第16章

HAZLEHURSThadgoneoutwithhisfriends，andcontinuedwalkingonthepiazza，firstwithCharlieandthenwithEllsworth；atlengthMrs。Stanleycalledhimfromthewindowtosaygood-bye，asshedidnotexpecttoseehimagainbeforethecruise；theotherladiesalsowishedhimapleasantexcursionatthesamemoment。

“Goodfishingandnomusquitoes{sic}——which，Itakeit，isallthatisdesirableonsuchanoccasion，“saidMrs。Creighton，smilingbrightlybutcarelessly，assheofferedherhand。

“Thankyou；IsupposeyouhavenocommandsforCapeCod？”

“Noneatall，Ibelieve，unlessyoucanbringusthetrueYankeereceiptforchowder，whichMr。Strykerwasexplainingthisevening。“

“Youwillbeoffsoearlyto-morrowthatweshallscarcelyseeyou，Harry，“saidMissWyllys。“Youmustcomebacktous，however，andfallintotheoldhabitofconsideringWyllys-Roofashome，wheneveryouplease，“sheaddedkindly。

Harry\'sthankswereexpressedwithfeeling。

“AndinthemeantimeIhopeyouwillhaveapleasantcruise，“

saidElinor。“Fairwindsandbetterprospectsattendyou！”——andassheraisedhereyes，Harryobservedtheyhadfilledwithtearswhenshemadethisallusiontohisdifficulties。PerhapsEllsworthmadethesameremark，andappreciatedherkindness；forwhenElinorturnedtowishhimgood-nightwestronglysuspectthathiscountenancesaidso；therecouldbenodoubtatleast，thatsheblushedatthetime，thoughpalebutamomentbefore。

Aftertheladieshadgone，Mr。WyllysandEllsworthwentofftogether，andHarryreturnedtothepiazza。

ItwasperhapsinconsiderateinHazlehursttocontinuewalkingsolate，forthesoundofhisfootstepsfellregularlyonthestillnessofthenight，longafterthefamilyhadgonetorest，andmaypossiblyhavedisturbedsomeofhisfriends；butmanybusythoughtsofthepastandthefuturecrowdedonhismind，whilepacingthatfamiliarspot，thepiazzaofWyllys-Roof。Itistimethatthesethoughtsshouldbepartiallyrevealedtothereader，andforthatpurposewemustpauseamoment，inordertolookbackward。

Longsince，Harry\'shearthadwarmedagaintowardshisoldplayfellow，Elinor。AssoonasthefirstnoveltyofalifeatRiohadwornoff，Harry，whoseaffectionswerestrong，begantomisshisoldfriends；themoreso，sinceMr。Henley，althoughhisprinciplesandtalentsentirelycommandedhissecretary\'sesteem，wasnotapleasantcompanioninevery-daylife。Hazlehurstsoonbegantocontrasttheminister\'sformal，oldbachelorestablishmentwiththepleasanthouseofhisfriendEllsworth，whereMrs。Creightondidthehonourscharmingly，andwiththecheerfulhomeofhisbrother，wherehissister-in-lawalwaysreceivedhimkindly：stilloftenerbecomparedthecold，statelyatmospherewhichseemedtofillMr。Henley\'shouse，withthepleasant，genialspiritwhichprevailedatWyllys-Roof，whereeverythingexcellentworesoamiableanaspect。Untillatelyhehadalwaysbeensocloselyconnectedwiththefamilythere，thatheaccusedhimselfofnothavingdonefulljusticetoalltheirworth。HetookapleasureindwellingonMr。Wyllys\'shighmoralcharacter，sohappilytemperedbythebenevolenceofcheerfuloldage；herememberedthequiet，unpretendingvirtuesofMissWyllys，alwaysmingledwithunvaryingkindnesstohimself；andcouldheforgetElinor，whosewholecharacterwassoengaging；

unitingstrengthofprincipleandintelligence，withadispositionsolovely，soendearing？Aplaceinthisfamilyhadbeenhis，hisforlife，andhehadtrifledwithit，rejectedit；

worsethanthat——wellheknewthatthebestplaceinElinor\'sgeneroushearthadoncebeenwhollyhis；hehadappliedforit，hehadwonit；andwhatreturnhadhemadeforherwarmestaffections？Hehadtrifledwithher；theworldsaidhehadjiltedher，jiltedthetrue-heartedElinor，hisfriendandcompanionfromchildhood！Knowingheraswellashedid，hehadtreatedherasifshewereamereball-roomcoquette；hehadforgottenherassoonasifithadbeenamereholidayfancyofaboyoffifteen。

Hehadbeencompletelyinfatuated，dazzled，blindedbyabeautifulface。Thatitwassheerinfatuationwasnowevident；

for，absentfrombothElinorandJane，allfeelingforthelatterseemedtohavevanishedlikeadream。Itissaidthatlovewithouthopecannotlive：thequestionmustbesettledbythosewhohavesufferedmostfrequentlyfromthewoundsofCupid；butitseemsevident，atleastfromHarry\'sexperience，thatlovewhichhasfedplentifullyuponhopesforsomemonths，whensuddenlyputuponachangeofdiet，andreceivingalargedoseofmortificationtoboot，fallsimmediatelyintoarapiddecline。

TherecollectionofhisfancyforJanewasnowunpleasantundereveryaspect，butwhereitwasconnectedwithElinorhesoonbegantoconsideritasparticularlypainful。HeregrettedthathehadengagedElinorinthehasty，boyishmannerhehaddone，beforegoingabroad；hadhenottakenthisstep，themomentarymortificationofarefusalbyJanewouldhavebeentheonlyevil；

Elinorwouldnothavesuffered，andallmighthavegonewell。

Graduallytheideagaineduponhim，thatitwasnotimpossibletorepairthepast。Hisconducthadbeenunpardonable，nodoubt；

yet，perhapsitmightbeforgiven。ButevenifElinorcouldforgethisinexcusablefickleness，wouldherfriendseverconsenttoriskherfuturepeacewithonewhohadsorecklesslytrifledwithheralready？Mr。Wyllyshadbeendeeplyindignantathisconduct；hiswholemannerhadchanged，therehadbeenacoldcivilityinitwhentheyhadmet，whichHarryhadfeltkeenly——itamountedalmosttocontempt。MissWyllys，too，wasnolongerthekind，indulgentAuntAgnesofhisboyhood；therewasaverydecidedcoldnessandreserveinherwholeexpression，whichitseemedallbutimpossibletoovercome。Hewished，however，thathehaditinhispowertomakeadvancestowardsareconciliation；

hewaspreparedformeritedcoldnessatfirst，buthewouldwillinglysubmittoitasajustpenance，ifhecouldbuthopeeventuallytoregainhispositionwithElinor。SuchawifeasElinorwouldbe，wasworthaseriousstruggletoobtain。Then，atothermoments，thisideaappearedpreposteroustohim；howcouldtheWyllyseseverforgivehimaftersokeenaninsult，socruelablow？No，itwasadream；hewouldnotindulgeinitanylonger；

hewouldnotthinkofmarrying；hewouldturnoutanoldbachelordiplomatist，likeMr。Henley。ItisnottobesupposedthatMrs。

