\"Betteraskher，\"Isuggested.
Ididn’tknowatthetimethatitwasasillythingtosay，andIamnotsurethatIshouldnothavesaiditifIhad.WhenheisinoneofhismoodsIalwaysseemtogetintooneofmine.IhavelookedafterMr.Johneversincehewasababy，sothatwedonoteitherofustreattheotherquiteasperhapsweoughtto.
\"TellcookIwanther，\"hesaid.
\"Sheisjustinthemiddle——\"Ibegan.
\"Idon’tcarewheresheis，\"hesaid.Heseemeddeterminednevertoletmefinishasentence.\"Sendheruphere.\"
Shewasinthekitchenbyherself.
\"Hewantstoseeyouatonce，\"Isaid.
\"Whodoes？\"sheasked.
\"Mr.John，\"Isaid.
\"What’shewanttoseemefor？\"sheasked.
\"HowdoIknow？\"Ianswered.
\"Butyoudo，\"shesaid.Shealwayshadanobstinatetwistinher，and，feelingitwouldsavetime，Itoldherwhathadhappened.
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"aren’tyougoing？\"
Shewasstandingstockstillstaringatthepastryshewasmaking.
Sheturnedtome，andtherewasacurioussmileaboutherlips.
\"Doyouknowwhatyououghttobewearing？\"shesaid.\"Wings，andalittlebowandarrow.\"
Shedidn’teventhinktowipeherhands，butwentstraightupstairs.
Itwasabouthalfanhourlaterwhenthebellrang.Mr.Johnwasstandingbythewindow.
\"Isthatbagready？\"hesaid.
\"Itwillbe，\"Isaid.
Iwentoutintothehallandreturnedwiththeclothesbrush.
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"hesaid.
\"Perhapsyoudon’tknowit，\"Isaid，\"butyouarealloverflour.\"
\"Cook’sgoingwithmetoScotland，\"hesaid.
IhavelookedafterMr.Johneversincehewasaboy.Hewasforty—twolastbirthday，butwhenIshookhandswithhimthroughthecabwindowIcouldhaveswornhewastwenty—fiveagain.
THELESSON.
ThefirsttimeImethim，tomyknowledge，wasonanevil—smelling，one—funnelledsteamboatthatinthosedayspliedbetweenLondonBridgeandAntwerp.Hewaswalkingthedeckarm—in—armwithashowilydressedbutdecidedlyattractiveyoungwoman;bothofthemtalkingandlaughingloudly.Itstruckmeasodd，findinghimafellow—travellerbysucharoute.Thepassageoccupiedeighteenhours，andthefirst—classreturnfarewasonepoundtwelveandsix，includingthreemealseachway;drinks，asthecontractwascarefultoexplain，beingextra.IwasearningthirtyshillingsaweekatthetimeasclerkwithafirmofagentsinFenchurchStreet.OurbusinesswasthepurchasingofarticlesoncommissionforcustomersinIndia，andIhadlearnedtobeajudgeofvalues.Thebeaverlinedcoathewaswearing——fortheevening，althoughitwaslatesummer，waschilly——musthavecosthimacoupleofhundredpounds，whilehiscarelesslydisplayedjewelleryhecouldeasilyhavepawnedforathousandormore.
Icouldnothelpstaringathim，andonce，astheypassed，hereturnedmylook.
Afterdinner，asIwasleaningwithmybackagainstthegunwaleonthestarboardside，hecameoutoftheonlyprivatecabinthatthevesselboasted，andtakingupapositionoppositetome，withhislegswellapartandabigcigarbetweenhisthicklips，stoodcoollyregardingme，asifappraisingme.
\"TreatingyourselftoalittleholidayontheContinent？\"heinquired.
Ihadnotbeenquitesurebeforehespoke，buthislisp，thoughslight，betrayedtheJew.Hisfeatureswerecoarse，almostbrutal;
buttherestlesseyesweresobrilliant，thewholefacesosuggestiveofpowerandcharacter，that，takinghimasawhole，thefeelingheinspiredwasadmiration，temperedbyfear.Histonewasoneofkindlycontempt——thetoneofamanaccustomedtofindmostpeoplehisinferiors，andtoousedtothediscoverytobeconceitedaboutit.
Behinditwasanoteofauthoritythatitdidnotoccurtometodispute.
\"Yes，\"Ianswered，addingtheinformationthatIhadneverbeenabroadbefore，andhadheardthatAntwerpwasaninterestingtown.
\"Howlonghaveyougot？\"heasked.
\"Afortnight，\"Itoldhim.
\"LiketoseeabitmorethanAntwerp，ifyoucouldaffordit，wouldn’tyou？\"hesuggested.\"FascinatinglittlecountryHolland.
Justlongenough——afortnight——todothewholeofit.I’maDutchman，aDutchJew.\"
\"YouspeakEnglishjustlikeanEnglishman，\"Itoldhim.Itwassomehowinmymindtopleasehim.Icouldhardlyhaveexplainedwhy.
\"Andhalfadozenotherlanguagesequallywell，\"heanswered，laughing.\"IleftAmsterdamwhenIwaseighteenassteeragepassengerinanemigrantship.Ihaven’tseenitsince.\"
Heclosedthecabindoorbehindhim，and，crossingover，laidastronghandonmyshoulder.
\"Iwillmakeaproposaltoyou，\"hesaid.\"Mybusinessisnotofthekindthatcanbeputoutofmind，evenforafewdays，andtherearereasons\"——heglancedoverhisshouldertowardsthecabindoor，andgaveventtoashortlaugh——\"whyIdidnotwanttobringanyofmyownstaffwithme.Ifyoucareforashorttour，allexpensespaidatslap—uphotelsandaten—poundnoteinyourpocketattheend，youcanhaveitfortwohours’workaday.\"
Isupposemyfaceexpressedmyacceptance，forhedidnotwaitformetospeak.
\"OnlyonethingIstipulatefor，\"headded，\"thatyoumindyourownbusinessandkeepyourmouthshut.You’rebyyourself，aren’tyou？\"
\"Yes，\"Itoldhim.
Hewroteonasheetofhisnotebook，and，tearingitout，handedittome.
\"That’syourhotelatAntwerp，\"hesaid.\"YouareMr.HoratioJones’ssecretary.\"Hechuckledtohimselfasherepeatedthename，whichcertainlydidnotfithim.\"Knockatmysitting—roomdooratnineo’clocktomorrowmorning.Goodnight！\"
Heendedtheconversationasabruptlyashehadbegunit，andreturnedtohiscabin.
Igotaglimpseofhimnextmorning，comingoutofthehotelbureau.
HewasspeakingtothemanagerinFrench，andhadevidentlygiveninstructionsconcerningme，forIfoundmyselfprecededbyanobsequiouswaitertoquiteacharmingbedroomonthesecondfloor，whilethe\"Englishbreakfast\"placedbeforemelaterinthecoffee—roomwasofasizeandcharacterthatinthosedaysIdidnotoftenenjoy.Aboutthework，also，hewasasgoodashisword.I
wasrarelyoccupiedformorethantwohourseachmorning.Thedutiesconsistedchieflyofwritinglettersandsendingofftelegrams.Thelettershesignedandhadpostedhimself，sothatI
neverlearnthisrealname——notduringthatfortnight——butI
gatheredenoughtobeawarethathewasamanwhosebusinessinterestsmusthavebeencolossalandworld—wide.
