Hewalkeddowntotheveryedgeofthestream；itrandeepandfastjusthere，underahighbankandarowofoldwillows。
Smuggsatdownonthebank，wetthoughthegrasswas，andclaspedhishandsoverhisknees。Icroucheddownalittlewaybehindhim，readyandalert。Iamagoodswimmer，andIdidnotdoubtmypowertopullhimout，evenifIwerenotintimetopreventhimjumpingin。Isawhimrise，lookoverthebrink，andsitdownagain。IalmostthoughtIsawhimshiver。Andpresently，throughthestillnessofthesummernight，camethestrangest，saddestsound；catchingmyearasitdriftedacrossthemeadow。
Smuggwassobbing，andhissobs——neverloud——roseandfellwiththesubduedstressofintolerablepain。
Suddenlyheleapedup，criedaloud，andflunghishandsabovehishead。Ithoughthewasgonethistime；buthestopped，poised，asitseemed，overthewater，andIheardhimcry，\"Ican’t，I
can’t!\"andhesankdownallinaheaponthebank，andfellagaintosobbing。Ihopenevertoseeaman——ifyoucancallSmuggaman——likethatagain。
Hesatwherehewas，andIwhereIwas，tillthemoonpaledandadistanthintofdaydiscoveredus。Thenherose，brushedhimselfwithhishands，andslunkquicklyfromthebank。Hadhelookedanywherebutontheground，hemusthaveseenme；asitwas，I
onlynarrowlyavoidedhim，andfellagainintomyplacebehindhim。AllthewaybacktoourgardenIfollowedhim。Ashepassedthroughthegate，Iquickenedmypace，overtookhim，andlaidmyhandonhisarm。Theman’sfacegavemewhatIremembermyoldnurseusedtocall\"quiteaturn。\"
\"You’reanaverageidiot，aren’tyou？\"saidI。\"Oh，yes；I’vebeensquattinginthewetbythatinfernalriver，too。Yououghttogetthreemonths，byrights。\"
Helookedatmeinadazedsortofway。
\"Idaren’t，\"hesaid。\"Iwantedto，butIdaren’t。\"
Thereisreallynothingmore。Wewenttothewedding，leavingSmugginbed；andintheeveningwe，leavingSmuggstillinbed（ItoldMarytokeepaneyeonhim），andcarryingadozenofthegrocer’sbestport，wentuptodanceatDill’sfarm。JoewaspolishedtillIcouldalmostseemyselfinhischeek，andPyrrhalookedmorecharmingthanever。SheandJoeweretoleaveusearly，togotoJoe’sownhouseinthevillage，butImanagedtogetonedancewithher。Indeed，Ibelieveshewantedawordwithme。
\"Well，all’swellthatendswell，isn’tit？\"Ibegan。\"Nomorescoldings!NotfromMrs。Dill，anyhow。\"
\"Youcan’tletthatalone，sir，\"saidPyrrha。
Ichuckledgently。
\"Oh，I’llneverrefertoitagain，\"saidI。\"Thisisafineweddingofyours，Betsy。\"
\"It’sgoodofyouandtheothergentlementocome，sir。\"
\"Wehadtoseethelastofyou，\"andIsighedveryostentatiously。
Pyrrhalaughed。Shedidnotbelieveinit，andsheknewthatI
knewshedidnot，butthelittlecomplimentpleasedher，allthesame。
\"Smugg，\"Ipursued，\"isillinbed。Butperhapshewouldn’thavecome，anyhow。\"
\"Ifyouplease，sir————\"Pyrrhabegan；butshestopped。
\"Yes，Betsy？Whatisit？\"
\"Wouldyoutakeamessageforme，sir？\"
\"Ifit’saproperone，Betsy，foramarriedladytosend。\"
Shelaughedalittle，andsaid：
\"Oh，it’snoharm，sir。I’mafraidheaint——he’sratherdown，sir。\"
\"Who？\"
\"Why，thatSmugg，sir。\"
\"Oh，thatSmugg!Why，yes；alittledown，Betsy，Ifear。\"
\"YoumighttellhimasIbearnomalice，sir——asI’mnotangry——
withhim，Imean。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidI。\"Itwillprobablydohimgood。\"
\"Hegotmeintotrouble；butthere，Icanmakeallowances；andit’sallrightnow，sir。\"
\"Infactyouforgivehim？\"
