CHAPTERI。
Iwasnotrich——onthecontrary；andIhadbeentoldthePensionBeaurepaswascheap。Ihad，moreover，beentoldthataboarding-
houseisacapitalplaceforthestudyofhumannature。Ihadafancyforaliterarycareer，andafriendofminehadsaidtome，"Ifyoumeantowriteyououghttogoandliveinaboarding-house；thereisnoothersuchplacetopickupmaterial。"IhadreadsomethingofthiskindinaletteraddressedbyStendhaltohissister："Ihaveapassionatedesiretoknowhumannature，andhaveagreatmindtoliveinaboarding-house，wherepeoplecannotconcealtheirrealcharacters。"IwasanadmirerofLaChartreusedeParme，anditappearedtomethatonecouldnotdobetterthanfollowinthefootstepsofitsauthor。Iremembered，too，themagnificentboarding-houseinBalzac’sPereGoriot，——the"pensionbourgeoisedesdeuxsexesetautres，"keptbyMadameVauquer，neeDeConflans。
Magnificent，Imean，asapieceofportraiture；theestablishment，asanestablishment，wascertainlysordidenough，andIhopedforbetterthingsfromthePensionBeaurepas。ThisinstitutionwasoneofthemostesteemedinGeneva，and，standinginalittlegardenofitsown，notfarfromthelake，hadaveryhomely，comfortable，sociableaspect。Theregularentrancewas，asonemightsay，attheback，whichlookeduponthestreet，orratheruponalittleplace，adornedlikeeveryplaceinGeneva，greatorsmall，withafountain。Thisfactwasnotprepossessing，foroncrossingthethresholdyoufoundyourselfmoreorlessinthekitchen，encompassedwithculinaryodours。This，however，wasnogreatmatter，foratthePensionBeaurepastherewasnoattemptatgentilityoratconcealmentofthedomesticmachinery。Thelatterwasofaverysimplesort。MadameBeaurepaswasanexcellentlittleoldwoman——shewasveryfaradvancedinlife，andhadbeenkeepingapensionforfortyyears——
whoseonlyfaultswerethatshewasslightlydeaf，thatshewasfondofasurreptitiouspinchofsnuff，andthat，attheageofseventy-
three，sheworeflowersinhercap。Therewasatraditioninthehousethatshewasnotsodeafasshepretended；thatshefeignedthisinfirmityinordertopossessherselfofthesecretsofherlodgers。ButIneversubscribedtothistheory；IamconvincedthatMadameBeaurepashadoutlivedtheperiodofindiscreetcuriosity。
Shewasaphilosopher，onamatter-of-factbasis；shehadbeenhavinglodgersforfortyyears，andallthatsheaskedofthemwasthattheyshouldpaytheirbills，makeuseofthedoor-mat，andfoldtheirnapkins。Shecaredverylittlefortheirsecrets。"J’enaivusdetouteslescouleurs，"shesaidtome。Shehadquiteceasedtocareforindividuals；shecaredonlyfortypes，forcategories。Herlargeobservationhadmadeheracquaintedwithagreatnumber，andhermindwasacompletecollectionof"heads。"Sheflatteredherselfthatsheknewataglancewheretopigeon-holeanew-comer，andifshemadeanymistakesherdeportmentneverbetrayedthem。Ithinkthat，asregardsindividuals，shehadneitherlikesnordislikes；butshewascapableofexpressingesteemorcontemptforaspecies。Shehadherownways，Isuppose，ofmanifestingherapproval，buthermannerofindicatingthereversewassimpleandunvarying。"Jetrouvequec’estdeplace"——thisexhaustedherviewofthematter。Ifoneofherinmateshadputarsenicintothepot-au-feu，IbelieveMadameBeaurepaswouldhavecontentedherselfwithremarkingthattheproceedingwasoutofplace。Thelineofmisconducttowhichshemostobjectedwasanundueassumptionofgentility；shehadnopatiencewithboarderswhogavethemselvesairs。"Whenpeoplecomechezmoi，itisnottocutafigureintheworld；Ihaveneverhadthatillusion，"Irememberhearinghersay；"andwhenyoupaysevenfrancsaday，toutcompris，itcompriseseverythingbuttherighttolookdownupontheothers。Buttherearepeoplewho，thelesstheypay，themoretheytakethemselvesauserieux。Mymostdifficultboardershavealwaysbeenthosewhohavehadthelittlerooms。"
MadameBeaurepashadaniece，ayoungwomanofsomefortyoddyears；
andthetwoladies，withtheassistanceofacoupleofthick-waisted，red-armedpeasantwomen，keptthehousegoing。Ifonyourexitsandentrancesyoupeepedintothekitchen，itmadeverylittledifference；forCelestine，thecook，hadnopretensiontobeaninvisiblefunctionaryortodealinoccultmethods。Shewasalwaysatyourservice，withagratefulgrinsheblackedyourboots；shetrudgedofftofetchacab；shewouldhavecarriedyourbaggage，ifyouhadallowedher，onherbroadlittleback。Shewasalwaystrampinginandout，betweenherkitchenandthefountainintheplace，whereitoftenseemedtomethatalargepartofthepreparationforourdinnerwentforward——thewringingoutoftowelsandtable-cloths，thewashingofpotatoesandcabbages，thescouringofsaucepansandcleansingofwater——bottles。Youenjoyed，fromthedoorstep，aperpetualback-viewofCelestineandofherlarge，loose，woollenankles，asshecraned，fromthewaist，overintothefountainanddabbledinhervariousutensils。Thissoundsasiflifewentoninaverymake-shiftfashionatthePensionBeaurepas——asifthetoneoftheestablishmentweresordid。Butsuchwasnotatallthecase。
Weweresimplyverybourgeois；wepractisedthegoodoldGeneveseprincipleofnotsacrificingtoappearances。Thisisanexcellentprinciple——whenyouhavethereality。WehadtherealityatthePensionBeaurepas：wehaditintheshapeofsoftshortbeds，equippedwithfluffyduvets；ofadmirablecoffee，servedtousinthemorningbyCelestineinperson，aswelayrecumbentonthesedownycouches；ofcopious，wholesome，succulentdinners，conformabletothebestprovincialtraditions。Formyself，IthoughtthePensionBeaurepaspicturesque，andthis，withme，atthattimewasagreatword。Iwasyoungandingenuous：IhadjustcomefromAmerica。I
wishedtoperfectmyselfintheFrenchtongue，andIinnocentlybelievedthatitflourishedbyLakeLeman。IusedtogotolecturesattheAcademy，andcomehomewithaviolentappetite。Ialwaysenjoyedmymorningwalkacrossthelongbridge（therewasonlyone，justthere，inthosedays）whichspansthedeepblueout-gushofthelake，andupthedarksteepstreetsoftheoldCalvinisticcity。Thegardenfacedthisway，towardthelakeandtheoldtown；andthiswasthepleasantestapproachtothehouse。Therewasahighwall，withadoublegateinthemiddle，flankedbyacoupleofancientmassiveposts；thebigrustygrillecontainedsomeold-fashionediron-work。
