第4章

colouredcostumeschafferingovertheirproduce。Ilookedabovethemtothetallcampanileofthechurchwhichfilledonesideofthesquare。Irecededastepandadjustedmygunontheledgeofthewindowtomysatisfaction。Ithenlookeddownthestreetinwhichtheprisonwassituated，andwhichdebouchedonthesquare，andawaitedevents。AttenminutespasttenIsawthesoldiersatthedooroftheprisonformup，andthenIknewthatthetwentyprisonersofwhomtheyformedtheescortwerestarting;butthemomenttheybegantomoveI

firedatthebigbellinthecampanile，whichrespondedwithaloudclang。Allthepeopleinthesquarelookedup。Astheprisonersenteredthesquare，whichtheyhadbeguntocrossinitswholebreadth，Ifiredagainandagain。Thebellbangedtwice，andthepeoplebegantobuzzabout。"Now，"Ithought，"Imustlettheoldbellhaveit。"Bythetimefivemoreballshadstruckthebellwitharesoundingdinthewholesquarewasincommotion。Amiraclewasevidentlyinprogressorthecampanilewasbewitched。Peoplebegantorunhitherandthither;allthesoldiersformingtheescortgapedopen-mouthedatthesteepleastheclangourcontinued。AssoonasthelastshothadbeenfiredIlookeddownintothesquareandsawallthis，andIsawthattheprisonerswereattemptingtoescape，andinmorethanoneinstancehadsucceeded，forthesoldiersbegantoscatterinpursuit，andthecountrypeopletoformthemselvesintoimpedingcrowdsasthoughbyaccident;butnowherecouldIseeValeria。WhenIwasquitesureshehadescapedIwentdownandjoinedthecrowd。Isawthreeprisonerscapturedandbroughtback，andwhenI

askedtheofficerincommandhowmanyhadescapedhesaidthree——

Croppo’swife，thepriest，andanother。

WhenImetmycavalryfriendsatdinnerthateveningitwasamusingtohearthemspeculateupontheremarkableoccurrencewhichhad，infact，upsetthewitsofthewholetown。Priestsandvergersandsacristanshadvisitedthecampanile，andoneofthemhadbroughtawayaflattenedpieceoflead，whichlookedasifitmighthavebeenabullet;butthesuggestionthateightbulletscouldhavehitthebellinsuccessionwithoutanybodyhearingasoundwastreatedwithridicule。Ibelievethebellwassubsequentlyexorcisedwithholywater。Iwasafraidtoremainwiththeregimentwithmyair-gunafterthis，lestsomeoneshoulddiscoveritandunravelthemystery;

besides，Ifeltasortoftraitortothebravefriendswhohadsogenerouslyofferedmetheirhospitality;soIinventedurgentprivateaffairswhichdemandedmyimmediatereturntoNaples，andonthemorningofmydeparturefoundmyselfembracedbyalltheofficersoftheregimentfromthecoloneldownward，whointhefervouroftheirkissesthrustsixteenwaxedmoustache-pointsagainstmycheeks。

AbouteighteenmonthsafterthisIheardofthecaptureandexecutionofCroppo，andIknewthatValeriawasfree;butIhadunexpectedlyinheritedapropertyandwasengagedtobemarried。Iamnowacountrygentlemanwithalargefamily。Mysanctumisstockedwithvariousmementosofmyyouthfuladventures，butnoneawakensinmesuchthrillingmemoriesasareexcitedbythebreviaryofthebrigandpriestandtheportraitofthebrigand’sbride。

MRS。GENERALTALBOYS

BY

ANTHONYTROLLOPE

WhyMrs。GeneralTalboysfirstmadeuphermindtopassthewinterof1859atRomeIneverclearlyunderstood。TomyselfsheexplainedherpurposessoonafterherarrivalattheEternalCity，bydeclaring，inherownenthusiasticmanner，thatshewasinspiredbyaburningdesiretodrinkfreshatthestilllivingfountainsofclassicalpoetryandsentiment。ButIalwaysthoughtthattherewassomethingmorethanthisinit。Classicalpoetryandsentimentweredoubtlessverydeartoher，butsoalso，Iimagine，werethesubstantialcomfortsofHardoverLodge，thegeneral’shouseinBerkshire;andIdonotthinkthatshewouldhaveemigratedforthewinterhadtherenotbeensomeslightdomesticmisunderstanding。Letthis，however，befullymadeclear——

thatsuchmisunderstanding，ifitexisted，musthavebeensimplyanaffairoftemper。Noimproprietyofconducthas，Iamverysure，everbeenimputedtothelady。Thegeneral，asalltheworldknows，ishot;

andMrs。Talboys，whenthesweetriversofherenthusiasmareunfedbycongenialwaters，can，Ibelieve，makeherselfdisagreeable。

Butbethisasitmay，inNovember，1859，Mrs。TalboyscameamongusEnglishatRome，andsoonsucceededinobtainingforherselfacomfortablefootinginoursociety。Weallthoughthermoreremarkableforhermentalattributesthanforphysicalperfection，butneverthelessshewasinherownwayasightlywoman。Shehadnospecialbrilliance，eitherofeyeorcomplexion，suchaswouldproducesuddenflamesinsusceptiblehearts，nordidsheseemtodemandinstanthomagebytheformandstepofagoddess;butwefoundhertobeagood-lookingwomanofsomethirtyorthirty-threeyearsofage，withsoft，peach-likecheeks，——rathertoolikethoseofacherub，——

withsparklingeyeswhichwerehardlylargeenough，withgoodteeth，awhiteforehead，adimpledchin，andafullbust。SuchoutwardlywasMrs。GeneralTalboys。Thedescriptionoftheinwardwomanisthepurporttowhichthesefewpageswillbedevoted。

Therearetwoqualitiestowhichthebestofmankindaremuchsubject，whicharenearlyrelatedtoeachother，andastowhichtheworldhasnotyetdecidedwhethertheyaretobeclassedamongthegoodorevilattributesofournature。Menandwomenareundertheinfluenceofthemboth，butmenoftenestundergotheformer，andwomenthelatter。

Theyareambitionandenthusiasm。NowMrs。Talboyswasanenthusiasticwoman。

Astoambition，generallyastheworldagreeswithMarkAntonyinstigmatisingitasagrievousfault，Iammyselfclearthatitisavirtue;butwithambitionatpresentwehavenoconcern。Enthusiasmalso，asIthink，leanstovirtue’sside，or，atleast，ifitbeafault，ofallfaultsitistheprettiest。Butthen，topartakeatallofvirtueoreventobeinanydegreepretty，theenthusiasmmustbetrue。

Badcoinisknownfromgoodbytheringofit，andsoisbadenthusiasm。Letthecoinerbeeversocleverathisart，inthecoiningofenthusiasmthesoundoftruegoldcanneverbeimpartedtothefalsemetal;andIdoubtwhetherthecleverestsheintheworldcanmakefalseenthusiasmpalatabletothetasteofman;tothetasteofanywomantheenthusiasmofanotherwomanisneververypalatable。

