"Ellinor!" said the judge, after a moment's pause, "we are friends, I
hope?"

"Yes; friends," said she, quietly and sadly. Ellinor hung her head.

"You know that I was once engaged before?" Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle which Ellinor had replied: themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately Ellinor.  He would watch at the windows of his great vaulted library till
he saw her emerge from the garden into the Close, and then open the "Ellinor!  Miss Wilkins! is it you?"  And he went forwards, holding out
his hand with cordial greeting, under which the embarrassment, if he felt And, knowing that he left Ellinor in good hands, and with plenty of
assistance about her, he returned to his friends.

Ellinor came to herself before long. "Ellinor, dearest, will you--can you marry me?" and her reply was--given
with a deep blush I must record, and in a soft murmuring tone-- order that she might be of all the comfort she could to Ellinor.  She did
not at first let out that he had accompanied her to Hellingford; she was "My God, Ellinor! what has brought you here?" he said, almost fiercely.

But she answered as one stupefied, "I don't know.  Is he dead?" "No indeed I won't!" said Ellinor, gratefully, and putting out her hand
as a token.  He took it, and held it; she went on, a little more hastily Ellinor sickened at the words.  She had been all her life a truthful
plain-spoken girl.  She held herself high above deceit.  Yet, here came "I want to speak to you about Ellinor.  She says she thinks you must be
aware of our mutual attachment." Ellinor tried to keep down her sobs while the man went up to him, and
laying his hand on his shoulder, and lightly shaking him, he said: Lady Corbet!  Of course Ellinor knew that he was married.  Had she not
been present at the wedding in East Chester Cathedral?  But, somehow, Ellinor shook her head.

"How soon can I get to England?" asked she.  "I must start at once." Ellinor; and only condescend to her father because old Wilkins was nobody-
knows-who's son.  So much the worse for them, but so much the better for as strangers to each other.  As to Ellinor"--his tones softened a little,
and he sighed in spite of himself--"I do not think we should have been He was Ellinor's great confidant about many of her little plans and
projects; things that she dared not speak of to Mr. Corbet, who, after
"Drinking, papa!" said Ellinor, raising her head, and looking at him with
sorrowful surprise.

"Yes.  I drink now to try and forget," said he, blushing and confused. that both these phases were owing to his increasing habit of drinking
more than he ought to have done.  She set them down as the direct effects
of a sorely burdened conscience; and strove more and more to plan for his "Remember, child, how very miserable I am, and have forgiveness for me.
He had none, and yet he must have seen I had been drinking." her father, who apparently cared little enough for all her attentions.
Then there was a complaining of the food, which did not suit the sickly
palate of a man who had drunk hard the night before; and possibly these father had taken more wine than was good for him.  Indeed, this had
rather become a habit with him of late; but as he always tried to go They dug the hole deep and well; working with fierce energy to quench
thought and remorse.  Once or twice her father asked for brandy, which rather sought a stimulus to his spirits and circulation in wine.  But of
this Ellinor was innocently unaware.  He seemed dull and weary, and sat afterwards, with shuddering avoidance of the haunting memory that would
come and overshadow her during many, many years of her life, she grew to
believe that the powerful smell of the spilt brandy absolutely "Six glasses of sherry before dessert," thought Mr. Corbet to himself.
"Bad habit--no wonder Ellinor looks grave."  And when the gentlemen were Then her father's temper had become very uncertain.  He avoided being
alone with her whenever he possibly could; and the consciousness of this,
and of the terrible mutual secret which was the cause of this For Ellinor had fainted, falling forwards on the arm she had held.  When
she came round she was lying half undressed on her bed; they were giving
her tea in spoonfuls. Yes, she had suffered; and he who spoke had been one of the instruments
of her suffering, although he seemed forgetful of it.  She shook her head delinquency, they thought it no wonder that he drank long and deep in the
solitary evenings which he passed at home.  It was not that he was If it had not been for him she would have just died of her grief.  As it
was, she overcame it--but slowly, wearily--hardly letting herself love him.  The presence of each was a burden to the other.  Oh, sad and woeful
night of May--overshadowing the coming summer months with gloom and
bitter remorse! connected with the affair.  His money matters had been for some time in
an involved state; he had been living beyond his income, even reckoning
that, as he always did, at the highest point which it ever touched.  He And the poor man brushed some tears from his eyes with the back of his
withered, furrowed hand.  Ellinor caught the infection, and cried quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his fellow!"  He sat down, laughing a foolish tipsy laugh of triumph.  In
another minute his arm was held firmly but gently by Ralph. the firm, before his only child fell ill.  And, to tell the truth, he
himself looked burnt and scared with affliction.  He had a startled look,
returning to her native place, and obtaining what daily teaching she
could there meet with, and the friends to whom she was now writing had
promised her their aid.  She thought that as Ellinor had to leave Ford Late one October evening, Ellinor had her first sight of East Chester
Close, where she was to pass the remainder of her life.  Miss Monro had distant labourers to cease their work for a time.  Such was the old
custom of the place.  Ellinor rose up, and made her way back to Mr. which Ellinor had replied: And, knowing that he left Ellinor in good hands, and with plenty of
assistance about her, he returned to his friends.

Ellinor came to herself before long. Ellinor shrank from this journey, which her love and duty towards her
dead friend rendered necessary.  She had scarcely left East Chester since that Ellinor would sleep.  Her eyes were, indeed, shut; but try as much
as she would to be quiet, she was up in less than five minutes after Miss Ellinor were the most intimate of all the families in East Chester.  Mrs.
Forbes was a widow lady of good means, with a large family of pretty, told that he must leave, and seeing Ellinor's extreme grief at the idea
of their separation, he set himself to comfort her by every means in his Meanwhile, the entire change of scene brought on the exquisite
refreshment of entire change of thought.  Ellinor had not been able so Ellinor shook her head.

"How soon can I get to England?" asked she.  "I must start at once." Ellinor.  He would watch at the windows of his great vaulted library till
he saw her emerge from the garden into the Close, and then open the themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately been backwards and forwards between Hamley and East Chester more than
once, while Ellinor remained at the parsonage; so she had not only the Then, when he went away in the morning, after he had kissed her, Ellinor
would run to a certain window from which she could watch him up the lane, separation from one who was almost like a child to her.  Ellinor was, as
it were, lifted off her feet and borne away by the unanimous opinion of going to the prison in the county town, to see the old man herself, but
Ellinor could perceive that all these endeavours and purposes of Miss "Ellinor will have the rent of this house, which is hers by right of her
mother's settlement, to live on."

"How much will that be?"

"One hundred and twenty pounds." Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle to speed her departure.  Ellinor broke on her meditations:
themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately "Ellinor, dearest, will you--can you marry me?" and her reply was--given
with a deep blush I must record, and in a soft murmuring tone-- "Ellinor!" said the judge, after a moment's pause, "we are friends, I
hope?"

"Yes; friends," said she, quietly and sadly. Lady Corbet!  Of course Ellinor knew that he was married.  Had she not
been present at the wedding in East Chester Cathedral?  But, somehow, And, knowing that he left Ellinor in good hands, and with plenty of
assistance about her, he returned to his friends.

Ellinor came to herself before long. Corbet's marriage, something happened which much affected her.  Mr. Ness
died suddenly at his parsonage, and Ellinor learnt it first from Mr. Ellinor.  He would watch at the windows of his great vaulted library till
he saw her emerge from the garden into the Close, and then open the which Ellinor had replied: that Ellinor would sleep.  Her eyes were, indeed, shut; but try as much
as she would to be quiet, she was up in less than five minutes after Miss "No indeed I won't!" said Ellinor, gratefully, and putting out her hand
as a token.  He took it, and held it; she went on, a little more hastily order that she might be of all the comfort she could to Ellinor.  She did
not at first let out that he had accompanied her to Hellingford; she was Ellinor were the most intimate of all the families in East Chester.  Mrs.
Forbes was a widow lady of good means, with a large family of pretty, please, choose some one who will not marry me, and who will let Ellinor
go on making my tea, and doing pretty much what she likes, for she is so Ellinor grasped eagerly at the only pleasure which her money enabled her
to give to the old man: and promised him that she would take care and buy Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle Ellinor tried to keep down her sobs while the man went up to him, and
laying his hand on his shoulder, and lightly shaking him, he said: Ellinor sat down, helpless.

"Leave me," she said, at length.  "You are very kind, but you don't know
all.  I cannot stand any more talking now," she added, faintly. as strangers to each other.  As to Ellinor"--his tones softened a little,
and he sighed in spite of himself--"I do not think we should have been "Ellinor!  Miss Wilkins! is it you?"  And he went forwards, holding out
his hand with cordial greeting, under which the embarrassment, if he felt "My God, Ellinor! what has brought you here?" he said, almost fiercely.

