HefoundMissVereseatedbythewindowofherdressing-room，herheadrecliningonherhand，andeithersunkinslumber，orsodeeplyengagedinmeditation，thatshedidnothearthenoisehemadeathisentrance。Heapproachedwithhisfeaturescomposedtoadeepexpressionofsorrowandsympathy，and，sittingdownbesideher，solicitedherattentionbyquietlytakingherhand，amotionwhichhedidnotfailtoaccompanywithadeepsigh。
\"Myfather！\"saidIsabella，withasortofstart，whichexpressedatleastasmuchfear，asjoyoraffection。
\"Yes，Isabella，\"saidVere，\"yourunhappyfather，whocomesnowasapenitenttocraveforgivenessofhisdaughterforaninjurydonetoherintheexcessofhisaffection，andthentotakeleaveofherforever。\"
\"Sir？Offencetometakeleaveforever？Whatdoesallthismean？\"saidMissVere。
\"Yes，Isabella，Iamserious。Butfirstletmeaskyou，haveyounosuspicionthatImayhavebeenprivytothestrangechancewhichbefellyouyesterdaymorning？\"
\"You，sir？\"answeredIsabella，stammeringbetweenaconsciousnessthathehadguessedherthoughtsjustly，andtheshameaswellasfearwhichforbadehertoacknowledgeasuspicionsodegradingandsounnatural。
\"Yes！\"hecontinued，\"yourhesitationconfessesthatyouentertainedsuchanopinion，andIhavenowthepainfultaskofacknowledgingthatyoursuspicionshavedonemenoinjustice。
Butlistentomymotives。InanevilhourIcountenancedtheaddressesofSirFrederickLangley，conceivingitimpossiblethatyoucouldhaveanypermanentobjectionstoamatchwheretheadvantageswere，inmostrespects，onyourside。Inaworse，I
enteredwithhimintomeasurescalculatedtorestoreourbanishedmonarch，andtheindependenceofmycountry。Hehastakenadvantageofmyunguardedconfidence，andnowhasmylifeathisdisposal。\"
\"Yourlife，sir？\"saidIsabella，faintly。
\"Yes，Isabella，\"continuedherfather，\"thelifeofhimwhogavelifetoyou。SosoonasIforesawtheexcessesintowhichhisheadlongpassion（for，todohimjustice，Ibelievehisunreasonableconductarisesfromexcessofattachmenttoyou）waslikelytohurryhim，Iendeavoured，byfindingaplausiblepretextforyourabsenceforsomeweeks，toextricatemyselffromthedilemmainwhichIamplaced。ForthispurposeIwished，incaseyourobjectionstothematchcontinuedinsurmountable，tohavesentyouprivatelyforafewmonthstotheconventofyourmaternalauntatParis。ByaseriesofmistakesyouhavebeenbroughtfromtheplaceofsecrecyandsecuritywhichIhaddestinedforyourtemporaryabode。Fatehasbaffledmylastchanceofescape，andIhaveonlytogiveyoumyblessing，andsendyoufromthecastlewithMr。Ratcliffe，whonowleavesit；
myownfatewillsoonbedecided。\"
\"GoodHeaven，sir！canthisbepossible？\"exclaimedIsabella。
\"O，whywasIfreedfromtherestraintinwhichyouplacedme？
orwhydidyounotimpartyourpleasuretome？\"
\"Thinkaninstant，Isabella。WouldyouhavehadmeprejudiceinyouropinionthefriendIwasmostdesirousofserving，bycommunicatingtoyoutheinjuriouseagernesswithwhichhepursuedhisobject？CouldIdosohonourably，havingpromisedtoassisthissuit？——Butitisallover，IandMareschalhavemadeupourmindstodielikemen；itonlyremainstosendyoufromhenceunderasafeescort。\"
\"Greatpowers！andistherenoremedy？\"saidtheterrifiedyoungwoman。
\"None，mychild，\"answeredVere，gently，\"unlessonewhichyouwouldnotadviseyourfathertoadopt——tobethefirsttobetrayhisfriends。\"
\"O，no！no！\"sheanswered，abhorrentlyyethastily，asiftorejectthetemptationwhichthealternativepresentedtoher。
\"Butistherenootherhope——throughflight——throughmediation——throughsupplication？——IwillbendmykneetoSirFrederick！\"
\"Itwouldbeafruitlessdegradation；heisdeterminedonhiscourse，andIamequallyresolvedtostandthehazardofmyfate。
Ononeconditiononlyhewillturnasidefromhispurpose，andthatconditionmylipsshallneveruttertoyou。\"
\"Nameit，Iconjureyou，mydearfather！\"exclaimedIsabella。
\"WhatCANheaskthatweoughtnottogrant，topreventthehideouscatastrophewithwhichyouarethreatened？\"
\"That，Isabella，\"saidVere，solemnly，\"youshallneverknow，untilyourfather’sheadhasrolledonthebloodyscaffold；then，indeed，youwilllearntherewasonesacrificebywhichhemighthavebeensaved。\"
\"Andwhynotspeakitnow？\"saidIsabella；\"doyoufearIwouldflinchfromthesacrificeoffortuneforyourpreservation？orwouldyoubequeathmethebitterlegacyoflife-longremorse，sooftasIshallthinkthatyouperished，whilethereremainedonemodeofpreventingthedreadfulmisfortunethatoverhangsyou？\"
\"Then，mychild，\"saidVere，\"sinceyoupressmetonamewhatI
wouldathousandtimesratherleaveinsilence，Imustinformyouthathewillacceptforransomnothingbutyourhandinmarriage，andthatconferredbeforemidnightthisveryevening！\"
