CHAPTERI：STUARTHARLEY：REALIST
"——ifawordcouldsaveme，andthatwordwerenottheTruth，nay，ifitdidbutswerveahair’s—breadthfromtheTruth，Iwouldnotsayit!"——LONGFELLOW。
StuartHarley，despitehisauthorshipofmanynovels，stillconsideredhimselfarealist。Heaffectedtosaythathedidnotwritehisbooks；thathemerelytranscribedthemfromlifeashesawit，andheinsistedalwaysthathesawlifeasitwas。
"Themissionofthenovelist，mydearProfessor，"hehadoncebeenheardtosayathisclub，"isnottoamusemerely；hisworkisthatofanhistorian，andheshouldbequiteascarefultowritetruthfullyasisthehistorian。Howisthefuturetoknowwhatmannerofliveswenineteenthcenturypeoplehavelivedunlessournoveliststellthetruth？"
"Possiblythehistorianswilltellthem，"observedtheProfessorofMathematics。"Historianssometimesdotellusinterestingthings。"
"True，"saidHarley。"Verytrue；butthenwhathistorianeverletyouintothesecretoftheevery—daylifeofthepeopleofwhomhewrites？WhathistorianeversovitalizedLouistheFourteenthasDumashasvitalizedhim？Truly，inreadingmerehistoryIhaveseemedtobereadingoflayfigures，notofmen；butwhenthenovelisthastakenholdproperly——ah，thenwegetthemen。"
"Then，"objectedtheProfessor，"thenovelistisnevertocreateagreatcharacter？"
"Thehumoristorthemereromancermay，butasforthenovelistwithatrueidealofhismissioninlifehewouldbetterleavecreationtonature。ItisblasphemyforapurelymortalbeingtopretendthathecancreateamoreinterestingcharacterorsetofcharactersthantheAlmightyhasalreadyprovidedfortheuseofhimselfandhisbrothersinliterature；thathecaninvolvethesecreationsinamoredramaticseriesofeventsthanithasoccurredtoanall—wiseProvidencetoputintothelivesofHiscreatures；that，bytheexerciseofthatmisleadingfacultywhichthewriterstyleshisimagination，hecanportrayphasesoflifewhichshallproveofmoreabsorbinginterestorofgreatermoralvaluetohisreadersthanthosetobemetwithintheevery—daylifeofmanasheis。"
"Then，"saidtheProfessor，withadexterousjabofhiscueatthepool—balls——"then，inyourestimation，anauthorisathingtobeledaboutbythenosebythebeingsheselectsforuseinhisbooks？"
"Youputitinaratherhomelyfashion，"returnedHarley；"but，onthewhole，thatisaboutthesizeofit。"
"Andallamanneeds，then，tobeanauthorisaneyeandatype—
writingmachine？"askedtheProfessor。
"Andaregimentofdetectives，"drawledDr。Kelly，theyoungsurgeon，"tofollowhischaractersabout。"
Harleysighed。Surelythesemenwereunsympathetic。
"Ican’texpectyoutograsptheideaexactly，"hesaid，"andIcan’texplainittoyou，becauseyou’dbecomeirreverentifItried。"
"No，wewon’t，"saidKelly。"Goonandexplainittous——I’mbored，andwanttobeamused。"
SoHarleywentonandtriedtoexplainhowthetruerealistmustbeaninspiredsortofperson，whocanriseabovepurelyphysicallimitations；whoseeyeshallbeabletopiercethemostimpenetrableofveils；towhomnothinginthewayofobtaininginformationastothedoingsofsuchspecimensofmankindashehasselectedforhispagesisaninsurmountableobstacle。
"Yourauthor，then，istobeamixtureofaNewYorknewspaperreporterandtheRecordingAngel？"suggestedKelly。
"Itoldyouyou’dbecomeirreverent，"saidHarley；"nevertheless，eveninyourirreverence，youhaveexpressedtheidea。Thewritermustbeomniscientasfarasthecharactersofhisstoriesareconcerned——hemusthaveaneyewhichshallseeallthattheydo，amindsufficientlyanalyticaltodiscernwhattheirmotivesare，andthecouragetoputitalldowntruthfully，neitheraddingnorsubtracting，coloringonlywherecolorisneededtomakethemorallessonheistryingtoteachstandoutthemorevividly。"
"Inshort，you’dhavehimbecomeaphotographer，"saidtheProfessor。
"Moretrulyasoulscape—painter，"retortedHarley，withenthusiasm。
"Heavens!"criedtheDoctor，droppinghiscuewithaloudclattertothefloor。"Soulscape!Here’samantalkingaboutnotcreating，andthenthrowsoutaninventionlikesoulscape!Harley，yououghttowriteadictionary。Withawordlikesoulscapetostartwith，itwouldsweeptheearth!"
Harleylaughed。Hewasagood—naturedman，andhewasstrongenoughinhisconvictionsnottoweakenforthemerereasonthatsomebodyelsehadridiculedthem。Infact，everybodyelsemighthaveridiculedthem，andHarleywouldstillhavestoodtrue，oncehewasconvincedthathewasright。
"Yougoonsawingpeople’slegsoff，Billy，"hesaid，good—naturedly。
"That’sathingyouknowabout；andasfortheProfessor，hecangoonshowingyouandtherestofmankindjustwhytheshortestdistancebetweentwopointsisinastraightline。I’lltakeyourcollectiveandseparatewordsforanythingonthesubjectofsurgeryormathematics，butwhenitcomestomyworkIwouldn’tbankonyourtheoriesiftheywereendorsedbytheRothschilds。"
"He’llneverwriteadecentbookinhislifeifheclingstothattheory，"saidKelly，afterHarleyhaddeparted。"There’spreciouslittleinthewayofthedramaticnowadaysinthelivesofpeopleonecarestoreadabout。"
Nevertheless，Harleyhadwritteninterestingbooks，bookswhichhadbroughthimreputation，andwhatistermedgenteelpoverty——thatistosay，hisfamewasgreat，consideringhisage，andhiscompensationwasjustlargeenoughtomakelifepainfultohim。Hisincomeenabledhimtolivewellenoughtomakeagoodappearanceamong，andsharesomewhatattheirexpenseinthelifeof，othersoffargreatermeans；butitwastoosmalltobringhimmanyofthethingswhich，whilenotabsolutelynecessities，couldnotwellbetermedluxuries，consideringhistastesandhistemperament。Alittlemorewasallheneeded。
"IfIcouldaffordtowriteonlywhenIfeellikeit，"hesaid，"howhappyIshouldbe!Buttheseorders——theymakemeadriverofmen，andnottheirhistorian。"
