Mrs。Hilaryrosetoherfeet。\"Whowasthecreature？\"sheaskedsharply。
\"Come，\"Iexpostulated，\"howwouldyoulikeitifyouryoungmanhadtakentotheftand——\"
\"Oh，nonsense。Tellmehername，please，Mr。Carter。\"
\"JohnnytoldHilarythatjusttoseeherandtalktoherandsitbyhersidewas’worthallthemoney’——butthen，tobesure，itwassomebodyelse’smoney——andthathe’ddoitagaintogetwhathehadgotoveragain。Then，I’msorrytosay，heswore。\"
\"AndHilarybelievedthatstuff？\"
\"Hilaryagreedwithhim，\"saidI。\"Hilary，yousee，knowsthelady。\"
\"What’shername，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Didn’tyounoticehisattentionstoanyone？\"
\"Inotice!Youdon’tmeanthatI’veseenher？\"
\"Certainlyyouhave。\"
\"Wassheeverhere？’
\"Yes，Mrs。Hilary。Hilarytakescareofthat。\"
\"Ishallbeangryinaminute，Mr。Carter。Oh，I’llhavethisoutofHilary!\"
\"Ishould。\"
\"Whowasshe？\"
\"AccordingtowhathetoldHilary，shewasthemostfascinatingwomanintheworld，Hilarythoughtso，too。\"
Mrs。Hilarybegantowalkupanddown。
\"Oh，soHilaryhelpedtolethimgo，becausetheyboth——？\"
\"Precisely，\"saidI。
\"Andyoudaretocomeandtellme？\"
\"Well，Ithoughtyououghttoknow，\"saidI。\"Hilary’sjustasmadaboutherasJohnny——infact，hesaidhe’dbehangedifhewouldn’thavedonethesamehimself。\"
IhaveonceseenMadameRistoriplayLadyMacbeth。HerperformancewasrecalledtomebythetonesinwhichMrs。Hilaryasked：
\"Whoisthiswoman，ifyouplease，Mr。Carter？\"
\"SoHilarygothimoff——gavehimfiftypoundstoo。\"
\"Gladtogethimaway，perhaps，\"sheburstout，inangryscorn。
\"Whoknows？\"saidI。\"Perhaps。\"
\"Hername？\"demandedLadyMacbeth——ImeanMrs。Hilary——again。
\"Ishan’ttellyou，unlessyoupromisetosaynothingtoHilary。\"
\"Tosaynothing!Well，really——\"
\"Oh，allright!\"andItookupmyhat。
\"ButIcanwatchthem，can’tI？\"
\"Asmuchasyoulike。\"
\"Won’tyoutellme？\"
\"Ifyoupromise。\"
\"Well，then，Ipromise。\"
\"Lookintheglass。\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Toseeyourface，tobesure。\"
Shestarted，blushedred，andmovedasteptowardsme。
\"Youdon’tmean——？\"shecried。
\"Thouartthewoman，\"saidI。
\"Oh，butheneversaidaword——\"
\"Johnnyhadhiscode，\"saidI。\"Andinsomewaysitwasbetterthansomepeople’s——insome，alas!worse。\"
\"AndHilary？\"
\"ReallyyouknowbetterthanIdowhetherI’vetoldthetruthaboutHilary。\"
Apauseensued。ThenMrs。Hilarymadethreeshortremarks，whichIgiveintheirorder：
（1）\"Thelittlewretch!\"（2）\"DearoldHilary!\"（3）\"Poorlittleman!\"
Itookmyhat。IknewthatHilarywasduefromthecityinafewminutes。Mrs。Hilarysatdownbythefire。
\"Howdareyoutormentmeso？\"sheasked，butnotintheleastlikeLadyMacbeth。
\"Imusthavemylittleamusements，\"saidI。
\"Whatanaudaciouslittlecreature!\"saidMrs。Hilary。\"Fancyhisdaring!——Aren’tyouastounded？\"
\"Oh，yes，Iam。ButHilary，yousee——\"
\"It’snearlyhistime，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
Ibuttonedmyleftgloveandheldoutmyrighthand。
\"I’veagoodmindnottoshakehandswithyou，\"saidshe。
\"Wasn’titabsurdofHilary？\"
\"Horribly。\"
\"Heoughttohavebeenallthemoreangry。\"
\"Ofcourseheought。\"
\"Thepresumptionofit!\"AndMrs。Hilarysmiled。Ialsosmiled。
\"Thatpooroldmotherofhis，\"reflectedMrs。Hilary。\"Wheredidyousayshelived？\"
\"Hilaryknowstheaddress，\"saidI。
\"Sillylittlewretch!\"musedMrs。Hilary，stillsmiling。
\"Goodbye，\"saidI。
\"Goodbye，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
Iturnedtowardthedoorandhadlaidmyhandontheknob，whenMrs。Hilarycalledsoftly：
\"Mr。Carter。\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，turning。
\"Doyouknowwherethelittlewretchhasgone？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidI。
\"I——Isupposeyoudon’teverwritetohim？\"
\"Dearme，no，\"saidI。
\"Butyou——could？\"suggestedMrs。Hilary。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidI。
Shejumpedupandrantowardsme。Herpursewasinonehand，andabitofpaperflutteredintheother。
\"Sendhimthat——don’ttellhim，\"shewhispered，andhervoicehadalittlecatchinit。\"Poorlittlewretch!\"saidshe。
Asforme，Ismiledcynically——quitecynically，youknow；foritwasveryabsurd。
\"Pleasedo，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
AndIwent。
Supposingithadbeenanotherwoman？Well，Iwonder!
ANEXPENSIVEPRIVILEGE
Aratheruncomfortablethinghappenedtheotherdaywhichthreatenedaschisminmyacquaintanceandputmeinadecidedlyawkwardposition。Itwasnootherthanthis：Mrs。HilaryMusgravehaddefinitelyinformedmethatshedidnotapproveofLadyMickleham。Theattitudeis，nodoubt，aconceivableone，butIwassurprisedthatawomanofMrs。Hilary’slargesympathiesshouldadoptit。Besides，Mrs。Hilaryisquitegood—lookingherself。
Thehistoryoftheaffairismuchasfollows：IcalledonMrs。
HilarytoseewhetherIcoulddoanything，andshetoldmeallaboutit。ItappearsthatMrs。Hilaryhadabadcoldandacousinupfromthecountryaboutthesametime（shewasjustlyaggrievedatthedoubleevent），andbeingunabletogototheDuchessofDexminster’s\"squash，\"sheaskedDollyMicklehamtochaperonlittleMissPhyllis。LittleMissPhyllis，ofcourse，knewnoonethere——theDuchessleastofall——（butthenveryfewofus——yes，Iwasthere——knewtheDuchess，andtheDuchessdidn’tknowanyofus；Isawhershakehandswithawaitermyself，justtobeonthesafeside），andanhourafterthepartybeganshewasdiscoveredwanderingaboutinamostdesolatecondition。
Dollyhadtoldherthatshewouldbeinacertainplace；andwhenMissPhylliscame，Dollywasnotthere。Thepoorlittleladywanderedaboutforanotherhour，lookingsolostthatonewasinclinedtosendforapoliceman；andthenshesatdownonaseatbythewall，and，indesperation，askedhernext—doorneighborifheknewLadyMicklehambysight，andhadheseenherlately？Thenext—doorneighbor，bywayofreply，calledouttoaquietelderlygentlemanwhowassidlingunobtrusivelyabout，\"Duke，arethereanyparticularlysnugcornersinyourhouse？\"TheDukestopped，searchedhismemory，andsaidthatattheendoftheRedCorridortherewasapassage，andthatafewyardsdownthepassage，ifyouturnedverysuddenlytotheright，youwouldcomeonalittlenookunderthestairs。Thelittlenookjustheldasettee，andthesettee（theDukethought）mightjustholdtwopeople。Thenext—doorneighborthankedtheDuke，andobservedtoMissPhyllis——
\"ItwillgivemegreatpleasuretotakeyoutoLadyMickleham。\"
Sotheywent，itbeingthen，accordingtoMissPhyllis’swornstatementpreciselytwohoursandfiveminutessinceDollyhaddisappeared；and，pursuingtherouteindicatedbytheDuke，theyfoundLadyMickleham。AndLadyMicklehamexclaimed，\"Goodgracious，mydear，I’dquiteforgottenyou!Haveyouhadanice？
Dotakehertohaveanice，SirJohn。\"（SirJohnBerrywasthenext—doorneighbor。）AndwiththatLadyMicklehamissaidtohaveresumedherconversation。
\"Didyoueverhearanythingmoreatrocious？\"concludedMrs。
Hilary。\"IreallycannotthinkwhatLordMicklehamisdoing。\"
\"Yousurelymean，whatLadyMickleham——？\"
\"No，Idon’t，\"saidMrs。Hilary，withextraordinarydecision。
