第5章

Theyoungpeopleattheothersideofthecompartment，foreverwipingthewindowwiththenapkin，andstrainingtheireyestoseetheinvisible，divertedhisunsettledattention。

Anewperceptionofhowmuchhelikedthemandenjoyedhavingthemwithhim，tookholdofhisthoughts。

Ithadnotoccurredtohimbefore，withanydefiniteness，thathewouldbeinsupportablylonelywhenthetimecametopartwiththem。

Now，whenhedweltuponit，itmadehimfeelsadandold。

Hesaidtohimselfatonce，withdecision，thatthereneedbenopartingatall。Hewouldtakeahousewithoutdelay，andtheyshouldlivewithhim。

Hecouldnotdoubtthatthiswouldbeagreeabletothem；

itwouldsolveeveryproblemforhim。

Hisfancysketchedoutthenaturalandlegitimateextensionsofthisproject。Therewouldbe，firstofall，ahouseintown——afurnishedhouseofamodestsort，havingnopretensionsavetoprovideacheerfultemporaryshelterforthreepeoplewholikedoneanother。

Herethenewhouseholdwouldtakeshape，andgetitsrightnoteofcharacter。ApparentlyLouisawouldnotbeurgedtoformpartofthishousehold。Hesaidtohimselfwithfranknessthathedidn\'twanther，andtherehadbeennothingtoindicatethatherchildrenwouldpineforher。

Sheshowedgoodsensewhenshesaidthatherplacewasintheshop，andinherancestralhomeovertheshop。

Nodoubttherewouldbeacertainawkwardness，visibletoothersifnottothemselves，aboutherlivinginonepartofLondonandherchildreninanother。

Butherealsohergoodsensewouldcomeon；——and，besides，thisfurnishedhouseintownwouldbeamerebriefoverturetotherealthing——thenoblecountrymansionhewasgoingtohave，withgardensandhorsesandhoundsandartificiallakesanddeerparksandeverything。

Quitewithintheyearhewouldbeabletorealizethisconsummationofhisdreams。

Howtheseniceyoungpeoplewouldrevelinsuchaplace——andhowtheywouldworshiphimforhavinggivenittothemforahome！Hisheartwarmedwithinhimashethoughtofthis。

HesmiledaffectionatelyatthepictureJuliamade，polishingtheglasswithvehementcircularmovementsofherslightarm，andthengrimacingincomicvexationatthedeadlyabsenceoflandscapeoutside。Wasthereeverasweeterormorelovablegirlinthisworld？Wouldtherehavetobesomeolderwomantomanagethehouse，atthebeginning？hewondered。Heshouldlikeitimmenselyifthatcouldbeavoided。Julialookedfragileandinexperienced——butshewouldbetwenty-onenextmonth。

Surelythatwasamatureenoughagefortheslightresponsibilityofpresidingoverservantswhoshouldbethebestthatmoneycouldbuy。Manygirlsweremarried，andgivenhouseholdsoftheirowntomanage，whentheywereevenyounger。

Thisreflectionraisedanobstacleagainstthesmooth-

flowingcurrentofhisthoughts。SupposingthatJuliagotthenotionofmarrying——howmiserablethatwouldmakeeverything。Verylikelyshewouldneverdoanysuchthing；hehadobservedinhernoshadowofasignthatathoughtofmatrimonyhadevercrossedherbrain。

Yetthatwasasubjectuponwhich，ofcourse，shecouldnotbeaskedtogivepledges，eventoherself。

Thorpetriedtotakealiberalviewofthismatter。

HearguedtohimselfthattherewouldbenoobjectionatalltoincorporatingJulia\'shusbandintothehousehold，assumingthatshewenttothelengthoftakingone，andthathewasagoodfellow。Onthislatterpoint，itwasonlythebarestjusticetoJulia\'stastesandjudgmenttotakeitforgrantedthathewouldbeagoodfellow。

Yettheunclefeltuneasilythatthiswouldalterthingsfortheworse。Thefamilyparty，withthathypotheticalyoungmaninit，couldneverbequitesoinnocentlyandcompletelyhappyas——forinstance——thefamilypartyinthiscompartmenthadbeenduringthesewonderfulthreemonths。

Mechanicallyherubbedthewindowbesidehim，andturnedtolookoutwithacertainfixedness——asifhemightchancetocatchaglimpseofthebridegroomwithwhomJuliawouldhaveitinherpowertodisturbtheserenityoftheirprospectivehome。Asteepwhitecliff，recedingsullenlyagainstthedimgreyskyline；afarmhousegrotesquelylowforitssize，crouchingunderbigshelvinggalleriesheapedwithsnow；anopeninginfront，totheright，wherevaguelythereseemedtobeavalleyintowhichtheywoulddescend——hesawthesethings。

Theyremainedinhismindafterwardasapartofsomethingelsethathesaw，withhismentalvision，atthesamemoment——astrikinglyrealandvividpresentmentofLadyCressage，attiredashehadseenherinthesaddle，herlighthairblownaboutalittleunderherhat，aspotofcolourintheexquisitecheek，thecold，impersonaldignityofaqueeninthebeautifulprofile。

Thepicturewassoactualfortheinstantthatheutteredaninvoluntaryexclamation——andthenlookedhastilyroundtoseewhetherhiscompanionshadheardit。Seeminglytheyhadnot；helolledagainuponthecomfortlesscushion，andstrovetoconjureuponcemoretheapparition。

Nothingsatisfactorycameoftheeffort。Uponconsideration，hegrewuncertainastowhetherhehadseenanythingatall。

Atthemostitwasakindofhalf-dreamwhichhadvisitedhim。

Heyawnedatthethought，andlightedafreshcigar。

Allatonce，hismindhadbecometooindolenttodoanymorethinking。Ashapelessimpressionthattherewouldbeagoodmanythingstothinkoverlateronflittedintohisbrainandoutagain。

"Well，howarethemountainsusingyou，now？"hecalledouttohisniece。

"Oh，Icouldshakethem！"shedeclared。"Listentothis：

\'Aviewofsingularbeauty，embracingthegreaterpartoftheLakeofGeneva，andthesurroundingmountains，issuddenlydisclosed。\'That\'swherewearenow——orwereaminuteago。Youcanseethatthereissomesortofvalleyinfrontofus——butthatisall。IfIcouldonlyseeonemountainwithsnowonit——"

"Why，it\'sallmountainsandallsnow，whenyoucometothat，"Thorpeinsisted，withjocoseperversity。

"You\'reonmountainsyourself，allthetime。"

"YouknowwhatImean，"sheretorted。"Iwanttoseesomethinglikethecolouredpicturesinthehotels。"

"Oh，probablyitwillbebrightsunlighttomorrow，"

hesaid，forperhapsthetwentiethtimethatday。

"There——thatlookslikewater！"saidAlfred。

"See？justbeyondthevillage。Yes，itiswater。

There\'syourLakeofGeneva，atallevents。"

"Butitisn\'ttherightcolour，"protestedJulia，peeringthroughtheglass。"It\'spreciselylikeeverythingelse：it\'sofnocolouratall。Andtheyalwayspaintitsuchalovelyblue！Really，uncle，theSwissGovernmentoughttoreturnyouyourmoney。"

"Youwaittillyouseeittomorrow——ornextday，"

saidtheuncle，vaguely。Heclosedhiseyes，andwelcomedadrowsymood。Ashewentofftosleep，thejoltingracketofthetrainmelloweditselfintoamurmurof"tomorrowornextday，tomorrowornextday，"inhisears。

CHAPTERXI

FROMtheirwindows，highupandatthefrontofthebighotel，JulialookeddownupontheLakeofGeneva。