Infact，Harleywasinthatunfortunate，andatthesametimehappy，positionwherehehadmanyordersfortheproductofhispen，andsuchfinancialnecessitiesthathecouldnotaffordtodeclineoneofthem。
AnditwasthisverysituationwhichmadehisrebelliousheroineofwhomIhaveessayedtowritesosoreatrialtothestrugglingyoungauthor。
ItwasearlyinMay，1895，thatHarleyhadreceivedanotefromMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，thepublishers，askingforastoryfromhispenfortheirpopular"BlueandSilverSeries。"
"ThesuccessofyourTiffin—Talk，"theywrote，"hasbeensuchthatwearepreparedtoofferyouourhighesttermsforashortstoryof30，000words，orthereabouts，tobepublishedinour’BlueandSilverSeries。’Weshouldliketohaveitalove—story，ifpossible；butwhateveritis，itmustbecharacteristic，andreadyforpublicationinNovember。WeshallneedtohavethemanuscriptbySeptember1statthelatest。IfyoucanletushavethefirstfewchaptersinAugust，wecansendthematoncetoMr。Chromely，whomitisourintentiontohaveillustratethestory，providedhecanbegottodoit。"
Theletterclosedwithafewformalitiesofanunimportantandstereotypednature，andHarleyimmediatelycalledattheofficeofMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，where，afterlearningthattheirbesttermswerenomoreunsatisfactorythanpublishers’besttermsgenerallyare，heacceptedthecommission。
Andthen，returningtohisapartment，hewentintowhatKellycalledoneofhistrances。
"Hegoesintooneofhistrances，"Kellyhadsaid，"hoistshimselfuptohislittleelevation，andpeepsintotheprivatelifeofhoipolloiuntilhestrikessomethingworthputtingdownandtheresulthecallsliterature。"
"Yes，andthepeoplebuyit，andreadit，andcallformore，"saidtheProfessor。
"Possiblybecausetheylovenotoriety，"saidKelly，"andtheythinkiftheycallformoreoftenenough，hewillfinallypeepinattheirkey—holesandwritethemup。IfheeverputsmeintooneofhisbooksI’llwaylayhimatnightandamputatehiswriting—hand。"
"Hewon’t，"saidtheProfessor。"Iaskedhimoncewhyhedidn’t，andhesaidyou’dneverdoinoneofhisbooks，becauseyoudon’tbelongtoreallifeatall。HethinksyouaresomenewexperimentofanenterprisingProvidence，andhedoesn’twanttouseyouuntilheseeshowyouturnout。"
"HecouldputmedownasIgo，"suggestedtheDoctor。
"That’sso，"repliedtheother。"Itoldhimso，buthesaidhehadnodesiretowritealotofburlesquesketchescontainingnocoherentidea。"
"Oh，hesaidthat，didhe？"observedtheDoctor，withasmile。
"Well——waittillStuartHarleycomestomeforaprescription。I’llgetevenwithhim。I’llgivehimapill，andhe’lldisappear——fortendays。"
WhetheritwasasKellysaidornot，thatHarleywentintoatranceandpokedhisnoseintotheprivatelifeofthepeoplehewroteabout，itwasafactthatwhilemeditatinguponthepossibleoutputofhispenourauthorwasasdeaftohissurroundingsasthoughhehaddepartedintoanotherworld，anditrarelyhappenedthathismindemergedfromthatconditionwithoutbringingalongwithitsomethingofvaluetohiminhiswork。
SoitwasuponthisMaymorning。ForanhourortwoHarleylayquiescent，apparentlygazingoutofhisflatwindowovertheuninspiringchimney—potsoftheCityofNewYork，attheequallyuninspiringLongIslandstationonthefarsideoftheEastRiver。
Itwaswellforhimthathiseyewasabletosee，andyetnotsee：
forgetfulnessofthosesmokingchimney—pots，thered—zinckedroofs，theflappingunder—clothingofthepoorerthanhe，hungouttodryonthetenementtops，wasessentialtotheconstructionofsuchastoryasMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwickhadinmind；andHarleysuccessfullyforgotthem，and，comingbacktoconsciousness，broughtwithhimthedramatispersonaeofhisstory——and，takenasawhole，theywereaninterestinglot。Theherowaslikemostofthosegentlemenwholivetheirlittlelivesinthenovelsoftheday，onlyHarleyhadmodifiedhisaccomplishmentsincertaindirections。
RobertOsborne——suchwashisname——wasnotthesortofmantodoimpossiblethingsforhisheroine。Hewasnotreckless。HewasnotaD’ArtagnanliftedfromthetimeofLouistheFourteenthtothedull，prosaicdaysofPresidentFaure。HewasnotevenaFrenchman，butanessentiallyAmericanAmerican，whodesirestoknow，beforehedoesanything，whyhedoesit，andwhatarehischancesofsuccess。
Iamnotsurethatifhehadhappenedtoseeherstrugglingintheoceanhewouldhavejumpedintorescuetheyoungwomantowhomhishandwasplighted——Idonotspeakofhisheart，forIamnotHarley，andIdonotknowwhetherornotHarleyintendedthatOsborneshouldbeafflictedwithsoinconvenientanorgan——Iamnotsure，Isay，thatifhehadseenhisbest—belovedstrugglingintheoceanOsbornewouldhavejumpedintorescueherwithoutfirststoppingtoremovesuchofhisgarmentsasmightimpedehisprogressbacktolandagain。
Inshort，hewasnotoneofthoseimpetuousheroesthatwereadaboutsooftenandseesoseldom；but，takenaltogether，hewassufficientlyattractivetopleasetheAmericangirlwhomightbeexpectedtoreadHarley’sbook；forthatwasoneofthestipulationsofMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&ChadwickwhentheymadetheirverbalagreementwithHarley。
"Makeitgowiththegirls，Harley，"Mr。Chadwickhadsaid。"Menhaven’ttimetoreadanythingbutthenewspapersinthiscountry。
Hitthegirls，andyourfortuneismade。"
