Contents：
HANDSOMEISASHANDSOMEDOES
LOTHOW，orTHEADVENTURESOFAYOUNGGENTLEMANINSEARCHOFARELIGION
MUCK-A-MUCK，AMODERNINDIANNOVEL，AFTERJAMESFENIMORECOOPER
TERENCEDENVILLE
SELINASEDILIA
THENINETY-NINEGUARDSMEN[AFTERTHETHREEMUSKETEERS，BYDUMAS]
MISSMIX[AFTERCHARLOTTEBRONTE]
GUYHEAVYSTONE;OR，"ENTIRE。"
MR。MIDSHIPMANBREEZY
JOHNJENKINS;OR，THESMOKERREFORMED
NOTITLE[AFTERWILKECOLLINS]
Contains：
MARYJONES’SNARRATIVE
THESLIMYOUNGMAN’SSTORY
NO。27LIMEHOUSEROAD
COUNTMOSCOW’SNARRATIVE
DR。DIGGS’SSTATEMENT
MARYMCGILLUP，ASOUTHERNNOVEL，AFTERBELLEBOYD
HANDSOMEISASHANDSOMEDOES。
BYCH——SR——DE。
CHAPTERI。
TheDoddsweredead。FortwentyyeartheyhadsleptunderthegreengravesofKitterychurchyard。Thetownfolkstillspokeofthemkindly。Thekeeperofthealehouse，whereDavidhadsmokedhispipe，regrettedhimregularly，andMistressKitty，Mrs。Dodd’smaid，whosetrimfigurealwayslookedwellinhermistress’sgowns，wasinconsolable。TheHardinswereinAmerica。Rabywasaristocraticallygouty;Mrs。Raby，religious。Briefly，then，wehavedisposedof——
1。Mr。andMrs。Dodd（dead）。
2。Mr。andMrs。Hardin（translated）。
3。Raby，baronetfemme。（YetIdon’tknowabouttheformer;hecameofalong-livedfamily，andthegoutisanuncertaindisease。）
Wehaveactiveatthepresentwriting（placeauxdames）——
1。LadyCarolineCoventry，nieceofSirFrederick。
2。FaradayHuxleyLittle，sonofHenryandGraceLittle，deceased。
Sequiturtotheabove，AHEROANDHEROINE。
CHAPTERII。
Onthedeathofhisparents，FaradayLittlewastakentoRabyHall。
Inacceptinghisguardianship，Mr。Rabystruggledstoutlyagainsttwoprejudices：Faradaywasplain-lookingandsceptical。
"Handsomeisashandsomedoes，sweetheart，"pleadedJael，intercedingfortheorphanwitharmsthatwerestillbeautiful。
"Dearknows，itisnothisfaultifhedoesnotlooklike——hisfather，"sheaddedwithagreatgulp。Jaelwasawoman，andvindicatedherwomanhoodbyneverentirelyforgivingaformerrival。
"It’snotthatalone，madam，"screamedRaby，"but，d——mit，thelittlerascal’sascientist，——anatheist，aradical，ascoffer！
DisbelievesintheBible，ma’am;isfullofthisDarwinianstuffaboutnaturalselectionanddescent。Descent，forsooth！Inmyday，madam，gentlemenwerecontenttotracetheirancestorsbacktogentlemen，andnotto——monkeys！"
"Dearheart，theboyisclever，"urgedJael。
"Clever！"roaredRaby;"whatdoesagentlemanwantwithcleverness？"
CHAPTERIII。
YoungLittleWASclever。Atsevenhehadconstructedatelescope;
atnine，aflying-machine。Attenhesavedavaluablelife。
NorwoodParkwastheadjacentestate，——alordlydomaindottedwithreddeerandblacktrunks，butscrupulouslykeptwithgravelledroadsashardandblueassteel。ThereLittlewasstrollingonesummermorning，meditatingonanewtopwithconcealedsprings。Atalittledistancebeforehimhesawtheflutteroflaceandribbons。Ayounglady，averyyounglady，——sayofsevensummers，——
trickedoutinthecryingabominationsofthepresentfashion，stoodbesidealowbush。Hernursery-maidwasnotpresent，possiblyowingtothefactthatJohnthefootmanwasalsoabsent。
SuddenlyLittlecametowardsher。"Excuseme，butdoyouknowwhatthoseberriesare？"Hewaspointingtothelowbushfilledwithdarkclustersofshining——suspiciouslyshining——fruit。
"Certainly;theyareblueberries。"
"Pardonme;youaremistaken。Theybelongtoquiteanotherfamily。"
MissImpudencedrewherselfuptoherfullheight（exactlythreefeetnineandahalfinches），and，curlinganeightofaninchofscarletlip，said，scornfully。"YOURfamily，perhaps。"
FaradayLittlesmiledinthesuperiorityofboyhoodovergirlhood。
"Ialludetotheclassification。Thatplantisthebelladonna，ordeadlynightshade。Itsalkaloidisanarcoticpoison。"
Saucinessturnedpale。"I——have——just——eaten——some！"Andbegantowhimper。"Odear，whatshallIdo？"Thendidit，i。e。wrunghersmallfingersandcried。
"Pardonmeonemoment。"Littlepassedhisarmaroundherneck，andwithhisthumbopenedwidelythepatrician-veinedlidsofhersweetblueeyes。"ThankHeaven，thereisyetnodilationofthepupil;
itisnottoolate！"Hecastarapidglancearound。Thenozzleandaboutthreefeetofgardenhoselaynearhim。
"Openyourmouth，quick！"
Itwasapretty，kissablemouth。ButyoungLittlemeantbusiness。
Heputthenozzledownherpinkthroatasfarasitwouldgo。
"Now，don’tmove。"
Hewrappedhishandkerchiefaroundahoopstick。Thenheinsertedbothintheotherendofthestiffhose。Itfittedsnugly。Heshoveditinandthendrewitback。
Natureabhorsavacuum。Theyoungpatricianwasasamenabletothislawasthechildofthelowestpeasant。
Shesuccumbed。Itwasalloverinaminute。Thensheburstintoasmallfury。
"Younasty，bad——UGLYboy。"
YoungLittlewinced，butsmiled。
"Stimulants，"hewhisperedtothefrightenednursery-maidwhoapproached;"goodevening。"Hewasgone。
CHAPTERIV。
ThebreachbetweenyoungLittleandMr。Rabywasslowlywidening。
LittlefoundobjectionablefeaturesintheHall。"Thisblackoakceilingandwainscoatingisnotashealthfulasplaster;besides，itabsorbsthelight。Thebedroomceilingistoolow;theElizabethanarchitectsknewnothingofventilation。Thecolorofthatoakpanellingwhichyouadmireisduetoanexcessofcarbonandtheexuviafromtheporesofyourskin——"
"Leavethehouse，"bellowedRaby，"beforetherooffallsonyoursacrilegioushead！"
AsLittleleftthehouse，LadyCarolineandahandsomeboyofaboutLittle’sageentered。LadyCarolinerecoiled，andthen——blushed。
Littleglared;heinstinctivelyfeltthepresenceofarival。
CHAPTERV。
Littleworkedhard。Hestudiednightandday。Infiveyearshebecamealecturer，thenaprofessor。
Hesoaredashighastheclouds，hedippedaslowasthecellarsoftheLondonpoor。HeanalyzedtheLondonfog，andfoundittwopartssmoke，onedisease，oneunmentionableabominations。Hepublishedapamphlet，whichwasviolentlyattacked。Thenheknewhehaddonesomething。
ButhehadnotforgottenCaroline。HewaswalkingonedayintheZoologicalGardensandhecameuponaprettypicture，——fleshandbloodtoo。
LadyCarolinefeedingbunstothebears！Anexquisitethrillpassedthroughhisveins。Sheturnedhersweetfaceandtheireyesmet。Theyrecollectedtheirfirstmeetingsevenyearsbefore，butitwashisturntobeshyandtimid。Wonderfulpowerofageandsex！Shemethimwithperfectself-possession。
"Wellmeant，butindigestibleIfear"（healludedtothebuns）。
"Acleverpersonlikeyourselfcaneasilycorrectthat"（she，theslyboots，wasthinkingofsomethingelse）。
