第7章

Thedrivershookhisheadandpointedforwardwithhiswhip。"He’sallright，"saidTrannel。"Hecan’tturnnow。We’vegottotakethenextcorner。"Thestreetinfrontwasempty，andthepeoplewerecrowdingbackonthesidewalks。Loud，vaguenoisesmadethemselvesheardroundthecornertowhichthedriverhadpointed。"ByJove！"Trannelsaid，"Ibelievethey’recomingroundthatway。"

"Whoarecoming？"Boynepalpitated。

"Thequeens。"

"Thequeens？"Boynegasped；itseemedtohimthatheshriekedthewords。

"Yes。Andthere’satobacconist’snow，"saidTrannel，asifthatwerewhathehadbeenlookingforallalong。"Iwantsomecigarettes。"

Heleapedlightlyfromthecarriage，andpushedhiswayoutofsightonthesidewalk。Boyneremainedaloneinthevehicle，staringwildlyround；

thedriverkeptslowlyandstupidlyon，Boynedidnotknowhowmuchfarther。Hecouldnotspeak；hefeltasifhecouldnotstir。Butthemomentcamewhenhecouldnotbestill。Hegaveagalvanicjumptotheground，andthefriendlycrowdonthesidewalkwelcomedhimtoitsranksandclosedabouthim。Thedriverhadtakenthelefthandcorner，justbeforeaplaincarriagewiththeQueenandthequeen-mothercameinsightroundtheright。TheyoungQueenwasbowingtothepeople，gently，andwithasortofmechanicalregularity。Nowandthenabrightersmilethanthatsheconventionallyworelightedupherface。Thesimpleprogresswasabsolutelywithoutstate，exceptfortheaide-de-camponhorsebackwhorodebesidethecarriage，alittletothefront。

Boynestoodmotionlessonthecurb，whereafriendlytallDutchmanhadplacedhiminfrontthathemightseetheQueen。

"Hello！"saidthevoiceofTrannel，andelbowinghiswaytoBoyne’sside，helaughedandcoughedthroughthesmokeofhiscigarette。"Iwasafraidyouhadlostme。Where’syourcarriage？"

Boynedidnotnoticehismockeries。Hewasentrancedinthatbeatificvision；hisboy-heartwentoutinworshiptotheprettyyoungcreaturewithareverencethatcouldnotbeuttered。Thetearscameintohiseyes。

"There，there！She’sbowingtoyou，Boyne。she’ssmilingrightatyou。

ByJove！She’sbeckoningtoyou！"

"Youbestill！"Boyneretorted，findinghistongue。"Sheisn’tdoinganysuchathing。"

"Sheis，Iswearsheis！She’sdoingitagain！She’sstoppingthecarriage。Oh，gooutandseewhatshewants！Don’tyouknowthataqueen’swishisacommand？You’vegottogo！"

Boynenevercouldtelljusthowithappened。Thecarriagedidseemtobestopping，andtheQueenseemedtobelookingathim。Hethoughthemust，andhestartedintothestreettowardsher，andthecarriagecameabreastofhim。Hehadalmostreachedthecarriagewhentheaideturnedandspurredhishorsebeforehim。FourstronghandsthatwerelikeironclampswerelaidoneoneachofBoyne’selbowsandshoulders，andhewashaledaway，asifbysuperhumanforce。"Mr。Trannel！"hecalledout。

inhisagony，butthewretchhaddisappeared，andBoynewasleftwithhiscaptors，towhomhecouldhavesaidnothingifhecouldhavethoughtofanythingtosay。

Thedetectivespulledhimthroughthecrowdandhurriedhimswiftlydownthesidestreet。AlittlecuriositystraggledafterhimintheshapeofsmallDutchboys，tooshorttolookovertheshouldersofmenatthequeens，andtooweaktomaketheirwaythroughthemtothefront；butforthem，Boyneseemedaloneintheworldwiththerelentlessofficers，whoweredragginghimforwardandhurtinghimsowiththegripoftheirironhands。Helifteduphisfacetoentreatthemnottoholdhimsotight，andsuddenlyitwasasifhebeheldanangelstandinginhispath。ItwasBreckonwhowasthere，staringathimaghast。

"Why，Boyne！"hecried。

"Oh，Mr。Breckon！"Boynewailedback。"Isityou？Oh，dotellthemI

didn’tmeantodoanything！Ithoughtshebeckonedtome。"

"Who？Whobeckonedtoyou？"

"TheQueen！"Boynesobbed，whilethedetectivespulledhimrelentlesslyon。

Breckonaddressedthemsuavelyintheirowetonguewhichhadnevercomeinmoredeferentialpolitenessfromhumanlips。Heventuredthebeliefthattherewasamistake；heassuredthemthatheknewtheirprisoner，andthathewasthesonofamostrespectableAmericanfamily，whomtheycouldfindattheKurhausinScheveningen。Headdedsomeirrelevancies，andgotforallanswerthattheyhadmadeBoyne’sarrestforsufficientreasons，andweretakinghimtoprison。Ifhisfriendswishedtointerveneinhisbehalftheycoulddosobeforethemagistrate，butforthepresenttheymustadmonishMr。Breckonnottoputhimselfinthewayofthelaw。

"Don’tgo，Mr。Breckon！"Boyneimploredhim，ashiscaptorsmadehimquickenhispaceafterslowingalittlefortheircolloquywithBreckon。

"Oh，whereispoppa？Hecouldgetmeaway。Oh，whereispoppa？"

"Don’t！Don’tcallout，Boyne，"Breckonentreated。"Yourfatherisrighthereattheendofthestreet。He’sinthecarriagetherewithMissKenton。Iwascomingtolookforyou。Don’tcryoutso！"

"No，no，Iwon’t，Mr。Breckon。I’llbeperfectlyquietnow。Onlydogetpoppaquick！Hecantelltheminaminutethatit’sallright！"

Hemadeaprodigiousefforttocontrolhimself，whileBreckonranalittleahead，withsomewildnotionofpreparingEllen。Ashedisappearedatthecorner，Boynechokedasobintoamuffedbellow，andwasabletomeettheastonishedeyesofhisfatherandsisterinthisdegreeoftriumph。

TheyhadnotintheleastunderstoodBreckon’sexplanation，and，infact，ithadnotbeenverylucid。Atsightofherbrotherstrenuouslyupheldbetweenthedetectives，anddraggedalongthesidewalk，Ellensprangfromthecarriageandrantowardshim。"Why，what’sthematterwithBoyne？"

shedemanded。"Areyouhurt，Boyne，dear？Aretheytakinghimtothehospital？"

Beforehecouldanswer，andquitebeforethejudgecouldreachthetragicalgroup，shehadflungherarmsroundBoyne’sneck，andwaskissinghistear-drabbledface，whilehelamentedback，"They’retakingmetoprison。"

"Takingyoutoprison？Ishouldliketoknowwhatfor！Whatareyoutakingmybrothertoprisonfor？"shechallengedthedetectives，whopaused，bewildered，whileallthelittleDutchboysroundadmiredthisobstructionofthelaw，andseveralDutchhousewives，toooldtogoouttoseethequeens，lookeddownfromtheirwindows。Itwaswhollyillegal，butthedetectiveswerehuman。TheycouldsnubsuchafriendoftheirprisonerasBreckon，buttheycouldnotmeetthedovelikeferocityofEllenwithunkindness。Theyexplainedaswellastheymight，andatasuggestionwhichKentonmadethroughBreckon，theyadmittedthatitwasnotbesidetheirdutytotakeBoynedirectlytoamagistrate，whocouldpassuponhiscase，andevenreleasehimuponproperevidenceofhisharmlessness，andsufficientsecurityforanydemandthatjusticemightmakeforhisfutureappearance。

