Dorset’stoils，showedhimtobesocompletelyfreefromthemthathewasnotafraidofherproximity。
Thesethoughtssoengagedherthatshefellintoagaithardlylikelytocarryhertochurchbeforethesermon，andatlength，havingpassedfromthegardenstothewood-pathbeyond，sofarforgotherintentionastosinkintoarusticseatatabendofthewalk。Thespotwascharming，andLilywasnotinsensibletothecharm，ortothefactthatherpresenceenhancedit；butshewasnotaccustomedtotastethejoysofsolitudeexceptincompany，andthecombinationofahandsomegirlandaromanticscenestruckherastoogoodtobewasted。Noone，however，appearedtoprofitbytheopportunity；andafterahalfhouroffruitlesswaitingsheroseandwanderedon。Shefeltastealingsenseoffatigueasshewalked；thesparklehaddiedoutofher，andthetasteoflifewasstaleonherlips。Shehardlyknewwhatshehadbeenseeking，orwhythefailuretofindithadsoblottedthelightfromhersky:shewasonlyawareofavaguesenseoffailure，ofaninnerisolationdeeperthanthelonelinessabouther。
Herfootstepsflagged，andshestoodgazinglistlesslyahead，diggingthefernyedgeofthepathwiththetipofhersunshade。
Asshedidsoastepsoundedbehindher，andshesawSeldenatherside。
"Howfastyouwalk！"heremarked。"IthoughtIshouldnevercatchupwithyou。"
Sheansweredgaily:"Youmustbequitebreathless！I’vebeensittingunderthattreeforanhour。"
"Waitingforme，Ihope？"herejoined；andshesaidwithavaguelaugh:
"Well——waitingtoseeifyouwouldcome。"
"Iseizethedistinction，butIdon’tmindit，sincedoingtheoneinvolveddoingtheother。Butweren’tyousurethatIshouldcome？"
"IfIwaitedlongenough——butyouseeIhadonlyalimitedtimetogivetotheexperiment。"
"Whylimited？Limitedbyluncheon？"
"No；bymyotherengagement。"
"YourengagementtogotochurchwithMurielandHilda？"
"No；buttocomehomefromchurchwithanotherperson。"
"Ah，Isee；Imighthaveknownyouwerefullyprovidedwithalternatives。Andistheotherpersoncominghomethisway？"
Lilylaughedagain。"That’sjustwhatIdon’tknow；andtofindout，itismybusinesstogettochurchbeforetheserviceisover。"
"Exactly；anditismybusinesstopreventyourdoingso；inwhichcasetheotherperson，piquedbyyourabsence，willformthedesperateresolveofdrivingbackintheomnibus。"
Lilyreceivedthiswithfreshappreciation；hisnonsensewaslikethebubblingofherinnermood。"Isthatwhatyouwoulddoinsuchanemergency？"sheenquired。
Seldenlookedatherwithsolemnity。"Iamheretoprovetoyou，"
hecried，"whatIamcapableofdoinginanemergency！"
"Walkingamileinanhour——youmustownthattheomnibuswouldbequicker！"
"Ah——butwillhefindyouintheend？That’stheonlytestofsuccess。"
Theylookedateachotherwiththesameluxuryofenjoymentthattheyhadfeltinexchangingabsurditiesoverhistea-table；butsuddenlyLily’sfacechanged，andshesaid:"Well，ifitis，hehassucceeded。"
Selden，followingherglance，perceivedapartyofpeopleadvancingtowardthemfromthefartherbendofthepath。LadyCressidahadevidentlyinsistedonwalkinghome，andtherestofthechurch-goershadthoughtittheirdutytoaccompanyher。Lily’scompanionlookedrapidlyfromonetotheotherofthetwomenoftheparty；WetherallwalkingrespectfullyatLadyCressida’ssidewithhislittlesidelonglookofnervousattention，andPercyGrycebringinguptherearwithMrs。
WetherallandtheTrenors。
"Ah——nowIseewhyyouweregettingupyourAmericana！"Seldenexclaimedwithanoteofthefreestadmirationbuttheblushwithwhichthesallywasreceivedcheckedwhateveramplificationshehadmeanttogiveit。
ThatLilyBartshouldobjecttobeingbanteredabouthersuitors，orevenabouthermeansofattractingthem，wassonewtoSeldenthathehadamomentaryflashofsurprise，whichlitupanumberofpossibilities；butsherosegallantlytothedefenceofherconfusion，bysaying，asitsobjectapproached:"ThatwaswhyI
waswaitingforyou——tothankyouforhavinggivenmesomanypoints！"
"Ah，youcanhardlydojusticetothesubjectinsuchashorttime，"saidSelden，astheTrenorgirlscaughtsightofMissBart；andwhileshesignalledaresponsetotheirboisterousgreeting，headdedquickly:"Won’tyoudevoteyourafternoontoit？YouknowImustbeofftomorrowmorning。We’lltakeawalk，andyoucanthankmeatyourleisure。"
Theafternoonwasperfect。Adeeperstillnesspossessedtheair，andtheglitteroftheAmericanautumnwastemperedbyahazewhichdiffusedthebrightnesswithoutdullingit。
Inthewoodyhollowsoftheparktherewasalreadyafaintchill；
butasthegroundrosetheairgrewlighter，andascendingthelongslopesbeyondthehigh-road，Lilyandhercompanionreachedazoneoflingeringsummer。Thepathwoundacrossameadowwithscatteredtrees；thenitdippedintoalaneplumedwithastersandpurplingspraysofbramble，whence，throughthelightquiverofash-leaves，thecountryunrolleditselfinpastoraldistances。
Higherup，thelaneshowedthickeningtuftsoffernandofthecreepingglossyverdureofshadedslopes；treesbegantooverhangit，andtheshadedeepenedtothecheckeredduskofabeech-grove。Thebolesofthetreesstoodwellapart，withonlyalightfeatheringofundergrowth；thepathwoundalongtheedgeofthewood，nowandthenlookingoutonasunlitpastureoronanorchardspangledwithfruit。
Lilyhadnorealintimacywithnature，butshehadapassionfortheappropriateandcouldbekeenlysensitivetoascenewhichwasthefittingbackgroundofherownsensations。Thelandscapeoutspreadbelowherseemedanenlargementofherpresentmood，andshefoundsomethingofherselfinitscalmness，itsbreadth，itslongfreereaches。Onthenearerslopesthesugar-mapleswaveredlikepyresoflight；lowerdownwasamassingofgreyorchards，andhereandtherethelingeringgreenofanoak-grove。
Twoorthreeredfarm-housesdozedundertheapple-trees，andthewhitewoodenspireofavillagechurchshowedbeyondtheshoulderofthehill；whilefarbelow，inahazeofdust，thehigh-roadranbetweenthefields。
"Letussithere，"Seldensuggested，astheyreachedanopenledgeofrockabovewhichthebeechesrosesteeplybetweenmossyboulders。
Lilydroppeddownontherock，glowingwithherlongclimb。Shesatquiet，herlipspartedbythestressoftheascent，hereyeswanderingpeacefullyoverthebrokenrangesofthelandscape。Seldenstretchedhimselfonthegrassatherfeet，tiltinghishatagainstthelevelsun-rays，andclaspinghishandsbehindhishead，whichrestedagainstthesideoftherock。
Hehadnowishtomakehertalk；herquick-breathingsilenceseemedapartofthegeneralhushandharmonyofthings。Inhisownmindtherewasonlyalazysenseofpleasure，veilingthesharpedgesofsensationastheSeptemberhazeveiledthesceneattheirfeet。ButLily，thoughherattitudewasascalmashis，wasthrobbinginwardlywitharushofthoughts。Therewereinheratthemomenttwobeings，onedrawingdeepbreathsoffreedomandexhilaration，theothergaspingforairinalittleblackprison-houseoffears。Butgraduallythecaptive’sgaspsgrewfainter，ortheotherpaidlessheedtothem:thehorizonexpanded，theairgrewstronger，andthefreespiritquiveredforflight。
Shecouldnotherselfhaveexplainedthesenseofbuoyancywhichseemedtoliftandswingherabovethesun-suffusedworldatherfeet。Wasitlove，shewondered，oramerefortuitouscombinationofhappythoughtsandsensations？Howmuchofitwasowingtothespelloftheperfectafternoon，thescentofthefadingwoods，thethoughtofthedulnessshehadfledfrom？Lilyhadnodefiniteexperiencebywhichtotestthequalityofherfeelings。
