第7章

“Notatall，notatall。”theyoungerclergymananswered，inalanguidtone，withakindofhabitualhalf-querulousnesswhichbelongedtoit，——thevocalexpressionwhichwemeetwithnowandthen，andwhichsaysasplainlyassomanywordscouldsayit，“Iamasufferingindividual。Iampersistentlyundervalued，wronged，andimposeduponbymankindandthepowersoftheuniversegenerally。

ButIendureall。Iendureyou。Speak。Ilisten。Itisaburdentome，butIevenapprove。Isacrificemyself。Beholdthismovementofmylips！Itisasmile。”

TheReverendDoctorknewthisforlornwayofMr。Fairweather’s，andwasnottroubledbyit。Heproceededtorelatethecircumstancesofhisvisitfromtheoldblackwoman，andthefearshewasinabouttheyounggirl，whobeingaparishionerofMr。Fairweather’s，hehadthoughtitbesttocomeoverandspeaktohimaboutoldSophy’sfearsandfancies。

Intellingtheoldwoman’sstory，healludedonlyvaguelytothosepeculiarcircumstancestowhichshehadattributedsomuchimportance，takingitforgrantedthattheotherministermustbefamiliarwiththewholeseriesofincidentsshehadrelated。Theoldministerwasmistaken，aswehavebeforeseen。Mr。Fairweatherhadbeensettledintheplaceonlyabouttenyears，and，ifhehadheardastrangehintnowandthenaboutElsie，hadneverconsidereditasanythingmorethanidleandignorant，ifnotmalicious，village-

gossip。Allthathefullyunderstoodwasthatthishadbeenaperverseandunmanageablechild，andthattheextraordinarycarewhichhadbeenbestowedonherhadbeensofarthrownawaythatshewasadangerous，self-willedgirl，whomallfearedandalmostallshunned，asifshecarriedwithhersomemalignantinfluence。

Hereplied，therefore，afterhearingthestory，thatElsiehadalwaysgiventrouble。Thereseemedtobeakindofnaturalobliquityabouther。Perfectlyunaccountable。Averydarkcase。Neveramenabletogoodinfluences。HadsenthergoodbooksfromtheSunday-schoollibrary。Rememberedthatshetoreoutthefrontispieceofoneofthem，andkeptit，andflungthebookoutofthewindow。ItwasapictureofEve’stemptation；andherecollectedhersayingthatEvewasagoodwoman，——andshe’dhavedonejustso，ifshe’dbeenthere。

Averysadchild，verysad；badfrominfancy。Hehadtalkedhimselfbold，andsaidallatonce，“Doctor，doyouknowIamalmostreadytoacceptyourdoctrineofthecongenitalsinfulnessofhumannature？

Iamafraidthatistheonlythingwhichgoestothebottomofthedifficulty。”

Theoldminister’sfacedidnotopensoapprovinglyasMr。

Fairweatherhadexpected。

“Why，yes，——well，——manyfindcomfortinit，——Ibelieve；——thereismuchtobesaid，——therearemanybadpeople，——andbadchildren，——Ican’tbesosureaboutbadbabies，——thoughtheycryverymalignantlyattimes，——especiallyiftheyhavethestomach-ache。

ButIreallydon’tknowhowtocondemnthispoorElsie；shemayhaveimpulsesthatactinherlikeinstinctsintheloweranimals，andsonotcomeunderthebearingofourordinaryrulesofjudgment。”

“Butthisdepravedtendency，Doctor，——thisunaccountableperverseness。MydearSir，Iamafraidyourschoolisintherightabouthumannature。Oh，thosewordsofthePsalmist，’shapenininiquity，’andtherest！Whatarewetodowiththem，——wewhoteachthatthesoulofachildisanunstainedwhitetablet？“

“KingDavidwasverysubjecttofitsofhumility，andmuchgiventoself-reproaches。”saidtheDoctor，inaratherdryway。“Weoweyouandyourfriendsagooddealforcallingattentiontothenaturalgraces，which，afterall，may，perhaps，beconsideredasanotherformofmanifestationofthedivineinfluence。Someofourwritershavepressedrathertoohardonthetendenciesofthehumansoultowardevilassuch。Itmaybequestionedwhethertheseviewshavenotinterferedwiththesoundtrainingofcertainyoungpersons，sonsofclergymenandothers。IamnearerofyourmindaboutthepossibilityofeducatingchildrensothattheyshallbecomegoodChristianswithoutanyviolenttransition。ThatiswhatIshouldhopeforfrombringingthemup’inthenurtureandadmonitionoftheLord。’“

Theyoungerministerlookedpuzzled，butpresentlyanswered，“Possiblywemayhavecalledattentiontosomeneglectedtruths；but，afterall，Ifearwemustgototheoldschool，ifwewanttogetattherootofthematter。Iknowthereisanoutwardamiabilityaboutmanyyoungpersons，someyounggirlsespecially，thatseemslikegenuinegoodness；butIhavebeendisposedoflatetoleantowardyourview，thatthesehumanaffections，asweseetheminourchildren，——ours，Isay，thoughIhavenotthefearfulresponsibilityoftraininganyofmyown，——areonlyakindofdisguisedandsinfulselfishness。”

Theoldministergroanedinspirit。Hishearthadbeensoftenedbythesweetinfluencesofchildrenandgrandchildren。Hethoughtofahalf-sizedgraveintheburial-ground，andthefine，brave，noble-

heartedboyhelaidinitthirtyyearsbefore，——thesweet，cheerfulchildwhohadmadehishomeallsunshineuntilthedaywhenhewasbroughtintoit，hislongcurlsdripping，hisfreshlipspurpledindeath，——foolishdearlittleblessedcreaturetothrowhimselfintothedeepwatertosavethedrowningboy，whoclungabouthimandcarriedhimunder！Disguisedselfishness！Andhisgranddaughtertoo，whosedisguisedselfishnesswasthelightofhishousehold！

“Don’tcallitmyview！“hesaid。“Abstractly，perhaps，allnaturesmaybeconsideredvitiated；butpractically，asIseeitinlife，thedivinegracekeepspacewiththepervertedinstinctsfrominfancyinmanynatures。Besides，thisperversionitselfmayoftenbedisease，badhabitstransmitted，likedrunkenness，orsomehereditarymisfortune，aswiththisElsieweweretalkingabout。”

Theyoungerministerwascompletelymystified。AteverystephemadetowardstheDoctor’srecognizedtheologicalposition，theDoctortookjustonesteptowardshis。Theywouldcrosseachothersoonatthisrate，andmightaswellexchangepulpits，——asColonelSprowleoncewishedtheywould，itmayberemembered。

TheDoctor，thoughamuchclearer-headedman，wasalmostequallypuzzled。HeturnedtheconversationagainuponElsie，andendeavoredtomakeherministerfeeltheimportanceofbringingeveryfriendlyinfluencetobearuponheratthiscriticalperiodofherlife。HissympathiesdidnotseemsolivelyastheDoctorcouldhavewished。

Perhapshehadvastlymoreimportantobjectsofsolicitudeinhisownspiritualinterests。

Aknockatthedoorinterruptedthem。TheReverendMr。Fairweatherroseandwenttowardsit。Ashepassedthetable，hiscoatcaughtsomething，whichcamerattlingtothefloor。Itwasacrucifixwithastringofbeadsattached。Asheopenedthedoor，theMilesianfeaturesofFatherMcShanepresentedthemselves，andfromtheircentreproceededtheclericalbenedictioninIrish-soundingLatin，Paxvobiscum！

TheReverendDoctorHoneywoodroseandleftthepriestandhisdiscipletogether。

CHAPTERXIX。

THESPIDERONHISTHREAD。

Therewasnobody，then，tocounselpoorElsie，exceptherfather，whohadlearnedtoletherhaveherownwaysoasnottodisturbsuchrelationsastheyhadtogether，andtheoldblackwoman，whohadareal，thoughlimitedinfluenceoverthegirl。Perhapsshedidnotneedcounsel。Tolookuponher，onemightwellsupposethatshewascompetenttodefendherselfagainstanyenemyshewasliketohave。

Thatglittering，piercingeyewasnottobesoftenedbyafewsmoothwordsspokeninlowtones，chargedwiththecommonsentimentswhichwintheirwaytomaidens’hearts。Thatround，lithe，sinuousfigurewasasfullofdangerouslifeaseverlayundertheslenderflanksandclean-shapedlimbsofapanther。

TherewereparticulartimeswhenElsiewasinsuchamoodthatitmusthavebeenaboldpersonwhowouldhaveintrudeduponherwithreprooforcounsel。“Thisisoneofherdays。”oldSophywouldsayquietlytoherfather，andhewould，asfaraspossible，leavehertoherself。Thesedaysweremorefrequent，asoldSophy’skeen，concentratedwatchfulnesshadtaughther，atcertainperiodsoftheyear。Itwasintheheatsofsummerthattheyweremostcommonandmoststronglycharacterized。Inwinter，ontheotherhand，shewaslessexcitable，andevenattimesheavyandasifchilledanddulledinhersensibilities。Itwasastrange，paroxysmalkindoflifethatbelongedtoher。Itseemedtocomeandgowiththesunlight。Allwinterlongshewouldbecomparativelyquiet，easytomanage，listless，slowinhermotions；hereyewouldlosesomethingofitsstrangelustre；andtheoldnursewouldfeelsolittleanxiety，thatherwholeexpressionandaspectwouldshowthechange，andpeoplewouldsaytoher，“Why，Sophy，howyoungyou’relooking！“

