第10章

AsusualatSaratoga，earlythenextmorninggroupsofpeoplewereseenmovingfromthedifferenthotels，towardstheCongressSpring。Itwasapleasantday，andgreatnumbersappeareddisposedtodrinkthewateratthefountain-head，insteadofhavingitbroughttotheirrooms。TheHazlehurstswerenottheonlypartyofouracquaintanceswhohadarrivedthenightbefore。

TheWyllysesfoundMissEmmaTayloralreadyontheground，chatteringinahighkeywithatall，whiskeredyouth。ThemomentshesawElinor，shesprangforwardtomeether。

{“CongressSpring“=principalmineralwatersourceatSaratogaSprings}

“Howdoyoudo，MissWyllys？——Areyounotsurprisedtoseemehere？”

“Onecanhardlybesurprisedatmeetinganybodyinsuchacrowd，“

saidElinor。“Whendidyouarrive？”

“Lastnight，ateleveno\'clock。WemadeaforcedmarchfromSchenectady，whereweweretohaveslept；butIpersuadedAdelineandMr。St。Legertocomeon。Youcan\'tthinkhowdelightedIamtobehere，atlast，“saidtheprettylittlecreature，actuallyskippingaboutwithjoy。

“AndwhereisMrs。St。Leger？”

“Oh，shewillhehereinamoment。ShehasgonetoJane\'sroom。I

lefthertherejustnow。“

Theplatformroundthespringwasquitecrowded。Inoneparty，ElinorremarkedMrs。HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbard，escortedbyMonsieurBonnetandanotherFrenchman。TheyweresoonfollowedbyasetmoreinterestingtoElinor，theHazlehursts，Mrs。

Creighton，andherbrother。

“IhopenoneofyourpartyfromWyllys-Roofareherefromnecessity，“saidHarry，afterwishingElinorgood-morning。

“Notexactlyfromnecessity；butthephysiciansrecommendedtoAuntAgnestopassafortnighthere，thissummer。Youmayhaveheardthatshewasquiteill，ayearago？”

“Yes；Robert，ofcourse，wrotemewordofherillness。ButMissWyllyslooksquitelikeherself，Ithink。AsforMr。Wyllys，hereallyappearsuncommonlywell。“

“Thankyou；grandpapaisverywell，indeed；andAuntAgneshasquiterecoveredherhealth，Itrust。“

“MissWyllys，“saidMr。Stryker，offeringaglassofthewatertoElinor，“can\'tIpersuadeyoutotakeasympatheticcup，thismorning？”

“Ibelievenot，“repliedElinor，shakingherhead。

“Doyouneverdrinkit“\'askedMrs。Creighton。

“No；Ireallydislikeitverymuch。“

“Pray，giveittome，Mr。Stryker，“continuedMrs。Creighton。

“Thankyou：Iamcondemnedtodrinkthreeglasseseverymorning，anditwillbethreehours，atthisrate，beforeIgetthem。“

“Didyoueverhearabettershriekthanthat，MissWyllys？”saidMr。Stryker，loweringhisvoice，andpointingtoEmmaTaylor，whowasstandingontheoppositesideofthespring，engagedinanoisy，rattlingflirtation。Afterdrinkinghalftheglassthathadbeengiventoher，shehadhandedittotheyoungmantowhomshewastalking，biddinghimdrinkitwithoutmakingaface。Ofcourse，theyouthimmediatelyexertedhimselftomakeagrimace。

“Oh，younaughtyboy！”screamedMissTaylor，seizinganotherhalf-emptyglass，andthrowingahandfulofwaterinhisface；

“thisisthewayIshallpunishyou！”

Thereweretwogentlemen，Europeantravellers，standingimmediatelybehindElinoratthismoment，andthecolourroseinhercheeksassheheardtheveryunfavourableobservationstheymadeuponMissTaylor，judgingfromhernoisymannerinapublicplace。Elinor，whounderstoodverywellthelanguageinwhichtheyspoke，wassoshutinbythecrowdthatshecouldnotmove，andwascompelledtohearpartofaconversationthatdeeplymortifiedher，asthesetravellers，apparentlygentlemanlymenthemselves，exchangedopinionsuponthemannersofcertainyoungladiestheyhadrecentlymet。Theybegantocomparenotes，andrelatedseverallittleanecdotes，anythingbutflatteringintheirnature，tothedelicacyoftheladiesalludedto；actuallynamingtheindividualsastheyproceeded。MorethanoneoftheseyounggirlswaswellknowntoElinor，andfromheracquaintancewiththeirusualtoneofmannerandconversation，shehadlittledoubtastothetruthofthestoriesthesetravellershadrecordedfortheamusementofthemselvesandtheirfriends；atthesametime，shefeltperfectlyconvincedthattheinterpretationputuponthesegiddy，thoughtlessactions，wascruellyunjust。Couldtheseyoungladieshaveheardtheobservationstowhichtheyhadlaidthemselvesopenbytheirownfolly，theywouldhavebeensoberedatonce；self-respectwouldhaveputthemmoreontheirguard，ESPECIALLYINTHEIR

INTERCOURSEWITHFOREIGNERS。Itis，nodoubt，delightfultoseeyoungpersonsfreefromeverysuspicion；noonewouldwishtoimposeasinglerestraintbeyondwhatisnecessary；but，surely，ayounggirlshouldnotonlybesanspeur，butalsosansreproche——thefaintestimputationonhernativemodestyisnottobeendured：and，yet，whohasnotseenpretty，delicatecreatures，scarcelyarrivedatwomanhood，actuallyassuminganoisy，forwardpertness，foreigntotheirnature，merelytoqualifythemfortheenviedtitleofbelles？Thereissomethingwrong，certainly，whereversuchapainfulpictureisexhibited；

anditmaybepresumedthatinmostcasesthefaultliesratherwiththeparentsthanthedaughters。Happily，thegiddy，rattlingschooltowhichMissEmmaTaylorbelonged，ismuchlessinfavournow，thanitwassometenorfifteenyearsago，atthedateofourstory。

{“sanspeur，butalsosansreproche“=withoutfear，butalsowithoutreproach(French)；theFrenchnationalheroBayard(1476-1524)，istraditionallycalled“LeChevaliersanspeuretsansreproche“}

“HowlittledoEmmaTaylor，andgirlslikeher，imaginethecruelremarkstowhichtheyexposethemselvesbytheirfoolishmanners！”thoughtElinor，asshesucceededatlength，withtheassistanceofMr。Ellsworth，inextricatingherselffromthecrowd。

AstheWyllyspartymovedawayfromthespring，towalkintheprettywoodadjoining，theysawayoungmancomingtowardsthemataveryrapidpace。

“Whoisit——anyoneyouknow，MissWyllys？”askedMr。Ellsworth。

“Heisinpursuitofsomeotherparty，Ifancy，“repliedElinor。

“ItisCharlieHubbardcomingtojoinus；didweforgettomentionthathecameuptheriverwithus？”saidHarry，whowasfollowingElinor，withMrs。CreightonandMr。Stryker。

Theyoungpaintersoonreachedthem，astheyimmediatelystoppedtowelcomehim；hewasverykindlyreceivedbyhisoldfriends。

“Well，Charlie，myboy，“saidMr。Wyllys，“ifHarryhadnotbeenheretovouchforyouridentity，IamnotsurebutIshouldhavetakenyouforanexiledItalianbandit。HaveyoushownthosemoustachesatLongbridge？”

“Yes，sir；“repliedCharlie，laughing。“Isurprisedmymotherandsisterbyasightofthem，sometendayssince；itrequiredalltheirgood-nature，Ibelieve，toexcusethem。“

“Idaresaytheywouldhavebeengladtoseeyou，ifyouhadcomebacklookinglikeaTurk，“saidElinor。

“Iamdeterminednottoshaveforsomemonths，outofprinciple；

justtoshowmyfriendsthatIamthesameCharlieHubbardwithmoustachesthatIwasthreeyearsagowithoutthem。“

“Isupposeyouconsideritpartofyourprofessiontolookaspicturesqueasourstiff-cutbroadclothwillpermit，“saidMr。

Wyllys。

“Ifyoureallysuspectmeofdandyism，sir，“saidCharlie，“I

shallhavetoreformatonce。“

“Iamafraid，Mr。Hubbard，thatyouhaveforgottenme，“observedMr。Ellsworth；“thoughIpassedaverypleasantmorningatyourroomsinNewYork，someyearssince。“

Charlierememberedhim，however；andalsomadehisbowtoMrs。

CreightonandMr。Stryker。

“AndhowdidyouleavetheMediterranean，sir？”askedMr。

Stryker，inadrytone。“Wastheseaingoodlooks？”

