第6章

ShehadbeenalittleshyofBreckonthewholemorning，andhadkepthimaskinghimselfwhethershewassorryshehadwalkedsolongwithhimthenightbefore，or，havingofferedhimduereparationforherfamily，shewasagaindroppinghim。Nowandthenheputhertothetestbywordsexplicitlydirectedather，andsherepliedwiththedreamypassivitywhichseemedhernormalmood，andinwhichhecouldfancyhimselfhalfforgotten，orrememberedwithaneffort。

Inthemidstofthisdoubtshesurprisedhim——hereflectedthatshewasalwayssurprisinghim——byaskinghimhowfaritwasfromTheHaguetothesea。HeexplainedthatTheHaguewasinthesealikealltherestofHolland，butthatifshemeanttheshore，itwasnodistanceatall。

Thenshesaid，vaguely，shewishedtheyweregoingtotheshore。HerfatheraskedBreckoniftherewasnotahotelatthebeach，andtheyoungmantriedtogivehimanotionofthesplendorsoftheKurhausatScheveningen；ofScheveningenitselfhedespairedofgivinganyjustnotion。

"Thenwecangothere，"saidthejudge，ignoringEllen，inhisdecision，asifshehadnothingtodowithit。

LottieinterposedavividpreferenceforTheHague。Shehad，shesaid，hadenoughoftheseaforonewhile，anddidnotwanttolookatitagaintilltheysailedforhome。Boyneturnedtohisfatherasifagooddealshakenbythisreasoning，anditwasMrs。KentonwhocarriedthedayforgoingfirsttoahotelinTheHagueandprospectingfromthereinthedirectionofScheveningen；Boyneandhisfathercouldgodowntotheshoreandseewhichtheylikedbest。

"Idon’tseewhatthathastodowithme，"saidLottie。NoonewasalarmedbyherannouncementthatifshedidnotlikeScheveningensheshouldstayatTheHague，whatevertherestdid；intheeventfortunefavoredhergoingwithherfamily。

ThehotelinTheHaguewasverypleasant，withagardenbehindit，whereacompanionablecathadfoundadryspot，andwhereLottiefoundthecatandmadefriendswithit。ButshesaidthehotelwasfullofCook’stourists，whomsherecognized，inspiteofherlifelongignoranceofthem，byapresciencederivedfromtheconversationofMr。Pogis，andfromtheinstinctofasocietywoman，alreadyrifeinher。ShefoundthatshecouldnotstayinahotelwithCook’stourists，andshetookherfather’splaceintheexploringpartywhichwentdowntothewatering-

placeintheafternoon，onthetopofatram-car，undertheleafyroofoftheadorableavenueoftreeswhichembowersthetracktoScheveningen。

ShedisputedBoyne’simpressionsoftheDutchpeople，whomhefoundlookingmorelikeAmericansthananyforeignershehadseen，andshesnubbedBreckonfromhissupposedchargeoftheparty。Butafterthestart，whenshedeclaredthatEllencouldnotgo，andthatitwasridiculousforhertothinkofit，shewasverygoodtoher，andlookedafterhersafetyandcomfortwithadespoticdevotion。

AttheKurhausshepromptlytooktheleadinchoosingrooms，forshehadnodoubtofstayingthereafterthefirstglanceattheplace，andsheshowedapracticalsenseinsettlingherfamilywhichatleasthermotherappreciatedwhentheywereinstalledthenextday。

Mrs。KentoncouldnotmakeherhusbandadmireLottie’sfacultysoreadily。"YouthinkitwouldhavebeenbetterforhertositdownwithEllen，onthesandanddreamofthesea，"shereproachedhim，withatenderresentmentonbehalfofLottie。"Everybodycan’tdream。"

"Yes，butIwishshedidn’tkeepawakewithsuchadin，"saidthejudge。

Afterall，headmiredLottie’sjudgmentabouttherooms，andhecensuredherwithasighofrelieffromcareashesankbackintheeasy-chairfrontingthewindowthatlookedoutontheNorthSea；Lottiehadalreadymadehimappreciatetheviewtillhewasalmostsickofit。

"Whatisthematter？"saidMrs。Kenton，sharply。"DoyouwanttobeinTuskingum？IsupposeyouwouldratherbelookingintoRichard’sback-

yard。"

"No，"saidthejudge，mildly，"thisisverynice。"

"ItwilldoEllengood，everyminute。Idon’tcarehowmuchshesitsonthesandsanddream。I’lllovetoseeher。"

ThesittingonthesandwasasurvivalofMr。Kenton’spreoccupationsofthesea-side。Asamateroffact，Ellenwasatthatmomentsittinginoneofthehookedwickerarm-chairswhichwerescatteredoverthewholevastbeachlikeagrowthofmonstrousmushrooms，and，confrontingherincoseyproximity，Breckonsatequallyhiddeninanotherwindstuhl。Herfatherandhermotherwereabletokeepthemplaced，amongthemultitudeofwindsiuhls，bythepresenceofLottie，whohoverednearthem，and，withBoyne，fendedoffthedemure，wicked-lookinglittleScheveningengirls。Onasmallerscalethesewereexactlyliketheirdemure，wicked-

lookingScheveningenmothers，andtheyapproachedwithknittingintheirhands，andwithlargestonesfoldedintheiraprons，whichtheyhadpilferedfromthemole，andweretryingtosellforfootstools。Thewindstuhlmenandtheywereenemies，andwhenBreckonbribedthemtogoaway，thewindstuhlmenchasedthem，andthelittlegirlsran，makingmouthsatBoyneovertheirshoulders。Hescornedtonoticethem；buthewasobligedtoreportthemisconductofLottie，whobeganmakingeyesattheDutchofficersassoonasshecouldfeelthatEllenwassafelyoffherhands。ShewasthemoreexasperatingandthemoreculpabletoBoyne，becauseshehadaskedhimtowalkupthebeachwithher，andhadthenmadethefraternalpromenadeabasisofoperationsagainsttheDutchmilitary。ShejoinedherparentsinignoringBoyne’scomplaints，andcontinuedtotakecreditforallthepleasantfactsofthesituation；shepatronizedherfamilyasmuchforthetabled’hoteatluncheonasforthecomfortoftheirrooms。ShewasabletoassurethemthattherewasnotaCook’stouristinthehotel，wherethereseemedtobenearlyeveryotherkindoffellow-creature。AttheendofthefirstweekshehadacquaintanceofasmanynationalitiesasshecouldreachintheirnativeoracquiredEnglish，inallthestagesofhaughtytoleration，vividintimacy，andcoldexhaustion。Shehadafacultyforgettingthroughwithpeople，orofceasingtohaveanyuseforthem，whichwasperhapsherbestsafeguardinheradventurousflirting；whilethesimplealienswerestillinthefulltideoffanciedsuccess，Lottiewassickofthemall，anddeepinanindiscriminatecorrespondencewithheryoungmeninTuskingum。

TheletterswhichshehadinvitedfromthesewhilestillinNewYorkarrivedwiththefirstofthosereaddressedfromthejudge’sLondonbanker。Shehadmorelettersthanalltherestofthefamilytogether，andcountedahalf-dozenagainstapoortwoforhersister。Mrs。KentoncarednothingaboutLottie’sletters，butshewassilentlyuneasyaboutthetwothatEllencarelesslytook。ShewonderedwhocouldbewritingtoEllen，especiallyinacoverbearingahandwritingaltogetherstrangetoher。

"Itisn’tfromBittridge，atanyrate，"shesaidtoherhusband，inthespeculationwhichshemadehimshare。"IamalwaysdreadingtohaveherfindoutwhatRicharddid。Itwouldspoileverything，I’mafraid，andnoweverythingisgoingsowell。IdowishRichardhadn’t，though，ofcourse，hediditforthebest。Whodoyouthinkhasbeenwritingtoher？"

"Whydon’tyouaskher？"

"Isupposeshewilltellmeafterawhile。Idon’tliketoseemtobefollowingherup。OnewasfromBessiePearl，Ithink。"

Ellendidnotspeakofherletterstohermother，andafterwaitingadayortwo，Mrs。Kentoncouldnotrefrainfromaskingher。

"Oh，Iforgot，"saidEllen。"Ihaven’treadthemyet。"

"Haven’treadthem！"saidMrs。Kenton。Then，afterreflection，sheadded，"Youareastrangegirl，Ellen，"anddidnotventuretosaymore。

"IsupposeIthoughtIshouldhavetoanswerthem，andthatmademecareless。ButIwillreadthem。"Hermotherwassilent，andpresentlyEllenadded:"Ihatetothinkofthepast。Don’tyou，momma？"

