第9章

Taylor，shetookoffherhat，andremainedsometimeinthecabin——apieceofgood-naturewhichMr。Ellsworthseemedtothinkill-timed。AstheydrewneartheHighlands，however，shereturnedtoherseatondeck；forthemorningwaslovely，andshedidnotwishtolosethescenery。ShefoundMrs。Hilsonsittingnearheraunt。

“Ah，MissElinor！——howdoyoudo？”exclaimedthecitylady。“ItisthefirsttimeIhavehadachanceofseeingyousinceyoureturnedfromtheWestIndies。YouhavenotbeenmuchinNewYork，Ibelieve，sinceyouarrived？”

“Onlyforadayortwo。“

“AndhowdidyouliketheWestIndies？IstheremucharistocracyatHavana？”

“Wefounditverypleasantthere；andtheclimatewasofsomuchservicetomyaunt，thatIshallalwaysrememberHavanawithgratitude。“

“Youdidnotgointosociety，then？”

“0h，yes；wemademanypleasantacquaintances。“

“Well，ifIgoabroad，IhopeitwillbetoEngland；thoughI

shouldlikeverywelltovisitthestoresofParis。“

“Haveyouseenyourcousin，CharlesHubbard，sincehearrivedfromItaly？”inquiredElinor。

“Yes；hecalledatourboarding-house。HeisatLongbridgenow，butheiscomingtoSaratoga，shortly；forhetoldmehehadengagedtotakeseveralviewsofLakeGeorge。“

“Iamsorrybedidnotcometoseeusintown；butIamdelightedtohearheisgoingtoSaratoga。Grandpapa，Mrs。HilsontellsmeCharlesHubbardwillbeatSaratoga，withus！”

“Iamverygladtohearit，mychild；IwanttoseeCharlie。“

“Hashebroughthomemanypictures？”continuedElinor。

“Ireallydon\'tknow；Ididnotthinkofaskinghim。“

“Ishouldsupposeyouwouldbeanxioustoseeyourcousin\'spaintings。“

“Oh，no；portraitsaretheonlypicturesthatinterestme。I

alwayshavethe\'BookofBeauty，\'wheneveritcomesout；youknowtheyarelikenessesofthePeeressesoftheEnglishNobility。“

{“BookofBeauty“=“Heath\'sBookofBeauty“anannualvolumewithengravingsoffamousBritishwomen，sponsoredbyCharlesHeath(1785-1848)(London：Longmans，1833-1847)}

Elinorbowed。“Yes，Ihaveseenthebook。“

“Ihavethe\'ChildrenoftheNobility，\'too，boundincrimsonsilk；itisaveryfascinatingcollection。Myfriend，Mrs。

Bagman，tellsmetheyareexcellentlikenesses，particularlythechildrenofhisRoyalHighness，theLord-Mayor。“

{“ChildrenoftheNobility“=“PortraitsoftheChildrenoftheNobility，“Asimilarpublication，alsosponsoredbyCharlesHeath(Longmans：London，1838)}

Absurdassuchamistakeinheraldrymayseem，onemightvouchforhavingheardothersquiteasextraordinary。

“Theymaybelike，“saidElinor，smilinginspiteofherself；

“butIcannotagreewithyouastotheirbeauty。Ihaveseenthevolume，anditstruckmetheartistsmusthavemadecaricaturesofmanyofthechildren，who，nodoubt，wereprettyinreality。“

“Iwaslookingatthoseengravingsonlyyesterday，“saidMr。

Ellsworth，anxioustoengageElinor\'sattention；“theyalmostamounttoalibelonchildhood；theygivetheideaofmincing，affectedlittlecreatures，attheveryagewhenchildrenarealmostinvariablynaturalandinteresting。Ishouldquarrelverymuchwithaportraitofmylittlegirl，inthesamefashion。“

“Butitisveryseldomyouseeportraitsofchildren，thatarereallychild-like，“observedElinor。“Andthenwhatatrial，topaintapretty，innocentlittlecreature，infulldress，starchedandtrim！”

“Childrenarecharmingsubjectswhenproperlytreated；Idelightinsuchpictures，“saidMaryVanAlstyne。

“Youwouldhavebeenoftendelightedthen，inItaly，MissVanAlstyne。Raphael\'scherubsareasperfectintheirway，ashismenandwomen。“

{“Raphael\'scherubs“=WhilelivinginFlorencein1829，JamesFenimoreCooperandhisfamilyadmiredthe“MadonnadelBaldacchino“(sometimescalled“LaMadonnadelTrono“)byRaphael(Italianpainter，1483-1520)，atthePittiPalace，andespeciallythetwosingingangels(“perhapsIshouldcallthemcherubs)atthefootofthethrone。HecommissionedtheAmericansculptorHoratioGreenough(1805-1852)tosculptforhimagroupcalled“TheChantingCherubs，“basedtheangelsorcherubs}

Mrs。Hilson，unwillingtobethrownoutoftheconversation，againaddressedElinor。

“Whenyoujoinedus，MissWyllys，wewerespeakingofthefireoppositeyourhotel。Wereyounotdreadfullyalarmed？Ihearyouwerethere；althoughIdidnotfindyouathomewhenIcalled。“

“Weweredisturbed，ofcourse；butIcan\'tsaythatwewerepersonallyalarmed。Thewind，youmayremember，carriedeverythingintheoppositedirection。“

“Didit？Well，Iwastoomuchfrightenedtonoticeanything；youknowitwasinthesameblockasourboarding-house。“

“Yes；youwerenearerthedangerthanwewere。“

“Oh，Iwasdreadfullyfrightened。TherewasoneofourladieswantedtopersuademetolookatTrinityChurch，lightedupbythefire；Ibelieveshereallythoughtitafascinatingsight。

Herecomesagentlemanwhowasstayingatyourhotel，andhasnotgotoverhisfrightyet；itisoneofmyescorts——Ihavetwo，theBaronandthisgentleman；buttheBaronisnotondecknow——letmeintroduceyou；MonsieurBonnet，MissWyllys。Idobelieve，MonsieurBonnet，youwereasmuchalarmedasIwas。“

“Alarm——Ah，Madame，Iwaseblouibythefire。Inallmylife，I

neversawrealincendiebefore；though，ofcourse，IsawthePanoramaoftheincendiedeMoscou——IwasnotinRussiewithl\'Empereur。Atthespectaclewehaveincendiessometimes；butneverinthestreet。Ah，Ididnotseethathouseuntiltherooffall，whenlightburstthroughmyvolets，andIspringtothewindow。“

{“ebloui“=dazzled；“incendiedeMoscou“=thefirewhichdestroyedMoscowin1812，whileitwasbeingoccupiedbytheEmperorNapoleon；“spectacle“=theater；“volets“=shutters(French)}

“Ishouldhavethoughtthenoisewouldhavecalledyououtbeforethat。“

“Dutout；whenIhearcries，andpeoplemarching，Ithinktoutbonnementitwasanemeute，andIturnroundtofinishmysleep；

IthinkmyselfhappynottobelongtotheGardeNationaleofNewYork，andnotbeafraidoftherappel。“

{“dutout“=notatall；“toutbonnement“=simply；“emeute“=

riot；“rappel“=calltoarms(French)}

“Whatdidyouthinkitwas？”

“Anemeute，sansdoute，sayItomyself。Itwasuntintamarreepouvantable。“

{“untintamarreepouvantable“=afrightfuluproar(French)}

“Emeute；pray，whatisthat？”

“Emeute？Alittlerevolution，aswehaveinParisconstamment。“

“Why，mydearsir，ourrevolutionarywartookplacemorethanfiftyyearsago。Didyouexpecttofindusfightingnow？”

“Certainement；IthoughtthewheelIhearwascannon。ButmonamiEel-SUNtellmenextday，thereisincendieeverynightsomewhereinNewYork。Undrolededivertisement，vraiment。Itisagreatdesagrement，ofacityotherwisesobeautiful，withsomanycharmingladies。“

{“undrolededivertisement，vraiment“=truly，astrangeformofentertainment。“desagrement“=unpleasantfeature(French)}

“Thankyou，sir；youareverypolite。Ibelieve，MissWyllys，thatFrenchgentlemen，nomatterwhattheytalkabout，alwaysfindanopportunitytopayacompliment。“

“C\'esttoutnaturel；celavasansdire；itisonlyourdevoir，Madame，toexprimertotheladiessomeofthemanyagreeablethingstheyinspire。“

{“C\'esttoutnaturel……“=it\'sonlynatural；itgoeswithoutsaying；itisonlyourduty，Madame，toexpresstotheladies……

(French)}

“Worseandworse，“saidMrs。Hilson，laughing。“HowdifferentyouarefromCaptainKockney；heneversaidacivilthingtome，allthetimehewasinNewYork。“

“LecapitaineCoquenaiswasanAnglais，whocannotfeelthetruepolitesseFrancaise。“

“Heusedtosayitisnotaristocratictobepolitetootherpeople；hebelongstotheEnglisharistocracy，youknow。“

“L\'aristocratie！Oh，thatisavilestateofthings。LavieillearistocratieofFrance，Madame，wasthecauseofourrevolution。

ButinFrancenow，andinAmerica，thosehappycountree，thespiritofaristocracyisextinct。“

“Ibegyourpardon，MonsieurBonnet，“saidMrs。Hilson，quiteindignantly。“Itistruetherearemanyplebeiansinthiscountry；butwehavealsomanypeopleofthehighestaristocracy。“

“Ah，vousplaisantezavectantdegrace，Madame！”

