ThisfinishedthegreatPigwacketCentreSchoolrebellion。Whatcouldbedonewithamasterwhowassopleasantaslongastheboysbehaveddecently，andsuchaterriblefellowwhenhegot“riled。”astheycalledit？Inaweek’stimeeverythingwasreducedtoorder，andtheschool-committeeweredelighted。Themaster，however，hadreceivedapropositionsomuchmoreagreeableandadvantageous，thatheinformedthecommitteeheshouldleaveattheendofhismonth，havinginhiseyeasensibleandenergeticyoungcollege-graduatewhowouldbewillingandfullycompetenttotakehisplace。
So，attheexpirationoftheappointedtime，BernardLangdon，latemasteroftheSchoolDistrictNo。1，PigwacketCentre，tookhisdeparturefromthatplaceforanotherlocality，whitherweshallfollowhim，carryingwithhimtheregretsofthecommittee，ofmostofthescholars，andofseveralyoungladies；alsotwolocksofhair，sentunbeknowntopayrents，onedarkandonewarmishauburn，inscribedwiththerespectiveinitialsofAlminyCutterrandArvillyBraowne。
CHAPTERIV
THEMOTHFLIESINTOTHECANDLE。
TheinvitationwhichMr。BernardLangdonhadacceptedcamefromtheBoardofTrusteesofthe“ApollineanFemaleInstitute。”aschoolfortheeducationofyoungladies，situatedintheflourishingtownofRockland。Thiswasanestablishmentonaconsiderablescale，inwhichahundredscholarsorthereaboutsweretaughttheordinaryEnglishbranches，severalofthemodernlanguages，somethingofLatin，ifdesired，withalittlenaturalphilosophy，metaphysics，andrhetoric，tofinishoffwithinthelastyear，andmusicatanytimewhentheywouldpayforit。AtthecloseoftheircareerintheInstitute，theyweresubmittedtoagrandpublicexamination，andreceiveddiplomastiedinblueribbons，whichproclaimedthemwithagreatflourishofcapitalstobegraduatesoftheApollineanFemaleInstitute。
Rocklandwasatownofnoinconsiderablepretensions。Itwasennobledbylyingatthefootofamountain，——calledbytheworking-
folksoftheplace“theMaounting。”——whichsufficientlyshowedthatitwastheprincipalhighlandofthedistrictinwhichitwassituated。Itlaytothesouthofthis，andbaskedinthesunshineasItalystretchesherselfbeforetheAlps。TopassfromthetownofTamarackonthenorthofthemountaintoRocklandonthesouthwaslikecrossingfromCoiretoChiavenna。
Thereisnothinggivesgloryandgrandeurandromanceandmysterytoaplaceliketheimpendingpresenceofahighmountain。OurbeautifulNorthamptonwithitsfairmeadowsandnoblestreamislovelyenough，butowesitssurpassingattractiontothosetwinsummitswhichbroodoveritlikelivingpresences，lookingdownintoitsstreetsasiftheywereitstutelarydivinities，dressingandundressingtheirgreenshrines，robingthemselvesinjubilantsunshineorinsorrowingclouds，anddoingpenanceinthesnowyshroudofwinter，asiftheyhadlivingheartsundertheirrockyribsandchangedtheirmoodlikethechildrenofthesoilattheirfeet，whogrowupundertheiralmostparentalsmilesandfrowns。HappyisthechildwhosefirstdreamsofheavenareblendedwiththeeveninggloriesofMountHolyoke，whenthesunisfiringitstreetops，andgildingthewhitewallsthatmarkitsonehumandwelling！Iftheotherandthewilderofthetwosummitshasascowlofterrorinitsoverhangingbrows，yetisitapleasingfeartolookuponitssavagesolitudesthroughthebarrednursery-windowsintheheartofthesweet，companionablevillage——Andhowthemountainslovetheirchildren！Theseaisofafacilevirtue，andwillruntokissthefirstcomerinanyporthevisits；butthechastemountainssitapart，andshowtheirfacesonlyinthemidstoftheirownfamilies。
TheMountainwhichkeptwatchtothenorthofRocklandlaywasteandalmostinviolatethroughmuchofitsdomain。Thecatamountstillglaredfromthebranchesofitsoldhemlocksonthelesserbeaststhatstrayedbeneathhim。Itwasnotlongsinceawolfhadwandereddown，famishedinthewinter’sdearth，andleftafewbonesandsometuftsofwoolofwhathadbeenalambinthemorning。Nay，therewerebroad-footedtracksinthesnowonlytwoyearspreviously，whichcouldnotbemistaken；——theblackbearalonecouldhavesetthatplantigradeseal，andlittlechildrenmustcomehomeearlyfromschoolandplay，forheisanindiscriminatefeederwhenheishungry，andalittlechildwouldnotcomeamisswhenothergamewaswanting。
Buttheseoccasionalvisitorsmayhavebeenmerewanderers，which，strayingalonginthewoodsbyday，andperhapsstalkingthroughthestreetsofstillvillagesbynight，hadworkedtheirwayalongdownfromtheraggedmountain-spursofhigherlatitudes。TheonefeatureofTheMountainthatshedthebrownesthorroronitswoodswastheexistenceoftheterribleregionknownasRattlesnakeLedge，andstilltenantedbythosedamnablereptiles，whichdistilafiercervenomunderourcoldnorthernskythanthecobrahimselfinthelandoftropicalspicesandpoisons。
>Fromtheearliestsettlementoftheplace，thisfacthadbeen，nexttotheIndians，thereigningnightmareoftheinhabitants。Itwaseasyenough，afteratime，todriveawaythesavages；for“ascreechingIndianDivell。”asourfatherscalledhim，couldnotcrawlintothecrackofarocktoescapefromhispursuers。ButthevenomouspopulationofRattlesnakeLedgehadaGibraltarfortheirfortressthatmighthavedefiedthesiege-traindraggedtothewallsofSebastopol。Initsdeepembrasuresanditsimpregnableeasematestheyrearedtheirfamilies，theymetinloveorwrath，theytwinedtogetherinfamilyknots，theyhisseddefianceinhostileclans，theyfed，slept，hibernated，andinduetimediedinpeace。Manyaforayhadthetowns-peoplemade，andmanyastuffedskinwasshownasatrophy，——nay，therewerefamilieswherethechildren’sfirsttoywasmadefromthewarningappendagethatoncevibratedtothewrathofoneofthese“cruelserpents。”Sometimesoneofthem，coaxedoutbyawarmsun，wouldwrithehimselfdownthehillsideintotheroads，upthewalksthatledtohouses，——worsethanthis，intothelonggrass，wherethebarefootedmowerswouldsoonpasswiththeirswingingscythes，——morerarelyintohouses，andononememorableoccasion，earlyinthelastcentury，intothemeeting-house，wherehetookapositiononthepulpit-stairs，——asisnarratedinthe“AccountofSomeRemarkableProvidences。”etc。，whereitissuggestedthatastrongtendencyoftheRev。DidymusBean，theMinisteratthattime，towardstheArminianHeresymayhavehadsomethingtodowithit，andthattheSerpentsupposedtohavebeenkilledonthePulpit-StairswasafalseshowoftheDaemon’sContrivance，hehavingcomeintolistentoaDiscoursewhichwasasweetSavourinhisNostrils，and，ofcourse，notbeingcapableofbeingkilledHimself。Otherssaid，however，that，thoughtherewasgoodReasontothinkitwasaDamon，yethedidcomewithIntenttobitetheHeelofthatfaithfulServant，——etc。
OneGilsonissaidtohavediedofthebiteofarattlesnakeinthistownearlyinthepresentcentury。Afterthistherewasagreatsnake-hunt，inwhichverymanyofthesevenomousbeastswerekilled，——oneinparticular，saidtohavebeenasbigroundasastoutman’sarm，andtohavehadnolessthanfortyjointstohisrattle，——
indicating，accordingtosome，thathehadlivedfortyyears，but，ifwemightputanyfaithintheIndiantradition，thathehadkilledfortyhumanbeings，——anidlefancy，clearly。Thishunt，however，hadnopermanenteffectinkeepingdowntheserpentpopulation。
Viviparous，creaturesareakindofspecie-payinglot，butoviparousonesonlygivetheirnotes，asitwere，forafuturebrood，——aneggbeing，sotospeak，apromisetopayayoungonebyandby，ifnothinghappen。Nowthedomestichabitsoftherattlesnakearenotstudiedveryclosely，forobviousreasons；butitis，nodoubt，toallintentsandpurposesoviparous。Consequentlyithaslargefamilies，andisnoteasytokillout。
Intheyear184-，amelancholyproofwasaffordedtotheinhabitantsofRockland，thatthebroodwhichinfestedTheMountainwasnotextirpated。Averyinterestingyoungmarriedwoman，detainedathomeatthetimebythestateofherhealth，wasbittenintheentryofherownhousebyarattlesnakewhichhadfounditswaydownfromTheMountain。Owingtothealmostinstantemploymentofpowerfulremedies，thebitedidnotproveimmediatelyfatal；butshediedwithinafewmonthsofthetimewhenshewasbitten。
AllthisseemedtothrowaluridkindofshadowoverTheMountain。
Yet，asmanyyearspassedwithoutanyaccident，peoplegrewcomparativelycareless，anditmightratherbesaidtoaddafearfulkindofinteresttotheromantichillside，thatthebandedreptiles，whichhadbeentheterroroftheredmenfornobodyknowshowmanythousandyears，weretherestill，withthesamepoison-bagsandspring-teethatthewhitemen’sservice，iftheymeddledwiththem。