WeunderstoodatRomethatMrs。Talboyshadaconsiderablefamily，——

fourorfivechildren，weweretold，——butshebroughtwithheronlyonedaughter，alittlegirlabouttwelveyearsofage。Shehadtornherselfasunder，asshetoldme，fromtheyoungernurslingsofherheart，andhadleftthemtothecareofadevotedfemaleattendant，whoselovewasallbutmaternal。Andthenshesaidawordortwoaboutthegeneralintermswhichmademealmostthinkthatthisquasi-

maternalloveextendeditselfbeyondthechildren。Theidea，however，wasamistakenone，arisingfromthestrengthofherlanguage，towhichIwasthenunaccustomed。IhavesincebecomeawarethatnothingcanbemoredecorousthanoldMrs。Upton，theexcellentheadnurseatHardoverLodge;andnogentlemanmorediscreetinhisconductthanGeneralTalboys。

AndImayaswellheredeclarealsothattherecouldbenomorevirtuouswomanthanthegeneral’swife。Hermarriagevowwastoherparamounttoallothervowsandbondswhatever。Thegeneral’shonourwasquitesafewhenhesentherofftoRomebyherself，andhenodoubtknewthatitwasso。/Illiroburetoestriplex/，ofwhichI

believenoweaponsofanyassailantcouldgetthebetter。Butneverthelessweusedtofancythatshehadnorepugnancetoimproprietyinotherwomen——towhattheworldgenerallycallsimpropriety。Invinciblyattachedherselftothemarriagetie，shewouldconstantlyspeakofitasbynomeansnecessarilybindingonothers;andvirtuousherselfasanygriffinofpropriety，sheconstantlypatronised，atanyrate，thetheoryofinfidelityinherneighbours。ShewasveryeagerindenouncingtheprejudicesoftheEnglishworld，declaringthatshefoundexistenceamongthemtobenolongerpossibleforherself。ShewashotagainstthesternunforgivenessofBritishmatrons，andequallyeagerinreprobatingthestiffconventionalitiesofareligioninwhichshesaidthatnoneofitsvotarieshadfaith，thoughtheyallallowedthemselvestobeenslaved。

WehadatthattimeasmallsetatRomeconsistingchieflyofEnglishandAmericans，whohabituallymetatoneanother’srooms，andspentmanyofoureveninghoursindiscussingItalianpolitics。Wewere，mostofus，painters，poets，novelists，orsculptors——perhapsIshouldsaywould-bepainters，poets，novelists，andsculptors，aspirantshopingtobecomesomedayrecognised;andamongusMrs。Talboystookherplacenaturallyenoughonaccountofaveryprettytasteshehadforpainting。Idonotknowthatsheeveroriginatedanythingthatwasgrand，butshemadesomenicecopiesandwasfond，atanyrate，ofartconversation。Shewroteessaystoo，whichsheshowedinconfidencetovariousgentlemen，andhadsomeideaoftakinglessonsinmodelling。

InallourcircleConradMackinnon，anAmerican，wasperhapsthepersonmostqualifiedtobestyleditsleader。Hewasonewhoabsolutelydidgainhisliving，andanamplelivingtoo，byhispen，andwasregardedonallsidesasaliterarylion，justifiedbysuccessinroaringatanytonehemightplease。Hisusualroarwasnotexactlythatofasuckingdoveoranightingale，butitwasagood-humouredroar，notveryoffensivetoanymanandapparentlyacceptableenoughtosomeladies。Hewasabig，burlyman，neartofifty，asIsuppose，somewhatawkwardinhisgait，andsomewhatloudinhislaugh。Butthoughnightofifty，andthusungainly，helikedtobesmiledonbyprettywomen，andliked，assomesaid，tobeflatteredbythemalso。

Ifsoheshouldhavebeenhappy，fortheladiesatRomeatthattimemademuchofConradMackinnon。

OfMrs。Mackinnonnoonedidmakeverymuch，andyetshewasoneofthesweetest，dearest，quietestlittlecreaturesthatevermadegladaman’sfireside。Shewasexquisitelypretty，alwaysingoodhumour，neverstupid，self-denyingtoafault，andyetshewasgenerallyinthebackground。Shewouldseldomcomeforwardofherownwill，butwascontentedtositbehindherteapotandhearMackinnondohisroaring。

HewascertainlymuchgiventowhattheworldatRomecalledflirting，butthisdidnotintheleastannoyher。Shewastwentyyearshisjunior，andyetsheneverflirtedwithanyone。Womenwouldtellher——

good-naturedfriends——howMackinnonwenton，butshereceivedsuchtidingsasanexcellentjoke，observingthathehadalwaysdonethesame，andnodoubtalwayswoulduntilhewasninety。Idobelievethatshewasahappywoman，andyetIusedtothinkthatsheshouldhavebeenhappier。Thereis，however，noknowingtheinsideofanotherman’shouseorreadingtheriddlesofanotherman’sjoyandsorrow。

Wehadalsothereanotherlion，——alioncub，——entitledtoroaralittle，andofhimalsoImustsaysomething。CharlesO’Brienwasayoungmanabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，whohadsentoutfromhisstudiointheprecedingyearacertainbustsupposedbyhisadmirerstobeunsurpassedbyanyeffortofancientormoderngenius。Iamnojudgeofsculpture，andwillnotthereforepronounceanopinion，butmanywhoconsideredthemselvestobejudgesdeclaredthatitwasa"goodishheadandshoulders"andnothingmore。Imerelymentionthefact，asitwasonthestrengthofthatheadandshouldersthatO’BrienseparatedhimselffromathrongofotherssuchashimselfinRome，walkedsolitaryduringthedays，andthrewhimselfatthefeetofvariousladieswhenthedayswereover。Hehadriddenontheshouldersofhisbustintoaprominentplaceinourcircle，andthereencounteredmuchfeminineadmiration——fromMrs。GeneralTalboysandothers。

SomeeighteenortwentyofususedtomeeteverySundayeveninginMrs。Mackinnon’sdrawing-room。Manyofus，indeed，wereinthehabitofseeingoneanotherdailyandofvisitingtogetherthehauntsinRomewhicharebestlovedbyart-lovingstrangers;buthereinthisdrawing-roomweweresuretocometogether，andherebeforetheendofNovemberMrs。Talboysmightalwaysbefound，notinanyaccustomedseat，butmovingabouttheroomasthedifferentmalementalattractionsofoursocietymightchancetomovethemselves。ShewasatfirstgreatlytakenbyMackinnon，whoalsowas，Ithink，alittlestirredbyheradmiration，thoughhestoutlydeniedthecharge。Shebecame，however，verydeartousallbeforesheleftus，andcertainlyweowedtoherourlove，forsheaddedinfinitelytothejoysofourwinter。

"Ihavecomeheretorefreshmyself，"shesaidtoMackinnononeevening——toMackinnonandmyself，forwewerestandingtogether。

"ShallIgetyoutea？"saidI。

"Andwillyouhavesomethingtoeat？"Mackinnonasked。

"No，no，no，"sheanswered。"Tea，yes;butforheaven’ssakeletnothingsoliddispeltheassociationsofsuchameetingasthis！"

"Ithoughtyoumighthavedinedearly，"saidMackinnon。NowMackinnonwasamanwhoseowndinnerwasverydeartohim。Ihaveseenhimbecomehastyandunpleasant，evenunderthepillarsoftheForum，whenhethoughtthatthepartywereplacinghisfishinjeopardybytheirdesiretolingertheretoolong。

"Early！Yes——no;Iknownotwhenitwas。Onedinesandsleepsinobediencetothatdullclaywhichweighsdownsogenerallytheparticleofourspirit;buttheclaymaysometimesbeforgotten;hereIcanalwaysforgetit。"

