"Ibegofyounottopersistinpayingmecompliments。Igettoomuchofthatcheaparticleelsewhere。IhatetobetoldthatIambetterthanIknowIam。Ifyouaretodomeanygoodbyyourinstruction，youmustbeperfectlysinceretowardme，andtellmeplainlyofmyshort—comings。IpromiseyoubeforehandthatIshallneverbeoffended。Thereismyhand。

Now，isitabargain？"

Hisfingersclosedinvoluntarilyoverthesoftbeautifulhand，andoncemoretheluxuryofhertouchsentathrillofdelightthroughhim。

"Ihavenotbeeninsincere，"hemurmured，"butIshallbeonmyguardinfuture，evenagainsttheappearanceofinsincerity。"

"AndwhenIplaydetestably，youwillsayso，andnotsmoothitoverwithunmeaningflatteries？"

"Iwilltry。"

"Verywell，thenweshallgetonwelltogether。Donotimaginethatthisisamerefemininewhimofmine。Ineverwasmoreinearnest。Men，andIbelieveforeigners，toagreaterdegreethanAmericans，havetheideathatwomenmustbetreatedwithgentleforbearance;

thattheirfollies，iftheyarefoolish，mustbeglossedoverwithsomepolitename。

Theyexertthemselvestotheutmosttomakeusmereplaythings，and，assuch，contemptiblebothinourowneyesandintheirs。Nosincererespectcanexistwherethetruthhastobeavoided。ButthemajorityofAmericanwomenaremadeoftoosternastufftobedealtwithinthatway。Theyfeelthelurkinginsincerityevenwherepolitenessforbidsthemtoshowit，anditmakesthemdisgustedbothwiththemselves，andwiththeflatterer。Andnowyoumustpardonmeforhavingspokensoplainlytoyouonsoshortanacquaintance;butyouareaforeigner，anditmaybeanactoffriendshiptoinitiateyouassoonaspossibleintoourwaysandcustoms。"

Hehardlyknewwhattoanswer。Hervehemencewassosudden，andthesentimentsshehadutteredsodifferentfromthosewhichhehadhabituallyascribedtowomen，thathecouldonlysitandgazeatherinmuteastonishment。

Hecouldnotbutadmitthatinthemainshehadjudgedhimrightly，andthathisownattitudeandthatofothermentowardhersex，werebaseduponanimpliedassumptionofsuperiority。

"IamafraidIhaveshockedyou，"sheresumed，noticingthestartledexpressionofhiscountenance。"Butreallyitwasquiteinevitable，ifwewereatalltounderstandeachother。

Youwillforgiveme，won’tyou？"

"Forgive！"stammeredhe，"Ihavenothingtoforgive。Itwasonlyyourmercilesstruth—

fulnesswhichstartledme。Iratheroweyouthanks，ifyouwillallowmetobegratefultoyou。Itseemsanenviableprivilege。"

"Now，"interruptedEdith，raisingherforefingerinplayfulthreat，"rememberyourpromise。"

Thelessonwasnowcontinuedwithoutfurtherinterruption。Whenitwasfinished，alittlegirl，withherhairdoneupincurl—papers，andaverystifflystarcheddress，whichstoodoutonallsidesalmosthorizontally，entered，accompaniedbyMrs。VanKirk。Halfdanimmediatelyrecognizedhisacquaintancefromthepark，anditappearedtohimagoodomenthatthischild，whosefriendlyinterestinhimhadwarmedhisheartinamomentwhenhisfortunesseemedsodesperate，shouldcontinuetobeassociatedwithhislifeonthisnewcontinent。Clarawasevidentlygreatlyimpressedbythechangeinhisappearance，andcouldwithdifficultyberestrainedfromcommentinguponit。

Sheprovedaveryaptscholarinmusic，andenjoyedthelessonsthemoreforhercordiallikingofherteacher。

Itwillbenecessaryhenceforthtoomitthelesssignificantdetailsinthecareerofourfriend"Mr。Birch。"Beforeamonthwaspast，hehadfirmlyestablishedhimselfinthefavorofthedifferentmembersoftheVanKirkfamily。

Mrs。VanKirkspokeofhimtoherladyvisitorsas"aperfectjewel，"frequentlyleavingthemindoubtastowhetherhewasacookoracoachman。Edithapostrophizedhimtoherfashionablefriendsas"arealgenius，"leavingadimimpressionupontheirmindsofflowinglocks，ashinyvelvetjacket，slouchedhat，defiantneck—tieandageneralairofdisreputablepretentiousness。Geniusesoftheforeigntypewerenever，intheestimationoffashionableNewYorksociety，whatyouwouldcall"exactlynice，"andagainstprejudicesofthisordernoamountofargumentwilleverprevail。Clara，whohadbythistimediscoveredthatherteacherpossessedaninexhaustiblefundoffairystories，assuredherplaymatesacrossthestreetthathewas"justsplendid，"andfrequentlyinvitedthemovertolistentohiswonderfultales。Mr。

VanKirkhimself，ofcourse，wasnon—committal，butpaidthebillsunmurmuringly。

HalfdaninthemeanwhilewasvainlystrugglingagainsthisgrowingpassionforEdith;

butthemoreherebelledthemorehopelesslyhefoundhimselfentangledinitsinextricablenet。Thefly，aslongasitkeepsquietinthespider’sweb，mayforamomentforgetitssituation;buttheleastefforttoescapeisapttofrustrateitselfandagainrevealtheimminentperil。Thushetoo"kickedagainstthepricks，"

hoped，feared，rebelledagainsthisdestiny，andagain，fromsheerweariness，relapsedintoadull，benumbedapathy。Inspiteofherfriendlysympathy，heneverfeltsokeenlyhisalienismasinherpresence。Sheacceptedthespontaneoushomagehepaidher，sometimeswithimpatience，assomethingthatwasreallybeneathhernotice;atothertimesshefranklyrecognizedit，banteredhimwithhis"OldWorldchivalry，"whichwouldsoonevaporateinthepracticalAmericanatmosphere，andcalledhimherViking，herknightandherfaithfulsquire。

