第10章

Elbridgestoppedaminutetothink，afterAbelhadfinished。

“Who’stookcareo’themthingsthatwasonthehoss？“hesaid，gravely。

“Waal，Langden，heseemedtokin’o’thinkI’doughttohave’em，——

’n’theSquire；hedidn’seemtohaveno’bjection；’n’so，——waal，I

calc’lateIsh’lljes’holtonto’emmyself；theya’n’tgoodf’rmuch，butthey’recur’oust’keept’lookat。”

Mr。Veneer’smandidnotappearmuchgratifiedbythisarrangement，especiallyashehadashrewdsuspicionthatsomeoftheornamentsofthebridlewereofpreciousmetal，havingmadeoccasionalexaminationsofthemwiththeedgeofafile。Buthedidnotseeexactlywhattodoaboutit，excepttogetthemfromAbelinthewayofbargain。

“Waal，no，——theya’n’tgoodformuch’xcep’tolookat。’Fy’everridonthatseddleonce，y’wouldn’tryitag’in，veryspry，——not’fy’c’dhaalpy’rsaalf。

Itriedit，——darned’fIsotdaownf’rth’nex’week，——eatallmyvictualsstan’in’。Ish’dliket’hevthemthingswalenoughtohengup’nthestable；’fy’wantt’tradesomeday，fetch’emalongdaown。”

AbelratherexpectedthatElbridgewouldhavelaidclaimtothesaddleandbridleonthestrengthofsomepromiseorotherpresumptivetitle，andthoughthimselfluckytogetoffwithonlyofferingtothinkabaouttradin’。

WhenElbridgereturnedtothehouse，hefoundthefamilyinastateofgreatexcitement。Mr。VennerhadtoldOldSophy，andshehadinformedtheotherservants。Everybodyknewwhathadhappened，exceptingElsie。Herfatherhadchargedthemalltosaynothingaboutittoher；hewouldtellher，whenshecamedown。

Heheardherstepatlast，——alight，glidingstep，——solightthathercomingwasoftenunheard，exceptbythosewhoperceivedthefaintrustlethatwentwithit。Shewaspalerthancommonthismorning，asshecameintoherfather’sstudy。

Afterafewwordsofsalutation，hesaidquietly，“Elsie，mydear，yourcousinRichardhasleftus。”

Shegrewstillpaler，assheasked，“Ishedead？“

DudleyVennerstartedtoseetheexpressionwithwhichElsieputthisquestion。

“Heisliving，——butdeadtousfromthisdayforward。”saidherfather。

Heproceededtotellher，inageneralway，thestoryhehadjustheardfromAbel。Therecouldbenodoubtingit；——herememberedhimastheDoctor’sman；andasAbelhadseenallwithhisowneyes，asDick’schamber，whenunlockedwithasparekey，wasfoundempty，andhisbedhadnotbeensleptin，heacceptedthewholeaccountastrue。

WhenhetoldofDick’sattemptontheyoungschoolmaster，(“YouknowMr。Langdonverywell，Elsie，——aperfectlyinoffensiveyoungman，asIunderstand。”)Elsieturnedherfaceawayandslidalongbythewalltothewindowwhichlookedoutohthelittlegrass-plotwiththewhitestonestandinginit。Herfathercouldnotseeherface，butheknewbyhermovementsthatherdangerousmoodwasonher。Whensheheardthesequelofthestory，thediscomfitureandcaptureofDick，sheturnedroundforaninstant，withalookofcontemptandofsomethingliketriumphuponherface。Herfathersawthathercousinhadbecomeodioustoher：Heknewwell，byeverychangeofhercountenance，byhermovements，byeveryvaryingcurveofhergracefulfigure，thetransitionsfrontpassiontorepose，fromfierceexcitementtothedulllanguorwhichoftensucceededherthreateningparoxysms。

Sheremainedlookingoutatthewindow。Agroupofwhitefan-tailedpigeonshadlightedonthegreenplotbeforeitandclusteredaboutoneoftheircompanionswholayonhisback，flutteringinastrangeway，withoutspreadwingsandtwitchingfeet。Elsieutteredafaintcry；thesewereherspecialfavoritesandoftenfedfromherhand。

Shethrewopenthelongwindow，sprangout，caughtupthewhitefantail，andheldittoherbosom。Thebirdstretchedhimselfout，andthenlaystill，withopeneyes，lifeless。Shelookedathimamoment，and，slidinginthroughtheopenwindowandthroughthestudy，soughtherownapartment，whereshelockedherselfin，andbegantosobandmoanlikethosethatweep。Butthegracioussolaceoftearsseemedtobedeniedher，andhergrief，likeheranger，wasadullache，longing，likethat，tofinishitselfwithafierceparoxysm，butwantingitsnaturaloutlet。

Thisseeminglytriflingincidentofthedeathofherfavoriteappearedtochangeallthecurrentofherthought。Whetheritwerethesightofthedyingbird，orthethoughtthatherownagencymighthavebeepconcernedinit，orsomedeepergrief，whichtookthisoccasiontodeclareitself，——somedarkremorseorhopelesslonging，——

whateveritmightbe，therewasanunwontedtumultinhersoul。Towhomshouldshegoinhervaguemisery？OnlytoHimwhoknowsallHiscreatures’sorrows，andlistenstothefaintesthumancry。Sheknelt，asshehadbeentaughttokneelfromherchildhood，andtriedtopray。Butherthoughtsrefusedtoflowinthelanguageofsupplication。Shecouldnotpleadforherselfasotherwomenpleadintheirhoursofanguish。Sheroselikeonewhoshouldstooptodrink，andfinddustintheplaceofwater。Partlyfromrestlessness，partlyfromanattractionshehardlyavowedtoherself，shefollowedherusualhabitandstrolledlistlesslyalongtotheschool。

OfcourseeverybodyattheInstitutewasfulloftheterribleadventureoftheprecedingevening。Mr。Bernardfeltpoorlyenough；

buthehadmadeitapointtoshowhimselfthenextmorning，asifnothinghadhappened。HelenDarleyknewnothingofitalluntilshehardrisen，whenthegossipymatronoftheestablishmentmadeheracquaintedwithallitsdetails，embellishedwithsuchadditionalornamentalappendagesasithadcaughtupintransmissionfromliptolip。Shedidnotlovetobetrayhersensibilities，butshewaspaleandtremulousandverynearlytearfulwhenMr。Bernardenteredthesitting-room，showingonhisfeaturestracesoftheviolentshockhehadreceivedandtheheavyslumberfromwhichhehadrisenwiththrobbingbrows。Whatthepoorgirl’simpulsewas，onseeinghim，weneednotinquiretoocuriously。Ifhehadbeenherownbrother，shewouldhavekissedhimandcriedonhisneck；butsomethingheldherback。Thereisnogalvanisminkiss-your-brother；itiscopperagainstcopper：butalienbloodsdevelopstrangecurrents，whentheyflowclosetoeachother，withonlythefilmsthatcoverlipandcheekbetweenthem。Mr。Bernard，assomeofusmayremember，violatedtheproprietiesandlaidhimselfopentoreproachbyhisenterprisewithabouncingvillage-girl，towhoserosycheekanhonestsmackwasnotprobablyanabsolutenovelty。Hemadeitallupbyhisdiscretionandgoodbehaviornow。HesawbyHelen’smoisteyeandtremblinglipthatherwoman’sheartwasoffitsguard，andheknew，bytheinfallibleinstinctofsex，thatheshouldbeforgiven，ifhethankedherforhersisterlysympathiesinthemostnaturalway，——expressive，andatthesametimeeconomicalofbreathandutterance。Hewouldnotgiveafalselooktotheirfriendshipbyanysuchdemonstration。Helenwasalittleolderthanhimself，buttheaureoleofyoungwomanhoodhadnotyetbeguntofadefromaroundher。

Shewassurroundedbythatenchantedatmosphereintowhichthegirlwalkswithdreamyeyes，andoutofwhichthewomanpasseswithastorywrittenonherforehead。Somepeoplethinkverylittleoftheserefinements；theyhavenotstudiedmagnetismandthelawofthesquareofthedistance。

SoMr。BernardthankedHelenforherinterestwithouttheaidofthetwenty-seventhletterofthealphabet，——thelovelabial，——thelimpingconsonantwhichittakestwotospeakplain。Indeed，hescarcelylethersayaword，atfirst；forhesawthatitwashardforhertoconcealheremotion。Nowonder；hehadcomewithinahair’s-breadthoflosinghislife，andhehadbeenaverykindfriendandaverydearcompaniontoher。

Thereweresomecuriousspiritualexperiencesconnectedwithhislastevening’sadventurewhichwereworkingverystronglyinhismind。ItwasborneinuponhimirresistiblythathehadbeendeadsincehehadseenHelen，——asdeadasthesonoftheWidowofNainbeforethebierwastouchedandhesatupandbegantospeak。Therewasanintervalbetweentwoconsciousmomentswhichappearedtohimlikeatemporaryannihilation，andthethoughtsitsuggestedwereworryinghimwithstrangeperplexities。

Herememberedseeingthedarkfigureonhorsebackriseinthesaddleandsomethingleapfromitshand。Herememberedthethrillhefeltasthecoilsettledonhisshoulders，andthesuddenimpulsewhichledhimtofireashedid。Withthereportofthepistolallbecameblank，untilhefoundhimselfinastrange，bewilderedstate，gropingaboutfortheweapon，whichhehadavagueconsciousnessofhavingdropped。But，accordingtoAbel’saccount，theremusthavebeenanintervalofsomeminutesbetweentheserecollections，andhecouldnothelpasking，Wherewasthemind，thesoul，thethinkingprinciple，allthistime？

