第2章

``Idon’tknowathingaboutmoney，’’Mrs。Presburywenton。``Yourfatheralwayslookedaftereverything。’’

Shehadfallenintothewayofspeakingofherfirsthusbandaspartofsomevague，remotepast，which，indeed，hehadbecomeforher。``Thisman’’——

meaningPresbury——``hasonlyaboutfivethousandayear，asyouknow。Isupposethat’sassmallashesaysitis。Irememberourbillsforonemonthusedtobeasmuchormorethanthat。’’Shewavedheruseless，prettyhandshelplessly。``Idon’tseeHOWwearetogeton，Mildred！’’

Hermotherwishedhertogo！HermotherhadfallenundertheinfluenceofPresbury——hermother，woman-

like，orrather，ladylike，wasofkintothehelpless，flabbythingsthatfloatintheseaandattachthemselvestowhatevertheyhappentolodgeagainst。Hermotherwishedhertogo！

``Atthesametime，’’Mrs。Presburywenton，``I

can’tlivewithoutsomebodyheretostandbetweenmeandhim。I’dkillhimorkillmyself。’’

Mildredmutteredsomeexcuseandfledfromtheroom，tolockherselfin。

Butwhenshecameforthagaintodescendtodinner，shehadresolvednothing，becausetherewasnothingtoresolve。Whenshewasachildsheleanedfromthenurserywindowonedayandsawastable-boydrowningaratthatwasinabig，oval，wirecagewithawoodenbottom。Theboypressedthecageslowlydowninthevatofwater。Therat，intheverytopofthecage，watchedthefloorsink，watchedthewaterrise。Andasitwatcheditutteredastrange，shrill，feeblesoundwhichshecouldstillrememberdistinctlyandterribly。Itseemedtohernowthatifsheweretoutteranysoundatall，itwouldbethatone。

II

ONtheMondaybeforeThanksgiving，PresburywentuptoNewYorktolookafteroneofthelittlespeculationsinWallStreetatwhichhewassoclever。

Throughoutthecivilizedworldnowadays，andespeciallyinandnearthegreatcapitalsoffinance，thereisaclassofmenandwomenofsmallcapitalandofacharacterinwhicharecombinedironself-restraint，rabbit-liketimidity，andgreatshrewdness，whomakeoftenanotinconsiderableincomebygamblinginstocks。Theybuyonlywhenthemarketisadvancingstrongly。theysellassoonastheyhavegainedthescantestmarginofprofit。Theyneverpermitthemselvestobetemptedbythemostabsolutecertaintyoflargergains。Theywillletweeks，monthseven，gobywithoutonceriskingadollar。Theywaituntiltheysimplycannotlose。Tensofthousandseveryyeartrytojointhisclass。Allbutthefewsoonsuccumbtothehourlydazzlingtemptationsthebiggamblersdanglebeforetheeyesofthelittlegamblerstolurethemwithinreachofthemercilessshears。

Presburyhadformanyyearsaddedfromonetotenthousandayeartohisincomebythisformofgambling，successatwhichisinitselfsufficienttostampamanasinfinitelylittleofsoul。OnthatMondayhe，venturingforthefirsttimeinsixmonths，returnedtoHangingRockonthethree-thirtytrainthericherbytwohundredandfiftydollars——aslargea``killing’’ashehadevermadeinanysingleday，onelargeenoughtoelevatehimtotherankofprinceamongthe``sure-thingsnides。’’

Hesaidnothingabouthislucktohisfamily，butletthemattributehisunprecedentedgoodhumortothenewshebroughtandannouncedatdinner。

``Imetanoldfriendinthestreetthisafternoon，’’

saidhe。``HehasinvitedustotakeThanksgivingdinnerwithhim。AndIthinkitwillbeadinnerworthwhile——thefood，Imean，andthewine。Nottheguests。fortherewon’tbeanyguestsbutus。GeneralSiddallisastrangerinNewYork。’’

``ThereareSiddallsinNewYork，’’saidhiswife。

``verynice，refinedpeople——goinginthebestsociety。’’

Presburyshowedhisfalseteethinagenialsmile。fortheold-fashionedorplatekindoffalseteeththeywereextraordinarilygood——whenexactlyinplace。``ButnotmyoldfriendBillSiddall，’’saidhe。``He’snextdoortoanoutlaw。I’dnothaveacceptedhisinvitationifhehadbeenaskingustodineinpublic。Butthisistobeathisownhouse——hisnewhouse——andaverygrandhouseitis，judgingbythephotosheshowedme。

Aregularpalace！He’llnotbeanoutlawlong，Iguess。

Butwemustwaitandseehowhecomesoutsociallybeforewecommitourselves。’’

``Didyouacceptforme，too？’’askedMrs。Presbury。

``Certainly，’’saidPresbury。``Andforyourdaughter，too。’’

``Ican’tgo，’’saidMildred。``I’mdiningwiththeFassetts。’’

Thefamilynolongerhadaservantinconstantattendanceinthedining-room。Themaidofmanyfunctionsalsoactedasbutlerandasfetch-and-carrybetweenkitchenandbutler’spantry。Beforespeaking，Presburywaiteduntilthismaidhadwithdrawntobringtheroastandthevegetables。Thenhesaid：

``Youaregoing，too，miss。’’Thiswiththefullinfusionofinsultintothe``miss。’’

Mildredwassilent。

``BillSiddallislookingforawife，’’proceededPresbury。``AndhehasHeavenknowshowmanymillions。’’

``Doyouthinkthere’sachanceforMilly？’’criedMrs。Presbury，whowasfullofalternatinghopesandfears，bothwhollyirrational。

``Shecanhavehim——ifshewantshim，’’repliedPresbury。``Butit’sonlyfairtowarnherthathe’sastiffdose。’’

``Isthemoney——CERTAIN？’’inquiredMildred’smotherwiththatshrewdnesswhoserareoccasionaldisplayslaidheropentotheunjustsuspicionoffeigningherhabitualstupidity。

``Yes，’’saidPresburyamiably。``It’snothinglikeyourswas。He’ssorichhedoesn’tknowwhattodowithhisincome。Heownsminesscatteredallovertheworld。Andiftheyallfailed，he’sgotbundlesofrailwaystocksandbonds，andgilt-edgedtruststocks，too。

Andhe’sacomparativelyyoungman——hardlyfifty，Ishouldsay。Hepretendstobeforty。’’

``It’sstrangeIneverheardofhim，’’saidMrs。Presbury。

``IfyouwenttoSouthAmericaorSouthAfricaorAlaska，you’dhearofhim，’’saidPresbury。Helaughed。

``AndIguessyou’dhearsomeprettydreadfulthings。

WhenIknewhimtwenty-fiveyearsagohehadjustbeenarrestedforforgingmyfather’snametoacheck。

Buthegotoutofthat——andit’sallpastandgone。

Probablyhehasn’tcommittedanyworsecrimesthanhavemostofourbigrichmen。Bill’shandicaphasbeenthathehadn’tmucheducationoranyswellrelatives。Buthe’sageniusatmoney-making。’’

PresburylookedatMildredwithagrin。``Andhe’sjustthehusbandforMildred。Shecan’taffordtobetooparticular。Somebody’sgottosupporther。_I_can’tandwon’t，andshecan’tsupportherself。’’

``You’llgo——won’tyou，Mildred？’’saidhermother。

``Hemaynotbesobad。’’

``Yes，I’llgo，’’saidMildred。Hergazewasupontheuntouchedfoodonherplate。

``Ofcourseshe’llgo，’’saidPresbury。``Andshe’llmarryhimifshecan。Won’tyou，miss？’’

