MrsMercerstooduptogo：shewassorryshecouldn’twaitanylonger，butitwasaftereighto’clockandshedidnotliketobeoutlate，asthenightairwasbadforher。WhenshehadgoneIbegantowalkupanddowntheroom，clenchingmyfists。Myauntsaid：

`I’mafraidyoumayputoffyourbazaarforthisnightofOurLord。’

Atnineo’clockIheardmyuncle’slatchkeyinthehalldoor。Iheardhimtalkingtohimselfandheardthehallstandrockingwhenithadreceivedtheweightofhisovercoat。Icouldinterpretthesesigns。WhenhewasmidwaythroughhisdinnerIaskedhimtogivemethemoneytogotothebazaar。Hehadforgotten。

`Thepeopleareinbedandaftertheirfirstsleepnow，’hesaid。

Ididnotsmile。Myauntsaidtohimenergetically：

`Can’tyougivehimthemoneyandlethimgo？You’vekepthimlateenoughasitis。’

Myunclesaidhewasverysorryhehadforgotten。Hesaidhebelievedintheoldsaying：`AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy。’HeaskedmewhereIwasgoingand，whenItoldhimasecondtime，heaskedmedidIknowTheArab’sFarewelltohisSteed。WhenIleftthekitchenhewasabouttorecitetheopeninglinesofthepiecetomyaunt。

IheldaflorintightlyinmyhandasIstrodedownBuckinghamStreettowardsthestation。Thesightofthestreetsthrongedwithbuyersandglaringwithgasrecalledtomethepurposeofmyjourney。Itookmyseatinathird-classcarriageofadesertedtrain。Afteranintolerabledelaythetrainmovedoutofthestationslowly。Itcreptonwardamongruinoushousesandoverthetwinklingriver。AtWestlandRowStationacrowdofpeoplepressedtothecarriagedoors；buttheportersmovedthemback，sayingthatitwasaspecialtrainforthebazaar。Iremainedaloneinthebarecarriage。Inafewminutesthetraindrewupbesideanimprovisedwoodenplatform。Ipassedoutontotheroadandsawbythelighteddialofaclockthatitwastenminutestoten。Infrontofmewasalargebuildingwhichdisplayedthemagicalname。

Icouldnotfindanysixpennyentranceand，fearingthatthebazaarwouldbeclosed，Ipassedinquicklythroughaturnstile，handingashillingtoaweary-lookingman。Ifoundmyselfinabighallgirdedathalfitsheightbyagallery。Nearlyallthestallswereclosedandthegreaterpartofthehallwasindarkness。Irecognizedasilencelikethatwhichpervadesachurchafteraservice。Iwalkedintothecentreofthebazaartimidly。Afewpeopleweregatheredaboutthestallswhichwerestillopen。

Beforeacurtain，overwhichthewordsCaf&eacute；Chantantwerewrittenincolouredlamps，twomenwerecountingmoneyonasalver。Ilistenedtothefallofthecoins。

RememberingwithdifficultywhyIhadcome，Iwentovertooneofthestallsandexaminedporcelainvasesandfloweredtea-sets。Atthedoorofthestallayoungladywastalkingandlaughingwithtwoyounggentlemen。

IremarkedtheirEnglishaccentsandlistenedvaguelytotheirconversation。

`O，Ineversaidsuchathing！’

`O，butyoudid！’

`O，butIdidn’t！’

`Didn’tshesaythat？’

`Yes。Iheardher。’

`O，there’sa……fib！’

Observingme，theyoungladycameoverandaskedmedidIwishtobuyanything。Thetoneofhervoicewasnotencouraging；sheseemedtohavespokentomeoutofasenseofduty。Ilookedhumblyatthegreatjarsthatstoodlikeeasternguardsateithersideofthedarkentrancetothestallandmurmured：

`No，thankyou。’

Theyoungladychangedthepositionofoneofthevasesandwentbacktothetwoyoungmen。Theybegantotalkofthesamesubject。Onceortwicetheyoungladyglancedatmeoverhershoulder。

Ilingeredbeforeherstall，thoughIknewmystaywasuseless，tomakemyinterestinherwaresseemthemorereal。ThenIturnedawayslowlyandwalkeddownthemiddleofthebazaar。Iallowedthetwopenniestofallagainstthesixpenceinmypocket。Iheardavoicecallfromoneendofthegallerythatthelightwasout。Theupperpartofthehallwasnowcompletelydark。

GazingupintothedarknessIsawmyselfasacreaturedrivenandderidedbyvanity；andmyeyesburnedwithanguishandanger。

Eveline

Shesatatthewindowwatchingtheeveninginvadetheavenue。Herheadwasleanedagainstthewindowcurtains，andinhernostrilswastheodourofdustycretonne。Shewastired。

Fewpeoplepassed。Themanoutofthelasthousepassedonhiswayhome；

sheheardhisfootstepsclackingalongtheconcretepavementandafterwardscrunchingonthecinderpathbeforethenewredhouses。Onetimethereusedtobeafieldthereinwhichtheyusedtoplayeveryeveningwithotherpeople’schildren。ThenamanfromBelfastboughtthefieldandbuilthousesinit-notliketheirlittlebrownhouses，butbrightbrickhouseswithshiningroofs。Thechildrenoftheavenueusedtoplaytogetherinthatfield-theDevines，theWaters，theDunns，littleKeoghthecripple，sheandherbrothersandsisters。Ernest，however，neverplayed：hewastoogrownup。Herfatherusedoftentohunttheminoutofthefieldwithhisblackthornstick；butusuallylittleKeoghusedtokeepnixandcalloutwhenhesawherfathercoming。Stilltheyseemedtohavebeenratherhappythen。Herfatherwasnotsobadthen；andbesides，hermotherwasalive。Thatwasalongtimeago；sheandherbrothersandsisterswereallgrownup；hermotherwasdead。TizzieDunnwasdead，too，andtheWatershadgonebacktoEngland。Everythingchanges。Nowshewasgoingtogoawayliketheothers，toleaveherhome。