Amanisstunnedbyablowwithastickonthehead。Hebecomesunconscious。Anothermangetsaharderblowontheheadfromabiggerstick，anditkillshim。Doeshebecomeunconscious，too？Ifso，whendoeshecometohisconsciousness？Themanwhohashadaslightormoderateblowcomestohimselfwhentheimmediateshockpassesoffandtheorgansbegintoworkagain，orwhenabitoftheskullispriedup，ifthathappenstobebroken。Supposetheblowishardenoughtospoilthebrainandstoptheplayoftheorgans，whathappensthem？

ABritishcaptainwasstruckbyacannon-ballonthehead，justashewasgivinganorder，attheBattleoftheNile。FifteenmonthsafterwardshewastrephinedatGreenwichHospital，havingbeeninsensibleallthattime。Immediatelyaftertheoperationhisconsciousnessreturned，andheatoncebegancarryingouttheorderhewasgivingwhentheshotstruckhim。Supposehehadneverbeentrephined，whenwouldhisconsciousnesshavereturned？Whenhisbreathceasedandhisheartstoppedbeating？

WhenMr。BernardsaidtoHelen，“IhavebeendeadsinceIsawyou。”

itstartledhernotalittle；forhisexpressionwasthatofperfectgoodfaith，andshefearedthathismindwasdisordered。Whenheexplained，notashasbeendonejustnow，atlength，butinahurried，imperfectway，themeaningofhisstrangeassertion，andthefearfulSadduceeismswhichithadsuggestedtohismind，shelookedtroubledatfirst，andthenthoughtful。Shedidnotfeelabletoanswerallthedifficultiesheraised，butshemetthemwiththatfaithwhichisthestrengthaswellastheweaknessofwomen，——whichmakesthemweakinthehandsofman，butstronginthepresenceoftheUnseen。

“Itisastrangeexperience。”shesaid；“butIoncehadsomethinglikeit。Ifainted，andlostsomefiveortenminutesoutofmylife，asmuchasifIhadbeendead。ButwhenIcametomyself，I

wasthesamepersoneveryway，inmyrecollectionsandcharacter。SoIsupposethatlossofconsciousnessisnotdeath。AndifIwasbornoutofunconsciousnessintoinfancywithmanyfamily-traitsofmindandbody，Icanbelieve，frommyownreason，evenwithouthelpfromRevelation，thatIshallbebornagainoutoftheunconsciousnessofdeathwithmyindividualtraitsofmindandbody。Ifdeathis，asitshouldseemtobe，alossofconsciousness，thatdoesnotshakemyfaith；forIhavebeenputintoabodyoncealreadytofitmeforlivinghere，andIhopetobeinsomewayfittedafterthislifetoenjoyabetterone。ButitisalltrustinGodandinhisWord。

Theseareenoughforme；Ihopetheyareforyou。”

Helenwasaminister’sdaughter，andfamiliarfromherchildhoodwiththisclassofquestions，especiallywithallthedoubtsandperplexitieswhicharesuretoassaileverythinkingchildbredinanyinorganicornotthoroughlyvitalizedfaith，——asistoooftenthecasewiththechildrenofprofessionaltheologians。ThekindofdisciplinetheyaresubjectedtoislikethatoftheFlat-HeadIndianpappooses。Atfiveortenorfifteenyearsoldtheyputtheirhandsuptotheirforeheadsandask，Whataretheystrappingdownmybrainsinthiswayfor？SotheytearoffthesacredbandagesofthegreatFlat-Headtribe，andtherefollowsamightyrushofbloodtothelong-compressedregion。Thisaccounts，inthemostlucidmanner，forthosesuddenfreakswithwhichcertainchildrenofthisclassastonishtheirworthyparentsattheperiod，oflifewhentheyaregrowingfast，and，thefrontalpressurebeginningtobefeltassomethingintolerable，theytearofftheholycompresses。

Thehourforschoolcame，andtheywenttothegreathallforstudy。

ItwouldnothaveoccurredtoMr。SilasPeckhamtoaskhisassistantwhetherhefeltwellenoughtoattendtohisduties；andMr。Bernardchosetobeathispost。Alittleheadacheandconfusionwereallthatremainedofhissymptoms。

Later，inthecourseoftheforenoon，ElsieVennercameandtookherplace。Thegirlsallstaredather——naturallyenough；foritwashardlytohavebeenexpectedthatshewouldshowherself，aftersuchaneventinthehouseholdtowhichshebelonged。Herexpressionwassomewhatpeculiar，and，ofcourse，wasattributedtotheshockherfeelingshadundergoneonhearingofthecrimeattemptedbyhercousinanddailycompanion。Whenshewaslookingonherbook，oronanyindifferentobject，hercountenancebetrayedsomeinwarddisturbance，whichknittedherdarkbrows，andseemedtothrowadeepershadowoverherfeatures。But，fromtimetotime，shewouldlifthereyestowardMr。Bernard，andletthemrestuponhim，withoutathought，seemingly，thatsheherselfwasthesubjectofobservationorremark。Thentheyseemedtolosetheircoldglitter，andsoftenintoastrange，dreamytenderness。Thedeepinstinctsofwomanhoodwerestrivingtogropetheirwaytothesurfaceofherbeingthroughallthealieninfluenceswhichoverlaidthem。Shecouldbesecretandcunninginworkingoutanyofherdangerousimpulses，butshedidnotknowhowtomasktheunwontedfeelingwhichfixedhereyesandherthoughtsupontheonlypersonwhohadeverreachedthespringofherhiddensympathies。

ThegirlsalllookedatElsie，whenevertheycouldstealaglanceunperceived，andmanyofthemwerestruckwiththissingularexpressionherfeatureswore。Theyhadlongwhispereditaroundamongeachotherthatshehadalikingforthemaster；butthereweretoomanyofthemofwhomsomethinglikethiscouldbesaid，tomakeitveryremarkable。Now，however，whensomanylittleheartswereflutteringatthethoughtoftheperilthroughwhichthehandsomeyoungmasterhadsorecentlypassed，theyweremorealivethanevertothesupposedrelationbetweenhimandthedarkschool-girl。Somehadsupposedtherewasamutualattachmentbetweenthem；therewasastorythattheyweresecretlybetrothed，inaccordancewiththerumorwhichhadbeencurrentinthevillage。Atanyrate，someconflictwasgoingoninthatstill，remote，cloudedsoul，andallthegirlswholookeduponherfacewereimpressedandawedastheyhadneverbeenbeforebytheshadowsthatpassedoverit。

OneofthesegirlswasmorestronglyarrestedbyElsie’slookthantheothers。Thiswasadelicate，pallidcreature，withahighforehead，andwide-openpupils，whichlookedasiftheycouldtakeinalltheshapesthatflitinwhat，tocommoneyes，isdarkness，——agirlsaidtobeclairvoyantundercertaininfluences。Intherecess，asitwascalled，orintervalofsuspendedstudiesinthemiddleoftheforenoon，thisgirlcarriedherautograph-book，——forshehadoneofthoseindispensableappendagesoftheboarding-schoolmissofeverydegree，——andaskedElsietowritehernameinit。Shehadanirresistiblefeeling，that，soonerorlater，andperhapsverysoon，therewouldattachanunusualinteresttothisautograph。Elsietookthepenandwrote，inhersharpItalianhand，ElsieVenner，Infelix。

Itwasaremembrance，doubtless，oftheforlornqueenofthe“AEneid“；butitscomingtoherthoughtinthiswayconfirmedthesensitiveschool-girlinherfearsforElsie，andsheletfallatearuponthepagebeforesheclosedit。

Ofcourse，thekeenandpractisedobservationofHelenDarleycouldnotfailtonoticethechangeofElsie’smannerandexpression。Shehadlongseenthatshewasattractedtotheyoungmaster，andhadthought，astheoldDoctordid，thatanyimpressionwhichacteduponheraffectionsmightbethemeansofawakeninganewlifeinhersingularlyisolatednature。Now，however，theconcentrationofthepoorgirl’sthoughtsupontheoneobjectwhichhadhadpowertoreachherdeepersensibilitieswassopainfullyrevealedinherfeatures，thatHelenbegantofearoncemore，lestMr。Bernard，inescapingthetreacherousviolenceofanassassin，hadbeenlefttotheequallydangerousconsequencesofaviolent，engrossingpassioninthebreastofayoungcreaturewhoseloveitwouldberuintoadmitandmightbedeadlytoreject。Sheknewherownhearttoowelltofearthatanyjealousymightminglewithhernewapprehensions。ItwasunderstoodbetweenBernardandHelenthattheyweretoogoodfriendstotamperwiththesilencesandedgingproximitiesoflovemaking。Sheknew，too，thesimplyhuman，notmasculine，interestwhichMr。BernardtookinElsie；hehadbeenfrankwithHelen，andmorethansatisfiedherthatwithallthepityandsympathywhichoverflowedhissoul，whenhethoughtofthestrickengirl，thereminglednotonedropofsuchloveasayouthmayfeelforamaiden。