Butitneveroccurredtohertoregardhisdevotioninaseriouslight，andtolookuponhimasapossibleloverhadevidentlyneverenteredherhead。Astheirintercoursegrewmoreintimate，hehadvolunteeredtoreadhisfavoritepoetswithher，andhadgraduallysucceededinimpartingtohersomethingofhisownpassionatelikingforHeineandBj<o：>rnson。ShehadinreturncalledhisattentiontotheworksofAmericanauthorswhohadhithertobeenlittlemorethannamestohim，andtheyhadthusmanagedtobeofmutualbenefittoeachother，andtospendmanyapleasanthourduringthelongwinterafternoonsineachother’scompany。

ButEdithhadaverykeensenseofhumor，andcouldhardlyrestrainhersecretamusementwhensheheardhimreadingLongfellow’s"PsalmofLife"andPoe’s"Raven"（whichhadbeenfamiliartoherfromherbabyhood），oftenwithfalseaccent，butalwayswithintenseenthusiasm。

Thereflectionthathehadhadnopartofhislifeincommonwithher，——thathedidnotlovethethingswhichsheloved，——couldnotshareherprejudices（andwomenhaveafeelingakintocontemptforamanwhodoesnotrespondtotheirprejudices）——removedhimattimesalmostbeyondthereachofhersympathy。Itwasinterestingenoughaslongastheexperiencewasnovel，tobethusunconsciouslyexploringanotherperson’smindandfindingsomanystrangeobjectsthere;butafterawhilethethingbegantoassumeanuncomfortablyseriousaspect，andthenthereseemedtobesomethingalmostterribleaboutit。Atsuchtimesacallfromagentlemanofherownnation，eventhoughhewereoneoftheplacidlystupidtype，wouldbeapositiverelief;shecouldabandonherselftothesecuresenseofbeingathome;

sheneedfearnosurprises，andinthesmoothshallowsoftheirtalktherewerenounsuspecteddepthstoexciteandtobaffleheringenuity。

And，again，revertinginherthoughttoHalfdan，hisconversationalbrilliancywouldalmostrepelher，assomethingodiousandun—American，thecheapresultofoutlandishbirthandunrepublicaneducation。Notthatshehadevervaluedrepublicanismveryhighly;shewasoneofthosewhoassociatedpoliticswithnoisyvulgarityinspeechanddress，andthereforethankedfortunethatwomenwerepermittedtokeepalooffromit。Butinthepresenceofthisalienshefoundherselfgrowingpatriotic;thatmuch—discussedabstraction，whichwecallourcountry（andwhichisnothingbuttheaggregateofalltheslowandinvisibleinfluenceswhichgotowardmakingupourownbeing），becamebydegreesaverypalpableandintelligiblefacttoher。

FrequentlywhileherAmericanselfwasthusloudlyassertingitself，Edithinflictedmanyacruelwounduponherforeignadorer。Once，——

itwastheFourthofJuly，morethanayearafterHalfdan’sarrival，anumberofyoungladiesandgentlemen，afterhavinglistenedtoapatrioticoration，wereinvitedintoaninformalluncheon。

Whilewaiting，theynaturallyenoughspenttheirtimeinsingingnationalsongs，andHalfdan’scleartenordidgoodserviceinkeepingthestragglingvoicestogether。Whentheyhadfinished，Edithwentuptohimandwasquiteeffusiveinherexpressionsofgratitude。

"Iamsureweoughtalltobeverygratefultoyou，Mr。Birch，"shesaid，"andI，formypart，canassureyouthatIam。"

"Grateful？Why？"demandedHalfdan，lookingquiteunhappy。

"ForsingingOURnationalsongs，ofcourse。

Now，won’tyousingoneofyourown，please？

WeshouldallbesodelightedtohearhowaSwedish——orNorwegian，isit？——nationalsongsounds。"

"Yes，Mr。Birch，DOsingaSwedishsong，"

echoedseveralvoices。

They，ofcourse，didnotevenremotelysuspecttheirowncruelty。Hehad，inhisenthusiasmforthedayallowedhimselftoforgetthathewasnotmadeofthesameclayastheywere，thathewasanexileandastranger，andmusteverremainso，thathehadnorighttosharetheirjoyintheblessingofliberty。Edithhadtakenpainstodispelthehappyillusion，andhadsenthimoncemorewhirlingtowardhiscoldnativePole。Hispassioncamenearchokinghim，and，toconcealhisimpetuousemotion，heflunghimselfdownonthepiano—stool，andstrucksomeintroductorychordswithperhapsalittlesuperfluousemphasis。SuddenlyhisvoiceburstoutintotheSwedishnationalanthem，"OurLand，ourLand，ourFatherland，"andtheairshookandpalpitatedwithstrongmartialmelody。

Hisindignation，hisloveandhismisery，impartedstrengthtohisvoice，anditsoccasionaltrembleinthePIANOpassageswassomethingmorethananartisticintention。Hewasloudlyapplaudedashearose，andtheyoungladiesthrongedabouthimtoaskifhe"wouldn’tpleasewriteoutthemusicforthem。"

