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Elinor Wyllys
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第3章
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Dailyobservation,whilelivingunderthesameroof,onlyconfirmedHarryinthisnewopinionofJane。Hebegantoadmirethelanguidgraceofhermovements;andhediscoveredthatitisverypossibletohavetoomuchwarmthofmanner,andthatsomewomencertainlyfatigueonebytheiranimation。HemusttellthefamilyatWyllys-RoofhowmuchJanehadimproved。Hefoundhewasnotmistakeninsupposingthatshemustproduceanimpressionwherevershewasseen。WhethertheywerewalkingintheTuileriesofamorning,orwentintosocietyintheevening,theeffectwasalwaysthesame;hesawhereverywherefollowedbyveryevidentandopenadmiration。Andnowonder;herbeautythrewacharmoverallheractions:itwasevenapleasuretoaccompanyherinshoppingexcursions——whichheusedtolookuponasthegreatesttaxthataladycouldimposeuponhisgallantry;butthen,fewpersonslookedsobeautifulasJane,whenselectingamuslin,ortryingonahat。Hesoonbecameproudofaplaceatherside,andmuchmorevainofherbeautythanshewasherself。

“ImustletthemknowatLongbridge,“hethought,“whatasensationJaneismaking。Sheis,indeed,abeautytobeproudof。IsawnothinglikeherinGreece。Shedoescredittothecountry。“Harrythoughtitpatriotictoadmireher,andtolosenoopportunityofenjoyingtheeffectofherbeautiesamongthegayworldofParis。Americanpatriotism,asweallknow,oftentakessingularshapes。

Janeandhimselfbecamemoreintimate,andonmorefriendlytermsthantheyhadeveryetbeen。Sheseemed,indeed,topreferhim,asacavaliereservente,toanyofherotheradmirers,AmericanorEuropean。Butthatmighteasilybeaccountedfor,onthescoreofconnexion。Ofcourse,Harrywasgratefulforthispreference,andafterawhileheevenbegantolookupontheexcessivedevotionofoneortwoofheradmirers,asimpertinenceontheirpart。

{“cavaliereservente“=maleescort(Italian)}

Aboutthistime——someweeksafterhisreturn——Hazlehurstgavehimselfverymuchtothestudyofaesthetics。Thebeautiful,theharmonious,aloneattractedhim;hecouldnotendureanythingapproachingtocoarseness。HewanderedupanddownthegalleriesoftheLouvre,delightingmoreinthebeautifulfacesoftheItalianmasters,intheNymphsandMusesoftheoldGreeks,thanhehadeverdonebefore。Hebecamequiteaconnoisseur。Hehadnotasteforthemerelypretty;perfectbeautyheadmiredwithhiswholesoul,butanythingshortofitwasonlytobetolerated。Hefeltthefact,ifhedidnotreasononthediscovery,thatbeautyintheveryhighestdegree,carrieswithit——wedonotsaytheexpression——butthestampofdignity,andevenofintelligence。

SuchwastheimpressionproducedbyJane'sperfectlyclassicalheadandfeatures。Itwasimpossible,asyougazeduponhersmoothpolishedforehead,andnobledarkeyes,tobelieveherwantingincharacter,orintellect。Then,Harryrememberedthattalentofthehighestorderbearsacalmaspect;notfrothy,sparklingcleverness,whichtakessowellwiththevulgar;notwit,exactly;butthatresultofawell-balancedmind,inwhichallthefacultiesharmonizesowell,thattheyleavenooneparticularlyprominent。Hehadbeenmuchstruck,lately,withseveralremarksofJane's——theyshowedadepthofobservation,afundofgoodsense,whichhehadnotformerlysupposedhertopossess;butthen,ofold,heusedtobeunpardonablyunjusttoJane。Shewascertainlyimproved,too;herfriendsatLongbridgewouldbegratifiedbythechange。

ThiscourseofaestheticsgraduallycarriedHarrysofar,thatafteraprofoundstudyofthesubjectingeneral,andofJane'sfeaturesinparticular,hebecameaconverttotheopinionoftheGermanphilosopher,whoaffirmsthat“TheBeautifulisgreaterthantheGood。“Therehavebeendisputes,webelieve,onthesubjectofthisaxiom,somecriticsgivingitadeepmysticalsense,others,again,attemptingtoexplainitindifferentways。

OurfriendHazlehurst,thoughaprettygoodGermanscholar,seemeddisposedtoadopttheideainitssimplestinterpretation。

{“Germanphilosopher“=Ihavebeenunabletoidentifywithcertaintythequotation,thoughthesentimentsuggestsFriedrichWilhelmJosephvonSchelling(1775-1854)}

Thingswereinthistrain,whenthefamilysetoutforSwitzerland。

CHAPTERVI{sic}

{shouldbeChapterVIII}

“Herdress,andnovels,visits,andsuccess。“

CRABBE。

{GeorgeCrabbe(Englishpoet,1754-1832),“PosthumousTales:XV

BelindaWaters“lineII。31}

LONGBRIDGEwasquiteapleasantvillage,andsurroundedbyaprettycountry。LikemostotherAmericanruraltowns,itreceived,inthewarmestmonths,alargeaccessiontoitspopulation;foritseemstobeamatterofcourse,thateverybodywhoisabletodoso,runsawayfrombrickwallsinthemonthsofJulyandAugust,andselectssomevillageinwhichtorusticate,andsetthefashions,enjoythedustandthefire-flies,freshpeaches,andhome-madeice-cream——Longbridge,inadditiontotheusualadvantagesofpureair,andbrownfields,inthemonthofAugust,hadsomethingofareputationasaplaceforbathing;anditsthreetaverns,andvariousboarding-houses,weregenerallywellfilledwithfamiliesfromNewYorkandPhiladelphia,duringtheverywarmweather。

Amongothers,duringtheseasontowhichweallude,theGrahamswerethere,anxiouslyawaitingthearrivaloftheHazlehurstpartyfromEurope;forlettershadbeenreceived,informingtheirfriendsthattheymightbeexpectedatanymoment。TheWyllyscarriagewasnowseenatLongbridgeeveryday,eitheratthehousewheretheirrelatives,theGrahams,hadtakenlodgingsfortheseason,orbeforethedoorofaneatlittlecottage,recentlypurchasedbyMr。Wyllysforthewidowofhisyoungestson,Mrs。

GeorgeWyllys。Thislady,towhomthereaderhasbeenalreadyintroduced,hadbeenleft,withfourchildren,almostentirelydependentonherfather-in-law。Hercharacterwassomewhatofamedley。Shewasagood-heartedwoman,attachedtoherhusband'sfamily,andalwaysaskingadviceofherfriends,particularlyMr。

Wyllys,andMissAgnes,forwhomshehadasincererespect。Shewaspretty,lady-like,ratherclever,andapleasantcompaniontopersonsnotparticularlyinterestedinherwelfare。Onindifferenttopicsshecouldconversewithasmuchgoodsenseastherestoftheworld;butherownaffairsshemismanagedterribly。Allherothergoodqualitiesseemedunsettledbyacertaininfusionofcaprice,andjealousyofinfluence;andyetshereallymeantwell,andfanciedherselfaveryprudentwoman。

Shethoughtshewascapableofmakinganysacrificeforthosesheloved,andthereforebelievedherselfamodelinalltherelationsoflife。Asamother,shehadasystemofeducation,thetheoryofwhichwasexcellent;buttherewaslittleconsistencyinitspractice。Asregardsmoney-matters,shetalkedandthoughtsomuchabouteconomy,thatshetookitforgrantedthatshepractisedit。AfterhavingpassedthefirstyearsofherwidowhoodwithherownfamilyinBaltimore,shehadlatelybecomeconvincedthatherincomewasnotsufficienttoallowherlivinginalargetown,withoutrunningindebt。Mr。Wyllyswasunfortunatelytoowellawarethathisdaughter-in-law'sdifficultieswerenottheresultofBaltimoreprices,butofherownmismanagement。Franklinadviseshisfriendsto“takecareofthepence,andthepoundswilltakecareofthemselves:“butthisruleisbynomeansinfallible。Perhapsthereisnospeciesofextravagancemorecommon,thanthatoftenpractisedbywell-disposedpeople,whichconsistsofbeing“penny-wise,pound-foolish;“theywillsaveahundredcentsonasmanydifferentoccasions,andthrowawaytwentydollarsononeobject。

