第11章

Harryforgavehim，however，forthesakeofthekindnessintendedbytheadvicehehadgiven；andtheministerhadthesatisfactionofseeinghissecretary，thatevening，ataconcert，quitegallantandattentivetoapartyofladies，severalofwhomwereyoungandpretty，althoughonewasyoungandugly。

“Whoisthat？”heaskedofafriend；“thatladytowhomHazlehurstistalking？Halftheyoungpeopleherehavegrownup，sinceIwaslastathome。“

“ThatisMrs。Creighton。“

“No；notMrs。Creighton；Iknowher——acharmingwoman；theladyontheright。“

“ThatisMissVanAlstyne。Mrs。St。Legerisnexttoher；theyounggirlbeforeherisMissEmmaTaylor。“

“Aprettygirl——butnoisy，itseems。“

“Onthenextbench，withEllsworth，areMrs。TallmanTaylor，thegreatbeauty，andMissWyllys，theheiress。“

“Yes，Iknowthefamilyverywell；butIneversawMr。Wyllys\'sgranddaughterbefore。“

“Sheisquiteplain，“observedonegentleman。

“Veryplain，“repliedtheother，turningaway。

Theeveningprovedverysultry，andafteraccompanyingtheladieshomefromtheconcert，Mr。EllsworthproposedtoHarryastrollintheopenair。Thefriendssetouttogether，takingthedirectionofthespring；and，beingalone，theirconversationgraduallybecameofaconfidentialnature。Theytoucheduponpolitics，Mr。Henley\'scharacterandviews，andvariousothertopics，concludingwiththeirownpersonalaffairs。Atlength，whentheyhadbeenoutsomelittletime，Mr。Ellsworth，afteramoment\'ssilence，turnedtoHarryandsaid：

“Hazlehurst，Ihaveaconfessiontomake；butIdaresayyouwillnotgivememuchcreditforfrankness——youhaveveryprobablyguessedalreadywhatIhavetotell。“

“Icertainlyhavehadsomesuspicionsofmyownforthelastfewdays；butImaybemistaken；Iamnotverygoodatguessing。“

“Icanhavenomotive，“continuedMr。Ellsworth，“inconcealingfromyoumyregardforMissWyllys，andIhopeyouwillwishmesuccess。“

“Certainly，“repliedHarry；whowasevidentlysomewhatpreparedforthedisclosure。

“ItisnowsometimesinceIhavebeenattachedtoher，butitisonlylatelythatIhavebeenabletourgemysuitasIcouldwish。ThebetterIknowElinorWyllys，themoreanxiousIamforsuccess。Inevermetwithawomanofamorelovelycharacter。“

“Youonlydoherjustice。“

“Thereissomethingaboutherthatispeculiar；differentfromthecommon-placesetofyoungladiesonemeetswitheveryday；

andyetsheisperfectlyfeminineandwomanly。“

AndMr。EllsworthhereranovervariousgoodqualitiesofElinor\'s。Itisimpossibletosay，whetherHarrysmiledornot，atthislover-likewarmth：ifhedid，itwastoodarkforhisfriendtoobserveit。

“Inasituationlikemine，withadaughtertoeducate，thechoiceofawifeisparticularlyimportant。OfcourseIfeelmuchanxietyastothedecisionofawomanlikeMissWyllys，onewhosegoodopinionisworththewooing：andyet，ifIdonotdeceivemyself，hermannerisnotdiscouraging。“

“Issheawareofyourfeelings？”askedHarry。

“Yes；Ihaveonlyproposedinformquitelately，however，adayortwoafteryouarrived。MissWyllysscarcelyseemedpreparedformydeclaration，althoughIthoughtIhadspokensufficientlydistinctlytobeunderstood，sometimesince。Shewishedfortimetoconsider：Iwaswillingtowaitaslongasshepleased；withthehopeofeventuallysucceeding。Herfriendsarequitewelldisposedtowardsme，think。Mr。Wyllys\'smannertomehasalwaysbeengratifying，andIhopeherauntisinmyfavour。Tospeakfrankly，therehavebeentimeswhenIhavefeltmuchencouragedasregardsMissWyllysherself。Youwillnotthinkmeacoxcomb，Hazlehurst，foropeningmyhearttoyouinthisway。“

“Certainlynot；youhonourmebyyourconfidence。“

“Ishouldliketohaveyourhonestopinionastomyfutureprospects；for，ofcourse，onecanneverfeelsureuntileverythingissettled。Josephineishardlyafairjudge——sheisverysanguine；butlikemyselfsheisinterestedintheaffair。“

“Mrs。Creightonhassomuchdiscernment，thatIshouldthinkshecouldnotbeeasilydeceived。Ifmykinswomanknowsyourviews，I

shouldsaythatyouhavereasontobeencouragedbyhermanner。

Thereisnothinglikecoquetryabouther；Iamconvincedshethinkshighlyofyou。“

“Thankyou；itgivesmegreatpleasuretohearyousayso。Thequestionmustnowbedecidedbeforelong。Iwasonlypreventedfromexplainingmyselfearlier，bythefearofspeakingtoosoon。

ForthoughIhaveknownMissWyllyssometime，yetwehaveseldommet。IdaresayyouaresurprisedthatIdidnotdeclaremyselfsooner；Iaminclinedtothinkyouwouldhavemanagedanaffairofthekindmoreexpeditiously；foryouaremorerapidinmostofyourmovementsthanmyself。ButalthoughImightimagineloveatfirstsight，Inevercouldfancyadeclarationworthhearing，thefirstday。“

“Doyouinsinuatethatsuchisthepracticeofyourhumbleservant？”askedHazlehurst，smiling。

“Oh，no；butIwasafraidyoumightdisapproveofmydeliberation。MychiefhoperestsuponMissWyllys\'sgoodsenseandthewishesofherfriends，who，Ithink，areevidentlyfavourabletome。Shehasnosilly，high-flownnotions；sheisnowofanage——threeorfour-and-twentyIthink——totakeareasonableviewoftheworld；andIhopeshewillfindthesincereaffectionofarespectableman，whosehabitsandpositionresembleherown，sufficientforher。“

“Youwish，Isuppose，tohearmerepeat，thatsuchwillundoubtedlybetheresult，“saidHarry，smilingagain。

“PerhapsIdo，“repliedMr。Ellsworth，inthesametone。“I

supposeyouarediscerningenoughtobeawarethatIhavearivalinMr。Stryker。“

“StrykerattentivetoElinor？Ithasnotstruckme；IhadfanciedhimratheranadmirerofMrs。Creighton\'s。“

“OfJosephine？Oh，no；shecan\'tendurehim，theyarequarrellinghalfthetimewhentogether。No，itisveryevidentthatStrykeriscourtingMissWyllys\'sfavour。ButIconfessIfeelencouragedbyherconducttowardshim；thereisaquietcivilityinit，whichspeaksanythingbutverydecidedapprobation。“

“IknowElinortoowell，nottofeelassuredshemustdespiseamanofStryker\'scharacter，“saidHarry，withsomeindignation。

“Hecan\'tappreciateher；itcanbenothingmore，onhispart，thandownrightfortune-hunting。“

“Nodoubt；thereyoumentionanothermotiveIhave，fornotbeingtoohastyinmydeclarationtoMissWyllys。Icouldwishtoconvinceherthatmyattachmentissincere。“

“Certainly。Iforgettwentytimesadaythatsheisnowafortune，untilIseesomefellow，likeWilliamHunter，orStryker，payingtheircourttoher。Ihaveneverbeenaccustomedtoconsiderherinthatlight，ofold。InfactIhadnoideaofherreputationasanheiress，untilIfounditsowellestablishedwhenIarrivedhere。ButSaratogaisjusttheplacetomakesuchdiscoveries。Iwasquitebehindtheageineveryrespect，itseems；foralthoughitdidnotrequiremuchpenetrationtofindoutyoursecret，Ellsworth，yetIwastakenentirelybysurprise。Younevermadeanyallusiontoanythingofthekind，inyourletterstome。“

“ItwassoseldomthatImetMissWyllys，thatforatimemymindwasundecided。But，ofcourse，Ishouldhavewrittenyouword，ifanythinghadbeenfinallysettled；evenifyouhadnotcometolookaftermeinpropriapersona。“

Havingreachedtheirhotel，thegentlemenparted。Mr。Ellsworthwould，inallprobability，havebeenlesscommunicativewithhisfriendHazlehurst，onthesubjectoftheirrecentconversation，hadhebeenawareofthestateofthingswhichformerlyexistedbetweenElinorandhimself。Hehadonlyheardsomevaguestoriesofanengagementbetweenthem，buthadalwayssupposeditmeregossip，fromhavingseenHarry\'sattentiontoJane，whentheywereallinParistogether；whileheknew，ontheotherhand，thatHazlehursthadalwaysbeenonthemostintimatetermswiththeWyllyses，asafamilyconnexion。HewasawarethatHarryhadbeenverymuchinlovewithMissGraham，forhehadremarkedithimself；andhesupposedthatiftherehadeverbeenanyfoundationforthereportofanengagementwithElinor，ithadprobablybeenamerechildishcaprice，soonbroken，andwhichhadleftnolastingimpressiononeitherparty。

