I。
ThesuccessofVerriandidnotcomeearly，anditdidnotcomeeasily。
Hehadbeentryingalongtimetogethisworkintothebestmagazines，andwhenhehadwonthefavoroftheeditors，whoseinteresthehadperhapshadfromthebeginning，itmightbesaidthattheybegantoaccepthisworkfromtheirconsciences，becauseinitswayitwassogoodthattheycouldnotjustlyrefuseit。TheparticulareditorwhotookVerrian’sserial，afterithadcomebacktotheauthorfromtheeditorsoftheotherleadingperiodicals，wasinfactmovedmainlybythebeliefthatthestorywouldpleasethebettersortofhisreaders。These，iftheywerenotsonumerousastheworse，hefelthadnowandthentherighttohavetheirpleasurestudied。
Itwasaseriousstory，anditwassomewhatbitter，asVerrianhimselfwas，afterhisstruggletoreachthepublicwithworkwhichheknewmeritedrecognition。Buttheworldwhichdoesnotlikepeopletotakethemselvestooseriouslyalsolikesthemtotakethemselvesseriously，andthebitternessinVerrian’sstoryprovedagreeabletoanumberofreadersunexpectedlygreat。Itintimatedaromanticpersonalityintheauthor，andtheworldstilllikestoimagineromanticthingsofauthors。
Itlikesespeciallytoimaginethemofnovelists，nowthattherearenolongerpoets;andwhenitbegantolikeVerrian’sserial，itbegantowritehimallsortsofletters，directly，incareoftheeditor，andindirectlytotheeditor，whomtheyaskedaboutVerrianmorethanabouthisstory。
Itwasaman’sstoryratherthanawoman’sstory，asthesemaybedistinguished;butquiteforthatreasonwomenseemedpeculiarlytakenwithit。Perhapsthewomenhadmoreleisureormorecouragetowritetotheauthorandtheeditor;atanyrate，mostoftheletterswerefromwomen;someofthelettersweresillyandfatuousenough，butotherswereofanintelligencewhichwasnonethelesspenetratingforbeingemotionalratherthancritical。Thesemaidsormatrons，whoeverorwhichevertheywere，knewwonderfullywellwhattheauthorwouldbeat，andtheirinterestinhisstoryimpliedaconstantifnotasingledevotion。NowandthenVerrianwastemptedtoansweroneofthem，andunderfavorofhismother，whohadbeenhisconfidantateverypointofhisliterarycareer，heyieldedtothetemptation;butonedaytherecamealetteraskingananswer，whichneitherhenorhismotherfeltcompetenttodealwith。Theybothperceivedthattheymustreferittotheeditorofthemagazine，anditseemedtothemsoimportantthattheydecidedVerrianmustgowithitinpersontotheeditor。Thenhemustbesofarruledbyhim，ifnecessary，astogivehimtheletterandputhimself，astheauthor，beyondanappealwhichhefoundpeculiarlypoignant。
Theletter，whichhadovercomethetacitmisgivingsofhismotherastheyreaditandreaditagaintogether，wasfromagirlwhohadperhapsnoneedtoconfessherselfyoung，ortoownherinexperienceoftheworldwherestorieswerewrittenandprinted。SheexcusedherselfwithadelicacywhichVerrian’scorrespondentsbynomeansalwaysshowedforintrudinguponhim，andthenpleadedthepowerhisstoryhadoverherastheonlyshadowofrightshehadinaddressinghim。Itsfascination，shesaid，hadbegunwiththefirstnumber，thefirstchapter，almostthefirstparagraph。Itwasnotfortheplotthatshecared;shehadreadtoomanystoriestocarefortheplot;itwastheprobleminvolved。Itwasonewhichshehadsooftenponderedinherownmindthatshefelt，inawayshehopedhewouldnotthinkconceited，almostasifthestorywaswrittenforher。Shehadneverbeenabletosolvetheproblem;howhewouldsolveitshedidnotseehowshecouldwaittoknow;andhereshemadehimaconfidencewithoutwhich，shesaid，sheshouldnothavethecouragetogoon。Shewasaninvalid，andherdoctorhadtoldherthat，thoughshemightliveformonths，therewerechancesthatshemightdieatanymomentsuddenly。Hewouldthinkitstrange，anditwasstrangethatsheshouldtellhimthis，andstrangerstillthatsheshoulddaretoaskhimwhatshewasgoingtoask。Thestoryhadyetfourmonthstorun，andshehadbeguntohaveamorbidforebodingthatsheshouldnotlivetoreaditintheordinarycourse。Shewassoignorantaboutwritersthatshedidnotknowwhethersuchathingwaseverdone，orcouldbedone;
butifhecouldtellherhowthestorywastocomeouthewouldbedoingmoreforherthananythingelsethatcouldbedoneforheronearth。Shehadreadthatsometimesauthorsbegantoprinttheirserialstoriesbeforetheyhadwrittenthemtotheend，andhemightnotbesureoftheendhimself;butifhehadfinishedthisstoryofhis，andcouldletherseethelastpagesinprint，shewouldowehimthegratitudeshecouldneverexpress。
Theletterwaswritteninaneducatedhand，andtherewerenofoiblesofformorexcessesoffashioninthestationerytomarthecharacterofsinceritythesimplewordingconveyed。Thepostaladdress，withthedate，wasfullygiven，andthenamesignedattheendwasevidentlygenuine。
Verrianhimselfhadnoquestionofthegenuinenessoftheletterinanyrespect;hismother，afterherfirstmisgivings，whichwereperhapssensations，thoughtashedidaboutit。Shesaidthestorydealtsoprofoundlywiththedeepestthingsthatitwasnowonderaperson，standinglikethatgirlbetweenlifeanddeath，shouldwishtoknowhowtheauthorsolveditsproblem。Thenshereadthelettercarefullyoveragain，andagainVerrianreadit，withaneffectnotdifferentfromthatwhichitsfirstperusalhadmadewithhim。Hisfaithinhisworkwassogreat，soentire，thatthenotionofanyotherfeelingaboutitwasnotadmissible。
"Ofcourse，"hesaid，withasighofsatisfaction，"ImustshowthelettertoArmigeratonce。"
"Ofcourse，"hismotherreplied。"Heistheeditor，andyoumustnotdoanythingwithouthisapproval。"
Thefaithinthewriteroftheletter，whichwasprimarywithhim，wassecondarywithher，butperhapsforthatreason，shewasallthemorefirmlygroundedinit。
II。
Therewasnothingtocloudtheeditor’sjudgment，whenVerriancametohim，exceptthefactthathewasapoetaswellasaneditor。Hereadinasilenceasgreatastheauthor’stheletterwhichVerriansubmitted。
Thenheremainedponderingitforaslongaspacebeforehesaid，"Thatisverytouching。"
Verrianjumpedtohisquestion。"Doyoumeanthatweoughttosendhertheproofsofthestory？"
