第14章

AwagonwaswaitingtocarryMissPatseytoLongbridge，andMissAgnesbeggingthatshemightnotdetainher，shesetoutonherpainfulduty。Onarrivingatheruncle\'shouse，shealmostdreadedtocrossthethreshold。ShefoundMr。Hubbardinthedining-room；hepaidnoattentiontoherassheopenedthedoor，butcontinuedwalkingupanddown。Shescarcelyknewhowtoaddresshim；thecommonphrasesofgreetingthatrosetoherlipsseemedmisplaced。Heeitherdidnotseeher，orwouldnotnoticeher。Shethenwalkedquiteneartohim，andholdingoutherhand，saidinacalmtone：

“Uncle，IhavecometoseeJulianna。“

Themusclesofhisfacemoved，buthemadenoanswer。

“Ihavecometostaywithher，ifyouwishit。“

“Thankyou，“hesaid，inathickvoice。

“IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？”

“Whatcanbedone？”hesaid，bitterly，andalmostroughly。

“Doyouwishmetostay？”

“Yes；Iamobligedtoyouforcomingtoseeawomanofbadreputation。“

Patseylefthimforthepresent。Shefoundhercousinstogether；

Emmeline\'seyeswerered，asifshehadjustbeenweeping；Mrs。

Hilsonwasstretchedonasofa，inaveryelegantmorning-gown，readinganovelofverydoubtfulmorality。Patseyofferedherhand，whichwastakenquitecavalierly。

“Well，Patsey，“shesaid，“Ihopeyouhavenotcometobeaspyuponme。“

“Ihavecometoseeyou，becauseIwishtobeofservicetoyou，Julianna。“

“Then，mydearchild，youmustbringhisHigh-Mightiness，myjealoushusbandtoreason，“saidthelady，smoothingafoldinherdress。Patseymadenoanswer，andMrs。Hilsonlookedup。“Ifyouaregoingtojointherestofthemagainstme，whyIshallhavenothingtodowithyou；alltheprimprudesintheworldwon\'tsubdueme，asmygood-manmighthavefoundoutalready。“

“Whereisyourhusband？”askedMissPatsey，gravely，butquietly。

“IamsureIdon\'tknow；hehasbeenpleasedtoabandonme，fornoreasonwhatever，butbecauseIchosetoenjoythelibertyofallwomenoffortuneinaristocraticcircles。Iwouldnotsubmittobemadeaslave，likemostladiesinthiscountry，asMrs。

Bagmansays。IchoosetoassociatewithwhomIplease，gentlemenorladies。WhatisitmakesthepatricianorderssodelightfulinEurope？——allthosewhoknowanythingaboutit，willtellyouthatitisbecausethemarriedwomenarenotslaves；theyhavefullliberty，anddojustastheyfancy，andhaveasmanyadmirersastheyplease；thisverybookthatIamreadingsaysso。ThatisthewaythingsaremanagedinhighlifeinEurope。“

“Whatsortoflibertyisityouwishfor，Julianna？Thelibertytodowrong？Orthelibertytotriflewithyourreputation？”

Mrs。Hilsonpouted，butmadenoanswer。

“Icannotthinkthekindoflibertyyouspeakofiscommonamonggoodwomenanywhere，“continuedPatsey，“andIdon\'tthinkyoucanknowsomuchaboutwhatyoucallHIGHLIFEinEurope，Julianna，foryouhaveneverbeenthere。Iamsureatleast，thatinthiscountrythesortoflibertyyouseemtobetalkingabout，isonlycommoninveryLOWLIFE；youwillfindenoughofitevenhere，amongthemostignorantandworstsortofpeople，“saidMissPatsey，quietly。

Mrs。Hilsonlookedprovoked。“Well，youarecivil，Imustsay，MissPatseyHubbard；ofallthebrutalspeechesthathavebeenmademeoflate，Imustsaythatyoursistheworst！”

“Ispeakthetruth，thoughIspeakplainly，Julianna。“

“Yesplainlyenough；verydifferentfromtherefinementofMrs。

Bagman，Icanassureyou；shewouldbethelastpersontocomeandtyrannizeoverme，whenIamavictimtomyhusband\'sjealousy。ButIhavenotacreaturenearmetosympathizewithme！”

“Donotsaythat；yourfatherisdown-stairs，grownoldwithgriefduringthelastweek！”

Mrs。Hilsondidnotanswer。

“Youhaveknownmeallyourlife，fromthetimeyouwereachild，“addedMissPatsey，takinghercousin\'spassivehandinherown；“andIask，ifyouhaveeverknownmetodeceiveyoubyanuntruth？”

“IamsureIdon\'tknow，“repliedhercousin，carelessly。

“Yes，youdoknowit，Julianna。Trustme，then；donotshutyourearsandyoureyestothetruth！Youareinaverydangeroussituation；lookuponmeasyourfriend；letmestaywithyou；letmehelpyou！Myonlymotiveisyourowngood；evenifIbelievedyoureallyguilty，Ishouldhavecometoyou；butIdonotbelieveyouguilty！”

“Iammuchobligedtoyou，“saidhercousin，lightly。“ButI

happentoknowmyselfthatIhavecommittednosuchhighcrimeandmisdemeanour。“

“Yes，youhavetrifledsofarwithyourreputation，thattheworldbelievesyouguilty，Julianna。“

“Notfashionablepeople。Imighthavegoneonforyears，enjoyingthefriendshipofanelegantladylikeMrs。Bagman，andreceivingthepoliteattentionsofaFrenchnobleman，haditnotbeenforthecountrifiednotionsofPaandMr。Hilson；andnow，Iamtornfrommyfriends，Iamcalumniated，andtheBaronaccusedofbeinganimpostor！Butthefactis，asMrs。Bagmansays，Mr。Hilsonneverhasunderstoodme！”

Patseyclosedhereyesthatnightwithaheavyheart。ShedidnotseemtohaveproducedtheleastimpressiononMrs。Hilson。

Howfewpeopleareawareofthegreatdangersofthatcommonfoible，vanity！Andyetitisthelightfeatherthatwingsmanyapoisoneddart；itistheharlequinleaderofavilecrewofevils。Generally，vanityislookeduponasmerelyaharmlessweakness，whoseonlypenaltyisridicule；butexamineitstruecharacter，andyouwillfindittobeoneofthemostdangerous，andatthesametimeoneofthemostcontemptiblefailingsofhumanity。Thereisnotavicewithwhichithasnotbeen，timeandagain，connected；thereisnotavirtuethathasnotbeentaintedbyitstouch。Menarevainoftheirvices，vainoftheirvirtues；andalthoughprideandvanityhavebeendeclaredincompatible，probablythereneverlivedaproudman，whowasnotvainofhisverypride。Agenerousaspectis，however，sometimesassumedbypride；butvanityisinalterablycontemptibleinitsselfishlittleness，itsrestlessgreediness。Whoshalltellitsvictims——whoshallsetboundstoitstriumphs？Reasonismoreeasilyblindedbyvanitythanbysophistry；timeandagainhasvanitymisdirectedfeeling；oftenhasvanityrousedthemostviolentpassions。Manyhavebeenenticedontoruin，stepbystep，withtherestlesslureofvanity，untiltheybecameactuallyguiltyofcrimes，attributedtosomemoresudden，andstrongerimpulse。Howmanypeoplerunintoextravagance，andwastetheirmeans，merelyfromvanity！Howmanyyoungmencommenceacareeroffollyandwickedness，impelledbythemiserablevanityofdaringwhatothersdare！Howmanywomenhavetrifledwiththeirownpeace，theirownreputation，merelybecausevanityledthemtoreceivethefirsttreacheroushomageofcriminaladmiration，whenwhisperedinthetonesoffalsesentimentandflattery！Thetriumphsofvanitywouldformamelancholypicture，indeed，butitisonetheworldwillneverpausetolookat。