“Asblueasever。IamonlyafraidmyfriendsinthiscountrywillnotbelievethecolourIhavegivenitinmysketches。“

“Weareboundtobelieveallyourrepresentationsofwater，“

remarkedMr。Wyllys。

“Ihopeyouhavebroughtbackagreatdealforustosee；haveyouanythingwithyouhere？”askedElinor。

“Onlymysketch-book。Iwouldnotbringanythingelse；forImustgetridofmyrecollectionsofItaly。ImustaccustommyeyeagaintoAmericannature；IhaveagreatdealtodowithLakeGeorge，thissummer。“

“ButyoumusthavesomethinginNewYork，“saidMissWyllys。

“Yes；Ihavebroughthomewithmesamplesofwater，fromsomeofthemostcelebratedlakesandriversinEurope。“

“Thatisdelightful，“saidElinor；“andwhencanweseethem？”

“Assoonastheyareunpacked，Ishallbeveryhappytoshowthemtomyfriends。Theywillprobablyinterestyouonaccountofthelocalities；andIhaveendeavouredtobeasfaithfultonatureasIcould，ineveryinstance。Youwillfindseveralviewsfamiliartoyou，amongthenumber，“addedCharlie，addressingHazlehurst。

“Ihavenodoubtthatyouhavedonethemjustice。“

“TheyarefarfrombeingasgoodasIcouldwish；butIdidmybest。Youwillfindsomeimprovement，sir，Ihope，“addedCharlie，turningtoMr。Wyllys，“sincemyfirstattemptatChewattanLake，inthedaysofCompoundInterest。“

“Youhavenotforgottenyouroldenemy，theArithmetic，“saidMr。

Wyllys，smiling。“IamafraidFortunewillneversmileuponyouforhavingdesertedfromtheranksoftrade。“

“Iamnotsureofthat，sir；sheiscapricious，youknow。“

“Ishouldthinkyouwoulddowell，Charlie，totryyourluckjustnow，byanexhibitionofyourpictures。“

“Myunclehasalreadyproposedanexhibition；butIdoubtitssuccess；ourpeopledon\'toftenrunaftergoodpictures，“headded，smiling。“IfIhadbroughtwithmesometrashfromParisorLeghorn，Imighthavemadeamintofmoney。“

Ageneralconversationcontinueduntilthepartyreturnedtowardsthehotels。Theyweremet，astheyapproachedCongressHall，byseveralpersons，twoofwhomprovedtobeMrs。Hilson，andMissEmmelineHubbard。CharliehadalreadyseenhiscousinsinNewYork，andhemerelybowedinpassing。MissEmmelinewasleaningonthearmofM。Bonnet，Mrs。HilsononthatofanotherFrenchman，whosename，asthe“BaronAdolphedeMontbrun，“hadbeenconstantlyonherlipsduringthelastfewweeks，orinotherwords，eversinceshehadmadehisacquaintance。Charliekepthiseyefixedonthisindividual，withasingularexpressionofsurpriseandvexation，untilhehadpassed。Hethoughthecouldnotbemistaken，thathiscousin\'scompanionwasnootherthanamanofverybadcharacter，whohadbeeninRomeatthesametimewithhimself，andhavingmarriedthewidowofanItalianartist，asisterofoneofHubbard\'sfriends，hadobtainedpossessionofherlittleproperty，andthendesertedher。ThewholeaffairhadtakenplacewhileCharliewasinRome；

anditwillreadilybeimaginedthathefeltnolittleindignation，whenhemetapersonwhomhestronglysuspectedofbeingthisverychevalierd\'industrie，flourishingatSaratoga，bythesideofhisuncleJoseph\'sdaughter。

{“chevalierd\'industrie“=conman；swindler；manwholivesbyhiswits(French)}

CharliehadnosoonerlefttheWyllysesonthepiazzaatCongressHall，thanheproceededtomakesomeinquiryaboutthisFrenchman。Hefoundhisnamedowninthebooksofthehotel，astheBaronAdolphedeMontbrun，whichwiththeexceptionofALPHONSEforthefirstname，wastheappellationoftheverymanwhohadbehavedsobadlyatRome。HewenttoMrs。Hilson，andtoldherhissuspicions；buttheyhadnottheleasteffectonthe“citylady；“shewouldnotbelievethem。Charliehadnopositiveproofofwhatheasserted；hecouldnotbeconfidentbeyondadoubtastotheidentityofthispersonandtheMontbrunoftheRomanstory，forhehadonlyseenthatindividualonceinItaly。

Still，hewasconvincedhimself，andheentreatedhiscousintobeonherguard；theeffectofhisrepresentationsmaybeappreciatedfromthefact，thatMrs。HilsonbecamemoreamiablethaneverwiththeBaron，whileshewaspoutingandsulkywithCharlie，scarcelycondescendingtonoticehimatall。Hubbardonlyremainedtwenty-fourhoursatSaratoga，forhewasonhiswaytoLakeGeorge；beforehelefttheSprings，however，hehintedtoMr。WyllyshissuspicionsofthisMontbrun，inordertopreventthatindividual\'sintrudingupontheladiesoftheWyllysparty；forMrs。Hilsondelightedinintroducinghimrightandleft。Asforherothercompanion，M。Bonnet，hewasknowntobearespectablemerchantinNewYork。

Severaldayspassed，duringwhichourfriendsatSaratoga，liketherestoftheworldthere，walked，androde，anddrankthewaters，andseemedtopasstheirtimeverypleasantly；althoughtheladiesdidnoteitherdressorflirtasmuchasmanyoftheircompanions，whoseemedtolookuponthesetwooccupationsasthepeculiarbusinessoftheplace。Jane\'sspiritsimprovedverymuch；therewasmuchcuriositytoseeher，onaccountofherreputationasabeauty；but，liketherestofherparty，shewasonlyoccasionallyinthepublicrooms。

“HaveyouseenthebeautifulMrs。Taylor？”——“IcaughtaglimpseofMrs。Taylor，thegreatbeauty，thismorning——“What，thebeautifulJaneGrahamthatwas？issheaslovelyasever？”——wereremarksthatwerefrequentlyheardinthecrowd。

Elinoralsocameinforhershareofthepublicnotice，andtheattentionsheattractedwas，ofcourse，ofadirectlyoppositecharacter。TherehappenedtobestayingatCongressHall，justthen，averyprettyyounglady，fromSavannah，whowasalsoconsideredagreatfortune；shewasknownasthe“lovelyheiress，“whileElinor，incontradistinction，wasspokenofasthe“uglyheiress。“

“Doyouknow，“saidayounglady，standingonthepiazzaoneevening，“Ihavenotyetseentheuglyheiress。Ishouldliketogetapeepather；isshereallysoveryugly？”shecontinued，addressingayoungmanatherside。

“MissWyllys，youmean；aperfectfright——uglyassin，“repliedthegentleman。

Elinor，attheverymoment，wasstandingimmediatelybehindthespeakers，andMr。Ellsworth，whowastalkingtoher，wasmuchafraidshehadheardtheremark。Tocutshorttheconversation，heimmediatelyaddressedherhimself，raisinghisvoicealittle，andcallingherbyname。

Theyoungladywasquitefrightened，whenshefoundthe“uglyheiress“washernearneighbour，andeventhedandywasabashed；

butElinorherselfwasratheramusedwiththecircumstance，andshesmiledattheevidentmortificationofthespeakers。NeverwasthereawomanmorefreefrompersonalvanitythanElinorWyllys；andshewasindifferenttoremarksofthiskind，toadegreethatwouldseemscarcelycredibletothatclassofyoungladies，whothinknosoundsodelightfulasthatofacompliment。

Ontheeveninginquestion，thepiazzaswerecrowdedwiththeinmatesofthehotels；thosewhohadfeelingforthebeautiesofnature，andthosewhohadnot，cameoutalike，toadmireanunusualeffectofmoonlightuponafinemassofclouds。ElinorwassoonawarethatshewasintheneighbourhoodofMrs。Hilsonandhersister，bythesillyconversationtheywerekeepingupwiththeircompanions。TheseLongbridgeladiesgenerallykeptwiththeirownparty，whichwasalargeone。TheWyllyseswerenotsorrythattheyseldommet；for，littleastheylikedthesisters，theywishedalwaystotreatthemcivilly，onaccountoftheirfather。TheEnglishartof“cutting“is，indeed，littlepractisedinAmerica；exceptinextremecases；allclassesaretoosocialintheirfeelingsandhabitstoadoptit。Itis，indeed，anhonourablecharacteristicofthosewhooccupythehighestsocialpositioninAmerica——thosewhohavereceived，ineveryrespect，thebesteducationinthecountry——that，asaclass，theyarefreefromthelittle，selfish，ungenerousfeelingofmereexclusiveism。