CreightonwasentirelyforgotteninthesereveriesofHarry\'s，whichformedoccasionalinterludestohisdiplomaticlabourswhileatRio。Onthecontraryshewasrememberedquitefrequently；andeveryonewhoknewhermustalwaysthinkoftheprettywidowasacharmingwoman；clever，graceful，gay，andwell-bred。NorhadHazlehurstbeenblindtoherpeculiarlyflatteringmannertowardshimself。TheladywashisfriendEllsworth\'ssister，whichwasanotherclaim；shewasgenerallyadmiredtoo，andthisalone，withsomemen，wouldhavegivenheradecidedadvantage：sincewearerevealingHarry\'sfoibles，however，wemustdohimthejusticetosay，thathewasnotoneoftheclassreferredto。Whenheliked，helikedhonestly，forgoodreasonsofhisown。AtthetimehelefthomewithMr。

Henley，hehadnotbeenabletodecideentirelytohisownsatisfaction，whetherMrs。Creightonreallyhadanypartialityforhimornot；hewaitedwithalittleinterestandalittlecuriosity，toknowwhatshewoulddoafterheleftPhiladelphia。

Newssoonreachedhimthattheladywasgayandcharmingasever，muchadmired，andtakingmuchpleasureinadmiration，asusual。

HehadknownMrs。Creightonfromagirl；shewasayearortwoolderthanhimself，andhadbeenamarriedwomanwhilehewasstillaboy，andhehadbeenlongawareofherreputationasacoquette；thishadnodoubtputhimonhisguard。Ashadoccasionallyremarkedherconducthimself；andhavingbeensointimatewithwomenofverydifferentcharacter——hisbrother\'swife，MissWyllys，andElinor——heknewverywellthatallwomenwerenotcoquettes；hehadreceivedahigherstandardoffemaledelicacyandfemaletruththanmanyyoungmen。Solong，therefore，ashebelievedMrs。Creightonadecidedflirt，hewasinlittledangerfromher：thelady，however，wasnocommoncoquette——cleverness，tact，goodtaste，gaveherverygreatadvantages；shewasgenerallyadmired，andHazlehurstexpecteddailytohearthatshewasmarried。

HehadbecomeverytiredofRioJaneiro，andverydesirousofreturninghome，longbeforeMr。HenleywasrecalledtoexchangethecourtofBrazilforthatofSt。Petersburgh。SincererespectforMr。HenleyhadalonekepthimatRio；andwhenhearrivedatNorfolk，hewasstillundecidedwhetherheshouldcontinueinthelegationornot。HefoundthatallhisfriendswereatSaratoga，andhehastenedthere；hewasanxioustoseetheWyllyses，anxioustoseeElinor，andyethedreadedthefirstmeeting——hehadalreadydeterminedtobeguidedentirelyinhisfuturestepsbytheirmannertowardshimself；iftheydidnotabsolutelyshunhim，hewouldmakeaneffortforacompletereconciliation。HeknewElinorwasunmarried；hehadneverheardofanyengagement，andhemightthenhopetoregainallhehadlost。Hearrived，hewasreceivedkindly，andthesightofElinor\'splainfacedidnotchangehisdetermination；onthecontrary，hefoundherjustwhatherememberedher，justwhathehadalwaysknownhertobe——everythingthatwasnaturallyfeminineandamiable。ButifElinorwerestillherself，Harrysoonfoundthatherpositionhadverymateriallyalteredoflate；shewasnowanheiress，itseemed。Whatacontemptibleinterpretationmightbeplacedonhisadvancesundersuchcircumstances！ThencamethediscoveryofMr。

Ellsworth\'sviewsandhopes；andhisfriendwasevidentlysanguineofsuccess。Thuseverythingwaschanged；hewascompelledtoremainintheback-ground，toavoidcarefullyanyinterferencewithhisfriend。

ThereappearednoreasontodoubtthatElinorwould，erelong，marryEllsworth；sheherselfcertainlylikedhim，andherfriendsveryevidentlyfavouredhissuit。Ontheotherhand，Mrs。

Creightonseemedparticularlywellpleasedwithhisownreturn；

shewascertainlyverycharming，anditwasbynomeansanunpleasanttasktoplaycavaliertohisfriend\'ssister。Stillhelookedonwithgreatinterest，asEllsworthpursuedhiscourtship；andheoftenfoundhimselfmakingobservationsuponElinor\'smovements。“Nowshewilldothis“——“Iamsureshethinksthat“——“IknowherbetterthanEllsworth“——“Shecan\'tendureStryker“——andotherremarksofthekind，whichkepthisattentionfixeduponhisoldplayfellow；themorecloselyheobservedherthemorehesawtoloveandadmire；fortheirformerlongintimacyhadgivenhimakeytohercharacter，andgreaterknowledgeoftheworldenabledhimfullytoappreciateherpurityofprinciple，hernativegraceandmodesty，thegeneroustoneofhermind，theunaffectedsweetnessofherdisposition。Itappearedstrangeandunpleasanttohim，thathemustnowdrawbackandseeherengrossedbyEllsworth，whenshehadsolongbeenhisownfavouritecompanion；stillhehadnorighttocomplain，itwashisownfaultthatmattersweresomuchchanged。

AsforMrs。Creighton，Harrycouldnotsatisfyhimselfwithregardtoherrealfeelings；thereweretimeswhenhethoughtshewasattachedtohim，butjustasitbegantoappearclearthatshewasnotmerelycoquetting，justashebegantoinquireifhecouldeverofferhimselftoawomanwhomheadmiredverymuch，butwhomhedidnotentirelyrespect，theprettywidowwouldrunoff；apparentlyinspiteofherself，intosomeveryevidentflirtationwithStryker，withdeVaux，withMr。Wyllys，infactwithanymanwhocameinherway。Generallyhefeltrelievedbythesecaprices，sincetheyleftperfectlibertyofactiontohimself；occasionallyhewasvexedwithhercoquetry，vexedwithhimselfforadmiringherinspiteofitall。HadHarryneverknownMrs。Creightonpreviously，hewoulddoubtlesshavefallenverydecidedlyinlovewithherinashorttime；buthehadknownhertoolong，andhalfmistrustedher；hadheneverknownElinorsothoroughly，hewouldnothaveunderstoodMrs。Creighton。Heinvoluntarilycomparedthetwotogether；bothwereparticularlyclever，well-bred，andgraceful；butHarryfeltthatonewasingenuous，amiable，andnatural，whileheknewthattheotherwasworldly，bright，butcold，andinterestedinallherviewsandactions。Elinor\'scharmlayintheperfectconfidenceonereposedinthefirmnessofherprinciples，thestrengthofheraffections，softenedastheywerebyfemininegraceofmindandperson。Mrs。Creightonfascinatedbythebrilliantglossoftheworld，theperfectionofart，inspiredbythenaturalinstinctsofaclever，educatedcoquette。TherehadbeenmomentswhenHazlehurstwasallbutdeceivedintobelievinghimselfunjusttowardsMrs。Creighton，socharminglypiquant，sogracefullyflatteringwashermanner；butheowedhiseventualescapetotheonlytalismanwhichcaneversaveayoungman，oranoldoneeither，fromthewilesofapretty，artfulcoquette；hecarriedaboutwithhimthereflectionofapurermodelofwomanlyvirtue，onegraduallyformedfromboyhooduponElinor\'smould，andwhichatlasthadentirelyfilledhismindandhisheart。