Home！Shelookedroundtheroom，reviewingallitsfamiliarobjectswhichshehaddustedonceaweekforsomanyyears，wonderingwhereonearthallthedustcamefrom。Perhapsshewouldneverseeagainthosefamiliarobjectsfromwhichshehadneverdreamedofbeingdivided。AndyetduringallthoseyearsshehadneverfoundoutthenameofthepriestwhoseyellowingphotographhungonthewallabovethebrokenharmoniumbesidethecolouredprintofthepromisesmadetoBlessedMargaretMaryAlacoque。Hehadbeenaschoolfriendofherfather。Wheneverheshowedthephotographtoavisitorherfatherusedtopassitwithacasualword：

`HeisinMelbournenow。’

Shehadconsentedtogoaway，toleaveherhome。Wasthatwise？Shetriedtoweigheachsideofthequestion。Inherhomeanywayshehadshelterandfood；shehadthosewhomshehadknownallherlifeabouther。Ofcourseshehadtoworkhard，bothinthehouseandatbusiness。WhatwouldtheysayofherintheStoreswhentheyfoundoutthatshehadrunawaywithafellow？Sayshewasafool，perhaps；andherplacewouldbefilledupbyadvertisement。MissGavanwouldbeglad。Shehadalwayshadanedgeonher，especiallywhenevertherewerepeoplelistening。

`MissHill，don’tyouseetheseladiesarewaiting？’

`Looklively，MissHill，please。’

ShewouldnotcrymanytearsatleavingtheStores。

Butinhernewhome，inadistantunknowncountry，itwouldnotbelikethat。Thenshewouldbemarried-she，Eveline。Peoplewouldtreatherwithrespectthen。Shewouldnotbetreatedashermotherhadbeen。Evennow，thoughshewasovernineteen，shesometimesfeltherselfindangerofherfather’sviolence。SheknewitwasthatthathadgivenherthePalpitations。

Whentheyweregrowinguphehadnevergoneforher，likeheusedtogoforHarryandErnest，becauseshewasagirl；butlatterlyhehadbeguntothreatenherandsaywhathewoulddotoheronlyforherdeadmother’ssake。Andnowshehadnobodytoprotecther，ErnestwasdeadandHarry，whowasinthechurchdecoratingbusiness，wasnearlyalwaysdownsomewhereinthecountry。Besides，theinvariablesquabbleformoneyonSaturdaynightshadbeguntowearyherunspeakably。Shealwaysgaveherentirewages-sevenshillings-andHarryalwayssentupwhathecould，butthetroublewastogetanymoneyfromherfather。Hesaidsheusedtosquanderthemoney，thatshehadnohead，thathewasn’tgoingtogiveherhishard-earnedmoneytothrowaboutthestreets，andmuchmore，forhewasusuallyfairlybadonSaturdaynight。IntheendhewouldgiveherthemoneyandaskherhadsheanyintentionofbuyingSunday’sdinner。Thenshehadtorushoutasquicklyasshecouldanddohermarketing，holdingherblackleatherpursetightlyinherhandassheelbowedherwaythroughthecrowdsandreturninghomelateunderherloadofprovisions。Shehadhardworktokeepthehousetogetherandtoseethatthetwoyoungchildrenwhohadbeenlefttoherchargewenttoschoolregularlyandgottheirmealsregularly。

Itwashardwork-ahardlife-butnowthatshewasabouttoleaveitshedidnotfinditawhollyundesirablelife。

ShewasabouttoexploreanotherlifewithFrank。Frankwasverykind，manly，open-hearted。Shewastogoawaywithhimbythenight-boattobehiswifeandtolivewithhiminBuenosAires，wherehehadahomewaitingforher。Howwellsherememberedthefirsttimeshehadseenhim；hewaslodginginahouseonthemainroadwheresheusedtovisit。Itseemedafewweeksago。Hewasstandingatthegate，hispeakedcappushedbackonhisheadandhishairtumbledforwardoverafaceofbronze。Thentheyhadcometoknoweachother。HeusedtomeetheroutsidetheStoreseveryeveningandseeherhome。HetookhertoseeTheBohemianGirlandshefeltelatedasshesatinanunaccustomedpartofthetheatrewithhimHewasawfullyfondofmusicandsangalittle。Peopleknewthattheywerecourting，and，whenhesangaboutthelassthatlovesasailor，shealwaysfeltpleasantlyconfused。HeusedtocallherPoppensoutoffun。

Firstofallithadbeenanexcitementforhertohaveafellowandthenshehadbeguntolikehim。Hehadtalesofdistantcountries。HehadstartedasadeckboyatapoundamonthonashipoftheAllanLinegoingouttoCanada。Hetoldherthenamesoftheshipshehadbeenonandthenamesofthedifferentservices。HehadsailedthroughtheStraitsofMagellanandhetoldherstoriesoftheterriblePatagonians。HehadfallenonhisfeetinBuenosAires，hesaid，andhadcomeovertotheoldcountryjustforaholiday。Ofcourse，herfatherhadfoundouttheaffairandhadforbiddenhertohaveanythingtosaytohim。

