"Ishouldthinknot，"returnedJulia，musing;"I

neverhadasister;butitappearstomethattheveryfamiliarityofsisterswouldbedestructivetofriendship。"

"WhyIthoughtitwastheconfidence——thefamiliarity——thesecrets——whichformtheveryessenceoffriendship。"criedKatherine;"atleastsoIhavealwaysheard。"

"True，"saidJulia，eagerly，"youspeaktrue——theconfidenceandthesecrets——butnotthe——the——IamnotsurethatIexpressmyselfwell——buttheintimateknowledgethatonehasofone’sownsister——thatIshouldthinkwouldbedestructivetothedelicacyoffriendship。"

"Juliameansthataprophethasneverhonourinhisowncountry，"criedCharleswithalaugh——"asomewhatdoubtfulcomplimenttoyoursex，ladies，underherapplicationofit。"

"Butwhatbecomesofyourinnateevidenceofworthinfriendship，"askedMissEmmerson;"Ithoughtthatwasthemostinfallibleofallkindsoftestimony：surelythatmustbringyouintimatelyacquaintedwitheachother’ssecretfoiblestoo。"

"Oh！no——thatisaspeciesofsentimentalknowledge，"returnedJulia;"itonlydwellsontheloftierpartsofthecharacter，andneverdescendstotheminuteknowledgewhichmakesussuffersomuchineachother’sestimation：itleavesallthesetobefilledbythe——bythe——bythe——whatshallIcallit？"

"Imagination，"saidKatherine，dryly。

"Well，bytheimaginationthen：butitisanimaginationthatispurifiedbysentiment，and"——

"Alreadyrenderedpartialbytheinnateevidenceofworth，"interruptedCharles。

Juliahadlostherselfinthemazesofherownideas，andchangedthesubjectunderasecretsuspicionthathercompanionswereamusingthemselvesatherexpense;she，therefore，proceededdirectlytourgetherequestofAnnaMiller。

"Oh！aunt，nowweareonthesubjectoffriends，I

wishtorequestyouwouldauthorizemetoinvitemyAnnatopassthenextwinterwithusinPark-

Place。"

"Iconfess，mylove，"saidMissEmmerson，glancinghereyeatKatherine，"thatIhaddifferentviewsforourselvesnextwinter：hasnotMissMilleramarriedsisterlivingintown？"

"Yes，butshehaspositivelyrefusedtoaskthedeargirl，Iknow，"saidJulia。"Annaisnotafavouritewithhersister。"

"Veryoddthat，"saidtheauntgravely;"theremustbeareasonforherdislikethen：whatcanbethecauseofthisunusualdistasteforeachother？"

"Oh！"criedJulia，"itisallthefaultofMrs。Welton;

theyquarrelledaboutsomething，Idon’tknowwhat，butAnnaassuresmeMrs。Weltonisentirelyinfault。"

"Indeed！——andyouareperfectlysurethatMrs。

Weltonisinfault——perhapsAnnahas，however，laidtoostrongastressupontheerrorofhersister，"

observedtheaunt。

"Oh！notatall，dearaunt。Icanassureyou，onmyownknowledge，"continuedJulia，"Annawasanxiousforareconciliation，andofferedtocomeandspendthewinterwithhersister，butMrs。

Weltondeclaredpositivelythatshewouldnothavesoselfishacreatureroundherchildren：nowthisAnnatoldmeherselfoneday，andweptnearlytobreakherheartatthetime。"

"PerhapsMrs。Weltonwasrightthen，"saidMissEmmerson，"andprudence，ifnotsomeotherreason，justifiedherrefusal。"

"Howcanyousayso，dearaunt？"interruptedJulia，withalittleimpatience，"whenItellyouthatAnnaherself——myAnna，toldmewithherownlips，hereinthisveryhouse，thatMrs。Weltonwasentirelytoblame，andthatshehadneverdoneanythinginherlifetojustifythetreatmentortheremark——nowAnnatoldmethiswithherownmouth。"

AsJuliaspoke，theardourofherfeelingsbroughtthecolourtohercheeksandananimationtohereyesthatrenderedherdoublyhandsome;andCharlesWeston，whohadwatchedhervaryingcountenancewithdelight，sighedassheconcluded，andrising，lefttheroom。

"IunderstandthatyourfatherintendsspendinghiswinterinCarolina，forhishealth，"saidMissEmmersontoKatherine。

"Yes，"returnedtheotherinalowtone，andbendingoverherworktoconcealherfeelings;

"motherhaspersuadedhimtoavoidourwinter。"

"Andyouaretobeleftbehind？"

"Iamafraidso，"wasthemodestreply。

"AndyourbrotherandsistergotoWashingtontogether？"

"Thatisthearrangement，Ibelieve。"

MissEmmersonsaidnomore，butsheturnedanexpressivelookonherward，whichJuliawastoomuchoccupiedwithherthoughtstonotice。Theillnessofherfather，andtheprospectofalongseparationfromhersister，weretoomuchforthefortitudeofKatherineatanytime，andhastilygatheringherworkinherhand，shelefttheroomjustintimetopreventthetearswhichstreameddownhercheeksfrommeetingtheeyesofhercompanions。

"WeoughttoaskKatherinetomakeoneofourfamily，intheabsenceofhermotherandsister，"

saidMissEmmerson，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。

"Ah！yes，"criedJulia，fervently，"byallmeans：poorKatherine，howsolitaryshewouldbeanywhereelse——Iwillgothisinstantandaskher。"

"But——stopamoment，mylove;youwillrememberthatwehavenotroomformorethanoneguest。IfKatherineisasked，MissMillercannotbeinvited。

Letuslookatwhatweareabout，andleavenothingtorepentofhereafter。"

"Ah！itistrue，"saidJulia，re-seatingherselfingreatdisappointment;"wherewillpoorKatherinestaythen？"

"IknowmybrotherexpectsthatIwilltakeherundermycharge;and，indeed，Ithinkhehasrighttoaskitofme。"

"ButshehasnosuchrightasmyAnna，whoismybosomfriend，youknow。Katherinehasarighthere，itistrue，butitisonlysucharight"——

"Asyourown，"interruptedtheauntgravely;"youarethedaughterofmysister，andKatherineisthedaughterofmybrother。"

"True——true——ifitberight，lawfulright，thatistodecideit，thenKatherinemustcome，Isuppose，"

saidJulia，alittlepiqued。

"Letusproceedwithcaution，mylove，"saidMissEmmerson，kissingherniece——"DoyoupostponeyourinvitationuntilSeptember，when，ifyoucontinueofthesamemind，wewillgiveAnnathedesiredinvitation：inthemeanwhileprepareyourselfforwhatIknowwillbeamostagreeablesurprise。"

CHAPTERIV。

ALTHOUGHJuliaspentmostofhertimewithherauntandcousin，opportunitiesformeditationwerenotwanting：intheretirementofherclosetsheperusedandre-perusedthefrequentlettersofherfriend。ThemodestyofJulia，orrathershame，wouldhavepreventedherfrommakingAnnaacquaintedwithallherfeelings，butitwouldhavebeentreasontoherfriendshipnottohavepouredoutalittleofhersoulatthefeetofMissMiller。

Accordingly，inherletters，JuliadidnotavoidthenameofAntonio。Shementioneditoften，butwithwomanlydelicacy，ifnotwithdiscretion。Theseedsofconstantassociationhad，unknowntoherself，takendeeproot，anditwasnotinthepowerofAnnaMillertoeradicateimpressionswhichhadbeenfastenedbytheexampleoftheaunt，andcherishedbythesocietyofhercousin。Althoughdeluded，weak，andevenindiscreet，Juliawasnotindelicate。Yetenoughescapedhertohavegivenanyexperiencedeyeaninsightintotheconditionofhermind，hadAnnachosentohaveexposedherletterstoanyone。Thedangerofsuchacorrespondenceshouldalonedeteranyprudentfemalefromitsindulgence。Societyhasbrandedthemanwithscornwhodaresabusetheconfidenceofawomaninthismanner;andthedreadoftheindignationofhisassociatesmakesitanoffencewhichisrarelycommittedbytheothersex：butthereisnosuchobligationimposedonwomen，andthatfrequentlypassesforajokewhichharrowseveryfeelingthatisdeartothefemalebreast，andviolatesallthatisdelicateandsensitiveinournature。Surely，whereitisnecessaryfromanyadventitiouscircumstancestolaytheheartopeninthismanner，itshouldonlybedonetothosewhosecharactersareconnectedwithourown，andwhofeelridiculeinflictedonus，asdisgraceheapedonthemselves。Apeculiareviloftheseconfidentialfriendshipsis，thattheyaremostliabletooccur，when，fromtheiryouth，theirvictimsaretheleastguarded;and，atthesametime，frominconstancy，themostliabletochange。Happily，however，forJulia’speaceofmind，sheforesawnosuchdangersfromherintimacywithAnna，andletterandanswerpassedbetweenthem，atshortintervals，duringtheremainderofthesummer。Weshallgivebutonemorespecimenofeach，astheyhavestrongresemblancetooneanother——weselecttwothatwerewrittenlateinAugust。

