第17章

“Werethereanybooksamongthearticlesinyourpossession？”

“No，sir；nothingbutthepocket-book。“

“Areyouquitesure？WastherenotonebookwithWilliamStanley\'snameinit？”

“Notone；that\'erebooktheyhadincourtdidn\'tcomefromme；

howtheygotitIdon\'tknow，“repliedStebbinspositively；who，itseemed，knewnothingofthevolumeoftheSpectator。

“WheredidyounextmeetHopgood？”

“Well，IwasmadwhenIfoundhehadgotthempapers；butthelawyerhadleftamessagewithmymother，sayingifIcamehome，shewastotellmeI\'dhearsomethingtomyadvantagebyapplyingtohim。SoIwentafterhimtotheplacewherehelives；andsureenoughtherewasHopgood，andheandClappasthickascanbetogether。Iguessthey\'dhavelikeditbetterifIhadnevershowedmyselfagain：buttheygotroundme，andtoldmehowitwasallsettled，andifIwouldonlylendahand，andkeepquietaboutHopgood，andspeakforthemonceinawhile，theywouldenterintoanagreementtogivemeenoughtomakeaskipperofmeatonce。Them\'erelawyerstheycanmakeblacklooklikewhite——andsoIagreedtoitatlast。“

Hazlehurststronglysuspectedthatlesspersuasionhadbeennecessarythanthemanwishedhimtobelieve。

“Didtheytellyoualltheirplan？”

“Prettymuchall；theysaiditwaseasytomakepeoplebelieveHopgoodwasWilliamStanley，forhelookedsomuchliketheyoungman，thathehadbeenaskedifthatwasn\'thisname。HesaiditwasthatfirstgavehimthenotionofpassingoffforWilliamStanley——that，andknowingallaboutthefamily，andtheyoungmanhimself。HesaidStanleyhadnonearrelationswhowouldbelikelytorememberhim；therewasonlyoneoldgentlemantheywasafraidof，buttheycalculatedtheyknewenoughtopuzzlehimtoo。HopgoodhadbeenpractisingafterStanley\'shandwriting；hewasprettygoodatthattradewhenhewasashaver，“saidStebbins，withalookwhichshowedheknewthestoryoftheforgery。“Hewasbredalawyer，andthem\'erelawyersaregoodatallsortsoftricks。Clappandhimhadmadeoutastoryfrommypapersandwhattheyknow\'dbefore，andgotitallreadyinaletter；theyagreedthatfromthetimeofthewreck，theyhadbetterkeepprettystraighttoHopgood\'sreallife；andsotheydid。“

“Theyseemtohavelaidalltheirplansbeforeyou。“

“Well，theycouldn\'thelpit，fortheywantedmetotellthemallIheardfrommybrother；butItold\'emtospeakfirst。TheymadeoutthatHopgoodhadarighttotheproperty；fortheysaidthatoldMr。Stanleyhadnofamilytoleaveitto，thatyouwasastranger，andthatHopgoodwasarelation。“

“ThisHopgood，whofirsthelpedtocorruptWilliamStanley，evenifhehadactuallybeenanearrelation，wouldhavebeenthelasthumanbeingtowhomMr。Stanleywouldhavelefthisproperty，“

saidHarry，coolly。“Butgoonwithyourstory；whydidtheynotshowthepocket-bookbeforethetrial？”

“Theysettleditso，becausetheythoughtitwouldlookbetterbeforethejury。“

“Whydidyouchangeyourownmindsosoonafterthetrial？Youshouldhavecometomebefore。“

“HopgoodandIhadaquarrelonlythreedaysago，whenhewasdrunk；hesworetheycouldhavedonewithoutme，andIsworeI\'dberevenged。Thenthatfellow，Clapp，wouldn\'tpaymeonthespotaccordingtoagreement，assoonastheyhadgainedthecause。I

hadkeptmypart，andhehadn\'tliftedafingeryetforme；norhewouldn\'tifhecouldhelpit，forallhehadgivenmehisword。Iknowhimfrommorethanonethingthatcameout；heisoneofyourfellowswhoshamgentlemen，withafinecoattohisback；butIwouldn\'ttrusthimwithasixpenceoutofsight；no，noroutofarm\'slength，“andStebbinswenton，swearingroundlyatClappandHopgood，untilHarryinterruptedhim。

“Iknowthem\'erelawyers，theythinktheycancheatJackanyday；butIwon\'ttrusthimanhourlonger！Iknowyourrealgentlemanfromyourtrickyshamataminute\'swarning，thoughtheircoatsbebothcutoffthesamepieceofbroadcloth。I

haven\'tservedunderUncleSam\'sofficersfornothing。NowI\'lltrustyou，Mr。Hazlehurst，aslongasitsuitsyou；I\'dnomorehavetalkedtoClappwithouthavinghisnamedowninblackandwhite，asIhavetoyou，thanI\'dbeshot。“

“TheagreementIhavemadeshallbestrictlykept，“repliedHarry，coldly。“Hadyoucometomebeforethetrial，youwouldhavehadthesamereward，withoutthecrimeofperjury。“

“Well，that\'ereperjurymademefeeluncomfortable；andwhatwithhavingswornvengeanceonClappandHopgood，ImadeupmymindtogostraightbacktoPhiladelphy，andturnstate\'sevidence。IwaswaitingforachancetogettoNewYorkwhenI

sawyouonthewharfatNantucket，andIknewyouinaminute。“

Theconversationwashereinterruptedbyacallfromthebeach，whichattractedHarry\'sattention，afterhavingbeensomuchengrossedduringthedisclosuresofStebbins，astobequiteregardlessofwhatwasgoingonabouthim。ItwasdeVauxwhohadcalled——henowapproached。

“Icouldn\'tthinkwherethatfellow，Stebbins，hadgotto；ifyouhavenothingforhimtodohere，Hazlehurst，heiswantedyonder。“

Harryandthesailoraccordinglyparted。Afterexchangingafewwordstoconcludetheiragreement，theybothreturnedtothebeach。

ThePetrelseemedtobegettingunderwayagain；SmithanddeVaux，whohadjustreturnedfromthewoodwiththeirguns，andCharlie，whohadjustlefthissketchingapparels，werestandingtogetherlookingonwhenHarryjoinedthem。

“Ididn\'tknowwhathadbecomeofyou，“saidCharlie。“Whatalongyarnthatfellowseemedtobetellingyou！”

“Itwaswellworthhearing，“saidHarry，withasignificantlookathisfriend。

“Really？Ihadsomehopeitmightprovesofromtheman\'slook，“

addedCharlie，comprehendingatoncethedriftoftheconversation，thoughhehadlittleideaofitscompletesuccessinunravellingtheplot“Youshallhearitbeforelong，“addedHarry。

“Whenyouplease；inthemeantimeIwishyoujoyofanygoodnews！”

“Butwhatareyouabouthere，deVaux？Ithoughtweweretoremainontheislandtillsun-set。“

“Soweshall；butitseemsthatfellow，BlackBob，hasforgotthevegetablesIorderedhimtobringfromNantucket；wehavediscoveredahousewithsomethinglikeagardenontheoppositepoint，andIamgoingtosendBobwiththeboySamonaforagingexpedition；Idaresaytheywillfindpotatoesandonionsatleast。Thatisthespot；doyouseetheapple-trees？WiththeglassIsawawomanmovingabout，andmilk-pansdryinginthesun。“

“Whydon\'tyousendtheboat？”

“Strykerhasn\'tcomebackyet，andthereiswindenoughtocarrythePetreloverandbackagaininhalfanhour。“

“SmithandIaregoingascommandingofficers；andyouwillhaveamuchbetterdinnerforourexertions，nodoubt，“saidCharlie。

“Holloa，there，Bob——Sam！——tumbleonboard；mindyoubringallthegarden-stufftheycanspare。YouBob，seeifyoucanpickuphalfyoucontrivedtoforget，sir，atNantucket。Youdeservetobemadetoswimacrossforit，“saiddeVaux。

“Nevercouldswimastrokeinmyborndays，sir，“mutteredBlackBob。

“Thereisn\'tmuchchoiceofsa\'aceatNantucket，anyway，“addedtheboySam。

{“sa\'ace“=sauce，aslangtermforvegetables}

“Herewego，“saidCharlie，jumpinglightlyonboard，followedbySmith。

“Itispossibleyoumayfindsomemelons，Hubbard；don\'tforgettoaskforthem，“saiddeVaux。

“Ay，ay，sir，“repliedCharlie，noddingasthePetrelmovedoff。

Theboywassteering，whileBlackBobandthegentlementendedthesails；andthelittleschoonerglidedgracefullyonherway，withalightbreeze，sufficientlyfavourable。

HarrywenttotakealookatCharlie\'ssketch，whichhefoundjustastheyoungartisthadleftit——spiritedandtruetonatureasusual，butonlyhalf-finished。DeVauxlookedintothechowderpot，whereallseemedtobegoingonwell。HethenjoinedHarry，andtheyoungmencontinuedwalkingtogetherneartheshanty，wherepreparationsfordinnerweregoingonunderthechargeofStebbinsandtheactingstewardofthecruise。

“ItisnearlytimeStrykermadehisappearancewiththefish，“

saidHarry。

“Ifthesportisgood，weshan\'tseehimthishouryet，“replieddeVaux。“Hewillonlycomebackintimetoputthefinishingstroketothechowder。“

“Ifhewaitstoolonghewillhaveashower，“observedHarry，pointingeastward，wheredarkcloudswerebeginningtoappearabovethewood。

“NotunderanhourIthink，“saiddeVaux。“Hewilltakecareofhimselfatanyrate——trusttoStrykerforthat，“TheyturnedtolookatthePetrel。Sometenorfifteenminuteshadpassedsincesheleftthelittlewharf，andshewasalreadynearherdestination；thepointonwhichthefarm-housestoodbeingscarcelymorethanamiledistant，inadirectline，andasingletackhavingprovedsufficienttocarryherthere。

“Thewindseemstobefalling，“saidHarry，holdinguphishandtofeeltheair。“Itistobehopedtheywillmakeaquickbargain，ortheymaykeepyourpotatoestoolatetobeboiledforto-day\'sdinner。“

DeVauxtookuptheglasstolookaftertheirmovements。

“Theyhavemadethepoint，handsomely，“hesaid；“andthereisawomancomingdowntotheshore，andaboy，too。“

Thefriendsagreedthatthereseemedeveryprospectofasuccessfulnegotiation；forawomanwasseengoingtowardsthegardenwithabasket，andSam，theboy，hadlanded。Beforelongabasketwascarrieddownfromthehouse；whileSamandthewomanwerestillbusyinthegarden。

“Theyhadbetterbeoffassoonastheycan，“saiddeVaux，“forthewindiscertainlyfalling。“

“Thereisashowercomingupovertheisland，CaptaindeVaux，“

saidStebbins，touchinghishat。

“Coming，sureenough！——lookyonder！”——exclaimedHarry，pointingeastward，whereheavycloudswerenowseenrisingrapidlyoverthewood。