"No，"theeditorfaltered，buteveninthisdecisionhedidnotdenytheauthorhissympathy。"You’vetouchedbottominthatstory，Verrian。Youmaygohigher，butyoucannevergodeeper。"
Verrianflushedalittle。"Oh，thankyou！"
"I’mnotsurprisedthegirlwantstoknowhowyoumanageyourproblem——
suchagirl，standingintheshadowoftheotherworld，whichisalwayseclipsingthis，andseeinghowyou’vecaughtitsawfuloutline。"
Verrianmadeagratefulmurmuratthepraise。"Thatiswhatmymotherfelt。Thenyouhavenodoubtofthegoodfaith——"
"No，"theeditorreturned，withthesamequantity，ifnotthesamequality，ofreluctanceasbefore。"Yousee，itwouldbetoodaring。"
"Thenwhynotletherhavetheproofs？"
"Thethingissounprecedented——"
"Ourdoingitneedn’tformaprecedent。"
"No。"
"Andifyou’venodoubtofitsbeingatruecase——"
"Wemustprovethatitis，or，rather，wemustmakeherproveit。I
quitefeelwithyouaboutit。IfIweretoactuponmyownimpulse，myownconvictions，Ishouldsendhertherestofthestoryandtakethechances。Butshemaybeanenterprisingjournalistindisguiseit’sastonishingwhatwomenwilldowhentheytaketonewspaperwork——andwehavenorighttoriskanything，forthemagazine’ssake，ifnotyoursandmine。Willyouleavethisletterwithme？"
"Iexpectedtoleavethewholeaffairinyourhands。Doyoumindtellingmewhatyouproposetodo？Ofcourse，itwon’tbeanything——abrupt——"
"Ohno;andIdon’tmindtellingyouwhathasoccurredtome。Ifthisisatruecase，asyousay，andI’venoquestionbutitis，thewriterwillbeonconfidentialtermswithherpastoraswellasherdoctorandI
proposeaskinghertogethimtocertify，inanysortofgeneralterms，toheridentity。Iwilltreatthematterdelicately——Or，ifyouprefertowritetoheryourself——"
"Ohno，it’smuchbetterforyoutodoit;youcandoitauthoritatively。"
"Yes，andifsheisn’ttherealthing，butmerelyawomanjournalisttryingtoworkusfora’story’inherSundayedition，weshallhearnomorefromher。"
"Idon’tseeanythingtoobjecttoinyourplan，"Verriansaid，uponreflection。"Shecertainlycan’tcomplainofourbeingcautious。"
"No，andshewon’t。Ishallhavetoreferthemattertothehouse——"
"Oh，willyou？"
"Why，certainly！Icouldn’ttakeasteplikethatwithouttheapprovalofthehouse。"
"No，"Verrianassented，andhemadeanoteofthewriter’saddressfromtheletter。Then，afteramomentspentinlookinghardattheletter，hegaveitbacktotheeditorandwentabruptlyaway。
Hehadproof，thenextmorning，thattheeditorhadactedpromptly，atleastsofarasregardedthehouse。Thehousehadapprovedhisplan，ifonecouldtrusttheromanticparagraphwhichVerrianfoundinhispaperatbreakfast，exploitingthefactconcernedasoneoftheinterestingevidencesoftheholdhisserialhadgotwiththemagazinereaders。Herecognizedintheparagraphthetouchofthegoodfellowwhopreparedtheweeklybulletinsofthehouse，andofferedthepressliteraryintelligenceinaformreadyforimmediateuse。Thecasewasfairlystated，buttheprivacyoftheauthor’scorrespondentwasperfectlyguarded;itwasnotevenmadeknownthatshewasawoman。YetVerrianfelt，inreadingtheparagraph，ashockofguiltydismay，asifhehadbetrayedaconfidencereposedinhim，andhehandedthepaperacrossthetabletohismotherwithratherasicklook。
Afterhisreturnfromthemagazineofficethedaybefore，therehadbeenagooddealoftalkbetweenthemaboutthatgirl。Mrs。Verrianhadagreedwithhimthatnomoreinterestingeventcouldhavehappenedtoanauthor，butshehadtriedtokeephimfromtakingittoopersonally，andfrommakinghimselfmischievousillusionsfromit。Shehadsincesleptuponheranxieties，withtheeffectoffindingthemmorevividatwaking，andshehadbeencastingaboutforanopeningtopenetratehimwiththem，whenfortuneputthisparagraphinherway。
"Isn’titdisgusting？"heasked。"Idon’tseehowArmigercouldletthemdoit。Ihopetoheavenshe’llneverseeit！"
Hismotherlookedupfromtheparagraphandasked，"Why？"
"Whatwouldshethinkofme？"
"Idon’tknow。Shemighthaveexpectedsomethingofthekind。"
"Howexpectsomethingofthekind？AmIoneoftheself-advertisers？"
"Well，shemusthaverealizedthatshewasdoingratheraboldthing。"
"Bold？"
"Venturesome，"Mrs。Verriancompromisedtothekindlingangerinherson’seyes。
"Idon’tunderstandyou，mother。Ithoughtyouagreedwithmeaboutthewriterofthatletter——hersincerity，simplicity。"
"Sincerity，yes。Butsimplicity——Philip，athoroughlysingle-mindedgirlneverwrotethatletter。Youcan’tfeelsuchathingasIdo。
Amancouldn’t。Youcanpaintthecharacterofwomen，andyoudoitwonderfully——but，afterall，youcan’tknowthemasawomandoes。"
"Youtalk，"heanswered，alittlesulkily，"asifyouknewsomeharmofthegirl。"
"No，myson，Iknownothingabouther，exceptthatsheisnotsingle-
minded，andthereisnoharminnotbeingsingle-minded。Agreatmanysingle-mindedwomenarefools，andsomedouble-mindedwomenaregood。"
"Well，single-mindedordouble-minded，ifsheiswhatshesayssheis，whatmotiveonearthcouldshehaveinwritingtomeexceptthemotiveshegives？Youdon’tdenythatshetellsthetruthaboutherself？"
"Don’tIsaythatsheissincere？Butagirldoesn’talwaysknowherownmotives，orallofthem。Shemayhavewrittentoyoubecauseshewouldliketobeginacorrespondencewithanauthor。Orshemayhavedoneitoutoftheloveofexcitement。Orforthesakeofdistraction，togetawayfromherselfandhergloomyforebodings。"
"Andshouldyoublameherforthat？"
"No，Ishouldn’t。Ishouldpityherforit。But，allthesame，I
shouldn’twantyoutobetakeninbyher。"
"Youthink，then，shedoesn’tcareanythingaboutthestory？"
"Ithink，veryprobably，shecaresagreatdealaboutit。Sheisaseriousperson，intellectuallyatleast，anditisaseriousstory。Nowondershewouldliketoknow，atfirsthand，somethingaboutthemanwhowroteit。"
ThisflatteredVerrian，buthewouldnotallowitsreasonableness。Hetookagulpofcoffeebeforesaying，uncandidly，"Ican’tmakeoutwhatyou’redrivingat，mother。But，fortunately，there’snohurryaboutyourmeaning。Thething’sintheonlyshapewecouldpossiblygiveit，andI
