IfeltthatIwentpale，andthoughnat\'rallyaboldspeaker，I
couldn\'thardlysay，\"Where\'sNormandy?\"
\"Bolted。Withtheplate，\"saidMr。Chops。
\"Andt\'otherone?\"meaninghimasformerlyworethebishop\'smitre。
\"Bolted。Withthejewels，\"saidMr。Chops。
Isatdownandlookedathim，andhestoodupandlookedatme。
\"Magsman，\"hesays，andheseemedtomyselftogetwiserashegothoarser；\"Society，takeninthelump，isalldwarfs。AtthecourtofSt。James\'s，theywasalladoingmyoldbusiness——allagointhreetimesroundtheCairawan，intheholdcourt-suitsandproperties。Elsewheres，theywasmostof\'emringintheirlittlebellsoutofmake-believes。Everywheres，thesarserwasagoinround。Magsman，thesarseristheuniwersalInstitution!\"
Iperceived，youunderstand，thathewassouredbyhismisfortunes，andIfeltforMr。Chops。
\"AstoFatLadies，\"hesays，givinghisheadatremendiousoneaginthewall，\"there\'slotsofTHEMinSociety，andworsethantheoriginal。HERSwasaoutrageuponTaste——simplyaoutrageuponTaste——awakenincontempt——carryinitsownpunishmentintheformofaIndian。\"Herehegivhimselfanothertremendiousone。\"ButTHEIRS，Magsman，THEIRSismercenaryoutrages。LayinCashmeershawls，buybracelets，strew\'emandalotof\'andsomefansandthingsaboutyourrooms，letitbeknownthatyougiveawaylikewatertoallascometoadmire，andtheFatLadiesthatdon\'texhibitforsomuchdownuponthedrum，willcomefromallthepintsofthecompasstoflockaboutyou，whateveryouare。They\'lldrillholesinyour\'art，Magsman，likeaCullender。Andwhenyou\'venomorelefttogive，they\'lllaughatyoutoyourface，andleaveyoutohaveyourbonespickeddrybyWulturs，likethedeadWildAssofthePrairiesthatyoudeservetobe!\"Herehegivhimselfthemosttremendiousoneofall，anddropped。
Ithoughthewasgone。HisEdwassoheavy，andheknockeditsohard，andhefellsostoney，andthesassagerialdisturbanceinhimmusthavebeensoimmense，thatIthoughthewasgone。But，hesooncomeroundwithcare，andhesatuponthefloor，andhesaidtome，withwisdomcominoutofhiseyes，ifeveritcome:
\"Magsman!Themostmaterialdifferencebetweenthetwostatesofexistencethroughwhichyourunhappyfriendhaspassed；\"hereachedouthispoorlittlehand，andhistearsdroppeddownonthemoustachiowhichitwasacredittohimtohavedonehisbesttogrow，butitisnotinmortalstocommandsuccess，——\"thedifferencethis。WhenIwasoutofSociety，Iwaspaidlightforbeingseen。
WhenIwentintoSociety，Ipaidheavyforbeingseen。Iprefertheformer，evenifIwasn\'tforceduponit。Givemeoutthroughthetrumpet，intheholdway，to-morrow。\"
Arterthat，heslidintothelineagainaseasyasifhehadbeeniledallover。Buttheorganwaskepfromhim，andnoallusionswasevermade，whenacompanywasin，tohisproperty。Hegotwisereveryday；hisviewsofSocietyandthePublicwasluminous，bewilderin，awful；andhisEdgotbiggerandbiggerashisWisdomexpandedit。
Hetookwell，andpulled\'eminmostexcellentfornineweeks。Attheexpirationofthatperiod，whenhisEdwasasight，heexpressedoneevenin，thelastCompanyhavinbeenturnedout，andthedoorshut，awishtohavealittlemusic。
\"Mr。Chops，\"Isaid(Ineverdroppedthe\"Mr。\"withhim；theworldmightdoit，butnotme)；\"Mr。Chops，areyousureasyouareinastateofmindandbodytositupontheorgan?\"
Hisanswerwasthis:\"Toby，whennextmetwithonthetramp，I
forgiveherandtheIndian。AndIam。\"
