Hewalkeddowntotheveryedgeofthestream；itrandeepandfastjusthere，underahighbankandarowofoldwillows。
Smuggsatdownonthebank，wetthoughthegrasswas，andclaspedhishandsoverhisknees。Icroucheddownalittlewaybehindhim，readyandalert。Iamagoodswimmer，andIdidnotdoubtmypowertopullhimout，evenifIwerenotintimetopreventhimjumpingin。Isawhimrise，lookoverthebrink，andsitdownagain。IalmostthoughtIsawhimshiver。Andpresently，throughthestillnessofthesummernight，camethestrangest，saddestsound；catchingmyearasitdriftedacrossthemeadow。
Smuggwassobbing，andhissobs——neverloud——roseandfellwiththesubduedstressofintolerablepain。
Suddenlyheleapedup，criedaloud，andflunghishandsabovehishead。Ithoughthewasgonethistime；buthestopped，poised，asitseemed，overthewater，andIheardhimcry，"Ican’t，I
can’t!"andhesankdownallinaheaponthebank，andfellagaintosobbing。Ihopenevertoseeaman——ifyoucancallSmuggaman——likethatagain。
Hesatwherehewas，andIwhereIwas，tillthemoonpaledandadistanthintofdaydiscoveredus。Thenherose，brushedhimselfwithhishands，andslunkquicklyfromthebank。Hadhelookedanywherebutontheground，hemusthaveseenme；asitwas，I
onlynarrowlyavoidedhim，andfellagainintomyplacebehindhim。AllthewaybacktoourgardenIfollowedhim。Ashepassedthroughthegate，Iquickenedmypace，overtookhim，andlaidmyhandonhisarm。Theman’sfacegavemewhatIremembermyoldnurseusedtocall"quiteaturn。"
"You’reanaverageidiot，aren’tyou？"saidI。"Oh，yes；I’vebeensquattinginthewetbythatinfernalriver，too。Yououghttogetthreemonths，byrights。"
Helookedatmeinadazedsortofway。
"Idaren’t，"hesaid。"Iwantedto，butIdaren’t。"
Thereisreallynothingmore。Wewenttothewedding，leavingSmugginbed；andintheeveningwe，leavingSmuggstillinbed（ItoldMarytokeepaneyeonhim），andcarryingadozenofthegrocer’sbestport，wentuptodanceatDill’sfarm。JoewaspolishedtillIcouldalmostseemyselfinhischeek，andPyrrhalookedmorecharmingthanever。SheandJoeweretoleaveusearly，togotoJoe’sownhouseinthevillage，butImanagedtogetonedancewithher。Indeed，Ibelieveshewantedawordwithme。
"Well，all’swellthatendswell，isn’tit？"Ibegan。"Nomorescoldings!NotfromMrs。Dill，anyhow。"
"Youcan’tletthatalone，sir，"saidPyrrha。
Ichuckledgently。
"Oh，I’llneverrefertoitagain，"saidI。"Thisisafineweddingofyours，Betsy。"
"It’sgoodofyouandtheothergentlementocome，sir。"
"Wehadtoseethelastofyou，"andIsighedveryostentatiously。
Pyrrhalaughed。Shedidnotbelieveinit，andsheknewthatI
knewshedidnot，butthelittlecomplimentpleasedher，allthesame。
"Smugg，"Ipursued，"isillinbed。Butperhapshewouldn’thavecome，anyhow。"
"Ifyouplease，sir————"Pyrrhabegan；butshestopped。
"Yes，Betsy？Whatisit？"
"Wouldyoutakeamessageforme，sir？"
"Ifit’saproperone，Betsy，foramarriedladytosend。"
Shelaughedalittle，andsaid：
"Oh，it’snoharm，sir。I’mafraidheaint——he’sratherdown，sir。"
"Who？"
"Why，thatSmugg，sir。"
"Oh，thatSmugg!Why，yes；alittledown，Betsy，Ifear。"
"YoumighttellhimasIbearnomalice，sir——asI’mnotangry——
withhim，Imean。"
"Certainly，"saidI。"Itwillprobablydohimgood。"
"Hegotmeintotrouble；butthere，Icanmakeallowances；andit’sallrightnow，sir。"
"Infactyouforgivehim？"
"Ithinkyoumighttellhimso，sir，"saidBetsy。
"But，"saidI，"areyouawarethathewasanother’sallthetime？"
"What，sir？"
"Oh，yes!engagedtobemarried。"
"Well，Inever!Him!What，allthewhilehe————"
"Precisely。"
"Well，thatbeatseverything。Oh，ifI’dknownthat!"
"I’llgivehimyourmessage。"
"No，sir，notnow，Ithankyou。Thevillain!"
"Youareright，"saidI。"Ithinkyourmotheroughttohave——
scoldedhim，too。"
"Nowyoupromised，sir————"butJoecameup，andIescaped。
IV。
AREPENTANTSINNER。
Itwas，Ibelieve，mainlyasacomplimenttomethatMissAudreyListonwasaskedtoPoltons。MissListonandIwereverygoodfriends，andmycousinDoraPoltonthought，assheinformedme，thatitwouldbeniceformetohavesomeoneIcouldtalktoabout"booksandsoon。"Ididnotcomplain。MissListonwasapleasantyoungwomanofsix—and—twenty；Ilikedherverymuchexceptonpaper，andIwasawarethatshemadeitapointofdutytoreadsomethingatleastofwhatIwrote。Shewasinthehabitofdescribingherselfasan"authoressinasmallway。"Ifitwerepointedoutthatsixthree—volumenovelsinthreeyears（thetermofherliteraryactivity，atthetimeofwhichI
write）couldhardlybecalled"asmallway，"shewouldsmilemodestlyandsaythatitwasnotreallymuch；andifsheweretoldthattheEnglishlanguageembracednosuchwordas"authoress，"shewouldsmileagainandsaythatitoughtto；apositiontowardthebugbearofcorrectnesswithwhich，Iconfess，Isympathizeinsomedegree。Shewasverydiligent；sheworkedfromtentooneeverydaywhileshewasatPoltons；howmuchshewroteisbetweenherandherconscience。
TherewasanotherimpeachmentwhichMissListonwashardlyatthetroubletodeny。"Takemycharactersfromlife？"shewouldexclaim。"Surelyeveryartist"（MissListonoftenreferredtoherselfasanartist）"must？"Andshewouldproceedtomaintain——whatisperhapstruesometimes——thatpeopleratherlikedbeingputintobooks，justastheylikebeingphotographed，forallthattheygrumbleandpretendtobeafflictedwheneitherprocessisleviedagainstthem。IndiscussingthismatterwithMissListonIfeltmyselfondelicateground，foritwasnotoriousthatIfiguredinherfirstbookintheguiseofamisogynisticgenius；thefactthatshelengthened（andthickened）
myhair，converteditfromanindeterminatebrowntoaduskyblack，gavemeadroopingmustache，andinvestedmyveryordinaryworkadayeyeswithastrangemagneticattraction，availednothing；Iwasatoncerecognized；and，Imayremarkinpassing，anuncommonlydisagreeablefellowshemademe。ThusIhadpassedthroughthefire。IfelttolerablysurethatIpresentednootheraspectofinterest，realorsupposed，andIwasquitecontentthatMissListonshouldservealltherestofheracquaintanceasshehadservedme。Ireckonedtheywouldlasther，atthepresentrateofproduction，aboutfiveyears。
FatewaskindtoMissListon，andprovidedherwithmostsuitablepatternsforhernextpieceofworkatPoltonsitself。Therewereayoungmanandayoungwomanstayinginthehouse——SirGilbertChillingtonandMissPamelaMyles。ThemomentMissListonwasapprizedofapossibleromance，shebeganthestudyoftheprotagonists。Shewaslookingout，shetoldme，forsomenewtypes（ifitwereanyconsolation——andthereisasortofdignityaboutit——tobecalledatype，MissListon’svictimswerealwayswelcometosomuch），andshehadfoundtheminChillingtonandPamela。Theformerappearedtomydulleyetooffernosalientnovelty；hewastall，broad，handsome，andhepossessedamannerofenviableplacidity。Pamela，Iallowed，wasexactlytheheroineMissListonloved——haughty，capricious，difficile，butsoundandtrueatheart（IwasmentallyskimmingVolumeI）。MissListonagreedwithmeinmyconceptionofPamela，butdeclaredthatIdidnotdojusticetotheartisticpossibilitieslatentinChillington；hehadacuriousattractionwhichitwouldtaxherskill（soshegravelyinformedme）totheutmosttoreproduce。
SheproposedthatIalsoshouldmakeastudyofhim，andattributedmyhurriedrefusaltoashrinkingfromthedifficultiesofthetask。
"Ofcourse，"sheobserved，lookingatouryoungfriends，whoweretalkingnonsenseattheothersideofthelawn，"theymusthaveamisunderstanding。"
"Why，ofcourse，"saidI，lightingmypipe。"Whatshouldyousaytoanotherman？"
"Oranotherwoman？"saidMissListon。
"Itcomestothesamething，"saidI。（AboutavolumeandahalfImeant。）
"Butit’smoreinteresting。Doyouthinkshe’dbetterbeamarriedwoman？"AndMissListonlookedatmeinquiringly。
"Theageprefersthemmarried，"Iremarked。
ThisconversationhappenedontheseconddayofMissListon’svisit，andshelostnotimeinbeginningtostudyhersubjects。
Pamela，shesaid，shefoundprettyplainsailing，butChillingtoncontinuedtopuzzleher。Again，shecouldnotmakeuphermindwhethertohaveahappyoratragicending。Intheinterestsofatenderheartedpublic，Ipleadedformarriagebells。
"Yes，Ithinkso，"saidMissListon，butshesighed，andIthinkshehadanideaortwoforaheart—brokenseparation，followedbymutual，lifelong，hopelessdevotion。