Harleydidn’texactlyseehowhisfortunewasgoingtobemadeonthebesttermsofMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，evenifhehitthegirlswithalltheforceofabattering—ram，buthepromisedtokeeptheideainmind，andremainedinhistranceatriflelongerthanmightotherwisehavebeennecessary，endeavoringtoselecttheunquestionablycorrectheroforhisstory，andOsbornewastheresult。Osbornewasmoderatelywitty。Hisreparteesmackedsomewhatoftherefinedcomicpaper——thatistosay，itwassmartandcynical，andnotalwayssuitedtothepicture；butitwasn’tvulgarordull，andhispersonalappearancewascalculatedtoarousetheliveliestinterest。Hewascleanshavenandcleancut。HelookedmorelikeamodernidealofinfalliblegeniusthanByron，andhadprobablyplayedfootballandthebanjoincollege——Harleydidnotgobackthatfarwithhim——allofwhich，itmustbeadmitted，wasprettywellcalculatedtoassurethefulfilmentofHarley’spromisethatthemanshouldpleasetheAmericangirl。Ofcoursethestorywasprovidedwithavillainalso，buthewasavillainofamildtype。MildvillanywasanessentialpartofHarley’sliterarycreed，andthisparticularpersonwasnotconceivedinheresy。HisnamewastohavebeenHoraceBalderstone，andwithhimHarleyintendedtointroducealivelysatireontheemployment，bycertaincontemporarywriters，ofthesupernaturaltoproducedramaticeffects。BalderstonewasofcoursetobetherivalofOsborne。InthisrespectHarleywascommonplace；tohismindthevillainalwayshadtobetherivalofthehero，justasinoperathetenorisalwaysvirtuousatheartifnototherwise，andthebaritoneascoundrel，whichinreallifeisnotaninvariablerulebyanymeans。Indeed，therehavebeenmanyinstancesinreallifewherethevillainandtheherohavebeenonexcellentterms，andtothegreatbenefitoftheherotoo。ButinthiscaseBalderstonewastofollowintherut，andbecometherivalofOsborneforthehandofMargueriteAndrews——theheroine。
Balderstonewastowriteabook，whichforatimeshouldsofascinateMissAndrewsthatshewouldbeblindtothedesirabilityofOsborneasahusband—elect；abookfulloftheweirdandthrilling，dealingwiththeosophyandspiritualism，andallother"Tommyrotisms，"asHarleycalledthem，allofwhich，ofcourse，wastobethemakingandtheundoingofBalderstone；forequallyofcourse，intheend，hewouldbecomecrazedbytheuseofopium——theinevitableendofwritersofthatstamp。OsbornewouldrescueMargueritefromhisfatalinfluence，andthelastchapterwouldendwithMargueritelyingpaleandwanuponhersick—bed，recoveringfromthementalprostrationwhichtheinfluenceoverhersofamindlikeBalderstone’swassuretoproduce，holdingOsborne’shandinhers，and"smilingasweetrecognitionatthelovertowhosevirtuesshehadsolongbeenblind。"Osbornewouldmurmur，"Atlast!"andthebookwouldclosewitha"firstkiss，"followedcloselybysixoreightpagesofadvertisementsofotherpublicationsofMessrs。
Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick。ImentionthelattertoshowhowthoroughlyrealisticHarleywas。Hethoughtouthisbookssotrulyandsofullybeforehesatdowntowritethemthatheseemedtoseeeachwritten，printed，madeandboundbeforehim，aconcretethingfromcovertocover。
BesidesOsborneandBalderstoneandMissAndrews——ofwhomIshallatthistimenotspeakatlength，sincethebalanceofthislittlenarrativeistobedevotedtothesettingforthofherpeculiaritiesandcharms——therewereanumberofminorcharacters，notsonecessarytothestoryperhapsastheymighthavebeen，butinterestingenoughintheirway，andverywellcalculatedtoprovidethematerialneededforthefillingoutoftherequirednumberofpages。Furthermore，theycompletedthepicture。
"Idon’twanttoputinthreevividfigures，andleavethereadertoimaginethattherestoftheworldhasbeenwipedoutofexistence，"
saidHarley，ashetalkeditoverwithme。"Thatisnotart。Thereshouldbethreetypesofcharacterineverybook——thepositive，theaverage，andthenegative。Inthatwayyougradeyourstoryoffintotherestoftheworld，andyourreaderfeelsthatwhilehemayneverhavemetthepositivecharacters，hehasmettheaverageorthenegative，orboth，andisthereforebyoneoftheselinksconnectedwiththeothers，andthatgiveshimapersonalinterestinthestory；
andit’sthereader’spersonalinterestthatthewriterisafter。"
SoMissAndrewswasprovidedwithaveryconventionalaunt——thekindofwomanyoumeetwitheverywhere；mostfrequentlyinchurchsquabblesandhotelparlors，however。Mrs。Corwinwasthislady’sname，andshewastoenacttheroleofchaperontoMissAndrews。
WithMrs。Corwin，byforceofcircumstances，cameapairoftwinchildren，likethoseintheHeavenlyTwins，onlymorereal，andnotsoSarahGrandioseintheirmannersandwit。
ThesepersonsHarleybookedforthesteamshipNewYork，sailingfromNewYorkCityforSouthamptononthethirddayofJuly，1895。Theactionwastoopenatthattime，andMargueriteAndrewswastomeetHoraceBalderstoneonthatvesselontheeveningoftheseconddayout，withwhichincidenttheinterestofHarley’sstorywastobegin。
ButHarleyhadcountedwithouthisheroine。Therestofhiscastweresafelystowedawayonship—boardandreadyforactionattheappointedhour，buttheheroineMISSEDTHESTEAMERBYTHREEMINUTES，ANDITWASALLHARLEY’SOWNFAULT。
CHAPTERII：APRELIMINARYTRIAL
"I’llnotbemadeasoftanddull—eyedfoolToshakethehead，relent，andsigh，andyield。"
—"MerchantofVenice。"
TheextraordinaryfailureofMissAndrews，castforastarroleinStuartHarley’staleofLoveandVillany，toappearuponthestageselectedbytheauthorforherdebut，mustbeexplained。AsIhavealreadystatedatthecloseoftheprecedingchapter，itwasentirelyHarley’sownfault。HehadstudiedMissAndrewstoosuperficiallytograspthoroughlythemorerefinedsubtletiesofhernature，andhefoundout，atamomentwhenitwastoolatetocorrecthiserror，thatshewasnotawomantobeslightedinrespecttotheconventionalitiesofpolitelife，howevertriflingtoamanofHarley’sstampthesemightseemtobe。Shewasasticklerforform；
