第4章

“Yourperseverance，undersuchobstacles，wastrulysurprising，MissTaylor；“saidHazlehurst。

“Wasitnot？Wesoonwroteouradvertisements。Minewasveryshort：\'Wanted，anagreeableyouth，asescortbetweenthisandNewYork，applythisevening，atfiveo\'clock。\'Somewereverylongandridiculous；onewasinverse。Well，afterwehadwrittenthem，weopenedthedoorsandwindows，andtheyounggentlemenflockedinagain。Thenwewentinprocession，andpinnedthemuponthecurtains。Suchatimeaswehad——talkingandgiggling——wewereinsuchagale，that，atlast，someofthemarriedladiescameouttoseewhatwasthematter。But，thebestfunofall，waschoosingourescorts；agreatmanyoffered，andthenweexaminedthem。“

“Ihopetheyhadsuitablequalificationsfortheoffice。“

“Oh，yes——ItookMr。Hunter，Anne\'sbrother。Well，sureenough，weallsetouttogether，thenextmorning；staidonedayinthecity；and，Thursdaymorning，were-appearedwiththedresses。Ofcourse，AnneandIhadtakentheopportunitytogetafreshsupply，besidesthewhitebatiste。Wehadamostdelightfulpic-nic。Iforgottosay，thatAnne\'sescort，theMarquisFoletti，wasmissing；shehadtodowithouthim——shegavehimupforlost，orabsconded，andweallowedhertochooseanotherbeau——whensuddenly，justasweweremourningovertheMarquis，heappearedontheground，andthrewhimselfonhisknees，andmadeuslaughmorethanever。Annehadchosenhim，becausehehadthehandsomestmoustachesatSaratoga；buthecouldnotspeakEnglishverywell，andhadgotonboardthewrongboat。Whattimeswehad！Jane，Iwishyouhadbeenthere！”

“Yourfaithfulesquireswererewarded，nodoubt，bythegallantryofthedeeditself，MissTaylor，“saidHarry。

“Ofcourse；butweneverthelessgavethem，besides，fullpermissiontosayanddojustwhattheypleased，allthatday——andyoucan\'tthinkhowmuchnonsensewetalked。Eachgentlemantooktheadvertisementoftheladyhehadescorted，andpinneditoverhisheart。Therewereseveralforeignersthere，andyoucan\'tthinkhowtheyenjoyedit；theyhadneverhadsuchafrolicwithyoungladiesbefore，andtheythoughtitdelightful；though，tobesure，theygotatlasttoberathertoofree；andthenwehadtoputastoptoit。“

ElinorlookedatJane，toseeifsheseemedtosympathizeinAdeline\'sstory；buthercousin\'sbeautifulfacewasstillbrightwiththeglowofpleasurefrommeetingherfriend；nootherthoughtorfeelingwastobetracedthere。

“Idon\'tbelievetheyhaveanysuchfuninParis，Mr。

Hazlehurst。“

“Notexactly——Theyhaveapleasantryoftheirown，however，whichisquiteagreeable。“

“Idon\'tthinkIshouldlikeit。Theysay，ayoungladydaresnotspeaktogentlemen，norwalkwiththem，norhavetheleastbitofaflirtation。Howstupiditmustbe！”

“ButtheFrenchgirlsdotalktogentlemen，Iassureyou，“

repliedJane，“onlytheyarenotintimatewitheverybody。Theyoungmenareveryattentive，too；theytreatyounggirlswithmuchmorerespect，Louisasays，thaninAmerica。“

“Whocaresforrespect！Iwanttolaughandamusemyself，andhavemyownway，“exclaimedAdeline。

“Itisgrowingquitewarmhere——youwillfinditpleasanterinthedrawing-room，MissTaylor；“saidElinor，notcaringtolistenanylongertoJane\'sgiddyfriend。

“Well，ifyouplease，I\'llrunuptoJanesroom，andlookatthefashions——Iamdyingtoseesomeofhercapesandcollars。

By-the-bye，Ihadforgottentwoveryimportantthings。Hereisanoteforyouraunt，MissElinor；someprivatecommunicationfromMa；thecoachmanwilltaketheanswer。Andthen，Icameovertoaskyoualltodrinkteawithus，thisevening，verysociably；

nobodybutyourownfamilyandthreeorfourfriends！”

Theinvitationwasaccepted，asamatterofcourse。

“Goodmorning，Mr。Hazlehurst；IexpecttobeshutupwithJane，forthreehourstocome；Ihavereallytalkedmyselfoutofbreath；butthatisalwaystheway，withme，asyouknow，ofold。“Andthetwogirls，hand-in-hand，ranlightlyupstairs，whereElinor，makinganexcuseofMrs。Taylor\'snote，leftthemtoaconfidentialtete-a-tete。

CHAPTERXI。

“Asoldiermaybeanything，ifbrave；

Somayamerchantifnotquiteaknave。“

COWPER。

“Tradehisdelightandhope；and，ifalive，DoubtIhavenone，thatBarnabywillthrive。“

CRABBE。

{WilliamCowper(Englishpoet，1731-1800)，“Hope“lines201-210。

GeorgeCrabbe(Englishpoet，1754-1832)，“PosthumousTales：VIII

Barnaby；theShopman“linesII。3-4}

WEhavereallybeenveryremissinomittingsolongtonoticetherapidstrideswithwhichMr。PompeyTaylorhadadvancedontheroadtofameandfortune，duringthetwoyearsinwhichwehavelostsightofhim。Hemighthaveaddressed，tothereader，theremarkthattheEmperorNapoleonappliedtohissecretary，aftertheconquestofPrussiaandAustria：“J\'aifaitdesprogresimmensesdepuisqueBourienne{sic}m\'aquitte！”

{“J\'aifaitdes……“=IhavemadeimmenseprogresssinceBourienneleftme！Louis-AntoineFauveletdeBourrienne(1769-1834)wasaFrenchdiplomatwhoservedasNapoleon\'sprivatesecretaryduringhisinvasionofEgypt}

Itisarule，incomposition，itwasso，atleast，whenpeoplewrotebyrule，tocomparethelittlewiththegreat。Ifweweretofollowthedirection，itwouldbeeasytoprovethatthesetwoindividuals，theconqueror，Napoleon，andthespeculator，Taylor，werenottoowidelyseparatedformanypointsofresemblancetobetracedbetweenthem。Ambitionwastherulingpassionofboth；

andbothwerealikeinsatiable。Bonaparteaddedkingdomtokingdom；Taylor，housetohouse；theemperormightbelievehimselfequaltorulinghalftheworld；themerchantfeltcapableofowningtheotherhalf。Theoneraisedarmyafterarmy；theotherfittedoutvesselaftervessel。Theenergiesofbothwereinexhaustible，andbothaimedatanever-recedinggoal；whileeach，inhisownway，soonreachedaheightneverdreamedofbythemotherswhorockedtheircradles。NorwoulditbejusticetoMr。Taylor，tosuppose，thattheloveofmoney，alone，wasthemain-springofhisactions；he，too，wasspurredonbytheloveofglory；dollarsandcentswerenottheend，withhim；helookeduponhisthousands，ingoldandpaper，asNapoleondiduponhisthousandsinfleshandblood——theywerebuttheinstrumentswhichweretoopentheroadtofame。Themanofcommerce，andthemanofwar，werealikelavishoftheirtreasures，whentheobjectoftheirliveswasinview。Ifonewastheboldestofgenerals，theotherwasthemostenterprisingofmerchants；andFortunefavouredthedaringofboth。Inshort，Mr。Taylorwasnocommon，ploddingtrader，contentwithmoderategainsandsafeinvestments，andfixinghishopesonprobabilities——hepursuedtrafficwiththepassionofagambler，unitedtotheclosecalculationofamiser；andyet，hespentfreelywhathehadacquiredeasily。

Therearemerchants，who，bytheireducation，theirintegrity，theirtalentsandtheirliberality，areanhonourtotheprofession；butMr。PompeyTaylorwasnotofthenumber。Wehaveallheardtheanecdoteoftheyoungmanaddictedtothesinofswearing，whoseconversation，duringdinner，wastakendowninshort-hand，and，whenreadafterwards，shockedtheindividualhimself。CouldthethoughtsandwordsofMr。Taylor，duringasingleday，havebeenasfairlyregistered，perhapshehimselfwouldhavebeenastonishedtofindhowverylargeaportionofthemweregiventogainandspeculation，insomeshapeorother。