Inafewmomentstheywerechattinggayly。Littleeagerlydescanteduponthedifferentanimals;shelistenedwithdeliciousinterest。Anhourglideddelightfullyaway。
Afterthissunshine，clouds。
TothemsuddenlyenteredMr。Rabyandahandsomeyoungman。Thegentlemenbowedstifflyandlookedvicious，——astheyfelt。Theladyofthisquartettesmiledamiably，asshedidnotfeel。
"Lookingatyourancestors，Isuppose，"saidMr。Raby，pointingtothemonkeys;"wewillnotdisturbyou。Come。"AndheledCarolineaway。
Littlewasheart-sick。Hedarednotfollowthem。Butanhourlaterhesawsomethingwhichfilledhisheartwithblissunspeakable。
LadyCaroline，withadivinesmileonherface，feedingthemonkeys！
CHAPTERVI。
Encouragedbylove，Littleworkedharduponhisnewflying-machine。
HislaborswerelightenedbytalkingofthebelovedonewithherFrenchmaidTherese，whomhehaddiscreetlybribed。MademoiselleTheresewasvenal，likeallherclass，butinthisinstanceIfearshewasnotbribedbyBritishgold。StrangeasitmayseemtotheBritishmind，itwasBritishgenius，Britisheloquence，Britishthought，thatbroughthertothefeetofthisyoungsavan。
"Ibelieve，"saidLadyCaroline，oneday，interruptinghermaidinaglowingeulogiumupontheskillof"M。Leetell，"——"IbelieveyouareinlovewiththisProfessor。"AquickflushcrossedtheolivecheekofTherese，whichLadyCarolineafterwardremembered。
Theeventfuldayoftrialcame。Thepublicweregathered，impatientandscornfulasthepigheadedpublicareapttobe。Intheopenareaalongcylindricalballoon，inshapelikeaBolognasausage，swayedabovethemachine，fromwhich，likesomeenormousbirdcaughtinanet，ittriedtofreeitself。Aheavyropehelditfasttotheground。
Littlewaswaitingfortheballast，whenhiseyecaughtLadyCaroline’samongthespectators。Theglancewasappealing。Inamomenthewasatherside。
"Ishouldlikesomuchtogetintothemachine，"saidthearch-
hypocrite，demurely。
"AreyouengagedtomarryyoungRaby，"saidLittle，bluntly。
"Asyouplease，"shesaidwithacourtesy;"doItakethisasarefusal？"
Littlewasagentleman。Heliftedherandherlapdogintothecar。
"Hownice！itwon’tgooff？"
"No，theropeisstrong，andtheballastisnotyetin。"
Areportlikeapistol，acryfromthespectators，athousandhandsstretchedtograspthepartedrope，andtheballoondartedupward。
Onlyonehandofthatthousandcaughttherope，——Little’s！Butinthesameinstantthehorror-strickenspectatorssawhimwhirledfromhisfeetandborneupward，stillclingingtotherope，intospace。
CHAPTERVII。*
*Therightofdramatizationofthisandsucceedingchaptersisreservedbythewriter。
LadyCarolinefainted。Thecoldwaterynoseofherdogonhercheekbroughthertoherself。Shedarednotlookovertheedgeofthecar;shedarednotlookuptothebellyingmonsteraboveher，bearinghertodeath。Shethrewherselfonthebottomofthecar，andembracedtheonlylivingthingsparedher，——thepoodle。Thenshecried。Thenaclearvoicecameapparentlyoutofthecircumambientair：——
"MayItroubleyoutolookatthebarometer？"
Sheputherheadoverthecar。Littlewashangingattheendofalongrope。Sheputherheadbackagain。
Inanothermomenthesawherperplexed，blushingfaceovertheedge，——blissfulsight。
"O，pleasedon’tthinkofcomingup！Staythere，do！"
Littlestayed。Ofcourseshecouldmakenothingoutofthebarometer，andsaidso。Littlesmiled。
"Willyoukindlysenditdowntome？"
Butshehadnostringorcord。Finallyshesaid，"Waitamoment。"
Littlewaited。Thistimeherfacedidnotappear。Thebarometercameslowlydownattheendof——astay-lace。
Thebarometershowedafrightfulelevation。Littlelookedupatthevalveandsaidnothing。Presentlyheheardasigh。Thenasob。Then，rathersharply，——
"Whydon’tyoudosomething？"
CHAPTERVIII。
Littlecameuptheropehandoverhand。LadyCarolinecrouchedinthefarthersideofthecar。Fido，thepoodle，whined。"Poorthing，"saidLadyCaroline，"it’shungry。"
"Doyouwishtosavethedog？"saidLittle。
"Yes。"
"Givemeyourparasol。"
ShehandedLittleagood-sizedaffairoflaceandsilkandwhalebone。（Noneofyour"sunshades。"）Littleexamineditsribscarefully。
"Givemethedog。"
LadyCarolinehurriedlyslippedanoteunderthedog’scollar，andpassedoverherpet。
Littletiedthedogtothehandleoftheparasolandlaunchedthembothintospace。Thenextmomenttheywereslowly，buttranquilly，sailingtotheearth。
"Aparasolandaparachutearedistinct，butnotdifferent。Benotalarmed，hewillgethisdinneratsomefarm-house。"
"Wherearewenow？"
"ThatopaquespotyouseeisLondonfog。ThosetwincloudsareNorthandSouthAmerica。JerusalemandMadagascararethosespeckstotheright。"
LadyCarolinemovednearer;shewasbecominginterested。Thensherecalledherselfandsaidfreezingly，"Howarewegoingtodescend？"
"Byopeningthevalve。"
"Whydon’tyouopenitthen？"
"BECAUSETHEVALVE-STRINGISBROKEN！"
CHAPTERIX。
LadyCarolinefainted。Whenshereviveditwasdark。Theywereapparentlycleavingtheirwaythroughasolidblockofblackmarble。Shemoanedandshuddered。
"Iwishwehadalight。"
"Ihavenolucifers，"saidLittle。"Iobserve，however，thatyouwearanecklaceofamber。Amberundercertainconditionsbecomeshighlyelectrical。Permitme。"
Hetooktheambernecklaceandrubbeditbriskly。Thenheaskedhertopresentherknuckletothegem。Abrightsparkwastheresult。Thiswasrepeatedforsomehours。Thelightwasnotbrilliant，butitwasenoughforthepurposesofpropriety，andsatisfiedthedelicatelymindedgirl。
Suddenlytherewasatearing，hissingnoiseandasmellofgas。
Littlelookedupandturnedpale。Theballoon，atwhatIshallcallthepointedendoftheBolognasausage，wasevidentlyburstingfromincreasedpressure。Thegaswasescaping，andalreadytheywerebeginningtodescend。Littlewasresignedbutfirm。
"Ifthesilkgivesway，thenwearelost。UnfortunatelyIhavenoropenormaterialforbindingit。"
Thewoman’sinstincthadarrivedatthesameconclusionsoonerthantheman’sreason。Butshewashesitatingoveradetail。
"Willyougodowntheropeforamoment？"shesaid，withasweetsmile。
Littlewentdown。Presentlyshecalledtohim。Sheheldsomethinginherhand，——awonderfulinventionoftheseventeenthcentury，improvedandperfectedinthis：apyramidofsixteencircularhoopsoflightyetstrongsteel，attachedtoeachotherbyclothbands。
WithacryofjoyLittleseizedthem，climbedtotheballoon，andfittedtheelastichoopsoveritsconicalend。Thenhereturnedtothecar。
"Wearesaved。"
LadyCaroline，blushing，gatheredherslimbutantiquedraperyagainsttheotherendofthecar。
CHAPTERX。
Theywereslowlydescending。PresentlyLadyCarolinedistinguishedtheoutlinesofRabyHall。"IthinkIwillgetouthere，"shesaid。