CHAPTERIX{XXXII}。

“Norhavetheseeyes，bygreenerhillsBeensoothed，inallmywanderings。“

WORDSWORTH。

{WilliamWordsworth(Englishpoet，1770-1850)，“YarrowVisited，September1814“lines11-12}

CHARLIEHUBBARDhadbeenatLakeGeorgeforsomedays；anditwasasettledthing，thatafterhehadestablishedhimselfthere，andfixeduponapointforhispicture，hisfriendsfromSaratogaweretopayhimavisit。Accordingly，theWyllyses，withapartylargeenoughtofillacoach，setoutfortheexcursion，leavingMrs。Stanley，Jane，hersister，Mrs。Hazlehurst，andtheirchildren，attheSprings。Theweatherwasfine，andtheysetoutgaily，withpleasantprospectsbeforethem。

Charliewasverygladtoseethem，andashehadalreadybeensometimeontheground，hethoughthimselfqualifiedtoplaycicerone。Mostofthepartyhadarelishfornaturalscenery，andofcoursetheywerepreparedtoenjoyverymuch，avisittosuchalovelyspot。RobertHazlehurst，itistrue，wasindifferenttoeverythingofthekind；heacknowledgedhimselfathoroughutilitarianintaste，andavowedhispreferenceforamuddycanal，runningbetweenfields，wellcoveredwithcornandpumpkins，turnipsandpotatoes，ratherthanthewildestlake，dottedwithuselessislands，andsurroundedwithinaccessibleAlps；butashefranklyconfessedhiswantoftaste，andassuredhisfriendsthatheaccompaniedthemonlyforthesakeoftheirsociety，theywereboundtooverlookthedefect。Mr。Strykeralsosaidagreatdealabouthisindifferencetowardslesormeaux，lesrameaux，etleshameaux，affectingmuchmorethanhefelt，andaffirmingthattheonlylakesheliked，werethepondsoftheTuileries，andtheparksofLondon；theonlytrees，thoseoftheBoulevards；andasforvillages，hecouldneverendureone，noteventheBigVillageofWashington。Heonlycame，hesaid，becausehemustfollowtheladies，andwasparticularlyanxioustogiveMrs。Creightonanopportunityoffinishinghiseducation，and——tofish。Someofthepartywere：sorryhehadjoinedthem；

butMrs。Creightonhadaskedhim。

{“cicerone“=guide(Italian)；“lesormeaux，lesrameaux，etleshameaux……“=elms，branches，andhamlets(French)}

“AreMrs。HilsonandhersisterstillatSaratoga？”inquiredCharlieHubbardofHazlehurst，theeveningtheyarrivedatCaldwell。

{“Caldwell“=villageatthesouthernendofLakeGeorgeinNewYorkState；thevillagehassincebeenrenamedLakeGeorge}

“Ibelieveso；theyweretherethedaybefore，yesterday，forMrs。Hilsonaskedmetoapic-nic，atBarkydt\'s{sic}——butIwasengaged。IthinkIsawMissHubbardinthestreet，yesterday。“

{“Barkydt\'s“=Barhydt\'sPond，a“littleear-shapedlake……surroundedbypyramidalfirs，pinesandevergreens，“oncefamousforitstroutfishing，ownedbyJacobusBarhydt(oftenspelledBarhyte)。ApleasurespottwomileseastofSaratogaSprings，itwas，inthe1830s，thesiteofapopulartavernandrestaurant。JacobusBarhydtdiedin1840，andthepropertywasdispersed；tobereassembledin1881byNewYorkbankerSpencerTraskasasummerestateAftermanychanges，itisnowownedbytheCorporationofYaddo，andrunasaworld-famoussummercenterforcreativeartistsandwriters}

“Hadtheythesamepartywiththemstill？”

“Yes；itseemedtobeverymuchthesameparty。“

Hubbardlookedmortified；buthewassoonbusyansweringinquiriesastotheprojectedmovementsforthenextday。

Thefollowingmorningthewholepartysetout，intwoskiffs，topassthedayonthelake。UnderCharlie\'sguidance，theyrowedaboutamongtheislands，nowcoastingtheshores，nowcrossingfromonepointtoanother，wherevertheviewswerefinest；

generallykeepingnearenough，astheymovedleisurelyalong，forconversationbetweenthetwoboats。

“Howbeautifullyclearthewateris！”exclaimedElinor。

“ThewaterintheSwisslakesislimpidIsuppose，Charlie，likemostmountainstreams？”observedMr。Wyllys。

“Itisclear，sir；andintheheartoftheAlpsithasaverypeculiarcolour——ablueishtinge——fromtheglaciers，likemoltenlapislazuli；entirelydifferentfromthedeep，ultra-marineblueoftheMediterranean。“

“HaveyouanyviewsoftheSwisslakes？”askedElinor。“

“Yes；Icanshowyouseveral——and，asusual，thereisadifferenceintheircolouring：fromLugarn；alittlebitoflapislazuli，lyinglikeajewel，inthegreenpastures，halfwayuptheAlps，justbelowtheiceandsnow，tothereedylakeofMorat，ontheplainsofNeufchatel，morelikeanagate，“addedCharlie，smiling。

“Weshallhopetoseethem，whenwepassthroughNewYork，“saidElinor，listeningwithinterest。

“Iwillshowthemtoyouwithgreatpleasure，fautedemieux，MissElinor；butIhopeyouwillonedayseetheoriginals。“

{“fautedemieux“=forwantofsomethingbetter(French)}

“Inthemeantime，however，weshallbeverygladtoenjoyyourpictures。HaveyouanyItalianviews？”

“Yes，quiteanumber；whereverIwent，Imadesketchesatleast；

thoughIhavenotyethadtimetofinishthemallaspictures。InmyboxesthereareVenetianlagoons，andDutchcanals；aviewoftheSeine，intheheartofParis，andtheThames，atLondon；thedirty，famousTiber，classicArno，andclassicAvon。“

“Youmakeoureyeswater，Charlie，withsuchacatalogue，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Youmustcertainlygetupanexhibition，andaddseveralofyourAmericanpicturestothoseyouhavejustbroughthome。“

“Ireallyhopeyouwilldoso，“saidElinor。“Thetransparentamber-likewateroftheCanada，andtheemeraldcolourofNiagara，wouldappearfinelyinsuchacollection。“

{“Canada“=fromthecontext，probablyTrentonFallsontheWestCanadaCreek，amajortouristattractionduringthe19thcentury}

“IshallneverdareattemptNiagara，“exclaimedCharlie。“Allthebeautiesofalltheotherwatersintheworldareunitedthere。

Itwillnotdotogobeyondtherapids；IshouldbelostifIbutventuredtotheedgeofthewhirlpoolitself。“

“Ihavenodoubtyouwilltryityet，“saidHarry。

Theyoungartistshookhishead。“Iamsometimesdisposedtothrowasidethebrushindisgust，atthetemerityofman，whichcanattempttocopyevenwhatismostnoble，inthemagnificentvariety，andthesimplegrandeurofnature。“

“Youhavebeensufficientlysuccessfulinwhatyouhaveattemptedhitherto，“saidHarry。“IsawyourviewofLakeOntario，inPhiladelphia，justafterIarrived；andIcanneverforgettheimpressionitproducedonme。OfallyourpicturesthatIhaveseen，thatismyfavourite。“

“Itisindeedanoblepicture，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Andfewmenbutyourself，Charlie，couldhavegivensodeepaninteresttoabroadfieldofwater，withonlyastripofcommon-placeshoreinthefore-ground，andabankofcloudsinthedistance。Acommonpainterwouldhavethrowninsomeprettinessofart，thatwouldhaveruinedit；butyouhavegivenitasimpledignitythatisreallywonderful！”saidHazlehurst。

“Youmortifyme，“saidCharlie；“itissomuchinferiortowhatI

couldwish。“

“CaptainC——，“continuedHarry，“whowasstationedatOswegoforseveralyears，toldmeheshouldhaveknownyourpicturewithoutthename，foraviewofoneofthegreatlakes；therewassomuchtruthinthecolourandmovementofthewater；somuchthatwasdifferentfromtheOcean。“

“Ladiesandgentlemen，itiscruelinyoutoflatterapooryoungartistatthisrate，“saidCharlie。

“Ifitiscriticismyouwant，“saidHazlehurst，“Icangiveyouadose。Youwereveryseverelyhandledinmypresence，adayortwosince，andontheverysubjectofyourpictureofLakeOntario。“