ThecomplexityofyoungSirGilbertdidnot，inMissListon’sopinion，appearlessonfurtheracquaintance；andindeed，Imustadmitthatshewasnotaltogetherwronginconsideringhimworthyofattention。AsIcametoknowhimbetter，Idiscernedinhimasmotheredself—appreciation，whichcametolightinresponsetotheleasttributeofinterestoradmiration，butwasyetfarremotefromtheaggressivenessofacommonplacevanity。InamomentofindiscretionIhadchaffedhim——hewasverygood—
natured——ontherisksheranatMissListon’shands；hewasnotdisgusted，butneitherdidheplumehimselforspreadhisfeathers。Hereceivedthesuggestionwithoutsurprise，andwithoutanyattemptatdisclaimingfitnessforthepurpose；buthereceiveditasamatterwhichentailedaresponsibilityonhim。Idetectedtheconvictionthat，iftheportraitwastobepainted，itwasduetotheworldthatitshouldbewellpainted；
thesubjectmustgivetheartistfullopportunities。
"Whatdoessheknowaboutme？"heasked，inmeditativetones。
"She’sveryquick；she’llsoonpickupasmuchasshewants，"I
assuredhim。
"She’llprobablygoallwrong，"hesaidsomberly；andofcourseI
couldnottellhimthatitwasofnoconsequenceifshedid。Hewouldnothavebelievedme，andwouldhavedonepreciselywhatheproceededtodo，andthatwastoaffordMissListoneverychanceofappraisinghischaracterandplumbingthedepthsofhissoul。
ImaysayatoncethatIdidnotregretthiscourseofaction；
fortheeffectofitwastoallowmeachanceoftalkingtoPamelaMyles，andPamelawasexactlythesortofgirltobeguilethelong，pleasantmorninghoursofaholidayinthecountry。NoonehadtoldPamelathatshewasgoingtobeputinabook，andI
don’tthinkitwouldhavemadeanydifferencehadshebeentold。
Pamela’sattitudetowardbookswasoneofhealthyscorn，confidentlybasedonadmittedignorance。Soweneverspokeofthem，andmycousinDoracondoledwithmemorethanonceonthewayinwhichMissListon，falsetotheimpliedtermsofherinvitation，desertedmeinfavorofSirGilbert，andleftmetothemerciesofafrivolousgirl。PamelaappearedtobeaslittleaggrievedasIwas。IimaginedthatshesupposedthatChillingtonwouldaskhertomarryhimsomeday，beforeverylong，andIwassureshewouldaccepthim；butitwasquiteplainthat，ifMissListonpersistedinmakingPamelaherheroine，shewouldhavetosupplyfromherownresourcesalargesupplementofpassion。Pamelawasfartoodeficientinthecommoditytobemadeanythingofwithoutsuchre—enforcement，evenbyanartmoreadeptatmakingmuchoutofnothingthanMissListon’sstraightforwardmethodcouldclaimtobe。
Aweekpassed，andthen，oneFridaymorning，anewlightburstonme。MissListoncameintothegardenateleveno’clockandsatdownbymeonthelawn。ChillingtonandPamelahadgoneridingwiththesquire，Dorawasvisitingthepoor。Wewerealone。TheappearanceofMissListonatthishour（usuallysacredtotheuseofthepen），nolessthanherpuzzledlook，toldmethatanobstructionhadoccurredinthenovel。Presentlysheletmeknowwhatitwas。
"I’mthinkingofalteringtheschemeofmystory，Mr。Wynne，"
saidshe。"Haveyouevernoticedhowsometimesamanthinkshe’sinlovewhenheisn’treally？"
"Suchacasesometimesoccurs，"Iacknowledged。
"Yes，andhedoesn’tfindouthismistake————"
"Tillthey’remarried？"
"Sometimes，yes，"shesaid，ratherasthoughsheweremakinganunwillingadmission。"Butsometimesheseesitbefore——whenhemeetssomebodyelse。"
"Verytrue，"saidI，withagravenod。
"Thefalsecan’tstandagainstthereal，"pursuedMissListon；
andthenshefellintomeditativesilence。Istoleaglanceatherface；shewassmiling。Wasitinthepleasureofliterarycreation——anartisticecstasy？Ishouldhavelikedtoansweryes，butIdoubteditverymuch。WithoutpretendingtoMissListon’spowers，Ihavethelittlesubtletythatisneedfultoshowmethatmorethanonekindofsmilemaybeseenonthehumanface，andthatthereisoneverydifferentfromothers；and，finally，thatthatoneisnotevoked，asarule，merelybytheevolutionofthetroublesomeencumbranceinprettywritingvulgarlycalleda"plot。"
"If，"pursuedMissListon，"someonecomeswhocanappreciatehimanddrawoutwhatisbestinhim————"
"That’sallverywell，"saidI，"butwhatofthefirstgirl？"
"Oh，she’s——shecanbemadeshallow，youknow；andIcanputinamanforher。Peopleneedn’tbemuchinterestedinher。"
"Yes，youcouldmanageitthatway，"saidI，thinkinghowPamela——Itookthelibertyofusinghernamefortheshallowgirl——wouldlikesuchtreatment。
"Shewillreallybevaluablemainlyasafoil，"observedMissListon；andsheaddedgenerously，"Ishallmakehernice，youknow，butshallow——notworthyofhim。"
"Andwhatareyougoingtomaketheothergirllike？"Iasked。
MissListonstartedslightly；alsoshecoloredveryslightly，andsheanswered，lookingawayfrommeacrossthelawn：
"Ihaven’tquitemadeupmymindyet，Mr。Wynne。"
Withthesuspicionwhichthisconversationarousedfreshinmymind，itwascurioustohearPamelalaugh，asshesaidtomeontheafternoonofthesameday：
"Aren’tSirGilbertandAudreyListonfunny？Itellyouwhat，Mr。Wynne，Ibelievethey’rewritinganoveltogether。"
"PerhapsChillington’sgivingherthematerialsforone，"I
suggested。
"Ishouldn’tthink，"observedPamelainherdispassionateway，"thatanythingveryinterestinghadeverhappenedtohim。"
"Ithoughtyoulikedhim，"Iremarkedhumbly。
"SoIdo。What’sthatgottodowithit？"askedPamela。
ItwasbeyondquestionthatChillingtonenjoyedMissListon’ssociety；theinterestsheshowedinhimwasincensetohisnostrils。Iusedtooverhearfragmentsofhisideasabouthimselfwhichhewasrevealinginanswertohertactfulinquiries。ButneitherwasitdoubtfulthathehadbynomeanslosthisrelishforPamela’slightertalk；infact，heseemedtoturntoherwithsomerelief——perhapsitisrefreshingtoescapefromself—analysis，evenwhentheprocessisconductedinthepleasantestpossiblemanner——andthehourswhichMissListongavetoworkweredevotedbyChillingtontomaintaininghiscordialrelationswiththeladywhosecomfortableandnotover—
tragicaldisposalwastaxingMissListon’sskill。Forshehaddefinitelydecidedallherplot——shetoldmesoafewdayslater。
Itwasallplannedout；nay，thesceneinwhichthetruthastohisownfeelingsburstsonSirGilbert（Iforgetatthemomentwhatnamethenovelgavehim）was，Iunderstood，actuallywritten；theshallowgirlwastoexperiencenothingworsethanawoundtohervanity，andwastoturn，withasmuchalacrityasdecencyallowed，tothesubstitutewhomMissListonhadnowprovided。Allthiswaspouredintomysympatheticear，andIsaysympatheticinallsincerity；for，althoughImayoccasionallytreatMissListon’sliteraryeffortswithlessthanproperrespect，sheherselfwasmyfriend，andtheconvictionunderwhichshewasnowlivingwould，Iknew，unlessitwerejustified，bringherintomuchofthatunhappinessinwhichonegenerallyfoundherheroineplungedabouttheendofVolumeII。
Theheroinegenerallygotoutallright，andtheknowledgethatshewouldenabledthereadertopreservecheerfulness。ButwouldpoorlittleMissListongetout？Iwasnonetoosureofit。
Suddenlyachangecameinthestateofaffairs。Pamelaproducedit。ItmusthavestruckherthattheincreasingintimacyofMissListonandChillingtonmightbecomesomethingotherthan"funny。"
Toputitbrieflyandmetaphorically，shewhistledherdogbacktoherheels。Iamnotskilledinunderstandingordescribingtheartificesofladies；butevenIsawthetransformationinPamela。Sheputforthherstrengthandputonherprettiestgowns；sherefusedtotakeherplaceinthesea—sawofsocietywhichChillingtonhadrecentlyestablishedforhispleasure。IfhespentanhourwithMissListon，Pamelawouldhavenothingofhimforaday；shemethisattentionswithscornunlesstheywereundivided。Chillingtonseemedatfirstpuzzled；IbelievethatheneverregardedhistalkswithMissListoninotherthanabusinesspointofview，butdirectlyheunderstoodthatPamelaclaimedhim，andthatshewasprepared，incasehedidnotobeyhercall，toestablishagrievanceagainsthim，helostnotimeinmanifestinghisobedience。Awholedaypassedinwhich，tomycertainknowledge，hewasnotaloneamomentwithMissListon，anddidnot，saveatthefamilymeals，exchangeawordwithher。
AshewalkedoffwithPamela，MissListon’seyesfollowedhiminwistfullonging；shestoleawayupstairsanddidnotcomedowntillfiveo’clock。Then，findingmestrollingaboutwithacigarette，shejoinedme。
"Well，howgoesthebook？"Iasked。
"Ihaven’tdonemuchtoitjustlately，"sheanswered，inalowvoice。"I——it’s——Idon’tquiteknowwhattodowithit。"
"Ithoughtyou’dsettled？"
"SoIhad，but——oh，don’tlet’stalkaboutit，Mr。Wynne!"