Atsocialmeetings，whetherdinnersoreveningparties，heseldomtalkedlongonanyothersubject：hehasbeenknowntouttertheword\'stocks，\'justasheenteredachurch，onSunday；whileaquestionaboutcertainlotswasthefirstsentencewhichpassedhislips，ashecrossedthethresholdonhiswayout。Eatinghismealsunderhisownroof；walkingdownBroadwaytoWall-Street，everymorning，atnineo\'clock，andbackagaineveryafternoonatthree；stilltheechoofMr。Taylor\'sthoughtsandwordswas\'dollars，\'\'stocks，\'and\'lots\'——\'lots，\'\'stocks，\'and\'dollars。\'Hehadavalueforeverythingindollars——hisjokesturneduponstocks——andhisdreamswerefilledwithlots。Letitnotbesupposed，however，thatMr。PompeyTaylorwasbornwiththephrenologicalorganoftheloveofmoneymorestronglydevelopedthanotherhumanbeings。Bynomeans。Hewasendowedbynaturewithfacultiesandfeelingsasvariedasothermen。But，fromthetimehecouldfirstwalkandtalk，preceptandexamplehadgraduallyturnedallhisfacultiesinonedirection；for，suchhadbeentheopinionsandviewsofhisfatherandelderbrothers；andtherewasnootherimpulseinhisnatureoreducation，sufficientlystrongtogiveadifferentbenttohisenergies。Underothercircumstances，PompeyTaylormighthavebeenaquick-wittedlawyer，asupplepolitician，adaringsoldier，or，withadifferentmoraltraining，hemighthavebeensomethingfarsuperiortoeither；butthefieldofcommercewastheonlyonethatopenedtohim，athisentranceintolife；anditwastoowelladaptedtotheman，suchasnatureandeducationhadmadehim，tobeneglected。Hefoundfullscope，insuchasphere，forallhisenergiesofbodyandmind——hedelightedinitslaboursanditsrewards。

{“phrenological“=fromthepseudo-scienceofphrenology，whichinterpretedcharacterbyfeelingthebulgesonthehumanhead}

Mr。Taylorhadforgotten，ifhehadeverknownthefact，thatthebestpleasuresofthisworldeven，arethosewhichmoneycannotpurchase，theseverestwantsthosewhichitcannotsupply。Hehadnoconceptionofanyconsiderationequaltothatwhichrichesgive。Beautyunadornedwasnobeautyinhiseyes；andhechieflyvaluedtalentasameansofmakinggoodinvestmentsandwilyspeculations。HelookeduponScienceasthehand-maidenofCommerce；ArmiesandNaviesexistedonlytodefendanation\'swealth，notitsliberties，oritshonour。Theseatofhispatriotismwasinhispocket；andtheonlyinternalimprovementinwhichhewasinterested，wasthatwhichopenednewfacilitiesforacquiringmoney。Itissurprisinghowtotallysuchamindbecomesunfittedtoenjoyandadmireanygreatornoblequalityintheabstract；inspiteofaquickwitandkeenorgans，suchmenbecomethemostone-sidedbeings，perhaps，inthewholehumanfamily。TomoralbeautyMr。Taylorseemedquiteblind；hismentalvisionresembledthephysicalsightofthoseindividualswhoseeyes，thoughperfectineveryotherrespect，areincapableofreceivinganyimpressionofanobjecttingedwithblue——thecolouroftheheavens。Eventhefewideashehaduponreligioussubjectspartookofthecharacteroflossandgain；thesimplespiritoftruepietycouldneverenterintoamindinthestateofhis。Andyet，Mr。Taylorwaslookeduponasahappyman。

Fortunatehecertainlywas，forwealthandluxuryhadrisenaroundhimalmostasreadilyasifpossessedofAladdin\'slamp。

Hadhebeenactuallyinpossessionofthisgiftofthegenii，hecouldscarcelyhavefoundawishtogratify，asmoneyhadalreadyprovidedhimwithallitcansupplyinthiscountry，andthepursuitofwealthitselfwashisdelight。Deprivedofthis，Othello\'soccupationweregone。

{“Othello\'soccupationweregone“=WilliamShakespeare，“Othello“，III。iii。358}

JusticetoMr。Taylorwouldrequirethatweshouldfollowhimtothecounting-house，foritwastherethatheappearedinthemostbrilliantlight。Histalentswereundoubted；hissagacity，hisskill，andhisdaringweregreat；andhisundertakingsweregenerallysuccessful。Thusfarallappearedverywell；butthosewholookedcloserintothematterwouldhavefoundthathisintegritywasanythingbutunimpeachable，hisloveofmoneyfarsurpassinghisloveoftruthandjustice。Thispartofhiscareermustbeleft，however，tootherhands；itisonlywhathewasinsocialanddomesticlife，thatthemerchantappearsamongourLongbridgefriends。

ThefirstfewmonthsafterhehadremovedtoNewYork，theutmostextentofMr。Taylor\'sambitiousdreamshadbeenthepossessionofabrickhouseinBroadway，onalotofgroundtwenty-threefeetbyseventy。AccordingtothefavouriteruleofNewYorkarchitecture，theruleofthree，thebuildingwastobethreestorieshigh，andthreewindowswide。ButtheendofthefirstninetydaysinWall-Street，broughtanaccessionofseveralthousands，andthebrilliantpromiseofsomanymore，thatthisplanwasenlargedseveralincheseachway。Aseverysucceedingseasonbroughtanincreaseofwealthandambition，theprojecteddwellinggrewatlasttobetallerandbroaderbyseveralfeet，until，atlength，ithadreachedthelimitswhichmagnificenceusuallyattainsontheislandofManhattan。HadMr。TaylorbuilthishouseinPhiladelphia，oralmostanyotherAmericantown，hemighthavelaidratherabroaderfoundationforhishabitation；

butNewYorkhouses，asarule，arethenarrowestandthetallestintheland。Someofthosethree-storydwellings，however，whatevermaybetheirarchitecturaldefects，containinmateswhoareasmuchtobedesiredforfriendsasanyothersintheworld。

ButtoreturntoMr。Taylor\'snewhouse；wehavesaidthatitwasoneoftheproudfewwhichcouldboastitsfourstoriesanditsfourwindows。Hewasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeresultwhenfinished，forhishousefromthegarrettothecellarwasafaithfulcopyofoneoppositetohim，whichhadbeenbuiltsomemonthsearlier，andwaspronouncedthehouseoftheseason。

TheAmericanpeoplemayhavebeenperfectlyoriginalintheirconstitution，butinmostotherrespectstheyareparticularlyimitative。Anobserver，atafirstglance，wondersthatsomuchclevernessshouldbewastedinmereimitation；butitis，afterall，thesimpleresultofthepositionofthecountry。Anintelligentpeople，wearefurnishedbybookswithmoreideasthanwehavemodelsonwhichtoshapethem。Inanoldstateofsociety，thereisalwaysaclasswholabourafteroriginality，andareproudtobecalledeccentric；butayoungnation，cutofffromtherestofthecivilizedworld，mustnecessarilybeimitativeinitscharacteruntilithasarrivedatmaturity。Thisspiritofimitation，toacertainextentanadvantage，is，tobesure，oftencarriedtoalaughableextentwhenitlosessightofcommonsense。Peopleseemtoforgetthefactthatproprietymustalwaysbethefirststeptotrueelegance。Asaproofofit，weseemenwhoappeartohaveconsultedtheirneighbours\'tastes，habits，andmeans，insteadoftheirown，inbuildingthehousetheythemselvesaretoinhabit；likeMr。Taylor，withoutanyverygoodreason，theyimitatetheiroppositeneighbour。Again，itissurprisingtoseewhattimeandtoilarespentinfollowingeveryvariationoffashionindress，bymanywomenwhocertainlycanillaffordit；wedonotmeanfashioninitsgeneraloutlines，butinitsmosttriflingdetails。Ifonecouldwatchtheprogressofanidlefancyofthisnature，fromthemomentitspringsfromthecapriceofsomeEuropeanelegante，withmoretimeandmoneythansheknowshowtothrowaway，untilitbecomesanecessitytoanAmericanhousemaid，earningadollaraweek——wehavenodoubttheperiodwouldbefoundsurprisinglyshort。

{“elegante“=afashionablelady(French)}

Thehabitofimitationjustalludedto，ismorestrikingperhapsinarchitecturethaninanythingelse，forinthatshapeitisalwaysbeforeoureyes；andnoplaceinthecountryismoremarkedwithitthanNewYork。Innotowninheworldarethereasmanydwellingssomuchalike；andthisfactisnottheresultofnecessity，orofanyplanofarchitecturalunity——itisnotthattheplanfirsthituponprovedtobethemostrational，orbestsuitedtothespotanditsinhabitants——butitischieflytheconsequenceofaspiritofimitation。