Shehadseveraltimesbeeninlovewithfortunesorcareers，butonlyoncewithaman。Thatwasyearsago，whenshefirstcameout，andhadbeensmittenwitharomanticpassionforayounggentlemannamedHerbertMelson，whohadblueeyesandalittlewaveinhishair。Mr。Melson，whowaspossessedofnoothernegotiablesecurities，hadhastenedtoemploytheseincapturingtheeldestMissVanOsburgh:sincethenhehadgrownstoutandwheezy，andwasgiventotellinganecdotesabouthischildren。IfLilyrecalledthisearlyemotionitwasnottocompareitwiththatwhichnowpossessedher；theonlypointofcomparisonwasthesenseoflightness，ofemancipation，whichsherememberedfeeling，inthewhirlofawaltzortheseclusionofaconservatory，duringthebriefcourseofheryouthfulromance。
Shehadnotknownagaintilltodaythatlightness，thatglowoffreedom；butnowitwassomethingmorethanablindgropingoftheblood。ThepeculiarcharmofherfeelingforSeldenwasthatsheunderstoodit；shecouldputherfingeroneverylinkofthechainthatwasdrawingthemtogether。Thoughhispopularitywasofthequietkind，feltratherthanactivelyexpressedamonghisfriends，shehadnevermistakenhisinconspicuousnessforobscurity。Hisreputedcultivationwasgenerallyregardedasaslightobstacletoeasyintercourse，butLily，whopridedherselfonherbroad-mindedrecognitionofliterature，andalwayscarriedanOmarKhayaminhertravelling-bag，wasattractedbythisattribute，whichshefeltwouldhavehaditsdistinctioninanoldersociety。Itwas，moreover，oneofhisgiftstolookhispart；tohaveaheightwhichliftedhisheadabovethecrowd，andthekeenly-modelleddarkfeatureswhich，inalandofamorphoustypes，gavehimtheairofbelongingtoamorespecializedrace，ofcarryingtheimpressofaconcentratedpast。Expansivepersonsfoundhimalittledry，andveryyounggirlsthoughthimsarcastic；butthisairoffriendlyaloofness，asfarremovedaspossiblefromanyassertionofpersonaladvantage，wasthequalitywhichpiquedLily’sinterest。Everythingabouthimaccordedwiththefastidiouselementinhertaste，eventothelightironywithwhichhesurveyedwhatseemedtohermostsacred。Sheadmiredhimmostofall，perhaps，forbeingabletoconveyasdistinctasenseofsuperiorityastherichestmanshehadevermet。
Itwastheunconsciousprolongationofthisthoughtwhichledhertosaypresently，withalaugh:"Ihavebrokentwoengagementsforyoutoday。Howmanyhaveyoubrokenforme？"
"None，"saidSeldencalmly。"MyonlyengagementatBellomontwaswithyou。"
Sheglanceddownathim，faintlysmiling。
"DidyoureallycometoBellomonttoseeme？"
"OfcourseIdid。"
Herlookdeepenedmeditatively。"Why？"shemurmured，withanaccentwhichtookalltingeofcoquetryfromthequestion。
"Becauseyou’resuchawonderfulspectacle:Ialwaysliketoseewhatyouaredoing。"
"HowdoyouknowwhatIshouldbedoingifyouwerenothere？"
Seldensmiled。"Idon’tflattermyselfthatmycominghasdeflectedyourcourseofactionbyahair’sbreadth。"
"That’sabsurd——since，ifyouwerenothere，Icouldobviouslynotbetakingawalkwithyou。"
"No；butyourtakingawalkwithmeisonlyanotherwayofmakinguseofyourmaterial。YouareanartistandIhappentobethebitofcolouryouareusingtoday。It’sapartofyourclevernesstobeabletoproducepremeditatedeffectsextemporaneously。"
Lilysmiledalso:hiswordsweretooacutenottostrikehersenseofhumour。Itwastruethatshemeanttousetheaccidentofhispresenceaspartofaverydefiniteeffect；orthat，atleast，wasthesecretpretextshehadfoundforbreakingherpromisetowalkwithMr。Gryce。Shehadsometimesbeenaccusedofbeingtooeager——evenJudyTrenorhadwarnedhertogoslowly。
Well，shewouldnotbetooeagerinthiscase；shewouldgivehersuitoralongertasteofsuspense。Wheredutyandinclinationjumpedtogether，itwasnotinLily’snaturetoholdthemasunder。Shehadexcusedherselffromthewalkonthepleaofaheadache:thehorridheadachewhich，inthemorning，hadpreventedherventuringtochurch。Herappearanceatluncheonjustifiedtheexcuse。Shelookedlanguid，fullofasufferingsweetness；shecarriedascent-bottleinherhand。Mr。Grycewasnewtosuchmanifestations；hewonderedrathernervouslyifsheweredelicate，havingfar-reachingfearsaboutthefutureofhisprogeny。Butsympathywontheday，andhebesoughthernottoexposeherself:healwaysconnectedtheouterairwithideasofexposure。
Lilyhadreceivedhissympathywithlanguidgratitude，urginghim，sincesheshouldbesuchpoorcompany，tojointherestofthepartywho，afterluncheon，werestartinginautomobilesonavisittotheVanOsburghsatPeekskill。Mr。Grycewastouchedbyherdisinterestedness，and，toescapefromthethreatenedvacuityoftheafternoon，hadtakenheradviceanddepartedmournfully，inadust-hoodandgoggles:asthemotor-carplungeddowntheavenueshesmiledathisresemblancetoabaffledbeetle。Seldenhadwatchedhermanoeuvreswithlazyamusement。Shehadmadenoreplytohissuggestionthattheyshouldspendtheafternoontogether，butasherplanunfoldeditselfhefeltfairlyconfidentofbeingincludedinit。Thehousewasemptywhenatlengthheheardhersteponthestairandstrolledoutofthebilliard-roomtojoinher。
Shehadonahatandwalking-dress，andthedogswereboundingatherfeet。
"Ithought，afterall，theairmightdomegood，"sheexplained；
andheagreedthatsosimplearemedywasworthtrying。
Theexcursionistswouldbegoneatleastfourhours；LilyandSeldenhadthewholeafternoonbeforethem，andthesenseofleisureandsafetygavethelasttouchoflightnesstoherspirit。Withsomuchtimetotalk，andnodefiniteobjecttobeledupto，shecouldtastetherarejoysofmentalvagrancy。
Shefeltsofreefromulteriormotivesthatshetookuphischargewithatouchofresentment。
"Idon’tknow，"shesaid，"whyyouarealwaysaccusingmeofpremeditation。"
"Ithoughtyouconfessedtoit:youtoldmetheotherdaythatyouhadtofollowacertainline——andifonedoesathingatallitisamerittodoitthoroughly。"
"Ifyoumeanthatagirlwhohasnoonetothinkforherisobligedtothinkforherself，Iamquitewillingtoaccepttheimputation。ButyoumustfindmeadismalkindofpersonifyousupposethatIneveryieldtoanimpulse。"
"Ah，butIdon’tsupposethat:haven’tItoldyouthatyourgeniusliesinconvertingimpulsesintointentions？"
"Mygenius？"sheechoedwithasuddennoteofweariness。"Isthereanyfinaltestofgeniusbutsuccess？AndIcertainlyhaven’tsucceeded。"
Seldenpushedhishatbackandtookaside-glanceather。
"Success——whatissuccess？Ishallbeinterestedtohaveyourdefinition。"
"Success？"Shehesitated。"Why，togetasmuchasonecanoutoflife，Isuppose。It’sarelativequality，afterall。Isn’tthatyourideaofit？"
"Myideaofit？Godforbid！"Hesatupwithsuddenenergy，restinghiselbowsonhiskneesandstaringoutuponthemellowfields。"Myideaofsuccess，"hesaid，"ispersonalfreedom。"
"Freedom？Freedomfromworries？"
"Fromeverything——frommoney，frompoverty，fromeaseandanxiety，fromallthematerialaccidents。Tokeepakindofrepublicofthespirit——that’swhatIcallsuccess。"
Sheleanedforwardwitharesponsiveflash。"Iknow——Iknow——it’sstrange；butthat’sjustwhatI’vebeenfeelingtoday。"
Hemethereyeswiththelatentsweetnessofhis。"Isthefeelingsorarewithyou？"hesaid。
Sheblushedalittleunderhisgaze。"Youthinkmehorriblysordid，don’tyou？Butperhapsit’sratherthatIneverhadanychoice。Therewasnoone，Imean，totellmeabouttherepublicofthespirit。"
"Thereneveris——it’sacountryonehastofindthewaytoone’sself。"
"ButIshouldneverhavefoundmywaythereifyouhadn’ttoldme。"
"Ah，therearesign-posts——butonehastoknowhowtoreadthem。"
"Well，Ihaveknown，Ihaveknown！"shecriedwithaglowofeagerness。"WheneverIseeyou，Ifindmyselfspellingoutaletterofthesign——andyesterday——lasteveningatdinner——I
suddenlysawalittlewayintoyourrepublic。"