ItwaswithfearandtremblingthatIbegantoturnthehandle；buthesatlikealamb。Iwillbemybelieftomydyingday，thatIseehisEdexpandashesat；youmaythereforejudgehowgreathisthoughtswas。Hesatoutallthechanges，andthenhecomeoff。
\"Toby，\"hesays，withaquietsmile，\"thelittlemanwillnowwalkthreetimesroundtheCairawan，andretirebehindthecurtain。\"
Whenwecalledhiminthemorning，wefoundhimgoneintoamuchbetterSocietythanmineorPallMall\'s。IgivMr。Chopsascomfortableafuneralaslayinmypower，followedmyselfasChief，andhadtheGeorgetheFourthcanvasscarriedfirst，intheformofabanner。But，theHousewassodismalarterwards，thatIgivitup，andtooktotheWanagain。
\"Idon\'ttriumph，\"saidJarber，foldingupthesecondmanuscript，andlookinghardatTrottle。\"Idon\'ttriumphoverthisworthycreature。Imerelyaskhimifheissatisfiednow?\"
\"Howcanhebeanythingelse?\"Isaid，answeringforTrottle，whosatobstinatelysilent。\"Thistime，Jarber，youhavenotonlyreadusadelightfullyamusingstory，butyouhavealsoansweredthequestionabouttheHouse。Ofcourseitstandsemptynow。Whowouldthinkoftakingitafterithadbeenturnedintoacaravan?\"I
lookedatTrottle，asIsaidthoselastwords，andJarberwavedhishandindulgentlyinthesamedirection。
\"Letthisexcellentpersonspeak，\"saidJarber。\"Youwereabouttosay，mygoodman?\"-
\"Ionlywishedtoask，sir，\"saidTrottledoggedly，\"ifyoucouldkindlyobligemewithadateortwoinconnectionwiththatlaststory?\"
\"Adate!\"repeatedJarber。\"Whatdoesthemanwantwithdates!\"
\"Ishouldbegladtoknow，withgreatrespect，\"persistedTrottle，\"ifthepersonnamedMagsmanwasthelasttenantwholivedintheHouse。It\'smyopinion——ifImaybeexcusedforgivingit——thathemostdecidedlywasnot。\"
Withthosewords，Trottlemadealowbow，andquietlylefttheroom。
ThereisnodenyingthatJarber，whenwewerelefttogether，lookedsadlydiscomposed。Hehadevidentlyforgottentoinquireaboutdates；and，inspiteofhismagnificenttalkabouthisseriesofdiscoveries，itwasquiteasplainthatthetwostorieshehadjustread，hadreallyandtrulyexhaustedhispresentstock。Ithoughtmyselfbound，incommongratitude，tohelphimoutofhisembarrassmentbyatimelysuggestion。SoIproposedthatheshouldcometoteaagain，onthenextMondayevening，thethirteenth，andshouldmakesuchinquiriesinthemeantime，asmightenablehimtodisposetriumphantlyofTrottle\'sobjection。
Hegallantlykissedmyhand，madeaneatlittlespeechofacknowledgment，andtookhisleave。FortherestoftheweekI
wouldnotencourageTrottlebyallowinghimtorefertotheHouseatall。Isuspectedhewasmakinghisowninquiriesaboutdates，butI
putnoquestionstohim。
OnMondayevening，thethirteenth，thatdearunfortunateJarbercame，punctualtotheappointedtime。Helookedsoterriblyharassed，thathewasreallyquiteaspectacleoffeeblenessandfatigue。Isaw，ataglance，thatthequestionofdateshadgoneagainsthim，thatMr。MagsmanhadnotbeenthelasttenantoftheHouse，andthatthereasonofitsemptinesswasstilltoseek。
\"WhatIhavegonethrough，\"saidJarber，\"wordsarenoteloquentenoughtotell。OSophonisba，Ihavebegunanotherseriesofdiscoveries!Acceptthelasttwoasstorieslaidonyourshrine；
andwaittoblamemeforleavingyourcuriosityunappeased，untilyouhaveheardNumberThree。\"
