第7章

PoorElinor，atthefirstglance，whenthedooropened，turneddeadlypale，asshealwaysdidwhenagitated。Harry，ashecrossedtheroomtomakehisbowtotheladyofthehouse，feltexcessivelyuncomfortable；whenheturned，notalittleembarrassed，towardstherestoftheparty，hereceivedaslightandcoolmovementofrecognitionfromMr。Wyllys，whowasstandingatacornerofthefire-place。MissAgnesmadeanefforttosaygoodevening，inherusualtone；andHarryrepliedthathewasverygladtofindtheyweretobeinPhiladelphiaforthewinter，wordswhichwereasfarfromthetruthaspossible。

Elinorwouldhavegivenmuchtolookandspeakascalmlyasheraunt；butshecouldonlybowinsilence，foratthemomentshedarednottrusthervoice。Theladyofthehouse，whoknewverywellhowtoaccountforameetingwhichseemedveryceremoniousbetweennearconnexions，whohadalwaysbeensointimate，didherbesttomakemattersgooffwell；andherson，whowasalsointhesecret，rattledawaytoElinortothebestofhisability。

ButtherewasaveryperceptibletouchofcooldisapprobationinMr。Wyllys\'smanner，andasomethingthatwasnotquitenatural，inthetonesofMissAgnes\'svoice。Harryfeltasifheweredoingpenance，andhefelt，moreover，asifherichlydeservedit。Buttheworstwastocome。Therewasanotherladypresent，aNewYorker，whohadlatelyseenHazlehurstveryoftenwiththeGrahams，inhischaracterofJane\'sadmirer，andsheinnocentlyaskedhimwhenhewasgoingtoreturntoNewYork。“Inadayortwo，“hereplied。“Youwillnotleavethepostvacantverylong，Idaresay，“observedthelady。Harry\'sanswerwasnotverydistinctlyheard，andhecolouredasmuchasitisinthepowerofmantodo。Theladyhappilyobservedhowmuchhewasannoyed，andchangedtheconversation。Hazlehurstwasnotinamoodtopayalongvisit：hesoonrosetotakeleave。Elinor，inthemeantime，madeagreateffortforself-command。Sheknewthatshewastheinjuredparty，andyetshefeltsuperiortoallthelittlenessofresentment——sheacquittedHarryandJaneofallintentionaltriflingwithherfeelings。Thegentle，quietdignityofhermannergraduallyexpressedwhatwaspassinginhermind。

AsHarrypassednearher，andbowed，collectingallherself-possession，shewishedhimgood-evening，withacalm，sweetvoice。

ItwasnowHazlehurst\'sturntobemuchthemostembarrassedofthetwo；hebowed，andmutteredsomethingaboutcalling，inavoicemuchlessclearthanher\'shadbeen；thenfairlygivingupthematterindespair，hequittedthegroundwithanotherbow。Onleavingthehouse，hewalkedrapidlydownWalnut-Street，verymuchdissatisfiedwithhimself，andoutofhumourwithhisfriend，forhavingbroughthimintosuchanawkwardscene。

Thenextday，whenElinorthoughtoverwhathadpassed，shefeltrelievedthatthefirstmeeting，whichshehadsomuchdreaded，wasover；althoughsheknewitmusthealongtimebeforeshecouldseeJaneandHarrywithperfectcomposure；sheknewtheremustbeotherunpleasantmomentsinstoreforher。TherewasnodangerbutthatElinorwoulddoallinherpowertosubdueherfeelingsforHarry，andyetshesometimesreproachedherselfwithhavingdonetoolittle；herinterestinhimwasstilltoostrong。

Sheshrunksensitivelyfromlongerencouraginganyweaknessforhim；ithadnowbecomeawantofdelicacytodoso，itwouldsoonbealmostsinful。Sheknewthatifshedidnotsucceedintheendeavouritwouldbeherownfaultonly；forherwholeeducationhadtaughtherthattherewasnopassion，ofwhatevernature，toostrongtobeconqueredbyreasonandreligion，whentheiraidwashonestlysought。

MissAgnes，onthecontrary，whoknewhowunexpectedly，andhowdeeply，Elinor\'sfeelingshadbeenwounded，wasfearfulthatheradoptedchildwasmakingtoogreataneffortforself-control；

withagirlofherprinciplesanddispositiontherewasdangerofthis。Elinor，sincethefirstdayortwo，hadsensitivelyavoidedeveryapproachtothesubjectwhenconversingwithheraunt。MissAgnesknewthattimealonecouldteachherthelessonofforgetfulness，andshenowdreadedsomereaction；althoughadmiringElinor\'scourageandresolution，shewishedheroccasionallytogiveamorenaturalventtoherfeelings。Itstruckherthatthetimeforoneopenconversationonthesubjecthadcome，andtheresultprovedthatheropinionwascorrect。

Elinorthrewoffaconstraintthatwasnotnaturaltohercharacter，andwhichhadbeenkeptupfromanexaggeratedsenseofduty。Shenowspokewithperfectfrankness，nothingwasconcealed；grief，regrets，struggles，allwereconfidedtoheraunt，whosesympathywasgratefultoher，whiletheadvicegivenwithkindnessandgoodsense，wasofrealservice。

ManyyoungpeoplewhoknewMissWyllys，wouldhavesmiledattheideaofherbeingagoodcounselloronsuchanoccasion，forherownlife，thoughusefulandhappy，hadbeenquiteuneventful。Thedeathofhermother，andthemarriageofherbrothersandsister，hadlefther，whenstillayoungandprettywoman，theonlycompanionandsolaceofherfather。Thesedutiesweresoonincreasedbythechargeofherorphanniece，andhertimeandattentionhadsincethenseemedengrossedbythesecaresandpleasures。MissWyllyswasactuallyneverknowntohavehadaregularsuitor。Whethershemightnothavehadhershareofdeclaredadmirershadshechosentobeencouraging，wecannotsay；itisasubjectuponwhichwehavenoauthorities。

OfcourseMissAgnescouldnotbeexpectedtoknowanythingaboutlove，beyondwhatshehadlearnedfrombooks，orfromobservation。Shewas，nevertheless，amuchbetteradviserthanmanyayoungerandmoreexperiencedfriend。Wheretheheadandtheheartarebothintherightplace，instinctsoonteachesushowtosympathizewithourfellowsinalltroublesthatreallybelongtoournature。

ItappearedtoElinorasif，infuture，therewouldbeanadditionaltiebetweenherauntandherself；forshelookedforwardtoleadingasinglelife，hopingtopassherdayslikeMissAgnes，inthatsphereofcontentedusefulnesswhichseemedallottedtoher。

WhenElinorhadreturnedtoherownroom，aftertheconversationtowhichwehavealluded，shewenttoawriting-desk，anddrewfromitaletter。Itwasthesameshehadreceivedonherseventeenthbirth-day。Itwasfromhermother。Duringthelingeringillnesswhichcausedherdeath，Mrs。Wyllys，deeplyanxiousforthewelfareofherorphandaughter，hadwrittenseveraloftheseletters，adaptedtoherchild\'scapacityatdifferentages，andplacedtheminthehandsofMissAgnes，withtherequesttheymightbegiventoElinoratthedatesmarkedontheenvelopeofeach。Theyhadprovedapreciouslegacyfortheyounggirl，andaguidetoMissAgnesinhereducation；fortheaunthadneverforgottenthatshewasthemother\'srepresentativeonly；Elinorhavingalwaysbeentaughttogivethefirstplacetoherparent\'smemory。Itseemed，indeed，asifhermother\'sspirithadneverceasedtolingernearher，exertingitssilentinfluence。ThelettertowhichElinorattachedsohighavalueisgivenbelow。

“Wyllys-Roof，August13th，18。

“MYOWNBELOVEDCHILD，“Youwillnotreceivethisletteruntilyouhavereachedtheageofwomanhood，yearsafteryourmotherhasbeenlaidinhergrave。

“Toseparatefromyou，mydarlingchild，hascostyourmotherabitterpang。ThereisnoseverertrialoffaithtoaChristianwoman，thantoleaveherlittleonesbehindher，inaworldexposedtoevilandsorrow；andyet，althoughsoneardeathmyself，itismywishthatyoumaylive，dearest，totasteallthatisgoodinlife。Fewmothersareblessedindeath，asIam，withthepowerofleavingtheirorphanstosuchkindandjudiciousguardiansasyourgrandfatherandaunt；shouldtheybespared，youwillscarcelyfeelthelossofyourparents。Oh，howferventismyprayerthattheymaylivetoguard，tocherishyou！

Andwhenthetasktheyhavesopiouslyassumedisfullycompleted，maytheylongenjoythefruitsoftheircares！

“ItiswithsingularfeelingsthatIwritetoyouasawoman，mychild，andappealtothoughtsandsentiments，ofwhichyouareatthismomentsoutterlyunconscious；sitting，asyounoware，atmyfeet，amidyourplaythings，toobusywithadoll，tonoticethetearsthatfallupontheselastlinesIshalleverhaveitinmypowertoaddresstoyou。Butthehopethatthislettermay，oneday，longafterIhaveleftyou，beatiebetweenus，myElinor，isgratefultoyourmother\'sheart，andurgesmetocontinuemytask。Ihaveadoubleobjectinwritingtheseletters；Iwishtoberememberedbyyou，dear，andIwishtoserveyou。