"Then，"saidthejudge，quietly，"tellthemthatwewillgowiththem。

Itwillbeallright，Boyne。Ellen，youandIwillgetbackintothecarriage，and——"

"No！"Boyneroared。"Don’tleaveme，Nelly！"

"Indeed，Iwon’tleaveyou，Boyne！Mr。Breckon，yougetintothecarriagewithpoppa，andI——"

"IthinkIhadbettergowithyou，MissKenton，"saidBreckon，andinatendersuperfluitytheybothaccompaniedBoyneonfoot，whilethejudgeremountedtohisplaceinthecarriageandkeptabreastofthemontheirwaytothemagistrate’s。

XXIV。

ThemagistrateconceivedofBoyne’scasewithareadinessthatgavethejudgeahighopinionofhispersonalandnationalintelligence。Heevensmiledalittle，inacceptingtheexplanationwhichBreckonwasabletomakehimfromBoyne，buthethoughthisdutytogivetheboyafatherlywarningforthefuture。HeremarkedtoBreckonthatitwaswellforBoynethattheaffairhadnothappenedinGermany，whereitwouldhavebeenfoundamuchmoreseriousmatter，though，indeed，headded，ithadtobeseriouslyregardedanywhereinthesetimes，whenthelivesofsovereignsweresomuchatthemercyofallsortsofmadmenandmiscreants。HerelaxedalittlefromhisseverityinhisadmonitiontosaydirectlytoBoynethatqueens，evenwhentheywishedtospeakwithpeople，didnotbeckontheminthepublicstreets。WhenthisspeechtranslatedtoBoynebyBreckon，whomthemagistratecomplimentedontheperfectionofhisDutch，Boynehunghisheadsheepishly，andcouldnotberestoredtohischaracteristicdignityagaininthemagistrate’spresence。Thejudgegratefullyshookhandswiththefriendlyjustice，andmadehimalittlespeechofthanks，whichBreckoninterpreted，andthenthejusticeshookhandwiththejudge，andgracefullyacceptedtheintroductionwhichheofferedhimtoEllen。Theypartedwithreciprocalpraisesandobeisances，whichincludedeventhedetectives。Thejudgehadsomequestion，whichhesubmittedtoBreckon，whetherheoughtnottoofferthemsomething，butBreckonthoughtnot。

BreckonfoundithardtoabdicatethesortofauthorityinwhichhisknowledgeofDutchhadplacedhim，andwhenheprotestedthathehaddonenothingbutactasinterpreter，Ellensaid，"Yes，butwecouldn’thavedoneanythingwithoutyou，"andthiswastheviewthatMrs。Kentontookofthematterinthefamilyconclavewhichtookplacelaterintheevening。Breckonwasnotallowedtowithdrawfromit，inspiteofmanymodestefforts，beforeshehadbashfullyexpressedhersenseofhisservicetohim，andmadeBoyneshareherthanksgiving。Shehadherarmabouttheboy’sshoulderingivingBreckonherhand，andwhenBreckonhadgotawayshepulledBoynetoherinamoreperemptoryembrace。

"Now，Boyne，"shesaid，"Iamnotgoingtohaveanymorenonsense。I

wanttoknowwhyyoudidit。"

ThejudgeandEllenhadalreadyconjecturedclearlyenough，andBoynedidnotfearthem。Buthelookedathisyoungersisterashesulkilyanswered，"IamnotgoingtotellyoubeforeLottie。"

"Comeinhere，then，"saidhismother，andsheledhimintothenextroomandclosedthedoor。Shequicklyreturnedwithouthim。"Yes，"shebegan，"it’sjustasIsupposed；itwasthatworthlessfellowwhoputhimuptoit。Ofcourse，itbeganwiththosefoolbookshe’sbeenreading，andthenotionsthatMissRasmithputintohishead。Butheneverwouldhavedoneanythingifithadn’tbeenforMr。Trannel。"

Lottiehadlistenedinsilentscorntothewholeproceedingsuptothispoint，andhadrefusedapartinthegeneralrecognitionofBreckonasaspecialprovidence。Nowsheflashedoutwithaterriblevolubility:

"WhatdidItellyou？WhatelsecouldyouexpectofaCook’stourist？

Andmom——motherwantedtomakemegowithyou，afterItoldherwhathewas！Well，ifIhadhavegone，I’llbetIcouldhavekepthimfromplayinghistricks。I’llbethewouldn’thavetakenanyliberties，withmealong。I’llbetifhehad，itwouldn’thavebeenBoynethatgotarrested。I’llbethewouldn’thavegotoffsoeasilywiththemagistrate，either！ButIsupposeyou’llalllethimcomebowingandsmilingroundinthemorning，likebutterwouldn’tmeltinyourmouths。

ThatseemstobetheKentonway。Anybodycanpullournoses，orgetusarrestedthatwantsto，andweneversqueak。"Shewentonalongtimetothispurpose，Mrs。Kentonlisteningwithanairalmostofconviction，andEllenpatientlybearingitasarightthatLottiehadinamatterwhereshehadbeenotherwiseignored。

Thejudgebrokeout，notuponLottie，butuponhiswife。"Goodheavens，Sarah，can’tyoumakethechildhush？"

Lottieansweredforhermother，withacrashofnervesandagushoffurioustears:"Oh，I’vegottohush，Isuppose。It’salwaysthewaywhenI’mtryingtokeepupthedignityofthefamily。IsupposeitwillbecabledtoAmerica，andbytomorrowitwillbealloverTuskingumhowBoynewasmadeafoolofandgotarrested。ButIbetthere’sonepersoninTuskingumthatwon’thaveanyremarkstomake，andthat’sBittridge。

Not，aslongasDick’stherehewon’t。"

"Lottie！"criedhermother，andherfatherstartedtowardsher，whileEllenstillsatpatientlyquiet。

"Oh，well！"Lottiesubmitted。"ButifDickwashereIknowthisTrannelwouldn’tgetoffsosmoothly。DickwouldgivehimaworsecowhidingthanhedidBittridge。"

HalfthelastwordwaslostinthebangofthedoorwhichLottieslammedbehindher，leavingherfatherandmothertoasilencewhichEllendidnotoffertobreak。Thejudgehadnohearttospeak，inhisdismay，anditwasMrs。Kentonwhotooktheword。

"Ellen，"shebegan，withcompassionategentleness，"wetriedtokeepitfromyou。Weknewhowyouwouldfeel。Butnowwehavegottotellyou。

DickdidcowhidehimwhenhegotbacktoTuskingum。LottiewroteouttoDickaboutit，howMr。BittridgehadbehavedinNewYork。YourfatherandIdidn’tapproveofit，andDickdidn’tafterwards；but，yes，hediddoit。"

"Iknewit，momma，"saidEllen，sadly。

"Youknewit！How？"

"ThatotherletterIgotwhenwefirstcame——itwasfromhismother。"

"Didshetell——"

"Yes。Itwasterriblesheseemedtofeelso。AndIwassorryforher。

IthoughtIoughttoanswerit，andIdid。ItoldherIwassorry，too。

ItriednottoblameRichard。Idon’tbelieveIdid。AndItriednottoblamehim。Shewasfeelingbadlyenoughwithoutthat。"

Herfatherandmotherlookedateachother；theydidnotspeak，andsheasked，"DoyouthinkIoughtn’ttohavewritten？"

Herfatheranswered，alittletremulously:"Youdidright，Ellen。AndI

amsurethatyoudiditinjusttherightway。"