Shewasinsuchhastetobeholditthatshehadnotsomuchasunbuttonedhergloves；sheheldhermuffstillinherhand。Afteronebriefglance，shegroanedaloudwithvexation。

Beyondtheroadway，andthedesertedminiaturepierofTerritet，bothdishevelledundermeltingandmud-stainedsnow，therelayapatchofwater——motionless，inconspicuous，ofafadeddrabcolour——whichatsomesmalldistanceoutvaguelyceasedtolooklikewaterand，yetalittlefurtherout，becamepartandparcelofthedullgreymist。

Savefortheforlornmastsofacoupleoffishingboats，beachedundertheshelterofthepier，therewasnoproofinsightthatthiswasalakeatall。Itwasasuninspiringtotheeyeasapoolofdrippingsfromumbrellasinaporch。

Whileheruncleandbrotheroccupiedthemselveswiththeluggagebeingbroughtupbytheporters，sheopenedawindowandsteppedoutuponthetinybalcony。

AflaringsignontheinnerframeworkofthisbalconybesoughtherinSwiss-French，intheinterestsoforder，nottofeedthebirds。Theinjunctionseemedmeaninglesstoheruntilsheperceived，overbythewater，severalgullslazilywheelingabout。Theywerealmostasgreyasthefogtheycircledin。Suddenlytheyseemedtoperceiveherinturn，and，swervingsharply，camefloatingtowardthehotel，withharsh，almostmenacingcries。

Shehurriedin，andshutthewindowwithdecision。

Itseemedtoherthatthesmilewithwhich，assheturned，shewasabletomeetheruncle\'slook，wasaproductoftrueheroism。

Apparentlythissmiledidnotaltogetherdeludehim。

"Oh，now，youmustn\'tgetdownonyourluck，"

headjuredher。"We\'regoingtobeawfullycozyhere。

Haveyouseenyourroom？It\'sjustthere，inalittlealleytotherightofthedoor。Theysayithasanevenfinerviewthanthesewindows。Oh，youneedn\'tlaugh——thisisthebestviewintheworld，I\'mtoldbythosewhoknow。

Andasawinter-resort，why——"

"Isay，lookhere！"TheinterruptioncamefromAlfred，who，havinggoneoutononeofthebalconies，putinhisheadnowtosummonthem。"Comehere！Here\'ssomefun。"

HepointedouttoThorpethemeaningoftheinscriptiononthesign，andthenpulledhimforwardtoobserveitspracticaldefiance。Ascoreofbiggullswereflappinganddodginginexcitedconfusionclosebeforethem，fillingtheirearswithapainfulclamour。Everynowandagain，oneofthebirds，recoveringitssensesinthehurly-burly，wouldmakeacurvingswoopdownwardpasttherowsofwindowsbelow，andtriumphantlycatchinitsbeaksomethingthathadbeenthrownintotheair。

Thorpe，leaningoverhisrailing，sawthataladyonabalconyonefloorbelow，andsomeyardstotheleft，wasfeedingthebirds。Shelaughedaloudasshedidso，andsaidsomethingoverhershouldertoacompanionwhowasnotvisible。

"Well，that\'sprettycool，"heremarkedtohisniece，whohadcometostandbesidehim。"She\'sgotthesamesigndowntherethatwe\'vegot。Icanseeitfromhere。

Orperhapsshecan\'treadFrench。"

"Orperhapssheisn\'tfrightenedofthehotelpeople，"

suggestedthegirl。Sheadded，afteralittle，"IthinkI\'llfeedthemmyselfinthemorning。Icertainlyshallifthesuncomesout——asasortofThanksgivingfestival，youknow。"

Heruncleseemednottohearher。Hehadbeenstruckbytheexceptionalgraceofthegestureswithwhichthepiecesofbreadwereflungforth。Thehandsandwristsofthisladywereverywhiteandshapely。Themovementswhichshemadewiththem，allunawareofobservationasshewas，andviewedasheviewedthemfromabove，weresingularlybeautifulintheirunconstraint。Itwasinitswaylikewatchingsomeremarkablefinedancing，hethought。

Hecouldnotseemuchofherface，fromhisperch，butshewastallandfashionablyclad。Therewasaloosecoveringofblacklacethrownoverherhead，butonce，assheturned，hecouldseethatherhairwasred。

Eveninthisfleetingglimpse，theunusualtintattractedhisattention：therewasabrilliancyasoffireinit。

Somehowitseemedtomakeaclaimuponhismemory。

Hecontinuedtostaredownatthestrangerwithanindefinablesensethatheknewsomethingabouther。

Suddenlyanotherfigureappeareduponthebalcony——andinaflashhecomprehendedeverything。Theseidiotic，fightinggluttonsofgullshadactuallypointedouttohimtheobjectofhissearch。ItwasLadyCressagewhostoodinthedoorway，therejustbelowhim——andhercompanion，thered-hairedladywholaughedhotel-rulestoscorn，wastheAmericanheiresswhohadcrossedtheoceaninhisship，andwhomhehadmetlateronatHadlow。

Whatwashername——Martin？No——Madden。Heconfrontedtheswiftimpressionthattherewassomethingoddaboutthesetwowomenbeingtogether。AtHadlowhehadimaginedthattheydidnotlikeeachother。Thenhereflectedasswiftlythatwomenprobablyhadtheirownrulesaboutsuchmatters。

Heseemedtohaveheard，orread，perhaps，thatfemaleslikedanddislikedeachotherwiththemostcapriciousalternationsandontheleasttangibleofgrounds。

Atallevents，heretheyweretogethernow。Thatwasquiteenough。

Thetwoladieshadgonein，andclosedtheirwindow。

Thesophisticatedbirds，withafewungratefulcroaksofremonstrance，haddriftedawayagaintothewater。

Hisniecehaddisappearedfromhiselbow。StillThorperemainedwithhisarmsfoldedontherailing，hiseyesfixedonthevacantbalcony，belowtotheleft。

Whenatlasthewentinside，theyoungpeoplewerewaitingforhimwiththeprojectofastrollbeforedinner。

Thelightwasfailing，buttherewasplentyoftime。

TheyhadascertainedthedirectioninwhichChillonlay；

aservanthadassuredthemthatitwasonlyafewminutes\'

walk，andAlfredwasalmostcertainthathehadseenitfromthewindow。

Thorpeassentedwithacertainlistlessness，whichtheyhadnevernotedinhismannerbefore，butwhenJuliabeggedhimnottostirifhewereintheslightestdegreetired，herepliedhonestlyenoughthathewoulddoanythingratherthanbeleftalone。Then，ofcourse，theysaid，thereshouldbenowalk，buttothishewouldnotlisten。

Thepartytroopeddownstairs，accordingly，andoutintothestreet。Thewalkingwasvile，but，asJuliahadlongagosaid，iftheyweretobedeterredbyslushtheywouldnevergetanywhereorseeanything。

Itprovedtobetoolateandtoodarktoeitherenterthecastleorgetmuchofanideaofitsexterior。

Returning，theypausedagaintolookintothelightedwindowofthenicelittlebook-shop。Thenumerousphotographsofwhattheywereentitledtobeholdfromthewindowsoftheirhotelseemedmoreconvincingthanphotographsusuallywere。Astheyoungpeopleinspectedthem，theybecamereassured。Itwasnotcrediblethatsuchanoblevistawouldforeverdenyitselftosuchearnestpilgrims。

Whentheiruncleintroducedthistimehisancientformulaaboutthecertaintyofbrilliantsunshineinthemorning，theysomehowfeltlikebelievinghim。

"Yes——Ireallythinkitmustchange，"Juliadeclared，withherfascinatedglanceuponthephotographs。