TheeldestdaughterofMr。Hubbard，theworthyLongbridgemerchant，withoutstrongpassions，withoutstrongtemptations，wascompletelythevictimofpuerilevanity。Thedetailsofherfollyaretoounpleasanttodwellon；butthesillyambitionofplayingthefinelady，afterthepatternofcertainEuropeannovels，themselveschieflyrepresentingtheworstmembersoftheclasstheyclaimtodepict，wasthecauseofherruin。Shehadsorecklesslytrifledwithherreputation，thatalthoughherimmediatefriendsdidnotbelievetheworst，yetwiththeworldhercharacterwasirretrievablylost。Atfive-and-twentyshehadalreadysacrificedherownpeace；shehadbroughtshameonherhusband\'sname，andhadfilledwiththebitterestgrief，theheartofanindulgentfather。Happily，hermotherwasinthegrave，andshehadnochildrentoinjurebyhermisconduct。

PatseyHubbardcontinuedunweariedinherkindendeavourstobeofservicetoherkinswoman；anxioustoawakenhertoasenseofherfolly，andtowithdrawherfromtheinfluenceofbadassociates。

“ItisrightthatsocietyshoulddiscountenanceawomanwhobehavesasJuliannahasdone，“saidsheoneday，toMrs。Hubbard，onreturninghome；“but，oh，mother，herownfamilysurely，shouldnevergiveherupwhilethereisbreathinherbody！”

CHAPTERXVI。{XXXIX}

“Thatwhichyouhear，you\'llswearyousee，Thereissuchunityintheproofs。“

Winter\'sTale。

{WilliamShakespeare，“AWinter\'sTale“，V。ii。31-32}

WHENHazlehurstarrivedatthelittlevillageintheneighbourhoodofGreatwood，hewassofortunateastofindthatmanypersonsamongtheoldermembersofthecommunity，hadaperfectrecollectionofWilliamStanley，andwerereadytotestify，tothebestoftheirknowledge，astoanyparticularsthatmightbeofserviceinthecase。

Hisfirstinquirywas，fortheyoungman\'snurse。Hediscoveredthatshehadrecentlyremovedintoaneighbouringstate，withtheson，inwhosefamilyshehadlivedsinceleavingtheStanleys。AssoonasHarryhadaccompaniedMrs。StanleytoGreatwood，hesetoutinpursuitofthisperson，fromwhomhehopedtoobtainimportantevidence。Onarrivingattheplacewhereshewasnowtobefound，hewasmuchdisappointed，forherfacultieshadbeensomuchimpairedbyasevereattackofparalysis，thathecouldlearnbutlittlefromher。SheseemedtohavecherishedawarmaffectionforthememoryofWilliamStanley，whoselossatseashehadneverdoubted。Wheneverhisnamewasmentionedshewept，andshespokewithfeelingandrespectoftheyoungman\'sparents。Buthermindwasmuchconfused，anditwasimpossibletomakeanyuseofhertestimonyinacourtofjustice。

Thusthrownbackuponthosewhohadalessintimatepersonalknowledgeoftheyoungman，HarrypursuedhisinquiriesamongthefamiliesaboutGreatwood，andthevillageofFranklinCross-Roads。Withtheexceptionofafewnewcomers，andthosewhoweretooyoungtorecollecteighteenyearsback，almosteverybodyintheneighbourhoodhadhadsomeacquaintancewithWilliamStanley。Hehadbeentoschoolwiththisone；hehadsatinchurch，inthepewnexttothatfamily；hehadbeentheconstantplayfellowofA——；andhehaddrawnB——intomorethanonescrape。Numerousstoriesspranguprightandleft，astohisdoingswhenaboy；oldsceneswereactedoveragain，andpastevents，meretriflesperhapsatthetime，butgainingimportancefromtheactualstateofthings，weredailybroughttolight；

thereseemednolackofinformationconnectedwiththesubject。

Wemustobserve，however，beforeweproceedfarther，thatHazlehursthadnosoonerarrivedatGreatwood，thanhewenttolookafterthesetoftheSpectator，towhichthevolumeproducedattheinterviewhadbelonged。Hefoundthebooksintheirusualplaceonanuppershelf，withothersseldomused；everyvolumehadthedoublenamesofMr。Stanleyandhisson，butthesetwasnotcomplete；therewasnotonlyonevolumemissing，buttwowerewanting！Hazlehurstsprangfromthestepsonwhichhewasstanding，whenhemadethisdiscovery，andwentimmediatelyinpursuitofMrs。Stanley，toinquireifsheknewwhichvolumewasoriginallymissing。Shecouldnotbesure，butshebelieveditwastheeighth。Suchwasthefact；theeighthvolumewasnotinitsplace，neitherwasthesixth，thatwhichMr。Clapphadinhispossession；yetMrs。Stanleywasconvinced，thatonlytwoyearspreviously，therehadbeenbutonevolumelost。Harrytriedtorevivehisrecollectionofthetimeandplace，whenandwhere，hehadreadthatvolume，withtheportraitofSteele，andAddison\'spapersontheParadiseLost；heshouldhavefeltsureitwasatGreatwood，notlongbeforegoingabroadwithMr。Henley，haditnotbeen，thathefoundhisbrotherhadtheverysameeditioninPhiladelphia，andhemighthavereaditthere。Healsoendeavouredtodiscoverwhenandhowthesecondmissingvolumehadbeenremovedfromitsusualplaceontheshelf。Butthiswasnoeasytask；neitherthehousekeeper——arespectablewoman，inwhomMrs。Stanleyandhimselfhadperfectconfidence——northeservants，couldformevenasurmiseuponthesubject。AtlastHarrythoughthehadobtainedacluetoeverything；hefoundthattwostrangershadbeenatGreatwoodinthemonthofMarch，thatyear，andhadgoneoverthewholehouse，representingthemselvesasfriendsofthefamily。Thehousekeeperhadforgottentheirvisit，untilHarry\'sinquiriesremindedherofthefact；shethengavehimthenameoftheyoungwomanwhohadgoneoverthehousewiththesetwoindividuals。ThisgirlwasnolongeratGreatwood，butintheneighbouringvillage；atMrs。Stanley\'srequest，however，shecametogiveareportofthecircumstance。

{“Spectator“=SusanFenimoreCooperhasbeenforgetful；thesailor，itwasstatedinChapter12，hadacopyofVolumethree；

Addison\'sessaysonParadiseLost，thatHarryrememberedreading，areinfactcontainedinVolumesfourandfive；butwearenowtoldthatitisVolumessixandeightthataremissingfromtheshelf！}

“ItwasinMarchthesetwostrangerswerehere，yousay，Malvina？”observedMrs。Stanley。

“Yes，ma\'am；itwasinMarch，whentheroadswereverybad。“

“Whatsortoflookingpersonswerethey，andhowoldshouldyouhavecalledthem？”askedHazlehurst。

“Onewasatallandslimgentleman，withcurlyhair；theotherlookedkindo\'rough，hewasstout，andhadaredface；theywasn\'tveryyoung，norveryold。“

“Tellus，ifyouplease，allyourememberabouttheirvisit，justasitpassed，“saidHarry。

“Well，ithappenedMrs。Joneswassickinherroomwhentheycalled；theywantedtoseethehouse，sayingtheyknewthefamilyverywell。Iaskedthemtositdowninthehall，whileIwenttotellMrs。Jones；shehadn\'tanyobjections，andtoldmetoshowthemtheroomstheywantedtosee。SoItookthemoverthehouse——firsttheparlours，thentheotherrooms。“

“Didtheyasktoseethebed-rooms？”

“Yes，sir；theywentoverallthehousebutthegarret；theywentintothekitchenandthepantry。“

“Didtheystaysometime？”

“Yes，sir；Mrs。Joneswonderedtheystaidsolong。“

“Didtheygointothelibrary？”

“Yes，sir。“

“Doyourememberwhethertheylookedatthebooks？”

“No；theydidn\'tstaymorethanaminuteinthelibrary。“

“Areyousuretheydidnotlookatanyofthebooks？”repeatedHarry。

“Iamquitesuretheydidn\'t，fortheroomwastoodark，andtheyonlystaidhalf-a-minute。IaskedthemifIshouldopentheshutters；butoneofthemsaidtheydidn\'tcare；hesaidhewasneverover-fondofbooks。“

Mrs。StanleyandHarryhereexchangedlooksofsomesurprise。

“Didtheytalkmuchtoeachother？——doyourememberwhattheysaid？”continuedHarry。

“Yes，theytalkedconsiderable。Ireckontheyhadbeenherebefore，fortheyseemedtoknowagooddealaboutthehouse。WhenIshowedthemthesouthparlour，thegentlemanwiththeredfacesaideverythinglookednaturaltohim，butthatroommostofall；

thenhepointedtothelargechairbythefire-place，andsaid：

\'ThatiswhereIlastsawmyfather，inthatverychair；hewasagoodoldgentleman，anddeservedtohaveabetterson。\'“