"Itriedto。IthoughtIwouldn’tworryyouaboutit。"

Sherose，andnowhermotherthoughtshewasgoingtosaythatitputanendtoeverything；thatshemustgobackandofferherselfasasacrificetotheinjuredBittridges。HermindhadrevertedtothatmomentonthesteamerwhenEllentoldherthatnothinghadreconciledhertowhathadhappenedwithBittridgebutthefactthatallthewrongdonehadbeendonetothemselves；thatthisfreedher。Inherdespairshecouldnotforbearasking，"Whatdidyouwritetoher，Ellen？"

"Nothing。IjustsaidthatIwasverysorry，andthatIknewhowshefelt。Idon’trememberexactly。"

Shewentupandkissedhermother。Sheseemedratherfatiguedthandistressed，andherfatheraskedher。"Areyougoingtobed，mydear？"

"Yes，I’mprettytired，andIshouldthinkyouwouldbe，too，poppa。

I’llspeaktopoorBoyne。Don’tmindLottie。Isupposeshecouldn’thelpsayingit。"Shekissedherfather，andslippedquietlyintoBoyne’sroom，fromwhichtheycouldhearherpassingontoherownbeforetheyventuredtosayanythingtoeachotherinthehopefulbewildermenttowhichshehadleftthem。

"Well？"saidthejudge。

"Well？"Mrs。Kentonreturned，inanoteofexasperation，asifshewerenotgoingtoletherselfbeforcedtotheinitiative。

"Ithoughtyouthought——"

"Ididthinkthat。NowIdon’tknowwhattothink。Wehavegottowait。"

"I’mwillingtowaitforEllen！"

"Sheseems，"saidMrs。Kenton，"tohavemoresensethanboththeotherchildrenputtogether，andIwasafraid——"

"ShemighteasilyhavemoresensethanBoyne，orLottie，either。"

"Well，Idon’tknow，"Mrs。Kentonbegan。Butshedidnotgoontoresentthedisparagementwhichshehadinvited。"WhatIwasafraidofwashergoodness。Itwashergoodnessthatgotherintothetrouble，tobeginwith。Ifshehadn’tbeensogood，thatfellowcouldneverhavefooledherashedid。Shewastooinnocent。"

Thejudgecouldnotforbearthehumorousview。"Perhapsshe’sgettingwickeder，ornotsoinnocent。Atanyrate，shedoesn’tseemtohavebeentakeinbyTrannel。"

"Hedidn’tpayanyattentiontoher。HewasalltakenupwithLottie。"

"Well，thatwaslucky。Sarah，"saidthejudge，"doyouthinkheislikeBittridge？"

"He’smademethinkofhimallthetime。"

"It’scurious，"thejudgemused。"Ihavealwaysnoticedhowourfaultsrepeatthemselves，butIdidn’tsupposeourfateswouldalwaystakethesameshape，orsomethinglikeit。"Mrs。Kentonstaredathim。"Whenthisotheronefirstmadeuptousontheboatmyheartwentdown。I

thoughtofBittridgeso。"

"Mr。Breckon？"

"Yes，thesamelightness；thesamesortoftrifling——Didn’tyounoticeit？"

"No——yes，Inoticedit。ButIwasn’tafraidforaninstant。Isawthathewasgood。"

"Oh！"

"WhatI’mafraidofnowisthatEllendoesn’tcareanythingabouthim。"

"Heisn’twickedenough？"

"Idon’tsaythat。Butitwouldbetoomuchhappinesstoexpectinoneshortlife。"

Thejudgecouldnotdenythereasonablenessofherposition。Hecouldonlyopposeit。"Well，Idon’tthinkwe’vehadanymorethanourshareofhappinesslately。"

NooneexceptBoynecouldhavemadeTrannel’sbehavioracauseofquarrel，buttheotherKentonsmadeitacauseofcoldnesswhichwasquiteaseffective。InLottiethistooktheformofsomethingsoactive，sopositive，thatitwassomethingmorethanamereabsenceofwarmth。

Beforeshecameclowntobreakfastthenextmorningshestudiedastareinhermirror，andpractisedituponTrannelsosuccessfullywhenhecameuptospeaktoherthatitmusthavemadehimdoubtwhetherhehadeverhadheracquaintance。Inhisdoubtheventuredtoaddressher，andthenLottieturnedherbackuponhiminamannerthatwasperfectlyconvincing。HeattemptedasmilingeasewithMrs。Kentonandthejudge，buttheysharedneitherhissmilenorhisease，andhisjocosequestionsabouttheendofyesterday’sadventures，whichhehadnotbeenprivyto，didnotseemtoappealtotheAmericansenseofhumorinthem。Ellenwasnotwiththem，norBoyne，butTrannelwasnotaskedtotakeeitherofthevacantplacesatthetable，evenwhenBreckontookoneofthem，afteradecentexchangeofcivilitieswithhim。HecouldonlysaunterawayandleaveMrs。Kentontoalittlepang。

"Tchk！"shemade。"I’msorryforhim！"

"SoamI，"saidthejudge。"Buthewillgetoverit——onlytoosoon，I’mafraid。Idon’tbelievehe’sverysorryforhimself。"

TheyhadnotadvisedwithBreckon，andhedidnotfeelauthorizedtomakeanycomment。Heseemedpreoccupied，toMrs。Kenton’seye，whensheturnedituponhimfromTrannel’sdiscomfitedback，lesseningintheperspective，andheansweredvaguelytoherovertureabouthisnight’srest。LottienevermadeanyconversationwithBreckon，andshenowlefthimtohimself，withsomeremnantsofthedisapprovalwhichshefoundonherhandsaftercrushingTrannel。ItcouldnotbesaidthatBreckonwasawareofherdisapproval，andthejudgehadnoapparentconsciousnessofit。HeandBreckontriedtomakesomethingofeachother，butfailed，anditallseemedaverydefeatingsequeltoMrs。Kentonafterthetriumphalglowoftheeveningbefore。WhenLottierose，shewentwithher，allegingherwishtoseeifBoynehadeatenhisbreakfast。Sheconfessed，toBreckon’skindinquiry，thatBoynedidnotseemverywell，andthatshehadmadehimtakehisbreakfastinhisroom，andshedidnotthinkitnecessarytoown，eventosofriendlyawitnessasMr。Breckon，thatBoynewasashamedtocomedown，anddreadedmeetingTrannelsomuchthatshewasgivinghimtimetorecoverhisself-respectandcourage。

AssoonassheandLottieweregoneBreckonbegan，rathermoreformidablythanheliked，buthelplesslyso:"JudgeKenton，Ishouldbegladofafewmomentswithyouon——onanimportant——onamatterthatisimportanttome。"

"Well，"saidthejudge，cautiously。Whateverwascoming，hewishedtoguardhimselffromthemistakethathehadoncesonearlyfalleninto，andthatstillmadehimcatchhisbreathtothinkof。"HowcanIbeofusetoyou？"

"Idon’tknowthatyoucanbeofanyuse——Idon’tknowthatIoughttospeaktoyou。ButIthoughtyoumightperhapssavemefrom——savemytakingafalsestep。"

HelookedatKentonasifhewouldunderstand，andKentonsupposedthathedid。Hesaid，"Mydaughteroncementionedyourwishtotalkwithme。"

"Yourdaughter？"Breckonstaredathiminstupefaction。

"Yes；Ellen。ShesaidyouwishedtoconsultmeaboutgoingbacktoyourchargeinNewYork，whenwewereontheshiptogether。ButIdon’tknowthatI’mverycompetenttogiveadviceinsuch——"