\"Ithinkyoumighttellhimso，sir，\"saidBetsy。
\"But，\"saidI，\"areyouawarethathewasanother’sallthetime？\"
\"What，sir？\"
\"Oh，yes!engagedtobemarried。\"
\"Well，Inever!Him!What，allthewhilehe————\"
\"Precisely。\"
\"Well，thatbeatseverything。Oh，ifI’dknownthat!\"
\"I’llgivehimyourmessage。\"
\"No，sir，notnow，Ithankyou。Thevillain!\"
\"Youareright，\"saidI。\"Ithinkyourmotheroughttohave——
scoldedhim，too。\"
\"Nowyoupromised，sir————\"butJoecameup，andIescaped。
IV。
AREPENTANTSINNER。
Itwas，Ibelieve，mainlyasacomplimenttomethatMissAudreyListonwasaskedtoPoltons。MissListonandIwereverygoodfriends，andmycousinDoraPoltonthought，assheinformedme，thatitwouldbeniceformetohavesomeoneIcouldtalktoabout\"booksandsoon。\"Ididnotcomplain。MissListonwasapleasantyoungwomanofsix—and—twenty；Ilikedherverymuchexceptonpaper，andIwasawarethatshemadeitapointofdutytoreadsomethingatleastofwhatIwrote。Shewasinthehabitofdescribingherselfasan\"authoressinasmallway。\"Ifitwerepointedoutthatsixthree—volumenovelsinthreeyears（thetermofherliteraryactivity，atthetimeofwhichI
write）couldhardlybecalled\"asmallway，\"shewouldsmilemodestlyandsaythatitwasnotreallymuch；andifsheweretoldthattheEnglishlanguageembracednosuchwordas\"authoress，\"shewouldsmileagainandsaythatitoughtto；apositiontowardthebugbearofcorrectnesswithwhich，Iconfess，Isympathizeinsomedegree。Shewasverydiligent；sheworkedfromtentooneeverydaywhileshewasatPoltons；howmuchshewroteisbetweenherandherconscience。
TherewasanotherimpeachmentwhichMissListonwashardlyatthetroubletodeny。\"Takemycharactersfromlife？\"shewouldexclaim。\"Surelyeveryartist\"（MissListonoftenreferredtoherselfasanartist）\"must？\"Andshewouldproceedtomaintain——whatisperhapstruesometimes——thatpeopleratherlikedbeingputintobooks，justastheylikebeingphotographed，forallthattheygrumbleandpretendtobeafflictedwheneitherprocessisleviedagainstthem。IndiscussingthismatterwithMissListonIfeltmyselfondelicateground，foritwasnotoriousthatIfiguredinherfirstbookintheguiseofamisogynisticgenius；thefactthatshelengthened（andthickened）
myhair，converteditfromanindeterminatebrowntoaduskyblack，gavemeadroopingmustache，andinvestedmyveryordinaryworkadayeyeswithastrangemagneticattraction，availednothing；Iwasatoncerecognized；and，Imayremarkinpassing，anuncommonlydisagreeablefellowshemademe。ThusIhadpassedthroughthefire。IfelttolerablysurethatIpresentednootheraspectofinterest，realorsupposed，andIwasquitecontentthatMissListonshouldservealltherestofheracquaintanceasshehadservedme。Ireckonedtheywouldlasther，atthepresentrateofproduction，aboutfiveyears。
FatewaskindtoMissListon，andprovidedherwithmostsuitablepatternsforhernextpieceofworkatPoltonsitself。Therewereayoungmanandayoungwomanstayinginthehouse——SirGilbertChillingtonandMissPamelaMyles。ThemomentMissListonwasapprizedofapossibleromance，shebeganthestudyoftheprotagonists。Shewaslookingout，shetoldme，forsomenewtypes（ifitwereanyconsolation——andthereisasortofdignityaboutit——tobecalledatype，MissListon’svictimswerealwayswelcometosomuch），andshehadfoundtheminChillingtonandPamela。Theformerappearedtomydulleyetooffernosalientnovelty；hewastall，broad，handsome，andhepossessedamannerofenviableplacidity。Pamela，Iallowed，wasexactlytheheroineMissListonloved——haughty，capricious，difficile，butsoundandtrueatheart（IwasmentallyskimmingVolumeI）。MissListonagreedwithmeinmyconceptionofPamela，butdeclaredthatIdidnotdojusticetotheartisticpossibilitieslatentinChillington；hehadacuriousattractionwhichitwouldtaxherskill（soshegravelyinformedme）totheutmosttoreproduce。