“Oh，hereyouare，MissWyllys！”exclaimedEmmelineHubbardtoElinor，whowastalkingtoMrs。Creighton。“Ihavebeenwishingtoseeyoualltheafternoon——Ioweyouanapology。“

“Anapologytome，MissHubbard？——Iwasnotatallawareofit。“

“Isitpossible？Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkmeveryrudethismorning，whenIspoketoyouinthedrawing-room，fortherewasagentlemanwithyouatthetime。OfcourseIoughtnottohavejoinedyouatsuchamoment，butIwasanxioustogiveyoutheLongbridgenews。“

“Certainly；Iwasverygladtohearit：theconversationyouinterruptedwasaverytriflingone。“

“Oh，IdidnotwishtoinsinuatethatyouwereconversingonaPARTICULARLYinterestingsubject。But，ofcourse，Iamtoowellacquaintedwiththeetiquetteofpolishedcircles，nottoknowthatitiswrongforoneyoungladytointrudeuponanotherwhileconversingwithagentleman。

“Iftherebesuchapointofetiquette，Imusthaveoftenbrokenitveryinnocently，myself。Ihaveneverpractisedit，Iassureyou。“

“Ah，thatisveryimprudent，MissWyllys！”saidthefairEmmeline，shakingherfanatElinor。“Whoknowshowmuchmischiefonemaydo，inthatway？Youmightactuallypreventadeclaration。Andthenayoungladyis，ofcourse，alwaystooagreeablyoccupiedinentertainingabeau，towishtoleavehimforafemalefriend。Itisnoteverybodywhowouldbeasgood-naturedasyourselfatsuchaninterruption。“

“Ihavenomeritwhateverinthematter，Iassureyou；forIwasverygladtofindthat——“

JustatthatmomentoneofMissHubbard\'sadmirersapproachedher，andwithoutwaitingtoheartheconclusionofElinor\'sremark，sheturnedabruptlyfromthelady，tomeetthegentleman，withastrikingincreaseofgrace，andtheexpressionofthegreatestinterestinherwholemanner。

Elinorsmiled，asthethoughtoccurredtoher，thatthislastactofrudenesswasreallytryingtohergood-nature，whileshehadneverdreamedofresentingtheinterruptionofthemorning。ButMissHubbardwasonlyfollowingthecodeofetiquette，tacitlyadoptedbytheclassofyoungladiesshebelongedto，whoneverscrupledtomaketheirmannertomen，muchmoreattentiveandflatteringthantowardsoneofthemselves，oreventowardsanolderpersonoftheirownsex。

Elinor，however，hadseensuchmanoeuvresbefore，andshewouldscarcelyhavenoticeditatthemoment，haditnotbeenforMissEmmeline\'spreviousapology。

Mrs。Hilsonsoonapproachedher。“HasEmmelinebeencommunicatingourLongbridgeintelligence，MissWyllys？Doyouthinkitagoodmatch？”

“Ihopeitwillproveso；wewereverygladtohearofit。MaryVanHorneisagreatfavouriteofmyaunt\'s，andMr。Roberts，I

hear，ishighlyspokenof。“

“Yes；andheisveryrich；too；shehasnothingatallherself；I

believe。\'\'

“DoyouknowwhethertheyaretoliveinNewYork？Ihopetheywillnotgoveryfarfromus。“

“Isupposetheywillliveinthecity，asheissowealthy；Marywillhaveanopportunityoftastingthefascinationsofhighlife。Ishallintroducehertoacliqueofgreatrefinementatonce。Don\'tyouthinkSaratogathemostdelightfulplaceintheworld，MissWyllys？Iamneversohappyaswhenhere。Idelightsomuchinthegayworld；itappearstomethatIbreathemorefreelyinacrowd——solitudeoppressesme；doyoulikeit？”

“Ihavenevertrieditverylong。Ifyoulikeacrowd，youmustbeperfectlysatisfied，justnow。“

\'\'AndsoIam，MissWyllys，perfectlyhappyinthesefashionablescenes。Doyouknow，itisafact，thatIlosemyappetiteunlessIcansitdowntotablewithatleastthirtyorfortyfashionablydressedpeopleaboutme；andIneversleepsounderthanonboardasteamboat，wheretheflooriscoveredwithmattresses。Iamnotmadeforretirement，certainly。Ah，MonsieurBonnet，hereyouareagain，Isee；whathaveyoudonewiththeBaron？——isnottheBaronwithyou？”

“No，Madame；hehasnotfinishhiscigar。AndwhereisMlle。

Emmeline？——Ihopeshehasnotabandonneme！”saidM。Bonnet，who，todohimjustice，wasasufficientlyrespectableman，aFrenchmerchantinNewYork，andnowayconnectedwiththeBaron。

“Oh，no；sheishere；wewerewaitingfortheBaronandyoutoescortustothedrawing-room；butwewillremainuntiltheBaroncomes。Ihaveheardsomethingthatwillputyouingood-humour，anotherofthosemarriagesyouadmiresomuch——oneofthepartiesrollinginwealthandluxury，theotherpoorasJob\'sturkey。“

“Ah，vraiment；thatisindeeddelightful；celaestforttouchant；

thatshowsomuchsensibilite，toappreciatelemerite，thoughsufferingfrompoverty。Amarriagelikethatmustbebeaucommeunreved\'Amour！”

{“vraiment“=truly；“celaestforttouchant“=thatisverytouching；“beaucommeunreved\'Amour“=asbeautifulasadreamofLove(French)}

“Youarequiteromanticonthesubject；butdon\'tpeoplemakesuchmatchesinFrance？”

“Ah，non，Madame；lefroidcalculdominatesthereatsuchtimes。

IhonourthebeautifulpracticethatiscommoninvotrejeuneAmerique；celarappellelesiecled\'or。Cantherebeatableaumoredelicieuxthanacoupleunisundersuchcirconstances？Thehappyepoux，ayoungmanperhaps，offorty，andlafemmeacreatureangelique；“hereM。BonnetcastaglanceatMissEmmeline；“unecreatureangelique，whoknowsthatheadoresher，andwhosaystohim，\'monamijet\'aime，jeveuxfairetonbonheur，\'andwhobestowsonhimherwholeheart，andherwholefortune；whilehe，ofcourse，oppressedwithgratitude，laboursonlytoincreasethatfortune，thathemayhaveitinhispowertomakethelifeofhisbienaimeebeautifulcommeunjourdefete。“

{“froidcalcul“=coldcalculation；“votrejeune……“=youryoungAmerica；itremindsoneofthegoldenage；“tableaumoredelicieuxthanacoupleunisundersuchcirconstances“=aprettierpicturethanacoupleunitedundersuchcircumstances；

“epoux“=husband。“lafemmeacreatureangelique“=thewifeanangeliccreature；“monami，jet\'aime，jeveuxfairetonbonheur“

=myfriend，Iloveyou，Iwishtomakeyouhappy；“bienaimeebeautifulcommeunjourdefete“=belovedasbeautifulasadayoffestival(mixedFrenchandEnglish)}

“Youareeloquent，Mr。Bonnet。“

“N\'estcepasunsujet，Madame，totoucherlecoeurdel\'hommeinamostdelicatepoint；amanwhocouldbeinsensibletosuchdelicacy，tosuchaimabletendresse，wouldbenobetterthanoneofyoursauvages，oneofyourMohicans！”

{“N\'estcepasunsujet，Madame，totoucherlecoeurdel\'homme……“=Isthisnotasubject，Madame，whichtouchestheheartofman……；“tosuchaimabletendresse“=tosuchpleasantaffection(mixedFrenchandEnglish)}

“Well，Idon\'tthinksomuchofit，becauseitisverycommonhere；suchmatcheshappeneveryday。“

“Andwhoarethehappycoupleyourefertoatpresent？”

“\'TisayounggentlemanofNewYorkcity，Mr。Roberts，whoisgoingtomarryayounglady，whosefatherisaneighbourofpa\'s。“

“Andwhatisthesumtheyoungladyhasbestoweduponhergratefuladorateur？”

“Oh，theladyhasnotanythingtobestowinthiscase；itisthegentleman，whoisverywealthy，anddoingaveryhandsomebusinessinNewYork。“

