第5章

YouthinkImighthavegotitoutofBoyne？PerhapsImight，butyouknowIhavemylittlescruples。Idon’tthinkitwouldhequitefair，orquitenice。"

"Youarescrupulous。AndIgiveyoucreditforhavingbeenmoredelicatethanI’vebeen。"

"Youdon’tmeanyou’vebeentryingtofinditout！"

"Ah，nowI’mnotsureaboutthesuperiordelicacy！"

"Oh，howgood！"saidMissRasmith。"Whatapityyoushouldbewastedinacallingthatlimitsyousomuch。"

"Youcallitlimiting？Ididn’tknowbutIhadgonetoofar。"

"Notatall！Youknowthere’snothingIlikesomuchasthoselittledigs。"

"Ihadforgotten。Thenyouwon’tmindmysayingthatthissurveillanceseemstomerathermorethanIhaveanyrighttofromyou。"

"Howexquisitelyyouputit！Whoelsecouldhavetoldmetomindmyownbusinesssodelightfully？Well，itisn’tmybusiness。Iacknowledgethat，andIspokeonlybecauseIknewyouwouldbesorryifyouhadgonetoofar。Irememberedourpromisetobefriends。"

Shethrewatouchofrealfeelingintohertone，andheresponded，"Yes，andIthankyouforit，thoughitisn’teasy。"

Sheputoutherhandtohim，and，ashequestioninglytookit，shepressedhiswithanimation。"Ofcourseitisn’t！Oritwouldn’tbeforanyotherman。Butdon’tyousupposeIappreciatethatsupremecourageofyours？Thereisnobodyelse-nobody！——whocouldstanduptoanimpertinenceandturnittopraisebysuchhumility。"

"Don’tgotoofar，orIshallbeturningyourpraisetoimpertinencebymyhumility。You’requiteright，though，aboutthemainmatter。I

needn’tsupposeanythingsopreposterousasyousuggest，tofeelthatpeoplearebestleftalonetooutlivetheirtroubles，unlesstheyareofthemostobviouskind。"

"Now，ifIthoughtIhaddoneanythingtostopyoufromofferingthatsortofhelpfulnesswhichmakesyouablessingtoeverybody，Ishouldneverforgivemyself。"

"Nothingsodireasthat，Ibelieve。Butifyou’vemademequestiontheproprietyofapplyingtheblessinginallcases，youhavedoneaverygoodthing。"

MissRasmithwassilentandapparentlyserious。Afteramomentshesaid，"AndI，formypart，promisetoletpoorlittleBoynealone。"

Breckonlaughed。"Don’tburlesqueit！Besides，Ihaven’tpromisedanything。"

"Thatisverytrue，"saidMissRasmith，andshelaughed，too。

XVI。

Inoneofthosedramaticreverieswhichweallholdwithourselveswhenfortunehaspressinglyplacedus，EllenKentonhadimagineditpossibleforhertotellherstorytothemanwhohadsogentlyandtrulytriedtobeherfriend。Itwasmostlyinthewayofexplainingtohimhowshewasunworthyofhisfriendshipthatthestorywastold，andshefanciedtellingitwithoutbeingscandalizedatviolatingtheconventionsthatshouldhavekeptherfromevendreamingofsuchathing。Itwasallexaltedtoaplanewheretherewasnoquestionoffitorunfitindoingit，butonlytheoccasion；andhewouldneverhearoftheunworthinesswhichshewishedtoascribetoherself。Sometimeshemournfullyleftherwhenshepersisted，leftherforever，andsometimesherefused，andretainedwithherinasublimekindness，anobleamity，loftyandserene，whichdidnotseektobecomeanythingelse。Inthiscaseshewouldbreakfromherreverieswithself-accusingcries，underherbreath，of"Silly，silly！Oh，howdisgusting！"andifatthatmomentBreckonwerereallycominguptositbyher，shewouldblushtoherhair，andwishtorunaway，andfailingtheforceforthis，wouldsitcoldandblanktohiscivilities，andhavetobeskilfullyandgraduallytalkedbacktoself-

respectandself-tolerance。

TherecurrenceofthesereveriesandtheirconsequenceinhermadeitdifficultforhimtoputineffectthepromisehehadgivenhimselfinMissRasmith’spresence。IfEllenhadbeeneagertowelcomehiscoming，itwouldhavebeenverysimpletokeepawayfromher，butassheappearedanxioustoescapehim，andhadtobeentreated，asitwere，tosufferhissociety，somethingbetterthanhiscuriositywaspiqued，thoughthatwaspiqued，too。Hebelievedthathesawherlapsingagainintothatmorbidstatefromwhichhehadseemedonceabletosaveher，andhecouldnothelptryingagain。HewasthemoreboundtodosobytheironicalobservanceofMissRasmith，whohadtobedefiedfirst，andthenpropitiated；certainly，whenshesawhimapparentlybreakingfaithwithher，shehadarighttosomesortofexplanation，butcertainlyalsoshehadnorighttoablindandunreasoningsubmissionfromhim。HisembarrassmentwasheightenedbyherinterestinMissKenton，whom，withanadmirableshowofnowfindinghersafefromBreckon’sattractions，shewasalwayswishingtostudyfromhisobservation。Whatwasshereallylike？Thegirlhadaperfectfascinationforher；sheenviedhimhisopportunitiesofknowingher，andhisprivilegesofmakingthatmelancholyfacelightupwiththatheart-breakingsmile，andofbanishingthatdeliciousshynesswithwhichshealwaysseemedtomeethim。MissRasmithhadnoticedit；howcouldshehelpnoticingit？

Breckonwishedtohimselfthatshehadbeenabletohelpnoticingit，orweremorecapableofmindingherownbusinessthansheshowedherself，andhisheartclosedaboutEllenwithatendernessthatwasdangerouslyindignant。AtthesametimehefelthimselfwithheldbyMissRasmith’switnessfrombeingalltothegirlthathewishedtobe，andthathenowseemedtohavebeeninthosefirstdaysofstorm，whileMissRasmithandhermotherwerestillkeepingtheircabin。HeforesawthatitwouldendinMissRasmith’ssympatheticnaturenotbeingabletowithholditselffromEllen’sneedofcheerfulcompanionship，andhewassurprised，aslittleashewaspleased，onemorning，whenhecametotakethechairbesidehertofindMissRasmithinit，talkingandlaughingtothegirl，whoperverselyshowedherselfamused。MissRasmithmadeasiftoofferhimtheseat，buthehadtogoawaydisappointed，afterstandinglongenoughbeforethemtobeawarethattheyweresuspendingsometopicwhilehestayed。

Henaturallysupposedthetopictobehimself，butitwasnotso，oratleastnotdirectlyso。ItwasonlyhimselfasrelatedtothescoldinghehadgivenMissRasmithfortriflingwiththeinnocenceofBoyne，whichshewishedMissKentontounderstandastheeffectofarealaffectionforherbrother。Shelovedallboys，andBoynewassimplythemostdelightfulcreatureintheworld。Shewentontoexplainhowdelightfulhewas，andshowedasuchanappreciationoftheinfantilesweetnessmingledwiththematureseverityofBoyne’scharacterthatEllencouldnothelpbeingpleasedandwon。ShetoldsomelittlestoriesofBoynethatthrewalightalsotheirhomelifeinTuskingum，andMissRasmithdeclaredherselfperfectlyfascinated，andwishedthatshecouldgoandliveinTuskingum。Sheprotestedthatsheshouldnotfinditdull；Boynealonewouldbeentertainmentenough；andshefiguredacircumstancesoidyllicfromthehintsshehadgathered，thatEllen’sbrowdarkenedinsilentdenial，andMissRasmithfeltherself，asthechildrensayinthegame，veryhotinherproximitytothegirl’ssecret。Shewouldhavelikedtoknowit，butwhethershefeltthatshecouldknowitwhenshelikedenough，orwhethersheshouldnotbesosafewithBreckoninknowingit，sheveeredsuddenlyaway，andsaidthatshewassogladtohaveBoyne’sfamilyknowthepeculiarnatureofherdevotion，whichdidnotnecessarilymeanrunningawaywithhim，thoughitmightcometothat。

ShesupposedshewasalittlemorbidaboutitfromwhatMr。Breckonhadbeensaying；hehadaconsciencethatwouldbreakthepeaceofawholecommunity，thoughhewasthegreatestpossiblefavorite，notonlywithhisowncongregation，whichsimplyworshippedhim，butwiththebestsociety，wherehewasinconstantrequest。