Butamomentlatershewentontalkingaboutit。
"Idon’tknowwhyIshouldmakeitendhappily，"shesaid。"I’msurelifeisn’talwayshappy，isit？"
"Certainlynot，"Ianswered。"Youmeanyourmanmightsticktotheshallowgirlafterall？"
"Yes，"Ijustheardherwhisper。
"Andbemiserableafterward？"Ipursued。
"Idon’tknow，"saidMissListon。"Perhapshewouldn’t。"
"Thenyoumustmakehimshallowhimself。"
"Ican’tdothat，"shesaidquickly。"Oh，howdifficultitis!"
Shemayhavemeantmerelytheartofwriting——whenIcordiallyagreewith——butIthinkshemeantalsothewayoftheworld——
whichdoesnotmakemewithdrawmyassent。Ileftherwalkingupanddowninfrontofthedrawing—roomwindows，aratherforlornlittlefigure，thrownintodistinctnessbythecoldraysofthesettingsun。
Allwasnotoveryet。ThateveningChillingtonbrokeaway。Ledbyvanity，orinterest，orfriendliness，Iknownotwhich——tiredmaybeofpayingcourt（theattitudeinwhichPamelakepthim），andthinkingitwouldbepleasanttoplaytheotherpartforawhile——afterdinnerhewentstraighttoMissListon，talkedtoherwhilewehadcoffeeontheterrace，andthenwalkedaboutwithher。Pamelasatbyme；shewasverysilent；shedidnotappeartobeangry，butherhandsomemouthworearesoluteexpression。ChillingtonandMissListonwanderedonintotheshrubbery，anddidnotcomeintosightagainfornearlyhalfanhour。
"Ithinkit’scold，"saidPamela，inhercool，quiettones。"Andit’salso，Mr。Wynne，ratherslow。Ishallgotobed。"
IthoughtitalittleimpertinentofPamelatoattributethe"slowness"（whichhadundoubtedlyexisted）tome，soItookmyrevengebysayingwithanassumptionofinnocencepurposelyandobviouslyunreal：
"Oh，butwon’tyouwaitandbidMissListonandChillingtongoodnight？"
Pamelalookedatmeforamoment。Imadeboldtosmile。
Pamela’sfacebrokeslowlyintoanansweringsmile。
"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Mr。Wynne，"saidshe。
"No？"saidI。
"No，"saidPamela，andsheturnedaway。Butbeforeshewentshelookedoverhershoulder，andstillsmiling，said，"WishMissListongood—nightforme，Mr。Wynne。AnythingIhavetosaytoSirGilbertwillwaitverywelltillto—morrow。"
Shehadhardlygoneinwhenthewandererscameoutoftheshrubberyandrejoinedme。Chillingtonworehisusualpassivelook，butMissListon’sfacewashappyandradiant。Chillingtonpassedonintothedrawingroom。MissListonlingeredamomentbyme。
"Why，youlook，"saidI，"asifyou’dinventedthefinestsceneeverwritten。"
Shedidnotanswermedirectly，butstoodlookingupatthestars。Thenshesaid，inadreamytone：
"IthinkIshallsticktomyoldideainthebook。"
Asshespoke，Chillingtoncameout。EveninthedimlightIsawafrownonhisface。
"Isay，Wynne，"saidhe，"where’sMissMyles？"
"She’sgonetobed，"Ianswered。"Shetoldmetowishyougoodnightforher，MissListon。Nomessageforyou，Chillington。"
MissListon’seyeswereonhim。Hetooknonoticeofher；hestoodfrowningforaninstant，then，withsomemutteredejaculation，hestrodebackintothehouse。Weheardhisheavytreadacrossthedrawingroom；weheardthedoorslammedbehindhim，andIfoundmyselflookingonMissListon’salteredface。
"Whatdoeshewantherfor，Iwonder!"shesaid，inanagitationthatmademypresence，mythoughts，mysuspicions，nothingtoher。"Hesaidnothingtomeaboutwantingtospeaktoherto—
night。"Andshewalkedslowlyintothehouse，hereyesontheground，andallthelightgonefromherface，andthejoydeadinit。WhereuponI，leftalone，begantorailatthegodsthatadear，sillylittlesoullikeMissListonshouldbotherherpoor，sillylittleheadaboutahulkingfool；inwhichreflectionsI
did，ofcourse，immenseinjusticenotonlytoaneminentauthor，butalsotoaperfectlyhonorable，thoughsomewhatdenseanddecidedlyconceited，gentleman。
ThenextmorningSirGilbertChillingtonatedirt——thereisnootherwayofexpressingit——ingreatquantitiesandwithinfinitehumility。
MyadmirablefriendMissPamelawassevere。Isawhimwalksixyardsbehindherforthelengthoftheterrace：notalooknoraturnofherheadgavehimleavetojoinher。MissListonhadgoneupstairs，andIwatchedthescenefromthewindowofthesmokingroom。Atlast，attheendofthelongwalk，justwherethelaurel—bushesmarkthebeginningoftheshrubberies——onthethresholdofthesceneofhiscrime——Pamelaturnedroundsuddenlyandfacedtherepentantsinner。Themostinterestingthingsinlifearethosewhich，perhapsbytheinevitablenatureofthecase，onedoesnothear；andIdidnothearthescenewhichfollowed。Forawhiletheystoodtalking——rather，hetalkedandshelistened。Thensheturnedagainandwalkedslowlyintotheshrubbery。Chillingtonfollowed。Itwastheendofachapter，andIlaiddownthebook。
HowandfromwhomMissListonheardthenewswhichChillingtonhimselftoldme，withoutaglimmerofshameoratouchofembarrassment，sometwohourslater，Idonotknow；buthearitshedidbeforeluncheon；forshecamedown，readyarmedwiththeneatestlittlespeechesforboththehappylovers。
IdidnotexpectPamelatoshowanouncemorefeelingthanthestrictestcanonsofproprietydemanded，andshefulfilledmyexpectationstotheletter；butIhadhoped，Iconfess，thatChillingtonwouldhavedisplayedsomelittleconsciousness。Hedidnot；anditismybeliefthat，throughouttheeventswhichI
haverecorded，heretained，andthathestillretains，theconvictionthatMissListon’sinterestinhimwaspurelyliteraryandartistic，andthatshedevotedherselftohissocietysimplybecauseheofferedaninterestingproblemandaninspiringtheme。
Aningeniouscharitymayfindinthatattitudeevidenceofmodesty；tomythinking，itarguesamoresubtleandmagnificentconceitthanifhehadfathomedthetruth，asmanyhumblermeninhisplacewouldhavedone。
OnthedayaftertheengagementwasaccomplishedMissListonleftustoreturntoLondon。Shecameoutinherhatandjacketandsatdownbyme；thecarriagewastoberoundintenminutes。
Sheputonherglovesslowlyandbuttonedthemcarefully。Thisdone，shesaid：
"Bytheway，Mr。Wynne，I’veadoptedyoursuggestion。Themandoesn’tfindout。"
"Thenyou’vemadehimafool？"Iaskedbluntly。
"No，"sheanswered。"I——Ithinkitmighthappenthoughhewasn’tafool。"
Shesatwithherhandsinherlapforamomentortwo，thenshewenton，inalowervoice：
"I’mgoingtomakehimfindoutafterward。"
Ifeltherglanceonme，butIlookedstraightinfrontofme。
"What，afterhe’smarriedtheshallowgirl？"