Seldenwasstilllookingather，butwithachangedeye。Hithertohehadfound，inherpresenceandhertalk，theaestheticamusementwhichareflectivemanisapttoseekindesultoryintercoursewithprettywomen。Hisattitudehadbeenoneofadmiringspectatorship，andhewouldhavebeenalmostsorrytodetectinheranyemotionalweaknesswhichshouldinterferewiththefulfilmentofheraims。Butnowthehintofthisweaknesshadbecomethemostinterestingthingabouther。Hehadcomeonherthatmorninginamomentofdisarray；herfacehadbeenpaleandaltered，andthediminutionofherbeautyhadlentherapoignantcharm。THATISHOWSHELOOKSWHENSHEISALONE！hadbeenhisfirstthought；andthesecondwastonoteinherthechangewhichhiscomingproduced。Itwasthedanger-pointoftheirintercoursethathecouldnotdoubtthespontaneityofherliking。Fromwhateverangleheviewedtheirdawningintimacy，hecouldnotseeitaspartofherschemeoflife；andtobetheunforeseenelementinacareersoaccuratelyplannedwasstimulatingeventoamanwhohadrenouncedsentimentalexperiments。
"Well，"hesaid，"diditmakeyouwanttoseemore？Areyougoingtobecomeoneofus？"
Hehaddrawnouthiscigarettesashespoke，andshereachedherhandtowardthecase。
"Oh，dogivemeone——Ihaven’tsmokedfordays！"
"Whysuchunnaturalabstinence？EverybodysmokesatBellomont。"
"Yes——butitisnotconsideredbecominginaJEUNEFILLEA
MARIER；andatthepresentmomentIamaJEUNEFILLEAMARIER。
"Ah，thenI’mafraidwecan’tletyouintotherepublic。"
"Whynot？Isitacelibateorder？"
"Notintheleast，thoughI’mboundtosaytherearenotmanymarriedpeopleinit。Butyouwillmarrysomeoneveryrich，andit’sashardforrichpeopletogetintoasthekingdomofheaven。"
"That’sunjust，Ithink，because，asIunderstandit，oneoftheconditionsofcitizenshipisnottothinktoomuchaboutmoney，andtheonlywaynottothinkaboutmoneyistohaveagreatdealofit。"
"Youmightaswellsaythattheonlywaynottothinkaboutairistohaveenoughtobreathe。Thatistrueenoughinasense；butyourlungsarethinkingabouttheair，ifyouarenot。Andsoitiswithyourrichpeople——theymaynotbethinkingofmoney，butthey’rebreathingitallthewhile；takethemintoanotherelementandseehowtheysquirmandgasp！"
Lilysatgazingabsentlythroughtheblueringsofhercigarette-smoke。
"Itseemstome，"shesaidatlength，"thatyouspendagooddealofyourtimeintheelementyoudisapproveof。"
Seldenreceivedthisthrustwithoutdiscomposure。"Yes；butI
havetriedtoremainamphibious:it’sallrightaslongasone’slungscanworkinanotherair。Therealalchemyconsistsinbeingabletoturngoldbackagainintosomethingelse；andthat’sthesecretthatmostofyourfriendshavelost。"
Lilymused。"Don’tyouthink，"sherejoinedafteramoment，"thatthepeoplewhofindfaultwithsocietyaretooapttoregarditasanendandnotameans，justasthepeoplewhodespisemoneyspeakasifitsonlyuseweretobekeptinbagsandgloatedover？Isn’titfairertolookatthembothasopportunities，whichmaybeusedeitherstupidlyorintelligently，accordingtothecapacityoftheuser？"
"Thatiscertainlythesaneview；butthequeerthingaboutsocietyisthatthepeoplewhoregarditasanendarethosewhoareinit，andnotthecriticsonthefence。It’sjusttheotherwaywithmostshows——theaudiencemaybeundertheillusion，buttheactorsknowthatreallifeisontheothersideofthefootlights。Thepeoplewhotakesocietyasanescapefromworkareputtingittoitsproperuse；butwhenitbecomesthethingworkedforitdistortsalltherelationsoflife。"Seldenraisedhimselfonhiselbow。"Goodheavens！"hewenton，"Idon’tunderratethedecorativesideoflife。Itseemstomethesenseofsplendourhasjustifieditselfbywhatithasproduced。Theworstofitisthatsomuchhumannatureisusedupintheprocess。Ifwe’realltherawstuffofthecosmiceffects，onewouldratherbethefirethattempersaswordthanthefishthatdyesapurplecloak。Andasocietylikeourswastessuchgoodmaterialinproducingitslittlepatchofpurple！LookataboylikeNedSilverton——he’sreallytoogoodtobeusedtorefurbishanybody’ssocialshabbiness。There’saladjustsettingouttodiscovertheuniverse:isn’titapityheshouldendbyfindingitinMrs。Fisher’sdrawing-room？"
"Nedisadearboy，andIhopehewillkeephisillusionslongenoughtowritesomenicepoetryaboutthem；butdoyouthinkitisonlyinsocietythatheislikelytolosethem？"
Seldenansweredherwithashrug。"Whydowecallallourgenerousideasillusions，andthemeanonestruths？Isn’titasufficientcondemnationofsocietytofindone’sselfacceptingsuchphraseology？IverynearlyacquiredthejargonatSilverton’sage，andIknowhownamescanalterthecolourofbeliefs。"
Shehadneverheardhimspeakwithsuchenergyofaffirmation。
Hishabitualtouchwasthatoftheeclectic，wholightlyturnsoverandcompares；andshewasmovedbythissuddenglimpseintothelaboratorywherehisfaithswereformed。
"Ah，youareasbadastheothersectarians，"sheexclaimed；
"whydoyoucallyourrepublicarepublic？Itisaclosedcorporation，andyoucreatearbitraryobjectionsinordertokeeppeopleout。"
"ItisnotMYrepublic；ifitwere，IshouldhaveaCOUPD’ETAT
andseatyouonthethrone。"
"Whereas，inreality，youthinkIcanneverevengetmyfootacrossthethreshold？Oh，Iunderstandwhatyoumean。Youdespisemyambitions——youthinkthemunworthyofme！"
Seldensmiled，butnotironically。"Well，isn’tthatatribute？I
thinkthemquiteworthyofmostofthepeoplewholivebythem。"
Shehadturnedtogazeonhimgravely。"Butisn’titpossiblethat，ifIhadtheopportunitiesofthesepeople，Imightmakeabetteruseofthem？Moneystandsforallkindsofthings——itspurchasingqualityisn’tlimitedtodiamondsandmotor-cars。"
"Notintheleast:youmightexpiateyourenjoymentofthembyfoundingahospital。"
"ButifyouthinktheyarewhatIshouldreallyenjoy，youmustthinkmyambitionsaregoodenoughforme。"
Seldenmetthisappealwithalaugh。"Ah，mydearMissBart，IamnotdivineProvidence，toguaranteeyourenjoyingthethingsyouaretryingtoget！"
"Thenthebestyoucansayformeis，thatafterstrugglingtogetthemIprobablyshan’tlikethem？"Shedrewadeepbreath。
"Whatamiserablefutureyouforeseeforme！"
"Well——haveyouneverforeseenitforyourself？"Theslowcolourrosetohercheek，notablushofexcitementbutdrawnfromthedeepwellsoffeeling；itwasasiftheeffortofherspirithadproducedit。
"Oftenandoften，"shesaid。"Butitlookssomuchdarkerwhenyoushowittome！"
Hemadenoanswertothisexclamation，andforawhiletheysatsilent，whilesomethingthrobbedbetweentheminthewidequietoftheair。
Butsuddenlysheturnedonhimwithakindofvehemence。"Whydoyoudothistome？"shecried。"WhydoyoumakethethingsIhavechosenseemhatefultome，ifyouhavenothingtogivemeinstead？"
ThewordsrousedSeldenfromthemusingfitintowhichhehadfallen。Hehimselfdidnotknowwhyhehadledtheirtalkalongsuchlines；itwasthelastusehewouldhaveimaginedhimselfmakingofanafternoon’ssolitudewithMissBart。Butitwasoneofthosemomentswhenneitherseemedtospeakdeliberately，whenanindwellingvoiceineachcalledtotheotheracrossunsoundeddepthsoffeeling。
"No，Ihavenothingtogiveyouinstead，"hesaid，sittingupandturningsothathefacedher。"IfIhad，itshouldbeyours，youknow。"
Shereceivedthisabruptdeclarationinawayevenstrangerthanthemannerofitsmaking:shedroppedherfaceonherhandsandhesawthatforamomentshewept。
Itwasforamomentonly，however；forwhenheleanedneareranddrewdownherhandswithagesturelesspassionatethangrave，sheturnedonhimafacesoftenedbutnotdisfiguredbyemotion，andhesaidtohimself，somewhatcruelly，thatevenherweepingwasanart。
Thereflectionsteadiedhisvoiceasheasked，betweenpityandirony:"Isn’titnaturalthatIshouldtrytobelittleallthethingsIcan’tofferyou？"
Herfacebrightenedatthis，butshedrewherhandaway，notwithagestureofcoquetry，butasthoughrenouncingsomethingtowhichshehadnoclaim。
"ButyoubelittleME，don’tyou，"shereturnedgently，"inbeingsosuretheyaretheonlythingsIcarefor？"
Seldenfeltaninnerstart；butitwasonlythelastquiverofhisegoism。Almostatonceheansweredquitesimply:"Butyoudocareforthem，don’tyou？Andnowishingofminecanalterthat。"