Asthespringcameon，Elsiewouldleavethefireside，havehertiger-skinspreadintheemptysouthernchambernextthewall，andlietherebaskingforwholehoursinthesunshine。Astheseasonwarmed，thelightwouldkindleafreshinhereyes，andtheoldwoman’ssleepwouldgrowrestlessagain，——forsheknew，that，solongastheglitterwasfierceinthegirl’seyes，therewasnotrustingherimpulsesormovements。

Atlast，whentheveinsofthesummerwerehotandswollen，andthejuicesofallthepoison-plantsandthebloodofallthecreaturesthatfeeduponthemhadgrownthickandstrong，——aboutthetimewhenthesecondmowingwasinhand，andthebrown，wet-facedmenwerefollowingupthescythesastheychasedthefallingwavesofgrass，(fallingasthewavesfallonsickle-curvedbeaches；thefoam-flowersdroppingasthegrass-flowersdrop，——withsharpsemivowelconsonantalsounds，——frsh，——forthatisthewaytheseatalks，andleavesallpurevowel-soundsforthewindstobreatheoverit，andallmutestotheunyieldingearth，)——aboutthistimeofover-ripemidsummer，thelifeofElsieseemedfullestofitsmalignandrestlessinstincts。

ThiswastheperiodoftheyearwhentheRocklandpeopleweremostcautiousofwanderingintheleafiercovertswhichskirtedthebaseofTheMountain，andthefarmerslikedtowearthick，longboots，whenevertheywentintothebushes。ButElsiewasneversomuchgiventoroamingoverTheMountainasatthisseason；andasshehadgrownmoreabsoluteanduncontrollable，shewasasliketotakethenightasthedayforherrambles。

Atthisseason，too，allherpeculiartastesindressandornamentcameoutinamorestrikingwaythanatothertimes。Shewasneversosuperbasthen，andneversothreateninginherscowlingbeauty。

Thebarredskirtsshealwaysfanciedshowedsharplybeneathherdiaphanousmuslins；thediamondsoftenglitteredonherbreastasifforherownpleasureratherthantodazzleothers；theasp-likebracelethardlyleftherarm。Shewasneverseenwithoutsomenecklace，——eitherthegoldencordsheworeatthegreatparty，orachainofmosaics，orsimplyaringofgoldenscales。SomesaidthatElsiealwayssleptinanecklace，andthatwhenshediedshewastobeburiedinone。Itwasafancyofhers，——butmanythoughttherewasareasonforit。

NobodywatchedElsiewithamoresearchingeyethanhercousin，DickVenner。Hehadkeptmoreoutofherwayoflate，itistrue，buttherewasnotamovementshemadewhichhedidnotcarefullyobservejustsofarashecouldwithoutexcitinghersuspicion。Itwasplainenoughtohimthattheroadtofortunewasbeforehim，andthatthefirstthingwastomarryElsie。Whatcourseheshouldtakewithher，orwithothersinterested，aftermarryingher，neednotbedecidedinahurry。

Hehadnowdoneallhecouldexpecttodoatpresentinthewayofconciliatingtheothermembersofthehousehold。Thegirl’sfathertoleratedhim，ifhedidnotevenlikehim。WhetherhesuspectedhisprojectornotDickdidnotfeelsure；butitwassomethingtohavegotafootholdinthehouse，andtohaveovercomeanyprepossessionagainsthimwhichhisunclemighthaveentertained。Tobeagoodlistenerandabadbilliard-playerwasnotaverygreatsacrificetoeffectthisobject。ThenoldSophycouldhardlyhelpfeelingwell-disposedtowardshim，afterthegiftshehadbestowedonherandthecourthehadpaidher。Theseweretheonlypersonsontheplaceofmuchimportancetogainover。Thepeopleemployedaboutthehouseandfarm-landshadlittletodowithElsie，excepttoobeyherwithoutquestioninghercommands。

Mr。Richardbegantothinkofreopeninghissecondparallel。Buthehadlostsomethingofthecoolnesswithwhichhehadbegunhissystemofoperations。Themorehehadreflecteduponthematter，themorehehadconvincedhimselfthatthiswashisonegreatchanceinlife。

Ifhesufferedthisgirltoescapehim，suchanopportunitycouldhardly，inthenatureofthings，presentitselfasecondtime。OnlyonelifebetweenElsieandherfortune，——andlivesaresouncertain！

Thegirlmightnotsuithimasawife。Possibly。Timeenoughtofindoutafterhehadgother。Inshort，hemusthavetheproperty，andElsieVenner，asshewastogowithit，——andthen，ifhefounditconvenientandagreeableto，leadavirtuouslife，hewouldsettledownandraisechildrenandvegetables；butifhefounditinconvenientanddisagreeable，somuchtheworseforthosewhomadeitso。Likemanyotherpersons，hewasnotprincipledagainstvirtue，providedvirtuewereabetterinvestmentthanitsopposite；

butheknewthattheremightbecontingenciesinwhichthepropertywouldbebetterwithoutitsincumbrances，andhecontemplatedthisconceivableprobleminthelightofallitspossiblesolutions。

OnethingMr。Richardcouldnotconcealfromhimself：Elsiehadsomenewcauseofindifference，atleast，ifnotofaversiontohim。Withtheacutenesswhichpersonswhomakeasolebusinessoftheirowninterestgainbypractice，sothatfortune-huntersareoftenshrewdwhererealloversareterriblysimple，hefixedatonceontheyoungmanupattheschoolwherethegirlhadbeengoingoflate，asprobablyatthebottomofit。

“CousinElsieinlove！“sohecommunedwithhimselfuponhislonelypillow。“InlovewithaYankeeschoolmaster！Whatelsecanitbe？

Lethimlookoutforhimself！He’llstandbutabadchancebetweenus。Whatmakesyouthinkshe’sinlovewithhim？Metherwalkingwithhim。Don’tlikeherlooksandways；——she’sthinkingaboutsomething，anyhow。Wheredoesshegetthosebookssheisreadingsooften？Notoutofourlibrary，that’scertain。IfIcouldhavetenminutes’peepintoherchambernow，Iwouldfindoutwhereshegotthem，andwhatmischiefshewasupto。”

Atthatinstant，asifsometributarydemonhadheardhiswish，ashapewhichcouldbenonebutElsie’sflittedthroughagleamofmoonlightintotheshadowofthetrees。Shewassettingoutononeofhermidnightrambles。

Dickfelthisheartstirinitsplace，andpresentlyhischeeksflushedwiththeoldlongingforanadventure。Itwasnotmuchtoinvadeayounggirl’sdesertedchamber，butitwouldamuseawakefulhour，andtellhimsomelittlemattershewantedtoknow。ThechamberhesleptinwasovertheroomwhichElsiechieflyoccupiedatthisseason。Therewasnogreatriskofhisbeingseenorheard，ifheventureddown-stairstoherapartment。

Mr。RichardVenner，inthepursuitofhisinterestingproject，aroseandlightedalamp。Hewrappedhimselfinadressing-gownandthrusthisfeetintoapairofclothslippers。Hestolecarefullydownthestair，andarrivedsafelyatthedoorofElsie’sroom。

Theyoungladyhadtakenthenaturalprecautiontoleaveitfastened，carryingthekeywithher，nodoubt，——unless；indeed，shehadgotoutbythewindow，whichwasnotfarfromtheground。Dickcouldgetinatthiswindoweasilyenough，buthedidnotliketheideaofleavinghisfootprintsintheflower-bedjustunderit。Hereturnedtohisownchamber，andheldacouncilofwarwithhimself。

Heputhisheadoutofhisownwindowandlookedatthatbeneath。Itwasopen。Hethenwenttooneofhistrunks，whichheunlocked，andbegancarefullyremovingitscontents。Whatthesewereweneednotstoptomention，——onlyremarkingthatthereweredressesofvariouspatterns，whichmightaffordanagreeableseriesofchanges，andincertaincontingenciesproveeminentlyuseful。Afterremovingafewofthese，hethrusthishandtotheverybottomoftheremainingpileanddrewoutacoiledstripofleathermanyyardsinlength，endinginanoose，——atough，well-seasonedlasso，lookingasifithadseenserviceandwasnonetheworseforit。Heuncoiledafewyardsofthisandfastenedittotheknobofadoor。ThenhethrewthelooseendoutofthewindowsothatitshouldhangbytheopencasementofElsie’sroom。Bythishelethimselfdownoppositeherwindow，andwithaslighteffortswunghimselfinsidetheroom。Helightedamatch，foundacandle，and，havinglightedthat，lookedcuriouslyabouthim，asClodiusmighthavedonewhenhesmuggledhimselfinamongtheVestals。

Elsie’sroomwasalmostaspeculiarasherdressandornaments。Itwasakindofmuseumofobjects，suchasthewoodsarefulloftothosewhohaveeyestoseethem，butmanyofthemsuchasonlyfewcouldhopetoreach，eveniftheyknewwheretolookforthem。

Crows’nests，whichareneverfoundbutinthetalltrees，commonlyenoughintheforksofancienthemlocks，eggsofrarebirds，whichmusthavetakenaquickeyeandahardclimbtofindandgetholdof，mossesandfernsofunusualaspect，andquaintmonstrositiesofvegetablegrowth，suchasNaturedelightsin，showedthatElsiehadhertastesandfancieslikeanynaturalistorpoet。