andwhenshewassummonedtogoonboardofanoceansteamshiptheretotakepartinaromanceforthemereaggrandizementofayoungauthor，sheintendedthatheshouldnotignoretheproprieties，evenifinasensetheproprietiestowhichshereferreddidantedatetheperiodatwhichhisstorywastoopen。Shewaswillingtoappear，butitseemedtoherthatStuartHarleyoughttoseetoitthatshewasescortedtothesceneofactionwiththeceremonyduetooneofherposition。
"Whatdoeshetakemefor？"sheaskedofMrs。Corwin，indignantly，ontheeveofherdeparture。"AmIameremarionette，toobeyhisslightestbehest，andatamoment’snotice？AmItodancewhenStuartHarleypullsthestring？"
"Notatall，mydearMarguerite，"saidMrs。Corwin，soothingly。"Ifhethoughtthat，hewouldnothaveselectedyouforhisstory。I
thinkyououghttofeelhighlycomplimentedthatMr。Harleyshouldchooseyouforoneofhisbooks，andforsuchaconspicuouspart，too。Lookatme；doIcomplain？AmIholdingoutfortheproprieties？Andyetwhatismysituation？I’msimplydraggedinbythehair；andmypoorchildren，insteadofhavinganice，noisyFourthofJulyatthesea—shore，mustneedsbeputuponagreatfloatingcaravansary，tosufferseasicknessandtheotherdiscomfortsofoceantravel，soastointroducealittlejuvenilefunintothisgreatworkofMr。Harley’s——andyetIbowmyheadmeeklyandgo。
Why？BecauseIfeelthat，inconspicuousthoughIshallbe，neverthelessIamhighlyhonoredthatMr。Harleyshouldselectmefromamongmanyfortheusesofhisgiftedpen。"
"Youareprepared，then，"retortedMarguerite，"toplaceyourselfunreservedlyinMr。Harley’shands？Shallyouflirtwiththecaptainifhethinksyourdoingsowilladdtothehumorousordramaticinterestofhisstory？Willyoupermityourchildrentomakeimpertinentremarkstoeveryoneaboardship；topickupsailors’
slanganduseitatthedining—table——inshort，tomakethemselvesobnoxiouslycleveratalltimes，inorderthatMr。Harley’scriticsmaysaythathisbookfairlyscintillateswithwit，andgivesgratifyingevidencethat’therisingyoungauthor’hasmadeadeepandcarefulanalysisofthejuvenileheart？"
"Mr。Harleyistoomuchofagentleman，Marguerite，toplacemeandmychildreninafalseorridiculouslight，"returnedMrs。Corwin，severely。"Andevenifhewerenotagentleman，heistootruearealisttomakemedoanythingwhichinthenatureofthingsIshouldnotdo——whichdisposesofyourentirelyuncalled—forremarkaboutthecaptainandmyself。Asforthechildren，Tommiewouldnotrepeatsailors’lingoatthetableunderanycircumstances，andJenniewillnotmakeherselfobnoxiouslycleveratanytime，becauseshehasbeenbroughtuptoocarefullytofailtorespectherelders。BothsheandTommieunderstandthemselvesthoroughly；andwhenMr。Harleyunderstandsthem，whichhecannotfailtodoafterashortacquaintance，hewilldrawthemastheyare；andifprevioustohiscompleteunderstandingoftheirpeculiaritiesheintroducesintohisstorysomethingforeigntotheirnaturesandobnoxioustome，theirmother，Ihavenodoubthewillcorrecthiserrorwhenhecomestoreadtheproofsofhisstoryandseeshismistake。"
"YouhavegreatconfidenceinStuartHarley，"retortedMissAndrews，gazingoutofthewindowwithapensivecastofcountenance。
"Haven’tyou？"askedMrs。Corwin，quickly。
"Asaman，yes，"returnedMarguerite。"Asanauthor，however，I
thinkheisopentocriticism。Heisnotalwaystruetothereal。
LookatLordBarncastle，inhisstudyofEnglishmanners!
Barncastle，ashedrewhim，wasnothingbutaNewYorksocietymanwithatitle，livinginEngland。Thatistosay，hetalkedlikeanAmerican，thoughtlikeone——therewasnopointofdifferencebetweenthem。"
"Andwhyshouldtherebe？"askedMrs。Corwin。"IfaNewYorksocietymanisgenerallyaweakimitationofanEnglishpeer——andnoonehaseverdeniedthatsuchisthecase——whyshouldn’tanEnglishpeerberepresentedasasortofintensifiedNewYorksocietyman？"
"Besides，"saidMissAndrews，ignoringMrs。Corwin’spoint，"Idon’tcaretobepresentedtooreallytothereadingpublic，especiallyonboardaship。Ineveryetknewawomanwholookedwelltheseconddayout，andifIweretobepresentedasIalwaysamtheseconddayout，Ishoulddieofmortification。Myhairgoesoutofcurl，myfaceisthecolorofanunripepeach，andifIdogoupondeckitisbecauseIamsothoroughlymiserablethatIdonotcarewhoseesmeorwhattheworldthinksofme。IthinkitisveryinconsiderateofMr。Harleytoopenhisstoryonanoceansteamer；and，whatismore，Idon’tliketheAmericanline。ToomanyAmericansofthebrass—bandtypetravelonit。StuartHarleysaidsohimselfinhislastbookofforeigntravel；buthesendsmeoutonitjustthesame，andexpectsmetobesatisfied。PerhapshethinksIlikethatsortofAmerican。
Ifhedoes，he’sgotmoreimaginationthanheevershowedinhisbooks。"
"Youmustgettotheothersideinsomeway，"saidMrs。Corwin。"ItisatVenicethatthetroublewithBalderstoneistocome，andthatOsbornetoppleshimoverintotheGrandCanal，andrescuesyoufromhisbalefulinfluence。"
"Humph!"saidMarguerite，withascornfulshrugofhershoulders。
"RobertOsborne!Alikelysortofpersontorescuemefromanything!
Hewouldn’thavenerveenoughtorescuemefromagrasshopperifhewerearmedtotheteeth。Furthermore，IshallnotgotoVeniceinAugust。It’sbadenoughinApril——dampandhot——thehomeofmalaria—
—anasylumforartistictemperaments；andinsecty。No，mydearaunt，evenifIoverlookeverythingelsetopleaseMr。Harley，he’llhavetomodifytheVenetianpartofthatstory，forIamdeterminedthatnopenofhisshallforcemeintoItalyatthisseason。Iwouldn’tgotheretopleaseShakespeare，muchlessStuartHarley。LettheaffaircomeoffatInterlaken，ifitistocomeoffatall，whichI
doubt。"
"ThereisnoGrandCanalatInterlaken，"saidMrs。Corwin，sagely；
forshehadbeenanomnivorousreaderofBaedekersinceshehadlearnedthepartshewastoplayinHarley’sbook，andwasthereforewellupingeography。