Alfredlookedathiswatch。"We\'dbettergetalongtothehotel，hadn\'twe？"hesuggested。

"Bytheway"——Thorpebegan，withacertainuneasinessofmanner——"speakingofdinner，wouldn\'tyouliketodineatthebigtabled\'hote，insteadofupinoursitting-room？"

"Ifyou\'retiredofourdiningalone——byallmeans，"

answeredJulia，readily。Therewasobvioussurprise，however，inbothherlookandtone。

"Tirednothing！"heassuredher。"Ilikeitbetterthananythingelseintheworld。ButwhatImeanis——I

wasthinking，seeingthatthisissuchagreatwinter-

resort，andalltheswaggerpeopleofEuropecomehere——

thatprobablyyouyoungsterswouldenjoyseeingthecrowd。"

Julia\'sglance，fullofaffectionateappreciation，showedhowwhollyshedivinedhisspiritofself-sacrifice。

"Wewouldn\'tcareintheleastforit，"shedeclared。

"Weenjoybeingalittlepartybyourselveseverywhitasmuchasyoudo——andwebothhatethepeopleyougetattabled\'hotes——andbesides，forthatmatter，ifthereareanyrealswellshere，youmaybesuretheydineintheirownrooms。"

"Why，ofcourse！"Thorpeexclaimedswiftly，inpalpableself-rebuke。"Idon\'tknowwhatIcouldhavebeenthinkingof。

Ofcoursetheywoulddineintheirrooms。"

Nextmorning，Thorperoseearlierthanever——withtheimpressionofapeculiarlyrestlessanduncomfortablenightbehindhim。Itwasnotuntilhehadshavedanddressedthathenotedthealteredcharacteroftheairoutside。

Althoughitwasnotfullydaylightyet，hecouldseetheoutlinesofthetreesandvinerowsonthebig，snow-cladhill，whichmonopolizedtheprospectfromhiswindow，allsharpandclearcut，asifhewerelookingatthemthroughanopera-glass。Hewentatoncetothesitting-room，andthrustthecurtainsasidefromoneofthewindows。

Amiraclehadbeenwroughtinthenight。Theskyoverheadwasserenelycloudless；thelakebeneath，stirringsoftlyundersomefaintpassingbreeze，revealeditsfullbreadthwithcrystallinedistinctness。

Betweenskyandwatertherestretchedacrossthepictureabroad，looming，dimly-definedbandofshadow，markedhereandthereatthetopbylittleslantingpatchesofanintenselyglowingwhite。Helookedatthisdarklingmiddledistanceforamomentortwowithoutcomprehension。

ThenheturnedandhurriedlymovedtothedoorofJulia\'sroomandbeatuponit。

"Getup！"hecalledthroughthepanels。"Here\'syoursunrise——here\'syourAlpineview。Gotoyourwindowandseeit！"

Aclearvoice，notunmirthful，replied："I\'vebeenwatchingitforhalfanhour，thanks。Isn\'titglorious？"

Hewasmorefortunateattheoppositedoor，forAlfredwasstillasleep。Theyoungman，uponhearingthenews，however，madeatoiletofunexampledbrevity，andcamebreathlesslyforth。Thorpefollowedhimtothebalcony，wherehestoodcollarlessanduncombed，withthefreshmorningbreezeblowinghishairawry，hislipsparted，hiseyesstaringwithwhattheunclefelttobeapainfulfixednessbeforehim。

Thorpehadseenmanymountainsinmanylands。Theydidnotinteresthimverymuch。Hethought，however，thathecouldseenowwhypeoplewhohadnomountainsoftheirownshouldgetexcitedaboutSwitzerland。Heunderstoodanumberofthesesentimentalthingsnow，forthatmatter，whichhadbeenGreektohimthreemonthsbefore。

Unreceptiveashisphilistinismmayhaveseemedtothesedelightfulyoungsters，itwasapparentenoughtohimthattheyhadtaughthimagreatdeal。Ifhecouldnothopetosharetheirever-bubblingrapturesandenthusiasms，atleasthehadcometocomprehendthemafterafashion，andeventodiscernsometimeswhatitwasthatstirredthem。

Hewatchedhisnephewnow——havingfirstassuredhimselfbyacomprehensivedownwardglancethatnootherwindowsofthehotel-frontwereopen。Theyoungmanseemedtremendouslymoved，fartoomuchsototalk。

ThorpeventuredoncesomeremarksabouttheMexicanmountains，whichwereeversomuchbigger，asherememberedthem，butAlfredpaidnoheed。Hecontinuedtogazeacrossthelake，watchinginraptsilenceonefacetafteranothercatchthelight，andstandoutfromthemurkygloom，radiantlywhite，tillatlastthewholehorizonwasamassofshiningminaretsanddomes，andthesunfellfullonhisface。Then，withalong-drawnsigh，heturned，re-enteredtheroom，andthrewhimselfintoachair。

"It\'stoogood！"hedeclared，withahalf-groan。"I

didn\'tknowitwouldbelikethat。"

"Whynothing\'stoogoodforus，man，"hisuncletoldhim。

"THATis，"saidtheboy，simply，andThorpe，afterstaringforamoment，smiledandrangthebellforbreakfast。

WhenJuliamadeherappearance，afewminuteslater，thetablewasalreadylaid，andthewaiterwascominginwiththecoffee。

"Ithoughtwe\'dhurryupbreakfast，"heruncleexplained，aftershehadkissedhimandthankedhimforthesunrisehehadsosuccessfullypredicted——"becauseIknewyou\'dbothbecrazytogetout。"

Hehadnotover-estimatedtheireagerness，whichwassogreat，indeed，thattheyfailedtonotetheexcessivetranquilityofhisowndemeanour。Heatewithsuchunusualdeliberation，onthisexcitingmorning，thattheyfoundthemselvesattheendoftheirrepastwhen，apparently，hehadbutmadeabeginning。

"Nowyoumustn\'twaitformeatall，"heannouncedtothemthen。"I\'malittletiredthismorning——andI

thinkI\'djustliketoliearoundandsmoke，andperhapsreadoneofyournovels。Butyoutwomustgetyourthingsonandlosenotimeingettingout。Thisistheverybesttimeofday，youknow——forAlpinescenery。

I\'dhatetohaveyoumissanyofit。"

Underhiskindlyifsomewhatstrenuousinsistence，theywenttotheirroomstoprepareforanimmediateexcursion。

Hewassoanxioustohavethemseealltherewastobeseenthat，whenJuliareturned，properlycloakedandbefurred，andstoodwaitingatthewindow，hescoldedalittle。

"Whatonearthisthatboydoing？"heexclaimed，withalatentsnarlinhistonewhichwasnoveltoherear。

"He\'llkeepyouheretillnoon！"

"He\'sshaving，Ithink。Hewon\'tbelong，"shereplied，withgreatgentleness。Afteramoment\'spause，sheturnedfromthewindowandcamegaylyforward。

"Oh，Iforgot：Iwasgoingtofeedthebirds。

Thereareseveralofthemouttherenow。"Asshespoke，shebusilybrokeupsomeoftherollsonthetable。

Herfacewasbrightwiththepleasureofthethought。

"Ifyoudon\'tmuchmind，Julia，"herunclebegan，withalmostpleadingintonations，"IratherthinkIwouldn\'tfeedthosebirds。Theruleistherebeforeoureyes，youknow——andit\'salwaysbeenmyideathatifyou\'reatahotelit\'sthecorrectthingtoabidebyitsrules。

It\'sjustanideaofmine——andIdaresay，ifyouthinkaboutit，you\'llfeelthesameway。"