“Duringthelastfewmonths，sincemyhealthhasfailed，andsinceyou，mychild，havebeenthechiefobjectofinteresttomeinthisworld，Ihaveoftenendeavouredtopassoverinmymind，thenextdozenyears，thatImightfancymychild，whatItrustshewillthenbe，qualifiedineveryessentialpointtoactforherself，inthepositiontowhichshebelongs。Itrustthatwhenthis，mylastletter，isplacedinyourhands，youwillalreadyhavelearnedtofeelandacknowledgetheimportanttruthsthatI

haveendeavouredtoimpressonyou，inthoseyouhavepreviouslyreceived。Youarealreadyconvinced，Itrust，thatwithoutareligiousfoundation，anysuperstructurewhatevermustbecomparativelyworthless。Ishouldhemiserable，indeed，atthismoment，ifIcouldnothopethatsincere，single-heartedpietywillbethechiefinfluenceofyourlife；withoutit，youcouldneverknowtruehappiness，orevenpeace。Restassured，mychild，thatwhileitsweetenseveryblessing，itsoothesundereveryevil。Manyhavegiventhesametestimonywhentheystood，likeyourmother，withintheshadowofdeath。Ihaveeveryreason，mybeloveddaughter，tohopethatundertheguidanceofanhumble，sincereChristian，likeyouraunt，youalsowillarriveatthesameblessedconviction；Iknowthatsolongasshelives，herexample，herprayers，hervigilancewillneverbewanting。Ihaveeveryreasontobelievethatyouwillbeledtoseekthatwhichisneverearnestlysoughtinvain。

“Imustbebrief，dearchild，lestmystrengthshouldfail。Fromthemanythoughtsthatcrowduponme，Icanonlyselectafew，whichmyownexperiencehastaughtmetovalueasimportant。Inthefirstplace，letmewarnyounevertoforgetthedifferencebetweenChristianeducation，andallothers。RememberthatChristianeducationhasforitsfoundationtheheart-feltconvictionoftheweaknessofhumannature；forabeingbearingthenameofaChristiantolosesightofthistruth，isthegrossestofallinconsistencies。Thegreatandthelearnedamongthosewhoaremerelyphilosophers，preach，asthoughtoknowwhatisgood，andtopractiseit，wereequallyeasytomankind。ButtheChristianaloneknowsthathemustlookbeyondhimselfforguidance，andforsupport。Heknowsonlytoowell，thattherearetimeswhenthepracticeofsomeplainandevidentduty，costshisfeeblenatureaseverestruggle——innoinstancewillhedaretrusthisownstrengthalone。Heknowsthateveninthosecaseswheredulyisalsoapleasure，hemuststillbewatchfulandhumble，lesthefall。Onewouldthinkthistruthsoobvious，fromdailyobservation，astobeundeniable；butitisnowthefashiontolaudhumannature，topaintflatteringpicturesonly。Humilityisthoughtdebasing；butTruthaloneishonourable，andHumilityisTruth。Youwillfindtheactionsofthosewhoacknowledgethistruth，morehonourabletothehumanrace，thanthedeedsofthosewhodenyit。Thetruedignityofhumannatureconsists，notinshuttingoureyestotheevil，butinrestrainingit；which，withourMaker\'shelp，wemayalldo，fortheblessingofourCreatorisstillwithinourreach，stillvouchsafedtothehumbleChristian。Ifsuchbeyourviews，mydaughter，youwillbepreparedtofinddifficultiesinacquiringandpractisingthosevirtueswhichitisthedutyoflifetocultivate；youwillbepreparedtomeetthosedifficultieswiththesincerehumilityofaChristian，andwithChristianexertion。

“Mychild，lovetheTruth，andtheTruthonly。

“Cultivatedailyapious，thankful，humbledisposition。

“Lovethosenearyouheartily；liveforthemaswellasforyourself。

“Eschewallenvy，andpettyjealousies，andrivalries；thereisperhapsnootherevilthatsooftenpoisonsourdailyblessings。

“Cultivateyourjudgment。Neverforgetthedifferencebetweenthingsofimportanceandtrifles；yetrememberthattrifleshavealsotheirvalue。Neverlosesightofthedifferencebetweenformandspirit；yetrememberthatinthismaterialworld，thetwoshouldseldombeputasunder。Thetruesubstancewillnaturallyhaveitsshadowalso。

“Cultivateasweet，frank，cheerfultemper，foryourownsake，andforthesakeofthoseyoulove。

“Cultivateyourabilitiesineverywaythatcomesnaturallywithinyourreach；itisseldomworthwhileforawomantodomorethanthis。Inallyoulearn，aimatgivingpleasuretoothers，aimatbeingusefultothem，aswellasatimprovingyourownfaculties。

“Enjoythankfullyalltheblessingsoflife；andtheyareinnumerable。

“Thereisonesubject，ofsomeimportancetoyouindividually，mychild，whichIhavenotyetalludedtoineitherofmyletters；I

havepurposelydeferredituntilyouwillbebetterfittedtounderstandme。Youwillhaveonepersonaleviltocontendagainst，mydearElinor；yourfacewillbeplain，yourfeatureswillbehomely，darling。Itisaweakness，mychild，andyetI

regretyoushouldsufferfromthisdisadvantage；restassured，thatineverylittlemortificationtowhichyoumaybeexposed，yourmother，hadshelived，wouldhavefeltwithyou。Itrustthatthiswillbethefirsttimeyourattentionwillbeseriouslyfixeduponthesubject，andthatasachildyouwillscarcelyhavethoughtuponit。Letusthen，dear，lookuponthemattertogetherforamoment，calmlyandsteadily；wewillnotblindourselvestotheadvantagesofbeauty，neitherwillweexaggeratetheevilsofawantofit。Youwillsoondiscover，fromyourownobservation，thatbeautyinwomen，asinchildren，isdelightfulinitself；itthrowsacharmoverthewordsandactionsofthefavouredperson。Inaworldlysenseitisalsoawoman\'spower；

whereotherqualificationsareequal，youmayoftenobservethatbeautyaloneconfersastrikingsuperiority。Insomerespectsitsadvantagesareevengreaterthanareusuallyallowed，inothersagaintheyarefarless。Werewetojudgebythespaceitfillsingeneralobservation，andinconversation，weshouldbelieveittheoneall-importantqualificationinwomen，thatnothingelsecanbecomparedwithit。Buttoadoptthisopinionwouldbegrosslytoexaggerateitsimportance。Norcanwebelieve，ontheotherhand，whatsomeprudentwritersfortheyounghaveaffirmed，thatthesuperiorityofbeautyisonlymomentary；thattheeyestireofabeautifulfacewhichtheyseedaily，thatinallcasesitvanisheswithearlyyouth。No，mychild，Idonotwishyoutobelievethis，forIcannotbelieveitmyself。Foryears，thebeautyofmysisterElizabethhasbeenadailysourceofpleasuretome，andIdoubtnottoothersalso。Myaunt，Mrs。

Graham，thoughpastfifty，isstillahandsomewoman，andherappearancemustbepleasingtoeveryonewhomeetsher；while，onthecontrary，peoplestillamusethemselvesattheexpenseofMissTownley，whosefaceisstrikinglyplain。Hundredsofexamplesmightbecitedtoprovethatthecharmofbeautydoesnotgenerallyvanishsosoon，thatonedoesnottireofitsoeasily。Andthenifawomanloseherbeautyentirely，stillthereputationofhavingoncepossessedit，givesherasortofadvantageintheeyesoftheworld。Ifmerenotorietybeanadvantage，andintheopinionoftheworldlyitisso，thesuperiorityofbeautyoveruglinesslastslongerthanlife；manywomenareremembered，whohadnothingbutbeautytorecommendthemtothenoticeofposterity。Butobserve，mychild，thatiftheseadvantagesareevident，theyarechieflyofaworldlynature。Abeautifulwomanmayreceivegeneraladmiration，andthathomagewhichgratifiesvanity，butshemustdependonotherqualitiesifshewishtoberespected，ifshewishtobelovedthroughlife。Ihope，mychild，youwillalwaysbesuperiortothatmiserablevanitywhichthirstsforcommonadmiration，whichisflatteredbyeveryoffering，howeverlow，howevertrivial。I

trustthatthemereapplauseoftheworldwillhavenoinfluenceuponyourheartoryourunderstanding。Rememberwhatitisthatwecalltheworld——itisagroundgovernedbyacompromisebetweentheweaknessesofthegoodamongus，andthevirtuesofthebad；thelargestportionofvanityandfolly——sometimesevenvice——mingledwiththeleastportionofpurityandwisdomthatacommunitybearingaChristiannamewilltolerate。You，Itrust，willlearntoseekahigherstandard。

“Ifborneinarightspirit，mydearElinor，theverywantofbeauty，orofanyotherearthlygood，maybethemeansofgivingyouthebenefitoffarhigherblessings。Ifitmakeyoumorefreefromvanity，fromselfishness，itwillmakeyoufarhappier，evenindailylife。Itmaydisposeyoutoenjoymorethankfullythoseblessingsactuallyinyourpossession，andtomakeabetteruseofthem。

“Underthisandeveryotherdisadvantage，mychild，remembertwothings：togivetheevilitsjustimportanceonly，andtomakearightuseofit。

“Itrustthatyourtemperwillbesuch，thatyouwillnotforamomentfeelanyinclinationtorepinethatothersshouldenjoyablessingdeniedtoyou，mylove。RefrainevenfromwishingforthatwhichProvidencehaswithheld；ifyouhavearightfaith，youwillbecheerfulandcontented；ifyouarereallyhumble，youwillbetrulythankful。

“Doallinyourpower，myElinor，towardsmakingyourhome，whereveritmaybe，ahappyone；itisournaturalshelterfromtheworld。Ifinpublicyoumeetwithindifferenceandneglect，youcansurelypreservetherespectofthosewhoknowyou；andtheaffectionofyourfriendsmayalwaysbegainedbythosequiet，simplevirtues，withinthereachofeveryone。