“Pray，letmehearthecriticism；itwillsoberme。“

“Whatwasthefault？”saidElinor；“whatwaswanting？”

“Afewhousesandasteamboat，tomakeitlively。“

“Youaremakingupagoodstory，Mr。Hazlehurst，“saidMrs。

Creighton，laughing。

“Igiveyouthecritic\'swordsverbatim。Ireallylookedattheyoungladyinastonishment，thatsheshouldseenothingbutawantoflivelinessinapicture，whichmostofusfeeltobesublime。ButMissL——hadanoldgrudgeagainstyou，fornothavingmadeherpapa\'svillasufficientlyprominentinyourviewofHell-Gate。“

“But，suchavilla！”saidHubbard。“OneoftheugliestwithintenmilesofNewYork。Itispossible，sometimes，bykeepingatadistance，concealingdefects，andpartiallyrevealingcolumnsthroughverdure，tomakeoneofourGrecian-templehousesappeartoadvantageinalandscape；but，really，Mr。D——\'svillawassuchajumble，soentirelyoutofalljustproportion，thatI

coulddonothingwithit；andwasgladtofindthatIcouldputagrovebetweenthespectatorandthebuilding：anybodybutitsinmateswouldhavepreferredthetrees。“

“Notatall；MissD——thoughttheabsenceoftheportico，withitstall，pipe-stemcolumns，therowofdormerwindowsontheroof，andthenon-descriptbelviderecrowningall，alosstothepublic。“

{“belvidere“=asusedhere，araisedturretontopofahouse(Italian)}

“Themiserablearchitectureofthiscountryisanobstacletoalandscapepainter，quitetooserioustobetrifledwith，Icanassureyou，“saidCharlie。

“Itmustbeconfessed，“saidMr。Ellsworth，“thattheorderofthingshasbeenreversedhere。Architectureisusuallycalledtheparentofthefinearts；butwithussheistheyoungestofthefamily，andasyettheworstendowed。Wehadrespectablepictures，longbeforewehadasinglebuildinginareallygoodstyle；andnowthatwehavesomenoblepaintingsandstatuary，architecturestilllagsbehind。WhatanoisetheymadeinNewYork，onlyafewyearssince，aboutSt。Thomas\'sChurch！”

{St。Thomas\'sChurch“=St。ThomasEpiscopalChurchwaserectedatthecornerofBroadwayandHoustonStreet，inNewYorkCity，in1826，intheGothicstylewhichwasonlybeginningtoreplacetheGreekRevival。SusanFenimoreCoopersharedherfather\'sdislikeofGreekRevivalhousesthatimitatedGreciantemples，andhisloveoftheGothic}

“Yes，“saidMr。Stryker；“thecurseofthegeniusofarchitecture，whichJeffersonsaidhadfallenuponthiscountry，hasnotyetbeenremoved。“

“SomeofthemostludicrousobjectsIhaveeverlaidmyeyeson，“

saidHazlehurst，“havebeenpretendinghouses，and，Iamsorrytosay，churchestoo，intheinteriorofthecountry；chieflyinthewould-beCorinthianandCompositestyles。Theyseteveryruleofgoodtasteandgoodsenseatdefiance，andlook，withal，sounconsciousoftheirabsurdity，thattheeffectisasthoroughlyridiculous，asifithadbeentheobjectofthearchitecttomakethemso。“

“Forreasongood，“observedMr。Wyllys；“becausetheyarewantinginsimplicityandfullofpretension；andpretensionistherootofallabsurdity。“

TheyhadnowreachedthespotCharliehadselectedforhispicture；theyoungartistpointeditouttoMissWyllys，whowasintheotherboat。

“ThisisthespotIhavechosen，“hesaid，“andIhopeyouwillagreewithmeinlikingtheposition；itcommandssomeofthefinestpointsonthelake：thatistheBlackmountainintheback-ground。“

Hisfriendsadmiredhischoice，acknowledgingthattheviewwasoneofthemostbeautifultheyhadseen。

“Itmustbedifficulttochoose，whereeveryviewischarming，“

saidElinor。“Howbeautifulthoselittleislandsare；somuchvariety，andallsopleasing！”

“Youwillseehundredsofthem，MissWyllys，whenyouhavebeenoverthelake，“saidHubbard。

“Therearejustthreehundredandsixty-five，marm，“addedoneoftheboatmen，theguideoftheparty；“oneforeverydayinthe-year。“

“ThismustbeMay-dayisland，“saidElinor，pointingtoanisletquitenearthem。“Thisone，halfwood，halfmeadow，whichshowssomanyflowers。“

“May-dayislanditshallbeforthenextsixweeks，“saidCharlie，smiling。“Ihavechosenitforanotherview。“

“Well，goodpeople！”exclaimedRobertHazlehurst，fromtheotherboat；“youmaybefeastingonthebeautiesofnature；butsomeofushavemoresubstantialappetites！MissWyllysisalittlefatigued，Mr。Strykerallimpatienttogetouthishandsomefishing-rod，andyourhumbleservantveryhungry，indeed！”

Astheyhadbeenloiteringaboutforseveralhours，itwasagreedthattheyshouldnowland，andpreparetolunch。

“WewillputintoportatMay-dayisland，“saidCharlie；“Ihavebeenthereseveraltimes，andthereisapretty，grassybank，wherewemayspreadatable-cloth。“

TheysoonreachedthelittleislandpointedoutbyElinor，andhavinglandedwiththeirbasketsofprovisions，themealwasprepared，andonlywaitingforthefishwhichMr。Strykerhadpromisedtocatch，andforasupplyofsaltwhichoneoftheboatmenhadgonefor，toafarm-houseontheshore；thisnecessaryhavingbeenforgotten，whentheprovisionswerelaidin。Thereneverwasapic-nicyet，wherenothingwasforgotten。

Mr。Strykersoonpreparedhimselfforaction；hewasafamousfisherman，andquiteasproudofhisrodasofhisreputation，whichwerebothDublin-made，hesaid，and，therefore，perfectintheirway。Mr。WyllysandMrs。Creightonadmiredtheapparatuscontainedinhisebonywalking-stick，totheowner\'sfullsatisfaction：hehadagreatdealtosayaboutitsperfections，thebeautyofhisflies，theexcellenceofhishooksandlines，andsoforth；andtheladiesingeneral，Mrs。Creightonespecially，listenedasflatteringlyasthegentlemancoulddesire。Ashewastosupplytheperchforluncheon，however，hewasobligedtobeginhislabours；andtakingaboat，herowedoffastone\'sthrowfromtheshore。Inturningalittlepoint，hewassurprised，bycomingsuddenlyuponabrotherfisherman：inarough，leakyboat，withacommonoldrodinhishand，satouracquaintance，Mr。Hopkins，wearingtheusualrustycoat；hisredsilkhandkerchiefspreadonhisknee，anopensnuff-boxononesideofhim，adirtytinpailontheother。Thepartyonshorewerenotalittleamusedbythecontrastintheappearance，manners，andequipmentsofthetwofishermen；thefastidiousMr。

Stryker，socomplete，fromhisgreyblousetohisfishing-basket；

theoldmerchant，quiteindependentofeverythinglikefashion，whetheraloneonLakeGeorge，oramongthecrowdinWall-Street。

Charlie，whodidnotknowhim，saidthathehadmetthesameindividualonthelake，atallhours，andinallweathers，duringthepastweek；heseemeddevotedtofishing，heartandsoul，havinglefttheSt。LegersatSaratoga，andcomeontoLakeGeorgeimmediately，toenjoyhisfavouritepastime。Itwasapleasuretoseehowhonestlyandearnestlyhewasengagedinhispursuit：asforMr。Stryker，westronglysuspectthathisfancyforfishingwasanacquiredtaste，likemostofthosehecherished；weverymuchdoubtwhetherhewouldeverhavebeenafollowerofIzaakWalton，hadtherenotbeenafashionableaccoutrementforbrothersoftherod，atthepresentday。

{“IsaakWalton“=IsaakWalton(1593-1683)，authorof“TheCompleatAngler“}

Severaloftheladiesalsofishedforhalfanhour；Mrs。

CreightonbeggingforaseatinMr。Stryker\'sboat，thatshemightprofitbyhisinstructions。Whiletheywereout，asmallincidentoccurred，whichamusedthespectatorsnotalittle。Mrs。

Creightonhadrisen，tolookatafishplayingaboutMr。

Stryker\'sline，whensheaccidentallydroppedalightshawl，whichfellfromherarmintothewater；aninvoluntarymovementshemadeasitfell，alsothrewabasketofhercompanion\'sfliesoverboard，atthesameinstant：hehadjustbeenshowingthemoff。