"MyownandbelovedJulia，"Yourlettersaretheonlyconsolationthatmyanxiousheartcanknowinthedrearysolitudeofthisplace。Oh！myfriend，howwouldyourtenderheartbleeddidyoubutknowtheleastofmysufferings;buttheyareallrequitedbythedelightfulanticipationsofPark-Place。Ihopeyourdearaunthasnotfounditnecessarytolaydownhercarriageinthechangeofthetimes：writemeinyournextaboutit。Antoniohasbeenhereagain，andhesolicitedanaudiencewithmeinprivate——ofcourseIgrantedit，forfriendshiphallowsallthatisdoneunderitsmantle。Itwasamoonlightnight——

mildLunasheddingabalmylightonsurroundingobjects，and，ifpossible，renderingmyheartmoresensitivethanever。Onesolitaryglimmeringstarshowedbyitspalyquiveringstheimpressofevening，whilenotacloudobscuredthevastfirmamentofheaven。OnsuchaneveningAntoniocoulddonothingbutconverseofmyabsentfriend;

hedweltontheindescribablegraceofyourperson，thelustreofyoureye，andthevermilionofyourlips，untilexhaustedlanguagecouldfurnishnomoreepithetsofrapture：thenthetransitiontoyourmindwasnaturalandeasy;anditwaswhilelisteningtohishoniedaccentsthatIthoughtmyJuliaherselfwastalking。

"Softasthedewsfromheavendescend，hisgentleaccentsfell。"

Ah，Julia！nothingbutastrongpre-possession，andmyfriendshipforyou，couldremovethedangerofsuchascene。Yes！friendofmyheart，Imustacknowledgemyweakness。ThereisayouthinNew-York，whohaslongbeenmasterofmytoosensitiveheart，andwithouthimlifewillbeaburthen。Cruelfatedividesusnow，butwheninvitedbyyouraunttoPark-Place，Oh，raptureunutterable！IshallbenearmyRegulus。This，surely，isallthatcanbewantingtostimulatemyJuliatogettheinvitationfromheraunt。AntoniosaysthatifIgotothecitythisfall，hewillhovernearmeontheroadtoguardthefriendofJulia;

andthathewilleagerlyavailhimselfofmypresencetoseekhersociety。Iamcalledfrommydelightfuloccupationbyoneofmytroublesomesisters，whowishesmetoassistherinsometrifleorother。Makemymostprofoundrespectstoyourdear，goodaunt，andbelievemeyourowntruefriend，ANNA。"

{Regulus=prince}

AtlengthJuliathoughtshehadmadethediscoveryofAnna’sreasonforherevidentdesiretospendthewinterintown——likeherself，herfriendhadbecomethevictimofthesoftpassion，andfromthatmomentJuliadeterminedthatKatherineEmmersonmustseekanotherresidence，inorderthatAnnamightbreathelove’satmosphere。HowmuchadesiretoseeAntoniogovernedthisdecision，wecannotsay，butwearecertainthat，ifintheleast，Juliawasherselfignorantofthepower。Withher，itseemedtobetheresultofpure，disinterested，andconfidingfriendship。Inanswer，ourheroinewroteasfollows：

"MybelovedAnna，"Yourkind，consolatorylettersarecertainlythesolaceofmylife。Ah！Anna，Ihavelongthoughtthatsomeimportantsecretlayheavyatyourheart。

Theincoherencyofyourletters，andcertainthingstootriflingtomention，hadmademesuspectthatsomeunusualcalamityhadbefallenyou。YoudonotmentionwhoRegulusis。Iamburningwithcuriositytoknow，althoughIdoubtnotbutheiseverywayworthyofyourchoice。

"Ihaveinvainrunoverinmymindeveryyoungmanthatweknow，butnotoneofthemthatIcanfindhasanyofthequalitiesofahero。Dorelievemycuriosityinyournext，andImayhaveitinmypowertowriteyousomethingofhismovements。

Oh！Anna，whywillyoudwellonthenameofAntonio——IamsureIoughtnottolistenasIdotowhathesays——andwhenwemeet，Iamafraidthathewillnotfindalltheattractionswhichyourtoopartialfriendshiphasportrayed。Ifheshouldbethusdisappointed，Oh！Anna——Anna——whatwouldbecomeofyourfriend——ButIwillnotdwellanthehorrididea。CharlesWestonisyethere，andKatherineEmmersontoo;sothatbutforthethoughtsofmyabsentAnna，andperhapsalittleuneasinessonthesubjectofAntonio，Imightbeperfectlyhappy。YouknowhowgoodandfriendlyKatherineis，andreallyCharlesdoesallinhispowertoplease。Ifhewereonlyalittlemoreheroical，hewouldbeacharmingyoungman：foralthoughheisnotveryhandsome，Idon’tthinkyounoticeitintheleastwhenyouareintimatewithhim。PoorCharles，hewasterriblymortifiedabouttheflashoflightning——butthenallarenotbravealike。Adieu，myAnna——andifyoudoconversemorewithacertainpersonabout，youknowwhom，letitbewithdiscretion，oryoumayraiseexpectationsshewillnotequal。YourownJULIA。"

"P。S。IhadalmostforgottentosaythataunthaspromisedmethatIcanaskyoutostaywithus，if，afterthe20thSeptember，Iwishit，asyoumaybesurethatIwill。Auntkeepshercarriageyet，andI

hopewillneverwantitinheroldage。"

Aboutthetimethisletterwaswritten，MissEmmersonmadebothofherniecesacquaintedwiththepromisedprojectthatwastogivethemtheagreeablesurprise：——shehadlongcontemplatedgoingtosee"theFalls，"andshenowintendedputtingherplanintoexecution。Katherinewasherselfpressedtomakeoneoftheparty，buttheyounglady，atthesametimesheownedherwishtoseethisfar-famedcataract，declinedtheofferfirmly，butgratefully，onaccountofherdesiretospendtheremainingtimewithherfatherandmother，beforetheywenttothesouth。CharlesWestonlookedfromKatherinetoJuliaduringthisdialogue，andforaninstantwasatalosstoknowwhichhethoughtthehandsomestofthecousins。

ButJuliaenteredintothefeelingsoftheotherssoquickly，andsogracefullyofferedtogiveupthejourney，inorderthatMissEmmersonmightcontinuewithherbrother，that，aidedbyhersuperiorbeauty，shetriumphed。Itwasevident，thatconsiderationforherniecewasastronginducementwiththeauntformakingthejourney，andthecontestbecameasdisinterestedasitwaspleasingtotheauditors。ButtheauthorityofMissEmmersonprevailed，andCharleswasinstantlyenlistedastheirescortforthejourney。Julianeverlookedmorebeautifuloramiablethanduringthisshortcontroversy。IthadbeenmentionedbytheauntthatsheshouldtakethehouseofMr。Millerinherroad，andtheinformationexcitedanemotionthatbroughtallherlustretohereyes，andbloomtohercheeks。Charlesthoughtitwasaburstofgenerousfriendship，andadmiredtheself-denialwithwhichsheurgedheraunttorelinquishtheidea。ButJuliawasconstitutionallygenerous，anditwastheexcessofthequalitythatmadeherenthusiasticandvisionary。IfshedidnotdeserveallofCharles’sadmiration，shewasentitledtonosmallshareofit。Assoonasthequestionwasdeterminedinfavourofgoing，MissEmmersonandKatherinewithdrew，leavingCharlesalonewiththeheroineofourtale。Undertheageoffive-and-

twenty，mencommonlyactattheinstigationofsuddenimpulse，andyoungWestonwasnotyettwenty-one。HehadlongadmiredJuliaforherbeautyandgoodfeelings;hedidnotseeonehalfofherfolly，andheknewallofherworth;herenthusiasticfriendshipforMissMillerwasforgotten;evenhermirthathisownwantofheroismhadatthemomentescapedhismemory——

andthepoweroftheyoungladyoverhimwasnevergreater。

"Howadmirableinyou，Julia，"hesaid，seatinghimselfbyherside，"tourgewhatwasagainstyourownwishes，inordertoobligeyouraunt！"