NumberThreelookedlikeaveryshortmanuscript，andIsaidasmuch。Jarberexplainedtomethatweweretohavesomepoetrythistime。InthecourseofhisinvestigationshehadsteppedintotheCirculatingLibrary，toseekforinformationontheoneimportantsubject。AlltheLibrary-peopleknewabouttheHousewas，thatafemalerelativeofthelasttenant，astheybelieved，had，justafterthattenantleft，sentalittlemanuscriptpoemtothemwhichshedescribedasreferringtoeventsthathadactuallypassedintheHouse；andwhichshewantedtheproprietoroftheLibrarytopublish。Shehadwrittennoaddressonherletter；andtheproprietorhadkeptthemanuscriptreadytobegivenbacktoher(thepublishingofpoemsnotbeinginhisline)whenshemightcallforit。Shehadnevercalledforit；andthepoemhadbeenlenttoJarber，athisexpressrequest，toreadtome。
Beforehebegan，IrangthebellforTrottle；beingdeterminedtohavehimpresentatthenewreading，asawholesomecheckonhisobstinacy。TomysurprisePeggyansweredthebell，andtoldme，thatTrottlehadsteppedoutwithoutsayingwhere。Iinstantlyfeltthestrongestpossibleconvictionthathewasathisoldtricks:
andthathissteppingoutintheevening，withoutleave，meant——
Philandering。
Controllingmyselfonmyvisitor\'saccount，IdismissedPeggy，stifledmyindignation，andprepared，aspolitelyasmightbe，tolistentoJarber。
THREEEVENINGSINTHEHOUSE
NUMBERONE。
I。
Yes，itlook\'ddarkanddrearyThatlongandnarrowstreet:
Onlythesoundoftherain，Andthetrampofpassingfeet，Thedullerglowofthefire，AndgatheringmistsofnightTomarkhowslowandwearyThelongday\'scheerlessflight!
II。
Watchingthesullenfire，Hearingthedrearyrain，Dropafterdrop，rundownOnthedarkeningwindow-pane；
ChillwastheheartofBertha，Chillasthatwinterday，-
ForthestarofherlifehadrisenOnlytofadeaway。
III。
ThevoicethathadbeensostrongTobidthesnaredepart，Thetrueandearnestwill，Andthecalmandsteadfastheart，Werenowweigh\'ddownbysorrow，Werequiveringnowwithpain；
Theclearpathnowseem\'dclouded，Andallhergriefinvain。
IV。
Duty，Right，Truth，whopromisedTohelpandsavetheirown，Seem\'dspreadingwidetheirpinionsToleavehertherealone。
So，turningfromthePresentTowell-knowndaysofyore，Shecall\'donthemtostrengthenAndguardhersouloncemore。
V。
ShethoughthowinhergirlhoodHerlifewasgivenaway，ThesolemnpromisespokenShekeptsowellto-day；
HowtoherbrotherHerbertShehadbeenhelpandguide，Andhowhisartist-natureOnhercalmstrengthrelied。
VI。
Howthroughlife\'sfretandturmoilThepassionandfireofartInhimwassoothedandquicken\'dByhertruesisterheart；
HowfuturehopeshadalwaysBeenforhissakealone；
Andnow，whatstrangenewfeelingPossess\'dherasitsown?
VII。
Herhome；eachflowerthatbreathedthere；
Thewind\'ssigh，softandlow；
Eachtremblingsprayofivy；
Theriver\'smurmuringflow；
Theshadowoftheforest；
Sunset，ortwilightdim；
Dearastheywere，weredearerByleavingthemforhim。
VIII。
AndeachyearasitfoundherInthedull，feverishtown，Sawselfstillmoreforgotten，AndselfishcarekeptdownBythecalmjoyofeveningThatbroughthimtoherside，Towarnhimwithwisecounsel，Orpraisewithtenderpride。
IX。
Herheart，herlife，herfuture，Hergenius，onlymeantAnotherthingtogivehim，Andbetherewithcontent。
To-day，whatwordshadstirr\'dher，Hersoulcouldnotforget?
Whatdreamhadfill\'dherspiritWithstrangeandwildregret?
X。
Toleavehimforanother:
Coulditindeedbeso?
CouldithavecostsuchanguishTobidthisvisiongo?
Wasthisherfaith?WasHerbertThesecondinherheart?
DiditneedallthisstruggleTobidadreamdepart?