"Yes，"saidMissListon。
"Rathertoolate，isn’tit？Atleast，ifyoumeanthereistobeahappyending。"
MissListonenlacedherfingers。
"Ihaven’tdecidedabouttheendingyet，"saidshe。
"Ifyou’reintenttobetragical——whichisthefashion——you’lldoasyoustand，"saidI。
"Yes，"sheansweredslowly，"ifI’mtragical，IshalldoasI
stand。"
Therewasanotherpause，andratheralongone；thewheelsofthecarriagewereaudibleonthegravelofthefrontdrive。MissListonstoodup。Iroseandheldoutmyhand。
"Ofcourse，"saidMissListon，stillintentonhernovel，"I
could————"Shestoppedagain，andlookedapprehensivelyatme。
Myface，Ibelieve，expressednothingmorethanpoliteattentionandfriendlyinterest。
"Ofcourse，"shebeganagain，"theshallowgirl——hiswife——
might——mightdie，Mr。Wynne。"
"Innovels，"saidIwithasmile，"whilethere’sdeath，there’shope。"
"Yes，innovels，"sheanswered，givingmeherhand。
Thepoorlittlewomanwasveryunhappy。Unwisely，Idaresay，I
pressedherhand。Itwasenough，thetearsleapedtohereyes；shegavemygreatfistahurriedsqueeze——Ihaveseldombeenmoretouchedbyanythanks，howeverwarmoreloquent——andhurriedaway。
V。
’TWIXTWILLANDWILLNOT。
Imustconfessatoncethatatfirst，atleast，Iverymuchadmiredthecurate。Iamnotreferringtomyadmirationofhisfinefigure——sixfeethighandstraightasanarrow——norofhishandsome，open，ingenuouscountenance，orhiscandidblueeye，orhisthickcurlyhair。No；whatwonmyheartfromanearlyperiodofmyvisittomycousins，thePoltons，ofPoltonsPark，wasthefervent，undisguised，unashamed，confident，andaltogethermatter—of—coursemannerinwhichhemadelovetoMissBeatriceQueenborough，onlydaughterandheiressofthewealthyshipowner，SirWagstaffQueenborough，Bart。，andEleanor，hiswife。Itwaspurelythemannerofthecurate’sadvancesthattookmyfancy；inthemerefactofthemtherewasnothingremarkable。Forallthemeninthehouse（andagoodmanyoutside）madecovert，stealthy，andindirectstepsinthesamedirection；forTrix（asherfriendscalledher）was，ifnotwise，atleastprettyandwitty，displayingtothematerialeyeacharmingfigure，andtothementaladelicateheartlessness——bothattributeswhichchallengeaself—respectingman’sbestefforts。
Butthencamethefatalobstacle。Fromheiressesinreasonagentlemanneedneithershrinknorlethimselfbedriven；butwhenitcomestosomethingliketwentythousandayear——thereportedamountofTrix’sdot——hedistrustshisownmotivesalmostasmuchasthelady’srelativesdistrustthemforhim。Weallfeltthis——Stanton，Rippleby，andI；and，althoughIwillnotswearthatwespokenotenderwordsandgavenomeaningglances，yetwereducedsuchconcessionstonaturalweaknesstoaminimum，notonlywhenLadyQueenboroughwasby，butatalltimes。Tosaytruth，wehadnodesiretoseeourscalpsaffixedtoMissTrix’sprettybelt，nortohaveourheartsbroken（likethatoftheyoungmaninthepoem）beforeshewenttoHomburgintheautumn。
Withthecurateitwasotherwise。He——JackIves，bytheway，washisname——appearedtorush，notonlyuponhisfate，butinthefaceofallpossibilityandofLadyQueenborough。Mycousinandhostess，DoraPolton，wasverymuchdistressedabouthim。Shesaidthathewassuchaniceyoungfellow，andthatitwasagreatpitytoseehimpreparingsuchunhappinessforhimself。
Nay，IhappentoknowthatshespokeveryseriouslytoTrix，pointingoutthewickednessoftriflingwithhim；whereuponTrix，whomaintainedabowingacquaintancewithherconscience，avoidedhimforawholeafternoonandendangeredallAlgyStanton’sprudentresolutionsbytakinghimoutintheCanadiancanoe。
Thisdemonstrationinnowayperturbedthecurate。Heobservedthat，astherewasnothingbettertodo，wemightaswellplaybilliards，andproceededtodefeatmeinthreegamesofahundredup（no，itisquiteimmaterialwhetherweplayedforanythingornot），afterwhichhetoldDorathatthevicarwastakingtheeveningservice——ithappenedtobethedaywhentherewasoneattheparishchurch——apieceofinformationonlyrelevantinsofarasitsuggestedthatMr。Ivescouldacceptaninvitationtodinnerifonewereprofferedhim。Dora，veryweakly，rosetothebait。JackIves，airilyremarkingthattherewasnouseinceremonyamongfriends，seizedtheplacenexttoTrixatdinner（hermotherwasjustopposite）andwalkedontheterraceafterdinnerwithherinthemoonlight。Whentheladiesretiredhecameintothesmokingroom，drankawhiskyandsoda，saidthatMissQueenboroughwasreallyaverycharmingcompanion，andapologizedforleavingusearly，onthegroundthathissermonwasstillunwritten。Mygoodcousin，thesquire，suggestedrathergrimlythatadiscourseonthevanityofhumanwishesmightbeappropriate。
"Ishallpreach，"saidMr。Ivesthoughtfully，"ontheopportunitiesofwealth。"
Thisresolutionhecarriedoutonthenextdaybutone，thatbeingaSunday。IhadthepleasureofsittingnexttoMissTrix，andIwatchedherwithsomeinterestasMr。Ivesdevelopedhistheme。Iwillnottrytoreproducethesermon，whichwouldhaveseemedbynomeansabadonehadanyofourpartybeenabletoignorethepersonalapplicationwhichwereadintoit；foritsmainburdenwasnootherthanthis——thatwealthshouldbeusedbythosewhowerefortunateenoughtopossessit（hereTrixlookeddownandfidgetedwithherPrayer—book）asameansofpromotinggreaterunionbetweenthemselvesandthelessrichlyendowed，andnot——as，alas!hadtoooftenbeenthecase——asthoughitwereanewbarriersetupbetweenthemandtheirfellow—creatures（hereMissTrixblushedslightly，andhadrecoursetohersmelling—bottle）。"You，"saidthecurate，waxingrhetoricalasheaddressedanimaginary，butbloated，capitalist，"havenomorerighttoyourmoneythanIhave。Itisintrustedtoyoutobesharedwithme。"AtthispointIheardLadyQueenboroughsniffandAlgyStantonsnigger。IstoleaglanceatTrixanddetectedaslightwaverintheadmirablelinesofhermouth。
"Averygoodsermon，didn’tyouthink？"Isaidtoher，aswewalkedhome。
"Oh，very!"shereplieddemurely。
"Ah，ifwefollowedallweheardinchurch!"Isighed。
MissTrixwalkedinsilenceforafewyards。Bydintofneverbecominganythingelse，wehadbecomeverygoodfriends；andpresentlysheremarked，quiteconfidentially：
"He’sverysilly，isn’the？"
"Thenyououghttosnubhim，"Isaidseverely。
"SoIdo——sometimes。He’sratheramusing，though。"
"Ofcourse，ifyou’repreparedtomakethesacrificeinvolved————"
"Oh，whatnonsense!"