amsatisfiedtoleaveitinArmiger’shands。I’mcertainhewilldealwiselywithit-andkindly。"
"Yes，I’msurehe’lldealkindly。Ishouldbeveryunhappyifhedidn’t。
Hecouldeasilydealmorewisely，though，thanshehas。"
Verrianchosenottofollowhismotherinthis。"Allis，"hesaid，withfinality，"Ihopeshe’llneverseethatloathsomeparagraph。"
"Oh，verylikelyshewon’t，"hismotherconsoledhim。
III。
OnlyfourdaysafterhehadseenArmiger，Verrianreceivedanenvelopecoveringabriefnotetohimselffromtheeditor，acopyoftheletterhehadwrittentoVerrian’sunknowncorrespondent，andheranswerintheoriginal。Verrianwasalonewhenthepostmanbroughthimthisenvelope，andhecouldindulgeacertainpassionformethodbywhichhereaditscontentsintheordernamed;ifhismotherhadbeenby，shewouldhavemadehimreadthegirl’sreplyfirstofall。Armigerwrote：
"MYDEARVERRIAN，——Ienclosetwoexhibitswhichwillpossessyouofallthefactsinthecaseoftheyoungladywhofearedshemightdiebeforeshereadtheendofyourstory，butwho，youwillbegladtofind，islikelytolivethroughtheyear。AsthestoryendsinourOctobernumber，sheneednotbesuppliedwithadvancesheets。Iamsorrythehousehurriedoutaparagraphconcerningthematter，butitwillnotbefollowedbyanother。Perhapsyouwillfeel，asIdo，thattheincidentisclosed。Ihavenotrepliedtothewriter，andyouneednotreturnherletter。Yoursever，"M。ARMIGER。"
Theeditor’slettertotheyoungladyread：
"DEARMADAM，——Mr。P。S。Verrianhashandedmeyourletterofthe4th，andIneednottellyouthatithasinterestedusboth。
"Iamalmostasmuchgratifiedashebythetestimonyyourrequestbearstotheimportanceofhiswork，andifIcouldhaveacteduponmyinstantfeelingIshouldhavehadnohesitationingrantingit，thoughitissoveryunusualastobe，inmyexperienceasaneditor，unprecedented。I
amsurethatyouwouldnothavemadeitsofranklyifyouhadnotbeenpreparedtoguardinreturnanyconfidenceplacedinyou;butyouwillrealizethatasyouarequiteunknowntous，weshouldnotbejustifiedintakingastepsounusualasyouproposewithouthavingsomeguaranteebesidesthatwhichMr。VerrianandIbothfeelfromthecharacterofyourletter。Simply，then，forpurposesofidentification，asthephraseis，Imustbegyoutoaskthepastorofyourchurch，or，betterstill，yourfamilyphysician，towriteyoualinesayingthatheknowsyou，asasortofletterofintroductiontome。ThenIwillsendyoutheadvanceproofsofMr。Verrian’sstory。Youmayliketoaddressmepersonallyinthecareofthemagazine，andnotastheeditor。
"Yoursveryrespectfully，"M。ARMIGER。"
Theeditor’sletterwasdatedthe6thofthemonth;theanswer，datedthe8th，betrayedtheanxioushasteofthewriterinreplying，anditwasnotherfaultifwhatshewrotecametoVerrianwhenhewasnolongerabletodojusticetoherconfession。Undertheaddressgiveninherfirstlettershenowbegan，in，ahandintowhichakindliereyemighthavereadapatheticperturbation：
"DEARSIR，——Ihavesomethingawfultotellyou。Imightwritepageswithoutmakingyouthinkbetterofme，andIwillletyouthinktheworstatonce。IamnotwhatIpretendedtobe。IwrotetoMr。VerriansayingwhatIdid，andaskingtoseetherestofhisstoryontheimpulseofthemoment。Ihadbeenreadingit，forIthinkitisperfectlyfascinating;
andafriendofmine，anothergirl，andIgottogethertryingtoguesshowhewouldendit，andwebegantodareeachothertowritetohimandask。Atfirstwedidnotdreamofdoingsuchathing，butwewenton，andjustforthefunofitwedrewlotstoseewhichshouldwritetohim。
Thelotfelltome;butwecomposedthatlettertogether，andweputinaboutmydyingforajoke。Weneverintendedtosendit;butthenonethingledtoanother，andIsigneditwithmyrealnameandwesentit。
Wedidnotreallyexpecttohearanythingfromit，forwesupposedhemustgetlotsoflettersabouthisstoryandneverpaidanyattentiontothem。WedidnotrealizewhatwehaddonetillIgotyourletteryesterday。Thenwesawitall，andeversincewehavebeentryingtothinkwhattodo，andIdonotbelieveeitherofushassleptamoment。
Wehavecometotheconclusionthattherewasonlyonethingwecoulddo，andthatwastotellyoujustexactlyhowithappenedandtaketheconsequences。Butthereisnoreasonwhymorethanonepersonshouldbebroughtintoit，andsoIwillnotletmyfriendsignthisletterwithme，butIwillputmyownnamealonetoit。Youmaynotthinkitismyrealname，butitis;youcanfindoutbywritingtothepostmasterhere。
Idonotknowwhetheryouwillpublishitasafraudforthewarningofothers，butIshallnotblameyouifyoudo。Ideserveanything。
Yourstruly，"JERUSHAPEREGRINEBROWN。"
IfVerrianhadbeenanoldermanlifemighthavesuppliedhimwiththemeansofjudgingthewriterofthisletter。Buthisexperienceasanauthorhadnotbeenverygreat，andsuchasitwasithadhardenedandsharpenedhim。Therewasnothingwildorwhirlinginhismood，butinthedeadlyhurtwhichhadbeeninflicteduponhisvanityhecoldlyandcarefullystudiedwhatdeadlierhurthemightinflictagain。Hewasofthecruellerintentbecausehehadnotknownhowmuchofpersonalvanitytherewasintheseriousnesswithwhichhetookhimselfandhiswork。Hehadsupposedthathewasrespectinghisethicsandaesthetics，hisidealofconductandofart，butnowitwasbroughthometohimthathewasswollenwiththeconceitofhisownperformance，andthat，howeverwellothersthoughtofit，hisownthoughtofitfaroutrantheirwilltohonorit。Hewishedtorevengehimselfforthisconsciousnessaswellastheoffenceofferedhim;ofthetwotheconsciousnesswasthemoredisagreeable。
Hismother，dressedforthestreet，cameinwherehesatquietathisdesk，withtheeditor’slettersandthegirl’sbeforehim，andhemutelyreferredthemtoherwithahandliftedoverhisshoulder。Shereadthem，andthenshesaid，"Thisishardtobear，Philip。IwishIcouldbearitforyou，oratleastwithyou;butI’mlateformyengagementwithMrs。Alfred，asitis——No，IwilltelephoneherI’mdetainedandwe’lltalkitover——"
"No，no！Notonanyaccount！I’dratherthinkitoutformyself。Youcouldn’thelpme。Afterall，ithasn’tdonemeanyharm——"
"Andyou’vehadagreatescape！AndIwon’tsayawordmorenow，butI’llbebacksoon，andthenwe——Oh，I’msosorryI’mgoing。"