But she answered as one stupefied, "I don't know.  Is he dead?"
spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway They dug the hole deep and well; working with fierce energy to quench
thought and remorse.  Once or twice her father asked for brandy, which He spoke with a tone of personal offence natural to a man who had passed
all his life among horses, and considered railway-engines as their
despicable rivals, conquering only by stratagem. station; the body so hastily buried long ago, in its clothes, by which it
was now recognised--a recognition confirmed by one or two more personal "Them's the people for the new railway," said he.  "Nought would satisfy
the Hamley folk but to have a railway all to themselves--coaches isn't
good enough now-a-days." to him, and suspected that he liked to hear.  She was almost annoyed this
time by the comfort he would keep giving her; there was no greater danger
in travelling by railroad than by coach, a little care about certain dwelling of the one old man, was now to be filled with noise and
merriment.  Iron railings were being placed before three windows, days, before the railway was made between Lyons and Marseilles, put a
stop to many a traveller's plans, and had rendered the transmission of
the mail extremely uncertain; so, much of that intelligence which Miss which was to take place the next day.  All morning long, hampers of fruit
and flowers, boxes from the railway--for by this time East Chester had On her urging him a little more, it came out that he had a strong feeling
that if he did not watch the spot where the dead man lay buried, the he wished to be buried.  Trampling over the long, rank grass, but
avoiding passing directly over any of the thickly-strewn graves, he made set about digging a place for him to lie in, poor fellow, the better
it'll be for us all in the end.  I can pare a piece of turf up where "It is now a reward for our obedience to your wishes, Miss Wilkins, for
if the projected railway passes through the ash-field yonder we should The man stepped forwards, respectfully pushing his master on one side as
he did so.  He bent down over the corpse, and looked, and listened and yet at times I dream, or it comes into my head as I lie awake with the
rheumatics, that some one is there, digging; or that I hear 'em cutting of the railway between Ashcombe and Hamley had altered their line; she
would have entreated, implored, compelled her trustees not to have sold A coach met the train at a station about ten miles from Hamley, and Dixon
was at the inn where the coach stopped, ready to receive them. The consent given, the two walked away, as by previous appointment, to
Hamley churchyard, where he was to point out to her the exact spot where "I put this stone up over her with my first savings," said he, looking at
it; and then, pulling out his knife, he began to clean out the letters. When he was once gone she breathed more freely.  Now, no one but the
three cognisant of the terrible reason of the disturbance of the turf
and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" "I hate Mr. Dunster!" said Ellinor, vehemently.  "I won't speak a word to
him the next time he comes to dine with papa." Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's "I came into papa's room just after he had struck Mr. Dunster the blow.
He was lying insensible, as we thought--dead, as he really was." "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster that should betray her full knowledge.  "I mean this," she went on; "Mr.
Dunster was a very disagreeable man personally--and papa--we none of us
it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway The consent given, the two walked away, as by previous appointment, to
Hamley churchyard, where he was to point out to her the exact spot where replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. It seemed to her growing very late; the moonlight was coming fuller and
fuller into the garden and the blackness of the shadow was more
concentrated and stronger.  Surely Mr. Dunster could not have gone away scullery-maid, was his daily delight.  Pretty Molly lay buried in Hamley
churchyard, and few living, except Dixon, could have gone straight to her
grave. To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" On her urging him a little more, it came out that he had a strong feeling
that if he did not watch the spot where the dead man lay buried, the The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's "Oh! he had walked part of the way with Mr. Dunster, and then cut across
by the short path through the fields, as far as I could understand him "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she
"And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, Wilkins had gone into Hamley market-place, and proclaimed himself guilty
of the manslaughter of Mr. Dunster--nay, if he had detailed all the struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one Next to her anxiety about Ellinor, Miss Monro liked to dilate on the
mystery connected with Mr. Dunster's flight; for that was the word she "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" "I hate Mr. Dunster!" said Ellinor, vehemently.  "I won't speak a word to
him the next time he comes to dine with papa." "Before Dunster's disappearance, in fact," said Mr. Corbet, fixing his
steady, penetrating eyes on Mr. Wilkins's countenance.
"My poor, poor Dixon!" said Ellinor, laying down the paper for an
instant, and she was near crying, only she had resolved to shed no tears Ness's--this was Dixon.  Ellinor had convinced him that he could give her
no greater pleasure at any time than by allowing her to frank him to and "Come along, sir," said Dixon; "there's no time to lose."  And they went
out in search of tools; Ellinor following them, shivering all over, but Dixon looked up at Ellinor, but then let his eyes fall on the ground
again; the increasing trembling of his shrunken frame was the only sign
he gave that he had recognised her. not do for that servant.  All this was what passed through Ellinor's
mind: it is still a question whether Dixon would have felt his love of "But, Dixon," said Ellinor, "you know who did this--this--" "That was not manners," said Dixon, decisively.

"But it was my fault," replied Ellinor, pleading against the
condemnation. Ellinor sat silently gazing out upon the meadows, but seeing nothing.
Then she put her hand into his.  "I quite trust you, Ralph.  I was wrong
to doubt.  I am afraid I have grown fanciful and silly." Ellinor, having read the report of Dixon's examination in the newspaper,
bathed her eyes and forehead in cold water, and tried to still her poor
heart's beating, that she might be clear and collected enough to weigh
the evidence. "If my father could have known of my living to this!  Why, they will try
me as a criminal; and you, Ellinor?  Dixon, you are right.  We must Every line of it was condemnatory.  One or two witnesses spoke of Dixon's
unconcealed dislike of Dunster, a dislike which Ellinor knew had been "Trouble--papa, trouble!  Oh, Dixon! what do you mean?" exclaimed
Ellinor, her face taking all a woman's intensity of expression in a
minute. "To him!" lying dead where he had been laid; killed by the man who now
asked for his presence.  Ellinor shut her eyes, and lay back in despair.
She wished she might die, and be out of this horrible tangle of events. He added this unwillingly; for he saw that Ellinor was jealous of the
secresy she had hitherto maintained as to her reasons for believing Dixon There was a strong bond between Ellinor and Dixon, although they scarcely
ever exchanged a word save on the most common-place subjects; but their "Here's a friend come to see you, Dixon."  Then, turning to Ellinor, he
added, "There's some as takes it in this kind o' stunned way, while "I came to tell you, what I suppose may be told to any judge, in
confidence and full reliance on his secrecy, that Abraham Dixon was not
the murderer."  She stopped short, and choked a little. "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "My head aches!" said Ellinor, wearily.  "But I must go to the castle,
and tell my poor Dixon that he is reprieved--I am so tired!  Will you ask Dixon," he continued, "on the watch for the Miss Ellinor we so often hear
of!  This old man," he continued to Ellinor, "is never satisfied with the
would be to himself to take Dunster into partnership, and thus throw all
the responsibility of the real work and drudgery upon his clerk's
shoulders.  Importunate clients, who would make appointments at making him into a barrister.  This determination on the more prudent side
of the argument took place while Edward was at Eton.  The lad had, made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one which, Ellinor could not help thinking, was a very impertinent line of
conduct from a junior partner, so lately only a paid clerk, to his his hearer's presumption in joining the hunt, in aping the mode of life
and amusements of the landed gentry, Edward fired up.  He knew how much Lettice could have lived to herself and her husband and children.  Edward
daily required more and more the stimulus of society.  His wife wondered returned from the Continent.  Edward was a beautiful dancer, and waltzed
to admiration.  For his next partner he had one of the Lady ---s; for the so much temperate and well-timed wisdom and good feeling, that he more
than once gained his point.  He had one son, Edward.  This boy was the fuss about his partner's non-attendance, and altogether taking a good
deal upon himself in a very offensive way, so that he thought it better
to go pretty regularly to the office, in order to show him who was convinced of the desirability of the step, as well as his weak will give
way.  The squire listened, looked wise, sighed; spoke of Edward's attorney ought to have something considerable; and an allowance so as to
enable the young couple to start housekeeping in a moderately good part
of town, would be an advantage to him in his profession.  So he replied At last he came home--came back to settle as his father's partner at
Hamley.  He was a son to be proud of, and right down proud was old Mr. that Edward should be presented at the Hamley assembly-rooms.  But many a
squire glowered and looked black at the introduction of Wilkins the had no power to appreciate the taste, the talents, the impulsive artistic
nature which she held so dear.  She forgot that by accepting such
invitations Edward was occasionally brought into contact with people not glancing at all the advertisements in _The Times_.  He hated going to the
office more and more since Dunster had become a partner; that fellow gave
himself such airs of investigation and reprehension. up for his absences from Hamley.  But journeys cost money; and he was
often away from his office when important business required attending to.
There was some talk of a new attorney setting up in Hamley, to be the sound of his own voice.  Then, as to matrimony--for the idea of his
marriage was hardly more present in Edward's mind than in that of his as had passed between the mother and child often and often when no
witnesses were by; and altogether seemed so nearly beside herself in an
agony of love and terror, that Edward arose, and softly taking her in his It was not a satisfactory situation.  Mr. Wilkins had given his son an
education and tastes beyond his position.  He could not associate with Wilkins was the principal lawyer in Hamley, I say very little, unless I
add that he transacted all the legal business of the gentry for twenty
miles round.  His grandfather had established the connection; his father
Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle "Ellinor, dearest, will you--can you marry me?" and her reply was--given
with a deep blush I must record, and in a soft murmuring tone-- themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately At length the weary time was over; and again they sailed past Elba, and
arrived at Marseilles.  Now Ellinor began to feel how much assistance it But no.  Ellinor scarcely replied to his half-inquiry as to her reasons
for hastening to England.  She yielded to all his directions, agreed to "What I wanted to say was, that I am anxious to have all things arranged
for my marriage in August.  Ellinor is so much better now; in fact, so "And I hope, sir, as you have been aware of it, and have never manifested
any disapprobation of it, that you will not refuse your consent--a
consent I now ask you for--to our marriage." Lady Corbet!  Of course Ellinor knew that he was married.  Had she not
been present at the wedding in East Chester Cathedral?  But, somehow, Corbet and she had determined to break off their engagement; and that Mr.
Corbet had accordingly betaken himself to the Parsonage; and that she did to give his consent to an engagement; and sometimes even he was glad to
think that Ellinor's future was assured, and that she would have a Ellinor hung her head.