Nature，whenlefttoherownfreaksintheforest，isgrotesqueandfancifultothevergeoflicense，andbeyondit。Thefoliageoftreesdoesnotalwaysrequireclippingtomakeitlooklikeanimageoflife。FromthosewindowsatCanoeMeadow，amongthemountains，wecouldseeallsummerlongalionrampant，aShanghaichicken，andGeneralJacksononhorseback，donebyNatureingreenleaves，eachwithasingletree。ButtoNature’strickswithboughsandrootsandsmallervegetablegrowthsthereisnoend。Herfancyisinfinite，andherhumornotalwaysrefined。Thereisaperpetualreminiscenceofanimallifeinherrudecaricatures，whichsometimesactuallyreachthepointofimitatingthecompletehumanfigure，asinthatextraordinaryspecimenwhichnobodywillbelievetobegenuine，exceptthemenofscience，andofwhichthediscreetreadermayhaveaglimpsebyapplicationintheproperquarter。

Elsiehadgatheredsomanyofthesesculpture-likemonstrosities，thatonemighthavethoughtshehadrobbedoldSophy’sgrandfatherofhisfetishes。Theyhelpedtogiveherroomakindofenchantedlook，asifawitchhadherhomeinit。Overthefireplacewasalong，staff-likebranch，strangledinthespiralcoilsofoneofthosevineswhichstrainthesmallertreesintheirclingingembraces，sinkingintothebarkuntiltheparasitebecomesalmostidentifiedwithitssupport。Withthesesylvancuriositieswereblendedobjectsofart，someofthemnotlesssingular，butothersshowingaloveforthebeautifulinformandcolor，suchasagirloffineorganizationandniceculturemightnaturallybeexpectedtofeelandtoindulge，inadorningherapartment。

Alltheseobjects，pictures，bronzes，vases，andtherest，didnotdetainMr。RichardVeneerverylong，whatevermayhavebeenhissensibilitiestoart。Hewasmorecuriousaboutbooksandpapers。A

copyofKeatslayonthetable。HeopeneditandreadthenameofBernardC。Langdonontheblankleaf。AnenvelopewasonthetablewithElsie’snamewritteninasimilarhand；buttheenvelopewasempty，andhecouldnotfindthenoteitcontained。Herdeskwaslocked，anditwouldnotbesafetotamperwithit。Hehadseenenough；thegirlreceivedbooksandnotesfromthisfellowupattheschool，thisusher，thisYankeequill-driver；——hewasaspiringtobecomethelordoftheDudleydomain，then，washe？

Elsiehadbeenreasonablycareful。Shehadlockedupherpapers，whatevertheymightbe。Therewaslittleelsethatpromisedtorewardhiscuriosity，buthecasthiseyeoneverything。Therewasaclasp-Bibleamongherbooks。Dickwonderedifsheeverunclaspedit。

Therewasabookofhymns；ithadhernameinit，andlookedasifitmighthavebeenoftenread；——whatthediablohadElsietodowithhymns？

Mr。RichardVennerwasinanobservingandanalyticalstateofmind，itwillbenoticed，orhemightperhapshavebeentouchedwiththeinnocentbetrayalsofthepoorgirl’schamber。Hadshe，afterall，somehumantendernessinherheart？Thatwasnotthewayheputthequestion，——butwhethershewouldtakeseriouslytothisschoolmaster，andifshedid，whatwouldbetheneatestandsurestandquickestwayofputtingastoptoallthatnonsense。Allthis，however，hecouldthinkovermoresafelyinhisownquarters。Sohestolesoftlytothewindow，and，catchingtheendoftheleathernthong，regainedhisownchamberanddrewinthelasso。

Itneedsonlyalittlejealousytosetamanonwhoisdoubtfulinloveorwooing，ortomakehimtakeholdofhiscourtinginearnest。

AssoonasDickhadsatisfiedhimselfthattheyoungschoolmasterwashisrivalinElsie’sgoodgraces，hiswholethoughtsconcentratedthemselvesmorethaneveronaccomplishinghisgreatdesignofsecuringherforhimself。Therewasnotimetobelost。Hemustcomeintocloserrelationswithher，soastowithdrawherthoughtsfromthisfellow，andtofindoutmoreexactlywhatwasthestateofheraffections，ifshehadany。Sohebegantocourthercompanyagain，toproposeridingwithher，tosingtoher，tojoinherwhenevershewasstrollingaboutthegrounds，tomakehimselfagreeable，accordingtotheordinaryunderstandingofthatphrase，ineverywaywhichseemedtopromiseachanceforsucceedinginthatamiableeffort。

Thegirltreatedhimmorecapriciouslythanever。Shewouldbesullenandsilent，orshewoulddrawbackfiercelyatsomeharmlesswordorgesture，orshewouldlookathimwithhereyesnarrowedinsuchastrangewayandwithsuchawickedlightinthemthatDicksworetohimselftheyweretoomuchforhim，andwouldleaveherforthemoment。Yetshetoleratedhim，almostasamatterofnecessity，andsometimesseemedtotakeakindofpleasureintryingherpoweruponhim。Thishesoonfoundout，andhumoredherinthefancythatshecouldexerciseakindoffascinationoverhim，thoughthereweretimesinwhichheactuallyfeltaninfluencehecouldnotunderstand，aneffectofsomepeculiarexpressionabouther，perhaps，butstillcentringinthosediamondeyesofherswhichitmadeonefeelsocuriouslytolookinto。

WhetherElsiesawintohisobjectornotwasmorethanhecouldtell。

Hisideawas，afterhavingconciliatedthegood-willofallaboutherasfaraspossible，tomakehimselffirstahabitandthenanecessitywiththegirl，——nottospringanytrapofadeclarationuponheruntiltolerancehadgrownintosuchadegreeofinclinationashernaturewasliketoadmit。Hehadsucceededinthefirstpartofhisplan。Hewasatlibertytoprolonghisvisitathisownpleasure。Thiswasnotstrange；thesethreepersons，DudleyVenner，hisdaughter，andhisnephew，representedallthatremainedofanoldandhonorablefamily。HadElsiebeenlikeothergirls，herfathermighthavebeenlesswillingtoentertainayoungfellowlikeDickasaninmate；buthehadlongoutgrownalltheslighterapprehensionswhichhemighthavehadincommonwithallparents，andfollowedratherthanledtheimperiousinstinctsofhisdaughter。Itwasnotaquestionofsentiment，butoflifeanddeath，ormorethanthat，——

somedarkending，perhaps，whichwouldclosethehistoryofhisracewithdisasterandevilreportuponthelipsofallcominggenerations。

Astothethoughtofhisnephew’smakinglovetohisdaughter，ithadalmostpassedfromhismind。HehadbeensolonginthehabitoflookingatElsieasoutsideofallcommoninfluencesandexceptionalinthelawofhernature，thatitwasdifficultforhimtothinkofherasagirltobefalleninlovewith。Manypersonsaresurprised，whenotherscourttheirfemalerelatives；theyknowthemasgoodyoungoroldwomenenough，——aunts，sisters，nieces，daughters，whatevertheymaybe，——butneverthinkofanybody’sfallinginlovewiththem，anymorethanoftheirbeingstruckbylightning。Butinthiscasetherewerespecialreasons，inadditiontothecommonfamilydelusion，——reasonswhichseemedtomakeitimpossiblethatsheshouldattractasuitor。WhowoulddaretomarryElsie？No，letherhavethepleasure，ifitwasone，atanyratethewholesomeexcitement，ofcompanionship；itmightsaveherfromlapsingintomelancholyoraworseformofmadness。DudleyVennerhadakindofsuperstition，too，that，ifElsiecouldonlyoutlivethreeseptenaries，twenty-oneyears，sothat，accordingtotheprevalentidea，herwholeframewouldhavebeenthricemadeover，countingfromherbirth，shewouldreverttothenaturalstandardofhealthofmindandfeelingsfromwhichshehadbeensolongperverted。ThethoughtofanyothermotivethanlovebeingsufficienttoinduceRichardtobecomehersuitorhadnotoccurredtohim。Hehadmarriedearly，atthathappyperiodwheninterestedmotivesareleastapttoinfluencethechoice；andhissingleideaofmarriagewas，thatitwastheunionofpersonsnaturallydrawntowardseachotherbysomemutualattraction。Verysimple，perhaps；buthehadlivedlonelyformanyyearssincehiswife’sdeath，andjudgedtheheartsofothers，mostofallofhisbrother’sson，byhisown。Hehadoftenthoughtwhether，incaseofElsie’sdyingorbeingnecessarilydoomedtoseclusion，hemightnotadoptthisnephewandmakehimhisheir；butithadnotoccurredtohimthatRichardmightwishtobecomehisson-

in-lawforthesakeofhisproperty。

Itisveryeasytocriticiseotherpeople’smodesofdealingwiththeirchildren。Outsideobserversseeresults；parentsseeprocesses。Theynoticethetrivialmovementsandaccentswhichbetraythebloodofthisorthatancestor；theycandetecttheirrepressiblemovementofhereditaryimpulseinlooksandactswhichmeannothingtothecommonobserver。Tobeaparentisalmosttobeafatalist。Thisboysitswithlegscrossed，justashisuncleusedtowhomheneversaw；hisgrandfathersbothdiedbeforehewasborn，buthehasthemovementoftheeyebrowswhichwerememberinoneofthem，andthegustytemperofthreedifferentgenerations，cantellprettynearlytherangeofpossibilitiesandthelimitationsofachild，actualorpotential，ofagivenstock，——errorsexceptedalways，becausechildrenofthesamestockarenotbredjustalike，becausethetraitsofsomelessknownancestorareliabletobreakoutatanytime，andbecauseeachhumanbeinghas，afterall，asmallfractionofindividualityabouthimwhichgiveshimaflavor，sothatheisdistinguishablefromothersbyhisfriendsorinacourtofjustice，andwhichoccasionallymakesageniusorasaintoracriminalofhim。ItiswellthatyoungpersonscannotreadthesefataloraclesofNature。Blindimpulseisherhighestwisdom，afterall。Wemakeourgreatjump，andthenshetakesthebandageoffoureyes。Thatisthewaythebroadsea-levelofaverageismaintained，andthephysiologicaldemocracyisenabledtofightagainsttheprincipleofselectionwhichwoulddisinheritalltheweakerchildren。Themagnificentconstituencyofmediocritiesofwhichtheworldismadeup，——thepeoplewithoutbiographies，whoseliveshavemadeaclearsolutioninthefluidmenstruumoftime，insteadofbeingprecipitatedintheopaquesedimentofhistoryButthisisanarrative，andnotadisquisition。