{“vousplaisantez……“=Youjokesogracefully，Madame(French)}

“Itispleasant，certainly，tome；thoughsomepeoplemaynotappreciateit。Iamaveryaristocraticspirit。“

“Ah，sansdoute，Madame；youhavesomuchesprit，youlaughatme，“saidtheFrenchman，whotookMrs。Hilson\'sprotestationasajoke。

{“esprit“=wit(French)}

“No，indeed；Ineverwasmoreseriousinmylife。Ishouldsupposeyouwouldhavebeenstruckwiththehighstateofaristocracyatourboarding-house，forinstance。“

MonsieurBonnetcouldonlyshrughisshoulders，beingquiteatalossforthelady\'smeaning。

“Yes；Iamthoroughlypatricianandaristocratic；ifweonlyhadadespoticgovernment，totakeawayallprivilegesfromplebeians，Ishouldbeperfectlyhappy。Mylanguagesurprisesyou，Iperceive；butitisquitenaturalthatadescendantofaScotchBaronet，theDukeofPercy，shouldhavesimilarfeelings。“

Moreandmorebewildered，MonsieurBonnetwasreducedtoabow。

Happily，ashethought，thewarningbellwasrung；andtheusualcry，“PassengersforWestPointpleaselookoutfortheirbaggage！”changedthecurrentofMrs。Hilson\'sideas，orrathertheflowofherwords。

Inanothermoment，Mrs。HilsonandMonsieurBonnet，withascoreortwoofothers，werelandedatWestPoint，andtheladiesofMr。Wyllys\'spartyfeltitnolittlerelieftoberidofsomucharistocracy。

TheboathadsoonreachedPoughkeepsie，andmuchtoMr。

Ellsworth\'sregret，Mr。Wyllysandhisfamilywentonshore。Mr。

EllsworthhadbeenintroducedtoElinoratJane\'swedding。Hewasamanofthirty，awidower，withanonlychild，andhadforseveralyearsbeenthinkingofmarryingagain。Afterhavingmadeuphismindtotakethestep，henextdeterminedthathewouldnotmarryinahurry。Hewasnotamanofquickpassions，andwassometimesaccusedofbeingfastidiousinhistastes。HethoughtElinor\'smannercharming，andsoondiscoveredthatshehadeveryrecommendationbutbeauty，thewantofwhichwasheronlydrawback；helikedherfamily，andprobablywasnotsorrytohearthatshewouldhavealargeproperty。But，unfortunately，heseldommetMissElinorWyllys；shewasagreatpartofhertimeinthecountry，andheknewnobodyintheimmediateneighbourhood。HehadnotbeenaskedtoWyllys-Roof；norwashe，averyrecentacquaintance，ontermssufficientlyintimate，topresenthimselfatthedoor，bagandbaggage，withoutaninvitation。Morethanatwelvemonthintervened，inthemeantime；

buthewasstillthinkingenoughofElinortomakehimwishforameeting，when，accidentally，theypassedafewdaystogetheratOldPointComfort，andafterwardsmetagain，notexactlybyaccidentitisbelieved，attheSulphurSprings，inVirginia。HisgoodopinionofElinorwasnotonlyconfirmedbythisintercourse，buthisadmirationverymuchincreased。Itwasonlynaturalitshouldbeso；themoreoneknewElinor，themoreonelovedher；goodsense，intelligence，sweetnessofdispositionlikeher\'s，unitedtothesimplegraceofmanner，peculiarlyherown，werebestappreciatedbythosewhosawherdaily。QuiteunawareofMr。Ellsworth\'sviews，andunconsciouslyinfluencedatfirst，perhaps，bythefactthathewasanoldfriendofHarry\'s，shesoonlikedhimasacompanion，andreceivedhimwithsomethingmorethanmerepoliteness。“Itisalwayspleasanttomeetwithanagreeable，gentlemanly，well-informedman，“thoughtElinor：atrainofreflectionwhichhassometimescarriedyoungladiesfartherthantheyatfirstintended。Undersuchcircumstances，someardentspiritswouldhavesettledthequestionduringafortnightpassedwiththeladytheyadmired；

butMr。Ellsworth，thoughhethoughtElinor\'smannerencouraging，didnotcaretohazardahastydeclaration；hepreferredwaitingafewweeks，untiltheyshouldmeetagaininPhiladelphia，wheretheWyllysesintendedpassingthewinter。Butunfortunately，shortlyafterthefamilyreturnedhome，MissAgneswastakenill，andonherpartialrecovery，wasorderedtoawarmclimatebeforethecoldweather；andElinormerelypassedthroughPhiladelphiaonherwaytotheWestIndies，withherauntandgrandfather。Mr。

Ellsworthwas，ofcourse，disappointed；heexpressedhisregretsaswarmlyashedared，duringamorningvisit，inaroomhalf-fullofcompany；andhehintedintermssopointedathishopesofahappymeetinginthespring，thatElinor\'ssuspicionswereforthefirsttimeexcited，whilethoseofMr。WyllysandMissAgneswereonlyconfirmed。Sincethen，Mr。EllsworthandElinorhadonlyseeneachotheronce，inthestreet，untiltheymetonboardthesteamboat，ontheirwaytoSaratoga。

{“OldPointComfort“=asea-sideresortnearHampton，Virginia}

CHAPTERIII。{XXVI}

“Whocomeshere？”

AsYouLikeIt。

{WilliamShakespeare，“AsYouLikeIt“，II。vii。87orIII。iv。46}

THEREwastobeaTemperancemeetingatLongbridge，oneofmoreimportancethanusual，asaspeakerofnotewastobeheardontheoccasion。

“Areyouready，Catherine？”inquiredMr。Clappofhiswife，appearingattheparlour-door，holdinghishatandcaneinonehand，andrunningtheotherthroughhisbrowncurls。

“Waitoneminute，dear，untilIhaveputacleancollaronWillie。“

LittleWillie，whohadbeenhoppingabouttheroom，delightedwiththeimportanceofsittinguplaterthanhisyoungerbrothersandsisters，waspersuadedtostandstillforafewseconds，whilehismothertiedonthecleancollar；whenMr。Clapp，hiswife，andeldestboysetoutforthemeeting-house，whichtheyfoundalreadyhalf-filled。TheywerebeckonedintoapewneartoonealreadyoccupiedbytheVanHornes，MissPatsey，andCharlie。

Astheeveningwasverypleasant，men，women，andchildrencrowdedin，untilalargeaudiencewasbroughttogether，urged，asusual，bydifferentmotives；somecamefromcuriosity，othersfromalwayspreferringaneveninginpublictoaneveningathome；some，fromsincererespectfortheobjectofthemeeting，manyforthesakeofthespeeches，andmanyothersmerelybecausetheywereeverreadytofollowthegeneralexample。Mr。Clapphadnosoonerfoundseatsforhiswifeandchild，thanhebegantolookabouthim；hiseyewanderedovertheheadsaround，apparentlyinquestofsomeone；atlengthhissearchseemedsuccessful；itrestedonaman，whosewholeappearanceanddressproclaimedhimtobeasailor。

Themeetingwasopenedbyprayer，twodifferentministersofficiatingontheoccasion；one，avenerable-lookingoldman，offeredasimple，fervent，Christianprayer；thesecond，amuchyoungerperson，placingonehandinhiswaistcoatpocket，theotherundertheflapsofhiscoat，advancedtothefrontofthestaging，andcommenced，whatwasafterwardspronouncedoneofthe“mosteloquentprayerseveraddressedtoacongregation。“

Thespeechesthenfollowed。Thefirstspeaker，whoseemedthebusiness-manoftheevening，gavesomeaccountofthestatisticsoftheSociety，concludingwithashortaddresstothosepresent，hopingtheywould，uponthatoccasion，enroltheirnamesasMembersoftheLongbridgeTemperanceSociety。

Theprincipaloratoroftheevening，Mr。Strong，thencameforward；hemadeaspeechofsomelength，andonethatwasveryimpressive。Nothingcouldbemoreclear，morejust，moretrue，thanthepicturehedrewofthemanifoldevilsofintemperance；avicesodeceitfulinitsfirstappearance，sotreacherousinitsgrowth；sodegrading，sobrutalizinginitsenjoyments；soblastingandruinousinitseffects——ruinoustobodyandmind，heartandsoul——blastingallhopesforthislifeandforthenext，solongasitremainsunconquered。Heentreatedhisfriendstocountthecostofindulgenceinthisvice；lossofproperty，lossofhealth，lossofcharacter，lossofintellectandfeeling，lossofconscience，untilrousedinthosefearfulmomentsofterrorandfury，thepeculiarpunishmentofdrunkenness。Hebeggedhishearerstolookatthisevilunderallitsaspects，fromthemomentitdestroysthedailypeaceofitsmiserablevictimsandallconnectedwiththem，untilitleavesthem，indeath，withoutahope，exposedtothefearfulpenaltyofsin。Ashewenton，theheartofmanyawretchedwifeandmotheracknowledgedthebittertruthofhisobservations；manyaguiltyconscienceshrunkundertheprobe。Hethenmadeajustandreasonableestimateofthedifficultiestoberesistedinconqueringthisevil；hedidnotattempttodenythattherewereobstaclestobeovercome；heshowedalltheforceofbadhabit，allthedangeroftemptation——butifthereweredifficultiesintheway，itwasequallytruethatthepowertosubduethemwasfullywithinthereachofeveryman。Hewentontorepresentthehappyeffectsofachangefromeviltogood；arestorationtousefulness，peace，comfort，andrespectability，whichhashappilybeenseeninmanyaninstance。Heconcludedbyappealingtohishearersasmen，toshakeoffadebasingslavery；asChristians，tofleefromaheinoussin；andheentreatedthem，iftheyhadnotdonesobefore，totake，onthatevening，thefirststepinthecheering，honourable，blessedcourseoftemperance。

