\"IthoughtIsawyouinMacConnell’sboxwithMainhalloneevening，butIsupposedyouhadlefttownbeforethis。\"
Shelookedathimfranklyandcordially，asifhewereindeedmerelyanoldfriendwhomshewasgladtomeetagain。
\"No，I’vebeenmooningabouthere。\"
Hildalaughedgayly。\"Mooning!Iseeyoumooning!Youmustbethebusiestmanintheworld。Timeandsuccesshavedonewellbyyou，youknow。You’rehandsomerthaneverandyou’vegainedagrandmanner。\"
Alexanderblushedandbowed。\"Timeandsuccesshavebeengoodfriendstobothofus。
Aren’tyoutremendouslypleasedwithyourself？\"
Shelaughedagainandshruggedhershoulders。
\"Oh，so—so。ButIwanttohearaboutyou。
SeveralyearsagoIreadsuchalotinthepapersaboutthewonderfulthingsyoudidinJapan，andhowtheEmperordecoratedyou。
Whatwasit，CommanderoftheOrderoftheRisingSun？Thatsoundslike`TheMikado。’Andwhataboutyournewbridge——
inCanada，isn’tit，andit’stobethelongestoneintheworldandhassomequeernameI
can’tremember。\"
Bartleyshookhisheadandsmileddrolly。
\"Sincewhenhaveyoubeeninterestedinbridges？Orhaveyoulearnedtobeinterestedineverything？Andisthatapartofsuccess？\"
\"Why，howabsurd!AsifIwerenotalwaysinterested!\"Hildaexclaimed。
\"Well，Ithinkwewon’ttalkaboutbridgeshere，atanyrate。\"Bartleylookeddownatthetoeofheryellowslipperwhichwastappingtherugimpatientlyunderthehemofhergown。
\"ButIwonderwhetheryou’dthinkmeimpertinentifIaskedyoutoletmecometoseeyousometimeandtellyouaboutthem？\"
\"WhyshouldI？EversomanypeoplecomeonSundayafternoons。\"
\"Iknow。Mainhallofferedtotakeme。
ButyoumustknowthatI’vebeeninLondonseveraltimeswithinthelastfewyears，andyoumightverywellthinkthatjustnowisaratherinopportunetime——\"
Shecuthimshort。\"Nonsense。Oneofthepleasantestthingsaboutsuccessisthatitmakespeoplewanttolookoneup，ifthat’swhatyoumean。I’mlikeeveryoneelse——
moreagreeabletomeetwhenthingsaregoingwellwithme。Don’tyousupposeitgivesmeanypleasuretodosomethingthatpeoplelike？\"
\"Doesit？Oh，howfineitallis，yourcomingonlikethis!ButIdidn’twantyoutothinkitwasbecauseofthatIwantedtoseeyou。\"
Hespokeveryseriouslyandlookeddownatthefloor。
Hildastudiedhiminwide—eyedastonishmentforamoment，andthenbrokeintoalow，amusedlaugh。\"MydearMr。Alexander，youhavestrangedelicacies。Ifyouplease，thatisexactlywhyyouwishtoseeme。
Weunderstandthat，dowenot？\"
Bartleylookedruffledandturnedthesealringonhislittlefingeraboutawkwardly。
Hildaleanedbackinherchair，watchinghimindulgentlyoutofhershrewdeyes。
\"Come，don’tbeangry，butdon’ttrytoposeforme，ortobeanythingbutwhatyouare。
Ifyoucaretocome，it’syourselfI’llbegladtosee，andyouthinkingwellofyourself。
Don’ttrytowearacloakofhumility；itdoesn’tbecomeyou。Stalkinasyouareanddon’tmakeexcuses。I’mnotaccustomedtoinquiringintothemotivesofmyguests。Thatwouldhardlybesafe，evenforLadyWalford，inagreathouselikethis。\"
\"Sundayafternoon，then，\"saidAlexander，assherosetojoinherhostess。
\"HowearlymayIcome？\"
Shegavehimherhandandflushedandlaughed。Hebentoveritalittlestiffly。
ShewentawayonLadyWalford’sarm，andashestoodwatchingheryellowtrainglidedownthelongfloorhelookedrathersullen。Hefeltthathehadnotcomeoutofitverybrilliantly。
CHAPTERIV
OnSundayafternoonAlexanderrememberedMissBurgoyne’sinvitationandcalledatherapartment。Hefounditadelightfullittleplaceandhemetcharmingpeoplethere。
Hildalivedalone，attendedbyaveryprettyandcompetentFrenchservantwhoansweredthedoorandbroughtinthetea。Alexanderarrivedearly，andsometwenty—oddpeopledroppedinduringthecourseoftheafternoon。
HughMacConnellcamewithhissister，andstoodabout，managinghistea—cupawkwardlyandwatchingeveryoneoutofhisdeep—set，fadedeyes。Heseemedtohavemadearesoluteeffortattidinessofattire，andhissister，arobust，floridwomanwithasplendidjovialityabouther，kepteyeinghisfreshlycreasedclothesapprehensively。Itwasnotverylong，indeed，beforehiscoathungwithadiscouragedsagfromhisgauntshouldersandhishairandbeardwererumpledasifhehadbeenoutinagale。Hisdryhumorwentunderacloudofabsent—mindedkindlinesswhich，Mainhallexplained，alwaysovertookhimhere。Hewasneversowittyorsosharphereaselsewhere，andAlexanderthoughthebehavedasifhewereanelderlyrelativecomeintoayounggirl’sparty。
