第8章

“Youhaven”tbeentoDetchworthyet？“Palliserinquired。

“No，notyet，“answeredTembarom。TheGranthamswereofthosewhohadnotyetcalled。

“It”sanagreeablehouse。TheGranthamsareagreeablepeople。”

“Arethereanyyoungpeopleinthefamily？“Tembaromasked。

“Youngpeople？Maleorfemale？“Pallisersmilinglyputit。Suddenlyitoccurredtohimthatthismightgivehimasortoflead。

“Girls，“saidTembarom，crudely”justplaingirls。”

Palliserlaughed。Hereitwas，perhaps。

“Theyarenotexactly”plain”girls，thoughtheyarenotbeauties。

TherearefourMissesGrantham。Lucyistheprettiest。Amabelisquitetremendousattennis。”

“Aretheyladies？“inquiredTembarom。

CaptainPalliserturnedandinvoluntarilystaredathim。Whatwasthefellowgettingat？

“I”mafraidIdon”tquiteunderstand，“hesaid。

ThenewTempleBarholmlookedquiteserious。Hedidnot，amazingtorelate，looklikeafoolevenwhenhegaveforthhisextraordinaryquestion。Itwashisalmostbusiness-likeseriousnesswhichsavedhim。

“Imean，doyoucallthemLadyLucyandLadyAmabel？“heanswered。

Ifhehadbeenyounger，lesshardened，orlessfinished，CaptainPalliserwouldhavelaughedoutright。Butheansweredwithoutself-

revelation。

“Oh，Isee。Youwereaskingwhetherthefamilyisatitledone。No；itisagoodoldname，quiteold，infact，butnotitlegoeswiththeestate。”

“Whoarethetitledpeopleabouthere？“Tembaromasked，quiteunabashed。

“TheEarlofPevensyatPevensyPark，theDukeofStoneatStoneHover，LordHambroughatDoone。Dooneisinthenextcounty，justovertheborder。”

“Havetheyallgotdaughters？“

CaptainPalliserfounditexpedienttoclearhisthroatbeforespeaking。

“LordPevensyhasdaughters，sohastheduke。LordHambroughhasthreesons。”

“Howmanydaughtersarethere——inabunch？“Mr。TempleBarholmsuggestedliberally。

ThereCaptainPalliserfeltitsafetoallowhimselftosmile，asthoughtakingitwithasenseofhumor。

“”Inabunch”isanawfullygoodwayofputtingit，“hesaid。“Ithappenstoapplyperhapsratherunfortunatelywell；bothfamiliesaremuchpoorerthantheyshouldbe，anddaughtersmustbeprovidedfor。

Eachhasfour。”Inabunch”thereareeight：LadyAlice，LadyEdith，LadyEthel，andLadyCeliaatStoneHover；LadyBeatrice，LadyGwynedd，LadyHonora，andLadyGwendolenatPevensyPark。Andnotafortuneamongthem，poorgirls！“

“It”snotthemoneythatmatterssomuch，“saidtheastoundingforeigner，“it”sthetitles。”

CaptainPalliserstoppedshortinthegardenpathforamoment。Hecouldscarcelybelievehisears。Thecrudegrotesquenessofitsofargotthebetterofhimthatifhehadnotcoughedhewouldhavebetrayedhimself。

“I”vehadaconfoundedcoldlately，“hesaid。“Excuseme；Imustgetitover。”

Heturnedalittleasideandcoughedenergetically。

AfterwatchinghimafewsecondsTembaromslippedtwofingersintohiswaistcoatpocketandproducedasmalltubeoftablets。

“Taketwoofthese，“hesaidassoonasthecoughstopped。“Ialwayscarryitaboutwithme。It”saNewYorkthingcalled”G。Destroyer。”G

standsforgrippe。”

Pallisertookit。

“Thanks。Withwater？No？Justdissolveinthemouth。Thanksawfully。”

Andhetooktwo，withtearsstillstandinginhiseyes。

“Don”ttastebad，dothey？“Mr。TempleBarholmremarkedencouragingly。

“Notatall。IthinkIshallbeallrightnow。Ijustneededtherelief。Ihavebeentryingtorestrainit。”

“That”samistake，“saidTembarom。Theystrolledonapaceorso，andhebeganagain，asthoughhedidnotmeantoletthesubjectdrop。

“It”sthetitles，“hesaid，“andthekind。Howmanyofthemaregood-

lookers？“

Palliserreflectedamoment，asthoughmakingmentalchoice。

“LadyAliceandLadyCeliaareratherplain，“hesaid，“andbothofthemareinvalidish。LadyEthelistallandhashandsomeeyes，butLadyEdithisreallythebeautyofthefamily。Sheridesanddanceswellandhasacharmingcolor。”

“Andtheotherones，“Tembaronsuggestedashepaused”LadyBeatriceandLadyGwyneddandLadyHonoraandLadyGwendolen。”

“Youremembertheirnameswell，“Palliserremarkedwithahalf-laugh。

“Oh，Ishallrememberthemallright，“Tembaromanswered。“Iearnedtwenty-fiveperinNewYorkbygettingnamesdownfine。”

“TheTalchestersarereallyallrathertaking。TalchesterisLordPevensy”sfamilyname，“Palliserexplained。“Theyaregirlswhohaveprettylittlenosesandbrightcomplexionsandeyes。LadyGwyneddandLadyHonorabothhavequitefascinatingdimples。”

“Dimples！“exclaimedhiscompanion。“Goodbusiness。”

“Doyoulikedimplesparticularly？“Palliserinquiredwithanimpartialair。

“I”dalwaysmakeabee-lineforadimple，“repliedMr。TempleBarholm。

“ClearthewaywhenIstart。”

ThiswasNewYorkphrasing，andwasplainlyhumorous；buttherewassomethingmorethanhumorinhiseyeandsmile——somethinghintingdistantlyatrecollection。

“You”llfindthematPevensyPark，“saidPalliser。

“WhataboutLadyJoanFayre？“wasthenextinquiry。

Palliser”ssideglanceathimwasobservantindeed。Heaskedhimselfhowmuchthemancouldknow。Takingthepastintoconsideration，LadyJoanmightturnouttobeasubjectrequiringdelicatehandling。Itwasnottheeasiestthingintheworldtotalkatallfreelytoapersonwithwhomonedesiredtokeepongoodterms，aboutayoungwomansupposedstilltocherishatragicpassionforthedeadmanwhooughttostandatthepresentmomentintheperson”s，figurativelyspeaking，extremelyill-fittingshoes。

“LadyJoanhasbeenfromherfirstseasonanundeniablebeauty，“hereplied。

“SheandtheoldladyaregoingtostayataplacecalledAsshaweHolt。Ithinkthey”regoingnextweek，“Tembaromsaid。

“Theoldlady？“repeatedCaptainPalliser。

“Imeanhermother。Theonethat”stheCountessofMallowe。”

“HaveyoumetLadyMallowe？“Palliserinquiredwithanotwhollyrepressedsmile。AvisionofLadyMalloweover-hearingtheirconversationarosebeforehim。

“No，Ihaven”t。What”sshelike？“

“Sheisnottheearly-ormid-Victorianoldlady，“wasPalliser”sreply。“ShewearsGainsboroughhats，andlooksaquitepossibleeightandthirty。Sheisahandsomepersonherself。”

Hewasnotawarethattheterm“oldlady“was，amongAmericansoftheclassofMrs。Bowse”sboarders，asortofgenerictermsignifyingalmostanythingmaternalwhichhadpassedthirty。

Tembaromproceeded。

“AftertheygetthroughattheAsshaweHoltplace，I”veaskedthemtocomehere。”

“Indeed，“saidPalliser，withaninwardstart。Themanevidentlydidnotknowwhatotherpeopledid。Afterall，whyshouldhe？HehadbeensellingsomethingorotherinthestreetsofNewYorkwhenthethinghappened，andheknewnothingofLondon。

“ThecountesscalledonMissAliciawhenwewereinLondon，“heheardnext。“Shesaidwewererelations。”

“Youare——asweare。Theconnectionisratherdistant，butitisnearenoughtoformasortoflink。”

“I”vewantedtoseeLadyJoan，“explainedTembarom。“FromwhatI”veheard，Ishouldsayshewasoneofthe”Lady”sPictorial”kind。”

“Iamafraid”Palliser”svoicewasslightlyunsteadyforthemoment——

“Ihavenotstudiedthetypesufficientlytoknow。The”Pictorial”issoexclusivelyawomen”speriodical。”

Hiscompanionlaughed。

“Well，I”veonlylookedthroughitoncemyselfjusttofindout。SomewayIalwaysthinkofLadyJoanasifshewaslikeoneofthoseBeaut”sfromBeautsville，withtrainsaslongasparlor-carsandfeathersintheirheads——dressedtogotoseethequeen。Iguessshe”sbeenpresentedatcourt，“headded。

“Yes，shehasbeenpresented。”

“Dotheylet”emgomorethanonce？“heaskedwithcasualcuriosity。

“Confoundthiscough！“exclaimedCaptainPalliser，andhebrokeforthagain。

“TakeanotherG，“saidTembarom，producinghistube。“Say，justtakethebottleandkeepitinyourpocket“

Whenthebriefparoxysmwasoverandtheymovedonagain，Palliserwaslookinganoddthingorsointheface。“IalwaysthinkofLadyJoan“

wasoneofthem。“Always“seemedtogoratherfar。Howoftenandwhyhadhe“alwaysthought“？Thefellowwasincredible。Didhissharp，boyishfaceandhisslouchconcealacolossal，vulgar，youngambition？