“Weshallhaveashower，andsomethingofasquall，Iguess，“

addedStebbins。

Therecouldnotindeedbemuchdoubtofthefact，foraheavyshowernowseemedadvancing，withthesuddenrapiditynotunusualafterverywarmweather；thepositionofthebay，andawoodedbankhavingconcealeditsapproachuntilcloseathand。

“Weshallhaveadeadcalmintenminutes，“saiddeVaux；“IwishthePetrelwasoff。“

Butstillthereseemedsomethinggoingoninthegarden；thewomanandSamwereverybusy，andCharlieandSmithhadjoinedthem。

“Theymustseetheshowercomingupbythistime！”exclaimeddeVaux。

“Therewillbeasquallandasharpone，too，“addedStebbins。

Thewind，whichhadprevailedsteadilyallthemorninginalight，sultrybreezefromthesouth，wasnowdyingaway；thesullenrollofdistantthunderwasheard，whilehereandthereasuddenflashburstfromanearercloud。

“ThankHeaven，theyareoffatlast！”crieddeVaux，whowaswatchingtheschoonerwithsomeanxiety。

Harryandthetwomenwerebusygatheringtogetherundercoveroftheshanty，thedifferentarticlesscatteredabout，andamongothersCharlie\'shalf-finishedsketch。

Thesunwasnowobscured；light，detachedclouds，lookingheatedandangry，werehurryinginadvancewithalowflight，whiletheheavenswerehalf-coveredbythethreateningmasswhichcamegatheringindarkandheavyfoldsabouttheisland。Suddenlythegreatbodyofvapourwhichhadbeenhangingsullenlyoverthewesternhorizonallthemorning，nowsetinmotionbyafreshcurrentofair，begantorisewithaslowmovement，asiftomeetthearrayadvancingsoeagerlyfromtheoppositedirection；itcameonwardsteadily，withahigherandawidersweepthanthemasswhichwaspouringimmediatelyoverthelittlebay。Thelandscapehadhungoutitsstorm-lights；thedarkscowloftheapproachinggustfellalikeonwood，beach，andwaters；thebirdswerewheelingaboutanxiously；thegullsandotherwater-fowlflyinglowerandlower，nearerandnearertotheirfavouriteelement；theland-birdshurryinghitherandthither，seekingshelteramongtheirnativebranches。Butnotadropofrainhadyetfallen；andthewavesstillcamerollinginuponthesandswiththemeasured，lullingsoundoffairweather。

Theairfromthesouthrevivedforamoment，sweepinginlight，fitfulpuffsoverthebay。Favouredbythislastflickeringcurrentofthemorning\'sbreeze，thePetrelhadsucceededinmakingherwayhalfacrossthebay，thoughreturninglesssteadilythanshehadgoneonhererrandanhourbefore。

“Giveusanotherpuffortwo，andshewillyetbeherebeforethesquall，“saiddeVaux。

Thelittleschoonerwasnowindeedwithinlessthanhalfamileofthewharf；buthereatlengththewindentirelyfailedher，andshesatidlyonthewater。DeVauxwaswatchingherthroughtheglass；thereseemedtobesomelittlehesitationandconfusiononboard；Sam，theboy，hadgivenupthetillertoBlackBob。Suddenlythefirstblastofthegustfromtheeastcamerustlingthroughthewood，makingtheyoungtreesbendbeforeit；thenasitpassedoverthewatertherewasaminute\'srespite。

“Howshedodges！——Whataretheyabout？”exclaimedHarry。

“Whatdotheymean？——Aretheyblind？——can\'ttheyseethesquallcoming？”crieddeVauxingreatanxiety，ashewatchedthehesitationonboardthePetrel。

“AsmynameisNatFisher，thatniggerisdrunk！——Ithoughtsothismorning！”exclaimedthesteward。

“AndSmithandHubbardknownothingofaboat！”crieddeVaux，indespair。

Thewordshadscarcelypassedhislipsbeforethewindcamerushingoverthewood，inasudden，furiousblast，bringingdarkerandheavierclouds，accompaniedbyquick，vividflashesoflightning，andsharpcracksofthunder；therainpouringdownintorrents。Itwaswithdifficultytheyoungmenkepttheirfootingontheendofthewharf，suchwasthefirstfuryofthegust；buttheyforgotthemselvesinfearsfortheirfriends。

“Aretheymad！”crieddeVaux，ashemarkedtheuncertaintyoftheirmovements；whilethewindwassweepingfuriouslyoverthedarkenedwaterstowardsthem。

Aheavysheetofrain，pouringinafloodfromtheclouds，completelyenvelopedthepartyonthewharf；anothersecondandashoutwasindistinctlyheardamidthetumultofthewindsandwaters；alightercloudpassedover，thebaywaspartiallyseenagain；butneitherthewhitesailsofthePetrelnorherbuoyantformcouldbetracedbytheeagereyesonthewharf。Shehadbeenstruckbythegustandcapsized。

“Sheisgone！”exclaimeddeVaux，withacryofhorror。

“Charliecan\'tswim！”criedHarry。

“NorBob，forcertain，“saidthesteward。“Idon\'tknowabouttheothers。“

Threeshotsfromafowling-piecewererapidlyfired，asasignaltothepartyinthePetrelthattheirsituationwasknowntotheirfriendsonshore。Thestewardwasinstantlyorderedtorunalongthebeachtothefarthestpoint，andcarrytheboatfromtheretothespot；itwasadistanceofmorethantwomilesbyland，stilldeVauxthoughtitbesttobedone；whilehehimselfandStebbinsseizedanotherpairofoars，andsetoffatfullspeedintheoppositedirection，tothenearestpoint，aboutamilefromthewharf，beyondwhichStrykerwasfishingwiththeirownboat，intendingtocarryherinstantlytothereliefofthepartyintheschooner。

Harrythoughtofhisfriend；Charliecouldnotswim，hehimselfwasaremarkablygoodswimmer。Itmustbesomelittletimebeforeeitherboatcouldreachthecapsizedschooner，andintheinterval，twoatleastofthefourindividualsinthePetrel，werehelplessandinimminentperil。TheideaofCharlie\'sdangerdecidedhiscourse；inamomenthehadcastoffhisclothes，andwithBrunoathisside——afaithfulallyatsuchamoment——hehadthrownhimselfintothewater，confidentthathecouldswimthedistancehimselfwithease。

Thenexthalf-hourwasoneoffearfulanxiety。Theguststillragedwithsullenfury；theshowerfromeastward，collectedamongthemistsoftheocean，andthearrayfromthewest，gatheredamidthewoodsandmarshesoftheland，metwithafierceshockontheshoresoftheVineyard。Thethunderandlightningwereunusuallysevere，severalboltsfallingwithinashortdistanceaboutthebay；therainpouringdowninadensesheet，asthewinddrovecloudaftercloudoverthespotinitsstormyflight。

Andamidthissceneofviolencefourhumanbeingswerestrugglingforlife，whiletheiranxiousfriendswerehurryingtotheirrelief，witheverynervealive。FrederickSmithwasthefirstwhoroseafterthePetrelcapsized；inanothermomenthesawtheheadoftheboyemergefromthewateratalittledistance；theladcouldswim，andbothhadsoongainedtheportionofthelittleschooner\'shullwhichwaspartiallybare，thoughconstantlywashedbythewaves。Anotherminute，andSmithsawamidthesprayCharlie\'shead；heknewthatHubbardcouldnotswim，andmovedtowardshimwithacryofencouragement。

“Here！”repliedtheyoungpainter；buthehaddisappearedbeforeSmithcouldreachhim。

Afreshblastofwind，rain，andhailpassedoverthespot；SmithmovedaboutcallingtoHubbardandthenegro；buthereceivednoanswerfromeither。

“There\'soneofthem！”criedtheboyeagerly；heswamtowardstheobjecthehadseen，butitprovedtobeonlyahat。

BothreturnedtothePetrel\'sside，watchingascloselyastheviolenceofthewindandrainwouldpermit。Notatraceofthenegrowasseen；yetSmiththoughthemusthaverisentothesurfaceatsomepointunobservedbythem，forhewasamanofalarge，corpulentbody，morelikelytofloatthanmanyothers。A

secondtimeSmithwasrelievedbyseeingCharlierise，butatagreaterdistancefromthePetrel\'shull；asecondtimehestrainedeverynervetoreachhim，butagaintheyoungmansunkbeneaththewaves。

Ashoutwasnowheard。“Itistheboat！”saidSmith，asheansweredthecall。Hewasmistaken；itwasHazlehurstwhonowapproached，withBrunoathisside，guidedbythevoicesofSmithandtheboy。

“Charlie！”criedHarry，ashemadehiswaythroughthewater。

Charlie！”herepeatedagain。

“Hubbardhassunktwice，andthenegroisgone！”criedSmith。

“Cometothehullandtakebreath，“addedSmith。

Butjustashespoke，Harryhadseenanarmleftbarebyapassingwave；hemadeadesperateeffort，reachedthespot，andseizedCharlie\'sbody，cryingjoyfully，“ItisHubbard；Ihavehim！——Charlie，doyouknowme？——Charlie，speakbutaword，mygoodfellow！”

Buttheyoungmanhadlosthisconsciousness；hereturnednoanswereitherbylookorword。Harrygraspedhiscollar，holdinghisfaceabovethewater，andatthesametimemovingtowardsthePetrel\'shullasrapidlyashecould。

“HereBruno，mynobledog！That\'sright，Smith，getafirmholdontheschooner；wemustdrawhimup，hehasfainted；buttheboatsmustbeheresoon。“

SmithwasfollowingHazlehurst\'sdirections；butereBrunohadjoinedhismaster，Harry，nowwithinashortdistanceoftheschooner，suddenlycried，“Help！”——andinanothersecondbothheandCharliehaddisappearedbeneaththewater，inamannerasincomprehensible，asitwasunexpectedanddistressingtoSmith。

“He\'ssunk！”criedtheboy。

“How？——where？Surelyhewasnotexhausted！”

AhowlburstfromBruno。

“Perhapsit\'sthecramp，“saidthelad。

“Bothsunk！——Hazlehursttoo！”againexclaimedSmith，asmuchamazedashewasdistressed。Heandtheboythrewthemselvesfromtheschooner\'ssideagain，lookinganxiouslyforsometraceofHazlehurst。

“Looksharp，mylad，asyouwouldsaveafellow-creature！”

“There\'soneofthem！”criedtheboy，andinanotherinstanthehadcaughtCharliebythehair。ButnotatraceofHazlehurstwasseensincehefirstdisappeared，andthewatershadclosedsosuddenlyoverhim。CharliewascarriedtothePetrel\'sside；andwhileSmithandtheladwereendeavouringtoraisehimontheschooner，Brunowasswimminghitherandthither，howlingpiteouslyforhismaster。

Ashoutwasnowheard。

“Theboatatlast，thankHeaven！”criedSmith，returningthecall。

Aminutepassed；nothingwasseenofHarry；Charliewasraisedentirelyabovewater；whenatlengththePetrel\'sboatdashedtowardsthem，urgedbyallthestrengthoffourrowers。