“Ah，“saidM。Bonnet，takingapinchofsnuff；“thatisnotsointerestingIthink，aswhenthemariisthefavouredparty。Theheartofmanismoresusceptibleoflastinggratitudeforuntelbienfait。“

{“mari“=husband；“untelbienfait“=suchafavor(French)}

“Thegentlemanhasallthemoney，thistime；Idon\'tthinkMaryVanHornewillhaveacent；doyou，MissWyllys？”

ButElinorwasgone。AstheBaronappeared，however，Mrs。Hilsondidnotregretit。

“Ah，Baron，Ithoughtyouwerenevercoming。Yououghttobemuchobligedtome，forIhadjusttoldMonsieurBonnet，wemustnotmovetilltheBaroncomes；theBaronwillnotknowwheretofindus。“

CHAPTERVII。{XXX}

“Theysitconferring。“

TamingtheShrew。

{WilliamShakespeare，“TheTamingoftheShrew“，V。ii。102}

THEusualeveningcirclehadcollectedinMissWyllys\'sparlour，withtheadditionofMaryVanAlstyne，whohadjustarrivedfromPoughkeepsie，andMrs。St。Leger。MissEmmaTaylorhadgonetoaconcertwithhergood-naturedbrother-in-law，andacoupleofheradmirers。Janeandhersister-in-law，Adeline，weresittingtogetherinacorner，talkingpartlyabouttheirbabies，partlyaboutwhatthesetwoyoungmatronscalled“oldtimes；“thatistosay，eventswhichhadtranspiredasfarbackasthreeorfouryearspreviously。Tothem，however，thosewere“oldtimes；“for，sincethen，thehopesandfears，caresandpleasures，ofthetwofriendsweremuchchanged。

Amongtherestofthepartytheconversationbecamemoregeneral；

forElinorhadjustfinishedasong，andMr。WyllyshadjustbeatenMrs。Creightonatagameofchess。

“Mr。Hazlehurst，praywhathaveyoudonewithmysayaymanto？”

askedtheprettywidow，takingaseatatthesideofElinor，onasofa。“Herehaveyoubeen，three，four，fivedays，andIhavenotevenalludedtoit，which，youmustobserveisagreatactofforbearanceinalady，whenthereisapieceoffineryinquestion。“

{“sayaymanto“=skirtandcloak(Spanish)}

“IamreallyashamedofmyselffornothavingreporteditsafeatPhiladelphia，before。Iwouldnotsendittoyourhouse，whenI

heardyouwerehere，forIwishedtodeliveritinperson；andI

didnotbringitwithme，becauseMrs。Hazlehursttoldmeitwastoowarmforafashionableladytowearanythingasheavyasblacksilkforthenextthreemonths。“

“Well，ofcourseIamverymuchobligedtoyouforthetroubleyouhavehadwithit；butIshalldeferthankingyouformally，untilIfindoutwhetheritisbecomingornot。“

“DoyouexpecttomakeaverycaptivatingSpaniard？”askedMr。

Stryker。

“Ishalldomybest，certainly；butIshallleaveyoutodecidehowfarIsucceed，Mr。Stryker。AretheBrazilianwomenpretty，Mr。Hazlehurst？——whatdotheylooklike？”

“VerylikePortuguese，“wastheanswer。

“MorethantheAmericanslookliketheEnglish？”inquiredElinor。

“Farmore，“saidHarry；“butyouknowthereislessdifferencebetweentheclimatesofBrazilandPortugal，thanbetweenoursandthatofEngland。“

“Formypart，“observedMr。Ellsworth，“IdonotthinkwelookintheleastliketheEnglish——neithermennorwomen。Wearegettingveryfasttohaveadecidedphysiognomyofourown。IthinkI

couldpickoutanAmericanfromamongacrowdofEuropeans，almostassoonasIcouldaTurk。“

“Youalwayspiquedyourself，Ellsworth，uponhavingaquickeyefornationalcharacteristics。Weusedtotryhimveryoften，whenwewereinEurope，Mrs。Creighton，andImustdohimthejusticetosayheseldomfailed。“

“Oh，yes；IknowallFrank\'sopinionsonthesubject，“repliedMrs。Creighton：“itisquiteahobbywithhim。“

“WhatdoyouthinkarethephysicalcharacteristicsoftheAmericans，ascomparedwithourEnglishkinsmen？”inquiredMr。

Wyllys。

“Weareadarker，athinner，andapalerpeople。ThebestspecimensoftheEnglishhavetheadvantageinmanlinessofformandcarriage；theAmericanissuperiorinactivity，intheexpressionofintelligenceandenergyinthecountenance。TheEnglishpeculiaritiesintheirworstshapeare，coarsenessandheavinessofform；abrutal，dullcountenance；theworstpeculiaritiesamongtheAmericansare，anapparentwantofsubstanceintheform，andacold，cunningexpressionoffeatures。Iusedoftentowonder，whentravellinginEurope，particularlyinFranceandGermany，atthenumberofheavyformsandcoarsefeatures，whichstrikeonesooftenthere，evenamongthewomen，andwhicharesoveryuncommoninAmerica。“

“Yes；thatbrutalcoarsenessoffeatures，whichstoodforthemodeloftheoldSatyrs，isscarcelytobemetinthiscountry，thoughbynomeansuncommoninmanypartsofEurope，“observedHazlehurst。

“Iwasverymuchstrucktheotherevening，atthedance，withtheappearanceofthewomen，“continuedMr。Ellsworth。“Notthattheyaresobrilliantintheirbeauty——oneseesbeautifulwomenineverycountry；buttheyaresopeculiarlyfeminine，andgenerallypretty，asawhole。Byroom-fulls，enmasse，theyappeartomoreadvantageIthink，thananyotherwomen；thegeneraleffectisveryseldombrokenbycoarsenessofface，orunmanageableawkwardnessofform。“

“Yes，youareright，“saidMr。Stryker。“Thereisavastdealofprettiness，andverylittlerepulsiveuglinessamongthewomeninthiscountry。Butitstrikesmetheyareincliningalittletoomuchtotheidea，justnow，thatallthebeautyintheworldiscollectedintheseUnitedStates，which，asweallknowisratheramistakenopinion。“

“Certainly；thatwouldbeanextremelyridiculousnotion。“

“Youthinkdelicacythen，thepeculiarcharacteristicofAmericanbeauty？”saidMr。Wyllys。

“Yes，sir；butIcouldpointoutothers，too。BrownhairandhazeleyesareanothercommonfeatureinAmericanbeauty。Ifyoulookovertheprettywomenofyouracquaintance，youwillfindthatthecaseIthink。“

“LikeMrs。Creighton\'s，“saidElinor，smiling。

“No；Josephine\'sfeaturesarenotsufficientlyregularforabeauty，“saidherbrother，good-naturedly。

“Ishan\'tgetacomplimentfromFrank，MissWyllys，“repliedthewidow，shakingherhead。“Iagreewithhim，though，aboutthebrown-hairedbeauties；for，Ioncetookthetroubletocountovermyacquaintances，andIfoundagreatmanythatansweredhisdescription。Ithinkitthepredominatingcolouramongus。Iamcertainlyincludedinthebrowntribemyself，andsoareyou，MissWyllys。“

“Asfarasthecolourofmyhairgoes，“repliedElinor，withasmilewhichseemedtosay，talkon，Ihavenofeelingonthesubjectofmyplainface。Oneortwopersonspresenthadactuallypaused，thinkingtheconversationwastakinganunfortunateturn，asoneoftheladiespresentwasundeniablywantinginbeauty。Toencouragethenaturalpursuitofthesubject，Elinorremarkedthat，“lighthairanddecidedlyblueeyes，likeMrs。St。Leger\'s，arenotsoverycommon，certainly；nortrueblackhairandeyeslikeyour\'s，Jane。“

“Youarealmostasmuchgiventocompliments，MissWyllys，asI

am，“saidMrs。Creighton；“Ihavetosayasaucythingnowandthen，bywayofvariety。“

“Thesaucyspeechesareforyourownsatisfaction，nodoubt，andthecomplimentsforthatofyourfriends，Isuppose，“repliedElinor，smilingalittlearchly；forshehadverygoodreasonsformistrustingthesincerityofeithermodeofspeechfromthelipsofthegaywidow；whom，forthatveryreason，shelikedmuchlessthanherbrother。

“Doyoureallythinkmetoosevere？——waittillwearebetteracquainted！”