"Oh！"Breckonexclaimed，inatoneofimmenserelief，whichdidnotcontinueitselfinwhathewentontosay。"That！I’vequitemadeupmymindtogoback。"Hestopped，andthenbeburstout，"Iwanttospeakwithyouabouther。"Thejudgesatsteady，stillresolutenottogivehimselfaway，andtheyoungmanscarcelyrecoveredfromwhathadbeenadesperateplungeinadding:"Iknowthatit’susualtospeakwithher——

withtheladyherselffirst，but——Idon’tknow！Thecircumstancesarepeculiar。Youonlyknowaboutmewhatyou’veseenofme，andIwouldrathermakemymistakesintheorderthatseemsrighttome，althoughitisn’tjusttheAmericanway。"

Hesmiledratherpiteously，andthejudgesaid，ratherencouragingly，"Idon’tquiteknowwhetherIfollowyou。"

Breckonblushed，andsoughthelpinwhatremainedofhiscoffee。"Thewayisn’teasyforme。Butit’sthis:IaskyourleavetoaskMissEllentomarryme。"Theworstwasovernow，andlookedasifitwerearelief。

"Sheisthemostbeautifulpersonintheworldtome，andthebest；

butasyouknowsolittleofme，Ithoughtitrighttogetyourleave——totellyou——to——to——Thatisall。"HefellbackinhischairandlookedaatKenton。

"Itisunusual，"thejudgebegan。

"Yes，Yes；Iknowthat。AndforthatreasonIspeakfirsttoyou。I’llberuledbyyouimplicitly。"

"Idon’tmeanthat，"Kentonsaid。"Iwouldhaveexpectedthatyouwouldspeaktoherfirst。ButIgetyourpointofview，andImustsayIthinkyou’reright。Ithinkyouarebehaving——honorably。Iwishthateveryonewaslikeyou。ButIcan’tsayanythingnow。Imusttalkwithhermother。Mydaughter’slifehasnotbeenhappy。Ican’ttellyou。ButasfarasIamconcerned，andIthinkMrs。Kenton，too，Iwouldbeglad——WelikeyouMr。Breckon。Wethinkyouareagoodman。

"Oh，thankyou。I’mnotsosure——"

"We’driskit。Butthatisn’tall。WillyouexcusemeifIdon’tsayanythingmorejustyet——andifIleaveyou？"

"Why，certainly。"Thejudgehadrisenandpushedbackhischair，andBreckondidthesame。"AndIshall——hearfromyou？"

"Why，certainly，"saidthejudgeinhisturn。

"Itisn’tpossiblethatyouputhimoff！"hiswifereproachedhim，whenhetoldwhathadpassedbetweenhimandBreckon。"Oh，youcouldn’thavelethimthinkthatwedidn’twanthimforher！Surelyyoudidn’t！"

"Willyougetitintoyourhead，"heflamedback，"thathehasn’tspokentoEllenyet，andIcouldn’taccepthimtillshehad？"

"Ohyes。Iforgotthat。"Mrs。Kentonstruggledwiththefact，inthedifficultyofrealizingsostrangeanorderofprocedure。"Isupposeit’shisbeingeducatedabroadthatway。But，dogobacktohim，Rufus，andtellhimthatofcourse——"

"Iwilldonothingofthekind，Sarah！Whatareyouthinkingof？"

"Oh，Idon’tknowwhatI’mthinkingof！ImustseeEllen，Isuppose。

I’llgotohernow。Oh，dear，ifshedoesn’t——ifsheletssuchachanceslipthroughherfingers——Butshe’squitelikelyto，she’ssoobstinate！

Iwonderwhatshe’llwantustodo。"

Shefledtoherdaughter’sroomandfoundBoynethere，sittingbesidehissister’sbed，givingheradetailedaccountofhisadventureofthedaybefore，uptothemomentMr。Breckonmethim，inchargeofthedetectives。Uptothatmoment，itappearedtoBoyne，asnearlyashecouldrecollect，thathehadnotbrokendown，buthadbehavedhimselfwithadignitywhichwasnowbeginningtoclothehiswholeexperience。

Intheretrospect，aquietheroismcharacterizedhisconduct，andatthemomenthismotherenteredtheroomhewasquestioningEllenastoherimpressionsofhisbearingwhenshefirstsawhiminthegraspofthedetectives。

Hismothertookhimbythearm，andsaid，"IwanttospeakwithEllen，Boyne，"andputhimoutofthedoor。

Thenshecamebackandsatdowninhischair。"Ellen。Mr。Breckonhasbeenspeakingtoyourfather。Doyouknowwhatabout？"

"AbouthisgoingbacktoNewYork？"thegirlsuggested。

Hermotherkeptherpatiencewithdifficulty。"No，notaboutthat。

Aboutyou！He’saskedyourfather——Ican’tunderstandyetwhyhedidit，onlyhe’ssodelicateandhonorable，andgoodnessknownweappreciateit——

whetherhecantellyouthat——that——"ItwasnotpossibleforsuchamotherasMrs。Kentontosay"Helovesyou"；itwouldhavesoundedasshewouldhavesaid，toosickish，andshecompromisedon:"Helikesyou，andwantstoaskyouwhetheryouwillmarryhim。And，Ellen，"shecontinued，intheamplesilencewhichfollowed，"ifyoudon’tsayyouwill，IwillhavenothingmoretodoWithsuchasimpleton。IhavealwaysfeltthatyoubehavedveryfoolishlyaboutMr。Bittridge，butIhopedthatwhenyougrewolderyouwouldseeitaswedid，and——andbehavedifferently。Andnow，if，afterallwe’vebeenthroughwithyou，youaregoingtosaythatyouwon’thaveMr。Breckon——"

Mrs。KentonstoppedforwantofafigurethatwouldconveyallthedisasterthatwouldfalluponElleninsuchanevent，andshewasgivenfurtherpausewhenthegirlgentlyanswered，"I’mnotgoingtosaythat，momma。"

"Thenwhatintheworldareyougoingtosay？"Mrs。Kentondemanded。

Ellenhadturnedherfaceawayonthepillow，andnowsheanswered，quietly，"WhenMr。BreckonasksmeIwilltellhim。"

"Well，youhadbetter！"hermotherthreatenedinreturn，andshedidnotrealizethefalsityofherpositiontillshereportedEllen’swordstothejudge。

Well，Sarah，Ithinkshehadyouthere，"hesaid，andMrs。Kentonthensaidthatshedidnotcare，ifthechildwasonlygoingtobehavesensiblyatlast，andshedidbelieveshewas。

"Thenit’sallright"saidthejudge，andhetookuptheTuskingumIntelligencer，lyingtillthenunreadintheexcitementswhichhadfolloweditsarrivalthedaybefore，andbegantoreadit。

Mrs。Kentonsatdreamilywatchinghim，withherhandsfalleninherlap。

Shesuddenlystartedup，withthecry，"Goodgracious！Whatareweallthinkingof？"

Kentonstaredatheroverthetopofhispaper。"How，thinkingof？"

"WhyMr。Breckon！Hemustbecrazytoknowwhatwe’vedecided，poorfellow！"

"Oh，"saidthejudge，foldingtheIntelligenceronhisknee。"Ihadforgotten。Somehow，Ithoughtitwasallsettled。"

Mrs，Kentontookhispaperfromhim，andfinishedfoldingit。"Ithasn’tbeguntobesettled。Youmustgoandlethimknow。"

"Won’thelookmeup？"thejudgesuggested。

"Youmustlookhimup。Goatoncedear！Thinkhowanxioushemustbe！"