“Hubbard！——Bob！”crieddeVaux，asthefirstglanceshowedhimthatbothSmithandtheboyweresafe。

“Hubbardishere，insensible——Bobgone——Hazlehurstsunk，too！”

“HazlehurstandBob，too！——Mercifulpowers！”exclaimedtheparty。

Ahurried，eagersearchsucceeded，assoonasCharlie，withSmithandSam，nowsomewhatexhaustedbyfatigueandagitation，weretakenonboard。Hubbardwasquiteinsensible；youngVanHorne，thephysician，thoughthisappearanceunfavourable，butinstantlyresortedtoeverymeanspossibleunderthecircumstances，withthehopeofrestoringanimation。StillnothingwasseenofHarry；

hisentiredisappearancewasquiteincomprehensible。

“Itmusthavebeencramp；yetIneverknewhimhaveit，andheisoneofthebestswimmersinthecountry！”saiddeVaux。

“Hemusthavefeltitcoming，andhadpresenceofmindtoloosenhisholdofHubbardatthesamemomenthecriedforhelp，“

observedSmith。

Brunowasstillswimming，nowhere，nowthere，encirclingthePetrelinwiderornarrowerreaches，howlingfromtimetotimewithasoundthatwenttotheheartsofallwhoheardhim。

Differentobjectsfloatingaboutbeguiledthepartyforaninstantwithhope，buteachtimeafewstrokesoftheoarsundeceivedthem。

SuddenlyBrunostoppedwithinashortdistanceofthePetrel，anddove；thoseintheboatwatchedhimeagerly；herosewithasharpbark，callingthemtothespot；thendoveagain，rosewithahowl，andforathirdtimedisappearedbeneaththewater。

ConvincedthathehadfoundeitherHarryorthenegro，deVauxthrewoffhiscoatandplungedintothewater，toexaminethespotthoroughly。Thedogsoonroseagainwitharopeinhismouth，pullingitwithallhisstrength，utteringatthesametimeasmotheredcry。Theropewasseizedbythoseintheboat，anddeVauxdove；hetouchedfirstonebody，thenanother；butallhisstrengthwasunequaltothetaskofraisingeither。Afterahurriedexamination，itwasfoundthatonebody，thatofthenegro，wasentangledinaropeandthusheldunderwaterfromthefirst；whileHarry\'slegwasfirmlyclenchedinthedyinggripofBlackBob，whomusthaveseizeditasHazlehurstpassed，anddrawnhimdownwardinthatway。

Inasshortatimeaspossible，HazlehurstandthenegrowereplacedintheboatbythesideofHubbard，whohadnotyetshowedanysignoflife；everyeffortwasmadetorevivethembysomeoftheparty，whiletheothersrowedwithalltheirstrengthtowardstheshore。

AllwatchedthefaceofVanHorne，theyoungphysician，withthegreatestanxiety，asheleanedfirstoverone，thenoveranother，directingthelaboursoftherest。

“Surelytheremustbesomehope！”crieddeVauxtohim。

“Wewillleavenoeffortuntried，“repliedtheother；thoughhecouldnotlooksanguine。

Theboatfromthemostdistantpoint，rowedbythestewardandaboyfromthefarm-house，nowjoinedthem；andthosewhocouldnotbeofuseinassistingVanHorne，passedintoher，takingtheiroars，andtowingtheboatoftheill-fatedPetrelwithhermelancholyburdentowardsthebeach。Brunocouldnotbemovedfromhisoldmaster\'sside；itwaspainfultoseehimcrawlingfromonebodytotheother，withasmuchwatchfulness，asmuchgrief，andalmostasmuchintelligenceasthesurvivingfriends；

nowcrouchingatthecoldfeetofHazlehurst，nowlickingthestiffhand，nowraisinghimselftogazewistfullyattheinanimatefeaturesoftheyoungman。

Theshowerwaspassingover；therainsoonceased，thecloudsbrokeaway，thesunburstagaininfullgloryuponthebay，thebeach，thewoods，throwingabrilliantbowovertheisland。Butthreeofthoseuponwhomithadshoneonlyanhourearlier，werenowstretchedcoldandlifelessonthesands；whilethemourningsurvivorswerehanginginheartfeltgriefoverthebodiesofthetwofriendsandthenegrosailor。

CHAPTERXXII。{XLV}

“Ande\'entowakefulconscienceunconfest，Herfear，hergrief，herjoywerehisalone。“

COLERIDGE。{sic}

{ReginaldHeber(Englishpoet，1783-1826)，“Morted\'Arthur：A

Fragment“linesII。534-535}

THEmelancholydisasterofthePetrelhappenedonMonday；itwasnotuntiltheThursdayfollowingthattheeviltidingsreachedLongbridge。

Elinor，accompaniedbyMaryVanAlstyne，setoutquiteearlyinthemorningtopaysomevisitsatdifferentcountry-housesintheneighbourhood。Theyhadbeenoutsomelittletime，havingdrivenseveralmiles，andmadethreeorfourcalls，whentheyreachedMrs。VanHorne\'s。Onenteringtheparlourtheyfoundthemistressofthehousewasnotthere，butamuchlessagreeableperson，theelderMrs。Tibbs，thegreatestgossipinLongbridge。

“Iamgladtoseeyouthismorning，youngladies，“shesaid。

“Thankyou，ma\'am；itisaverypleasantmorning，certainly，“

repliedElinor，asshetookaseatonthesofa。

“Verypleasant，yes；butIwasfearfulyoumighthavebeenkeptathomebythebadnewsweLongbridgepeoplehavejustheard。“

“Itdoesnotseemtohavekeptyouathomeeither，Mrs。Tibbs，whateveritmaybe，“repliedElinor，smiling；forsheknewthatanynews，whethergoodorbad，alwayssetthisladyinmotion。

Littledidthepooryounggirlsuspectthenatureoftheintelligencethatawaitedher！

“No；Ithoughtmygoodfriend，Mrs。VanHorne，mightfeeluneasyaboutherson，andcameovertobewithher。“

“Mrs。VanHorne！Hasanythinghappenedtothefamily？”

“Youhaven\'theardthenewsthen？——Iamsurprisedatthat。ButhereisanaccountoftheaccidentintheNewHavenEagle。Ithasmadeusallfeelquitedreadfullyathome！”

“Whathashappened？——Praytellus！”exclaimedElinor，nowlookingalarmed。

“Hereistheaccount；butperhapsyouhadbetterletMissMaryreadit；shewasnotsointimatewiththedeceased。“

“Whatisit？——letmeseethepaper，Mary。AnaccidenttooneoftheVanHornes！”andshetookthesheetfromthetable。Hereyeimmediatelyfellonthefollowingarticle：

“Ourcitywaspainfullyexcitedthismorningbytheintelligencewhichreachedhere，ofadistressingaccidenttoabeautifullittleschooner，thepropertyofHubertdeVaux，Esq。，ofNewYork，whichwasseeninourwatersonlyafewdayssince，andattracteduniversaladmirationinourport。“

Elinor\'seyescouldseenofarther；shestretchedoutthepapertohercousin，sayinginafaintvoice，“Mary，read！”

MaryVanAlstynetookthepaper，andcontinuedsilentlytolookoverthepassage。

“Thislittleschooner，boundonacruiseofpleasure，hadreachedMartha\'sVineyard，when，duringthesuddensquallwhichpassedoverthissectionalsoonMonday，shecapsized，andmelancholytorelate，fourpersonslosttheirlives。ThepartyconsistedofMr。

deVauxhimself，ColonelStryker，andMr。VanHorne，ofNewYork；

CharlesHubbard，Esq。，thedistinguishedyoungartist；HenryHazlehurst，Esq。，oursecretaryofLegationtothecourtofRussia，wherehewasshortlytoproceedwithMr。Henley，ourEnvoy；andalsoFrederickSmith，Esq。，ayounggentlemanfromPhiladelphia。Therewereinadditionfivemeninthecrew。WeregrettoaddthatMr。HazlehurstandMr。Hubbard，anegrosailorknownasBlackBob，andanotherman，namenotmentioned，weredrowned；thebodieswereallrecovered，buteveryefforttorestorelifeprovedunavailing。“

MaryVanAlstynehadstrongnerves，butthesuddennessofthesemelancholytidings，andadreadoftheeffectuponElinor，madeherturndeadlypale。

“Tellme，Mary，“saidhercousinfaintly。

Marywaitedamomenttorecoverherself，whenthequestionwasanxiouslyrepeated。ShetookElinor\'shandandsatdownbyherside，usingeveryprecautionofdelicacyandtendernessinbreakingthebadnewstohercousin；sheapproachedtheworstasgraduallyasshecould，andmentionedeveryfavourablecircumstancefirst；whileElinorsattremblingineverylimb，yetendeavouringtoretaincommandoverhersensesandherfeelings。

Butitwasinvain；whenMarywasatlengthforcedtoconfessthattwooftheirfriendswereamongthelost，Elinorputherhandtoherheart，whilehereyeswerefixedonhercousin\'slips；whenthenameofHazlehurstwasatlengthreluctantlypronounced，shestartedfromherchair，andfellquiteinsensibleonthefloor，athercompanion\'sfeet。

Itwasalongtimebeforeshecouldberestored。Mrs。VanHorneandthedoctor，whowashappilyinthehouse，didallintheirpowertorelievetheiryoungfriend；andMrs。Tibbswasreallyquitedistressedandmortified，whenshefoundtheeffectsofherallusiontotheaccidentweresoserious。

“Pooryoungthing！——I\'dnonotion，Mrs。VanHorne，thatshewouldhavetakenitsomuchtoheart。Doyousupposeshewasengagedtooneoftheyounggentlemen？”

AnimploringlookfromMaryVanAlstynesaidtothedoctorasplainlyaslookcouldspeak，“Dosendheraway！”

Thedoctorwasveryreadytodoso，andbyvirtueofhismedicalauthorityrequestedthegossiptowalkintotheotherroom，wherehepermittedhimselftogiveherasharpreprimandforhavingbeeninsuchhastetotelltheeviltidings。

ItwassometimebeforeElinorfullyrecoveredherconsciousness；

herfirstwordsexpressedawishtobecarriedhome。

“Home，Mary，“shesaidfaintly。

Mrs。VanHorne，whowasdeeplyinterestedinheryoungfriend，wasanxioussheshouldremainwhereshewasuntilherstrengthhadentirelyreturned。

“Iamstrongnow，“saidElinorfeebly，makinganefforttorise。

Marylookedinquiringlyatthedoctor。

“Youshallgoinafewminutes，mydearMissElinor，“saidthedoctorafteraninstant\'shesitation；hethoughtitbestthatsheshoulddoso，butdeterminedthathiswifeandhimselfwouldaccompanyhertoWyllys-Roof。

“Mary，“saidElinor，withaneffort，lookingtowardsMrs。VanHorne，“askif——“

MaryguessedthatshewishedtoknowiftheVanHorneshadheardanythinginadditiontotheaccountinthepaper。Withoutspeaking，shelookedthequestion。