TheothernaturalfeaturesofRocklandweresuchasmanyofourpleasantcountry-townscanboastof。Abrookcametumblingdownthemountain-sideandskirtedthemostthicklysettledportionofthevillage。Inthepartsofitscoursewhereitranthroughthewoods，thewaterlookedalmostasbrownascoffeeflowingfromitsurn，——tosaylikesmokyquartzwouldperhapsgiveabetteridea，——butintheopenplainitsparkledoverthepebbleswhiteasaqueen’sdiamonds。
Therewerehuckleberry-pasturesonthelowerflanksofTheMountain，withplentyofthesweet-scentedbayberrymingledwiththeotherbushes。Inotherfieldsgrewgreatstoreofhigh-bushblackberries。
Alongtheroadsidewerebayberry-bushes，hungalloverwithbrightredcoralpendantsinautumnandfarintothewinter。Thentherewereswampssetthickwithdingyalders，wherethethree-leavedarumandtheskunk’s-cabbagegrewbroadandsucculent，shelvingdownintoblackboggypoolshereandthereattheedgeofwhichthegreenfrog，stupidestofhistribe，satwaitingtobevictimizedbyboyorsnapping-turtlelongaftertheshyandagileleopard-froghadtakenthesix-footspringthatplumpedhimintothemiddleofthepool。
Andontheneighboringbanksthemaiden-hairspreaditsflatdiskofembroideredfrondsonthewire-likestemthatglistenedpolishedandbrownasthedarkesttortoise-shell，andpaleviolets，cheatedbythecoldskiesoftheirhuesandperfume，sunnedthemselveslikewhite-
cheekedinvalids。Overtheserosetheoldforest-trees，——themaple，scarredwiththewoundswhichhaddrainedawayitssweetlife-blood，——thebeech，itssmoothgraybarkmottledsoastolooklikethebodyofoneofthosegreatsnakesofoldthatusedtofrightenarmies，alwaysthemarkoflovers’knives，asinthedaysofMusidoraandherswain，——theyellowbirch，roughasthebreastofSilenusinoldmarbles，——thewildcherry，itslittlebitterfruitlyingunheededatitsfoot，——and，soaringoverall，thehuge，coarse-barked，splintery-
limbed，dark-mantledhemlock，inthedepthofwhoseaerialsolitudesthecrowbroodedonhernestunscared，andthegraysquirrellivedunharmedtillhisincisorsgrewtolooklikeram’s-horns。
Rocklandwouldhavebeenbuthalfatownwithoutitspond；GuinnepegPondwasthenameofit，buttheyoungladiesoftheApollineanInstitutewereveryanxiousthatitshouldbecalledCrystallineLake。Itwasherethattheyoungfolksusedtosailinsummerandskateinwinter；here，too，thosequeer，old，rum-scentedgood-for-
nothing，lazy，story-telling，half-vagabonds，whosawedalittlewoodordugafewpotatoesnowandthenunderthepretenceofworkingfortheirliving，usedtogoandfishthroughtheiceforpickereleverywinter。Andherethosethreeyoungpeopleweredrowned，afewsummersago，bytheupsettingofasail-boatinasuddenflawofwind。Thereisnotoneofthesesmilingpondswhichhasnotdevouredmoreyouthsandmaidensthananyofthosemonsterstheancientsusedtotellsuchliesabout。Butitwasaprettypond，andneverlookedmoreinnocent——sothenative“bard“ofRocklandsaidinhiselegy——
thanonthemorningwhentheyfoundSarahJaneandEllenMariafloatingamongthelily-pads。
TheApollineanInstitute，orInstitoot，asitwasmorecommonlycalled，was，inthelanguageofitsProspectus，a“first-classEducationalEstablishment。”Itemployedaconsiderablecorpsofinstructorstoroughoutandfinishthehundredyoungladyscholarsitshelteredbeneathitsroof。First，Mr。andMrs。Peckham，thePrincipalandtheMatronoftheschool。SilasPeckhamwasathoroughYankee，bornonawindypartofthecoast，andrearedchieflyonsalt-fish。EverybodyknowsthetypeofYankeeproducedbythisclimateanddiet：thin，asifhehadbeensplitanddried；withanashenkindofcomplexion，likethetintofthefoodheismadeof；
andaboutassharp，tough，juiceless，andbitingtodealwithastheotheristothetaste。SilasPeckhamkeptayoungladies’schoolexactlyashewouldhavekeptahundredheadofcattle，——forthesimple，unadornedpurposeofmakingjustasmuchmoneyinjustasfewyearsascouldbesafelydone。Mr。Peckhamgaveverylittlepersonalattentiontothedepartmentofinstruction，butwasalwaysbusywithcontractsforflourandpotatoes，beefandpork，andothernutritivestaples，theamountofwhichrequiredforsuchanestablishmentwasenoughtofrightenaquartermaster。Mrs。PeckhamwasfromtheWest，raisedonIndiancornandpork，whichgiveafulleroutlineandamorehumidtemperament，butmayperhapsbethoughttorenderpeoplealittlecoarse-fibred。Herspecialtywastolookafterthefeathering，cackling，roosting，rising，andgeneralbehaviorofthesehundredchicks。Anhonest，ignorantwoman，shecouldnothavepassedanexaminationintheyoungestclass。Sothisdistinguishedinstitutionwasunderthechargeofacommissaryandahousekeeper，anditsrealbusinesswasmakingmoneybytakingyounggirlsinasboarders。
Connectedwiththis，however，wastheincidentalfact，whichthepublictookfortheprincipalone，namely，thebusinessofinstruction。Mr。Peckhamknewwellenoughthatitwasjustaswelltohavegoodinstructorsasbadones，sofarascostwasconcerned，andagreatdealbetterforthereputationofhisfeeding-
establishment。Hetriedtogetthebesthecouldwithoutpayingtoomuch，and，havinggotthem，toscrewalltheworkoutofthemthatcouldpossiblybeextracted。
TherewasamasterfortheEnglishbranches，withayoungladyassistant。TherewasanotheryoungladywhotaughtFrench，oftheahvaungandbaundahngstyle，whichdoesnotexactlysmackoftheasphaltoftheBoulevards。TherewasalsoaGermanteacherofmusic，whosometimeshelpedinFrenchoftheahfaungandbauntaungstyle，——
sothat，betweenthetwo，theyoungladiescouldhardlyhavebeenmistakenforParisians，byaCommitteeoftheFrenchAcademy。TheGermanteacheralsotaughtaLatinclassafterhisfashion，——benna，aben，gahboot，ahead，andsoforth。
ThemasterfortheEnglishbrancheshadlatelylefttheschoolforprivatereasons，whichneednotbeherementioned，——buthehadgone，atanyrate，anditwashisplacewhichhadbeenofferedtoMr。
BernardLangdon。Theoffercamejustinseason，——as，forvariouscauses，hewaswillingtoleavetheplacewherehehadbegunhisnewexperience。
ItwasonafinemorningthatMr。Bernard，usheredinbyMr。Peckham，madehisappearanceinthegreatschoolroomoftheApollineanInstitute。Ageneralrustleranallroundtheseatswhenthehandsomeyoungmanwasintroduced。TheprincipalcarriedhimtothedeskoftheyoungladyEnglishassistant，MissDarleybyname，andintroducedhimtoher。
Therewasnotagreatdealofstudydonethatday。Theyoungladyassistanthadtopointouttothenewmasterthewholeroutineinwhichtheclasseswereengagedwhentheirlateteacherleft，andwhichhadgoneonaswellasitcouldsince。ThenMasterLangdonhadagreatmanyquestionstoask，somerelatingtohisnewduties，andsome，perhaps，implyingadegreeofcuriositynotveryunnaturalunderthecircumstances。Thetruthis，thegeneraleffectoftheschoolroom，withitsscoresofyounggirls，alltheireyesnaturallycentringonhimwithfixedorfurtiveglances，wasenoughtobewilderandconfuseayoungmanlikeMasterLangdon，thoughhewasnotdestituteofself-possession，aswehavealreadyseen。
Youcannotgettogetherahundredgirls，takingthemastheycome，fromthecomfortableandaffluentclasses，probablyanywhere，certainlynotinNewEngland，withoutseeingagooddealofbeauty。
Infact，weverycommonlymeanbybeautythewayyounggirlslookwhenthereisnothingtohindertheirlookingasNaturemeantthemto。AndthegreatschoolroomoftheApollineanInstitutedidreallymakesoprettyashowonthemorningwhenMasterLangdonenteredit，thathemightbepardonedforaskingMissDarleymorequestionsabouthisscholarsthanabouttheirlessons。
Thereweregirlsofallages：littlecreatures，somepallidanddelicate-looking，theoffspringofinvalidparents，——muchgiventobooks，notmuchtomischief，commonlyspokenofasparticularlygoodchildren，andcontrastedwithanothersort，girlsofmorevigorousorganization，whoweredisposedtolaughingandplay，andrequiredastronghandtomanagethem；thenyounggrowingmissesofeveryshadeofSaxoncomplexion，andhereandthereoneofmoreSouthernhue：