\"Thisevening，sir？\"saidtheyounglady，struckwithhorrorattheproposal——\"andtosuchaman！——Aman？——amonster，whocouldwishtowinthedaughterbythreateningthelifeofthefather——itisimpossible！\"
\"Yousayright，mychild，\"answeredherfather，\"itisindeedimpossible；norhaveIeithertherightorthewishtoexactsuchasacrifice——Itisthecourseofnaturethattheoldshoulddieandbeforgot，andtheyoungshouldliveandbehappy。\"
\"Myfatherdie，andhischildcansavehim！——butno——no——mydearfather，pardonme，itisimpossible；youonlywishtoguidemetoyourwishes。Iknowyourobjectiswhatyouthinkmyhappiness，andthisdreadfultaleisonlytoldtoinfluencemyconductandsubduemyscruples。\"
\"Mydaughter，\"repliedEllieslaw，inatonewhereoffendedauthorityseemedtostrugglewithparentalaffection，\"mychildsuspectsmeofinventingafalsetaletoworkuponherfeelings！
EventhisImustbear，andevenfromthisunworthysuspicionI
mustdescendtovindicatemyself。YouknowthestainlesshonourofyourcousinMareschal——markwhatIshallwritetohim，andjudgefromhisanswer，ifthedangerinwhichwestandisnotreal，andwhetherIhavenotusedeverymeanstoavertit。\"
Hesatedown，wroteafewlineshastily，andhandedthemtoIsabella，who，afterrepeatedandpainfulefforts，clearedhereyesandheadsufficientlytodiscerntheirpurport。
\"Dearcousin，\"saidthebillet，\"Ifindmydaughter，asI
expected，indespairattheuntimelyandprematureurgencyofSirFrederickLangley。Shecannotevencomprehendtheperilinwhichwestand，orhowmuchweareinhispower——Useyourinfluencewithhim，forHeaven’ssake，tomodifyproposals，totheacceptanceofwhichIcannot，andwillnot，urgemychildagainstallherownfeelings，aswellasthoseofdelicacyandpropriety，andobligeyourlovingcousin，——R。V。\"
Intheagitationofthemoment，whenherswimmingeyesanddizzybraincouldhardlycomprehendthesenseofwhatshelookedupon，itisnotsurprisingthatMissVereshouldhaveomittedtoremarkthatthisletterseemedtorestherscruplesratherupontheformandtimeoftheproposedunion，thanonarooteddisliketothesuitorproposedtoher。Mr。Vererangthebell，andgavethelettertoaservanttobedeliveredtoMr。Mareschal，and，risingfromhischair，continuedtotraversetheapartmentinsilenceandingreatagitationuntiltheanswerwasreturned。Heglanceditover，andwrungthehandofhisdaughterashegaveittoher。
Thetenorwasasfollows：——
\"Mydearkinsman，Ihavealreadyurgedtheknightonthepointyoumention，andIfindhimasfixedasCheviot。Iamtrulysorrymyfaircousinshouldbepressedtogiveupanyofhermaidenlyrights。SirFrederickconsents，however，toleavethecastlewithmetheinstanttheceremonyisperformed，andwewillraiseourfollowersandbeginthefray。Thusthereisgreathopethebridegroommaybeknockedontheheadbeforeheandthebridecanmeetagain，soBellhasafairchancetobeLadyLangleyATRESBONMARCHE。Fortherest，Icanonlysay，thatifshecanmakeuphermindtotheallianceatall——itisnotimeformeremaidenceremony——myprettycousinmustneedsconsenttomarryinhaste，orweshallallrepentatleisure，orratherhaveverylittleleisuretorepent；whichisallatpresentfromhimwhorestsyouraffectionatekinsman，——R。M。\"
\"P。S。——TellIsabellathatIwouldrathercuttheknight’sthroatafterall，andendthedilemmathatway，thanseeherconstrainedtomarryhimagainstherwill。\"
WhenIsabellahadreadthisletter，itdroppedfromherhand，andshewould，atthesametime，havefallenfromherchair，hadshenotbeensupportedbyherfather。
\"MyGod，mychildwilldie！\"exclaimedVere，thefeelingsofnatureovercoming，eveninHISbreast，thesentimentsofselfishpolicy；\"lookup，Isabella——lookup，mychild——comewhatwill，youshallnotbethesacrifice——IwillfallmyselfwiththeconsciousnessIleaveyouhappy——Mychildmayweeponmygrave，butsheshallnot——notinthisinstance——reproachmymemory。\"Hecalledaservant。——\"Go，bidRatcliffecomehitherdirectly。\"
Duringthisinterval，MissVerebecamedeadlypale，clenchedherhands，pressingthepalmsstronglytogether，closedhereyes，anddrewherlipswithstrongcompression，asifthesevereconstraintwhichsheputuponherinternalfeelingsextendedeventohermuscularorganization。Thenraisingherhead，anddrawinginherbreathstronglyereshespoke，shesaid，withfirmness，——\"Father，Iconsenttothemarriage。\"
\"Youshallnot——youshallnot，——mychild——mydearchild——youshallnotembracecertainmiserytofreemefromuncertaindanger。\"
SoexclaimedEllieslaw；and，strangeandinconsistentbeingsthatweare！heexpressedtherealthoughmomentaryfeelingsofhisheart。