Mr。Strong\'sspeechwas，infact，excellent；allhesaidwasperfectlytrue，itwaswell-expressed，andhismannerwaseasy，natural，anddignified。

HewasfollowedbyWilliamCassiusClapp；thelawyerhadbeenveryanxioustospeakatthismeeting。TemperancesocietieswereverypopularatthattimeinLongbridge，andhewas，ofcourse，desirousofnotlosingsogoodanopportunityofappearingbeforethepubliconsuchanoccasion；hethoughtitwouldhelphimoninhisroadtowardstheAssembly。Runninghisfingersthroughhiscurls，hetookhisplaceonthestage，andcommenced。Hewasveryfluentbynature，andinanimation，infanaticalzealforthecause，hefarsurpassedMr。Strong：anyothercause，by-the-bye，haditbeenpopular，wouldhavesuitedhimjustaswell。Inassertion，indenunciation，hedistinguishedhimselfparticularly；hecalleduponeveryindividualpresenttocomeforwardandsignthepledge，underpenaltyofpublicdisgrace；itwasthewillofthecommunitythatthepledgeshouldbesigned，publicopiniondemandedit，thepublicwillrequiredit；everyindividualpresentwhoneglectedtosignthepledgeoftotalabstinence，hepronouncedtobe“instigatedbyaristocraticpride，“andwouldleavethathouse，stigmatizedas“anti-Christian，andanti-republican；“andinconclusionhethrewinsomethingabout“liberty。“

Mr。Clappsatdownamidmuchapplause；hisspeechwaswarmlyadmiredbyaportionofhishearers。Alldidnotseemtoagreeonthesubject，however，tojudge，atleast，bytheirmannerandexpression；for，duringthedeliveryoftheirbrother-in-law\'soration，MissPatseyHubbardseemedtobegenerallylookingdownatthefloor，whileCharliewaslookingupattheceiling：andthereweremanyotherspresent，whothoughtMr。Clapp\'sfluencymuchmorestrikingthanhiscommonsense，orhissincerity。Itisalwayspainfultohearagoodcauseinjuredbyabaddefence，toseetruthdisgracedbyunworthyweaponsemployedinhername。ItwouldhavebeenquiteimpossibleforMr。Clapptoprovehalfhisboldassertions，tojustifyhalfhissweepingdenunciations。

Still，inspiteofthefanaticalcharacterofsomeoftheadvocatesofTemperance，whodistortherjustproportionsasavirtue——lovelyinherowntruecharacter——yetdrunkennessisavicesohateful，thatonewouldneverwishtoopposeanysociety，howeverimperfectlymanaged，whoseobjectistoopposethatdangerousandcommonevil。Letitnotbeforgotten，however，thattotalabstinencefromspirituousliquorsisnottheonegreatdutyofman；intemperanceisnottheonlysintowhichhumannatureisinclined。

Mr。Clapp\'sspeechwasthelastfortheevening。

“Iwishyoujoy，Mrs。Clapp，“saidMrs。Tibbs，leaningforwardfromtheseatbehindthelawyer\'sprettylittlewife，andnoddingasshespoke。

“Ireallycongratulateyou；Mr。Clapphassurpassedhimself；suchanimation，suchaflowofeloquence！”addedMrs。Bibbs。

Katesmiled，andlookedmuchgratified；sheevidentlyadmiredherhusband\'sspeechesasmuchasshedidhishair。

Themomentforenrollingnewnameshadnowcome；numbersoftheaudiencewentforwardtosigntheTotalAbstinencePledge。Therewasoneworthywoman，awidow，sittingnearMissPatsey，whoseonlysonhad，duringthelastyearortwo，fallenintohabitsofintemperance；hisattentionhadquitelatelybeenattractedtotheTemperanceSocieties，hehadreadtheirpublications，hadbeenstruckbyashortspeechofMr。Strongonaformeroccasion；

andhismother\'sjoymaypossiblybeimagined，asshesawhimriseandaddhisnametothelistofmembersengagingtoabstainfromintoxicatingliquors。Therewereseveralotherswhoseheartswerecheered，onthesameoccasion，byseeingthosetheylovedbest，thoseoverwhomtheyhadoftenmourned，takethissteptowardsreformation。Amongtherest，amandressedasasailorwasseenapproachingthetable；whenhisturncameheputdownhisname，andthiswasnosoonerdone，thanMr。Clappadvancedandshookhimwarmlybythehand。

“Whoisthatman，Catherine，speakingtoMr。Clapp？——helookslikeasailor，“inquiredMissPatsey。

“Idon\'tknowwhoitis；someclientIsuppose；Williamseemedverymuchpleasedathissigning。“

Mr。Clapp，aftershakinghandswithhisfriend，thesailor，madehiswaythroughthecrowd，untilhereachedthepewwherehiswifeandlittleboyweresitting。TakingWilliebythehand，heledhimtothetable，placedthepeninhisfingers，andlefthimtowriteWilliamC。Clapp，jr。aswellashecould——noeasymatter，by-the-bye，forthechildwasnotveryexpertincapitalletters。AsWilliewastheyoungestindividualonthelist，hissignaturewasreceivedbyaburstofapplause。Thelittlefellowwasextremelyelatedbybeingmadeofsomuchconsequence；totellthetruth，heunderstoodverylittleofwhathewasabout。

Ifrespectfortemperancewereimplantedinhismindonthatevening，itwasalsoaccompaniedbystillmoredecidedideasofthegreatimportanceoflittleboys，withthegermofaconfusednotionastotheabsolutenecessityoftheapprobationofaregularlyorganizedpublicmeeting，tofostereveryindividualvirtueinhimself，andinthehumanraceingeneral。MissPatseyverymuchdoubtedthewisdomofmakingherlittlenephewplaysuchaprominentpartbeforethepublic；shehadold-fashionednotionsaboutthemodestyofchildhoodandyouth。Themother，hersisterKate，however，wasneverdisposedtofindfaultwithanythingherhusbanddid；itwasallrightinhereyes。Mr。Clapphimselftooktheopportunitytothanktheaudience，inashortbutemphaticburst，fortheirsympathy；concludingbyexpressingthehopethathisboywouldonedaybeasmuchdisposedtogratitudeforanypublicfavours，andasentirelysubmissive，bodyandsoul，tothepublicwillofhisowntime，ashehimself——thefather——wasconsciousofbeingatthatmoment——withinafewweeksofelection。

Themeetingwasshortlyafterconcludedbyatemperancesong，andagoodprayerbytheelderminister。

Astheaudiencecrowdedoutofthedoor，Mr。Clappnoddedagaintothesailor，whenpassingnearhim。

“Whoisthatman，William？”askedMrs。Clapp，astheyreachedthestreet。

“ItisapersoninwhomIamwarmlyinterested——aninjuredman。“

“Indeed！——oneofyourclientsIsuppose。“

“Yes；Iamnowpledgedtoservehimtothebestofmyability。“

“Helookslikeasailor。“

“Heisasailor，justreturnedfromathreeyears\'whalingvoyage。Youwillbesurprised，Catherine，whenyouhearthatman\'sstory；butthetimehascomewhenitmustberevealedtotheworld。“

“Youquiteexcitemycuriosity；Ihopeyouwilltellmethestory？”

“Yes；youshallhearit。ButwhereareyoursisterandCharles；

aretheygoinghomewithus？”

“No；Iamverysorry；buttheytoldmeatthemeetingtheycouldnotstay，astheyhadcomeoverinMrs。VanHorne\'scarriage。Itisapity，forIhadmadesomeice-cream，andgatheredsomeraspberries，expresslyforthem；andwehavehardlyseenCharlessincehearrived。ButPatseywantsustospendthedayatthegreyhouse，to-morrow，childrenandall。“

Mr。Clappassentedtothisarrangement；althoughhesaidheshouldnotbeabletodomorethangooverhimselfforhisfamilyintheevening，onaccountofbusiness。

KatehadonlyherhusbandandWillietoshareherexcellentice-creamandbeautifulraspberries，onthatwarmevening；thetriodidjustice，however，tothesenicerefreshments；andlittleWillieonlywishedhecouldsignatemperancepledgeeveryevening，ifhecouldsituplaterthanusual，andeatanexcellentsupperafterit。

Afterthelittlefellowhadbeensenttobed，andhismotherhadtakenalookatheryoungerchildren，whoweresleepingsweetlyintheirusualplaces，thelawyerandhiswifewereleftaloneintheparlour。Itwasacharmingmoon-lightevening，thoughverywarm；andKatehavingloweredthelamp，threwherselfintoarocking-chairnearthewindow；whileMr。Clapp，whohadhadratherafatiguingday，wasstretchedoutonthesofa。

“Itisearlyyet，William；supposeyoutellthestoryyoupromisedme，aboutyourclient，thesailor。“

“Idon\'tmuchliketotellit，Catherine；andyetitistimeyouknewsomethingaboutit，forwemustproceedtoactionimmediately。“

“Oh，tellme，byallmeans；youhavereallymademequitecurious。YouknowverywellthatIcankeepasecret。“

“Certainly；andIrequestyouwillnotmentionthefactsIshallrelate，toanyone，forsometime；notuntilwehavetakenthenecessarylegalsteps。“