ItmayhelpthereadertogainsomeunderstandingoftheanomalousnatureofElsieVeneer，ifwelookwithHelenintoMr。Bernard’sopinionsandfeelingswithreferencetoher，astheyhadshapedthemselvesinhisconsciousnessattheperiodofwhichwearespeaking。

Atfirsthehadbeenimpressedbyherwildbeauty，andthecontrastofallherlooksandwayswiththoseofthegirlsaroundher。

Presentlyasenseofsomeill-definedpersonalelement，whichhalf-

attractedandhalf-repelledthosewholookeduponher，andespeciallythoseonwhomshelooked，begantomakeitselfobvioustohim，ashesoonfounditwaspainfullysensibletohismoresusceptiblecompanion，thelady-teacher。Itwasnotmerelyinthecoldlightofherdiamondeyes，butinallhermovements，inhergracefulposturesasshesat，inhercostume，and，hesometimesthought，eveninherspeech，thatthisobscureandexceptionalcharacterbetrayeditself。

WhenHelenhadsaid，that，iftheywerelivingintimeswhenhumanbeingsweresubjecttopossession，sheshouldhavethoughttherewassomethingnothumanaboutElsie，itstruckanunsuspectedveinofthoughtinhisownmind，whichhehatedtoputinwords，butwhichwascontinuallytryingtoarticulateitselfamongthedumbthoughtswhichlieundertheperpetualstreamofmentalwhispers。

Mr。Bernard’sprofessionaltraininghadmadehimslowtoacceptmarvellousstoriesandmanyformsofsuperstition。Yet，asamanofscience，hewellknewthatjustonthevergeofthedemonstrablefactsofphysicsandphysiologythereisanebulousborder-landwhichwhatiscalled“commonsense“perhapsdoeswiselynottoenter，butwhichuncommonsense，orthefineapprehensionofprivilegedintelligences，maycautiouslyexplore，andinsodoingfinditselfbehindthesceneswhichmakeupforthegazingworldtheshowwhichiscalledNature。

Itwaswithsomethingofthisfinerperception，perhapswithsomedegreeofimaginativeexaltation，thathesethimselftosolvingtheproblemofElsie’sinfluencetoattractandrepelthosearoundher。

Hisletteralreadysubmittedtothereaderhintsinwhatdirectionhisthoughtsweredisposedtoturn。Herewasamagnificentorganization，superbinvigorouswomanhood，withabeautysuchasnevercomesbutaftergenerationsofculture；yetthroughallthisrichnaturethereransomealiencurrentofinfluence，sinuousanddark，aswhenacloudedstreakseamsthewhitemarbleofaperfectstatue。

Itwouldbeneedlesstorepeattheparticularsuggestionswhichhadcomeintohismind，astheymustprobablyhavecomeintothatofthereaderwhohasnotedthesingularitiesofElsie’stastesandpersonaltraits。Theimageswhichcertainpoetshaddreamedofseemedtohavebecomearealitybeforehisowneyes。ThencamethatunexplainedadventureofTheMountain，——almostlikeadreaminrecollection，yetassuredlyrealinsomeofitsmainincidents，——withallthatitrevealedorhinted。Thisgirldidnotfeartovisitthedreadedregion，wheredangerlurkedineverynookandbeneatheverytuftofleaves。Didthetenantsofthefatalledgerecognizesomemysteriousaffinitywhichmadethemtributarytothecoldglitterofherdiamondeyes，？Wasshefromherbirthoneofthosefrightfulchildren，suchashehadreadabout，andtheProfessorhadtoldhimof，whoformunnaturalfriendshipswithcold，writhingophidians？Therewasnoneedofsounwelcomeathoughtasthis；shehaddrawnhimawayfromthedarkopeningintherockatthemomentwhenheseemedtobethreatenedbyoneofitsmalignantdenizens；thatwasallhecouldbesureof；thecounter-fascinationmighthavebeenadream，afancy，acoincidence。Allwonderfulthingssoongrowdoubtfulinourownminds，asdoevencommonevents，ifgreatinterestsprovesuddenlytoattachtotheirtruthorfalsehood——

I，whoamtellingoftheseoccurrences，sawafriendinthegreatcity，onthemorningofamostmemorabledisaster，hoursafterthetimewhenthetrainwhichcarrieditsvictimstotheirdoomhadleft。

Italkedwithhim，andwasforsomeminutes，atleast，inhiscompany。WhenIreachedhome，Ifoundthatthestoryhadgonebeforethathewasamongthelost，andIalonecouldcontradictittohisweepingfriendsandrelatives。Ididcontradictit；but，alas！I

begansoontodoubtmyself，penetratedbythecontagionoftheirsolicitude；myrecollectionbegantoquestionitself；theorderofeventsbecamedislocated；andwhenIheardthathehadreachedhomeinsafety，thereliefwasalmostasgreattomeastothosewhohadexpectedtoseetheirownbrother’sfacenomore。

Mr。Bernardwasdisposed，then，nottoacceptthethoughtofanyodiouspersonalrelationshipofthekindwhichhadsuggesteditselftohimwhenhewrotetheletterreferredto。Thatthegirlhadsomethingoftheferalnature，herwild，lawlessramblesinforbiddenandblastedregionsofTheMountainatallhours，herfamiliaritywiththelonelyhauntswhereanyotherhumanfootwassorarelyseen，provedclearlyenough。Butthemorehethoughtofallherstrangeinstinctsandmodesofbeing，themorehebecameconvincedthatwhateveralienimpulseswayedherwillandmodulatedordivertedordisplacedheraffectionscamefromsomeimpressionthatreachedfarbackintothepast，beforethedayswhenthefaithfulOldSophyhadrockedherinthecradle。Hebelievedthatshehadbroughtherrulingtendency，whateveritwas，intotheworldwithher。

Whentheschoolwasoverandthegirlshadallgone，HelenlingeredintheschoolroomtospeakwithMr。Bernard。

“DidyouremarkElsie’swaysthisforenoon？“shesaid。

“No，notparticularly；IhavenotnoticedanythingassharplyasI

commonlydo；myheadhasbeenalittlequeer，andIhavebeenthinkingoverwhatweweretalkingabout，andhownearIcametosolvingthegreatproblemwhicheverydaymakescleartosuchmultitudesofpeople。WhataboutElsie？“

“Bernard，herlikingforyouisgrowingintoapassion。Ihavestudiedgirlsforalongwhile，andIknowthedifferencebetweentheirpassingfanciesandtheirrealemotions。Itoldyou，youremember，thatRosawouldhavetoleaveus；webarelymissedascene，Ithink，ifnotawholetragedy，byhergoingattherightmoment。

ButElsieisinfinitelymoredangeroustoherselfandothers。

Women’sloveisfierceenough，ifitoncegetsthemasteryofthem，always；butthispoorgirldoesnotknowwhattodowithapassion。”

Mr。BernardhadnevertoldHelenthestoryoftheflowerinhisVirgil，orthatotheradventure——whichhewouldhavefeltawkwardlytoreferto；butithadbeenperfectlyunderstoodbetweenthemthatElsieshowedinherownsingularwayawell-markedpartialityfortheyoungmaster。

“Whydon’ttheytakeherawayfromtheschool，ifsheisinsuchastrange，excitablestate？“saidMr。Bernard。

“Ibelievetheyareafraidofher。”Helenanswered。“Itisjustoneofthosecasesthataretenthousandthousandtimesworsethaninsanity。Idon’tthinkfromwhatIhear，thatherfatherhasevergivenuphopingthatshewilloutgrowherpeculiarities。Oh，thesepeculiarchildrenforwhomparentsgoonhopingeverymorninganddespairingeverynight！IfIcouldtellyouhalfthatmothershavetoldme，youwouldfeelthattheworstofalldiseasesofthemoralsenseandthewillarethosewhichalltheBedlamsturnawayfromtheirdoorsasnotbeingcasesofinsanity！“

“Doyouthinkherfatherhastreatedherjudiciously？“saidMr。

Bernard。

“Ithink。”saidHelen，withalittlehesitation，whichMr。Bernarddidnothappentonotice，——“Ithinkhehasbeenverykindandindulgent，andIdonotknowthathecouldhavetreatedherotherwisewithabetterchanceofsuccess。”

“Hemustofcoursebefondofher。”Mr。Bernardsaid；“thereisnothingelseintheworldforhimtolove。”

Helendroppedabooksheheldinherhand，and，stoopingtopickitup，thebloodrushedintohercheeks。

“Itisgettinglate。”shesaid；“youmustnotstayanylongerinthiscloseschoolroom。Pray，goandgetalittlefreshairbeforedinner-

time。”

CHAPTERXXVII。

ASOULINDISTRESS。

Theeventstoldinthelasttwochaptershadtakenplacetowardthecloseoftheweek。OnSaturdayeveningtheReverendChauncyFairweatherreceivedanotewhichwasleftathisdoorbyanunknownpersonwhodepartedwithoutsayingaword。Itswordswerethese：

“OnewhoisindistressofmindrequeststheprayersofthiscongregationthatGodwouldbepleasedtolookinmercyuponthesoulthathehasafflicted。”

Therewasnothingtoshowfromwhomthenotecame，orthesexorageorspecialsourceofspiritualdiscomfortoranxietyofthewriter。