CHAPTERXX。

FROMWITHOUTANDFROMWITHIN。

TherewerenotwantingpeoplewhoaccusedDudleyVENNERofweaknessandbadjudgmentinhistreatmentofhisdaughter。Somewereofopinionthatthegreatmistakewasinnot“breakingherwill“whenshewasalittlechild。Therewasnothingthematterwithher，theysaid，butthatshehadbeenspoiledbyindulgence。Iftheyhadhadthechargeofher，they’dhavebroughtherdown。She’dgottheupperhandofherfathernow；butifhe’donlytakenholdofherinseason！Therearepeoplewhothinkthateverythingmaybedone，ifthedoer，beheeducatororphysician，beonlycalled“inseason。”

Nodoubt，——butinseasonwouldoftenbeahundredortwoyearsbeforethechildwasborn；andpeopleneversendsoearlyasthat。

ThefatherofElsieVeneerknewhisdutiesandhisdifficultiestoowelltotroublehimselfaboutanythingothersmightthinkorsay。Sosoonashefoundthathecouldnotgovernhischild，hegavehislifeuptofollowingherandprotectingherasfarashecould。Itwasasternandterribletrialforamanofacutesensibility，andnotwithoutforceofintellectandwill，andthemanlyambitionforhimselfandhisfamily-namewhichbelongedtohisendowmentsandhisposition。Passiveenduranceisthehardesttrialtopersonsofsuchanature。

Whatmadeitstillmorealongmartyrdomwasthenecessityforbearinghiscrossinutterloneliness。Hecouldnottellhisgriefs。

Hecouldnottalkofthemevenwiththosewhoknewtheirsecretspring。Hisministerhadtheunsympatheticnaturewhichiscommoninthemeanersortofdevotees，——personswhomistakespiritualselfishnessforsanctity，andgrabattheinfiniteprizeofthegreatFutureandElsewherewiththeegotismtheyexcommunicateinitshardlymoreodiousformsofavariceandself-indulgence。HowcouldhespeakwiththeoldphysicianandtheoldblackwomanaboutasorrowandaterrorwhichbuttonamewastostrikedumbthelipsofConsolation？

Inthedawnofhismanhoodhehadfoundthatsecondconsciousnessforwhichyoungmenandyoungwomengoaboutlookingintoeachother’sfaces，withtheirsweet，artlessaimplayingineveryfeature，andmakingthembeautifultoeachother，astoallofus。Hehadfoundhisotherselfearly，beforehehadgrownwearyinthesearchandwastedhisfreshnessinvainlongings：thelotofmany，perhapswemaysayofmost，whoinfringethepatentofoursocialorderbyintrudingthemselvesintoalifealreadyuponhalfallowanceofthenecessaryluxuriesofexistence。Thelifehehadledforabriefspacewasnotonlybeautifulinoutwardcircumstance，asoldSophyhaddescribedittotheReverendDoctor。Itwasthatdeliciousprocessofthetuningoftwosoulstoeachother，stringbystring，notwithoutlittlehalf-pleasingdiscordsnowandthenwhensomechordinoneortheotherprovestobeoverstrainedorover-lax，butalwaysapproachingnearerandnearertoharmony，untiltheybecomeatlastastwoinstrumentswithasinglevoice。Somethingmorethanayearofthisblissfuldoubledconsciousnesshadpassedoverhimwhenhefoundhimselfoncemorealone，——alone，saveforthelittlediamond-eyedchildlyingintheoldblackwoman’sarms，withthecoralnecklaceround——herthroatandtherattleinherhand。

Hewouldnotdiebyhisownact。Itwasnotthewayinhisfamily。

Theremayhavebeenother，perhapsbetterreasons，butthiswasenough；hedidnotcomeofsuicidalstock。Hemustliveforthischild’ssake，atanyrate；andyet，——oh，yet，whocouldtellwithwhatthoughtshelookeduponher？Sometimesherlittlefeatureswouldlookplacid，andsomethinglikeasmilewouldstealoverthem；

thenallhistenderfeelingswouldrushup，intohiseyes，andhewouldputhisarmsouttotakeherfromtheoldwoman，——butallatoncehereyeswouldnarrowandshewouldthrowherheadback，andashudderwouldseizehimashestoopedoverhischild，——hecouldnotlookuponher，——hecouldnottouchhislipstohercheek；nay，therewouldsometimescomeintohissoulsuchfrightfulsuggestionsthathewouldhurryfromtheroomlestthehintedthoughtshouldbecomeamomentarymadnessandheshouldlifthishandagainstthehaplessinfantwhichowedhimlife。

InthosemiserabledaysheusedtowanderalloverTheMountaininhisrestlessendeavortoseeksomereliefforinwardsufferinginoutwardaction。Hehadnothoughtofthrowinghimselffromthesummitofanyofthebrokencliffs，butheclamberedoverthemrecklessly，ashavingnoparticularcareforhislife。Sometimeshewouldgointotheaccurseddistrictwherethevenomousreptileswerealwaystobedreaded，andcourttheirworsthaunts，andkillallhecouldcomenearwithakindofblindfurywhichwasstrangeinapersonofhisgentlenature。

Oneoverhangingcliffwasafavoritehauntofhis。Itfrowneduponhishomebeneathinaverymenacingway；henoticedslightseamsandfissuresthatlookedominous；——whatwouldhappen，ifitbrokeoffsometimeorotherandcamecrashingdownonthefieldsandroofsbelow？Hethoughtofsuchapossiblecatastrophewithasingularindifference，infactwithafeelingalmostlikepleasure。Itwouldbesuchaswiftandthoroughsolutionofthisgreatproblemoflifehewasworkingoutinever-recurringdailyanguish！TheremotepossibilityofsuchacatastrophehadfrightenedsometimiddwellersbeneathTheMountaintootherplacesofresidence；herethedangerwasmostimminent，andyethelovedtodwelluponthechancesofitsoccurrence。Dangerisoftenthebestcounterirritantincasesofmentalsuffering；hefoundasolaceincarelessexposureofhislife，andlearnedtoendurethetrialsofeachdaybetterbydwellinginimaginationonthepossibilitythatitmightbethelastforhimandthehomethatwashis。

Time，thegreatconsoler，helpedtheseinfluences，andhegraduallyfellintomoreeasyandlessdangeroushabitsoflife。Heceasedfromhismoreperilousrambles。Hethoughtlessofthedangerfromthegreatoverhangingrocksandforests；theyhadhungthereforcenturies；itwasnotverylikelytheywouldcrashorslideinhistime。HebecameaccustomedtoallElsie’sstrangelooksandways。

OldSophydressedherwithrufflesroundherneck，andhunteduptheredcoralbranchwithsilverbellswhichthelittletoothlessDudleyshadbittenuponforahundredyears。Byaninfiniteeffort，herfatherforcedhimselftobecomethecompanionofthischild，forwhomhehadsuchamingledfeeling，butwhosepresencewasalwaysatrialtohim，andoftenaterror。

Atacostwhichnohumanbeingcouldestimate，hehaddonehisduty，andinsomedegreereapedhisreward。Elsiegrewupwithakindoffilialfeelingforhim，suchashernaturewascapableof。Sheneverwouldobeyhim；thatwasnottobelookedfor。Commands，threats，punishments，wereoutofthequestionwithher；themerephysicaleffectsofcrossingherwillbetrayedthemselvesinsuchchangesofexpressionandmannerthatitwouldhavebeensenselesstoattempttogovernherinanysuchway。Leavinghermainlytoherself，shecouldbetosomeextentindirectlyinfluenced，——nototherwise。Shecalledherfather“Dudley。”asifhehadbeenherbrother。Sheorderedeverybodyandwouldbeorderedbynone。

Whocouldknowallthesethings，exceptthefewpeopleofthehousehold？Whatwonder，therefore，thatignorantandshallowpersonslaidtheblameonherfatherofthosepeculiaritieswhichwerefreelytalkedabout，——ofthosedarkertendencieswhichwerehintedofinwhispers？Toallthistalk，sofarasitreachedhim，hewassupremelyindifferent，notonlywiththeindifferencewhichallgentlemenfeeltothegossipoftheirinferiors，butwithacharitablecalmnesswhichdidnotwonderorblame。Heknewthathispositionwasnotsimplyadifficult，butanimpossibleone，andschooledhimselftobearhisdestinyaswellashemight，andreporthimselfonlyatHeadquarters。

Hehadgrowngentleunderthisdiscipline。Hishairwasjustbeginningtobetouchedwithsilver，andhisexpressionwasthatofhabitualsadnessandanxiety。Hehadnocounsellor，aswehaveseen，toturnto，whodidnotknoweithertoomuchortoolittle。Hehadnohearttorestuponandintowhichhemightunburdenhimselfofthesecretsandthesorrowsthatwereachinginhisownbreast。Yethehadnotallowedhimselftoruntowasteinthelongtimesincehewasleftalonetohistrialsandfears。Hehadresistedtheseductionswhichalwaysbesetsolitarymenwithrestlessbrainsoverwroughtbydepressingagencies。Hedisguisednomiserytohimselfwiththelyingdelusionofwine。Hesoughtnosleepfromnarcotics，thoughhelaywiththrobbing，wide-openeyesthroughallthewearyhoursofthenight。