KentonwasnotsurethatBreckonlookedveryanxiouswhenhefoundhimonthebrickpromenadebeforetheKurhaus，apparentlyabsorbedinnotingtheconvulsionsofalarge，roundGermanladyinthewater，whomusthavesupposedherselftobebathing。Butperhapstheyoungmandidnotseeher；thesmileonhisfacewastoovagueforsuchaninterestwhenheturnedatKenton’sapproachingsteps。

Thejudgehesitatedforaninstant，inwhichthesmileleftBreckon’sface。"Ibelievethat’sallright，Mr。Breckon，"hesaid。"You’llfindMrs。Kentoninourparlor，"andthenthetwomenparted，withan"Oh，thankyou！"fromBreckon，whowalkedbacktowardsthehotel，andleftKentontoponderupontheGermanlady；assoonasherealizedthatshewasnotabarrel，thejudgecontinuedhiswalkalongthepromenade，feelingratherashamed。

Mrs。KentonhadgonetoEllen’sroomagainwhenshehadgotthejudgeoffuponhismission。Sheratherflunginuponher。"Oh，youareup！"sheapologizedtoEllen’sback。Thegirl’sfacewastowardstheglass，andshewastiltingherheadtogettheeffectofthehatonit，whichshenowtookoff。

"Isupposepoppa’sgonetotellhim，"shesaid，sittingtremulouslydown。

"Didn’tyouwanthimto？"hermotherasked，strickenalittleatsightofheragitation。

"Yes，Iwantedhimto，butthatdoesn’tmakeitanyeasier。Itmakesitharder。Momma！"

"Well，Ellen？"

"Youknowyou’vegottotellhim，first。"

"Tellhim？"Mrs。Kentonrepeated，butsheknewwhatEllenmeant。

"About——Mr。Bittridge。Allaboutit。Everysinglething。Abouthiskissingmethatnight。"

AtthelastdemandMrs。Kentonwasvisiblyshakeninherinvisibleassenttothegirl’swish。"Don’tyouthink，Ellen，thatyouhadbettertellhimthat——sometime？"

"No，now。Andyoumusttellhim。Youletmegotothetheatrewithhim。"Thefaintestshadowofresentmentcloudedthegirl’sface，butstillMrs。Kenton，thoughtsheknewherownguilt，couldnotyield。

"Why，Ellen，"shepleaded，notwithoutareproachfulsenseofvulgarityinsuchaplea，"don’tyousupposeHEever——kissedanyone？"

"Thatdoesn’tconcernme，momma，"saidEllen，withoutatraceofconsciousnessthatshewassayinganythinguncommon。"Ifyouwon’ttellhim，thenthatendsit。Iwon’tseehim。"

"Oh，well！"hermothersighed。"Iwilltrytotellhim。ButI’dratherbewhipped。Iknowhe’lllaughatme。"

"Hewon’tlaughatyou，"saidthegirl，confidently，almostcomfortingly。

"IwanthimtoknoweverythingbeforeImeethim。Idon’twanttohaveasinglethingonmymind。Idon’twanttothinkofmyself！"

Mrs。Kentonunderstoodthewoman——soulthatspokeinthesewords。

"Well，"shesaid，withadeep，longbreath，"beready，then。"

Butshefelttheburdenwhichhadbeenputuponhertobesomuchmorethanshecouldbearthatwhenshefoundherhusbandintheirparlorsheinstantlyresolvedtocastituponhim。Hestoodatthewindowwithhishaton。

"HasBreckonbeenhereyet？"heasked。

"Haveyouseenhimyet？"shereturned。

"Yes，andIthoughthewascomingrighthere。Butperhapshestoppedtoscrewhiscourageup。Heonlyknewhowlittleitneededwithus！"

"Well，now，it’swewho’vegottohavethecourage。Oryouhave。DoyouknowwhatEllenwantstohavedone？"Mrs。Kentonputitintheseimpersonalterms，andasapreliminarytoshirkinghershareoftheburden。

"Shedoesn’twanttohavehimrefused？"

"ShewantstohavehimtoldallaboutBittridge。"

Afteramomentaryrevoltthejudgesaid，"Well，that’sright。It’slikeEllen。"

"There’ssomethingelsethat’smorelikeher，"saidMrs。Kenton，indignantly。"ShewantshimtotoldaboutwhatBittridgedidthatnight——abouthimkissingher。"

Thejudgelookeddisgustedwithhiswifefortheword；thenhelookedaghast。"About——"

"Yes，andshewon’thaveawordtosaytohimtillheistold，andunlessheistoldshewillrefusehim。"

"Didshesaythat？"

"No，butIknowshewill。"

"Ifshedidn’tsayshewould，Ithinkwemaytakethechancesthatshewon’t。"

"No，wemustn’ttakeanysuchchances。Youmusttellhim。"

"I？No，Icouldn’tmanageit。Ihavenotact，anditwouldsoundsoconfoundedlyqueer，comingfromonemantoanother。Itwouldbe——

indelicate。It’ssomethingthatnobodybutawoman——Whydoesn’tshetellhimherself？"

"Shewon’t。Sheconsidersitourpart，andsomethingweoughttodobeforehecommitshimself。"

"Verywell，then，Sarah，youmusttellhim。Youcanmanageitsoitwon’tbyso——queer。

"ThatisjustwhatIsupposedyouwouldsay，Mr。Kenton，butImustsayI

didn’texpectitofyou。Ithinkit’scowardly。"

"Lookout，Sarah！Idon’tlikethatword。"

"Oh，Isupposeyou’rebraveenoughwhenitcomestoanykindofdanger。

Butwhenitcomestotakingthebruntofanythingunpleasant——"

"Itisn’tunpleasant——it’squeer。"

"Whydoyoukeepsayingthatoverandover？There’snothingqueeraboutit。It’sEllenishbutisn’titright？"

"It’sright，yes，Isuppose。Butit’ssqueamish。"

"Iseenothingsqueamishaboutit。ButIknowyou’redeterminedtoleaveittome，andsoIshalldoit。Idon’tbelieveMr。Breckonwillthinkit’squeerorsqueamish。"

"I’venodoubthe’lltakeitintherightway；you’llknowhowto——"

Kentonlookedintohishat，whichhehadtakenoffandthenputitonagain。Histoneandhismannerweresufficientlysneaking，andhecouldnotmakethemotherwise。Itwasforthisreason，nodoubt，thathewouldnotprolongtheinterview。

"Ohyes，go！"saidMrs。Kenton，ashefoundhimselfwithhishandonthedoor。"Leaveitalltome，do！"andhewasawareofskulkingoutoftheroom。Bythetimethatitwouldhavetakenhimsolongastowalktothetopofthegrandstairwayhewasbackagain。"He’scoming！"hesaid，breathlessly。"Isawhimatthebottomofthestairs。Gointoyourroomandwashyoureyes。I’LLtellhim。"

"No，no，Rufus！Letme！Itwillbemuchbetter。You’llbesuretobungleit。"

"Wemustriskthat。Youwerequiteright，Sarah。Itwouldhavebeencowardlyinmetoletyoudoit。"

"Rufus！YouknowIdidn’tmeanit！Surelyyou’renotresentingthat？"

"No。I’mgladyoumademeseeit。You’reallright，Sarah，andyou’llfindthatitwillallcomeoutallright。Youneedn’tbeafraidI’llbungleit。Ishallusediscretion。Go——"

"Ishallnotstirastepfromthisparlor！You’vegotbackallyourspirit，dear，"saidtheoldwife，withyoungprideinherhusband。

"ButImustsaythatEllenisputtingmoreuponyouthanshehasanyrightto。Ithinkshemighttellhimherself。"