"Itiscertainlyverypleasanthere，"saidMrs。Kenton，cautiously。

"You’reenjoyingyourself——Imean，youseemtobegettingsomuchstronger。"

"Why，momma，whydoyoutalkasifIhadbeensick？"Ellenasked。

"Imeanyou’resomuchinterested。"

"Don’tIgoabouteverywhere，likeanybody？"Ellenpursued，ignoringherexplanation。

"Yes，youcertainlydo。Mr。Breckonseemstolikegoingabout。"

Ellendidnotrespondtothesuggestionexcepttosay:"Wegointoallsortsofplaces。Thismorningwewentuponthatschoonerthat’sdrawnuponthebeach，andtheoldmanwhowastherewasverypleasant。

Ithoughtitwasawreck，butMr。Breckonsaystheyarealwaysdrawingtheirshipsthatwayuponthesand。Theoldmanwaspatchingsomeofthewood-work，andhetoldMr。Breckon——hecanspeakalittleDutch——thattheyweregoingtodragherdowntothewaterandgofishingassoonashewasdone。Heseemedtothinkwewerebrotherandsister。"Sheflushedalittle，andthenshesaid:"IbelieveIlikethedunesaswellasanything。Sometimeswhenthosecuriouscoldbreathscomeinfromtheseaweclimbupinthelittlehollowsontheothersideandsitthereoutofthedraft。Everybodyseemstodoit。"

ApparentlyEllenwassubmittingtheproprietyofthefacttohermother，whosaid:"Yes，itseemstobequitethesameasitisathome。Ialwayssupposedthatitwasdifferentwithyoungpeoplehere。Thereiscertainlynoharminit。"

Ellenwenton，irrelevantly。"IliketogoandlookattheScheveningenwomenmendingthenetsonthesandbackofthedunes。Theyhavesuchgoodgossipingtimes。Theyshoutedtouslastevening，andthenlaughedwhentheysawuswatchingthem。Whentheygotthroughtheirworktheygotupandstampedoffsostrong，withtheirbare，redarmsfoldedintotheiraprons，andtheirskirtsstickingoutsostiff。Yes，Ishouldliketobelikethem。"

"You，Ellen！"

"Yes；whynot？"

Mrs。Kentonfoundnothingbettertoanswerthan，"Theywereverymateriallooking。"

"Theyareveryhappylooking。Theyliveinthepresent。ThatiswhatI

shouldlike:livinginthepresent，andnotlookingbackwardsorforwards。Afterall，thepresentistheonlylifewe’vegot，isn’tit？"

"Isupposeyoumaysayitis，"Mrs。Kentonadmitted，notknowingjustwherethetalkwasleading，butdreadingtointerruptit。

"Butthatisn’ttheScheveningenwoman’sonlyideal。Theirotheridealistokeeptheplaceclean。Saturdayafternoontheywerealloutscrubbingthebricksidewalks，andclearintothemiddleofthestreet。

Wewerealmostashamedtowalkoverthenicebricks，andwepickedoutasmanydirtyplacesaswecouldfind。"

Ellenlaughed，withalight-heartedgayetythatwasverystrangetoher，andMrs。Kenton，assheafterwardstoldherhusband，didnotknowwhattothink。

"Icouldn’thelpwondering，"shesaid，"whetherthepoorchildwouldhavelikedtokeeponlivinginthepresentamonthago。"

"Well，I’mgladyoudidn’tsayso，"thejudgeanswered。

XX。

FromtheeasyconquestofthemenwholookedatherLottieproceededtothesubjectionofthewomen。Itwouldhavebeenmoredifficulttoputthesedown，iftheprocesshadnotbeensolargely，soalmostentirelysubjective。Asitwas，Lottieexchangedsnubswithmanyladiesofthecontinentalnationalitieswhowereneverawareofhavingofferedorreceivedoffence。Insomecases，whentheyfearlesslyventuredtospeakwithher，theybehavedveryamiable，andseemedtofindherconductsufficientlygraciousinreturn。Infact，shewasapproachableenough，andhadnoshame，beforeBoyne，indismountingfromthehighhorsewhichsherodewhenalonewithhim，andmeetingtheseladiesonfoot，atleasthalf-way。Shemadeseveralofthemacquaintedwithhermother，who，afteratimorousreticence，foundthemveryconversable，witharangeoftopics，however，thatshockedherAmericansenseofdecorum。OneDutchladytalkedwithsuchmanlyfreedom，andwithsuchuntrammelledintimacy，thatshewasobligedtosendBoyneandLottieabouttheirbusiness，uponanexcusethatwasnotapparenttotheDutchlady。SheonlycomplimentedMrs。Kentonuponherchildrenandtheirdevotiontoeachother，andwhenshelearnedthatEllenwasalsoherdaughter，venturedthesurmiseshewasnotlongmarried。

"Itisn’therhusband，"Mrs。Kentonexplained，withinwardtrouble。

"It’sjustagentlemanthatcameoverwithus，"andshewentwithhertroubletoherownhusbandassoonasshecould。

"I’mafraiditisn’tthecustomtogoaroundalonewithyoungmenasmuchasEllenthinks，"shesuggested。

"Heoughttoknow，"saidthejudge。"Idon’tsupposehewouldifitwasn’t。"

"Thatistrue，"Mrs。Kentonowned，andforthetimesheputhermisgivingsaway。

"Solongaswedonothingwrong，"thejudgedecided，"Idon’tseewhyweshouldnotkeeptoourowncustoms。"

"Lottiesaysthey’renotours，inNewYork。"

"Well，wearenotinNewYorknow。"

TheyhadneitherofthemthehearttointerferewithEllen’shappiness，for，afterall，Breckonwascarefulenoughoftheappearances，anditwasonlyhisbeingconstantlywithEllenthatsuggestedtheDutchlady’ssurmise。Infact，therangeoftheirwanderingswasnotbeyondthedunes，thoughoncetheywentalittlewayononeoftheneatlybrickedcountryroadsthatledtowardsTheHague。Asyettherehadbeennomovementinanyofthepartytoseetheplacesthatliewithinsucheasytram-reachofTheHague，andthehoardedinterestofthepastintheirkeeping。Ellenchosetodwellintheactualitieswhichwereanenlargementofherownpresent，andLottie’sactivespiritfoundemploymentenoughintheamusementsattheKurhaus。SheshoppedinthelittlebazarswhichmakeaSaratogaunderthecolonnadesfrontingtwosidesofthegreatspacebeforethehotel，andsheformedacriticalandexactingtasteinmusicfromaconstantattendanceattheafternoonconcerts；itistruethatduringthewinterinNewYorkshehadcastforeverbehindhertheunsophisticatedidealsofTuskingumintheart，sothatfromthefirstshewasabletoholdthefamousorchestrathatplayedintheKurhausconcert-roomuptothehigheststandard。Shehadnouseforanybodywhohadanyuseforrag-time，andshewasterriblyseverewithayoungAmerican，primarilyofBoyne’sacquaintance，whotriedtomakefavorwithherbyaskingaboutthelatestcoon-songs。Shetookthehighestethicalgroundwithhimaboutticketsinacharitablelotterywhichhehadboughtfromtheportier，butcouldnotmovehimonthelowerlevelwhichheoccupied。Heofferedtogiveherthepicturewhichwasthechiefprize，incasehewonit，andsheassuredhimbeforehandthatsheshouldnottakeit。ShewarnedBoyneagainsthin:，underthreatsofexposuretotheirmother，asnotagoodinfluence，butoneafternoon，whentheyoungQueenofHollandcametotheconcertwiththequeen-

mother，Lottiecastherprejudicestothewindsinacceptingtheplaceswhichthewickedfellow-countrymanofferedBoyneandherself，whentheyhadfailedtogetanywheretheycouldseethequeens，astheDutchcalledthem。

Thehotelwasdrapedwithflags，andbankedwithflowersaboutthemainentrancewherethequeensweretoarrive，andtheguestsmassedthemselvesinadenselaneforthemtopassthrough。Lottiecouldnotfailtobeoneoftheforemostinthisarray，andshewasabletodecide，whenthequeenshadpassed，thattheyoungerwouldnotbeconsideredamorethanaverageprettygirlinAmerica，andthatshewasnotverywelldressed。Theyhadallstoodwithinfivefeetofher，andBoynehadappropriatedoneoftheprettiestoftheprettybendswhichthegraciousyoungcreaturemadetorightandleft，andhadrespondedtoitwithan’empressement’whichhehopedhadnotbeenasacrificeofhisrepublicanprinciples。