Ithappensthatsuchpersonsoftensucceedinpersuadingthemselvesthattheyaremodelsofprudence,andself-denial。

SuchwasMrs。GeorgeWyllys'splan;and,unfortunately,shenotonlybroughttroubleonherself,butwasaconstantsourceofanxietytoherfather-in-law,whoendeavoured,invain,tocounteracttheevil;buteverysucceedingyearbroughtarepetitionofthedifficultiesoftheformer。

{“Franklin“=BenjaminFranklin(1706-1790),buttheexpressionisusuallyattributedtoLordChesterfield(1674-1773);“pennywise,poundfoolish“=phraseoriginatedbyRobertBurton(1577-1640)}

Atpresent,Mrs。Wyllyswasbentuponeconomyinacottage,withnewfurniture,purchasedatahighprice,atNewYorkauctions;

anditwasinvaintoopposeherplan,soconvincedwasshe,thatdutyalonecouldhaveinducedhertoleaveherownfamilyandoldfriendsinBaltimore。

“Wemustmakethebestofit,Agnes,“saidMr。Wyllys,“itwillbepleasant,atleast,tohaveHarrietandherlittlepeoplenearus——andwemaybeofusetothechildren。“

MissAgnesagreedtothefirstpartofherfather'sremark,butwasfarfromfeelingsanguineastotheirbeingofanyadvantagetothechildren。ItwasapartofMrs。Wyllys'ssystem,toconsultherfriendsfarmorefrequentlythanwasnecessary,upontheeducationofherfamily,atthesametimethatitalsoenteredintoherplantofollowtheiradviceveryseldomindeed。

AsforElinor,shewasverywellpleasedwithheraunt'sarrivalintheneighbourhood;ofcourse,shewastooyoungandinexperiencedtoknowtheexactstateofmatters,andshewasattachedtoMrs。Wyllys,andfondofherlittlecousins。

Oneafternoon,Mrs。WyllyshadpersuadedMissAgnesandElinortodrinkteawithher,andnotreturnhomeuntiltheevening。Theladiesweresittingtogether,inMrs。Wyllys'spleasantlittleparlour,engagedwiththeirneedles,whilethechildrenwereplayingunderthewindows,intheshadydoor-yard。

“ShallIputthebowontherightorleftside,Elinor?”askedMrs。Wyllys,whowasre-trimmingahatforoneofherlittlegirls。

“Itlooksverywellasyouhaveitnow,Aunt;“repliedherniece。

“Perhapsitdoes;thereisastain,however,ontheotherside,whichmustbecovered,“repliedthelady,changingthebow。“Thisribandwasverycheap,Agnes,“sheadded,showingittohersister-in-law。“Onlytwentycentsayard。Iboughtthewholepiece,althoughIshallnotwantituntilnextspring。“

“Quitecheap,“saidMissAgnes,lookingattheriband;“butI

don'tknowwhatyouwilldowithsomuchofit。“

“Oh,Ishallfindsomeuseforit;inalargefamily,nothingcomesamiss。“

Apretty,littlegirl,abouteightyearsold,ranintotheroom,and,skippinguptohermother,whispered,“Herecomesacarriage,mamma,andsomeladies。“

“Whoisit,Elinor?”askedMrs。Wyllys,ofherniece,whowassittingnearthewindow。

“TheHubbards,“shereplied。

“What,PatseyHubbard?”

“Oh,no;hercousins——verydifferentpersons。TheLongbridgeHubbards,whoseacquaintanceyouhavenotyetmade。“

Twoladies,radiantwithelegance,enteredtheroom,andwereintroduced,byMissAgnes,tohersister-in-law,asMrs。Hilson,andMissEmmelineHubbard。Theywerebothyoung;quitepretty;

veryfashionablydressed;verysillyintheirexpressions,andmuchalike,ineveryrespect。

Afterafewpreliminaryspeeches,Mrs。Hilsonremarked,thatshewasverygladMrs。Wyllyshadcometojointheirrusticcircle。

“Thankyou,“repliedthelady;“Longbridgeisafavouriteplaceofmine;butIhavenotyetseenmanytracesofrusticity,here。“

“Why,no,Julianna,“observedMissEmmeline,“Idon'tthinkourvillageisatallarusticplace。Wehavetoomanyadvantagesofcommunicationwiththecityforthat。“

“Itistrue,“saidMrs。Hilson,“Longbridgehasalwaysbeenaveryaristocraticplace。Youknow,MissWyllys,“turningtoMissAgnes,“wehaveour'West-End,'andour'exclusives。'“

{“WestEnd“=fromthefashionableWestEndofLondon}

“Iwasnotawareofit;butthenIamreallyarustic,“MissWyllysadded,smiling。

“Yes,itisunfortunate,youshouldbesofarfromthevillage。

EmmelineandIoftenpityyou,MissElinor,forbeingsofarfromgenteelsociety。“

“Thatisscarcelyworthwhile,Iassureyou,forwehaveseveralpleasantfamilies,withinashortdistance。“

“Butonlyaverysmallcircle,however。Nowwehavequitealargesetofaristocraticpeople,inthevillage。Someofourinhabitantsareveryrefined,Iassureyou,Mrs。Wyllys。“

Theladybowed。

“Youwillfindyourtwonextneighbours,Mrs。BibbsandMrs。

Tibbs,veryfascinatingladies,“observedMissEmmeline。“Mrs。

Bibbsisoneofourbeauties;andMrs。Tibbs,ourmostelegantdresser。“

“EmmelineisgoingovertheCourtCalendar,foryou,already,“

saidMrs。Hilson,laughingfashionably。

{“CourtCalendar“=fromthesectionofBritishnewspapersdevotedtothescheduleandappearancesoftheRoyalFamily}

“Aretheseladiesthewivesofjudges?”inquiredMrs。Wyllys。

“Oh,no;Mrs。Tibbsistheladyofourphysician,andMrs。Bibbsisa'marchande,'——sheisaveryfascinatinglady,andhasafineflowofconversation。Shewasagreatbelle,atSaratoga,ayearortwosince;youmay,perhaps,havemetherthere?”inquiredMrs。Hilson。

“NotthatIknowof;butIhavenotbeenatSaratogaforyears。“

“Isitpossible?IcannotlivewithoutthreeweeksatSaratoga,andafortnightatRockaway,everyyear。BeforeIorderedmywedding-dress,ImadeMr。HilsonpromiseIshouldhavemyownwayaboutthat。Isaidtohim,oneday,'Alonzo,beforethesettlementsaredrawnup,Ishallrequireyoutopledgeyourselftosixweeks,everyyear,betweenSaratogaandRockaway。'“

{“settlements“=marriagesettlementsorpre-nuptialagreements;

“Rockaway“=afashionablesea-sideresortonLongIsland,nearNewYorkCity}

“Youarefondofagaylife,Isuppose。“

“Verynaturally;havinglivedintheworldoffashionfrommycradle,IdonotthinkIcouldbreatheanyotheratmosphere。Itmustbeagreatchangeforyou,Mrs。Wyllys,fromallthepleasuresofacity-lifetoasmallcirclelikeours。“

“Achange,certainly;butapleasantone,Ihope。“

“Itwillbearelieftoyou,tofindsomucharistocracyamongus。Wehaveacertainclique,that,Ithink,mustsatisfythemostrefinedtaste,andwillconsoleyou,Ihope,forthelossofgenteelsocietyinBaltimore。“

“Thankyou。Ishallscarcelymissanybutmyfriends。Igooutverylittle。“

“Iregrettohearthat——Wemusttrytopersuadeyoutochangeyourdetermination,andminglemorewithsociety。Ifeelconfident,thatourWest-Endcliquemustsatisfythemostrefinedtaste。Weexpecttohaveagreatdealofgaiety,thisfall;but,justatpresent,wehaveascarcityofbeaux。“

“WhathasbecomeofyoungMr。Taylor;hewastohavebeenhomebythistime。Doyouhearanythingofhim,MissWyllys?”inquiredMissEmmeline。

“Hisfamilyexpecthimsoon,Ibelieve。“

“Ihopehewillarrivebeforeoursummerpartiesareover。Mr。

andMrs。Hazlehurst,too,andMissGraham,whenshallwehavethepleasureofseeingthem?”