“Ishallalwaysthinkyouverycharming，“repliedElinor，withherusualfranksmile；for，infact，sheadmiredMrs。Creightonquiteasmuchastherestoftheworld。AndthenobservingthatMr。Ellsworthwaslisteningtotheirconversation，sheturnedtohimandasked，ifthetruegoldenhair，somuchadmiredbytheItalianpoets，andsooftensungbythem，werestillcommoninItaly？

“Judgingfrombooksandpictures，Ishouldthinkitmusthavebeenmuchmorecommonsomecenturiesagothanatthepresentday；

for，certainly，thereisnotoneItalianwomaninahundred，whohasnotverydecidedlyblackhairandeyes。IrememberonceinatranslationfromEnglishintoItalian，Iusedtheexpression\'greyeyes，\'whichdivertedmymasterverymuch：heinsisteduponit，therewasno\'suchthinginnature；\'andevenafterIhadremindedhimofNapoleon，hewouldnotbelievetheEmperor\'seyeswerenotblack。HewasathoroughItalian，ofcourse，andknewnothingofthenorthernlanguages，orhewouldhavemetwiththeexpressionbefore。“

“Letmetellyou，Ellsworth，“saidHarry，afterashortpauseintheconversation，“thatitisverypleasanttopassanagreeableeveninginthisway，chattingwitholdfriends。YouhavenoideahowmuchIenjoyitafterathreeyears\'exile！”

“Icanreadilybelieveit。“

“No，Idon\'tthinkyouunderstanditatall。Itistrueyouwererovingabouttheworldseveralyears，butyouwerenotalone，mydearsir。Youhadindeedtheadvantageofparticularlyagreeablecompanionswithyou：inParisyouhadMrs。Creighton，andinEgyptyouhadyourhumbleservant。Andthen，inthenextplace，yourmindwasconstantlyoccupied；youlivedwiththepastwhileinItalyandGreece，andwiththepresentinParis。Now，atRio，thereisnopastatall，andnotmuchofapresent。“

“IstherenogeneralsocietyatRio？”inquiredMissWyllys。

“Oh，yes；societyenough，intheusualmeaningoftheword。Iwasveryfortunateinmeetingwithsomeveryagreeablepeople，andhavereallyastrongregardforManezes{sic}——agoodfellowheis，andIhopetoseehimhereoneofthesedays。Buttheywereallnewacquaintances。YoucannotthinkhowmuchIwantedtoseeafaceIhadknownallmylife；Iwaspositivelyatonetimeonthevergeofbeinghome-sick。“

“Youfoundoutthatyouweremoretender-heartedthanyouhadbelievedyourself，“saidMr。Ellsworth。

“Soitseems，“repliedHarry；ashadeofembarrassmentcrossinghisfaceashespoke。

“IshouldhavethoughtsomeoldacquaintanceorotherwouldhavegonestragglingtowardsRio，inthesetravellingdays，“observedMr。Ellsworth。

“No，Iwasparticularlyunfortunate：oncewhentheAmericansquadronlayatRioforsomeweeks，andIhadseveralfriendsonboardtheMacedonian，Ihappenedatthatverytimetobeabsentonanexcursionintheinterior。Forsixmonths，orsoitdidverywell；ittakesoneaslongasthattoenjoythelovelyscenery，tosaynothingofthenovelty；butafteradmiringthebayandtheCorcovadoundereverypossibleaspect，IgotatlasttobeheartilytiredofRio。Ishouldhaverunaway，ifwehadnotbeenrecalledthissummer。“

{“Macedonian“=aUnitedStateswarship，commandedduringtheearly1840sbyCommodoreWilliamBranfordShubrick(1790-1874)，alife-longclosefriendofJamesFenimoreCooper。SusanFenimoreCooperwroteabiographyofhimin1876；“Corcovado“=afamousmountainpeakoverlookingthebayofRiodeJaneiro}

“Youshouldhavefalleninlove，“saidMrs。Creighton。

“Idon\'tthinkIsucceededinthat；perhapsIdidnottryveryhard。“

“ButisnotthestateofsocietypleasantatRio？”inquiredMr。

Wyllys。

“Notparticularly，sir；itistoomuchlikeourownforthat；

somethingprovinciallingeringaboutit，althoughtheyhaveanemperoroftheirown。Wecannotdowithouttheotherhemisphereyet，inspiteofourself-importantairs。WeYankeeshavecoaxedTimeoutofagreatdeal，butheisnottobecheatedforallthat。PeoplewerenotbusyforthousandsofyearsintheOldWorld，merelytoqualifythemfordiscoveringAmerica，whateversomeofourpatriotsmaysayonthesubject。“

“Yes，youareright，Harry；Ihaveoftenwishedthatourpeoplewouldrememberwhattheyseemtoforget，thatTimehasaprerogativebeyondtheirreach。ThereisawidedifferencebetweenablindreverenceforTime，andaninfatuateddenialofhispower；andItakeittobeoneofthedutiesofyourgenerationtofindoutthedividinglineinthisandotherpoints，andshapeyourpracticeaccordingly。“

“Yes，sir；itappearstomehightimethatthecivilizedworldsetaboutmarkingmoredistinctlyagreatmanyboundarylines，onimportantmoralquestions；anditistobepresumed，thatwithsomuchexperienceatourcommand，weshallatlastdosomethingtowardsit。Itistobehopedthatmankindwillatlengthlearnnotalwaystorushoutofoneextremeintotheother；andwhentheyfeeltheevilofonemeasure，nottoflyforrelieftoitsveryopposite，butsetaboutlookingforthetrueremedy，whichisgenerallynotsofaroff。“

“Youdon\'tbelieveinmoralhomoeopathy？”saidMrs。Stanley。

“Notintheleast。“

“Well，weareverymuchobligedtoyouforgettingtiredofRio，“

saidMrs。Creighton；“andthinkingthatthegayworldofPhiladelphiawasquiteasagreeableastheImperialCourt。“

“Itakeitforgranted，however，thatitwasnotexactlythegayworldthatyouregretted，“saidEllsworth。

“Notexactly，no；generalsocietyisnotsufficientlyperfectinitswayamongus，foramantopineafter。“

“Ihaveoftenthought，“observedElinor，“thatthespiritofmeredissipationmustbelessexcusableinthiscountrythaninEurope。Societymusthavesomanyattractionsthere——moregeneralfinish——morehighaccomplishment。“

“Yes；wewantmoreoftherealthing；wehavesmatterersenoughasitis，“repliedMr。Ellsworth。

“AndthenthedecorationsaresowellgotupinEurope！”

exclaimedMrs。Creighton。“Imustconfessmyselfenoughofawoman，tobecharmedwithgooddecorations。“

“Somethingfarbetterthanmeredecoration；however，isrequisitetomakesocietyatallagreeable，“continuedMr。Ellsworth。

“Thereisluxuryenoughamongus，ineatinganddrinking，dressingandfurniture，forinstance；andyetwhatcanwellbemoresilly，morepuerile，thanthegeneraltoneofconversationatcommonpartiesamongus？AndhowmanyofthemostdelightfulsoireesinParis，arecollectedinplainrooms，ausecond，orautroisieme，withabrickfloortostandon，andaglassoforgeat，withabitofbriochetoeat！”

{“ausecond，orautroisieme“=onthethirdorfourthfloor；

“orgeat“=asyrupflavoreddrink；“brioche“=asimplepastry(French)}

“LotsandLove——SpeculationandFlirtation，aretooentirelytheorderoftheday，andoftheevening，withus，“saidHarry；

“whetherfiguringonChange，oronaBrusselscarpet。“

{“onChange“=atthestockmarket}

“Ihaveoftenbeenstruck，myself，withtheexcessivesillinessoftheconversationatcommonparties，especiallywhatarecalledyoungparties；thoughIhaveneverseenanythingbetter，“saidElinor。

“Thoseyoungpartiesareenoughtospoilanysociety，“saidHarry。

“Perhaps，however，youhavetoohighanideaofsuchscenesinEurope，preciselybecauseyouhavenotseenthem，MissWyllys，“

observedMr。Ellsworth。

“Thatmayverypossiblybethecase。“

“Therearealwayssillyandignorantpeopletobemetwitheverywhere，“remarkedHarry；“butthedifferenceliesinthegeneralcharacterofthecircle，whichisnotoftensoinsipidandsopuerileinEurope。“

“Itisthedifference，Isuppose，betweenapuppet-showandgenteelcomedy，“saidElinor。

“Precisely，MissWyllys，“saidMr。Ellsworth，smiling。

“Wehaveveryprettypuppets，though，“observedMrs。Creighton；

“quitewell-dressed，andsufficientlygraceful，too；thatistosay，theyoungladypuppets。Asforthegentlemen，Ishallnotattempttodefendthem，enmasse，neithertheirgracenortheircoats。“