"Ithoughtyouaskedforrefreshment，"Isaid。Sheonlylookedatme，whosesmallattemptsatprosecompositionhaduptothattimebeenaltogetherunsuccessful，andthenaddressedherselftoreplytoMackinnon。

"Itistheairwhichwebreathethatfillsourlungsandgivesuslifeandlight;itisthatwhichrefreshesusifpureorsinksusintostagnationifitbefoul。Letmeforawhileinhalethebreathofaninvigoratingliterature。Sitdown，Mr。Mackinnon;IhaveaquestionthatImustputtoyou。"Andthenshesucceededincarryinghimoffintoacorner。AsfarasIcouldseehewentwillinglyenoughatthattime，thoughhesoonbecameaversetoanylongretirementincompanywithMrs。Talboys。

Wenoneofusquiteunderstoodwhatwereherexactideasonthesubjectofrevealedreligion。Somebody，Ithink，hadtoldherthattherewereamongusoneortwowhoseopinionswerenotexactlyorthodoxaccordingtothedoctrinesoftheestablishedEnglishchurch。

Ifsoshewasdeterminedtoshowusthatshealsowasadvancedbeyondtheprejudicesofanoldanddryschooloftheology。"Ihavethrowndownallthebarriersofreligion，"shesaidtopoorMrs。Mackinnon，"andamlookingforthesentimentsofapureChristianity。"

"Throwndownallthebarriersofreligion！"saidMrs。Mackinnon，inatoneofhorrorwhichwasnotappreciated。

"Indeed，yes，"saidMrs。Talboys，withanexultingvoice。"Arenotthedaysforsuchtrammelsgoneby？"

"ButyetyouholdbyChristianity？"

"ApureChristianity，unstainedbybloodandperjury，byhypocrisyandverbosegenuflection。CanInotworshipandsaymyprayersamongtheclouds？"Andshepointedtotheloftyceilingandthehandsomechandelier。

"ButIdagoestochurch，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。IdaTalboyswasherdaughter。Nowitmaybeobservedthatmanywhothrowdownthebarriersofreligion，sofarasthosebarriersmayaffectthemselves，stillmaintainthemonbehalfoftheirchildren。"Yes，"saidMrs。Talboys;

"dearIda！hersoftspiritisnotyetadaptedtoreceivetheperfecttruth。Weareobligedtogovernchildrenbythestrengthoftheirprejudices。"Andthenshemovedaway，foritwasseldomthatMrs。

Talboysremainedlonginconversationwithanylady。

Mackinnon，Ibelieve，soonbecametiredofher。Helikedherflattery，andatfirstdeclaredthatshewascleverandnice，buthernicenesswastoopurelycelestialtosatisfyhismundanetastes。Mackinnonhimselfcanrevelamongthecloudsinhisownwritings，andcanleaveussometimesindoubtwhetherheevermeanstocomebacktoearth，butwhenhisfootisonterrafirmahelovestofeeltheearthysubstratumwhichsupportshisweight。Withwomenhelikesahandthatcanremainanunnecessarymomentwithinhisown，aneyethatcanglistenwiththesparkleofchampagne，aheartweakenoughtomakeitsowner’sarmtremblewithinhisownbeneaththemoonlightgloomoftheColosseumarches。Adashofsentimentthewhilemakesallthesethingsthesweeter，butthesentimentalonewillnotsufficeforhim。Mrs。

Talboysdid，Ibelieve，drinkherglassofchampagne，asdootherladies，butwithherithadnosuchpleasingeffect。Itloosenedonlyhertongue，butneverhereyes。Herarm，Ithink，nevertrembledandherhandneverlingered。Thegeneralwasalwayssafe，andhappyperhapsinhissolitarysafety。

Itsohappenedthatwehadunfortunatelyamongustwoartistswhohadquarrelledwiththeirwives。O’Brien，whomIhavebeforementioned，wasoneofthem。InhiscaseIbelievehimtohavebeenalmostasfreefromblameasamancanbewhosemarriagewasinitselfafault。

However，hehadawifeinIrelandsometenyearsolderthanhimself，andthoughhemightsometimesalmostforgetthefact，hisfriendsandneighbourswerewellawareofit。Intheothercasethewholefaultprobablywaswiththehusband。Hewasanill-tempered，bad-heartedman，cleverenough，butwithoutprinciple;andhewascontinuallyguiltyofthegreatsinofspeakingevilofthewomanwhosenameheshouldhavebeenanxioustoprotect。Inbothcasesourfriend，Mrs。

Talboys，tookawarminterest，andineachofthemshesympathisedwiththepresenthusbandagainsttheabsentwife。

OftheconsolationwhichsheofferedinthelatterinstanceweusedtohearsomethingfromMackinnon。Hewouldrepeattohiswifeandtomeandmywifetheconversationswhichshehadwithhim。"PoorBrown！"

shewouldsay;"Ipityhimwithmyveryheart’sblood。"

"Youareawarethathehascomfortedhimselfinhisdesolation，"

Mackinnonreplied。

"Iknowverywelltowhatyouallude。IthinkImaysaythatIamconversantwithallthecircumstancesofthisheart-blightingsacrifice。"Mrs。Talboyswasapttoboastofthethoroughconfidencereposedinherbyallthoseinwhomshetookaninterest。"Yes，hehassoughtsuchcomfortinanotherloveasthehardcruelworldwouldallowhim。"

"Orperhapssomethingmorethanthat，"saidMackinnon。"HehasafamilyhereinRome，youknow;twolittlebabies。"

"Iknowit，Iknowit，"shesaid;"cherubangels！"AndasshespokeshelookedupintotheuglyfaceofMarcusAurelius，fortheywerestandingatthemomentunderthefigureofthegreathorsemanontheCampidoglio。"Ihaveseenthem，andtheyarechildrenofinnocence。IfallthebloodofalltheHowardsranintheirveinsitcouldnotmaketheirbirthmorenoble！"

"NotifthefatherandmotherofalltheHowardshadneverbeenmarried，"saidMackinnon。

"What！thatfromyou，Mr。Mackinnon！"saidMrs。Talboys，turningherbackwithenergyupontheequestrianstatueandlookingupintothefacesfirstofPolluxandthenofCastor，asthoughfromthemshemightgainsomeinspirationonthesubject，whichMarcusAureliusinhiscoldnesshaddeniedtoher。"Fromyou，whohavesonoblyclaimedformankindthedivineattributesoffreeaction！Fromyou，whohavetaughtmymindtosoarabovethepettybondswhichonemaninhislittlenesscontrivesforthesubjectionofhisbrother。Mackinnon——youwhoaresogreat！"Andshenowlookedupintohisface。"Mackinnon，unsaythosewords。"

"They/are/illegitimate，"saidhe，"andiftherewasanylandedproperty——"

"Landedproperty！andthatfromanAmerican！"

"ThechildrenareEnglish，youknow。"