“Oh，Mr。Stryker，myshawl！”exclaimedthelady。

Butthefashionablefishermanwasalreadycatchingeagerlyathisownpreciousflies；hesucceededinregainingthebasket，andthen，bethinkinghimofhisreputationforgallantry，turnedtoMrs。Creighton，torescuetheshawl；buthehadthemortificationtoseeoldMr。Hopkinsalreadystretchingoutanarmwiththecachemere，whichhehadcaughtalmostassoonasittouchedthewater，andnowofferedtoitsfairowner，withthegood-naturedhopethatithadnotbeeninjured，asitwashardlywet。Theladyreceiveditverygraciously，andbestowedaverysweetsmileontheoldmerchant；whileMr。Stryker，quitenettledathisownflagrantmisdemeanour，hadtofaceafrownfromthecharmingwidow。ItwasdecidedlyanunluckyhourforMr。Stryker：heonlysucceededincatchingasolitaryperch；whileMr。Hopkins，whohadbeeninvitedtojointheparty，contributedafinemess。Thefault，however，wasallthrownonthesunshine；andMr。Hopkinsconfessedthathehadnothadmuchsportsincethecloudshadbrokenaway，earlierinthemorning。Everybodyseemedveryreadyforluncheon，whenhailedfromtheisland，forthatpurpose。Themealwasquiteamerryone；Mrs。Creightonwasthelifeoftheparty，sayingagreatmanyclever，amusingthings。Shelookedcharmingly，too，inalittlecap，whosestraw-colouredribbonswereparticularlybecomingtoherbrowncomplexion。Mr。Strykergraduallyrecoveredfromthedoublemortification，oftheshawl，andthesolitaryperch，andsoonbegantalkingoverdifferentfishingexcursions，withhisfriendA——，inIreland，andhisfriendB——，inGermany。Therestofthepartywereallcheerfulandgood-humoured。Mr。EllsworthwasquitedevotedtoElinor，asusual，oflate。MaryVanAlstyneamusedherselfwithlookingonatMrs。Creighton\'seffortstocharmHarry，piqueMr。

Stryker，andflatterMr。Wyllysintoadmiringher；nordidshedisdaintothrowawayseveralarchsmilesonMr。Hopkins。“Sheseemssuccessfulinallherattempts，“thoughtMary。Harrywasquiteattentivetoher；anditwasevidentthatMr。Stryker\'sadmirationhadverymuchincreasedsincetheyhadbeentogetherattheSprings。HehadsetoutforSaratoga，withthefirmdeterminationtoplaythesuitortoElinor；heresolvedthathewouldnotfallinlovewiththeprettywidow；butaclevercoquetteandamanoftheworld，areadversarieswellmatched；

and，asusualinsuchencounters，feminineartandfeminineflatteryseemedlikelytocarrytheday。Mr。Stryker，inspiteofhimself，oftenforgottobeproperlyattentivetoElinor，whoappearedtogreatdisadvantageinhiseyes，whenplacedinconstantcontrastwithMrs。Creighton。Hescarcelyregrettednow，hislittleprospectoffavourwiththeheiress，forthepoorerwidowhadcompletelyfascinatedhimbyhergracefulflatteries，thepiquancyofherwit，andherworldliness，which，withMr。

Stryker，passedforherwisdom。EvenMaryVanAlstyne，thoughprejudicedagainsther，wasobligedtoconfess，asshewatchedMrs。Creighton，thatsheadmiredher。Theladyhadthrownherselfonthegrassinagracefulposition；excitedbyadmiration，shehadabrilliantcolour；herdresswasalwaysstudiouslyfashionableandbecoming，initsminutestdetails；heramusingremarksflowedfreelyfromaconscienceundernootherrestraintsthanthoseofpolicyorgood-breeding；andhermanner，thoughalwaysstudiedforeffect，wasparticularlywellstudiedandagreeable。Hercompanionsthoughthercharming。Elinor，atthesamemoment，wasstandingbyherside，inasimpledress，withnoattempttodisguiseaplainfaceunderfinery，andinaperfectlyquietposition，whichwasgracefulwithoutherknowingit。Herwholemanner，indeed，wasalwaysnatural；itssimplicitywasitsgreatcharm，foronefeltconfidentthathergraceandsweetness，hereaseandquietdignity，flowedreadilyfromhercharacteritself。WhethertheseideasoccurredtoanyofthepartybesidesMissVanAlstyne，wecannotsay；itiscertain，however，thatMrs。Creightonwasallpreparedforobservation，Elinor，asusual，quiteregardlessofit。

“WemustcarryoffsomeflowersfromMay-dayisland，“saidMr。

Ellsworth，preparingtogatherabouquetforElinor。Hehadsoonsucceededincollectingquiteaprettybunch，composedofwildroses，bluehare-bells，thewhiteblossomsofthewildclematis，thedelicatepinkclustersoftheAlleghanyvine，andthebroad-leavedrose-raspberry，withseveralothervarieties。

{“Alleghanyvine“=afloweringwildvine，whichhadbeenafavoriteofSusanFenimoreCooper\'spaternalgrandmotherElizabethFenimoreCooper}

Mr。StrykerofferedabouquettoMrs。Creighton。

“Itisreallyquitepretty；buttomakeitcomplete，Imusthaveoneofthosescarletlobelias，onthenextisland；theyarethefirstIhaveseenthisseason。Mr。Hazlehurst，dobegood-natured，andstepintothatboat，andbringmeone。“

“Icandothatwithouttheboat，Mrs。Creighton，hereisabridge，“repliedHarry，springingonthetrunkofadeadtree，whichnearlyreachedtheisletshehadpointedout；catchingthebranchofanoakontheoppositeshore，heswunghimselfacross。

Theflowersweresoongathered；and，afteralittledifficultyinreachingthedeadtree，hereturnedtotheladies，justastheywereabouttoembarkagain。PerhapshehadcaughtasparkofthespiritofcoquetryfromMrs。Creighton，andresentedherflirtingsomuchwithMr。Stryker；forhedidnotgiveheralltheflowershehadgathered，butofferedafewtoeachladyassheenteredtheboat。

“Thankyou，Mr。Hazlehurst，verygallantlydone，“saidMrs。

Creighton，placingoneofthelobelias，withasprigofMr。

Stryker\'s，inherbelt。

Astheyrowedleisurelyalong，CharlieHubbardpointedoutsomeofthelocalitiestoMissWyllysandRobertHazlehurst。

“Thesemountainsareverydifferentintheircharacter，Mr。

Hubbard，fromthoseyouhaverecentlybeensketchinginItalyandSwitzerland，“observedMr。Ellsworth。

“Entirelydifferent；theirformsaremuchlessboldanddecided。“

“Yes；allthemountainsinthiscountry，eastoftheMississippi，partake，moreorless，ofthesamecharacter；formingroundedridges，seldombrokenintothoseabrupt，raggedpeaks，commoninotherpartsoftheworld。“

“ButtheelevationofthesemountainsismuchlessthanthatoftheAlps，orhighApennines，“observedMr。Wyllys；“donotthemountainsinEurope，ofthesameheight，resembletheseinformation？”

“No，sir，Ithinknot，“repliedEllsworth。“Theyaregenerallymoreboldandbarren；oftenmeremassesofnakedrock。Iamnogeologist，butitstrikesmethatthewholesurfaceoftheearth，inthispartoftheworld，differsincharacterfromthatoftheeasterncontinent；ononehand，themountainsarelessabruptanddecidedintheirformswithus；andontheother，theplainsarelessmonotonoushere。Ifourmountainsarenotgrand，thegeneralsurfaceofthecountryseemsmorevaried，moreuneven；thereisnotsolargeaproportionofdeadlevelinthiscountryasinFrance，Germany，Russia，forinstance；wehavemuchofwhatwecallarollingcountry——eventheprairies，whicharetheplainsofthisregion，showthesameswellingsurface。“

“Thevarietyofcharacterinthelandscapeofdifferentcountries，mustbeagreatcharmtooneofyourprofession，Hubbard，“observedHarry。“Alandscapepaintermustenjoytravellingmorethananyotherman；nothingislostuponyou——everytimeyoulookaboutyouthereissomethingnewtoobserve。Howyoumusthaveenjoyedthechangefromthegeneralaspectofthiscountry——fresh，fulloflifeandmotion，yethalf-finishedinthedetails——tooldItaly，wherethesceneryandatmosphereareinperfectharmonywiththeluxuriousreposeofagreatantiquity！”

“Ididindeedenjoythechangebeyondexpression！”exclaimedCharlie。“Ihaveoftenfeltthankful，inthebestsenseoftheword，thatIhavebeenenabledtoseethosegreatcountries，ItalyandSwitzerland；ithasfurnishedmewithmaterialsforthoughtanddelight，duringawholelifetime。“

“ItwouldbeagoodplantogetyouappointedpaintingattachetotheLegation，Hubbard，“saidHarry。“AsyouhaveseenthesouthofEurope，wouldyounotliketotakealookatthenorthernregions？”

