even the Parliament dared not question.
With a new loathing I loathed it all, for it seemed now to lay aside its
trappings of pomp and brilliancy, of jest and wit, and display itself
before me in ugly nakedness, all unashamed. In sudden frenzy I sat up in
my bed, crying, "Heaven will find a way!" For surely heaven could find
one, where the devil found so many! Ah, righteous wert thou, Simon Dale,
so soon as unrighteousness hurt thee! But Phineas Tate might have
preached until the end of time.

Earlier than usual by an hour Jonah Wall came up from the town where he
was lodged, but he found me up and dressed, eager to act, ready for what
might chance. I had seen little of the fellow lately, calling on him for
necessary services only, and ridding myself of his sombre company as
quickly as I could. Yet I looked on him to-day with more consideration;
his was a repulsive form of righteousness, grim and gloomy, but it was
righteousness, or seemed such to me against the background of iniquity
which threw it up in strong relief. I spoke to him kindly, but taking no
heed of my advances he came straight up to me and said brusquely: "The
woman who came to your lodging in London is here in Dover. She bids you
be silent and come quickly. I can lead you."

I started and stared at him. I had set "Finis" to that chapter; was
fate minded to overrule me and write more? Strange also that Jonah Wall
should play Mercury!

"She here in Dover? For what?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"I don't doubt, for sin," he answered uncompromisingly.

"Yet you can lead me to her house?" said I with a smile.

"I can," said he, in sour disregard of my hinted banter.

"I won't go," I declared.

"The matter concerns you, she said, and might concern another."

It was early, the Court would not be moving for two hours yet. I could
go and come, and thereby lose no opportunity. Curiosity led me on, and
with it the attraction which still draws us to those we have loved,
though the love be gone and more pain than pleasure wait on our
visiting. In ten minutes I was following Jonah down the cliff, and
plunged thence into a narrow street that ran curling and curving towards
the sea. Jonah held on quickly, and without hesitation, until we reached
a confined alley, and came to a halt before a mean house.

"She's here," said Jonah, pointing to the door and twisting his face as
though he was swallowing something nauseous.

I could not doubt of her presence, f