`Iknowthesesailorchaps，’hesaid。

OnedayhehadquarrelledwithFrank，andafterthatshehadtomeetherloversecretly。

Theeveningdeepenedintheavenue。Thewhiteoftwolettersinherlapgrewindistinct。OnewastoHarry；theotherwastoherfather。Ernes！

hadbeenherfavourite，butshelikedHarrytoo。Herfatherwasbecomingoldlately，shenoticed；hewouldmissher。Sometimeshecouldbeverynice。Notlongbefore，whenshehadbeenlaidupforaday，hehadreadheroutaghoststoryandmadetoastforheratthefire。Anotherday，whentheirmotherwasalive，theyhadallgoneforapicnictotheHillofHowth。Sherememberedherfatherputtingonhermother’sbonnettomakethechildrenlaugh。

Hertimewasrunningout，butshecontinuedtositbythewindow，leaningherheadagainstthewindowcurtain，inhalingtheodourofdustycretonne。

Downfarintheavenueshecouldhearastreetorganplaying。Sheknewtheair。Strangethatitshouldcomethatverynighttoremindherofthepromisetohermother，herpromisetokeepthehometogetheraslongasshecould。Sherememberedthelastnightofhermother’sillness；shewasagainintheclose，darkroomattheothersideofthehallandoutsidesheheardamelancholyairofItaly。Theorgan-playerhadbeenorderedtogoawayandgivensixpence。Sherememberedherfatherstruttingbackintothesick-roomsaying：

`DamnedItalians！comingoverhere！’

Asshemusedthepitifulvisionofhermother’slifelaiditsspellontheveryquickofherbeing-thatlifeofcommonplacesacrificesclosinginfinalcraziness。Shetrembledassheheardagainhermother’svoicesayingconstantlywithfoolishinsistence：

`DerevaunSeraun！DerevaunSeraun！’

Shestoodupinasuddenimpulseofterror。Escape！Shemustescape！

Frankwouldsaveher。Hewouldgiveherlife，perhapslove，too。Butshewantedtolive。Whyshouldshebeunhappy？Shehadarighttohappiness。

Frankwouldtakeherinhisarms，foldherinhisarms。Hewouldsaveher。

ShestoodamongtheswayingcrowdinthestationattheNorthWall。

Heheldherhandandsheknewthathewasspeakingtoher，sayingsomethingaboutthepassageoverandoveragain。Thestationwasfullofsoldierswithbrownbaggages。Throughthewidedoorsoftheshedsshecaughtaglimpseoftheblackmassoftheboat，lyinginbesidethequaywall，withilluminedportholes。Sheanswerednothing。Shefelthercheekpaleandcoldand，outofamazeofdistress，sheprayedtoGodtodirecther，toshowherwhatwasherduty。Theboatblewalongmournfulwhistleintothemist。

Ifshewent，tomorrowshewouldbeontheseawithFrank，steamingtowardsBuenosAires。Theirpassagehadbeenbooked。Couldshestilldrawbackafterallhehaddoneforher？Herdistressawokeanauseainherbodyandshekeptmovingherlipsinsilentferventprayer。

Abellclangeduponherheart。Shefelthimseizeherhand：`Come！’

Alltheseasoftheworldtumbledaboutherheart。Hewasdrawingherintothem：hewoulddrownher。Shegrippedwithbothhandsattheironrailing。

`Come！’

No！No！No！Itwasimpossible。Herhandsclutchedtheironinfrenzy。

Amidtheseasshesentacryofanguish。

`Eveline！Evvy！’

Herushedbeyondthebarrierandcalledtohertofollow。Hewasshoutedattogoon，buthestillcalledtoher。Shesetherwhitefacetohim，passive，likeahelplessanimal。Hereyesgavehimnosignofloveorfarewellorrecognition。

AfterTheRace

ThecarscamescuddingintowardsDublin，runningevenlylikepelletsinthegrooveoftheNaasRoad。AtthecrestofthehillatInchicoresightseershadgatheredinclumpstowatchthecarscareeringhomeward，andthroughthischannelofpovertyandinactiontheContinentspeditswealthandindustry。Nowandagaintheclumpsofpeopleraisedthecheerofthegratefullyoppressed。Theirsympathy，however，wasforthebluecars-thecarsoftheirfriends，theFrench。

TheFrench，moreover，werevirtualvictors。Theirteamhadfinishedsolidly；theyhadbeenplacedsecondandthirdandthedriverofthewinningGermancarwasreportedaBelgian。Eachbluecar，therefore，receivedadoublemeasureofwelcomeasittoppedthecrestofthehill，andeachcheerofwelcomewasacknowledgedwithsmilesandnodsbythoseinthecar。InoneofthesetrimlybuiltcarswasapartyoffouryoungmenwhosespiritsseemedtobeatpresentwellabovethelevelofsuccessfulGallicism：

infact，thesefouryoungmenwerealmosthilarious。TheywereCharlesS&eacute；gouin，theownerofthecar；Andr&eacute；Rivi&egrave；re，ayoungelectricianofCanadianbirth；ahugeHungariannamedVillonaandaneatlygroomedyoungmannamedDoyle。S&eacute；gouinwasingoodhumourbecausehehadunexpectedlyreceivedsomeordersinadvance（hewasabouttostartamotorestablishmentinParis）andRivi&egrave；rewasingoodhumourbecausehewastobeappointedmanageroftheestablishment；thesetwoyoungmen（whowerecousins）werealsoingoodhumourbecauseofthesuccessoftheFrenchcars。Villonawasingoodhumourbecausehehadhadaverysatisfactoryluncheon；and，besides，hewasanoptimistbynature。Thefourthmemberoftheparty，however，wastooexcitedtobegenuinelyhappy。