“Isitpossible！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley。

“But，mydearmadam，itwasallactingnodoubt；theywishedtopassforthecharacterstheyhavesinceassumed；itonlyprovesthattheplothasbeengoingonforsometime。““Doyourememberanythingelsethatwassaid？”addedHazlehurst，turningagaintothegirl。

“Theytalkedconsiderable，butIdidn\'tpaymuchattention。TheyinquiredwhenMr。Hazlehurstwascominghome；IsaidIdidn\'tknow。TheonewiththecurlyhairsaidheguessedtheyknewmoreaboutthefamilythanIdid；andhelookedqueerwhenhesaidso。“

Nothingfurtherwasgatheredfromthisgirl，whoboreanexcellentcharacterfortruthandhonesty，thoughratherstupid。

ThevolumeoftheSpectatorstillremainedasmuchamysteryasever。Nordidasecondconversationwiththisyoungwomanbringtolightanythingnew；heranswersonbothoccasionscorrespondedexactly；andbeyondprovingthefactofClapp\'shavingbeenoverthehousewiththesailor，nothingwasgainedfromherreport。Atthesecondconversation，Harryaskedifsheknewwhetherthesestrangershadremainedlongintheneighbourhood？

“Isawthemthenextdayatmeeting，“shereplied，“andJabeztoldmehemetthemwalkingabouttheplace；thatisallIknowaboutit，sir。“

Jabez，oneofthemenonthefarm，wasquestioned：hehadseenthesetwostrangerswalkingabouttheplace，lookingatthebarnsandstables，thesamedaytheyhadbeenatthehouse；buthehadnotspokentothem；andthiswastheamountofhisstory。

Harrytheninquiredatthetavernsintheneighbourhood；andhefoundthattwopersons，answeringtothesamedescription，hadstaidacoupleofdays，aboutthemiddleofMarch，atasmallinn，withinhalfamilefromGreatwood。Theirbillhadbeenmadeoutinthenameof“Mr。Clappandfriend。“Thiswassatisfactoryasfarasitwent，andaccountedforthesailor\'sknowledgeofthehouse；thoughMrs。Stanleycouldnotcomprehendatfirst，howthismanshouldhavepointedoutsoexactly，herhusband\'sfavouriteseat。Harryremindedher，however，thatClapphadpassedseveralyearsofhisyouthatFranklinCross-Roads，inalawyer\'soffice，andhadveryprobablybeenatGreatwoodduringMr。Stanley\'slife-time。

Hazlehursthaddrawnuparegularplanofactionforhisinquiries；andafterhavingdiscoveredwhocouldassisthim，andwhocouldnot，heportionedofftheneighbourhoodintoseveraldivisions，intendingtodevoteadaytoeach——callingateveryhousewherehehopedtogaininformationonthesubjectofWilliamStanley。

Hesetoutonhorsebackearlyinthemorning，forhisfirstday\'scircuit，takinganote-bookinhispocket，torecordfactsashewentalong，andfirstturninghishorse\'sheadtowardsthehouseofMrs。Lawson，whohadbeenaconstantplayfellowofWilliamStanley\'s，whenbothwerechildren。Thisladywasoneofalargefamily，whohadbeennearneighboursoftheStanleysforyears，andontermsofdailyintimacywiththem；andshehadalreadytoldHarry，onedaywhenshemethiminthevillage，thatsheheldherselfinreadinesstoanswer，tothebestofherability，anyquestionsaboutherformerplaymate，thathemightthinkitworthwhiletoask。Onknockingatthislady\'sdoor，hewassofortunateastofindMrs。Lawsonathome；and，byespecialluck，Dr。Lewis，abrotherofher\'s，whohadremovedfromthatpartofthecountry，happenedjustthentobeonavisitathissister\'s。

Afteralittlepreliminarychat，Hazlehurstmadeknowntheparticularobjectofhiscall。

“DoIrememberWilliamStanley\'spersonalappearanceandhabits？

Perfectly；quiteaswellasIdomyownbrother\'s，“repliedthedoctor，toHarry\'sfirstinquiry。

“Mrs。Lawsontoldmethatheusedtopasshalfhistimeatyourfather\'shouse，andkindlyofferedtoassistme，asfaraslayinherpower；andIlookuponmyselfasdoublyfortunateinfindingyouhereto-day。Wewish，ofcourse，tocollectasmanyminutedetailsaspossible，regardingMr。Stanley\'sson，aswefeelconfident，fromevidencealreadyinourpower，thatthisnew-comerisanimpostor。“

“Nodoubtofit，“repliedthedoctor；“anextravagantstory，indeed！Nearlyeighteenyearsasstillasamouse，andthencoollysteppingin，andclaimingapropertyworthsomehundredsofthousands。Aclearcaseofconspiracy，withoutdoubt。“

“PoorWilliamwasnosaint，certainly，“addedMrs。Lawson；“butthissailormustbeaverybadman。“

“Pray，whendidyoulastseeyoungStanley！”askedHarry，ofthelady。

“Whenhewasathome，notlongbeforehisfather\'sdeath。Heheldoutsomepromiseofreforming，then。Billings，whofirstledhimintomischief，wasnotintheneighbourhoodatthattime，andhisfatherhadhopesofhim；butsomeofhisoldcompanionsledhimoffagain。“

“Hemusthavebeenaboyofstrangetemper，toleavehomeundersuchcircumstances；anonlyson，withsuchprospectsbeforehim。“

“Yes，histemperwasveryunpleasant；butthen，Mr。Stanley，thefather，didnotknowhowtomanagehim。“

“Hecouldscarcelyhavehadmuchsenseeither，tohavebeensoeasilyledastraybyadesigningyoungfellow，asthatBillingsseemstohavebeen。“

“Flattery；flatterydiditall，“observedthedoctor。“SomepeoplethoughtyoungStanleylittlemorethanhalf-witted；butI

havealwaysmaintainedthathewasnotwantinginsense。“

“Idon\'tseehowyoucansayso，doctor，“observedthesister。“I

amsureitwasasettledthingamonguschildren，thathewasaverystupid，disagreeableboy。Henevertookmuchinterestinourplays，Iremember。“

“Notinplayingdoll-baby，perhaps；butIhavehadmanyaholidaywithhimthatIenjoyedverymuch，Icantellyou。Heneverhadafancyforabook，thatistrue；butotherwisebewasnotsoverydullassomepeoplemakeout。“

“Hehadthereputationofbeingadullboy，hadhe？”

“Oh，certainly，“saidMrs。Lawson。“atonetime，whenwewerequitechildren，wealltookarithmeticlessonstogether，andhewasalwaysatthefootoftheclass。“

“Hehadnoheadforfigures，perhaps；itismorelikely，though，thathewouldn\'tlearnoutofobstinacy；hewasasobstinateasamule，thatIallow。“

“Whatsortofgamesandplaysdidhelikebest？”

“Idon\'tknowthathelikedonebetterthananother，solongashecouldchoosehimself，“repliedDr。Lewis。

“Washeastrong，activeboy？”

“Notparticularlyactive，butastout，healthylad。“

“Disposedtobetall？”

“Tallish；thelasttimehewashere，hemusthavemeasuredaboutfivefeetten。“

“Oh，morethanthat，“interposedMrs。Lawson；“hewastallerthanoureldestbrother，Iknow——fullsixfeetone，Ishouldsay。“

“No，no，Sophia；certainlynotmorethanfivefeetnineorten。

Remember，youwerealittlethingyourselfatthetime。“

“Doyourememberthecolourofhiseyes，Mrs。Lawson？”

“Yes，perfectly；theywereblue。“

“Brown，Ishouldsay，“addedthedoctor。

“No，John，youarequitemistaken；hiseyeswereblue，Mr。

Hazlehurst——verydarkblue。“

“Icouldhavetakenmyoaththeywerebrown，“saidthedoctor。

Hazlehurstlookedfromonetotheotherindoubt。

“Youwereawayfromhome，doctor，morethanIwas，andprobablydonotrememberWilliam\'sfaceasdistinctlyasIdo。Iamquiteconfidenthiseyeswereaclear，deepblue。“