“Youwon\'tallowustobeeitherprettyorwell-dressed？”saidMr。Stryker。

“Oh，everybodyknowsthatMr。Stryker\'scoatandbowarebothunexceptionable。“

“Whydon\'tyougotowork，goodpeople，andimprovetheworld，insteadoffindingfaultwithit？”saidMr。Wyllys，whowaspreparingforanothergameofchesswithMrs。RobertHazlehurst。

“AlabourofHercules，sir！”exclaimedMr。Stryker，shrugginghisshoulders。“Thepositionofareformerisnotsufficientlygracefultosuitmyfancy。“

“Itisfatiguing，too；itismucheasiertositstillandfindfault，sir，“observedRobertHazlehurst，smiling。

“Sauvequipeut，ismymotto，“continuedMr。Stryker。“Ishalltakecareofmyself；thoughIhavenoobjectionthattherestoftheworldshouldprofitbymyexcellentexample；theymayimproveonmymodel，iftheyplease。“

{“sauvequipeut“=everyoneforhimself(French)}

“Thefactis，thatmanners，andallothermattersoftaste，oughttocomebyinstinct，“saidMrs。RobertHazlehurst；“onesoonbecomestiredofbeingsregularlytutoredonsuchpoints。“

“Nodoubtofthat，“repliedHarry；“butunfortunately，thoughreadingandwritingcomebynature，asDogberrysays，inthiscountry，yetitisbynomeanssoclearthatgoodtastefollowsasaconsequence。“

{“Dogberry“=aconstableinShakespeare\'scomedy，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“：“Tobeawell-favor\'dmanisthegiftoffortune，buttowriteandreadcomesbynature。“III。iii。14-16}

“Goodtastenevercamebynature，anywherebutinoldGreece，I

takeit，“saidEllsworth。“Inanewstateofsociety，suchthingsmustforcethemselvesuponone。“

“Certainly，“saidMr。Wyllys；“andyouyoungpeople，whohavehadsomanyadvantagesofeducationandleisure，areveryrighttogivethesubjectsomeattention，forthesakeofthecommunityinwhichyoulive。Mannersintheirbestmeaning，asapartofcivilization，arecloselyconnectedatmanydifferentpoints，withthecharacterandmoralsofanation。Hithertointhiscountry，thesubjecthasbeentoomuchlefttoitself；butinmanyrespectsthereisagoodfoundationtoworkupon——someofournationaltraitsareverycreditable。“

“Thatistrue，sir，“repliedMr。Ellsworth；“andAmericansarenaturallyveryquickintakingahint，andinfittingittotheirownuses。Theyareagood-natured，sociablerace，too，neithercoarsenorunwieldyinbodyormind。Alltheywantis，alittlemorereflectiononthesubject，andasufficientlylargenumberofmodels，toobserve，andcomparetogether；fortheyaretooquickandclever，nottopreferthegoodtothebad，whenthechoiceliesbeforethem。“

“Remembertoo，“saidMr。Wyllys，“thatifyoucannotdoeverything，youmustnotsupposeyoucandonothing。“

“ThereisonepointinAmericanmanners，thatisverygood，“saidHarry：“amongourverybestpeoplewefindagreatdealoftruesimplicity；simplicityoftherightsort；real，notfactitious。“

“Sweetsimplicity，oh，la！”exclaimedMr。Stryker。“Well，Iamabadsubjecttodealwith，myself。Iamtoooldtogotoschool，andIamtooyoungyet，Iflattermyself，togivemuchweighttomyadvice。Notquiteincorrigible，however，Itrust，“headded，endeavouringtosmileinanaturalway，asheturnedtowardsElinorandMrs。Creighton。“Ishallbemosthappytolearnfromtheladies，andtrytoimproveundertheiradvice。Haveyounosuggestionstomake，MissWyllys？”

“IamafraidIcouldnotbeofmuchuseinthatway。“

“Thereareonlyathousand-and-onehintsthatIshouldgiveyou，“

saidMrs。Creighton，laughing。

“Youmustbefrightfullyparticular！”exclaimedMr。Stryker；

“pray，whatishintNo。1？”

“Oh，Ishouldnothavetimetomakeevenabeginning；itisgrowingverylate，andIshalldeferyoureducationuntilthenexttimewemeet。Mr。Hazlehurst，thatismyscarf，Ibelieve，onyourchair。“

Thepartyseparated；HarryofferinghisarmtoMrs。Creighton。

CHAPTERVIII。{XXXI}

“VerilyYoushallnotgo——alady\'sverilyisAspotentasalord\'s。Willyougoyet？”

Winter\'sTale。

{WilliamShakespeare，“AWinter\'sTale“，I。ii。50-51}

MRS。STANLEYhadjoinedtheWyllysesatSaratoga，afewdaysaftertheyarrived，andthemeetingbetweenHazlehurstandherselfhadbeenverycordial。ShehadalwaysfeltawarminterestinHarry，lookinguponhimasherhusband\'schosenrepresentative，andallbutanadoptedson；theintercoursebetweenthemhadinvariablybeenofthemostfriendlyandintimatenature。

Mr。Stanley\'swillhadplacedtheentirecontrolofhislargeestateinthehandsofhiswidow，andhisoldfriend，Mr。Wyllys。

Mrs。Stanley，herself，wastoretainonehalfoftheproperty，forlife；atherdeathitwastobedividedindifferentlegacies，torelativesofherown，andtocharitableinstitutions，accordingtoherowndiscretion。Theotherhalfwasalsotobekeptinthehandsoftheexecutorsuntilhisownsonreturned，andhadreachedtheageoffive-and-twenty；or，incasethereportofWilliamStanley\'sdeath，whichhadjustreachedhisfamily，weretobeconfirmed，thenHarryHazlehurstwastotakehisplace，andreceivehisson\'sportion，onconditionthathis，Hazlehurst\'s，secondsonshouldtakethenameofStanley。

Hazlehurstwasanephewbymarriage；thatistosay，hisfather，afterthedeathofafirstwife，Harry\'smother，hadmarriedMr。

Stanley\'sonlysister：thisladydiedbeforeherbrother，leavingnochildren。Atthetimethiswillwasmade，Mr。Stanleyhadgivenupall，butthefaintest，hopeofhisson\'sbeingalive；

still，heleftlettersforhim，containinghislastblessing，andforgiveness，incasetheyoungmanweretoreturn。Healsoexpressedawishthataneasyallowance，accordingtoMrs。

Stanley\'sdiscretion，shouldbegiven，aftertheageofone-and-twenty，tohisson，ortoHarry，whicheverweretoprovehisheir；onconditionthattherecipientshouldpursuesomeregularprofessionoroccupation，ofarespectablecharacter。

Hazlehurstwastoreceivealegacyofthirtythousanddollars，incaseofWilliamStanley\'sreturn。

SuchwasMr。Stanley\'swill；andcircumstanceshavingsoonshowedthatthereportofhisson\'sdeathwasscarcelytobedoubted，Hazlehursthadbeenforyearsconsideredashisheir。AsHarrygrewup，andhischaracterbecameformed，hisprinciplesproving，ineveryrespect，suchashisfriendscouldwish，Mrs。Stanleyhadmadeveryampleprovisionforhim。Theallowancehehadreceivedforhiseducationwasveryliberal，andduringhisvisittoEuropeithadbeenincreased。Atdifferenttimesconsiderablesumshadbeenadvanced，toenablehimtomakedesirablepurchases：upononeoccasion，aportionofthepropertyuponwhichhisancestorshadfirstsettled，ascolonists，wasofferedforsalebyadistantrelative，andHarrywishedtoobtainpossessionofit；twentythousanddollarswereadvancedforthispurpose。Then，Hazlehurstwasverydesirousofcollectingarespectablelibrary，and，asdifferentopportunitiesoffered，hehadbeenenabled，whileinEurope，tomakevaluableacquisitionsofthiskind，thankstoMrs。Stanley\'sliberality。Aseverycollectorhasafavouritebranchofhisown，Harry\'stasteshadledhimtolookforbotanicalworks，inwhichhewasparticularlyinterested；andhehadoftenpaidlargesumsforrareorexpensivevolumesconnectedwiththisscience。Sincehehadreachedtheageoffive-and-twenty，or，duringthelasttwoyears，hehadbeeninfullpossessionoftheentirehalfofMr。