\"Father，\"repeatedIsabella，\"Iwillconsenttothismarriage。\"
\"No，mychild，no——notnowatleast——wewillhumbleourselvestoobtaindelayfromhim；andyet，Isabella，couldyouovercomeadislikewhichhasnorealfoundation，think，inotherrespects，whatamatch！——wealth——rank——importance。\"
\"Father！\"reiteratedIsabella，\"Ihaveconsented。\"
Itseemedasifshehadlostthepowerofsayinganythingelse，orevenofvaryingthephrasewhich，withsucheffort，shehadcompelledherselftoutter。
\"Heavenblessthee，mychild！——Heavenblessthee！——AnditWILL
blesstheewithriches，withpleasure，withpower。\"
MissVerefaintlyentreatedtobeleftbyherselffortherestoftheevening。
\"ButwillyounotreceiveSirFrederick？\"saidherfather，anxiously。
\"Iwillmeethim，\"shereplied，\"Iwillmeethim——whenImust，andwhereImust；butsparemenow。\"
\"Beitso，mydearest；youshallknownorestraintthatIcansaveyoufrom。DonotthinktoohardlyofSirFrederickforthis，——itisanexcessofpassion。\"
Isabellawavedherhandimpatiently。
\"Forgiveme，mychild——Igo——Heavenblessthee。Ateleven——ifyoucallmenotbefore——atelevenIcometoseekyou。\"
\"WhenheleftIsabellashedroppeduponherknees——\"HeavenaidmetosupporttheresolutionIhavetaken——Heavenonlycan——O，poorEarnscliff！whoshallcomforthim？andwithwhatcontemptwillhepronouncehername，wholistenedtohimto-dayandgaveherselftoanotheratnight！Butlethimdespiseme——bettersothanthatheshouldknowthetruth——lethimdespiseme；ifitwillbutlessenhisgrief，Ishouldfeelcomfortinthelossofhisesteem。\"
Sheweptbitterly；attemptinginvain，fromtimetotime，tocommencetheprayerforwhichshehadsunkonherknees，butunabletocalmherspiritssufficientlyfortheexerciseofdevotion。Assheremainedinthisagonyofmind，thedoorofherapartmentwasslowlyopened。
CHAPTERXV。
Thedarksomecavetheyenter，wheretheyfoundThewofulman，lowsittingontheground，Musingfullsadlyinhissullenmind。FAERYQUEEN。
TheintruderonMissVere’ssorrowswasRatcliffe。Ellieslawhad，intheagitationofhismind，forgottentocountermandtheorderhehadgiventocallhimthither，sothatheopenedthedoorwiththewords，\"Yousentforme，Mr。Vere。\"Thenlookingaround——\"MissVere，alone！ontheground！andintears！\"
\"Leaveme——leaveme，Mr。Ratcliffe，\"saidtheunhappyyounglady。
\"Imustnotleaveyou，\"saidRatcliffe；\"Ihavebeenrepeatedlyrequestingadmittancetotakemyleaveofyou，andhavebeenrefused，untilyourfatherhimselfsentforme。Blamemenot，ifIamboldandintrusive；Ihaveadutytodischargewhichmakesmeso。\"
\"Icannotlistentoyou——Icannotspeaktoyou，Mr。Ratcliffe；
takemybestwishes，andforGod’ssakeleaveme。\"
\"Tellmeonly，\"saidRatcliffe，\"isittruethatthismonstrousmatchistogoforward，andthisverynight？IheardtheservantsproclaimitasIwasonthegreatstaircase——Iheardthedirectionsgiventoclearoutthechapel。\"
\"Spareme，Mr。Ratcliffe，\"repliedthelucklessbride；\"andfromthestateinwhichyouseeme，judgeofthecrueltyofthesequestions。\"
\"Married？toSirFrederickLangley？andthisnight？Itmustnotcannot——shallnotbe。\"
\"ItMUSTbe，Mr。Ratcliff，ormyfatherisruined。\"
\"Ah！Iunderstand，\"answeredRatcliffe；\"andyouhavesacrificedyourselftosavehimwho——Butletthevirtueofthechildatoneforthefaultsofthefatheritisnotimetorakethemup。——WhatCANbedone？Timepresses——Iknowbutoneremedy——withfour-and-
twentyhoursImightfindmany——MissVere，youmustimploretheprotectionoftheonlyhumanbeingwhohasitinhispowertocontrolthecourseofeventswhichthreatenstohurryyoubeforeit。\"
\"Andwhathumanbeing，\"answeredMissVere，\"hassuchpower？\"
\"StartnotwhenInamehim，\"saidRatcliffe，comingnearher，andspeakinginalowbutdistinctvoice。\"ItishewhoiscalledElshendertheRecluseofMucklestane-Moor。\"
\"Youaremad，Mr。Ratcliffe，oryoumeantoinsultmymiserybyanill-timedjest！\"
\"Iamasmuchinmysenses，younglady，\"answeredheradviser，\"asyouare；andIamnoidlejester，farlesswithmisery，leastofallwithyourmisery。Isweartoyouthatthisbeing（whoisotherfarthanwhatheseems）actuallypossessesthemeansofredeemingyoufromthishatefulunion。\"
\"Andofinsuringmyfather’ssafety？\"
\"Yes！eventhat，\"saidRatcliffe，\"ifyoupleadhiscausewithhim——yethowtoobtainadmittancetotheRecluse！\"
\"Fearnotthat，\"saidMissVere，suddenlyrecollectingtheincidentoftherose；\"Irememberhedesiredmetocalluponhimforaidinmyextremity，andgavemethisflowerasatoken。Ereitfadedawayentirely，Iwouldneed，hesaid，hisassistance：
isitpossiblehiswordscanhavebeenaughtbuttheravingsofinsanity？\"
\"Doubtitnotfearitnot——butaboveall，\"saidRatcliffe，\"letuslosenotime——areyouatliberty，andunwatched？\"