Toreturntoourstory：thisnewhouseofMr。Taylor，thissuccessfulimitationofhisoppositeneighbour，hadbeenopenedthefirstofMay，thegeneralmovingdayinNewYork。Itwasfittedupintherichestmanner，youngTaylorhavingreceivedcarteblanchefromhisfathertopurchasehandsomefurnitureinParis。Rosewoodandsatin，giltbronzesandSevresvases，wereallofthebestkind——andMr。Taylorwasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeeffectofhistwodrawing-rooms。Itwasdeterminedtheyshouldbeshownoffduringthefollowingwinter，byasuccessionofdinnersandparties。Hehadalreadytriedhishandatentertaining；afterhavingeatenadozengreatdinnerswithdifferentcommercialnotabilities，hehadgivenonehimselfjustbeforeleavingtown。Theaffair，aman-dinner，ofcourse，hadgoneoffbrilliantly——thankstohisbeautifulporcelainedeSevres，hiscandelabrasandhisepergnes，hisEnglishplateandEnglishglass；allofwhichshowedofftogreatadvantagethebestofthegoodthingsaboundingintheNewYorkmarket，cookedbyaFrenchman，andwasheddownbywinesfromthemostfamousvineyardsofFrance，Germany，andSpain。Hisentertainmentwaspronouncedashandsomeasanygiventhatwinterintown；andMr。

Taylordeterminedthatitshouldbeonlythefirstofalongseries。

{“generalmovingday“=inNewYorkCity，atthistime，leasesfortherentalofhousesgenerallyexpiredonMay1；“porcelainedeSevres“=expensivechinawarefromtheFrenchtownofSevres；

“epergne“=anelaboratebowlusedasatablecenterpiece(French)}

Hiscountry-houserivalledhisestablishmentintown。Byhisfirstplan，hehadintendedthatitshouldequalthatofMr。

Hubbard，atLongbridge；buteighteenmonthshadmadeamaterialchangeinhisaffairs，whichproducedcorrespondingalterationsinthebuilding。Firstonelargewingwasadded，thenanother；

Mr。Hubbard\'shousehadbutoneCorinthianportico，Mr。Taylor\'shadtwo。Hewasborninahousewhichhadbeenpaintedonlyononefront，andhewasnowoftheopinionoftheoldtar，whopurchasedahandsomejacketlikehiscommandingofficer，butorderedthebackaswellasthefronttobemadeofsatin，andmeetingtheadmiral，pulleduphiscoat-tailstoshowthattherewas“nosham。“Mr。Taylorcouldnotoutdotheplate-glass，andmahoganydoorsofMr。Hubbard\'shouse，buthehadgreatsatisfactioninshowinghimhisporticoonthesouthfront，andinprovingtherewasnosham。Whenthewingswereadded，theywerecompletelysurroundedonthreesidesbyacolonnade。Mr。

Taylorhavinghappened，justatthemoment，tomakethirtythousanddollarsbyonesuccessfulspeculation，hesentorderstothemaster-builderforadoublesetofcolumns；andasaconsequence，thecolonnadewassoveryconspicuousthatitbecametheprideoftheneighbourhood。Mr。Taylor，himself，wassomuchstruckwiththefirstview，whencompleted，thathedecidedtonametheplace“ColonnadeManor。“Thereisnoaccountingfortasteinnames，wesuppose，anymorethaninothermatters。LikeNo。fivehundredand——Broadway，ColonnadeManorwasfurnishedwithrosewoodandsatinfromParis。

Mrs。Taylor，goodsoul，enteredverylittleintothespiritofthismagnificence。Shestillsatinhernurserywithheryoungerchildrenasmuchaspossible，darningallthestockingsofthefamily；anoccupationwhichAdelinethoughtveryungenteel，forshenevercondescendedtouseherneedleatall。TomakeMrs。

TaylorafineladyhadbeenoneoftheleastsuccessfulofMr。

Taylor\'sefforts；shewasmuchtoohonestbynaturetoassumeacharacterforwhichshewassolittlequalified。TherewasbutonewayinwhichshecouldsucceedininterestingherselfinalltheparadewhichgratifiedMr。Taylor\'staste；shefounditgavepleasuretoherhusbandandchildren，andsheendeavouredtomakethebestofit。SheworethefinedressespurchasedforherbyAdeline，anddroveoutonceinawhileinherhandsomecarriage，topayatleastafewofthemanyvisitsurgedbyMr。Taylor。

Amongthenewacquaintancesshehadmadeinthelasttenyears，therewerefewMrs。TaylorlikedaswellasMissWyllys；andMissAgnes，inherturn，respectedallthatwashonestandstraight-forwardinthecharacterofhernewneighbour；indeed，thewholefamilyatWyllys-Roofverymuchpreferredhertothemorepretendinghusbandanddaughter。Thenote，ofwhichAdelinewasthebearer，wasanapplicationtoMissWyllysforadviceinsomedomesticdifficulty。Itranasfollows：

“MYDEARMISSWYLLYS：——

“Youhavebeensokindtome，eversincewemovedintoyourneighbourhood，thatIhopeyouwillexcusemeforaskingyourassistance，thismorning。Ihavebeenagooddealplaguedinmykitcheneversincewecameintothecountrythisspring。Mycookandchamber-maid，whoaresisters，arealwaysfindingsomeexcuseforwantingtogotothecity；andlastnighttheygotaletter，orpretendedtogetonefromNewYork，sayingthattheirfatherwasverysick；andasIdidn\'tknowbutitmightbetrue，I

couldn\'trefusethem，andtheyhavegoneforaweek——thoughI

won\'tbesureitwasnotforamerefrolic。Asithappened，Mr。

TaylorandAdelinecamebackfromSaratoga，lastnight，andbroughtahouse-fullofcompanywiththem；anoldfriendofminewhomIhadnotseenforyears，andsomenewacquaintancesofAdeline\'s。Tomakemattersworse，mynurse，afaithful，goodgirl，whohaslivedwithmeforyears，wastakensickthismorning；andJohn，thewaiter，hadaquarrelwiththecoachman，andwentoffinahuff。Youknowsuchthingsalwayscometogether。SoIhavenowonlythecoachmanandhisdaughter，alittlegirloftwelve，inthehouse；happilytheyarebothwilling，andcandoalittleofeverything。IfyouknowofanybodythatIcanfindtotaketheplaceofcook，orhousemaid，Ishallbetrulyobligedtoyouforgivingthecoachmantheirnamesanddirections。

“Adelineistohavealittlepartythisevening；shemetseveralofourLongbridgefriendsonboardtheboatyesterday，andtookthatopportunityofaskingthem，assheisveryanxioustomakethehousepleasanttohercompany。Idaresayshehasalreadyinvitedallyourfamily，andIshallbeverysorryifyouarenotabletocome，forwealwaysmissyoumorethananyothersofourneighbours。

“HopingyouwillexcusethetroubleIgiveyou，Iremain，dearMadam，“Veryrespectfullyandtrulyyours，“HESTERTAYLOR。“

MissWyllyshadnosoonerreadthenote，than，fullofsympathyforMrs。Taylor\'sdifficulties，sheheldaconsultationwithherfemalefactotum，Elinor\'snurse，orMammyasshewascalled。Allthemen，women，andchildrenintheneighbourhood，whomightpossiblypossesssomequalificationsforthedutiesofcook，chamber-maid，orfootman，wererunoverinMissAgnes\'mind；andshesucceededatlast，byincludingonesuperannuatedoldwoman，andanotherchildoften，inmakingoutalistofsomedozennamesforherneighbour\'sbenefit。Thewholemorningwasspentbythecoachman，scouringthecountrywiththeTaylorbaroucheandhorses——fornotimewastobespentinchangingharness——inpursuitofDianthyThis，andAramintyThat。Mrs。Taylor，ofcourse，awaitedhisreturnwithtremblinganxiety；theSaratogapartyhadgoneofftofish，escortedbyMr。Taylorandayoungerdaughter；AdelinehavingtakenthatopportunitytogotoseeJane，excusingherselffromaccompanyingthefishingset，onaccountofthearrivalofthisveryintimatefriendofhers。Themistressofthehouse，afterhavingadministeredadoseofmedicinetothesicknurse，andsentthelittlegirloftwelvetomakethebedsandsweep，gaveonemelancholylookatthingsinthekitchen，andthenrememberedthatshecouldnolongerleavethisparticularoldfriendofher\'saloneinthedrawing-room。

