
,
but
had
terminated
in
a
cloud
of
appalling
blackness
.
"
Those
conditions
,
to
which
the
unhappy
man
alluded
,
I
can
explain
to
you
,
"
said
Richard
,
after
a
long
interval
of
silence
,
during
which
he
allowed
Katherine
to
compose
her
thoughts
.
"
This
letter
was
placed
in
the
hands
of
Mr.
Tracy
's
solicitor
,
by
the
governor
of
Newgate
,
the
day
before
yesterday
.
The
lawyer
immediately
wrote
to
me
,
being
unacquainted
with
your
address
.
I
saw
him
yesterday
afternoon
;
and
he
gave
me
the
letter
to
convey
to
you
,
entrusting
me
at
the
same
time
with
the
duty
of
communicating
to
you
this
last
act
of
Reginald
Tracy
.
Mr.
Wharton
acquainted
me
with
the
conditions
which
Mr.
Tracy
had
named
.
These
are
that
you
shall
enjoy
the
interest
of
the
money
until
you
attain
the
age
of
twenty-one
,
when
the
capital
shall
be
placed
at
your
whole
and
sole
disposal
;
but
should
you
marry
previous
to
that
period
,
then
the
capital
may
also
be
transferred
to
your
name
.
And
now
I
must
touch
upon
a
more
delicate
point
—
inasmuch
as
it
alludes
to
myself
.
Mr.
Tracy
was
pleased
to
place
such
confidence
in
me
,
as
to
have
stipulated
that
should
you
contract
any
marriage
previous
to
the
attainment
of
the
age
of
twenty-one
,
without
my
approval
of
the
individual
on
whom
you
may
settle
your
affections
,
you
will
then
forfeit
all
right
and
title
to
the
fortune
,
which
is
in
that
case
to
be
devoted
to
purposes
of
charity
specified
in
the
instructions
given
by
Mr.
Tracy
to
his
solicitor
.
"
"
Oh
!
I
should
never
think
of
taking
any
step
—
however
trivial
,
or
however
important
—
without
consulting
you
,
as
my
benefactor
—
my
saviour
!
"
exclaimed
Katherine
.
"
You
are
a
good
and
a
grateful
girl
,
Katherine
,
"
said
Richard
;
"
and
never
for
a
moment
did
I
mistake
your
excellent
heart
—
never
did
I
lose
my
confidence
in
your
discretion
and
virtue
.
"
"
No
—
for
when
all
the
world
deserted
me
,
"
said
the
maiden
,
"
you
befriended
me
!
"
"
I
have
yet
other
matters
of
business
to
consult
you
upon
,
"
continued
Markham
.
"
Yesterday
evening
your
uncle
called
upon
me
.
Never
—
never
have
I
seen
such
an
alteration
so
speedily
wrought
in
any
living
being
!
He
said
that
certain
representations
which
I
had
made
to
him
at
the
tavern
in
the
Old
Bailey
,
after
you
had
departed
with
Mrs.
Bennet
,
had
induced
him
to
reflect
more
seriously
upon
the
course
of
life
which
he
had
been
for
years
pursuing
.
"
"
Oh
!
these
news
are
welcome
—
welcome
indeed
!
"
ejaculated
Katherine
,
clasping
her
hands
together
in
token
of
gratitude
.
"
I
communicated
to
him
your
good
fortune
,
Katherine
,
"
proceeded
Markham
;
"
and
he
wept
like
a
child
.
"
"
Poor
uncle
!
His
heart
was
not
altogether
closed
against
me
!
"
murmured
Katherine
.
"
I
desired
him
to
call
upon
me
to-morrow
,
and
I
assured
him
that
in
the
meantime
I
would
devise
some
project
by
which
he
should
be
enabled
to
earn
a
livelihood
whereof
he
need
not
be
ashamed
.
"
"
You
are
not
content
with
being
my
benefactor
,
Mr.
Markham
:
you
intend
to
make
my
relatives
adore
your
name
!
"
cried
Katherine
,
her
heart
glowing
with
gratitude
towards
our
hero
.
"
I
now
intend
that
you
shall
be
the
means
of
doing
good
,
Katherine
,
"
said
Richard
,
with
a
smile
.
"
Oh
!
tell
me
how
!
"
exclaimed
the
amiable
girl
,
joyfully
.
"
You
shall
draw
upon
the
first
year
's
interest
of
your
fortune
,
for
a
sufficient
sum
to
enable
your
uncle
to
retire
to
some
distant
town
,
where
,
under
another
name
,
he
may
commence
a
business
at
whose
nature
he
will
not
be
forced
to
blush
.
"
"
Oh
!
that
proposal
is
indeed
a
source
of
indescribable
happiness
to
me
,
"
said
Katherine
.
"
Then
I
will
carry
the
plan
into
effect
to-morrow
,
"
continued
Richard
.
"
Your
uncle
and
cousin
shall
both
visit
you
here
,
when
they
leave
London
.
"
"
Poor
John
!
"
said
Katherine
.
"
Do
you
think
that
his
father
—
—
"
"
Will
treat
him
better
in
future
?
"
added
Markham
,
seeing
that
the
maiden
hesitated
.
"
Yes
:
I
will
answer
for
it
!
A
complete
change
has
taken
place
in
your
uncle
:
he
is
another
man
.
"
"
He
contemplated
your
benevolence
,
and
he
could
not
do
otherwise
than
be
struck
by
the
example
,
"
said
Kate
.
"
I
asked
him
if
he
desired
you
to
live
with
him
in
future
;
and
he
replied
,
'
Not
for
worlds
!
'
He
then
continued
to
say
that
dwell
where
he
might
,
conceal
his
name
how
he
would
,
there
would
be
danger
of
his
ancient
calling
transpiring
;
and
he
would
not
incur
the
chance
of
involving
you
in
the
disgrace
that
might
ensue
.
This
consideration
on
his
part
speaks
volumes
in
favour
of
that
change
which
has
been
effected
within
him
.
"
"
The
tidings
you
have
brought
me
concerning
my
uncle
,
Mr.
Markham
,
"
said
Katherine
,
"
far
outweigh
in
my
estimation
the
news
of
my
good
fortune
.
"
"
Your
uncle
and
your
cousin
will
yet
be
happy
—
no
doubt
,
"
observed
Richard
.
"
In
reference
to
yourself
,
what
course
would
you
like
to
adopt
?