“Weexpectthemeveryday。“

“Ihope,“saidMrs。Hilson,“theywillarrivewhileIamhere,whichwillbelongerthanusual,thisseason,fortheyarepaintingoursuit{sic}ofapartmentsinthecity。WhenIcame,AlonzotoldEmmelinetokeepmeuntilOctober,andshehaspromisedmearoundofentertainments,whileIamwithher;sothatIfeelparticularlyinterestedinthearrivalofyourfriends。“

“MissGrahamwilldashagreatdeal,nodoubt,whenshecomesback,“saidMissEmmeline;“Iquitelongtoseeher。MissTaylormustbeexpectingherimpatiently。By-the-bye,Iunderstand,Mr。

Taylor'snewfurnitureisnowallarrived。Hisvilla,aswellashiscity-house,willbeverystylish。“

“Mr。Taylorisaverytastygentleman,“observedMrs。Hilson。“Heseemstobeverytalented,ineveryway;formedtofigureinfashionablelife,aswellasinbusiness。Hisnewhouseisamagnificentedifice。“

“Yourfathertellsme,hehasquitefinishedhisownhouse,Mrs。

Hilson;youmustbegladtogetridoftheworkmen,“remarkedMissWyllys。

“Yes——theyhavebeenlongenoughaboutit;butPahasold-fashionednotionsabouthavingeverythingsubstantial,andwelldone;hesaidEmmelineandImightchoosetheplan,andhaveeverythingasweliked;buthemusthavehisowntimetodoitin。However,itisadelightfulmansion,now。Ithaseveryconvenienceofthemostfashionablehousesinthecity;

plate-glass,andfolding-doors,andmarblechimneystothegarret。JustsuchahouseasIshouldlikeinNewYork;though,totellthetruth,Iwouldnotkeephousefortheworld。“

“Juliannaissodelightfullysituated,inherboarding-house,Mrs。Wyllys,thatshehasnothingtowishfor。“

{“boarding-house“=atthisperiodinAmericanhistory,manyrespectableandreasonablywell-offpeopleandevenfamilieslivedpermanentlyinboarding-houses,ratherthanmaintainahousefulofservants}

“Yes,wehaveeveryluxuryoffashionablelife,unitedtoaveryaristocraticsetofboarders;andMrs。Stone,herself,isanextremelyfascinatinglady。Indeed,Ihavebeenspoilt;Idon'tthinkIcouldendurethedrudgeryofhousekeeping,now;thoughI

oncetoldAlonzo,ifhewouldgivemeafour-storyhouse,uptown,withamarblefront,Iwouldtry。“

“Youmustfindthesituationofyourfather'snewhousepleasanterthanthathehasleft,“observedMissAgnes。

“Bynomeans——Thatisaseriousobjectiontoournewmansion。

Standingsurroundedbythepark,onthreesides,removesussofarfromthestreet。“

“Ishouldhavethoughtyouwouldfinditpleasanttoberemovedfartherfromthenoiseanddust。WhatisyourcousinCharlesdoing?Isupposeyouseehimoften,intown。“

“Ireallydonotknowwhathasbecomeofhim,“saidMrs。Hilson,languidly;forshealwaysfeltrathermortifiedbyanyallusiontoherunfashionablerelations。“ThoughCharlesisinthecitynow,studyingpainting,yetIneverseehim。HetoldMr。Hilsonthathecalledsometimes,butIhaveneverseenhiscard;inalargeboarding-houselikeours,withafamilyoffortyorfiftypeople,thereisoftengreatconfusionaboutvisits。But,Emmeline,wearemakingaveryunfashionablecall。Iamquiteashamed,Mrs。Wyllys:butwewillrelieveyounow——Iseeourcarriagehasreturned。“Andafteranexchangeofcurtsies,theladiesglidedoutoftheroom。MissEmmeline,asshepassed,touchedthecurlyheadofoneofthechildren,exclaimingasshedidso,“fascinatingcherub!”andthenbothvanished。

Wehavesaidthatthesetwosisterswereverymuchalike。Mrs。

Hilson,however,wasthemostdistinguishedofthetwo,forshecarriedthefamilyfolliesseveraldegreesfartherthanMissEmmeline。Takenaltogether,shewasanabsurdcompound。

Personally,shewasthoroughlyAmerican,veryprettyanddelicateinformandfeatures,andthusfarappearedtogreatadvantage;

butshehad,also,anaffectedmincingmanner,anddrawlingvoice。Ofcourse,herdresswasasParisianaspossible;

everythingsheworewasafaithfulcopyfrom“LeCourierdesDames。“Herfeelingsandopinions;Mrs。HilsonwasproudtocallEnglishintheextreme,forshehadchosentoimbibeagreatloveof“aristocracy,“andmanyotherthingswhichshedidnotintheleastunderstand。Shehadasetofcommon-placephrasesofthisdescriptioninconstantuse,havingborrowedthemfromanintimatefriend,livinginthesameboarding-house,aMrs。

Bagman,anEnglishwoman,ofaveryequivocalposition。Then,shereadnothingbutEnglishnovels;thesewereheronlysourceofamusementandinstructioninthewayofbooks;andasshefollowedtheexampleofMrs。Bagman,inrejectingeverytalethathadnotitsdueshareoflordsandladies,shecalledherselffastidiousintheselection。Shewasagreattalker,andnotadaypassedbutwhatcockneysentimentsfellfromherprettylittlemouth,indrawlingtones,fromunderafancifulParisiancoiffure。JohnBullwouldhavestared,however,ifcalledupontoacknowledgeherasadaughter;forYankeevulgarityandEnglishvulgarityareverydifferentincharacter——thefirsthavingthemostpretension,thelastthemostcoarseness。

Theseladieshadscarcelydrivenfromthedoor,beforeMrs。

Wyllysexclaimed:“Isitpossible,Agnes,thattheseHubbardsareagoodspecimenoftheLongbridgepeople!”

“No,indeed;onesuchfamilyisquiteenoughforanyplace。“

“Howridiculoustheyare!Howcanyoutoleratethem?”

“Now,pray,AuntAgnes,“saidElinor,“donotsayonewordintheirfavour。“

“No;asregardstheladiesofthefamily,onecansaylittle。

Theyarenotperhaps,bynature,asridiculousastheyhavemadethemselves。Timemaydosomethingforthem。Buttheirfatherisaveryworthy,respectableman;youmusthaveseenhimatourhouselastsummer。Don'tyourememberonedaytwounclesofPatseyHubbarddiningwithus?”

“Yes,Idorememberthem;oneCharlesHubbardcalledUncleJosey{sic},andheseemedquiteasensibleman;theotherfellasleepIknow,theonetheycalledUncleDozie。“

“Thenappinguncleistheoldbachelor;UncleJosieisthefatheroftheseladies。“

“Heseemedasensibleman;howcamehetohavesuchdaughters?”

“Theyareveryliketheirmother,whodiedayearortwosince。“

“Theyareverydisagreeable,certainly。Howoftenshallweberequiredtoencounterthisdesperateelegance?IalmostbegintorepenthavingfixedmyselfatLongbridge。“

“AndbetweenMrs。Bibbs,andMrs。Tibbs,too!”saidElinor,laughing。“However,foryourconsolation,Aunt,Icanassureyouthesetwoladiesarefarfrombeingsovery'fascinating'astheHubbards。Mrs。Hilsonandhersisterrisehighabovetherestofusinthatrespect——theyare,decidedly,'ourCorinthiancapital。'“

“YouwillfindtheVanHornes,theBernards,andseveralotherfamilies,verypleasantneighbours,onfartheracquaintance,“

saidMissAgnes。“Youhavereallybeenunfortunateinthisspecimen。“

“Andwheredidtheseladiescontrivetopickupsomuchabsurdity?”