\"Anythingmighthavehappenedtothatpoorchild!\"
\"Oh，therewerenotmanyofthearistocracypresent，\"saidI
soothingly。
\"Butit’snotthatsomuchasthethingitself。She’sthemostdisgracefulflirtinLondon。\"
\"Howdoyouknowshewasflirting？\"Iinquiredwithasmile。
\"HowdoIknow？\"echoedMrs。Hilary。
\"Itisaveryhastyconclusion，\"Ipersisted。\"SometimesIstaytalkingwithyouforanhourormore。Areyou，therefore，flirtingwithme？\"
\"Withyou!\"exclaimedMrs。Hilary，withalittlelaugh。
\"Absurdasthesuppositionis，\"Iremarked，\"ityetservestopointtheargument。LadyMicklehammighthavebeentalkingwithafriend，justinthequietrationalwayinwhichwearetalkingnow。\"
\"Idon’tthinkthat’slikely，\"saidMrs。Hilary；and——well，Idonotliketosaythatshesniffed——itwouldconveytoostronganidea，butshedidmakeanoddlittlesoundsomethinglikeamuchetherealizedsniff。
Ismiledagain，andmorebroadly。IwasenjoyingbeforehandthelittlevictorywhichIwastoenjoyoverMrs。Hilary。\"Yetithappenstobetrue，\"saidI。
Mrs。Hilarywasmagnificentlycontemptuous。
\"LordMicklehamtoldyouso，Isuppose？\"sheasked。\"AndI
supposeLadyMicklehamtoldhim——poorman!\"
\"Whydoyoucallhim’poorman’？\"
\"Oh，nevermind。Didhetellyou？\"
\"Certainlynot。Thefactis，Mrs。Hilary——andreally，youmustexcusemeforhavingkeptyouinthedarkalittle——itamusedmesomuchtohearyoursuspicions。\"
Mrs。Hilaryrosetoherfeet。
\"Well，whatareyougoingtosay？\"sheasked。
Ilaughed，asIanswered：\"Why，IwasthemanwithLadyMicklehamwhenyourfriendandBerryinter——whentheyarrived，youknow。\"
Well，Ishouldhavethought——Ishouldstillthink——thatshewouldhavebeenpleased——relieved，youknow，tofindheruncharitableopinionerroneous，andpleasedtohaveitalteredonthebestauthority。I’msurethatishowIshouldhavefelt。Itwasnot，however，howMrs。Hilaryfelt。
\"Iamdeeplypained，\"sheobservedafteralongpause；andthensheheldoutherhand。
\"Iwassureyou’dforgivemylittledeception，\"saidI，graspingit。Ithoughtstillthatshemeanttoburyallunkindness。
\"Ishouldneverhavethoughtitofyou，\"shewenton。
\"Ididn’tknowyourfriendwasthereatall，\"Ipleaded；forbynowIwasalarmed。
\"Oh，pleasedon’tshufflelikethat，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
Shecontinuedtostand，andIrosetomyfeet。Mrs。Hilaryheldoutherhandagain。
\"DoyoumeanthatI’mtogo？\"saidI。
\"Ihopeweshallseeyouagainsomeday，\"saidMrs。Hilary；thetonesuggestedthatshewaslookingforwardtosomefutureexistence，whenmyearthlysinsshouldhavebeensufficientlypurged。ItremindedmeforthemomentofKingArthurandQueenGuinevere。
\"ButIprotest，\"Ibegan，\"thatmyonlyobjectintellingyouwastoshowyouhowabsurd——\"
\"Isitanygoodtalkingaboutitnow？\"askedMrs。Hilary。A
discussionmightpossiblybefruitfulinthedimfuturitybeforementioned——butnotnow——thatwaswhatsheseemedtosay。
\"LadyMicklehamandI，ontheoccasioninquestion——\"Ibeganwithdignity。
\"Pray，spareme，\"quoteMrs。Hilary，withmuchgreaterdignity。
Itookmyhat。
\"ShallyoubeathomeasusualonThursday？\"Iasked。
\"Ihaveagreatmanypeoplecomingalready，\"sheremarked。
\"Icantakeahint，\"saidI。
\"Iwishyou’dtakewarning，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Iwilltakemyleave，\"saidI——andIdid，leavingMrs。Hilaryinatragicattitudeinthemiddleoftheroom。NeveragainshallIgooutofmywaytolullMrs。Hilary’ssuspicions。
Adayortwoafterthisverytryinginterview，LadyMickleham’svictoriahappenedtostopoppositewhereIwasseatedinthepark。Iwenttopaymyrespects。
\"Doyoumeantoleavemenothingintheworld，\"Iasked，justbywayofintroducingthesubjectofMrs。Hilary。\"Oneofmybestfriendshasturnedmeoutofherhouseonyouraccount。\"
\"Oh，dotellme，\"saidDolly，dimplingalloverherface。
SoItoldher；ImadethestoryaslongasIcouldforreasonsconnectedwiththedimples。
\"Whatfun!\"exclaimedDolly。\"Itoldyouatthetimethatayoungunmarriedpersonlikeyououghttobemorecareful。\"
\"Iamjustdebating，\"Iobserved，\"whethertosacrificeyou。\"
\"Tosacrificeme，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Ofcourse，\"Iexplained；\"ifIdroppedyou，Mrs。Hilarywouldletmecomeagain。\"
\"Howcharmingthatwouldbe!\"criedDolly。\"Youwouldenjoyherniceseriousconversation——allaboutHilary!\"
\"Sheisapt，Iconceded，\"totouchonHilary。Butsheisverypicturesque。\"
\"Oh，yes，she’shandsome，\"saidDolly。
Therewasapause。ThenDollysaid，\"Well？\"
\"Well？\"saidIinreturn。
\"Itisgoodbye？\"askedDolly，drawingdownthecornersofhermouth。
\"Itcomestothis，\"Iremarked。\"SupposingIforgiveyou——\"
\"Asifitwasmyfault？\"
\"AndriskMrs。Hilary’swrath——didyouspeak？\"
\"No；Ilaughed，Mr。Carter。\"
\"WhatshallIgetoutofit？\"
Thesunwasshiningbrightly；itshoneonDolly；shehadraisedherparasol，butsheblinkedalittlebeneathit。Shewassmilingslightlystill，andthedimplestucktoitspost——likeasentinel，readytorousetherestfromtheirbriefrepose。Dollylaybackinthevictoria，nestlingluxuriouslyagainstthesoftcushions。Sheturnedhereyesforamomentonme。
\"Whyareyoulookingatme？\"sheasked。
\"Because，\"saidI，\"thereisnothingbettertolookat。\"
\"Doyoulikedoingit？\"askedDolly。
\"Itisaprivilege，\"saidIpolitely。
\"Well，then!\"saidDolly。
\"But，\"Iventuredtoobserve，\"it’sratheranexpensiveone。\"
\"Thenyoumustn’thaveitveryoften。\"
\"Anditissharedbysomanypeople。\"
\"Then，\"saidDolly，smilingindulgently，\"youmusthaveit——alittleoftener。Home，Roberts，please。\"
IamnotyetallowedatMrs。HilaryMusgrave’s。
AVERYDULLAFFAIR
\"Tohearyoutalk，\"remarkedMrs。HilaryMusgrave——and，ifanyoneissurprisedtofindmeatherhouse，IcanonlysaythatHilary，whenheaskedmetotakeapot—luck，wasquiteignorantofanygroundofdifferencebetweenhiswifeandmyself，andthatMrs。Hilarycouldnotverywellejectmeonmyarrivalineveningdressattenminutestoeight——\"tohearyoutalkonewouldthinkthattherewasnosuchthingasreallove。\"
Shepaused。Ismiled。
\"Now，\"shecontinued，turningafine，butscornfuleyeuponme，\"Ihavenevercaredforanymanintheworldexceptmyhusband。\"
Ismiledagain。PoorHilarylookedveryuncomfortable。WithanapologeticairhebegantostammersomethingaboutParishCouncils。Iwasnottobedivertedbyanysuchmaneuver。Itwasimpossiblethathecouldreallywishtotalkonthatsubject。
\"Wouldapersonwhohadnevereatenanythingbutbeefmakeaboastofit？\"Iasked。
Hilarygrinnedcovertly。Mrs。Hilarypulledthelampnearer，andtookupherembroidery。
\"Doyoualwaysworkthesamepattern？\"saidI。
Hilarykickedmegently。Mrs。Hilarymadenodirectreply，butpresentlyshebegantotalk。
\"IwasjustaboutPhyllis’sage——（bytheway，littleMissPhylliswasthere）——whenIfirstsawHilary。Youremember，Hilary？AtBournemouth？\"
\"Oh——er——wasitBournemouth？\"saidHilary，withmuchcarelessness。
\"Iwasonthepier，\"pursuedMrs。Hilary。\"Ihadaredfrockon，Iremember，andoneofthosebighatstheyworethatyear。
Hilarywore——\"
\"Blueserge，\"Iinterpolated，encouragingly。