Thegardenwasrathermouldyandweedy，tangledanduntended；butitcontainedalittlethin——flowingfountain，severalgreenbenches，aricketylittletableofthesamecomplexion，andthreeorange-trees，intubs，whichweredepositedaseffectivelyaspossibleinfrontofthewindowsofthesalon。
CHAPTERII。
Ascommonlyhappensinboarding-houses，therustleofpetticoatswas，atthePensionBeaurepas，themostfamiliarformofthehumantread。
Therewastheusualallotmentofeconomicalwidowsandoldmaids，andtomaintainthebalanceofthesexestherewereonlyanoldFrenchmanandayoungAmerican。IthardlymadethemattereasierthattheoldFrenchmancamefromLausanne。Hewasanativeofthatestimabletown，buthehadoncespentsixmonthsinParis，hehadtastedofthetreeofknowledge；hehadgotbeyondLausanne，whoseresourceshepronouncedinadequate。Lausanne，ashesaid，"manquaitd’agrements。"
Whenobliged，forreasonswhichheneverspecified，tobringhisresidenceinParistoaclose，hehadfallenbackonGeneva；hehadbrokenhisfallatthePensionBeaurepas。Genevawas，afterall，morelikeParis，andataGeneveseboarding-housetherewassuretobeplentyofAmericanswithwhomonecouldtalkabouttheFrenchmetropolis。M。Pigeonneauwasalittleleanman，withalargenarrownose，whosatagreatdealinthegarden，readingwiththeaidofalargemagnifyingglassavolumefromthecabinetdelecture。
Oneday，afortnightaftermyarrivalatthePensionBeaurepas，I
cameback，ratherearlierthanusualfrommyacademicsession；itwantedhalfanhourofthemiddaybreakfast。Iwentintothesalonwiththedesignofpossessingmyselfoftheday’sGalignanibeforeoneofthelittleEnglisholdmaidsshouldhaveremovedittohervirginalbower——aprivilegetowhichMadameBeaurepasfrequentlyalludedasoneoftheattractionsoftheestablishment。InthesalonIfoundanew-comer，atallgentlemaninahighblackhat，whomI
immediatelyrecognisedasacompatriot。Ihadoftenseenhim，orhisequivalent，inthehotelparloursofmynativeland。Heapparentlysupposedhimselftobeatthepresentmomentinahotelparlour；hishatwasonhishead，or，rather，halfoffit——pushedbackfromhisforehead，andrathersuspendedthanpoised。Hestoodbeforeatableonwhicholdnewspaperswerescattered，oneofwhichhehadtakenupand，withhiseye-glassonhisnose，washoldingoutatarm’s-length。
Itwasthathonourablebutextremelydiminutivesheet，theJournaldeGeneve，anewspaperofaboutthesizeofapocket-handkerchief。AsI
drewnear，lookingformyGalignani，thetallgentlemangaveme，overthetopofhiseye-glass，asomewhatsolemnstare。Presently，however，beforeIhadtimetolaymyhandontheobjectofmysearch，hesilentlyofferedmetheJournaldeGeneve。
"Itappears，"hesaid，"tobethepaperofthecountry。"
"Yes，"Ianswered，"Ibelieveit’sthebest。"
Hegazedatitagain，stillholdingitatarm’s-length，asifithadbeenalooking-glass。"Well，"hesaid，"Isupposeit’snaturalasmallcountryshouldhavesmallpapers。Youcouldwrapitup，mountainsandall，inoneofourdailies！"
IfoundmyGalignani，andwentoffwithitintothegarden，whereI
seatedmyselfonabenchintheshade。PresentlyIsawthetallgentlemaninthehatappearinoneoftheopenwindowsofthesalon，andstandtherewithhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsalittleapart。Helookedverymuchbored，and——Idon’tknowwhy——I
immediatelybegantofeelsorryforhim。Hewasnotatallapicturesquepersonage；helookedlikeajaded，fadedmanofbusiness。
Butafteralittlehecameintothegardenandbegantostrollabout；
andthenhisrestless，unoccupiedcarriage，andthevague，unacquaintedmannerinwhichhiseyeswanderedovertheplace，seemedtomakeitproperthat，asanolderresident，Ishouldexerciseacertainhospitality。Isaidsomethingtohim，andhecameandsatdownbesidemeonmybench，claspingoneofhislongkneesinhishands。
"Whenisitthisbigbreakfastoftheirscomesoff？"heinquired。
"That’swhatIcallit——thelittlebreakfastandthebigbreakfast。
IneverthoughtIshouldlivetoseethetimewhenIshouldcaretoeattwobreakfasts。Butaman’sgladtodoanythingoverhere。"
"Formyself，"Iobserved，"Ifindplentytodo。"
Heturnedhisheadandglancedatmewithadry，deliberate，kind-
lookingeye。"You’regettingusedtothelife，areyou？"
"Ilikethelifeverymuch，"Ianswered，laughing。
"Howlonghaveyoutriedit？"
"Doyoumeaninthisplace？"
"Well，Imeananywhere。Itseemstomeprettymuchthesameallover。"
"Ihavebeeninthishouseonlyafortnight，"Isaid。
"Well，whatshouldyousay，fromwhatyouhaveseen？"mycompanionasked。
"Oh，"saidI，"youcanseeallthereisimmediately。It’sverysimple。"
"Sweetsimplicity，eh？I’mafraidmytwoladieswillfindittoosimple。"
"Everythingisverygood，"Iwenton。"AndMadameBeaurepasisacharmingoldwoman。Andthenit’sverycheap。"
"Cheap，isit？"myfriendrepeatedmeditatively。
"Doesn’titstrikeyouso？"Iasked。Ithoughtitverypossiblehehadnotinquiredtheterms。Butheappearednottohaveheardme；hesatthere，claspinghiskneeandblinking，inacontemplativemanner，atthesunshine。
"AreyoufromtheUnitedStates，sir？"hepresentlydemanded，turninghisheadagain。
"Yes，sir，"Ireplied；andImentionedtheplaceofmynativity。
"Ipresumed，"hesaid，"thatyouwereAmericanorEnglish。I’mfromtheUnitedStatesmyself；fromNewYorkcity。Manyofourpeoplehere？"
"Notsomanyas，Ibelieve，therehavesometimesbeen。Therearetwoorthreeladies。"
"Well，"myinterlocutordeclared，"Iamveryfondofladies’society。
Ithinkwhenit’ssuperiorthere’snothingcomesuptoit。I’vegottwoladiesheremyself；Imustmakeyouacquaintedwiththem。"
IrejoinedthatIshouldbedelighted，andIinquiredofmyfriendwhetherhehadbeenlonginEurope。
"Well，itseemspreciouslong，"hesaid，"butmytime’snotupyet。
Wehavebeenherefourteenweeksandahalf。"
"Areyoutravellingforpleasure？"Iasked。
Mycompanionturnedhisheadagainandlookedatme——lookedatmesolonginsilencethatIatlastalsoturnedandmethiseyes。
"No，sir，"hesaidpresently。"No，sir，"herepeated，afteraconsiderableinterval。
"Excuseme，"saidI，fortherewassomethingsosolemninhistonethatIfearedIhadbeenindiscreet。