"Doyouthinkso，Charles？"saidtheothersimply;

"butyouseeIurgeditfeebly，forIdidnotprevail。"

"No，foryoumistookyouraunt’swishes，itseems：

shedesirestogo——butthenallthelovelinessoftheactwasyours。"

Atthewordloveliness，Juliaraisedhereyestohisfacewithaslightblush——itwasnewlanguageforCharlesWestontouse，anditwasjustsuitedtoherfeelings。Afteramoment’spause。however，shereplied——

"Youusestronglanguage，cousinCharles，suchasisunusualforyou。"

"Julia，althoughImaynotoftenhaveexpressedit，Ihavelongthoughtyoutobeverylovely！"

exclaimedtheyoungman，borneawaywithhisardouratthemoment。

"Uponmyword，Charles，youimprove，"saidJulia，blushingyetmoredeeply，and，ifpossible，lookingstillhandsomerthanbefore。

"Julia——MissWarren——youtearmysecretfrommebeforeitstime——Iloveyou，Julia，andwouldwishtomakeyoumywife。"

ThiswascertainlyveryplainEnglish，nordidJuliamisunderstandasyllableofwhathesaid——butitwasentirelynewandunexpectedtoher;shehadlivedwithCharlesWestonwiththeconfidenceofakinswoman，buthadneverdreamtofhimasalover。

Indeed，shesawnothinginhimthatlookedlikeabeingtoexciteortoentertainsuchapassion;andalthoughfromthemomentofhisdeclarationshebeganinsensiblytothinkdifferentlyofhim，nothingwasfartherfromhermindthantoreturnhisofferedaffection。Butthentheopportunityofmakingasacrificetohersecretlovewasglorious，andherfranknessforbadehertoconcealthetruth。Indeed，whatbetterwaywastheretodestroytheunhappypassionofCharles，thantoconvincehimofitshopelessness？Thesethoughtsflashedthroughhermindwiththerapidityoflightning——andtremblingwiththeagitationandnoveltyofhersituation，sheansweredinalowvoice——

"That，Charles，canneverbe。"

"Whynever，Julia？"criedtheyouth，givingwayatoncetohislong-suppressedfeelings——"whynever？

Tryme，proveme！thereisnothingIwillnotdotogainyourlove。"

Oh！howseductivetoafemaleearisthefirstdeclarationofanattachment，especiallywhenurgedbyyouthandmerit！——itassailsherheartinthemostvulnerablepart，andifitbenotfortifiedunusuallywell，seldomfailsofsuccess。HappilyforJulia，theimageofAntoniopresenteditselftosaveherfrominfidelitytoheroldattachment，andshereplied——

"Youarekindandgood，Charles，andIesteemyouhighly——butasknomore，Ibegofyou。"

"Why，ifyougrantmethis，whyforbidmetohopeformore？"saidtheyoutheagerly，andlookingreallyhandsome。

Juliahesitatedamoment，andletherdarkeyesfallbeforehisardentgaze，atalosswhattosay——butthefaceofApollointheimperialuniforminterposedtosaveher。

"Ioweittoyourcandour，Mr。Weston，toownmyweakness——"shesaid，andhesitated。

"Goon，Julia——myJulia，"saidCharles，inanunusuallysoftvoice;"killmeatonce，orbidmelive！"

AgainJuliapaused，andagainshelookedonhercompanionwithkindereyesthanusual——whenshefeltthepicturewhichlaynextherheart，andproceeded——

"Yes，Mr。Weston，thisheart，thisfoolish，weakheartisnolongermyown。"

"How！"exclaimedCharles，inastonishment，"andhaveIthenarival，andasuccessfulonetoo？"

"Youhave，"saidJulia，buryingherfaceinherhandstoconcealherblushes。——"But，Mr。Weston，onyourgenerosityIdependforsecrecy——beasgenerousasmyself。"

"Yes——yes——Iwillconcealmymiseryfromothers，"

criedCharles，springingonhisfeetandrushingfromtheroom;"wouldtoGodIcouldconcealitfrommyself！"

Juliawassensiblytouchedwithhisdistress，andforaninstanttherewassomeregretmingledwithself-

satisfactionatherowncandour——butthenthedelightfulreflectionsoonpresenteditselfofthegratitudeofAntoniowhenhelearnthergenerousconduct，andherself-denialinfavourofamanwhomshehadasyetneverseen。——Atthesametimeshewasresolutelydeterminednevertomentiontheoccurrenceherself——noteventoherAnna。

MissEmmersonwasenabledtodiscoversomesecretuneasinessbetweenCharlesandJulia，althoughshewasbynomeansabletopenetratethesecret。Thegoodaunthadlonganxiouslywishedforjustsuchadeclarationashadbeenmadetoherniece，anditwasoneofthelastofherapprehensionsthatitwouldnothavebeenfavourablyreceived。Ofsimpleandplainhabitsherself，MissEmmersonwasbutlittleversedinthehumanheart;shethoughtthatJuliawasevidentlyhappyandpleasedwithheryoungkinsman，andsheconsideredhimineveryrespectamosteligibleconnexionforhercharge：theirjointfortuneswouldmakeanampleestate，andtheywerealikeaffectionateandgood-tempered——whatmorecouldbewanting？Nothinghoweverpassedinthefutureintercourseoftheyoungcoupletobetraytheirsecrets，andMissEmmersonsoonforgothersurmises。CharleswasmuchhurtatJulia’savowal，andhadinvainpuzzledhisbrainstodiscoverwhohisrivalcouldbe。Noyoungmanthatwasintheleast（sohethought）suitabletohismistress，visitedher，andhegaveuphisconjecturesindespairofdiscoveringthisunknownlover，untilaccidentordesignshoulddrawhimintonotice。

Littledidhesuspectthetruth。Ontheotherhand，JuliaspenthersecrethoursinthedelightfulconsciousnessofhavingnowdonesomethingthatrenderedherworthyofAntonio，withoccasionalregretthatshewascompelledbydelicacyandlovetorefuseCharlessohastilyasshehaddone。

Verysoonafterthisembarrassingexplanation，Juliareceivedaletterfromherfriendthatwasinnowaydistinguishablefromtherest，exceptthatitcontainedtherealnameofRegulus，whichshedeclaredtobeHenryFrederickSt。Albans。IfCharleswasatalosstodiscoverJulia’shiddenlove，JuliaherselfwasequallyuncertainhowtoknowwhothisMr。St。Albanswas。Afteravastdealofmusing，sherememberedthatAnnawasabsentfromschoolwithoutleaveoneevening，andhadreturnedalonewithayoungmanwhowasunknowntothemistress。Thisincidentwassaid，bysome，tohavecompletedhereducationratherwithintheusualtime。Juliahadherselfthoughtherfriendindiscreet，butonthewhole，hardlytreated——andtheylefttheschooltogether。ThismusthavebeenSt。Albans，andAnnastoodfullyexculpatedinhereyes。Theletteralsoannouncedtheflatteringfact，thatAntoniohadalreadyleftthecountry，orderinghisservantsandhorseshome，andthathehadgonetoNew-YorkwiththeintentionofhoveringaroundJulia，inamask，thatshecouldnotpossiblyremove，duringthedangersoftheirexpectedjourney。AnnaacknowledgedthatshehadbetrayedAntonio’ssecret，butpleadedherdutytoherfriendinjustification。ShedidnotthinkthatJuliawouldbeabletopenetratehisdisguise，ashehaddeclaredhisintentionssotoconcealhimself，bypaintandartifice，astobeabletoescapedetection。Herewasanewsourceofpleasuretoourheroine：Antoniowasalreadyonthewingforthecity，perhapsarrived——nay，mighthaveseenher，mightevennowbewithinashortdistanceofthesummer-housewhereshewassittingatthetime，andwatchinghermovements。Asthisideasuggesteditself，Juliastarted，andunconsciouslyarrangingherhair，bybringingforwardaneglectedcurl，movedwithtremblingstepstowardsthedwelling。Ateachturnofthewalkourheroinethrewatimideyearoundinquestofanunknownfigure，andmorethanoncefanciedshesawthefaceofthegodofmusicpeeringatherfromthefriendlycovertofheraunt’sshrubbery——andtwiceshemistookthelightgreenofaneighbouringcornfield，wavinginthewind，forthecoatofAntonio。Juliahadsolongassociatedtheideaofherherowiththeimageinherbosom，thatshehadgivenitperfectidentity;

but，onmorematurereflection，shewasconvincedofhererror：hewouldcomedisguised，Annahadtoldher，andhadorderedhisservantshome;wherethathomewas，Juliawasleftinignorance——butsheferventlyhoped，notfarremovedfromherbelovedaunt。Theideaofaseparationfromthisaffectionaterelative，whohadprovedamothertoherinherinfancy，gavegreatpaintoherbestfeelings;andJuliaagaininternallyprayedthattheresidenceofAntoniomightnotbefardistant。——