“Inoneway，mydearestchild，thewantofbeautymayaffectyourwholecareerinlife——itwillveryprobablybethecauseofyourremainingsingle。IfIthoughtyouwouldbeunitedtoahusbandworthyofyourrespectandaffection，Ishouldwishyoutomarry；

forsuchhasbeenmyownlotinlife——Ihavebeenhappyasawifeandamother。ButIamwellawarethatthiswishmaybeaweakness；theblessingsofProvidencearenotreservedforthisorthatparticularsphere。Thedutiesandsorrowsofmarriedlifeareoftentheheaviestthatournatureknows。Othercaresandotherpleasuresmaybereservedforyou，mychild。IneverycivilizedChristiancommunitytherehavealwaysbeennumbersofsinglewomen；andwheretheyhavebeenproperlyeducated，asaclasstheyhavebeenrespectable——nevermoresothanatthepresentday。Theyoftendischargemanyofthemostamiableandpraiseworthydutiesoflife。Understandme，mychild；Idonotwishtourgeyourremainingsingle；thatisapointwhicheverywomanmustdecideforherself，whenarrivedatyearsofdiscretion；butIwouldhaveyouviewasinglelifewithsufficientfavourtofollowitcheerfully，ratherthantosacrificeyourselfbybecomingthewifeofamanwhomyoucannotsincerelyrespect。Enterlifepreparedtofollow，withunwaveringfaithinProvidence，andwiththankfulness，whichevercoursemaybeallottedtoyou。Ifyouremainsingle，rememberthatyourpeaceismoreinyourownhandsthanifmarried——muchmorewilldependsolelyontheviewsanddispositionsyouencourage。Asappearancehasgenerallysomuchinfluenceovermen，andmarriageisthereforealessprobableeventtoyouthantoothers，mylove，letyourmothercautionyoutowatchyourfeelingswithdoublecare；beslowtobelieveanymanattachedtoyou，unlessyouhavethestrongestproofofit。

“Whateverbeyourposition，neverlosesight，evenontriflingoccasions，ofcommonsense，andgood-feeling。Remember，inanycase，toguardcarefullyagainstthepeculiartemptationsofyourlot，tobearpatientlyitsevils，andtoenjoythankfullyitspeculiarblessings。

“TherearemanythingsthatIshouldstillwishtosaytoyou，mybeloveddaughter；andyetIknowthatthecautionsIgivemaybeunnecessary，whileotherevils，whichIhaveneverfeared，maybefallyou。MyinabilitytoguideyouasIwish，mydarlingchild，directsusbothtoahighersourceofwisdomandlove。Letusboth，atalltimes，implicitlyplaceourtrustwhereitcanneverfail，thoughblessingsbenotbestowedinthewaywefondcreatureswouldchoose。“

[Herefollowedasentence，inwordstoosolemntobetransferredtopagesaslightasthese。]

“Loveyouraunt，yoursecondmother，trulyandgratefully。Shehasalreadybestowedonyoumanyproofsofkindness，andshehasalwaysbeenafaithfulfriendtoyourfather，andtoyourmother。

Lovethememoryofyourparents，mychild；thinkofussometimes——thinkofyourfather——thinkofyourmother。Honourtheirmemorybyarecollectionoftheirinstructions，byawell-spentlife。Sinceyourbirth，mychild，Ihavescarcelyhadahopeorafear，unconnectedwithyou；ifIweretoasktolive，itwouldbeonlyforyoursake，mydarlingdaughter。

“Yourmother\'stenderestblessingrestsuponyou，mybelovedElinor，throughlife！

“MARYRADCLIFFEWYLLYS“

ThisletterhadbeenoftenreadandstudiedbyElinor，withthegratitudeandrespectitdeserved，asalegacyfromhermother；

butlatelyshehadbeendisposedtoentermorefullyintothefeelingsbywhichithadbeendictated。Everywordwhichappliedtoherpresentsituation，sunkdeeplyintoherheart。

CHAPTERXXI。

“Merrily，merrilydancethebells；

Swiftlyglidesthesleigh！”

NewspaperVerses。

{sourcenotlocated}

EARLYinDecember，anewglazedcardwastobeseenonmostofthefashionabletablesinNewYork。Itwasoftheparticulartintmostinfavourthatseason，whetherbluishorpinkishwedarenotaffirm，forfearofcommittingaseriousanachronism，whichmightatoncedestroy，withmanypersons，allclaimtoaknowledgeofthearcanaoffashionablelife。Havingnoauthoritiesathandtoconsult，thepointmustbelefttothegreaterresearchofthecriticalreader。ThiscardborethenameofT。TALLMANTAYLOR；

butwhetherinRomanorItaliccharacterswedarenotsay，forthesamereasonwhichhasjustbeenfranklyconfessed。Itwas，however，ahighlyfashionablebitofpasteboard，asbecametherepresentativeofapersonagewhoreturnedtoNewYork，claimingthehonoursoffashionhimself。ThiswasnolessapersonthantheSonofMr。PompeyTaylor。ButtheT。TallmanTaylor，whosewholeappearancewaspronouncedunexceptionablebytheNewYorkbelles，fromthepointsofhisbootstothecutofhismoustaches，wasaverydifferentindividualfromthegood-looking，butawkward，ungainlyyouth，introducedtothereadertwoorthreeyearssince，atWyllys-Roof。Hehad，inthemeantime，learnedhowtostand，howtosit，howtowalk，howtotalkinadrawing-room。Hehadlearnedwhattodowithhiscaneandhishat，howtomanagehispocket-handkerchiefandhisgloves；branchesofknowledgewhichanAmericanwhosetsaboutacquiringthem，usuallylearnsquiterapidly。Hewasalsoverymuchimprovedinridinganddancing，andwassaidtofencewell。

These，withtheadditionofamuchbetterFrenchaccent，weretheprincipalchangesperceptibletotheladies，whopronouncedthemallforthebetter。AmongtheyoungmenhewassoonfoundtobeanexcellentjudgeofChateauMargauxandRudesheimer；somealsothoughthimknowinginhorse-flesh，whileothersdoubtedhisqualificationsinthatrespect。Hisfather，moreover，soondiscoveredthathehadbecomeanadeptintheartofspendingmoney；amonghisintimates，cards，andthebilliard-table，withotherpracticesofthatdescription，werehintedat，asthewayinwhichhegotridofhisdollars。Butastheseweresubjectsnotmentionedingeneralsociety，itwasasyettheinitiatedonly，whowereawareofyoungTaylor\'sParishabitsofthiskind。

{“ChateauMargauxandRudesheimer“=twofamouswines}

Hisfatherhad，oflateyears，learnedtosettoohighavalueupontheworld，andeverythingworldly，nottobemuchgratifiedbythechangethathadtakenplaceinhisson。AsforAdeline，shegloriedinhissix-feetandhisblackmoustaches，hisPariswaistcoatandLondonboots；whilehishonest-heartedmotherwouldhavelovedhimjustasmuchunderanyothermetamorphosishehadchosentoassume。Suchashewas，youngTaylorsoonbecamequiteafavouritebeauwiththeNewYorkers，andwasinvitedtomosthouses。Heprovedhimselfquitealadies\'man；nolazy，grumblingdandy，butasmiling，assiduousbeau。HehadnotbeeninNewYorkamonth，beforehewasknowntohavesentanumberofbouquetstodifferentbelles，andwassupposedtohavegivenmorethanoneserenadetohissister\'sfriend，MissHunter。

ThelastdayofDecember，allNewYorkwassetinmotionbyafallofsnow，sufficienttoallowofprettygoodsleighingforfour-and-twentyhours。Likesuchoccasionsingeneral，itbecameasortofholiday。Andreally，thenovelty，thegeneralmovement，thebustleandgaiety，theeagernesstoenjoythepleasurewhileitlasts，alwaysrendersuchscenesveryenlivening。Everyvehiclewithrunners，andeveryanimalbearingthenameofahorse，areputinrequisitionfortheday。Thedashingsleighscrowdedwithgailydressedpeople，thesmilingfacesandflyingfeathersoftheladies，therichclothsandfurs，thebrightcoloursoftheequipages，andtheinspiritingmusicofthemerrybells，givetoBroadway，atsuchtimes，quiteacarnivallook。

Theclear，bracingairdisposespeopletobecheerful；eventhehorsesfeelthespiritofthemoment；theyprancetheirheadsproudly，andshakethebellsabouttheirnecks，asifdelightedwiththeeaseandrapidityoftheirmotion；sympathizingfoot-passengersstoptogivetheirfriendsanod，andfollowtheirrapidcoursewithgood-naturedsmiles。Youngpeopleandchildrenarecollectedforafrolic，andfamilypartieshurryofftodrinkcoffeeandmulledwine，toeatplum-cakeandwafflesattheneighbouringcountry-houses。Itisaltogetheragay，cheerfulsight，enjoyedwithallthemorezestfromitsuncertainty。

Hazlehurstwasdelighted，ashewenttohiswindow，themorninginquestion，tofindtheroofsandpavementscoveredwithsnow。

Forseveralyearshehadhadnosleighing，andhepromisedhimselfaverypleasantday。Mrs。Stanleywasgoingtoremainquietlyathome。Hesenttoalivery-stabletosecureagoodhorseandaprettycutterforhimselfandimmediatelyafterbreakfasthurriedofftoMrs。Graham\'slodgings，withthehopeofobtainingJaneasacompanion。“Andwhoknows，“thoughthe，“whatmayhappenbeforeevening。“