Hetooknonoticeofmyejaculation；hesimplycontinuedtolookatme。"I’mtravelling，"hesaid，atlast，"topleasethedoctors。
Theyseemedtothinktheywouldlikeit。"
"Ah，theysentyouabroadforyourhealth？"
"Theysentmeabroadbecausetheyweresoconfoundedlymuddledtheydidn’tknowwhatelsetodo。"
"That’softenthebestthing，"Iventuredtoremark。
"Itwasaconfessionofweakness；theywantedmetostopplaguingthem。Theydidn’tknowenoughtocureme，andthat’sthewaytheythoughttheywouldgetroundit。Iwantedtobecured——Ididn’twanttobetransported。Ihadn’tdoneanyharm。"
Iassentedtothegeneralpropositionoftheinefficiencyofdoctors，andaskedmycompanionifhehadbeenseriouslyill。
"Ididn’tsleep，"hesaid，aftersomedelay。
"Ah，that’sveryannoying。Isupposeyouwereoverworked。"
"Ididn’teat；Itooknointerestinmyfood。"
"Well，Ihopeyoubotheatandsleepnow，"Isaid。
"Icouldn’tholdapen，"myneighbourwenton。"Icouldn’tsitstill。Icouldn’twalkfrommyhousetothecars——andit’sonlyalittleway。Ilostmyinterestinbusiness。"
"Youneededaholiday，"Iobserved。
"That’swhatthedoctorssaid。Itwasn’tsoverysmartofthem。I
hadbeenpayingstrictattentiontobusinessfortwenty-threeyears。"
"Inallthattimeyouhaveneverhadaholiday？"Iexclaimedwithhorror。
Mycompanionwaitedalittle。"Sundays，"hesaidatlast。
"Nowonder，then，youwereoutofsorts。"
"Well，sir，"saidmyfriend，"Ishouldn’thavebeenwhereIwasthreeyearsagoifIhadspentmytimetravellingroundEurope。Iwasinaveryadvantageousposition。Ididaverylargebusiness。Iwasconsiderablyinterestedinlumber。"Hepaused，turnedhishead，andlookedatmeamoment。"Haveyouanybusinessinterestsyourself？"
IansweredthatIhadnone，andhewentonagain，slowly，softly，deliberately。"Well，sir，perhapsyouarenotawarethatbusinessintheUnitedStatesisnotwhatitwasashorttimesince。Businessinterestsareveryinsecure。Thereseemstobeageneralfalling-
off。Differentpartiesofferdifferentexplanationsofthefact，butsofarasIamawarenoneoftheirobservationshavesetthingsgoingagain。"Iingeniouslyintimatedthatifbusinesswasdull，thetimewasgoodforcomingaway；whereuponmyneighbourthrewbackhisheadandstretchedhislegsawhile。"Well，sir，that’soneviewofthemattercertainly。There’ssomethingtobesaidforthat。Thesethingsshouldbelookedatallround。That’sthegroundmywifetook。That’stheground，"headdedinamoment，"thataladywouldnaturallytake；"andhegavealittledrylaugh。
"Youthinkit’sslightlyillogical，"Iremarked。
"Well，sir，thegroundItookwas，thattheworseaman’sbusinessis，themoreitrequireslookingafter。Ishouldn’twanttogoouttotakeawalk——noteventogotochurch——ifmyhousewasonfire。
Myfirmisnotdoingthebusinessitwas；it’slikeasickchild，itrequiresnursing。WhatIwantedthedoctorstodowastofixmeup，sothatIcouldgoonathome。I’dhavetakenanythingthey’dhavegivenme，andasmanytimesaday。Iwantedtoberightthere；Ihadmyreasons；Ihavethemstill。ButIcameoffallthesame，"saidmyfriend，withamelancholysmile。
Iwasagreatdealyoungerthanhe，buttherewassomethingsosimpleandcommunicativeinhistone，soexpressiveofadesiretofraternise，andsoexemptfromanytheoryofhumandifferences，thatIquiteforgothisseniority，andfoundmyselfofferinghimpaternalIadvice。"Don’tthinkaboutallthat，"saidI。"Simplyenjoyyourself，amuseyourself，getwell。TravelaboutandseeEurope。Attheendofayear，bythetimeyouarereadytogohome，thingswillhaveimprovedoverthere，andyouwillbequitewellandhappy。"
Myfriendlaidhishandonmyknee；helookedatmeforsomemoments，andIthoughthewasgoingtosay，"Youareveryyoung！"Buthesaidpresently，"YOUhavegotusedtoEuropeanyway！"
CHAPTERIII。
AtbreakfastIencounteredhisladies——hiswifeanddaughter。Theywereplaced，however，atadistancefromme，anditwasnotuntilthepensionnaireshaddispersed，andsomeofthem，accordingtocustom，hadcomeoutintothegarden，thathehadanopportunityofmakingmeacquaintedwiththem。
"Willyouallowmetointroduceyoutomydaughter？"hesaid，movedapparentlybyapaternalinclinationtoprovidethisyoungladywithsocialdiversion。Shewasstandingwithhermother，inoneofthepaths，lookingaboutwithnogreatcomplacency，asIimagined，atthehomelycharacteristicsoftheplace，andoldM。Pigeonneauwashoveringnear，hesitatingapparentlybetweenthedesiretobeurbaneandtheabsenceofapretext。"Mrs。Ruck——MissSophyRuck，"saidmyfriend，leadingmeup。
Mrs。Ruckwasalarge，plump，light-colouredperson，withasmoothfairface，asomnolenteye，andanelaboratecoiffure。MissSophywasagirlofone-and-twenty，verysmallandverypretty——whatI
supposewouldhavebeencalledalivelybrunette。Bothoftheseladieswereattiredinblacksilkdresses，verymuchtrimmed；theyhadanairofthehighestelegance。
"Doyouthinkhighlyofthispension？"inquiredMrs。Ruck，afterafewpreliminaries。
"It’salittlerough，butitseemstomecomfortable，"Ianswered。
"DoesittakeahighrankinGeneva？"Mrs。Ruckpursued。
"Iimagineitenjoysaveryfairfame，"Isaid，smiling。
"IshouldneverdreamofcomparingittoaNewYorkboarding-house，"
saidMrs。Ruck。
"It’squiteadifferentstyle，"herdaughterobserved。
MissRuckhadfoldedherarms；shewasholdingherelbowswithapairofwhitelittlehands，andshewastappingthegroundwithaprettylittlefoot。
"Wehardlyexpectedtocometoapension，"saidMrs。Ruck。"Butwethoughtwewouldtry；wehadheardsomuchaboutSwisspensions。I
wassayingtoMr。RuckthatIwonderedwhetherthiswasafavourablespecimen。Iwasafraidwemighthavemadeamistake。"
"Weknewsomepeoplewhohadbeenhere；theythoughteverythingofMadameBeaurepas，"saidMissSophy。"Theysaidshewasarealfriend。"
"Mr。andMrs。Parker——perhapsyouhaveheardherspeakofthem，"Mrs。
Ruckpursued。
"MadameBeaurepashashadagreatmanyAmericans；sheisveryfondofAmericans，"Ireplied。
"Well，ImustsayIshouldthinkshewouldbe，ifshecomparesthemwithsomeothers。"
"Motherisalwayscomparing，"observedMissRuck。
"OfcourseIamalwayscomparing，"rejoinedtheelderlady。"Ineverhadachancetillnow；Ineverknewmyprivileges。GivemeanAmerican！"AndMrs。Ruckindulgedinalittlelaugh。
"Well，ImustsaytherearesomethingsIlikeoverhere，"saidMissSophy，withcourage。AndindeedIcouldseethatshewasayoungwomanofgreatdecision。