blondes，someofthemsotranslucent-lookingthatitseemedasifyoucouldseethesoulsintheirbodies，likebubblesinglass，ifsoulswereobjectsofsight；brunettes，somewithrose-redcolors，andsomewiththatswarthyhuewhichoftencarrieswithitaheavily-shadedlip，andwhich，withpureoutlinesandoutspokenreliefs，givesussomeofourhandsomestwomen，——thewomenwhomornamentsofplaingoldadornmorethananyotherparures；andagain，butonlyhereandthere，onewithdarkhairandgrayorblueeyes，aCeltictype，perhaps，butfoundinournativestockoccasionally；rarestofall，alight-hairedgirlwithdarkeyes，hazel，brown，orofthecolorofthatmountain-brookspokenofinthischapter，whereitranthroughshadowywoodlands。Withtheseweretobeseenatintervalssomeofmatureryears，full-blownflowersamongtheopeningbuds，withthatconsciouslookupontheirfaceswhichsomanywomenwearduringtheperiodwhentheynevermeetasinglemanwithouthavinghismonosyllablereadyforhim，——tiedastheyare，poorthings！ontherockofexpectation，eachofthemanAndromedawaitingforherPerseus。
“Whoisthatgirlinringlets，——thefourthinthethirdrowontheright？“saidMasterLangdon。
“CharlotteAnnWood。”saidMissDarley；“writesveryprettypoems。”
“Oh！——Andthepinkone，threeseatsfromher？Looksbright；anythinginher？“
“EmmaDean，——day-scholar，——SquireDean’sdaughter，——nicegirl，——
secondmedallastyear。”
Themasteraskedthesetwoquestionsinacarelesskindofway，anddidnotseemtopayanytoomuchattentiontotheanswers。
“Andwhoandwhatisthat。”hesaid，——“sittingalittleapartthere，——thatstrange，wild-lookinggirl？“
Thistimeheputtherealquestionhewantedanswered；——theothertwowereaskedatrandom，asmasksforthethird。
Thelady-teacher’sfacechanged；——onewouldhavesaidshewasfrightenedortroubled。Shelookedatthegirldoubtfully，asifshemighthearthemaster’squestionanditsanswer。Butthegirldidnotlookup；——shewaswindingagoldchainaboutherwrist，andthenuncoilingit，asifinakindofreverie。
MissDarleydrewclosetothemasterandplacedherhandsoastohideherlips。“Don’tlookatherasifweweretalkingabouther。”
shewhisperedsoftly；“thatisElsieVenner。”
CHAPTERV。
ANOLD-FASHIONEDDESCRIPTIVECHAPTER。
Itwasacomforttogettoaplacewithsomethinglikesociety，withresidenceswhichhadpretensionstoelegance，withpeopleofsomebreeding，withanewspaper，and“stores“toadvertiseinit，andwithtwoorthreechurchestokeepeachotheralivebywholesomeagitation。Rocklandwassuchaplace。
Someofthenaturalfeaturesofthetownhavebeendescribedalready。
TheMountain，ofcourse，waswhatgaveititscharacter，andredeemeditfromwearingthecommonplaceexpressionwhichbelongstoordinarycountry-villages。Beautiful，wild，investedwiththemysterywhichbelongstountroddenspaces，andwithenoughofterrortogiveitdignity，ithadyetcloserrelationswiththetownoverwhichitbroodedthanthepassingstrangerknewof。Thus，itmadealocalclimatebycuttingoffthenorthernwindsandholdingthesun’sheatlikeagarden-wall。Peachtrees，which，onthenorthernsideofthemountain，hardlyevercametofruit，ripenedabundantcropsinRockland。
Buttherewasstillanotherrelationbetweenthemountainandthetownatitsfoot，whichstrangerswerenotlikelytohearalludedto，andwhichwasoftenerthoughtofthanspokenofbyitsinhabitants。
Thosehigh-impendingforests，——“hangers。”asWhiteofSelbornewouldhavecalledthem，——slopingfarupwardandbackwardintothedistance，hadalwaysanairofmenaceblendedwiththeirwildbeauty。Itseemedasifsomeheaven-scalingTitanhadthrownhisshaggyrobeoverthebare，precipitousflanksoftherockysummit，anditmightatanymomentslidelikeagarmentflungcarelesslyonthenearestchance-support，and，sosliding，crushthevillageoutofbeing，astheRossbergwhenittumbledoveronthevalleyofGoldau。
Personshavebeenknowntoremovefromtheplace，afterashortresidenceinit，becausetheywerehaunteddayandnightbythethoughtofthisawfulgreenwall，piledupintotheairovertheirheads。Theywouldlieawakeofnights，thinkingtheyheardthemuffedsnappingofroots，asifathousandacresofthemountain-sideweretuggingtobreakaway，likethesnowfromahouse-roof，andahundredthousandtreeswereclingingwithalltheirfibrestoholdbackthesoiljustreadytopeelawayandcrashdownwithallitsrocksandforest-growths。Andyet，byoneofthosestrangecontradictionsweareconstantlyfindinginhumannature，therewerenativesofthetownwhowouldcomebackthirtyorfortyyearsafterleavingit，justtonestleunderthissamethreateningmountainside，asoldmensunthemselvesagainstsouthward-facingwalls。Theolddreamsandlegendsofdangeraddedtotheattraction。Ifthemountainshouldeverslide，theyhadakindoffeelingasiftheyoughttobethere。Itwasafascinationlikethatwhichtherattlesnakeissaidtoexert。
Thiscomparisonnaturallysuggeststherecollectionofthatothersourceofdangerwhichwasanelementintheevery-daylifeoftheRocklandpeople。Thefolksinsomeoftheneighboringtownshadajokeagainstthem，thataRocklandercouldn’thearabeanpodrattlewithoutsaying，“TheLordhavemercyonus！“Itisverytrue，thatmanyanervousoldladyhashadaterriblestart，causedbysomemischievousyoungrogue’sgivingasuddenshaketooneofthesenoisyvegetableproductsinherimmediatevicinity。Yet，strangelyenough，manypersonsmissedtheexcitementofthepossibilityofafatalbiteinotherregions，wheretherewerenothingbutblackandgreenandstripedsnakes，meanophidians，havingthespiteofthenoblerserpentwithouthisvenom，——poorcrawlingcreatures，whomNaturewouldnottrustwithapoison-bag。ManynativesofRocklanddidunquestionablyexperienceacertaingratificationinthisinfinitesimalsenseofdanger。Itwasnotedthattheoldpeopleretainedtheirhearinglongerthaninotherplaces。Somesaiditwasthesoftenedclimate，butothersbelieveditwasowingtothehabitofkeepingtheirearsopenwhenevertheywerewalkingthroughthegrassorinthewoods。Atanyrate，aslightsenseofdangerisoftenanagreeablestimulus。Peoplesiptheircremedenoyauwithapeculiartremulouspleasure，becausethereisabarepossibilitythatitmaycontainprussicacidenoughtoknockthemover；inwhichcasetheywilllieasdeadasifathunder-cloudhademptieditselfintotheearththroughtheirbrainandmarrow。
ButRocklandhadotherfeatureswhichhelpedtogiveitaspecialcharacter。Firstofall，therewasonegrandstreetwhichwasitschiefglory。ElmStreetitwascalled，naturallyenough，foritselmsmadealong，pointed-archedgalleryofitthroughmostofitsextent。NonaturalGothicarchcompares，foramoment，withthatformedbytwoAmericanelms，wheretheirloftyjetsoffoliageshootacrosseachother’sascendingcurves，tointermingletheirshoweryflakesofgreen。Whenonelooksthroughalongdoublerowofthese，asinthatlovelyavenuewhichthepoetsofYaleremembersowell，“Oh，couldthevistaofmylifebutnowasbrightappearAswhenIfirstthroughTempleStreetlookeddownthineespalier！“
hebeholdsatemplenotbuiltwithhands，fairerthananyminster，withallitsclusteredstemsandfloweringcapitals，thatevergrewinstone。
NobodyknowsNewEnglandwhoisnotontermsofintimacywithoneofitselms。Theelmcomesnearertohavingasoulthananyothervegetablecreatureamongus。Itlovesmanasmanlovesit。Itismodestandpatient。Ithasasmallflakeofaseedwhichblowsineverywhereandmakesarrangementsforcomingupbyandby。So，inspring，onefindsacropofbaby-elmsamonghiscarrotsandparsnips，veryweakandsmallcomparedtothosesucculentvegetables。Thebaby-elmsdie，mostofthem，slain，unrecognizedorunheeded，byhandorhoe，asmeeklyasHerod’sinnocents。Oneofthemgetsoverlooked，perhaps，untilithasestablishedakindofrighttostay。Threegenerationsofcarrotandparsnipconsumershavepassedaway，yourselfamongthem，andnowletyourgreat-grandsonlookforthebaby-elm。Twenty-twofeetofcleangirth，threehundredandsixtyfeetinthelinethatboundsitsleafycircle，itcoverstheboywithsuchacanopyasneitherglossy-leafedoaknorinsect-hauntedlindeneverliftedintothesummerskies。
ElmStreetwastheprideofRockland，butnotonlyonaccountofitsGothic-archedvista。Inthisstreetweremostofthegreathouses，or“mansion-houses。”asitwasusualtocallthem。Alongthisstreet，also，themorenicelykeptandneatlypainteddwellingswerechieflycongregated。ItwasthecorrectthingforaRocklanddignitarytohaveahouseinElmStreet。ANewEngland“mansion-
house“isnaturallysquare，withdormerwindowsprojectingfromtheroof，whichhasabalustradewithturnedpostsroundit。Itshowsagoodbreadthoffront-yardbeforeitsdoor，asitsownershowsarespectableexpanseofacleanshirt-front。Ithasalateralmarginbeyonditsstablesandoffices，asitsmasterwearshiswhitewristbandsshowingbeyondhiscoat-cuffs。Itmaynothavewhatcanproperlybecalledgrounds，butitmusthaveelbow-room，atanyrate。