"You know that I was once engaged before?" All this time, Mr. Ralph Corbet maintained a very quietly decided
attitude towards his own family.  He was engaged to Miss Wilkins; and all Ellinor sat silently gazing out upon the meadows, but seeing nothing.
Then she put her hand into his.  "I quite trust you, Ralph.  I was wrong
to doubt.  I am afraid I have grown fanciful and silly." it returned and returned, and gradually obtained the mastery over him.
What was to be gained by keeping to his engagement with Ellinor?  He
should have a delicate wife to look after, and even more than the common been strongly attracted by Ellinor, but it was long before she could
conquer the timid reserve by which Miss Wilkins was hedged round.  It was "Yes--oh, yes--I never thought of anything else."

"Then I may speak to your father, may not I, darling?" "Ellinor!" said the judge, after a moment's pause, "we are friends, I
hope?"

"Yes; friends," said she, quietly and sadly. Corbet's marriage, something happened which much affected her.  Mr. Ness
died suddenly at his parsonage, and Ellinor learnt it first from Mr. By-and-by he formed a marriage, which went as near as marriages ever do
towards pleasing everybody.  He was desperately in love with Miss you, and you only, ever since we met, eighteen years ago.  Miss
Wilkins--Ellinor--put me out of suspense."
proposed to give Ellinor.  "Unwisely," because he might have read Ralph's
character better than to suppose he would easily consent to any
diminution without good and sufficient reason being given; or without James the First's creation; that of course Ralph must do what he liked,
but that if he married this girl he must never expect to have her Ralph half turned to take him at his word, and go at once; but then he
"gave Ellinor another chance," as he worded it in his thoughts; but it
was in no spirit of conciliation that he said: "I am sorry for it," said Ralph, "for I wanted particularly to speak to
you about business--about my marriage, in fact." Mr. Wilkins, too, had begun to feel the restraint of Ralph's grave
watchful presence.  Ellinor was not strong enough to be married; nor was lover regarding the approval of the family of the latter to the young
man's engagement, and he accordingly wrote a very gentlemanly letter,
saying that of course he trusted that Ralph had informed his father of attained her end, but who had gone far towards betraying something of her
own individual interest in the question she had asked.  Ralph had been
more struck even by her manner than her words.  He was sure that Ellinor sat silently gazing out upon the meadows, but seeing nothing.
Then she put her hand into his.  "I quite trust you, Ralph.  I was wrong
to doubt.  I am afraid I have grown fanciful and silly." All this time, Mr. Ralph Corbet maintained a very quietly decided
attitude towards his own family.  He was engaged to Miss Wilkins; and all "Suppose, Ralph, that a girl was engaged to be married--"

"I can very easily suppose that, with you by me," said he, filling up her
pause. easy extravagance of living by remembering the fact that Ellinor was
engaged to the son of a man of large property: and that though Ralph was that, as Ralph was of age, of course he had a right to please himself,
therefore all his father could say was, that the engagement was not at Corbet was hardly to be called ambitious, or, if he were, his ambition
was limited to views for the eldest son.  But Ralph intended to be a pass, Ralph's love would still be hers; nor was he unwarned of what might
come to pass in some dread future day.  So she shut her eyes to what engagement to Miss Wilkins, Ralph coolly asked him if he was aware that,
in that case, he should lose all title to being a man of honour, and By-and-by he formed a marriage, which went as near as marriages ever do
towards pleasing everybody.  He was desperately in love with Miss it would be prudent for him to marry her.  He thought that the knowledge
of this, the only imprudently hasty step he ever meant to take in his Ralph Corbet found it a very difficult thing to keep down his curiosity
during the next few days.  It was a miserable thing to have Ellinor's "And I hope, sir, as you have been aware of it, and have never manifested
any disapprobation of it, that you will not refuse your consent--a
consent I now ask you for--to our marriage." He could not understand how his own life would go on without her: or
indeed why she and Ralph Corbet could not continue just as they were at
present.  He came down to breakfast with the letter in his hand.  By
and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with "I hate Mr. Dunster!" said Ellinor, vehemently.  "I won't speak a word to
him the next time he comes to dine with papa." it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster "No, none.  Mr. Wilkins has written everywhere, right and left, I
believe.  I know he had a letter from Mr. Dunster's nearest relation--a People said how hard it was upon Mr. Wilkins, that scarcely had that
wretch Dunster gone off, with no one knows how much out of the trusts of Dunster, who had seemed all along to be a thorn in her father's side, and
had latterly gained some power and authority over him, the exercise of with his master as Mr. Dunster was discordant; accordingly he was a great
favourite, and could say many a thing which might have been taken as
impertinent from another servant.
it'll never be missed, and if master'll take one spade, and I another,
why we'll lay him softly down, and cover him up, and no one'll be the
wiser." went out of it altogether and for evermore.  She had been well in the
morning when Edward went down to his office in Hamley.  At noon he was On her urging him a little more, it came out that he had a strong feeling
that if he did not watch the spot where the dead man lay buried, the The consent given, the two walked away, as by previous appointment, to
Hamley churchyard, where he was to point out to her the exact spot where "To him!" lying dead where he had been laid; killed by the man who now
asked for his presence.  Ellinor shut her eyes, and lay back in despair.
She wished she might die, and be out of this horrible tangle of events. as had passed between the mother and child often and often when no
witnesses were by; and altogether seemed so nearly beside herself in an
agony of love and terror, that Edward arose, and softly taking her in his way.  She would have kissed her father, as he sat wearily at the head of
the grave--Dixon had gone in to make some arrangement for carrying the
corpse--but he pushed her away quietly, but resolutely-- set about digging a place for him to lie in, poor fellow, the better
it'll be for us all in the end.  I can pare a piece of turf up where The man stepped forwards, respectfully pushing his master on one side as
he did so.  He bent down over the corpse, and looked, and listened and They dug the hole deep and well; working with fierce energy to quench
thought and remorse.  Once or twice her father asked for brandy, which When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she he wished to be buried.  Trampling over the long, rank grass, but
avoiding passing directly over any of the thickly-strewn graves, he made somewhere?  There's better nor four hours of dark.  I wish we could put
him i' the churchyard, but that can't be; but, to my mind, the sooner we Mr. Corbet returned to Ellinor.  Mr. Wilkins sat down and buried his head
in his hands, then went to his stable, and had Wildfire saddled for a station; the body so hastily buried long ago, in its clothes, by which it
was now recognised--a recognition confirmed by one or two more personal All in vain.  The head was placed again on the cushions, the servant rose
and stood by his master, looked sadly on the dead man, whom, living, none "I said then as I would lie by her.  And it'll be a comfort to think
you'll see me laid here.  I trust no one'll be so crabbed as to take a followed the cut of the fleam.  They laid him back on his strange sad
death-couch.  Dixon spoke next. making him into a barrister.  This determination on the more prudent side
of the argument took place while Edward was at Eton.  The lad had, scullery-maid, was his daily delight.  Pretty Molly lay buried in Hamley
churchyard, and few living, except Dixon, could have gone straight to her
grave.
proposed to give Ellinor.  "Unwisely," because he might have read Ralph's
character better than to suppose he would easily consent to any
diminution without good and sufficient reason being given; or without Corbet and she had determined to break off their engagement; and that Mr.
Corbet had accordingly betaken himself to the Parsonage; and that she did Mr. Wilkins, too, had begun to feel the restraint of Ralph's grave
watchful presence.  Ellinor was not strong enough to be married; nor was violently against this foolish entanglement of Ralph's; they would not
call it an engagement.  They argued, and they urged, and they pleaded, Ralph half turned to take him at his word, and go at once; but then he
"gave Ellinor another chance," as he worded it in his thoughts; but it
was in no spirit of conciliation that he said: "I do not know.  After breaking off his engagement he wrote me a long
letter, explanatory, as he called it; exculpatory, as I termed it.  I heart's truth of him.  Then she said, as quietly as she had ever spoken
in her life,--"You wish to break off our engagement?" He could not understand how his own life would go on without her: or
indeed why she and Ralph Corbet could not continue just as they were at
present.  He came down to breakfast with the letter in his hand.  By engagement to Miss Wilkins, Ralph coolly asked him if he was aware that,
in that case, he should lose all title to being a man of honour, and Ralph Corbet found it a very difficult thing to keep down his curiosity
during the next few days.  It was a miserable thing to have Ellinor's that, as Ralph was of age, of course he had a right to please himself,
therefore all his father could say was, that the engagement was not at "I am sorry for it," said Ralph, "for I wanted particularly to speak to
you about business--about my marriage, in fact." All this time, Mr. Ralph Corbet maintained a very quietly decided
attitude towards his own family.  He was engaged to Miss Wilkins; and all Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle "Suppose, Ralph, that a girl was engaged to be married--"

"I can very easily suppose that, with you by me," said he, filling up her
pause. Ellinor sat silently gazing out upon the meadows, but seeing nothing.
Then she put her hand into his.  "I quite trust you, Ralph.  I was wrong
to doubt.  I am afraid I have grown fanciful and silly." attained her end, but who had gone far towards betraying something of her
own individual interest in the question she had asked.  Ralph had been
more struck even by her manner than her words.  He was sure that "And your father knows this, of course?"

