第2章

Mrs。Churchgavemeasmilewhichwasequivalenttoaconfession。"I

wishtoretainaLITTLE——justalittle。Surely，wehavedonesomuch，wemightrestawhile；wemightpause。Thatisallmyfeeling——

justtostopalittle，towait！Ihaveseensomanychanges。Iwishtodrawin，todrawin——toholdback，toholdback。"

"Youshouldn’tholdyourdaughterback！"Ianswered，laughingandgettingup。Igotup，notbywayofterminatingourinterview，forI

perceivedMrs。Church’sexpositionofherviewstobebynomeanscomplete，butinordertoofferachairtoMissAurora，whoatthismomentdrewnear。Shethankedmeandremainedstanding，butwithoutatfirst，asInoticed，meetinghermother’seye。

"Youhavebeenengagedwithyournewacquaintance，mydear？"thisladyinquired。

"Yes，mamma，dear，"saidtheyounggirl，gently。

"Doyoufindherveryedifying？"

Aurorawassilentamoment；thenshelookedathermother。"Idon’tknow，mamma；sheisveryfresh。"

Iventuredtoindulgeinarespectfullaugh。"Yourmotherhasanotherwordforthat。ButImustnot，"Iadded，"becrude。"

"Ah，vousm’envoulez？"inquiredMrs。Church。"AndyetIcan’tpretendIsaiditinjest。Ifeelittoomuch。Wehavebeenhavingalittlesocialdiscussion，"shesaidtoherdaughter。"Thereisstillsomuchtobesaid。""AndIwish，"shecontinued，turningtome，"thatIcouldgiveyouourpointofview。Don’tyouwish，Aurora，thatwecouldgivehimourpointofview？"

"Yes，mamma，"saidAurora。

"Weconsiderourselvesveryfortunateinourpointofview，don’twe，dearest？"mammademanded。

"Veryfortunate，indeed，mamma。"

"YouseewehaveacquiredaninsightintoEuropeanlife，"theelderladypursued。"WehaveourplaceatmanyaEuropeanfireside。Wefindsomuchtoesteem——somuchtoenjoy。Dowenot，mydaughter？"

"Soverymuch，mamma，"theyounggirlwenton，withasortofinscrutablesubmissiveness。Iwonderedatit；itofferedsostrangeacontrasttothemockingfreedomofhertonethenightbefore；butwhileIwonderedIwascarefulnottoletmyperplexitytakeprecedenceofmygoodmanners。

"Idon’tknowwhatyouladiesmayhavefoundatEuropeanfiresides，"

Isaid，"buttherecanbeverylittledoubtwhatyouhaveleftthere。"

Mrs。Churchgotup，toacknowledgemycompliment。"Wehavespentsomecharminghours。Andthatremindsmethatwehavejustnowsuchanoccasioninprospect。WearetocalluponsomeGenevesefriends——

thefamilyofthePasteurGalopin。TheyaretogowithustotheoldlibraryattheHoteldeVille，wheretherearesomeveryinterestingdocumentsoftheperiodoftheReformation；wearepromisedaglimpseofsomemanuscriptsofpoorServetus，theantagonistandvictim，youknow，ofCalvin。Here，ofcourse，onecanonlyspeakofCalvinunderone’sbreath，butsomeday，whenwearemoreprivate，"andMrs。

Churchlookedroundtheroom，"Iwillgiveyoumyviewofhim。I

thinkithasatouchoforiginality。Auroraisfamiliarwith，areyounot，mydaughter，familiarwithmyviewofCalvin？"

"Yes，mamma，"saidAurora，withdocility，whilethetwoladieswenttopreparefortheirvisittothePasteurGalopin。

CHAPTERVI。

"Shehasdemandedanewlamp；Itoldyoushewould！"ThiscommunicationwasmademebyMadameBeaurepasacoupleofdayslater。

"Andshehasaskedforanewtapisdelit，andshehasrequestedmetoprovideCelestinewithapairoflightshoes。Itoldherthat，asageneralthing，cooksarenotshodwithsatin。ThatpoorCelestine！"

"Mrs。Churchmaybeexacting，"Isaid，"butsheisacleverlittlewoman。"

"Aladywhopaysbutfivefrancsandahalfshouldn’tbetooclever。

C’estdeplace。Idon’tlikethetype。"

"WhattypedoyoucallMrs。Church’s？"

"MonDieu，"saidMadameBeaurepas，"c’estunedecesmamanscommevousenavez，quipromenentleurfille。"

"Sheistryingtomarryherdaughter？Idon’tthinkshe’softhatsort。"

ButMadameBeaurepasshrewdlyheldtoheridea。"Sheistryingitinherownway；shedoesitveryquietly。Shedoesn’twantanAmerican；

shewantsaforeigner。Andshewantsamariserieux。ButsheistravellingoverEuropeinsearchofone。Shewouldlikeamagistrate。"

"Amagistrate？"

"Agrosbonnetofsomekind；aprofessororadeputy。"

"Iamverysorryforthepoorgirl，"Isaid，laughing。

"Youneedn’tpityhertoomuch；she’saslything。"

"Ah，forthat，no！"Iexclaimed。"She’sacharminggirl。"

MadameBeaurepasgaveanelderlygrin。"Shehashookedyou，eh？Butthemotherwon’thaveyou。"

Idevelopedmyidea，withoutheedingthisinsinuation。"She’sacharminggirl，butsheisalittleodd。It’sanecessityofherposition。Sheislesssubmissivetohermotherthanshehastopretendtobe。That’sinself-defence；it’stomakeherlifepossible。"

"Shewishestogetawayfromhermother，"continuedMadameBeaurepas。

"Shewishestocourirleschamps。"

"ShewishestogotoAmerica，hernativecountry。"

"Precisely。Andshewillcertainlygo。"

"Ihopeso！"Irejoined。

"Somefinemorning——orevening——shewillgooffwithayoungman；

probablywithayoungAmerican。"

"Allonsdonc！"saidI，withdisgust。

"ThatwillbequiteAmericaenough，"pursuedmycynicalhostess。"I

havekeptaboarding-houseforfortyyears。Ihaveseenthattype。"

"Havesuchthingsasthathappenedchezvous？"Iasked。

"Everythinghashappenedchezmoi。Butnothinghashappenedmorethanonce。Thereforethiswon’thappenhere。Itwillbeatthenextplacetheygoto，orthenext。Besides，herethereisnoyoungAmericanpourlapartie——noneexceptyou，Monsieur。Youaresusceptible，butyouaretooreasonable。"

"It’sluckyforyouIamreasonable，"Ianswered。"It’sthankstothatfactthatyouescapeascolding！"

Onemorning，aboutthistime，insteadofcomingbacktobreakfastatthepension，aftermylecturesattheAcademy，Iwenttopartakeofthismealwithafellow-student，atanancienteating-houseinthecollegiatequarter。Onseparatingfrommyfriend，ItookmywayalongthatcharmingpublicwalkknowninGenevaastheTreille，ashadyterrace，ofimmenseelevation，overhangingaportionofthelowertown。Therearespreadingtreesandwell-wornbenches，andoverthetilesandchimneysofthevillebassethereisaviewofthesnow-crestedAlps。Ontheotherside，asyouturnyourbacktotheview，thepromenadeisoverlookedbyarowoftall，sober-facedhotels，thedwellingsofthelocalaristocracy。Iwasveryfondoftheplace，andoftenresortedtoittostimulatemysenseofthepicturesque。Presently，asIlingeredthereonthisoccasion，I

becameawarethatagentlemanwasseatednotfarfromwhereIstood，withhisbacktotheAlpinechain，whichthismorningwasbrilliantanddistinct，andanewspaper，unfolded，inhislap。Hewasnotreading，however；hewasstaringbeforehimingloomycontemplation。