\"Yes，blueserge，\"saidshefondly。\"Hehadbeenyachting，andhewasbeautifullyburnt。Iwashorriblyburnt——wasn’tI，Hilary？\"
Hilarybegantopatthedog。
\"Thenwegottoknowoneanother。\"
\"Stopaminute，\"saidI。\"Howdidthathappen？\"Mrs。Hilaryblushed。
\"Well，wewerebothalwaysonthepier，\"sheexplained。
\"And——andsomehowHilarygottoknowfather，and——andfatherintroducedhimtome。\"
\"I’mgladitwasnoworse，\"saidI。IwasconsideringMissPhyllis，whosatlistening，open—eyed。
\"Andthenyouknow，fatherwasn’talwaysthere；andonceortwicewemetonthecliff。Doyourememberthatmorning，Hilary？\"
\"Whatmorning？\"askedHilary，pattingthedogwithimmenseassiduity。
\"Why，themorningIhadmywhitesergeon。I’dbeenbathing，andmyhairwasdowntodry，andyousaidIlookedlikeamermaid。\"
\"Domermaidswearwhiteserge？\"Iasked；butnobodytooktheleastnoticeofme——quiteproperly。
\"Andyoutoldmesuchalotaboutyourself；andthenwefoundwewerelateforlunch。\"
\"Yes，\"saidHilary，suddenlyforgettingthedog，\"andyourmothergavemeanawfulglance。\"
\"Yes，andthenyoutoldmethatyouwereverypoor，butthatyoucouldn’thelpit；andyousaidyousupposedIcouldn’tpossibly——\"
\"Well，Ididn’tthink——!\"
\"AndIsaidyouwereasillyoldthing；andthen——\"Mrs。Hilarystoppedabruptly。
\"Howlovely，\"remarkedlittleMissPhyllisinawistfulvoice。
\"Anddoyouremember，\"pursuedMrs。Hilary，layingdownherembroideryandclaspingherhandsonherknees，\"themorningyouwenttoseefather？\"
\"Whatarowtherewas!\"saidHilary。
\"Andwhatanawfulweekitwasafterthat!Iwasneversomiserableinallmylife。Icriedtillmyeyeswerequitered，andthenIbathedthemforanhour，andthenIwenttothepier，andyouwerethere——andImightn’tspeaktoyou!\"
\"Iremember，\"saidHilary，noddinggently。
\"Andthen，Hilary，fathersentformeandtoldmeitwasnouse；
andIsaidI’dnevermarryanyoneelse。Andfathersaid，’There，there，don’tcry。We’llseewhatmothersays。’\"
\"Yourmotherwasabrick，\"saidHilary，pokingthefire。
\"Andthatnighttheynevertoldmeanythingaboutit，andI
didn’tevenchangemyfrock，butcamedown，lookinghorrible，justasIwas，inanoldblackrag——no，Hilary，don’tsayitwaspretty!\"
Hilary，unconvinced，shookhishead。
\"AndwhenIwalkedintothedrawingroomtherewasnobodytherebutjustyou；andweneitherofussaidanythingforeversolong。Andthenfatherandmothercameinand——doyourememberafterdinner，Hilary？\"
\"Iremember，\"saidHilary。
Therewasalongpause。Mrs。Hilarywaslookingintothefire；
littleMissPhyllis’seyeswerefixed，inraptgaze，ontheceiling；Hilarywaslookingathiswife——I，thinkingitsafest，wasregardingmyownboots。
AtlastMissPhyllisbrokethesilence。
\"Howperfectlylovely!\"shesaid。
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Hilary，reflectively。\"Andweweremarriedthreemonthsafterwards。\"
\"TenthofJune，\"saidHilaryreflectively。
\"Andwehadthemostcharminglittleroomsintheworld!Doyourememberthosefirstrooms，dear？Sotiny!\"
\"Notbadlittlerooms，\"saidHilary。
\"Howawfullylovely，\"criedlittleMissPhyllis。
Ifeltthatitwastimetointerfere。
\"Andisthatall？\"Iasked。
\"All？Howdoyoumean？\"saidMrs。Hilary，withaslightstart。
\"Well，Imean，didnothingelsehappen？Weren’tthereanycomplications？Weren’tthereanymoretroubles，oranymoreopposition，oranymisunderstandings，oranything？\"
\"No，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Youneverquarreled，orbrokeitoff？\"
\"No。\"
\"Nobodycamebetweenyou？\"
\"No。Itallwentjustperfectly。Why，ofcourseitdid。\"
\"Hilary’speoplemadethemselvesnasty，perhaps？\"Isuggested，witharayofhope。
\"Theyfellinlovewithheronthespot，\"saidHilary。
ThenIroseandstoodwithmybacktothefire。
\"Idonotknow，\"Iobserved，\"whatMissPhyllisthinksaboutit——\"
\"Ithinkitwasjustperfect，Mr。Carter。\"
\"Butformypart，IcanonlysaythatIneverheardofsuchadullaffairinallmylife。\"
\"Dull!\"gaspedMissPhyllis。
\"Dull!\"murmuredMrs。Hilary。
\"Dull!\"chuckledHilary。
\"Itwas，\"saidIseverely，\"withoutasparkofinterestfrombeginningtoend。Suchthingshappenbythousands。It’scommonplacenessitself。Ihadsomehopeswhenyoufatherassumedafirmattitude，but——\"
\"Motherwassuchadear，\"interruptedMrs。Hilary。
\"Justso。Shegaveawaythewholesituation。ThenIdidtrustthatHilarywouldlosehisplace，ordevelopanoldflame，ordosomethingjustalittleinteresting。\"
\"Itwasaperfecttime，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Iwonderwhyintheworldyoutoldmeaboutit，\"Ipursued。
\"Idon’tknowwhyIdid，\"saidMrs。Hilarydreamily。
\"Theonlypossibleexcuseforanengagementlikethat，\"I
observed，\"istobefoundinintensepost—nuptialunhappiness。\"
Hilaryrose，andadvancedtowardshiswife。
\"Yourembroidery’sfallingonthefloor，\"saidhe。
\"Notabitofit，\"saidI。
\"Yes，itis，\"hepersisted；andhepickeditupandgaveittoher。MissPhyllissmileddelightedly。Hilaryhadsqueezedhiswife’shand。
\"Thenwedon’texcuseit，\"saidhe。
Itookoutmywatch。Iwasnotfindingmuchentertainment。
\"Surelyit’squiteearly，oldman？\"saidHilary。
\"It’snearlyeleven。We’vespenthalf—an—houronthething，\"
saidIpeevishly，holdingoutmyhandtomyhostess。
\"Oh，areyougoing？Goodnight，Mr。Carter。\"
IturnedtoMissPhyllis。
\"Ihopeyouwon’tthinkallloveaffairsarelikethat，\"Isaid；
butIsawherlipsbegintoshapeinto\"lovely，\"andIhastilylefttheroom。
Hilarycametohelpmeonwithmycoat。Helookedextremelyapologetic，andverymuchashamedofhimself。
\"Awfullysorry，oldchap，\"saidhe，\"thatweboredyouwithourreminiscences。Iknow，ofcourse，thattheycan’tbeveryinterestingtootherpeople。Womenaresoconfoundedlyromantic。\"
\"Don’ttrythatonme，\"saidI，muchdisgusted。\"Youwerejustasbadyourself。\"
Helaughed，asheleantagainstthedoor。
\"Shedidlookrippinginthatwhitefrock，\"hesaid，\"withherhair——\"
\"Stop，\"saidIfirmly。\"Shelookedjustlikealotofothergirls。\"
\"I’mhangedifshedid!\"saidHilary。
Thenheglancedatmewithapuzzledsortofexpression。
\"Isay，oldman，weren’tyoueverthatwayyourself？\"heasked。
Ihailedahansomcab。
\"Because，ifyouwere，youknow，you’dunderstandhowafellowremembersevery——\"
\"Goodnight，\"saidI。\"AtleastIsupposeyou’renotcomingtotheclub？\"
\"Well，Ithinknot，\"saidHilary。\"Ta—ta，oldfellow。Sorryweboredyou。Ofcourse，ifamanhasnever——\"
\"Never!\"Igroaned。\"Ascoreoftimes!\"
\"Well，then，doesn’tit——？
\"No，\"saidI。\"It’sjustthatthatmakesstorieslikeyourssoinfernally——\"
\"What？\"askedHilary；forIhadpausedtolightacigarette。
\"Uninteresting，\"saidI，gettingintomycab。
STRANGE，BUTTRUE
TheotherdaymyyoungcousinGeorgelunchedwithme。Heisacheeryyouth，andamemberoftheUniversityofOxford。Herefreshesmeverymuch，andIbelievethatIhavethepleasureofaffordinghimsomematterforthought。Onthisoccasion，however，hewasextremelysilentanddepressed。Isaidlittle，butmadeanextremelygoodluncheon。AfterwardsweproceededtotakeastrollinthePark。
\"Sam，oldboy，\"saidGeorgesuddenly，\"I’mthemostmiserabledevilalive。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatelseyouexpectatyourage，\"Iobserved，lightingacigar。Hewalkedoninsilenceforafewmoments。