Therewasnotmuchconcealmentaboutit，Heavenknew。Andashesoevidentlywasnotawareofthefacts，howwouldtheyaffecthimwhenhediscoveredthem？AndthoughLadyMallowewasawomannotintheleastdistressedorhamperedbyshadesofdelicacyandscruple，shesurelywasastuteenoughtorealizethateventhisbounder”sdullnessmightbeawakenedtorealizethattherewasmorethanatouchofobviousindecencyinbringingthegirltothehouseofthemanshehadtragicallyloved，andmanoeuveringtoworkherintoitasthewifeofthemanwho，monstrouslyunfitashewas，hadtakenhisplace。CaptainPalliserknewwellthatthepressingoftherelationshiphadmeantonlyonething。Andhow，inthenameoftheFuries！hadshedraggedLadyJoanintotheschemewithher？

ItwasasunbelievableaswasthenewTempleBarholmhimself。Andhowunconcernedthefellowlooked！Perhapsthemanhehadsupplantedwasnomoretohimthanascarcelyrememberedname，ifhewasasmuchasthat。ThenTembarom，pacingslowlybyhisside，handsinpockets，eyesonthewalk，spoke：

“DidyoueverseeJemTempleBarholm？“heasked。

Itwaslikeathunderbolt。Hesaiditasthoughheweremerelycarryinghispreviousremarksontotheirnaturalconclusion；butPalliserfelthimselfsosuddenlyunadjusted，sotospeak，thathepalpablyhesitated。

“Didyou？“hiscompanionrepeated。

“Iknewhimwell，“wastheanswermadeassoonasreadjustmentwaspossible。

“Rememberjusthowhelooked？“

“Perfectly。Hewasastrikingfellow。Womenalwayssaidhehadfascinatingeyes。”

“Sortofslantdownwardontheoutsidecorners——andblackeyelashessortersweepingtogether？“

Palliserturnedwithamovementofsurprise。

“Howdidyouknow？Itwasjustthatoddsortofthing。”

“MissAliciatoldme。Andthere”sapictureinthegallerythat”slikehim。”

CaptainPalliserfeltasembarrassedasMissAliciahadfelt，butitwasforadifferentreason。Shehadfeltawkwardbecauseshehadfearedshehadtouchedonadelicatesubject。Palliserwasembarrassedbecausehewasentirelythrownoutofallhiscalculations。Hefeltforthemomentthattherewasnocalculatingatall，nosecurityinpreparingpaths。Youneverknowwheretheywouldlead。Herehadhebeenactuallyalarmedinsecret！Andtheoafstoodbeforehimundisturbedlyopeningupthesubjecthimself。

“ForafellowlikethattoloseagirlashelostLadyJoanwasprettytough，“theoafsaid。“Bygee！itwastough！“

Heknewitall——thewholething，scandal，tragicallybrokenmarriage，everything。Andknowingit，hewaslayinghisYankeeplansforgettingthegirltoTempleBarholmtolookherover。Itwasofagrossnessonesometimesheardofinmenofhiskind，andyetitseemedinitscasualnesstoout-leapanylittleschemeofthesorthehadsofarlookedonat。

“LadyJoanfeltitimmensely，“hesaid。

Afootmanwastobeseenmovingtowardthem，evidentlybearingamessage。Teawasservedinthedrawing-room，andhehadcometoannouncethefact。

Theywentbacktothehouse，andMissAliciafilledcupsforthemandpresidedoverthesplendidtraywithapersuasivesuggestioninthematterofhotorcoldthingswhichmadeiteasytoleaduptoanysubject。Shewasthebestofunobtrusivehostesses。

PallisertalkedofhisvisitatDetchworth，whichhadbeenshortenedbecausehehadgoneto“fitin“andremainuntilalargebutuncertainpartyturnedup。Ithadturnedupearlierthanhadbeenanticipated，andofcoursehecouldonlydelicatelyslipaway。

“Iamsorryithashappened，however，“hesaid，“notonlybecauseonedoesnotwishtoleaveDetchworth，butbecauseIshallmissLadyMalloweandLadyJoan，whoaretobeatAsshaweHoltnextweek。I

particularlywantedtoseethem。”

MissAliciaglancedatTembaromtoseewhathewoulddo。Hespokebeforehecouldcatchherglance。

“Say，“hesuggested，“whydon”tyoubringyourgripoverhereandstay？Iwishyouwould。”

“AgripmeansaGladstonebag，“MissAliciamurmuredinarapidundertone。

Palliserrepliedwithappreciativecourtesy。Thingsweregoingextremelywell。

“That”sawfullykindofyou，“heanswered。“Ishouldlikeittremendously。Nothingbetter。Youaregivingmeadelightfulopportunity。Thankyou，thankyou。IfImayturnuponThursdayI

shallbedelighted。”

Therewassatisfactioninthisatleastintheobservantgrayeyewhenhewentaway。

CHAPTERXX

DinneratDetchworthGrangewasmostamusingthatevening。Oneofthechiefreasons——infact，itwouldnotbetooventuresometosayTHE

chiefreason——forCaptainPalliser”sfrequentpresenceinverygoodcountryhouseswasthathehadawayofmakingthingsamusing。Hisrelationofanecdotes，ofpeopleandthings，wasdistinguishedbyamannerwhichsubtlydeclinedtorangeitselfonthesideofvulgargossip。QuietlyandwithafinecasualnessheconveyedthewholepictureoftheneworderatTempleBarholm。Hediditwithwonderfullylighttouches，andyetthewholethingwastobeseen——thelittleoldmaidinherexquisiteclothes，herunmistakablestampoftimidgoodbreeding，herprotectingadorationcombinedwithbewilderment；

thelong，lean，notaltogetherill-lookingNewYorkbounder，withhisslightslouch，hisdangerouslyunsophisticated-lookingface，andhisAmericanjocularityofslangphrase。

“He”sofaclassIknownothingabout。Iownhepuzzledmeatrifleatfirst，“Pallisersaidwithhiscoolsmile。“I”mnotsurethatI”ve”gotontohim”altogetheryet。That”sanexpressiveNewYorkphraseofhisown。Butwhenwewerestrollingabouttogether，hemaderevelationsapparentlywithoutbeingintheleastawarethattheywererevelations。Hewasunbelievable。Myfearwasthathewouldnotgoon。”

“Buthedidgoon？“askedAmabel。“Onemusthearsomethingoftherevelations。”

Thenwasgiveninthebestpossibleformthelittledramaofthetalkinthegarden。NoshadeofMr。TempleBarholm”scharacteristicswaslost。PallisergaveoccasionallyanEnglishattemptatthereproductionofhisnasaltwang，butitwasonlyatouchandnotsufficientlypersistedintobecomeundignified。

“Ican”tdoit，“hesaid。“Noneofuscanreallydoit。WhenEnglishactorstryitonthestage，itisnotintheleasttherealthing。

Theyonlydrawlthroughtheirnoses，anditismorethanthat。”

ThepeopleofDetchworthGrangewerenotnoisypeople，buttheirlaughterwasunrestrainedbeforetherecitalwasfinished。Nobodyhadgonesofaraseithertofearortohopeforanythingasundilutedinitsnatureasthiswas。

“Thenhewon”tgiveusachance，theleastchance，“criedLucyandAmabelalmostinunison。“Weareoutoftherunning。”

“Youwon”tgetevenalookin——becauseyouarenot”ladies”“saidtheirbrother。

“PoorJemTempleBarholm！Whatadifferentthingitwouldhavebeenifwehadhadhimforaneighbor！“Mr。Granthamfretted。

“WeshouldhavehadLadyJoanFayreaswell，“saidhiswife。

“Atleastshe”sagentlewomanaswellasa”lady”“Mr。Granthamsaid。

“Shewouldnothavebecomesobitterifthathideousthinghadnotoccurred。”

TheywonderedifthenewmanknewanythingaboutJem。Palliserhadnotreachedthatpartofhisrevelationwhenthelaughterhadbrokenintoit。Hetolditforthwith，andthelaughterwasovercomebyasortofdismayeddisgust。Thisdidnotaccordwiththerumorsofanalmost“nice“goodnature。

“There”savulgarhorridnessaboutit，“saidLucy。

“WhatpriceLadyMallowe！“saidtheson。“I”llbetasovereignshebeganit。”

“Shedid，“remarkedPalliser；“butIthinkonemayleaveMr。TempleBarholmsafelytoLadyJoan。”Mr。GranthamlaughedasonewhoknewsomethingofLadyJoan。

“There”sanAmericanismwhichIdidn”tlearnfromhim，“Palliseradded，“andIremembereditwhenhewastalkingherover。It”sthis：

whenyoudisposeofapersonfinallyandforever，you”wipeuptheearthwithhim。”LadyJoanwill”wipeuptheearth”withyournewneighbor。”

Therewasalittleshoutoflaughter。“Wipeuptheearth“wasentirelynewtoeverybody，thougheventhecountryinEnglandwasatthistimebynomeanswhollyignorantofAmericanslang。

Thisledtosomanyotherthingsbothmirth-provokingandserious，evensometimesveryseriousindeed，thattheentireeveningatDetchworthwasfilledwithtalkofTempleBarholm。Verynaturallythetalkdidnotendbyconfiningitselftoonehousehold。InduetimeCaptainPalliser”slittlesketcheswereknownindiversplaces，anditbecameahabittodiscusswhathadhappened，andwhatmightpossiblyhappeninthefuture。Therewerethosewhowenttothelengthofcallingonthenewmanbecausetheywantedtoseehimfacetoface。

Peopleheardnewthingseveryfewdays，butnoonerealizedthatitwasvaguelythroughPalliserthattheredevelopedageneralideathat，crudeandself-revealingashewas，therelurkedbehindtheoutwardcandoroftheintruderahintofover-sharpnessoftheAmericankind。

