第13章

ELINORwasallanxietytolearntheresultoftheinterview；andMaryVanAlstynealsonaturallyfeltmuchinterestinthesubject，asshe，too，wasacousinofWilliamStanley，theirmothershavingbeensisters。Elinorsoondiscoveredthatthesailorhadborneamuchbetterexaminationthaneitherofherfriendshadexpected；hehadmadenoglaringmistake，andhehadansweredtheirquestionsonsomepoints，withanaccuracyandreadinessthatwasquitestartling。HeevidentlyknewagreatdealabouttheStanleyfamily，theirhouse，andtheneighbourhood；whoeverhewas，therecouldhenodoubtthathehadknownMr。Stanleyhimself，andwasveryfamiliarwiththepartofthecountryinwhichhehadresided。Altogether，thepersonalresemblance，thehandwriting，thefactofhisbeingasailor，thepapershehadshown，theplausiblestatementhehadgiven，astohispastmovements，andhisintimateknowledgeofsomanyfacts，whichastrangercouldscarcelyhaveknown，madeupacombinationofcircumstances，quiteincomprehensibletothefriendsatWyllys-Roof。Still，inspiteofsomuchthatappearedinhisfavour，Mr。Wyllysdeclared，thatsofarashisownopinionwent，hehadtoomanydoubtsastothisman\'scharacter，toreceivehimasthesonofhisfriend，upontheevidencehehadthusfarlaidbeforethem。Thecircumstancesunderwhichheappeared，weresoverysuspiciousineverypointofview，thatthestrongestpossibleevidencesofhisidentitywouldberequired，tocounteractthem。ThelengthoftimethathadpassedsincethewreckoftheJefferson，thelongperiodduringwhichhisfather\'spropertyhadbeenleftinthehandsofothers，andthedoubtfulcharacterofthechannelthroughwhichtheclaimwasatlengthbroughtforward——allthesefactsunited，furnishedgoodgroundsforsuspectingsomethingwrong。Therewereotherpointstoo，uponwhichMr。Wyllyshadhisdoubts；althoughthegeneralresemblanceofthisindividualtoWilliamStanley，wassufficienttopasswithmostpeople，allowingforthenaturalchangesproducedbytime，yetthereweresomeminorpersonaltraits，whichdidnotcorrespondwithhisrecollectionofMr。Stanley\'sson：thevoiceappearedtohimdifferentintone；hewasalsodisposedtobelievetheclaimantshorterandfullerthanWilliamStanley，intheformationofhisbodyandlimbs；astothisman\'sgait，whichwasentirelydifferentfromthatofWilliamStanley，asaboy，nearerobservationhadincreasedMr。Wyllys\'sfirstimpressiononthatsubject。Ontheseparticularpoints，Mrs。

StanleyandHazlehurstwerenojudges；forthefirsthadscarcelyseenherstep-son，thelasthadonlyachild\'srecollectionofhim。NorcouldMissAgnes\'sopinionhavemuchweight，sinceshehadseldomseentheboy，duringthelastyearshepassedonshore；for，atthattime，shehadbeenmuchdetainedathome，bytheillhealthofhermother。Hazlehursthadwatchedtheclaimantclosely，andtheinterviewhadsilencedhisfirstmisgivings，forhehadbeenmuchstruckwithtwothings：hehadalwaysheard，wheneverthesubjectofWilliamStanley\'scharacterhadbeenalludedtobeforehim，thatthisunfortunateyoungmanwassullenintemper，anddullinmind。Now，thesailor\'swholeexpressionandmanner，inhisopinion，hadshowntoomuchclevernessforWilliamStanley；hehadappeareddecidedlyquick-witted，andhiscountenancewascertainlyrathergood-naturedthanotherwise。Mr。

WyllysadmittedthatHarry\'sviewswerejust；hewasstruckwithboththeseobservations；hethoughtthemcorrectandimportant。

ThenHazlehurstthoughthehadseensomesignsofintelligencebetweenClappandthesailoronceortwice，amereglance；hecouldnotbepositive，however，sinceitmighthavebeenhisownsuspicions。AstothevolumeoftheSpectator，hehadfeltatfirstmorallycertainthathehadreadthatveryvolumeatGreatwood，onlyfouryearsago，buthehadsincerememberedthathisbrotherhadthesameedition，andhemighthavereadthebookinPhiladelphia；inthemeantimehewouldtrytorecallthecircumstancesmoreclearlytohismind；forsolongashehadadoubt，hecouldnotsweartothefact。Heknewitwasnottheoctavoedition，atGreatwood，thathehadbeenreading，forhedistinctlyrememberedtheportraitofSteeleinthefrontispiece，andAddison\'spapersontheParadiseLost，whichhehadbeenreading；thatveryportrait，andthosepapers，werecontainedinthevolumehandedtohimbyClapp。BothMr。WyllysandHazlehurstweregratifiedtofind，thatMrs。Stanleydifferedfromthemlessthantheyhadfeared。Sheconfessed，thatatonemomentherhearthadmisgivenher，butonlookingcloselyatthesailor，shethoughthimlesslikeherhusbandthanshehadexpected；andshehadbeenparticularlystruckbyhisembarrassment，whenshehadaskedhimtodescribethefurnitureofthedrawing-roomatGreatwood，theverylastsummerhehadbeenthere，forheoughtcertainlyundersuchcircumstances，tohaveremembereditaswellasherself；hehadlookedpuzzled，andhadglancedatMr。Clapp，andthelawyerhadimmediatelybrokenofftheexamination。Suchweretheopinionsofthefriendsatthisstageoftheproceedings。Stillitwasanalarmingtruth，thatiftherewereimprobabilities，minorfacts，andshadesofmanner，tostrengthentheirdoubts，therewas，ontheotherside，ashowofevidence，whichmightverypossiblyproveenoughtoconvinceajury。

Hazlehursthadathousandthingstoattendto，buthehaddecidedtowaitatWyllys-RoofuntilthearrivalofMr。Ellsworth。

{“Addison\'spapersontheParadiseLost“=infact，Addison\'sessaysonParadiseLostarecontainedinvolumesfourandfiveoftheSpectator}

LeavingthosemostinterestedinthisvexatiousaffairtoholdlongconsultationstogetherinMr。Wyllys\'sstudy，wemustnowproceedtorecordavisitwhichMissAgnesreceivedfromoneofourLongbridgeacquaintances，andweshallthereforejointheladies。

“Iamsorry，mydear，thatthehouseisnotsoquietaswecouldwish，justnow，“saidMissAgnestoJane，onemorning，assheandElinorweresittingtogetherintheyoungwidow\'sroom。

“Thankyou，Aunt；butitdoesnotdisturbme，andIknowitisnottobeavoidedjustnow，“saidJane，languidly。

“No，itcannotbehelped，withthistroublesomebusinessgoingon；andweshallhaveMrs。CreightonandMr。Ellsworthheresoon。“

“Pray，donotchangeyourplansonmyaccount。Ineednotseeanyofyourfriends；Ishallscarcelyknowtheyarehere，“saidJane，withadeepsigh。

“Ifitwerepossibletodefertheirvisit，Ishoulddoso；butsituatedaswearewithMr。Ellsworth——“addedMissWyllys。

“Certainly；donotletmeinterferewithhiscoming。Ifeelperfectlyindifferentastowhocomesorgoes；Icannevertakeanymorepleasureinsociety！”

“HereismyauntWyllysdrivinguptothedoor，“saidElinor，whowassittingnearawindow。“Doyoufeelequaltoseeingher？”

“Oh，no，notto-day，dear，“saidJaneinanimploringvoice；andElinoraccordinglyremainedwithhercousin，whileMissAgneswentdowntomeetMrs。GeorgeWyllys。ThisladywasstilllivingatLongbridge，althougheveryfewmonthsshetalkedofleavingtheplace。Heroldestboyhadjustreceivedamidshipman\'swarrant，towhichhewascertainlyjustlyentitled——hisfatherhavinglosthislifeinthepublicservice。Therestofherchildrenwereathome；andratherspoiltandtroublesomelittlepeopletheywere。

