Foryourownsakereviseit，forthereadersofyourbookwon’tbelievethatyouaretellingatruestoryanyhow；theywillsaythatyouwrotethischapterandattributedittome，andyouwillfindyourselfheldresponsibleforitsshortcomings。IhaveinsertedafewnoteshereandtherewhichwillgiveyouanideaofwhatI
sufferedasIwroteonandfoundhergrowingdailylessandlesstractable，withoccasionallyanindicationofthepointofdivergencebetweenheractualbehaviorandthatwhichIexpectedofher。\"
Toafellow—workmaninliteraryfieldsthischapterisofpatheticinterest，thoughitmaynotsoappeartothereaderwhoknowslittleofthedifficultiesofauthorship。IcanhardlyreaditmyselfwithoutafeelingofmostintensepityforpoorHarley。Icanimaginethesleeplessnightswhichfollowedtheshatteringofhishopesastowhathisstorymightbebytherecalcitrantattitudeoftheyoungwomanhehadhonoredsohighlybyselectingherforhisheroine。Icanalmostfeelthebittersenseofdisappointment，whichmusthaveburnedtotheverydepthsofhissoul，whenhefinallyrealizedhowcompletelyoverturnedwereallhisplans，andIcannotforegocallingattentiontotheconstancytohiscreedofStuartHarley，insacrificinghisopportunityratherthanhisprinciples，asshownbyhisresolutedeterminationnottoforceMissAndrewstodohisbidding，eventhoughitrequiredmerelythedippingofhispenintotheinkandtheresolutiontodoso。
Icannotblameher，however。GrantingtoHarleytherighttoacreed，MissAndrews，too，itmustbeadmitted，wasentitledtohaveviewsastohowsheoughttobehaveundergivencircumstances，andifshefoundhernotionsrunningcountertohis，itwasonlyproperthatsheshouldactaccordingtothedictatesofherownheart，ormind，orwhateverelseitmaybethatawomanreasonswith，ratherthanaccordingtohiswishes。
Astoallquestionsofthiskind，however，asbetweenthetwo，thereadermustjudge，andonedocumentinevidenceisHarley’schapter，whichraninthiswise：
AMEETING
\"Stopbeating，heart，andinamomentcalmThequestionanswer——isthis，then，myfate？\"
—PERKINS’S\"Odes。\"
AsthecorrespondentsoftheNewYorkpapershadsurmised，invitationsfortheHowlettballwereissuedonthe12th。Itisnotsurprisingthatthecorrespondentsinthisinstanceshouldbeguiltyofthatrarecrimeamongsocietyreporters，accuracy，fortheirinformationwasderivedfromaperfectlyreliablesource，Mrs。
Howlett’sbutler，inwhosehandstheaddressingoftheenvelopeshadbeenplaced——amanofimposingpresence，andofgreatvaluetotheprofessionalsnappers—upofunconsideredtriflesofsocialgossipinthepayoftheSundaynewspapers，withmanyofwhomhewasontermsofclosestintimacy。OfcourseMrs。Howlettwasnotawarethatherhouseholdcontainedapersonageofgreatjournalisticimportance，anymorethanherneighbor，Mrs。Floyd—Hopkins，wasawarethatitwashermaidwhohadfurnishedtheWeeklyJournalofSocietywiththevividaccountofthescandalousbehavior，atherlastdinner，ofMajorPompoly，whohadtobeforciblyejectedfromtheFloyd—HopkinsdomicilebythehusbandofMrs。JerniganSmith——asocialmorselwhichattractedmuchattentionseveralyearsago。Everyeffortwasmadetohushthatmatterup，andtheguestsallsworeeternalsecrecy；buttheWeeklyJournalofSocietyhadit，and，strangelyenough，haditright，initsnextissue；butthemaidwasneversuspected，eventhoughshedidappeartobepossessedofmoreamplemeansthanusualforsometimeafter。Mrs。Floyd—Hopkinspreferredtosuspectoneofherguests，and，onthewhole，wasnotsorrythatthematterhadgotabroad，foreverybodytalkedaboutit，andthroughtheepisodeherdinnerbecameoneofthehistoricbanquetsoftheseason。
TheWillards，whowerebythistimecomfortablysettledat\"TheNeedles，\"theircottageonthecliff，itishardlynecessarytostate，wereamongthoseinvited，andwiththeircardswasincludedoneforMarguerite。AddedtothecardwasapersonalnotefromMrs。
HowletttoMissAndrews，expressingtheespecialhopethatshewouldnotfailthem，allofwhichwasverygratifyingtotheyounggirl。
\"SeewhatI’vegot，\"shecried，gleefully，runningintoMrs。
Willard’s\"den\"attheheadofthebeautifuloakenstairs。
（Note。——AtthispointinHarley’smanuscriptthereisevidenceofindecisionontheauthor’spart。Hisheroinehadbeguntobotherhimatrifle。Hehadwrittenahalf—dozenlinesdescriptiveofMissAndrews’semotionsatreceivingaspecialnoteofinvitation，subsequentlyerasingthem。Theword\"gleefully\"hadbeenscratchedout，andthenrestoredinplaceof\"scornfully，\"whichhadatfirstbeensubstitutedforit。ItwasplainthatHarleywasnotquitecertainastohowmuchawomanofMissAndrews’stypewouldcareforaspecialattentionofthisnature，evenifshecaredforitatall。
Asamatteroffact，thewordchosenshouldhavebeen\"dubiously，\"
andneither\"gleefully\"nor\"scornfully\"；fortherealtruthwasthattherewasnoreasonwhyMrs。HowlettshouldsohonorMarguerite，andthegirlatoncebegantowonderifitwerenotanextraprecautionofHarley’stoassureherpresenceattheballforthebenefitofhimselfandhispublishers。TheauthorfinallywroteitasIhavegivenitabove，however，andMissAndrewsreceivedherspecialinvitation\"gleefully\"——accordingtoHarley。Heperceivesherdoubt，however，withoutcomprehendingit；forafterdescribingMrs。
Willard’sreadingofthenote，hegoeson。）
\"ThatisveryniceofMrs。Howlett，\"saidMrs。Willard，handingMargueritebackhernote。\"Itisaspecialhonor，mydear，bywhichyoushouldfeelhighlyflattered。Shedoesn’toftendothingslikethat。\"
\"Ishouldthinknot，\"saidMarguerite。\"Iamaperfectstrangertoher，andthatsheshoulddoitatallstrikesmeasbeingmostextraordinary。Itdoesn’tseemsincere，andIcan’thelpthinkingthatsomeextraneouscircumstancehasbeenbroughttobearuponhertoforcehertodoit。\"
（Note。——StuartHarleyhascommenteduponthisasfollows：\"AsIreadthisoverImustadmitthatMissAndrewswasright。WhyIhadMrs。
HowlettdosuchathingIdon’tknow，unlessitwasthatmyownadmirationformyheroineledmetobelievethatsomemorethanusualattentionwasherdue。InmyownbehalfIwillsaythatIshouldinallprobabilityhaveeliminatedorcorrectedthisfalsenotewhenI
cametotherevisionofmyproofs。\"Thechapterthenproceeds。）
\"Whatshallwewear？\"musedMrs。Willard，asMargueritefoldedMrs。
Howlett’snoteandreplaceditinitsenvelope。
\"Imustpositivelydeclinetodiscussthatquestion。Itisofnopublicinterest，\"snappedMarguerite，herfaceflushingangrily。\"Myclothingismyownbusiness，andnoone’selse。\"Shepausedamoment，andthen，inanapologetictone，sheadded，\"I’dbeperfectlywillingtotalkwithyouaboutitgenerally，mydearDorothy，butnotnow。\"
Mrs。Willardlookedatthegirlinsurprise。
（Note。——StuartHarleyhaswrittenthisinthemargin：\"Hereyouhaveoneofthesituationswhichfinallycompelledmetorelinquishthisstory。Youknowyourselfhowharditistomake30，000wordsoutofaslightsituation，andatthesametimesticktoprobability。Ihadanidea，inmappingoutthischapter，thatIcouldmakethreeorfourinterestingpages——interestingtothegirls，mindyou——outofadiscussionofwhattheyshouldwearattheHowlettdance。Itwasaperfectlynaturalsubjectfordiscussionatthetimeandunderthecircumstances。Itwouldhavebeenagoodthinginthebook，too，foritmighthaveconveyedafewwholesomehintsinthelineofgoodtasteindresswhichwouldhavemademystoryofsomevalue。Womenarealwayswritingtothepapers，asking，’WhatshallIwearhere？’
