第6章

TheyfoundMissAgnesinthedrawing-room；she，itseemed，alreadyknewofHazlehurst\'sdeparture。Shesaidlittleonthesubject，butlookedanxiousandabsent。Elinorscarcelyknewwhattothink；shewasafraidtotrustherselftomakeanyinquiries，preferringtowaituntilalonewithherauntafterbreakfast。Themealpassedoverinsilence。Mr。Wyllyslookeduneasy；Elinorwasatalosstoknowwhattothink；neitheroftheladiespaidmuchattentiontothemorningmealthatday。

MissAgnesrosefromtable，andwenttoherownroom；Elinor，neglectingherusualtaskashousekeeper，hastenedtofollowheraunt，hermindfilledwithindistinctfearsandanxieties。MissAgneswaswalkingaboutherroom，lookingpainedanddistressed。

Severalletterswerelyingonatablenearher；twowereunopened；oneshehadbeenreading。

“Letters！——mydearAunt，fromwhom？Tellme，Iconjureyou，whatyouknow！HasanythinghappenedtoLouisa——toJane？DidHarryleavenomessageforme？”criedElinor，hurryingtowardsheraunt，whosefaceshewatchedforananswertoeachquestion，assheaskedit。MissWyllysmadeanefforttocomposeherself，andheldoutherhandtoElinor。

“MydearestAunt！——praytellmewhatdistressesyou——Ha！Harry\'shandwriting！”sheexclaimed，ashereyefellontheopenletterbyMissWyllys——“IknowthatletterisfromHarry；donotconcealanything；isitforme？”

“Thisletteristome，mychild，“repliedheraunt，takinguptheoneshehadbeenreading；wishingtogiveElinorallthepreparationinherpower，forablowwhichsheknewmustfallheavily，sinceitwassoentirelyunexpected。

“Buttherearetwootherletters，“criedElinor，“oneofthemisforme，Iamsure。Letmeseeitatonce，Aunt；youcannotdenythatitisforme——andifitcontainbadnews，youknowthatI

cancommandmyselfwhennecessary。“

MissAgnes\'shandtrembledasshetooktheletters。

“Mychild！MybelovedElinor！”shesaid。

“DearestAunt，youtortureme！Tellme，Ibeseechyou，whatwehavetofear！”

“Youshallknowall，“MissAgnesreplied，seatingherself；andendeavouringtobecalm。“Youwillbemuchdistressed，mychild；

butIknowthatyouwillbenow，whatyoualwayshavebeen，reasonable，andtruetoyourself——toyourgrandfather——tome，“

addedMissWyllys，inavoicealmostinarticulate。

AthousandindistinctideaspassedthroughElinor\'smindwiththerapidityoflightning，whileherauntwasspeaking；illnessofsomeabsentfriendsuggesteditself——yetwhocoulditbe？NotHarry，surely，forhehadgoneovertoUpperLewistonthatmorning——yetherfearsinstinctivelycentreduponHazlehurst。

“ItissomethingrelatingtoHarry，Iamsure，“shesaid。“Isheill？——isheintrouble？”sheaskedinafaintvoice，whileaprayerforresignationsprangfromherheart，withthewords。

“Youareright，“repliedMissWyllys，inafalteringvoice；andseatingherselfbyherniece，shecontinued，“Heiswell。Ifheisintrouble，itisfromhisownchoice。Haveyounosuspicions，mydearestchild，ofwhathashappened？”

“Suspicions！”——exclaimedElinor，inastonishment，“whatisthereformetosuspect？MydearestAunt，Iammoreandmoreperplexed——explainitallyourself——whoisityouareconcernedfor？”

“Myonlyconcernisforyou，dearest；myonlyregret，thattroubleshouldhavebeenbroughtonyoubythosedeartoyou——byyourgrandfather，bymyself，byyourcousins。“

“Byyou！——bymycousins——whatcousins？”

“Harry——Jane——Haveyouremarkednothing？”

“Harry！whatcanhehavedone？”

“Youmustforgethim，“saidMissWyllys；andasElinorlookedeagerlyinheraunt\'seyes，shereadthereallthatMissAgneshadnotcouragetotellinwords。

Halfstartingfromherseat，sheexclaimed，“Harry！——andJanetoo！”andasadeadlypalenesscameoverherface，shefellback，unconscious，onthesofa。Herfaintnesslastedbutamoment；tooshortatime，indeed，toallowtheimpressionofwhatshehadheardtopassfromhermind。Sheburstintotears。“Oh，AuntAgnes！——Isitreallytrue？——CanHarryhavechanged？canhehavebeensounkindtome？——AndJane，too！”sheexclaimedatintervals。

Herauntansweredonlybyhercaresses，silentlypressingherlipsuponElinor\'sforehead。

ElinorthrewherarmsaboutMissAgnes\'sneck，weepingbitterly。

“Butisitreallytrue？Istherenotsomemistake？Isitpossiblehefeltsolittleforme？Oh，dearestAunt！——andJane，too！”

MissWyllyssaidthatsheknewnothingofJane\'sfeelings；butthatthemannerofbothJaneandHarryhadstruckherseveraltimesassingular；thoughnowbuttooeasilyaccountedfor。

Duringthelasttendays，shehadbeguntofearsomethingwrong。

“Never，foronesecond，hadIadoubtofeither！”criedElinor。

Shenowdreadedtoreceivetheletter，shehadbeforeaskedforsoeagerly。

ApackagehadbeengivenbyHarrytothechambermaid，thatmorning，requestinghertoplaceitinMissAgnes\'shandsassoonassheleftherroom。Itcontainedthreeletters。ThattoMissAgnesherself，wasfullandexplicit。Henowwrote，hesaid，becausehefeltconcealmenttobenolongerpossible，afterthemannerinwhichhehadbetrayedhimselfonhearingofthesteamboataccident。HefeltconvincedthathisemotionhadbeenobservedbyMissWyllys，andhealmosthopedthesuspicionsofElinorhadbeenaroused。Hehopedit，forhefeltthatlongerconcealmentwouldbeunworthyofElinor，andofhimself，sincehehadnotbeenabletocontrolhisfeelings。Heacknowledgedthatafrankconfessionwasnowduetoher。

“Iknow，“hesaid，“thatyouwillreproachmeseverelyformywantoffaith，andIfeelthatIdeservefarmorethanyouwillsay。ButdonotthinkthatIerredfromdeliberateforgetfulnessofallthatIowedtoElinor。Iwasforalongtimeunconsciousofthestateofmyownfeelings；andwhenatlengthIcouldnolongerdeceivemyself，thediscoveryofmyweaknesswasdeeplypainfulandmortifying。Youknowwhathasbeenmysituationsincelastspring——youknowtowhatIhavebeenexposed。Greatercautionmightnodoubthavebeenused，hadInotbeenmisledbyblindness，orself-confidence，orvanity，callitwhatyouplease。NoonecanreproachmeasseverelyasIreproachmyself。

ButalthoughmyfeelingshadescapedmyowncontrolbeforeIknewit，yetIdeterminedfromthefirstthatmyactionsshouldatleastbeworthyofElinor。Iinstantlybecamemoreguarded。Nohumanbeing，Ibelieve，untilto-day，suspectedmyfolly。DonotreproachJane。Thefaultisentirelywithme；Janehasbeenblamelessthroughout。“

HeconcludedbyhopingthathisletterwouldnotforamomentbeconsideredbyMissWyllysorElinor，asanattempttobreakhisengagement，whichhewasstillanxioustofulfil。Buthethoughtthat，nowtheexplanationhadbeenmade，aseparationforsometimewouldbepreferableforallparties。Heproposedtotravelforsixmonths，andattheendofthattimebehopedtohaveconqueredhisownweakness，andtobeforgivenbyElinor。

BittertearswereshedbyElinor，inreadingthisletter。

Thenotetoherselfwasshort。Hehadnotthecouragetorepeattoherdirectly，whathehadsaidtoMissWyllys。

“Ifeelunworthyofyou，Elinor，andIcannotendurelongertodeceivesogenerousatemperasyours。Youmusthaveremarkedmyemotionthismorning——MissWyllysnowknowsall；Ireferyoutoher。Ishallneverceasetoreproachmyselfformyunpardonableingratitude。Butpainfulasitistoconfessit，itwouldhavebeenintolerabletoplaythehypocriteanylonger，bycontinuingtoreceiveproofsofkindnesswhichInolongerdeserve。Itismyhope，thatintimeyouwillforgiveme；thoughIshallneverforgivemyself。