“Ofcoursenot，ifyouwishit；andnowforthestory。Yousaidthispoormanhadbeeninjured。“

“Grosslyinjured。“

“Inwhatmanner？”

“Hehasbeentreatedinthemostunjustifiablemannerbyhisnearestrelatives。Hisreputationhasbeeninjured，andhehasbeentyrannicallydeprivedofaverylargeproperty。“

“Isitpossible！——poorfellow！Cannothingbedoneforhim？”

“Thatiswhatweshallsee。Yes，Iflattermyselfifthereislawintheland，weshallyetbeabletorestorehimtohisrights！”

“Doeshebelongtothispartofthecountry？”

“Hedoesnothimself；butthosewhoarerevellinginhiswealthdo。“

“Whatishisname？——DoIknowhisfamily？”

“Youwillbedistressed，Catherine，whenyouhearthename；youwillbeastonishedwhenyoulearnthewholestory；butthetimeforconcealmenthasgonebynow。Severalyearsagothatpoorsailorcametome，inraggedclothing，inpovertyanddistress，andfirstlaidhiscomplaintbeforeme。Ididnotbelieveawordofwhathetoldme；Ithoughtthemanmad，andrefusedtohaveanythingtodowiththecause。Hebecamedisgusted，andwenttoseaagain，andforsometimegaveupallhopeofbeingreinstatedinhisrights；theobstaclesseemedtoogreat。Butatlengthaveryimportantwitnessinhisfavourwasaccidentallythrowninhisway：attheendofhiscruisehecametomeagain，andI

confessIwasastoundedattheevidencehethenlaidbeforeme。

Itisconclusive，beyondadoubt，toanyunprejudicedmind，“saidMr。Clapp，rousinghimselffromhisrecumbentposition。

“Butyouhavenottoldmetheman\'sname。“

“HisnameisStanley——WilliamStanley。“

“YousaidIknewhim；butIneverheardofhim；Idon\'tknowthefamilyatall。“

“Yes，youdo；youknowthemonlytoowell；youwillbeasmuchsurprisedasIwasmyself——asIamstill，wheneverIallowmyselftodwellonthesubject。Mr。Stanleyisthecousin-germanofyourfriend，MissElinorWyllys。Mr。Wyllyshimself，Mrs。Stanley，thestep-mother，andyoungHazlehurst，aretheindividualswhostandbetweenhimandhisrights，“continuedMr。Clapp，rising，andwalkingacrosstheroom，asheranhisfingersthroughhisbrowncurls。

“Impossible！”exclaimedKate，asthefanshehelddroppedfromherhand。

“JustwhatIsaidmyself，atfirst，“repliedMr。Clapp。

“Butsurelyyouaredeceived，William——howcanitbe？”continuedthewife，inamazement。“WealwaysthoughtthatMr。Stanleywaslostatsea，yearsago！”

“Exactly——itwasthoughtso；butitwasnottrue。“

“Butwherehashebeeninthemeantime？——Whydidhewaitsolongbeforehecametoclaimhisinheritance？”

“Thesameunhappy，recklessdispositionthatfirstsenthimtosea，kepthimrovingabout。Hedidnotknowofhisfather\'sdeath，untilfouryearsafterithadtakenplace，andheheardatthesametimethathehadbeendisinherited。Whenhecamehome，afterthatevent，hefoundthathewasgenerallybelievedtohavebeenlostintheJefferson，wreckedintheyear18。Hewas，infact，theonlymansaved。“

“Howveryextraordinary！Butwhyhasheneverevenshownhimselfamonghisfriendsandconnexionsuntilnow？”

“Why，mydear，hishabitshavebeenunhappilyverybadineverywayforyears；theywere，indeedthecauseofhisfirstleavinghisfamily。Hehatedeverythinglikerestraint——eventhecommonrestraintsofsociety，andcaredfornothingbutasailor\'slife，andthatintheworstshape，itmustbeconfessed。Buthehasnowgrownwiser——hehasdeterminedtoreform。Youobservedhesignedthetemperancepledgethisevening？”

“Itallsoundssostrangely，thatIcannotyetbelieveit，William。“

“Idaresaynot——ittookmefouryearstobelieveit。“

“Butwhatdoyoumeantodo？Ihopeyouarenotgoingtoundertakealaw-suitagainsttwoofourbestfriends，Mr。WyllysandMr。Hazlehurst？”

“ThatmustdependonMr。WyllysandMr。Hazlehurst，themselves。I

haveundertaken，Catherine，todomybesttowardsrestoringthisinjuredmantohisproperty。“

“Oh，William；supposethismanisinthewrong，afterall！Don\'tthinkofhavinganythingtodowithhim。“

“Mydear，youtalklikeawoman——youdon\'tknowwhatyousay。IfIdon\'tactinthepremises，doyousupposehewon\'tfindanotherlawyertoundertakehiscause？”

“Lethimhaveanother，then：butitseemstoobadthatweshouldtakesidesagainstourbestfriends；ithardlyseemshonourable，William，todoso。“

“Honour，alone，won\'tmakeayounglawyer\'spotboil，Icantellyou。“

“ButIhadratherlivepoorly，andworkhardallmylife，thanthatyoushouldundertakeadishonestcause。“

“Itisallveryprettytalking，butIhavenomindtolivepoorly；IintendtoliveaswellasIcan，andIdon\'tlookuponthisStanleycauseasabadoneatall。Imustsay，Catherine，youareratherharduponyourhusband，andseemtothinkmoreoftheinterestsofyourfriends，thanofhisown。“

“Howcanyoutalkso，William，whenyouknowyoucan\'tthinkit，“

saidthewifereproachfully，tearsspringingtohereyes。

“Well，Ionlyjudgefromwhatyousayyourself。Butinmyopinionthereisnodangerofalaw-suit。AsMr。Stanley\'sagent，IshallfirstapplytoMrs。StanleyandMr。Hazlehursttoacknowledgehisclaim；andwhentheevidenceislaidbeforethem，Ihavenokindofdoubtbuttheywillimmediatelygiveuptheproperty；astheyaresomeofyourveryhonourablepeople，ImustsayIthinktheyareboundtodoso。“

“Certainly，iftheevidenceissoclear；butitseemstome，fromallIhaveheardsinceIhavebeenalawyer\'swife，thatevidenceneverissoveryclear，William，butthatpeopledisagreeaboutit。“

“Well，Iflattermyselfthatpeoplewillbestaggeredbytheproofswecanbringforward；Ifeelsureofpublicopinion，atleast。“

Katewassilenced；butthoughshecouldthinkofnothingmoretourge，shewasveryfarfromfeelingeasyonthesubject。

“Ihopewithallmyheartitwillbesettledamicably，“sheaddedatlength。

“Thereiseveryprobabilitythatitwill。Thoughthestorysoundssostrangelytoyounow——justasitdidtome，atfirst——yetwhenyoucometohearallthefacts，youwillfindthereisscarcelyroomforashadowofdoubt。“

“HowsorrymotherandPatseywillbewhentheyhearit！”

“Ican\'tseewhytheyshouldbesorrytoseeamanreinstatedinhisrights，afterhavingbeendeprivedofthemforeighteenyears。IftheyarenotblindedbytheirpartialityfortheWyllysesandHazlehursts，theycannothelpbeingconvincedbytheevidencewecanshow。“

“Howoldisthisman——thissailor——thisMr。Stanley？”

“Justthirty-six，hetellsme。DidyouremarkhislikenesstoMr。

Stanley\'sportraitatWyllys-Roof？thatwasthefirstthingthatstruckme。“

“No；Ihardlylookedathim。“

“Youmustexpecttoseehimoftennow；Ihaveinvitedhimtodinnerforto-morrow。“

“Forto-morrow？Well，UncleDoziehassentmethisafternoonabeautifulmessofgreenpeas，andyouwillhavetogetsomethingnicefrommarket，inthewayofpoultryandfish。Though，I

supposeashehasbeenacommonsailorsolong，hewon\'tbeveryparticularabouthisdinner。“

“Heknowswhatisgood，Icantellyou。Youmustgivehimsuchadinnerashewouldhavehadathisfather\'sinoldtimes。“

“Well，justasyouplease，William；only，ifyoureallycareforme，donotletthemandeceiveyou；besureyousiftthematterthoroughly——whatyoucallcross-examinehim。“

“Neveryoufear；IknowwhatIamabout，Katie；thoughifIwastofollowyouradviceinlawmatters，Ireckonweshouldallofusstarvetogether。“

“Ihopeitwillallturnoutwell，butIseemtofeelbadlyaboutit，“saidKatewithasigh，assherosetolightacandle；“onlydon\'tbetoohasty——taketime。“

“WehavetakentimeenoughIthink，asitis。WeareonlywaitingnowforMr。HazlehursttoarriveinPhiladelphia，whenweshallputforwardourclaim。“

CHAPTERIV。{XXVII}

“Theycalltheerich。“

COWPER。

{WilliamCowper(Englishpoet，1731-1800)，“TranslationsofGreekVerses：OnAMiser“line1}

WHENtheWyllysesarrivedatSaratoga，afterhavingpaidtheirpromisedvisittotheirfriendsatPoughkeepsie，thefirstpersonstheysawinthestreet，astheyweredrivingtoCongressHall，wereMrs。Creighton，Mr。Ellsworth，andMr。Stryker，whowereloiteringalongtogether。ItseemedtheexcursiontoNahanthadbeenpostponed，orgivenup。