Heneverintroducedmeto\"Mrs.HoratioJones，\"andafterafewdaysheseemedtobeboredwithher，sothatoftenIwouldtakeherplaceashiscompanioninafternoonexcursions.
Icouldnothelplikingtheman.Strengthalwayscompelstheadorationofyouth;andtherewassomethingbigandheroicabouthim.Hisdaring，hisswiftdecisions，hisutterunscrupulousness，hisoccasionalcrueltywhennecessityseemedtodemandit.Onecouldimaginehiminearlierdaysabornleaderofsavagehordes，aloveroffightingforitsownsake，meetingallobstacleswithfiercewelcome，forcinghiswayonward，indifferenttothemiseryanddestructioncausedbyhisprogress，hiseyesneverswervingfromtheirgoal;yetnotwithoutasenseofroughjustice，notaltogetherwithoutkindlinesswhenitcouldbeindulgedinwithoutdanger.
OneafternoonhetookmewithhimintotheJewishquarterofAmsterdam，andthreadinghiswaywithouthesitationthroughitsmazeofunsavouryslums，pausedbeforeanarrowthree—storeyedhouseoverlookingastagnantbackwater.
\"TheroomIwasbornin，\"heexplained.\"Windowwiththebrokenpaneonthesecondfloor.Ithasneverbeenmended.\"
Istoleaglanceathim.Hisfacebetrayednosuggestionofsentiment，butratherofamusement.Heofferedmeacigar，whichI
wasgladof，forthestenchfromtheoffal—ladenwaterbehinduswasdistracting，andforawhilewebothsmokedinsilence：hewithhiseyeshalf—closed;itwasatrickofhiswhenworkingoutabusinessproblem.
\"Curious，mymakingsuchachoice，\"heremarked.\"Abutcher’sassistantformyfatherandaconsumptivebuttonhole—makerformymother.IsupposeIknewwhatIwasabout.Quitetherightthingformetohavedone，asitturnedout.\"
Istaredathim，wonderingwhetherhewasspeakingseriouslyoringrimjest.Hewasgivenattimestomakingoddremarks.Therewasaveinofthefantasticinhimthatwascontinuallycroppingoutandastonishingme.
\"Itwasabitrisky，\"Isuggested.\"Betterchoosesomethingalittlesafernexttime.\"
Helookedroundatmesharply，and，notquitesureofhismood，I
keptagraveface.
\"Perhapsyouareright，\"heagreed，withalaugh.\"Wemusthaveatalkaboutitoneday.\"
AfterthatvisittotheGoortgassehewaslessreservedwithme，andwouldoftentalktomeonsubjectsthatIshouldneverhaveguessedwouldhaveinterestedhim.Ifoundhimacuriousmixture.Behindtheshrewd，cynicalmanofbusinessIcaughtcontinualglimpsesofthevisionary.
IpartedfromhimatTheHague.HepaidmyfarebacktoLondon，andgavemeanextrapoundfortravellingexpenses，togetherwiththeten—poundnotehehadpromisedme.Hehadpackedoff\"Mrs.HoratioJones\"somedaysbefore，totherelief，Iimagine，ofbothofthem，andhehimselfcontinuedhisjourneytoBerlin.Ineverexpectedtoseehimagain，althoughforthenextfewmonthsIoftenthoughtofhim，andeventriedtodiscoverhimbyinquiriesintheCity.I
had，however，verylittletogoupon，andafterIhadleftFenchurchStreetbehindme，anddriftedintoliterature，Iforgothim.
UntilonedayIreceivedaletteraddressedtothecareofmypublishers.ItboretheSwisspostmark，andopeningitandturningtothesignatureIsatwonderingforthemomentwhereIhadmet\"HoratioJones.\"AndthenIremembered.
Hewaslyingbruisedandbrokeninawoodcutter’shutontheslopesoftheJungfrau.Hadbeenplayingafool’strick，sohedescribedit，thinkinghecouldclimbmountainsathisage.TheywouldcarryhimdowntoLauterbrunnenassoonashecouldbemovedfartherwithsafety，butforthepresenthehadnoonetotalktobutthenurseandaSwissdoctorwhoclimbeduptoseehimeverythirdday.Hebeggedme，ifIcouldsparethetime，tocomeoverandspendaweekwithhim.Heenclosedahundred—poundchequeformyexpenses，makingnoapologyfordoingso.Hewascomplimentaryaboutmyfirstbook，whichhehadbeenreading，andaskedmetotelegraphhimmyreply，givingmehisrealname，which，asIhadguesseditwould，provedtobeoneofthebestknowninthefinancialworld.Mytimewasmyownnow，andIwiredhimthatIwouldbewithhimthefollowingMonday.
HewaslyinginthesunoutsidethehutwhenIarrivedlateintheafternoon，afterathree—hours’climbfollowedbyaportercarryingmysmallamountofluggage.Hecouldnotraisehishand，buthisstrangelybrillianteyesspoketheirwelcome.
\"Iamgladyouwereabletocome，\"hesaid.\"Ihavenonearrelations，andmyfriends——ifthatistherightterm——arebusinessmenwhowouldbeboredtotears.Besides，theyarenotthepeopleI
feelIwanttotalkto，now.\"
Hewasentirelyreconciledtothecomingofdeath.Indeed，thereweremomentswhenhegavemetheideathathewaslookingforwardtoitwithanawedcuriosity.Withtheconventionalnotionofcheeringhim，Italkedofstayingtillhewasabletoreturnwithmetocivilisation，butheonlylaughed.
\"Iamnotgoingback，\"hesaid.\"Notthatway.Whattheymaydoafterwardswiththesebrokenbonesdoesnotmuchconcerneitheryouorme.
\"It’sagoodplacetodiein，\"hecontinued.\"Amancanthinkuphere.\"
Itwasdifficulttofeelsorryforhim，hisownfateappearingtomakesolittledifferencetohimself.Theworldwasstillfullofinteresttohim——nothisownparticularcornerofit：that，hegavemetounderstand，hehadtidiedupanddismissedfromhismind.Itwasthefuture，itscomingproblems，itspossibilities，itsnewdevelopments，aboutwhichheseemedeagertotalk.Onemighthaveimaginedhimayoungmanwiththeyearsbeforehim.
Oneevening——itwasneartheend——wewerealonetogether.Thewoodcutterandhiswifehadgonedownintothevalleytoseetheirchildren，andthenurse，leavinghiminmycharge，hadgoneforawalk.WehadcarriedhimroundtohisfavouritesideofthehutfacingthetoweringmassoftheJungfrau.Astheshadowslengtheneditseemedtocomenearertous，andtherefellasilenceuponus.
GraduallyIbecameawarethathispiercingeyeswerefixedonme，andinanswerIturnedandlookedathim.
\"Iwonderifweshallmeetagain，\"hesaid，\"or，whatismoreimportant，ifweshallrememberoneanother.\"
Iwaspuzzledforthemoment.Wehaddiscussedmorethanoncethevariousreligionsofmankind，andhisattitudetowardstheorthodoxbeliefshadalwaysbeenthatofamusedcontempt.
\"Ithasbeengrowinguponmetheselastfewdays，\"hecontinued.