“Withamiserableeducationtobeginwith,nootherreadingthantheworstnovels,andthechanceassociationofsecond-rateboarding-houses,thatpoint,Ithink,iseasilyaccountedfor,“

saidMissAgnes。

TheconversationwasinterruptedbythehurriedreturnofMr。

Wyllys,whoheldanewspaperinhishand。

“Theyhavearrived!”criedElinor,springingfromherchair,asshesawhergrandfatherenterthegate。

“Goodnews!”saidMr。Wyllys,ashejoinedtheladies。“TheErieisin,andourfriendswithher!Theymusthavearrivedinthenight,andto-morrowmorningweshallhavethemhere。“

Ofcourse,allthefamilyweregratifiedbythegoodnews。Elinorwasquiteagitated,thoughheraunthadthepleasureofseeingherlookveryhappy。

“Hereitis,“saidMr。Wyllys,readingfromthepaperthearrivalof“'thePacketShipErie,Capt。Funck,fromHavre,consignedto——&Co。;'thatyouwon'tcareabout。Buthereisthelistofpassengers:'Mr。Johnson,Mrs。Johnson,andadozenMastersandMissesJohnson,fromNatchez;'——strangers,youwillsay,buthereareacquaintances:'Mrs。Creighton,Mr。FrancisEllsworth,andservant,ofPhil。;Mr。andMrs。RobertHazleworth,andfamily,ofPhil。;MissGraham,ofPhil。;MadameGigot,ofParis:'waitamoment,Nelly,allingoodtime。'Capt。Flint,ofBritishArmy;AchilleBureau,ofParis;T。Davis,ofCharleston;

Dr。Brackett,ofSt。Louis;'and,thoughlast,notleastinourestimation,W。Hazleworth,ofPhil。;withseventy-nineinthesteerage。'Ofcourse,forW。Hazleworth,readH。Hazlehurst;theyneverspellanameright。Weshallhavethemallhereto-morrowI

hope,Nelly。“

IfElinorsaidlittle,shethoughtandfeltagreatdeal。

Theywerestilltalkingoverthearrival,whenMrs。Wyllys'slittlegirlcameskippingin,again,andsaid;“Herecomesagentleman,mamma。“Shewasfollowedinaninstant,byayoungman,who,inahurried,eagermanner,hadkissedthehandofMissAgnes,andElinor'scheek,beforeeitherhadtimetoexclaim“Harry!”

Itwas,infact,Hazlehurst,stillinhistravelling-cap。Theyhadarrivedinthenight,hesaid,andtherestofthepartywastofollowhimthenextday。

CHAPTERIX。

“HowtaughtshallIreturn?”

CRABBE。

{GeorgeCrabbe(Englishpoet,1754-1832),“PosthumousTales:VI

TheFarewellandReturn“lineI。62}

OFcourse,HarrywasestablishedatWyllys-Roof。And,afterafewdayspassedwithherparentsatLongbridge,ElinorpersuadedJanetopayherashortvisit。

Itisapleasantmomentforpeopleofmatureyears,whentheycansitidlyby,asaffectionateobservers,whileagaypartyofyoungpeople,inwhomtheyareinterested,arechattingfamiliarlytogether,withthelivelytoneandlightspiritsofyouth,freealikefromtherestraintsofchildhood,andthecaresofmiddleage。Everyvariedshadeofcharacter,unconsciouslybetrayedbytheyounggroup——theplayfulremark——thejustobservation——thepleasingacquirement——anactofgood-nature——agracefulmotion——thebrighteyeandthecarelesssmile——ay,eventheproofofinexperienceandwantofworldlywisdom——allisattractivetothepartialfriends。Theyfeelsuchamomenttobetherewardofmanyaprevioushourofcareandanxiety;itistheirhappyprivilegetomarkeachimprovementinperson,mindandheart——thefruitofpastlaboursandprayers——thecheeringpromiseamidthedoubtsofthefuture。Happythey,whocanlookupontheyoungpeoplecommittedtotheircharge,withtheconsciousnessthatnoimportantdutytowardsthemhasbeenneglected;happytheyoungperson,who,withaclearconscienceandanopencountenance,canmeettheapprovingsmileofaparent;thricehappytheyouth,who,havingtakenafalsestepatthebeginningofhiscareer,hashadthecourageandwisdomtoturn,eretoolate;thatpreciousapprobationofwiseandtruefriends,maystillbefullyhis;hehasturnedfromdanger,temptationandshame,intothesureandsafepaththatleadstoeverythingmosttobevalued,eveninthisworld。

AsforourfriendsatWyllys-Roof,thejoyofre-union,afteralongabsence,gaveadditionalzesttothefirstpleasantmeetingsoftheyoungpeople,inwhomMissAgnesandMr。Wyllysweresowarmlyinterested。Elinorwasingayspirits——evenJanewasmoreanimatedthanusual,inherexpressionsandmanners。AsforHarry,hewasdecidedlyimproved;thelasttwoyearshaddoneagreatdealforhim。Hewasnowaclever,well-educated,agreeableyoungmanofthree-and-twenty,whosejudgmentandtasteweremuchimprovedbytravelling。

“Averygood-lookingfellow,too,Agnes,“remarkedMr。Wyllys。

Itwaseasytogather,fromthenatural,healthfultoneofhisconversation,thatinmoreimportantpoints,whilehehadgainedmuch,hehadlostnothingbywiderobservationoftheworld。

AsforJane,MissAgneshadnotexpectedmuchfromher,andshewaspleasedwiththechangessheobserved。Heryoungkinswoman'stemperseemedtohavebecomemoreeventhanformerly,andshewasquiteasmuchpleasedtoreturntoherfamily,assheoughttohavebeen。Itappearednatural,thateverybodywhosawJaneshouldbesatisfiedwithlookingather。Beautylikehersdisarmedtheirattemptsatseverity,anddisposedthemtoindulgence。Itseemedscarcelyreasonabletoexpectanystrikingquality,orgreatvirtue,withbeautysorare。ButiftheWyllyseshadthoughtherbeautifulbeforesheleftthem,theywerereallyastonishedtofindhowmuchithadbeenpossibleforhertogaininappearance。Herfacewasnowperfectlylovely,inthefineststyleofbeauty。MissWyllyswaspleasedtofindhermannersmuchimproved;achangefromthesocietyofAdelineTaylor,andherlivelyyoungfriends,tothatofolderandbetter-bredpeople,hadbeenofgreatadvantage。Jane'slaboursoflivelinesshadannoyedMissAgnesnotalittle;andmorethanonceshehadventuredaremarkonthesubject;butheryoungrelativehadbeentoowelladvised,byAdelineandherschool-companions,tobelievethatMissWyllyscouldpossiblyknow,aswellasthemselves,whatwerethefashionableairsandgracesoftheday。SincehervisittoParis,however,Jane'smanner,withoutherbeingawareofitherself,hadbecomemuchmorequietandnatural。Duringthelasttwelvemonth,shehadnotfounditnecessarytomakeperpetualexertionstoattract,orretainadmirers。Shehadlearnedtolookupontheattentionsofsocietyasamatterofcourse。

TheobservationsofMr。Wyllysandhisdaughterwerenotallconfinedtothetwoyoungtravellers;theywatchedthegracefulmovementsofElinor,andlistenedwithinteresttothegayremarksmadeinherpleasantvoice。Shehadneverbeeninbetterspirits,andwasevidentlyhappy。ElinorwasreallyattachedtoJane;andyet,neverweretwogirlslessalike,notonlyinperson,butinmindanddisposition。Jane'sbeautywasagreatcharm,inElinor'seyes。Thehomelinessofherownfeaturesonlyincreasedheradmirationforthoseofhercousin,whohadalwaysfilled,withher,theplaceofayoungersisterandpet,althoughthedifferenceintheirageswasverytrifling。Ifthesefeelingswerenotreturnedaswarmlyastheydeserved,Elinorhadneverseemedtoexpectthattheyshouldbe;itwasnotinJane'snaturetodoso。ThatHarry'sarrivalshouldhavemadeherhappy,was,ofcourse,onlynatural;shebetrayed,attimes,atouchofembarrassmenttowardshim,whenAuntAgneshadsmiledtooopenly,orMr。Wyllyshadralliedtoostrongly;butitwasgraceful,likeeveryshadeinhermanner。