DuringtheconcerthesatwithhiseyesfixedupontheQueenwhereshesatintheroyalbox，withhermotherandherladiesbehindher，andwonderedandblushedtowonderifshehadnoticedhimwhenbebowed，orifhischivalricdevotioninapplaudingherwhentheaudiencerosetoreceiveherhadbeenmoreapparentthanthatofothers；whetherithadseemedtheheroicactofsettingforthattheheadofherarmies，tobeatbackaGermaninvasion，whichithadessentiallybeen，withhisinstantaneousreturnasvictor，andtheQueen’sabdicationandadoptionofrepublicanprinciplesunderconvictionofhisreasoning，andheridolizedconsecrationasthefirstchiefoftheDutchrepublic。Hischeeksglowed，andhequakedatheartlestLottieshouldsurprisehisthoughtsandexposethemtothatsarcasticacquaintance，whoprovedtobeamedicalstudentrestingatScheveningenfromthewinter’scoursesandclinicsin，Vienna。HehadalreadygotontomanyofBoynescurves，andhadsacrilegiouslysuggestedtheQueenofHollandwhenhefoundhimfeedinghisfancyonthemodernheroicalromances；headvisedhimasanAmericanadventurertocompetewiththeEuropeanprincespayingcourttoher。SothinabarrierdividedthatmalignintelligencefromBoyne’smostsecretdreamsthathecouldneverfeelquitesafefromhim，andyethewasalwaysfindinghimselfwithhim，nowthathewasseparatedfromMissRasmith，andMr。BreckonwastakenupsomuchwithEllen。OntheshiphecouldputmanythingsbeforeMr。Breckonwhichmusthereperishinhisbreast，orsuffertheblightofthisMr。Trannel’sraillery。ThestudentsatneartheKentonsattable，andhewasnomorereverentofthejudge’smodestconvictionsthanofBoyne’sfantasticpreoccupations。Theworstofhimwasthatyoucouldnothelplikinghim:hehadafascinationwhichtheboyfeltwhilehedreadedhim，andnowandthenhedidsomethingsopleasantthatwhenhesaidsomethingunpleasantyoucouldhardlybelieveit。

Attheendoftheconcert，whenheroseandstoodwithalltherest，whiletheroyalpartylefttheirbox，andtheorchestraplayedtheDutchnationalhymn，hesaid，inaloudwhisper，toBoyne:"Now’syourtime，myboy！Hurryoutandhandherintohercarriage！"

Boynefairlyreeledatthewordswhichtranslatedapassageofthewilddramaplayingitselfinhisbrain，andfoundlittlesupportinbiddinghistormentor，"Shutup！"Theretort，rudeasitwas，seemedinsufficient，butBoynetriedinvaintothinkofsomethingelse。HetriedtopunishhimbyseparatingLottiefromhim，butfailedassignallyinthat。Shewentoffwithhim，andsatinawindstuhlfacinghistherestoftheafternoon，witheveryeffectofcarryingon。

Boynewashelpless，withhismotheragainstit，whenheappealedtohertolethimgoandtellLottiethatshewantedher。Mrs。Kentonsaidthatshesawnoharminit，thatEllenwassittinginlikemannerwithMr。

Breckon。

"Mr。Breckonisverydifferent，andEllenknowshowtobehave，"heurged，buthismotherremainedunmoved，orwastooabsentaboutsomethingtotakeanyinterestinthematter。Infact，shewasagainunhappyaboutEllen，thoughsheputonsuchanairofbeingeasyabouther。Clearly，sofarashermaternalsurmisecouldfathomthecase，Mr。BreckonwasmoreandmoreinterestedinEllen，anditwasevidentthatthechildwasinterestedinhim。ThesituationwaseverythingthatwasacceptabletoMrs。Kenton，butsheshudderedatthecloudwhichhungoverit，andwhichmightanymomentinvolveit。AgainandagainshehadmadesurethatLottiehadgivenEllennohintofRichard’sill-advisedvengeanceuponBittridge；butitwasnotathingthatcouldbekeptalways，andthequestionwaswhetheritcouldbekepttillEllenhadacceptedMr。Breckonandmarriedhim。Thiswasbeyondthequestionofhisaskinghertodoso，butitwassomuchmoreimportantthatMrs。Kentonwasgivingitherattentionfirst，quiteoutoftheorderoftime。Besides，shehadeveryreason，asshefelt，tocountupontheevent。UnlesshewastriflingwithEllen，farmorewickedlythanBittridge，hewasinlovewithher，andinMrs。Kenton’ssimpleexperienceandphilosophyoflife，beinginlovewasbrieflypreliminarytomarrying。Ifshewentwithheranxietiestoherhusband，shehadfirsttoreducehimfromabuoyantoptimismconcerningtheaffairbeforeshecouldgethimtolistenseriously。

Whenthiswasaccomplishedhefellintosuchdespairthatsheendedinliftinghimupandsupportinghimwithhopesthatshedidnotfeelherself。Whattheywerebothunitedinwastheconvictionthatnothingsogoodcouldhappenintheworld，buttheywereequallyunitedintheoldAmericantraditionthattheymustnotliftafingertosecurethissupremegoodfortheirchild。

Itdidnotseemtothemthatleavingtheyoungpeopleconstantlytothemselveswasdoingthis。TheyinterferedwithEllennowneithermorenorlessthantheyhadinterferedwithherastoBittridge，orthantheywouldhaveinterferedwithherinthecaseofanyoneelse。Shewasstilltobeleftentirelytoherselfinsuchmatters，andMrs。Kentonwouldhavekeptevenherthoughtsoffherifshecould。Shewouldhavebeenverygladtogivehermindwhollytothestudyofthegreateventswhichhadlonginterestedherhereintheirscene，butshefeltthatuntiltheconquestofMr。BreckonwassecuredbeyondthehazardofEllen’smorbiddefectionatthesuprememoment，shecouldnotgivehermindtothehistoryoftheDutchrepublic。

"Don’tbothermeaboutLottie，Boyne，"shesaid。Ihaveenoughtothinkofwithoutyournonsense。IfthisMr。TrannelisanAmerican，thatisallthatisnecessary。WeareallAmericanstogether，andIdon’tbelieveitwillmakeremark，Lottie’ssittingonthebeachwithhim。"

"Idon’tseehowhe’sdifferentfromthatBittridge，"saidBoyne。"Hedoesn’tcareforanything；andheplaysthebanjojustlikehim。"

Mrs。Kentonwastootroubledtolaugh。Shesaid，withfinality，"Lottiecantakecareofherself，"andthensheasked，"Boyne，doyouknowwhomEllen’sletterswerefrom？"

"OnewasfromBessiePearl——"

"Yes，sheshowedmethat。Butyoudon’tknowwhotheotherwasfrom？"

"No；shedidn’ttellme。YouknowhowcloseEllenis。"

"Yes，"themothersighed，"sheisveryodd。"

Thensheadded，"Don’tyouletherknowthatIaskedyouaboutherletters。"

"No，"saidBoyne。Hisaudiencewasapparentlyatanend，butheseemedstilltohavesomethingonhismind。"Momma，"hebeganafresh。

"Well？"sheanswered，alittleimpatiently。

"Nothing。OnlyIgottothinking，Isapersonabletocontroltheir——

theirfancies？"

"Fanciesaboutwhat？"

"Oh，Idon’tknow。Aboutfallinginlove。"Boyneblushed。

"Whydoyouwanttoknow？Youmusn’tthinkaboutsuchthings，aboylikeyou！It’sagreatpitythatyoueverknewanythingaboutthatBittridgebusiness。It’smadeyoutoobold。Butitseemstohavebeenmeanttodragusdownandhumiliateusineveryway。"

"Well，Ididn’ttrytoknowanythingaboutit，"Boyneretorted。

"No，that’strue，"hismotherdidhimthejusticetorecognize。"Well，whatisityouwanttoknow？"Boynewastoohurttoansweratonce，andhismotherhadtocoaxhimalittle。Shediditsweetly，andapologizedtohimforsayingwhatshehadsaid。Afterall，hewastheyoungest，andherbabystill。Herwordsandcaressestookeffectatlast，andhestammeredout，"Iseverybodyso，orisitonlytheKentonsthatseemtobealwaysputting——well，theiraffections——whereit’sperfectlyuseless？"

Hismotherpushedhimfromher。"Boyne，areyousillyaboutthatridiculousoldMissRasmith？"

"No！"Boyneshouted，savagely，"I’mNOT！"

"Whoisit，then？"