Idon’tknowwhetherIrecognisedfirstthenewspaperoritsproprietor；one，ineithercase，wouldhavehelpedmetoidentifytheother。OnewastheNewYorkHerald；theother，ofcourse，wasMr。

Ruck。AsIdrewnearer，hetransferredhiseyesfromthestony，high-featuredmasksofthegrayoldhousesontheothersideoftheterrace，andIknewbytheexpressionofhisfacejusthowhehadbeenfeelingaboutthesedistinguishedabodes。Hehadmadeuphismindthattheirproprietorswereadusky，narrow-minded，unsociablecompany；plungingtheirrootsintoasuperfluouspast。I

endeavoured，therefore，asIsatdownbesidehim，tosuggestsomethingmoreimpersonal。

"That’sabeautifulviewoftheAlps，"Iobserved。

"Yes，"saidMr。Ruck，withoutmoving，"I’veexaminedit。Finething，initsway——finething。Beautiesofnature——thatsortofthing。Wecameuponpurposetolookatit。"

"Yourladies，then，havebeenwithyou？"

"Yes；theyarejustwalkinground。They’reawfullyrestless。TheykeepsayingI’mrestless，butI’masquietasasleepingchildtothem。Ittakes，"headdedinamoment，drily，"theformofshopping。"

"Aretheyshoppingnow？"

"Well，iftheyain’t，they’retryingto。Theytoldmetosithereawhile，andthey’djustwalkround。Igenerallyknowwhatthatmeans。

Butthat’stheprincipalinterestforladies，"headded，retractinghisirony。"Wethoughtwe’dcomeuphereandseethecathedral；Mrs。

Churchseemedtothinkitadeadlossthatweshouldn’tseethecathedral，especiallyaswehadn’tseenmanyyet。AndIhadtocomeuptothebanker’sanyway。Well，wecertainlysawthecathedral。I

don’tknowasweareanythebetterforit，andIdon’tknowasI

shouldknowitagain。Butwesawit，anyway。Idon’tknowasI

shouldwanttogothereregularly；butIsupposeitwillgiveus，inconversation，akindofholdonMrs。Church，eh？Iguesswewantsomethingofthatkind。Well，"Mr。Ruckcontinued，"Isteppedinatthebanker’stoseeiftherewasn’tsomething，andtheyhandedmeoutaHerald。"

"IhopetheHeraldisfullofgoodnews，"Isaid。

"Can’tsayitis。D-dbadnews。"

"Political，"Iinquired，"orcommercial？"

"Oh，hangpolitics！It’sbusiness，sir。Thereain’tanybusiness。

It’sallgoneto，"——andMr。Ruckbecameprofane。"Ninefailuresinoneday。Whatdoyousay-tothat？"

"Ihopetheyhaven’tinjuredyou，"Isaid。

"Well，theyhaven’thelpedmemuch。Somanyhousesonfire，that’sall。Iftheyhappentotakeplaceinyourownstreet，theydon’tincreasethevalueofyourproperty。Whenminecatches，Isupposethey’llwriteandtellme——oneofthesedays，whenthey’vegotnothingelsetodo。Ididn’tgetablessedletterthismorning；I

supposetheythinkI’mhavingsuchagoodtimeoverhereit’sapitytodisturbme。IfIcouldattendtobusinessforabouthalfanhour，I’dfindoutsomething。ButIcan’t，andit’snousetalking。Thestateofmyhealthwasneversounsatisfactoryasitwasaboutfiveo’clockthismorning。"

"Iamverysorrytohearthat，"Isaid，"andIrecommendyoustronglynottothinkofbusiness。"

"Idon’t，"Mr。Ruckreplied。"I’mthinkingofcathedrals；I’mthinkingofthebeautiesofnature。Come，"hewenton，turningroundonthebenchandleaninghiselbowontheparapet，"I’llthinkofthosemountainsoverthere；theyAREpretty，certainly。Can’tyougetoverthere？"

"Overwhere？"

"Overtothosehills。Don’ttheyrunatrainrightup？"

"YoucangotoChamouni，"Isaid。"YoucangotoGrindelwaldandZermattandfiftyotherplaces。Youcan’tgobyrail，butyoucandrive。"

"Allright，we’lldrive——andnotinaone-horseconcern，either。

Yes，Chamouniisoneoftheplacesweputdown。IhopethereareafewniceshopsinChamouni。"Mr。Ruckspokewithacertainquickenedemphasis，andinatonemoreexplicitlyhumorousthanhecommonlyemployed。Ithoughthewasexcited，andyethehadnottheappearanceofexcitement。Helookedlikeamanwhohassimplytaken，inthefaceofdisaster，asudden，somewhatimaginative，resolutionnotto"worry。"Hepresentlytwistedhimselfaboutonhisbenchagainandbegantowatchforhiscompanions。"Well，theyAREwalkinground，"heresumed；"Iguessthey’vehitonsomething，somewhere。

Andthey’vegotacarriagewaitingoutsideofthatarchwaytoo。Theyseemtodoabigbusinessinarchwayshere，don’tthey。Theyliketohaveacarriagetocarryhomethethings——thoseladiesofmine。Thenthey’resurethey’vegotthem。"Theladies，afterthis，todothemjustice，werenotverylonginappearing。Theycametowardus，fromunderthearchwaytowhichMr。Ruckhadsomewhatinvidiouslyalluded，slowlyandwitharatherexhaustedstepandexpression。Mycompanionlookedatthemamoment，astheyadvanced。"They’retired，"hesaidsoftly。"Whenthey’retired，likethat，it’sveryexpensive。"

"Well，"saidMrs。Ruck，"I’mgladyou’vehadsomecompany。"Herhusbandlookedather，insilence，throughnarrowedeyelids，andI

suspectedthatthisgraciousobservationonthelady’spartwaspromptedbyarestlessconscience。

MissSophyglancedatmewithherlittlestraightforwardairofdefiance。"ItwouldhavebeenmoreproperifWEhadhadthecompany。

Whydidn’tyoucomeafterus，insteadofsittingthere？"sheaskedofMr。Ruck’scompanion。

"Iwastoldbyyourfather，"Iexplained，"thatyouwereengagedinsacredrites。"MissRuckwasnotgracious，thoughIdoubtwhetheritwasbecauseherconsciencewasbetterthanhermother’s。

"Well，foragentlemanthereisnothingsosacredasladies’

society，"repliedMissRuck，inthemannerofapersonaccustomedtogivingneatretorts。

"IsupposeyourefertotheCathedral，"saidhermother。"Well，I

mustsay，wedidn’tgobackthere。Idon’tknowwhatitmaybeofaSunday，butitgavemeachill。"

"Wediscoveredtheloveliestlittlelace-shop，"observedtheyounggirl，withaserenitythatwassuperiortobravado。

Herfatherlookedatherawhile；thenturnedaboutagain，leaningontheparapet，andgazedawayatthe"hills。"

"Well，itwascertainlycheap，"saidMrs。Ruck，alsocontemplatingtheAlps。

"WearegoingtoChamouni，"saidherhusband。"Youhaven’tanyoccasionforlaceatChamouni。"

"Well，I’mgladtohearyouhavedecidedtogosomewhere，"rejoinedhiswife。"Idon’twanttobeafixtureataboarding-house。"

"Youcanwearlaceanywhere，"saidMissRuck，"ifyoupatitonright。That’sthegreatthing，withlace。Idon’tthinktheyknowhowtowearlaceinEurope。IknowhowImeantowearmine；butI

meantokeepittillIgethome。"

