下载辰思小说免费APP
"Itisn’t，"saidthegirl。"Atleast，notliketheEast。Iusedtobeprovokedwhenthelecturerssaidanythinglikethat；butwhenyou’vebeentoNewYorkyouseewhattheymean。"
"Thelecturers？"hequeried。
"TheyalwaysstayedatourhousewhentheylecturedinTuskingum。"
"Ah！Ohyes，"saidBreckon，graspingasituationofwhichhehadheardsomething，chieflysatirical。"Ofcourse。Andisyourfather——isJudgeKentonliterary？Excuseme！"
"Onlyinhishistory。He’swritingthehistoryofhisregiment；orhegetsthesoldierstowritedownalltheycanrememberofthewar，andthenheputstheirstoriestogether。"
"Howdelightful！"saidBreckon。"AndIsupposeit’sagreatpleasuretohim。"
"Idon’tbelieveitis，"saidEllen。"Poppadoesn’tbelieveinwaranymore。"
"Indeed！"saidBreckon。"Thatisveryinteresting。"
"SometimeswhenI’mhelpinghimwithit——"
"Ah，Iknewyoumusthelphim！"
"Andhecomestoaplacewheretherehasbeenadreadfulslaughter，itseemsasifhefeltworseaboutitthanIdid。Heisn’tsurethatitwasn’tallwrong。Hethinksallwariswrongnow。"
"Ishe——hashebecomeafollowerofTolstoy？"
"He’sreadhim。Hesayshe’stheonlymanthatevergaveatrueaccountofbattles；buthehadthoughtitalloutforhimselfbeforehereadTolstoyaboutfighting。Doyouthinkitisrighttorevengeaninjury？"
"Why，surelynot！"saidBreckon，ratherstartled。
"Thatiswhatwesay，"thegirlpursued。"Butifsomeonehadinjuredyou——abusedyourconfidence，and——insultedyou，whatwouldyoudo？"
"I’mnotsurethatIunderstand，"Breckonbegan。Theinquirywassuperficiallyimpersonal，buthereflectedthatwomenareneverimpersonal，orthesonsofwomen，forthatmatter，andhesuspectedanintimateground。HissuspicionswereconfirmedwhenMissKentonsaid:
"Itseemseasyenoughtoforgiveanythingthat’sdonetoyourself；butifit’sdonetosomeoneelse，too，haveyoutheright——isn’titwrongtoletitgo？"
"Youthinkthequestionofjusticemightcomeinthen？Perhapsitought。
Butwhatisjustice？Andwheredoesyourdutybegintobedivided？"
Hesawherfollowinghimwithalarmingintensity，andheshrankfromtheresponsibilitybeforehim。Whatapplicationmightnotshemakeofhiswordsinthecase，whateveritwas，whichhechosenottoimagine？
"Totellyouthetruth，MissKenton，I’mnotveryclearonthatpoint——I’mnotsurethatI’mdisinterested。"
"Disinterested？"
"Yes；youknowthatIabusedyourconfidenceatluncheon；anduntilI
knowwhetherthewronginvolvedanyoneelse——"Helookedatherwithhoveringlaughterinhiseyeswhichtookwingatthereproachinhers。
"Butifwearetobeserious——"
"Ohno，"shesaid，"itisn’taseriousmatter。"Butinthehelplessnessofhersincerityshecouldnotcarryitofflightly，orhidefromhimthatshewasdisappointed。
Hetriedtomaketalkaboutotherthings。Sherespondedvaguely，andwhenshehadgivenherselftimeshesaidshebelievedshewouldgotoLottie；shewasquitesureshecouldgetdownthestairsalone。Hepursuedheranxiously，politely，andattheheadofhercorridortookleaveofherwithadistinctsenseofhavingmeritedhisdismissal。
"Iseewhatyoumean，Lottie，"shesaid，"aboutMr。Breckon。"
Lottiedidnotturnherheadonthepillow。"Hasittakenyouthewholedaytofinditout？"
XII。
ThefatherandthemotherhadwitnessedwithtemperedsatisfactiontheinterestwhichseemedtobegrowingupbetweenEllenandtheyoungminister。Bythistimetheyhadlearnednottoexpecttoomuchofanyturnshemighttake；sherevertedtoamoodassuddenlyassheleftit。
TheycouldnotquitemakeoutBreckonhimself；hewasatleastasgreatapuzzletothemastheirownchildwas。
"Itseems，"saidMrs。Kenton，intheirfirstreviewoftheaffair，afterBoynehaddoneabrother’sdutyintryingtobringEllenundertheirmother’scensure，"thathewasthegentlemanwhodiscussedthetheatrewithBoyneatthevaudevillelastwinter。Boynejustcasuallymentionedit。Iwassoprovoked！"
"Idon’tseewhatbearingthefacthas，"thejudgeremarked。
"Why，Boynelikedhimverymuchthatnight，butnowheseemstofeelverymuchasLottiedoesabouthim。Hethinkshelaughstoomuch。"
"Idon’tknowthatthere’smuchharminthat，"saidthejudge。"AndI
shouldn’tvalueBoyne’sopinionofcharacterveryhighly。"
"Ivalueanyone’sintuitions——especiallychildren’s。"
"Boyne’sinthatmiddlestatewhereheisn’tquiteachild。AndsoisLottie，forthatmatter。"
"Thatistrue，"theirmotherassented。"AndweoughttobegladofanythingthattakesEllen’smindoffherself。IfIcouldonlybelieveshewasforgettingthatwretch！"
"Doessheeverspeakofhim？"
"Sheneverhintsofhim，even。Buthermindmaybefullofhimallthetime。"
Thejudgelaughedimpatiently。"ItstrikesmethatthisyoungMr。
Breckonhasn’tmuchadvantageofElleninwhatLottiecallscloseness！"
"Ellenhasalwaysbeenveryreserved。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforherifshehadn’t。Oh，Iscarcelydaretohopeanything！Rufus，Ifeelthatineverythingofthiskindweareveryignorantandinexperienced。"
"Inexperienced！"Rentonretorted。"Idon’twantanymoreexperienceofthekindEllenhasgivenus。"
"Idon’tmeanthat。Imean——thisMr。Breckon。Ican’ttellwhatattractshiminthechild。Shemustappearverycrudeanduncultivatedtohim。Youneedn’tresentitso！Iknowshe’sreadagreatdeal，andyou’vemadeherthinkherselfintellectual——buttheverysimple-
heartednessofthewayshewouldshowoutherreadingwouldmakesuchayoungmanseethatshewasn’tlikethegirlshewasusedto。Theywouldhidetheirintellectuality，iftheyhadany。It’snouseyourtryingtofightitMr。Kenton。Wearecountrypeople，andheknowsit。"
"Tuskingumisn’tcountry！"thejudgedeclared。
"Itisn’tcity。Andwedon’tknowanythingabouttheworld，anyofus。
Oh，Isupposewecanreadandwrite！Butwedon’tknowthea，b，cofthethingshe，knows。He，belongstoakindofsociety——ofpeople——
inNewYorkthatIhadglimpsesofinthewinter，butthatIneverimaginedbefore。Theymademefeelverybelatedandbenighted——asifI
hadn’t，readorthoughtanything。Theydidn’tmeanto；butIcouldn’thelpit，andtheycouldn’t。"
"You——you’vebeenfrightenedoutofyourproprietybywhatyou’veseeninNewYork，"saidherhusband。
"I’vebeenfrightened，certainly。AndIwishyouhadbeen，too。Iwishyouwouldn’tbesoconceitedaboutEllen。Itscaresmetoseeyouso。
Poor，sickthing，herlooksareallgone！Youmustseethat。Andshedoesn’tdresslikethegirlshe’susedto。Iknowwe’vegotherthingsinNewYork；butshedoesn’twearthemlikeaNew-Yorker。Ihopesheisn’tgoinginforMOREunhappiness！"
Atthethoughtofthisthejudge’screstfell。"Doyoubelieveshe’sgettinginterestedinhim？"heasked，humbly。