Whatthedisguiseofherloverwouldbe，Juliacouldnotimagine——probably，thatofawanderingharper：

butthensherememberedthattherewerenoharpersinAmerica，andtheverysingularitymightbetrayhissecret。Musicisthe"foodoflove，"andJuliafanciedforamomentthatAntoniomightappearasanitinerantorganist——butitwasonlyforamoment;forassoonasshefiguredtoherselftheApolloform，bendingundertheawkwardloadofamusic-grinder，sheturnedindisgustfromthepicture。Histaste，thoughtJuliawillprotectmefromsuchasight——shemighthaveadded，hisconveniencetoo。Variousdisguisespresentedthemselvestoourheroine，until，onaviewofthewholesubject，sheconcludedthatAntoniowouldnotappearasamusicianatall，butinsomecapacityinwhichhemightcontinueunsuspected，nearherperson，andexecutehisprojectofshieldingherfromthedangersoftravelling。Itwasthenonlyasaservantthathecouldappear，and，aftermaturereflection，Juliaconfidentlyexpectedtoseehiminthecharacterofacoachman。

Willingtospareherownhorses，MissEmmersonhadalreadysenttothecityforthekeeperofalivery-stable，tocomeoutandcontractwithherforatravellingcarriage，toconveyhertotheFallsofNiagara。Themancame，anditisnowonderthatJulia，underherimpressions，chosetobepresentattheconversation。

"Wellthen，"saidMissEmmersontotheman，"Iwillpayyouyourprice，butyoumustfurnishmewithgoodhorsestomeetmeatAlbany——rememberthatItakealltheuselessexpensebetweenthetwocities，thatImayknowwhomitisIdealwith。"

"MissEmmersonoughttoknowmeprettywellbythistime，"saidtheman;"Ihavedrivenherenough，Ithink。"

"Andadriver，"continuedthelady，musing，"whoamItohaveforadriver？"HereJuliabecameallattention，tremblingandblushingwithapprehension。

"Oh，adriver！"criedthehorse-dealer;"Ihavegotyouanexcellentdriver，oneofthefirstchopinthecity。"

{firstchop=firstrank，highestquality}

Althoughthesewerenotthetermsthatourheroinewouldhaveusedherselfinspeakingofthispersonage，yetshethoughttheyplainlyindicatedhissuperiority，andshewaitedinfeverishsuspensetohearmore。

"Hemustbesteady，andcivil，andsober，andexpert，andtender-hearted，"saidMissEmmerson，whothoughtofanythingbutaheroindisguise。

"Yes——yes——yes——yes——yes，"repliedthestable-

keeper，noddinghisheadandspeakingateachrequisite，"heisallthat，IcanengagetoMissEmmerson。"

"Andhiseyesightmustbegood，"continuedthelady，deeplyintentonprovidingwellforherjourney;"wemayridelateintheevening，anditisparticularlyrequisitethathehavegoodeyes。"

"Yes——yes，ma’am，"saidtheman，inalittleembarrassmentthatdidnotescapeJulia;"hehasasgoodaneyeasanymaninAmerica。"

"Ofwhatageishe？"askedMissEmmerson。

"Aboutfifty，"repliedtheman，thinkingyearswouldhearecommendation。

"Fifty！"exclaimedJulia，inatoneofdisappointment。

"’Tistooold，"saidMissEmmerson;"heshouldheabletoundergofatigue。"

"Well，Imaybemistaken——Oh，hecan’tbemorethanforty，orthirty，"continuedtheman，watchingthecountenanceofJulia;"heisamanthatlooksmucholderthanheis。"

"Ishestrongandactive？"

"Iguessheis——he’sasstrongasanox，andactiveasacat，"saidtheother，determinedheshouldpass。

"Well，then，"saidtheaunt，inhersatisfiedway，"leteverythingbereadyforusinAlbanybynextTuesday。WeshallleavehomeonMonday。"

Themanwithdrew。

Juliahadheardenough——foroxshehadsubstitutedHercules，andforcat，shereadthefeatheredMercury。

CHAPTERV。

THElongexpectedMondayatlengtharrived，andMissEmmersonandJulia，takinganaffectionateleaveoftheirrelativesinthecity，wentonboardthesteam-boatundertheprotectionofCharlesWeston。Hereanewsceneindeedopenedonourheroine;forsometimesheevenforgottolookaroundherinthethronginquestofAntonio。Astheboatglidedalongthestream，shestoodleaningononearmofCharles，whileMissEmmersonheldtheother，indelightedgazeattheobjects，whichtheyhadscarcelydistinguishedbeforetheywerepassed。

"See，dearCharles，"criedJulia，inaburstofwhatshewouldcallnaturalfeeling——"thereisourhouse——

herethesummerhouse，andtherethelittlearbourwhereyoureadtouslastweekScott’snewnovel——

howdelightful！everythingnowseemsandfeelslikehome。"

"Woulditwereahomeforusall，"saidCharles，gentlypressingherarminhisown，andspeakingonlytobeheardbyJulia，"thenshouldIbehappyindeed。"

JuliathoughtnomoreofAntonio;butwhileherdelightedeyerestedonthewellknownscenesaroundtheirhouse，and{as}shestoodintheworld，forthefirsttime，leaningonCharles，shethoughthimevennearerthantheirintimacyandconsanguinitymadethem。Buttheboatwasfamousforherspeed，andthehouse，garden，andeverythingJuliaknew，weresoonoutofsight，andshe，byaccident，touchingthepicturewhichshehadencasedinanoldgoldsettingofhermother’s，andlodgedinherbosom，wasimmediatelyrestoredtoherformersenseofthings。Thenhereyeglancedrapidlyroundtheboat，butdiscoveringnofacewhichintheleastresembleddisguise，sheabandonedtheexpectationofmeetingherloverbeforetheyreachedAlbany。Herbeautydrewmanyaneyeonher，however，andcatchingthesteadyandadmiringgazeofoneortwoofthegentlemen，Julia’sheartbeat，andherfacewascoveredwithblushes。

ShewasbynomeanssurethatAntoniowouldappearasacoachman——thiswasmerelyasuggestionofherown;andtheideathathemightpossiblybeoneofthegazers，coveredherwithconfusion：herblushesdrewstillmoreattentionandadmirationuponher;andwecannotsaywhatmighthavebeentheresultofherfascinations，hadnotCharlesatthisinstantapproachedthem，andpointingtoaslooptheywerepassingatthetime，exclaimed——

"See，madam——see，Julia——thereisourtravellingequipageonboardthatsloop，goinguptomeetusinAlbany。"