“Notmuch，“repliedCharlie。“Ishouldhavenothingbuticetopaintthere，forhalftheyear。“

“Well，IsupposethereissomethingselfishinmywishtocarryyoutotheNorthPole；butwhenIwasinBrazil，IhadaverydisinteresteddesirethatyoushouldseetheBayofRio。“

“Isitreallysobeautiful？”askedElinor。

“Yes；finereventhanNaples，asregardsscenery；thoughitwants，ofcourse，allthecharmofrecollectionwhichbelongstotheoldworld。“

“YoumustforgeteverythinglikefinescenerywhenyougotoSt。

Petersburg，“saidRobertHazlehurst。

“Notatall；IhopetotakeatriptotheCrimeawhileIaminRussia。IshalldomybesttoingratiatemyselfwiththeownerofsomefinevillaontheBlackSea。“

“Andhaveyoureallymadeupyourmindtobearegulardiplomatist？”askedMr。Wyllys。

“Foratime，sir；solongasIcanserveunderMr。Henley，oramanlikehim。“

“IusedtoseeagooddealofHenley，sometwentyyearssince，“

observedMr。Wyllys。“Ishouldthinkhimparticularlywellfittedforhisduties。“

“Ihavethehighestrespectforhim，“repliedHarry。

“HeisagoodmodelforanAmericandiplomatist，“addedRobertHazlehurst。“Amanofability，goodeducation，andjustprinciples，withsimple，gentlemanlymanners；alwaysmanlyinhistone，andfirmasarockonallessentialpoints。“

“Butthoseareonlyasmallportionofthequalificationsofadiplomatist，“saidMr。Stryker。“Accordingtothemostapprovedmodels，thelargesthalfshouldbecunning。“

“Mr。Henleyisparticularlyclear-sighted——noteasilydeceivedeitherbyhimselforbyothers；andthatisallthatAmericandiplomacyrequires，“saidHarry。“Iamproudtosaythatourgovernmentdoesnotgiveusanydirtyworktodo；wehavechieflytoactonthedefensive。“

“Setathieftocatchathief，“saidMr。Stryker，withhisusualdrymanner。“Idon\'tbelieveinthefullsuccessofyourvirtuousdiplomatist。Howisamantoknowalltheturningsandwindingsoftheroadthatleadstotreaties，unlesshehasgoneoverithimself？”

“Butanhonestman，ifheisreallyclear-headedandfirm，hasnoneedoftheseturningsandwindings；hegoesmoredirectlytothepoint，andsavesavastdealoftimeandprinciple，bytakingamorehonourableroad。“

“Supposeamanhastomakeblacklookwhite，Ishouldliketoseeyourhonourablediplomatistmanagesuchajob，“saidMr。Stryker。

“Butourgovernmenthasneveryethadsuchjobstomanage。Wehaveneveryetmadeademandfromaforeignpowerthatwehavenotbelievedjust。IntrigueisunpardonableinAmericandiplomacy，foritisgratuitous；amanneednotresorttoit，unlesshisowntasteinclineshimthatway。Itisanhonourabledistinctionofourgovernment，ASAGOVERNMENT，thatithasnevercommittedasingleactofinjusticeagainstanyotherpower，eitherbyopenforce，orunderhandmanoeuvres。Wehavebeenwrongedsometimes，andomittedtodemandjusticeasfirmlyaswemighthavedone；butthereis，probably，noothergovernmentamongthegreatpowersofChristendom，thathasbeensofreefromOFFENSIVEguilt，duringthelastsixtyyears，asthatofthiscountry。“

{Thiswas，ofcourse，beforetheMexican-AmericanWar，whichtheCooperfamilyviewedwithconsiderablemisgivings。JamesFenimoreCooperwasincensedthattheUnitedStatesdidnotpursuewithgreatervigorAmericanclaimsagainstFrancefordamagescausedtoAmericanshippingduringtheNapoleonicwars}

ItwasevidentthatMr。StrykerwasnotintheleastconvincedbyHarry\'sdefenceofhonestdiplomacy。

“TheladiesmustfindgreatfaultwithWashingtondiplomacy，“headded，turningtoMrs。CreightonandElinor：“theyareneveremployed；notasinglefairAmericanhaseverfiguredamonglesbellesdiplomatsofEuropeansaloons，Ibelieve。“

“Perhapstheladiesinthiscountrywouldnotcondescendtobeemployed，“saidElinor。

“Don\'tsayso，MissWyllys！”exclaimedMrs。Creighton，laughing；

“Ishoulddelightinhavingsomedelicatemissiontomanage：whenMr。Strykergetsintothecabinet，hemaysendmeasspecialenvoytoanycountrywhereIcanfindaFrenchmilliner。“

“YouhadbettergotoRussiawithMr。HenleyandMr。Hazlehurst；

Ihavenottheleastdoubtbuttheywouldfindyourfinesseofgreatservice，“saidthegentleman。Mrs。Creightonblushed；andHarrycoloured，too。

“TheveryideaofsuchanallywouldfrightenMr。Henleyoutofhiswits，“saidthelady，recoveringherself；“heisanincorrigibleoldbachelor；that，youmustallow，isagreatfaultofhis，Mr。Hazlehurst。“

“Ifhebeincorrigible，“saidHarry。

“Butthatisnotclear，“saidMr。Strykertothelady；“heisagreatadmirerofyours。“

“Come，atrucetodiplomacy，Josephine；IamgoingtobegMissWyllysforasong，“saidEllsworth。

Elinorsangveryreadily，andverysweetly；theSwissairssoundedcharminglyamongthehills；andshewasaccompaniedbyMaryVanAlstyne，whileCharlie，withthetwoHazlehursts，madeuparespectablesecondforseveralsongs。

Somegatheringcloudsatlengthwarnedthepartytoturninn-wardagain。

“Itistobehopedtheshowerwon\'treachus，foryoursake，ladies，“saidRobertHazlehurst。

“Ihopenot，forthesakeofmybibi！”saidMrs。Creighton。“ItistheprettiestlittlehatIhavehadthesethreeyears；itwouldbedistressingtohaveitspoiltbeforeithaslostitsfreshness。“

{“bibi“=astylishhatofthe1830s}

“Thereisnodanger，marm，“saidoneoftheboatmen，withagood-naturedgravity，thatmadeMrs。Creightonsmile。“Them\'erekindofcloudsoftengoesoverthelake，withoutcomingupthisway。“

Andsoitproved；thepartyreachedthehotelsafely，allagreeingthattheyhadhadaverypleasantday，andwerenotatallmoretiredthanwasdesirableaftersuchanexcursion。

CHAPTERX。{XXXIII}

“……Sebastianareyou？

Ifspiritscanassumebothformandsuit，Youcometofrightus！”

SHAKSPEARE。{sic}

{WilliamShakespeare，“TwelfhNight“，V。i。221，235-236}

ONtheirreturntoSaratoga，theWyllysesandHazlehurstsfoundstartlingintelligenceawaitingthem。LettershadjustarrivedforHarry，forMrs。Stanley，andforMr。Wyllys，allofasimilarnature，andallofacharacterthatwasastoundingtothosewhoreceivedthem。Theycouldscarcelycredittheirsensesastheyreadthefact，thattheexecutorsofthelateJohnWilliamStanley，Esquire，werecalledupontoaccountforallpastproceedings，toWilliamStanley，hissonandheir。Hazlehurstwasalsosummonedtoresignthatportionofthepropertyofwhichhehadtakenpossessiontwoyearssince，whenhehadreachedtheageoftwenty-five。

TheletterswereallwrittenbyMr。Clapp，CharlieHubbard\'sbrother-in-law，whoannouncedhimselfastheattorneyofWilliamStanley，Esquire。

“Herearethelettersaddressedtomyself，“saidMrs。Stanley，whohadimmediatelysentforMr。WyllysandHazlehurst，assoonastheyreturnedfromLakeGeorge：shehadnotyetrecoveredfromthefirstagitationcausedbythisextraordinarydisclosure。

“Thisistheletterpurportingtocomefrommyhusband\'sson，andthisisfromthelawyer，“sheadded，extendingbothtoHazlehurst。Harryreadthemaloud。Thefirstranasfollows：

“MADAM：——

“Ihavenotthehonourofbeingacquaintedwithyou，asmylatefatherwasnotmarriedtoyouwhenIwenttosea，notlongbeforehisdeath。ButImakenodoubtthatyouwillnotrefusememyrights，nowthatIstepforwardtodemandthem，afterleavingotherstoenjoythemfornearlyeighteenyears。Thingslookdifferenttoamannearforty，andtoayoungchapoftwenty；I

havebeenthinkingofclaimingmypropertyforsometime，butwastoldbylawyersthattherewastoomanydifficultiesintheway，owingpartlytomyownfault，partlytothefaultofothers。AslongasIwasayoungster，Ididn\'tcareforanythingbuthavingmyownway——Isnappedmyfingersatalltheworld；butnowIamtiredofasea-faringlife，andhavehadhardshipsenoughforoneman：sincethereisahandsomepropertymine，byright，Iamresolvedtoclaimit，throughthickandthin。Ihaveleftoffthebottle，andintendtodomybesttoberespectablefortherestofmydays。Imakenodoubtbutweshallbeabletocometosomeagreement；norwouldIobjecttoacompromiseforthepast，thoughmylawyersadvisemetomakenosuchoffer。Ishallbepleased，Madam，topaymyrespectstoyou，thatwemaysettleouraffairsatapersonalmeeting，ifitsuitsyoutodoso。

