Idedicateallthatisgoodinthisworktomymother.——C.R.，NOTE
THISstorywaswrittenthreeyearsago，andoneortwotopicsinitarenottreatedexactlyastheywouldbeifwrittenbythesamehandto—day.
Butiftheauthorhadretouchedthosepageswithhiscolorsof1853，hewould（hethinks）havedestroyedtheonlymerittheyhave，viz.，thatofcontaininggenuinecontemporaneousverdictsuponacantthatwasflourishinglikeapeony，andatruththatwasstrugglingforbarelife，intheyearoftruth1850.
Hepreferstodealfairlywiththepublic，and，withthisexplanationandapology，tolayatitsfeetafaultybutgenuinepieceofwork.
CHAPTERI.
VISCOUNTIPSDEN，agedtwenty—five，incomeeighteenthousandpoundsperyear，constitutionequine，wasunhappy！Thismightsurprisesomepeople;
buttherearecertainblessings，thenon—possessionofwhichmakesmorepeoplediscontentedthantheirpossessionrendershappy.
Foremostamongtheseare\"WealthandRank.\"WereItoadd\"Beauty\"tothelist，suchmenandwomenasgobyfact，notbyconjecture，wouldhardlycontradictme.
Thefortunatemanishewho，bornpoor，ornobody，worksgraduallyuptowealthandconsideration，and，havinggotthem，diesbeforehefindstheywerenotworthsomuchtrouble.
LordIpsdenstartedwithnothingtowin;andnaturallylivedforamusement.Nownothingissosuretoceasetopleaseaspleasure——toamuse，asamusement.Unfortunatelyforhimselfhecouldnotatthisperiodofhislifewarmtopolitics;so，havingexhaustedhisLondonclique，herolledthroughthecitiesofEuropeinhiscarriage，andcruiseditsshoresinhisyacht.Buthewasnothappy！
Hewasamanoftaste，andsippedtheartsandotherknowledge，ashesaunteredEuroperound.
Buthewasnothappy.
\"WhatshallIdo？\"said_l’ennuye’._
\"Distinguishyourself，\"saidone.
\"How？\"
Noimmediateanswer.
\"Takea_primadonna_over，\"saidanother.
Well，themantooka_primadonna_over，whichscoldeditsmaidfromtheAlpstoDoverinthe_linguaToscana_withoutthe_boccaRomana，_andsanginLondonwithoutapplause;becausewhatgoesdownatLaScaladoesnotgenerallygodownatIlTeatrodellaRegina，Haymarket.
SothenmylordstrolledintoRussia;therehedroveapairofhorses，oneofwhomputhisheaddownanddidthework;theotherprancedandcapricoledalongside，allunconsciousofthetrace.Heseemedhappierthanhisworkingbrother;butthebipedwhosecareercorrespondedwiththisplayfulanimal’swasnothappy！
AtlengthaneventoccurredthatpromisedtoplayanadagiouponLordIpsden’smind.HefellinlovewithLadyBarbaraSinclair;andhehadnosoonerdonethisthanhefelt，asweareallapttodoonsimilaroccasions，howwiseathinghehaddone！
Besidesalovelyperson，LadyBarbaraSinclairhadacharacterthathesawwouldmakehim;and，infact，LadyBarbaraSinclairwas，toaninexperiencedeye，theexactoppositeofLordIpsden.
Hermentalimpulsewasasplethoricashiswaslanguid.
Shewasasenthusiasticashewascool.
Shetookawarminterestineverything.Shebelievedthatgovernmentisascience，andonethatgoeswith_copiaverborum._
Shebelievedthat，inEngland，governmentisadministered，notbyasetofmenwhosesalariesrangefromeightytofivehundredpoundsayear，andwhosenamesareneverheard，butbytheFirstLordoftheTreasury，andothergreatmen.
Hencesheinferred，thatitmattersverymuchtoallofusinwhosehandistherudderofthatstatevesselwhichgoesdownthewindofpublicopinion，withoutveeringapoint，letwhowillbeatthehelm.
Shealsocaredverymuchwhowasthenewbishop.Religion——ifnotreligion，theology——wouldbeaffectedthereby.
Shewasenthusiasticaboutpoets;imaginedtheirversetobesomesortofclewtotheircharacters，andsoon.
Shehadothertheories，whichwillbeindicatedbyandby;atpresentitisenoughtosaythathermindwasyoung，healthy，somewhatoriginal，fulloffireandfaith，andemptyofexperience.
LordIpsdenlovedher！itwaseasytoloveher.
First，therewasnot，inthewholerangeofhermindandbody，onegrainofaffectationofanysort.
Shewasalways，inpointoffact，undertheinfluenceofsomemalemindorother，generallysomewriter.Whatyoungwomanisnot，moreorless，amirror？Butsheneverimitatedoraffected;shewasalwaysherself，bywhomsoevercolored.
Thenshewasbeautifulandeloquent;muchtoohigh—bredtoputarestraintuponhernaturalmanner，shewasoftenmore_naive，_andevenbrusk，thanyourwould—bearistocratsdaretobe;butwhatacharmingabruptnessherswas！
Idonotexcelindescriptions，andyetIwanttogiveyousomecarnalideaofacertainpeculiarityandcharmthisladypossessed;permitmetocallasisterarttomyaid.
TherehaslatelysteppedupontheFrenchstageacharmingpersonage，whosemannerisquitefreefromtheaffectationthatsoilsnearlyallFrenchactresses——MademoiselleMadeleineBrohan！WhenyouseethisyoungladyplayMademoiselleLaSegli’ere，youseehigh—bredsensibilitypersonified，andyouseesomethinglikeLadyBarbaraSinclair.
ShewasaconnectionofLordIpsden’s，buttheyhadnotmetfortwoyears，whentheyencounteredeachotherinParisjustbeforethecommencementofthis\"DramaticStory，\"\"Novel\"bycourtesy.
ThemonthhespentinParis，nearher，wasabrightmonthtoLordIpsden.
Abystanderwouldnothavegathered，fromhismanner，thathewaswarmlyinlovewiththislady;but，forallthat，hislordshipwasgraduallyuncoilinghimself，andgracefully，quietlybaskingintheraysofBarbaraSinclair.
Hewasalsojustbeginningtotakeaninterestinsubjectsoftheday——ministries，flatpaintings，controversialnovels，Cromwell’sspotlessintegrity，etc.——whynot？Theyinterestedher.
SuddenlytheladyandherfamilyreturnedtoEngland.LordIpsden，whowasgoingtoRome，cametoEnglandinstead.
ShehadnotbeenfivedaysinLondon，beforeshemadeherpreparationstospendsixmonthsinPerthshire.
Thisbroughtmatterstoaclimax.
LordIpsdenproposedinform.
LadyBarbarawassurprised;shehadnotviewedhisgracefulattentionsinthatlightatall.However，sheansweredbyletterhisproposalwhichhadbeenmadebyletter.
Afterafewofthosecourteouswordsaladyalwaysbestowsonagentlemanwhohasofferedherthehighestcomplimentanymanhasitinhispowertoofferanywoman，shecametothepointinthefollowingcharacteristicmanner：
\"ThemanImarrymusthavetwothings，virtuesandvices——youhaveneither.Youdonothing，andneverwilldoanythingbutsketchandhumtunes，anddanceanddangle.Forgetthisfollythedayafterto—morrow，mydearIpsden，and，ifImayaskafavorofonetowhomIrefusethatwhichwouldnotbeakindness，bestillgoodfriendswithherwhowillalwaysbe\"Youraffectionate_Cousin，_
\"BARBARASINCLAIR.\"
SoonafterthiseffusionshevanishedintoPerthshire，leavinghercousinstunnedbyablowwhichshethoughtwouldbeonlyascratchtooneofhischaracter.
LordIpsdenrelapsedintogreaterlistlessnessthanbeforehehadcherishedthesecrushedhopes.Theworldnowbecamereallydarkandblanktohim.Hewastoolanguidtogoanywhereordoanything;arepublicanmighthavecomparedthesettledexpressionofhishandsome，hopelessfacewiththatofmostday—laborersofthesameage，andmoderatedhisenvyoftherichandtitled.
AtlasthebecamesopaleaswellaslanguidthatMr.Saundersinterfered.