Ourheroinelookedasdirected，andsawavesselmovingwithtolerablerapidityuptheriver，withinashortdistancefromthem。Onitsdeckwereatravellingcarriageandapairofhorses，andbythelatterstoodamanwho，bythewhipinhishead，wasevidentlythedriver。Hisstaturewastallandathletic;hiscomplexiondarktonearblackness;hisfacewasburiedinwhiskers;andhisemployerhadspokenthetruthwhenhesaidhehadasgoodaneyeasanymeninAmerica——itwaslarge，black，andmightbepiercing。Butthenhehadbutone——atleasttheplacewheretheotheroughttobe，wascoveredbyanenormouspatchofgreensilk。ThisthenwasAntonio。Itistrue，hedidnotresembleApollo，buthisdisguisealteredhimsothatitwasdifficulttodetermine。AstheyMovedslowlybythevessel，thedriverrecognisedCharles，havinghadaninterviewwithhimthedaybefore，andsalutedhimwithalowbow——hissalutationwasnoticedbytheyoungman，whoslightlytouchedhishat，andgavehimafamiliarnodinreturn——Julia，unconsciously，bentherbody，andfelthercheeksglowwithconfusionassheroseagain。Shecouldnotmusterresolutiontoraisehereyestowardsthesloop，butbyakindofinstinctivecoquetrydraggedhercompaniontotheothersideoftheboat。Assoonasshewasabletorecoverhercomposure，Juliarevolvedinhermindthescenewhichhadjustoccurred。ShehadseenAntonio——everythingabouthimequalledherexpectations——evenatthedistance，shehadeasilydiscernedthenobledignityofhismanners——hiseyegaveassuranceofhisconsciousworth——hisveryattitudewasthatofagentleman。Nottoknowhimforamanofbirth，ofeducationandoffortune，Juliafelttoherwouldbeimpossible;andshetrembledlestothers，asdiscerningasherself，shoulddiscoverhisdisguise，andsheinconsequencebecoveredwithconfusion。

Sheearnestlyhopedhisincog。wouldeverremainunknown，forherdelicacyshrunkatthepublicityandnotorietywhichwouldthenattendhisattachment。Itwascertainlydelightfultobeloved，andsoloved——tobeattended，andsoattended;buttheheartofJuliawastoounpractisedtorelishthelaughandobservationsofamalignantworld。"No，myAntonio，"shebreathedinternally，"hoveraroundme，shieldmefromimpendingdangers，delightmewithyourpresence，andenchantmewithyoureye;

butclaimmeintheguiseofagentlemanandahero，thatnoenvioustonguemayprobethesecretsofourlove，noranyprofanescofferridiculethosesensitivepleasuresthatheistoounsentimentaltoenjoy。"Withthese，andsimilarthoughts，didJuliaoccupyherself，untilCharlespointedouttoherthemajesticentrancetotheHighlands。Ourheroine，whowastrulyalivetoallthecharmsofnature，gazedwithraptureastheboatplungedbetweenthemountainsoneitherhand，andturnedawistfulgazedowntheriver，inthevainhopethatAntoniomight，atthesamemoment，beenjoyingthescene——butthesluggishsloopwasnowfarbehind，andtheeyeofAntonio，brightasitwas，couldnotpiercethedistance。Juliafeltratherrelievedthanotherwise，whenthevesselwhichcontainedherherowashidfromviewbyamountainthattheydoubled。Herfeelingsweremuchlikethoseofagirlwhohadlonganxiouslywaitedthedeclarationofafavouriteyouth，hadreceivedit，andacknowledgedherownpartiality。Shefeltalltheassuranceofherconquest，andwouldgladly，foratime，avoidtheshameofherownacknowledgment。ThepassageuptheHudsonfurnishesinitselfsomuchtocharmtheeyeofanovice，thatnonebutoneundertheextraordinarycircumstancesofourheroine，couldhavebeheldthebeautiesoftheriverunmoved。IfJuliadidnotexperiencequiteasmuchraptureinthejourneyasshehadanticipated，sheattributedittotheremarkablydelicatesituationshewasinwithherlover，andpossiblytoadreadofhisbeingdetected。Anofficerofhisrankandreputationmustbewellknown，thoughtshe，andhemaymeetwithacquaintanceseverywhere。However，bytheattentionofCharles，shepassedthedaywithaverytolerableproportionofpleasure。TheirarrivalatAlbanywasundistinguishedbyanyremarkableevent，thoughJulialookedinvainthroughthedarknessofthenight，inquestofthefertilemeadowsanddesertislandswhichAnnahadmentionedinherletter。Eventheriverseemedstraightanduninteresting。ButJuliawastired——itwasnight——andAntoniowasabsent。

ThefollowingmorningMissEmmersonandherniece，attendedbyCharles，tookawalktoexaminethebeautiesofAlbany。Itdidnotstrikeourheroineasbeingsopicturesqueasithadherfriend;stillithadnovelty，andthatlentitmanycharmsitmighthavewantedonamoreintimateacquaintance。

Theirforenoon，however，exhaustedthebeautiesofthischarmingtown，andtheyhadreturnedtotheinn，andtheladiesweresittinginratheralistlessstatewhenCharlesenteredtheroomwithalookofpleasure，andcried"heishere。"

"Who！"exclaimedJulia，starting，andtremblinglikeanaspen。

"He！——Tony，"saidCharles，inreply。

Juliawasunabletosayanymore;butheraunt，withoutnoticingheragitation，askedmildly，"AndwhoisTony？"

"WhyAnthony，thedriver——heishereandwishestoseeyou。"

"Showhimup，Charles，andletuslearnwhenhewillbereadytogoon。"

ThiswasanawfulmomenttoJulia——shewasontheeveofbeingconfronted，inaroom，forthefirsttime，withthemanonwhomshefeltthatherhappinessormiserymustdepend。Althoughsheknewthevastimportancetoherofgoodlooksatsuchamoment，shelookedunusuallyill——shewaspalefromapprehension，andawkwardandungracefulfromheragitation。Shewouldhavegiventheworldtohavegotoutoftheroom，butthiswasimpossible——therewasbutonedoor，andthroughthathemustcome。Shehadjustconcludedthatitwasbettertoremaininherchairthanincurtheriskoffaintinginthepassage，whenheentered，precededbyCharles。Hisupper，andpartofhislowerlip，werecleanshaved;asmallpartofonecheekandhisnoseweretobeseen;alltherestofhisfacewascoveredwithhair，orhidunderthepatch。Anenormouscolouredhandkerchiefwastied，inaparticularmanner，roundhisneck;andhiscoat，madeofplainmaterials，andsomewhattarnishedwithservice，wasbuttonedasclosetohisthroatasthehandkerchiefwouldallow。Inshort，hiswholeattirewasthatofacommondriverofahackcarriage;andnoonewhohadnotpreviouslyreceivedanintimationthathischaracterwasdifferentfromhisappearance，wouldatallhavesuspectedthedeception。

"YournameisAnthony？"saidMissEmmerson，ashebowedtoherwithduedeference。

"Yes，ma’am，Anthony——TonySandford，"wasthereply——itwasutteredinavulgarnasaltone，thatJuliainstantlyperceivedwascounterfeited：butMissEmmerson，withperfectinnocency，proceededinherinquiries。

"Areyourhorsesgentleandgood，Tony？"adoptingthefamiliarnomenclaturethatseemedmosttohisfancy。

"Asgentlease’eraladyintheland，"saidTony，turninghislargeblackeyeroundtheroom，andlettingitdwellamomentonthebeautifulfaceofJulia——herheartthrobbedwithtumultuousemotionatthefirstsoundofhisvoice，andshewashighlyamusedattheingenuityhehaddisplayed，inpayingacharacteristiccomplimenttohergentleness，inthisclandestinemanner——ifhepreserveshisincognitosoingeniouslyhewillneverbedetected，thoughtJulia，andallwillbewell。

"Andthecarriage，"continuedMissEmmerson，"isitfittocarryus？"

"Ican’tsayhowfititmaybetocarrysichladiesasyoube，butitisasgoodacarriageasrunsoutofYork。"

Herewasanotherdelicatecompliment，thoughtJulia，andsoartfullyconcealedunderbrutalindifferencethatitnearlydeceivedevenherself。

"Whenwillyoubereadytostart？"askedMissEmmerson。

"Thismoment，"wasthepromptreply——"wecaneasilyreachSchenectadybysundown。"

HereJuliasawthedecisionandpromptitudeofasoldierusedtomarchesandmovements，besidesaneagerdesiretoremoveherfromthebustleofalargetownandthoroughfare，toaretirementwhereshewouldbemoreparticularlyunderhisprotection。

MissEmmerson，ontheotherhand，sawnothingbuttheanxietyofacarefulhireling，willingtopromotetheinterestofhismaster，whowastobepaidforhisconveyancebythejob——sodifferentlydosixtyandsixteenjudgethesameactions！Atallevents，theofferwasaccepted，andthemanorderedtosecurethebaggage，andpreparefortheirimmediatedeparture。