Withoutit，itislikeamanwhoisalwaystight-buttonedforwantofanylinentoshow。Themansion-housewhichhashadto“buttonitselfuptightinfences，forwantofgreenorgravelmargin，willbeadvertisingforboarderspresently。TheoldEnglishpatternoftheNewEnglandmansion-house，onlyonasomewhatgranderscale，isSirThomasAbney’splace，wheredear，goodDr。Wattssaidprayersforthefamily，andwrotethoseblessedhymnsofhisthatsingusintoconsciousnessinourcradles，andcomebacktousinsweet，singleverses，betweenthemomentsofwanderingandofstupor，whenweliedying，andsoundoveruswhenwecannolongerhearthem，bringinggratefultearstothehot，achingeyesbeneaththethick，blackveils，andcarryingtheholycalmwiththemwhichfilledthegoodman’sheart，asheprayedandsungundertheshelteroftheoldEnglishmansion-house。Nexttothemansion-houses，camethetwo-
storytrim，white-painted，“genteel“houses，which，beingmoregossipyandlessnicelybred，crowdedcloseuptothestreet，insteadofstandingbackfromitwitharmsakimbo，likethemansion-houses。
Theirlittlefront-yardswereverycommonlyfulloflilacandsyringaandotherbushes，whichwereallowedtosmotherthelowerstoryalmosttotheexclusionoflightandairysothat，whatwithsmallwindowsandsmallwindowpanes，andthedarknessmadebythesechokinggrowthsofshrubbery，thefrontparlorsofsomeofthesehouseswerethemosttomb-like，melancholyplacesthatcouldbefoundanywhereamongtheabodesoftheliving。Theirgarnishingwasapttoassistthisimpression。Large-patternedcarpets，whichalwayslookdiscontentedinlittlerooms，hairclothfurniture，blackandshinyasbeetles’wingcases，andcentre-tables，withasullenoil-lampofthekindcalledastralbyourimaginativeancestors，inthecentre，——
thesethingswereinevitable。Insetpilesroundthelampwasrangedthecurrentliteratureoftheday，intheformofTemperanceDocuments，unboundnumbersofoneoftheUnknownPublic’sMagazineswithworn-outsteelengravingsandhigh-coloredfashion-plates，thePoemsofadistinguishedBritishauthorwhomitisunnecessarytomention，avolumeofsermons，oranovelortwo，orboth，accordingtothetastesofthefamily，andtheGoodBook，whichisalwaysItselfinthecheapestandcommonestcompany。Thefatherofthefamilywithhishandinthebreastofhiscoat，themotherofthesameinawide-borderedcap，sometimesaprintoftheLastSupper，bynomeansMorghen’s，ortheFatherofhisCountry，ortheoldGeneral，ortheDefenderoftheConstitution，oranunknownclergymanwithanopenbookbeforehim，——theseweretheusualornamentsofthewalls，thefirsttwoamatterofrigor，theothersaccordingtopoliticsandothertendencies。
Thisintermediateclassofhouses，whereveronefindstheminNewEnglandtowns，areveryapttobecheerlessandunsatisfactory。Theyhaveneithertheluxuryofthemansion-housenorthecomfortofthefarm-house。Theyarerarelykeptatanagreeabletemperature。Themansion-househaslargefireplacesandgenerouschimneys，andisopentothesunshine。Thefarm-housemakesnopretensions，butithasagoodwarmkitchen，atanyrate，andonecanbecomfortabletherewiththerestofthefamily，withoutfearandwithoutreproach。Theselessercountry-housesofgenteelaspirationsaremuchgiventopatentsubterfugesofonekindandanothertogetheatwithoutcombustion。
Thechillyparlorandtheslipperyhair-clothseattakethelifeoutofthewarmestwelcome。Ifonewouldmaketheseplaceswholesome，happy，andcheerful，thefirstpreceptwouldbe，——Thedearestfuel，plentyofit，andlethalftheheatgoupthechimney。Ifyoucan’taffordthis，don’ttrytoliveina“genteel“fashion，butsticktothewaysofthehonestfarm-house。
Therewereagoodmanycomfortablefarm-housesscatteredaboutRockland。Thebestofthemweresomethingofthefollowingpattern，whichistoooftensupersededoflatebyamorepretentious，butinfinitelylesspleasingkindofrusticarchitecture。Alittlebackfromtheroad，seateddirectlyonthegreensod，roseaplainwoodenbuilding，twostoriesinfront，withalongroofslopingbackwardstowithinafewfeetoftheground。This，likethe“mansion-house。”iscopiedfromanoldEnglishpattern。CottagesofthismodelmaybeseeninLancashire，forinstance，alwayswiththesamehonest，homelylook，asiftheirroofsacknowledgedtheirrelationshiptothesoiloutofwhichtheysprung。Thewallswereunpainted，butturnedbytheslowactionofsunandairandraintoaquietdoveorslatecolor。Anoldbrokenmillstoneatthedoor，——awell-sweeppointinglikeafingertotheheavens，whichtheshiningroundofwaterbeneathlookedupatlikeadarkunsleepingeye，——asinglelargeelmalittleatoneside，——abarntwiceasbigasthehouse，——acattle-
yard，with“Thewhitehornstossingabovethewall。”——
somefields，inpastureorincrops，withlowstonewallsroundthem，——arowofbeehives，——agardenpatch，withroots，andcurrant-
bushes，andmany-huedhollyhocks，andswollen-stemmed，globe-headed，seedlingonions，andmarigoldsandflower-de-luces，andlady’s-
delights，andpeonies，crowdingintogether，withsouthernwoodintheborders，andwoodbineandhopsandmorning-gloriesclimbingastheygotachance，——thesewerethefeaturesbywhichtheRockland-bornchildrenrememberedthefarm-house，whentheyhadgrowntobemen。
Sucharetherecollectionsthatcomeoverpoorsailor-boyscrawlingoutonreelingyardstoreeftopsailsastheirvesselsstaggerroundthestormyCape；andsucharetheflittingimagesthatmaketheeyesofoldcountry-bornmerchantslookdimanddreamy，astheysitintheircitypalaces，warmwiththeafter-dinnerflushoftheredwaveoutofwhichMemoryarises，asAphroditearosefromthegreenwavesoftheocean。
Twomeeting-housesstoodontwoeminences，facingeachother，andlookinglikeacoupleoffighting-cockswiththeirnecksstraightupintheair，——asiftheywouldflaptheirroofs，thenextthing，andcrowoutoftheirupstretchedsteeples，andpeckateachother’sglasseyeswiththeirsharp-pointedweathercocks。
Thefirstwasagoodpatternoftherealold-fashionedNewEnglandmeeting-house。Itwasalargebarnwithwindows，frontedbyasquaretowercrownedwithakindofwoodenbellinvertedandraisedonlegs，outofwhichroseaslenderspirewiththesharp-billedweathercockatitssummit。Inside，tall，squarepewswithflappingseats，andagalleryrunningroundthreesidesofthebuilding。Onthefourthsidethepulpit，withahuge，dustysounding-boardhangingoverit。
HerepreachedtheReverendPierrepontHoneywood，D。D。，successor，afteranumberofgenerations，totheofficeandtheparsonageoftheReverendDidymusBean，beforementioned，butnotsuspectedofanyofhisallegedheresies。HeheldtotheoldfaithofthePuritans，andoccasionallydeliveredadiscoursewhichwasconsideredbythehard-
headedtheologiansofhisparishtohavesettledthewholematterfullyandfinally，sothatnowtherewasagoodlogicalbasislaiddownfortheMillennium，whichmightbeginatonceupontheplatformofhisdemonstrations。YettheReverendDr。Honeywoodwasfonderofpreachingplain，practicalsermonsaboutthedutiesoflife，andshowinghisChristianityinabundantgoodworksamonghispeople。Itwasnoticedbysomefewofhisflock，notwithoutcomment，thatthegreatmajorityofhistextscamefromtheGospels，andthismoreandmoreashebecameinterestedinvariousbenevolententerpriseswhichbroughthimintorelationswith-ministersandkindheartedlaymenofotherdenominations。Hewasinfactamanofaverywarm，open，andexceedinglyhumandisposition，and，althoughbredbyaclericalfather，whosemottowas“SitanimameacumPuritanis。”heexercisedhishumanfacultiesintheharnessofhisancientfaithwithsuchfreedomthatthestrapsofitgotsoloosetheydidnotinterferegreatlywiththecirculationofthewarmbloodthroughhissystem。
Onceinawhileheseemedtothinkitnecessarytocomeoutwithagranddoctrinalsermon，andthemhewouldlapseawayforawhileintopreachingonmen’sdutiestoeachotherandtosociety，andhithard，perhaps，atsomeoftheactualvicesofthetimeandplace，andinsistwithsuchtendernessandeloquenceonthegreatdepthandbreadthoftrueChristianloveandcharity，thathisoldestdeaconshookhishead，andwishedhehadshownasmuchinterestwhenhewaspreaching，threeSabbathsback，onPredestinaticn，orinhisdiscourseagainsttheSabellians。Buthewassoundinthefaith；nodoubtofthat。DidhenotpresideatthecouncilheldinthetownofTamarack，ontheothersideofthemountain，whichexpelleditsclergymanformaintaininghereticaldoctrines？Aspresidingofficer，hedidnotvote，ofcourse，buttherewasnodoubtthathewasallright；hehadsomeoftheEdwardsbloodinhim，andthatcouldn’tverywelllethimgowrong。