ThebrotherandsistersoondiscoveredthattheWyllyseswereamongthatafternoon\'sarrivals，andinthecourseofanhourortwocalledattheirrooms。

“HereamI，MissWyllys，“saidMrs。Creighton，“thebestofsisters，givingupmyownprivateplanstogratifythisbrotherofmine，whowouldnotletmerestunlessIpromisedtopassanotherweekhere。“

“Josephinemakesthemostofhercomplaisance；butIdon\'tthinkshewassoverymuchaversetogivingupNahant。Iamsureatleast，shedidnotcarehalfsomuchaboutgoing，asIdidaboutstaying。“

Mr。Strykeralsoappeared，tomakehisbowtotheladies。ThisgentlemanhadindeedcometoSaratoga，withtheexpressintentionofmakinghimselfparticularlyagreeabletoMissElinorWyllys。

AslongagoasJane\'swedding，hehadhadhiseyeonher，but，likeMr。Ellsworth，hehadseldombeenabletomeether。Mr。

Strykerwasamanbetweenfortyandfifty，possessingsomelittleproperty，averygoodopinionofhimself，andquiteareputationforclevernessandknowledgeoftheworld。Hewasoneofthosemenwhohanglooseonsociety；heseemedtohaveneitherrelationsnorconnexions；nooneknewhisorigin：foryearshehadoccupiedthesamepositioninthegayworldofNewYork，withthisdifference，thatatfive-and-twentyhewasknownasBobStryker；atfive-and-thirtyhewasColonelStryker，thetraveller；andatfive-and-fortyhehadreturnedtoNewYork，afterasecondlongabsence，asMr。Stryker，toutcourt。Hepridedhimselfuponbeingconsideredagentlemanatlarge，amanoftheworld，whoseopiniononallsubjectswasworthhearing。

SincehislastreturnfromEurope，hehadannouncedthathewaslookingaboutforthatnecessaryencumbrance，awife；buthetookgoodcarenottomentionwhathecalledhisfutureintentions，untilhehadactuallycommittedhimselfmorethanonce。Hehadseveraltimeskindlyofferedtorichandbeautifulgirls，totakechargeofthemselvesandtheirfortunes，buthisserviceshadbeenasoftenpolitelydeclined。Hewasnotdiscouraged，however，bytheserepulses；hestilldeterminedtomarry，butexperiencehadtaughthimgreaterprudence——hedecidedthathisnextadvancesshouldbemadewithmorecaution。Hewouldshunthegreatbelles；fortunehemusthave，buthewouldadoptoneoftwocourses；hewouldeitherlookoutforsomeveryyoungandverysillygirl，whocouldbepersuadedintoanything，orhewouldtrytodiscoversomerichwoman，withaplainface，whowouldbeflatteredbytheattentionsoftheagreeableMr。Stryker。WhilehewasmakingthesereflectionshewasintroducedtoElinor，andwearesorrytosayit，sheappearedtohimtopossessthedesirablequalifications。Shewascertainlyveryplain；andhefoundthattherewasnomistakeinthereportofherhavingreceivedtwoimportantlegaciesquitelately。MissElinorWyllys，thankstothesebequests，toherexpectationsfromhergrandfatherandMissAgnes，andtotheLongbridgerailroad，wasnowgenerallyconsideredafortune。Itistrue，commonreporthadaddedverylargelytoherpossessions，bydoublingandquadruplingtheiramount；foratthatprecisemoment，peopleseemedtobegrowingashamedofmentioningsmallsums；thousandswereinvariablycountedbyroundfiftiesandhundreds。ShouldanygentlemanbecuriousastothepreciseamountofthefortuneofMissElinorWyllys，heisrespectfullyreferredtoWilliamCassiusClapp，AttorneyatLaw，Longbridge，consideredexcellentauthorityonallsuchsubjects。LestanyoneshouldbedisposedtomistrustthisstoryofElinor\'snewly-acquiredreputationasanheiress，weshallproceedatoncetoproveit，byevidenceofthemostconvincingcharacter。

{“toutcourte“=byitself；“period“(French)}

Onemorning，shortlyafterthearrivaloftheWyllysesatSaratoga，Mr。WyllysenteredtheroomwhereMissAgnesandElinorweresittingtogether，withahandfulofpapersandlettersfromthemail。SeveraloftheseletterswereforElinor，andasshereadsthemweshalltakethelibertyofpeepingoverhershoulder——theircontentswillspeakforthemselves。Thefirstwhichshetookupwaswrittenonveryhandsomepaper，perfumed，andinanenvelope；butneitherthesealnorthehandwritingwasknowntoElinor。Itranasfollows：

“CHARMINGMISSWYLLYS：——

“Itmayappearpresumptuousinoneunknowntoyou，toaddressyouonasubjectsoimportantasthatwhichisthethemeofthisepistle；butnothavingthehonourofyouracquaintance，Iamcompelledbydirenecessity，andtheardentfeelingsofmyheart，topourforthonpapertheexpressionofthestrongadmirationwithwhichyouhaveinspiredme。LovelyMissWyllys，youarebuttoowellknowntome，althoughIscarcelydaretohopethatyoureyehasrestedforamomentonthefeaturesofyourhumbleadorer。IamaEuropean，onewhohasmovedinthefirstcirclesofhisnativeland，andaftercommencinglifeasamilitaryman，wascompelledbypersecutiontofleetothehospitableshoresofAmerica。Chequeredasmylifehasbeen，happy，thricehappyshallIconsiderit，ifyouwillbutpermitmetodevoteitsremainingyearstoyourservice！Withoutyoursmiles，thelastdaysofmycareerwillbemoregloomythanallthathavegonebefore。ButI

cannotbelieveyousocruel，sohard-hearted，astorefusetoadmittoyourpresence，oneconnectedwithseveralfamiliesofthenobilityandgentryinthenorthofEngland，merelybecausethenameofHoracedeVerehasbeensulliedbyappearingonthestage。Letmehope——“

Elinorreadnofarther：shethrewtheletterasidewithanexpressionofdisgustandmortification。Itwasbutoneofhalf-a-dozenofsimilarcharacter，whichshehadreceivedduringthelastyearortwofromutterstrangers。Shetookupanother，aplain，honest-lookingsheet。

“MADAM：——

“Ifthenewstore，beingerectedonyourlotinMarketStreet，betweenFourthandFifth，isnotalreadyleased，youwillconferanobligationifyouwillletusknowtowhomwemustapplyforterms，&c。，&c。Thelocationandpremisesbeingsuitable，weshouldbegladtorent。Thebestofreferencescanbeofferedonourpart。

“Beggingyouwillexcusethisapplication，asweareignorantofthenameofyouragentinPhiladelphia，wehavethehonourtobe，Madam，“Yourmostobedientservants，“McMUNNY&CO。，“Grocers，Market，betweenFrontandSecond。“

Abusinessletter，itappears，tobeattendedtoaccordingly。Nowforthethird——adelicatelittleenvelopeofsatinpaper，bluewax，andtheseal“sempereadem。“

{“sempereadem“=alwaysthesame(Latin)}

“MYSWEETMISSELINOR：——

“WhenshallweseeyouatBloomingdale？Youarequitetoocruel，todisappointussooften；wereallydonotdeservesuchshabbytreatment。HereisthemonthofJune，withitsroses，andstrawberries，andtenthousandothersweets，andamongthemyoumustpositivelyallowustohopeforavisitfromourverydearfriendsatWyllys-Roof。Shouldyourvenerablegrandpapa，ormyexcellentfriend，MissWyllysbeunhappilydetainedathome，asyoufeared，donotletthatbethemeansofdeprivingusofyourvisit。IneednotsaythatWilliamwouldbeonlytoohappytodriveyoutoBloomingdale，atanytimeyoumightchoose；butifthatplan，HISplan，shouldfrightenyourpropriety，Ishallbeproudtotakechargeofyoumyself。Anneisnotonlypiningforyourvisit，butverytiredofansweringadozentimesaday，herbrother\'squestions，\'WhenshallweseeMissWyllys？\'——\'IsMissWyllysnevercoming？\'

“Idonotthink，mysweetyoungfriend，thatyoucanhavethehearttodisappointusanylonger——and，therefore，Ishallcertainlylookforoneofyourcharminglittlenotes，writteninanamiable，complyingmood。

“Annesendsherverybestlove；WilliambegstobeveryPARTICULARLYrememberedtoMissElinorWyllys。

“WithathousandkindmessagestoyourgrandfatherandMissWyllys，Iremainasever，mydearyoungfriend，“Yours，mostdevotedlyandpartially，“ARABELLAHUNTER。“

{“Bloomingdale“=afashionableandstillruralareaofManhattanIsland，thoughtechnicallypartofNewYorkCity}

Elinorreadthisnotewithadoubtfulsmile，whichseemedtosayshewashalf-amused，half-provokedbyit。Throwingitcarelesslyonthesofa，sheopenedthefourthletter；itwasinachildishhand。

“MYDEARMISSWYLLYS：——

“Mymotherwishesmetothankyoumyself，foryourlastactofgoodnesstous——butIcannevertellyouallwefeelonthesubject。Mydearmothercriedwithjoyalltheevening，aftershehadreceivedyourletter。Iamgoingtoschoolaccordingtoyourwish，assoonasmothercanspareme，andIshallstudyveryhard，whichwillbethebestwayofthankingyou。Themusic-mastersayshehasnodoubtbutIcanplaywellenoughtogivelessons，ifIgoonaswellasIhaveinthelastyear；I

practiseregularlyeveryday。Motherbidsmesay，thatnowshefeelssureofmyeducationforthenextthreeyears，oneofherheaviestcareshasbeentakenaway：shesaystoo，thatalthoughmanyfriendsintheparishhavebeenverygoodtous，sincemydearfatherwastakenawayfromus，yet\'noactofkindnesshasbeensoimportanttous，nonesocheeringtotheheartofthewidowandthefatherless，asyourgenerousgoodnesstohereldestchild；\'theseareherownwords。Motherwillwritetoyouherselfto-morrow。Ithankyouagain，dearMissWyllys，formyself，andI

remain，veryrespectfullyandverygratefully，“Yourobligedservantandfriend，“MARYSMITH。“