"No，it’sourbusiness——mybusiness。Weallowedhertogetinforit。

She’squiterightaboutit。Wemustnotlethimcommithimselftohertillheknowsthethingthatmostputshertoshame。Itisn’tenoughforustosaythatitwasreallynoshame。Shefeelsthatitcastsasortofstain——youknowwhatImean，Sarah，andIbelieveIcanmakethisyoungmanknow。IfIcan’t，somuchtheworseforhim。HeshallneverseeEllenagain。"

"Oh，Rufus！"

"Doyouthinkhewouldbeworthyofherifhecouldn’t？"

"IthinkEllenisperfectlyridiculous。"

"ThenthatshowsthatIamrightindecidingnottoleavethisthingtoyou。Ifeelasshedoesaboutit，andIintendthatheshall。"

"Doyouintendtoletherrunthechanceoflosinghim？"

"ThatiswhatIintendtodo。"

"Well，then，I’lltellyouwhat:Iamgoingtostayrighthere。Wewillbothseehim；it’srightforustodoit。"ButatarapontheparlordoorMrs。Kentonflewtothatofherownroom，whichshecloseduponherwithasortofParthianwhimper，"Oh，dobecareful，Rufus！"

WhetherKentonwascarefulornotcouldneverbeknown，fromeitherKentonhimselforfromBreckon。Thejudgedidtellhimeverything，andtheyoungmanreceivedthemostdamningdetailsofEllen’shistorywitharadiantabsencewhichtestifiedthattheyfelluponasurfacesenseofKenton，anddidnotpenetratetotheall-pervadingsenseofEllenherselfbelow。AttheendKentonwasafraidhehadnotunderstood。

"Youunderstand，"hesaid，"thatshecouldnotconsenttoseeyoubeforeyouknewjusthowweakshethoughtshehadbeen。"Thejudgestiffenedtodefianceinmakingthishumiliation。"Idon’tconsider，myself，thatshewasweakatall。"

"Ofcoursenot！"Breckonbeamedbackathim。

"Iconsiderthatthroughoutsheactedwiththegreatest——greatest——Andthatinthataffair，whenhebehavedwiththat——thatoutrageousimpudence，itwasbecauseshehadmisledthescoundrelbyherkindness，herforbearance，herwishnottodohimtheleastshadowofinjustice，buttogivehimeverychanceofprovinghimselfworthyofhertolerance；

and——"

Thejudgechoked，andBreckoneagerlyasked，"AndshallI——mayIseehernow？"

"Why——yes，"thejudgefaltered。"Ifyou’resure——"

"Whatabout？"Breckondemanded。

"Idon’tknowwhethershewillbelievethatIhavetoldyou。"

"Iwilltrytoconvinceher。WhereshallIseeher？"

"Iwillgoandtellheryouarehere。Iwillbringher——"

Kentonpassedintotheadjoiningroom，wherehiswifelaidholdofhim，almostviolently。"Youdiditbeautifully，Rufus，"shehuskilywhispered，"andIwassoafraidyouwouldspoileverything。Oh，howmanlyyouwere，andhowperfecthewas！Butnowit’smyturn，andIwillgoandbringEllen——Youwillletme，won’tyou？"

"Youmaydoanythingyouplease，Sarah。Idon’twanttohaveanymoreofthis，"saidthejudgefromthechairhehaddroppedinto。

"Well，then，Iwillbringheratonce，"saidMrs。Kenton，stayingonlyinhergladnesstokisshimonhisgrayhead；hereceivedherembracewithasuperficialsultrinesswhichdidnotdeceiveher。

Ellencamebackwithouthermother，andassoonassheenteredtheroom，andBreckonrealizedthatshehadcomealone，herantowardsherasiftotakeherinhisarms。Butsheputupherhandwithextendedfingers，andheldhimlightlyoff。

"Didpoppatellyou？"sheasked，withacertaindefiance。Sheheldherheadupfiercely，andspokesteadily，buthecouldseethepulsebeatinginherprettyneck。

"Yes，hetoldme——"

"And——well？"

"Oh，Iloveyou，Ellen——"

"Thatisn’tit。Didyoucare？"

Breckonhadaninspiration，aninspirationfromthetruththatdweltatthebottomofhissoulandhadneveryetfailedtosavehim。Helethisarmsfallandanswered，desperately:"Yes，Idid。Iwishedithadn’thappened。"Hesawthepulseinherneckceasetobeat，andheswiftlyadded，"ButIknowthatithappenedjustbecauseyouwereyourself，andwereso——"

"Ifyouhadsaidyoudidn’tcare，"shebreathlesslywhispered，"Iwouldneverhavespokentoyou。Hefeltaconditionaltremorcreepingintothefingerswhichhadbeensorigidagainsthisbreast。"Idon’tseehowI

livedthroughit！Doyouthinkyoucan？"

"Ithinkso，"hereturned，withafaint，farsuggestionoflevitythatbroughtfromheranimperative，imploring——

"Don’t！"

Thenheadded，solemnly，"Ithadnomoretodowithyou，Ellen，thananoffencefromsomehatefulanimal——"

"Oh，howgoodyouare！"Thefingersfoldedthemselves，andherarmsweakenedsothattherewasnothingtokeephimfromdrawinghertohim。

"What——whatareyoudoing？"sheasked，withherfacesmotheredagainsthis。

"Oh，Ell-en，Ellen，Ellen！Oh，mylove，mydearest，mybest！"

"ButIhavebeensuchafool！"sheprotested，imaginingthatshewasgoingtopushhimfromher，butlosingherselfinhimmoreandmore。

"Yes，yes，darling！Iknowit。That’swhyIloveyouso！"

XXVI。

"Thereisjustonething，"saidthejudge，ashewounduphiswatchthatnight，"thatmakesmealittleuneasystill。"

Mrs。Kenton，alreadyinherbedturnedherfaceuponhimwithadespairing"Tchk！Dear！Whatisit？Ithoughtwehadtalkedovereverything，"

"Wehaven’tgotLottie’sconsentyet。"

"Well，IthinkIseemyselfaskingLottie！"Mrs。Kentonbegan，beforesherealizedherhusband’sirony。Sheadded，"Howcouldyougivemesuchastart？"

"Well，LottiehasbossedussolongthatIcouldn’thelpmentioningit，"

saidthejudge。

Itwasalameexcuse，andinitsmostpotentialimplicationhissuggestionprovedwithoutreason。IfLottienevergaveherexplicitapprovaltoEllen’sengagement，sheneveropenlyopposedit。Shetreatedit，rather，withsomethinglikesilentcontempt，asachildishweaknessonEllen’spartwhichwasbeneathherseriousconsideration。TowardsBreckon，herbehaviorhardlychangedintheseveritywhichshehadassumedfromthemomentshefirstceasedtohaveanyuseforhim。

"IsupposeIwillhavetokisshim，"shesaid，gloomily，whenhermothertoldherthathewastobeherbrother，andsheperformedtheritewithasmuchcoldnessaswaseverputinthatformofaffectionatewelcome。

ItisdoubtfulifBreckonperfectlyrealizeditscoldness；heneverknewhowmuchheenragedherbyactingasifshewerealittlegirl，andsayinglightly，almosttrivially，"I’msogladyou’regoingtobeasistertome。"

WithEllen，Lottienowconsideredherselfquits，andfromthefirsthourofEllen’shappinessshethrewoffallthecarewithalltheapparentkindnesswhichshehadusedtowardsherwhenshewasamorbidinvalid。