ItwasunderstoodbetweenDudleyVeneerandoldDoctorKittredgethatElsiewasasubjectofoccasionalmedicalobservation，onaccountofcertainmentalpeculiaritieswhichmightendinapermanentaffectionofherreason。Beyondthisnothingwassaid，whatevermayhavebeeninthemindofeither。ButDudleyVeneerhadstudiedElsie’scaseinthelightofallthebookshecouldfindwhichmightdoanythingtowardsexplainingit。Asinallcaseswheremenmeddlewithmedicalscienceforaspecialpurpose，havingnopreviousacquaintancewithit，hisimaginationfoundwhatitwantedinthebooksheread，andadjustedittothefactsbeforehim。Soitwashecametocherishthosetwofanciesbeforealludedtothattheominousbirthmarkshehadcarriedfrominfancymightfadeandbecomeobliterated，andthattheageofcompletematuritymightbesignalizedbyanentirechangeinherphysicalandmentalstate。Heheldthesevaguehopesasallofusnurseouronlyhalf-believedillusions。Notfortheworldwouldhehavequestionedhissagaciousoldmedicalfriendastotheprobabilityorpossibilityoftheirbeingtrue。Weareveryshyofaskingquestionsofthosewhoknowenoughtodestroywithonewordthehopesweliveon。

Inthislifeofcomparativeseclusiontowhichthefatherhaddoomedhimselfforthesakeofhischild，hehadfoundtimeforlargeandvariedreading。ThelearnedJudgeThorntonconfessedhimselfsurprisedattheextentofDudleyVeneer’sinformation。DoctorKittredgefoundthathewasinadvanceofhimintheknowledgeofrecentphysiologicaldiscoveries。Hehadtakenpainstobecomeacquaintedwithagriculturalchemistry；andtheneighboringfarmersowedhimsomeusefulhintsaboutthemanagementoftheirland。Herenewedhisoldacquaintancewiththeclassicauthors。HelovedtowarmhispulseswithHomerandcalmthemdownwithHorace。Hereceivedallmannerofnewbooksandperiodicals，andgraduallygainedaninterestintheeventsofthepassingtime。Yetheremainedalmostahermit，notabsolutelyrefusingtoseehisneighbors，norevenchurlishtowardsthem，butontheotherhandnotcultivatinganyintimaterelationswiththem。

Hehadretiredfromtheworldayoungman，littlemorethanayouth，indeed，withsentimentsandaspirationsallofthemsuddenlyextinguished。Thefirsthadbequeathedhimasinglehugesorrow，thesecondasingletryingduty。Induetimetheanguishhadlostsomethingofitspoignancy，thelightofearlierandhappiermemorieshadbeguntostrugglewithandtosoftenitsthickdarkness，andeventhatdutywhichhehadconfrontedwithsuchanefforthadbecomeanendurablehabit。

Ataperiodoflifewhenmanyhavebeenlivingonthecapitaloftheiracquiredknowledgeandtheiryouthfulstockofsensibilitiesuntiltheirintellectsarereallyshallowerandtheirheartsemptierthantheywereattwenty，DudleyVeneerwasstrongerinthoughtandtendererinsoulthaninthefirstfreshnessofhisyouth，whenhecountedbuthalfhispresentyears。Hehadenteredthatperiodwhichmarksthedeclineofmenwhohaveceasedgrowinginknowledgeandstrength：fromfortytofiftyamanmustmoveupward，orthenaturalfallingoffinthevigoroflifewillcarryhimrapidlydownward。Atthistimehisinward：naturewasricheranddeeperthaninanyearlierperiodofhislife。Ifhecouldonlybesummonedtoaction，hewascapableofnobleservice。Ifhissympathiescouldonlyfindanoutlet，hewasneversocapableofloveasnow；forhisnaturalaffectionshadbeengatheringinthecourseofalltheseyears，andthetracesofthatineffaceablecalamityofhislifeweresoftenedandpartiallyhiddenbynewgrowthsofthoughtandfeeling，asthewreckleftbyamountainslideiscoveredoverbythegentleintrusionofthesoft-stemmedherbswhichwillprepareitforthestrongervegetationthatwillbringitoncemoreintoharmonywiththepeacefulslopesaroundit。

PerhapsDudleyVeneerhadnotgainedsomuchinworldlywisdomasifhehadbeenmoreinsocietyandlessinhisstudy。Theindulgencewithwhichhetreatedhisnephewwas，nodoubt，imprudent。AmanmoreinthehabitofdealingwithmenwouldhavebeenmoreguardedwithapersonwithDick’squestionablestoryandunquestionablephysiognomy。Buthewassingularlyunsuspicious，andhisnaturalkindnesswasanadditionalmotivetothewishforintroducingsomevarietyintotheroutineofElsie’slife。

IfDudleyVeneerdidnotknowjustwhathewantedatthisperiodofhislife，therewereagreatmanypeopleinthetownofRocklandwhothoughttheydidknow。Hehadbeenawidowerlongenough，——nightwentyyear，wa’n’tit？He’dbeenaouttoSpraowles’sparty，——therewa’n’tanythingtohenderhimwhyheshouldn’tstirraoundl’kotherfolks。Whatwasthereasonhedidn’tgoabaouttotaown-meetin’s’n’Sahbath-meetin’s，’n’lyceums，’n’school’xaminations，’n’

s’prise-parties，’n’funerals，——andotherentertainmentswherethestill-facedtwo-storyfolkswereinthehabitoflookingroundtoseeifanyofthemansion-housegentrywerepresent？——Fac’was，hewaslivin’toolonesomedaownthereatthemansion-haouse。Whyshouldn’themakeuptotheJedge’sdaughter？Shewasgenteelenoughforhim，and-let’ssee，haowoldwasshe？Seven-’n’itwenty，——no，six-’n’-

twenty，——bornthesameyearweburiedourlittleAnnyMarl“。

Therewasnopossibleobjectiontothisarrangement，ifthepartiesinterestedhadseenfittomakeitoreventothinkofit。But“Portia。”assomeofthemansion-housepeoplecalledher，didnothappentoawakentheelectiveaffinitiesofthelonelywidower。Hemetheronceinawhile，andsaidtohimselfthatshewasagoodspecimenofthegrandstyleofwoman；andthentheimagecamebacktohimofawomannotquitesolarge，notquitesoimperialinherport，notquitesoincisiveinherspeech，notquitesojudicialinheropinions，butwithtwoorthreemorejointsinherframe，andtwoorthreesoftinflectionsinhervoice，whichforsomeabsurdreasonorotherdrewhimtohersideandsobewitchedhimthathetoldherhalfhissecretsandlookedintohereyesallthathecouldnottell，inlesstimethanitwouldhavetakeshimtodiscussthechampionpaperofthelastQuarterlywiththeadmirable“Portia。”Heu，quantominus！Howmuchmorewasthatlostimagetohimthanallitleftonearth！

Thestudyofloveisverymuchlikethatofmeteorology。Weknowthatjustaboutsomuchrainwillfallinaseason；butonwhatparticulardayitwillshowerismorethanwecantell。Weknowthatjustaboutsomuchlovewillbemadeeveryyearinagivenpopulation；butwhowillrainhisyoungaffectionsupontheheartofwhomisnotknownexcepttotheastrologersandfortune-tellers。Andwhyrainfallsasitdoesandwhyloveismadejustasitisareequallypuzzlingquestions。

Thewomanamanlovesisalwayshisowndaughter，farmorehisdaughterthanthefemalechildrenborntohimbythecommonlawoflife。Itisnottheoutsidewoman，whotakeshisname，thatheloves：beforeherimagehasreachedthecentreofhisconsciousness，ithaspassedthroughfiftymany-layerednerve-strainers，beenchurnedoverbytenthousandpulse-beats，andreacteduponbymillionsoflateralimpulseswhichbandyitaboutthroughthementalspacesasareflectionissentbackandforwardinasaloonlinedwithmirrors。Withthisalteredimageofthewomanbeforehim，hispreexistingidealbecomesblended。Theobjectofhisloveisinparttheoffspringofherlegalparents，butmoreofherlover’sbrain。

Thedifferencebetweentherealandtheidealobjectsoflovemustnotexceedafixedmaximum。Theheart’svisioncannotunitethemstereoscopicallyintoasingleimage，ifthedivergencepassescertainlimits。Aformidableanalogy，muchinthenatureofaproof，withveryseriousconsequences，whichmoralistsandmatch-makerswoulddowelltoremember！Doublevisionwiththeeyesoftheheartisadangerousphysiologicalstate，andmayleadtomisstepsandseriousfalls。

