第2章

CHAPTERVI.

ALITTLEbandofpainterscameintoEdinburghfromaprofessionalwalk.

ThreewereofEdinburgh——Groove,agedfifty;JonesandHyacinth,young;

thelatterlong—haired.

WiththemwasayoungEnglishman,theleaderoftheexpedition,CharlesGatty.

Hisstepwaselastic,andhismannerwonderfullyanimated,withoutloudness.

\"Abrightday,\"saidhe.\"Thesunforgotwherehewas,andshone;

everythingwasinfavorofart.\"

\"Oh,dear,no,\"repliedoldGroove,\"notwhereIwas\"

\"Why,whatwasthematter?\"

\"Theflieskeptbuzzingandbiting,andstickinginthework.That’stheworstofouto’doors!\"

\"Theflies!isthatall?Swearthespidersinspecialconstablesnexttime,\"criedGatty.\"Weshallwintheday;\"andlightshoneintohishazeleye.

\"Theworldwillnotalwaysputupwiththehumbugsofthebrush,who,toimitateNature,turntheirbackonher.Paintanouto’doorsceneindoors!Iswearbythesunit’salie!theonestupid,impudentliethatglittersamongtheliesofvulgarart,likeSatanamongBelial,Mammonandallthosebeggars.

\"Nowlookhere;thebarrenoutlinesofascenemustbelookedat,tobedone;hencethesketchingsystemslop—sellersoftheAcademy!butthemilliondelicaciesoflight,shade,andcolorcanbetrustedtomemory,canthey?

\"It’saliebigenoughtoshaketheearthoutofhercourse;ifanypartoftheworkcouldbetrustedtomemoryorimagination,ithappenstobethebareoutlines,andtheycan’t.Themillionsubtletiesoflightandcolor;learnthembyheart,andsaythemoffoncanvas!thehighestangelintheskymusthavehiseyeuponthem,andlookdevilishsharp,too,orheshan’tpaintthem.IgivehimCharlesGatty’swordforthat.\"

\"That’sveryeloquent,Icallit,\"saidJones.

\"Yes,\"saidpooroldGroove,\"theladwillnevermakeapainter.\"

\"Yes,Ishall,Groove;atleastIhopeso,butitmustbealongtimefirst.\"

\"Ineverknewapainterwhocouldtalkandpaintboth,\"explainedMr.

Groove.

\"Verywell,\"saidGatty.\"ThenI’llsaybutonewordmore,anditisthis.Theartificeofpaintingisoldenoughtodie;itistimetheartwasborn.Wheneveritdoescomeintotheworld,youwillseenomoredeadcorpsesoftrees,grassandwater,robbedoftheirlife,thesunlight,andflunguponcanvasinastudio,bythelightofacigar,andalie——and——\"

\"Howmuchdoyouexpectforyourpicture?\"interruptedJones.

\"Whathasthattodowithit?Withtheselittleswords\"(wavinghisbrush),\"we’llfightfornature—light,truthlight,andsunlightagainstaworldinarms——no,worse,inswaddlingclothes.\"

\"Withtheselittleswerrds,\"repliedpooroldGroove,\"weshallcutourownthroatsifwegoagainstpeople’sprejudices.\"

Theyoungartistlaughedtheolddaubsteramerrydefiance,andthenseparatedfromtheparty,forhislodgingsweredownthestreet.

Hehadnotleftthemlong,beforeamostmusicalvoicewasheard,crying:

\"Acaallerrowoo!\"

Andtwoyoungfishwiveshoveinsight.TheboysrecognizedoneofthemasGatty’ssweetheart.

\"Isheinlovewithher?\"inquiredJones.

Hyacinththelong—hairedundertooktoreply.

\"HelovesherbetterthananythingintheworldexceptArt.LoveandArtaretwobeautifulthings,\"whinedHyacinth.

\"She,too,isbeautiful.Ihavedoneher,\"addedhe,withasimper.

\"Inoil?\"askedGroove.

\"Inoil?no,inverse,here;\"andhetookoutapaper.

\"Thenhadn’twebettercut?youmightproposereadingthem,\"saidpooroldGroove.

\"Haveyouanyoysters?\"inquiredJonesoftheCarnieandtheJohnstone,whowerenowalongside.

\"Plenty,\"answeredJean.\"Haeyeonysiller?\"

Theartistslookedatoneanother,anddidn’tallspeakatonce.

\"I,madam,\"saidoldGroove,insinuatingly,toChristie,\"amafriendofMr.Gatty’s;perhaps,onthataccount,youwould_lend_meanoysterortwo.\"

\"Na,\"saidJean,sternly.

\"Hyacinth,\"saidJones,sarcastically,\"givethemyourverses,perhapsthatwillsoftenthem.\"

Hyacinthgavehisverses,descriptiveofherself,toChristie.Thisyoungsterwasoneofthosewhomindotherpeople’sbusiness.

_Alienisstudiisdelectatuscontempsitsuum._

Hisdestinywastobeabadpainter,sohewantedtobeanexecrablepoet.

Allthismorninghehadbeendoggreling,whenheoughttohavebeendaubing;andnowhewillhavetosupoffacoloredprint,ifhesupsatall.

Christieread,blushed,andputtheversesinherbosom.

\"Comeawa,Custy,\"saidJean.

\"Hets,\"saidChristie,\"giethepuirladstwarreeoysters,whatthewaurwillwebe?\"

Sotheyopenedtheoystersforthem;andHyacinththelong—hairedlookeddownontheotherswithsarcastico—benignantsuperiority.Hehadconductedasisterarttotheaidofhisbrotherbrushes.

\"Thepoet’sempire,allourheartsallow;Butdoggrel’spowerwasneverknowntillnow.\"

CHAPTERVII.

ATthecommencementofthelastchapter,CharlesGatty,artist,wasgoingtousherinanewstateofthings,trueart,etc.WaleswastobepaintedinWales,notPolandStreet.

Heandfiveorsixmoreyoungstersweretobeintheforemostfilesoftruth,andtaketheworldbystorm.

Thiswasattwoo’clock;itisnowfive;whereuponthepostureofaffairs,theprospectsofart,thefaceoftheworld,thenatureofthings,arequitethereverse.

Intheartist’sroom,onthefloor,wasasmallchild,whosemovements,andtheyweremany,wereviewedwithhugedissatisfactionbyCharlesGatty,Esq.Thispersonage,pencilinhand,satslouchingandmorose,lookinggloomilyathisintractablemodel.

Thingsweregoingonverybadly;hehadbeenwaitingtwohoursforaninfantineposeascommonasdirt,andthelittleviperwoulddiefirst.

Outofdoorseverythingwasnothing,forthesunwasobscured,andtoallappearanceextinguishedforever.

\"Ah!Mr.Groove,\"criedhe,tothatworthy,whopeepedinatthatmoment;

youareright,itisbettertoplowawayuponcanvasblindfold,asourgrandfathers——no,grandmothers——used,thantokillourselvestoilingaftersuchcoyladiesasNatureandTruth.\"

\"Aweel,Idinnaken,sirr,\"repliedGroove,insmoothtones.\"Ididnaliketoexpressmywarmapprobationofyoubeforethelads,forfearofmakingthemjealous.\"

\"Theybe——No!\"

\"Ikenwhatyewadsay,sirr,anitwadhaebeenavarajustan’

sprightlyobservation.Aweel,betweenoursels,Ilookuponyeasayounggentlemanofamazingtalentandmoedesty.Man,yedinnadoyourseljustice;yeshouldbeinth’Academy,atthehedeo’’t.\"

\"Mr.Groove,Iamapoorfaintingpilgrimontheroad,wherestrongerspiritshavemarchederectbeforeme.\"

\"Afaintin’pelgrim!Deilafrightso’ye,ye’reabriskandbonnylad.