Thegirlfreedthelastremainingbread-crumbfromhergloves。

"Why，ofcourse，uncle，"shesaid，withpromptitude。

Althoughtherewasnohintofprotestinhertoneormanner，hefeltimpelledtosoftenstillfurtherthissolitarydemonstrationofhisauthority。

"YouseeI\'vebeenallroundtheworld，mylittlegirl，"

heexplained，haltingly，"andwhenaman\'sdonethat，andknockedabouteverywhere，he\'sapttogetfinickingandnotionalabouttrifleseveryonceinawhile。"

"You\'relesssothananybodyIeverknew，"shegenerouslyinterposed。

"Oh，noI\'mnot。Youdon\'tknowmewellenoughyet；

that\'swhat\'sthematter。Andyousee，Julia——anotherthingjustbecauseyousawthatladythrowingoutbread，thataintaverygoodreasonwhyyoushoulddoit。

Youdon\'tknowwhatkindofapersonshemaybe。

Girlshavegottobesofrightfullycarefulaboutallthatsortofthing。"

Juliaofferedaconstrainedlittlelaughincomment。

"Oh，youdon\'tknowhowcarefulIcanbe，"shesaid。

"Butyou\'renotannoyed？"heentreatedher——andforanswershecamebehindhim，andrestedanarmonhisshoulder，andpattedit。Hestrokedherhandwithhisown。

"That\'ssomethinglikethenicestnieceintheworld！"

heexclaimed，withfervour。

Whenatlastsheandherbrotherhadgone，hemadeshortworkofhisbreakfast，anddrankhiscoffeeatagulp。

Arestlessactivitysuddenlyinformedhismovements。

Helitacigar，andbeganpacingupanddowntheroom，bitinghislipsinpreoccupationashewent。Afteralittle，heopenedawindow，andventuredcautiouslyasfaroutonthebalconyaswasnecessarytoobtainaviewofthestreetbelow。Eventually，heidentifiedhisnephewandnieceamongthepedestriansbeneathhim，andhekepttheminsighttill，aftermorethanonetiresomehaltatashopwindow，theydisappearedroundabendintheroad。

Thenheturnedandcamebackintotheroomwiththebuoyantairofamanwhoseaffairsareprospering。

Hesmiledgeniallytohimselfashegatheredfromthetableinonecapacioushandallthepiecesofbreadhisbelovedniecehadbrokenup，andadvancedagaintotheopenwindow。

Waitingheretilloneofthedingygullsmovingaimlesslyaboutwasheadedtowardhim，hetossedoutafragment。

Thebirddashedatitwithascream，andontheinstantthewholesquawkingflockwereonwing。Hesufferedthehubbubtoproceedunappeasedforalittlewhilehekeptawatchfulthoughfurtiveeyeonthatbalconytotheleft，below。Unhappilyhecouldnotgetoutfarenoughtoseewhethertheinnercurtainsofitswindowweredrawn。Hethrewanotherbitofbread，andthenlookedathiswatch。Itwasafewminutespastnine。

Surelypeopletravellingtoseescenerywouldbeupbythishour。

Thestrategyofissuingjustenoughbreadtokeepthefeatheredconcourseinmotioncommendeditselftohismind。

Asaprecautionarymeasure，hetookalltherollsremainingonthetable，andputtheminthedrawerofadeskbythewindow。

Itevenoccurredtohimtoringformorebread，butuponconsiderationthatseemedtoodaring。Thewaiterwouldbesufficientlysurprisedattheparty\'sappetitesasitwas。

Halfanhourlater，hisplanofcampaignsuddenlyyieldedavictory。LadyCressageappearedonherbalcony，cladinsomecharmingsortofmorninggown，andbareheaded。

Shehadnothinginherhands，andseemedindifferenttothebirds，butwhenThorpeflungforthahandfuloffragmentsintothecentreoftheirwhirlingflock，shelookedupathim。Itwastheanxiousinstant，andheventureduponwhathehopedwasadecorouscompromisebetweenabowandalookofrecognition。

Shewasinnohastetoanswereither。Hecouldseeratherthanhearthatshesaidsomethingtoherinvisiblecompanionwithin，thewhilesheglancedserenelyinthegeneraldirectionofhisbalcony。Itseemedtohimthattheanswertoherremark，whateveritwas，musthaveexertedadirectinfluenceuponhisdestiny，forLadyCressageallatoncefocussedhervagueregarduponhim，andnoddedwithareasonablygracioussmile。

"It\'swonderfullucktofindyouhere，"hecalleddowntoher。Havingplayedtheirpart，hewishednowthatthebirdswereatJericho。Theirobstreperousracketmadeconversationverydifficult。Apparentlyshemadehimananswer，buthecouldcatchnothingofit。

"I\'mherewithmynieceandnephew，"heshouteddown。

"Idon\'thearwhatyousay。MayIcomedownandpaymyrespects——lateron？Whatisyournumber，andwhenmayIcome？"

Thesequestions，asheflashedtheminreviewthroughhismind，seemedtobeallrightfromthemostexactingsocialpointofview。Doubtlessitwasequallyallrightthat，beforereplying，sheshouldconsulthercompanion，asshedidatsomelength。Thenshereplied——andhehadnodifficultynowinhearingherabovethebirds——thatitwouldbeveryniceofhimtocome，say，inanhour\'stime。

Shetoldhimthenumber——andthenalmostabruptlywentin。

Thorpe，duringthishourthatensued，smokedwithvolcanicenergy。HetriedtointeresthimselfinoneafteranotherofhalfadozenTauchnitznovelshisniececarriedabout，withapreposterousabsenceofsuccess。

Hestrovetoarrangeinsomekindofsequencethethingsthatheshouldsay，whenthismomentousinterviewshouldbegin，buthecouldthinkofnothingwhichdidnotsoundsilly。Itwouldbeallright，hearguedtohimselfinthefaceofthispresentmentalbarrenness；

healwaystalkedwellenoughonthespurofthemoment，whenthetimecame——andstillwasnotreassured。

Hewonderedifbothladieswouldbetheretoreceivehim，anddecidedthattheywouldprobablyregardthatasindispensabletotheproprieties。Inthatcase，theirconversationwouldnecessarilybeofthemostcasualandgeneralcharacter。

Hewouldtellthemagooddealabouthisniece，heforesaw。

Amantravellingaboutwithaniece——andsuchadelightfullylady-likeandengaginglittleniece——wouldtakeonsomeaddedinterestanddignity，heperceived，intheeyesofladiestravellingalone。HeessayedtoestimatejusthowmuchtheywouldprobablylikeJulia。Ofcoursehewouldsaynothingabouthermotherandthebook-shop；avagueallusiontoawidowedsisterwouldbeampleonthathead。

ButtherecouldbeconfidentreferencestoCheltenham；

heknewfromwhatJuliahadsaidthatitsuggestedthemostsatisfactorysocialguarantees，iftakenstrictlybyitself。AndthensomuchwoulddependuponJuliaherself！Ifshesucceededinstrikingupafriendshipwiththem——ah，theneverythingwouldbeallright。

PerhapstheywouldtakeafancytoAlfredtoo！Hewasaboy，ofcourse，butconceivablythefactthathewantedtopaint，andknewaboutpictures，wouldappealtothem。

Heseemedtohaveheardsomewherethatartistsweretheverydevilamongwomen。

Atlastthewearytimeofwaitinghadwornitselfout，somehow，and，afterafinalpolishingbeforehisglass，hewentdown，andfoundhisrightcorridor，andknockedatthedoor。Apleasantvoicebadehimenter，and，hatandglovesinhand，hewentin。

Ashehadimagined，bothladieswerepresent。

Hehadnotbeenprepared，however，forthefactthatitwastheAmericanwhoplayedthepartofhostess。