"Isha’n’ttellyou！"Boynesaid，andtearsofrageandshamecameintohiseyes。

XXI。

Inhisexilefromhiskindred，foritcamepracticallytothat，Boynewasabletoaddafinegloomtothestatewhichhecommonlyobservedwithhimselfwhenhewasnotgivingwaytohismorbidfanciesorhismorbidfears，andbreakingdowninhelplesssubjectiontothenearestmemberofhishousehold。Lottiewassotakenupwithherstudentthatshescarcelyquarrelledwithhimanymore，andtheyhadnolongerthosemomentsofunioninwhichtheystoodtogetheragainsttheworld。Hismotherhadcasthimoff，ashefelt，veryheartlessly，thoughitwasreallybecauseshecouldnotgivehisabsurditiesduethoughtinviewofthehopefulseriousnessofEllen’saffair，andBoynewasawarethathisfatheratthebestoftimeswasignorantofhimwhenhewasnotimpatientofhim。

ThesewerenotthebestoftimeswithJudgeKenton，andBoynewasnotthefirstobjectofhisimpatience。Inthelastanalysishewaslivinguntilhecouldgethome，andsolargelyinthehopeofthisthathiswifeattimescouldscarcelykeephimfromtakingsomestepthatwoulddecidethematterbetweenEllenandBreckonatonce。Theyweretacitlyagreedthattheywerewaitingfornothingelse，and，withoutmakingtheiragreementexplicit，shewasabletoquellhimbyaskingwhatheexpectedtodoincasetherewasnothingbetweenthem？WashegoingtotakethechildbacktoTuskingum，whichwasthesameastakingherbacktoBittridge？ithurthertoconfronthimwiththisquestion，andshetriedotherdevicesforstayingandappeasinghim。Shebeggedhimnow，seeingBoynesoforlorn，andhangingaboutthehotelalone，ormopingoverthoseridiculousbooksofhis，togooffwiththeboysomewhereandseetheinterestingplaceswithinsucheasyreach，likeLeydenandDelftifhecarednothingfortheplacewhereWilliamtheSilentwasshot，heoughttoseetheplacethatthePilgrimsstartedfrom。Shehadcountedupondoingthoseplacesherself，withherhusband，anditwasinasacrificeofheridealthatshenowurgedhimtogowithBoyne。ButherpreoccupationwithEllen’saffairforbadeherself-abandontothosehighhistoricalintereststowhichsheurgedhisdevotion。ShemighthavegonewithhimandBoyne，butthenshemusthaveleftthelargerhalfofherdividedmindwithEllen，nottospeakofLottie，whorefusedtobeapartytoanysuchexcursion。

Mrs。Kentonfeltthedisappointmentandgrievedatit，butnotwithouthopeofrepairingitlater，andshedidnotceasefromentreatingthejudgetodowhathecouldatoncetowardsfulfillingthedesiresshepostponed。Oncesheprevailedwithhim，andreallygothimandBoyneoffforaday，buttheycamebackearly，withsignsofhavingboredeachotherintolerably，andafterthatitwasBoyne，asmuchashisfather，whoreluctedfromjointexpeditions。Boynedidnotsomuchobjecttogoingalone，andhisfathersaiditwasbesttolethim，thoughhismotherhadherfearsforheryoungest。HespentagooddealofhistimeonthetramsbetweenScheveningenandTheHague，andhewasunderstoodtohaveexploredthecapitalprettythoroughly。Infact，hedidgoaboutwithavaletdeplace，whomhegotatacheaprate，andwithwhomheconverseduponthestateofthecountryanditspoliticalaffairs。ThevaletsaidthattheonlyenemythatHollandcouldfearwasGermany，butaninvasionfromthatquartercouldbeeasilyrepulsedbycuttingthedikesanddrowningtheinvaders。Thesea，hetaughtBoyne，wasthegreatdefenceofHolland，anditwasawasteofmoneytokeepsuchanarmyastheDutchhad；butneithertheseanortheswordcoulddriveouttheGermansifoncetheyinsidiouslymarriedaPrussianprincetotheDutchQueen。

ThereseemedtobenogettingawayfromtheQueen，forBoyne。Thevaletnotonlytalkedabouther，asthepleasantestsubjectwhichhecouldfind，butheinsisteduponshowingBoyneallherpalaces。HetookhimintotheParliamenthouse，andshowedhimwhereshesatwhilethequeen-

motherreadtheaddressfromthethrone。Heintroducedhimatabazarwheretheshop-girlwhospokeEnglishbetterthanBoyne，oratleastwithoutthecentralOhioaccent，wantedtosellhimaminiatureoftheQueenonporcelain。ShesaidtheQueenwassuchanicegirl，andshewasherselfsuchanicegirlthatBoyneblushedalittleinlookingather。

Heboughttheminiature，andthenhedidnotknowwhattodowithit；ifanyofthefamily，ifLottie，foundoutthathehadit，orthatTrannel，heshouldhavenopeaceanymore。Heputitinhispocket，provisionally，andwhenhecamegiddilyoutoftheshophefelthimselftakenbytheelbowandplacedagainstthewallbythevalet，whosaidthequeenswerecoming。Theydrovedownslowlythroughthecrowded，narrowstreet，bowingrightandlefttothepeopleflattenedagainsttheshops，andagainBoynesawhersonearthathecouldhavereachedouthishandandalmosttouchedhers。

Theconsciousnessofthiswassostronginhimthathewonderedwhetherhehadnottriedtodoso。Ifhehadhewouldhavebeenarrested——

heknewthat；andsoheknewthathehadnotdoneit。Heknewthatheimagineddoingsobecauseitwouldbesoawfultohavedoneit，andheimaginedbeinginlovewithherbecauseitwouldbesofrantic。Atthesametimehedramatizedaneventinwhichhediedforher，andshebecameawareofhishopelesspassionatthelastmoment，whiletheanarchistfromwhomhehadsavedherconfessedthatthebombhadbeenmeantforher。Perhapsitwasapistol。

Heescapedfromthevaletassoonashecould，andwentbacktoScheveningenlimpfromthisexperience，butthequeenswerebeforehim。

TheyhaddrivendowntovisitthestudioofafamousDutchpainterthere，andagainthedoomwasonBoynetopressforwardwiththeotherspectatorsandwaitforthequeenstoappearandgetintotheircarriage。

TheyoungQueen’slookswerestampedinBoyne’sconsciousness，sothathesawherwhereverheturned，likethesunwhenonehasgazedatit。HethoughthowthatTrannelhadsaidheoughttohandherintohercarriage，andheshrankawayforfearheshouldtrytodoso，buthecouldnotleavetheplacetillshehadcomeoutwiththequeen——motheranddrivenoff。Thenhewentslowlyandbreathlesslyintothehotel，feelingtheQueen’sminiatureinhispocket。Itmadehisheartstandstill，andthenboundforward。Hewonderedagainwhatheshoulddowithit。Ifhekeptit，Lottiewouldbesuretofindit，andhecouldnotbringhimselftothesacrilegeofdestroyingit。Hethoughthewouldwalkoutonthebreakwaterasfarashecouldandthrowitintothesea，butwhenhegottotheendofthemolehecouldnotdoso。HedecidedthathewouldgiveittoEllentokeepforhim，andnotletLottieseeit；orperhapshemightpretendhehadboughtitforher。Hecouldnotdothat，though，foritwouldnotbetrue，andifhedidhecouldnotaskhertokeepitfromLottie。

AtdinnerMr。TranneltoldhimheoughttohavebeentheretoseetheQueen；thatshehadaskedespeciallyforhim，andwantedtoknowiftheyhadnotsentuphercardtohim。Boynemeditatedanaptanswerthroughallthecourses，buthehadnotthoughtofonewhentheyhadcometothe’corbeilledefruits’，andhewasforcedtogotobedwithouthavingavengedhimself。