MissAgneswaswellawarethatthelasttwoyearshadnotbeenlostwithElinor,althoughpassedinquietevery-daylife。Sheknew,fromcloseobservation,thatthecharacterofheradoptedchildhadbeengraduallyapproachingnearertoallshewishedittobe。Asthetwoyounggirlssatchattingtogether,MissWyllyscouldnotbutmarkthestrikingdifferenceintheirappearance;

butshealsofeltthatifJane'slovelinesswereacharm,eventoher,knowingElinorthoroughly,shelovedherfarmoredeeplyforthewantofbeauty。But,ofcourse,theworldwouldhavedecideddifferently。

ThemorningafterJane'sarrivalatWyllys-Roof,theyoungpeoplewereengagedinoneofthegayconversationswehavealludedto,whenMr。WyllyscalledoffHazlehurst'sattention。

“Harry,whatwasthatclumsycontrivanceabouttheFrenchhorses,youweredescribingtoVanHorne,lastnight?Iwantedtoaskyou,atthetime,butyoubegantotalkwithMissPatsey。Yousaidsomethingaboutawoodencollar,Ithink。“

Harrychangedhisseat,foronenearerMr。Wyllys,andbeganalongexplanationoftheharnessusedbytheFrenchteamsters。

“Ihaveseveralengravingsinmytrunks,thatwillshowyoumymeaning,sir,betterthanwordscando。“

“Ishouldliketoseethem。But,arethesewoodenwingstothecollars,asyoudescribethem,usedthroughoutFrance,oronlyinNormandy,andtheneighbourhoodofParis?”

“Wesawthemwhereverwewent。Allthecartersandfarmersseemtousethem。Theyhave,besides,agreatdealofclumsy,uselessornament,andtheycontrivetowanttwiceasmuchtackleaswedo。“

Thegentlemencontinuedtodiscussthesubjectofhorsesandharness,Harryrelating,forMr。Wyllys'samusement,manyobservationshehadmade,onthesematters,inthedifferentcountrieswherehehadbeen。

Janehadbroughtdown,fromherroom,anarm-fullofprettythings,evidentlyParisian。ShehadjustgivenElinoraveryprettybag,whichMissAgneswascalledupontoadmire。

“MydearAunt,“criedElinor,“dolookatthis;Jane,Ithinkwemustcallitasac——'bag'soundstooheavy。Lookatthematerial——thefinestcachemere。Andthenthecolour,sorichandsodelicateatthesametime。“

“Yes;itisaveryprettyshadeofponceau,“saidJane。

{“ponceau“=poppyred(French)}

“Andthentheshape!soParisian!Andtheornaments——“

“Itisverypretty,“saidMissWyllys,afterdueexamination。

“ThatisthewaywitheverythingthatcomesfromParis,“saidElinor;“itisalwayssocomplete;notonepartgoodandothersclumsy——orgoodinquality,butuglyinformandcolour。TheFrenchseemtohaveaninstinctaboutthesethings;theythrowagraceabouteverything。“

“Yes;theyhaveaperfecttaste,“saidJane。

“WhileIwasup-stairs,withLouisa,yesterday,“saidElinor,“wetalkedoverParisallthemorning,AuntAgnes。Iwasamusedwithagreatdealshetoldme。Louisasays,thereisafitnessinallthataFrench-womandoesandsays,andevenineverythingshewears——thatherdressisalwaysconsistent——alwaysappropriatetotheoccasion。“

“Thatistrue,“repliedJane;“theirdressisalwaysofapiece。“

“Andyet,Louisainsistsuponit,thattheydonotbestowmoretimeandthoughtuponthesubject,thanthewomenofothercountries——and,certainly,notsomuchmoney。“

“Everythingissoeasytobehad,andsomuchcheaper,inParis,“

saidJane。

“But,sheremarked,thattheyareneverashamedtowearaprettythingmerelybecauseitischeap;nortomakethemselvescomfortable,bywearingthickshoesinthemud,andacoarse,warmshawlinafog。“

“Wehavenotmuchmudorfogtotroubleus,inthiscountry;“

saidMissAgnes。

“No,aunt;butwehavehardshowersinsummer,andcoldweatherinwinter;inspiteofwhich,youknow,ourladiesmustalwaysbedressedlikefairies。“

“IhaveoftenheardMadamedeBessierespraisethegoodsenseofhercountrywomen,onthosesubjects,“observedMissWyllys。

“LouisamaintainsthattheFrench-womenhaveagreatdealofcommonsense;shesays,thatisthefoundationoftheirgoodtaste;and,Isuppose,afterall,goodtasteisonlygoodsenserefined。“

“Isupposeitis,mydear。LouisaseemstohavecomebackevenmoreofaFrench-womanthanyou,Jane,“observedMissAgnes。

“Oh!IliketheFrenchverywell,AuntAgnes。“

“ButLouisaisquiteeloquentonthesubject。“

“Shewassoveryfortunate,Aunt,inhavingsokindafriendinParis,asMadamedeBessieres。LouisadescribesthedeBessieresaslivinginadelightfulsetofpeople——shementionedhalfadozenpersonswhomshemethabituallythere,asnotonlyamiable,andhighlyaccomplished,andwell-bred,buthigh-principled,too。

Shesayssheusedoftentowishyoucouldknowthem,AuntAgnes。“

“IcanreadilybelieveanythinggoodoftheintimatefriendsofMadamedeBessieres,forIneverknewawomanwhosecharacterwasmoreworthyofrespect。Itwasagreatlosstous,whenshereturnedtoFrance。Shewasveryfondofyou,Elinor。“

“HowkindinapersonofMadamedeBessieres'age,torememberme!Ilongtoseethelettershewroteme;RobertsaysIshallhaveit,certainly,to-morrow,whenalltheirbaggagewillbeatLongbridge。“

“MadamedeBessieresoftenspokeofyou,Elinor,“saidJane。“Shebidmeaskifyourememberedallthepetnamessheusedtocallyou,butIforgottomentionitwhenIwrote。“

“Justasyouforgetmanyotherthings,naughtygirl;Imustsayyouareanythingbutamodelcorrespondent,Jenny,dear。“

“Well,Ican'thelpit——Idodislikesotowrite!”

“Youneednottellmethat,“saidElinor,laughing。“ButIdorememberallMadamedeBessieres'kindnamesverywell。Itwassometimes,monlapin,monlapindore,monchou,mamere——theyallsoundedpleasantlytome,shespokethemsokindly。Butsometimestovexme,theotherchildren——MasterHarryamongothers——usedtotranslatethem;and,thoughrabbit,andgoldenrabbit,soundedverywellinEnglish,Ididnotcaretobecalledcabbage。“

{“monlapin“=myrabbit;“monchou“=mycabbage,atermofendearment;“dore“=golden;“mamere“=mymother(French)}

“DidyouliketheyoungpeopleyoumetinParis,Jane?”askedMissWyllys。

“Oh,yes;theyoungmendon'ttroubleyoutoentertainthem,andthegirlsareverygood-naturedandpleasant。“

“LouisaseemstothinktheFrenchgirlsarecharming——sograceful,andpleasing,andmodest;reallyaccomplished,andwelleducated,too,shesays——allthatyoungwomenoughttobe。“

“Yes,shesaysthatshehopesherlittlegirlswillbeaswelleducatedasMadamedeBessieres'grand-daughters,“saidJane。

“Well,Ihopemylittlenamesakemayanswerhermother'sexpectations。Sheisasweetlittlepussnow,atanyrate。Louisawasquitevexedyesterday,withMrs。VanHorne,whoaskedheriftheFrenchgirlswerenotallartful,andhypocritical。Sheansweredher,that,onthecontrary,thoseshesawthemostfrequently,weremodest,ingenuous,andthoroughlywell-principledineveryway,besidesbeingveryaccomplished。