"No，no；Idon’tsaythat。Butpromisemeyouwon’tencourageherinit。
Anddon’t，forpity’ssake，bragabouthertohim。"
"No，Iwon’t，"saidthejudge，andhetacitlyrepentedhavingdoneso。
Theweatherhadchanged，andwhenhewentupfromthisinterviewwithhiswifeintheirstateroomhefoundagoodmanypeoplestrungconvalescentlyalongthepromenadeontheirsteamer-chairs。These，sofarastheywerewomen，wereofsuchsickplainnessthatwhenhecametoEllenhisheartthrobbedwithagladresentmentofhermother’saspersionofherhealthandbeauty。Shelookednotonlyverywell，andverypretty，butinagayredcapandatrigjacketshelooked，toherfather’suncriticaleyes，verystylish。Theglowlefthisheartateightoftheemptyseatbesideher。
"WhereisLottie？"heasked，thoughitwasnotLottie’swhereaboutsthatinterestedhim。
"Oh，she’swalkingwithMr。Breckonsomewhere，"saidEllen。
"Thenshe’smadeuphermindtotoleratehim，hasshe？"thefatherasked，morelightlythanhefelt。
Ellensmiled。"Thatwasn’tanythingveryserious，Iguess。Atanyrate，she’swalkingwithhim。"
"Whatbookisthat？"heasked，ofthevolumeshewastiltingbackandforthunderherhand。
Sheshowedit。"Oneofhis。Hebroughtituptoamuseme，hesaid。"
"WhilehewasamusinghimselfwithLottie，"thoughtthejudge，inhisjealousyforher。"Itisgoingthesameoldway。Well！"Whathesaidaloudwas，"Andisitamusingyou？"
"Ihaven’tlookedatityet，"saidthegirl。"It’samusingenoughtowatchthesea。Oh，poppa！IneverthoughtIshouldcaresomuchforit。"
"Andyou’regladwecame？"
"Idon’twanttothinkaboutthat。IjustwanttoknowthatI’mhere。"
Shepressedhisarmgently，significantly，wherehesatprovisionallyinthechairbesideher，andhewasafraidtospeaklestheshouldscareawaythehopeherwordsgavehim。
Hemerelysaid，"Well，well！"andwaitedforhertospeakfurther。Butherimpulsehadexhausteditself，asifherspiritwerelikeoneofthoseweakformsoflifewhichspendtheirstrengthinaquickrunorflight，andthenresttogatherforceforanother。"Where’sBoyne？"heasked，afterwaitingforhertospeak。
"Hewashereaminuteago。He’sbeentalkingwithsomeofthedeckpassengersthataregoinghomebecausetheycouldn’tgetoninAmerica。
Doesn’tthatseempitiful，poppa？Ialwaysthoughtwehadworkenoughforthewholeworld。"
"Perhapsthesefellowsdidn’ttryveryhardtofindit，"saidthejudge。
"Perhaps，"sheassented。
"Ishouldn’twantyoutogettothinkingthatit’salllikeNewYork。
RememberhowcomfortableeverybodyisinTuskingum。"
"Yes，"shesaid，sadly。"HowfaroffTuskingumseems！"
"Well，don’tforgetaboutit；andrememberthatwhereverlifeissimplestandpurestandkindest，thatisthehighestcivilization。"
"Howmuchlikeoldtimesitseemstohearyoutalkthatway，poppa！
IshouldthinkIwasinthelibraryathome。AndImadeyouleaveit！"
shesighed。
"Yourmotherwasgladofanyexcuse。Anditwilldousallgood，ifwetakeitintherightway，"saidthejudge，withadidacticseveritythatdidnothidehispangfromher。
"Poorpoppa！"shesaid。
Hewentaway，sayingthathewasgoingtolookLottieup。HissimpledesignwastosendLottietohermother，sothatBreckonmightcomebacktoEllen；buthedidnotownthistohimself。
LottiereturnedfromanotherdirectionwithBoyne，andEllensaid，"Poppa’sgonetolookforyou。"
"Hashe？"askedLottie，droppingdecisivelyintoherchair。"Well，there’sonething；Iwon’tcallhimpoppaanymore。"
"Whatwillyoucallhim？"Boynedemanded，demurely。
"I’llcallhimfather，ityouwanttoknow；andI’mgoingtocallmomma，mother。I’mnotgoingtohavethoseEnglishlaughingatus，andIwon’tsaypapaandmamma。Everybodythatknowsanythingsaysfatherandmothernow。"
BoynekeptlookingfromonesistertoanotherduringLottie’sdeclaration，and，withhiseyesonEllen，hesaid，"It’strue，Ellen。
AllthePlumptonsdid。"Hewasveryserious。
Ellensmiled。"I’mtoooldtochange。I’dratherseemqueerinEuropethanwhenIgetbacktoTuskingum。"
"Youwouldn’tbequeerthereagreatwhile，"saidLottie。"They’llallbedoingitinaweekafterIgethome。"
UpontheencouragementgivenhimbyEllen，Boyneseizedthechanceofbeingoftheopposition。"Yes，"hetauntedLottie，"andyouthinkthey’llsaywomanandman，forladyandgentleman，Isuppose。"
"Theywillassoonastheyknowit’sthething。"
"Well，IknowIwon’t，"saidBoyne。"Iwon’tcallmommaawoman。"
"Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyoudo，Boynedear，"hissisterserenelyassuredhim。
Whilehestoodsearchinghismindforasuitableretort，ayoungman，notapparentlymanyyearshissenior，cameroundthecornerofthemusic-
room，andputhimselfconspicuouslyinviewatadistancefromtheKentons。
"Thereheis，now，"saidBoyne。"HewantstobeintroducedtoLottie。"
HereferredthequestiontoEllen，butLottieansweredforher。
"Thenwhydon’tyouintroducehim？"
"Well，IwouldifhewasanAmerican。Butyoucan’ttellabouttheseEnglish。"HeresumedthedignityhehadlostinmakingtheexplanationtoLottie，andignoredherinturningagaintoEllen。"Whatdoyouthink，Ellen？"
"Oh，don’tknowaboutsuchthings，Boyne，"shesaid，shrinkingfromtheresponsibility。
"Well；uponmyword！"criedLottie。"IfEllencantalkbythehourwiththatpreciousMr。Breckon，andstayupherealongwithhim，wheneverybodyelseisdownbelowsick，Idon’tthinkshecanhaveagreatdealtosayaboutahalf-grownboylikethatbeingintroducedtome。"
"He’sasoldasyouare，"saidBoyne，hotly。
"Oh！Isawhimassociatingwithyou，andIthoughthewasaboy，too。
Pardonme！"LottieturnedfromgivingBoynehiscoup-de-grace，toplantalittlestabinEllen’sbreast。"Tobesure，nowMr。Breckonhasfoundthosefriendsofhis，Isupposehewon’twanttoflirtwithEllenanymore。"
"Ah，ha，ha！"Boynebrokein。"Lottieismadbecausehestoppedtospeaktosomeladiesheknew。Women，Isupposeshe’dcallthem。"
"Well，Ishouldn’tcallhimagentleman，anyway，"saidLottie。
Thepretty，smooth-faced，fresh-facedyoungfellowwhomtheirvaryingdebatehadkeptinabeyance，lookedroundatthemoverhisshoulderasheleanedontherail，andseemedtodiscoverBoyneforthefirsttime。HecamepromptlytowardstheKentons。
"Now，"saidLottie，rapidly，"you’lljustHAVEto。"
Theyoungfellowtouchedhiscaptothewholegroup，butheventuredtoaddressonlyBoyne。
"Everyoneseemstobeaboutthismorning，"hesaid，withthecheeryEnglish-risinginfection。
"Yes，"answeredBoyne，withsuchsnubbingcoldnessthatEllen’sheartwastouched。
"It’ssopleasant，"shesaid，"afterthatdarkweather。"