\"ItflashedacrossmethefirsttimeIsawyouontheboat.Wewerefellow—students.Something，Idon’tknowwhat，drewusveryclosetogether.Therewasawoman.Theywereburningher.Andthentherewasarushofpeopleandasuddendarkness，andyoureyesclosetomine.\"
Isupposeitwassomeformofhypnotism，for，ashespoke，hissearchingeyesfixedonmine，therecametomeadreamofnarrowstreetsfilledwithastrangecrowd，ofpaintedhousessuchasIhadneverseen，andahauntingfearthatseemedtobealwayslurkingbehindeachshadow.Ishookmyselffree，butnotwithoutaneffort.
\"Sothat’swhatyoumeant，\"Isaid，\"thateveningintheGoortgasse.
Youbelieveinit？\"
\"Acuriousthinghappenedtome，\"hesaid，\"whenIwasachild.I
couldhardlyhavebeensixyearsold.IhadgonetoGhentwithmyparents.Ithinkitwastovisitsomerelative.Onedaywewentintothecastle.Itwasinruinsthen，buthassincebeenrestored.
Wewereinwhatwasoncethecouncilchamber.Istoleawaybymyselftotheotherendofthegreatroomand，notknowingwhyIdidso，Itouchedaspringconcealedinthemasonry，andadoorswungopenwithaharsh，grindingnoise.Irememberpeeringroundtheopening.Theothershadtheirbackstowardsme，andIslippedthroughandclosedthedoorbehindme.Iseemedinstinctivelytoknowmyway.IrandownaflightofstepsandalongdarkcorridorsthroughwhichIhadtofeelmywaywithmyhands，tillIcametoasmalldoorinanangleofthewall.Iknewtheroomthatlaytheotherside.Aphotographwastakenofitandpublishedyearsafterwards，whentheplacewasdiscovered，anditwasexactlyasI
knewitwithitswayoutunderneaththecitywallthroughoneofthesmallhousesintheAussermarkt.
\"Icouldnotopenthedoor.Somestoneshadfallenagainstit，andfearingtogetpunished，Imademywaybackintothecouncilroom.
ItwasemptywhenIreachedit.Theyweresearchingformeintheotherrooms，andInevertoldthemofmyadventure.\"
AtanyothertimeImighthavelaughed.Later，recallinghistalkthatevening，Idismissedthewholestoryasmeresuggestion，basedupontheimaginationofachild;butatthetimethosestrangelybrillianteyeshadtakenpossessionofme.TheyremainedstillfixeduponmeasIsatonthelowrailoftheverandawatchinghiswhiteface，intowhichthehuesofdeathseemedalreadytobecreeping.
Ihadafeelingthat，throughthem，hewastryingtoforceremembranceofhimselfuponme.Themanhimself——theverysoulofhim——seemedtobeconcentratedinthem.Somethingformlessandyetdistinctwasvisualisingitselfbeforeme.Itcametomeasaphysicalreliefwhenaspasmofpaincausedhimtoturnhiseyesawayfromme.
\"YouwillfindaletterwhenIamgone，\"hewenton，afteramoment’ssilence.\"Ithoughtthatyoumightcometoolate，orthatImightnothavestrengthenoughtotellyou.IfeltthatoutofthefewpeopleIhavemetoutsidebusiness，youwouldbethemostlikelynottodismissthematterasmerenonsense.WhatIamgladofmyself，andwhatIwishyoutoremember，isthatIamdyingwithallmyfacultiesaboutme.TheonethingIhavealwaysfearedthroughlifewasoldage，withitsgradualmentaldecay.IthasalwaysseemedtomethatIhavediedmoreorlesssuddenlywhilestillinpossessionofmywill.IhavealwaysthankedGodforthat.\"
Heclosedhiseyes，butIdonotthinkhewassleeping;andalittlelaterthenursereturned，andwecarriedhimindoors.Ihadnofurtherconversationwithhim，thoughathiswishduringthefollowingtwodaysIcontinuedtoreadtohim，andonthethirddayhedied.
Ifoundtheletterhehadspokenof.Hehadtoldmewhereitwouldbe.Itcontainedabundleofbanknoteswhichhewasgivingme——sohewrote——withtheadvicetogetridofthemasquicklyaspossible.
\"IfIhadnotlovedyou，\"thelettercontinued，\"Iwouldhaveleftyouanincome，andyouwouldhaveblessedme，insteadofcursingme，asyoushouldhavedone，forspoilingyourlife.\"
Thisworldwasaschool，soheviewedit，forthemakingofmen;andtheonethingessentialtoamanwasstrength.Onegatheredtheimpressionofadeeplyreligiousman.Inthesedayshewould，nodoubt，havebeenclaimedasatheosophist;buthisbeliefshehadmadefor，andadaptedto，himself——tohisvehement，conqueringtemperament.GodneededmentoserveHim——tohelpHim.So，throughmanychanges，throughmanyages，Godgavemenlife：thatbycontestandbystruggletheymighteverincreaseinstrength;tothosewhoprovedthemselvesmostfitthesternertask，thehumblerbeginnings，thegreaterobstacles.Andthecrownofwell—doingwasevervictory.Heappearedtohaveconvincedhimselfthathewasoneofthechosen，thathewasdestinedforgreatends.HehadbeenaslaveinthetimeofthePharaohs;apriestinBabylon;hadclungtotheswayingladdersinthesackofRome;hadwonhiswayintothecouncilswhenEuropewasabattlefieldofcontendingtribes;hadclimbedtopowerinthedaysoftheBorgias.
Tomostofus，Isuppose，therecomeatoddmomentshauntingthoughtsofstrangelyfamiliar，far—offthings;andonewonderswhethertheyarememoriesordreams.Wedismissthemaswegrowolderandthepresentwithitscrowdinginterestsshutsthemout;
butinyouththeyweremorepersistent.Withhimtheyappearedtohaveremained，growinginreality.Hisrecentexistence，closedunderthewhitesheetinthehutbehindmeasIread，wasonlyonechapterofthestory;hewaslookingforwardtothenext.
Hewondered，sotheletterran，whetherhewouldhaveanyvoiceinchoosingit.Ineithereventhewascuriousoftheresult.Whatheanticipatedconfidentlywerenewopportunities，widerexperience.
Inwhatshapewouldthesecometohim？
Theletterendedwithastrangerequest.Itwasthat，onreturningtoEngland，Ishouldcontinuetothinkofhim：notofthedeadmanIhadknown，theJewishbanker，thevoicefamiliartome，thetrickofspeech，ofmanner——allsuchbeingbutthechangingclothes——butofthemanhimself，thesoulofhim，thatwouldseekandperhapssucceedinrevealingitselftome.
Apostscriptconcludedtheletter，towhichatthetimeIattachednoimportance.Hehadmadeapurchaseofthehutinwhichhehaddied.Afterhisremovalitwastoremainempty.
Ifoldedtheletterandplaceditamongotherpapers，andpassingintothehuttookafarewellglanceatthemassive，ruggedface.
Themaskmighthaveservedasculptorfortheembodimentofstrength.Hegaveonethefeelingthathavingconquereddeathhewassleeping.
Ididwhathehadrequestedofme.Indeed，Icouldnothelpit.I
thoughtofhimconstantly.Thatmayhavebeentheexplanationofit.