Itwasnotherfaultifshedidnotoverdothesehistory，butperhapsitwasalltrueaboutthenumberofgirlswhowerereadyandwillingtomarryhim。Itmightevenbetrue，thoughshehadnodirectauthorityforsayingit，thathehadmadeuphismindnevertomarry，andthatwasthereasonwhyhefelthimselfsosafeinbeingthenicestsortoffriend。

Hewassafe，MissRasmithphilosophized，butwhetherotherpeopleweresosafewasadifferentquestion。Thereweregirlswhoweresaidtobedyingforhim；butofcoursethosethingswerealwayssaidaboutahandsomeyoungminister。Shehadfranklytakenhimonhisownground，fromthebeginning，andshebelievedthatthiswaswhatheliked。Atanyrate，theyhadagreedthattheywerenevertobeanythingbutthebestoffriends，andtheyalwayshadbeen。

Mrs。KentoncameandshylytookthechaironMissRasmith’sotherside，andMissRasmithsaidtheyhadbeentalkingaboutMr。Breckon，andsherepeatedwhatshehadbeensayingtoEllen。Mrs。KentonassentedmoreopenlythanEllencouldtoherpraises，butwhenshewentaway，andherdaughtersatpassive，withoutcommentorapparentinterest，themotherdrewalong，involuntarysigh。

"Doyoulikeher，Ellen？"

"Shetriestobepleasant，Ithink。"

"DoyouthinkshereallyknowsmuchaboutMr。Breckon？"

"Ohyes。Whynot？Shebelongstohischurch。"

"Hedoesn’tseemtomelikeapersonwhowouldhaveaparcelofgirlstaggingafterhim。"

"ThatiswhattheydointheEast，Boynesays。"

"IwishshewouldletBoynealone。Sheismakingafoolofthechild。

He’sroundwithhereverymoment。Ithinksheoughttobeashamed，suchanoldthing！"

Ellenchosetoprotest，orthoughtitfairtodoso。"Idon’tbelievesheisdoinghimanyharm。Shejustletshimtalkout，andeverybodyelsecheckshimupso。Itwasniceofhertocomeandtalkwithme，whenwehadallbeenkeepingawayfromher。Perhapshesenther，though。Shesaystheyhavealwaysbeensuchgoodfriendsbecauseshewouldn’tbeanythingelsefromthebeginning。"

"Idon’tseewhysheneedhavetoldyouthat。"

"Oh，itwasjusttoshowhewasrunafter。Iwonderifhethinkswearerunningafterhim？Momma，Iamtiredofhim！Iwishhewouldn’tspeaktomeanymore。"

"Why！doyoureallydislikehim，Ellen？"

"No，notdislikehim。Butittiresmetohavehimtryingtoamuseme。

Don’tyouunderstand？"

Mrs。Kentonsaidyes，sheunderstood，butshewasclearonlyofthefactthatEllenseemedflushedandweakatthatmoment。ShebelievedthatitwasMissRasmithandnotMr。Breckonwhowastoblame，butshesaid:

"Well，youneedn’tworryaboutitlong。ItwillonlybeadayortwonowtillwegettoBoulogne，andthenhewillleaveus。Hadn’tyoubettergodownnow，andrestawhileinyourberth？Iwillbringyourthings。"

Ellenrose，pullingherwrapsfromherskirtstogivethemtohermother。

Avoicefrombehindsaidbetweentheirmeetingshoulders:"Oh，areyougoingdown？IwasjustcomingtobegMissKentontotakealittlewalkwithme，"andtheylookedroundtogetherandmetBreckon’ssmilingface。

"I’mafraid，"Mrs。Kentonbegan，andthen，likeawell-trainedAmericanmother，shestoppedandlefttheaffairtoherdaughter。

"Doyouthinkyoucangetdownwiththem，momma？"thegirlasked，andsomehowhermother’sheartwaslightenedbyherevasion，nottocallituncandor。Itwasatleastnotmorbid，itwasatleastlikeothergirls，andMrs。Kentonimpartedwhatcomforttherewasinittothejudge，whenheaskedwhereshehadleftEllen。

"Notthatit’sanyuse，"shesighed，whenshehadseenhimshareitwithacertainshamefacedness。"Thatwomanhasgothergriponhim，andshedoesn’tmeantoletgo。"

KentonunderstoodMissRasmithbythatwoman；buthewouldnotallowhimselftobesoeasilycastdown。ThiswasoneofthethingsthatprovokedMrs。Kentonwithhim；whenhehadoncetakenhopehewouldnotabandonitwithoutreason。"Idon’tseeanyevidenceofherhavinghergriponhim。I’venoticedhim，andhedoesn’tseemattentivetoher。

Ishouldsayhetriedtoavoidher。Hecertainlydoesn’tavoidEllen。"

"Whatareyouthinkingof，Rufus？"

"Whatareyou？Youknowwe’dbothbegladifhefanciedher。"

"Well，supposewewould？Idon’tdenyit。HeisoneofthemostagreeablegentlemenIeversaw；oneofthekindestandnicest。"

"He’smorethanthat，"saidthejudge。"I’vebeensoundinghimonvariouspoints，andIdon’tseewherehe’swrong。Ofcourse，Idon’tknowmuchabouthisreligiouspersuasion，ifitisone，butIthinkI’maprettyfairjudgeofcharacter，andthatyoungmanhascharacter。Heisn’talightperson，thoughhelikesjokingandlaughing，andheappreciatesEllen。"

"Yes，sodowe。Andthere’saboutasmuchprospectofhismarryingher。

Rufus，it’sprettyhard！She’sjustinthemoodtobetakenwithhim，butshewon’tletherself，becausesheknowsit’sofnouse。ThatMissRasmithhasbeentellingherhowmuchheisrunafter，andIcouldseethatthatsettleditforEllenasplainlyasifshesaidso。Moreplainly，forthere’senoughofthegirlinhertomakehersayonethingwhenshemeansanother。Shewasjustsayingshewassickofhim，andneverwantedtospeaktohimagain，whenhecameupandaskedhertowalk，andshewentwithhiminstantly。Iknewwhatshemeant。Shewasn’tgoingtolethimsupposethatanythingMissRasmithhadsaidwasgoingtochangeher。"

"Well，then，"saidthejudge，"Idon’tseewhatyou’rescaredat。"

I’mnotSCARED。But，oh，Rufus！Itcan’tcometoanything！Thereisn’ttime！"Anhystericalhopetrembledinherasseverationofdespairthatmadehimsmile。

"Iguessiftime’sallthat’swanted——"

"HeisgoingtogetoffatBoulogne。"

"Well，wecangetoffthere，too。"

"Rufus，ifyoudaretothinkofsuchathing！"

"Idon’t。ButEuropeisn’tsobigbutwhathecanfindusagainifhewantsto。"

"Ah，ifhewantsto！"

Ellenseemedtohavelethermothertakeherlanguorbelowalongwiththeshawlsshehadgivenher。Buttonedintoaclosejacket，andskirtedshortforthesea，shepushedagainstthebreezeatBreckon’selbowwithavigorthatmadehimlookhissurpriseather。Girl-like，shetookitthatsomethingwaswrongwithherdress，andranherselfoverwithanuneasyeye。

Thenheexplained:"IwasjustthinkinghowmuchyouwerelikeMissLottie-ifyou’llexcusemybeingsopersonal。Anditneverstruckmebefore。"

"Ididn’tsupposewelookedalike，"saidEllen。

"No，certainly。Ishouldn’thavetakenyouforsisters。Andyet，justnow，Ifeltthatyouwerelikeher。Youseemsomuchstrongerthismorning——perhapsit’sthatthevoyageisdoingyougood。Shallyoubesorrytohaveitend？"

"Shallyou？That’sthewayLottiewouldanswer。"

Breckonlaughed。"Yes，itis。Ishallbeverysorry。Ishouldbewillingtohaveitroughagain，itthatwouldmakeitlonger。Ilikedit’sbeingrough。Wehadittoourselves。"Hehadnotthoughthowthatsounded，butifitsoundedparticular，shedidnotnoticeit。

Shemerelysaid，"Iwassurprisednottobeseasick，too。"

"Andshouldyoubewillingtohaveitroughagain？"

"Youwouldn’tseeanythingmoreofyourfriends，then。"

"Ah，yes；MissRasmith。Sheisagreattalker，Didyoufindherinteresting？"

"Shewasveryinteresting。"

"Yes？Whatdidshetalkabout？"

Ellenrealizedthefacttoolatetowithhold"Why，aboutyou。"