“H。H。“

Therearesaidtobeyoungladieswithheartssotender，astobecapableoftwoorthreedifferentloveaffairs，andanunlimitednumberofflirtations，inthecourseofatwelvemonth；butElinor\'sdispositionwasofaverydifferentstamp。Herfeelingswerealltrueandstrong；herattachmentforHarrylittleresembledthatmixtureofcapriceandvanitytowhichsomeyoungpeoplegivethenameoflove。Withsomethingoffancy，andashareoftheweakness，nodoubt，itwasyetanaffectiontowhicheverybetterqualityofhernaturehadcontributeditsshare。

Hazlehurst\'sdeterminationnevertoforgivehimselfforthesorrowhehadcausedher，wasajustone。Hisficklenesshaddeeplywoundedaheart，warm，true，andgenerous，aseverbeatinawoman\'sbosom。

BitterlydidElinorweep，thatfirstdayofgrief，humiliation，anddisappointment。Shedidnothesitate，however，foramoment，astothecoursetobepursued，andevenfeltindignantthatHarryshouldhavebelievedhercapableofholdinghimtohisengagement，withthefeelingshehadavowed。Sheansweredhisnoteassoonasshecouldcommandherselfsufficientlytowrite。

“Idonotblameyou——yourconductwasbutnatural；onemoreexperienced，ormoreprudentthanmyself，wouldprobablyhaveforeseenit。Hadyouleftmeinignoranceofthetruthuntiltoolate，Ishouldthenhavebeenmiserableindeed。Myauntwilltakethefirstopportunityoflettingourmutualfriendsknowthepositioninwhichitisbestweshouldcontinueforthefuture。

MayyoubehappywithJane。

“ELINORWYLLYS。“

Elinor，atthismoment，feltkeenlythedisadvantagesofhomeliness，whichshehadhithertobornesocheerfully，andhadneveryetconsideredanevil。Beautynowappearedtoherasablessedgiftindeed。

“HadInotbeensounfortunatelyplain，“thoughtElinor，“surelyHarrycouldnothaveforgottenmesosoon。Oh，“sheexclaimed，“hadIbutasmallportionofthatbeautywhichsomanygirlswasteupontheworld，uponmerevanity；whichtheyaresoreadytocarryabouttopublicplaces——throughtheverystreets，tocatchtheeyeofeverypassingstranger，howhighlyshouldI

prizeit，onlyforthesakeofpleasingthoseIlove！Whatahappythoughtitmustbetothoseblessedwithbeauty，thattheeyesoftheirnearestanddearestfriendsneverrestuponthembutwithpleasure！HowwillinglywouldIconsenttoremainplaintougliness，plainasIam，intheeyesoftheworld，forthepreciouspowerofpleasingthoseIlove！”

Mr。WyllysandMissAgnes，ofcourse，approvedthestepElinorhadtaken。TheywerebothdeeplypainedbyHarry\'sconduct；theybothregrettedhavingallowedtheengagementtotakeplacesoearly，andatthemomentofHarry\'sabsence。MissWyllys，indeed，blamedherselfseverelyfornothavingusedallherinfluencetopreventit。Withherfather，onthecontrary，indignationagainstHarrywasthestrongestfeeling。

“Heartlessyoungcoxcomb！”heexclaimed；“todaretotriflewithElinor。Ihadagoodopinionofhim；Ithoughthehadtoomuchsense，andtoomuchfeeling，nottoappreciateElinor，thoughherfacemaynotbeasprettyassomeothers。Agnes，hemustneverbeaskedtoWyllys-Roofagain。Icanneverforgethistreatmentofmygrandchild。“

CHAPTERXVII。

“Maythisbeso？”

SHAKSPEARE。

{WilliamShakespeare，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“，III。ii。117}

WHILEthefamilyatWyllys-Roofwereinthisdistress，MissAgneshadreceivedthepartingvisitoftheTaylors。TheporticosofColonnadeManorrosebeforeclosedwindows；thehousewasabandonedforthewinter；whileMr。TaylorandMissAdelinewereengagedinputtingthefinishingtouchtotheeleganceofNo。

fivehundredand——，Broadway，preparatorytothedisplayofthewinter。

Mr。TaylorwasgettingathomeinNewYork。Theatmosphereofalargetown，thoroughlycommercial，wasjustfittedtohisnature。

HehadcertainlyeveryreasontobesatisfiedwiththerapiditywithwhichhehadmountedtowardsthetopoftheWall-Streetladder。Hewasalreadycheek-by-jowlwithcertainheavymenoftheplace；hewalkeddownBroadwayofamorningwith“Mr。A。oftheOcean，“andupagainofanafternoonwith“Mr。B。oftheHoboken；“heknewsomethingofmostofthegreatmenofthecommercialworld；andasfortherestofthecommunity，hecaredlittleenoughforthemortheirinterests。Hishousewasashandsomeandasfinelyfurnishedashecouldwish，hischildrenwereasexpensivelydressed，asexpensivelyschooled，asanyintheland。Hehadbecomeaccustomedtothefirstburstofluxury，andbeganalreadytolookuponahundredthingsasnecessaries，oftheusesofwhichhehadbeenignorantfiveyearsbefore。HethoughtNewYorkacommercialparadise；notonlytheplacetomakeafortune，buttheveryspottospenditin。HewonderedatMr。Hubbard；whocouldbesatisfiedtoretirefrombusinesssoearly，andwascontenttoliveatLongbridge，thevillagewherehewasborn。Mr。Taylorlookeduponhimselfasalreadyagreatman，butheintendedtobeagreatermanstill，byamillion，ormore。

AboutaweekaftertheTaylorsarrivedintown，theygaveaparty——quiteasmallaffair，verysociable，someeightyorninetypeopleonly。Thefollowingmorning，Mrs。Taylor，fatiguedwiththetoilsandcaresofgaiety，wenttoherownroomtorefreshherselfbydarningmorestockingsthanusual；whileMr。Taylor，whohadlabouredhardtheeveningbeforebyendeavouringtobevery\'affable\'tosometwentynewacquaintances，soughtthereliefofhiscounting-house。AshewalkeddownBroadway，histhoughtsweredividedbetweentwosubjects。Hehadpurchasedsomelotsthepreviousweek，whichprovedsoindifferentabargain，thathewasanxioustopersuadeaparticularfriendtotakethemoffhishands。Hehadalsojustreceivedletterfromhisson，latelyTomTaylor，nowT。TallmanTaylor，Esquire。Theyoungmanhadmadeveryheavydemandsuponhisfather\'sbankerlately。Mr。

Taylorwasperfectlysatisfiedthathissonshouldspendhismoneyfreely，andhadgivenhimaveryliberalallowance，thathemightbeenabledtocutafigureamonghiscountrymeninParis。

Buthisprogressinacquiringhabitsofextravagancehadbecomeoflaterathermorerapidthanwasdesirable。Ashewastoreturn，however，inthecourseofafewweeks，hisfatherhopedthathewouldbeabletoplaythedandyinNewYorkatlesscostthaninParis。

Mr。Taylor\'smeditationswereinterruptedbyMrs。Hilson，whostoppedtospeaktohimashepassed；shewishedtoinquireifMissAdelinewereathome，asshewasanxioustoseeher，havingapieceofnewstocommunicate。Havinggivenasatisfactoryanswer，themerchantpursuedhiscoursetowardstheregionsofcommerce，atoneextremityofBroadway，andthecity-ladywentherwaytowardstheregionsoffashionintheoppositedirection。

Mrs。Hilsonhadalreadyreturnedtohersuiteofapartments，andherintimatefriend，Mrs。Bagman。Attheboarding-houseshepatronised；andeverymorningbetweenthehoursoftwelveandthree，shemightbeseenatthewindowofthedrawing-room，ifitrained，orflittingupanddownBroadwayifthesunshone，generallyattendedbyCaptainKockney，thelong{sic}Englishman，whomshetookgreatpleasureinshowingofftothepublic。Onthepresentoccasionshewasalonehowever，andfortunateenoughtofindMissAdelineandtheFrenchfurniturevisible，foritwasthefirsttimeshehadbeeninthenewhouse。Therose-coloureddamask，andthepea-greensatinofthetwodrawing-roomswasmuchadmired，andmanycomplimentswerelavisheduponthegiltclocks，theSevresvases，&c。，whenMrs。HilsonrememberedshehadapieceofnewstosharewithMissTaylor。