"Landedproperty！Thetimewillshortlycome——ay，andIseeitcoming——whenthathatefulwordshallbeexpungedfromthecalendar，whenlandedpropertyshallbenomore。What！shallthefreesoulofaGod-

bornmansubmititselfforevertosuchtrammelsasthat？Shallweneverescapefromtheclaywhichsolonghasmanacledthesubtlerparticlesofthedivinespirit？Ay，yes，Mackinnon！"andthenshetookhimbythearm，andledhimtothetopofthehugestepswhichleaddownfromtheCampidogliointothestreetsofmodernRome。"Lookdownuponthatcountlessmultitude。"Mackinnonlookeddown，andsawthreegroupsofFrenchsoldiers，withthreeorfourlittlemenineachgroup;hesawalsoacoupleofdirtyfriars，andthreepriestsveryslowlybeginningthesideascenttothechurchoftheAraCoeli。"Lookdownuponthatcountlessmultitude，"saidMrs。Talboys，andshestretchedherarmsoutoverthehalf-desertedcity。"Theyareescapingnowfromthosetrammels——now，now——nowthatIamspeaking。"

"Theyhaveescapedlongagofromallsuchtrammelsasthatoflandedproperty，"saidMackinnon。

"Ay，andfromallterrestrialbonds，"shecontinued，notexactlyremarkingthepithofhislastobservation;"frombondsquasi-

terrestrialandquasi-celestial。Thefull-formedlimbsofthepresentage，runningwithquickstreamsofgenerousblood，willnolongerbeartheligatureswhichpasttimehavewovenforthedecrepit。Lookdownuponthatmultitude，Mackinnon;theyshallallbefree。"Andthen，stillclutchinghimbythearmandstillstandingatthetopofthosestairs，shegaveforthherprophecywiththefuryofasibyl。

"Theyshallallbefree。ORome，thoueternalone！thouwhohastbowedthynecktoimperialprideandpriestlycraft，thouwhohassufferedsorelyeventothishour，fromNerodowntoPioNono，thedaysofthineoppressionareover。Gonefromthyenfranchisedwaysforeveristheclangofthepraetoriancohortsandthemoreodiousdroneofmeddlingmonks！"Andyet，asMackinnonobserved，therestillstoodthedirtyfriarsandthesmallFrenchsoldiers，andtherestilltoiledtheslowpriests，wendingtheirtediouswayuptothechurchoftheAraCoeli。Butthatwasthemundaneviewofthematter，aviewnotregardedbyMrs。Talboysinherecstasy。"OItalia，"shecontinued，"O

Italiauna，oneandindivisibleinthyrights，andindivisiblealsointhywrongs！tousisitgiventoseetheaccomplishmentofthyglory。

ApeopleshallarisearoundthinealtarsgreaterintheannalsoftheworldthanthyScipios，thyGracchi，orthyCaesars。Notintorrentsofbloodorwithscreamsofbereavedmothersshallthynewtriumphsbestained;butmindshalldominateovermatter，and，doomedtogetherwithpopesandBourbons，withcardinals，diplomatists，andpolicespies，ignoranceandprejudiceshallbedrivenfromthysmilingterraces。AndthenRomeshallagainbecomethefaircapitalofthefairestregionofEurope。Hithershallflocktheartisansoftheworld，crowdingintothymartsallthatGodandmancangive。Wealth，beauty，andinnocenceshallmeetinthystreets——"

"Therewillbeaconsiderablechangebeforethattakesplace，"saidMackinnon。

"Thereshallbeaconsiderablechange，"sheanswered。"Mackinnon，totheeitisgiventoreadthesignsofthetime;andhastthounotread？WhyhavethefieldsofMagentaandSolferinobeenpiledwiththecorpsesofdyingheroes？WhyhavethewatersoftheMinciorunredwiththebloodofmartyrs？ThatItalymightbeunitedandRomeimmortal。Here，standingontheCapitoliumoftheancientcity，Isaythatitshallbeso;andthou，Mackinnon，whohearestmeknowestthatmywordsaretrue。"

TherewasnottheninRome——ImayalmostsaytherewasnotinItaly——

anEnglishmanoranAmericanwhodidnotwishwelltothecauseforwhichItalywasandisstillcontending，asalsothereishardlyonewhodoesnotnowregardthatcauseaswell-nightriumphant;butneverthelessitwasalmostimpossibletosympathisewithMrs。Talboys。

AsMackinnonsaid，sheflewsohighthattherewasnocomfortinflyingwithher。

"Well，"saidhe，"Brownandtherestofthemaredownbelow。Shallwegoandjointhem？"

"PoorBrown！Howwasitthatinspeakingofhistroubleswewereledontothisheart-stirringtheme？Yes，Ihaveseenthem，thesweetangels;andItellyoualsothatIhaveseentheirmother。IinsistedongoingtoherwhenIheardherhistoryfromhim。"

"Andwhatwasshelike，Mrs。Talboys？"

"Well，educationhasdonemoreforsomeofusthanforothers，andtherearethosefromwhosemoralsandsentimentswemightthankfullydrawalesson，whosemannersandoutwardgesturesarenotsuchascustomhasmadeagreeabletous。You，Iknow，canunderstandthat。I

haveseenher，andfeelsurethatsheispureinheartandhighinprinciple。Hasshenotsacrificedherself，andisnotself-sacrificethesurestguaranteefortruenobilityofcharacter？WouldMrs。

Mackinnonobjecttomybringingthemtogether？"

Mackinnonwasobligedtodeclarethathethoughthiswifewouldobject，andfromthattimeforthheandMrs。Talboysceasedtobeverycloseintheirfriendship。ShestillcametothehouseeverySundayevening，stillrefreshedherselfatthefountainsofhisliteraryrills，butherspecialpropheciesfromhenceforthwerepouredintootherears;anditsohappenedthatO’Briennowbecameherchiefally。

Idonotrememberthatshetroubledherselfmuchfurtherwiththecherubangelsorwiththeirmother，andIaminclinedtothinkthat，takingupwarmlyasshedidthestoryofO’Brien’smatrimonialwrongs，sheforgotthelittlehistoryoftheBrowns。Bethatasitmay，Mrs。

TalboysandO’Briennowbecamestrictlyconfidential，andshewouldenlargebythehalf-hourtogetheronthemiseriesofherfriend’spositiontoanyonewhomshecouldgettohearher。

"I’lltellyouwhat，Fanny，"Mackinnonsaidtohiswifeoneday——tohiswifeandtomine，forwewerealltogether——"weshallhavearowinthehouseifwedon’ttakecare。O’BrienwillbemakinglovetoMrs。Talboys。"

"Nonsense，"saidMrs。Mackinnon;"youarealwaysthinkingthatsomebodyisgoingtomakelovetosomeone。"

"Somebodyalwaysis，"saidhe。

"She’soldenoughtobehismother，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。

"WhatdoesthatmattertoanIrishman？"saidMackinnon。"Besides，I

doubtifthereismorethanfiveyears’differencebetweenthem。"

"Theremustbemorethanthat，"saidmywife。"IdaTalboysistwelve，Iknow，andIamnotquitesurethatIdaistheeldest。"

"IfshehadasonintheGuardsitwouldmakenodifference，"saidMackinnon。"Therearemenwhoconsiderthemselvesboundtomakelovetoawomanundercertaincircumstances，lettheageoftheladybewhatitmay。O’Brienissuchaone;andifshesympathiseswithhimmuchoftenerhewillmistakethematterandgodownonhisknees。Yououghttoputhimonhisguard，"hesaid，addressinghimselftohiswife。