SheproposedthatIalsoshouldmakeastudyofhim，andattributedmyhurriedrefusaltoashrinkingfromthedifficultiesofthetask。
\"Ofcourse，\"sheobserved，lookingatouryoungfriends，whoweretalkingnonsenseattheothersideofthelawn，\"theymusthaveamisunderstanding。\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"saidI，lightingmypipe。\"Whatshouldyousaytoanotherman？\"
\"Oranotherwoman？\"saidMissListon。
\"Itcomestothesamething，\"saidI。（AboutavolumeandahalfImeant。）
\"Butit’smoreinteresting。Doyouthinkshe’dbetterbeamarriedwoman？\"AndMissListonlookedatmeinquiringly。
\"Theageprefersthemmarried，\"Iremarked。
ThisconversationhappenedontheseconddayofMissListon’svisit，andshelostnotimeinbeginningtostudyhersubjects。
Pamela，shesaid，shefoundprettyplainsailing，butChillingtoncontinuedtopuzzleher。Again，shecouldnotmakeuphermindwhethertohaveahappyoratragicending。Intheinterestsofatenderheartedpublic，Ipleadedformarriagebells。
\"Yes，Ithinkso，\"saidMissListon，butshesighed，andIthinkshehadanideaortwoforaheart—brokenseparation，followedbymutual，lifelong，hopelessdevotion。
ThecomplexityofyoungSirGilbertdidnot，inMissListon’sopinion，appearlessonfurtheracquaintance；andindeed，Imustadmitthatshewasnotaltogetherwronginconsideringhimworthyofattention。AsIcametoknowhimbetter，Idiscernedinhimasmotheredself—appreciation，whichcametolightinresponsetotheleasttributeofinterestoradmiration，butwasyetfarremotefromtheaggressivenessofacommonplacevanity。InamomentofindiscretionIhadchaffedhim——hewasverygood—
natured——ontherisksheranatMissListon’shands；hewasnotdisgusted，butneitherdidheplumehimselforspreadhisfeathers。Hereceivedthesuggestionwithoutsurprise，andwithoutanyattemptatdisclaimingfitnessforthepurpose；buthereceiveditasamatterwhichentailedaresponsibilityonhim。Idetectedtheconvictionthat，iftheportraitwastobepainted，itwasduetotheworldthatitshouldbewellpainted；
thesubjectmustgivetheartistfullopportunities。
\"Whatdoessheknowaboutme？\"heasked，inmeditativetones。
\"She’sveryquick；she’llsoonpickupasmuchasshewants，\"I
assuredhim。
\"She’llprobablygoallwrong，\"hesaidsomberly；andofcourseI
couldnottellhimthatitwasofnoconsequenceifshedid。Hewouldnothavebelievedme，andwouldhavedonepreciselywhatheproceededtodo，andthatwastoaffordMissListoneverychanceofappraisinghischaracterandplumbingthedepthsofhissoul。
ImaysayatoncethatIdidnotregretthiscourseofaction；
fortheeffectofitwastoallowmeachanceoftalkingtoPamelaMyles，andPamelawasexactlythesortofgirltobeguilethelong，pleasantmorninghoursofaholidayinthecountry。NoonehadtoldPamelathatshewasgoingtobeputinabook，andI
don’tthinkitwouldhavemadeanydifferencehadshebeentold。