SincethecommencementoftheStanleysuit，HazlehursthadbecomequitedisgustedwithMrs。Creighton\'sconduct；artmayreachagreatway，butitcannevercoverthewholeground，andtheprettywidowinvoluntarilybetrayedtoomanyvariationsofmanner，graduatedbyHarry\'svaryingprospects；hiseyeswerecompletelyopened；hewasashamedofhimselfforhavingbeenhalf-persuadedthatshewasattachedtohim。HowdifferenthadbeenElinor\'sconduct！shehadshownthroughoutawarm，unwaveringinterestinhisdifficulties，alwaysmorefranklyexpressedinhisleastencouragingmoments；indeedshehadsometimesblushed，fromthefearthathersympathymighthemistakenforsomethingmorethanfriendlyregardforherkinsman。

Harrysawitall；heunderstoodtheconductofboth，andhefeltElinor\'skindnessdeeply；hewasnolongerungrateful，andhelongedtotellherso。True，shewoulderelongbecomehisfriend\'swife，butmighthenot，underthecircumstances，bepermittedfirsttodeclarehisfeelings？Itwould，perhaps，beonlyajustatonementforthepast——onlywhatwasduetoElinor。

Harrytriedtopersuadehimselfintothisviewofthecase，ashelookeduptowardsherwindow，invokingablessingonhergentlehead。

Hazlehurst\'sreflections，whileonthepiazza，hadcommencedwithhispecuniarydifficulties，andtheconsequencesofhislatedefeat，buttheygraduallycenteredonElinorinaverylover-likemanner，muchintheshapewehavegiventhem。Butatlengththemoonwentdownbehindthewood，andthosewhoseroomswereonthatsideofthehousefoundthatthesoundofhisfootstepshadceased；andnothingfartherdisturbedthestillnessofthenight。

“DidyouseethePetrelthismorning，grandpapa？”saidElinor，asshewaspouringoutthecoffeeatthebreakfast-table。

“No，Ididnot，mychild；Itookitforgrantedtheywereoffbeforesun-rise，anddidnotlookforthem。“

“Theywerebehindtheirtime；theywereinsightfrommywindowaboutanhoursince。“

“Someoftheyoungstershavebeenlazy，Isuppose；IhopeHarrywasnotthedelinquent。“

“Iheardhimpassmydoorquiteearly，“observedMissAgnes。

“WhenIsawthem，“saidElinor，“theyhaddrawnofffromthewharf，andwerelyingintheriver，asiftheywerewaitingforsomethingthathadbeenforgotten；theboatlookedbeautifully，fortherewasverylittleair，andshelaymotionlessonthewater，withhersailshalf-furled。“

“PerhapstheystoppedforMr。Hubbardtomakeasketch，“saidEllsworthtoElinor。

“Hardly，Ishouldthink；timeandtide，youknow；waitfornoman——noteventobesketched。“

“ButHazlehursttoldmehisfriendHubbardhadpromisedtoimmortalizethePetrelandhercrewbyapicture；perhapshechosethemomentofdeparture；yousaysheappearedtogreatadvantagethen。“

“Ishouldthinkhewouldpreferwaitingforsomemorestrikingmoment。Whoknowswhatadventurestheymaymeetwith！Mr。deVauxexpectstowinarace；perhapstheymaycatchawhale，orseethesea-serpent。“

“NodoubtMr。Strykerwouldtrytocatchthemonster，iftheyweretomeetwithhim；hisfishingambitionisboundless，“saidMrs。Creighton。

“Butthereisnofashionableapparatusforcatchingsea-serpents，“observedElinor；“andMr。Stryker\'sambitionisallfashionable。“

“StrykerisnotmuchofanIzaakWalton，certainly，“remarkedEllsworth。“Hecallsitmurder，tocatchatroutwithacommonrodandanaturalfly。Hewillscarcelybethemantobringinthesea-serpent；hewouldgoafteritthough，inamoment，ifaregularEuropeansportsmanweretoproposeittohim。“

“IalmostwonderwehavenotyethadanEnglishyachtoverhere，whale-hunting，orsea-serpent-hunting，“saidMrs。Creighton；

“theyaresofondofnoveltyandwild-goosechasingofanykind。“

“Itwouldmakealionofadandy，atonce，“saidEllsworth，“ifhecouldcatchthesea-serpent。“

{“lion“=socialcelebrity}

“Asinglefinwouldbegloryenoughforonelion，“saidElinor；

rememberhowmanyyardsthereareofhim。“

“IfStrykershouldcatchasliceoftheserpent，nodoubthewillthrowitintohischowder-pot，andaddittothereceipt，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Well，MissWyllys，IthinkyouandImightengagetoeatallthemonstershecatches，asBeatricedidBenedict\'sslain，“saidMrs。

Creighton。

{“BeatriceandBenedict……“=charactersinShakespeare\'splay“MuchAdoaboutNothing“}

“DoyouintendtomakeupwithStryker，alaBeatrice？”askedthelady\'sbrother。“Itissometimenowthatyouhavecarriedonthewarofwitwithhim。“

“No，indeed；Ihavenosuchintentions。IleavehimentirelytoMissWyllys；allbuthischowder，whichIlikenowandthen，“

saidthelady，carelessly。

“Iamsorryyouwillnotbehere，Mrs。Creighton，forthepic-nictotheladies，whichdeVauxistogivewhenhecomesback，“saidMr。Wyllys；“Mr。Strykerwillgiveusafinechowder，nodoubt。“

“Thankyou，sir；Ishouldenjoythepartyexceedingly。Imustnotthinktoomuchofit，orImightbetemptedtobreakmyengagementwiththeRamsays。“

“Haveyoureallydecidedtogososoon？——Iwasinhopesweshouldbeabletokeepyoumuchlonger，“saidMissWyllys。

“Ishouldbedelightedtostay；butinadditiontomyvisittotheRamsays，whoaregoingtotownexpresslyforme，Imustalsopickupmylittleniece。“

MissWyllysthenmadesomeinquiriesaboutMr。Ellsworth\'slittlegirl。

“Shewasverywellandhappy，withhercousins，whenIheardfrommyeldestsister，adayortwosince，“hereplied。“Shehasbeenwithmeverylittlethissummer；Ihopeweshallbeabletomakesomepleasanterarrangementforthefuture，“headded，withahalf-glanceatElinor。

“Mybrotherhasaverypooropinionofmyabilities，MissWyllys；

becauseIhavenochildrenofmyown，hefanciesthatIcannotmanagehislittlegirl。“

“Iammuchobligedtoyou，Josephine，forwhatyouhavedoneforher，asyouverywellknow。“

“Oh，yes；youaremuchobligedtome，andsoforth；butyouthinkMaryisinbetterhandswithMrs。Ellis，andsodoI；Icannotkeepthelittlethinginverygoodorder，Iacknowledge。“

“Itmustbedifficultnottospoilher，Mrs。Creighton，“remarkedMr。Wyllys。“Sheisaveryprettyandengagingchild——justthesizeandageforapet。“