Hehadsocompletelyceasedtoconsiderhowfarthismightcarryhim，thathehadadistinctsenseofdisappointmentwhensheturnedonhimafacesparklingwithderision。
"Ah，"shecried，"forallyourfinephrasesyou’rereallyasgreatacowardasIam，foryouwouldn’thavemadeoneofthemifyouhadn’tbeensosureofmyanswer。"
TheshockofthisretorthadtheeffectofcrystallizingSelden’swaveringintentions。
"Iamnotsosureofyouranswer，"hesaidquietly。"AndIdoyouthejusticetobelievethatyouarenoteither。"
Itwasherturntolookathimwithsurprise；andafteramoment——"Doyouwanttomarryme？"sheasked。
Hebrokeintoalaugh。"No，Idon’twantto——butperhapsIshouldifyoudid！"
"That’swhatItoldyou——you’resosureofmethatyoucanamuseyourselfwithexperiments。"Shedrewbackthehandhehadregained，andsatlookingdownonhimsadly。
"Iamnotmakingexperiments，"hereturned。"OrifIam，itisnotonyoubutonmyself。Idon’tknowwhateffecttheyaregoingtohaveonme——butifmarryingyouisoneofthem，Iwilltaketherisk。"
Shesmiledfaintly。"Itwouldbeagreatrisk，certainly——Ihaveneverconcealedfromyouhowgreat。"
"Ah，it’syouwhoarethecoward！"heexclaimed。
Shehadrisen，andhestoodfacingherwithhiseyesonhers。Thesoftisolationofthefallingdayenvelopedthem:theyseemedliftedintoafinerair。Alltheexquisiteinfluencesofthehourtrembledintheirveins，anddrewthemtoeachotherastheloosenedleavesweredrawntotheearth。
"It’syouwhoarethecoward，"herepeated，catchingherhandsinhis。
Sheleanedonhimforamoment，asifwithadropoftiredwings:
hefeltasthoughherheartwerebeatingratherwiththestressofalongflightthanthethrillofnewdistances。Then，drawingbackwithalittlesmileofwarning——"Ishalllookhideousindowdyclothes；butIcantrimmyownhats，"shedeclared。
Theystoodsilentforawhileafterthis，smilingateachotherlikeadventurouschildrenwhohaveclimbedtoaforbiddenheightfromwhichtheydiscoveranewworld。Theactualworldattheirfeetwasveilingitselfindimness，andacrossthevalleyaclearmoonroseinthedenserblue。
Suddenlytheyheardaremotesound，likethehumofagiantinsect，andfollowingthehigh-road，whichwoundwhiterthroughthesurroundingtwilight，ablackobjectrushedacrosstheirvision。
Lilystartedfromherattitudeofabsorption；hersmilefadedandshebegantomovetowardthelane。
"Ihadnoideaitwassolate！Weshallnotbebacktillafterdark，"shesaid，almostimpatiently。
Seldenwaslookingatherwithsurprise:ittookhimamomenttoregainhisusualviewofher；thenhesaid，withanuncontrollablenoteofdryness:"Thatwasnotoneofourparty；
themotorwasgoingtheotherway。"
"Iknow——Iknow——"Shepaused，andhesawherreddenthroughthetwilight。"ButItoldthemIwasnotwell——thatIshouldnotgoout。Letusgodown！"shemurmured。
Seldencontinuedtolookather；thenhedrewhiscigarette-casefromhispocketandslowlylitacigarette。Itseemedtohimnecessary，atthatmoment，toproclaim，bysomehabitualgestureofthissort，hisrecoveredholdontheactual:hehadanalmostpuerilewishtolethiscompanionseethat，theirflightover，hehadlandedonhisfeet。
Shewaitedwhilethesparkflickeredunderhiscurvedpalm；thenheheldoutthecigarettestoher。
Shetookonewithanunsteadyhand，andputtingittoherlips，leanedforwardtodrawherlightfromhis。Intheindistinctnessthelittleredgleamlitupthelowerpartofherface，andhesawhermouthtrembleintoasmile。
"Wereyouserious？"sheasked，withanoddthrillofgaietywhichshemighthavecaughtup，inhaste，fromaheapofstockinflections，withouthavingtimetoselectthejustnote。
Selden’svoicewasunderbettercontrol。"Whynot？"hereturned。
"YouseeItooknorisksinbeingso。"Andasshecontinuedtostandbeforehim，alittlepaleundertheretort，headdedquickly:"Letusgodown。"
ItspokemuchforthedepthofMrs。Trenor’sfriendshipthathervoice，inadmonishingMissBart，tookthesamenoteofpersonaldespairasifshehadbeenlamentingthecollapseofahouse-party。
"AllIcansayis，Lily，thatIcan’tmakeyouout！"Sheleanedback，sighing，inthemorningabandonoflaceandmuslin，turninganindifferentshouldertotheheaped-upimportunitiesofherdesk，whilesheconsidered，withtheeyeofaphysicianwhohasgivenupthecase，theerectexteriorofthepatientconfrontingher。
"Ifyouhadn’ttoldmeyouweregoinginforhimseriously——butI’msureyoumadethatplainenoughfromthebeginning！Whyelsedidyouaskmetoletyouoffbridge，andtokeepawayCarryandKateCorby？Idon’tsupposeyoudiditbecauseheamusedyou；wecouldnoneofusimagineyourputtingupwithhimforamomentunlessyoumeanttomarryhim。AndI’msureeverybodyplayedfair！Theyallwantedtohelpitalong。EvenBerthakeptherhandsoff——Iwillsaythat——tillLawrencecamedownandyoudraggedhimawayfromher。Afterthatshehadarighttoretaliate——whyonearthdidyouinterferewithher？You’veknownLawrenceSeldenforyears——whydidyoubehaveasifyouhadjustdiscoveredhim？IfyouhadagrudgeagainstBerthaitwasastupidtimetoshowit——youcouldhavepaidherbackjustaswellafteryouweremarried！ItoldyouBerthawasdangerous。Shewasinanodiousmoodwhenshecamehere，butLawrence’sturningupputherinagoodhumour，andifyou’donlyletherthinkhecameforHERitwouldhaveneveroccurredtohertoplayyouthistrick。Oh，Lily，you’llneverdoanythingifyou’renotserious！"
MissBartacceptedthisexhortationinaspiritofthepurestimpartiality。Whyshouldshehavebeenangry？ItwasthevoiceofherownconsciencewhichspoketoherthroughMrs。Trenor’sreproachfulaccents。Buteventoherownconscienceshemusttrumpupasemblanceofdefence。"Ionlytookadayoff——I
thoughthemeanttostayonallthisweek，andIknewMr。Seldenwasleavingthismorning。"
Mrs。Trenorbrushedasidethepleawithagesturewhichlaidbareitsweakness。
"Hedidmeantostay——that’stheworstofit。Itshowsthathe’srunawayfromyou；thatBertha’sdoneherworkandpoisonedhimthoroughly。"
Lilygaveaslightlaugh。"Oh，ifhe’srunningI’llovertakehim！"
Herfriendthrewoutanarrestinghand。"Whateveryoudo，Lily，donothing！"
MissBartreceivedthewarningwithasmile。"Idon’tmean，literally，totakethenexttrain。Thereareways——"Butshedidnotgoontospecifythem。
Mrs。Trenorsharplycorrectedthetense。"ThereWEREways——plentyofthem！Ididn’tsupposeyouneededtohavethempointedout。
Butdon’tdeceiveyourself——he’sthoroughlyfrightened。Hehasrunstraighthometohismother，andshe’llprotecthim！"
"Oh，tothedeath，"Lilyagreed，dimplingatthevision。
"HowyoucanLAUGH——"herfriendrebukedher；andshedroppedbacktoasobererperceptionofthingswiththequestion:"WhatwasitBerthareallytoldhim？"
"Don’taskme——horrors！Sheseemedtohaverakedupeverything。
Oh，youknowwhatImean——ofcoursethereisn’tanything，REALLY；
butIsupposeshebroughtinPrinceVarigliano——andLordHubert——andtherewassomestoryofyourhavingborrowedmoneyofoldNedVanAlstyne:didyouever？"
"Heismyfather’scousin，"MissBartinterposed。
"Well，ofcoursesheleftTHATout。ItseemsNedtoldCarryFisher；andshetoldBertha，naturally。They’reallalike，youknow:theyholdtheirtonguesforyears，andyouthinkyou’resafe，butwhentheiropportunitycomestheyremembereverything。"
Lilyhadgrownpale:hervoicehadaharshnoteinit。"ItwassomemoneyIlostatbridgeattheVanOsburghs’。Irepaidit，ofcourse。"
"Ah，well，theywouldn’trememberthat；besides，itwastheideaofthegamblingdebtthatfrightenedPercy。Oh，Berthaknewherman——sheknewjustwhattotellhim！"