Verriangavealaugh。"Youcouldn’tdoanythingifyoustayed，mother。
Dogo！"
"Well——"Shelookedathim，smoothinghermuffwithherhandamoment，andthenshedroppedafondkissonhischeekandobeyedhim。
IV
Verrianstillsatathisdesk，thinking，withhisburningfaceinhishands。Itwascoveredwithshameforwhathadhappenedtohim，buthishumiliationhadnoqualityofpityinit。Hemustwritetothatgirl，andwriteatonce，andhissolehesitationwasastotheformheshouldgivehisreply。HecouldnotaddressherasDearMissBrownorasDearMadam。EvenMadamwasnotsharpandforbiddingenough;besides，Madam，aloneorwiththesenselessprefix，wasarchaic，andVerrianwishedtobeverymodernwiththismostoffensiveinstanceofthelatestgirl。
Hedecidedupondealingwithherinthethirdperson，andtrustingtohisliteraryskilltokeeptheformfromclumsiness。
Hetrieditinthatform，anditwassimplydisgusting，theattitudestiffandswelling，andthedictionaffectedandunnatural。Withaquickreversiontotheimpossiblefirsttype，herecasthisletterinwhatwasnowtheonlypossibleshape。
"MYDEARMISSBROWN，——TheeditoroftheAmericanMiscellanyhassentmeacopyofhisrecentlettertoyouandyourownreply，andhasremandedtomeanaffairwhichresultedfrommygoingtohimwithyourrequesttoseethecloseofmystorynowpublishinginhismagazine。
"Aftergivingthemattermybestthought，Ihaveconcludedthatitwillbewelltoenclosealltheexhibitstoyou，andInowdothisinthehopethataseriousstudyofthemwillenableyoutosharemysurpriseatthemoralandsocialconditionsinwhichthebusinesscouldoriginate。Iwillinglyleavewithyouthequestionwhichisthemoretrustworthy，yourlettertomeoryourlettertohim，orwhichthemoretrulyrepresentstheinterestingdiversityofyournature。Iconfessthatthefirstmovedmemorethanthesecond，andIdonotseewhyIshouldnottellyouthatassoonasIhadyourrequestIwentwithittoMr。ArmigeranddidwhatIcouldtoprompthiscompliancewithit。Inputtingthesepapersoutofmyhands，IoughttoacknowledgethattheyhaveformedatemptationtomakeliteraryuseoftheaffairwhichIshallnowbethebetterfittedtoresist。Youwill，ofcourse，beamusedbytheeasewithwhichyoucouldabusemyrelianceonyourgoodfaith，andIamsureyouwillnotallowanyshameforyourtricktoqualifyyourpleasureinitssuccess。
"Itwillnotbenecessaryforyoutoacknowledgethisletteranditsenclosures。Iwillregisterthepackage，sothatitwillnotfailtoreachyou，andIwillreturnanyanswerofyoursunopened，or，ifnotrecognizablyaddressed，thenunread。
"Yourssincerely，"P。S。VERRIAN。"
Hereadandreadagaintheselines，withonlythesenseoftheirinsufficiencyindoingtheeffectofthebitternessinhisheart。Iftheletterwasinsulting，itwasbynomeansasinsultingashewouldhavelikedtomakeit。Whetheritwouldbewoundingenoughwassomethingthatdependeduponthepersonwhomhewishedtowound。Allthatwasproudandvainandcruelinhimsurgedupatthethoughtofthetrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim，andallthatwassweetandkindandgentleinhim，whenhebelievedthetrickwasagenuineappeal，turnedtotheircounterqualities。Yet，feebleandinadequateashisletterwas，heknewthathecouldnotdomoreorworsebytrying，andhesomuchfearedthatbywaitinghemightdolessandbetterthathehurrieditintothepostatonce。Ifhismotherhadbeenathandhewouldhaveshownither，thoughhemightnothavebeenruledbyherjudgmentofit。Hewasgladthatshewasnotwithhim，foreithershewouldhavehadheropinionofwhatwouldbemoretelling，orshewouldhaveinsisteduponhisdelayinganysortofreply，andhecouldnotendurethethoughtofdifferenceordelay。
Heaskedhimselfwhetherheshouldletherseetheroughfirstdraftofhisletterornot，andhedecidedthathewouldnot。Butwhenshecameintohisstudyonherreturnheshowedither。
Shereaditinsilence，andthensheseemedtotemporizeinasking，"Wherearehertwoletters？"
"I’vesentthembackwiththeanswer。"
Hismotherletthepaperdropfromherhands。"Philip！Youhaven’tsentthis！"
"Yes，Ihave。Itwasn’twhatIwantedtomakeit，butIwishedtogetthedetestableexperienceoutofmymind，anditwasthebestIcoulddoatthemoment。Don’tyoulikeit？"
"Oh——"Sheseemedbeginningtosaysomething，butwithoutsayinganythingshetookthefallenleafupandreaditagain。
"Well！"hedemanded，withimpatience。
"Oh，youmayhavebeenright。Ihopeyou’venotbeenwrong。"
"Mother！"
"Shedeservedtheseverestthingsyoucouldsay;andyet——"
"Well？"
"Perhapsshewaspunishedenoughalready。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Idon’tlikeyourbeing-vindictive。"
"Vindictive？"
"Beingsoterriblyjust，then。"Sheadded，athisblankstare，"Thisiskilling，Philip。"
Hegaveabitterlaugh。"Idon’tthinkitwillkillher。Sheisn’tthatkind。"
"She’sagirl，"hismothersaid，withakindofsadabsence。
"Butnotasingle-mindedgirl，youwarnedme。IwishIcouldhavetakenyourwarning。ItwouldhavesavedmefromplayingthefoolbeforemyselfandgivingmyselfawaytoArmiger，andlettinghimgivehimselfaway。
Idon’tthinkMissBrownwillsuffermuchbeforeshedies。Shewill’gettogether，’asshecallsit，withthatothergirlandhave’arealgoodtime’overit。Youknowthevillagetypeandthevillageconditions，wherethevulgarignoranceofanylargerworldissothickyoucouldcutitwithaknife。Don’tbetroubledbymyvindictivenessormyjustice，mother！IbegintothinkIhavedonejusticeandnotfallenshortofit，asIwasafraid。"
Mrs。Verriansighed，andagainshegavehisletterbacktoherson。
"Perhapsyouareright，Philip。Sheisprobablysotoughasnottofeelitverypainfully。"
"She’snotsotoughbutshe’llbeverygladtogetoutofitsolightly。
Shehashadausefulscare，andI’vedoneherafavorinmakingthescareasharpone。Isuppose，"Verrianmused，"thatshethinksI’vekeptcopiesofherletters。"
"Yes。Whydidn’tyou？"hismotherasked。
Verrianlaughed，onlyalittlelessbitterlythanbefore。"Ishallbegintobelieveyou’reallalike，mother。
Ididn’tkeepcopiesofherlettersbecauseIwantedtogetherandherlettersoutofmymind，finallyandforever。Besides，Ididn’tchoose。