"Thenyou’venobusinesstoamuseyourselfwithhim。"
"Dear，dear!howmoralyouare!"saidTrix。
Thenextdevelopmentinthesituationwasthis：MycousinDorareceivedaletterfromtheMarquisofNewhaven，withwhomshewasacquainted，prayinghertoallowhimtorundowntoPoltonsforafewdays；heremindedherthatshehadoncegivenhimageneralinvitation；ifitwouldnotbeinconvenient——andsoforth。Themeaningofthiscommunicationdidnot，ofcourse，escapemycousin，whohadwitnessedthewriter’sattentionstoTrixintheprecedingseason，nordiditescapetherestofus（whohadtalkedoverthesaidattentionsattheclub）whenshetoldusaboutit，andannouncedthatLordNewhavenwouldarriveinthemiddleofthenextday。Trixaffecteddenseunconsciousness；hermotherallowedherselfamysterioussmile——which，however，speedilyvanishedwhenthecurate（hewastakinglunchwithus）
observedinacheerfultone：
"Newhaven!Oh，IrememberthechapattheHouse——plowedtwiceinSmalls——stumpyfellow，isn’the？Notabadchap，though，youknow，barringhislooks。I’mgladhe’scoming。"
"Youwon’tbesoon，youngman，"LadyQueenborough’sangryeyeseemedtosay。
"Irememberhim，"pursuedJack；"awfullysmittenwithatobacconist’sdaughterintheCorn——oh，it’sallRIGHT，LadyQueenborough——shewouldn’tlookathim。"
ThisquasiapologywascalledforthbythefactofLadyQueenboroughpushingbackherchairandmakingforthedoor。Itdidnotatallappeasehertohearofthescornofthetobacconist’sdaughter。SheglancedsternlyatJackanddisappeared。HeturnedtoTrixandremindedher——withoutdiffidenceandcorampopulo，ashishabitwas——thatshehadpromisedhimastrollinthewestwood。
WhathappenedonthatstrollIdonotknow；butmeetingMissTrixonthestairslaterintheafternoon，Iventuredtoremark：
"Ihopeyoubrokeittohimgently，MissQueenborough？"
"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，"repliedTrixhaughtily。
"Youwereoutnearlytwohours，"saidI。
"Werewe？"askedTrix，withastart。"Goodgracious!Wherewasmamma，Mr。Wynne？"
"Onthelawn——watchinhand。"
MissTrixwentslowlyupstairs，andthereisnottheleastdoubtthatsomethingseriouspassedbetweenherandhermother，forbothofthemwereinthemostatrociousofhumorsthatevening。
Fortunately，thecuratewasnotthere；hehadaBibleclass。
ThenextdayLordNewhavenarrived。IfoundhimonthelawnwhenIstrolledup，afteraspellofletter—writing，aboutfouro’clock。Lawntenniswastheorderoftheday，andwewereallinflannels。
"Oh，here’sMark!"criedDora，seeingme。"Now，Mark，youandMr。IveshadbetterplayagainstTrixandLordNewhaven。That’llmakeaverygoodset。"
"No，no，Mrs。Polton，"saidJackIves。"Theywouldn’thaveachance。Lookhere，I’llplaywithMissQueenboroughagainstLordNewhavenandWynne。"
Newhaven——whoseappearance，bytheway，thoughhardlydistinguished，wasnotquitesounornamentalasthecuratehadledustoexpect——lookedslightlydispleased，butJackgavehimnotimeforremonstrance。HewhiskedTrixoffandbegantoserveallinamoment。IhadavisionofLadyQueenboroughapproachingfromthehousewithfaceaghast。Thesetwenton；and，owingentirelytoNewhaven’sabsurdchivalryinsendingalltheballstoJackIvesinsteadoffollowingthewell—knownmaximto"poundawayatthelady，"theybeatus。Jackwipedhisbrow，strolleduptotheteatablewithTrix，andremarkedinexultanttones：
"Wemakeaperfectcouple，MissQueenborough；weoughtnevertobeseparated。"
Doradidnotaskthecuratetodinnerthatnight，buthedroppedinaboutnineo’clocktoaskheropinionastothehymnsonSunday；andfindingMissTrixandNewhaveninthesmalldrawingroom，hesatdownandtalkedtothem。ThiswastoomuchforTrix；shehadtreatedhimverykindlyandhadallowedhimtoamuseher；butitwasimpossibletoputupwithpresumptionofthatkind。DifficultasitwastodiscourageMr。Ives，shedidit，andhewentawaywithadisconsolate，puzzledexpression。Atthelastmoment，however，Trixsofarrelentedastoexpressahopethathewascomingtotennisto—morrow，atwhichhebrightenedupalittle。Idonotwishtobeuncharitable——leastofalltoacharmingyounglady———butmyopinionisthatMissTrixdidnotwishtosetthecuratealtogetheradrift。I
think，however，thatLadyQueenboroughmusthavespokenagain，forwhenJackdidcometotennis，Trixtreatedhimwithmostfreezingcivilityandahardlydisguiseddisdain，anddevotedherselftoLordNewhavenwithasmuchassiduityashermothercouldwish。Wemen，overourpipes，expressedtheopinionthatJackIves’littlehourofsunshinewaspast，andthatnothingwaslefttousbuttolookonattheprosperous，uneventfulcourseofLordNewhaven’swooing。Trixhadhadherfun（soAlgyStantonbluntlyphrasedit）andwouldnowsettledowntobusiness。
"Ibelieve，though，"headded，"thatshelikesthecurateabit，youknow。"
Duringthewholeofthenextday——Wednesday——JackIveskeptaway；
hehad，apparently，acceptedtheinevitable，andwashealinghiswoundedheartbyastrictattentiontohisparochialduties。
Newhavenremarkedonhisabsencewithanairofrelief，andMissTrixtreateditasamatterofnoimportance；LadyQueenboroughwasallsmiles；andDoraPoltonrestrictedherselftoexclaiming，asIsatbyherattea，inalowtoneandaproposofnothinginparticular，"Oh，well——poorMr。Ives!"
ButonThursdaythereoccurredanevent，thesignificanceofwhichpassedatthemomentunperceived，butwhichhad，infact，mostimportantresults。ThiswasnootherthanthearrivaloflittleMrs。Wentworth，anintimatefriendofDora’s。Mrs。
Wentworthhadbeenleftawidowearlyinlife；shepossessedacomfortablecompetence；shewasnothandsome，butshewasvivacious，amusing，and，aboveall，sympathetic。ShesympathizedatoncewithLadyQueenboroughinhermaternalanxieties，withTrixonhercharmingromance，withNewhavenonhissweetdevotedness，withtherestofusinourobviousdesolation——and，afteraconfidentialchatwithDora，shesympathizedmoststronglywithpoorMr。Ivesonhisunfortunateattachment。
Nothingwouldsatisfyher，soDoratoldme，excepttheopportunityofplyingMr。Iveswithhersoothingbalm；andDorawasabouttositdownandwritehimanote，whenhestrolledinthroughthedrawingroomwindow，andannouncedthathiscook’smotherwasill，andthatheshouldbeverymuchobligedifMrs。
Poltonwouldgivehimsomedinnerthatevening。TrixandNewhavenhappenedtoenterbythedooratthesamemoment，andJackdarteduptothem，andshookhandswiththegreatesteffusion。Hehadevidentlyburiedallunkindness——andwithit，wehoped，hismistakenfolly。Howeverthatmightbe，hemadenoefforttoengrossTrix，buttookhisseatmostdocilelybyhishostess——andshe，ofcourse，introducedhimtoMrs。Wentworth。
Hisbehaviorwas，infact，soexemplarythatevenLadyQueenboroughrelaxedherseverity，andcondescendedtocross—
examinehimonthemoralsandmannersoftheoldwomenoftheparish。"Oh，thevicarlooksafterthem，"saidJack；andheturnedtoMrs。Wentworthagain。
TherecanbenodoubtthatMrs。Wentworthhadaremarkablepowerofsympathy。Itookherintodinner，andshewasdeepinthesubjectofmy"nobleandinspiringart"beforethesoupwasoffthetable。Indeed，I’msurethatmylife’sambitionswouldhavebeenanopenbooktoherbythetimethatthejointarrived，hadnotJackIves，whowassittingonthelady’sotherside，cutintotheconversationjustasMrs。WentworthwascomparingmyearlystruggleswiththoseofMr。Carlyle。AfterthisinterventionofJack’sIhadnotachance。Iatemydinnerwithoutthesauceofsympathy，substitutingforitacertainamusementwhichI
derivedfromstudyingthefaceofMissTrixQueenborough，whowasplacedontheoppositesideofthetable。AndifTrixdidlooknowandagainatMrs。WentworthandJackIves，Icannotsaythatherconductwasunnatural。Totellthetruth，Jackwassoobviouslydelightedwithhisnewfriendthatitwasquitepleasant——and，asIsay，underthecircumstances，ratheramusing——towatchthem。WefeltthatthesquirewasjustifiedinhavingahitatJackwhenJacksaid，inthesmokingroom，thathefoundhimselfratheratalossforasubjectforhisnextsermon。
"Whatdoyousay，"suggestedmycousin，puffingathispipe，"totakingconstancyasyourtext？"
Jackconsideredtheideaforamoment，butthenheshookhishead。
"No。Ithink，"hesaidreflectively，"thatIshallpreachonthepowerofsympathy。"
Thatsermonaffordedme——Imustconfessit，attheriskofseemingfrivolous——verygreatentertainment。AgainIsecuredaplacebyMissTrix——onherleft，Newhavenbeingonherright，andherfacewasworthstudywhenJackIvesgaveusamosteloquentdescriptionofthewonderfulgiftinquestion。Itwas，hesaid，theessenceandthecrownoftruewomanliness，anditshoweditself——well，toputitquiteplainly，itshoweditself，accordingtoJackIves，inexactlythatsortofmannerandbearingwhichsohonorablyandgracefullydistinguishedMrs。
Wentworth。Theladywasnot，ofcourse，named，butshewasclearlyindicated。"Yourgift，yourpreciousgift，"criedthecurate，apostrophizingtheimpersonationofsympathy，"isgiventoyou，notforyourprofit，butformine。Itisyours，butitisatrusttobeusedforme。Itisyours，infact，tosharewithme。"Atthisclimax，whichmusthavestruckuponherearwithacertainfamiliarity，MissTrixQueenborough，notwithstandingtheplaceandoccasion，tossedherprettyheadandwhisperedtome，"Whathorridstuff!"