HehadjustreachedMrs。Graham\'sdoor，whenaverydashingsleigh，drawnbyfourfinehorses，drewupfromtheoppositedirection。YoungTaylorwasinthecoachman\'sseat；MissHunter，Adeline，andaquiet-lookingyoungman，whomweshallintroduceasTheodoreSt。Leger，wereinthesleigh。MissAdelinethrewoffherover-cloak，andasshegaveherhandtoMr。St。Leger，tojumpfromthesleigh，calledouttoHarryinherusualshrillvoice，{sic}

“Goodmorning，Mr。Hazlehurst，youareexactattherendez-vous，forofcourseyougotmynote。Butyououghttohavebroughtaladywithyou；youmustn\'trunawaywithJane；sheistobeofourpartyinthesleigh，doyouhear？”continuedtheyounglady，tryinghardtolookprettyandpositive，atthesametime。“I

hopeyoudidn\'tmeantoaskhertogowithyou。“

“Yes，Idid，“repliedHarry，ratherstoutly。“MissGrahamtoldmetheotherday，shequitelongedforsleighing，andmadesomethingverylikeapromisetogowithmeifwehadanysnow。“

“Oh，butnotto-day；Imusthaveherinthesleighwithme！Now，Jane，dear，“continuedtheyounglady，trippingintothedrawing-roomfollowedbyherbrotherandHarry，“putonyourhatatonce，that\'sagoodgirl；wewouldn\'tmisshavingyoufortheworld。“

HarryhadoftenbeenprovokedwithAdeline\'sconstantappropriationofJanetoherself，whentheyweretogether；andhedetermined，ifhecouldpreventit，sheshouldnotsucceedthistime。

“MissTaylorisverydecided，“hesaid，“butsoamI。AndIthinkyoumustrememberyouwerepledgedtomeforthefirstsleighing，ifweweresofortunateastohaveany。“

“It\'snosuchthing，I\'msure；——isit，Jane？”

“Pray，rememberwearetwotoone，MissGraham，“saidyoungTaylor，ontheotherside，inaninsinuatingvoice。

“Butwecanallgotogether，“saidJane，blushing，andscarcelyknowingwhattodo。

“IfMrs。Grahamwerehere，“addedHarry，“Ithinkshewouldcertainlytrustyouwithme。Ihaveaverygoodhorse，onethatI

havedrivenallalong，andheisperfectlysafe。“

“Soareours，allfourofthem，“saidAdeline；“andI\'msuretheremustbemoresafetywithfoursafehorses，thanwithone！”

“Perfectlysafe，MissGraham，Iassureyou，“addedyoungTaylor。

“OfcourseIshouldnotpressyouunlessIfeltsureyouwouldrunnorisk。“

“Pshaw！”saidAdeline。“Whyshouldwestandhere，talkingabouttheriskanddanger，likesomanyoldgrey-beards。Putonyourhat，dear，that\'sadarling，withoutanymorepalaver。AnneHunterandMr。St。Legerarewaitingforusatthedoor；youknowwearegoingtoBloomingdale，tolunch，atMrs。Hunter\'s。Weshallhaveacharmingtime；andMr。Hazlehurstisgoingwithustoo。Ofcourseyougotmynote，“sheadded，turningtoHarry。

{“Bloomingdale“=afashionableandstillruralareaofManhattanIsland，thoughapartofNewYorkCity}

“No，Ididnot；butIshouldhavebeenobligedtodeclineyourinvitation，MissTaylor，“saidHazlehurst，bowingalittlestiffly。“IhavemadearrangementsforgoingonLongIsland。“

“Oh，that\'sapity；Iamreallysorry，forIwantedyoutobeofourparty；onlyIcouldn\'thaveyourunawaywithmyfriendJane。

Silencegivesconsent，Jane。Youdidn\'tanswermynote，thismorning。“

“PerhapsIhadbetternotgoatall，“saidJane，notalittleperplexed。“Mammaisnotathome，andwillnotknowwhathasbecomeofme。“

“Nonsense，child；Mrs。Grahamwillknowyouareinverygoodhands。Youhavebeenoutwithmeahundredtimesbefore，andyousurelydon\'tthinkthereisanymoredangerbecauseTallmanisoftheparty。“

“Ihopenot，“addedyoungTaylor，inaninsinuatingmanner；“I\'mafirst-ratewhip，MissGraham。“

“Now，justtellthetruth；didn\'tyoumeantogowithme，beforeMr。Hazlehurstcamein？”saidAdeline——“nofibbing，mind。“

“Ionlyreceivedyournotetenminutessince，“repliedJane；“butIdidthinkofgoingwithyou。“

“Ishouldliketoknowwhyyouhesitate，then。Firstcome，firstserved。Now，thebestthingyoucando，Mr。Hazlehurst，istochangeyourmind，andaskoneoftheMissHowards，andjoinourparty，too。Ireallywishyouwould！”

“Youareverygood，“saidHarry，coldly；“butImustbegyoutoexcuseme。“

JaneallowedherselftobeshawledandcloakedbyyoungTaylor，andtheaffairwassettled。ButHarrythoughtshedidnotseemquitesatisfiedwithherself，forshechangedcolourseveraltimes，andheevenremarkedthatherfingerstrembledasshetiedthestringsofherhat。Thisrathersoftenedhisfeelingstowardsher；buthestillfeltextremelyprovokedwiththemeddlingAdeline，andherofficiousbrother。Ashedidnotwishtoplaytheworstedman，however，hetriedtoputagoodfaceonthematter，andaccompaniedthepartydown-stairs，helpedtheladiesintothesleigh，wishedthemapleasantdrive，andwentoffhimself，atarapidpace，towardstheLong-Islandferry。

HewasexceedinglyoutofhumourwithAdeline，andreproachedJanenotalittleforallowingherselftobesooftenguidedbyhertriflingfriend。Theoccurrenceofthemorning，hastenedhisdeterminationtobringmatterstoaconclusion。Thatveryeveningshoulddecidethepoint。Hemusthavebeenmorethanmodesttohavedoubtedtheresult；Jane\'smannerhehadlongthoughtjustwhathecouldwishfromonesolittledemonstrativeasherself。

HubertdeVaux，itistrue，hadbeenveryassiduousoflate，butJanehadnevergivenhimanysignofpreference，sufficienttoexciteHarry\'sjealousy。Mr。GrahamwasexpectedeverydayfromCharleston，topasstheremainderofthewinterwithhisfamily；

ashehadalreadygivenonedaughtertotheelderHazlehurst，andnoseriousobjectioncouldberaisedagainstHarry，hisprospectswereverypromising。Beforelong，thegentle，lovelyJanewouldbehisown；hiswouldbetheenviablelot，ofcarryingoffthebeautifulprize。

Hazlehursthadtimetomakethesereflections，anddispersehisill-humour，beforehereachedthewharfatBrooklyn。HerehemetCharlieHubbard，whomhehadnotseenforsometime，not，indeed，sincehisrupturewiththeWyllyses。Charlie\'sgreetingwasnotquiteaswarmasusual；hedidnotseemasmuchpleasedatthisunexpectedmeeting，andtheofferofaseatinHarry\'scutter，asonemighthavesupposed。Hazlehurstwassocordial，however，andurgedtheyoungpaintersomuchtotakeaturnwithhimontheIsland，that，afteralittlehesitation，Hubbardaccepted。

“Come，Charlie；Iamsureyouhaven\'tanyverygoodreasonfornotmakingthemostofthesnow，liketherestofus。“

“Perhapsnot，“saidCharlie；andhetookhisseatwithHarry。

Hubbardgaveagoodaccountofhimselfandhisfamily。Hehadreceivedseveralorders；andhispetpictureofthemomentwasgoingonfinely。Hisyoungestsisterwasintown，takingmusiclessons，tofitherforherfutureoccupation；andhehadjustsentMissPatseyapairofglobesforherschool，asaNewYear\'sgift；themostexpensivepresent，by-the-bye，Charliehadevermadeinhislife。

“Ifeelquiterich，“saidtheyoungman，“sinceIpocketedahundreda-pieceformytwoviewsofNahant。Tobesure，Ineverexpecttomakeafortune；ifIcanearnenoughtosupportmymotherandsister，andpaintonlysuchpicturesasIplease，thatisallIwantofthegoodthingsofthisworld。“

“It\'sallverywelltosaysonow，Charlie，thatyouhavereceivedyourtwohundred；butwaittillyouarethegreatMr。

Hubbard，andexpecttwothousandforyourlastviewofConey-Island。“

“Thatdaywillnevercome，tome，ortoanyotherman，perhaps，inthiscountry，“repliedyoungHubbard。“Igotoworkwithmyeyesopen，asyouwellknow。Myuncleshavetalkedthematteroverwithmeahundredtimes，iftheyhaveonce；theyhaveshowedmewhatIcoulddoifItooktomakingmoney，andwhatIcouldnotdoifItooktopainting。Theyhaveofferedtohelpmeon；

Mr。Taylorwouldtakemeintohiscounting-house，to-morrow；andHilsonofferstomakemeanauctioneer。ButIhavechosenmyprofession，andIshallabidebyit。Ihavenowishforwealth。I

shouldneverbetemptedtosellmysoulformoney——no，normygoodname，ormyindependence：forIdonotfeelwillingtobarterevenmytimeandtastesforriches。Icanhonestlysay，moneyhasnocharmsforme。Acomfortablesubsistence，inaverymoderateway，isallIshouldaskfor。“

“Iknowit，Hubbard，andIhonouryourdecision，“saidHazlehurst，warmly。“Itisimpossible，however，butthatgeniuslikeyoursshouldmakeitsway；andIhopeyoumaymeetwithallthesuccessyoudeserve，eventhoughitbringyoumoremoneythanyouwishfor：oneofthesedayswhenthereisaMrs。Hubbard，youmaywantmorethanyourequirenow。“

