Wednesdaycame。SuchdoingshadneverbeenheardofinRocklandaswentonthatdayatthe“villa。”Thecarpethadbeentakenupinthelongroom，sothattheyoungfolksmighthaveadance。MissMatilda’spianohadbeenmovedin，andtwofiddlersandaclarionet-

playerengagedtomakemusic。Allkindsoflampshadbeenputinrequisition，andevencoloredwax-candlesfiguredonthemantel-

pieces。Thecostumesofthefamilyhadbeentriedonthedaybefore：

theColonel’sblacksuitfittedexceedinglywell；hislady’svelvetdressdisplayedhercontourstoadvantage；MissMatilda’sfloweredsilkwasconsideredsuperb；theeldestsonofthefamily，Mr。T。

JordanSprowle，calledaffectionatelyandelegantly“Geordie。”votedhimself“stunnin’“；andeventhesmallyouthwhohadborneMr。

Bernard’sinvitationwaseffectiveinanewjacketandtrousers，buttonyinfront，andbaggyinthereverseaspect，asiswonttobethecasewiththehome-madegarmentsofinlandyoungsters。

Greatpreparationshadbeenmadefortherefectionwhichwastobepartoftheentertainment。Therewasmuchclinkingofborrowedspoons，whichweretobecarefullycounted，andmuchclickingofborrowedchina，whichwastobetenderlyhandled，fornobodyinthecountrykeepsthosevastclosetsfullofsuchthingswhichonemayseeinrichcity-houses。Notagreatdealcouldbedoneinthewayofflowers，fortherewerenogreenhouses，andfewplantswereoutasyet；buttherewerepaperornamentsforthecandlesticks，andcoloredmatsforthelamps，andallthetasselsofthecurtainsandbellsweretakenoutofthosebrownlinenbags，inwhich，forreasonshithertoundiscovered，theyarehabituallyconcealedinsomehouseholds。Intheremoterapartmentseveryimaginableoperationwasgoingonatonce，——roasting，boiling，baking，beating，rolling，poundinginmortars，frying，freezing；fortherewastobeice-creamto-nightofdomesticmanufacture；——andinthemidstofalltheselabors，Mrs。SprowleandMissMatildaweremovingabout，directingandhelpingastheybestmight，alldaylong。Whentheeveningcame，itmightbefearedtheywouldnotbeinjustthestateofmindandbodytoentertaincompany——

Onewouldliketogiveapartynowandthen，ifonecouldbeabillionnaire——“Antoine，Iamgoingtohavetwentypeopletodineto-

day。”“Biens，Madame。”Notawordorthoughtmoreaboutit，butgethomeinseasontodress，andcomedowntoyourowntable，oneofyourownguests——“Giuseppe，wearetohaveapartyaweekfromto-night，——fivehundredinvitations——thereisthelist。”Thedaycomes。

“Madam，doyourememberyouhaveyourpartytonight？““Why，soI

have！Everythingright？supperandall？““Allasitshouldbe，Madam。”

“SendupVictorine。”“Victorine，fulltoiletforthisevening，——

pink，diamonds，andemeralds。Coiffeuratseven。Allez。”——

Billionism，orevenmillionism，mustbeablessedkindofstate，withhealthandclearconscienceandyouthandgoodlooks，——butmostblessedisthis，thatittakesoffallthemeancareswhichgivepeoplethethreewrinklesbetweentheeyebrows，andleavesthemfreetohaveagoodtimeandmakeothershaveagoodtime，allthewayalongfromthecharitythattipsupunexpectedloadsofwoodbeforewidows’houses，andleavesfoundlingturkeysuponpoormen’sdoor-

steps，andsetsleanclergymencryingatthesightofanonymousfifty-dollarbills，tothetastewhichordersaperfectbanquetinsuchsweetaccordwitheverysensethateverybody’snatureflowersoutfull——blowninitsgolden——glowing，fragrantatmosphere——

Agreatpartygivenbythesmallergentryoftheinteriorisakindofsolemnity，sotospeak。Itinvolvessomuchlaborandanxiety，——

itsspasmodicsplendorsaresoviolentlycontrastedwiththehomelinessofevery-dayfamily-life，——itissuchaformidablemattertobreakintherawsubordinatestothemanegeofthecloak-roomandthetable，——thereissuchaterribleuncertaintyintheresultsofunfamiliarculinaryoperations，——somanyfeudsareinvolvedindrawingthatfatallinewhichdividestheinvitedfromtheuninvitedfractionofthelocaluniverse，——that，ifthenotesrequestedthepleasureoftheguests’companyon“thissolemnoccasion。”theywouldprettynearlyexpressthetruestateofthings。

TheColonelhimselfhadbeenpressedintotheservice。Hehadpoundedsomethinginthegreatmortar。Hehadagitatedaquantityofsweetenedandthickenedmilkinwhatwascalledacream-freezer。Ateleveno’clock，A。M。，heretiredforaspace。Onreturning，hiscolorwasnotedtobesomewhatheightened，andheshowedadispositiontobejocularwiththefemalehelp，——whichtendency，displayingitselfinlivelierdemonstrationsthanwereapprovedathead-quarters，ledtohisbeingdetailedtoout-of-doorduties，suchasrakinggravel，arrangingplacesforhorsestobehitchedto，andassistingintheconstructionofanarchofwintergreenattheporchofthemansion。

AwhifffromMr。Geordie’scigarrefreshedthetoilingfemalesfromtimetotime；forthewindowshadtobeopenedoccasionally，whilealltheseoperationsweregoingon，andtheyouthamusedhimselfwithinspectingtheinterior，encouragingtheoperativesnowandtheninthephrasescommonlyemployedbygenteelyoungmen，——forhehadperusedanoddvolumeof“VerdantGreen。”andwasacquaintedwithaSophomorefromoneofthefresh-watercolleges。“Goitonthefeed！“

exclaimedthisspiritedyoungman。“Nothin’likeagoodspread。

Grubenoughandgoodliquor，that’stheticket。Guv’nor’lldotheheavypolite，andletmealoneforpolishin’offtheyoungcharmers。”

AndMr。Geordielookedexpressivelyatahandmaidwhowasrollinggingerbread，asifhewererehearsingfor“DonGiovanni。”

Eveningcameatlast，andtheladieswereforcedtoleavethesceneoftheirlaborstoarraythemselvesforthecomingfestivities。Thetableshadbeensetinabackroom，themeatswereready，thepicklesweredisplayed，thecakewasbaked，theblanc-mangehadstiffened，andtheice-creamhadfrozen。

Athalfpastseveno’clock，theColonel，incostume，cameintothefrontparlor，andproceededtolightthelamps。Someweregood-

humoredenoughandtookthehintofalightedmatchatonce。Otherswereasviciousastheycouldbe，——wouldnotlightonanyterms，anymorethaniftheywerefilledwithwater，orlightedandsmokedonesideofthechimney，orspatteredafewsparksandsulkedthemselvesout，orkeptupafaintshowofburning，sothattheirgroundglasseslookedasfeeblyphosphorescentassomanyinvalidfireflies。Withmuchcoaxingandscrewingandpricking，atolerableilluminationwasatlastachieved。Ateighttherewasagrandrustlingofsilks，andMrs。andMissSprowledescendedfromtheirrespectivebowersorboudoirs。Ofcoursetheywereprettywelltiredbythistime，andverygladtositdown，——havingtheprospectbeforethemofbeingobligedtostandforhours。TheColonelwalkedabouttheparlor，inspectinghisregimentoflamps。ByandbyMr。Geordieentered。

“Mph！mph！“hesniffed，ashecamein。“Yousmelloflamp-smokehere。”

Thatalwaysgallspeople，——tohaveanew-comeraccusethemofsmokeorcloseair，whichtheyhavegotusedtoanddonotperceive。TheColonelragedatthethoughtofhislamps’smoking，andtonguedafewanathemasinsideofhisshutteeth，butturneddowntwoorthreewicksthatburnedhigherthantherest。

MasterH。Fredericnextmadehisappearance，withquestionablemarksuponhisfingersandcountenance。Hadbeentamperingwithsomethingbrownandsticky。Hiselderbrothergrewplayful，andcaughthimbythebaggyreverseofhismoreessentialgarment。

“Hush！“saidMrs。Sprowle，——“there’sthebell！“

Everybodytookpositionatonce，andbegantolookverysmilingandaltogetheratease——Falsealarm。Onlyaparcelofspoons，——

“loaned。”astheinlandfolkssaywhentheymeanlent，byaneighbor。

“Betterlatethannever！“saidtheColonel，“letmeheftthemspoons。”