Littleanchoredtheballoonandpreparedtofollowher。
"Notso，myfriend，"shesaid，withanarchsmile。"Wemustnotbeseentogether。Peoplemighttalk。Farewell。"
LittlesprangagainintotheballoonandspedawaytoAmerica。HecamedowninCalifornia，oddlyenoughinfrontofHardin’sdoor，atDutchFlat。Hardinwasjustexaminingaspecimenofore。
"Youareascientist;canyoutellmeifthatisworthanything？"
hesaid，handingittoLittle。
Littleheldittothelight。"Itcontainsninetypercentofsilver。"
Hardinembracedhim。"CanIdoanythingforyou，andwhyareyouhere？"
Littletoldhisstory。Hardinaskedtoseetherope。Thenheexamineditcarefully。
"Ah，thiswascut，notbroken！"
"Withaknife？"askedLittle。
"No。Observebothsidesareequallyindented。ItwasdonewithaSCISSORS！"
"JustHeaven！"gaspedLittle。"Therese！"
CHAPTERXI。
LittlereturnedtoLondon。PassingthroughLondononedayhemetadog-fancier。"Buyanicepoodle，sir？"
Somethingintheanimalattractedhisattention。"Fido！"hegasped。
Thedogyelped。
Littleboughthim。Ontakingoffhiscollarapieceofpaperrustledtothefloor。Heknewthehandwritingandkissedit。Itran：——
"TOTHEHON。AUGUSTUSRABY——Icannotmarryyou。IfImarryanyone"（slypuss）"itwillbethemanwhohastwicesavedmylife，——
ProfessorLittle。
"CAROLINECOVENTRY。"
Andshedid。
LOTHAW;
OR，THEADVENTURESOFAYOUNGGENTLEMANINSEARCHOFARELIGION。
BYMR。BENJAMINS。
CHAPTERI。
"Irememberhimalittleboy，"saidtheDuchess。"Hismotherwasadearfriendofmine;youknowshewasoneofmybridesmaids。"
"Andyouhaveneverseenhimsince，mamma？"askedtheoldestmarrieddaughter，whodidnotlookadayolderthanhermother。
"Never;hewasanorphanshortlyafter。Ihaveoftenreproachedmyself，butitissodifficulttoseeboys。"
Thissimpleyetfirst-classconversationexistedinthemorning-
roomofPlusham，wherethemistressofthepalatialmansionsatinvolvedinthesacredprivacyofacircleofhermarrieddaughters。Onedexterouslyappliedgoldenknitting-needlestothefabricationofapurseofflosssilkoftheraresttexture，whichnonewhoknewthealmostfabulouswealthoftheDukewouldbelievewaseverdestinedtoholdinitssilkenmeshesalesssumthanL1，000，000;anotheradornedaslipperexclusivelywithseedpearls;
athirdemblazonedapagewithrarepigmentsandthefinestqualityofgoldleaf。Beautifulformsleanedoverframesglowingwithembroidery，andbeautifulframesleanedoverformsinlaidwithmother-of-pearl。Others，moreremote，occasionallyburstintomelodyastheytriedthepassagesofanewandexclusiveairgiventotheminMS。bysometitledanddevotedfriend，fortheprivateuseofthearistocracyalone，andabsolutelyprohibitedforpublication。
TheDuchess，herselfthesuperlativeofbeauty，wealth，andposition，wasmarriedtothehighestnobleintheThreeKingdoms。
Thosewhotalkedaboutsuchmatterssaidthattheirprogenywereexactlyliketheirparents，——apeculiarityofthearistocraticandwealthy。Theyalllookedlikebrothersandsisters，excepttheirparents，who，suchwastheirpurityofblood，theperfectionoftheirmanners，andtheopulenceoftheircondition，mighthavebeentakenfortheirownchildren’seldersonanddaughter。Thedaughters，withoneexception，wereallmarriedtothehighestnoblesintheland。ThatexceptionwastheLadyCoriander，who，therebeingnovacancyaboveamarquisandarentalofL1，000，000，waited。Gatheredaroundtherefinedandsacredcircleoftheirbreakfast-table，withtheirglitteringcoronets，which，infilialrespecttotheirfather’sToryinstinctsandtheirmother’sRitualistictastes，theyalwaysworeontheirregalbrows，theeffectwasdazzlingasitwasrefined。Itwasthispeculiarityandtheirstrongfamilyresemblancewhichledtheirbrother-in-law，thegood-humoredSt。Addlegourd，tosaythat，"’Ponmysoul，youknow，thewholepreciousmoblookedlikeaghastlypackofcourtcards，youknow。"St。Addlegourdwasaradical。Havingarent-rollofL15，000，000，andbelongingtooneoftheoldestfamiliesinBritain，hecouldaffordtobe。
"Mamma，I’vejustdroppedapearl，"saidtheLadyCoriander，bendingoverthePersianhearthrug。
"Fromyourlips，sweetfriend，"saidLothaw，whocameofageandenteredtheroomatthesamemoment。
"No，frommywork。Itwasaveryvaluablepearl，mamma;papagaveIsaacsandSonsL50，000forthetwo。"
"Ah，indeed，"saidtheDuchess，languidlyrising;"letusgotoluncheon。"
"ButyourGrace，"interposedLothaw，whowasstillquiteyoung，andhaddroppedonall-foursonthecarpetinsearchofthemissinggem，"considerthevalue——"
"Dearfriend，"interposedtheDuchess，withinfinitetact，gentlyliftinghimbythetailsofhisdress-coat，"Iamwaitingforyourarm。"
CHAPTERII。
Lothawwasimmenselyrich。Thepossessorofseventeencastles，fifteenvillas，nineshooting-boxes，andseventownhouses，hehadotherestatesofwhichhehadnotevenheard。
EverybodyatPlushamplayedcroquet，andnonebadly。Nexttotheirpurityofbloodandgreatwealth，thefamilywerefamousforthisaccomplishment。YetLothawsoontiredofthegame，andafterseriouslydamaginghisaristocraticallylargefootinanattemptto"tightcroquet"theLadyAniseed’sball，helimpedawaytojointheDuchess。
"I’mgoingtothehennery，"shesaid。
"Letmegowithyou，Idearlylovefowls——broiled，"headded，thoughtfully。
"TheDukegaveLadyMontairysomelargeCochinstheotherday，"
continuedtheDuchess，changingthesubjectwithdelicatetact。
"LadyMontairy，Quitecontrairy，Howdoyourcochinsgrow？"
sangLothawgayly。
TheDuchesslookedshocked。Afteraprolongedsilence，Lothawabruptlyandgravelysaid：——
"Ifyouplease，ma’am，whenIcomeintomypropertyIshouldliketobuildsomeimproveddwellingsforthepoor，andmarryLadyCoriander。"
"Youamazeme，dearfriend，andyetbothyouraspirationsarenobleandeminentlyproper，"saidtheDuchess;"Corianderisbutachild，——andyet，"sheadded，lookinggraciouslyuponhercompanion，"forthematterofthat，soareyou。"
CHAPTERIII。
Mr。PutneyGiles’swasLothaw’sfirstgranddinner-party。Yet，bycarefullywatchingtheothers，hemanagedtoacquithimselfcreditably，andavoideddrinkingoutofthefinger-bowlbyfirstsecretlytestingitscontentswithaspoon。Theconversationwaspeculiarandsingularlyinteresting。
"Thenyouthinkthatmonogamyissimplyaquestionofthethermometer？"saidMrs。PutneyGilestohercompanion。
"Icertainlythinkthatpolygamyshouldbelimitedbyisothermallines，"repliedLothaw。
"Ishouldsayitwasamatteroflatitude，"observedaloudtalkativemanopposite。HewasanOxfordProfessorwithatasteforsatire，andhadmadehimselfveryobnoxioustothecompany，duringdinner，byspeakingdisparaginglyofaformerwell-knownChancelloroftheExchequer，——agreatstatesmanandbrilliantnovelist，——whomhefearedandhated。