“HowisJane？”askedMrs。Wyllys，assheenteredthehouse。

“Verysadandfeeble；butIhopetheairherewillstrengthenher，afteratime。“

“Poorthing！——nowondersheissad，indeed！Soyoung，andsuchanaffliction！Howisthechild？”

“Muchbetter；sheisquiteplayful，anddisturbsJaneverymuchbyaskingafterherfather。Whatawarmdriveyoumusthavehad，Harriet；youhadbetterthrowoffyourhat，andstaywithusuntilevening。“

“Thankyou；Imustgohomefordinner，andshallnotbeabletostaymorethanhalfanhour。Isyourfatherin？Iwishedtoseehim，aswellasyourself，onbusiness。“

“No，heisnotathome；hehasgoneoffsomemiles，tolookatsomeworkmenwhoareputtingupanewfarm-house。“

“Iamsorryheisnotathome，forIwanttoaskhisopinion。Andyethemusthavehishandsfulljustnow，withthatvexatiousStanleycase。Imustsay，IthinkClappdeservestobesenttothetread-mill！”

“Perhapshedoes，“repliedMissWyllys。“Itistobehopedatleast，thathewillreceivewhathedeserves，andnothingmore。“

“Ihopehewill，withallmyheart！ButasIhavenotmuchtimetospare，Imustproceedtolaymyaffairsbeforeyou。NowI

reallyandhonestlywantyouradvice，Agnes。“

“Youhavehaditoftenbefore，“repliedMissWyllys，smiling。“I

amquiteatyourservicenow，“sheadded，seeinghersister-in-lawlookalittleuneasy。Mrs。Wyllyswassilentforamoment。

“Iscarcelyknowwheretobegin，“shethensaid；“forhereIam，cometoconsultyouonasubjectwhichyoumaythinkbeneathyournotice；youaresuperiortosuchtriflingmatters，“shesaid，smiling——andthenadded：“Butseriously，Ihavetoomuchconfidenceinyourjudgmentandgoodsense，towishtoactwithoutyourapprobation。“

“WhatisthepointuponwhichIamtodecide？——foryouhavenotyettoldmeanything。“

“ItisasubjectuponwhichIhavebeenthinkingforsometime——severalmonths。Whatshouldyousaytomymarryingagain？”

askedMrs。Wyllysstoutly。

MissAgneswasamazed。Shehadknownhersister-in-law，whensomeyearsyounger，refusemorethanonegoodoffer；andhadneverforamomentdoubtedherintentiontoremainawidowforlife。

“Yousurpriseme，Harriet，“shesaid；“Ihadnoideayouthoughtofmarryingagain。“

“Certainly，Ineverthoughtoftakingsuchastepuntilquitelately。“

“Andwhoisthegentleman？”askedMissAgnes，insomeanxiety。

“Iknowyouwillatleastagreewithme，inthinkingthatIhavemadeaprudentchoice。Thewelfareofmychildrenisindeedmychiefconsideration。Ifind，Agnes，thattheyrequireastrongerhandthanminetomanagethem。LongbeforeEvertwenttosea，hewascompletelyhisownmaster；therewereonlytwopersonswhohadanyinfluenceoverhim，oneishisgrandfather，theother，agentlemanwhowill，Isuppose，beforelong，becomenearlyconnectedwithhim。IfranklyacknowledgethatIhavenocontroloverhimmyself；itisamortifyingfacttoconfess，butmysystemofeducation，thoughanexcellentoneintheory，hasnotsucceededinpractice。“

\'Because，\'thoughtMissAgnes，\'thereistoomuchtheory，mygoodsister。\'“Butyouhavenotyetnamedthegentleman，“sheadded，aloud。

“Oh，Ihavenodoubtofyourapprovingmychoice！Heisamostworthy，excellentman——ofcourse，atmytimeoflife，Ishallnotmakealove-match。Can\'tyouguesstheindividual——oneofmyLongbridgeneighbours？”

“FromLongbridge，“saidMissWyllys，notalittlesurprised。

“EdwardTibbs，perhaps，“sheadded，smiling。Hewasanunmarriedman，andoneoftheLongbridgebeaux。

“Oh，no；howcanyouthinkmesosilly，Agnes！Iamashamedofyou！Itisaverydifferentperson；thefamilyaregreatfavouritesofyour\'s。“

“OneoftheVanHornes？”Mrs。Wyllysshookherhead。

“OneoftheHubbards？——IsitJohnHubbard，theprincipalofthenewAcademy？”inquiredMissAgnes，faintly。

“DoyousupposeIwouldmarryamanoftwo-or-three-and-twenty！”

exclaimedMrs。Wyllyswithindignation。“Itishisuncle；amanagainstwhomtherecanbenopossibleobjection——Mr。JamesHubbard。“

\'UncleDozie，ofallmen！\'thoughtMissAgnes。\'Silent，sober，sleepyUncleDozie。Well，wemustbethankfulthatitisnoworse。\'

“Mr。Hubbardiscertainlyarespectableman，amanofprinciples，“sheobservedaloud。“Buteverybodylookeduponhimasaconfirmedoldbachelor；Ididnotsuspecteitherofyouofhavinganythoughtsofmarrying，“continuedMissAgnes，smiling。

“Iamsometimessurprisedthatweshouldhavecometothatconclusion，myself。ButitischieflyforthesakeofmychildrenthatImarry；youmustknowmewellenough，Agnes，tobeconvincedthatIsacrificemyselfforthem！”

“Iwish，indeed，thatitmaybefortheirgood，Harriet！”

“Thankyou；Ihavenodoubtofit。IfeelperfectconfidenceinMr。Hubbard；heisamansomucholderthanmyself，andsomuchmoreexperienced，thatIshallbeentirelyguidedinfuturebyhiscounselandadvice。“

MissAgneshadsomedifficultyinrepressingasmileandasigh。

“Ofcourse，IamwellawarethatmanypeoplewillthinkIamtakingafoolishstep，“continuedMrs。Wyllys。Hubbard\'sconnexions，aregenerallynotthoughtagreeable，perhaps；hehasverylittleproperty，andnoprofession。Iamnotblinded，yousee；butIamveryindifferentastotheopinionoftheworldingeneral；Iamveryindependentofallbutmyimmediatefriends，asyouwellknow，Agnes。“

MissWyllyswassilent。

“Infact，myattentionwasfirstfixeduponMr。Hubbard，byfindinghowlittlehewasappreciatedandunderstoodbyothers；I

regrettedthatIhadatfirstallowedmyselftobeguidedbygeneralopinion。NowIthinkitverypossiblethat，althoughMr。

Hubbardhasbeenyourneighbourforyears，evenyou，Agnes，mayhaveaverymistakenopinionofhim；youmayhaveunderratedhistalents，hisstrongaffections，andenergeticcharacter。Iwassurprisedmyselftofind，whataveryagreeablecompanionheis！”

“IhavealwaysbelievedMr。JamesHubbardamanofkindfeelings，asyouobserve，andamanofgoodprinciples；twoimportantpoints，certainly。“

“Iamgladyoudohimjustice。Butyouarenotawareperhaps，whataverypleasantcompanionheis，wherehefeelsathisease，andknowsthatheisunderstood。“

\'Thatistosay，wherehecandoze，whileanotherpersonthinksandtalksforhim，\'thoughtMissAgnes。

“ThetimeisfixedIsupposeforthewedding，Harriet？”sheinquiredaloud，withasmile。

“Nearlyso，Ibelieve。ItoldMr。HubbardthatIshouldbejustasreadytomarryhimnextweek，asnextyear；weagreedthatwhentwopersonsofourageshadcometoanunderstanding，theymightaswellsettlethematteratonce。Weshallbemarried，I

fancy，inthemorning，inchurch，withonlytwoorthreefriendspresent。Ihope，Agnes，thatyourfatherandyourselfwillbewithme。YouknowthatIshouldneverhavetakenthisstep，ifyouhadnotagreedwithmeinthinkingitforthegoodofmychildren。“