"Youliketheshops——that’swhatyoulike，"herfatheraffirmed。
Theyoungladyaddressedherselftome，withoutheedingthisremark。
"Isupposeyoufeelquiteathomehere。"
"Oh，helikesit；hehasgotusedtothelife！"exclaimedMr。Ruck。
"Iwishyou’dteachMr。Ruck，"saidhiswife。"Itseemsasifhecouldn’tgetusedtoanything。"
"I’musedtoyou，mydear，"thehusbandretorted，givingmeahumorouslook。
"He’sintenselyrestless，"continuedMrs。Ruck。
"That’swhatmademewanttocometoapension。Ithoughthewouldsettledownmore。"
"Idon’tthinkIAMusedtoyou，afterall，"saidherhusband。
InviewofapossibleexchangeofconjugalreparteeItookrefugeinconversationwithMissRuck，whoseemedperfectlyabletoplayherpartinanycolloquy。Ilearnedfromthisyoungladythat，withherparents，aftervisitingtheBritishIslands，shehadbeenspendingamonthinParis，andthatshethoughtsheshouldhavediedwhensheleftthatcity。"Ihungoutofthecarriage，whenweleftthehotel，"saidMissRuck，"IassureyouIdid。Andmotherdid，too。"
"Outoftheotherwindow，Ihope，"saidI。
"Yes，oneoutofeachwindow，"sherepliedpromptly。"Fatherhadhardwork，Icantellyou。Wehadn’thalffinished；therewereeversomanyplaceswewantedtogoto。"
"Yourfatherinsistedoncomingaway？"
"Yes；afterwehadbeenthereaboutamonthhesaidhehadenough。
He’sfearfullyrestless；he’sverymuchoutofhealth。MotherandI
saidtohimthatifhewasrestlessinParisheneedn’thopeforpeaceanywhere。Wedon’tmeantoleavehimalonetillhetakesusback。"TherewasanairofkeenresolutioninMissRuck’sprettyface，oflucidapprehensionofdesirableends，whichmademe，asshepronouncedthesewords，directaglanceofcovertcompassiontowardherpoorrecalcitrantfather。Hehadwalkedawayalittlewithhiswife，andIsawonlyhisbackandhisstooping，patient-lookingshoulders，whoseairofacuteresignationwasthrownintoreliefbythevoluminoustranquillityofMrs。Ruck。"HewillhavetotakeusbackinSeptember，anyway，"theyounggirlpursued；"hewillhavetotakeusbacktogetsomethingswehaveordered。"
"Haveyouorderedagreatmanythings？"Iaskedjocosely。
"Well，IguesswehaveorderedSOME。OfcoursewewantedtotakeadvantageofbeinginParis——ladiesalwaysdo。Wehavelefttheprincipalthingstillwegoback。Ofcoursethatistheprincipalinterest，forladies。Mothersaidsheshouldfeelsoshabbyifshejustpassedthrough。WehavepromisedallthepeopletobebackinSeptember，andIneverbrokeapromiseyet。SoMr。Ruckhasgottomakehisplansaccordingly。"
"Andwhatarehisplans？"
"Idon’tknow；hedoesn’tseemabletomakeany。HisgreatideawastogettoGeneva；butnowthathehasgotherehedoesn’tseemtocare。It’stheeffectofillhealth。Heusedtobesobright；butnowheisquitesubdued。It’sabouttimeheshouldimprove，anyway。
Wewentoutlastnighttolookatthejewellers’windows——inthatstreetbehindthehotel。Ihadalwaysheardofthosejewellers’
windows。Wesawsomelovelythings，butitdidn’tseemtorousefather。He’llgettiredofGenevasoonerthanhedidofParis。"
"Ah，"saidI，"therearefinerthingsherethanthejewellers’
windows。WeareverynearsomeofthemostbeautifulsceneryinEurope。"
"Isupposeyoumeanthemountains。Well，wehaveseenplentyofmountainsathome。Weusedtogotothemountainseverysummer。Wearefamiliarenoughwiththemountains。Aren’twe，mother？"theyoungladydemanded，appealingtoMrs。Ruck，who，withherhusband，haddrawnnearagain。
"Aren’twewhat？"inquiredtheelderlady。
"Aren’twefamiliarwiththemountains？"
"Well，Ihopeso，"saidMrs。Ruck。
Mr。Ruck，withhishandsinhispockets，gavemeasociablewink。——
"There’snothingmuchyoucantellthem！"hesaid。
Thetwoladiesstoodfacetofaceafewmoments，surveyingeachother’sgarments。"Don’tyouwanttogoout？"theyounggirlatlastinquiredofhermother。
"Well，Ithinkwehadbetter；wehavegottogouptothatplace。"
"Towhatplace？"askedMr。Ruck。
"Tothatjeweller’s——tothatbigone。"
"Theyallseemedbigenough；theyweretoobig！"AndMr。Ruckgavemeanotherwink。
"Thatonewherewesawthebluecross，"saidhisdaughter。
"Oh，come，whatdoyouwantofthatbluecross？"poorMr。Ruckdemanded。
"Shewantstohangitonablackvelvetribbonandtieitroundherneck，"saidhiswife。
"Ablackvelvetribbon？No，Ithankyou！"criedtheyounglady。"DoyousupposeIwouldwearthatcrossonablackvelvetribbon？Onanicelittlegoldchain，ifyouplease——alittlenarrowgoldchain，likeanold-fashionedwatch-chain。That’stheproperthingforthatbluecross。IknowthesortofchainImean；I’mgoingtolookforone。WhenIwantathing，"saidMissRuck，withdecision，"Icangenerallyfindit。"
"Lookhere，Sophy，"herfatherurged，"youdon’twantthatbluecross。"
"Idowantit——Ihappentowantit。"AndSophyglancedatmewithalittlelaugh。
Herlaugh，whichinitselfwaspretty，suggestedthattherewerevariousrelationsinwhichonemightstandtoMissRuck；butIthinkIwasconsciousofacertainsatisfactioninnotoccupyingthepaternalone。"Don’tworrythepoorchild，"saidhermother。
"Comeon，mother，"saidMissRuck。
"Wearegoingtolookaboutalittle，"explainedtheelderladytome，bywayoftakingleave。
"Iknowwhatthatmeans，"remarkedMr。Ruck，ashiscompanionsmovedaway。Hestoodlookingatthemamoment，whileheraisedhishandtohishead，behind，andstoodrubbingitalittle，withamovementthatdisplacedhishat。（ImayremarkinparenthesisthatIneversawahatmoreeasilydisplacedthanMr。Ruck’s。）Isupposedhewasgoingtosaysomethingquerulous，butIwasmistaken。Mr。Ruckwasunhappy，buthewasverygood-natured。"Well，theywanttopickupsomething，"hesaid。"That’stheprincipalinterest，forladies。"
CHAPTERIV。
Mr。Ruckdistinguishedme，astheFrenchsay。Hehonouredmewithhisesteem，and，asthedayselapsed，withalargeportionofhisconfidence。Sometimesheboredmealittle，forthetoneofhisconversationwasnotcheerful，tendingasitdidalmostexclusivelytoamelancholydirgeoverthefinancialprostrationofourcommoncountry。"No，sir，businessintheUnitedStatesisnotwhatitoncewas，"hefoundoccasiontoremarkseveraltimesaday。"There’snotthesamespring——there’snotthesamehopefulfeeling。Youcanseeitinalldepartments。"Heusedtositbythehourinthelittlegardenofthepension，witharollofAmericannewspapersinhislapandhishighhatpushedback，swingingoneofhislonglegsandreadingtheNewYorkHerald。HepaidadailyvisittotheAmericanbanker’s，ontheothersideoftheRhone，andremainedtherealongtime，turningovertheoldpapersonthegreenvelvettableinthemiddleoftheSalondesEtrangers，andfraternisingwithchancecompatriots。Butinspiteofthesediversionshistimehungheavilyuponhishands。Iusedsometimestoproposetohimtotakeawalk；