IntheensuingweekJackIveswasourconstantcompanion；thecontinuedillnessofhisservant’smotherlefthimstranded，andDora’skindheartatonceofferedhimthehospitalityofherroof。FormypartIwasglad，forthelittledramawhichnowbeganwasnotwithoutitsinterest。ItwasapleasantchangetoseeJackgeniallypolitetoTrixQueenborough，butquiteindifferenttoherpresenceorabsence，andcontenttoallowhertotakeNewhavenforherpartnerattennisasoftenasshepleased。Hehimselfwasoftenanabsenteefromourgames。Mrs。
Wentworthdidnotplay，andJackwouldsitunderthetreeswithher，ortakeheroutinthecanoe。WhatTrixthoughtIdidnotknow，butitisafactthatshetreatedpoorNewhavenlikedirtbeneathherfeet，andthatLadyQueenborough’sfacebegantoloseitstransientlypleasantexpression。Ihadavagueideathataretributionwasworkingitselfout，anddisposedmyselftoseetheprocesswithallthecomplacencyinducedbythespectacleofothersreceivingpunishmentfortheirsins。
Alittlescenewhichoccurredafterlunchonedaywassignificant。Iwassittingontheterrace，readybootedandbreeched，waitingformyhorsetobebroughtround。Trixcameoutandsatdownbyme。
"Where’sNewhaven？"Iasked。
"Oh，Idon’talwayswantLordNewhaven!"sheexclaimedpetulantly。"Isenthimoffforawalk——I’mgoingoutintheCanadiancanoewithMr。Ives。"
"Oh，youare，areyou？"saidI，smiling。AsIspoke，JackIvesranuptous。
"Isay，MissQueenborough，"hecried，"I’vejustgotyourmessagesayingyou’dletmetakeyouonthelake。"
"Isitagreatbore？"askedTrix，withaglance——aglancethatmeantmischief。
"Ishouldlikeitawfully，ofcourse，"saidJack；"butthefactisI’vepromisedtotakeMrs。Wentworth——beforeIgotyourmessage，youknow。"
Trixdrewherselfup。
"Ofcourse，ifMrs。Wentworth————"shebegan。
"I’mverysorry，"saidJack。
ThenMissQueenborough，forgetting——asIhope——orchoosingtodisregardmypresence，leanedforwardandasked，inhermostcoaxingtones：
"Don’tyoueverforgetapromise，Mr。Ives？"
Jacklookedather。Isupposeherdaintyprettinessstruckhimafresh，forhewaveredandhesitated。
"She’sgoneupstairs，"pursuedthetempter，"andweshallbesafeawaybeforeshecomesdownagain。"
Jackshuffledwithonefootonthegravel。
"Itellyouwhat，"hesaid；"I’llaskherifshemindsmetakingyouforalittlewhilebeforeI————"
Ibelievehereallythoughtthathehadhituponacompromisesatisfactorytoallparties。Ifso，hewasspeedilyundeceived。
Trixflushedredandansweredangrily：
"Praydon’ttrouble。Idon’twanttogo。"
"Perhapsafterwardyoumight，"suggestedthecurate，butnowrathertimidly。
"I’mgoingoutwithLordNewhaven，"saidshe。Andsheadded，inanaccessofuncontrollableannoyance。"Go，pleasego。I——I
don’twantyou。"
Jacksheeredoff，withalookofpuzzledshamefacedness。Hedisappearedintothehouse。NothingpassedbetweenMissTrixandmyself。AmomentlaterNewhavencameout。
"Why，MissQueenborough，"saidhe，inapparentsurprise，"IvesisgoingwithMrs。Wentworthinthecanoe!"
InaninstantIsawwhatshehaddone。InrashpresumptionshehadtoldNewhaventhatshewasgoingwiththecurate——andnowthecuratehadrefusedtotakeher——andIveshadmethiminsearchofMrs。Wentworth。Whatcouldshedo？Well，sherose——orfell——totheoccasion。Inthecoldestofvoicesshesaid；
"Ithoughtyou’dgoneforyourwalk。"
"Iwasjuststarting，"heansweredapologetically，"whenImetIves。But，asyouweren’tgoingwithhim————"Hepaused，aninquiringlookinhiseyes。Hewasevidentlyaskinghimselfwhyshehadnotgonewiththecurate。
"I’dratherbeleftalone，ifyoudon’tmind，"saidshe。Andthen，flushingredagain，sheadded。"IchangedmymindandrefusedtogowithMr。Ives。SohewentofftogetMrs。
Wentworthinstead。"
Istarted。Newhavenlookedatherforaninstant，andthenturnedonhisheel。Sheturnedtome，quickaslightning，andwithherfaceallaflame。
"Ifyoutell，I’llneverspeaktoyouagain，"shewhispered。
Afterthistherewassilenceforsomeminutes。
"Well？"shesaid，withoutlookingatme。
"Ihavenoremarktooffer，MissQueenborough，"Ireturned。
"Isupposethatwasalie，wasn’tit？"sheaskeddefiantly。
"It’snotmybusinesstosaywhatitwas，"wasmydiscreetanswer。
"Iknowwhatyou’rethinking。"
"Iwasthinking，"saidI，"whichIwouldratherbe——themanyouwillmarry，orthemanyouwouldlike————"
"Howdareyou!It’snottrue。OhMr。Wynne，indeedit’snottrue!"
WhetheritweretrueornotIdidnotknow。Butifithadbeen，MissTrixQueenboroughmighthavebeenexpectedtoactverymuchinthewayinwhichsheproceededtoact：thatistosay，tobeextravagantlyattentivetoLordNewhavenwhenJackIveswaspresent，andmarkedlyneglectfulofhiminthecurate’sabsence。
ItalsofittedinverywellwiththetheorywhichIhadventuredtohintthatherbearingtowardMrs。Wentworthwasdistinguishedbyastatelycivility，andherremarksaboutthatladybyasuperfluityoflaudation；forifthesebenottwodistinguishingmarksofrivalryinthewell—bred，Imustgobacktomyfavoritebooksandlearnfromthem——morefolly。AndifTrix’smannerswereallthattheyshouldbe，praisenolesshighmustbeaccordedtoMrs。Wentworth’s；sheattainedanaltitudeofadmirableunconsciousnessandconductedherflirtation（thepovertyoflanguageforcesmetotheword，butitisover—
flippant）withthecurateinastaid，quasi—maternalway。Shecalledhimadelightfulboy，andsaidthatshewasintenselyinterestedinallhisaimsandhopes。
"Whatdoesshewant？"IaskedDoradespairingly。"Shecan’twanttomarryhim。"IwasreferringtoTrixQueenborough，nottoMrs。
Wentworth。
"Goodgracious，no!"answeredDora，irritably。"It’ssimplejealousy。Shewon’tletthepoorboyalonetillhe’sinlovewithheragain。It’sahorribleshame!"