\"Ibelieveso，\"saidIsabella：\"butwhatwouldyouhavemetodo？\"
\"Leavethecastleinstantly，\"saidRatcliffe，\"andthrowyourselfatthefeetofthisextraordinaryman，whoincircumstancesthatseemtoarguetheextremityofthemostcontemptiblepoverty，possessesyetanalmostabsoluteinfluenceoveryourfate。——
Guestsandservantsaredeepintheircarouse——theleaderssittinginconclaveontheirtreasonableschemes——myhorsestandsreadyinthestable——Iwillsaddleoneforyou，andmeetyouatthelittlegarden-gate——O，letnodoubtofmyprudenceorfidelitypreventyourtakingtheonlystepinyourpowertoescapethedreadfulfatewhichmustattendthewifeofSirFrederickLangley！\"
\"Mr。Ratcliffe，\"saidMissVere，\"youhavealwaysbeenesteemedamanofhonourandprobity，andadrowningwretchwillalwayscatchatthefeeblesttwig，——Iwilltrustyou——Iwillfollowyouradvice——Iwillmeetyouatthegarden-gate。\"
Sheboltedtheouter-doorofherapartmentassoonasMr。
Ratcliffelefther，anddescendedtothegardenbyaseparatestairofcommunicationwhichopenedtoherdressing-room。Onthewayshefeltinclinedtoretracttheconsentshehadsohastilygiventoaplansohopelessandextravagant。Butasshepassedinherdescentaprivatedoorwhichenteredintothechapelfromtheback-stair，sheheardthevoiceofthefemale-servantsastheywereemployedinthetaskofcleaningit。
\"Married！andtosaebadaman——Ewhow，sirs！onythingratherthanthat。\"
\"Theyareright——theyareright，\"saidMissVere，\"anythingratherthanthat！\"
Shehurriedtothegarden。Mr。Ratcliffewastruetohisappointment——thehorsesstoodsaddledatthegarden-gate，andinafewminutestheywereadvancingrapidlytowardsthehutoftheSolitary。
Whilethegroundwasfavourable，thespeedoftheirjourneywassuchastopreventmuchcommunication；butwhenasteepascentcompelledthemtoslackentheirpace，anewcauseofapprehensionoccurredtoMissVere’smind。
\"Mr。Ratcliffe，\"shesaid，pullingupherhorse’sbridle，\"letusprosecutenofartherajourney，whichnothingbuttheextremeagitationofmymindcanvindicatemyhavingundertaken——Iamwellawarethatthismanpassesamongthevulgarasbeingpossessedofsupernaturalpowers，andcarryingonanintercoursewithbeingsofanotherworld；butIwouldhaveyouawareIamneithertobeimposedonbysuchfollies，nor，wereItobelieveintheirexistence，durstI，withmyfeelingsofreligion，applytothisbeinginmydistress。\"
\"Ishouldhavethought，MissVere，\"repliedRatcliffe，\"mycharacterandhabitsofthinkingweresowellknowntoyou，thatyoumighthaveheldmeexculpatedfromcreditinginsuchabsurdity。\"
\"Butinwhatothermode，\"saidIsabella，\"canabeing，somiserablehimselfinappearance，possessthepowerofassistingme？\"
\"MissVere。\"saidRatcliffe，afteramomentarypause，\"Iamboundbyasolemnoathofsecrecy——Youmust，withoutfartherexplanation，besatisfiedwithmypledgedassurance，thathedoespossessthepower，ifyoucaninspirehimwiththewill；andthat，Idoubtnot，youwillbeabletodo。\"
\"Mr。Ratcliffe，\"saidMissVere，\"youmayyourselfbemistaken；
youaskanunlimiteddegreeofconfidencefromme。\"
\"Recollect，MissVere，\"hereplied，\"thatwhen，inyourhumanity，youaskedmetointerferewithyourfatherinfavourofHaswellandhisruinedfamily——whenyourequestedmetoprevailonhimtodoathingmostabhorrenttohisnature——toforgiveaninjuryandremitapenalty——Istipulatedthatyoushouldaskmenoquestionsconcerningthesourcesofmyinfluence——Youfoundnoreasontodistrustmethen，donotdistrustmenow。\"
\"Buttheextraordinarymodeoflifeofthisman，\"saidMissVere；
\"hisseclusion——hisfigure——thedeepnessofmis-anthropywhichheissaidtoexpressinhislanguage——Mr。Ratcliffe，whatcanI
thinkofhimifhereallypossessesthepowersyouascribetohim？\"
\"Thisman，younglady，wasbredaCatholic，asectwhichaffordsathousandinstancesofthosewhohaveretiredfrompowerandaffluencetovoluntaryprivationsmorestricteventhanhis。\"
\"Butheavowsnoreligiousmotive，\"repliedMissVere。
\"No，\"repliedRatcliffe；\"disgustwiththeworldhasoperatedhisretreatfromitwithoutassumingtheveilofsuperstition。ThusfarImaytellyou——hewasborntogreatwealth，whichhisparentsdesignedshouldbecomegreaterbyhisunionwithakinswoman，whomforthatpurposetheybredupintheirownhouse。
Youhaveseenhisfigure；judgewhattheyoungladymusthavethoughtofthelottowhichshewasdestined——Yet，habituatedtohisappearance，sheshowednoreluctance，andthefriendsof——ofthepersonwhomIspeakof，doubtednotthattheexcessofhisattachment，thevariousacquisitionsofhismind，hismanyandamiablequalities，hadovercomethenaturalhorrorwhichhisdestinedbridemusthaveentertainedatanexteriorsodreadfullyinauspicious。\"