Thereseemednonecessityforhimtolayschemesbeyondthosehehadbetrayedinhisinquiriesabout“ladies，“butsomehowitbecameafixedideathathewascapableofdoingshadythingsifatanytimethetemptationarose。Thatwasreallywhathisboyishcasualnessmeant。ThatintruthwasPalliser”sfinalsecretconclusion。AndhewantedverymuchtofindoutwhyexactlylittleoldMissTempleBarholmhadbeentakenup。Ifthemanwantedintroductions，hecouldhavecontrivedtopickupasmartandenterprisingunprofessionalchaperoninLondonwhowouldhavedoneforhimwhatMissTempleBarholmwouldneverpresumetoattempt。Andyetheseemedtohavechosenherdeliberately。Hehadsetherliterallyattheheadofhishouse。AndPalliser，havingheardavaguerumorthathehadactuallysettledadecentincomeuponher，hadmadeadroitinquiriesandfounditwastrue。

Itwas。ToarrangethematterhadbeenoneofhisreasonsforgoingtoseeMr。PalfordduringtheirstayinLondon。

“Iwantedtofixyou——fixyousafe，“hesaidwhenhetoldMissAliciaaboutit。“Iguessnoonecantakeitawayfromyou，whateveroldthinghappens。”

“Whatcouldhappen，dearMr。TempleBarholm？“saidMissAliciainthemidstoftearsofgratitudeandtremulousjoy。“Youaresoyoungandstrongand——everything！Don”tevenspeakofsuchathinginjest。Whatcouldhappen？“

“Anythingcanhappen，“heanswered，“justanything。Happening”stheonethingyoucan”tbeton。IfIwasbetting，I”dputmymoneyonthethingIwassurecouldn”thappen。LookatthisTempleBarholmsonganddance！LookatT。T。ashewashalfstranglingintheblizzardupatHarlemandthankinghisstarslittleMunsbergdidn”tkickhimoutofhisconfectionerystorelessthanayearago！SolongasI”mallright，you”reallright。ButIwantedyoufixed，anyhow。”

Hepausedandlookedatherquestioninglyforamoment。Hewantedtosaysomethingandhewasnotsureheought。Hisreverenceforherlittlefinenessesandreservesincreasedinsteadofwearingaway。Hewasalwaysfindingoutnewthingsabouther。

“Say，“hebrokeforthalmostimpetuouslyafterhishesitation，“Iwishyouwouldn”tcallmeMr。TempleBarholm。”

“D-doyou？“shefluttered。“ButwhatcouldIcallyou？“

“Well，“heanswered，reddeningashadeorso，“I”dgiveahouseandlotifyoucouldjustcallmeTem。”

“Butitwouldsoundsounbecoming，sofamiliar，“sheprotested。

“That”sjustwhatI”maskingfor，“hesaid”someonetobefamiliarwith。I”mthefamiliarkind。That”swhat”sthematterwithme。I”dbefamiliarwithPearson，buthewouldn”tletme。I”dfrightenhimhalftodeath。He”dthinkthathewasn”tdoinghisdutyandearninghiswages，andthatsomehowhe”dgetfiredsomedaywithoutacharacter。”

Hedrewnearertoherandcoaxed。

“Couldn”tyoudoit？“heaskedalmostasthoughhewereaskingafavorofagirl。“JustTem？IbelievethatwouldcomeeasiertoyouthanT。

T。Igetfonderandfonderofyoueveryday，MissAlicia，honestInjun。AndI”dbesogratefultoyouifyou”djustbethatunbecominglyfamiliar。”

Helookedhonestlyinearnest；andifhegrewfonderandfonderofher，shewithoutdoubthad，inthefaceofeverything，givenherwholehearttohim。

“MightIcallyouTemple——tobeginwith？“sheasked。“Ittouchesmesotothinkofyouraskingme。Iwillbeginatonce。Thankyou——

Temple，“withafaintgasp。“Imighttrytheotheralittlelater。”

ItwasonlyafeweveningslaterthathetoldherabouttheflatsinHarlem。HehadsenttoNewYorkforalargebundleofnewspapers，andwhenheopenedthemhereadaloudanadvertisement，andshowedherapictureofalargebuildinggivenupentirelyto“flats。”

HehadrealizedfromthefirstthatNewYorklifehadasingularattractionforher。Theunrelieveddullnessofherlife——thosefewyearsofyouthinwhichshehadstifledvaguelongingsforthejoysexperiencedbyothergirls；theyearsofmiddleagespentinthedrearyefforttobe“submissivetothewillofGod，“which，honestlytranslated，signifiedsubmissiontotheexactionsanddomestictyranniesof“dearpapa“andotherslikehim——hadleftherwithhercapacitiesforpleasureasfreshlysensitiveasachild”s。Thesmallestchangeintheroutineofexistencethrilledherwithexcitement。Tembarom”scasualreferencestohisstrenuousboyhoodcausedhereyestowidenwitheagernesstohearmore。Havingseenthis，hefoundkeendelightintellingherstoriesofNewYorklife——

storiesofhimselforofotherladswhohadbeenhiscompanions。Shewoulddropherworkandgazeathimalmostwithbatedbreath。Hewasanexcellentraconteurwhenhetalkedofthethingsheknewwell。Hehadanunconscioushabitofspringingfromhisseatandactinghisscenesashedepictedthem，laughingandusingstreet-boyphrasing：

“It”sjustlikeatale，“MissAliciawouldbreathe，enrapturedashejumpedfromonestorytoanother。“It”sexactlylikeawonderfultale。”

ShelearnedtoknowtheNewYorkstreetswhentheyblazedwithheat，whentheywerehardwithfrozensnow，whentheyweresloppywithmeltingslushorbrightwithspringtimesunshineandspringwindsblowing，withprettywomenhurryingaboutinbefloweredspringhatsanddressesandtheexhilarationoftheworld-oldspringtimejoy。Shefoundherselfhurryingwiththem。Shesometimeshungwithhimandhiscompanionsontherailingoutsidedazzlingrestaurantswherescoresofgaypeopleaterichfoodinthesightoftheirboyishravenousness。

Shedartedinandoutamonghorsesandvehiclestofindcarriagesafterthetheateroropera，whereeverybodywasdresseddazzlinglyanddiamondsglittered。

“Oh，howricheverybodymusthaveseemedtoyou——howcruellyrich，poorlittleboy！“

“Theylookedrich，rightenough，“heansweredwhenshesaidit。“Andthereseemedalotofgoodthingstoeatallcorralledinafewplaces。Andyouwishedyoucouldbeletlooseinside。ButIdon”tknowasitseemedcruel。Thatwasthewayitwas，youknow，andyoucouldn”thelpit。Andtherewereplaceswherethey”dgiveawaysomeofwhatwasleft。Itellyou，wewereinluckthen。”

Therewassomespiritinhistellingitall——aspiritwhichhadsurelybeenwithhimthroughhishardestdays，aspiritofyoungmirthinrags——whichmadeherfeelsubconsciouslythatthewholeexperiencehad，afterall，beensomehowofthenatureoflife”shighadventure。

Hehadneverbeenillorheart-sick，andhelaughedwhenhetalkedofit，asthoughtheremembrancewasnotarecallingofdisaster。

“Clemmin”ornoclemmin”。IwishI”dlivedtheloifetha”slived，“

TummasHibblethwaitehadsaid。

Heramazementwouldindeedhavebeengreatifshehadbeentoldthatshesecretlysharedhisfeeling。

“Itseemsasifsomehowyouhadneverbeendull，“washermethodofexpressingit。

“Dull！Holycats！no，“hegrinned。“Therewasn”tanytimeforbeinganything。Youjusthadtokeepgoing。”

ShebecameintimefamiliarwithMrs。Bowse”sboarding-houseandboarders。SheknewMrs。PeckandMr。Jakesandtheyoungladyfromthenotioncounter(thosewonderfulshops！)。JuliusandJemandthehallbedroomandthetiltedchairsandcloudofsmokeshesawsooftenthatshefeltathomewiththem。

“PoorMrs。Bowse，“shesaid，“musthavebeenamostrespectable，motherly，hard-workingcreature。Reallyanicepersonofherclass。”

Shecouldnotquitevisualizethe“parlor，“butitmusthavebeenwarmandcomfortable。Andthepianola——apianowhichyoucouldplaywithoutevenknowingyournotes——Whatacleverinvention！Americaseemedfullofthemostwonderfullycleverthings。

TembaromwasactuallyupliftedinsoulwhenhediscoveredthatshelaidtransparentlittleplansforleadinghimintotalkaboutNewYork。Shewantedhimtotalkaboutit，andtheLordknowshewantedtotalkabouthimself。Hehadbeenafraidatfirst。Shemighthavehatedit，asPalforddid，anditwouldhavehurthimsomehowifshehadn”tunderstood。Butshedid。Withoutquiterealizingthefact，shewasbeginningtoloveit，towishshehadseenit。HerSomersetvicarageimaginationdidnotallowofsuchleapsaswouldbeimpliedbythedaringwishthatsometimeshemightseeit。

ButTembarom”simaginationwasmoreathletic。

“Jinks！wouldn”titbefinetotakeherthere！ThelarkinLondonwouldn”tbeacehightoit。”

TheHutchinsonswerenotNewYorkers，buttheyhadbeenpartoftheatmosphereofMrs。Bowse”s。Mr。Hutchinsonwouldofcourseberatheraforwardandpushingmantobeobligedtomeet，butLittleAnn！ShedidsolikeLittleAnn！Andthedearboydidsowant，inhisheartofhearts，totalkaboutherattimes。Shedidnotknowwhether，inthecircumstances，sheoughttoencouragehim；buthewassodear，andlookedsomuchdearerwhenheevensaid“LittleAnn，“thatshecouldnothelpoccasionallyleadinghimgentlytowardthesubject。

Whenheopenedthenewspapersandfoundtheadvertisementsoftheflats，shesawtheengaging，half-awkwardhumorousnesscomeintohiseyes。