Mrs。Sprowlecamedownintoherchairagainasifallherboneshadbeenbewitchedoutofher。

“I’mprettynighbeatouta’ready。”saidshe，“beforeanyofthefolkshascome。”

Theysatsilentawhile，waitingforthefirstarrival。Hownervoustheygot！andhowtheirsensesweresharpened！

“Hark！“saidMissMatilda，——“what’sthatrumblin’？“

Itwasacartgoingoverabridgemorethanamileoff，whichatanyothertimetheywouldnothaveheard。Afterthistherewasalull，andpoorMrs。Sprowle’sheadnoddedonceortwice。Presentlyacracklingandgrindingofgravel；——howmuchthatmeans，whenwearewaitingforthosewhomwelongordreadtosee！Thenachangeinthetoneofthegravel-crackling。

“Yes，theyhaveturnedinatourgate。They’recomin’！Mother！

mother！“

Everybodyinposition，smilingandatease。Bellrings。Enterthefirstsetofvisitors。TheEventoftheSeasonhasbegun。

“Law！it’snothin’buttheCranes’folks！IdobelieveMahala’scomeinthatoldgreende-lainesheworeattheSurpriseParty！“

MissMatildahadpeepedthroughacrackofthedoorandmadethisobservationandtheremarkfoundedthereon。Continuingherattitudeofattention，sheoverheardMrs。Craneandhertwodaughtersconversingintheattiring-room，uponeflight。

“Howfineeverythingisinthegreathouse！“saidMrs。Crane，——“jestlookatthepicters！“

“MatildySprowle’sdrawin’s。”saidAdaAzuba，theeldestdaughter。

“Ishouldthinkso。”saidMahalaCrane，heryoungersister，——awide-

awakegirl，whohadn’tbeentoschoolfornothing，andperformedalittleontheleadpencilherself。“Ishouldliketoknowwhetherthat’sahay-cockoramountain！“

MissMatildawinced；forthismustrefertoherfavoritemonochrome，executedbylayingonheavyshadowsandstumpingthemdownintomellowharmony，——thestyleofdrawingwhichistaughtinsixlessons，andthekindofspecimenwhichisexecutedinsomethinglessthanonehour。Parentsandotherverynearrelativesaresometimesgratifiedwiththeseproductions，andcausethemtobeframedandhungup，asinthepresentinstance。

“Iguesswewon’tgodownjestyet。”saidMrs。Crane，“asfolksdon’tseemtohavecome。”

Soshebeganasystematicinspectionofthedressing-roomanditsconveniences。

“Mahoganyfour-poster；——comefromtheJordans’，Ical’la，te。

Marseillesquilt。Rufflesallroundthepiller。Chintzcurtings，——

jestputup，——o’purposefortheparty，I’lllayyeadollar——Whatanicewashbowl！“(Tapsitwithawhiteknucklebelongingtoaredfinger。)“Stonechaney——Here’sabran’-newbrushandcomb，——andhere’sascent-bottle。Comehere，girls，andfixyourselvesintheglass，andscentyourpocket-handkerchers。”

AndMrs。CranebedewedherownkerchiefwithsomeoftheeaudeCologneofnativemanufacture，——saidonitslabeltobemuchsuperiortotheGermanarticle。

ItwasarelieftoMrs。andtheMissCraneswhenthebellrangandthenextguestswereadmitted。DeaconandMrs。Soper，——DeaconSoperoftheRev。Mr。Fairweather’schurch，andhislady。Mrs。DeaconSoperwasdirected，ofcourse，totheladies’dressing-room，andherhusbandtotheotherapartment，wheregentlemenweretoleavetheiroutsidecoatsandhats。ThencameMr。andMrs。Briggs，andthenthethreeMissSpinneys，thenSilasPeckham，HeadoftheApollineanInstitute，andMrs。Peckham，andmoreafterthem，untilatlasttheladies’dressing-roomgotsofullthatonemighthavethoughtitwasatrapnoneofthemcouldgetoutof。Intruth，theyallfeltalittleawkwardly。Nobodywantedtobefirsttoventuredown-stairs。

AtlastMr。SilasPeckhamthoughtitwastimetomakeamovefortheparlor，andforthispurposepresentedhimselfatthedooroftheladies’dressing-room。

“Lorindy，mydear！“heexclaimedtoMrs。Peckham，——“Ithinktherecanbenoimproprietyinourjoiningthefamilydown-stairs。”

Mrs。Peckhamlaidherlarge，flaccidarminthesharpanglemadebytheblacksleevewhichheldthebonylimbherhusbandoffered，andthetwotookthestairandstruckoutfortheparlor。Theicewasbroken，andthedressing-roombegantoemptyitselfintothespacious，lightedapartmentsbelow。

Mr。SilasPeckhamslidintotheroomwithMrs。Peckhamalongside，likeashadconvoyingajelly-fish。

“Good-evenin’，Mrs。Sprowle！IhopeIseeyouwellthisevenin’。

How’syourhaalth，ColonelSprowle？“

“Verywell，muchobleegedtoyou。Hopeyouandyourgoodladyarewell。Muchpleasedtoseeyou。Hopeyou’llenjoyyourselves。We’velaidouttohaveeverythingingoodshape，——sparednotroublenorex“——

“pence。”——saidSilasPeckham。

Mrs。ColonelSprowle，who，youremember，wasaJordan，hadnippedtheColonel’sstatementinthemiddleofthewordMr。Peckhamfinished，withalookthatjerkedhimlikeoneofthosesharptwitcheswomenkeepgivingahorsewhentheygetachancetodriveone。

Mr。andMrs。Crane，MissAdaAzuba，andMissMahalaCranemadetheirentrance。Therehadbeenadiscussionaboutthenecessityandproprietyofinvitingthisfamily，theheadofwhichkeptasmallshopforhatsandbootsandshoes。TheColonel’scastingvotehadcarrieditintheaffirmative——Howterriblythepooroldgreende-lainedidcutupintheblazeofsomanylampsandcandles——

Deludedlittlewretch，maleorfemale，intownorcountry，goingtoyourfirstgreatparty，howlittleyouknowthenatureoftheceremonyinwhichyouaretobearthepartofvictim！What！arenotthesegarlandsandgauzymistsandmany-coloredstreamerswhichadornyou，isnotthismusicwhichwelcomesyou，thisradiancethatglowsaboutyou，meantsolelyforyourenjoyment，youngmissofseventeenoreighteensummers，nowforthefirsttimeswimminguntothefrothy，chatoyant，sparkling，undulatingseaoflacesandsilksandsatins，andwhite-armed，flower-crownedmaidensstrugglingintheirwavesbeneaththelustresthatmakethefalsesummerofthedrawing-room？

Stopatthethreshold！Thisisahallofjudgmentyouareentering；

thecourtisinsession；andifyoumovefivestepsforward，youwillbeatitsbar。

TherewasatribunalonceinFrance，asyoumayremember，calledtheChambreArdente，theBurningChamber。Itwashungallroundwithlamps，andhenceitsname。Theburningchamberforthetrialofyoungmaidensistheblazingball-room。Whathavetheyfull-dressedyou，orratherhalf-dressedyoufor，doyouthink？Tomakeyoulookpretty，ofcourse！Whyhavetheyhungachandelieraboveyou，flickeringalloverwithflames，sothatitsearchesyoulikethenoondaysun，andyourdeepestdimplecannotholdashadow？Togivebrilliancytothegayscene，nodoubt！——No，myclear！Societyisinspectingyou，anditfindsundisguisedsurfacesandstronglightsaconvenienceintheprocess。Thedanceanswersthepurposeoftherevolvingpedestaluponwhichthe“WhiteCaptive“turns，toshowusthesoft，kneadedmarble，whichlooksasifithadneverbeenhard，inallitsmanifoldaspectsoflivingloveliness。Nomercyforyou，mylove！Justice，strictjustice，youshallcertainlyhave，——neithermorenorless。For，lookyou，therearedozens，scores，hundreds，withwhomyoumustbeweighedinthebalance；andyouhavegottolearnthatthe“struggleforlife“Mr。CharlesDarwintalksaboutreachestovertebratescladincrinoline，aswellastomollusksinshells，orarticulatesinjointedscales，oranythingthatfightsforbreathing-roomandfoodandloveinanycoatoffurorfeather！

Happytheywhocanflashdefiancefrombrighteyesandsnowyshouldersbackintothependantsoftheinsolentlustres！——