Shelaidgreatstressononepoint,therespectinvariablypaidbytheyoungtotheold,notonlyamongthewomen,butthemen,too。“

“Yes,“observedMissAgnes;“IremembertohaveheardthesameremarkfromMadamedeBessieres;sheobserved,thatafterhavingbeeninmanydifferentcountries,shecouldjustlyclaimforherown,thatinnootherwassomuchdeferencepaidtoageasinFrance。“

“ThatagreespreciselywithLouisa'sopinion。ShesaysitisastrikingfeatureinFrenchsociety,andappearsthoroughlypartoftheircharacter——notatallassumedforappearancesake。“

“Itisadutytoolittlerememberedinthiscountry。Itseemstobeonlyinourverybestfamiliesthatthesubjectisproperlyattendedto,“saidMissAgnes。

“Louisalikesthemannersofthemenforthesamereason;shesaysthatinsocietytheyarealwaysrespectfulandobliging,whateverotheragreeableordisagreeablequalitiestheymayhave。

Sheremarked,thatshehadnevermetwitharudeFrenchmaninsociety;butshehad,repeatedly,metwithrudeEnglishmen,inverygoodcompany。“

“Whatfault,pray,didLouisafindwiththeEnglishmenyoumet,Jane?”askedMissAgnes。

“Thereisacertainset,whosayanddorudethings。“

“Ishouldnothavethoughtthat;“saidMissWyllys。

“Oh,theyhaveawayofmakingthemselvesdisagreeable;now,aFrenchmannevertriestobedisagreeable。“

“Onewouldthinknoonewouldtrythat,“saidElinor。

“TheEnglishdo,though,Iassureyou;atleastacertainset。I

don'tbelieveanyotherpeopledo。Irememberoneevening,HarrywasveryangrywithacertainMr。Ellery,sonofLordGreystone,whousedtocometoourhousequiteoftenlastspring。Doyourememberhim,Harry?”sheadded,asHazlehurstagainapproachedthetablecoveredwithFrenchknicknacks{sic},wherethegirlsweresitting。

“Whomwereyoutalkingabout?”heasked。

“Mr。Ellery;——doyourememberhismanner?”

“Ellery?——TobesureIdo!——Insufferablecoxcomb!”

“Pray,whatwashisgreatoffence?”askedElinor,laughing。

Harrycolouredviolently。“Oh,itwashisintolerableEnglishmanner。Ihaveknownhimstretchhimselfoutnearlyfulllengthonasofa,onwhichJaneorLouisawassitting,andstareatthem,withthemostsickeningexpression,forhalfanhouratatime。“

“Halfanhour,Harry!howcanyoutalkso?Halfaminute,youmean。“

“Well,untilhedroveyouaway,atanyrate。Iwasoftensurprisedthatyoucouldendureitaslongasyoudid。Buthappily,Louisacooledhimoffafterawhile;thoughIhadastronginclinationtoundertakethejobmyself。“

“Itwasmuchbetterasitwas;itwasLouisa'splacetodoit,“

observedMissAgnes。

“ButIthoughtyoulikedtheEnglish,“saidElinor,withsomesurprise。“YouwerespeakingveryhighlyofseveralofyourEnglishfriends,lastnight。“

“Idolikethebettersortverymuch。Theyarefine,manlyfellows,aseverbreathed。“

“Whatpeopledidyoulikebest?”askedMissAgnes。

“Amanwhodoesnotcherishprejudice,mustnaturallylikethebestqualitiesandthebestindividualsofallnations。“

“Buthaveyounopreference?”

“Therecannotbeadoubt,thatsocietyismoreagreeableinFrance,inParis,thanelsewhere。“

“ArenottheFrenchtooartificial?”

“IhonestlydonotthinkthemmoresothantheEnglish。Englishsimplicityoftenhasaveryartificialtwist;withtheFrenchitisjustthereverse;artbecomesasecond-nature,withthem。“

“WeheartheFrenchaccusedofselfishness——“

“IthinkyouwouldfindbothFrenchandEnglishmoreselfishthanweare。Buttheyhavedifferentwaysofshowingit。TheEnglishmanisexclusive,andreserved;theFrenchmanegotistical。

Reservemayseemdignified;butitoftencoversagreatdealofcoldself-love;whileFrenchegotism——notEGOISME——isoftenmingledwithmuchnaiveteandbonhommie{sic}。Bothnations,however,aremoreselfishthantheItalians,orGermans,Ishouldsay。“

“Still,youseemtoliketheFrenchthebestofthetwo。“

“Well,theFrenchgenerallytreatAmericansmorecivillythantheEnglish。JohnBullisveryfondofgivinghimselfairsofsuperiority,afteradisagreeablefashionofhisown。NowaFrenchmanfancieshimselfsomuchmorecivilizedthantherestoftheworld,thathehasagood-naturedfeelingtowardseverybodybutJohnBull:hethinkshecanaffordtobeamiableandfriendly。“

“Ifyouarespeakingofthebestpeopleineachcountry,however,“saidMr。Wyllys;“thatisnotthesurestwayofjudgingnationalcharacter。Wemusttaketheaverage。“

“Iamawareofthat,sir。“

“Atanyrate,youdon'tseemtohavelikedthisMr。Ellery,“saidElinor。

“Notintheleast;Iusedtothinkhimexcessivelyimpertinent,“

exclaimedHarry,andashischolerrose,whilecertainrecollectionspassedthroughhismind,hecolouredagain。Tochangethesubject,hetookupthebagtheyoungladieshadbeenadmiring。

“Whatfancifulnamemaybelongtothispieceoffinery;for,ofcourse,itisnotabag?”heasked。

“Oh,itistoouseful,nottohaveastraight-forward,commonname;youmaycallitasac,though,ifyoulike。Icouldnotthinkofanythingmoreimaginative;canyou,Jane?”

“Idaresay,thereisanothername;butIhaveforgottenit;

everythinghasanameofitsown,inParis。“

“Yourtablelookslikeafancy-shop,AuntAgnes,“continuedHazlehurst;“gloves,bags,purses,boxes,muslins,portfolios,andtwentyotherthings,jumbledtogether。“

“Whatsortofwoodisthework-boxthatyouchoseforMissPatsey?”askedElinor。“Iamverygladyouthoughtofher。“

“Harrydoesnotseemtohaveforgottenanyofhisfriends,whileinParis,“saidMissAgnes。

Hazlehurstlookeddown。

“Itissomedarkwood;notrose-wood,however。Itisratherplain;butaserviceable-lookingbox,“hesaid。

“JustthethingforMissPatsey,“observedElinor。

“Here,Elinor,“saidJane,“isthecapeIspokeof;“andsheunfoldedapaper,anddrewfromitapieceofmuslinwhichhadevidentlyreceivedaveryprettyshape,fineembroidery,andtastefulbowsofribandfromsomeParisianhand。“ThisistheoneIspokeof——Isitnotmuchprettierthananyyouhaveseen?”

Elinorreceivedthecapefromhercousin,whowasunusuallyanimatedinitspraises;itwashelduptothelight;thenlaidonthetable;thedelicacyoftheworkwasadmired;thentheform,andtheribands;and,atlast,ElinorthrewitoverJane'sshoulders,observing,atthesametime,thatitwasparticularlybecomingtoher。Harryseemeddeterminednottolook;and,inordertoresistanyinclinationhemayhavefelt,todoso,heresolutelytookupaReview,andbeganturningoveritspages。

Theyoungladies'admirationofthecapelastedseveralminutes,and,atlength,Elinorcalledupontherestofthepartytoadmirehowbecomingitwas。

“Well,really,“exclaimedHarry,lookingrathercross,probablyatbeingdisturbedinhisreading,“youngladies'loveoffineryseemsquiteinexhaustible;itissometimesincomprehensibletothedullerperceptionsofthemalesex。“

“Don'tbesaucy!”saidElinor。

“Why,youcan'tdenythefact,thatyouandJanehavebeendoingnothingelse,allthemorning,buttumbleoverthisParisfinery?”