“Here”sonethatwoulddoallright，“hesaid”fourroomsandabath，eleventhfloor，thirty-fivedollarsamonth。”

Hespreadthenewspaperonthetableandrestedonhiselbow，gazingatitforafewminuteswhollyabsorbed。Thenhelookedupatherandsmiled。

“There”saplanoftherooms，“hesaid。“Wouldyouliketolookatit？

ShallIbringyourchairuptothetablewhilewegooverittogether？“

Hebroughtthechair，andsidebysidetheywentoveritthoroughly。

ToMissAliciaithadalltheinterestofanewkindofpuzzle。Heexplaineditineverydetail。OneofhissecretshadbeenthatonseveraldayswhenGalton”smannerhadmadehimhopefulhehadvisitedcertainflatbuildingsandgoneintotheirintricacies。Hecouldthereforedescribewithcolortheirresources——thejanitor；theelevator；thedumb-waiterstocarryupdomesticsuppliesandcarrydownashesandrefuse；therefrigerator；theunlimitedsupplyofhotandcoldwater，theheatingplan；theastonishinglittlekitchen，withstationarywash-tubs；thetelephone，ifyoucouldaffordit，——alltheconvenienceswhichtoMissAlicia，accustomedtothehabitsofRowcroftVicarage，whereyouluggedcansofwaterup-stairsanddownifyoutookabathorevenwashedyourface；seemedluxuriesappertainingonlytotherichandgreat。

“Howconvenient！Howwonderful！Dearme！Dearme！“shesaidagainandagain，quiteflushedwithexcitement。“Itislikeafairy-story。Andit”snotbigatall，isit？“

“Youcouldgetmostofitintothis，“heanswered，exulting。“Youcouldgetallofitintothatbigwhite-andgoldparlor。”

“Thewhitesaloon？“

Heshowedhisteeth。

“IguessIoughttoremembertocallitthat，“hesaid，“butitalwaysmakesmethinkofKidMacMurphy”sonFourthAvenue。Hekeptwhatwascalledasaloon，andhe”dhaditpaintedwhite。”

“Didyouknowhim？“MissAliciaasked。

“Knowhim！Gee！no！Ididn”tflyashighasthat。He”dhavethoughtmeprettyfreshifI”dactedlikeIknewhim。HethoughthewasoneoftheFourHundred。He”dbeenaprize-fighter。HewasthefellowthatknockedoutKidWilkensinfourrounds。”Hebrokeoffandlaughedathimself。“Hearmetalktoyouaboutatoughlikethat！“heended，andhegaveherhandthelittleapologetic，protectivepatwhichalwaysmadeherheartbeatbecauseitwasso“nice。”

Hedrewherbacktotheadvertisements，anddrewsuchinterestingpicturesofwhatthelivesoftwopeople——motherandsonorfatheranddaughterorayoungmarriedcouplewhodidn”twanttoputonstyle——

mightbeinthetinycompartments，thattheirexcitementmountedagain。

Thiscouldbeabedroom，thatcouldbeabedroom，thatcouldbetheliving-room，andifyouputabitofbrightcarpetonthehallwayandhungupapictureorso，itwouldlookfirst-rate。Heevenwentintothematterofmeasurements，whichmadeitmorelikeputtingapuzzletogetherthanever，andtheirreliefwhentheyfoundtheycouldfitapieceoffurniturehecalled“alounge“intoacertaincornerwasathingofflushingdelight。The“lounge，“shefound，wasasortofcotwithsprings。Youcouldbuythemforthreedollars，andwhenyouputonamattressandcovereditwitha“spread，“youcouldsitonitinthedaytimeandsleeponitatnight，ifyouhadto。

Frommeasurementshewentintocalculationsaboutthecostofthings。

Hehadseenunpaintedwoodentablesyoucouldputmahoganystainon，andthey”dlookallyou”dwant。He”dseenasplendidlittlerocking-

chairinSecondAvenueforfivedollars，oneofthepaddedkindthatladieslike。Hehadseenanarm-chairforamanthatwasonlyseven；

buttheremightn”tberoomforboth，andyou”dhavetohavetherocking-chair。Hehadonceaskedthepriceofalotofplatesandcupsandsaucerswithrosesonthem，andyoucouldgetthemforsix；andyoudidn”tneedastovebecausetherewastherange。

HehadonceheardLittleAnntalkingtoMrs。Bowseaboutthepriceoffrying-pansandkettles，andtheyseemedtocostnexttonothing。He”dlookedintostorewindowsandnoticedthepricesofgroceriesandvegetablesandthingslikethat——sugar，forinstance；twopeoplewouldn”tusemuchsugarinaweek——andtheywouldn”tneedatonofteaorflourorcoffee。Ifafellowhadamotherorsisterorwifewhohadaheadandknewaboutthings，youcould“putitover“onmightylittle，andhaveasplendidtimetogether，too。You”devenbeabletoworkinacheapseatinatheatereverynowandthen。Helaughedandflushedashethoughtofit。

MissAliciahadneverhadadoll”shouse。RowcroftVicaragedidnotruntodollsandtheirbelongings。Herthwartedlongingforadoll”shousehadasortofparallelinhersimilarlythwartedlongingfor“alittleboy。”

Andherewasherdoll”shousesolong，solongunpossessed！Itwaslikethat，thisabsorbedcontrivingandfittingoffurnitureintocorners。Shealsoflushedandlaughed。Hereyesweresobrightlyeagerandhercheekssopinkthatshelookedquitegirlishunderherlacecap。

“Howprettyandcozyitmightbemade，howdear！“sheexclaimed。“Andonewouldbesohighupontheeleventhfloor，thatonewouldfeellikeabirdinanest。”

Hisfacelighted。Heseemedtoliketheideatremendously。

“Why，that”sso，“helaughed。“Thatideasuitsmedowntotheground。

Abirdinanest。Butthere”dhavetobetwo。Onewouldbelonely。

Say，MissAlicia，howwouldyouliketoliveinaplacelikethat？“

“Iamsureanyonewouldlikeit——iftheyhadsomedearrelativewiththem。”

Helovedher“dearrelative，“lovedit。Heknewhowmuchitmeantofwhathadlainhiddenunacknowledged，evenunknowntoher，throughalifetimeinherearly-Victorianspinsterbreast。

“Let”sgotoNewYorkandrentoneandliveinittogether。Wouldyoucome？“hesaid，andthoughhelaughed，hewasnotjocularintheusualway。“Wouldyou，ifwewakedupandfoundthisTempleBarholmthingwasadream？“

Somethinginhismanner，shedidnotknowwhat，puzzledheralittle。

“Butifitwereadream，youwouldbequitepooragain，“shesaid，smiling。

“No，Iwouldn”t。I”dgetGaltontogivemebackthepage。He”ddoitquick——quick，“hesaid，stillwithalaugh。“Beingpoor”snothing，anyhow。We”dhavethetimeofourlives。We”dbetwobirdsinanest。

Youcanlookoutthoseeleventh-storywindows”wayovertotheBronx，andgetbitsoftheriver。AndperhapsafterawhileAnnwoulddo-

likeshesaid，andwe”dbethreebirds。”

“Oh！“shesighedecstatically。“Howbeautifulitwouldbe！Weshouldbealittlefamily！“

“Soweshould，“heexulted。“ThinkofT。T。withafamily！“Hedrewhispaperofcalculationstowardhimagain。“Let”smakebelievewe”regoingtodoit，andworkoutwhatitwouldcost-forthree。Youknowabouthousekeeping，don”tyou？Let”swritedownalist。”

Ifhehadwarmedtohisworkbefore，hewarmedstillmoreafterthis。

MissAliciawasdrawnintoitagain，andfollowedhisfancifulplanswithanewfervor。Theywereliketwochildrenwhohadplayedatmake-

believeuntiltheyhadlostsightofcommonplacerealities。

MissAliciahadlivedamongsmalleconomiesandcouldbeofgreatassistancetohim。Theymadelistsandaddeduplinesoffiguresuntilthefine，hugeroomanditsthousandsofvolumesmeltedaway。Inthegreathall，guardedbywarriorsinarmor，thepowderedheadsofthewaitingfootmendroopedandnoddedwhilethepricesofpoundsofbutterandsugarandthevalueofpotatoesandflourandnutmegswerebalancedwithahecticjoy，andtherelativesignificanceofdollarsandcentsandshillingsandhalf-crownsandfive-centpiecescausedMissAliciaamilddelirium。

Bythetimethatshehadestablishedthefactsthatashillingwassomethingliketwenty-fivecents，adollarwasfourandtwopence，andtwenty-fivedollarswassomethingoverfivepounds，itwaspastmidnight。

Theyheardtheclockstrikethehalf-hour，andstoppedtostareateachother。

Tembaromgotupwithyetanotherlaugh。

“Say，Imustn”tkeepyouupallnight，“hesaid。“Buthaven”twehadafinetime-haven”twe？IfeelasifI”dbeenthere。”

TheyhadbeentheresoentirelythatMissAliciabroughtherselfbackwithdifficulty。

“Icanscarcelybelievethatwehavenot，“shesaid。“IfeelasifI

didn”tliketoleaveit。Itwassodelightful。”Sheglancedabouther。

“Theroomlookshuge，“shesaid”almosttoohugetolivein。”

“Doesn”tit？“heanswered。“NowyouknowhowIfeel。”Hegatheredhisscrapsofpapertogetherwithafeelingtouch。“Ididn”twanttocomebackmyself。WhenIgetabitofagrouchIshalljerktheseoutandgobackthereagain。”

“Oh，doletmegowithyou！“shesaid。“Ihavesoenjoyedit。”

“Youshallgowheneveryoulike，“hesaid。“We”llkeepitupforasortofgameonrainydays。Howmuchisadollar，MissAlicia？“