"No；butthere’stheJungfrau。OsbornecanpushBalderstonedownthesideofanAlpandkillhim，"returnedMissAndrews，viciously。
"Why，Marguerite!Howcanyoutalkso？Mr。Harleydoesn’twishtohaveBalderstonekilled，"criedMrs。Corwin，aghast。"IfOsbornekilledBalderstonehe’dbeamurderer，andthey’dexecutehim。"
"WhichisexactlywhatIwant，"saidMissAndrews，firmly。"Ifhelives，itpleasestheomnipotentMr。HarleythatIshallmarryhim，andIpositively——Well，justyouwaitandsee。"
Therewassilenceforsomeminutes。
"ThenIsupposeyouwilldeclinetogoabroadaltogether？"askedMrs。
Corwinafterawhile；"andMr。Harleywillbeforcedtogetsomeoneelse；andI——Ishallbedeprivedofapleasanttour——becauseI’monlytobeoneofthepartybecauseI’myouraunt。"
Mrs。Corwin’slipquiveredalittleasshespoke。Shehadanticipatedmuchpleasurefromhertrip。
"No，Ishallnotdeclinetogo，"MissAndrewsreplied。"Iexpecttogo，butitisentirelyonyouraccount。Imustsay，however，thatStuartHarleywillfindout，tohissorrow，thatIamnotadoll，tobeworkedwithastring。IshallgivehimascareattheoutsetwhichwillshowhimthatIknowtherightsofaheroine，andthathemustrespectthem。Forinstance，hecannotignoremycomfort。Doyousupposethatbecausehisstoryistoopenwithmybeautifulselfonboardthatship，I’mtobetherewithouthismakinganyefforttogetmethere？NotI!YouandthechildrenandOsborneandBalderstonemaygodownanywayyouplease。Youmaygoontheelevatedrailroadoronfoot。Youmaygoonthehorse—cars，oryoumaygoontheluggage—van。Itisimmaterialtomewhatyoudo；butwhenitcomestomyself，StuartHarleymustprovideacarriage，orI
misstheboat。Idon’twishtoinvolveyouinthis。Youwanttogo，andarewillingtogoinhisway，whichsimplymeansturningupattherightmoment，withnotroubletohim。Fromyourpointofviewitisallright。Youareanxioustogoabroad，andaregratefultoMr。
Harleyforlettingyougo。Forme，however，hemustdodifferently。
IhavenoparticulardesiretoleaveAmerica，andifIgoatallitisasafavortohim，andhemustactaccordingly。Itisacaseofcarriageornoheroine。IfI’mleftbehind，youandtherestcangoalongwithoutme。Ishalldoverywell，anditwillbeMr。Harley’sownfault。Itmayhurthisstorysomewhat，butthatisnoconcernofmine。"
"Isupposethereasonwhyhedoesn’tsendacarriageisthatthatpartofyourlifedoesn’tappearinhisstory，"explainedMrs。
Corwin。
"Thatdoesn’taffectthepointthatheoughttosendone，"saidMarguerite。"Heneedn’twriteuptheepisodeoftheridetothepierunlesshewantsto，butthefactremainsthatit’shisdutytoseemesafelyonboardfrommyhome，andthatheshalldo，orIfailhimatthemomentheneedsme。Ifheisselfishenoughtooverlookthematter，hemustsuffertheconsequences。"
Allofwhich，Ithink，wasveryreasonable。Noheroinelikestofeelthatsheiscalledintobeingmerelytoprovidecopyforthepersonwhoisnarratingherstory；andtobeimpressedwiththeideathatthemomentsheisoffthestageshemustshiftentirelyforherselfistoohumiliatingtobecompatiblewithtrueheroism。
NowitsohappenedthatinhismeditationsuponthatopeningchapterthesceneofwhichwastobeplacedonboardoftheNewYork，StuartrealizedthathisstoryofMissAndrews’scharacterhadindeedbeentoosuperficial。Hefoundthatoutatthemomenthesatdowntodescribeherarrivalatthepier，asitwouldbeinalllikelihood。
Whatwouldshesaythemomentshe——themomentshewhat？——themomentshe"emergedfromtheperilousstreamofvehicleswhichcrowdWestStreetfrommorninguntilnight，"orthemoment"shesteppedoutofthecabasitdrewupatthefootofthegangway"？Thatwasthepoint。Howwouldshearrive——onfootorinacab？Whichwaywouldshecome，andatwhattimemustshestartfromhome？Shouldshecomealone，orshouldMrs。Corwinandthetwinscomewithher？——orwouldawomanofherstampnotbelikelytohaveanintimatefriendtoaccompanyhertothesteamer？Stuartwasarapidthinker，andasheponderedovertheseproblemsitdidnottakehimlongtoreachtheconclusionthatacabwasnecessaryforMissAndrews；andthatMrs。
Corwinandthetwins，withOsborneandBalderstone，mightgetaboardintheirownway。HealsodecidedthatitwouldbeanexcellentplantohaveMarguerite’soldschoolfriendMrs。Willardaccompanyhertothesteamer。ByanequallyrapidbitofthoughtheconcludedthatifthecabstartedfromtheAndrewsapartmentatFifty—ninthStreetandCentralParkat9。30A。M。，thetriptothepiercouldeasilybemadeinanhour，whichwouldbeinampletime，sincethesailinghouroftheNewYorkwaseleven。UnfortunatelyHarley，inhishurry，forgottwoorthreeincidentsofdeparturesgenerally，especiallydeparturesofwomen，whichheshouldnothaveoverlooked。Itwascarelessofhimtoforgetthatawomanabouttotravelabroadwantstomakeherselfasstunningasshepossiblycanonthedayofdeparture，sothattheimpressionshewillmakeatthestartshallbestrongenoughtocarryherthroughthedowdystagewhichcomes，asMargueritehadintimated，onthesecondandthirddaysatsea；andtoexpectawomanlikeMargueriteAndrews，whoreallyhadnoresponsibilitiestocallherupatanearlyhour，tobereadyat9。30sharp，wasafatalerror，unlessheprovidedhiscabwithanunusuallyfasthorse，orapairofhorses，bothofwhichHarleyneglectedtodo。MissAndrewswastwentyminuteslateatstartingthefirsttime，andjustahalf—
hourbehindscheduletimewhen，havingrushedbacktoherroomsforhergloves，whichintheexcitementofthemomentshehadforgotten，shestartedfinallyfortheship。Eventhenallwouldhavebeenwellhadtheunfortunateauthornotoverlookedoneothervitalpoint。
InsteadofsendingthecabstraightdownFifthAvenue，toBroadway，toBarclayStreet，hesentitdownSixth，andthencethroughGreenwichVillage，emergingatWestStreetatitsjunctionwithChristopher，andthentheinevitablehappened。
THECABWASBLOCKED!