Would
you
wish
me
to
seek
some
respectable
and
worthy
family
in
London
,
with
whom
you
can
take
up
your
abode
in
entire
independence
?
or
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
no
—
not
London
!
"
exclaimed
Katherine
,
recoiling
from
the
name
in
horror
.
"
My
counsel
is
that
you
remain
here
—
in
this
seclusion
,
—
at
least
for
the
present
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
The
tranquillity
of
this
rural
dwelling
—
the
charms
of
the
country
—
the
unsophisticated
manners
of
these
good
people
,
will
restore
your
mind
to
its
former
composure
,
after
all
you
have
passed
through
.
"
"
This
advice
I
have
every
inclination
to
follow
,
"
said
Katherine
;
"
and
even
were
I
otherwise
disposed
—
which
I
could
not
be
—
your
counsel
would
at
once
decide
me
.
"
"
Remember
,
Katherine
,
"
resumed
Markham
,
"
I
do
not
wish
you
to
pass
the
best
portion
of
your
youth
in
this
retirement
.
With
your
fortune
and
brilliant
prospect
,
such
a
proceeding
were
unnatural
—
absurd
.
I
only
feel
desirous
that
for
a
short
time
you
should
remain
afar
from
society
—
until
recent
events
shall
be
forgotten
,
and
until
your
own
mind
shall
become
calm
and
relieved
from
the
excitement
which
past
misfortunes
have
been
so
painfully
calculated
to
produce
.
"
"
I
will
remain
here
until
you
tell
me
that
it
is
good
for
me
to
go
elsewhere
,
"
said
Katherine
.
At
this
moment
an
old
man
,
dressed
in
a
rustic
garb
,
but
with
a
good-natured
countenance
and
venerable
white
hair
,
entered
the
room
.
This
was
the
farmer
himself
.
Katherine
introduced
Richard
to
him
as
her
benefactor
;
and
the
old
man
shook
hands
with
our
hero
in
a
cordial
manner
,
saying
at
the
same
time
,
"
By
all
I
have
heard
Miss
Kate
tell
of
you
,
sir
,
you
must
be
an
honour
to
any
house
,
whether
rich
or
poor
,
that
you
condescend
to
visit
.
"
Richard
thanked
the
good-natured
rustic
for
the
well-meant
compliment
,
and
then
communicated
to
him
the
fact
that
his
wife
was
entitled
to
a
legacy
of
five
hundred
pounds
,
which
would
be
paid
to
her
order
in
the
course
of
a
few
days
.
The
old
man
was
overjoyed
at
these
tidings
,
although
his
countenance
partially
fell
when
he
heard
the
source
whence
the
bequest
emanated
;
but
Richard
convinced
him
that
it
would
be
unwise
and
absurd
to
refuse
it
.
Mr.
Bennet
hastened
up-stairs
to
communicate
the
news
to
his
wife
.
While
he
was
absent
,
the
farmer
's
servant-girl
entered
to
spread
the
table
for
the
afternoon
's
repast
.
On
the
return
of
the
old
man
to
the
room
,
the
dinner
was
served
up
;
and
our
hero
sat
down
to
table
with
the
farmer
and
Katherine
.
A
happy
meal
was
that
;
and
in
the
pure
felicity
which
Katherine
now
enjoyed
,
Richard
beheld
to
a
considerable
extent
the
results
of
his
own
goodness
.
How
amply
did
the
spectacle
of
that
young
creature
's
happiness
reward
him
for
all
that
he
had
done
in
her
behalf
!
It
was
four
o'clock
in
the
afternoon
when
our
hero
took
his
leave
of
the
old
farmer
and
Miss
Wilmot
,
in
order
to
retrace
his
steps
to
Hounslow
.
CHAPTER
CLXIII
.
THE
ZINGAREES
.
The
old
farmer
had
offered
to
convey
Richard
to
Hounslow
in
his
own
spring-cart
,
or
to
provide
him
with
a
guide
to
conduct
him
thither
;
but
our
hero
felt
so
confident
of
being
enabled
to
find
his
way
back
to
the
town
,
that
he
declined
both
offers
.
He
walked
on
,
across
the
fields
,
pondering
upon
various
subjects
,
—
Isabella
,
his
brother
,
Katherine
,
Reginald
Tracy
's
crimes
,
and
the
frightful
suicide
of
Lady
Cecilia
Harborough
,
—
and
with
his
mind
so
intent
upon
these
topics
,
that
some
time
elapsed
ere
he
perceived
that
he
had
fallen
into
a
wrong
path
.
He
looked
around
;
but
not
an
object
of
which
he
had
taken
notice
in
the
morning
,
when
proceeding
to
the
farm
,
could
he
now
discover
.
Thus
he
had
lost
the
only
means
which
could
assist
his
memory
in
regaining
the
road
.
As
he
stood
upon
a
little
eminence
,
gazing
around
to
find
some
clue
towards
the
proper
direction
which
he
should
follow
,
a
light
blue
wreath
of
smoke
,
rising
from
behind
a
hill
at
a
short
distance
,
met
his
eyes
.
"
There
must
be
a
dwelling
yonder
,
"
he
said
to
himself
;
"
I
will
proceed
thither
,
and
ask
my
way
;
or
,
if
possible
,
obtain
a
guide
.
"
Towards
the
light
blue
cloud
which
curled
upwards
,
Markham
directed
his
steps
;
but
when
he
reached
the
brow
of
the
hill
,
from
the
opposite
side
of
which
the
smoke
at
first
met
his
eye
,
he
perceived
,
instead
of
a
cottage
as
he
expected
,
an
encampment
of
gipsies
.
A
covered
van
stood
near
the
spot
where
two
men
,
two
women
,
and
a
boy
were
partaking
of
a
meal
,
the
steam
of
which
impregnated
the
air
with
a
powerful
odour
of
onions
.
The
caldron
,
whence
the
mess
was
served
up
in
earthenware
vessels
,
was
suspended
by
means
of
stakes
over
a
cheerful
wood-fire
.
We
need
attempt
no
description
of
the
persons
of
those
who
were
partaking
of
the
repast
:
it
will
be
sufficient
to
inform
the
reader
that
they
consisted
of
King
Zingary
,
Queen
Aischa
,
Morcar
,
Eva
,
and
this
latter
couple
's
son
.