“Fourandtwopence。Andsugarissixcentsapound。”

“Gotothehead，“heanswered。“Rightagain。”

Theopenedrollofnewspaperswaslyingonthetablenearher。TheywerecopiesofTheEarth，andthedateofoneofthembymerestchancecaughthereye。

“Howodd！“shesaid。“Thoseareoldpapers。Didyounotice？Isitamistake？Thisoneisdated“Sheleanedforward，andhereyecaughtawordinahead-line。

“TheKlondike，“sheread。“There”ssomethinginitabouttheKlondike。”Heputhishandoutanddrewthepapersaway。

“Don”tyoureadthat，“hesaid。“Idon”twantyoutogotobedanddreamabouttheKlondike。You”vegottodreamabouttheflatinHarlem。”

“Yes，“sheanswered。“Imustn”tthinkaboutsadthings。TheflatinHarlemisquitehappy。Butitstartledmetoseethatword。”

“Ionlysentforthem——becauseIhappenedtowanttolooksomethingup，“heexplained。“Howmuchisapound，MissAlicia？“

“Fourdollarsandeighty-sixcents，“shereplied，recoveringherself。

“Goupheadagain。You”regoingtostaythere。”

Whenshegavehimherhandontheirpartingforthenighthehelditamoment。Asubtlecombinationofthingsmadehimdoit。Thecalculations，themeasurements，thenestfromwhichonecouldlookoutovertheBronx，wereprevailingelementsinitsmake-up。AnnhadbeenineachroomoftheHarlemflat，andshealwaysvaguelyremindedhimofAnn。

“Wearerelations，ain”twe？“heasked。

“Iamsureweoftenseemquitenearrelations——Temple。”Sheaddedthenamewithveryprettykindness。

“We”renotdistantonesanymore，anyhow，“hesaid。“Arewenearenough——wouldyouletmekissyougoodnight，MissAlicia？“

Anemotionalflushranuptohercapribbons。

“Indeed，mydearboy——indeed，yes。”

Holdingherhandwithachivalric，ifslightlyawkward，courtesy，hebent，andkissedhercheek。Itwasahearty，affectionatelygratefulyoungkiss，which，whileitwasforherself，remotelyincludedAnn。

“It”sthefirsttimeI”veeversaidgoodnighttoanyonelikethat，“

hesaid。“Thankyouforlettingme。”

Hepattedherhandagainbeforereleasingit。Shewentup-stairsblushingandfeelingratherasthoughshehadbeenproposedto，andyet，spinsterthoughshewas，somehowquiteunderstandingaboutthenestandAnn。

CHAPTERXXI

LadyMalloweandherdaughterdidnotpaytheirvisittoAsshaweHolt，theabsolute，thoughnotopenlyreferredto，factbeingthattheyhadnotbeeninvited。ThevisitinquestionhadmerelyfloatedintheairasadelicatesuggestionmadebyherladyshipinherlettertoMrs。

AssheShaw，totheeffectthatsheandJoanweregoingtostayatTempleBarholm，thevisittoAsshawetheyhadpartlyarrangedsometimeagomightnowbefittedin。

Thepartialarrangementitself，Mrs。AssheShawremarkedtohereldestdaughterwhenshereceivedthesuggestingnote，wassopartialastorequireslightconsideration，sinceithadbeenmade“bythewomanherself，whowouldpushherselfandherdaughterintoanyhouseinEnglandifabackdoorwereleftopen。”Inthecivillyphrasedlettershereceivedinanswertoherown，LadyMallowereadbetweenthelinesthepointofviewtaken，andwrithedsecretly，asshehadbeenmadetowrithescoresoftimesinthecourseofhercareer。Ithadhappenedsooften，indeed，thatitmighthavebeenimaginedthatshehadbecomeusedtoit；butthewomanwhoactedasmaidtoherselfandJoanalwaysknewwhen“shehadtriedtogetinsomewhere“andfailed。

ThenoteofexplanationsentimmediatelytoMissAliciawasatonceadroitandamiable。TheyhadunfortunatelybeendetainedinLondonadayortwopastthedatefixedfortheirvisittoAsshawe，andLadyMallowewouldnotallowMrs。AssheShawe，whohadsomanyguests，tobeinconveniencedbytheirarrivinglateandperhapsdisarrangingherplans。Soifitwasquiteconvenient，theywouldcometoTempleBarholmaweekearlier；butnot，ofcourse，ifthatwouldbetheleastupsetting。

Whentheyarrived，TembaromhimselfwasinLondon。Hehadsuddenlyfoundhewasobligedtogo。Thebusinesswhichcalledhimwassomethingwhichcouldnotbeputoff。Heexpectedtoreturnatonce。

ItwasmadeveryeasyforhimwhenhemadehisexcusestoPalliser，whosuggestedthathemightevenfindhimselfreturningbythesametrainwithhisguests，whichwouldgivehimopportunities。Ifhewasdetained，MissAliciacouldtakechargeofthesituation。Theywouldquiteunderstandwhensheexplained。CaptainPalliserforesawforhimselfsomequietentertainmentinhisownmeetingwiththevisitors。

LadyMallowealwaysprovidedacertainorderofamusementforhim，andnomanaliveobjectedtofindinginterestandevenacertainexcitementinthesocietyofLadyJoan。Itwasherchiefcharacteristicthatsheinspiredinamanavague，evenifslightlyirritated，desiretopleaseherinsomedegree。Toleadherontotalkinhersometimesbrilliant，alwaysheartlesslyunsparing，fashion，perhapstosmilehershadeofabittersmile，gaveamansomethingtodo，especiallyifhewasbored。Palliseranticipatedapossiblechanceofrepeatingthedialogueof“theladies，“not，however，goingintotheJemTempleBarholmpartofit。Whenonefindsamanwhoseidlelifehasgeneratedinhimthecuriositywhichisusuallycalledfeminine，itfrequentlyoccupieshimmoreactivelythanheisawareorwilladmit。

Afashionablemalegossipisacuriousdevelopment。Palliserwas，uponthewhole，notawarethathehadanintenseinterestinfindingouttheexactreasonwhyLadyMallowehadnotfailedutterlyinanyattempttodragherdaughtertothisparticularplace，tobeflungheadlong，sotospeak，atthisspecialman。LadyMalloweonecouldrunandread，butLadyJoanwasinthisinstanceunexplainable。Andassheneverdeignedtheslightestconcealment，thestoryofthedialoguewouldnodoubtcausehertoshowherhand。Shemusthaveahand，anditmustbeoneworthseeing。

Itwasnothe，however，whocouldeitherguessorunderstand。Thefollowingwouldhavebeenhissummingupofher：“Flaringlyhandsomegirl，broughtupbyhermothertooneend。Badtempertobeginwith。

Girlwhomight，ifshelostherhead，getintosomefrightfulmess。

Meetsafascinatingdevilinthefirstseason。AregularRomeoandJulietpassionblazesup——allforloveandtheworldwelllost。AllLondonlookingon。LadyMallowefranticandfurious。Suddenlythefascinatingdevilruinedforlife，donefor。Bolts，getskilled。LadyMallowetriumphant。Girldraggedaboutafterwardlikeabeautifulyoungdemoninchains。Refusesallsortsofthings。Behavesinfernally。Nobodyknowsanythingelse。”

Nobodydidknow；LadyMalloweherselfdidnot。FromthefirstyearinwhichJoanhadlookedatherwithchildconsciousnessshehadfeltthattherewasantagonisminthedeepsofhereyes。Nomotherlikestorecognizesuchathing，andLadyMallowewasaparticularlyvainwoman。Thechildwasgoingtobeanundeniablebeauty，andsheoughttoadorethemotherwhowastoarrangeherfuture。Insteadofwhich，sheplainlydislikedher。Bythetimeshewasthreeyearsold，theantagonismhadbecomedefianceandrebellion。LadyMallowecouldnotevenindulgeherselfinthesatisfactionofshowingherembryobeautyoff，andthuspreparingareputationforher。Shewasnotcrossortearful，butshehadthetemperofalittledevil。Shewouldnotbeshownoff。Shehatedit，andherbearingdangerouslysuggestedthatshehatedherhandsomeyoungmother。Noeffectscouldbeproducedwithher。

Beforeshewasfourtheantagonismwasmutual，anditincreasedwithyears。Thechildwasofapassionatenature，andhadbeenbornintenselyallhermotherwasnot，andintenselynotallhermotherwas。Athrow-backtosomehigh-spiritedandfiercelyhonestancestorcreatedinherafuryatthesightofmeanfalsitiesanddishonors。

Beforeshewasoldenoughtoknowtheexactcauseofherrageshewasshakenbyit。Shethoughtshehadabadtemper，andwasbadenoughtohateherownmotherwithoutbeingabletohelpit。Asshegrewoldershefoundoutthatshewasnotreallysobadasshehadthought，thoughshewasobligedtoconcedethatnothingpalliativecouldbesaidaboutthetemper。Ithadbeenviolentfromthefirst，andshehadlivedinanatmospherewhichinfuriatedit。Shedidnotsupposesuchathingcouldbecontrolled。Itsometimesfrightenedher。HadnottheoldMarquisofNorboroughbeencelebratedthroughhisentirelifeforhisfuries？Wastherenotahushed-uprumorthathehadoncethrownadecanterathiswife，andsonearlykilledherthatpeoplehadbeenaskingoneanotherinwhispersifapeeroftherealmcouldbehanged。

Hehadbeenbornthatway，sohadshe。Herschool-roomdayshadbeenahorrortoher，andalsoaterror，becauseshehadoftenalmostflungink-bottlesandheavyrulersathersilly，lyinggovernesses，andoncehaddugapairofscissorsintoonesneakingoldmaidfool”sarmwhenshehadmadeher“seered“byherignobletrickeries。Perhapsshewouldbehangedsomedayherself。Sheonceprayedforaweekthatshemightbemadebettertempered，——notthatshebelievedinprayer，——andofcoursenothingcameofit。