buthehadamortalhorrorofpedestrianism，andregardedmyowntasteforitas’amorbidformofactivity。"You’llkillyourself，ifyoudon’tlookout，"hesaid，"walkingalloverthecountry。I
don’twanttowalkroundthatway；Iain’tapostman！"Brieflyspeaking，Mr。Ruckhadfewresources。Hiswifeanddaughter，ontheotherhand，itwastobesupposed，werepossessedofagoodmanythatcouldnotbeapparenttoanunobtrusiveyoungman。Theyalsosatagreatdealinthegardenorinthesalon，sidebyside，withfoldedhands，contemplatingmaterialobjects，andwereremarkablyindependentofmostoftheusualfeminineaidstoidleness——lightliterature，tapestry，theuseofthepiano。Theywere，however，muchfonderoflocomotionthantheircompanion，andIoftenmetthemintheRueduRhoneandonthequays，loiteringinfrontofthejewellers’windows。TheymighthavehadacavalierinthepersonofoldM。Pigeonneau，whopossessedahighappreciationoftheircharms，butwho，owingtotheabsenceofacommonidiom，wasdeprivedofthepleasuresofintimacy。HeknewnoEnglish，andMrs。Ruckandherdaughterhad，asitseemed，anincurablemistrustofthebeautifultonguewhich，astheoldmanendeavouredtoimpressuponthem，waspre-eminentlythelanguageofconversation。
"Theyhaveatournuredeprincesse——adistinctionsupreme，"hesaidtome。"Oneissurprisedtofindtheminalittlepension，atsevenfrancsaday。"
"Oh，theydon’tcomeforeconomy，"Ianswered。"Theymustberich。"
"Theydon’tcomeformybeauxyeux——formine，"saidM。Pigeonneau，sadly。"Perhapsit’sforyours，youngman。Jevousrecommandelamere。"
Ireflectedamoment。"TheycameonaccountofMr。Ruck——becauseathotelshe’ssorestless。"
M。Pigeonneaugavemeaknowingnod。"Ofcourseheis，withsuchawifeasthat——afemmesuperbe。MadameRuckispreservedinperfection——amiraculousfraicheur。Ilikethoselarge，fair，quietwomen；theyareoften，dansl’intimite，themostagreeable。I’llwarrantyouthatatheartMadameRuckisafinishedcoquette。"
"Iratherdoubtit，"Isaid。
"Yousupposehercold？Nevousyfiezpas！"
"ItisamatterinwhichIhavenothingatstake。"
"YouyoungAmericansaredroll，"saidM。Pigeonneau；"youneverhaveanythingatstake！Butthelittleone，forexample；I’llwarrantyoushe’snotcold。Sheisadmirablymade。"
"Sheisverypretty。"
"’Sheisverypretty！’Vousditescelad’unton！WhenyoupaycomplimentstoMademoiselleRuck，Ihopethat’snotthewayyoudoit。"
"Idon’tpaycomplimentstoMademoiselleRuck。"
"Ah，decidedly，"saidM。Pigeonneau，"youyoungAmericansaredroll！"
IshouldhavesuspectedthatthesetwoladieswouldnotespeciallycommendthemselvestoMadameBeaurepas；thatasamaitressedesalon，whichsheinsomedegreeaspiredtobe，shewouldhavefoundthemwantinginacertainflexibilityofdeportment。ButIshouldhavegonequitewrong；MadameBeaurepashadnofaultatalltofindwithhernewpensionnaires。"Ihavenoobservationwhatevertomakeaboutthem，"shesaidtomeoneevening。"Iseenothinginthoseladieswhichisatalldeplace。Theydon’tcomplainofanything；theydon’tmeddle；theytakewhat’sgiventhem；theyleavemetranquil。TheAmericansareoftenlikethat。Often，butnotalways，"MadameBeaurepaspursued。"Wearetohaveaspecimento-morrowofaverydifferentsort。"
"AnAmerican？"Iinquired。
"TwoAmericaines——amotherandadaughter。ThereareAmericansandAmericans：whenyouaredifficiles，youaremoresothananyone，andwhenyouhavepretensions——ah，perexemple，it’sserious。I
foreseethatwiththislittleladyeverythingwillbeserious，beginningwithhercafeaulait。ShehasbeenstayingatthePensionChamousset——myconcurrent，youknow，fartherupthestreet；butsheiscomingawaybecausethecoffeeisbad。Sheholdstohercoffee，itappears。Idon’tknowwhatliquidMadameChamoussetmayhaveinvented，butwewilldothebestwecanforher。Only，Iknowshewillmakemedeshistoiresaboutsomethingelse。Shewilldemandanewlampforthesalon；vousallesvoircela。Shewishestopaybutelevenfrancsadayforherselfandherdaughter，toutcompris；andfortheirelevenfrancstheyexpecttobelodgedlikeprincesses。
Butsheisvery’ladylike’——isn’tthatwhatyoucallitinEnglish？
Oh，pourcela，sheisladylike！"
Icaughtaglimpseonthemorrowofthisladylikeperson，whowasarrivingathernewresidenceasIcameinfromawalk。Shehadcomeinacab，withherdaughterandherluggage；and，withanairofperfectsoftnessandserenity，shewasdisputingthefareasshestoodamongherboxes，onthesteps。SheaddressedhercabmaninaveryEnglishaccent，butwithextremeprecisionandcorrectness。"I
wishtobeperfectlyreasonable，butIdon’twishtoencourageyouinexorbitantdemands。Withafrancandahalfyouaresufficientlypaid。ItisnotthecustomatGenevatogiveapour-boireforsoshortadrive。Ihavemadeinquiries，andIfinditisnotthecustom，eveninthebestfamilies。Iamastranger，yes，butI
alwaysadoptthecustomofthenativefamilies。Ithinkitmydutytowardthenatives。"
"ButIamanative，too，moi！"saidthecabman，withanangrylaugh。
"YouseemtometospeakwithaGermanaccent，"continuedthelady。
"YouareprobablyfromBasel。Afrancandahalfissufficient。I
seeyouhaveleftbehindthelittleredbagwhichIaskedyoutoholdbetweenyourknees；youwillpleasetogobacktotheotherhouseandgetit。Verywell，ifyouareimpoliteIwillmakeacomplaintofyouto-morrowattheadministration。Aurora，youwillfindapencilintheouterpocketofmyembroideredsatchel；pleasetowritedownhisnumber，——87；doyouseeitdistinctly？——incaseweshouldforgetit。"