Hewasabouttwenty-sixyearsofage，withasoft，light-brownmoustacheandratherinnocent-lookinggreyeyes。Hisfather，whohadbegunlifeasanadvancedNationalist，hadmodifiedhisviewsearly。HehadmadehismoneyasabutcherinKingstown，andbyopeningshopsinDublinandinthesuburbshehadmadehismoneymanytimesover。HehadalsobeenfortunateenoughtosecuresomeofthepolicecontractsandintheendhehadbecomerichenoughtobealludedtointheDublinnewspapersasamerchantprince。

HehadsenthissontoEnglandtobeeducatedinabigCatholiccollegeandhadafterwardssenthimtoDublinUniversitytostudylaw。Jimmydidnotstudyveryearnestlyandtooktobadcoursesforawhile。Hehadmoneyandhewaspopular；andhedividedhistimecuriouslybetweenmusicalandmotoringcircles。ThenhehadbeensentforatermtoCambridgetoseealittlelife。Hisfather，remonstrative，butcovertlyproudoftheexcess，hadpaidhisbillsandbroughthimhome。ItwasatCambridgethathehadmetS&eacute；gouin。Theywerenotmuchmorethanacquaintancesasyet，butJimmyfoundgreatpleasureinthesocietyofonewhohadseensomuchoftheworldandwasreputedtoownsomeofthebiggesthotelsinFrance。

Suchaperson（ashisfatheragreed）waswellworthknowing，evenifhehadnotbeenthecharmingcompanionhewas。Villonawasentertainingalso-abrilliantpianist-but，unfortunately，verypoor。

Thecarranonmerrilywithitscargoofhilariousyouth。Thetwocousinssatonthefrontseat；JimmyandhisHungarianfriendsatbehind。DecidedlyVillonawasinexcellentspirits；hekeptupadeepbasshumofmelodyformilesoftheroad。TheFrenchmenflungtheirlaughterandlightwordsovertheirshoulders，andoftenJimmyhadtostrainforwardtocatchthequickphrase。Thiswasnotaltogetherpleasantforhim，ashehadnearlyalwaystomakeadeftguessatthemeaningandshoutbackasuitableanswerinthefaceofahighwind。Besides，Villona’shummingwouldconfuseeverybody；

thenoiseofthecar，too。

Rapidmotionthroughspaceelatesone；sodoesnotoriety；sodoesthepossessionofmoney。ThesewerethreegoodreasonsforJimmy’sexcitement。

HehadbeenseenbymanyofhisfriendsthatdayinthecompanyoftheseContinentals。AtthecontrolS&eacute；gouinhadpresentedhimtooneoftheFrenchcompetitorsand，inanswertohisconfusedmurmurofcompliment，theswarthyfaceofthedriverhaddisclosedalineofshiningwhiteteeth。

Itwaspleasantafterthathonourtoreturntotheprofaneworldofspectatorsamidnudgesandsignificantlooks。Thenastomoney-hereallyhadagreatsumunderhiscontrol。S&eacute；gouin，perhaps，wouldnotthinkitagreatsum，butJimmywho，inspiteoftemporaryerrors；wasathearttheinheritorofsolidinstincts，knewwellwithwhatdifficultyithadbeengottogether。

Thisknowledgehadpreviouslykepthisbillswithinthelimitsofreasonablerecklessness，andifhehadbeensoconsciousofthelabourlatentinmoneywhentherehadbeenquestionmerelyofsomefreakofthehigherintelligence，howmuchmoresonowwhenhewasabouttostakethegreaterpartofhissubstance！Itwasaseriousthingforhim。

Ofcourse，theinvestmentwasagoodone，andS&eacute；gouinhadmanagedtogivetheimpressionthatitwasbyafavouroffriendshipthemiteofIrishmoneywastobeincludedinthecapitaloftheconcern。Jimmyhadarespectforhisfather’sshrewdnessinbusinessmatters，andinthiscaseithadbeenhisfatherwhohadfirstsuggestedtheinvestment；moneytobemadeinthemotorbusiness，potsofmoney。Moreover，S&eacute；gouinhadtheunmistakableairofwealth。Jimmysetouttotranslateintodays’

workthatlordlycarinwhichhesat。Howsmoothlyitran！Inwhatstyletheyhadcomecareeringalongthecountryroads！Thejourneylaidamagicalfingeronthegenuinepulseoflifeandgallantlythemachineryofhumannervesstrovetoanswertheboundingcoursesoftheswiftblueanimal。

TheydrovedownDameStreet。Thestreetwasbusywithunusualtraffic，loudwiththehornsofmotoristsandthegongsofimpatienttram-drivers。