“Wehavehadafewlines，sentusbyMrs。deVauxfromNewYork，“

saidMrs。VanHorne，gently。

Elinorclosedhereyes，andfellbackagainonthecushion。

“Youmustnottalk，mydear，“saidthedoctorkindly。

YoungdeVauxhadinfactwrittenalineortwotohismother，whowasinNewYork，bytheboatwhichhesentoffimmediatelytoengageasmallsteamer，assoonasthesquallhadpassedover；

andthisnotehadbeenconsideratelyforwardedbyMrs。deVauxtotheVanHornes，asitmentionedthesafetyoftheirownson。Itranasfollows：

“Martha\'sVineyard。

“MYDEARMOTHER：——Wearegreatlydistressedbyamelancholyaccidentwhichbefellusscarceanhoursince。ThePetrelcapsized；mostofourpartyaresafe；buttwoofmyfriendsaregone，HazlehurstandHubbard！Youwillunderstandourgrief；mineespecially！Weshallreturnimmediately。

“Yourson，H。deV。“

ThedoctorhandedthisnotetoMary，atamomentwhenMrs。VanHornewasbendingoverElinor。

InafewminutesElinormadeanotherrequesttobecarriedhome。

“Praytakemehome，doctor，“shesaid；“Icangonow。“

Thedoctorfeltherpulse，andobservingthatalthoughveryfeeble，sheseemedtohavecommandofherself，hethoughttheairandmotionwouldbeofservice。Thecarriagewasordered，shetookarestorative，andmakingagreatefforttorally，leaningonthedoctor\'sarmshewalkedtothedoor。Dr。andMrs。VanHorneaccompaniedher，aswellashercousin。

“Thankyou，“shesaidwithherusualgentleness，assheremarkedtheirkindintention，andthenthrowingherselfbackinherseatsheclosedhereyes；herfacewasdeadlypale，largetearswouldforcethemselvesslowlyfrombeneathhereyelids，andashudderpassoverherlimbs；andyetitwasevidentshemadeastrongefforttocontrolheremotion。Therewassomethinginherwholeexpressionandmanner，thatboreallthestampofthedeepestfeeling；itwasnocommonnervousness，noshockofsuddensurprise，normerelyfriendlysympathy；itwastheexpressionofunalloyedgriefspringingfromtheverydepthsofanobleheart。

EvenDr。VanHorne，whosenerveshadbeenhardenedbytheexerciseofyearsamidscenespeculiartohiscalling，couldscarcelyrefrainfromsheddingtears，ashelookedwithcompassionandwithrespectathisyoungfriend。Sheseemedquiteindifferenttotheobservationofothers；herheartandmindwereapparentlyengrossedbyoneidea，onefeeling，andallherstrengthengagedinfacingoneevil。

Mrs。VanHornehadnotsupposedthatthebadnewswouldhaveaffectedhersodeeply，norwasMaryVanAlstynepreparedfortheresult；buthoweverElinormighthavehithertodeceivedherself，howevermuchherfriendsmighthavemisunderstoodher，thetruthwasnowonlytooclear；herhearthadspokentooloudlytobemisunderstood——itwaswhollyHazlehurst\'s。

Theydroveonsteadilyandslowly，thesilenceonlyinterruptedbyoccasionalremarksofElinor\'scompanions，astheyofferedhersomeassistance。WhentheycameinsightoftheHubbardcottage，MaryVanAlstyne\'sheartsunkanew，assherememberedtheblowwhichhadalsofallenupontheirgoodneighbours。

Elinor\'seffortsforself-commandincreasedasshedrewnearhome——forthesakeofherfriends，herauntandgrandfather，shestrainedeverynerve；butonreachingthehouseitwasinvain，herresolutiongavewayentirelywhenshesawBrunolyinginhisusualplaceonthepiazza。Shebecamesomuchagitatedthatitwasfearedshewouldagainfallintoadeepswoon，andshewascarriedfromthecarriagetoasofainthedrawing-room。NeitherMissAgnesnorMr。Wyllyswasathome；theyhadgonetotheirafflictedneighbourstheHubbards。Anexpresshadbroughtareportofthemelancholycatastrophe，nothalfanhourafterElinorhadleftWyllys-Roofinthemorning；thelifelessbodyofourpooryoungfriend，Charlie，wastoreachLongbridgethatafternoon，andHubertdeVauxhadcometorequestMissAgnestobreakthesadtruthtothebereavedmotherandsister。Janealsowasabsent，shewasinNewYorkwiththeTaylors；butElinor\'sfaithfulnurseandtheoldblackcookcamehurryingtoherassistance，assoonastheyknewshehadreachedthehousesomuchindisposed。

{“express“=specialmessenger}

MissAgneswassentfor；butElinorhadrevivedagainwhenherauntreturned，thoughshewasstillsurroundedbytheanxiouscircle，Mary，theVanHornes，hernurse，andoldHetty。Whensheheardthefootstepsapproaching，shemadeanefforttoraiseherself，withasortofinstinctivedesiretospareherauntasightofallherweakness。

“Youhadbetterliestill，mydearMissElinor，“saidthedoctorkindly，offeringheraglassofsomerestorative。

MissAgnesenteredtheroomandadvancedanxiouslytothesofa。

“Mypoorchild！”exclaimedMissWyllys。“Whatisit，doctor？——illness？”sheaddedanxiously。

Thedoctorshookhishead。“Sheheardthenewstoosuddenly，“hesaid。

Mr。Wyllysnowfollowedhisdaughter。Elinorturnedhereyestowardsthedoorasheentered；acryburstfromherlips——shesawHazlehurst！

Yes，Hazlehurststandinginthedoorway，lookingpaleanddistressed，butliving，breathing，moving！

InanothersecondElinorhadstartedtoherfeet，sprungtowardshim，andthrownherselfinhisarms——heedlessofthefamily，heedlessoffriendsandservantsabouther，forgettinginthatonesuddenrevulsionoffeeling，thewholeworldbutHarry。

{“revulsion“=asuddenchangeoffeeling}

Hazlehurstseemedquiteforgetfulhimselfoftheeveryday{sic}

rulesofsociety，andthemerelyfriendlypositioninwhichtheyhadstoodatparting，butaweekbefore；hiswholeexpressionandmannernowbetrayedaninterestinElinortoostrongtobedisguised，andwhichcouldbeexplainedinonewayonly。

Allthiswastheworkofamoment；thevariousdegreesofamazement，producedbythesuddenappearanceofHarry，onsomeindividualsofthegroupofspectators，thesurpriseofothersatthestrongemotionsbetrayedbytheyoungcouplehadnotsubsided，whenanexclamationfromHazlehursthimselfagainfixedtheirattentionentirelyonElinor。

“Shehasfainted！”hecried，andcarriedhertothesofa。

Butjoyislifetotheheartandspirits；Elinorlostherconsciousnessforamomentonly。SheraisedhereyesandfixedthemuponHazlehurst，whostillheldoneofherhands。

“ItisHarry！”sheexclaimed，andburstintotears。Shefeltthathewassafe，thathewasbyherside；shealreadyfeltthathelovedher，thattheyunderstoodeachother；andyetshewasstillquiteincapableofgivinganythinglikeareasonforwhathadpassed。Itwasallconfusioninhermind，allindistinctbuttheblessedtruththatHarrywassafe，accompaniedbyahopeshehadnotdaredtocherishforyears。Shewasstillfeebleandagitated，hercolourvaryingwitheverybeatofherheart；herfacenowcoveredwithadeepnaturalblushatthesoundofHarry\'svoice，attheexpressionofhiseye；nowdeadlypaleagainasshecaughtsomeallusiontothePetrel。

ThedoctorrecommendedthatsheshouldbeleftalonewithMissWyllys。Hergrandfatherkissedhertenderlyandlefttheroom，aswellastherestoftheparty；withoneexception，however——Hazlehurstlingeredbehind。

Havingreachedtheadjoiningroom，explanationswereexchangedbetweenthefriends。Mr。WyllyslearnedthatElinorandtheVanHorneshadsupposedHarrylost，fromthepaper，andthefirsthurriednoteofdeVaux。WhentheyarrivedatWyllys-Roof，therewasnoonetheretogivethemanylaterinformation；MammySarah，thenurse，knewnomorethanthemselves；shehadheardtheBroadlawnstory，afterhavingseenyoungdeVauxleavethehousewithMissAgnes，whentheyfirstwenttotheHubbards\'。

Hazlehursthadnotaccompaniedhisfriend，forhehadseenMr。

Wyllysinaneighbouringfield，andwenttheretogivehimtheinformation；andthencetheyhadbothgonetothecottage，wheretheyremaineduntilMrs。ClappandMr。JosephHubbardarrivedfromLongbridge。NeitherMr。WyllysnorMissAgneshadreceivedtheleastintimationoftheaccident，untiltheyheardacorrectaccountfromdeVaux，andHarryhimself；consequentlytheyhadnotfeltthesamealarmforHazlehurst。

Dr。andMrs。VanHorneweremuchgratifiedbyhearing，thatHazlehurst\'srestorationwasowingtothedevotedperseveranceoftheirson；foritwasonlyaftereveryoneelsehadgivenupthehopeofrevivinghim，afterlongandceaselessexertions，thatsignsoflifewerediscovered。Theyalsonowlearnedthecircumstancesoftheaccident，thefactthattwoinsteadoffourpersonswerelost，andtheyfoundthatitwasinendeavouringtosaveCharliethatHarryhadsonearlylosthisownlife。Butweleavethemtogethertoexpresstheirnaturalfeelingsofgratitudeforthosewhohadescaped，sympathywiththesufferers，theirsurpriseatHarry\'sappearance，andallthevaryingemotionsofsuchamoment。

Whilethisconversationwaspassinginoneroom，Elinorwasinsomemeasurerecoveringfromthefirstsuddenshockofthemorningintheother。Harryseemedfullydeterminedtomaintainhispostatherside，andstillkeptpossessionofherhand；infact，thesolemn，anxiousmoment，hallowedbygrief，atwhichthedisclosureoftheirmutualfeelingshadbeenmade，seemedtobanishallcommon，pettyembarrassments。MissAgnesandHarryrequiredbutawordandalooktoexplainmatters；theauntalreadyunderstooditall。

“PoorCharlie！”exclaimedElinor，withahalf-inquiringlook，asifwithafainthopethathetoomighthavereturned，likeHarry。

“Ourfriendisgone，dearest！”saidHarry，hiseyesmoistenedwithtearsashespoke。

Elinorwept，andasilenceofaminuteensued。“Hispoormother，andhissister！”sheexclaimedatlength。

“Histwomothers，rather，“saidHarry，withafalteringvoice。

Afteranothersilence，ElinorturnedtoHazlehurstwithananxiouslook，saying：

“Andyourotherfriends？”

“Allsafe；love。“

“Thecrewtoo？”

“Oneofthecrewislost；BlackBob，asailorfromLongbridge。“

“Irememberhim；hehadnofamilyIbelieve，Aunt，“shesaid。

“None，mychild，thatIhaveeverheardof。“

“TheheaviestblowhasfallenupontheHubbards，“saidHarry。

Afterapause，inwhichauntandniecehadprayedforthemourners，Elinoragainmadesomeinquiries。