Pamela’sattitudetowardbookswasoneofhealthyscorn，confidentlybasedonadmittedignorance。Soweneverspokeofthem，andmycousinDoracondoledwithmemorethanonceonthewayinwhichMissListon，falsetotheimpliedtermsofherinvitation，desertedmeinfavorofSirGilbert，andleftmetothemerciesofafrivolousgirl。PamelaappearedtobeaslittleaggrievedasIwas。IimaginedthatshesupposedthatChillingtonwouldaskhertomarryhimsomeday，beforeverylong，andIwassureshewouldaccepthim；butitwasquiteplainthat，ifMissListonpersistedinmakingPamelaherheroine，shewouldhavetosupplyfromherownresourcesalargesupplementofpassion。Pamelawasfartoodeficientinthecommoditytobemadeanythingofwithoutsuchre—enforcement，evenbyanartmoreadeptatmakingmuchoutofnothingthanMissListon’sstraightforwardmethodcouldclaimtobe。
Aweekpassed，andthen，oneFridaymorning，anewlightburstonme。MissListoncameintothegardenateleveno’clockandsatdownbymeonthelawn。ChillingtonandPamelahadgoneridingwiththesquire，Dorawasvisitingthepoor。Wewerealone。TheappearanceofMissListonatthishour（usuallysacredtotheuseofthepen），nolessthanherpuzzledlook，toldmethatanobstructionhadoccurredinthenovel。Presentlysheletmeknowwhatitwas。
\"I’mthinkingofalteringtheschemeofmystory，Mr。Wynne，\"
saidshe。\"Haveyouevernoticedhowsometimesamanthinkshe’sinlovewhenheisn’treally？\"
\"Suchacasesometimesoccurs，\"Iacknowledged。
\"Yes，andhedoesn’tfindouthismistake————\"
\"Tillthey’remarried？\"
\"Sometimes，yes，\"shesaid，ratherasthoughsheweremakinganunwillingadmission。\"Butsometimesheseesitbefore——whenhemeetssomebodyelse。\"
\"Verytrue，\"saidI，withagravenod。
\"Thefalsecan’tstandagainstthereal，\"pursuedMissListon；
andthenshefellintomeditativesilence。Istoleaglanceatherface；shewassmiling。Wasitinthepleasureofliterarycreation——anartisticecstasy？Ishouldhavelikedtoansweryes，butIdoubteditverymuch。WithoutpretendingtoMissListon’spowers，Ihavethelittlesubtletythatisneedfultoshowmethatmorethanonekindofsmilemaybeseenonthehumanface，andthatthereisoneverydifferentfromothers；and，finally，thatthatoneisnotevoked，asarule，merelybytheevolutionofthetroublesomeencumbranceinprettywritingvulgarlycalleda\"plot。\"
\"If，\"pursuedMissListon，\"someonecomeswhocanappreciatehimanddrawoutwhatisbestinhim————\"
\"That’sallverywell，\"saidI，\"butwhatofthefirstgirl？\"
\"Oh，she’s——shecanbemadeshallow，youknow；andIcanputinamanforher。Peopleneedn’tbemuchinterestedinher。\"
\"Yes，youcouldmanageitthatway，\"saidI，thinkinghowPamela——Itookthelibertyofusinghernamefortheshallowgirl——wouldlikesuchtreatment。
\"Shewillreallybevaluablemainlyasafoil，\"observedMissListon；andsheaddedgenerously，\"Ishallmakehernice，youknow，butshallow——notworthyofhim。\"
\"Andwhatareyougoingtomaketheothergirllike？\"Iasked。
MissListonstartedslightly；alsoshecoloredveryslightly，andsheanswered，lookingawayfrommeacrossthelawn：
\"Ihaven’tquitemadeupmymindyet，Mr。Wynne。\"
Withthesuspicionwhichthisconversationarousedfreshinmymind，itwascurioustohearPamelalaugh，asshesaidtomeontheafternoonofthesameday：
\"Aren’tSirGilbertandAudreyListonfunny？Itellyouwhat，Mr。Wynne，Ibelievethey’rewritinganoveltogether。\"
\"PerhapsChillington’sgivingherthematerialsforone，\"I
suggested。