NeartheBankS&eacute；gouindrewupandJimmyandhisfriendalighted。

Alittleknotofpeoplecollectedonthefootpathtopayhomagetothesnortingmotor。ThepartywastodinetogetherthateveninginS&eacute；gouin’shoteland，meanwhile，Jimmyandhisfriend，whowasstayingwithhim，weretogohometodress。ThecarsteeredoutslowlyforGraftonStreetwhilethetwoyoungmenpushedtheirwaythroughtheknotofgazers。Theywalkednorthwardwithacuriousfeelingofdisappointmentintheexercise，whilethecityhungitspaleglobesoflightabovetheminahazeofsummerevening。

InJimmy’shousethisdinnerhadbeenpronouncedanoccasion。Acertainpridemingledwithhisparents’trepidation，acertaineagerness，also，toplayfastandloose，forthenamesofgreatforeigncitieshaveatleastthisvirtue。Jimmy，too，lookedverywellwhenhewasdressed，andashestoodinthehall，givingalastequationtothebowsofhisdresstie，hisfathermayhavefeltevencommerciallysatisfiedathavingsecuredforhissonqualitiesoftenunpurchasable。Hisfather，therefore，wasunusuallyfriendlywithVillona，andhismannerexpressedarealrespectforforeignaccomplishments；butthissubtletyofhishostwasprobablylostupontheHungarian，whowasbeginningtohaveasharpdesireforhisdinner。

Thedinnerwasexcellent，exquisite。S&eacute；gouin，Jimmydecided，hadaveryrefinedtaste。ThepartywasincreasedbyayoungEnglishmannamedRouthwhomJimmyhadseenwithS&eacute；gouinatCambridge。Theyoungmensuppedinasnugroomlitbyelectriccandlelamps。Theytalkedvolublyandwithlittlereserve。Jimmy，whoseimaginationwaskindling，conceivedthelivelyyouthoftheFrenchmentwinedelegantlyuponthefirmframeworkoftheEnglishman’smanner。Agracefulimageofhis，hethought，andajustone。Headmiredthedexteritywithwhichtheirhostdirectedtheconversation。

Thefiveyoungmenhadvarioustastesandtheirtongueshadbeenloosened。

Villona，withimmenserespect，begantodiscovertothemildlysurprisedEnglishmanthebeautiesoftheEnglishmadrigal，deploringthelossofoldinstruments。Rivi&egrave；re，notwhollyingenuously，undertooktoexplaintoJimmythetriumphoftheFrenchmechanicians。TheresonantvoiceoftheHungarianwasabouttoprevailinridiculeofthespuriouslutesoftheromanticpainterswhenS&eacute；gouinshepherdedhispartyintopolitics。

Herewascongenialgroundforall。Jimmy，undergenerousinfluences，felttheburiedzealofhisfatherwaketolifewithinhim：hearousedthetorpidRouthatlast。TheroomgrewdoublyhotandS&eacute；gouin’staskgrewhardereachmoment：therewasevendangerofpersonalspite。ThealerthostatanopportunityliftedhisglasstoHumanity，andwhenthetoasthadbeendrunkhethrewopenawindowsignificantly。

Thatnightthecityworethemaskofacapital。ThefiveyoungmenstrolledalongStephen’sGreeninafaintcloudofaromaticsmoke。Theytalkedloudlyandgailyandtheircloaksdangledfromtheirshoulders。Thepeoplemadewayforthem。AtthecornerofGraftonStreetashortfatmanwasputtingtwohandsomeladiesonacarinchargeofanotherfatman。Thecardroveoffandtheshortfatmancaughtsightoftheparty。

`Andr&eacute；。’

`It’sFarley！’

Atorrentoftalkfollowed。FarleywasanAmerican。Nooneknewverywellwhatthetalkwasabout。VillonaandRivi&egrave；rewerethenoisiest，butallthemenwereexcited。Theygotuponacar，squeezingthemselvestogetheramidmuchlaughter。Theydrovebythecrowd，blendednowintosoftcolours，toamusicofmerrybells。TheytookthetrainatWestlandRowandinafewseconds，asitseemedtoJimmy，theywerewalkingoutofKingstownStation。Theticket-collectorsalutedJimmy；hewasanoldman：

`Finenight，sir！’

Itwasaserenesummernight；theharbourlaylikeadarkenedmirrorattheirfeet。Theyproceededtowardsitwithlinkedarms，singingCadetRousselinchorus，stampingtheirfeetatevery：

`Ho！Ho！Hoh&eacute；，vraiment！’

TheygotintoarowboatattheslipandmadeoutfortheAmerican’syacht。Therewastobesupper，music，cards。Villonasaidwithconviction：

`Itisdelightful！’

Therewasayachtpianointhecabin。VillonaplayedawaltzforFarleyandRivi&egrave；re，FarleyactingascavalierandRivi&egrave；reaslady。

Thenanimpromptusquaredance，themendevisingoriginalfigures。Whatmerriment！Jimmytookhispartwithawill；thiswasseeinglife，atleast。

ThenFarleygotoutofbreathandcried`Stop！’Amanbroughtinalightsupper，andtheyoungmensatdowntoitforform’ssake。Theydrank，however：itwasBohemian。TheydrankIreland，England，France，Hungary，theUnitedStatesofAmerica。Jimmymadeaspeech，alongspeech，Villonasaying`Hear！hear！’whenevertherewasapause。Therewasagreatclappingofhandswhenhesatdown。Itmusthavebeenagoodspeech。Farleyclappedhimonthebackandlaughedloudly。Whatjovialfellows！Whatgoodcompanytheywere！