Ashadeoffeelingpassedovertheyoungartist\'sfineface，asHarrycarelesslyutteredthesewords；itseemedtospringfromsomepainfulthought。ItwasunobservedbyHazlehurst，however，whowasnotlookingathiscompanionatthemoment。CharliewassoonrousedbyHarry\'sinquiriesastohisplansfortravellinginEurope。Theyoungmenthenspentapleasanthourindiscussingdifferentworksofthegreatmasters，whichHubbard，asyet，knewonlyfromengravingsandbooks。Surroundedbysnowandice，theytalkedovertheatmospheresofItalyandGreece。

CHAPTERXXII。

“HappyNew-Year！”

THEstreetshadbeenclearedofthesnowforNew-Year\'sday，byathaw，andahardshowerinthenight。Thesunrosebrightandclear；and，asusual，earlyinthemorning，thatistosaymorninginitsfashionablesense，thegreaterpartofthemalepopulationofthetownwereinmotion，hurryinginalldirectionstowardsthehousesoftheirfemalefriendsandrelatives。Itappearedasifthewomenhadsuddenlydesertedthecity，andthemenwererunningabout，half-distracted，inpursuitofthem。

Afterthemarketsandchurcheswereclosed，fewindeedwerethefemalestobeseeninthestreets；while，onthecontrary，troopsofmenofallages，werehurryingovertheside-walksofBroadway，usuallyenlivenedbythegaydressesandbrightfacesoftheladies。Therewereyoungmenrunningaraceagainsttime，carryinglistsintheirhandswithanimpossiblenumberofvisitstobepaidduringtheday；therewereboystakingtheirfirststepsinthisyearlycourseofgallantry；therewereelderlymenwalkingmoreleisurelyfromonefavouredhousetoanother。All，butafewgrumblershereandthere，lookedsmilingandgood-humoured。Astheblack-coatedtroophastenedhitherandthither，theyjostledoneanother，nownodding，nowshakinghands；here，oldfriendspassingwithoutseeingeachother；

there，acoupleofstrangerssaluteoneanotherinthewarmestmanner。Thedoorsofthehousesseemedtoopenofthemselves；menweregoingin，menwerecomingout。Thenegroeslookedmorelustrousandlight-heartedthanever；thePaddies，cleanerandmorebothered；theregularKnickerbockers，tothemannerborn，were，ofcourse，intheirelement。

{“visits“=formentomakeshortcallsatasmanyhomesaspossibleonNewYear\'sDaywasanoldNewYorkCitycustom；

“Paddies“=Irish；“Knickerbockers“=traditionaltermfornativeNewYorkers}

Wehaveheardnicecalculationsastotheprecisenumberofcalls，thatanable-bodied，well-trainedNew-Year\'svisitercanaccomplishbetweenmidnightandmidnight；allowing，ofcourse，acoupleofhoursforthetoilette，andamomenttosnatchamouthfulatbreakfastanddinner：itisaffirmed，however，thatasgreatgeneralshavepasseddaysofbattlewithoutfood，soyourchivalrousKnickerbockershouldbewillingtoforego，onsuchanoccasion，evenasightoftheroastturkeyandcranberries。Allowingtheindividual，however，somethingtosustainnature，thathemaybethebetterenabledtoperformhisduties，itissupposedthatabeau，ingoodvisitingcondition，shouldpayhiscourtinnotmorethanthreehundred，norlessthanfiftydrawing-rooms。But，then，todothis，amanmusthavemethod；hemustdrawuphisplanofactionbefore-hand；hemustportionouthisdistricts，astheylieoneachsideofthatlongestofstreets，Broadway；hemustnotonlystudythemapofthecityclosely，buthemustpossessanaccurateknowledgeofthelocalities；hemustrememberthatsomehouseshavestoopsoftwelvesteps，thatsomedrawing-roomsarenotonthefirstfloor。

HemustNOTallowhimselftobeenticedintoanyflirtationwhatever，beyondaglanceorasmile；hemustNOTindulgethehopeofcallingtwiceuponthesweetcreaturehemostadmires；hemustNOTbetemptedtosink，evenforamoment，uponthemostcomfortableofottomansordivans；hemustNOTreturnhometore-adjusthislocks，tochangeeitherboots，gloves，orhandkerchief。Wehavehearditasserted，thatowingtosomeunfortunateweaknessofthiskind，manyapromisingyouth，unaccustomed，probably，tothehardshipsofsuchvisiting，hasbeendistancedinthegallantraceoftheday，bymoremethodicalmen——bymenwhowereactuallyencumberedwithover-shoesandgreatcoats！

Itisamusingtowatchthehurriedstepsofsomeexperiencedvisiterwithoutdoors；thedecisionofhismovements，thecorrectnessofhiscalculationinpassingoutofonehouseintoanother；andoneissuretoknowarawrecruit，byhisanxious，perplexedmannerandexpression。

Thescenewithindoorsisquiteasamusingasitiswithout。

Everythingwearsaholidaylook；itisevidentlynocommonmorningreception；theladies\'dresseslookgayerandfresher，theirsmilesbrighterthanusual；thehouse，thefurniture，andtheinmates，allweartheirmostagreeableaspect。Thesalverofrefreshmentsspeaksatoncetheoccasion；forthere，inthemidstofrichercakes，standsthebasketofhomely“New-Years\'

cookies，“bequeathedtotheirdescendantsbytheworthyvrowsofNew-Amsterdam。Thevisitersappear，firstsingly，theninparties。Herecomesafavouritepartneroftheyoungladies，thereamerebowingacquaintanceofthemasterofthehouse。Thisisanoldfamilyfriend，thataneighbourwhohasneverbeeninthehousebefore；hereisanearrelative，thereapassingstranger。Thegrey-hairedoldgentlemanwhohasthearm-chairwheeledoutforhim，announceshisfiftiethvisitinganniversary；

thebuckishyouth，hisgrandson，hasalreadymadehisbow，andoffagain；so{sic}finishhisgallantduties。Nowwehaveafiveminutesvisitfromadeclaredlover；andwhofollowshim？Onewhoadvancesslowlyandsteadily，withahalf-inquiringlook；theladyofthehouseseeshim，givesaglanceofsurprise，isgratified，acceptstheofferedhandimmediately。Thatisareconciliation；oldfriendshipbrokenoff，nowrenewed，amisunderstandingforgotten——thatisoneofthepleasantestvisitsoftheday。Allcome，bow，look，andspeaktheirfriendlygood-wishes，andareoffagaintomakeroomforothers。

{“NewYears\'cookies“=theDutchinNewYorkhadspecialrecipesforcakesand“cookies“foreachmajorholiday，suchasNewYear\'sDay；vrows“=wives，inoldDutchNewYork}

Longmaythispleasant，cheerful，good-natured，livelycustombeperpetuatedamongus！Aslongastheside-walksofManhattanandthecanalsofAmsterdamlast，solongmaySantaClausbringhisChristmasgiftstothelittlefolk；andsolongmaythegallantKnickerbockerspaytotheirfemalefriendsthehomageofaPERSONALvisitatNew-Year\'s。Cardsoneveryotherdayintheyear，ifnecessary；but，onNewYear\'s，carryyourgoodwishesinperson。Shouldnot，indeed，acustomsopleasantspreadthroughoutthewholecountry，likecrackers，waffles，Dutchblood，andmanyothergoodthingsbroughtoriginallyfromHolland？

OntheparticularNew-Year\'sdayatwhichwehavearrivedinournarrative，anindividualofthereader\'sacquaintance，insteadofjoiningthebusythrongofvisiters，wasseenturninghisstepsthroughabye-street，towardstheBattery。HewalkedslowlythroughGreenwich-Street，apparentlybusywiththoughtsofhisown，andenteringtheBattery-Gatehecontinuedforsometimepacingthepavedwalknearthewater。

“Thereisafellowwhoseemstohavenothingtodoto-day，“saidayoungmantohiscompanion，astheywerehurryingacrosstheBatteryfromoneendofState-Streettotheother。“Ishouldliketohirehimasproxy，toshowhimselfinascoreortwoofhousesinmyplace。Ishouldhandhimoverhalfmylistatonce，ifI

thoughttheladieswouldsubmittotheexchange；helookslikeapresentablechap，too。“

“Why，itisactuallyHarryHazlehurst！Whatcanhebedoing，mopingaboutinthatfashion？”

“Hazlehurst，isit？Oh，ho！——youhaveheardthehubbubtheyhavehadattheGraham\'s，Isuppose？”

“NotI——Whatisit？”

“Therewasquiteascenethere，yesterday；mysisterhadthenewsfromAdelineTaylor，agreatfriendofher\'s；soitcomesverystraight。“

“Ithoughtallwasgoingonthereassmoothlyaspossible。I

expectedaninvitationtotheweddingbeforelong。“

“Tobesure；sodideverybody。Butitseemsthebeautyhasideasofherown。InthefirstplacesherefusedHazlehurst，rathertotheastonishmentofhimselfandallhisfriends，Ibelieve。“

“RefusedHazlehurst！——Youdon\'tsayso！”

“Andthatisonlyhalfthestory。Shetookthesameopportunity，whileweepingandtrembling，toconfidetohermammathatherhearthadbeenforsometime，howlongIcannottellyouprecisely，thepropertyofTall。Taylor。“

“What，TallmanTaylor？Thatisnews，indeed——Inevershouldhavedreamtofsuchathing。“

“MissAdelineTayloristheauthority。Itseemstheaffairhasbeengoingon，nooneknowshowlong，andMissTaylorhashadthemanagementofit。Thesegirlsareslyminxes；theyarenottobetrusted，halfofthem。“