Herfathertransferredhismelancholygazetoherelaborately-

appointedlittleperson；therewasagreatdealofverynew-lookingdetailinMissRuck’sappearance。Then，inatoneofvoicequiteoutofconsonancewithhisfacialdespondency，"Haveyoupurchasedagreatdeal？"heinquired。

"Ihavepurchasedenoughforyoutomakeafussabout。"

"Hecan’tmakeafussaboutthat，"saidMrs。Ruck。

"Well，you’llsee！"declaredtheyounggirlwithalittlesharplaugh。

Butherfatherwenton，inthesametone："Haveyougotitinyourpocket？Whydon’tyouputiton——whydon’tyouhangitroundyou？"

"I’llhangitroundYOU，ifyoudon’tlookout！"criedMissSophy。

"Don’tyouwanttoshowittothisgentleman？"Mr。Ruckcontinued。

"Mercy，howyoudotalkaboutthatlace！"saidhiswife。

"Well，Iwanttobelively。There’severyreasonforit；we’regoingtoChamouni。"

"You’rerestless；that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。"AndMrs。Ruckgotup。

"No，Iain’t，"saidherhusband。"Ineverfeltsoquiet；Ifeelaspeacefulasalittlechild。"

Mrs。Ruck，whohadnosensewhateverofhumour，lookedatherdaughterandatme。"Well，Ihopeyou’llimprove，"shesaid。

"Sendinthebills，"Mr。Ruckwenton，risingtohisfeet。"Don’thesitate，Sophy。Idon’tcarewhatyoudonow。Inforapenny，inforapound。"

MissRuckjoinedhermother，withalittletossofherhead，andwefollowedtheladiestothecarriage。"Inyourplace，"saidMissSophytoherfather，"Iwouldn’ttalksomuchaboutpenniesandpoundsbeforestrangers。"

PoorMr。Ruckappearedtofeeltheforceofthisobservation，which，intheconsciousnessofamanwhohadneverbeen"mean，"couldhardlyfailtostrikearesponsivechord。Hecolouredalittle，andhewassilent；hiscompanionsgotintotheirvehicle，thefrontseatofwhichwasadornedwithalargeparcel。Mr。Ruckgavetheparcelalittlepokewithhisumbrella，andthen，turningtomewitharathergrimlypenitentialsmile，"Afterall，"hesaid，"fortheladiesthat’stheprincipalinterest。"

CHAPTERVII。

OldM。Pigeonneauhadmorethanonceproposedtometotakeawalk，butIhadhithertobeenunabletorespondtosoalluringaninvitation。Itbefell，however，oneafternoon，thatIperceivedhimgoingforthuponadesultorystroll，withacertainlonesomenessofdemeanourthatattractedmysympathy。Ihastilyovertookhim，andpassedmyhandintohisvenerablearm，aproceedingwhichproducedinthegoodoldmansojovialasenseofcomradeshipthatheardentlyproposedweshouldbendourstepstotheEnglishGarden；nolocalitylessfestivewasworthyoftheoccasion。TotheEnglishGarden，accordingly，wewent；itlaybeyondthebridge，besidethelake。Itwasveryprettyandveryanimated；therewasabandplayinginthemiddle，andaconsiderablenumberofpersonssittingunderthesmalltrees，onbenchesandlittlechairs，orstrollingbesidethebluewater。Wejoinedthestrollers，weobservedourcompanions，andconversedonobvioustopics。Someoftheselast，ofcourse，weretheprettywomenwhoembellishedthescene，andwho，inthelightofM。

Pigeonneau’scomprehensivecriticism，appearedsurprisinglynumerous。

Heseemedbentuponourmakingupourmindsastowhichwastheprettiest，andasthiswasaninnocentgameIconsentedtoplayatit。

SuddenlyM。Pigeonneaustopped，pressingmyarmwiththeliveliestemotion。"Lavoila，lavoila，theprettiest！"hequicklymurmured，"comingtowardus，inabluedress，withtheother。"ItwasattheotherIwaslooking，fortheother，tomysurprise，wasourinterestingfellow-pensioner，thedaughterofavigilantmother。M。

Pigeonneau，meanwhile，hadredoubledhisexclamations；hehadrecognisedMissSophyRuck。"Oh，labellerencontre，nosaimablesconvives；theprettiestgirlintheworld，ineffect！"

Weimmediatelygreetedandjoinedtheyoungladies，who，likeourselves，werewalkingarminarmandenjoyingthescene。

"IwascitingyouwithadmirationtomyfriendevenbeforeIhadrecognisedyou，"saidM。PigeonneautoMissRuck。

"Idon’tbelieveinFrenchcompliments，"remarkedthisyounglady，presentingherbacktothesmilingoldman。

"AreyouandMissRuckwalkingalone？"Iaskedofhercompanion。

"YouhadbetteracceptofM。Pigeonneau’sgallantprotection，andofmine。"

AuroraChurchhadtakenherhandoutofMissRuck’sarm；shelookedatme，smiling，withherheadalittleinclined，while，uponhershoulder，shemadeheropenparasolrevolve。"Whichismostimproper——towalkaloneortowalkwithgentlemen？Iwishtodowhatismostimproper。"

"Whatmysteriouslogicgovernsyourconduct？"Iinquired。

"Hethinksyoucan’tunderstandhimwhenhetalkslikethat，"saidMissRuck。"ButIdounderstandyou，always！"

"SoIhavealwaysventuredtohope，mydearMissRuck。"

"Well，ifIdidn’t，itwouldn’tbemuchloss，"rejoinedthisyounglady。

"Allons，enmarche！"criedM。Pigeonneau，smilingstill，andundiscouragedbyherinhumanity。"Letasmaketogetherthetourofthegarden。"AndheimposedhissocietyuponMissRuckwitharespectful，elderlygracewhichwasevidentlyunabletoseeanythinginherreluctancebutmodesty，andwassublimelyconsciousofamissiontoplacemodestyatitsease。Thisill-assortedcouplewalkedinfront，whileAuroraChurchandIstrolledalongtogether。

"Iamsurethisismoreimproper，"saidmycompanion；"thisisdelightfullyimproper。Idon’tsaythatasacomplimenttoyou，"sheadded。"Iwouldsayittoanyman，nomatterhowstupid。"

"Oh，Iamverystupid，"Ianswered，"butthisdoesn’tseemtomewrong。"

"Notforyou，no；onlyforme。Thereisnothingthatamancandothatiswrong，isthere？Enmorale，youknow，Imean。Ah，yes，hecansteal；butIthinkthereisnothingelse，isthere？"

"Idon’tknow。Onedoesn’tknowthosethingsuntilafteronehasdonethem。Thenoneisenlightened。"

"Andyoumeanthatyouhaveneverbeenenlightened？Youmakeyourselfoutverygood。"

"Thatisbetterthanmakingone’sselfoutbad，asyoudo。"

Theyounggirlglancedatmeamoment，andthen，withhercharmingsmile，"That’soneoftheconsequencesofafalseposition。"

"Isyourpositionfalse？"Iinquired，smilingtooatthislargeformula。

"Distinctlyso。"

"Inwhatway？"

"Oh，ineveryway。Forinstance，Ihavetopretendtobeajeunefille。Iamnotajeunefille；noAmericangirlisajeunefille；anAmericangirlisanintelligent，responsiblecreature。Ihavetopretendtobeveryinnocent，butIamnotveryinnocent。"

"Youdon’tpretendtobeveryinnocent；youpretendtobe——whatshallIcallit？——verywise。"

"That’snopretence。Iamwise。"

"YouarenotanAmericangirl，"Iventuredtoobserve。

Mycompanionalmoststopped，lookingatme；therewasalittleflushinhercheek。"Voila！"shesaid。"There’smyfalseposition。I

wanttobeanAmericangirl，andI’mnot。"