“Thankyou，Harriet；ofcourseweshallbepresent，ifyouwishit。“

“CertainlyIwishit。Ishallalwayslookuponyouasmybestfriendsandadvisers。“

“NexttoMr。Hubbard，infuture，“repliedMissAgnes，smiling。

“Whenyouknowhimbetter，youwillconfessthathedeservesahighplaceinmyconfidence。Youhavenoideahowmuchhisbrotherandniecesthinkofhim；butthatisnowonder，fortheyknowhisgoodsense，andhiscompanionablequalities。Heisreallyaveryagreeablecompanion，Agnes，forarationalwoman；

quiteacultivatedmind，too。“

VisionsofcabbagesandturnipsroseinMissAgnes\'smind，astheonlycultivationeverconnected，tillnow，withUncleDozie\'sname。

“Wepassedlasteveningcharmingly；IreadtheLayoftheLastMinstrelaloudtohim，andheseemedtoenjoyitverymuch，“

continuedMrs。Wyllys。

{“LayoftheLastMinstrel“=longnarrativepoem(1805)bySirWalterScott(1771-1832)}

\'Hetookanap，Isuppose，\'thoughtMissAgnes。“Heoughttobewellpleasedtohaveafairladyreadaloudtohim，“shereplied，smiling。

“ThebetterIknowhim，themoresatisfiedIamwithmychoice。I

have：foundamanuponwhomIcandependforsupportandadvice——andonewhoisatthesametimeaverypleasantcompanion。Doyouknow，hesometimesremindsmeofourexcellentfather，“

Thiswasreallygoingtoofar，inMissAgnes\'sopinion；shequiteresentedacomparisonbetweenUncleDozieandMr。Wyllys。Thewidow，however，wastoomuchoccupiedwithherownaffairs，tonoticeMissAgnes\'sexpression。

“Ifind，indeed，thatthewholefamilyaremoreagreeablethanI

hadsupposed；butyourathergavemeaprejudiceagainstthem。

Theyoungladiesimproveonacquaintance，theyarepretty，amiableyoungwomen；Ihaveseenthemquiteoftensincewehavebeennearneighbours。Well，Imustleaveyou，forMr。Hubbarddineswithmeto-day。Inthemeantime，Agnes，Icommitmyaffairstoyourhands。SinceIdidnotfindyourfatherathome，Ishallwritetohimthisevening。“

Theladiesparted；andasMrs。Wyllyspassedoutoftheroom，shemetElinor。

“Goodmorning，Elinor，“shesaid；“youraunthasnewsforyou，whichIwouldtellyoumyselfifIhadtime：“thennodding，sheleftthehouse，andhadsoondrivenoff。“MydearAunt，whatisthisnews？”askedElinor。

MissAgneslookedalittleannoyed，alittlemortified，andalittleamused。

Whenthemysterywasexplained，Elinor\'samazementwasgreat。

“Itisincredible！”sheexclaimed。“MyAuntWyllysactuallygoingtomarrythatprosing，nappingMr。Hubbard；UncleDozie！”

“WhenIrememberherhusband，“saidMissAgnes，withfeeling，“itdoesseemincredible；mydear，warm-hearted，handsome，animatedbrotherGeorge！”

“Howextraordinary！”saidElinor，whocoulddonothingbutexclaim。

“No；notintheleastextraordinary，“addedMissAgnes；“suchmarriages，dear，seemquitecommon。“Mr。Wyllyswasnotatallastonishedattheintelligence。

“IhaveexpectedthatHarrietwouldmarry，allalong；shehasagreatmanygoodintentions，andsomegoodqualities；butIknewshewouldnotremainawidow。ItisratherstrangethatsheshouldhavechosenJamesHubbard；butshemighthavedoneworse。“

Withthesephilosophicalreflections，Mrs。Wyllys\'sfriendslookedforwardtothehappyeventwhichwassoontotakeplace。

TheverysamemorningthatMissAgneswastakenintotheconfidenceofthebride，thefriendsofthegroomalsolearnedthenews，butinamoreindirectmanner。

Thecharmsofaparterrearedailybe-rhymedinverse，andvauntedinprose，butthebeautiesofavegetablegardenseldommeetwiththeadmirationtheymightclaim。Ifyoutalkofbeets，peoplefancythemslicedwithpepperandvinegar；ifyoumentioncarrots，theyareseenfloatinginsoup；cabbagefiguresintheformofcold-slaw，ordisguisedunderdrawn-butter；ifyourefertocorn，itappearstothemind\'seyewraptinanapkintokeepitwarm，orcutupwithbeansinasuccatash{sic}。Halfthepeoplewhoseethesegoodthingsdailyspreadontheboardbeforethem，areonlyacquaintedwithvegetablesaftertheyhavebeenmutilatedanddisguisedbycookery。Theywouldnotknowtheleafofabeetfromthatofthespinach，thegreentuftofacarrotfromthedelicatesprigsofparsley。Now，abouquetofrosesandpinksiscertainlyaverybeautifulobject，butacollectionoffinevegetables，withtherichvarietyofshapeandcolour，inleaf，fruit，androot，suchasnaturehasgiventhemtous，isanoblesight。SothoughtUncleDozie，atleast。Therichtextureandshadingofthecommoncabbage-leafwasnonoveltytohim；hehadoftenwatchedthered，coral-likeveinsintheglossygreenofthebeet；thelong，wavingleafofthemaize，withthesilkytasselsofitsears，werebeautifulinhiseyes；andsoweretherich，whiteheadsofthecauliflower，delicateascarvedivory，thefeatherytuftofthecarrot，thepurplefruitoftheegg-plant，andthebrilliantscarlettomato。HecamenearerthanmostChristians，outofWeathersfield，tosympathywiththeoldEgyptiansintheironion-worship。

{“parterre“=ornamentalflowergarden；“outofWeathersfield“=

Wethersfield(themodernspelling)，Connecticut，wasfamousforitsonions(thereisstillaredonioncalled“RedWeathersfield“)，untilstruckbyablightabout1840；“oldEgyptians“=ancientEgyptwasproverbialforworshipingtheonion}

Withsuchtastesandpartialities，UncleDoziewasgenerallytobefoundinhisgarden，betweenthehoursofsun-riseandsun-set；gardeninghavingbeenhissoleoccupationfornearlyfortyyears。Hisbrother，Mr。JosephHubbard，havingsomethingtocommunicate，wentthereinsearchofhim，onthemorningtowhichwerefer。ButUncleDoziewasnottobefound。Thegardener，however，thoughtthathecouldnothavegoneveryfar，forhehadpassednearhimnotfiveminutesbefore；andhesuggestedthat，perhapsMr。Hubbardwasgoingoutsomewhere，for“helookedkindo\'spruceanddrestup。“Mr。Hubbardexpectedhisbrothertodineathome，andthoughtthemanmistaken。Inpassinganarbour，however，hecaughtaglimpseoftheindividualhewaslookingfor，andoncomingnearer，hefoundUncleDozie，dressedinanewsummersuit，sittingonthearbourseattakinganap，whileathisfeetwasaveryfinebasketofvegetables，arrangedwithmorethanusualcare。Unwillingtodisturbhim，hisbrother，whoknewthathisnapsseldomlastedmorethanafewminutesatatime，tookaturninthegarden，waitingforhimtoawake。Hehadhardlyleftthearbourhowever，beforeheheardUncleDoziemoving；turninginthatdirection，hewasgoingtojoinhim，when，tohisgreatastonishment，hesawhisbrotherstealfromthearbour，withthebasketofvegetablesonhisarm，anddisappearbetweentworowsofpea-brush。

“James！——Isay，James！——Whereareyougoing？Stopaminute，I

wanttospeaktoyou！”criedMr。JosephHubbard。

Hereceivednoanswer。

“James！——Waitamomentforme！Whereareyou？”addedthemerchant；andwalkingquicklytothepea-rows，hesawhisbrotherleavethemanddexterouslymakeforthetallIndian-corn。NowUncleDoziewasnotintheleastdeaf；andhisbrotherwasutterlyatalosstoaccountforhisevadinghiminthefirstplace，andforhisnotansweringinthesecond。Hethoughtthemanhadlosthissenses：hewasmistaken，UncleDoziehadonlylosthisheart。Determinednottogiveupthechase，stillcallingtheretreatingUncleDozie，hepursuedhimfromthepea-rowsintothewindingsofthecorn-hills，acrossthewalktoanothergrowthofpeasnearthegardenpaling。Here，strangetosay，inamannerquiteinexplicabletohisbrother，UncleDozieandhisvegetablessuddenlydisappeared！Mr。Hubbardwascompletelyatfault：hecouldscarcelybelievethathewasinhisowngarden，andthatitwashisownbrotherJameswhomhehadbeenpursuing，andwhoseemedatthatinstanttohavevanishedfrombeforehiseyes——throughthefence，heshouldhavesaid，hadsuchathingbeenpossible。Mr。Hubbardwasaresoluteman；hedeterminedtosiftthemattertothebottom。Stillcallinguponthefugitive，hemadehiswaytothegardenpalingthroughthedefileofthepeas。Noonewasthere——abroad，openbedlayoneitherhand，andbeforehimthefence。Atlastheobservedafoot-printintheearthnearthepaling，andarustlingsoundbeyond。Headvancedandlookedover，andtohisunspeakableamazement，sawhisbrother，JamesHubbard，busilyengagedthere，incollectingthescatteredvegetableswhichhadfallenfromhisbasket。