MissMahalaCranedidnothavethesereflections；andnoyounggirleverdid，oreverwill，thankHeaven！Herkeeneyessparkledunderherplainlypartedhairandthegreende-lainemouldeditselfinthoseunmistakablelinesofnaturalsymmetryinwhichNatureindulgesasmallshopkeeper’sdaughteroccasionallyaswellasawholesaledealer’syoungladies。Shewouldhavelikedanewdressasmuchasanyothergirl，butshemeanttogoandhaveagoodtimeatanyrate。

Theguestswerenowarrivinginthedrawing-roomprettyfast，andtheColonel’shandbegantoburnagooddealwiththesharpsqueezeswhichmanyofthevisitorsgaveit。Conversation，whichhadbegunlikeasummer-shower，inscatteringdrops，wasfastbecomingcontinuous，andoccasionallyrisingintogustyswells，withnowandthenabroad-chestedlaughfromsomeCaptainorMajororothermilitarypersonage，——foritmaybenotedthatalllargeandloudmenintheunpaveddistrictsbearmilitarytitles。

DeaconSopercameuppresently，andenteredintoconversationwithColonelSprowle。

“Ihopetoseeourpastorpresentthisevenin’。”saidtheDeacon。

“Idon’tfeelquitesure。”theColonelanswered。“Hisdyspepsyhasbeenbadonhimlately。Hewrotetosay，that，Providencepermittin’，itwouldbeagreeabletohimtotakeapartintheexercisesoftheevenin’；butImistrustedhedidn’tmeantocome。

Totellthetruth，DeaconSoper，Iratherguesshedon’tliketheideeofdancin’，andsomeoftheotherlittlearrangements。”

“Well。”saidtheDeacon，“Iknowthere’ssomecondemnsdancin’。I’veheerdagooddealoftalkaboutitamongthefolksround。Somehaveitthatitneverbringsablessin’onahousetohavedancin’init。

JudgeTilestondied，youremember，withinamonthafterhehadhisgreatball，twelveyearago，andsomethoughtitwasinthenatur’ofajudgment。Idon’tbelieveinanyofthemnotions。Ifamanhappenedtobestruckdeadthenightafterhe’dbeengivin’aball。”

(theColonelloosenedhisblackstockalittle，andwinkedandswallowedtwoorthreetimes，)“Ishouldn’tcallitajudgment，——I

shouldcallitacoincidence。ButI’malittleafraidourpastorwon’tcome。Somethin’orother’sthematterwithMr。Fairweather。I

shouldsoonerexpecttoseetheoldDoctorcomeoveroutoftheOrthodoxparsonage-house。”

“I’veaskedhim。”saidtheColonel。

“Well？“saidDeaconSoper。

“Hesaidheshouldliketocome，buthedidn’tknowwhathispeoplewouldsay。Forhispart，helovedtoseeyoungfolkshavin’theirsportstogether，andveryoftenfeltasifheshouldliketobeoneof’emhimself。’But，’saysI，’Doctor，Idon’tsaytherewon’tbealittledancin’。’’Don’t！’sayshe，’forIwantLettytogo，’(she’shisgranddaughterthat’sbeenstayin’withhim，)’andLetty’smightyfondofdancin’。Youknow，’saystheDoctor，’itisn’tmybusinesstosettlewhetherotherpeople’schildrenshoulddanceornot。’AndtheDoctorlookedasifheshouldliketorigadoonandsashyacrossaswellastheyoungonehewastalkin’about。He’sgotbloodinhim，theoldDoctorhas。Iwishourlittlemanandhimwouldswoppulpits。”

DeaconSoperstartedandlookedupintotheColonel’sface，asiftoseewhetherhewasinearnest。

Mr。SilasPeckhamandhisladyjoinedthegroup。

“IsthistobeaTemperanceCelebration，Mrs。Sprowle？“askedMr。

SilasPeckham。

Mrs。Sprowlereplied，“thattherewouldbelemonadeandsrubforthosethatpreferredsuchdrinks，butthattheColonelhadgivenfolkstounderstandthathedidn’tmeantosetinjudgmentonthemarriageinCanaan，andthatthosethatdidn’tlikesrubandsuchthingswouldfindsomethin’thatwouldsuitthembetter。”

DeaconSoper’scountenanceassumedacertainairofrestrainedcheerfulness。Theconversationroseintooneofitsgustyparoxysmsjustthen。MasterH。Fredericgotbehindadoorandbeganperformingtheexperimentofstoppingandunstoppinghisearsinrapidalternation，greatlyrejoicinginthesingulareffectofmixedconversationchoppedverysmall，likethecontentsofamince-pie，ormeat-pie，asitismoreforciblycalledinthedeep-ruttedvillageslyingalongtheunsaltedstreams。Allatonceitgrewsilentjustroundthedoor，whereithadbeenloudest，——andthesilencespreaditselflikeastain，tillithushedeverythingbutafewcorner-

duets。Adark，sad-looking，middle-agedgentlemanenteredtheparlor，withayoungladyonhisarm，——hisdaughter，asitseemed，forshewasnotwhollyunlikehiminfeature，andofthesamedarkcomplexion。

“DudleyVenner。”exclaimedadozenpeople，instartled，buthalf-

suppressedtones。

“WhatcanhavebroughtDudleyoutto-night？“saidJeffersonBuck，ayoungfellow，whohadbeeninterruptedinoneofthecorner-duetswhichhewasexecutinginconcertwithMissSusyPettingill。

“HowdoIknow，Jeff？“wasMissSusy’sanswer。Then，afterapause，——“Elsiemadehimcome，Iguess。GoaskDr。Kittredge；heknowsallabout’emboth，theysay。”

Dr。Kittredge，theleadingphysicianofRockland，wasashrewdoldman，wholookedprettykeenlyintohispatientsthroughhisspectacles，andprettywidelyatmen，women，andthingsingeneraloverthem。Sixty-threeyearsold，——justtheyearofthegrandclimacteric。Abaldcrown，aseverydoctorshouldhave。A

consultingpractitioner’smouth；thatis，movableroundthecornerswhilethecaseisunderexamination，butbothcornerswelldrawndownandkeptsowhenthefinalopinionismadeup。Infact，theDoctorwasoftensentfortoactas“caounsel。”alloverthecounty，andbeyondit。Hekeptthreeorfourhorses，sometimesridinginthesaddle，commonlydrivinginasulky，prettyfast，andlookingstraightbeforehim，sothatpeoplegotoutofthewayofbowingtohimashepassedontheroad。Therewassometalkabouthisnotbeingsolong-sightedasotherfolks，buthisoldpatientslaughedandlookedknowingwhenthiswasspokenof。

TheDoctorknewagoodmanythingsbesideshowtodroptincturesandshakeoutpowders。Thus，heknewahorse，and，whatishardertounderstand，ahorse-dealer，andwasamatchforhim。Heknewwhatanervouswomanis，andhowtomanageher。Hecouldtellataglancewhensheisinthatconditionofunstableequilibriuminwhicharoughwordislikeablowtoher，andthetouchofunmagnetizedfingersreversesallhernervouscurrents。ItisnoteverybodythatentersintothesoulofMozart’sorBeethoven’sharmonies；andtherearevitalsymphoniesinBflat，andotherlow，sadkeys，whichadoctormayknowaslittleofasahurdy-gurdyplayeroftheessenceofthosedivinemusicalmysteries。TheDoctorknewthedifferencebetweenwhatmensayandwhattheymeanaswellasmostpeople。Whenhewaslisteningtocommontalk，hewasinthehabitoflookingoverhisspectacles；ifheliftedhisheadsoastolookthroughthematthepersontalking，hewasbusierwiththatperson’sthoughtsthanwithhiswords。

JeffersonBuckwasnotboldenoughtoconfronttheDoctorwithMissSusy’squestion，forhedidnotlookasifhewereinthemoodtoanswerqueriesputbycuriousyoungpeople。Hiseyeswerefixedsteadilyonthedarkgirl，everymovementofwhomheseemedtofollow。

Shewas，indeed，anapparitionofwildbeauty，sounlikethegirlsaboutherthatitseemednothingmorethannatural，that，whenshemoved，thegroupsshouldparttoletherpassthroughthem，andthatsheshouldcarrythecentreofalllooksandthoughtswithher。Shewasdressedtopleaseherownfancy，evidently，withsmallregardtothemodesdeclaredcorrectbytheRocklandmillinersandmantua-

makers。Herheavyblackhairlayinabraidedcoil，withalonggoldpinshatthroughitlikeajavelin。Roundherneckwasagoldentorque，around，cord-likechain，suchastheGaolsusedtowear；the“DyingGladiator“hasit。Herdresswasagrayishwateredsilk；hercollarwaspinnedwithaflashingdiamondbrooch，thestoneslookingasfreshasmorningdew-drops，butthesilversettingofthepastgeneration；herarmswerebare，round，butslenderratherthanlarge，inkeepingwithherlitheroundfigure。Onherwristssheworebracelets：onewasacircletofenamelledscales；theotherlookedasifitmighthavebeenCleopatra’sasp，withitsbodyturnedtogoldandits，eyestoemeralds。