"Whydon’tyouhelpAntonioonwiththebaggage，Charles？"saidJulia，asshestoodlookingatthedrivertotteringundertheweightofthetrunks。

Charlesstaredamomentwithsurprise——thenamecreatednoastonishment，buttherequestdid。Juliahadahabitofsofteningnames，thatwereratherharshinthemselves，towhichhewasaccustomed。

PetershecalledPierre;RobertwasRubert{sic};

andheraunt’sblackfootmanTimothy，shehaddesignatedasTimotheus：butitwasnotusualforladiestorequestgentlementoperformmenialoffices——until，recollectingthatJuliahadexpressedunusualsolicitudeconcerningadressing-boxthatcontainedAnna’sletters，heatoncesupposeditwastothatshewishedhimtoattend。Charleslefttheroom，andsuperintendedthewholearrangements，whenonceenlisted。Julianowfeltthateverydoubtoftheidentityofherloverwiththiscoachmanwasremoved。HehadingeniouslyadoptedthenameofAnthony，asresemblinginsoundtheonesheherselfhadgivenhiminherletters。ThisheundoubtedlyhadlearntfromAnna——

andthenSandfordwasverymuchlikeStanley——hispatch，hisdress，hisair——everythingabouthimunitedtoconfirmherimpressions;andJulia，atthesametimesheresolvedtoconductherselftowardshimintheirjourneywithaproperfemininereserve，thoughtshecoulddonolesstoamanwhosubmittedtosomuchtoserveher，thantosufferhimtoperceivethatshewasnotentirelyinsensibletotheobligation。

OurheroinecouldnotbutadmiretheknowingmannerwithwhichAntoniotookhisseatonthecarriage，andthedexterityhediscoveredinthemanagementofhishorses——thiswasinfallibleevidenceofhisacquaintancewiththeanimal，andasuresignthathewasthemasterofmany，andhadlongbeenaccustomedtotheirservice。Perhaps，thoughtJulia，hehasbeenanofficerofcavalry。

Intheconstantexcitementproducedbyhersituation，Juliacouldnotenterintoallthefeelingsdescribedbyherfriend，duringtheridetoSchenectady。Itsbeautiesmightbemelancholy，butcouldshebemelancholy，andAntoniosonear？Thepinesmightbesilveryandlofty，buttheproudstatureofmajesticman，eclipsedinhereyesalltheirbeauties。NotsoCharles。Heearlybegantolavishhisabuseonthesterilegroundstheypassed，andgaveanythingbutencomiumsonthesmoothnessoftheroadtheyweretravelling。Inthelatterparticular，eventhequietspiritofMissEmmersonjoinedhim，andJuliaherselfwasoccasionallymadesensiblethatshewasnotreposing"onabedofroses。"

{sterilegrounds=thesandy"pinebarrens"

betweenAlbanyandSchenectadywerenotoriousfortheirlackofscenicbeauty}

"DoIdrivetoofastfortheladies？"askedAntonio，onhearingaslightcomplaintandafaintscreaminthesoftvoiceofJulia。Oh，howconsiderateheis！

thoughtourheroine——howtender！——withouthiscareIcertainlyshouldhavebeenkilledinthisrudeplace。Itwasexpectedthatasshehadcomplained，shewouldanswer;andafteramomentemployedinrallyinghersensesfortheundertaking，sherepliedinavoiceofbreathingmelody——

"Oh！no，Antonio，youareveryconsiderate。"

ForaworldJuliacouldnothavesaidmore;andMissEmmersonthoughtthatshehadsaidquiteasmuchastheoccasionrequired;butMissEmmerson，itwillberemembered，supposedtheirdrivertobeAnthonySandford。Thehero，himself，onhearingsuchagentlevoicesosoftlyreplyingtohisquestion，couldnotrefrainfromturninghisfaceintothecarriage，andJuliafeltherowneyeslowerbeforehisearnestgaze，whilehercheeksburnedwiththeblushesthatsuffusedthem。Butthelookspokevolumes——heunderstandsmy"Antonio，"

thoughtJulia，andperceivesthat，tome，heisnolongerunknown。Thatexpressiveglancehasopenedbetweenusacommunicationthatwillceasebutwithourlives。Julianowenjoyed，fortheremainderoftheirjourneytoMr。Miller’s，oneofthegreatestpleasuresoflove——unsuspectedbyothers，shecouldholdcommunionwithhimwhohadherheart，bytheeyes，andathousandtenderandnamelesslittleofficeswhichgiveinteresttoaffection，andzesttopassion。

Theyhadnowgothalfwaybetweenthetwocities，andCharlestookaseatbythesideofthedriver，withtheintention，asheexpressedhimself，ofstretchinghislegs：thecarriagewasopenandlight，sothatallofthefiguresofthetwoyoungmencouldbeseenbytheladies，aswellastheirconversationheard。Charlesneverappearedtolessadvantageinhisperson，thoughtJulia，thannow，seatedbythesideofthemanlyandnobleAntonio。

ThefigureofCharleswaslight，andbynomeanswithoutgrace;yetitdidnotstrikethefancyofourheroineassofittoshieldandsupportherthroughlife，asthemorerobustpersonofhiscompanion。

Juliaherselfwas，inform，thecounterpartofhermind——shewaslight，airy，andbeautifullysoftenedinallheroutlines。Itwasimpossibletomistakeherforanythingbutalady，andoneofthegentlestpassionsandsentiments。Shefeltherownweakness，andwouldreposeitonthemanlystrengthofAntonio。

"Whichdoyoucallthebestofyourhorses？"askedCharles，sosoonashehadgothimselfcomfortablyseated。

"Theoff——butbotharetrueassteel，"wasthelaconicreply。ThecomparisonwasnewtoJulia，anditevidentlydenotedamindaccustomedtothecontemplationofarms。

"Howlonghaveyoufollowedthebusinessofadriver，Tony？"saidCharles，inthecarelessmannerofagentlemanwhenhewishestointroducefamiliaritywithaninferior，byseemingtotakeaninterestintheother’saffairs。Juliafeltindignantatthefreedomofhismanner，andparticularlyattheepithetof"Tony"——yetherloverdidnotintheleastregardeither——orratherhismannerexhibitednosymptomsofdispleasure——hehasmadeuphismind，thoughtJulia，tosupporthisdisguise，anditisbestforusboththatheshould。

"EversinceIwassixteenIhavebeenusedtohorses，"wasthereplyofAntoniotothequestionofCharles——Juliasmiledattheambiguityoftheanswer，andwasconfirmedinherimpressionthathehadleftcollegeatthatagetoserveinthecavalry。

"Youmustunderstandthemwellbythistime，"

continuedCharles，glancinghiseyeathiscompanionasiftojudgeofhisyears——"Youmustbeforty"——JuliafidgetedalittleatthisguessofCharles，butsoonsatisfiedherselfwiththereflectionthathisdisguisecontributedtotheerror。

"Myageisverydeceiving，"saidtheman;"Ihaveseengreathardshipsinmytime，bothofbodyandmind。"

HereJuliacouldscarcelybreathethroughanxiety。

Everysyllablethatheutteredwasdevouredwitheagercuriositybytheenamouredgirl——heknewthatshewasalistener，andthatsheunderstoodhisdisguise;anddoubtlessmeant，inthatindirectmanner，toacquaintherwiththeincidentsofhislife。Itwasclearthatheindicatedhisagetobelessthanwhathisappearancewouldhaveledhertobelieve——hissufferings，hiscruelsufferingshadchangedhim。

"Thelifeofacoachmanisnothard，"saidCharles。

"No，sir，farfromit——butIhavenotbeenacoachmanallmylife。"

Nothingcouldbeplainerthanthis——itwasadirectassertionofhisdegradationbythebusinessinwhichhewasthenengaged。