Intakingroomsforherfamilyatthehotel，LottiehadarrangedforheremancipationfromthethraldomofroomingwithEllen。Shesaidthathadgoneonlongenough；ifshewasgrownupatall，shewasgrownupenoughtohavearoomofherown，andhermotherhadyieldedtoreasoningwhichbeganandendedwiththisposition。ShewouldhaveinterferedsofarastoputLottieintotheroomnexther，butLottiesaidthatifBoynewasthebabyheoughttobenexthismother；Ellenmightcomenexthim，butshewasgoingtohavetheroomthatwasfurthestfromanyimplicationofthedependenceinwhichshehadlanguished；andhermothersubmittedagain。Boynewasnotsorry；therehadalwaysbeenhoursofthenightwhenhefelttheneedofgettingathismotherforreassuranceastoforebodingswhichhisfancyconjureduptotroublehiminthewakefuldark。Itwasunderstoodthathemightfreelydothis，andthoughthejudgeinwardlyfretted，hecouldnotdenytheboythecomfortofhismother’sencouraginglove。Boyne’svisitswokehim，buthesleptthebetterforindulgingintheyoungnervesthattremorfromimpressionsagainstwhichtheoldnervesareproof。Butnow，inthestrangefatalitywhichseemedtoinvolvehim，Boynecouldnotgotohismother。Itwastooweirdlyintimate，evenforher；besides，whenhehadalreadytriedtoseekhercounselshehadignorantlyrepelledhim。

ThenightafterhisdayinTheHague，whenhecouldbearitnolonger，heputonhisdressing-gownandsoftlyopenedEllen’sdoor，awake，Ellen？"

hewhispered。

"Yes，Whatisit，Boyne"hergentlevoiceasked。

"Hecameandsatdownbyherbedandstolehishandintohers，whichsheputouttohim。Thewaterymoonlightdrippedintotheroomattheedgesoftheshades，andthelongwashoftheseamadeitselfregularlyheardonthesands。

"Can’tyousleep？"Ellenaskedagain。"Areyouhomesick？"

"Notexactlythat。Butitdoesseemratherstrangeforustobeoffheresofar，doesn’tit？"

"Yes，Idon’tseehowIcanforgivemyselfformakingyoucome，"saidEllen，buthervoicedidnotsoundasifshewereveryunhappy。

"Youcouldn’thelpit，"saidBoyne，andthewordssuggestedaquestiontohim。"Doyoubelievethatsuchthingsareordered，Ellen？"

"Everythingisordered，isn’tit？"

"Isupposeso。Andiftheyare，we’renot，toblameforwhathappens。"

"Notifwetrytodoright。"

"Ofcourse。TheKentonsalwaysdothat，"saidBoyne，withthefaithinhisfamilythatdidnotfailhiminthedarkesthour。"ButwhatImeanisthatifanythingcomesonyouthatyoucan’tforeseeandyoucan’tgetoutof——"Thenextstepwasnotclear，andBoynepaused。Heasked，"Doyouthinkthatwecancontrolourfeelings，Ellen？"

"Aboutwhat？"

"Well，aboutpersonsthatwelike。"Headded，forsafety，"Ordislike。"

"I’mafraidnot，"saidEllen，sadly，"Weoughttolikepersonsanddislikethemforsomegoodreason，butwedon’t。"

"Yes，that’swhatImean，"saidBorne，withalongbreath。"Sometimesitseemslikeakindofpossession，doesn’tit？"

"Itseemsmorelikethatwhenwelikethem，"Ellensaid。

"Yes，that’swhatImean。Ifapersonwastotakeafancytosomeonethatwasabovehim，thatwasricher，orolder，hewouldn’tbetoblameforit，wouldhe？"

"Wasthatwhatyouwantedtoaskmeabout？"

Bornehesitated。"Yes"hesaid。Hewasinforitnow。

EllenhadnotnoticedBoyne’sabsorptionwithMissRasmithontheship，butshevaguelyrememberedhearingLottieteasehimabouther，andshesaidnow，"Hewouldn’tbetoblameforitifhecouldn’thelpit，butifthepersonwasmucholderitwouldbeapity！"

"Uh，sheisn’tsoverymucholder，"saidBorne，morecheerfullythanhehadspokenbefore。

"IsitsomebodythatyouhavetakenafancytoBorne？"

"Idon’tknow，Ellen。That’swhatmakesitsokindofawful。Ican’ttellwhetherit’sarealfancy，orIonlythinkitis。SometimesIthinkitis，andsometimesIthinkthatIthinksobecauseIamafraidtobelieveit。DoyouunderEllen？"

"ItseemstomethatIdo。Butyououghtn’ttoletyourfancyrunawaywithyou，Boyne。Whataqueerboy！"

"It’sakindoffascination，Isuppose。Butwhetherit’sarealfancyoranunrealone，Ican’tgetawayfromit。"

"Poorboy！"saidhissister。

"Perhapsit’sthosebooks。SometimesIthinkitis，andIlaughatthewholeidea；andthenagainit’ssostrongthatIcan’tgetawayfromit。

Ellen！"

"Well，Boyne？"

Icouldtellyouwhoitis，ifyouthinkthatwoulddoanygood——ifyouthinkitwouldhelpmetoseeitinthetruelight，oryoucouldhelpmemorebyknowingwhoitisthanyoucannow。"

"Ihopeitisn’tanybodythatyoucan’trespect，Boyne？"

"No，indeed！It’ssomebodyyouwouldneverdreamof。"

"Well？"Ellenwaswaitingforhimtospeak，buthecouldnotgetthewordsout，eventoher。

"IguessI’lltellyousomeothertime。MaybeIcangetoveritmyself。"

"Itwouldbethebestwayifyoucould。"

Heroseandleftherbedside，andthenhecameback。"Ellen，I’vegotsomethingthatIwishyouwouldkeepforme。"

"Whatisit？OfcourseIwill。"

"Well，it’s——somethingIdon’twantyoutoletLottieknowI’vegot。

ShetellsthatMr。Tranneleverything，andthenhewantstomakefun。

Doyouthinkhe’ssoverywitty？"

"Ican’thelplaughingatsomethingshesays。"

"Isupposeheis，"Boyneruefullyadmitted。"Butthatdoesn’tmakeyoulikehimanybetter。Well，ifyouwon’ttellLottie，I’llgiveittoyounow。"

"Iwon’ttellanythingthatyoudon’twantmeto，Boyne。"

"It’snothing。It’sjust-apictureoftheQueenonporcelain，thatIgotinTheHague。Theguidetookmeintothestore，andIthoughtIoughttogetsomething。"

"Oh，that’sverynice，Boyne。IdoliketheQueensomuch。She’ssosweet！"

"Yes，isn’tshe？"saidBoyne，gladofEllen’sapproval。Sofar，atleast，hewasnotwrong。"Hereitisnow。"

HeputtheminiatureinEllen’shand。Sheliftedherselfonherelbow。

"Lightthecandleandletmeseeit。"

"No，no！"heentreated。"ItmightwakeLottie，and——and——Good-night，Ellen。"

"Canyougotosleepnow，Boyne？"

"Ohyes。I’mallright。Good-night。"

"Good-night，then。"

Bornestoopedoverandkissedher，andwenttothedoor。Hecamebackandasked，"Youdon’tthinkitwassilly，oranything，formetogetit？"

"No，indeed！It’sjustwhatyouwillliketohavewhenyougethome。

We’veallseenhersooften。I’llputitinmytrunk，andnobodyshallknowaboutittillwe’resafelybackinTuskingum。"

Boynesigheddeeply。"Yes，that’swhatImeant。Good-night。"

"Good-night，Boyne。"

"IhopeIhaven’twakedyouuptoomuch？"

"Ohno。Icangettosleepeasilyagain。"

"Well，good-night。"Boynesighedagain，butnotsodeeply，andthistimehewentout。

XXII。

Mrs。Kentonwokewiththeclearvisionwhichissometimesvouchsafedtopeoplewhoseeyesareholdenatotherhoursoftheday。ShehadheardBoyneopeningandshuttingEllen’sdoor，andherheartsmoteherthatheshouldhavegonetohissisterwithwhatevertroublehewasinratherthancometohismother。Itwasnaturalthatsheshouldputtheblameonherhusband，and"Now，Mr。Kenton，"shebegan，withanausterityofvoicewhichherecognizedbeforehewaswellawake，"ifyouwon’ttakeBoyneoffsomewhereto-day，Iwill。Ithinkwehadbetterallgo。Wehavebeenhereawholefortnight，andwehavegotthoroughlyrested，andthereisnoexcuseforourwastingourtimeanylonger。IfwearegoingtoseeHolland，wehadbetterbegindoingit。"

Thejudgegaveageneralassent，andsaidthatifshewantedtogotoFlushinghesupposedhecouldfindsomegarden-seedsthere，intheflowerandvegetablenurseries，whichwouldbeadaptedtotheclimateofTuskingum，andtheycouldallputinthedaypleasantly，lookingroundtheplace。WhetheritwasthesuggestionofTuskinguminrelationtoFlushingthatdecidedheragainsttheplace，orwhethershehadreallymeanttogotoLeyden，shenowexpressedthewish，asvividlyasifitwerenovel，toexplorethesceneofthePilgrims’sojournbeforetheysailedforPlymouth，andshereproachedhimfornotcaringabouttheplacewhentheybothusedtotakesuchaninterestinitathome。