Cards！cards！Thetablewascleared。Villonareturnedquietlytohispianoandplayedvoluntariesforthem。Theothermenplayedgameaftergame，flingingthemselvesboldlyintotheadventure。TheydrankthehealthoftheQueenofHeartsandoftheQueenofDiamonds。Jimmyfeltobscurelythelackofanaudience：thewitwasflashing。Playranveryhighandpaperbegantopass。Jimmydidnotknowexactlywhowaswinning，butheknewthathewaslosing。Butitwashisownfault，forhefrequentlymistookhiscardsandtheothermenhadtocalculatehisIOUsforhim。Theyweredevilsoffellows，buthewishedtheywouldstop：itwasgettinglate。

SomeonegavethetoastoftheyachtTheBelleofNewport，andthensomeoneproposedonegreatgameforafinish。

Thepianohadstopped；Villonamusthavegoneupondeck。Itwasaterriblegame。Theystoppedjustbeforetheendofittodrinkforluck。JimmyunderstoodthatthegamelaybetweenRouthandS&eacute；gouin。Whatexcitement！Jimmywasexcitedtoo；hewouldlose，ofcourse。Howmuchhadhewrittenaway？

Themenrosetotheirfeettoplaythelasttricks，talkingandgesticulating。

Routhwon。Thecabinshookwiththeyoungmen’scheeringandthecardswerebundledtogether。Theybeganthentogatherinwhattheyhadwon。

FarleyandJimmyweretheheaviestlosers。

Heknewthathewouldregretitinthemorning，butatpresenthewasgladoftherest，gladofthedarkstuporthatwouldcoveruphisfolly。

Heleanedhiselbowsonthetableandrestedhisheadbetweenhishands，countingthebeatsofhistemples。ThecabindooropenedandhesawtheHungarianstandinginashaftofgreylight：

`Daybreak，gentlemen！’

TwoGallants

ThegreywarmeveningofAugusthaddescendeduponthecity，andamildwarmair，amemoryofsummer，circulatedinthestreets。Thestreets，shutteredforthereposeofSunday，swarmedwithagailycolouredcrowd。Likeilluminedpearlsthelampsshonefromthesummitsoftheirtallpolesuponthelivingtexturebelow，which，changingshapeandhueunceasingly，sentupintothewarmgreyeveningairanunchanging，unceasingmurmur。

TwoyoungmencamedownthehillofRutlandSquare。Oneofthemwasjustbringingalongmonologuetoaclose。Theother，whowalkedonthevergeofthepathandwasattimesobligedtostepontotheroad，owingtohiscompanion’srudeness，woreanamused，listeningface。Hewassquatandruddy。Ayachtingcapwasshovedfarbackfromhisforehead，andthenarrativetowhichhelistenedmadeconstantwavesofexpressionbreakforthoverhisfacefromthecornersofhisnoseandeyesandmouth。Littlejetsofwheezinglaughterfollowedoneanotheroutofhisconvulsedbody。

Hiseyes，twinklingwithcunningenjoyment，glancedateverymomenttowardshiscompanion’sface。Onceortwiceherearrangedthelightwaterproofwhichhehadslungoveroneshoulderintoreadorfashion。Hisbreeches，hiswhiterubbershoes，andhisjauntilyslungwaterproofexpressedyouth。

Buthisfigurefellintorotundityatthewaist，hishairwasscantandgrey，andhisface，whenthewavesofexpressionhadpassedoverit，hadaravagedlook。

Whenhewasquitesurethatthenarrativehadendedhelaughednoiselesslyforfullyhalfaminute。Thenhesaid：

`Well！……Thattakesthebiscuit！’

Hisvoiceseemedwinnowedofvigour；andtoenforcehiswordsheaddedwithhumour：

`Thattakesthesolitary，unique，and，ifImaysocallit，recherch&eacute；biscuit！’

Hebecameseriousandsilentwhenhehadsaidthis。Histonguewastired，forhehadbeentalkingalltheafternooninapublic-houseinDorsetStreet。

MostpeopleconsideredLenehanaleech，butinspiteofthisreputation，hisadroitnessandeloquencehadalwayspreventedhisfriendsfromforminganygeneralpolicyagainsthim。Hehadabravemannerofcominguptoapartyoftheminabarandofholdinghimselfnimblyatthebordersofthecompanyuntilhewasincludedinaround。Hewasasportingvagrantarmedwithavaststockofstories，limericks，andriddles。Hewasinsensitivetoallkindsofdiscourtesy。Nooneknewhowheachievedthesterntaskofliving，buthisnamewasvaguelyassociatedwithracingtissues。

`Andwheredidyoupickherup，Corley？’heasked。

Corleyranhistongueswiftlyalonghisupperlip。

`Onenight，man，’hesaid，`IwasgoingalongDameStreetandIspottedafinetartunderWaterhouse’sclock，andsaidgoodnight，youknow。Sowewentforawalkroundbythecanal，andshetoldmeshewasaslaveyinahouseinBaggotStreet。Iputmyarmroundherandsqueezedherabitthatnight。ThennextSunday，man，Imetherbyappointment。WewentouttoDonnybrookandIbroughtherintoafieldthere。Shetoldmesheusedtogowithadairyman……Itwasfine，man。Cigaretteseverynightshe’dbringme，andpayingthetramoutandback。Andonenightshebroughtmetwobloodyfinecigars-O，therealcheese，youknownthattheoldfellowusedtosmoke……Iwasafraid，man，she’dgetinthefamilyway。