\"Ishouldn’tthink，\"observedPamelainherdispassionateway，\"thatanythingveryinterestinghadeverhappenedtohim。\"
\"Ithoughtyoulikedhim，\"Iremarkedhumbly。
\"SoIdo。What’sthatgottodowithit？\"askedPamela。
ItwasbeyondquestionthatChillingtonenjoyedMissListon’ssociety；theinterestsheshowedinhimwasincensetohisnostrils。Iusedtooverhearfragmentsofhisideasabouthimselfwhichhewasrevealinginanswertohertactfulinquiries。ButneitherwasitdoubtfulthathehadbynomeanslosthisrelishforPamela’slightertalk；infact，heseemedtoturntoherwithsomerelief——perhapsitisrefreshingtoescapefromself—analysis，evenwhentheprocessisconductedinthepleasantestpossiblemanner——andthehourswhichMissListongavetoworkweredevotedbyChillingtontomaintaininghiscordialrelationswiththeladywhosecomfortableandnotover—
tragicaldisposalwastaxingMissListon’sskill。Forshehaddefinitelydecidedallherplot——shetoldmesoafewdayslater。
Itwasallplannedout；nay，thesceneinwhichthetruthastohisownfeelingsburstsonSirGilbert（Iforgetatthemomentwhatnamethenovelgavehim）was，Iunderstood，actuallywritten；theshallowgirlwastoexperiencenothingworsethanawoundtohervanity，andwastoturn，withasmuchalacrityasdecencyallowed，tothesubstitutewhomMissListonhadnowprovided。Allthiswaspouredintomysympatheticear，andIsaysympatheticinallsincerity；for，althoughImayoccasionallytreatMissListon’sliteraryeffortswithlessthanproperrespect，sheherselfwasmyfriend，andtheconvictionunderwhichshewasnowlivingwould，Iknew，unlessitwerejustified，bringherintomuchofthatunhappinessinwhichonegenerallyfoundherheroineplungedabouttheendofVolumeII。
Theheroinegenerallygotoutallright，andtheknowledgethatshewouldenabledthereadertopreservecheerfulness。ButwouldpoorlittleMissListongetout？Iwasnonetoosureofit。
Suddenlyachangecameinthestateofaffairs。Pamelaproducedit。ItmusthavestruckherthattheincreasingintimacyofMissListonandChillingtonmightbecomesomethingotherthan\"funny。\"
Toputitbrieflyandmetaphorically，shewhistledherdogbacktoherheels。Iamnotskilledinunderstandingordescribingtheartificesofladies；butevenIsawthetransformationinPamela。Sheputforthherstrengthandputonherprettiestgowns；sherefusedtotakeherplaceinthesea—sawofsocietywhichChillingtonhadrecentlyestablishedforhispleasure。IfhespentanhourwithMissListon，Pamelawouldhavenothingofhimforaday；shemethisattentionswithscornunlesstheywereundivided。Chillingtonseemedatfirstpuzzled；IbelievethatheneverregardedhistalkswithMissListoninotherthanabusinesspointofview，butdirectlyheunderstoodthatPamelaclaimedhim，andthatshewasprepared，incasehedidnotobeyhercall，toestablishagrievanceagainsthim，helostnotimeinmanifestinghisobedience。Awholedaypassedinwhich，tomycertainknowledge，hewasnotaloneamomentwithMissListon，anddidnot，saveatthefamilymeals，exchangeawordwithher。
AshewalkedoffwithPamela，MissListon’seyesfollowedhiminwistfullonging；shestoleawayupstairsanddidnotcomedowntillfiveo’clock。Then，findingmestrollingaboutwithacigarette，shejoinedme。
\"Well，howgoesthebook？\"Iasked。
\"Ihaven’tdonemuchtoitjustlately，\"sheanswered，inalowvoice。\"I——it’s——Idon’tquiteknowwhattodowithit。\"
\"Ithoughtyou’dsettled？\"
\"SoIhad，but——oh，don’tlet’stalkaboutit，Mr。Wynne!\"