Ah,sirr,inmyjuveniledays,wedidnafashwinature,andtruth,anthelike.\"

\"Thelike!Whatislikenatureandtruth,exceptthemselves?\"

\"Varatrue,sirr;varatrue,andsaeIdootIwillneverattaintheheighto’profeeciencyyehaereached.An’atthisvaramoment,sir,\"

continuedGroove,withdelicioussolemnityandmystery,\"yeseebeforeye,sir,amanwhaisinmaistdismalwant——o’tenshellen!\"(Apause.)

\"Ifyoursuperiortalenthasputyeinpossessionofthatsum,yewouldobleegemeinfinitelybyatemporaryaccommodation,Mr.Gaattie.\"

\"Whydidyounotcometothepointatonce?\"criedGatty,bruskly,\"insteadofhumblingmewithundeservedpraise.There.\"Grooveheldouthishand,butmadeawryfacewhen,insteadofmoney,Gattyputasketchintohishand.

\"There,\"saidGatty,\"thatisalie!\"

\"Howcanitbealee?\"saidtheother,withsourinadvertence.\"Howcanitbealee,whenIhaenaspoken?\"

\"Youdon’tunderstandme.Thatsketchisalibelonapoorcowandanunfortunateoak—tree.IdidthemattheAcademy.Theyhadneverdonemeanywrong,poorthings;theysufferedunjustly.Youtakethemtoashop,sweartheyareatreeandacow,andsomefool,thatneverreallylookedintoacoworatree,willgiveyoutenshillingsforthem.\"

\"Areyesure,lad?\"

\"Iamsure.Mr.Groove,sir,ifyoucannotsellaliefortenshillingsyouarenotfittoliveinthisworld;whereistheliethatwillnotsellfortenshillings?\"

\"Ishallthinkthebettero’leesallmydays;sir,yourwordsareinspeeriting.\"AndawaywentGroovewiththesketch.

Gattyreflectedandstoppedhim.

\"Onsecondthoughts,Groove,youmustnotasktenshillings;youmustasktwentypoundsforthatrubbish.\"

\"Twentypund!WhatforwillIseektwentypund?\"

\"Simplybecausepeoplethatwouldnotgiveyoutenshillingsforitwillofferyouelevenpoundsforitifyouasktwentypounds.\"

\"Thefules,\"roaredGroove.\"Twentypund!hem!\"Helookedcloserintoit.

\"Fora’,\"saidhe,\"Ibegintoobsairveitisaworkofgreatmerit.I’llseektwentypund,an’I’llnotaklessthanfifteenschell’n,atpresent.\"

Thevisitofthisroutinepainterdidnotcheerourartist.

Thesmallchildgotacoalandpoundedthefloorwithitlikeamachineincapableoffatigue.Sothewished—forposeseemedmoreremotethanever.

Thedaywaxeddarkerinsteadoflighter;Mr.Gatty’sreflectionstookalsoastillmoresomberhue.

\"EvenNaturespitesus,\"thoughthe,\"becauseweloveher.\"

\"Thencant,tradition,numbers,slangandmoneyareagainstus;theleastoftheseissinglyamatchfortruth;weshalldieofdespairorpaintcobwebsinBedlam;andIamfaint,wearyofahopelessstruggle;andoneman’sbrushistruerthanmine,another’sisbolder——myhandandeyearenotintune.Ah!no!Ishallnever,never,neverbeapainter.\"

Theselastwordsbrokeaudiblyfromhimashisheadwentdownalmosttohisknees.

Ahandwasplacedonhisshoulderasaflakeofsnowfallsonthewater.

ItwasChristieJohnstone,radiant,whohadglidedinunobserved.

\"What’swrangwi’ye,mylad?\"

\"ThesunisgonetotheDevil,foronething.\"

\"Hech!hech!ye’llnobelongahinthim;divyenothinkshame.\"

\"AndIwantthatlittlebrutejusttodoso,andhe’ddiefirst.\"

\"Oh,yevillain,toca’abairnabrute;there’sbutaebrutehere,an’

it’snoyou,Jamie,norme——isit,mylamb?\"

Shethensteppedtothewindow.

\"It’scleartowindward;intenminutesye’llhaeplentysun.Takyourtoolsnoo.\"Andatthewordshekneltonthefloor,whippedoutapaperofsugar—plumsandsaidtohimshehadchristened\"Jamie.\"\"Heb!Here’ssweetiestillye.\"OutwentJamie’sarms,asifhehadbeenamachineandshehadpulledtherightstring.

\"Ah,thatwilldo,\"saidGatty,andsketchedaway.

Unfortunately,Jamiewasquicklyarrestedonthewaytoimmortalitybyhismother,whocamein,saying:

\"Imaunhaemybairn——hecannabeayewastinghistimehere.\"

Thissallyawakenedthesatirethateverliesreadyinpiscatorybosoms.

\"Wastinghistime!ye’renoblate.Oh,ye’llbefortakinghimtothecollegetolaernpheesick——andteachmaenners.\"

\"Yeneednabeginonme,\"saidthewoman.\"I’mnomatchforNewhaven.\"

Sosayingshecutshortthedisputebycarryingoffthegristleofcontention.

\"Anotherenemytoart,\"saidGatty,hurlingawayhispencil.

Theyoungfishwifeinquirediftherewereanymoregriefs.Whatshehadheardhadnotaccounted,toherreason,forhercompanion’sdepression.

\"Areyesick,laddy?\"saidshe.

\"No,Christie,notsick,butquite,quitedowninthemouth.\"

Shescannedhimthirtyseconds.

Whathadyetillyourdinner?\"

\"Iforget.\"

\"Achoep,likely?\"

\"Ithinkitwas.\"

\"Ormaybeitwasasteak?\"

\"Idaresayitwasasteak.\"

\"Tastemygirdlecake,thatI’vebroughtforye.\"

Shegavehimapiece;heateitrapidly,andlookedgratefullyather.

\"Noo,divyenothinkshametolookmeintheface?Yehaenadinedava.\"

Andsheworeaninjuredlook.

\"Sityethere;it’sowerlatefordinner,butye’llgetacuptea.Dooni’themooth,naewonder,whennaethinggangsdoonyour——\"

Inaminutesheplacedatea—tray,andranintothekitchenwithateapot.

Thenextmomentayellwasheard,andshereturnedlaughing,withanotherteapot.

\"Thewifehadmaskitteatillhersel’,\"saidthislawlessforager.

Teaandcakeonthetable——beautyseatedbyhisside——allinlessthanaminute.

Heofferedherapieceofcake.

\"Na!Iamnoforany.\"

\"NorIthen,\"saidhe.

\"Hets!eat,Itellye.\"

Herepliedbyputtingabittoherheavenlymouth.

\"Ye’reawfu’opinionated,\"saidshe,withacountenancethatsaidnothingshouldinduceher,andeatingitalmostcontemporaneously.

\"Putplentysugar,\"addedshe,referringtotheChineseinfusion;\"mind,Ihaeasweettooth.\"

\"Youhaveasweetset,\"saidhe,approachinganothermorsel.

Theyshowedthemselvesbywayofsmile,andconfirmedtheaccusation.

\"Aha!lad,\"answeredshe;\"they’vebeenthedeatho’monyaherrin’!\"

\"Now,whatdoesthatmeaninEnglish,Christie?\"

\"Mygrinders——(afullstop.)

\"Whichyouapprove——(afullstop.)

\"Havebeenfatal——(afullstop.)

\"Tomanyfishes!\"

ChristiepridedherselfonherEnglish,whichshehadculledfrombooks.

Thenhemadeherdrinkfromthecup,andwasostentatiousinputtinghislipstothesamepartofthebrim.

Thensheleftthetable,andinspectedallthings.

Shecametohisdrawers,openedone,andwashorror—struck.