Hespokeinhisamiablyinsultingway——asdistinguishedfromthewayofsavagelysneeringinsultheusuallytookwithher。Heexpectednoreply。Shesurprisedhim。Sheliftedhertragiceyesandlookedfixedlyathim。Shesaid：

``Yes，I’llgo。AndI’llmarryhimifIcan。’’

``Itoldhimhecouldhaveyou，’’saidPresbury。``I

explainedtohimthatyouwereararespecimenoftheperfectlady——justwhathewanted——andthatyou，andallyourfamily，wouldbegratefultoanybodywhowouldundertakeyoursupport。’’

Mrs。Presburyflushedangrily。``You’vemadeitperfectlyuselessforhertogo！’’shecried。

``Calmyourself，mylove，’’saidherhusband。``I

knowBillSiddallthoroughly。Isaidwhatwouldhelp。

Iwanttogetridofherasmuchasyoudo——andthat’ssayingagreatdeal。’’

Mrs。Presburyflamedwiththewrathofthosewhoarejustlyaccused。``IfMildredleft，Ishouldgo，too，’’

criedshe。

``Gowhere？’’inquiredherhusband。``Tothepoorhouse？’’

BypersistentrubbinginPresburyhadsucceededinmakingthetruthaboutherpovertyanddependencecleartohiswife。Shecontinuedtofrownandtolookunutterablecontempt，buthehadsilencedher。

Henotedthiswithasortofsatisfactionandwenton：

``IfBillSiddalltakesher，youcertainlywon’tgothere。Hewouldn’thaveyou。Hefeelsstronglyonthesubjectofmothers-in-law。’’

``Hashebeenmarriedbefore？’’askedMrs。Presbury。

``Twice，’’repliedherhusband。``Hisfirstwifedied。

Hedivorcedthesecondforunfaithfulness。’’

MildredsawinthispainstakingrecitalofallthedisagreeableandrepellentfactsaboutSiddallaneffortfurthertohumiliateherbymakingitapparenthowdesperatelyoffshewas，howshecouldnotrefuseanyoffer，revoltingthoughitmightbetoherprideandtoherwomanlyinstincts。DoubtlessthiswasinparttheexplanationofPresbury’smaliciouscandor。Butanelementinthatcandorwasaprudentpreparingofthegirl’smindforworsethanthereality。ThathewasinearnestinhisprofessionofadesiretobringaboutthematchshowedwhenheproposedthattheyshouldtakeroomsatahotelinNewYork，togiveherachancetodressproperlyforthedinner。True，hehastenedtosaythattheexpensemustbemetaltogetheroutoftheremnantofMildred’sshareofherfather’sestate，buttheideawouldnothaveoccurredtohimhadhenotbeenreallyplanningamarriage。

NeverhadMildredlookedmorebeautifulormoreattractivethanwhenthethreewerereadytosallyforthfromtheManhattanHotelonthatThanksgivingevening。

Attwenty-five，asoundlyhealthyandvigoroustwenty-five，itisimpossibleformindandnerves，howeverwroughtupon，tomakeseriousinroadsuponsurfacecharms。Thehopeofemancipationfromherhideousslaveryhadbeenactinguponthegirllikeapowerfultonic。Shehadgainedseveralpoundsinthethreeinterveningdays。herfacehadfilledout，colorhadcomebackinallitsformerbeautytoherlips。Perhapstherewassomeslightaidfromartintheextraordinarybrilliancyofhereyes。

Presburyinventoriedherwithasuccessionofgruntsofsatisfaction。``Yes，he’llwantyou，’’hesaid。

``You’llstrikehimasjusttheshowpieceheneeds。

Andhe’stooshrewdnottobeawarethathischoiceislimited。’’

``Youcan’tfrightenme，’’saidMildred，witharadiant，coquettishsmile——forpractice。``Nothingcouldfrightenme。’’

``I’mnottrying，’’repliedPresbury。``NorwillSiddallfrightenyou。Awomanwho’safterabill-payercanstomachanything。’’

``Oraman，’’saidMildred。

``Oh，yourmotherwasn’tasbadasallthat，’’saidPresbury，whoneverlostanopportunity。

Mrs。Presbury，seatedbesideherdaughterinthecab，gaveanexclamationofrage。``Myowndaughterinsultingme！’’shesaid。

``Suchathoughtdidnotentermyhead，’’protestedMildred。``Iwasn’tthinkingofanyoneinparticular。’’

``Let’snotquarrelnow，’’saidPresbury，withunprecedentedamiability。``WemustgiveBillaspectacleofthehappyfamily。’’

Thecabenteredtheporte-cochereofahugepalaceofwhitestonejustoffFifthAvenue。Thehousewasevengranderthantheyhadanticipated。Thewrought-

ironfencearoundithadcostasmallfortune。thehouseitself，withoutreferencetoitscontents，alargefortune。

Themassiveouterdoorswereopenedbytwolackeysincherry-coloredsilkandvelvetlivery。abutler，lookinglikeanEnglishgentleman，waswaitingtoreceivethematthetopofashortflightofmarblestepsbetweentheouterandtheinnerentrancedoors。AsMildredascended，shehappenedtonotethesculpturingovertheinnerentrance——arecliningnudefigureofawoman，Cupidswithgarlandsandhymenealtorcheshoveringabouther。

MildredhadbeeninmanypretentioushousesinandnearNewYork，butthisfarsurpassedthegrandestofthem。Everythingwasbrandnew，seemedtohavebeenonlythatmomentplaced，andwasofthecostliest-

statuary，carpets，armor，carvedseatsofstoneandwood，marblestaircaserisingmajestically，tapestries，pictures，drawing-roomfurniture。Thehallwasvast，butthedrawing-roomwasvaster。Empty，onewouldhavesaidthatitcouldnotpossiblybefurnished。Yetitwasnotonlyfull，butcrowded-chairsandsofas，hassocksandtete-a-tetes，cabinets，tables，pictures，statues，busts，palms，flowers，amightyfireplaceinwhich，behindenormousandcostlyandirons，crackledenormousandcostlylogs。Therewasdangerinmovingabout。onecouldnotbesureofnotupsettingsomething，andonefeltthattheleastdamagethatcouldbedonetherewouldbeanappallinglyexpensivematter。

BeforethatcavernousfireplaceposedGeneralSiddall。Hewasatinymiteofamanwithathinwirybodysupportingtheheadofaprofessionalbarber。

Hisblackhairwasglossyandmostromanticallyarranged。Hisblackmustacheandimperialwerewaxedandbrilliantined。Therewasnomistakingtheliberaluseofdye，also。Fromtheratherthin，verysharpfacelookedapairofsmall，muddy，brown-greeneyes——dull，crafty，cold，cruel。Butthelittlemanwassoinsignificantandsobebarberedandbetailoredthatonecouldnottakehimseriously。Neverhadtherebeensonew，socarefullypressed，soperfectlyfittingeveningclothes。neverashirtsoexpensivelygottogether，orjeweledstuds，waistcoatbuttonsandlinkssohighpriced。Fromeverypartoftheroom，fromeverypartofthelittleman’sperfumedandgroomedperson，everyindividualarticleseemedtobeshrieking，``ThebestisnottoogoodforBillSiddall！’’

Mildredwasagreeablysurprised——shewaslookingwithfiercedeterminationforagreeablesurprises——

whenthecostlylittlemanspoke，inaquiet，pleasantvoicewithanelusive，attractiveforeignaccent。

``My，butthisisgrand——grand，GeneralSiddall！’’

saidPresburyinthevoiceofthenoisyflatterer。

``Princely！Royal！’’