“Thatisthemisfortune；sheissoprettythatFrankthinksI

makealittledollofher；thatIdresshertoomuch。IbelievehethinksIweartoomanyflowersandribbonsmyself；hehasbecomeveryfastidiousinhistasteaboutsuchmatterslately；hewisheshisdaughtertodresswithelegantsimplicity；nowIhaveadecidedfancyforelegantornament。“

“Hemustbeverybold，Mrs。Creighton，ifheproposesanyalterationtoyou。“

“Iagreewithyou，entirely，“saidthelady，laughing；“forthelastyearortwoIhavebeenevenlesssuccessfulinsuitinghimthanofold。Heseemstohavesomeverysuperiormodelinhismind\'seye。Butitisratherannoyingtohaveone\'stasteindresscriticised，afterhavingbeenaccustomedtohearitcommendedandconsulted，eversinceIwasfifteen。“

“Youmusttoleratemylessbrilliantnotionsforthesakeofvariety，“saidherbrother，smiling。

“IshallhopetomakeoverMary\'swardrobetosomeotherdirection，beforeshegrowsup，“saidMrs。Creighton；“foryouandIwouldcertainlyquarreloverit。“

Thepartyrosefromtable。Elinorfeltatouchofnervousnesscomeuponher，assheremarkedthatMr。Ellsworthseemedtobewatchinghermovements；whilehisfacehadwornratherapre-occupiedexpressionallthemorning，seemingtothreatensomethingimportant。

Thedaywasverypleasant；andasMr。WyllyshadsomebusinessatcertainmillsonChewattanLake，heproposedarideonhorsebacktohisfriends，offeringaseatinhisold-fashionedchairtoanyladywhochosetotakeit。

{“chair“=alight，one-horsecarriage}

Mrs。Creightonacceptedtheofferveryreadily。

“Ihavenotbeeninanycarriagesorusticandfarmer-likethesetwentyyears，“shesaid。

“Ishallbehappytodriveyou，ifyoucanbesatisfiedwithasoberoldwhiplikemyself，andasoberoldponylikeTimo。“

“Itissettledthen；yourideIsuppose，MissWyllys。“

Elinorassented；MaryVanAlstynewasalsotogoonhorseback。

Mr。Ellsworththoughtthathewouldhavepreferredescortingoneladyinsteadoftwoonthatoccasion。Heseemeddestinedthatmorningtodiscover，thatalover\'scourseisnotonlyimpededbyimportantobstacles，butoftenobstructedbythingstriflinginthemselves。Beforethechairandhorsesappearedatthedoor，therewasanarrivalfromLongbridge。Mr。Taylorandhisdaughter，MissEmma，hadcomefromNewYorkthepreviousevening，andnowappearedatWyllys-Roof；themerchanthadcomeoverwiththedoubleobjectofblessinghisgrandchild，andtakinghisshareinaspeculationthengoingonintheneighbourhood。TheTaylorshadbeenaskedtoWyllys-Roof，atanytimewhentheywishedtoseeJane，andtheyhadnowcomefortwenty-fourhours，inaccordancewiththeinvitation。AtfirstMr。EllsworthsupposedtheridetoChewattanLakemustbeabandoned，butitwasonlydeferredforanhour。MissEmmaTaylor，everreadyforanenterpriseofliveliness，hadnosoonerembracedhersister-in-law，andlearnedthatsomeofthefamilyhadproposedriding，thansheimmediatelyexpressedagreatdesiretojointhem。MaryVanAlstyneveryreadilygaveupherhorseandhabittotheyounglady；andMr。EllsworthwalkedovertoBroadlawn，toinviteBobdeVaux，aboyofsixteen，tobeherespecialescort。

Hethoughtthisaveryclevermanoeuvreofhisown。Whilethesearrangementsweregoingon，andtheTaylorsweretakingsomerefreshment，Mr。Taylorhadfoundtimetoexpresshisregretsattheresultofthelaw-suit。

“Iwasmuchdisposed，however，toanticipatesuchaverdict，“heobserved；“Mr。Clappisaverytalentedlawyerforsoyoungaman；thiscause，whichhasattractedsomuchattention，willprobablymakehisfortuneatthebar。ButIwasfearful，sir，fromthebeginning，thatneitheryourselfnoryourfriend，Mr。

Hazlehurst，wasfullyawareofMr。Clapp\'sabilities。“

“Idonotconceive，however，thatthecausewaswonbyMr。

Clapp\'slegalacumen，“observedMr。Wyllys，drily。

“Perhapsnot；still，Iunderstandthathesucceededinmakingoutaverystrongcaseinbehalfofhisclient。“

“Ofthatthereisnodoubt。“

“Andthelessfoundationhehadtoworkon，thegreaterhistalentsmustappear，“saidMr。Taylor，withalook，whichexpressedbothadmirationforMr。Clapp，andthesuspicionthathehadbeenassistinganimpostor。

“Thekindoftalentyourefertoisnotofaveryenviablecharacter，Ithink，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Idon\'tknowthat，mydearsir，“addedMr。Taylor，ashedrankoffaglassofwine；“itisatalentwhichhasgainedafinepropertyatleast。Iregret，however，thatmyfriend，Mr。

Hazlehurst，shouldhavesufferedsoheavyaloss。“

Mr。Wyllysbowed；andwellawarethathisownviewsofthecaseandthoseofMr。Taylorwouldnotagree，hechangedtheconversation。

“Youwillfindyouroldplacemuchchanged，“observedMissWyllystothemerchant。

“Yes，madam；Iunderstandconsiderablealterationshavebeenmadeatmyformermansion。Ihadalmostforgottenthismorningthattheestatewasnolongermine，andwashalf-inclinedtoenterthegateaswepassedit。“

“Iamdelighted，pa，thatitisnotyoursanylonger！”exclaimedMissEmma，withalivelinesswhichaccordedparticularlyillwithherdeepmourning-dress。“WeshallhavetentimesmorefunatRockaway；ColonnadeManorwasthestupidestplaceincreation；wewereoftenawholedaywithoutseeingabeau！”

Atlength，MissEmmahavingdeclaredherselfmorethansufficientlyrested，sheputonthehabit；andthechairandhorseswerebroughttothedoor。Mr。Taylorwastosetoutshortlyafter，inanotherdirection，togooverthemanufactoryinwhichhewasabouttobecomeinterested。

Allagreedthatthedaywasdelightful。Therewasafineair，thedusthadbeenlaidbyashower，andastheroadledthroughseveralwoods，theyhadnottoomuchsun。Forawhilethefourequestrianskepttogether，andcommon-placemattersonlyweretalkedover；thePetrelwasnotforgotten。MissEmmaTaylordeclaredshewouldhavegonealong，ifshehadbeenonthespotwhentheysailed。BobdeVauxsaidhisbrotherHuberthadofferedtotakehim，buthedidnotcaretogo；hehadratherridethansail，anyday。

“Here\'sforagallopthen！”exclaimedtheyounglady，andoffthetwosetatarapidpace。

“Howdoesthatflirtationcomeon？”askedMissEmma，whentheylessenedtheirpaceatsomedistanceinadvanceoftherestoftheparty。