XI。
Andyet，withinherspiritAfar-offlandwasseen；
Ahome，whichmighthaveheldher；
Alove，whichmighthavebeen；
AndLife:notthemerebeingOfdailyebbandflow，ButLifeitselfhadclaim\'dher，Andshehadletitgo!
XII。
Withinherheartthereecho\'dAgainthewell-knowntuneThatpromisedthisbrightfuture，Andask\'dherforitsown:
Thenwordsofsorrow，brokenByhalf-reproachfulpain；
Andthenafarewell，spokenInwordsofcolddisdain。
XIII。
WherenowwasthesternpurposeThatnervedhersoulsolong?
Whencecamethewordssheutter\'d，Sohard，socold，sostrong?
WhatrighthadshetobanishAhopethatGodhadgiven?
Whymustshechooseearth\'sportion，AndturnasidefromHeaven?
XIV。
To-day!Wasitthismorning?
Ifthislong，fearfulstrifeWasbuttheworkofhours，Whatwouldbeyearsoflife?
WhydidacruelHeavenForsuchgreatsufferingcall?
Andwhy——O，stillmorecruel!-
Mustherownwordsdoall?
XV。
Didsherepent?OSorrow!
WhydowelingerstillTotakethylovingmessage，Anddothygentlewill?
See，hertearsfallmoreslowly；
Thepassionatemurmurscease，AndbackuponherspiritFlowstrength，andlove，andpeace。
XVI。
Thefireburnsmorebrightly，Therainhaspassedaway，HerbertwillseenoshadowUponhishometo-day；
OnlythatBerthagreetshimWithdoublytendercare，KissingafonderblessingDownonhisgoldenhair。
NUMBERTWO。
I。
Thestudioisdeserted，Paletteandbrushlaidby，Thesketchrestsontheeasel，Thepaintisscarcelydry；
AndSilence——whoseemsalwaysWithinherdepthstobearThenextsoundthatwillutter-
Nowholdsadumbdespair。
II。
SoBerthafeelsit:listeningWithbreathless，stonyfear，WaitingthedreadfulsummonsEachminutebringsmorenear:
Whentheyounglife，nowebbing，Shallfail，andpassawayIntothatmightyshadowWhoshroudsthehouseto-day。
III。
Butwhy——whenthesickchamberIsontheupperfloor-
WhydaresnotBerthaenterWithintheclose-shutdoor?
Ifhe——herall——herBrother，Liesdyinginthatgloom，WhatstrangemysteriouspowerHassentherfromtheroom?
IV。
Itisnotoneweek\'sanguishThatcanhavechangedherso；
Joyhasnotdiedherelately，Struckdownbyonequickblow；
ButcruelmonthshaveneededTheirlongrelentlesschain，ToteachthatshrinkingmannerOfhelpless，hopelesspain。
V。
ThestrugglewasscarceoverLastChristmasEvehadbrought:
ThefibresstillwerequiveringOftheonewoundedthought，WhenHerbert——who，unconscious，Hadguessednoinwardstrife-
Badeher，inprideandpleasure，Welcomehisfairyoungwife。
VI。
Badeherrejoice，andsmiling，Althoughhiseyesweredim，Thank\'dGodhethuscouldpayherThecareshegavetohim。
ThisfreshbrightlifewouldbringherAnewandjoyousfate-
OBertha，checkthemurmurThatcries，Toolate!toolate!
VII。
Toolate!CouldshehaveknownitAfewshortweeksbefore，Thathislifewascompleted，Andneedinghersnomore，Shemight——Osadrepining!
What\"mighthavebeen，\"forget；
\"Itwasnot，\"shouldsufficeusTostiflevainregret。
VIII。
Heneededhernolonger，Eachdayitgrewmoreplain；
Firstwithastartledwonder，Thenwithawonderingpain。
Love:why，hiswifebestgaveit；
Comfort:durstBerthaspeak?