Itwasshewhoreceivedhim，andinvitedhimtositdown，andgenerallymadehimfreeoftheapartment。WhenheshookhandswithLadyCressage，therewassomehowaneffectoftheincidentalintheceremony，asifshewerealsoaguest。

Nothingcouldhavebeensimplerormorepleasingthanthelittlevisitturnedouttobe。MissMaddenhadsuddenlygrowntiredofthesnowlessanddrippingEnglishwinter，andhadaspromptlydecidedtocometoSwitzerland，wherethedriftsoughttobehighenough，andthefrostssearchingenough，inallconscience。

TheyhadselectedTerritet，becauseitwasfamiliartoher，andbecauseitwasonthewaytoMartignyandBrieg，andshehadhadanotionofcrossingeithertheSimplonortheSt。Bernardinwinter。Asshefoundnow，theSt。Bernardwasquiteimpracticable，butadmittedlyapostroadwaskeptopenovertheSimplon。Itwassaidnowthatshewouldnotbeallowedtoproceedbythis，butitoftenhappenedthatshedidthethingsthatshewasnotallowedtodo。Thehotel-peopleatbothBriegandBerisalhadwrittenrefusingtolettheirhorsesattempttheSimplonjourney，andtheywereofcoursequitewithintheirrights，buttherewereotherhorsesinSwitzerland。

Onesurelycouldbuyhorses——andsoon。

Thorpealsohadhisturnatautobiography。Hetoldratherwhimsicallyofhisthreemonths\'experiencesatthetailofthejuvenilewhirligigs，andhisauditorslistenedtothemwithmildsmiles。HeventureduponnumerousglowingparenthesesaboutJulia，andtheyatleastdidnotsaythattheydidnotwanttoknowher。

Theyheardwithpoliteness，too，whathecouldcontrivetodraginabouthisartist-nephew，andsaiditmustbeverypleasantforhimtohavesuchnicecompany。AtleastMissMaddensaidthis：hercompanion，ashethoughtitoverafterward，seemedhardlytohavesaidanythingatall。

Sheansweredthefewremarkswhichhefounditpossibletodirecttoher，buttheresponsestooknoholduponhismemory。Hefanciedthatshewasbored，orunhappy，orboth。

Finally，inthemidstofcommonplaceswhich，tohisapprehension，wereverginguponflatness，aboldinspirationdiscloseditself——assplendidastheDentduMidirevealingitsglaciersabovethemountingsunrise——inhisbrain。

"Weshouldallbecharmedifyouwouldcomeupanddinewithustonight，"hesaid，undertheabruptimpulsionofthisidea。"It\'sbeensuchanagesincewewanderershavehadtheprivilegeofcompanyatourtable！"

Thefelicityofthesephrasesfromhislipsattractedhisadmiringattention，evenwhilehewaitedinsuspenseforananswertothem。

Theladiesexchangedalook。"Yes，"saidMissMadden，aftertheslightestofpauses，"weshallbeveryhappy。"

ShortlythereafterThorpetookhisleave，andwentdownstairsandout。Hewanderedabouttillluncheontime，observingthemountainsacrossthelakefromvariousstandpoints，and，asitwere，withneweyes。

Hewasinterestedintheminacuriousnewfashion；

theyseemedtosaythingstohim。HislipcurledonceattheconceitthathewasoneoftheAlpshimself。

CHAPTERXII

ITdidnothappenuntilthreedayslaterthatThorpe\'sopportunitytospeakalonewithLadyCressagecame。

Inthisbriefperiod，thetwopartiesseemedtohavebecomefusedinaremarkableintimacy。Thiswasclearlyduetothepresenceoftheyoungpeople，andThorpecongratulatedhimselfmanytimeseachdayuponthestrikingpresciencehehadshowninbringingthem。

BoththeladiesunaffectedlylikedJulia；somuchsothattheyseemedunwillingtomakeanyplanswhichdidnotincludeher。Thenitwasonlyamatterofcoursethatwhereshewentherbrothershouldgo——andafurtherlogicalstepquitenaturallybroughtintheirwillinguncle。

Ifhehadplannedeverything，andnowwasorderingeverything，itcouldnothavegonemoretohisliking。

Certainsidespeculationslentasavourtothesatisfactionwithwhichheviewedthisstateofaffairs。HefoundmanylittlesignstoconfirmthesuspicionthatthetwoladieshadbeenthereadiertomakemuchofJuliabecausetheywerenotoverkeenabouteachother\'ssociety。Thebright，sweet-naturedgirlhadcomeasawelcomediversiontoacouplewhoinseclusiondidbattlewithtendenciestoyawn。Hewasnotquiteconvinced，forthatmatter，thattheAmericanladyalwayswenttothattrouble。

Sheseemedtohisobservationawilfulsortofperson，whowouldnotberestrainedbysmallordinaryconsiderationsfromdoingthethingsshewantedtodo。Herrelationswithhercompanionaffordedhimfoodformuchthought。

Withoutanyovertdemonstrations，sheproducedtheeffectoforderingLadyCressageabout。This，sofarasitwent，tendedtoprejudicehimagainsther。

Ontheotherhand，however，shewassogoodtoJulia，inapeculiarlyfrankandbuoyantwaywhichfascinatedthegirl，thathecouldnotbutlikeher。AndshewasverygoodtoAlfredtoo。

Therewas，indeed，heperceived，agreatdealofindividualityaboutthefriendshipwhichhadsprungupbetweenMissMaddenandhisnephew。Shewasyearshissenior——hesettleditwithhimselfthattheAmericancouldnotbelessthanseven-and-twenty，——yetAlfredstolecovertglancesofadmirationather，andseemedtothinkofnothingbutopportunitiesforbeinginhercompanyasif——asif——Thorpehardlylikedtocompletethecomparisoninhisownthoughts。Alfred，ofcourse，saiditwasallonaccountofherwonderfulhair；heratherwentoutofhiswaytodilateupontheenthusiasmher"colourscheme"——whateverthatmightmean——excitedinhimasanartist。Theunclehadmomentsofprofoundskepticismaboutthis——momentswhenheuneasilywonderedwhetheritwasnotgoingtobehisdutytospeaktotheyoungman。

Forthemostpart，however，heextractedreassurancefromMissMadden\'sdemeanourtowardthelad。Sheknew，itseemed，avastdealaboutpictures；atleastshewasabletotalkavastdealaboutthem，andshediditinsuchacalmlydogmaticfashion，layingdownthelawalways，thatsheputAlfredinthepositionoflisteningasapupilmightlistentoamaster。ThehumilitywithwhichhisnephewacceptedthispositionannoyedThorpeuponoccasion，buthereasonedthatitwasafaultontherightside。

Verylikelyitwouldhelptokeepthefactofthelady\'ssenioritymoreclearlybeforetheyoungster\'smind，andthatwouldbesomuchgained。

Andtheseapprehensions，afterall，werescarcelytobecountedinthebalanceagainstthesenseofachievedhappinesswithwhichthesehalcyondayskeptThorpefilled。

Theinitiatorydinnerhadgoneoffperfectly。Hecouldhavewished，indeed，thatJuliahadasmarterfrock，andmorerings，whenhesawtheimposingcostumesandjewelledthroatsandhandsofhisguests——butshewasayounggirl，bycomparison，hereflected，andtherecouldbenodoubtthattheyfoundhercharming。AsforAlfred，hewasnotablyfine-lookinginhisevening-clothes——infinitelymorelikethesonofanobleman，thegratifiedunclekeptsayingtohimself，thanthatbigdullard，theHonourableBalder。