Everyyearshelivedsheragedmorefuriouslyatthetricksshesawplayedbyhermotherandeveryonewhosurroundedher；theveryservantsweregreaterliarsandpilferersthananyotherservants。Hermotherwasalwaystryingtogetthingsfrompeoplewhichtheydidnotwanttogiveher。Shewouldcarryoffslightsandsnubsasthoughtheywereactualtributes，ifshecouldgainherend。Thegirlknewwhatthemeaningofherownfuturewouldbe。Sinceshedefinitelydislikedherdaughter，LadyMallowedidnotmincematterswhentheywerealone。

Shehadnomoney，shewasextremelygoodlooking，shehadacertainnumberofyearsinwhichtofightforherownhandamongthenewdebutanteswhowerepresentedeveryseason。Herfirstseasonover，thenextseasonothergirlswouldbefresherthanshewas，andnewertothemenwhowereworthmarrying。Menlikenovelty。Afterhersecondseasonthedebutanteswouldseemfresherstillbycontrast。Thenpeoplewouldbegintosay，“Shewaspresentedfourorfiveyearsago。”

Afterthatitwouldbeallstruggle，——everyseasonitwouldbeworse。

Itwouldbecomeawful。Unmarriedwomenoverthirty-fivewouldspeakofherasthoughtheyhadbeeninthenurserytogether。Marriedgirlswithachildorsowouldtreatherasthoughshewereamaidenaunt。

Sheknewwhatwasbeforeher。Beggarystaredthembothinthefaceifshedidnotmakethemostofherlooksandwastenotime。AndJoanknewitwasalltrue，andthatworse，farworsethingsweretruealso。

Shewouldbeobligedtospendalonglifewithhermotherincheaplodgings，afaded，penniless，unmarriedwoman，railedat，taunted，sneeredat，forcedtobepartofhumiliatingtricksplayedtoenablethemtogetintodebtandthentoavoidpayingwhattheyowed。Hadshenotseenonehorribleoldwomanoftheirownrankwhowasanexampleofwhatpovertymightbringoneto，anoldharpywhotriedtoqueenitoverherlandladyinanactualbackstreet，andwasbyturnsfawneduponanddisgustingly“yourladyshiped“oroutrageouslyinsultedbyherlandlady？

Thenthatfirstseason！Dear，dearGod！thatfirstseasonwhenshemetJem！Shewasnotnineteen，andthefacileworldpretendedtobeatherfeet，andthesunshoneasthoughLondonwereinItaly，andtheparkwasmarvelouswithflowers，andthereweresuchdancesandsuchlaughter！

Anditwasallsoyoung——andshemetJem！Itwasatagarden-partyatalovelyoldhouseontheriver，aplacewithcelebratedgardenswhichwouldalwayscomebacktohermemoryasariotofroses。Thefrocksofthepeopleonthelawnlookedasthoughtheyweremadeofthepetalsofflowers，andamadlittlehauntingwaltzwasbeingplayedbytheband，andthereunderagreatcopperbirchonthegreenvelvetturfnearherstoodJem，lookingatherwithdark，liquid，slantingeyes！

Theywereonlyafewfeetfromeachother，——andhelooked，andshelooked，andthehaunting，madlittlewaltzplayedon，anditwasasthoughtheyhadbeenstandingtheresincetheworldbegan，andnothingelsewastrue。

Afterwardnothingmatteredtoeitherofthem。LadyMalloweherselfceasedtocount。Nowandthentheworldstopsfortwopeopleinthisunearthlyfashion。Atsuchtimes，asfarassuchapairareconcerned，causesandeffectscease。Herbadtemperfled，andsheknewshewouldneverfeelitsfuriouslashagain。

WithJemlookingatherwithhisglowing，droopingeyes，therewouldbenoreasonforrageandshame。Sheconfessedthetempertohimandtoldofherterrorofit；heconfessedtoherhisfondnessforhighplay，andtheyheldeachother”shands，notwithsentimentalyouthfullightness，butwiththestrongclaspofsworncomrades，andpromisedonhonorthattheywouldstandbyeachothereveryhouroftheirlivesagainsttheirworstselves。

Theywouldhavekeptthepact。Neitherwasaslightordishonestcreature。Thephaseoflifethroughwhichtheypassedisnotanewone，butitisnotoftensonearlyanomnipotentpoweraswastheirthree-months”dream。

Itlastedonlythatlengthoftime。Thencametheendoftheworld。

Joandidnotlookfreshinhersecondseason，andbeforeitwasovermenwereratherafraidofher。Becauseshewassoyoungthefreshnessreturnedtohercheek，butitnevercamebacktohereyes。

Whatexactlyhadhappened，orwhatshethought，itwasimpossibletoknow。Shehaddelicate，blackbrows，andbetweenthemappearedtwodelicate，fiercelines。Hereyeswereofapurplish-gray，“thecolorofthunder，“asnubbedadmirerhadoncesaid。Betweentheirblacklashestheyweremoredeeplythunder-colored。Herlifewithhermotherwasathingnottobespokenof。Tothedesperategirl”sagonyofrebellionagainstthehorroroffateLadyMallowe”stauntsandberatingsweredevilish。TherewasacertainboudoirinthehouseinHillStreetwhichwastoJoanlikethequestionchamberoftheInquisition。Shutupinittogether，thetwowentthroughsceneswhichintheircrueltywouldhavedonecredittotheMiddleAges。LadyMallowealwayslockedthedoortopreventtheunexpectedentranceofaservant，butservantsmanagedtohoveraboutit，becauseherladyshipfrequentlyforgotcautionsofarastoraisehervoiceattimes，asladiesarenotsupposedtodo。

“Wefight，“Joansaidwithashort，horriblelaughonemorning”wefightlikecatsanddogs。No，liketwocats。Acat-and-dogfightismorequicklyover。Somedayweshallscratcheachother”seyesout。”

“Haveyounoshame？“hermothercried。

“Iamburningwithit。IamlikeSt。Lawrenceonhisgridiron。”Turnmeoverontheotherside”“shequoted。

ThiswaswhenshehadbehavedsoabominablytotheDukeofMerthshirethathehadactuallywithdrawnhismorethanhalf-finishedproposal。

ThatwhichshehatedmorethanallelsewastheGodshehadprayedtowhensheaskedshemightbehelpedtocontrolhertemper。

ShehadnotbelievedinHimatthetime，butbecauseshewasfrightenedaftershehadstuckthescissorsintoFrauleinshehadtriedtheappealasanexperiment。ThenightaftershemetJem，whenshewenttoherroominHillStreetforthenight，shekneltdownandprayedbecauseshesuddenlydidbelieve。SincetherewasJemintheworld，theremustbetheothersomewhere。

Asdayfollowedday，herfaithgrewwithherlove。ShetoldJemaboutit，andtheyagreedtosayaprayertogetheratthesamehoureverynight。Thebigyoungmanthoughtherpietybeautiful，and，hisvoicewasunsteadyastheytalked。Butshetoldhimthatshewasnotpious，butimpious。

“Iwanttobemadegood，“shesaid。“Ihavebeenbadallmylife。I

wasabadchild，Ihavebeenabadgirl；butnowImustbegood。”

Onthenightafterthetragiccard-partyshewenttoherroomandkneeleddowninanewspirit。Sheknelt，butnottocoverherface，shekneltwiththroatstrainedandherfierceyoungfacethrownbackandupward。

Herhandswereclenchedtofistsandflungoutandshakenattheceiling。Shesaidthingssoawfulthatherownbloodshudderedassheutteredthem。Butshecouldnot——inhermadhelplessness——makethemawfulenough。Sheflungherselfonthecarpetatlast，herarmsoutstretchedlikeacreaturecrucifiedfacedownwardonthecross。

“IbelievedinYou！“shegasped。“ThefirstmomentyougavemeareasonIbelieved。Idid！Idid！WebothsaidourprayertoYoueverynight，likechildren。Andyou”vedonethis——this——this！“Andshebeatwithherfistsuponthefloor。

Severalyearshadpassedsincethatnight，andnolivingbeingknewwhatshecarriedinhersoul。Ifshehadasoul，shesaidtoherself，itwasblack——black。Butshehadnone。NeitherhadJemhadone；whentheearthandstoneshadfallenuponhimithadbeentheend，asitwouldhavebeenifhehadbeenabeetle。

ThiswastheguestwhowascomingtothehousewhereMilesHugosmiledfromhisframeinthepicture-gallery——thehousewhichwouldto-dayhavebeenJem”sifT。Tembaromhadnotinheritedit。

Tembaromreturnedsometwenty-fourhoursafterMissAliciahadreceivedhisvisitorsforhim。Hehadbeen“goinginto“absorbingthingsinLondon。Histhoughtsduringhisnorthwardjourneywerepuzzledanddiscouragedones。Hesatinthecorneroftherailwaycarriageandstaredoutofthewindowwithoutseeingthespringtimechangesintheflyinglandscape。

ThepricehewouldhavegivenforatalkwithAnnwouldnothavebeeneasytocompute。Herhead，herlevellittlehead，andherwayofseeingintothingsandpickingoutfactswithoutbeingrattledbywhatdidn”treallycount，wouldhavebeenworthanything。Thedayitselfwasadiscouragingone，withheavythreateningsofrainwhichdidnotfall。

Thelowcloudswerepilesofdark-purplegray，andwhenthesuntriedtosendlancesofominousyellowlightthroughthem，strangeandlurideffectswereproduced，andtheheavypurple-graymassesrolledtogetheragain。Hewonderedwhyhedidnothearlowrumblingsofthunder。