Suddenlytherewasasensationintheroom;amongthefemalesitabsolutelyamountedtoanervousthrill。HisEminence，theCardinal，wasannounced。Heenteredwithgreatsuavityofmanner，and，aftershakinghandswitheverybody，askingaftertheirrelatives，andchuckingthemoredelicatefemalesunderthechinwithahigh-bredgracepeculiartohisprofession，hesatdown，saying，"Andhowdoweallfindourselvesthisevening，mydears？"
inseveraldifferentlanguages，whichhespokefluently。
Lothaw’sheartwastouched。Hisdeeplyreligiousconvictionswereimpressed。Heinstantlywentuptothisgiftedbeing，confessed，andreceivedabsolution。"To-morrow，"hesaidtohimself，"Iwillpartakeofthecommunion，andendowtheChurchwithmyvastestates。ForthepresentI’lllettheimprovedcottagesgo。"
CHAPTERIV。
AsLothawturnedtoleavetheCardinal，hewasstruckbyabeautifulface。Itwasthatofamatron，slimbutshapelyasanIoniccolumn。HerfacewasGrecian，withCorinthiantemples;
Helleniceyesthatlookedfromjuttingeyebrows，likedormer-
windowsinanAtticforehead，completedherperfectAthenianoutline。Sheworeablackfrock-coattightlybuttonedoverherbloomertrousers，andastandingcollar。
"YourLordshipisstruckbythatface，"saidasocialparasite。
"Iam;whoisshe？"
"HernameisMaryAnn。SheismarriedtoanAmerican，andhaslatelyinventedanewreligion"
"Ah！"saidLothaweagerly，withdifficultyrestraininghimselffromrushingtowardher。
"Yes;shallIintroduceyou？"
LothawthoughtofLadyCoriander’sHighChurchproclivities，oftheCardinal，andhesitated："No，Ithankyou，notnow。"
CHAPTERV。
Lothawwasmaturing。Hehadattendedtwowoman’srightsconventions，threeFenianmeetings，haddinedatWhite’s，andhaddancedvis-a-vistoaprinceoftheblood，andeatenoffofgoldplatesatCrecyHouse。
HisstableswerenearOxford，andoccupiedmoregroundthantheUniversity。Hewasdrivingoverthereoneday，whenheperceivedsomerusticsandmenialsendeavoringtostopapairofrunawayhorsesattachedtoacarriageinwhichaladyandgentlemanwereseated。Calmlyawaitingtheterminationoftheaccident，withhigh-bredcourtesyLothawforboretointerfereuntilthecarriagewasoverturned，theoccupantsthrownout，andtherunawayssecuredbytheservants，whenheadvancedandofferedtheladytheexclusiveuseofhisOxfordstables。
TurninguponhimafacewhoseperfectHellenicdetailsheremembered，sheslowlydraggedagentlemanfromunderthewheelsintothelightandpresentedhimwithladylikedignityasherhusband，Major-GeneralCamperdown，anAmerican。
"Ah，"saidLothaw，carelessly，"IbelieveIhavesomelandthere。
IfImistakenot，myagent，Mr。PutneyGiles，latelypurchasedtheStateof——Illinois——Ithinkyoucallit。"
"Exactly。AsaformerresidentofthecityofChicago，letmeintroducemyselfasyourtenant。"
Lothawbowedgraciouslytothegentleman，who，exceptthatheseemedbetterdressedthanmostEnglishmen，showednoothersignsofinferiorityandplebeianextraction。
"Wehavemetbefore，"saidLothawtotheladyassheleanedonhisarm，whiletheyvisitedhisstables，theUniversity，andotherplacesofinterestinOxford。"Praytellme，whatisthisnewreligionofyours？"
"ItisWomanSuffrage，FreeLove，MutualAffinity，andCommunism。
Embraceitandme。"
Lothawdidnotknowexactlywhattodo。Shehoweversoothedandsustainedhisagitatedframeandsealedwithanembracehisspeechlessform。TheGeneralapproachedandcoughedslightlywithgentlemanlytact。
"Myhusbandwillbetoohappytotalkwithyoufurtheronthissubject，"shesaidwithquietdignity，assheregainedtheGeneral’sside。ComewithustoOneida。BrookFarmisathingofthepast。"
CHAPTERVI。
AsLothawdrovetowardhiscountry-seat，"TheMuralEnclosure，"heobservedacrowd，apparentlyoftheworkingclass，gatheredaroundasingular-lookingmaninthepicturesquegarbofanEthiopianserenader。"Whatdoeshesay？"inquiredLothawofhisdriver。
Themantouchedhishatrespectfullyandsaid，"MyMaryAnn。"
"’MyMaryAnn！’"Lothaw’sheartbeatrapidly。Whowasthismysteriousforeigner？HehadheardfromLadyCorianderofacertainPopishplot;butcouldheconnectMr。Camperdownwithit？
ThespectacleoftwohundredmenatarmswhoadvancedtomeethimatthegatesofTheMuralEnclosuredroveallelsefromthestillyouthfulandimpressiblemindofLothaw。Immediatelybehindthem，onthestepsofthebaronialhalls，wererangedhisretainers，ledbythechiefcookandbottle-washer，andheadcrumb-remover。Oneithersideweretwocompaniesoflaundry-maids，precededbythechiefcrimperandfluter，supportingalongAncestralLine，onwhichdependedthefamilylinen，andunderwhichtheyouthfullordofthemanorpassedintothehallsofhisfathers。Twenty-fourscullionscarriedthemassivegoldandsilverplateofthefamilyontheirshoulders，anddepositeditatthefeetoftheirmaster。
Thespoonswerethensolemnlycountedbythesteward，andtheperfectceremonyended。
Lothawsighed。Hesoughtoutthegorgeouslygilded"Taj，"orsacredmausoleumerectedtohisgrandfatherinthesecondstoryfrontroom，andweptoverthemanhedidnotknow。Hewanderedaloneinhismagnificentpark，andthen，throwinghimselfonagrassybank，ponderedontheGreatFirstCause，andthenecessityofreligion。"IwillsendMaryAnnahandsomepresent，"saidLothaw，thoughtfully。
CHAPTERVII。
"Eachofthesepearls，myLord，isworthfiftythousandguineas，"
saidMr。Amethyst，thefashionablejeweler，ashelightlyliftedalargeshovelfulfromaconvenientbinbehindhiscounter。
"Indeed，"saidLothaw，carelessly，"Ishouldprefertoseesomeexpensiveones。
"Somenumbersixes，Isuppose，"saidMr。Amethyst，takingacouplefromtheapexofasmallpyramidthatlaypiledontheshelf。
"TheseareaboutthesizeoftheDuchessofBillingsgate’s，buttheyareinfinercondition。Thefactis，herGracepermitshertwochildren，theMarquisofSmithfieldandtheDukeofSt。Giles，——
twosweetprettyboys，myLord，——tousethemasmarblesintheirgames。Pearlsrequiresomeattention，andIgodownthereregularlytwiceaweektocleanthem。PerhapsyourLordshipwouldlikesomeropesofpearls？"
"Abouthalfacable’slength，"saidLothaw，shortly，"andsendthemtomylodgings。"
Mr。Amethystbecamethoughtful。"IamafraidIhavenottheexactnumber——thatis——excusemeonemoment。IwillrunovertotheTowerandborrowafewfromthecrownjewels。"AndbeforeLothawcouldpreventhim，heseizedhishatandleftLothawalone。