and’WhatshallIwearthere？’TheideasoftwowomenlikeMrs。
WillardandMargueriteAndrewswouldhavebeencertaintobeinteresting，elevating，andexceedinglyusefultosuchpeople，butthemomentIattemptedtoinvolvetheminthatdiscussionMissAndrewsdeclinedutterlytospeak，andIwascutoutofsomesixorsevenhundredquiteimportantwords。Ihadsupposedallwomenalikeinthatmatter，butIfindIwasmistaken；one，atleast，won’tdiscussclothes——butIdon’twonderthatMrs。Willardlookedupinsurprise。Iputthatinjusttopleasemyself，forofcoursethewholeincidentwouldhavehadtobecutoutwhenthemanuscriptwenttothetype—setter。\"Thechaptertakesanewleadhere，asfollows：）
Mrs。WillardwaspunctiliouslypromptinsendingtheacceptancesofherselfandMr。WillardtoMrs。Howlett，andatthesametimeMarguerite’sacceptancewasdespatched，althoughshewasatfirstdisposedtosendherregrets。Shewasonlymoderatelyfondofthoseinconsequentpleasureswhichmakethelifesocial。Shewasagooddancer，butamoreexcellenttalker，andshepreferredtalkingtodancing；buttheinanityofwhatareknownasstairtalksatdancesoppressedher；nordidshelookforwardwithanydegreeofpleasuretowhatwemighttermconservatoryconfidences，whichintheseluxuriousdayshavebecomesolargeafactorinterpsichoreandiversions，forMargueritewasofapracticalnature。ShehadoncechilledtheheartofayoungpoetbycallingVenicemalarious（HarleylittlerealizedwhenhewrotethishowhewouldhavesufferedhadhecarriedouthisoriginalintentionandtransplantedMargueritetotheCityoftheSea!），andaconservatorytoherwasathingformid—day，andnotformidnight。Shewasthereforenotparticularlyanxioustospendanevening——whichbeganatanaggravatinglylatehourinsteadofatareasonabletime，thankstoasocialcustomwhichhasitsfoundationinnothingshortofabsoluteinsanity——inthepursuitofnothingofgreatervaluethandancing，stairtalks，andconservatoryconfidences；butMrs。Willardsoonpersuadedherthatsheoughttogo，andgoshedid。
Itwasabeautifulnight，thatofthe22dofJuly。Newportwasatherbest。Themorninghadbeenoppressivelywarm，butalongaboutthreeintheafternoonaseriesofshortandsharpelectricalstormscame，andasquicklywent，coolingtheheatedcity，andfresheninguptheairuntilitwasasclearascrystal，andrefreshingasadraughtofcoldspring—water。
AttheHowlettmansiononBellevueAvenueallwasinreadinessfortheevent。Thecaterer’swagonshadarrivedwiththeirdaintycontents，andhadgone，andnowtheHungarianbandwassendingforthoverthecoolnightairthosebeautifulandweirdwavesofmelodywhichentrancethemostunwillingear。Aboutthebroadandspaciousgroundsfestoonedlightshungfromtreetotree；hereandtherelittlerose—scentedbowersfortete—a—tetetalkswereset；fromwithin，streamingthroughthewindowsinregalbeauty，camethelightsofthevastballroom，thereception—rooms，andthebeautifullydesigneddining—hall——latelyaddedbyyoungMorrisBlack，thearchitect，toMrs。Howlett’salreadyperfecthouse。
OntheballroomflooraresometenortwentycouplesgracefullywaltzingtothestrainsofSullivan，andinthemidstoftheseweseeMargueriteAndrewsthreadingherwayacrosstheroomwithsomedifficulty，attendedbyMr。andMrs。Willard。Theyhavejustarrived。AsMargueritewalksacrossthehallsheattractseveryone。
Thereisthataboutherwhichcommandsattention。AttheinstantofherentranceCountBonettiisonthequiVive。
\"PyChove!\"hecries，asheleansgracefullyagainstthedoorwayopeningintotheconservatory。\"Zare，mydearfriend，zatissmyideaofzetrulypeautifulwoman。Vatisshername？\"
\"ThatisMissAndrewsofNewYork，Count，\"thepersonaddressedreplies。\"SheisupherewiththeWillards。\"
\"Imusdmeedher，\"saystheCount，hiseyefollowingMargueriteasshewalksuptoMrs。Howlettandisgreetedeffusivelybythatlady。
Margueriteispale，andappearsanxious。Eventotheauthorthewaysofthewomeninhisworksareinscrutable；souponthisoccasion。
Sheispale，butIcannotsaywhy。Canitbethatshehasanintuitiveknowledgethatto—nightmaydecideherwholefuturelife？
Whocantell？Woman’sintuitionsaregreat，andtherebethosewhosaytheyareunerringlytrue。Onebyone，withtheexceptionofCountBonetti，theyoungmenamongMrs。Howlett’sguestsarepresented——Bonettipreferstoawaitamorefavorableopportunity——andtoallMargueriteappearstobethebeautifulwomansheis。Hersisaninstantsuccess。AnewbeautyhasdawnedupontheNewporthorizon。
Letusdescribeherasshestands。
（Note。——Thereisablankspacelefthere。AtfirstIthoughtitwasbecauseHarleywishedtoreflectalittlebeforedrawingapictureofsosuperbawomanasheseemedtothinkher，andgoontotheconclusionofthechapter，themainincidentsbeinghotinhismind，andthepurelydescriptivemattersmoreeasilylefttocalmermoments。Heinformsme，however，thatsuchwasnotthecase。\"WhenIcametodescribeherasshestood，\"hesaid，\"shehaddisappeared，andIhadtosearchalloverthehousebeforeIfinallyfoundherintheconservatory。SoIchangedthechaptertoreadthus：\"）
Afterahalf—hourofdancingandholdingcourt——forMarguerite’striumphwastrulythatofaqueen，itwassocomplete——MissAndrewsturnedtoMr。Willardandtookhisarm。
\"Letusgointotheconservatory，\"shesaid，inawhisper。\"IhaveheardsomuchaboutMrs。Howlett’sorchids，Ishouldliketoseethem。\"
Willard，seeingthatshewastiredandslightlyboredbytheincessantchatterofthoseabouther，escortedheroutthroughthebroaddoorintotheconservatory。AsshepassedfromtheballroomthedarkeyesofCountBonettiflasheduponher，butsheheededthemnot，movingonintothefloralbowerinapparentlysereneunconsciousnessofthatperson’spresence。HereWillardgotherachair。
\"Willyouhaveanice？\"heasked，assheseatedherselfbeneathoneoftheloftypalms。
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，simply。\"Icanwaitherealoneifyouwillgetit。\"
Willardpassedout，andsoonreturnedwiththeice；butashecamethroughthedoorwayBonettistoppedhimandwhisperedsomethinginhisear。
\"Certainly，Count，rightaway，\"Willardanswered。\"Comealong。\"
Bonettineedednosecondbidding，butfollowedWillardclosely，andsoonstoodexpectantbeforeMarguerite。
\"MissAndrews，\"saidWillard，\"mayIhavethepleasureofpresentingCountBonetti？\"
TheCount’sheadnearlycollidedwithhistoesinthebowthathemade。
\"Mr。Willard，\"returnedMissAndrews，coldly，ignoringtheCount，\"feelingasIdothatCountBonettiismerelyabogusCountwithacquisitiveinstincts，broughthere，likemyself，forliterarypurposesofwhichIcannotapprove，Imustreplytoyourquestionthatyoumaynothavethatpleasure。\"
Withwhichremark（concludesStuartHarley）MissMargueriteAndrewssweptproudlyfromtheroom，orderedhercarriage，andwenthome，therebyutterlyruiningthesecondstoryofherlifethatIhadundertakentowrite。ButIshallmakeonemoreeffort。
CHAPTERV：ANEXPERIMENT
\"AndthusI’llcurbhermadandheadstronghumor。
Hethatknowsbetterhowtotameashrew，Nowlethimspeak；’tischaritytoshow。\"
——\"TamingoftheShrew。\"
\"Whatwouldhavehappenedifshehadbehaveddifferently，Stuart？\"I
asked，afterIhadreadthepageshehadsokindlyplacedatmydisposal。