Theeditorofamonthlyreviewcamewithhiswife，andLadyKildare，theIrishphilanthropist，broughtheryoungnephew，RobertOwen，whohadcomeupfromOxford，andwhowasvisiblyexcitedandgratifiedbyhisfirstintroductiontoMissBurgoyne。
Hildawasverynicetohim，andhesatontheedgeofhischair，flushedwithhisconversationaleffortsandmovinghischinaboutnervouslyoverhishighcollar。
SarahFrost，thenovelist，camewithherhusband，averygenialandplacidoldscholarwhohadbecomeslightlyderangeduponthesubjectofthefourthdimension。Onothermattershewasperfectlyrationalandhewaseasyandpleasinginconversation。HelookedverymuchlikeAgassiz，andhiswife，inherold—fashionedblacksilkdress，overskirtedandtight—sleeved，remindedAlexanderoftheearlypicturesofMrs。Browning。Hildaseemedparticularlyfondofthisquaintcouple，andBartleyhimselfwassopleasedwiththeirmildandthoughtfulconversethathetookhisleavewhentheydid，andwalkedwiththemovertoOxfordStreet，wheretheywaitedfortheir’bus。TheyaskedhimtocometoseetheminChelsea，andtheyspokeverytenderlyofHilda。\"She’sadear，unworldlylittlething，\"saidthephilosopherabsently；
\"morelikethestagepeopleofmyyoungdays——
folkofsimplemanners。Therearen’tmanysuchleft。
Americantourshavespoiledthem，I’mafraid。
Theyhaveallgrownverysmart。Lambwouldn’tcareagreatdealaboutmanyofthem，Ifancy。\"
AlexanderwentbacktoBedfordSquareasecondSundayafternoon。HehadalongtalkwithMacConnell，buthegotnowordwithHildaalone，andheleftinadiscontentedstateofmind。Fortherestoftheweekhewasnervousandunsettled，andkeptrushinghisworkasifhewerepreparingforimmediatedeparture。OnThursdayafternoonhecutshortacommitteemeeting，jumpedintoahansom，anddrovetoBedfordSquare。
Hesentuphiscard，butitcamebacktohimwithamessagescribbledacrossthefront。
SosorryIcan’tseeyou。WillyoucomeanddinewithmeSundayeveningathalf—pastseven？
H。B。
WhenBartleyarrivedatBedfordSquareonSundayevening，Marie，theprettylittleFrenchgirl，methimatthedoorandconductedhimupstairs。Hildawaswritinginherliving—room，underthelightofatalldesklamp。
BartleyrecognizedtheprimrosesatingownshehadwornthatfirsteveningatLadyWalford’s。
\"I’msopleasedthatyouthinkmeworththatyellowdress，youknow，\"hesaid，takingherhandandlookingheroveradmiringlyfromthetoesofhercanaryslipperstohersmoothlypartedbrownhair。\"Yes，it’svery，verypretty。EveryoneatLadyWalford’swaslookingatit。\"
Hildacurtsied。\"Isthatwhyyouthinkitpretty？I’venoneedforfineclothesinMac’splaythistime，soIcanaffordafewduddiesformyself。It’sowingtothatsamechance，bytheway，thatIamabletoaskyoutodinner。
Idon’tneedMarietodressmethisseason，soshekeepshouseforme，andmylittleGalwaygirlhasgonehomeforavisit。IshouldneverhaveaskedyouifMollyhadbeenhere，forIrememberyoudon’tlikeEnglishcookery。\"
Alexanderwalkedabouttheroom，lookingateverything。
\"Ihaven’thadachanceyettotellyouwhatajollylittleplaceIthinkthisis。
Wheredidyougetthoseetchings？
They’requiteunusual，aren’tthey？\"
\"LadyWestmeresentthemtomefromRomelastChristmas。SheisverymuchinterestedintheAmericanartistwhodidthem。
TheyareallsketchesmadeabouttheVillad’Este，yousee。HepaintedthatgroupofcypressesfortheSalon，anditwasboughtfortheLuxembourg。\"
Alexanderwalkedovertothebookcases。
\"It’stheairofthewholeplaceherethatIlike。Youhaven’tgotanythingthatdoesn’tbelong。Seemstomeitlooksparticularlywellto—night。Andyouhavesomanyflowers。
Iliketheselittleyellowirises。\"
\"Roomsalwayslookbetterbylamplight——inLondon，atleast。ThoughMarieisclean——reallyclean，astheFrenchare。Whydoyoulookattheflowerssocritically？MariegotthemallfreshinCoventGardenmarketyesterdaymorning。\"
\"I’mglad，\"saidAlexandersimply。
\"Ican’ttellyouhowgladIamtohaveyousoprettyandcomfortablehere，andtoheareveryonesayingsuchnicethingsaboutyou。
You’vegotawfullynicefriends，\"headdedhumbly，pickingupalittlejadeelephantfromherdesk。\"Thosefellowsareallveryloyal，evenMainhall。Theydon’ttalkofanyoneelseastheydoofyou。\"
Hildasatdownonthecouchandsaidseriously：\"I’veaneatlittlesuminthebank，too，now，andIownamiteofahutinGalway。It’snotworthmuch，butIloveit。
I’vemanagedtosavesomethingeveryyear，andthatwithhelpingmythreesistersnowandthen，andtidingpoorCousinMikeoverbadseasons。He’sthatgifted，youknow，buthewilldrinkandlosesmoregoodengagementsthanotherfellowseverget。
AndI’vetraveledabit，too。\"
Marieopenedthedoorandsmilinglyannouncedthatdinnerwasserved。
