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visits to the Batchfords had grown to be longer and longer visits with
every succeeding year。 If the father； in appealing to the daughter's
sympathies； had not dexterously contrived to unite the preservation of
her independence with the continuance of her residence under his roof；
she would； on coming of age； either have lived altogether with her aunt；
or have set up an establishment of her own。 As it was； the rector had
secured his five hundred a year； on terms acceptable to both sidesand；
more than that； he had got her safe under his own eye。 For； remark； there
was one terrible possibility threatening him in the futurethe
possibility of Lucilla's marriage！
Such was the strange domestic position of this interesting creature； at
the time when I entered the house。
You will now understand how completely puzzled I was when I recalled what
had happened on the evening of my arrival； and when I asked myselfin
the matter of the mysterious strangerwhat course I was to take next。 I
had found Lucilla a solitary beinghelplessly dependent in her blindness
on othersand； in that sad condition； without a mother； without a
sister； without a friend even in whose sympathies she could take refuge；
in whose advice she could trust。 I had produced a first favorable
impression on her； I had won her liking at once； as she had won mine。 I
had accompanied her on an evening walk； innocent of all suspicion of what
was going on in her mind。 I had by pure accident enabled a stranger to
intensify the imaginary interest which she felt in him； by provoking him
to speak in her hearing for the first time。 In a moment of hysterical
agitationand in sheer despair of knowing who else to confide inthe
poor； foolish； blind； lonely girl had opened her heart to me。 What was I
to do？
If the case had been an ordinary one； the whole affair would have been
simply ridiculous。
But the case of Lucilla was not the case of girls in general。
The minds of the blind are； by cruel necessity； forced inward on
themselves。 They live apart from usah； how hopelessly far apart！in
their own dark sphere； of which we know nothing。 What relief could come
to Lucilla from the world outside？ None！ It was part of her desolate
liberty to be free to dwell unremittingly on the ideal creature of her
own dream。 Within the narrow limit of the one impression that it had been
possible for her to derive of this manthe impression of the beauty of
his voiceher fancy was left to work unrestrained in the changeless
darkness of her life。 What a picture！ I shudder as I draw it。 Oh； yes； it
is easy； I know； to look at it the other wayto laugh at the folly of a
girl； who first excites her imagination about a total stranger； and then；
when she hears him speak； falls in love with his voice！ But add that the
girl is blind； that the girl lives habitually in the world of her own
imagination； that the girl has nobody at home who can exercise a
wholesome influence over her。 Is there nothing pitiable in such a state
of things as this？ For myself； though I come of a light…hearted nation
that laughs at everythingI saw my own face looking horribly grave and
old； as I sat before the glass that night； brushing my hair。
I looked at my bed。 Bah！ what was the use of going to bed？ She was her
own mistress。 She was perfectly free to take her next walk to Browndown
alone！ and to place herself； for all I knew to the contrary； at the mercy
of a dishonorable and designing man。 What was I？ Only her companion。 I
had no right to interfereand yet； if anything happened； I should be
blamed。 It is so easy to say； 〃You ought to have done something。〃 Whom
could I consult？ The worthy old nurse only held the position of servant。
Could I address myself to the lymphatic lady with the baby in one hand；
and the novel in the other？ Absurd！ her stepmother was not to be thought
of。 Her father？ Judging by hearsay； I had not derived a favorable
impression of the capacity of Reverend Finch for interfering successfully
in a matter of this sort。 However； he was her father； and I could feel my
way cautiously with him at first。 Hearing Zillah moving about the
corridor； I went out to her。 In the course of a little gossip； I
introduced the name of the master of the house。 How was it I had not seen
him yet？ For an excellent reason。 He had gone to visit a friend at
Brighton。 It was then Tuesday。 He was expected back on 〃sermon…day〃that
is to say on Saturday in the same week。
I returned to my room； a little out of temper。 In this state my mind
works with wonderful freedom。 I had another of my inspirations。 Mr。
Dubourg had taken the liberty of speaking to me that evening。 Good。 I
determined to go alone to Browndown the next morning； and take the
liberty of speaking to Mr。 Dubourg。
Was this resolution solely inspired by my interest in Lucilla？ Or had my
own curiosity been all the time working under the surface； and
influencing the course of my reflections unknown to myself？ I went to bed
without inquiring。 I recommend you to go to bed without inquiring too。
CHAPTER THE SEVENTH
Daylight View of the Man
WHEN I put out my candle that night； I made a mistakeI trusted entirely
to myself to wake in good time in the morning。 I ought to have told
Zillah to call me。
Hours passed before I could close my eyes。 It was broken rest when it
came； until the day dawned。 Then I fell asleep at last in good earnest。
When I woke； and looked at my watch； I was amazed to find that it was ten
o'clock。
I jumped out of bed； and rang for the old nurse。 Was Lucilla at home？ No：
she had gone out for a little walk。 By herself？ Yesby herself。 In what
direction？ Up the valley； towards Browndown。
I instantly arrived at my own conclusion。
She had got the start of methanks to my laziness in sleeping away the
precious hours of the morning in bed。 The one thing to do； was to follow
her as speedily as possible。 In half an hour more； _I_ was out for a
little walk by myselfand （what do you think？） _my_ direction also was
up the valley； towards Browndown。
A pastoral solitude reigned round the lonely little house。 I went on
beyond it； into the next winding of the valley。 Not a human creature was
to be seen。 I returned to Browndown to reconnoiter。 Ascending the rising
ground on which the house was built； I approached it from the back。 The
windows were all open。 I listened。 （Do you suppose I felt scruples in
such an emergency as this？ Oh； pooh！ pooh！ who but a fool would have felt
anything of the sort！） I listened with both my ears。 Through a window at
the side of the house； I heard the sound of voices。 Advancing noiselessly
on the turf； I heard the voice of Dubourg。 He was answered by a woman。
Aha； I had caught her。 Lucilla herself！
〃Wonderful！〃 I heard him say。 〃I believe you have eyes in the ends of
your fingers。 Take this； nowand try if you can tell me what it is。〃
〃A little vase；〃 she answeredspeaking； I give you my word of honor； as
composedly as if she had known him for years。 〃Wait！ what metal is it？
Silver？ No。 Gold。 Did you really make this yourself as well as the box？〃
〃Yes。 It is an odd taste of mineisn't it？to be fond of chasing in
gold and silver。 Years