"Andwasthatwhatmadeherinteresting？"

"Now，whatwouldLottiesaytosuchathingasthat？"askedEllen，gayly。

"Somethingterriblycutting，I’mafraid。Butdon’tyou！FromyouI

don’twanttobelieveIdeserveit，nomatterwhatMissRasmithsaidme。"

"Oh，shedidn’tsayanythingverybad。Unlessyoumindbeingauniversalfavorite。"

"Well，itmakesamanoutrathersilly。"

"Butyoucan’thelpthat。"

"NowyouremindmeofMissLottieagain！"

"ButIdidn’tmeanthat，"saidEllen，blushingandlaughing。"Ihopeyouwouldn’tthinkIcouldbesopert。"

"Iwouldn’tthinkanythingthatwasn’ttoyourpraise，"saidBreckon，andapauseensued，afterwhichthewordsheaddedseemedtameandflat。

"IsuspectMissRasmithhasbeenidealizingthesituation。Atanyrate，Ishouldn’tadviseyoutotrustherreportimplicitly。I’mattheheadofasociety，youknow，ethicalorsociological，oraltruistic，whateveryouchoosetocallit，whichhasn’tanyverydefiniteobjectofworship，andyetmeetseverySundayforasortofworship；andIhavetobeinthepulpit。Soyousee？"

Ellensaid，"IthinkIunderstand，"withatemptationtosmileattheruefulnessofhisappeal。

Breckonlaughedforher。"That’sthemischiefandtheabsurdityofit。

Butitisn’tsobadasitseems。They’rereallymostofthemhard-headedpeople；andthosethatarenotcouldn’tmakeafoolofamanthatnaturehadn’tbegunwith。Still，I’mnotverywellsatisfiedwithmyworkamongthem——thatis，I’mnotsatisfiedwithmyself。"Hewastalkingsoberlyenough，andhedidnotfindthatshewaslisteningtooseriously。"I’mgoingawaytoseewhetherIshallcomeback。"Helookedathertomakesurethatshehadtakenhismeaning，andseemedsatisfiedthatshehad。

"I’mnotsurethatI’mfitforanysortofministry，andImayfindthewinterinEnglandtryingtofindout。IwasatschoolinEngland，youknow。"

Ellenconfessedthatshehadnotknownthat。

"Yes；Isupposethat’swhatmademeseem’soEnglishy’thefirstdaytoMissLottie，asshecalledit。ButI’mstraightenoughAmericanasfarasparentagegoes。DoyouthinkyouwillbeinEngland-later？"

"Idon’tknow。Ifpoppagetstoohomesickwewillgobackinthefall。"

"MissKenton，"saidtheyoungman，abruptly，"willyouletmetellyouhowmuchIadmireandrevereyourfather？"

Tearscameintohereyesandherthroatswelled。"Butyoudon’tknow，"

shebegun；andthenshestopped。

"Ihavebeenwantingtosubmitsomethingtohisjudgment；butI’vebeenafraid。Imightseemtobefishingforhisfavor。"

"Poppawouldn’tthinkanythingthatwasunjust，"saidEllen，gravely。

"Ah，"Breckonlaughed，"IsuspectthatIshouldratherhavehimunjust。

Iwishyou’dtellmewhathewouldthink。"

"ButIdon’tknowwhatitis，"sheprotested，withareflectedsmile。

"IwasinhopesMissRasmithmighthavetoldyou。Well，itissimplythis，andyouwillseethatI’mnotquitetheuniversalfavoriteshe’sbeenmakingyoufancyme。Thereisariftinmylute，aschisminmylittlesociety，whichissolittlethatIcouldnothavesupposedtherewasenoughofittobreakintwo。Therearesomewhothinktheirlecturer——forthat’swhatIamountto——oughttobeanolder，ifnotagraverman。Theyareintheminority，butthey’reintheright，I’mafraid；andthat’swhyIhappentobeheretellingyouallthis。It’saquestionofwhetherIoughttogobacktoNewYorkorstayinLondon，wherethere’sbeenafaintcallforme。"Hesawthegirllisteningdevoutly，withthatflatteredlookwhichaseriousgirlcannotkeepoutofherfacewhenamanconfidesaseriousmattertoher。"Imightsafelypromisetobeolder，butcouldIkeepmywordifIpromisedtobegraver？

That’sthepoint。IfIwereaCalvinistImightholdfastbyfaith，andfightitoutwiththat；orifIwereaCatholicIcouldcastmyselfuponthestrengthoftheChurch，andtriumphinspiteoftemperament。Thenitwouldn’tmatterwhetherIwasgraveorgay；itmightbeevenbetterifI

weregay。But，"hewenton，intermswhich，doubtless，werenotthenforthefirsttimeformulatedinhismind，"beingmerelytheleaderofasortofforlornhopeintheDivineGoodness，perhapsIhavenorighttobesocheerful。"

ThenoteofasadironyinhiswordsappealedtosuchindignationforhiminEllenassheneverfeltforherself。Butsheonlysaid，"Idon’tbelievePoppacouldtakethatinthewrongwayifyoutoldhim。"

Breckonstared。"Yesyourfather！Whatwouldhesay？"

"Ican’ttellyou。ButI’msurehewouldknowwhatyoumeant。"

"Andyou，"hepursued，"whatshouldYOUsay？"

"I？Ineverthoughtaboutsuchathing。Youmustn’taskme，ifyou’reserious；andifyou’renot——"

"ButIam；Iamdeeplyserious。Iwouldlike，toknowhowthecasestrikesyou。Ishallbesogratefulifyouwilltellme。"

"I’msorryIcan’t，Mr。Breckon。Whydon’tyouaskpoppa？"

"No，IseenowIsha’n’tbeable。Ifeeltoomuch，aftertellingyou，asifIhadbeenposing。Therealityhasgoneoutofitall。AndI’mashamed。"

"Youmustn’tbe，"shesaid，quietly；andsheadded，"Isupposeitwouldbelikeakindofdefeatifyoudidn’tgoback？"

"Ishouldn’tcarefortheappearanceofdefeat，"hesaid，courageously。

"Thegreatquestionis，whethersomebodyelsewouldn’tbeofmoreuseinmyplace。"

"Nobodycouldbe，"saidshe，inasortofimpassionedabsence，andthencomingtoherself，"Imean，theywouldn’tthinkso，Idon’tbelieve。"

"Thenyouadvise——"

"No，no！Ican’t；Idon’t。I’mnotfittohaveanopinionaboutsuchathing；itwouldbecrazy。Butpoppa——"

Theywereatthedoorofthegangway，andsheslippedwithinandlefthim。Hisnervestingled，andtherewasaglowinhisbreast。Itwassweettohavesurprisedthatpraisefromher，thoughhecouldnothavesaidwhyheshouldvaluethepraiseoragirlofheropenignoranceandinexperienceineverythingthatwouldhavequalifiedhertojudgehim。

Buthefoundhimselfvaluingitsupremely，andwonderinglywishingtobeworthyofit。

XVII。

Ellendiscoveredherfatherwithabookinadistantcornerofthedining-saloon，whichhepreferredtothedeckorthelibraryforhisreading，insuchintervalsasthestewards，layingandcleaningthetables，lefthimunmolestedinit。Sheadvancedprecipitatelyuponhim，andstoodbeforehiminanexcitementwhich，thoughheliftedhisdazedeyestoitfromhispage，hewasnotentirelyawareoftillafterwards。

Thenherealizedthathercheekswerefullofcolor，andhereyesoflight，andthatshepantedasifshehadbeenrunningwhenshespoke。

"Poppa，"shesaid，"thereissomethingthatMr。Breckonwantstospeaktoyou——toaskyouabout。Hehasaskedme，butIwantyoutoseehim，forI

thinkhehadbettertellyouhimself。"

Whilehestillstaredathershewasassuddenlygoneasshehadcome，andheremainedwithhisbook，whichthemeaninghadassuddenlyleft。

Therewasnomeaninginherwords，exceptasheputitintothem，andafterhehadgotitinhestruggledwithitinasortofperfunctoryincredulity。Itwasnotimpossible；itchieflyseemedsobecauseitseemedtoogoodtobetrue；andthemorehepondereditthemorepossible，ifnotprobable，itbecame。Hecouldnotbesafewithittillhehadsubmittedittohiswife；andhewenttoherwhilehewassureofrepeatingEllen’swordswithoutvaryingfromthemasyllable。