ItfilledhimwithanewpleasuretorememberthatAlfredhadvisitingcardspresentinghisnameasD\'Aubigny，whicheverybodyofeducationknewwaswhatthedegenerateDabneyreallystoodfor。TheladandhissisterhaduniteduponthisexcellentchangelongagoatCheltenham，andoddlyenoughtheyhadconfessedittotheiruncle，atthebeginningofthetrip，withashowoftrepidation，asiftheyfearedhisanger。Withradiantgayetyhehadrelievedtheirmindsbyshowingthemhiscard，with"Mr。

StormontThorpe"aloneuponit。Atthedinnertable，intheproudestmomentofhislife，hehadmadehimselfprouderstillbythinkinghowdistinguishedanappearancehisandAlfred\'scardswouldmaketogetherintheapartmentbelownextday。

Butnextday，therelationsbetweenthetwopartieshadalreadybecometooinformalforcards。Juliawentdowntoseethem；theycameuptoseeJulia。Thentheyallwentforalongwalk，withluncheonatVevey，andbeforeeveningAlfredwastalkingconfidentlyofpaintingMissMadden。

NextdaytheywentbytraintoSt。Maurice，and，returningafterdark，dinedwithoutceremonytogether。

Thisthirdday——theweatherstillremainingbright——theyhadascendedbythefunicularroadtoGlion，andwalkedonamongtheswarmingluegers，uptoCaux。Here，afterluncheon，theyhadwanderedaboutforatime，regardingthepanoramaoflakeandmountains。Now，asthehomewarddescentbegan，chanceledthetwoyoungpeopleandMissMaddenonahead。

ThorpefoundhimselfwalkingbesideLadyCressage。

Hehaduponhisarmherouterwrap，whichshesaidshewouldputonpresently。Tolookattheviewhemustglancepastherface：theprofile，underthegracefulfurcap，wassoenrichedbyglowingcolourthatitwas，tohisthought，asifshewereblushing。

"HowlittleIthought，afewmonthsago，"hesaid，"thatweshouldbemountaineeringtogether！"

"Oh，nooneknowsadayahead，"sheresponded，vaguely。

"IhadprobablylessnotionofcomingtoSwitzerlandthenthanyouhad。"

"Thenyoudon\'tcomeregularly？"

"IhaveneverseeneitherGermanyorSwitzerlandbefore。

IhavescarcelybeenoutofEnglandbefore。"

"Whynow"——hepaused，tothinkbrieflyuponhiswords——"I

tookitforgrantedyouwereshowingMissMaddenaround。"

"It\'squitetheotherwayabout，"sheanswered，withacoldlittlelaugh。"Itisshewhoisshowingmearound。

Itishertour。Iamthechaperone。"Thorpedweltuponthewordinhismind。Heunderstoodwhatitmeantonlyinaway，buthewasluminouslyclearastothebitternessofthetoneinwhichithadbeenuttered。

"No——itdidn\'tseemasifitwerealtogether——whatI

mightcall——YOURtour，"heventured。Theyhadseenmuchofeachotherthesepastfewdays，butitwasstillhardforhimtomakesurewhethertheirfreedomofintercoursehadbeenenlarged。

Theslightshrugoftheshoulderswithwhich，insilence，shecommenteduponhisremark，embarrassedhim。Foramomenthesaidnothing。Hewentonthenwitharenewedconsciousnessofrisk。

"Youmustn\'tbeannoyedwithme，"heurged。"I\'vebeentravellingwiththatdearlittlenieceofmineandherbrother，solong，thatI\'vegotintoahabitofwatchingtonoticeifthefacesIseeroundmearehappy。Andwhenthey\'renot，thenIhaveakindoffatherlynotionofinterfering，andseeingwhat\'swrong。"

Shesmiledfaintlyatthis，butwhenheadded，upondoubtfulinspiration——"Bytheway，speakingoffathers，Ididn\'tknowatHadlowthatyouwerethedaughterofoneofmyDirectors"——thissmilefrozeupontheinstant。

"TheDentduMidiismoreimpressivefromthehotel，don\'tyouthink？"sheremarked，"thanitisfromhere。"

Uponconsideration，heresolvedtogoforward。

"IhavetakenagreatinterestinGeneralKervick，"

hesaid，almostdefiantly。"Iamseeingtoitthathehasacomfortableincome——anincomesuitabletoagentlemanofhisposition——fortherestofhislife。"

"Hewillbeverygladofit，"sheremarked。

"ButIhopedthatyouwouldbegladofittoo，"

hetoldher，bluntly。Acurioussenseofrelianceuponhissuperiorityinyearshadcometohim。Ifhecouldmakehisairelderlyandpaternalenough，itseemedlikelythatshewoulddefertoit。"I\'mtalkingtoyouasIwouldtomyniece，youknow，"headded，plausibly。

Sheturnedherheadtomakeafleetingsurveyofhisface，asifthepointofviewtookherbysurprise。

"Idon\'tunderstand，"shesaid。"Youareprovidinganincomeformyfather，becauseyouwishtospeaktomelikeanuncle。Isthatit？"

Helaughed，somewhatdisconsolately。"No——thatisn\'tit，"

hesaid，andlaughedagain。"Icouldn\'ttell，youknow，thatyouwouldn\'twanttotalkaboutyourfather。"

"Why，there\'snoreasonintheworldfornottalkingofhim，"

shemadehastetodeclare。"Andifhe\'sgotsomethinggoodintheCity，I\'msureI\'masgladasanyone。Heisthesortthatoughtalwaystohaveagooddealofmoney。

Imean，itwillbringouthismoreamiablequalities。

Hedoesnotshinemuchinadversity——anymorethanIdo。"

Thorpefeltkeenlythattherewerefinethingstobesaidhere——buthehadconfidenceinnothingthatcametohistongue。"I\'vebeenapoormanallmylife——tillnow，"

washiseventualremark。

"Pleasedon\'ttellmethatyouhavebeenveryhappyinyourpoverty，"sheadjuredhim，withthedimflickerofareturningsmile。"Verylikelytherearepeoplewhoaresoconstituted，buttheyarenotmykind。

Idon\'twanttohearthemtellaboutit。Tomepovertyisthehorror——theunmentionablehorror！"

"ThereneverwasadaythatIdidn\'tfeelTHAT！"

Thorpeputfervourintohisvoice。"Iwasneverreconciledtoitforaminute。IneverceasedswearingtomyselfthatI\'dpullmyselfoutofit。Andthat\'swhatmakesmesortofsoft-heartednowtowardthose——

towardthosewhohaven\'tpulledthemselvesoutofit。"

"Yourniecesaysyouaresoft-heartedbeyondexample，"

remarkedLadyCressage。

"Whocouldhelpbeing，tosuchasweetlittlegirlassheis？"

demandedtheuncle，fondly。

"Sheisverynice，"saidtheother。"Ifonemaysaysuchathing，Ifancythesethreemonthswithherhavehadanappreciableeffectuponyou。I\'msureInoteadifference。"

"That\'sjustwhatI\'vebeensayingtomyself！"hetoldher。

Hewasvisiblydelightedwiththiscorroboration。

"I\'vebeenalonepracticallyallmylife。Ihadnofriendstospeakof——Ihadnofitcompany——Ihadn\'tanythingbutthedeterminationtoclimboutofthehole。

Well，I\'vedonethat——andI\'vegotamongthekindofpeoplethatInaturallylike。Butthentherecamethequestionofwhethertheywouldlikeme。Itellyoufrankly，thatwaswhatwasworryingtheheartoutofmewhenI

firstmetyou。Iliketobeconfessingittoyounow——butyoufrightenedmewithinaninchofmylife。Wellnow，yousee，I\'mnotscaredofyouatall。Andofcourseit\'sbecauseJulia\'sbeenputtingmethroughacourseofsprouts。"