“Well，Ishouldhavecalledthemalightbrown。“

“Weretheylarge？”askedHarry。

“Ofacommonsize，Ithink，“saidthebrother。

“Remarkablysmall，Ishouldsay，“addedthesister。

“Whatcolourwashishair？”askedHarry，givinguptheeyes。

“Black，“saidthedoctor。

“Notblack，John——darkperhaps，butmoreofanauburn，likehisfather\'sportrait，“saidMrs。Lawson。

“Why，thatisblack，certainly。“

“Oh，no；auburn——arich，darkauburn。“

“Thereisagreyishcastinthatportrait，Ithink，“saidHarry。

“Grey，oh，no；Mr。Stanley\'shairwasinperfectcolourwhenhedied；Irememberhimdistinctly，seeinghimasoftenasIdid，“

saidthelady。“ThehairoftheStanleyfamilyisgenerallyauburn，“sheadded。

“Whatdoyoucallauburn？”saidthedoctor。

“Adark，richbrown，likeWilliamStanley\'s。“

“NowIcallMr。RobertHazlehurst\'shairauburn。“

“Mybrother\'shair！Whythatissometimespronouncedsandy，andevenred，occasionally，“saidHarry。

“Notred；Lawson\'shairisred。“

“Mr。Lawson\'shairismoreofaflaxenshade，“saidthewife，alittlequickly。

Despairingofsettlingtheparticularshadeofthehair，HarrytheninquirediftherewasanystronglymarkedpeculiarityoffaceorpersonaboutWilliamStanley？

Herebothagreedthattheyhadneverremarkedanythingofthekind；itappearedthattheyoungmanwasmademoreliketherestoftheworld，thanbecametheheroofsuchasingularcareer。

“Doyouthinkyoushouldknowhim，ifyouweretoseehimagain，aftersuchalonginterval？”

“Well，Idon\'tknow，“saidthedoctor；“somepeoplechangeverymuch，fromboystomiddle-agedmanhood，othersalterbutlittle。“

“IhavenodoubtthatIcouldtellinamoment，ifthispersonisWilliamStanleyoranimpostor，“saidMrs。Lawson。“Thinkhowmuchweweretogether，aschildren；fortenyearsofhislife，hewashalfthetimeatourhouse。IamsureifthissailorwereWilliamStanley，hewouldhavecometoseesomeofus，longsince。“

“DidhevisityouwhenhewaslastatGreatwood？”

“No，hedidnotcomeatthattime；butIsawhimveryofteninthevillage，andridingabout。“

“Doyourememberhisstutteringatall？”

“No；IneverheardhimthatIknowof；Idon\'tbelieveheeverstuttered。“

“Hedidstutteronceinawhile，Sophia，whenhewasinapassion。“

“Ineverheardhim。“

“YoungStanleyhadonegoodquality，Mr。Hazlehurst，withallhisfaults；hespokethetruth——youcouldbelievewhathesaid。“

“Mygoodbrother，youaremistakenthere，Icanassureyou。TimeandagainhaveIknownhimtellfalsehoodswhenhegotintoascrape；manyisthetimehehascoaxedandteased，tillhegotuschildrenintomischief——hewasagreattease，youknow——“

“Notmoresothanmostboys，“interposedthedoctor。

“Andafterhehadgotusintotrouble，Irememberperfectly，thathewouldnotacknowledgeitwashisfault。Oh，no；youcouldnotbyanymeansdependuponwhathesaid。“

“Washemuchofatalker？”

“No，rathersilent。“

“Quitesilent：“bothbrotherandsisterwereinunisonhere，atlast。

“Hewasgood-looking，youthink，Mrs。Lawson？”

“Oh，yes，good-looking，certainly，“repliedthelady。

“Rathergood-looking；butwhenhewaslastathome，hisfeatureshadgrownsomewhatcoarse，andhisexpressionwasalteredfortheworse，“saidthedoctor。

“Hewasfreewithhismoney，Ibelieve？”

“Veryextravagant，“saidMrs。Lawson。

“Hedidn\'tcareafigformoney，unlessitwasrefusedhim，“saidthedoctor。

“Wasthereanythingparticularabouthisteeth？”

“Hehadfineteeth，“saidMrs。Lawson；“buthedidnotshowthemmuch。“

“Agoodsetofteeth，ifIrememberright，“addedthedoctor。

“Hiscomplexionwasratherdark，Ibelieve？”saidHarry。

“Moresallowthandark，“saidthelady。

“Notsoverysallow，“saidthegentleman。

“Youaskedjustnowabouthiseyes，Mr。Hazlehurst；itstrikesmetheyweremuchthecolourofyours。“

“Butminearegrey，“saidHarry。

“Moreofahazel，Ithink。“

“Oh，no；WilliamStanley\'seyeswereasdifferentaspossiblefromMr。Hazlehurst\'s，incolourandshape！”exclaimedthelady。

Theconversationcontinuedsometimelonger，butthespecimenjustgivenwillsufficetoshowitscharacter；nothingofimportancewaselicited，andnotonepointdecidedlysettled，whichhadnotbeenalreadyknowntoHarry。Hecontinuedhisroundofvisitsthroughouttheday，withmuchthesameresult。ThememoriesofthepeopleaboutGreatwoodseemedtobeplayingatcross-purposes；andyettherewasnodoubt，thatallthosepersonstowhomHazlehurstapplied，hadknownyoungStanleyforyears；andtherewaseveryreasontobelievetheywerewelldisposedtogivealltheevidenceintheirpower。

>FromMrs。Lawson\'s，Harrywenttothehouseofanotheracquaintance，aCaptainJohnson；andthefollowingistheamountofwhathegatheredhere，asitwashastilyenteredinhisnote-book：

“Eyesgrey；hairblack；ratherstoutforhisage；sullentemper；

verydull；badcompanycauseofhisruin；notcold-hearted；

stutteredalittlewhenexcited；expressiongoodwhenaboy，butmuchchangedwhenfirstcamehomefromsea；Billingsthecauseofhisruin。“

SomuchforCaptainJohnson。Thenextstopping-placewasataman\'s，bythenameofHill，whohadbeencoachmanatMr。

Stanley\'sforseveralyears；hisaccountfollows：

“Hillsays：\'Wouldgetinapassionwhencouldn\'thavehisownway；haveheardhimstutter；alwaysinsomescrapeorotherafterfirstwenttocollege；eyesblue；hairbrown；sharpenoughwhenhepleased，butalwaysheardhehatedbooks；shortforhisagewhenfirstwenttosea，andthin；hadgrownthreeorfourincheswhenhecameback；shouldhavethoughthimfivefeeteightornine，whenlastsawhim；facegrownfullerandred，whencamehome。\'“

>FromHill\'s，HarrywenttoseeMr。Anderson，whohadkepttheprincipaltavernatFranklinCross-Roads，duringWilliamStanley\'sboyhood；buthewasnotathome。

HethencalledatJudgeStone\'s：“Mrs。S。thoughthimhandsomeyoungman；judge，quiteugly；husbandsayseyesagreenishcolour；wifethinksweredarkbrown；heightaboutmyown，saidjudge；notnearsotall，saysMrs。S。：bothagreedhewasmoroseintemper，anddullatlearning。“

AtseveralotherplaceswhereHarrycalled，hefoundthatWilliamStanleyhadbeenmerelyknownbysight。Othersrelatedcapitalstoriesofscrapes，inwhichtheyhadbeenimplicatedwiththeboy，butcouldtellHarryverylittletothepurpose，whereitcametoparticularquestions。Threeindividualspronouncedhimtall，fourthoughthewasmiddlesized，twodeclaredhewasshort。Twoinferences，however，mightbedrawnfromallthathadbeensaid：WilliamStanleymusthavebeenofanunpleasanttemper；whilegeneralevidencepronouncedhimrathermoredullthanmostboys。Withthesetwofactsatleastsufficientlywellestablished，whilehisheadwasfilledwithcontradictoryvisions，ofhair，eyes，andcomplexion，ofvariousshadesandcolours，Harryreturnedintheevening，quitejadedandworn-outwithhisday\'sexertions；nottheleastofwhichhadbeen，toreconciletotallyoppositeaccountsonadozendifferentpoints。