Tohisastonishment，Mrs。Kentonwasinstantlyconvinced。"Why，ofcourse，"shesaid，"itcan’tpossiblymeananythingelse。Whyshoulditbesoverysurprising？Thetimehasn’tbeenverylong，butthey’vebeentogetheralmosteverymoment；andhewastakenwithherfromtheverybeginning——Icouldseethat。Putonyourothercoat，"shesaid，asshedustedthecollarofthecoatthejudgewaswearing。"He’llbelookingyouup，atonce。Ican’tsaythatit’sunexpected，"andsheclaimedaprescienceinthematterwhichallherwordshadhithertodenied。

Kentondidnotnoticeherinconsistency。"IfitwerenotsoexactlywhatIwished，"hesaid，"Idon’tknowthatIshouldbesurprisedatitmyself。Sarah，ifIhadbeentryingtoimagineanyoneforEllen，I

couldn’thavedreamedofapersonbettersuitedtoherthanthisyoungman。He’severythingthatIcouldwishhimtobe。I’veseenthepleasureandcomfortshetookinhiswayfromthefirstmoment。Heseemedtomakeherforget——DoyousupposeshehasforgottenthatmiserablewretchDoyouthink——"

"Ifshehadn’t，couldshebelettinghimcometospeaktoyou？Idon’tbelievesheeverreallycaredforBittridge——ornotafterhebeganflirtingwithMrs。Uphill。"ShehadnoshrinkingfromthenameswhichKentonavoidedwithdisgust。"TheonlyquestionforyouistoconsiderwhatyoushallsaytoMr。Breckon。"

"Saytohim？Why，ofcourse，ifEllenhasmadeuphermind，there’sonlyonethingIcansay。"

"Indeedthereis！HeoughttoknowallaboutthatdisgustingBittridgebusiness，andyouhavegottotellhim。"

"Sarah，Icouldn’t。Itistoohumiliating。Howwoulditdotoreferhimto——Youcouldmanagethatpartsomuchbetter。Idon’tseehowIcouldkeepitfromseeminganindelicatebetrayalofthepoorchild——"

"Perhapsshe’stoldhimherself，"Mrs。Kentonprovisionallysuggested。

Thejudgeeagerlycaughtatthenotion。"Doyouthinkso？Itwouldbelikeher！Ellenwouldwishhimtoknoweverything。"

Hestopped，andhiswifecouldseethathewastremblingwithexcitement。

"Wemustfindout。IwillspeaktoEllen——"

"And——youdon’tthinkI’dbetterhavethetalkwithhimfirst？"

"Certainlynot！"

"Why，Rufus！Youwerenotgoingtolookhimup？"

"No，"hehesitated；butshecouldseethatsomesuchthinghadbeenonhismind。

"Surely，"shesaid，"youmustbecrazy！"Butshehadnotthehearttoblighthisjoywithsarcasm，andperhapsnosarcasmwouldhaveblightedit。

"ImerelywonderedwhatIhadbettersayincasehespoketomebeforeyousawEllen——that’sall。Sarah！Icouldn’thavebelievedthatanythingcouldpleasemesomuch。ButitdoesseemasifitweretheassuranceofEllen’shappiness；andshehasdeservedit，poorchild！Ifevertherewasadutifulandlovingdaughter——atleastbeforethatwretchedaffair——shewasone。"

"Shehasbeenagoodgirl，"Mrs。Kentonstoicallyadmitted。

"Andtheyareverywellmatched。Ellenisacultivatedwoman。Henevercouldhavecausetoblushforher，eitherhermindorhermanners，inanycircleofsociety；shewoulddohimcreditunderanyandallcircumstances。IfitwereLottie——"

"Lottieisallright，"saidhermother，inresentmentofhispreference；

butshecouldnothelpsmilingatit。"Don’tyoubefoolishaboutEllen。

IapproveofMr。Breckonasmuchasyoudo。Butit’sherprettinessandsweetnessthat’stakenhisfancy，andnotherwisdom，ifshe’sgothim。"

"Ifshe’sgothim？"

"Well，youknowwhatImean。I’mnotsayingshehasn’t。Dearknows，I

don’twantto！Ifeeljustasyoudoaboutit。Ithinkit’sthegreatestpieceofgoodfortune，comingontopofallourtroublewithher。Icouldn’thaveimaginedsuchathing。"

Hewasinstantlyappeased。"AreyougoingtospeakwithEllen"heradiantlyinquired。

"Iwillsee。There’snoespecialhurry，isthere？"

"Only，ifheshouldhappentomeetme——"

"Youcankeepoutofhisway，Ireckon。OrYoucanputhimoff，somehow。"

"Yes，"Kentonreturned，doubtfully。"Don’t，"headded，"betoobluntwithEllen。Youknowshedidn’tsayanythingexplicittome。"

"IthinkIwillknowhowtomanage，Mr。Kenton。"

"Yes，ofcourse，Sarah。I’mnotsayingthat。"

Breckondidnotapparentlytrytofindthejudgebeforelunch，andattablehedidnotseemespeciallydevotedtoElleninherfather’sjealouseyes。HejokedLottie，andexchangedthosepassagesorreparteewithherinwhichshedidnotmindusingabludgeonwhenshehadnotarapierathand；itisdoubtfulifshewasverysensibleofthedifference。Ellensatbyinpassivecontent，smilingnowandthen，andBoynecarriedonadignifiedconversationwithMr。Pogis，whomhehadaskedtolunchathistable，andwholistenedwithoneeartothevigorousretortsofLottieinhercombatwithBreckon。

Thejudgewitnesseditallwithagravedispleasure，moreandmorepainfullyapparenttohiswife。Shecouldseetheimpatience，thegatheringmisgiving，inhisface，andsheperceivedthatshemustnotletthiscometoconsciousdissatisfactionwithBreckon；sheknewherhusbandcapableofindignationwithtriflingwhichwouldcomplicatethesituation，ifitcametothat。ShedecidedtospeakwithEllenassoonaspossible，andshemeanttofollowhertoherstate-roomwhentheyleftthetable。Butfateassortedthepiecesinthegamedifferently。BoynewalkedovertotheplacewhereMissRasmithwassittingwithhermother；

LottieandMr。Pogiswentofftopractiseduetstogether，terrible，four——

handedtormentsunderwhichthepianopresentlyclamored；andEllenstoodforamomenttalkedtobyMr。Breckon，whochallengedherthenforawalkondeck，andwithwhomshewentawaysmiling。

Mrs。Kentonappealedwiththereflectionofthegirl’shappinessinherfacetothefrowningcensureinherhusband’s；butKentonspokefirst。

"Whatdoeshemean？"hedemanded，darkly。"Ifheismakingafoolofherhe’llfindthatthatgamecan’tbeplayedtwice，withimpunity。

Sarah，IbelieveIshouldchokehim。"

"Mr。Kenton！"shegasped，andshetrembledinfearofhim，evenwhileshekeptherselfwithdifficultyfromshakinghimforhisfolly。"Don’tsaysuchathing！Can’tyouseethattheywanttotalkitover？Ifhehasn’tspokentoyouit’sbecausehewantstoknowhowyoutookwhatshesaid。"Seeingtheeffectofthesearguments，shepursued:"Willyouneverhaveanysense？IwillspeaktoEllentheveryminuteIgetheralone，andyouhavejustgottowait。Don’tyousupposeit’shardforme，too？HaveIgotnothingtobear？"

Kentonwentsilentlybacktohisbook，whichhetookwithhimtothereading-room，wherefromtimetotimehiswifecametohimandreportedthatEllenandBreckonwerestillwalkingupanddowntogether，orthattheyweresittingdowntalking，orwereforward，lookingoverattheprow，orwerewatchingthedeck-passengersdancing。Herhusbandreceivedhersuccessiveadviceswithrelaxinginterest，andwhenshehadbroughtthelastshewasawarethattheaffairwasentirelyinherhandswithalltheresponsibility。AfterthegaypartingbetweenEllenandBreckon，whichtookplacelateintheafternoon，shesufferedanintervaltoelapsebeforeshefollowedthegirldowntoherstate-room。Shefoundherlyinginherberth，withshiningeyesandglad，redcheeks；shewassmilingtoherself。

"Thatisright，Ellen，"hermothersaid。"Youneedrestafteryourlongtramp。"

"I’mnottired。Weweresittingdownagooddeal。Ididn’tthinkhowlateitwas。I’meversomuchbetter。Where’sLottie？"

"OffsomewherewiththatyoungEnglishman，"saidMrs。Kenton，asifthatwereofnosortofconsequence。"Ellen，"sheadded，abruptly，tryingwithinatremuloussmiletohidehereagerness，"whatisthisthatMr。