Herfather——forDudleyVennerwasherfather——lookedlikeamanofcultureandbreeding，butmelancholyandwithadistractedair，asonewhoselifehadmetsomefatalcrossorblight。HesalutedhardlyanybodyexcepthisentertainersandtheDoctor。Onewouldhavesaid，tolookathim，thathewasnotatthepartybychoice；anditwasnaturalenoughtothink，withSusyPettingill，thatitmusthavebeenafreakofthedarkgirl’swhichbroughthimthere，forhehadtheairofashyandsad-heartedrecluse。

ItwashardtosaywhatcouldhavebroughtElsieVennertotheparty。

Hardlyanybodyseemedtoknowher，andsheseemednotatalldisposedtomakeacquaintances。HereandtherewasoneoftheoldergirlsfromtheInstitute，butsheappearedtohavenothingincommonwiththem。Evenintheschoolroom，itmayberemembered，shesatapartbyherownchoice，andnowinthemidstofthecrowdshemadeacircleofisolationroundherself。Drawingherarmoutofherfather’s，shestoodagainstthewall，andlooked，withastrange，coldglitterinhereyes，atthecrowdwhichmovedandbabbledbeforeher。

TheoldDoctorcameuptoherbyandby。

“Well，Elsie，Iamquitesurprisedtofindyouhere。Dotellmehowyouhappenedtodosuchagood-naturedthingastoletusseeyouatsuchagreatparty。”

“It’sbeendullatthemansion-house。”shesaid，“andIwantedtogetoutofit。It’stoolonelythere，——there’snobodytohatesinceDick’sgone。”

TheDoctorlaughedgood-naturedly，asifthiswereanamusingbitofpleasantry，——butheliftedhisheadanddroppedhiseyesalittle，soastoseeherthroughhisspectacles。Shenarrowedherlidsslightly，asoneoftenseesasleepycatnarrowhers，——somewhatasyoumayrememberourfamousMargaretusedto，ifyourememberheratall，——sothathereyeslookedverysmall，butbrightasthediamondsonherbreast。TheoldDoctorfeltveryoddlyasshelookedathim；

bedidnotlikethefeeling，sohedroppedhisheadandliftedhiseyesandlookedatheroverhisspectaclesagain。

“Andhowhaveyouallbeenatthemansionhouse？“saidtheDoctor。

“Oh，wellenough。ButDick’sgone，andthere’snobodyleftbutDudleyandIandthepeople。I’mtiredofit。Whatkillsanybodyquickest，Doctor？“Then，inawhisper，“Iranawayagaintheotherday，youknow。”

“Wheredidyougo？“TheDoctorspokeinalow，serioustone。

“Oh，totheoldplace。Here，Ibroughtthisforyou。”

TheDoctorstartedasshehandedhimafloweroftheAtrageneAmericana，forheknewthattherewasonlyonespotwhereitgrew，andthatnotonewhereanyrashfoot，leastofallathin-shodwoman’sfoot，shouldventure。

“Howlongwereyougone？“saidtheDoctor。

“Onlyonenight。Youshouldhaveheardthehornsblowingandthegunsfiring。Dudleywasfrightenedoutofhiswits。OldSophytoldhimshe’dhadadream，andthatIshouldbefoundinDead-Man’sHollow，withagreatrocklyingonme。Theyhuntedalloverit，buttheydidn’tfindme，——Iwasfartherup。”

DoctorKittredgelookedcloudyandworriedwhileshewasspeaking，butforcedapleasantprofessionalsmile，ashesaidcheerily，andasifwishingtochangethesubject，“Haveagooddancethisevening，Elsie。Thefiddlersaretuningup。

Where’stheyoungmaster？hashecomeyet？orishegoingtobelate，withtheothergreatfolks？“

Thegirlturnedawaywithoutanswering，andlookedtowardthedoor。

The“greatfolks。”meaningthemansion-housegentry，werejustbeginningtocome；DudleyVennerandhisdaughterhadbeenthefirstofthem。JudgeThornton，white-headed，fresh-faced，asgoodatsixtyashewasatforty，withayoungishsecondwife，andonenobledaughter，Arabella，who，theysaid，knewasmuchlawasherfather，astately，Portialikegirl，fitforapremier’swife，notliketofindhermatcheveninthegreatcitiesshesometimesvisited；theTrecothicks，thefamilyofamerchant，(inthelargersense，)who，havingmadehimselfrichenoughbythetimehehadreachedmiddlelife，threwdownhisledgerasSylladidhisdagger，andretiredtomakealittleparadisearoundhiminoneofthestateliestresidencesofthetown，afamilyinheritance；theVaughans，anoldRocklandrace，descendedfromitsfirstsettlers，ToryishintendencyinRevolutionarytimes，andbarelyescapingconfiscationorworse；theDunhams，anewfamily，datingitsgentilityonlyasfarbackastheHonorableWashingtonDunham，M。C。，butturningoutacleverboyortwothatwenttocollege；andsomeshowygirlswithwhitenecksandfatarmswhohadpickedupprofessionalhusbands：theseweretheprincipalmansion-housepeople。Allofthemhadmadeitapointtocome；andaseachofthementered，itseemedtoColonelandMrs。

Sprowlethatthelampsburnedupwithamorecheerfullight，andthatthefiddleswhichsoundedfromtheuncarpetedroomwereallhalfatonehigherandhalfabeatquicker。

Mr。Bernardcameinlaterthananyofthem；hehadbeenbusywithhisnewduties。Helookedwellandthatissayingagooddeal；fornothingbutagentlemanisendurableinfulldress。Hairthatmasseswell，aheadsetonwithanair，aneckerchieftiedcleverlybyaneasy，practisedhand，close-fittinggloves，feetwellshapedandwellcovered，——theseadvantagescanmakeusforgivetheodioussablebroadclothsuit，whichappearstohavebeenadoptedbysocietyonthesameprinciplethatcondemnedalltheVenetiangondolastoperpetualanduniformblackness。Mr。Bernard，introducedbyMr。Geordie，madehisbowtotheColonelandhisladyandtoMissMatilda，fromwhomhegotaparticularlygraciouscurtsy，andthenbeganlookingabouthimforacquaintances。Hefoundtwoorthreefacesheknew，——manymorestrangers。TherewasSilasPeckham，——therewasnomistakinghim；

therewastheinelasticamplitudeofMrs。Peckham；fewoftheApollineangirls，ofcourse，theynotbeingrecognizedmembersofsociety，——butthereisonewiththeflameinhercheeksandthefireinhereyes，thegirlofvigoroustintsandemphaticoutlines，whomwesawenteringtheschoolroomtheotherday。OldJudgeThorntonhashiseyesonher，andtheColonelstealsalookeverynowandthenattheredbroochwhichliftsitselfsosuperblyintothelight，asifhethoughtitawonderfullybecomingornament。Mr。Bernardhimselfwasnotdispleasedwiththegeneraleffectoftherich-bloodedschoolgirl，asshestoodunderthebrightlamps，fanningherselfinthewarm，languidair，fixedinakindofpassionatesurpriseatthenewlifewhichseemedtobefloweringoutinherconsciousness。

Perhapshelookedathersomewhatsteadily，assomeothershaddone；

atanyrate，sheseemedtofeelthatshewaslookedat，aspeopleoftendo，and，turninghereyessuddenlyonhim，caughthisownonherface，gavehimahalf-bashfulsmile，andthrewinablushinvoluntarilywhichmadeitmorecharming。

“WhatcanIdobetter。”hesaidtohimself，“thanhaveadancewithRosaMilburn？“Sohecarriedhishandsomepupilintothenextroomandtookhisplacewithherinacotillon。WhetherthebreathoftheGoddessofLovecouldintoxicatelikethecupofCirce，——whetherawomaniseverphosphorescentwiththeluminousvaporoflifethatsheexhales，——theseandotherquestionswhichrelatetooccultinfluencesexercisedbycertainwomenwewillnotnowdiscuss。ItisenoughthatMr。Bernardwassensibleofastrangefascination，notwhollynewtohim，norunprecedentedinthehistoryofhumanexperience，butalwaysarevelationwhenitcomesoverusforthefirstorthehundredthtime，sopaleisthemostrecentmemorybythesideofthepassingmomentwiththeflushofanynew-bornpassiononitscheek。