\"Mydining—room，\"Hildaexplained，assheledtheway，\"isthetiniestplaceyouhaveeverseen。\"
Itwasatinyroom，hungallroundwithFrenchprints，abovewhichranashelffullofchina。HildasawAlexanderlookupatit。
\"It’snotparticularlyrare，\"shesaid，\"butsomeofitwasmymother’s。Heavenknowshowshemanagedtokeepitwhole，throughallourwanderings，orinwhatbasketsandbundlesandtheatretrunksithasn’tbeenstowedaway。
WealwayshadourteaoutofthosebluecupswhenIwasalittlegirl，sometimesinthequeerestlodgings，andsometimesonatrunkatthetheatre——queertheatres，forthatmatter。\"
Itwasawonderfullittledinner。Therewaswatercresssoup，andsole，andadelightfulomelettestuffedwithmushroomsandtruffles，andtwosmallrareducklings，andartichokes，andadryyellowRhonewineofwhichBartleyhadalwaysbeenveryfond。Hedrankitappreciativelyandremarkedthattherewasstillnootherhelikedsowell。
\"Ihavesomechampagneforyou，too。I
don’tdrinkitmyself，butIliketoseeitbehavewhenit’spoured。Thereisnothingelsethatlookssojolly。\"
\"Thankyou。ButIdon’tlikeitsowellasthis。\"Bartleyheldtheyellowwineagainstthelightandsquintedintoitasheturnedtheglassslowlyabout。\"Youhavetraveled，yousay。HaveyoubeeninParismuchtheselateyears？\"
Hildaloweredoneofthecandle—shadescarefully。\"Oh，yes，IgoovertoParisoften。
TherearefewchangesintheoldQuarter。
DearoldMadameAngerisdead——butperhapsyoudon’trememberher？\"
\"Don’tI，though!I’msosorrytohearit。
Howdidhersonturnout？Irememberhowshesavedandscrapedforhim，andhowhealwayslayabedtillteno’clock。HewasthelaziestfellowattheBeauxArts；andthat’ssayingagooddeal。\"
\"Well，heisstillcleverandlazy。Theysayheisagoodarchitectwhenhewillwork。
He’sabig，handsomecreature，andhehatesAmericansasmuchasever。ButAngel——doyourememberAngel？\"
\"Perfectly。DidsheevergetbacktoBrittanyandherbainsdemer？\"
\"Ah，no。PoorAngel!ShegottiredofcookingandscouringthecoppersinMadameAnger’slittlekitchen，sosheranawaywithasoldier，andthenwithanothersoldier。
Toobad!ShestilllivesabouttheQuarter，and，thoughthereisalwaysasoldat，shehasbecomeablanchisseusedefin。ShedidmyblousesbeautifullythelasttimeIwasthere，andwassodelightedtoseemeagain。Igaveherallmyoldclothes，evenmyoldhats，thoughshealwayswearsherBretonheaddress。Herhairisstilllikeflax，andherblueeyesarejustlikeababy’s，andshehasthesamethreefrecklesonherlittlenose，andtalksaboutgoingbacktoherbainsdemer。\"
BartleylookedatHildaacrosstheyellowlightofthecandlesandbrokeintoalow，happylaugh。\"Howjollyitwasbeingyoung，Hilda!DoyourememberthatfirstwalkwetooktogetherinParis？WewalkeddowntothePlaceSaint—Micheltobuysomelilacs。
Doyourememberhowsweettheysmelled？\"
\"IndeedIdo。Come，we’llhaveourcoffeeintheotherroom，andyoucansmoke。\"
Hildarosequickly，asifshewishedtochangethedriftoftheirtalk，butBartleyfounditpleasanttocontinueit。
\"Whatawarm，softspringeveningthatwas，\"hewenton，astheysatdowninthestudywiththecoffeeonalittletablebetweenthem；\"andthesky，overthebridges，wasjustthecolorofthelilacs。Wewalkedondownbytheriver，didn’twe？\"
Hildalaughedandlookedathimquestioningly。
Hesawagleaminhereyesthatherememberedevenbetterthantheepisodehewasrecalling。
\"Ithinkwedid，\"sheanswereddemurely。
\"ItwasontheQuaiwemetthatwomanwhowascryingsobitterly。Igaveherasprayoflilac，Iremember，andyougaveherafranc。Iwasfrightenedatyourprodigality。\"
\"IexpectitwasthelastfrancIhad。
Whatastrongbrownfaceshehad，andverytragic。Shelookedatuswithsuchdespairandlonging，outfromunderherblackshawl。
Whatshewantedfromuswasneitherourflowersnorourfrancs，butjustouryouth。
Irememberittouchedmeso。Iwouldhavegivenhersomeofmineoffmyback，ifIcould。
Ihadenoughandtosparethen，\"Bartleymused，andlookedthoughtfullyathiscigar。
Theywerebothrememberingwhatthewomanhadsaidwhenshetookthemoney：
\"Godgiveyouahappylove!\"Itwasnotintheingratiatingtoneofthehabitualbeggar：
ithadcomeoutofthedepthsofthepoorcreature’ssorrow，vibratingwithpityfortheiryouthanddespairattheterriblenessofhumanlife；
ithadtheanguishofavoiceofprophecy。
Untilshespoke，Bartleyhadnotrealizedthathewasinlove。Thestrangewoman，andherpassionatesentencethatrangoutsosharply，hadfrightenedthemboth。