"Oh，well，hehasgreatrecuperativepower，"saidI。
"She’dbetterbecareful，though。It’saverydangerousgame。
HowdoyousupposeLordNewhavenlikesit？"
AccidentgavemethatverydayahinthowlittleLordNewhavenlikedit，andaglimpseoftheriskMissTrixwasrunning。
Enteringthelibrarysuddenly，IheardNewhaven’svoiceraisedabovehisordinarytones。
"Iwon’tstandit!"hewasdeclaring。"Ineverknowhowshe’lltreatmefromoneminutetothenext。"
Myentrance，ofcourse，stoppedtheconversationveryabruptly。Newhavenhadcometoastandinthemiddleoftheroom，andLadyQueenboroughsatonthesofa，aformidablefrownonherbrow。Withdrawingmyselfasrapidlyaspossible，IarguedtheprobabilityofaseverelectureforMissTrix，endinginacommandtotryhernoblesuitor’spatiencenolonger。Ihopeallthishappened，forI，notseeingwhyMrs。Wentworthshouldmonopolizethegraceofsympathy，tookthelibertyofextendingminetoNewhaven。HewascertainlyinlovewithTrix，notwithhermoney，andthetreatmentheunderwentmusthavebeenastryingtohisfeelingsasitwasgallingtohispride。
Mysympathywasnotpremature，forMissTrix’sfascinations，whichwereindubitablygreat，begantohavetheireffect。Thesceneaboutthecanoewasre—enacted，butwithadifferentdenouement。Thistimethepromisewasforgotten，andthewidowforsaken。ThenMrs。Wentworthputonherarmor。Wehad，infact，reachedthisveryabsurdsituation，thatthesetwoladieswerecontendingforthefavorsof，orthedominationover，suchanobscure，poverty—stricken，hopelesslyineligiblepersonasthecurateofPoltonsundoubtedlywas。Thepositionseemedtomethen，andstillseems，toindicatesomeremarkablequalitiesinthatyoungman。
AtlastNewhavenmadeamove。Atbreakfast，onWednesdaymorning，heannouncedthat，reluctantasheshouldbetoleavePoltonsPark，hewasdueathisaunt’splace，inKent，onSaturdayevening，andmust，therefore，makehisarrangementstoleavebynoononthatday。Thesignificancewasapparent。Hadhecomedowntobreakfastwith"NoworNever!"stampedinfierylettersacrosshisbrow，itwouldhavebeenmoreobtrusive，indeed，butnotawhitplainer。Wealllookeddownatourplates，exceptJackIves。Heflungoneglance（Isawitoutofthecornerofmylefteye）atNewhaven，anotheratTrix；thenheremarkedkindly：
"Weshallbeuncommonlysorrytoloseyou，Newhaven。"
Eventsbegantohappennow，andIwilltellthemaswellasIamable，supplementingmyownknowledgebywhatIlearnedafterwardfromDora——shehavinglearneditfromtheactorsinthescene。
InspiteofthesolemnwarningconveyedinNewhaven’sintimation，Trix，greatlydaring，wentoffimmediatelyafterlunchforwhatshedescribedas"alongramble"withMr。Ives。Therewas，indeed，theexcuseofanoldwomanattheendoftheramble，andTrixprovidedJackwithasmallbasketofcomfortsfortheusefuloldbody；buttheramblewas，wefelt，thething，andIwasmuchannoyedatnotbeingabletoaccompanythewalkersinthecloakofdarknessorotherinvisiblecontrivance。Therambleconsumedthreehours——fullmeasure。Indeed，itwashalf—pastsixbeforeTrix，alone，walkedupthedrive。Newhaven，asolitaryfigure，pacedupanddowntheterracefrontingthedrive。Trixcameon，herheadthrownbackandasteadysmileonherlips。ShesawNewhaven；hestoodlookingatherforamomentwithwhatsheafterwarddescribedasanindescribablesmileonhisface，butnot，asDoraunderstoodfromher，byanymeansapleasantone。
Yet，ifnotpleasant，thereisnottheleastdoubtintheworldthatitwashighlysignificant，forshecriedoutnervously：
"Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat？What’sthematter？"
Newhaven，stillsayingnothing，turnedhisbackonher，andmadeasifhewouldwalkintothehouseandleaveherthere，ignored，discarded，donewith。She，realizingthecrisiswhichhadcome，forgettingeverythingexcepttheimminentdangeroflosinghimonceforall，withouttimeforlongexplanationoranyround—
aboutseductions，ranforward，layingherhandonhisarmandblurtingout：
"ButI’verefusedhim。"
IdonotknowwhatNewhaventhinksnow，butIsometimesdoubtwhetherhewouldnothavebeenwisertoshakeoffthedetaininghand，andpursuehislonelyway，firstintothehouse，andultimatelytohisaunt’s。But（tosaynothingofthetwentythousandayear，which，afterall，andbeyouasromanticasyoumaypleasetobe，isnotathingtobesneezedat）Trix’sface，itsmingledeagernessandshame，itsflushedcheeksandshiningeyes，thepiquancyofitsunwontedhumility，overcamehim。Hestoppeddead。
"I——Iwasobligedtogivehiman——anopportunity，"saidMissTrix，havingthegracetostumblealittleinherspeech。"And——
andit’sallyourfault。"
Thewarwasthus，byhappyaudacity，carriedintoNewhaven’sownquarters。
"Myfault!"heexclaimed。"Myfaultthatyouwalkalldaywiththatcurate!"
ThenMissTrix——andletnoirrelevantconsiderationsmartheappreciationoffineacting——droppedhereyesandmurmuredsoftly：
"I——IwassoterriblyafraidofseemingtoexpectYOU。"
Wherewithshe（andnothe）ranawaylightlyupthestairs，turningjustoneglancedownwardasshereachedthelanding。
Newhavenwaslookingupfrombelowwithan"enchanted"smile——thewordisTrix’sown；Ishouldprobablyhaveusedadifferentone。
WasthenthecurateofPoltonsutterlydefeated——broughttohisknees，onlytobespurned？Itseemedso；andhecamedowntodinnerthatnightwithasubduedandmelancholyexpression。
Trix，ontheotherhand，wasbrilliantandtalkativetothelastdegree，andthegayetyspreadfromherallaroundthetable，leavinguntouchedonlytherejectedloverandMrs。Wentworth；forthelastnamedlady，truetoherdistinguishingquality，hadbeguntotalktopoorJackIvesinlow，soothingtones。
AfterdinnerTrixwasnotvisible；butthedoorofthelittleboudoirbeyondstoodhalf—open，andverysoonNewhavenedgedhiswaythrough。AlmostatthesamemomentJackIvesandMrs。
Wentworthpassedoutofthewindowandbegantowalkupanddownthegravel。Nobodybutmyselfappearedtonoticetheseremarkableoccurrences，butIwatchedthemwithkeeninterest。
Halfanhourpassed，andthentheresmoteonmywatchfulearthesoundofalowlaughfromtheboudoir。Itwasfollowedalmostimmediatelybyastrangersoundfromthegravelwalk。Then，allinamoment，twothingshappened。Theboudoirdooropened，andTrix，followedbyNewhaven，camein，smiling；fromthewindowenteredJackIvesandMrs。Wentworth。Myeyeswereonthecurate。Hegaveonesudden，comprehendingglancetowardtheothercouple；thenhetookthewidow’shand，ledheruptoDora，andsaid，inlowyetpenetratingtones。
"Willyouwishusjoy，Mrs。Polton？"
Thesquire，Rippleby，andAlgyStantonwereroundtheminaninstant。Ikeptmyplace，watchingnowthefaceofTrixQueenborough。Sheturnedfirstflamingred，thenverypale。I
sawherturntoNewhavenandspeakoneortwourgent，imperativewordstohim。Then，drawingherselfuptoherfullheight，shecrossedtheroomtowherethegroupwasassembledroundMrs。
WentworthandJackIves。
"What’sthematter？Whatareyousaying？"sheasked。
Mrs。Wentworth’seyesweremodestlycastdown，butasmileplayedroundhermouth。Noonespokeforamoment。ThenJackIvessaid：
"Mrs。Wentworthhaspromisedtobemywife，MissQueenborough。"
Foramoment，hardlyperceptible，Trixhesitated；then，withthemostwinning，touching，sweetestsmileintheworld，shesaid：
"Soyoutookmyadvice，andourafternoonwalkwasnotwasted，afterall？"
Mrs。Poltonisnotusedtothesefineflightsofdiplomacy；shehadheardbeforedinnersomethingofwhathadactuallyhappenedintheafternoon；andthesimplewomanpositivelyjumped。JackIvesmetTrix’sscornfuleyesfullandsquare。
"Notatallwasted，"saidhe，withasmile。"Notonlyhasitshownmewheremytruehappinesslies，butithasalsogivenmeajusterideaofthevalueandsincerityofyourregardforme，MissQueenborough。"
"Itisasreal，Mr。Ives，asitissincere，"saidshe。
"Itislikeyourself，MissQueenborough，"saidhe，withalittlebow；andheturnedfromherandbegantotalktohisfiancee。