RememberthatNaturemakeseverymanloveallwomen，andtruststhetrivialmatterofspecialchoicetothecommonestaccident。

IfMr。Bernardhadhadnothingtodistracthisattention，hemighthavethoughttoomuchabouthishandsomepartner，andthengonehomeanddreamedabouther，whichisalwaysdangerous，andwakedupthinkingofherstill，andthenbeguntobedeeplyinterestedinherstudies，andsoon，throughthewholesyllogismwhichendsinNature’ssupremequoderatdemonstrandum。Whatwastheretodistracthimordisturbhim？Hedidnotknow，——buttherewassomething。Thissumptuouscreature，thisEvejustwithinthegateofanuntriedParadise，untutoredinthewaysoftheworld，butontiptoetoreachthefruitofthetreeofknowledge，——alivetothemoistvitalityofthatwarmatmospherepalpitatingwithvoicesandmusic，astheflowerofsomedioeciousplantwhichhasgrowninalonecornerandsuddenlyunfoldingitscorollaonsomehot-breathingJuneevening，feelsthattheairisperfumedwithstrangeodorsandloadedwithgoldendustwaftedfromthoseotherblossomswithwhichitsdoublelifeisshared，——thisalmostover-womanizedwomanmightwellhavebewitchedhim，butthathehadavaguesenseofacounter-charm。Itwas，perhaps，onlythesameconsciousnessthatsomeonewaslookingathimwhichhehimselfhadjustgivenoccasiontoinhispartner。

Presently，inoneoftheturnsofthedance，hefelthiseyesdrawntoafigurehehadnotdistinctlyrecognized，thoughhehaddimlyfeltitspresence，andsawthatElsieVennerwaslookingathimasifshesawnothingelsebuthim。Hewasnotanervousperson，likethepoorlady-teacher，yettheglitterofthediamondeyesaffectedhimstrangely。Itseemedtodisenchanttheair，sofullamomentbeforeofstrangeattractions。Hebecamesilent，anddreamy，asitwere。

Theround-limbedbeautyathissidecrushedhergauzydraperiesagainsthim，astheytrodthefigureofthedancetogether，butitwasnomoretohimthanifanoldnursehadlaidherhandonhissleeve。Theyounggirlchafedathisseemingneglect，andherimperiousbloodmountedintohercheeks；butheappearedunconsciousofit。

“ThereisoneofouryoungladiesImustspeakto。”hesaid，——andwasjustleavinghispartner’sside。

“Fourhandsallround？“shoutedthefirstviolin，——andMr。Bernardfoundhimselfseizedandwhirledinacircleoutofwhichhecouldnotescape，andthenforcedto“crossover。”andthento“dozydo。”

asthemaestrohadit，——andwhen，ongettingbacktohisplace，helookedforElsieVenner，shewasgone。

Thedancingwentonbriskly。Someoftheoldfolkslookedon，othersconversedingroupsandpairs，andsotheeveningworealong，untilalittleafterteno’clock。Aboutthistimetherewasnoticedanincreasedbustleinthepassages，withaconsiderableopeningandshuttingofdoors。Presentlyitbegantobewhisperedaboutthattheyweregoingtohavesupper。Many，whohadneverbeentoanylargepartybefore，heldtheirbreathforamomentatthisannouncement。Itwasratherwithatremulousinterestthanwithopenhilaritythattherumorwasgenerallyreceived。

OnepointtheColonelhadentirelyforgottentosettle。Itwasapointinvolvingnotmerelypropriety，butperhapsprinciplealso，oratleastthegoodreportofthehouse，——andhehadneverthoughttoarrangeit。HetookJudgeThorntonasideandwhisperedtheimportantquestiontohim，——inhisdistressofmind，mistakingpocketsandtakingouthisbandannainsteadofhiswhitehandkerchieftowipehisforehead。

“Judge。”hesaid，“doyouthink，that，beforewecommencerefreshingourselvesatthetables，itwouldbetheproperthingto——cravea——torequestDeaconSoperorsomeotherelderlyperson——toaskablessing？“

TheJudgelookedasgraveasifhewereaboutgivingtheopinionoftheCourtinthegreatIndia-rubbercase。

“Onthewhole。”heanswered，afterapause，“Ishouldthinkitmight，perhaps，bedispensedwithonthisoccasion。Youngfolksarenoisy，anditisawkwardtohavetalkingandlaughinggoingonwhileblessingisbeingasked。Unlessaclergymanispresentandmakesapointofit，Ithinkitwillhardlybeexpected。”

TheColonelwasinfinitelyrelieved。“Judge，willyoutakeMrs。

Sprowleintosupper？“AndtheColonelreturnedthecomplimentbyofferinghisarmtoMrs。JudgeThornton。

Thedoorofthesupper-roomwasnowopen，andthecompany，followingtheleadofthehostandhostess，begantostreamintoit，untilitwasprettywellfilled。

Therewasanawfulkindofpause。Manywerebeginningtodroptheirheadsandshuttheireyes，inanticipationoftheusualpetitionbeforeameal；someexpectedthemusictostrikeup，——others，thatanorationwouldnowbedeliveredbytheColonel。

“Makeyourselvesathome，ladiesandgentlemen。”saidtheColonel；

“goodthingsweremadetoeat，andyou’rewelcometoallyouseebeforeyou。”

Sosayingheattackedahugeturkeywhichstoodattheheadofthetable；andhisexamplebeingfollowedfirstbythebold，thenbythedoubtful，andlastlybythetimid，theclattersoonmadethecircuitofthetables。Somewereshocked，however，astheColonelhadfearedtheywouldbe，atthewantofthecustomaryinvocation。WidowLeech，akindofrelation，whohadtobeinvited，andwhocamewithherold，back-country-lookingstringofgoldbeadsroundherneck，seemedtofeelveryseriousaboutit。

“Ifshe’dha’knownthatfolkswouldbegrutchcravin’ablessin’oversechaheapo’provisions，she’dratherha’staidt’home。Itwasabadsign，whenfolkswasn’tgratefulforthebaountiesofProvidence。”

TheelderMissSpinney，towhomshemadethisremark，assentedtoit，atthesametimeoglingapieceoffrostedcake，whichshepresentlyappropriatedwithgreatrefinementofmanner，——takingitbetweenherthumbandforefinger，keepingtheotherswellspreadandthelittlefingerinextremedivergence，withagracefulundulationoftheneck，andaqueerlittlesoundinherthroat，asofanMthatwantedtogetoutandperishedintheattempt。

Thetablesnowpresentedananimatedspectacle。Youngfellowsofthemoredashingsort，withhighstand-upcollarsandvoluminousbowstotheirneckerchiefs，distinguishedthemselvesbycuttingupfowlsandofferingportionsthereoftothebuxomgirlstheseknowingoneshadcommonlyselected。

“Abitofthewing，Roxy，orofthe——underlimb？“

Thefirstlaughbrokeoutatthis，butitwaspremature，asporadiclaugh，asDr。Kittredgewouldhavesaid，whichdidnotbecomeepidemic。Peoplewereverysolemnasyet，manyofthembeingnewtosuchsplendidscenes，andcrushed，asitwere，inthepresenceofsomuchcrockeryandsomanysilverspoons，andsuchavarietyofunusualviandsandbeverages。WhenthelaughrosearoundRoxyandhersaucybeau，severallookedinthatdirectionwithananxiousexpression，asifsomethinghadhappened，aladyfainted，forinstance，oracoupleoflivelyfellowscometohighwords。

“Youngfolkswillbeyoungfolks。”saidDeaconSoper。“Noharmdone。

Leastsaidsoonestmended。”

“Havesomeoftheseshell-oysters？“saidtheColoneltoMrs。

Trecothick。

AdelicateemphasisonthewordshellimpliedthattheColonelknewwhatwaswhat。TotheNewEnglandinlandnative，beyondthereachoftheeastwinds，theoysterunconditioned，theoysterabsolute，withoutaqualifyingadjective，isthepickledoyster。Mrs。

Trecothick，whoknewverywellthatanoysterlongoutofhisshell(asisapttobethecasewiththeruralbivalve)getshomesickandloseshissprightliness，replied，withthepleasantestsmileintheworld，thatthechickenshehadbeenhelpedtowastoodelicatetobegivenupevenforthegreaterrarity。Buttheword“shell-oysters“

hadbeenoverheard；andtherewasaperceptiblecrowdingmovementtowardstheirnewlydiscoveredhabitat，alargesoup-tureen。