Hispositioncertainlywasembarrassing。Hecouldnotmovewithoutsteppingoncostlygemswhichhadrolledfromthecounter;therarestdiamondslayscatteredontheshelves;untoldfortunesinpricelessemeraldslaywithinhisgrasp。Althoughsuchwasthearistocraticpurityofhisbloodandthestrengthofhisreligiousconvictionsthatheprobablywouldnothavepocketedasinglediamond，stillhecouldnothelpthinkingthathemightheaccusedoftakingsome。"Youcansearchme，ifyoulike，"hesaidwhenMr。
Amethystreturned;"butIassureyou，uponthehonorofagentleman，thatIhavetakennothing。"
"Enough，myLord，"saidMr。Amethyst，withalowbow;"weneversearchthearistocracy。"
CHAPTERVIII。
AsLothawleftMr。Amethyst’s，heranagainstGeneralCamperdown。
"HowisMaryAnn？"heaskedhurriedly。
"Iregrettostatethatsheisdying，"saidthegeneral，withagravevoice，asheremovedhiscigarfromhislips，andliftedhishattoLothaw。
"Dying！"saidLothaw，incredulously。
"Alas，tootrue！"repliedtheGeneral。"Theengagementsofalonglecturingseason，exposureintravellingbyrailwayduringthewinter，andtheimperfectnourishmentaffordedbytherefreshmentsalongtheroad，havetoldonherdelicateframe。Butshewantstoseeyoubeforeshedies。Hereisthekeyofmylodging。Iwillfinishmycigarouthere。"
LothawhardlyrecognizedthosewastedHellenicoutlinesasheenteredthedimlylightedroomofthedyingwoman。Shewasalreadyaclassicruin，——aswreckedandyetasperfectastheParthenon。
Hegraspedherhandsilently。
"Open-airspeakingtwiceaweek，andsaleratusbreadintheruraldistricts，havebroughtmetothis，"shesaidfeebly;"butitiswell。Thecauseprogresses。Thetyrantmansuccumbs。"
Lothawcouldonlypressherhand。
"Promisemeonething。Don’t——whateveryoudo——becomeaCatholic。"
"Why？"
"TheChurchdoesnotrecognizedivorce。Andnowembraceme。I
wouldpreferatthissuprememomenttointroducemyselftothenextworldthroughthemediumofthebestsocietyinthis。Goodby。
WhenIamdead，begoodenoughtoinformmyhusbandofthefact。"
CHAPTERIX。
LothawspentthenextsixmonthsonanAryanisland，inanAryanclimate，andwithanAryanrace。
"ThisisanAryanlandscape，"saidhishost，"andthatisaMaryAnnstatue。"Itwas，infact，afull-lengthfigureinmarbleofMrs。GeneralCamperdown！
"Ifyouplease，IshouldliketobecomeaPagan，"saidLothaw，oneday，afterlisteningtoanimpassioneddiscourseonGreekartfromthelipsofhishost。
Butthatnight，onconsultingawell-knownspiritualmedium，LothawreceivedamessagefromthelateMrs。GeneralCamperdown，advisinghimtoreturntoEngland。TwodayslaterhepresentedhimselfatPlusham。
"Theyoungladiesareinthegarden，"saidtheDuchess。"Don’tyouwanttogoandpickarose？"sheaddedwithagracioussmile，andthenearestapproachtoawinkthatwasconsistentwithherpatricianbearingandaquilinenose。
LothawwentandpresentlyreturnedwiththeblushingCorianderuponhisarm。
"Blessyou，mychildren，"saidtheDuchess。Then，turningtoLothaw，shesaid："Youhavesimplyfulfilledandacceptedyourinevitabledestiny。Itwasmorallyimpossibleforyoutomarryoutofthisfamily。Forthepresent，theChurchofEnglandissafe。"
MUCK-A-MUCK。
AMODERNINDIANNOVEL。
AFTERCOOPER。
CHAPTERI。
ItwastowardthecloseofabrightOctoberday。ThelastraysofthesettingsunwerereflectedfromoneofthosesylvanlakespeculiartotheSierrasofCalifornia。OntherightthecurlingsmokeofanIndianvillagerosebetweenthecolumnsoftheloftypines，whiletotheleftthelogcottageofJudgeTompkins，emboweredinbuckeyes，completedtheenchantingpicture。
Althoughtheexteriorofthecottagewashumbleandunpretentious，andinkeepingwiththewildnessofthelandscape，itsinteriorgaveevidenceofthecultivationandrefinementofitsinmates。Anaquarium，containinggoldfishes，stoodonamarblecentre-tableatoneendoftheapartment，whileamagnificentgrandpianooccupiedtheother。Thefloorwascoveredwithayieldingtapestrycarpet，andthewallswereadornedwithpaintingsfromthepencilsofVanDyke，Rubens，Tintoretto，MichaelAngelo，andtheproductionsofthemoremodernTurner，Kensett，Church，andBierstadt。AlthoughJudgeTompkinshadchosenthefrontiersofcivilizationashishome，itwasimpossibleforhimtoentirelyforegothehabitsandtastesofhisformerlife。Hewasseatedinaluxuriousarm-chair，writingatamahoganyecritoire，whilehisdaughter，alovelyyounggirlofseventeensummers，pliedhercrochet-needleonanottomanbesidehim。Abrightfireofpinelogsflickeredandflamedontheamplehearth。
GenevraOctaviaTompkinswasJudgeTompkins’sonlychild。HermotherhadlongsincediedonthePlains。Rearedinaffluence，nopainshadbeensparedwiththedaughter’seducation。Shewasagraduateofoneoftheprincipalseminaries，andspokeFrenchwithaperfectBeniciaaccent。Peerlesslybeautiful，shewasdressedinawhitemoireantiquerobetrimmedwithtulle。Thatsimplerosebudwithwhichmostheroinesexclusivelydecoratetheirhair，wasallsheworeinherravenlocks。
TheJudgewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
"Genevra，thelogswhichcomposeyonderfireseemtohavebeenincautiouslychosen。Thesibilationproducedbythesap，whichexudescopiouslytherefrom，isnotconducivetocomposition。"
"True，father，butIthoughtitwouldbepreferabletotheconstantcrepitationwhichisapttoattendthecombustionofmoreseasonedligneousfragments。"
TheJudgelookedadmiringlyattheintellectualfeaturesofthegracefulgirl，andhalfforgottheslightannoyancesofthegreenwoodinthemusicalaccentsofhisdaughter。Hewassmoothingherhairtenderly，whentheshadowofatallfigure，whichsuddenlydarkenedthedoorway，causedhimtolookup。
CHAPTERII。
Itneededbutaglanceatthenew-comertodetectatoncetheformandfeaturesofthehaughtyaborigine，——theuntaughtanduntrammelledsonoftheforest。Overoneshoulderablanket，negligentlybutgracefullythrown，disclosedabareandpowerfulbreast，decoratedwithaquantityofthree-centpostage-stampswhichhehaddespoiledfromanOverlandMailstageafewweeksprevious。Acast-offbeaverofJudgeTompkins’s，adornedbyasimplefeather，coveredhiserecthead，frombeneathwhichhisstraightlocksdescended。Hisrighthandhunglightlybyhisside，whilehisleftwasengagedinholdingonapairofpantaloons，whichthelawlessgraceandfreedomofhislowerlimbsevidentlycouldnotbrook。
"Why，"saidtheIndian，inalowsweettone，——"whydoesthePaleFacestillfollowthetrackoftheRedMan？Whydoeshepursuehim，evenasO-kee-chow，thewild-cat，chasesKa-ka，theskunk？