IwasbicyclingthroughNorfolk，andoneafternoon，toescapeacomingthunderstorm，Iknockedatthedoorofalonelycottageontheoutskirtsofacommon.Thewoman，akindlybustlingperson，askedmein;andhopingIwouldexcuseher，asshewasbusyironing，returnedtoherworkinanotherroom.Ithoughtmyselfalone，andwasstandingatthewindowwatchingthepouringrain.Afterawhile，withoutknowingwhy，Iturned.AndthenIsawachildseatedonahighchairbehindatableinadarkcorneroftheroom.Abookofpictureswasopenbeforeit，butitwaslookingatme.Icouldhearthesoundofthewomanatherironingintheotherroom.
Outsidetherewasthesteadythrashingoftherain.Thechildwaslookingatmewithlarge，roundeyesfilledwithaterriblepathos.
Inoticedthatthelittlebodywasmisshapen.Itnevermoved;itmadenosound;butIhadthefeelingthatoutofthosestrangelywistfuleyessomethingwastryingtospeaktome.Somethingwasformingitselfbeforeme——notvisibletomysight;butitwasthere，intheroom.ItwasthemanIhadlastlookeduponas，dying，hesatbesidemeinthehutbelowtheJungfrau.Butsomethinghadhappenedtohim.MovedbyinstinctIwentovertohimandliftedhimoutofhischair，andwithasobthelittlewizenedarmsclosedroundmyneckandheclungtomecrying——apitiful，low，wailingcry.
Hearinghiscry，thewomancameback.Acomely，healthy—lookingwoman.Shetookhimfrommyarmsandcomfortedhim.
\"Hegetsabitsorryforhimselfattimes，\"sheexplained.\"Atleast，soIfancy.Yousee，hecan’trunaboutlikeotherchildren，ordoanythingwithoutgettingpains.\"
\"Wasitanaccident？\"Iasked.
\"No，\"sheanswered，\"andhisfatherasfineamanasyouwouldfindinaday’smarch.JustavisitationofGod，astheytellme.SureIdon’tknowwhy.Thereneverwasabetterlittlelad，andclever，too，whenhe’snotinpain.Drawswonderfully.\"
Thestormhadpassed.Hegrewquieterinherarms，andwhenIhadpromisedtocomeagainandbringhimanewpicture—book，alittlegratefulsmileflickeredacrossthedrawnface，buthewouldnottalk.
Ikeptintouchwithhim.Merecuriositywouldhavemademedothat.Hegrewmorenormalastheyearswentby，andgraduallythefancythathadcometomeatourfirstmeetingfadedfartherintothebackground.Sometimes，usingtheverylanguageofthedeadman’sletter，Iwouldtalktohim，wonderingifbyanychancesomeflashofmemorywouldcomebacktohim，andonceortwiceitseemedtomethatintothemild，patheticeyestherecamealookthatIhadseenbefore，butitpassedaway，andindeed，itwasdifficulttothinkofthissadlittlehumanoddity，withitspleadinghelplessness，inconnectionwiththestrong，swift，conqueringspiritthatIhadwatchedpassingawayamidthesilenceofthemountains.
Theonethingthatbroughtjoytohimwashisart.Icannothelpthinkingthat，butforhishealth，hewouldhavemadeanameforhimself.Hisworkwasalwayscleverandoriginal，butitwastheworkofaninvalid.
\"Ishallneverbegreat，\"hesaidtomeonce.\"Ihavesuchwonderfuldreams，butwhenitcomestoworkingthemoutthereissomethingthathampersme.Italwaysseemstomeasifatthelastmomentahandwasstretchedoutthatclutchedmebythefeet.I
longso，butIhavenotthestrength.Itisterribletobeoneoftheweaklings.\"
Itclungtome，thatwordhehadused.Foramantoknowheisweak;itsoundsaparadox，butamanmustbestrongtoknowthat.
Anddwellinguponthis，anduponhispatienceandhisgentleness，therecametomesuddenlyremembranceofthatpostscript，thesignificanceofwhichIhadnotunderstood.
Hewasayoungmanofaboutthree—orfour—and—twentyatthetime.
Hisfatherhaddied，andhewaslivinginpoorlodgingsinthesouthofLondon，supportinghimselfandhismotherbystrenuous，ill—paidwork.
\"Iwantyoutocomewithmeforafewdays’holiday，\"Itoldhim.
Ihadsomedifficultyingettinghimtoacceptmyhelp，forhewasveryproudinhissensitive，apologeticway.ButIsucceededeventually，persuadinghimitwouldbegoodforhiswork.
Physicallythejourneymusthavecosthimdear，forhecouldnevermovehisbodywithoutpain，butthechanginglandscapesandthestrangecitiesmorethanrepaidhim;andwhenonemorningIwokehimearlyandhesawforthefirsttimethedistantmountainsclothedindawn，therecameanewlightintohiseyes.
Wereachedthehutlateintheafternoon.Ihadmademyarrangementssothatweshouldbetherealone.Ourneedsweresimple，andinvariouswanderingsIhadlearnttobeindependent.I
didnottellhimwhyIhadbroughthimthere，beyondthebeautyandstillnessoftheplace.PurposelyIlefthimmuchalonethere，makingever—lengtheningwalksmyexcuse，andthoughhewasalwaysgladofmyreturnIfeltthatthedesirewasgrowinguponhimtobetherebyhimself.
Oneevening，havingclimbedfartherthanIhadintended，Ilostmyway.Itwasnotsafeinthatneighbourhoodtotrynewpathwaysinthedark，andchancinguponadesertedshelter，Imademyselfabeduponthestraw.
IfoundhimseatedoutsidethehutwhenIreturned，andhegreetedmeasifhehadbeenexpectingmejustatthatmomentandnotbefore.Heguessedjustwhathadhappened，hetoldme，andhadnotbeenalarmed.DuringthedayIfoundhimwatchingme，andintheevening，aswesatinhisfavouriteplaceoutsidethehut，heturnedtome.
\"Youthinkittrue？\"hesaid.\"ThatyouandIsathereyearsagoandtalked？\"
\"Icannottell，\"Ianswered.\"Ionlyknowthathediedhere，iftherebesuchathingasdeath——thatnoonehaseverlivedheresince.Idoubtifthedoorhaseverbeenopenedtillwecame.\"
\"Theyhavealwaysbeenwithme，\"hecontinued，\"thesedreams.ButI
havealwaysdismissedthem.Theyseemedsoludicrous.Alwaystherecametomewealth，power，victory.Lifewassoeasy.\"
Helaidhisthinhandonmine.Astrangenewlookcameintohiseyes——alookofhope，almostofjoy.
\"Doyouknowwhatitseemstome？\"hesaid.\"Youwilllaughperhaps，butthethoughthascometomeupherethatGodhassomefineuseforme.Successwasmakingmefeeble.HehasgivenmeweaknessandfailurethatImaylearnstrength.Thegreatthingistobestrong.\"
SYLVIAOFTHELETTERS.
OldAbHerrick，somostpeoplecalledhim.Notthathewasactuallyold;thetermwasanexpressionoflikingratherthananyreflectiononhisyears.Helivedinanold—fashionedhouse——old—fashioned，thatis，forNewYork——onthesouthsideofWestTwentiethStreet：
onceuponatime，butthatwaslongago，quiteafashionablequarter.Thehouse，togetherwithMrs.Travers，hadbeenlefthimbyamaidenaunt.An\"apartment\"would，ofcourse，havebeenmoresuitabletoabachelorofsimplehabits，butthesituationwasconvenientfromajournalisticpointofview，andforfifteenyearsAbnerHerrickhadlivedandworkedthere.