SilasPeckhamhadmeantimefallenuponanotherlocalityoftheserecentmollusks。Hesaidnothing，buthelpedhimselffreely，andmadeasigntoMrs。Peckham。

“Lorindy。”hewhispered，“shell-oysters“

Andladledthemouttoherlargely，withoutbetrayinganyemotion，justasiftheyhadbeenthenaturalinlandorpickledarticle。

Afterthemoresolidportionofthebanquethadbeendulyhonored，thecakesandsweetpreparationsofvariouskindsbegantogettheirshareofattention。Thereweregreatcakesandlittlecakes，cakeswithraisinsinthem，cakeswithcurrants，andcakeswithouteither；

therewerebrowncakesandyellowcakes，frostedcakes，glazedcakes，heartsandrounds，andjumbles，whichplayfulyouthslipovertheforefingerbeforespoilingtheirannularoutline。Thereweremoundsofblo’monje，ofthearrowrootvariety，——thatbeingundistinguishablefromsuchasismadewithRussiaisinglass。Therewerejellies，whichhadbeenshaking，allthetimetheyoungfolksweredancinginthenextroom，asiftheywerebalancingtopartners。Therewerebuilt-upfabrics，calledCharlottes，cakyexternally，pulpywithin；

therewerealsomarangs，andlikewisecustards，——someoftheindolent-fluidsort，othersfirm，inwhicheverystrokeoftheteaspoonleftasmooth，conchoidalsurfacelikethefractureofchalcedony，withhereandtherealittleeyelikewhatoneseesincheeses。Norwasthatmostwonderfulobjectofdomesticartcalledtriflewanting，withitscharmingconfusionofcreamandcakeandalmondsandjamandjellyandwineandcinnamonandfroth；noryetthemarvellousfloating-island，——namesuggestiveofallthatisromanticintheimaginationsofyouthfulpalates。

“Itmusthavecostyouasightofwork，tosaynothin’ofmoney，togetallthisbeautifulconfectionerymadefortheparty。”saidMrs。

CranetoMrs。Sprowle。

“Well，itcostsomeconsid’ablelabor，nodoubt。”saidMrs。Sprowle。

“MatildaandourgirlsandImade’mostallthecakewithourownhands，andweallfeelsometired；butiffolksgetwhatsuits’em，wedon’tbegrudgethetimenorthework。ButIdofeelthirsty。”

saidthepoorlady，“andIthinkaglassofsrubwoulddomythroatgood；it’sdreadfuldry。Mr。Peckham，wouldyoubesopoliteastopassmeaglassofsrub？“

SilasPeckhambowedwithgreatalacrity，andtookfromthetableasmallglasscup，containingafluidreddishinhueandsubacidintaste。Thiswassrub，abeverageinlocalrepute，ofquestionablenature，butsuspectedofowingitstintandsharpnesstosomekindofsyrupderivedfromthemaroon-coloredfruitofthesumac。Thereweresimilarsmallcupsonthetablefilledwithlemonade，andhereandthereadecanterofMadeirawine，oftheMarsalakind，whichsomepreferto，andmanymorecannotdistinguishfrom，thatwhichcomesfromtheAtlanticisland。

“Takeaglassofwine，Judge。”said，theColonel；“hereisanarticlethatIratherthink’llsuityou。”

TheJudgeknewsomethingofwines，andcouldtellallthefamousoldMadeirasfromeachother，“Eclipse。”“Juno。”thealmostfabulouslyscarceandprecious“White-top。”andtherest。HestruckthenativityoftheMediterraneanMadeirabeforeithadfairlymoistenedhislip。

“Asoundwine，Colonel，andIshouldthinkofagenuinevintage。

Yourverygoodhealth。”

“DeaconSoper。”saidtheColonel，“hereissomeMadaryJudgeThorntonrecommends。Letmefillyouaglassofit。”

TheDeacon’seyesglistened。HewasoneofthoseconsistentChristianswhostickfirmlybythefirstmiracleandPaul’sadvicetoTimothy。

“Alittlegoodwinewon’thurtanybody。”saidtheDeacon。“Plenty，——

plenty，——plenty。There！“Hehadnotwithdrawnhisglass，whiletheColonelwaspouring，forfearitshouldspill，andnowitwasrunningover——

Itisveryoddhowallaman’sphilosophyandtheologyareatthemercyofafewdropsofafluidwhichthechemistssayconsistsofnothingbutC4，O2，H6。TheDeacon’stheologyfelloffseveralpointstowardslatitudinarianisminthecourseofthenexttenminutes。Hehadadeepinwardsensethateverythingwasasitshouldbe，humannatureincluded。Thelittleaccidentsofhumanity，knowncollectivelytomoralistsassin，lookedveryvenialtohisgrowingsenseofuniversalbrotherhoodandbenevolence。

“Itwillallcomeright。”theDeaconsaidtohimself，——“Ifeelajoyfulconvictionthateverythingisforthebest。Iamfavoredwithablessedpeaceofmind，andaverypreciousseasonofgoodfeelin’

towardmyfellow-creturs。”

Alustyyoungfellowhappenedtomakeaquickstepbackwardjustatthatinstant，andputhisheel，withhisweightontopofit，upontheDeacon’stoes。

“Aigh！Whatthed’d’didosarey’abaoutwiththemgreathuffso’

yourn？“saidtheDeacon，withanexpressionuponhisfeaturesnotexactlythatofpeaceandgood-willtomen。Thelustyyoungfellowapologized；buttheDeacon’sfacedidnotcomeright，andhistheologybackedroundseveralpointsinthedirectionoftotaldepravity。

Someofthedashingyoungmeninstand-upcollarsandextensiveneckties，encouragedbyMr。Geordie，madequitefreewiththe“Ma，dary。”andeveninducedsomeofthemorestylishgirls——notofthemansion-houseset，butofthetip-toptwo-storyfamilies——totastealittle。Mostoftheseyoungladiesmadefacesatit，anddeclareditwas“perfectlyhorrid。”withthataspectofveracitypeculiartotheirageandsex。

Aboutthistimeamovementwasmadeonthepartofsomeofthemansion-housepeopletoleavethesupper-table。MissJaneTrecothickhadquietlyhintedtohermotherthatshehadhadenoughofit。MissArabellaThorntonhadwhisperedtoherfatherthathehadbetteradjournthiscourttothenextroom。Thereweresignsofmigration，——alooseningofpeopleintheirplaces，——alookingaboutforarmstohitchonto。

“Stop！“saidtheColonel。“There’ssomethingcomingyet——

Ice-cream！“

Thegreatfolkssawthattheplaywasnotoveryet，andthatitwasonlypolitetostayandseeitout。Theword“ice-cream“wasnosoonerwhisperedthanitpassedfromonetoanotheralldownthetables。Theeffectwaswhatmighthavebeenanticipated。Manyoftheguestshadneverseenthiscelebratedproductofhumanskill，andtoallthetwo-storypopulationofRocklanditwasthelastexpressionoftheartofpleasingandastonishingthehumanpalate。

Itsappearancehadbeendeferredforseveralreasons：first，becauseeverybodywouldhaveattackedit，ifithadcomeinwiththeotherluxuries；secondly，becauseundueapprehensionswereentertained(owingtowantofexperience)ofitstendencytodeliquesceandresolveitselfwithalarmingrapidityintopuddlesofcreamyfluid；

and，thirdly，becausethesurprisewouldmakeagrandclimaxtofinishoffthebanquet。

Thereissomethingsoaudaciousintheconceptionofice-cream，thatitisnotstrangethatapopulationundebauchedbytheluxuryofgreatcitieslooksuponitwithakindofaweandspeaksofitwithacertainemotion。Thisdefianceoftheseasons，forcingNaturetodoherworkofcongelationinthefaceofhersultriestnoon，mightwellinspireatimidmindwithfearlesthumanartwererevoltingagainsttheHigherPowers，andraisethesamescrupleswhichresistedtheuseofetherandchloroformincertaincontingencies。Whatevermaybethecause，itiswellknownthattheannouncementatanyprivateruralentertainmentthatthereistobeice-creamproducesanimmediateandprofoundimpression。Itmayberemarked，asaidingthisimpression，thatexaggeratedideasareentertainedastothedangerouseffectsthiscongealedfoodmayproduceonpersonsnotinthemostrobusthealth。

Therewassilenceasthepyramidsoficewereplacedonthetable，everybodylookingoninadmiration。TheColoneltookaknifeandassailedtheoneattheheadofthetable。Whenhetriedtocutoffaslice，itdidn’tseemtounderstandit，however，andonlytipped，asifitwantedtoupset。TheColonelattackeditontheotherside，andittippedjustasbadlytheotherway。ItwasawkwardfortheColonel。“Permitme。”saidtheJudge，——andhetooktheknifeandstruckasharpslantingstrokewhichslicedoffapiecejustoftherightsize，andofferedittoMrs。Sprowle。Thisactofdexteritywasmuchadmiredbythecompany。