\"Isay，Sam，oldboy，whenyouwereyoung，wereyouever——？\"hepaused，arrangedhisneckcloth（itwasmorelikeabed—quilt——oh，thefashion，ofcourse，Iknowthat），andblushedafinecrimson。
\"WasIeverwhat，George？\"Ihadthecuriositytoask。
\"Oh，well，hardhit，youknow——agirl，youknow。\"
\"Inlove，youmean，George？No，Ineverwas。\"
\"Never？\"
\"No。Areyou？\"
\"Yes。Hangit!\"Thenhelookedatmewithapuzzledairandcontinued：
\"Isay，though，Sam，it’sawfullyfunnyyoushouldn’thave——don’tyouknowwhatit’slike，then？\"
\"HowshouldI？\"Iinquiredapologetically。\"Whatisitlike，George？\"
Georgetookmyarm。
\"It’sjustHades，\"heinformedmeconfidentially。
\"Then，\"Iremarked，\"Ihavenoreasontoregret——？\"
\"Still，youknow，\"interruptedGeorge，\"it’snothalfbad。\"
\"Thatappearstometobeaparadox，\"Iobserved。
\"It’sprecioushardtoexplainittoyouifyou’veneverfeltit，\"saidGeorge，inratheraninjuredtone。\"ButwhatIsayisquitetrue。\"
\"Ishouldn’tthinkofcontradictingyou，mydearfellow，\"I
hastenedtosay。
\"Let’ssitdown，\"saidhe，\"andwatchthepeopledriving。Wemayseesomebody——somebodyweknow，youknow，Sam。\"
\"Sowemay，\"saidI，andwesatdown。
\"Afellow，\"pursuedGeorge，withknittedbrows，\"isallturnedupsidedown，don’tyouknow？\"
\"Howverypeculiar？\"Iexclaimed。
\"Onemomenthe’sthehappiestdogintheworld，andthenext——well，thenext，it’sthedeuce。\"
\"But，\"Iobjected，\"notsurelywithoutgoodreasonforsuchachange？\"
\"Reason？Bosh!Theleastthingdoesit。\"
Iflickedtheashfrommycigar。
\"Itmay，\"Iremarked，\"affectyouinthisextraordinaryway，butsurelyitisnotsowithmostpeople？\"
\"Perhapsnot，\"Georgeconceded。\"Mostpeoplearecold—bloodedasses。\"
\"Verylikelytheexplanationliesinthatfact，\"saidI。
\"Ididn’tmeanyou，oldchap，\"saidGeorge，withapenitencewhichshowedthathehadmeantme。
\"Oh，allright，allright，\"saidI。
\"Butwhenaman’sreallyfargonethere’snothingelseintheworldbutit。\"
\"Thatseemstomenottobeahealthycondition，\"saidI。
\"Healthy？Oh，youoldidiot，Sam!Who’stalkingofhealth？
Now，onlylastnightImetheratadance。Ihadfivedanceswithher——talkedtoherhalftheevening，infact。Well，you’dthinkthatwouldlastsometime，wouldn’tyou？\"
\"Ishouldcertainlyhavesupposedso，\"Iassented。
\"Soitwouldwithmostchaps，Idaresay，butwithme——confoundit，IfeelasifIhadn’tseenherforsixmonths!\"
\"But，mydearGeorge，that’ssurelyratherabsurd？Asyoutellme，youspentalongwhilewiththeyoungperson——\"
\"The——youngperson!\"
\"You’venottoldmehername，yousee。\"
\"No，andIshan’t。Iwonderifshe’llbeattheMusgraves’
tonight!\"
\"You’resure，\"saidIsoothingly，\"tomeethersomewhereinthecourseofthenextfewweeks。\"
Georgelookedatme。Thenheobservedwithabitterlaugh：
\"It’sprettyevidentyou’veneverhadit。You’reasbadasthosechapswhowritebooks。\"
\"Well，butsurelytheyoftendescribewithsufficientwarmthand——er——color——\"
\"Oh，Idaresay；butit’sallwrong。Atleast，it’snotwhatI
feel。Thenlookatthegirlsinbooks!Allbeasts!\"
Georgespokewithmuchvehemence；sothatIwasledtosay：
\"Theladyyouarepreoccupiedwithis，Isuppose，handsome？\"
Georgeturnedswiftlyroundonme。
\"Lookhere，canyouholdyourtongue，Sam？\"
Inodded。
\"ThenI’mhangedifIwon’tpointherouttoyou？\"
\"That’suncommongoodofyou，George，\"saidI。
\"Thenyou’llsee，\"continuedGeorge。\"Butit’snotonlyherlooks，youknow，she’sthemost——\"
Hestopped。Lookingroundtoseewhy，Iobservedthathisfacewasred；heclutchedhiswalkingsticktightlyinhislefthand；
hisrighthandwastrembling，asifitwantedtojumpuptohishat。\"Hereshecomes!Look，look!\"hewhispered。
Directingmyeyestowardsthelinesofcarriageswhichrolledpastus，Iobservedagirlinavictoria；byhersidesataportlyladyofmiddleage。Thegirlwasdecidedlylikethelady；
adescriptionoftheladywouldnot，Iimagine，beinteresting。
Thegirlblushedslightlyandbowed。GeorgeandIliftedourhats。Thevictoriaanditsoccupantsweregone。Georgeleantbackwithasigh。Afteramoment，hesaid：
\"Well，thatwasher。\"
Therewasexpectancyinhistone。
\"Shehasanextremelyprepossessingappearance，\"Iobserved。
\"Thereisn’t，\"saidGeorge，\"agirlinLondontotouchher。Sam，oldboy，Ibelieve——Ibelieveshelikesmeabit。\"
\"I’msureshemust，George，\"saidI；andindeed，Ithoughtso。
\"TheGovernor’sinfernallyunreasonable，\"saidGeorge，fretfully。
\"Oh，you’vementionedittohim？\"
\"Isoundedhim。Oh，youmaybesurehedidn’tseewhatIwasupto。Iputitquitegenerally。Hetalkedrotaboutgettingonintheworld。Whowantstogeton？\"
\"Who，indeed？\"saidI。\"Itisonlychangingwhatyouareforsomethingnobetter。\"
\"AndaboutwaitingtillIknowmyownmind。Isn’titenoughtolookather？\"
\"Ample，inmyopinion，\"saidI。
Georgerosetohisfeet。
\"They’vegonetoaparty，theywon’tcomeroundagain，\"saidhe。
\"Wemayaswellgo，mayn’twe？\"
Iwasverycomfortable，soIsaidtimidly：
\"Wemightseesomebodyelseweknow。\"
\"Oh，somebodyelsebehanged!Whowantstoseeem？\"
\"I’msureIdon’t。\"saidIhastily，asIrosefrommyarmchair，whichwasatoncesnappedup。
Wewereabouttoreturntotheclub，whenIobservedLadyMickleham’sbarouchestandingunderthetrees。IinvitedGeorgetocomeandbeintroduced。
Hedisplayedgreatindifference。
\"Shegivesagoodmanyparties，\"saidI；\"andperhaps——\"
\"ByJove!Yes，Imayaswell，\"saidGeorge。\"Gladyouhadthesensetothinkofthat，oldman。\"
SoItookhimuptoDollyandpresentedhim。Dollywasverygracious；Georgeisanevidentlypresentableboy。Wefellintoconversation。
\"Mycousin，LadyMickleham，\"saidI，\"hasbeentellingme——\"
\"Oh，shutup，Sam!\"saidGeorge，not，however，appearingveryangry。
\"AboutasubjectonwhichyoucanassisthimmorethanIcan，inasmuchasyouaremarried。Heisinlove。\"
DollyglancedatGeorge。
\"Oh，whatfun!\"saidshe。
\"Fun!\"criedGeorge。
\"Imean，howawfullyinteresting，\"saidDolly，suddenlytransformingherexpression。
\"Andhewantedtobeintroducedtoyoubecauseyoumightaskherandhimto——\"
Georgebecamered，andbegantostammeranapology。
\"Oh，Idon’tbelievehim，\"saidDollykindly；\"healwaysmakespeopleuncomfortableifhecan。Whatwereyoutellinghim，Mr。
George？\"
\"It’snousetellinghimanything。Hecan’tunderstand，\"saidGeorge。
\"Isshevery——？\"askedDolly，fixingdoubtfullygraveeyesonmyyoungcousin。
\"Sam’sseenher，\"saidhe，inanexcessofshyness。
Dollyturnedtomeforanopinion，andIgaveone：
\"Sheisjust，\"saidI，\"ascharmingashethinksher。\"
Dollyleantovertomycousin，andwhispered，\"Tellmehername。\"
AndhewhisperedsomethingbacktoDolly。
\"It’sawfullykindofyou，LadyMickleham，\"hesaid。
\"Iamakindoldthing，\"saidDolly，alloverdimples。\"Icaneasilygettoknowthem。\"
\"Oh，youreallyareawfullykind，LadyMickleham。\"
Dollysmileduponhim，wavedherhandtome，anddroveoff，crying——
\"DotrytomakeMr。Carterunderstand!\"
Wewereleftalong。Georgeworeameditativesmile。Presentlyherousedhimselftosay：
\"She’sreallyaverykindwoman。She’ssosympathetic。She’snotlikeyou。Iexpectshefeltitonceherself，youknow。\"
