第9章

"Dearlittlesaint,youlookasifyou\'dliketosmashallthepunchbowlsinthecity,andsaveusjollyyoungfellowsfromtomorrow\'sheadache。"

"Ishould,forsuchheadachessometimesendinheartaches,I\'mafraid。

DearCharlie,don\'tbeangry,butyouknowbetterthanIthatthisisadangerousdayforsuchasyou­sodobecarefulformysake,"sheadded,withanunwontedtouchoftendernessinhervoice,for,lookingatthegallantfigurebeforeher,itwasimpossibletorepressthewomanlylongingtokeepitalwaysasbraveandblitheasnow。

Charliesawthatnewsoftnessintheeyesthatneverlookedunkindlyonhim,fanciedthatitmeantmorethanitdid,and,withasuddenfervorinhisownvoice,answeredquickly:"Mydarling,Iwill！"

Theglowwhichhadrisentohisfacewasreflectedinhers,foratthatmomentitseemedasifitwouldbepossibletolovethiscousinwhowassowillingtobeledbyherandsomuchneededsomehelpfulinfluencetomakeanoblemanofhim。Thethoughtcameandwentlikeaflash,butgaveheraquickheartthrob,asiftheoldaffectionwastremblingonthevergeofsomewarmersentiment,andleftherwithasenseofresponsibilityneverfeltbefore。Obeyingtheimpulse,shesaid,withaprettyblendingofearnestnessandplayfulness,"IfIwearthebracelettorememberyouby,youmustwearthistoremindyouofyourpromise。"

"Andyou,"whisperedCharlie,bendinghisheadtokissthehandsthatputalittlewhiteroseinhisbuttonhole。

Justatthatmostinterestingmomenttheybecameawareofanarrivalinthefrontdrawingroom,whitherAuntPlentyhaddiscreetlyretired。

Rosefeltgratefulfortheinterruption,because,notbeingatallsureofthestateofherheartasyet,shewasafraidoflettingasuddenimpulseleadhertoofar。ButCharlie,consciousthataverypropitiousinstanthadbeenspoiled,regardedthenewcomerwithanythingbutabenignantexpressionofcountenanceand,whispering,"Good—bye,myRose,Ishalllookinthiseveningtoseehowyouareafterthefatiguesoftheday,"hewentaway,withsuchacoolnodtopoorFunSeethattheamiableAsiaticthoughthemusthavemortallyoffendedhim。

Rosehadlittleleisuretoanalyzethenewemotionsofwhichshewasconscious,forMr。TokiocameupatoncetomakehiscomplimentswithacomicalminglingofChinesecourtesyandAmericanawkwardness,andbeforehehadgothishatonJamieshoutedwithadmiringenergy:"Here\'sanother！

Oh,suchaswell！"

Theynowcamethickandfastformanyhours,andtheladiesstoodbravelyattheirpoststilllateintotheevening。ThenAuntJessiewenthome,escortedbyaverysleepylittleson,andAuntPlentyretiredtobed,usedup。Dr。Alechadreturnedingoodseason,forhisfriendswerenotfashionableones,butAuntMyrahadsentupforhiminhothasteandhehadgood—naturedlyobeyedthesummons。Infact,hewasquiteusedtothemnow,forMrs。Myra,havingtriedavarietyofdangerousdiseases,hadfinallydecideduponheartcomplaintastheonemostlikelytokeepherfriendsinachronicstateofanxietyandwascontinuallysendingwordthatshewasdying。Onegetsusedtopalpitationsaswellaseverythingelse,sothedoctorfeltnoalarmbutalwayswentandprescribedsomeharmlessremedywiththemostamiablesobrietyandpatience。

Rosewastiredbutnotsleepyandwantedtothinkoverseveralthings,soinsteadofgoingtobedshesatdownbeforetheopenfireinthestudytowaitforheruncleandperhapsCharlie,thoughshedidnotexpecthimsolate。

AuntMyra\'spalpitationsmusthavebeenunusuallysevere,fortheclockstrucktwelvebeforeDr。Aleccame,andRosewaspreparingtoendherreveriewhenthesoundofsomeonefumblingatthehalldoormadeherjumpup,sayingtoherself:"Poorman！Hishandsaresocoldhecan\'tgethislatchkeyin。Isthatyou,Uncle？"sheadded,runningtoadmithim,forJanewasslowandthenightasbitterasitwasbrilliant。

