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sick…bed of hers。 If Miss Gwilt （who was certainly good…looking；
in spite of her hideous hair） didn't blow the fire into a flame
before many days more were over their heads； the mistress was the
mistress no longer； but somebody else。 Whatever happened； the fau
lt； this time； would lie at the door of the major's mother。 The
old lady and the mistress had had a dreadful quarrel two years
since； and the old lady had gone away in a fury； telling her son；
before all the servants； that； if he had a spark of spirit in
him； he would never submit to his wife's temper as he did。 It
would be too much； perhaps； to accuse the major's mother of
purposely picking out a handsome governess to spite the major's
wife。 But it might be safely said that the old lady was the last
person in the world to humor the mistress's jealousy； by
declining to engage a capable and respectable governess for her
granddaughter because that governess happened to be blessed with
good looks。 How it was all to end （except that it was certain to
end badly） no human creature could say。 Things were looking as
black already as things well could。 Miss Neelie was crying； after
the day's pleasure （which was one bad sign）； the mistress had
found fault with nobody （which was another）； the master had
wished her good…night through the door （which was a third）； and
the governess had locked herself up in her room （which was the
worst sign of all； for it looked as if she distrusted the
servants）。 Thus the stream of the woman's gossip ran on； and thus
it reached Midwinter's ears through the window； till the clock in
the stable…yard struck； and stopped the talking。 When the last
vibrations of the bell had died away； the voices were not audible
again； and the silence was broken no more。
Another interval passed； and Midwinter made a new effort to rouse
himself。 This time he kindled the light without hesitation； and
took the pen in hand。
He wrote at the first trial with a sudden facility of expression；
which； surprising him as he went on； ended in rousing in him some
vague suspicion of himself。 He left the table； and bathed his
head and face in water； and came back to read what he had
written。 The language was barely intelligible； sentences were
left unfinished； words were misplaced one for the other。 every
line recorded the protest of the weary brain against the
merciless will that had forced it into action。 Midwinter tore up
the sheet of paper as he had torn up the other sheets before it；
and； sinking under the struggle at last； laid his weary head on
the pillow。 Almost on the instant； exhaustion overcame him； and
before he could put the light out he fell asleep。
He was roused by a noise at the door。 The sunlight was pouring
into the room； the candle had burned down into the socket； and
the servant was waiting outside with a letter which had come for
him by the morning's post。
〃I ventured to disturb you； sir；〃 said the man； when Midwinter
opened the door； 〃because the letter is marked 'Immediate；' and I
didn't know but it might be of some consequence。〃
Midwinter thanked him； and looked at the letter。 It _was_ of some
consequencethe handwriting was Mr。 Brock's。
He paused to collect his faculties。 The torn sheets of paper on
the floor recalled to him in a moment the position in which he
stood。 He locked the door again； in the fear that Allan might
rise earlier than usual and come in to make inquiries。
Thenfeeling strangely little interest in anything that the
rector could write to him nowhe opened Mr。 Brock's letter； and
read these lines：
〃Tuesday。
〃MY DEAR MIDWINTERIt is sometimes best to tell bad news
plainly； in few words。 Let me tell mine at once； in one sentence。
My precautions have all been defeated： the woman has escaped me。
〃This misfortunefor it is nothing lesshappened yesterday
（Monday）。 Between eleven and twelve in the forenoon of that day；
the business which originally brought me to London obliged me to
go to Doctors' Commons； and to leave my servant Robert to watch
the house opposite our lodging until my return。 About an hour and
a half after my departure he observed an empty cab drawn up at
the door of the house。 Boxes and bags made their appearance
first； they were followed by the woman herself； in the dress I
had first seen her in。 Having previously secured a cab； Robert
traced her to the terminus of the North…Western Railway； saw her
pass through the ticket office； kept her in view till she reached
the platform； and there； in the crowd and confusion caused by the
starting of a large mixed train； lost her。 I must do him the
justice to say that he at once took the right course in this
emergency。 Instead of wasting time in searching for her on the
platform； he looked along the line of carriages； and he
positively declares that he failed to see her in any one of them。
He admits； at the same time； that his search （conducted between
two o'clock； when he lost sight of her； and ten minutes past；
when the train started） was； in the confusion of the moment；
necessarily an imperfect one。 But this latter circumstance； in my
opinion； matters little。 I as firmly disbelieve in the woman's
actual departure by that train as if I had searched every one of
the carriages myself； and you； I have no doubt； will entirely
agree with me。
〃You now know how the disaster happened。 Let us not waste time
and words in lamenting it。 The evil is done； and you and I
together must find the way to remedy it。
〃What I have accomplished already； on my side； may be told in two
words。 Any hesitation I might have previously felt at trusting
this delicate business in strangers' hands was at an end the
moment I heard Robert's news。 I went back at once to the city；
and placed the whole matter confidentially before my lawyers。 The
conference was a long one； and when I left the office it was past
the post hour； or I should have written to you on Monday instead
of writing today。 My interview with the lawyers was not very
encouraging。 They warn me plainly that serious difficulties stand
in the way of our recovering the lost trace。 But they have
promised to do their best； and we have decided on the course to
be taken； excepting one point on which we totally differ。 I must
tell you what this difference is； for； while business keeps me
away from Thorpe Ambrose； you are the only person whom I can
trust to put my convictions to the test。
〃The lawyers are of opinion； then； that the woman has been aware
from the first that I was watching her； that there is；
consequently； no present hope of her being rash enough to appear
personally at Thorpe Ambrose； that any mischief she may have it
in contemplation to do will be done in the first instance by
deputy； and that the only wise course for Allan's friends and
guardians to take is to wait passively till events enlighten
them。 My own idea is diametrically opposed to this。 After what
has happened at the railway； I cannot deny that the woman must
have discovered that I was watching her。 But she has no reason to
suppose that she has not succeeded in deceiving me； and I firmly
believe she is bold enough to take us by surprise； and to win or
force her