Themeeting-houseontheotherandoppositesummitwasofamoremodernstyle，consideredbymanyagreatimprovementontheoldNewEnglandmodel，sothatitisnotuncommonforacountryparishtopulldownitsoldmeeting-house，whichhasbeenpreachedinforahundredyearsorso，andputuponeofthesemoreelegantedifices。
Thenewbuildingwasinwhatmaybecalledthefloridshingle-Gothicmanner。Itspinnaclesandcrocketsandotherornamentswere，likethebodyofthebuilding，allofpinewood，——anadmirablematerial，asitisverysoftandeasilyworked，andcanbepaintedofanycolordesired。Inside，thewallswerestuccoedinimitationofstone，——
firstadarkbrownsquare，thentwolightbrownsquares，thenanotherdarkbrownsquare，andsoon，torepresenttheaccidentaldifferencesofshadealwaysnoticeableintherealstonesofwhichwallsarebuilt。Tobesure，thearchitectcouldnothelpgettinghisparty-
coloredsquaresinalmostasregularrhythmicalorderasthoseofachess-board；butnobodycanavoiddoingthingsinasystematicandserialway；indeed，peoplewhowishtoplanttreesinnaturalchimpsknowverywellthattheycannotkeepfrommakingregularlinesandsymmetricalfigures，unlessbysometrickorother，asthatoneofthrowingapeckofpotatoesupintotheairandstickinginatreewhereverapotatohappenstofall。Thepewsofthismeeting-houseweretheusualoblongones，wherepeoplesitclosetogether，withaledgebeforethemtosupporttheirhymn-books，liableonlytooccasionalcontactwiththebackofthenextpew’sheadsorbonnets，andaplacerunningundertheseatofthatpewwherehatscouldbedeposited，——alwaysattheriskoftheowner，incaseofinjurybybootsorcrickets。
Inthismeeting-housepreachedtheReverendChauncyFairweather，adivineofthe“Liberal“school，asitiscommonlycalled，bredatthatfamouscollegewhichusedtobethought，twentyorthirtyyearsago，tohavethemonopolyoftrainingyoungmeninthemilderformsofheresy。Hisministrationswereattendedwithdecency，butnotfollowedwithenthusiasm。“Thebeautyofvirtue“gottobeanoldstoryatlast。“Themoraldignityofhumannature“ceasedtoexciteathrillofsatisfaction，aftersomehundredrepetitions。Itgrewtobeadullbusiness，thispreachingagainststealingandintemperance，whileheknewverywellthatthethieveswereprowlingroundorchardsandemptyhouses，insteadofbeingtheretohearthesermon，andthatthedrunkards，beingrarelychurch-goers，getlittlegoodbythestatisticsandeloquentappealsofthepreacher。Everynowandthen，however，theReverendMr。Fairweatherletoffapolemicdiscourseagainsthisneighboropposite，whichwakedhispeopleupalittle；
butitwasalanguidcongregation，atbest，——veryapttostayawayfrommeetingintheafternoon，andnotatallgiventoextraeveningservices。Theminister，unlikehisrivaloftheothersideoftheway，wasadown-heartedandtimidkindofman。Hewentonpreachingashehadbeentaughttopreach，buthehadmisgivingsattimes。
TherewasalittleRomanCatholicchurchatthefootofthehillwherehisownwasplaced，whichhealwayshadtopassonSundays。Hecouldneverlookonthethrongingmultitudesthatcrowdeditspewsandaislesorkneltbare-headedonitssteps，withoutalongingtogetinamongthemandgodownonhiskneesandenjoythatluxuryofdevotionalcontactwhichmakesaworshippingthrongasdifferentfromthesamenumbersprayingapartasabedofcoalsisfromatrailofscatteredcinders。
“Oh，ifIcouldbuthuddleinwiththosepoorlaborersandworking-
women！“hewouldsaytohimself。“IfIcouldbutbreathethatatmosphere，stiflingthoughitbe，yetmadeholybyancientlitanies，andcloudywiththesmokeofhallowedincense，foronehour，insteadofdroningoverthesemoralpreceptstomyhalf-sleepingcongregation！“Theintellectualisolationofhissectpreyeduponhim；for，ofallterriblethingstonatureslikehis，themostterribleistobelongtoaminority。Nopersonthatlookedathisthinandsallowcheek，hissunkenandsadeye，histremulouslip，hiscontractedforehead，orwhoheardhisquerulous，thoughnotunmusicalvoice，couldfailtoseethathislifewasanuneasyone，thathewasengagedinsomeinwardconflict。Hisdark，melancholicaspectcontrastedwithhisseeminglycheerfulcreed，andwasallthemorestriking，astheworthyDr。Honeywood，professingabeliefwhichmadehimapassengeronboardashipwreckedplanet，wasyetamostgood-
humoredandcompanionablegentleman，whoselaughonweek-daysdidoneasmuchgoodtolistentoasthebestsermonheeverdeliveredonaSunday。
AmileortwofromthecentreofRocklandwasaprettylittleEpiscopalchurch，witharooflikeawedgeofcheese，asquaretower，astainedwindow，andatrainedrector，whoreadtheservicewithsuchventraldepthofutteranceandrrreduplicationoftherrresonantletter，thathisownmotherwouldnothaveknownhimforherson，ifthegoodwomanhadnotironedhissurpliceandputitonwithherownhands。
Thereweretwopublic-housesintheplace：onedignifiedwiththenameoftheMountainHouse，somewhatfrequentedbycitypeopleinthesummermonths，large-fronted，three-storied，balconied，boastingadistinctladies’-drawing-room，andspreadingatabled’hoteofsomepretensions；theother，“Pollard’sTahvern。”inthecommonspeech，——atwo-storybuilding，withabar-room，oncefamous，wheretherewasagreatsmellofhayandbootsandpipesandallotherbucolic-flavoredelements，——wheregamesofcheckerswereplayedonthebackofthebellowswithredandwhitekernelsofcorn，orwithbeansandcoffee，whereamansleptinabox-settleatnight，towakeupearlypassengers，——whereteamsterscamein，withwooden-handledwhipsandcoarsefrocks，reinforcingthebucolicflavoroftheatmosphere，andmiddle-agedmalegossips，sometimesincludingthesquireoftheneighboringlaw-office，gatheredtoexchangeaquestionortwoaboutthenews，andthenfallintothatsolemnstateofsuspendedanimationwhichthetemperancebar-roomsofmoderndaysproduceinhumanbeings，astheGrottadelCanedoesindogsinthewell-knownexperimentsrelatedbytravellers。Thisbar-roomusedtobefamousfordrinkingandstorytelling，andsometimesfighting，inoldtimes。
Thatwaswhentherewererowsofdecantersontheshelfbehindthebar，andahissingvesselofhotwaterready，tomakepunch，andthreeorfourloggerheads(longironsclubbedattheend)werealwayslyinginthefireinthecoldseason，waitingtobeplungedintosputteringandfoamingmugsofflip，——agoodlycompound；speakingaccordingtotheflesh，madewithbeerandsugar，andacertainsuspicionofstrongwaters，overwhichalittlenutmegbeinggrated，andinitthehotironbeingthenallowedtosizzle，thereresultsapeculiarsingedaroma，whichthewiseregardasawarningtoremovethemselvesatonceoutofthereachoftemptation。
ButthebarofPollard’sTahvernnolongerpresenteditsoldattractions，andtheloggerheadshadlongdisappearedfromthefire。
Inplaceofthedecanters，wereboxescontaining“lozengers。”astheywerecommonlycalled，sticksofcandyinjars，cigarsintumblers，afewlemons，grownhard-skinnedandmarvellouslyshrunkenbylongexposure，butstillfeeblysuggestiveofpossiblelemonade，——thewholeornamentedbyfestoonsofyellowandbluecutflypaper。OnthefrontshelfofthebarstoodalargeGerman-silverpitcherofwater，andscatteredaboutwereill-conditionedlamps，withwicksthatalwayswantedpicking，whichburnedredandsmokedagooddeal，andwereapttogooutwithoutanyobviouscause，leavingstrongreminiscencesofthewhale-fisheryinthecircumambientair。
ThecommonschoolhousesofRocklandweredwarfedbythegrandeuroftheApollineanInstitute。Themasterpassedoneofthem，inawalkhewastaking，soonafterhisarrivalatRockland。Helookedinattherowsofdesks，andrecalledhislateexperiences。Hecouldnothelplaughing，ashethoughthowneatlyhehadknockedtheyoungbutcheroffhispins。
“Alittlescienceisadangerousthing，’aswellasalittle’learning，’“hesaidtohimself；“onlyit’sdangeroustothefellowyou’tryiton。”Andhecuthimagoodstick，andbeganclimbingthesideofTheMountaintogetalookatthatfamousRattlesnakeLedge。
CHAPTERVI。
THESUNBEAMANDTHESHADOW。