Butshe’suptothedodge。’

`Maybeshethinksyou’llmarryher，’saidLenehan。

`ItoldherIwasoutofajob，’saidCorley。`ItoldherIwasinPim’s。

Shedoesn’tknowmyname。Iwastoohairytotellherthat。ButshethinksI’mabitofclass，youknow。’

Lenehanlaughedagain，noiselessly。

`OfallthegoodoneseverIheard，’hesaid，`thatemphaticallytakesthebiscuit。’

Corley’sstrideacknowledgedthecompliment。Theswingofhisburlybodymadehisfriendexecuteafewlightskipsfromthepathtotheroadwayandbackagain。Corleywasthesonofaninspectorofpolice，andhehadinheritedhisfather’sframeandgait。’Hewalkedwithhishandsbyhissides，holdinghimselferectandswayinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hisheadwaslarge，globular，andoily；itsweatedinallweathers；andhislargeroundhat，setuponitsideways，lookedlikeabulbwhichhadgrownoutofanother。Healwaysstaredstraightbeforehimasifhewereonparade，andwhenhewishedtogazeaftersomeoneinthestreet，itwasnecessaryforhimtomovehisbodyfromthehips。Atpresenthewasabouttown。Wheneveranyjobwasvacantafriendwasalwaysreadytogivehimthehardword。

Hewasoftentobeseenwalkingwithpolicemeninplainclothes，talkingearnestly。Heknewtheinnersideofallaffairsandwasfondofdeliveringfinaljudgements。Hespokewithoutlisteningtothespeechofhiscompanions。

Hisconversationwasmainlyabouthimself：whathehadsaidtosuchapersonandwhatsuchapersonhadsaidtohim，andwhathehadsaidtosettlethematter。WhenhereportedthesedialoguesheaspiratedthefirstletterofhisnameafterthemannerofFlorentines。

Lenehanofferedhisfriendacigarette。AsthetwoyoungmenwalkedonthroughthecrowdCorleyoccasionallyturnedtosmileatsomeofthepassinggirls，butLenehan’sgazewasfixedonthelargefaintmooncircledwithadoublehalo。Hewatchedearnestlythepassingofthegreyweboftwilightacrossitsface。Atlengthhesaid：

`Well……tellme，Corley，Isupposeyou’llbeabletopullitoffallright，eh？’

Corleyclosedoneeyeexpressivelyasananswer。

`Isshegameforthat？’askedLenehandubiously。`Youcanneverknowwomen。’

`She’sallright，’saidCorley。`Iknowthewaytogetaroundher，man。

She’sabitgoneonme。’

`You’rewhatIcallagayLothario，’saidLenehan。`AndtheproperkindofaLothario，too！’

Ashadeofmockeryrelievedtheservilityofhismanner。Tosavehimselfhehadthehabitofleavinghisflatteryopentotheinterpretationofraillery。ButCorleyhadnotasubtlemind。

`There’snothingtotouchagoodslavey，’heaffirmed。`Takemytipforit。’

`Byonewhohastriedthemall，’saidLenehan。

`FirstIusedtogowithgirls，youknow，’saidCorley，unbosoming；

`girlsofftheSouthCircular。Iusedtotakethemout，man，onthetramsomewhereandpaythetram，ortakethemtoabandoraplayatthetheatre，orbuythemchocolateandsweetsorsomethingthatway。Iusedtospendmoneyonthemrightenough，’headded，inaconvincingtone，asifhewasconsciousofbeingdisbelieved。

ButLenehancouldwellbelieveit；henoddedgravely。

`Iknowthatgame，’hesaid，`andit’samug’sgame。’

`AnddamnthethingIevergotoutofit，’saidCorley。

`Dittohere，’saidLenehan。

`Onlyoffofoneofthem，’saidCorley。

Hemoistenedhisupperlipbyrunninghistonguealongit。Therecollectionbrightenedhiseyes。He，too，gazedatthepalediscofthemoon，nownearlyveiled，andseemedtomeditate。

`Shewas……abitofallright，’hesaidregretfully。

Hewassilentagain。Thenheadded：

`She’sontheturfnow。IsawherdrivingdownEarlStreetonenightwithtwofellowswithheronacar。’

`Isupposethat’syourdoing，’saidLenehan。

`Therewasothersatherbeforeme，’saidCorleyphilosophically。

ThistimeLenehanwasinclinedtodisbelieve。Heshookhisheadtoandfroandsmiled。

`Youknowyoucan’tkidme，Corley，’hesaid。

`HonesttoGod！’saidCorley。`Didn’tshetellmeherself？’

Lenehanmadeatragicgesture。

`Basebetrayer！’hesaid。

AstheypassedalongtherailingsofTrinityCollege，Lenehanskippedoutintotheroadandpeeredupattheclock。

`Twentyafter，’hesaid。

`Timeenough，’saidCorley。`She’llbethereallright。Ialwaysletherwaitabit。’

Lenehanlaughedquietly。

`Ecod！Corley，youknowhowtotakethem，’hesaid。

`I’muptoalltheirlittletricks，’Corleyconfessed。

`Buttellme，’saidLenehanagain，`areyousureyoucanbringitoffallright？Youknowit’saticklishjob。They’redamncloseonthatpoint。

Eh？……What？’

Hisbrightsmalleyessearchedhiscompanion’sfaceforreassurance。

Corleyswunghisheadtoandfroasiftotossasideaninsistentinsect，andhisbrowsgathered。

`I’llpullitoff，’hesaid。`Leaveittome，can’tyou？’