toemulateherduplicitybyanysortofdissimulation。
"Iseewhatyoumean，"hismothersaid。"And，ofcourse，youhavetakentheonlyhonorableway。"
Thentheywerebothsilentforatime，thinkingtheirseveralthoughts。
Verrianbrokethesilencetosay，"IwishIknewwhatsortof’othergirl’itwasthatshe’gottogetherwith。’"
"Why？"
"Becauseshewroteamorecultivatedletterthanthismagnanimouscreaturewhotakesalltheblametoherself。"
"Thenyoudon’tbelievethey’reboththesame？"
"Theyareboththesameinstationeryandchirography，butnotinliterature。"
"Ihopeyouwon’tgettothinkingabouther，then，"hismotherentreated，intelligiblybutnotdefinitely。
"Notseriously，"Verrianreassuredher。"I’vehadmymedicine。"
V。
Continuityissomuchthelessonofexperiencethatinthecourseofalifebynomeanslongitbecomestheinstinctiveexpectation。Theeventthathashappenedwillhappenagain;itwillprolongitselfinaseriesofrecurrencesbywhicheachone’sepisodesharesintheunendinghistoryofall。Thesenseofthisissopervasivethathumanityrefusestoacceptdeathitselfasfinal。Intheagonizedaffections，theshatteredhopes，ofthosewhoremain，theseveredlifekeepsonunbrokenly，andwhentimeandreasonprevail，atleastastothelifehere，thedefeatedfaithappealsforfulfilmenttoanotherworld，andthebeliefofimmortalityholdsagainstthemyriadyearsinwhichnoneofthenumberlessdeadhavemadeanindisputablesigninwitnessofit。Thelostlimbstillreportsitssensationstothebrain;thefixedhabitmechanicallyattemptsitsrepetitionwhentheconditionsrenderitimpossible。
Verrianwasawarehowdeeplyandabsorbinglyhehadbroodedupontheincidentwhichhehaddonehisutmosttoclose，whenhefoundhimselfexpectingananswerofsomesortfromhisunknowncorrespondent。Heperceived，then，withoutowningthefact，thathehadreallyhopedforsomeprotest，someexcuse，someextenuation，whichintheendwouldsufferhimtobemoremerciful。Thoughhehadwishedtocrushherintosilence，andtoforbidherallhopeofhisforgiveness，hehad，inamanner，notmeanttodoit。Hehadkeptasecretplaceinhissoulwherethesinneragainsthimcouldfindrefugefromhisjustice，andwhenthissanctuaryremainedunattemptedhefoundhimselfwitharegretthathehadbarredthewaytoitsoeffectually。Theregretwassovague，soformless，however，thathecouldtacitlydenyittohimselfatalltimes，andexplicitlydenyittohismotheratsuchtimesashertouchtaughthimthatitwastangible。
Oneday，aftertenortwelvedayshadgoneby，sheaskedhim，"Youhaven’theardanythingmorefromthatgirl？"
"Whatgirl？"hereturned，asifhedidnotknow;andhefrowned。"Youmeanthegirlthatwrotemeaboutmystory？"
Hecontinuedtofrownrathermoredarkly。"Idon’tseehowyoucouldexpectmetohearfromher，afterwhatIwrote。But，tobecategorical，Ihaven’t，mother。"
"Oh，ofcoursenot。Didyouthinkshewouldbesoeasilysilenced？"
"IdidwhatIcouldtocrushherintosilence。"
"Yes，andyoudidquiteright;Iammoreandmoreconvincedofthat。Butsuchaverytoughyoungpersonmighthaverefusedtostaycrushed。Shemightverynaturallyhavegotherselfintoshapeagainandsmoothedoutthecreases，atleastsofartotrysomefurtherdefence。"
"Itseemsthatshehasn’t，"Verriansaid，stilldarkly，butnotsofrowningly。
"Ishouldhavefancied，"hismothersuggested，"thatifshehadwantedtoopenacorrespondencewithyou——ifthatwasheroriginalobject——shewouldnothaveletitdropsoeasily。"
"Hassheletitdropeasily？IthoughtIhadlefthernopossiblechanceofresumingit。"
"Thatistrue，"hismothersaid，andforthetimeshesaidnomoreaboutthematter。
NotlongafterthishecamehomefromthemagazineofficeandreportedtoherfromArmigerthatthestorywascatchingonmoreandmorewiththebestclassofreaders。TheeditorhadshownVerriansomereferencestoitinnewspapersofgoodstandingandseverallettersaboutit。
"Ithoughtyoumightliketolookattheletters，"Verriansaid，andhetooksomelettersfromhispocketandhandedthemtoheracrossthelunch-table。Shedidnotimmediatelylookatthem，becausehewentontoaddsomethingthattheybothfelttobemoreimportant。"Armigersaystherehasbeensomeincreaseofthesales，whichIcanattributetomystoryifIhavethecheek。"
"Thatisgood。"
"Andthehousewantstopublishthebook。Theythink，downthere，thatitwillhaveaveryprettysuccess——notbeabigseller，ofcourse，butsomethingcomfortable。"
Mrs。Verrian’seyesweresuffusedwithprideandfondness。"Andyoucanalwaysthink，Philip，thatthishascometoyouwithouttheleastloweringofyourstandard，withoutforsakingyouridealforamoment。"
"Thatiscertainlyasatisfaction。"
Shekeptherproudandtendergazeuponhim。"NoonewilleverknowasI
dohowfaithfulyouhavebeentoyourart。Didanyofthenewspapersrecognizethat——orsurmiseit，orsuspectit？"
"No，thatisn’ttheturntheytake。Theyspeakofthestrongloveinterestinvolvedintheproblem。Andtheabundanceofincident。
Ilookedouttokeepsomethinghappening，youknow。I’msorryIdidn’taskArmigertoletmebringthenoticeshometoyou。I’mnotsurethatI
didwiselynottosubscribetothatpress-clippingsbureau。"
Hismothersmiled。"Youmustn’tletprosperitycorruptyou，Philip。
Wouldn’tseeingwhatthepressissayingofitdistractyoufromtherealaimyouhadinyourstory？"
"We’reallweak，ofcourse。Itmight，ifthestorywerenotfinished;
butasitis，IthinkIcouldbeproofagainstthestupidestpraise。"
"Well，formypart，I’mgladyoudidn’tsubscribetotheclippingsbureau。Itwouldhavebeenadisturbingelement。"Shenowlookeddownatthelettersasifsheweregoingtotakethemup，andhefollowedthedirectionofhereyes。Asifremindedofthefactbythis，hesaid：
"ArmigeraskedmeifIhadeverheardanythingmorefromthatgirl。"
"Hashe？"hismothereagerlyasked，transferringherglancefromtheletterstoherson’sface。
"Notaword。IthinkIsilencedherthoroughly。"
"Yes，"hismothersaid。"Therecouldhavebeennogoodobjectinprolongingtheaffairandlettingherconfirmherselfinthenotionthatshewasofsufficientimportanceeithertoyouortohimforyoutocontinuethecorrespondencewithher。Shecouldn’tlearntoodistinctlythatshehaddone——averywrongthingintryingtoplaysuchatrickonyou。"