\"Oh，nothinginparticulartowhichshecouldreasonablyobject，\"
returnedHarley。\"Theincidentsofatrulyrealisticnovelarerarelyobjectionable，excepttopeopleofacaptiousnature。I
intendedtohaveBonettidanceattendanceuponMissAndrewsforthebalanceoftheseason，that’sall，hopingtherebytopresentagoodpictureoflifeatNewportinJulyandpartofAugust。AboutthemiddleofAugustIwasgoingtotransportthewholecasttoBarHarbor，forvariety’ssake。ThatwouldhavebeenanotheropportunitytogetagooddealoftheAmericansummeratmosphereintothebook。
IwishIcouldaffordthekindofsummerIcontemplatedgivingher。\"
\"Youdidn’tintendthatsheshouldfallinlovewithBonetti？\"I
asked。
\"Nottoanyseriousextent，\"saidHarley，deprecatingly。\"Evenifshehadalittle，she’dhavecomeoutofitallrightassoonastheheroturnedup，andshehadachancetoseethedifferencebetweenamanlymanofherowncountryandalittletitledfortunehunterfromthelandofmacaroni。Bonettiwasn’ttobeabadfellowatall。HewasmerelyanItalian，whichhecouldn’thelp，beingbornso，andtherefore，asshesaid，ofanacquisitivenature。Thereisnovillanyinthat，however——thatis，noreprehensiblevillany。Hewasafterarichmarriagebecausehewasfondofalifeofease。She’dhavefoundhimamusing，atanyrate。\"
\"Buthewasbogus!\"Isuggested。
\"Notatall，\"saidHarley，impatiently。\"That’swhatvexesmemorethananythingelse。Shemadeaverybadmistakethere。AsaCount，Bonettiwasquiteasrealashisfinancialnecessities。\"
\"Itwasabeastlyawkwardsituation，thatconservatoryscene，\"saidI。\"EspeciallyforWillard。TheCountmighthavechallengedhim。
WhatbecameoftheCountwhenitwasover？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidHarley。\"Ilefthimtogetoutofhispredicamentasbesthecould。PossiblyhedidchallengeWillard。I
haven’ttakenthetroubletofindout。If，asIthink，however，he’salivingperson，he’llextricatehimselffromhisdifficultyallright；ifhe’snot，andIhaveunwittinglyallowedmyselftoconjurehimupinmyfancy，there’snogreatharmdone。Ifhe’snothingmorethanamarionette，lethimfallonthefloor，andstaythereuntilI
findsomeimaginativewriterwhowilltakehimoffmyhands——you，forinstance。YoucanhaveBonettiforaChristmaspresent，withmycompliments。I’mthroughwithhim；butasforMissAndrews，shehasbeensoconfoundedlyelusivethatshehasarousedmydeepestinterest，andIcouldn’tgiveherupifIwantedto。Ineverencounteredaheroinelikeherinallmylifebefore，andtheoneobjectofmyfuturecareerwillbetocatchherfinallyinthemeshesofaromance。Romancewillcomeintoherlifesometime。Sheisnotatallofanunsentimentalnature——onlyfractious——new—womanish，perhaps；butnonethelesslovable，andCupidwillhaveashotatherwhensheleastexpectsit；andwhenitdoescome，I’llbeonhandtoreporttheattemptedassassinationforthedelectationoftheHerring，Beemer，&Chadwickpublic。\"
\"Ishouldthinkyouwouldtryalittlepersuasion，justforlarks，\"I
suggested。
\"YouforgetIamarealist，\"hereplied，ashewentout。
NowIsincerelyadmiredStuartHarley，andIwishedtothebottomofmyhearttohelphimifIcould。Itseemedtomethat，howeveradmirableMissAndrewshadshownherselftobegenerallyasawoman，shehadbeenanaltogetherunsatisfactorypersonintheroleofaheroine。Irespectedherscruplesaboutmarryingmenshedidnotcarefor，and，asIhavealreadysaid，noonecoulddenyhertherighttoherownconvictions；butitseemedtomethatintheBonettiincidentshemightandtrulyoughttohaveacteddifferentlywhenthetimecameforthepresentation。ThereisnodoubtinmymindthatherlittlespeechtoWillard，inwhichshestatedthattheCountwasafraudandmightnotbepresented，wasadeliberatelyplannedrebuff，andthereforenotinanysenseexcusable。ShecouldhaveavoideditbytellingWillardbeforeleavinghomethatshedidnotcaretomeettheCount。TomakeasceneatMrs。Howlett’swasnotathingwhichasober—minded，self—containedwomanwouldhavedone；itwasbadformtobehavesorudelytooneofMrs。Howlett’sguests，andwassoinconsiderateofWillardandunreasonableinotherwaysthatI
blamedherunreservedly。
\"Shedeservestobepunished，\"Ithoughttomyself，asHarleywentdejectedlyoutoftheroom。\"Andthereisnokindofpunishmentforawomanlikethatsogallingtohersoulastofindherselfinthehandsofarelentlessdespotwhoforcesherthiswayandthat，accordingtohiswhim。I’dliketoplayPetruciotoherKatherineforfiveminutes。She’dsoonfindoutthatI’mnotarealistboundbyacreedtowhichImustadhere。WhateverIchoosetodoIcandowithoutviolatingmyconscientiousscruples，becauseIhaven’tanyconscientiousscruplesinliterature。And，byJove，I’lldoit!
I’lltakeMissMargueriteAndrewsinhandmyselfthisveryafternoon，andI’llputherthroughacourseoftrainingthatwillmakeherruethedaysheevertrifledwithStuartHarley——andwhenhetakesherupagainshe’llbeasmeekasMoses。\"
StronginmybeliefthatIcouldbringtheyoungwomantoterms，I
wenttomydeskandtriedmyhandatastory，withMissAndrewsasitsheroine，andIwasnotparticularaboutbeingrealisticeither。
NeitherdidIgooffintoanytrancesinsearchofheroesandvillains。IdidwhatHarleycouldnotdo。IbroughttheNewYorkbacktoportthatveryday，anddespatchedRobertOsborne，thedespisedloverofthefirsttale，toNewport。
\"Sheshallhavehimwhethershelikeshimornot，\"saidI，grittingmyteethdeterminedly；\"andshewon’tknowwhethersheloveshimorCountBonettibest；andshe’llpromisetomarrybothofthem；andsheshallgotoVeniceinAugust，despiteheruncompromisingrefusaltodosoforHarley；andsheshallmeetBalderstonethere，and，nomatterwhatheropinionofhimorofhisliterarywork，sheshallbefascinatedbythestoryI’llhavehimwrite，andunderthespellofthatfascinationsheshallpromisetomarryhimalso；whereupontheWillardswillturnupandtakehertoHeidelberg，whereI’llhavehermeettheheroshecouldn’twaitforattheHowlettdance，thedespisedProfessor，andsheshallpromisetobehiswifelikewise；
andfinallyI’llputheronboardasteameratSouthampton，boundforNewYork，withMrs。Corwinandthetwins；andtheseconddayout，whensheisfeelingherveryworst，allfourofherfianceswillturnupatthesametimebesideherchair。ThenIshallleavehertogetoutofhertroublethebestwayshecan。Iimagine，aftershehashadatasteofmyliteraryregimen，she’llquitefallinlovewiththeHarleymethod，andbehaveherselfasaheroineshould。\"
IsatdownallaglowwiththeideaofbeingabletotameHarley’sheroineandplaceherinamoodmoresuitedforhispurposes。ThemoreIthoughtofhowhisfailureswereweighingonhismind，themoreviciouslyreadywasItoplaythetyrantwithMarguerite，and——
well，Imightaswellconfessitatonce，withallmyrighteousindignationagainsther，Icouldnotdoit。FivetimesIstarted，andasmanytimesdidIdestroywhatIwrote。OnthesixthtrialI
didhaultheNewYorkrelentlesslybackintoport，neverforaninstantconsideringtheinconvenienceofthepassengers，ortheprotestsoftheofficers，crew，orpostalauthorities。Thisdone，I
seizedupontheunfortunateOsborne，spiritedhisluggagethroughtheCustom—house，andsenttheshiptoseaagain。Thatpartwaseasy。I
havewrittenagreatdealforthecomicpapers，andacrobaticnonsenseofthatsortcomesalmostwithoutaneffortonmypart。