\"Onecannevertell，\"saidIcarelessly。\"Perhapsshedid——once。\"
Georgefelltobroodingagain。IthoughtIwouldtryanexperiment。
\"Notaltogetherbad—looking，either，isshe？\"Iasked，lightingacigarette。
Georgestarted。
\"What？Oh，well，Idon’tknow。Isupposesomepeoplemightthinkso。\"
Hepaused，andadded，withabashful，knowingsmile——
\"Youcanhardlyexpectmetogointorapturesabouther，canyou，oldman？\"
Iturnedmyheadaway，buthecaughtme。
\"Oh，youneedn’tsmileinthatinfernallypatronizingway，\"hecriedangrily。
\"Uponmyword，George，\"saidI，\"Idon’tknowthatIneed。\"
THEVERYLATESTTHING
\"It’stheverylatestthing，\"saidLadyMickleham，standingbythetableinthesmokingroom，andholdinganalbuminherhand。
\"Iwishithadbeenalittlelaterstill，\"saidI，forIfeltembarrassed。
\"Youpromise，onyourhonor，tobeabsolutelysincere，youknow，andthenyouwritewhatyouthinkofme。SeewhatalotofopinionsI’vegotalready，\"andsheheldupthethickalbum。
\"Itwouldbeextremelyinterestingtoreadthem，\"Iobserved。
\"Oh!\"butthey’requiteconfidential，\"saidDolly。\"That’spartofthefun。\"
\"Idon’tappreciatethatpart，\"saidI。
\"Perhapsyouwillwhenyou’vewrittenyours，\"suggestedLadyMickleham。
\"Meanwhile，mayn’tIseetheDowager’s？\"
\"Well，I’llshowyoualittlebitoftheDowager’s。Lookhere：
OurdearDorotheaisstillperhapsjustathoughtwantinginseriousness，butthesenseofherpositionishavingasoberingeffect。’\"
\"Ihopenot，\"Iexclaimedapprehensively。\"Whoseisthis？\"
\"Archie’s。\"
\"MayIseeabit——？\"
\"Notabit，\"saidDolly。\"Archie’sis——isratherfoolish，Mr。
Carter。\"
\"SoIsuppose，\"saidI。
\"Dearboy!\"saidDollyreflectively。
\"Ihatesentiment，\"saidI。\"Here’salongone。Whowrote——？\"
\"Oh，youmustn’tlookatthat——notatthat，aboveall!\"
\"Whyaboveall？\"Iaskedwithsomeseverity。
Dollysmiled；thensheobservedinasoothingtone。
\"Perhapsitwon’tbe’aboveall’whenyou’vewrittenyours，Mr。
Carter。\"
\"Bytheway，\"Isaidcarelessly，\"IsupposeArchieseesallofthem？\"
\"Hehasneveraskedtoseethem，\"answeredLadyMickleham。
Thereplyseemedsatisfactory；ofcourse，Archiehadonlytoask。
Itookacleanquillandpreparedtowrite。
\"Youpromisetobesincere，youknow，\"Dollyremindedme。
Ilaiddownmypen。
\"Impossible!\"saidIfirmly。
\"O，butwhy，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Therewouldbeanendofourfriendship。\"
\"Doyouthinkasbadlyofmeasallthat？\"askedDollywitharuefulair。
Ileantbackinmychair，andlookedatDolly。Shelookedatme。
Shesmiled。Imayhavesmiled。
\"Yes，\"saidI。
\"Thenyouneedn’twriteitquitealldown，\"saidDolly。
\"Iamobliged，\"saidI，takingupmypen。
\"Youmustn’tsaywhatisn’ttrue，butyouneedn’tsayeverythingthatis——thatmightbe——true，\"explainedDolly。
This，again，seemedsatisfactory。Ibegantowrite，Dollysittingoppositemewithherelbowsonthetable，andwatchingme。
Aftertenminutes’steadywork，whichincludedseveralpausesforreflection，Ithrewdownthepen，leantbackinmychair，andlitacigarette。
\"Nowreadit，\"saidDolly，herchininherhandsandhereyesfixedonme。
\"Itis，onthewhole，\"Iobserved，\"complimentary。\"
\"No，really，\"saidDolly。\"Yetyoupromisedtobesincere。\"
\"Youwouldnothavehadmedisagreeable？\"Iasked。
\"That’sadifferentthing，\"saidDolly。\"Readit，please。\"
\"LadyMickleham，\"Iread，\"isusuallyaccountedapersonofconsiderableattractions。Sheiswidelypopular，andmorethanonewomanhasbeenknowntolikeher。\"
\"Idon’tquiteunderstandthat，\"interruptedDolly。
\"Itissurelysimple，\"saidI；andIreadonwithoutdelay。\"Sheiskindeventoherhusband，andtakestheutmostpainstoconcealfromhermother—in—lawanythingcalculatedtodistressthatlady。\"
\"Isupposeyoumeanthattobenice？\"saidDolly。
\"Ofcourse，\"Ianswered；andIproceeded：\"Shenevergivespaintoanyone，exceptwiththeobjectofgivingpleasuretosomebodyelse，andherkindnessisnolesswidelydiffusedthanitisheartyandsincere。\"
\"Thatreallyisnice，\"saidDolly，smiling。
\"Thankyou，\"saidI，smilingalso。\"Sheisverycharitable；shetakesapleasureinencouragingtheshyandbashful——\"
\"Howdoyouknowthat？\"askedDolly。
\"While，\"Ipursued，\"sufferingwithoutimpatienceaconsiderableamountofself—assurance。\"
\"Youcan’tknowwhetherI’mpatientornot，\"remarkedDolly。
\"I’mpolite。\"
\"Shethinks，\"Ireadon，\"noevilofthemostattractiveofwomen，andhasasmileforthemostunattractiveofmen。\"
\"Youputthatverynicely，\"saidDolly，nodding。
\"Theformermayconstantlybeseeninherhouse——andthelatteratleastasoftenasmanypeoplewouldthinkdesirable。\"（HereforsomereasonDollylaughed。）\"Herintellectualpowersarenotdespicable。\"
\"Thankyou，Mr。Carter。\"
\"Shecansaywhatshemeansontheoccasionsonwhichshewishestodoso，andsheis，atothertimes，equallycapableofmeaningmuchmorethanshewouldbelikelytosay。\"
\"Howdoyoumeanthat，Mr。Carter，please？\"
\"Itexplainsitself，\"saidI，andIproceeded：\"Thefactofherreceivingaremarkwithdisapprobationdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatitcausesherdispleasure，normustitbeassumedthatshedidnotexpectavisitormerelyonthegroundthatshegreetshimwithsurprise。\"
HereIobservedLadyMicklehamlookingatmerathersuspiciously。
\"Idon’tthinkthat’squiteniceofyou，Mr。Carter，\"shesaidpathetically。
\"LadyMicklehamis，inshort，\"Iwenton，comingtomyperoration，\"equallydeservingofesteemandaffection——\"
\"Esteemandaffection!Thatsoundsjustright，\"saidDollyapprovingly。
\"Andthosewhohavebeenadmittedtotheenjoymentofherfriendshipareunanimousindiscouragingallothersfromseekingasimilarprivilege。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon？\"criedLadyMickleham。
\"Areunanimous，\"Irepeated，slowlyanddistinctly，\"indiscouragingallothersfromseekingasimilarprivilege。\"
Dollylookedatme，withherbrowslightlypuckered。Ileantback，puffingatmycigarette。Presently——fortherewasquitealongpause——Dolly’slipscurved。
\"Mymentalpowersarenotdespicable，\"sheobserved。
\"Ihavesaidso，\"saidI。
\"IthinkIsee，\"sheremarked。
\"Isthereanythingwrong？\"Iaskedanxiously。
\"N—no，\"saidDolly，\"notexactlywrong。Infact，IratherthinkIlikethatlastbitbest。Still，don’tyouthink——？
Sherose，cameroundthetable，tookupthepen，andputitbackinmyhand。\"What’sthisfor？\"Iasked。
\"Tocorrectthemistake，\"saidDolly。
\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"saidI。
\"I’mafraidso，\"saidDolly。
Itookthepenandmadeacertainalteration。Dollytookupthealbum。
\"’Areunanimous，’\"sheread，\"inencouragingallotherstoseekasimilarprivilege。’Yes，youmeantthat，youknow，Mr。
Carter。\"
\"IsupposeImusthave，\"saidIrathersulkily。
\"Theotherwasnonsense，\"urgedDolly。
\"Oh，utternonsense，\"saidI。
\"Andyouhadtowritethetruth!\"
\"Yes，Ihadtowritesomeofit。\"
\"Andnonsensecan’tbethetruth，canit，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Ofcourseitcan’t，LadyMickleham。\"