Saunderswasamodelvaletandfactotum;whohadbeenwithhismastereversinceheleftEton，andhadmadehimselfnecessarytohimintheirjourneys.
ThesaidSaunderswasreallyaninvaluableservant，and，withaworldofobsequiousness，contrivedtohavehisownwayonmostoccasions.Hehad，Ibelieve，onlyonegreatweakness，thatofimaginingabeau—idealofaristocracyandthenoutdoingitinthepersonofJohnSaunders.
NowthisSaunderswashuman，andcouldnotbeeightyearswiththisyounggentlemanandnottakesomelittleinterestinhim.Hewasflunky，andtookagreatinterestinhim，asstepping—stonetohisowngreatness.Sowhenhesawhimturningpaleandthin，andreadingoneletterfiftytimes，hespeculatedandinquiredwhatwasthematter.HebroughttheintellectofMr.Saunderstobearonthequestionatthefollowingangle：
\"Now，ifIwasayounglordwith20，000poundsayear，andalltheworldatmyfeet，whatwouldmakemeinthisway？Why，theliver！Nothingelse.
\"Andthatiswhatiswrongwithhim，youmaydepend.\"
Thisconclusionarrivedat，Mr.SaunderscoollywrotehisconvictionstoDr.Aberford，anddesiredthatgentleman’simmediateattentiontothecase.Anhourortwolater，heglidedintohislord’sroom，notwithoutsomesecrettrepidation，notraceofwhichappearedonhisface.Hepulledalonghistrioniccountenance.\"Mylord，\"saidhe，insoft，melancholytones，\"yourlordship’smelancholystateofhealthgivesmegreatanxiety;and，withmanyapologiestoyourlordship，thedoctorissentfor，mylord.\"
\"Why，Saunders，youaremad;thereisnothingthematterwithme.\"
\"Ibegyourlordship’spardon，yourlordshipisveryill，andDr.
Aberfordsentfor.\"
\"Youmaygo，Saunders.\"
\"Yes，mylord.Icouldn’thelpit;I’veoutsteppedmyduty，mylord，butIcouldnotstandquietandseeyourlordshipdyingbyinches.\"HereMr.
S.putacambrichandkerchiefartisticallytohiseyes，andglidedout，havingdisarmedcensure.
LordIpsdenfellintoareverie.
\"Ismymindormybodydisordered？Dr.Aberford！——absurd！——Saundersisgettingtoopragmatical.Thedoctorshallprescribeforhiminsteadofme;byJove，thatwouldservehimright.\"Andmylordfaintlychuckled.
\"No！thisiswhatIamillof\"——andhereadthefatalnoteagain.\"Idonothing！——cruel，unjust，\"sighedhe.\"Icouldhavedone，wouldhavedone，anythingtopleaseher.Donothing！nobodydoesanythingnow——thingsdon’tcomeinyourwaytobedoneastheyusedcenturiesago，orweshoulddothemjustthesame;itistheirfault，notours，\"arguedhislordship，somewhatconfusedly;then，leaninghisbrowuponthesofa，hewishedtodie.For，atthatdarkmomentlifeseemedtothisfortunatemananachingvoid;aweary，stale，flat，unprofitabletale;afadedflower;
aball—roomafterdaylighthascreptin，andmusic，motionandbeautyarefledaway.
\"Dr.Aberford，mylord.\"
Thisannouncement，madebyMr.Saunders，checkedhislordship’sreverie.
\"Insultseverybody，doeshenot，Saunders？\"
\"Yes，mylord，\"saidSaunders，monotonously.
\"Perhapshewillme;thatmightamuseme，\"saidtheother.
Amomentlaterthedoctorbowledintotheapartment，tuggingathisgloves，asheran.
Thecontrastbetweenhimandourpoorrichfriendisalmostbeyondhumanlanguage.
HerelayonasofaIpsden，oneofthemostdistinguishedyounggentlemeninEurope;acreatureincapable，bynature，ofaruggedtoneoracoarsegesture;abeingwithouttheslightestapparentpretension，butrefinedbeyondthewildestdreamofdandies.Tohim，enterAberford，perspiringandshouting.Hewasoneofthoseglobulesofhumanquicksilveroneseesnowandthenfortwoseconds;theyare，infact，twoglobules;theirheadisone，invariablybald，round，andglittering;thebodyisanotherinactivityandshape，_totusteresatquerotundus;_andinfiftyyearstheylivefivecenturies._HorumRexAberford_——oftheseourdoctorwasthechief.Hehadhardlytornoffoneglove，androlledasfarasthethirdflowerfromthedooronhislordship’scarpet，beforeheshouted：
\"Thisismypatient，lollopinginpursuitofhealth.Yourhand，\"addedhe.Forhewasatthesofalongbeforehislordshipcouldglideoffit.
\"Tongue.Pulseisgood.Breatheinmyface.\"
\"Breatheinyourface，sir！howcanIdothat？\"（withanairofmilddoubt.）
\"Byfirstinhaling，andthenexhalinginthedirectionrequired，orhowcanImakeacquaintancewithyourbowels？\"
\"Mybowels？\"
\"Theabdomen，andthegreaterandlesserintestines.Well，nevermind，I
cangetatthemanotherway;giveyourheartaslap，so.That’syourliver.Andthat’syourdiaphragm.\"
Hislordshiphavingfoundtherequiredspot（somepeoplethatIknowcouldnot）andslappedit，theAberfordmadeacircularspringandlistenedeagerlyathisshoulder—blade;theresultofthisscientificpantomimeseemedtobesatisfactory，forheexclaimed，nottosaybawled：
\"Halo！hereisaviscountassoundasaroach！Now，younggentleman，\"
addedhe，\"yourorgansaresuperb，yetyouarereallyoutofsorts;itfollowsyouhavethemaladiesofidleminds，love，perhaps，amongtherest;youblush，adiagnosticofthatdisorder;makeyourmindeasy，cutaneousdisorders，suchaslove，etc.，shallneverkillapatientofminewithastomachlikeyours.So，nowtocureyou！\"Andawaywentthesphericaldoctor，withhishandsbehindhim，notupanddowntheroom，butslantingandtacking，likeaknightonachess—board.Hehadnotmademanystepsbefore，turninghisupperglobule，withoutaffectinghislower，hehurledback，inacoldbusiness—liketone，thefollowinginterrogatory：
\"Whatareyourvices？\"
\"Saunders，\"inquiredthepatient，\"whicharemyvices？\"
\"M’lord，lordshiphasn’tanyvices，\"repliedSaunders，withdull，matter—of—factsolemnity.
\"LadyBarbaramakesthesamecomplaint，\"thoughtLordIpsden.
\"ItseemsIhavenotanyvices，Dr.Aberford，\"saidhe，demurely.
\"Thatisbad;nothingtogetholdof.Whatinterestsyou，then？\"
\"Idon’tremember.\"
\"Whatamusesyou？\"
\"Iforget.\"
\"What！nowinninghorsetogallopawayyourrents？\"
\"No，sir！\"
\"Nooperagirltorunherfootandanklethroughyourpurse？\"
\"No，sir！andIthinktheiranklesarenotwhattheywere.\"
\"Stuff！justthesame，fromtheiranklesuptotheirears，anddownagaintotheirmorals;itisyoureyesthataresunkdeeperintoyourhead.
Hum！nohorses，novices，nodancers，noyacht;youconfoundone’snotionsofnobility，andIoughttoknowthem，forIhavetopatchthemallupabitjustbeforetheygotothedeuce.\"
\"ButIhave，DoctorAberford.\"
\"What！\"
\"Ayacht！andaclippersheis，too.\"
\"Ah！——（NowI’vegothim.）\"
\"IntheBayofBiscayshelayhalfapointnearerthewindthanLordHeavyjib.\"
\"Oh！botherLordHeavyjib，andhisBayofBiscay.\"
\"Withallmyheart，theyhaveoftenbotheredme.\"
\"SendherroundtoGrantonPier，intheFirthofForth.\"
\"Iwill，sir.\"
\"Andwritedownthisprescription.\"Andawayhewalkedagain，thinkingtheprescription.
\"Saunders，\"appealedhismaster.