\"Anddidtheyjudgetruly？\"saidIsabella。
\"Youshallhear。He，atleast，wasfullyawareofhisowndeficiency；thesenseofithauntedhimlikeaphantom。’Iam，’
washisownexpressiontome，——Imeantoamanwhomhetrusted，——
’Iam，inspiteofwhatyouwouldsay，apoormiserableoutcast，fittertohavebeensmotheredinthecradlethantohavebeenbroughtuptoscaretheworldinwhichIcrawl。’Thepersonwhomheaddressedinvainendeavouredtoimpresshimwiththeindifferencetoexternalformwhichisthenaturalresultofphilosophy，orentreathimtorecallthesuperiorityofmentaltalentstothemoreattractiveattributesthataremerelypersonal。’Ihearyou，’hewouldreply；’butyouspeakthevoiceofcold-bloodedstoicism，or，atleast，offriendlypartiality。
Butlookateverybookwhichwehaveread，thoseexceptedofthatabstractphilosophywhichfeelsnoresponsivevoiceinournaturalfeelings。Isnotpersonalform，suchasatleastcanbetoleratedwithouthorroranddisgust，alwaysrepresentedasessentialtoourideasofafriend，farmorealover？Isnotsuchamis-shapenmonsterasIam，excluded，bytheveryfiatofNature，fromherfairestenjoyments？Whatbutmywealthpreventsall——perhapsevenLetitia，oryou——fromshunningmeassomethingforeigntoyournature，andmoreodious，bybearingthatdistortedresemblancetohumanitywhichweobserveintheanimaltribesthataremorehatefultomanbecausetheyseemhiscaricature？’\"
\"Yourepeatthesentimentsofamadman，\"saidMissVere。
\"No，\"repliedherconductor，\"unlessamorbidandexcessivesensibilityonsuchasubjectcanbetermedinsanity。\"YetI
willnotdenythatthisgoverningfeelingandapprehensioncarriedthepersonwhoentertainedit，tolengthswhichindicatedaderangedimagination。Heappearedtothinkthatitwasnecessaryforhim，byexuberant，andnotalwayswell-choseninstancesofliberality，andevenprofusion，tounitehimselftothehumanrace，fromwhichheconceivedhimselfnaturallydissevered。Thebenefitswhichhebestowed，fromadispositionnaturallyphilanthropicalinanuncommondegree，wereexaggeratedbytheinfluenceofthegoadingreflection，thatmorewasnecessaryfromhimthanfromothers，——lavishinghistreasuresasiftobribemankindtoreceivehimintotheirclass。Itisscarcelynecessarytosay，thatthebountywhichflowedfromasourcesocapriciouswasoftenabused，andhisconfidencefrequentlybetrayed。Thesedisappointments，whichoccurtoall，moreorless，andmosttosuchasconferbenefitswithoutjustdiscrimination，hisdiseasedfancysetdowntothehatredandcontemptexcitedbyhispersonaldeformity。——ButIfatigueyou，MissVere？\"
\"No，bynomeans；I——Icouldnotpreventmyattentionfromwanderinganinstant；prayproceed。\"
\"Hebecameatlength，\"continuedRatcliffe，\"themostingeniousself-tormentorofwhomIhaveeverheard；thescoffoftherabble，andthesneeroftheyetmorebrutalvulgarofhisownrank，wastohimagonyandbreakingonthewheel。Heregardedthelaughofthecommonpeoplewhomhepassedonthestreet，andthesuppressedtitter，oryetmoreoffensiveterror，oftheyounggirlstowhomhewasintroducedincompany，asproofsofthetruesensewhichtheworldentertainedofhim，asaprodigyunfittobereceivedamongthemontheusualtermsofsociety，andasvindicatingthewisdomofhispurposeinwithdrawinghimselffromamongthem。Onthefaithandsincerityoftwopersonsalone，heseemedtorelyimplicitly——onthatofhisbetrothedbride，andofafriendeminentlygiftedinpersonalaccomplishments，whoseemed，andindeedprobablywas，sincerelyattachedtohim。Heoughttohavebeensoatleast，forhewasliterallyloadedwithbenefitsbyhimwhomyouarenowabouttosee。Theparentsofthesubjectofmystorydiedwithinashortspaceofeachother。
Theirdeathpostponedthemarriage，forwhichthedayhadbeenfixed。Theladydidnotseemgreatlytomournthisdelay，——
perhapsthatwasnottohavebeenexpected；butsheintimatednochangeofintention，when，afteradecentinterval，aseconddaywasnamedfortheirunion。ThefriendofwhomIspokewasthenaconstantresidentattheHall。Inanevilhour，attheearnestrequestandentreatyofthisfriend，theyjoinedageneralparty，wheremenofdifferentpoliticalopinionsweremingled，andwheretheydrankdeep。Aquarrelensued；thefriendoftheReclusedrewhisswordwithothers，andwasthrowndownanddisarmedbyamorepowerfulantagonist。TheyfellinthestruggleatthefeetoftheRecluse，who，maimedandtruncatedashisformappears，possesses，nevertheless，greatstrength，aswellasviolentpassions。Hecaughtupasword，piercedtheheartofhisfriend’santagonist，wastried，andhislife，withdifficulty，redeemedfromjusticeattheexpenseofayear’scloseimprisonment，thepunishmentofmanslaughter。Theincidentaffectedhimmostdeeply，themorethatthedeceasedwasamanofexcellentcharacter，andhadsustainedgrossinsultandinjuryerehedrewhissword。Ithink，fromthatmoment，Iobserved——I