They
were
,
however
,
totally
unknown
to
Richard
:
but
the
moment
he
saw
they
were
of
the
gipsy
tribe
,
he
determined
to
glean
from
them
any
thing
which
they
might
know
and
might
choose
to
reveal
concerning
the
Resurrection
Man
.
He
therefore
accosted
them
in
a
civil
manner
,
and
,
stating
that
he
had
lost
his
way
,
inquired
which
was
the
nearest
path
to
Hounslow
.
"
It
would
be
difficult
to
direct
you
,
young
gentleman
,
by
mere
explanation
,
"
answered
Zingary
,
stroking
his
long
white
beard
in
order
to
impress
Richard
with
a
sense
of
veneration
;
"
but
my
grandson
here
shall
show
you
the
way
with
pleasure
.
"
"
That
I
will
,
sir
,
"
exclaimed
the
boy
,
starting
from
the
ground
,
and
preparing
to
set
off
.
"
But
perhaps
the
gentleman
will
rest
himself
,
and
partake
of
some
refreshment
,
"
observed
Morcar
.
"
If
you
will
permit
me
,
"
said
Markham
,
whose
purpose
this
invitation
just
suited
,
"
I
will
warm
myself
for
a
short
space
by
your
cheerful
fire
;
for
the
evening
is
chilly
.
But
you
must
not
consider
me
rude
if
I
decline
your
kind
hospitality
in
respect
to
food
.
"
"
The
gentleman
is
cold
,
Morcar
,
"
said
Zingary
:
"
produce
the
rum
,
and
hand
a
snicker
.
"
The
King
's
son
hastened
to
the
van
to
fetch
the
bottle
of
spirits
;
and
Markham
could
not
help
observing
his
fine
,
tall
,
well-knit
frame
,
to
which
his
dark
Roman
countenance
gave
an
additional
air
of
manliness
—
even
of
heroism
.
Richard
partook
of
the
spirits
,
in
order
to
ingratiate
himself
with
the
gipsies
;
and
King
Zingary
then
called
for
his
"
broseley
.
"
"
You
appear
to
lead
a
happy
life
,
"
observed
Richard
,
by
way
of
encouraging
a
conversation
.
"
We
are
our
own
masters
,
young
gentleman
,
"
answered
Zingary
;
"
and
where
there
is
freedom
,
there
is
happiness
.
"
"
Is
it
true
that
your
race
is
governed
by
a
King
?
"
asked
Markham
.
"
I
am
the
King
of
the
united
races
of
Bohemians
and
Egyptians
,
"
said
Zingary
,
in
a
stately
manner
.
"
This
is
my
beloved
Queen
,
Aischa
:
that
is
my
son
,
Morcar
;
here
is
my
daughter-in-law
,
Eva
;
and
that
lad
is
my
grandson
.
"
Richard
started
when
these
names
fell
upon
his
ears
;
for
they
had
been
mentioned
to
him
by
Skilligalee
in
the
Palace
of
the
Holy
Land
.
He
also
remembered
to
have
been
informed
that
it
was
in
consequence
of
something
which
the
Resurrection
Man
told
Aischa
,
when
she
was
attending
to
his
wound
,
that
the
gipsies
took
him
with
them
when
they
removed
from
the
Palace
to
the
encampment
near
the
Penitentiary
at
Pentonville
.
"
I
feel
highly
honoured
by
the
hospitality
which
your
Majesty
has
afforded
me
,
"
said
Richard
,
with
a
bow
—
an
act
of
courtesy
which
greatly
pleased
King
Zingary
.
"
On
one
occasion
I
was
indebted
to
some
of
your
subjects
for
a
night
's
lodging
at
your
establishment
in
St.
Giles
's
.
"
"
Indeed
!
"
exclaimed
the
King
;
and
now
all
the
gipsies
surveyed
Richard
with
some
interest
.
"
Yes
,
"
continued
our
hero
;
"
and
I
may
as
well
state
to
you
frankly
and
candidly
under
what
circumstances
I
became
your
guest
—
for
you
were
all
inmates
of
the
house
at
the
time
I
entered
it
.
"
"
Speak
,
young
gentleman
,
"
said
Zingary
:
"
we
will
listen
with
attention
to
all
you
may
please
to
tell
us
;
but
we
do
not
seek
your
confidence
of
our
own
accord
,
as
curiosity
is
forbidden
to
our
race
.
"
"
I
must
inform
you
,
"
resumed
Richard
,
"
that
I
have
sustained
great
and
signal
injuries
at
the
hands
of
a
miscreant
,
whom
I
one
night
traced
to
your
dwelling
in
St.
Giles
's
.
"
"
Call
it
the
Palace
,
young
gentleman
,
"
said
Zingary
,
smoking
his
pipe
,
and
listening
with
great
complacency
.
"
On
that
night
,
the
man
to
whom
I
allude
was
desperately
wounded
—
—
"
"
Ah
!
"
ejaculated
the
gipsies
,
as
it
were
in
a
breath
.
"
And
you
removed
him
with
you
,
away
from
the
Palace
during
the
night
—
or
rather
very
early
in
the
morning
.
"
"
Then
you
,
young
gentleman
,
"
said
the
King
,
"
were
the
stranger
whom
the
porter
locked
in
the
room
to
which
you
were
shown
,
and
who
escaped
from
the
Palace
by
some
means
or
other
?
The
matter
was
duly
reported
to
us
by
letter
.
"
"
It
is
perfectly
true
that
I
liberated
myself
from
the
room
in
which
I
was
imprisoned
,
"
said
Markham
.
"
But
,
answer
me
—
I
implore
you
—
one
question
;
did
that
vile
man
die
of
the
wound
which
he
received
?
"
"
Before
I
reply
to
you
,
"
observed
Zingary
,
"
you
will
have
the
goodness
to
inform
me
why
you
left
the
Palace
by
stealth
on
that
occasion
,
and
whether
you
saw
or
heard
any
thing
remarkable
after
we
had
taken
our
departure
?
"
"
I
will
answer
you
frankly
,
"
returned
Markham
.
"
I
left
my
room
on
that
occasion
,
because
I
wished
to
discover
whether
Anthony
Tidkins
,
to
whom
I
have
alluded
,
was
in
the
house
—
—
"
"
The
Palace
,
"
said
Zingary
.