Theyoungladyaddressedas"Aurora"——aslight，fairgirl，holdingalargeparcelofumbrellas——stoodathandwhilethisallocutionwentforward，butsheapparentlygavenoheedtoit。Shestoodlookingabouther，inalistlessmanner，atthefrontofthehouse，atthecorridor，atCelestinetuckingupheraproninthedoorway，atmeasIpassedinamidthedisseminatedluggage；hermother’sparsimoniousattitudeseemingtoproduceinMissAuroraneithersympathynorembarrassment。Atdinnerthetwoladieswereplacedonthesamesideofthetableasmyself，belowMrs。Ruckandherdaughter，myownpositionbeingontherightofMr。Ruck。IhadthereforelittleobservationofMrs。Church——suchIlearnedtobehername——butI
occasionallyheardhersoft，distinctvoice。
"Whitewine，ifyouplease；wepreferwhitewine。Thereisnoneonthetable？Thenyouwillpleasetogetsome，andtoremembertoplaceabottleofitalwayshere，betweenmydaughterandmyself。"
"Thatladyseemstoknowwhatshewants，"saidMr。Ruck，"andshespeakssoIcanunderstandher。Ican’tunderstandeveryone，overhere。Ishouldliketomakethatlady’sacquaintance。Perhapssheknowswhat_I_want，too；itseemshardtofindout。ButIdon’twantanyoftheirsourwhitewine；that’soneofthethingsIdon’twant。Iexpectshe’llbeanadditiontothepension。"
Mr。RuckmadetheacquaintanceofMrs。Churchthateveningintheparlour，beingpresentedtoherbyhiswife，whopresumedontherightsconferreduponherselfbythemutualproximity，attable，ofthetwoladies。IsuspectedthatinMrs。Church’sviewMrs。Ruckpresumedtoofar。ThefugitivefromthePensionChamousset，asM。
Pigeonneaucalledher，wasalittlefresh，plump，comelywoman，lookinglessthanherage，witharound，bright，seriousface。Shewasverysimplyandfrugallydressed，notatallinthemannerofMr。
Ruck’scompanions，andshehadanairofquietdistinctionwhichwasanexcellentdefensiveweapon。SheexhibitedapolitedispositiontolistentowhatMr。Ruckmighthavetosay，buthermannerwasequivalenttoanintimationthatwhatshevaluedleastinboarding-
houselifewasitssocialopportunities。Shehadplacedherselfnearalamp，aftercarefullyscrewingitandturningitup，andshehadopenedinherlap，withtheassistanceofalargeembroideredmarker，anoctavovolume，whichIperceivedtobeinGerman。ToMrs。Ruckandherdaughtershewasevidentlyapuzzle，withhereconomicalattireandherexpensiveculture。Thetwoyoungerladies，however，hadbeguntofraterniseveryfreely，andMissRuckpresentlywentwanderingoutoftheroomwithherarmroundthewaistofMissChurch。Itwasaverywarmevening；thelongwindowsofthesalonstoodwideopenintothegarden，and，inspiredbythebalmydarkness，M。PigeonneauandMademoiselleBeaurepas，amostobliginglittlewoman，wholispedandalwaysworeahugecravat，declaredtheywouldorganiseafetedenuit。Theyengagedinthisundertaking，andthefetedevelopeditself，consistingofhalf-a-dozenredpaperlanterns，hungaboutonthetrees，andofseveralglassesofsirop，carriedonatraybythestout-armedCelestine。AsthefestivaldeepenedtoitsclimaxIwentoutintothegarden，whereM。Pigeonneauwasmasterofceremonies。
"Butwherearethosecharmingyoungladies，"hecried，"MissRuckandthenew-comer，l’aimabletransfuge？Theirabsencehasbeenremarked，andtheyarewantingtothebrilliancyoftheoccasion。VoyezIhaveselectedaglassofsyrup——agenerousglass——forMademoiselleRuck，andIadviseyou，myyoungfriend，ifyouwishtomakeagoodimpression，toputasideonewhichyoumayoffertotheotheryounglady。Whatishername？MissChurch。Isee；it’sasingularname。
ThereisachurchinwhichIwouldwillinglyworship！"
Mr。Ruckpresentlycameoutofthesalon，havingconcludedhisinterviewwithMrs。Church。ThroughtheopenwindowIsawthelatterladysittingunderthelampwithherGermanoctavo，whileMrs。Ruck，established，empty-handed，inanarm-chairnearher，gazedatherwithanairoffascination。
"Well，ItoldyoushewouldknowwhatIwant，"saidMr。Ruck。"ShesaysIwanttogouptoAppenzell，whereverthatis；thatIwanttodrinkwheyandliveinahighlatitude——whatdidshecallit？——ahighaltitude。SheseemedtothinkweoughttoleaveforAppenzellto-
morrow；she’dgotitallfixed。Shesaysthisain’tahighenoughlat——ahighenoughaltitude。AndshesaysImustn’tgotoohigheither；thatwouldbejustasbad；sheseemstoknowjusttherightfigure。Shesaysshe’llgivemealistofthehotelswherewemuststop，onthewaytoAppenzell。Iaskedherifshedidn’twanttogowithas，butshesaysshe’drathersitstillandread。Iexpectshe’sabigreader。"
Thedaughterofthisaccomplishedwomannowreappeared，incompanywithMissRuck，withwhomshehadbeenstrollingthroughtheoutlyingpartsofthegarden。
"Well，"saidMissRuck，glancingattheredpaperlanterns，"aretheytryingtosticktheflower-potsintothetrees？"
"It’sanilluminationinhonourofourarrival，"theotheryounggirlrejoined。"It’satriumphoverMadameChamousset。"
"Meanwhile，atthePensionChamousset，"Iventuredtosuggest，"theyhaveputouttheirlights；theyaresittingindarkness，lamentingyourdeparture。"
Shelookedatme，smiling；shewasstandinginthelightthatcamefromthehouse。M。Pigeonneau，meanwhile，whohadbeenawaitinghischance，advancedtoMissRuckwithhisglassofsyrup。"Ihavekeptitforyou，Mademoiselle，"hesaid；"Ihavejealouslyguardedit。Itisverydelicious！"
MissRucklookedathimandhissyrup，withoutanymotiontotaketheglass。"Well，Iguessit’ssour，"shesaidinamoment；andshegavealittleshakeofherhead。
M。Pigeonneaustoodstaringwithhissyrupinhishand；thenheslowlyturnedaway。Helookedaboutattherestofus，asiftoappealfromMissRuck’sinsensibility，andwenttodeposithisrejectedtributeonabench。
"Won’tyougiveittome？"askedMissChurch，infaultlessFrench。
"J’adorelesirop，moi。"
M。Pigeonneaucamebackwithalacrity，andpresentedtheglasswithaverylowbow。"Iadoregoodmanners，"murmuredtheoldman。
ThisincidentcausedmetolookatMissChurchwithquickenedinterest。Shewasnotstrikinglypretty，butinhercharmingirregularfacetherewassomethingbrilliantandardent。Likehermother，shewasverysimplydressed。
"ShewantstogotoAmerica，andhermotherwon’tlether，"saidMissSophytome，explaininghercompanion’ssituation。
"Iamverysorry——forAmerica，"Ianswered，laughing。
"Well，Idon’twanttosayanythingagainstyourmother，butIthinkit’sshameful，"MissRuckpursued。
"Mammahasverygoodreasons；shewilltellyouthemall。"
"Well，I’msureIdon’twanttohearthem，"saidMissRuck。"Youhavegotarighttogotoyourowncountry；everyonehasarighttogototheirowncountry。"