Therewerecoatsandtrousers,withtheirlimbsinterchangeablyintertwined,waistcoats,shirts,andcigars,hurledintochaos.

Sheinstantlytookthedrawerbodilyout,broughtit,leaneditagainstthetea—table,pointedsilentlyintoit,withanairofmajesticreproach,andawaitedtheresult.

\"IcanfindwhateverIwant,\"saidtheunblushingbachelor,\"exceptmoney.\"

\"Sillerdoesnabidewi’slovens!haeyeoftensiccanagaleo’windinyourdrawer?\"

\"Everyday!SpeakEnglish!\"

\"Aweel!How_do_you_do?_that’sEnnglish!Idaursay.\"

\"Jolly!\"criedhe,withhismouthfull.Christiewasnowfoldingupandneatlyarranginghisclothes.

\"Willyouever,everbeapainter?\"

\"Iamapainter!IcouldpainttheDevilpea—green!\"

\"Dinnaspeako’yonlad,Chairles,it’snocanny.\"

\"No!Iamgoingtopaintanangel;theprettiest,cleverestgirlinScotland,’TheSnowdropoftheNorth.’\"

Andhedashedintohisbedroomtofindacanvas.

\"Hech!\"reflectedChristie.\"ThirEnnglishhaeflatteringtongues,assureasDethe;’TheSnawdrapo’theNorrth!’\"

CHAPTERVIII.

GATTY’Sbackwashardlyturnedwhenavisitorarrived,andinquired,\"IsMr.Gattyathome?\"

\"What’syourwillwi’him?\"wastheScottishreply.

\"Willyougivehimthis?\"

\"Whatest?\"

\"Areyoufondofaskingquestions?\"inquiredtheman.

\"Ay!andfulescannaanswerthem,\"retortedChristie.

Thelittledocumentwhichtheman,inretiring,leftwithChristieJohnstonepurportedtocomefromoneVictoria,whoseemed,atfirstsight,disposedtoshowCharlesGattycivilities.\"Victoria——toCharlesGatty,greeting!(salutem).\"Christiewasmuchstruckwiththisinstanceofroyalaffability;shereadnofurther,butbegantothink,\"Victoree!

that’sthequeenhersel.Aletterfrathequeentoapainterlad!Picterswillrisei’themairket——itwillbeanordertopaintthebairns.Ihaebroughthimluck;Iamrealpleased.\"AndonGatty’sreturn,canvasinhand,shewhippedthedocumentbehindher,andsaidarchly,\"Ihaesomethingforye,atecketfraaleddy,ye’llnowantsillerfrathisday.\"

\"Indeed!\"

\"Ay!indeed,fraagreatleddy;it’svaragudeo’metogieyeit;heh!

takit.\"

Hedidtakeit,lookedstupefied,lookedagain,sunkintoachair,andglaredatit.

\"Laddy!\"saidChristie.

\"Thisisanewsteponthedownwardpath,\"saidthepoorpainter.

\"Isitnoanorrdertopainttheyoungprence?\"saidChristie,faintly.

\"No!\"almostshriekedthevictim.\"It’sawrit!Iowealotofmoney.

\"Oh,Chairles!\"

\"See!Iborrowedsixtypoundssixmonthsagoofafriend,sonowIoweeighty!\"

\"Allright!\"giggledtheunfriendlyvisitoratthedoor,whosedeparturehadbeenmoreorlessfictitious.

Christie,byanimpulse,notjustifiable,butnatural,drewheroyster—knifeout,andthistimethemanreallywentaway.

\"Hairtlessmon!\"criedshe,\"couldhenodohisamdirrtywork,andnogarmegiethepuirladth’action,andhelikeitmesaeweel!\"andshebegantowhimper.

\"Andloveyoumorenow,\"saidhe;\"don’tyoucry,dear,toaddtomyvexation.\"

\"Na!I’llnoaddtoyourvexation,\"andshegulpeddownhertears.

\"Besides,Ihavepicturespaintedworthtwohundredpounds;thisisonlyforeighty.Tobesureyoucan’tsellthemfortwohundredpencewhenyouwant.SoIshallgotojail,buttheywon’tkeepmelong.

Thenhetookaturn,andbegantofallintotheartistic,ortrueviewofmatters,which,indeed,wasneverlongabsentfromhim.

\"Lookhere,Christie,\"saidhe,\"Iamsickofconventionalassassins,humbuggingmodels,withdirtybeards,thatknittheirbrows,andtrytolookmurder;theynevermurderedsomuchasatom—cat.Ialwaysgoinfortherealthing,andhereIshallfindit.\"

\"Dinnaganginthere,lad,foronyfavor.\"

\"ThenIshallfindtheaccessoriesofapictureIhaveinmyhead——chainswithgenuinerustandancientmoulderingstoneswiththestainsoftime.\"

Hiseyebrightenedattheprospect.

\"Youamongfiefs,andchains,andstanes!Ye’llbreakmyhairt,laddy,ye’llnobeeasytillyoubreakmyhairt.\"Andthistimethetearswouldnotbedenied.

\"Iloveyouforcrying;don’tcry;\"andhefishedfromthechaoticdraweracambrichandkerchief,withwhichhedriedhertearsastheyfell.

Itismyfirmbeliefshecriednearlytwiceasmuchasshereallywantedto;shecontrivedtomakethegriefhers,thesympathyhis.Suddenlyshestopped,andsaid:

\"I’mdaft;ye’llacceptalaneo’thesillerframe,willyeno?\"

\"No!\"saidhe.\"Andwherecouldyoufindeightypound?\"

\"Auchtypund,\"criedshe,\"it’snoauchtypundthatwilldingChristieJohnstone,laddy.Ihaeboatsandnetsworthtwaauchtys;andIhaefortypundlaidby;andIhaesevenhundredpundatLondon,butthatIcannameddle.Myfeytherlentitthekingorthequeen,Idinnajustlymind;

shepaysmetheinteresttwicetheyear.SacyekenIcouldnabesaedirtyasseekmysiller,whenshepaysmeth’interest.Totheveryday,yeken.She’sjusttheonlyoneo’a’mydebtorsthat’shoenest,butneverheed,ye’llnogangtojail.\"

\"I’llholdmytongue,andsacrificemypictures,\"thoughtCharles.

\"Cheerup!\"saidChristie,mistakingthenatureofhisthoughts,\"foritdidnacomefraVictoreehersel’.Itwadsmello’themusk,yeken.Na,it’sjustawheenblackguardsatLondonthatmakesuseo’hernametotormentpuirfolk.Wadshepairsecuteapuirlad?Nolikely.\"

Shethenaskedquestions,someofwhichwereembarrassing.Onethinghecouldneversucceedinmakingherunderstand,how,sinceitwassixtypoundsheborrowed,itcouldbeeightypoundsheowed.

Thenoncemoreshepromisedhimherprotection,badehimbeofgoodcheer,andlefthim.

Atthedoorsheturned,andsaid:\"Chairles,here’sanauldwifeseekingye,\"andvanished.

ThesetwoyoungpeoplehadfallenacquaintedataNewhavenwedding.

Christie,belongingtonoone,haddancedwithhimallthenight,theyhadwalkedunderthestarstocoolthemselves,fordancingreels,withheartandsoul,isnotquadrilling.

ThenhehadseenhisbeautifulpartnerinEdinburgh,andmadeasketchofher,whichhegaveher;andbyandbyheusedtorundowntoNewhaven,andstrollupanddownacertaingreenlanenearthetown.

Next,onSundayevenings,alongwalktogether,andthenitcametovisitsathisplacenowandthen.

Andhere.RaphaelandFornarinawereinverted,ourartistusedtowork,andChristietellhimstoriesthewhile.

And,ashervoicecurledroundhisheart,heusedtosmileandlook,andlayinspiredtouchesonhissubject.