WhyarethefeetofSorrel-top，thewhitechief，amongtheacornsofMuck-a-muck，themountainforest？Why，"herepeated，quietlybutfirmlyabstractingasilverspoonfromthetable，——"whydoyouseektodrivehimfromthewigwamsofhisfathers？Hisbrothersarealreadygonetothehappyhunting-grounds。WillthePaleFaceseekhimthere？"And，avertinghisfacefromtheJudge，hehastilyslippedasilvercake-basketbeneathhisblanket，toconcealhisemotion。
"Muck-a-Muckhasspoken，"saidGenevra，softly。"Lethimnowlisten。AretheacornsofthemountainsweeterthantheesculentandnutritiousbeanofthePaleFaceminer？Doesmybrotherprizetheediblequalitiesofthesnailabovethatofthecrispandoleaginousbacon？Deliciousarethegrasshoppersthatsportonthehillside，——aretheybetterthanthedriedapplesofthePaleFaces？
Pleasantisthegurgleofthetorrent，Kish-Kish，butisitbetterthanthecluck-cluckofoldBourbonfromtheoldstonebottle？"
"Ugh！"saidtheIndian，——"ugh！good。TheWhiteRabbitiswise。
HerwordsfallasthesnowonTootoonolo，andtherockyheartofMuck-a-Muckishidden。WhatsaysmybrothertheGrayGopherofDutchFlat？"
"Shehasspoken，Muck-a-Muck，"saidtheJudge，gazingfondlyonhisdaughter。"Itiswell。Ourtreatyisconcluded。No，thankyou，——
youneedNOTdancetheDanceofSnowShoes，ortheMoccasinDance，theDanceofGreenCorn，ortheTreatyDance。Iwouldbealone。A
strangesadnessoverpowersme。"
"Igo，"saidtheIndian。"TellyourgreatchiefinWashington，theSachemAndy，thattheRedManisretiringbeforethefootstepsoftheadventurousPioneer。Informhim，ifyouplease，thatwestwardthestarofempiretakesitsway，thatthechiefsofthePi-UtenationareforReconstructiontoaman，andthatKlamathwillpollaheavyRepublicanvoteinthefall。"
Andfoldinghisblanketmoretightlyaroundhim，Muck-a-Muckwithdrew。
CHAPTERIII。
GenevraTompkinsstoodatthedoorofthelog-cabin，lookingaftertheretreatingOverlandMailstagewhichconveyedherfathertoVirginiaCity。"Hemayneverreturnagain，"sighedtheyounggirlassheglancedatthefrightfullyrollingvehicleandwildlycareeringhorses，——"atleast，withunbrokenbones。Shouldhemeetwithanaccident！Imindmenowafearfullegend，familiartomychildhood。Canitbethatthedriversonthislineareprivatelyinstructedtodespatchallpassengersmaimedbyaccident，topreventtediouslitigation？No，no。Butwhythisweightuponmyheart？"
Sheseatedherselfatthepianoandlightlypassedherhandoverthekeys。Then，inaclearmezzo-sopranovoice，shesangthefirstverseofoneofthemostpopularIrishballads：——
"OArrah，madheelish，thedistantdudheenLiessoftinthemoonlight，mabouchalvourneen：
Thespringinggossoonsontheheatherarestill，Andthecaubeensandcolleensareheardonthehills。"
Butastheravishingnotesofhersweetvoicediedupontheair，herhandssanklistlesslytoherside。Musiccouldnotchaseawaythemysteriousshadowfromherheart。Againsherose。Puttingonawhitecrapebonnet，andcarefullydrawingapairoflemon-coloredglovesoverhertaperfingers，sheseizedherparasolandplungedintothedepthsofthepineforest。
CHAPTERIV。
Genevrahadnotproceededmanymilesbeforeawearinessseizeduponherfragilelimbs，andshewouldfainseatherselfuponthetrunkofaprostratepine，whichshepreviouslydustedwithherhandkerchief。Thesunwasjustsinkingbelowthehorizon，andthescenewasoneofgorgeousandsylvanbeauty。"HowbeautifulisNature！"murmuredtheinnocentgirl，as，reclininggracefullyagainsttherootofthetree，shegatheredupherskirtsandtiedahandkerchiefaroundherthroat。Butalowgrowlinterruptedhermeditation。Startingtoherfeet，hereyesmetasightwhichfrozeherbloodwithterror。
Theonlyoutlettotheforestwasthenarrowpath，barelywideenoughforasingleperson，hemmedinbytreesandrocks，whichshehadjusttraversed。Downthispath，inIndianfile，cameamonstrousgrizzly，closelyfollowedbyaCalifornialion，awild-
cat，andabuffalo，therearbeingbroughtupbyawildSpanishbull。Themouthsofthethreefirstanimalsweredistendedwithfrightfulsignificance;thehornsofthelastwereloweredasominously。AsGenevrawaspreparingtofaint，sheheardalowvoicebehindher。
"Eternallydog-gonemyskinefthisain’ttheputtiestchanceyet。"
Atthesamemoment，along，shiningbarreldroppedlightlyfrombehindher，andrestedoverhershoulder。
Genevrashuddered。
"Dernye——don’tmove！"
Genevrabecamemotionless。
Thecrackofariflerangthroughthewoods。Threefrightfulyellswereheard，andtwosullenroars。Fiveanimalsboundedintotheairandfivelifelessbodieslayupontheplain。Thewell-aimedbullethaddoneitswork。Enteringtheopenthroatofthegrizzly，ithadtraversedhisbodyonlytoenterthethroatoftheCalifornialion，andinlikemannerthecatamount，untilitpassedthroughintotherespectiveforeheadsofthebullandthebuffalo，andfinallyfellflattenedfromtherockyhillside。
Genevraturnedquickly。"Mypreserver！"sheshrieked，andfellintothearmsofNattyBumpo，thecelebratedPikeRangerofDonnerLake。
CHAPTERV。
ThemoonrosecheerfullyaboveDonnerLake。Onitsplacidbosomadug-outcanoeglidedrapidly，containingNattyBumpoandGenevraTompkins。
Bothweresilent。Thesamethoughtpossessedeach，andperhapstherewassweetcompanionshipevenintheunbrokenquiet。Genevrabitthehandleofherparasolandblushed。NattyBumpotookafreshchewoftobacco。AtlengthGenevrasaid，asifinhalf-
spokenrevery：——
"Thesoftshiningofthemoonandthepeacefulrippleofthewavesseemtosaytousvariousthingsofaninstructiveandmoraltendency。"
"Youmaybetyerpileonthat，Miss，"saidhercompanion，gravely。
"It’sallthepreachin’andpsalm-singin’I’veheernsinceIwasaboy。"
"Noblebeing！"saidMissTompkinstoherself，glancingatthestatelyPikeashebentoverhispaddletoconcealhisemotion。
"Rearedinthiswildseclusion，yethehasbecomepenetratedwithvisibleconsciousnessofaGreatFirstCause。"Then，collectingherself，shesaidaloud："Methinks’twerepleasanttoglideeverthusdownthestreamoflife，handinhandwiththeonebeingwhomthesoulclaimsasitsaffinity。ButwhatamIsaying？"——andthedelicate-mindedgirlhidherfaceinherhands。
Alongsilenceensued，whichwasatlengthbrokenbyhercompanion。
"Efyoumeanyou’reonthemarry，"hesaid，thoughtfully，"Iain’tinnowisepartikler！"
"Myhusband，"falteredtheblushinggirl;andshefellintohisarms。
IntenminutesmorethelovingcouplehadlandedatJudgeTompkins’s。
CHAPTERVI。
Ayearhaspassedaway。NattyBumpowasreturningfromGoldHill，wherehehadbeentopurchaseprovisions。OnhiswaytoDonnerLake，rumorsofanIndianuprisingmethisears。"Derntheirpeskyskins，eftheydaretotouchmyJenny，"hemutteredbetweenhisclenchedteeth。