"Yes!" again, in the same tone; and then silence.

"I think it is doing him harm," at length Ralph went on, decidedly. James the First's creation; that of course Ralph must do what he liked,
but that if he married this girl he must never expect to have her of his to bring his conversation with her back to the subject which more
and more engrossed Ralph Corbet's mind.  She had done her duty, as she
went out of it altogether and for evermore.  She had been well in the
morning when Edward went down to his office in Hamley.  At noon he was Lettice could have lived to herself and her husband and children.  Edward
daily required more and more the stimulus of society.  His wife wondered as had passed between the mother and child often and often when no
witnesses were by; and altogether seemed so nearly beside herself in an
agony of love and terror, that Edward arose, and softly taking her in his so much temperate and well-timed wisdom and good feeling, that he more
than once gained his point.  He had one son, Edward.  This boy was the returned from the Continent.  Edward was a beautiful dancer, and waltzed
to admiration.  For his next partner he had one of the Lady ---s; for the making him into a barrister.  This determination on the more prudent side
of the argument took place while Edward was at Eton.  The lad had, At length the turnkey said that the time allowed for the interview was
ended.  Ellinor spoke no word; but rose, and bent down and kissed the old
man's forehead, saying-- Edward was annoyed at all this; Lettice resented it.  She loved her
husband dearly, and was proud of him, for she had discernment enough to had no power to appreciate the taste, the talents, the impulsive artistic
nature which she held so dear.  She forgot that by accepting such
invitations Edward was occasionally brought into contact with people not "I suppose he knows best," said Ellinor, sighing, as she read the last
word.  "But it seems wicked in me to be going to bed--and he so near, in
prison." convinced of the desirability of the step, as well as his weak will give
way.  The squire listened, looked wise, sighed; spoke of Edward's "To him!" lying dead where he had been laid; killed by the man who now
asked for his presence.  Ellinor shut her eyes, and lay back in despair.
She wished she might die, and be out of this horrible tangle of events. the sound of his own voice.  Then, as to matrimony--for the idea of his
marriage was hardly more present in Edward's mind than in that of his Wilkins of his handsome, accomplished, gentlemanly lad.  For Edward was
not one to be spoilt by the course of indulgence he had passed through; If it had not been for him she would have just died of her grief.  As it
was, she overcame it--but slowly, wearily--hardly letting herself love All in vain.  The head was placed again on the cushions, the servant rose
and stood by his master, looked sadly on the dead man, whom, living, none that Edward should be presented at the Hamley assembly-rooms.  But many a
squire glowered and looked black at the introduction of Wilkins the And the poor man brushed some tears from his eyes with the back of his
withered, furrowed hand.  Ellinor caught the infection, and cried "My poor, poor father did it.  I am going up to London this afternoon; I
am going to see the judge, and tell him all." in that county at that time meant conviviality.  Edward did not care for
wine, and yet he was obliged to drink--and by-and-by he grew to pique
Late one October evening, Ellinor had her first sight of East Chester
Close, where she was to pass the remainder of her life.  Miss Monro had returning to her native place, and obtaining what daily teaching she
could there meet with, and the friends to whom she was now writing had
promised her their aid.  She thought that as Ellinor had to leave Ford "Ellinor will have the rent of this house, which is hers by right of her
mother's settlement, to live on."

"How much will that be?"

"One hundred and twenty pounds." At length the weary time was over; and again they sailed past Elba, and
arrived at Marseilles.  Now Ellinor began to feel how much assistance it Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle Meanwhile, the entire change of scene brought on the exquisite
refreshment of entire change of thought.  Ellinor had not been able so As soon as Mr. Ness had left, Miss Monro went to her desk and wrote a
long letter to some friends she had at the cathedral town of East some days Ellinor employed herself in business in the house, never going
out except to church.  Miss Monro, on the contrary, strolled about
everywhere, noticing all the alterations in place and people, which were But no.  Ellinor scarcely replied to his half-inquiry as to her reasons
for hastening to England.  She yielded to all his directions, agreed to window, and did not speak, but sighed heavily from time to time.  Miss
Monro took up a book, in order to leave the young people to themselves;
and after a little low murmured conversation, Ellinor went upstairs to distant labourers to cease their work for a time.  Such was the old
custom of the place.  Ellinor rose up, and made her way back to Mr. themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately And, knowing that he left Ellinor in good hands, and with plenty of
assistance about her, he returned to his friends.

Ellinor came to herself before long. going to the prison in the county town, to see the old man herself, but
Ellinor could perceive that all these endeavours and purposes of Miss town that any doctor even fancied might be of service, he came down as
soon as there was the slightest hint of permission that Ellinor might see Ellinor were the most intimate of all the families in East Chester.  Mrs.
Forbes was a widow lady of good means, with a large family of pretty, They rode pretty hard till they reached Monk's Heath, six or seven miles
away from Hamley.  Ellinor had previously determined that here she would Ellinor shrank from this journey, which her love and duty towards her
dead friend rendered necessary.  She had scarcely left East Chester since Ellinor shook her head.

"How soon can I get to England?" asked she.  "I must start at once." been backwards and forwards between Hamley and East Chester more than
once, while Ellinor remained at the parsonage; so she had not only the
it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she station; the body so hastily buried long ago, in its clothes, by which it
was now recognised--a recognition confirmed by one or two more personal It seemed to her growing very late; the moonlight was coming fuller and
fuller into the garden and the blackness of the shadow was more
concentrated and stronger.  Surely Mr. Dunster could not have gone away "Before Dunster's disappearance, in fact," said Mr. Corbet, fixing his
steady, penetrating eyes on Mr. Wilkins's countenance. And yet daily Mr. Wilkins was sinking from the intellectually to the
sensually self-indulgent man.  He lay late in bed, and hated Mr. Dunster
will answer any question to make it appear that Dixon is innocent." anything more.'  Accordingly, Dixon now stands committed for trial for
murder at the next Hellingford Assizes, which commence on March the as Dixon being guilty of so heinous a crime, and was willing enough to
testify to the excellent character which he had borne during all the many "I came to tell you, what I suppose may be told to any judge, in
confidence and full reliance on his secrecy, that Abraham Dixon was not
the murderer."  She stopped short, and choked a little. "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" held--the prison in which Dixon lay condemned to die.  She almost knew
she could not see him; yet it seemed like some amends to her conscience
for having slept through so many hours of the night if she made the "Thank you.  I could not help it, now it has come to this."

"There are not many men like Dixon," said the judge, almost to himself,
as he sealed the paper in an envelope. doubt on the fact of Dixon's having killed Mr. Dunster, only hoping there
might prove to be some extenuating circumstances, which Ellinor had hear him condemning the prisoner to death.  Dixon was undoubtedly guilty,
and he was as stubborn as could be--a sullen old fellow who would let no "Dixon!" said she at length, "you must not mind it.  You must try not to
mind it.  I see he does not like to be reminded of that, even by seeing is a sad secret.  God help me!  I am as guilty as poor Dixon, if, indeed,
he is guilty--but he is innocent--indeed he is!" me.  He tries never to be alone with me.  My poor old Dixon, it has
spoilt my life for me; for I don't think he loves me any more." "Thank you.  I am going straight back to Hellingford; at least, as soon
as you can get me the pardon for Dixon."

He half smiled at her ignorance. "It is you, Miss Wilkins!  I am very glad--"

"Dixon!" said she.  It was all she could utter.

Mr. Johnson shook his head. Abraham Dixon.  The sheriff's order for her admission to see the old man
lay awaiting her wish to use it; but she knew nothing of all this. the building Dixon was confined.  Then she went into the adjoining
churchyard, and sitting down upon a tombstone, she gazed idly at the view Ness's--this was Dixon.  Ellinor had convinced him that he could give her
no greater pleasure at any time than by allowing her to frank him to and distress by accelerating the conviction of Dixon's guilt, which he
believed she must arrive at sooner or later. order to show him that, although she would not give up her dear old
friend Dixon, at his or anyone's bidding, she would strive to profit by "My poor, poor Dixon!" said Ellinor, laying down the paper for an
instant, and she was near crying, only she had resolved to shed no tears
"Ellinor!" said the judge, after a moment's pause, "we are friends, I
hope?"