WithequaleaseIgotOsbornetoNewport——how，Idonotrecollect。
ItisjustpossiblethatItookhimthroughfromNewYorkwithoutatrain，bythemeresay—soofmypen。Atanyrate，Igothimthere，andIfullyintendedtohavehimmeetMissAndrewsatadanceattheOceanHousethedayafterhisarrival。Ievenprogressedsofarastogetupthedance。Idescribedtheroom，thedecorations，andtheband。IhadOsbornedressedandwaiting，withBonettialsodressedandwaitingontheothersideoftheroom，ScyllaandCharybdisalloveragain，butbynopossibilitycouldIforceMissAndrewstoappear。Whyitwas，Idonotpretendtobeabletosay——shemayhaveknownthatBonettiwasthere，shemayhaverealizedthatIwastryingtoforceOsborneuponher；butwhateveritwasthatenabledhertodoso，sheresistedmesuccessfully——ormypendid；forthatsituationuponwhichIhadbasedtheopeningsceneofmystoryofcompulsionI
foundbeyondmyabilitytodepict；andasHarleyhaddonebeforeme，sowasInowforcedtodo——tochangemyplan。
\"I’llhaveherrunawaywith!\"Icried，growingviciousinmywrath；
\"andbothBonettiandOsborneshallplaceherundereternalobligationsbyrushingouttostopthehorse，onefromeithersideofthestreet。She’llhavetomeetBonettithen，\"Iadded，withachuckle。
AndItriedthatplan。Asdocileasalambsheenteredthephaeton，whichIconjuredupoutofmyink—pot，andlikeaveteranJehudidsheseizethereins。IcouldnothelpadmiringherasIwroteofit—
—shewassolikeagoddess；butIdidnotrelent。Runawaywithshemustbe，andrunawaywithshewas。Butagaindidthisextraordinarywomanassertherselftomydiscomfiture；forthemomentshesawBonettirushingouttorescueherfromtheeast，shejerkedtheleftreinsoviolentlythatthehorseswervedtooneside，toppledoveronOsborne，whohadsprunggallantlytotherescuefromthewest；andBonetti，missinghisaimasthehorseturned，fellallinaheapintheroadwaytwoyardsbackofthephaeton。MissAndrewswasnothurt，butmystorywas，forshehadnotevenobservedtheunhappyOsborne；andasforBonetti，hecutsoridiculousafigurethat，Italianthoughhewas，evenheseemedawareofit，andheshrankdejectedlyoutofsight。Againhadthissupernaturallyelusiveheroineupsettheplansofonewhohadessayedtoembalmhervirtuesinaliterarymould。Icouldnotbringherintocontactwitheitherofmyheroes。
Ithrewmypendownindisgust，slammedtothecoverofmyink—well，andfortwohourspacedmadlythroughthemaze—likewalksoftheCentralPark，angryanddepressed；andfromthatmomentuntilI
undertookthenarrationofthispatheticstoryIgaveHarley’sheroineupasunavailablematerialformypurposes。Shewasworse，ifanything，inimaginativeworkthaninrealism，becausesheabsolutelydefiedtheimagination，whiletherealistshewouldbegladtohelpsolongashisrealismwaskeptinstrictaccordwithherideasofwhattherealreallywas。
ItwassomedaysbeforeIsawHarleyagain，andIthoughthelookedtiredandanxious——soanxious，indeed，thatIwasafraidhemightpossiblybeinfinancialstraits，forIknewthatforthreeweekshehadnotturnedoutanyofhisusualpot—boilers，havingbeentoobusytryingtowritethestoryforMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick。
Ithappened，oddlyenough，thatIhadtwoorthreeuncashedchecksinmypocket；so，feelinglikeamillionaire，Ibroachedthesubjecttohim。
\"What’sthematter，oldfellow？\"Isaid。\"Youseeminabluefunk。
Hasthemintstopped？Ifithas，commandme。I’moverburdenedwithchecksthisweek。\"
\"Notatall；thanksjustthesame，\"hesaid，wearily。\"MyTiffinroyaltiescameinWednesday，andI’mallrightforawhile，anyhow。\"
\"What’sup，then，Stuart？\"Iasked。\"Youlookworried。I’vejustofferedtosharemyprosperitywithyou，youmightshareyourgriefwithme。Lendmeapeckoftroubleovernight，willyou？\"
\"Oh，it’snothingmuch，\"hesaid。\"It’sthatrebelliousheroineofmine。She’sweighingonmymind，that’sall。She’sveryrealtome，thatwoman；and，byJove!I’vebeenasjealousasaloverfortwodaysoverafancythatcameintomyhead。You’lllaughwhenItellyou，butI’vebeenhalfafraidsomebodyelsewouldtakeherupand——
well，treatherbadly。Thereissomethingthattellsmethatshehasbeenforcedintosomebrutalsituationbysomebody，somewhere，withinthepasttwoorthreedays。IbelieveI’dwanttokillamanwhodidthat。\"
Ididn’tlaughathim。Iwasthemanwhowasinafairwaytogetkilledfor\"doingthat，\"andIthoughtlaughterwouldbealittlebitmisplaced；butIamnotacoward，andIdidn’tflinch。Iconfessed。
ItriedtoeasehismindbytellinghimwhatIhadattemptedtodo。
\"Itwasamistake，\"hesaid，shortly，whenIhadfinished。\"Andyoumustpromisemeonething，\"headded，veryseriously。
\"I’llpromiseanything，\"Isaid，meekly。
\"Don’tevertryanythingofthesortagain，\"hewenton，gravely。
\"Ifyouhadsucceededinwritingthatstory，andsubjectedhertoallthathorror，Ishouldneverhavespokentoyouagain。Asitis，I
realizethatwhatyoudidwasoutofthekindnessofyourheart，promptedbyadesiretobeofservicetome，andI’mjustasmuchobligedasIcanbe，onlyIdon’twantanyassistance。\"
\"Untilyouaskmeto，Stuart，\"Ireplied，\"I’llneverwriteanotherlineabouther；butyou’dbetterkeepverymumaboutheryourself，orgethercopyrighted。ThewaysheupsetthathorseonOsborne，completelyobliteratinghim，andatthesametimegettingoutofthewayofthatlittlesimianCount，inspiteofallIcoulddotoplaceherunderobligationstobothofthem，waswhattheancientswouldhavecalledacaution。Shehasmadeaslaveofmeforever，andI
venturetopredictthatifyoudon’thurryupandgetherintoabook，somebodyelsewill；andwhoeverdoeswillmakeanameforhimselfalongsideofwhichthatofSmithwillsinkintooblivion。\"
\"Countonmeforthat，\"saidhe。\"’Faintheartneverwonfairlady，’
andIdon’tintendtostopclimbingjustbecauseIfearafewmorefalls。\"
CHAPTERVI：ANOTHERCHAPTERFROMHARLEY
\"Waseverwomaninthishumourwoo’d？
Waseverwomaninthishumourwon？
I’llhaveher，——butIwillnotkeepherlong。\"
—\"RichardIII。\"
TherewasnodoubtaboutitthatHarley，truetohispurpose，wasmakingagoodfighttoconquerwithoutcompulsion，andappreciatedasmuchasIthenecessityofreducinghisheroinetoconcreteformasspeedilyaspossible，lestsomeothershouldprovemoresuccessful，andsodeprivehimofthelaurelsforwhichhehadworkedsohardandsufferedsomuch。Inhisfavorwashisdisposition。Hewasamanofgreatdetermination，andoncehesetaboutdoingsomethinghewasnotaneasymantoturnaside，andnowthat，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hefoundhimselfbaffledateverypoint，andbyaheroineofnoverygreatliteraryimportance，hebecamemoredeterminedthanever。
\"I’llconqueryet，\"hesaidtome，aweekorsolater；butthewearinesswithwhichhespokemademefearthatvictorywasafaroff。
\"I’venodoubtofit——ultimately，\"Ianswered，toencouragehim；\"butdon’tyouthinkyou’llstandabetterchanceifyouletherrestforawhile，andthenstealinuponherunawares，andcatchherlittleromanceasitflies？Sheisapparentlynervedupagainstyounow，andthemoreconscioussheisofyoureffortstoputheronpaper，themoreshewillrebel。Infact，herrebelliousnesswillbecomemoreandmoreamatterofwhimthanofprinciple，unlessyouletuponherforalittlewhile。Halfofheroppositionnowstrikesmeasobstinacy，andthemoreyoutrytobreakherspirit，eventhoughyoudoitgently，themorestubbornwillshebecome。Putthisbookasideforafewweeksanyhow。Whynottacklesomethingelse？You’ddobetterwork，too，afteralittlevariety。\"