Thenoneevening，afterathreedays’absence，AbnerHerrickreturnedtoWestTwentiethStreet，bringingwithhimalittlegirlwrappedupinashawl，andawoodenboxtiedwithapieceofcord.
Heputtheboxonthetable;andtheyounglady，looseninghershawl，walkedtothewindowandsatdownfacingtheroom.
Mrs.Traverstooktheboxoffthetableandputitonthefloor——itwasquitealittlebox——andwaited.
\"Thisyounglady，\"explainedAbnerHerrick，\"isMissAnnKavanagh，daughterof——ofanoldfriendofmine.\"
\"Oh！\"saidMrs.Travers，andremainedstillexpectant.
\"MissKavanagh，\"continuedAbnerHerrick，\"willbestayingwithusfor——\"HeappearedtobeuncertainofthelengthofMissKavanagh’svisit.Heleftthesentenceunfinishedandtookrefugeinmorepressingquestions.
\"Whataboutthebedroomonthesecondfloor？Isitready？Sheetsaired——allthatsortofthing？\"
\"Itcanbe，\"repliedMrs.Travers.Thetonewassuggestiveofjudgmentreserved.
\"Ithink，ifyoudon’tmind，Mrs.Travers，thatwe’dliketogotobedassoonaspossible.\"FromforceofhabitAbnerS.Herrickinspeakingemployedasaruletheeditorial\"we.\"\"Wehavebeentravellingalldayandweareverytired.To—morrowmorning——\"
\"I’dlikesomesupper，\"saidMissKavanaghfromherseatinthewindow，withoutmoving.
\"Ofcourse，\"agreedMissKavanagh’shost，withafeeblepretencethatthesubjecthadbeenonthetipofhistongue.Asamatteroffact，hereallyhadforgottenallaboutit.\"Wemighthaveitupherewhiletheroomisbeinggotready.Perhapsalittle——\"
\"Asoftboiledeggandaglassofmilk，ifyouplease，Mrs.
Travers，\"interruptedMissKavanagh，stillfromherseatatthewindow.
\"I’llseeaboutit，\"saidMrs.Travers，andwentout，takingthequitesmallboxwithher.
SuchwasthecomingintothisstoryofAnnKavanaghattheageofeightyears;or，asMissKavanaghherselfwouldhaveexplained，hadthequestionbeenputtoher，eightyearsandsevenmonths，forAnnKavanaghwasapreciseyounglady.Shewasnotbeautiful——notthen.
Shewasmuchtoosharpfeatured;thelittlepointedchinprotrudingintospacetoquiteadangerousextent.Herlargedarkeyeswereheroneredeemingfeature.Butthelevelbrowsabovethemweremuchtooreadywiththeirfrown.Asallowcomplexionandnondescripthairdeprivedherofthatcharmofcolouringonwhichyouthcangenerallydependforattraction，whateveritsfaultsofform.Norcouldittruthfullybesaidthatsweetnessofdispositionaffordedcompensation.
\"Aself—willed，cantankerouslittleimpIcallher，\"wasMrs.
Travers’scomment，expressedafteroneofthemanytrialsofstrengthbetweenthem，fromwhichMissKavanaghhadasusualemergedtriumphant.
\"It’sherfather，\"explainedAbnerHerrick，feelinghimselfunabletocontradict.
\"It’sunfortunate，\"answeredMrs.Travers，\"whateveritis.\"
ToUncleAbhimself，asshehadcometocallhim，shecouldonoccasionbeyieldingandaffectionate;butthat，asMrs.Traverstookcaretopointouttoher，wasasmallthingtohercredit.
\"IfyouhadtheinstinctsofanordinaryChristianchild，\"explainedMrs.Traverstoher，\"you’dbethinkingtwenty—fourhoursadayofwhatyoucoulddotorepayhimforallhislovingkindnesstoyou;
insteadofcausinghim，asyouknowyoudo，adozenheartachesinaweek.You’reanungratefullittlemonkey，andwhenhe’sgoneyou’ll——\"
UponwhichMissKavanagh，notwaitingtohearmore，flewupstairsand，lockingherselfinherownroom，gaveherselfuptohowlingandremorse;butwascarefulnottoemergeuntilshefeltbadtemperedagain;andable，shouldopportunitypresentitself，torenewthecontestwithMrs.Traversunhamperedbysentiment.
ButMrs.Travers’swordshadsunkindeeperthanthatgoodladyherselfhadhopedfor;andoneevening，whenAbnerHerrickwasseatedathisdeskpenningascathingindictmentofthePresidentforlackoffirmnessanddecisiononthetariffquestion，Ann，puttingherthinarmsroundhisneckandrubbingherlittlesallowfaceagainsthisright—handwhisker，tookhimtotaskonthesubject.
\"You’renotbringingmeupproperly——notasyououghtto，\"explainedAnn.\"Yougivewaytometoomuch，andyouneverscoldme.\"
\"Notscoldyou！\"exclaimedAbnerwithacertainwarmthofindignation.\"Why，I’mdoingitall——\"
\"Notwhat_I_callscolding，\"continuedAnn.\"It’sverywrongofyou.Ishallgrowuphorridifyoudon’thelpme.\"
AsAnnwithgreatclearnesspointedouttohim，therewasnooneelsetoundertakethejobwithanychanceofsuccess.IfAbnerfailedher，thenshesupposedtherewasnohopeforher：shewouldendbybecomingawickedwoman，andeverybody，includingherself，wouldhateher.Itwasasadprospect.ThecontemplationofitbroughttearstoAnn’seyes.
Hesawthejusticeofhercomplaintandpromisedtoturnoveranewleaf.Hehonestlymeanttodoso;but，likemanyanotherrepentantsinner，foundhimselffeeblebeforethedifficultiesofperformance.
Hemighthavesucceededbetterhaditnotbeenforhersoftdeepeyesbeneathherlevelbrows.
\"You’renotmuchlikeyourmother，\"soheexplainedtoheroneday，\"exceptabouttheeyes.LookingintoyoureyesIcanalmostseeyourmother.\"
Hewassmokingapipebesidethefire，andAnn，whooughttohavebeeninbed，hadperchedherselfupononeofthearmsofhischairandwaskickingaholeinthewornleatherwithherlittleheels.
\"Shewasverybeautiful，mymother，wasn’tshe？\"suggestedAnn.
AbnerHerrickblewacloudfromhispipeandwatchedcarefullythecurlingsmoke.
\"Inaway，yes，\"heanswered.\"Quitebeautiful.\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，’Inaway’？\"demandedAnnwithsomeasperity.
\"Itwasaspiritualbeauty，yourmother’s，\"Abnerexplained.\"Thesoullookingoutofhereyes.Idon’tthinkitpossibletoimagineamorebeautifuldispositionthanyourmother’s.WheneverIthinkofyourmother，\"continuedAbnerafterapause，\"Wordsworth’slinesalwayscomeintomymind.\"
Hemurmuredthequotationtohimself，butloudenoughtobeheardbysharpears.MissKavanaghwasmollified.
\"Youwereinlovewithmymother，weren’tyou？\"shequestionedhimkindly.
\"Yes，IsupposeIwas，\"musedAbner，stillwithhisgazeuponthecurlingsmoke.
\"Whatdoyoumeanby’yousupposeyouwere’？\"snappedAnn.\"Didn’tyouknow？\"
Thetonerecalledhimfromhisdreams.