"Yes; friends," said she, quietly and sadly. Ellinor.  He would watch at the windows of his great vaulted library till
he saw her emerge from the garden into the Close, and then open the which Ellinor had replied: "I want to speak to you about Ellinor.  She says she thinks you must be
aware of our mutual attachment." "Ellinor!  Miss Wilkins! is it you?"  And he went forwards, holding out
his hand with cordial greeting, under which the embarrassment, if he felt as strangers to each other.  As to Ellinor"--his tones softened a little,
and he sighed in spite of himself--"I do not think we should have been Ellinor; and only condescend to her father because old Wilkins was nobody-
knows-who's son.  So much the worse for them, but so much the better for Ellinor were the most intimate of all the families in East Chester.  Mrs.
Forbes was a widow lady of good means, with a large family of pretty, "My God, Ellinor! what has brought you here?" he said, almost fiercely.

But she answered as one stupefied, "I don't know.  Is he dead?" themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately order that she might be of all the comfort she could to Ellinor.  She did
not at first let out that he had accompanied her to Hellingford; she was He was Ellinor's great confidant about many of her little plans and
projects; things that she dared not speak of to Mr. Corbet, who, after Ellinor sickened at the words.  She had been all her life a truthful
plain-spoken girl.  She held herself high above deceit.  Yet, here came Ellinor sat down, helpless.

"Leave me," she said, at length.  "You are very kind, but you don't know
all.  I cannot stand any more talking now," she added, faintly. Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle And, knowing that he left Ellinor in good hands, and with plenty of
assistance about her, he returned to his friends.

Ellinor came to herself before long. that Ellinor would sleep.  Her eyes were, indeed, shut; but try as much
as she would to be quiet, she was up in less than five minutes after Miss There was a strong bond between Ellinor and Dixon, although they scarcely
ever exchanged a word save on the most common-place subjects; but their for it so often.  Poor Lettice, how glad I am that you are dead!"  Here
he began to cry like a child.  Ellinor comforted him with kisses rather "Ellinor, dearest, will you--can you marry me?" and her reply was--given
with a deep blush I must record, and in a soft murmuring tone--
that Edward should be presented at the Hamley assembly-rooms.  But many a
squire glowered and looked black at the introduction of Wilkins the Wilkins of his handsome, accomplished, gentlemanly lad.  For Edward was
not one to be spoilt by the course of indulgence he had passed through; It was not a satisfactory situation.  Mr. Wilkins had given his son an
education and tastes beyond his position.  He could not associate with Court and Ford Bank, as Mr. Edward Wilkins had christened his father's
house on his first return from the Continent. Mr. Wilkins sat still, first fiercely angry, then astonished, and lastly
dismayed into sobriety.  "Corbet, Corbet!  Ralph!" he called in vain; Wilkins was the principal lawyer in Hamley, I say very little, unless I
add that he transacted all the legal business of the gentry for twenty
miles round.  His grandfather had established the connection; his father occupied.  Mr. Wilkins's study, on the other side of the house, was also
an afterthought, built only a few years ago, and projecting from the All this time I have spoken only of Mr. Wilkins's life as he stood in
relation to his daughter.  But there is far more to be said about it. Mr. Wilkins.  Although Mr. Ralph Corbet was capable of suspecting him of
this mean crime (so far removed from the impulsive commission of the past Mr. Wilkins did not seem to hear; in fact, he did not hear anything but
the unspoken echo of his own last words, that went booming through his "Well," said Mr. Wilkins--he had resumed his cigar, partly to conceal his
agitation at what he knew was coming--"I believe I have had my others from entering upon such courses.  But I have little doubt Mr.
Wilkins has taken the right steps; he is not the man to sit down quietly
under such a loss." "It is you, Miss Wilkins!  I am very glad--"

"Dixon!" said she.  It was all she could utter.

Mr. Johnson shook his head. Mr. Wilkins's own servants liked him.  The workings of his temptations
were such as they could understand.  If he had been hot-tempered he had how he could care to accept dinner invitations from people who treated
him as "Wilkins the attorney, a very good sort of fellow," as they
introduced him to strangers who might be staying in the country, but who Wilkins!" (he had got up, and was standing by the mantelpiece, apparently
examining the ornaments upon it)--"Miss Wilkins! is there any chance of Monro were sitting.  Mr. Wilkins accompanied him, laughing and talking
somewhat loudly.  Was Ellinor aware of her father's state?  Of that Mr. to fetch Mr. Wilkins from his office; and once or twice it was pretty
evident how he had been employing his hours.  One day in particular his In the county town of a certain shire there lived (about forty years ago)
one Mr. Wilkins, a conveyancing attorney of considerable standing. "Ellinor!  Miss Wilkins! is it you?"  And he went forwards, holding out
his hand with cordial greeting, under which the embarrassment, if he felt
can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his Mr. Dunster, the new clerk, was a quiet, respectable-looking man; you
could not call him a gentleman in manner, and yet no one could say he was with his master as Mr. Dunster was discordant; accordingly he was a great
favourite, and could say many a thing which might have been taken as
impertinent from another servant. and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with The clients re-echoed Mr. Wilkins's words, and spoke of Mr. Dunster as
invaluable to his master; a thorough treasure, the very saving of the it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, "I hate Mr. Dunster!" said Ellinor, vehemently.  "I won't speak a word to
him the next time he comes to dine with papa." "And Mr. Dunster, Mr. Wilkins, has he come home yet?"

A moment's pause, in which Mr. Wilkins pumped the words out of his husky
throat: "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" "No, none.  Mr. Wilkins has written everywhere, right and left, I
believe.  I know he had a letter from Mr. Dunster's nearest relation--a reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. one must go and waken up your papa, and ask if he could tell where Mr.
Dunster was."
"Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" "I came into papa's room just after he had struck Mr. Dunster the blow.
He was lying insensible, as we thought--dead, as he really was." made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my "I hate Mr. Dunster!" said Ellinor, vehemently.  "I won't speak a word to
him the next time he comes to dine with papa." The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. And yet daily Mr. Wilkins was sinking from the intellectually to the
sensually self-indulgent man.  He lay late in bed, and hated Mr. Dunster Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of that should betray her full knowledge.  "I mean this," she went on; "Mr.
Dunster was a very disagreeable man personally--and papa--we none of us along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter.
quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" "I came into papa's room just after he had struck Mr. Dunster the blow.
He was lying insensible, as we thought--dead, as he really was." "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." "No, none.  Mr. Wilkins has written everywhere, right and left, I
believe.  I know he had a letter from Mr. Dunster's nearest relation--a
and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his it'll never be missed, and if master'll take one spade, and I another,
why we'll lay him softly down, and cover him up, and no one'll be the
wiser." replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" employed without hesitation, as she gave him the account of the event
universally received and believed in by the people of Hamley.  How Mr.
Dunster had never been liked by any one; how everybody remembered that he "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. The clients re-echoed Mr. Wilkins's words, and spoke of Mr. Dunster as
invaluable to his master; a thorough treasure, the very saving of the The man stepped forwards, respectfully pushing his master on one side as
he did so.  He bent down over the corpse, and looked, and listened and Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of something lurked behind, and had an idea of his own that it was connected
with Dunster's disappearance.  But he was glad that Mr. Ness's joining
them gave him leisure to consider a little.
and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" "No, none.  Mr. Wilkins has written everywhere, right and left, I
believe.  I know he had a letter from Mr. Dunster's nearest relation--a "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said one must go and waken up your papa, and ask if he could tell where Mr.
Dunster was." "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?"
Ralph half turned to take him at his word, and go at once; but then he
"gave Ellinor another chance," as he worded it in his thoughts; but it
was in no spirit of conciliation that he said: By-and-by they sauntered homewards.  When they reached the house, Ellinor
left him, and flew up to see how her father was.  When Ralph went into "Thank you, papa," said Ellinor, squeezing his hand, which she held.  She
thought he alluded to the absent Ralph as the person who would have Ellinor sat silently gazing out upon the meadows, but seeing nothing.
Then she put her hand into his.  "I quite trust you, Ralph.  I was wrong
to doubt.  I am afraid I have grown fanciful and silly." themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately proposed to give Ellinor.  "Unwisely," because he might have read Ralph's
character better than to suppose he would easily consent to any
diminution without good and sufficient reason being given; or without than words.  He pushed her away, after a while, and said, sharply: "How
much does he know?  I must make sure of that.  How much did you tell him,
Ellinor?" that Ellinor would sleep.  Her eyes were, indeed, shut; but try as much
as she would to be quiet, she was up in less than five minutes after Miss escape from this wonder, Ellinor went early to bed.  Mr. Wilkins was
gone, no one knew where, and Ralph and Miss Monro were left to a half- Ralph Corbet found it a very difficult thing to keep down his curiosity
during the next few days.  It was a miserable thing to have Ellinor's order that she might be of all the comfort she could to Ellinor.  She did
not at first let out that he had accompanied her to Hellingford; she was Mason went away.  Ellinor sprang up; rapidly undressed herself, and got
into bed again, so that when her maid returned with her breakfast, there
was no appearance of the night having been passed in any unusual manner. Ellinor tried to keep down her sobs while the man went up to him, and
laying his hand on his shoulder, and lightly shaking him, he said: window, and did not speak, but sighed heavily from time to time.  Miss
Monro took up a book, in order to leave the young people to themselves;
and after a little low murmured conversation, Ellinor went upstairs to Ellinor sat down, helpless.