WhetherDudleyVeneerwouldeverfindabreathingimagenearenoughtohisidealone，tofillthedesolatechamberofhisheart，ornot，wasverydoubtful。Somegraciousandgentlewoman，whoseinfluencewouldstealuponhimasthefirstlowwordsofprayerafterthatintervalofsilentmentalsupplicationknowntooneofoursimplerformsofpublicworship，glidingintohisconsciousnesswithouthurtingitsoldgriefs，herselfknowingthechasteningofsorrow，andsubduedintosweetacquiescencewiththeDivinewill，——somesuchwomanasthis，ifHeavenshouldsendhimsuch，mightcallhimbacktotheworldofhappiness，fromwhichheseemedforeverexiled。Hecouldneveragainbetheyoungloverwhowalkedthroughthegarden-

alleysallredwithrosesintheolddeadandburiedJuneoflongago。Hecouldneverforgetthebrideofhisyouth，whoseimage，growingphantomlikewiththelapseofyears，hoveredoverhimlikeadreamwhilewakingandlikearealityindreams。ButifitmightbeinGod’sgoodprovidencethatthisdesolatelifeshouldcomeundertheinfluenceofhumanaffectionsoncemore，whatanecstasyofrenewedexistencewasinstoreforhim！Hislifehadnotallbeenburiedunderthatnarrowridgeofturfwiththewhitestoneatitshead。Itseemedsoforawhile；butitwasnotandcouldnotandoughtnottobeso。Hisfirstpassionhadbeenatrueandpureone；

therewasnospotorstainuponit。Withallhisgriefthereblendednocruelrecollectionofanywordorlookhewouldhavewishedtoforget。Allthoselittledifferences，suchasyoungmarriedpeoplewithanyindividualflavorintheircharactersmusthave，iftheyaretolerablymated，hadonlyaddedtothemusicofexistence，asthelesserdiscordsadmittedintosomeperfectsymphony，fitlyresolved，addrichnessandstrengthtothewholeharmoniousmovement。ItwasadeepwoundthatFatehadinflictedonhim；nay，itseemedlikeamortalone；buttheweaponwasclean，anditsedgewassmooth。Suchwoundsmusthealwithtimeinhealthynatures，whateverafalsesentimentmaysay，bythewiseandbeneficentlawofourbeing。Therecollectionofadeepandtrueaffectionisratheradivinenourishmentforalifetogrowstronguponthanapoisontodestroyit。

DudleyVenner’shabitualsadnesscouldnotbelaidwhollytohisearlybereavement。Itwaspartlytheresultofthelongstrugglebetweennaturalaffectionandduty，ononeside，andtheinvoluntarytendenciesthesehadtoovercome，ontheother，——betweenhopeandfear，solonginconflictthatdespairitselfwouldhavebeenlikeananodyne，andhewouldhavesleptuponsomefinalcatastrophewiththeheavysleepofabankruptafterhisfailureisproclaimed。Alas！

somenewaffectionmightperhapsrekindlethefiresofyouthinhisheart；butwhatpowercouldcalmthathaggardterroroftheparentwhichrosewitheverymorning’ssunandwatchedwitheveryeveningstar，——whatpowersavealonethatofhimwhocomesbearingtheinvertedtorch，andleavingafterhimonlytheashesprintedwithhisfootsteps？

CHAPTERXXI。

THEWIDOWROWENSGIVESATEA-PARTY。

Therewasagooddealofinterestfelt，ashasbeensaid，inthelonelyconditionofDudleyVennerinthatfinemansion-houseofhis，andwiththatstrangedaughter，whowouldneverbemarried，asmanypeoplethought，inspiteofallthestories。Thefeelingsexpressedbythegoodfolkswhodatedfromthetimewhenthey“buriedaourlittleAnnyMari’。”andothersofthathomespunstripe，werefoundedinreason，afterall。Andsoitwasnaturalenoughthattheyshouldbesharedbyvariousladies，who，havingconjugatedtheverbtoliveasfarasthepreterpluperfecttense，werereadytochangeoneofitsvowelsandbeginwithitinthepresentindicative。Unfortunately，therewasverylittlechanceofshowingsympathyinitsactiveformforagentlemanwhokepthimselfsomuchoutofthewayasthemasteroftheDudleyMansion。

Variousattemptshadbeenmade，fromtimetotime，oflateyears，togethimoutofhisstudy，whichhad，forthemostpart，provedfailures。Itwasasurprise，therefore，whenhewasseenattheGreatPartyattheColonel’s。Butitwasanencouragementtotryhimagain，andtheconsequencehadbeenthathehadreceivedanumberofnotesinvitinghimtovarioussmallerentertainments，which，asneitherhenorElsiehadanyfancyforthem，hehadpolitelydeclined。

Suchwasthestateofthingswhenhereceivedaninvitationtotaketeasociably，withafewfriends，atHyacinthCottage，theresidenceoftheWidowRowens，relictofthelateBeeriRowens，Esquire，betterknownasMajorRowens。MajorRowenswasatthetimeofhisdeceaseapromisingofficerinthemilitia，inthedirectlineofpromotion，ashiswaistbandwasgettingtightereveryyear；and，asalltheworldknows，themilitia-officerwhosplitsoffmostbuttonsandfillsthelargestsword-beltstandsthebestchanceofrising，or，perhapswemightsay，spreading，tobeGeneral。

MajorRowensunitedinhispersoncertainothertraitswhichhelpamantoeminenceinthebranchofpublicservicereferredto。Herantohighcolors，towidewhiskers，toopenpores；hehadthesaddle-

leatherskincommoninEnglishmen，rarerinAmericans，——neverfoundintheBrahmincaste，oftenerinthemilitaryandthecommodores：

observingpeopleknowwhatismeant；blowtheseed-arrowsfromthewhite-kid-lookingbuttonwhichholdsthemonadandelion-stalk，andthepricked-pincushionsurfaceshowsyouwhattolookfor。Hehadtheloudgruffvoicewhichimpliestherighttocommand。Hehadthethickhand，stubbedfingers，withbristledpadsbetweentheirjoints，square，broadthumb-nails，andsturdylimbs，whichmarkaconstitutionmadetouseinroughout-doorwork。Hehadthenever-

failingpredilectionforshowyswitch-tailedhorsesthatstephigh，andsidleabout，andactasiftheyweregoingtodosomethingfearfulthenextminute，inthefaceofawedandadmiringmultitudesgatheredatmightymustersorimposingcattle-shows。Hehadnoobjection，either，toholdingthereinsinawagonbehindanotherkindofhorse，——aslouching，listlessbeast，withastrongslanttohisshoulder；andanotabledepthtohisquarterandanemphaticangleatthehock，whocommonlywalkedorloungedalonginalazytrotoffiveorsixmilesanhour；but，ifalivelycolthappenedtocomerattlingupalongside，orabrandy-facedoldhorse-jockeytooktheroadtoshowoffafastnag，andthrewhisdustintotheMajor’sface，wouldpickhislegsupallatonce，andstraightenhisbodyout，andswingoffintoathree-minutegait，inawaythat“OldBlue“

himselfneednothavebeenashamedof。

Forsomereasonwhichmustbelefttothenextgenerationofprofessorstofindout，themenwhoareknowinginhorse-fleshhaveaneyealsofor，letalongdashseparatethebrutecreationfromtheangelicbeingnowtobenamed，——forlovelywoman。Ofthisfacttherecanbenopossibledoubt；andthereforeyoushallnotice，that，ifafasthorsetrotsbeforetwo，oneofthetwainisapttobeaprettybitofmuliebrity，withshapestoher，andeyesflyingaboutinalldirections。

MajorRowens，atthattimeLieutenantoftheRocklandFusileers，haddrivenand“traded“horsesnotafewbeforeheturnedhisacquiredskillasajudgeofphysicaladvantagesinanotherdirection。Heknewaneat，snughoof，adelicatepastern，abroadhaunch，adeepchest，acloseribbed-upbarrel，aswellasanyothermaninthetown。Hewasnottobetakeninbyyourthick-jointed，heavy-headedcattle，withoutanygotothem，thatsuitacountry-parson，noryetbythe“gaanted-up。”long-leggedanimals，withalltheirconstitutionsbredoutofthem，suchasrichgreenhornsbuyandcoverupwiththeirplatedtrappings。

Whetherhisequineexperiencewasofanyusetohimintheselectionofthematewithwhomhewastogoindoubleharnesssolongastheybothshouldlive，weneednotstoptoquestion。Atanyrate，nobodycouldfindfaultwiththepointsofMissMarillaVanDeusen，towhomheofferedtheprivilegeofbecomingMrs。Rowens。TheVanmusthavebeencrossedoutofherblood，forshewasanout-and-outbrunette，withhairandeyesblackenoughforaMohawk’sdaughter。Afinestyleofwoman，withverystrikingtintsandoutlines，——anexcellentmatchfortheLieutenant，exceptforonething。ShewasmarkedbyNatureforawidow。Shewasevidentlygotupformourning，andneverlookedsowellasindeepblack，withjetornaments。

Themanwhoshoulddaretomarryherwoulddoomhimself；forhowcouldshebecomethewidowshewasboundtobe，unlesshecouldretireandgiveherachance？TheLieutenantlived，however，aswehaveseen，tobecomeCaptainandthenMajor，withprospectsoffurtheradvancement。ButMrs。Rowensoftensaidsheshouldneverlookwellincolors。Atlastherdestinyfulfilleditself，andthejusticeofNaturewasvindicated。MajorRowensgotoverheatedgallopingaboutthefieldonthedayoftheGreatMuster，andhadarushofbloodtothehead，accordingtothecommonreport，——atanyrate，somethingwhichstoppedhimshortinhiscareerofexpansionandpromotion，andestablishedMrs。Rowensinhernormalconditionofwidowhood。