Thevirtueoftheworldisnotmainlyinitsleaders。Inthemidstofthemultitudewhichfollowsthereisoftensomethingbetterthanintheonethatgoesbefore。OldgeneralswantedtotakeToulon，butoneoftheiryoungcolonelsshowedthemhow。Thejuniorcounselhasbeenknownnotunfrequentlytomakeabetterargumentthanhisseniorfellow，——if，indeed，hedidnotmakeboththeirarguments。Goodministerswilltellyoutheyhaveparishionerswhobeattheminthepracticeofthevirtues。Agreatestablishment，gotuponcommercialprinciples，liketheApollineanInstitute，mightyetbewellcarriedon，ifithappenedtogetgoodteachers。AndwhenMasterLangdoncametoseeitsmanagement，herecognizedthattheremustbefidelityandintelligencesomewhereamongtheinstructors。Itwasonlynecessarytolookforamomentatthefair，openforehead，thestill，tranquileyeofgentle，habitualauthority，thesweetgravitythatlayuponthelips，toheartheclearanswerstothepupils’
questions，tonoticehoweveryrequesthadtheforcewithouttheformofacommand，andtheyoungmancouldnotdoubtthatthegoodgeniusoftheschoolstoodbeforehiminthepersonofHelenbarley。
Itwastheoldstory。Apoorcountry-clergymandies，andleavesawidowandadaughter。InOldEnglandthedaughterwouldhaveeatenthebitterbreadofagovernessinsomerichfamily。InNewEnglandshemustkeepaschool。So，risingfromonespheretoanother，sheatlengthfindsherselftheprimadonnainthedepartmentofinstructioninMr。SilasPeckham’seducationalestablishment。
Whatamiserablethingitistobepoor。Shewasdependent，frail，sensitive，conscientious。Shewasinthepowerofahard，grasping，thin-blooded，tough-fibred，tradingeducator，whoneitherknewnorcaredforatenderwoman’ssensibilities，butwhopaidherandmeanttohavehismoney’sworthoutofherbrains，andasmuchmorethanhismoney’sworthashecouldget。Shewasconsequently，inplainEnglish，overworked，andanoverworkedwomanisalwaysasadsight，——
sadderagreatdealthananoverworkedman，becausesheissomuchmorefertileincapacitiesofsufferingthanaman。Shehassomanyvarietiesofheadache，——sometimesasifJaelweredrivingthenailthatkilledSiseraintohertemples，——sometimeslettingherworkwithhalfherbrainwhiletheotherhalfthrobsasifitwouldgotopieces，——sometimestighteningroundthebrowsasifhercap-bandwerearingofiron，——andthenherneuralgias，andherbackaches，andherfitsofdepression，inwhichshethinkssheisnothingandlessthannothing，andthoseparoxysmswhichmenspeakslightinglyofashysterical，——convulsions，thatisall，onlynotcommonlyfatalones，——somanytrialswhichbelongtoherfineandmobilestructure，——thatsheisalwaysentitledtopity，whensheisplacedinconditionswhichdevelophernervoustendencies。
Thepooryounglady’sworkhad，ofcourse，beendoubledsincethedepartureofMasterLangdon’spredecessor。Nobodyknowswhatthewearinessofinstructionis，assoonastheteacher’sfacultiesbegintobeovertasked，butthosewhohavetriedit。Therelaysoffreshpupils，eachnewsetwithitsexhaustingpowersinfullaction，comingoneafteranother，takeoutallthereservedforcesandfacultiesofresistancefromthesubjectoftheirdrainingprocess。
Theday’sworkwasover，anditwaslateintheevening，whenshesatdown，tiredandfaint，withagreatbundleofgirls’themesorcompositionstoreadoverbeforeshecouldrestherwearyheadonthepillowofhernarrowtrundle-bed，andforgetforawhilethetreadmillstairoflaborshewasdailyclimbing。
Howshedreadedthismostforlornofallateacher’stasks！Shewasconscientiousinherduties，andwouldinsistonreadingeverysentence，——therewasnosayingwhereshemightfindfaultsofgrammarorbadspelling。Theremighthavebeentwentyorthirtyofthesethemesinthebundlebeforeher。Ofcoursesheknewprettywelltheleadingsentimentstheycouldcontain：thatbeautywassubjecttotheaccidentsoftime；thatwealthwasinconstant，andexistenceuncertain；thatvirtuewasitsownreward；thatyouthexhaled，likethedewdropfromtheflower，erethesunhadreacheditsmeridian；
thatlifewaso’ershadowedwithtrials；thatthelessonsofvirtueinstilledbyourbelovedteachersweretobeourguidesthroughallourfuturecareer。Theimageryemployedconsistedprincipallyofroses，lilies，birds，clouds，andbrooks，withthecelebratedcomparisonofwaywardgeniustometeor。Whodoesnotknowthesmall，slanted，Italianhandofthesegirls’-compositions，theirstringingtogetherofthegoodoldtraditionalcopy-bookphrases；theiroccasionalgushesofsentiment，theirprofoundestimatesoftheworld，soundingtotheoldfolksthatreadthemastheexperienceofabantampullet’slast-hatchedyoungonewiththechipsofitsshellonitsheadwouldsoundtoaMotherCary’schicken，whoknewthegreatoceanwithallitstyphoonsandtornadoes？Yeteverynowandthenoneisliabletobesurprisedwithstrangeclairvoyantflashes，thatcanhardlybeexplained，exceptbythemysteriousinspirationwhicheverynowandthenseizesayounggirlandexaltsherintelligence，justashysteriainotherinstancesexaltsthesensibility，——alittlesomethingofthatwhichmadeJoanofArc，andtheBurneygirlwhoprophesied“Evelina。”andtheDavidsonsisters。
InthemidstofthesecommonplaceexerciseswhichMissDarleyreadoversocarefullyweretwoorthreethathadsomethingofindividualflavoraboutthem，andhereandtheretherewasanimageoranepithetwhichshowedthefootprintofapassionatenature，asafallenscarletfeathermarksthepaththewildflamingohastrodden。
Theyounglady-teacherreadthemwithacertainindifferenceofmanner，asonereadsproofs——notingdefectsofdetail，butnotcommonlyarrestedbythematterstreatedof。EvenMissCharlotteAnnWood’spoem，beginning“Howsweetatevening’sbalmyhour。”
didnotexciteher。ShemarkedtheinevitablefalserhymeofCockneyandYankeebeginners，mornanddawn，andtossedtheversesonthepileofpapersshehadfinished。Shewaslookingoversomeofthelastoftheminaratherlistlessway，——forthepoorthingwasgettingsleepyinspiteofherself，——whenshecametoonewhichseemedtorouseherattention，andliftedherdroopinglids。Shelookedatitamomentbeforeshewouldtouchit。Thenshetookholdofitbyonecornerandsliditofffromtherest。Onewouldhavesaidshewasafraidofit，orhadsomeundefinedantipathywhichmadeithatefultoher。Suchoddfanciesarecommonenoughinyoungpersonsinhernervousstate。Manyoftheseyoungpeoplewilljumpuptwentytimesadayandruntodabblethetipsoftheirfingersinwater，aftertouchingthemostinoffensiveobjects。
Thiscompositionwaswritteninasingular，sharp-pointed，long，slenderhand，onakindofwavy，ribbedpaper。Therewassomethingstrangelysuggestiveaboutthelookofit，butexactlyofwhat，Missbarleyeithercouldnotordidnottrytothink。ThesubjectofthepaperwasTheMountain，——thecompositionbeingasortofdescriptiverhapsody。Itshowedastartlingfamiliaritywithsomeofthesavagesceneryoftheregion。Onewouldhavesaidthatthewritermusthavethreadeditswildestsolitudesbythelightofthemoonandstarsaswellasbyday。Astheteacherreadon，hercolorchanged，andakindoftremulousagitationcameoverher。Therewerehintsinthisstrangepapershedidnotknowwhattomakeof。Therewassomethinginitsdescriptionsandimagerythatrecalled，——MissDarleycouldnotsaywhat，——butitmadeherfrightfullynervous。Stillshecouldnothelpreading，tillshecametoonepassagewhichsoagitatedher，thatthetiredandover-weariedgirl’sself-controlleftherentirely。Shesobbedonceortwice，thenlaughedconvulsively；andflungherselfonthebed，wheresheworkedoutasethystericspasmasshebestmight，withoutanybodytorubherhandsandseethatshedidnothurtherself。
Byandbyshegotquiet，roseandwenttoherbookcase，tookdownavolumeofColeridge，andreadashorttime，andsotobed，tosleepandwakefromtimetotimewithasuddenstartoutofuneasydreams。
Perhapsitisofnogreatconsequencewhatitwasinthecompositionwhichsetheroffintothisnervousparoxysm。Shewasinsuchastatethatalmostanyslightagitationwouldhavebroughtontheattack，anditwastheaccidentofhertransientexcitability，veryprobably，whichmadeatriflingcausetheseemingoccasionofsomuchdisturbance。Thethemewassigned，inthesamepeculiar，sharp，slenderhand，E。Venner，andwas，ofcourse，writtenbythatwild-
lookinggirlwhohadexcitedthemaster’scuriosityandpromptedhisquestion，asbeforementioned。Thenextmorningthelady-teacherlookedpaleandwearied，naturallyenough，butshewasinherplaceattheusualhour，andMasterLangdoninhisown。
Thegirlshadnotyetenteredtheschoolroom。
“Youhavebeenill，Iamafraid。”saidMr。Bernard。