Stanley\'sproperty，amounting，itwasgenerallysupposed，tosometenthousandayear。Accordingtoacodicilofthewill，HazlehurstwasalsototakepossessionofGreatwood，athismarriage：thiswasapleasantcountry-house，surroundedbyaplaceinfineorder；butMrs。Stanley，whopreferredlivingintown，hadalreadygivenhimpossession。

“Iwish，Harry，wecouldkeepyouathome，now，“saidMrs。

Stanleytoheryoungfriend，onemorning，ashewassittingwithherself，MaryVanAlstyne，andElinor，inherroomsatCongressHall。“IthinkMr。Henleycouldspareyoubetterthanwecan。IsitquitedecidedthatyougotoRussia？”

“Youareverykindtoexpresssomuchinterestinmymovements。

ButyoumustpermitmetoremindyouofapieceofadviceIhaveoftenreceived，asayoungster，fromyourownlips，dearMrs。

Stanley；andthatis，nevertoabandonmerelyfromcaprice，thepathoflifeImightchoose。“

“Certainly；butIthinkyoumightfindverygoodreasonsforstayingathome，now；youraffairswouldgoonallthebetterforsomepersonalattention；Ishouldbesorrytohaveyouaroverallyourlife，Harry。“

“Ihaveno，intention，Ma\'am，Iassureyou，ofbeingavagrantallmydays。Andifthereisnothingelsetokeepmeathome，itishighlyprobablethatIshallbethrownontheshelfbeforelongbyUncleSam。Whenamanhasservedhisapprenticeship，andisfullyqualifiedtofillhisofficecreditably，hemaypreparetobeturnedout；and，verylikely，somerawbackwoodsman，whoknowsnothingoftheworldingeneral，orofdiplomacyinparticular，willbeputinhisplace。Thatisoftenthewaythingsaremanagedamongus，youknow。

{SusanFenimoreCooperisreflectingtheviewsofherfather，basedonhisexperiencewithAmericandiplomacyinEuropefrom1826-33。TheUnitedStatesForeignServicedidnotbecomeafullyprofessional，careerorganizationuntil1946}

“Forthatveryreason，Iwouldnothaveanythingtodowithpubliclife，ifIwereayoungman！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley，earnestly。“Somanymenwhoareill-qualifiedforeitherpublicorprivateconfidence，getintooffice，thatIshouldthinknomanofhighprinciplesandhonourableviews，wouldcaretobelongtothebodyofpublicservants。“

“Thereisallthemoreneed，then，thateveryhonestman，whohasanopportunityofservinghiscountry，shoulddoso，“observedHarry。“Idonotbelieve，however，thatasregardsprinciples，thepublicmenamongusareanyworsethanthepublicmenelsewhere，“headded。

“Whereallarechosen，theyoughttobebetter，“saidMaryVanAlstyne。

“ThatIgrant，“saidHazlehurst；“thechoicebyelection，orbyappointment，mightoftenbemorecreditable；wheneveritisbad，itisdisgracefultothecommunity。“

“LookatA——，B——，andC——，whomyouandIhappentoknow！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley。

“Nodoubttheyarelittlefitfortheofficestheyhold，“repliedHarry。

“Theworstofitisthis，Harry：thattheveryqualitieswhichoughttorecommendyou，willprobablykeepyoubackinthecareeryouhavechosen，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Yourprinciplesaretoofirmforpubliclife。“

“Ishalltrytheexperiment，atleast，“saidHarry。“Mr。Henleyurgesmetopersevere，andwithhisexamplebeforeme，Ioughtnottobediscouraged；heisaproofthatapublicmanisnotnecessarilyrequiredtobeasycophant，andatime-server；thatheisnotalwaysneglectedbecauseheisanuprightman，andagentleman。Ishallfollowhisexample；andIamconvincedtheexperimentwouldsucceedmuchoftener，provideditwerefairlytried。“

“Mrs。Stanleyshookherhead。Shewasawomanofratherapeculiarcharacter，thoughverywarminherfeelings，andfirminherprinciples。Shehadbecomedisgustedwiththeworld，fromseeingmuchthatwasevilanddisgracefulgoingonabouther；

forgettingtoobservethegoodaswellasthebad。Oflateyears，shehadwithdrawnentirelywithinanarrowcircleofoldfriends，amongwhomtheWyllysesandHazlehurstsheldaconspicuousplace。

Shewasdisposedtomistrustrepublicaninstitutions，merelybecausesheattributedeveryevilofthesocietyabouther，tothisonecause：heropinionsonthissubjectwere，however，ofnovaluewhatever；forsheknewnothingofothercountries，theirevilsandabuses。Ifwarmlyattachedtoherfriends，shewascertainlytooindifferenttothecommunityinwhichshelived。

Shewasverydecidedinallheractionsandopinions：thus，forinstance，shewouldneverallowanewspaper，ofanycharacterwhatever，toappearinherhouse——sheheldeverysheetalike，tobelooseinprinciples，andvulgarintone；because，unfortunately，therearemanytobefoundwhichanswersuchadescription。Anoffice-holder，andaspeculator，shewouldnevertrust，andavoidedeveryindividualofeitherclassasmuchaspossible。Herfriendswouldhavewishedhermorediscriminatinginheropinions，butsheneverobtrudedtheseuponothers。

Personally，nowomancouldbemorerespectedbyherintimates；

therewasnothinglowortrivialinhercharacterandturnofmind——noshadowofvacillationinherprinciplesorherfeelings。

Mrs。StanleyandheryoungfriendHazlehurst，muchastheyesteemedandrespectedeachother，disagreedonmanysubjects。

Harrymadeapointoflookingatbothsidesofaquestion；hewasloyaltohiscountry，andwillingtoserveittothebestofhisability——notatallinclinedtobeanidler，andplaythedroneinthebee-hive，whethersocialorpolitical。Mrs。Stanleyhadmuchregrettedhisbeinginanywayconnectedwithpubliclife，butsheseldomattemptedtoinfluencehim。

“Whatdoyousay，youngladies？”askedHarry，atlength，turningtowardsElinorandMaryVanAlstyne，whohadhithertothoughttheconversationoftoopersonalanature，tospeakmuchthemselves。

“DoyouthinkIhadbetterstayathome，andlookafterthestockatGreatwood，orgotoSt。Petersburg，andsetupmydroschky？”

{“droschky“=afour-wheeledopencarriageusedinRussia}

“IshouldneverhavetheleastfancyforgoingtoRussia，“

repliedMary；“and，therefore，IamnotmuchdisposedtoadmireyourconstancyinadheringtoMr。Henley。“

“Oh，go，byallmeans，“saidElinor；“youwillseesomuch！AndbesureyougototheCrimeabeforeyoucomehome。“

“TheCrimeaiscertainlyatemptation，“observedHarry。“Ibeg，ladies，youwillhonourmewithyourcommandsforSt。Petersburg，sometimeduringthenextthreemonths。IreferyoutoMrs。

Creightonforacertificateofgoodtaste；hersayaymantoisperfectinitsway，Iamtold。“

“PerhapsIoughttohaveengagedMrs。Creightononmyside，beforeItriedtocoaxyouintostayingathome，“saidMrs。

Stanley，smiling。

WeareobligedtoconfessthatHarrycolouredatthisremark，inspiteofadeterminationnottodoso；andagreatmisdemeanouritwasinadiplomatist，tobeguiltyofblushing；itclearlyprovedthatHazlehurstwasstillinhisnoviciate。Happily，however，iftheDepartmentofState，atWashington，besometimesmoreparticularininvestigatingthepartypoliticsofitsagentsinforeigncountries，thanotherqualifications，itisalsocertain，ontheotherhand，thattheydonotrequirebyanymeans，asmuchbronzeofcountenanceasmostEuropeancabinets。

{“bronzeofcountenance“=unblushingness，brazenlying}

“Oh，Mrs。Creightonstronglyrecommendsmetopersevereindiplomacy，“saidHarry。

Justatthatmoment，anotewasbroughtinfromthisverylady。

“WithMrs。Creighton\'scompliments，“saidthemanwhobroughtit。

Harry\'scolourroseagain，andforasecondhelookedalittleembarrassed。Mrs。Stanleysmiled，andsodidtheyoungladies，justalittle。

“Iwilllookforthebookimmediately，\'\'wasHarry\'sreply；andturningtotheladies，hecommunicatedthefact，thatMrs。

CreightonhadaskedforthevolumeofengravingswhichhehadshowntoMr。Wyllys，twoorthreeeveningsbefore。ThebookwasinMissWyllys\'sroom，andElinorwentforit。

“Willyoudinewithusto-day，Harry，orattheotherhouse？”

askedMrs。Stanley。

{“otherhouse“=i。e。，otherhotel，CongressHallandtheUnitedStatesbeingthetwofashionablehotelsinSaratogaSprings}

“Thankyou，ma\'am；IamengagedtodinewithMr。Henley，whoisonlyherefortheday，andwishestohavealittlebusiness-talkwithme。Wearetoeatabachelor\'sdinnertogether，inhisroom。“

Elinorreturnedwiththebook，andHarrymadehisbow。

Ashelefttheroom，MaryVanAlstyneobservedthatMr。

Hazlehurstseemedquiteattentivetohisfriend\'ssister。“Headmirestheprettywidow，Ifancy，“shesaid。

“Nowonder，“saidElinor；“Mrs。Creightonissoverypretty，andverycharming。“

“Yes；sheisverypretty，withthosespiritedbrowneyes，andbeautifulteeth。Sheisanadeptintheartofdressing，too，andmakesthemostofeveryadvantage。Butthoughsheissopretty，andsoclever，andsoagreeable，yetIdonotlikeher。“

“Peopleseemtolovesometimes，menespecially，wheretheydonotlike，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Ishouldnotbesurprised，atanytime，tohearthatHarryandMrs。Creightonareengaged。Iwishhemaymarrysoon。“

“Theladyis，atleast，well-disposedforconquest，Ithink，“

saidMaryVanAlstyne。

“Shewillprobablysucceed，“repliedElinor，inaquiet，naturalvoice。

MissAgnes，whohadjustenteredtheroom，heardtheremark，andwasgratifiedbytheeasytoneinwhichElinorhadspoken。SinceHazlehurst\'sreturn，Elinor\'smannertowardshimhadbeenjustwhatherauntthoughtproperunderthecircumstances；itwasquiteunembarrassedandnatural，though，ofcourse，therewasmorereservethanduringtheyearstheyhadlivedsomuchtogether，almostasbrotherandsister。Weareobligedtoleavetheladiesforthepresent，andfollowHazlehursttohistete-a-tetedinnerwithMr。Henley。

Wepassoverthemealitself，whichwasverygoodinitsway；norshallwedaretoraisethecurtain，andrevealcertaincommunicationsrelatingtoaffairsofstate，politicalanddiplomatic，whichwerediscussedbytheministerandhissecretary。HarryheardsomeRioJaneironewstoo，whichseemedtoamusehim，butwouldscarcelyhaveanyinterestforthereader。

Atlength，asMr。HenleyandHarrywerepickingtheirnuts，theministerhappenedtoenquirethedayofthemonth。

“Itisthetwentieth，Ibelieve，sir；andbythesametoken，to-morrowwillbemybirth-day，“

“Yourbirth-day，willit？——Howoldmayyoube？”

“Twenty-seven，ifIrememberright。“

“Ihadthoughtyoutwoorthreeyearsyounger。Well，Iwishyoualonglifeandahappy！”

“Thankyou，sir；Iammuchobligedtoyoufortheinterestyouhavealwaysshownme。“

“Noneedofthanks，Harry；itisonlywhatyourfather\'ssonhadarighttoexpectfromme。“

Asilenceofamomentensued，whenMr。Henleyagainspoke。

“Youareseven-and-twenty，yousay，Hazlehurst？——letmegiveyouapieceofadvice——don\'tletthenexttenyearspasswithoutmarrying。“

“Iwasjustaboutmakingupmymind，atRio，tobeagaybachelor，mydearsir，“saidHarry。

“Yes；Iremembertohaveheardyousaysomethingofthekind；buttakemyadvice，andmarry，unlessyouhavesomeverygoodreasonfornotdoingso。“

Hazlehurstmadenoanswer，buthelpedhimselftoanothersupplyofnuts。“Moreeasilysaidthandone，perhaps，“heobserved。

“Nonsense！——Therearemanyamiableyoungwomenwhowouldsuityou；anditwouldbestrangeifyoucouldnotmeetwithonethatwouldhaveyou。Somepretty，lady-likegirl。Idaresayyouknowtwentysuch，inPhiladelphia，orevenhere，atSaratoga。“

“Fivehundred，nodoubt，“repliedHarry；“butsupposetheverywomanIshouldfancy，wouldnotfancyme。“WhetherhewasthinkingofhispastexperiencewithJane，ornot，wecannotsay。

“Idon\'tseethatawomancanfindanyreasonablefaultwithyou——youdowellenough，mygoodfellow，astheworldgoes；andI

amsurethereare，asyousay，fivehundredyoungwomentochoosefrom。Inthatpointamanhasthebestofit；younggirlsofacertainclass，ifnotangels，areatleastgenerallyunexceptionable；buttherearemanymen，unhappily，whosemoralreputationsare，andshouldbeobstaclesinawoman\'seyes。“

\'Aregularoldbachelor\'snotion，ameremarriageofconvenience，\'thoughtHarry，whoratherresentedtheideaofthefivehundredcongenialspirits，intheshapeofsuitableyoungladies。

“Youaresurprised，perhaps，tohearthisfromme，“continuedMr。

Henley。

“No，sir：forIoncebeforeheardyouexpressmuchthesameopinion。“

“Didyou？——Idon\'toftenthinkorspeakonsuchmatters；butI

remembertohaveheardyoutalkaboutasinglelifeoccasionally，atRio；andIalwaysintendedtogivethispieceofadvicetomynephews，andtoyou，Harry。IfIweretolivemylifeoveragain，Ishouldmarrymyself；foroflateyearsIhavefeltthewantofahome，andonecan\'thaveapleasanthomewithoutthewomen。“

“ThereIagreewithyou，sir，entirely。“

“Thatismorethansomegay，rattlingyoungfellowswouldadmit。

Sinceyouthinkso，“continuedMr。Henley，smiling，“perhapsyouhavealsofixeduponsomeamiableyounggirl，whowouldbeapleasantcompanionforyou。“

Hazlehurstwassilent。

“Idaresayyouhave，andImighthavesparedyoutheadvice。Ifthatisthecase，youmustmakethemostofthenextthreemonths；persuadehertomarryyou，andwecantakehertoRussia，todothehonoursforus。“

“Thingshavenotgonequitesofarasthat，yet，“saidHarry，justalittleembarrassed。

“Well，mygoodfellow，settlethematteryourownway；Ihaveatleastsatisfiedmyconscience，bytellingyounottofollowmyownbadexample，“saidtheminister，asherosefromtable。

ItseemedthatMr。Henley，likemostoldbachelors，regrettednothavingmarried；thoughhethoughtthathishabitshadallbecometooconfirmed，tomakeitworthwhiletoattemptachange。Asageneralrule，itwillbefoundthatyourdecidedlyoldmaidiscontentedwithherlot，whileyourveryoldbachelorisdissatisfiedwithhis。Thepeculiarevilsofasinglelife——foreverylifemusthaveitsown——aremostfeltbywomenearlyintheday；bymen，inoldage。Theworldbeginsverysoontolaughattheoldmaid，andcontinuestolaugh，untilshamedoutofthehabitbyhergoodnature，andherrespectablelife。Thebachelor，onthecontrary，foralongtimefindsanallyintheworld；hegoesonenjoyingthepleasuresitoffers，untiloldagemakeshimwearyofthem——andthen，ashisheadgrowsgrey，whenhefindshimselfgoingoutoffavour，hebeginstofeelthewantofsomethingbetter——ahometoretreatto。Helooksabouthim，andhefindsthathisfemalecontemporaryhasoutlivedherpeculiarannoyances；“theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot；“shehaslongsincefoundsomecollateralhome；or，inherrightasawoman，hasmadeahomeforherself，whereshelivesaspleasantlyasherneighbours。Perhapshesetsaboutimitatingherexample；

but，poorfellow，hefindsitanawkwardtask；hecanneversucceedinmakinghishouseholdgodssmilewithagoodwill，onahomewherenofemalevoiceisheardatthefire-side。

{“theworldforgetting……“=AlexanderPope(Englishpoet，1688-1744)，“EloisatoAbelard“I。207-208：“HowhappyistheblamelessVestal\'slot！Theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot。“}

SothoughtMr。Henley，andhehadbeenintendingtorecommendtoHarrytolookoutforawife，forsometimepast。Theminister\'sideasonthesubjectofloveandmatrimonywere，tobesure，rathermatteroffact，andstatesmanlike；hewouldhavebeenquitesatisfiedifHazlehursthadmarriedthefirstyounggirl，ofarespectablefamily，thathemetwith；thehundredthpartofMrs。Creighton\'sattractionshewouldhavethoughtsufficient。