Hewenttohisroomatoncewhenhereachedhome。Hewaslate，andPearsontoldhimthattheladiesweredressingfordinner。Pearsonwasinwaitingwitheverythinginreadinessfortherapidperformanceofhisduties。Tembaromhadlearnedtoallowhimselftobewaitedupon。

Hehad，infact，donethisforthesatisfyingofPearson，whoserespectfulunhappinesswouldotherwisehavebeenmanifestdespitehiseffortstoconcealit。HedressedquicklyandaskedsomequestionsaboutStrangeways。OtherwisePearsonthoughtheseemedpreoccupied。Heonlymadeoneslightjoke。

“You”dbeafirst-ratedresserforaquick-changeartist，Pearson，“heremarked。

Onhiswaytothedrawing-roomhedeflectedfromthedirectpath，turningasideforamomenttothepicture-gallerybecauseforareasonofhisownhewantedtotakealookatMilesHugo。HetookalookatMilesHugooftenerthanMissAliciaknew。

Thegallerywasdimandgloomyenough，nowclosingininthepurple-

graytwilight。HewalkedthroughitwithoutglancingatthepicturesuntilhecametothetallboyinthesatinandlaceofCharlesII

period。Hepausedthereonlyforashorttime，buthestoodquiteneartheportrait，andlookedhardatthehandsomeface。

“Gee！“heexclaimedunderhisbreath，“it”squeer，gee！“

Thenheturnedsuddenlyroundtowardoneofthebigwindows。Heturnedbecausehehadbeenstartledbyasound，amovement。Someonewasstandingbeforethewindow。Forasecond”sspacethefigureseemedasthoughitwasalmostonewiththepurple-graycloudsthatwereitsbackground。Itwasatallyoungwoman，andherdresswasofathinmaterialofexactlytheircolor——dark-grayandpurpleatonce。Thewearerheldherheadhighandhaughtily。Shehadabeautiful，stormyface，andtheslender，blackbrowsweredrawntogetherbyafrown。

Tembaromhadneverseenagirlashandsomeanddisdainful。Hehad，indeed，neverbeenlookedatasshelookedathimwhenshemovedslightlyforward。

Heknewwhoitwas。ItwastheLadyJoangirl，andthesuddensightofhermomentarily“rattled“him。

“Youquitegavemeajolt，“hesaidawkwardly，andknowingthathesaiditlikea“mutt。”“Ididn”tknowanyonewasinthegallery。”

“Whatareyoudoinghere？“sheasked。Shespoketohimasthoughshewereaddressinganintrudingservant。Therewasemphasisontheword“you。”

Herintentionwassoevidentthatitincreasedhisfeelingofbeing“rattled。”Tofindhimselfconfrontingdeliberateillnatureofasuperiorandfinishedkindwaslikebeingspokentoinaforeignlanguage。

“I——I”mT。Tembarom。”heanswered，notabletokeephimselffromstaringbecauseshewassucha“winner“astolooks。

“T。Tembarom？“sherepeatedslowly，andhertonemadehimatonceseewhatafoolhehadbeentosayit。

“Iforgot，“hehalflaughed。“IoughttohavesaidI”mTempleBarholm。”

“Oh！“washersolecomment。Sheactuallystoodstillandlookedhimupanddown。

Sheknewperfectlywellwhohewas，andsheknewperfectlywellthatnopalliativeviewcouldpossiblybetakenbyanywell-bredpersonofherbearingtowardhim。Hewasherhost。Shehadcome，aguest，tohishousetoeathisbreadandsalt，andthecommonestdecencydemandedthatsheshouldconductherselfwithcivility。Butshecarednothingforthecommonest，orthemostuncommon，decency。Shewasthinkingofotherthings。AsshehadstoodbeforethewindowshehadfeltthathersoulhadneverbeensoblackasitwaswhensheturnedawayfromMilesHugo”sportrait——never，never。Shewantedtohurtpeople。PerhapsNerohadfeltasshedidandwasnotsohideousasheseemed。

Theman”stailorhadputhimintoproperclothes，andhisfeatureswererespectableenough，butnothingonearthcouldmakehimanythingbutwhathesopalpablywas。ShehadseenthatmuchacrossthegalleryasshehadwatchedhimstaringatMilesHugo。

“Ishouldthink，“shesaid，droppingthewordsslowlyagain，“thatyouwouldoftenforgetthatyouareTempleBarholm。”

“You”rerightthere，“heanswered。“Ican”tnailmyselfdowntoit。Itseemslikeasortofjoke。”

Shelookedhimoveragain。

“Itisajoke，“shesaid。

Itwasasthoughshehadslappedhimintheface，thoughshesaiditsoquietly。Heknewhehadreceivedtheslap，andthat，asitwasawoman，hecouldnotslapback。Itwasasortofsurprisetoherthathedidnotgigglenervouslyandturnredandshufflehisfeetinimpotentmisery。Hekeptquitestillamomentorsoandlookedather，thoughnotasshehadlookedathim。Shewonderedifhewassothick-

skinnedthathedidnotfeelanythingatall。

“That”sso，“headmitted。“That”sso。”Thenheactuallysmiledather。

“Idon”tknowhowtobehavemyself，yousee，“hesaid。“You”reLadyJoanFayre，ain”tyou？I”mmightygladtoseeyou。Happytomakeyouracquaintance，LadyJoan。”

Hetookherhandandshookitwithfriendlyvigorbeforesheknewwhathewasgoingtodo。

“I”llbetadollardinner”sready，“headded，“andBurrill”swaiting。

ItscaresmetodeathtokeepBurrillwaiting。He”sgotnouseforme，anyhow。Let”sgoandpacifyhim。”

Hedidnotleadthewayordragherbythearm，asitseemedtoherquiteprobablethathemight，ascostermongersdoonHampsteadHeath。

Heknewenoughtoletherpassfirstthroughthedoor；andwhenLadyMallowelookeduptoseeherenterthedrawing-room，hewasbehindher。Toherladyship”samazementandrelief，theycamein，sotospeak，together。Shehadbeensparedthetryingmomentofassistingattheceremonyoftheirpresentationtoeachother。

CHAPTERXXII

Inacertainsenseshehadbeendraggedtotheplacebyhermother。

LadyMallowehadmanyresources，andaboveallsheknewhowtowearyherintoresistlessnesswhichwasalmostindifference。Therehadbeenseveralshamelesslittlescenesinthelockedboudoir。Butthoughshehadbeendragged，shehadcomewithanintention。Sheknewwhatshewouldfindherselfbeingforcedtosubmittoiftheintruderwerenotdisposedofattheoutset，andifthemanoeuveringbeganwhichwouldbringhimtoLondon。Hewouldappearatherelbowhereandthereandateverycorner，probablyunawarethathewasbeingmadeanoffensivepuppetbytheastuteclevernessagainstwhichshecouldnotdefendherself，unlessshemadeactualscenesindrawing-rooms，atdinner-

tables，intheverystreetsthemselves。GiftedasLadyMallowewasinfineandlight-handeddealingofhercardsinanygame，herstakesatthisspecialjuncturewereseriouslyhigh。Joanknewwhattheywere，andthatshewasinamoodtouchedwithdesperation。ThedefenselesslynewandignorantTempleBarholmwastohermindadirectinterventionofProvidence，anditwasonlyJoanherselfwhocouldrobherofthebenefitsandreliefshecouldprovide。WithregardtoLadyJoan，thoughPalliser”squotedNewYorkism，“wipeuptheearth，“wasunknowntoher，theprocessshehadinmindwhensheleftLondonforLancashirewouldhavebeenwellcoveredbyit。Asinfeudaldaysshemighthaveorderedtherighthandofacreaturesuchasthistobestruckoff，forgettingthathewasaman，sowasshecapableto-dayofinflictinguponhimanyhurtwhichmightsweephimoutofherway。Shehadnotbeenatender-heartedgirl，andintheseyearsshewasabsolutelycallous。Thefellowbeingwhathewas，shehadnottheresourcesshemighthavecalleduponifhehadbeenagentleman。Hewouldnotunderstandthechillsandslightsofgoodmanners。Inthecountryhewouldbeeasiertomanagethanintown，especiallyifattackedinhisfirsttimiditybeforehisnewgrandeurs。Hisbighousenodoubtfrightenedhim，hisservants，thepeoplewhowereofaclassofwhichheknewnothing。WhenPallisertoldhisstoryshesawnewopenings。Hewouldstandinservileaweofherandofotherslikeher。

Hewouldbeafraidofher，tobeginwith，andshecouldmakehimmoreso。

Butthoughshehadcometoalarmhimsothathewouldbeputtoabsoluteflight，shehadalsocomeforanotherreason。ShehadneverseenTempleBarholm，andshehaddiscoveredbeforetheyhadknowneachotheraweekthatitwasJem”ssecretpassion。Hehadloveditwithaslightedandlonelychild”sromanticlonging；hehaddreamedofitasboyandman，knowingthatitmustsometimebehisown，hishome，andyetpreventedbyhisuncle”sattitudetowardhimfromdaringtoactasthoughherememberedthefact。OldMr。TempleBarholm”sspecialhumorhadbeenthatofamanguardingagainstpresumption。

Jemhadnotintendedtopresume，buthehadbeensnubbedwithrelentlesscrueltyevenforboyishexpressionsofadmiration。AndhehadhidhisfeelinginhisheartuntilhepoureditouttoJoan。To-

dayitwouldhavebeenhis。Together，together，theywouldhavelivedinitandlovedeverystoneofit，everyleafoneverygreattree，everywilddaffodilnoddinginthegreengrass。Mostpeople，Godbethanked！canforget。Thewiseonestrainthemselvesbeyondallelsetoforgetting。