Counsel:whenquickresentmentFlush\'dontheyoungwife\'scheek。
IX。
NomorelongtalksbyfirelightOfchildishtimeslongpast，AnddreamsoffuturegreatnessWhichhemustreachatlast；
Dreams，whereherpurerinstinctWithtruthunerringtoldWherewastheworthlessgilding，Andwhererefinedgold。
X。
Slowly，butsurelyever，Dora\'spoorjealouspride，Whichshecall\'dloveforHerbert，DroveBerthafromhisside；
And，spiteofnervouseffortTosharetheiralter\'dlife，ShefeltachecktoHerbert，Aburdentohiswife。
XI。
Thiswastheleast；forBerthaFear\'d，dreaded，KNEWatlength，HowmuchhisnatureowedherOftruth，andpower，andstrength；
Andwatch\'dthedailyfailingOfallhisnoblerpart:
Lowaims，weakpurpose，tellingInlower，weakerart。
XII。
Andnow，whenheisdying，ThelastwordsshecouldhearMustnotbehers，butgivenThebrideofoneshortyear。
Thelastcareisanother\'s；
ThelastprayermustnotbeTheonetheylearnttogetherBesidetheirmother\'sknee。
XIII。
Summon\'datlast:shekissesTheclay-coldstiffeninghand；
And，readingpleadingeffortsTomakeherunderstand，Answers，withsolemnpromise，Inclearbuttremblingtone，ToDora\'slifehenceforwardShewilldevoteherown。
XIV。
Nowallisover。BerthaDaresnotremaintoweep，ButsoothesthefrightenedDoraIntoasobbingsleep。
Thepoorweakchildwillneedher:
O，whocandarecomplain，WhenGodsendsanewDutyTocomforteachnewPain!
NUMBERTHREE。
I。
TheHouseisalldesertedInthedimeveninggloom，OnlyonefigurepassesSlowlyfromroomtoroom；
And，pausingateachdoorway，SeemsgatheringupagainWithinherhearttherelicsOfbygonejoyandpain。
II。
ThereisanearnestlongingInthosewhoonwardgaze，LookingwithwearypatienceTowardsthecomingdays。
Thereisadeeperlonging，Moresad，morestrong，morekeen:
Thoseknowitwholookbackward，Andyearnforwhathasbeen。
III。
Ateveryhearthshepauses，Toucheseachwell-knownchair；
Gazesfromeverywindow，Lingersoneverystair。
WhathavethesemonthsbroughtBerthaNowonemoreyearispast?
ThisChristmasEveshalltellus，Thethirdoneandthelast。
IV。
Thewilful，waywardDora，Inthosefirstweeksofgrief，CouldseekandfindinBerthaStrength，soothing，andrelief。
AndBertha——lastsadcomfortTruewoman-heartcantake-
HadsomethingstilltosufferAnddoforHerbert\'ssake。
V。
Spring，withherwesternbreezes，FromIndianislandsboreToBerthanewsthatLeonardWouldseekhishomeoncemore。
Whatwasit——joy，orsorrow?
Whatwerethey——hopes，orfears?
Thatflush\'dhercheekswithcrimson，Andfill\'dhereyeswithtears?
VI。
Hecame。AndwhosokindlyCouldaskandhearhertellHerbert\'slasthours；forLeonardHadknownandlovedhimwell。
Dailyhecame；andBertha，Poorwearheart，atlength，Weigh\'ddownbyother\'sweakness，Couldrestuponhisstrength。
VII。
YetnotthevoiceofLeonardCouldhertruecarebeguile，Thatturn\'dtowatch，rejoicing，Dora\'srevivingsmile。
So，fromthatlittlehouseholdTheworstgloompass\'daway，TheonebrighthourofeveningLitupthelivelongday。
VIII。
Dayspassed。ThegoldensummerInsuddenheatboredownItsblue，bright，glowingsweetnessUponthescorchingtown。
AndsightsandsoundsofcountryCameinthewarmsofttuneSungbythehoney\'dbreezesBorneonthewingsofJune。
IX。
Onetwilighthour，butearlierThanusual，BerthathoughtSheknewthefreshsweetfragranceOfflowersthatLeonardbrought；
Throughopen\'ddoorsandwindowsItstoleupthroughthegloom，AndwithappealingsweetnessDrewBerthafromherroom。
X。
Yes，hewasthere；andpausingJustneartheopen\'ddoor，Tocheckherheart\'squickbeating，Sheheard——andpausedstillmore-
HislowvoiceDora\'sanswers-
Hispleading——Yes，sheknewThetone——thewords——theaccents:
Sheoncehadheardthemtoo。
XI。