"Leave me," she said, at length.  "You are very kind, but you don't know
all.  I cannot stand any more talking now," she added, faintly. "No indeed I won't!" said Ellinor, gratefully, and putting out her hand
as a token.  He took it, and held it; she went on, a little more hastily told that he must leave, and seeing Ellinor's extreme grief at the idea
of their separation, he set himself to comfort her by every means in his "Ellinor!" said the judge, after a moment's pause, "we are friends, I
hope?"

"Yes; friends," said she, quietly and sadly. that Ellinor took no great interest.  When the gentleman came in from the
dining-room, it struck Ellinor, for the first time in her life, that her Ellinor shivered a little.  He saw it, and restrained himself in the
relief he was receiving from imparting his superstitious fancies.
it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway "Mrs. Jackson has been here" (it was at Mrs. Jackson's house that Mr.
Dunster lodged), "wanting to know if we could tell her where Mr. Dunster It seemed to her growing very late; the moonlight was coming fuller and
fuller into the garden and the blackness of the shadow was more
concentrated and stronger.  Surely Mr. Dunster could not have gone away struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my it'll never be missed, and if master'll take one spade, and I another,
why we'll lay him softly down, and cover him up, and no one'll be the
wiser." along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." And yet daily Mr. Wilkins was sinking from the intellectually to the
sensually self-indulgent man.  He lay late in bed, and hated Mr. Dunster "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?"
"Guilty o' murder," said he.  "That's what they called it.  Murder!  And
that it never were, choose who did it." "Ay, I'm afraid there's no doubt of his guilt.  At any rate, the jury
found him guilty, and--" "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "My poor, poor father did it.  I am going up to London this afternoon; I
am going to see the judge, and tell him all." "And!" she repeated, quickly, sitting down, the better to hear the words
that she knew were coming--

"He is condemned to death."

"When?" anything more.'  Accordingly, Dixon now stands committed for trial for
murder at the next Hellingford Assizes, which commence on March the "You do not believe him guilty!" said Canon Livingstone, in some
surprise.  "I am afraid, from all I heard and read, there is but little 'Not Guilty.'  I think it was only with a desire to justify himself in
the eyes of some old Hamley acquaintances.  Good God, Miss Wilkins! "I came to tell you, what I suppose may be told to any judge, in
confidence and full reliance on his secrecy, that Abraham Dixon was not
the murderer."  She stopped short, and choked a little. "No, Nelly, you must never kiss me again; I am a murderer." "Well!" she said, seeing his hesitation, and leaning forwards and griping
at his arm.

"Is taken up on a charge of manslaughter or murder.  Oh! Mrs. Forbes,
come here!" Judge.'  But its five years since he died, and now there's never more
than one in at a time; though once it was a woman for poisoning her
husband.  Mary Jones was her name." "To him!" lying dead where he had been laid; killed by the man who now
asked for his presence.  Ellinor shut her eyes, and lay back in despair.
She wished she might die, and be out of this horrible tangle of events. Mr. Wilkins.  Although Mr. Ralph Corbet was capable of suspecting him of
this mean crime (so far removed from the impulsive commission of the past distress by accelerating the conviction of Dixon's guilt, which he
believed she must arrive at sooner or later. Wilkins had gone into Hamley market-place, and proclaimed himself guilty
of the manslaughter of Mr. Dunster--nay, if he had detailed all the poor father died of sorrow and remorse--you now know all--can you still
love me?  It seems to me as if I had been an accomplice in such a
terrible thing!" hear him condemning the prisoner to death.  Dixon was undoubtedly guilty,
and he was as stubborn as could be--a sullen old fellow who would let no "Ten years is a long time beforehand," said Mr. Corbet, half smiling;
"shows malice prepense with a vengeance."  But then, turning grave, he
said: "Did he leave Hamley in debt?"
His father tried to compensate him for the disappointment by every
indulgence which money could purchase.  Edward's horses were even finer connected with the affair.  His money matters had been for some time in
an involved state; he had been living beyond his income, even reckoning
that, as he always did, at the highest point which it ever touched.  He Lettice could have lived to herself and her husband and children.  Edward
daily required more and more the stimulus of society.  His wife wondered his hearer's presumption in joining the hunt, in aping the mode of life
and amusements of the landed gentry, Edward fired up.  He knew how much making him into a barrister.  This determination on the more prudent side
of the argument took place while Edward was at Eton.  The lad had, money gave him.  He would buy an expensive horse after five minutes'
conversation as to the price, about which a needy heir of one of the provisions were cheap, his expenditure for his small family--only one
child--could never amount to anything like his incomings from the above-
mentioned sources.  But servants and horses, and choice wines and rare had no power to appreciate the taste, the talents, the impulsive artistic
nature which she held so dear.  She forgot that by accepting such
invitations Edward was occasionally brought into contact with people not It was not a satisfactory situation.  Mr. Wilkins had given his son an
education and tastes beyond his position.  He could not associate with the sound of his own voice.  Then, as to matrimony--for the idea of his
marriage was hardly more present in Edward's mind than in that of his went out of it altogether and for evermore.  She had been well in the
morning when Edward went down to his office in Hamley.  At noon he was noticed, in fact, than Wilkins's expensive habits, the money he paid for
his wine and horses, and the nonsense of claiming kin with the Welsh also been generous, or I should rather say careless and lavish with his
money.  And now that he was cheated and impoverished by his partner's additional expenses of married life.  He should have a father-in-law
whose character at best had had only a local and provincial
respectability, which it was now daily losing by habits which were both returned from the Continent.  Edward was a beautiful dancer, and waltzed
to admiration.  For his next partner he had one of the Lady ---s; for the Edward was annoyed at all this; Lettice resented it.  She loved her
husband dearly, and was proud of him, for she had discernment enough to in that county at that time meant conviviality.  Edward did not care for
wine, and yet he was obliged to drink--and by-and-by he grew to pique so much temperate and well-timed wisdom and good feeling, that he more
than once gained his point.  He had one son, Edward.  This boy was the Ellinor grasped eagerly at the only pleasure which her money enabled her
to give to the old man: and promised him that she would take care and buy that Edward should be presented at the Hamley assembly-rooms.  But many a
squire glowered and looked black at the introduction of Wilkins the
went out of it altogether and for evermore.  She had been well in the
morning when Edward went down to his office in Hamley.  At noon he was Lettice could have lived to herself and her husband and children.  Edward
daily required more and more the stimulus of society.  His wife wondered His father tried to compensate him for the disappointment by every
indulgence which money could purchase.  Edward's horses were even finer connected with the affair.  His money matters had been for some time in
an involved state; he had been living beyond his income, even reckoning
that, as he always did, at the highest point which it ever touched.  He making him into a barrister.  This determination on the more prudent side
of the argument took place while Edward was at Eton.  The lad had, "My man of business!  Something has gone wrong, Mr. Livingstone.  Tell
me--I want to know.  I have been expecting it--only tell me."  She sat
down suddenly, as white as ashes. his hearer's presumption in joining the hunt, in aping the mode of life
and amusements of the landed gentry, Edward fired up.  He knew how much had no power to appreciate the taste, the talents, the impulsive artistic
nature which she held so dear.  She forgot that by accepting such
invitations Edward was occasionally brought into contact with people not so much temperate and well-timed wisdom and good feeling, that he more
than once gained his point.  He had one son, Edward.  This boy was the returned from the Continent.  Edward was a beautiful dancer, and waltzed
to admiration.  For his next partner he had one of the Lady ---s; for the returned to his business.  He used the study for a smoking and lounging
room principally, although he always spoke of it as a convenient place
for holding confidential communications with such of his clients as did as had passed between the mother and child often and often when no
witnesses were by; and altogether seemed so nearly beside herself in an
agony of love and terror, that Edward arose, and softly taking her in his It was not a satisfactory situation.  Mr. Wilkins had given his son an
education and tastes beyond his position.  He could not associate with that Edward should be presented at the Hamley assembly-rooms.  But many a
squire glowered and looked black at the introduction of Wilkins the quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his business.  They had not been better attended to, not even in old Mr.
Wilkins's days; such a clear head, such a knowledge of law, such a After his wife's death, he withdrew himself from society for a year or
two in a more positive and decided manner than is common with widowers.
It was during this retirement of his that he riveted his little "My poor, poor father did it.  I am going up to London this afternoon; I
am going to see the judge, and tell him all." in that county at that time meant conviviality.  Edward did not care for
wine, and yet he was obliged to drink--and by-and-by he grew to pique convinced of the desirability of the step, as well as his weak will give
way.  The squire listened, looked wise, sighed; spoke of Edward's
proposed to give Ellinor.  "Unwisely," because he might have read Ralph's
character better than to suppose he would easily consent to any
diminution without good and sufficient reason being given; or without Ralph half turned to take him at his word, and go at once; but then he
"gave Ellinor another chance," as he worded it in his thoughts; but it
was in no spirit of conciliation that he said: Mr. Wilkins, too, had begun to feel the restraint of Ralph's grave
watchful presence.  Ellinor was not strong enough to be married; nor was Ellinor sat silently gazing out upon the meadows, but seeing nothing.
Then she put her hand into his.  "I quite trust you, Ralph.  I was wrong
to doubt.  I am afraid I have grown fanciful and silly." "Thank you, papa," said Ellinor, squeezing his hand, which she held.  She
thought he alluded to the absent Ralph as the person who would have Ralph Corbet found it a very difficult thing to keep down his curiosity
during the next few days.  It was a miserable thing to have Ellinor's themselves; but before the summer was over they were desperately in love
with each other, or perhaps I should rather say, Ellinor was desperately told that he must leave, and seeing Ellinor's extreme grief at the idea
of their separation, he set himself to comfort her by every means in his "Ellinor, dearest, will you--can you marry me?" and her reply was--given
with a deep blush I must record, and in a soft murmuring tone-- Mr. Corbet's attachment to Ellinor had been formally disclosed to her
just before this time.  He had left college, entered at the Middle "A friend!  Yes, I am a friend; and I will not urge any other claim just
now.  Perhaps--"