Butamomentlatershewentontalkingaboutit。
\"Idon’tknowwhyIshouldmakeitendhappily，\"shesaid。\"I’msurelifeisn’talwayshappy，isit？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"Ianswered。\"Youmeanyourmanmightsticktotheshallowgirlafterall？\"
\"Yes，\"Ijustheardherwhisper。
\"Andbemiserableafterward？\"Ipursued。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidMissListon。\"Perhapshewouldn’t。\"
\"Thenyoumustmakehimshallowhimself。\"
\"Ican’tdothat，\"shesaidquickly。\"Oh，howdifficultitis!\"
Shemayhavemeantmerelytheartofwriting——whenIcordiallyagreewith——butIthinkshemeantalsothewayoftheworld——
whichdoesnotmakemewithdrawmyassent。Ileftherwalkingupanddowninfrontofthedrawing—roomwindows，aratherforlornlittlefigure，thrownintodistinctnessbythecoldraysofthesettingsun。
Allwasnotoveryet。ThateveningChillingtonbrokeaway。Ledbyvanity，orinterest，orfriendliness，Iknownotwhich——tiredmaybeofpayingcourt（theattitudeinwhichPamelakepthim），andthinkingitwouldbepleasanttoplaytheotherpartforawhile——afterdinnerhewentstraighttoMissListon，talkedtoherwhilewehadcoffeeontheterrace，andthenwalkedaboutwithher。Pamelasatbyme；shewasverysilent；shedidnotappeartobeangry，butherhandsomemouthworearesoluteexpression。ChillingtonandMissListonwanderedonintotheshrubbery，anddidnotcomeintosightagainfornearlyhalfanhour。
\"Ithinkit’scold，\"saidPamela，inhercool，quiettones。\"Andit’salso，Mr。Wynne，ratherslow。Ishallgotobed。\"
IthoughtitalittleimpertinentofPamelatoattributethe\"slowness\"（whichhadundoubtedlyexisted）tome，soItookmyrevengebysayingwithanassumptionofinnocencepurposelyandobviouslyunreal：
\"Oh，butwon’tyouwaitandbidMissListonandChillingtongoodnight？\"
Pamelalookedatmeforamoment。Imadeboldtosmile。
Pamela’sfacebrokeslowlyintoanansweringsmile。
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Mr。Wynne，\"saidshe。
\"No？\"saidI。
\"No，\"saidPamela，andsheturnedaway。Butbeforeshewentshelookedoverhershoulder，andstillsmiling，said，\"WishMissListongood—nightforme，Mr。Wynne。AnythingIhavetosaytoSirGilbertwillwaitverywelltillto—morrow。\"
Shehadhardlygoneinwhenthewandererscameoutoftheshrubberyandrejoinedme。Chillingtonworehisusualpassivelook，butMissListon’sfacewashappyandradiant。Chillingtonpassedonintothedrawingroom。MissListonlingeredamomentbyme。
\"Why，youlook，\"saidI，\"asifyou’dinventedthefinestsceneeverwritten。\"
Shedidnotanswermedirectly，butstoodlookingupatthestars。Thenshesaid，inadreamytone：
\"IthinkIshallsticktomyoldideainthebook。\"
Asshespoke，Chillingtoncameout。EveninthedimlightIsawafrownonhisface。
\"Isay，Wynne，\"saidhe，\"where’sMissMyles？\"
\"She’sgonetobed，\"Ianswered。\"Shetoldmetowishyougoodnightforher，MissListon。Nomessageforyou，Chillington。\"
MissListon’seyeswereonhim。Hetooknonoticeofher；hestoodfrowningforaninstant，then，withsomemutteredejaculation，hestrodebackintothehouse。Weheardhisheavytreadacrossthedrawingroom；weheardthedoorslammedbehindhim，andIfoundmyselflookingonMissListon’salteredface。
\"Whatdoeshewantherfor，Iwonder!\"shesaid，inanagitationthatmademypresence，mythoughts，mysuspicions，nothingtoher。\"Hesaidnothingtomeaboutwantingtospeaktoherto—