"Isn’tit？"criedtheyoungfellow，gratefully。"Onedoesn’toftengetsuchsunshineasthisatsea，youknow。"
"Mysister，MissKenton，Mr。Pogis，"Boynesolemnlyintervened。"AndMissLottieKenton。"
Theprettyboybowedtoeachinturn，buthemadenopretenceofbeingtheretotalkwithEllen。"Haveyoubeenill，too？"heactivelyaddressedhimselftoLottie。
"No，justmad，"shesaid。"Iwasn’tverysick，andthatmadeitalltheworsebeingdowninapokystate-roomwhenIwantedtowalk。"
"AndIsupposeyou’vebeenmakingupforlosttimethismorning？"
"Nothalf，"saidLottie。
"Oh，dofinishthehalfwithme！"
Lottieinstantlyrose，andflunghersisterthewrapshehadbeenholdingreadytoshedfromthemomenttheyoungmanhadcomeup。"Keepthatforme，Nell。Areyougoodatcatching？"sheaskedhim。
"Catching？"
"Yes！People，"sheexplained，andatasuddentwistoftheshipshemadeaclutchathisshoulder。
"Oh！IthinkIcancatchyou。"
Astheymovedofftogether，Boynesaid，"Well，uponmyword！"butEllendidnotsayanythingincommentonLottie。Afterawhilesheasked，"WhoweretheladiesthatMr。Breckonmet？"
"Ididn’theartheirnames。Theyweresomebodyhehadn’tseenbeforesincetheshipstarted。Theylookedlikeayoungladyandhermother。
ItmadeLottiemadwhenhestoppedtospeakwiththem，andshewouldn’twaittillhecouldgetthrough。Ranrightaway，andmademecome，too。"
XIII。
BreckonhadnotseentheformerinterestbetweenhimselfandEllenlapsetocommonplaceacquaintancewithoutduesenseofloss。Hesufferedjustly，buthedidnotsufferpassively，orwithoutseveralattemptstoregainthehigherground。Inspiteofthesehewasawareofbeingdistinctlykepttothelevelwhichheaccusedhimselfofhavingchosen，byagentleacquiescenceinhischoicemorefatalthansnubbing。Theadvancesthathemadeacrossthetable，whilehestillmetMissKentonalonethere，didnotcarrybeyondtheracksupportingherplate。Shetalkedonwhateversubjecthestartedwiththatangelicsinceritywhichnowseemedsofarfromhim，butshestartednoneherself；shedidnotappealtohimforhisopinionuponanyquestionmorepsychologicalthanthebarometer；and，"Inatumultuousprivacyofstorm，"
hefoundhimselfasmuchestrangedfromherasifafair-weathercrowdhadsurroundedthem。Hedidnotbelievethatsheresentedthelevityhehadshown；buthehadreasontofearthatshehadfinallyaccepteditashisnormalmood，andinhereffortstomeethiminit，asifhehadnoother，hereadatolerancethatwasworsethancontempt。Whenhetriedtomakeherthinkdifferently，ifthatwaswhatshethoughtofhim，hefanciedherrisingtothenotionhewishedtogiveher，andthenshrinkingfromit，asifitmustbringherthedisappointmentofsometrivialjoke。
Itwaswhathehadtaughthertoexpectofhim，andhehadhimselftoblame。Nowthathehadthrownthatpreciouschanceaway，hemightwellhaveovervaluedit。Shehadcertainprovincialismswhichhecouldnotignore。Shedidnotknowtherightuseofwillandshall，andwouldandshould，andshepronouncedtheletter’r’withahardmid-Westerntwist。
Hervoicewasweakandthin，andshecouldnotgovernitfrombeingattimesagaspandattimesadrawl。Shedidnotdresswiththeauthorityofwomenwhoknowmoreoftheirclothesthanthepeopletheybuythemof；
shedidnotcarryherselflikeaprettygirl；shehadnotthedefinitestampofyoung-ladyism。Yetshewasundoubtedlyaladyineveryinstinct；sheworewithpensivegracetheclotheswhichshehadnotsubjectedtoherpersonaltaste；andifshedidnotcarryherselflikeaprettygirl，shehadabeautywhichtouchedandentreated。
MoreandmoreBreckonfoundhimselfstudyingherbeauty——hersoft，brownbrows，hergentle，darkeyes，alittlesunken，andwiththelidspinchedbysuffering；thecheekssomewhatthin，butnotcolorless；thelongchin，theclearforehead，andthemassedbrownhair，thatseemedtooheavyforthedroopingneck。Itwasnotthemodernathletictype；itwasratheroftheearlierperiod，whenbeautywasassociatedwiththefragilitydespisedbyatannedandgolfinggeneration。EllenKenton’swristswerethin，andherhandslongandnarrow。Ashelookedatheracrosstheracksduringthosetwodaysofstorm，hehadsometimesthewishtotakeherlong，narrowhandsinhis，andbeghertobelievethathewasworthierherseriousfriendshipthanhehadshownhimself。Whathewassureofatalltimesnowwasthathewishedtoknowthesecretofthatpatientpathosofhers。Shewasnotmerely，orprimarily，aninvalid。
Herfamilyhadtreatedherasaninvalid，but，exceptLottie，whoserigormighthavebeenmeantsanatively，theytreatedhermorewiththetendernesspeopleusewithawoundedspirit；andBreckonfanciedmomentsofsomethinglikehumilityinher，whensheseemedtocowerfromhisnotice。Thesewerenotsoimaginableafterherfamilytooktotheirberthsandleftheralonewithhim，butthetouchingmysteryremained，asortofbewilderment，asheguessedit，asurprisesuchasachildmightshowatsomeincomprehensibleharm。Itwasthisgriefwhichhehadrefusednotmerelytoknow——hestilldoubtedhisrighttoknowit——buttoshare；hehaddeniednotonlyhiscuriositybuthissympathy，andhadexiledhimselftoaregionwhere，whenherfamilycamebackwiththefairweather，hefelthimselffartherfromherthanbeforetheiracquaintancebegan。
Hehadmadeanoverturetoitsrenewalinthebookhelenther，andthenMrs。Rasmithandherdaughterhadappearedondeck，andbornedownuponhimwhenhewaswalkingwithLottieKentonandtryingtobeginhisself-
retrievalthroughher。Shehadlefthim；buttheyhadnot，andinthebondsofaprophetandhisfollowershefoundhimselfboundwiththemformuchmoreconversationthanhehadoftenheldwiththemashore。Theparochialdutiesofanethicalteacherwerenotstrenuous，andBreckonhadnotbeenmadetofeelthemsodefinitelybefore。Mrs。Rasmithheldthattheynowincludedpromisingtositathertablefortherestofthevoyage；butherdaughtersucceededinreleasinghimfromtheobligation；
anditwasshewhosmilinglydetachedtheclingingholdoftheelderlady。"Wemustn’tkeepMr。Breckonfromhisfriends，mother，"shesaid，brightly，andthenhesaidheshouldlikethepleasureofintroducingthem，andbothoftheladiesdeclaredthattheywouldbedelighted。
Hebowedhimselfoff，andhalftheship’s-lengthawayhewasaware，frommeetingLottiewithherlittleEnglishman，thatitwassheandnotEllenwhomhewasseeking。AsthecouplepausedinwhirringpastBreckonlongenoughtoletLottiemakeherhatfastagainstthewind，heheardtheEnglishmanshout:
"Isay，thatsisterofyoursisafinegirl，isn’tshe？"
"She’saprettygood——looker，"Lottieansweredback。"What’sthematterwithHERsister？"