Avoiceanswered,"Yes。"Andasthedoorswungopen,inwalked,notDr。Alec,butCharlie,whoimmediatelytookoneofthehallchairsandsattherewithhishaton,rubbinghisglovelesshandsandblinkingasifthelightdazzledhim,ashesaidinarapid,abruptsortoftone,"I

toldyouI\'dcome­leftthefellowskeepingitupgloriously­goingtoseetheoldyearout,youknow。ButIpromised­neverbreakmyword­andhereIam。Angelinblue,didyouslayyourthousands？"

"Hush！Thewaitersarestillabout。Cometothestudyfireandwarmyourself,youmustbefrozen,"saidRose,goingbeforetorolluptheeasychair。

"Notatall­neverwarmer­looksverycomfortable,though。Where\'sUncle？"askedCharlie,followingwithhishatstillon,hishandsinhispockets,andhiseyefixedsteadilyonthebrightheadinfrontofhim。

"AuntMyrasentforhim,andIwaswaitinguptoseehowshewas,"answeredRose,busilymendingthefire。

Charlielaughedandsatdownuponacornerofthelibrarytable。"Pooroldsoul！Whatapityshedoesn\'tdiebeforeheisquitewornout。Alittletoomuchethersomeofthesetimeswouldsendheroffquitecomfortably,youknow。"

"Don\'tspeakinthatway。Unclesaysimaginarytroublesareoftenashardtobearasrealones,"saidRose,turningarounddispleased。

Tillnowshehadnotfairlylookedathim,forrecollectionsofthemorningmadeheralittleshy。Hisattitudeandappearancesurprisedherasmuchashiswords,andthequickchangeinherfaceseemedtoremindhimofhismanners。Gettingup,hehastilytookoffhishatandstoodlookingatherwithacuriouslyfixedyetabsentlookashesaidinthesamerapid,abruptway,asif,whenoncestarted,hefoundithardtostop,"Ibegpardon­onlyjoking­verybadtasteIknow,andwon\'tdoitagain。

Theheatoftheroommakesmealittledizzy,andIthinkIgotachillcomingout。Itiscold­Iamfrozen,Idaresay­thoughIdrovelikethedevil。"

"Notthatbadhorseofyours,Ihope？Iknowitisdangerous,solateandalone,"saidRose,shrinkingbehindthebigchairasCharlieapproachedthefire,carefullyavoidingafootstoolinhisway。

"Dangerisexciting­that\'swhyIlikeit。Nomanevercalledmeacoward­lethimtryitonce。Inevergivein­andthathorseshallnotconquerme。I\'llbreakhisneck,ifhebreaksmyspiritdoingit。No­Idon\'tmeanthat­nevermind­it\'sallright,"andCharlielaughedinawaythattroubledher,becausetherewasnomirthinit。

"Haveyouhadapleasantday？"askedRose,lookingathimintentlyashestoodponderingoverthecigarandmatchwhichheheld,asifdoubtfulwhichtostrikeandwhichtosmoke。

"Day？Oh,yes,capital。Abouttwothousandcalls,andanicelittlesupperattheClub。Randalcan\'tsinganymorethanacrow,butIlefthimwithaglassofchampagneupsidedown,tryingtogivethemmyoldfavorite:"\'Tisbettertolaughthanbesighing,"

andCharlieburstforthinthatbacchanalianmelodyatthetopofhisvoice,wavinganallumetteholderoverhisheadtorepresentRandal\'sinvertedwineglass。

"Hush！You\'llwakeAunty,"criedRoseinatonesocommandingthathebrokeoffinthemiddleofarouladetostareatherwithablanklookashesaidapologetically,"Iwasmerelyshowinghowitshouldbedone。

Don\'tbeangry,dearest­lookatmeasyoudidthismorning,andI\'llswearnevertosinganothernoteifyousayso。I\'monlyalittlegay­wedrankyourhealthhandsomely,andtheyallcongratulatedme。Told\'emitwasn\'toutyet。Stop,though­Ididn\'tmeantomentionthat。Nomatter­I\'malwaysinascrape,butyoualwaysforgivemeinthesweetestway。Doitnow,anddon\'tbeangry,littledarling。"And,droppingthevase,hewenttowardherwithasuddenexcitementthatmadehershrinkbehindthechair。