\"ThismustbefinishedbySeptember1st，that’swhynot，\"saidStuart。\"I’vepromisedHerring，Beemer，&Chadwicktosendthemthecompletedmanuscriptbythattime。Besides，noheroineofmineshalleversaythatsheswervedmefromdoingwhatIhavesetaboutdoing。
ItisnoworneverwithMargueriteAndrews。\"
SoIlefthimathisdesk，andforaweekwasbusywithmyownaffairs。LatethefollowingFridaynightIdroppedinatHarley’sroomstoseehowmatterswereprogressing。AsIenteredIsawhimathisdesk，hisbackturnedtowardsme，silhouettedinthelamp—light，scratchingawayfuriouslywithhispen。
\"Ah!\"Ithought，asmyeyetookinthepicture，\"itgoesatlast。I
guessIwon’tdisturbhistrainofthought。\"
AndItriedtostealsoftlyout，forhehadnotobservedmyentrance。
Asluckwouldhaveit，IsteppeduponthesillofthedoorasI
passedout，anditcreaked。
\"Hello!\"criedHarley，wheelingaboutinhischair，startledbythesound。
\"Oh!It’syou，isit？\"headded，asherecognizedme。\"Whatareyouupto？Comebackhere。Iwanttoseeyou。\"
Hismannerwascheerful，butIcouldseethatthecheerfulnesswasassumed。Thecolorhadcompletelylefthischeeks，andgreatringsunderhiseyesbetokenedwearinessofspirit。
\"Ididn’twanttodisturbyou，\"saidI，returning。\"Youseemtohaveyourpenonacleartrack，withfullsteamup。\"
\"Ihad，\"hesaid，quietly。\"IwasjustfinishingupthatHerring，Beemer，&Chadwickbusiness。\"
\"Aha!\"Icried，graspinghishandandshakingit。\"Icongratulateyou。Successatlast，eh？\"
\"Well，I’vegotsomethingdone——andthat’sit，\"hesaid，andhetossedtheletterblockuponwhichhehadbeenwritingacrossthetabletome。\"Readthat，andtellmewhatyouthinkofit。\"
Ireaditovercarefully。ItwasalettertoMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，inwhichStuartaskedtoberelievedofthecommissionhehadundertaken：
\"Ifindmyselfutterlyunabletocompletetheworkinthestipulatedtime，\"hewrote，\"forreasonsentirelybeyondmycontrol。NorcanI
atthiswritingsaywithanydegreeofcertaintywhenIshallbeabletofinishthestory。Ihavemadeconstantandconscientiousefforttocarryoutmyagreementwithyou，butfruitlessly，andIbegthatyouwillrelievemeoftheobligationintowhichIenteredatthesigningofourcontract。OfcourseIcouldsendyousomethinglongenoughtocovertherequiredspace——wordscomeeasyenoughforthat——
buttheresultwouldbeunsatisfactorytoyouandinjurioustomewereItodoso。Pleaseletmehearfromyou，releasingmefromtheobligation，atyourearliestconvenience，asIamabouttoleavetownforafortnight’srest。Regrettingmyinabilitytoserveyouatthistime，andhopingsoontobeabletoavailmyselfofyourverykindoffer，Ibegtoremain，\"Yoursfaithfully，\"STUARTHARLEY。\"
\"Oh!\"saidI。\"You’vefinishedit，then，by——\"
\"Bygivingitup，\"saidhe，sadly。
\"It’sthestrangestthingthateverhappenedtome，butthatgirlisimpossible。Itakeupmypenintendingtosaythatshedidthis，andbeforeIknowitshedoesthat。Icannotcontrolmystoryatall，norcanIperceiveinwhatgivendirectionshewillgo。IfIcould，Icouldarrangemyscenariotosuit，butasitis，Icannotgoon。
Itmaycomelater，butitwon’tcomenow，andI’mgoingtogiveherup，andgodowntoBarnegattofishfortendays。Ihatetogivethebookup，though，\"headded，tappingthetablewithhispen—holderreflectively。\"Chadwick’sanawfullygoodfellow，andhisfirmisoneofthebestinthecountry，liberalandallthat，andhereatmyfirstopportunitytogetontheirlist，I’mcompletelyfloored。It’sbeastlyhardluck，Ithink。\"
\"Don’tbefloored，\"saidI。\"Takemyadviceandtacklesomethingelse。Writesomeotherbook。\"
\"That’sthedevilofit!\"hereplied，angrilypoundingthetablewithhisfist。\"Ican’t。I’vetried，andIcan’t。Mymindisfullofthatwoman。IfIdon’tgetridofherI’mruined——I’llhavetogetapositionasasalesmansomewhere，orstarve，foruntilsheiscaughtbetweengoodstiffboardcoversIcan’twriteanotherline。\"
\"Oh，youtaketooseriousaviewofit，Stuart，\"Iventured。\"You’remadandtirednow。Idon’tblameyou，ofcourse，butyoumustn’tberash。Don’tsendthatletteryet。Waituntilyou’vehadtheweekatBarnegat——you’llfeelbetterthen。Youcanwritethebookintendaysafteryourreturn；orifyoustillfindyoucan’tdoit，itwillbetimeenoughtowithdrawthen。\"
\"Whathopeisthereafterthat？\"hecried，tossingabundleofmanuscriptintomylap。\"Justreadthat，andtellmewhat’stheuse。
I’dmappedoutameetingbetweenMargueriteAndrewsandacertainMr。
ArthurParker，afellowwithwealth，position，brains，goodlooks——inshort，everythingagirlcouldaskfor，andthat’swhatcameofit。\"
Ispreadthepagesoutuponthetablebeforemeandread：
CHAPTERIV：ADECLARATION
\"IhavenotseenSolikelyanambassadoroflove。\"
—\"MerchantofVenice。\"
Parkermountedthestepslightlyandrangthebell。Marguerite’skindnessofthenightbefore，whichwasinmarkedcontrasttohercoolnessattheMacFarlanddance，hadledhimtobelievethathewasnotwhollywithoutinteresttoher，andherinvitationthatheshouldcalluponherhadgivenhimasincerepleasure；infact，hewonderedthatheshouldbesopleasedoversotrivialacircumstance。
\"I’mafraidI’velostmyheartagain，\"hesaidtohimself。\"Thatis，againifIeverlostitbefore，\"headded。
AndhismindrevertedtoalittleepisodeatBarHarborthesummerbefore，andhewasnotsorrytofeelthatthatwoundwascured——
though，asamatteroffact，ithadneveramountedtomorethanascratch。
Amomentlaterthedooropened，andParkerentered，inquiringforMissAndrewsashedidso。
\"Idonotknow，butIwillseeifMissAndrewsisathome，\"saidthebutler，usheringhimintotheparlor。ThatimposingindividualknewquitewellthatMissAndrewswasathome，buthealsoknewthatitwasnothisplacetosaysountiltheyoungladyhadpersonallyassuredhimofthefactsinsofarastheyrelatedtothisparticularcaller。AllwentwellforParker，however。MissAndrewsconsentedtobeathometohim，andfiveminuteslatersheenteredthedrawingroomwhereParkerwasseated。
\"Howdoyoudo？\"shesaid，frigidly，ignoringhisoutstretchedhand。
（\"Thinkofthat，willyou？\"interposedHarley。\"He’dcometopropose，andwastoleaveengaged，andsheinsistsuponopeninguponhimfrigidly，ignoringhisoutstretchedhand。\"
Icouldn’thelpsmiling。\"Whydidyouletherdoit？\"Iasked。
\"IcouldnomorehavechangeditthanIcouldfly，\"returnedStuart。
\"Sheoughtnevertohavebeenathomeifshewasgoingtobehavethatway。Icouldn’tforeseetheincident，andbeforeIknewitthat’sthewayithappened。ButIthoughtIcouldfixituplater，soI
wenton。Readalong，andseewhatIgotletintonext。\"
Iproceededtoreadasfollows：）
\"Yousee，\"saidParker，withanadmiringglanceathereyes，inspiteofthefactthatthecoolnessofherreceptionratherabashedhim——
\"yousee，Ihavenotdelayedverylongincoming。\"
\"SoIperceive，\"returnedMarguerite，withaboredmanner。\"That’swhatIsaidtoMrs。WillardasIcamedown。Youdon’tallowyourfriendsmuchleeway，Mr。Parker。Itdoesn’tseemmorethanfiveminutessinceweweretogetheratthecardparty。\"
（\"That’scordial，eh？\"saidHarley，asIread。\"Nicesortoftalkforaheroinetoahero。Makesiteasyforme，eh？\"
\"Imustsayifyoumanagetogetaproposalinnowyou’reagenius，\"
saidI。