"Inwhatmannerdidyouloseyoureye，Tony，"saidCharles，inatoneofsympathythatJuliablessedhimforinherheart，althoughsheknewthatthememberwasuninjured，andonlyhiddentofavourhisdisguise。Antoniohesitatedalittleinhisanswer，andstammeredwhilegivingit——"Itwasinthewars，"atlengthhegotout，andJuliaadmiredthenoblemagnanimitywhichwouldnotallowhim，eveninimagination，tosufferinalessgloriousmanner——notwithstandinghiseyeissafeandasbeautifulastheother，hehassufferedinthewars，thoughtourheroine，anditispardonableforhimtousethedeception，situatedasheis——itisnothingmorethananequivoque。ButthiswastouchingCharlesonafavouritechord。LittleofaheroasJuliafanciedhimtobe，hedelightedinconversingaboutthewarwiththosemen，who，havingactedinsubordinatestations，wouldgiveadifferentviewofthesubjectfromtheofficialaccounts，inwhichhewasdeeplyread。Itwasnowonder，therefore，thatheeagerlyseizedonthepresentopportunitytorelievethetediumofaridebetweenAlbanyandSchenectady。

{equivoque=doublemeaning，apun}

"Inwhatbattle，"askedCharles，quickly;"byseaorbyland？"

"Bysea，"saidAntonio，speakingtohishorses，withanevidentunwillingnesstosayanymoreonthesubject。

Ah！thedeception，andtheideaofhisfriendLawrence，aretoomuchforhissensibility，thoughtJulia;andtorelievehimsheaddressedCharlesherself。

"HowfararewefromSchenectady，cousinCharles？"

Antonio，certainly，wasnothercousinCharles;butasifhethoughttheansweringsuchquestionstobehispeculiarprovince，herepliedimmediately——

"Fourmiles，ma’am;there’sthestone。"

Therewasnothingintheansweritself，orthemannerofitsdelivery，toattractnoticeinanunsuspectinglistener;butbyJuliaitwaswellunderstood——itwasthefirsttimehehadeverspokendirectlytoherself——itwasaneweraintheirlives——andhisbodyturnedhalfroundtowardherashespoke，showedhismanlyformtogreatadvantage;buttheimpressiveanddignifiedmannerinwhichhedroppedhiswhiptowardsthemile-stone，Juliafeltthatshenevercouldforget——itwasintendedtomarkthespotwherehehadfirstaddressedher。Hehadchosenitwithtaste。Thestonestoodundertheshadeofasolitaryoak，andmighteasilybefanciedtobeamonumenterectedtocommemoratesomeimportanteventinthelivesofourlovers。Juliaranoverinhermindthetimewhensheshouldpayanannualvisittothathallowedplace，andleaningonthearmofhermajestichusband，murmurinhisear，"Here，onthislovedspot，didAntoniofirstaddresshishappy，thricehappyJulia。"

"Well，Tony，"saidthemildvoiceofMissEmmerson，"thesunisnearsetting，letusgothefourmilesasfastasyouplease。"

"I’msure，ma’am，"saidAntonio，withprofoundrespect，"youdon’twanttogetinmorethanIdo，forIhadnosleepalllastnight;I’llnotkeepyououtoneminuteafternight"——sosaying，heurgedhishorsestoafasttrot，andwasquiteusgoodashisword。Howdelicateinhisattentions，andyethowartfullyhasheconcealedhisanxietyonmyaccountunderafeigneddesireforsleep，thoughtJulia。

IfanythinghadbeenwantingeithertoconvinceJuliaofthetruthofherconjecture，ortosecuretheconquestofAntonio，ourheroinefeltthatthisshortridehadabundantlysuppliedit。

CHAPTERVI。

THEfollowingdayourtravellerswereontheroadbeforethesun，andbusilypursuedtheirroutethroughthedelightfulvalleyoftheMohawk。ItwasnowthatJulia，insomemeasureaccustomedtoherproximitytoherhero，begantoenjoythebeautiesofthescenery;hereyedweltwithraptureoneachopeningglimpsethattheycaughtoftheriver，andtookinitsgazemeadowsofnever-failingverdure，whichwerebeautifullyinterspersedwithelmsthatseemedcoevalwiththecountryitself。Occasionallyshewoulddrawtheattentionofheraunttosomeviewofparticularinterest;andifhereagervoicecaughttheattentionofAntonio，andheturnedtogaze，toponder，andtoadmire——thenJuliafelthappyindeed，forthenitwasthatshefelttheindescribableblissofsharingourpleasureswiththosewelove。Whatheartofsensibilityhasstoodandcoldlygazedonasceneoverwhichtheeye，thatitlovestoadmire，isrovingwithdelight？Whoistherethathasyettolearn，thatifthestrongestbondtoloveispropinquity，soisitstenderesttie，sympathy？Inthismannerdidourlovelyheroinepassadayofhithertountastedbliss。Antoniowouldfrequentlystophishorsesonthesummitofahill，andJuliaunderstoodthemotive;turningherlooksinthedirectioninwhichshesawtheeyeofherloverbent，shewouldsitinsilentandsecretcommunionwithhisfeelings。InvainCharlesendeavouredtocatchherattention——hisremarkswereunnoticed，andhissimpleeffortstopleasedisregarded。Atlength，astheyadvancedtowardsthecloseoftheirday’sride，Charles，observingamountainobtrudingitselfdirectlyacrosstheirpath，andmeetingtheriver，whichsweptwithgreatvelocityarounditsbase，criedaloudwithalaugh——

"Anthony，Iwishyouwouldremoveyournose！"

"Charles！"exclaimedJulia，shockedathisrudefamiliaritieswithamanofAntonio’selevatedcharacter。

"Poh！"saidtheyoungman，inanundertone，conceivinghersurprisetobeoccasionedbyhisloweringhimselftojokewithaninferior，"heisagood，honestfellow，anddon’tmindajokeatall，I

assureyou。"

Charleswasright，forAntonio，movinghisface，withalaughcriedinhisturn——"There，sir，mynoseismoved，butyoucan’tseenobetter，afterall。"

Juliawasamusedwithhiscondescension，whichshethoughtauguredperfectgood-natureandaffability。Afterall，thoughtJulia，ifnobleandcommandingqualitiesarenecessarytoexciteadmirationortocommandrespect，familiarvirtuesinduceustolovemoretenderly，andgoodtemperisabsolutelynecessarytocontributetoourcomfort。Onthewhole，shewasratherpleasedthanotherwise，thatAntoniocouldreceiveandreturnwhatwasevidentlyintendedforawitticism，althoughasyetshedidnotcomprehendit。ButCharlesdidnotleaveherlongindoubt。OnthenorthsideoftheMohawk，andataboutfiftymilesfromitsmouth，isamountainwhich，aswehavealreadysaid，juts，inanearlyperpendicularpromontory，intothebedoftheriver;itsinclinationissufficienttoadmitofitsreceivingthenameofanose。Withouttheleastintentionofalludingtoourhero，theearlysettlershadaffixedthenameofSt。

Anthony，whoappearstohavebeenakindofDutchdeityinthisstate，andtohavemonopolizedallthenaturalnoseswithinherboundariestohimself。Thevulgaridiommadethepronunciationan-TONY’snose——andallthisCharlesbrieflyexplainedtoMissEmmersonandherniecebywayofgivingpointtohisownwit。Hehadhardlymadethemcomprehendthefullbrilliancyandbeautyofhisapplicationofthemountaintotheirdriver，whentheyreachedthepassitself。Theroadwasbarelysufficienttosuffertwocarriagestomovebyeachotherwithouttouching，beingfromnecessitydugoutofthebaseofthemountain;aprecipiceofmanyfeetledtotheriver，whichwashighandturbulentatthetime;

therewasnorailingnoranyprotectiononthesidenextthewater——andinendeavouringtoavoidtheunprotectedsideoftheroad，twowagonshadmetashorttimebefore，andoneofthemlostawheelintheencounter——itsownerhadgonetoadistanceforassistance，leavingthevehiclewhereithadfallen。ThehorsesofAntonio，unaccustomedtosuchasight，werewithsomedifficultydrivenbytheloadedwagon，andwhennearlypasttheobject，tookasuddenfrightatitstop，whichwasflappinginthewind。AlltheskillandexertionsofAntoniotopreventtheirbackingwasuseless，andcarriageandhorseswouldinevitablyhavegoneoffthebanktogether，hadnotCharles，withadmirablepresenceofmind，openedadoor，andspringingout，placedabilletofwood，whichhadbeenusedasabaseforaleverinliftingthebrokenwagon，underoneofthewheels。ThischeckedthehorsesuntilAntoniohadtimetorallythem，and，byusingthewhipwithenergy，bringthemintotheroadagain。Hecertainlyshowedgreatdexterityasacoachman。But，unhappily，themovementofCharleshadbeenmisunderstoodbyJulia，and，throwingopenthedoor，withtheblindnessoffear，shesprangfromthecarriagealso：itwasonthesidenextthewater，andherfirstleapwasoverthebank;thehillwasnotperpendicular，buttoosteepforJuliatorecoverherbalance——andpartlyrunning，andpartlyfalling，theunfortunategirlwasplungedintotherapidriver。CharlesheardthescreamsofMissEmmerson，andcaughtaglimpseofthedressofJuliaasshesprangfromthecarriage。Herantothebankjustintimetoseeherfallintothewater。