"Indeed，Ishalldonosuchthing，"saidshe;"iftheyaretwofoolstheymust，likeotherfools，paythepriceoftheirfolly。"AsaruletherecouldbenosoftercreaturethanMrs。Mackinnon，butitseemedtomethathertendernessneverextendeditselfinthedirectionofMrs。Talboys。

Justatthistime，towardtheend，thatis，ofNovember，wemadeapartytovisitthetombswhichliealongtheAppianWaybeyondthatmostbeautifulofallsepulchres，thetombofCeciliaMetella。Itwasadeliciousday，andwehaddrivenalongthisroadforacoupleofmilesbeyondthewallsofthecity，enjoyingthemostlovelyviewwhichtheneighborhoodofRomeaffords，lookingoverthewondrousruinsoftheoldaqueductsuptowardTivoliandPalestrina。OfalltheenvironsofRomethisis，onafairday，themostenchanting;andhereperhaps，amongaworldoftombs，thoughtsandalmostmemoriesoftheold，olddayscomeupononewiththegreatestforce。ThegrandeurofRomeisbestseenandunderstoodfrombeneaththewallsoftheColosseum，anditsbeautyamongthepillarsoftheForumandthearchesoftheSacredWay;butitshistoryandfallbecomemorepalpabletothemindandmoreclearlyrealisedouthereamongthetombs，wheretheeyesrestuponthemountains，whoseshadeswerecooltotheoldRomansastous，thananywherewithinthewallsofthecity。HerewelookoutatthesameTivoliandthesamePraenesteglitteringinthesunshine，emboweredamongthefar-offvalleys，whichweredeartothem;andthebluemountainshavenotcrumbledawayintoruins。WithinRomeitselfwecanseenothingastheysawit。

Ourpartyconsistedofsomedozenorfifteenpersons，and，asahamperwithluncheoninithadbeenleftonthegrassyslopeatthebaseofthetombofCeciliaMetella，theexpeditionhadinitsomethingofthenatureofapicnic。Mrs。Talboyswasofcoursewithus，andIdaTalboys。O’Brienalsowasthere。ThehamperhadbeenpreparedinMrs。

Mackinnon’sroomundertheimmediateeyeofMackinnonhimself，andtheythereforewereregardedasthedominantspiritsoftheparty。MywifewasleaguedwithMrs。Mackinnon，aswasusuallythecase;andthereseemedtobeageneralopinion，amongthosewhowerecloselyinconfidencetogether，thatsomethingwouldhappenintheO’Brien-

Talboysmatter。Thetwohadbeeninseparableonthepreviousevening，forMrs。TalboyshadbeenurgingontheyoungIrishmanhercounselsrespectinghisdomestictroubles。SirCresswellCresswell，shehadtoldhim，washisrefuge。"Whyshouldhissoulsubmittobondswhichtheworldhadnowdeclaredtobeintolerable？Divorcewasnotnowtheprivilegeofthedissoluterich。Spiritswhichwereincompatibleneednolongerbecompelledtofretbeneaththesamecouples。"Inshort，shehadrecommendedhimtogotoEnglandandgetridofhiswife，asshewouldwithalittleencouragementhaverecommendedanymantogetridofanything。Iamsurethat，hadshebeenskilfullybroughtontothesubject，shemighthavebeeninducedtopronounceaverdictagainstsuchligaturesforthebodyascoats，waistcoats，andtrousers。Heraspirationsforfreedomignoredallbounds，andintheorytherewerenobarrierswhichshewasnotwillingtodemolish。

PoorO’Brien，asweallnowbegantosee，hadtakenthematteramiss。

HehadofferedtomakeabustofMrs。Talboys，andshehadconsented，expressingawishthatitmightfindaplaceamongthosewhohaddevotedthemselvestotheenfranchisementoftheirfellow-creatures。I

reallythinkshehadbutlittleofawoman’scustomarypersonalvanity。Iknowshehadanideathathereyewaslightedupinherwarmermomentsbysomespecialfire，thatsparksoflibertyshoneroundherbrow，andthatherbosomheavedwithgloriousaspirations;

butallthesefeelingshadreferencetoherinnergenius，nottoanyoutwardbeauty。ButO’Brienmisunderstoodthewoman，andthoughtitnecessarytogazeintoherfaceandsighasthoughhisheartwerebreaking。Indeed，hedeclaredtoayoungfriendthatMrs。Talboyswasperfectinherstyleofbeauty，andbeganthebustwiththisidea。Itwasgraduallybecomingcleartousallthathewouldbringhimselftogrief;butinsuchamatterwhocancautionaman？

Mrs。Mackinnonhadcontrivedtoseparatetheminmakingthecarriagearrangementsonthisday，butthisonlyaddedfueltothefirewhichwasnowburningwithinO’Brien’sbosom。Ibelievethathereallydidloveherinhiseasy，eager，susceptibleIrishway。Thathewouldgetoverthelittleepisodewithoutanyseriousinjurytohisheartnoonedoubted;butthenwhatwouldoccurwhenthedeclarationwasmade？HowwouldMrs。Talboysbearit？"

"Shedeservesit，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。

"Andtwiceasmuch，"mywifeadded。Whyisitthatwomenaresospitefultooneanother？

EarlyinthedayMrs。Talboysclambereduptothetopofatomb，andmadealittlespeech，holdingaparasoloverherhead。Beneathherfeet，shesaid，reposedtheashesofsomebloatedsenator，somegluttonoftheempire，whohadswallowedintohismawtheprovisionnecessaryforatribe。OldRomehadfallenthroughsuchselfishnessasthat，butnewRomewouldnotforgetthelesson。Allthiswasverywell，andthenO’Brienhelpedherdown;butafterthistherewasnoseparatingthem。Forherownpart，shewouldsoonerhavehadMackinnonatherelbow;butMackinnonnowhadfoundsomeotherelbow。"Enoughofthatwasasgoodasafeast，"hehadsaidtohiswife。AndthereforeMrs。Talboys，quiteunconsciousofevil，allowedherselftobeengrossedbyO’Brien。

Andthen，aboutthreeo’clock，wereturnedtothehamper。Luncheonundersuchcircumstancesalwaysmeansdinner，andwearrangedourselvesforaverycomfortablemeal。TothosewhoknowthetombofCeciliaMetellanodescriptionofthesceneisnecessary，andtothosewhodonotnodescriptionwillconveyafairideaofitsreality。Itisitselfalargelowtowerofgreatdiameter，butofbeautifulproportion，standingfaroutsidethecity，closeontothesideoftheoldRomanway。Ithasbeenembattledonthetopbysomelatter-daybaroninorderthatitmightbeusedforprotectiontothecastlewhichhasbeenbuiltonandattachedtoit。IfIrememberrightly，thiswasdonebyoneoftheFrangipani，andaverylovelyruinhehasmadeofit。Iknownocastellatedoldtumble-downresidenceinItalymorepicturesquethanthisbaronialadjuncttotheoldRomantomb，orwhichbettertallieswiththeideasengenderedwithinourmindsbyMrs。Radcliffeand"TheMysteriesofUdolpho。"Itliesalongtheroad，protectedonthesideofthecitybytheproudsepulchreoftheRomanmatron，anduptothelongruinedwallsofthebackofthebuildingstretchesagrassyslope，atthebottomofwhicharetheremainsofanoldRomancircus。Beyondthatisthelong，thin，gracefullineoftheClaudianaqueduct，withSoracteinthedistancetotheleft，andTivoli，Palestrina，andFrascatilyingamongthehillswhichboundtheview。ThatFrangipanibaronwasintherightofit，andIhopehegotthevalueofhismoneyoutoftheresidencewhichhebuiltforhimself。Idoubt，however，thathedidbutlittlegoodtothosewholivedinhiscloseneighbourhood。