\"Saundersbehanged.\"
\"Sir！\"saidSaunders，withdignity，\"Ithankyou.\"
\"Don’tthankme，thankyourowndeserts，\"repliedthemodernChesterfield.\"Obligemebywritingityourself，mylord，itisallthebodilyexerciseyouwillhavehadto—day，nodoubt.\"
Theyoungviscountbowed，seatedhimselfatadesk，andwrotefromdictation：
\"DR.ABERFORD’SPRESCRIPTION.
\"Makeacquaintancewithallthepeopleoflowestatewhohavetimetobebotheredwithyou;learntheirways，theirminds，and，aboveall，theirtroubles.\"
\"Won’tallthisboreme？\"suggestedthewriter.
\"Youwillsee.Relieveonefellow—creatureeveryday，andletMr.
Saundersbookthecircumstances.\"
\"Ishalllikethispart，\"saidthepatient，layingdownhispen.\"Howcleverofyoutothinkofsuchthings;maynotIdotwosometimes？\"
\"Certainlynot;onepillperday.Write，Fishtheherring！（thatbeatsdeer—stalking.）Runyournoseintoadventuresatsea;liveontenpence，andearnit.Isitdown？\"
\"Yes，itisdown，butSaunderswouldhavewrittenitbetter.\"
\"Ifhehadn’theoughttobehanged，\"saidtheAberford，inspectingthework.\"I’moff，where’smyhat？oh，there;where’smymoney？oh，here.
Nowlookhere，followmyprescription，andYouwillsoonhaveMenssanaincorporesano;Andnotcarewhetherthegirlssayyesorsayno;
neglectit，and——mygloves;oh，inmypocket——youwillbe_blase’_and_ennuye’，_and（anEnglishparticiple，thatmeanssomethingasbad）;Godblessyou！\"
Andouthescuttled，glidedafterbySaunders，forwhomheopenedandshutthestreetdoor.
Neverwasagreatereffectproducedbyadoctor’svisit;patientandphysicianweremadeforeachother.Dr.AberfordwasthespecificforLordIpsden.Hecametohimlikeashowertoafaintingstrawberry.
Saunders，onhisreturn，foundhislordpacingtheapartment.
\"Saunders，\"saidhe，smartly，\"senddowntoGravesendandordertheyachttothisplace——whatisit？\"
\"GrantonPier.Yes，mylord.\"
\"And，Saunders，takeclothes，andbooks，andviolins，andtelescopes，andthings——andme——toEustonSquare，inanhour.\"
\"Impossible，’mylord，\"criedSaunders，indismay.\"Andthereisnotrainforhours.\"
Hismasterrepliedwithahundred—poundnote，andaquiet，butwickedishlook;andtheprinceofgentlemen’sgentlemanhadalltherequireditemswithhim，inaspecialtrain，withinthespecifiedtime，andawaytheyflashed，northward.
CHAPTERII.
ITissaidthatoppositecharactersmakeaunionhappiest;andperhapsLordIpsden，diffidentofhimself，feltthevaluetohimofacreaturesodifferentasLadyBarbaraSinclair;butthelady，forherpart，wasnotsodiffidentofherself，norwassheinsearchofheropposite.Onthecontrary，shewaswaitingpatientlytofindjustsuchamanasshewas，orfanciedherself，awoman.
Accustomedtomeasuremenbytheircharactersalone，andtotreatwithsublimecontempttheaccidentsofbirthandfortune，shehadbeenalittlestaggeredbytheassuranceofthisbutterflythathadproposedtosettleuponherhand——forlife.
Inaword，thebeautifulwriterofthefatalnotewashonestlyromantic，accordingtotheromanceof1848，andofgoodsociety;ofcourseshewasnotaffectedbyhairtumblingbackorplastereddownforward，andarollingeyewentnofurtherwithherthanasquintingone.
Herromancewasstern，notsickly.Shewasonthelookoutforironvirtues;shehadsworntobewooedwithgreatdeeds，orneverwon;onthissubjectshehadthoughtmuch，thoughnotenoughtoaskherselfwhethergreatdeedsarealwaystobegotat，howeverdisposedalovermaybe.
Nomatter;shekeptherselfinreserveforsomeearnestman，whowasnottocomeflatteringandfoolingtoher，butlookanotherwayanddoexploits.
ShelikedLordIpsden，hercousinonceremoved，butdespisedhimforbeingagreeable，handsome，clever，andnobody.
ShewasalsoalittlebittenwithwhatsheandotherscalledtheMiddleAges，infactwiththatpictureofthemwhichGrubStreet，imposingonthesimplicityofyouth，hadgotupforsalebyarrayingpaintedglass，giltrags，andfancy，againstfact.
Withthesevagueandsketchynoticeswearecompelledtopart，forthepresent，withLadyBarbara.Butitservesherright;shehasgonetoestablishhercourtinPerthshire，andleftherrejectedloveronourhands.
Journeysofafewhundredmilesarenolongerdescribed.
Youexchangeadeadchairforalivingchair，Saundersputsinyourhandanewtalelikethis;youmournthesuperstitionofbooksellers，whichstillinflictsuncutleavesuponhumanity，thoughtailorsdonotsendhomecoatswiththesleevesstitchedup，norchambermaidsputtravelersintoapple—piebedsaswellasdampsheets.Yourendandread，andareatEdinburgh，fatiguedmoreorless，butnotbythejourney.
LordIpsdenwas，therefore，sooninstalledbytheFirthside，fulloftheAberford.
Theyoungnoblemannotonlyveneratedthedoctor’ssagacity，buthalfadmiredhisbrusquerieandbustle;thingsofwhichhewashimselfneverguilty.
Asfortheprescription，thatwasaDelphicOracle.Worldscouldnothavetemptedhimtodeviatefromaletterinit.
Hewaitedwithimpatiencefortheyacht;and，meantime，itstruckhimthatthefirstpartoftheprescriptioncouldbeattackedatonce.
Itwastheafternoonofthedaysucceedinghisarrival.TheFifeshirehills，seenacrosstheFirthfromhiswindows，werebeginningtotaketheircharmingviolettinge，alightbreezeruffledthebluewaterintoasparklingsmile，theshorewastranquil，andtheseafullofnoiselesslife，withthecraftofallsizesglidinganddancingandcourtesyingontheirtracklessroads.
Theairwastepid，pureandsweetasheaven;thisbrightafternoon，Naturehadgrudgednothingthatcouldgivefreshlifeandhopetosuchdwellersindustandsmokeandviceasweretheretolookawhileonhercleanfaceanddrinkherhoneyedbreath.
Thisyounggentlemanwasnotinsensibletothebeautyofthescene.Hewasalittlelazybynature，andmadelazierbythemisfortuneofwealth，buthehadsensibilities;hewasanartistofgreatnaturaltalent;hadheonlybeenwithoutapenny，howhewouldhavehandledthebrush！Andthenhewasamightysailor;ifhehadsailedforbiscuitafewyears，howhewouldhavehandledaship！
Ashewas，hehadtheeyeofahawkforNature’sbeauties，andtheseaalwayscamebacktohimlikeafriendafteranabsence.
Thisscene，then，curledroundhisheartalittle，andhefeltthegoodphysicianwaswiserthanthetribethatgobythatname，andstrivetobuildhealthonthesandyfoundationofdrugs.
\"Saunders！doyouknowwhatDr.Aberfordmeansbythelowerclasses？\"
\"Perfectly，mylord.\"
\"Arethereanyabouthere？\"
\"Iamsorrytosaytheyareeverywhere，mylord.\"
\"Getmesome\"——_（cigarette）._
OutwentSaunders，withhisusualgraceful_empressement，_butaninternalshrugofhisshoulders.
Hewasabsentanhourandahalf;hethenreturnedwithadoubleexpressiononhisface——prideathissuccessindivingtotheverybottomofsociety，andcontemptofwhathehadfishedupthence.
Heapproachedhislordmysteriously，andsaid，_sottovoce，_butimpressively，\"Thisislowenough，mylord.\"Thenglidedback，andusheredin，withpolitedisdain，twolovelierwomenthanhehadeveropenedadoortointhewholecourseofhisperfumedexistence.
OntheirheadstheyworecapsofDutchorFlemishorigin，withabroadlaceborder，stiffenedandarchedovertheforehead，aboutthreeincheshigh，leavingthebrowandcheeksunencumbered.