Andshe,anartistofthetongue(withoutknowingherselfone),usedtomakehimgrave,orgay,orsad,atwill,andwatchtheeffectofherartuponhiscountenance;andaveryprettyartitis——the_vivavoce_

story—teller’s——andarareoneamongthenationsofEurope.

Christiehadnotlearneditinaday;whenshebegan,sheusedtotellthemliketheotherNewhavenpeople,withanobleimpartialityofdetail,wearisometothehearer.

Butlatterlyshehadlearnedtoseizethesalientpartsofanarrative;

hervoicehadcompass,and,likeallfinespeakers,shetraveledoveragreatmanynotesinspeaking;herlowtonesweregorgeouslyrich,heruppertonesfullandsweet;allthis,andherbeauty,madethehoursshegavehimverysweettoourpoorartist.

Hewaswonttobaskinhermusic,andtellherinreturnhowhelovedher,andhowhappytheywerebothtobeassoonashehadacquiredaname,foranamewaswealth,hetoldher.AndalthoughChristieJohnstonedidnotlethimseehowmuchshetookallthistoheartandbelievedit,itwasassweetmusictoherasherownhoneysucklebreathtohim.

Sheimprovedhim.

Hedroppedcigars,andmedicalstudents,andsimilarabominations.

Christie’scool,freshbreath,asshehungoverhimwhilepainting,suggestedtohimthatsmokingmight,peradventure,beasinagainstnatureaswellasagainstcleanliness.

Andheimprovedher;shelearnedfromarttolookintonature(theusualprocessofmind).

Shehadnoticedtoolittletheflickeringgoldoftheleavesatevening,thepurplehills,andtheshiftingstoriesandgloriesofthesky;butnow,whatevershesawhimtrytoimitate,shelearnedtoexamine.Shewasawoman,andadmiredsunset,etc.,forthisboy’ssake,andherwholeheartexpandedwithanewsensationthatsoftenedhermannertoalltheworld,andbrightenedherpersonalrays.

Thischarmingpictureofmutualaffectionhadhithertobeenadmiredonlybythosewhofiguredinit.

Butavisitorhadnowarrivedonpurposetoinspectit,etc.,attractedbyreport.

AfriendhadconsideratelyinformedMrs.Gatty,theartist’smother,andshehadinstantlystartedfromNewcastle.

ThiswastheoldladyChristiediscoveredonthestairs.

Hersuddenappearancetookherson’sbreathaway.

Nohumaneventwaslesslikelythanthatsheshouldbethere,yetthereshewas.

Afterthefirstsurpriseandaffectionategreetings,amisgivingcrossedhim,\"shemustknowaboutthewrit\"——itwasimpossible;butourmindsaresoconstituted——whenweareguilty,wefearthatothersknowwhatweknow.NowGattywasparticularlyanxioussheshouldnotknowaboutthiswrit,forhehadincurredthedebtbyactingagainstheradvice.

LastyearhecommencedapictureinwhichwasDurhamCathedral;hismotherbadehimstayquietlyathome,andpaintthecathedralanditsbanksfromaprint,\"asanyotherpainterwould,\"observedshe.

Butthiswasnotthelad’ssystem;hespentfivemonthsonthespot,andpaintedhispicture,buthehadtoborrowsixtypoundstodothis;theconditionofthisloanwas,thatinsixmonthsheshouldeitherpayeightypounds,orfinishandhandoveracertainhalf—finishedpicture.

Hedidneither;hisnewsubjectthrustasidehisoldone,andhehadnomoney,ergo,hisfriend,apicture—dealer,whohadfoundartistsslipperyinmoneymatters,followedhimupsharp,aswesee.

\"Thereisnothingthematter,Ihope,mother.Whatisit?\"

\"I’mtired,Charles.\"Hebroughtheraseat;shesatdown.

\"IdidnotcomefromNewcastle,atmyage,fornothing;youhaveformedanimproperacquaintance.\"

\"I,who?IsitJackAdams?\"

\"WorsethananyJackAdams!\"

\"Whocanthatbe?Jenkyns,mother,becausehedoesthesamethingsasJack,andpretendstobereligious.\"

\"Itisafemale——afishwife.Oh,myson!\"

\"ChristieJohnstoneanimproperacquaintance,\"saidhe;\"why!IwasgoodfornothingtillIknewher;shehasmademesogood,mother;sosteady,soindustrious;youwillneverhavetofindfaultwithmeagain.\"

\"Nonsense——awomanthatsellsfishinthestreets!\"

\"Butyouhavenotseenher.Sheisbeautiful,hermindisnotinfish;

hermindgraspsthebeautifulandthegood——sheisacompanionforprinces!WhatamIthatshewastesathoughtorarayofmusiconme?

Heavenblessher.Shereadsourbestauthors,andneverforgetsaword;

andshetellsmebeautifulstories——sometimestheymakemecry,forhervoiceisamusicthatgoesstraighttomyheart.\"

\"Awomanthatdoesnotevenweartheclothesofalady.\"

\"Itistheonlygenuinecostumeintheseislandsnotbeneathapainter’snotice.\"

\"Lookatme,Charles;atyourmother.\"

\"Yes,mother,\"saidhe,nervously.

\"Youmustpartwithher,orkillme.\"

Hestartedfromhisseatandbegantoflutterupanddowntheroom;poorexcitablecreature.\"Partwithher!\"criedhe;\"IshallneverbeapainterifIdo;whatistokeepmyheartwarmwhenthesunishid,whenthebirdsaresilent,whendifficultylooksamountainandsuccessamolehill?Whatisanartistwithoutlove?Howishetobearupagainsthisdisappointmentsfromwithin,hismortificationfromwithout?thegreatideashehasandcannotgrasp,andalltheformsofignorancethatstinghim,fromstupidinsensibilitydowntoclever,shallowcriticism?\"

\"Comebacktocommonsense,\"saidtheoldlady,coldlyandgrimly.

Helookeduneasy.Commonsensehadoftenbeenquotedagainsthim,andcommonsensehadalwaysprovedright.

\"Comebacktocommonsense.Sheshallnotbeyourmistress,andshecannotbearyourname;youmustpartsomeday,becauseyoucannotcometogether,andnowisthebesttime.\"

\"Notbetogether?allourlives,allourlives,ay,\"criedhe,risingintoenthusiasm,\"hundredsofyearstocomewillwetwobetogetherbeforemen’seyes——Iwillbeanimmortalpainter,thattheworldandtimemaycherishthefeaturesIhaveloved.Iloveher,mother,\"addedhe,withatearfultendernessthatoughttohavereachedawoman’sheart;

thenflushing,trembling,andinspired,heburstout,\"AndIwishIwasasculptorandapoettoo,thatChristiemightliveinstoneandverse,aswellascolors,andallwholoveanartmightsay,’Thiswomancannotdie,CharlesGattylovedher.’\"

Helookedinherface;hecouldnotbelieveanycreaturecouldbeinsensibletohislove,andpersisttorobhimofit.

Theoldwomanpaused,tolethiseloquenceevaporate.

Thepausechilledhim;thengentlyandslowly,butemphatically,shespoketohimthus:

\"Whohaskeptyouonhersmallmeanseversinceyouweretenyearsandsevenmonthsold?\"

\"Youshouldknow,mother,dearmother.\"

\"Answerme,Charles.\"

\"Mymother.\"

\"Whohaspinchedherself,ineveryearthlything,tomakeyouanimmortalpainter,and,aboveall,agentleman?\"

\"Mymother.\"

\"Whoforgaveyouthelittlefaultsofyouth,beforeyoucouldaskpardon?\"

\"Mymother!Oh,mother,IaskpardonnowforallthetroubleIevergavethebest,thedearest,thetenderestofmothers.\"

\"WhowillgohometoNewcastle,abroken—heartedwoman,withtheonehopegonethathaskeptherupinpovertyandsorrowsomanywearyyears,ifthisgoeson?\"

\"Nobody,Ihope.\"

\"Yes,Charles;yourmother.\"

\"Oh,mother;youhavebeenalwaysmybestfriend.\"

\"Andamthisday.\"

\"Donotbemyworstenemynow.Itisformetoobeyyou;butitisforyoutothinkwellbeforeyoudrivemetodespair.\"

Andthepoorwomanishheartleanedhisheadonthetable,andbegantosorrowoverhishardfate.