MildredglancednervouslyatSiddall。ShefearedthatPresburyhadtakenthewrongtone。Shesawintheunpleasanteyesaglanceofgratifiedvanity。Saidhe：

``Notsobad，notsobad。IsawthehouseinParis，whenIwastakingawalkoneday。IwenttotheAmericanambassadorandaskedforthebestarchitectinParis。Iwenttohim，toldhimaboutthehouse——

andhereitis。’’

``Decorations，furniture，andall！’’exclaimedPresbury。

``No，justthehouse。IpickeduptheinteriorsindifferentpartsofEurope——hadeverythingreproducedwhereIcouldn’tbuyoutright。IwanttoenjoymymoneywhileI’mstillyoung。Ididn’tcarewhatitcosttogetthepropersurroundings。AsIsaidtomyarchitectandtomystaffofartists，Iexpectedtobecheated，butIwantedthegoods。AndIgotthegoods。I’llshowyouthroughthehouseafterdinner。It’sonthissamescalethroughout。Andthey’reputtingmetogetheracountryplace——samesortofthing。’’Hethrewbackhislittleshouldersandprotrudedhislittlechest。``Andthejokeofitisthatthewholebusinessisn’tcostingmeacent。’’

``Notacentlessthanhalfadozenoradozenmillions，’’saidPresbury。

``Notsomuchasthat——notquite，’’protestedthedelightedlysparklinglittlegeneral。``ButwhatI

meantwasthat，asfastasthesefellowsspend，Igodown-townandmake。Factis，I’malittlebetteroffthanIwaswhenIstartedintobuild。’’

``Well，youdidn’tgetanyofMYmoney，’’laughedPresbury。``ButIsupposeprettymucheverybodyelseinthecountrymusthavecontributed。’’

GeneralSiddallsmiled。Mildredwonderedwhetherthepointsofhismustacheandimperialwouldcrackandbreakof，ifheshouldtouchthem。Shenotedthathishairwasroachedabsurdlyhighabovethemiddleofhisforeheadandthathewaswearingthetallestheelsshehadeverseen。Shecalculatedthat，withhishairflatandhisfeetontheground，hewouldhardlycometohershoulder——andshewasbarelyofwoman’smediumheight。Shecaughtsightofhishands——thesquare，stubbyhandsofaworkingman。thefingerspermanentlyslightlycurvedasbythehandleofshovelandpick。theskinshriveledbutwhitewithaghastly，sickeningbleachedwhite，thenailsrepulsivelymanicuredintolongwhitecurves。``Ifheshouldtouchme，I’dscream，’’shethought。AndthenshelookedatPresbury——andaroundherattheevidencesofenormouswealth。

Thegeneral——shewonderedwherehehadgotthattitle——ledhermotherintodinner，Presburygaveherhisarm。Onthewayhefoundopportunitytomutter：

``Layitonthick！Flatterthefool。Youcan’toffendhim。Tellhimhe’sdivinelyhandsome——aLouisFourteen，aNapoleon。Praiseeverything——napkins，tablecloth，dishes，food。Raveoverthewine。’’

ButMildredcouldnotadoptthisobviouslyexcellentadvice。Shesatsilentandcold，whilePresburyandhermotherravedanddrewoutthegeneraltotalkofhimself——theonlysubjectinthewholeworldthatseemedtohimthoroughlyworthwhile。AsMildredlistenedandfurtivelyobserved，itseemedtoherthatthistinyfool，soobviouslypleasedbythesecoarseandinsultingflatteries，couldnotpossiblyhavehadthebrainstoamassthevastfortuneheapparentlypossessed。Butpresentlyshenotedthatbehindthepersonalitythatwaspleasedbythisgrossfawningandbootlickingtherelay——layinwaitandonguard——

anotherpersonality，onethatdespisedtheseguestsofhis，estimatingthemattheirtruevalueandusingthemcontemptuouslyforthegratificationofhiscoarseappetites。Intheglimpseshecaughtofthatdeeperandrealpersonality，shelikeditevenlessthanshelikedtheoneuponthesurface。

ItwasevidenceofsuperioracumenthatshesawevenvaguelytherealBillSiddall，themoney-maker，beneaththeGeneralWilliamSiddall，rawandignorantandvulgar——morevulgarinhisrefinementthanthemostshockingbumathomeandateaseinfoul-smellingstew。

Everymanofachievementhidesbeneathhissurface——

personalitythissecondandrealman，whomakesthefortune，discoversthesecretofchemistry，fightsthebattle，carriestheelection，paintsthepicture，commitsthefrightfulmurder，evolvesthedivinesermonorpoemorsymphony。Thus，whenwemeetamanofachievement，weinvariablyhaveasenseofdisappointment。

``Why，that’snottheman！’’weexclaim。``Theremustbesomemistake。’’Anditis，indeed，nottheman。

Himweareincapableofseeing。Wehaveonlyeyesforsurfaces。and，notbeingdoersofextraordinarydeeds，butmereploddersintheroutinesofexistence，wecannotbelievethatthereisanymoretoanotherthanthereistoourselves。Thepleasantorunpleasantsurfacefortheconventionalrelationsoflifeisaboutallthereistous。thereforeitisallthereistohumannature。Well，there’snohelpforit。Inmeasuringourfellowbeingswecanuseonlythemeasurementsofourownselves。wehavenoothers，andifothersaregiventousweareasfoozledasoneknowingonlyfeetandincheswhohasatapemarkedoffinmetersandcentimeters。

ItsohappenedthatinhersocialexcursionsMildredhadneverbeeninanyofthenumeroushomesofthesuddenlyandvastlyrichofhumbleorigin。Shewasusedto——andregardedasproperandelegant——theordinaryostentationsandcruditiesoftherichofconventionalsociety。NomorethanyouorIwasshemovedtoridiculeordisdainbythesillinessandthetawdryvulgarityofthelifeofpalaceandliveriedlackeyandemptyceremonial，bythetediousentertainments，bythedisplaysofcostlyandpoisonousfood。

ButGeneralSiddall’sestablishmentpresentedanewphasetoher——andshethoughtituniqueindreadfulnessandabsurdity。

Thegeneralhadhadahomelifeinhisyouth——inacoal-miner’scabinnearWilkes-Barre。Eversince，hehadlivedinboarding-housesorhotels。Ashisshrewdandrapaciousmindhadgatheredinmoreandmorewealth，hehadlivedmoreandmoreluxuriously——butalwaysathotels。Hehadseenlittleoftheprivatelifeoftherich。Thushehadbeencompelledtogethisideasofluxuryandofceremonialaltogetherfromthehotel-keepersandcatererswhogivetherichwhatthemoreintelligentandinformedoftherichareusuallyshamedbypeopleoftastefromgivingthemselvesathome。

Shethoughtthetablecloth，napkins，andgaudygoldandflowerycutglassalittleoverdone，butonthewholenotsobad。ShehadseensuchalmostasgrandatafewNewYorkhouses。Thelaceintheclothandinthenapkinswasmerelyalittletoomagnificent。Itmadethetablelumpy，itmadethenapkinsunfitforuse。

Butthewaythedinnerwasserved！Youwouldhavesaidyouwereinaglorifiedpalace-hotelrestaurant。

Youlookedaboutforthecashier’sdesk。youwerecertainabillwouldbepresentedafterthelastcourse。