begpardon——Thefitsofmorbidsensibilitywhichhadtormentedthisunfortunategentleman，wererenderedhenceforthmoreacutebyremorse，whichhe，ofallmen，wasleastcapableofhavingincurred，orofsustainingwhenitbecamehisunhappylot。Hisparoxysmsofagonycouldnotbeconcealedfromtheladytowhomhewasbetrothed；anditmustbeconfessedtheywereofanalarmingandfearfulnature。Hecomfortedhimself，that，attheexpiryofhisimprisonment，hecouldformwithhiswifeandfriendasociety，encircledbywhichhemightdispensewithmoreextensivecommunicationwiththeworld。Hewasdeceived；beforethattermelapsed，hisfriendandhisbetrothedbrideweremanandwife。Theeffectsofashocksodreadfulonanardenttemperament，adispositionalreadysouredbybitterremorse，andloosenedbytheindulgenceofagloomyimaginationfromtherestofmankind，Icannotdescribetoyou；itwasasifthelastcableatwhichthevesselrodehadsuddenlyparted，andleftherabandonedtoallthewildfuryofthetempest。Hewasplacedundermedicalrestraint。Asatemporarymeasurethismighthavebeenjustifiable；buthishard-heartedfriend，who，inconsequenceofhismarriage，wasnowhisnearestally，prolongedhisconfinement，inordertoenjoythemanagementofhisimmenseestates。Therewasonewhoowedhisalltothesufferer，anhumblefriend，butgratefulandfaithful。Byunceasingexertion，andrepeatedinvocationofjustice，heatlengthsucceededinobtaininghispatron’sfreedom，andreinstatementinthemanagementofhisownproperty，towhichwassoonaddedthatofhisintendedbride，whohavingdiedwithoutmaleissue，herestatesrevertedtohim，asheirofentail。Butfreedomandwealthwereunabletorestoretheequipoiseofhismind；totheformerhisgriefmadehimindifferent——thelatteronlyservedhimasfarasitaffordedhimthemeansofindulginghisstrangeandwaywardfancy。HehadrenouncedtheCatholicreligion，butperhapssomeofitsdoctrinescontinuedtoinfluenceamind，overwhichremorseandmisanthropynowassumed，inappearance，anunboundedauthority。Hislifehassincebeenthatalternatelyofapilgrimandahermit，sufferingthemostsevereprivations，notindeedinasceticdevotion，butinabhorrenceofmankind。Yetnoman’swordsandactionshavebeenatsuchawidedifference，norhasanyhypocriticalwretcheverbeenmoreingeniousinassigninggoodmotivesforhisvileactions，thanthisunfortunateinreconcilingtohisabstractprinciplesofmisanthropy，aconductwhichflowsfromhisnaturalgenerosityandkindnessoffeeling。\"
\"Still，Mr。Ratcliffe——stillyoudescribetheinconsistenciesofamadman。\"
\"Bynomeans，\"repliedRatcliffe。\"Thattheimaginationofthisgentlemanisdisordered，Iwillnotpretendtodispute；Ihavealreadytoldyouthatithassometimesbrokenoutintoparoxysmsapproachingtorealmentalalienation。ButitisofhiscommonstateofmindthatIspeak；itisirregular，butnotderanged；
theshadesareasgradualasthosethatdividethelightofnoondayfrommidnight。Thecourtierwhoruinshisfortunefortheattainmentofatitlewhichcandohimnogood，orpowerofwhichhecanmakenosuitableorcreditableuse，themiserwhohoardshisuselesswealth，andtheprodigalwhosquandersit，areallmarkedwithacertainshadeofinsanity。Tocriminalswhoareguiltyofenormities，whenthetemptation，toasobermind，bearsnoproportiontothehorroroftheact，ortheprobabilityofdetectionandpunishment，thesameobservationapplies；andeveryviolentpassion，aswellasanger，maybetermedashortmadness。\"
\"Thismaybeallgoodphilosophy，Mr。Ratcliffe，\"answeredMissVere；\"but，excuseme，itbynomeansemboldensmetovisit，atthislatehour，apersonwhoseextravaganceofimaginationyouyourselfcanonlypalliate。\"
\"Rather，then，\"saidRatcliffe，\"receivemysolemnassurances，thatyoudonotincurtheslightestdanger。ButwhatIhavebeenhithertoafraidtomentionforfearofalarmingyouis，thatnowwhenwearewithinsightofhisretreat，forIcandiscoveritthroughthetwilight，Imustgonofartherwithyou；youmustproceedalone。\"
\"Alone？——Idarenot。\"
\"Youmust，\"continuedRatcliffe；\"Iwillremainhereandwaitforyou。\"
\"Youwillnot，then，stirfromthisplace，\"saidMissVere\"yetthedistanceissogreat，youcouldnothearmewereItocryforassistance。\"
\"Fearnothing，\"saidherguide；\"orobserve，atleast，theutmostcautioninstiflingeveryexpressionoftimidity。Rememberthathispredominantandmostharassingapprehensionarisesfromaconsciousnessofthehideousnessofhisappearance。Yourpathliesstraightbesideyonhalf-fallenwillow；keeptheleftsideofit；themarshliesontheright。Farewellforatime。