{St。Anthony’sNose=thisincidentprobablyoccurredataplaceontheMohawkRivercalledtodayTheNoses，betweenFondaandPalatineBridge;thereisanotherSt。Anthony’sNoseontheHudsonRiver}

"Oh，God！"hecried，"Julia！——myJulia！"——and，withoutseemingtotouchtheearth，heflewdownthebank，andthrewhimselfheadlongintothestream。HisgreatexertionsandnervousarmssoonbroughthimalongsideofJulia，and，happilyforthemboth，aneddyinthewatersdrewthemtotheland。WithsomedifficultyCharleswasenabledtoreachtheshorewithhisburthen。

Juliawasnotinsensible，norintheleastinjured。

Herauntwassoonbyherside，andfoldingherinherarms，pouredoutherfeelingsinatorrentoftears。Charleswouldnot，however，sufferanydelay，orexpressionsofgratitude——but，forcingbothauntandnieceintothecarriage，bidAnthonydriverapidlytoatavernknowntobeatnogreatdistance。——

Ontheirarrival，bothJuliaandCharlesimmediatelycladthemselvesindryclothes——whenMissEmmersoncommandedthepresenceoftheyoungmaninherownroom。Onentering，CharlesfoundJuliasittingbyafire，athousandtimeshandsomer，ifpossible，thanever。Hereyeswerebeamingwithgratitude，andhercountenancewasglowingwiththeexcitementproducedbythedangerthatshehadencountered。

"Ah！Charles，mydearcousin，"criedJulia，risingandmeetinghimwithbothhandsextended，"Iowemylifetoyourbraveryandpresenceofmind。"

"Andminetoo，Charles。"saidMissEmmerson;"butforyou，weshouldhaveallgoneoffthehilltogether。"

"Yes，ifAnthonyhadnotmanagedthehorsesadmirably，youmighthavegoneindeed，"saidCharles，withamodestwishtogetridoftheirpraise。ButthiswasanunluckyspeechforCharles：

hehad，unconsciouslypresentedtheimageofarival，atthemomentthathehopedhefilledallthethoughtsofJulia。

"Ah，Antonio！"shecried，"poorAntonio！——andwhereishe？——Whydoyounotsendforhim，dearaunt？"

"What，mylove，intomybed-chamber！"saidMissEmmerson，insurprise;"fearhasmadethegirlcrazy！——But，Charles，whereisAnthony？"

"Inthestable，withthehorses，Ibelieve，"saidtheyouth——"no，hereheis，underthewindow，leadingthemtothepump。"

"Givehimthismoney，"saidMissEmmerson，"andtellhimitisforhisadmirableskillinsavingmylife。"

Juliasawthedangerofanexposureifsheinterfered，yetshehadthecuriositytogotothewindow，andseehowAntoniowouldconductinthemortifyingdilemma。

"Here，Anthony，"saidCharles，"MissEmmersonhassentyoutendollars，fordrivingsowell，andsavingthecarriage。"

"Ah！sir，itisnomatter——Icanasknothingforthat，I’msure。"

ButCharles，accustomedtothebackwardnessofthecommonAmericanstoreceivemorethanthepricestipulated，stillextendedhishandtowardstheman。Juliasawhisembarrassment，andknowingofnootherexpedientbywhichtorelievehim，said，inavoiceofpersuasion——

"Takeitformysake，Antonio——ifitbeunworthyofyou，still，takeit，toobligeme。"

Themannolongerhesitated，buttookthemoney，andgaveJuliaalookandabowthatsunkdeepintothetabletofhermemory——whileCharlesthoughthimextremelywellpaidforwhathehaddone，butmadedueallowancesfortheexcitedstateofhiscousin’sfeelings。

"Youperceive，"saidMissEmmerson，withasmile，asJuliawithdrewfromthewindow，"ifCharlesbealittleafraidoflightning，hehasnodreadofthewater。"

"Ah！Iretractmyerror，"criedJulia;"Charlesmustbebrave，orhenevercouldhaveactedsocoolly，andsowell。"

"Verytrue，mylove，"saidMissEmmerson，excessivelygratifiedtohearherniecepraisetheyouth;"itisthesuresttestofcouragewhenmenbehavewithpresenceofmindinnovelsituations。

Thoseaccustomedtoparticulardangerseasilydischargetheirduties，becausetheyknow，asitwereinstinctively，whatistobedone。ThuswithTony——hedidwell，but，Idoubtnot，hewashorriblyfrightened——andfortheworldhecouldnothavedonewhatCharlesdid。"

"NotAntonio！"echoedJulia，thrownalittleoffherguard——"Iwouldpledgemylife，aunt，thatAntoniowouldhavedoneasmuch，ifnotmore，thanCharles！"

"Whydidhenot，then？——-Itwashisplacetostopthecarriage——-whydidhenot？"

"Itwashisplace，"saidJulia，"tomanagethehorses，andyouacknowledgethathediditwell。

Dutiesincurred，nomatterhowunworthyofus，mustbedischarged;andalthoughwemaybeconsciousthatourmeritorourbirthentitlesustoadifferentstationfromtheonewefill，yetanoblemindwillnotceasetoperformitsduty，eveninpovertyanddisgrace。"

MissEmmersonlistenedinsurprise;butashernieceoftentalkedinamannerthatshedidnotcomprehend，sheattributedittotheimprovementsineducation，andwassatisfied。ButJuliahadfurnishedherselfwithacluetowhathadoccasionedhersomeuneasiness。AtonetimeshethoughtAntoniooughttohaveleftcarriage，horses，everything，andflowntoherrescue，asCharleshaddone;butnowshesawthattheprobityofhissoulforbadeit。Hehad，doubtless，bysecretmeans，inducedtheownerofthehorsestoentrustthemtohiskeeping——-andcouldhe，asoldier，oneusedtotrustandresponsibility，forgethisdutyinthemomentofneed？Soonerwouldthesentinelquithispostunrelieved——-soonerthegallantsoldierturnhisbackonhisenemy——-orsoonerwouldAntonioforgethisJulia！

Withthisviewoftheproprietyofhisconduct，Juliawasfilledwiththedesiretolethimknowthatsheapprovedofwhathehaddone。Surely，ifanythingcanbemortifyingtoalover，thoughtourheroine，itmustbetoseearivalsavethelifeofhismistress，whileimperiousdutychainshimtoanothertask。

YoungasJuliawas，shehadalreadylearnt，thatitisnotenoughforourhappinessthatwehavetheconsciousnessofdoingright，butitisnecessarythatothersshouldthinkwehavedonesotoo。

Accordingly，earlythefollowingmorningshearose，andwanderedaroundthehouse，inhopesthatchancewouldthrowherloverinherway，andgiveheranopportunityofrelievinghismindfromtheloadofmortificationunderwhichsheknewhemustbelabouring。Itwasseldomthatourheroinehadbeeninthepublicbar-roomofatavern——but，inglidingbythedoor，shecaughtaglimpseofAntoniointhebar;and，impelledbyherfeelings，shewasnearhimbeforeshehadtimetocollectherscatteredsenses。TobewithAntonio，andalone，Juliafeltwasdangerous;forhispassionmightbringonadeclaration，andbetraythembothtothepublicandvulgarnotice。——Anxious，therefore，toeffectherobjectatonce，shegentlylaidherhandonhisarm——Antoniostartedandturned，whiletheglassinhishandsfell，withitscontents，untasted，onthefloor。

"Resteasy，Antonio，"saidJulia，inthegentlestpossibletones;"tomeyourconductissatisfactory，andyoursecretwillneverbeexposed。"Sosaying，sheturnedquickly，andglidedfromtheroom。

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