ThislastletterseemedtorestoreallElinor\'sgoodhumour，actingasanantidotetothethreewhichhadprecededit。Thecorrespondencewhichwehavetakenthelibertyofreading，willtestifymoreclearlythananyassuranceofours，tothefactthatourfriendElinornowstandsinvestedwiththedignityofanheiress，accompaniedbythedangers，pleasures，andannoyances，usuallysurroundinganunmarriedwoman，possessingthereputationofafortune。WhereverElinornowappeared，thenameofafortuneprocuredherattention；theplainfacewhichsomeyearsbeforehadcausedhertobeneglectedwhereshewasnotintimatelyknown，wasnolongeranobstacletothegallantryoftheveryclasswhohadshunnedherbefore。Indeed，thewantofbeauty，whichmighthavebeencalledhermisfortune，wasnowtheverygroundonwhichseveralofhersuitorsfoundedtheirhopesofsuccess；asshewaspronouncedsoveryplain，thedandiesthoughtitimpossibleshecouldresistthecharmoftheirownpersonaladvantages。Elinorhad，inshort，herfullshareofthosepersecutionswhicharesuretobefallallheiresses。Thepeculiarevilsofsuchapositionaffectyoungwomenverydifferently，accordingtotheirvariousdispositions。HadElinorbeenweakandvain，shewouldhavefallenintothehandsofafortune-hunter。

Hadshebeenofagloomytemper，disgustatthecoarseplotsandmanoeuvres，soeasilyunravelledbyaclear-sightedperson，mighthavemadeherapreytosuspicion，andallbutmisanthropic。Hadshebeenvulgar-minded，shewouldhavebeenpurse-proud；ifcold-hearted，shewouldhavebecomeonlythemoreselfish。Vanitywouldhavemadeherridiculouslyostentatiousandconceited；ajealoustemperwouldhavebecomeself-willedanddomineering。

Changeofpositionoftenproducesanapparentchangeofcharacter；sometimestheeffectisinjurious，sometimesitisadvantageous。Butwetrustthatthereader，onrenewinghisacquaintancewithElinorWyllys，willfindher，whileflatteredbytheworldasanheiress，essentiallythesameincharacterandmanner，asshewaswhenoverlookedandneglectedonaccountofanunusuallyplainface。Ifashadeofdifferenceisperceptible，itisonlythenaturalresultoffourorfiveyearsofadditionalexperience，andshehasmerelyexchangedthefirstretiringmodestyofearlyyouth，foragreaterportionofself-possession。

Inthefirstmonthsofhernewreputationasanheiress，Elinorhadbeenastonishedattheboldnessofsomeattacksuponher；

then，astherewasmuchthatwasridiculousconnectedwiththeseproceedings，shehadbeendiverted；but，atlength，whenshefoundthemrapidlyincreasing，shebecameseriouslyannoyed。

“Whatamiserablepuppettheseadventurersmustthinkme——itiscruellymortifyingtoseehowconfidentofsuccesssomeofthemappear！”sheexclaimedtoheraunt。

“Iamverysorry，mychild，thatyoushouldbeannoyedinthisway——butitseemsyoumustmakeupyourmindtotheseimpertinences——itisonlywhateverywomanwhohaspropertymustexpect。“

“Itisreallyintolerable！ButIamdeterminedatleastthattheyshallnotfillmyheadwithsuspicions——andInevercanenduretobeperpetuallyonmyguardagainstthesesortofpeople。Itwillnotdotothinkofthem；thatistheonlywaytokeepone\'stemper。IfIknowmyself，therenevercanbeanydangertomefrommenofthatkind，eventhemostagreeable。“

“Takecare，“saidMissAgnes，smiling，andshakingherhead。

“Well，Iknowatleastthereisnodangeratpresent；butasweallhavemomentsofweakness，Ishallthereforeveryhumblybegthatifyoueverseemeintheleastdanger，youwillgivemewarning，dearAunt；averysharpwarning，ifyouplease。“

“InsuchacaseIshouldcertainlywarnyou，mydear。Itstrikesmethatseveralofyourmostdisagreeableadmirers——“

“HowcallyoucallthemADMIRERS，AuntAgnes？”

“Well，severalofyourpursuers，then，arebeginningtodiscoverthatyouarenotayoungladyeasilypersuadedintobelievingherselfanangel，andcapableoffancyingthemthemostchivalrousanddisinterestedofmen。“

Thiswasquitetrue；therewasaquietdignity，withanoccasionaltouchofdecisioninElinor\'smanner，thathadalreadyconvincedseveralgentlementhatshehadmorefirmnessofcharacterthansuitedtheirviews；andtheyhadaccordinglywithdrawnfromthefield。

“Suppose，Elinor，thatIbeginbygivingyouawarning，thismorning？”continuedMissAgnes，smiling。

“Youarenotserious，surely，Aunt？”repliedElinor，turningfromsomemusicshewasunpacking，tolookatMissWyllys。

“Yes，indeed；Iamserious，sofarasbelievingthatyouareatthismomentexposedtothemanoeuvresofagentlemanwhomyoudonotseemintheleasttosuspect，andwhoisdecidedlyagreeable。“

“Whomcanyoumean？”saidElinor，runningoverinherheadthenamesofseveralpersonswhomshehadseenlately。“Yousurelydonotsuspect——No；Iamsureyouhavetoogoodanopinionofhim。“

“IamveryfarfromhavingaparticularlygoodopinionofthepersonIreferto，“saidMissAgnes；“Ithinkhimatleast，nothingbetterthanafortune-hunter；andalthoughitisverypossibletodomanyworsethingsthanmarryingformoney，yetI

hopeyouwillneverbecomethewifeofamanwhoseprinciplesarenotabovesuspicionineveryway。“

“Iamdisposedjustatpresent，Icanassureyou，dearAunt，tohaveaparticularlypooropinionofamerefortune-hunter。“

“Yes；youdonotseemtofeelveryamiablytowardstheclass，justnow，“saidMissAgnes，smiling。

“Butwhoistheindividualwhostandssolowinyouropinion？”

“Itisyouropinion，andnotmine，whichistheimportantone，“

repliedMissAgnes。

“Ah，Iseeyouarejoking，Aunt；youhalffrightenedmeatfirst。

Asfarashavingnofearsformyself，Iamreallyinanalarmingstate。“

“Soitwouldseem。Buthaveyoureallynosuspicionsofoneofourvisitersoflastevening？”

Elinorlookeduneasy。

“Isitpossible，“shesaid，loweringhervoicealittle，“thatyoubelieveMr。Ellsworthtobeacommonfortune-hunter？I

thoughtyouhadaverydifferentopinionofhim。“

“Youareright，mychild，“saidMissAgnes，apparentlypleasedbythisallusiontotheirfriend；“Ihave，indeed，ahighopinionofMr。Ellsworth；buthewasnotouronlyvisiterlastevening，“

“IsitMr。Stryker？Ihavehalf-suspectedsomesuchthingmyself，lately；Icannottakecreditforsomuchinnocenceasyougaveme。ButitisnotworthwhiletotroubleoneselfaboutMr。

Stryker；heiscertainlyoldenough，andworldly-wiseenoughtotakecareofhimself。Ifheactuallyhasanysuchviews，histimewillbesadlythrownaway。ButitismuchmoreprobablethatheisreallyinlovewithMrs。Creighton；anditwouldbeveryridiculousinme，toimaginethatheisevenpretendingtocareforme，whenheisattachedtosomeoneelse。“

“HemayflirtwithMrs。Creighton，but，ifIamnotmistaken，heintendstoofferhimselfbeforelongtoMissWyllys；andI

thoughtyouhadnotremarkedhisadvances。“

“Ifancy，dearAunt，thatmenlikeMr。Strykerseldomcommitthemselvesunlesstheyfeelprettysureofsuccess。“

Theconversationwashereinterrupted，ElinorwasengagedtoridewithMr。Wyllys，whonowreturnedfromthereading-roomforhisgrand-daughter。Mrs。Creightonwasalsogoingoutwithherbrother，andproposedthetwopartiesjoining；aninvitationwhichMr。Wyllyshadveryreadilyaccepted。Thehorseswereordered，Elinorwassoonequipped，andonjoiningMrs。Creightonatthedoor，shewasassistedtomountbyMr。Ellsworth。Mr。

Strykerhadalsobeeninvitedtoridewiththembytheprettywidow。

Itwasalovelymorning，andtheymovedoffgailyononeoftheroadsleadingtoSaratogaLake；Elinorenjoyingtheairandtheexercise，Mr。Ellsworthatherside，doinghisbesttomakehissocietyagreeable，Mrs。Creightonengagedinmakingaconquestofthetwogentlemenbetweenwhomsherode。Yes，weareobligedtoconfessthefact；onherpartatleast，therewasnothingwantingtomakeupaflirtationwithMr。Wyllys。Thewidowbelongedtothatclassofladies，whosethirstforadmirationreallyseemsinsatiable，andwhoappearanxioustocompelallwhoapproachthemtofeeltheeffectoftheircharms。Elinorwouldhavebeenfrightened，hadshebeenawareoftheattackmadethatmorningbyMrs。Creighton，onthepeaceofherexcellentgrandfather，nowinhisseventy-thirdyear。NotthattheladyneglectedMr。