Mrs.Gattysoothedhim.\"Itneednotbedoneallinamoment.Itmustbedonekindly,butfirmly.Iwillgiveyouasmuchtimeasyoulike.\"

Thisbaittook;theweaklovetotemporize.

ItisdoubtfulwhetherhehonestlyintendedtopartwithChristieJohnstone;buttopacifyhismotherhepromisedtobeginandgraduallyuntietheknot.

\"Mymotherwillgo,\"whisperedhisdeceitfulheart,\"and,whensheisaway,perhapsIshallfindoutthatinspiteofeveryeffortIcannotresignmytreasure.\"

Hegaveasortofhalf—promiseforthesakeofpeace.

Hismotherinstantlysenttotheinnforherboxes.

\"Thereisaroominthissamehouse,\"saidshe,\"Iwilltakeit;Iwillnothurryyou,butuntilitisdone,Istayhere,ifitisatwelvemonthabout.\"

Heturnedpale.

\"AndnowhearthegoodnewsIhavebroughtyoufromNewcastle.\"

Oh!theselittleironwills,howisagreatartisttofightthreehundredandsixty—fivedaysagainstsuchanantagonist?

Everydaysawarepetitionofthesedialogues,inwhichgeniusmadegallantburstsintotheair,andstrong,hardsensecaughthimonhisdescent,anddabbedglueonhisgauzywings.

Oldageandyouthseelifesodifferently.Toyouth,itisastory—book,inwhichwearetocommandtheincidents,andbethebrightexceptionstooneruleafteranother.

Toageitisanalmanac,inwhicheverythingwillhappenjustasithashappenedsomanytimes.

Toyouth,itisapaththroughasunnymeadow.

Toage,ahardturnpike:

Whosetravelersmustbeallsweatanddust,whentheyarenotinmudanddrenched:

Whichwantsmendinginmanyplaces,andismendedwithsharpstones.

GattywouldnotyieldtogodowntoNewhavenandtakeastepagainsthislove,butheyieldedsofarastoremainpassive,andseewhetherthiscreaturewasnecessarytohisexistenceornot.Mrs.G.scoutedtheidea.

\"Hewastowork,andhewouldsoonforgether.\"Poorboy!hewantedtowork;hisdebtweighedonhim;aweek’sresolutelabormightfinishhisfirstpictureandsatisfyhiscreditor.Thesubjectwasaninterior.Hesettowork,hestucktowork,hegluedtowork,hisbody——buthisheart?

Ah,mypoorfellow,amuchslowerhorsethanGattywillgobyyou,riddenasyouarebyaleadenheart.

TunihilinvitafaciespingesveMinerva.

Itwouldnotloweramechanicaldog’sefforts,butitmustyours.

Hewasunhappy.Heheardonlyonesidefordays;thatsidewasrecommendedbyhisduty,filialaffection,anddiffidenceofhisowngoodsense.

Hewasbroughttoseehisproceedingswereeccentric,andthatitisdestructiontobeeccentric.

Hewasmadealittleashamedofwhathehadbeenproudof.

Hewasconfusedandperplexed;hehardlyknewwhattothinkordo;hecollapsed,andallhisspiritwasfastleavinghim,andthenhefeltinclinedtoleanonthefirstthinghecouldfind,andnothingcametohandbuthismother.

Meantime,ChristieJohnstonewasalsothinkingofhim,buthersingleanxietywastofindthiseightypoundsforhim.

ItisaNewhavenideathatthefemaleisthenaturalprotectorofthemale,andthisideawasstrengthenedinhercase.

Shedidnotfullycomprehendhischaracterandtemperament,butshesaw,byinstinct,thatshewastobetheprotector.Besides,asshewastwenty—one,andheonlytwenty—two,shefeltthedifferencebetweenherself,awoman,andhim,aboy,andtoleavehimtostruggleunaidedoutofhisdifficultiesseemedtoherheartless.

Twicesheopenedherlipstoengagethecharitable\"vilecount\"inhiscause,butshameclosedthemagain;thiswouldbeaskingapersonalfavor,andoneonsolargeascale.

Severaldayspassedthus;shehaddeterminednottovisithimwithoutgoodnews.

Shethenbegantobesurprised,sheheardnothingfromhim.

Andnowshefeltsomethingthatpreventedhercallingonhim.

ButJeanCarniewastobemarried,andthenextdaytheweddingpartyweretospendinfestivityupontheislandofInchCoombe.

ShebadeJeancallonhim,and,withoutmentioningher,invitehimtothisparty,fromwhich,hemustknow,shewouldnotbeabsent.

JeanCarnieenteredhisapartment,andatherentrancehismother,whotookforgrantedthiswashissweetheart,whisperedinhisearthatheshouldnowtakethefirststep,andlefthim.

WhatpassedbetweenJeanCarnieandCharlesGattyisforanotherchapter.

CHAPTERIX.

AYOUNGviscountwithincomeandpersoncannotlie_perdu_threemilesfromEdinburgh.

Firstonediscovershim,thenanother,thentwenty,thenalltheworld,asthewholecliqueismodestlycalled.

Before,however,LordIpsdenwascaught,hehadacquiredabrownertint,amoreelasticstep,andastouterheart.

TheAberfordprescriptionhaddonewondersforhim.

HecaughthimselfpassingonewholedaywithoutthinkingofLadyBarbaraSinclair.

ButevenAberfordhadmisledhim;therewerenoadventurestobefoundintheFirthofForth;mostofthedaystherewasnowindtospeakof;twiceitblewgreatguns,andthemenweresurprisedathislordshipgoingout,butnobodywasinanydangerexcepthimself;thefishermenhadallslippedintoportbeforematterswereserious.

Hefoundthemerchantmenthatcouldsailcreepingonwiththreereefsintheirmainsail;andtheDutchmenlyingtoandbreastingit,likeducksinapond,andwithnomorechanceofharm.

Ononeoftheseoccasionshedidobservealittlesteam—tug,goingaboutaknotanhour,androllinglikeawashing—tub.Herandowntoher,andaskedifhecouldassisther;sheanswered,throughthemediumofasootyanimalatherhelm,thatshewas(likeouruniversities)\"satisfiedwithherownprogress\";sheadded,beingunderintoxication,\"that,ifanydangerexisted,herschemewastodrownitinthebo—o—owl;\"andtwodaysafterwardhesawherpuffingandpanting,andfiercelydraggingagiganticthree—deckeroutintodeepwater,likeanindustriousfleapullinghisphaeton.

AndnowitismyofficetorelatehowMr.FluckerJohnstonecomportedhimselfononeoccasion.

AstheyachtworkedalongsideGrantonPier,beforerunningout,thesaidFluckercalmlyandscientificallydrewhislordship’sattentiontothreepoints:

Thedirectionofthewind——theforceofthewind——andhisopinion,asapersonexperiencedintheFirth,thatitwasgoingtobeworseinsteadofbetter;inreply,hereceivedanordertostepforwardtohisplaceinthecutter——theimmediatevicinityofthejib—boom.Onthis,Mr.Fluckerinstantlyburstintotears.

Hislordship,or,asFluckercalledhimeversincetheyachtcamedown,\"theskipper,\"deemingthatthehigherappellation,inquired,withsomesurprise,whatwasthematterwiththeboy.