TrixQueenboroughmovedslowlytowardwhereIsat。Newhavenwaswatchingherfromwherehestoodaloneontheothersideoftheroom。
"Andhaveyounonewsforus？"Iaskedinlowtones。
"Thankyou，"shesaidhaughtily；"Idon’tcarethatmineshouldbeapendenttothegreattidingsaboutthelittlewidowandcurate。"
Afteramoment’spauseshewenton：
"Helostnotime，didhe？Hewaswisetosecureherbeforewhathappenedthisafternooncouldleakout。Nobodycantellhernow。"
"Thisafternoon？"
"Heaskedmetomarryhimthisafternoon。"
"Andyourefused？"
"Yes。"
"Well，hisbehaviorisinoutrageouslybadtaste，but————"
Shelaidahandonmyarm，andsaidincalm，leveltones。
"IrefusedhimbecauseIdarednothavehim；butItoldhimI
caredforhim，andhesaidhelovedme。AndIlethimkissme。
Good—night，Mr。Wynne。"
Isatstillandsilent。Newhavencameacrosstous。Trixputupherhandandcaughthimbythesleeve。
"Fred，"shesaid，"mydear，honestoldFred；youloveme，don’tyou？"
Newhaven，muchembarrassedandsurprised，lookedatmeinalarm。
Butherhandwasinhisnow，andhereyesimploringhim。
"IshouldratherthinkIdid，mydear，"saidhe。
IreallyhopethatLordandLadyNewhavenwillnotbeveryunhappy，whileMrs。Ivesquiteworshipsherhusband，andisconvincedthatsheeclipsedthebrilliantandwealthyMissQueenborough。
Perhapsshedid——perhapsnot。
Thereare，asIhavesaid，greatqualitiesinthecurateofPoltons，butIhavenotquitemadeupmymindpreciselywhattheyare。Iought，however，tosaythatDoratakesamorefavorableviewofhimandalesslenientviewofTrixthanI。
Thatisperhapsnatural。Besides，Doradoesnotknowtheprecisemannerinwhichthecuratewasrefused。Bytheway，hepreachednextSundayonthetext，"Thechildrenofthisworldarewiserintheirgenerationthanthechildrenoflight。"
VI。
WHICHSHALLITBE？
Itwasacharminglymildandbalmyday。Thesunshonebeyondtheorchard，andtheshadewascoolinside。Alightbreezestirredtheboughsoftheoldappletreeunderwhichthephilosophersat。
Noneofthesethingsdidthephilosophernotice，unlessitmightbewhenthewindblewabouttheleavesofthelargevolumeonhisknees，andhehadtofindhisplaceagain。Thenhewouldexclaimagainstthewind，shuffletheleavestillhegottherightpage，andsettletohisreading。Thebookwasatreatiseonontology；
itwaswrittenbyanotherphilosopher，afriendofthisphilosopher’s；itbristledwithfallacies，andthisphilosopherwasdiscoveringthemall，andnotingthemontheflyleafattheend。Hewasnotgoingtoreviewthebook（assomemighthavethoughtfromhisbehavior），oreventoansweritinaworkofhisown。Itwasjustthathefoundapleasureinstrippinganypoorfallacynakedandcrucifyingit。
Presentlyagirlinawhitefrockcameintotheorchard。Shepickedupanapple，bitit，andfounditripe。Holdingitinherhandshewalkeduptowherethephilosophersat，andlookedathim。Hedidnotstir。Shetookabiteoutoftheapple，munchedit，andswallowedit。Thephilosophercrucifiedafallacyontheflyleaf。Thegirlflungtheappleaway。
"Mr。Jerningham，"saidshe，"areyouverybusy？"
Thephilosopher，pencilinhand，lookedup。
"No，MissMay，"saidhe，"notvery。"
"BecauseIwantyouropinion。"
"Inonemoment，"saidthephilosopherapologetically。
Heturnedbacktotheflyleafandbegantonailthelastfallacyalittletightertothecross。Thegirlregardedhim，firstwithamusedimpatience，thenwithavexedfrown，finallywithawistfulregret。Hewassoveryoldforhisage，shethought；hecouldnotbemuchbeyondthirty；hishairwasthickandfullofwaves，hiseyesbrightandclear，hiscomplexionnotyetdivestedofallyouth’srelics。
"Now，MissMay，Iamatyourservice，"saidthephilosopher，withalingeringlookathisimpaledfallacy。Andheclosedthebook，keepingit，however，onhisknee。
Thegirlsatdownjustoppositetohim。
"It’saveryimportantthingIwanttoaskyou，"shebegan，tuggingatatuftofgrass，"andit’svery——difficult，andyoumustn’ttellanyoneIaskedyou；atleast，I’dratheryoudidn’t。"
"Ishallnotspeakofit；indeed，Ishallprobablynotrememberit，"saidthephilosopher。
"Andyoumustn’tlookatme，please，whileI’maskingyou。"
"Idon’tthinkIwaslookingatyou，butifIwasIbegyourpardon，"saidthephilosopherapologetically。
Shepulledthetuftofgrassrightoutofthegroundandflungitfromherwithallherforce。
"Supposeaman————"shebegan。"No，that’snotright。"
"Youcantakeanyhypothesisyouplease，"observedthephilosopher，"butyoumustverifyitafterward，ofcourse。"
"Oh，doletmegoon。Supposeagirl，Mr。Jerningham——Iwishyouwouldn’tnod。"
"ItwasonlytoshowthatIfollowedyou。"
"Oh，ofcourseyou`followme，’asyoucallit。Supposeagirlhadtwolovers——you’renoddingagain——or，Ioughttosay，supposethereweretwomenwhomightbeinlovewithagirl。"
"Onlytwo？"askedthephilosopher。"Yousee，anynumberofmenMIGHTbeinlovewith————"
"Oh，wecanleavetherestout，"saidMissMay，withasuddendimple；"theydon’tmatter。"
"Verywell，"saidthephilosopher。"Iftheyareirrelevant，wewillputthemaside。"
"Suppose，then，thatoneofthesemenwas——oh，AWFULLYinlovewiththegirl——and——andproposed，youknow————"
"Amoment!"saidthephilosopher，openinganotebook。"Letmetakedownhisproposition。Whatwasit？"
"Why，proposedtoher——askedhertomarryhim，"saidthegirl，withastare。
"Dearme!Howstupidofme!Iforgotthatspecialuseoftheword。Yes？"
"Thegirllikeshimprettywell，andherpeopleapproveofhimandallthat，youknow。"
"Thatsimplifiestheproblem，"saidthephilosopher，noddingagain。
"Butshe’snotin——inlovewithhim，youknow。Shedoesn’tREALLYcareforhim——MUCH。Doyouunderstand？"
"Perfectly。Itisamostnaturalstateofmind。"
"Well，then，supposethatthere’sanotherman——whatareyouwriting？"
"Ionlyputdown（B。）——likethat，"pleadedthephilosopher，meeklyexhibitinghisnotebook。
Shelookedathiminasortofhelplessexasperation，withjustasmilesomewhereinthebackgroundofit。
"Oh，youreallyare————"sheexclaimed。"Butletmegoon。Theothermanisafriendofthegirl’s；he’sveryclever——oh，fearfullyclever；andhe’sratherhandsome。Youneedn’tputthatdown。"
"Itiscertainlynotverymaterial，"admittedthephilosopher，andhecrossedout"handsome。""Clever"heleft。
"Andthegirlismostawfully——sheadmireshimtremendously；shethinkshimjustthegreatestmanthateverlived，youknow。Andshe——she————"Thegirlpaused。
"I’mfollowing，"saidthephilosopher，withpencilpoised。
"She’dthinkitbetterthanthewholeworldif——ifshecouldbeanythingtohim，youknow。"
"Youmeanbecomehiswife？"
"Well，ofcourseIdo——atleastsupposeIdo。"
"Youspokerathervaguely，youknow。"
Thegirlcastoneglanceatthephilosopherasshereplied：
"Well，yes。Ididmean，becomehiswife。"
"Yes。Well？"
"But，"continuedthegirl，startingonanothertuftofgrass，"hedoesn’tthinkmuchaboutthosethings。Helikesher。Ithinkhelikesher————"
"Well，doesn’tdislikeher？"suggestedthephilosopher。"Shallwecallhimindifferent？"
"Idon’tknow。Yes，ratherindifferent。Idon’tthinkhethinksaboutit，youknow。Butshe——she’spretty。Youneedn’tputthatdown。"
"Iwasnotabouttodoso，"observedthephilosopher。
"Shethinkslifewithhimwouldbejustheaven；and——andshethinksshewouldmakehimawfullyhappy。Shewould——wouldbesoproudofhim，yousee。"
"Isee。Yes!"
"And——Idon’tknowhowtoputit，quite——shethinksthat，ifheeverthoughtaboutitall，hemightcareforher；becausehedoesn’tcareforanybodyelse；andshe’spretty————"
"Yousaidthatbefore。"
"Oh，dear!IdaresayIdid。Andmostmencareforsomebody，don’tthey？Somegirl，Imean。"
"Mostmen，nodoubt，"concededthephilosopher。
"Well，then，whatoughtshetodo？It’snotarealthing，youknow，Mr。Jerningham。It’sin——inanovelIwasreading。"Shesaidthishastily，andblushedasshespoke。
"Dearme!Andit’squiteaninterestingcase!Yes，Isee。Thequestionis，Willsheactmostwiselyinacceptingtheofferofthemanwholovesherexceedingly，butforwhomsheentertainsonlyamoderateaffection————"
"Yes。Justaliking。He’sjustafriend。"
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