“WereallinthePetrelatthetime？”askedElinor。

“SmithandourpoorCharlie，thenegroandaboywerecrossingabayinthePetrel，whenshecapsized，bythebadmanagementofthenegro，whohadbeendrinking。Therestofuswereonshore。“

“Youwerenotinanydangerthen？”saidElinor，asifrelievedthathehadnotevenbeenexposedtopastperil。

“IowemylifetomyfriendVanHorne，“hereplied。

Elinorshuddered，andturneddeadlypaleagain。Harrythrewhisarmsaboutherandembracedherfervently，untilElinor，whohadnowpartiallyrecoveredthecommoncurrentofherideas，madeagentlestruggletoreleaseherself。

“ButyouwerenotinthePetrel？”shesaidagain，asifanxioustounderstandallthatrelatedtohim。

“Weallwenttoourfriendsassoonaswesawtheschoonercapsize，“saidHarry。

“HubertdeVauxtoldmethatHarryswamsomedistance，withthehopeofsavingpoorCharles，whocouldnotswimhimself，“saidMissAgnes。“Itwasinthatway，mychild，thathewasexposed。“

“TosaveCharlie！——thatwaslikeyou，“saidElinor，withaglowonhercheek。

“Therewasnodanger——nomeritwhateverindoingso——Ihaveoftenswumfarther，“saidHarry；“theonlydifficultywascausedbymybecomingentangledinsomeropes，whichdrewmeunderwater。“

“Butwherewastheboat？”

“Itwasnotathandatthemoment；theybroughtitassoonaspossible。“

“DidCharliespeak？”askedElinor，sadly。

“MypoorfriendwasinsensiblewhenIreachedhim。“

Againamoment\'spauseensued。

“Imustnotforgettotellyou，love，thatweoweagreatdealtoanotherfriendofours，“saidHarry，smiling。“YouwillbegladtohearthatBrunobehavednobly；hefirstdiscoveredtheropesinwhichwewereentangled。“

“Bruno！——Whereismynobledog？Praycallhim；letmeseehim！”

Harrywenttothedoor，andtherewasBrunolyingacrossthethreshold，asifwaitingtobeadmitted；hecameinatHarry\'scall，butnotwithhisusualbound；heseemedtounderstandthatifhisoldmasterhadbeensaved，hismaster\'sfriendwaslost。

ThenoblecreaturewasmuchcaressedbyMissWyllysandElinor；

andwearenotashamedtoconfessthatthelatterkissedhimmorethanonce。Atlength，MissAgnesobservingthatherniecewasverymuchrecovered，rosefromherseat，andstoopingtokissElinor\'sforehead，placedherhandinthatofHarry，sayingwithmuchfeeling，asshejoinedthem，“Godblessyou，mychildren！”

andthenlefttheroom。

AsforwhatpassedafterMissAgnesleftheryoungfriends，wecannotsay；BrunowastheonlywitnesstothatinterviewbetweenHarryandElinor，andasBrunowasnotell-tale，nothinghasevertranspiredonthesubject。Wemaysuppose，however，thattwoyoungpeople，stronglyattachedtoeachother，unitedundersuchpeculiarcircumstances，didnotpartagainuntilaconclusiveandsatisfactoryexplanationhadtakenplace。HarrynodoubtwasenabledtoquietanyscrupleshemayhavefeltwithregardtoEllsworth；andprobablyElinorwasassured，thatshehadentirelymistakenHazlehurst\'sfeelingsduringthepastsummer；thatMrs。

Creightonwashisfriend\'ssister，andacharmingwoman，butnotthewomanheloved，notthewomanhecouldeverlove，afterhavingknownhisElinor。Then，asbothpartieswerefrankandwarm-hearted，astheyhadknowneachotherforyears，andhadjustbeenreunitedundercircumstancessosolemn，therewasprobablymoretruth，lessreserve，andpossiblymoretendernessthanusualatsimilarmeetings。Doubtlessthereweresomesmiles；

andtojudgefromthetoneofbothpartiesonseparating，wethinkthatsometearsmusthavebeenshed。Wearecertainthatamidtheirownintimatepersonalcommunications，theyoungfriendsodeartoboth，sorecentlylost，wasmorethanonceremembered；

whileatthesametimeitisafact，thatanothercommunicationofsomeimportancetoHarry，thedisclosuresofStebbins，wasforgottenbyhim，ordeferreduntiltheinterviewwasinterrupted。Mr。WyllysenteredtoletHarryknowthatHubertdeVauxhadcomeforhim。

“DeVauxisherewaitingforyou，Harry，“saidMr。Wyllys，openingthedrawing-roomdoor。

“Isitpossible，mydearsir？——Isitsolate？”exclaimedHarry。

ItwasinfactdeVaux，cometoaccompanyHarrytoLongbridge，tomeetthebodyofourpoorCharlie：soclosely，onthateventfulday，werejoyandsadnessmingledtothefriendsatWyllys-Roof。

Elinorhadrisenfromherseatashergrandfatherapproached。

“Youfeelbetter，mychild，“hesaidkindly。

“Iamhappy，grandpapa！——happyasIcanbeTO-DAY！”sheadded，blushing，andweeping，andthrowingherarmsabouthisneck。

“Itisallright，Isee。Mayyoubeblessed，together，mychildren！”saidthevenerableman，unitingtheirhands。

Afteraninstant\'ssilence，Elinormadeamovementtoleavetheroom。

“IamgoingtoLongbridge，butIshallhopetoseeyouagainintheevening，“saidHarry，beforeshelefthim。

“Whenyoucomeback，then。YouaregoingtoLongbridge，yousay？”

“Yes，“SaidHarrysadly；“tomeetVanHorneandSmith，with——“

Elinormadenoreply；sheunderstoodhissaderrand；offeredhimherhandagain，andlefttheroom。Sheretiredtoherownapartment，andremainedtherealoneforalongtime；andtheretheyounggirlfellonherknees，andofferedupmostfervent，heartfeltthanksgivingsforthesafetyofoneshelovedtruly，oneshehadlongloved，sorecentlyrescuedfromthegrave。

Thatafternoon，justastheautumnsunwassinkingtowardsthewoods，throwingarich，warmglowoverthecountry，asimpleprocessionwasseenmovingslowlyandsadlyovertheLongbridgehighway。ItwasthebodyofCharlieHubbard，broughthomebyhisfriends，topassafewhoursbeneathhismother\'sroof，ereitwasconsignedtoitslastresting-placeunderthesod。Wehavenotyetdaredtointrudeuponthestrickeninmatesoftheoldgreycottage；weshallnotattempttopainttheirgrief，suchgriefissacred。Thebereavedmother，half-infirminbodyandmind，seemedtofeeltheblowwithoutfullyunderstandingit：

Patsey，poorPatseyfelttheafflictionfully，comprehendeditwholly。Charliehadbeenheridolfrominfancy；shehadwatchedovertheboywithanengrossingaffection，anearnestdevotion，whichcouldbeonlycomparedtoamother\'slove，whichmightclaimamother\'ssacredname。Shewasentirelyovercomewhentheyoungartist\'sbodywasbroughtintothehouse，andplacedinthecoffin，beneathhisfather\'sportrait。

“Myboy！——mybrother！——Charlie！”shecriedwildly；allherusualcalmness，herusualfirmnessgivingwayatthemoment，astheyoungfaceshelovedsotenderlywasfirstdisclosedtoherview，paleandlifeless。Butthefinefeaturesoftheyoungartist，almostfeminineintheirdelicatebeauty，returnednoansweringglance——theywererigid，cold，andpartiallydiscolouredbydeath。

HazlehurstanddeVauxpassedthenightbesidethebodyoftheirfriend；MissAgnesandMrs。VanHornewerewiththebereavedmotherandsisters。

Earlyonthefollowingmorning，Mr。WyllysandElinorcametotakealastlookattheiryoungfriend。

\'Canitindeedbetrue？——Charliegoneforever，gonesosuddenly！\'thoughtElinor，assheleanedoverhisbody，weepingwiththesincere，heartfeltgriefofatruefriend，untilHazlehurst，painedbyheremotion，gentlydrewheraway；not，however，beforeshehadbentoverpoorCharlie，andgentlykissedthediscolouredforeheadofheryoungcompanion，forthefirstandthelasttime。

Patsey\'sgrief，thoughnotlessdeep，wasmorecalmthanatfirst。Againandagainshehadreturnedtoheryoungbrother\'scoffin，withvaryingfeelings；nowoverwhelmedbypoignantgrief，nowpartiallysoothedbythefirstbalmofholyresignation；nowalone，nowaccompaniedbyherfriends。Once，earlythatmorning，theinfirmmotherwasbroughtintotheroomtolookforthelasttimeonthefaceofherson；shewascarriedinachairandplacedbythecoffin，thenassistedtorisebyMissAgnesandherdaughterKate。Hertearsflowedlong，fallingonherboy\'scold，butstillbeautifulfeatures；shewipedthemawayherself，andwithanhumblephraseofresignation，inthewordsofScripture，expressedthethoughtthaterelongsheshouldbelaidbyhisside。Her\'swasnotthebitter，livinggriefofPatsey；shefeltthatshewasnearthegraveherself。Tearsofgentle-heartedwomenwerenottheonlytearswhichfelluponCharlie\'sbier；hisuncles，hiselderbrothers，andmorethanonetruefriendwerethere。Butamidallthestrong，contendingemotionsofthosewhocrowdedthehumbleroom，whohungoverthecoffin，stillthatyouthfulformlayrigidinthefearfulchill，theawfulsilenceofdeath；he，whosebrighteye，whosepleasantsmilehadneveryetmetthelookofafriendwithoutthequickglanceofintellect，ortheglowofkindlyfeeling。Patseyfeltthechange；

shefeltthatthebeingshelovedwasnotallthere，thedearerportionwasalreadybeyondhersight——andwiththisreflectioncametheblessedconsolationsofChristianhope；fortheunfeignedfaithandthepenitentobedienceoftheChristian，hadbeenknowntoCharlieHubbardfromchildhood；norhadtheyeverbeenforgottenbytheyoungman。

Soonaftersun-rise，friendsandneighboursbegantocollect；

theycamefrommilesaround，allclassesandallages——forthefamilywasmuchrespected，andtheirsuddenbereavementhadexcitedgeneralcompassion。Thelittledoor-yardandthehumbleparlourwerefilled，withthosewhojustlyclaimedthenameoffriends；thehighwayandanadjoiningfieldwerecrowdedwithneighbours。