"Ihadnoideaitwassofar，"saidMarguerite，lookingoutofthecabwindowatthecrowdedanddirtythoroughfare。
"It’sagoodmilefartheryet，"repliedMrs。Willard。"Ishallhavejustthatmuchmoreofyoursociety。"
"Itlookstome，"saidMarguerite，withashortlaugh，asthecabcamesuddenlytoahalt—"itlookstomeasifyouwerelikelytohavemorethanthatofit；forweareinanapparentlyinextricable，immovablemixtureoftrucks，horse—cars，andincompetentpolicemen，andnothingshortofamiraclewillgetusamilefartheralongintwentyminutes。"
"Idobelieveyouareright，"saidMrs。Willard，lookingatherwatchanxiously。"Whatwillyoudoifyoumissthesteamer？"
"Escapeahorridfate，"laughedMarguerite，gayly。
"PoorMr。Harley——why，itwillupsethiswholestory，"saidMrs。
Willard。
"Andsavehisreputation，"saidMarguerite。"Itwouldn’thavebeenreal，thatstory，"sheadded。"Inthefirstplace，Balderstonecouldn’twriteastorythatwouldfascinateme；hecouldneveracquireabalefulinfluenceoverme；and，finally，InevershouldmarryRobertOsborneunderanycircumstances。He’snotatallthestyleofmanIadmire。I’mwillingtogoalongandletMr。Harleytrytoworkitouthisway，buthewillgiveitupasabadideabeforelong——ifIcatchthesteamer；andifIdon’t，thenhe’llhavetomodifythestory。Thatmodified，I’mwillingtobehisheroine。"
"Butyourauntandthetwins——theymustbeaboardbythistime。Theywillbeworriedtodeathaboutyou，"suggestedMrs。Willard。
"Forafewmoments——butAuntEmmawantedtogo，andsheandtherestofthemwillhaveagoodtime，I’venodoubt，"repliedMissAndrews，calmly；andhereStuartHarley’sheroineactuallychuckled。"AndmaybeMr。HarleycanmakeamatchbetweenAuntEmmaandOsborne，whichwillsuitthepublishersandpleasetheAmericangirl，"shesaid，gleefully。"Ialmosthopewedomissit。"
Andmissittheydid，asIhavealreadytoldyou，bythreeminutes。
Asthecabenteredthebroadpier，thegreatsteamermovedslowlybutsurelyoutintothestream，andMrs。WillardandMr。Harley’sheroinewerejustintimetoseeMrs。Corwinwildlywavingherparasolatthecaptainonthebridge，beseechinghiminagonizedtonestogobackjustforamoment，whiletwoseparateanddistincttwins，onemaleandonefemale，peeredovertherail，weepingbitterly。Incidentallymentionmaybemadeoftwoyoungmen，BalderstoneandOsborne，whosatchattinggaylytogetherinthesmoking—room。
"Well，Osborne，"saidone，lightinghiscigar，"shedidn’tarrive。"
"No，"smiledtheother。"Factis，Balderstone，I’mgladofit。
She’stoosnippyforme，andI’mafraidIshouldhavequarrelledwithyouaboutherinahalf—hearted，unconvincingmanner。"
"I’mafraidI’dhavebeenthesame，"rejoinedBalderstone；"for，betweenus，there’saprettylittlebrunettefromChicagoupondeck，andMargueriteAndrewswouldhavegotlittleattentionfrommewhileshewasabout，unlessHarleyviolentlyoutragedmyfeelingsandhisownconvictions。"
AndsotheNewYorksailedouttosea，andMargueriteAndrewswatchedherfromthepieruntilshehadfadedfromview。
AsforStuartHarley，theauthor，hesatinhisstudy，wringinghishandsandcursinghiscarelessness。
"I’llhavetomodifythewholestorynow，"hesaid，impatiently，"sinceitisoutofmypowertobringtheNewYorkbackintoport，withmyhero，villain，chaperon，andtwins；butwheneverorwhereverthenewstorymaybelaid，MargueriteAndrewsshallbetheheroine——
sheinterestsme。MeantimeletMrs。Willardchaperonher。"
Andclosinghismanuscriptbookwithabang，Harleylitacigarette，putonhishat，andwenttotheclub。
CHAPTERIII：THERECONSTRUCTIONBEGINS
"Thengentlyscanyourbrotherman，Stillgentlersisterwoman；
Tho’theymaygangakenninwrang，Tostepasideishuman。"——BURNS。
When，afewdayslater，Harleycametothereconstructionofhisstory，hebegantoappreciatethefactthatwhathadseemedatfirsttobehismisfortunewas，onthewhole，amatterforcongratulation；
andashethoughtoverthepeoplehehadsenttosea，hecametorejoicethatMargueritewasnotoneoftheparty。
"Osbornewasn’thersort，afterall，"hemusedtohimselfthatnightoverhiscoffee。"Hehadn’tmuchmind。I’mafraidIbankedtoomuchonhisgoodlooks，andtoolittleuponwhatImightcallherindependence；forofalltheheroinesIeverhad，sheisthemostsufficientuntoherself。HadshegonealongI’mhalfafraidI
couldn’thavegotridofBalderstonesoeasilyeither，forhe’sadetermineddevilasIseehim；andhisintellectualqualitiesweresovastlysuperiortothoseofOsbornethatbymerecontrasttheywouldmostcertainlyhaveappealedtoherstrongly。Thebalefulinfluencemighthaveaffectedherseriously，andOsbornewasneverthemantoovercomeit，andstrictrealismwouldhaveforcedherintoanundesirablemarriage。Yes，I’mgladitturnedoutthewayitdid；
she’stoogoodforeitherofthem。Icouldn’thavedonethetaleasIintendedwithoutacertainamountofcompulsion，whichwouldneverhaveworkedoutwell。She’dhavebeenmiserablewithOsborneforahusbandanyhow，evenifhedidsucceedinoutwittingBalderstone。"
ThenHarleywentintoatranceforamoment。Fromthisheemergedalmostimmediatelywithalaugh。Thetravellersontheseahadcometohismind。
"PoorMrs。Corwin，"hesaid，"she’sawfullyupset。Ishallhavetogivehersomediversion。Let’ssee，whatshallitbe？She’sawidow，youngandfascinating。H’m——notabadfoundationforaromance。Theremustbeamanontheshipwho’dlikeher；but，hangitall!therearethosetwins。Notmuchromanceforherwiththosetwinsalong，unlesstheman’safool；andshe’stoofineawomanforafool。Mendon’tfallinlovewithwholefamiliesthatway。NowiftheyhadonlybeenleftonthepierwithMissAndrews，itwouldhaveworkedupwell。Mrs。Corwincouldhavefascinatedsomefellow—
traveller，wonhisheart，acceptedhimatSouthampton，andtoldhimaboutthetwinsafterwards。Asatestofhisaffectionthatwouldbeastrongsituation；butwiththetwinsalong，makingtheremarkstheyarelikelytomake，andallthat——no，thereisnohopeforMrs。
Corwin，exceptinajuvenilestory——somethinglike’TwoTwinsinaBoat，nottoMentiontheWidow，’orsomethingofthatsort。Poorwoman!I’llletherrestinpeace，forthepresent。She’llenjoyhertrip，anyhow；andasforOsborneandBalderstone，I’llletthemfightitoutforthatdark—eyedlittlewomanfromChicagoIsawonboard，andwhenthebestmanwinsI’llputthewholethingintoashortstory。"