“Jem！——Ihavecaughtyouatlast，haveI？Whatinthenameofcommonsenseareyouaboutthere？”

Noreplywasmade，butUncleDozieproceededtogatheruphiscauliflowers，peasandtomatoes，tothebestofhisability。

“Didyouflyoverthefence，orthroughit？”askedhisbrother，quitesurprised。

“Neitheronenortheother，“repliedUncleDozie，sulkily。“I

camethroughthegate。“

“Gate！——whythereneverwasagatehere！”

“Thereisonenow。“

Andsotherewas；partofthepalinghadbeenturnedintoanarrowgate。

“Why，whocutthisgate，Ishouldliketoknow？”

“Idid。“

“Youdid，Jem？Whatfor？——Whatistheuseofit？”

“Togothrough。“

“Togowhere？ItonlyleadsintoMrs。Wyllys\'sgarden。“

UncleDoziemadenoanswer。

“Whatareyoudoingwiththosevegetables？Iamreallycurioustoknow。“

“Goingtocarrythemdownthere，“saidUncleDozie。

“Downwhere？”repeatedUncleJosie，lookingonthegroundstrewedwithvegetables。

“Overthere。“

“Overwhere？”askedthemerchant，raisinghiseyestowardsaneighbouringbarnbeforehim。

“Yonder，“addedUncleDozie，makingasortofindescribablenodbackwardwithhishead。

“Yonder！——Inthestreetdoyoumean？Areyougoingtothrowthemaway？”

“Throwawaysuchacauliflowerasthis！”exclaimedUncleDozie，withgreatindignation。

“Whatareyougoingtodowiththem，then？”

“Carrythemtothehousethere。“

“Whathouse？”

“Mrs。Wyllys\'s，tobesure，“repliedUncleDozie，boldly。

“WhatistheuseofcarryingvegetablestoMrs。Wyllys？Shehasagardenofherown“saidhisbrother，veryinnocently。

“Miserablegarden——poor，thinsoil，“mutteredUncleDozie。

“Isit？Well，then，Icanunderstandit；butyoumightuswellsendthembythegardener。“

UncleDoziemadenoreply，butproceededtoarrangehisvegetablesinthebasket，withaneyetoappearances；hehadgatheredthemallupagain，butanotherobjectwhichhadfallenonthegrasslayunnoticed。

“Whatisthat——abook？”askedhisbrother。

UncleDozieturnedround，sawthevolume，pickeditup，andthrustitinhispocket。

“Didyoudropit？Ididn\'tknowyouevercarriedabookaboutyou，“repliedhisbrother，withsomesurprise。“Whatisit？”

“Abookofpoetry。“

“Whosepoetry？”

“IamsureI\'veforgotten，“repliedUncleDozie，takingalookaskanceatthetitle，asithalf-projectedfromhispocket。“It\'sColeridge\'sAncientMariner，“headded。

{“Coleridge\'s……“=“TheRimeoftheAncientMariner“(1798)bytheEnglishpoetSamuelTaylorColeridge(1772-1834)。Anumberofchapterepigraphsin“ElinorWyllys“aretakenfromthisfamouspoem}

“Whatintheworldareyougoingtodowithit？”saidhisbrother，withincreasingsurprise。

“Iwantedavolumeofpoetry。“

“You——JemHubbard！Why，IthoughtYankee-Doodlewastheonlypoetryyoucaredfor！”

“Idon\'tcareforit，butshedoes。“

“She！——WhatSHE？”askedUncleJosie，withlivelycuriosity，butverylittletact，itwouldseem。

“Mrs。Wyllys，“wasthelaconicreply。

“Oh，Mrs。Wyllys；Itoldhersometimeagothatshewasverywelcometoanyofourbooks。“

“Itisn\'toneofyourbooks；it\'smine；Iboughtit。“

“Itwasn\'tworthwhiletobuyit，Jem，“saidhisbrother；“IdaresayEmmelinehasgotitinthehouse。IfMrs。Wyllysaskedtoborrowit，yououghttohavetakenEmmeline\'s，thoughsheisn\'tathome；shejustkeepsherbookstoshowoffonthecentre-table，youknow。Ourneighbour，Mrs。Wyllys，seemsquiteareader。“

“Shedoesn\'twantthistoreadherself，“observedUncleDozie。

“No？——Whatdoesshewantitfor？”

“Shewantsmetoreaditaloud。“

UncleJosieopenedhiseyesinmuteastonishment。UncleDoziecontinued，asiftoexcusehimselfforthisunusualoffence：“Sheaskedforafavouritevolumeofmine；butIhadn\'tanyfavourite；

soIboughtthis。Itlookspretty，andthebooksellersaiditwascalledagoodarticle。“

“Why，Jem，areyoucrazy，man！——YOUgoingtoreadpoetryaloud！”

“Whynot？”saidUncleDozie，growingbolderastheconversationcontinued，andhefinishedarranginghisbasket。

“Ibelieveyouareoutofyourhead，Jem；Idon\'tunderstandyouthismorning。Whatisthemeaningofthis？——whatareyouabout？”

“Goingtobemarried，“repliedUncleDozie，notwaitingforanyfurtherquestions，butsettingoffatabrisksteptowardsMrs。

Wyllys\'sdoor。

Mr。JosephHubbardremainedlookingoverthefenceinsilentamazement；hecouldscarcelybelievehissenses，soentirelywashetakenbysurprise。Ingoodsooth，UncleDoziehadmanagedmattersveryslily，throughthatlittlegateinthegardenpaling；notahumanbeinghadsuspectedhim。UncleJosie\'sdoubtsweresoonentirelyremoved，however；hewasconvincedoftherealityofallhehadheardandseenthatmorning，whenheobservedhisbrotherstandingonMrs。Wyllys\'ssteps，andthewidowcomingouttoreceivehim，withadegreeofeleganceinherdress，andgraciousnessinhermanner，quiteperceptibleacrossthegarden：thefairladyadmiredthevegetables，orderedthemcarriedintothecellar，andreceivedColeridge\'sAncientMarinerfromUncleDozie\'shands，whiletheywerestillstandingbeneaththerose-coveredporch，lookingsufficientlylover-liketoremoveanylingeringdoubtsofUncleJosie。Afterthehappycouplehadenteredthehouse，themerchantlefthisstationatthepaling，andreturnedtohisownsolitarydinner，laughingheartilywheneverthemorningscenerecurredtohim。WehavesaidthatUncleDoziehadmanagedhisloveaffairsthusfarsoslyly，thatnoonesuspectedhim；thatveryafternoon，however，oneofthemostdistinguishedgossipsofLongbridge，Mrs。Tibbs\'smother，sawhimnappinginMrs。Wyllys\'sparlour，witharose-budinhisbutton-hole，andtheAncientMarinerinhishand。Shewasquitetooexperiencedinhervocation，nottodrawherownconclusions；

andasuspicion，onceexcited，wasinstantlycommunicatedtoothers。Thenewsspreadlikewild-fire；andwhentheevening-bellrang，ithadbecomeaconfirmedfactinmanyhouses，thatMrs。

WyllysandMr。JamesHubbardhadalreadybeenprivatelymarriedsixmonths。

CHAPTERXIV。{XXXVII}

“Nowtellme，brotherClarence，whatthinkyouOfthis——？”