"Well，"saidthejudge，"ifIwereathomeIshouldtakeaninterestinithere。"

Thisprovokedhertoasilencewhichhethoughtitbesttobreakintacitcompliancewithherwish，andheasked，"Doyouproposetakingthewholefamilyandtheappurtenances？Weshallberatheralargeparty。"

"Ellenwouldwishtogo，andIsupposeMr。Breckon。Wecouldn’tverywellgowithoutthem。"

"AndhowaboutLottieandthatyoungTrannel？"

"Wecan’tleavehimout，verywell。Iwishwecould。Idon’tlikehim。"

"There’snothingeasierthannotaskinghim，ifyoudon’twanthim。"

"Yes，thereis，whenyou’vegotagirllikeLottietodealwith。Quitelikelyshewouldaskhimherself。Wemusttakehimbecausewecan’tleaveher。"

"Yes，Ireckon，"thejudgeacquiesced。

"I’mglad，"Mrs。Kentonsaid，afteramoment，"thatitisn’tEllenhe’safter；italmostreconcilesmetohisbeingwithLottiesomuch。Ionlywonderhedoesn’ttaketoEllen，he’ssomuchlikethat——"

Shedidnotsayoutwhatwasinhermind，butherhusbandknew。"Yes，I’venoticedit。ThisyoungBreckonwasquiteenoughso，formytaste。

Idon’tknowwhatitisthatjustsaveshimfromit。"

"He’sgood。Youcouldtellthatfromthebeginning。"

Theywentoffuponthesituationthat，superficiallyorsubliminally，wasalwaysinterestingthembeyondanythingintheworld，andtheydidnotopenlyrecurtoMrs。Kenton’splanforthedaytilltheymettheirchildrenatbreakfast。ItwasamealatwhichBreckonandTrammelwerebothapttojointhem，wheretheytookitattwoofthetablesonthebroad，seawardpiazzaofthehotelwhentheweatherwasfine。Boththeyoungmennowapplaudedherplan，intheirdifferentsorts。ItwaseasilyarrangedthattheyshouldgobytrainandnotbytramfromTheHague。Thetrainwaschosen，andMrs。Kenton，whenshewenttoherroomtobeginthepreparationsforaday’spleasurewhichconstitutesodistinctlyapartofitspain，imaginedthateverythingwassettled。ShehadscarcelyclosedthedoorbehindherwhenLottieopeneditandshutitagainbehindher。

"Mother，"shesaid，inthenewstyleofaddresstowhichshewashabituatingMrs。Kenton，afterhavingsolongcalledhermomma，"Iamnotgoingwithyou。"

"Indeedyouare，then！"hermotherretorted。"DoyouthinkIwouldleaveyouherealldaywiththatfellow？Anicetalkweshouldmake！"

"Youareperfectlywelcometothatfellow，mother，andashe’sacceptedhewillhavetogowithyou，andtherewon’tbeanytalk。But，asI

remarkedbefore，Iamnotgoing。"

"Whyaren’tyougoing，Ishouldliketoknow？"

"BecauseIdon’tlikethecompany。"

"Whatdoyoumean？HaveyougotanythingagainstMr。Breckon？"

"He’sinsipid，butaslongasEllendon’tminditIdon’tcare。IobjecttoMr。Trannel！"

"Why？"

Idon’tseewhyIshouldhavetotellyou。IfIsaidIlikedhimyoumightwanttoknow，butitseemstomethatmynotlikinghimismynotlikinghimismyownaffair。"TherewasakindoflogicinthisthatsilencedMrs。Kentonforthemoment。InviewofheradvantageLottierelentedsofarastoadd，"I’vefoundoutsomethingabouthim。"

Mrs。Kentonwasimperativeinheralarm。"Whatisit？"shedemanded。

Lottieanswered，obliquely:"Well，Ididn’tleaveTheHaguetogetridofthem，andthentakeupwithoneofthematScheveningen。"

"Oneofwhat？"

"COOK’STOURISTS，ifyoumustknow，mother。Mr。Trannel，asyoucallhim，isaCook’stourist，andthat’stheendofit。Ihavegotnouseforhimfromthisout。"

Mrs。Kentonwasdaunted，andnotforthefirsttime，byherdaughter’ssuperiorknowledgeoflife。ShecouldputBoynedownsometimes，thoughnotalways，whenbeattemptedtoimposeanovelcodeofmannersormoralsuponher，butshecouldnotcopewithLottie。Inthepresentcaseshecouldonlyask，"Well？"

"Well，they’rethecheapestofthecheap。Heactuallyshowedmehiscoupons，andtriedtoputmedownwiththeideathateverybodyusedthem。

ButIguesshefounditwouldn’twork。Hesaidifyouwerenotpersonallyconducteditwasallright。"

"Now，Lottie，youhavegottotellmejustwhatyoumean，"saidMrs。

Kenton，andfromhavingstoodduringthisparley，shesatdowntohearLottieoutatherleisure。ButiftherewasanythingmoredifficultthanforLottietobeexplicititwastomakeherbeso，andintheendMrs。

Kentonwasscarcelywiserthanshewasatthebeginningtoherdaughter’sreasons。Itappearedthatifyouwantedtobecheapyoucouldtravelwiththosecoupons，andLottiedidnotwishtobecheap，orhaveanythingtodowiththosewhowere。TheKentonshadalwayshelduptheirheads，andifEllenhadchosentodisgracethemwithBittridge，Dickhadmadeitallright，andsheatleastwasnotgoingtodoanythingthatshewouldbeashamedof。Shewasgoingtostayathome，andhavehermealsinherroomtilltheygotback。

Hermotherpaidnoheedtoherrepeateddeclaration。"Lottie，"sheasked，withtheheart-quakethatthethoughtofRichard’sactalwaysgaveherwithreferencetoEllen，"haveyoueverletouttheleasthintofthat？"

"OfcourseIhaven’t，"Lottiescornfullyretorted。IhopeIknowwhatacrankEllenis。"

TheywerenotjustthetermsinwhichMrs。Kentonwouldhavechosentobereassured，butshewasgladtobeassuredinanyterms。Shesaid，vaguely:"IbelieveinmyheartthatIwillstayathome，too。Allthishasgivenmeabadheadache。"

"Iwasgoingtohaveaheadachemyself，"saidLottie，withinjury。

"ButIsupposeIcangetonalongwithout。IcanjustsimplysayI’mnotgoing。Ifheproposestostay，too，Icansoonsettlethat。"

"Thegreatdifficultywillbetogetyourfathertogo。"

"YoucanmakeEllenmakehim，"Lottiesuggested。

"Thatistrue，"saidMrs。Kenton，withsuchincreasingabsencethatherdaughterrequiredofher:

"Areyoustayingonmyaccount？"

"Ithinkyouhadbetternotbeleftalonethewholeday。ButIamnotstayingonyouraccount。Idon’tbelievewehadsomanyofusbettergo。

Itmightlookalittlepointed。"

Lottielaughedharshly。"IguessMr。Breckonwouldn’tseethepoint，he’ssoperfectlygone。"

"Doyoureallybelieveit，Lottie？"Mrs。Kentonentreated，withasuddentendernessforheryoungerdaughtersuchasshedidnotalwaysfeel。

"Ishouldthinkanybodywouldbelieveit——anybodybutEllen。"

"Yes，"Mrs。Kentondreamilyassented。

Lottiemadeherwaytothedoor。"Well，ifyoudostay，mother，I’mnotgoingtohaveyouhangingroundmeallday。Icanchaperonmyself。"

"Lottie，"hermothertriedtostayher，"Iwishyouwouldgo。Idon’tbelievethatMr。Trannelwillbemuchofanaddition。Hewillbeonyourpoorfather’shandsallday，orelseEllen’s，andifyouwentyoucouldhelpoff。"

"Thankyou，mother。I’vehadquiteallIwantofMr。Trannel。Youcantellhimheneedn’tgo，ifyouwantto。"

Lottieatleastdidnotleavehermothertomakeherexcusestothepartywhentheymetforstarting。Mrs。Kentonhaddeferredherowntillshethoughtitwastoolateforherhusbandtoretreat，andthenbunglinglymadethem，withsomuchiterationthatitseemedtoheritwouldhavebeenfarlesspointed，asconcernedMr。Breckon，ifshehadgone。Lottiesunnilyannouncedthatshewasgoingtostaywithhermother，anddidnoteventrytoaccountforherdefectiontoMr。Trannel。