Thusmonthaftermonthpassedby，andeverydaybroughtitsownmisery。Mrs。VanKirk’spatronizingmanners，andostentatiouskindness，oftentestedhispatiencetotheutmost。Ifhewasguiltyofaninnocentwitticismoralittlequaintnessofexpression，shealwaysassumedittobeamistakeoftermsandcorrectedhimwithanairofbenignsuperiority。Attimes，ofcourse，hercorrectionswerelegitimate，asforinstance，whenhespokeofWEARINGacane，insteadofCARRYINGone，butinninecasesoutoftenthefaultlayinherownlackofimaginationandnotinhisignoranceofEnglish。OnsuchoccasionsEdithoftentookpityonhim，defendedhimagainsthermother’scriticism，andinsistedthatifthisorthatexpressionwasnotincommonvogue，thatwasnoreasonwhyitshouldnotbeused，asitwasperfectlygrammatical，and，moreover，inkeepingwiththespiritofthelanguage。Andhe，listeningpassivelyinadmiringsilencetoherargument，thankedherevenforthemomentarypainbecauseitwasfollowedbysogreatahappiness。

ForitwassosweettobedefendedbyEdith，tofeelthatheandshewerestandingtogethersidebysideagainsttheouterworld。Couldheonlyshowherintheoldheroicmannerhowmuchhelovedher！Wouldonlysomeonethatwasdeartoherdie，sothathe，inthatbreakingdownofsocialbarrierswhichfollowsagreatcalamity，mightcomfortherinhersorrow。

Wouldshethen，perhaps，weeping，leanherwonderfulheaduponhisbreast，feelingbutthathewasafellow—mortal，whohadaheartthatwasloyalandtrue，andforgetting，foronebriefinstant，thathewasaforeigner。Then，totouchthatdelicateElizabethanfrillwhichwounditselfsodaintilyaboutEdith’sneck——

whatinconceivablerapture！Butitwasquiteimpossible。Itcouldneverbe。Thesewereselfishthoughts，nodoubt，buttheywerealover’sselfishness，and，assuch，boreaclosekinshiptoallthatispurestandbestinhumannature。

Itisoneofthetragicfactsofthislife，thatarelationsounequalasthatwhichexistedbetweenHalfdanandEdith，isatallpossible。AsforEdith，Imustadmitthatshewaswellawarethatherteacherwasinlovewithher。Womenhavewonderfullykeensensesforphenomenaofthatkind，anditisanillusionifanyoneimagines，asourNorsemandid，thathehaslockedhissecretsecurelyinthehiddenchamberofhisheart。Infleetingintonations，unconsciousglancesandattitudes，andthroughahundredotherchannelsitwillmakeitswayout，andthebereavedjailermaystillclasphiskeyinfiercetriumph，neverknowingthathehasbeenrobbed。ItwasofcoursenofaultofEdith’sthatshehadbecomepossessedofHalfdan’sheart—secret。Sheregardeditasonthewholeratheranabsurdaffair，andprizeditverylightly。Thatalovesostrongandyetsohumble，sodestituteofhopeandstillsounchanging，reverentandfaithful，hadsomethinggrandandtouchinginit，hadneveroccurredtoher。Itisatruismtosaythatinoursocialcodethevalueofaman’scharacterisdeterminedbyhisposition;

andfinetraitsinaforeigner（unlessheshouldhappentobesomethingverygreat）

strikeusratheraspartofasupposedmentalalienism，andassuch，naturallysuspicious。Itisratherdisgracefulthanotherwisetohaveyourmusicteacherinlovewithyou，andcriticalfriendswillneverquitebanishthesuspicionthatyouhaveencouragedhim。

Edithhad，inherfirstdelightatthediscoveryofHalfdan’stalent，franklyadmittedhimtoarelationofapparentequality。Hewasamanofculture，hadthemannersandbearingofagentleman，andhadnoneofthosetheatricalairswhichsooftenraiseasortofinvisiblewallbetweenforeignersandAmericans。Hermother，wholovedtoplaythepatron，especiallytoyoungmen，hadinvitedhimtodinner—partiesandintroducedhimtotheirfriends，untilalmosteveryonelookeduponhimasaprotegeofthefamily。Heappearedsowellinaparlor，andhadreallysuchadistinguishedpresence，thatitwasapleasuretolookathim。HewasremarkablyfreefromthoseobnoxioustraitswhichgeneralizingAmericantravelershaveledustobelievewereinseparablefromforeignbirth;hisfinger—nailswereinnowayconspicuous;hedidnot，asaFrenchcount，aformeradorerofEdith’s，haddone，indulgeanunmasculinetastefordiamondrings（possiblybecausehehadnone）;hispolitenesswasunobtrusiveandsubdued，andofhisaccenttherewasjustenoughlefttogiveanagreeablecolorofindividualitytohisspeech。But，forallthat，Edithcouldneverquiteridherselfoftheimpressionthathewasintenselyun—American。

Therewasacertainidyllicquiescenceabouthim，achild—likedirectnessandsimplicity，andatotalabsenceof"push，"whichwerestartlinglyatvariancewiththespiritofAmericanlife。AnAmericancouldneverhavebeencontenttoremaininaninferiorpositionwithouttrying，insomeway，tobetterhisfortunes。

ButHalfdancouldstandstillandsee，withoutthefainteststirringofenvy，hisplebeianfriendOlson，whoseeducationandtalentscouldbearnocomparisonwithhisown，riserapidlyabovehim，andapparentlyhavenodesiretoemulatehim。Hecouldsitonacricketinacorner，withClaraonhislap，andtwoorthreelittlegirlsnestlingabouthim，andtellthemfairystoriesbythehour，whilehiskindlyfacebeamedwithinnocenthappiness。AndifClara，tocoaxhimintocontinuingtheentertainment，offeredtokisshim，hismeasureofjoywasfull。