\"Oh——asforthat，IgotrecklesswhenIsawhowthingsweregoing，\"
returnedHarley。\"Ilostmytemper，andtookitoutofpoorParker。
Heproposes，asyouwillseewhenyoucometoit；butitisn’trealism——it’scompulsion。Isimplyforcedhimintoit——poordevil。
Butgoonandreadforyourself。\"
Ididso，asfollows：）
ThiswashardlythetreatmentParkerhadexpectedatthehandsofonewhohadbeenundeniablygracioustohimatthecard—tablethenightbefore。Hehadreceivedthenoticethatshewastobehispartneratthetableswithmisgivings，onhisarrivalatMrs。Stoughton’s，becausehisrecollectionofherbehaviortowardshimattheMacFarlanddancehadledhimtobelievethathewaspersonallydistastefultoher；butastheeveningatcardsprogressedhefeltinstinctivelydrawntowardsher，andhervivacityofmanner，clevernessatrepartee，andextremeamiabilitytowardshimselfhadcompletelywonhisheart，whichvictorytheirlittletete—a—teteduringsupperhadconfirmed。Buthere，thismorning，wasreversiontoherfirstattitude。
Whatcoulditmean？Whyshouldshetreathimso？
（\"Icouldn’tanswerthatquestiontosavemylife，\"saidStuart。
\"Thatis，notthen，butIfoundoutlater。Iputitin，however，andletParkerdrawhisownconclusions。I’dhavehelpedhimoutifI
could，butIcouldn’t。Goonandseeforyourself。\"
Iresumed。）
Parkercouldnotsolvetheproblem，butitpleasedhimtobelievethatsomethingoverwhichhehadnocontrolhadgonewrongthatmorning，andthatthishaddisturbedherequanimity，andthathewasmerelythevictimofcircumstances；andsomehoworotheritpleasedhimalsotothinkthathecouldbethevictimofhercircumstances，sohestoodhisground。
\"Itisabeautifulday，\"hebegan，afterapause。
\"Isit？\"sheasked，indifferently。
（\"Frightfullysnubbish，\"saidI，appalledatthelengthstowhichMissAndrewswasgoing。
\"Dreadfully，\"sighedHarley。\"Andsounlikeher，too。\"）
\"Yes，\"saidParker，\"soverybeautifulthatitseemedapitythatyouandIshouldstayindoors，withplentyofwalkstobetakenand——\"
Margueriteinterruptedhimwithasarcasticlaugh。
\"Withsomuchpityandsomanywalks，Mr。Parker，whydon’tyoutakeafewofthem!\"shesaid。
（\"GoodLord!\"saidI。\"Thisistheworstactofrebellionyet。Sheseemsbesideherself。\"
\"Readon!\"saidHarley，insepulchraltones。）
ThiswasParker’sopportunity。\"Iamnotfondofwalking，MissAndrews，\"hesaid；andthenheadded，quickly，\"thatis，alone——I
don’tlikeanythingalone。Livingalone，likewalkingalone，is——\"
\"Let’sgowalking，\"saidMarguerite，shortly，assheroseupfromherchair。\"I’llbedownintwominutes。Ionlyneedtoputmyhaton。\"
Parkeracquiesced，andMissAndrewswalkedmajesticallyoutoftheparlorandwentup—stairs。
\"Confoundit!\"mutteredParker，asshelefthim。\"Aminutemore，andI’dhaveknownmyfate。\"
（\"Yousee，\"saidHarley，\"I’dmadeupmymindthatthatproposalshouldtakeplaceinthatchapter，andIthoughtI’dworkedrightuptoit，inspiteofallMissAndrews’sdisagreeableremarkswhen，pop—
—offshegoestoputonherhat。\"
\"Oh——asforthat——that’sallright，\"saidI。\"Parkerhadsuggestedthewalk，andagirlreallydoesliketostaveoffaproposalaslongasshecanwhensheknowsitissuretocome。Furthermore，itgivesyouachancetodescribethehat，andsomakeupforafewofthewordsyoulostwhensherefusedtodiscussball—dresseswithMrs。
Willard。\"
\"Ineverthoughtofthat；butdon’tyouthinkIworkeduptotheproposalskilfully？\"askedHarley。
\"Very，\"saidI。\"Butyou’redreadfullyhardonParker。Itwouldhavebeenbettertohavehadthebutlerfirehimout，headoverheels。Hecouldhavethrashedthebutlerfordoingthat，butwithyourheroinehishandsweretied。\"
\"Goonandread，\"saidHarley。）
\"ShemusthaveknownwhatIwasdrivingat，\"Parkerreflected，asheawaitedherreturn。\"Possiblyshelovesmeinspiteofthisfrigidbehavior。Thismaybehermethodofconcealingit；butifitis，I
mustconfessit’sacaseof’Perhapsitwasrighttodissembleyourlove，But——whydidyoukickmedown—stairs？’
Certainly，knowing，asshenowmust，whatmyfeelingsare，herbeingwillingtogoforawalkonthecliffs，oranywhere，isafavorablesign。
（\"Parkermerelyechoedmyownhopeinthatremark，\"saidHarley。\"IfIcouldgetthemengaged，Iwassatisfiedtodoitinanywaythatmightbepleasingtoher。\"）
AmomentlaterMargueriteappeared，arrayedforthewalk。Parkerroseassheenteredandpickeduphisgloves。
\"Youareaperfectpicturethismorning，\"saidhe。
\"I’mready，\"shesaid，shortly，ignoringthecompliment。\"Wherearewescheduledtowalk？——orarewetohavesomethingtosayaboutitourselves？\"
Parkerlookedatherwithawonderingsmile。Theaptnessoftheremarkdidnotstrikehim。However，hewasequaltotheoccasion。
\"Youdon’tbelieveinfreewill，then？\"heasked。
（\"Itwastheonlyintelligentremarkhecouldmake，underthecircumstances，yousee，\"explainedHarley。
\"Hewasacleverfellow，\"saidI，andresumedreading。）
\"Ibelieveinagreatmanythingswearesupposedtodowithout，\"
saidMarguerite，sharply。
Theyhadreachedthestreet，andinsilencewalkedalongBellevueAvenue。
\"Thereareagreatmanythings，\"vouchsafedParker，astheyturnedoutoftheavenuetothecliffs，\"thatmenaresupposednottodowithout——\"
\"Yes，\"saidMarguerite，sharply——\"vices。\"
\"Ididnotrefertothem，\"laughedParker。\"Infact，MissAndrews，theheartofmanissupposedtobeincompleteuntilhehaslostit，andhassucceededingettinganotherforhisvery——\"
\"AreyouanadmirerofMaxNordau？\"interposedMarguerite，quickly。
（\"Whateverledyoutoputthatin？\"Iasked。
\"Goon，andyou’llsee，\"saidHarley。\"Ididn’tputitin。It’swhatshesaid。I’mnotresponsible。\"）
\"Idon’tknowanythingaboutMaxNordau，\"saidParker，somewhatsurprisedatthissuddenturnoftheconversation。
\"AreyoufamiliarwithSchopenhauer？\"sheasked。
（\"Itwasawfullyroughonthepoorfellow，\"saidHarley，\"butI
couldn’thelphim。I’dforcedhiminsofarthatIcouldn’tgethimout。HisanswerflooredmeascompletelyasanythingthatMissAndrewseverdid。\"）
\"Schopenhauer？\"saidParker，nonplussed。\"Ohyes，\"headded，anideadawningonhismind。\"Thatistosay，moderatelyfamiliar——though，asamatteroffact，I’mnotatallmusical。\"
MissAndrewslaughedimmoderately，inwhichParker，thinkingthathehadpossiblysaidsomethingwitty，althoughhedidnotknowwhatitwas，joined。Inamomentthelaughtersubsided，andforafewminutesthetwowalkedoninsilence。FinallyParkerspoke，resignedly。
\"MissAndrews，\"hesaid，\"perhapsyouhavenoticed——perhapsnot——thatyouhavestronglyinterestedme。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，turninguponhimdesperately。\"Ihavenoticedit，andthatiswhyIhaveontwoseparateoccasionstriedtokeepyoufromsayingso。\"
\"AndwhyshouldInottellyouthatIlove——\"beganParker。
\"Becauseitishopeless，\"retortedMarguerite。\"Iamperfectlywellaware，Mr。Parker，whatwearedownfor，andIsupposeIcannotblameyouforyourpersistence。Perhapsyoudon’tknowanybetter；perhapsyoudoknowbetter，butarewillingtogiveyourselfoverunreservedlyintothehandsofanother；perhapsyouarebeingforcedandcannothelpyourself。Itisjustpossiblethatyouareaprofessionalhero，andfeelunderobligationstoyouremployertofollowouthiswishestotheletter。Howeveritmaybe，youhavetwiceessayedtocometothepoint，andIhavetwicetriedtoturnyouaside。Nowitistimetospeaktruthfully。Iadmireandlikeyouverymuch，butIhaveawillofmyown，amnobody’spuppet，andifStuartHarleyneverwritesanotherbookinhislife，heshallnotmarrymetoamanIdonotlove；and，frankly，Idonotloveyou。I