Thegeneral，tinierandmoregrotesquethaneverinthegreathigh-backed，richlycarvedarmchair，surveyedtheprogressofthebanquetwiththeairofagodperformingmiraclesofcreationandpassingtheminreviewandgivingthemhisdivineendorsement。HewaswellpleasedwiththeenthusiasticpraisesPresburyandhiswifelavisheduponthefoodanddrink。Hewouldhavebeenbetterpleasedhadtheyprecededandfollowedeverymouthfulwithaeulogy。Hesupplementedtheircomplimentswithevenmorefulsomecompliments，addingdetailsastotheoriginandthecost。

``Darcy’’——thistothebutler——``tellthechefthatthisfishisthebestyet——reallyexquisite。’’ToPresbury：``IhaditbroughtoverfromFrance——alive，ofcourse。Wehavemanyexcellentfish，butIlikeachangenowandthen。SoIhaveastandingorderwithPrunier——he’sthebigoyster-andfish-manofParis——

tosendmeoversomethingseverytwoweeksbyspecialexpress。Thatway，anoystercostsaboutfiftycentsandafishaboutfiveorsixdollars。’’

ToMrs。Presbury：``I’llhaveDarcymakeyouandMissPresbury——excuseme，MissGower——bouquetsoftheflowersafterward。MostofthemcomefromNewYork——andveryhighreallyfirst-classflowersare。

Ipaytwodollarsapieceformyrosesevenatthisseason。Andorchids——well，IfeelreallyextravagantwhenIindulgeinorchidsasIhavethisevening。Tendollarsapieceforthose。Butthey’reworthit。’’

Thedinnerwasinterminablylong——upwardoftwentykindsoffood，nolessthanfivekindsofwine。

enoughservedandspoiledtohavefedandintoxicatedadozenpeopleatleast。Anduponeveryitemoffoodanddrinkthegeneralhadsomeremarkstomake。Heimpressedituponhisgueststhatthisdinnerwasverylittlebetterthantheoneservedtohimeverynight，thattheincreaseinexpenseandluxurywasnotintheirhonor，butinhisown——toshowthemwhathecoulddowhenhewishedtomakeaholiday。Finallythegrandcoursewasreached。Intothedining-room，totheamazementoftheguests，wererolledtwogreatrestaurantjointwagons。Insteadofbeingmadeofsilver-platednickelorplainnickeltheywereofsilverembossedwithgold，andthelargecarversandserving-

spoonsandforkshadgold-mountedsilverhandles。

Whenthelackeysturnedbackthecoversthereweredisclosedseveraltrulywonderfulyoungturkeys，fattenedasifbypainstakingandskillfulhandandsuperblybrowned。

Uptothattimetherichandcostlyfoodhadbeensadlymedium——likethewines。Buttheseturkeyswereagenuinetriumph。EvenMildredgavethemalookofinterestandadmiration。InavoicethatmadeGeneralSiddallecstaticPresburycried：

``GODblessmysoul！WHEREdidyougetthosebeauties，oldman！’’

``Paris，’’saidSiddallinavoicetremulouswithprideandself-admiration。Youwouldhavethoughtthathehadcreatednotmerelytheturkeys，butParis，also。

``Potinsendsthemovertome。Potin，youknow，isthefinestdealeringroceries，fruit，game，andsoonintheworld。Ihaveastandingorderwithhimforthebestof——

everythingthatcomesin。I’dhatetotellyouwhatmybillwithPotiniseverymonth——heonlysendsittomeonceayear。Really，IthinkIoughttobeashamedofmyself，butIreasonthat，ifamancanaffordit，he’safooltoputanythingbutthebestintohisstomach。’’

``You’rerightthere！’’mumbledPresbury。Hismouthwasfullofturkey。``YouHAVEgotachef，General！’’

``Heoughttocookwell。Ipayhimmorethanmostbank-presidentsget。Whatdoyouthinkofthosejointwagons，Mrs。Presbury？’’

``They’revery——interesting，’’repliedshe，alittlenervousbecauseshesuspectedtheyweresomesortofvulgarjoke。

``Iknewyou’dlikethem，’’saidthegeneral。``Myownideaentirely。Isawtheminseveralrestaurantsabroad——onlyofcoursethosetheyhadwerejustordinaryaffairs，notfittobeintroducedintoagentleman’sdining-room。ButItooktheideaandadaptedittomypurposes——andthereyouare！’’

``Veryoriginal，oldman，’’saidPresbury，whohadbeendrinkingtoomuch。``I’veneverseenitbefore，andIdon’tthinkIevershallagain。Gottheideapatented？’’

ButSiddallinhissoberestmomentwouldhavebeenslowtoadmitasuspicionthatanyofthehumanrace，whichheregardedasonitskneesbeforehim，wasventuringtopokefunathim。Drunkashenowwas，theopenestsarcasmwouldhavebeenacceptedasacompliment。

Afteragorgeousdessertwhichnobodymorethantouched——amoldedmousseofwhippedandfrozencreamandstrawberries——``speciallysentontomefromFloridaandcostingmeadollarapiece，Iguess’’——afterthiscostlywonderhaddisappearedfruitwasserved。

GeneralSiddallhadreadyalongorationuponthiscourse。Hedelivereditinadisgustinglythicktone。

ThepineapplewasanEnglishhothouseproduct，thegrapesweregrownbyacostlyprocessunderglassinBelgium。Asforthepeaches，Potinhadsentthosedeli-

catelyblushingmarvels，andthechargeforthiswouldbe``notlessthanalouisapiece，sir——alouisd’or——which，asyounodoubtknow，isaboutfourdollarsofUncleSam’smoney。’’

Thecoffee——``theQueenofHollandmayhaveitonherPRIVATEtable——MAY，Isay——butIdoubtifanyoneelseintheworldgetsasmellofitexceptme’’——

thecoffeeandthebrandycamenotamomenttoosoon。

Presburywasbecomingstupefiedwithindigestion。hiswifewasnoddingandwaswearingthatvague，forced，pleasantsmilewhichstandspropriety-guardoveramindasleep。MildredGowerfeltthathernerveswouldendurenomore。andthegeneralwasfallingintoabesottedstate，spillinghiswine，mumblinghiswords。

Thecoffeeandthebrandyrevivedthemallsomewhat。

Mildred，liftinghereyes，sawbywayofamirroredsectionoftheenormoussideboardtheEnglishbutlersurveyingmasterandguestswithslowlymoving，sneeringglanceofineffablecontempt。

Inthedrawing-roomagainMildred，requestedbySiddallandorderedbyPresbury，sangalittleFrenchsongandthen——attheurgingofSiddall——``AnnieLaurie。’’Siddallwaswipinghiseyeswhensheturnedaround。HesaidtoPresbury：

``Takeyourwifeintotheconservatorytolookatmyorchids。Iwanttosayawordtoyourstepdaughter。’’

Mildredstartedupnervously。Shesawhowdrunkthegeneralwas，sawtheexpressionofhisfacethatawomanhastobeinnocentindeednottounderstand。

Shewasafraidtobeleftalonewithhim。Presburycameuptoher，saidrapidly，inalowtone：

``It’sallright。He’sgotahighsenseofwhat’sduearespectablewomanofourclass。Heisn’tasdrunkashelooksandacts。’’

Havingsaidwhich，hetookhiswifebythearmandpushedherintotheadjoiningconservatory。Mildredreseatedherselfupontheinlaidpiano-bench。Thelittleman，hisfacenowshinywiththesweatofdrinkandemotion，drewupachairinfrontofher。Hesat——

andhewasalmostastallsittingasstanding。Hesaidgraciously：

``Don’tbeafraid，mydeargirl。I’mnotthatdangerous。’’

Sheliftedhereyesandlookedathim。Shetriedtoconcealheraversion。shefearedshewasnotsucceeding。