"ThatwasthewayIlookedatit，"Verriansaid，buthedrewalightsigh，ratherwearily。
"Ihope，"hismothersaid，witharecurrentglanceattheletters，"thatthereisnothingofthatsillykindamongthese。"
"No，theseareblamelessenough，unlesstheyaretobeblamedforbeingtooflattering。Thatgirlseemstobesoleofherkind，unlessthegirlthatshe’gottogetherwith’wasreallylikeher。"
"Idon’tbelievetherewasanyothergirl。Ineverthoughttherewasmorethanone。"
"Thereseemedtobetwostylesandtwogradesofculture，suchastheywere。"
"Oh，shecouldeasilyimitatetwomanners。Shemusthavebeenaclevergirl，"Mrs。Verriansaid，withthatadmirationforanysortofclevernessinhersexwhichevenverygoodwomencannothelpfeeling。
"Well，perhapsshewaspunishedenoughforboththecharacterssheassumed，"Verriansaid，withasmilethatwasnotgay。
"Don’tthinkabouther！"hismotherreturned，withaperceptionofhismood。"I’monlythankfulthatshe’soutofourlivesineverysortofway。"
VI。
Verriansaidnothing，buthereflectedwithasortofgloomyamusementhowimpossibleitwasforanywoman，evenawomansowide-mindedandhigh-principledashismother，toescapethepersonalviewofallthingsandallpersonswhichwomentake。Hetacitlynotedthefact，asthenovelistnoteswhateverhappensorappearstohim，buthelettheoccasiondropoutofhismindassoonashecouldafterithaddroppedoutofhistalk。
Thenightwhenthelastnumberofhisstorycametotheminthemagazine，andwasalreadyannouncedasabook，hesatupwithhismothercelebrating，ashesaid，andexultinginthefutureaswellasthepast。
Theyhadalittlesupper，whichshecookedforhiminachafing-dish，inthedining-roomofthetinyapartmentwheretheylivedtogether，andshemadesomecoffeeafterwards，tocarryofftheeffectoftheNewburglobster。Perhapsbecausetherewasnothingtocarryofftheeffectofthecoffee，heheardher，throughthepartitionoftheirrooms，stirringrestlesslyafterhehadgonetobed，andalittlelatershecametohisdoor，whichshesetajar，toask，"Areyouawake，Philip？"
"Youseemtobe，mother，"heanswered，withanamusementatherquestionwhichseemednottohaveimparteditselftoherwhenshecameinandstoodbesidehisbedinherdressing-gown。
"Youdon’tthinkwehavejudgedhertooharshly，Philip？"
"Doyou，mother？"
"No，Ithinkwecouldn’tbetoosevereinathinglikethat。Sheprobablythoughtyouwerelikesomeoftheotherstory-writers;shecouldn’tfeeldifferences，shades。Shepretendedtobetakenwiththecircumstancesofyourwork，butshehadtodothatifshewantedtofoolyou。Well，shehasgothercome-uppings，asshewouldprobablysay。"
Verrianreplied，thoughtfully，"Shedidn’tstrikemeasacountryperson——atleast，inherfirstletter。"
"Thenyoustillthinkshedidn’twriteboth？"
"Ifshedid，shewastryingherhandinapersonalityshehadinvented。"
"Girlsareverystrange，"hismothersighed。"Theylikeexcitement，adventure。It’sverydullinthoselittleplaces。Ishouldn’twishyoutothinkanyharmofthepoorthing。"
"Poorthing？Whythismagnanimouscompassion，mother？"
"Oh，nothing。ButIknowhowIwasmyselfwhenIwasagirl。Iusedalmosttodieofhungerforsomethingtohappen。Canyourememberjustwhatyousaidinyourletter？"
Verrianlaughed。"NO，Ican’t。ButIdon’tbelieveIsaidhalfenough。
You’renervous，mother。"
"Yes，Iam。Butdon’tyougettoworrying。ImerelygottothinkinghowIshouldhatetohaveanybody’sunhappinessmixedupwiththishappinessofours。Idosowantyourpleasureinyoursuccesstobepure，nottaintedwiththepainofanyhumancreature。"
Verrianansweredwithlightcynicism："Itwillbetaintedwiththepainofthefellowswhodon’tlikeme，orwhohaven’tsucceeded，andthey’lltakecaretoletmesharetheirpainifevertheycan。Butifyoumeanthatmerrymaidenupcountry，she’sprobablythinking，ifshethinksaboutitatall，thatshe’stheluckiestgirlintheUnitedStatestohavegotoutofanawfulscrapesoeasily。Attheworst，Ionlyhadfunwithherinmyletter。Probablysheseesthatshehasnothingtogrieveforbutherownbreak。"
"No，andyoudidjustasyoushouldhavedone;andIamgladyoudon’tfeelbitterlyaboutit。Youdon’t，doyou？"
"Nottheleast。"
Hismotherstoopedoverandkissedhimwherehelaysmiling。"Well，that’sgood。Afterall，it’syouIcaredfor。NowIcansaygood-
night。"Butshelingeredtotuckhiminalittle，fromthepersistenceofthemotherhabit。"Iwishyoumayneverdoanythingthatyouwillbesorryfor。"
"Well，Iwon’t——ifit’sagoodaction。"
Theylaughedtogether，andshelefttheroom，stilllookingbacktoseeiftherewasanythingmoreshecoulddoforhim，whilehelaysmiling，intelligentlyforwhatshewasthinking，andpatientlyforwhatshewasdoing。
VII。
Eveninthetimewhichwasthencomingandwhichnowis，whensuccessfulauthorsarealmostasmanyasmillionaires，Verrian’sbookbroughthimaprettycelebrity;andthiscelebritywasinawayspecific。Itrelatedtothequalityofhiswork，whichwasquietlyartisticandpsychological，whateverlivelinessofincidentitutteredonthesurface。Hebelongedtothegoodschoolwhichisofnofashionandofeverytime，farbothfromactualityandunreality;andhisrecognitioncamefrompeoplewhoserecognitionwasworthhaving。Withthiscamethewidernoticewhichwasnotworthhaving，likethenoticeofMrs。Westangle，sincesowellknowntosocietyreportersasasocietywoman，whichcouldnotbecalledrecognitionofhim，becauseitdidnotinvolveanyknowledgeofhisbook，notevenitstitle。Shedidnotreadanysortofbooks，andsheassimilatedhimbyasortofatmosphericsense。Shewassureofnothingbuttheattentionpaidhiminacertainverygoodishhouse，bypeoplewhomsheheardtalkinginunintelligiblebutunmistakablepraise，whenshesaid，casually，withaliquidglitterofhersweet，smalleyes，"Iwishyouwouldcomedowntomyplace，Mr。Verrian。I’maskingafewyoungpeopleforChristmasweek。Willyou？"