Thisfairchild，withheraffectionateways，andherconfidingprattle，woundherselfevermorecloselyabouthishomelessheart，andheclungtoherwithatouchingdevotion。Forshewastheonlyonewhoseemedtobeunconsciousofthedifferenceofblood，whohadnotyetlearnedthatshewasanAmericanandhe——aforeigner。

VI。

Threeyearshadpassedbyandstillthesituationwasunchanged。Halfdanstilltaughtmusicandtoldfairystoriestothechildren。Hehadagoodmanymorepupilsnowthanthreeyearsago，althoughhehadmadenoefforttosolicitpatronage，andhadnevertriedtoadvertisehistalentbywhatheregardedasvulgarandinartisticdisplay。ButMrs。VanKirk，whohadbythistimediscoveredhisdisinclinationtoasserthimself，hadbeenonlythemoreactive;had"talkedhimup"amongheraristocraticfriends;

hadgivenmusicalsoirees，atwhichshehadcoaxedhimtoplaytheprincipalrole，andhadinvariousotherwaysexertedherselfinhisbehalf。Itwasgettingtobequitefashionabletoadmirehisquiet，unostentatiousstyleofplaying，whichwassofarremovedfromthenoisybravadoandclap—trapthencommonlyinvogue。

Evenprofessionalmusiciansbegantoindorsehim，andsome，whohaddiscoveredthat"therewasmoneyinhim，"madehimtemptingoffersforapublicengagement。But，withcharacteristicmodesty，hedistrustedtheirverdict;hissensitivenatureshrankfromanythingwhichhadtheappearanceofself—assertionordisplay。

ButEdith——ah，ifithadnotbeenforEdithhemighthavefoundcouragetoenteratthedooroffortune，whichwasnowopenedajar。

Thatfame，ifheshouldgainit，wouldbringhimanynearertoher，wasathoughtthatwasalientosounworldlyatemperamentashis。

Andanyactionthathadnobearinguponhisrelationtoher，lefthimcold——seemedunworthyoftheeffort。Ifshehadaskedhimtoplayinpublic;ifshehadrequiredofhimtogototheNorthPole，ortocuthisownthroat，Iverilybelievehewouldhavedoneit。AndatlastEdithdidaskhimtoplay。SheandOlsonhadplottedtogether，andfromtheveryfriendliestmotivesagreedtoplayintoeachother’shands。

"IfyouonlyWOULDconsenttoplay，"saidshe，inherownpersuasiveway，onedayastheyhadfinishedtheirlesson，"weshouldallbesohappy。

Onlythinkhowproudweshouldbeofyoursuccess，foryouknowthereisnothingyoucan’tdointhewayofmusicifyoureallywantto。"

"Doyoureallythinkso？"exclaimedhe，whilehiseyessuddenlygrewlargeandluminous。

"IndeedIdo，"saidEdith，emphatically。

"Andif——ifIplayedwell，"falteredhe，"woulditreallypleaseyou？"

"Ofcourseitwould，"criedEdith，laughing;

"howcanyouasksuchafoolishquestion？"

"BecauseIhardlydaredtobelieveit。"

"Nowlistentome，"continuedthegirl，leaningforwardinherchair，andbeamingalloverwithkindlyofficiousness;"nowforonceyoumustberationalanddojustwhatItellyou。I

shallneverlikeyouagainifyouopposemeinthis，forIhavesetmyheartuponit;youmustpromisebeforehandthatyouwillbegoodandnotmakeanyobjection。Doyouhear？"

WhenEdithassumedthistonetowardhim，shemightwellhavemadehimpromisetoperformmiracles。Shewastoointentuponherbenevolentschemetoheedthepossibleinferenceswhichhemightdrawfromhersuddendisplayofinterest。

"Thenyoupromise？"repeatedshe，eagerly，ashehesitatedtoanswer。

"Yes，Ipromise。"

"Now，youmustnotbesurprised;butmammaandIhavemadearrangementswithMr。

S————thatyouaretoappearunderhisauspicesataconcertwhichistobegivenaweekfromto—night。Allourfriendsaregoing，andweshalltakeupallthefrontseats，andIhavealreadytoldmygentlemenfriendstoscatterthroughtheaudience，andiftheycareanythingformyfavor，theywillhavetoapplaudvigorously。"

Halfdanreddeneduptohistemples，andbegantotwisthiswatch—chainnervously。

"Youmusthavesmallconfidenceinmyability，"hemurmured，"sinceyouresorttoprecautionslikethese。"

"ButmydearMr。Birch，"criedEdith，whowasquicktodiscoverthatshehadmadeamistake，"itisnotkindinyoutomistrustmeinthatway。IfaNewYorkaudiencewereashighlycultivatedinmusicasyouare，Iadmitthatmyprecautionswouldbesuperfluous。Butthepapers，youknow，willtaketheirtonefromtheaudience，andthereforewemustmakeuseofalittleinnocentartificetomakesureofit。

Everythingdependsuponthesuccessofyourfirstpublicappearance，andifyourfriendscaninthiswayhelpyoutoestablishthereputationwhichisnothingbutyourright，Iamsureyououghtnottobindtheirhandsbyyourfoolishsensitiveness。Youdon’tknowtheAmericanwayofdoingthingsaswellasIdo，thereforeyoumuststandbyyourpromise，andleaveeverythingtome。"

ItwasimpossiblenottobelievethatanythingEdithchosetodowasabovereproach。Shelookedsobewitchinginherexcitedeagernessforhiswelfarethatitwouldhavebeeninhumantoopposeher。Sohemeeklysuccumbed，andbegantodiscusswithhertheprogrammefortheconcert。