Hereagain，ifLottiehadmindedsuchathing，shemighthavebeenasmuchvexedbyEllen’sattitudeasbyBreckon’s。Ellenneveroncenoticedthewithdrawalofheranxiousoversight，orseemedintheleasttomissit。Asmuchashermeeknaturewouldallow，shearrogatedtoherselftheprivilegesandprerogativesofaneldersister，andifithadbeenpossibletomakeLottieeverfeellikeachit，thereweremomentswhenEllen’sbehaviorwouldhavemadeherfeellikeachit。ItwasnottillaftertheirreturntoTuskingumthatLottietookhertrueplaceinrelationtotheaffair，andinthepreparationsforthewedding，whichsheappointedtobeintheFirstUniversalistChurch，overrulingbothhermother’sandsister’spreferencesforahomewedding，thatLottieroseindueauthority。Mrs。Kentonhadnotceasedtofeelquelledwheneverheryoungerdaughtercalledhermotherinsteadofmomma，andEllenseemednotreallytocare。ShesubmittedthemattertoBreckon，whosaid，"Ohyes，ifLottiewishes，"andhelaughedwhenEllenconfessed，"Well，Isaidwewould。"

Withtheliftingofhisgreatanxiety，hehadgotbacktothatlightnesswhichwasmostlikehim，andhecouldnotalwaysconcealfromLottieherselfthatheregardedherasajoke。Shedidnotmindit，shesaid，fromsuchameresopas，inthevastcontentofhislove，hewas。

ThiswassomemonthsafterLottiehadgotatScheveningenfromMr。

Plumptonthatletterwhichdecidedherthatshehadnouseforhim。

Therecamethesameday，andbythesamepostwithit，aletterfromoneofheryoungmeninTuskingum，whohadfaithfullywrittentoherallthewinterbefore，andhadnotintermittedhislettersaftershewentabroad。

ToKentonhehadalwaysseemedtoowiseifnottoogoodforLottie，butMrs。Kenton，whohadherowndoubtsofLottie，wouldnotallowthiswhenitcametothequestion，andsaid，woundedly，thatshedidnotseewhyLottiewasnotfullyhisequalineveryway。

"Well，"thejudgesuggested，"sheisn’tthefirstyounglawyerattheTuskingumbar。"

"Well，Iwouldn’twishhertobe，"saidMrs。Kenton，whodidnotoftenmakejokes。

"Well，Idon’tknowthatIwould，"herhusbandassented，andheadded，"Prettygood，Sarah。"

"Lottie，"hermothersummedup，"ispractical，andsheisveryneat。Shewon’tletMr。Elroygoaroundlookingsoslovenly。Ihopeshewillmakehimhavehishaircut，andnotlookasifitwerebittenoff。AndI

don’tbelievehe’shadhisbootsblackedsince——"

"Hewasborn，"thejudgeproposed，andsheassented。

"Yes。Sheisverysaving，andheiswasteful。Itwillbeaverygoodmatch。Youcanletthembuildontheothercornerofthelot，ifEllenisgoingtobeinNewYork。IwouldmissLottiemorethanEllenaboutthehousekeeping，thoughthedearknowsIwillmissthembothbadlyenough。"

"Well，youcanbreakofftheirengagements，"saidthejudge。

Asyet，anduntilEllenwasoffherhands，LottiewouldnotallowMr。

Elroytoconsiderhimselfengagedtoher。Hisconditionaldevotiondidnotdebarhimfromalover’srights，and，untilBreckoncameonfromNewYorktobemarried，therewasmuchmorecourtshipofLottiethanofElleninthehouse。ButLottiesavedherselfintheformifnotthefact，andasfarasverbaltermswereconcerned，shewasjustifiedbythemindeclaringthatshewouldnothaveanothersophanginground。

ItwasBoyne，andBoynealone，whohadanymisgivingsinregardtoEllen’sengagement，andthesewereofanaturesoreconditethatwhenhecametoimpartthemtohismother，beforetheyleftScheveningen，andwhiletherewasyettimeforthatconclusionwhichhisfathersuggestedtoMrs。Kentontoolate，Boynehadanalmosthopelessdifficultyinstatingthem。Hisapproaches，even，weresomysticalthathismotherwasforcedtobringhimtobooksharply。

"Boyne，ifyoudon’ttellmerightoffjustwhatyoumean，Idon’tknowwhatIwilldotoyou！Whatareyoudrivingat，forpity’ssake？Areyousayingthatsheoughtn’ttobeengagedtoMr。Breckon？"

"No，I’mnotsayingthat，momma，"saidBoyne，inadistressthatcausedhismothertotakeareefinherimpatience。

"Well，whatareyousaying，then？"

"Why，youknowhowEllenis，momma。Youknowhowconscientiousand——and——sensitive。Or，Idon’tmeansensitive，exactly。"

"Well？"

"Well，Idon’tthinksheoughttobeengagedtoMr。Breckonoutof——

gratitude。"

"Gratitude？"

"Yes。Ijustknowthatshethinks——oritwouldbejustlikeher——thathesavedmethatday。Butheonlymetmeaboutasecondbeforewecametoherandpoppa，andtheofficersweretakingmerightalongtowardsthem。"

Mrs。Kentonheldherselfstormilyin，andhecontinued:"Iknowthathetranslatedforusbeforethemagistrate，butthemagistratecouldspeakalittleEnglish，andwhenhesawpoppahesawthatitwasallright，anyway。Idon’twanttosayanythingagainstMr。Breckon，andIthinkhebehavedaswellanyonecould；butifEllenisgoingtomarryhimoutofgratitudeforsavingme——"

Mrs。Kentoncouldholdinnolonger。"Andisthiswhatyou’vebeenbotheringthelifehalfoutofmefor，forthelasthour？"

"Well，Ithoughtyououghttolookatitinthatlight，momma。"

"Well，Boyne，"saidhismother，"sometimesIthinkyou’realmostafool！"

andsheturnedherbackuponhersonandlefthim。

Boyne’splaceintheKentonfamily，forwhichhecontinuedtohavethehighestregard，becamealittlelessdifficult，alittlelessincompatiblewithhisself-respectastimewenton。Hisspirit，whichhadlaggedalittleafterhisbodyinstature，began，ashisfathersaid，tocatchup。Henolongernourisheditsoexclusivelyuponheroicalromanceashehadduringthepastyear，andafterhisreturntoTuskingumhewentintohisbrotherRichard’sonce，andmanifestedacertaincuriosityinthestudyofthelaw。HereadBlackstone，andcouldgiveafairaccountofhisimpressionsofEnglishlawtohisfather。Hehadquiteoutlivedtheperiodofentomologicalresearch，andhepresentedhiscollectionsofinsects(somewhatmoth-eaten)tohisnephew，onwhomhealsobestowedhispostage-stampalbum；MaryKentonacceptedthemintrust，thenephewbeingofyettootenderyearsfortheircare。InthepreoccupationsofhisimmediatefamilywithEllen’sengagement，Boynebecameratherclosefriendswithhissister-in-law，andthereweretimeswhenhewastemptedtosubmittoherjudgmentthequestionwhethertheyoungQueenofHollanddidnotreallybeckontohimthatday。ButpendingthehourwhenheforesawthatLottieshouldcomeoutwiththewholestory，insomeinstantofexcitement，Boynehadnotquitethehearttospeakofhisexperience。Itassumedmoreandmorerespectabilitywithhim，andlostthatsqualorwhichhadonceputhimtoshamewhileitwasyetnew。HethoughtthatMarymightbereasonedintoregardinghimastheheroofanadventure，butheisstillhesitatingwhethertoconfideinher。Inthemeantimesheknowsallaboutit。MaryandRichardbothapprovedofEllen’schoice，thoughtheyaresomewhatpuzzledtomakeoutjustwhatMr。Breckon’sreligionis，andwhathisrelationstohischargeinNewYorkmaybe。Thesedonotseemtothemquitepastoral，andhehimselfsharestheiruncertainty。ButsincehisflockdoesnotincludeMrs。Rasmithandherdaughter，heiscontenttoletthequestionremaininabeyance。TheRasmithsaresettledinRomewithanapparentpermanencywhichtheyhavenotknownelsewhereforalongtime，andtheyhavebothjoinedinthefriendliestkindofletteronhismarriagetotheirformerpastor，ifthatwaswhatBreckonwas。TheyhaveprofessedtoknowfromthefirstthathewasinlovewithEllen，andthatheisinlovewithhernowisthestrongpresentbeliefofhisflock，iftheyareaflock，andiftheymaybesaidtohaveanythingsopositiveasabeliefinregardtoanything。