Itwasdarkwhenhereachedthebordersofthelake。Aroundaglitteringfirehedimlydiscernedduskyfiguresdancing。Theywereinwarpaint。ConspicuousamongthemwastherenownedMuck-a-
Muck。ButwhydidthefingersofNattyBumpotightenconvulsivelyaroundhisrifle？
Thechiefheldinhishandlongtuftsofravenhair。TheheartofthepioneersickenedasherecognizedtheclusteringcurlsofGenevra。Inamomenthisriflewasathisshoulder，andwithasharp"ping，"Muck-a-Muckleapedintotheairacorpse。Toknockoutthebrainsoftheremainingsavages，tearthetressesfromthestiffeninghandofMuck-a-Muck，anddashrapidlyforwardtothecottageofJudgeTompkins，wastheworkofamoment。
Heburstopenthedoor。Whydidhestandtransfixedwithopenmouthanddistendedeyeballs？Wasthesighttoohorribletobeborne？Onthecontrary，beforehim，inherpeerlessbeauty，stoodGenevraTompkins，leaningonherfather’sarm。
"Ye’rnotscalped，then！"gaspedherlover。
"No。IhavenohesitationinsayingthatIamnot;butwhythisabruptness？"respondedGenevra。
Bumpocouldnotspeak，butfranticallyproducedthesilkentresses。
Genevraturnedherfaceaside。
"Why，that’sherwaterfall！"saidtheJudge。
Bumposankfaintingtothefloor。
ThefamousPikechieftainneverrecoveredfromthedeceit，andrefusedtomarryGenevra，whodied，twentyyearsafterwards，ofabrokenheart。JudgeTompkinslosthisfortuneinWildCat。ThestagepassestwiceaweekthedesertedcottageatDonnerLake。
ThuswasthedeathofMuck-a-Muckavenged。
TERENCEDENVILLE。
BYCH——L——SL——V——R。
CHAPTERI。
MYHOME。
ThelittlevillageofPilwiddleisoneofthesmallestandobscuresthamletsonthewesterncoastofIreland。Onaloftycrag，overlookingthehoarseAtlantic，stands"Denville’sShotTower"——acorruptionbythepeasantryofD’Enville’sChateau，socalledfrommygreat-grandfather，PhelimSt。Kemyd’Enville，whoassumedthenameandtitleofaFrenchheiresswithwhomheranaway。TothisfactmyfamiliarknowledgeandexcellentpronunciationoftheFrenchlanguagemaybeattributed，aswellasmanyoftheeventswhichcoveredmyafterlife。
TheDenvilleswerealwayspassionatelyfondoffieldsports。Attheageoffour，Iwasalreadytheboldestriderandthebestshotinthecountry。Whenonlyeight，IwontheSt。RemyCupatthePilwiddleraces，——ridingmyfavoritebloodmareHellfire。AsI
approachedthestandamidsttheplauditsoftheassembledmultitude，andcriesof，"Thrueforye，MastherTerence，"and"O，butit’saDinville！"therewasaslightstiramongthegentry，whosurroundedtheLordLieutenant，andothertitledpersonageswhomtheracehadattractedthither。"Howyoungheis，——amerechild;
andyethownoble-looking，"saidasweetlowvoice，whichthrilledmysoul。
IlookedupandmetthefullliquidorbsoftheHon。BlancheFitzroySackville，youngestdaughteroftheLordLieutenant。Sheblusheddeeply。Iturnedpaleandalmostfainted。Butthecold，sneeringtonesofamasculinevoicesentthebloodbackagainintomyyouthfulcheek。
"VerylikelytheraggedscionofoneofthesebandittiIrishgentry，whohastakennaturallyto’theroad。’Heshouldbeatschool——thoughIwarrantmehisknowledgeofTerencewillnotextendbeyondhisownname，"saidLordHenrySomerset，aid-de-camptotheLordLieutenant。
AmomentandIwasperfectlycalm，thoughcoldasice。
Dismounting，andsteppingtothesideofthespeaker，Isaidinalow，firmvoice：——
"HadyourLordshipreadTerencemorecarefully，youwouldhavelearnedthatbandittiaresometimesproficientinotherartsbesidehorsemanship，"andItouchedhisholstersignificantlywithmyhand。IhadnotreadTerencemyself，butwiththeskilfulaudacityofmyraceIcalculatedthatavagueallusion，coupledwithathreat，wouldembarrasshim。Itdid。
"Ah——whatmeanyou？"hesaid，whitewithrage。
"Enough，weareobserved，"Ireplied;"FatherTomwillwaitonyouthisevening;andto-morrowmorning，mylord，intheglenbelowPilwiddlewewillmeetagain。"
"FatherTom——glen！"ejaculatedtheEnglishman，withgenuinesurprise。"What？dopriestscarrychallengesandactassecondsinyourinfernalcountry？"
"Yes！"Ianswered，scornfully，"whyshouldtheynot？Theirservicesaremoreoftennecessarythanthoseofasurgeon，"Iaddedsignificantly，turningaway。
Thepartyslowlyrodeoff，withtheexceptionoftheHon。BlancheSackville，wholingeredforamomentbehind。InaninstantIwasatherside。Bendingherblushingfaceovertheneckofherwhitefilly，shesaidhurriedly：——
"WordshavepassedbetweenLordSomersetandyourself。Youareabouttofight。Don’tdenyit——buthearme。Youwillmeethim——I
knowyourskillofweapons。Hewillbeatyourmercy。Ientreatyoutosparehislife！"
Ihesitated。"Never！"Icriedpassionately;"hehasinsultedaDenville！"
"Terence，"shewhispered，"Terence——FORMYSAKE？"
Thebloodrushedtomycheeks，andhereyessoughtthegroundinbashfulconfusion。
"Youlovehimthen？"Icried，bitterly。
"No，no，"shesaid，agitatedly，"no，youdomewrong。I——I——cannotexplainmyself。Myfather！——theLadyDowagerSackville——theestateofSackville——theborough——myuncle，FitzroySomerset。Ah！whatamIsaying？Forgiveme。OTerence，"shesaid，asherbeautifulheadsankonmyshoulder，"youknownotwhatIsuffer！"
Iseizedherhandandcovereditwithpassionatekisses。Butthehigh-bredEnglishgirl，recoveringsomethingofherformerhauteur，saidhastily，"Leaveme，leaveme，butpromise！"
"Ipromise，"Ireplied，enthusiastically;"IWILLsparehislife！"
"Thanks，Terence，——thanks！"anddisengagingherhandfrommylipssheroderapidlyaway。
Thenextmorning，theHon。CaptainHenrySomersetandmyselfexchangednineteenshotsintheglen，andateachfireIshotawayabuttonfromhisuniform。Asmylastbulletshotoffthelastbuttonfromhissleeve，Iremarkedquietly，"Youseemnow，mylord，tobealmostasraggedasthegentryyousneeredat，"androdehaughtilyaway。
CHAPTERII。
THEFIGHTINGFIFTY-SIXTH。
WhenIwasnineteenyearsoldmyfathersoldtheChateaud’Envilleandpurchasedmycommissioninthe"Fifty-sixth"withtheproceeds。
"Isay，Denville，"saidyoungMcSpadden，aboy-facedensign，whohadjustjoined，"you’llrepresenttheestateintheArmy，ifyouwon’tintheHouse。"Poorfellow，hepaidforhismeaninglessjokewithhislife，forIshothimthroughtheheartthenextmorning。
"You’reagoodfellow，Denville，"saidthepoorboyfaintly，asI
kneltbesidehim："goodby！"Forthefirsttimesincemygrandfather’sdeathIwept。IcouldnothelpthinkingthatIwouldhavebeenabettermanifBlanche——butwhyproceed？WasshenotnowinFlorence——thebelleoftheEnglishEmbassy？