“AndwhatsaysTaylortoallthis？”

“Whatdoeshesay？Whyheisinasortofecstasyofdespair，I

suppose；fortheGrahamswon\'thearofthematch。Itwasnonewstohim；theyhavebeenengaged，Itellyou，formonths，“

AtthatmomentthetwoyoungmenenteredthedoorofahouseinState-Street。Althoughtheirstorywas，uponthewhole，correct；

yet，wehappentobestillbetterinformedonthesubject，andshallproceedtoaccount，inourownway，forHazlehurst\'ssolitarywalk。

WhenMissAdelineandherpartyhadreturnedfromsleighing，HarrywenttoMrs。Graham\'s，andfindingJanealone，heimmediatelyseizedthemomenttoexplainhimself，beginningbyalover-likeremonstranceuponherhavingjoinedtheTaylors，insteadofgoingwithhimasshehadalreadypromisedtodo。Janewasexcessivelyembarrassed。AsHarryproceeded，shebecamemoreandmoreagitated。Hermannerwassoconfused，thatitwassometimebeforeHazlehurstcouldunderstandthatshewishedtorefusehim。Hadshenotactuallywept，andlookedfrightenedanddistressed，hemighthavegivenaverydifferentinterpretationtoherembarrassment。Atlength，inanswertoadecidedquestionofhis，sheconfessedherattachmenttoanotherperson；and，neverwaslovermoresurprisedbysuchanacknowledgement。

Pained，andmortified，andastonishedasHarrywas，thenameof“HubertdeVaux！”passedhislipsbeforehewasawarehehadspoken。

“Oh，no；no；“saidJane。“InevercaredatallforMr。deVaux。“

Harry\'sastonishmentincreased。Hecouldscarcelybelievethathehadheardhercorrectly。Towhomcouldshepossiblybeattached？

“Oh，IwishIhadsomeoneheretoadviseme！Adelinemaysaywhatshepleases，Icannotconcealitanylonger。“

Harrylistenedinamazement。

“Isitpossible，“hesaid，atlength，“thatthereissomedifficulty，someembarrassment，thatpreventsyouractingasyouwouldwish？MydearJane，confideinme。YoucannotdoubtthatI

loveyou，thatIhavelonglovedyou；“andHarrythenranoveravariationofhisfirstdeclaration。ButJane\'stroubleseemedonlytoincrease。

“Oh，stop，Harry；don\'ttalkinthatway，“shesaid；“Ioughttohavetoldyoubefore。IwishedtotellyouwhenyoufirstcameontoNewYork，butAdelinesaidweshouldriskeverythingbyit。“

“Whatcanyoupossiblyrisk？Whatisityouwishtotellme？”

“IwasverysorrywhenyoubrokewithElinor——InevercanhaveanyotherfeelingforyouthanIhavealwayshad：Ihavebeenforsometime，almost——engaged——to——to——Mr。Taylor——“

“You——engagedtoMr。Taylor！”

“No——notengaged——onlyIhavenotrefusedhim——WeknowfatherandmotherdislikeMr。Taylor\'sfamilysomuch——“

ItwasbutnaturalthatHarryshouldfeelindignantathavingbeendeceivedbytheunder-currentofplottingthathadbeengoingon；thatheshouldfeelmortified，ashamedofhimself，anddisappointed，atthesametime；vexedwithJane，andalmostfuriousagainstthemeddling，officiousAdeline，andherpresumingbrother。FromalongacquaintancewithJane\'scharacter，itflasheduponhismindinamoment，thatshemusthavebeenmisguided，andgraduallyledonbyothers。Butthemischiefwasdone；itwasevidentthatatpresent，atleast，shecarednomoreforhimthanshehadalwaysdone；while，onthecontrary，youngTaylorhadinsinuatedhimselfintoheraffections。Hecouldnotenduretothink，thatwhileJanewasindifferenttohimself，hissuccessfulrivalshouldbeonewhomhesomuchdisliked。Yet，suchwasthefact。ItwasinfatuationonthepartofJane，nodoubt；andyethowoftenthesedeceptionshaveallthebadeffectsofrealities！Hehadbeensilentforsomeminutes，whilethetearswerestreamingfreelyfromJane\'sbeautifuleyes。

“Oh，ifIhadnotbeensoafraidthatfatherwouldnevergivehisconsent，Ishouldnothavewaitedsolong。IfIonlyknewwhattodonow？”

Harrycametoamagnanimousresolution。“Iforgiveyou，Jane，“hesaid，“thepainyouhavecaused，sinceIcannotbutthinkthatitisnotthefruitofyourownsuggestions。Youcouldnotdeliberatelyhavetrifledwithmeinthisway；Ioweit，nodoubt，tothegoodnessofMissTaylor，“headded，bitterly。Janemadenoanswer，butcontinuedtoweep。Harryfeltsomecompassionforher，inspiteofherunjustifiableconducttowardshimself。

Inthecourseofhalfanhour，shehadfallenverymuchinhisestimation；buthedeterminedtoreturngoodforevil，byurginghertotaketheonlystepnowinherpower——theonlyoneproperunderthecircumstances。Hebeggedher，asshevaluedherfuturepeace，torevealeverythingtohermother；andtobeguidedinfuturebyMrs。Graham。ButJaneseemedterrifiedattheidea。

“Oh，“saidshe，“fatherwillbesoangry！Andweexpecthimeveryday：Mother，too，Iknow，willthinkIhavebehavedverybadlytoyou。“

Itisprobableshemightnothavehadthecouragetofollowhisadvice，hadnotMrs。Grahamaccidentallyenteredtheroomatthemoment。HerattentionwasimmediatelyattractedtotheunusualexpressionofHarry\'sface，andthetearful，woe-begonelookofherdaughter，whichshecouldinnowayaccountfor。Harry，merelyansweringherinquiriesbyabow，aroseandlefttheroom，leavingthemotheranddaughtertogether。

PoorMrs。Grahamwaslittleawareofwhatawaitedher。Shecouldnotbecalledawomanofveryhighprinciples，butshehadmorefeeling，and，ofcourse，moreexperiencethanJane。Whenshediscoveredthetruestateofthings，shewasverymuchshocked。

Shehadneverhadtheleastideaofwhathadbeengoingonaroundher；farfromit，indeed，shehadneverforamomentdoubtedthat，beforelong，herdaughterwouldbecomethewifeofyoungHazlehurst。

LittlebylittleshegatheredthewholetruthfromtheweepingJane。ItappearedthatthetwoorthreemeetingswhichhadtakenplacebetweenJaneandyoungTaylor，justbeforehesailed，hadbeensufficientforhimtofancyhimselfinlovewithher。HemadeaconfidanteofhissisterAdeline，who，asoneoftheolderclassinherboarding-school，consideredalllove-affairsasbelongingtoherprerogative。Herfriend，MissHunter，wasaregulargraduateoftheCourtofLove，accordingtothecode——notofToulouse——butofacertainclassofschool-girlsinNew-York。

Thisyoungladyhadgonethroughthepropertrainingfromhercradle，havingbeenteasedandplaguedaboutbeauxandlovers，beforeshecouldwalkalone。Shehadhadseverallove-affairsofherownbeforeshewasfifteen。“Allforlove，“washermotto；

anditwasalovewhichincludedgeneralflirtationasthespiceofunmarriedlife，andmatrimonywithanyindividualwhatever，possessingathree-storyhouseinBroadway，astheonegreatobjectofexistence。Adelinehad，ofcourse，profitedbysuchcompanionship；and，atthetimeherbrotherconfessedhimselfinlovewithMissGraham，afterhavingmetonceonboardasteamboat，andonceataneveningparty，shewasfullyequaltotakethemanagementofthewholeaffairintoherownhands。Itistrue，youngTaylorhadenteredintoaboyishengagementatcollege；butthatwasthoughtnoobstaclewhatever。Shedelightedinpassingherbrother\'scomplimentsovertoJane；inreportingtohimherfriend\'sblushesandsmiles。Withthisstateofthings，youngTaylorsailedforEurope；butAdelinegloriedtoomuchinhercapacityofconfidante，toallowthemattertodrop：

notaletterwaswrittenbutcontainedsomeallusiontotheimportantsubject。InthecourseoftheyearshehadtalkedJaneintoquiteafavourablestateoffeelingtowardsherbrother；hewouldprobablyhimselfhaveforgottentheaffair，hadnotMissGrahamarrivedinParisatthemomentshedid。

Theysaweachother，ofcourse，andthefeelingswhichAdelinehadbeenencouragingduringthelastyear，andwhichotherwisewouldhaveamountedtonothingatall，nowtookaseriousturn。

YoungTaylorwasveryhandsome，andastonishinglyimprovedinappearanceandmanners。Jane，herself，wasintheheightofherbeauty，andtheyoungmanhadsoonfallenreallyinlovewithher。Unfortunately，justatthemomentthathebecameattentivetoher，Mrs。RobertHazlehurst，whowasconfinedtothehousethatwinter，hadconfidedJanetothecareofMrs。Howard，theladywhohadbroughtherfromAmerica。YoungTaylorsoonfoundoutthathewasratherdislikedbyMr。andMrs。Hazlehurst，andpreferredsecuringJane\'sfavour，ifpossible，withoutattractingtheattentionofherfriends。Adeline，onherpart，haddiscoveredthatherownfamilywerenofavouriteswithMr。andMrs。Graham；ofcoursesherecommendedtheproperdegreeofmystery，underthenameofprudence。YoungTaylorleftParisforEngland，aboutthetimethatHarryreturnedfromhiseasternjourney；butbeforepartingfromJane，heexplainedhimself；andifhehadnotbeenaccepted，hehadcertainlynotbeenrefused。