Afterasolemnprayerwithinthehouse，thosewhohadlovedthedeadfixedtheireyesforthelasttimeonhisfeatures；thecoffinwasclosedfromthelight，thebodywascarriedforthelasttimeoverthethreshold，itwasplacedonacarriage，andthelivingcrowdmovedaway，followingthedead，withtheslow，heavymovementofsorrow。Themother，thesisters，andthenearestfemalefriendsremainedinprivacytogetheratthehouseofmourning。AsthefuneraltrainmovedalongthehighwaytowardsLongbridge，itgraduallyincreasedinlength；thedifferentdwellingsbeforewhichitpassedhadtheirwindowsclosed，asasimpletokenofsympathy，andonapproachingthevillage，onebellafteranotherwasheard，tollingsadly。ThehearsepausedforamomentbeforethehouseofMr。JosephHubbard；thosewhohadcomethusfarincarriagesalighted，andjoinedbyotherscollectedinthevillage，theymovedfromthereonfoot。SeveralbrotherartistsfromNewYork，andotherassociatesoftheyoungman\'s，boretheclothwhichcoveredhiscoffin；andimmediatelyafterthenearestrelatives，theelderbrothers，andtheuncles，cameHazlehurstanddeVaux，withthewholepartyofthePetrel，andthecrewofthelittleschooner：andsincerelydidtheymourntheiryoungfriend；itisseldomindeedthatthesimplefeelingofgriefandcompassionpervadesawholefuneraltrainsogenerallyasthatoftheyoungartist。ButourpoorCharliehadbeenmuchlovedbyallwhoknewhim；hewascarriedtothegraveamongoldfriendsofhisfamily，inhisnativevillage——andthereweremanytherecapableofadmiringhisgeniusandrespectinghischaracter。Astheprocessionenteredtheenclosureitpassedbeforeanew-madegrave，thatofthenegrosailor，whohadbeendecentlyinterredbythedirectionsofdeVaux，ontheprecedingevening，thepartyofthePetrelhavingalsoattendedhisfuneral。Onreachingthefinalresting-placeoftheyoungartist，amongthetombsofhisfamily，bythesideofhisfathertheminister，animpressiveprayerandashortbuttouchingaddressweremade；thecoffinwaslowered，theearththrownonit，andthegraveclosedoverCharlieHubbard：thestoryofhislifewastold。

{“enteredtheenclosure“=atChristEpiscopalChurch，inCooperstown，whichSusanFenimoreCooperattended，African-Americanswereatthistimeburiedjustinsidethechurchyardentrance，awayfromtheothergraves；“wastold“=wasended}

Harrywasthelasttoleavethespot。WhilethefuneraltrainreturnedwiththemournerstothehouseofMr。JosephHubbard，heremainedstandingbythegraveofhisfriend，hismindfilledwiththerecollectionofthebrillianthopessosuddenlyextinguished，thewarmfanciessosuddenlychilled，thebrightdreamssosuddenlyblightedbythecoldhandofdeath。Thesolemntruth，thattheshadowofdeathhadalsopassedoverhimselfwasnotforgotten；lifeinitstruecharacter，withallitsrealvalue，allitsuncertainties，allitsresponsibilities，rosemoreclearlyrevealedtohimthanithadeveryetdone；heturnedfromCharlie\'sgraveawiserman，carryingwithhim，intherecollectionofhisownunexpectedrestoration，animpulseforhigherandmoresteadfastexertioninthedischargeofduty。

ButifHazlehurst\'sthoughts，asheretracedhissolitarywaytowardsWyllys-Roof，werepartlysad，theywerenotallgloomy。

Wisdomdoesnotlessenourenjoymentofonerealblessingoflife；shemerelyteachesustodistinguishthefalsefromthetrue，andsheevenincreasesourhappinessamidtheevilsandsorrowsagainstwhichwearewarned，bypurifyingourpleasures，andgivinglifeandstrengthtoeverybetterthoughtandfeeling。

WhenHarryenteredthegateofWyllys-Roof，hisheartbeatwithjoyagain，ashesawElinor，nowhisbetrothedwife，awaitinghisreturnonthepiazza；hejoinedher，andtheyhadalongconversationtogetherinthefullnessofconfidenceandaffection。TheywereatlengthinterruptedbyMissAgnes，whoreturnedfromtheHubbards\'。TheyoungpeopleinquiredparticularlyafterMissPatsey。

“Sheismuchmorecalmthanshewasyesterday；morelikeherself，moreresigned，thinkingagainofothers，attendingtoMrs。

Hubbard；sheseemsalreadytohavefoundsomeconsolingthoughts。“

“Itseems，indeed，“saidHarry，“asifHubbard\'smemorywouldfurnishconsolationtohisfriendsbytheverygreatnessoftheirloss；hischaracter，hisconduct，werealwayssoexcellent；thebestconsolationforMissPatsey。“

“Itistouchingtoseethatexcellentwoman\'sdeepaffectionforone，sodifferentfromherselfinmanyrespects，“observedMr。

Wyllys。

“Fraternalaffectionisaverystrongtie，“saidMissAgnesgently。

Shemighthaveaddedthatitisoneofthemosthonourabletothehumanheart，asitispeculiartoourrace。Othernaturalaffections，eventhebest，maybepartiallytracedamongtheinferiorbeingsofcreation；somethingoftheconjugal，paternal，andfilialattachmentmayberousedforamomentinmostlivingcreatures；butfraternalaffectionisknowntomanalone，andwouldseeminitsperfectdisinterestedness，almostworthytopassunchangedtoahighersphere。

“Ihaveoftenthought，“saidMr。Wyllys，“thattheaffectionofanunmarriedsisterforabrotherorasister，whosechiefinterestsandaffectionsbelongbyrighttoanother，ifnotthemosttender，issurelythemostpurelydisinterestedandgenerouswhichthehumanheartcanknow：andsinglewomenprobablyfeelthetiemorestronglythanothers。“

Mr。Wyllyswasthinkingwhenhespoke，ofhisdaughterAgnesandPatseyHubbard；andhemighthavethoughtofhundredsofothersinthesamecircumstances，forhappilysuchinstancesareverycommon。

“Ihaveneverhadeitherbrotherorsister，butIcanwellimagineitmustbeastrongtie，“saidElinor。

“IflatteredmyselfIhadbeenasortofbrothertoyouinoldtimes，“saidHarrysmiling。

“Yourromantic，adoptedbrothers，Nelly，arenotgoodformuch，“

saidhergrandfather。“WetriedtheexperimentwithHarry，andseehowithasturnedout；itgenerallyprovesso，eithertoomuchortoolittle。Don\'tfancyyouknowanythingaboutplain，honest，brotherlyaffection，“headded，smilingkindlyonhisgranddaughter，whosatbyhisside。

ProbablyHarrywasquiteaswellsatisfiedwiththeactualstateofthings。

“ButCharliewasalsoasontoMissPatsey，“headded，afteramoment。

“Yes；hehadbeenalmostentirelyunderhercarefromaninfant，“

repliedMissAgnes。

“PoorCharlie！——littledidIthinkthatbrightyoungheadwouldbelaidinthegravebeforemine！”saidMr。Wyllys。

Amoment\'spauseensued。

“MuchasIlovedHubbard，muchasIregrethisloss，“saidHarry，“Ishallalwaysthinkofhimwithamelancholypleasure。“

“Exceptinghisloss，theredoesnotseemindeedtobeonepainfulreflectionconnectedwithhisname，“observedMissAgnes。

“Cherishhismemorythenamongyourbetterrecollections，“addedMr。Wyllys，toHarryandElinor。“Andanoldmancantellyouthefullvalueofhappyrecollections；youwillfindonedaytheblessingofsuchtreasuresofmemory。“

“Itisalegacy，however，whichthegoodalonecanleavetheirfriends，“saidMissAgnes。

Andsoitproved，indeed；afterthefirstseveregriefofthesuddenbereavementhadpassedaway，theyoungmanwasrememberedamonghisfriendswithapeculiartenderness，connectedwithhisyouth，hisgenius，hisexcellentcharacter，hisblamelesslife，andearlydeath。LifehadbeenbutamorningtoCharlieHubbard，butitwasaglowingsummermorning；itshourshadnotbeenwasted，abused，misspent；briefastheywere，yetinpassingtheyhadbroughtblessingstohimself，tohisfellow-beings；andtheyhadlefttothosewholovedhimthebestconsolationsofmemory。

CHAPTERXXIII。{XLVI}

“IsnottrueloveofhigherpriceThanoutwardform，thoughfairtosee？”

COLERIDGE。

{SamuelTaylorColeridge(Englishpoet，1772-1834)，“Separation“

lines9-10}

HARRYhadabusyautumnthatyear。Hehadtwoimportantobjectsinview，andwithinafewweekshesucceededinaccomplishingboth。Hewasverydesirous，nowalldifficultieswereremoved，thathismarriagewithElinorshouldnotbedeferredanylongerthanwasabsolutelynecessary。

“Therecannotbetheshadowofareason，love，forwaiting，“hesaidtoherwithinafewdaysoftheexplanation。“Remember，itisnowsixyearssinceyoufirstpromisedtobecomemywife——sincewewerefirstengaged。“

“Sixyears，offandon，“saidElinorsmiling。

“Notreallyoffmorethanamoment。“

Elinorshookherheadandsmiled。

“No；notreallyoffmorethanaveryshorttime。“

“Verywell，“saidElinorarchly；“butdon\'tyouthinkthelesswesayaboutthatsecondyearthebetter？Perhapsthethirdandthefourthtoo。“

“Noindeed；Ihavebeenthinkingitallover；andinthefirstplacetherehasnotbeenamomentinthosesixyearswhenIhavenotlovedyou；thoughtomybittermortificationIconfess，therewasalsoamomentwhenIwasINLOVEwithanother，butitwasaveryshortmoment，andaverydisagreeableonetoremember。No；I

wishyoutolookwellintothosesixyears，forIhonestlythinktheywillappearmoretomycreditthanyouareatallawareof。

Ishan\'tbesatisfieduntilwehavetalkedthemoveragain，mypartatleast；Idon\'tknowthatyouwillsubmittothesameexamination。“

“Oh，youhavealreadyheardallIhavetosay，“shereplied，blushingdeeply；“Ishan\'talludetomypartofthestoryagainthislongwhile。“

Nevertheless，Harrysoonsucceededinobtainingherconsenttobemarriedwithinsixweeks；infactshemadebutfewobjectionstothearrangement，althoughshewouldhavepreferredwaitinglonger，onaccountoftherecentafflictionsofJaneandtheHubbards。

Theimportantdaysoonarrived，andtheweddingtookplaceatWyllys-Roof。Anumberoffriendsandrelativesofbothpartieswerecollectedfortheoccasion；Mrs。Stanley，RobertHazlehurstandhiswife，thelateMrs。GeorgeWyllysandhernewhusband，orasHarrycalledthem，Mr。andMrs。UncleDozie，theVanHornes，deVauxes，Bernards，andothers。MaryVanAlstynewasbridesmaid，andHubertdeVauxgroomsman。Theceremonywhichatlengthunitedourtwoyoungfriends，wasimpressivelyperformedbytheclergymanoftheparishtowhichtheWyllysesbelonged；anditmaybedoubtedwhethertherewereanothercouplemarriedthatday，inthewholewideworld，whosefeelingsastheytookthesolemnvowsweremoretrue，morehonourabletotheirnatures，thanthoseofHarryandElinor。