HenryVI。

{WilliamShakespeare，“3HenryVI“，IV。i。1-2}

BEFOREtheendoftheweek，thefriendsatWyllys-Roof，aftercarefullyexaminingallthefactswithintheirknowledge，wereconfirmedintheirfirstopinion，thattheindividualclaimingtobeWilliamStanleywasanimpostor。Mrs。Stanleywasthelastofthethreetomakeupherminddecidedly，onthepoint；butatlength，shealsowasconvinced，thatMr。Clappandthissailorhadunitedinaconspiracytoobtainpossessionofherhusband\'sestate。Thechiefreasonsforbelievingthistobethecase，consistedinthedifferenceofCHARACTERandEXPRESSIONbetweentheclaimantandWilliamStanley：themoreMr。Wyllysexaminedthispoint，thecleareritappearedtohim，whohadknownhisfriend\'sonlysonfromaninfant，andhadalwaysfeltmuchinterestedinhim。Asachild，andaboy，WilliamStanleyhadbeenofamorosetemper，andofasluggish，inactivemind——notpositivelystupid，butcertainlyfarfromclever；thisclaimant，onthecontrary，hadalltheexpressionandmannerofashrewd，quick-wittedman，whomightbepassionate，butwholookedlikeagood-naturedperson，althoughhiscountenancewaspartiallydisfiguredbytracesofintemperance。Thesefacts，addedtothelengthoftimewhichhadelapsedsincethereporteddeathoftheindividual，theneglecttoclaimhisinheritance，thesuspiciouscircumstancesunderwhichthissailornowappeared，undertheauspicesofanobscurecountrylawyer，whoboreanindifferentcharacter，andtowhomthepeculiarcircumstancesoftheStanleyestatewereprobablywellknown，allunitedinproducingthebeliefinaconspiracy。Therewasnodoubt，however，butthatastrongcasecouldbemadeoutontheotherhandbytheclaimant；

itwasevidentthatMr。Reedwasconvincedofhisidentity；hisresemblancetoWilliamStanley，andtoMr。Stanley，thefather，couldnotbedenied；thesimilarityofthehandwritingwasalsoremarkable；hisprofession，hisapparentage，hispossessionoftheletters，hisaccurateknowledgeofpersonsandplacesconnectedwiththefamily，altogetheramountedtoanimportantbodyofevidenceinhisfavour。

Itwouldrequireavolumeinitself，togivethedetailsofthissingularcase；butthegeneralreaderwillprobablycareforlittlemorethananoutlineoftheproceedings。Itwouldindeed，demandalegalhandtodofulljusticetothesubject；thosewhoaredisposedtoinquiremoreparticularlyintothematter，havinganaturalpartiality，oracquiredtastefortheintricateuncertaintiesofthelaw，willprobablyhaveitintheirpowererelong，tofollowthecasethroughout，inprint；itisunderstoodatLongbridge，thatMr。JamesBernard，sonofJudgeBernard，isengagedinwritingaregularreport，which，itissupposed，willshortlybepublished。Inthemeantime，weshallbecompelledtoconfineourselveschieflytoageneralstatementofthemostimportantproceedings，moreparticularlyconnectedwithournarrative。

“HereisaletterfromClapp，sir，proposingacompromise，“saidHazlehurst，handingthepapertoMr。Wyllys。ItwasdatedtwodaysaftertheinterviewatWyllys-Roof；thetonewasamicableandrespectful，thoughwordedinMr。Clapp\'speculiarstyle。Wehavenotspacefortheletteritself，butitspurportwas，anofferonthepartofMr。Stanleytoforgiveallarrears，andoverlookthepast，providedhisfather\'sestate，initsactualcondition，wasimmediatelyplacedinhishands。Hewasurgedtotakethisstep，hesaid，byrespectforhisopponents，andtheconvictionthattheyhadactedconscientiously，whilehehimselfbyhisownneglecttoappearearlier，hadnaturallygivenrisetosuspicion。Hewasthereforereadytoreceivethepropertyasitstoodatpresent，engagingthatneitherexecutorsnorlegateeshouldbemolestedforarrears；thesumsadvancedtoHazlehurst，hewaswillingshouldbeconsideredequivalenttothelegacybequeathedtohimbyMr。Stanley，thefather，incaseofhisson\'sreturn，althoughinfacttheyamountedtoamuchlargersum。

ThisofferofacompromisemerelyconfirmedthesuspicionsofallpartiesatWyllys-Roof。TheofferwasrejectedinthesameletterwhichannouncedtoMr。Reed，thatthedefendantshadseenasyetnogoodreasonforbelievingintheidentityoftheindividualclaimingthenameofWilliamStanley，andconsequently，thattheyshouldcontesthisclaimtotheStanleyestate。

Afterthisstep，itbecamenecessarytomakeeverypreparationforatrial；asitwasalreadyevident，fromtheusuallegalnoticesoftheplaintiffs，thattheyintendedtocarrythecaseintoacourtofjustice，withaslittledelayaspossible。ItwasthefirstobjectofMr。WyllysandHazlehurst，toobtainasmuchtestimonyaslaywithintheirreach，uponthepointsofthecapacityandnaturaltemperamentofWilliamStanley；letterswerewritten，inthehopeofdiscoveringsomethingthroughtheoldfamilyphysician，theschool-master，andcompanionsoftheyoungmanbeforehewenttosea；andMrs。Stanleyevenbelievedthatthenurseofherstep-sonwasstillliving。Agentswerealsoemployed，tosearchoutsomeclue，whichmighthelptotracethepastlifeandcharacteroftheindividualbearingthenameofWilliamStanley。HarrywasonlyawaitingtheexpectedarrivalofMr。Ellsworth，beforehesetouthimselfforthelittletownintheneighbourhoodofGreatwood，wherehehopedtogathermuchusefulevidence。TowhatdegreehewasalsodesirousofthepleasureofmeetingMrs。Creightonagain，wecannotsay；buthisfriendsatWyllys-Roofbelievedthathewasquiteasanxioustoseethesisterasthebrother。Hehadnotlongtowait，for，punctualtotheappointedday，theearliestpossible，Mr。

Ellswortharrived，accompaniedbyMrs。Creighton。

“Now，Mr。Hazlehurst，comehereandtellmeallaboutthesevexatiousproceedings，“saidMrs。CreightontoHarry，asthewholepartyleftthedining-roomforthepiazza，thedayMr。

EllsworthandhissisterarrivedatWyllys-Roof。“IhopeyouandFrankfoundout，inthatlongconsultationyouhadthismorning，thatitwouldnotbedifficulttosettlethematterasitoughttobesettled？”

“Onthecontrary，weagreedthattherewereagreatmanyseriousdifficultiesbeforeus。“

“Youdon\'tsurelythinkthereisanyrealdangerastotheresult？”askedtheladywithgreatinterest。“YoucannotsupposethatthismanisreallyWilliamStanley，cometolifeagain！”

“No；Ibelievehimtobeanimpostor；andsodoesEllsworth——sodoweall；buthemakesoutquiteaplausiblestory，nevertheless。“

“Butwhatareyougoingtodo？Come，sitdownhere，andtellmeaboutit。“

“Youforget，Josephine，“saidMr。Ellsworth，smiling，“thatwelawyersdarenottrusttheladieswithoursecrets；youmustcontrivetorestrainyourcuriosity，orinterest——whicheveryouchoosetocallit——untilthetrial。“

“Nonsense！——Iamquitetoomuchinterestedforthat；Ishallexpecttohearagreatdealbeforethetrial。Isitpossibleyourstockofpatiencewilllasttillthen，MissWyllys？”addedthelady，turningtoElinor。

“Well，Idon\'tknow；Iconfessmyselfveryanxiousastotheresult，“saidElinor，blushingalittle。

“Tobesure；weareallanxious；andIexpecttobetakenintoyourconfidence，Mr。Hazlehurst，quiteasfarasyoulegalgentlementhinkitsafetoadmitalady。Frankhasaverybadhabitofnevertrustingmewithhisbusinessmatters，MissWyllys；wemustcurehimofthat。“

“Iaminclinedtothink，Mrs。Creighton，yourpatiencewouldscarcelyheartherecitalofevenonecaseofRichardRoeversusJohnDoe，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Perhapsnot；forIcarenotastrawforRichardRoe，orJohnDoe，either。“