“Iwasnotwellyesterday。”she，answered。“Ihadaworryandakindoffright。Itissodreadfultohavethechargeofalltheseyoungsoulsandbodies。Everyyounggirloughttowalklockedclose，arminarm，betweentwoguardianangels。SometimesIfaintalmostwiththethoughtofallthatIoughttodo，andofmyownweaknessandwants——Tellme，aretherenotnaturesbornsooutofparallelwiththelinesofnaturallawthatnothingshortofamiraclecanbringthemright？“
Mr。Bernardhadspeculatedsomewhat，asallthoughtfulpersonsofhisprofessionareforcedtodo，ontheinnateorganictendencieswithwhichindividuals，families，andracesareborn。Hereplied，therefore，withasmile，asonetowhomthequestionsuggestedaveryfamiliarclassoffacts。
“Why，ofcourse。Eachofusisonlythefooting-upofadoublecolumnoffiguresthatgoesbacktothefirstpair。Everyunittells，——andsomeofthemareplus，andsomeminus。Ifthecolumnsdon’taddupright，itiscommonlybecausewecan’tmakeoutallthefigures。Idon’tmeantosaythatsomethingmaynotbeaddedbyNaturetomakeupforlossesandkeeptheracetoitsaverage，butwearemainlynothingbuttheanswertoalongsuminadditionandsubtraction。NodoubttherearepeoplebornwithimpulsesateverypossibleangletotheparallelsofNature，asyoucallthem。Iftheyhappentocuttheseatrightangles，ofcoursetheyarebeyondthereachofcommoninfluences。Slightobliquitiesarewhatwehavemosttodowithineducation。Penitentiariesandinsaneasylumstakecareofmostoftheright-anglecases——IamafraidIhaveputittoomuchlikeaprofessor，andIamonlyastudent，youknow。Pray，whatsetyoutoaskingmethis？Anystrangecasesamongthescholars？“
Themeekteacher’sblueeyesmettheluminousglancethatcamewiththequestion。She，too，wasofgentleblood，——notmeaningbythatthatshewasofanynotedlineage，butthatshecameofacultivatedstock，neverrich，butlongtrainedtointellectualcallings。A
thousanddecencies，amenities，reticences，graces，whichnoonethinksofuntilhemissesthem，arethetraditionalrightofthosewhospringfromsuchfamilies。Andwhentwopersonsofthisexceptionalbreedingmeetinthemidstofthecommonmultitude，theyseekeachother’scompanyatoncebythenaturallawofelectiveaffinity。Itiswonderfulhowmenandwomenknowtheirpeers。Iftwostrangerqueens，solesurvivorsoftwoshipwreckedvessels，werecast，half-naked，onarocktogether，eachwouldatonceaddresstheotheras“OurRoyalSister。”
HelenDarleylookedintothedarkeyesofBernardLangdonglitteringwiththelightwhichflashedfromthemwithhisquestion。Notasthosefoolish，innocentcountry-girlsofthesmallvillagedidshelookintothem，tobefascinatedandbewildered，buttosoundthemwithacalm，steadfastpurpose。“Agentleman。”shesaidtoherself，asshereadhisexpressionandhisfeatureswithawoman’srapid，butexhaustingglance。“Alady。”hesaidtohimself，ashemetherquestioninglook，——sobrief，soquiet，yetsoassured，asofonewhomnecessityhadtaughttoreadfacesquicklywithoutoffence，aschildrenreadthefacesofparents，aswivesreadthefacesofhard-
souledhusbands。Allthiswasbutafewseconds’work，andyetthemainpointwassettled。Iftherehadbeenanyvulgarcuriosityorcoarsenessofanykindlurkinginhisexpression，shewouldhavedetectedit。Ifshehadnotliftedhereyestohisfacesosoftlyandkeptthemtheresocalmlyandwithdrawnthemsoquietly，hewouldnothavesaidtohimself，“SheisaLADY。”forthatwordmeantagooddealtothedescendantofthecourtlyWentworthsandthescholarlyLangdons。
“Therearestrangepeopleeverywhere，Mr。Langdon。”shesaid，“andI
don’tthinkourschoolroomisanexception。Iamgladyoubelieveintheforceoftransmittedtendencies。Itwouldbreakmyheart，ifI
didnotthinkthattherearefaultsbeyondthereachofeverythingbutGod’sspecialgrace。Ishoulddie，ifIthoughtthatmynegligenceorincapacitywasaloneresponsiblefortheerrorsandsinsofthoseIhavechargeof。YettherearemysteriesIdonotknowhowtoaccountfor。”Shelookedallroundtheschoolroom，andthensaid，inawhisper，“Mr。Langdon，wehadagirlthatstole，intheschool，notlongago。Worsethanthat，wehadagirlwhotriedtosetusonfire。Childrenofgoodpeople，bothofthem。Andwehaveagirlnowthatfrightensmeso“——
Thedooropened，andthreemissescameintotaketheirseats：threetypes，asithappened，ofcertainclasses，intowhichitwouldnothavebeendifficulttodistributethegreaternumberofthegirlsintheschool——HannahMartin。Fourteenyearsandthreemonthsold。
Short-necked，thick-waisted，round-cheeked，smooth，vacantforehead，large，dulleyes。Looksgood-natured，withlittleotherexpression。
Threebunsinherbag，andalargeapple。Hasahabitofattackingherprovisionsinschool-hours——RosaMilburn。Sixteen。Brunette，witharare-ripeflushinhercheeks。Colorcomesandgoeseasily。
Eyeswandering，apttobedowncast。Moodyattimes。Saidtobepassionate，ifirritated。Finishedinhighrelief。Carriesshoulderswellbackandwalkswell，asifproudofherwoman’slife，withaslightrockingmovement，beingoneofthewide-flangedpattern，butseemsrestless，——ahardgirltolookafter。Hasaromanceinherpocket，whichshemeanstoreadinschool-time——
CharlotteAnnWood。Fifteen。Thepoetessbeforementioned。Long，lightringlets，pallidcomplexion，blueeyes。Delicatechild，halfunfolded。Gentle，butlanguidanddespondent。Doesnotgomuchwiththeothergirls，butreadsagooddeal，especiallypoetry，underscoringfavoritepassages。Writesagreatmanyverses，veryfast，notverycorrectly；fulloftheusualhumansentiments，expressedintheaccustomedphrases。Under-vitalized。Sensibilitiesnotcoveredwiththeirnormalinteguments。Anegativecondition，oftenconfoundedwithgenius，andsometimesrunningintoit。Youngpeoplewhofalloutoflinethroughweaknessoftheactivefacultiesareoftenconfoundedwiththosewhostepoutofitthroughstrengthoftheintellectualones。
Thegirlskeptcomingin，oneafteranother，orinpairsorgroups，untiltheschoolroomwasnearlyfull。Thentherewasalittlepause，andalightstepwasheardinthepassage。Thelady-teacher’seyesturnedtothedoor，andthemaster’sfollowedtheminthesamedirection。
Agirlofaboutseventeenentered。Shewastallandslender，butrounded，withapeculiarundulationofmovement，suchasonesometimesseesinperfectlyuntutoredcountry-girls，whomNature，thequeenofgraces，hastakeninhand，butmorecommonlyinconnectionwiththeveryhighestbreedingofthemostthoroughlytrainedsociety。Shewasasplendidscowlingbeauty，black-browed，withaflashofwhiteteethwhichwasalwayslikeasurprisewhenherlipsparted。Sheworeacheckereddress，ofacuriouspattern，andacamel’s-hairscarftwistedalittlefantasticallyabouther。Shewenttoherseat，whichshehadmovedashortdistanceapartfromtherest，and，sittingdown，beganplayinglistlesslywithhergoldchain，aswasacommonhabitwithher，coilingitanduncoilingitaboutherslenderwrist，andbraidingitinwithherlong，delicatefingers。Presentlyshelookedup。Black，piercingeyes，notlarge，——alowforehead，aslowasthatofClytieintheTownleybust，——
blackhair，twistedinheavybraids，——afacethatonecouldnothelplookingatforitsbeauty，yetthatonewantedtolookawayfromforsomethinginitsexpression，andcouldnotforthosediamondeyes。
Theywerefixedonthelady-teachernow。Thelatterturnedherownaway，andletthemwanderovertheotherscholars。’4Buttheycouldnothelpcomingbackagainforasingleglanceatthewildbeauty。
Thediamondeyeswereonherstill。Sheturnedtheleavesofseveralofherbooks，asifinsearchofsomepassage，and，whenshethoughtshehadwaitedlongenoughtobesafe，oncemorestoleaquicklookatthedarkgirl。Thediamondeyeswerestilluponher。Sheputherkerchieftoherforehead，whichhadgrown，slightlymoist；shesighedonce，almostshivered，forshefeltcold；then，followingsomeill-
definedimpulse，whichshecouldnotresist，sheleftherplaceandwenttotheyounggirl’sdesk。
“Whatdoyouwantofme，ElsieVenner？“Itwasastrangequestiontoput，forthegirlhadnotsignifiedthatshewishedtheteachertocometoher。
“Nothing。”shesaid。“IthoughtIcouldmakeyoucome。”Thegirlspokeinalowtone，akindofhalf-whisper。Shedidnotlisp，yetherarticulationofoneortwoconsonantswasnotabsolutelyperfect。
“Wheredidyougetthatflower，Elsie？“saidMissDarley。Itwasararealpineflower，whichwasfoundonlyinonespotamongtherocksofTheMountain。