TheWidowRowenswasnowinthefullbloomofornamentalsorrow。A

veryshallowcrapebonnet，frilledandfroth-like，allowedthepartedravenhairtoshowitsglossysmoothness。Ajetpinheaveduponherbosomwitheverysighofmemory，oremotionofunknownorigin。Jetbraceletsshonewitheverymovementofherslenderhands，casedinclose-fittingblackgloves。Hersabledresswasridgedwithmanifoldflounces，frombeneathwhichasmallfootshoweditselffromtimetotime，cladinthesamehueofmourning。Everythingaboutherwasdark，exceptthewhitesofhereyesandtheenamelofherteeth。Theeffectwascomplete。Gray’sElegywasnotamoreperfectcomposition。

MuchastheWidowwaspleasedwiththecostumebelongingtohercondition，shedidnotdisguisefromherselfthatundercertaincircumstancesshemightbewillingtochangehernameagain。Thus，forinstance，ifagentlemannottoofargoneinmaturity，ofdignifiedexterior，withanamplefortune，andofunexceptionablecharacter，shouldhappentosethisheartuponher，andtheonlywaytomakehimhappywastogiveupherweedsandgointothoseunbecomingcolorsagainforhissake，——why，shefeltthatitwasinhernaturetomakethesacrifice。ByasingularcoincidenceithappenedthatagentlemanwasnowlivinginRocklandwhounitedinhimselfalltheseadvantages。Whohewas，thesagaciousreadermayveryprobablyhavedivined。Justtoseehowitlooked，oneday，havingboltedherdoor，anddrawnthecurtainsclose，andglancedunderthesofa，andlistenedatthekeyholetobesuretherewasnobodyintheentry，——justtoseehowitlooked，shehadtakenoutanenvelopeandwrittenonthebackofitMrs。ManillaVeneer。Itmadeherheadswimandherkneestremble。Whatifsheshouldfaint，ordie，orhaveastrokeofpalsy，andtheyshouldbreakintotheroomandfindthatnamewritten！Howshecaughtitupandtoreitintolittleshreds，andthencouldnotbeeasyuntilshehadburnedthesmallheapofpiecesButthesearethingswhicheveryhonorablereaderwillconsiderimpartedinstrictconfidence。

TheWidowRowens，thoughnotofthemansionhouseset，wasamongthemostgenteelofthetwo-storycircle，andwasinthehabitofvisitingsomeofthegreatpeople。Inoneofthesevisitsshemetadashingyoungfellowwithanolivecomplexionatthehouseofaprofessionalgentlemanwhohadmarriedoneofthewhitenecksandpairsoffatarmsfromadistinguishedfamilybeforereferredto。

Theprofessionalgentlemanhimselfwasout，buttheladyintroducedtheolive-complexionedyoungmanasMr。RichardVenner。

TheWidowwasparticularlypleasedwiththisaccidentalmeeting。HadheardMr。Venner’snamefrequentlymentioned。Hopedhisunclewaswell，andhischarmingcousin，——wassheasoriginalasever？Hadoftenadmiredthatcharmingcreatureherode：wehadhadsomefinehorses。Hadnevergotoverhertasteforriding，butcouldfindnobodythatlikedagoodlonggallopsince——well——shecouldn’thelpwishingshewasalongsideofhim，theotherday，whenshesawhimdashingby，justattwilight。

TheWidowpaused；liftedaflimsyhandkerchiefwithaverydeepblackbordersoastoplaythejetbracelet；pushedthetipofherslenderfootbeyondthelowestofherblackflounces；lookedup；lookeddown；

lookedatMr。Richard，theverypictureofartlesssimplicity，——asrepresentedinwell-playedgenteelcomedy。

“Agoodbitofstuff。”Dicksaidtohimself，“andsomethingofitleftyet；caramba！“TheMajorhadnotstudiedpointsfornothing，andtheWidowwasoneoftherightsort。Theyoungmanhadbeenalittlerestlessoflate，andwaswillingtovaryhisroutinebypickingupanacquaintancehereandthere。SohetooktheWidow’shint。Heshouldliketohaveascamperofhalfadozenmileswithhersomefinemorning。

TheWidowwasinfinitelyobliged；wasnotsurethatshecouldfindanyhorseinthevillagetosuither；butitwassokindinhim！

WouldhenotcallatHyacinthCottage，andletherthankhimagainthere？

ThusbegananacquaintancewhichtheWidowmadethemostof，andonthestrengthofwhichshedeterminedtogiveatea-partyandinviteanumberofpersonsofwhomweknowsomethingalready。Shetookahalf-sheetofnote-paperandmadeoutherlistascarefullyasacountry“merchant’sclerk“addsuptwoandthreepence(New-Englandnomenclature)andtwelveandahalfcents，figurebyfigure，andfractionbyfraction，beforehecanbesuretheywillmakehalfadollar，withoutcheatingsomebody。Aftermuchconsiderationthelistreduceditselftothefollowingnames：Mr。RichardVennerandMrs。

BlancheCreamer，theladyatwhosehouseshehadmethim，——mansion-

housebreed，——butwillcome，——softonDick；DudleyVenner，——takecareofhimherself；Elsie，——Dickwillseetoher，——won’titfidgettheCreamerwomantoseehimroundher？theoldDoctor，——he’salwayshandy；andthere’sthatyoungmasterthere，upattheschool，——knowhimwellenoughtoaskhim，——oh，yes，he’llcome。One，two，three，four，five，six，——seven；notroomenough，withouttheleafinthetable；oneplaceempty，iftheleaf’sin。Let’ssee，——HelenDarley，——she’lldowellenoughtofillitup，——why，yes，justthething，——

lightbrownhair，blueeyes，——won’tmypatternshowoffwellagainsther？Putherdown，——she’sworthherteaandtoasttentimesover，——

nobodyknowswhata“thunder-and-lightningwoman。”aspoorMajorusedtohaveit，is，tillshegetsalongsideofoneofthoseold-maidishgirls，withhairthecolorofbrownsugar，andeyesliketheblueofateacup。

TheWidowsmiledwithafeelingoftriumphathavingovercomeherdifficultiesandarrangedherparty，——aroseandstoodbeforeherglass，three-quartersfront，one-quarterprofile，soastoshowthewhitesoftheeyesandthedownoftheupperlip。“Splendid！“saidtheWidow——andtotellthetruth，shewasnotfaroutoftheway，andwithHelenDarleyasafoilanybodywouldknowshemustbefoudroyantandpyramidal，——iftheseFrenchadjectivesmaybenaturalizedforthisoneparticularexigency。

SotheWidowsentouthernotes。Theblackgriefwhichhadfilledherheartandhadoverflowedinsurgesofcrapearoundherpersonhadleftadeposithalfaninchwideatthemarginofhernote-paper。

Hersealwasasmallyouthwithaninvertedtorch，thesameonwhichMrs。BlancheCreamermadeherspitefulremark，thatsheexpectedtoseethatboyoftheWidow’sstandingonhisheadyet；meaning，asDicksupposed，thatshewouldgetthetorchright-sideupassoonasshehadachance。ThatwasafterDickhadmadetheWidow’sacquaintance，andMrs。Creamerhadgotitintoherfoolishheadthatshewouldmarrythatyoungfellow，ifshecouldcatchhim。Howcouldheevercometofancysuchaquadroon-lookingthingasthat，sheshouldliketoknow？

Itiseasyenoughtoasksevenpeopletoaparty；butwhethertheywillcomeornotisanopenquestion，asitwasinthecaseofthespiritsofthevastydeep。Ifthenoteissuesfromathree-storymansion-house，andgoestotwo-storyacquaintances，theywillallbeinanexcellentstateofhealth，andhavemuchpleasureinacceptingthisverypoliteinvitation。Ifthenoteisfromtheladyofatwo-

storyfamilytothree-storyones，theformerhighlyrespectablepersonwillveryprobablyfindthatanendemiccomplaintisprevalent，notrepresentedintheweeklybillsofmortality，whichoccasionsnumerousregretsinthebosomsofeminentlydesirablepartiesthattheycannothavethepleasureofand-so-forthing。

Inthiscasetherewasroomfordoubt，——mainlyastowhetherElsiewouldtakeafancytocomeornot。Ifsheshouldcome，herfatherwouldcertainlybewithher。Dickhadpromised，andthoughthecouldbringElsie。Ofcoursetheyoungschoolmasterwillcome，andthatpoortired-outlookingHelen，ifonlytogetoutofsightofthosehorridPeckhamwretches。Theydon’tgetsuchinvitationseveryday。

Theothersshefeltsureof，——allbuttheoldDoctor，——hemighthavesomehorridpatientorothertovisit；tellhimElsieVenner’sgoingtobethere，——healwayslikestohaveaneyeonher，theysay，——oh，he’dcomefastenough，withoutanymorecoaxing。

ShewantedtheDoctor，particularly。Itwasodd，butshewasafraidofElsie。Shefeltasifsheshouldbesafeenough，iftheoldDoctorweretheretoseetothegirl；andthensheshouldhaveleisuretodevoteherselfmorefreelytotheyounglady’sfather，forwhomallhersympathieswereinastateoflivelyexcitement。

ItwasalongtimesincetheWidowhadseensomanypersonsroundhertableasshehadnowinvited。Betterhavetheplatessetandseehowtheywillfillitupwiththeleafin——Alittletooscatteringwithonlyeightplatesset：ifshecouldfindtwomorepeople，now，thatwouldbringthechairsalittlecloser，——snug，youknow，——whichmakesthecompanysociable。TheWidowthoughtoverheracquaintances。Whyhowstupid！therewashergoodminister，thesamewhohadmarriedher，andmight——might——buryherforaughtsheanew，andhisgranddaughterstayingwithhim，——nicelittlegirl，pretty，andnotoldenoughtobedangerous；——fortheWidowhadnonotionofmakingatea-partyandaskingpeopletoitthatwouldbeliketostandbetweenherandanylittleprojectshemighthappentohaveonanybody’sheart，——notshe！Itwasallrightnow；Blanchewasmarriedandsoforth；Lettywasachild；Elsiewashisdaughter；HelenDarleywasanice，worthydrudge，——poorthing！——faded，faded，——colorswouldn’twash，justwhatshewantedtoshowoffagainst。Now，iftheDudleymansion-housepeoplewouldonlycome，——thatwasthegreatpoint。