Oneofthecrew,who,bytheby,squinted,suggested,\"Itwasaslightillustrationofthepassionoffear.\"

Fluckerconfirmedthetheorybygulpingout:\"We’llneverseeNewhavenagain.\"

Onthistheskippersmiled,andorderedhimashore,somewhatperemptorily.

Straightwayhebegantohowl,and,saying,\"Itwasbettertobedrownedthanbethelaughing—stockoftheplace,\"wentforwardtohisplace;onhissafereturntoport,thisyounggentlemanwasverysevereonopenboats,which,hesaid\"bredwomanishnotionsinheartsnaturallydauntless.Givemealidtothepot,\"addedhe,\"andI’llsailwithOldNick,letthewindblowhighorlow.\"

TheAberfordwaswrongwhenhecalledloveacutaneousdisorder.

Therearecutaneousdisordersthattakethatname,buttheyarenomorelovethanverseispoetry;

Thanpatriotismisloveofcountry;

Thantheologyisreligion;

Thanscienceisphilosophy;

Thanpaintingsarepictures;

Thanrecitingontheboardsisacting;

ThanphysicismedicineThanbreadisbread,orgoldgold——inshops.

Loveisastateofbeing;thebelovedobjectisourcenter;andourthoughts,affections,schemesandselvesmovebutroundit.

Wemaydivergehitherorthither,butthegoldenthreadstillholdsus.

Isfairordarkbeautythefairest?Theworldcannotdecide;butloveshalldecideinamoment.

Ahalosurroundsherwelove,andmakesbeautifultoushermovements,herlooks,hervirtues,herfaults,hernonsense,heraffectationandherself;andthat’slove,doctor!

LordIpsdenwascapableoflovinglikethis;but,todoLadyBarbarajustice,shehaddonemuchtofreezethegermofnoblepassion;shehadnotkilled,butshehadbenumbedit.

\"Saunders,\"saidLordIpsden,onemorningafterbreakfast,\"haveyouenteredeverythinginyourdiary?\"

\"Yes,mylord.\"

\"Allthesegoodpeople’smisfortunes?\"

\"Yes,mylord.\"

\"Doyouthinkyouhavespelledtheirnamesright?\"

\"Whereitwasimpossible,mylord,IsubstitutedanEnglishappellation,hidenticalinmeaning.\"

\"HaveyouenteredanddescribedmyfirstinterviewwithChristieJohnstone,andsomebodysomething?\"

\"Mostminutely,mylord.\"

\"HowIturnedMr.Burkeintopoetry——howshelistenedwithhereyesallglistening——howtheymademetalk——howshedroppedatear,he!he!he!atthedeathofthefirstbaron——howshockedshewasatthekingstrikinghimwhenhewasdying,tomakeaknight—banneretofthepooroldfellow?\"

\"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheparticularsexactlyrelated,\"saidSaunders,withdrypomp.

\"Howshefoundoutthattitlesarebutbreath——howIanswered——somenonsense?\"

\"Yourlordshipwillfindallthetopicsincluded.\"

\"Howshetookmeforamadman?Andyouforaprig?\"

\"Thelattercircumstanceeludedmymemory,mylord.\"

\"ButwhenItoldherImustrelieveonlyonepoorpersonbyday,shetookmyhand.\"

\"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheitemsrealizedinthisbook,mylord.\"

\"Whatabeautifulbook!\"

\"Albaareconsiderablyameliorated,mylord.\"

\"Alba?\"

\"Pluralofalbum,mylord,\"explainedtherefinedfactotum,\"moredelicate,Iconceive,thanthevulgarreading.\"

ViscountIpsdenreadfrom\"MR.SAUNDERS’SALBUM.

\"Toillustratetheineleganceoftheinferiorclasses,twojuvenilevendersofthepiscatorytribewerethisdayusheredin,andinstantaneously,withouttheaccustomedpreliminaries,plungedintoafamiliarconversationwithLordViscountIpsden.

\"Theirvulgarity,shockingandrepulsivetomyself,appearedtoaffordhislordshipasatisfactiongreaterthanhederivesfromthegracefulamenitiesoffashionableassociation——\"

~\"Saunders,Isuspectyouofsomething.\"

\"Me,mylord!\"

\"Yes.Writinginanannual.\"

\"Ido,mylord,\"saidhe,withbenignant_hauteur._\"Itappearseverymonth——_ThePolytechnic.\"_

\"Ithoughtso!youarepolysyllabic,Saunders;_enroute!\"_

~\"InthishallucinationIfinditdifficulttoparticipate;associatedfrominfancywiththearistocracy,Ishrink,likethesensitiveplant,fromcontactwithanythingvulgar.\"

~\"Isee!Ibegintounderstandyou,Saunders.Orderthedog—cart,andWordsworth’smareforleader;we’llgiveheratrial.Youareanass,Saunders.\"

\"Yes,mylord;IwillorderRoberttotellJamestocomeforyourlordship’scommandsaboutyourlordship’svehicles.(Whatcouldheintendbyarecentobservationofadiscourteouscharacter?)\"

Hislordshipsoliloquized.

\"Ineverobserveditbefore,butSaundersisanass!LaJohnstoneisoneofNature’sduchesses,andshehasmademeknowsomepoorpeoplethatwillbericherthantherichoneday;andshehastaughtmethathoneyistobegotfrombank—notes——bymerelygivingthemaway.\"

AmongtheobjectsofcharityLordIpsdendiscoveredwasoneThomasHarvey,amakerandplayeroftheviolin.Thismanwasapersonofgreatintellect;hemasteredeverysubjectheattacked.Byacarefulexaminationofallthepointsthatvariousfine—tonedinstrumentshadincommon,hehadarrivedatatheoryofsound;hemadeviolinstocorrespond,andwasremarkablysuccessfulininsuringthatwhichhadbeentoohastilyascribedtoaccident——afinetone.

Thisman,whowasinneedycircumstances,demonstratedtohislordshipthattenpoundswouldmakehisfortune;becausewithtenpoundshecouldsetupashop,insteadofworkingoutoftheworld’ssightinaroom.

LordIpsdengavehimtenpounds!

Aweekafter,hemetHarvey,moreraggedanddirtythanbefore.

Harveyhadbeenrobbedbyafriendwhomhehadassisted.PoorHarvey!

LordIpsdengavehimtenpoundsmore!

Nextweek,Saunders,enteringHarvey’shouse,foundhiminbedatnoon,becausehehadnoclothestowear.

Saunderssuggestedthatitwouldbebettertogivehiswifethenextmoney,withstrictorderstoapplyitusefully.

Thiswasdone!

Thenextday,Harvey,findinghisclothesuponachair,histoolsredeemedfrompawn,andabeefsteakreadyforhisdinner,accusedhiswifeofhavingmoney,andmeanlyrefusinghimthebenefitofit.Sheacknowledgedshehadalittle,andappealedtotheimprovedstateofthingsasaproofthatsheknewbetterthanhetheuseofmoney.Hedemandedthesaidmoney.Sherefused——heleatheredher——sheputhiminprison.

Thiswasthebestplaceforhim.Themanwasadrunkard,andalltherichesofEgyptwouldneverhavemadehimbetteroff.

Andhere,gentlemenofthelowerclasses,awordwithyou.Howcanyou,withyoursmallincomes,hopetobewelloff,ifyouaremoreextravagantthanthosewhohavelargeones?

\"Usextravagant?\"youreply.