Theyhadcottonjackets，brightredandyellow，mixedinpatterns，confinedatthewaistbytheapron—strings，butbobtailedbelowthewaist;shortwoolenpetticoats，withbroadverticalstripes，redandwhite，mostvividincolor;whiteworstedstockings，andneat，thoughhigh—quarteredshoes.Undertheirjacketstheyworeathickspottedcottonhandkerchief，aboutoneinchofwhichwasvisibleroundthelowerpartofthethroat.Oftheirpetticoats，theouteronewaskilted，orgathereduptowardthefront，andthesecond，ofthesamecolor，hungintheusualway.
Oftheseyoungwomen，onehadanolivecomplexion，withtheredbloodmantlingunderit，andblackhair，andgloriousblackeyebrows.
Theotherwasfair，withamassivebutshapelythroat，aswhiteasmilk;
glossybrownhair，theloosethreadsofwhichglitteredlikegold，andablueeye，which，beingcontrastedwithdarkeyebrowsandlashes，tooktheluminouseffectpeculiartothatrarebeauty.
Theirshortpetticoatsrevealedaneatankle，andalegwithanobleswell;forNature，whensheisinearnest，buildsbeautyontheideasofancientsculptorsandpoets，notofmodernpoetasters，who，withtheirairy—likesylphsandtheirsmoke—likeverses，fightforwantoffleshinwomanandwantoffactinpoetryasparallelbeauties.
_Theyare，_mylads.——_Continuez！_
Thesewomenhadagrandcorporealtrait;theyhadneverknownacorset！
sotheywerestraightasjavelins;theycouldlifttheirhandsabovetheirheads！——actually！TheirsupplepersonsmovedasNatureintended;
everygesturewasease，graceandfreedom.
Whatwiththeirownradiance，andthesnowycleanlinessandbrightnessoftheircostume，theycamelikemeteorsintotheapartment.
LordIpsden，risinggentlyfromhisseat，withthesamequietpolitenesswithwhichhewouldhavereceivedtwoprincesoftheblood，said，\"Howdoyoudo？\"andsmiledawelcome.
\"Fine！hoow’syoursel？\"answeredthedarklass，whosenamewasJeanCarnie，andwhosevoicewasnotsosweetasherface.
\"What’nlordareye？\"continuedshe;\"areyouajuke？Iwadlikefinetohaeacrackwi’ajuke.\"
Saunders，whoknewhimselfthecauseofthisquestion，replied，_sottovoce，_\"Hislordshipisaviscount.\"
\"Ididnaken’t，\"wasJean’sremark.\"Butithasabonnysoond.\"
\"Whatmairwouldyehae？\"saidthefairbeauty，whosenamewasChristieJohnstone.Then，appealingtohislordshipasthelikeliesttoknow，sheadded，\"Nobeelityisjistasoonditsel，I’mtauld.\"
Theviscount，findinghimselfexpectedtosaysomethingonatopichehadnotattendedmuchto，answereddryly：\"Wemustasktherepublicans，theyarethepeoplethatgivetheirmindstosuchsubjects.\"
\"Andyonman，\"askedJeanCarnie，\"ishealord，too？\"
\"Iamhislordship’sservant，\"repliedSaunders，gravely，notwithoutasecretmisgivingwhetherfatehadbeenjust.
\"Na！\"repliedshe，nottobeimposedupon，\"yearestatelierandprooderthanthisane.\"
\"Iwillexplain，\"saidhismaster.\"Saundersknowshisvalue;aservantlikeSaundersisrarerthananidleviscount.\"
\"Mylord，mylord！\"remonstratedSaunders，withashockedandmostdisclamatorytone.\"Rather！\"washisinwardreflection.
\"Jean，\"saidChristie，\"yehaemuckletolaern.Areyeforherrin’theday，vilecount？\"
\"No！areyouforthissortofthing？\"
Atthis，Saunders，withaworldof_empressement，_offeredtheCarniesomecakethatwasonthetable.
Shetookapiece，instantlyspatitoutintoherhand，andwithmoreenergythandelicacyflungitintothefire.
\"Augh！\"criedshe，\"justasugarandsautbutterthegither;buynaemairatyonshoep，vilecount.\"
\"Trythis，outofNature’sshop，\"laughedtheirentertainer;andheofferedthem，himself，somepeachesandthings.
\"Hech！amedi——cine！\"saidChristie.
\"Nature，mylad，\"saidMissCarnie，makingherivoryteethmeetintheirfirstnectarine，\"Ididnakenwhauryestoep，butyebeattheotherconfectioners，thatdivye.\"
Thefairlass，whohadwatchedtheviscountallthistimeasdemurelyasacatcream，nowapproachedhim.
Thisyoungwomanwasthethinker;hervoicewasalsorich，full，andmelodious，andhermannerveryengaging;itwashalfadvancing，halfretiring，noteasytoresistortodescribe.
\"Noo，\"saidshe，withaveryslightblushstealingacrossherface，\"yemaunletmecatecheezeye，wullye？\"
Thelasttwowordsweresaidinawaythatwouldhaveinducedabeartorevealhiswinterresidence.
Hesmiledassent.Saundersretiredtothedoor，and，excludingeveryshadeofcuriosityfromhisface，tookanattitude，halfmajesty，halfobsequiousness.
ChristiestoodbyLordIpsden，withonehandonherhip（theknucklesdownward），butgracefulasAntinous，andbegan.
\"Hoomuckleisthequeengreaterthany’are？\"
Hislordshipwasobligedtoreflect.
\"Letmesee——asisthemoontoawaxtaper，soishermajestythequeentoyouandme，andtherest.\"
\"An’whaurdoestheJuke*comein？\"
*Buceleuch.
\"Onthisparticularoccasion，theDuke**makesoneofus，myprettymaid.\"
**Wellington\"Isee！Arenayeawfu’proodo’beingalorrd？\"
\"Whatanidea！\"
\"Hislordshipdidnotgotobedaspinning—jenny，andriseupalord，likesomeofthem，\"putinSaunders.
\"Saunders，\"saidthepeer，doubtfully，\"eloquenceratherborespeople.\"
\"ThenImustn’tspeakagain，mylord，\"saidSaunders，respectfully.
\"Noo，\"saidthefairinquisitor，\"yeshalltellmehowyecametobelorrds，yourfaemily？\"
\"Saunders！\"
\"Na！yemannafleetoSandyforathing，yearenoabairn，areye？\"
Herewasadilemma，theSaunderspropknockedrudelyaway，andobligedtothinkforourselves.
ButSaunderswouldcometohisdistressedmaster’sassistance.Hefurtivelyconveyedtohimaplumpbook——thiswasSaunders’smanualoffaith;theauthorwasMr.Burke，notEdmund.
LordIpsdenranhastilyoverthepage，closedthebook，andsaid，\"Hereisthestory.
\"Fivehundredyearsago——\"
\"Listen，Jean，\"saidChristie;\"we’regauntogetaboenystory.’Fivehundre’yearsago，’\"addedshe，withinterestandawe.
\"Wasagreatbattle，\"resumedthenarrator，incheerfultones，asonelarkingwithhistory，\"betweenakingofEnglandandhisrebels.Hewasinthethickofthefight——\"
\"That’stheking，Jean，hewasinthethicko’t.\"
\"Myancestorkilledafellowwhowassneakingbehindhim，butthenextmomentaman—at—armspreparedathrustathismajesty，whohadhishandsfullwiththreeassailants.\"
\"Eh！that’snofair，\"saidChristie，\"assureasdeeth.\"
\"Myancestordashedforward，and，astheking’sswordpassedthroughoneofthem，hecloveanothertothewaistwithablow.\"
\"Weeldone！weeldone！\"
LordIpsdenlookedatthespeaker，hereyeswereglittering，andhercheekflushing.
\"GoodHeavens！\"thoughthe;\"shebelievesit！\"Sohebegantotakemorepainswithhislegend.
\"Butforthespearsman，\"continuedhe，\"hehadnothingbuthisbody;hegaveit，itwashisduty，andreceivedthedeathleveledathissovereign.\"
\"Hech！puirmon.\"Andtheglowingeyesbegantoglisten.
\"Thebattleflowedanotherway，andGodgavevictorytotheright;butthekingcamebacktolookforhim，foritwasnocommonservice.\"
\"Deedno！\"
HereLordIpsdenbegantoturnhiseyeinward，andcallupthescene.Heloweredhisvoice.
\"Theyfoundhimlyingonhisback，lookingdeathintheface.