"Mammaisnotverypatriotic，"saidAuroraChurch，smiling。
"Well，Icallthatdreadful，"hercompaniondeclared。"IhaveheardthattherearesomeAmericanslikethat，butIneverbelievedit。"
"ThereareallsortsofAmericans，"Isaid，laughing。
"Aurora’soneoftherightsort，"rejoinedMissRuck，whohadapparentlybecomeveryintimatewithhernewfriend。
"Areyouverypatriotic？"Iaskedoftheyounggirl。
"She’srightdownhomesick，"saidMissSophy；"she’sdyingtogo。IfIwereyoumymotherwouldhavetotakeme。"
"MammaisgoingtotakemetoDresden。"
"Well，IdeclareIneverheardofanythingsodreadful！"criedMissRuck。"It’slikesomethinginastory。"
"IneverheardtherewasanythingverydreadfulinDresden，"I
interposed。
MissRucklookedatmeamoment。"Well，Idon’tbelieveYOUareagoodAmerican，"shereplied，"andIneversupposedyouwere。YouhadbettergointhereandtalktoMrs。Church。"
"Dresdenisreallyverynice，isn’tit？"Iaskedofhercompanion。
"Itisn’tniceifyouhappentopreferNewYork，"saidMissSophy。
"MissChurchprefersNewYork。TellhimyouaredyingtoseeNewYork；itwillmakehimangry，"shewenton。
"Ihavenodesiretomakehimangry，"saidAurora，smiling。
"ItisonlyMissRuckwhocandothat，"Irejoined。"HaveyoubeenalongtimeinEurope？"
"Always。"
"Icallthatwicked！"MissSophydeclared。
"Youmightbeinaworseplace，"Icontinued。"IfindEuropeveryinteresting。"
MissRuckgavealittlelaugh。"IwassayingthatyouwantedtopassforaEuropean。"
"Yes，IwanttopassforaDalmatian。"
MissRucklookedatmeamoment。"Well，youhadbetternotcomehome，"shesaid。"Noonewillspeaktoyou。"
"Wereyouborninthesecountries？"Iaskedofhercompanion。
"Oh，no；IcametoEuropewhenIwasasmallchild。ButIrememberAmericaalittle，anditseemsdelightful。"
"Waittillyouseeitagain。It’sjusttoolovely，"saidMissSophy。
"It’sthegrandestcountryintheworld，"Iadded。
MissRuckbegantotossherhead。"Comeaway，mydear，"shesaid。
"Ifthere’sacreatureIdespiseit’samanthattriestosayfunnythingsabouthisowncountry。"
"Don’tyouthinkonecanbetiredofEurope？"Auroraasked，lingering。
"Possibly——aftermanyyears。"
"Fatherwastiredofitafterthreeweeks，"saidMissRuck。
"Ihavebeenheresixteenyears，"herfriendwenton，lookingatmewithacharmingintentness，asifshehadapurposeinspeaking。"Itusedtobeformyeducation。Idon’tknowwhatit’sfornow。"
"She’sbeautifullyeducated，"saidMissRuck。"Sheknowsfourlanguages。"
"IamnotverysurethatIknowEnglish。"
"YoushouldgotoBoston！"criedMissSophy。"TheyspeaksplendidlyinBoston。"
"C’estmonreve，"saidAurora，stilllookingatme。
"HaveyoubeenalloverEurope，"Iasked——"inallthedifferentcountries？"
Shehesitatedamoment。"Everywherethatthere’sapension。Mammaisdevotedtopensions。Wehavelived，atonetimeoranother，ineverypensioninEurope。"
"Well，Ishouldthinkyouhadseenaboutenough，"saidMissRuck。
"It’sadelightfulwayofseeingEurope，"Aurorarejoined，withherbrilliantsmile。"Youmayimaginehowithasattachedmetothedifferentcountries。Ihavesuchcharmingsouvenirs！ThereisapensionawaitingusnowatDresden，——eightfrancsaday，withoutwine。That’sratherdear。Mammameanstomakethemgiveuswine。
Mammaisagreatauthorityonpensions；sheisknown，thatway，alloverEurope。LastwinterwewereinItaly，andshediscoveredoneatPiacenza，——fourfrancsaday。Wemadeeconomies。"
"Yourmotherdoesn’tseemtominglemuch，"observedMissRuck，glancingthroughthewindowatthescholasticattitudeofMrs。
Church。
"No，shedoesn’tmingle，exceptinthenativesociety。Thoughshelivesinpensions，shedeteststhem。"
"Whydoessheliveinthem，then？"askedMissSophy，ratherresentfully。
"Oh，becausewearesopoor；it’sthecheapestwaytolive。Wehavetriedhavingacook，butthecookalwayssteals。Mammausedtosetmetowatchher；that’sthewayIpassedmyjeunesse——mybellejeunesse。Wearefrightfullypoor，"theyounggirlwenton，withthesamestrangefrankness——acuriousmixtureofgirlishgraceandconsciouscynicism。"Nousn’avonspaslesou。That’soneofthereasonswedon’tgobacktoAmerica；mammasayswecan’taffordtolivethere。"
"Well，anyonecanseethatyou’reanAmericangirl，"MissRuckremarked，inaconsolatorymanner。"IcantellanAmericangirlamileoff。You’vegottheAmericanstyle。"
"I’mafraidIhaven’ttheAmericantoilette，"saidAurora，lookingattheother’ssuperiorsplendour。
"Well，yourdresswascutinFrance；anyonecanseethat。"
"Yes，"saidAurora，withalaugh，"mydresswascutinFrance——atAvranches。"
"Well，you’vegotalovelyfigure，anyway，"pursuedhercompanion。
"Ah，"saidtheyounggirl，"atAvranches，too，myfigurewasadmired。"Andshelookedatmeaskance，withacertaincoquetry。
ButIwasaninnocentyouth，andIonlylookedbackather，wondering。ShewasagreatdealnicerthanMissRuck，andyetMissRuckwouldnothavesaidthat。"ItrytobelikeanAmericangirl，"
shecontinued；"Idomybest，thoughmammadoesn’tatallencourageit。Iamverypatriotic。Itrytocopythem，thoughmammahasbroughtmeupalafrancaise；thatis，asmuchasonecaninpensions。Forinstance，Ihaveneverbeenoutofthehousewithoutmamma；oh，never，never。ButsometimesIdespair；Americangirlsaresowonderfullyfrank。Ican’tbefrank，likethat。Iamalwaysafraid。ButIdowhatIcan，asyousee。Excusezdupeu！"
Ithoughtthisyoungladyatleastasoutspokenasmostofherunexpatriatedsisters；therewassomethingalmostcomicalinherdespondency。Butshehadbynomeanscaught，asitseemedtome，theAmericantone。Whateverhertonewas，however，ithadafascination；
therewassomethingdaintyaboutit，andyetitwasdecidedlyaudacious。
Theyoungladiesbegantostrollaboutthegardenagain，andI
enjoyedtheirsocietyuntilM。Pigeonneau’sfestivalcametoanend。
CHAPTERV。
Mr。RuckdidnottakehisdepartureforAppenzellonthemorrow，inspiteoftheeagernesstowitnesssuchaneventwhichhehadattributedtoMrs。Church。Hecontinued，onthecontrary，formanydaysafter，tohangaboutthegarden，towanderuptothebanker’sandbackagain，toengageindesultoryconversationwithhisfellow-
boarders，andtoendeavourtoassuagehisconstitutionalrestlessnessbyperusaloftheAmericanjournals。ButonthemorrowIhadthehonourofmakingMrs。Church’sacquaintance。Shecameintothesalon，afterthemiddaybreakfast，withherGermanoctavounderherarm，andsheappealedtomeforassistanceinselectingaquietcorner。