Wehadaverycomfortablelittlebanquetseatedonthebrokenlumpsofstonewhichlieaboutunderthewallsofthetomb。IwonderwhethertheshadeofCeciliaMetellawaslookingdownuponus。Wehaveheardmuchofherintheselatterdays，andyetweknownothingabouther，norcanconceivewhyshewashonouredwithabiggertombthananyotherRomanmatron。Therewerethosethenamongourpartywhobelievedthatshemightstillcomebackamongus，and，withdueassistancefromsomecognatesusceptiblespirit，explaintousthecauseofherwidowedhusband’sliberality。Alas，alas！ifwemayjudgeoftheRomansbyourselvesthetruereasonforsuchsepulchralgrandeurwouldredoundlittletothecreditoftheladyCeciliaMetellaherselfortothatofCrassus，herbereavedanddesolatelord。

Shedidnotcomeamongusontheoccasionofthisbanquet，possiblybecausewehadnotablestheretoturninpreparationforherpresence;buthadshedoneso，shecouldnothavebeenmoreeloquentofthingsoftheotherworldthanwasMrs。Talboys。IhavesaidthatMrs。Talboys’seyeneverglancedmorebrightlyafteraglassofchampagne，butIaminclinedtothinkthatonthisoccasionitmayhavedoneso。O’BrienenactedGanymede，andwasperhapsmoreliberalthanotherlatter-dayGanymedestowhoseservicesMrs。Talboyshadbeenaccustomed。Letitnot，however，besuspectedbyanyonethatsheexceededthelimitsofadiscreetjoyousness。Bynomeans！Thegenerouswinepenetrated，perhaps，tosomeinnercellsofherheart，andbroughtforththoughtsinsparklingwordswhichotherwisemighthaveremainedconcealed;buttherewasnothinginwhatshethoughtorspokecalculatedtogiveumbrageeithertoananchoretortoavestal。

Awordortwoshesaidorsungabouttheflowingbowl，andonceshecalledforFalernian;butbeyondthisherconversewaschieflyoftherightsofmanandtheweaknessofwomen，oftheironagesthatwerepast，andofthegoldentimethatwastocome。

Shecalledatoastanddranktothehopesofthelatterhistoriansofthenineteenthcentury。ThenitwasthatshebadeO’Brien"fillhighthebowlwithSamianwine。"TheIrishmantookheratherword，andsheraisedthebumperandwaveditoverherheadbeforesheputittoherlips。Iamboundtodeclarethatshedidnotspilladrop。"Thetrue’Falerniangrape，’"shesaid，asshedepositedtheemptybeakeronthegrassbeneathherelbow。VilerchampagneIdonotthinkIeverswallowed;butitwasthetheoryofthewine，notitspalpablebodypresentthere，asitwereintheflesh，whichinspiredher。Therewasreallysomethinggrandaboutheronthatoccasion，andherenthusiasmalmostamountedtoreality。

Mackinnonwasamused，andencouragedher，asImustconfessdidI

also。Mrs。Mackinnonmadeuselesslittlesignstoherhusband，reallyfearingthattheFalernianwoulddoitsgoodofficestoothoroughly。

Mywife，gettingmeapartasIwalkedroundthecircledistributingviands，remarkedthat"thewomanwasafoolandwoulddisgraceherself。"ButIobservedthatafterthedisposalofthatbumpersheworshippedtherosygodintheoryonly，andthereforesawnooccasiontointerfere。"Come，Bacchus，"shesaid，"andcome，Silenus，ifthouwilt;Iknowthatyearehoveringroundthegravesofyourdepartedfavourites。Andye，too，nymphsofEgeria，"andshepointedtotheclassicgrovewhichwasallbutclosetousaswesatthere。"Inoldendaysyedidnotalwaysdespisetheabodesofmen。Butwhyshouldweinvokethepresenceofthegods——wewhocanbecomegodlikeourselves！

Weourselvesarethedeitiesofthepresentage。Forusshallthetablesbespreadwithambrosia，forusshallthenectarflow。"

Uponthewholeitwasaverygoodfooling——forawhile;andassoonasweweretiredofitwearosefromourseatsandbegantostrollabouttheplace。Itwasbeginningtobealittleduskandsomewhatcool，buttheeveningairwaspleasant，andtheladies，puttingontheirshawls，didnotseeminclinedatoncetogetintothecarriages。Atanyrate，Mrs。Talboyswasnotsoinclined，forshestarteddownthehilltowardthelonglowwalloftheoldRomancircusatthebottom，andO’Brien，closeatherelbow，startedwithher。

"Ida，mydear，youhadbetterremainhere，"shesaidtoherdaughter;

"youwillbetiredifyoucomeasfaraswearegoing。"

"Ohno，mamma，Ishallnot，"saidIda;"yougettiredmuchquickerthanIdo。"

"Ohyes，youwill;besides，Idonotwishyoutocome。"TherewasanendofitforIda，andMrs。TalboysandO’Brienwalkedofftogether，whilewealllookedintooneanother’sfaces。

"Itwouldbeacharitytogowiththem，"saidMackinnon。

"Doyoubecharitablethen，"saidhiswife。

"Itshouldbealady，"saidhe。

"Itisapitythatthemotherofthespotlesscherubimisnotherefortheoccasion，"saidshe。"Ihardlythinkthatanyonelessgiftedwillundertakesuchaself-sacrifice。"Anyattemptofthekindwould，however，nowhavebeentoolate，fortheywerealreadyatthebottomofthehill。O’Brienhadcertainlydrunkfreelyoftheperniciouscontentsofthoselong-neckedbottles，and，thoughnoonecouldfairlyaccusehimofbeingtipsy，neverthelessthatwhichmighthavemadeothersdrunkhadmadehimbold，andhedaredtodoperhapsmorethanmightbecomeaman。IfunderanycircumstanceshecouldbefoolenoughtomakeanavowaloflovetoMrs。Talboyshemightbeexpected，asweallthought，todoitnow。

Wewatchedthemastheymadeforagapinthewallwhichledthroughintothelargeenclosedspaceoftheoldcircus。Ithadbeenanarenaforchariotgames，andtheyhadgonedownwiththeavowedpurposeofsearchingwheremighthavebeenthemetaandascertaininghowthedriverscouldhaveturnedwhenattheirfullspeed。Forawhilewehadheardtheirvoices，orratherhervoiceespecially。"Theheartofaman，O’Brien，shouldsufficeforallemergencies，"wehadheardhersay。Shehadassumedastrangehabitofcallingmenbytheirsimplenames，asmenaddressoneanother。WhenshedidthistoMackinnon，whowasmucholderthanherself，wehadbeenallamusedbyit，andotherladiesofourpartyhadtakentocallhim"Mackinnon"whenMrs。

Talboyswasnotby;butwehadfeltthecomedytobelesssafewithO’Brien，especiallywhenononeoccasionweheardhimaddressherasArabella。Shedidnotseemtobeinanywaystruckbyhisdoingso，andwesupposedthereforethatithadbecomefrequentbetweenthem。