Thehandwritingwasdelicateandmightwellbeawoman’s。Theclergymanwasnotawareofanyparticularafflictionamonghisparishionerswhichwaslikelytobemadethesubjectofarequestofthiskind。SurelyneitheroftheVennerswouldadvertisetheattemptedcrimeoftheirrelativeinthisway。Butwhoelsewasthere？Themorehethoughtaboutit，themoreitpuzzledhim，andashedidnotliketoprayinthedark，withoutknowingforwhomhewaspraying，hecouldthinkofnothingbetterthantostepintooldDoctorKittredge’sandseewhathehadtosayaboutit。

TheoldDoctorwassittingaloneinhisstudywhentheReverendMr。

Fairweatherwasusheredin。Hereceivedhisvisitorverypleasantly，expecting，asamatterofcourse，thathewouldbeginwithsomenewgrievance，dyspeptic，neuralgic，bronchitic，orother。Theminister，however，beganwithquestioningtheoldDoctoraboutthesequeloftheothernight’sadventure；forhewasalreadygettingalittleJesuitical，andkeptbacktheobjectofhisvisituntilitshouldcomeupasifaccidentallyinthecourseofconversation。

“Itwasaprettyboldthingtogooffalonewiththatreprobate，asyoudid。”saidtheminister。

“Idon’tknowwhattherewasboldaboutit。”theDoctoranswered。

“Allhewantedwastogetaway。Hewasnotquiteareprobate，yousee；hedidn’tlikethethoughtofdisgracinghisfamilyorfacinghisuncle。Ithinkhewasashamedtoseehiscousin，too，afterwhathehaddone。”

“Didhetalkwithyouontheway？“

“Notmuch。Forhalfanhourorsohedidn’tspeakaword。ThenheaskedwhereIwasdrivinghim。Itoldhim，andheseemedtobesurprisedintoasortofgratefulfeeling。Badenough，nodoubt，butmightbeworse。Hassomehumanityleftinhimyet。Lethimgo。Godcanjudgehim，——Ican’t。”

“Youaretoocharitable，Doctor。”theministersaid。“Icondemnhimjustasifhehadcarriedouthisproject，which，theysay，wastomakeitappearasiftheschoolmasterhadcommittedsuicide。That’swhatpeoplethinktheropefoundbyhimwasfor。Hehassavedhisneck，——buthissoulisalostone，Iamafraid，beyondquestion。”

“Ican’tjudgemen’ssouls。”theDoctorsaid。“Icanjudgetheiracts，andholdthemresponsibleforthose，——butIdon’tknowmuchabouttheirsouls。IfyouorIhadfoundoursoulinahalf-breedbody；andbeenturnedloosetorunamongtheIndians，wemighthavebeenplayingjustsuchtricksasthisfellowhasbeentrying。WhatifyouorIhadinheritedallthetendenciesthatwerebornwithhiscousinElsie？“

“Oh，thatremindsme。”——theministersaid，inasuddenway，——“Ihavereceivedanote，whichIamrequestedtoreadfromthepulpittomorrow。Iwishyouwouldjusthavethekindnesstolookatitandseewhereyouthinkitcamefrom。”

TheDoctorexamineditcarefully。Itwasawoman’sorgirl’snote，hethought。Mightcomefromoneoftheschool-girlswhowasanxiousaboutherspiritualcondition。Handwritingwasdisguised；lookedalittlelikeElsieVeneer’s，butnotcharacteristicenoughtomakeitcertain。Itwouldbeanewthing，ifshehadaskedpublicprayersforherself，andaveryfavorableindicationofachangeinhersingularmoralnature。ItwasjustpossibleElsiemighthavesentthatnote。Nobodycouldforetellheractions。Itwouldbewelltoseethegirlandfindoutwhetheranyunusualimpressionhadbeenproducedonhermindbytherecentoccurrenceorbyanyothercause。

TheReverendMr。Fairweatherfoldedthenoteandputitintohispocket。

“Ihavebeenagooddealexercisedinmindlately，myself。”hesaid。

TheoldDoctorlookedathimthroughhisspectacles，andsaid，inhisusualprofessionaltone，“Putoutyourtongue。”

Theministerobeyedhiminthatfeeblewaycommonwithpersonsofweakcharacter，——forpeopledifferasmuchintheirmodeofperformingthistriflingactasGideon’ssoldiersintheirwayofdrinkingatthebrook。TheDoctortookhishandandplacedafingermechanicallyonhiswrist。

“Itismorespiritual，Ithink，thanbodily。”saidtheReverendMr。

Fairweather。

“Isyourappetiteasgoodasusual？“theDoctorasked。

“Prettygood。”theministeranswered；“butmysleep，mysleep，Doctor，——Iamgreatlytroubledatnightwithlyingawakeandthinkingofmyfuture，Iamnotateaseinmind。”

Helookedroundatallthedoors，tobesuretheywereshut，andmovedhischairupclosetotheDoctor’s。

“YoudonotknowthementaltrialsIhavebeengoingthroughforthelastfewmonths。”

“IthinkIdo。”theoldDoctorsaid。“Youwanttogetoutofthenewchurchintotheoldone，don’tyou？“

Theministerblusheddeeply；hethoughthehadbeengoingoninaveryquietway，andthatnobodysuspectedhissecret。AstheoldDoctorwashiscounsellorinsickness，andalmosteverybody’sconfidantintrouble，hehadintendedtoimpartcautiouslytohimsomehintsofthechangeofsentimentsthroughwhichhehadbeenpassing。Hewastoolatewithhisinformation，itappeared，andtherewasnothingtobedonebuttothrowhimselfontheDoctor’sgoodsenseandkindness，whicheverybodyknew，andgetwhathintshecouldfromhimastothepracticalcourseheshouldpursue。Hebegan，afteranawkwardpause，“YouwouldnothavemestayinacommunionwhichIfeeltobealientothetruechurch，wouldyou？“

“Haveyoustay，myfriend？“saidtheDoctor，withapleasant，friendlylook，——“haveyoustay？Notamonth，noraweek，noraday，ifIcouldhelpit。Youhavegotintothewrongpulpit，andIhaveknownitfromthefirst。Thesooneryougowhereyoubelong，thebetter。AndI’mverygladyoudon’tmeantostophalf-way。Don’tyouknowyou’vealwayscometomewhenyou’vebeendyspepticorsickanyhow，andwantedtoputyourselfwhollyintomyhands，sothatI

mightorderyoulikeachildjustwhattodoandwhattotake？That’sexactlywhatyouwantinreligion。Idon’tblameyouforit。Youneverlikedtotaketheresponsibilityofyourownbody；Idon’tseewhyyoushouldwanttohavethechargeofyourownsoul。ButI’mgladyou’regoingtotheOldMotherofall。Youwouldn’thavebeencontentedshortofthat。”

TheReverendMr。Fairweatherbreathedwithmorefreedom。TheDoctorsawintohissoulthroughthoseawfulspectaclesofhis，——intoitandbeyondit，asoneseesthroughathinfog。Butitwaswitharealhumankindness，afterall。Hefeltlikeachildbeforeastrongman；

butthestrongmanlookedonhimwithafather’sindulgence。Manyandmanyatime，whenhehadcomedespondingandbemoaninghimselfonaccountofsomecontemptiblebodilyinfirmity，theoldDoctorhadlookedathimthroughhisspectacles，listenedpatientlywhilehetoldhisailments，andthen，inhislargeparentalway，givenhimafewwordsofwholesomeadvice，andcheeredhimupsothathewentoffwithalightheart，thinkingthattheheavenhewassomuchafraidofwasnotsoverynear，afterall。Itwasthesamethingnow。Hefelt，asfeeblenaturesalwaysdointhepresenceofstrongones，overmastered，circumscribed，shutin，humbled；butyetitseemedasiftheoldDoctordidnotdespisehimanymoreforwhatheconsideredweaknessofmindthanheusedtodespisehimwhenhecomplainedofhisnervesorhisdigestion。

Menwhoseeintotheirneighborsareveryapttobecontemptuous；butmenwhoseethroughthemfindsomethinglyingbehindeveryhumansoulwhichitisnotforthemtositinjudgmenton，ortoattempttosneeroutoftheorderofGod’smanifolduniverse。

LittleastheDoctorhadsaidoutofwhichcomfortcouldbeextracted，hisgenialmannerhadsomethinggratefulinit。Afilmofgratitudecameoverthepoorman’scloudy，uncertaineye，andalookoftremulousreliefandsatisfactionplayedabouthisweakmouth。Hewasgravitatingtothemajority，wherehehopedtofind“rest“；buthewasdreadfullysensitivetotheopinionsoftheminorityhewasonthepointofleaving。

TheoldDoctorsawplainlyenoughwhatwasgoingoninhismind。

“Isha’n’tquarrelwithyou。”hesaid，——“youknowthatverywell；butyoumustn’tquarrelwithme，ifItalkhonestlywithyou；itisn’teverybodythatwilltakethetrouble。Youflatteryourselfthatyouwillmakeagoodmanyenemiesbyleavingyouroldcommunion。Notsomanyasyouthink。Thisisthewaythecommonsortofpeoplewilltalk：——’Youhavegotyourtickettothefeastoflife，asmuchasanyothermanthateverlived。Protestantismsays，——“Helpyourself；

here’sacleanplate，andaknifeandforkofyourown，andplentyoffreshdishestochoosefrom。”TheOldMothersays，——“Givemeyourticket，mydear，andI’llfeedyouwithmygoldspoonoffthesebeautifuloldwoodentrenchers。Suchnicebitsasthosegoodoldgentlemenhaveleftforyou！“Thereisnoquarrellingwithamanwhoprefersbrokenvictuals。’That’swhattheroughersortwillsay；andthen，whereonescolds，tenwilllaugh。But，mindyou，Idon’teitherscoldorlaugh。Idon’tfeelsurethatyoucouldverywellhavehelpeddoingwhatyouwillsoondo。Youknowyouwerenevereasywithoutsomemedicinetotakewhenyoufeltillinbody。I’mafraidI’vegivenyoutrashystuffsometimes，justtokeepyouquiet。