"
I
beg
your
Majesty
's
pardon
—
the
Palace
,
"
continued
Richard
;
"
and
I
thank
God
that
I
was
more
or
less
instrumental
in
releasing
from
a
horrible
dungeon
a
poor
woman
—
—
"
"
We
know
whom
you
mean
,
"
interrupted
Zingary
,
sternly
.
"
Did
you
see
a
tall
young
man
—
—
"
"
Who
called
himself
by
the
strange
name
of
Skilligalee
?
"
added
Markham
,
concluding
the
King
's
question
for
him
.
"
I
did
;
—
I
helped
him
to
release
that
woman
he
named
Margaret
.
"
"
And
whom
the
laws
of
the
Zingarees
had
condemned
to
the
penalty
from
which
you
freed
her
,
"
said
the
King
.
"
Was
it
right
,
young
man
,
thus
to
step
between
the
culprit
and
the
decree
of
justice
?
"
"
I
acted
in
accordance
with
the
dictates
of
humanity
,
"
replied
Richard
firmly
;
"
and
under
such
circumstances
I
should
act
in
a
similar
way
again
.
"
"
The
young
gentleman
speaks
well
,
"
said
Morcar
,
who
admired
the
resolution
evinced
in
our
hero
's
tone
and
manner
.
"
And
he
showed
a
good
heart
,
"
observed
Eva
,
now
speaking
for
the
first
time
since
Richard
's
arrival
,
and
displaying
her
brilliant
teeth
.
"
Well
—
well
,
"
exclaimed
Zingary
:
"
I
will
not
upbraid
the
young
man
more
,
since
even
my
pretty
Eva
takes
his
part
.
You
see
,
"
he
continued
,
addressing
himself
especially
to
the
gipsies
,
"
it
is
as
we
thought
.
Skilligalee
deserted
us
in
order
to
liberate
Margaret
Flathers
.
I
always
believed
that
such
was
the
case
,
from
the
moment
we
received
the
account
of
her
escape
.
But
I
have
one
more
question
to
ask
our
guest
.
Let
him
satisfy
us
how
he
traced
Anthony
Tidkins
to
the
Palace
,
and
how
he
learnt
that
Anthony
Tidkins
was
wounded
in
the
Palace
.
"
"
On
that
head
I
must
remain
silent
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
I
will
not
invent
a
falsehood
,
and
I
cannot
reveal
the
truth
.
Be
you
,
however
,
well
assured
that
I
never
betrayed
the
secrets
and
mysteries
of
your
establishment
in
Saint
Giles
's
.
"
"
Our
guest
is
an
honourable
man
,
"
observed
Morcar
.
"
We
ought
to
be
satisfied
with
what
he
says
.
"
"
I
am
satisfied
,
"
exclaimed
the
King
.
"
Aischa
,
answer
you
the
questions
which
it
is
now
the
young
man
's
turn
to
put
to
us
.
"
"
I
wish
to
know
whether
Anthony
Tidkins
died
of
the
wound
which
he
received
?
"
said
Richard
.
"
It
was
my
lot
to
attend
to
his
wound
,
"
began
Aischa
.
"
When
he
was
so
far
recovered
as
to
be
able
to
speak
—
which
was
about
half
an
hour
after
the
blood
was
stanched
—
he
implored
me
to
have
him
removed
from
the
Palace
.
He
told
me
a
long
and
pathetic
story
of
persecutions
and
sufferings
which
he
had
undergone
;
and
he
offered
to
enrich
our
treasury
if
we
would
take
him
beyond
the
reach
of
the
person
who
had
wounded
him
.
His
anxiety
to
get
away
was
extreme
;
and
it
was
in
consequence
of
his
representations
and
promises
that
I
prevailed
upon
the
King
to
issue
orders
to
those
who
were
to
leave
London
with
us
,
to
hurry
the
departure
as
much
as
possible
.
That
accounts
for
the
abrupt
manner
in
which
we
left
at
such
an
hour
,
and
for
the
removal
of
the
wounded
man
with
us
.
In
answer
to
your
direct
question
,
I
must
inform
you
that
he
did
not
die
of
the
wound
which
he
received
.
"
"
He
did
not
die
!
"
repeated
Markham
.
"
Then
he
is
still
alive
—
and
doubtless
as
active
as
ever
in
purposes
of
evil
.
"
"
Is
he
such
a
bad
man
?
"
asked
Aischa
.
"
He
belongs
to
the
atrocious
gang
called
Burkers
,
"
answered
Richard
emphatically
.
"
Merciful
heavens
!
"
cried
Eva
,
with
a
shudder
.
"
To
think
that
we
should
have
harboured
such
a
wretch
!
"
"
And
to
think
that
I
should
have
devoted
my
skill
to
resuscitate
such
a
demon
!
"
exclaimed
Aischa
.
"
The
vengeance
of
the
Zingarees
will
yet
overtake
him
,
"
said
the
King
calmly
.
"
Wherever
I
meet
him
,
there
will
I
punish
him
with
the
stoutest
cudgel
that
I
can
find
ready
to
hand
,
"
cried
Morcar
,
with
a
fierce
air
.
"
Have
you
then
cause
to
complain
against
him
?
"
asked
Richard
.
"
The
wretch
,
sir
,
"
answered
Morcar
,
"
remained
nearly
a
month
in
our
company
,
until
his
wound
was
completely
healed
by
the
skill
of
my
mother
.
We
treated
him
with
as
much
kindness
as
if
he
had
been
our
near
and
dear
relative
.
One
morning
,
when
he
was
totally
recovered
,
he
disappeared
,
carrying
away
my
father
's
gold
with
him
.
"
"
The
ungrateful
villain
!
"
ejaculated
Richard
.
"
And
he
was
indebted
to
your
kindness
for
his
life
?
"
"
He
was
,
"
returned
Morcar
.
"
Fortunately
there
was
but
little
in
the
treasury
at
the
time
—
very
little
;
—
nevertheless
,
it
was
all
we
had
—
and
he
took
our
all
.
"
"
And
you
have
no
trace
of
him
?
"
said
Richard
,
eagerly
.
"
Not
yet
,
"
replied
Morcar
.
"
But
we
have
adopted
measures
to
discover
him
.
The
King
my
father
has
sent
a
description
of
his
person
and
the
history
of
his
treachery
to
every
chief
of
our
race
in
the
kingdom
;
and
thousands
of
sharp
eyes
are
on
the
look-out
for
him
through
the
length
and
breadth
of
the
land
.