night。\"Andshewalkedslowlyintothehouse，hereyesontheground，andallthelightgonefromherface，andthejoydeadinit。WhereuponI，leftalone，begantorailatthegodsthatadear，sillylittlesoullikeMissListonshouldbotherherpoor，sillylittleheadaboutahulkingfool；inwhichreflectionsI
did，ofcourse，immenseinjusticenotonlytoaneminentauthor，butalsotoaperfectlyhonorable，thoughsomewhatdenseanddecidedlyconceited，gentleman。
ThenextmorningSirGilbertChillingtonatedirt——thereisnootherwayofexpressingit——ingreatquantitiesandwithinfinitehumility。
MyadmirablefriendMissPamelawassevere。Isawhimwalksixyardsbehindherforthelengthoftheterrace：notalooknoraturnofherheadgavehimleavetojoinher。MissListonhadgoneupstairs，andIwatchedthescenefromthewindowofthesmokingroom。Atlast，attheendofthelongwalk，justwherethelaurel—bushesmarkthebeginningoftheshrubberies——onthethresholdofthesceneofhiscrime——Pamelaturnedroundsuddenlyandfacedtherepentantsinner。Themostinterestingthingsinlifearethosewhich，perhapsbytheinevitablenatureofthecase，onedoesnothear；andIdidnothearthescenewhichfollowed。Forawhiletheystoodtalking——rather，hetalkedandshelistened。Thensheturnedagainandwalkedslowlyintotheshrubbery。Chillingtonfollowed。Itwastheendofachapter，andIlaiddownthebook。
HowandfromwhomMissListonheardthenewswhichChillingtonhimselftoldme，withoutaglimmerofshameoratouchofembarrassment，sometwohourslater，Idonotknow；buthearitshedidbeforeluncheon；forshecamedown，readyarmedwiththeneatestlittlespeechesforboththehappylovers。
IdidnotexpectPamelatoshowanouncemorefeelingthanthestrictestcanonsofproprietydemanded，andshefulfilledmyexpectationstotheletter；butIhadhoped，Iconfess，thatChillingtonwouldhavedisplayedsomelittleconsciousness。Hedidnot；anditismybeliefthat，throughouttheeventswhichI
haverecorded，heretained，andthathestillretains，theconvictionthatMissListon’sinterestinhimwaspurelyliteraryandartistic，andthatshedevotedherselftohissocietysimplybecauseheofferedaninterestingproblemandaninspiringtheme。
Aningeniouscharitymayfindinthatattitudeevidenceofmodesty；tomythinking，itarguesamoresubtleandmagnificentconceitthanifhehadfathomedthetruth，asmanyhumblermeninhisplacewouldhavedone。
OnthedayaftertheengagementwasaccomplishedMissListonleftustoreturntoLondon。Shecameoutinherhatandjacketandsatdownbyme；thecarriagewastoberoundintenminutes。
Sheputonherglovesslowlyandbuttonedthemcarefully。Thisdone，shesaid：
\"Bytheway，Mr。Wynne，I’veadoptedyoursuggestion。Themandoesn’tfindout。\"
\"Thenyou’vemadehimafool？\"Iaskedbluntly。
\"No，\"sheanswered。\"I——Ithinkitmighthappenthoughhewasn’tafool。\"
Shesatwithherhandsinherlapforamomentortwo，thenshewenton，inalowervoice：
\"I’mgoingtomakehimfindoutafterward。\"
Ifeltherglanceonme，butIlookedstraightinfrontofme。
\"What，afterhe’smarriedtheshallowgirl？\"
\"Yes，\"saidMissListon。
\"Rathertoolate，isn’tit？Atleast，ifyoumeanthereistobeahappyending。\"
MissListonenlacedherfingers。
\"Ihaven’tdecidedabouttheendingyet，\"saidshe。
\"Ifyou’reintenttobetragical——whichisthefashion——you’lldoasyoustand，\"saidI。
\"Yes，\"sheansweredslowly，\"ifI’mtragical，IshalldoasI
stand。\"