\"Thenobles，bytheking’sside，uncoveredassoonashewasfound，fortheywerebravemen，too.Therewasamoment’ssilence;eyesmeteyes，andsaid，thisisastoutsoldier’slastbattle.
\"Thekingcouldnotbidhimlive.\"
\"Na！lad，KingDeethhasowerstrongagrrip.\"
\"Buthedidwhatkingscando，hegavehimtwoblowswithhisroyalsword.\"
\"Oh，therobber，andhimadeeingmon.\"
\"Twowordsfromhisroyalmouth，andheandwewereBaronsofIpsdenandHawthornGlenfromthatdaytothis.\"
\"Butthepuirdyingcreature？\"
\"Whatpoordyingcreature？\"
\"Yourforbear，lad.\"
\"Idon’tknowwhyyoucallhimpoor，madam;allthemenofthatdayaredust;theyarethegolddustwhodiedwithhonor.
\"Helookedround，uneasily，forhisson——forhehadbutone——andwhenthatsonknelt，unwounded，byhim，hesaid，’Goodnight，BaronIpsden;’
andsohedied，fireinhiseye，asmileonhislip，andhonoronhisnameforever.Imeanttotellyoualie，andI’vetoldyouthetruth.\"
\"Laddie，\"saidChristie，halfadmiringly，halfreproachfully，\"yegarthetearcomeinmyeen.Hech！lookatyonlassie！howcouldyouthinkt’eatplumsthroughsiccanabonnystory？\"
\"Hets，\"answeredJean，whohad，infact，clearedtheplate，\"Iayelistenbestwhenmyainmooth’sstappit.\"
\"Butsee，now，\"ponderedChristie，\"twawordsfraaking——thirtitlesarejustbreeth.\"
\"Ofcourse，\"wastheanswer.\"Alltitlesare.Whatispopularity？askAristidesandLamartine——thebreathofamob——smellsofitssource——andisgonebeforethesuncansetonit.NowtheroyalbreathdoessmelloftheRoseandCrown，andstaysbyusfromagetoage.\"
Thestoryhadwarmedourmarbleacquaintance.Saundersopenedhiseyes，andthought，\"WeshallwakeuptheHouseofLordssomeevening——_we_
shall.\"
Hislordshipthenadded，lesswarmly，lookingatthegirls：
\"IthinkIshouldliketobeafisherman.\"
Sosaying，mylordyawnedslightly.
Tothisaspirationtheyoungfishwivesdeignednoattention，doubting，perhaps，itssincerity;andChristie，withashadeofseverity，inquiredofhimhowhecametobeavilecount.
\"Abaron’sno’avilecount，I’msure，\"saidshe;\"saetellmehowyecametobeavilecount.\"
\"Ah！\"saidhe，\"thatisbynomeansaprettystoryliketheother;youwillnotlikeit，Iamsure.
\"Ay，willI——ay，willI;I’mayeseekingknoewledge.\"
\"Well，itissoontold.Oneofussattwentyyearsononeseat，inthesamehouse，soonedayhegotupa——viscount.\"
\"Owermucklepayforowerlittlewark.\"
\"Nowdon’tsaythat;Iwouldn’tdoittobeEmperorofRussia.\"
\"Aweel，Ihaegottenaheapouto’ye;saenoowI’llgang，sinceyearenoforherrin’;comeaway，Jean.\"
Atthistheirhostremonstrated，andinquiredwhyboresareatone’sservicenightandday，andbrightpeoplearealwaysinahurry;hewasinformedinreply，\"Laboristheloto’man.Divyenokenthatmuckle？
Andabunea’o’women.\"*
*Alocalidea，Isuspect.——C.R.
\"Why，whatcantwosuchprettycreatureshavetodoexcepttobeadmired？\"
Thisquestioncomingwithinthedarkbeauty’sscope，shehastenedtoreply.
\"Tosellourherrin’——wehaethreehundre’leftinthecreel.\"
\"Whatistheprice？\"
AtthisquestionthepoetrydiedoutofChristieJohnstone’sface，shegavehercompanionarapidlook，indiscerniblebymaleeye，andanswered：
\"Threeapenny，sirr;theyarenoplentytheday，\"addedshe，insmoothtonesthatcarriedconviction.
（Littleliar;theyweresellingsixapennyeverywhere.）
\"Saunders，buythemall，andbeeversolongaboutit;countthem，orsomenonsense.\"
\"He’sdaft！he’sdaft！Oh，yeken，Jean，anEnnglishmanandalorrd，twadaftthingsthegither，hecouldna’misstheroad.Coontthem，lassie.\"
\"Comeaway，Sandy，tillIcountthemtillye，\"saidJean.
SaundersandJeandisappeared.
Businessbeingoutofsight，curiosityrevived.
\"An’whatbringsyeherefromLondon，ifyeplease？\"recommencedthefairinquisitor.
\"Youhaveagoodcountenance;thereissomethinginyourface.Icouldfinditinmyhearttotellyou，butIshouldboreyou.\"
\"De’elafear！Boreme，boreme！wheat’sthaat，Iwonder？\"
\"Whatisyourname，madam？MineisIpsden.\"
\"Theyca’meChristieJohnstone.\"
\"Well，ChristieJohnstone，Iamunderthedoctor’shands.\"
\"Puirlad.What’sthetrouble？\"（solemnlyandtenderly.）
\"Ennui！\"（ratherpiteously.）
\"Yawn—we？Ineverheerdtello’t.\"
\"Oh，youluckygirl，\"burstouthe;\"butthedoctorhasundertakentocureme;inonethingyoucouldassistme，ifIamnotpresumingtoofaronourshortacquaintance.Iamtorelieveonepoordistressedpersoneveryday，butImustn’tdotwo.Isnotthatabore？\"
\"Gie’syourhand，gie’syourhand.I’mvexedforca’ingyoudaft.Hech！
whatasafthandyehae.Jean，I’msaying，comehere，feelthis.\"
Jean，whohadrunin，tooktheviscount’shandfromChristie.
\"Itneverwrouchtany，\"explainedJean.\"Andhehasbonnyhair，\"saidChristie，justtouchinghislocksontheotherside.
\"He’sabonnylad，\"saidJean，inspectinghimscientifically，andpointblank.
\"Ay，ishe，\"saidtheother.\"Aweel，there’sJessRutherford，awiddy，wi’fourbairns，yemeichtdowaurthanwareyoursilleronher.\"
\"Fivepoundstobegin？\"inquiredhislordship.
\"Fivepund！Areyemadeo’siller？Tenschell’n！\"
Saunderswasrungfor，andproducedaone—poundnote.
\"Theherrin’isfiveandsaxpence;it’sfourandsaxpenceI’mawinye，\"
saidtheyoungfishwife，\"andJesswillbeagladwomantheneicht.\"
Thesettlementwaseffected，andawaywentthetwofriends，saying：
\"Good—boye，vilecount.\"
Theirhostfellintothought.
\"WhenhaveItalkedsomuch？\"askedheofhimself.
\"Dr.Aberford，youareawonderfulman;Ilikeyourlowerclassesamazingly.\"
\"Me’fiezvous，MonsieurIpsden！\"shouldsomementorhavesaid.
AstheDevilputsintoabeginner’shandsace，queen，fivetrumps，togivehimatasteforwhist，sotheselowerclasseshaveperhapsputforwardoneoftheirbestcardstoleadyouintoafalseestimateofthestrengthoftheirhand.
Instead，however，ofthis，whoshouldreturn，todisturbtheequilibriumoftruth，butthisChristinaJohnstone？Shecamethoughtfullyin，andsaid：
\"I’vebeentakingathoucht，andthisisnowhatyongudephyseecianmeaned;yearenotoflingyourchaeritylikeabanetilladoeg;ye’llgangyourseltoJessRutherford;FluckerJohnstone，that’smybrother，willconvoyye.\"
\"Buthowisyourbrothertoknowme？\"
\"How？BecauseI’llgiehimasairsairhiding，ifheletsyegangby.\"
Thenshereturnedtheone—poundnote，afreshsettlementwaseffected，andshelefthim.Atthedoorshesaid：\"AndIammuckleobleegedtoyeforyourstoryandyourgoodness.\"
Whileutteringthesewords，shehalfkissedherhandtohim，withaloftyanddisengagedgesture，suchasonemightexpectfromaqueen，ifqueensdidnotwearstays;andwasgone.