“Allsettled，Ibelieve，“repliedtheyouth。

“What，actuallyengaged？Ihavebeenquiteexercisedaboutallyourdoingsoverhere，thissummer；youmusthavehadalivelytime，threeorfourflirtationsallgoingonatonce。But，doyouknowIambentonspitingMr。Ellsworththismorning。Hemeanttohaveatete-a-tete，Iknow，andonlyaskedYOUjusttogetridofME。Butheshan\'thaveamoment\'speacetopayforit；let\'sturnroundandgobackagainatfullspeed。“

BobdeVauxhadnottheleastobjections；helikedmotionandmischiefalmostasmuchasdidthelivelybelle；theybothenjoyedthejokeexceedingly，andsucceededinprovokingMr。

Ellsworthnotalittle。MissEmmaandhercompanionwereinhighgleeattheirsuccess；theywouldfirstridehalfamilebythesideoftheothers，thengallopofftoadistance，andatasignalfromtheyounglady，suddenlyfacingabouttheywouldreturn，justintime，asMissEmmathought，tocutshortanytenderspeech。

“Thatyoungladyseemstohavegonetwiceovereveryfootoftheroad，“innocentlyobservedMr。Wyllys，littleawareofherobject。

“Whatarestlesscreatureitis！”repliedMrs。Creighton；“shemustworryherhorseasmuchassheannoysherrationalcompanions。“

“MissTaylorisaperfectrattle，“remarkedMr。Ellsworth。“Quiteinferiortohersister，Mrs。Hunter，Ishouldsay。“

{“arattle“=achatterbox}

“Herexcessofspiritswillwearitselfoutoneofthesedays，I

daresay，“repliedElinor。

“Itistobehopedso，“saidthegentleman，drily。

Whentheyreachedthelaketheydismounted，andpassedhalfanhouratafarm-house，torest，andlunchuponicedmilkanddew-berries，whichthefarmer\'swifekindlyofferedthem。Mrs。

CreightonprofessedherselfratherdisappointedwithChewattanLake；theshoreswerequitelow，therewasonlyonegoodhill，andonepretty，projectingpoint，withafinegroupofelmsstandingingracefulreliefagainstthesky；shethoughtMr。

Hubbard\'spaintinghadflatterednature。Mr。EllsworthwouldnotallowthatCharlieeverflattered；butremarkedthatitwashispeculiarmerit，tothrowacharmaboutthesimplestwaterscene；

andhislastviewofChewattanLakewascertainlyoneofhishappiestpictures。

{“dew-berries“=blackberries；“happiest“=mostsuccessful}

Ontheirwayhome，MissEmmaandhercompanionagaincommencedtheirquizzingsystem。Towardstheendoftheride，however，theyoungladyrelaxedalittleinhervigilance；whentheyreachedaturnpike-gate，abouttwomilesfromWyllys-Roof，shesuddenlyproposedtoBobdeVauxtorunaracewithElinorandMr。

Ellsworth。

“Whatdoyousaytoit，MissWyllys？”

“Excuseme；Ihadmuchrathernot。“

“Oh，butyoudon\'tknowwhatImean。Now，youandMr。Ellsworthgocanteringandtrottingalong，insuchasober，DarbyandJoanfashion，thatIamsureMr。deVauxandIcanturnoffhere，takethisby-road，whichyouknowcomesinnearlyoppositeyourgate，andalthoughitistwiceasfarround，IbetyouapairofglovesweareatWyllys-Roofbeforeyou。“

{“DarbyandJoanfashion“=likeanoldmarriedcouple}

“Done！”exclaimedMr。Ellsworth，delightedwiththeidea；andofftheyoungladygallopped{sic}withhercompanion。

Itisnottobesupposedthatthegentlemanallowedthehalf-hourthatfollowedtopassunimproved。Hecouldspeakatlast，andheadmiredElinortoosincerely，nottoexpresshimselfintermsbothwarmandrespectful。AlthoughElinorhadbeenforsometimefullypreparedforthisdeclaration，yetshedidnotreceiveitwithoutbetrayingfeelingandembarrassment。Emotioninwoman，atsuchmoments，orinconnexionwithsimilarsubjects，isgenerallytracedtoonecausealone；andyethalfthetimeitshouldratherbeattributedtosomeothersource。Anxiety，modesty，merenervousness，orevenvexationatthisverymisinterpretation，oftenraisethecolour，andmakethevoicefalter。Elinorhadfullymadeuphermind，andshefeltthatafrankexplanationwasduetoMr。Ellsworth，butherregardforhimwastoosincerenottomakethemomentapainfulonetoher。Hewasrejected；butrejectedwithsomuchconsideration，somuchmodestyandfeeling，somuchgoodsense，thattheveryactonlyincreasedhisregret。

Hewasmuchdisappointed，forhehadbeenahopefulsuitor。

Elinorhadalwayslikedhim，andhehadthoughthermannerencouraging；Mr。WyllysandMissAgneshadnotconcealedtheirapprobation；andMrs。Creightonhadoftentoldhimshehadnodoubtofhissuccess。Hewasmorethanmortified，however，bytherefusal，hewaspained。Elinorrepeatedassurancesofrespectandfriendship，andregretthatshefeltherselfunabletoreturnhisregardasitdeserved。Sheevenalludedtohisgenerosityinoverlookingherwantofpersonalattractions；shesaidshehad，onthataccount，beenslowtobelievethathehadanyseriousobjectinview。Atthetimehehadfirstproposed，throughhergrandfather，sheherselfhadwishedtopreventhisgoinganyfarther，butherfriendshaddesiredhertodefertheanswer；hehimselfhadbeggedhertodoso，andnamedthetimefixed——shehadreluctantlyconsentedtothisarrangement；and，althoughthemoresheknewofMr。Ellsworth，themorehighlysheesteemedandrespectedhim，yettheresulthadbeenwhatshefirstforesaw；

shecouldnotconscientiouslyofferhimthefullattachmenthehadarighttoexpectfromawife。

Mr。Ellsworthrodeoninsilenceforamoment。

“Isitthentrue，MissWyllys，thatImustgiveupallideaofobtainingamoreindulgenthearing，atsomefutureday？”

“JudgeforyourselfifIamcapricious，Mr。Ellsworth。DonotimaginethatIhavelightlyrejectedtheregardofamanwhomI

esteemsohighlyasyourself。Icouldscarcelynameanotherinmywholeacquaintance，forwhomIshouldhavehesitatedsolong；

but——“Elinorpaused，suddenlybecameveryred，andthendeadlypale。

“But——whatwouldyousay，MissWyllys？——goon，Ientreat！”

exclaimedMr。Ellsworth。

ItwasamomentbeforeElinorrallied。Shethencontinued，inalowvoice，andinanagitated，hesitatingmanner：

“Mr。Ellsworth，Ishallspeakwithperfectfrankness；yourkindnessandforbearancedeserveit。WhenIconsentedtowaitsolongbeforegivingyouafinalanswer，itwaschieflythatI

mightdiscoverifIcouldregainentirecommandoverfeelingswhichhavenotalwaysbeenmyown。Iamafraidyouarenotawareofthis。ThefeelingitselftowhichIalludeischanged；butbeitweaknessornot，ithaslefttracesforlife。Iwaswillingtomakeanexperimentinfavourofonewhodeservedthefullconfidenceofmyfriendsandmyself；butthetrialhasnotsucceeded；ifIknowmyself，itcanneversucceed——Ishallnevermarry。“