"
"
Heaven
be
thanked
!
"
exclaimed
Markham
.
"
But
when
you
discover
him
,
hand
him
over
to
the
grasp
of
justice
,
and
instantly
acquaint
me
with
the
fact
.
"
"
The
Zingarees
recognise
no
justice
save
their
own
,
"
said
the
King
,
in
a
dignified
manner
.
"
But
this
much
I
promise
you
,
that
the
moment
we
obtain
a
trace
of
his
whereabouts
,
we
will
communicate
it
to
you
,
and
you
may
act
as
seemeth
good
to
yourself
.
We
have
no
sympathy
in
common
with
a
cowardly
murderer
.
"
"
None
,
"
added
Morcar
,
emphatically
.
"
I
thank
you
for
this
promise
,
"
said
Richard
,
addressing
himself
to
the
King
.
"
Here
is
my
card
;
and
remember
that
as
anxious
as
I
am
to
bring
a
miscreant
to
justice
,
so
ready
shall
I
be
to
reward
those
who
are
instrumental
in
his
capture
.
"
"
You
may
rely
upon
us
,
young
gentleman
,
"
said
Zingary
.
"
We
will
not
shield
a
man
who
belongs
to
the
miscreant
gang
of
Burkers
.
To-morrow
morning
I
will
issue
fresh
instructions
to
the
various
district
chiefs
,
but
especially
to
our
friends
in
London
.
"
"
And
is
it
possible
that
,
with
no
compulsory
means
to
enforce
obedience
,
you
can
dispose
of
thousands
individuals
at
will
?
"
exclaimed
Markham
.
"
Listen
,
young
man
,
"
said
the
King
,
stroking
his
beard
.
"
When
the
great
Ottoman
monarch
,
the
Sultan
Selim
,
invaded
Egypt
at
the
beginning
of
the
sixteenth
century
,
and
put
to
death
the
Mameluke
sovereign
Toumanbai
,
—
when
the
chivalry
of
Egypt
was
subdued
by
the
overwhelming
multitudes
of
warriors
who
fought
beneath
the
banner
of
Selim
and
his
great
Vizier
Sinan-Pacha
,
—
then
did
a
certain
Egyptian
chief
place
himself
at
the
head
of
a
chosen
body
of
Mamelukes
,
and
proclaim
death
and
destruction
to
the
Ottomans
.
This
chief
was
Zingarai
.
For
some
time
he
successfully
resisted
the
troops
of
Selim
;
but
at
length
he
was
compelled
to
yield
to
numbers
;
and
Selim
put
him
to
death
.
His
followers
were
proscribed
;
and
those
who
did
not
fall
into
the
hands
of
the
Turkish
conquerors
escaped
into
Europe
.
They
settled
first
in
Bohemia
,
where
their
wandering
mode
of
life
,
their
simple
manners
,
their
happy
and
contented
dispositions
,
and
their
handsome
persons
soon
attracted
notice
.
Then
was
it
that
the
Bohemian
maidens
were
proud
to
bestow
their
hands
upon
the
fugitive
followers
of
Zingarai
;
and
many
Bohemian
men
sought
admittance
into
the
fraternity
.
Hence
the
mixed
Egyptian
and
Bohemian
origin
of
the
gipsy
race
.
In
a
short
time
various
members
of
this
truly
patriarchal
society
migrated
to
other
climes
;
and
in
1534
our
ancestors
first
settled
in
England
.
Now
the
gipsy
race
may
be
met
with
all
over
the
globe
:
in
every
part
of
Asia
,
in
the
interior
of
Africa
,
and
in
both
the
Americas
,
you
may
encounter
our
brethren
,
as
in
Europe
.
The
Asiatics
call
us
Egyptians
,
the
Germans
Ziguener
,
the
Italians
Cingani
,
the
Spaniards
Gitanos
,
the
French
Bohemians
,
the
Russians
Saracens
,
the
Swedes
and
Danes
Tartars
,
and
the
English
Gipsies
.
We
most
usually
denominate
ourselves
the
united
races
of
Zingarees
.
And
Time
,
young
gentleman
,
has
left
us
comparatively
unchanged
;
we
preserve
the
primitive
simplicity
of
our
manners
;
our
countenances
denote
our
origin
;
and
,
though
deeply
calumniated
—
vilely
maligned
,
we
endeavour
to
live
in
peace
and
tranquillity
to
the
utmost
of
our
power
.
We
have
resisted
persecution
—
we
have
outlived
oppression
.
All
Europe
has
promulgated
laws
against
us
;
and
no
sovereigns
aimed
more
strenuously
to
extirpate
our
race
in
their
dominions
than
Henry
the
Eighth
and
Elizabeth
of
England
.
But
as
the
world
grows
more
enlightened
,
the
prejudice
against
us
loses
its
virulence
;
and
we
now
enjoy
our
liberties
and
privileges
without
molestation
,
in
all
civilised
states
.
"
"
I
thank
you
for
this
most
interesting
account
of
your
origin
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
Henceforth
you
will
know
how
to
recognise
the
real
truth
amongst
all
the
wild
,
fanciful
,
and
ridiculous
tales
which
you
may
hear
or
read
concerning
our
race
,
"
proceeded
Zingary
.
"
From
the
two
or
three
hundred
souls
who
fled
from
Egypt
and
took
refuge
in
Bohemia
,
as
I
have
ere
now
explained
to
you
,
has
sprung
a
large
family
,
which
has
increased
with
each
generation
;
and
at
the
present
moment
we
estimate
our
total
number
,
scattered
over
all
parts
of
the
earth
,
at
one
million
and
a
half
.
"
"
I
was
not
aware
that
you
were
so
numerous
,
"
said
Richard
,
much
interested
by
these
details
.
"
Permit
me
to
ask
whether
the
members
in
every
country
have
one
sovereign
or
chief
,
as
those
in
England
?
"
"
There
is
a
King
of
the
Zingarees
in
Spain
;
another
in
France
;
a
third
in
Italy
;
and
a
fourth
in
Bohemia
.
In
the
northern
provinces
of
European
Turkey
,
in
Hungary
,
and
in
Transylvania
,
there
is
a
prince
with
the
title
of
a
Waiewode
:
the
Zingarees
of
Northern
Europe
are
governed
by
a
Grand
,
or
Great
Lord
.