“Andsuchnews——sounexpectedtousall；youwillbesosurprised！TheengagementbetweenMissWyllysandMr。Hazlehurstisactuallybrokenoff！”

AdelinewasnotsomuchastonishedasMrs。Hilsonsupposedshewouldbe。

“Iamveryquickatseeingsuchthings，“shesaid。“Iwassureitwouldcometothat；thoughMissWyllysdidnotseemtosuspectanythingherself。Butnowonder——anengagementoftwoyearsistoolongforanybody。IamsurethatintwoyearsIshouldgettiredofthehandsomestbeauinNewYork。“

Theladieshadeachtheirsurmisesastowhichofthepartieshadtakenthefirststep，andwhatwasprobablythecause；butalthoughMissTaylorhadaprettycorrectideaofthestateofthings，shedidnotexpressheropiniononthesubjectverydecidedly。Mrs。Hilsonsoonmadehercurtsey，expressingthehopethattheyshouldseeeachotherveryoftenduringthewinter；ahopewhichMissAdelinewasdeterminednottogratify，forMrs。

Hilson\'sstandingwasnotsufficientlyfashionabletosatisfyher。Thevisitorhadnosoonerlefttheroom，thansheranupstairstoputonherlastParishat，andherhandsomestcashmere，andthenhurriedofftoBarclay-StreettoenjoyaconfidentialmeetingwithJane。

Theyoungladieswereclosetedtogetherforanhour。Wehavenoauthorityforrevealingwhatpassed，andcanonlyobservethatJanereturnedtothedrawing-roomwithaheightenedcolour，andtherewasacertainexpressionofmysterystilllingeringaboutMissAdeline\'sface。

“HaveyouanycommandsforBoston，Mrs。Graham？”theyoungladyinquiredinherusualflippantmanner。“IthinkIshallgotherenextweek，topayashortvisittoafriendofmine；IwishI

couldhearofanescort。“

Mrs。Grahamthankedhercivilly，butdeclinedtheofferofherservices。

“HaveyoureallymadeupyourmindtogotoBoston？”askedJane。

“Why，notpositively。Itdepends，asIsaidbefore，uponmyfindinganescort。Ihavesixpressinginvitationsfromdifferentquarters，mostofthemacquaintancesthatImadelastsummeratSaratoga；andIhavebeenhesitatingbetweenAlbany，Boston，orBaltimore。Iamdeterminedtogosomewheretospendthenextthreeweeks，tillthegaietybeginsinearnest，andTallmancomesback。“

“Isyourbrotherexpectedsosoon？”askedMrs。Graham。

“Yes，hemusthavesailednow。Weheardfromhimlastnight；hewillbeherenextmonth，Ihope，justintimeforthefirstgreatparties。Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo，Jane，togetridofthetimeuntilthen？”

“Ihadmuchratheryouwouldstayathome；ifyougo，Ishallmissyouverymuch。“

“Butthenweshallhavethepleasureofcorresponding——Iliketheexcitementofreceivingagoodlongletter，fullofnonsense，aboveallthings。“

“Youmustnotforgettoletmeknowwhichwayyouarereallygoing，“saidJane。“Iwillwrite，thoughIcan\'tpromiseyoualongletter；Ineverwrotealongletterinmylife。“

“Well，youmustwrite，atanyrate，Ishallseeyouhalf-a-dozentimesbetweenthisandMonday。IratherthinkIshalldecideuponBoston。MissLawrencesaystherearesomedelightfulyounggentlementhere，andhaspromisedtogivemeaball。IfIgo，I

shalltryhardtobringMissLawrencebackwithme。Mind，Jane，youdon\'tmaketoomanyconquestswhileIamgone。YoumustreserveyourselffortheoneIhaverecommendedtoyou。Oh，by-the-bye，Mrs。Graham，Iforgottotellyouthenews；Iamastonishedyouhavenothearditalready。“

“Pray，whatisit？”askedMrs。Graham。

“ItseemstheengagementbetweenMissWyllysandMr。Hazlehursthasbeenbrokenoff。“

“Youaremistaken，surely！Wehaveheardnothingofit，anditishighlyimprobable。Iftherebesuchastory，letmebegyouwillnotmentionitagain，MissTaylor！”

“Oh，thereisnomistake，I\'mquitesure。Ihavehearditthreetimesalreadythismorning，fromLongbridgepeople；firstMrs。

Hilsontoldme，andthenImetJohnBibbs，andEdwardTibbs，whosaidthesamething。Mrs。GeorgeWyllys，itseems，contradictedtheengagementopenly；MissHubbardheardher，andwroteittohersister。“

“HowgrievedIshouldbeifthisstoryweretoprovetrue；yousurelyneverremarkedanything，Jane？”

“Elinorseemedtomejustasusual；butAdelinethinkstherehasbeensomechange，“saidJane，alittleembarrassed。

“Oh，yes，givemecreditforbeingquick-sighted；IsuspectedsomethingthefirsttimeIsawthemtogetherafterMr。Hazlehurstcameback。“

“Itiswhatnoneoftheirotherfriendsappeartohavedone，MissTaylor，“saidMrs。Graham，alittleseverely。

“Idaresaynot；butIamveryquickatseeingsuchthings。IfJanehasanymysteries，shehadbetternotpretendtokeepthemfromme。Butitisnowonderthattheengagementwasbrokenoff——Idon\'tbelieveinlongengagements。WemustnotletJanedragmattersonatthatratewhenherturncomes；“andthenkissingherfriendtenderly，andmakingacurtseytoMrs。Graham，withoutremarkingthedisapprovingexpressionofthatlady\'sface，thelivelyAdelineleftthemotheranddaughteralone。

“IdislikethatMissTaylor，excessively，Jane，“observedhermother，“sheisverydisagreeabletome；IwishyouwouldfindsomebettercompanionwhileweareinNewYork。TherearetheHowards，anddeVaux\'s——veryamiable，pleasantgirls，andforagreatmanyreasonsfarbetterassociatesforyou。“

“ButIdon\'tknowthemsowell。Adelineisagreatbelle，mamma，asmuchsoasanygirlintown。“

“Sheisnotatalltomytaste，Iconfess。Yourfather，too，dislikestheTaylorsverymuch。ThewayinwhichshespokeofthisstoryaboutElinor\'sengagementwasreallyunfeeling。NotthatIbelieveit；butbreakingoffanengagementwithoutgoodreason，isnosuchtrifleinmyopinion，asitseemstobeinthatofMissTaylor。“

Janelookedquiteagitated；sheblushedsomuchthathermotherwouldprobablyhaveremarkedit，hadshenotbeen，atthemoment，stoopingoverherlittleinvalidboy，whowaslyingonthesofanearher。

“MissTaylorhasnoclaimwhateveruponyou，thatIcansee，“

continuedMrs。Graham。“Itistrueshewaskindtoyouwhenyouwereillwiththewhooping-coughatschool；butsowereyourothercompanions——andIamsureshehasnotbeenhalfsoconsiderateandgoodtoyouasElinor，andyetyouseemtopreferMissAdelinenow。“

PoorJanelookeddown，andcolouredstillmore。

“Adelinewoulddoanythingforme，mother，“shesaid，inalowvoice；“Youdon\'tknowhowmuchsheisattachedtome；Ican\'thelplikingher，“andJanebegantoshedafewtears。

“Foolishchild！”saidhermother，beginningtorelent，assheusuallydidonsuchoccasions，“Idon\'twishyoutobeunciviltoher；butIshouldlikeyoutobemorewithKateHoward，andAnnedeVaux；“andtheconversationended，asseveralothersofthesamedescriptionhaddone，byleavingthingspreciselyastheywerebefore。Mrs。Graham，indeed，lookeduponherselfashavingshowedmuchdecisionontheoccasion，andactedasawatchfulmother，byhavingmadetheseobjections，fruitlessastheyprovedtobe。

ThereportthattheengagementbetweenElinorandHarryhadbeenbrokenoff，wassoonknowntobecorrect。Itcausedsomesurprisetoallwhoknewthem，andmuchregrettotheirfriends。Mrs。