Stryker——bynomeans；shewasverycapableofmanagingtwoaffairsofthekindatthesamemoment。AlltheremarkssheaddressedparticularlytoMr。Wyllys，weresensibleandlady-like；thoseshemadetoMr。Stryker，wereclever，worldly，andpiquant；whilethegeneraltoneofherconversationwasalwaysawell-bredmedleyofmuchfashionablelevity，withsomegoodsenseandpropriety。Mr。Strykerscarcelyknewwhethertobepleased，ortoregretthathewasobligedtorideatherside。HehadlatelybecomeparticularlyanxioustoadvanceinthegoodgracesofMissElinorWyllys，fortworeasons；hehadlostmoney，andwasverydesirousofappropriatingsomeofElinor\'stohisownuse；andhehadalsofelthimselftobeinimminentdangeroffallinginlovewithMrs。Creighton，andhewishedtoputitoutofhisownpowertoofferhimselftoherinamomentofweakness。

Muchasheadmiredthebeauty，thewit，andtheworldlyspiritoftheprettywidow，hewashalf-afraidofher；hejudgedherbyhimself；heknewthatshewasartful，andheknewthatshewaspoor；forherlatehusband，Mr。Creighton，duringashortmarriedlife，hadrunthroughallhiswife\'sproperty，aswellashisown，andhiswidowwasnowentirelydependentuponherbrother。

Theattentionofthetwogentlemenwasnot，however，entirelyengrossedbyMrs。Creighton。Mr。Strykerwasbynomeanswillingtoresignthefieldtohisrival，Mr。Ellsworth；andMr。Wyllyswasnotsomuchcharmedbytheconversationofhisfaircompanion，butthathiseyecouldrestwithpleasureonthecouplebeforehim，ashethoughttherewaseveryprobabilitythatElinorwouldatlengthgratifyhislong-cherishedwish，andbecomethewifeofamanhebelievedworthyofher。AsthepartyhaltedforafewmomentsonthebankoftheLake，Mr。WyllyswasparticularlystruckwiththeexpressionofspiritandinterestwithwhichElinorwaslisteningtoMr。Ellsworth\'sdescriptionofthelakesofKillarney，whichhehadseenduringhislastvisittoEurope；andwhenthegentlemanhadaddedaludicrousaccountofsomePaddyismofhisguide，shelaughedsogailythatthesoundrejoicedhergrandfather\'sheart。

Elinorhadlongsinceregainedherformercheerfulness。Foratime，Harry\'sdesertionhadmadehersad，butshesoonfeltitadutytoshakeoffeveryappearanceofgloom，forthesakeofhergrandfatherandaunt，whosehappinesswassodeeplyinterwovenwithherown。Religiousmotivesalsostrengthenedherdeterminationtoresisteveryrepiningfeeling。Thetruespiritofcheerfulnessis，infact，thefruitoftwoofthegreatestvirtuesofChristianity——steadfastfaith，andunfeignedhumility；

anditisakintothankfulness，whichisonlythenaturalconsequenceofasenseofourownimperfections，andoftheunmeritedgoodnessofProvidence。

“Wehavehadacharmingride，MissWyllys！”saidMrs。Creighton，asthepartyreturnedtothehotel。

“Verypleasant，“saidElinor。

“Delightful！”exclaimedMr。Ellsworth。“Ihopeweshallhavesuchanothereveryday。“

“ThenImusttryandfindananimal，withratherbetterpacesthantheonewhichhasthehonourofcarryingmeatpresent，“

saidMr。Stryker。

“ButMrs。Creightonhasbeensoveryagreeable，thatIshouldthinkyouwouldhavebeenhappytoaccompanyherontheworsthorseinSaratoga，“observedMr。Wyllys。

“Onlytooagreeable，“repliedMr。Stryker，ashehelpedtheladytodismount，whileMr。EllsworthperformedthesameservicetoElinor。

CHAPTERV。{XXVIII}

“Idobeseechyourgrace，forcharity，IfeveranymaliceinyourheartWerehidagainstme，nowtoforgivemefrankly。“

HenryVIII。

{WilliamShakespeare，“HenryVIII“，II。i。79-81}

ONEevening，aboutaweekafterthearrivaloftheWyllyses，therewasadanceatCongressHall，wheretheywerestaying。Mrs。

Creighton，withherbrother，whowerealreadyengagedtomeetsomefriendsthere，urgedElinorverymuchtojointhem；butshedeclined，notwishingtoleaveJane。Mr。Ellsworth，whohadbeenverydevoted，oflate，seemedparticularlyanxioussheshouldgo。

ButalthoughElinor\'smannerbetrayedsomelittleembarrassment，ifnotindecision，asthegentlemanurgedherdoingso，stillshepersistedinremainingwithhercousin。

{“CongressHall“=themostfashionablehotelinSaratogaSprings——builtin1811，theoriginalbuildingburnedin1866}

“Well，Iamsorrywecannotpersuadeyou，MissWyllys；thoughI

daresayyouwillhaveaverypleasanteveninginyourownparlour。“

“Wemustput，offourgameofchessuntilto-morrow，Mrs。

Creighton，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Yes，unfortunatelyforme；forIhavefullydeterminedtobeatyou，sir，atournexttrial。Well，Frank，wecannotstayherealltheevening；Idaresay，ourfriends，theStevensons，arelookingforusintheball-roomalready。“

“Mrs。Creightonisaveryprettywoman，“observedMr。Wyllys，asheseatedhimselfatthechess-board，oppositehisdaughter，afterthebrotherandsisterhadlefttheroom。

“Yes，averyprettywoman；andshealwayslookswellinherevening-dress，“repliedMissAgnes。

ElinordevotedherselftoJane\'samusement。Eversincetheyhadbeentogether，shehadgivenupagreatpartofhertimetoMrs。

Taylor，whomshewasveryanxioustocheerandenliven，thatshemightpersuadehertothrowoffthemelancholyandlowspirits，whichhercousinseemedpurposelytoencourage。Thesickbabywasbetter，andElinorwasinhopesthatbeforetheyparted，sheshouldsucceedinawakeningJanetoasomewhatbetterframeofmind。Shewasverydesirousthatthetimetheyweretogethershouldnotbelost；andherkindnesswassounwearied，hermannerwassoaffectionateandsoothing，andtheadviceshesometimesallowedherselftogive，wassoclearandsensible，thatatlastJaneseemedtofeelthegoodeffectsofhercousin\'sefforts。

AfterMr。Ellsworthandhissisterhadlefttheroomtojointhedancers，JanesuddenlyturnedtoElinor，withtearsinhereyes。

“Howkindyouare！”shesaid。“Idaresayyouwouldliketogodown-stairs；——butyouaretoogoodtome，Elinor！”

“Nonsense，Jenny；Ican\'thelpitifIwould。DoyouthinkI

shouldenjoydancing，ifIknewyouweresittingaloneinthisdarkcorner，whilegrandpapaandAuntAgnesareplayingchess！

Youarelookingagreatdealmorewoe-begonethanyououghtto，nowbabyissomuchbetter。“

“Youspoilme，“saidJane，shakingherhead，andsmilingwithmorefeelingthanusualinherunexpressiveface。

“Ishallspoilyouagreatdealmorebeforewegetthrough。Nextweek，whenMr。Taylorcomes，IintendtotalkhimintobringingyouovertoWyllys-Roof，topayagoodlongvisit，likeoldtimes。“

“Ihadmuchratherthinkofoldtimes，thanofwhatistocome。

Thereisnothingpleasantformetolookforwardto！”

“Howcanyouknowthat，Jane？Ihavelearnedonelessonbyexperience，thoughIamonlyayearolderthanyou，dear——anditis，thatifweareoftendeceivedbyhope，sowearequiteasoftenmisledbyfear。“

“Ibelieve，Elinor，youaremybestfriend，“saidJane，holdingoutherhandtohercousin。

“Oh，youhavemoregoodfriendsthanyouthinkfor，andmuchgoodofeverykind，thoughyouwillshutyoureyestothefact。“

“Itmaybeso，“saidJane；“Iwilltrytofollowyouradvice，ifIcan。“

“Tryhard，then，“saidElinor，“andallwillgowell。Andnow，shallIsingyouthesongMrs。Creightoncutshort？”

Shebegantosing“AuldLangSyne；“butthesongwasinterruptedbeforeshehadfinishedthesecondverse。Severalpersonswereheardapproachingtheirroom，whichwasinaretired，quietpartofthehouse；thedoorsoonopened，andinwalkedRobertHazlehurst。

“Well，goodpeople，“heexclaimed，“youtaketheworldasquietlyasanybodyIknow！Wesupposed，ofcourse，youwereattheball，butElinor\'svoicebetrayedyou。Thisway，Louisa，“hesaid，returningtothedoor，afterhavingshakenhandswithMr。WyllysandMissAgnes。

“HowgladIamtoseeyou！”exclaimedElinor——“youareasgoodasyourword；butwedidnotexpectyouforseveraldays；“andJaneandherselfwenttothedoortomeetMrs。Hazlehurst。

“And，pray，whatreasonhadyoutosupposethatweshouldnotkeepourword？”saidthelatter，assheappeared。