Mrs。Stanleywasawaitinghisreturnwithmuchanxiety；andwhileHarrywasdrinkinganexcellentcupoftea——themostrefreshingthingintheworldtoapersonwhoisfatigued，eveninwarmweather——hereportedhisday\'swork。Hisfriendseemedtothinktheaccountanythingbutencouraging；thoughHarrydeclared，thatitwaswellworththelabourandvexationtoestablishthetwofacts，regardingtheyoungman\'scapacityandtemper，inwhichrespectshecertainlydifferedfromtheclaimant。

“Whatmiserablehypocritesboththismanandhislawyermustbe！”

exclaimedMrs。Stanley。

“Hypocrisyfiguresoftenenoughincourtsofjustice，ma\'am，andisonlytoooftensuccessfulforatime。“

“Iamafraid，mydearHarry，theywillgiveyouagreatdealoftrouble！”

“Ihavenodoubtofit，“repliedHazlehurst；“butstillIhopetodefeatthem，andintheend，topunishtheirvileconspiracy。“

“AdefeatwouldhedistressingtobothMr。Wyllysandmyself；buttoyou，mydearyoungfriend，itwouldbeseriousindeed！”sheobserved，withfeeling。

“Weshallyetgaintheday，Itrust，“saidHarry。“Theconsequencesofdefeatwouldindeedbeveryserioustome，“headded。“InsuchacaseIshouldloseeverything，andalittlemore，asPaddywouldsay。Imadeadeliberatecalculationtheotherday，andIfind，aftereverythingIownhasbeengivenup，thattherewouldstillbeadebtofsomethirtythousanddollarstopayoff。“

“Itiswise，Isuppose，tobepreparedfortheworst，“saidMrs。

Stanley，sadly；“butinsuchacase，Harry，youmustlooktoyourfriends。Remember，thatIshouldconsideritadutytoassistyou，inanypecuniarydifficultieswhichmightresultfromadefeat。“

“Youareverygood，ma\'am；Iamgratefulfortheoffer。Incaseofourfailure，Ishouldcertainlyapplytomyimmediatefriends，forIcouldneverbearthethoughtofbeingindebttothoserascals。Butiftheaffairturnsoutinthatway，Imuststayathomeandworkhard，toclearmyselfentirely。Iamyoung，andifwefailtorepelthisclaim，stillIshallhopebyindustryandprudence，todischargeallobligationsbeforeIammanyyearsolder。“

“Ihaveneverdoubted，Harry，thatineithercaseyouwoulddowhatisjustandhonourable；butImournthatthereshouldbeanydangerofsuchasacrifice。“

“Itwouldbeasacrifice，indeed；includingmuchthatIhavevaluedheretofore——tastes，habits，partialities，prospects，fortune，hopes——allmustundergoachange，allmusthesacrificed。“

“Andhopesareoftenapreciouspartofayoungman\'sportion，“

saidMrs。Stanley。

Hazlehursthappenedtoraisehiseyesasshespoke，and，fromtheexpressionofherface，hefanciedthatshewasthinkingofMrs。

Creighton。Hechangedcolour，andremainedsilentamoment。

“YouwouldbecompelledtogiveupyourconnexionwithMr。

Henley，“sheobserved，bywayofrenewingtheconversation。

“Yes，ofcourse；Ishouldhavetoabandonthat，Icouldnotaffordit；Ishouldhavetodevotemyselftomyprofession。I

havenonotion，however，ofstrikingmycolourstotheseland-piratesuntilafterahardbattle，Iassureyou，“hesaid，morecheerfully。“Greatgeneralsalwaysprepareforaretreat，andsoshallI，butonlyasthelastextremity。Indeed，Ithinkouraffairslookmoreencouragingjustnow。Itseemsnexttoimpossible，forsuchaplottoholdtogetherinallitsparts；weshallbeableprobably，tofindoutmorethanoneweakpointwhichwillnotbearanattack。“

“Itiscertainlyimportanttoestablishthedifferenceintemperandcapacity，betweentheclaimantandWilliamStanley，“saidMrs。Stanley。

“Highlyimportant；Ellsworthishardatwork，too，intracingthepastlifeofthesailor，andbyhislastletters，IfindhehadwrittentoyoungStanley\'sschool-master，andtothefamilyphysician。Hehadseenthesailor，andinadditiontoMr。

Wyllys\'sremarksuponhisgait，whichisdifferentfromthatofWilliamwhenaboy，Ellsworthwrites，thathewasverymuchstruckwiththeshapeoftheman\'slimbs，sodifferentfromthoseoftheportraitofMr。Stanley\'sson，whenalad，whichtheyhaveatWyllys-Roof；hethinksthefamilyphysicianmayhelphimthere；fortunately，heisstillliving。“

“Itisagreatpitythenurse\'sfacultiesshouldhavefailed！”

exclaimedMrs。Stanley。

“Yes，it\'sapity，indeed；herevidencewouldhavebeenveryimportant。Butweshalldowithouther，Ihope。“

“AreyougoingtoWyllys-Roofagain，beforethetrial？”

“No；Ishallhavetoomuchtodo，hereandinPhiladelphia。Mr。

Wyllyshaskindlyaskedme，however，togothere，assoonasthematterissettled，whetherforgoodorforevil。“

“IthoughtIheardyoutalkingoverwithMr。deVaux，someboatingexcursion，totakeplaceinAugust，fromLongbridge；hasitbeengivenup？”

“Notgivenup；butdeVauxverygood-naturedlyproposedpostponingit，untilaftermyaffairsweresettled。ItistotakeplaceassoonasIamready；whetherIshalljoinitwithflyingcolours，orasaworstedman，timealonecandecide。“

Themailwasjustthenbroughtin；asusualtherewasaletterforHarry，fromEllsworth。

“Wyllys-Roof，August，183。

“Ourapplicationtothefamilyphysicianprovesentirelysuccessful，mydearHazlehurst；myphysiologicalpropensitieswerenotatfault。IhadaletterlasteveningfromDr。H——，whonowlivesinBaltimore，andheprofesseshimselfreadytosweartotheformationofyoungStanley\'shandsandfeet，whichhesaysresembledthoseofMr。Stanley，thefather，andthethreechildren，whodiedbeforeWilliamS。grewup。Hisaccountagreesentirelywiththeportraitoftheboy，asitnowexistsatWyllys-Roof；thearmsandhandsarelong，thefingersslender，nailselongated；asyouwellknow，Mr。Clapp\'sclientistheveryreverseofthis——hishandsareshortandthick，hisfingerswhat，incommonparlance，wouldbecalleddumpy。IwasstruckwiththefactwhenIfirstsawhiminthestreet。Now，whatstrongerevidencecouldwehave？Aslenderladofseventeenmaybecomeaheavy，corpulentmanofforty，buttochangetheformationofhands，fingers，andnails，isbeyondthereachofevenClapp\'scunning。Wearemuchobligedtotheartist，forhisaccuracyinrepresentingthehandsoftheboyexactlyastheywere。ThistestimonyIlookuponasquiteconclusive。AstotheRev。Mr。

G——，whosepupilyoungStanleywasforseveralyears，wefindthatheisnolongerliving；butIhaveobtainedthenamesofseveraloftheyoung\'sman\'scompanions，whowillbeabletoconfirmthefactofhisdullness；severaloftheprofessorsattheUniversityarealsoliving，andwillnodoubtbeabletoassistus。Ihavewrittenadozenlettersonthesepoints，butreceivednoanswersasyet。Sofarsogood；weshallsucceed，I

trust。Mr。WyllysbidsyounotforgettofindoutifClapphasreallybeenatGreatwood，aswesuspected。Theladiessendyoumanykindandencouragingmessages。Josephine，asusual，sympathizesinallourmovements。Shesays：\'GiveMr。Hazlehurstallsortsofkindgreetingsfromme；anythingyoupleaseshortofmylove，whichwouldnotbeproper，Isuppose。\'Ihadacharmingrowontheriverlastevening，withtheladies。Inevermanagedalaw-suitinsuchagreeablequartersbefore。

“Faithfullyyours，“F。E。“

CHAPTERXVII。{XL}

“Whatsayyou，canyoulovethisgentleman？”