"
Richard
now
rose
to
take
leave
of
the
hospitable
and
entertaining
family
in
whose
society
he
had
thus
passed
an
hour
;
and
,
as
it
was
growing
dark
,
Morcar
himself
offered
to
conduct
our
hero
as
far
as
Hounslow
.
This
proposal
was
gladly
accepted
;
and
Markham
,
having
taken
leave
of
the
King
,
Aischa
,
and
Eva
,
set
out
with
Morcar
.
In
the
course
of
three-quarters
of
an
hour
they
reached
the
precincts
of
the
town
.
Richard
forced
a
handsome
remuneration
upon
the
gipsy
,
and
reminded
him
of
the
promise
made
by
his
father
concerning
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
You
may
rely
upon
us
,
"
said
Morcar
:
"
it
cannot
be
very
long
before
you
will
hear
from
us
,
for
there
are
many
on
the
alert
to
discover
the
haunt
of
the
villain
.
"
The
gipsy
then
turned
to
retrace
his
steps
towards
the
encampment
;
and
Richard
proceeded
to
the
inn
,
where
he
obtained
a
conveyance
for
London
.
CHAPTER
CLXIV
.
THE
EXECUTIONER
'S
HISTORY
.
On
the
following
evening
Smithers
presented
himself
,
according
to
appointment
,
at
Markham
Place
.
Richard
received
him
in
the
library
,
and
treated
him
altogether
with
a
condescension
and
a
degree
of
kindness
which
made
a
deep
impression
on
the
mind
of
the
executioner
.
Our
hero
then
proceeded
to
acquaint
him
with
the
good
fortune
of
Katharine
,
and
the
arrangement
which
had
been
made
to
supply
him
with
the
means
to
establish
him
in
business
.
"
But
do
not
imagine
that
this
is
all
which
you
are
to
expect
at
Katherine
's
hands
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
As
time
progresses
,
and
I
find
that
you
are
determined
not
only
to
persevere
in
a
respectable
course
of
life
,
but
also
to
make
amends
,
by
your
altered
manner
,
for
the
harshness
which
you
have
exhibited
towards
your
son
on
so
many
occasions
,
—
it
will
be
my
pleasing
duty
to
recommend
Katherine
's
trustee
,
who
is
disposed
to
place
implicit
confidence
in
me
,
to
grant
you
such
occasional
pecuniary
succour
as
may
enable
you
to
extend
the
business
,
whatever
it
may
be
,
in
which
you
intend
to
embark
.
"
"
I
cannot
find
words
to
express
my
gratitude
to
you
,
sir
,
"
said
Smithers
;
"
and
I
hope
that
when
you
see
Kate
again
,
you
will
ask
her
forgiveness
in
my
name
for
all
the
unkindness
I
have
shown
her
at
different
times
.
"
"
You
shall
see
her
yourself
—
she
wishes
you
and
your
son
to
call
upon
her
,
"
answered
Richard
;
"
and
Mr.
Bennet
,
to
whom
I
communicated
every
thing
,
has
sent
you
both
an
invitation
to
pass
an
entire
day
at
his
farm
so
soon
as
you
can
find
leisure
to
avail
yourself
of
the
offer
.
"
"
Then
that
shall
be
to-morrow
,
sir
,
"
exclaimed
Smithers
;
"
for
now
that
Katherine
has
such
good
prospects
,
I
may
as
well
communicate
something
to
her
which
she
probably
will
not
regret
to
hear
.
"
And
for
a
few
moments
Smithers
appeared
to
be
absorbed
in
deep
thought
.
"
And
I
do
n't
know
why
I
should
keep
any
secret
away
from
you
,
sir
,
"
he
continued
,
suddenly
breaking
silence
;
"
you
have
done
so
much
for
Kate
,
and
you
have
produced
so
great
a
change
in
my
mind
,
that
I
ought
to
conceal
nothing
from
you
.
In
one
word
,
then
,
sir
—
Katherine
Wilmot
is
no
more
my
niece
than
she
is
yours
.
"
"
Not
your
niece
!
"
ejaculated
Richard
.
"
No
relation
whatever
in
the
world
to
me
,
"
replied
Smithers
.
"
I
never
had
either
brother
or
sister
;
neither
had
my
wife
:
and
thus
you
see
,
sir
,
Kate
cannot
be
my
niece
.
"
"
But
she
believes
herself
to
be
so
related
to
you
,
"
said
Markham
,
who
was
not
altogether
displeased
to
learn
that
the
young
female
for
whom
he
experienced
a
fraternal
interest
,
was
not
even
a
connexion
of
the
Public
Executioner
.
"
The
story
is
somewhat
a
long
one
—
and
to
me
a
melancholy
subject
,
"
continued
Smithers
;
"
but
if
you
will
have
patience
to
listen
to
it
,
I
shall
have
nerve
to
relate
it
.
"
"
Proceed
,
"
said
Markham
.
"
I
feel
deeply
interested
in
the
topic
which
now
occupies
us
.
"
"
You
will
then
excuse
me
,
sir
,
if
I
begin
by
telling
you
something
about
myself
,
"
resumed
Smithers
;
"
because
it
is
more
or
less
connected
with
Kate
's
early
history
.
"
Smithers
settled
himself
in
a
comfortable
position
in
his
chair
,
and
then
related
the
following
history
:
—
"
My
father
was
a
grocer
,
in
a
large
way
of
business
,
at
Southampton
.
He
was
a
widower
;
and
I
was
his
only
son
.
I
was
considered
to
be
a
steady
,
exemplary
young
man
;
and
I
can
safely
say
that
I
attended
studiously
to
my
father
's
business
.
I
never
frequented
public-houses
,
but
went
to
church
regularly
of
a
Sunday
,
and
was
fond
of
reading
good
books
.
Next
door
to
us
there
lived
a
corn-dealer
of
the
name
of
Wilmot
;
—
he
also
was
a
widower
,
and
had
one
child
.
This
was
a
beautiful
girl
,
about
a
year
or
two
younger
than
myself
,
and
whose
name
was
Harriet
.
The
two
families
had
been
acquainted
for
a
long
,
long
time
;
and
Harriet
and
myself
were
playmates
in
our
infancy
.
We
were
therefore
very
intimate
together
;
and
the
friendship
of
childhood
ripened
into
love
as
we
grew
up
.
And
,
oh
!
how
I
did
adore
that
girl
!