Whiletalkingoverpasttimes，Mrs。Taylorchosearocking-chaircommandingaviewoftheapproachtothehouse：justatthemomentwhenshebegantofearthehorseshadrunaway，killedthecoachman，andbrokenthecarriage，shesawthebarouchedrivinguptheavenue，but，alas，sanscook！Shekeptherseatwomanfully，andheardouttheendofalongstorywhichtheoldfriendwasrelatingaboutafamilyofrelations。ButatlengthMrs。Taylorfoundthatthemomentforactionhadcome；andgivingherfriendthechoiceofherownknitting-work，orawalkinthegardenwithheryoungestchild，aprettyprattlinglittleboy，sheexcusedherselfforafewmoments，underpretextoflookingafterthesicknurse。Theoldfriendwasquiteatalkativeperson，andonetowhomalistenerwasverynecessary；shepreferredthelittleboytotheknitting-work，andsetouttolookat-thegarden。

Mrs。Taylorinstantlydisappearedinthedirectionofthekitchen。

“Well，John！”

“Well，marm，Icouldn\'tpickupnobody，forloveormoney。“

“Didn\'tMissWyllysknowofanyoneintheneighbourhood？”

“Yes，marm；Ihavegotalisthere；butsomeof\'emhadgotplacesalready；therewastwothatwassick；one，AramintyCarpenter，Iguess，wouldhavesuitedMrs。Taylorverywell，for，Iknowtheyoungwoman\'sfather；butshehasgoneovertoLongbridge，toworkattheUnionHotel，foraweek。TherewasonenamewrittensoIcouldn\'tmakeitout；andtwoof\'emIcouldn\'tfind；folkscouldn\'ttellmewheretheylived。ThereisayoungthingdownattheMill，wholookshandy，butdoesn\'tknowanythingofcooking；but，Iengagedhertocometo-morrow，andMrs。Taylorcanseeifshesuits。“

“Whydidn\'tyoubringherwithyouatonce，John？”

“Shecouldn\'tcome，noways，tillto-morrow；shewaswashing；

and，ifsheleftthework，therewasnoonetodoit。“

LetitnotbesupposedthatMrs。Taylorsunkunderthesedifficulties。Thefishing-partyreturned；and，bymeansknownonlytoherself，thecoachman，andthelittlegirloftwelve，adinner，muchasusual，wasprovidedforherguests，whowereleftinhappyignoranceofthedesertioninthekitchen。

Itmustbesurprising，tothoseunaccustomedtosuchthings，toobservewithwhatcourageandcheerfulnessthemistressofanAmericanfamilyencountersthepeculiarevilsofherlot——evilsundreamtofbypersonsinthesamestationinanyotherpartoftheworld。Herenergiesseemtorisewiththeobstaclesthatcallthemout；sheisfullofexpedients——fullofactivity；and，unlessfairlywornoutbyexertionforwhichshehasnotthephysicalstrength，alwaysmanagestokeepupappearances，andprovideforthecomfortofherhousehold，untilhertroublesaresurmounted，forthetimebeing，andshegathersstrength，inamomentofrespite，forfreshdifficulties，whentheypresentthemselves。Evenherhusbandandsonsareseldomawareofhertoilsandvexations。Manypeopleareignorantofthenumberofvirtuesthatareincluded，atsuchmoments，inthatofhospitality；couldaplain，unvarnishedaccount，bemadeout，ofthedifficultiessurmounted，atsometimeorother，bymostAmericanmatrons，theworldwouldwonderattheirfortitudeandperseverance。Notthatdifficultieslikethoseofourfriend，Mrs。Taylor，areofconstantduration，buttheyoccuroftenerthantheuninitiatedareawareof。Yetevenobstaclesliketheseseemnevertointerferewiththatconstantintercourse，fromtea-partiestovisitsofweeks，whichareexchangedbetweenallAmericanfamiliesandtheirfriends。Butthennopeopleintheworldaremoretrulyhospitable——nonearemoresocialintheirfeelings，thantheinhabitantsoftheseUnitedStates。

CHAPTERXII。

“Come，come；dealjustlywithme；come，Come；nay，speak！”

Hamlet。

“Madam，theguestsarecome，supperservedup，youcalled，myyoungladyaskedfor，thenursecursedinthepantry，andeverythinginextremity。“

RomeoandJuliet。

{WilliamShakespeare，“Hamlet“，II。ii。275-276；“RomeoandJuliet“，I。iii。100-102}

OFcourse，nothinginterferedwiththepartyatColonnadeManor。

ThankstoMrs。Taylor，thecoachmanandthelittlegirloftwelve——quiteawomanly，precocious，littlething，by-the-way——allwentoffverywell。Somecuriousperson，uninitiatedinsimilardomesticmysteries，maywishtoknowhowthingsweremanagedatsuchatryingcrisis。Well，inthefirstplace，Mrs。Taylorcongratulatedherselfthatherguestshadbeenaskedto\'spendtheevening，\'andnotinvited\'totea。\'Thiswasapieceofgoodluck，whichdiminishedhercares，andpreventedthedeepmortificationshemusthavefelthadtheteaandcoffeebeencold。Thecoachman，ofcourse，officiatedasfootman；adutytowhichhewasalreadysomewhataccustomed。Thelittlegirloftwelvebegantheeveningasladies\'-maid，appearinginthedressing-roominthatcapacity，helpingtheladiestotakeofftheirshawlsandsmooththefoldsoftheirdresses，beforetheymadetheirentranceinthedrawing-rooms。Thecompanysooncollected——aboutfiftyorsixtypersons，altogether——andinpartydress；eachhavingbeeninvitedquitesociably，byMissAdeline。

Theywerenotatallsurprisedtoseeeachother，however，fortheyhadoftenalreadypractisedthesameagreeabledeception，themselves。Thecompanyonceassembled，thelittlegirloftwelverolleduphersleeves，andtookherstationinthepantry，whereshereplenishedthecake-baskets，thelemonadeandsangaree-glasseshandedaboutbyherfather，thecoachman。A

suppertablewasalreadyspreadinthedining-room；ithadbeenveryprettilyornamentedwithflowersbyAdeline，andherSaratogafriends；andaplentifulsupplyoffruits，ices，jellies，syllabubs，creams，andotherdelicaciesforalightsupper，hadbeenprepared，inthecourseofthemorning，byMrs。

Taylorandhercoadjutors，thecoachmanandthelittlegirloftwelve。Thetalkativeoldfriendhadbeenadmittedbehindthescenessofar，astolearnthatthemistressofthehousewouldbeobligedtomakeallthegoodthingsherself；andshehadshownthat，besidestellingalongstory，shecouldmakeveryexcellentsponge-cake；for，unfortunately，itwasdiscoveredthatitwouldbenecessarytoincreasethesupplyofthatdelicacy。Adelinedidhershare；whileherSaratogafriendsweretakingamorningsiesta，withanovelintheirhands，shehadmadethesyllabub，andpreparedthefruit。Thesearrangementshavingbeenmade，thelittlegirloftwelvehadreceivedorderstostationherselfnearathand，whereshecouldbesentof{sic}errandsupanddownstairs。Thecoachmanwastoldtotakehisplacebytheside-table，readytobecalledupon，ifnecessary。Mrs。Taylorherself——alas！thatweshouldbeobligedtorevealthefact，expectedtoslipoutofthedrawing-roomatabouthalf-pastten，andsuperintendthedelicateoperationofremovingthejelliesfromtheirmoulds；thiswouldrequiretenminutestodo，andshehopedtomakeherexitandingressunnoticed；amattereasilymanaged，insummer，whenthedoorsandwindowsareallopen，andcouplesarm-in-arm，areloiteringabout，inandoutinalldirections。Thistaskperformed，whenshehadreturnedtothepublicnotice，sometenminutesafterhavingseeneverythinginitsplace，thecoachmanwasexpectedtoappearatthedrawing-roomdoor，withcomposedmanner，toannouncethatsupperwasready——afactshewaspreparedtohearwiththeexpressionofsublimeindifference，requiredbyetiquette。Fromthatmoment，everythingwouldbecomeeasy；for，ofcourse，thegentlemenwould，asusual，takecareoftheladiesfirst，andthenhelpthemselves。Thegallantwayinwhichtheselight，standingsuppersarealwaysmanaged，amongus，is，by-the-bye，apleasantandsensiblearrangement；nothingbettercouldbedevised，underthecircumstances。Theplanofoperationsthussketched，wemayaswellsay，atonce，thateverythingsucceededtoadmiration。

{“sangaree“=acolddrinkofflavored，dilutedwine；“syllabub“

=adrinkofmilkandwine}

Theeveningwaspronouncedverypleasant；and，asseveralofourfriendswerepresent，weshallfollowthem。Therewasagreatdealoftalkingandlaughing；areasonablequantityofflirtation；and，onceortwice，somerompinginthecorneroftheroomwhereMissAdelinehappenedtobeatthetime。Amongthosewhohadexcusedthemselvesfromacceptingtheinvitation，wereMr。andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，whodislikedtheideaofgoingsofar，andMr。andMrs。Graham，theladybeingdetainedathomebyaheadach{sic}，thegentlemanbyaparticulardisliketoMr。