Talkingofvows，itwasremarkedbythespectatorsthatthegroommadehispromisesandengagementsinamoredecidedtoneofvoice，alessembarrassedmannerthanusual；for，strangetosay，yourgrooms，happymen，areoftenawkward，miserableswainsenoughinappearance；thoughitwouldbeuncharitableintheextreme，nottosupposethemalwaysaboundingininternalfelicity。Therewasalsoanotherobservationmadebyseveralofthewedding-guests，friendsofHarry，whowerethenatWyllys-Roofforthefirsttime，anditbecomesourdutytorecordtheremark，sinceitrelatedtonolessapersonthanthebride；

itwasobservedthatshewasnotasprettyasabrideshouldbe。

“Mrs。HarryHazlehurstisnobeauty，certainly，“saidAlbertDanglertoOrlandoFlyrter。

“Nobeauty！Sheisdownrightugly——I穡onderatHazlehurst\'staste！”

UnfortunatelyforElinor，thedaysarepastwhenbenevolentfairiesarrivejustattheimportantmoment，andbyatapofthewandoraphialofelixir，changethecoarsestfeatures，themostunfavourablecomplexion，intoadazzlingimageofeverythingmostlovely，mostbeautiful。Norhadshethegoodluckofcertainyoungladiesofwhomonereadsquiteoften，whoimprovesoastonishinglyinpersonalappearancebetweenfifteenandtwenty——generallyduringtheabsenceofthehero——thattheyarenottoberecognized，andasecondintroductionbecomesnecessary。No；ElinorwasnonearertobeingabeautywhenHarryreturnedfromBrazil，thanwhenhewenttoParis；shewasjustasplainontheeveningofherweddingasshewassixyearsbefore，whenfirstpresentedtothereader\'snotice。

Jane，thoughnowinwidow\'sweeds，wasjustasbeautifultoo，aswhenwefirstsawher；shewaspresentathercousin\'swedding，asElinorwishedhertobethere，althoughinadeepmourningdress。PatseyHubbardwasalsointhedrawing-roomduringtheceremony，andindeepblack；butsheleftherfriendsassoonasshehadexpressedherwarmestwishesforthehappinessofherformerpupil：sheweptassheturnedfromthehouse，forshecouldnotyetseethatwell-known，cheerfulcircleatWyllys-Roof，withoutmissingonebrightyoungfacefromthegroup。

Amongthosewhohaddeclinedinvitationstothewedding，wereMr。

EllsworthandMrs。Creighton，althoughbothhadexpressedmanygoodwishesfortheaffiancedcouple；thegentlemanwrotesincerely，butalittlesadlyperhaps，asitwasonlysixweekssincehisrefusal；theladywrotegracefully，butalittlespitefullyitisbelieved，sinceitwasnowgenerallyknownthatHarrymustrecoverentirepossessionofhisfortune。

Thisvexatiousaffairwas，infact，finallysettledaboutthetimeofHarry\'smarriage；and，thankstothedisclosuresofStebbins，itwasnolongeradifficultmattertounraveltheplot。AssoonasWilliamStanley\'srepresentative，orinotherwords，Hopgood，foundthatStebbinshadbetrayedhim，heranoff，butwasarrestedshortlyafter，triedandconvicted。Hewasnosoonersentenced，thanheofferedtoansweranyquestionsthatmightbeasked，forhewasanxiousthathisaccomplice，Clapp——whohadalsotakenflight，andsucceededineludingallpursuit——shouldbepunishedaswellashimself。ItappearedthathisresemblancetotheStanleyswasthefirstcauseofhistakingthenameofWilliamStanley；hewasdistantlyrelatedtothemthroughhismother，and，aswemayoftenobserve，thefamilylikeness，afterhavingbeenpartiallylostforoneortwogenerations，hadappearedquitestronglyagaininhimself；andasusual，thepeculiaritiesoftheresemblancehadbecomemoredeeplymarkedashegrewolder。Beingverynearlyofthesameage，andofthesamepursuitasWilliamStanley，hehadactuallybeentakenfortheyoungmanonseveraloccasions。Hehadbeeninthesamelawyer\'sofficeasClapp，whomhehadknownasaboy，andhadalwayskeptupsomeintercoursewithhim；meetinghimonedayaccidentally，herelatedthefactofhishavingpassedhimselfoffforWilliamStanleybywayofajoke。“Thesightofmeanstodoilldeeds，makesdeedsilldone：“Clappseemedfromthatmomenttohavefirsttakentheideaoftheplot；hegraduallydisclosedhisplantoHopgood，whowasquick-witted，agoodmimic，andquitecleverenoughforthepurpose。Theideawasrepeatedlyabandoned，thenresumedagain；HopgoodhavingpurposelyshippedunderthenameofWilliamStanley，severaltimes，andpractisedanimitationofWilliamStanley\'shandbywayofanexperiment。Findingnodifficultiesinthesefirststeps，theygraduallygrewbolder，collectinginformationabouttheStanleys，andcarefullyarrangingallthedetails。Stebbinshadfrightenedthemononeoccasion；butafterhavingobtainedpossessionofthepapersinhishands，Clappdeterminedtocarryouttheirplanatonce；hethoughttheprobabilityofsuccesswasstronglyintheirfavour，withsomuchevidencewithintheirreach；andthespoilsweresoconsiderable，thattheywereinhisopinionworththerisk。Theprofitsoftheirrogueryweretobeequallydivided，iftheysucceeded；andtheyhadalsoagreedthatifatanymomentmattersbegantolookbadly，theywouldmaketheirescapefromthecountrytogether。Hopgood，whowasgenerallysupposedbythosewhohadknownhim，tohavediedatNewOrleanstwentyyearssince，hadbeenoftenwithWilliamStanleywhenaladinthelawyer\'soffice；heknewthehouseandneighbourhoodofGreatwoodperfectly，andhadadistinctrecollectionofMr。Stanley，thefather，andofmanypersonsandcircumstancesthatwouldproveveryuseful。Clappeasilyobtainedothernecessaryinformation，andtheywenttoGreatwood，examiningthewholehouseandplace，inordertoreviveHopgood\'srecollections；whileatthesametimetheymadebutlittlemysteryoftheirexcursion，hopingratherthatwhendiscovereditwouldpassoffasanaturalvisitofWilliamStanleytotheoldhomewhichhewasabouttoclaim。ThewholeplanwascarefullymaturedunderClapp\'scunningmanagement；onsomedoubtfulpointstheyweretobecautious，andasetofsignalswereagreeduponformomentsofdifficulty；butgenerallytheyweretoassumeabold，confidentaspect，freelyofferinganinterviewtotheexecutors，andsendingaspecimenoftheforgedhandwritingasalettertoMrs。Stanley。ThevolumeoftheSpectatorwasathoughtofClapp\'s；hebribedaboytoadmithimintothelibraryatGreatwoodoneSunday，whenthehousekeeperwasatchurch，andheselectedthevolumewhichseemedwellsuitedtohispurpose；

removingtheboyfromtheneighbourhoodimmediatelyafter，bygivinghimhighwagesinadistantpartofthecountry。AsforMr。Reedhewascompletelytheirdupe，havingbeenhimselfhonestlyconvincedoftheidentityofClapp\'sclient。Itwasnineyearsfromthetimetheplotfirstsuggesteditself，untiltheyfinallyappearedaspublicclaimantsoftheestateandnameofWilliamStanley，andduringthattime，Clapp，whohadneverentirelyabandonedtheidea，althoughHopgoodhadrepeatedlydoneso，hadbeenabletomaturetheplanverythoroughly。

{“\'Thesightofmeanstodoilldeeds……\'“Shakespeare，“KingJohn“，IV。ii。219-220}

ThedeclarationsofStebbinsandHopgoodwereeasilyproved；andHarryhadnofurtherdifficultyinresumingpossessionofGreatwood。

Clappwasnotheardofforyears。Hiswife，littleWillie，andtwoyoungerchildren，becameinmatesoftheoldgreycottage，underthecareofMissPatsey，whostillcontinuesthesamehonest，whole-souled，benevolentbeingshewasyearsago。Patseywasnowquiteatherease，andenabledtoprovideforhersisterKateandthethreechildren，anditwastopoorCharliesheowedthemeansofdoingso；byanunusualprecautioninonesoyoung，hehadleftawill，givingeverythingheownedtohismotherandeldestsister。Shortlyafterhisdeath，someofhisfriends，Hazlehurstamongthenumber，gotupanexhibitionofallhispictures；theymadeafineandquitenumerouscollection，forCharliehadpaintedveryrapidly。Themelancholyinterestconnectedwiththeyoungpainter\'sname，hishighreputationintheparticularfieldhehadchosen，thefactthatallhispaintingswerecollectedtogether，fromthefirstviewofChewattanlaketakenwhenamereboy，tothesketchofNantucketwhichhewasretouchingbutamomentbeforehisdeath，andthesadrecollectionthathispalettewasnowbrokenforever，attractedunusualattention。Theresultofthatmelancholyexhibition，withthesaleofsomeremainingpictures，provedsufficienttoplacehismotherandsister，withtheirmoderateviews，inverycomfortablecircumstances；thusevenafterhisdeathCharlieprovedablessingtohisfamily。Inlookingovertheyoungman\'spapers，Patseyfoundsomelineswhichsurprisedher，althoughtheyexplainedseveralcircumstanceswhichshehadneverbeforefullyunderstood；theybetrayedasecret，undeclaredattachment，whichhadexpresseditselfsimplyandgracefullyinversesfulloffeelingandwellwritten。ItwasevidentfromtheselinesthatpoorCharlie\'spoeticalimagination，evenfromearlyboyhood，hadbeenfilledwiththelovelyimageofhisyoungcompanion，JaneGraham：therewasabeautifulsketchofherfaceamonghispapers，whichfromthedate，musthavebeentakenfrommemorywhileshewasinParis。Itwasclearfromthetoneoftheverses，thatCharliehadscrupulouslyconfinedhissecretwithinhisownbosom，fortherewereafewlinesaddressedtoJanesinceherwidowhood，lamentingthatgriefshouldsosoonhavethrownashadowoverthatlovelyhead，andconcludingwithafearthatshewouldlittlevalueeventhisexpressionofsympathyfromone，towhomshehadonlygivencarelessindifference，andonewhohadneveraskedmorethanthefriendshipofearlycompanionship。

Patseyhesitatedforamoment，butthendecidedthattheminiatureandtheversesshouldneverbeshown——theyshouldmeetnoeyesbutherown；Charliehadnotspokenhimself，hissecretshouldremainuntold。

Wemustnotomittomention，thatafewweeksafterCharlie\'sdeathyoungVanHorneofferedhimselftoMaryHubbard，theyoungestdaughterofthefamily；hewasaccepted，andtheconnexion，whichwasverygratifyingtoPatseyandhermother，provedahappyone。Mrs。Hubbardsurvivedherdaughter\'smarriageseveralyears。KateandherlittleoneshaveremainedattheoldgreycottagefromthetimeofClapp\'sflight；thechildrenarenowgrowinguppromisingyoungpeople，andtheyowemuchtoPatsey\'sjudiciouscare。Willie，theheroofthetemperancemeeting，isherfavourite，forshepersuadesherselfthatheislikeherlostCharlie；andinmanyrespectstheboyhappilyresembleshisunclefarmorethanhisfather。LastyearMrs。