From
amidst
all
the
coarse
,
worldly
,
and
abominable
ideas
which
have
of
late
years
crowded
in
my
brain
,
I
have
ever
singled
out
that
one
bright
—
pure
—
and
holy
sentiment
as
a
star
that
points
to
a
blissful
episode
in
my
life
.
And
she
loved
me
in
return
!
Our
parents
were
pleased
when
they
saw
our
attachment
;
and
it
was
understood
that
our
marriage
should
take
place
on
the
day
that
I
attained
my
one-and-twentieth
year
.
It
only
wanted
seven
or
eight
months
to
that
period
,
when
an
event
occurred
which
quite
changed
the
prospect
of
affairs
.
The
local
bank
failed
,
and
old
Wilmot
was
ruined
.
"
Smithers
paused
for
a
moment
,
heaved
a
deep
sigh
,
and
then
continued
thus
:
—
"
Wilmot
immediately
came
to
my
father
and
addressed
him
in
these
words
:
'
The
failure
of
the
bank
will
throw
me
into
the
Gazette
,
if
I
cannot
raise
twelve
or
fifteen
hundred
pounds
within
a
week
to
sustain
my
credit
.
That
difficulty
being
overcome
,
I
have
no
doubt
of
retrieving
myself
altogether
.
'
My
father
expressed
his
great
delight
at
hearing
this
latter
announcement
,
but
instinctively
buttoned
up
his
breeches-pockets
.
Wilmot
proceeded
to
state
that
he
could
raise
the
sum
he
required
if
my
father
would
guarantee
its
repayment
.
My
father
was
a
money-making
,
close
man
;
and
this
proposal
astounded
him
.
He
refused
it
point
blank
:
Wilmot
begged
and
implored
him
to
save
him
from
ruin
;
—
but
all
in
vain
.
In
the
course
of
ten
days
the
name
of
Joseph
Wilmot
,
corn-dealer
,
figured
in
the
list
of
Bankrupts
.
"
Again
Smithers
paused
for
a
few
moments
.
"
I
must
tell
you
,
sir
,
"
he
continued
,
"
that
I
did
all
I
could
to
persuade
my
father
to
help
Wilmot
in
this
business
;
but
my
prayers
and
entreaties
had
been
poured
forth
entirely
without
effect
.
I
,
however
,
took
an
opportunity
of
seeing
Harriet
,
and
assuring
her
that
my
affection
was
based
upon
no
selfish
motive
,
but
that
her
father
's
misfortunes
endeared
her
more
than
ever
to
me
.
My
father
viewed
matters
in
quite
a
different
light
,
and
spoke
to
me
openly
of
the
impossibility
of
my
marrying
a
girl
without
a
penny
.
I
remonstrated
with
him
on
the
cruelty
,
injustice
,
and
dishonour
of
such
conduct
;
but
he
cut
me
very
short
by
observing
that
'
his
money
was
his
own
—
he
had
made
it
by
his
industry
—
he
could
leave
it
to
whom
he
chose
—
and
that
if
I
insisted
upon
marrying
Harriet
Wilmot
I
need
not
darken
his
threshold
afterwards
.
'
I
replied
that
I
was
resolved
to
consult
my
own
inclinations
,
and
also
to
do
honour
to
my
vows
and
promises
towards
Harriet
.
"
"
You
acted
in
a
generous
manner
,
"
observed
Markham
;
"
although
you
opposed
the
wishes
of
your
own
father
.
"
"
I
had
no
secrets
from
Harriet
,
"
said
Smithers
;
"
and
I
assured
her
that
if
she
would
espouse
a
man
who
had
nothing
but
his
honest
name
and
exertions
to
depend
upon
,
I
was
ready
to
make
her
mine
.
She
answered
me
,
with
tears
in
her
eyes
,
that
she
could
never
consent
to
be
the
cause
of
marring
all
my
prospects
in
life
,
and
that
,
much
as
she
loved
me
,
she
would
release
me
from
my
vows
.
I
wept
in
concert
with
her
;
—
for
I
was
not
then
hard-hearted
,
sir
,
—
nor
had
my
countenance
become
impressed
with
that
brutal
severity
which
I
know
—
I
feel
,
it
has
long
,
long
worn
.
"
"
As
the
countenance
is
more
or
less
the
index
of
the
soul
,
"
said
Markham
,
"
so
will
yours
resume
all
its
former
serenity
of
expression
.
"
"
Well
—
well
,
sir
:
let
me
hope
so
!
I
do
not
wish
to
die
with
the
word
'
Executioner
'
traced
upon
my
features
.
But
I
will
continue
my
story
.
Harriet
seemed
firm
in
her
generous
purpose
not
to
be
the
cause
of
my
ruin
:
I
however
implored
her
to
reflect
upon
the
misery
into
which
her
decision
would
plunge
me
.
I
then
left
her
.
The
next
morning
I
heard
that
Wilmot
and
his
daughter
had
departed
from
their
house
,
and
had
gone
—
no
one
knew
whither
.
Malignant
people
said
that
the
old
man
was
afraid
to
face
his
creditors
in
the
local
Bankruptcy-court
:
I
thought
otherwise
.
I
felt
persuaded
that
Harriet
had
prevailed
upon
her
father
,
by
some
means
or
another
,
to
leave
;
—
and
I
now
considered
her
lost
to
me
for
ever
.
My
sorrow
was
great
;
but
I
redoubled
my
attention
to
business
in
order
to
distract
my
mind
from
contemplating
the
misfortune
that
had
befallen
me
.
Weeks
and
months
passed
away
;
and
the
wound
in
my
heart
was
closed
,
but
it
was
still
painful
.
One
day
,
during
a
temporary
indisposition
which
confined
my
father
to
his
room
,
I
was
turning
over
some
papers
in
his
desk
,
seeking
for
an
invoice
which
I
required
,
when
I
perceived
a
letter
addressed
to
my
father
and
signed
Joseph
Wilmot
.
The
date
especially
attracted
my
attention
,
because
I
remembered
that
this
letter
must
have
been
written
on
the
very
day
that
I
had
the
last
interview
with
Harriet
.
I
hesitated
not
a
moment
to
read
it
;
and
its
contents
revealed
to
me
the
cause
of
that
precipitate
departure
which
has
so
distressed
me
.
Indeed
,
the
letter
was
in
answer
to
one
which
Wilmot
acknowledged
to
have
just
before
received
from
my
father
.