“Whereitgrew。”saidElsieVeneer。“Takeit。”Theteachercouldnotrefuseher。Thegirl’sfingertipstouchedhersasshetookit。Howcoldtheywereforagirlofsuchanorganization！
Theteacherwentbacktoherseat。Shemadeanexcuseforquittingtheschoolroomsoonafterwards。Thefirstthingshedidwastoflingtheflowerintoherfireplaceandraketheashesoverit。Thesecondwastowashthetipsofherfingers，asifshehadbeenanotherLadyMacbeth。Apoor，over-tasked，nervouscreature，——wemustnotthinktoomuchofherfancies。
Afterschoolwasdone，shefinishedthetalkwiththemasterwhichhadbeensosuddenlyinterrupted。Therewerethingsspokenofwhichmayproveinterestingbyandby，butthereareothermatterswemustfirstattendto。
CHAPTERVII。
THEEVENTOFTHESEASON。
“Mr。andMrs。ColonelSprowle’scomplimentstoMr。LangdonandrequeststhepleasureofhiscompanyatasocialentertainmentonWednesdayeveningnext。
“ElmSt。Monday。”
Onpaperofapinkishcolorandmuskysmell，withalarge“S“atthetop，andanembossedborder。Envelopadherent，notsealed。
AddressedLANGDONESQ。
Present。
BroughtbyH。FredericSprowle，youngestsonoftheColonel，——theH。
ofcoursestandingforthepaternalHezekiah，putintopleasethefather，andreducedtoitsinitialtopleasethemother，shehavingamarkedpreferenceforFrederic。Boydirectedtowaitforananswer。
“Mr。LangdonhasthepleasureofacceptingMr。andMrs。ColonelSprowle’spoliteinvitationforWednesdayevening。”
Onplainpaper，sealedwithaninitial。
Inwalkingalongthemainstreet，Mr。Bernardhadnoticedalargehouseofsomepretensionstoarchitecturaldisplay，namely，unnecessarilyprojectingeaves，givingitamushroomyaspect，woodenmouldingsatvariousavailablepoints，andagrandiosearchedportico。Itlookedalittleswaggeringbythesideofoneortwoofthemansion-housesthatwerenotfarfromit，waspaintedtoobrightforMr。Bernard’staste，hadrathertoofancifulafencebeforeit，andhadsomefruit-treesplantedinthefront-yard，whichtothisfastidiousyounggentlemanimpliedadefectivesenseofthefitnessofthings，notpromisinginpeoplewholivedinsolargeahouse，withamushroomroofandatriumphalarchforitsentrance。
Thisplacewasknownas“ColonelSprowle’svilla。”(genteelfriends，)——as“theelegantresidenceofourdistinguishedfellow-
citizen，ColonelSprowle。”(RocklandWeeklyUniverse，)——as“theneewhaouse。”(oldsettlers，)——as“Spraowle’sFolly，“(disaffectedandpossiblyenviousneighbors，)——andincommondiscourse，as“theColonel’s。”
HezekiahSprowle，Esquire，ColonelSprowleoftheCommonwealth’sMilitia，wasaretired“merchant。”AnIndiamerchanthemight，perhaps，havebeenproperlycalled；forheusedtodealinWestIndiagoods，suchascoffee，sugar，andmolasses，nottospeakofrum，——
alsointea，saltfish，butterandcheese，oilandcandles，driedfruit，agricultural“p’doose“generally，industrialproducts，suchasbootsandshoes，andvariouskindsofironandwoodenware，andatoneendoftheestablishmentincalicoesandotherstuffs，——tosaynothingofmiscellaneousobjectsofthemostvariednature，fromsticksofcandy，whichtemptedinthesmalleryouthwithcoppersintheirfists，uptoornamentalarticlesofapparel，pocket-books，breast-pins，gilt-edgedBibles，stationery，inshort，everythingwhichwasliketoproveseductivetotheruralpopulation。TheColonelhadmademoneyintrade，andalsobymatrimony。HehadmarriedSarah，daughterandheiressofthelateTekelJordan，Esq。，anoldmiser，whogavethetown-clock，whichcarrieshisnametoposterityinlargegiltlettersasagenerousbenefactorofhisnativeplace。InduetimetheColonelreapedtherewardofwell-
placedaffections。Whenhiswife’sinheritancefellin，hethoughthehadmoneyenoughtogiveuptrade，andthereforesoldouthis“store。”calledinsomedialectsoftheEnglishlanguageshop，andhisbusiness。
Lifebecameprettyhardworktohim，ofcourse，assoonashehadnothingparticulartodo。Countrypeoplewithmoneyenoughnottohavetoworkareinmuchmoredangerthancitypeopleinthesamecondition。Theygetaspecificlookandcharacter，whicharethesameinallthevillageswhereonestudiesthem。Theyverycommonlyfallintoaroutine，thebasisofwhichisgoingtosomelounging-
placeorother，abar-room，areading-room，orsomethingofthekind。
Theygrowslovenlyindress，andwearthesamehatforever。Theyhaveafeeblecuriosityfornewsperhaps，whichtheytakedailyasamantakeshisbitters，andthenfallsilentandthinktheyarethinking。Butthemindgoesoutunderthisregimen，likeafirewithoutadraught；anditisnotverystrange，iftheinstinctofmentalself-preservationdrivesthemtobrandy-and-water，whichmakesthehoarsewhisperofmemorymusicalforafewbriefmoments，andputsaweakleerofpromiseonthefeaturesofthehollow-eyedfuture。TheColonelwaskeptprettywellinhandasyetbyhiswife，andthoughithadhappenedtohimonceortwicetocomehomeratherlateatnightwithacurioustendencytosaythesamethingtwiceandeventhreetimesover，ithadalwaysbeeninverycoldweather，——andeverybodyknowsthatnooneissafetodrinkacoupleofglassesofwineinawarmroomandgosuddenlyoutintothecoldair。
MissMatildaSprowle，soledaughterofthehouse，hadreachedtheageatwhichyoungladiesaresupposedintechnicallanguagetohavecomeout，andthereafterareconsideredtobeincompany。
“There’sonepieceo’goods。”saidtheColoneltohiswife，“thatweha’n’tdisposedof，norgotacustomerforyet。That’sMatildy。I
don’tmeantosetHERupatvaandoo。Iguessshecanhaveherpickofadozen。”
“She’sneverseenanybodyyet。”saidMrs。Sprowle，whohadhadacertainprojectforsometime，buthadkeptquietaboutit。“Let’shaveaparty，andgiveherachancetoshowherselfandseesomeoftheyoungfolks。”
TheColonelwasnotveryclear-headed，andhethought，naturallyenough，thatthepartywashisownsuggestion，becausehisremarkledtothefirststartingoftheidea。Heenteredintotheplan，therefore，withafeelingofprideaswellaspleasure，andthegreatprojectwasresolveduponinafamilycouncilwithoutadissentientvoice。Thiswastheparty，then，towhichMr。Bernardwasgoing。
Thetownhadbeenfullofitforaweek。“Everybodywasasked。”Soeverybodysaidthatwasinvited。Buthowinrespectofthosewhowerenotasked？Ifithadbeenoneoftheoldmansion-housesthatwasgivingaparty，theboundarybetweenthefavoredandtheslightedfamilieswouldhavebeenknownprettywellbeforehand，andtherewouldhavebeennogreatamountofgrumbling。ButtheColonel，forallhistitle，hadaforestofpoorrelationsandabrushwoodswampofshabbyfriends，forhehadscrambleduptofortune，andnowthetimewascomewhenhemustdefinehisnewsocialposition。
Thisisalwaysanawkwardbusinessintownorcountry。Anexclusivealliancebetweentwopowersisoftenthesamethingasadeclarationofwaragainstathird。Rocklandwassoonsplitintoatriumphantminority，invitedtoMrs。Sprowle’sparty，andagreatmajority，uninvited，ofwhichthefractionjustontheborderlinebetweenrecognized“gentility“andtheleveloftheunglovedmasseswasinanactivestateofexcitementandindignation。
“Whoisshe，Ishouldliketoknow？“saidMrs。Saymore，thetailor’swife。“TherewasplentyoffolksinRocklandasgoodaseverSallyJordanwas，ifshehadmanagedtopickupamerchant。Otherfolkscouldhavemarriedmerchants，iftheirfamilieswasn’taswealthyasthemoldskinflintsthatwilledhertheirmoney。”etc。，etc。Mrs。
Saymoreexpressedthefeelingofmanybesideherself。Shehad，however，aspecialrighttobeproudofthenameshebore。HerhusbandwasowncousintotheSaymoresofFreestoneAvenue(whowritethenameSeymour，andclaimtobeoftheDukeofSomerset’sfamily，showingacleardescentfromtheProtectortoEdwardSeymour，(1630，)——thenajumpthatwouldbreakaherald’snecktooneSethSaymore，(1783，)——fromwhomtotheheadofthepresentfamilythelineisclearagain)。Mrs。Saymore，thetailor’swife，wasnotinvited，becauseherhusbandmendedclothes。Ifhehadconfinedhimselfstrictlytomakingthem，itwouldhaveputadifferentfaceuponthematter。
ThelandlordoftheMountainHouseandhisladywereinvitedtoMrs。
Sprowle’sparty。NotsothelandlordofPollard’sTahvernandhislady。Whereuponthelattervowedthattheywouldhaveapartyattheirhousetoo，andmadearrangementsforadanceoftwentyorthirtycouples，tobefollowedbyanentertainment。Ticketstothis“SocialBall“weresooncirculated，and，beingaccessibletoallatamoderateprice，admissiontothe“ElegantSupper“included，thissecondfestivalpromisedtobeasmerry，ifnotasselect，asthegreatparty。
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