Shewasnotangry,butshockedandfrightened,forsheknewnowwhatthematterwasandgrewsopale,hesawitandaskedpardonbeforeshecouldutterarebuke。

"We\'lltalkofthattomorrow。Itisverylate。Gohomenow,please,beforeUnclecomes,"shesaid,tryingtospeaknaturallyyetbetrayingherdistressbythetremorofhervoiceandthesadanxietyinhereyes。

"Yes,yes,Iwillgo­youaretired­I\'llmakeitallrighttomorrow。"

Andasifthesoundofhisuncle\'snamesteadiedhimforaninstant,Charliemadeforthedoorwithanunevennessofgaitwhichwouldhavetoldtheshamefultruthifhiswordshadnotalreadydoneso。Beforehereachedit,however,thesoundofwheelsarrestedhimand,leaningagainstthewall,helistenedwithalookofdismaymingledwithamusementcreepingoverhisface。"Brutushasbolted­nowIaminafix。Can\'twalkhomewiththishorriddizzinessinmyhead。It\'sthecold,Rose,nothingelse,Idoassureyou,andachill­yes,achill。Seehere！Letoneofthosefellowstherelendmeanarm­nousetogoafterthatbrute。

Won\'tMotherbefrightenedthoughwhenhegetshome？"Andwiththatemptylaughagain,hefumbledforthedoorhandle。

"No,no­don\'tletthemseeyou！Don\'tletanyoneknow！StayheretillUnclecomes,andhe\'lltakecareofyou。Oh,Charlie！Howcouldyoudoit！Howcouldyouwhenyoupromised？"And,forgettingfearinthesuddensenseofshameandanguishthatcameoverher,Roserantohim,caughthishandfromthelock,andturnedthekey;then,asifshecouldnotbeartoseehimstandingtherewiththatvacantsmileonhislips,shedroppedintoachairandcoveredupherface。

Thecry,theact,and,morethanall,thesightofthebowedheadwouldhavesoberedpoorCharlieifithadnotbeentoolate。Helookedabouttheroomwithavague,despairinglook,asiftofindreasonfastslippingfromhiscontrol,butheatandcold,excitementandrecklesspledgingofmanyhealthshaddonetheirworktoowelltomakeinstantsobrietypossible,andowninghisdefeatwithagroan,heturnedawayandthrewhimselfface—downwardonthesofa,oneofthesaddestsightsthenewyearlookeduponasitcamein。

Asshesattherewithhiddeneyes,Rosefeltthatsomethingdeartoherwasdeadforever。Theideal,whichallwomencherish,lookfor,andtoooftenthinktheyhavefoundwhenloveglorifiesamortalman,ishardtogiveup,especiallywhenitcomesinthelikenessofthefirstloverwhotouchesayounggirl\'sheart。Rosehadjustbeguntofeelthatperhapsthiscousin,despitehisfaults,mightyetbecometheherothathesometimeslooked,andthethoughtthatshemightbehisinspirationwasgrowingsweettoher,althoughshehadnotentertainedituntilverylately。Alas,howshortthetenderdreamhadbeen,howrudetheawakening！Howimpossibleitwouldbeeveragaintosurroundthatfallenfigurewithalltheromanceofaninnocentfancyorgiftitwiththehighattributesbelovedbyanoblenature！

Breathingheavilyinthesuddensleepthatkindlybroughtabriefoblivionofhimself,helaywithflushedcheeks,disorderedhair,andathisfeetthelittlerosethatneverwouldbefreshandfairagain­apitifulcontrastnowtothebrave,blitheyoungmanwhowentsogailyoutthatmorningtobesoignominiouslyoverthrownatnight。