It
appears
that
my
father
had
written
to
offer
old
Wilmot
two
hundred
pounds
if
he
would
quit
the
town
,
with
his
daughters
,
and
that
Wilmot
should
give
a
note
of
hand
for
this
amount
,
which
security
my
father
engaged
himself
not
to
enforce
so
long
as
Wilmot
remained
away
and
left
me
in
ignorance
of
his
future
place
of
residence
.
Wilmot
consented
to
this
arrangement
:
he
was
a
ruined
man
without
a
shilling
;
and
he
gladly
availed
himself
of
the
means
of
embarking
in
business
elsewhere
.
This
stratagem
on
the
part
of
my
father
I
discovered
through
Wilmot
's
letter
.
I
said
nothing
about
the
letter
to
my
father
:
I
concluded
that
he
had
merely
acted
under
the
impression
that
he
was
consulting
my
welfare
;
and
moreover
the
injury
appeared
to
be
irrevocable
.
Well
,
sir
—
six
months
passed
away
after
the
departure
of
Wilmot
and
his
daughter
,
and
my
father
,
who
was
usually
so
cautious
and
prudent
,
was
induced
to
embark
some
money
in
the
purchase
of
smuggled
goods
.
The
excise
officers
discovered
the
transaction
;
and
a
fine
was
imposed
which
swept
away
every
farthing
of
the
sum
which
my
father
had
been
accumulating
by
the
industry
and
toil
of
years
.
It
broke
his
heart
:
he
died
,
and
left
me
a
ruined
business
,
instead
of
a
decent
competence
.
I
struggled
on
for
a
year
,
just
keeping
my
head
above
water
,
but
dreadfully
crippled
for
want
of
capital
.
At
length
I
learnt
,
from
a
friend
,
that
I
had
found
favour
in
the
sight
of
a
wealthy
neighbour
's
daughter
,
who
was
some
six
or
seven
years
older
than
myself
.
I
made
the
best
of
this
circumstance
;
and
,
to
save
myself
from
total
ruin
,
in
a
short
time
married
the
female
alluded
to
.
The
fruit
of
this
union
was
a
son
—
the
poor
deformed
creature
whom
you
have
seen
.
He
was
not
,
however
,
so
afflicted
at
his
birth
:
how
he
come
to
be
so
,
I
will
presently
tell
you
.
"
Smithers
uttered
these
words
in
a
tone
of
deep
feeling
.
"
I
had
married
for
money
,
sir
,
"
he
continued
;
"
and
I
married
unhappily
.
My
wife
was
of
a
temper
befitting
a
demon
.
Then
she
was
addicted
to
drink
;
and
in
her
cups
she
was
outrageous
.
My
home
grew
miserable
:
and
I
began
to
neglect
the
business
;
and
,
to
avoid
my
wife
in
her
drunken
humours
,
I
went
to
the
public-house
.
Then
also
my
temper
was
so
sorely
tried
that
it
gave
way
under
the
accumulated
weight
of
domestic
wretchedness
.
I
grew
harsh
and
uncourteous
to
my
customers
;
I
retaliated
against
my
wife
in
her
own
fashion
of
ill-treatment
—
by
means
of
stormy
words
and
heavy
blows
;
and
,
when
I
was
weary
of
all
that
,
I
rushed
to
the
public-house
,
where
I
endeavoured
to
drown
my
cares
in
strong
drink
.
In
a
word
,
three
years
after
my
marriage
,
I
was
compelled
to
abandon
my
business
in
Southampton
;
and
,
with
about
a
hundred
pounds
in
my
pocket
—
the
wrecks
of
all
that
my
wife
had
brought
me
—
I
removed
,
with
her
and
the
child
,
to
London
.
On
our
arrival
,
I
took
a
small
tobacconist
's
shop
in
High
Street
,
St.
Giles
's
,
and
exerted
myself
to
the
utmost
to
obtain
an
honest
livelihood
;
and
for
some
time
my
wife
seemed
inclined
to
second
me
.
The
ruin
which
our
disputes
and
evil
courses
had
entailed
upon
us
appeared
to
have
made
a
deep
impression
upon
her
mind
.
She
carefully
avoided
strong
drink
,
and
declared
her
resolution
never
to
take
any
thing
stronger
than
beer
.
But
one
day
she
was
prevailed
upon
by
a
female
friend
to
accept
a
little
spirits
;
and
a
relapse
immediately
followed
.
She
came
home
intoxicated
;
we
had
fresh
quarrels
—
renewed
disputes
;
and
I
myself
went
in
an
evil
hour
to
the
nearest
public-house
.
From
that
moment
we
pursued
pretty
well
the
same
courses
that
had
ruined
us
in
Southampton
;
and
this
conduct
led
to
similar
results
.
I
was
forced
to
give
up
the
snuff
and
cigar
shop
;
and
we
moved
into
that
identical
house
in
St.
Giles
's
which
I
now
inhabit
,
and
where
you
first
saw
me
.
"
Smithers
passed
his
hand
over
his
forehead
,
as
if
to
alleviate
the
acuteness
of
painful
recollections
.
He
then
pursued
his
narrative
in
the
following
manner
:
—
"
Our
sole
hope
and
only
resource
now
consisted
in
being
able
to
let
the
greater
portion
of
the
house
;
and
as
we
had
managed
to
save
our
little
furniture
from
the
wreck
of
the
business
in
High
Street
,
we
had
still
a
decent
prospect
before
us
.
My
wife
again
promised
reformation
;
and
,
as
I
never
took
to
drink
except
when
driven
to
it
by
her
conduct
,
I
was
by
no
means
unwilling
to
second
her
in
her
resolutions
of
economy
.
We
soon
let
our
lodgings
,
and
I
did
a
little
business
by
selling
groceries
on
commission
for
a
wholesale
house
to
which
I
managed
to
obtain
an
introduction
.
In
this
way
we
got
on
pretty
well
for
a
time
;
and
now
I
come
to
the
most
important
part
of
my
story
.
"
Richard
drew
his
chair
,
by
a
mechanical
movement
as
it
were
,
closer
to
that
of
the
executioner
,
and
prepared
to
listen
with
redoubled
attention
,
if
possible
.
"
It
was
twelve
years
ago
last
January
,
"
continued
Smithers
,
"
that
I
returned
home
one
evening
,
after
a
hard
day
's