\"Whereareyougoing，Mr。Carter？\"sheasked；forIrosefrommychair。
\"Tohaveaquietsmoke，\"saidI。
\"Alone？\"askedDolly。
\"Yes，alone，\"saidI。
Iwalkedtowardsthedoor。Dollystoodbythetablefingeringthealbum。Ihadalmostreachedthedoor；thenIhappenedtolookround。
\"Mr。Carter!\"saidDolly，asthoughanewideahadstruckher。
\"Whatisit，LadyMickleham？\"
\"Well，youknow，Mr。Carter，I——Ishalltrytoforgetthatmistakeofyours。\"
\"You’reverykind，LadyMickleham。\"
\"But，\"saidDollywithatroubledsmile，\"I——I’mquiteafraidI
shan’tsucceed，Mr。Carter。\"
Afterall，thesmokingroomismeantforsmoking。
ANUNCOUNTEDHOUR
Wewerestanding，LadyMicklehamandI，atadoorwhichledfromthemorningroomtotheterraceatTheTowers。Iwasonavisittothehistoricpile（byVanbrugh——outofthemoneyaccumulatedbythethirdEarl——PaymastertotheForces——temp。QueenAnne）。
Themorningroomisalargeroom。Archiewassomewhereinit。
LadyMicklehamheldajarcontainingpatedefoiegras；fromtimetotimeshedugapieceoutwithaforkandflungthemorseltoabigretrieverwhichwassittingontheterrace。Themorningwasfine，butcloudy。LadyMicklehamworeblue。Thedogswallowedthepatewithgreediness。
\"It’ssobadforhim，\"sighedshe；\"butthedearlikesitsomuch。\"
\"Howhumanthecreaturesare，\"saidI。
\"Doyouknow，\"pursuedLadyMickleham，\"thattheDowagersaysI’mextravagant。Shethinksdogsoughtnottobefedonpatedefoiegras。\"
\"Yourextravagance，\"Iobserved，\"isprobablyduetoyourhavingbeenbroughtuponamoderateincome。Ihavefelttheeffectmyself。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidDolly，\"wearehitbytheagriculturaldepression。\"
\"TheCartersalso，\"Imurmured，\"arelandedgentry。\"
\"Afterall，Idon’tseemuchpointineconomy，doyou，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Economy，\"Iremarked，puttingmyhandsinmypockets，\"isgoingwithoutsomethingyoudowantincaseyoushould，someday，wantsomethingwhichyouprobablywon’twant。\"
\"Isn’tthatclever？\"askedDollyinanapprehensivetone。
\"Oh，dear，no，\"Iansweredreassuringly。\"Anybodycandothat——iftheycaretotry，youknow。\"
Dollytossedapieceofpatetotheretriever。
\"Ihavemadeadiscoverylately，\"Iobserved。
\"Whatareyoutwotalkingabout？\"calledArchie。
\"You’renotmeanttohear，\"saidDolly，withoutturninground。
\"Yet，ifit’sadiscovery，heoughttohearit。\"
\"He’smadeagoodmanylately，\"saidDolly。
Shedugoutthelastbitofpate，flungittothedog，andhandedtheemptypottome。
\"Don’tbesoallegorical，\"Iimplored。\"Besides，it’sreallynotjusttoArchie。Nodoubtthedogisaniceone，but——\"
\"Howfoolishyouarethismorning!What’sthediscovery？\"
\"Anentirelysurprisingone。\"
\"Oh，butletmehear!It’snothingaboutArchie，isit？\"
\"No，I’vetoldyouallArchie’ssins。\"
\"NorMrs。Hilary？IwishitwasMrs。Hilary!\"
\"Shallwewalkontheterrace？\"Isuggested。
\"Oh，yes，let’s，\"saidDolly，steppingout，andputtingonabroad—brimmed，low—crownedhat，whichshecaughtupfromachairhardby。\"Itisn’tMrs。Hilary？\"sheadded，sittingdownonagardenseat。
\"No，\"saidI，leaningonasundialwhichstoodbytheseat。
\"Well，whatisit？\"
\"Itissimple，\"saidI，\"andserious。Itisnot，therefore，likeyou，LadyMickleham。\"
\"It’slikeMrs。Hilary，\"saidDolly。
\"No；becauseitisn’tpleasant。Bytheway，youarejealousofMrs。Hilary？\"
Dollysaidnothingatall。Shetookoffherhat，roughenedherhairalittle，andassumedaneffectivepose。Still，itisafact（forwhatitisworth）thatshedoesn’tcaremuchaboutMrs。Hilary。
\"Thediscovery，\"Icontinued，\"isthatI’mgrowingmiddle—aged。\"
\"Youaremiddle—aged，\"saidDolly，spearingherhatwithitslongpin。
Iwas，verynaturally，nettledatthis。
\"Sowillyoubesoon，\"Iretorted。
\"Notsoon，\"saidDolly。
\"Someday，\"Iinsisted。
Afterapauseofabouthalfaminute，Dollysaid，\"Isupposeso。\"
\"Youwillbecome，\"Ipursued，idlydrawingpatternswithmyfingeronthesundial，\"wrinkled，rough，fat——and，perhaps，good。\"
\"You’reverydisagreeabletoday，\"saidDolly。
Sheroseandstoodbyme。
\"Whatdothemottoesmean？\"sheasked。
Thereweretwo；Iwillnotsaytheycontradictedoneanother，buttheylookedatlifefromdifferentpointsofview。
\"Pereuntetimputantur，\"Iread。
\"Well，what’sthat，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Atrite，butoffensive，assertion，\"saidI，lightingacigarette。
\"Butwhatdoesitmean？\"sheasked，apuckeronherforehead。
\"Whatdoesitmatter？\"saidI。\"Let’strytheother。\"
\"Theotherislonger。\"
\"Andbetter。Horasnonnumeronisiserenas。\"
\"Andwhat’sthat？\"
Itranslatedliterally。Dollyclappedherhands，andherfacegleamedwithsmiles。
\"Ilikethatone，\"shecried。
\"Stop!\"saidIimperatively。\"You’llsetitmoving!\"
\"It’sverysensible，\"saidshe。
\"Morefreelyrendered，itmeans，Iliveonlywhenyou——\"
\"ByJove!\"remarkedArchie，comingupbehindus，pipeinmouth，\"therewasalotofrainlastnight。I’vejustmeasureditinthegauge。\"
\"Somepeoplemeasureeverything，\"saidI，withadispleasedair。
\"Itisadetestablehabit。\"
\"Archie，whatdoesPereuntetimputanturmean？\"
\"Eh？Oh，Isee。Well，Isay，Carter!——Oh，well，youknow，I
supposeitmeansyou’vegottopayforyourfun，doesn’tit？\"
\"Oh，isthatall？Iwasafraiditwassomethinghorrid。Whydidyoufrightenme，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Ithinkitisratherhorrid，\"saidI。
\"Why，itisn’teventrue，\"saidDollyscornfully。
NowwhenIheardthisancientandrespectablelegendthuscavalierlychallenged，Ifelltostudyingitagain，andpresentlyIexclaimed：
\"Yes，you’reright!Ifitsaidthat，itwouldn’tbetrue；butArchietranslateditwrong。\"
\"Well，youhaveashot，\"suggestedArchie。
\"Theoystersareeatenandputdowninthebill，\"saidI。\"Andyouwillobserve，Archie，thatitdoesnotsayinwhosebill。\"
\"Ah!\"saidDolly。
\"Well，somebody’sgottopay，\"persistedArchie。
\"Oh，yes，somebody，\"laughedDolly。
\"Well，Idon’tknow，\"saidArchie。\"Isupposethechapthathasthefun——\"
\"It’snotalwaysachap，\"observedDolly。
\"Well，thentheindividual，\"amendedArchie。\"Isupposehe’dhavetopay。\"
\"Itdoesn’tsayso，\"Iremarkedmildly。\"Andaccordingtomysmallexperience——\"
\"I’mquitesureyourmeaningisright，Mr。Carter，\"saidDollyinanauthoritativetone。
\"Asfortheothermotto，Archie，\"saidI，\"itmerelymeansthatawomanconsidersallhourswastedwhichshedoesnotspendinthesocietyofherhusband。\"
\"Oh，come，youdon’tgammonme，\"saidArchie。\"Itmeansthatthesundon’tshineunlessit’sfine，youknow。\"
Archiedeliveredthisremarkablediscoveryinatoneofgreatselfsatisfaction。
\"Oh，youdearoldthing!\"saidDolly。
\"Well，itdoesyouknow，\"saidhe。
Therewasapause。Archiekissedhiswife（Iamnotcomplaining；
hehas，ofcourse，aperfectrighttokisshiswife）andstrolledawaytowardthehothouses。
Ilitanothercigarette。ThenDolly，pointingtothestemofthedial，cried：
\"Why，here’sanotherinscription——oh，andinEnglish？\"
Shewasright。Therewasanother——carelesslyscratchedontheoldbatteredcolumn——nearlyeffaced，forthecharactershadbeenbutlightlymarked——andyetnot，asIconceivedfromthetenorofthewords，veryold。