donotknowifyouareawareofthefact，butitistrueneverthelessthatyouarethethirdfiancehehastriedtothrustuponmesinceJuly3d。Liketheothers，ifyouinsistuponblindlyfollowinghiswill，andproposemarriagetome，youshallgobytheboard。Ihavewarnedyou，andyoucannowdoasyouplease。Youweresaying——？\"
\"ThatIloveyouwithallmysoul，\"saidParker，grimly。
（\"Hedidn’treallyloveherthen，youknow，\"saidHarley。\"He’dbeencuredofthatinfiveminutes。ButIwasresolvedthatheshouldsayit，andhedid。That’showhecametosayitgrimly。Hediditjustasasoldierrushesuptothecannon’smouth。Headded，also：\"）
\"Willyoubemywife？\"
\"Mostcertainlynot，\"saidMarguerite，turningonherheel，andleavingtheyoungmantofinishhiswalkalone。
（\"Andthen，\"saidHarley，withachuckle，\"Parker’smanhoodwouldassertitselfinspiteofallIcoulddo。Hemadeananswer，whichI
wrotedown。\"
\"Isee，\"saidI，\"butyou’vescratcheditout。Whatwasthatline？\"
\"’\"ThanktheLord!\"saidParkertohimself，asMissAndrewsdisappearedaroundthecorner，’\"saidStuartHarley。\"That’swhatI
wrote，andIflattermyselfontherealismofit，forthat’sjustwhatanyself—respectingherowouldhavesaidunderthecircumstances。\"
Asilencecameoverus。
\"DoyouwonderI’vegivenitup，\"askedStuart，afterawhile。
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"Ido。Suchoppositionwouldnervemeuptoabattleroyal。Iwouldn’tgiveitupuntilI’dreturnedfromBarnegat，ifI
wereyou，\"Iadded，anxioustohavehimrenewhisefforts；foranideahadjustflashedacrossmymind，which，althoughitinvolvedabreachoffaithonmypart，Ineverthelessbelievedtobegoodandjustifiable，sinceitmightrelieveStuartHarleyofhisembarrassment。
\"Verywell，\"Irejoicedtohearhimsay。\"Iwon’tgiveitupuntilthen，butIhaven’tmuchhopeafterthatlastchapter。\"
SoHarleywenttoBarnegat，afterdestroyinghislettertoMessrs。
Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，whilstIputmybreachoffaithintooperation。）
CHAPTERVII：ABREACHOFFAITH
\"Havingsworntoohard—a—keepingoath，Studytobreakit，andnottobreakmytroth。\"
—\"Love’sLabor’sLost。\"
WhenIassuredHarleythatIshouldkeepmyhandsoffhisheroineuntilherequestedmetodootherwise，aftermyfruitlessattempttodisciplineherintoalessrefractorymood，Ifullyintendedtokeepmypromise。Shewashis，asfarasshepossessedanyvalueasliterarymaterial，andhehadascleararighttoherexclusiveuseasifshehadbeencopyrightedinhisname——atleastsofarashisfriendswereconcernedhehad。Othersmightmakeuseofherforliterarypurposeswithaclearconscienceiftheychosetodoso，butthehandofafriendmustbestayed。Furthermore，myownexperiencewiththeyoungwomanhadnotbeensuccessfulenoughtoleadmetobelievethatIcouldconquerwhereHarleyhadbeenvanquished。
PhysicalforceIhadfoundtobeunavailing。ShewastoocunningtostumbleintoanyofthepitfallsthatwithallmyimaginationIcouldconjureuptoembarrassher；butsomethinghadtobedone，andInowresolveduponacourseofmoralsuasion，andwhollyforHarley’ssake。Themanwasactuallysufferingbecauseshehadsopersistentlydefiedhim，andhisdiscomfiturewasallthemoredeplorablebecauseitmeantlittleshortoftheruinofhislifeandambitions。Theproblemhadtobesolvedorhiscareerwasatanend。Harleynevercoulddotwothingsatonce。Thetaskhehadinhandalwaysabsorbedhiswholebeinguntilhewasabletowritethewordfinisonthelastpageofhismanuscript，anduntilthefinistothiselusivebookhewasnowstrugglingwithwaswritten，Iknewthathewouldwritenoother。Hispot—boilershecoulddo，ofcourse，andsoearnaliving，butpot—boilersdestroyratherthanmakereputations，andHarleywastooyoungamantorestuponpastachievements；neitherhadhedonesuchvastlysuperiorworkthathisfamecouldwithstandmuchdiminutionbythecontinuousproductionofephemera。ItwasthereforeinthehopeofsavinghimthatIbrokefaithwithhimandtemporarilystolehisheroine。Ididnotdreamofusingheratall，asyoumightthink，asaheroineofmyown，butratherasaninterestingpersonwithideasastothedutyofheroines——asortofPastGrandMistressoftheArtofHeroinism——whowasworthinterviewingforthedailypress。Iflattermyselfitwasagoodidea，worthyalmostofagenius，thoughIamperfectlywellawarethatIamnotagenius。Iammerelyamanofexceptionaltalent。I
havetalentenoughforagenius，butnotastefortheunconventional，andbyjustsomuchdoIfallshortoftherealizationofthehopesofmyfriendsandfearsofmyenemies。TherearestoriesIhaveinmindthatareworthyofthemostexaltedFrenchmasters，forinstance，andwhenIhavethetimetobecareful，whichIrarelydo，IcanwritewiththepolishedgraceofaDeMaupassantoraJames，butIshallneverwritethem，becauseIvaluemysocialpositiontoohighlytoputmynametoanythingwhichitwouldneverdotopublishoutsideofParis。Idonotcaretoprovemygeniusatthecostoftherespectofmyneighbors——allofwhich，however，isforeigntomystory，andisputinheremerelybecauseIhaveobservedthatreadersareverymuchinterestedintheirfavoriteauthors，andliketoknowasmuchaboutthemastheycan。
Myplan，totakeupthethreadofmynarrativeoncemore，was，briefly，towriteaninterviewbetweenmyself，asarepresentativeofanewspapersyndicate，andMissMargueriteAndrews，the\"Well—KnownHeroine。\"Ithasbeenquitecommonoflateyearstointerviewthemodelsofwell—knownartists，sothatitdidnotrequiretoogreatastretchoftheimaginationtomakemyschemeareasonableone。Itmustberemembered，too，thatIhadnointentionofusingthisinterviewformyownaggrandizement。Iplanneditsolelyintheinterestsofmyfriend，hopingthatImightsecurefromMissAndrewssomeunguardedadmissionthatmightoperateagainstherownprinciples，asHarleyandIknewthem，andthat，thatsecured，I
mightinducehertofollowmeeklyhisscheduleuntilhecouldbringhisstorytoareasonableconclusion。Failinginthis，Iwasgoingtotryanddiscoverwhatstyleofmanitwassheadmiredmost，whatmightbeherideasoftheromanceinwhichshewouldmostliketofigure，andallthat，sothatIcouldgiveHarleyafewpointswhichwouldenablehimsotoconstructhisromancethathisheroinewouldwalkthroughitaseasilyandasdocilelyasonecouldwish。
Finally，allotherthingsfailing，IwasgoingtothrowHarleyonhergenerosity，callattentiontothefactthatshewasruininghimbyherstubbornbehavior，andaskhertosubmittoalittletemporaryinconvenienceforhissake。
AsIhavealreadysaid，somustIrepeat，therewasgeniusintheidea，butIwasforcedtorelinquishcertainfeaturesofit，aswillbeseenshortly。Itookupmypen，andwiththreeboldstrokesthereoftransportedmyselftoNewport，andgoingdirectlytotheWillardCottage，Irangthebell。MissAndrewswasstillelusive。