InthisstrainMrs。Trenorcontinuedfornearlyanhourtoadmonishherfriend。MissBartlistenedwithadmirableequanimity。Hernaturallygoodtemperhadbeendisciplinedbyyearsofenforcedcompliance，sinceshehadalmostalwayshadtoattainherendsbythecircuitouspathofotherpeople’s；and，beingnaturallyinclinedtofaceunpleasantfactsassoonastheypresentedthemselves，shewasnotsorrytohearanimpartialstatementofwhatherfollywaslikelytocost，themoresoasherownthoughtswerestillinsistingontheothersideofthecase。PresentedinthelightofMrs。Trenor’svigorouscomments，thereckoningwascertainlyaformidableone，andLily，asshelistened，foundherselfgraduallyrevertingtoherfriend’sviewofthesituation。Mrs。Trenor’swordsweremoreoveremphasizedforherhearerbyanxietieswhichsheherselfcouldscarcelyguess。Affluence，unlessstimulatedbyakeenimagination，formsbutthevaguestnotionofthepracticalstrainofpoverty。Judyknewitmustbe"horrid"forpoorLilytohavetostoptoconsiderwhethershecouldaffordreallaceonherpetticoats，andnottohaveamotor-carandasteam-yachtatherorders；butthedailyfrictionofunpaidbills，thedailynibbleofsmalltemptationstoexpenditure，weretrialsasfaroutofherexperienceasthedomesticproblemsofthechar-woman。Mrs。
Trenor’sunconsciousnessoftherealstressofthesituationhadtheeffectofmakingitmoregallingtoLily。Whileherfriendreproachedherformissingtheopportunitytoeclipseherrivals，shewasoncemorebattlinginimaginationwiththemountingtideofindebtednessfromwhichshehadsonearlyescaped。Whatwindoffollyhaddrivenheroutagainonthosedarkseas？
Ifanythingwasneededtoputthelasttouchtoherself-abasementitwasthesenseofthewayheroldlifewasopeningitsrutsagaintoreceiveher。Yesterdayherfancyhadflutteredfreepinionsaboveachoiceofoccupations；nowshehadtodroptothelevelofthefamiliarroutine，inwhichmomentsofseemingbrilliancyandfreedomalternatedwithlonghoursofsubjection。
Shelaidadeprecatinghandonherfriend’s。"DearJudy！I’msorrytohavebeensuchabore，andyouareverygoodtome。Butyoumusthavesomelettersformetoanswer——letmeatleastbeuseful。"
Shesettledherselfatthedesk，andMrs。Trenoracceptedherresumptionofthemorning’staskwithasighwhichimpliedthat，afterall，shehadprovedherselfunfitforhigheruses。
Theluncheontableshowedadepletedcircle。ALIthemenbutJackStepneyandDorsethadreturnedtotown(itseemedtoLilyalasttouchofironythatSeldenandPercyGryceshouldhavegoneinthesametrain)，andLadyCressidaandtheattendantWetherallshadbeendespatchedbymotortolunchatadistantcountry-house。
AtsuchmomentsofdiminishedinterestitwasusualforMrs。
Dorsettokeepherroomtilltheafternoon；butonthisoccasionshedriftedinwhenluncheonwashalfover，hollowed-eyedanddrooping，butwithanedgeofmaliceunderherindifference。
Sheraisedhereyebrowsasshelookedaboutthetable。"Howfewofusareleft！Idosoenjoythequiet——don’tyou，Lily？Iwishthemenwouldalwaysstopaway——it’sreallymuchnicerwithoutthem。Oh，youdon’tcount，George:onedoesn’thavetotalktoone’shusband。ButIthoughtMr。Grycewastostayfortherestoftheweek？"sheaddedenquiringly。"Didn’theintendto，Judy？
He’ssuchaniceboy——Iwonderwhatdrovehimaway？Heisrathershy，andI’mafraidwemayhaveshockedhim:hehasbeenbroughtupinsuchanold-fashionedway。Doyouknow，Lily，hetoldmehehadneverseenagirlplaycardsformoneytillhesawyoudoingittheothernight？Andhelivesontheinterestofhisincome，andalwayshasalotleftovertoinvest！"
Mrs。Fisherleanedforwardeagerly。"Idobelieveitissomeone’sdutytoeducatethatyoungman。Itisshockingthathehasneverbeenmadetorealizehisdutiesasacitizen。Everywealthymanshouldbecompelledtostudythelawsofhiscountry。"
Mrs。Dorsetglancedatherquietly。"IthinkheHASstudiedthedivorcelaws。HetoldmehehadpromisedtheBishoptosignsomekindofapetitionagainstdivorce。"
Mrs。Fisherreddenedunderherpowder，andStepneysaidwithalaughingglanceatMissBart:"Isupposeheisthinkingofmarriage，andwantstotinkeruptheoldshipbeforehegoesaboard。"
Hisbetrothedlookedshockedatthemetaphor，andGeorgeDorsetexclaimedwithasardonicgrowl:"Poordevil！Itisn’ttheshipthatwilldoforhim，it’sthecrew。"
"Orthestowaways，"saidMissCorbybrightly。"IfIcontemplatedavoyagewithhimIshouldtrytostartwithafriendinthehold。"
MissVanOsburgh’svaguefeelingofpiquewasstrugglingforappropriateexpression。"I’msureIdon’tseewhyyoulaughathim；Ithinkhe’sverynice，"sheexclaimed；"and，atanyrate，agirlwhomarriedhimwouldalwayshaveenoughtobecomfortable。"
Shelookedpuzzledattheredoubledlaughterwhichhailedherwords，butitmighthaveconsoledhertoknowhowdeeplytheyhadsunkintothebreastofoneofherhearers。
Comfortable！AtthatmomentthewordwasmoreeloquenttoLilyBartthananyotherinthelanguage。Shecouldnotevenpausetosmileovertheheiress’sviewofacolossalfortuneasamereshelteragainstwant:hermindwasfilledwiththevisionofwhatthatsheltermighthavebeentoher。Mrs。Dorset’spin-pricksdidnotsmart，forherownironycutdeeper:noonecouldhurtherasmuchasshewashurtingherself，fornooneelse——notevenJudyTrenor——knewthefullmagnitudeofherfolly。
Shewasrousedfromtheseunprofitableconsiderationsbyawhisperedrequestfromherhostess，whodrewherapartastheylefttheluncheon-table。
"Lily，dear，ifyou’venothingspecialtodo，mayItellCarryFisherthatyouintendtodrivetothestationandfetchGus？Hewillbebackatfour，andIknowshehasitinhermindtomeethim。OfcourseI’mverygladtohavehimamused，butIhappentoknowthatshehasbledhimratherseverelysinceshe’sbeenhere，andsheissokeenaboutgoingtofetchhimthatIfancyshemusthavegotalotmorebillsthismorning。Itseemstome，"Mrs。
Trenorfeelinglyconcluded，"thatmostofheralimonyispaidbyotherwomen’shusbands！"
MissBart，onherwaytothestation，hadleisuretomuseoverherfriend’swords，andtheirpeculiarapplicationtoherself。
Whyshouldshehavetosufferforhavingonce，forafewhours，borrowedmoneyofanelderlycousin，whenawomanlikeCarryFishercouldmakealivingunrebukedfromthegood-natureofhermenfriendsandthetoleranceoftheirwives？Itallturnedonthetiresomedistinctionbetweenwhatamarriedwomanmight，andagirlmightnot，do。Ofcourseitwasshockingforamarriedwomantoborrowmoney——andLilywasexpertlyawareoftheimplicationinvolved——butstill，itwasthemereMALUMPROHIBITUM
whichtheworlddecriesbutcondones，andwhich，thoughitmaybepunishedbyprivatevengeance，doesnotprovokethecollectivedisapprobationofsociety。ToMissBart，inshort，nosuchopportunitieswerepossible。Shecouldofcourseborrowfromherwomenfriends——ahundredhereorthere，attheutmost——buttheyweremorereadytogiveagownoratrinket，andlookedalittleaskancewhenshehintedherpreferenceforacheque。Womenarenotgenerouslenders，andthoseamongwhomherlotwascastwereeitherinthesamecaseasherself，orelsetoofarremovedfromittounderstanditsnecessities。TheresultofhermeditationswasthedecisiontojoinherauntatRichfield。ShecouldnotremainatBellomontwithoutplayingbridge，andbeinginvolvedinotherexpenses；andtocontinueherusualseriesofautumnvisitswouldmerelyprolongthesamedifficulties。Shehadreachedapointwhereabruptretrenchmentwasnecessary，andtheonlycheaplifewasadulllife。ShewouldstartthenextmorningforRichfield。
AtthestationshethoughtGusTrenorseemedsurprised，andnotwhollyunrelieved，toseeher。Sheyieldedupthereinsofthelightrunaboutinwhichshehaddrivenover，andasheclimbedheavilytoherside，crushingherintoascantthirdoftheseat，hesaid:"Halloo！Itisn’toftenyouhonourme。Youmusthavebeenuncommonlyhardupforsomethingtodo。"
Theafternoonwaswarm，andpropinquitymadehermorethanusuallyconsciousthathewasredandmassive，andthatbeadsofmoisturehadcausedthedustofthetraintoadhereunpleasantlytothebroadexpanseofcheekandneckwhichheturnedtoher；
butshewasawarealso，fromthelookinhissmalldulleyes，thatthecontactwithherfreshnessandslendernesswasasagreeabletohimasthesightofacoolingbeverage。