Stanley，whofeltawarminterestinbothHarryandElinor，wasgrievedanddisappointed。TheGrahams，andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，feltveryunpleasantlywhenthecauseoftherupturecametobesuspected。Mrs。Grahamwas，however，relievedbyfindingthattherewasnounderstandingbetweenHarryandherdaughter——thusfaratleastallwasright；noexplanationhadtakenplacebetweenthem，andJaneevenassuredhermotherthatwheninParis，shehadhadnoideathatHazlehurstwasattachedtoher。Stillthereweremanyblusheswheneverthesubjectwasalludedto，therewereconfidentialmeetingswithAdeline，andothersymptomswhichleftlittledoubttoherfriendsthatJane\'sfeelingswereinterested。Mrs。Grahamwasobligedtoconsoleherselfwiththeidea，thatthemischiefhad，atleast，beenunintentionalonthepartofherdaughter。

Harry，himself，wasmuchmortifiedbythereceptionofElinor\'snote，which，byshowingthefullconsequenceofhisconduct，madeitappearmoreculpableinhisowneyesthanhehadyetbeenwillingtobelieveit。Heevenwroteasecondtime，beggingElinortore-considerherdecision。FullashisfancywasofJane，yethisregard，onemightsayhisaffection，forElinor，wastoowell-founded，andoftoolongstanding，forhimtoendurequietlytheideaofhavingtrifledwithher。Sheremainedfirm，however；hersecondanswerwasasdecidedasthefirst。Harry\'sself-reproachwassincere，atleast，andhehadneverbeforefeltsomuchdissatisfiedwithhimself。

Hewaslesseagerthanonemightsuppose，toprofitbyhisnewly-acquiredliberty。HewasinnohurrytoofferJanetheattentionswhichhadsolatelybeenElinor\'sdue。Itistruethathispositionwasratherawkward；itisnoteveryfaithlessswainwhoisobligedtoplaythelovertotwodifferentindividuals，withinsoshortaperiod，beforethesamewitnesses。Atlength，afterdoingpenanceforawhile，byencouraginghumiliatingreflections，somefearofarivalcarriedHazlehurstontoNewYork，inhisnewcharacterofJane\'sadmirer。Thefirstmeetingwasratherawkward，andHarrywasobligedtocallupallhisgood-breedingandcleverness，tomakeitpassoffwithoutleavinganunpleasantimpression。“Cen\'estquelepremierpasquicoute，“however，aseverybodyknows。ThesightofJane\'slovelyface，withabrightercolourthanusual，andafewhalf-timidandembarrassedglancesfromherbeautifuldarkeyes，hadasurprisingeffectinsoothingHarry\'sconscience，andconvincinghisreasonthatafterallhehadnotactedsounwisely。HesoonshowedhimselfverymuchinearnestinseekingJane\'sfavour；

thoughhepersuadedhimselfthathemustalwaysdojusticetoElinor\'sexcellence。“Sheisjustthewomanforafriend，“heobservedtohimself，“andfriendsItrustweshallbe，whenthepastisforgotten。ButJane，withhertranscendant{sic}beauty，hergentlehelplessness，istheverycreaturethatfancywouldpaintforawife！”

{“Cen\'estquelepremier……“=it\'sonlythefirststepthathurts(French)}

CHAPTERXVIII。

“Bepatient，gentleNell，forgetthisgrief。“

HenryVI。

{WilliamShakespeare，“2HenryVI“，II。iv。26}

THEWyllysesremainedlaterthantheyhadintendedinthecountry。Elinor，indeed，proposedtoherauntthattheyshouldpassthewinteratWyllys-Roof，butMissAgnesandhergrandfatherwereunwillingtodoso。Thevarietyofalifeintownwouldbepreferableforhersaketothequietmonotonyofacountrywinter。Theyknewshehadtoomuchsensetowishtoplaythevictim；butitwasonlynaturaltobelieve，thatinasolitarycountrylife，painfulrecollectionswouldforcethemselvesuponheroftenerthanamongherfriendsintown，whereshewouldheobligedtothinklessofherself，andmoreofothers。

Ithadbeenagreatrelieftohertofind，thatJanehadnotactedasunworthilyasMissAgneshadatfirstfeared；inspiteofwhatsheherselfhadoverheardatMissHubbard\'sparty，Elinorthrewoffallsuspicionofhercousin，assoonasshelearnedthatJanedeniedanypreviousknowledgeofthechangeinHarry\'sfeelings。Hazlehurst，himself，hadsaidinhisletterthatshewasblameless。

“Then，“sheexclaimed，“IshallatleastbeabletoloveJaneasbefore！”Sheimmediatelysatdown，andwrotehercousinashort，butaffectionateletter，containingonlyaslightallusiontowhathadpassed。Jane\'sanswer，ofcourse，avoidedwoundingherfeelings，andtheirintercoursewasresumed。

“Thetimewillcome，Itrust，“shethought，“whenHarry，too，willbeafriendagain。“Butshefeltthehourhadnotyetarrived。Shecouldnotsosoonforgetthepast。Itwasnoeasytask，suddenlytochangethewholecurrentoffeelingwhichhadfilledhermindduringthelasttwoyears。Inspiteofherearnestresolutions，duringthefirstfewweeks，thoughtsandfeelingsofthepastwouldrecurtoooften。ForsometimeElinorwasveryunhappy；shefeltthatthestrongestanddeepestaffectionsofherhearthadbeenneglected，rejected，undervalued，byonewhoseopinionshehadlearnedtoprizetoohighly。SheweptandblushedtothinkhowmuchshehadbecomeattachedtoHarry，sinceshehadlookeduponhimasheraffiancedhusband。Shecouldnotbutfeelherselffreefromallreproachtowardshim；itwashewho，unsoughtbyher，hadwishedtodrawaclosertiebetweenthem。Hehadsucceededbuttoowell，andthenhehadforgottenher。Thetemptationwhichhadprovedtoostrongforhim，wouldnothavedeservedthename，hadthecasebeenreversed，hadshebeenexposedtoit。Andyetshedidnotreproachhim；menthinksomuchofbeauty，andshewassoveryplain！Itwasbutnaturalatsuchamoment，thatsheshouldbeoppressedbyanover-wroughthumility。Sheaccusedherselfofvanity，forhavingatonetimebelieveditpossibleHarrycouldloveonelikeherself。ButhowhappywasJane！

Hereffortstostruggleagainstlowspiritswerethegreater，forthesakeofherauntandhergrandfather。Shemadeitadutytoneglectnoregulartask，andmuchofhertimewasoccupiedasusual；butthefeelingswhichshecarriedabouttoheremployment，wereverydifferentfromwhattheyhadbeenheretofore。Itwasherfirsttasteofsorrow；wellmightherauntdeeplyreproachHazlehurstforhisversatileconducttowardsherbelovedchild。ElinorflatteredherselfthatMissAgnesknewnothalfofwhatshefelt。Ingeneralshesucceededinbeingquitecalm，andattentivetoothers；shewasalwayssweet-tempered，andunrepining。Butshecouldnotread，herself，theexpressionofherowncountenance，sotenderlywatchedbyheraunt。Shewasnotawarethatthemusicaltonesofhervoicewerenolongercheerful；thatinsteadofthegay，easyconversationinwhichsheusedtobearherpart，shewasnowattimesabsent，oftensilent；

shewhosegracefulwitandyouthfulspiritshadbeenuntillatelythejoyofherfamily。Mr。Wyllys\'sindignationagainstHazlehurstwouldhavebeenboundless，ifhecouldhaveseenhimatsuchmoments，aswasoftennowthecase，sittingbythesideofJane，admiringthelengthofhereye-lashes，thepearlysmoothnessofhercomplexion，andthebrightcolourofherlips，assheutteredsomeverycommon-placeremark。SuchhadnowbecomeHazlehurst\'sdailypleasure，hisdailyhabit。

[“versatile“=inconstant，fickle}

MissAgnespurposelylefttoherniece，thisyear，allthearrangementsfortheirremovaltotown；andElinorwasobligedtobeverybusy。Ithappenedtoo，quiteopportunely，perhaps，thatjustatthattimeMrs。GeorgeWyllyswascomingoveroftenerthanusual，toconsultherfather-in-lawandMissAgnes。AgainstMr。

Wyllys\'sadvice，shehadtowithdrawhereldestboyfromtheschoolwherehehadbeenfirstplaced，andnowanewchoicewastobemade。Mr。Wyllysrecommendedasmallestablishmentintheirownneighbourhood，recentlyopenedbyMissPatsey\'sbrother；hethoughtitequallygoodwiththeoneshehadinview，andwiththeadditionaladvantageofmoremoderateterms，andasmallernumberofboys。ButMrs。Wyllyshadagreatdealtosayontheoppositesideofthequestion；thelowpricewasanobjectioninhereyes。