Theywenthomesadlywiththelilacs，backtotheRueSaint—Jacques，walkingveryslowly，arminarm。WhentheyreachedthehousewhereHildalodged，Bartleywentacrossthecourtwithher，andupthedarkoldstairstothethirdlanding；andtherehehadkissedherforthefirsttime。Hehadshuthiseyestogivehimthecourage，heremembered，andshehadtrembledso——
BartleystartedwhenHildarangthelittlebellbesideher。\"Dearme，whydidyoudothat？Ihadquiteforgotten——Iwasbackthere。
Itwasveryjolly，\"hemurmuredlazily，asMariecameintotakeawaythecoffee。
Hildalaughedandwentovertothepiano。\"Well，weareneitherofustwentynow，youknow。HaveItoldyouaboutmynewplay？Maciswritingone；reallyformethistime。Yousee，I’mcomingon。\"
\"I’veseennothingelse。Whatkindofapartisit？Shallyouwearyellowgowns？
Ihopeso。\"
Hewaslookingatherroundslenderfigure，asshestoodbythepiano，turningoverapileofmusic，andhefelttheenergyineverylineofit。
\"No，itisn’tadress—uppart。Hedoesn’tseemtofancymeinfinefeathers。HesaysIoughttobemindingthepigsathome，andI
supposeIought。Buthe’sgivenmesomegoodIrishsongs。Listen。\"
Shesatdownatthepianoandsang。
Whenshefinished，Alexandershookhimselfoutofareverie。
\"Sing`TheHarpThatOnce，’Hilda。
Youusedtosingitsowell。\"
\"Nonsense。OfcourseIcan’treallysing，exceptthewaymymotherandgrandmotherdidbeforeme。Mostactressesnowadayslearntosingproperly，soItriedamaster；
butheconfusedme，just!\"
Alexanderlaughed。\"Allthesame，singit，Hilda。\"
Hildastartedupfromthestoolandmovedrestlesslytowardthewindow。
\"It’sreallytoowarminthisroomtosing。
Don’tyoufeelit？\"
Alexanderwentoverandopenedthewindowforher。\"Aren’tyouafraidtoletthewindlowlikethatonyourneck？Can’tIgetascarforsomething？\"
\"Askatheatreladyifshe’safraidofdrafts!\"
Hildalaughed。\"Butperhaps，asI’msowarm——
givemeyourhandkerchief。There，justinfront。\"
Heslippedthecornerscarefullyunderhershoulder—straps。
\"There，thatwilldo。Itlookslikeabib。\"
Shepushedhishandawayquicklyandstoodlookingoutintothedesertedsquare。
\"Isn’tLondonatombonSundaynight？\"
Alexandercaughttheagitationinhervoice。
Hestoodalittlebehindher，andtriedtosteadyhimselfashesaid：\"It’ssoftandmisty。
Seehowwhitethestarsare。\"
ForalongtimeneitherHildanorBartleyspoke。
Theystoodclosetogether，lookingoutintothewan，waterysky，breathingalwaysmorequicklyandlightly，anditseemedasifalltheclocksintheworldhadstopped。
Suddenlyhemovedtheclenchedhandheheldbehindhimanddroppeditviolentlyathisside。Hefeltatremorrunthroughtheslenderyellowfigureinfrontofhim。
Shecaughthishandkerchieffromherthroatandthrustitathimwithoutturninground。\"Here，takeit。Youmustgonow，Bartley。Good—night。\"
Bartleyleanedoverhershoulder，withouttouchingher，andwhisperedinherear：
\"Youaregivingmeachance？\"
\"Yes。Takeitandgo。Thisisn’tfair，youknow。Good—night。\"
Alexanderunclenchedthetwohandsathissides。Withonehethrewdownthewindowandwiththeother——stillstandingbehindher——hedrewherbackagainsthim。
Sheutteredalittlecry，threwherarmsoverherhead，anddrewhisfacedowntohers。
\"Areyougoingtoletmeloveyoualittle，Bartley？\"
shewhispered。
CHAPTERV
ItwastheafternoonofthedaybeforeChristmas。
Mrs。Alexanderhadbeendrivingaboutallthemorning，leavingpresentsatthehousesofherfriends。
Shelunchedalone，andassherosefromthetableshespoketothebutler：\"Thomas，IamgoingdowntothekitchennowtoseeNorah。Inhalfanhouryouaretobringthegreensupfromthecellarandputtheminthelibrary。Mr。Alexanderwillbehomeatthreetohangthemhimself。
Don’tforgetthestepladder，andplentyoftacksandstring。Youmaybringtheazaleasupstairs。
TakethewhiteonetoMr。Alexander’sstudy。
Putthetwopinkonesinthisroom，andtheredoneinthedrawing—room。\"
Alittlebeforethreeo’clockMrs。Alexanderwentintothelibrarytoseethateverythingwasready。Shepulledthewindowshadeshigh，fortheweatherwasdarkandstormy，andtherewaslittlelight，eveninthestreets。
Afootofsnowhadfallenduringthemorning，andthewidespaceovertheriverwasthickwithflyingflakesthatfellandwreathedthemassesoffloatingice。
Winifredwasstandingbythewindowwhensheheardthefrontdooropen。ShehurriedtothehallasAlexandercamestampingin，coveredwithsnow。Hekissedherjoyfullyandbrushedawaythesnowthatfellonherhair。
\"IwishIhadaskedyoutomeetmeattheofficeandwalkhomewithme，Winifred。
TheCommonisbeautiful。Theboyshavesweptthesnowoffthepondandareskatingfuriously。
Didthecyclamenscome？\"
\"Anhourago。Whatsplendidones!