ThenbegananewquestforcharacterstogowithMargueriteAndrews。
"Shemusthaveachaperon，tobeginwith，"thoughtHarley。"Thatisindispensable。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwickregardthemselvesasconservatorsofpublicmorals，intheir’BlueandSilverSeries，’soagirlunmarriedandwithoutachaperonwouldneverdoforthisbook。
Iftheyweretopublishitintheir’YellowPrismSeries’Icouldflingallsuchconsiderationstothewinds，fortheretheycatertostrongerpalates，palatescultivatedbyFrenchliterarycooks，andmoralsneednotbeconsidered，providedthestoryiswelltoldandlikelytosell；butthisisfortheotherseries，andachaperonisasinequanon。Margueritedoesn’tneedonehalfasmuchasthegirlsinthe’YellowPrism’books，butshe’sgottohaveonejustthesame，ortheAmericangirlwillnotreadabouther：andwhoisbetterthanDorothyWillard，whohaschargeofhernow？"
Harleyslappedhiskneewithdelight。
"HowfortunateI’dprovidedher!"hesaid。"I’vegotmystartalready，andwithouthavingtothinkveryhardoveriteither。"
Thetrancebeganagain，andlastedseveralhours，duringwhichtimeKellyandtheProfessorstolesoftlyintoHarley’srooms，and，perceivinghiscondition，respectedit。
"He’seitherasleeporimagining，"saidtheProfessor，inawhisper。
"Hecan’timagine，"returnedtheDoctor。"Callit——realizing。
Whateveritishe’supto，wemustn’tinterfere。Thereisn’tanyusewakinghimanyhow。Iknowwherehekeepshiscigars。Let’ssitdownandhaveasmoke。"
Thistheintrudersdid，hopingthatsoonerorlatertheirhostwouldobservetheirpresence；butHarleylayinblissfulunconsciousnessoftheircoming，andtheyfinallygrewwearyofwaiting。
"Hemustbeatworkonaten—volumenovel，"saidtheDoctor。"Let’sgo。"
Andwiththattheydeparted。Nightcameon，andwithitdarkness，butHarleynevermoved。ThefactwashewasgoingthroughanexaminationofthehumanracetofindamangoodenoughforMargueriteAndrews，anditspeaksvolumesfortheinterestshehadsuddenlyinspiredinhisbreastthatittookhimsolongtofindwhathewanted。
Alongaboutnineo’clockhegaveadeepsighandreturnedtoearth。
"IguessI’vegothim，"hesaid，wearily，rubbinghisforehead，whichbegantoacheatrifle。"I’llmodelhimaftertheProfessor。He’sagoodfellow，moderatelygood—looking，hasposition，andcertainlyknowssomething，asprofessorsgo。IdoubtifheisimposingenoughfortheAmericangirlgenerally，buthe’sthebestIcangetinthetimeatmydisposal。"
SotheProfessorwasunconsciouslyslatedfortheofficeofhero；
Mrs。Willardwascastforchaperon，andtheDoctor，inspiteofHarley’spreviousresolvenottousehim，wastobeintroducedforthecomedyelement。Thevillainselectedwastheusualpoverty—
strickenforeignerwithatitleandapassionforwealth，whichacloserstudyofhisheroineshowedHarleythatMissAndrewspossessed；foronherwayhomefromthepiershetookMrs。WillardtotheAmsterdamandtreatedhertoaluncheonwhichnothingshortofaten—dollarbillwouldpayfor，afterwhichthetwowentshopping，replenishingMissAndrews’swardrobe——mostofwhichlaysnuglystoredintheholdoftheNewYork，andmomentarilygettingfartherandfartherawayfromitsfairowner——inthecourseofwhichtourMissAndrewsexpendedasumwhich，hadHarleypossessedit，wouldhavemadeitunnecessaryforhimtowritethebookhehadinmindatall。
"It’sgoodshe’srich，"sighedHarley。"ThatwillmakeitalltheeasiertohavehergotoNewportandattracttheCount。"
AtthemomentthatHarleyspokethesewordstohimselfMrs。WillardandMarguerite，accompaniedbyMr。Willard，enteredthemansionofthelatteronFifthAvenue。TheyhadspenttheafternoonandeveningattheAndrewsapartment，arrangingforitsclosinguntilthereturnofMrs。Corwin。MargueritemeanwhilewastobetheguestoftheWillards。
"Nextweekwe’llrunuptoNewport，"saidDorothy。"Thehouseisready，andBobisgoingforhiscruise。"
Margueritelookedathercuriouslyforamoment。
"Didyouintendtogothereallalong？"sheasked。
"Yes——ofcourse。Whydoyouask？"returnedMrs。Willard。
"Why，thatveryideacameintomymindatthemoment，"repliedMarguerite。"IthoughtthisafternoonI’drunuptoRiverdaleandstaywiththeHallidaysnextweek，whenallofasuddenNewportcameintomymind，andithasbeenstrugglingtherewithRiverdalefortwohours——untilIalmostbegantobelievesomebodywastryingtocompelmetogotoNewport。Ifitisyouridea，andhasbeenallalong，I’llgo；butifStuartHarleyistryingtogetmedownthereforliterarypurposes，Isimplyshallnotdoit。"
"Youhadbetterdismissthatideafromyourmindatonce，mydear，"
saidMrs。Willard。"Mr。Harleynevercompels。Nocompulsionisthecorner—stoneofhisliterarystructure；freewillishiscreed：youmaycountonthat。Ifhemeanstomakeyouhisheroinestill，itwillbeatNewportifyouareatNewport，atRiverdaleifyouhappentobeatRiverdale。Docomewithme，evenifhedoesimpressyouasendeavoringtoforceyou；foratNewportIshallbeyourchaperon，andIshoulddearlylovetobeputinabook——withyou。BobhasaskedJackPerkinsdown，andMrs。HowlettwritesmethatCountBonetti，ofNaples，isthere，andisareallydelightfulfellow。Weshallhave——"
"Yousimplyconfirmmyfears，"interruptedMarguerite。"YouaretobeHarley’schaperon，ProfessorPerkinsishishero，andCountBonettiisthevillain——"
"Why，Marguerite，howyoutalk!"criedMrs。Willard。"DoyouexistmerelyinStuartHarley’sbrain？DoI？Arewenoneofuslivingcreaturestodoaswewill？Arewenothingmorethanmaterialspigeon—holedforMr。Harley’sfutureuse？HasCountBonetticrossedtheoceanjusttopleaseMr。Harley？"
"Idon’tknowwhatIbelieve，"saidMissAndrews，"andIdon’tcaremucheitherway，aslongasIhaveindependenceofaction。I’llgowithyou，Dorothy；butifitturnsout，asIfear，thatweareexpectedtoactourpartsinaHarleyromance，thatromancewillreceiveashockfromwhichitwillneverrecover。"
"WhydoyouobjectsotoMr。Harley，anyhow？Ithoughtyoulikedhisbooks，"saidMrs。Willard。
"Ido；someofthem，"Margueriteanswered；"andIlikehim；buthedoesnotunderstandme，anduntilhedoesheshallnotputmeinhisstories。I’llrouthimateverypoint，untilhe——"
Margueritepaused。Herfaceflushed。Tearscameintohereyes。
"Untilhewhat，dearest？"askedMrs。Willard，sympathetically。
"Idon’tknow，"saidMarguerite，withaquiverinhervoice，assheroseandlefttheroom。
"Ifancywe’dbettergoatonce，Bob，"saidMrs。Willardtoherhusband，lateron。"Margueriteisquiteupsetbytheexperiencesoftheday，andNewYorkisfearfullyhot。"
"Iagreewithyou，"returnedWillard。"JerroldsentwordthisafternoonthattheboatwillbereadyFriday，insteadofThursdayofnextweek；soifyou’llpackupto—morrowwecanboardherFriday，andgouptheSoundbywaterinsteadofbyrail。Itwillbepleasanterforallhands。"
WhichwasjustwhatHarleywanted。TheWillardswereofcoursenotconsciousofthefact，thoughMrs。Willard’ssympathywithMargueriteledhertosuspectthatsuchwasthecase；forthatsuchwasthecasewaswhatMargueritefeared。
"Wearebeingforced，Dorothy，"shesaid，asshesteppedontheyachttwodayslater。
"Well，whatifweare？It’spleasantergoingthiswaythanbyrail，isn’tit？"Mrs。Willardreplied，withsomeimpatience。"IfweoweallthistoStuartHarley，weoughttothankhimforhiskindness。
Accordingtoyourtheoryhecouldhavesentusuponahot，dustytrain，andhadacollisionreadyforusatNewLondon，inordertokilloffafewundesirablecharactersandgivehisheroachancetodistinguishhimself。IthinkthatevenfromyourownpointofviewMr。Harleyisbehavinginaveryconsideratefashion。"
"Nodoubtyouthinkso，"returnedMarguerite，spiritedly。"Butit’sdifferentwithyou。Youaresettledinlife。Yourhusbandisthemanofyourchoice；youarehappy，witheverythingyouwant。Youwilldonothingextraordinaryinthebook。Ifyoudiddosomethingextraordinaryyouwouldceasetobeagoodchaperon，andfromthatmomentwouldbecastaside；butI——Iaminadifferentpositionaltogether。Iamasinglewoman，unsettledasyet，forwhomthisauthorinhisinfinitewisdomdeemsitnecessarytoprovidealoverandhusband；andinorderthathisnarrativeofhowIgetthispersonhehasselected——withoutconsultingmytastes——mayinterestalotofothergirls，whoareexpectedtobuyandreadhisbook，hemakesmetheobjectofanintriguingfortune—hunterfromItaly。Iamtobelieveheisarealnobleman，andallthat；andastupidwiseacrefromtheYorkUniversity，whocan’tdance，andwhothinksofnothingbuthisbooksandhisclub，istocomeinattherightmomentandexposetheCount，andallsuchtrashasthat。Iknowattheoutsethowitallistobe。Youcouldn’tdeceiveasensiblegirlfiveminuteswithCountBonetti，anymorethanthatBalderstoneman，whoisnowmakingauselesstripacrosstheAtlanticwithmyauntandhertwins，couldhaveexerteda’balefulinfluence’overmewithhisdilutedspiritualism。I’mnotanidiot，mydearDorothy。"
"Youareaheroine，love，"returnedMrs。Willard。
"Perhaps——butIamthekindofheroinewhowouldstopaplayfiveminutesafterthecurtainhadrisenonthefirstactiftheremainingfouractsdependedonherfailingtoseesomethingthatwasplaintotheveriestdoltintheaudience，"Margueritereplied，withspirit。
"NobodyshalleverwritemeupsaveasIam。"
"Well——perhapsyouarewrongthistime。PerhapsMr。Harleyisn’tgoingtomakeabookofyou，"saidMrs。Willard。
"Verylikelyheisn’t，"saidMarguerite；"buthe’stryingit——Iknowthatmuch。"
"Andhow，pray？"askedMrs。Willard。
"That，"saidMarguerite，herfrownvanishingandasmiletakingitsplace——"thatisforthepresentmysecret。I’lltellyousomeday，butnotuntilIhavebaffledMr。Harleyinhisill—advisedpurposeofmarryingmeofftoamanIdon’twant，andwouldn’thaveunderanycircumstances。EvenifIhadcaughttheNewYorktheotherdayhisplanswouldhavemiscarried。I’dneverhavemarriedthatOsborneman；I’dhavesnubbedBalderstonethemomenthespoketome；andifStuartHarleyhadgotabookoutofmytriptoEuropeatall，itwouldhavebeenaseriesofpapersonsomesuchtopicas’TheSpinsterAbroad，orHowtobeHappythoughSingle。’NomoreshallI
takethepartheintendsmetointhisNewportromance，unlessheremovesCountBonettifromthesceneentirely，andprovidesmewithadifferentstyleofherofromhisProfessor，theoriginalofwhom，by—
the—way，asIhappentoknow，isalreadymarriedandhastwochildren。Iwenttoschoolwithhiswife，andIknowjusthowmuchofaheroheis。"
AndsotheywenttoNewport，andHarley’snovelopenedswimmingly。
Hisdescriptionoftheyachtwasperfect；hisnarrationoftheincidentsoftheembarkationcouldnotbeimproveduponinanyway。
Theywereabsolutelytruetothelife。
ButhisaccountofwhatMargueriteAndrewssaidanddidandthoughtwhileontheWillards’yachtwasnotrealismatall——itwasimaginationofthewildestkind，forshesaid，did，andthoughtnothingofthesort。
Harleydidhisbest，buthisheroinewasobdurate，andthepoorfellowdidnotknowthathewaswritinguntruths，forheverilybelievedthatheheardandsawallthatheattributedtoherexactlyasheputitdown。
Sothestorybeganwell，andHarleyforatimewasquitehappy。Attheendofaweek，however，hehadafearfulset—back。CountBonettiwasreadytobepresentedtoMargueriteaccordingtotheplan，buttheretheschedulebrokedown。
Harley’sheroinetookanewandentirelyunexpectedtack。
CHAPTERIV：ACHAPTERFROMHARLEY，WITHNOTES
"Good—bye，proudworld，I’mgoinghome。
Thouartnotmyfriend，andI’mnotthine。"
—EMERSON。
IthinkthereaderwillpossiblygainabetterideaofwhathappenedattheHowlettdance，atwhichCountBonettiwastohavebeenpresentedtoMissAndrews，ifIforegothepleasureofwritingthischaptermyself，andproduceinsteadthechapterofStuartHarley’sill—fatedbookwhichwastohavedealtwiththatmostinterestingincident。Havingrelinquishedallhopeofevergettingthatparticularstoryintoshapewithoutachangeofheroine，andbeingunwillingtogotothatextreme，Mr。Harleyhasverykindlyplacedhismanuscriptatmydisposal。
"Useitasyouwill，mydearfellow，"hesaid，whenIaskedhimforit。"Ican’tdoanythingwithitmyself，anditismerelyoccupyingspaceinmypigeon—holesforwhichIcanfindbetteruse。Itmayneedacertainamountofrevision——infact，itissureto，foritisunconscionablylong，and，thankstothepersistentfailureofMissAndrewstodoasIthoughtshewould，mayfrequentlyseemincoherent。
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