Remembertheevilyouarethreatenedwith，andletitovercomeatonceyourfearsandscruples。\"
\"Mr。Ratcliffe，\"saidIsabella，\"farewell；ifyouhavedeceivedonesounfortunateasmyself，youhaveforeverforfeitedthefaircharacterforprobityandhonourtowhichIhavetrusted。\"
\"Onmylife——onmysoul，\"continuedRatcliffe，raisinghisvoiceasthedistancebetweenthemincreased，\"youaresafe——perfectlysafe。\"
CHAPTERXVI。
——’TwastimeandgriefsThatframedhimthus：Time，withhisfairerhand，Offeringthefortunesofhisformerdays，Theformermanmaymakehim。——Bringustohim，Andchanceitasitmay。OLDPLAY。
ThesoundsofRatcliffe’svoicehaddiedonIsabella’sear；butasshefrequentlylookedback，itwassomeencouragementtohertodiscernhisformnowdarkeninginthegloom。Ere，however，shewentmuchfarther，shelosttheobjectintheincreasingshade。ThelastglimmerofthetwilightplacedherbeforethehutoftheSolitary。Shetwiceextendedherhandtothedoor，andtwiceshewithdrewit；andwhenshedidatlengthmaketheeffort，theknockdidnotequalinviolencethethrobofherownbosom。Hernexteffortwaslouder；herthirdwasreiterated，forthefearofnotobtainingtheprotectionfromwhichRatcliffepromisedsomuch，begantooverpowertheterrorsofhispresencefromwhomshewastorequestit。Atlength，asshestillreceivednoanswer，sherepeatedlycalledupontheDwarfbyhisassumedname，andrequestedhimtoanswerandopentoher。
\"Whatmiserablebeingisreduced，\"saidtheappallingvoiceoftheSolitary，\"toseekrefugehere？Gohence；whentheheath-
fowlneedshelter，theyseekitnotinthenestofthenight-
raven。\"
\"Icometoyou，father，\"saidIsabella，\"inmyhourofadversity，evenasyouyourselfcommanded，whenyoupromisedyourheartandyourdoorshouldbeopentomydistress；butIfear——\"
\"Ha！\"saidtheSolitary，\"thenthouartIsabellaVere？Givemeatokenthatthouartshe。\"
\"Ihavebroughtyoubacktherosewhichyougaveme；ithasnothadtimetofadeerethehardfateyouforetoldhascomeuponme！\"
\"Andifthouhastthusredeemedthypledge，\"saidtheDwarf，\"I
willnotforfeitmine。Theheartandthedoorthatareshutagainsteveryotherearthlybeing，shallbeopentotheeandtothysorrows。\"
Sheheardhimmoveinhishut，andpresentlyafterwardsstrikealight。Onebyone，boltandbarwerethenwithdrawn，theheartofIsabellathrobbinghigherastheseobstaclestotheirmeetingweresuccessivelyremoved。Thedooropened，andtheSolitarystoodbeforeher，hisuncouthformandfeaturesilluminatedbytheironlampwhichheheldinhishand。
\"Enter，daughterofaffliction，\"hesaid，——\"enterthehouseofmisery。\"
Sheentered，andobserved，withaprecautionwhichincreasedhertrepidation，thattheRecluse’sfirstact，aftersettingthelampuponthetable，wastoreplacethenumerousboltswhichsecuredthedoorofhishut。Sheshrunkassheheardthenoisewhichaccompaniedthisominousoperation，yetrememberedRatcliffe’scaution，andendeavouredtosuppressallappearanceofapprehension。Thelightofthelampwasweakanduncertain；buttheSolitary，withouttakingimmediatenoticeofIsabella，otherwisethanbymotioninghertositdownonasmallsettlebesidethefireplace，madehastetokindlesomedryfurze，whichpresentlycastablazethroughthecottage。Woodenshelves，whichboreafewbooks，somebundlesofdriedherbs，andoneortwowoodencupsandplatters，wereononesideofthefire；ontheotherwereplacedsomeordinarytoolsoffield-labour，mingledwiththoseusedbymechanics。Wherethebedshouldhavebeen，therewasawoodenframe，strewedwithwitheredmossandrushes，thecouchoftheascetic。Thewholespaceofthecottagedidnotexceedtenfeetbysixwithinthewalls；anditsonlyfurniture，besideswhatwehavementioned，wasatableandtwostoolsformedofroughdeals。
WithinthesenarrowprecinctsIsabellanowfoundherselfenclosedwithabeing，whosehistoryhadnothingtoreassureher，andthefearfulconformationofwhosehideouscountenanceinspiredanalmostsuperstitiousterror。Heoccupiedtheseatoppositetoher，anddroppinghishugeandshaggyeyebrowsoverhispiercingblackeyes，gazedatherinsilence，asifagitatedbyavarietyofcontendingfeelings。OntheothersidesateIsabella，paleasdeath，herlonghairuncurledbytheeveningdamps，andfallingoverhershouldersandbreast，asthewetstreamersdroopfromthemastwhenthestormhaspassedaway，andleftthevesselstrandedonthebeach。TheDwarffirstbrokethesilencewiththesudden，abrupt，andalarmingquestion，——\"Woman，whatevilfatehasbroughttheehither？\"
\"Myfather’sdanger，andyourowncommand，\"sherepliedfaintly，butfirmly。
\"Andyouhopeforaidfromme？\"