"Doyouwantmetotellyou？"Iwenton。"AnAmericangirlwouldn’ttalkasyouaretalkingnow。"

"Pleasetellme，"saidAuroraChurch，withexpressiveeagerness。

"Howwouldshetalk？"

"Ican’ttellyouallthethingsanAmericangirlwouldsay，butI

thinkIcantellyouthethingsshewouldn’tsay。Shewouldn’treasonoutherconduct，asyouseemtometodo。"

Auroragavemethemostflatteringattention。"Isee。Shewouldbesimpler。Todoverysimplethingsthatarenotatallsimple——thatistheAmericangirl！"

Ipermittedmyselfasmallexplosionofhilarity。"Idon’tknowwhetheryouareaFrenchgirl，orwhatyouare，"Isaid，"butyouareverywitty。"

"Ah，youmeanthatIstrikefalsenotes！"criedAuroraChurch，sadly。

"That’sjustwhatIwanttoavoid。Iwishyouwouldalwaystellme。"

TheconversationalunionbetweenMissRuckandherneighbour，infrontofus，hadevidentlynotbecomeacloseone。Theyoungladysuddenlyturnedroundtouswithaquestion："Don’tyouwantsomeice-cream？"

"SHEdoesn’tstrikefalsenotes，"Imurmured。

Therewasakindofpavilionorkiosk，whichservedasacafe，andatwhichthedelicaciesprocurableatsuchanestablishmentweredispensed。MissRuckpointedtothelittlegreentablesandchairswhichweresetoutonthegravel；M。Pigeonneau，flutteringwithasenseofdissipation，secondedtheproposal，andwepresentlysatdownandgaveourordertoanimbleattendant。ImanagedagaintoplacemyselfnexttoAuroraChurch；ourcompanionswereontheothersideofthetable。

Myneighbourwasdelightedwithoursituation。"Thisisbestofall，"shesaid。"IneverbelievedIshouldcometoacafewithtwostrangemen！Now，youcan’tpersuademethisisn’twrong。"

"Tomakeitwrongweoughttoseeyourmothercomingdownthatpath。"

"Ah，mymothermakeseverythingwrong，"saidtheyounggirl，attackingwithalittlespoonintheshapeofaspadetheapexofapinkice。Andthenshereturnedtoherideaofamomentbefore：

"Youmustpromisetotellme——towarnmeinsomeway——wheneverI

strikeafalsenote。Youmustgivealittlecough，likethat——ahem！"

"Youwillkeepmeverybusy，andpeoplewillthinkIaminaconsumption。"

"Voyons，"shecontinued，"whyhaveyounevertalkedtomemore？Isthatafalsenote？Whyhaven’tyoubeen’attentive？’That’swhatAmericangirlscallit；that’swhatMissRuckcallsit。"

Iassuredmyselfthatourcompanionswereoutofearshot，andthatMissRuckwasmuchoccupiedwithalargevanillacream。"Becauseyouarealwaysentwinedwiththatyounglady。Thereisnogettingnearyou。"

Auroralookedatherfriendwhilethelatterdevotedherselftoherice。"YouwonderwhyIlikehersomuch，Isuppose。Sodoesmamma；

elles’yperd。Idon’tlikeherparticularly；jen’ensuispasfolle。Butshegivesmeinformation；shetellsmeaboutAmerica。

Mammahasalwaystriedtopreventmyknowinganythingaboutit，andI

amallthemorecurious。AndthenMissRuckisveryfresh。"

"ImaynotbesofreshasMissRuck，"Isaid，"butinfuture，whenyouwantinformation，Irecommendyoutocometomeforit。"

"OurfriendofferstotakemetoAmerica；sheinvitesmetogobackwithher，tostaywithher。Youcouldn’tdothat，couldyou？"Andtheyounggirllookedatmeamoment。"Bon，afalsenoteIcanseeitbyyourface；youremindmeofamaitredepiano。"

"Youoverdothecharacter——thepoorAmericangirl，"Isaid。"Areyougoingtostaywiththatdelightfulfamily？"

"Iwillgoandstaywithanyonethatwilltakemeoraskme。It’sarealnostalgie。ShesaysthatinNewYork——inThirty-SeventhStreet——

Ishouldhavethemostlovelytime。"

"Ihavenodoubtyouwouldenjoyit。"

"Absolutelibertytobeginwith。"

"Itseemstomeyouhaveacertainlibertyhere，"Irejoined。

"Ah，THIS？Oh，Ishallpayforthis。Ishallbepunishedbymamma，andIshallbelecturedbyMadameGalopin。"

"Thewifeofthepasteur？"

"Hisdigneepouse。MadameGalopin，formamma，istheincarnationofEuropeanopinion。That’swhatvexesmewithmamma，herthinkingsomuchofpeoplelikeMadameGalopin。GoingtoseeMadameGalopin——

mammacallsthatbeinginEuropeansociety。Europeansociety！I’msosickofthatexpression；IhavehearditsinceIwassixyearsold。WhoisMadameGalopin——whothinksanythingofherhere？Sheisnobody；sheisperfectlythird-rate。IfIlikeAmericabetterthanmamma，IalsoknowEuropebetter。"

"Butyourmother，certainly，"Iobjected，atrifletimidly，formyyoungladywasexcited，andhadacharminglittlepassioninhereye——

"yourmotherhasagreatmanysocialrelationsallovertheContinent。"

"Shethinksso，buthalfthepeopledon’tcareforus。Theyarenotsogoodaswe，andtheyknowit——I’lldothemthatjustice——andtheywonderwhyweshouldcareforthem。Whenwearepolitetothem，theythinkthelessofus；thereareplentyofpeoplelikethat。Mammathinkssomuchofthemsimplybecausetheyareforeigners。IfI

couldtellyouallthedull，stupid，second-ratepeopleIhavehadtotalkto，fornobetterreasonthanthattheyweredeleurpays！——

Germans，French，Italians，Turks，everything。WhenIcomplain，mammaalwayssaysthatatanyrateit’spracticeinthelanguage。AndshemakessomuchoftheEnglish，too；Idon’tknowwhatthat’spracticein。"

BeforeIhadtimetosuggestanhypothesis，asregardsthislatterpoint，Isawsomethingthatmademerise，withacertainsolemnity，frommychair。ThiswasnothinglessthantheneatlittlefigureofMrs。Church——aperfectmodelofthefemmecommeilfaut——approachingourtablewithanimpatientstep，andfollowedmostunexpectedlyinheradvancebythepre-eminentformofMr。Ruck。Shehadevidentlycomeinquestofherdaughter，andifshehadcommandedthisgentleman’sattendance，ithadbeenonnosoftergroundthanthatofhisunenviedpaternitytoherguiltychild’saccomplice。Mymovementhadgiventhealarm，andAuroraChurchandM。Pigeonneaugotup；MissRuckalonedidnot，inthelocalphrase，derangeherself。Mrs。

Church，beneathhermodestlittlebonnet，lookedveryserious，butnotatallfluttered；shecamestraighttoherdaughter，whoreceivedherwithasmile，andthenshelookedallroundattherestofus，veryfixedlyandtranquilly，withoutbowing。Imustdoboththeseladiesthejusticetomentionthatneitherofthemmadetheleastlittle"scene。"

"Ihavecomeforyou，dearest，"saidthemother。

"Yes，dearmamma。"

"Comeforyou——comeforyou，"Mrs。Churchrepeated，lookingdownattherelicsofourlittlefeast。"IwasobligedtoaskMr。Ruck’sassistance。Iwaspuzzled；Ithoughtalongtime。"

"Well，Mrs。Church，Iwasgladtoseeyoupuzzledonceinyourlife！"

saidMr。Ruck，withfriendlyjocosity。"Butyoucameprettystraightforallthat。Ihadhardworktokeepupwithyou。"

"Wewilltakeacab，Aurora，"Mrs。Churchwenton，withoutheedingthispleasantry——"aclosedone。Come，mydaughter。"

"Yes，dearmamma。"Theyounggirlwasblushing，yetshewasstillsmiling；shelookedroundatusall，and，ashereyesmetmine，I

thoughtshewasbeautiful。"Good-bye，"shesaidtous。"IhavehadaLOVELYTIME。"

"Wemustnotlinger，"saidhermother；"itisfiveo’clock。Wearetodine，youknow，withMadameGalopin。"

"Ihadquiteforgotten，"Auroradeclared。"Thatwillbecharming。"

"Doyouwantmetoassistyoutocarryherback，maam？"askedMr。

Ruck。

Mrs。Churchhesitatedamoment，withherserenelittlegaze。"Doyouprefer，then，toleaveyourdaughtertofinishtheeveningwiththesegentlemen？"

Mr。Ruckpushedbackhishatandscratchedthetopofhishead。

"Well，Idon’tknow。Howwouldyoulikethat，Sophy？"

"Well，Inever！"exclaimedSophy，asMrs。Churchmarchedoffwithherdaughter。

CHAPTERVIII。

IhadhalfexpectedthatMrs。ChurchwouldmakemefeeltheweightofherdisapprovalofmyownshareinthatlittleactofrevelryintheEnglishGarden。Butshemaintainedherclaimtobeingahighlyreasonablewoman——Icouldnotbutadmirethejusticeofthispretension——byrecognisingmyirresponsibility。IhadtakenherdaughterasIfoundher，whichwas，accordingtoMrs。Church’sview，inaveryequivocalposition。Thenaturalinstinctofayoungman，insuchasituation，isnottoprotestbuttoprofit；anditwascleartoMrs。ChurchthatIhadhadnothingtodowithMissAurora’sappearinginpublicundertheinsufficientchaperonageofMissRuck。

Besides，shelikedtoconverse，andsheapparentlydidmethehonourtobelievethatofallthemembersofthePensionBeaurepasIhadthemostcultivatedunderstanding。IfoundherinthesalonacoupleofeveningsaftertheincidentIhavejustnarrated，andIapproachedherwithaviewofmakingmypeacewithher，ifthisshouldprovenecessary。ButMrs。ChurchwasasgraciousasIcouldhavedesired；

sheputhermarkerintoherbook，andfoldedherplumplittlehandsonthecover。ShemadenospecificallusiontotheEnglishGarden；

sheembarked，rather，uponthosegeneralconsiderationsinwhichherrefinedintellectwassomuchathome。

"Alwaysatyourstudies，Mrs。Church，"Iventuredtoobserve。

"Quevoulez-vous？Tosaystudiesistosaytoomuch；onedoesn’tstudyintheparlourofaboarding-house。ButIdowhatIcan；I

havealwaysdonewhatIcan。ThatisallIhaveeverclaimed。"

"Noonecandomore，andyouseemtohavedoneagreatdeal。"

"Doyouknowmysecret？"sheasked，withanairofbrighteningconfidence。Andshepausedamomentbeforesheimpartedhersecret——

"TocareonlyfortheBEST！Todothebest，toknowthebest——tohave，todesire，torecognise，onlythebest。That’swhatIhavealwaysdone，inmyquietlittleway。IhavegonethroughEuropeonmydevotedlittleerrand，seeking，seeing，heeding，onlythebest。

Andithasnotbeenformyselfalone；ithasbeenformydaughter。

Mydaughterhashadthebest。Wearenotrich，butIcansaythat。"

"Shehashadyou，madam，"Irejoinedfinely。

"Certainly，suchasIam，Ihavebeendevoted。Wehavegotsomethingeverywhere；alittlehere，alittlethere。That’stherealsecret——

togetsomethingeverywhere；youalwayscanifyouaredevoted。

Sometimesithasbeenalittlemusic，sometimesalittledeeperinsightintothehistoryofart；everylittlecountsyouknow。

Sometimesithasbeenjustaglimpse，aview，alovelylandscape，animpression。Wehavealwaysbeenonthelook-out。Sometimesithasbeenavaluedfriendship，adelightfulsocialtie。"

"Herecomesthe’Europeansociety，’thepoordaughter’sbugbear，"I

saidtomyself。"Certainly，"Iremarkedaloud——Iadmit，ratherperversely——"ifyouhavelivedagreatdealinpensions，youmusthavegotacquaintedwithlotsofpeople。"

Mrs。Churchdroppedhereyesamoment；andthen，withconsiderablegravity，"IthinktheEuropeanpensionsysteminmanyrespectsremarkable，andinsomesatisfactory。Butofthefriendshipsthatwehaveformed，fewhavebeencontractedinestablishmentsofthiskind。"

"Iamsorrytohearthat！"Isaid，laughing。

"Idon’tsayitforyou，thoughImightsayitforsomeothers。WehavebeeninterestedinEuropeanhomes。"

"Oh，Isee！"

"WehavetheentreeoftheoldGenevesesocietyIlikeitstone。I

preferittothatofMr。Ruck，"addedMrs。Church，calmly；"tothatofMrs。RuckandMissRuck——ofMissRuckespecially。"

"Ah，thepoorRuckshaven’tanytoneatall，"Isaid"Don’ttakethemmoreseriouslythantheytakethemselves。"

"Tellmethis，"mycompanionrejoined，"aretheyfairexamples？"

"Examplesofwhat？"

"OfourAmericantendencies。"

"’Tendencies’isabigword，dearlady；tendenciesaredifficulttocalculate。Andyoushouldn’tabusethosegoodRucks，whohavebeenverykindtoyourdaughter。TheyhaveinvitedhertogoandstaywiththeminThirty-SeventhStreet。"

"Aurorahastoldme。Itmightbeveryserious。"

"Itmightbeverydroll，"Isaid。

"Tome，"declaredMrs。Church，"itissimplyterrible。IthinkweshallhavetoleavethePensionBeaurepas。IshallgobacktoMadameChamousset。"

"OnaccountoftheRucks？"Iasked。

"Pray，whydon’ttheygothemselves？Ihavegiventhemsomeexcellentaddresses——writtendowntheveryhoursofthetrains。TheyweregoingtoAppenzell；Ithoughtitwasarranged。"

"TheytalkofChamouninow，"Isaid；"buttheyareveryhelplessandundecided。"

"IwillgivethemsomeChamouniaddresses。Mrs。Ruckwillsendachaiseaporteurs；Iwillgiveherthenameofamanwholetsthemlowerthanyougetthematthehotels。AfterthattheyMUSTgo。"

"Well，Idoubt，"Iobserved，"whetherMr。RuckwilleverreallybeseenontheMerdeGlace——inahighhat。He’snotlikeyou；hedoesn’tvaluehisEuropeanprivileges。Hetakesnointerest。HeregretsWallStreet，acutely。Ashiswifesays，heisveryrestless，buthehasnocuriosityaboutChamouni。Soyoumustnotdependtoomuchontheeffectofyouraddresses。"

"Isitafrequenttype？"askedMrs。Church，withanairofself-

control。

"Iamafraidso。Mr。Ruckisabroken-downmanofbusiness。Heisbrokendowninhealth，andIsuspectheisbrokendowninfortune。

Hehasspenthiswholelifeinbuyingandselling；heknowshowtodonothingelse。Hiswifeanddaughterhavespenttheirlives，notinselling，butinbuying；andthey，ontheirside，knowhowtodonothingelse。Togetsomethinginashopthattheycanputontheirbacks——thatistheironeidea；theyhaven’tanotherintheirheads。

Ofcoursetheyspendnoendofmoney，andtheydoitwithanimplacablepersistence，withamixtureofaudacityandofcunning。

Theydoitinhisteethandtheydoitbehindhisback；themotherprotectsthedaughter，andthedaughtereggsonthemother。Betweenthemtheyarebleedinghimtodeath。"

"Ah，whatapicture！"murmuredMrs。Church。"Iamafraidtheyarevery-uncultivated。"

"Ishareyourfears。Theyareperfectlyignorant；theyhavenoresources。Thevisionoffineclothesoccupiestheirwholeimagination。Theyhavenotanidea——evenaworseone——tocompetewithit。PoorMr。Ruck，whoisextremelygood-naturedandsoft，seemstomeareallytragicfigure。Heisgettingbadnewseverydayfromhome；hisbusinessisgoingtothedogs。Heisunabletostopit；hehastostandandwatchhisfortunesebb。Hehasbeenusedtodoingthingsinabigway，andhefeelsmean，ifhemakesafussaboutbills。Sotheladieskeepsendingthemin。"

"Buthaven’ttheycommonsense？Don’ttheyknowtheyareruiningthemselves？"

"Theydon’tbelieveit。ThedutyofanAmericanhusbandandfatheristokeepthemgoing。Ifheasksthemhow，that’shisownaffair。

So，bywayofnotbeingmean，ofbeingagoodAmericanhusbandandfather，poorRuckstandsstaringatbankruptcy。"

Mrs。Churchlookedatmeamoment，inquickenedmeditation。"Why，ifAuroraweretogotostaywiththem，shemightnotevenbeproperlyfed！"

"Idon’t，onthewhole，recommend，"Isaid，laughing，"thatyourdaughtershouldpayavisittoThirty-SeventhStreet。"

"WhyshouldIbesubjectedtosuchtrials——sosadlyeprouvee？Whyshouldadaughterofminelikethatdreadfulgirl？"

"DOESshelikeher？"

"Pray，doyoumean，"askedmycompanion，softly，"thatAuroraisahypocrite？"

Ihesitatedamoment。"Alittle，sinceyouaskme。Ithinkyouhaveforcedhertobe。"

Mrs。Churchansweredthispossiblypresumptuouschargewithatranquil，candidexultation。"Ineverforcemydaughter！"

"Sheisneverthelessinafalseposition，"Irejoined。"Shehungersandthirststogobacktoherowncountry；shewants’tocome’outinNewYork，whichiscertainly，sociallyspeaking，theElDoradoofyoungladies。Shelikesanyone，forthemoment，whowilltalktoherofthat，andserveasaconnecting-linkwithhernativeshores。

MissRuckperformsthisagreeableoffice。"

"Yourideais，then，thatifsheweretogowithMissRucktoAmericashewoulddropherafterwards。"

IcomplimentedMrs。Churchuponherlogicalmind，butIrepudiatedthiscynicalsupposition。"Ican’timagineher——whenitshouldcometothepoint——embarkingwiththefamilleRuck。ButIwishshemightgo，nevertheless。"

Mrs。Churchshookherheadserenely，andsmiledatmyinappropriatezeal。"Itrustmypoorchildmayneverbeguiltyofsofatalamistake。Sheiscompletelyinerror；sheiswhollyunadaptedtothepeculiarconditionsofAmericanlife。Itwouldnotpleaseher。Shewouldnotsympathise。Mydaughter’sidealisnottheidealoftheclassofyoungwomentowhichMissRuckbelongs。Ifeartheyareverynumerous；theygivethetone——theygivethetone。"

"Itisyouthataremistaken，"Isaid；"gohomeforsixmonthsandsee。"

"Ihavenot，unfortunately，themeanstomakecostlyexperiments。Mydaughterhashadgreatadvantages——rareadvantages——andIshouldbeverysorrytobelievethataufondshedoesnotappreciatethem。Onethingiscertain：Imustremoveherfromthisperniciousinfluence。

Wemustpartcompanywiththisdeplorablefamily。IfMr。RuckandhisladiescannotbeinducedtogotoChamouni——ajourneythatnotravellerwiththesmallestself-respectwouldomit——mydaughterandIshallbeobligedtoretire。WeshallgotoDresden。"

"ToDresden？"

"ThecapitalofSaxony。Ihadarrangedtogotherefortheautumn，butitwillbesimplertogoimmediately。Thereareseveralworksinthegallerywithwhichmydaughterhasnot，Ithink，sufficientlyfamiliarisedherself；itisespeciallystrongintheseventeenthcenturyschools。"

AsmycompanionofferedmethisinformationIperceivedMr。Ruckcomeloungingin，withhishandsinhispockets，andhiselbowsmakingacuteangles。Hehadhisusualanomalousappearanceofbothseekingandavoidingsociety，andhewanderedobliquelytowardMrs。Church，whoselastwordshehadoverheard。"Theseventeenthcenturyschools，"hesaid，slowly，asifhewereweighingsomeverysmallobjectinaverylarge-pairofscales。"Now，doyousupposetheyHAD

schoolsatthatperiod？"

Mrs。Churchrosewithagooddealofprecision，makingnoanswertothisincongruousjest。Sheclaspedherlargevolumetoherneatlittlebosom，andshefixedagentle，seriouseyeuponMr。Ruck。

"IhadaletterthismorningfromChamouni，"shesaid。

"Well，"repliedMr。Ruck，"Isupposeyou’vegotfriendsallover。"

"IhavefriendsatChamouni，buttheyareleaving。Totheirgreatregret。"Ihadgotup，too；Ilistenedtothisstatement，andI

wondered。Iamalmostashamedtomentionthesubjectofmyagitation。Iaskedmyselfwhetherthiswasasuddenimprovisation，consecratedbymaternaldevotion；butthispointhasneverbeenelucidated。"Theyaregivingupsomecharmingrooms；perhapsyouwouldlikethem。Iwouldsuggestyourtelegraphing。Theweatherisglorious，"continuedMrs。Church，"andthehighestpeaksarenowperceivedwithextraordinarydistinctness。"

Mr。Rucklistened，ashealwayslistened，respectfully。"Well，"hesaid，"Idon’tknowasIwanttogoupMountBlank。That’stheprincipalattraction，isn’tit？"

"Therearemanyothers。IthoughtIwouldofferyouan——anexceptionalopportunity。"

"Well，"saidMr。Ruck，"you’rerightdownfriendly。ButIseemtohavemoreopportunitiesthanIknowwhattodowith。Idon’tseemabletotakehold。"

"Itonlyneedsalittledecision，"remarkedMrs。Church，withanairwhichwasanadmirableexampleofthisvirtue。"Iwishyougood-

night，sir。"Andshemovednoiselesslyaway。

Mr。Ruck，withhislonglegsapart，stoodstaringafterher；thenhetransferredhisperfectlyquieteyestome。"Doessheownahoteloverthere？"heasked。"HasshegotanystockinMountBlank？"

CHAPTERIX。

ThenextdayMadameBeaurepashandedme，withherownelderlyfingers，amissive，whichprovedtobeatelegram。Afterglancingatit，Iinformedherthatitwasapparentlyasignalformydeparture；

mybrotherhadarrivedinEngland，andproposedtometomeethimthere；hehadcomeonbusiness，andwastospendbutthreeweeksinEurope。"Butmyhouseemptiesitself！"criedtheoldwoman。"ThefamilleRucktalksofleavingme，andMadameChurchnousfaitlareverence。"

"Mrs。Churchisgoingaway？"

"Sheispackinghertrunk；sheisaveryextraordinaryperson。Doyouknowwhatsheaskedmethismorning？ToinventsomecombinationbywhichthefamilleRuckshouldmoveaway。IinformedherthatI

wasnotaninventor。ThatpoorfamilleRuck！’Obligemebygettingridofthem，’saidMadameChurch，asshewouldhaveaskedCelestinetoremoveadishofcabbage。ShespeaksasiftheworldweremadeforMadameChurch。Iintimatedtoherthatifsheobjectedtothecompanytherewasaverysimpleremedy；andatpresentellefaitsespaquets。"

"ShereallyaskedyoutogettheRucksoutofthehouse？"

"Sheaskedmetotellthemthattheirroomshadbeenlet，threemonthsago，toanotherfamily。ShehasanAPLOMB！"

Mrs。Church’saplombcausedmeconsiderablediversion；Iamnotsurethatitwasnot，insomedegree，tolaughoveritatmyleisurethatIwentoutintothegardenthateveningtosmokeacigar。Thenightwasdarkandnotparticularlybalmy，andmostofmyfellow-

pensioners，afterdinner，hadremainedin-doors。AlongstraightwalkconductedfromthedoorofthehousetotheancientgrillethatIhavedescribed，andIstoodhereforsometime，lookingthroughtheironbarsatthesilentemptystreet。Theprospectwasnotentertaining，andIpresentlyturnedaway。AtthismomentIsaw，inthedistance，thedoorofthehouseopenandthrowashaftoflamplightintothedarkness。Intothelamplighttheresteppedthefigureofafemale，whopresentlyclosedthedoorbehindher。Shedisappearedintheduskofthegarden，andIhadseenherbutforaninstant，butIremainedundertheimpressionthatAuroraChurch，ontheeveofherdeparture，hadcomeoutforameditativestroll。

Ilingerednearthegate，keepingtheredtipofmycigarturnedtowardthehouse，andbeforelongayoungladyemergedfromamongtheshadowsofthetreesandencounteredthelightofalampthatstoodjustoutsidethegate。ItwasinfactAuroraChurch，butsheseemedmorebentuponconversationthanuponmeditation。Shestoodamomentlookingatme，andthenshesaid，-

"OughtItoretire——toreturntothehouse？"

"Ifyouought，Ishouldbeverysorrytotellyouso，"Ianswered。

"Butweareallalone；thereisnooneelseinthegarden。"

"ItisnotthefirsttimethatIhavebeenalonewithayounglady。

Iamnotatallterrified。"

"Ah，butI？"saidtheyounggirl。"Ihaveneverbeenalone——"then，quickly，sheinterruptedherself。"Good，there’sanotherfalsenote！"

"Yes，Iamobligedtoadmitthatoneisveryfalse。"

Shestoodlookingatme。"Iamgoingawayto-morrow；afterthattherewillbenoonetotellme。"

CHAPTERX。

"Thatwillmatterlittle，"Ipresentlyreplied。"Tellingyouwilldonogood。"

"Ah，whydoyousaythat？"murmuredAuroraChurch。

Isaiditpartlybecauseitwastrue；butIsaiditforotherreasonsaswell，whichitwashardtodefine。Standingtherebare-headed，inthenightair，inthevaguelight，thisyoungladylookedextremelyinteresting；andtheinterestofherappearancewasnotdiminishedbyasuspiciononmyownpartthatshehadcomeintothegardenknowingmetobethere。Ithoughtheracharminggirl，andIfeltverysorryforher；but，asIlookedather，thetermsinwhichMadameBeaurepashadventuredtocharacteriseherrecurredtomewithacertainforce。

Ihadprofessedacontemptforthematthetime，butitnowcameintomyheadthatperhapsthisunfortunatelysituated，thisinsidiouslymutinousyoungcreature，waslookingoutforapreserver。Shewascertainlynotagirltothrowherselfataman’shead，butitwaspossiblethatinherintense——heralmostmorbid-desiretoputintoeffectanidealwhichwasperhapsafterallchargedwithasmanyfallaciesashermotheraffirmed，shemightdosomethingrecklessandirregular——somethinginwhichasympatheticcompatriot，asyetunknown，wouldfindhisprofit。Theimage，unshapedthoughitwas，ofthissympatheticcompatriot，filledmewithasortofenvy。ForsomemomentsIwassilent，consciousofthesethings，andthenI

answeredherquestion。"Becausesomethings——somedifferencesarefelt，notlearned。Toyoulibertyisnotnatural；youarelikeapersonwhohasboughtarepeater，and，inhissatisfaction，isconstantlymakingitsound。ToarealAmericangirlherlibertyisaveryvulgarly-tickingoldclock。"

"Ah，youmean，then，"saidthepoorgirl，"thatmymotherhasruinedme？"

"Ruinedyou？"

"Shehassopervertedmymind，thatwhenItrytobenaturalIamnecessarilyimmodest。"

"Thatagainisafalsenote，"Isaid，laughing。

Sheturnedaway。"Ithinkyouarecruel。"

"Bynomeans，"Ideclared；"because，formyowntaste，Ipreferyouas——as——"

Ihesitated，andsheturnedback。"Aswhat？"

"Asyouare。"

Shelookedatmeawhileagain，andthenshesaid，inalittlereasoningvoicethatremindedmeofhermother’s，onlythatitwasconsciousandstudied，"IwasnotawarethatIamunderanyparticularobligationtopleaseyou！"Andthenshegaveaclearlaugh，quiteatvariancewithhervoice。

"Oh，thereisnoobligation，"Isaid，"butonehaspreferences。Iamverysorryyouaregoingaway。"

"Whatdoesitmattertoyou？Youaregoingyourself。"

"AsIamgoinginadifferentdirectionthatmakesallthegreaterseparation。"

Sheanswerednothing；shestoodlookingthroughthebarsofthetallgateattheempty，duskystreet。"Thisgrilleislikeacage，"shesaid，atlast。

"Fortunately，itisacagethatwillopen。"AndIlaidmyhandonthelock。

"Don’topenit，"andshepressedthegateback。"IfyoushouldopenitIwouldgoout——andneverreturn。"

"Whereshouldyougo？"

"ToAmerica。"

"Straightaway？"

"Somehoworother。IwouldgototheAmericanconsul。Iwouldbeghimtogivememoney——tohelpme。"

Ireceivedthisassertionwithoutasmile；Iwasnotinasmilinghumour。Onthecontrary，Ifeltsingularlyexcited，andIkeptmyhandonthelockofthegate。Ibelieved（orIthoughtIbelieved）

whatmycompanionsaid，andIhad——absurdasitmayappear——anirritatedvisionofherthrowingherselfuponconsularsympathy。Itseemedtome，foramoment，thattopassoutofthatgatewiththisyearning，straining，youngcreature，wouldbetopassintosomemysteriousfelicity。IfIwereonlyaheroofromance，Iwouldoffer，myself，totakehertoAmerica。

Inamomentmore，perhaps，IshouldhavepersuadedmyselfthatIwasone，butatthisjunctureIheardasoundthatwasnotromantic。ItprovedtobetheveryrealistictreadofCelestine，thecook，whostoodgrinningatusasweturnedaboutfromourcolloquy。

"Iaskbienpardon，"saidCelestine。"ThemotherofMademoiselledesiresthatMademoiselleshouldcomeinimmediately。M。lePasteurGalopinhascometomakehisadieuxtocesdames。"

Auroragavemeonlyoneglance，butitwasatouchingone。ThensheslowlydepartedwithCelestine。

Thenextmorning，oncomingintothegarden，IfoundthatMrs。Churchandherdaughterhaddeparted。IwasinformedofthisfactbyoldM。

Pigeonneau，whosatthereunderatree，havinghiscoffeeatalittlegreentable。

"Ihavenothingtoenvyyou，"hesaid；"IhadthelastglimpseofthatcharmingMissAurora。"

"Ihadaverylateglimpse，"Ianswered，"anditwasallIcouldpossiblydesire。"

"Ihavealwaysnoticed，"rejoinedM。Pigeonneau，"Thatyourdesiresaremoremoderatethanmine。Quevoulez-vous？Iamoftheoldschool。Jecroisquelaraceseperd。Iregretthedepartureofthatyounggirl：shehadanenchantingsmile。Ceseraunefemmed’esprit。Forthemother，Icanconsolemyself。IamnotsurethatSHEwasafemmed’esprit，thoughshewishedtopassforone。Round，rosy，potelee，sheyethadnotthetemperamentofherappearance；shewasafemmeaustere。IhaveoftennoticedthatcontradictioninAmericanladies。Youseeaplumplittlewoman，withaspeakingeye，andthecontourandcomplexionofaripepeach，andifyouventuretoconductyourselfinthesmallestdegreeinaccordancewiththeseindices，youdiscoveraspeciesofMethodist——ofwhatdoyoucallit？——ofQuakeress。Ontheotherhand，youencounteratall，lean，angularperson，withoutcolour，withoutgrace，allelbowsandknees，andyoufindit’sanatureofthetropics！Thewomenofdutylooklikecoquettes，andtheotherslooklikealpenstocks！However，wehavestillthehandsomeMadameRuck——arealfemmedeRubens，celle-

la。ItisverytruethattotalktoheronemustknowtheFlemishtongue！"

Ihaddetermined，inaccordancewithmybrother’stelegram，togoawayintheafternoon；sothat，havingvariousdutiestoperform，I

leftM。Pigeonneautohisinternationalcomparisons。Amongotherthings，Iwentinthecourseofthemorningtothebanker’s，todrawmoneyformyjourney，andthereIfoundMr。Ruck，withapileofcrumpledlettersinhislap，hischairtippedback，andhiseyesgloomilyfixedonthefringeofthegreenplushtable-cloth。I

timidlyexpressedthehopethathehadgotbetternewsfromhome；

whereuponhegavemealookinwhich，consideringhisprovocation，theabsenceofirritationwasconspicuous。

Hetookuphislettersinhislargehand，andcrushingthemtogether，helditouttome。"Thatepistolarymatter，"hesaid，"isworthaboutfivecents。ButIguess，"headded，rising，"Ihavetakenitinbythistime。"WhenIhaddrawnmymoneyIaskedhimtocomeandbreakfastwithmeatthelittlebrasserie，muchfavouredbystudents，towhichIusedtoresortintheoldtown。"Icouldn’teat，sir，"hesaid，"I——couldn’teat。Badnewstakesawaytheappetite。ButI

guessI’llgowithyou，sothatIneedn’tgototabledownthereatthepension。Theoldwomandownthereisalwaysaccusingmeofturningupmynoseatherfood。Well，IguessIshan’tturnupmynoseatanythingnow。"

Wewenttothelittlebrasserie，wherepoorMr。Ruckmadethelightestpossiblebreakfast。Butifheateverylittle，hetalkedagreatdeal；hetalkedaboutbusiness，goingintoahundreddetailsinwhichIwasquiteunabletofollowhim。Histalkwasnotangrynorbitter；itwasalong，meditative，melancholymonologue；ifithadbeenatriflelessincoherentIshouldalmosthavecalleditphilosophic。Iwasverysorryforhim；Iwantedtodosomethingforhim，buttheonlythingIcoulddowas，whenwehadbreakfasted，toseehimsafelybacktothePensionBeaurepas。WewentacrosstheTreilleanddowntheCorraterie，outofwhichweturnedintotheRueduRhone。Inthislatterstreet，asalltheworldknows，aremanyofthosebrilliantjewellers’shopsforwhichGenevaisfamous。I

alwaysadmiredtheirglitteringwindows，andneverpassedthemwithoutalingeringglance。Evenonthisoccasion，pre-occupiedasI

waswithmyimpendingdeparture，andwithmycompanion’stroubles，I

sufferedmyeyestowanderalongtheprecioustiersthatflashedandtwinkledbehindthehugeclearplatesofglass。Thankstothisinveteratehabit，Imadeadiscovery。InthelargestandmostbrilliantoftheseestablishmentsIperceivedtwoladies，seatedbeforethecounterwithanairofabsorption，whichsufficientlyproclaimedtheiridentity。Ihopedmycompanionwouldnotseethem，butaswecameabreastofthedoor，alittlebeyond，wefounditopentothewarmsummerair。Mr。Ruckhappenedtoglancein，andheimmediatelyrecognisedhiswifeanddaughter。Heslowlystopped，lookingatthem；Iwonderedwhathewoulddo。Thesalesmanwasholdingupabraceletbeforethem，onitsvelvetcushion，andflashingitaboutinanirresistiblemanner。

Mr。Rucksaidnothing，buthepresentlywentin，andIdidthesame。

"Itwillbeanopportunity，"Iremarked，ascheerfullyaspossible，"formetobidgood-byetotheladies。"

TheyturnedroundwhenMr。Ruckcamein，andlookedathimwithoutconfusion。"Well，youhadbettergohometobreakfast，"remarkedhiswife。MissSophymadenoremark，butshetookthebraceletfromtheattendantandgazedatitveryfixedly。Mr。Ruckseatedhimselfonanemptystoolandlookedroundtheshop。

"Well，youhavebeenherebefore，"saidhiswife；"youwereherethefirstdaywecame。"

MissRuckextendedthepreciousobjectinherhandstowardsme。

"Don’tyouthinkthatsweet？"sheinquired。

Ilookedatitamoment。"No，Ithinkit’sugly。"

Sheglancedatmeamoment，incredulous。"Well，Idon’tbelieveyouhaveanytaste。"

"Why，sir，it’sjustlovely，"saidMrs。Ruck。

"You’llseeitsomedayonme，anyway，"herdaughterdeclared。

"No，hewon’t，"saidMr。Ruck，quietly。

"Itwillbehisownfault，then，"MissSophyobserved。

"Well，ifwearegoingtoChamouniwewanttogetsomethinghere，"

saidMrs。Ruck。"Wemaynothaveanotherchance。"

Mr。Ruckwasstilllookingroundtheshop，whistlinginaverylowtone。"Weain’tgoingtoChamouni。WearegoingtoNewYorkcity，straight。"

"Well，I’mgladtohearthat，"saidMrs。Ruck。"Don’tyousupposewewanttotakesomethinghome？"

"IfwearegoingstraightbackImusthavethatbracelet，"herdaughterdeclared，"OnlyIdon’twantavelvetcase；Iwantasatincase。"

"Imustbidyougood-bye，"Isaidtotheladies。"IamleavingGenevainanhourortwo。"

"Takeagoodlookatthatbracelet，soyou’llknowitwhenyouseeit，"saidMissSophy。

"She’sboundtohavesomething，"remarkedhermother，almostproudly。

Mr。Ruckwasstillvaguelyinspectingtheshop；hewasstillwhistlingalittle。"Iamafraidheisnotatallwell，"Isaid，softly，tohiswife。

Shetwistedherheadalittle，andglancedathim。

"Well，Iwishhe’dimprove！"sheexclaimed。

"Asatincase，andaniceone！"saidMissRucktotheshopman。

IbadeMr。Ruckgood-bye。"Don’twaitforme，"hesaid，sittingthereonhisstool，andnotmeetingmyeye。"I’vegottoseethisthingthrough。"

IwentbacktothePensionBeaurepas，andwhen，anhourlater，Ileftitwithmyluggage，thefamilyhadnotreturned。