Butaren’tyoufrightfullyextravagant？\"
\"NotforChristmas—time。I’llgoupstairsandchangemycoat。Ishallbedowninamoment。
TellThomastogeteverythingready。\"
WhenAlexanderreappeared，hetookhiswife’sarmandwentwithherintothelibrary。
\"Whendidtheazaleasgethere？
Thomashasgotthewhiteoneinmyroom。\"
\"Itoldhimtoputitthere。\"
\"But，Isay，it’smuchthefinestofthelot!\"
\"That’swhyIhaditputthere。Thereistoomuchcolorinthatroomforaredone，youknow。\"
Bartleybegantosortthegreens。\"Itlooksverysplendidthere，butIfeelpiggishtohaveit。However，wereallyspendmoretimetherethananywhereelseinthehouse。
Willyouhandmetheholly？\"
Heclimbedupthestepladder，whichcreakedunderhisweight，andbegantotwistthetoughstemsofthehollyintotheframe—
workofthechandelier。
\"IforgottotellyouthatIhadaletterfromWilson，thismorning，explaininghistelegram。HeiscomingonbecauseanolduncleupinVermonthasconvenientlydiedandleftWilsonalittlemoney——somethingliketenthousand。He’scomingontosettleuptheestate。Won’titbejollytohavehim？\"
\"Andhowfinethathe’scomeintoalittlemoney。IcanseehimpostingdownStateStreettothesteamshipoffices。Hewillgetagoodmanytripsoutofthattenthousand。
Whatcanhavedetainedhim？Iexpectedhimhereforluncheon。\"
\"ThosetrainsfromAlbanyarealwayslate。He’llbealongsometimethisafternoon。
Andnow，don’tyouwanttogoupstairsandliedownforanhour？You’vehadabusymorningandIdon’twantyoutobetiredto—night。\"
AfterhiswifewentupstairsAlexanderworkedenergeticallyatthegreensforafewmoments。Then，ashewascuttingoffalengthofstring，hesighedsuddenlyandsatdown，staringoutofthewindowatthesnow。
Theanimationdiedoutofhisface，butinhiseyestherewasarestlesslight，alookofapprehensionandsuspense。Hekeptclaspingandunclaspinghisbighandsasifheweretryingtorealizesomething。Theclocktickedthroughtheminutesofahalf—hourandtheafternoonoutsidebegantothickenanddarkenturbidly。Alexander，sincehefirstsatdown，hadnotchangedhisposition。Heleanedforward，hishandsbetweenhisknees，scarcelybreathing，asifhewereholdinghimselfawayfromhissurroundings，fromtheroom，andfromtheverychairinwhichhesat，fromeverythingexceptthewildeddiesofsnowabovetheriveronwhichhiseyeswerefixedwithfeverishintentness，asifheweretryingtoprojecthimselfthither。WhenatlastLuciusWilsonwasannounced，Alexandersprangeagerlytohisfeetandhurriedtomeethisoldinstructor。
\"Hello，Wilson。Whatluck!Comeintothelibrary。Wearetohavealotofpeopletodinnerto—night，andWinifred’slyingdown。
Youwillexcuseher，won’tyou？Andnowwhataboutyourself？Sitdownandtellmeeverything。\"
\"IthinkI’drathermoveabout，ifyoudon’tmind。
I’vebeensittinginthetrainforaweek，itseemstome。\"Wilsonstoodbeforethefirewithhishandsbehindhimandlookedabouttheroom。\"YouHAVEbeenbusy。
Bartley，ifI’dhadmychoiceofallpossibleplacesinwhichtospendChristmas，yourhousewouldcertainlybetheplaceI’dhavechosen。
Happypeopledoagreatdealfortheirfriends。
Ahouselikethisthrowsitswarmthout。
IfeltitdistinctlyasIwascomingthroughtheBerkshires。IcouldscarcelybelievethatIwastoseeMrs。Bartleyagainsosoon。\"
\"Thankyou，Wilson。She’llbeasgladtoseeyou。Shallwehaveteanow？I’llringforThomastoclearawaythislitter。
WinifredsaysIalwayswreckthehousewhenItrytodoanything。Doyouknow，Iamquitetired。
LooksasifIwerenotusedtowork，doesn’tit？\"
Alexanderlaughedanddroppedintoachair。
\"Youknow，I’msailingthedayafterNewYear’s。\"
\"Again？Why，you’vebeenovertwicesinceIwashereinthespring，haven’tyou？\"
\"Oh，IwasinLondonabouttendaysinthesummer。Wenttoescapethehotweathermorethananythingelse。Ishan’tbegonemorethanamonththistime。WinifredandI
havebeenupinCanadaformostoftheautumn。ThatMoorlockBridgeisonmybackallthetime。Ineverhadsomuchtroublewithajobbefore。\"Alexandermovedaboutrestlesslyandfelltopokingthefire。
\"Haven’tIseeninthepapersthatthereissometroubleaboutatidewaterbridgeofyoursinNewJersey？\"
\"Oh，thatdoesn’tamounttoanything。
It’sheldupbyasteelstrike。Abother，ofcourse，butthesortofthingoneisalwayshavingtoputupwith。ButtheMoorlockBridgeisacontinualanxiety。Yousee，thetruthis，wearehavingtobuildprettywelltothestrainlimitupthere。They’vecrowdedmetoomuchonthecost。It’sallverywellifeverythinggoeswell，buttheseestimateshaveneverbeenusedforanythingofsuchlengthbefore。However，there’snothingtobedone。
TheyholdmetothescaleI’veusedinshorterbridges。Thelastthingabridgecommissioncaresaboutisthekindofbridgeyoubuild。\"
WhenBartleyhadfinisheddressingfordinnerhewentintohisstudy，wherehefoundhiswifearrangingflowersonhiswriting—table。
\"ThesepinkrosesjustcamefromMrs。Hastings，\"
shesaid，smiling，\"andIamsureshemeantthemforyou。\"
Bartleylookedaboutwithanairofsatisfactionatthegreensandthewreathsinthewindows。
\"Haveyouamoment，Winifred？IhavejustnowbeenthinkingthatthisisourtwelfthChristmas。
Canyourealizeit？\"Hewentuptothetableandtookherhandsawayfromtheflowers，dryingthemwithhispockethandkerchief。