Theperceptionofthisfacthelpedhertoanswergaily:"It’snotoftenIhavethechance。Therearetoomanyladiestodisputetheprivilegewithme。"
"Theprivilegeofdrivingmehome？Well，I’mgladyouwontherace，anyhow。ButIknowwhatreallyhappened——mywifesentyou。Nowdidn’tshe？"
Hehadthedullman’sunexpectedflashesofastuteness，andLilycouldnothelpjoininginthelaughwithwhichhehadpouncedonthetruth。
"Yousee，JudythinksI’mthesafestpersonforyoutobewith；
andshe’squiteright，"sherejoined。
"Oh，isshe，though？Ifsheis，it’sbecauseyouwouldn’twasteyourtimeonanoldhulklikeme。Wemarriedmenhavetoputupwithwhatwecanget:alltheprizesareforthecleverchapswho’vekeptafreefoot。Letmelightacigar，willyou？I’vehadabeastlydayofit。"
Hedrewupintheshadeofthevillagestreet，andpassedthereinstoherwhileheheldamatchtohiscigar。Thelittleflameunderhishandcastadeepercrimsononhispuffingface，andLilyavertedhereyeswithamomentaryfeelingofrepugnance。Andyetsomewomenthoughthimhandsome！
Asshehandedbackthereins，shesaidsympathetically:"Didyouhavesuchalotoftiresomethingstodo？"
"Ishouldsayso——rather！"Trenor，whowasseldomlistenedto，eitherbyhiswifeorherfriends，settleddownintotherareenjoymentofaconfidentialtalk。"Youdon’tknowhowafellowhastohustletokeepthiskindofthinggoing。"HewavedhiswhipinthedirectionoftheBellomontacres，whichlayoutspreadbeforetheminopulentundulations。"Judyhasnoideaofwhatshespends——notthatthereisn’tplentytokeepthethinggoing，"heinterruptedhimself，"butamanhasgottokeephiseyesopenandpickupallthetipshecan。Myfatherandmotherusedtolivelikefighting-cocksontheirincome，andputbyagoodbitofittoo——luckilyforme——butatthepacewegonow，Idon’tknowwhereIshouldbeifitweren’tfortakingaflyernowandthen。
Thewomenallthink——ImeanJudythinks——I’venothingtodobuttogodowntownonceamonthandcutoffcoupons，butthetruthisittakesadevilishlotofhardworktokeepthemachineryrunning。NotthatIoughttocomplainto-day，though，"hewentonafteramoment，"forIdidaveryneatstrokeofbusiness，thankstoStepney’sfriendRosedale:bytheway，MissLily，Iwishyou’dtrytopersuadeJudytobedecentlyciviltothatchap。He’sgoingtoberichenoughtobuyusalloutoneofthesedays，andifshe’donlyaskhimtodinenowandthenIcouldgetalmostanythingoutofhim。Themanismadtoknowthepeoplewhodon’twanttoknowhim，andwhenafellow’sinthatstatethereisnothinghewon’tdoforthefirstwomanwhotakeshimup。"
Lilyhesitatedamoment。Thefirstpartofhercompanion’sdiscoursehadstartedaninterestingtrainofthought，whichwasrudelyinterruptedbythementionofMr。Rosedale’sname。Sheutteredafaintprotest。
"ButyouknowJackdidtrytotakehimabout，andhewasimpossible。"
"Oh，hangit——becausehe’sfatandshiny，andhasasloppymanner！Well，allIcansayisthatthepeoplewhoarecleverenoughtobeciviltohimnowwillmakeamightygoodthingofit。Afewyearsfromnowhe’llbeinitwhetherwewanthimornot，andthenhewon’tbegivingawayahalf-a-milliontipforadinner。"
Lily’smindhadrevertedfromtheintrusivepersonalityofMr。
RosedaletothetrainofthoughtsetinmotionbyTrenor’sfirstwords。ThisvastmysteriousWallStreetworldof"tips"and"deals"——mightshenotfindinitthemeansofescapefromherdrearypredicament？Shehadoftenheardofwomenmakingmoneyinthiswaythroughtheirfriends:shehadnomorenotionthanmostofhersexoftheexactnatureofthetransaction，anditsvaguenessseemedtodiminishitsindelicacy。Shecouldnot，indeed，imagineherself，inanyextremity，stoopingtoextracta"tip"fromMr。Rosedale；butathersidewasamaninpossessionofthatpreciouscommodity，andwho，asthehusbandofherdearestfriend，stoodtoherinarelationofalmostfraternalintimacy。
InherinmostheartLilyknewitwasnotbyappealingtothefraternalinstinctthatshewaslikelytomoveGusTrenor；butthiswayofexplainingthesituationhelpedtodrapeitscrudity，andshewasalwaysscrupulousaboutkeepingupappearancestoherself。Herpersonalfastidiousnesshadamoralequivalent，andwhenshemadeatourofinspectioninherownmindtherewerecertaincloseddoorsshedidnotopen。
AstheyreachedthegatesofBellomontsheturnedtoTrenorwithasmile。"Theafternoonissoperfect——don’tyouwanttodriveme<p85>alittlefarther？I’vebeenratheroutofspiritsallday，andit’ssorestfultobeawayfrompeople，withsomeonewhowon’tmindifI’malittledull。"
Shelookedsoplaintivelylovelyassheprofferedtherequest，sotrustfullysureofhissympathyandunderstanding，thatTrenorfelthimselfwishingthathiswifecouldseehowotherwomentreatedhim——notbatteredwire-pullerslikeMrs。Fisher，butagirlthatmostmenwouldhavegiventheirbootstogetsuchalookfrom。
"Outofspirits？Whyonearthshouldyoueverbeoutofspirits？
IsyourlastboxofDoucetdressesafailure，ordidJudyrookyououtofeverythingatbridgelastnight？"
Lilyshookherheadwithasigh。"IhavehadtogiveupDoucet；
andbridgetoo——Ican’taffordit。InfactIcan’taffordanyofthethingsmyfriendsdo，andIamafraidJudyoftenthinksmeaborebecauseIdon’tplaycardsanylonger，andbecauseIamnotassmartlydressedastheotherwomen。ButyouwillthinkmeaboretooifItalktoyouaboutmyworries，andIonlymentionthembecauseIwantyoutodomeafavour——theverygreatestoffavours。"
Hereyessoughthisoncemore，andshesmiledinwardlyatthetingeofapprehensionthatshereadinthem。
"Why，ofcourse——ifit’sanythingIcanmanage——"Hebrokeoff，andsheguessedthathisenjoymentwasdisturbedbytheremembranceofMrs。Fisher’smethods。
"Thegreatestoffavours，"sherejoinedgently。"Thefactis，Judyisangrywithme，andIwantyoutomakemypeace。"
"Angrywithyou？Oh，come，nonsense——"hisreliefbrokethroughinalaugh。"Why，youknowshe’sdevotedtoyou。"
"SheisthebestfriendIhave，andthatiswhyImindhavingtovexher。ButIdaresayyouknowwhatshehaswantedmetodo。Shehassetherheart——poordear——onmymarrying——marryingagreatdealofmoney。"
Shepausedwithaslightfalterofembarrassment，andTrenor，turningabruptly，fixedonheralookofgrowingintelligence。
"Agreatdealofmoney？Oh，byJove——youdon’tmeanGryce？
What——youdo？Oh，no，ofcourseIwon’tmentionit——youcantrustmetokeepmymouthshut——butGryce——<p86>goodLord，GRYCE！DidJudyreallythinkyoucouldbringyourselftomarrythatportentouslittleass？Butyoucouldn’t，eh？Andsoyougavehimthesack，andthat’sthereasonwhyhelitoutbythefirsttrainthismorning？"Heleanedback，spreadinghimselffartheracrosstheseat，asifdilatedbythejoyfulsenseofhisowndiscernment。"HowonearthcouldJudythinkyouwoulddosuchathing？Icouldhavetoldheryou’dneverputupwithsuchalittlemilksop！"
Lilysighedmoredeeply。"Isometimesthink，"shemurmured，"thatmenunderstandawoman’smotivesbetterthanotherwomendo。"
"Somemen——I’mcertainofit！IcouldhaveTOLDJudy，"herepeated，exultingintheimpliedsuperiorityoverhiswife。
"Ithoughtyouwouldunderstand；that’swhyIwantedtospeaktoyou，"MissBartrejoined。"Ican’tmakethatkindofmarriage；
it’simpossible。ButneithercanIgoonlivingasallthewomeninmysetdo。Iamalmostentirelydependentonmyaunt，andthoughsheisverykindtomeshemakesmenoregularallowance，andlatelyI’velostmoneyatcards，andIdon’tdaretellheraboutit。Ihavepaidmycarddebts，ofcourse，butthereishardlyanythingleftformyotherexpenses，andifIgoonwithmypresentlifeIshallbeinhorribledifficulties。Ihaveatinyincomeofmyown，butI’mafraidit’sbadlyinvested，foritseemstobringinlesseveryyear，andIamsoignorantofmoneymattersthatIdon’tknowifmyaunt’sagent，wholooksafterit，isagoodadviser。"Shepausedamoment，andaddedinalightertone:"Ididn’tmeantoboreyouwithallthis，butIwantyourhelpinmakingJudyunderstandthatIcan’t，atpresent，goonlivingasonemustliveamongyouall。IamgoingawaytomorrowtojoinmyauntatRichfield，andIshallstaytherefortherestoftheautumn，anddismissmymaidandlearnhowtomendmyownclothes。"