\"Whatisit？\"askedDolly，peeringovermyshoulder，asIbentdowntoreadtheletters，andshadinghereyeswithherhand。
（Whydidn’tsheputonherhat？WetouchtheIncomprehensible。）
\"Itis，\"saidI，\"asingularlypoor，shallow，feeble，andundesirablelittleverse。\"
\"Readitout，\"saidDolly。
SoIreadit。Thesillyfellowhadwritten：
LifeisLove，thepoetstellus，Inthelittlebookstheysellus；Butpray，ma’am——what’sofLifetheUse，IfLifebeLove？
ForLove’stheDeuce。
Dollybegantolaughgently，diggingthepinagainintoherhat。
\"Iwonder，\"shesaid，\"whethertheyusedtocomeandsitbythisolddialjustaswedidthismorning!\"
\"Ishouldn’tbeatallsurprised，\"saidI。\"Andanotherpointoccurstome，LadyMickleham。\"
\"Oh，doesit？What’sthat，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Doyouthinkthatanybodymeasuredtheraingauge!\"
Dollylookedatmeverygravely。
\"I’msosorrywhenyoudothat，\"saidshepathetically。
Ismiled。
\"Ireallyam，\"saiddolly。\"Butyoudon’tmeanit，doyou？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"saidI。
Dollysmiled。
\"Nomorethanhedid!\"saidI，pointingtothesundial。
Andthenwebothsmiled。
\"Willthishourcount，Mr。Carter？\"askedDolly，assheturnedaway。
\"Thatwouldberatherstrict，\"saidI。
AREMINISCENCE
\"Iknowexactlywhatyourmotherwants，Phyllis，\"observedMrs。
Hilary。
\"It’sjusttoteachthemtheordinarythings，\"saidlittleMissPhyllis。
\"Whataretheordinarythings？\"Iventuredtoask。
\"Whatallgirlsaretaught，ofcourse，Mr。Carter，\"saidMrs。
Hilary。\"I’llwriteaboutitatonce。\"AndshelookedatmeasifshethoughtthatImightbeabouttogo。
\"Itisacomprehensivecurriculum，\"Iremarked，crossingmylegs，\"ifonemayjudgefromtheresults。Howoldareyouryoungersisters，MissPhyllis？\"
\"Fourteenandsixteen，\"sheanswered。
\"Itisapity，\"saidI，\"thatthisdidn’thappenalittlewhileback。Iknewagovernesswhowouldhavesuitedtheplacetoat。’\"
Mrs。Hilarysmiledscornfully。
\"Weusedtomeet——\"Icontinued。
\"Whousedtomeet？\"askedMissPhyllis。
\"Thegovernessandmyself，tobesure，\"saidI，\"undertheoldappletreeinthegardenatthebackofthehouse。\"
\"Whathouse，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Myfather’shouse，ofcourse，MissPhyllis。And——\"
\"Oh，butthatmustbeagesago!\"criedshe。
Mrs。Hilaryrose，castoneglanceatme，andturnedtothewritingtable。Herpenbegantoscratchalmostimmediately。
\"Andundertheappletree，\"Ipursued，\"wehadmanypleasantconversations。\"
\"Whatabout？\"askedMissPhyllis。
\"Onethingandanother，\"Ireturned。\"Theschoolroomwindowslookedoutthatway——acircumstancewhichmademattersmorecomfortableforeverybody。\"
\"Ishouldhavethought——\"beganMissPhyllis，smilingslightly，butkeepinganapprehensiveeyeonMrs。Hilary’sback。
\"Notatall，\"Iinterrupted。\"Mysisterssawus，yousee。Well，ofcoursetheyentertainedanincreasedrespectforme，whichwasallright，andadecreasedrespectforthegoverness，whichwasalsoallright。WemetinthehourallottedtoFrenchlessons——byanundesignedbutappropriatecoincidence。\"
\"Ishallsayaboutthirty—five，Phyllis，\"calledMrs。Hilaryfromthewritingtable。
\"Yes，CousinMary，\"calledMissPhyllis。\"Didyoumeetoften，Mr。Carter？\"
\"EveryeveningintheFrenchhour，\"saidI。
\"She’llhavegotoveranynonsensebythen，\"calledMrs。Hilary。
\"Theyareoftenfullofit。\"
\"Shehadremarkablyprettyhair，\"Icontinued；\"verysoftitwas。
Dearme!Iwasjusttwenty。\"
\"Howoldwasshe？\"askedMissPhyllis。
\"One’sfirstlove，\"saidI，\"isneveranyage。Everythingwentverywell。Happinesswasimpossible。Iwasheartbroken，andthegovernesswasfarfromhappy。Ah，happy，happytimes!\"
\"Butyoudon’tseemtohavebeenhappy，\"objectedMissPhyllis。
\"Thencameaterribleevening——\"
\"Sheoughttobeapersonofactivehabits，\"calledMrs。Hilary。
\"Ithinkso，yes，CousinMary；oh，whathappened，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Andanearlyriser，\"addedMrs。Hilary。
\"Yes，CousinMary。Whatdidhappen，Mr。Carter？\"
\"MymothercameinduringtheFrenchhour。Idon’tknowwhetheryouhaveobserved，MissPhyllis，howeasyitistoslipintothehabitofenteringroomswhenyouhadbetterremainoutside。Now，evenmyfriendArch——However，that’sneitherherenorthere。Mymother，asIsay，camein。\"
\"ChurchofEngland，ofcourse，Phyllis？\"calledMrs。Hilary。
\"Oh，ofcourse，cousinMary，\"criedlittleMissPhyllis。
\"Thesectmakesnodifference，\"Iobserved。\"Well，mysisters，likegoodgirls，begantorepeattheirregularverbs。Butitwasnouse。Wewerediscovered。Thatnight，MissPhyllis，Inearlydrownedmyself。\"
\"Youmusthavebeen——Oh，howawful，Mr。Carter!\"
\"Thatistosay，IthoughthoweffectiveitwouldbeifIdrownedmyself。Ah，well，itcouldn’tlast!\"
\"Andthegoverness？\"
\"Sheleftnextmorning。\"
Therewasapause。MissPhyllislookedsadandthoughtful；I
smiledpensivelyandbeatmycaneagainstmyleg。
\"Haveyoueverseenhersince？\"askedMissPhyllis。
\"No。\"
\"Shouldn’t——shouldn’tyouliketo，Mr。Carter？\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"saidI。
SuddenlyMrs。Hilarypushedbackherchair，andturnedroundtous。
\"Well，Ideclare，\"saidshe，\"Imustbegrowingstupid。HerehaveIbeenwritingtotheAgency，whenIknowoftheverythingmyself!ThePolwheedles’governessisjustleavingthem；she’sbeenthereoverfifteenyears。LadyPolwheedletoldmeshewasatreasure。Iwonderifshe’dgo!\"
\"Isshewhatmammawants？\"
\"Mydear，you’llbemostluckytogether。I’llwriteatonceandaskhertocometolunchtomorrow。Imetherthere。She’sanadmirableperson。\"
Mrs。Hilarywheeledroundagain。IshookmyheadatMissPhyllis。
\"Poorchildren!\"saidI。\"Manageabitoffunforthemsometimes。\"
MissPhyllisassumedastaidandvirtuousair。
\"Theymustbeproperlybroughtup，Mr。Carter，\"saidshe。
\"IsthereaHouseOpposite？\"Iasked；andMissPhyllisblushed。
Mrs。Hilaryadvanced，holdingoutaletter。
\"Youmayaswellpostthisforme，\"saidshe。\"Oh，andwouldyouliketocometolunchtomorrow？\"
\"TomeettheParagon？\"
\"No。She’llbethere，ofcourse；butyouseeit’sSaturday，andHilarywillbehere；andIthoughtyoumighttakehimoffsomewhereandleavePhyllisandmetohaveaquiettalkwithher。\"
\"Thatwon’tamusehermuch，\"Iventuredtoremark。
\"She’snotcomingtobeamused，\"saidMrs。Hilaryseverely。
\"Allright；I’llcome，\"saidI，takingmyhat。
\"Here’sthenoteforMissBannerman，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
Thatsortofthingneversurprisesme。Ilookedattheletterandread\"MissM。E。Bannerman。\"\"M。E。\"stoodfor\"MaudElizabeth。\"Iputmyhatbackonthetable。
\"WhatsortofalookingpersonisthisMissBannerman？\"Iasked。
\"Oh，aspare，uprightwoman——hairalittlegray，and——Idon’tknowhowtodescribeit——herfacelooksalittleweather—beaten。
Shewearsglasses。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidI。\"AndwhatsortofalookingpersonamI？\"
Mrs。Hilarylookedscornful。MissPhyllisopenedhereyes。
\"HowolddoIlook，MissPhyllis？\"Iasked。
\"Idon’tknow，\"shesaiduncomfortably。