Andthenafteramoment\'ssilenceshegentlycontinued，inacalmertone：

“Butyouwillsoonforgetallthis，Itrust。Youwillfindelsewheresomeonemoreworthyofyou；onewhocanbetterrepayyourkindness。“

Mr。Ellsworthchafedalittleunderthissuggestion；thoughnotsomuchasamorepassionatemanmighthavedone。

“Toforgetoneofsomuchwomanlyexcellenceasyourself，MissWyllys，isnottheeasytaskyouseemtosuppose。“

Elinorcouldhavesighedandsmiledasthethoughtrecurredtoher，thatHarryhadnotfounditverydifficulttoforgether。

Theyhadnowreachedthegate，ontheirwayhome，andturningtowardshercompanionastheyentered，shesaid：

“Ihope，indeed，youwillalwaysrememberthatyouhaveverysincerefriendsatWyllys-Roof，Mr。Ellsworth；believeme，friendscapableofappreciatingyourmerits，andawareofwhatistheirdue。“

Mr。Ellsworththankedher，buthelookedveryevidentlydisturbed。WhentheyreachedthepiazzahehelpedElinorfromherhorse，perhapsmorecarefullythanusual；MissEmmaTaylorandhercavalierhadalreadyarrived；andtheyoungladyimmediatelyattackedMr。Ellsworth，biddinghimrememberhisbet。WhenMrs。

Creightonsteppedfromthechair，shelookedforherbrotherandElinor，alittlecurioustodiscoverifanythingdecisivehadpassed，butbothhadalreadyenteredthehouse。

Mr。Wyllyslearnedinthecourseoftheday，fromEllsworthhimself，thathehadbeenrejected；hewasverymuchdisappointed，andmoredisposedtofindfaultwithElinorthanhehadeverbeenbefore。

“Iamafraidyouhavenotactedwisely，Elinor，“saidhergrandfather；wordsmorelikeareproofthananythatElinorcouldremembertohaveheardfallfromhislips，addressedtoherself。

MissAgnesalsoevidentlyregrettedherniece\'sdecision；butshesaidnothingonthesubject。AsforMrs。Creighton，shethoughtitalleasytobeunderstood。

“Youmaysaywhatyouplease，Frank，aboutMissWyllys，butyouwillneverpersuademesheisnotacoquette。“

ButthisMr。Ellsworthwouldbynomeansallow。

Elinorlaidherheadonherpillowthatnightwiththeunpleasantreflection，thatfourpersonsunderthesameroofwerereproachingherforthestepshehadtakenthatday。Butsheherselfknewthatshehadactedconscientiously。

CHAPTERXXI。{XLIV}

“Suchnews，mylord，asgrievesmetounfold。“

HenryIV。{sic}

{WilliamShakespeare，“RichardIII“，II。iv。39}

THEPetrelwasaveryprettylittleschooner，pronouncedacrackcraftbytheknowingones。Shesatsobuoyantlyonthewaterwhenmotionless，andglidedalongsogracefullywhenunderway，thatevenlandsmenandlandswomenmusthaveadmiredher。Letitnotbesupposedthatthewordlandswomenishereusedunadvisedly：

althoughtheNavyDepartmentisdecidedlyungallantinitsgeneralcharacter，andseldomallowsladiestoappearonboardship，exceptingatacollationoraball，yetitiswellknownthatinsomeofthesmallersea-porttowns，thefemaleportionofthepopulationaresomuchinterestedinnauticalmatters，andgivesomuchtimeandattentiontothesubject，thattheyarelookeduponasverygoodjudgesofsparsandrigging；anditisevenaffirmed，thatsomeofthesecharmingyoung“salts“arequitecapableofexaminingamidshipmanonpointsofseamanship。

Iffamehasnotbeliedthem，sucharetheaccomplishmentsofthebellesofNorfolkandPensacola；whilethewivesanddaughtersofthewhalersatNantucket，aresaidtohavealsoacriticaleyeforthecutofajibandtheshapeofahull。HubertdeVauxhopedtheyhad，forhethoughtitapitythatthePetrel\'sbeautiesshouldbethrownaway。

Onthemorningtheysailed，whenElinorhadwatchedtheboatasshelayintheriver，theyhadbeenwaitingforBruno。Harrywishedtocarrythedogwithhim；butafterfollowingHazlehursttotheboat，hehadreturnedhomeagain；hewas，however，enticedonboard，andtheyhoistedsail，andslowlymovedoutofsight。

Inspiteofsomelittledelay，thePetrelmadeaverygoodday\'swork。Thatnightandthefollowingthepartysleptonboard，andseemedverywellsatisfiedwiththeirquarters；theyintendedtorunoutofsightoflandbeforetheendoftheircruise，butasyettheyhadlandedeveryfewhoursforfreshwater，vegetables，milk，&c。；asitdidnotenteratallintotheircalculationstobeputonashortallowanceofanythingdesirable。Ontheafternoonofthethirdday，thePetrelreachedthewharfofacountryplaceonLong-Island，wherethepartylanded，accordingtoapreviousinvitation，andjoinedsomefriendsforacoupleofdays\'shooting，whichprovedapleasantvarietyintheexcursion；

thesportwaspronouncedgood，andthegentlemenmadethemostofit。Mr。Stryker，however，complainedthatthepompandcircumstanceofsportingwaswantedinthiscountry。

“Solongaswehavetheimportantitemsofgoodguns，goodmarksmen，andrealwild-game，weneednotfindfault，“saidHarry。

Manylamentationssucceeded，however，upontherapiddisappearanceofgamefromallpartsofthecountry。

“ThereIhavethebestofit，“saidMr。Strykertohishost。“Inthenexttwentyyearsyoumayexpecttofindyouroccupationgone；butIshallatleasthavefishinginabundanceallmydays；

thoughattimesIamnotquitesosureofthebrook-trout。“

“Idon\'tthinkJonathanwillbeabletoexterminateallthetroutintheland，“saidHazlehurst，althoughheisashamefullywastefulfellow；butIreallythinkthereissomedangerfortheoysters；ifthepopulationincreases，andcontinuestoeatthem，inthesameproportiontheydonow，IamafraidJonathanofthenextgenerationwilldevourthewholespecies。“

“Jonathan“=theAmerican(from“BrotherJonathan“)}

>FromGlen-CovethePetrelmadeareachacrosstheSoundtoSachem\'s-Head，whereMr。Strykerenjoyedtoperfectiontheluxuriesofclam-soup，lobster-salad，andchowder。