Yes!yourincomeistenshillingsaweek;outofthatyouspendthreeshillingsindrink;ay!you,thesoberones.Youcan’taffordit,myboys.Findmeamanwhoseincomeisathousandayear;well,ifheimitatesyou,andspendsthreehundreduponsensuality,Ibetyoutheoddsevenhundredhedoesnotmakebothendsmeet;theproportionistoogreat.And_two—thirdsofthedistressofthelowerordersisowingtothis——thattheyaremoremadlyprodigalthantherich;intheworst,lowestandmostdangerousitemofallhumanprodigality!_

LordIpsdenwenttoseeMrs.Harvey;itcosthimmuchtogo;shelivedintheOldTown,andhehateddisagreeablesmells;healsoknewfromSaundersthatshehadtwoblackeyes,andhehatedwomenwithblackeyesofthatsort.Butthisgoodcreaturedidgo;didrelieveMrs.Harvey;

and,bare—headed,sufferedhimselftobebedewedtenminutesbyhertearfultwaddle.

ForonceVirtuewasrewarded.ReturningovertheNorthBridge,hemetsomebodywhombutforhischarityhewouldnothavemet.

Hecameinonebrightmomentplumpupon——LadyBarbaraSinclair.Sheflushed,hetrembled,andintwominuteshehadforgotteneveryhumaneventthathadpassedsincehewasbyherside.

Sheseemedpleasedtoseehim,too;sheignoredentirelyhisobnoxiousproposal;hewiselytookhercue,andso,onthissecretunderstanding,theywerefriends.Hemadehisarrangements,anddinedwithherfamily.

Itwasafamilyparty.IntheeveningLadyBarbaraallowedittotranspirethatshehadmadeinquiriesabouthim.

(Hewashighlyflattered.)Andshehaddiscoveredhewaslyinghidsomewhereintheneighborhood.

\"Studyingtheguitar?\"inquiredshe.

\"No,\"saidhe,\"studyinganewclassofthecommunity.Doyouknowanyofwhattheycallthe’lowerclasses’?\"

\"Yes.\"

\"Monstrousagreeablepeople,aretheynot?\"

\"No,verystupid!Ionlyknowtwooldwomen——excepttheservants,whohavenocharacters.Theyimitateus,Isuspect,whichdoesnotsaymuchfortheirtaste.\"

\"Butsomeofmyfriendsareyoungwomen;thatmakesallthedifference.\"

\"Itdoes!andyououghttobeashamed.Ifyouwantaloworderofmind,whydesertourowncircle?\"

\"Myfriendsareonlylowinstation;theyhaveratherloftyminds,someofthem.\"

\"Well,amuseyourselfwiththeseloftyminds.Amusementistheendofbeing,youknow,andtheaimofallthemenofthisday.\"

\"Weimitatetheladies,\"saidhe,slyly.

\"Youdo,\"answeredshe,verydryly;andsothedialoguewenton,andLordIpsdenfoundthepleasureofbeingwithhiscousincompensatehimfullyforthedifferenceoftheiropinions;infact,hefounditsimplyamusingthatsokeenawitashiscousinsscouldbeentrappedintothehumorofdecryingthetimeonehappenstolivein,andadmiringanyepochoneknowsnexttonothingabout,andentrappedbythenotionofitsoriginality,aboveallthings;theideabeingthestalecommonplaceofassesineveryage,andthemannerofconveyingtheideabeingamereimitationoftheGermanwriters,notthegoodones,_bienentendu,_butthequill—drivers,thesnobsoftheTeutonicpen.

Buthewastolearnthatfolliesarenotalwayslaughable,that_eademsentire_isabond,andthat,whenacleverandprettywomanchoosestobeafool,herlover,ifheiswise,willbeagreater——ifhecan.

Thenexttimetheymet,LordIpsdenfoundLadyBarbaraoccupiedwithagentlemanwhosefirstsentenceproclaimedhimapupilofMr.ThomasCarlyle,andhehadthemortificationtofindthatshehadneitheranearnoraneyeforhim.

Humanopinionhassomanyshadesthatitisraretofindtwopeopleagree.

Buttwopeoplemayagreewonderfully,iftheywillbutletathirdthinkforthemboth.

Thusitwasthatthesetworansosmoothlyincouples.

Antiquity,theyagreed,wasthetimewhentheworldwasold,itshairgray,itsheadwise.Everyonethatsaid,\"Lord,Lord!\"twohundredyearsagowasaChristian.Therewerenoearnestmennow;Williams,themissionary,wholivedanddiedfortheGospel,wasnotearnestinreligion;butCromwell,whopackedajury,andsomurderedhisprisoner——Cromwell,inwhosemouthwasheaven,andinhishearttemporalsovereignty——wasthepatternofearnestreligion,or,atallevents,secondinsinceritytoMahometalone,intheabsenceofdetailsrespectingSatan,ofwhomweknowonlythathismouthisaScriptureconcordance,andhishandsthehandsofMr.Carlyle’ssaints.

Thentheywentbackacenturyortwo,andwereeloquentaboutthegreatantiqueheart,andthebeautyofanagewhosesampleswereAbbotSampsonandJoanofArc.

LordIpsdenhatedargument;butjealousyisabrassspur,itmadeeventhismanfluentforonce.

Hesuggested\"thatfivehundredyearsaddedtoaworld’slifemadeitjustfivehundredyearsolder,notyounger——andifolder,grayer——andifgrayer,wiser.

\"OfAbbotSampson,\"saidhe,\"whomIconfessbothagreatandagoodman,hisauthor,whowithallhistalentbelongstotheclassmuddle—head,tellsusthatwhenhehadbeentwoyearsinauthorityhisredhairhadturnedgray,fightingagainstthespiritofhisage;howthedeuce,then,couldhebeasampleofthespiritofhisage?

\"JoanofArcwasburnedbyacclamationofherage,andisadmiredbyourage.Whichfactidentifiesanagemostwithaheroine,togiveheryourheart,ortogiveherablazingfagotanddeath?\"

\"AbbotSampsonandJoanofArc,\"concludedhe,\"provenomoreinfavoroftheirage,andnolessagainstit,thanLotdoesfororagainstSodom.

LotwasinSodom,butnotofit;andsowereSampsonandJoanin,butnotof,thevillainoustimestheylivedin.

\"Theverybesttext—bookoftruereligionistheNewTestament,andI

gatherfromit,thatthemanwhoforgiveshisenemieswhiletheiraxdescendsonhishead,howeverpooracreaturehemaybeinotherrespects,isabetterChristianthanthemanwhohastheGodofMercyforeveronhislips,andwhosehandsareswifttoshedblood.

\"Theearnestmenofformeragesarenotextinctinthis,\"addedhe.

\"Wheneverascaffoldiserectedoutsideaprison—door,ifyouareearnestinpursuitoftruth,andcanputupwithdisgustingobjects,youshallseearelicofancientmannershanged.

\"Therestillexist,inpartsofAmerica,riversonwhosebanksareearnestmenwhoshalltakeyourscalp,thewife’sofyourbosom,andtheinnocentchild’sofherbosom.

\"InEnglandweareasearnestaseverinpursuitofheaven,andofinnocentworldlyadvantages.If,whentheconsiderationoflifeanddeathinterposes,weappearlessearnestinpursuitofcomparativetriflessuchaskingdomsordogmas,itisbecausecoolerinactionwearemoreearnestinthought——becausereason,experience,andconsciencearethingsthatchecktheunscrupulousnessorbeastlyearnestnessofman.

\"Moreover,hewhohasthesensetoseethatquestionshavethreesidesisnolongersointellectuallyaswellasmorallydegradedastobeabletocuteverythroatthatuttersanopinioncontrarytohisown.

\"Ifthephrase’earnestman’meansmanimitatingthebeaststhataredeaftoreason,itistobehopedthatcivilizationandChristianitywillreallyextinguishthewholeraceforthebenefitoftheearth.\"

LordIpsdensucceededinannoyingthefairtheorist,butnotinconvincingher.

Themediaevalenthusiastslookedonhimassomeroughanimalthathadburstintosacredgroundsunconsciously,andgraduallyedgedawayfromhim.

CHAPTERX.