RomeoandJuliet。

{WilliamShakespeare，“RomeoandJuliet“，I。iii。79}

JANE\'Sstrengthandspiritsweregraduallyimproving。Shehadbeenpersuadedtotakeadailyairingandhadconsentedtoseeoneortwooftheladiesinherroom。Mr。Wyllysalwayspassedhalfanhourwithher，everyafternoon；andatlengthshecamedownstairs，andjoinedthefamilyinthedrawing-room，forashorttimeintheevening。Mr。andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，whocamefromPhiladelphiatopassadayortwowithher，foundhermuchbetterthantheyhadexpected。

CharlieHubbardreturnedtothegreycottage，withhisportfoliofullofsketches，intendingtopassseveralmonthsathome，infinishinghispicturesofLakeGeorge；theschool-roomhavingbeenconvertedintoapainting-roomforhisuse。MissPatsey\'slittleflockweredispersedforatime；andCharliewaseveninhopesofpersuadinghismotherandsistertoaccompanyhimtoNewYork，whereMaryHubbard，theyoungestsister，wasnowengagedingivingmusiclessons。Hefelthimselfquitearichman，anddrewupaplausibleplanforhiringasmallhouseinsomecheapsituation，wheretheymightalllivetogether；butMissPatseyshookherhead，shethoughttheycouldnotaffordit。Still，itwasdelightfultoher，tolistentoplansdevisedbyCharlie\'swarmheart；sheseemedtolovehimmorethanever，sincehehadevensacrificedhismoustachestohismother\'sprejudiceagainstsuchforeignfashions。

“Keepyourmoney，Charles；wecanmakeoutverywellintheoldcottage；morecomfortablythanwehaveeverdonebefore。Youwillwantallyoucanmakeoneofthesedays，whenyoumarry，“saidMissPatsey。

Tohersurprise，Charlieshowedsomeemotionatthisallusiontohismarrying，andremainedperfectlysilentforaninstant，insteadofgivingtheplayfulanswerthathissisterhadexpectedtohear。

Mrs。Hubbardthenobserved，thatsheshouldnotwishtomove；shehopedtoendherlifeintheoldgreycottage。TheyhadlivedsolongintheneighbourhoodofLongbridge，thatanewplacewouldnotseemlikehometoPatseyandherself。Charliemustcometoseethemasoftenashecould；perhapshewouldbeabletospendhissummersthere。

“Well，weshallsee，mother；atanyrate，MaryandItogether，weshallbeabletomakeyourlifeeasy，Itrust。“

Mrs。Hubbardobserved，thatalthoughtheyhadbeenpoorforthelastseventeenyears，yettheyhadneverreallyseemedtofeeltheweightofpoverty；theyhadmetwithsomuchkindness，fromsomanyrelationsandfriends。

“Butkindnessfromourownchildren，mother，isthemostblessedofall，“saidPatsey。

Charliedidnotgiveuphisplan，however，butheforboretopressitforthepresent，ashewasengagedtodrivehissister，Mrs。Clapp，toherownhouseatLongbridge。Hubbardhadkeptalooffromhisbrother-in-lawwheneverhecould，sincetheStanleysuithadbeencommenced；anyallusiontothisaffairwaspainfultohim；hehadneverrespectedMr。Clapp，andnowstronglysuspectedhimofunfairdealing。HepitiedhissisterKatefromthebottomofhisheart；butitseemedpityquitethrownaway。Tojudgefromherconversation，asCharliewasdrivingherhome，shehadimplicitconfidenceinherhusband；ifshehadatfirstdoubtedtheidentityofthesailor，shehadneverforasecondsupposed，thatWilliamhimselfwasnotfirmlyconvincedofit。Ontheotherhand，shebegantohavesomemisgivingsastothecharacterandintegrityofMr。Wyllys，whomhitherto，allherlifelong，shehadbeenusedtoconsiderasthemodelofagentleman，andanuprightman。ShesoongotupquiteaprejudiceagainstMrs。Stanley；andasforHazlehurst，hefellverylowindeedinherestimation。

“Youdon\'tknowwhattroublepoorWilliamhaswiththissuit，“

shesaidtoherbrother。“Iamsometimesafraiditwillmakehimsick。Itdoesseemverystrange，thatMr。Stanley\'sexecutorsshouldbesoobstinateinrefusingtoacknowledgehisson。Atfirstitwasnaturaltheyshouldhesitate；Imistrustedthissailoratfirst，myself；butnowthatWilliamhasmadeeverythingsoclear，theycannothaveanyexcusefortheirconduct。“

Charliewhippedthefliesfromhishorse，withoutansweringthisremark。

“IhopeWilliamwillcomehometo-night。HeandMr。Stanleyhavegoneofftogether，togetpossessionofsomeveryimportantpapers；theyreceivedaletterofferingthesepapers，onlythenightbeforelast，andWilliamsaystheywillestablishMr。

Stanley\'sclaim，beyondthepossibilityofadenial。Mr。WyllysandMr。Hazlehurstwillfeelverybadly，Ishouldthink，whentheyfindthatafterall，theyhavebeenkeepingtheirfriend\'ssonfromhisrights。“

“Theybelievetheyaredoingtheirduty，“saidCharlie，laconically。

“Itseemsastrangeviewofduty，toactastheydo。“

“Strangeviewsofdutyareverycommon，“saidCharlie，gladtotakerefugeingeneralities。

“Commonsenseandcommonhonestywillhelpusalltodoourduty，“observedKate。

“Nodoubt；butbotharemoreuncommonqualitiesthanonewouldthink，amongrationalbeings，“saidCharlie。

“Well，youknow，Charles，Patseyusedtotelluswhenwewerechildren，thataplain，honestheart，andplain，goodsensewerethebestthingsintheworld。“

“Thatisthereason，Isuppose，whyweloveoursisterPatseysomuch，becauseshehassomuchofthosebestthingsintheworld，“

saidCharlie，warmly。“Ineversawawomanlikeher，fordownright，plaingoodness。TheolderIgrow，thebetterIknowher；andIloveyou，Kate，forthesamereason——youarestraightforwardandhonest，too，“headded，smiling。

“Williamoftenlaughsatme，though，andsaysmyopinionisnotgoodformuch，“saidthesister，shakingherhead，butsmilingprettilyatthesametime。

“Iamsurenoonecancomplainofyouractions，Kate，whateveryouropinionsmaybe，“repliedCharlie；andwhatevermighthavebeenhisestimateofClapp\'sviews，heforboretoutterasyllableonthesubject；forherespectedthewife\'saffection，andknewthathisbrother-in-lawhadatleastonegoodquality——hewaskindandfaithfulasahusbandandfather，accordingtocommon-placeideasoffaithfulnessatleast；forhewouldanydayrisktheircharacterandpeace，tomakealittlemoney。

Theconversationoftheyoungpeoplesoonturnedupontheirtrifling，foolish，unfortunatecousin，Mrs。Hilson；andthiswasasubject，uponwhichbothbrotherandsisteragreedentirely。

Beforelong，theydroveuptoMr。Clapp\'sdoor，andwerereceivedbythelawyerhimself，whohadjustreturnedwithhisclient；

thislatterindividualwasalsoseenloungingintheoffice。Mr。

Clappprofessedhimselfentirelysatisfiedwiththeresultofhisjourney；anddeclaredthattheywerenowquitereadyforMr。

Hazlehurst——sureofavictory，beyondalldoubt。

ThetimehadnotbeenlostbyHarryandhisfriends，however；

theytoo，thoughtthemselvesreadyforthetrial。Astheimportantdaywasdrawingnear，Mr。EllsworthwasobligedtoleaveWyllys-Roof；hehaddoneallhecouldatLongbridge，andtherewerestillvariousmatterstobelookedafterinPhiladelphia。Mrs。Creightonaccompaniedherbrother，andtheywerenottoreturntoWyllys-Roofuntilaftertheimportantquestionwasdecided。Hazlehurstwasthentocomewiththem；

whetherdefeatedortriumphantcouldnotyetbeknown。Harry\'sfriends，however，weregenerallysanguine；andMrs。Creightonwasfullofsympathy，andinexcellentspirits。

Thereremainedanotheraffair，whichmustalsobefinallysettledinafewweeks。WhenMr。EllsworthreturnedtoWyllys-Roof，theappointedthreemonthsofprobationwouldhaveexpired，andhewouldeitherremainthereastheaffiancedhusbandofElinor，orleaveLongbridgeherrejectedsuitor。