“Wouldyoureallyliketoseetheaccountwhichthisnewcomergivesofhimself？”askedHazlehurst。

“Certainly；Ispeakseriously，Iassureyou。“

“Youshallseeitthisevening，“saidHarry。“Ithinkyouwillagreewithme，thatitisastrangestory。“

“But，Mrs。Creighton，“saidMr。Wyllys，“wehavehadourheadssofulloflaw，andconspiracies，andimpostors，lately，thatIwasinhopesyouwouldbringussomethingmoreagreeabletothinkandtalkabout。WhatwerethepeopledoingatNahantwhenyouleftthere？”

“Itwasverydullthere；atleastIthoughtso；IwasinagreathurryforFranktobringmeaway。“

“Whatwaswanting，pray？”askedMr。Wyllys。“Wasitthefaultoftheweather，thewater，orthecompany？”

“Ofalltogether，sir；nothingwasoftherightkind；itwasnothalfsopleasantasSaratogathisyear。Eventheflirtationswerenotasamusingasusual。“

“Ishouldhavethoughtyoumighthavebeenamusedinsomeotherway，“saidMr。Ellsworth。

“Flirtation，Iwouldhaveyoubelieve，mygoodbrother，issometimesquiteanagreeableandexcitingpastime。“

“Fautedemieux，“saidHarry，smiling。

{“fautedemieux“=forwantofanythingbetter(French)}

“Yousurpriseme，Josephine，bysayingso，asyouarenoflirtyourself，“observedherbrother，withaperfectlyhonestandnaturalexpression。

“Well，Idon\'tknow；certainlyIneverflirtintentionally；butI

won\'tbesuremyspiritshavenotcarriedmeawaysometimes。Haveyounever，MissWyllys，inmomentsofgaietyorexcitement，saidmorethanyouintendedto？”

“HaveIneverflirted，doyoumean？”askedElinor，smiling。

“Butthoughyousayityourself，Idon\'tbelieveyouareabitofaflirt，Mrs。Creighton，“saidtheunsuspiciousMr。Wyllys。

“Oh，no，sir；Iwouldnothaveyoubelievemearegularflirtfortheworld。Ionlyacknowledgetoalittletrifling，nowandthen。

MissWyllysknowswhatImean；wewomenaremoreobservantofeachother。Now，haven\'tyoususpectedmeofflirtingmorethanonce？”

“Youhadbetteraskme，“saidMaryVanAlstyne；“Elinorisnothalfsuspiciousenough。“

“Theacquittalofthegentlemenoughttosatisfyyou，“saidElinor。“Theyaresupposedtobethebestjudges。Areyousure，however，thatyoudidnotflirtwithMr。Hopkins？——hewasatNahantwithyou，Ibelieve。“

“IamafraiditsurpassesthepowerofwomantodistractMr。

Hopkins\'sattentionfromasheepsheadorapaugee。“

{“sheepshead“and“paugee“(porgy)=namesappliedtoanumberofAmericanfishesteemedbyanglers}

“Youhavereallyaveryprettyviewhere，MissWyllys，althoughthereisnothingboldorcommandinginthecountry；itmakesaverypleasanthomepicture，“observedMr。Ellsworth，whohadbeenlookingabouthim。“Thatreachintheriverhasaverygoodeffect；thelittlehamlet，too，lookswellinthedistance；andthewoodandmeadowopposite，areaswellplacedasonecouldwish。“

“Iamgladyoulikeit；butwereallythinkthat，forsuchsimplescenery，itisuncommonlypretty，“repliedElinor。

“Yes；evenyourfastidiousfriend，Mr。Stryker，pronouncedthelandscapeaboutWyllys-Rooftobeverywellputtogether，“saidMrs。Creighton。

“Mr。Stryker，however，professestohavenoeyeforanythingofthekind，“repliedElinor。

“Thatisonlyoneoftheman\'saffectations；hiseyesaremorelikethoseofotherpeoplethanheiswillingtoconfess。ThoughMr。Strykerpretendstobeoneofyourmenoftheworld，whosenotionsareallpractical，yetonesoondiscoversthathecherisheshisuselessfoibles，likeotherpeople，“saidthelady，withanairofcarelessfrankness；thoughintendingthespeechforthebenefitofHazlehurstandMr。Wyllys，whobothstoodnearher。

“Perhapsyoudon\'tknowthatMr。Strykerhasprecededyouintoourneighbourhood，“saidMaryVanAlstyne。“HeisstayingatMr。

deVaux\'s。“

“Oh，yes；Iknewhewastobehereaboutthesetimes。Pray，tellmewhichisMr。deVaux\'splace。Itisafinehouse，Iamtold。“

“Agreatdealtoofine，“saidHarry。“Itisallfinery，orratheritwasafewyearssince。“

“Itismuchimprovednow，“observedElinor；“hetalksoftakingdownhalfthecolumns。Thatisthehouse，Mrs。Creighton，“sheadded，showingthespotwherethewhitepillarsofColonnadeManorwerepartlyvisiblethroughanopeninginthewood。

“Whatacolonnadeitseemstobe！ItputsoneinmindoftheItalianepigramonsomebadarchitecture，“saidMr。Ellsworth：

“\'Carecolonnechefatequa？

Nonsappiamo，inverita！\'“

{“Carecolonne……“=Dearcolumns，whatareyoudoinghere？Wereallydon\'tknow！(Italian)}

“Iunderstand，MissWyllys，thatyourfriend，Mr。Stryker，callsitthe\'cafedemillecolonnes，\'“saidMrs。Creighton。

{“cafedemilecolonnes“=coffee-houseofathousandcolumns(French)}

“DoesMrs。Creighton\'sfriend，Mr。Stryker，treatitsodisrespectfully？Mr。deVauxhasgivenitaverygoodname，I

think。ItisBroadlawnnow；lastyearitwasColonnadeManor。“

“And，pray，whatdidMr。Taylor\'smanorialrightsconsistin？”

askedMr。Ellsworth。

“IntheprivilegeofputtingupasmanyGreciansummer-housesashepleased，Isuppose，“saidHarry；“theplacepromisedtobecoveredwiththematonetime。“

“Mr。deVauxhastakenthemdown；allbuttwoatleast，“saidElinor。

“ItwasfortunatethatMr。Taylorhadalongpurse，“remarkedMrs。Creighton；“forheseemstohavedelightedinsuperfluitiesofallkinds。“

“Isupposeyouareaware，Mrs。Creighton，thatfalsetasteisalwaysaveryexpensivefoible，“saidMr。Wyllys；“foritlooksuponornamentandimprovementasthesamething。Myneighbour，Mr。Taylor，certainlyhasasmuchofthatspiritasanymanI

everknew。“

“Thenamehegavehisplaceisagoodproofofthat，“saidHarry。

“IfhehadcalledittheColonnade，thatwouldhavebeenatleastdescriptiveandappropriate；buthetackedontheManor，whichhadneitherrhymenorreasontorecommendit。“

“WasitnotaManorbeforetherevolution？”inquiredMrs。

Creighton。

“Oh，no；onlyafarmbelongingtotheVanHornes。ButTaylorwouldnothaveitcalledafarm，fortheworld；hedelightsinbigwords，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Thatisonlynatural，Isuppose，for\'DonPompey，\'asMr。

Strykercallshim，“observedMr。Ellsworth。

Thefollowingmorningwasthehappyoccasion，whichwastomakeMrs。GeorgeWyllysthewifeofUncleDozie。Inthecourseoftheweek，whichintervenedbetweenherannouncingthefactatWyllys-Roof，andtheweddingitself，shehadonlyconsultedherfriendstwice，andchangedhermindasoften。Atfirstitwassettledthatshewastobemarriedattwoo\'clock，inchurch，withfourwitnessespresent，andthatfromchurchshewastoreturnquietlytoherownhouse，wherethepartyweretoeatafamilydinnerwithher。Anote，however，informedherfriendsthatitwasfinallydecided，thattheweddingshouldtakeplaceearlyinthemorning，atherownhouse，inthepresenceofsomedozenfriends。Thedinnerwasalsopostponedforafortnight，asthehappycoupleintendedtosetoutforBoston，themorningtheywereunited。