Manygirlswouldhavemadelightofatrespasssoreadilyforgivenbytheworld,butRosehadnotyetlearnedtooffertemptationwithasmileandshuthereyestotheweaknessthatmakesamanabrute。Italwaysgrievedordisgustedhertoseeitinothers,andnowitwasveryterribletohaveitbroughtsonear­notinitsworstform,byanymeans,butbadenoughtowringherheartwithshameandsorrowandfillhermindwithdarkforebodingsforthefuture。SoshecouldonlysitmourningfortheCharliethatmighthavebeenwhilewatchingtheCharliethatwaswithanacheinherheartwhichfoundnorelieftill,puttingherhandsthereasiftoeasethepain,theytouchedthepansies,fadedbutstillshowinggoldamongthesomberpurple,andthentwogreattearsdroppedonthemasshesighed:"Ah,me！

Idoneedheart\'s—easesoonerthanIthought！"

Heruncle\'sstepmadeherspringupandunlockthedoor,showinghimsuchanalteredfacethathestoppedshort,ejaculatingindismay,"Goodheavens,child！What\'sthematter？"adding,asshepointedtothesofainpatheticsilence,"Ishehurt？­ill？­dead？"

"No,Uncle,heis­"Shecouldnotuttertheuglywordbutwhisperedwithasobinherthroat,"Bekindtohim,"andfledawaytoherownroom,feelingasifagreatdisgracehadfallenonthehouse。Chapter10。Chapter10。10THESADANDSOBERPART"Howwillhelook？Whatwillhesay？Cananythingmakeusforgetandbehappyagain？"werethefirstquestionsRoseaskedherselfassoonasshewokefromthebriefsleepwhichfollowedalong,sadvigil。Itseemedasifthewholeworldmustbechangedbecauseatroubledarkeneditforher。

Shewastooyoungyettoknowhowpossibleitistoforgivemuchgreatersinsthanthis,forgetfarheavierdisappointments,outlivehigherhopes,andburylovescomparedtowhichherswasbutagirlishfancy。Shewishedithadnotbeensobrightaday,wonderedhowherbirdscouldsingwithsuchshrillgaiety,putnoribboninherhair,andsaid,asshelookedatthereflectionofherowntiredfaceintheglass,"Poorthing！Youthoughtthenewleafwouldhavesomethingpleasantonit。Thestoryhasbeenverysweetandeasytoreadsofar,butthesadandsoberpartiscomingnow。"

Atapatthedoorremindedherthat,inspiteofherafflictions,breakfastmustbeeaten,andthesuddenthoughtthatCharliemightstillbeinthehousemadeherhurrytothedoor,tofindDr。Alecwaitingforherwithhismorningsmile。Shedrewhiminandwhisperedanxiously,asifsomeonelaydangerouslyillnearby,"Ishebetter,Uncle？Tellmeallaboutit­I

canbearitnow。"

Somemenwouldhavesmiledatherinnocentdistressandtoldherthiswasonlywhatwastobeexpectedandendured,butDr。Alecbelievedinthepureinstinctsthatmakeyouthbeautiful,desiredtokeepthemtrue,andhopedhisgirlwouldneverlearntolookunmovedbypainandpityuponanyhumanbeingvanquishedbyavice,nomatterhowtrivialitseemed,howvenialitwasheld。Sohisfacegrewgrave,thoughhisvoicewascheerfulasheanswered:"Allright,Idaresay,bythistime,forsleepisthebestmedicineinsuchcases。Itookhimhomelastnight,andnooneknowshecamebutyouandI。"

"Nooneevershall。Howdidyoudoit,Uncle？"

"Justslippedoutofthelongstudywindowandgothimcannilyoff,fortheairandmotion,afteradashofcoldwater,broughthimaround,andhewasgladtobesafelylandedathome。Hisroomsarebelow,youknow,sonoonewasdisturbed,andIlefthimsleepingnicely。"

"Thankyousomuch,"sighedRose。"AndBrutus？Weren\'ttheyfrightenedwhenhegotbackalone？"

"Notatall。Thesagaciousbeastwentquietlytothestable,andthesleepygroomaskednoquestions,forCharlieoftensendsthehorseroundbyhimselfwhenitislateorstormy。Resteasy,dear­noeyebutourssawthepoorladcomeandgo,andwe\'llforgiveitforlove\'ssake。"

"Yes,butnotforgetit。Inevercan,andhewillneverbeagaintometheCharlieI\'vebeensoproudandfondofalltheseyears。Oh,Uncle,suchapity！Suchapity！"