WhatreplyhemadeatthemomentabouttheheartofamanIdonotknow，andtheninafewminutestheydisappearedthroughthegapinthewall。

Noneofusfollowedthem，althoughitwouldhaveseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtodosohadnothingoutofthewaybeenexpected。Asitwas，weremainedthereroundthetombquizzingthelittlefoiblesofourdearfriendandhopingthatO’Brienwouldbequickinwhathewasdoing。Thathewouldundoubtedlygetaslapintheface，metaphorically，weallfeltcertain，fornoneofusdoubtedtherigidproprietyofthelady’sintentions。Someofusstrolledintothebuildingsandsomeofusgotoutontotheroad，butweallofuswerethinkingthatO’BrienwasveryslowaconsiderabletimebeforewesawMrs。Talboysreappearthroughthegap。

Atlast，however，shewasthere，andweatoncesawthatshewasalone。Shecameon，breastingthehillwithquicksteps，andwhenshedrewnearwecouldseethattherewasafrownasofinjuredmajestyonherbrow。Mackinnonandhiswifewentforwardtomeether。Ifshewerereallyintroubleitwouldbefittinginsomewaytoassisther，andofallwomenMrs。Mackinnonwasthelasttoseeanotherwomansufferfromillusagewithoutattemptingtoaidher。"Icertainlyneverlikedher，"Mrs。Mackinnonsaidafterward，"butIwasboundtogoandhearhertalewhenshereallyhadataletotell。"

AndMrs。Talboysnowhadataletotell——ifshechosetotellit。TheladiesofourpartydeclaredafterwardthatshewouldhaveactedmorewiselyhadshekepttoherselfbothO’Brien’swordstoherandheranswer。"Shewaswellabletotakecareofherself，"Mrs。Mackinnonsaid;"andafterallthesillymanhadtakenananswerwhenhegotit。"Not，however，thatO’Brienhadtakenhisanswerquiteimmediately，asfarasIcouldunderstandfromwhatweheardofthematterafterward。

AtthepresentmomentMrs。Talboyscameuptherisinggroundallaloneandataquickpace。"Themanhasinsultedme，"shesaidaloud，aswellasherpantingbreathwouldallowher，andassoonasshewasnearenoughtoMrs。Mackinnontospeaktoher。

"Iamsorryforthat，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。"Isupposehehastakenalittletoomuchwine。"

"No;itwasapremeditatedinsult。Thebase-heartedchurlhasfailedtounderstandthemeaningoftrue，honestsympathy。"

"Hewillforgetallaboutitwhenheissober，"saidMackinnon，meaningtocomforther。

"WhatcareIwhatheremembersorwhatheforgets？"shesaid，turninguponpoorMackinnonindignantly。"Youmengrovelsoinyourideas——"

（"Andyet，"asMackinnonsaidafterward，"shehadbeentellingmethatIwasafoolforthelastthreeweeks。"）"Youmengrovelsoinyourideasthatyoucannotunderstandthefeelingsofatrue-heartedwoman。

Whatcanhisforgetfulnessorhisremembrancebetome？MustnotI

rememberthisinsult？IsitpossiblethatIshouldforgetit？"

Mr。andMrs。Mackinnononlyhadgoneforwardtomeether，butneverthelessshespokesoloudthatallheardherwhowerestillclusteredroundthespotonwhichwehaddined。

"WhathasbecomeofMr。O’Brien？"aladywhisperedtome。

Ihadafield-glasswithme，and，lookinground，Isawhishatashewaswalkinginsidethewallsofthecircusinthedirectiontowardthecity。"Andveryfoolishhemustfeel，"saidthelady。

"Nodoubtheisusedtoit，"saidanother。

"Butconsideringherage，youknow，"saidthefirst，whomighthavebeenperhapsthreeyearsyoungerthanMrs。Talboys，andwhowasnotherselfaversetotheexcitementofamoderateflirtation。Butthenwhyshouldshehavebeenaverse，seeingthatshehadnotasyetbecomesubjecttothewillofanyimperiallord？

"Hewouldhavefeltmuchmorefoolish，"saidthethird，"ifshehadlistenedtowhathesaidtoher。"

"Well，Idon’tknow，"saidthesecond;"nobodywouldhaveknownanythingaboutitthen，andinafewweekstheywouldhavegraduallybecometiredofeachotherintheordinaryway。"

ButinthemeantimeMrs。Talboyswasamongus。Therehadbeennoattemptatsecrecy，andshewasstillloudlyinveighingagainstthegrovellingpropensitiesofmen。"That’squitetrue，Mrs。Talboys，"

saidoneoftheelderladies;"butthenwomenarenotalwayssocarefulastheyshouldbe。OfcourseIdonotmeantosaythattherehasbeenanyfaultonyourpart。"

"Faultonmypart！Ofcoursetherehasbeenfaultonmypart。Noonecanmakeanymistakewithoutfaulttosomeextent。Itookhimtobeamanofsense，andheisafool。GotoNaplesindeed。"

"DidhewantyoutogotoNaples？"askedMrs。Mackinnon。

"Yes;thatwaswhathesuggested。WeweretoleavebythetrainforCivitaVecchiaatsixto-morrowmorning，andcatchthesteamerwhichleavesLeghornto-night。Don’ttellmeofwine。Hewaspreparedforit！"Andshelookedroundaboutonuswithanairofinjuredmajestyinherfacewhichwasalmostinsupportable。

"Iwonderwhetherhetooktheticketsovernight，"saidMackinnon。

"Naples！"shesaid，asthoughnowspeakingexclusivelytoherself，"theonlygroundinItalywhichhasasyetmadenostruggleonbehalfoffreedom——afittingresidenceforsuchadastard！"

"Youwouldhavefounditverypleasantatthisseason，"saidtheunmarriedladywhowasthreeyearsherjunior。

MywifehadtakenIdaoutofthewaywhenthefirstcomplainingnotefromMrs。Talboyshadbeenheardascendingthehill。Butnow，whenmattersbegangraduallytobecomequiescent，shebroughtherback，suggestingasshedidsothattheymightbegintothinkofreturning。

"Itisgettingverycold，Idadear，isitnot？"saidshe。

"ButwhereisMr。O’Brien？"saidIda。

"Hehasfled——aspoltroonsalwaysfly，"saidMrs。Talboys。Ibelieveinmyheartthatshewouldhavebeengladtohavehadhimthereinthemiddleofthecircle，andtohavetriumphedoverhimpubliclyamongusall。Nofeelingofshamewouldhavekepthersilentforamoment。

"Fled！"saidIda，lookingupintohermother’sface。

"Yes，fled，mychild。"Andsheseizedherdaughterinherarms，andpressedhercloselytoherbosom。"Cowardsalwaysfly。"

"IsMr。O’Brienacoward？"Idaasked。

"Yes，acoward，averycoward！Andhehasfledbeforetheglanceofanhonestwoman’seye。Come，Mrs。Mackinnon，shallwegobacktothecity？Iamsorrythattheamusementofthedayshouldhavereceivedthischeck。"Andshewalkedforwardtothecarriageandtookherplaceinitwithanairthatshowedthatshewasproudofthewayinwhichshehadconductedherself。

"Sheisalittleconceitedaboutitafterall，"saidthatunmarriedlady。"IfpoorMr。O’BrienhadnotshownsomuchprematureanxietywithreferencetothatlittlejourneytoNaples，thingsmighthavegonequietlyafterall。"