\"They’vebeenawfullyhappyones，allofthem，haven’tthey？\"Hetookherinhisarmsandbentback，liftingheralittleandgivingheralongkiss。
\"Youarehappy，aren’tyouWinifred？Morethananythingelseintheworld，Iwantyoutobehappy。
Sometimes，oflate，I’vethoughtyoulookedasifyouweretroubled。\"
\"No；it’sonlywhenyouaretroubledandharassedthatIfeelworried，Bartley。
Iwishyoualwaysseemedasyoudoto—night。
Butyoudon’t，always。\"Shelookedearnestlyandinquiringlyintohiseyes。
Alexandertookhertwohandsfromhisshouldersandswungthembackandforthinhisown，laughinghisbigblondlaugh。
\"I’mgrowingolder，mydear；that’swhatyoufeel。Now，mayIshowyousomething？
Imeanttosavethemuntilto—morrow，butI
wantyoutowearthemto—night。\"Hetookalittleleatherboxoutofhispocketandopenedit。Onthewhitevelvetlaytwolongpendantsofcuriouslyworkedgold，setwithpearls。
WinifredlookedfromtheboxtoBartleyandexclaimed：——
\"Wheredidyoueverfindsuchgoldwork，Bartley？\"
\"It’soldFlemish。Isn’titfine？\"
\"Theyarethemostbeautifulthings，dear。
But，youknow，Ineverwearearrings。\"
\"Yes，yes，Iknow。ButIwantyoutowearthem。Ihavealwayswantedyouto。
Sofewwomencan。Theremustbeagoodear，tobeginwith，andanose\"——hewavedhishand——\"abovereproach。Mostwomenlooksillyinthem。Theygoonlywithfaceslikeyours——very，veryproud，andjustalittlehard。\"
Winifredlaughedasshewentovertothemirrorandfittedthedelicatespringstothelobesofherears。\"Oh，Bartley，thatoldfoolishnessaboutmybeinghard。Itreallyhurtsmyfeelings。ButImustgodownnow。
Peoplearebeginningtocome。\"
Bartleydrewherarmabouthisneckandwenttothedoorwithher。\"Nothardtome，Winifred，\"
hewhispered。\"Never，neverhardtome。\"
Leftalone，hepacedupanddownhisstudy。Hewasathomeagain，amongallthedearfamiliarthingsthatspoketohimofsomanyhappyyears。Hishouseto—nightwouldbefullofcharmingpeople，wholikedandadmiredhim。Yetallthetime，underneathhispleasureandhopefulnessandsatisfaction，hewasconsciousofthevibrationofanunnaturalexcitement。Amidthislightandwarmthandfriendliness，hesometimesstartedandshuddered，asifsomeonehadsteppedonhisgrave。
Somethinghadbrokenlooseinhimofwhichheknewnothingexceptthatitwassullenandpowerful，andthatitwrungandtorturedhim。
Sometimesitcameuponhimsoftly，inenervatingreveries。
Sometimesitbatteredhimlikethecannonrollingintheholdofthevessel。Always，now，itbroughtwithitasenseofquickenedlife，ofstimulatingdanger。
To—nightitcameuponhimsuddenly，ashewaswalkingthefloor，afterhiswifelefthim。
Itseemedimpossible；hecouldnotbelieveit。
Heglancedentreatinglyatthedoor，asiftocallherback。Heheardvoicesinthehallbelow，andknewthathemustgodown。Goingovertothewindow，helookedoutatthelightsacrosstheriver。
Howcouldthishappenhere，inhisownhouse，amongthethingsheloved？Whatwasitthatreachedinoutofthedarknessandthrilledhim？Ashestoodtherehehadafeelingthathewouldneverescape。Heshuthiseyesandpressedhisforeheadagainstthecoldwindowglass，breathinginthechillthatcamethroughit。\"Thatthis，\"hegroaned，\"thatthisshouldhavehappenedtoME!\"
OnNewYear’sdayathawsetin，andduringthenighttorrentsofrainfell。
Inthemorning，themorningofAlexander’sdepartureforEngland，theriverwasstreakedwithfogandtheraindrovehardagainstthewindowsofthebreakfast—room。Alexanderhadfinishedhiscoffeeandwaspacingupanddown。Hiswifesatatthetable，watchinghim。Shewaspaleandunnaturallycalm。
WhenThomasbroughttheletters，Bartleysankintohischairandranthemoverrapidly。
\"Here’sanotefromoldWilson。He’ssafebackathisgrind，andsayshehadabullytime。
`ThememoryofMrs。Bartleywillmakemywholewinterfragrant。’Justlikehim。
Hewillgoongettingmeasurelesssatisfactionoutofyoubyhisstudyfire。Whatamanheisforlookingonatlife!\"Bartleysighed，pushedthelettersbackimpatiently，andwentovertothewindow。\"Thisisanastysortofdaytosail。I’veanotiontocallitoff。Nextweekwouldbetimeenough。\"
\"Thatwouldonlymeanstartingtwice。
Itwouldn’treallyhelpyououtatall，\"
Mrs。Alexanderspokesoothingly。\"Andyou’dcomebacklateforallyourengagements。\"
Bartleybeganjinglingsomeloosecoinsinhispocket。\"Iwishthingswouldletmerest。
I’mtiredofwork，tiredofpeople，tiredoftrailingabout。\"Helookedoutatthestorm—beatenriver。
Winifredcameupbehindhimandputahandonhisshoulder。\"That’swhatyoualwayssay，poorBartley!Atbottomyoureallylikeallthesethings。Can’tyourememberthat？\"
Heputhisarmabouther。\"Allthesame，liferunssmoothlyenoughwithsomepeople，andwithmeit’salwaysamessysortofpatchwork。
It’slikethesong；peaceiswhereIamnot。
Howcanyoufaceitallwithsomuchfortitude？\"
ShelookedathimwiththatcleargazewhichWilsonhadsomuchadmired，whichhehadfeltimpliedsuchhighconfidenceandfearlesspride。\"Oh，Ifacedthatlongago，whenyouwereonyourfirstbridge，upatoldAllway。Iknewthenthatyourpathswerenottobepathsofpeace，butIdecidedthatIwantedtofollowthem。\"
Bartleyandhiswifestoodsilentforalongtime；thefirecrackledinthegrate，therainbeatinsistentlyuponthewindows，andthesleepyAngoralookedupatthemcuriously。
PresentlyThomasmadeadiscreetsoundatthedoor。