Breckonwantstotalkwithyourfatherabout？"

"Mr。Breckon？Withpoppa？"

"Yes，certainly。YoutoldhimthismorningthatMr。Breckon——"

"Oh！Ohyes！"saidEllen，asifrecollectingsomethingthathadslippedhermind。"HewantspoppatoadvisehimwhethertogobacktohiscongregationinNewYorkornot。"

Mrs。Kentonsatinthecornerofthesofanextthedoor，lookingintothegirl’sfaceonthepillowasshelaywithherarmsunderherhead。Tearsofdefeatandshamecameintohereyes，andshecouldnotseethegirl’slightnonchalanceinadding:

"Buthehasn’tgotuphiscourageyet。Hethinkshe’llaskhimafterdinner。Hesayshedoesn’twantpoppatothinkhe’sposing。Idon’tknowwhathemeans。"

Mrs。Kentondidnotspeakatonce。Herbitterestmortificationwasnotforherself，butforthesimpleandtenderfather-soulwhichhadbeensotriedalready。Shedidnotknowhowhewouldbearit，thedisappointment，andthecruelhurttohispride。Butshewantedtofallonherkneesinthankfulnessthathehadbetrayedhimselfonlytoher。

Shestartedinsuddenalarmwiththethought。"Whereishenow——

Mr。Breckon？"

"He’sgonewithBoynedownintothebaggage-room。"

Mrs。Kentonsankbackinhercorner，awarenowthatshewouldnothavehadthestrengthtogotoherhusbandeventosavehimfromtheawfuldisgraceofgivinghimselfawaytoBreckon。"Andwasthatall？"shefaltered。

"All？"

"Thathewantedtospeaktoyourfatherabout？"

Shemustmakeirrefragablysure，forKenton’ssake，thatshewasnotmisunderstanding。

"Why，ofcourse！Whatelse？Why，momma！whatareyoucryingabout？"

"I’mnotcrying，child。Justsomefoolishnessofyourfather’s。Heunderstood——hethought——"Mrs。Kentonbegantolaughhysterically。"Butyouknowhowridiculousheis；andhesupposed——No，Iwon’ttellyou！"

Itwasnotnecessary。Thegirl’smind，perhapsbecauseitwasimbuedalreadywiththesubject，hadpossesseditselfofwhatfilledhermother’s。Shedroppedfromtheelbowonwhichshehadliftedherself，andturnedherfaceintothepillow，withalongwailofshame。

XVIII。

Mrs。Kenton’sdifficultiesinsettingherhusbandrightwereindefinitelyheightenedbythesuspicionthatthemostunsuspiciousofmenfellintoconcerningBreckon。DidBreckonsupposethatthemattercouldbeturnedoffinthatway？hestupidlydemanded；andwhenhewasextricatedfromthiserrorbyhiswife’srepresentationthatBreckonhadnotchangedatall，buthadnevertoldEllenthathewishedtospeakwithhimofanythingbuthisreturningtohissociety，Kentonstillcouldnotacceptthefact。HewouldhavecontendedthatatleasttheothermattermusthavebeeninBreckon’smind；andwhenhewasbeatenfromthisposition，andconvincedthatthemeaningtheyhadtakenfromEllen’swordshadneverbeeninanymindbuttheirown，hefellintohumiliationsoabjectthathecouldhideitonlybythehauteurwithwhichhecarriedhimselftowardsBreckonwhentheymetatdinner。Hewouldscarcelyspeaktotheyoungman；Ellendidnotcometothetable；LottieandBoyneandtheirfriendMr。PogiswerediningwiththeRasmiths，andMrs。Kentonhadtobe，asshefelt，cringinglykindtoBreckoninexplainingjustthesortoftemporaryheadachethatkepthereldestdaughteraway。Hewasmorethanordinarilysympatheticandpolite，buthewasmanifestlybewilderedbyKenton’sbehavior。HerefusedanhilariousinvitationfromMrs。

Rasmith，whenherosefromtable，tostopandhavehiscoffeewithheronhiswayoutofthesaloon。HisoldadorerexplainedthatshehadorderedasmallbottleofchampagneinhonorofitsbeingthenightbeforetheyweretogetintoBoulogne，andthatheoughttositdownandhelpherkeeptheyoungpeoplestraight。Julia，shebrokenlysyllabled，withthegaybeveragebubblingbackintoherthroat，wasnottheleastuse；shewasworsethanany。Juliadidnotlookit，inthedemureregardwhichshebentuponheramusingmother，andBreckonpersistedinrefusing。HesaidhethoughthemightsafelyleavethemtoBoyne，andMrs。Rasmithsaidintoherhandkerchief，"Ohyes！Boyne！"andpressedBoyne’ssleevewithherknobbedandjewelledfingers。

Itwasevidentwheremostofthesmallbottlehadgone，butBreckonwasnonethecheerfullerforthespectacleofMrs。Rasmith。Hecouldnothaveamoment’sdoubtastothesortofworkhehadbeendoinginNewYorkifshewereaneffectofit，andheturnedhismindfromthesadcertaintybacktothemoreimportantinquiryastowhatoffencehiswishtoadvisewithJudgeKentoncouldhaveconveyed。Ellenhadtoldhimintheafternoonthatshehadspokenwithherfatheraboutit，andshehadnotintimatedanydispleasureorreluctanceonhim；butapparentlyhehaddecidednottosufferhimselftobeapproached。

Itmightbeaswell。BreckonhadnotbeenabletoconvincehimselfthathisproposaltoconsultJudgeKentonwasnotapose。HehadflashesofowningthatitwascontemplatedmerelyasameansofingratiatinghimselfwithEllen。Now，ashefoundhiswayupanddownamongtheemptysteamer-chairs，hewasaware，atthebottomofhisheart，ofnotcaringintheleastforJudgeKenton’srepellentbearing，exceptasitpossibly，orimpossibly，reflectedsomemoodofhers。Hecouldnotmakeouthernotcomingtodinner；theheadachewasclearlyanexcuse；forsomereasonshedidnotwishtoseehim，heargued，withtheegotismofhiscondition。

Thelogicofhisconclusionwasstrengthenedatbreakfastbyhercontinuedabsence；andthistimeMrs。Kentonmadenoapologiesforher。

Thejudgewasashadelesssevere；orelseBreckondidnotputhimselfsomuchinthewaytobewithheldashehadthenightbefore。BoyneandLottiecarriedonasortofmutedscrap，unrebukedbytheirmother，whoseemedtoomuchdistractedinsometacittroubletomindthem。FromtimetotimeBreckonfoundhereyesdwellinguponhimwonderingly，entreatingly；shedroppedthem，ifshecaughthis，andcolored。

IntheafternoonitwasearlyevidentthattheywereapproachingBoulogne。Thehatchwasopenedandthesailorsbegangettingupthebaggageofthepassengerswhoweregoingtodisembark。Itseemedalongtimeforeverybodytillthesteamergotin；thosegoingashoresatontheirhand-baggageforanhourbeforethetugcameuptotake，themoff。

Mr。Pogiswasamongthem；hehadbegunintheforenoontomarktheapproachingseparationbetweenLottieandhimselfbyintervalsofunmistakablewithdrawal。Anothergirlmighthavecared，butLottiedidnotcare，forherfailuretogetariseoutofhimbyhermockinglyvaried"Oh，Isay！"and"Well，rather！"InthegrowthofhisdignifiedreserveMr。Pogiswasindifferenttojeers。Bywhatevertraditionofwhatwouldorwouldnotdohewascontrolledinrelinquishingheracquaintance，orwhetheritwasinobediencetosomeimperativeideal，orsomefearfuldomesticinfluencesubtlymakingitselffeltfromthecoastsofhisnativeisland，orsomefinedespairofequallingtheimaginedgrandeurofLottie’ssocialstateinTuskingumbyanythinghecouldshowherinEngland，itwascertainthathewasendingwithLottiethenandthere。AtthesametimehewascarefullydefininghimselffromtheRasmiths，withwhomhemustland。Hehadhisstate-roomthingsputatanappreciabledistance，wherehedidnotescapeafinalstabfromLottie。

"Oh，dogivemearoseoutofthat，"sheentreated，intravestiedimploring，ashestoodlookingatawitheredbouquetwhichthestewardhadbroughtupwithhisrugs。

"I’mtakin’ithome，"heexplained，coldly。

"AndIwanttotakearosebacktoNewYork。Iwanttogiveittoafriendofminethere。"