Whenhislordship，afewminutesafter，saunteredoutforastroll，thefirstobjecthebeheldwasanexacthumansquare，ahandsomeboy，withabodyswelledoutapparentlytothesizeofaman’s，withblueflannel，andblueclothaboveit，leaningagainstawall，withhishandsinhispockets——astatuetteof_insouciance._
Thismarinepuff—ballwasFluckerJohnstone，agedfourteen.
Stainhissister’sfacewithdilutedwalnut—juice，astheymakethestagegypsyandRedIndian（twoanimalsimaginedbyactorstobeone），andyouhaveFlucker’sface.
Aslightmoraldistinctionremains，nottobesoeasilygotover，
Shewasthebestgirlintheplace，andheabaddishboy.
Hewas，however，assharpinhiswayasshewasintelligentinhers.
Thisyouthfulmarinerallowedhislordshiptopasshim，andtaketwentysteps，butwatchedhimallthetime，andcomparedhimwithadescriptionfurnishedhimbyhissister.
Hethenfollowed，andbroughthimto，ashecalledit.
\"Idaursayit’syouI’mtoconvoytoyonauldfaggitt！\"saidthisbaddishboy.
Ontheywent，Fluckerrollingandpitchingandyawingtokeepupwiththelordlygalley，forafisherman’snaturalwaddleistwomilesanhour.
AttheveryentranceofNewhaven，thenewpilotsuddenlysungout，\"Starboard！\"
Starboarditwas，andtheyascendedafilthy\"close，\"oralleytheymountedastaircasewhichwasoutofdoors，and，withoutknocking，FluckerintroducedhimselfintoJessRutherford’shouse.
\"Hereagentlemantospeaktillye，wife.\"
CHAPTERIII.
THEwidowwasweather—beatenandrough.Shesatmendinganoldnet.
\"Thegentleman’swelcome，\"saidshe;buttherewasnogratificationinhertone，andbutlittlesurprise.
Hislordshipthenexplainedthat，understandingtherewereworthypeopleindistress，hewasinhopeshemightbepermittedtoassistthem，andthatshemustblameaneighborofhersifhehadbrokeninuponhertooabruptlywiththisobject.Hethen，withablush，hintedattenshillings，whichhebeggedshewouldconsiderasmerelyaninstallment，untilhecouldlearntheprecisenatureofherembarrassments，andthebestwayofplacingmeansatherdisposal.
Thewidowheardallthiswithalacklustermind.
Formanyyearsherlifehadbeenunsuccessfullabor;ifanythinghadevercometoher，ithadalwaysbeenamisfortune;herincidentshadbeenthorns——herevents，daggers.
Shecouldnotrealizeahumanangelcomingtoherrelief，andshedidnotrealizeit，andsheworkedawayathernet.
Atthis，Flucker，towhomhislordship’sspeechappearedmonstrouslyweakandpointless，drewnigh，andgavethewidow，inherear，hisversion，namely，hissister’sembellished.Itwasbrieflythis：ThatthegentlemanwasadaftlordfromEngland，whohadcomewiththebankinhisbreeks，toremovepovertyfromScotland，beginningwithher.\"Saespeakloudaneuch，andye’llnowantsiller，\"washispolitecorollary.
Hislordshiprose，laidacardonachair，beggedhertomakeuseofhim，etcetera;hethen，recallingtheoracularprescription，said，\"Domethefavortoapplytomeforanylittlesumyouhaveausefor，and，inreturn，Iwillbegofyou（ifitdoesnotboreyoutoomuch）tomakemeacquaintedwithanylittletroublesyoumayhaveencounteredinthecourseofyourlife.\"
Hislordship，receivingnoanswer，wasabouttogo，afterbowingtoher，andsmilinggracefullyuponher.
Hishandwasonthelatch，whenJessRutherfordburstintoapassionoftears.
Heturnedwithsurprise.
\"My_troubles，_laddie，\"criedshe，tremblingallover.\"Thesunwadset，andrise，andsetagain，ereIcouldtellyea’thetroubleIhaecomethrough.
\"Oh，yeneednavexyourselfforanauldwife’stears;tearsareablessin’，lad，Ishallassureye.Mony’sthetimeIhaeprayedforthem，andcouldnahaethemSityedoon！sityedoon！I’llnoletyegangframydoortillIhaethankitye——butgiemetime，giemetime.Icannagreeta’thedaysoftheweek.\"
Flucker，_aetat._14，openedhiseyes，unabletoconnecttenshillingsandtears.
LordIpsdensatdown，andfeltverysorryforher.
Andshecriedatherease.
Ifonetouchofnaturemakethewholeworldkin，methinksthatsweetandwonderfulthing，sympathy，isnotlesspowerful.Whatfrozenbarriers，whaticeofcenturies，itcanmeltinamoment！
Hisbarementionofhertroubleshadsurprisedthewidowedwoman’sheart，andnowshelookedupandexaminedhiscountenance;itwassoondone.
Awoman，youngorold，highorlow，candiscernandappreciatesensibilityinaman’sface，atasingleglance.
Whatshesawtherewasenough.Shewassureofsympathy.Sherecalledherresolve，andthetaleofhersorrowsburstfromherlikeaflood.
Thentheoldfishwifetoldtheyoungaristocrathowshehadbornetwelvechildren，andburiedsixasbairns;howhermanwasalwaysunlucky;howamastfellonhim，anddisabledhimawholeseason;howtheycouldbutjustkeepthepotboilingbythedeep—seafishing，andhewasnotallowedtodredgeforoysters，becausehisfatherwasnotaNewhavenman.How，whentheherringfishingcame，tomakeallright，heneverhadanotherman’sluck;howhisboat’screwwoulddrawemptynets，andaboatalongsidehimwouldbegunwaledowninthewaterwiththefish.How，atlast，onemorning，the20thdayofNovember，hisboatcameintoNewhavenPierwithouthim，andwhenhewasinquiredfor，hiscrewsaid，\"Hehadstayedathome，likealazyloon，andnotsailedwiththemthenightbefore.\"Howshewasanxious，andhadallthepublichousessearched.
\"Forhetookadropnowandthen，naewonder，andhimayeintheweather.\"Poorthing！whenhewasalivesheusedtocallhimadrunkenscoundreltohisface.How，whenthetidewentdown，amadwife，whosehusbandhadbeendrownedtwentyyearsago，pointedoutsomethingunderthepierthattheresttookforsea—weedfloating——howitwasthehairofherman’shead，washedaboutbythewater，andhewasthere，drownedwithoutacryorastruggle，byhisenormousboots，thatkepthiminanuprightposition，thoughhewasdead;therehestood——dead——drownedbyslippingfromtheslipperypier，closetohiscomrades’hands，inadarkandgustynight;howherdaughtermarried，andwaswelltodo，andassistedher;howshefellintoarapiddecline，anddied，apictureofhealthtoinexperiencedeyes.Howshe，themother，sawandknew，andwatchedthetreacherousadvanceofdiseaseanddeath;howotherssaidgayly，\"Herdaughterwasbetter，\"andshewasobligedtosay，\"Yes.\"Howshehadworked，eighteenhoursaday，atmakingnets;how，whensheletouthernetstotheothermenattheherringfishing，theyalwayscheatedher，becausehermanwasgone.Howshehadmanytimeshadtochoosebetweenbegginghermealandgoingtobedwithoutit，but，thankHeaven！
shehadalwayschosenthelatter.
Shetoldhimofhunger，cold，andanguish.Asshespoketheybecamerealthingstohim;uptothatmomenttheyhadbeenthingsinastory—book.
Andasshespokesherockedherselffromsidetoside.
Indeed，shewasawoman\"acquaintedwithgrief.\"Shemighthavesaid，\"HereIandsorrowsit.Thisismythrone，bidkingscomeandbowtoit！\"
Herhearerfeltthis，andthereforethiswoman，poor，old，andugly，becamesacredinhiseye;itwaswithastrangesortofrespectthathetriedtoconsoleher.Hespoketoherintonesgentleandsweetasthesouthwindonasummerevening.