TheirnextportwasNantucket。Theyhappenedtoarrivetherejustbeforeathunder-shower，andCharlieHubbardwasmuchstruckwiththewild，desolatelookoftheisland。HepointedouttoHazlehurstthefinevarietyofneutraltintstobetracedinthewaves，inthelowsand-banks，andthedarkskyformingtheback-ground。Nantucketisabarrenspot，indeed，allbutbareofvegetation；scarcelyashrubwillgrowthere，andeventhetoughbeach-grassisoftensweptawayinlargetracts；whiletheformsofthesand-hillsvarywitheverystorm。Thetownitself，however，isabusy，livelylittlespot——oneofthemostnauticalinfeelingandcharactertobefoundontheglobe。Thechiefinterestsoftheinhabitantscentreintheocean；andeventheveryornamentsoftheirhousesarespoilsofthedeep，shellsandfish-bonesfromdistantlatitudes，andsailor\'sfancy-workinvariousmaterials，allconnectedinsomewaywiththesea。

Charliemadeasketchoftheisland，anddeterminedtoreturnthereandpaintapictureofsomesize。Thenextday，whichwasSunday，theyremainedatNantucket；thereisaprettylittlechurchinthetown，andCharlie，Harry，andMr。Smithattendedservicethere；therestofthegentlemenpreferringtoidleawaythemorninginalesspraiseworthymanner。

OneofyoungdeVaux\'screwwastakensickhere，andhewasobligedtosecureanothermanbeforeleavingtheisland；itwaseasytodoso，however，asonewhowaswaitingforapassagetoNewYorksoonoffered，andthematterwassettled。

EarlyonMondaymorningtheyagainmadesail，forMartha\'sVineyard；fromthencethePetrel\'sheadwastobeturnedsouthward，andaftercoastingtheeasternshoreofLong-Island，theyexpectedtoreturntothewharfatBroadlawn，asfastasthewindswouldcarrythem。TheVineyard，owingtoamoreshelteredposition，bearsadifferentaspectfromthebarrensandsofNantucket；partsoftheislandarewellwooded。Choosingapleasantbayknowntotheirpilot，wherearudewharfhadbeenbuilt，thepartylandedandpreparedtodine，andpasssomehoursthere。TheywerenosooneronshorethanMr。Strykermadehisarrangementsforfishing；havingsecuredbait，Dr。VanHorneandhimself，withoneofthemen，tookthePetrel\'sboatandrowedofffromshore，changingtheirgroundoccasionally，untiltheyhadturnedthepointwhichformedthebayononeside，andwerenolongerinsight。DeVauxandSmithtooktheirgunsandwentintothewood；Charliebroughtouthissketchbook，andwassoonengagedintakingsometints，inwatercolours，fromaheavybankofcloudswhichhadbeenslowlyrisinginthewestforseveralhours。Hazlehurstwaslyingonthegrassnearhim，withaspy-glass，watchingacoupleofsloopsinthedistance：turninghisheadaccidentallytowardsthespotwheretheywerecommencingpreparationsfordinner，Harrysawoneofthemen，thenewrecruit，whomhehadnotyetremarked，lookingathimclosely。ItstruckHazlehurstthathehadmetthismanbefore；thesailorsawthathewasobserved，andafteramoment\'shesitationheapproached，touchinghishatwiththecommonsalutationofaseaman，andlookingasifhewishedtospeak，butscarcelyknewhowtobegin。

“Haveyouanythingtosaytome，myfriend？——ItstrikesmeIhaveseenyourfacesomewherelately。“

“IfyouareMr。Hazlehurst，Iguess，sir，youseedmenotlongsince，“repliedtheman，alittleembarrassed。

ItsuddenlyflasheduponHarry\'smind，thatitwasduringtheStanleytrialthathehadseenthisperson；yes，hecouldnotbemistaken，hewasoneofthewitnessesfortheplaintiffonthatoccasion。Hazlehurstgavehimakeenlook；thefellowfalteredalittle，butbeggedHarrytostepasideforamoment，ashewishedtospeakalonewithhim。Theymovedtotheadjoiningbank，withintheedgeofthewood，andaconversationfollowedofsomeconsequencetoHazlehurst，certainly。Afterafewprefatoryremarks，thismanofferedtomakeimportantrevelations，uponconditionthatheshouldbescreenedfromjustice——beingconsideredasstate\'sevidence——andrewardedbyHarryforvolunteeringhisservices；towhichHazlehurstreadilyagreed。

Weshalltellhisstoryforhim，ratherasitappearedatalaterday，thanintheprecisewordsinwhichitwasfirstgivenatMartha\'sVineyard。Byhisdisclosures，thevillany{sic}ofClappandhisclientwereplacedbeyondadoubt；andhehimselfwasgoodauthority，forhewasRobertStebbins，thewitnesswhohadsworntohavingreturnedthepocket-bookandtheaccompanyingdocumentstotheplaintiff，astheirrightfulowner；henowconfessedthathehadperjuredhimselfforaheavybribe，butstoodreadytoturnstate\'sevidence，andrevealallheknewoftheplot。Thosepapershadactuallybeenplacedinhiscarethirteenyearssincebyhisownbrother，JonathanStebbins，whohaddiedofsmall-poxinanhospitalatMarseilles。ThisbrotherhadbeenafavouritecompanionofWilliamStanley\'sfromhisfirstvoyage；theyhadshippedtogetherintheJefferson，andbeforesailing，Stanleyhadplacedapackageofpapersandotherarticles，forsafe-keeping，inanoldchestofStebbins\'s，whichwasleftwiththesailor\'smotherinMassachusetts。TheywerewreckedintheJeffersononthecoastofAfrica，ashadbeenalreadyreported；buttheywerenotdrowned，theybothsucceededinreachingtheshore，havinglashedthemselvestothesamespar。

Itwasadesert，sandycoast，andtheywerealmoststarvedafterhavingreachedtheland；theironlyshelterwasasmallcaveinalowledgeofrocksnearthebeach；theyfeduponhalf-putridshell-fishthrownuponthesandsbythegale，andtheydrankfromthepoolsofrain-waterthathadformedontherockduringthestorm；fortheyhadsavednothingfromthewreckbutasealedbottle，containingtheirprotectionsasAmericansailors，somemoneyinanoldglove，andafewotherpapers。WilliamStanleyhadbeenillbeforethegale，andhehadnotstrengthtobearupagainstthesehardships；hedeclinedrapidly，andawarethathecouldnotlive，theyoungmanchargedhiscompanion，ifheeverreturnedtoAmerica，toseekhisfamily，relatethecircumstancesofhisdeath，andshowthepapersinthebottle——anoldlettertohimself，andwithinitthenoticeofhisfather\'smarriage，whichhehadcutfromapaper，obtainedfromanAmericanvesselspokenonthevoyage——andalsothepackageleftonshoreintheoldchest，asthesedocumentswouldbeconsideredtestimonialsofhisveracity。HefartherchargedStebbinstosaythatheaskedhisfather\'sforgiveness，acknowledgingthathediedrepentingofhispastmisconduct。Thethirddayafterthegaletheyoungmanexpired，andStebbinsburiedhiminthesandnearthecave。Thesurvivorhadahardstruggleforlife；therain-waterhadsoondriedaway，andhesetoutatnightinsearchofaspringtorelievehisthirst，stillkeepinginsightoftheshore。Asthemorningsunrose，whenallbutexhausted，hediscoveredonthebeachseveralobjectsfromthewreck，whichhaddriftedinthatdirection，thewindhavingchangedafterthegale。Hefoundakegofspiritsandsomehalf-spoiledbiscuit，andbythesemeanshislifewasprolonged。Hemadeabagofhisshirt，boundafewthingsonhisback，andburiedothersinthesand，toreturntoifnecessary，andthencontinuedtofollowtheshorenorthward，insearchofsomespringorstream。Fortunately，hesooncametoawoodytractwhichpromisedwater，andclimbingatreehewatchedthewildanimals，hopingtodiscoverwheretheydrank；atlength，followingaflockofantelopes，hecamesuddenlyuponthebankofastreamofsomesize；andtohisunspeakablejoy，sawontheoppositebankapartyofwhitemen，thefirsthumanbeingshehadbeheldsinceStanley\'sdeath；theyprovedtobeSwedesbelongingtoashipintheoffing；andimmediatelytookhimintotheirboat。ThevesselwasboundtoStockholm，whereshecarriedyoungStanley\'sshipmate；fromtherehewenttoSt。Petersburgh，wherehemetwiththebrotherwhorelatedhisstorytoHazlehurst，andbothsoonafterenlistedintheRussiannavy。