Atthispictureoflovelinessindistress，thepathosofwhichwasheightenedbythelighttouchwithwhichitwasdrawn，amurmurofindignantsympathybrokefromTrenor。Twenty-fourhoursearlier，ifhiswifehadconsultedhimonthesubjectofMissBart’sfuture，hewouldhavesaidthatagirlwithextravaganttastesandnomoneyhadbettermarrythefirstrichmanshecouldget；butwiththesubjectofdis<p87>cussionathisside，turningtohimforsympathy，makinghimfeelthatheunderstoodherbetterthanherdearestfriends，andconfirmingtheassurancebytheappealofherexquisitenearness，hewasreadytoswearthatsuchamarriagewasadesecration，andthat，asamanofhonour，hewasboundtodoallhecouldtoprotectherfromtheresultsofherdisinterestedness。ThisimpulsewasreinforcedbythereflectionthatifshehadmarriedGryceshewouldhavebeensurroundedbyflatteryandapproval，whereas，havingrefusedtosacrificeherselftoexpediency，shewaslefttobearthewholecostofherresistance。Hangit，ifhecouldfindawayoutofsuchdifficultiesforaprofessionalspongelikeCarryFisher，whowassimplyamentalhabitcorrespondingtothephysicaltitillationsofthecigaretteorthecock-tail，hecouldsurelydoasmuchforagirlwhoappealedtohishighestsympathies，andwhobroughthertroublestohimwiththetrustfulnessofachild。
TrenorandMissBartprolongedtheirdrivetilllongaftersunset；andbeforeitwasoverhehadtried，withsomeshowofsuccess，toprovetoherthat，ifshewouldonlytrusthim，hecouldmakeahandsomesumofmoneyforherwithoutendangeringthesmallamountshepossessed。Shewastoogenuinelyignorantofthemanipulationsofthestock-markettounderstandhistechnicalexplanations，orevenperhapstoperceivethatcertainpointsinthemwereslurred；thehazinessenvelopingthetransactionservedasaveilforherembarrassment，andthroughthegeneralblurherhopesdilatedlikelampsinafog。Sheunderstoodonlythathermodestinvestmentsweretobemysteriouslymultipliedwithoutrisktoherself；andtheassurancethatthismiraclewouldtakeplacewithinashorttime，thattherewouldbenotediousintervalforsuspenseandreaction，relievedherofherlingeringscruples。
Againshefeltthelighteningofherload，andwithitthereleaseofrepressedactivities。Herimmediateworriesconjured，itwaseasytoresolvethatshewouldneveragainfindherselfinsuchstraits，andastheneedofeconomyandself-denialrecededfromherforegroundshefeltherselfreadytomeetanyotherdemandwhichlifemightmake。EventheimmediateoneoflettingTrenor，astheydrovehomeward，leanalittlenearerandresthishandreassuringlyonhers，costheronlyamomentaryshiverofreluctance。Itwaspartofthegametomakehimfeelthatherappealhadbeenanuncalculatedimpulse，provokedbythelikingheinspired；andtherenewedsenseofpowerinhandlingmen，whileitconsoledherwoundedvanity，helpedalsotoobscurethethoughtoftheclaimatwhichhismannerhinted。Hewasacoarsedullmanwho，underallhisshowofauthority，wasameresupernumeraryinthecostlyshowforwhichhismoneypaid:
surely，toaclevergirl，itwouldbeeasytoholdhimbyhisvanity，andsokeeptheobligationonhisside。
ThefirstthousanddollarchequewhichLilyreceivedwithablottedscrawlfromGusTrenorstrengthenedherself-confidenceintheexactdegreetowhichiteffacedherdebts。
Thetransactionhadjustifieditselfbyitsresults:shesawnowhowabsurditwouldhavebeentoletanyprimitivescrupledepriveherofthiseasymeansofappeasinghercreditors。Lilyfeltreallyvirtuousasshedispensedthesuminsopstohertradesmen，andthefactthatafreshorderaccompaniedeachpaymentdidnotlessenhersenseofdisinterestedness。Howmanywomen，inherplace，wouldhavegiventheorderswithoutmakingthepayment！
ShehadfounditreassuringlyeasytokeepTrenorinagoodhumour。Tolistentohisstories，toreceivehisconfidencesandlaughathisjokes，seemedforthemomentallthatwasrequiredofher，andthecomplacencywithwhichherhostessregardedtheseattentionsfreedthemoftheleasthintofambiguity。Mrs。TrenorevidentlyassumedthatLily’sgrowingintimacywithherhusbandwassimplyanindirectwayofreturningherownkindness。
"I’msogladyouandGushavebecomesuchgoodfriends，"shesaidapprovingly。"It’stoodelightfulofyoutobesonicetohim，andputupwithallhistiresomestories。Iknowwhattheyare，becauseIhadtolistentothemwhenwewereengaged——I’msureheistellingthesameonesstill。AndnowIshan’talwayshavetobeaskingCarryFisherheretokeephiminagood-humour。She’saperfectvulture，youknow；andshehasn’ttheleastmoralsense。
SheisalwaysgettingGustospeculateforher，andI’msuresheneverpayswhensheloses。"
MissBartcouldshudderatthisstateofthingswithouttheembarrassmentofapersonalapplication。Herownpositionwassurelyquitedifferent。Therecouldbenoquestionofhernotpayingwhenshelost，sinceTrenorhadassuredherthatshewascertainnottolose。InsendingherthechequehehadexplainedthathehadmadefivethousandforheroutofRosedale’s"tip，"
andhadputfourthousandbackinthesameventure，astherewasthepromiseofanother"bigrise"；sheunderstoodthereforethathewasnowspeculatingwithherownmoney，andthatsheconsequentlyowedhimnomorethanthegratitudewhichsuchatriflingservicedemanded。Shevaguelysupposedthat，toraisethefirstsum，hehadborrowedonhersecurities；butthiswasapointoverwhichhercuriositydidnotlinger。Itwasconcentrated，forthemoment，ontheprobabledateofthenext"bigrise。"
Thenewsofthiseventwasreceivedbyhersomeweekslater，ontheoccasionofJackStepney’smarriagetoMissVanOsburgh。Asacousinofthebridegroom，MissBarthadbeenaskedtoactasbridesmaid；butshehaddeclinedonthepleathat，sinceshewasmuchtallerthantheotherattendantvirgins，herpresencemightmarthesymmetryofthegroup。Thetruthwas，shehadattendedtoomanybridestothealtar:whennextseenthereshemeanttobethechieffigureintheceremony。Sheknewthepleasantriesmadeattheexpenseofyounggirlswhohavebeentoolongbeforethepublic，andshewasresolvedtoavoidsuchassumptionsofyouthfulnessasmightleadpeopletothinkherolderthanshereallywas。
TheVanOsburghmarriagewascelebratedinthevillagechurchnearthepaternalestateontheHudson。Itwasthe"simplecountrywedding"towhichguestsareconvoyedinspecialtrains，andfromwhichthehordesoftheuninvitedhavetobefendedoffbytheinterventionofthepolice。Whilethesesylvanritesweretakingplace，inachurchpackedwithfashionandfestoonedwithorchids，therepresentativesofthepresswerethreadingtheirway，note-bookinhand，throughthelabyrinthofweddingpresents，andtheagentofacinematographsyndicatewassettinguphisapparatusatthechurchdoor。ItwasthekindofsceneinwhichLilyhadoftenpicturedherselfastakingtheprincipalpart，andonthisoccasionthefactthatshewasoncemoremerelyacasualspectator，insteadofthemysticallyveiledfigureoccupyingthecentreofattention，strengthenedherresolvetoassumethelatterpartbeforetheyearwasover。Thefactthatherimmediateanxietieswererelieveddidnotblindhertoapossibilityoftheirrecurrence；itmerelygaveherenoughbuoyancytoriseoncemoreaboveherdoubtsandfeelarenewedfaithinherbeauty，herpower，andhergeneralfitnesstoattractabrilliantdestiny。Itcouldnotbethatoneconsciousofsuchaptitudesformasteryandenjoymentwasdoomedtoaperpetuityoffailure；andhermistakeslookedeasilyreparableinthelightofherrestoredself-confidence。