\"Madam，\"saidhe，\"letmebesohappyastobringyousomecomfort.ThesorrowsoftheheartIcannotheal;theyareforamightierhand;butapartofyourdistressappearstohavebeenpositiveneed;thatwecanatleastdisposeof，andIentreatyoutobelievethatfromthishourwantshallneverenterthatdooragain.Never！uponmyhonor！\"
TheScotchareicebergs，withvolcanoesunderneath;thawtheScotchice，whichisverycold，andyoushallgettotheScotchfire，warmerthananysunofItalyorSpain.
Hislordshiphadrisentogo.Theoldwifehadseemedabsorbedinherowngrief;shenowdriedhertears.
\"Bideye，sirr，\"saidshe，\"tillIthankye.\"
Soshebegantothankhim，rathercoldlyandstiffly.
\"Hesaysyearealord，\"saidshe;\"Idinnaken，an’Idinnacare;butye’reagentleman，Idaursay，andakindheartyehae.\"
Thenshebegantowarm.
\"Andye’llneverbeagrainthepoorerforthesilleryehaegienme;forhethatgivethtothepoorlendethtotheLord.\"
Thenshebegantoglow.
\"Butit’snoyoursiller;dinnathinkit——na，lad，na！Oh，fine！Ikenthere’smonyasupperforthebairnsandmeinyonbitsmetal;butI
cannafeelyoursillerasIfeelyourwinsomesmile——thedropinyouryoungeen——an’thesweetwordsyegiedme，inthesweetmusico’yourSootherntongue，Gudeblessye！\"（Wherewashericebythistime？）\"Gudeblessye！andIblessye！\"
Andshedidblesshim;andwhatablessingitwas;notamelodiousgenerality，likeastageparent’s，orpapa’sinadamsel’snovel.ItwaslikethesonofBarakonZophim.
Sheblessedhim，asonewhohadthepowerandtherighttoblessorcurse.
Shestoodonthehighgroundofherlowestate，andherafflictions——anddemandedoftheirCreatortoblessthefellow—creaturethathadcometoheraidandconsolation.
Thiswomanhadsufferedtothelimitsofendurance;yesterdayshehadsaid，\"SurelytheAlmightydoesna_see_mea’theseyears！\"
Sonowsheblessedhim，andherheart’sbloodseemedtogushintowords.
Sheblessedhimbylandandwater.
Sheknewmostmortalgriefs;forshehadfeltthem.
Shewarnedthemawayfromhimonebyone.
Sheknewthejoysoflife;forshehadfelttheirwant.
Shesummonedthemonebyonetohisside.
\"Andafairwindtoyourship，\"criedshe，\"andthestormsayetenmilestoleewardo’her.\"
Manyhappydays，\"an’weelspent，\"shewishedhim.
\"Hisloveshouldlovehimdearly，orabettertakeherplace.\"
\"Healthtohissidebyday;sleeptohispillowbynight.\"
Athousandgoodwishescame，likeatorrentoffire，fromherlips，withapowerthateclipsedhisdreamsofhumaneloquence;andthen，changinginamomentfromthethunderofaPythonesstothetendermusicofsomepoetessmother，sheended：
\"An’oh，myboenny，boennylad，mayyebewi’therichupontheairtha’
yourdays——ANDWI’THEPUIRINTHEWARLDTOCOME！\"
Hislordship’stonguerefusedhimthethinphrasesofsociety.
\"Farewellforthepresent，\"saidhe，andhewentquietlyaway.
Hepacedthoughtfullyhome.
Hehaddrunkafactwitheverysentence;andanideawitheveryfact.
Fortheknowledgewehaveneverrealizedisnotknowledgetous——onlyknowledge’sshadow.
Withthebanishedduke，henowbegantofeel，\"wearenotaloneunhappy.\"
Thisuniversalworldcontainsotherguesssorrowsthanyours，viscount——_scilicet_thanunvaryinghealth，unbrokenleisure，andincalculableincome.
Thenthiswoman’seloquence！blessme！hehadseenfolkmurmurpolitelyintheUpperHouse，anddroneorhammerawayattheSpeakerdownbelow，withmoreheatthanwarmth.
Hehadseenninehundredwildbeastsfedwithpepperedtongue，inamenageriecalled_L’Assemble’Nationale._
Hisearshadrungoftenenough，forthatmatter.Thistimehisheartbeat.
HehadbeenintheprincipalcourtsofEurope;knewwhatahandfulofgentlefolkscall\"theWorld\";hadexperiencedthehoneyedwordsofcourtiers，themistynothingsofdiplomatists，andtheinnocentprattleofmightykings.
Buthithertoheseemedtohaveundergonegibberishandjargon：
Gibberishandjargon——Political！
Gibberishandjargon——Social！
Gibberishandjargon——Theological！
Gibberishandjargon——Positive！
Peoplehadbeenprating——Jesshadspoken.
But，itistobeobserved，hewasunderthedoubleeffectofeloquenceandnovelty;and，sosituated，weoverratethings，youknow.
Thatnighthemadeaprovisionforthispoorwoman，incaseheshoulddiebeforenextweek.
\"Whoknows？\"saidhe，\"sheissuchanunluckywoman.\"Thenhewenttobed，andwhetherfromthewidow’sblessing，ortheairoftheplace，hesleptlikeaplowboy.
LeavingRichard，LordIpsden，toworkouttheAberfordproblem——torelievepoorpeople，oneortwoofwhom，liketheRutherford，weregrateful，therestactedittothelife——toreceivenowandthenavisitfromChristinaJohnstone，whoborrowedeverymortalbookinhishouse，whosoldhimfish，invariablycheatedhimbytheindelibleforceofhabit，andthenremorsefullyundidthebargain，withapeevishentreatythat\"hewouldnotbesogreen，fortherewasnodoingbusinesswithhim\"——tobefasteneduponbyFlucker，who，withadmirablesmoothnessandcunning，wormedhimselfintoacabin—boyonboardtheyacht，andman—at—armsashore.
Tocruiseinsearchofadventures，andmeetnothingbutdisappointments;
toacquireabrownertint，alighterstep，andajacket，ourstorymovesforawhiletowardhumblerpersonages.
CHAPTERIV.
JESSRUTHERFORD，widowofAlexanderJohnstone——forNewhavenwives，likegreatartists，changetheirconditionswithoutchangingtheirnames——wasknowninthetownonlyasadourwife，asouroldcarline.Whosefault？
Dowoodenfacesandirontonguestemptsorrowtoputoutitssnails’
horns？
Shehardlyspoketoanyone，oranyonetoher，butfourdaysafterthevisitwehavedescribedpeoplebegantobendlooksofsympathyonher，tostepoutoftheirwaytogiveherakindlygood—morrow;afterabit，fishandmealusedtobeplacedonhertablebyoneneighbororanother，whenshewasout，andsoon.Shewasatfirstbehindhandinrespondingtoallthis，butbydegreesshethawedtothosewhowerethawingtoher.Next，Saunderscalledonher，andshowedherasettlement，madeforherbenefit，oncertainlandsinLanarkshire.Shewasateaseforlife.
TheAlmightyhadseenheralltheseyears.
Buthowcameherneighborstomelt？
Becauseanoblemanhadvisitedher.
Notexactly，dearnovel—reader.
Thiswasit.
Thatsamenight，byabrightfirelightingupsnowywalls，burnishedcopper，gleamingcandlesticks，andadinner—tablefloor，satthemistressofthehouse，ChristieJohnstone，andherbrother，Flucker.
Shewithabook，hewithhisreflectionsoppositeher.
\"Lassie，haeyeonysillerpastye？\"
\"Ay，lad;an’Imeantokeepit！\"Thebaddishboyhadregisteredavowtothecontrary，andproceededtobleedhisflint（fortodoChristiejusticetheprocesswasnotverydissimilar）.Fluckerhadaversatilegeniusformakingmoney;hehadmadeitinfortydifferentways，bylandandsea，tenpenceatatime.
\"Ihaegottenthelifeo’JessRutherfordtillye，\"saidhe.
\"Giestthen.\"
\"I’mseekinghalfacrownfor’t，\"saidhe.
Now，heknewheshouldnevergethalfacrown，buthealsoknewthatifheaskedashilling，heshouldbebeatendowntofourpence.
Sohalfacrownwashisfirstbode.
Theenemy，withangeratherheart，calledupahumoroussmile，andsaying，\"An’ye’llgetsaxpence，\"wentaboutsomehouseholdmatter;inreality，toletherproposalrankleinFlucker.