Mr。Pogishesitated。Thenheasked，"Aman？""Well，rather！"saidLottie。

Heanswerednothing，butlookeddefinitivelydownattheflowersinhishand。

"Oh，Isay！"Lottieexulted。

BoyneremainedfixedinfealtytotheRasmiths，withwhomBreckonwasalsotalkingasMrs。Kentoncameupwiththejudge。SheexplainedhowsorryherdaughterEllenwasatnotbeingabletosaygoodbye；shewasstillnotatallwell；andtheladiesreceivedherexcuseswithpolitepatience。Mrs。RasmithsaidshedidnotknowwhattheyshoulddowithoutBoyne，andMissRasmithputherarmacrosshisshouldersandpulledhimuptoher，andimplored，"Oh，givehimtome，Mrs。Kenton！"

Boynestoleanashamedlookathismother，andhisfathersaid，withanunbendingtoBreckonwhichmusthavebeentheeffectofsevereexpostulationfromMrs。Kenton，"IsupposeyouandtheladieswillgotoParistogether。"

"Why，no，"Breckonsaid，andheadded，withmountingconfusion，"I——IhadarrangedtokeepontoRotterdam。Iwasgoingtomentionit。"

"KeepontoRotterdam！"Mrs。Rasmith’seyesexpressedthegreatestastonishment。

"Why，ofcourse，mother！"saidherdaughter。"Don’tyouknow？Boynetoldus。"

Boyne，aftertheirparting，seizedthefirstchanceofassuringhismotherthathehadnottoldMissRasmiththat，forhehadnotknownit，andhewentsofarinhercondemnationtowonderhowshecouldsaysuchathing。Hismothersaiditwasnotverynice，andthensuggestedthatperhapsshehadhearditfromsomeoneelse，andthoughtitwashe。SheacquittedhimofcomplicitywithMissRasmithinforbearingtocontradicther；anditseemedtoherafittingtimetofindoutfromBoynewhatshehonestlycouldabouttherelationoftheRasmithstoMr。Breckon。Itwasverylittlebeyondtheirsupposition，whicheveryoneelsehadshared，thathewasgoingtolandwiththematBoulogne，andhemusthavechangedhismindverysuddenly。BoynehadnotheardtheRasmithsspeakofit。

MissRasmithneverspokeofMr。Breckonatall；butsheseemedtowanttotalkofEllen；shewasalwaysaskingabouther，andwhatwasthematterwithher，andhowlongshehadbeensick。

"Boyne，"saidhismother，withapang，"youdidn’ttellheranythingaboutEllen？"

"Momma！"saidtheboy，insuchevidentabhorrenceoftheideathatsherestedtranquilconcerningit。ShepaidlittleattentiontowhatBoynetoldherotherwiseoftheRasmiths。HerownhorizonweresolimitedthatshecouldnothavebroughthometoherselfwithinthemthatwanderinglifetheRasmithsledfromclimatetoclimateandsensationtosensation，withnostaysolongastheannuallymadeinNewYork，wheretheysometimespassedmonthsenoughtoestablishthemselvesingivingandtakingteainacircleofkindrednomads。SheconjecturedasignorantlyasBoynehimselfthattheywereveryrich，anditwouldnothaveenlightenedhertoknowthatthemotherwasthewidowofaCaliforniapolitician，whomshehadmarriedinthesortofmiddleperiodfollowinguponherlessmortuarysurvivalofMissRasmith’sfather，whosenamewasnotRasmith。

WhatMrs。KentondivinedwasthattheyhadwantedtogetBreckon，andthatsofarasconcernedherowninterestinhimtheyhadwantedtogethimawayfromEllen。Inherinnermostself-confidencesshedidnotpermitherselfthenotionthatEllenhadanyrighttohim；butstillitwasarelieftohavethemofftheship，andtohavehimleft。Ofallthewitnessesofthefact，shealonedidnotfinditawkward。Breckonhimselffounditveryawkward。HedidnotwishtobewiththeRasmiths，buthefoundituncomfortablenotbeingwiththem，underthecircumstances，andhefollowedthemashoreintinglingreveriesofexplanationandapology。HehadcertainlymeanttogetoffatBoulogne，andwhenhehadsuddenlyandtardilymadeuphismindtokeepontoRotterdam，hehadmeanttotellthemassoonashehadthelabelsonhisbaggagechanged。Hehadnotmeanttotellthemwhyhehadchangedhismind，andhedidnottellthemnowinthesetinglingreveries。Hedidnotownthereasoninhissecretthoughts，foritnolongerseemedareason；itnolongerseemedacause。HeknewwhattheRasmithswouldthink；buthecouldeasilymakethatrightwithhisconscience，atleast，bypartingwiththeKentonsatRotterdam，andleavingthemtofindtheirunconductedwaytoanypointtheychosebeyond。Heseparatedhimselfuncomfortablyfromthemwhenthetenderhadputoffwithherpassengersandtheshiphadgotunderwayagain，andwenttothesmoking-room，whilethejudgereturnedtohisbookandMrs。KentonabandonedLottietoherowndevices，andtookBoyneasideforherapparentlyfruitlessinquiries。

Theywerenotreallysofruitlessbutthatattheendofthemshecouldgowithdueauthoritytolookupherhusband。Shegentlytookhisbookfromhimandshutitup。"Now，Mr。Kenton，"shebegan，"ifyoudon’tgorightstraightandfindMr。Breckonandtalkwithhim，I——Idon’tknowwhatIwilldo。Youmusttalktohim——"

"AboutEllen？"thejudgefrowned。

"No，certainlynot。Talkwithhimaboutanythingthatinterestsyou。Bepleasanttohim。Can’tyouseethathe’sgoingontoRotterdamonouraccount？"

"ThenIwishhewasn’t。There’snouseinit。"

"Nomatter！It’spoliteinhim，andIwantyoutoshowhimthatyouappreciateit。"

"Nowseehere，Sarah，"saidthejudge，"ifyouwanthimshownthatweappreciatehispolitenesswhydon’tyoudoityourself？"

"I？Becauseitwouldlookasifyouwereafraidto。Itwouldlookasifwemeantsomethingbyit。"

"Well，Iamafraid；andthat’sjustwhatI’mafraidof。Ideclare，myheartcomesintomymouthwheneverIthinkwhatanescapewehad。I

thinkofitwheneverIlookathim，andIcouldn’ttalktohimwithouthavingthatinmymindallthetime。No，womencanmanagethosethingsbetter。Ifyoubelieveheisgoingalongonouraccount，soastohelpusseeHolland，andtokeepusfromgettingintoscrapes，you’retheonetomakeituptohim。Idon’tcarewhatyousaytoshowhimourgratitude。Ireckonwewillgetintoallsortsoftroubleifwe’relefttoourselves。Butifyouthinkhe’sstayedbecausehewantstobewithEllen，and——"

"Oh，Idon’tKNOWwhatIthink！Andthat’ssillyIcan’ttalktohim。

I’mafraidit’llseemasifwewantedtoflatterhim，andgoodnessknowswedon’twantto。Or，yes，wedo！I’dgiveanythingifitwastrue。

Rufus，doyousupposehedidstayonheraccount？My，oh，my！IfI

couldonlythinkso！Wouldn’titbethebestthingintheworldforthepoorchild，andforallofus？IneversawanybodythatIlikedsomuch。

Butit’stoogoodtobetrue。"

"He’sanicefellow，butIdon’tthinkhe’sanytoogoodforEllen。"

"I’mnotsayingheis。Thegreatthingisthathe’sgoodenough，andgraciousknowswhatwillhappenifshemeetssomeotherworthlessfellow，andgetsbefooledwithhim！Orifshedoesn’ttakeafancytosomeone，andgoesbacktoTuskingumwithoutseeinganyoneelseshelikes，thereisthatawfulwretch，andwhenshehearswhatDickdidtohim——she’sjustwrong-headedenoughtotakeupwithhimagaintomakeamendstohim。Oh，dearoh，dear！IknowLottiewillletitouttoheryet！"

Thejudgebeganthreateningly，"YoutellLottiefromme——"

"What？"saidthegirlherself，whohadseenherfatherandmothertalkingtogetherinaremotecornerofthemusic-roomandhadstolenlight-footedlyuponthemjustatthismoment。

"Lottie，child，"saidhermother，undismayedatLottie’sarrivalinherlargeranxiety，"IwishyouwouldtryandbeagreeabletoMr。Breckon。