Now，letmetellyou，thereisjustthesamedifferenceinspiritualpatientsthatthereisinbodilyones。Onesetbelievesinwholesomewaysofliving，andanothermusthaveagreatlistofspecificsforallthesoul’scomplaints。Youbelongwiththelast，andgotaccidentallyshuffledinwiththeothers。”

Theministersmiledfaintly，butdidnotreply。Ofcourse，heconsideredthatwayoftalkingastheresultoftheDoctor’sprofessionaltraining。Itwouldnothavebeenworthwhiletotakeoffenceathisplainspeech，ifhehadbeensodisposed；forhemightwishtoconsulthimthenextdayasto“whatheshouldtake“forhisdyspepsiaorhisneuralgia。

HelefttheDoctorwithahollowfeelingatthebottomofhissoul，asifagoodpieceofhismanhoodhadbeenscoopedoutofhim。Hishollowachingdidnotexplainitselfinwords，butitgrumbledandworrieddownamongtheunshapedthoughtswhichliebeneaththem。Heknewthathehadbeentryingtoreasonhimselfoutofhisbirthrightofreason。Heknewthattheinspirationwhichgavehimunderstandingwaslosingitsthroneinhisintelligence，andthealmightyMajority-

Votewasproclaimingitselfinitsstead。Heknewthatthegreatprimaltruths，whicheachsuccessiverevelationonlyconfirmed，werefastbecominghiddenbeneaththemechanicalformsofthought，which，aswithallnewconverts，engrossedsolargeashareofhisattention。The“peace。”the“rest。”whichhehadpurchasedweredearlyboughttoonewhohadbeentrainedtothearmsofthought，andwhosenobleprivilegeitmighthavebeentoliveinperpetualwarfarefortheadvancingtruthwhichthenextgenerationwillclaimasthelegacyofthepresent。

TheReverendMr。Fairweatherwasgettingcarelessabouthissermons。

Hemustwaitthefittingmomenttodeclarehimself；andinthemeantimehewaspreachingtoheretics。Itdidnotmattermuchwhathepreached，undersuchcircumstances。Hepulledouttwooldyellowsermonsfromaheapofsuch，andbeganlookingoverthatfortheforenoon。Naturallyenough，hefellasleepoverit，and，sleeping，hebegantodream。

Hedreamedthathewasunderthehigharchesofanoldcathedral，amidstathrongofworshippers。Thelightstreamedinthroughvastwindows，darkwiththepurplerobesofroyalsaints，orblazingwithyellowgloriesaroundtheheadsofearthlymartyrsandheavenlymessengers。Thebillowsofthegreatorganroaredamongtheclusteredcolumns，astheseabreaksamidstthebasalticpillarswhichcrowdthestormycavernoftheHebrides。Thevoiceofthealternatechoirsofsingingboysswungbackandforward，asthesilvercenserswunginthehandsofthewhiterobedchildren。Thesweetcloudofincenseroseinsoft，fleecymists，fullofpenetratingsuggestionsoftheEastanditsperfumedaltars。Thekneesoftwentygenerationshadwornthepavement；theirfeethadhollowedthesteps；theirshouldershadsmoothedthecolumns。Deadbishopsandabbotslayunderthemarbleofthefloorintheircrumbledvestments；deadwarriors，inrustedarmor，werestretchedbeneaththeirsculpturedeffigies。Andallatoncealltheburiedmultitudeswhohadeverworshippedtherecamethronginginthroughtheaisles。Theychokedeveryspace，theyswarmedintoallthechapels，theyhunginclustersovertheparapetsofthegalleries，theyclungtotheimagesineveryniche，andstillthevastthrongkeptflowingandflowingin，untilthelivingwerelostintherushofthereturningdeadwhohadreclaimedtheirown。Then，ashisdreambecamemorefantastic，thehugecathedralitselfseemedtochangeintothewreckofsomemightyantediluvianvertebrate；itsflying-buttressesarchedroundlikeribs，itspiersshapedthemselvesintolimbs，andthesoundoftheorgan-blastchangedtothewindwhistlingthroughitsthousand-jointedskeleton。

Andpresentlythesoundlulled，andsoftenedandsoftened，untilitwasasthemurmurofadistantswarmofbees。Aprocessionofmonkswoundalongthroughanoldstreet，chanting，astheywalked。Inhisdreamheglidedinamongthemandborehispartintheburdenoftheirsong。Heenteredwiththelongtrainunderalowarch，andpresentlyhewaskneelinginanarrowcellbeforeanimageoftheBlessedMaidenholdingtheDivineChildinherarms，andhislipsseemedtowhisper，SanctaMaria，orapronobis！

Heturnedtothecrucifix，and，prostratinghimselfbeforethespare，agonizingshapeoftheHolySufferer，fellintoalongpassionoftearsandbrokenprayers。Heroseandflunghimself，worn-out，uponhishardpallet，and，seemingtoslumber，dreamedagainwithinhisdream。Oncemoreinthevastcathedral，withthrongsofthelivingchokingitsaisles，amidstjubilantpealsfromthecavernousdepthsofthegreatorgan，andchoralmelodiesringingfromtheflutythroatsofthesingingboys。Adayofgreatrejoicings，——foraprelatewastobeconsecrated，andthebonesofthemightyskeleton-

minsterwereshakingwithanthems，asiftherewerelifeofitsownwithinitsbuttressedribs。Helookeddownathisfeet；thefoldsofthesacredrobewereflowingaboutthem：heputhishandtohishead；

itwascrownedwiththeholymitre。Alongsigh，asofperfectcontentintheconsummationofallhisearthlyhopes，breathedthroughthedreamer’slips，andshapeditself，asitescaped，intotheblissfulmurmur，EgosumEpiscopus！

Onegrinninggargoylelookedinfrombeneaththeroofthroughanopeninginastainedwindow。Itwasthefaceofamockingfiend，suchastheoldbuilderslovedtoplaceundertheeavestospouttherainthroughtheiropenmouths。Itlookedathim，ashesatinhismitredchair，withitshideousgringrowingbroaderandbroader，untilitlaughedoutaloud，suchahard，stony，mockinglaugh，thatheawokeoutofhisseconddreamthroughhisfirstintohiscommonconsciousness，andshivered，asheturnedtothetwoyellowsermonswhichhewastopickoverandweedofthelittlethoughttheymightcontain，forthenextday’sservice。

TheReverendChauncyFairweatherwastoomuchtakenupwithhisownbodilyandspiritualconditiontobedeeplymindfulofothers。Hecarriedthenoterequestingtheprayersofthecongregationinhispocketallday；andthesoulindistress，whichasingletenderpetitionmighthavesoothed，andperhapshavesavedfromdespairorfatalerror，foundnovoiceinthetempletopleadforitbeforetheThroneofMercy！

CHAPTERXXVIII。

THESECRETISWHISPERED。

TheReverendChauncyFairweather’scongregationwasnotlarge，butselect。Thelinesofsocialcleavagerunthroughreligiouscreedsasiftheywereofapiecewithpositionandfortune。Itisexpectedofpersonsofacertainbreeding，insomepartsofNewEngland，thattheyshallbeeitherEpiscopaliansorUnitarians。Themansion-housegentryofRocklandwereprettyfairlydividedbetweenthelittlechapel，withthestainedwindowandthetrainedrector，andthemeeting-housewheretheReverendMr。Fairweatherofficiated。

ItwasinthelatterthatDudleyVennerworshipped，whenheattendedserviceanywhere，——whichdependedverymuchonthecapriceofElsie。

Hesawplainlyenoughthatagenerousandliberallycultivatednaturemightfindarefugeandcongenialsoulsineitherofthesetwopersuasions，butheobjectedtosomepointsoftheformalcreedoftheolderchurch，andespeciallytothemechanismwhichrendersithardtogetfreefromitsoutwornandoffensiveformulae，——

rememberinghowArchbishopTillotsonwishedinvainthatitcouldbe“wellridof“theAthanasianCreed。This，andthefactthatthemeeting-housewasnearerthanthechapel，determinedhim，whenthenewrector，whowasnotquiteuptohismarkineducation，wasappointed，totakeapewinthe“liberal“worshippers’edifice。

Elsiewasveryuncertaininherfeelingaboutgoingtochurch。Insummer，shelovedrathertostrolloverTheMountain，onSundays。

Therewasevenastory，thatshehadoneofthecavesbeforementionedfittedupasanoratory，andthatshehadherownwildwayofworshippingtheGodwhomshesoughtinthedarkchasmsofthedreadedcliffs。Merefables，doubtless；buttheyshowedthecommonbelief，thatElsie，withallherstrangeanddangerouselementsofcharacter，hadyetstrongreligiousfeelingmingledwiththem。Thehymn-bookwhichDickhadfound，inhismidnightinvasionofherchamber，openedtofavoritehymns，especiallysomeoftheMethodistandQuietistcharacter。Manyhadnoticed，thatcertaintunes，assungbythechoir，seemedtoimpressherdeeply；andsomesaid，thatatsuchtimesherwholeexpressionwouldchange，andherstormylookwouldsoftensoastoremindthemofherpoor，sweetmother。