ThefigurewaslostuponLadyCressage，butthespiritoftheremarksseemednotunpleasanttoher。"I\'msureyou\'refullofkindness，"shesaid。"YoumustforgetthatI

snappedatyou——aboutpapa。""AllIrememberaboutthatis，"

hebegan，hiseyelightingupwiththethoughtthatthistimetheopportunityshouldnotpassunimproved，"thatyousaidhedidn\'tshinemuchinadversity——anymorethanyoudid。

NowonthatlastpointIdisagreewithyou，straight。

Therewouldn\'tbeanyplaceinwhichyouwouldn\'tshine。"

"Isthatthewayonetalkstoone\'sniece？"sheaskedhim，almostlistlessly。"Suchflatterymustsurelybebadfortheyoung。"Herwordsweresprightlyenough，butherfacehadcloudedover。Shehadnoheartforthebanter。

"Ah"——hehalf-groaned。"IonlywishIknewwhatwastherightwaytotalktoyou。TherealthingisthatI

seeyou\'reunhappy——andthatgetsonmynerve——andI

shouldliketoaskyouiftherewasn\'tsomethingIcoulddo——andaskitinsuchawaythatyou\'dhavetoadmittherewas——andIdon\'tknowenoughtodoit。"

Hehadawansmileforthanks。"Butofcoursethereisnothing，"shereplied，gently。

"Oh，theremustbe！"heinsisted。Hehadnolongeranyclearnotionsastowherehistonguemightnotleadhim。

"Theremustbe！YousaidImighttalktoyouasIwouldtoJulia"DidI？"

"Well，I\'mgoingto，anyway，"hewentonstoutly，ignoringthenoteofdefinitedissentinherinterruption。

"YouAREunhappy！Youspokeaboutbeingachaperone。

Wellnow，tospeakplainly，ifitisn\'tentirelypleasantforyouwithMissMadden——whywouldn\'tyoubeachaperoneforJulia？ImustbegoingtoLondonverysoon——butshecanstayhere，orgotoEgypt，orwherevershelikes——andofcourseyouwoulddoeverything，andhaveeverything——whateveryouliked，too。"

"Theconversationisgettinguponratherimpossiblegrounds，I\'mafraid，"shesaid，andthenbitherlipstogether。

Halting，shefrownedalittleintheeffortofconsideringherfurtherwords，buttherewasnothingsevereintheglancewhichsheliftedtohimasshebegantospeak。

"Letuswalkon。Imusttellyouthatyoumisconceivethesituationentirely。NobodycouldpossiblybekinderormoreconsideratethanMissMadden。OfcoursesheisAmerican——orratherIrish-American，andI\'mEnglish，andournotionsandwaysarenotalwaysalike。Butthathasnothingtodowithit。Anditisnotsomuchthatshehasmanythousandsayear，andIonlyafewhundreds。

Thatinitselfwouldsignifynothing——andifImusttakehelpfromsomebodyIwouldrathertakeitfromCeliaMaddenthananybodyelseIknow——butthisisthepoint，Mr。Thorpe。

Idonoteatthebreadofdependencegracefully。Ipullwryfacesoverit，andIdon\'ttryverymuchtodisguisethem。

Thatismyfault。Yes——ohyes，Iknowitisafault——butIamasIam。AndifMissMaddendoesn\'tmind——why"——sheconcludedwithamirthless，uncertainlaugh——"whyonearthshouldyou？"

"Ah，whyshouldI？"heechoed，reflectively。"Ishouldlikedesperatelytotellyouwhy。SometimeIwilltellyou。"

Theywalkedoninsilenceforabriefspace。Thensheputoutherhandforherwrap，andasshepaused，hespreaditoverhershoulders。

"Iamamazedtothinkwhatwehavebeensayingtoeachother，"

shesaid，buttoningthefurastheymovedonagain。

"Iamvexedwithmyself。"

"Andmorestillwithme，"hesuggested。

"No-o——butIoughttobe。You\'vemademetalkthemostshockingrubbish。"

"Therewedisagreeagain，youknow。Everythingyou\'vesaid\'sbeenperfect。Whatyou\'rethinkingofnowisthatI\'mnotanoldenoughfriendtohavebeenallowedtohearit。ButifI\'mnotasoldafriendassome，IwishIcouldmakeyoufeelthatI\'massolidafriendasany——assolidandasstaunchandastrue。IwishI

couldhearyousayyoubelievedthat。"

"Butyoutalkof\'friends，\'"shesaid，inatonenotatallresponsive——"whatismeantby\'friends\'？We\'vechancedtomeettwice——andoncewebarelyexchangedcivilities，andthistimewe\'vebeenhotelacquaintances——hardlymore，isit？——andyouandyouryoungpeoplehavebeenverypolitetome——andIinasillymomenthavetalkedtoyoumoreaboutmyaffairsthanIshould——Isupposeitwasbecauseyoumentionedmyfather。But\'friends\'isratherabigwordforthat，isn\'tit？"

Thorpepoutedforadubiousmoment。"Icanthinkofabiggerwordstill，"hesaid，daringly。"It\'sbeenonthetipofmytonguemorethanonce。"

Shequickenedherpace。Theairhadgrownperceptiblycolder。

Thedistantmountains，visibleeverandagainthroughthebarebranches，wereofadarkandcheerlessblue，andsharplydefinedagainstthesky。Itwasnotyetthesunsethour，andtherewerenomists，butthelightofdayseemedtobegoingoutoftheheavens。

Hehurriedonbesideherindepressedsilence。

Theircompanionswerehiddenfromviewinaconvolutionofthewindingroad，buttheyweresonearthattheirvoicescouldbeheardastheytalked。Frequentlythesoundoflaughtercamebackwardfromthem。

"They\'rejollyenoughdownthere，"hecommentedatlast，moodily。

"That\'sagoodreasonforourjoiningthem，isn\'tit？"

Hertonewasatoncecasualandpointed。

"ButIdon\'twanttojointhem！"heprotested。"Whydon\'tyoustaywithme——andtalk？""Butyoubullymeso，"

sheofferedinexplanation。

Thephrasecaughthisattention。Coulditbethatitexpressedherrealfeeling？Shehadsaid，herecalled，thathehadmadehertalk。Hercomplaintwaslikeanadmissionthathecouldoverpowerherwill。

Ifthatweretrue——thenhehadresourcesofmasterfulnessstillinreservesufficienttowinanyvictory。

"No——notbullyyou，"hesaidslowly，asifobjectingtothewordratherthantheidea。"Thatwouldn\'tbepossibletome。

Butyoudon\'tknowmewellenoughtounderstandme。

Iamthekindofmanwhogetsthethingshewants。

Letmetellyousomething：WhenIwasatHadlow，Ihadnevershotapheasantinmylife。Iusedtodotolerablywellwitharifle，butIhardlyknewanythingaboutashot-gun，andIdon\'tsupposeI\'deverkilledmorethantwoorthreebirdsonthewing——andthatwasagesago。

ButItookthenotionthatIwouldshootbetterthananybodyelsethere。Imadeupmymindtoit——andIsimplydidit，that\'sall。Idon\'tknowifyouremember——butIkilledagooddealmorethanboththeothersputtogether。

Igiveyouthatasanexample。IwantedyoutothinkthatIwasacrackshot——andsoImademyselfbeacrackshot。"