\"Iwasinlovewithyourmotherverymuch，\"hecorrectedhimself，turningtoherwithasmile.
\"Thenwhydidn’tyoumarryher？\"askedAnn.\"Wouldn’tshehaveyou？\"
\"Ineveraskedher，\"explainedAbner.
\"Whynot？\"persistedAnn，returningtoasperity.
Hethoughtamoment.
\"Youwouldn’tunderstand，\"hetoldher.
\"Yes，Iwould，\"retortedAnn.
\"No，youwouldn’t，\"hecontradictedherquiteshortly.Theywerebothbeginningtolosepatiencewithoneanother.\"Nowomanevercould.\"
\"I’mnotawoman，\"explainedAnn，\"andI’mverysmart.You’vesaidsoyourself.\"
\"Notsosmartasallthat，\"growledAbner.\"Addedtowhich，it’stimeforyoutogotobed.\"
Herangerwithhimwassuchthatitrenderedherabsolutelypolite.
Ithadthatoccasionaleffectuponher.Sheslidfromthearmofhischairandstoodbesidehim，arigidfigureoffrozenfemininity.
\"Ithinkyouarequiteright，UncleHerrick.Goodnight！\"Butatthedoorshecouldnotresistapartingshot：
\"Youmighthavebeenmyfather，andthenperhapsshewouldn’thavedied.Ithinkitwasverywickedofyou.\"
AftershewasgoneAbnersatgazingintothefire，andhispipewentout.Eventuallythebeginningsofasmilestoletothecornersofhismouth，butbeforeitcouldspreadanyfartherhedismisseditwithasigh.
Abner，forthenextdayortwo，fearedarenewaloftheconversation，butAnnappearedtohaveforgottenit;andastimewentbyitfadedfromAbner’sownmemory.Untiloneeveningquiteawhilelater.
ThemorninghadbroughthimhisEnglishmail.Ithadbeenarrivingwithsomeregularity，andAnnhadnoticedthatAbneralwaysopeneditbeforehisothercorrespondence.Oneletterhereadthroughtwice，andAnn，whowaspretendingtobereadingthenewspaper，feltthathewaslookingather.
\"Ihavebeenthinking，mydear，\"saidAbner，\"thatitmustberatherlonelyforyouhere，allbyyourself.\"
\"Itwouldbe，\"answeredAnn，\"ifIwerehereallbymyself.\"
\"Imean，\"saidAbner，\"withoutanyotheryoungpersontotalktoand——andtoplaywith.\"
\"Youforget，\"saidAnn，\"thatI’mnearlythirteen.\"
\"Godblessmysoul，\"saidAbner.\"Howtimedoesfly！\"
\"Whoisshe？\"askedAnn.
\"Itisn’ta’she，’\"explainedAbner.\"It’sa’he.’Poorlittlechaplosthismothertwoyearsago，andnowhisfather’sdead.I
thought——itoccurredtomewemightputhimupforatime.Lookafterhimabit.Whatdoyouthink？Itwouldmakethehousemorelively，wouldn’tit？\"
\"Itmight，\"saidAnn.
Shesatverysilent，andAbner，whoseconsciencewastroublinghim，watchedheralittleanxiously.Afteratimeshelookedup.
\"What’shelike？\"sheasked.
\"PreciselywhatIamwonderingmyself，\"confessedAbner.\"Weshallhavetowaitandsee.Buthismother——hismother，\"repeatedAbner，\"wasthemostbeautifulwomanIhaveeverknown.Ifheisanythinglikeshewasasagirl——\"Heleftthesentenceunfinished.
\"Youhavenotseenhersince——sinceshewasyoung？\"questionedAnn.
Abnershookhishead.\"ShemarriedanEnglishman.HetookherbackwithhimtoLondon.\"
\"Idon’tlikeEnglishmen，\"saidAnn.
\"Theyhavetheirpoints，\"suggestedAbner.\"Besides，boystakeaftertheirmothers，theysay.\"AndAbnerroseandgatheredhisletterstogether.
Annremainedverythoughtfulallthatday.Intheevening，whenAbnerforamomentlaiddownhispenforthepurposeofrelightinghispipe，Anncametohim，seatingherselfonthecornerofthedesk.
\"Isuppose，\"shesaid，\"that’swhyyounevermarriedmother？\"
Abner’smindatthemomentwasmuchoccupiedwiththePanamaCanal.
\"Whatmother？\"heasked.\"Whosemother？\"
\"Mymother，\"answeredAnn.\"Isupposemenarelikethat.\"
\"Whatareyoutalkingabout？\"saidAbner，dismissingaltogetherthePanamaCanal.
\"Youlovedmymotherverymuch，\"explainedAnnwithcolddeliberation.\"ShealwaysmadeyouthinkofWordsworth’sperfectwoman.\"
\"Whotoldyouallthat？\"demandedAbner.
\"Youdid.\"
\"Idid？\"
\"ItwasthedayyoutookmeawayfromMissCarew’sbecauseshesaidshecouldn’tmanageme，\"Anninformedhim.
\"GoodLord！Why，thatmustbetwoyearsago，\"musedAbner.
\"Three，\"Anncorrectedhim.\"Allbutafewdays.\"
\"Iwishyou’duseyourmemoryforthingsyou’rewantedtoremember，\"
growledAbner.
\"Yousaidyouhadneveraskedhertomarryyou，\"pursuedAnnrelentlessly;\"youwouldn’ttellmewhy.YousaidIshouldn’tunderstand.\"
\"Myfault，\"mutteredAbner.\"Iforgetyou’reachild.Youaskallsortsofquestionsthatneveroughttoenteryourhead，andI’mfoolenoughtoansweryou.\"
Onesmalltearthathadmadeitsescapeunnoticedbyherwasstealingdownhercheek.Hewipeditawayandtookoneofhersmallpawsinbothhishands.
\"Ilovedyourmotherverydearly，\"hesaidgravely.\"Ihadlovedherfromachild.Butnowomanwilleverunderstandthepowerthatbeautyhasuponaman.Youseewe’rebuiltthatway.It’sNature’slure.Lateron，ofcourse，Imighthaveforgotten;butthenitwastoolate.Canyouforgiveme？\"
\"Butyoustillloveher，\"reasonedAnnthroughhertears，\"oryouwouldn’twanthimtocomehere.\"
\"Shehadsuchahardtimeofit，\"pleadedAbner.\"Itmadethingseasiertoher，mygivinghermywordthatIwouldalwayslookaftertheboy.You’llhelpme？\"
\"I’lltry，\"saidAnn.Buttherewasnotmuchpromiseinthetone.
NordidMatthewPolehimself，whenhearrived，domuchtohelpmatters.HewassohopelesslyEnglish.Atleast，thatwasthewayAnnputit.Hewasshyandsensitive.Itisatryingcombination.
Itmadehimappearstupidandconceited.Alonelychildhoodhadrenderedhimunsociable，unadaptable.Adreamy，imaginativetemperamentimposeduponhimlongmoodsofsilence：alikingforlongsolitarywalks.ForthefirsttimeAnnandMrs.Traverswereinagreement.
\"Asulkyyoungdog，\"commentedMrs.Travers.\"IfIwereyouruncleI’dlookoutforajobforhiminSanFrancisco.\"
\"Yousee，\"saidAnninexcuseforhim，\"it’ssuchafoggycountry，England.Itmakesthemlikethat.\"
\"It’sapitytheycan’tgetoutofit，\"saidMrs.Travers.