Fluckerlightedhispipeslowly，asonewhowouldnotdoasistertheinjusticetonoticesotrivialaproposition.
Hewaitedfreshovertures.
Theydidnotcome.
Christieresumedherbook.
Thenthebaddishboyfixedhiseyeonthefire，andsaidsoftlyandthoughtfullytothefire，\"Hech，whataheapo’troublesyonwomanhascomethrough.\"
Thisstrokeofartwasnotlost.Christielookedupfromherbook;
pretendedhehadspokentoher，gaveafictitiousyawn，andrenewedthenegotiationwiththeairofonedisposedtokilltime.
Shewasdyingforthestory.
Commercewastwicebrokenoffandrenewedbyeachpowerinturn.
Atlastthebargainwasstruckatfourteen—pence.
ThenFluckercameout，thehonestmerchant.
Hehadlistenedintently，withmercantileviews.
Hehadthewidow’ssorrowsalloffpat.
Hewasnotabitaffectedhimself，butbypurememoryherememberedwhereshehadbeenmostagitatedorovercome.
HegaveitChristie，wordforword，andeventhrewinwhatdramatistscall\"thebusiness，\"thus：
\"Hereyesuldgreet——\"
\"Hereye’llplayyourhandlikeageraffe.\"
\"Geraffe？That’sabeast，I’mthinking.\"
\"Na;it’sthethingonthehillthatmakessignals.\"
\"Telegraph，yefulishgoloshen！\"
\"Ooay，telegraph！Geraffe’ssunestsaidfora’.\"
ThusJessRutherford’slifecameintoChristieJohnstone’shands.
Shetoldittoaknotofnativesnextday;itlostnothing，forshewasawomanoffeeling，andbyintuitionanartistofthetongue.Shewasthebest_raconteur_inaplacewherethereareahundred，maleandfemale，whoattemptthatart.
Thenextdayshetolditagain，andtheninferiornarratorsgotholdofit，anditsooncirculatedthroughthetown.
AndthiswasthecauseofthesuddensympathywithJessRutherford.
Asourprigswouldsay：
\"Arthadadoptedhercauseandadornedhertale.\"
CHAPTERV.
THEfishingvillageofNewhavenisanuniqueplace;itisacolonythatretainsdistinctfeatures;thepeopleseldomintermarrywiththeirScotchneighbors.
SomesaythecolonyisDutch，someDanish，someFlemish.Thecharacterandcleanlinessoftheirfemalecostumepointsrathertothelatter.
Fish，likehorse—flesh，corruptsthemindandmanners.
Afteracertainage，theNewhavenfishwifeisalwaysablackguard，andugly;butamongtheyoungerspecimens，whohavenottradedtoomuch，orcomeintomuchcontactwithlargertowns，acharmingmodesty，orelseslyness（suchasnomancandistinguishfromit，soitanswerseverypurpose），istobefound，combinedwithraregraceandbeauty.
Itisaraceofwomenthatthenorthernsunpeachifiesinsteadofrosewoodizing.
OnSundaysthemajoritysacrificeappearancetofashion;theseturnoutrainbowsofsilk，satinandlace.Intheweektheywereallgrace，andnostays;nowtheyseemallstaysandnograce.Theyneverlooksoillaswhentheychangetheir\"costume\"for\"dress.\"
Themenaresmartfishermen，distinguishedfromtheotherfishermenoftheFirthchieflybytheir\"dredgingsong.\"
Thisoldsongismoneytothem;thus：
Dredgingispracticallyverystiffrowingfortenhours.
NowboththeNewhavenmenandtheirrivalsareagreedthatthissongliftsthemthroughmoreworkthanuntunedfishermencanmanage.
Ihaveheardthesong，andseentheworkdonetoit;andinclinetothinkithelpstheoar，notonlybykeepingthetimetrue，andthespiritalive，butalsobyitsfavorableactiononthelungs.Itissunginapeculiarway;thesoundis，asitwere，expelledfromthechestinasortofmusicalejaculations;andthelike，weknow，wasdonebytheancientgymnasts;andisdonebytheFrenchbakers，inliftingtheirenormousdough，andbyourpaviors.
Thesong，initself，doesnotcontainaboveseventystockverses，buttheseperenniallinesareanucleus，roundwhichthemenimprovisethetopicsoftheday，giving，Iknownotforwhatreason，thepreferencetosuchasvergeuponindelicacy.
Themenandwomenaremusicalandnarrative;threeoutoffourcansingasongortellastory，andtheyomitfewopportunities.
Malesandfemalessuckwhiskylikemilk，andarequarrelsomeinproportion.Themenfight（round—handed），thewomenfleichtorscold，intheformofateapot——thehandlefixedandthespoutsawingtheair.
Asingularcustomprevailshere.
Themaidenshaveonlyonesweetheartapiece！！！
Sothewholetownisinpairs.
ThecourtingisalldoneonSaturdaynight，bythelady’sfire.Itishardtokeepoutofagrooveinwhichallthetownisrunning;andtheJohnstonehadpossessed，asmereproperty——alad！
Shewassowealthythatfewofthemcouldpretendtoaspiretoher，sosheselectedforherchattelayoungmancalledWillyListon;ayouthofanunhappyturn——hecontributednothingtohilarity，hisfacewasakill—joy——nobodylikedhim;forthisfemalereasonChristiedistinguishedhim.
HefoundadivinesuppereverySaturdaynightinherhouse;heate，andsighed！Christiefedhim，andlaughedathim.
Fluckerditto.
Assheneitherfednorlaughedatanyotherman，sometwentywerebitterlyjealousofWillyListon，andthisgavetheblightedyouthacheerfulmomentortwo.
Butthebrightalliancereceivedachecksomemonthsbeforeourtale.
Christiewas_heluolibrorum！_andlikeotherswhohavethattaste，andcanonlygratifyitintheintervalofmanualexercise，shereadveryintenselyinherhoursofstudy.Abookabsorbedher.Shewaslikealeechontheseoccasions，_nonmissuracutem._EvenJeanCarnie，herco—adjutoror\"neebor，\"astheycallit，founditbesttokeepoutofherwaytillthebookwassucked.
OneSaturdaynightWillyListon’sevilstarordainedthatagentlemanofFrenchoriginandSpanishdress，calledGilBlas，shouldbetheJohnstone’scompanion.
WillyListonarrived.
Christie，whohadboltedthedoor，toldhimfromthewindow，civillyenough，butdecidedly，\"Shewouldexcusehiscompanythatnight.\"
\"Varaweel，\"saidWilly，anddeparted.
NextSaturday——noWillycame.
Dittothenext.Willywaswaitingthe_amende._
Christieforgottomakeit.
Onedayshewaspassingtheboats，Willybeckonedhermysteriously;heledhertohisboat，whichwascalled\"TheChristieJohnstone\";bytheboat’ssidewasapaintpotandbrush.
TheyhadnotsuppedtogetherforfiveSaturdays.
Ergo，Mr.Listonhadpaintedoutthefirstfourlettersof\"Christie，\"henowproceededtopaintoutthefifth，givinghertounderstand，that，ifsheallowedthewholenametogo，alettereveryblankSaturday，herimagewouldbegradually，buteffectually，obliteratedfromtheheartListonian.
MyreaderhasdonewhatListondidnot，anticipateheranswer.Sherecommendedhim，whilehishandwasin，topaintouttheentirename，and，withwhitepaintandasmallerbrush，tosubstitutesomeotherfemaleappellation.Sosaying，shetrippedoff.
Mr.Listononthiswasguiltyofthefollowinginconsistency;hepressedthepaintcarefullyoutofthebrushintothepot.Havingthuseconomizedhismaterial，hehurledthepotwhichcontainedhiseconomyat\"theJohnstone，\"hethenadjournedtothe\"Peacock，\"and\"awayatoncewithloveandreason.\"
Thenceforth，whenmenaskedwhowasChristieJohnstone’slad，theanswerusedtobe，\"She’sseekingane.\"_Quellehorreur！！_
Newhavendoesn’tknoweverything，butmyintelligentreadersuspects，and，ifconfirminghissuspicionscanreconcilehimtoourfacts，itwillsoonbedone.
ButhemustcomewithustoEdinburgh;it’sonlythreemiles.