Joanhadbeenaluckless，ill-brought-up，passionatechildandgirl。

InherMayfairnurseryshehadbeenaslittletrainedasayoungsavage。Sinceherblackhourshehadforgottennothing，allowedherselfnopalliatingmoments。Herbriefdreamofyoungjoyhadbeentheonerealthinginherlife。SheabsolutelyhadlainawakeatnightandreconstructedthehorrorofJem”sdeath，hadliveditoveragain，writhinginagonyonherbed，andmadlyfeelingthatbysodoingshewasholdingherloveclosetoherlife。

AndthemanwhostoodintheplaceJemhadlongedfor，themanwhosatattheheadofhistable，wasthis“thing！“Thatwaswhatshefelthimtobe，andeveryhurtshecoulddohim，everyhumiliationwhichshouldwritelargebeforehimhispresumptionandgrotesqueunfitness，wouldbeablowstruckforJem，whocouldneverstrikeablowforhimselfagain。Itwasallsenseless，butshehadnotwanttoreason。Fatehadnotreasonedinherbehalf。ShewatchedTembaromunderherlidsatthedinner-table。

Hehadnotwriggledorshuffledwhenshespoketohiminthegallery；

hedidneithernow，andmadenoobviouseffortstoseemunembarrassed。

Heusedhisknifeandforkinoddways，andhewasplainlynotusedtobeingwaitedupon。Morethanonceshesawtheservantsrestrainsmiles。Sheaddressednoremarkstohimherself，andansweredwithchillindifferencesuchthingsashesaidtoher。IfconversationhadflaggedbetweenhimandMr。Palfordbecausethesolicitordidnotknowhowtotalktohim，itdidnotevenreachthepointofflaggingwithher，becauseshewouldnottalkanddidnotallowittobegin。LadyMallowe，sickwithannoyance，wasquitebrilliant。ShedrewoutMissAliciabydetailedreminiscencesofavisitpaidtoRowltonHallyearsbefore。Thevicarhaddinedatthehallwhileshehadbeenthere。Sherememberedperfectlyhischarmofmannerandpowerfuloriginalityofmind，shesaidsweetly。Hehadspokenwithsuchaffectionofhis“littleAlicia，“whowassuchahelptohiminhisparishwork。

“Ithoughthewasspeakingofalittlegirlatfirst，“shesaidsmilingly，“butitsoonrevealeditselfthat”littleAlicia”wasonlyhiscaressingdiminutive。”

AcertainwideningofMissAlicia”sfascinatedeye，whichcouldnotremoveitselffromherface，causedhertoquailslightly。

“Hewasofcourseamanofgreatforceofcharacterand——andexpression，“sheadded。“Irememberthinkingatthetimethathiseloquentfranknessofphrasemightperhapsseemevenseveretofrivolouscreatureslikemyself。Areallyremarkablepersonality。”

“Hissermons，“falteredMissAlicia，asarefuge，“wereindeedremarkable。Iamsurehemustgreatlyhaveenjoyedhisconversationswithyou。IamafraidtherewereveryfewcleverwomenintheneighborhoodofRowlton。”

Castingabittersideglanceonhersilentdaughter，LadyMallowelightlyseizeduponNewYorkasasubject。SheknewsomuchofitfromdelightfulNewYorkers。LondonwasfullofdelightfulNewYorkers。ShewouldlikebeyondeverythingtospendawinterinNewYork。Sheunderstoodthattheseasontherewasinthewinterandthatitwasmostbrilliant。Mr。TempleBarholmmusttellthemaboutit。

“Yes，“saidLadyJoan，lookingathimthroughnarrowedlids，“Mr。

TempleBarholmoughttotellusaboutit。”

Shewantedtohearwhathewouldsay，toseehowhewouldtrytogetoutofthedifficultyorflounderstaggeringlythroughit。Hermotherknewinaninstantthatherownspeechhadbeenastupidblunder。ShehadputthemanintoexactlythepositionJoanwouldenjoyseeinghimin。Buthewasn”tinaposition，itappeared。

“Whatistheseason，anyhow？“hesaid。“You”vegotoneonmewhenyoutalkaboutseasons。”

“InLondon，“MissAliciaexplainedcourageously，“itisthetimewhenherMajestyisatBuckinghamPalace，andwhenthedrawing-roomsareheld，andParliamentsits，andpeoplecomeuptotownandgiveballs。”

ShewishedthatLadyMallowehadnotmadeherremarkjustatthistime。Sheknewthatthequietlymovingservantswerelistening，andthattheircivillyavertedeyeshadseenCaptainPallisersmileandLadyJoan”scuriouslook，andthatthewholeincidentwouldformentertainmentfortheirsupper-table。

“IguesstheyhaveitinthewinterinNewYork，then，ifthat”sit，“

hesaid。“There”snoBuckinghamPalacethere，andnodrawing-rooms，andCongresssitsinWashington。ButNewYorktakesitoutinsuppersatSherry”sandDelmonico”sandtheatersandreceptions。MissAliciaknowshowIusedtogotothemwhenIwasalittlefellow，don”tyou，MissAlicia？“headded，smilingatheracrossthetable。

“Youhavetoldme，“sheanswered。ShenoticedthatBurrillandthefootmenstoodatattentionintheirplaces。

“Iusedtostandoutsideinthesnowandlookinthroughthewindowsatthepeoplehavingagoodtime，“hesaid。“Uskidsthatweresellingnewspapersusedtotrytofillourselvesupwithchoosingwhoseplatewe”dtakeifwecouldgetatit。BeefsteakandFrenchfriedpotatoeswerethefavorites，andhotoysterstews。Weweresoall-firedhungry！“

“Howpathetic！“exclaimedLadyMallowe。“Andhowinteresting，nowthatitisallover！“

Sheknewthathermannerwasgushing，andJoan”sslightsideglanceofsubtleappreciationofthefactexasperatedheralmostbeyondendurance。Whatcouldonedo，whatcouldonetalkabout，withoutinvolvingoneselfindifficultiesoutofwhichone”shastyretreatcouldbeeffectedonlybygushing？TakingintoconsiderationtheawkwardnessofthewholesituationandseeingJoan”stemperandattitude，iftherehadnotbeensomuchatstakeshewouldhavereceivedasummoningtelegramfromLondonthenextdayandtakenflight。Butshehadbeenforcedtoholdhergroundbeforeinplacesshedetestedorwhereshewasnotwanted，andshemustholditagainuntilshehadfoundouttheworstorthebest。And，greatheaven！howJoanwasconductingherself，withthatslow，quietinsultingnessoftoneandlook，thewicked，silentinsolenceofbearingwhichnomanwasabletostand，howeveradmiringlyhebegan！TheDukeofMerthshirehadturnedhisbackuponitevenafteralltheworldhadknownhisintentions，evenafterthenewspapershadprematurelyannouncedtheengagementandsheherselfhadbeenconvincedthathecouldnotpossiblyretreat。Shehadworkeddesperatelythatseason，shehadfawnedonandpettednewspaperpeople，andstoopedtolittlethingsnoonebutherselfcouldhaveinventedandwhichnoonebutherselfknewof。AndneverhadJoanbeensosuperb；herbeautyhadseemedatitsmostbrilliantheight。Thematchwouldhavebeenmagnificent；buthecouldnotstandher，andwouldnot。Why，indeed，shouldanyman？Sheglancedatheracrossthetable。Abeauty，ofcourse；butshewasthinner，andhereyeshadahungryfiercenessinthem，andthetwodelicate，straightlinesbetweenherblackbrowsweredeepening。

Andtherewerenodukesonthehorizon。Merthshirehadmarriedalmostatonce，andalltheothersweretooyoungorhadwivesalready。Ifthismanwouldtakeher，shemightfeelherselflucky。TempleBarholmandseventythousandayearwerenottobetrifledwithbyagirlwhohadmadeherselfunpopularandwhowastwenty-six。Andforherownluckthemomenthadcomejustbeforeitwastoolate——asecondmarriage，wealth，theendofthehideousstruggle。Joanwastheobstacleinherpath，andshemustbeforcedoutofit。SheglancedquicklyatTembarom。HewastryingtotalktoJoannow。Hewastryingtopleaseher。Sheevidentlyhadafascinationforhim。Helookedatherinacuriouswaywhenshewasnotlookingathim。Itwasawaydifferentfromthatofothermenwhomshehadwatchedastheyfurtivelystared。Ithadstruckherthathecouldnottakehiseyesaway。Thatwasbecausehehadneverbeforebeenonspeakingtermswithawomanofbeautyandrank。

Joanherselfknewthathewastryingtopleaseher，andshewasaskingherselfhowlonghewouldhavethecourageandpresumptiontokeepitup。Hecouldscarcelybeenjoyingit。

Hewasnotenjoyingit，buthekeptitup。Hewantedtobefriendswithherformorereasonsthanone。Noonehadeverremainedlongatenmitywithhim。Hehad“gotover“agoodmanypeopleinthecourseofhiscareer，ashehad“gotover“JosephHutchinson。Thishadalwaysbeenaccomplishedbecausehepresentednosurfaceatwhicharrowscouldbethrown。Shewasthehardestpropositionhehadevercomeupagainst，hewasthinking；butifhedidn”tlethimselfbefoolenoughtobreaklooseandgetmad，she”dnothatehimsomuchafterawhile。

Shewouldbegintounderstandthatitwasn”thisfault；thenperhapshecouldgethertomakefriends。Infact，ifshehadbeenabletoreadhisthoughts，thereisnocertaintyastohowfarhertempermighthavecarriedher。Butshecouldseehimonlyasasharp-faced，commonAmericanoftheshop-boyclass，sittingattheheadofJemTempleBarholm”stable，inhischair。

Astheypassedthroughthehalltogotothedrawing-roomafterthemealwasover，shesawaneat，paleyoungmanspeakingtoBurrillandheardafewofhisratheranxiouslyutteredwords。