“There，mydearsir，youmustallowmetodifferfromyou。Ihavealwaysintendedtodevotealargeportionofmymeanstotheeducationofmychildren；economyinsuchacase，Icannotlookuponaseconomyatall。“

“Certainly，Harriet，youareperfectlyrighttosecuretoyourchildreneveryadvantageinyourpower。Butthisisnotacaseinpoint。ThomasHubbard，youknow，wasaprincipalintheveryschoolwhichyouhaveinview，andonlywithdrewlastspringonaccountofillhealth。Hestillcontinuesthesamesystem，andhasthesamemasters，withtheadvantageofonlyfourboysbesidesEvert，tooccupyhisattention。“

Thiswastooplaintobecontradicted。“Butinmyopinion，sir，alargeschoolisverymuchtobepreferredforaboy。Ihavethoughtagreatdealonthesubject，sinceEverthasbeenofanagetoleaveme。“

“Butwhatareyourreasonsforpreferringalargeschooltoasmallone？”

“Ithinkitabetterpreparationfortheirentranceintolife。

Andthentheyhavetheadvantageofchoosingtheirintimatesfromalargernumberofboys；Evert\'sdispositionwillmakeitparticularlydesirableforhim。Iamsure，ifhewereshutupwithtwoorthreeboysonly，hewouldfinditsodullthathewouldbedisgusted。“

“Well，mydear，Iviewthematterinadifferentlight，“repliedMr。Wyllys，whowouldneverallowhimselftobesilenced，orforcedtoadviseanythingagainsthisconscience；thoughmanymenwouldhavebeenworriedintoitbysuchawoman。Unfortunately，Mrs。Wyllyswastheonlyguardianofherchildren，andMr。Wyllyswasoftenobligedtoseehisdaughter-in-lawactinamannerthathethoughtill-judged；butthoughverygood-natured，hecouldneverbetalkedintobeingapartytosuchplans。“ItispreciselyonaccountofEvert\'shighspiritsthatIshouldlikeasmallschoolforhim。Hewouldbelesslikelytogethimselfandothersintoscrapes；hewouldbemoreunderhismaster\'seye。“

“Ithink，sir，fromtheconversationIhadwithMr。Stone，heisjustthemantoobtainaninfluenceoverEvert。“

“YouwouldlikeHubbardstillbetter，ifyouknewhim。“

“Idoubtitverymuch，sir；IamsickoftheverynameofHubbard。ThoseLongbridgeHubbardsareenoughtospoilaparadise。“

“Well，Harriet，“saidMr。Wyllys，“youseemtohavemadeupyourmind；sohaveI；nowwhatistobedone？”

“Ofcourse，sir，youropinionhasgreatweightwithme；youknowIamalwaysguidedbyyou。“

“Thenthematterissettled，andEvertgoestoHubbard\'s。“

Mr。Wyllysthoughthehadsucceeded，onthisoccasion，ingaininghispoint，bytakinghisdaughter-in-lawatherword；buttheverynextmorningshedroveovertoWyllys-Roof，withanewviewofthesubject；anditwasnotuntilafterhalf-a-dozenmoreconversations，thatthematterwasfinallysettled，byMr。Wyllysrefusingtogiveanymoreadvice；whenhisdaughter-in-law，ofherownaccord，determinedtosendherboytoMr。Hubbard\'sschool。Itmustbeconfessedthatsomewomen，endowedtoowithcertaingoodqualities，areverytrying，andpossessamostvexatiousveinofcaprice。Inthemeantimethechildwastakensick；hewasillforseveralweeks，andElinorassistedinnursinghim。

Independentlyoftheseconsultations，andcaresaboutherlittlecousin，therewereotherclaimsuponElinor\'sattentionatthistime，andthosetheleastromanticintheworld。Withinthelastfewweeks，allthemenofLongbridgeseemedtohavetheirheadsfullofanewrail-road，oneofthefirstthatweremadeinthiscountry。AllthepropertyElinorhadinheritedfromherfatherwasinthisvillage，andsoplacedastohaveitsvalueverymuchincreasedbythisintendedpieceofinternalimprovement。Mr。

Hubbardwasoneofthosemostinterestedintheproject，whichwasofsomeimportancetoMr。Wyllys，also。Thegentlemenhadmanymeetingsonthesubject，andElinorwasobligedtohearagreatdealthatwasgoingon；whichhousesweretobepulleddown，whichstreetswidened，whatengineerwastobeemployed，wheretherailsweretocomefrom，atwhattimetheyhopedtogettheactthroughtheAssembly。Mr。Taylor，ofcourse，wasnotthemantoallowanythingapproachingtospeculation，totakeplaceinhisneighbourhoodwithouthavingsomethingtodowithithimself。HecameovertoLongbridgeexpresslytohelpmatterson；

andasColonnadeManorwasshutup，Mr。Wyllys，alwayshospitablyinclined，askedhimtohisownhouseforadayortwo。Withsuchaspiritundertheirroof，littleelsewasheardofbesidesstocksandlots，wharvesandstores。Elinor\'spropertywasknowntobemuchinterestedintheaffair，andMr。HubbardandMr。

Taylorthoughtitnecessarytocongratulateher。Mr。Taylor，indeed，wouldhavebeenmuchshockedhadheknownhowverylittleshecaredaboutthematter。

{“anewrail-road“=TheCamdenand(Perth)AmboylinecrossedNewJerseyin1833，andthePhiladelphiaandColumbia(Penn。)

lineopenedin1834}

“Weshallhavetoconsultyou，MissElinor，inourproceedings，“

saidMr。Hubbard，astheyweresittingatthedinner-table；

perhapsyoudon\'tknowit，butyouwillbeoneofourstockholders，andmuchinterestedinoursuccess，Iassureyou。“

“Mygrandfathertriedlastnighttogivemesomenotionsonthesubject，Mr。Hubbard；butIamafraidhewasnotverysuccessful。“

“Oh，Idon\'tknowthat，“saidMr。Wyllys；“Ishallmakequiteabusinesswomanofyou，yet，Nelly。“Infact，hergrandfatherhadtakenthemomenttoassureElinorthatitwashightimesheshouldhavesomejustideasonsuchsubjects，andinsistedonherlisteningtoallhisexplanations，anddoingherbesttocomprehendthem。Elinortriedtobeadocilepupil，andreallyacquiredsomeusefulinformation，whichmayappearsingulartoromanticyoungladies，whosetupforbroken-hearted；asheronlyobject，however，wastogratifyhergrandfather，wehopeshewillbeforgivenforanythingsomuchoutofcharacterinaheroine。

“Itisabeautifulspeculation，MissWyllys，“observedMr。

Taylor。“Isupposeyouknowenoughaboutthesethings，tobegladtohearthatinayearortwo，youwillprobablyrealizetwohundredpercent。onyourlotsinWater-Street，wherethedepotistobebuilt。“

“Itallsoundsverygrandly，certainly，“saidElinor，smiling。

“Weshallmakeafortuneforyou，MissElinor，“addedMr。

Hubbard。“YouwillbethegreatladyofLongbridge。“

“Idaresay，Nelly，youwillfindsomewayofspendingthemoney；

youngladiesknowverywellhowtogetridofit，letitcomeeversofast。“

“Yes，sir，mydaughtersareveryexpertatthat；Emmelinethinksnothingofgivingfiftydollarsforaflimsypocket-handkerchief，andasmuchforaflighty-lookinghat。ButI\'venoobjections；

I\'lltellyouinconfidence，thatiswhatwemakeourmoneyfor，MissElinor——forourchildrentospend，“addedMr。Hubbard，smilinggood-naturedly。“Idaresayyouwillfindarightuseforsomeofyours。Itwillbeingoodhands，andIhopeyoumaylongenjoyit，“saidhe，makingabowtoElinor，ashedrankoffaglassofMadeira。

{“fiftydollarsforaflimsypocket-handkerchief“=thisremarkbyMr。HubbardreflectsJamesFenimoreCooper\'slittle-knownnovelette，“TheAutobiographyofaPocket-Handkerchief“(1843)，asdomanyaspectsofthegreedyandostentatiousTaylorfamilywhomEmmelineHubbardseekstoemulate}

Mr。Taylor，thoughhejoinedinthetoastwithsome“affable“

remark，asusual，couldnothelpregrettingthatsomuchmoney，andconsequentlythepowerofmakingsomuchmore，shouldnotbeinthehandsofonewhocouldturnittobetteraccountthanMissElinorWyllys。HehadaverypooropinionofMr。Wyllys\'smoney-makingabilities，andthoughthimvery“unenterprising。“