"Oh，Isay！"hercompanionreturned，inatransportwithherslangypertness，whichBreckoncouldnotaltogetherrefusetoshare。
Hethoughtthatheoughttocondemnit，andhedidcondemnMrs。Kentonforallowingitinoneofherdaughters，whenhecameuptohersittingbesideanotherwhomhefeltinexpressiblyincapableofit。Mrs。Kentoncouldhaveansweredhiscensure，ifshehadknownit，thatdaughters，likesons，werenotwhattheirmothersbutwhattheirenvironmentsmadethem，andthatthesameenvironmentsometimesmadethemdifferent，ashesaw。ShecouldhavetoldhimthatLottie，withherslangypertness，hadthetruestandbestofthemensheknewatherfeet，andthatEllen，withhermeekness，hadbeenthepreyofthecommonestandcheapestspiritinherworld，andsolefthimtomakeaninferenceascreditabletohissexashecould。Butthisbolddefencewasasfarfromthepoorladyasanyspokenreproachwasfromhim。Herdaughterhadtocheckinheramechanicaloffertorise，asiftogiveBreckonherplace，thetheoryandpracticeofTuskingumbeingthattheireldersoughttoleaveyoungpeoplealonetogether。
"Don’tgo，momma，"Ellenwhispered。"Idon’twantyoutogo。"
Breckon，whenhearrivedbeforethem，remainedtalkingonfoot，and，unlikeLottie’scompany，hetalkedtothemother。Thishadhappenedbeforefromhim，butshehadnotgotusedtoit，andnowshedeprecatedineverythingbutwordshispolitequestionsabouthersufferingsfromtheroughweather，andhisrejoicingthattheworstwasprobablyover。
Sheventuredthehopethatitwasso，forshesaidthatMr。KentonhadaboutdecidedtokeepontoHolland，anditseemedtoherthattheyhadhadenoughofstorms。Hesaidhewasgladthattheyweregoingrighton；
andthenshemodestlyrecurredtotheearlieropinionhehadgivenherhusbandthatitwouldbebettertospendtherestofthesummerinHollandthantogotoItaly，asifshewishedtoconformherselfinthewisdomofMr。Kenton’sdecision。Herepeatedhisconviction，andhesaidthatifhewereintheirplaceheshouldgotoTheHagueassoonastheyhadseenRotterdam，andmakeittheirheadquartersfortheexplorationofthewholecountry。
"Youcan’trealizehowlittleitis；youcangetanywhereinanhour；thedifficultyistokeepinsideofHollandwhenyouleaveanygivenpoint。
Ienvyyougoingthere。"
Mrs。KentoninferredthathewasgoingtostopinFrance，butifitwerepartofhisclosenessnottotell，itwaspartofherpridenottoask。
SherelentedwhenheaskedifhemightgetamapofhisandprovethelittlenessofHollandfromit，andinhisabsenceshecouldnotwellavoidsayingtoEllen，"Heseemsverypleasant。"
"Yes；whynot？"thegirlasked。
"Idon’tknow。Lottieissoagainsthim。"
"Hewasverykindwhenyouwereallsick。"
"Well，yououghttoknowbetterthanLottie；you’veseenhimsomuchmore。"Ellenwassilent，andhermotheradvancedcautiously，"Isupposeheisverycultivated。"
"HowcanItell？I’mnot。"
"Why，Ellen，Ithinkyouare。Veryfewgirlshavereadsomuch。"
"Yes，buthewouldn’tcareifIwerecultivated，Haislikealltherest。
Hewouldliketojokeandlaugh。Well，Ithinkthatisnice，too，andI
wishIcoulddoit。ButInevercould，andnowIcan’ttry。Isupposehewonderswhatmakesmesuchadeadweightonyouall。"
"Youknowyou’renotthat，Ellen！Youmusn’tletyourselfbemorbid。Ithurtsmetohaveyousaysuchthings。"
"Well，Ishouldliketotellhimwhy，andseewhathewouldsay。"
"Ellen！"
"Whynot？Ifheisaministerhemusthavethoughtaboutallkindsofthings。DoyousupposeheeverknewofagirlbeforewhohadbeenthroughwhatIhave？Yes，Iwouldliketoknowwhathewouldreallysay。"
"Iknowwhatheoughttosay！Ifheknew，hewouldsaythatnogirlhadeverbehavedmoreangelically。"
"Doyouthinkhewould？PerhapshewouldsaythatifIhadn’tbeensoproudandsilly——Herehecomes！Shallweaskhim？"
Breckonapproachedwithhismap，andhermothergasped，thinkinghowterriblesuchathingwouldbeifitcouldbe；Ellensmiledbrightlyupathim。"Willyoutakemychair？Andthenyoucanshowmommayourmap。
Iamgoingdown，"andwhilehewasstillprotestingshewasgone。
"MissKentonseemssomuchbetterthanshedidthefirstday，"hesaid，ashespreadthemapoutonhisknees，andgaveMrs。Kentononeendtohold。
"Yes，"themotherassented，asshebentovertolookatit。
Shefollowedhisexplanationwithasurfacesense，whilehernethermindwasfulloftheworryofthequestionwhichEllenhadplantedinit。
Whatwouldsuchamanthinkofwhatshehadbeenthrough？Or，rather，howwouldhesaytohertheonlythingsthatinMrs。Kenton’sbeliefhecouldsay？Howcouldthepoorchildeverbemadetoseeitinthelightofsomemindnotcoloredwithherfamily’saffectionforher？Animmense，animpossiblelongingpossesseditselfofthemother’sheart，whichbecamethemoreinsistentthemorefranticitappeared。Sheuttered"Yes"and"No"and"Indeed"towhathewassaying，butallthetimeshewasrehearsingEllen’sstoryinherinnersense。Intheendsherememberedsolittlewhathadactuallypassedthatherdramaticreverieseemedthereality，andwhenshelefthimshegotherselfdowntoherstate-room，giddywiththeshameandfearofherimaginaryself-betrayal。
Shewishedtotesttheenormity，andyetnotfinditsomonstrous，bysubmittingthecasetoherhusband，andshecouldscarcelykeepbackherimpatienceatseeingElleninsteadofherfather。
"Momma，whathaveyoubeensayingtoMr。Breckonaboutme？"
"Nothing，"saidMrs。Kenton，aghastatfirst，andthenastonishedtorealizethatshewasspeakingthesimpletruth。"Hesaidhowmuchbetteryouwerelooking；butIdon’tbelieveIspokeasingleword。Wewerelookingatthemap。"
"Verywell，"Ellenresumed。"Ihavebeenthinkingitallover，andnowI
havemadeupmymind。"
Shepaused，andhermotherasked，tremulously，"Aboutwhat，Ellen？"
"Youknow，momma。Iseeallnow。Youneedn’tbeafraidthatIcareanythingabouthimnow，"andhermotherknewthatshemeantBittridge，"orthatIevershall。That’sgoneforever。Butit’sgone，"sheadded，andhermotherquakedinwardlytohearherreason，"becausethewrongandtheshamewasallforme——forus。That’swhyIcanforgiveit，andforget。Ifwehaddoneanything，theleastthingintheworld，torevengeourselves，ortohurthim，then——Don’tyousee，momma？"
"IthinkIsee，Ellen。"
"ThenIshouldhavetokeepthinkingaboutit，andwhatwehadmadehimsuffer，andwhetherwehadn’tgivenhimsomeclaim。Idon’twishevertothinkofhimagain。Youandpoppaweresopatientandforbearing，allthrough；andIthankgoodnessnowforeverythingyouputupwith；onlyI
wishIcouldhaveborneeverythingmyself。"
"Youhadenoughtobear，"Mrs。Kentonsaid，intenderevasion。
"I’mgladthatIhadtobearsomuch，forbearingitiswhatmakesmefreenow。"Shewentuptohermotherandkissedher，andgazedintoherfacewithjoyful，tearfullooksthatmadeherheartsink。