“Ibegyourpardon——wehavebeentalkingquitesensibly,too;

havewenot,AuntAgnes?”

“Muchasusual,Ibelieve,mydear,“repliedMissWyllys。

“Prayobserve,thatthetablecontainssomethingbesidesfinery;

herearesomeverygoodFrenchandItalianbooks;but,Isuppose,Janewillsay,thoseyouselectedyourself。“

“Icertainlydid,“saidHarry;“andthemusic,too。“

“Well,Ihavehalfamindnottotellyou,thatwelikethebooksandthemusicquiteaswellasanythinghere,“saidElinor,colouring;andthen,asifalmostfearingthatshehadbetrayedherfeelings,shecontinued,inagaytone。“But,whyareyousosevereuponusthismorning?”

“Unpalatabletruth,Isuppose,“saidHarry,shrugginghisshoulders。

“Pray,remember,sir,thatiffinerybethrownawayuponthenoblesex,atthepresentday,itwasnotalwaysso。Letmereferyoutocertainkings,who,notcontentwithstudyingtheirowndresses,havecondescendedtocomposethoseoftheirqueens,too。

Rememberhowmanygreatheroes——yourTurennesandMarlboroughs——haveappearedindiamondsandsatin,velvetandfeathers!”

{“Turenne“=HenridelaTourd'Auvergne,VicomtedeTurenne(1611-1675),afamousFrenchmilitarycommander;“Marlborough“=

JohnChurchillMarlborough,DukeofMarlborough(1650-1722),afamousBritishmilitarycommander}

“Butthatwastwohundredyearsago。“

“Theywereheroes,nevertheless;and,Isuppose,unefoiscaporal,toujourscaporal。But,ifyouprefersomethingnearertoourowntime,figuretoyourselfHoraceWalpole,andGeneralConway,somehalf-centurysince,consulting,intheircorrespondence,upontheparticularshadeofsatinbestsuitedtotheircomplexions——whetherpea-green,orwhite,werethemostfavourable。“

{“unefoicaporal……“=onceacorporal,alwaysacorporal(French);“Walpole“=HoraceWalpole(1717-1797),Englishauthor;

“Conway“=GeneralHenryConway(1721-1795),Englishgeneralandpolitician}

Hazlehurstlaughed。

“Thereitis,inwhiteandblack!”saidElinor。“JustrememberGoldsmith,struttingaboutTempleGardens,inhisblush-colouredsatin,andfancyingeverybodyinlovewithhim,too!”

{“Goldsmith“=OliverGoldsmith(1730-1775),Britishauthor;

“TempleGardens“=inLondonontheThamesRiver,nexttoTheTemple(anancientEnglishschooloflaw)}

“Quarter!quarter!Nelly,“criedhergrandfather,laughing。

“True,Imustconfess,“saidHarry,smiling;“butthatwasmorethanfiftyyearsago。Theworldhasgrownwiser,now。“

“Hasit?”

“Lookatoursobercoats,to-day——thelastParisfashions,too!”

“Yes——butwhatisthereason?”criedElinor,laughingherself。

“Youhavejustfoundoutthatfinery,andashowyexterior,areofnousetoyou——theydonotincreaseyourinfluencewiththeladies!Wedonotvalueamanmoreforashowyexterior!”

“Isubmit,“saidHarry;buthecoloured,andseemedtoMissAgnes,moreembarrassedbyElinor'sremarkthanwasnecessary。Hethrewdownhisbook,however,andcrossedtheroomtotakeaplacenearher。

“Whatareyougoingtodothismorning?”hesaid,quietly。

Awalkwasproposed,andsoonaftertheyoungpeople,accompaniedbyBruno,setouttogether。

CHAPTERX。

“Fashion,leaderofachatteringtrain。“

COWPER。

{WilliamCowper(Englishpoet,1731-1800),“Conversation“line457}

MISSPATSEY'Smotherwasmoreunwellthanusual;andafterbreakfastthefollowingmorning,Elinorpreparedalittlebasketofparticularlyfinepeaches,whichsheproposedcarryingtoMrs。

Hubbard,herself。Harryofferedtoaccompanyher,andJanewaspersuadedtojointhem;althoughingeneral,shedislikedeverykindofmotionexceptdancing。

ThetravellershadalreadyseenMissPatseyandheryoungestsister,andtheywerenowsofortunateastofindCharlieathome。HehadcomefromNewYork,theeveningbefore,and,ofcourse,wasmuchpleasedtoseehisyoungfriends;indeed,heshowedsomuchemotionatthemeeting,astochangecolourwhenhefirstsawthethreecousinsenterthelittlegate。

“Why,Charlie,youhavegrownininches;aswellasindignity,sinceweparted,“saidHazlehurst,shakinghimwarmlybythehand。

“Ishallneverarriveatanygreatelevationeitherway,“repliedtheyouth,aftershakinghandsalsowithJane。

“Idon'tknowthat;youhavegrownhalfafootsinceIsawyou,andyouhavedonewondersIhear,asapainter。Mr。Wyllys,andElinor,arebothgreatadmirersofyourpictures。“

“Wondersarecomparative,youknow;IbelieveIhaveaccomplishedmore,forinstance,thanmymotheranticipated,forshethoughtI

wasgoingtodevotemyselftosignsandwindow-blinds。“

{“window-blinds“=windowshadeswereatthistimefrequentlydecoratedwithhandpaintedpictures}

“Thatisyouraccountofthematter。Butdon'tsupposeIhavenotlearnedthatMr。CharlesHubbardislookeduponasoneofourmostpromisingyoungartists,andthatseveralofhispicturesarethoughtthebestoftheirkindthathavebeenpaintedthissidetheAtlantic。“

“YouareverymuchimprovedinflatterybyavisittoParis,“

saidCharlie,smiling。

“Onlysobertruth,asyoumustwellknow,Mr。CharlesHubbard。I

hopeyouhavesomethinghereforustolookat;Iamreallyveryimpatienttoseesomeofyourpictures。IwishyoucouldhaveenjoyedhalfthefineworksofartthatIhaveseeninthelasttwoyears。“

Hubbardrepliedthathehadstronghopesofgoingabroadhimselfbeforelong,thankstotheliberalityofhisuncle,andthepromiseofseveralordersfromdifferentgentlemen。Harrycongratulatedhimwarmly,thoughheregrettedthatCharlieshouldthinkofleavinghomejustashehimselfreturned。

Theyoung1adiespaidtheirvisittoMrs。Hubbardinherbed-room,whileHarryandCharlietalkedoverahundreddifferentthingstogether;andafterengagingCharlestodineatWyllys-Roof,theywalkedhomeagain。

“MissPatsey'sparlourreallylooksneaterandsmallerthanever,“observedHarry。“AndIdon'tthinkIhaveseensuchanhonest,good-natured,pleasantfaceasher's,sinceIleftLongbridge。Sheseemssatisfiednow,withtheideaofCharlie'sbeinganartist。“

“Sheisresignedtoit,rather,“saidElinor,“nowthatthematterisentirelysettled。“

“Charlielookspale,“observedHarry;“hehasgrownthough,andheisnolongersoveryslightasheusedtobe。“

“Heseemstobewell,“repliedElinor;“butattimeshisspiritsarenotgood。Hehasbeenmuchinterestedinyourmovements——quiteanxiousaboutyourreturn。“

“Charlieisarightgoodfellow,“saidHarry;“Iwasinhopestoseeagreatdealofhim,thiswinter。“AtthismomentJanedroppedaglove;ofcourseHarrypickeditup,andhecontinuedsilentafterdoingso。

“There,yousee,isMr。Taylor'snewhouse,“observedElinor,asanopeninginagroveofyoungtreesallowedafullviewofahouseofsomesize,andverygreatpretensions。

JanelookedatthehomeofherfriendAdelinewithinterest——Harryexclaimed,“Whatarchitecture!”