Duringthepastthreemonths，Elinorhadtakenanimportantstepinlife；shehadreachedapointinexperience，whereshehadneverstoodbefore。Thewholeresponsibilityofdecidinguponasubject，highlyimportanttoherself，andtothoseconnectedwithher，hadbeenthrownentirelyuponheralone。Thefateofherwholelifewouldbemuchinvolvedinthepresentdecision。Duringthelasttwoorthreeyears，orinotherwords，sinceshehadfirstdiscoveredthatHarrylovedJane，shehadintendedtoremainsingle。Itseemedveryimprobabletoher，thatanyonewouldseektogainheraffections，unlesswiththeviewofenjoyingthefortunewhichshehadnowthereputationofpossessing；itwasonlynaturalthatsheshouldexaggeratethosepersonaldisadvantages，whichhadlosttheheartofhimwhomshehadoncelovedsotruly。ShehadbeensomuchattachedtoHazlehurst，thatsheshrunkfromtheideaofeverbecomingthewifeofanother；andsheconsideredherselfashavingtacitlymadechoiceofasinglelife，whichhermother\'sletterseemedtosuggest。Butassheneverspokeofherviews，oralludedtothem，hergrandfatherandauntwereignorantofthisintention；andshesoonbegantoobservewithregretthattheywishedhertomarry，andwereindeedanxiousthatsheshouldacceptMr。Ellsworth。

Thiswasthefirstoccasionofanyimportance，onwhichtheirwishesandherownhadbeenatvariance；itwasanewpositionforElinortobeplacedin。WhenMr。Ellsworthmadehisproposal，itwasowingtothestrong，butaffectionaterepresentationsofMr。WyllysandMissAgnes，thathewasnotimmediatelyrejected。

Elinorwas，infact，thelastpersontobeconvincedofhisregardforher；butshehadknownhischaracterandstandingtoowelltobelievehimamerefortune-hunter；andafterhehadonceofferedhimself，couldnotdoubthissincerity。ShementionedtoMissWyllysherpreviousintentionofremainingsingle。

“Makenorashdecision，mylove，“wasthereplyatthetime。“Youaretooreasonable，formetobelievethatyouwilldoso；lookatyourownposition，Elinor；youwillbealoneintheworld，moresothanmostwomen。Yourgrandfatherisadvancedinyears，andmyhealthwarnsmenottoexpectalonglife。Idonotwishtodistressyou，buttoplacethetruthplainlybeforeyou，myElinor。Youhaveneitherbrothernorsister；JaneandHarry，yourintimatecompanionsinchildhood，willbeseparatedfromyoubytiesanddutiesoftheirown。Whatwillyoudo，mychild？Anaffectionatedispositionlikeyourscannotbehappyalone。Ontheotherhand，hereisMr。Ellsworth，whoiscertainlyattachedtoyou；amanofexcellentcharacter，witheveryimportantqualitythatcanbedesired。Yousayyouwishtobereasonable；judgeforyourselfwhatisthewisestcourseunderthesecircumstances。“

Elinorwassilentforamoment；atlengthshespoke。

“Ithasalwaysbeenoneofyourownlessonstome，dearestaunt，toprofitbythepast，toimprovethepresent，andleavethefuturetoProvidence。Yet，now，youwouldhavemethinkofthefutureonly；andyouurgemetomarry，whileyouaresingle，andhappy，yourself！”

“Yes，mychild；butIhavehadyourgrandfatherandyou，tomakemehappyanduseful。Mostsinglewomenhavenearrelatives，towhomtheycanattachthemselves，whomitisadutyandapleasuretoloveandserve；butthatisnotyourcase。Elinor，yourgrandfatherisveryanxiousyoushouldacceptMr。Ellsworth。“

“Iknowit，“saidElinor；“hehastoldmesohimself。“

“Heisanxious，dear，becausefromwhatheknowsofMr。Ellsworthandyourself，heisconvincedyouwouldeventuallybehappy；hefearsyouhesitatefromsomefeelingofgirlishromance。Still，wehaveneitherofusanywishtourgeyoutoofar。Appealtoyourowngood，commonsense，thatisallthatcanbedesired；donotberomantic，dear，forthefirsttimeinyourlife，“

continuedherauntsmiling。“Iknowthewishesofyourfriendswillhavesomeweightwithyou；donotletthemcontrolyou，however。Judgeforyourself，buttaketimetoreflect；acceptMr。

Ellsworth\'sownproposition——waitsometimebeforeyougiveafinalanswer；thatisallthatyourgrandfatherandmyselfcanask。“

Andsuchhadbeenthedecision；threemonthsbeingthetimeappointed。Sincethen，bothMr。WyllysandMissAgneshadcarefullyrefrainedfromexpressinganyfartheropinion——theyneverevenalludedtothesubject，butleftElinortoherownreflections。Suchatleastwastheirintention；buttheirwisheswerewellknowntoher，andverypossibly，unconsciouslyinfluencedtheirconductandmanner，inmanydailytrifles，inawayveryevidenttoElinor。Inthemeantime，Septemberhadcome，andthemomentforfinaldecisionwasathand。Mr。Ellsworth\'sconductthroughouthadbeenverymuchinhisfavour；hehadbeenperseveringandmarkedinhisattentions，withoutannoyingbyhispertinacity。Elinorhadlikedhim，inthecommonsenseoftheword，fromthefirst；andthebettersheknewhim，themorecauseshefoundtorespecthisprinciples，andamiablecharacter。Andyet，iflefttoherownunbiassedjudgment，shewouldprobablyhaverefusedhimatfirst，withnootherreluctancethanthatofwoundingforatimethefeelingsofamanshesincerelyesteemed。

ThemorningthatMrs。CreightonandMr。EllsworthleftWyllys-Roof，Elinorsetouttotakeastrollinthefield，withnoothercompanionthanherfriendBruno。Thedogseemedawarethathismistresswasabsentandthoughtful，moreindifferentthanusualtohiscaressesandgambols；and，afterhavingmadethisobservation，thesagaciousanimalseemeddeterminednottoannoyher，butwalkedsoberlyatherside，oroccasionallytrottingonbefore，hewouldstop，turntowardsher，andsitinthepath，lookingatherassheslowlyapproached。Shehadleftthehouse，inordertoavoidanyintrusiononherthoughts，atamomentwhichwasanimportantonetoher；forshehaddetermined，thatafteronemorethoroughexaminationofherownfeelings，herownviews，andthecircumstancesinwhichshewasplaced，thequestionshouldbeirrevocablysettled——whethersheweretobecamethewifeofMr。Ellsworth，ortoremainsingle。Manypersonsmayfancythisaveryinsignificantmattertodecide，andonethatrequirednosuchseriousattention。Buttoeveryindividual，thatisahighlyimportantpoint，whichmustnecessarilyaffectthewholefuturecourseoflife；thechoicewhichinvolvessointimateandindissolublearelation，whereeveryinterestinlifeisidenticalwithone\'sown，issurelynotriflingconcern。Itmaywellbedoubted，indeed，ifevenwithmenitbenotamatterofhigherimportancethaniscommonlybelieved；observation，wethink，wouldleadtotheopinion，thatawife\'scharacterandconducthaveadeeperandmoregeneraleffectonthehusband\'scareer，forgoodorforevil，throughhisopinionsandactions，thantheworldisawareof。ThischoicecertainlyappearedamuchmoreformidablesteptoElinor，whenMr。Ellsworthwastheindividualtobeacceptedorrejected，thanithadwhenHarrystoodinthesameposition。Inonecaseshehadtoreflect，andponder，andweighallthedifferentcircumstances；intheother，thenaturalbentofheraffectionshaddecidedthequestionbeforeitwasasked。ButElinorhad，quitelately，settledhalf-a-dozensimilaraffairs，withverylittlereflectionindeed，andwithoutamoment\'sanxietyorregret；shehadjustrefused，withpoliteindifference，severalproposals，frompersonswhomshehadeveryreasontobelieve，caredagreatdealforherfortune，andverylittleforherself。