Butsheneednothaveconcernedherselfaboutthat。

GeneralSiddall，afterthemannerofveryrichmen，couldnotconceiveofanyonebeinglessimpressedwithhissuperiorityinanywaythanhehimselfwas。Foryearshehadheardonlyflatteriesofhimself——hisownvoicesinginghispraises，thefawningvoicesofthosehehiredandofthosehopingtogetsomefinancialadvantage。Hecouldnothaveimaginedamerewomannotbeingoverwhelmedbytheprospectofhiscourtingher。Norwouldithaveenteredhisheadthathismoneywouldbethechief，muchlesstheonly，considerationwithher。Hehadlongsincelostallpointofview，andbelievedthattheadulationpaidhiswealthwasevokedbyhischarmsofperson，mind，andmanner。Thosewhoimaginethiswasevidenceoffollyandweak-mindednessandextraordinaryvanityshowhowlittletheyknowhumannature。Thestrongestheadcouldnotre-

mainsteady，themostaccurateeyescouldnotretaintheirmeasuringskill，insuchanenvironmentasalwayscompletelyenvelopswealthandpower。Andthemuch-

talked-ofdifferencebetweenthoseborntowealthandpowerandthosewhorisetoitfromobscurityresolvesitselftolittlemorethanthedifferencebetweenthosebornmadandthosewhogoinsane。

Lookingatthelittlemanwiththedisagreeableeyes，sodullyetsoshrewd，Mildredsawthatwithinthedrunkardwhocouldscarcelysitstraightupontherichlyupholsteredandcarvedgiltchairtherewasanotherperson，coldlysober，calmlycalculating。Andsherealizedthatitwasthispersonwithwhomshewasabouttohavethemostseriousconversationofherlifethusfar。

Thedrunkardsmiledwitharepulsivewipingandsmackingofthethin，sensuallips。``IsupposeyouknowwhyIhadyoubroughtherethisevening？’’saidhe。

Mildredlookedandwaited。

``Ididn’tintendtosayanythingto-night。Infact，Ididn’texpecttofindinyouwhatI’vebeenlookingfor。Ithoughtthatoldfoolofastepfatherofyourswascrackinguphisgoodsbeyondtheirmerits。Buthewasn’t。Mydear，yousuitmefromthegroundup。I’vebeenlookingyouovercarefully。YouweremadefortheplaceIwanttofill。’’

Mildredhadloweredhereyes。Herfacehadbecomedeathlypale。``Ifeelfaint，’’shemurmured。``Itisverywarmhere。’’

``You’renotsickly？’’inquiredthegeneralsharply。

``Youlooklikeagoodsolidwoman——thinbutwiry。

Everbeensick？Imustlookintoyourhealth。That’sapointonwhichImustbesatisfied。’’

Awaveofangersweptthroughher，restoringherstrength。Shewasabouttospeak——arebuketohiscolossalimpudencethathewouldnotsoonforget。

Thensheremembered，andbitherlips。

``Idon’taskyoutodecideto-night，’’pursuedhe，hasteningtoexplainthisconcessionbyadding：``I

don’tintendtodecide，myself。AllIsayisthatIamwilling——ifthegoodsareuptothesample。’’

Mildredsawherstepfatherandhermotherwatchingfromjustwithintheconservatorydoor。AmovementoftheportiereatthedoorintothehallletherknowthatDarcy，thebutler，waspeepingandlisteningthere。Shestoodup，clenchedherhands，struckthemtogether，struckthemagainsthertemples，crossedtheroomswiftly，flungherselfdownuponasofa，andburstintotears。Presburyandhiswifeentered。Siddallwasstanding，lookingafterMildredwithagrin。HewinkedatPresburyandsaid：

``Iguesswegavehertoomuchofthatwine。It’salloldandstrongerthanyou’dthink。’’

``Mydaughterhardlytouchedherglasses，’’criedMrs。Presbury。

``Iknowthat，ma’am，’’repliedSiddall。``Iwatchedher。Ifshe’ddonemuchdrinking，I’dhavebeendone，thenandthere。’’

``Isuspectshe’supsetbywhatyou’vebeensaying，General，’’saidPresbury。``Wasn’titenoughtoupsetagirl？Youdon’trealizehowmagnificentyouare——

howmagnificenteverythingishere。’’

``I’msorryifIupsether，’’saidthegeneral，swellingandloftilycontrite。``Idontknowwhyitisthatpeopleneverseemtobeabletoactnaturalwithme。’’Hehatedthosewhodid，regardingthemassodden，unappreciativefools。

Mrs。Presburywasquietingherdaughter。PresburyandSiddalllightedcigarsandwentintothesmoking——

andbilliard-roomacrossthehall。SaidPresbury：

``Ididn’tdeceiveyou，didI，General？’’

``She’sentirelysatisfactory，’’repliedSiddall。``I’mgoingtomakecarefulinquiriesabouthercharacterandherhealth。IfthosethingsprovetobeallrightI’mreadytogoahead。’’

``Thenthething’ssettled，’’saidPresbury。``She’sallthataladyshouldbe。Andexceptacoldnowandthensheneverhasanythingthematterwithher。Shecomesofgoodhealthystock。’’

``Ican’tstandasickly，ailingwoman，’’saidSiddall。

``Iwouldn’tmarryone，andifoneImarriedturnedouttobethatkind，I’dmakeshortworkofher。Whenyougetrightdowntofacts，whatisawoman？Why，abody。Ifsheain’tprettyandwell，sheain’tnothing。

WhileI’mlookingupherpedigree，sotospeak，IwantyoutogethermothertoexplaintoherjustwhatkindofamanIam。’’

``Certainly，certainly，’’saidPresbury。

``HavehertoldthatIdon’tputupwithfoolishness。

Ifshewantstolookataman，letherlookatme。’’

``You’llhavenotroubleinthatway，’’saidPresbury。

``IDIDhavetroubleinthatway，’’repliedthegeneralsourly。``Womenarefools——ALLwomen。ButtheprincipaltroublewiththesecondMrs。Siddallwasthatshewasn’taladyborn。’’

``That’swhyIsayyou’llhavenotrouble，’’saidPresbury。

``Well，Iwanthermothertotalktoherplainerthanagentlemancantalktoayounglady。IwanthertounderstandthatIammarryingsothatIcanhaveaWIFE——cheerful，ready，andhealthy。I’llnotputupwithfoolishnessofanykind。’’

``Iunderstand，’’saidPresbury。``You’llfindthatshe’llmeetallyourconditions。’’

``Explaintoherthat，whileI’mtheeasiest，mostliberal-spendingmanintheworldwhenI’mgettingwhatIwant，IamjusttheoppositewhenI’mnotgettingwhatIpayfor。IfItakeherandifsheactsright，she’llhavemoreofeverythingthatwomenwantthananywomanintheworld。I’dtakeaprideinmywife。

Thereisn’tanythingIwouldn’tspendinshowingherofftoadvantage。AndI’mwillingtobeliberalwithhermother，too。’’

Presburyhadbeenhopingforthis。Hiseyessparkled。

``You’reaprince，General，’’hesaid。``Agenuineprince。Youknowhowtodothingsright。’’

``IflattermyselfIdo，’’saidthegeneral。``I’vebeenupanddowntheworld，andItellyoumostofthekingslivecheapbesideme。AndwhenIgetawifeworthshowingof，I’lldostillbetter。I’vegotwonderfulcreativeability。Thereisn’tanythingIcan’tandwon’tbuy。’’

