Chapter LIX The Manuscript

1. My Confession:—To be put into my coffin; and to be buried with me when I die. ‘This is the history of what I did, in the time of my married life. Here—known to no other mortal creature, confessed to my Creator alone—is...

Chapter LIII The Place

Early in the present century, it was generally reported, among the neighbours of one Reuben Limbrick, that he was in a fair way to make a comfortable little fortune by dealing in Salt. His place of abode was in Staffordshire, on a morsel of freehold...

Chapter LI A Scotch Marriage

It was Saturday, the third of October—the day on which the assertion of Arnold’s marriage to Anne Silvester was to be put to the proof. Towards two o’clock in the afternoon, Blanche and her stepmother entered the drawing-room of Lady Lundie’s town-house in Portland Place....

Chapter XXXVI Seeds of the Future (second Sowing)

And what did the visitors say of the Swans? They said, ‘Oh, what a number of them!’—which was all that was to be said, by persons ignorant of the natural history of aquatic birds. And what did the visitors say of the lake? Some of...

Chapter XV Geoffrey in the Marriage Market

The interval of eight-and-forty hours passed—without the occurrence of any personal communication between the two brothers in that time. Julius, remaining at his father’s house, sent brief written bulletins of Lord Holchester’s health to his brother at the hotel. The first bulletin said, ‘Going on...

Chapter XI Sir Patrick

The doubt was practically decided, before Anne had determined what to do. She was still at the window—when the sitting-room door was thrown open, and Sir Patrick appeared, obsequiously shown in by Mr Bishopriggs. ‘Ye’re kindly welcome, Sir Patrick. Hech, sirs, the sight of you...

Chapter V The Plan

She took his hand, and began with all the art of persuasion that she possessed. ‘One question, Geoffrey, before I say what I want to say. Lady Lundie has invited you to stay at Windygates. Do you accept her invitation? or do you go back...

Chapter IV The Two

He advanced a few steps, and stopped. Absorbed in herself, Anne failed to hear him. She never moved. ‘I have come, as you made a point of it,’ he said, sullenly. ‘But, mind you, it isn’t safe.’ At the sound of his voice, Anne turned...

Chapter II The Guests

Who was responsible for the reform of the summer-house? The new tenant at Windygates was responsible. And who was the new tenant? Come, and see. In the spring of eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, the summer-house had been the dismal dwelling-place of a pair of...

Chapter LX The Signs of the End

The servant, appearing the next morning in Anne’s room with the breakfast tray, closed the door with an air of mystery, and announced that strange things were going on in the house. ‘Did you hear nothing last night, ma’am,’ she asked, ‘downstairs in the passage?’...