Duringthenextweektherewashardlyadaythathedidnotreadsomestartlingparagraphinthenewspapersabout"thecelebratedScandinavianpianist，"whoseappearanceatS————

Hallwaslookedforwardtoastheprincipaleventofthecomingseason。Heinwardlyrebelledagainstthewell—meantexaggerations;

butashesuspectedthatitwasEdith’sinfluencewhichwasinthiswayassertingitselfinhisbehalf，hesethisconscienceatrestandremainedsilent。

Theeveningoftheconcertcameatlast，and，asthepapersstatedthenextmorning，"thelargehallwascrowdedtoitsutmostcapacitywithaselectandhighlyappreciativeaudience。"

Edithmusthaveplayedherpartoftheperformanceskillfully，forashewalkedoutuponthestage，hewaswelcomedwithanenthusiasticburstofapplause，asifhehadbeenaworld—

renownedartist。AtEdith’ssuggestion，hertwofavoritenocturneshadbeenplacedfirstupontheprogramme;thenfollowedoneofthoseballadsofChopin，whoserhythmicdinandrushsweeponward，beleagueringtheearlikeeager，melodioushosts，charginginthickeningranksandcolumns，beatingimpetuousretreats，andagainunitingwithonegrandemotionthewide—spreadingarmyofsoundforthefinalvictory。Besidesthese，therewasoneofLiszt’s"RhapsodiesHongroises，"animpromptubySchubert，andseveralorchestralpieces;butthegreaterpartoftheprogrammewasdevotedtoChopin，becauseHalfdan，withhisgreat，hopelesspassionlaboringinhisbreast，feltthathecouldinterpretChopinbetterthanhecouldanyothercomposer。Hecarriedhisaudiencebystorm。Asheretiredtothedressing—room，afterhavingfinishedthelastpiece，hisfriends，amongwhomEdithandMrs。VanKirkwerethemostconspicuous，throngedabouthim，showeringtheirpraisesandcongratulationsuponhim。Theyinsistedwithmuchfriendlyurgingupontakinghimhomeintheircarriage;

Clarakissedhim，Mrs。VanKirkintroducedhimtoherladyacquaintancesas"ourfriend，Mr。Birch，"andEdithheldhishandsolonginhersthathecamenearlosinghispresenceofmindandtellingherthenandtherethathelovedher。Ashiseyesrestedonher，theybecamesuddenlysuffusedwithtears，andavastbewilderinghappinessvibratedthroughhisframe。Atlasthetorehimselfawayandwanderedaimlesslythroughthelong，lonelystreets。

WhycouldhenottellEdiththathelovedher？

Wasthereanydisgraceinloving？Thisheavenlypassionwhichsosuddenlyhadtransfusedhisbeing，andyearbyyeardeadenedthesubstanceofhisoldself，creatinginitssteadsomethingnewandwildandstrangewhichhenevercouldknow，butstillheldinfinitelydear——haditbeensenttohimmerelyasascourgetotesthiscapacityforsuffering？

Once，whilehewasachild，hismotherhadtoldhimthatsomewhereinthiswideworldtherelivedamaidenwhomGodhadcreatedforhim，andforhimalone，andwhenheshouldseeher，heshouldloveher，andhislifeshouldthenceforthbeallforher。Ithadhardlyoccurredtohim，then，toquestionwhethershewouldlovehiminreturn，ithadappearedsoverynaturalthatsheshould。Nowhehadfoundthismaiden，andshehadbeenverykindtohim;butherkindnesshadbeenlittlebetterthancruelty，becausehehaddemandedsomethingmorethankindness。Andstillhehadnevertoldherofhislove。Hemusttellhereventhisverynightwhilethemoonrodehighintheheavensandallthesmalldifferencesbetweenhumanbeingsseemedlostinthevaststarlitstillness。Heknewwellthatbytherelentlessglareofthedaylighthisowninsignificancewouldbecruellyconspicuousinthepresenceofhersplendor;hisscrupleswouldrevive，andhiscouragefade。

Thenightwasclearandstill。Aclockstruckeleveninsomechurchtowernearby。TheVanKirkmansionrosetallandstatelyinthemoonlight，flingingadensemassofshadowacrossthestreet。Upinthethirdstoryhesawtwowindowslighted;thecurtainsweredrawn，buttheblindswerenotclosed。Alltherestofthehousewasdark。HeraisedhisvoiceandsangaSwedishserenadewhichseemedinperfectconcordwithhisownmood。Hiscleartenorrosethroughthesilenceofthenight，andafeebleechoflungitbackfromthemansionopposite：

[3]"Star，sweetstar，thatbrightlybeamest，Glitteringontheskiesnocturnal，Hidethineeyenomorefromme，Hidethineeyenomorefromme！"

[3]FreetranslationofaSwedishserenade，thenameofwhoseauthorI

haveforgotten。H。H。B。

Thecurtainwasdrawnaside，thewindowcautiouslyraised，andtheoutlineofEdith’sbeautifulheadappeareddarkanddistinctagainstthelightwithin。Sheinstantlyrecognizedhim。

"Youmustgoaway，Mr。Birch，"camehervoiceinananxiouswhisperoutoftheshadow。

"Praygoaway。Youwillwakeupthepeople。"

Herwordswereaudibleenough，buttheyfailedtoconveyanymeaningtohisexcitedmind。Oncemorehisvoicefloatedupwardtoheropenedwindow：

"AndIyearntoreachthydwelling，Yearntorisefromearth’sfierceturmoil;

Sweeteststarupwardtothee，Yearntorise，brightstartothee。"