\"ShallEdwardbringdownyourtrunks，sir？\"
\"Yes；theyareready。Tellhimnottoforgetthebigportfolioonthestudytable。\"
Thomaswithdrew，closingthedoorsoftly。
Bartleyturnedawayfromhiswife，stillholdingherhand。\"Itnevergetsanyeasier，Winifred。\"
Theybothstartedatthesoundofthecarriageonthepavementoutside。Alexandersatdownandleanedhisheadonhishand。
Hiswifebentoverhim。\"Courage，\"shesaidgayly。Bartleyroseandrangthebell。Thomasbroughthimhishatandstickandulster。Atthesightofthese，thesuperciliousAngoramovedrestlessly，quittedherredcushionbythefire，andcameup，wavinghertailinvexationattheseominousindicationsofchange。Alexanderstoopedtostrokeher，andthenplungedintohiscoatanddrewonhisgloves。Hiswifeheldhisstick，smiling。
Bartleysmiledtoo，andhiseyescleared。
\"I’llworklikethedevil，Winifred，andbehomeagainbeforeyourealizeI’vegone。\"Hekissedherquicklyseveraltimes，hurriedoutofthefrontdoorintotherain，andwavedtoherfromthecarriagewindowasthedriverwasstartinghismelancholy，drippingblackhorses。Alexandersatwithhishandsclenchedonhisknees。Asthecarriageturnedupthehill，heliftedonehandandbroughtitdownviolently。
\"Thistime\"——hespokealoudandthroughhissetteeth——
\"thistimeI’mgoingtoendit!\"
Ontheafternoonofthethirddayout，Alexanderwassittingwelltothestern，onthewindwardsidewherethechairswerefew，hisrugsoverhimandthecollarofhisfur—linedcoatturnedupabouthisears。
Theweatherhadsofarbeendarkandraw。
Fortwohourshehadbeenwatchingthelow，dirtyskyandthebeatingoftheheavyrainupontheiron—coloredsea。Therewasalong，oilyswellthatmadeexerciselaborious。
Thedeckssmelledofdampwoolens，andtheairwassohumidthatdropsofmoisturekeptgatheringuponhishairandmustache。
Heseldommovedexcepttobrushthemaway。
Thegreatopenspacesmadehimpassiveandtherestlessnessofthewaterquietedhim。
Heintendedduringthevoyagetodecideuponacourseofaction，butheheldallthisawayfromhimforthepresentandlayinablessedgrayoblivion。Deepdowninhimsomewherehisresolutionwasweakeningandstrengthening，ebbingandflowing。Thethingthatperturbedhimwentonassteadilyashispulse，buthewasalmostunconsciousofit。
Hewassubmergedinthevastimpersonalgraynessabouthim，andatintervalsthesidelongrolloftheboatmeasuredofftimelikethetickingofaclock。Hefeltreleasedfromeverythingthattroubledandperplexedhim。Itwasasifhehadtrickedandoutwittedtorturingmemories，hadactuallymanagedtogetonboardwithoutthem。
Hethoughtofnothingatall。Ifhismindnowandagainpickedafaceoutofthegrayness，itwasLuciusWilson’s，orthefaceofanoldschoolmate，forgottenforyears；oritwastheslimoutlineofafavoritegreyhoundheusedtohuntjack—rabbitswithwhenhewasaboy。
Towardsixo’clockthewindroseandtuggedatthetarpaulinandbroughttheswellhigher。AfterdinnerAlexandercamebacktothewetdeck，piledhisdamprugsoverhimagain，andsatsmoking，losinghimselfintheobliteratingblacknessanddrowsingintherushofthegale。Beforehewentbelowafewbrightstarswereprickedoffbetweenheavilymovingmassesofcloud。
Thenextmorningwasbrightandmild，withafreshbreeze。Alexanderfelttheneedofexerciseevenbeforehecameoutofhiscabin。Whenhewentondecktheskywasblueandblinding，withheavywhiffsofwhitecloud，smoke—coloredattheedges，movingrapidlyacrossit。Thewaterwasroughish，acold，clearindigobreakingintowhitecaps。
Bartleywalkedfortwohours，andthenstretchedhimselfinthesununtillunch—time。
IntheafternoonhewrotealonglettertoWinifred。Later，ashewalkedthedeckthroughasplendidgoldensunset，hisspiritsrosecontinually。Itwasagreeabletocometohimselfagainafterseveraldaysofnumbnessandtorpor。Hestayedoutuntilthelasttingeofviolethadfadedfromthewater。Therewasliterallyatasteoflifeonhislipsashesatdowntodinnerandorderedabottleofchampagne。
Hewaslateinfinishinghisdinner，anddrankrathermorewinethanhehadmeantto。Whenhewentabove，thewindhadrisenandthedeckwasalmostdeserted。Ashesteppedoutofthedooragaleliftedhisheavyfurcoatabouthisshoulders。Hefoughthiswayupthedeckwithkeenexhilaration。
Themomenthestepped，almostoutofbreath，behindtheshelterofthestern，thewindwascutoff，andhefelt，likearushofwarmair，asenseofcloseandintimatecompanionship。
Hestartedbackandtorehiscoatopenasifsomethingwarmwereactuallyclingingtohimbeneathit。Hehurriedupthedeckandwentintothesaloonparlor，fullofwomenwhohadretreatedthitherfromthesharpwind。
Hethrewhimselfuponthem。Hetalkeddelightfullytotheolderonesandplayedaccompanimentsfortheyoungeronesuntilthelastsleepygirlhadfollowedhermotherbelow。Thenhewentintothesmoking—room。
Heplayedbridgeuntiltwoo’clockinthemorning，andmanagedtoloseaconsiderablesumofmoneywithoutreallynoticingthathewasdoingso。
Afterthebreakofonefinedaytheweatherwasprettyconsistentlydull。
Whenthelowskythinnedatrifle，thepalewhitespotofasundidnomorethanthrowabluishlustreonthewater，givingitthedarkbrightnessofnewlycutlead。ThroughoneafteranotherofthosegraydaysAlexanderdrowsedandmused，drinkinginthegratefulmoisture。Butthecompletepeaceofthefirstpartofthevoyagewasover。