Taylor，who，hethought，hadbehavedinanungentlemanlymanneraboutamortgage，inwhichtheybothhappenedtobeinterested。

Mr。Grahamwasamanofaviolenttemper，andunsocialhabits，generallytakinglittlepainstoconcealhisfeelings；andaccordingly，hismannertoMr。Taylorwasanythingbutflattering，thoughtheiracquaintance，atbest，wasbuttrifling。

Mrs。Grahamalsodislikedthewholefamily；andyettheintimacybetweenJaneandAdelinewasallowedtocontinue，asasortofmatterofcourse，betweenschoolcompanions。

MissWyllysaccompaniedherniecetotheparty——shegenerallymadeitapointtogowithElinor；for，shehadold-fashionednotionsonthesubject，andthoughtthatthepresenceoftheirelderswasanadvantageandaprotectionthatwell-educatedyounggirlshavearighttoexpectfromtheirfriends。Sheseldomspokeonthematter，however，butcontentedherselfwithgiving，whatshethought，agoodexample。BothMissAgnesandElinorwererathersurprisedtofindthatJane\'spartialityforhergiddyfriendAdeline，hadnotbeenintheleastdiminished，byhervisittoEurope。MissWyllysdisapprovedoftheintimacy；but，asJane\'smotherhadnoobjections，sheherselfcouldsaynothing。

Thetwoyoungladieswereagreatdealtogether，inthecourseoftheevening，asbecamebosom-friendsafteralongseparation。

Mrs。Taylor\'soldfriend，thetalkativelady，wasintroducedtoseveraloftheelderportionofthecompany，andwasthushappilyprovidedwithlisteners。MissAdeline\'sfashionableacquaintancesfromSaratoga，werealsosupplied，eachwithacoupleofattendantbeaux，uponwhomtotrytheeffectoftheircharms。

Everythingthushappilyarranged，MissAdelineproposeda\'march\'

whichwasmanagedasusual。YoungVanHorne，whohadsomemusicalcapabilities，wasplacedatthepiano，andplayedWashington\'sMarch，whentheyoungpeoplepairedoffinaline，andbegantowalk，movingintimeupanddownthetwodrawing-rooms，throughthefolding-doors——eachgentleman，ofcourse，offeringhisarmtoalady；chaquechacun，avecsachacune。Adelinewasnotquitesatisfiedwithhercavalier，CharlieHubbard；shedidnotcaremuchabouthim，atanytime；and，onthepresentoccasion，heseemedlessinterestedinlisteningtoherownconversation，thaninwatchingthemovementsofsomeoneelse；whoitwas，shecouldnotsay。Shereproachedhimwiththisinattention。

{“chaquechacun，avecsachacune“=eachonewithhisown(French)}

“Ideclare，Idon\'tbelieveyouhearhalfIsay。Ineversawanybodylikeyou。“

“Charlieblushedalittle，rallied，anddevotedhimselfmoreexclusivelytothedutyofbeingentertained。Afterthesecondorthirdturninthemarch，AdelinediscoveredHazlehurst，who，insteadofbeinginmotionwiththerest，wasleaninginadoor-way。Asshepassedhim，shesnappedherembroideredhandkerchiefinthatdirection，andsummonedhimtojointhe\'promenade。\'Harryexcusedhimselfbysaying，hewasafraidhecouldnotfindanyonetowalkwithhim。

“Howcanyoutalkso！ThereisMissWyllys，Ideclare；Ihadnotseenherbefore。“——AndAdelinecrossedtheroomtoawindowwhereElinorwassittingquietlyasalooker-on，havingjustescapedfromalongconversationwiththetalkativeoldfriend。

“Now，MissWyllys，Iamsureyoumustwishtopromenade！”

“Wouldyouliketowalk？”quietlyaskedHazlehurst，whohadfollowedMissTaylor。

“No，indeed，“saidElinor，smilingandshakingherheadgood-naturedly。“Ihavehadonelongwalk，already，thisafternoon，andmuchprefersittingstill，justnow。“

“YoushouldfollowJane\'sexample；yousee，sheispromenading，and，Idaresay，shetookthewalkwithyou，too，“saidAdeline。

“DidyoueverknowJanetakealongwalk，whenshecouldhelpit？”askedElinor，smiling。“Ihadreallyrathersitstill，MissTaylor。“

Adeline，findingthatonthisoccasionshecouldnotsucceedinsettingallherfriendsinmotion，whichshegenerallyendeavouredtodo，returnedtotheranks；leavingElinortodoasshechose。Hazlehursttookaseatbyher，andmadesomeinquiriesaboutseveraloftheiroldacquaintancesintheroom。

“Don\'tyouthinkthosetwoyoungladiesbothverypretty，Mr。

Hazlehurst，“saidDr。VanHorne，approachingthespotwhereHarrywasstandingnearElinor，afterhavinggivenuphischairtooneoftheSaratogabelles，whenthemarchwasfinished。

“Whichdoyoumean，sir？”askedHarry。

“MissTaylorandMissGraham，whoarestandingtogethernearthepiano。“

“Yes，“repliedHazlehurst，“MissTaylorisevenprettierthanI

hadsupposedshewouldbe。“

“Shewillnotcompare，however，withMissJane。Tomymind，MissGrahamanswerstheideaofperfectbeauty。Inallyourtravels，didyoumeetwithafacethatyouthoughtmorebeautiful？”

“Ibelievenot，“saidHarry，laconically，andslowlycolouringatthesametime。

“IsitJaneyouwerespeakingof，Doctor？”inquiredElinor，turningtowardshim。“Don\'tyouthinkshehascomebacktwiceasbeautifulasshewaslastyear？Itisreallyapleasuretolookatafacelikehers。“

“Iamafraid，itwillproveratheradangerouspleasure，MissElinor，tosomeofthebeaux，thiswinter。“

“Nodoubtshewillbeverymuchadmired；butshetakesitallveryquietly。Idon\'tbelieveyourgreatbeautiesasmuchdisposedtovanityasotherpeople。“

“Perhapsnot；“repliedthedoctor，drawingnearher。“Agreatdealdependsoneducation。Butwhatdothetravellerstellyouaboutthesightstheyhaveseen，MissElinor？”

“Oh，wehaveonlygoneasfarasthefirstchapteroftheirtravels，“shereplied。“Theyhavenothalfsaidtheirsayyet。“

“Well，Ishouldliketohaveatalkwithyouonthesubject，Mr。

Hazlehurst。Iwasinhopesofmeetingyourbrotherhere，to-night，buthehasnotcome，Ifind；Ishallhavetoboreyouwithmyquestions，unlessyouwanttodancethisjig，orwhateveritis，theyarebeginning。“

“Notatall，mydearsir；Ishallbegladtoansweranyquestionsofyours。“

“Thankyou。Supposeweimprovetheopportunity，MissElinor，andgivehimasharpcross-examination；doyouthinkhewouldbearit？”

“Ihopeso，“saidElinor，smilingquietly，asifshefeltveryeasyonthesubject。

“Don\'ttrusthimtoofar。Idaresayyouhavenotbeenhalfsevereenoughuponhim，“saidDr。VanHorne，whohadaveryhighopinionofHarry。“Buttospeakseriously，Mr。Hazlehurst，I

don\'tatalllikeanotionmysonBenhasofgoingtoEurope。“

“Whatisyourobjection？”

“IdoubtifitisatallanadvantagetosendmostyoungmentoEurope。I\'veseensomanycomebackconceited，anddissatisfied，andgood-for-nothing，thatIcan\'tmakeupmymindtospoilBenbythesameprocess。Hetriesveryhardtopersuademe，thatnow-a-days，nodoctorisfittobetrustedwhohasnotfinishedoffinParis；butwemanagedwithoutitthirtyyearsago。“

“YoumustknowmuchmorethanIdoonthatsubject，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，takingaseatontheothersideofElinor。

“Ofcourse，Iknowmoreaboutthehospitals。ButasIhaveneverbeenabroadmyself，Idon\'tknowwhateffectasightoftheOldWorldhasonone。Itseemstomeitruinsagreatmanyyoungfellows。“

“Anditimprovesagreatmany，“saidHazlehurst。

“Iambynomeanssosureofthat。Itimprovessome，Igrantyou；

butIthinkthechancesarethatitisaninjury。Wehavehappenedtoseeagreatdeal，lately，oftwoyoungchaps，nephewsofmine，whocamehomelastspring。Threeyearsagotheywentabroad，sober，sensible，well-behavedladsenough，andnowtheyhavebothcomeback，worsethangood-for-nothing。TherewasRockwell，heusedtobeaplain，straight-forward，smooth-facedfellow；andnowhehascomehomebristlingwithwhiskers，andbeard，andmoustaches，andacutacrosstheforehead，thathegotinaduelinBerlin。Worsethanall，hisbrainissobefogged，andmystified，thathecan\'tseeanythingstraighttosavehislife；andyet，forsooth，mygentlemanisgoingtosetthenationtorightswithsomenewsystemofhisown。“

“IknownothingoftheGermanUniversities，doctor，frommyownobservation；butIshouldthinkitmightbeadangerousthingtosendayoungmanthereunlesshewaswellsuppliedwithsoundcommonsenseofhisown。“

“Well，thereisBillHartley，again，whostaidallthetimeinParis。Hehascomebackaregulargrumbler。Ifyouwouldbelievehim，thereisnotasinglethingworthhaving，fromoneendoftheUniontotheother。Heisdisgustedwitheverything，andonlylastnightsaidthatourclimatewantsfog！Now，Ithinkitismuchbettertogoploddingonathome，thantotravelforthesakeofbringingbacksuchenlargedviewsasmakeyourselfandyourfriendsuncomfortablefortherestofyourdays。“

“Butitisaman\'sownfault，mydearsir，ifhebringsbackmorebadthangoodwithhim。Thefactis，youwillgenerallyfindthegoodamanbringshome，inproportiontothegoodhetookabroad。“

“I\'mnotsosureofthat。IusedtothinkRockwellwasquiteapromisingyoungmanatonetime。Butthatisnotthequestion。

If，afterall，thoughitdoessharpenaman\'swits，itonlymakeshimdiscontentedfortherestofhislife，Imaintainthatsuchastateofimprovementisnottobedesired。IfthingsarereallybetterandpleasanterinEurope，Idon\'twanttoknowit。Itwouldmakemedissatisfied，unlessIwastobearenegade，andgiveupthecountryIwasbornin；wouldyouhaveamandothat？”

“Never！”saidHarry。“Iholdthatitisasortofdesertion，togiveupthepostwhereProvidencehasplacedus，unlessinextremecases；andIbelieveamancanliveamoreusefulandmorehonourablelifetherethanelsewhere。ButIthinktravellingaverygreatadvantage，nevertheless。Theverypowerofcomparison，ofwhichyoucomplain，isasourceofgreatintellectualpleasure，andmustbeusefulifproperlyemployed，sinceithelpsustoreachthetruth。“

Thedoctorshookhishead。“Iwantyoujusttotellmehowmuchofthisgrumblingandfault-findingisconceit，andhowmuchisthenaturalconsequenceoftravelling？IseverythingreallysuperiorinEuropetowhatwehavehere？”

“Everything？No；“saidHarry，laughing。Butyouwouldseemtothinkamandissatisfied，doctor，ifhedidnot，onthecontrary，proclaimthateverythingisimmeasurablybetterinthiscountrythaninanyotherontheglobe。Now，confess，isnotthatyourstandardofpatriotism？”

“Ah，youareshiftingyourground，younggentleman。Butweshallbringyoutothepointpresently。Nowtellushonestly，wereyounotdisappointedwiththelooksofthingswhenyoucameback？”

“Ifbydisappointed，youmeanthatmanythingsasIseethemnow，strikemeasveryinferiortoobjectsofthesamedescriptioninEurope，Idonotscrupletosaytheydo。WhenIlanded，Isaidtomyself，“\'Thestreetsarenarrowandthebuildingsmean；

DidI，orfancy，havethembroadandclean？\'“

{GeorgeCrabbe(Englishpoet，1754-1832)，“PosthumousTales：TaleVI——TheFarewellandReturn“，PartII，lines79-80}

“Ifearedso！”andthedoctorlookedmuchasapiousMahometanmightbesupposedtodo，ifheweretoseeaFrankseizetheGrandTurkbythebeard。“Ishouldhavethoughtbetterofyou，“

headded。

{“Frank“=aEuropeanChristian；“GrandTurk“=OttomanEmperor}

“Mydearsir，“saidHarry，laughing，“howcouldIhelpit！Imustdefendmyselffromanydesiretobedisappointed，Iassureyou。

Onthecontrary，Iwishverysincerelythateverythinginmynativecountrywereasgoodaspossibleinitsway；thatthearchitectureofthepublicbuildingswereofthenoblestkind；

theprivatehousesthemostpleasantandconvenient；thestreetsthebestpaved，andbestlightedintheworld。ButIdon\'tconceivethatthewaytobringthisaboutistomaintainlepistoletalagorge，thatperfectionhasalreadybeenattainedinalltheseparticulars。Tospeakfrankly，itstrikesmeastheheightofpuerilitytowishtodeceiveoneselfuponsuchsubjects。Onthecontrary，Ithinkitisthedutyofeveryman，sofarashehastheopportunity，toaimatcorrectnotionsoneverythingwithinhisreach。“

{“lepistoletalagorge“=thepistoltothethroat(French)}

“Well，“remarkedthedoctor，“youonlyconfirmmeinmyopinion。

IshallbemoreunwillingthanevertoletBengo；sinceevenyou，HarryHazlehurst，whoareagooddealbetterthanmostyoungmen，confesstheharmtravellinghasdoneyou。“

“But，mydearsir，Iconfessnosuchthing。I\'mconsciousthattravellinghasbeenagreatbenefittomeinmanyways。IshallbeahappierandbettermanforwhatIhaveseen，allmylife，I

trust，sincemanyofmyopinionsarebuiltonabetterfoundationthantheywerebefore。“

“IfIwereyou，Iwouldnotlethimsayso，MissElinor。Hisfriendswon\'tliketohearit；andI，forone，amverysorrythatyouarenotasgoodanAmericanasItookyoufor。“

“Itisquiteanewideatome，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，“thatmentalblindnessandvanityarenecessarypartsoftheAmericancharacter。We，whoclaimtobesoenlightened！Ishouldbesorrytobeconvincedthatyourviewiscorrect。Ihavealwaysbelievedthattruepatriotismconsistedinservingone\'scountry，notinservingoneselfbyflatteringone\'scountrymen。Imustgivemytestimonyonthesesubjects，whencalledfor，aswellasonanyother，honestly，andtothebestofmyability。“

“Doyouknow，doctor，“saidElinor，“poorHarryhashadtofightseveralbattlesonthissubjectalready。Mrs。Bernardattackedhimtheotherevening，becausehesaidthemountainsinSwitzerlandwerehigherthantheWhiteMountains。Nowwehaveonlytolookinageographytoseethattheyareso。“

“Butonedon\'tliketohearsuchthings，MissElinor。“

“Mrs。BernardaskedhimifhehadseenanythingfinerthantheWhiteMountains；whatcouldhesay！Itseemstomejustaspossibleforamantolovehiscountry，andseefaultsinit，asitdoesforhimtolovehiswifeandchildren，withoutbelievingthemtobethemostperfectspecimensofthehumanfamily，inbodyandmind，thateverexisted。Youwillallowthatamanmaybeaverygoodandkindhusbandandfather，withoutmaintainingeverywherethathiswifeanddaughterssurpassalltheirsex，ineverypossibleparticular？”

“Youwillnot，surely，deny，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，“thatitisreasonabletosupposethatEuropepossessessomeadvantagesofanadvancedstateofcivilization，thatwehavenotyetattainedto？Wehavedonemuchforayoungpeople，butwehavethemeansofdoingmuchmore；anditwillbeourownfaultifwedon\'timprove。“

“Weshallimprove，Idaresay。“

“Doyouexpectustogobeyondperfection，then？”

“Ican\'tseetheuseoftalkingaboutdisagreeablesubjects。“

“Buteventhemostdisagreeabletruthshavetheiruses。“

“Thatmaybe；andyetIbelieveyouwouldhavebeenhappierifyouhadstaidathome。Whilehewasawayfromyou，MissElinor，I

amafraidhelearnedsomeofthosedisagreeabletruthswhichitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimnottohavediscovered。“

Harrystoopedtopickupaglove，andremainedsilentforamoment。

Shortlyafter，supperwasannounced；and，althoughthecoachmanwasnotquiteasmuchathomeinthepantryasinthestable，yeteverythingwasverysuccessfullymanaged。

“ItisreallymortifyingtohearamanlikeDr。VanHorne，fancyitpatriotictofosterconceitedignoranceandchildishvanity，onallnationalsubjects，“exclaimedHarry，ashetookhisseatinthecarriage，afterhandingtheladiesin。“Andthatisnottheworstofit；for，ofcourse，ifrespectable，independentmentalkinthattone，therewillbenoendtothefulsome，nauseating，vulgarflatteriesthatwillbepoureduponusbythosewhoseinterestitistoflatter！”

“Iheardpartofyourconversation，and，Imustconfess，thedoctordidnotshowhisusualgoodsense，“observedMissAgnes。

“Youarereallyquiteindignantagainstthedoctor，“saidElinor。

“Notonlyagainsthim，butagainstallwhoarewilling，likehim，toencouragesuchamiserableperversionoftruth。Believethem，andyoumakepatriotismanything，andeverything，butavirtue。“

CHAPTERXIII。

“Why，hownow，count？Whereforeareyousosad？”

SHAKSPEARE。{sic——thisistheCooperfamily\'susualspellingofthename}

{WilliamShakespeare，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“，II。i。289}

“WELL，Jenny，youaregoingtoleaveusto-day，itseems，“saidMr。Wyllys，thenextmorning，atbreakfast。“Iamsorryforit；

but，Isupposeyourmotherhasabetterrighttoyouthanwehave。“

“IpromisedmammaIwouldnotstayafterto-day，sir。AuntAgnesistocarrymeovertoLongbridge，beforedinner。“

“Youmustcomebackagain，asoftenasyoucan，child。Italwaysseemstome，thatHarryandyoubelonghere，asmuchasyoudoanywhereelse。HowlongdoyousupposeyourmotherwillstayatLongbridge？”

“WearegoingtoNewYorknextweek。FatherwishestobeinCharlestonearlyinOctober。“

“Ican\'tbeartothinkofyourgoingsosoon。IfyouareonceinCarolina，Isuppose，weshan\'tseeyouagainuntilnextJune；

but，mind，youaretopassallnextsummerwithus，“saidElinor。

“Thatistosay，Nelly，ifshehasnomoreimportantengagement，“

addedMr。Wyllys，smiling。

“Evenaveryimportantengagementneednotinterfere，“saidMissAgnes。“Weshallbeveryhappy，Jane，toseeanyCharlestonfriendyoumayseefittobringwithyou。“

“Idon\'tthinkthereistheleastdangerthatanyCharlestonfriendwillcomewithme；“saidJane，blushingalittle。

“Haveyouselectedafriendfromsomeotherplace，Jenny？”askedheruncle。

“Oh，no，sir！”wastheanswer；buthercolourcontinuedtorise，andsheappearedalittleuneasy。AsforHarry，hehadtakennopartintheconversation，butseemedverybusywithhisknifeandfork。

“Prayremember，Jane，“saidElinor，“Iamtohavetimelynoticeofawedding，inmycapacityofbridesmaid。“

“Whoknows，Nelly，butyoumaycalluponJanefirst。Youhavefixeduponyourfriend，Itakeit；eh，Harry？”

“Ihopeso；“Hazlehurstreplied，inalowvoice，andhedrankoffacupofhotcoffeewithsuchrapidity，thatMissWyllyslookedathimwithastonishment。

Elinormadenoanswer，forshewasalreadyattheotherendoftheroom，talkinggailytoherbirds。

AsHarryrosefromtableandwalkedintothenextroom，hetriedtofeelverygladthatJanewastoleavethemthatday；hesatdown，andtookupapaper；but，insteadofreadingit，silentlyfollowedatrainofthoughtbynomeansagreeable。

Inthecourseofthemorning，accordingtothearrangementwhichhadbeenmade，HarrydrovetheladiestoLongbridge。Hethoughthehadneverpassedamoreunpleasantmorninginhislife。HefeltrelievedwhenElinor，insteadoftakingaseatwithhim，choseoneinside，withherauntandJane；thoughhisheartsmotehimwheneverhersweet，cheerfulvoicefelluponhisear。Hetriedtobelieve，however，thatitwasinspiteofhimselfhehadbeencaptivatedbyJune\'sbeauty。Washenot，atthatverymoment，carryingher，atfullspeed，towardsherfather\'s，anddoinghisbesttohopethattheyshouldmeetbutonceortwiceagain，formonthstocome？Undersuchcircumstances，wasnotamaninlovetobepitied？Forsomeweeks，Hazlehursthadnotbeenabletoconcealfromhimself，thatifheoccupiedthepositionoftheloverofElinor，hefeltliketheloverofJane。

Ashedroveon，inmoodysilence，thepartyinthecarriageatlengthremarked，thathehadnotjoinedintheirconversationatall。

“Harrydoesnottalksomuchasheusedto；“observedMissWyllys；“don\'tyouthinkhehasgrownsilent，Jane？”

“Perhapshehas，“shereplied；“butitneverstruckme，before。“

“Doyouhear，Harry？”saidElinor；“AuntAgnesthinkstheairofParishasmadeyousilent。Itoughtsurelytohavehadaverydifferenteffect。“

“Thisdetestableroadrequiresallaman\'sattentiontokeepoutoftheruts；“hereplied。“Iwishwehadgonetheotherway。“

“IfAuntAgneshasnoobjection，wecancomebackbytheriverroad，“saidElinor。“Butyourcoachmanshipissogood，youhavecarriedusalongverysmoothly；iftheroadisbad，wehavenotfeltit。“

Harrymutteredsomethingaboutholesandruts，whichwasnotheardverydistinctly。

“Outofhumour，too；veryunusual！”thoughtMissAgnes。Therewasasomethingunnaturalinhismanner，whichbegantogiveheralittleuneasiness；forshesawnogoodwayofaccountingforit。

TheladiesweredriventothedooroftheBellevueHotel，wheretheGrahamshadrooms。TheyfoundseveralvisiterswithMrs。

Graham，amongwhom，themostconspicuous，andtheleastagreeable，wereMrs。Hilsonandhersister，bothredolentofBroadway，elegantandfashionableintheextreme；looking，itistrue，verypretty，buttalking，asusual，veryabsurdly。

Mrs。Grahamhadscarcelykissedherdaughter，beforeMrs。HilsongaveElinoranimportantpieceofinformation。

“Iamsodelighted，MissWyllys，tohearthisgoodnews——“

“Mycousins\'return，doyoumean？Didyounotknowtheyhadarrived？”

“Oh，yes；weheardthat，ofcourse，lastweek；butIalludetothismorning\'sgoodnews，whichIhavejustheardfromthisfascinatinglittlecreature；“addedthelady，catchingoneofMrs。Graham\'syoungerchildren，asitslippedpasther。

Elinorlookedsurprised，whenMrs。Hilsoncondescendedtoexplain。

“Mrs。GrahamistopassthewinterinNewYork，Ihear。“

“Indeed！”exclaimedElinor，turningwithjoyfuleagernesstowardsMrs。Graham。“Areyoureallygoingtostaysonearus？”

Mrs。Grahamwasthusobligedtoinformherfriendsofthechangeinherplans；shewould，ofcourse，havepreferredwaitinguntilalonewithMissAgnesandElinor，todoso；but，Mrs。Hilson\'sofficiousnessobligedhertosaysomethingimmediately。One，ofherchildren，alittleboy，hadbeensufferingwithsomediseaseofthespine，duringthelastyear，andaconsultationofphysicians，heldthedaybefore，inNewYork，haddecidedthatasea-voyage，oralongjourney，wasmorethanthepoorlittlefellowcouldbear，inthepresentstateofhishealth，ashehadbeenmuchworse，duringthelastthreemonths，sincetheGrahamshadbeenatLongbridge。ItwasthereforesettledthatMrs。

Graham，Jane，andtheyoungerchildren，weretoremaininNewYork，whiletheboywasunderthecareofDr。S——，inwhomhisparentshadgreatconfidence。Mr。Grahamandhisoldestboyweretopasspartofthewinterontheirplantation，andthenreturntohisfamily。

MissWyllysandElinor，thoughregrettingthecause，were，ofcourse，muchpleasedwiththisarrangement；Jane，too，appearedperfectlysatisfied。

“Ishouldnotbesurprised，MissGraham，“continuedMrs。Hilson，“ifsomeofyourNewYorkadmirershadbribedDr。S——；I\'msure，weareverymuchobligedtohimforhavingdetainedyou。I

hopeyouwillbesomewherenearus，inthecity。Emmelineistopasspartofthewinterwithme；and，Idaresay，youwillbeveryintimate。Iwish，Mrs。Grahamwecouldpersuadeyoutocometoourboarding-house。Mrs。Stoneisreallyafascinatinglady，herself；andshealwaysmanagestohaveacharmingcliqueatherhouse——Quiteexclusive，Iassureyou。“

“Ihopetofindmoreprivatelodgings——Ihavetoomanylittlepeopleforaboarding-house。“

“Notatall。Mrs。Stonecouldgiveyouanexcellentnursery。Shehasseverallovelylittledarlings，herself。HerlittleAlgernonwouldmakeaverygoodbeauforyouryoungestlittleMiss。Whatdoyousay，mydear，“catchingthechildagain；“won\'tyousetyourcapforAlgernon？”