Buttheunmarriedladywaswronginherjudgment。Mrs。Talboyswasproudandconceitedinthematter，butnotproudofhavingexcitedtheadmirationofherIrishlover。Shewasproudofherownsubsequentconduct，andgaveherselfcreditforcomingoutstronglyasthenoble-mindedmatron。"Ibelieveshethinks，"saidMrs。Mackinnon，"thathervirtueisquiteSpartanandunique;andifsheremainsinRomeshe’llboastofitthroughthewholewinter。"

"Ifshedoes，shemaybecertainthatO’Brienwilldothesame，"saidMackinnon。"Andinspiteofhishavingfledfromthefield，itisuponthecardsthathemaygetthebestofit。Mrs。Talboysisaveryexcellentwoman。Shehasprovedherexcellencebeyondadoubt。Butneverthelesssheissusceptibleofridicule。"

WeallfeltalittleanxietytohearO’Brien’saccountofthematter，andafterhavingdepositedtheladiesattheirhomesMackinnonandI

wentofftohislodgings。Atfirsthewasdeniedtous，butafterawhilewegothisservanttoacknowledgethathewasathome，andthenwemadeourwayuptohisstudio。Wefoundhimseatedbehindahalf-

formedmodel，orratheramerelumpofclaypunchedintosomethingresemblingtheshapeofahead，withapipeinhismouthandabitofstickinhishand。Hewaspretendingtowork，thoughwebothknewthatitwasoutofthequestionthatheshoulddoanythinginhispresentframeofmind。

"IthinkIheardmyservanttellyouthatIwasnotathome，"saidhe。

"Yes，hedid，"saidMackinnon，"andwouldhaveswornittooifwewouldhavelethim。Come，don’tpretendtobesurly。"

"Iamverybusy，Mr。Mackinnon。"

"CompletingyourheadofMrs。Talboys，Isuppose，beforeyoustartforNaples。"

"Youdon’tmeantosaythatshehastoldyouallaboutit？"Andheturnedawayfromhiswork，andlookedupintoourfaceswithacomicalexpression，halfoffunandhalfofdespair。

"Everywordofit，"saidI。"Whenyouwantaladytotravelwithyouneveraskhertogetupsoearlyinwinter。"

"But，O’Brien，howcouldyoubesuchanass？"saidMackinnon。"Asithasturnedout，thereisnoverygreatharmdone。Youhaveinsultedarespectablemiddle-agedwoman，themotherofafamilyandthewifeofageneralofficer，andthereisanendofit——unless，indeed，thegeneralofficershouldcomeoutfromEnglandtocallyoutoaccount。"

"Heiswelcome，"saidO’Brienhaughtily。

"Nodoubt，mydearfellow，"saidMackinnon;"thatwouldbeadignifiedandpleasantendingtotheaffair。ButwhatIwanttoknowisthis：

whatwouldyouhavedoneifshehadagreedtogo？"

"Henevercalculatedonthepossibilityofsuchacontingency，"saidI。

"Byheavens，then，Ithoughtshewouldlikeit，"saidhe。

"Andtoobligeheryouwerecontenttosacrificeyourself，"saidMackinnon。

"Well，thatwasjustit。Whatthedeuceisafellowtodowhenawomangoesoninthatway？Shetoldmedownthere，upontheoldrace-course，youknow，thatmatrimonialbondsweremadeforfoolsandslaves。WhatwasItosupposethatshemeantbythat？But，tomakeallsure，I

askedherwhatsortofafellowthegeneralwas。’Dearoldman，’shesaid，claspingherhandstogether。’Hemight，youknow，havebeenmyfather。’’Iwishhewere，’saidI，’becausethenyou’dbefree。’’Iamfree，’saidshe，stampingontheground，andlookingupatmesomuchastosaythatshecaredfornoone。’Then，’saidI，’acceptallthatisleftoftheheartofWenceslausO’Brien，’andIthrewmyselfbeforeherinherpath。’Hand，’saidI，’Ihavenonetogive，butthebloodwhichrunsredthroughmyveinsisdescendedfromadoublelineofkings。’Isaidthatbecausesheisalwaysfondofridingahighhorse。

Ihadgottencloseunderthewallsothatnoneofyoushouldseemefromthetower。"

"Andwhatanswerdidshemake？"saidMackinnon。

"Why，shewaspleasedasPunch——gavemebothherhandsanddeclaredthatwewouldbefriendsforever。Itismybelief，Mackinnon，thatthatwomanneverheardanythingofthekindbefore。Thegeneral，nodoubt，diditbyletter。"

"Andhowwasitthatshechangedhermind？"

"Why，Igotup，putmyarmroundherwaist，andtoldherthatwewouldbeofftoNaples。I’mblessedifshedidn’tgivemeaknockintheribsthatnearlysentmebackward。Shetookmybreathaway，sothatI

couldn’tspeaktoher。"

"Andthen————"

"Oh，therewasnothingmore。OfcourseIsawhowitwas。SoshewalkedoffonewayandItheother。Onthewhole，IconsiderthatIamwelloutofit。"

"AndsodoI，"saidMackinnon，verygravely。"Butifyouwillallowmetogiveyoumyadvice，Iwouldsuggestthatitwouldbewelltoavoidsuchmistakesinfuture。"

"Uponmyword，"saidO’Brien，excusinghimself，"Idon’tknowwhatamanistodoundersuchcircumstances。IgiveyoumyhonourthatIdiditalltoobligeher。"

WethendecidedthatMackinnonshouldconveytotheinjuredladythehumbleapologyofherlateadmirer。Itwassettledthatnodetailedexcusesshouldbemade。Itshouldbelefttohertoconsiderwhetherthedeedwhichhadbeendonemighthavebeenoccasionedbywineorbythefollyofamoment，orbyherownindiscreetenthusiasm。Noonebutthetwowerepresentwhenthemessagewasgiven，andthereforewewereobligedtotrusttoMackinnon’saccuracyforanaccountofit。

Shestoodonveryhighgroundindeed，hesaid，atfirstrefusingtohearanythingthathehadtosayonthematter。Thefoolishyoungman，shedeclared，wasbelowherangerandbelowhercontempt。

"HeisnotthefirstIrishmanthathasbeenmadeindiscreetbybeauty，"saidMackinnon。

"Atrucetothat，"shereplied，wavingherhandwithanairofassumedmajesty。"Theincident，contemptibleasitis，hasbeenunpleasanttome。ItwillnecessitatemywithdrawalfromRome。"

"Ohno，Mrs。Talboys;thatwillbemakingtoomuchofhim。"

"Thegreatestherothatlives，"sheanswered，"mayhavehishousemadeuninhabitablebyaverysmallinsect。"Mackinnonsworethatthosewereherownwords。ConsequentlyasobriquetwasattachedtoO’Brienofwhichhebynomeansapproved，andfromthatdaywealwayscalledMrs。

Talboys"thehero。"

Mackinnonprevailedatlastwithher，andshedidnotleaveRome。ShewaseveninducedtosendamessagetoO’Brienconveyingherforgiveness。TheyshookhandstogetherwithgreateclatinMrs。

Mackinnon’sdrawing-room;butIdonotsupposethatsheeveragainofferedtohimsympathyonthescoreofhismatrimonialtroubles。