XIV。
Mrs。KentondidnotresttillshehadmadesurefromLottieandBoynethatneitherofthemhaddroppedanyhinttoEllenofwhathappenedtoBittridgeafterhisreturntoTuskingum。Shedidnotexplaintothemwhyshewassoveryanxioustoknow，butonlychargedthemthemoresolemnlynottoletthesecret，whichtheyhadallbeenkeepingfromEllen，escapethem。
Theypromised，butLottiesaid，"She’sgottoknowitsometime，andI
shouldthinkthesoonerthebetter。"
"Iwillbejudgeofthat，Lottie，"saidhermother，andBoyneseizedhischanceofinculpatingherwithhisfriend，Mr。Pogis。Hesaidshewascarryingonawfullywithhimalready；andanEnglishmancouldnotunderstand，andBoynehintedthathewouldpresumeuponherAmericanfreedom。
"Well，ifhedoes，I’llgetyoutocowhidehim，Boyne，"sheretorted，andlefthimfuminghelplessly，whileshewenttogivetheyoungEnglishmananopportunityofresumingtheflirtationwhichhermotherhadinterrupted。
WithherhusbandMrs。Kentonfounditpracticabletobemoreexplicit。
"Ihaven’thadsuchaloadliftedoffmyheartsinceIdon’tknowwhen。
ItshowsmewhatI’vethoughtallalong:thatEllenhasn’treallycaredanythingforthatmiserablethingsincehefirstbegangoingwithMrs。
Uphillayearago。WhenhewrotethatlettertoherinNewYorkshewantedtobesureshedidn’t，andwhenheofferedhimselfandmisbehavedsotobothofyou，shewasafraidthatsheandyouweresomehowtoblame。
Nowshe’sworkeditoutthatnooneelsewaswronged，andsheissatisfied。It’smadeherfeelfree，asshesays。But，oh，dearme！"
Mrs。Kentonbrokeoff，"Italkasiftherewasnothingtobindher；andyetthereiswhatpoorRicharddid！Whatwouldshesayifsheknewthat？
IhavebeencautioningLottieandBoyne，butIknowitwillcomeoutsomehow。Doyouthinkit’swisetokeepitfromher？Hadn’twebettertellher？Orshallwewaitandsee——"
Kentonwouldnotallowtoherortohimselfthathishopesranwithhers；
loveisnotbusinesswithamanasitiswithawoman；hefeelsitindecorousandindelicatetocountuponitopenly，whereshethinksitsimplyachanceoflife，tobeconsideredlikeanother。AllthatKentonwouldsaywas，"Iseenoreasonfortellingherjustyet。Shewillhavetoknowinduetime。Butletherenjoyherfreedomnow。"
"Yes，"Mrs。Kentondoubtfullyassented。
Thejudgewasthoughtfullysilent。Thenhesaid:"FewgirlscouldhaveworkedoutherproblemasEllenhas。ThinkhowdifferentlyLottiewouldhavedoneit！"
"Lottiehashergoodpoints，too，"saidMrs。Kenton。"And，ofcourse，I
don’tblameRichard。Thereareallkindsofgirls，andLottiemeansnomoreharmthanEllendoes。She’sthekindthatcan’thelpattracting；
butIalwaysknewthatEllenwasattractive，too，ifshewouldonlyfinditout。AndIknewthatassoonasanythingworthwhiletookuphermindshewouldnevergivethatwretchanotherthought。"
Kentonfollowedherdeviousratiocinationstoaconclusionwhichhecouldnotgrasp。"Whatdoyoumean，Sarah？"
"IfIonly，"sheexplained，intermsthatdidnotexplain，"feltassureofhimasIdoabouthim！"
Herhusbandlookeddenselyather。"Bittridge？"
"No。Mr。Breckon。Heisverynice，Rufus。Yes，heis！He’sbeenshowingmethemapofHolland，andwe’vehadalongtalk。Heisn’tthewaywethought——orIdid。Heisnotatallclerical，orworldly。AndheappreciatesEllen。Idon’tsupposehecaressomuchforherbeingcultivated；Isupposeshedoesn’tseemsotohim。Butheseeshowwisesheis——howgood。Andhecouldn’tdothatwithoutbeinggoodhimself！
Rufus！Ifwecouldonlyhopesuchathing。But，ofcourse，therearethousandsafterhim！"
"TherearenotthousandsofEllensafterhim，"saidthejudge，beforehecouldtaketimetoprotest。"AndIdon’twanthimtosupposethatsheisafterhimatall。Ifhewillonlyinterestherandhelphertokeephermindoffherself，it’sallIwillaskofhim。Iamnotanxioustopartwithher，nowthatshe’salloursagain。"
"Ofcourse，"Mrs。Kentonsoothinglyassented。"AndIdon’tsaythatshedreamsofhiminanysuchway。Shecan’thelpadmiringhismind。ButwhatImeanisthatwhenyouseehowheappreciatesher，youcan’thelpwishinghecouldknowjusthowwise，andjusthowgoodsheis。ItdidseemtomeasifIwouldgivealmostanythingtohavehimknowwhatshehadbeenthroughwiththat——rapscallion！"
"Sarah！"
"Oh，youmaySarahme！ButIcantellyouwhat，Mr。Kenton:Ibelievethatyoucouldtellhimeverywordofit，andonlymakehimappreciateherthemore。TillyouknowthataboutEllen，youdon’tknowwhatacharactersheis。Ijustachedtotellhim！"
"Idon’tunderstandyou，mydear，"saidKenton。"Butifyoumeantotellhim——"
"Why，whocouldimaginedoingsuchathing？Don’tyouseethatitisimpossible？Suchathingwouldneverhavecomeintomyheadifithadn’tbeenforsomemorbidtalkofEllen’s。"
"OfEllen’s？"
"Oh，aboutwantingtodisgusthimbytellinghimwhyshewassuchaburdentous。"
"Sheisn’taburden！"
"Iamsayingwhatshesaid。Anditmademethinkthatifsuchapersoncouldonlyknowthehigh-mindedwayshehadfoundtogetoutofhertrouble！Iwouldlikesomebodywhoiscapableofvaluinghertovalueherinallherpreciousness。Wouldn’tyoubegladifsuchamanasheiscouldknowhowandwhyshefeelsfreeatlast？"
"Idon’tthinkit’snecessary，"saidKenton，haughtily，"There’sonlyonethingthatcouldgivehimtherighttoknowit，andwe’llwaitforthatfirst。Ithoughtyousaidthathewasfrivolous。"
"Boynesaidthat，andLottie。Itookitforgranted，tillItalkedwithhimto-day。Heislight-heartedandgay；helikestolaughandjoke；buthecanbeveryseriouswhenhewantsto。"
"Accordingtoallprecedent，"saidthejudge，glumly，"suchamanoughttobehangingroundLottie。EverybodywasthatamountedtoanythinginTuskingum。"
"Oh，inTuskingum！Andwhowerethementherethatamountedtoanything？
Alotofyounglawyers，andtwostudentsofmedicine，andsomerailroadclerks。Therewasn’tonethatwouldcomparewithMr。Breckonforamoment。"
"Allthemorereasonwhyhecan’treallycareforEllen。Nowseehere，Sarah！YouknowIdon’tinterferewithyouandthechildren，butI’mafraidyou’reinacrazeaboutthisyoungfellow。He’sgotthesefriendsofhiswhohavejustturnedup，andwe’llwaitandseewhathedoeswiththem。IguessheappreciatestheyoungladyasmuchashedoesEllen。"
Mrs。Kenton’sheartwentdown。"Shedoesn’tcomparewithEllen！"shepiteouslydeclared。
"That’swhatwethink。Hemaythinkdifferently。"