"Thatisveryinteresting，"shemurmured。Theydidnotseemtobewalkingquitesofast。

"Don\'tthinkIwanttobragaboutmyself，"hewenton。

"Idon\'tfancymyself——inthatway。I\'mnotspeciallyproudofdoingthings——it\'sthethingsthemselvesthatIcarefor。Ifsomemenhadmadeagreatfortune，theywouldbeconceitedaboutit。Well，I\'mnot。

WhatI\'mkeenaboutisthewaytousethatfortunesothatIwillgetthemostoutofit——themosthappiness，Imean。Thethingtodoistomakeupyourmindcarefullywhatitisthatyouwant，andtoputallyourpowerandresolutionintogettingit——andtherestiseasyenough。

Idon\'tthinkthere\'sanythingbeyondastrongman\'sreach，ifheonlybelievesenoughinhimself。"

"Butaren\'tyouconfusingtwothings？"shequeried。

Thesubjectapparentlyinterestedher。"Towinone\'sobjectsbysheerpersonalforceisonething。Tomerelysecurethembecauseone\'spurseislongerthanotherpeople\'s——that\'squiteanothermatter。"

Hesmiledgrimlyather。"Well，I\'llcombinethetwo，"

hesaid。

"ThenIsupposeyouwillbealtogetherirresistible，"

shesaid，lightly。"Therewillbenopheasantsleftforotherpeopleatall。"

"Idon\'tmindbeingchaffed，"hetoldher，withgravity。

"Solongasyou\'regood-natured，youcanmakegameofmeallyoulike。ButI\'minearnest，allthesame。

I\'mnotgoingtoplaythefoolwithmymoneyandmypower。

Ihavegreatprojects。SometimeI\'lltellyouaboutthem。

Theywillallbeputthrough——everyoneofthem。Andyouwouldn\'tobjecttotalkingthemoverwithme——wouldyou？"

"Myopinionon\'projects\'isofnoearthlyvalue——tomyselforanyoneelse。"

"Butstillyou\'dgivemeyouradviceifIaskedit？"

hepersisted。"Especiallyifitwasaprojectinwhichyouwereconcerned？"

Afteramoment\'sconstrainedsilenceshesaidtohim，"Youmusthavenoprojects，Mr。Thorpe，inwhichI

amconcerned。Thistalkisallverywideofthemark。

YouarenotentitledtospeakasifIweremixedupwithyouraffairs。Thereisnothingwhatevertowarrantit。"

"ButhowcanyouhelpbeinginmyprojectsifIputyouthere，andkeepyouthere？"heaskedher，withgleefulboldness。

"Andjustaskyourselfwhetheryoudoreallywanttohelpit。Whyshouldyou？You\'veseenenoughofmetoknowthatIcanbeagoodfriend。AndI\'mthekindoffriendwhoamountstosomething——whocanandwilldothingsforthosehelikes。Whatobligationareyouundertoturnawaythatkindofafriend，whenheoffershimselftoyou？Putthatquestionplainlytoyourself。"

"ButyouarenotinapositiontonominatethequestionsthatIamtoputtomyself，"shesaid。Theefforttoimportdecisionintohertoneandmannerwasapparent。

"ThatiswhatIdesireyoutounderstand。Wemustnottalkanymoreaboutme。Iamnotthetopicofconversation。"

"ButfirstletmefinishwhatIwantedtosay，"heinsisted。

"Mytalkwon\'tbreakanybones。You\'dbewrongnottolistentoit——becauseit\'smeanttohelpyou——tobeofusetoyou。Thisisthething，LadyCressage：

You\'reinaparticularlyhardandunpleasantposition。

LikemyfriendPlowden"——hewatchedherfacenarrowlybutinvain，inthedulllight，foranychangeatmentionofthename——"likemyfriendPlowdenyouhaveapositionandtitletokeepup，andnexttonothingtokeepitupon。ButhecangodownintotheCityandmakemoney——ortryto。HecanacceptDirectorshipsandtipsaboutthemarketandsoon，frommenwhoaredisposedtobegoodtohim，andwhoseehowhecanbeofusetothem——andinthatwayhecandosomethingforhimself。

Butthereisthedifference：youcan\'tdothesethings，oryouthinkyoucan\'t，whichisthesamething。

You\'reallfencedin；you\'resurroundedbynotice-boards，tellingyouthatyoumustn\'twalkthiswayorlookthatway；

thatyoumustn\'tsaythisthingordotheother。

Nowyourfrienddownaheadthere——MissMadden——shedoesn\'ttakemuchstockinnotice-boards。Infact，shefeedsthegulls，simplybecauseshe\'sforbiddentodoit。

Butyou——youdon\'tfeedanygulls，andyetyou\'reannoyedwithyourselfthatyoudon\'t。Isn\'tthatthecase？Haven\'tIreadyouright？"

Sheseemedtohavesubmittedtohischoiceofatopic。

Therewasnotouchofexpostulationinthevoicewithwhichsheansweredhim。"Iseewhatyouthinkyoumean，"

shesaid。

"Think！"heresponded，withself-confidentemphasis。

"I\'mnot\'thinking。\'I\'mreadinganopenbook。AsIsay，you\'renotcontented——you\'renothappy；youdon\'ttrytopretendthatyouare。Butallthesame，thoughyouhateit，youacceptit。Youthinkthatyoureallymustobeyyournotice-boards。NowwhatItellyouyououghttodoistotakeadifferentview。Whyshouldyouputupallthisbarbedwirebetweenyourselfandyourfriends？Itdoesn\'tdoanybodyelseanygood——anditdoesyouharm。

Why，forexample，shouldPlowdenbefreetotakethingsfromme，andyounot？"

Sheglancedathim，withacoldhalf-smileinhereye。

"UnfortunatelyIwasnotaskedtojoinyourBoard。"

Hepressedhislipstightlytogether，andregardedhermeditativelyasheturnedthesewordsoverinhismind。

"WhatI\'mdoingforPlowden，"hesaidwithslowvaguenessmeanwhile，"itisn\'tsomuchbecausehe\'sontheBoard。

He\'sofnospecialusetomethere。Buthewasnicetomeatatimewhenthatmeanteverythingintheworldtome——andIdon\'tforgetthingsofthatsort。Besides，Ilikehim——anditpleasesmetolethiminforashareofmygoodfortune。See？It\'smywayofenjoyingmyself。

Wellnow，Ilikeyoutoo，andwhyshouldn\'tIbeallowedtoletyouinalsoforashareofthatgoodfortune？

Youthinkthere\'sadifference，butItellyouit\'simaginary——puremoonshine。Why，theverypeoplewhoseopinionyou\'reafraidof——whatdidtheydothemselveswhentheSouthAfricancrazewason？I\'mtoldthatthescumoftheearthhadonlytoownsomeCharteredshares，andpretendtobe\'intheknow\'aboutthem——andtheycoulddinewithasmanyduchessesastheyliked。

Iknewoneortwoofthemenwhowereinthatdeal——I

wouldn\'thavetheminmyhouse——butitseemstherewasn\'tanyotherhousetheycouldn\'tgotoinLondon。"

"Ohyes，thereweremanyhouses，"sheinterposed。

"Itwasn\'taniceexhibitionthatsocietymadeofitself——

oneadmitsthat，——butitwasonlyonesetthatquitelosttheirheads。Thereareallkindsofsets，youknow。

And——Idon\'tthinkIseeyourapplication，inanyevent。

Thecraze，asyoucallit，wasallonabusinessbasis。

Peopleranafterthosewhocouldtellthemwhichsharesweregoingup，andtheygambledinthoseshares。Thatwasall，wasn\'tit？"

Stilllookingintentlyather，hedismissedherquerywithalittleshakeofthehead。"\'Onabusinessbasis，\'"

herepeated，asiftalkingtohimself。"Theyliketohavethings\'onabusinessbasis。\'"