Thelittlegirlopenedherlarge，darkeyeswithoutanswering。

Mrs。Hilson，andhersisternowrosetotakeleaveofMrs。

Graham，repeating，however，beforetheywent，theinvitationtheyhadalreadygiven，toaballforthenextweek。Itwastobeahouse-warming，andagrandaffair。Theladiesthenflittedawayontip-toe。

Thedoorhadscarcelyclosedbehindthem，beforeMrs。GeorgeWyllys，whohadbeensittingasfarfromthemaspossible，begantoexclaimupontheabsurdityofthewholeHubbardfamily。

“Theyarereallyintolerable，Agnes；“shesaidtohersister-in-law。“Theyattackmeuponalloccasions。TheybroughtMrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbstoseeme，andjoinedmeinthestreet，yesterday：theyarealmostenoughtodrivemeawayfromLongbridge。Ican\'timaginewhatmakesthemsoattentivetome——plain，soberbody，asIam——whatcantheyaimat？”

“Theyaimatuniversalfascination，Isuppose；“saidElinor，laughing。

“Andmustwereallygotothishouse-warming？”askedMrs。Wyllys。

“ElinorandIhavealreadyacceptedtheinvitation；“saidMissAgnes。“Myfatherwishedustogo，forhereallyhasagreatrespectforMr。Hubbard。“

“Well，Ican\'tsaythatthegentlemenstrikemeassomuchsuperiortotheladiesofthefamily。\'UncleJosie\'seemstoadmirehisdaughter\'snonsense；and\'UncleDozie\'neveropenshislips。“

“Thereisnotashadeoffascinationaboutthem，however，“saidElinor。

“Igrantyouthat，“saidMrs。Wyllys，smiling。“Ishalldeclinetheinvitation，though，Ithink。“

“Thatyoucandoveryeasily；“saidMissAgnes。

TheladiesthenfollowedMrs。Grahamtoanadjoiningroom，toseethelittleinvalid，andtalkoverthenewarrangementforthewinter。

ItwasfortunateforHarry，thattheyhadleftthedrawing-roombeforeheenteredit；forhenosoonerappearedatthedoor，thanthesamelittlechatter-box，whohadbetrayedthechangeinhermother\'splanstoMrs。Hilson，ranuptohimtotellthegreatnewsthattheywerenotgoingbacktoCharleston，butweretostayinNewYorkallwinter，\'mamma，andJane，andallofthem，exceptpapaandEdward。\'Thevaryingexpressionofsurprise，pleasure，anddistress，thatpassedoverHazlehurst\'sface，ashereceivedtheintelligence，wouldhaveastonishedandperplexedMissAgnes，hadsheseenit。HehaddependeduponJane\'sabsencetolightenthecoursewhichhefeltitwashisdutytopursue；

andnowshewastobeinNewYork！Ofcourse，shewouldbehalfhertimewithElinor，asusual。And，ifhehadalreadyfounditsodifficult，sincetheyhadallbeentogether，toconcealthetruestateofhisfeelings，howshouldhesucceedinperseveringinthesametaskformonths？

Hedetermined，atleast，toleaveLongbridge，foratime，andremaininPhiladelphia，untiltheGrahamsweresettledinNewYork。

Thesameevening，asthefamilyatWyllys-Roof，andhimself，weresittingtogether，heannouncedhisintention。

“CanIdoanythingforyou，inPhiladelphia，Elinor？”heasked；

“Ishallhavetogototown，to-morrow，andmaybedetainedaweekortendays。“

“Areyoureallygoingtotown？——Ididnotknowyouwerethinkingofit。IwishIhadknownitthismorning，forIamverymuchinwantofworstedsforthechair-patternJanebroughtme；but，unfortunately，IleftitatAuntWyllys\'s。Didyousayyouweregoingto-morrow？”

“Yes，Imustbeoffinthemorning。“

“ThenImustgiveupmypattern，forthepresent。“

“IstherenothingelseIcandoforyou？”

“Nothing，thankyou——unlessyoubringsomenewbooks；which，wewillleavetoyourtaste，tochoose。“

“Isnotthisratherasuddenmove，Harry？”saidMr。Wyllys，whohadjustfinishedagameofchesswithMissAgnes。“Ihaven\'theardyoumentionitbefore？”

“Iintendedtoputitoff；sir；but，onthinkingthematterover，IfindIhadbettergoatonce。“

“Iwishyouwouldlookaboutyoualittle，forlodgingsforus；

itistimewesecuredthem。Isuppose，youwillwantustogototownearly，thiswinter，Nelly，won\'tyou？ItwillnotdoforMasterHarrytobewastinghalfhistimehere，afterhehasoncetakenseriouslytolaw；youknowhewillhavetwomistressestowaitupon，thiswinter。“

“Itistobehopedtheywillnotinterferewitheachother，“saidMissAgnes，smiling。

“Thatiswhattheygenerallydo，mydear。By-the-bye，Nelly，I

supposeLouisawillhaveJaneinPhiladelphia，withher，partofthewinter。“

“Yes，sir，afterChristmas；itisalreadysettled，muchtomyjoy。“

“Somuchthebetter！”saidhergrandfather。

“Somuchtheworse！”thoughtHazlehurst。

“YourParispartywillbealltogetheragain，Harry？”continuedMr。Wyllys。

“Yes，sir；“wasHazlehurst\'slaconicreply。\'IwishIcouldforgetit，\'thoughthe。Somuchhadhebeenannoyed，throughouttheday，thathesoonaftertookupacandle，and，wishingthefamilygood-night，wenttohisownroom。

“IamafraidHarryisnotwell，“saidMissWyllys，afterhehadleftthem。“Heseemsoutofspirits。“

Elinorlookedupfromherwork。

“Nowyouspeakofit，“repliedMr。Wyllys，“Ithinkhedoesseemratheroutofsorts。“

Nothingmorewassaidonthesubject；butsomeunpleasantthoughtssuggestedthemselvestoMissWyllys；for，duringthelastdayortwo，Hazlehurst\'smannerhadrepeatedlystruckherasunnatural，andshefearedthatsomethingweigheduponhismind。

AsforElinor，hernaturewasasfaraspossiblefrombeingsuspicious；and，leastofall，wouldshehavemistrustedHarry；

shemerelyreproachedherselfforhavinglaughedonceortwice，duringtheday，athisexpense，whenhehadbeenveryabsent。Sherememberedheseemedalittleannoyed，atthetime，thoughheneverusedtomindsuchthings——\'Iamafraidhethoughtitunkind，ifhewasnotwell，\'shesaidtoherself，anddeterminedtomakeamends，thenextmorning，bypresidingathisearlybreakfast，beforehesetout。

CHAPTERXIV。

“Whatlouduproar，burstsfromthatdoor？”

COLERIDGE。

{SamuelTaylorColeridge(Englishpoet，1772-1834)，“RimeoftheAncientMariner“(VII)line592}

WEshallfollowtheexampleofthegoodpeopleofLongbridge，itsparty-goinginhabitants，atleast，anddiscard，forthemoment，allothertopics，inordertogiveduejusticetotheexpectedballattheHubbards。Itwasunderstoodthatthishouse-warmingwastobethemostbrilliantaffair，ofitskind，thathadtakenplace，intheneighbourhood，withinthememoryofman。Mrs。

HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbardhadstakedtheirreputations，foreleganceandfashion，upontheoccasion。ThelistofinvitationswaslargerthananyyetissuedatLongbridge，andallthepreparationswereonaproportionatescaleofgrandeur。

Abouttendaysbeforetheeventfulevening，Mrs。HilsonandMissEmmelinewereclosetedwiththeirintimatefriends，Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbs，engagedindrawingupaplanofoperationsfortheoccasion。Probablythe\'city-lady，\'asMrs。Hilsonalwayscalledherself，hadinvitedthetwofriendsascounsellors，morewithaviewofastonishingthembyadisplayofherownviewsofmagnificence，thanfromanyideathattheirsuggestionswouldbeofimportance。

MissEmmelinewasseated，pencilinhand，withseveralsheetsofpaperbeforeher，allready，totakenotesofthedirectionsastheyweresettled。Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbswereplacedonasofa；andMrs。Hilsonthrewherselfintoarocking-chair。

“Inthefirstplace，Emmeline，“saidthe\'city-lady，\'“wemusthavebonedturkey：putdownbonedturkey。“

“Ithoughtyouweregoingtomakeoutthelistofinvitationsfirst，“saidthesister。

“Justputdownthebonedturkey，forthatisabsolutelynecessary；andthenwecanrunoverthenames。“