“Don'tabuseit,“saidElinor,“forIassureyou'Mr。Taylor'ssplendidmansion'——'Mr。Taylor'smagnificentseat'isverymuchadmired。“

JustasthepartyreachedthepiazzaofWyllys-Roof,Mr。Taylor'sbarouchedroveuptothedoor,andinaninstantMissAdelineTaylorhadthrownherself,andherfashionablemorning-dress,intoJane'sarms。

“Iwassogladtofindyouwerestayinghere!”sheexclaimed。“PaandIonlyarrivedfromSaratogalastnight;Ididnotexpectyouforamonthtocome。“

“Wehadaveryshortpassagefortheseason,“saidJane,returningtheembracequitecordially。

“Weseemtohavetakenallourfriendsratherbysurprise,MissTaylor,“saidHarry。

“Well,ifIhadbeeninyourplace,IshouldhavestaidinParistillthelastminute;——though,Idaresay,YOUwereinahurrytogetbacktoLongbridge,Mr。Hazlehurst;nodoubtyouwantedtoseeMEverymuch。PutIwonderthatJanedidnotcontrivetostaythere。“

Harrylookedalittleembarrassed,andJane,too,colouredalittle;thoughthereseemedtobenoverygoodreasonthateithershoulddoso。

“DidyoufindSaratogapleasant,thissummer,MissTaylor?”askedElinor,drawingachairnearthebenchwherethetwofriendsweresitting,handinhand。

“Oh,delightful!——Everyhousefull,fromthecellartothegarret。HowoftenIwishedforyou,Jane!ifitwasonlyearlierintheseasonIwouldmakepatakeusthereagain,justforthepleasureofshowingoffyournewFrenchfashions——youwouldbethegreatestbelleoftheseason。“

“Weneednotinquirewhowasthebelle,“saidElinor;“suchimportantnewsreachesevensober,home-stayingpeoplelikeus。“

“Oh,wehadhalfadozenbelles——alllively,prettygirls。Therewasayounggentleman,fromSavannah,atCongressHall,whowrotesomeversesaboutus,andcalledusthe'ChimeofBells;'itwasasortofimitationof'ThoseEveningBells,'andwaspublishedintheSaratogapapers。ButifJanehadbeenthere,Idon'tthinkweshouldhavestoodmuchchance。“

{“ThoseEveningBells,“popularsongbytheIrishpoetThomasMoore(1779-1852),arrangedbySirJohnStevenson(1761-1833)}

“Youthinkthepoetwouldhaverungabob-major,forJane?”

“Certainly;withhertrunksfullofthingsfromParis,shewouldhavecarriedallbeforeher。“

“Idon'tthinkJanehasbroughtaverylargeshareoffinerywithher,“saidElinor。

“No,indeed,“saidHarry;“onlyfivetrunksandthreeboxes,whichIhadthehonourofgettingthroughtheCustom-House。“

“Butpartofitwasforherfriends,“saidElinor。

“Youwouldhaveneededalargesupply,Icantellyou,Jane,“

saidMissAdeline,“ifyouhadwantedtoout-dashus;forwedeterminedthisseason,somehalf-dozenofus,toout-dotheyoungladieswhoweretherelastyear。“

“Didyousucceed?”saidHazlehurst。

“Tobesurewedid。Wemadeafirmresolvenotonlytochangeourdresssixtimeseveryday,butnevertowearthesamedresstwice。Wedroveseveralfamiliesawaybythatmanoeuvre;butyouhavenoideawhatfunitwastous,whoenteredintothespiritofthething。Fortwodays,though,wewereingreattrepidation。

TherewereacoupleofBaltimoregirlsthere,greatdashers,whowouldnotenterintoouragreement;andthespitefulthingsactuallychangedtheirdressseventimes,thetwofirstdays。“

“Sevenchanges!”saidElinor;“howdidtheymanagethat?”

“Why,theycamedowntobreakfastinawhitedress;afterbreakfasttheywoulddriveinanother,ofcourse;thentheywouldshowthemselvesinthedrawing-room,afterdriving,inapinkmuslin,perhaps;atdinner,theyworeanother;thenafterdinner,theywouldchangeagain;intheeveningtheyworeparty-dresses,ofcourse;andaftertheywentupstairs,theywouldvisiteachotherinwhattheycalleddressnight-wrappers。Now,wasn'titmeaninthem?”

“Very,“saidHarry,laughing。

“Tobesureitwas。Changingsixtimeswasnomorethanwasnecessary;allwe'eveningbells'did,wasnevertowearthesamedresstwice。Wouldyoubelieveit,afterputtingsuchaboldfaceonthematter,thethirddaytheydisappearedsuddenly!Wehadagoodcrow,Icantellyou。Therewasapoorlittleinnocentthere,atthesametime,fromBoston,whotriedtobeatusonanothertack,asLieut。Johnsonsaid;theycalledhertheblue-bell。Well,sheneverchangedherdress,morning,noon,ornight——andjusttospiteus。But,dearme,weonlylaughed——wedidn'tcareafigforher;althoughshewasverypretty,shecouldn'tgetamantospeaktoher,exceptingoneoldfossilProfessor,whoworespectacles,andwalkedupanddownwithheronthepiazzaallthetime。“

{“Lieut。Johnson“=notidentified}

“ShewasnoworthyrivalfortheChimeofBells!”saidHarry。

“Certainlynot。ButIcantellyou,thatafterwehadbeenthereaweek,twooftheChimewereingreatdanger,andoneofthemnolessapersonthanyourhumbleservant;theotherwasAnneHunter——Jane,yourememberAnneHunter,whowasatMrs。G——'swithus?Well,AnneandIwereingreattrouble,oneday。Now,Mr。Hazlehurst,Ihopeyoucankeepasecret。“

“Alady'ssecret?——Canyoudoubtme,MissTaylor?”

“Well,mindnow,younevermentionit;but,AnneandIgotdowntoourlastdozendresses,andwewerepledgedtostayaweeklonger。ThiswasMonday,andonThursdaytherewastobeapic-nic,givenexpresslytotheChimeofBells。Atfirst,I

thoughtIwastheonlyoneinsuchadeplorablestate;but,happily,IdiscoveredthatAnne,whoseroomwasnexttomine,wasnobetteroff。Andnow,howdoyousupposewemanaged?”

“Pray,whatdidyoudo?”saidElinor,laughing。

“Totellthetruth,Isatdownandcried;forIamhigh-spirited,andIcouldnotbearthethoughtsofsuchamortification。ButAnneisanexcellentmanager,youknow,Jane——“

“Yes,Irememberher。“

“Annehadaplanthatcarriedallofftriumphantly。Sheproposedtome,topersuadetheotherthree'eveningbells,'thattodohonourtothepic-nic,weshouldbedressedalike,inasortofuniform。Well,ofcourse,theothersagreed;butthen,howtofindthefivedressesalike!Ofcourse,wecouldn'twearanythingmadeinSaratoga。Thepoethadentreatedus,inasonnet,tobealldressedinwhite;sowefixeduponwhitebatiste——but,howtogetthem,wasthequestion。“

“Iamallcuriosity——“saidElinor。

“Oh!itwasbeautifullydone,——AnneproposedweshouldallwriteanadvertisementforatrustyescorttoNewYork,andpostituponthecurtainsoftheladies'drawing-room。Whatfunwehad,whilewewerewritingtheadvertisements!Wetookanopportunity,whenweandourbeauxhadthedrawing-roomtoourselves,tovotethegentlemenoutofit。Afterawhile,theywent;but,whatdoyousupposethewretchesdid,Mr。Hazlehurst?”

“Nothingungallant,Itrust。“

“Yes;tospiteus,theycrowdedtothewindowsonthepiazza,tillwedroppedtheblinds。Well,foratime,wethoughtweweresafe;butsuddenlyAnneHuntershoutedout,andtherecomfortablyseatedinatreeclosetotheendwindow,wheretheblindwasbroken,wesawoneoftheyounggentlemenwithanote-bookinhishand!Wevowedwewouldn'tbedefeated,sowepinnedupourpocket-handkerchiefstogether,and,fortunately,theycoveredthepeep-hole;andsoweshuthimout,atlast。“

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