OntheSundaymorningafterthetalkrecordedinthelastchapter，Elsiemadeherselfreadytogotomeeting。Shewasdressedmuchasusual，exceptingthatsheworeathickveil，turnedaside，butreadytoconcealherfeatures。Itwasnaturalenoughthatsheshouldnotwishtobelookedinthefacebycuriouspersonswhowouldbestaringtoseewhateffecttheoccurrenceofthepastweekhadhadonherspirits。Herfatherattendedherwillingly；andtheytooktheirseatsinthepew，somewhattothesurpriseofmany，whohadhardlyexpectedtoseethem，aftersohumiliatingafamilydevelopmentastheattemptedcrimeoftheirkinsmanhadjustbeenfurnishingfortheastonishmentofthepublic。

TheReverendMr。Fairweatherwasnowinhiscoldestmood。Hehadpassedthroughtheperiodoffeverishexcitementwhichmarksachangeofreligiousopinion。Atfirst，whenhehadbegantodoubthisowntheologicalpositions，hehaddefendedthemagainsthimselfwithmoreingenuityandinterest，perhaps，thanhecouldhavedoneagainstanother；becausemenrarelytakethetroubletounderstandanybody’sdifficultiesinaquestionbuttheirown。Afterthis，ashebegantodrawofffromdifferentpointsofhisoldbelief，thecautiousdisentanglingofhimselffromonemeshafteranothergavesharpnesstohisintellect，andthetremulouseagernesswithwhichheseizeduponthedoctrinewhich，piecebypiece，undervariouspretextsandwithvariousdisguises，hewasappropriating，gaveinterestandsomethinglikepassiontohiswords。Butwhenhehadgraduallyaccustomedhispeopletohisnewphraseology，andwasreallyadjustinghissermonsandhisservicetodisguisehisthoughts，helostatonceallhisintellectualacutenessandallhisspiritualfervor。

Elsiesatquietlythroughthefirstpartoftheservice，whichwasconductedinthecold，mechanicalwaytobeexpected。Herfacewashiddenbyherveil；butherfatherknewherstateoffeeling，aswellbyhermovementsandattitudesasbytheexpressionofherfeatures。

Thehymnhadbeensung，theshortprayeroffered，theBibleread，andthelongprayerwasabouttobegin。Thiswasthetimeatwhichthe“notes“ofanywhowereinafflictionfromlossoffriends，thesickwhoweredoubtfulofrecovery，thosewhohadcausetobegratefulforpreservationoflifeorothersignalblessing，werewonttoberead。

JustthenitwasthatDudleyVeneernoticedthathisdaughterwastrembling，——athingsorare，sounaccountable，indeed，underthecircumstances，thathewatchedherclosely，andbegantofearthatsomenervousparoxysm，orothermalady，mighthavejustbeguntoshowitselfinthiswayuponher。

Theministerhadinhispockettwonotes。One，inthehandwritingofDeaconSoper，wasfromamemberofthiscongregation，returningthanksforhispreservationthroughaseasonofgreatperil，supposedtobetheexposurewhichhehadsharedwithothers，whenstandinginthecirclearoundDickVeneer。Theotherwastheanonymousone，inafemalehand，whichhehadreceivedtheeveningbefore。Heforgotthemboth。Histhoughtswerealtogethertoomuchtakenupwithmoreimportantmatters。Heprayedthroughallthefrozenpetitionsofhisexpurgatedformofsupplication，andnotasingleheartwassoothedorlifted，orremindedthatitssorrowswerestrugglingtheirwayuptoheaven，borneonthebreathfromahumansoulthatwaswarmwithlove。

Thepeoplesatdownasifrelievedwhenthedrearyprayerwasfinished。Elsiealoneremainedstandinguntilherfathertouchedher。Thenshesatdown，liftedherveil，andlookedathimwithablank，sadlook，asifshehadsufferedsomepainorwrong，butcouldnotgiveanynameorexpressiontohervaguetrouble。Shedidnottrembleanylonger，butremainedominouslystill，asifshehadbeenfrozenwhereshesat——

Canamanlovehisownsoultoowell？Who，onthewhole，constitutethenoblerclassofhumanbeings？thosewhohavelivedmainlytomakesureoftheirownpersonalwelfareinanotherandfutureconditionofexistence，ortheywhohaveworkedwithalltheirmightfortheirrace，fortheircountry，fortheadvancementofthekingdomofGod，andleftallpersonalarrangementsconcerningthemselvestothesolechargeofHimwhomadethemandisresponsibletohimselffortheirsafe-keeping？Isananchoritewhohaswornthestonefloorofhiscellintobasinswithhiskneesbentinprayer，moreacceptablethanthesoldierwhogiveshislifeforthemaintenanceofanysacredrightortruth，withoutthinkingwhatwillspeciallybecomeofhiminaworldwheretherearetwoorthreemillioncolonistsamonth，fromthisoneplanet，tobecaredfor？

Thesearegravequestions，whichmustsuggestthemselvestothosewhoknowthattherearemanyprofoundlyselfishpersonswhoaresincerelydevoutandperpetuallyoccupiedwiththeirownfuture，whilethereareotherswhoareperfectlyreadytosacrificethemselvesforanyworthyobjectinthisworld，butarereallytoolittleoccupiedwiththeirexclusivepersonalitytothinksomuchasmanydoaboutwhatistobecomeoftheminanother。

TheReverendChauncyFairweatherdidnot，mostcertainly，belongtothislatterclass。Thereareseveralkindsofbelievers，whosehistorywefindamongtheearlyconvertstoChristianity。

Therewasthemagistrate，whosesocialpositionwassuchthathepreferredaprivateinterviewintheeveningwiththeTeachertofollowinghim——withthestreet-crowd。HehadseenextraordinaryfactswhichhadsatisfiedhimthattheyoungGalileanhadadivinecommission。Butstillhecross-questionedtheTeacherhimself。Hewasnotreadytoacceptstatementswithoutexplanation。Thatwastherightkindofman。SeehowhestoodupforthelegalrightsofhisMaster，whenthepeoplewereforlayinghandsonhim！

Andagain，therewasthegovernmentofficial，intrustedwithpublicmoney，which，inthosedays，impliedthathewassupposedtobehonest。Asinglelookofthatheavenlycountenance，andtwowordsofgentlecommand，wereenoughforhim。Neitherofthesemen，theearlydisciple，northeevangelist，seemstohavebeenthinkingprimarilyabouthisownpersonalsafety。

Butnowlookatthepoor，miserableturnkey，whoseoccupationshowswhathewasliketobe，andwhohadjustbeenthrustingtworespectablestrangers，takenfromthehandsofamob，coveredwithstripesandstrippedofclothing，intotheinnerprison，andmakingtheirfeetfastinthestocks。Histhought，inthemomentofterror，isforhimself：first，suicide；then，whatheshalldo，——nottosavehishousehold，——nottofulfilhisdutytohisoffice，——nottorepairtheoutragehehasbeencommitting，——buttosecurehisownpersonalsafety。Truly，charactershowsitselfasmuchinaman’swayofbecomingaChristianasinanyother！——

Elsiesat，statue-like，throughthesermon。Itwouldnotbefairtothereadertogiveanabstractofthat。Whenamanwhohasbeenbredtofreethoughtandfreespeechsuddenlyfindshimselfsteppingabout，likeadanceramidsthiseggs，amongtheoldaddledmajority-

voteswhichhemustnottreadupon，heisaspectacleformenandangels。Submissiontointellectualprecedentandauthoritydoesverywellforthosewhohavebeenbredtoit；weknowthattheundergroundcoursesoftheirmindsarelaidintheRomancementoftradition，andthatstatelyandsplendidstructuresmayberearedonsuchafoundation。Buttoseeonelayingaplatformoverhereticalquicksands，thirtyorfortyorfiftyyearsdeep，andthenbeginningtobuilduponit，isasorrysight。Anewconvertfromthereformedtotheancientfaithmaybeverystronginthearms，buthewillalwayshaveweaklegsandshakyknees。Hemayusehishandswell，andhithardwithhisfists，buthewillneverstandonhislegsinthewaythemandoeswhoinheritshisbelief。

Theserviceswereoveratlast，andDudleyVennerandhisdaughterwalkedhometogetherinsilence。Healwaysrespectedhermoods，andsawclearlyenoughthatsomeinwardtroublewasweighinguponher。

Therewasnothingtobesaidinsuchcases，forElsiecouldnevertalkofhergriefs。Anhour，oraday，oraweekofbrooding，withperhapsasuddenflashofviolence：thiswasthewayinwhichtheimpressionswhichmakeotherwomenweep，andtelltheirgriefsbywordorletter，showedtheireffectsinhermindandacts。

ShewanderedoffupintotheremoterpartsofTheMountain，thatday，aftertheirreturn。Noonesawjustwhereshewent，——indeed，nooneknewitsforest-recessesandrockyfastnessesasshedid。Shewasgoneuntillateatnight；andwhenOldSophy，whohadwatchedforher，boundupherlonghairforhersleep，itwasdampwiththecolddews。

Theoldblackwomanlookedatherwithoutspeaking，butquestioningherwitheveryfeatureastothesorrowthatwasweighingonher。