"What’sthematterwithmystaying，too？"heasked。"Itseemstometherearefourwheelstothiscoachnow。"

HehadaddressedhismisgivingmoretoLottiethantherest；butwiththesamesunnyindifferencetotheconsequenceforothersthatshehadputoninstatingherdecision，shenowdischargedherselffromfurtherresponsibilitybyturningonherheelandleavingitwiththepartygenerally。InthecircumstancesMr。Trannelhadnochoicebuttogo，andhewassupported，possibly，bythehopeoftakingitoutofLottiesomeothertime。

ItwasmoredifficultforMrs。Kentontogetridofthejudge，butaninscrutablefrowngoesfarinsuchexigencies。Itseemstoexplain，anditcertainlywarns，andthehusbandonwhomitisbentneverknows，evenafterthelongestexperience，whetherhehadbetterinquirefurther。

Usuallyhedecidesthathehadbetternot，andJudgeKentonwentofftowardsthetramwithBoyneinthecloudofmysterywhichinvolvedthembothastoMrs。Kenton’smeaning。

XXIII。

TrannelattachedhimselfaswellashecouldtoBreckonandEllen，andBreckonhadanopportunitynotfullyofferedhimbeforetonotealikenessbetweenhimselfandafellow-manwhomhewasawareofnotliking，thoughhetriedtolovehim，ashefeltitrighttoloveallmen。

HethoughthehadnotbeenquitesympatheticenoughwithMrs。Kentoninherhavingtostaybehind，andhetriedtomakeituptoMr。Trannelinhishavingtocome。Heinventedcivilitiestoshowhim，andcededhisplacenextEllenasifTrannelhadarighttoit。Trannelignoredhiminkeepingit，unlessitwasrecognizingBreckontosay，"Oh，IhopeI’mnotinyourway，oldfellow？"andthenmakingjokestoEllen。Breckoncouldnotsaythejokeswerebad，thoughthetasteofthemseemedtohimso。

Themanhadafleeringwit，whichscorchedwhateverheturneditupon，andyetitwaswit。"Whydon’tyoutryhiminAmerican？"heaskedatthefailureofBreckonandthetramconductortounderstandeachotherinDutch。HetriedtheconductorhimselfinAmerican，andhewassodeplorablyfunnythatitwashardforBreckontohelpbeing’particepscriminus’，atleastinalaugh。

Heaskedhimselfifthatwerereallythekindofmanhewas，andhegrewsilentandmelancholyinthefearthatitwasagooddealthesortofman。TothismorbidfancyTrannelseemedhimselfinasortofexcess，orwhathewouldbeifhewerelogicallyultimated。HerememberedallthetrivialityofhisbehaviorwithEllenatfirst，andrathersickenedatthethoughtofsomeofhisearlypleasantries。ShewastalkinggaylynowwithTrannel，andBreckonwonderedwhethershewasfallingunderthecharmthathefeltinhim，inspiteofhimself。

Ifshewas，herfatherwasnot。Thejudgesatontheothersideofthecar，andunmistakablygloweredatthefellow’sattemptstomakehimselfamusingtoEllen。Trannelhimselfwasnotinsensibletothejudge’smood。Nowandthenhesaidsomethingtointensifyit。HepatronizedthejudgeandhemadefunofthetouristcharacterinwhichBoynehadgothimselfup，withafield-glassslungbyastrapunderonearmandaredBaedekerinhishand。HesputteredwithmalignlaughteratarathergorgeousnecktiewhichBoynehadputonfortheday，andsaiditwasnotaverygoodmatchfortheBaedeker。

Boyneretortedrudely，andthatamusedTrannelstillmore。HebecamepersonaltoBreckon，andnotedtheunclericalcutofhisclothes。Hesaidheoughttohaveputonhisuniformforanexpeditionlikethat，incasetheygotintoanysortoftrouble。ToEllenalonehewasinoffensive，unlessheoverdidhispoliteattentionstoherincarryingherparasolforher，andhelpingheroutofthetram，whentheyarrived，shoulderingeveryoneelseaway，andmakinghastetoseparateherfromtheothersandthentowalkonwithheralittleinadvance。

Suddenlyhedroppedher，andfellbacktoBoyneandhisfather，whileBreckonhastenedforwardtoherside。TrannelputhisarmacrossBoyne’sshouldersandaskedhimifheweremad，andthenlaughedathim。"You’reallright，Boyne，butyououghtn’ttobesoapproachable。Yououghttoputonmoredignity，andrepelfamiliarity！"

Boynecouldonlytwitchawayinsilencethathemadeashaughtyashecould，butnotsohaughtythatTranneldidnotfinditlaughable，andhelaughedinateasingwaythatmadeBreckonmoreandmoreserious。HewasawareofbecomingevensolemnwiththequestionofhislikenesstoTrannel。HewasofTrannel’squality，andtheirdifferencewasamatterofquantity，andtherewasnotenoughdifference。InhissenseoftheirlikenessBreckonvowedhimselftoagravityofbehaviorevermorewhichheshouldnotprobablybeabletoobserve，butthesamplehenowdisplayeddidnotescapethekeenvigilanceofTrannel。

"WiththeexceptionofMissKenton，"headdressedhimselftotheparty，"you’reallsoeasyandcarelessthatifyoudon’tlookoutyou’llloseme。MissKenton，Iwishyouwouldkeepaneyeonme。Idon’twanttogetlost。"

Ellenlaughed——shecouldnothelpit——andherlaughingmadeitlesspossiblethanbeforeforBreckontounbendandmeetTrannelonhisownground，togivehimjokeforjoke，toexchangebanterwithhim。Hemightneverhavebeenwillingtodothat，butnowheshrankfromit，inhisrealizationoftheirlikeness，withanabhorrencethatrenderedhimrigid。

ThejudgewaswalkingaheadwithBoyne，andhisbackexpressedsuchseveredisapprovalthat，betweenherfearthatTrannelwouldsaysomethingtobringherfather’scondemnationonhimandhersenseoftheirinhospitableattitudetowardsonewhowastheirguest，inasort，shesaid，withhergentlegayety，"Thenyoumustkeepnearme，Mr。

Trannel。I’llseethatnothinghappens。"

"That’sverysweetofyou，"saidTrannel，soberly。Whetherhehadnowventedhismalicioushumorandwasreadytomakehimselfagreeable，orwassomewhatquelledbytheunfriendlyambienthehadcreated，orwaswroughtuponbyherfriendliness，hebecameeverythingthatcouldbewishedinacompanionforaday’spleasure。Hetooktheleadatthestation，andgotthemacompartmentinthecartothemselvesforthelittleruntoLeyden，andonthewayhetalkedverywell。HepolitelyborrowedBoyne’sBaedeker，anddecidedforthepartywhattheyhadbestsee，andshowedanacceptableintelligence，aswellasalargeexperienceintheclaimsofLeydenuponthevisitor’sinterest。Hehadbeenthereoftenbefore，itseemed，andintheeventitappearedthathehadchosenthedayssightseeingwisely。

HenolongeraddressedhimselfrespectfullytoEllenalone，buthere-

establishedhimselfinBoyne’sconfidencewithespecialpains，andheconciliatedBreckonbyarecognitionofhisprioritywithEllenwithadelicacyrefinedenoughforeventhesusceptibilityofaloveralarmedforhisrights。Ifhecouldnotovercomethereluctanceofthejudge，hebroughthimtothecivilresponsewhichanyonewhotriedforKenton’slikingachieved，evenifhedidnotmeritit，andthereremainednomorereserveinKenton’smannerthantherehadbeenwiththeyoungmanfromthefirst。Hehadneverbeenapersonagratatothejudge，andifhedidnotbecomesonow，heatleastceasedtobeactivelydispleasing。

ThatwastheyearbeforetheyoungQueencametoherown，andinthelastdaysofherminorityshewasvisitingallthecitiesofherfuturedominionwiththequeen-mother。WhenKenton’spartyleftthestationtheyfoundLeydenasgayforherreceptionasflagsandbannerscouldmakethegrayoldtown，andTrannelrelapsedforamomentsofarastosuggestthatthedecorationswereinhonorofBoyne’spresence，buthedidnotabusethelaughthatthismadetoBoyne’sfurthershame。