"DearMr。Birch，"shewhisperedoncemoreintonesofdistress。"PrayDOgoaway。Orperhaps，"sheinterruptedherself"——waitonemomentandIwillcomedown。"

Presentlythefrontdoorwasnoiselesslyopened，andEdith’stall，litheform，dressedinawhiteflowingdress，andwithherblondehairrollinglooselyoverhershoulders，appearedforaninstant，andthenagainvanished。WithoneleapHalfdansprangupthestairsandpushedthroughthehalf—openeddoor。Edithclosedthedoorbehindhim，thenwithrapidstepsledthewaytothebackparlorwherethemoonbrokefeeblythroughthebarsoftheclosedshutters。

"NowMr。Birch，"shesaid，seatingherselfuponalounge，"youmayexplaintomewhatthisunaccountablebehaviorofyoursmeans。

IshouldhardlythinkIhaddeservedtobetreatedinthiswaybyyou。"

Halfdanwasutterlybewildered;anervousfitoftremblingranthroughhim，andheendeavoredinvaintospeak。Hehadbeenpreparedforpassionatereproaches，butthiscalmseveritychilledhimthrough，andhecouldonlygaspandtremble，butcouldutternowordinhisdefense。

"Isupposeyouareaware，"continuedEdith，inthesameimperturbablemanner，"thatifI

hadnotinterruptedyou，thepolicemanwouldhaveh*eardyou，andyouwouldhavebeenarrestedforstreetdisturbance。Thento—morrowweshouldhaveseenitinallthenewspapers，andIshouldhavebeenthelaughing—stockofthewholetown。"

No，surelyhehadneverthoughtofitinthatlight;theideastruckhimasentirelynew。

Therewasalongpause。Acockcrowedwithadrowsyremotenessinsomeneighboringyard，andthelittleclockonthemantel—piecetickedonpatientlyinthemoonlitdusk。

"Ifyouhavenothingtosay，"resumedEdith，whilethesternindifferenceinhervoiceperceptiblyrelaxed，"thenIwillbidyougood—

night。"

Shearose，andwithagrandsweepofherdrapery，movedtowardthedoor。

"MissEdith，"criedhe，stretchinghishandsdespairinglyafterher，"youmustnotleaveme。"

Shepaused，tossedherhairbackwithherhands，andgazedathimoverhershoulder。Hethrewhimselfonhisknees，seizedthehemofherdress，andpressedittohislips。Itwasagestureofsuchinexpressiblehumilitythatevenastonewouldhaverelented。

"Donotbefoolish，Mr。Birch，"shesaid，try—

ingtopullherdressawayfromhim。"Getup，andifyouhaveanythingrationaltosaytome，Iwillstayandlisten。"

"Yes，yes，"hewhispered，hoarsely，"Ishallberational。Onlydonotleaveme。"

Sheagainsankdownwearilyuponthelounge，andlookedathiminexpectantsilence。

"MissEdith，"pleadedheinthesamehoarse，passionateundertone，"havepityonme，anddonotdespiseme。Iloveyou——oh——ifyouwouldbutallowmetodieforyou，Ishouldbethehappiestofmen。"

Againheshuddered，andstoodlonggazingatherwithamute，pitifulappeal。AtearstoleintoEdith’seyeandtrickleddownoverhercheek。

"Ah，Mr。Birch，"shemurmured，whileasighshookherbosom，"Iamsorry——verysorrythatthismisfortunehashappenedtoyou。Youhavedeservedabetterfatethantoloveme——toloveawomanwhocannevergiveyouanythinginreturnforwhatyougiveher。"

"Never？"herepeatedmournfully，"never？"

"No，never！Youhavebeenagoodfriendtome，andassuchIvalueyouhighly，andIhadhopedthatyouwouldalwaysremainso。ButIseethatitcannotbe。Itwillperhapsbebestforyouhenceforthnottoseeme，atleastnotuntil——pardontheexpression——youhaveout—

livedthisgenerousfolly。Andnow，youknow，youwillneedmenomore。Youhavemadeasplendidreputation，andifyouchoosetoavailyourselfofit，yourfortuneisalreadymade。I

shallalwaysrejoicetohearofyoursuccess，and——andifyoushouldeverneedaFRIEND，youmustcometonoonebutme。Iknowthatthesearefeeblewords，Mr。Birch，andiftheyseemcoldtoyou，youmustpardonme。Icansaynothingmore。"

Theywereindeedfeeblewords，althoughmostcordiallyspoken。Hetriedtoweighthem，tomeasuretheirmeaning，buthismindwasasifbenumbed，andutterlyincapableofthought。

Hewalkedacrossthefloor，perhapsonlytodosomething，notfeelingwherehetrod，butstillwithanabsurdsensationthathewastakingimmoderatelylongsteps。Thenhestoppedabruptly，wrunghishands，andgazedatEdith。

Andsuddenly，likeaflashinavacuum，thethoughtshotthroughhisbrainthathehadseenthisveryscenesomewhere——inadream，inaremotechildhood，inapreviousexistence，hedidnotknowwhenorwhere。Itseemedstrangelyfamiliar，andinthenextinstantstrangelymean—

inglessandunreal。Thewalls，thefloor——

everythingbegantomove，towhirlabouthim;hestruckhishandsagainsthisforehead，andsankdownintoadamask—coveredeasy—chair。Withafaintcryofalarm，Edithsprangup，seizedabottleofcolognewhichhappenedtobewithinreach，andkneltdownathisside。Sheputherarmaroundhisneck，andraisedhishead。

"Mr。Birch，dearMr。Birch，"shecried，inafrightenedwhisper，"forGod’ssakecometoyourself！OGod，whathaveIdone？"