SuddenlysheturnedtoOldSophy。

“Youwanttoknowwhatthereistroublingme；“shesaid。“Nobodylovesme。Icannotloveanybody。Whatislove，Sophy？“

“It’swhatpoorOl’Sophy’sgotforherElsie。”theoldwomananswered。“Tellme，darlin’，——don’youlovesomebody？——don’youlove？youknow，——oh，tellme，darlin’，don’youlovetoseethegen’l’manthatkeepsupattheschoolwhereyougo？Theysayhe’sthepootiestgen’l’manthatwaseverinthetownhere。Don’be’fraidofpoorOl’Sophy，darlin’，——shelovedamanonce，——seehere！

Oh，I’veshowedyouthisoftenenough！“

ShetookfromherpocketahalfofoneoftheoldSpanishsilvercoins，suchaswerecurrentintheearlierpartofthiscentury。Theotherhalfofithadbeenlyinginthedeepsea-sandformorethanfiftyyears。

Elsielookedherintheface，butdidnotanswerinwords。Whatstrangeintelligencewasthatwhichpassedbetweenthemthroughthediamondeyesandthelittlebeadyblackones？——whatsubtileintercommunication，penetratingsomuchdeeperthanarticulatespeech？ThiswasthenearestapproachtosympatheticrelationsthatElsieeverhad：akindofdumbintercourseoffeeling，suchasoneseesintheeyesofbrutemotherslookingontheiryoung。But，subtileasitwas，itwasnarrowandindividual；whereasanemotionwhichcanshapeitselfinlanguageopensthegateforitselfintothegreatcommunityofhumanaffections；foreverywordwespeakisthemedalofadeadthoughtorfeeling，struckinthedieofsomehumanexperience，wornsmoothbyinnumerablecontacts，andalwaystransferredwarmfromonetoanother。Bywordswesharethecommonconsciousnessoftherace，whichhasshapeditselfinthesesymbols。

Bymusicwereachthosespecialstatesofconsciousnesswhich，beingwithoutform，cannotbeshapedwiththemosaicsofthevocabulary。

Thelanguageoftheeyesrunsdeeperintothepersonalnature，butitispurelyindividual，andperishesintheexpression。

Ifweconsiderthemallasgrowingoutoftheconsciousnessastheirroot，languageistheleaf，musicistheflower；butwhentheeyesmeetandsearcheachother，itistheuncoveringoftheblanchedstemthroughwhichthewholeliferuns，butwhichhasnevertakencolororformfromthesunlight。

ForthreedaysElsiedidnotreturntotheschool。Muchofthetimeshewasamongthewoodsandrocks。Theseasonwasnowbeginningtowane，andtheforesttoputonitsautumnalglory。Thedreamyhazewasbeginningtosoftenthelandscape，andthemastdeliciousdaysoftheyearwerelendingtheirattractiontothesceneryofTheMountain。ItwasnotverysingularthatElsieshouldbelingeringinheroldhaunts，fromwhichthechangeofseasonmustsoondriveher。

ButOldSophysawclearlyenoughthatsomeinternalconflictwasgoingon，andknewverywellthatitmusthaveitsownwayandworkitselfoutasitbestcould。AsmuchaslookscouldtellElsiehadtoldher。Shehadsaidinwords，tobesure，thatshecouldnotlove。Somethingwarpedandthwartedtheemotionwhichwouldhavebeenloveinanother，nodoubt；butthatsuchanemotionwasstrivingwithheragainstallmaligninfluenceswhichinterferedwithittheoldwomanhadaperfectcertaintyinherownmind。

Everybodywhohasobservedtheworkingofemotionsinpersonsofvarioustemperamentsknowswellenoughthattheyhaveperiodsofincubation，whichdifferwiththeindividual，andwiththeparticularcauseanddegreeofexcitement，yetevidentlygothroughastrictlyself-limitedseriesofevolutions，attheendofwhich，theirresult——anactofviolence，aparoxysmoftears，agradualsubsidenceintorepose，orwhateveritmaybe——declaresitself，likethelaststageofanattackoffeverandague。Noonecanobservechildrenwithoutnoticingthatthereisapersonalequation，tousetheastronomer’slanguage，intheirtempers，sothatonesulksanhouroveranoffencewhichmakesanotherafuryforfiveminutes，andleaveshimorheranangelwhenitisover。

Attheendofthreedays，Elsiebraidedherlong，glossy，blackhair，andshotagoldenarrowthroughit。Shedressedherselfwithmorethanusualcare，andcamedowninthemorningsuperbinherstormybeauty。Thebroodingparoxysmwasover，oratleastherpassionhadchangeditsphase。Herfathersawitwithgreatrelief；hehadalwaysmanyfearsforherinherhoursanddaysofgloom，but，forreasonsbeforeassigned，hadfeltthatshemustbetrustedtoherself，withoutappealingtoactualrestraint，oranyothersupervisionthansuchasOldSophycouldexercisewithoutoffence。

Shewentoffattheaccustomedhourtotheschool。Allthegirlshadtheireyesonher。Nonesokeenastheseyoungmissestoknowaninwardmovementbyanoutwardsignofadornment：iftheyhavenotasmanysignalsastheshipsthatsailthegreatseas，thereisnotanendofribbonoraturnofaringletwhichisnotahieroglyphicwithahiddenmeaningtotheselittlecruisersovertheoceanofsentiment。

ThegirlsalllookedatElsiewithanewthought；forshewasmoresumptuouslyarrayedthanperhapseverbeforeattheschool；andtheysaidtothemselvesthatshehadcomemeaningtodrawtheyoungmaster’seyesuponher。Thatwasit；whatelsecoulditbe？Thebeautifulcoldgirlwiththediamondeyesmeanttodazzlethehandsomeyounggentleman。Hewouldbeafraidtoloveher；itcouldn’tbetrue，thatwhichsomepeoplehadsaidinthevillage；shewasn’tthekindofyoungladytomakeMr。Langdonhappy。Thosedarkpeopleareneversafe：sooneoftheyoungblondessaidtoherself。

Elsiewasnotliteraryenoughforsuchascholar：sothoughtMissCharlotteAnnWood，theyoungpoetess。Shecouldn’thave，agoodtemper，withthosescowlingeyebrows：thiswastheopinionofseveralbroad-faced，smilinggirls，whothought，eachinherownsnuglittlementalsanctum，that，if，etc。，etc。，shecouldmakehimsohappy！

Elsiehadnoneofthestill，wickedlightinhereyes，thatmorning。

Shelookedgentle，butdreamy；playedwithherbooks；didnottroubleherselfwithanyoftheexercises，——whichinitselfwasnotveryremarkable，asshewasalwaysallowed，undersomepretextorother，tohaveherownway。

Theschool-hourswereoveratlength。Thegirlswentout，butshelingeredtothelast。ShethencameuptoMr。Bernard，withabookinherhand，asiftoaskaquestion。

“Willyouwalktowardsmyhomewithmetoday？“shesaid，inaverylowvoice，littlemorethanawhisper。

Mr。Bernardwasstartledbytherequest，putinsuchaway。Hehadapresentimentofsomepainfulsceneorother。Buttherewasnothingtobedonebuttoassureherthatitwouldgivehimgreatpleasure。

SotheywalkedalongtogetherontheirwaytowardtheDudleymansion。

“Ihavenofriend。”Elsiesaid，allatonce。“Nothinglovesmebutoneoldwoman。Icannotloveanybody。Theytellmethereissomethinginmyeyesthatdrawspeopletomeandmakesthemfaint：

Lookintothem，willyou？“

Sheturnedherfacetowardhim。Itwasverypale，andthediamondeyeswereglitteringwithafilm，suchasbeneathotherlidswouldhaveroundedintoatear。

“Beautifuleyes，Elsie。”hesaid，——“sometimesverypiercing，——butsoftnow，andlookingasifthereweresomethingbeneaththemthatfriendshipmightdrawout。Iamyourfriend，Elsie。TellmewhatI

candotorenderyourlifehappier。”

“Loveme！“saidElsieVenner。

Whatshallamando，whenawomanmakessuchademand，involvingsuchanavowal？Itwasthetenderest，cruellest，humblestmomentofMr。

Bernard’slife。Heturnedpale，hetrembledalmost，asifhehadbeenawomanlisteningtoherlover’sdeclaration。

“Elsie。”hesaid，presently，“Isolongtobeofsomeusetoyou，tohaveyourconfidenceandsympathy，thatImustnotletyousayordoanythingtoputusinfalserelations。Idoloveyou，Elsie，asasufferingsisterwithsorrowsofherown，——asonewhomIwouldsaveattheriskofmyhappinessandlife，——asonewhoneedsatruefriendmorethan——anyofalltheyounggirlsIhaveknown。Morethanthisyouwouldnotaskmetosay。Youhavebeenthroughexcitementandtroublelately，andithasmadeyoufeelsuchaneedmorethanever。

Givemeyourhand，dearElsie，andtrustmethatIwillbeastrueafriendtoyouasifwewerechildrenofthesamemother。”

Elsiegavehimherhandmechanically。Itseemedtohimthatacoldaurashotfromitalonghisarmandchilledthebloodrunningthroughhisheart。Hepresseditgently，lookedatherwithafacefullofgravekindnessandsadinterest，thensoftlyrelinquishedit。