Withalltheresourcesofimaginationathand，andwithnotanobstacleinmywaythatIcouldnotclearatabound，shestillheldmeatbay。Shewasnotathome——had，infact，departedtwodayspreviouslyfortheWhiteMountains。Fortunately，however，thebutlerknewheraddress，and，withoutbotheringabouttrains，luggage，oraughtelse，inonebriefparagraphIlandedmyselfattheProfileHouse，whereshewasspendingaweekwithMr。andMrs。RushtonofBrooklyn。Thischangeoflocationcausedmetomodifymyfirstidea，toitsadvantage。Isaw，whenIthoughtthematterover，that，onthewhole，theinterview，asaninterviewforanewspapersyndicate，waslikelytobenippedinthebud，sincethemomentIdeclaredmyselfareporterforasetofnewspapers，andstatedtheobjectofmycall，shewouldprobablydismissmewiththestatementthatshewasnotaprofessionalheroine，thatherviewswereofnointeresttothepublic，andthat，nothavingthepleasureofmyacquaintance，shemustbegtobeexcused。IwonderIdidn’tthinkofthisattheoutset。IsurelyknewHarley’sheroinewellenoughtohaveforeseenthispossibility。Irealizedit，however，themomentIdroppedmyselfintothegreathomelikeofficeoftheProfileHouse。MissAndrewswalkedthroughtheofficetothedining—roomasIregistered，andasIturnedtogazeuponherasshepassedmajesticallyon，itflashedacrossmymindthatitwouldbefarbettertoappearbeforeherasafellow—guest，andfindoutwhatIwantedandtellherwhyI
hadcomeinthatguise，ratherthanintroducemyselfasoneofthoseyoungmenwhoearntheirdailybreadbypokingtheirnosesintootherpeople’sbusiness。
Hadthiscoursebeenbaseduponanythingmoresolidthanapurebitofimagination，Ishouldhavefounditdifficulttoaccommodatemyselfsoeasilytocircumstances。IfithadbeenHarleyinsteadofmyself，itwouldhavebeenimpossible，forHarleywouldneverhavestoopedtoprovidehimselfwithatrunkcontainingfreshlinenandevening—dressclothesandpatent—leatherpumpsbyastrokeofhispen。ThisIdid，however，andthatevening，havingcreatedanotherguest，whoknewmeofoldandwhoalsowasacquaintedwithMissAndrews，justasIhadcreatedmyexcellentwardrobe，Iwaspresented。
Theeveningpassedpleasantlyenough，andIfoundHarley’sheroinetobeallthathehadtoldmeandagreatdealmorebesides。Infact，sogreatlydidIenjoyhersocietythatIintentionallyprolongedtheeveningtoaboutthreetimesitsnormallength——whichwasaveryinartisticbitofexaggeration，Iadmit；butthenIdon’tpretendtobearealist，andwhenIsitdowntowriteIcanmakemyeveningsaslongorasshortasIchoose。Iwillsay，however，that，longasmyeveningwas，Imadeitgothroughitswholelengthwithouthavingrecoursetosuchcopy—makingsubterfugesasthedescriptionofdoorknobsandchairs；andexceptforitsunholylength，itwasnotatalllackinginrealism。MissAndrewsfascinatedmeandseemedtofindmerathergoodcompany，andIfoundmyselfsuggestingthatasthenextdaywasSundayshetakemeforawalk。FromwhatIknewofHarley’sexperiencewithher，Ijudgedshe’dbemorelikelytogoifIaskedhertotakemeinsteadofofferingtotakeher。Itwasasubtledistinction，butwithsomewomensubtledistinctionsarechasmswhichmenmustnottrytooverleaptoovaingloriously，lestdisasterovertakethem。Mybitofsubtletyworkedlikeacharm。
MissAndrewsgraciouslyacceptedmysuggestion，andIretiredtomycouchfeelingcertainthatduringthatwalktoBaldMountain，oraroundtheLake，ordowntotheFarm，orwhereverelseshemightchoosetotakeme，IcoulddomuchtohelppoorStuartoutofthepredicamentintowhichhislucklesschoiceofMissAndrewsashisheroinehadplungedhim。AndIwasn’tfarwrong，astheeventtranspired，althoughthemannerinwhichitworkedoutwasnotexactlyaccordingtomyschedule。
Idismissedthenightwithafewparagraphs；themorning，withitsdivineserviceintheparlor，wentquicklyandimpressively；foritISanimpressivesighttoseegatheredbeneaththosetoweringcliffsahundredormoreofpleasureandhealthseekersofdifferentcreedsworshippingheartilyandsimplytogether，asaccordantlyasthoughtheyknewnodifferencesandallmenwerepossessedofonecommonreligion——itwastooimpressive，indeed，formypen，whichhasbeenlargelygivenovertomattersoflessmoment，andIdidnotventuretotouchuponit，passinghastilyovertotheafternoon，whenMissAndrewsappeared，readyforthestroll。
Igazedatheradmiringlyforamoment，andthenIbegan：
\"Isthatthecostumeyouwore\"——Iwasgoingtosay，\"whenyourejectedParker？\"butIfortunatelycaughtmyerrorintimetopassitoff——\"atNewport？\"Ifinished，withahalfgaspatthenarrownessofmyescape；for，itmustberemembered，Iwassupposedasyettoknownothingofthatepisode。
\"HowdoyouknowwhatIworeatNewport？\"sheasked，quickly——soquicklythatIalmostfearedshehadfoundmeout，afterall。
\"Why——ah——Ireadaboutyousomewhere，\"Istammered。\"Somenewspapercorrespondentdrewapictureofthesceneonthepromenadeintheafternoon，and——ah——hehadyoudown。\"
\"Oh!\"shereplied，archinghereyebrows；\"thatwasit，wasit？Anddoyouwasteyourvaluabletimereadingthevulgareffusionsofthesocietyreporter？\"
Wasn’tIgladthatIhadnotcomeasamanwithanosetoprojectintotheaffairsofothers——asanewspaperreporter!
\"No，indeed，\"Irejoined，\"notgenerally；butIhappenedtoseethisparticularitem，andreaditandrememberedit。Afterall，\"Iadded，aswecametothesylvanpaththatleadstotheLake——\"afterall，onemightaswellreadthatsortofstuffasmostofthenovelsofthepresentday。Thevulgarreportermaybeignorantoraboor，andallthatisreprehensibleinhismethods，buthewritesaboutrealfleshandbloodpeople；and，whatisworse，hegenerallyapproximatesthetruthconcerningtheminhiswriting，whichismorethancanbesaidoftheso—calledrealisticnovelwritersoftheday。Ihaven’treadanovelinthreeyearsinwhichithasseemedtomethattheheroine，forinstance，wasanythingmorethanamarionette，withnowillofherown，andreadytodoatanytimeanyfoolishthingtheauthorwantedhertodo。\"
AgainthoseeyesofMissAndrewsrestedonmeinamannerwhichgavemeconsiderableapprehension。Thenshelaughed，andIwasateaseagain。
\"Youareveryamusing，\"shesaid，quietly。\"Themostamusingofthemall。\"
Theremarknettledme，andIquicklyretorted：
\"ThenIhavenotlivedinvain。\"
\"Youdoreallylive，then，eh？\"sheasked，halfchaffingly，gazingatmeoutofthecornersofhereyesinafashionwhichutterlydisarmedme。
\"Excuseme，MissAndrews，\"Ianswered，\"butIamafraidIdon’tunderstandyou。\"
\"Iamafraidyoudon’t，\"shesaid，thesmileleavingherlips。\"Thefactthatyouarehereontheerrandyouhavechargedyourselfwithprovesthat。\"
\"Iamnotaware，\"Isaid，\"thatIhavecomeonanyparticularlyridiculouserrand。MayIaskyouwhatyoumeanbytheexpression’mostamusingofthemall’？AmIoneamongmany，and，ifso，onewhatamongmanywhat？\"
\"Yourerrandisagoodone，\"shesaid，gravely，\"andnotatallridiculous；letmeassureyouthatIappreciatethatfact。YourquestionIwillanswerbyaskinganother：Areyouhereofyourownvolition，orhasStuartHarleycreatedyou，ashedidMessrs。
Osborne，Parker，andtheProfessor？Areyoumynewhero，orwhat？\"
Thequestionirritatedme。Thiswomanwasnotcontentwithinterferingseriouslywithmyfriend’shappiness：shewasactuallyattributingmetohim，castingdoubtsuponmyexistence，andplacingmeinthesamecategorywithherself——amerebookcreature。Toamanwhoregardshimselfasbeingtherealthing，fleshandblood，and，well，eighteen—caratfleshandbloodatthat，tobeaccusedoflivingonlyafigmentaryexistenceistoomuch。Iretortedangrily。
\"Ifyouconsidermenothingmorethananidea，youdonotmanifestyourusualastuteness，\"Isaid。
Herreplylaidmeflat。