"Why，thankyou——thankyouverymuch，"Verriansaid，waitingtohearmoreinexplanationofthehospitalitylaunchedathim。HehadneverseenMrs。Westangletillthen，orheardofher，andhehadnottheleastnotionwhereshelived。Butsheseemedtohavesocialauthority，thoughVerrian，inlookingroundathishostessandherdaughter，whostoodnear，lettingpeopletakeleave，learnednothingfromtheircommonsmile。
Mrs。Westanglehadglidedclosetohim，inthewayshehadofgettingverynearwithoutapparentlyhavingadvancedbysteps，andshestoodgleamingandtwitteringupathim。
"Ishallsendyoualittlenote;Iwon’tletyouforget，"shesaid。Thenshesuddenlyshookhandswiththeladiesofthehouseandwasflashinglygone。
Verrianthoughthemightaskthedaughterofthehouse，"AndifIdon’tforget，amIengagedtospendChristmasweekwithher？"
Thegirllaughed。"Ifshedoesn’tforget，youare。Butyou’llhaveagoodtime。She’llknowhowtomanagethat。"Otherguestskeptcominguptotakeleave，andVerrian，whodidnotwanttogojustyet，wasretiredtothebackground，wherethegirl’svoice，thrownoverhershoulderathim，reachedhiminthewords，asgayasiftheywerethebestofthejoke，"It’sontheSound。"
TheinferencewasthatMrs。Westangle’splacewasontheSound;andthatwasallVerrianknewaboutittillhegotherlittlenote。Mrs。
Westangleknewhowtowriteinaformlesshand，butshedidnotknowhowtospell，andshehadthoughtitbesttohaveasecretarywhocouldwritewellandspellcorrectly。Though，asfarasliteracywasconcerned，shewassuchanalmostincomparablyignorantwoman，shehadalltheknowledgethebestsocietywants，or，ifshefoundherselfoutofany，shewentandboughtsome;shewasabletobuyalmostanything。
Verrianthankedthesecretaryforrememberinghim，inthebeliefthathewasdirectlythankingMrs。Westangle，whosewidespreadconsciousnesshishappinessinacceptingdidnotimmediatelyreach;andintheverylargehouseparty，whichhedulyjoinedunderherroof，hewasawareoflosingdistinctivenessalmosttothepointoflosingidentity。ThisdidnotquitehappenonthewaytoBelford，for，whenhewenttotakehisseatinthedrawing-roomcar，agirlinthechairfrontinghimputoutherhandwiththelaughofMissMacroyd。
"Shedidrememberyou！"shecriedout。"Howdelightful！Idon’tseehowsheevergotontoyou"——shemadetheslangherown——"inthefirstplace，andshemusthaveworkedhardtobesureofyousince。"
Verrianhunguphiscoatandputhissuit-casebehindhischair，theporterhavingputitwherehecouldnotwheelhimselfvis-a-viswiththegirl。"Shetookallthetimetherewas，"heanswered。"Igotmyinvitationonlythedaybeforeyesterday，andifIhadbeeninmoredemand，orhadaworseconscience——"
"Oh，dosayworseconscience！It’ssomuchmoreinteresting，"thegirlbrokein。
"——Ishouldn’thavethepleasureofgoingtoSeasandswithyounow，"heconcluded，andshegaveherlaugh。"DoIunderstandthatsimplymygrowingfamewouldn’thaveprevailedwithher？"
AnythingseemedtomakeMissMacroydlaugh。"Shecouldn’thavecaredaboutthat，andshewouldn’thaveknown。Youmaybesurethatitwasasocialquestionwithherafterthepersonalquestionwassettled。Shemusthavelikedyourlooks！"AgainMissMacroydlaughed。
"OnthatsideI’minvulnerable。It’sonlyaliteraryvanitytobesoothedortobewoundedthatIhave，"Verriansaid。
"Oh，therewouldn’tbeanythingpersonalinherlikingyourlooks。Itwouldbemerelydecidingthatpersonallyyouwoulddo，"MissMacroydlaughed，asalways，andVerrianputonamockseriousnessinasking：
"ThenIneedn’tbeseriousifthereshouldhappentobeanythingsoWestangularasaMr。Westangle？"
"Nottheleastintheworld。"
"Butthereissomething？"
"Oh，Ibelieveso。ButnotprobablyatSeasands。"
"Isthatherhouse？"
"Yes。Everyothernamehadbeenused，andshecouldn’tsaySoundsands。"
"ThenwherewouldtheMr。Westangularpartmoreprobablybefound？"
"Oh，inMontanaorMesopotamia，oranyofthoseplaces。Don’tyouknowabouthim？Howignorantliterarypeoplecanbe！Why，hewastheAmalgamatedClothespin。Youhaven’theardofthat？"
Shewentontotellhim，withgaydigressions，abouttheinventionwhichenabledWestangletobuyuptheotherclothes-pinsandmergetheminhisown——tobecomeacommercialoctopus，clutchingthethroatsofotherclothespininventorsinthetentaclesoftheWestanglepin。"Butheisn’tinclothespinsnow。He’sinmines，andbanks，andsteamboats，andrailroads，andIdon’tknowwhatall;andMrs。Westangle，thesecondofhername，neverwasinclothespins。"
MissMacroydlaughedallthroughhertalk，andshewasinafinalburstoflaughingwhenthetrainslowedintoStamford。Thereagirlcameintothecartrailingherskirtswithasortofvividdebilityandoverturningsomeminorpiecesofhand-baggagewhichherdraperiessweptoutoftheirshelterbesidethechairs。Shehadtotakeoneoftheseatswhichbackagainstthewallofthestate-room，whereshemustfacethewholelengthofthecar。Shesatweaklyfallenbackinthechairandmotionless，asifalmostunconscious;butafterthetrainhadbeguntostirshestartedup，andwithaquickflingingofherveilasideturnedtolookoutofthewindow。IntheflyinginstantVerriansawacolorlessfacewithpinchedandsunkeneyesunderaworn-lookingforehead，andawitheredmouthwhoselipspartedfeebly。
Onherpart，MissMacroydhaddoubtlessalreadynotedthatthegirlwas，withnoshowofexpensiveness，authoritativelywellgownedandpersonallyhatted。Shestaredather，andsaid，"Whataveryhuntedandescapingeffect。"
"Shedoeslookrather-fugitive，"Verrianagreed，staringtoo。
"Onemightalmostfancy——anasylum。"
"Yes，orahospital。"
Theycontinuedbothtostareather，helplessforwhateverdifferentreasonstotaketheireyesaway，andtheywerestillinterestedinherwhentheyheardheraskingtheconductor，"MustIchangeandtakeanothertrainbeforewegettoBelford？Myfriendsthought——"
"No，thistrainstopsatSouthfield，"theconductoranswered，absentlybitingseveralholesintoherdrawing-roomticket。
"Canshebeoneofus？"MissMacroyddemanded，inadramaticwhisper。