ItwasalloverwithpoorElsie。Theywalkedalmostinsilencetherestoftheway。Mr。Bernardleftheratthegateofthemansion-

house，andreturnedwithsadforebodings。Elsiewentatoncetoherownroom，anddidnotcomefromitattheusualhours。AtlastOldSophybegantobealarmedabouther，wenttoherapartment，and，findingthedoorunlocked，enteredcautiously。ShefoundElsielyingonherbed，herbrowsstronglycontracted，hereyesdull，herwholelookthatofgreatsuffering。Herfirstthoughtwasthatshehadbeendoingherselfaharmbysomedeadlymeansorother。ButElsie，sawherfear，andreassuredher。

“No。”shesaid，“thereisnothingwrong，suchasyouarethinkingof；

Iamnotdying。YoumaysendfortheDoctor；perhapshecantakethepainfrommyhead。ThatisallIwanthimtodo。Thereisnouseinthepain，thatIknowof；ifhecanstopit，lethim。”

SotheysentfortheoldDoctor。ItwasnotlongbeforethesolidtrotofCaustic，theoldbayhorse，andthecrashingofthegravelunderthewheels，gavenoticethatthephysicianwasdrivinguptheavenue。

TheoldDoctorwasamodelforvisitingpractitioners。Healwayscameintothesick-roomwithaquiet，cheerfullook，asifhehadaconsciousnessthathewasbringingsomesurereliefwithhim。Thewayapatientsnatcheshisfirstlookathisdoctor’sface，toseewhetherheisdoomed，whetherheisreprieved，whetherheisunconditionallypardoned，hasreallysomethingterribleaboutit。Itisonlytobemetbyanimperturbablemaskofserenity，proofagainstanythingandeverythinginapatient’saspect。Thephysicianwhosefacereflectshispatient’sconditionlikeamirrormaydowellenoughtoexaminepeopleforalife-insuranceoffice，butdoesnotbelongtothesickroom。TheoldDoctordidnotkeeppeoplewaitingindreadsuspense，whilehestayedtalkingaboutthecase，——thepatientallthetimethinkingthatheandthefriendsarediscussingsomealarmingsymptomorformidableoperationwhichhehimselfisby-

and-by——tohearof。

HewasinElsie’sroomalmostbeforesheknewhewasinthehouse。

Hecametoherbedsideinsuchanatural，quietway，thatitseemedasifhewereonlyafriendwhohaddroppedinforamomenttosayapleasantword。YethewasveryuneasyaboutElsieuntilhehadseenher；heneverknewwhatmighthappentoherorthoseabouther，andcamepreparedfortheworst。

“Sick，mychild？“hesaid，inaverysoft，lowvoice。

Elsienodded，withoutspeaking。

TheDoctortookherhand，——whetherwithprofessionalviews，oronlyinafriendlyway，itwouldhavebeenhardtotell。Sohesatafewminutes，lookingatherallthetimewithakindoffatherlyinterest，butwithitallnotinghowshelay，howshebreathed，hercolor，herexpression，allthatteachesthepractisedeyesomuchwithoutasinglequestionbeingasked。Hesawshewasinsuffering，andsaidpresently，“Youhavepainsomewhere；whereisit？“

Sheputherhandtoherhead。

Asshewasnotdisposedtotalk，hewatchedherforawhile，questionedOldSophyshrewdlyafewminutes，andsomadeuphismindastotheprobablecauseofdisturbanceandtheproperremediestobeused。

SomeverysillypeoplethoughttheoldDoctordidnotbelieveinmedicine，becausehegavelessthancertainpoorhalf-taughtcreaturesinthesmallerneighboringtowns，whotookadvantageofpeople’ssicknesstodisgustanddisturbthemwithallmannerofill-

smellingandill-behavingdrugs。Intruth，hehatedtogiveanythingnoxiousorloathsometothosewhowereuncomfortableenoughalready，unlesshewasverysureitwoulddogood，——inwhichcase，heneverplayedwithdrugs，butgavegood，honest，efficientdoses。Sometimeshelostafamilyofthemoreboorishsort，becausetheydidnotthinktheygottheirmoney’sworthoutofhim，unlesstheyhadsomethingmorethanatasteofeverythinghecarriedinhissaddlebags。

HeorderedsomeremedieswhichhethoughtwouldrelieveElsie，andlefther，sayinghewouldcallthenextday，hopingtofindherbetter。Butthenextdaycame，andthenext，andstillElsiewasonherbed，feverish，restless，wakeful，silent。Atnightshetossedaboutandwandered，anditbecameatlengthapparentthattherewasasettledattack，somethinglikewhattheycalled，formerly，a“nervousfever。”

Onthefourthdayshewasmorerestlessthancommon。Oneofthewomenofthehousecameintohelptotakecareofher；butsheshowedanaversiontoherpresence。

“SendmeHelenDarley。”shesaid，atlast。

TheoldDoctortoldthem，that，ifpossible，theymustindulgethisfancyofhers。Thecapricesofsickpeoplewerenevertobedespised，leastofallofsuchpersonsasElsie，whenrenderedirritableandexactingbypainandweakness。

SoamessagewassenttoMr。SilasPeckhamattheApollineanInstitute，toknowifhecouldnotspareMissHelenDarleyforafewdays，ifrequired，togiveherattentiontoayoungladywhoattendedhisschoolandwhowasnowlyingill，——nootherpersonthanthedaughterofDudleyVenner。

Ameanmanneveragreestoanythingwithoutdeliberatelyturningitover，sothathemayseeitsdirtyside，and，ifhecan，sweatingthecoinhepaysforit。Ifanarchangelshouldoffertosavehissoulforsixpence，hewouldtrytofindasixpencewithaholeinit。A

gentlemansaysyestoagreatmanythingswithoutstoppingtothink：

ashabbyfellowisknownbyhiscautioninansweringquestions，forfearof，compromisinghispocketorhimself。

Mr。SilasPeckhamlookedverygraveattherequest。ThedootiesofMissDarleyattheInstitootwereimportant，veryimportant。Hepaidherlargesumsofmoneyforhertime，——morethanshecouldexpecttogetinanyotherinstitootionfortheedoocationoffemaleyouth。A

deductionfromherselarywouldbenecessary，incasesheshouldretirefromthesphereofherdootiesforaseason。Heshouldbeputtoextryexpense，andhavetoperformadditionallaborshimself。Hewouldconsiderofthematter。Ifanyarrangementcouldbemade，hewouldsendwordtoSquireVenner’sfolks。

“MissDarley。”saidSilasPeckham，“the’’samessagefromSquireVenner’sthathisdaughterwantsyoudownatthemansion-housetoseeher。She’sgotafever，sotheyinformme。Ifit’sanykindofketchin’fever，ofcourseyouwon’tthinkofgoin’nearthemansion-

house。IfDoctorKittredgesaysit’ssafe，perfec’lysafe，Ican’tobjecttoyourgoin’，onsechconditionsasseemtobefairtoall’

concerned。Youwillgiveupyourpayforthewholetimeyouare。

absent，——portionsofdaystobecaountedaswholedays。Youwillbechargedwithboardthesameasifyoueatyourvictualswiththehousehold。Thevictualsareofnouseafterthey’recookedbuttobeeat，andyourbein’awayisnosavin’toourfolks。Ishallchargeyouareasonablecompensationforthedemagetotheschoolbytheabsenceofateacher。IfMissCrabsundertakesanydootiesbelongin’

toyourdepartmentofinstruction，shewilllooktoyouforsechpecooniaryconsiderationsasyoumayagreeuponbetweenyou。OntheseconditionsIamwillin’togivemyconsenttoyourtemporaryabsencefromthepostofdooty。IwillstepdowntoDoctorKittredge’smyself，andmakeinquiriesastothenatur’ofthecomplaint。”

Mr。Peckhamtookuparustyandverynarrow-brimmedhat，whichhecockedupononesideofhishead，withanairpeculiartotheruralgentry。ItwasthehourwhentheDoctorexpectedtobeinhisoffice，unlesshehadsomespecialcallwhichkepthimfromhome。

HefoundtheReverendChauncyFairweatherjusttakingleaveoftheDoctor。Hishandwasonthepitofhisstomach，andhiscountenancewasexpressiveofinwarduneasiness。

“Shakeitbeforeusing。”saidtheDoctor；“andthesooneryoumakeupyourmindtospeakrightout，thebetteritwillbeforyourdigestion。”

“Oh，Mr。Peckham！Walkin，Mr。Peckham！Nobodysickupattheschool，Ihope？“

“Thehaalthoftheschoolisfust-rate。”repliedMr。Peckham。“Thesitooationisuncommonlyfavorabletosaloobrity。”(TheselastwordswerefromtheAnnualReportofthepastyear。)“Providencehassparedourfemaleyouthinaremarkablemeasure。I’vecomewithreferencetoanotherconsideration。Dr。Kittredge，isthereanyketchin’

complaintgoin’aboutinthevillage？“

“Well，yes。”saidtheDoctor，“Ishouldsaytherewassomethingofthatsort。Measles。Mumps。AndSin，——that’salwayscatching。”

TheoldDoctor’seyetwinkled；onceinawhilehehadhislittletouchofhumor。

SilasPeckhamslantedhiseyeupsuspiciouslyattheDoctor，asifhewasgettingsomekindofadvantageoverhim。Thatisthewaypeopleofhisconstitutionareapttotakeabitofpleasantry。