Thatgentleman，onthecontrary，whenbroughtinclosercontactwithMr。Taylor，begantohaveaclearerinsightintohischaracter，andwhilehefoundhimuncommonlyclever，discoveredthatseveralofhispropositionsbetrayedanythingbuthighprinciples。HebegantobelievethatMr。Graham\'sdislikewasnotill-founded。

Mr。Hubbard，inthemeantime，whohadknownElinorfromachild，wasthinkinghowhecouldsaysomethingagreeableaboutloveandbeaux，supposedalwaystobepleasantsubjectstoyoungladies。

HefeltsomedoubtsabouthintingatHazlehurst，forhethoughthehadheardtheengagementwasbrokenoff。HappilyforElinor，thepartyrosefromtablebeforeanythinghadsuggesteditself。

AtlengthMrs。Wyllys\'sboyrecovered，andwassentofftoschool；andthisrail-roadmatterwasalsosatisfactorilysettled。Astherewasnothingmoretodetainthefamilyinthecountry，theWyllyseswenttoPhiladelphia，andtookpossessionoftheirlodgingsforthewinter。

CHAPTERXIX。

“Hadyounotlatelyanintent，speaktruly，TogotoParis？”

SHAKSPEARE。

{WilliamShakespeare，“All\'sWellThatEndsWell“，I。iii。218-219}

MISSTAYLORpaidhervisittoMissLawrence。OnemorningatbreakfastsheinformedherparentsthatsheintendedtomakeanexcursiontoBoston。“Whomwasshegoingtosee？”askedherfather。“MissLawrence，ayoungladywhohadpassedthreedaysattheSprings，atthehotelwheretheystayed，andwithwhomshehadbecomeveryintimate。““Howlongwasshegoingtobeabsent？”

inquiredhermother。“Shethoughtofremainingafortnight；

perhapsthreeweeks，ifshefounditverypleasant。Mr。Powell，theyounggentlemanwhowastobeherescort，hadbeenintroducedtohertheeveningpreviousataball，andshethoughthimsufficientlyfashionableinhisappearance，tohavethehonouroftakingchargeofherselfandherbaggage。“Herfatherobservedthathewouldbringasupplyofmoneyforher，whenhecamehometodinner；hermotherofferedtolookoverherstockings。

Everythingthussettled，thenextmorningMr。TaylorandMissAdelinedrovetotheEast-Riverwharf，wheretheBostonboatlay：

heretheymetwithaslightdifficulty；thegentlemanengagedasanescortcouldnotbefound；somethinghadinterferedwithhisjourney。Nothingwaseasierthantopickupanother，however。Mr。

Taylorlookedabouthim，sawafaceheknewslightly，andrememberedthenamethatbelongedtoit。

“Goodmorning，sir；areyougoingtoBoston，Mr。Hopkins？”

Mr。Hopkinsbowed，anddeclaredthathewasgoingtoBoston。

“Ihaveadaughteronboard，sir；andtheyounggentlemanwhowastobeherescortisnothere；willyoubesogoodastolookafterher？”

Mr。HopkinswouldbeveryhappytotakechargeofMissTaylor。

ButAdelinewasalmostindespairwhenshesawhim。HowcouldoneofthemostdashingbellesinNewYork，consenttosit，inviewofallthepassengers，side-by-sidewithsuchafat，rusty，snuffy，littleoldgentleman，whomoregreenspectacles，andhadaredsilkhandkerchiefspreadonhisknee？Supposeheshouldaskhertowalk，howcouldshepaceupanddownthepromenade-deckarm-in-armwithsuchafigure？She，AdelineTaylor，whosetravellingdresswasfaultless，andwhohadexpectedtohaveacharmingflirtationwithAlbertPowell！Whatcouldshedo？Thefates，andthewarningbell，decidedthequestion；itwastoolatetolookoutforsomebetter-lookingescort。Mr。Taylorhadhardlytimetoshakehandswithhisdaughter，andjumponthewharf，erethewhizzingofthesteamhadceased，andtheplashingofthewheelswasheard。Adelinesankonabenchbesidetherustyoldgentlemanforamoment，butsoonfledtotheladies\'cabinforrefuge。

Duringthewholejaunt，thefat，snuffyMr。Hopkinswaskindandgood-naturedtoAdeline，whenevershewouldallowhim。Hethoughtshemustbelonely，andshehadbeenobligedtoconfessthatsheknewnooneonboard；sotheoldgentlemanhelditincumbentonhimtobesociable。Hetooksomepea-nutsoutofhispocket，andofferedherahandful；hegaveheracoupleofnewspaperstoread；askedherquestionsaboutherfamily，brothersandsisters，andseemedtolookuponherasaschool-girl。Hewasnottheleastimpressedwithhereleganceandfinery，andquiteunawareofherbelle-ship；heevenoncecalledher“mydear。“Then，theredsilkhandkerchiefwasalwayseitheronhisknee，orinhishand！ItwouldhedifficulttosaywhetherAdelinewouldhavesurvivedthemortificationofsuchanescort，haditnotbeenfortwocircumstances，whichchangedthecurrentofherthoughts。

Therewereseveralelegantlydressedyoungladiesonboard，andshesoonsucceededingettingupanintimacywithtwoofthem；

theyexchangedcardsandinvitationstoeachother\'shouses，andthroughthesamemeansAdelinewasintroducedtoacoupleofbeaux。Betweenbreakfastanddinner，thesenewbosom-friendsandherselfwereinseparable，but，unfortunately，theywereonlygoinghalf-way。Thegriefofseparationwas，however，somewhatassuagedwithMissTaylorbysea-sickness，which，aseveryoneknows，isverydestructivetosentimentandsensibility。AslongastheyweretossingaboutnearPointJudith，thesnuffyoldgentleman，whowasnotintheleastsea-sickhimself，wasveryfaithfulinhisinquiriesafterAdeline，andproposedseveralremediestoher，throughthestewardess。AtlengththeyreachedBoston。AstheydrovetothedoorofMissLawrence\'sfather，Mr。

Hopkinsasked“howlongsheintendedtoremaininBoston？”“Aboutafortnight，“Adelinereplied。

{“PointJudith“=prominentcapeonthecoastofRhodeIsland，southofNarragansett}

“IshallbegoingbacktoNewYorkaboutthesametime，mydear，andifyouhavenotgotsomeonemoretoyourtaste，I\'lltakecareofyouonyourwayhome，withpleasure，“saidthefatoldgentleman，sprinklingahandfulofsnuffonMissTaylor\'sgreysilk，andbrandishingtheredhandkerchiefatthesametime。

Adeline\'sthankswereveryfaintlyuttered；butgratitudeisnotafashionablevirtue。ItwasfortunatelysodarkthattherustyoldgentlemancouldscarcelybeseenashetookleaveoftheelegantMissTayloratMr。Lawrence\'sdoor，andthustheyounglady\'smortificationwasover。

Attheendofthethreeweeks，Adelinereturnedhome，bringingglowingaccountsofthedelightsofBoston，andtalkingagreatdealaboutseveral“delightfulyounggentlemen，“andoccasionallymentioningacertainTheodoreSt。Leger。ShehadheardthattheBostonpeoplewereallBLUE；butitmustbeacalumnytosayso，forshehadhadaverylivelytime——plentyoffunandflirtation。

MissLawrencereturnedwithher，andofcourseapartywasgiveninherhonour；thereweresomeeightypersonspresent，allfreefromtheshacklesofmatrimony，apparentlytogivetheBostonyoungladyanopportunityofmeetingarepresentationofherpeers，themarriageableportiononlyoftheNewYorkcommunity。

TheeveningwaspronounceddelightfulbyMissLawrence；butalltheguestswerenotofthesameopinion。

{“BLUE“=literaryorlearned，from“blue-stocking“}

“Whatanabsurdcustomitis，tohavetheseyoungpeopleparties，“saidHarryHazlehurst，whowasononeofhisfrequentvisitstoNewYorkatthetime，andwassittinginMrs。Graham\'sdrawing-room，withthatlady，Jane，andMrs。Stanley。

“Iagreewithyou；itisabadplan，“observedMrs。Stanley。

“ThefirstofthekindthatIwentto，afterwecamehome，mademefeelashamedofmyself；thoughDr。VanHorne，Isuppose，wouldaccusemeofhigh-treasonforsayingso。“