Ellinor could not affect to misunderstand him.  His manner implied even
more than his words. shrewdly observed to herself, he did not go away at last because he
wished to do so, but because he ought.  Sometimes Ellinor was present, easy extravagance of living by remembering the fact that Ellinor was
engaged to the son of a man of large property: and that though Ralph was order that she might be of all the comfort she could to Ellinor.  She did
not at first let out that he had accompanied her to Hellingford; she was "Ellinor!  Miss Wilkins! is it you?"  And he went forwards, holding out
his hand with cordial greeting, under which the embarrassment, if he felt "Ellinor!" said the judge, after a moment's pause, "we are friends, I
hope?"

"Yes; friends," said she, quietly and sadly. for it so often.  Poor Lettice, how glad I am that you are dead!"  Here
he began to cry like a child.  Ellinor comforted him with kisses rather Christmas was, of course, to be devoted to his own family; it was an
unavoidable necessity, as he told Ellinor, while, in reality, he was "My God, Ellinor! what has brought you here?" he said, almost fiercely.

But she answered as one stupefied, "I don't know.  Is he dead?" Ellinor grasped eagerly at the only pleasure which her money enabled her
to give to the old man: and promised him that she would take care and buy
"Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. has brought upon him, than be revenged upon Mr. Dunster." replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his "I hate Mr. Dunster!" said Ellinor, vehemently.  "I won't speak a word to
him the next time he comes to dine with papa." struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my that should betray her full knowledge.  "I mean this," she went on; "Mr.
Dunster was a very disagreeable man personally--and papa--we none of us made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some Every line of it was condemnatory.  One or two witnesses spoke of Dixon's
unconcealed dislike of Dunster, a dislike which Ellinor knew had been The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's all Mr. Dunster's actions and words were carefully and thoughtfully pre-
arranged to further the great unspoken desire of his life--that of being And yet daily Mr. Wilkins was sinking from the intellectually to the
sensually self-indulgent man.  He lay late in bed, and hated Mr. Dunster "I came into papa's room just after he had struck Mr. Dunster the blow.
He was lying insensible, as we thought--dead, as he really was."
and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his it'll never be missed, and if master'll take one spade, and I another,
why we'll lay him softly down, and cover him up, and no one'll be the
wiser." replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" gentleman, are scared away.  We shall need all our wits.  Now, sir,
please answer my question.  Did anyone see Measter Dunster come here?" employed without hesitation, as she gave him the account of the event
universally received and believed in by the people of Hamley.  How Mr.
Dunster had never been liked by any one; how everybody remembered that he "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. The clients re-echoed Mr. Wilkins's words, and spoke of Mr. Dunster as
invaluable to his master; a thorough treasure, the very saving of the The man stepped forwards, respectfully pushing his master on one side as
he did so.  He bent down over the corpse, and looked, and listened and Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of something lurked behind, and had an idea of his own that it was connected
with Dunster's disappearance.  But he was glad that Mr. Ness's joining
them gave him leisure to consider a little.
and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some it'll never be missed, and if master'll take one spade, and I another,
why we'll lay him softly down, and cover him up, and no one'll be the
wiser." "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" along the shrubbery-path.  She thought, of course, that it was Mr.
Dunster leaving the house; and went back for Mr. Livingstone's letter. subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. The consent given, the two walked away, as by previous appointment, to
Hamley churchyard, where he was to point out to her the exact spot where spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway made a partner where he now was only a servant.  Mr. Wilkins took a
malicious pleasure in tantalizing Mr. Dunster by such speeches as the one "No, none.  Mr. Wilkins has written everywhere, right and left, I
believe.  I know he had a letter from Mr. Dunster's nearest relation--a
went out of it altogether and for evermore.  She had been well in the
morning when Edward went down to his office in Hamley.  At noon he was as had passed between the mother and child often and often when no
witnesses were by; and altogether seemed so nearly beside herself in an
agony of love and terror, that Edward arose, and softly taking her in his Lettice could have lived to herself and her husband and children.  Edward
daily required more and more the stimulus of society.  His wife wondered so much temperate and well-timed wisdom and good feeling, that he more
than once gained his point.  He had one son, Edward.  This boy was the Edward was annoyed at all this; Lettice resented it.  She loved her
husband dearly, and was proud of him, for she had discernment enough to returned from the Continent.  Edward was a beautiful dancer, and waltzed
to admiration.  For his next partner he had one of the Lady ---s; for the "To him!" lying dead where he had been laid; killed by the man who now
asked for his presence.  Ellinor shut her eyes, and lay back in despair.
She wished she might die, and be out of this horrible tangle of events. All in vain.  The head was placed again on the cushions, the servant rose
and stood by his master, looked sadly on the dead man, whom, living, none making him into a barrister.  This determination on the more prudent side
of the argument took place while Edward was at Eton.  The lad had, Corbet's marriage, something happened which much affected her.  Mr. Ness
died suddenly at his parsonage, and Ellinor learnt it first from Mr. more than could she.  He knelt down by her.  She was dying; she was dead;
and he knelt on immovable.  They brought him his eldest child, Ellinor, had no power to appreciate the taste, the talents, the impulsive artistic
nature which she held so dear.  She forgot that by accepting such
invitations Edward was occasionally brought into contact with people not his hearer's presumption in joining the hunt, in aping the mode of life
and amusements of the landed gentry, Edward fired up.  He knew how much Ellinor let go his knees, and covered her face.  Every one stabbed at
that poor heart.  In a minute or so her father spoke again. in that county at that time meant conviviality.  Edward did not care for
wine, and yet he was obliged to drink--and by-and-by he grew to pique followed the cut of the fleam.  They laid him back on his strange sad
death-couch.  Dixon spoke next. that Edward should be presented at the Hamley assembly-rooms.  But many a
squire glowered and looked black at the introduction of Wilkins the He would fain have had her ignorant of all, but so questioned by her
lips, so adjured by her eyes in the very presence of death, he could not and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance nigh about to be quenched in death.  Yet he could not take his sorrow and
care in the natural manner.  He was obliged to think how every word and
occupied.  Mr. Wilkins's study, on the other side of the house, was also
an afterthought, built only a few years ago, and projecting from the It was not a satisfactory situation.  Mr. Wilkins had given his son an
education and tastes beyond his position.  He could not associate with unnecessary trouble; in fact, she hints that his disappearance at the
time was supposed to be the cause of a considerable loss of property to
Mr. Wilkins." Wilkins; that Ellinor, as his only child, would naturally inherit all his
property, but that in the meantime, of course, some settlement upon her Wilkins and Lettice would have quietly induced him to spend in the
office, superintending his business.  His indulgence in hunting, and all
field sports, had hitherto been only occasional; they now became said were being accumulated in Mr. Wilkins's house.  But they did covet
the horses and hounds he possessed, and the young man knew that they
coveted, and rejoiced in it. Wilkins was the principal lawyer in Hamley, I say very little, unless I
add that he transacted all the legal business of the gentry for twenty
miles round.  His grandfather had established the connection; his father All this time, Mr. Ralph Corbet maintained a very quietly decided
attitude towards his own family.  He was engaged to Miss Wilkins; and all superior.  There was a sense of something wrong in the Ford Bank
household for many weeks about this time.  Mr. Wilkins was not like When all was ready for the reception of the body in its unblessed grave,
Mr. Wilkins bade Ellinor go up to her own room--she had done all she The conversation had two consequences besides the immediate one of the
quarrel.  Mr. Wilkins advertised for a responsible and confidential clerk been staying when he was taken ill.  Since his last attack, Mr. Wilkins's
mind had been much affected; he often talked strangely and wildly; but he secured to her legally as Mr. Wilkins thought best--that being a matter
for after discussion--but that at present his father was anxious, as
might be seen from the extract to ascertain whether Mr. Wilkins could Court and Ford Bank, as Mr. Edward Wilkins had christened his father's
house on his first return from the Continent. though there be but one child.  A year or two ago, Mr. Wilkins had been
startled into a system of exaggerated retrenchment--retrenchment which been sitting by her chaperone, Mr. Wilkins had made the tour of the room,
dropping out the little fact of his daughter's being present wherever he Mr. Wilkins did not seem to hear; in fact, he did not hear anything but
the unspoken echo of his own last words, that went booming through his Mr. Wilkins sat still, first fiercely angry, then astonished, and lastly
dismayed into sobriety.  "Corbet, Corbet!  Ralph!" he called in vain; "Ellinor will have the rent of this house, which is hers by right of her
mother's settlement, to live on."