Sheblewtheeau—de—cologneintohisface，and，ashelanguidlyopenedhiseyes，hefeltthetouchofherwarmhanduponhischeeksandhisforehead。

"Thankheaven！heisbetter，"shemurmured，stillcontinuingtobathehistemples。"Howdoyoufeelnow，Mr。Birch？"sheadded，inatoneofanxiousinquiry。

"Thankyou，itwasanunpardonableweakness，"

hemuttered，withoutchanginghisattitude。

"Donottroubleyourselfaboutme。I

shallsoonbewell。"

Itwassosweettobeconsciousofhergentleministry，thatitrequiredagreateffort，aneffortofconscience，torousehimoncemore，ashisstrengthreturned。

"Hadyounotbetterstay？"sheasked，asherosetoputonhisovercoat。"Iwillcalloneoftheservantsandhavehimshowyouaroom。

Wewillsayto—morrowmorningthatyouweretakenill，andnobodywillwonder。"

"No，no，"heresponded，energetically。"I

amperfectlystrongnow。"Buthestillhadtoleanonachair，andhisfacewasdeathlypale。

"Farewell，MissEdith，"hesaid;andatendersadnesstrembledinhisvoice。"Farewell。Weshall——probably——nevermeetagain。"

"Donotspeakso，"sheanswered，seizinghishand。"Youwilltrytoforgetthis，andyouwillstillbegreatandhappy。Andwhenfortuneshallagainsmileuponyou，and——and——

youwillbecontenttobemyfriend，thenweshallseeeachotherasbefore。"

"No，no，"hebrokeforth，withasuddenhoarseness。"Itwillneverbe。"

Hewalkedtowardthedoorwiththemotionsofonewhofeelsdeathinhislimbs;thenstoppedoncemoreandhiseyeslingeredwithinexpressiblesadnessonthewonderful，belovedformwhichstooddimlyoutlinedbeforehiminthetwilight。ThenEdith’smeasureofmisery，too，seemedfull。Withthedivineheedlessnesswhichbelongstohersex，sherusheduptowardhim，andrememberingonlythathewasweakandunhappy，andthathesufferedforhersake，shetookhisfacebetweenherhandsandkissedhim。Hewastoogenerousamantomisinterprettheact;sohewhisperedbutoncemore：

"Farewell，"andhastenedaway。

VII。

AfterthateventfulDecembernight，AmericawasnomorewhatithadbeentoHalfdanBjerk。Astrangetorpidityhadcomeoverhim;

everyrisingdaygazedintohiseyeswithafierceunmeaningglare。Thenoiseofthestreetannoyedhimandmadehimchildishlyfretful，andthesolitudeofhisownroomseemedstillmoredrearyanddepressing。Hewentmechanicallythroughthedailyroutineofhisdutiesasifthesoulhadbeentakenoutofhiswork，andlefthislifeallbarrennessanddesolation。Hemovedrestlesslyfromplacetoplace，roamedatalltimesofthedayandnightthroughthecityanditssuburbs，tryingvainlytoexhausthisphysicalstrength;gradually，ashislethargydeepenedintoanumb，helplessdespair，itseemedsomehowtoimpartacertaintoughnesstohisotherwisedelicateframe。Olson，whowasnowajuniorpartnerinthefirmofRemsen，VanKirkandCo。，stoodbyhimfaithfullyinthesedaysofsorrow。Hewasnevereffusiveinhissympathy，butwaspatientlyforbearingwithhisfriend’swhimsandmoods，andhumoredhimasifhehadbeenasickchildintrustedtohiscustody。ThatEdithmightbethemovingcauseofOlson’skindnesswasathoughtwhich，strangelyenough，hadneveroccurredtoHalfdan。

Atlast，whenspringcame，thevacancyofhismindwassuddenlyinvadedwithastrongdesiretorevisithisnativeland。HedisclosedhisplantoOlson，who，afterduedeliberationandseveralvisitstotheVanKirkmansion，decidedthatthepleasureofseeinghisoldfriendsandthescenesofhischildhoodmightpushthepainfulmemoriesoutofsight，andrenewhisinterestinlife。So，onemorning，whiletheMaysunshonewithasoftradianceuponthebeautifulharbor，ourNorsemanfoundhimselfstandingonthedeckofahugeblack—hulledCunarder，shiveringinspiteofthewarmth，andfeelingachilllonelinesscreepingoverhimatthesightofthekissingandaffectionateleave—

takingswhichweregoingonallaroundhim。

Olsonwasrunningbackandforth，attendingtohisbaggage;buthehimselftooknothought，andfeltnomoreresponsibilitythanifhehadbeenahelplesschild。Hehalfregrettedthathisownwishhadprevailed，andwasinclinedtoholdhisfriendresponsibleforit;andstillhehadnotenergyenoughtoprotestnowwhenthejourneyseemedinevitable。Hisheartstillclungtotheplacewhichheldthecorpseofhisruinedlife，asamanmayclingtothespotwhichhideshisbeloveddead。

AbouttwoweekslaterHalfdanlandedinNorway。Hewashalfreluctanttoleavethesteamer，andthelandofhisbirthexcitednoemotioninhisbreast。HewasbutconsciousofadimregretthathewassofarawayfromEdith。Atlast，however，hebetookhimselftoahotel，wherehespenttheafternoonsittingwithhalf—closedeyesatawindow，watchinglistlesslythedrowsyslow—pulsedlifewhichdribbledlanguidlythroughthenarrowthoroughfare。ThenoisyuproarofBroadwaychimedremotelyinhisears，likethedistantroarofatempest—tossedsea，andwhathadoncebeenaperpetualannoyancewasnowasweetmemory。HowoftenwithEdithathissidehadhethreadedhiswaythroughthesurgingcrowdsthatpour，onafineafternoon，inanunceasingcurrentupanddownthestreetbetweenUnionandMadisonSquares。Howfriendly，andsweet，andgracious，Edithhadbeenatsuchtimes;

howfreshhervoice，howwittyandanimatedherchanceremarkswhentheystoppedtogreetapassingacquaintance;and，aboveall，howinspiringthesightofherheavenlybeauty。