“Butmostyoungpeopleseemtoenjoythem，“saidMrs。Graham。

“Itispayingusbutapoorcomplimenttosayso。Onewouldthinktheyoungpeoplewereafraidtolaughandtalkbeforetheirfathersandmothers。Ireallyfelttheothernightasifwewereapartyofchildrenturnedintothenurserytoplay，andeatsugar-plumstogether，andmakeasmuchnoiseaswepleased，withoutdisturbingourelders。Itisacustomthatappearstomeasunnaturalasitispuerile。Ihopeyoudon\'tlikeit，“headded，turningtoJane。

“Icareverylittleaboutit。“

“Iamglad，atleast，youdonotdefendit。“

“Thereareafewfamiliesyouknow，Harry，whonevergivethosekindofparties，“observedMrs。Stanley。

Hazlehurst\'sconsciencefeltatwinge，forheknewshewasthinkingofElinor，whomMissWyllyshadneverallowedtogivetheseUNMARRIEDparties；thoughshewenttootherhouses，whenasked。

“MissTaylorhadcollectedatribeofEuropeansofallsorts，lastnight；half-a-dozenEnglishmen，andavulgarFrenchman，“

observedHarry，bywayofchangingtheconversation。“IwassurprisedwhenmyfriendTownsendtoldmehewasinvited；hedidnotknowtheTaylors，andonlyarrivedaweeksince。“

“Adelineinvitedhimonpurpose；MissLawrenceisveryfondofforeigners，andyouknowMr。Taylorcallsonallthestrangerswhoarrive，“saidJane。

Harry\'slipcurledalittle。

“HowdisagreeablethatCaptainKockneyis，“continuedJane。

“Morethandisagreeable，“repliedHarry。“Ishouldnothaveusedsosoftaword。Iwasnotalittleamused，by-the-bye，toseehowthefellowcooledoffwhenTownsendandEllerycamein。YourlowsetofEnglishhavesuchathoroughaweofthoseafewdegreesabovethem。“

“ThatMr。Kockneyissoveryforwardandvulgar，“saidMrs。

Graham，“thatIwonderanybodycanendurehim。IwasdisgustedwithhismanneronboardthesteamboatfromLongbridge，theotherday。“

“Heisbeneathnotice，“saidHarry。

“Iamnotsure，either，thatIlikeyourfriend，Mr。Ellery，Harry。“

“Elleryisnofriendofmine；but，pray，don\'tnamehiminthesamebreathwiththatKockney。“

“Oh，no，Mr。Elleryisagentleman，evidently；butIdon\'tlikehismanners，thereissomethingaffectedabouthim。“

“Certainly，heknowshowtoplaythecoxcomb，andcondescendstodosoquitetoooften。ButIhopeyoulikeTownsend；heisreallyafinefellow。“

“Mr。Townsendhasverydifferentmanners。“

“Yes，hehasthebestEnglishmanner；quitenatural，andnotafraidtobecivil。ItisonlythebestoftheEnglishwhoarequitefreefromnonsense。Elleryaimsateffect，halfthetime；

Townsendhastoomuchsensetodoso。“

“Well，Ireallywonder，“saidJane，“howMrs。HilsoncanendurethatCaptainKockney。“

“Thesillylittlesoulknowsnobetter。“

“Tobesure，sheisquiteasridiculousasheis。“

“Sheisreallyverysilly，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Itisapitythatgood，worthyMr。Hubbardshouldhavedaughterssolittlelikehimself，andsomuchliketheirmother。“

“Sheisverypretty，though，anddressesverywell，“saidJane。

“Wouldyoubelieveit，mamma，theotherday，whenshecalledatAdeline\'ssheworeacollarpreciselyliketheprettiestofthoseIbroughtfromParis。“

“DoesshevisitagreatdealatMrs。Taylor\'s？”inquiredhermother。

“Oh，no；Adelinecan\'tendureher。Butshecannotgetridofherentirely，becausetheymeetinthecountry。Adelinewouldliketodroptheacquaintancealtogether，butshesaysMrs。Hilsonwon\'tlether，becauseMrs。Taylor\'sistheonlyfashionablehousewhereshevisits。“

“TheseTaylorshavereallydonewondersinthelastfewyears，“

saidMrs。Stanley，smiling。

“Theyhavebeenquiteaspersevering，Idaresay，asMrs。Hilsoncanbe。Theyareaveryvulgar，pushingfamily，“observedMrs。

Graham。

Janecoloured，andHarryfearedshewouldshedatearortwo。Shewasquiteagitated。“DearJane，“hethought，“whatanaffectionateheartshehas！”Bywayofconsolingher，probably，andatthesametimeobtainingabetterviewofherdowncastface，hetookaseatbesideher。Heevenrefrainedfrommakinganobservationwhichhehadinpetto，uponthevolatilecharacterandmannersofMissTaylor，reservingitforthefuture；

determiningthatwhentheyweremanandwife，Janeshouldhavethefullbenefitofhisopinionofherfriend。

{“inpetto“=inmind}

LetitnotbesupposedthatHarrywastoosureofsuccess，inthuslookingforwardtohismarriagewithJaneasnoveryimprobableevent。Sincehehadappearedinthefamilyashersuitor，hermannerhadbeenencouraging。Therewereblushesandmomentsofembarrassmentwhichlookedveryfavourably；andhadhebeenobligedtoproclaimallhishopes，hewouldhaveconfessedthatthesameflatteringsignshadbeenobservedbyhiminParis，andhadcontributednotalittletoincreasethewarmthofhisownfeelings。Therewasnowarivalinthefield，andonebynomeanstobedespised；but，althoughyoungdeVauxwasgood-looking，agreeable，andverymuchinlove，Janedidnotseemdisposedtosmileuponhim。Todoherjustice，shewasnocoquette；shewastooindolentbynature，tolabourveryhardtosecureseveralconquestsatthesametime。MissGrahamwasverymuchadmired，however，andwasgenerallyproclaimedthebeautyoftheseason；whileHarrysoonbegantofeelthevanityofthefavouredman。

Butifshewereabeauty，Adelinewasabelle；apretty，andarichbelle，moreover，andMissTaylor\'strainofadmirerswasmuchlargerthanthatofMissGraham。Sonumerousindeedwereherfollowers，thatshewasseldomseenalone。Ifshevisited，itwaswithanattendantbeau；ifshewerewalkinginBroadway，shehadgenerallyoneoneachsideofher；andatapartyshewasalwaystalkingtohalf-a-dozenyoungmenatatime。MissAdelinewas，undeniably，averypopularbelle。Butallthishomagewassometimesattendedwithdifficulties：onemorningshewroteanurgentnotetoherfriendJane，requestingthatshewouldcometoseeher，forshewasunwellherself，andwantedadviceinamomentousaffair。

ThesympathisingJanehadnosoonerappeared，thanAdelineexclaimed，{sic}

“Iamsoperplexed，thatIreallydon\'tknowwhattodo！Youmustdecideforme。“

“HowcanIhelpyou？Whatisthematter？”inquiredJane。

“Whyyouknowto-nightisMrs。Thompson\'sgreatball，andIamgoing，ofcourse；thoughIhaveaverybadcold。“

“Yes，youarereallyquitehoarse。“

“Nowonder！Ihavebeensopesteredbyserenadesforthelastfortnight，thatIhavenothadonegoodnight\'srest。Ihadtogetupandshowmyselfatthewindow，untilIcaughtonecoldafteranother。“

“Perhapsyouhadbetternotgoto-night。“

“YoumaybesureIshan\'tstayathomeunlessIhavetokeepmybed；Iamalreadyengagedforfivedances。Butjustlookatthecentre-table。“

Janeturnedhereyestowardsthetable，whichwascoveredwithflowers。

“Howbeautifultheyare！”sheexclaimed，goingtolookatthem。

“One，two，four，sixbouquets！——Wheredidtheyallcomefrom？”

“Don\'taskme；Iamsickoftheverysightofflowers！”

“This，withthevariegatedcamellias，isbeautiful！”

“Yes，it\'sprettyenough；butwhatshallIdowithit？”

“Why，takeittothepartythisevening，ofcourse。“

“No，indeed；itcamefromMr。Howard，andIcan\'tendurehim。“

“Whichhaveyouchosen，then？”

“Thatistheveryquestion；Idon\'tknowhowtosettleit。“

“Takethisonewiththepassion-flower。“

“No，thatIshan\'t；foritwassentjusttospiteme。Mr。Grantsentit——andItoldhimlastnightthatIhatedpassionflowers，andeverythingelsethatissentimental。WhatshallIdo？——Itissoprovoking！”