"Don\'tbreakyourtenderheartaboutit,child,foritisnotincurable,thankGod！Idon\'tmakelightofit,butIamsurethatunderbetterinfluencesCharliewillredeemhimselfbecausehisimpulsesaregoodandthishisonlyvice。Icanhardlyblamehimforwhatheis,becausehismotherdidtheharm。Ideclaretoyou,Rose,IsometimesfeelasifImustbreakoutagainstthatwomanandthunderinherearsthatsheisruiningtheimmortalsoulforwhichsheisresponsibletoheaven！"

Dr。Alecseldomspokeinthisway,andwhenhediditwasratherawful,forhisindignationwasoftherighteoussortandsuchthunderoftenrousesupadrowsysoulwhensunshinehasnoeffect。Roselikedit,andsincerelywishedAuntClarahadbeentheretogetthebenefitoftheoutbreak,forsheneededjustsuchanawakeningfromtheself—indulgentdreaminwhichshelived。

"Doit,andsaveCharliebeforeitistoolate！"shecried,kindlingherselfasshewatchedhim,forhelookedlikearousedlionashewalkedabouttheroomwithhishandclenchedandasparkinhiseye,evidentlyindesperateearnestandreadytodoalmostanything。

"Willyouhelp？"heasked,stoppingsuddenlywithalookthatmadeherstandupstraightandstrongassheansweredwithaneagervoice:"Iwill。"

"Thendon\'tlovehim­yet。"

Thatstartledher,butsheaskedsteadily,thoughherheartbegantobeatandhercolortocome:"Whynot？"

"Firstly,becausenowomanshouldgiveherhappinessintothekeepingofamanwithoutfixedprinciples;secondly,becausethehopeofbeingworthyofyouwillhelphimmorethananyprayersorpreachingofmine。

Thirdly,becauseitwillneedallourwitandpatiencetoundotheworkofnearlyfourandtwentyyears。YouunderstandwhatImean？"

"Yes,sir。"

"Canyousay\'no\'whenheasksyoutosay\'yes\'andwaitalittleforyourhappiness？"

"Ican。"

"Andwillyou？"

"Iwill。"

"ThenI\'msatisfied,andagreatweighttakenoffmyheart。Ican\'thelpseeingwhatgoeson,ortremblingwhenIthinkofyousettingsailwithnobetterpilotthanpoorCharlie。NowyouanswerasIhopedyouwould,andIamproudofmygirl！"

Theyhadbeenstandingwiththewidthoftheroombetweenthem,Dr。

Aleclookingverymuchlikeacommanderissuingorders,Roselikeawell—drilledprivateobedientlyreceivingthem,andbothworetheairofsoldiersgettingreadyforabattle,withthebracingofnervesandquickeningofthebloodbravesoulsfeelastheyputontheirarmor。Atthelastwordshewenttoher,brushedbackthehair,andkissedherontheforeheadwithatendersortofgravityandalookthatmadeherfeelasifhehadendowedherwiththeVictoriaCrossforcourageonthefield。

Nomorewassaidthen,forAuntPlentycalledthemdownandtheday\'sdutiesbegan。ButthatbrieftalkshowedRosewhattodoandfittedhertodoit,foritsethertothinkingofthedutyoneowesone\'sselfinlovingasinalltheothergreatpassionsorexperienceswhichmakeormaralife。

Shehadplentyoftimeforquietmeditationthatdaybecauseeveryonewasrestingafteryesterday\'sfestivity,andshesatinherlittleroomplanningoutanewyearsofullofgoodworks,grandsuccesses,andbeautifulromancesthatifitcouldhavebeenrealized,theMillenniumwouldhavebegun。Itwasagreatcomforttoher,however,andlightenedthelonghourshauntedbyasecretdesiretoknowwhenCharliewouldcomeandasecretfearofthefirstmeeting。Shewassurehewouldbeboweddownwithhumiliationandrepentance,andastruggletookplaceinhermindbetweenthepityshecouldnothelpfeelingandthedisapprobationsheoughttoshow。Shedecidedtobegentle,butveryfrank;toreprove,butalsotoconsole;

andtotrytoimprovethesoftenedmomentbyinspiringtheculpritwithawishforallthevirtueswhichmakeaperfectman。