Mrs。Kentonwassilenced，butallthemoreshewasdeterminedtomakesurethatMr。BreckonwasnotinterestedinMissRasmithinanymeasureormannerdetrimentaltoEllen。AsforMissRasmithherself，Mrs。KentonwouldhavehadgreaterreasontobeanxiousaboutherbehaviorwithBoynethanMr。Breckon。Fromthemomentthattheministerhadmadehistwogroupsoffriendsacquainted，theyoungladyhadfixeduponBoyneasthatmemberoftheKentongroupwhocouldbestrepayamoreintimatefriendship。Shewaspolitetothemall，buttoBoyneshewasflattering，andhewastoolittleusedtodeferencefromladiestenyearshisseniornottobeverysensibleofherworthinofferingit。Tobeunremittinglytreatedasagrown-uppersonwasanexperiencesodazzlingthathisvisionwasblindedtoanypossibilitiesinthebehaviorthatformedit；
andbeforethedayendedBoynehadpossessedMissRasmithofallthatitwasimportantforanyfellow-beingtoknowofhischaracterandhistory。
Heopenedhishearttoeyesthathadlookedintoothersbeforehis，lessforthesakeofexploitingthanofinforminghimself。IntherareintelligenceofMissRasmithhehadfoundthatseriouspatiencewithhisproblemswhichnooneelse，notEllenherself，hadshown，andaftertryinghersinceritythegreaterpartofthedayheputittothesupremetest，oneevening，withabookwhichhehadbeenreading。Boyne’sliteraturewaslargelyentomologicalandzoological，butthiswasaworkoffictiontreatingofthefortunesofayoungAmericanadventurer，whohadturnedhismilitaryeducationtoaccountintheserviceofaGermanprincess。HerHighness’sdominionswerenotinanymapofEurope，andperhapsitwasherconditionofpoliticalincognitothatrenderedherthemorefittinglythepreyofapassionfortheAmericanheadofherarmies。
Boyne’sbeliefwasthatthischaracterveiledarealidentity，andhewishedtosubmittoMissRasmiththequestionwhetherintheexclusivecirclesofNewYorksocietyanyyoungmillionairewasknowntohavetakenserviceabroadafterleavingwestPoint。Heputitintheformofascoffingincredulitywhichitwasacomforttohavehertakeasifalmosthurtbyhisdoubt。Shesaidthatsuchathingmightverywellbe，andwithrichAmericangirlsmarryingallsortsoftitlesabroad，itwasnotimpossibleforsomebrilliantyoungfellowtomakehiswaytothestepsofathrone。Boynedeclaredthatshewaslaughingathim，andsheprotestedthatitwasthelastthingsheshouldthinkofdoing；shewastoomuchafraidofhim。Thenhebegantoargueagainstthecasesupposedintheromance；heprovedfromthebookitselfthatthethingcouldnothappen；suchaprincesswouldnotbeallowedtomarrytheAmerican，nomatterhowrichhewas。Sheownedthatshehadnotheardofjustsuchaninstance，andhemightthinkherveryromantic；andperhapsshewas；butiftheprincesswasanabsoluteprincess，suchasshewasshowninthatstory，sheheldthatnopoweronearthcouldkeepherfrommarryingtheyoungAmerican。Forherselfshedidnotsee，though，howtheprincesscouldbeinlovewiththattypeofAmerican。Ifshehadbeenintheprincess’splacesheshouldhavefanciedsomethingquitedifferent。ShemadeBoyneagreewithherthatEasternAmericanswereall，moreorless，Europeanized，anditstoodtoreason，sheheld，thataEuropeanprincesswouldwantsomethingasun-Europeanaspossibleifshewasfallinginlovetopleaseherself。TheyhadsomecontentionuponthepointthattheprincesswouldwantaWesternAmerican；andthenMissRasmith，withadelicateaudacity，paintedanheroicportraitofBoynehimselfwhichhecouldnotrecognizeopenlyenoughtodisown；butheperceivedresemblancesinitwhichwenttohisheadwhenshedemurelyrose，withasoft"Good-night，Mr。Kenton。IsupposeImustn’tcallyouBoyne？"
"Ohyes，do！"heentreated。"I’m-I’mnotgrownupyet，youknow。"
"Thenitwillbesafe，"shesighed。"ButIshouldneverhavethoughtofthat。Ihadgotsoabsorbedinourargument。Youaresological，Mr。
Kenton——Boyne，Imean——thankyou。Youmustgetitfromyourfather。Howlovelyyoursisteris！"
"Ellen？"
"Well，no。Imeanttheotherone。ButMissKentonisbeautiful，too。
Youmustbesohappytogether，allofyou。"Sheadded，witharuefulsmile，"There’sonlyoneofme！Good-night。"
Boynedidnotknowwhetherheoughtnotinhumanity，ifnotgallantry，tosayhewouldbeabrothertoher，butwhilehestoodconsidering，sheputoutahandtohimsocoveredwithringsthathewasafraidshehadhurtherselfinpressinghissohard，andhadlefthimbeforehecoulddecide。
Lottie，walkingthedeck，hadnotthoughtofbiddingMr。Pogisgood-
night。Shehadaskedhimhalfadozentimeshowlateitwas，andwhenheanswered，hadsaidasoftenthatsheknewbetter，andshewasgoingbelowinanotherminute。Butshestayed，andtheflowofherconversationsuppliedhimwithoccasionfortheremarksofwhichheseldomvariedtheformula。Whenshesaidsomethingtooaudaciousforsilentemotion，hecalledout，"Oh，Isay！"Ifsheadvancedanopiniontooobviouslyacceptable，oraskedaquestionuponsomepointwhereitseemedtohimtherecouldnotbetwominds，hewasreadywiththeironicalnote，"Well，rather！"Attimesshepressedherstudiesofhischaracterandherobservationsonhismannerandappearancesofarthathewasforcedtoprotest，"Youaresopersonal！"Butthesemomentswererare；forthemostpart，"OhIsay！"and"Well，rather！"perfectlycoveredtheground。Hedidnotgenerallymindherparodyofhispovertyofphrase，butonce，aftershehadrepeated"Wellrather！"and"Oh，Isay！"
steadilyateverythinghesaidforthewholeroundofthepromenadetheyweremaking，heintimatedthattherewereoccasionswhen，inhisbelief，awoman’sabuseofthefreedomgenerouslyallowedhersexpassedthepointofwords。
"Andwhenitpassesthepointofwords"shetauntedhim，"whatdoyoudo？"
"Youwillsee，"hesaid，"ifiteverdoes，"andLottiefeltjustifiedbyherinferencethathewasthreateningtokissher，inanswering:
"AndifIeverSEE，Iwillboxyourears。"
"Oh，Isay！"heretorted。"Ishouldliketohaveyoutry。"
Hehadideasoftherightfulmasteryofamaninallthings，whichshepromptlypronouncedbrutal，andwhenhedeclaredthathisfather’sconducttowardshiswifeandchildrenwasbasedupontheseideas，sheaffirmedthesuperiorityofherownfather’sprinciplesandbehavior。
Mr。PogiswastoodeclaredanadmirerofJudgeKentontoquestionhismotivesormethodinanything，andhecouldonlygeneralize，"TheAmericansspoiltheirwomen。"
"Well，theirwomenareworthit，"saidLottie，andafterallowingtheparadoxtimetopenetratehisintelligence，hecriedout，inagladtransport:
"Oh，ISAY！"
AtthemomentBoyne’sintellectualseancewithMissRasmithwascomingtoanend。LottiehadtacitlyinvitedMr。PogistoprolongthecomparisonofEnglishandAmericanfamilylifebystoppinginfrontofacoupleofsteamer-chairs，andconfessingthatshewastiredtodeath。Theysatdown，andhetoldherabouthismother，whom，althoughhisfather’ssubordinate，heseemedtoberatherfonderof。Hehadsomeelderbrothers，mostoftheminthecolonies，andhehadhimselfbeenouttoAmericalookingatsomethinghisfatherhadfoundforhiminBuffalo。