Nowthathe’sgoingonwithustoHolland，Idon’twanthimtothinkwe’reavoidinghim。"

"Why？"

"Oh，because。"

"BecauseyouwanttogethimforEllen？"

"Don’tbeimpudent，"saidherfather。"Youdoasyourmotherbidsyou。"

"BeagreeabletothatoldBreckon？IthinkIseemyself！I’dsoonerread！I’mgoingtogetabooknow。"Sheleftthemasabruptlyasshehadcomeuponthem，andranacrosstothebookcase，wheresheremainedtwosteppingandpeeringthroughtheglassdoorsattheliteraturewithin，inunaccustomedquestionconcerningit。

"She’sacase，"saidthejudge，lookingathernotonlywithrelenting，butwiththeprideinhersufficiencyforalltheexigenciesoflifewhichhecouldnotfeelinEllen。"Shecantakecareofherself。"

"Ohyes，"Mrs。Kentonsadlyassented，Idon’tthinkanybodywillevermakeafoolofLottie。"

"It’sagreatdealmorelikelytobetheotherway，"herfathersuggested。

"IthinkLottieisconscientious，"Mrs。Kentonprotested。"Shewouldn’treallyfoolwithaman。"

"No，she’sagoodgirl，"thejudgeowned。

"It’sgirlslikeEllenwhomakethetroubleandthecare。Theyaretoogood，andyouhavetothinksomeevilinthisworld。Well！"Sheroseandgaveherhusbandbackhisbook。

"DoyouknowwhereBoyneis？"

"No。DoyouwanthimtobepleasanttoMr。Breckon？"

"Somebodyhasgotto。ButitwouldberidiculousifnobodybutBoynewas。"

ShedidnotfindBoyne，afternoveryexhaustivesearch，andtheboywaslefttoformhisbearingtowardsBreckononthebehavioroftherestofhisfamily。Asthiscontinuedhelplesslyconstrainedbothinhisfatherandmother，andvoluntarilyrepellentinLottie，BoynedecideduponablendofconductwhichleftBreckoningreaterandgreaterdoubtofhiswisdominkeepingontoRotterdam。Therewasnogoodreasonwhichhewouldhavebeenwillingtogivehimself，fromthebeginning。Ithadbeenanimpulse，suddenlycominguponhiminthebaggage-roomwherehehadgonetogetsomethingoutofhistrunk，andwherehehaddecidedtohavethelabelofhisbaggagechangedfromtheoriginaldestinationatBoulognetothefinalportofthesteamer’sarrival。Whenthiswasoncedonehewassorry，buthewasashamedtohavethelabelchangedback。

ThemostassignablemotiveforhisactwashisreluctancetogoontoPariswiththeRasmiths，orratherwithMrs。Rasmith；forwithherdaughter，whowasnotabadfellow，onecouldalwaysmanage。HewasquiteawareofbeingsafelyinhisownhandsagainstanydesignofMrs。

Rasmith’s，buthermachinationshumiliatedhimforher；hehatedtoseehergoingthroughhermanoeuvres，andhecouldnothelpgrievingforherfailures，withasortofimpersonalsympathy，allthemorebecausehedislikedheraslittleasherespectedher。

Themotivewhichhedidnotassigntohimselfwasthatwhichprobablyprevailedwithhim，thoughinthelastanalysisitwasasselfish，nodoubt，astheoneheacknowledged。EllenKentonstillpiquedhiscuriosity，stilltouchedhiscompassion。Hehadsofarfromexhaustedhiswishorhispowertobefriendher，tohelpher，thathehadstillawhollyunsatisfiedlongingtoconsoleher，especiallywhenshedroopedintothatlistlessattitudeshewasapttotake，withherfacefallenandherhandsletlie，thebackofoneinthepalmoftheother，inherlap。

Itwaspossiblythevisionofthisfollowinghimtothebaggage-room，whenhewenttoopenhistrunk，thatasmuchasanythingdecidedhimtohavethelabelchangedonhisbaggage，buthedidnotownitthen，andstilllessdidheownitnow，whenhefoundhimselfquiteonhisownhandsforhispains。

HefeltthatforsomereasontheKentonswereallavoidinghim。Ellen，indeed，didnottakepart，againsthim，unlessnegatively，forshehadappearedneitheratlunchnoratdinnerasthevesselkeptonitswayafterleavingBoulogne；andwhenheventuredtoaskforherMrs。Kentonansweredwithembarrassmentthatshewasnotfeelingverywell。Heaskedforheratlunch，butnotatdinner，andwhenhehadfinishedthatmealhewentonthepromenade-deck，andwalkedforlornlyupanddown，feelingthathehadbeenafool。

Mrs。Kentonwentbelowtoherdaughter’sroom，andfoundEllenthereonthesofa，withherbookshutonherthumbattheplacewherethetwilighthadfailedher。

"Ellen，dear，"hermothersaid，"aren’tyoufeelingwell？"

"Yes，I’mwellenough，"saidthegirl，sensibleofaleadinginthequestion。"Why？"

"Oh，nothing。Only——onlyIcan’tmakeyourfatherbehavenaturallywithMr。Breckon。He’sgothismindsofullofthatmistakewebothcamesonearmakingthathecan’tthinkofanythingelse。He’ssosheepishaboutitthathecanhardlyspeaktohimorevenlookathim；andImustconfessthatIdon’tdomuchbetter。YouknowIdon’tliketoputmyselfforwardwhereyourfatheris，andifIdid，reallyIdon’tbelieveI

couldmakeupmymouthtosayanything。IdidwantLottietobenicetohim，butLottiedislikeshimso！AndevenBoyne——well，itwouldn’tmatteraboutBoyne，ifhedidn’tseemtobecarryingoutasortoffamilyplan——Boynebarelyanswershimwhenhespeakstohim。Idon’tknowwhathecanthink。"Ellenwasagoodlistener，andMrs。Kenton，havingbegun，didnotstoptillshehademptiedthebag。"Ijustknowthathedidn’tgetoffatBoulognebecausehewantedtostayonwithus，andthoughthecouldbeusefultousatTheHague，andeverywhere；andherewe’reactingasungratefully！Why，we’renotevencommonlypolitetohim，andIknowhefeelsit。Iknowthathe’shurt。"

Ellenroseandstoodbeforetheglass，intowhichheaskedofhermother’sreflectedface，whilesheknottedafallencoilofhairintoitsplace，"Whereishe？"

"Idon’tknow。Hewentondecksomewhere。"

Ellenputonherhatandpinnedit，andputonherjacketandbuttonedit。Thenshestartedtowardsthedoor。Hermothermadewayforher，faltering，"Whatareyougoingtodo，Ellen？"

"Iamgoingtodoright。"

"Don’t-catchcold！"hermothercalledafterherfigurevanishingdownthecorridor，butthewarningcouchedinthesetermshadreallynoreferencetotheweather。

Thegirl’simpulsewasoneofthoseeffectsoftheweakwillinherwhichwereapttoleavehershortofthefulfilmentofapurpose。Itcarriedherasherasthepromenade，whichshefoundempty，andshewentandleanedupontherail，andlookedoutoverthesorrowfulNorthSea，whichwaswashingdarklyawaytowardswherethegloomysunsethadbeen。

Stepsfromtheothersideoftheshipapproached，hesitatedtowardsher，andthenarrestedthemselves。Shelookedround。

"Why，MissKenton！"saidBreckon，stupidly。

"Thesunsetisover，isn’tit？"sheanswered。

"Thetwilightisn’t。"Breckonstopped；thenheasked，"Wouldn’tyouliketotakealittlewalk？"

"Yes，"sheanswered，andsmiledfullyuponhim。Hehadneverknownbeforehowradiantasmileshelead。

"Betterhavemyarm。It’sgettingratherdark。"

"Well。"Sheputherhandonhisarmandhefeltittremblethere，whileshepalpitated，"WeareallsogladyoucouldgoontoRotterdam。Mymotherwantedmetotellyou。"

"Oh，don’tspeakofthat，"saidBreckon，notveryappositely。Presentlyheforcedalaugh，inordertoadd，withlightness，"IwasafraidperhapsIhadgivenyouallsomereasontoregretit！"

Shesaid，"Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkthat——ormommawas——andI

couldn’tbeartohaveyou。"

"Well，then，Iwon’t。"