Clappreceivedforthefirsttime，aletterinahandwritingverylikethatofherhusband；itscontentsseemeddistressing，forsheweptmuch，andheldseveralconsultationswithPatsey。Atlengthquitealittlesumwasdrawnfromtheirmodestmeans，Katepackeduphertrunk，tookleaveofhersisterandchildren，andsetoutuponalongandasolitaryjourney。Shewasabsentformonths；butletterswereoccasionallyreceivedfromher，andatlengthshereturnedtothegreycottageindeepmourning。Itwassupposedthatshewasnowawidow；andasPatseyupononesingleoccasionconfirmedthereport，theopinionmusthavebeencorrect，forPatseyHubbard\'swordwastruthitself。NopublicaccountofClapp\'sdeath，however，reachedLongbridge，andhisnamewasnevermentionedbytheHubbards；still，itseemedtobeknownatlastthatMrs。Clapphadgonetoagreatdistance，toattendherhusbandduringalongandfatalillness：andMrs。

Tibbsalsofoundoutbyindefatigableinquiries，farandnear，thataboutthesametimeoneoftheeldersofJoeSmith，theMormonimpostor，haddiedofconsumptionatNauvoo；thathehadwrittensomewhereseveralmonthsbeforehisdeath，thatadelicate-lookingwomanhadarrived，andhadnotquittedhissideaslongashelived；thatimmediatelyafterhisdeathshehadleftNauvoo，andhadgonenooneknewwhither。ItisquitecertainthatayoungmanfromLongbridgetravellingatthewest，wrotehomethathehadseenMrs。ClapponboardaMississippisteamer，justaboutthattime。Thestoryisprobablytrue，althoughnothingverypositiveisknownatLongbridge。

{“nopublicaccount“=theuncertaintysurroundingMr。Clapp\'sfateresemblesthatofJudithHutter，attheendofJamesFenimoreCooper\'s“TheDeerslayer“(1841)}

AsforHopgood，wehavealreadymentionedthathehadbeenarrested，andmostrighteouslycondemnedtoalongimprisonmentforhisshareinthatunprincipled，audaciousconspiracy。Ayearafterwards，however，itpleasedthoseinauthoritytosendhimoutintothecommunityagain；hewaspardoned——

Asallreserveisgenerallydroppedinthelastchapter，wemayaswelltellthereaderasecretofMrs。Creighton\'s。WehaveeveryreasontobelievethatshenevercaredmuchforHarry，althoughshealwayscaredagreatdealforhisfortune。Shewasdeterminedtomarryagain，fortworeasons；inthefirstplaceshedidnotwishtogivewaytoasister-in-law，andsheknewherbrotherintendedmarrying；andthenshenevercouldmanagethatbrotherasshewished；hewasbynomeansdisposedtothrowawayasmuchtime，thought，andmoneyupondissipation，asshewouldhaveliked。Shewantedarichhusband，ofcourse；Harrydidverywellineveryparticularbutone——shethoughthimtoomuchlikeherbrotherinhistastestobeallshedesired；stillhesuitedherbetterthananyofherotheradmirers，andshewouldhavebeenquitesatisfiedtoaccepthim，hadhekepthisfortune。

Withoutthatfortune，itwasaverydifferentaffair；hewasnolongertobethoughtofforamoment。Westronglysuspectalso，thattheprettywidowsawfartherthananyoneelseintothetruestateofmattersbetweenElinorandHarry，longbeforethepartiesthemselveshadhadanexplanation；andforthatreason，solongasshewasdeterminedtotakeHazlehurstforhersecondhusband，shedecidedlyencouragedEllsworth\'sattentiontoElinor。Sincewearesonearthelastpage，weshallalsoadmitthatMrs。CreightonhadquiteastrongpartialityforMr。

Stryker，whilethegentlemanwasthoroughlyinlovewithher；butneitherwasrich，andmoney，thatistosaywealth，wasabsolutelynecessaryintheopinionofbothparties；soMr。

StrykerwentofftoNewOrleansinquestofaquadroonheiressrecommendedtohim，andMrs。CreightonbecameMrs。PompeyTaylor，junior；marryingthesecondsonofthemerchant，anindividualwhowasnearlytenyearsyoungerthanherself，andresembledhisbrotherineveryrespectexceptinbeingmuchlesshandsome。ThehappycouplesailedforEuropeimmediatelyaftertheceremony。

WearesorrytosaythatMr。Taylor，thefather，sufferedseverely，notlongafterthemarriageofhissecondson，bythegreatfire；hesufferedalsointhegreatpanic，andinvariousotherpanicswhichhavesucceededoneanother。Stillhehasnotfailed，butheisapoorermanthanwhenwefirsthadthehonourofmakinghisacquaintance。Inotherrespectsheismuchwhathewasfifteenyearsago，devotedasmuchaseverandasexclusivelyasevertomakingmoney；stillvaluingeverything，visibleorinvisible，bythemarket-priceingold，silver，orbank-notes；

althoughunfortunatelymuchlesssuccessfulthanatthecommencementofhiscareer，inaccumulatingdollarsandcents；

hisseemstobe“thefruitlessrace，withoutaprize；“andyetMr。Taylorisapproachingthetimeoflifewhentheendoftheracecannotbeverydistant。

{“thegreatfire“=thefirethatdestroyedmuchofdowntownNewYorkCityin1835。“thegreatpanic……“=thefinancialpanicof1837，andthedepressionthatfollowed；“thefruitlessrace……“=

fromWilliamCowper(Englishpoet，1731-1800)，“Hope“line25}

Adelineisimprovedinmanyrespects，hermother\'sadvicehashadagoodeffectonher；stillitisamusingtoseeheralreadytrainingupseverallittlegirlsforfuturebelles，onherownpattern；ratheritisbelievedtotheannoyanceofherquiethusband。EmmaTaylorisdecidedlylesslively，shetoohavinginsomemeasurecomposedherself，afterachievingbelle-shipandmatrimony。

Mr。andMrs。UncleDozieremovedfromLongbridgenotlongaftertheirmarriage；theyhavesincereturnedthereagain，andnow，bythelastaccounts，theyareagaintalkingofleavingtheplace。

Mrs。Hilsonstillcontinuestoannoyherfamilywithaperseveringingenuity，forwhichcertainsillywomenappearpeculiarlywellqualified；attimesshetalksoftakingtheveilinanunnery，atothers，ofagainenteringthebandsofHymenwithsomeEnglisharistocratofillustriouslineage；sheconfessesthateitherstepwouldbesufficientlyromanticandaristocratictosuitherrefinedtastes，butwhichshewilleventuallyadoptcannotyetbeknown。Fortunately，hersisterEmmelinehasprofitedmuchmorethanthe“citylady“herselfbythefolliesofthepast；shehaslatelymarriedarespectableman，oneoftheirLongbridgeneighbours，muchtoherfather\'ssatisfaction。

MaryVanAlstyneremainssingle，andpassesmuchofhertimewithElinor。

SomeeighteenmonthsafterHarry\'smarriage，oneeveningashewassittingonthepiazzaatWyllys-Roof，hereceivedaletterwhichmadehimsmile；callingElinorfromthedrawing-room，hecommunicatedthecontentstoher。ItwasfromEllsworth，announcinghisapproachingmarriagewiththelovelyMrs。Taylor，orinotherwords，ourfriendJane。Harrylaughedagooddeal，andcolouredalittletoo，asheplainlysawbythetoneoftheletter，thathisfriendwasgoingthroughpreciselythesameprocessashimself，duringhisParisdays，whenhefirstdiscoveredsuchwisdominthedepthsofJane\'sdarkeyes，suchdelicacyofsentimentinthepurityofhercomplexion，suchtendernessineverycommonsmileofherbeautifullips。

Ellsworth，however，wouldprobablynotfindoutassoonashimself，thatallthesebeautiesmadeupalovelypictureindeed，butnothingmore；forhisfriendwasanacceptedsuitor，andmightindulgehimselfbykeepingagreeablefanciesaliveaslongashechose；whileHarryhadbeenratherrudelyawakenedfromhistrancebyveryshabbytreatmentinthefirstplace，andarefusalatlast。ToHazlehurst，themostamusingpartofEllsworth\'sstorywas，anallusiontoacertainresemblanceincharacterbetweenMrs。Taylorand\'onewhomhehadsomuchadmired，onewhomhemustalwaysadmire。\'

“Now，Elinor，domethejusticetosayIwasneverhalfsobadasthat；IneverpretendedtothinkJanelikeyou，inonegoodquality。“

“Itwouldbeapityifyouhad——Janehasgoodqualitiesofherown。ButIamrejoicedtohearthenews；itisanexcellentmatchforbothparties。“

“Yes；thoughJaneisalovelypuppet，andnothingmore，yetitisagoodmatchonthatveryaccount；Ellsworthwilllookafterher。

Itistobehopedtheyaresatisfied；Ithinkweare，mysweetwife；don\'tyou？”

Hisfrank，natural，affectionatesmileashespoke，wastolerablysatisfactory，certainlyastohisestimateofhisownfate；anditistobehopedthereaderisbythistimesufficientlywellacquaintedwithElinorandHarry，tocredithisaccountofthematter。Fromallweknowofboth，weareourselvesdisposedtobelievethemverywellqualifiedtopassthroughlifehappilytogether，makingthecheerfuldayspleasanter，andthedarkhourslessgloomytoeachother。

Harryseemstohavegivenuphisdiplomaticpursuitsforthepresentatleast；heremainsathome，makinghimselfusefulbothinprivateandpubliclife。LastyearheandElinorwereattheRip-Raps，accompaniedbyMr。WyllysandMissAgnes，andalittlefamilyoftheirown——severalengaging，clever，well-trainedchildren。Thelittlegirls，withoutbeingbeauties，arenotplain；theyareindeedquiteasprettyasJane\'sdaughters；theonlyuglyfaceintheyoungtroopbelongstoafine-spiritedlittlefellow，towhomitisofnoconsequenceatall，ashehasjustdiscardedhispetticoatsforever。Perhapsbothfatherandmotherarepleasedthatsuchisthecase；thefeelingwouldseemtobeoneofthoseweaknesseswhichwilllingerabouteveryparent\'sheart。YetElinoracknowledgesthatsheisherselfahappywomanwithoutbeauty；andHarry，lovingherashedoesforathousandgoodreasons，andinclinations，andpartialities，sometimesactuallybelievesthathelovesherthebetterforthatplainfacewhichappealstohismoregenerousfeelings。Manymenwillalwayslaughatanuglywoman，andtheideaoflovingher；

butisitanerrorinHazlehurst\'sbiographertosupposethatthereareotherswho，placedinsimilarcircumstances，wouldfeelasHarryfelt？

{“theRip-Raps“=searesortatHampton，Virginia；nearOldPointComfort，whereMr。EllsworthhadseenElinorinVol。II，ChapterII}

End