Aspecialappositenesswasgiventothesereflectionsbythediscovery，inaneighbouringpew，oftheseriousprofileandneatly-trimmedbeardofMr。PercyGryce。Therewassomethingalmostbridalinhisownaspect:hislargewhitegardeniahadasymbolicairthatstruckLilyasagoodomen。Afterall，seeninanassemblageofhiskindhewasnotridiculous-looking:afriendlycriticmighthavecalledhisheavinessweighty，andhewasathisbestintheattitudeofvacantpassivitywhichbringsouttheodditiesoftherestless。Shefanciedhewasthekindofmanwhosesentimentalassociationswouldbestirredbytheconventionalimageryofawedding，andshepicturedherself，intheseclusionoftheVanOsburghconservatories，playingskillfullyuponsensibilitiesthuspreparedforhertouch。Infact，whenshelookedattheotherwomenabouther，andrecalledtheimageshehadbroughtawayfromherownglass，itdidnotseemasthoughanyspecialskillwouldbeneededtorepairherblunderandbringhimoncemoretoherfeet。
ThesightofSelden’sdarkhead，inapewalmostfacingher，disturbedforamomentthebalanceofhercomplacency。Theriseofherbloodastheireyesmetwassucceededbyacontrarymotion，awaveofresistanceandwithdrawal。Shedidnotwishtoseehimagain，notbecauseshefearedhisinfluence，butbecausehispresencealwayshadtheeffectofcheapeningheraspirations，ofthrowingherwholeworldoutoffocus。Besides，hewasalivingreminderoftheworstmistakeinhercareer，andthefactthathehadbeenitscausedidnotsoftenherfeelingstowardhim。Shecouldstillimagineanidealstateofexistenceinwhich，allelsebeingsuperadded，intercoursewithSeldenmightbethelasttouchofluxury；butintheworldasitwas，suchaprivilegewaslikelytocostmorethanitwasworth。
"Lily，dear，Ineversawyoulooksolovely！Youlookasifsomethingdelightfulhadjusthappenedtoyou！"
Theyoungladywhothusformulatedheradmirationofherbrilliantfrienddidnot，inherownperson，suggestsuchhappypossibilities。MissGertrudeFarish，infact，typifiedthemediocreandtheineffectual。Iftherewerecompensatingqualitiesinherwidefrankglanceandthefreshnessofhersmile，thesewerequalitieswhichonlythesympatheticobserverwouldperceivebeforenoticingthathereyeswereofaworkadaygreyandherlipswithouthauntingcurves。Lily’sownviewofherwaveredbetweenpityforherlimitationsandimpatienceathercheerfulacceptanceofthem。ToMissBart，astohermother，acquiescenceindinginesswasevidenceofstupidity；andthereweremomentswhen，intheconsciousnessofherownpowertolookandtobesoexactlywhattheoccasionrequired，shealmostfeltthatothergirlswereplainandinferiorfromchoice。Certainlynooneneedhaveconfessedsuchacquiescenceinherlotaswasrevealedinthe"useful"colourofGertyFarish’sgownandthesubduedlinesofherhat:itisalmostasstupidtoletyourclothesbetraythatyouknowyouareuglyastohavethemproclaimthatyouthinkyouarebeautiful。
Ofcourse，beingfatallypooranddingy，itwaswiseofGertytohavetakenupphilanthropyandsymphonyconcerts；buttherewassomethingirritatinginherassumptionthatexistenceyieldednohigherpleasures，andthatonemightgetasmuchinterestandexcitementoutoflifeinacrampedflatasinthesplendoursoftheVanOsburghestablishment。Today，however，herchirpingenthusiasmsdidnotirritateLily。Theyseemedonlytothrowherownexceptionalnessintobecomingrelief，andgiveasoaringvastnesstoherschemeoflife。
"Doletusgoandtakeapeepatthepresentsbeforeeveryoneelseleavesthedining-room！"suggestedMissFarish，linkingherarminherfriend’s。Itwascharacteristicofhertotakeasentimentalandunenviousinterestinallthedetailsofawedding:shewasthekindofpersonwhoalwayskeptherhandkerchiefoutduringtheservice，anddepartedclutchingaboxofwedding-cake。
"Isn’teverythingbeautifullydone？"shepursued，astheyenteredthedistantdrawing-roomassignedtothedisplayofMissVanOsburgh’sbridalspoils。"IalwayssaynoonedoesthingsbetterthancousinGrace！DidyouevertasteanythingmoredeliciousthanthatMOUSSEoflobsterwithchampagnesauce？ImadeupmymindweeksagothatIwouldn’tmissthiswedding，andjustfancyhowdelightfullyitallcameabout。WhenLawrenceSeldenheardIwascoming，heinsistedonfetchingmehimselfanddrivingmetothestation，andwhenwegobackthiseveningIamtodinewithhimatSherry’s。IreallyfeelasexcitedasifI
weregettingmarriedmyself！"
Lilysmiled:sheknewthatSeldenhadalwaysbeenkindtohisdullcousin，andshehadsometimeswonderedwhyhewastedsomuchtimeinsuchanunremunerativemanner；butnowthethoughtgaveheravaguepleasure。
"Doyouseehimoften？"sheasked。
"Yes；heisverygoodaboutdroppinginonSundays。Andnowandthenwedoaplaytogether；butlatelyIhaven’tseenmuchofhim。Hedoesn’tlookwell，andheseemsnervousandunsettled。
Thedearfellow！Idowishhewouldmarrysomenicegirl。Itoldhimsotoday，buthesaidhedidn’tcareforthereallyniceones，andtheotherkinddidn’tcareforhim——butthatwasjusthisjoke，ofcourse。HecouldnevermarryagirlwhoWASN’Tnice。
Oh，mydear，didyoueverseesuchpearls？"
Theyhadpausedbeforethetableonwhichthebride’sjewelsweredisplayed，andLily’sheartgaveanenviousthrobasshecaughttherefractionoflightfromtheirsurfaces——themilkygleamofperfectlymatchedpearls，theflashofrubiesrelievedagainstcontrastingvelvet，theintenseblueraysofsapphireskindledintolightbysurroundingdiamonds:alltheseprecioustintsenhancedanddeepenedbythevariedartoftheirsetting。TheglowofthestoneswarmedLily’sveinslikewine。Morecompletelythananyotherexpressionofwealththeysymbolizedthelifeshelongedtolead，thelifeoffastidiousaloofnessandrefinementinwhicheverydetailshouldhavethefinishofajewel，andthewholeformaharmonioussettingtoherownjewel-likerareness。
"Oh，Lily，dolookatthisdiamondpendant——it’sasbigasadinner-plate！Whocanhavegivenit？"MissFarishbentshort-sightedlyovertheaccompanyingcard。"MR。SIMONROSEDALE。
What，thathorridman？Oh，yes——Irememberhe’safriendofJack’s，andIsupposecousinGracehadtoaskhimheretoday；butshemustratherhatehavingtoletGwenacceptsuchapresentfromhim。"
Lilysmiled。ShedoubtedMrs。VanOsburgh’sreluctance，butwasawareofMissFarish’shabitofascribingherowndelicaciesoffeelingtothepersonsleastlikelytobeencumberedbythem。
"Well，ifGwendoesn’tcaretobeseenwearingitshecanalwaysexchangeitforsomethingelse，"sheremarked。
"Ah，hereissomethingsomuchprettier，"MissFarishcontinued。
"Dolookatthisexquisitewhitesapphire。I’msurethepersonwhochoseitmusthavetakenparticularpains。Whatisthename？
PercyGryce？Ah，thenI’mnotsurprised！"Shesmiledsignificantlyasshereplacedthecard。"Ofcourseyou’veheardthathe’sperfectlydevotedtoEvieVanOsburgh？CousinGraceissopleasedaboutit——it’squitearomance！HemetherfirstattheGeorgeDorsets’，onlyaboutsixweeksago，andit’sjustthenicestpossiblemarriagefordearEvie。Oh，Idon’tmeanthemoney——ofcourseshehasplentyofherown——butshe’ssuchaquietstay-at-homekindofgirl，anditseemshehasjustthesametastes；sotheyareexactlysuitedtoeachother。"
Lilystoodstaringvacantlyatthewhitesapphireonitsvelvetbed。EvieVanOsburghandPercyGryce？Thenamesrangderisivelythroughherbrain。EVIEVANOSBURGH？Theyoungest，dumpiest，dullestofthefourdullanddumpydaughterswhomMrs。VanOsburgh，withunsurpassedastuteness，had"placed"onebyoneinenviablenichesofexistence！Ah，luckygirlswhogrowupintheshelterofamother’slove——amotherwhoknowshowtocontriveopportunitieswithoutconcedingfavours，howtotakeadvantageofpropinquitywithoutallowingappetitetobedulledbyhabit！Thecleverestgirlmaymiscalculatewhereherowninterestsareconcerned，mayyieldtoomuchatonemomentandwithdrawtoofaratthenext:ittakesamother’sunerringvigilanceandforesighttolandherdaughterssafelyinthearmsofwealthandsuitability。
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