for to-morrow the doctor is to make
his Declaration before the magistrate, and to-morrow I am to move to my
new lodging in my widow's weeds."

"November 27th.--Fairweather Vale Villas.--The Declaration has been
made, with all the necessary formalities. And I have taken possession,
in my widow's costume, of my new rooms.

"I ought to be excited by the opening of this new act in the drama, and
by the venturesome part that I am playing in it myself. Strange to say,
I am quiet and depressed. The thought of Midwinter has followed me to my
new abode, and is pressing on me heavily at this moment. I have no fear
of any accident happening, in the interval that must still pass before
I step publicly into the place of Armadale's widow. But when that time
comes, and when Midwinter finds me (as sooner or later find me he must!)
figuring in my false character, and settled in the position that I have
usurped--_then_, I ask myself, What will happen? The answer still comes
as it first came to me this morning, when I put on my widow's dress.
Now, as then, the presentiment is fixed in my mind that he will kill me.
If it was not too late to draw back--Absurd! I shall shut up my journal."

"November 28th.--The lawyers have heard from Mr. Darch, and have sent
him the Declaration by return of post.

"When the doctor brought me this news, I asked him whether his lawyers
were aware of my present address; and, finding that he had not yet
mentioned it to them, I begged that he would continue to keep it a
secret for the future. The doctor laughed. 'Are you afraid of Mr.
Darch's stealing a march on us, and coming to attack you personally?'
he asked. I accepted the imputation, as the easiest way of making him
comply with my request. 'Yes,' I said, 'I am afraid of Mr. Darch.'

"My spirits have risen since the doctor left me. There is a pleasant
sensation of security in feeling that no strangers are in possession of
my address. I am easy enough in my mind to-day to notice how wonderfully
well I look in my widow's weeds, and to make myself agreeable to the
people of the house.

"Midwinter disturbed me a little again last night; but I have got over
the ghastly delusion which possessed me yesterday. I know better now
than to dread violence from him when he discovers what I have done. And
there is still less fear of his stooping to assert his claim to a woman
who has practiced on him such a deception as mine. The one serious trial
that I shall