"Wouldyouverykindly，"shesaid，"movethatlargefauteuilalittlemorethisway？Notthelargest；theonewiththelittlecushion。
Thefauteuilshereareveryinsufficient；ImustaskMadameBeaurepasforanother。Thankyou；alittlemoretotheleft，please；thatwilldo。Areyouparticularlyengaged？"sheinquired，aftershehadseatedherself。"Ifnot，Ishouldliketohavesomeconversationwithyou。ItissometimesinceIhavemetayoungAmericanofyour——
whatshallIcallit？——youraffiliations。IhavelearnedyournamefromMadameBeaurepas；IthinkIusedtoknowsomeofyourpeople。I
don’tknowwhathasbecomeofallmyfriends。Iusedtohaveacharminglittlecircleathome，butnowImeetnooneIknow。Don’tyouthinkthereisagreatdifferencebetweenthepeopleonemeetsandthepeopleonewouldliketomeet？Fortunately，sometimes，"
addedmyinterlocutressgraciously，"it’squitethesame。Isupposeyouareaspecimen，afavourablespecimen，"shewenton，"ofyoungAmerica。Tellme，now，whatisyoungAmericathinkingofinthesedaysofours？Whatareitsfeelings，itsopinions，itsaspirations？
WhatisitsIDEAL？"IhadseatedmyselfnearMrs。Church，andshehadpointedthisinterrogationwiththegazeofherbrightlittleeyes。IfeltitembarrassingtobetreatedasafavourablespecimenofyoungAmerica，andtobeexpectedtoanswerforthegreatrepublic。Observingmyhesitation，Mrs。Churchclaspedherhandsontheopenpageofherbookandgaveanintense，melancholysmile。
"HASitanideal？"shesoftlyasked。"Well，wemusttalkofthis，"
shewenton，withoutinsisting。"Speak，forthepresent，foryourselfsimply。HaveyoucometoEuropewithanyspecialdesign？"
"Nothingtoboastof，"Isaid。"Iamstudyingalittle。"
"Ah，Iamgladtohearthat。YouaregatheringupalittleEuropeanculture；that’swhatwelack，youknow，athome。Noindividualcandomuch，ofcoarse。Butyoumustnotbediscouraged；everylittlecounts。"
"Iseethatyou，atleast，aredoingyourpart，"Irejoinedgallantly，droppingmyeyesonmycompanion’slearnedvolume。
"Yes，IfranklyadmitthatIamfondofstudy。Thereisnoone，afterall，liketheGermans。Thatis，forfacts。ForopinionsIbynomeansalwaysgowiththem。Iformmyopinionsmyself。Iamsorrytosay，however，"Mrs。Churchcontinued，"thatIcanhardlypretendtodiffusemyacquisitions。IamafraidIamsadlyselfish；Idolittletoirrigatethesoil。Ibelong——Ifranklyconfessit——totheclassofabsentees。"
"Ihadthepleasure，lastevening，"Isaid，"ofmakingtheacquaintanceofyourdaughter。ShetoldmeyouhadbeenalongtimeinEurope。"
Mrs。Churchsmiledbenignantly。"Canoneeverbetoolong？Weshallneverleaveit。"
"Yourdaughterwon’tlikethat，"Isaid，smilingtoo。
"Hasshebeentakingyouintoherconfidence？Sheisamoresensibleyoungladythanshesometimesappears。Ihavetakengreatpainswithher；sheisreally——Imaybepermittedtosayit——superblyeducated。"
"Sheseemedtomeaverycharminggirl，"Irejoined。"AndIlearnedthatshespeaksfourlanguages。"
"Itisnotonlythat，"saidMrs。Church，inatonewhichsuggestedthatthismightbeaverysuperficialspeciesofculture。"Shehasmadewhatwecalldefortesetudes——suchasIsupposeyouaremakingnow。Sheisfamiliarwiththeresultsofmodernscience；shekeepspacewiththenewhistoricalschool。"
"Ah，"saidI，"shehasgonemuchfartherthanI！"
"YoudoubtlessthinkIexaggerate，andyouforceme，therefore，tomentionthefactthatIamabletospeakofsuchmatterswithacertainintelligence。"
"Thatisveryevident，"Isaid。"Butyourdaughterthinksyououghttotakeherhome。"Ibegantofear，assoonasIhadutteredthesewords，thattheysavouredoftreacherytotheyounglady，butIwasreassuredbyseeingthattheyproducedonhermother’splacidcountenancenosymptomwhateverofirritation。
"Mydaughterhasherlittletheories，"Mrs。Churchobserved；"shehas，Imaysay，herillusions。Andwhatwonder！Whatwouldyouthbewithoutitsillusions？AurorahasatheorythatshewouldbehappierinNewYork，inBoston，inPhiladelphia，thaninoneofthecharmingoldcitiesinwhichourlotiscast。Butsheismistaken，thatisall。Wemustallowourchildrentheirillusions，mustwenot？Butwemustwatchoverthem。"
Althoughsheherselfseemedproofagainstdiscomposure，Ifoundsomethingvaguelyirritatinginhersoft，sweetpositiveness。
"Americancities，"Isaid，"aretheparadiseofyounggirls。"
"Doyoumean，"askedMrs。Church，"thattheyounggirlswhocomefromthoseplacesareangels？"
"Yes，"Isaid，resolutely。
"Thisyounglady——whatisheroddname？——withwhommydaughterhasformedasomewhatprecipitateacquaintance：isMissRuckanangel？
ButIwon’tforceyoutosayanythinguncivil。Itwouldbetoocrueltomakeasingleexception。"
"Well，"saidI，"atanyrate，inAmericayounggirlshaveaneasierlot。Theyhavemuchmoreliberty。"
Mycompanionlaidherhandforaninstantonmyarm。"Mydearyoungfriend，IknowAmerica，Iknowtheconditionsoflifethere，sowell。
ThereisperhapsnosubjectonwhichIhavereflectedmorethanonournationalidiosyncrasies。"
"Iamafraidyoudon’tapproveofthem，"saidI，alittlebrutally。
Brutalindeedmypropositionwas，andMrs。Churchwasnotpreparedtoassenttoitinthisroughshape。Shedroppedhereyesonherbook，withanairofacutemeditation。Then，raisingthem，"Weareverycrude，"shesoftlyobserved——"weareverycrude。"Lesteventhisdelicately-utteredstatementshouldseemtosavourofthevicethatshedeprecated，shewentontoexplain。"Therearetwoclassesofminds，youknow——thosethatholdback，andthosethatpushforward。
MydaughterandIarenotpushers；wemovewithlittlesteps。Weliketheold，troddenpaths；weliketheold，oldworld。"
"Ah，"saidI，"youknowwhatyoulike；thereisagreatvirtueinthat。"
"Yes，welikeEurope；wepreferit。WeliketheopportunitiesofEurope；weliketheREST。Thereissomuchinthat，youknow。Theworldseemstometobehurrying，pressingforwardsofiercely，withoutknowingwhereitisgoing。’Whither？’Ioftenask，inmylittlequietway。ButIhaveyettolearnthatanyonecantellme。"
"You’reagreatconservative，"Iobserved，whileIwonderedwhetherI
myselfcouldanswerthisinquiry。
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