JudgeKentonhasgiventheElroystheothercornerofthelot，andhassuppliedthemthemeansofbuildingonit。MaryandLottierundiagonallyintothehome-houseeveryday，andnothingkeepseitherfromcomingintoauthorityovertheoldpeopleexceptthefearofeachotherinwhichtheystand。TheKentonsnolongermakeanysummerjourneys，butinthewintertheytakeBoyneandgotoseeElleninNewYork。TheydonotstaysolongasMrs。Kentonwouldlike。AssoonastheyhavefairlyseentheBreckons，andhavesettledcomfortablydownintheirpleasanthouseonWestSeventy-fourthStreet，shedetectshiminasecrethabitofsighing，whichsherecognizesastheworstsymptomofhomesickness，andthensheconfidestoEllenthatshesupposesMr。Kentonwillmakehergohomewithhimbeforelong。Ellenknowsitisuselesstointerfere。Sheevenencouragesherfather’slongings，sofarasindulginghisclandestinevisitstotheseedsman’s，andshegoeswithhimtopickupsecond-handbooksaboutOhiointheWaratthedealers’，whorememberthejudgeveryflatteringly。

AsFebruarydrawsontowardsMarchitbecomesimpossibletodetainKenton。HiswifeandsonreturnwithhimtoTuskingum，whereLottiehasseentothekindlingofagoodfireinthefurnaceagainsttheirarrival，andhasnearlycometoblowswithMaryaboutprovisioningthemforthefirstdinner。ThenMrs。Kentonowns，withacomfortwhichshewillnotletherhusbandsee，thatthereisnoplacelikehome，andtheytakeuptheirlifeintheplacewheretheyhavebeensohappyandsounhappy。Hereadstoheragooddealatnight，andtheyplayagameofcheckersusuallybeforetheygotobed；shestillcheatswithoutscruple，for，asshejustlysays，heknowsverywellthatshecannotbeartobebeaten。

Thecolonel，asheisstillinvariablyknowntohisveterans，worksprettyfaithfullyattheregimentalautobiography，anddrivesroundthecountry，pickingupmaterialamongthem，inabuggyplasteredwithmud。

Hehasimagined，sincehislastvisittoBreckon，whodictateshissermons，iftheyaresermons，takingastenographerwithhim，andtheyounglady，whoisindeadlyterrorofthecolonel’sdriving，isofthegreatestusetohim，inthecaseofveteranswhowillnotorcannotgivedown(astheysayintheirdairy-countryparlance)，andhasalreadyrescuedmanyreminiscencesfromperishingintheirfalteringmemories。

Shewritesthemoutinthejudge’slibrarywhenthecolonelgetshome，andhiswifesometimessurprisesMr。Kentoncorrectingthemthereatnightaftershesupposeshehasgonetobed。

SinceithasallturnedoutforthebestconcerningBittridge，shenolongerhasthosepangsofself-reproachforRichard’streatmentofhimwhichshesufferedwhileafraidthatifthefactcametoEllen’sknowledgeitmightmakeherrefuseBreckon。Shedoesnotfindherdaughter’sbehaviorinthemattersoanomalousasitappearstothejudge。

Heiswillingtoaccountforitonthegroundofthatinconsistencywhichhehasobservedinallhumanbehavior，butMrs。Kentonisnotinclinedtoadmitthatitissoveryinconsistent。ShecontendsthatEllenhadsimplylivedthroughthathatefulepisodeofherpsychologicalhistory，asshewassuretodosoonerorlaterandasshewasdestinedtodoassoonassomeotherpersonarrivedtotakeherfancy。

Ifthisisthecrude，common-senseviewofthematter，Ellenherselfisabletooffernofinerexplanation，whichshallatthesametimebemorethorough。Sheandherhusbandhavenotfailedtotalktheaffairover，withthatfulnessoftreatmentwhichyoungmarriedpeoplegivetheirpastwhentheyhavenothingtoconcealfromeachother。Shehasattemptedtosolvethemysterybyblamingherselfforacertainessentiallevityofnaturewhich，underallherappearanceofgravity，sympathizedwithlevityinothers，and，forwhatsheknowstothecontrary，withsomethingignobleandunworthyinthem。Breckon，ofcourse，doesnotadmitthis，buthehassuggestedthatshewasfirstattractedtohimbyacertainunseriousnesswhichremindedherofBittridge，inenablinghimtotakeherseriousnesslightly。Thisisthelogicalinferencewhichhemakesfromhertheoryofherself，butsheinsiststhatitdoesnotfollow；andshecontendsthatshewasmovedtolovehimbyaninstantsenseofhisgoodness，whichsheneverlost，andinwhichshewastryingtoequalherselfwithhimbyeventhedesperatemeasureofrenouncingherhappiness，ifthatshouldeverseemherduty，tohisperfection。Hesaysthisisnotveryclear，thoughitisawfullygratifying，andhedoesnotquiteunderstandwhyMrs。Bittridge’slettershouldhaveliberatedEllenfromherfanciedobligationstothepast。Ellencanonlysaythatitdidsobymakinghersoashamedevertohavehadanythingtodowithsuchpeople，andmakingherseehowmuchshehadtriedherfatherandmotherbyherfolly。ThisagainBreckoncontendsisnotclear，buthesaysweliveinauniverseofproblemsinwhichanother，moreorless，doesnotmuchmatter。HeisalwaysexpectingthatsomechanceshallconfronthimwithBittridge，andthattheman’spresencewillexplaineverything；for，likesomanyOhiopeoplewholeavetheirnativeState，theBittridgeshavecomeEastinsteadofgoingWest，inquittingtheneighborhoodofTuskingum。HeissettledwithhisidolizedmotherinNewYork，whereheisobscurelyattachedtooneofthenewspapers。Thathehasasyetfailedtorisefromtheranksinthegreatarmyofassignmentmenmaybebecausemoralqualitytellseverywhere，andtobeacleverblackguardisnotsowellastobesimplyclever。IfeverBreckonhasmethisalterego，asheamuseshimselfincallinghim，hehasnotknownit，thoughBittridgemayhavebeenwiserinthecaseofamanofBreckon’spublicity，nottocallitdistinction。Therewasatime，immediatelyaftertheBreckonsheardfromTuskingumthattheBittridgeswereinNewYork，whenEllen’shusbandconsultedherastowhatmightbehisdutytowardsherlatesuitorintheeventwhichhasnottakenplace，andwhenhesuggested，nottooseriously，thatRichard’scoursemightbethesolution。TohissuggestionEllenanswered:"Ohno，dear！Thatwaswrong，"andthisremainsalsoRichard’sopinion。

End