LORDIPSDENhadsoonthemortificationofdiscoveringthatthisMr.————

wasaconstantvisitoratthehouse;and,althoughhiscousingavehimherearinthisman’sabsence,onthearrivalofherfellow—enthusiasthehadeverthemortificationoffindinghimself_detrop._

Onceortwicehedemolishedthispersonageinargument,andwasrewardedbyfindinghimselfmore_detrop._

ButonedayLadyBarbara,beinginacousinlyhumor,expressedawishtosailinhislordship’syacht,andthishintsoonledtoapartybeingorganized,andasortofpicnicontheislandofInchCoombe;hislordship’scutterbeingthemodeofconveyancetoandfromthatspot.

NowithappenedonthatverydayJeanCarnie’smarriagewascelebratedonthatveryislandbyherrelationsandfriends.

SothatweshallintroduceourreaderstoTHERIVALPICNICS.

Webeginwith_Lesgenscommeilfaut._

PICNICNO.1.

Theservantswereemployedinputtingawaydishesintohampers.

Therewasacalmsilence.\"Hem!\"observedSirHenryTalbot.

\"Eh?\"repliedtheHonorableTomHitherington.

\"Mamma,\"saidMissVere,\"haveyoubroughtanywork?\"

\"No,mydear.\"

\"Atapicnic,\"saidMr.Hitherington,isn’titthethingforsomebody——aw——todosomething?\"

\"Ipsden,\"saidLadyBarbara,\"thereisanunderstanding_between_youandMr.Hitherington.IcondemnyoutoturnhimintoEnglish.\"

\"Yes,LadyBarbara;I’lltellyou,hemeans———doyoumeananything,Tom?\"

_Hitherington._\"Can’tanybodyguesswhatImean?\"

_LadyBarbara._\"Guessfirstyourself,youcan’tbesuspectedofbeinginthesecret.\"

_Hither._\"WhatImeanis,thatpeoplesingasong,orrunraces,orpreachasermon,ordosomethingfunnyatapicnic——aw——somebodygetsupanddoessomething.\"

_LadyBar._\"ThenperhapsMissVere,whosesingingisfamous,willhavethecomplaisancetosingtous.\"

_MissVere._\"Ishouldbehappy,LadyBarbara,butIhavenotbroughtmymusic.\"

_LadyBar._\"Oh,wearenotcritical;thesimplestair,orevenafragmentofmelody;theseaandtheskywillbeabetteraccompanimentthanBroadwoodevermade.\"

_MissV._\"Ican’tsinganotewithoutbook.\"

_SirH.Talbot._\"Yourmusicisinyoursoul——notatyourfingers’ends.\"

_LordIpsden,toLadyBar._\"Itisinherbook,andnotinhersoul.\"

_LadyBar.,toLordIps._\"Thenithaschosenthebettersituationofthetwo.\"

_Ips._\"MissVereistothefineartofmusicwhattheengrossersaretotheblackartoflaw;itallfiltersthroughthemwithoutleavinganysediment;andsothemusicofthedaypassesthroughMissVere’smind,butnoneremains——tostainitsvirginsnow.\"

Hebows,shesmiles.

_LadyBar.,toherself._\"Insolent.Andthelittleduncethinksheiscomplimentingher.\"

_Ips._\"PerhapsTalbotwillcometoourrescue——heisafiddler.\"

_Tal._\"Anamateuroftheviolin.\"

_Ips._\"Itisallthesamething.\"

_LadyBar._\"Iwishitmayproveso.\"

[Note:originalhasmusicnotationhere]

_MissV._\"Beautiful.\"

_Mrs.Vere._\"Charming.\"

_Hither._\"Superb!\"

_Ips._\"Youareawarethatgoodmusicisathingtobeweddedtoimmortalverse,shallIreciteabitofpoetrytomatchTalbot’sstrain?\"

_MissV._\"Oh,yes!hownice.\"

_Ips.(rhetorically)._\"A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.P.

Q.R.S.T.U.V.W.X.Y.Z.Y.X.W.V.U.T.S.O.N.M.L.K.J.I.

H.G.F.A.M.littlep.littlet.\"

_LadyBar._\"Beautiful!Superb!Ipsdenhasbeentakinglessonsonthethinkinginstrument.\"

_Hither._\"Hehasbeen_perdu_amongvulgarpeople.\"

_Tal._\"AndexpectsapupilofHerztoplayhimtunes!\"

_LadyBar._\"Whataretunes,SirHenry?\"

_Tal._\"SomethingIdon’tplay,LadyBarbara.\"

_LadyBar._\"Iunderstandyou;somethingweoughttolike.\"

_Ips._\"IhaveaStradivariusviolinathome.Itisyours,Talbot,ifyoucandefineatune.\"

_Tal._\"Atuneis——everybodyknowswhat.\"

_LadyBar._\"Atuneisatune,thatiswhatyoumeanttosay.\"

_Tal._\"Ofcourseitis.\"

_LadyBar._\"Bereasonable,Ipsden;nomancandotwothingsatonce;howcanthepupilofHerzcondemnathingandknowwhatitmeanscontemporaneously?\"

_Ips._\"Isthedrinking—songin’DerFreischutz’atune?\"

_LadyBar._\"Itis.\"

_Ips._\"AndthemelodiesofHandel,aretheytunes?\"

_LadyBar.(pathetically)._\"Theyare!Theyare!\"

_Ips._\"Andthe’RussianAnthem,’andthe’Marseillaise,’and’Ah,Perdona’?\"

_Tal._\"And’YankeeDoodle’?\"

_LadyBar._\"SothatSirHenry,whopridedhimselfonhisignorance,hasawidefieldforitsdominion.

_Tal._\"Allgoodviolinplayersdolikeme;theyprelude,notplaytunes.\"

_Ips._\"ThenHeavenbethankedforourblindfiddlers.Youlikesyllablesofsoundinunmeaningrotation,andyoudespiseitswords,itspurposes,itsnarrativefeats;carryoutyourprinciple,itwillshowyouwhereyouare.Buyadirtypaletteforapicture,anddreamthealphabetisapoem.\"

_LadyBar.,toherself._\"IsthismycousinRichard?\"

_Hither._\"Mind,Ipsden,youareamanofproperty,andtherearesuchthingsascommissions_delunatico.\"_

_LadyBar._\"Hisdefensewillbethathisfriendspronouncedhiminsane.

_Ips._\"No;IshallsubpoenaTalbot’sfiddle,cross—examinationwillgetnothingoutofthatbut,do,re,mi,fa.\"

_LadyBar._\"Yes,itwill;fa,mi,re,do.\"

_Tal._\"Violin,ifyouplease.\"

_LadyBar._\"AskFiddle’spardon,directly.\"

_Soundoffiddlesisheardinthedistance._

_Tal._\"Howluckyforyou,therearefiddlesandtunes,andthenativesyouaresaidtofavor,whynotjointhem?\"

_Ips.(shakinghisheadsolemnly)._\"Idreadtoencounteranotherprelude.\"

_Hither._\"Come,Iknowyouwouldlikeit;itisawedding—party——twoseamonstershavebeenunited.Thesailorsandfishermenareallblueclothandwash—leathergloves.\"

_MissV._\"He!he!\"

_Tal._\"Thefishwivesunitethecolorsoftherainbow——\"

_LadyBar._\"(Andweallknowhowhideoustheyare)——tovulgar,bloomingcheeks,staringwhiteteeth,andsky—blueeyes.\"

_Mrs.V._\"Howsatiricalyouare,especiallyyou,LadyBarbara.\"

HereLordIpsden,afterawordtoLadyBarbara,theanswertowhichdidnotappeartobefavorable,rose,gavealittleyawn,lookedsteadilyathiscompanionswithoutseeingthem,anddepartedwithoutseemingawarethathewasleavinganybodybehindhim.