“WethoughtHarrywouldprobablydetainyou，“saidElinor。

“Notatall；webroughthimalongwithus。“

“Thatwasagoodarrangementwehadnotthoughtof，“observedMissAgnes。

Harryenteredtheroom。Hewasnotentirelyfreefromembarrassmentatfirst；butwhenMr。Wyllysmethimwithsomethingofthecordialmannerofoldtimes，heimmediatelyrecoveredhimself。HekissedthehandofMissAgnes，asinformerdays，andsalutedElinorinthesameway，insteadofthemorebrotherlygreetingswithwhichheusedtomeetherofold。

“AndhereisJane，too，Harry，“saidMrs。Hazlehurst，whohadjustembracedhersister。“Youhavebeensolongaway，thatI

daresayyouhaveforgottenhalfyouroldfriends。“

“Notatall，“saidHarry，crossingtheroomtoJane。“Ithinkmyselfaveryluckyfellow，atfindingthemallcollectedheretogether，formyespecialbenefit。ImetMr。TaylorforamomentinNewYork，“hecontinued，addressingJane。

“Didhesaywhenhewascomingforme？”repliedMrs。Taylor，offeringherhandtoherkinsman。

“HetoldmethatheshouldbeatSaratogaveryshortly。“

“Ihavealetterforyouinmytrunk，Jane，“saidMrs。RobertHazlehurst。

“Don\'tyouthinkourinvalidmuchbetter，already，Louisa？”askedElinor。

“Yes；shedoescredittoyournursing。“

“Nowonder，“saidJane；“forduringthelastmonthIhavebeenpettedallthetime——firstbyMrs。Taylor，thenbyAuntAgnesandElinor。“

“It\'sverypleasanttobepetted，“saidHarry；“that\'spreciselywhatIcamehomefor。Igiveyoumynotice，Louisa，Iexpectagreatdealfromyouinthenextthreemonths。“

“Isthatthelengthofyourholiday？”inquiredMissAgnes。

“Sosaysmymaster，Mr。Henley。Iunderstand，“headded，turningtoElinor，“thatyouhavealltheagreeablepeopleinthecountrycollectedhere。“

“Therearesomethousandsofus，agreeableanddisagreeable，altogether。Theysaytheplacehasneverbeenmorecrowdedsoearlyintheseason。“

“SoI\'mtold。IwaswarnedthatifIcame，Ishouldhavetomakemybedinthecellar，orontheroof。AreEllsworthandMrs。

Creightonatthishouse，orattheother？”

“TheyarestayingattheUnitedStates。Theyareherethisevening，however，atthedance。“

{“UnitedStates“=theothermajorhotelinSaratogaSprings，lessfashionableatthistimethanCongressHall}

“Indeed！——IhavehalfamindtotakeEllsworthbysurprise。Willtheyadmitagentlemanintravellingcostume，doyouthink？”

“Idaresaytheywill；buthereareyourfriends，comingtolookforyou。“

Atthesamemoment，Mr。EllsworthandMrs。Creightonjoinedtheparty。

“Howd\'yedo，Ellsworth？——Gladtoseeyou，mydearfellow！”criedtheyoungmen，shakingeachotherviolentlybythehand。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Hazlehurst？”addedthelady，“Welcomebackagain。Butwhathaveyoudonewithyoursister-in-law？——forIdidnotcometocalluponyoualone。Ah，hereyouare，Mrs。

Hazlehurst。Mybrotherobservedyoupassingthroughthehall，asyouarrived，andwedeterminedthatitwouldbemuchpleasantertopasshalfanhourwithyou，thantofinishthedance。Wehavebeenwishingforyoueveryday。“

“Thankyou。Weshouldhavesetoutbefore，ifwehadnotwaitedforHarry。ElinortellsmehalfPhiladelphiaishere，already。“

“Yes；thehouseshavefilledupverymuchsinceIfirstcame；forIamashamedtosayhowlongIhavebeenhere。“

“Why，yes：IunderstoodyouweregoingtoNahant。“

“Weoughttohavebeentherelongago；butIcouldnotmovethisobstinatebrotherofmine。HehasneverfoundSaratogasodelightful，Mrs。Hazlehurst，“addedthelady，withanexpressivesmile，andalooktowardsElinor。“Ican\'tsay，however，thatI

atallregretbeingforcedtostay，formanyofourfriendsarehere，now。Mr。Hazlehurst，Ihopeyouhavecomehomemoreagreeablethanever。“

“Ihopesotoo，Mrs。Creighton；foritisoneofourchiefdutiesasdiplomatists，\'totellliesforthegoodofourcountry，\'inanagreeableway。ButIamafraidIhavenotimprovedmyopportunities。Ihavebeenverymuchoutofhumourforthelastsixmonths，atleast。“

“Andwhy，pray？”

“BecauseIwantedtocomehome，andMr。Henley，myboss，insisteduponprovingtomeitwouldbethemostfoolishthingIcoulddo。

Hewassomuchintheright，thatIresenteditbybeingcross。“

“Butnowhehascomehimself，andbroughtyouwithhim。“

“Nothankstohim，though。ItwasallUncleSam\'sdoings，whowantstosendusfromtheEquatortotheNorthPole。“

“AreyoureallygoingtoRussia，Hazlehurst？”askedMr。

Ellsworth。

“Certainly；youwouldnothavemedesert，wouldyou？”

“Oh，no；don\'tthinkofit，Mr。Hazlehurst；itmustbeaverypleasantlife！”exclaimedMrs。Creighton。“Ionlywish，Frank，thatyouwereenoughofapoliticiantobesentasministersomewhere；Ishoulddelightindoingthehonoursforyou；thoughIdaresayyouwouldratherhavesomeoneelseinmyplace。“

“WewillwaituntilIamsentasambassadortoTimbuctoo，beforeIanswerthequestion。“

“Youhavegrownhalf-a-dozenshadesdarkerthanyouusedtobeasayoungster，Harry；orelsethislampdeceivesme，“observedMr。

Wyllys。

“IdaresayImayhaveafreshtingeoftheolive。ButIamjustfromsea，sir，andthatmayhavegivenmeanadditionalcoat。“

“Didyousuffermuchfromheat，onthevoyage？”askedMissWyllys。

“NothalfasmuchasIhavesinceIlanded。ItappearedtomePhiladelphiawasthewarmestspotIhadeverbreathedin；worsethanRio。IwasdelightedwhenLouisaproposedmycomingtoSaratogatoseemyfriends。“

“Youwillfinditquitewarmenoughhere，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Thethermometerwas92{degrees}intheshade，yesterday。“

“Idon\'texpecttobewellcooled，sir，untilwegettoSt。

Petersburgh。Afterasea-voyage，Ibelieveonealwaysfeelsthecoldless，andtheheatmorethanusual。ButwhereisMrs。

Stanley？——wehopedtofindherwithyou。Isshenotstayingatthishouse？”

“Yes；butsheleftusearly，thisevening，notfeelingverywell；

youwillnotbeabletoseeheruntilto-morrow，“saidMissAgnes。

“Iamsorrysheisnotwell；howisshelooking？”

“Particularlywell，Ithink；shemerelycomplainedofahead-achefromridinginthesun。“

“Mrs。Stanleyhasbeenveryanxiousforyourreturn；butshewillbeasagreeablysurprisedastherestofus，tofindyouhere，“

saidElinor。

“Thankyou。Ilookuponmyselfasparticularlyfortunate，tofindsomanyoldfriendscollectedinonespot，insteadofhavingtorunabout，andhuntforeachinadifferentplace，justnowthatIamlimitedfortime。“

“YououghttobegreatlyindebtedtoFrankandmyself，forbreakingourwordandstayinghere；insteadofkeepingourpromiseandgoingtoNahant，aswehadengagedtodo，“saidMrs。

Creighton。

“Certainly；Ilookuponitaspartofmygoodluck；butIshouldhavemademyappearanceatNahant，ifyouhadactuallyrunawayfromme。“

“Ishallbelieveyou；forImakeitapointofalwaysbelievingwhatisagreeable。“

“AsIknewMrs。Hazlehurstandyourbrotherhadengagedroomshere，Ihopedyouwouldjoinus，soonafteryourarrival，“saidMr。Ellsworth。

“Itwasmuchthebestplanforyou，“saidMr。Wyllys。

Harrylookedgratifiedbythisfriendlyremark。

Itwasalreadylate；andMrs。Hazlehurst，whohadbeenconversinginacornerwithJane，complainedofbeingfatiguedbyherday\'sjourney，whichbrokeuptheparty。TheHazlehursts，likeMrs。

Creightonandherbrother，werestayingattheUnitedStates，andtheyallwentofftogether。

WhenElinor，asusual，kissedMr。Wyllysbeforeretiringtoherownroom，shehesitatedamoment，andthensaid：

“Imustthankyou，grandpapa，forhavinggrantedmyrequest，andreceivedHarryasofold。Itismuchbetterthatthepastshouldbeentirelyforgotten。Self-respectseemstorequirethatweshouldnotshowresentmentunderthecircumstances，“sheadded，colouringslightly。

“Icannotforgetthepast，Elinor。Harrydoesnotstandwithmewhereheoncedid，bythesideofmybelovedgrandchild；butwewillnotthinkofthatanylonger，asyousay。Ihopeforbetterthingsfromthefuture。Blessyou，dear！”

CHAPTERVI。{XXIX}

“Thefoamuponthewaters，notsolight。“

COWPER。

{WilliamCowper(Englishpoet，1731-1800)，“Truth“line43}