\"Ifyoucanbestowit，\"shereplied，stillinthesametoneofmildsubmission。
\"AndhowshouldIpossessthatpower？\"continuedtheDwarf，withabittersneer；\"Isminetheformofaredresserofwrongs？Isthisthecastleinwhichonepowerfulenoughtobesuedtobyafairsuppliantislikelytoholdhisresidence？Ibutmockedthee，girl，whenIsaidIwouldrelievethee。\"
\"ThenmustIdepart，andfacemyfateasIbestmay！\"
\"No！\"saidtheDwarf，risingandinterposingbetweenherandthedoor，andmotioningtohersternlytoresumeherseat——\"No！youleavemenotinthisway；wemusthavefartherconference。Whyshouldonebeingdesireaidofanother？Whyshouldnoteachbesufficienttoitself？Lookroundyou——I，themostdespisedandmostdecrepitonNature’scommon，haverequiredsympathyandhelpfromnoone。Thesestonesareofmyownpiling；theseutensilsI
framedwithmyownhands；andwiththis\"——andhelaidhishandwithafiercesmileonthelongdaggerwhichhealwaysworebeneathhisgarment，andunsheatheditsofarthatthebladeglimmeredclearinthefire-light——\"withthis，\"hepursued，ashethrusttheweaponbackintothescabbard，\"Ican，ifnecessary，defendthevitalsparkenclosedinthispoortrunk，againstthefairestandstrongestthatshallthreatenmewithinjury。\"
ItwaswithdifficultyIsabellarefrainedfromscreamingoutaloud；butsheDIDrefrain。
\"This，\"continuedtheRecluse，\"isthelifeofnature，solitary，self-sufficing，andindependent。Thewolfcallsnotthewolftoaidhiminforminghisden；andthevultureinvitesnotanothertoassistherinstrikingdownherprey。\"
\"Andwhentheyareunabletoprocurethemselvessupport，\"saidIsabella，judiciouslythinkingthathewouldbemostaccessibletoargumentcouchedinhisownmetaphoricalstyle，\"whatthenistobefallthem？\"
\"Letthemstarve，die，andbeforgotten；itisthecommonlotofhumanity。\"
\"Itisthelotofthewildtribesofnature，\"saidIsabella，\"butchieflyofthosewhoaredestinedtosupportthemselvesbyrapine，whichbrooksnopartner；butitisnotthelawofnatureingeneral；eventhelowerordershaveconfederaciesformutualdefence。Butmankind——theracewouldperishdidtheyceasetoaideachother。——Fromthetimethatthemotherbindsthechild’shead，tillthemomentthatsomekindassistantwipesthedeath-
dampfromthebrowofthedying，wecannotexistwithoutmutualhelp。All，therefore，thatneedaid，haverighttoaskitoftheirfellow-mortals；noonewhohasthepowerofgrantingcanrefuseitwithoutguilt。\"
\"Andinthissimplehope，poormaiden，\"saidtheSolitary，\"thouhastcomeintothedesert，toseekonewhosewishitwerethattheleaguethouhastspokenofwerebrokenforever，andthat，inverytruth，thewholeraceshouldperish？Wertthounotfrightened？\"
\"Misery，\"saidIsabella，firmly，\"issuperiortofear。\"
\"Hastthounothearditsaidinthymortalworld，thatIhaveleaguedmyselfwithotherpowers，deformedtotheeyeandmalevolenttothehumanraceasmyself？Hastthounotheardthis——Anddostthouseekmycellatmidnight？\"
\"TheBeingIworshipsupportsmeagainstsuchidlefears，\"saidIsabella；buttheincreasingagitationofherbosombeliedtheaffectedcouragewhichherwordsexpressed。
\"Ho！ho！\"saidtheDwarf，\"thouvauntestthyselfaphilosopher？
Yet，shouldstthounothavethoughtofthedangerofintrustingthyself，youngandbeautiful，inthepowerofonesospitedagainsthumanity，astoplacehischiefpleasureindefacing，destroying，anddegradingherfairestworks？\"
Isabella，muchalarmed，continuedtoanswerwithfirmness，\"Whateverinjuriesyoumayhavesustainedintheworld，youareincapableofrevengingthemononewhoneverwrongedyou，nor，wilfully，anyother。\"
\"Ay，but，maiden，\"hecontinued，hisdarkeyesflashingwithanexpressionofmalignitywhichcommunicateditselftohiswildanddistortedfeatures，\"revengeisthehungrywolf，whichasksonlytotearfleshandlapblood。Thinkyouthelamb’spleaofinnocencewouldbelistenedtobyhim？\"
\"Man！\"saidIsabella，rising，andexpressingherselfwithmuchdignity，\"Ifearnotthehorribleideaswithwhichyouwouldimpressme。Icastthemfrommewithdisdain。Beyoumortalorfiend，youwouldnotofferinjurytoonewhosoughtyouasasuppliantinherutmostneed。Youwouldnot——youdurstnot。\"
\"Thousay’sttruly，maiden，\"rejoinedtheSolitary；\"Idarenot——Iwouldnot。Begonetothydwelling。Fearnothingwithwhichtheythreatenthee。Thouhastaskedmyprotection——thoushaltfinditeffectual。\"
\"But，father，thisverynightIhaveconsentedtowedthemanthatIabhor，orImustputthesealtomyfather’sruin。\"
\"Thisnight？——atwhathour？\"
\"Eremidnight。\"
\"Andtwilight，\"saidtheDwarf，\"hasalreadypassedaway。Butfearnothing，thereisampletimetoprotectthee。\"
\"Andmyfather？\"continuedIsabella，inasupplianttone。