"YououghttocometoTuskingum，"saidLottie。
"Isthatalargeplace？"Mr。Pogisasked。"AslargeasBuffalo？"
"Well，no，"Lottieadmitted。"Butit’sagrowingplace。Andwehavethebestkindoftimes。"
"Whatkind？"Theyoungmaneasilyconsentedtoturnthecommercialintoasocialinquiry。
"Oh，picnics，andriverparties，andbuggy-rides，anddances。"
"I’mkeenondancing，"saidMr。Pogis。"Ihopethey’llgiveusadanceonboard。Willyouputmedownforthefirstdance？"
"Idon’tcare。Willyousendmesomeflowers？Thestewardmusthavesomeleftintherefrigerator。"
"Well，rather！I’llsendyouaspray，ifhe’sgotenough。"
"Aspray？What’saspray？"
"Oh，Isay！Mysisteralwayswearsone。It’salongchainofflowersreachin’fromyourshoulderdiagonallydowntoyourwaist。"
Doesyoursisteralwayshavehersprayssenttoher？"
"Well，rather！Don’ttheysendflowerstogirlsfordancesintheStates？"
"Well，rather！Didn’tIjustaskyou？"
Thiswasverytrue，andafteramomentofbaffleMr。Pogissaid，ingeneralization，"Ifyougowithayoungladyinapartytothetheatreyousendheraboxofchocolates。"
"Onlywhenyougototheatre！Icouldn’tgetenough，then，unlessyouaskedmeeverynight，"saidLottie，andwhileMr。Pogiswastryingtochoosebetween"Oh，Isay！"andsomethingspecific，like，"Ishouldliketoaskyoueverynight，"sheadded，"Andwhatwouldhappenifyousentagirlasprayforthetheatreandchocolatesforadance？Wouldn’titjarher？"
Now，indeed，therewasnothingforhimbuttoanswer，"Oh，Isay！"
"Well，say，then！HerecomesBoyne，andImustgo。Well，Boyne，"shecalled，fromthedarknookwhereshesat，toherbrotherashestumblednear，withhiseyestothestars，"hastheoldladyretired？"
Hegavehimselfawayfinely。"Whatoldlady！"
"Well，maybeatyourageyoudon’tconsiderherveryold。ButIdon’tthinkaboyoughttositupmooningathisgrandmotherallnight。IknowMissRasmith’snorelation，ifthat’swhatyou’regoingtosay！"
"Oh，Isay！"Mr。Pogischuckled。"Youaresopersonal。"
"Well，rather！"saidLottie，punishinghispresumption。"ButIdon’tthinkit’sniceforakid，evenifsheisn’t。"
"Kid！"Boyneground，throughhisclenchedteeth。
BythistimeLottiewasupoutofherchairandbeyondreparteeinherflightdownthegangwaystairs。Sheleftthetwoyoungstersconfronted。
"Whatdoyousaytoalemon-squash？"askedMr。Pogis，respectinghisfriend’swoundeddignity，andignoringLottieandheroffence。
"Idon’tcareifIdo，"saidBoyneingloomyacquiescence。
XV。
FewwitnessesofthefactthatJuliaRasmithandhermotherhadfoundthemselvesonthesamesteamerwiththeRev。HughBreckonwouldhavebeenofsuchasimplemindastothinktheyweretherebyaccident，iftheyhadalsobeenwitnessesoftheirearlierhistory。TheladiescouldhaveurgedthatinreturningfromCaliforniaonlyafewdaysbeforetheAmstelsailed，andgettingastate-roomwhichhadbeenunexpectedlygivenup，theyhadsomeclaimtoacharitableinterpretationoftheirbehavior，butthispleacouldnothaveavailedthemwithanyconnoisseurofwomen。
Besides，ithadbeenamatterofnotorietyamongsuchofMr。Breckon’svariegatedcongregationasknewoneanotherthatMrs。Rasmithhadsetherheartonhim，itJuliahadnotsethercapforhim。Inthatpiedflock，whereeveryshadeanddappleofdoubt，fromheterodoxJewtoagnosticChristian，foregathered，asithasbeensaid，inthemisgivingofablessedimmortality，thedevotionofMrs。Rasmithtotheministerhadbeenalmostascandal。NothinghadsavedtheappearancefromthischaracterbutMr。Breckon’sopenacceptanceofherflatteriesandhospitalities；thiswassofrank，andthebehaviorofJuliaherselfsojudiciousunderthecircumstances，thatenvyandvirtuewere，ifnotequallysilenced，equallybaffled。Sofarfrompretendingnottoseehermother’smanoeuvres，Juliainvitedpublicrecognitionofthem；inthewayofjoking，whichshekeptwithinthelimitsoffilialfondness，shemadefunofhermother’sinfatuationtoBreckonhimself，andwarnedhimagainstthemomentwhenherwilesmightbetoomuchforhim。Beforeotherpeopleshedidnothesitatetosavehimfromhermother，sothateventhosewhobelievedherintheconspiracyownedthatnogirlcouldhavemanagedwithmoreclevernessinasituationwherenoteveryonewouldhaverefusedtobeplaced。InthissituationJuliaRasmithhadtheserviceofaveryclearhead，andaswasbelievedbysome，acoolheart；
ifsheandhermotherhadjointdesignsupontheminister，herswastheambition，andhermother’stheaffectionthatpromptedthem。Shewasalong，undulantgirl，ofamixedblondnessthatleftyouindoubt，afteryouhadlefther，whetherherhairorhercomplexionwerenotofonetint；butherfeaturesweregood，andtherecouldbenoquestionofhercaptivatinglaugh，andhercharmingmouth，whichshewasalwayspullingdownwithdemureirony。Shewaslikehermotherinherlooks，butherindolent，droningtemperamentmusthavebeenfromherfather，whosememorywaslostinthatantiquitywhichswallowsuptherecordofsomanywidows’husbands，andwhocouldnothaveleftherwhatwasleftofhermother’smoney，fornoneofithadeverbeenhis。Itwasstillhermother’s，anditwassupposedtobethedaughter’schiefattraction。
Theremust，therefore，havebeenagooddealofit，forthosewhowereharshestwiththeministerdidnotbelievethatalittlemoneywouldattracthim。Notthattheyreallythoughthimmercenary；someofhispeopleconsideredhimgaytothevergeoftriviality，buttherewerenonethataccusedhimofinsincerity。Theywouldhavelikedalittlemoreseriousnessinhim，especiallywhentheyhadnotmuchoftheirown，andwouldhavehadhimmakeupinseverityofbehaviorforwhathelacked，andwhattheywishedhimtolack，inausterityofdoctrine。
TheAmstelhadlostsomuchtimeintheroughweatherofherfirstdaysoutthatshecouldnotmakeitupwithherold-fashionedsinglescrew。
Shewasatbestaten-dayboat，countingfromSandyHooktoBoulogne，andshehadnotbeenfourdaysoutwhenshepromisedtobreakherrecordforslowness。ThreedayslaterMissRasmithsaidtoBreckon，ashetookthechairwhichhermotheragilelyabandonedtohimbesideher:"Theheadstewardsaysitwillbeatwelve-daytrip，endourbedroomstewardthinksmore。Whatistheconsensusofopinioninthesmoking-room？Whereareyougoing，mother？AreyouplanningtoleaveMr。Breckonandmealoneagain？Itisn’tnecessary。Wecouldn’tgetawayfromeachotherifwetried，andallweask——Well，Isupposeagemustheindulgedinitslittlefancies，"shecalledafterMrs。Rasmith。