Thetableswereallaliveagain。

“Lorindy，here’saplateofice-cream。”saidSilasPeckham。

“Come，Mahaly。”saidafresh-lookingyoung-fellowwithasaucerfulineachhand，“here’syourice-cream；——let’sgointhecornerandhaveacelebration，ustwo。”Andtheoldgreende-lame，withtheyoungcurvesunderittomakeitsitwell，movedoffaspleasedapparentlyasifithadbeensilkvelvetwiththousand-dollarlacesoverit。

“Oh，now，MissGreen！doyouthinkit’ssafetoputthatcoldstuffintoyourstomick？“saidtheWidowLeechtoayoungmarriedlady，who，findingtheairratherwarm，thoughtalittleicewouldcoolherdownverynicely。“It’sjestlikeeatin’snowballs。Youdon’tlookveryrugged；andIshouldbedreadfulafeard，ifIwasyou“

“Carrie。”saidoldDr。Kittredge，whohadoverheardthis，——“howwellyou’relookingthisevening！Butyoumustbetiredandheated；——sitdownhere，andletmegiveyouagoodsliceofice-cream。Howyouyoungfolksdogrowup，tobesure！Idon’tfeelquitecertainwhetherit’syouoryouroldersister，butIknowit’ssomebodyI

callCarrie，andthatI’veknowneversince“

AsoundsomethingbetweenahowlandanoathstartledthecompanyandbrokeofftheDoctor’ssentence。Everybody’seyesturnedinthedirectionfromwhichitcame。Agroupinstantlygatheredroundthepersonwhohadutteredit，whowasnootherthanDeaconSoper。

“He’schokin’！he’schokin’！“wasthefirstexclamation，——“slaphimontheback！“

SeveralheavyfistsbeatsuchatattooonhisspinethattheDeaconfeltasifatleastoneofhisvertebraewouldcomeup。

“He’sblackintheface。”saidWidowLeech，“he’sswalleredsomethin’thewrongway。Where’stheDoctor？——lettheDoctorgettohim，can’tye？“

“Ifyouwillmove，mygoodlady，perhapsIcan。”saidDoctorKittredge，inacalmtoneofvoice。“He’snotchoking，myfriends。”

theDoctoraddedimmediately，whenhegotsightofhim。

“It’sapoplexy，——Itoldyouso，——don’tyouseehowredheisintheface？“saidoldMrs。Peake，afamouswomanfor“nussin“sickfolks，——determinedtobealittleaheadoftheDoctor。

“It’snotapoplexy。”saidDr。Kittredge。

“Whatisit，Doctor？whatisit？Willhedie？Ishedead？——Here’shispoorwife，theWidowSoperthatistobe，ifshea’n’ta’ready“

“Dobequiet，mygoodwoman。”saidDr。Kittredge——“Nothingserious，Ithink，Mrs。Soper。Deacon！“

ThesuddenattackofDeaconSoperhadbegunwiththeextraordinarysoundmentionedabove。Hisfeatureshadimmediatelyassumedanexpressionofintensepain，hiseyesstaringwildly，and，clappinghishandstohisface，hehadrockedhisheadbackwardandforwardinspeechlessagony。

AttheDoctor’ssharpappealtheDeaconliftedhishead。

“It’sallright。”saidtheDoctor，assoonashesawhisface。“TheDeaconhadasmartattackofneuralgicpain。That’sall。Verysevere，butnotatalldangerous。”

TheDoctorkepthiscountenance，buthisdiaphragmwasshakingthechangeiniriswaistcoat-pocketswithsubterraneanlaughter。Hehadlookedthroughhisspectaclesandseenatoncewhathadhappened。

TheDeacon，notbeinginthehabitoftakinghisnourishmentinthecongealedstate，hadtreatedtheice-creamasapuddingofararespecies，and，tomakesureofdoinghimselfjusticeinitsdistribution，hadtakenalargemouthfulofitwithouttheleastprecaution。Theconsequencewasasensationasifadentistwerekillingthenervesoftwenty-fiveteethatoncewithhotirons，orcoldones，whichwouldhurtratherworse。

TheDeaconswallowedsomethingwithaspasmodiceffort，andrecoveredprettysoonandreceivedthecongratulationsofhisfriends。Thereweredifferentversionsoftheexpressionshehadusedattheonsetofhiscomplaint，——someofthereportedexclamationsinvolvingabreachofpropriety，tosaytheleast，——butitwasagreedthatamaninanattackofneuralgywasn’ttobejudgedofbytherulesthatappliedtootherfolks。

Thecompanysoonafterthisretiredfromthesupper-room。Themansion-housegentrytooktheirleave，andthetwo-storypeoplesoonfollowed。Mr。Bernardhadstayedanhourortwo，andleftsoonafterhefoundthatElsieVennerandherfatherhaddisappeared。AshepassedbythedormitoryoftheInstitute，hesawalightglimmeringfromoneofitsupperrooms，wherethelady-teacherwasstillwaking。

Hisheartached，whenheremembered，that，throughallthesehoursofgayety，orwhatwasmeantforit，thepatientgirlhadbeenatworkinherlittlechamber；andhelookedupatthesilentstars，asiftoseethattheywerewatchingoverher。TheplanetMarswasburninglikearedcoal；thenorthernconstellationwasslantingdownwardaboutitscentralpointofflame；andwhilehelooked，afallingstarslidfromthezenithandwaslost。

HereachedhischamberandwassoondreamingovertheEventoftheSeason。

CHAPTERVIII。

THEMORNINGAFTER。

ColonelSprowle’sfamilyaroselatethenextmorning。Thefatiguesandexcitementsoftheeveningandthepreparationforitwerefollowedbyanaturalcollapse，ofwhichsomnolencewasaleadingsymptom。ThesunshoneintothewindowataprettywellopenedanglewhentheColonelfirstfoundhimselfsufficientlyawaketoaddresshisyetslumberingspouse。

“Sally！“saidtheColonel，inavoicethatwasalittlehusky，——forhehadfinishedofftheeveningwithanextraglassortwoof“Madary。”andhadasomewhatrustyandheadachysenseofrenewedexistence，ongreetingtheratheradvanceddawn，——“Sally！“

“Takecareo’themcustard-cups！Theretheygo！“

PoorMrs。Sprowlewasfightingthepartyoverinherdream；andasthevisionarycustard-cupscrasheddownthroughonelobeofherbrainintoanother，shegaveastartasifaninchoflightningfromaquartLeydenjarhadjumpedintooneofherknuckleswithitssuddenandlivelypoonk！

“Sally！“saidtheColonel，——“wakeup，wakeup。What’r’y’dreamin’

abaout？“

Mrs。Sprowleraisedherself，byasortofspasm，sursonseant，astheysayinFrance，——uponend，aswehaveitinNewEngland。Shelookedfirsttotheleft，thentotheright，thenstraightbeforeher，apparentlywithoutseeinganything，andatlastslowlysettleddown，withhertwoeyes，blankofanyparticularmeaning，directedupontheColonel。

“Whattimeis’t？“shesaid。

“Teno’clock。Whaty’beendreamin’abaout？Y’givajumplikeahopper-grass。Wakeup，wakeUP！Th’party’sover，andy’beenasleepallthemornin’。Theparty’sover，Itellye！Wakeup！“

“Over！“saidMrs。Sprowle，whobegantodefineherpositionatlast，——“over！Ishouldthink’twastime’twasover！It’slastedahundudyear。I’vebeenworkin’forthatpartylonger’nMethuselah’slifetime，senceIbeenasleep。Thepieswouldn’bake，andtheblo’monjewouldn’set，andtheice-creamwouldn’freeze，andallthefolkskep’comin’’n’comin’’n’comin’，——everybodyIeverknewinallmylife，——someof’em’sbeendeadthistwentyyear’n’more，——’n’nothin’for’emtoeatnordrink。Thefirewouldn’burntocookanything，allwecoulddo。Weblowedwiththebelluses，’n’westuffedinpaper’n’pitch-pinekindlin’s，butnothin’couldmakethatfireburn；’n’allthetimethefolkskep’comin’，asifthey’dneverstop，——’n’nothin’for’embutemptydishes，’n’alltheborrowedchaneyslippin’roundonthewaiters’n’chippin’’n’

crackin’，——Iwouldn’gothroughwhatIbeenthrought’-nightforallth’moneyinth’Bank，——Idobelieveit’shardert’haveapartythant’“——