Thefonddelusiongrewquiteabsorbing,andhermindwasfullofitasshesatwatchingthesunsetfromherwesternwindowandadmiringwithdreamyeyesthefineeffectofthedistanthillsclearanddarkagainstadaffodilskywhenthebangofadoormadehersitsuddenlyerectinherlowchairandsaywithacatchinherbreath:"He\'scoming！ImustrememberwhatIpromisedUncleandbeveryfirm。"

UsuallyCharlieannouncedhisapproachwithmusicofsomesort。Nowheneitherwhistled,hummed,norsang,butcamesoquietlyRosewassurethathedreadedthismeetingasmuchasshedidand,compassionatinghisnaturalconfusion,didnotlookaroundasthestepsdrewnear。Shethoughtperhapshewouldgodownuponhisknees,asheusedtoafteraboyishoffense,buthopednot,fortoomuchhumilitydistressedher,soshewaitedforthefirstdemonstrationanxiously。

Itwasratherashockwhenitcame,however,foragreatnosegaydroppedintoherlapandavoice,boldandgayasusual,saidlightly:"Heresheis,asprettyandpensiveasyouplease。Istheworldhollow,ourdollstuffedwithsawdust,anddowewanttogointoanunnerytoday,Cousin？"

Rosewassotakenabackbythisunexpectedcoolnessthattheflowerslayunnoticedasshelookedupwithafacesofullofsurprise,reproach,andsomethinglikeshamethatitwasimpossibletomistakeitsmeaning。

Charliedidnot,andhadthegracetoreddendeeply,andhiseyesfellashesaidquickly,thoughinthesamelighttone:"Ihumblyapologizefor­comingsolatelastnight。Don\'tbeharduponme,Cousin。YouknowAmericaexpectseverymantodohisdutyonNewYear\'sDay。"

"Iamtiredofforgiving！Youmakeandbreakpromisesaseasilyasyoudidyearsago,andIshallneveraskyouforanother,"answeredRose,puttingthebouquetaway,fortheapologydidnotsatisfyherandshewouldnotbebribedtosilence。

"But,mydeargirl,youaresoveryexacting,sopeculiarinyournotions,andsoangryabouttriflesthatapoorfellowcan\'tpleaseyou,tryashewill,"beganCharlie,illatease,buttooproudtoshowhalfthepenitencehefelt,notsomuchforthefaultasforherdiscoveryofit。

"Iamnotangry­Iamgrievedanddisappointed,forIexpecteverymantodohisdutyinanotherwayandkeephiswordtotheuttermost,asItrytodo。Ifthatisexacting,I\'msorry,andwon\'ttroubleyouwithmyold—fashionednotionsanymore。"

"Blessmysoul！Whataroutaboutnothing！IownthatIforgot­I

knowIactedlikeafoolandIbegpardon。WhatmorecanIdo？"

"Actlikeaman,andneverletmebesoterriblyashamedofyouagainasIwaslastnight。"AndRosegavealittleshiverasshethoughtofit。

ThatinvoluntaryacthurtCharliemorethanherwords,anditwashisturnnowtofeel"terriblyashamed,"fortheeventsofthepreviouseveningwereveryhazyinhismindandfearmagnifiedthemgreatly。Turningsharplyaway,hewentandstoodbythefire,quiteatalosshowtomakehispeacethistime,becauseRosewassounlikeherself。Usuallyawordofexcusesufficed,andsheseemedgladtopardonandforget;now,thoughveryquiet,therewassomethingalmoststernaboutherthatsurprisedanddauntedhim,forhowcouldheknowthatallthewhileherpitifulheartwaspleadingforhimandtheveryefforttocontrolitmadeheralittlehardandcold？

Ashestoodthere,restlesslyfingeringtheornamentsuponthechimneypiece,hiseyebrightenedsuddenlyand,takinguptheprettybraceletlyingthere,hewentslowlybacktoher,sayinginatonethatwashumbleandseriousenoughnow:"Iwillactlikeaman,andyoushallneverbeashamedagain。Onlybekindtome。Letmeputthison,andpromiseafresh­thistimeIswearI\'llkeepit。Won\'tyoutrustme,Rose？"