XIX。

Breckonhadansweredwithgayety，buthishappinesswassomethingbeyondgayety。HehadreallyfelttheexclusionfromtheKentonsinwhichhehadpassedtheday，andhehadfeltitthemorepainfullybecausehelikedthemall。ItmaybeownedthathelikedEllenbestfromthebeginning，andnowhelikedherbetterthanever，butevenintheday’sexilehehadnotceasedtolikeeachofthem。Theywere，intheirfamilyaffection，aslovableasthatsortofselfishnesscanmakepeople。Theywereveryunitedandgoodtooneanother。Lottieherself，exceptinhermostluridmoments，wasgoodtoherbrotherandsister，andalmostinvariablykindtoherparents。Shewouldnot，Breckonsaw，havebrookedmuchmeddlingwithherflirtationsfromthem，butastheydidnotoffertomeddle，shehadnooccasiontogrumbleonthatscore。ShegrumbledwhentheyaskedhertodothingsforEllen，butshedidthem，andthoughsheneverdidthemwithoutgrumbling，shesometimesdidthemwithoutbeingasked。ShewasreallyverywatchfulofEllenwhenitwouldleasthavebeenexpected，andsometimesshewassweet。SheneverwassweetwithBoyne，butshewasoftenhisfriend，thoughthisdidnotkeepherfromturninguponhimatthefirstchancetogivehimalittledig，oralargeone，forthatmatter。AsforBoyne，hewasamassofhelplesssweetness，thoughhedidnotknowit，andsometimestookhimselfforanicebergwhenhewasmerelyanice-creamofheroicmould。HewasashelplesslysweetwithLottieaswithanyone，andifhesufferedkeenlyfromhertreacheries，andseizedeveryoccasiontorepaytheminkind，itwasclearlyamatterofconsciencewithhim，andalwaysforthegood。

Theirfatherandmothertreatedtheirsquabblesverywisely，Breckonthought。Theyignoredthemasmuchaspossible，andtheyrecognizedthemwithoutattemptingtodothatjusticebetweenthemwhichwouldhaverankledinboththeirbreasts。

Toaspectatorwhohadbeencriticalatfirst，Mr。andMrs。KentonseemedanexemplaryfatherandmotherwithEllenaswellaswiththeirotherchildren。Itiseasytobeexemplarywithasickgirl，buttheyincreasinglyaffectedBreckonasexemplarywithEllen。Hefanciedthattheyacteduponeachotherbeneficiallytowardsher。Atfirsthehadforebodedsometiresomeboastingfromthefather’stenderness，andsomeweakindulgenceofthedaughter’swhimsfromhermother；buttherewaseitherneveranygroundforthis，orelseMrs。Kenton，inkeepingherhusbandfromboasting，hadbeenobligedinmereconsistencytosetaguarduponherownfondness。

Itwasnotthat。Ellen，hewasmoreandmoredecided，wouldhaveabusedtheweaknessofeither；iftherewasanythingmoreangelicthanherpatience，itwasherwishtobeacomforttothem，and，betweenthecapricesofherinvalidism，tobeaservice。ItwaspathetictoseeherrememberingtodothingsforthemwhichBoyneandLottiehadforgotten，orplainlyshirkeddoing，andtokeepthefactoutofsight。Shereallykeptitoutofsightwiththem，andifshedidnothideitfromsocloseanobserverasBreckon，thatwasmorehisfaultthanhers。Whenherfatherfirstlaunchedoutinherpraise，orthepraiseofherreading，theyoungmanhaddreadedarusticprig；yetshehadneverbeenaprig，butsimplygladofwhatbookshehadknown，andmeeklysubmissivetohisknowledgeifnothistaste。Heownedthatshehadarighttohertaste，whichhefoundalmostalwaysgood，andaccountedforasinstinctiveintheabsenceofanimaginablecultureinherimaginableambient。Sofarashehadglimpsesofthis，hefounditsodifferentfromanythinghehadknownthatthemodestadequacyofMrs。KentoninthepoliticalexperiencesofmodernEurope，aswellastheclearjudgmentsofKentonhimselfinmatterssometimesbeyondBreekonhimself，mystifiedhimnolessthanEllen’staste。

Evenwiththegrowthofhisrespectfortheirintelligenceandhisloveoftheirkindliness，hehadnotbeenabletokeepacertainpatronagefrommingling，anditwasnottilltheyevincednotonlyentireability，butanapparentwishtogetonwithouthisapproval，withouthisacquaintanceeven，thathehadconceivedajustsenseofthem。Thelikeisapttohappenwiththebestofus，whenwearealsothefinest，andBreckonwasnotsingularincomingtoadueconsciousnessofsomethingvaluableonlyinthehourofitsloss。Hedidnotknowthatthelosswasonlyapparent。Heknewthathehadmadeadistinctsacrificeforthesepeople，andthat，whenhehadpreparedhimselftobefriendthemlittleshortofself-devotion，theyshowedthemselvesindifferent，andalmostrepellent。Intherevulsionoffeeling，whenEllengavehimhermother’smessage，andfranklyofferedhimreparationonbehalfofherwholefamily，hemayhaveoverdonehisgratitude，buthedidnotoverdoittoherperception。TheywalkedupanddownthepromenadeoftheAmstel，inthewateryNorthSeamoon，whilebellsafterbellsnotedthehourunheeded，andwhentheypartedforthenightitwaswithaninvoluntarypressureofhands，fromwhichshesuddenlypulledhers，andrandownthecorridorofherstate-roomandLottie’s。

Hestoodwatchingthenarrowspaceinwhichshehadvanished，andthinkinghowgentleshewas，andhowshehadcontrivedsomehowtomakehimfeelthatnowitwasshewhohadbeenconsolinghim，andtryingtointeresthimandamusehim。Hehadnotrealizedthatbefore；hehadbeenusedtointerestingandamusingher，buthecouldnotresentit；hecouldnotresenttheimplicationofsuperiority，ifsuchathingwerepossible，whichherkindnessconveyed。ThequestionwithBreckonwaswhethershehadwalkedwithhimsolongbecauseshewished，inthehour，tomakeupasfullyaspossiblefortheday’sneglect，orbecauseshehadlikedtowalkupanddownwithhim。Itwasaquestionhefoundkeepingitselfpoignantly，yetpleasantly，inhismind，afterhehadgotintohisberthunderthesolidlyslumberousBoyne，andincliningnowtoonesolutionandnowtotheother，withadelicateoscillationthatwascharming。

TheAmsteltookhertimetogetintoRotterdam，andwhenherpassengershadgoneashorethenextforenoonthetrainthatcarriedBreckontoTheHagueinthesamecompartmentwiththeKentonswasinnogreaterhurry。

ItarrivedwithadeliberationwhichkeptitfromcarryingthemontoAmsterdambeforetheyknewit，andMrs。KentonhadtimetoplacesuchpartsofthewarsintheRiseoftheDutchRepublicasshecouldattachtothenamesofthestationsandthegeneralfeaturesofthelandscape。

Boynewasoccupiedwithimprovementsforthewindmillsandthecanal-

boats，whichdidnotseemtohimofthequalityoftheMichiganaerometers，orthecraftwithwhichhewasfamiliarontheHudsonRiverandonthecanalthatpassedthroughTuskingum。Lottie，withrespecttothecanals，offeredthefrankobservationthattheysmelt，andinrecognizingafactwhichtravelalmostuniversallyignoresinHolland，shewatchedherchanceofpoppingupthewindowbetweenherselfandBoyne，whichBoyneputdownwithmountingrage。Theagriculturewhichtriumphedeverywhereonthelittlehalf——acreplotsliftedfifteeninchesabovethewatersoftheenvironingditches，andtheblackandwhitecattleeverywhereattestingtheimmemorialDutchidealofacow，werewhatatfirstoccupiedKenton，andhewastardilywonfromthemtothequestionoffightingoveracountrylikethat。Itwasaconcessiontohiswife’simpassionedinterestintheoverthrowoftheSpaniardsinalandscapewhichhadevidentlynotchangedsince。ShesaiditwashardtorealizethatHollandwasnotstillarepublic，andshewasnotverypatientwithBreckon’sdefenceofthemonarchyonthegroundthattheyoungQueenwasaveryprettygirl。

"Andsheisonlysixteen，"Boyneurged。

"Thensheistwoyearstoooldforyou，"saidLottie。

"Nosuchthing！"Boyneretorted。"IwasfifteeninJune。"

"Dearme！Ishouldneverhavethoughtit，"saidhissister。

Ellenseemedhardlytolookoutofthewindowatanythingdirectly，butwhenherfatherbadeherseethisthingandthat，itseemedthatshehadseenitalready。Shesaidatlast，withaquietsigh，"Ineverwanttogoaway。"