Mrs。Sprowlestatedthecasestrongly。

TheColonelsaidhedidn’tknowhowthatmightbe。Shewasabetterjudgethanhewas。Itwasbotherenough，anyhow，andhewasgladthatitwasover。Afterthis，theworthypaircommencedpreparationsforrejoiningthewakingworld，andinduetimeproceededdownstairs。

Everybodywaslatethatmorning，andnothinghadgotputtorights。

Thehouselookedasifasmallarmyhadbeenquarteredinitovernight。Thetableswereofcourseinhugedisorder，aftertheprotractedassaulttheyhadundergone。Therehadbeenagreatbattleevidently，andithadgoneagainsttheprovisions。Somepointshadbeenstormed，andalltheirdefencesannihilated，buthereandtherewerecentresofresistancewhichhadheldoutagainstallattacks，——

largeroundsofbeef，andsolidloavesofcake，againstwhichtheinexperiencedhadwastedtheirenergiesintheenthusiasmofyouthoruninformedmaturity，whilethelonger-headedguestsweremakingdiscoveriesof“shell-oysters“and“patridges“andsimilardelicacies。

Thebreakfastwasnaturallyofasomewhatfragmentarycharacter。A

chickenthathadlosthislegsintheserviceoftheprecedingcampaignwasoncemoreputonduty。Agreathamstuckwithcloves，asSaintSebastianwaswitharrows，wasagainofferedformartyrdom。

ItwouldhavebeenapleasantsightforamedicalmanofaspeculativeturntohaveseentheprospectbeforetheColonel’sfamilyofthenextweek’sbreakfasts，dinners，andsuppers。Thetrailthatoneofthesegreatruralpartiesleavesafteritisoneofitsmostformidableconsiderations。Everydoor-handleinthehouseissuggestiveofsweetmeatsforthenextweek，atleast。Themostunnaturalarticlesofdietdisplacethefrugalbutnutritiousfoodofunconvulsedperiodsofexistence。Ifthereisawalkinginfantaboutthehouse，itwillcertainlyhaveamoreorlessfatalfitfromovermuchofsomeindigestibledelicacy。Beforetheweekisout，everybodywillbetiredtodeathofsugaryformsofnourishmentandlongtoseethelastoftheremnantsofthefestival。

Thefamilyhadnotyetarrivedatthiscondition。Onthecontrary，thefirstinspectionofthetablessuggestedtheprospectofdaysofunstintedluxury；andtheyoungerportionofthehousehold，especially，wereinastateofgreatexcitementastheaccountofstockwastakenwithreferencetofutureinternalinvestments。Somecuriousfactscametolightduringtheseresearches。

“Where’salltheorangesgoneto？“saidMrs。Sprowle。“Iexpectedthere’dbeeversomanyof’emleft。Ididn’tseemanyofthefolkseatin’oranges。Where’stheskinsof’em？Thereoughttobesixdozenorange-skinsroundontheplates，andtherea’n’tonedozen。

Andallthesmallcakes，too，andallthesugarthingsthatwasstuckonthebigcakes。Hasanybodycountedthespoons？Someof’emgotswallered，perhaps。Ihopetheywasplatedones，iftheydid！“

Thefailureofthemorning’sorange-cropandthedeficitinotherexpectedresidualdelicacieswerenotverydifficulttoaccountfor。

Inmanyofthetwo-storyRocklandfamilies，andinthosefavoredhouseholdsoftheneighboringvillageswhosemembershadbeeninvitedtothegreatparty，therewasaverygeneralexcitementamongtheyoungerpeopleonthemorningafterthegreatevent。“Didy’bringhomesomethin’fromtheparty？Whatisit？Whatisit？Isitfrut-

cake？Isitnutsandorangesandapples？Givemesome！Givemesome！“SuchaconcertoftreblevoicesutteringaccentslikethesehadnotbeenheardsincethegreatTemperanceFestivalwiththecelebrated“colation“intheopenairunderthetreesoftheParnassianGrove，——astheplacewaschristenedbytheyoungladiesoftheInstitute。Thecryofthechildrenwasnotinvain。Fromthepocketsofdemurefathers，fromthebagsofsharp-eyedspinsters，fromthefoldedhandkerchiefsoflight-fingeredsisters，fromthetallhatsofsly-winkingbrothers，therewasaresurrectionofthemissingorangesandcakesandsugar-thingsinmanyarejoicingfamily-circle，enoughtoastonishthemosthardened“caterer“thatevercontractedtofeedathousandpeopleundercanvas。

Thetenderrecollectionsofthosedearlittleoneswhomextremeyouthorotherpressingconsiderationsdetainfromscenesoffestivity——atraitofaffectionbynomeansuncommonamongourthoughtfulpeople——

dignifiesthosesocialmeetingswhereitismanifested，andshedsarayofsunshineonourcommonnature。Itis“anoasisinthedesert。”——tousethestrikingexpressionofthelastyear’s“Valedictorian“oftheApollineanInstitute。Inthemidstofsomuchthatispurelyselfish，itisdelightfultomeetsuchdisinterestedcareforothers。Whenalargefamilyofchildrenareexpectingaparent’sreturnfromanentertainment，itwilloftenrequiregreatexertionsonhisparttofreighthimselfsoastomeettheirreasonableexpectations。AfewrulesareworthrememberingbyallwhoattendanniversarydinnersinFaneuilHallorelsewhere。Thus：

Lobsters’clawsarealwaysacceptabletochildrenofallages。

Orangesandapplesaretobetakenoneatatime，untilthecoat-

pocketsbegintobecomeinconvenientlyheavy。Cakesareinjuredbysittinguponthem；itis，therefore，welltocarryastouttinboxofasizetoholdasmanypiecesastherearechildreninthedomesticcircle。Averypleasantamusement，atthecloseofoneofthesebanquets，isgrabbingfortheflowerswithwhichthetableisembellished。Thesewillpleasetheladiesathomeverygreatly，and，ifthechildrenareatthesametimeabundantlysuppliedwithfruits，nuts，cakes，andanylittleornamentalarticlesofconfectionerywhichareofanaturetobeunostentatiouslyremoved，thekind-

heartedparentwillmakeawholehouseholdhappy，withoutanyadditionalexpensebeyondtheoutlayforhisticket。

Therewerefragmentarydelicaciesenoughleft，ofonekindandanother，atanyrate，tomakealltheColonel’sfamilyuncomfortableforthenextweek。Itbidfairtotakeaslongtogetridoftheremainsofthegreatpartyasithadtakentomakereadyforit。

InthemeantimeMr。Bernardhadbeendreaming，asyoungmendream，ofglidingshapeswithbrighteyesandburningcheeks，strangelyblendedwithredplanetsandhissingmeteors，and，shiningoverall，thewhite，un-wanderingstaroftheNorth，girtwithitstetheredconstellations。

Afterbreakfasthewalkedintotheparlor，wherehefoundMissDarley。Shewasalone，and，holdingaschool-bookinherhand，wasatworkwithoneofthemorning’slessons。Shehardlynoticedhimasheentered，beingverybusywithherbook，——andhepausedamomentbeforespeaking，andlookedatherwithakindofreverence。Itwouldnothavebeenstrictlytruetocallherbeautiful。Foryears，——sinceherearliestwomanhood，——thoseslenderhandshadtakenthebreadwhichrepaidthetoilofheartandbrainfromthecoarsepalmswhichoffereditintheworld’srudemarket。Itwasnotforherselfalonethatshehadbarteredawaythelifeofheryouth，thatshehadbreathedthehotairofschoolrooms，thatshehadforcedherintelligencetoposturebeforeherwill，astheexigenciesofherplacerequired，——wakingtomentallabor，——sleepingtodreamofproblems，——rollingupthestoneofeducationforanendlesstwelvemonth’sterm，tofinditatthebottomofthehillagainwhenanotheryearcalledhertoitsrenewedduties，schoolinghertemperinunendinginwardandoutwardconflicts，untilneitherdulnessnorobstinacynoringratitudenorinsolencecouldreachhersereneself-

possession。Notforherselfalone。Poorlyasherprodigallaborswererepaidinproportiontothewasteoflifetheycost，hervaluewastoowellestablishedtoleaveherwithoutwhat，underothercircumstances，wouldhavebeenamorethansufficientcompensation。

Buttherewereotherswholookedtoherintheirneed，andsothemodestfountainwhichmighthavebeenfilledtoitsbrimwascontinuallydrainedthroughsilent-flowing，hiddensluices。

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