Presburynoteduneasilyhowcoldandstraight，howobviouslyrepelledandrepellingthegirlwasassheyieldedherfingerstoSiddallattheleave-taking。Heandhermothercoveredthesilenceandicewithhotandvolublesycophantry。Theymighthavesparedthemselvestheexertion。ToSiddallMildredwasathermostfascinatingwhenshewasthus``theladyandthequeen。’’Thefinalimpressionshemadeuponhimwasthemostfavorableofall。

InthecabMrs。Presburytalkedoutofthefullnessofanoverflowingheart。``Whataremarkablemanthegeneralis！’’saidshe。``You’veonlytolookathimtorealizethatyou’reinthepresenceofareallysuperiorperson。Andwhattacthehas！——andhowgenerousheis！——andhowbeautifullyheentertains！

Somuchdignity——somuchsimplicity——somuch——’’

``Fiddlesticks！’’interruptedPresbury。``Yourdaughterisn’tadamnfool，Mrs。Presbury。’’

Mildredgaveashort，drylaugh。

Upflaredhermother。``ImeaneverywordIsaid！’’

criedshe。``IfIhadn’tadmiredandappreciatedhim，I’dcertainlynothaveactedasIdid。_I_couldn’tstooptosuchhypocrisy。’’

``Fiddlesticks！’’sneeredPresbury。``BillSiddallisahorror。Hishouseisahorror。Hisdinnerwasahorror。Theseloathsomerichpeople！They’reruiningtheworld——astheyalwayshave。They’remakingitimpossibleforanyonetogetgoodserviceorgoodfoodorgoodfurnitureorgoodclothingorgoodanything。Theydon’tknowgoodthings，andtheypayexorbitantpricesforshowytrash，forcrudevulgarluxury。Theycorrupttaste。Theymakeeveryoneroundthemornearthemsycophantsandcheats。Theysubstitutemoneyforintelligenceanddiscrimination。

Theydegradeeveryfinethinginlife。Civilizationisbuiltupbybrainsandhardwork，andalongcometherichandrotandruinit！’’

Mildredandhermotherwerelisteninginastonishment。

Saidthemother：

``I’dbeashamedtoconfessmyselfsuchahypocrite。’’

``AndI，madam，wouldbeashamedtobesuchahypocritewithouttakingabathofconfessionafterward，’’

retortedPresbury。

``AtleastyoumighthavewaiteduntilMildredwasn’tinhearing，’’snappedshe。

``IshallmarryhimifIcan，’’saidMildred。

``Andblissfullyhappyyou’llbe，’’saidPresbury。

``Women，ladies——trueladies，likeyouandyourmother——havenosensibilities。Allyouaskisluxury。

IfBillSiddallwereathousandtimesworsethanheis，hismoneywouldbuyhimalmostanyrefined，delicateladyanywhereinChristendom。’’

Mrs。Presburylaughedangrily。``YOU，talkinglikethis——youofallmen。IsthereanythingYOUwouldn’tstooptoformoney？’’

``DoyouthinkIlaidmyselfopentothatchargebymarryingyou？’’saidPresbury，madecheerfuldespitehissavageindigestionbytheopportunityforeffectiveinsultshehadgivenhimandhehadpromptlyseized。

``Iamfartoogallanttoagreewithyou。ButI’malsotoogallanttocontradictalady。Bytheway，youmustbecarefulindealingwithSiddall。Richpeopleliketobefawnedon，butnottobeslobberedon。

Youwententirelytoofar。’’

Mrs。Presbury，whomindigestionhadrenderedstupid，couldthinkofnoreply。Sosheburstintotears。

``Andmyowndaughtersittingsilentwhilethatmaninsultshermother！’’shesobbed。

Mildredsatstiffandcold。

``It’llbeaweekbeforeIrecoverfromthatdinner，’’

Presburywentonsourly。``Whatadinner！Whatavillainousmess！Thesevulgar，showyrich！Thatchampagne！Hesaiditcosthimsixdollarsabottle，andnodoubtitdid。IdoubtifiteversawFrance。

Thedealersrarelywastegenuinewineonsuchcattle。

Thewine-cellarsoffinehousestheworldthrougharethelaughing-stockofconnoisseurs——liketheirpicture-

galleriesandtheirotherattemptstomakemoneydotheworkoftaste。Iforgottoputmypillsinmybag。

I’llhavetohuntupanall-nightdrug-store。I’dnotdaregotobedwithouttakinganantidoteforthatpoison。’’

ButPresburyhadnotbeenaltogetherimprovident。

HehadhopedgreatthingsofBillSiddall’swine-cellar——thisdespiteanalmostunbrokenseriesofbitterdisillusionmentsanddisappointmentsinexperiencewiththosewhohadthewealthtobuy，iftheyhadhadthetastetoselect，thefinewinesheloved。So，resolvingtoindulgehimself，hehadputintohisbaghispairofgout-boots。

Thiswasadeviceofhisowninventing，onwhichhepridedhimself。Itconsistedofapairofroomydoe-

skinslippersreenforcedwithheavysolesandprovidedwithasetofthreethininsolestobeusedaccordingasthestateofhistoesmadeadvisable。ThecostofthePresburygout-boothadbeen，thankstopatientsearchforacheapcobbler，somethingunderfourdollars——

this，whenmenpaidshoespecialiststwenty，thirty，andevenfortydollarsapairforgout-bootsthatgavelesscomfort。Themorningafterthedinneratwhichhehaddrunktodrownhischagrinandtogivehimcourageandtongueforsycophantry，heputontheboots。

Withoutthemitwouldhavebeennecessarytocarryhimfromhisroomtoacabandfromcabtotrain。Withthemhewasabletohobbletoastreet-car。Hetriedtodistracthismindfromhissufferingsbylashingawaywithoutceasingathiswifeandhisstep-daughter。

Whentheywereoncemoreathome，andthemotheranddaughterescapedfromhim，themothersaid：

``Iwasgladtoseethatyouputupwiththatwretch，anddidn’tanswerhimback。’’

``Ofcourse，’’saidMildred。``He’smadtoberidofme，butifIoffendedhimhemightsnatchawaythischance。’’

``Hewould，’’saidMrs。Presbury。``I’msurehewould。But——’’shelaughedviciously——``onceyou’remarriedyoucanrevengeyourself——andme！’’

``Iwonder，’’saidMildredthoughtfully。

``Whynot？’’exclaimedhermother，irritated。

``Ican’tmakeMr。Presburyout，’’repliedthegirl。

``Iunderstandwhyhe’shelpingmetothischance，butIdon’tunderstandwhyheisn’tmakingfriendswithme，inthehopeofgettingsomethingafterI’mmarried。’’

Hermothersawthepoint，andwasinstantlyagitated。

``Perhapshe’ssimplyleadingyouon，intendingtoup-

setitallatthelastminute。’’Shegrittedherteeth。

``Oh，whatawretch！’’

Mildredwasnotheeding。``ImusthaveGeneralSiddalllookedupcarefully，’’shewenton。``Itmaybethatheisn’trich，orthathehasanotherwifesomewhere，orthatthere’ssomeotherawfulreasonwhymarryinghimwouldbeevenworsethanitseems。’’

``Worsethanitseems！’’criedhermother。``HowCANyoutalkso，Milly！Thegeneralseemstobeanidealhusband——simplyideal！Iwish_I_hadyourchance。Anysensiblewomancouldlovehim。’’

Astrangelookcameintothegirl’sface，andhermothercouldnotwithstandhereyes。``Don’t，mother，’’

shesaidquietly。``Eitheryoutakemeforafooloryouaretryingtoshowmethatyouhavenoself-

respect。IamnotdeceivingmyselfaboutwhatI’mdoing。’’

Mrs。Presburyopenedherlipstoremonstrate，changedhermind，drewadeepsigh。``It’sfrightfultobeawoman，’’shesaid。