Sometimesherosesuddenlyfromhischairasifdrivenout，andpacedthedeckforhours。Peoplenoticedhispropensityforwalkinginroughweather，andwatchedhimcuriouslyashedidhisrounds。Fromhisabstractionandthedeterminedsetofhisjaw，theyfanciedhemustbethinkingabouthisbridge。EveryonehadheardofthenewcantileverbridgeinCanada。
ButAlexanderwasnotthinkingabouthiswork。
Afterthefourthnightout，whenhiswillsuddenlysoftenedunderhishands，hehadbeencontinuallyhammeringawayathimself。
Moreandmoreoften，whenhefirstwakenedinthemorningorwhenhesteppedintoawarmplaceafterbeingchilledonthedeck，hefeltasuddenpainfuldelightatbeingneareranothershore。Sometimeswhenhewasmostdespondent，whenhethoughthimselfwornoutwiththisstruggle，inaflashhewasfreeofitandleapedintoanoverwhelmingconsciousnessofhimself。Ontheinstanthefeltthatmarvelousreturnoftheimpetuousness，theintenseexcitement，theincreasingexpectancyofyouth。
CHAPTERVI
ThelasttwodaysofthevoyageBartleyfoundalmostintolerable。ThestopatQueenstown，thetediouspassageuptheMersey，werethingsthathenoteddimlythroughhisgrowingimpatience。HehadplannedtostopinLiverpool；but，instead，hetooktheboattrainforLondon。
EmergingatEustonathalf—pastthreeo’clockintheafternoon，AlexanderhadhisluggagesenttotheSavoyanddroveatoncetoBedfordSquare。WhenMariemethimatthedoor，evenherstrongsenseoftheproprietiescouldnotrestrainhersurpriseanddelight。Sheblushedandsmiledandfumbledhiscardinherconfusionbeforesheranupstairs。Alexanderpacedupanddownthehallway，buttoningandunbuttoninghisovercoat，untilshereturnedandtookhimuptoHilda’sliving—room。Theroomwasemptywhenheentered。
Acoalfirewascracklinginthegrateandthelampswerelit，foritwasalreadybeginningtogrowdarkoutside。Alexanderdidnotsitdown。HestoodhisgroundoverbythewindowsuntilHildacamein。
Shecalledhisnameonthethreshold，butinherswiftflightacrosstheroomshefeltachangeinhimandcaughtherselfupsodeftlythathecouldnottelljustwhenshedidit。
Shemerelybrushedhischeekwithherlipsandputahandlightlyandjoyouslyoneithershoulder。
\"Oh，whatagrandthingtohappenonarawday!IfeltitinmyboneswhenIwokethismorningthatsomethingsplendidwasgoingtoturnup。IthoughtitmightbeSisterKateorCousinMikewouldbehappeningalong。
Ineverdreameditwouldbeyou，Bartley。
Butwhydoyouletmechatteronlikethis？
Comeovertothefire；you’rechilledthrough。\"
Shepushedhimtowardthebigchairbythefire，andsatdownonastoolattheoppositesideofthehearth，herkneesdrawnuptoherchin，laughinglikeahappylittlegirl。
\"Whendidyoucome，Bartley，andhowdidithappen？Youhaven’tspokenaword。\"
\"Igotinabouttenminutesago。IlandedatLiverpoolthismorningandcamedownontheboattrain。\"
Alexanderleanedforwardandwarmedhishandsbeforetheblaze。Hildawatchedhimwithperplexity。
\"There’ssomethingtroublingyou，Bartley。
Whatisit？\"
Bartleybentloweroverthefire。\"It’sthewholethingthattroublesme，Hilda。YouandI。\"
Hildatookaquick，softbreath。Shelookedathisheavyshouldersandbig，determinedhead，thrustforwardlikeacatapultinleash。
\"Whataboutus，Bartley？\"sheaskedinathinvoice。
Helockedandunlockedhishandsoverthegrateandspreadhisfingersclosetothebluishflame，whilethecoalscrackledandtheclocktickedandastreetvendorbegantocallunderthewindow。AtlastAlexanderbroughtoutoneword：——
\"Everything!\"
Hildawaspalebythistime，andhereyeswerewidewithfright。ShelookedaboutdesperatelyfromBartleytothedoor，thentothewindows，andbackagaintoBartley。Sheroseuncertainly，touchedhishairwithherhand，thensankbackuponherstool。
\"I’lldoanythingyouwishmeto，Bartley，\"
shesaidtremulously。\"Ican’tstandseeingyoumiserable。\"
\"Ican’tlivewithmyselfanylonger，\"
heansweredroughly。
Heroseandpushedthechairbehindhimandbegantowalkmiserablyabouttheroom，seemingtofindittoosmallforhim。
Hepulledupawindowasiftheairwereheavy。
Hildawatchedhimfromhercorner，tremblingandscarcelybreathing，darkshadowsgrowingabouthereyes。
\"It……ithasn’talwaysmadeyoumiserable，hasit？\"Hereyelidsfellandherlipsquivered。
\"Always。Butit’sworsenow。It’sunbearable。
Ittorturesmeeveryminute。\"
\"ButwhyNOW？\"sheaskedpiteously，wringingherhands。
Heignoredherquestion。\"Iamnotamanwhocanlivetwolives，\"hewentonfeverishly。\"Eachlifespoilstheother。
Igetnothingbutmiseryoutofeither。
Theworldisallthere，justasitusedtobe，butIcan’tgetatitanymore。Thereisthisdeceptionbetweenmeandeverything。\"
Atthatword\"deception，\"spokenwithsuchself—contempt，thecolorflashedbackintoHilda’sfaceassuddenlyasifshehadbeenstruckbyawhiplash。Shebitherlipandlookeddownatherhands，whichwereclaspedtightlyinfrontofher。
\"Couldyou——couldyousitdownandtalkaboutitquietly，Bartley，asifIwereafriend，andnotsomeonewhohadtobedefied？\"
Hedroppedbackheavilyintohischairbythefire。\"ItwasmyselfIwasdefying，Hilda。
IhavethoughtaboutituntilIamwornout。\"
Helookedatherandhishaggardfacesoftened。
Heputouthishandtowardherashelookedawayagainintothefire。