Nowthatwasallpast。PerhapsheshouldneverseeEdithagain。

Thenextdayhesaunteredthroughthecity，meetingsomeoldfriends，whoallseemedchangedandsingularlyuninteresting。Theywereallengagedormarried，andcouldtalkofnothingbutmatrimony，andtheirprospectsofadvancementintheGovernmentservice。Onehadaninfluentialunclewhohadbeenachumofthepresentministeroffinance;anotherbasedhishopesoffutureprosperityuponthefamilyconnectionsofhisbetrothed，andathirdwaswaitingwithapatientperseverance，worthyofabettercause，forthedeathorresignationofanantiquatedchef—de—bureau，which，accordingtothepromiseofsomemightyman，wouldopenapositionforhimintheDepartmentofJustice。

AllhadthemostabsurdtheoriesaboutAmericandemocracy，andindulgedfreelyinpropheciesofcomingdisasters;butabouttheirowngovernmenttheyhadnoopinionwhatever。IfHalfdanattemptedtosetthemright，theyatoncegrewexcitedanddeclamatory;theiropinionswerebaseduponconvictionandacharmingignoranceoffacts，andtheywerenottobemoved。TheyknewallaboutTweedandtheTammanyRing，andbelievedthemtoberepresentativecitizensofNewYork，ifnotoftheUnitedStates;butofCharlesSumnerandCarlSchurztheyhadneverheard。Halfdan，who，inspiteofhismisfortunesinthelandofhisadoption，cherishedaverytenderfeelingforit，wasoftensothoroughlyarousedatthefoolishprejudiceswhicheverywheremethim，thathistorpiditygraduallythawedaway，andhebegantolookmorelikehisformerself。

TowardautumnhereceivedaninvitationtovisitacountryclergymanintheNorth，adistantrelativeofhisfather’s，andtherewhiledawayhistime，fishingandshooting，untilwintercame。ButasChristmasdrewnear，andthedaywrestledfeeblywiththeall—conqueringnight，theoldsorrowrevived。Inthedarknesswhichnowbroodedoverlandandsea，thethoughtsneedednolongerbeonguardagainstthemselves;

theycouldroamfarandwideastheylisted。WherewasEdithnow，thesweet，thewonderfulEdith？Wasthereyetthesamedancinglightinherbeautifuleyes，thesamegoldensheeninherhair，thesamemerryringinhervoice？Andhadshenotsaidthatwhenhewascontenttobeonlyherfriend，hemightreturntoher，andshewouldreceivehimintheoldjoyousandconfidingway？Surelytherewasnolifetohimapartfromher：whyshouldhenotbeherfriend？Onlyaglimpseofherlovelyface——ah，itwasworthalifetime;itwouldconsecrateanageofmisery，aglimpseofEdith’sface。Thusranhisfanciesdaybyday，andthenightonlylentadeeperintensitytotheyearningsoftheday。Hewalkedaboutasinadream，seeingnothing，heedingnothing，whilethisonestrongdesire——toseeEdithoncemore——throbbedandthrobbedwithaslow，feverishperseverancewithinhim。Edith——Edith，theverynamehadastrange，potentfascination。

Everythoughtwhispered"Edith，"——hispulsebeat"Edith，"——andhisheartrepeatedthebelovedname。Itwashispulse—beat，——hisheartbeat，——hislife—beat。

Andonemorningashestoodabsentlylookingathisfingersagainstthelight——andtheyseemedstrangelywanandtransparent——thethoughtatlasttookshape。Itrusheduponhimwithsuchvehemence，thathecouldnomoreresistit。Sohebadetheclergymangood—bye，gatheredhisfewworldlygoodstogetherandsetoutforBergen。TherehefoundanEnglishsteamerwhichcarriedhimtoHull，andafewweekslater，hewasoncemoreinNewYork。

ItwaslateoneeveninginJanuarythatatug—boatarrivedandtookthecabinpassengersashore。Themoonsailedtranquillyoverthedeepbluedomeofthesky，thestarstracedtheirglitteringpathsoflightfromthezenithdownward，anditwassharp，bittercold。Northwardovertheriverlayagreatbankofcloud，dense，grayandmassive，thespectreofthecomingsnow—storm。Thereitlaysohugeandfantasticallyhuman，rufflingitselfup，asfowlsdo，indefenseagainstthecold。Halfdanwalkedonatabriskrate——strangetosay，allthestreet—

carshemetwentthewrongway——startlingeverynowandthensomepreciousmemory，somewordorlookorgestureofEdith’swhichhadhoveredlongoverthosescenes，waitingforhisrecognition。Therewasthegreatjewel—storewhereEdithhadtakenhimsooftentoconsulthistastewheneverafriendofherswastobemarried。ItwastherethattheyhadhadanamicablequarreloverthatbronzestatueofFaustwhichshehadfoundbeautiful，whilehe，witharudenesswhichseemednowquiteincomprehensible，hadinsistedthatitwasnot。

Andwhenhehadfailedtoconvinceher，shehadgivenhimherhandintokenofreconciliation——

andEdithhadawonderfulwayofgivingherhand，whichmadeanyonefeelthatitwasapeculiarprivilegetopressit——andtheyhadwalkedoutarminarmintotheanimated，gas—

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