Thusmattersstoodwhenthewholepartyreturnedhome。Mr。Grahamwasknowntobeaviolent，passionateman，andashehadtakennopainstoconcealhisdisliketoTallmanTaylor\'sfather，theyoungpeoplehadeveryreasontobelievethathewouldrefusehisconsent。TheideaofaclandestinemarriagehadonceoccurredtoAdeline，butneverwithanyseriousintentionofproposingit。

Hadshedoneso，shewouldnothavebeenlistenedto。JanehadnotlivedsomuchwithMissWyllysandElinor，withoutderivingsomegoodfromsuchassociation；besides，shedidnotthinkthestepnecessary。ShebelievedthatMr。Grahamwouldgivehisconsentafterawhile；andyoungTaylorwasobligedtosubmitforthepresent。Asforhiscollegeengagement，hehadpaiditnomoreattentionthanifithadnevertakenplace；ithadbeenlongsinceforgotten，onhispart。

Littlebylittle，Mrs。Grahamgatheredmostofthesefactsfromherdaughter，whoseweepingeyesandpalefacewouldhavedelightedAdeline，asbeingjustwhatwasproperinaheroineofromance，onsuchanimportantoccasion。ButAdelinecouldnotenjoythesightofallthemiserywhichwasthefruitofhertwoyears\'labours，forMrs。GrahaminsistedthatJaneshouldseenoneofthefamilyuntilherfatherhadarrived；andknewthestateofthings。

HarryHazlehurst，althoughnotquiteaswellinformedasthereader，knewessentiallyhowmattersstood。Heknewatleast，thatJaneandyoungTaylorwereallbutpledgedtoeachother；heknewwhathadbeenAdeline\'sconduct——whathadbeenhisowntreatment；andashewalkedslowlyfromoneendoftheBatterytotheother，hisreflectionswereanythingbutflatteringtohimself，ortoanyofthepartiesconcerned。HeblamedMrs。

Grahamforherwantofmaternalcautionandforesight；heblamedhisbrother，andsister-in-law，fortheirblindnessinParis；

Jane，forherweakness，andwantofsinceritytohimself；

Adeline，forsuchunjustifiablemanagementandmanoeuvring；andyoungTaylor，forwhathecalledhis“presumptionandpuppyism。“

Andtothinkthathe，HarryHazlehurst，whopridedhimselfuponbeingclear-sighted，hadbeensocompletelydeceivedbyothers，andwhatwasworse，byhimself！HewasobligedtorememberhowsurehehadfelthimselfofJane；itwashumiliatingtothinkwhatasillyparthehadbeenplaying。Thencameatwingeortwo，fromtheconsciousnessthathehaddeserveditall，fromhisconducttoElinor。HetriedtopersuadehimselfthatregretthatJaneshouldfallintohandshefanciedsounworthyofher——thatsheshouldbesacrificedtoameresecond-ratesortofdandy，likeyoungTaylor，washisstrongestfeelingatthetime。Buthewasmistaken：therewasagooddealoftheloverinhisrecollectionofJane\'stranscendant{sic}beauty。Hehopedthatshewouldyetbesavedfromtheworst——frombecomingthewifeofTallmanTaylor。HefeltconvincedthatMr。Grahamwouldrefusehisconsenttothemarriage。

Thenextday，HarryreturnedtoPhiladelphia。TheastonishmentofallthoseinterestedinhimselfandJane，atthisrupture，wasverygreat。IfMrs。StanleyhadbeengrievedatHarry\'sdifficulties，Mrs。RobertHazlehurstwasmadequiteunhappybyhersister\'sconduct。Shereproachedherselfseverelyforherblindness；fornothavingtakenasmuchcareofJaneassheoughttohavedoneunderthecircumstances。Likeallherfamily，shedislikedyoungTaylor；who，infact，hadnothingtorecommendhimbuthishandsomeface，andhisfather\'smoney。MissWyllys，too，wasmuchpainedbytheconductofonewhohadbeensooftenunderhercare——one，inwhosewelfareshewassowarmlyinterested。ShereceivedthenewsinanotefromMrs。Hazlehurst，whopreferredgivingitinthatform；andasMissWyllyswasalonewithElinor，sheimmediatelyhandedthebillettoherniece。

ItmustbeconfessedthatElinor\'sheartgaveoneboundatthisunexpectednews。Shewasmoremovedbyitthananyone；moreastonishedthatJaneshouldhaverefusedHarry；thatsheshouldhavepreferredtohimthatsillyTallmanTaylor；moreshockedatthedouble-dealingthathadbeengoingon；andmorepainedthatJane，whohadbeentoherasasister，shouldhavebeensoeasilymisled。Anotherthoughtintruded，too——Harrywouldbefreeagain！

Buttheideahadhardlysuggesteditself，beforesherepelledit。

ShesoonfeltconvincedthatMr。GrahamwouldbreakofftheengagementbetweenhisdaughterandMr。Taylor，andthatafterawhilehercousin\'seyeswouldheopenedtoHarry\'smerits，whichwerenumberlessinhereyes。MissAgnesstronglyencouragedthisopinion；andElinorfullydeterminedthatheraunt\'scounsels，hermother\'sletter，andherownexperience，shouldnotbethrownaway；shewouldwatchmorecarefullythaneveragainsteveryfancythatwouldbelikelytoendangeranewthetranquillityshehadinsomemeasureregained。

CHAPTERXXIII。

“Thebridegroom\'sdoorsareopenedwide，AndIamnextofkin；

Theguestsaremet，thefeastisset，May\'sthearthemerrydin。“

COLERIDGE。

{SamuelTaylorColeridge(Englishpoet，1772-1834)，“RimeoftheAncientMariner“(I)lines5-8}

THEeventsofthenexttwomonthssurprisedJane\'sfriendsinPhiladelphia，almostasmuchasherrejectionofHarryhaddone。

Mrs。Hazlehurst，ofcourse，knewwhatwasgoingoninherfather\'shouse，andfromtimetotimeinformedMissWyllysandElinorofwhatpassed。ElinorhadwrittentoJane，butitwasalongtimebeforeshereceivedananswer；hercousinappearedengrossedbyherownaffairs；asthiswascommonwithJaneatalltimes，itwasbutnaturalthatsheshouldbeso，atamomentwhichwasofsomuchimportancetoherself。Mr。Grahamarrivedatthetimeappointed；and，ofcourse，hewasverymuchdispleasedbythenewswhichawaitedhim。HewouldnothearofJane\'smarryingyoungTaylor，whoseadvanceshereceivedascoldlyaspossible，andevenforbadehisdaughter\'sseeinganyoftheTaylorfamily。Janewasverymuchdistressed，andverymuchfrightened。AsforMissTaylor，herindignationwassogreat，thatshedeterminedtopaynorespecttoMr。Graham\'shostility；

shewrotetoJanealongletter，muchinherusualstyle，givingverypatheticaccountsofTallman\'sdespair。ThisletterJanehadnotthemoralcouragetoshowtoeitherofherparents；shesoonreceivedanother，withanotefromyoungTaylorhimself。Asshewasreadingthemonemorning，herfatherunexpectedlyenteredtheroom，andwasthrownintoagreatpassionbythediscovery。Histemperwasviolent，andhewassubjecttofitsofpassionwhichterrifiedhischildren；although，inotherrespects，bynomeansanunkindparent。Uponthisoccasion，Janewasfrightenedintohysterics，andafterwards，owingtotheagitationwhichhadbeenpreyingonhermindforsomemonths，shewasthrownintoalownervousfever。Duringthefourorfiveweeksthatshewasill，everymorningMissTaylorcalledtoinquireafterherfriend，althoughshewasnotadmitted。Bythisconduct，Mrs。Graham\'sheart，whichwasofnosternmaterial，wasmuchsoftened。Atlengthshewenttothedrawing-roomtoseeMissTaylor，foramoment。Adelineimprovedthetimesowell，thatsheplacedherselfandherbrotherbetterwithMrs。Grahamthantheyhadeveryetbeen。Jane\'sillnessincreased；herparentsbecameseriouslyalarmed，andMr。Grahamexpressedsomethinglikeregretthathehadbeensohasty。Hiswifeoftenrememberedhiswordsduringherdaughter\'stediousconvalescence，whichwasinterruptedbyarelapse。Inshort，mattersbegantolooklessdiscouragingforyoungTaylor\'ssuit。Therecouldbenodoubt，atleast，thathewasverymuchinlovewithJane：Hazlehurstwasquitemistakeninsupposingthattheperfectionofherprofile，thebeautifulshapeofherhead，thedelicacyofhercomplexion，orothernumberlessbeauties，couldonlybeappreciatedbyonewhosetastewasasrefinedashisown：theyhadproducedquiteasdeepaneffectonyoungTaylor。DuringJane\'sillness，hehadshowntheproperdegreeofdistressandanxiety，allofwhichwasreportedinthemostpatheticmannertoMrs。Graham，andwhisperedtoJanebyAdeline，who，havingoncebeenreceivedagainintothehouse，keptherfootingthereandmanagedanoccasionalinterviewwithherfriend。Inshort，asweallknow，tyrannicalparentsareveryrareinAmerica；thefaultinfamilydisciplineliesintheoppositedirection。