\"Guess，\"saidIsternly。
\"F—forty—three——oh，orforty—two？\"sheasked，withatimidupwardglance。
\"Whenyou’vedoneyournonsense——\"beganMrs。Hilary；butIlaidahandonherarm。
\"Shouldyoucallmefat？\"Iasked。
\"Oh，no；notfat，\"saidMrs。Hilary，withasmile，whichshestrovetorenderreassuring。
\"Iamundoubtedlybald，\"Iobserved。
\"You’recertainlybald，\"saidMrs。Hilary，withregretfulcandor。
Itookmyhatandremarked：\"Amanhasarighttothinkofhimself，butIamnotthinkingmainlyofmyself。Ishallnotcometolunch。\"
\"Yousaidyouwould，\"criedMrs。Hilaryindignantly。
Ipoisedtheletterinmyhand，readingagain\"MissM（aud）
E（lizabeth）Bannerman。\"MissPhyllislookedatmecuriously，Mrs。Hilaryimpatiently。
\"Whoknows，\"saidI，\"thatImaynotbeaRomance——aVanishedDream——aGreenMemory——anOasis？ApersonwhohasthefortunetobeanOasis，MissPhyllis，shouldbeverycareful。Iwillnotcometolunch。\"
\"DoyoumeanthatyouusedtoknowMissBannerman？\"askedMrs。
Hilaryinherpleasantprosaicway。
Itwasasinseventeenyearsold；itwouldhardlycountagainsttheblamelessMissBannermannow。\"YoumaytellherwhenI’mgone，\"saidItoMissPhyllis。
MissPhylliswhisperedinMrs。Hilary’sear。
\"Another？\"criedMrs。Hilary，aghast。
\"Itwastheveryfirst，\"saidI，defendingmyself。
Mrs。Hilarybegantolaugh。Ismoothedmyhat。
\"Tellher，\"saidI，\"thatIrememberedherverywell。\"
\"Ishalldonosuchthing，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Andtellher，\"Icontinued，\"thatIamstillhandsome。\"
\"Ishan’tsayawordaboutyou，\"saidMrs。Hilary。
\"Ah，well，thatwillbebetterstill，\"saidI。
\"She’llhaveforgottenyourveryname，\"remarkedMrs。Hilary。
Iopenedthedoor，butathoughtstruckme。Iturnedroundandobserved：
\"Idaresayherhair’sjustassoftasever。Still——I’lllunchsomeotherday。\"
AVERYFINEDAY
\"Iseenothingwhatevertolaughat，\"saidMrs。Hilarycoldly，whenIhadfinished。
\"Ididnotaskyoutolaugh，\"Iobservedmildly。\"Imentioneditmerelyasatypicalcase。\"
\"It’snottypical，\"shesaid，andtookupherembroidery。Butamomentlatersheadded：
\"Poorboy!I’mnotsurprised。\"
\"I’mnotsurprisedeither，\"Iremarked。\"Itis，however，extremelydeplorable。\"
\"It’syourownfault。Whydidyouintroducehim？\"
\"Abook，\"Iobserved，\"mightbewrittenontheInjusticeoftheJust。HowcouldIsupposethathewould——？\"
Bytheway，Imightaswellstatewhathe——thatis，myyoungcousinGeorge——haddone。Unlessoneisagenius，itisbesttoaimatbeingintelligible。
Well，hewasinlove；andwithaviewofprovidinghimwithanotherhouseatwhichhemightbelikelytomeettheadoredobject，IpresentedhimtomyfriendLadyMickleham。ThatwasonaTuesday。Afortnightlater，asIwassittinginHydePark（asIsometimesdo），Georgecameupandtookthechairnexttome。I
gavehimacigarette，butmadenoremark。Georgebeathiscanerestlesslyagainstthelegofhistrousers。
\"I’vegottogouptomorrow，\"heremarked。
\"Ah，well，Oxfordisadelightfultown，\"saidI。
\"D————dhole，\"observedGeorge。
Iwasabouttocontestthisopinionwhenavictoriadroveby。
Agirlsatinit，sidebysidewithaportlylady。
\"George，George!\"Icried。\"Theresheis——Look!\"
Georgelooked，raisedhishatwithsufficientpoliteness，andremarkedtome：
\"Hangit，oneseesthosepeopleeverywhere。\"
Iamnoteasilysurprised，butIconfessIturnedtoGeorgewithanexpressionofwonder。
\"Afortnightago——\"Ibegan。
\"Don’tbeanass，Sam，\"saidGeorge，rathersharply。\"She’snotabadgirl，but——\"Hebrokeoffandbegantowhistle。Therewasalongpause。Ilitacigar，andlookedatthepeople。
\"IlunchedattheMicklehams’today，\"saidGeorge，drawingafigureonthegravelwithhiscane。\"Mickleham’snotabadfellow。\"
\"Oneofthebestfellowsalive，\"Iagreed。
\"Iwonderwhyshemarriedhim，though，\"musedGeorge；andheadded，withapparentirrelevance，\"It’sadashedbore，goingup。\"
Andthenasmilespreadoverhisface；ablushaccompaniedit，andproclaimedGeorge’ssenseofdeliciouswickedness。Iturnedonhim。
\"Outwithit!\"Isaid。
\"It’snothing。Don’tbeafool，\"saidGeorge。
\"Wheredidyougetthatrose？\"Iasked。
\"Thisrose？\"herepeated，fondlingtheblossom。\"Itwasgiventome。\"
UponthisIgroaned——andIstillconsiderthatIhadgoodreasonformyaction。Itwasthegroanofamoralist。
\"They’veaskedmetostayatTheTowersnextvac。，\"saidGeorge，glancingatmeoutofthecornerofanimmoraleye。Perhapshethoughtittooimmoral，forheadded，\"It’sallright，Sam。\"I
believethatIhaveasmuchselfcontrolasmostpeople，butatthispointIchuckled。
\"Whatthedeuceareyoulaughingat？\"askedGeorge。
Imadenoanswer，andhewenton——
\"Younevertoldmewhata——whatshewaslike，Sam。Wantedtokeepittoyourself，youolddog。\"
\"George——George——George!\"saidI。\"Yougouptomorrow？\"
\"Yes，confoundit!\"
\"Andtermlaststwomonths？\"
\"Yes，hangit!\"
\"Alliswell，\"saidI，crossingmylegs。\"ThereismorevirtueintwomonthsthaninTenCommandments。\"
Georgeregardedmewithadispassionateair。
\"You’reanawfulasssometimes，\"heobservedcritically，andherosefromhisseat。
\"Mustyougo？\"saidI。
\"Yes——gotalotofthingstodo。Lookhere，Sam，don’tgoandtalkabout——\"
\"Talkaboutwhat？\"
\"Anything，youoldidiot，\"saidGeorge，withapleasedsmile，andhedugmeintheribswithhiscane，anddeparted。
Isaton，admiringthesimpleelementswhichconstitutethehappinessoftheyoung。Alas!Withadvancingyears，Wrongloseshalfitsflavor!Tobeimproperceases，byitself，tosatisfy。
Immersedinthesereflections，Ifailedtonoticethatabarouchehadstoppedoppositetome；andsuddenlyIfoundafootmanaddressingme。
\"Begyourpardon，sir，\"hesaid。\"Herladyshipwishestospeaktoyou。\"
\"Itisablessedthingtobeyoung，Martin，\"Iobserved。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidMartin。\"It’safineday，sir。\"
\"Butveryshort，\"saidI。Martinisrespectful，andsaidnothing——tome，atleast。Whathesaidtothecoachman，Idon’tknow。
AndthenIwentuptoDolly。
\"Getinanddriveround，\"suggestedDolly。
\"Ican’t，\"saidI。\"Ihaveabadnose。\"
\"What’sthematterwithyournose？\"askedDolly，smiling。
\"Thejointisinjured，\"saidI，gettingintothebarouche。AndI
addedseverely，\"IsupposeI’dbettersitwithmybacktothehorses？\"
\"Oh，no，you’renotmyhusband，\"saidDolly。\"Sithere；\"andshemaderoombyher，asshecontinued，\"IratherlikeMr。George。\"
\"I’mashamedofyou，\"Iobserved。\"Consideringyourage——\"
\"Mr。Carter!\"
\"Considering，Isay，hisage，yourconductisscandalous。I
shallneverintroduceanyniceboystoyouagain。\"
\"Oh，pleasedo，\"saidDolly，claspingherhands。
\"Yougivethemroses，\"saidI，accusingly。\"Youmakethemfalsetotheirearliestloves——\"
\"Shewasapudding—facedthing，\"observedDolly。
Ifrowned。Dolly，byanaccident，allowedthetipofherfingertotouchmyarmforaninstant。
\"He’saniceboy，\"saidshe。\"Howlikeheistoyou，Mr。Carter!\"
\"Iamalongwaypastthat，\"saidI。\"Iamthirty—six。\"
\"Ifyoumeantobedisagreeable!\"saidsheturningaway。\"Ibegyourpardonfortouchingyou，Mr。Carter。\"
\"Ididnotnoticeit，LadyMickleham。\"
\"Wouldyouliketogetout？\"
\"It’smilesfrommyclub，\"saidIdiscontentedly。