“Here’sanoteforus，Elsie。”saidherfather，astheysatroundthebreakfast-table。“Mrs。Rowenswantsusalltocometotea。”

Itwasoneof“Elsie’sdays。”asoldSophycalledthem。Thelightinhereyeswasstill，butverybright。Shelookedupsofullofperverseandwilfulimpulses，thatDickknewhecouldmakehergowithhimandherfather。Hehadhisownmotivesforbringinghertothisdetermination，——andhisownwayofsettingaboutit。

“Idon’twanttogo。”hesaid。“Whatdoyousay，uncle？“

“Totellthetruth，Richard，Idon’tmachfancytheMajor’swidow。I

don’tliketoseeherweedsfloweringoutquitesostrong。Isupposeyoudon’tcareaboutgoing，Elsie？“

Elsielookedupinherfather’sfacewithanexpressionwhichheknewbuttoowell。Shewasjustinthestatewhichtheplainsortofpeoplecall“contrary。”whentheyhavetodealwithitinanimals。

Shewouldinsistongoingtothattea-party；heknewitjustaswellbeforeshespokeasaftershehadspoken。IfDickhadsaidhewantedtogoandherfatherhadsecondedhiswishes，shewouldhaveinsistedonstayingathome。Itwasnogreatmatter，herfathersaidtohimself，afterall；verylikelyitwouldamuseher；theWidowwasalivelywomanenough，——perhapsalittlecommeilnefautpassocially，comparedwiththeThorntonsandsomeotherfamilies；butwhatdidhecareforthesepettyvillagedistinctions？

Elsiespoke。

“Imeantogo。Youmustgowithme，Dudley。Youmaydoasyoulike，Dick。”

ThatsettledtheDudley-mansionbusiness，ofcourse。Theyallthreeaccepted，asfortunatelydidalltheotherswhohadbeeninvited。

HyacinthCottagewasaprettyplaceenough，alittletoomuchchokedroundwithbushes，andtoomuchoverrunwithclimbing-roses，which，intheseasonofslugsandrose-bugs，wereapttoshowsobrownabouttheleavesandsocoleopterousabouttheflowers，thatitmightbequestionedwhethertheirbudsandblossomsmadeupfortheseunpleasantanimalcombinations，——especiallyasthesmellofwhale-oilsoapwasverycommonlyintheascendantoverthatoftheroses。Ithaditspatchofgrasscalled“thelawn。”anditsglazedclosetknownas“theconservatory。”accordingtothatsystemofharmlessfictionscharacteristicoftheruralimaginationandshowninthenamesappliedtomanyfamiliarobjects。Theinteriorofthecottagewasmoretastefulandambitiousthanthatoftheordinarytwo-storydwellings。Inplaceoftheprevailinghair-clothcoveredfurniture，thevisitorhadthesatisfactionofseatinghimselfuponachaircoveredwithsomeoftheWidow’sembroidery，orasofaluxuriouswithsoftcaressingplush。ThesportingtastesofthelateMajorshowedinvariousprintsonthewall：Herring’s“Plenipotentiary。”the“redbullock“ofthe’34Derby；“Cadland“and“TheColonel；““Crucifix；“

“West-Australian。”fastestofmodernracers；andamongnativecelebrities，ugly，gameold“Boston。”withhisstraightneckandraggedhips；andgray“LadySuffolk。”queen，inherday，notoftheturfbutofthetrack，“extending“herselftillshemeasuredarod，moreorless，skimmingalongwithinayardoftheground，herlegsopeningandshuttingunderherwithasnap，likethefourbladesofacompoundjack-knife。

Thesepicturesweremuchmorerefreshingthanthosedrearyfancydeath-bedscenes，commonintwo-storycountry-houses，inwhichWashingtonandotherdistinguishedpersonagesarerepresentedasobliginglydevotingtheirlastmomentstotakingaprominentpartinatableau，inwhichweepingrelatives，attachedservants，professionalassistants，andcelebratedpersonageswhomightbyastretchofimaginationbesupposedpresent，aregroupedinthemostapprovedstyleofarrangementaboutthechiefactor’spillow。

Asingleglazedbookcaseheldthefamilylibrary，whichwashiddenfromvulgareyesbygreensilkcurtainsbehindtheglass。Itwouldhavebeeninstructivetogetalookatit，asitalwaysistopeepintoone’sneighbor’sbook-shelves。Fromothersourcesandopportunitiesapartialideaofithasbeenobtained。TheWidowhadinheritedsomebooksfromhermother，whowassomethingofareader：

Young’s“Night-Thoughts；““ThePreceptor；““TheTask，aPoem。”byWilliamCowper；Hervey’s“Meditations；““AlonzoandMelissa；“

“BuccaneersofAmerica；““TheTriumphsofTemper；““LaBelleAssemblee；“Thomson’s“Seasons；“andafewothers。TheMajorhadbroughtin“TomJones“and“PeregrinePickle；“variousworksbyMr。

PierceEgan；“Boxiana。”“TheRacingCalendar；“anda“BookofLivelySongsandJests。”TheWidowhadaddedthePoemsofLordByronandT。Moore；“EugeneAram；““TheTowerofLondon。”byHarrisonAinsworth；someofScott’sNovels；“ThePickwickPapers；“avolumeofPlays，byW。Shakespeare；“ProverbialPhilosophy；““Pilgrim’sProgress；““TheWholeDutyofMan“(apresentwhenshewasmarried)；

withtwocelebratedreligiousworks，onebyWilliamLawandtheotherbyPhilipDoddridge，whichweresentherafterherhusband’sdeath，andwhichshehadtriedtoread，butfoundthattheydidnotagreewithher。Ofcoursethebookcaseheldafewschoolmanualsandcompendiums，andoneofMr。Webster’sDictionaries。Butthegilt-

edgedBiblealwayslayonthecentre-table，nexttothemagazinewiththefashion-platesandthescrap-bookwithpicturesfromoldannualsandillustratedpapers。

Thereaderneednotapprehendtherecital，atfulllength，ofsuchformidablepreparationsfortheWidow’stea-partyaswererequiredinthecaseofColonelSprowle’sSocialEntertainment。Atea-party，eveninthecountry，isacomparativelysimpleandeconomicalpieceofbusiness。AssoonastheWidowfoundthatallhercompanywerecoming，shesettowork，withtheaidofher“smart“maid-servantandadaughterofherown，whowasbeginningtostretchandspreadatafearfulrate，butwhomshetreatedasasmallchild，tomakethenecessarypreparations。Thesilverhadtoberubbed；alsothegrandplatedurn，——hermother’sbeforehers，——styleoftheEmpire，——lookingasifitmighthavebeenmadetoholdtheMajor’sashes。Thencamethemakingandbakingofcakeandgingerbread，thesmellwhereofreachedevenasfarasthesidewalkinfrontofthecottage，sothatsmallboysreturningfromschoolsnuffeditinthebreeze，anddiscoursedwitheachotheronitssuggestions；sothattheWidowLeech，whohappenedtopass，rememberedshehadn’tcalledonMarillyRaowensforaconsid’blespell，andturnedinatthegateandrangthreetimeswithlongintervals，——butallinvain，theinsideWidowhaving“spotted“theoutsideonethroughtheblinds，andwhisperedtoheraides-de-camptolettheoldthingringawaytillshepulledthebelloutbytheroots，butnottostirtoopenthedoor。

WidowRowenswaswhattheycalledarealsmart，capablewoman，notverygreatonbooks，perhaps，butknewwhatwaswhatandwhowaswhoaswellasanother，——knewhowtomakethelittlecottagelookpretty，howtosetoutatea-table，and，whatagoodmanywomennevercanfindout，knewherownstyleand“gotherselfuptip-top。”asouryoungfriendMasterGeordie，ColonelSprowle’sheir-apparent，remarkedtohisfriendfromoneofthefresh-watercolleges。Flowerswereabundantnow，andshehaddressedherroomstastefullywiththem。Thecentre-tablehadtwoorthreegilt-edgedbookslyingcarelesslyaboutonit，andsomeprintsandastereoscopewithstereographstomatch，chieflygroupsofpicnics，weddings，etc。，inwhichthesamesomewhatfatiguedlookingladiesoffashionandbridesreceivedtheattentionsofthesameunpleasant-lookingyoungmen，easilyidentifiedundertheirdifferentdisguises，consistingoffashionableraimentsuchasgentlemenaresupposedtowearhabitually。Withthese，however，weresomeprettyEnglishscenes，——

prettyexceptfortheoldfellowwiththehangingunder-lipwhoinfestseveryoneofthatinterestingseries；andastatueortwo，especiallythatfamousonecommonlycalledtheLahcoon，soastorhymewithmoonandspoon，andrepresentinganoldmanwithhistwosonsintheembracesoftwomonstrousserpents。

ThereisnodenyingthatitwasaverydashingachievementoftheWidow’stobringtogethersoconsiderableanumberofdesirableguests。Shefeltproudofherfeat；butastothetriumphofgettingDudleyVennertocomeoutforavisittoHyacinthCottage，shewassurprisedandalmostfrightenedatherownsuccess。Somuchmightdependontheimpressionsofthatevening！