Breckontookupthequestionshehadaskedhim。"Theoddsaresoheavilyinfavorofafifteen-days’runthattherearenotakers。"
"Nowyouarejokingagain，"shesaid。"Ithoughtasea-voyagemightmakeyouserious。"
"Ithasbeentriedbefore。Besides，it’syouthatIwanttobeserious。"
"Whatabout？Besides，Idoubtit。"
"AboutBoyne。"
"Oh！Ithoughtyouweregoingtosaysomeoneelse。"
"No，Ithinkthatisverywellsettled。"
"You’llneverpersuademymother，"saidMissRasmith，withalow，comfortablelaugh。
"Butifyouaresatisfied——"
"Shewillhavetoresignherself？Well，perhaps。ButwhydoyouwishmetobeseriousaboutBoyne？"
"Ihavenodoubtheamusesyou。Butthatdoesn’tseemaverygoodreasonwhyyoushouldamuseyourselfwithhim。"
"No？Whynot？"
"Well，becausethepoorboyisinearnest；andyou’renotexactly——
contemporaries。"
"Why，howoldisBoyne？"sheasked，withaffectedsurprise。
"Aboutfifteen，Ithink，"saidBreckon，gravely。
"AndI’mbutaveryfewmonthspastthirty。Idon’tseethegreatdisparity。Butheismerelyabrothertome——anelderbrother——andhegivesmethebestkindofadvice。"
"Idaresayyouneedit，butallthesame，Iamafraidyouareputtingideasintohishead。"
"Well，ifhebeganit？Ifheputtheminminefirst？"
Shewasevidentlywillingthatheshouldgofurther，andcreatethecommongroundbetweenthemthatgrowsupwhenonegivesareproofandtheotheracceptsit；butBreckon，whetherhethoughtthathehadnowdonehisduty，andneedsaynomore，orbecausehewasvexedwithher，leftthesubject。
"Mrs。RasmithsaysyouaregoingtoSwitzerlandfortherestofthesummer。"
"Yes，toMontreux。AreyougoingtospenditinParis？"
"I’mgoingtoParistosee。IhavehadsomethoughtsofEtretat；Ihavecousinsthere。"
"IwishthatIcouldgotothesea-side。Butthishappenstobeoneofthesummerswhennothingbutmountainscansavemymother’slife。ShallyougetdowntoRomebeforeyougoback？"
"Idon’tknow。IfIsailfromNaplesIshallprobablypassthroughRome。"
"Youhadbetterstopoff。WeshallbethereinNovember，andtheysayRomeisworthseeing，"shelaugheddemurely。"ThatiswhatBoyneunderstands。He’spromisedtousehisinfluencewithhisfamilytolethimrundowntoseeusthere，ifhecan’tgetthemalltocome。Youmightoffertopersonallyconductthem。"
"Yes。"saidBreckon，withtheeffectofcloture。"Haveyoumademanyacquaintancesanboard？"
"What！Twolonewomen？Youhaven’tintroducedustoanybuttheKentons。ButIdaresaytheyarethebest。Thejudgeisadear，andMrs。Kentoniseverythingthatismotherlyandmatronly。Boynesayssheisverywellinformed，andknowsallaboutthereigningfamilies。Ifhedecidestomarryintothem，shecanbeofgreatuseinsavinghimfromamesalliance。Ican’tsayverymuchforMissLottie。MissLottieseemstomedistinctlyoftheminxtype。Butthatpoor，palegirlisadorable。
Iwishshelikedme！"
"Whatmakesyouthinkshedoesn’tlikeyou？"Breckonasked。
"What？Womendon’trequireanythingtoconvincethemthatotherwomencan’tbearthem。Theysimplyknowit。Iwonderwhathashappenedtoher？"
"Whydoyouthinkanythinghashappenedtoher？"
"Why？Well，girlsdon’thavethatairofmelanholyabsencefornothing。
Sheisbroodinguponsomething，youmaybesure。ButyouhavehadsomanymoreopportunitiesthanI！Doyoumeanthatyouhaven’tsuspectedatragicalpastfarher？"
"Idon’tknow，"saidBreckon，alittlerestively，"thatIhaveallowedmyselftospeculateaboutherpast。"
"Thatis，yououghtn’ttohaveallowedyourselftodoso。Well，thereI
agreewithyou。Butawomanmaydosowithoutimpertinence，andIamsurethatMissKentonhasastory。Ihavewatchedher，andherfacehastoldmeeverythingbutthestory。"
Breckonwouldnotsaythatsomesuchrevelationhadbeenmadetohim，andintheabsenceofananswerfromhimMissRasmithasked，"Isshecultivated，too？"
"Too？"
"Likehermother。"
"Oh！Ishouldsayshehadreadagooddial。Andshe’sbookish，yes，inasimple-heartedkindofway。"
"Sheasksyouifyouhaveread’thebookoftheyear，’andwhetheryoudon’tthinktheheroineisabeautifulcharacter？"
"Notquitesobadasthat。Butifyoucaretobeseriousabouther！"
"Oh，Ido！"
"Idoubtit。Then，Ishouldsaythatsheseemstohavegrownupinaplacewheretheinterestsaresomaterialthatagirlwhowasdisposedtobethoughtfulwouldbethrownbackuponreadingforhersocietymorethaninmoreintellectualcentres——iftherearesuchthings。Shehasbeensomuchwithbooksthatshedoesnotfeeloddinspeakingofthemasiftheyweretheusualtopicsofconversation。Itgivesheracertainquaintness。"
"Andthatiswhatconstituteshercharm？"
"Ididn’tknowthatwewerespeakingofhercharm。"
"No，thatistrue。ButIwasthinkingofit。Shefascinatesme。AretheygoingtogetoffatBoulogne？"
"No，theyaregoingontoRotterdam。"
"Tobesure！Boynetoldme。Andareyougoingonwiththem？"
"IthoughtwetalkedofmygoingtoParis。"Breckonlookedroundather，andshemadeagestureofdeprecation。
"Why，ofcourse！HowcouldIforget？ButI’msomuchinterestedinMissKentonthatIcan’tthinkofanythingelse。"
"NotevenofMissRasmith？"
"NotevenofMissRasmith。Iknowthatshehasahistory，andthatit’sasadone。"Shepausedinironicalhesitation。"You’vebeensogoodastocautionmeaboutherbrother——andInevercanbegratefulenough——andthatmakesmealmostfreetosuggest——"
Shestoppedagain，andheasked，hardily，"What？"
"Oh，nothing。Itisn’tformetoremindmypastor，myghostlyadviser"——
shepulleddownhermouthandglancedathimdemurely——"andIwillonlyofferthegeneralizationthatagirlisneversomuchindangerofhavingherheartbrokenaswhenshe’shaditbroken——Oh，areyouleavingme？"
shecried，asBreckonrosefromhischair。
"Well，then，sendBoynetome。"Shebrokeintoalaughashefaltered。
"Areyougoingtositdownagain？Thatisright。AndIwon’ttalkanymoreaboutMissKenton。"
"Idon’tmindtalkingofher，"saidBreckon。"Perhapsitwillevenbewelltodosoifyouareinearnest。Thoughitstrikesmethatyouhaveratherrenouncedtherighttocriticiseme。"
"Now，isthatlogical？Itseemstomethatinputtingmyselfintheattitudeofafinalfriendatthestart，andrefusingtobeanythingmore，Ileaveestablishedmyrighttocriticiseyouonthefirmestbasis。
Ican’tpossiblybesuspectedofinterestedmotives。Besides，you’vejustbeencriticizingme，ifyouwantawoman’sreason！"
"Well，goon。"
"Why，Ihadfinished。That’stheamusingpart。IshouldhavesupposedthatIcouldgoonforeveraboutMissKenton，butIhavenothingtogoupon。Shehaskepthersecretverywell，andsohavetherestofthem。