Therewasnocarriageatthestationwhichwouldholdthepartyoffive，andtheyhadtotaketwovehicles。Trannelsaiditwasluckytheywantedtwo，sincetherewerenomore，andheputhimselfinauthoritytoassorttheparty。Thejudge，hedecided，mustgowithEllenandBreckon，andhehopedBoynewouldlethimgoinhiscarriage，ifhewouldsitontheboxwiththedriver。Thejudgeafterwardsownedthathehadweaklyindulgedhisdislikeofthefellow，inlettinghimtakeBoyne，andnotinsistingongoinghimselfwithTramiel，butthiswaswhenitwaslongtoolate。

Ellenhadhermisgivings，but，exceptforthatgibeaboutthedecorations，TrannelhadbeenbehavingsowellthatshehopedshemighttrustBoynewithhim。Shemadeakindofappealforherbrother，biddinghimandTranneltakegoodcareofeachother，andTrannelpromisedsoearnestlytolookafterBoynethatsheoughttohavebeenalarmedforhim。Hetookthelead，risingattimestowaveareassuringhandtoheroverthebackofhiscarriage，and，infact，nothingevilcouldverywellhappenfromhim，withtheothersfollowingsocloseuponhim。Theymetfromtimetotimeinthechurchestheyvisited，andwhentheylostsightofoneanother，throughadifferenceofopinioninthedriversastothebestroute，theycametogetherattheplaceTrannelhadappointedfortheirnextreunion。

Heshowedhimselfaguidesoadmirablyqualifiedthathefoundawayforthemtoobjectsofinterestthathadatfirstdeniedthemselvesinanticipationofthevisitfromthequeens；whentheyallsatdownatlunchintherestaurantwhichhefoundforthem，hecouldjustifiablyboastthathewouldgetthemintotheTownHall，whichtheyhadbeentoldwasbarredforthedayagainstanythingbutsovereigncuriosity。HewasnowonthebesttermwithBoyne，whoseemedtohavelostalldiffidenceofhim，andtreatedhimwithaneasyfamiliaritythatshoweditselfinhisslappinghimontheshoulderandmakingdintsinhishat。Trannelseemedtoenjoythesecaresses，and，whentheypartedagainfortheafternoon’ssight-seeing，EllenhadnolongeraqualminlettingBoynedriveoffwithhim。

Hehad，infact，knownhowtomakehimselfveryacceptabletoBoyne。Heknewalltheoriginalsofhisheroicalromances，andwasabletogivetherealnamesandthegeographicalpositionofthoseprincesseswhohadbeeninlovewithAmericanadventurers。Underpromiseofsecrecyhedisclosedtherealnamesoftheadventurersthemselves，nowobscuredinthetitlesgiventhemtorenderthemworthytheirunionwithsovereigns。Heresumedhisfascinatingconfidenceswhentheydroveoffafterluncheon，andheresumedthemaftereachseparationfromtherestoftheparty。Boynelistenedwithaflushedfaceandstartingeyes，andwhenatlastTranneloffered，uponapledgeofthemostsacrednaturefromhimnevertorevealawordofwhathesaid，hebegantorelateanadventureofwhichhewashimselfthehero。ItwasaboldtravestyofoneofthelatestromancesthatBoynehadread，involvingtheexperienceofanAmericanverylittleolderthanBoynehimself，towhomawilfulyoungcrown-princess，inalittlestatewhichTrannelwouldnotnameeventoBoyne，hadmadeadvancessuchashecouldnotrefusetomeetwithoutcruelty。Hewashimselfdeeplyinlovewithher，buthefeltboundinhonornottoencourageherinfatuationaslongashecouldhelp，forhehadbeenreceivedbyherwholefamilywithsuchkindnessandconfidencethathehadtoconsiderthem。

"Oh，pshaw！"Boynebrokeinuponhim，doubting，andyetwishingnottodoubt，"that’sthesameasthestoryof’HectorFolleyne’。"

"Yes，"saidTrannel，quietly。"Ithoughtyouwouldrecognizeit。"

"Well，but，"Boynewenton，"Hectormarriedtheprincess！"

"Inthebook，yes。ThefellowIgavethestorytosaiditwouldneverdonottohavehimmarryher，anditwouldhelptodisguisethefact。

That’swhathesaid，afterhehadgiventhewholethingaway。"

"Anddoyoumeantosayitwasyou？Oh，youcan’tstuffme！Howdidyougetoutofmarryingher，Ishouldliketoknow，whenthechancellorcametoyouandsaidthatthewholefamilywantedyouto，forfearitwouldkillherif——"

"Well，therewasascene，Ican’tdenythat。Wehadaregularfamilyconclave——father，mother，AuntHitty，andallthefolks——andwekeptitupprettymuchallnight。Theprincesswasn’tthere，ofcourse，andI

couldconvincethemthatIwasright。Ifshehadbeen，Idon’tbelieveI

couldhaveheldout。Buttheyhadtolistentoreason，andIgotawaybetweentwodays。"

"Butwhydidn’tyoumarryher？"

"Well，foronething，asItoldyou，Ithought1oughttoconsiderherfamily。Thentherewasagoodfellow，thecrown-princeofSaxe-

Wolfenhutten，whowasdeadinlovewithher，andwasengagedtoherbeforeIturnedup。Ihadbeenatschoolwithhim，andIfeltawfullysorryforhim；andIthoughtIoughttosacrificemyselfalittletohim。

ButIsupposethethingthatinfluencedmemostwasfindingoutthatifI

marriedtheprincessIshouldhavetogiveupmyAmericancitizenshipandbecomehersubject。"

"Well？"Boynepanted。

"Well，wouldyouhavedoneit？"

"Couldn’tyouhavegotalongwithoutdoingthat？"

"ThatwastheonlythingIcouldn’tgetaround，somehow。SoIleft。"

"Andtheprincess，didshe——die？"

"Ittakesagooddealmorethanthattokillafifteen-year-oldprincess，"saidTrannel，andhegaveaharshlaugh。"ShemarriedSaxe-

Wolfenhutten。"Boynewassilent。"Now，Idon’twantyoutospeakofthistillafterIleaveScheveningen——especiallytoMissLottie。Youknowhowgirlsare，andIthinkMissLottieiswaitingtogetabindonme，anyway。IfsheheardhowIwascutoutofmychancewiththatprincessshe’dneverletmebelieveIgaveherupofmyownfreewill？"

"NO，no；Iwon’ttellher。"

Boyneremainedinasilentrapture，andhedidnotnoticetheywerenolongerfollowingtherestoftheirpartyintheothercarriage。Thishadturneddownacorner，atwhichMr。Breckon，sittingonthefrontseat，hadrisenandbeckonedtheirdrivertofollow，buttheirdriver，whoappearedafterwardstohavenottoomuchaheadofhisown，ornoheadatall，hadcontinuedstraighton，intherearofatram-car，whichwasslowlyfindingitswaythroughthemomentlythickeningcrowd。Boynewasfirstawarethatitwasahumorouscrowdwhen，ataturnofthestreet，theirequipagewasgreetedwithironicalcheersbyagroupofgayyoungDutchmenonthesidewalk。Thenhesawthatthesidewalkswerepackedwithpeople，whospreadintothestreetalmosttothetram，andthatthehousefrontsweredottedwithsmilingDutchfaces，thefacesofprettyDutchgirls，whoseemedtosharetheamusementoftheyoungfellowsbelow。

Trannellaybackinthecarriage。"Thisissomethinglike，"hesaid。

"Boyne，they’reontothedistinguishedyoungOhioan——theonlyOhioanoutofofficeinEurope。"

"Yes，"saidBoyne，tryingtoenjoyit。"Iwonderwhattheyareholloingat。"

Trannellaughed。"They’reholloingatyourBaedeker，mydearboy。Theyneversawonebefore，"andBoynewasawarethathewasholdinghisred-

backedguideconspicuouslyinviewonhislap。"Theyknowyou’reaforeignerbyit。"

"Don’tyouthinkweoughttoturndownsomewhere？Idon’tseepoppaanywhere。"Heroseandlookedanxiouslybackoverthetopoftheircarriage。Thecrowd，closinginbehindit，hailedhistroubledfacewithcriesthatweretakenupbythethrongonthesidewalks。Boyneturnedabouttofindthatthetram-carwhichtheyhadbeenfollowinghaddisappearedroundacorner，buttheirdriverwasstillkeepingon。AtawilderburstofapplauseTranneltookoffhishatandbowedtothecrowd，rightandleft。

"Bow，bow！"hesaidtoBoyne。"They’llbecallingforaspeechthenextthing。Bow，Itellyou！"

"Tellhimtoturnround！"criedtheboy。

"Ican’tspeakDutch，"saidTrannel，andBoyneleanedforwardandpokedthedriverintheback。

"Goback！"hecommanded。