“Supposeyouputthemallinwater，andgowithoutany。“

“MydearJane，howyoutalk！That\'swhatIneverdidinmylife。

Gotoaballwithoutabouquet！——Ican\'tthinkofsuchathing！”

“Wecanuntiethem，andmakeuponeourselves，takingtheprettiestflowersfromeach。“

“Thatwon\'tdo，either；forit\'sonlythegardenersthatcandoupthesethingsdecently。Iwouldn\'t，fortheworld，carryonethatlookedasifIhadmadeitupmyself。“

“Well，“saidJane，indespair，“Ireallydon\'tknowwhatelsetoadvise。“

“Idobelievetheyounggentlemenhaveleaguedtogethertoprovokeme！Andthisisnotall，therearethreemoreinwaterup-stairs。“

“Youmighttakethefirstthatcame；perhapsthatwouldbethebestplan。“

“Wouldyouhavemetakethisridiculous-lookingthing，withonlyonecamelliainit！No，indeed；“andforamomentthetwoyoungladiessatdownbythecentre-table，lookingdespondinglyateachotherandattheflowers。

“IfIcouldonlytaketheoneIlikebest，itwouldbetheeasiestthingintheworld；but，youknow，alltheothergentlemenwouldbeoffendedthen。“

“Whichdoyoulikebest？”askedJane。

“Whythisone，withthewhitecamellias；itcamefromTheodoreSt。Leger；hetoldmehewouldsendonewithwhiteflowersonly。“

Adeline\'scolourrosealittleasshespoke，andasthatwasnotacommonoccurrencewithher，itlookedsuspicious。

“DidMr。St。Legerdancewithyoulastnight？”

“Why，no，child，heneverdances；Ididn\'tseehimdance，allthetimewewereinBoston。“

“Ithoughtyoulikedhim，“saidJane，withinnocentsurprise。

“Ilikehimwellenough，afterafashion；aswellasonecanlikeamanwhoneverdances，anddon\'ttalkmuch。Heisverystupid，sometimes，anddressesverybadlytoo。“

“Ishehandsome？”askedJane。

“No，heisasuglyashecanbe；IreallythinkhelooksjustalittlelikethatoldMr。Hopkins，hisuncle。“

“Whatintheworldmakesyoulikehimthen？”

“IamsureIdon\'tknow。Butdon\'tfancyIreallycareabouttheman。HeisgoingbacktoBostonnextweek，andIdon\'tsupposeI

shalleverseehimagain；butIthoughtIwouldtakehisbouquet，to-night，becausehewassopolitetome；andhewillbethere。

Oh，mydearJane，talkingofBoston，Ihavehituponanidea！”

“Well，whatisit？”

“Isawagirlatapartythere——by-the-bye，itwasTheodoreSt。

Leger\'ssister——whohadherdresstrimmedwithnaturalflowers；

that\'sjustthethingforme！”criedAdeline，clappingherhands。

Thedifficultythushappilyremoved，theyoungladiesranupstairs，todeterminemorefullyupontrimmingacertainwhitecrapewiththeeightbouquets，dividedforthepurpose。Thewhiteone，theofferingofMr。St。Leger，wasreservedfortheplaceofhonour，inAdeline\'shand。

CHAPTERXX。

“Thyyoungandinnocentheart，Howisitbeating？Hasitnoregrets？

Discoverestthounoweaknesslurkingthere？”

ROGERS。

{SamuelRogers(Englishpoet，1763-1855)，“Italy：TheNun“lines71-73}

SISTERS\'children，thoughbearingdifferentnames，andclassedbytheworldindifferentfamilies，aregenerallymuchmorealikethanthoseofbrothers；theyareapttohavemorehabits，tastes，andfeelingsincommon。Andthereasonisevident；itisusuallythemotherwhocontrolstheinternalfamilypolicy，whogivesthecolouringtowhatmaybecalledthefamilyatmosphere。Thefathermaypassastatuteonceinawhile，butthecommon-lawwhichregulatestheevery-dayproceedingsofthelittlecommunityflowsfromthemother；andweallknowthatthecharacterismouldedratherbydailypracticeintrifles，thanbyafewisolatedactionsofgreaterimportanceinthemselves。Theaimsandviewswhichpeoplecarrywiththemthroughlife，generallyspringupfromseedsreceivedinthenursery，oratthefamilyfire-side。

Evenwithmenthisisthecase。Thefathermayinculcatethisorthatpoliticalcreedintohisson，hemaydirecthischoicetothisorthatprofession；butthemannerinwhichtheyouthcarriesouthispoliticalprinciples，thewayinwhichhefillshisprofession，willdependontheimpulsesandmotivescultivatedinchildhood，andearlyyouth；foritisthenthatthecharacterreceivesitsbias。Themother\'sinfluenceandexampleareoftentobetracedinthoseminuteshadesoftasteandopinion，whicharethefoundationofourpartialities，orourdislikes；and，ofcourse，thedaughtersofafamily，frombeingmoreconstantlysubjecttothisinfluence，imbibealargershareofit。Itisimmaterialwhetherthemotherbeawareoftheimportanceofherduties，oftheweightofthisresponsibility，ornot；forgoodorforevil，theeffectwillstillbefelt，thoughvarying，ofcourse，indifferentcircumstances。

Elinorhadnotseenhercousin，MaryVanAlstyne，hermother\'sniece，forseveralyears，andshenowmetherinPhiladelphiawithgreatpleasure。MissVanAlstynewassomefiveorsixyearsolderthanherself；thisdifferenceinyearshad，indeed，beenthechiefreasonwhytheyhadneveryetbeenveryintimate。Butthesamedistancewhichseparatesgirlsoftwelveandeighteen，is，ofcourse，lessthoughtofattwentyandsix-and-twenty，whenbotharefairlylaunchedintotheworld。MaryVanAlstyneandElinorfoundmuchtolikeineachotheronacloseracquaintance；

andMissWyllysobservingthatthetwocousinssuitedeachothersowell，drewthemtogetherasmuchaspossible，inorderthatElinormighthavesomeonetofilltheemptyplacesofherformercompanions，JaneandHarry。

Mrs。RobertHazlehurstwasanearneighbouroftheWyllysesinPhiladelphia；butElinorhadtoomuchdreadofmeetingHarry，togothereoften；anditwasonlywhensheknewthathewasinNewYork，thatshewenttohisbrother\'s。Thechangeintheirpositionwastoorecenttoallowofherseeinghimwithcomposure；theirfamilyconnexion，andtheintimatetermsuponwhichtheyhadhithertolived，onlymadetheirpresentestrangementmuchmoreawkwardthanusual。ElinortriedtothinkitfortunatethatheshouldnowbesoofteninNewYork。

ThefirsttimehewasinPhiladelphiaaftertheWyllysesweresettledthereforthewinter，Elinorescapedseeinghim。Asshecameinonemorningfromaridewithhergrandfather，shefoundhiscardonthetable。Ittoldthewholestoryofwhathadpassed；forshecouldnotrememberhishavingeverleftacardattheirhousebefore；hehadbeenasmuchathomethereasherself，untilthelastsixweeks。Thesightofitcausedheraverypainfulfeeling，anddidawayallthegoodeffectofthepleasantrideshehadjusttakenonthebanksoftheSchuylkill。Asshewalkedslowlyup-stairstochangeherhabit，hereyesfilledwithtears；andhadshebeenendowedwiththeproperdegreeofromanceforaregularheroine，shewouldprobablyhavepassedthemorninginhystericalsobs。Butasshehadquiteasmuchgoodsense，asfancyandfeeling，shewasbynomeansromantic；shehadneverfaintedbutonceinherlife；andalthoughitmustbeconfessedshehadweptduringthelastfewweeks，yetitwasalwaysinspiteofherself，atmomentswhenthetearswereforcedfromherbysomesuddenrecollectionofthepast，orsomedistressingglimpseofthefuture。Onthepresentoccasion，insteadofencouragingsolitarygrief，shereturnedtothedrawing-room，andreadaloudtoheraunt，whowasbusywithherneedle。

ButHarry\'ssecondvisittoPhiladelphiawasnottopasswithouttheirmeeting。Mr。Wyllys，MissAgnes，andElinorwerespendingtheeveningatthehouseofafriend，when，tothesurpriseandregretofallparties，Hazlehurstwalkedinwithoneoftheyoungmenofthefamily，withwhomhewasintimate。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethealarmonthepiazzaatWyllys-Roof。