Foryourownsakereviseit，forthereadersofyourbookwon’tbelievethatyouaretellingatruestoryanyhow；theywillsaythatyouwrotethischapterandattributedittome，andyouwillfindyourselfheldresponsibleforitsshortcomings。IhaveinsertedafewnoteshereandtherewhichwillgiveyouanideaofwhatI
sufferedasIwroteonandfoundhergrowingdailylessandlesstractable，withoccasionallyanindicationofthepointofdivergencebetweenheractualbehaviorandthatwhichIexpectedofher。"
Toafellow—workmaninliteraryfieldsthischapterisofpatheticinterest，thoughitmaynotsoappeartothereaderwhoknowslittleofthedifficultiesofauthorship。IcanhardlyreaditmyselfwithoutafeelingofmostintensepityforpoorHarley。Icanimaginethesleeplessnightswhichfollowedtheshatteringofhishopesastowhathisstorymightbebytherecalcitrantattitudeoftheyoungwomanhehadhonoredsohighlybyselectingherforhisheroine。Icanalmostfeelthebittersenseofdisappointment，whichmusthaveburnedtotheverydepthsofhissoul，whenhefinallyrealizedhowcompletelyoverturnedwereallhisplans，andIcannotforegocallingattentiontotheconstancytohiscreedofStuartHarley，insacrificinghisopportunityratherthanhisprinciples，asshownbyhisresolutedeterminationnottoforceMissAndrewstodohisbidding，eventhoughitrequiredmerelythedippingofhispenintotheinkandtheresolutiontodoso。
Icannotblameher，however。GrantingtoHarleytherighttoacreed，MissAndrews，too，itmustbeadmitted，wasentitledtohaveviewsastohowsheoughttobehaveundergivencircumstances，andifshefoundhernotionsrunningcountertohis，itwasonlyproperthatsheshouldactaccordingtothedictatesofherownheart，ormind，orwhateverelseitmaybethatawomanreasonswith，ratherthanaccordingtohiswishes。
Astoallquestionsofthiskind，however，asbetweenthetwo，thereadermustjudge，andonedocumentinevidenceisHarley’schapter，whichraninthiswise：
AMEETING
"Stopbeating，heart，andinamomentcalmThequestionanswer——isthis，then，myfate？"
—PERKINS’S"Odes。"
AsthecorrespondentsoftheNewYorkpapershadsurmised，invitationsfortheHowlettballwereissuedonthe12th。Itisnotsurprisingthatthecorrespondentsinthisinstanceshouldbeguiltyofthatrarecrimeamongsocietyreporters，accuracy，fortheirinformationwasderivedfromaperfectlyreliablesource，Mrs。
Howlett’sbutler，inwhosehandstheaddressingoftheenvelopeshadbeenplaced——amanofimposingpresence，andofgreatvaluetotheprofessionalsnappers—upofunconsideredtriflesofsocialgossipinthepayoftheSundaynewspapers，withmanyofwhomhewasontermsofclosestintimacy。OfcourseMrs。Howlettwasnotawarethatherhouseholdcontainedapersonageofgreatjournalisticimportance，anymorethanherneighbor，Mrs。Floyd—Hopkins，wasawarethatitwashermaidwhohadfurnishedtheWeeklyJournalofSocietywiththevividaccountofthescandalousbehavior，atherlastdinner，ofMajorPompoly，whohadtobeforciblyejectedfromtheFloyd—HopkinsdomicilebythehusbandofMrs。JerniganSmith——asocialmorselwhichattractedmuchattentionseveralyearsago。Everyeffortwasmadetohushthatmatterup，andtheguestsallsworeeternalsecrecy；buttheWeeklyJournalofSocietyhadit，and，strangelyenough，haditright，initsnextissue；butthemaidwasneversuspected，eventhoughshedidappeartobepossessedofmoreamplemeansthanusualforsometimeafter。Mrs。Floyd—Hopkinspreferredtosuspectoneofherguests，and，onthewhole，wasnotsorrythatthematterhadgotabroad，foreverybodytalkedaboutit，andthroughtheepisodeherdinnerbecameoneofthehistoricbanquetsoftheseason。
TheWillards，whowerebythistimecomfortablysettledat"TheNeedles，"theircottageonthecliff，itishardlynecessarytostate，wereamongthoseinvited，andwiththeircardswasincludedoneforMarguerite。AddedtothecardwasapersonalnotefromMrs。
HowletttoMissAndrews，expressingtheespecialhopethatshewouldnotfailthem，allofwhichwasverygratifyingtotheyounggirl。
"SeewhatI’vegot，"shecried，gleefully，runningintoMrs。
Willard’s"den"attheheadofthebeautifuloakenstairs。
（Note。——AtthispointinHarley’smanuscriptthereisevidenceofindecisionontheauthor’spart。Hisheroinehadbeguntobotherhimatrifle。Hehadwrittenahalf—dozenlinesdescriptiveofMissAndrews’semotionsatreceivingaspecialnoteofinvitation，subsequentlyerasingthem。Theword"gleefully"hadbeenscratchedout，andthenrestoredinplaceof"scornfully，"whichhadatfirstbeensubstitutedforit。ItwasplainthatHarleywasnotquitecertainastohowmuchawomanofMissAndrews’stypewouldcareforaspecialattentionofthisnature，evenifshecaredforitatall。
Asamatteroffact，thewordchosenshouldhavebeen"dubiously，"
andneither"gleefully"nor"scornfully"；fortherealtruthwasthattherewasnoreasonwhyMrs。HowlettshouldsohonorMarguerite，andthegirlatoncebegantowonderifitwerenotanextraprecautionofHarley’stoassureherpresenceattheballforthebenefitofhimselfandhispublishers。TheauthorfinallywroteitasIhavegivenitabove，however，andMissAndrewsreceivedherspecialinvitation"gleefully"——accordingtoHarley。Heperceivesherdoubt，however，withoutcomprehendingit；forafterdescribingMrs。
Willard’sreadingofthenote，hegoeson。）
"ThatisveryniceofMrs。Howlett，"saidMrs。Willard，handingMargueritebackhernote。"Itisaspecialhonor，mydear，bywhichyoushouldfeelhighlyflattered。Shedoesn’toftendothingslikethat。"
"Ishouldthinknot，"saidMarguerite。"Iamaperfectstrangertoher，andthatsheshoulddoitatallstrikesmeasbeingmostextraordinary。Itdoesn’tseemsincere，andIcan’thelpthinkingthatsomeextraneouscircumstancehasbeenbroughttobearuponhertoforcehertodoit。"
（Note。——StuartHarleyhascommenteduponthisasfollows："AsIreadthisoverImustadmitthatMissAndrewswasright。WhyIhadMrs。
HowlettdosuchathingIdon’tknow，unlessitwasthatmyownadmirationformyheroineledmetobelievethatsomemorethanusualattentionwasherdue。InmyownbehalfIwillsaythatIshouldinallprobabilityhaveeliminatedorcorrectedthisfalsenotewhenI
cametotherevisionofmyproofs。"Thechapterthenproceeds。）
"Whatshallwewear？"musedMrs。Willard，asMargueritefoldedMrs。
Howlett’snoteandreplaceditinitsenvelope。
"Imustpositivelydeclinetodiscussthatquestion。Itisofnopublicinterest，"snappedMarguerite，herfaceflushingangrily。"Myclothingismyownbusiness，andnoone’selse。"Shepausedamoment，andthen，inanapologetictone，sheadded，"I’dbeperfectlywillingtotalkwithyouaboutitgenerally，mydearDorothy，butnotnow。"
Mrs。Willardlookedatthegirlinsurprise。
（Note。——StuartHarleyhaswrittenthisinthemargin："Hereyouhaveoneofthesituationswhichfinallycompelledmetorelinquishthisstory。Youknowyourselfhowharditistomake30，000wordsoutofaslightsituation，andatthesametimesticktoprobability。Ihadanidea，inmappingoutthischapter，thatIcouldmakethreeorfourinterestingpages——interestingtothegirls，mindyou——outofadiscussionofwhattheyshouldwearattheHowlettdance。Itwasaperfectlynaturalsubjectfordiscussionatthetimeandunderthecircumstances。Itwouldhavebeenagoodthinginthebook，too，foritmighthaveconveyedafewwholesomehintsinthelineofgoodtasteindresswhichwouldhavemademystoryofsomevalue。Womenarealwayswritingtothepapers，asking，’WhatshallIwearhere？’
and’WhatshallIwearthere？’TheideasoftwowomenlikeMrs。
WillardandMargueriteAndrewswouldhavebeencertaintobeinteresting，elevating，andexceedinglyusefultosuchpeople，butthemomentIattemptedtoinvolvetheminthatdiscussionMissAndrewsdeclinedutterlytospeak，andIwascutoutofsomesixorsevenhundredquiteimportantwords。Ihadsupposedallwomenalikeinthatmatter，butIfindIwasmistaken；one，atleast，won’tdiscussclothes——butIdon’twonderthatMrs。Willardlookedupinsurprise。Iputthatinjusttopleasemyself，forofcoursethewholeincidentwouldhavehadtobecutoutwhenthemanuscriptwenttothetype—setter。"Thechaptertakesanewleadhere，asfollows：）
Mrs。WillardwaspunctiliouslypromptinsendingtheacceptancesofherselfandMr。WillardtoMrs。Howlett，andatthesametimeMarguerite’sacceptancewasdespatched，althoughshewasatfirstdisposedtosendherregrets。Shewasonlymoderatelyfondofthoseinconsequentpleasureswhichmakethelifesocial。Shewasagooddancer，butamoreexcellenttalker，andshepreferredtalkingtodancing；buttheinanityofwhatareknownasstairtalksatdancesoppressedher；nordidshelookforwardwithanydegreeofpleasuretowhatwemighttermconservatoryconfidences，whichintheseluxuriousdayshavebecomesolargeafactorinterpsichoreandiversions，forMargueritewasofapracticalnature。ShehadoncechilledtheheartofayoungpoetbycallingVenicemalarious（HarleylittlerealizedwhenhewrotethishowhewouldhavesufferedhadhecarriedouthisoriginalintentionandtransplantedMargueritetotheCityoftheSea!），andaconservatorytoherwasathingformid—day，andnotformidnight。Shewasthereforenotparticularlyanxioustospendanevening——whichbeganatanaggravatinglylatehourinsteadofatareasonabletime，thankstoasocialcustomwhichhasitsfoundationinnothingshortofabsoluteinsanity——inthepursuitofnothingofgreatervaluethandancing，stairtalks，andconservatoryconfidences；butMrs。Willardsoonpersuadedherthatsheoughttogo，andgoshedid。
Itwasabeautifulnight，thatofthe22dofJuly。Newportwasatherbest。Themorninghadbeenoppressivelywarm，butalongaboutthreeintheafternoonaseriesofshortandsharpelectricalstormscame，andasquicklywent，coolingtheheatedcity，andfresheninguptheairuntilitwasasclearascrystal，andrefreshingasadraughtofcoldspring—water。
AttheHowlettmansiononBellevueAvenueallwasinreadinessfortheevent。Thecaterer’swagonshadarrivedwiththeirdaintycontents，andhadgone，andnowtheHungarianbandwassendingforthoverthecoolnightairthosebeautifulandweirdwavesofmelodywhichentrancethemostunwillingear。Aboutthebroadandspaciousgroundsfestoonedlightshungfromtreetotree；hereandtherelittlerose—scentedbowersfortete—a—tetetalkswereset；fromwithin，streamingthroughthewindowsinregalbeauty，camethelightsofthevastballroom，thereception—rooms，andthebeautifullydesigneddining—hall——latelyaddedbyyoungMorrisBlack，thearchitect，toMrs。Howlett’salreadyperfecthouse。
OntheballroomflooraresometenortwentycouplesgracefullywaltzingtothestrainsofSullivan，andinthemidstoftheseweseeMargueriteAndrewsthreadingherwayacrosstheroomwithsomedifficulty，attendedbyMr。andMrs。Willard。Theyhavejustarrived。AsMargueritewalksacrossthehallsheattractseveryone。
Thereisthataboutherwhichcommandsattention。AttheinstantofherentranceCountBonettiisonthequiVive。
"PyChove!"hecries，asheleansgracefullyagainstthedoorwayopeningintotheconservatory。"Zare，mydearfriend，zatissmyideaofzetrulypeautifulwoman。Vatisshername？"
"ThatisMissAndrewsofNewYork，Count，"thepersonaddressedreplies。"SheisupherewiththeWillards。"
"Imusdmeedher，"saystheCount，hiseyefollowingMargueriteasshewalksuptoMrs。Howlettandisgreetedeffusivelybythatlady。
Margueriteispale，andappearsanxious。Eventotheauthorthewaysofthewomeninhisworksareinscrutable；souponthisoccasion。
Sheispale，butIcannotsaywhy。Canitbethatshehasanintuitiveknowledgethatto—nightmaydecideherwholefuturelife？
Whocantell？Woman’sintuitionsaregreat，andtherebethosewhosaytheyareunerringlytrue。Onebyone，withtheexceptionofCountBonetti，theyoungmenamongMrs。Howlett’sguestsarepresented——Bonettipreferstoawaitamorefavorableopportunity——andtoallMargueriteappearstobethebeautifulwomansheis。Hersisaninstantsuccess。AnewbeautyhasdawnedupontheNewporthorizon。
Letusdescribeherasshestands。
（Note。——Thereisablankspacelefthere。AtfirstIthoughtitwasbecauseHarleywishedtoreflectalittlebeforedrawingapictureofsosuperbawomanasheseemedtothinkher，andgoontotheconclusionofthechapter，themainincidentsbeinghotinhismind，andthepurelydescriptivemattersmoreeasilylefttocalmermoments。Heinformsme，however，thatsuchwasnotthecase。"WhenIcametodescribeherasshestood，"hesaid，"shehaddisappeared，andIhadtosearchalloverthehousebeforeIfinallyfoundherintheconservatory。SoIchangedthechaptertoreadthus："）
Afterahalf—hourofdancingandholdingcourt——forMarguerite’striumphwastrulythatofaqueen，itwassocomplete——MissAndrewsturnedtoMr。Willardandtookhisarm。
"Letusgointotheconservatory，"shesaid，inawhisper。"IhaveheardsomuchaboutMrs。Howlett’sorchids，Ishouldliketoseethem。"
Willard，seeingthatshewastiredandslightlyboredbytheincessantchatterofthoseabouther，escortedheroutthroughthebroaddoorintotheconservatory。AsshepassedfromtheballroomthedarkeyesofCountBonettiflasheduponher，butsheheededthemnot，movingonintothefloralbowerinapparentlysereneunconsciousnessofthatperson’spresence。HereWillardgotherachair。
"Willyouhaveanice？"heasked，assheseatedherselfbeneathoneoftheloftypalms。
"Yes，"sheanswered，simply。"Icanwaitherealoneifyouwillgetit。"
Willardpassedout，andsoonreturnedwiththeice；butashecamethroughthedoorwayBonettistoppedhimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear。
"Certainly，Count，rightaway，"Willardanswered。"Comealong。"
Bonettineedednosecondbidding，butfollowedWillardclosely，andsoonstoodexpectantbeforeMarguerite。
"MissAndrews，"saidWillard，"mayIhavethepleasureofpresentingCountBonetti？"
TheCount’sheadnearlycollidedwithhistoesinthebowthathemade。
"Mr。Willard，"returnedMissAndrews，coldly，ignoringtheCount，"feelingasIdothatCountBonettiismerelyabogusCountwithacquisitiveinstincts，broughthere，likemyself，forliterarypurposesofwhichIcannotapprove，Imustreplytoyourquestionthatyoumaynothavethatpleasure。"
Withwhichremark（concludesStuartHarley）MissMargueriteAndrewssweptproudlyfromtheroom，orderedhercarriage，andwenthome，therebyutterlyruiningthesecondstoryofherlifethatIhadundertakentowrite。ButIshallmakeonemoreeffort。
CHAPTERV：ANEXPERIMENT
"AndthusI’llcurbhermadandheadstronghumor。
Hethatknowsbetterhowtotameashrew，Nowlethimspeak；’tischaritytoshow。"
——"TamingoftheShrew。"
"Whatwouldhavehappenedifshehadbehaveddifferently，Stuart？"I
asked，afterIhadreadthepageshehadsokindlyplacedatmydisposal。
"Oh，nothinginparticulartowhichshecouldreasonablyobject，"
returnedHarley。"Theincidentsofatrulyrealisticnovelarerarelyobjectionable，excepttopeopleofacaptiousnature。I
intendedtohaveBonettidanceattendanceuponMissAndrewsforthebalanceoftheseason，that’sall，hopingtherebytopresentagoodpictureoflifeatNewportinJulyandpartofAugust。AboutthemiddleofAugustIwasgoingtotransportthewholecasttoBarHarbor，forvariety’ssake。ThatwouldhavebeenanotheropportunitytogetagooddealoftheAmericansummeratmosphereintothebook。
IwishIcouldaffordthekindofsummerIcontemplatedgivingher。"
"Youdidn’tintendthatsheshouldfallinlovewithBonetti？"I
asked。
"Nottoanyseriousextent，"saidHarley，deprecatingly。"Evenifshehadalittle，she’dhavecomeoutofitallrightassoonastheheroturnedup，andshehadachancetoseethedifferencebetweenamanlymanofherowncountryandalittletitledfortunehunterfromthelandofmacaroni。Bonettiwasn’ttobeabadfellowatall。HewasmerelyanItalian，whichhecouldn’thelp，beingbornso，andtherefore，asshesaid，ofanacquisitivenature。Thereisnovillanyinthat，however——thatis，noreprehensiblevillany。Hewasafterarichmarriagebecausehewasfondofalifeofease。She’dhavefoundhimamusing，atanyrate。"
"Buthewasbogus!"Isuggested。
"Notatall，"saidHarley，impatiently。"That’swhatvexesmemorethananythingelse。Shemadeaverybadmistakethere。AsaCount，Bonettiwasquiteasrealashisfinancialnecessities。"
"Itwasabeastlyawkwardsituation，thatconservatoryscene，"saidI。"EspeciallyforWillard。TheCountmighthavechallengedhim。
WhatbecameoftheCountwhenitwasover？"
"Idon’tknow，"saidHarley。"Ilefthimtogetoutofhispredicamentasbesthecould。PossiblyhedidchallengeWillard。I
haven’ttakenthetroubletofindout。If，asIthink，however，he’salivingperson，he’llextricatehimselffromhisdifficultyallright；ifhe’snot，andIhaveunwittinglyallowedmyselftoconjurehimupinmyfancy，there’snogreatharmdone。Ifhe’snothingmorethanamarionette，lethimfallonthefloor，andstaythereuntilI
findsomeimaginativewriterwhowilltakehimoffmyhands——you，forinstance。YoucanhaveBonettiforaChristmaspresent，withmycompliments。I’mthroughwithhim；butasforMissAndrews，shehasbeensoconfoundedlyelusivethatshehasarousedmydeepestinterest，andIcouldn’tgiveherupifIwantedto。Ineverencounteredaheroinelikeherinallmylifebefore，andtheoneobjectofmyfuturecareerwillbetocatchherfinallyinthemeshesofaromance。Romancewillcomeintoherlifesometime。Sheisnotatallofanunsentimentalnature——onlyfractious——new—womanish，perhaps；butnonethelesslovable，andCupidwillhaveashotatherwhensheleastexpectsit；andwhenitdoescome，I’llbeonhandtoreporttheattemptedassassinationforthedelectationoftheHerring，Beemer，&Chadwickpublic。"
"Ishouldthinkyouwouldtryalittlepersuasion，justforlarks，"I
suggested。
"YouforgetIamarealist，"hereplied，ashewentout。
NowIsincerelyadmiredStuartHarley，andIwishedtothebottomofmyhearttohelphimifIcould。Itseemedtomethat，howeveradmirableMissAndrewshadshownherselftobegenerallyasawoman，shehadbeenanaltogetherunsatisfactorypersonintheroleofaheroine。Irespectedherscruplesaboutmarryingmenshedidnotcarefor，and，asIhavealreadysaid，noonecoulddenyhertherighttoherownconvictions；butitseemedtomethatintheBonettiincidentshemightandtrulyoughttohaveacteddifferentlywhenthetimecameforthepresentation。ThereisnodoubtinmymindthatherlittlespeechtoWillard，inwhichshestatedthattheCountwasafraudandmightnotbepresented，wasadeliberatelyplannedrebuff，andthereforenotinanysenseexcusable。ShecouldhaveavoideditbytellingWillardbeforeleavinghomethatshedidnotcaretomeettheCount。TomakeasceneatMrs。Howlett’swasnotathingwhichasober—minded，self—containedwomanwouldhavedone；itwasbadformtobehavesorudelytooneofMrs。Howlett’sguests，andwassoinconsiderateofWillardandunreasonableinotherwaysthatI
blamedherunreservedly。
"Shedeservestobepunished，"Ithoughttomyself，asHarleywentdejectedlyoutoftheroom。"Andthereisnokindofpunishmentforawomanlikethatsogallingtohersoulastofindherselfinthehandsofarelentlessdespotwhoforcesherthiswayandthat，accordingtohiswhim。I’dliketoplayPetruciotoherKatherineforfiveminutes。She’dsoonfindoutthatI’mnotarealistboundbyacreedtowhichImustadhere。WhateverIchoosetodoIcandowithoutviolatingmyconscientiousscruples，becauseIhaven’tanyconscientiousscruplesinliterature。And，byJove，I’lldoit!
I’lltakeMissMargueriteAndrewsinhandmyselfthisveryafternoon，andI’llputherthroughacourseoftrainingthatwillmakeherruethedaysheevertrifledwithStuartHarley——andwhenhetakesherupagainshe’llbeasmeekasMoses。"
StronginmybeliefthatIcouldbringtheyoungwomantoterms，I
wenttomydeskandtriedmyhandatastory，withMissAndrewsasitsheroine，andIwasnotparticularaboutbeingrealisticeither。
NeitherdidIgooffintoanytrancesinsearchofheroesandvillains。IdidwhatHarleycouldnotdo。IbroughttheNewYorkbacktoportthatveryday，anddespatchedRobertOsborne，thedespisedloverofthefirsttale，toNewport。
"Sheshallhavehimwhethershelikeshimornot，"saidI，grittingmyteethdeterminedly；"andshewon’tknowwhethersheloveshimorCountBonettibest；andshe’llpromisetomarrybothofthem；andsheshallgotoVeniceinAugust，despiteheruncompromisingrefusaltodosoforHarley；andsheshallmeetBalderstonethere，and，nomatterwhatheropinionofhimorofhisliterarywork，sheshallbefascinatedbythestoryI’llhavehimwrite，andunderthespellofthatfascinationsheshallpromisetomarryhimalso；whereupontheWillardswillturnupandtakehertoHeidelberg，whereI’llhavehermeettheheroshecouldn’twaitforattheHowlettdance，thedespisedProfessor，andsheshallpromisetobehiswifelikewise；
andfinallyI’llputheronboardasteameratSouthampton，boundforNewYork，withMrs。Corwinandthetwins；andtheseconddayout，whensheisfeelingherveryworst，allfourofherfianceswillturnupatthesametimebesideherchair。ThenIshallleavehertogetoutofhertroublethebestwayshecan。Iimagine，aftershehashadatasteofmyliteraryregimen，she’llquitefallinlovewiththeHarleymethod，andbehaveherselfasaheroineshould。"
IsatdownallaglowwiththeideaofbeingabletotameHarley’sheroineandplaceherinamoodmoresuitedforhispurposes。ThemoreIthoughtofhowhisfailureswereweighingonhismind，themoreviciouslyreadywasItoplaythetyrantwithMarguerite，and——
well，Imightaswellconfessitatonce，withallmyrighteousindignationagainsther，Icouldnotdoit。FivetimesIstarted，andasmanytimesdidIdestroywhatIwrote。OnthesixthtrialI
didhaultheNewYorkrelentlesslybackintoport，neverforaninstantconsideringtheinconvenienceofthepassengers，ortheprotestsoftheofficers，crew，orpostalauthorities。Thisdone，I
seizedupontheunfortunateOsborne，spiritedhisluggagethroughtheCustom—house，andsenttheshiptoseaagain。Thatpartwaseasy。I
havewrittenagreatdealforthecomicpapers，andacrobaticnonsenseofthatsortcomesalmostwithoutaneffortonmypart。
WithequaleaseIgotOsbornetoNewport——how，Idonotrecollect。
ItisjustpossiblethatItookhimthroughfromNewYorkwithoutatrain，bythemeresay—soofmypen。Atanyrate，Igothimthere，andIfullyintendedtohavehimmeetMissAndrewsatadanceattheOceanHousethedayafterhisarrival。Ievenprogressedsofarastogetupthedance。Idescribedtheroom，thedecorations，andtheband。IhadOsbornedressedandwaiting，withBonettialsodressedandwaitingontheothersideoftheroom，ScyllaandCharybdisalloveragain，butbynopossibilitycouldIforceMissAndrewstoappear。Whyitwas，Idonotpretendtobeabletosay——shemayhaveknownthatBonettiwasthere，shemayhaverealizedthatIwastryingtoforceOsborneuponher；butwhateveritwasthatenabledhertodoso，sheresistedmesuccessfully——ormypendid；forthatsituationuponwhichIhadbasedtheopeningsceneofmystoryofcompulsionI
foundbeyondmyabilitytodepict；andasHarleyhaddonebeforeme，sowasInowforcedtodo——tochangemyplan。
"I’llhaveherrunawaywith!"Icried，growingviciousinmywrath；
"andbothBonettiandOsborneshallplaceherundereternalobligationsbyrushingouttostopthehorse，onefromeithersideofthestreet。She’llhavetomeetBonettithen，"Iadded，withachuckle。
AndItriedthatplan。Asdocileasalambsheenteredthephaeton，whichIconjuredupoutofmyink—pot，andlikeaveteranJehudidsheseizethereins。IcouldnothelpadmiringherasIwroteofit—
—shewassolikeagoddess；butIdidnotrelent。Runawaywithshemustbe，andrunawaywithshewas。Butagaindidthisextraordinarywomanassertherselftomydiscomfiture；forthemomentshesawBonettirushingouttorescueherfromtheeast，shejerkedtheleftreinsoviolentlythatthehorseswervedtooneside，toppledoveronOsborne，whohadsprunggallantlytotherescuefromthewest；andBonetti，missinghisaimasthehorseturned，fellallinaheapintheroadwaytwoyardsbackofthephaeton。MissAndrewswasnothurt，butmystorywas，forshehadnotevenobservedtheunhappyOsborne；andasforBonetti，hecutsoridiculousafigurethat，Italianthoughhewas，evenheseemedawareofit，andheshrankdejectedlyoutofsight。Againhadthissupernaturallyelusiveheroineupsettheplansofonewhohadessayedtoembalmhervirtuesinaliterarymould。Icouldnotbringherintocontactwitheitherofmyheroes。
Ithrewmypendownindisgust，slammedtothecoverofmyink—well，andfortwohourspacedmadlythroughthemaze—likewalksoftheCentralPark，angryanddepressed；andfromthatmomentuntilI
undertookthenarrationofthispatheticstoryIgaveHarley’sheroineupasunavailablematerialformypurposes。Shewasworse，ifanything，inimaginativeworkthaninrealism，becausesheabsolutelydefiedtheimagination，whiletherealistshewouldbegladtohelpsolongashisrealismwaskeptinstrictaccordwithherideasofwhattherealreallywas。
ItwassomedaysbeforeIsawHarleyagain，andIthoughthelookedtiredandanxious——soanxious，indeed，thatIwasafraidhemightpossiblybeinfinancialstraits，forIknewthatforthreeweekshehadnotturnedoutanyofhisusualpot—boilers，havingbeentoobusytryingtowritethestoryforMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick。
Ithappened，oddlyenough，thatIhadtwoorthreeuncashedchecksinmypocket；so，feelinglikeamillionaire，Ibroachedthesubjecttohim。
"What’sthematter，oldfellow？"Isaid。"Youseeminabluefunk。
Hasthemintstopped？Ifithas，commandme。I’moverburdenedwithchecksthisweek。"
"Notatall；thanksjustthesame，"hesaid，wearily。"MyTiffinroyaltiescameinWednesday，andI’mallrightforawhile，anyhow。"
"What’sup，then，Stuart？"Iasked。"Youlookworried。I’vejustofferedtosharemyprosperitywithyou，youmightshareyourgriefwithme。Lendmeapeckoftroubleovernight，willyou？"
"Oh，it’snothingmuch，"hesaid。"It’sthatrebelliousheroineofmine。She’sweighingonmymind，that’sall。She’sveryrealtome，thatwoman；and，byJove!I’vebeenasjealousasaloverfortwodaysoverafancythatcameintomyhead。You’lllaughwhenItellyou，butI’vebeenhalfafraidsomebodyelsewouldtakeherupand——
well，treatherbadly。Thereissomethingthattellsmethatshehasbeenforcedintosomebrutalsituationbysomebody，somewhere，withinthepasttwoorthreedays。IbelieveI’dwanttokillamanwhodidthat。"
Ididn’tlaughathim。Iwasthemanwhowasinafairwaytogetkilledfor"doingthat，"andIthoughtlaughterwouldbealittlebitmisplaced；butIamnotacoward，andIdidn’tflinch。Iconfessed。
ItriedtoeasehismindbytellinghimwhatIhadattemptedtodo。
"Itwasamistake，"hesaid，shortly，whenIhadfinished。"Andyoumustpromisemeonething，"headded，veryseriously。
"I’llpromiseanything，"Isaid，meekly。
"Don’tevertryanythingofthesortagain，"hewenton，gravely。
"Ifyouhadsucceededinwritingthatstory，andsubjectedhertoallthathorror，Ishouldneverhavespokentoyouagain。Asitis，I
realizethatwhatyoudidwasoutofthekindnessofyourheart，promptedbyadesiretobeofservicetome，andI’mjustasmuchobligedasIcanbe，onlyIdon’twantanyassistance。"
"Untilyouaskmeto，Stuart，"Ireplied，"I’llneverwriteanotherlineabouther；butyou’dbetterkeepverymumaboutheryourself，orgethercopyrighted。ThewaysheupsetthathorseonOsborne，completelyobliteratinghim，andatthesametimegettingoutofthewayofthatlittlesimianCount，inspiteofallIcoulddotoplaceherunderobligationstobothofthem，waswhattheancientswouldhavecalledacaution。Shehasmadeaslaveofmeforever，andI
venturetopredictthatifyoudon’thurryupandgetherintoabook，somebodyelsewill；andwhoeverdoeswillmakeanameforhimselfalongsideofwhichthatofSmithwillsinkintooblivion。"
"Countonmeforthat，"saidhe。"’Faintheartneverwonfairlady，’
andIdon’tintendtostopclimbingjustbecauseIfearafewmorefalls。"
CHAPTERVI：ANOTHERCHAPTERFROMHARLEY
"Waseverwomaninthishumourwoo’d？
Waseverwomaninthishumourwon？
I’llhaveher，——butIwillnotkeepherlong。"
—"RichardIII。"
TherewasnodoubtaboutitthatHarley，truetohispurpose，wasmakingagoodfighttoconquerwithoutcompulsion，andappreciatedasmuchasIthenecessityofreducinghisheroinetoconcreteformasspeedilyaspossible，lestsomeothershouldprovemoresuccessful，andsodeprivehimofthelaurelsforwhichhehadworkedsohardandsufferedsomuch。Inhisfavorwashisdisposition。Hewasamanofgreatdetermination，andoncehesetaboutdoingsomethinghewasnotaneasymantoturnaside，andnowthat，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hefoundhimselfbaffledateverypoint，andbyaheroineofnoverygreatliteraryimportance，hebecamemoredeterminedthanever。
"I’llconqueryet，"hesaidtome，aweekorsolater；butthewearinesswithwhichhespokemademefearthatvictorywasafaroff。
"I’venodoubtofit——ultimately，"Ianswered，toencouragehim；"butdon’tyouthinkyou’llstandabetterchanceifyouletherrestforawhile，andthenstealinuponherunawares，andcatchherlittleromanceasitflies？Sheisapparentlynervedupagainstyounow，andthemoreconscioussheisofyoureffortstoputheronpaper，themoreshewillrebel。Infact，herrebelliousnesswillbecomemoreandmoreamatterofwhimthanofprinciple，unlessyouletuponherforalittlewhile。Halfofheroppositionnowstrikesmeasobstinacy，andthemoreyoutrytobreakherspirit，eventhoughyoudoitgently，themorestubbornwillshebecome。Putthisbookasideforafewweeksanyhow。Whynottacklesomethingelse？You’ddobetterwork，too，afteralittlevariety。"
"ThismustbefinishedbySeptember1st，that’swhynot，"saidStuart。"I’vepromisedHerring，Beemer，&Chadwicktosendthemthecompletedmanuscriptbythattime。Besides，noheroineofmineshalleversaythatsheswervedmefromdoingwhatIhavesetaboutdoing。
ItisnoworneverwithMargueriteAndrews。"
SoIlefthimathisdesk，andforaweekwasbusywithmyownaffairs。LatethefollowingFridaynightIdroppedinatHarley’sroomstoseehowmatterswereprogressing。AsIenteredIsawhimathisdesk，hisbackturnedtowardsme，silhouettedinthelamp—light，scratchingawayfuriouslywithhispen。
"Ah!"Ithought，asmyeyetookinthepicture，"itgoesatlast。I
guessIwon’tdisturbhistrainofthought。"
AndItriedtostealsoftlyout，forhehadnotobservedmyentrance。
Asluckwouldhaveit，IsteppeduponthesillofthedoorasI
passedout，anditcreaked。
"Hello!"criedHarley，wheelingaboutinhischair，startledbythesound。
"Oh!It’syou，isit？"headded，asherecognizedme。"Whatareyouupto？Comebackhere。Iwanttoseeyou。"
Hismannerwascheerful，butIcouldseethatthecheerfulnesswasassumed。Thecolorhadcompletelylefthischeeks，andgreatringsunderhiseyesbetokenedwearinessofspirit。
"Ididn’twanttodisturbyou，"saidI，returning。"Youseemtohaveyourpenonacleartrack，withfullsteamup。"
"Ihad，"hesaid，quietly。"IwasjustfinishingupthatHerring，Beemer，&Chadwickbusiness。"
"Aha!"Icried，graspinghishandandshakingit。"Icongratulateyou。Successatlast，eh？"
"Well，I’vegotsomethingdone——andthat’sit，"hesaid，andhetossedtheletterblockuponwhichhehadbeenwritingacrossthetabletome。"Readthat，andtellmewhatyouthinkofit。"
Ireaditovercarefully。ItwasalettertoMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，inwhichStuartaskedtoberelievedofthecommissionhehadundertaken：
"Ifindmyselfutterlyunabletocompletetheworkinthestipulatedtime，"hewrote，"forreasonsentirelybeyondmycontrol。NorcanI
atthiswritingsaywithanydegreeofcertaintywhenIshallbeabletofinishthestory。Ihavemadeconstantandconscientiousefforttocarryoutmyagreementwithyou，butfruitlessly，andIbegthatyouwillrelievemeoftheobligationintowhichIenteredatthesigningofourcontract。OfcourseIcouldsendyousomethinglongenoughtocovertherequiredspace——wordscomeeasyenoughforthat——
buttheresultwouldbeunsatisfactorytoyouandinjurioustomewereItodoso。Pleaseletmehearfromyou，releasingmefromtheobligation，atyourearliestconvenience，asIamabouttoleavetownforafortnight’srest。Regrettingmyinabilitytoserveyouatthistime，andhopingsoontobeabletoavailmyselfofyourverykindoffer，Ibegtoremain，"Yoursfaithfully，"STUARTHARLEY。"
"Oh!"saidI。"You’vefinishedit，then，by——"
"Bygivingitup，"saidhe，sadly。
"It’sthestrangestthingthateverhappenedtome，butthatgirlisimpossible。Itakeupmypenintendingtosaythatshedidthis，andbeforeIknowitshedoesthat。Icannotcontrolmystoryatall，norcanIperceiveinwhatgivendirectionshewillgo。IfIcould，Icouldarrangemyscenariotosuit，butasitis，Icannotgoon。
Itmaycomelater，butitwon’tcomenow，andI’mgoingtogiveherup，andgodowntoBarnegattofishfortendays。Ihatetogivethebookup，though，"headded，tappingthetablewithhispen—holderreflectively。"Chadwick’sanawfullygoodfellow，andhisfirmisoneofthebestinthecountry，liberalandallthat，andhereatmyfirstopportunitytogetontheirlist，I’mcompletelyfloored。It’sbeastlyhardluck，Ithink。"
"Don’tbefloored，"saidI。"Takemyadviceandtacklesomethingelse。Writesomeotherbook。"
"That’sthedevilofit!"hereplied，angrilypoundingthetablewithhisfist。"Ican’t。I’vetried，andIcan’t。Mymindisfullofthatwoman。IfIdon’tgetridofherI’mruined——I’llhavetogetapositionasasalesmansomewhere，orstarve，foruntilsheiscaughtbetweengoodstiffboardcoversIcan’twriteanotherline。"
"Oh，youtaketooseriousaviewofit，Stuart，"Iventured。"You’remadandtirednow。Idon’tblameyou，ofcourse，butyoumustn’tberash。Don’tsendthatletteryet。Waituntilyou’vehadtheweekatBarnegat——you’llfeelbetterthen。Youcanwritethebookintendaysafteryourreturn；orifyoustillfindyoucan’tdoit，itwillbetimeenoughtowithdrawthen。"
"Whathopeisthereafterthat？"hecried，tossingabundleofmanuscriptintomylap。"Justreadthat，andtellmewhat’stheuse。
I’dmappedoutameetingbetweenMargueriteAndrewsandacertainMr。
ArthurParker，afellowwithwealth，position，brains，goodlooks——inshort，everythingagirlcouldaskfor，andthat’swhatcameofit。"
Ispreadthepagesoutuponthetablebeforemeandread：
CHAPTERIV：ADECLARATION
"IhavenotseenSolikelyanambassadoroflove。"
—"MerchantofVenice。"
Parkermountedthestepslightlyandrangthebell。Marguerite’skindnessofthenightbefore，whichwasinmarkedcontrasttohercoolnessattheMacFarlanddance，hadledhimtobelievethathewasnotwhollywithoutinteresttoher，andherinvitationthatheshouldcalluponherhadgivenhimasincerepleasure；infact，hewonderedthatheshouldbesopleasedoversotrivialacircumstance。
"I’mafraidI’velostmyheartagain，"hesaidtohimself。"Thatis，againifIeverlostitbefore，"headded。
AndhismindrevertedtoalittleepisodeatBarHarborthesummerbefore，andhewasnotsorrytofeelthatthatwoundwascured——
though，asamatteroffact，ithadneveramountedtomorethanascratch。
Amomentlaterthedooropened，andParkerentered，inquiringforMissAndrewsashedidso。
"Idonotknow，butIwillseeifMissAndrewsisathome，"saidthebutler，usheringhimintotheparlor。ThatimposingindividualknewquitewellthatMissAndrewswasathome，buthealsoknewthatitwasnothisplacetosaysountiltheyoungladyhadpersonallyassuredhimofthefactsinsofarastheyrelatedtothisparticularcaller。AllwentwellforParker，however。MissAndrewsconsentedtobeathometohim，andfiveminuteslatersheenteredthedrawingroomwhereParkerwasseated。
"Howdoyoudo？"shesaid，frigidly，ignoringhisoutstretchedhand。
（"Thinkofthat，willyou？"interposedHarley。"He’dcometopropose，andwastoleaveengaged，andsheinsistsuponopeninguponhimfrigidly，ignoringhisoutstretchedhand。"
Icouldn’thelpsmiling。"Whydidyouletherdoit？"Iasked。
"IcouldnomorehavechangeditthanIcouldfly，"returnedStuart。
"Sheoughtnevertohavebeenathomeifshewasgoingtobehavethatway。Icouldn’tforeseetheincident，andbeforeIknewitthat’sthewayithappened。ButIthoughtIcouldfixituplater，soI
wenton。Readalong，andseewhatIgotletintonext。"
Iproceededtoreadasfollows：）
"Yousee，"saidParker，withanadmiringglanceathereyes，inspiteofthefactthatthecoolnessofherreceptionratherabashedhim——
"yousee，Ihavenotdelayedverylongincoming。"
"SoIperceive，"returnedMarguerite，withaboredmanner。"That’swhatIsaidtoMrs。WillardasIcamedown。Youdon’tallowyourfriendsmuchleeway，Mr。Parker。Itdoesn’tseemmorethanfiveminutessinceweweretogetheratthecardparty。"
（"That’scordial，eh？"saidHarley，asIread。"Nicesortoftalkforaheroinetoahero。Makesiteasyforme，eh？"
"Imustsayifyoumanagetogetaproposalinnowyou’reagenius，"
saidI。
"Oh——asforthat，IgotrecklesswhenIsawhowthingsweregoing，"
returnedHarley。"Ilostmytemper，andtookitoutofpoorParker。
Heproposes，asyouwillseewhenyoucometoit；butitisn’trealism——it’scompulsion。Isimplyforcedhimintoit——poordevil。
Butgoonandreadforyourself。"
Ididso，asfollows：）
ThiswashardlythetreatmentParkerhadexpectedatthehandsofonewhohadbeenundeniablygracioustohimatthecard—tablethenightbefore。Hehadreceivedthenoticethatshewastobehispartneratthetableswithmisgivings，onhisarrivalatMrs。Stoughton’s，becausehisrecollectionofherbehaviortowardshimattheMacFarlanddancehadledhimtobelievethathewaspersonallydistastefultoher；butastheeveningatcardsprogressedhefeltinstinctivelydrawntowardsher，andhervivacityofmanner，clevernessatrepartee，andextremeamiabilitytowardshimselfhadcompletelywonhisheart，whichvictorytheirlittletete—a—teteduringsupperhadconfirmed。Buthere，thismorning，wasreversiontoherfirstattitude。
Whatcoulditmean？Whyshouldshetreathimso？
（"Icouldn’tanswerthatquestiontosavemylife，"saidStuart。
"Thatis，notthen，butIfoundoutlater。Iputitin，however，andletParkerdrawhisownconclusions。I’dhavehelpedhimoutifI
could，butIcouldn’t。Goonandseeforyourself。"
Iresumed。）
Parkercouldnotsolvetheproblem，butitpleasedhimtobelievethatsomethingoverwhichhehadnocontrolhadgonewrongthatmorning，andthatthishaddisturbedherequanimity，andthathewasmerelythevictimofcircumstances；andsomehoworotheritpleasedhimalsotothinkthathecouldbethevictimofhercircumstances，sohestoodhisground。
"Itisabeautifulday，"hebegan，afterapause。
"Isit？"sheasked，indifferently。
（"Frightfullysnubbish，"saidI，appalledatthelengthstowhichMissAndrewswasgoing。
"Dreadfully，"sighedHarley。"Andsounlikeher，too。"）
"Yes，"saidParker，"soverybeautifulthatitseemedapitythatyouandIshouldstayindoors，withplentyofwalkstobetakenand——"
Margueriteinterruptedhimwithasarcasticlaugh。
"Withsomuchpityandsomanywalks，Mr。Parker，whydon’tyoutakeafewofthem!"shesaid。
（"GoodLord!"saidI。"Thisistheworstactofrebellionyet。Sheseemsbesideherself。"
"Readon!"saidHarley，insepulchraltones。）
ThiswasParker’sopportunity。"Iamnotfondofwalking，MissAndrews，"hesaid；andthenheadded，quickly，"thatis，alone——I
don’tlikeanythingalone。Livingalone，likewalkingalone，is——"
"Let’sgowalking，"saidMarguerite，shortly，assheroseupfromherchair。"I’llbedownintwominutes。Ionlyneedtoputmyhaton。"
Parkeracquiesced，andMissAndrewswalkedmajesticallyoutoftheparlorandwentup—stairs。
"Confoundit!"mutteredParker，asshelefthim。"Aminutemore，andI’dhaveknownmyfate。"
（"Yousee，"saidHarley，"I’dmadeupmymindthatthatproposalshouldtakeplaceinthatchapter，andIthoughtI’dworkedrightuptoit，inspiteofallMissAndrews’sdisagreeableremarkswhen，pop—
—offshegoestoputonherhat。"
"Oh——asforthat——that’sallright，"saidI。"Parkerhadsuggestedthewalk，andagirlreallydoesliketostaveoffaproposalaslongasshecanwhensheknowsitissuretocome。Furthermore，itgivesyouachancetodescribethehat，andsomakeupforafewofthewordsyoulostwhensherefusedtodiscussball—dresseswithMrs。
Willard。"
"Ineverthoughtofthat；butdon’tyouthinkIworkeduptotheproposalskilfully？"askedHarley。
"Very，"saidI。"Butyou’redreadfullyhardonParker。Itwouldhavebeenbettertohavehadthebutlerfirehimout，headoverheels。Hecouldhavethrashedthebutlerfordoingthat，butwithyourheroinehishandsweretied。"
"Goonandread，"saidHarley。）
"ShemusthaveknownwhatIwasdrivingat，"Parkerreflected，asheawaitedherreturn。"Possiblyshelovesmeinspiteofthisfrigidbehavior。Thismaybehermethodofconcealingit；butifitis，I
mustconfessit’sacaseof’Perhapsitwasrighttodissembleyourlove，But——whydidyoukickmedown—stairs？’
Certainly，knowing，asshenowmust，whatmyfeelingsare，herbeingwillingtogoforawalkonthecliffs，oranywhere，isafavorablesign。
（"Parkermerelyechoedmyownhopeinthatremark，"saidHarley。"IfIcouldgetthemengaged，Iwassatisfiedtodoitinanywaythatmightbepleasingtoher。"）
AmomentlaterMargueriteappeared，arrayedforthewalk。Parkerroseassheenteredandpickeduphisgloves。
"Youareaperfectpicturethismorning，"saidhe。
"I’mready，"shesaid，shortly，ignoringthecompliment。"Wherearewescheduledtowalk？——orarewetohavesomethingtosayaboutitourselves？"
Parkerlookedatherwithawonderingsmile。Theaptnessoftheremarkdidnotstrikehim。However，hewasequaltotheoccasion。
"Youdon’tbelieveinfreewill，then？"heasked。
（"Itwastheonlyintelligentremarkhecouldmake，underthecircumstances，yousee，"explainedHarley。
"Hewasacleverfellow，"saidI，andresumedreading。）
"Ibelieveinagreatmanythingswearesupposedtodowithout，"
saidMarguerite，sharply。
Theyhadreachedthestreet，andinsilencewalkedalongBellevueAvenue。
"Thereareagreatmanythings，"vouchsafedParker，astheyturnedoutoftheavenuetothecliffs，"thatmenaresupposednottodowithout——"
"Yes，"saidMarguerite，sharply——"vices。"
"Ididnotrefertothem，"laughedParker。"Infact，MissAndrews，theheartofmanissupposedtobeincompleteuntilhehaslostit，andhassucceededingettinganotherforhisvery——"
"AreyouanadmirerofMaxNordau？"interposedMarguerite，quickly。
（"Whateverledyoutoputthatin？"Iasked。
"Goon，andyou’llsee，"saidHarley。"Ididn’tputitin。It’swhatshesaid。I’mnotresponsible。"）
"Idon’tknowanythingaboutMaxNordau，"saidParker，somewhatsurprisedatthissuddenturnoftheconversation。
"AreyoufamiliarwithSchopenhauer？"sheasked。
（"Itwasawfullyroughonthepoorfellow，"saidHarley，"butI
couldn’thelphim。I’dforcedhiminsofarthatIcouldn’tgethimout。HisanswerflooredmeascompletelyasanythingthatMissAndrewseverdid。"）
"Schopenhauer？"saidParker，nonplussed。"Ohyes，"headded，anideadawningonhismind。"Thatistosay，moderatelyfamiliar——though，asamatteroffact，I’mnotatallmusical。"
MissAndrewslaughedimmoderately，inwhichParker，thinkingthathehadpossiblysaidsomethingwitty，althoughhedidnotknowwhatitwas，joined。Inamomentthelaughtersubsided，andforafewminutesthetwowalkedoninsilence。FinallyParkerspoke，resignedly。
"MissAndrews，"hesaid，"perhapsyouhavenoticed——perhapsnot——thatyouhavestronglyinterestedme。"
"Yes，"shesaid，turninguponhimdesperately。"Ihavenoticedit，andthatiswhyIhaveontwoseparateoccasionstriedtokeepyoufromsayingso。"
"AndwhyshouldInottellyouthatIlove——"beganParker。
"Becauseitishopeless，"retortedMarguerite。"Iamperfectlywellaware，Mr。Parker，whatwearedownfor，andIsupposeIcannotblameyouforyourpersistence。Perhapsyoudon’tknowanybetter；perhapsyoudoknowbetter，butarewillingtogiveyourselfoverunreservedlyintothehandsofanother；perhapsyouarebeingforcedandcannothelpyourself。Itisjustpossiblethatyouareaprofessionalhero，andfeelunderobligationstoyouremployertofollowouthiswishestotheletter。Howeveritmaybe，youhavetwiceessayedtocometothepoint，andIhavetwicetriedtoturnyouaside。Nowitistimetospeaktruthfully。Iadmireandlikeyouverymuch，butIhaveawillofmyown，amnobody’spuppet，andifStuartHarleyneverwritesanotherbookinhislife，heshallnotmarrymetoamanIdonotlove；and，frankly，Idonotloveyou。I
donotknowifyouareawareofthefact，butitistrueneverthelessthatyouarethethirdfiancehehastriedtothrustuponmesinceJuly3d。Liketheothers，ifyouinsistuponblindlyfollowinghiswill，andproposemarriagetome，youshallgobytheboard。Ihavewarnedyou，andyoucannowdoasyouplease。Youweresaying——？"
"ThatIloveyouwithallmysoul，"saidParker，grimly。
（"Hedidn’treallyloveherthen，youknow，"saidHarley。"He’dbeencuredofthatinfiveminutes。ButIwasresolvedthatheshouldsayit，andhedid。That’showhecametosayitgrimly。Hediditjustasasoldierrushesuptothecannon’smouth。Headded，also："）
"Willyoubemywife？"
"Mostcertainlynot，"saidMarguerite，turningonherheel，andleavingtheyoungmantofinishhiswalkalone。
（"Andthen，"saidHarley，withachuckle，"Parker’smanhoodwouldassertitselfinspiteofallIcoulddo。Hemadeananswer，whichI
wrotedown。"
"Isee，"saidI，"butyou’vescratcheditout。Whatwasthatline？"
"’"ThanktheLord!"saidParkertohimself，asMissAndrewsdisappearedaroundthecorner，’"saidStuartHarley。"That’swhatI
wrote，andIflattermyselfontherealismofit，forthat’sjustwhatanyself—respectingherowouldhavesaidunderthecircumstances。"
Asilencecameoverus。
"DoyouwonderI’vegivenitup，"askedStuart，afterawhile。
"Yes，"saidI，"Ido。Suchoppositionwouldnervemeuptoabattleroyal。Iwouldn’tgiveitupuntilI’dreturnedfromBarnegat，ifI
wereyou，"Iadded，anxioustohavehimrenewhisefforts；foranideahadjustflashedacrossmymind，which，althoughitinvolvedabreachoffaithonmypart，Ineverthelessbelievedtobegoodandjustifiable，sinceitmightrelieveStuartHarleyofhisembarrassment。
"Verywell，"Irejoicedtohearhimsay。"Iwon’tgiveitupuntilthen，butIhaven’tmuchhopeafterthatlastchapter。"
SoHarleywenttoBarnegat，afterdestroyinghislettertoMessrs。
Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，whilstIputmybreachoffaithintooperation。）
CHAPTERVII：ABREACHOFFAITH
"Havingsworntoohard—a—keepingoath，Studytobreakit，andnottobreakmytroth。"
—"Love’sLabor’sLost。"
WhenIassuredHarleythatIshouldkeepmyhandsoffhisheroineuntilherequestedmetodootherwise，aftermyfruitlessattempttodisciplineherintoalessrefractorymood，Ifullyintendedtokeepmypromise。Shewashis，asfarasshepossessedanyvalueasliterarymaterial，andhehadascleararighttoherexclusiveuseasifshehadbeencopyrightedinhisname——atleastsofarashisfriendswereconcernedhehad。Othersmightmakeuseofherforliterarypurposeswithaclearconscienceiftheychosetodoso，butthehandofafriendmustbestayed。Furthermore，myownexperiencewiththeyoungwomanhadnotbeensuccessfulenoughtoleadmetobelievethatIcouldconquerwhereHarleyhadbeenvanquished。
PhysicalforceIhadfoundtobeunavailing。ShewastoocunningtostumbleintoanyofthepitfallsthatwithallmyimaginationIcouldconjureuptoembarrassher；butsomethinghadtobedone，andInowresolveduponacourseofmoralsuasion，andwhollyforHarley’ssake。Themanwasactuallysufferingbecauseshehadsopersistentlydefiedhim，andhisdiscomfiturewasallthemoredeplorablebecauseitmeantlittleshortoftheruinofhislifeandambitions。Theproblemhadtobesolvedorhiscareerwasatanend。Harleynevercoulddotwothingsatonce。Thetaskhehadinhandalwaysabsorbedhiswholebeinguntilhewasabletowritethewordfinisonthelastpageofhismanuscript，anduntilthefinistothiselusivebookhewasnowstrugglingwithwaswritten，Iknewthathewouldwritenoother。Hispot—boilershecoulddo，ofcourse，andsoearnaliving，butpot—boilersdestroyratherthanmakereputations，andHarleywastooyoungamantorestuponpastachievements；neitherhadhedonesuchvastlysuperiorworkthathisfamecouldwithstandmuchdiminutionbythecontinuousproductionofephemera。ItwasthereforeinthehopeofsavinghimthatIbrokefaithwithhimandtemporarilystolehisheroine。Ididnotdreamofusingheratall，asyoumightthink，asaheroineofmyown，butratherasaninterestingpersonwithideasastothedutyofheroines——asortofPastGrandMistressoftheArtofHeroinism——whowasworthinterviewingforthedailypress。Iflattermyselfitwasagoodidea，worthyalmostofagenius，thoughIamperfectlywellawarethatIamnotagenius。Iammerelyamanofexceptionaltalent。I
havetalentenoughforagenius，butnotastefortheunconventional，andbyjustsomuchdoIfallshortoftherealizationofthehopesofmyfriendsandfearsofmyenemies。TherearestoriesIhaveinmindthatareworthyofthemostexaltedFrenchmasters，forinstance，andwhenIhavethetimetobecareful，whichIrarelydo，IcanwritewiththepolishedgraceofaDeMaupassantoraJames，butIshallneverwritethem，becauseIvaluemysocialpositiontoohighlytoputmynametoanythingwhichitwouldneverdotopublishoutsideofParis。Idonotcaretoprovemygeniusatthecostoftherespectofmyneighbors——allofwhich，however，isforeigntomystory，andisputinheremerelybecauseIhaveobservedthatreadersareverymuchinterestedintheirfavoriteauthors，andliketoknowasmuchaboutthemastheycan。
Myplan，totakeupthethreadofmynarrativeoncemore，was，briefly，towriteaninterviewbetweenmyself，asarepresentativeofanewspapersyndicate，andMissMargueriteAndrews，the"Well—KnownHeroine。"Ithasbeenquitecommonoflateyearstointerviewthemodelsofwell—knownartists，sothatitdidnotrequiretoogreatastretchoftheimaginationtomakemyschemeareasonableone。Itmustberemembered，too，thatIhadnointentionofusingthisinterviewformyownaggrandizement。Iplanneditsolelyintheinterestsofmyfriend，hopingthatImightsecurefromMissAndrewssomeunguardedadmissionthatmightoperateagainstherownprinciples，asHarleyandIknewthem，andthat，thatsecured，I
mightinducehertofollowmeeklyhisscheduleuntilhecouldbringhisstorytoareasonableconclusion。Failinginthis，Iwasgoingtotryanddiscoverwhatstyleofmanitwassheadmiredmost，whatmightbeherideasoftheromanceinwhichshewouldmostliketofigure，andallthat，sothatIcouldgiveHarleyafewpointswhichwouldenablehimsotoconstructhisromancethathisheroinewouldwalkthroughitaseasilyandasdocilelyasonecouldwish。
Finally，allotherthingsfailing，IwasgoingtothrowHarleyonhergenerosity，callattentiontothefactthatshewasruininghimbyherstubbornbehavior，andaskhertosubmittoalittletemporaryinconvenienceforhissake。
AsIhavealreadysaid，somustIrepeat，therewasgeniusintheidea，butIwasforcedtorelinquishcertainfeaturesofit，aswillbeseenshortly。Itookupmypen，andwiththreeboldstrokesthereoftransportedmyselftoNewport，andgoingdirectlytotheWillardCottage，Irangthebell。MissAndrewswasstillelusive。
Withalltheresourcesofimaginationathand，andwithnotanobstacleinmywaythatIcouldnotclearatabound，shestillheldmeatbay。Shewasnotathome——had，infact，departedtwodayspreviouslyfortheWhiteMountains。Fortunately，however，thebutlerknewheraddress，and，withoutbotheringabouttrains，luggage，oraughtelse，inonebriefparagraphIlandedmyselfattheProfileHouse，whereshewasspendingaweekwithMr。andMrs。RushtonofBrooklyn。Thischangeoflocationcausedmetomodifymyfirstidea，toitsadvantage。Isaw，whenIthoughtthematterover，that，onthewhole，theinterview，asaninterviewforanewspapersyndicate，waslikelytobenippedinthebud，sincethemomentIdeclaredmyselfareporterforasetofnewspapers，andstatedtheobjectofmycall，shewouldprobablydismissmewiththestatementthatshewasnotaprofessionalheroine，thatherviewswereofnointeresttothepublic，andthat，nothavingthepleasureofmyacquaintance，shemustbegtobeexcused。IwonderIdidn’tthinkofthisattheoutset。IsurelyknewHarley’sheroinewellenoughtohaveforeseenthispossibility。Irealizedit，however，themomentIdroppedmyselfintothegreathomelikeofficeoftheProfileHouse。MissAndrewswalkedthroughtheofficetothedining—roomasIregistered，andasIturnedtogazeuponherasshepassedmajesticallyon，itflashedacrossmymindthatitwouldbefarbettertoappearbeforeherasafellow—guest，andfindoutwhatIwantedandtellherwhyI
hadcomeinthatguise，ratherthanintroducemyselfasoneofthoseyoungmenwhoearntheirdailybreadbypokingtheirnosesintootherpeople’sbusiness。
Hadthiscoursebeenbaseduponanythingmoresolidthanapurebitofimagination，Ishouldhavefounditdifficulttoaccommodatemyselfsoeasilytocircumstances。IfithadbeenHarleyinsteadofmyself，itwouldhavebeenimpossible，forHarleywouldneverhavestoopedtoprovidehimselfwithatrunkcontainingfreshlinenandevening—dressclothesandpatent—leatherpumpsbyastrokeofhispen。ThisIdid，however，andthatevening，havingcreatedanotherguest，whoknewmeofoldandwhoalsowasacquaintedwithMissAndrews，justasIhadcreatedmyexcellentwardrobe，Iwaspresented。
Theeveningpassedpleasantlyenough，andIfoundHarley’sheroinetobeallthathehadtoldmeandagreatdealmorebesides。Infact，sogreatlydidIenjoyhersocietythatIintentionallyprolongedtheeveningtoaboutthreetimesitsnormallength——whichwasaveryinartisticbitofexaggeration，Iadmit；butthenIdon’tpretendtobearealist，andwhenIsitdowntowriteIcanmakemyeveningsaslongorasshortasIchoose。Iwillsay，however，that，longasmyeveningwas，Imadeitgothroughitswholelengthwithouthavingrecoursetosuchcopy—makingsubterfugesasthedescriptionofdoorknobsandchairs；andexceptforitsunholylength，itwasnotatalllackinginrealism。MissAndrewsfascinatedmeandseemedtofindmerathergoodcompany，andIfoundmyselfsuggestingthatasthenextdaywasSundayshetakemeforawalk。FromwhatIknewofHarley’sexperiencewithher，Ijudgedshe’dbemorelikelytogoifIaskedhertotakemeinsteadofofferingtotakeher。Itwasasubtledistinction，butwithsomewomensubtledistinctionsarechasmswhichmenmustnottrytooverleaptoovaingloriously，lestdisasterovertakethem。Mybitofsubtletyworkedlikeacharm。
MissAndrewsgraciouslyacceptedmysuggestion，andIretiredtomycouchfeelingcertainthatduringthatwalktoBaldMountain，oraroundtheLake，ordowntotheFarm，orwhereverelseshemightchoosetotakeme，IcoulddomuchtohelppoorStuartoutofthepredicamentintowhichhislucklesschoiceofMissAndrewsashisheroinehadplungedhim。AndIwasn’tfarwrong，astheeventtranspired，althoughthemannerinwhichitworkedoutwasnotexactlyaccordingtomyschedule。
Idismissedthenightwithafewparagraphs；themorning，withitsdivineserviceintheparlor，wentquicklyandimpressively；foritISanimpressivesighttoseegatheredbeneaththosetoweringcliffsahundredormoreofpleasureandhealthseekersofdifferentcreedsworshippingheartilyandsimplytogether，asaccordantlyasthoughtheyknewnodifferencesandallmenwerepossessedofonecommonreligion——itwastooimpressive，indeed，formypen，whichhasbeenlargelygivenovertomattersoflessmoment，andIdidnotventuretotouchuponit，passinghastilyovertotheafternoon，whenMissAndrewsappeared，readyforthestroll。
Igazedatheradmiringlyforamoment，andthenIbegan：
"Isthatthecostumeyouwore"——Iwasgoingtosay，"whenyourejectedParker？"butIfortunatelycaughtmyerrorintimetopassitoff——"atNewport？"Ifinished，withahalfgaspatthenarrownessofmyescape；for，itmustberemembered，Iwassupposedasyettoknownothingofthatepisode。
"HowdoyouknowwhatIworeatNewport？"sheasked，quickly——soquicklythatIalmostfearedshehadfoundmeout，afterall。
"Why——ah——Ireadaboutyousomewhere，"Istammered。"Somenewspapercorrespondentdrewapictureofthesceneonthepromenadeintheafternoon，and——ah——hehadyoudown。"
"Oh!"shereplied，archinghereyebrows；"thatwasit，wasit？Anddoyouwasteyourvaluabletimereadingthevulgareffusionsofthesocietyreporter？"
Wasn’tIgladthatIhadnotcomeasamanwithanosetoprojectintotheaffairsofothers——asanewspaperreporter!
"No，indeed，"Irejoined，"notgenerally；butIhappenedtoseethisparticularitem，andreaditandrememberedit。Afterall，"Iadded，aswecametothesylvanpaththatleadstotheLake——"afterall，onemightaswellreadthatsortofstuffasmostofthenovelsofthepresentday。Thevulgarreportermaybeignorantoraboor，andallthatisreprehensibleinhismethods，buthewritesaboutrealfleshandbloodpeople；and，whatisworse，hegenerallyapproximatesthetruthconcerningtheminhiswriting，whichismorethancanbesaidoftheso—calledrealisticnovelwritersoftheday。Ihaven’treadanovelinthreeyearsinwhichithasseemedtomethattheheroine，forinstance，wasanythingmorethanamarionette，withnowillofherown，andreadytodoatanytimeanyfoolishthingtheauthorwantedhertodo。"
AgainthoseeyesofMissAndrewsrestedonmeinamannerwhichgavemeconsiderableapprehension。Thenshelaughed，andIwasateaseagain。
"Youareveryamusing，"shesaid，quietly。"Themostamusingofthemall。"
Theremarknettledme，andIquicklyretorted：
"ThenIhavenotlivedinvain。"
"Youdoreallylive，then，eh？"sheasked，halfchaffingly，gazingatmeoutofthecornersofhereyesinafashionwhichutterlydisarmedme。
"Excuseme，MissAndrews，"Ianswered，"butIamafraidIdon’tunderstandyou。"
"Iamafraidyoudon’t，"shesaid，thesmileleavingherlips。"Thefactthatyouarehereontheerrandyouhavechargedyourselfwithprovesthat。"
"Iamnotaware，"Isaid，"thatIhavecomeonanyparticularlyridiculouserrand。MayIaskyouwhatyoumeanbytheexpression’mostamusingofthemall’？AmIoneamongmany，and，ifso，onewhatamongmanywhat？"
"Yourerrandisagoodone，"shesaid，gravely，"andnotatallridiculous；letmeassureyouthatIappreciatethatfact。YourquestionIwillanswerbyaskinganother：Areyouhereofyourownvolition，orhasStuartHarleycreatedyou，ashedidMessrs。
Osborne，Parker，andtheProfessor？Areyoumynewhero，orwhat？"
Thequestionirritatedme。Thiswomanwasnotcontentwithinterferingseriouslywithmyfriend’shappiness：shewasactuallyattributingmetohim，castingdoubtsuponmyexistence，andplacingmeinthesamecategorywithherself——amerebookcreature。Toamanwhoregardshimselfasbeingtherealthing，fleshandblood，and，well，eighteen—caratfleshandbloodatthat，tobeaccusedoflivingonlyafigmentaryexistenceistoomuch。Iretortedangrily。
"Ifyouconsidermenothingmorethananidea，youdonotmanifestyourusualastuteness，"Isaid。
Herreplylaidmeflat。
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