“Yourobedientservant，andstep-son，“WILLIAMSTANLEY。“

“Canthatbemyhusband\'sson！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley，inanagitatedvoice，asHarryfinishedreadingtheletter，andhandedittoMr。Wyllys。

“Itwilltakemorethanthistoconvinceme，“saidMr。Wyllys，whohadbeenlisteningattentively。ThehandwritingwasthencarefullyexaminedbyMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys，andbothwerecompelledtoadmitthatitwasatleastagoodimitationofthatofWilliamStanley。

“Amostextraordinaryproceedingineithercase！”exclaimedHarry，pacingtheroom。

Mr。Clapp\'sletterwasthenread：itbeganwiththefollowingwords：

“MADAM：——

“IregretthatIamcompelledbytheinterestsofmyclient，Mr。

WilliamStanley，Esquire，toaddressaladyIrespectsohighly，uponasubjectthatmustnecessarilyprovedistressingtoher，inmanydifferentways。“

ThenfollowedabriefstatementofhisfirstacquaintancewithMr。Stanley；hisrefusingtohaveanythingtodowiththeaffair；

hissubsequentconvictionthattheraggedsailorwastheindividualherepresentedhimselftobe；hisreluctancetoproceed，&c。，&c。Butsincehewasnowconvinced，bythestrongestproofs，ofthejusticeofMr。Stanley\'sdemand，andhadatlengthundertakentoassisthimwithhisadvice，hewas，therefore，compelledbydutytogivetheregularlegalnotice，thatMrs。Stanley，asexecutrix，wouldberequiredtoaccountforherproceedingssinceherhusband\'sdeath。Hisclient，hesaid，wouldmuchpreferanamicablearrangement，but，ifnecessary，wouldproceedtolawimmediately。HewishedtoknowwhatcourseMrs。Stanleywasdisposedtotake，ashisclient\'sstepswouldnecessarilybeguidedbyherown，andthoseofMr。WyllysandMr。

Hazlehurst。Heconcludedwithacivilhopethatthecasemightbeprivatelyadjusted。

“Clappallover，“saidHarry，ashefinishedreadingtheletter。

“Amostbare-facedimposition，dependuponit！”exclaimedMr。

Wyllys，withstrongindignation。

Mrs。Stanleywaslisteningwithanxiouseagernessfortheopinionofthetwogentlemen。

“IamstronglydisposedtomistrustanythingthatcomesthroughClapp\'shands，“saidHarry，pacingtheroomthoughtfully，withthelettersinhishand。“Still，Ithinkitbehoovesus，sir，toactwithdeliberation；theideathatitisnotimpossiblethatthisindividualshouldbethesonofMr。Stanley，mustnotbeforgotten——thatpossibilityalonewouldmakemesiftthemattertothebottomatonce。“

“Certainly；itmustbelookedintoimmediately。“

“Whathasthelawyerwrittentoyou？”askedMrs。Stanley。

TheletterstoMr。WyllysandHarrywerethenreadaloud；theywerealmostidenticalintheircontentswiththattoMrs。

Stanley。Thetoneofeachwascivilandrespectful；thougheachcontainedatechnicallegalnotice，thattheywouldberequiredtosurrendertoWilliamStanley，thepropertyofhislatefather，accordingtothewillofthesaidJohnWilliamStanley；whichthesaidWilliam，hisson，hadhithertoneglectedtoclaim，thoughlegallyentitledtoit。

“There：iscertainlyanairofconfidenceaboutthoselettersofClapp\'s，“saidHarry，“asifhefelthimselfonafirmfoothold。

Itisveryextraordinary！”

“Ofcourse：hewouldnevermoveinsuchacase，withoutsomeplausibleproof，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Buthowcouldhegetanyproofwhatever，onthisoccasion？”saidMrs。Stanley。“Fortheseeighteenyears，nearly，WilliamStanleyhasbeenlyingatthebottomoftheocean。Wehavebelievedso，atleast。“

“Proofshavebeenmanufacturedbylawyersbeforenow，“saidMr。

Wyllys。“DoyousupposethatifWilliamStanleyhadbeenliving，wenevershouldhaveheardonetraceofhimduringeighteenyears？——atatime，too，whenhisfather\'sdeathhadlefthimalargeproperty。“

“WhatsortofamanisthisMr。Clapp？”askedMrs。Stanley。“Hismannersandappearance，wheneverIhaveaccidentallyseenhimwiththeHubbards，struckmeasveryunpleasant：butisitpossiblehecanbesoutterlydevoidofallprinciple，aswilfullytocountenanceanimpostor？”

“HeisamanwhomIdonotbelievetopossessonejustprinciple！”saidMr。Wyllys。“Withinthelastyearortwo，Ihavelostallconfidenceinhishonesty，fromfactsknowntome。“

“Ihavealwayshadapooropinionofhim，butIhaveneverhadmuchtodowithhim，“saidHarry；“still，Ishouldnothavethoughthimcapableofenteringintoaconspiracysoatrociousasthismustbe，ifthestorybenottrue。“

“Hewoulddoanydirtyworkwhatever，formoney。IKNOWtheman，“

saidMr。Wyllys，withemphasis。

“Itispossiblehemaybedeceivedhimself，“observedMrs。

Stanley。

“Veryimprobable，“repliedMr。Wyllys，shakinghishead。

“Ashrewd，cunning，quick-wittedfellow，asIrememberhim，wouldnotbelikelytoundertakesuchacase，unlesshehadsomeprospectofsuccess，“saidHarry，pacingtheroomagain。“Hemustknowperfectlywellthatitismakeorbreakwithhim。Ifhedoesnotsucceed，hewillbeutterlyruined。“

“Hewillgiveustrouble，nodoubt，“saidMr。Wyllys。“Hemusthavegotthemeansofputtingtogetheraplausiblestory。Andyethisaudacityconfoundsme！”

“Eighteenyears，isitnot，sinceWilliamStanley\'sdeath？”askedHarry，turningtoMrs。Stanley。

“ItwillbeeighteenyearsnextOctober，sincehesailed。IwasmarriedinNovember；andfromthattimewehaveneverheardanythingfromthepoorboy，exceptingthereportthattheJefferson，theshipinwhichhesailed，hadbeenshipwreckedonthecoastofAfrica，thefollowingwinter，andallhandslost。

Thatreportreachedusnotlongbeforemyhusband\'sdeath，andcausedhimtowordhiswillinthewayitisnowexpressed；

givingtothesonofhiskinsmanandoldfriend，halfhisproperty，incasehisson\'sdeathshouldbeconfirmed。ThereportWASconfirmed，somemonthslater，bythearrivalofanAmericanvessel，whichhadriddenoutthestormthatwreckedtheJefferson：shesawthewreckitself，sentaboattoexamineit，butcouldfindnooneliving；althoughseveralbodieswerepickedup，withthehopeofrevivingthem。Butyouhaveheardthewholesadstorybefore，Harry。“

“Certainly；Imerelywishedtohearthefactsagain，ma\'am，fromyourownlips，lestImighthaveforgottensomeimportantpoint。“

“Althoughyouwerequiteachildatthetime，Harry，“saidMr。

Wyllys，“eightortenIbelieve，still，IshouldthinkyoumustremembertheanxietytodiscovertherealfateofWilliamStanley。Ihavenumbersoflettersinmyhands，answerstothoseIhadwrittenwiththehopeoflearningsomethingmorepositiveonthesubject。Wesentseveralagents，atdifferenttimes，totheprincipalsea-ports，tomakeinquiriesamongthesailors；itallresultedinconfirmingthefirststory，thelossoftheJefferson，andallonboard。Everyyear，ofcourse，madethepointmorecertain。“

“Still，wecannotsaythatisnotimpossible{sic}heshouldhaveescaped，“observedHarry。

“Whyshouldhehavewaitedeighteenyears，beforeheappearedtoclaimhisproperty？——andwhyshouldhenotcomedirectlytohisfather\'sexecutors，insteadofseekingoutsuchafellowasClapp？Itbearsontheveryfaceeveryappearanceofagrossimposture。Surely，Harry，youdonotthinkthereisashadeofprobabilityastothetruthofthisstory？”

“Onlyapossibility，sir；almosteverythingisagainstit，andyetIshallnotrestsatisfiedwithoutgoingtothebottomofthematter。“