ButNapoleonhadreturnedfromElba。Europewasinablazeofexcitement。TheAllieswerepreparingtoresisttheManofDestiny。WewereorderedfromGibraltarhome，andweresoonagainenrouteforBrussels。IdidnotregretthatIwastobeplacedinactiveservice。Iwasambitious，andlongedforanopportunitytodistinguishmyself。MygarrisonlifeinGibraltarhadbeenmonotonousanddull。Ihadkilledfivemeninduel，andhadanaffairwiththecolonelofmyregiment，whohandsomelyapologizedbeforethematterassumedaseriousaspect。Ihadbeentwiceinlove。Yetthesewerebutboyishfreaksandfollies。Iwishedtobeaman。
Thetimesooncame，——themorningofWaterloo。Butwhydescribethatmomentousbattle，onwhichthefateoftheentireworldwashanging？TwiceweretheFifty-sixthsurroundedbyFrenchcuirassiers，andtwicedidwemowthemdownbyourfire。Ihadsevenhorsesshotunderme，andwasmountingtheeighth，whenanorderlyrodeuphastily，touchedhiscap，and，handingmeadespatch，gallopedrapidlyaway。
Iopenedithurriedlyandread：——
"LETPICTONADVANCEIMMEDIATELYONTHERIGHT。"
Isawitallataglance。Ihadbeenmistakenforageneralofficer。Butwhatwastobedone？Picton’sdivisionwastwomilesaway，onlyaccessiblethroughaheavycrossfireofartilleryandmusketry。Butmymindwasmadeup。
InaninstantIwasengagedwithanentiresquadronofcavalry，whoendeavoredtosurroundme。Cuttingmywaythroughthem，Iadvancedboldlyuponabatteryandsabredthegunnersbeforetheycouldbringtheirpiecestobear。Lookingaround，IsawthatIhadinfactpenetratedtheFrenchcentre。BeforeIwaswellawareofthelocality，IwashailedbyasharpvoiceinFrench，——
"Comehere，sir！"
Iobeyed，andadvancedtothesideofalittlemaninacockedhat。
"HasGrouchycome？"
"Notyet，sire，"Ireplied，——foritwastheEmperor。
"Ha！"hesaidsuddenly，bendinghispiercingeyesonmyuniform;"aprisoner？"
"No，sire，"Isaid，proudly。
"Aspy？"
Iplacedmyhanduponmysword，butagesturefromtheEmperorbademeforbear。
"Youareabraveman，"hesaid。
Itookmysnuff-boxfrommypocket，and，takingapinch，repliedbyhandingit，withabow，totheEmperor。
Hisquickeyecaughtthecipheronthelid。"What！aD’Enville？
Ha！thisaccountsforthepurityofyouraccent。AnyrelationtoRoderickd’Enville？"
"Myfather，sire。"
"Hewasmyschool-fellowattheEcolePolytechnique。Embraceme！"
AndtheEmperorfelluponmyneckinthepresenceofhisentirestaff。Then，recoveringhimself，hegentlyplacedinmyhandhisownmagnificentsnuff-box，inexchangeformine，andhanginguponmybreastthecrossoftheLegionofHonorwhichhetookfromhisown，hebadeoneofhisMarshalsconductmebacktomyregiment。
IwassointoxicatedwiththehonorofwhichIhadbeentherecipient，thatonreachingourlinesIutteredashoutofjoyandputspurstomyhorse。Theintelligentanimalseemedtosympathizewithmyfeelings，andfairlyflewovertheground。Onarisingeminenceafewyardsbeforemestoodagray-hairedofficer，surroundedbyhisstaff。Idon’tknowwhatpossessedme，butputtingspurstomyhorse，Irodeathimboldly，andwithoneboundclearedhim，horseandall。Ashoutofindignationarosefromtheassembledstaff。Iwheeledsuddenly，withtheintentionofapologizing，butmymaremisunderstoodme，and，againdashingforward，oncemorevaultedovertheheadoftheofficer，thistimeunfortunatelyuncoveringhimbyaviciouskickofherhoof。"Seizehim！"roaredtheentirearmy。Iwasseized。Asthesoldiersledmeaway，Iaskedthenameofthegray-hairedofficer。"That——why，that’stheDUKEOFWELLINGTON！"
Ifainted。
******
ForsixmonthsIhadbrain-fever。DuringmyillnesstengrapeshotwereextractedfrommybodywhichIhadunconsciouslyreceivedduringthebattle。WhenIopenedmyeyesImetthesweetglanceofaSisterofCharity。
"Blanche！"Istammeredfeebly。
"Thesame，"shereplied。
"Youhere？"
"Yes，dear;buthush！It’salongstory。Yousee，dearTerence，yourgrandfathermarriedmygreat-aunt’ssister，andyourfatheragainmarriedmygrandmother’sniece，who，dyingwithoutawill，was，accordingtotheFrenchlaw——"
"ButIdonotcomprehend，"Isaid。
"Ofcoursenot，"saidBlanche，withheroldsweetsmile;"you’vehadbrain-fever;sogotosleep。"
Iunderstood，however，thatBlanchelovedme;andIamnow，dearreader，SirTerenceSackville，K。C。B。，andLadyBlancheisLadySackville。
SELINASEDILIA。
BYMISSM。E。B——DD——NANDMRS。H——N——YW——D。
CHAPTERI。
ThesunwassettingoverSlopertonGrange，andreddenedthewindowofthelonelychamberinthewesterntower，supposedtobehauntedbySirEdwardSedilia，thefounderoftheGrange。InthedreamydistancearosethegildedmausoleumofLadyFeliciaSedilia，whohauntedthatportionofSediliaManor，knownas"Stiff-unsAcre。"
AlittletotheleftoftheGrangemighthavebeenseenamoulderingruin，knownas"Guy’sKeep，"hauntedbythespiritofSirGuySedilia，whowasfound，onemorning，crushedbyoneofthefallenbattlements。Yet，asthesettingsungildedtheseobjects，abeautifulandalmostholycalmseemeddiffusedabouttheGrange。
TheLadySelinasatbyanorielwindow，overlookingthepark。ThesunsankgentlyinthebosomoftheGermanOcean，andyettheladydidnotliftherbeautifulheadfromthefinelycurvedarmanddiminutivehandwhichsupportedit。Whendarknessfinallyshroudedthelandscapeshestarted，forthesoundofhorse-hoofsclatteredoverthestonesoftheavenue。Shehadscarcelyrisenbeforeanaristocraticyoungmanfellonhiskneesbeforeher。
"MySelina！"
"Edgardo！Youhere？"
"Yes，dearest。"
"And——you——you——have——seennothing？"saidtheladyinanagitatedvoiceandnervousmanner，turningherfaceasidetoconcealheremotion。
"Nothing——thatisnothingofanyaccount，"saidEdgardo。"Ipassedtheghostofyourauntinthepark，noticedthespectreofyouruncleintheruinedkeep，andobservedthefamiliarfeaturesofthespiritofyourgreat-grandfatherathisusualpost。Butnothingbeyondthesetrifles，mySelina。Nothingmore，love，absolutelynothing。"
Theyoungmanturnedhisdarkliquidorbsfondlyupontheingenuousfaceofhisbetrothed。
"MyownEdgardo！——andyoustillloveme？Youstillwouldmarrymeinspiteofthisdarkmysterywhichsurroundsme？Inspiteofthefatalhistoryofmyrace？Inspiteoftheominouspredictionsofmyagednurse？"
"Iwould，Selina";andtheyoungmanpassedhisarmaroundheryieldingwaist。Thetwoloversgazedateachother’sfacesinunspeakablebliss。SuddenlySelinastarted。
"Leaveme，Edgardo！leaveme！Amysterioussomething——afatalmisgiving——adarkambiguity——anequivocalmistrustoppressesme。I
wouldbealone！"
Theyoungmanarose，andcastalovingglanceonthelady。"Thenwewillbemarriedontheseventeenth。"
"Theseventeenth，"repeatedSelina，withamysteriousshudder。
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