TheyweresenttotheBlackSea，andkeptthereandintheMediterraneanforfiveyears，untiltheelderbrother，JonathanStebbins，diedofsmall-poxinahospitalatMarseilles，havingneverreturnedtoAmericasincethewreckoftheJefferson。

Beforehisdeath，however，heleftallhiseffectsandWilliamStanley\'spaperstohisbrother。Thisman，RobertStebbins，seemedtohavepaidverylittleattentiontothedocuments；itwasbymerechancethathepreservedtheoldletter，andthemarriagenoticewithinit，forheconfessedthathehadtornuptheprotection，oncewhenhewantedabitofpaper：hehadneverknownWilliamStanleyhimself，theinquiriesabouttheyoungmanhadceasedbeforehereturnedtoAmerica，andhehadattachednoimportancewhatevertothesepapers。Hehadleftthemwheretheyhadfirstbeenplaced，intheoldsea-chestathismother\'shouse，nearNewBedford，whileheledtheusualwanderinglifeofasailor。HetoldHarrythathehadatlastquiteforgottenthispackage，untilheaccidentallyfellinwithamancallinghimselfWilliamStanley，atalowtavern，onlysomefiveorsixyearssince，and，tohisamazement，heardhimdeclarehehadbeenwreckedintheJefferson。

{“protection“=apapertestifyingtotheAmericancitizenshipofaseaman，carriedtoprotecthimagainstbeingforcedintotheBritishNavyasanEnglishman。Stebbins\'survivalreflectsdescriptionsofashipwreckontheAtlanticcoastofNorthAfricainJamesFenimoreCooper\'s“HomewardBound“(1838)}

“Thefellowwashalf-drunk，“saidStebbins；“butIknewhisyarnwasalieallthetime，forIhadsailedwithhiminanothership，atthetimemybrotherJonathanwaswreckedintheJefferson。HeshippedthenunderthenameofBenson，butIknewhisrealnamewasEdwardHopgood——“

“EdwardHopgood！”exclaimedHarry，passinghishandoverhisforehead——“surelyIhaveheardthatnamebefore。Waitamoment，“

headded，toStebbins；whileheendeavouredtorecollectwhythatname，singularinitself，hadafamiliarsoundtohim。Atlengthhiseyebrightened，thewholematterbecamemoreclear；herecollectedwhenamerechild，ayearortwobeforeMr。Stanley\'sdeath，whilestayingatGreatwoodduringavacation，tohaveheardofthebadconductofayoungmannamedEdwardHopgood，alawyer\'sclerkintheadjoiningvillage，whohadcommittedforgeryandthenrunaway。ThecircumstanceshadoccurredwhileHarrywasatGreatwood，andhadbeensomuchtalkedofinaquiet，countryneighbourhood，astomakeadecidedimpressiononhimself，childashewas。HarryalsorememberedtohaveheardMr。

StanleytellMr。WyllysthatthisHopgoodwasverydistantlyrelatedtohimself，throughthemother，whohadmadeaverybadconnexion；adding，thatthisladhadbeenatGreatwood，andwouldhavebeenassistedbyhimself，hadhenotbehavedverybadly，anddonesomuchtoinjurehisownsonthathehadbeenforbiddenthehouse。Harryfartherremembered，thatClapphadbelongedtothesameofficefromwhichthisHopgoodhadrunaway。Therewas，however，onepointwhichhedidnotunderstand；hethoughthehadsinceheardthatthisHopgoodhadturnedactor，anddiedlongsinceofyellow-fever，atNewOrleans。Still，hefeltconvincedthattherewasagoodfoundationforStebbins\'sstory，andhehopedsoontounravelthewholeplot，fromthecluethusplacedinhishands。

“Goon，“saidHarry，afterthispause。“Yousaythisman，whomyouknewtobeHopgood，calledhimselfWilliamStanley。Whatbecameofhim？”

“Itisthesamechapthathoistedyourcolours，Mr。Hazlehurst；

himthatthejurygavetheverdicttoinPhiladelphia。“

“Yes；Iknewitmustbethesameindividualbeforeyouspoke，“

saidHarry，withaviewtokeephisinformantaccurate。“ButhowdidyouknowthathisnamewasHopgood？foryousayhehadshippedunderanother。“

“Iknewitbecausehehadtoldmesohimself。Hetoldmehowhehadrunawayfromalawyer\'sofficeinPennsylvany，gonetoNewOrleansandturnedplay-actorawhile，thenshammeddead，andhadhisnameprintedinthepapersamongthemthatdiedofyellow-fever。Hetoldmeallthatinhisfirstvoyage，whenwewereshipmates，andthatwasjustthetimethatmybrotherJonathanwaswreckedintheJefferson。“

“WhenyouafterwardsheardhimsayhewasWilliamStanley，didyoutellhimyouknewhisrealname？”

“Yes；ItoldhimIknewhelied；formybrotherhadburiedStanleywithhisownhands，andthatIhadhispapersathome。

Thenhetoldme，hewasonlylaughingatthegreen-horns。“

“DidyoumentiontoanyoneatthetimethatyouknewthismanwasnotWilliamStanley？”

“No，sir，forIdidn\'tspeaktohimuntilwewerealone；andwepartedcompanynextmorning，forIwenttosea。“

“WhendidyounextseeHopgood？”

“Well，Ididn\'tfallinwithhimagainforalongwhile，untilthislastspring。WhenIcamehomefromavoyagetoChinaintheMandarin，lastMay，Iwenttomymother\'s，nearNewBedford，andthenIfoundachaphadbeentoseeherinthewinter，andpersuadedhertogivehimallthepapersintheoldchest，thathadbelongedtoWilliamStanley，makingouthewasoneoftheyoungman\'srelations。ItwasthatlawyerClapp；andHopgoodhadputhimonthetrackofthem\'erepapers。“

“Whatwerethedocumentsinyourchest？”

“Mostofwhattheyhadtoshowcamefromme：tobesure，Hopgoodhadgotsomelettersandpapers，writtentohimselfoflateyearsunderthenameofWilliamStanley；butalltheyhadbeforethewreckoftheJeffersoncamefromme。“