``Tobealady，Mr。Presburywouldsay，’’suggestedMildred。

Aftersomediscussion，theyfixeduponJosephTilkerasthebestavailableinvestigatorofGeneralSiddall。

TilkerhadbeenheadclerkforHenryGower。HewasnowinforhimselfandhadofferedtolookafteranylegalbusinessMrs。Presburymighthavewithoutchargingher。Hepresentlyreportedthattherewasnotadoubtastothewealthofthelittlegeneral。

``Thereareallsortsofuglystoriesabouthowhemadehismoney，’’saidTilker。``butallthegreatfortuneshaveascandaloushistory，andIdoubtifSiddall’sisanyworsethantheothers。Idon’tseehowitwellcouldbe。Siddallhasthereputationofbeingameanandcruellittletyrant。Heissaidtobepompous，vain，ignorant——’’

``Indeedhe’snot，’’criedMrs。Presbury。``He’saroughdiamond，butanaturalgentleman。I’vemethim。’’

``Well，he’srichenough，andthatwasallyouaskedmetofindout，’’saidTilker。``ButImustwarnyou，Mrs。Presbury，nottohaveanybusinessorintimatepersonalrelationswithhim。’’

Mrs。PresburycongratulatedherselfonherwisdominhavingcomealonetohearTilker’sreport。ShedidnotrepeatanypartofittoMildredexceptwhathehadsaidaboutthewealth。ThatsheenlargeduponuntilMildred’spatiencegaveout。Sheinterruptedwithashrewd：

``Anythingelse，mamma？Anythingabouthimpersonally？’’

``We’vegottojudgehiminthatwayforourselves，’’

repliedMrs。Presbury。``Youknowhowwickedlytheylieaboutanyonewhohasanything。’’

``IshouldliketoreadafullaccountofGeneralSiddall，’’saidMildredreflectively。``justtosatisfymycuriosity。’’

Mrs。Presburymadenoreply。

Presburyhaddecidedthatitwasbesttomakenoadvance，buttowaituntiltheyheardfromSiddall。Heletaweek，tendays，goby。thenhisimpatiencegotthebetterofhisshrewdness。HesoughtadmittancetothegreatmanattheofficesoftheInternationalMetalsandMineralsCompanyinCedarStreet。Afterbeingsubjectedtovariedindignitiesbysundryunder-

strappers，hereceivedamessagefromthegeneralthroughasecretary：``Thegeneralsayshe’llletyouknowwhenhe’sreadytotakeupthatmatter。Hesayshehasn’tgotroundtoityet。’’Presburyapologizedcourteouslyforhisintrusionandwentaway，cursingunderhisbreath。Youmaybesurethathemadehiswifeandhisstepdaughtersufferforwhathehadbeenthrough。Twoweeksmorepassed——three——amonth。

Onemorninginthemailtherearrivedthisnote——type-

writtenuponbusinesspaper：

JAMESPRESBURY，Esqr。：

DEARSIR：

GeneralSiddallasksmetopresenthiscomplimentsandtosaythathewillbepleasedifyouandyourwifeandtheyoungladywilldinewithhimathishousenextThursdaytheseventeenthathalf-pastsevensharp。

ROBERTCHANDLESS，Secretary。

Theonlywordsinlonghandwerethetwoformingthenameofthesecretary。Presburylaughedandtossedthenoteacrossthebreakfasttabletohiswife。

``Youseewhatanignorantcreatureheis，’’saidhe。

``Heimagineshehasdonethethingupingrandstyle。

He’sthesortofmanthatcan’tbetaughtmannersbecausehethinksmanners，theordinarycivilities，areforthelowerordersofpeople。Oh，he’sajoke，isBillSiddall——ahorriblejoke。’’

Mrs。PresburyreadandpassedthelettertoMildred。

Shesimplyglancedatitandreturnedittoherstep-father。

``I’mjustaboutoverthatlastdinner，’’pursuedPresbury。``I’lleatlittleThursdayanddrinkless。

AndI’dadviseyoutodothesame，Mrs。Presbury。’’

Healwaysaddressedheras``Mrs。Presbury’’

becausehehaddiscoveredthatwhensoaddressedshealwayswinced，and，ifheputacertaintoneintohisvoice，shequivered。

``Thatdinneragedyoufiveyears，’’hewenton。

``Besides，youdranksomuchthatitwenttoyourheadandmadeyouslatherhimwithflatteriesthatirritatedhim。Hethoughtyouwereafool，andnooneisstupidenoughtoliketobeflatteredbyafool。’’

Mrs。Presburybridled，swallowedhard，saidmildly：

``We’llhavetospendthenightintownagain，Isuppose。’’

``Youandyourdaughtermaydoasyoulike，’’saidPresbury。``Ishallreturnherethatnight。Ialwayscatchcoldinstrangebeds。’’

``Wemightaswellallreturnhere，’’saidMildred。

``Ishallnotweareveningdress。thatis，I’llwearahigh-neckdressandahat。’’

Shehadjustgotanewhatthatwaspeculiarlybecomingtoher。ShehadshownSiddallherselfatthebestineveningattire。anothersortofcostumewouldgivehimadifferentviewofherlooks，onewhichsheflatteredherselfwasnotlessattractive。ButPresburyinterposedanemphaticveto。

``You’llwearfulleveningdress，’’saidhe。``BareneckandarmsformenlikeBillSiddall。Theywanttoseewhatthey’regetting。’’

Mildredflushedscarletandherlipstrembledasthoughshewereabouttocry。Infact，heremotionwasaltogethershame——ashamesopoignantthatevenPresburywasabashed，andmumbledsomethingapologetic。

Neverthelesssheworealow-neckdressonThursdayevening，oneasdaringastheextremelydaringfashionsofthatyearpermittedanunmarriedwomantowear。ItseemedtoherthatSiddallwasstillmorecostlyandelegant-lookingthanbefore，thoughthismayhavebeenduetothefactthathealwayscreatedanimpressionthatintheretrospectofmemoryseemedexaggerated。Itseemedimpossiblethatanyonecouldbesoclean，sopolishedandscoured，sogroomedandtailored，sobedecked，sohigh-heeledandloftilycoiffed。

Hismeanlittlecountenancewithitsgrotesquelywaxedmustacheandimperialworeanexpressionofgraciousbenignitythatassuredhisgueststheyneedanticipatenodisagreeablenews。

``Ioweyouanapologyforkeepingyouinsuspensesolong，’’saidhe。``I’maverybusyman，withinterestsinallpartsoftheworld。Ikeephouse——

someof’embiggerthanthis——openandgoinginsisdifferentplaces。Ialwaysliketobeathomewherevermybusinesstakesme。’’

Mrs。Presburyrolledhereyes。``Isn’tthatWONDERFUL！’’

sheexclaimed。``Whataninterestinglifeyoumustlead！’’

``Oh，so——so，’’repliedthegeneral。``ButIgetawfullonesome。I’mnaturallyadomesticman。I

don’tcareforfriends。They’reexpensiveanddangerous。

Amaninmypositionislikeaking。Hecan’thavefriends。So，ifhehasn’tgotafamily，hehasn’tgotnoth——anything。’’

``Nothinglikehomelife，’’saidPresbury。

``Yes，indeed，’’criedMrs。Presbury。

ThelittlegeneralsmileduponMildred，sittingpaleandsilent，witheyesdowncast。``Well，Idon’tintendtobealonemuchlonger，ifIcanhelpit，’’saidhe。