Theweatherwaspropitious；andafteranearlybreakfastthepartyfromWyllys-Roofsetout。ItincludedMr。EllsworthandMrs。Creighton，whowereconnexionsofthebride，aswellasHarry，andthefamily；MaryVanAlstyneremainingathomewithJane。

TheysoonreachedLongbridge，afterapleasant，earlydrive。OnbeingusheredintoMrs。Wyllys\'sdrawing-room，theywerereceivedinaveryinformalmannerbythebrideherself。AsElinorhadrecommendedagreysilkforthewedding-dress，shewasnotatallsurprisedtofindherauntwearingacolouredmuslin。Ononepoint，however，itwasevidentshehadnotchangedhermind；forthehappyman，UncleDozie，wasthereinfullmatrimonials，withanewwig，andawhitewaistcoat。Thegroomelectlookedmuchlikeavictimabouttobesacrificed；hewasasmiserablysheepishandfidgetyaseveroldbachelorcouldbeundersimilarcircumstances。Mrs。Creightonpaidhercomplimentstothebrideverygracefully；andshetriedtolookasiftheaffairwerenotaparticularlygoodjoke。Mr。Wyllyssummonedupasortofresignedcheerfulness；MissAgnesandElinoralsoendeavouredtolookasbecamewedding-guests。Thechildren，whohadallreceivedpresentsfromthebridegroom，evidentlythoughttheoccasionaholiday。Theclergymanhavingappeared，Mrs。Wyllysgaveherhandtothetremblinggroom，andtheimportanttransactionwassoonover。

\'Thereis，atleast，nodangerofUncleDozie\'stakinganap，\'

thoughtHarry，\'helookstoonervousanduncomfortableforthat。\'

Congratulationsandgoodwishesweredulyoffered；theyservedonlytoincreasethebridegroom\'sdistress，whilethebrideappearedperfectlysatisfied，andinverygoodspirits。Shefeltdisposedtomakeacheerfulsacrificeforthebenefitofherchildren，towhomshehadsecuredanefficientprotector，whileatthesametime，shewasnowsureofaprudentfriendandcounsellorforlife：soatleastsheinformedMrs。Creighton。

“Iamsorryyourbrotherisnothere，Mr。Hubbard。“

“HewenttoNewYork，onbusiness，lastnight，“saidthegroom。

“IhopeyouwillhaveapleasanttriptoBoston，“continuedMr。

Wyllys。

“Thankyouforthewish，sir，“interposedthebride，“butwedeterminedlasteveningtogotoNiagara，aswehavebothbeentoBostonalready。“

\'WeshallhearofyouatNewOrleans，yet，\'thoughtHarry。

Refreshmentswerebroughtin，andeverybody，ofcourse，receivedtheirusualshareofthewedding-cake。

“YouseeIhavesetyouanexcellentexample，“saidthebridetoMrs。CreightonandElinor。

“Wemusthopethattheseladieswillsoonfollowit，“saidMr。

Ellsworth，withaglanceatElinor。

“Shallwethankhim，MissWyllys？”saidMrs。Creighton。“Itwaskindlymeant，Idaresay。“

Mr。Wyllys，whowasstandingnearthem，smiled。

“Itwasonlyyesterday，Elinor，“addedthenewMrs。Hubbard，“thatBlackBess，whomadethecakeyouareeating，toldmewhenshebroughtithome，thatshehopedsoontomakeyourownwedding-cake。“

“ShehashadthepromiseofiteversinceIwasfiveyearsold，“

saidElinor，“IsitpossiblethatBlackBessisstilllivingandbaking？”saidHarry。“Icanrememberhergingerbread，aslongasIcanrecollectanything。IonceoverheardsomeLongbridgeladiesdeclare，thattheycouldtellBlackBess\'scakeasfarastheycouldseeit；whichstruckmeassomethingverywonderful。“

“Sheseemstobeapersonofgreatimportance，“saidMrs。

Creighton；“Ishallhopesoontomakeheracquaintance。MydearMissElinor，Iwishyouwouldbearinmindthatyourwedding-cakehasbeenorderedthesedozenyears。Iamafraidyouforgethowmanyofusareinterestedinit，aswellasBlackBess。“

“Ournotablehousekeepersyouknow，tellusthatwedding-cakewillbearkeepinghalf-a-century，“saidElinor，smiling。

“ThatisaftertheceremonyIamsure，notbefore，“saidMrs。

Creighton。

Elinorseemedatlastannoyedbytheseperseveringallusions，andseveralpersonsleftthegroup。HazlehursttookaseatbyMissPatsey；hewasanxioustoshowherthatherbrother-in-law\'sbehaviour，hadinnomannerchangedhisregardforherselfandherfamily。

“WhereisCharlie，“heasked。

“HehasgoneofftoLakeChamplainnow。IhopeyouandCharliewillbothsoongettiredoftravellingabout，Mr。Hazlehurst；yououghttostayathomewithyourfriends。“

“ButIdon\'tseemtohaveanyhome；CharlieandIarebothbynature，home-bred，home-stayingyouths，butweseemfatedtowanderabout。Howishecomingonwithhispictures？——hashenearlydonehisworkonthelakes？”

“Yes，Ibelieveso；hehaspromisedtocometoLongbridgenextmonth，fortherestofthesummer。Hehasbeendistressed，quiteasmuchastherestofus，Mr。Hazlehurst，bythesedifficulties——“

“Donotspeakofthem，MissPatsey；itisabadbusiness；butonewhichwillneverinterferebetweenmeandmyoldfriends，I

trust。“

MissPatseylookedherthanks，hermortification，andhersympathy，butsaidnothingmore。

Thecarriagewhichwastoconveythebrideandgroomtothesteamboat，soondrovetothedoor；andtakingleaveoftheirfriends，thehappycouplesetoff。Theyturnedback，however，beforetheywereoutofsight，asMrs。Hubbardwishedtochangethetravelling-shawlshehadfirstselectedforanother。Mr。

Wyllys，Elinor，andHarryaccompaniedthemtotheboat；andtheyallthreeagreed，thatthegroomhadnotyetbeenguiltyofnapping；althoughHazlehurstdeclared，thatastheseatsondeckwerecoolandshady，hehadlittledoubtthathewouldbedozingbeforetheboatwasoutofsight。

Thosewhofeelthesameanxietyforthewelfareofthechildren，duringtheirmother\'sabsence，whichweigheduponthemindofMissAgnes，willbegladtohearthattheywereallthreecarriedtoWyllys-Roof，underthechargeofanexperiencednurse。Anditmustbeconfessed，thatitwaslongsincelittleGeorge，ariotouschild，somesevenyearsold，hadbeenkeptundersuchsteady，butkinddiscipline，asthatunderwhichhelived，duringthisvisittohisgrandfather。

Mr。EllsworthandHarrypassedthemorningatLongbridge，engagedwiththeirlegalaffairs；andintheeveningHazlehurstleftWyllys-RoofforPhiladelphia；andMrs。Stanleyaccompaniedhim，onherwaytoGreatwood。

CHAPTERXV。{XXXVIII}

“——ButbythestealthOfourownvanity，we\'releftsopoor。“

HABINGTON。

{WilliamHabington(Englishpoetanddramatist，1605-1664)，“Castara“I。20-21}

NowthatHarryhadleftthehouse，Mrs。Creighton\'sattentionwaschieflygiventoMr。Wyllys；althoughshehadasusual，smiles，botharchandsweet，sayings，bothpiquantandagreeable，foreachandallofthegentlemenfromBroadlawn，whowerefrequentvisitersatWyllys-Roof。Mr。Stryker，indeed，wastherehalfthetime。ItwasevidentthattheladywasextremelyinterestedinHazlehurst\'sdifficulties；shewasconstantinherinquiriesastotheprogressofaffairs，andlistenedanxiouslytothemanydifferentprognosticsastotheresult。MissAgnesremarkedindeed，oneday，whenMr。Ellsworththoughthehadsucceededinobtaininganall-importantclue，intracingthepreviouscareerofHarry\'sopponent，thathissisterseemedmuchelated——shesentanextremelyamiablemessagetoHazlehurstinherbrother\'sletter。Itafterwardsappeared，however，onfartherinquiry，thatthisverypointturnedoutentirelyinfavourofthesailor，actuallyprovingthatnineyearspreviouslyhehadsailedinoneoftheHavrepackets，underthenameofWilliamStanley。Mrs。