"Shemightbeanything，"Verrianreturned，tryinginstantly，withawhirofhisinventivemachinery，tophraseher。Hemadeasortofluxuriousfailureofit，andrestedcontentwithherface，whichshoweditselfnowinprofileandnowfrontedhiminfull，andnowwasrestlessandnowsubsidedinalookofdelicateexhaustion。Hewouldhavesaid，ifhewouldhavesaidanythingabsolute，thatshewasapersonwhohadsomethingonhermind;atinstantsshehadthathuntedair，passingatotherinstantsintothatairofescape。HediscussedtheseappearanceswithMissMacroyd，butfoundhertoofranklydisputatious;andshelaughedtoomuchandtooloud。
VIII。
AtSouthfield，wheretheyalldescended，MissMacroydpromptlypossessedherselfofagroom，whocameforwardtentatively，touchinghishat。
"MissMacroyd？"shesuggested。
"Yes，miss，"themansaid，andledthewayroundthestationtothevictoriawhich，whenMissMacroyd’smaidhadmountedtotheplacebesideher，hadnoroom;foranyoneelse。
VerrianaccountedforheractivityuponthetheoryofherquitejustifiablewishnottoarriveatSeasandswithayoungmanwhomshemightthenhavetheeffectofhavingvoluntarilycomeallthewaywith;
andafteroneortwocircuitsofthestationitwasapparenttohimthathewasnottohavebeensentforfromMrs。Westangle’s，buttohavebeenlefttothechancesofthelocaldriversandtheirvehicles。Thesewerereducedtoasinglecarryallandafrowsyhorsewhoseroughwintercoatrecalledtheaspectofhisspeciesintheperiodfollowingtheglacialepoch。Themud，asofaworld-thaw，encrustedthewheelsandcurtainsofthecarryall。
Verrianseizeduponitandthenwentintothewaiting-room，wherehehadlefthissuit-case。Hefoundthestrangerthereinparleywiththeyoungwomanintheticket-officeaboutaconveyancetoMrs。Westangle’s。Itprovedthathehadsecurednotonlytheonlythingofthesort，buttheonlypresenthopeofanyother，andinthehardcasehecouldnothesitatewithdistresssointeresting。Itwouldhavebeenbrutaltodriveoffandleavethatgirlthere，anditwouldhavebeenavulgarflourishtoputtheentirevehicleatherservice。Besides，andperhapsaboveall，Verrianhadnoideaofdeprivinghimselfofsuchachanceasheavenseemedtoofferhim。
Headvancedwiththedelicacyofthehighest-bredherohecouldimagine，andsaid，"IamgoingtoMrs。Westangle’s，andI’mafraidI’vegottheonlyconveyance——suchasitis。Ifyouwouldletmeofferyouhalfofit？Mr。Verrian，"headded，atthelightofacceptanceinstantlykindlinginherface，whichflushedthinly，aswithanafterglowofinvalidism。
"Why，thankyou;I’mafraidImust，Mr。Merriam，"andVerrianwasawareofbeingvexedatherfailuretocatchhisname;thenameofVerrianoughttohavebeenunmistakable。"Theyoungladyintheofficesaystherewon’tbeanother，andI’mexpectedpromptly。"Sheadded，withalittletremorofthelip，"Idon’tunderstandwhyMrs。Westangle——"
Butthenshestopped。
Verrianinterpretedforher："Thesea-horsesmusthavegivenoutatSeasands。Orprobablythere’ssomemistake，"andhereflectedbitterlyupontheselfishnessofMissMacroydingrabbingthatvictoriaforherselfandhermaid，notconsideringthatshecouldnotknow，andhasnobusinesstoask，whetherthisgirlwasgoingtoMrs。Westangle’s，too。
"Haveyouacheck？"heasked。"Ithinkourdrivercouldfindroomforsomethingbesidesmyvalise。OrIcouldhaveitcome——"
"Notatall，"thegirlsaid。"Isentmytrunkaheadbyexpress。"
Afrowsyman，tomatchthefrowsyhorse，lookedinimpatiently。"Anyotherbaggage？"
"No，"Verriananswered，andheledthewayoutafterthevanishingdriver。"Ourchariotisbackhereinhiding，Miss——"
"Shirley，"shesaid，andtrailedbeforehimthroughthedoorheopened。
Hefeltthathedidnotdoitasamanoftheworldwouldhavedoneit，andinputtingherintotheramshacklecarryallheknewthathehadnotthegraceofthesortofmanwhodoesnothingelse。ButMissShirleyseemedtohavegraceenough，ofafeebleandbrokensort，forboth，andheresolvedtosupplyhisownlackwithsincerity。Hethereforesethisjawfirmlyandmadeitsupperanglesjutsharplythroughhisclean-shavencheeks。ItwaswellthatMissShirleyhadsomebeautytospare，too，forVerrianhadscarcelyenoughforhimself。Suchdistinctionashehadwasfromasortofintellectualtensenesswhichshowedratherinthegauntformsofhisfacethaninthegrayeyes，heavilylashedaboveandbelow，andlookingseriousbutdullwiththeirrank，blackbrows。HewaschewingacudofbitternessintheaccusalhemadehimselfofhavingforcedMissShirleytogivehername;butwiththatinterestingpersonalityathisside，underthesametatteredandill-scentedJapanesegoat-skin，hecouldnotrefusetobeglad，withallhisself-blame。
"I’mafraidit’sratheralongdrive-foryou，MissShirley，"heventured，withaglanceatherface，whichlookedverylittleunderherhat。"Thedriversaysit’sfivemilesroundthroughthemarshes。"
"Oh，Ishallnotmind，"shesaid，courageously，ifnotcheerfully，andhedidnotfeelauthorizedfurthertorecognizethefactthatshewasaninvalid，oratbestaconvalescent。
"Thesewintrytree-formsarefine，though，"hefoundhimselfobligedtoconcludehisapology，ratherirrelevantly，asthewheelsoftherattling，andtiltingcarryallcrunchedthesurfaceoftheroadinthesuccessionofjerksrespondingtothealternatewalkandgallopofthehorse。
"Yes，theyare，"MissShirleyanswered，lookingaroundwithacertainsurprise，asifseeingthemnowforthefirsttime。"Somuchvarietyofcolor;andthatburnishedlookthatsomeofthemhave。"Thetrees，farandnear，weregivingtheirtonesandlustresinthelowDecembersun。
"Yes，"hesaid，"it’sdecidedlymorerefinedthantheautumnalcoloringwebragof。"
"Itis，"sheapproved，aswithnovelconviction。"Thelandscapeisreallybeautiful。Soniceandflat，"sheadded。
Hetookherintention，andhesaid，ashecranedhisneckoutofthecarryalltoincludethenearerroadsidestretches，withtheirlowbushesliftingintoremotertrees，"It’srestfulinawaythatneitherthemountainsnorthesea，quitemanage。"
"Ohyes，"shesighed，withakindofwearinesswhichexplaineditselfinwhatsheadded："It’sthekindofthingyou’dliketohavekeeponandon。"Sheseemedtosaythatmoretoherselfthantohim，andhiseyesquestionedher。Shesmiledslightlyinexplaining："IsupposeIfinditallthemorebeautifulbecausethisismyfirstreallookintotheworldaftersixmonthsindoors。"
"Oh！"hesaid，andtherewasnodoubtapromptinginhistone。
返回顶部