Also，sixteenisanawkwardageforaboy.Virtues，stillinthechrysalisstate，arestrugglingtoescapefromtheirparentvices.
Pride，anexcellentqualitymakingforcourageandpatience，stillappearsintheswathingsofarrogance.Sinceritystillexpressesitselfinthelanguageofrudeness.Kindnessitselfisapttobemistakenforamazingimpertinenceandloveofinterference.
Itwaskindness——agenuinedesiretobeuseful，thatpromptedhimtopointouttoAnnherundoubtedfaultsandfailings，nervedhimtothetaskofbringingherupinthewaysheshouldgo.Mrs.Travershadlongsincewashedherhandsoftheentirebusiness.UncleAb，asMatthewalsocalledhim，hadprovedhimselfaweakling.
Providence，soitseemedtoMatthew，musthavebeenwaitingimpatientlyforhisadvent.Annatfirstthoughtitwassomenewschoolofhumour.Whenshefoundhewasseriousshesetherselftocurehim.Butsheneverdid.Hewastooconscientiousforthat.
Theinstinctsoftheguide，philosopher，andfriendtohumanityingeneralwerealreadytoostronginhim.ThereweretimeswhenAbneralmostwishedthatMatthewPoleseniorhadlivedalittlelonger.
Buthedidnotlosehope.Atthebackofhismindwasthefancythatthesetwochildrenofhisloveswouldcometogether.Nothingisquitesosentimentalasahealthyoldbachelor.Hepicturedthemmakingunityfromhisconfusions;inimaginationheardthepatteronthestairsoftinyfeet.Toallintentsandpurposeshewouldbeagrandfather.Pridinghimselfonhiscunning，hekepthisdreamtohimself，ashethought，butunder—estimatedAnn’ssmartness.
FordaystogethershewouldfollowMatthewwithhereyes，watchinghimfrombehindherlonglashes，listeninginsilencetoeverythinghesaid，vainlyseekingtofindpointsinhim.Hewasunawareofhergenerousintentions.Hehadavaguefeelinghewasbeingcriticised.Heresentediteveninthosedays.
\"Idotry，\"saidAnnsuddenlyoneeveningaproposofnothingatall.
\"NoonewilleverknowhowhardItrynottodislikehim.\"
Abnerlookedup.
\"Sometimes，\"continuedAnn，\"ItellmyselfIhavealmostsucceeded.
Andthenhewillgoanddosomethingthatwillbringitallonagain.\"
\"Whatdoeshedo？\"askedAbner.
\"Oh，Ican’ttellyou，\"confessedAnn.\"IfItoldyouitwouldsoundasifitwasmyfault.It’sallsosilly.Andthenhethinkssuchalotofhimself.Ifoneonlyknewwhy！Hecan’ttellyouhimselfwhenyouaskhim.\"
\"Youhaveaskedhim？\"queriedAbner.
\"Iwantedtoknow，\"explainedAnn.\"IthoughttheremightbesomethinginhimthatIcouldlike.\"
\"Whydoyouwanttolikehim？\"askedAbner，wonderinghowmuchshehadguessed.
\"Iknow，\"wailedAnn.\"YouarehopingthatwhenIamgrownupI
shallmarryhim.AndIdon’twantto.It’ssoungratefulofme.\"
\"Well，you’renotgrownupyet，\"Abnerconsoledher.\"Andsolongasyouarefeelinglikethataboutit，I’mnotlikelytowantyoutomarryhim.\"
\"Itwouldmakeyousohappy，\"sobbedAnn.
\"Yes，butwe’vegottothinkoftheboy，don’tforgetthat，\"laughedAbner.\"Perhapshemightobject.\"
\"Hewould.Iknowhewould，\"criedAnnwithconviction.\"He’snobetterthanIam.\"
\"Haveyoubeenaskinghimto？\"demandedAbner，springingupfromhischair.
\"Nottomarryme，\"explainedAnn.\"ButItoldhimhemustbeanunnaturallittlebeastnottotrytolikemewhenheknewhowyoulovedme.\"
\"Helpfulwayofputtingit，\"growledAbner.\"Andwhatdidhesaytothat？\"
\"Admittedit，\"flashedAnnindignantly.\"Saidhehadtried.\"
Abnersucceededinpersuadingherthatthepathofdignityandvirtuelayinherdismissingthewholesubjectfromhermind.
Hehadmadeamistake，sohetoldhimself.Agemaybeattractedbycontrast，butyouthhasnouseforitsopposite.HewouldsendMatthewaway.Hecouldreturnforweek—ends.Continuallysoclosetooneanother，theysawonlyoneanother’sspecksandflaws;thereisnobeautywithoutperspective.Matthewwantedthecornersrubbedoffhim，thatwasall.Mixingmorewithmen，hispriggishnesswouldbelaughedoutofhim.Otherwisehewasquiteadecentyoungster，cleanminded，highprincipled.Clever，too：heoftensaidquiteunexpectedthings.Withapproachingwomanhood，changesweretakingplaceinAnn.Seeinghereverydayonehardlynoticedthem;butthereweretimeswhen，standingbeforehimflushedfromawalkorbendingoverhimtokisshimbeforestartingforsomefriendlydance，Abnerwouldblinkhiseyesandbepuzzled.Thethinarmsweregrowingroundandfirm;thesallowcomplexionwarmingintoolive;theoncepatchy，mouse—colouredhairdarkeningintoarichharmonyofbrown.Theeyesbeneathherlevelbrows，thathadalwaysbeenhercharm，stillremindedAbnerofhermother;buttherewasmorelightinthem，moredanger.
\"I’llrundowntoAlbanyandtalktoJephsonabouthim，\"decidedAbner.\"HecancomehomeonSaturdays.\"
Theplotmighthavesucceeded：onenevercantell.ButaNewYorkblizzardputastoptoit.Thecarsbrokedown，andAbner，walkinghomeinthinshoesfromameeting，caughtachill，which，beingneglected，provedfatal.
Abnerwastroubledashelayuponhisbed.Thechildrenweresittingverysilentbythewindow.HesentMatthewoutonamessage，andthenbeckonedAnntocometohim.Helovedtheboy，too，butAnnwasnearertohim.
\"Youhaven’tthoughtanymore，\"hewhispered，\"about——\"
\"No，\"answeredAnn.\"Youwishedmenotto.\"
\"Youmustneverthink，\"hesaid，\"toshowyourloveformymemorybydoinganythingthatwouldnotmakeyouhappy.IfIamanywherearound，\"hecontinuedwithasmile，\"itwillbeyourgoodIshallbewatchingfor，notmyownway.Youwillrememberthat？\"
Hehadmeanttodomoreforthem，buttheendhadcomesomuchsoonerthanhehadexpected.ToAnnheleftthehouse（Mrs.Travershadalreadyretiredonasmallpension）andasumthat，judiciouslyinvested，thefriendandattorneythoughtshouldbesufficientforherneeds，evensupposing——Thefriendandattorney，pausingtodwellupontheovalfacewithitsdarkeyes，leftthesentenceunfinished.
ToMatthewhewrotealovingletter，enclosingathousanddollars.
HeknewthatMatthew，nowinapositiontoearnhislivingasajournalist，wouldratherhavetakennothing.Itwastobelookeduponmerelyasapartinggift.Matthewdecidedtospenditontravel.Itwouldfithimthebetterforhisjournalisticcareer，soheexplainedtoAnn.Butinhishearthehadotherambitions.Itwouldenablehimtoputthemtothetest.