Ifthoughtweremoreactivethanfeeling，inbehalfofMr。

Ellsworth，still，thoughtsaidagreatdealinhisfavour。Shehadalwayslikedandrespectedhim；shebelievedhimattachedtoher；hernearestfriendswereanxioussheshouldgiveafavourableanswer；therecouldnotbeadoubtthathepossessedmanyexcellentanddesirablequalities。Shewouldnotberomantic，neitherwouldshebeunjusttoMr。Ellsworthandherself；shewouldnotaccepthim，unlessshecoulddosofrankly，andwithoutreluctance。This，then，wasthequestiontobedecided——couldsheloveMr。Ellsworth？Thefree，spontaneouslove，naturaltoearlyyouth，shehadoncegiventoHazlehurst；

couldshenowoffertoMr。Ellsworthsincereaffectionofanotherkind，lessengrossingatfirst，lessmingledwiththecharmsoffancy，butoften，perhapsonthataccount，morevaluable，moreenduring？Sincereaffectionofanysort，isthatonlywhichimproveswithage，gainingstrengthamidthewearandtearoflife。Itwastodecidethisquestionclearly，thatElinorhaddesiredthreemonths\'delay。Thesethreemonthshadnearlypassed；whensheagainmetMr。Ellsworth，inwhatcharactershouldshereceivehim？

TheprecisetrainofthoughtpursuedbyElinor，duringthismorningstroll，weshallnotattempttofollow；butthatshewasfullyawareoftheimportanceofthedecisionwasevident，bytheunusualabsenceofmanner，whichseemedtohavestruckevenherfour-footedfriendBruno。Shehad，indeed，madeanimportantdiscoverylately，onewhichwasstartling，andevenpainfultoher。Shefoundthattherearemomentsinlife，wheneachindividualiscalledupontothinkandtoactalone。Itisatruthwhichmostofusareforcedtofeel，aswegothroughthisworld；though，happily，itisbutseldomthatsuchhoursoccur。

Ingeneral，thesympathy，thecounseloffriends，isoftheveryhighestvalue；andyet，therearemomentswhenneithercanavail。

Atsuchtimes，weareforcedtolookhigher，toacknowledgethathumanwisdomdoesnotreachfarenoughtoguideus，thatourwoundsneedapurerbalmthananyofferedbyhumansympathy。

Untilrecently，Elinorhadalwaysbeensoothedandsupportedbytheaffectionandguidanceofheraunt，butshemustnowdependuponherselfalone。Toayoungperson，calleduponforthefirsttimetotakeanimportantstep，withnootherguidethanindividualjudgmentandconscience，theresponsibilityofactionmaywellbestartling；evenawiseandexperiencedmanwilloftenpauseatsuchmoments，doubtfulofthecourseheshallpursue。Itisaneasymattertosettleaquestion，whenpassion，feeling，interest，orprejudicegivesthebias；butwheretheseareallsilent，andcooljudgmentisleftalonetodecide，thegreatestmenfeel，toapainfuldegree，howlimitedaretheirpowers；thehighresponsibilitywhichisattachedtofree-willrisesbeforethem，andtheyshrinkfromtheideaoftrustingtheirownwelfaretotheirownshort-sightedreasonalone。Mostmen，atsuchtimes，takerefugeinasortoffatalism；theystandinactive，untilurgedinthisorthatdirectionbythepressofoutwardcircumstances；ortheyrushblindlyforward，underimpatienceofsuspense，preferringrisktoinaction。

Theoccasionofouryoungfriend\'sanxietyandthoughtfulnesswas，nodoubt，atriflingonetoallbutherself；thecauseofherhesitation，however，washonourable；theopinions，feelings，andmotivesunderwhichsheeventuallyacted，werealikenaturalandcreditable。

CHAPTERXVIII。{XLI}

“AreyouacquaintedwiththedifferenceThatholdsthispresentquestion，inthecourt？”

MerchantofVenice。

{WilliamShakespeare，“TheMerchantofVenice“，IV。i。171-172}

ASthetimeforthetrialapproached，thepartiescollectedinPhiladelphia。Harryandhisfriendswereoftenseeninthestreets，lookingbusyandthoughtful。Mr。Reedalsoappeared，andtookuphisquartersatoneofthegreathotels，incompanywithMr。Clappandhisclient，whogenerallyreceivedthenameofWilliamStanley，althoughhehadnotyetestablishedalegalclaimtoit。Therewasmuchcuriositytoseethisindividual，asthecasehadimmediatelyattractedgeneralattentioninthetown，wherethefamiliesinterestedweresowellknown，andthesingularcircumstancesofthesuitnaturallyexcitedadditionalinterest。

Afterthecourtopeneditssession，itbecamedoubtfulatonemoment，whetherthecausewouldhetriedatthatterm；butotherswhichprecededithavingbeendisposedof，theStanleysuitwasatlengthcalled。

OnonesideappearedWilliamStanley，theplaintiff，withMessrs。

ReedandClappascounsel；anumberofwitnesseshadbeensummonedbythem，andwerenowpresent，mingledwiththeaudience。Ontheotherhandwerethedefendants，Mr。Wyllys，Hazlehurst，Ellsworth，andMr。Grant，adistinguishedlawyerofPhiladelphia，appearingmoreparticularlyforMrs。Stanley；theywerealsosupportedbywitnessesoftheirown。

Whilethepreliminarystepsweregoingon，thejuryforming，andthepartiesinterestedmakingtheirarrangements，thecourt-roomfilledrapidlywiththefriendsofHazlehurst，andacrowdofcuriousspectators。Amongtheindividualsknowntous，wereRobertHazlehurst，Mr。Stryker，andCharlieHubbard，theyoungartist，whofoundthathiswantofinchesinterferedwithhisviewofthescene，andspringingonabench，heremainedthere，andcontrivedtokeepmuchthesamestationthroughoutthetrial，hisfine，intelligentcountenancefollowingtheproceedingswiththeliveliestinterest：Harrysoonperceivedhim，andtheyoungmenexchangedfriendlysmiles。Mr。Strykerwaslookingonwithcold，worldlycuriosity；whileRobertHazlehurstwatchedoverhisbrother\'sinterestwithmuchanxiety。Inonesensetheaudiencewasunequallydividedatfirst，forwhileHarryhadmanywarm，personalfriendspresent，thesailorwasastrangertoall；theaspectofthingspartiallychanged，however，foramongthatportionofthecrowdwhohadnoparticularsympathieswiththedefendants，anumbersoontooksideswiththeplaintiff。Thecuriositytoseethesailorwasverygreat；atonemoment，intheopeningofthetrial，alleyeswerefixedonhim；nordidHarryescapehisshareofscrutiny。

Itwasimmediatelyobserved，bythosewhohadknownthelateMr。

Stanley，thattheplaintiffcertainlyresembledhisfamily。Hewasdressedlikeaseaman，andappearedquiteeasyandconfident；

seldomabsentfromcourt，speakinglittle，butfollowingtheproceedingsattentively。Hiscounsel，Mr。Reed，boreacalmandbusiness-likeaspect。Clappwasflushed，hiseyewaskeenandrestless，thoughhelookedsanguineandhopeful；runninghishandthroughhisdarkcurls，hewouldleanbackandmakeanobservationtohisclient，turntotherightandwhispersomethingintheearofMr。Reed，orbendoverhispapers，engrossedinthought。

Thedefendants，ontheirside，werecertainlythreeasrespectablemenintheirappearance，asonewouldwishtosee；

theylooked，moved，andspokelikegentlemen；inmannerandexpressiontheywereallthreeperfectlynatural；simple，easy，butfirm；likemenawarethatimportantinterestswereatstake，andpreparedtomakeagooddefence。Mr。Grant，theircolleague，wasaninsignificant-lookingmanwhensilent，butheneverrosetospeak，withoutcommandingthewholeattentionofhisaudiencebytheforceofhistalent。

Thejudgeswere-wellknowntoberespectablemen，asAmericanmagistratesofthehighergradeareusuallyfoundtobe。Intheappearanceofthejurytherewasnothingremarkable；theforemanwasashrewd-lookingman，hisneighbouronthelefthadanopen，honestcountenance，twoothersshoweddecidedlystupidfaces，andonehadaveryobstinateexpression，asifthefirstideathatenteredhishead，onanysubjectwhatever，wasseldomallowedtobedislodged。

Suchwastheappearanceofthingswhenthetrialcommenced。