``AndImaysaythatIcanmakeawomanhappyifshe’stherightsort——ifshehassenseenoughtoappreciateagoodhusband。’’Thislasthesaidsternly，withmorethanahintofhispastmatrimonialmisfortunesinhisfrownandinhisvoice。``Thetroublewithagreatmanywomenisthatthey’refools——flighty，ungratefulfools。IfImarriedawomanlikethat，I’dmakeshortworkofher。’’

``Andshe’ddeserveit，General，’’saidMildred’smotherearnestly。``Butyou’llhavenotroubleifyouselectalady——agirlwho’sbeenwellbroughtupandhasrespectforherself。’’

``That’smyopinion，ma’am，’’saidthegeneral。

``I’mconvincedthatwhileamancanbecomeagentleman，awoman’sgottobebornaladyorsheneverisone。’’

``Verytrue，General，’’criedMrs。Presbury。``I

neverthoughtofitbefore，butit’sthetruestthingI

everheard。’’

Presburygrinnedathisplate。HestoleaglanceatMildred。Theireyesmet。Sheflushedfaintly。

``I’vehadagreatdealofexperienceofwomen，’’pur-

suedthegeneral。``InmyboyhooddaysIwasaladies’

man。AndofcoursesinceI’vehadmoneythey’veswarmedroundmelikebeesinaclover-patch。’’

``Oh，General，you’refartoomodest，’’criedMrs。

Presbury。``Amanlikeyouwouldn’tneedtobeafraid，ifhehadn’tacent。’’

``ButnotthekindofwomenIwant，’’repliedhe，firmlyifcomplacently。``Aladyneedsmoneytokeepupherposition。Shehastohaveit。Ontheotherhand，amanofwealthandstationneedsaladytoassisthimintheproperkindoflifeformenofhissort。

Sotheyneedeachother。They’vegottohaveeachother。That’sthepractical，sensiblewaytolookatit。’’

``Exactly，’’saidPresbury。

``AndI’vemadeupmymindtomarry，andmarryrightaway。Butwe’llcomebacktothislateron。

Presbury，you’reneglectingthatwine。’’

``I’mdrinkingitslowlytoenjoyitbetter，’’saidPresbury。

ThedinnerwasthesameunendingandexpensivefunctionthathadweariedthemandupsettheirdigestionsonThanksgivingDay。Therewastoomuchofeverything，anditwasalljustwrong。Thegeneralwasnotquitesovolubleashehadbeenbefore。hisgazewasfixedmostofthetimeonMildred——rovingfromherlovelyfacetohersmooth，slendershouldersandbackagain。Ashedrankandatehisgestureofslightlysmackinghisthinlipsseemedtoincludeanenjoymentofthegirl’scharms。Andasensitiveobservermighthavesuspectedthatshewasnotunconsciousofthisandwassufferingsomesuchpainasifabhorrentandcruellipsandteethwereactuallymouthingandmumblingher。Shesaidnotawordfromsittingdownattableuntiltheyrosetogointothelibraryforcoffee。

``Dotellmeaboutyourearlylife，General，’’Mrs。

Presburysaid。``OnlytheotherdayMilliewassayingshewishedshecouldreadabiographyofyourromanticcareer。’’

``Yes，ithasbeenrather——unusual，’’concededthegeneralwithswellingchestandgentlywavingdollar-

and-a-half-apiececigar。

``IdosoADMIREamanwhocarvesouthisownfortune，’’Mrs。Presburywenton——shehadnotobeyedherhusband’sinjunctionastothechampagne。``Itseemssowonderfultomethatamancouldwithhisownhandsjustdigafortuneoutoftheground。’’

``Hecouldn’t，ma’am，’’saidthegeneral，withgracioustolerance。``Itwasn’ttillIstoppedthefooldiggingandhuntingaroundforgoldthatIbegantogetahead。Ithrewawaythepickandshovelandopenedahotel。’’(Thereweretwoorthreesleeping-roomsofakindinthat``hotel，’’butitwasratherasaloonofthespeciesknownas``doggery。’’)``Yes，itwasinthehotelthatIgotmystart。Thefellowsthatmakethemoneyinminingcountriesain’ttheprospectorsanddiggers，ma’am。’’

``Really！’’criedMrs。Presburybreathlessly。``Howinteresting！’’

``They’refools，theyare，’’proceededthegeneral。

``No，themoney’smadebythefellowsthatgrub-stakethefools——give’emsuppliesandsend’emouttonosearoundinthemountains。Thenthemthatfindany-

thinghavetogivehalftothefellowthatdidthegrub-

staking。Andhelooksintotheclaim，andifthere’sanythinginit，why，hebuysthefoolout。Inmines，likeeverywhereelse，ma’am，itain’twork，it’sbrainsthatmakesthemoney。Nominerevermadeaminingfortune——notone。It’sthebrainy，foxyfellowsthatstaybackinthecamps。Iusedtosendoutfiftyandahundredmenayear。Maybeonlytwoorthree’dturnupanythingworthwhile。No，ma’am，Inevergotadollaraheadonmydigging。AllthegoldIeverdugwentrightoffforgrub——oragoodtime。’’

``Wonderful！’’exclaimedMrs。Presbury。``Ineverheardofsuchathing。’’

``Butwe’renotheretotalkaboutmines，’’saidthegeneral，hiseyesuponMildred。``I’vebeenlookingintomatters——togetdowntobusiness——andI’veaskedyouheretoletyouknowthatI’mwillingtogoahead。’’

Profoundsilence。Mildredsuddenlydrewinherbreathwithasoundsosharpthatthethreeothersstartedandglancedhastilyather。Butshemadenofurthersign。Shesatstillandcoldandpale。

Thegeneral，perfectlyatease，brokethesilence。

``IthinkMissGowerandIwouldgetonfasteralone。’’

Presburyatoncestoodup。hiswifehesitated，hereyesuneasilyuponherdaughter。Presburysaid：

``Comeon，Alice。’’Sheroseandprecededhimintotheadjoiningconservatory。Thelittlegeneralposedhimselfbeforethehugeopenfire，onehandbehindhim，theotheratthelevelofhiswaistcoat，thebigcigarbe-

tweenhisfirstandsecondfingers。``Well，mydear？’’

saidhe。

Mildredsomewhathesitatinglyliftedhereyes。but，onceshehadthemup，theirgazeheldsteadilyenoughuponhis——toosteadilyforhiscomfort。Headdressedhimselftohiscigar：

``I’mnotquitereadytosayI’mwillingtogothelimit，’’saidhe。``Wedon’texactlyknoweachothersufficientlywellasyet，dowe？’’

``No，’’saidMildred。

``I’vebeenmakinginquiries，’’hewenton。``thatis，Ihadmychiefsecretarymakethem——andhe’saverythoroughman，thankstomytraining。Hereportseverythingentirelyallright。Iadmiredignityandreserveinawoman，andyouhavebeenveryparticular。

WereyouengagedtoStanleyBaird？’’

Mildredflushed，veiledhereyestohidetheirresentfulflashatthisimpertinence。Shedebatedwithherself，decidedthatanyrebukeshortofonethatwouldangerhimwouldbewasteduponhim。``No，’’saidshe。

``ThatagreeswithHarding’sreport，’’saidthegeneral。``Itwasameregirlishflirtation——verydignifiedandproper，’’hehastenedtoadd。``Idon’tmeantosuggestthatyouwereatallflighty。’’

``Thankyou，’’saidMildredsweetly。

``Arethereanyquestionsyouwouldliketoaskaboutme？’’inquiredhe。

``No，’’saidMildred。

``AsIunderstandit——frommytalkwithPresbury——youarewillingtogoon？’’

``Yes，’’saidMildred。