"How much will that be?"

"One hundred and twenty pounds." they were not rending their garments and crying aloud.  Mr. Wilkins
seemed to have lost the power of careless action and speech, it is true.
it was that lay there, so still and motionless as never to stir at her
sudden coming.  It was Mr. Dunster; his head propped on chair-cushions, and to regard Mr. Dunster's death as only the consequence of an
unfortunate accident.  But she tried to put the miserable remembrance spoke of the shock of the discovery of Mr. Dunster's body, found in the
cutting of the new line of railroad from Hamley to the nearest railway quite gone off.  Only Mr. Dunster came creeping about the house, on
pretence of business, seeking out her father, and disturbing all his The end of his reflections was, that the next day, Monday, he went into
the town, and artfully learnt all he could hear about Mr Dunster's "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "It was all the rascal Dunster's doing, I've no doubt," said he, trying
to account for the entire loss of Mr. Wilkins's fortune. replied, partly with a view of saying something pleasant to the man whom
he disliked and feared.  Mr. Dunster always replied, in a meek matter-of- can tell you just as well as anybody, that Mr. Dunster is not in this
house, wherever he may be.'  Yet nothing would satisfy her but that some "Yes.  If you call it murder.  It was done by a blow, in the heat of
passion.  No one can ever tell how Dunster always irritated papa," said Mr. Dunster always suspected that the final push was given by some
circumstance from without; some reprimand for neglect--some threat of "I came into papa's room just after he had struck Mr. Dunster the blow.
He was lying insensible, as we thought--dead, as he really was." struck the blow that killed Mr. Dunster--Dixon and I knew of it, just
after the blow was struck--we helped to hide it--we kept the secret--my And yet daily Mr. Wilkins was sinking from the intellectually to the
sensually self-indulgent man.  He lay late in bed, and hated Mr. Dunster To his surprise she lifted up her white stony face, and said slowly and
faintly, but with almost solemn calmness:

"Mr. Ness, you must never allow Mr. Dunster to be blamed for this!" employed without hesitation, as she gave him the account of the event
universally received and believed in by the people of Hamley.  How Mr.
Dunster had never been liked by any one; how everybody remembered that he reached London, that Mr. Dunster had made away with, or carried off,
trust property to a considerable extent, for all which Mr. Wilkins would
of course be liable. subjects.  But once touch on the name of Dunster and Mr. Wilkins sank
into a kind of suspicious depression of spirits; talking little, and with something lurked behind, and had an idea of his own that it was connected
with Dunster's disappearance.  But he was glad that Mr. Ness's joining
them gave him leisure to consider a little. with his master as Mr. Dunster was discordant; accordingly he was a great
favourite, and could say many a thing which might have been taken as
impertinent from another servant.
as Dixon being guilty of so heinous a crime, and was willing enough to
testify to the excellent character which he had borne during all the many "Thank you.  I am going straight back to Hellingford; at least, as soon
as you can get me the pardon for Dixon."

He half smiled at her ignorance. "Thank you.  I could not help it, now it has come to this."

"There are not many men like Dixon," said the judge, almost to himself,
as he sealed the paper in an envelope. will answer any question to make it appear that Dixon is innocent." "And Dixon knew of this.  I believe I must put the fact plainly--to
you--your father was the guilty person? he murdered Dunster?" "Dixon!" said she at length, "you must not mind it.  You must try not to
mind it.  I see he does not like to be reminded of that, even by seeing "I came to tell you, what I suppose may be told to any judge, in
confidence and full reliance on his secrecy, that Abraham Dixon was not
the murderer."  She stopped short, and choked a little. "Missy will do what papa likes best," said Dixon, admonishingly; and with
this the pair of "friends" parted,




CHAPTER IV. held--the prison in which Dixon lay condemned to die.  She almost knew
she could not see him; yet it seemed like some amends to her conscience
for having slept through so many hours of the night if she made the "Forgive me all the shame and misery, Dixon.  Say you forgive me; and
give me your blessing.  And then let never a word of the terrible past be
spoken between us." "The pardon must be sent to the sheriff, who holds the warrant for his
execution.  But, of course, you may have every assurance that it shall be hear him condemning the prisoner to death.  Dixon was undoubtedly guilty,
and he was as stubborn as could be--a sullen old fellow who would let no Dixon's doing and rushed off in search of him to thank him. doubt on the fact of Dixon's having killed Mr. Dunster, only hoping there
might prove to be some extenuating circumstances, which Ellinor had "It is you, Miss Wilkins!  I am very glad--"

"Dixon!" said she.  It was all she could utter.

Mr. Johnson shook his head. Every evening, when Dixon had done his work at Mr. Osbaldistone's, he
came up to the Parsonage, ostensibly to help her in moving or packing her father and Dixon, was her next best friend.  This intimacy with Dixon
displeased Mr. Corbet.  He once or twice insinuated that he did not think The journey to England, the misery, the surprises, had been too much for
her.  The morrow morning came, bringing the formal free pardon for not do for that servant.  All this was what passed through Ellinor's
mind: it is still a question whether Dixon would have felt his love of the right to that particular piece of ground.  This was evidently a
gratification Dixon had frequently yearned after; he kept saying, "I'm
Who was Ellinor engaged to? Who developed a drinking problem? What distint town did Ellinor move to? Who did Ellinor end up marrying? What was dug up during the construction of a railroad? Who killed Mr. Dunster? What area of the property was Mr. Dunster's body buried? Who was arrested for Mr. Dunster's murder? What was the final outcome for Dixon after Ellinor tells Ralph the truth about the murder? Why does Edward take on a junior partner? Who does Elinor become engaged to? Other than his love for Elinor why does Ralph want to marry her? What happens to Mr. Dunster? Where does Edward bury the body? Why does Ralph break off his engagement with Elinor? What ends up happening to Edward? What town does Elinor move to? How long after Mr. Dunster's body is buried is it found?  How does Dixon get out of jail for murder? Who is Ellinor to Edward? What is Edward Wilkens profession? Who is Mr. Dunster? How does Edward kill Mr. Dunster? Where where Edward and Mr. Dunster when he is killed? Who helped Edward bury Mr. Dunster's body? Where is Mr. Dunster's body buried? What happens between Ellinor and Ralph after the party? How long does Mr. Dunster's body remain buried? Who is convicted for the murder? Why was Edward spending more money than he can afford? What did Edward do as a result of his failing business? Why did Ralph propose to Ellinor? Why did Edward kill Mr. Dunster? Who helped Edward bury Mr. Dunster's body? Where did Edward bury Mr. Dunster's body? How did Edward die? Why was the Wilkens' home rented out? How was Mr Dunster's body discovered? Why was Dixon pardoned? 
Ralph Corbet Ralph.
Edward Wilkins Edward
East Chester west chester
Canon Livingstone Canon Livingstone
A body a dead body
Edward Wilkins Edward Wilkins.
Flower garden Flower garden
Dixon Dixon is arrested for the murder.
He was pardoned Dixon is pardoned for the murder of Mr. Dunster after Elinor tells the truth.
Because his business is failing he had problems with his business
Ralph Corbet Ralph Corbet
Because Edward promised him some money Promise of wealth from her father.
Edward kills him He is murdered. 
In his flower garden Flower garden.
Because Edward insults him while being drunk Because of the possible disgrace 
He drinks himself to death He drinks himself to death
East Chester East Chester
15 years Around 15 years.
Elinor tells Ralph the truth about what happened to Mr. Dunster He gets pardoned by Ralph.
Ellinor is his daughter. Daughter
Edward Wilkens is a lawyer. Lawyer.
Mr. Dunster is the junior partner in Edward Wilkens law firm. Edward's junior partner
He strikes him. He strikes him
They are at an engagement party.  At Ralph and Elinor's engagement party 
Ellinor and a family servant, Dixon. Elinor and Doug help bury Mr. Dunster's body in the flower garden.
In the flower garden. Flower garden
He calls off the engagement. They break up.
15 years.   15 years
The family servant, Dixon.  Dixon
To impress his clients. It was an attempt to become an equal to his clients
Took on Mr. Dunster as a junior partner. hired junior partner Mr. Dunster
Because he loved her and Edward promised him money. Love and promise of wealth.
Over an argument about Edward's drinking and overspending. drunken rampage 
Ellinor and Dixon. Ellinor and Dixon
In the flower garden flower garden
He drunk himself to death. Drinking
To provide Ellinor with a decent living. To provide Ellinor with a living
It was dug up during the construction of a railroad. Discovered during railroad construction.
Ellinor told the truth. Because Ellinor reveals that he isn't the murderer.