SotherecameaneveningwhenAnnstoodwavingahandkerchiefasagreatlinercastitsmoorings.Shewatchedittillitslightsgrewdim，andthenreturnedtoWestTwentiethStreet.Strangerswouldtakepossessionofitonthemorrow.Annhadhersupperinthekitchenincompanywiththenurse，whohadstayedonatherrequest;
andthatnight，slippingnoiselesslyfromherroom，shelayuponthefloor，herheadrestingagainstthearmofthechairwhereAbnerhadbeenwonttositandsmokehiseveningpipe;somehowitseemedtocomforther.AndMatthewthewhile，beneaththestars，waspacingthesilentdeckofthegreatlinerandplanningoutthefuture.
Toonlyoneotherbeinghadheeverconfidedhisdreams.Shelayinthechurchyard;andtherewasnothinglefttoencouragehimbuthisownheart.Buthehadnodoubts.Hewouldbeagreatwriter.Histwohundredpoundswouldsupporthimtillhehadgainedafoothold.
Afterthathewouldclimbswiftly.Hehaddoneright，sohetoldhimself，toturnhisbackonjournalism：thegraveofliterature.
Hewouldseemenandcities，writingashewent.Lookingback，yearslater，hewasabletocongratulatehimselfonhavingchosentherightroad.Hethoughtitwouldleadhimbyeasyascenttofameandfortune.Itdidbetterforhimthanthat.Itledhimthroughpovertyandloneliness，throughhopedeferredandheartache——throughlongnightsoffear，whenprideandconfidencefelluponhim，leavinghimonlythecouragetoendure.
Hisgreatpoems，hisbrilliantessays，hadbeenrejectedsooftenthatevenhehimselfhadlostallloveforthem.Atthesuggestionofaneditormorekindlythanthegeneralrun，andurgedbyneed，hehadwrittensomeshortpiecesofalessambitiousnature.Itwasinbitterdisappointmenthecommencedthem，regardingthemasmerepot—boilers.Hewouldnotgivethemhisname.Hesignedthem\"AstonRowant.\"ItwasthenameofthevillageinOxfordshirewherehehadbeenborn.Itoccurredtohimbychance.Itwouldservethepurposeaswellasanother.Astheworkprogresseditgrewuponhim.Hemadehisstoriesoutofincidentsandpeoplehehadseen;
everydaycomediesandtragediesthathehadlivedamong，ofthingsthathehadfelt;andwhenaftertheirappearanceinthemagazineapublisherwasfoundwillingtomakethemintoabook，hoperevivedinhim.
Itwasbutshort—lived.Thefewreviewsthatreachedhimcontainednothingbutridicule.Sohehadnoplaceevenasaliteraryhack！
HewaslivinginParisatthetimeinanoisy，evil—smellingstreetleadingoutoftheQuaiSaint—Michel.HethoughtofChatterton，andwouldloafonthebridgeslookingdownintotheriverwherethedrownedlightstwinkled.
Andthenonedaytherecametohimaletter，sentontohimfromthepublisherofhisonebook.Itwassigned\"Sylvia，\"nothingelse，andborenoaddress.Matthewpickeduptheenvelope.Thepostmarkwas\"London，S.E.\"
Itwasachildishletter.Aprosperous，well—fedgenius，familiarwithsuch，mighthavesmiledatit.ToMatthewinhisdespairitbroughthealing.Shehadfoundthebooklyinginanemptyrailwaycarriage;andundeterredbymoralscrupleshadtakenithomewithher.Ithadremainedforgottenforatime，untilwhentheendreallyseemedtohavecomeherhandbychancehadfallenonit.Shefanciedsomekindlittlewanderingspirit——thespiritperhapsofsomeonewhohadknownwhatitwastobelonelyandverysadandjustaboutbrokenalmost——musthavemanoeuvredthewholething.Ithadseemedtoherasthoughsomestrongandgentlehandhadbeenlaiduponherinthedarkness.Shenolongerfeltfriendless.Andsoon.
Thebook，heremembered，containedareferencetothemagazineinwhichthesketcheshadfirstappeared.Shewouldbesuretohavenoticedthis.Hewouldsendherhisanswer.Hedrewhischairuptotheflimsytable，andallthatnighthewrote.
Hedidnothavetothink.Itcametohim，andforthefirsttimesincethebeginningofthingshehadnofearofitsnotbeingaccepted.Itwasmostlyabouthimself，andtherestwasabouther，buttomostofthosewhoreadittwomonthslateritseemedtobeaboutthemselves.Theeditorwroteacharmingletter，thankinghimforit;butatthetimethechiefthingthatworriedhimwaswhether\"Sylvia\"hadseenit.Hewaitedanxiouslyforafewweeks，andthenreceivedhersecondletter.Itwasamorewomanlyletterthanthefirst.Shehadunderstoodthestory，andherwordsofthanksalmostconveyedtohimtheflushofpleasurewithwhichshehadreadit.
Hisfriendship，sheconfessed，wouldbeverysweettoher，andstillmoredelightfulthethoughtthathehadneedofher：thatshealsohadsomethingtogive.Shewouldwrite，ashewished，herrealthoughtsandfeelings.Theywouldneverknowoneanother，andthatwouldgiveherboldness.Theywouldbecomrades，meetingonlyindreamland.
InthiswaycommencedthewhimsicalromanceofSylviaandAstonRowant;foritwastoolatenowtochangethename——ithadbecomeanametoconjurewith.Thestories，poems，andessaysfollowednowinregularsuccession.Theanxiouslyexpectedlettersreachedhiminorderlyprocession.Theygrewininterest，inhelpfulness.Theybecamethelettersofawonderfullysane，broad—minded，thoughtfulwoman——awomanofinsight，offinejudgment.Theirpraisewasrareenoughtobeprecious.Oftentheywouldcontainjustcriticism，temperedbysympathy，lightenedbyhumour.Ofhertroubles，sorrows，fears，shecametowritelessandless，andeventhennotuntiltheywerepastandshecouldlaughatthem.Thesubtlestflatteryshegavehimwasthesuggestionthathehadtaughthertoputthesethingsintotheirproperplace.Intimate，self—revealingasherletterswere，itwascurioushenevershapedfromthemanysatisfactoryimageofthewriter.
Abrave，kind，tenderwoman.Aself—forgetting，quickly—forgivingwoman.Amany—sidedwoman，respondingtojoy，tolaughter：amerrylady，attimes.Yetbynomeansaperfectwoman.Therecouldbeflashesoftemper，onefeltthat;quiteoftenoccasionalunreasonableness;atonguethatcouldbecutting.Asweet，restful，greatlylovingwoman，butstillawoman：itwouldbewisetorememberthat.Sohereadherfromherletters.Butherself，theeyes，andhair，andlipsofher，thevoiceandlaughandsmileofher，thehandsandfeetofher，alwaystheyeludedhim.
HewasinAlaskaonespring，wherehehadgonetocollectmaterialforhiswork，whenhereceivedthelastlettersheeverwrotehim.
Theyneitherofthemknewthenitwouldbethelast.ShewasleavingLondon，sothepostscriptinformedhim，sailingonthefollowingSaturdayforNewYork，whereforthefuturesheintendedtolive.