“That，youmaybesure，weshallbeforcedtodo。Clappwillgiveustroubleenough，Iwarrant；hewillleavenostoneunturnedthatadirtylawyercanmove。Itwillbevexatious，buttherecannotbeadoubtastotheresult。“

“Youencourageme，“saidMrs。Stanley；“andyettheideaofenteringintoasuitofthiskindisverypainful！”

“Ifitbeaconspiracy，thereisnotreatmenttoobadforthosewhohaveputtheplottogether！”exclaimedHarry。“Whatadouble-dyedvillainClappmustbe！”

“HewillendhiscareerintheState-Prison，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“TheHubbards，too；thatisanotherdisagreeablepartofthebusiness，“saidHarry。

“Iamtrulysorryforthem，“repliedMr。Wyllys。“Itwillgivethemgreatpain。“

“Whatstepsshallwefirsttake，sir？”inquiredHarry。

“Wemustlookintothematterimmediately，ofcourse，andfindoutuponwhatgroundstheyareatwork。“

“Iamutterlyatalosstocomprehendit！”exclaimedMrs。

Stanley。“Suchapieceofbare-facedaudacity！”

“ClappmustrestallhishopeofsuccessonourwantofpositiveproofastothedeathofWilliamStanley，“observedHarry。“Buthishavingdaredtobringforwardanindividualtopersonatethedeadman，isreallyaheightofimpudencethatIshouldneverhaveconceivedof。“

“IfIdidnotknowhimtobeanincarnationofcunning，Ishouldthinkhehadlosthissenses，“repliedMr。Wyllys；“buthappilyforhonestmen，roguesgenerallyoverreachthemselves；aftertheyhavespreadtheirnets，madethemeshasintricateaspossible，theyalmostinvariablyfallintotheirownsnare。Suchwill，undoubtedly，betheresultinthiscase。“

“HadyounotbetterreturntoLongbridgeatonce，“saidMrs。

Stanley，“inordertoinquireintothematter？”

“Certainly；wehadbetterallbeonthespot；thoughIamconfidentweshallunmasktheroguesveryspeedily。Youwerealreadypledgedtoreturnwithus，Mrs。Stanley；andIshallbegladtoseeyouatWyllys-Roof，again，Harry。“

“Thankyou，sir；youareverygood，“repliedHazlehurst，withsomethingmorethanthecommonmeaninginthewords；forhecolouredalittleonrememberingtheoccurrencesofhislastvisittoLongbridge，morethanthreeyearssince。

“Weshallfinditdifficult，“continuedMr。Wyllys，“togetaninsightintoClapp\'sviewsandplans。Hewill，nodoubt，beverywaryinallhedoes；thoughvolubleaseverinwhathesays。I

knowhispolicyofold；hereversesthesayingofthecunningItalian，voltosciolto，boccastretta。“

{“voltosciolto，boccastretta“=opencountenance，tightlips(Italian)}

“Buthisfirststephasnotbeenacautiousone，“observedHarry。

“ItissingularheshouldhaveallowedhisclienttowritetoMrs。Stanley。DoyourememberWilliamStanley\'shandwritingdistinctly？”headded，againhandingthelettertoMr。Wyllys。

“Yes；anditmustbeconfessedthishandresembleshis；theymusthavegotpossessionofsomeofyoungStanley\'shandwriting。“

“Buthowcouldtheypossiblyhavedoneso？”saidMrs。Stanley。

“Thatiswhatwemusttrytofindout，mydearmadam。“

“Hemusthavebeenveryconfidentthatitwasagoodimitation，“

saidHazlehurst；“for，ofcourse，heknewyoumustpossesslettersofWilliamStanley\'s。Idon\'tremembertohaveseenanythingbuthissignature，myself。“

“Yes；itisagoodimitation——verygood；ofcourseClappwasawareofit，ortheletterwouldneverhavebeensent。“

“Williamwasverylikehisfatherinappearance，thoughnotincharacter，“observedMrs。Stanley，thoughtfully。“Hewasverylikehim。“

“Shouldthismanlooklikemypoorhusband，Imighthavesomemisgivings，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Wemustrememberatleast，mydearMr。Wyllys，thatitisnotimpossiblethatWilliammaybeliving。“

“Onlyoneofthemostimprobablecircumstancesyoucouldname，mydearfriend。Iwishtoseetheman，however，myself；forIhavelittledoubtthatIshallbeableatoncetodiscovertheimposture，entirelytoourownsatisfactionatleast——andthatisthemostimportantpoint。“

“Shouldthecasepresentanappearanceoftruth，sufficienttosatisfyajury，thoughweourselveswerenotconvinced，itwouldstillproveaveryseriousthingtoyou，mydearHarry，“observedMrs。Stanley。

“Nodoubt：veryserioustoHazlehurst，andalosstoallthree。

ButIcannotconceiveitpossiblethatsuchadaringimposturecansucceedsofar。Weshallbeobliged，however，toproceedwithprudence，inordertocounteractthecunningofClapp。“

Afteraconversationofsomelengthbetweenthefriends，itwasagreedthatHazlehurstshouldanswertheletters，inthenameofMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys，aswellashisown。ItwasalsodecidedthattheyshouldreturntoLongbridgeimmediately，andnottakeanydecidedstepsuntiltheyhadseentheindividualpurportingtobeWilliamStanley。ThebarepossibilitythatMr。

Stanley\'ssonmightbeliving，determinedMrs。StanleyandHazlehursttopursuethiscourse；althoughMr。Wyllys，whohadnotadoubtonthesubjectfromthefirst，hadfeltnoscrupleinconsideringtheclaimantasanimpostor。WegiveHarry\'slettertoMr。Clapp。

“Saratoga，June，18。

“SIR：——

“ThelettersaddressedbyyoutoMrs。Stanley，Mr。Wyllysandmyself，ofthedateoflastTuesday，havejustreachedus。I

shallnotdwellontheamazementwhichwenaturallyfeltinreceivingacommunicationsoextraordinary，whichcallsuponustocredittheexistenceofanindividual，whomwehaveeveryreasontobelievehaslainfornearlyeighteenyearsatthebottomofthedeep：itwillbesufficientthatIdeclare，whatyouareprobablyalreadypreparedtohear，thatweseenocauseforchangingourpastopinionsonthissubject。Webelieveto-day，aswehavebelievedforyears，thatWilliamStanleywasdrownedinthewreckoftheJefferson，duringthewinterof181。

Wecancommandto-day，thesameproofswhichproducedconvictionatthetimewhenthisquestionwasfirstcarefullyexamined。Wehavelearnednonewfacttochangethecharacteroftheseproofs。

“Thenatureofthecaseissuch，however，astoadmitthepossibility——anditisabarepossibilityonly——oftheexistenceofWilliamStanley。ItisnotnecessarilyimpossiblethathemayhaveescapedfromthewreckoftheJefferson；althoughtheweightofprobabilityagainstsuchanescape，hasmorethanahundred-foldtheforceofthatwhichwouldfavouracontrarysupposition。Suchbeingthecircumstances，Mr。Stanley\'sexecutors，andhislegatee，actuatedbythesamemotiveswhichhaveconstantlyguidedthemsincehisdeath，arepreparedinthepresentinstancetodischargetheirduty，atwhatevercostitmaybe。Theyarepreparedtoreceiveandexamineanyproofs，inthepossessionofyourselfandyourclient，astotheidentityoftheindividualpurportingtobeWilliamStanley，onlysonofthelateJohnWilliamStanley，of——county，Pennsylvania。Theydemandtheseproofs。But，theyarealsoprepared，sir，topursuewiththefullforceofjustice，andthelawoftheland，anyindividualwhoshallattempttoadvanceafalseclaimtothenameandinheritanceofthedead。Thismatter，oncetouched，mustbeentirelylaidbare：weredutyoutofthequestion，indignationalonewouldbesufficienttourgethem，atanycostoftimeandvexation，tounmaskonewho，ifnotWilliamStanley，mustbeamiserableimpostor——tounravelwhatmusteitherproveanextraordinarycombinationofcircumstances，orabaseconspiracy。

“Prepared，then，topursueeithercourse，asjusticeshalldictate，Mrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys，executorsofthelateMr。

Stanley，andmyself，hislegatee，demand：First，aninterviewwiththeindividualclaimingtobeWilliamStanley。Secondly，whateverproofsoftheidentityoftheclaimantyoumayhaveinyourpossession。Andweherepledgeourselvestoacknowledgethejusticeoftheclaimadvanced，iftheevidenceshallprovesufficienttoestablishit；orintheeventofawantoftruthandconsistencyintheevidencesupportingthisremarkableclaim，weshallholditadutytobringtolegalpunishment，thosewhomwemustthenbelievetheguiltypartiesconnectedwithit。

“Mrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllyswishyou，sir，tounderstandthisletterasananswertothoseaddressedbyyoutothemselves。TheyareonthepointofreturningtoLongbridge，whereIshallalsojointhem；andwerequestthatyourfarthercommunicationstous，onthissubject，maybeaddressedtoWyllys-Roof。

“HENRYHAZLEHURST“

Thisletterwaswritten，andapprovedbyMrs。StanleyandMr。

Wyllys，beforetheconsultationbrokeup；itwasalsosignedbythem，aswellasbyHarry。

TheamazementofMissWyllysandElinor，onhearingthepurportofMr。Clapp\'sletters，wasboundless。HadtheyseenWilliamStanleyrisefromthegroundbeforethem，theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmoreastonished；notashadowofdoubtastohisdeathintheJefferson，hadcrossedtheirmindsforyears。Liketheirfriends，theybelieveditaplotofMr。Clapp\'s；andyethisdaringtotakesoboldastepseemedallbutincredible。

Whensomehours\'considerationhadmadetheidearathermorefamiliartothemindsofourfriends，theybegantolookattheconsequences，andtheyclearlysawmanydifficultiesandvexationsbeforethemattercouldbeevenfavourablysettled；butifthisclientofMr。Clapp\'sweretosucceedinestablishingalegalclaimtotheStanleyestate，theresultwouldproducemuchinconveniencetoMrs。Stanley，stillgreaterdifficultiestoMr。

Wyllys，whileHarrywouldbeentirelyruinedinapecuniarysense；sincethesmallpropertyhehadinheritedfromhisfather，wouldnotsufficetomeethalfthearrearshewouldbeobligedtodischarge，inrestoringhisshareoftheStanleyestatetoanother。Hazlehursthaddecided，fromtheinstanttheclaimwaslaidbeforehim，thattheonlyquestionwithhimselfwouldregardhisownopiniononthesubject；thepointmustfirstbeclearlysettledtohisownjudgment。Hewouldseethemanwhoclaimedtobethesonofhisbenefactor，hewouldexaminethematterasimpartiallyashecould，andthendetermineforhimself。HadheanygoodreasonwhateverforbelievingthisindividualtobeWilliamStanley，hewouldinstantlyresignthepropertytohim，ateverycost。

Allprobabilitywas，however，thusfar，againsttheidentityoftheclaimant；andunlessHazlehurstcouldbelieveinhisgoodfaithandhonesty，everyinchofthegroundshouldbedisputedtothebestofhisability。Mr。Wyllyswasveryconfidentofdefeatingonewhomheseriouslybelievedanimpostor：itwasadirty，disagreeablejobtoundertake，buthewassanguineastotheresult。Mrs。Stanleywasatfirstquiteovercomebyagitationandastonishment；shehadsomedoubtsandanxieties；misgivingswouldoccasionallycrosshermind，inspiteofherself，inspiteofMr。Wyllys\'sopinion；andthebareideaofopposingonewhomightpossiblybeherhusband\'sson，affectedallherfeelings。

LikeHazlehurst，shewasverydesiroustoexaminefartherintothematter，withoutdelay；scarcelyknowingyetwhattohopeandwhattofear。

EllsworthandMrs。CreightonsoonlearnedtheextraordinarysummonswhichHarryhadreceived；heinformedthemofthefactshimself。

“Themanisanimpostor，dependuponit，Mr。Hazlehurst！”

exclaimedMrs。Creighton，withmuchwarmth。

“Ihavelittledoubtofit，“repliedHarry；“forIdonotseehowhecanwellbeanythingelse。“

“Youknow，Hazlehurst，thatIamentirelyatyourserviceinanywayyouplease，“saidEllsworth。

“Thankyou，Ellsworth；Ihaveahabitoflookingtoyouinanydifficulty，asyouknowalready。“

“ButIcannotconceivethatitshouldbeatalladifficultmattertounravelsocoarseaplotasthismustbe！”criedMrs。

Creighton。“Whatpossiblefoundationcanthesemenhavefortheirstory？Tellmeallaboutit，Mr。Hazlehurst，pray！”continuedthelady，whohadbeenstandingwhenHarryenteredtheroom，preparedtoaccompanyherbrotherandhimselftoMissWyllys\'sroom。“Sitdown，Ibeg，andtellmeatonceallyouchoosetotrustmewith，“shecontinued，takingaseatonthesofa。

Harryfollowedherexample。“YouareonlylikelytohearagreatdealtoomuchofitIfear，ifyoupermitEllsworthandmyselftotalkthematteroverbeforeyou。“Hethenproceededtogivesomeofthemostimportantfacts，asfarasheknewthemhimself，atleast。Judgingfromthisaccount，Mr。EllsworthpronouncedhimselfdecidedlyinclinedtothinkwithMr。Wyllys，thatthisclaimwasafabricationofClapp\'s。Mrs。Creightonwasverywarmintheexpressionofherindignationandhersympathy。Afteralongandanimatedconversation，Mr。EllsworthproposedthattheyshouldjointheWyllyses：hissisterprofessedherselfquitereadytodoso；and，accompaniedbyHarry，theywenttotheusualrendezvousoftheirparty，atCongressHall。

RobertHazlehursthadalreadyleftSaratogawithhisfamily，havingreturnedfromLakeGeorgeforthatpurpose，adayearlierthanhisfriends；andwhenMrs。CreightonandthetwogentlemenenteredMissWyllys\'sparlour，theyonlyfoundtheretheWyllysesthemselvesandMaryVanAlstyne，allofwhomhadalreadyheardofHarry\'sthreateneddifficulties。NeitherMissAgnesnorElinorhadseenhimsincehehadreceivedtheletters，andtheybothcordiallyexpressedtheirgoodwishesinhisbehalf；fortheybothseemedinclinedtoMr。Wyllys\'sopinionofthenewclaimant。

“Wehaveeveryreasontowishthatthetruthmaysoonbediscovered，“saidMissAgnes。

“Iamsorryyoushouldhavesuchapainful，vexatioustaskbeforeyou，“saidElinor，franklyofferingherhandtoHarry。

“Haveyounosympathiesforthisnewsailorcousinofyours，MissWyllys？——ImustsayIhaveaverypooropinionofhimmyself，“

saidMrs。Creighton。

“Whoeverhebe，Ihopehewillonlyreceivewhatisjustlyhisdue，“repliedElinor。

“Iamhappy，MissWyllys，thatyouseemfavourablyinclinedtowardsHazlehurst，“saidMr。Ellsworth。“OnthepresentoccasionIconsiderhimnotonlyasafriendbutasaclient，andthatisthedearesttiewelawyersaresupposedtofeel。“

“Onewouldnaturallyinclinerathermoretoaclientofyoursexofficio，Mr。Ellsworth，thantooneofMr。Clapp\'s，thatverydisagreeablebrother-in-lawofMissPatseyHubbard\'s，“saidMaryVanAlstyne，smiling。

Itwassoondecidedthatthepartyshouldbreakupthenextday。

TheWyllyses，withMrs。StanleyandMaryVanAlstyne，weretoreturntoLongbridge。Mrs。CreightonandMr。EllsworthwereobligedtopaytheirlongdeferredvisittoNahant，thegentlemanhavingsomebusinessofimportanceintheneighbourhood；butitwasexpectedthattheyalsoshouldjointhefamilyatWyllys-Roofasearlyaspossible。JanewastoreturntoNewYorkwithhersister-in-law，Mrs。St。Leger，leavingMissEmmaTaylorflirtingatSaratoga，underthechargeofafashionablechaperon；whileMr。HopkinswasstillfishingatLakeGeorge。

CHAPTERXI。{XXXIV}

“\'Whencethisdelay？——AlongthecrowdedstreetAfuneralcomes，andwithunusualpomp。\'“

ROGERS。

{SamuelRogers(Englishpoet，1763-1855)，“Italy：AFuneral“

lines1-2}

ITisacommonremark，thatimportanteventsseldomoccursingly；

andtheyseemindeedoftentofolloweachotherwithstartlingrapidity，likethesharpestflashesoflightningandtheloudestpealsofthunderfromthedarkcloudsofasummershower。OnarrivinginNewYork，theWyllysesfoundthatTallmanTaylorhadbeentakensuddenlyanddangerouslyill，duringthepreviousnight，theconsequenceofastrokeofthesun；havingexposedhimselfimprudently，bycrossingthebaytoStaten-Islandforadinnerparty，inanopenboat，whenthethermometerstoodat95

{degrees}intheshade。Hewasbelievedinimminentdanger，andwastooilltorecognizehiswifewhenshearrived。MissWyllysandElinorremainedintown，attheurgentrequestofJane，whowasingreatdistress；whileMr。WyllysreturnedhomewithMrs。

StanleyandMaryVanAlstyne。

{Susan\'sfather，JamesFenimoreCooper，twicesufferedfromsunstroke，in1823and1825，whilesailingasmallboatnearNewYorkCity，andshelaterwroteoftheattacksofdeliriumthatfollowed}