CreightonthateveningexpressedhergoodwishesforHarry，inamuchcalmertone，beforearoomfull{sic}ofcompany。

“Ladies，haveyounosympathizingmessageforHazlehurst？”

inquiredMr。Ellsworth，ashefoldedaletterhehadbeenwriting。

“Oh，certainly；weweresorrytohearthebadnews；“andshethenturnedimmediately，andbeganananimated，laughingconversationwithHubertdeVaux。

\'Whatadifferenceincharacterbetweenthebrotherandsister，\'

thoughtMissAgnes，whosegoodopinionofMr。Ellsworthhadbeenraisedhigherthanever，bytheearnestdevotiontohisfriend\'sinterest，whichappearedthroughouthiswholemanagementofthecase。

ThefamilyatWyllys-Roofwerecarefultoshow，bytheirfriendlyattentiontotheHubbards，thattheirrespectandregardforthemhadnotsufferedatallbythestepsMr。Clapphadtaken。MissAgnesandElinorvisitedthecottageasfrequentlyasever。Onemorning，shortlyafterthewedding，MissWyllyswenttoinquireafterMrs。Hubbard，asshewasinthehabitofdoing。ShefoundMaryHubbard，theyoungestdaughter，there，andwasstruckonentering，bytheexpressionofMissPatsey\'sface——verydifferentfromherusualcalm，pleasantaspect。

“Oh，MissWyllys！”sheexclaimed，inanswertoaninquiryofMissAgnes\'s——“IamjustgoingtoLongbridge！Mypoor，kinduncleJoseph！——buthewasalwaystooweakandindulgenttothosegirls！”

“Whathashappened？”askedMissWyllys，anxiously。

“Dreadfulnews，indeed；Mrs。Hilsonhasdisgracedherself！——Herhusbandhasleftherandappliedforadivorce！ButIdonotbelieveitishalfasbadasmostpeoplethink；Juliannahasbeenshamefullyimprudent，butIcannotthinkherguilty！”

{“Herhusbandhaslefther……“=thisincidentseemstoreflecttheunhappymarriagebetweenHenryNicholasCruger(1800-1867)——

aclosefriendoftheCooperfamily——andthefree-wheelingHarrietDouglas(1790-1872)。Aftertheir1833marriage，HarrietDouglasinsistedonlivingherownlife——ofteninEurope；

Crugereventuallyleftherandin1843beganalengthyandhighlypublicdivorceactionbasedondesertion。TheCooperfamilystronglydisapprovedofHarrietDouglas，andsheisbelievedtohavebeenaninspirationforthefree-wheelingMaryMonsoninJamesFenimoreCooper\'slastnovel，“TheWaysoftheHour“

(1850)}

MissWyllyswasgrievedtohearsuchabadaccountofheroldneighbour\'sdaughter。

“Herhusbandhaslefther，yousay；whereisshenow？”

“Herfatherbroughtherhomewithhim。HewentafterhertoNewport，whereshehadgoneinthesamepartywiththisman——thisMr。deMontbrun，andapersonwholivesinthesameboarding-house，aMrs。Bagman，whohasdoneagreatdealofharmtoJulianna。“

“Sad，indeed！”exclaimedMissAgnes。

“Charlessaysitisheart-rending，toseemypooruncle，whowassoproudofhisgoodname——thoughtsomuchofhisdaughters！

OftenhaveIheardhimsay：\'Letthemenjoylife，Patsey，whiletheyareyoung；girlscan\'tdomuchharm；Ilovetoseethemlookprettyandmerry。\'Theyneverreceivedanysolidinstruction，andsincehermarriage，Juliannaseemstohavebeeninbadcompany。

Shehadnochildrentothinkabout，andMr。Hilson\'stimeisalwaysgiventohisbusiness；herheadwasfullofnonsensefrommorningtillnight；Iwasafraidnogoodwouldcomeofit。“

“Itisatleastagreatpoint，thatsheshouldhavecomebackwithherfather。“

“Yes，indeed；Iamthankfulforit，fromthebottomofmyheart。

Oh，MissWyllys，whatadreadfulthingitis，toseeyoungpeoplegoingon，fromonebadwaytoanother！”exclaimedMissPatsey。

“Wemusthopethathereyeswillbeopened，now。“

“IfshehadonlytakenwarningfromwhatCharlestoldheraboutthisMr。deMontbrun；hehadseenhimatRome，andthoughhehadnopositiveproofs，knewhewasabadman，andtoldMrs。Hilsonso。Itissurelywrong，MissWyllys，toletallkindsofstrangersfromforeigncountriesintoourfamilies，withoutknowinganythingaboutthem。“

“Ihaveoftenthoughtitverywrong，“saidMissAgnes，earnestly。

“ButMrs。Hilsonwouldn\'tbelieveawordCharlessaid。Shetalkedagreatdealaboutaristocraticfashions；saidshewouldn\'tbeaslavetoprudishnotions——justasshealwaystalks。“

“Wherewasherhusband，allthistime？”

“HewasinNewYork。Theyhadnotagreedwellforsometime，onaccountofherspendingsomuchmoney，andflirtingwitheverybody。Atlastheheardhowhiswifewasbehaving，andwenttoSaratoga。Hefoundeverybodywhoknewher，wastalkingaboutJuliannaandthisFrenchman。Theyhadaviolentquarrel，andhebroughtherbacktotown，butgaveherwarning，ifevershespokeagaintothatmanhewouldleaveher。Wouldyoubelieveit！——inlessthanaweek，shewenttothetheatrewithhimandthisMrs。

Bagman！YouknowMr。Hilsonisaquietmaningeneral，butwhenhehasmadeuphismindtoanything，heneverchangesit：whenhecameinfromhisbusiness，andfoundwherehiswifehadgone，hewrotealettertoUncleJoseph，andleftthehouse。“

“ButwhatdoesMrs。Hilsonsay？Doessheshowanyfeeling？”

“Shecriesagreatdeal，buttalksjustasusual；sayssheisavictimtoherhusband\'sbrutalityandjealousy。Itseemsimpossibletomakeherseethingsintheirrightlight。Ihopeandpraythathereyesmaybeopened，butIamafraiditwillbealongtimebeforetheyare。Butitishard，MissWyllys，toopentheeyesoftheblindanddeluded！Itismorethanmortalmancando！”

“Yes；wefeelatsuchtimesourmiserableweakness，andtheinfluenceofeviluponhumannature，more，perhaps，thanatanyothermoment！”

“Thatistrue，indeed。Ihaveoftenthought，MissWyllys，thatthosewhohavewatchedoveralargefamilyofchildrenandyoungpeople，havebetternotionsaboutthetruestateofhumannature，thanyourgreatphilosophers。ThathasbeenthedifficultywithUncleHubbard；hesaidgirlsinarespectablefamilywereinnodangerofdoingwhatwaswrong；thathehatedpreachingandscolding，andcouldnotbeartomakeyoungpeoplegloomy，bytalkingtothemaboutserioussubjects。Myfatheralwaystaughtmetothinkverydifferently；hebelievedthattheonlywaytohelpyoungpeopletobereallyhappyandcheerful，wastoteachthemtodotheirduty。“

“Itwouldbewell，ifallthosewhohavechargeofyoungpersonsthoughtso！”exclaimedMissAgnes。

“But，oh，MissWyllys，Idreadseeingmypooruncle！Charleswritesmewordthatheisquitechanged——paleandcare-worn——sodifferentfromhisusuallook；hesaysmyunclehasgrowntenyearsolderinthelastweek。Andsuchakind，indulgentfatherashehasbeen！”

TearsfilledMissWyllys\'seyes。“IshisdaughterEmmelineathome？”sheasked。

“Yes；andEmmelineseemsmoresoberedbythisterriblebusiness，thanMrs。Hilsonherself。Shesentforme，thinkingImightbeofsomeservicetoJulianna，andpersuadehertostayathome，andnotreturntoMrs。Bagman，asshethreatenstodo。“