Lenehansaidnomore。Hedidnotwishtorufflehisfriend’stemper，tobesenttothedevilandtoldthathisadvicewasnotwanted。Alittletactwasnecessary。ButCorley’sbrowwassoonsmoothagain。Histhoughtswererunninganotherway。

`She’safinedecenttart，’hesaid，withappreciation；`that’swhatsheis。’

TheywalkedalongNassauStreetandthenturnedintoKildareStreet。

Notfarfromtheporchoftheclubaharpiststoodintheroadway，playingtoalittleringoflisteners。Hepluckedatthewiresheedlessly，glancingquicklyfromtimetotimeatthefaceofeachnew-comerandfromtimetotime，wearilyalso，atthesky。Hisharp，too，heedlessthathercoveringshadfallenaboutherknees，seemedwearyalikeoftheeyesofstrangersandofhermaster’shands。OnehandplayedinthebassthemelodyofSilent，OMoyle，whiletheotherhandcareeredinthetrebleaftereachgroupofnotes。Thenotesoftheairsoundeddeepandfull。

Thetwoyoungmenwalkedupthestreetwithoutspeaking，themournfulmusicfollowingthem。WhentheyreachedStephen’sGreentheycrossedtheroad。Herethenoiseoftrams，thelights，andthecrowd，releasedthemfromtheirsilence。

`Theresheis！’saidCorley。

AtthecornerofHumeStreetayoungwomanwasstanding。Sheworeabluedressandawhitesailorhat。Shestoodonthekerbstone，swingingasunshadeinonehand。Lenehangrewlively。

`Let’shavealookather，Corley，’hesaid。

Corleyglancedsidewaysathisfriend，andanunpleasantgrinappearedonhisface。

`Areyoutryingtogetinsideme？’heasked。

`Damnit！’saidLenehanboldly，`Idon’twantanintroduction。AllI

wantistohavealookather。I’mnotgoingtoeather。’

`O……Alookather？’saidCorley，moreamiably。`Well。I’lltellyouwhat。I’llgooverandtalktoherandyoucanpassby。’

`Right！’saidLenehan。

CorleyhadalreadythrownonelegoverthechainswhenLenehancalledout：

`Andafter？Wherewillwemeet？’

`Halften，’answeredCorley，bringingoverhisotherleg。

`Where？’

`CornerofMerrionStreet。We’llbecomingback。’

`Workitallrightnow，’saidLenehaninfarewell。

Corleydidnotanswer。Hesaunteredacrosstheroadswayinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hisbulk，hiseasypace，andthesolidsoundofhisbootshadsomethingoftheconquerorinthem。Heapproachedtheyoungwomanand，withoutsaluting，beganatoncetoconversewithher。Sheswungherumbrellamorequicklyandexecutedhalfturnsonherheels。Onceortwicewhenhespoketoheratclosequartersshelaughedandbentherhead。

Lenehanobservedthemforafewminutes。Thenhewalkedrapidlyalongbesidethechainsatsomedistanceandcrossedtheroadobliquely。AsheapproachedHumeStreetcornerhefoundtheairheavilyscented，andhiseyesmadeaswiftanxiousscrutinyoftheyoungwoman’sappearance。ShehadherSundayfineryon。Herbluesergeskirtwasheldatthewaistbyabeltofblackleather。Thegreatsilverbuckleofherbeltseemedtodepressthecentreofherbody，catchingthelightstuffofherwhiteblouselikeaclip。Sheworeashortblackjacketwithmother-of-pearlbuttons，andaraggedblackboa。Theendsofhertullecollarettehadbeencarefullydisorderedandabigbunchofredflowerswaspinnedinherbosomstemsupwards。Lenehan’seyesnotedapprovinglyherstoutshortmuscularbody。

Frankrudehealthglowedinherface，onherfatredcheeksandinherunabashedblueeyes。Herfeatureswereblunt。Shehadbroadnostrils，astragglingmouthwhichlayopeninacontentedleer，andtwoprojectingfrontteeth。AshepassedLenehantookoffhiscap，and，afterabouttenseconds，Corleyreturnedasalutetotheair。Thishedidbyraisinghishandvaguelyandpensivelychangingtheangleofpositionofhishat。

LenehanwalkedasfarastheShelbourneHotel，wherehehaltedandwaited。

Afterwaitingforalittletimehesawthemcomingtowardshimand，whentheyturnedtotheright，hefollowedthem，steppinglightlyinhiswhiteshoes，downonesideofMerrionSquare。Ashewalkedonslowly，timinghispacetotheirs，hewatchedCorley’sheadwhichturnedateverymomenttowardstheyoungwoman’sfacelikeabigballrevolvingonapivot。HekeptthepairinviewuntilhehadseenthemclimbingthestairsoftheDonnybrooktram；thenheturnedaboutandwentbackthewayhehadcome。

Nowthathewasalonehisfacelookedolder。Hisgaietyseemedtoforsakehim，andashecamebytherailingsoftheDuke’sLawnheallowedhishandtorunalongthem。Theairwhichtheharpisthadplayedbegantocontrolhismovements。Hissoftlypaddedfeetplayedthemelodywhilehisfingerssweptascaleofvariationsidlyalongtherailingsaftereachgroupofnotes。

HewalkedlistlesslyroundStephen’sGreenandthendownGraftonStreet。

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