Hisdaughter\'spaleface，hiswife\'sweakness，andAdeline\'sgoodmanagement，andimprovementofeveryconcession，atlengthworkedachangeinMr。Graham。Atthepropermoment，TallmanTaylorrenewedhisofferinthewarmestandmostflatteringterms；

supportedbyhisfather，andhisfather\'shundredsofthousands，hethistimereceivedamorefavourableanswer。Mr。Grahamwasoneofthosemen，whohavenoveryhighopinionofwomen；hedidnotwishtomakehisdaughtermiserableforlife；andhethoughtshehadtoolittlecharactertoconquerthefancythathadfilledhermind，andmadeherill。Then，youngTaylorwasrich，andshecouldthrowawaymoneyonthoseknick-knacksandfrippery，towhich，accordingtoMr。Graham，womenattachsuchexorbitantvalue。Ifshedidnotmarryhim，shewouldfancyherselfavictim，andmiserable；ifshedidmarryhim，shewouldfancyherselfhappy：thatseemedtohimtheamountofthematter，andwiththeseviewsheatlengthgaveareluctantconsent。Mrs。

Grahamhadalreadygivenhers；TallmanTaylorwascertainlynottheson-in-lawshewouldhavechosen；butshewasfartherfrombeingdissatisfied，thanmanyofherfriendsthoughtshewouldbeunderthecircumstances。Neitherthestoryofhiscollegeengagement，northeunpleasantrumoursrespectinghisPariscareer，hadreachedMr。orMrs。Graham；thefirstwasknownonlytoAdelineandJane，thelasttoafewmaleintimates。Thenews，verynaturally，causedagooddealofsensationamongJane\'sfriendsinPhiladelphia；itwasreallydistressingtoMrs。RobertHazlehurst，wholookeduponhersisterasthrownaway，andreproachedherselfmorethaneverforhavingallowedJanetogooutsoofteninPariswiththeirthoughtlessfriends，theHowards。ShecouldnotenduretothinkofyoungTaylor，asactuallyherbrother-in-law，thehusbandofherbeautifulsister。

Shehadnotsupposedthatthematterwouldbesettledinthisway；shehadbelievedherfather\'soppositiontoostrongtobeovercome。

AsforHarry，he，ofcourse，soonheardthenewsfromhisbrother。Howmuchofloveandofmortificationwerestilllingeringinhismind，wecannotpreciselyaffirm。HisfeelingsforJanehadcertainlyalteredverymuchsincethediscoveryofthedouble-dealingthathadbeengoingon；butweakasshehadprovedherself，shewasstillmuchtoolovely，muchtoowell-bred，atleast，tobebestowedupononewhomhedislikedasmuchasTallmanTaylor。Thereseemedtobesomethingofthedoginthemanger，connectedwithhisregretforJane\'sfate，sincehehadalreadydecidedthatifshewereeverfreeagain，hewouldnotrepeathisoffer；shehadshownherselftohavesolittlecharacter，thathewouldnotallowhimselftobeagaininfluencedbyherbeauty，surpassingasitwas。Infact，Harryhaddeterminedtogiveupallideaofloveandmatrimony，forthepresent，atleast。Hewentintosocietylessthanofold，andgavehimselfupverymuchtohisprofession，orotherliterarypursuitsinwhichhehadbecomeengaged。Hehadbeenadmittedtothebar，andhadenteredintoapartnershipwithhistravellingcompanion，Mr。Ellsworth；muchofhistimewasnowpassedathisbrother\'shouse，oratthatofhisfriend。Helikedhissister-in-law，andhefoundEllsworth\'ssister，Mrs。Creighton，whowasattheheadofherbrother\'sestablishment，averyagreeablewoman；shewasverypretty，too，andveryclever。TheWyllyseswerealreadyinthecountry，whenthenewsofJane\'sengagementreachedthem；thewinterhadbrokenupearly，and，asusual，atthefirstsignsofspringtheyhadreturnedtoWyllys-Roof。Ofcourse，theyregrettedJane\'spartialityforTallmanTaylor；toElinoritappearedalmostasunaccountableasherinsensibilitytoHarry\'smerits。Mrs。GeorgeWyllyswasloudinherdeclamationsagainstit；nexttotheHubbards，shelookedupontheTaylorsasthemostdisagreeablefamilyofheracquaintance。Shehadagreatdealtosayaboutthedull，prosymother，theinsufferablefather，thedandyson，andtherattling，bellishdaughter。MissPatsey，also，hadhermomentsofwonder；

butshewonderedinsilence；shedidnotappeartohaveanyhigheropinionoftheson，thanshehadformerlyentertainedofthefather。Withtheseexceptions，thecommunityofLongbridgeingeneral，whohadknownJanefromherchildhood，approvedhighlyoftheconnexion；bothpartieswereyoung，handsome，andtheywouldberich，allwhichlookedverywellatadistance。

Threemonthsofcourtshippassedover；Janerecoveredentirely，andwasasbloomingandlovelyasever；youngTaylorwasalldevotion。ThesatisfactionofhisfamilyatthisconnexionwiththeGrahamswasverygreat；itgratifiedMr。Taylor\'swishesineveryway。Itistrue，MissGrahamwouldnothavemuchfortuneherself，butTallmanhadenoughtobeginlifehandsomely。Hehopedthemarriagewouldtakeplacesoon，ashewishedhisson，whomhehadmadehispartner，totakemoreinterestinthebusinessthanhehadyetdone。Ineveryrespectbutmoney，Janewasjustwhathewouldhavewishedforadaughter-in-law；shewasfashionable，shewasbeautiful，andthepositionofherfamilygratifiedhisvanity。Asfortheplain，good-heartedMrs。Taylor，shealreadylovedJaneasadaughter；andtoheritappearedthemostnaturalthingintheworld，thatTallmanshouldmarryhissister\'sfriend。Adeline，herself，wasofcourseenchanted。

TheweddingtookplaceinJune。ThankstoMissTaylor\'sinfluencewiththebride，itprovedquiteabrilliantaffair。Theceremonywasperformedintheevening，andimmediatelyafterwardsthenewly-marriedcouplereceivedthecomplimentsandcongratulationsoftheirfriends。Janewasattended，ontheoccasion，bysixofheryoungcompanions；andasmanyyoungmen，withwhitefavoursintheirbutton-holes，wereverybusyalltheevening，playingmastersofceremonies，escortingalltheladiesastheyarrived，fromthedoortothespotwherethebridewasstationed。Janelookedsurpassinglybeautiful；itwasthegeneralremark，thatshehadneverappearedmorelovely：theladiespronouncedherdressperfect，andthegentlemenadmiredherfacequiteasmuch。

Allagreedthatahandsomercouplehadnotbeenseenforsometime。Itwas，indeed，aprettysight——thebeautifulbride，thecentreofacircleofheryoungfriends，all，likeherself，inwhite，andinfulldress；prettycreaturesthemselves，wearingprettyornamentsofflowersandlace，pearlsandembroidery。Wesaytheywerepretty；therewasoneexception，however，forElinorwasthere，andmanyremarksweremadeonherappearance。

“WhatapitythatMissWyllysshouldbesoplain，“observedMrs。

Creighton，whosehusbandhadbeenaconnexionoftheGrahams。“ItisthefirsttimeIhaveseenherforseveralyears，andreallyI

hadforgottenhowveryplainsheis。“

“Plain，whysheisdownrightugly！”exclaimedtheyouthtowhomshewastalking。“Itisasintobeasuglyasthat。NowonderHazlehurstwasfrightenedoutoftheengagement；Iamonlysurprisedheevergotintothescrape！”

“ButMissWyllysisverycleverandagreeable，Iunderstand。“

“Isshe？”——wasthecarelessreply。“IseeHazlehurstisherethisevening。“

“Yes，hecameonwithhissister-in-law，Mrs。RobertHazlehurst，andmyself。“

“Well，hehasafineopportunityofcomparinghistwolady-lovestogether。Uponmyword，Ineversawagreatercontrast。IwishMissWyllyshadnotacceptedtheinvitation，though；sheisenoughtofrightenoneawayfromthewholeset——andtherestareveryprettygirls，thewholeofthem。“

“CanyoupointoutMr。Taylor？——Notthegroom；Ihaveseenhim，ofcourse；buthisfather。“

“Don\'tyouknowtheboss？Itisthattall，stiff-lookingman，talkingtoMrs。Stanley。Youseeheistryingtolookveryamiable。“

“Yes——thatishe，isit？MuchthesortofmanIshouldhavesupposedhim。Andnow，whichisMrs。Taylor？”

“Mrs。Taylor——letmesee；theresheis，ingreysatinanddiamonds。Ineversawherbutoncebeforeinmylife。Sheisaveryquietsortofabody，andkeepsoutofsightmostofthetime。“

“Verydifferentfromherdaughterthen，forMissTayloralwaysputherselfenevidence，Ibelieve。Ifonedon\'tseeher，theyaresuretohearher。“

“Tobesure，MissTaylorisalllifeandspirits。Sheisthemostlively，animatedgirlIeverknew。By-the-bye，IthinkitanoddfancyinHazlehursttoshowhimselfhereto-night；fortherewasagreatfusslastwinter，attheblowup——allthetownwastalkingaboutit。“

“Heisaverynearconnexion，youknow；Isupposehisabsencewouldhavebeenmoreremarkedthanhisbeinghere。Besides，ifhewasinloveonce，hehashadtimetogetoverit，inthelastsixmonths。Hedoesnotlookmuchasifheworethewillowstill。“

{“worethewillow“=grievedforthelossofalovedone}

“Hazlehurstisveryclever，Iamtold；Idon\'tknowhimmuch，myself。“

“Oh，yes——veryclever。ButIamnotafairjudge，perhaps；heismybrother\'sfriend，andImaybeprejudicedinhisfavour。Howverywarmitis！can\'twefindaseatnearawindow？”

Thegentlemanofferedhisarmwithalacrity，andthespeakersmovedaway。