Itwasveryhardtoresistthepleadingvoiceandeyes,forthishumilitywasdangerous;and,butforUncleAlec,Rosewouldhaveanswered"yes。"

Theblueforget—me—notsremindedherofherownpromise,andshekeptitwithdifficultynow,tobegladalwaysafterward。Puttingbacktheofferedtrinketwithagentletouch,shesaidfirmly,thoughshedarednotlookupintotheanxiousfacebendingtowardher:"No,Charlie­Ican\'twearit。MyhandsmustbefreeifI\'mtohelpyouasIought。Iwillbekind,Iwilltrustyou,butdon\'tswearanything,onlytrytoresisttemptation,andwe\'llallstandbyyou。"

Charliedidnotlikethatandlostthegroundhehadgainedbysayingimpetuously:"Idon\'twantanyonebutyoutostandbyme,andImustbesureyouwon\'tdesertme,else,whileI\'mmortifyingsoulandbodytopleaseyou,somestrangerwillcomeandstealyourheartawayfromme。Icouldn\'tbearthat,soIgiveyoufairwarning,insuchacaseI\'llbreakthebargain,andgostraighttothedevil。"

Thelastsentencespoileditall,foritwasbothmasterfulanddefiant。

RosehadtheCampbellspiritinher,thoughitseldomshowed;asyetshevaluedherlibertymorethananyloveofferedher,andsheresentedtheauthorityheassumedtoosoon­resenteditallthemorewarmlybecauseoftheeffortshewasmakingtoreinstateherhero,whowouldinsistonbeingaveryfaultyandungratefulman。Sherosestraightoutofherchair,sayingwithalookandtonewhichratherstartledherhearerandconvincedhimthatshewasnolongeratenderheartedchildbutawomanwithawillofherownandaspiritasproudandfieryasanyofherrace:"Myheartismyown,todisposeofasIplease。Don\'tshutyourselfoutofitbypresumingtoomuch,foryouhavenoclaimonmebutthatofcousinship,andyouneverwillhaveunlessyouearnit。Rememberthat,andneitherthreatennordefymeanymore。"

ForaminuteitwasdoubtfulwhetherCharliewouldanswerthisflashwithanother,andageneralexplosionensue,orwiselyquenchtheflamewiththemildanswerwhichturnethawaywrath。Hechosethelattercourseandmadeitveryeffectivebythrowinghimselfdownbeforehisoffendedgoddess,ashehadoftendoneinjest。Thistimeitwasnotacting,butserious,earnest,andtherewasrealpassioninhisvoiceashecaughtRose\'sdressinbothhands,sayingeagerly:"No,no！Don\'tshutyourheartagainstmeorIshallturndesperate。I\'mnothalfgoodenoughforsuchasaintasyou,butyoucandowhatyouwillwithme。Ionlyneedamotivetomakeamanofme,andwherecanIfindastrongeronethanintryingtokeepyourlove？"

"Itisnotyoursyet,"beganRose,muchmoved,thoughallthewhileshefeltasifshewereonastageandhadaparttoplay,forCharliehadmadelifesolikeamelodramathatitwashardforhimtobequitesimpleevenwhenmostsincere。

"Letmeearnit,then。Showmehow,andI\'lldoanything,foryouaremygoodangel,Rose,andifyoucastmeoff,IfeelasifIshouldn\'tcarehowsoontherewasanendofme,"criedCharlie,gettingtragicinhisearnestnessandputtingbotharmsaroundher,asifhisonlysafetylayinclingingtothisbelovedfellowcreature。

Behindfootlightsitwouldhavebeenirresistible,butsomehowitdidnottouchtheonespectator,thoughshehadneithertimenorskilltodiscoverwhy。Foralltheirardorthewordsdidnotringquitetrue。Despitethegraceoftheattitude,shewouldhavelikedhimbettermanfullyerectuponhisfeet,andthoughthegesturewasfulloftenderness,asubtleinstinctmadehershrinkawayasshesaidwithacomposurethatsurprisedherselfevenmorethanitdidhim:"Pleasedon\'t。No,Iwillpromisenothingyet,forImustrespectthemanIlove。"

ThatbroughtCharlietohisfeet,palewithsomethingdeeperthananger,fortherecoiltoldhimmoreplainlythanthewordshowmuchhehadfalleninherregardsinceyesterday。Thememoryofthehappymomentwhenshegavetherosewiththatnewsoftnessinhereyes,theshycolor,thesweet"formysake"camebackwithsuddenvividness,contrastingsharplywiththenowavertedface,thehandoutstretchedtoputhimback,theshrinkingfigure,andinthatinstant\'ssilence,poorCharlierealizedwhathehadlost,foragirl\'sfirstthoughtofloveisasdelicateathingastherosymorningglory,whichabreathofaircanshatter。Onlyahintofevil,onlyanhour\'sdebasementforhim,amoment\'sglimpseforherofthecoarserpleasuresmenknow,andtheinnocentheart,justopeningtoblessandtobeblessed,closedagainlikeasensitiveplantandshuthimoutperhapsforever。

Theconsciousnessofthisturnedhimpalewithfear,forhislovewasdeeperthansheknew,andheprovedthiswhenhesaidinatonesofullofmingledpainandpatiencethatittouchedhertotheheart:"YoushallrespectmeifIcanmakeyou,andwhenI\'veearnedit,mayIhopeforsomethingmore？"

Shelookedupthen,sawinhisfacethenobleshame,thehumblesortofcouragethatshowsrepentancetobegenuineandgivespromiseofsuccess,and,withahopefulsmilethatwasacordialtohim,answeredheartily:

"Youmay。"

"Blessyouforthat！I\'llmakenopromises,I\'llaskfornone­onlytrustme,Rose,andwhileyoutreatmelikeacousin,rememberthatnomatterhowmanyloversyoumayhaveyou\'llneverbetoanyofthemasdearasyouaretome。"

AtraitorousbreakinhisvoicewarnedCharlietostopthere,andwithnoothergood—bye,heverywiselywentaway,leavingRosetoputtheneglectedflowersintowaterwithremorsefulcareandlayawaythebracelet,sayingtoherself:"I\'llneverwearittillIfeelasIdidbefore。ThenheshallputitonandI\'llsay\'yes。\'"Chapter11。Chapter11。11SMALLTEMPTATIONS"Oh,Rose,I\'vegotsomethingsoexcitingtotellyou！"criedKittyVanTassel,skippingintothecarriagenextmorningwhenherfriendcalledforhertogoshopping。

Kittyalwaysdidhavesome"perfectlythrilling"communicationtomakeandRosehadlearnedtotakethemquietly,butthenextdemonstrationwasanewone,for,regardlessalikeofcuriousobserversoutsideanddisorderedhatswithin,KittycaughtRosearoundtheneck,exclaiminginarapturouswhisper:"Mydearestcreature,I\'mengaged！"

"I\'msoglad！OfcourseitisSteve？"

"Dearfellow,hediditlastnightinthenicestway,andMamaissodelighted。NowwhatshallIbemarriedin？"AndKittycomposedherselfwithafacefullofthedeepestanxiety。

"Howcanyoutalkofthatsosoon？Why,Kit,youunromanticgirl,yououghttobethinkingofyourloverandnotyourclothes,"saidRose,amusedyetratherscandalizedatsuchwantofsentiment。

"Iamthinkingofmylover,forhesayshewillnothavealongengagement,soImustbegintothinkaboutthemostimportantthingsatonce,mustn\'tI？"

"Ah,hewantstobesureofyou,foryouaresuchaslipperycreatureheisafraidyou\'lltreathimasyoudidpoorJacksonandtherest,"interruptedRose,shakingherfingeratherprospectivecousin,whohadtriedthispastimetwicebeforeandwasratherproudthanotherwiseofherbriefengagements。

"Youneedn\'tscold,forIknowI\'mright,andwhenyou\'vebeeninsocietyaslongasIhaveyou\'llfindthattheonlywaytoreallyknowamanistobeengagedtohim。Whiletheywantyoutheyarealldevotion,butwhentheythinkthey\'vegotyou,thenyoufindoutwhatwretchestheyare,"

answeredKittywithanairofworldlywisdomwhichcontrastedoddlywithheryouthfulfaceandgiddymanners。