Therewasanotherpause，andratheralongone；thewheelsofthecarriagewereaudibleonthegravelofthefrontdrive。MissListonstoodup。Iroseandheldoutmyhand。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMissListon，stillintentonhernovel，\"I
could————\"Shestoppedagain，andlookedapprehensivelyatme。
Myface，Ibelieve，expressednothingmorethanpoliteattentionandfriendlyinterest。
\"Ofcourse，\"shebeganagain，\"theshallowgirl——hiswife——
might——mightdie，Mr。Wynne。\"
\"Innovels，\"saidIwithasmile，\"whilethere’sdeath，there’shope。\"
\"Yes，innovels，\"sheanswered，givingmeherhand。
Thepoorlittlewomanwasveryunhappy。Unwisely，Idaresay，I
pressedherhand。Itwasenough，thetearsleapedtohereyes；shegavemygreatfistahurriedsqueeze——Ihaveseldombeenmoretouchedbyanythanks，howeverwarmoreloquent——andhurriedaway。
V。
’TWIXTWILLANDWILLNOT。
Imustconfessatoncethatatfirst，atleast，Iverymuchadmiredthecurate。Iamnotreferringtomyadmirationofhisfinefigure——sixfeethighandstraightasanarrow——norofhishandsome，open，ingenuouscountenance，orhiscandidblueeye，orhisthickcurlyhair。No；whatwonmyheartfromanearlyperiodofmyvisittomycousins，thePoltons，ofPoltonsPark，wasthefervent，undisguised，unashamed，confident，andaltogethermatter—of—coursemannerinwhichhemadelovetoMissBeatriceQueenborough，onlydaughterandheiressofthewealthyshipowner，SirWagstaffQueenborough，Bart。，andEleanor，hiswife。Itwaspurelythemannerofthecurate’sadvancesthattookmyfancy；inthemerefactofthemtherewasnothingremarkable。Forallthemeninthehouse（andagoodmanyoutside）madecovert，stealthy，andindirectstepsinthesamedirection；forTrix（asherfriendscalledher）was，ifnotwise，atleastprettyandwitty，displayingtothematerialeyeacharmingfigure，andtothementaladelicateheartlessness——bothattributeswhichchallengeaself—respectingman’sbestefforts。
Butthencamethefatalobstacle。Fromheiressesinreasonagentlemanneedneithershrinknorlethimselfbedriven；butwhenitcomestosomethingliketwentythousandayear——thereportedamountofTrix’sdot——hedistrustshisownmotivesalmostasmuchasthelady’srelativesdistrustthemforhim。Weallfeltthis——Stanton，Rippleby，andI；and，althoughIwillnotswearthatwespokenotenderwordsandgavenomeaningglances，yetwereducedsuchconcessionstonaturalweaknesstoaminimum，notonlywhenLadyQueenboroughwasby，butatalltimes。Tosaytruth，wehadnodesiretoseeourscalpsaffixedtoMissTrix’sprettybelt，nortohaveourheartsbroken（likethatoftheyoungmaninthepoem）beforeshewenttoHomburgintheautumn。
Withthecurateitwasotherwise。He——JackIves，bytheway，washisname——appearedtorush，notonlyuponhisfate，butinthefaceofallpossibilityandofLadyQueenborough。Mycousinandhostess，DoraPolton，wasverymuchdistressedabouthim。Shesaidthathewassuchaniceyoungfellow，andthatitwasagreatpitytoseehimpreparingsuchunhappinessforhimself。
Nay，IhappentoknowthatshespokeveryseriouslytoTrix，pointingoutthewickednessoftriflingwithhim；whereuponTrix，whomaintainedabowingacquaintancewithherconscience，avoidedhimforawholeafternoonandendangeredallAlgyStanton’sprudentresolutionsbytakinghimoutintheCanadiancanoe。
Thisdemonstrationinnowayperturbedthecurate。Heobservedthat，astherewasnothingbettertodo，wemightaswellplaybilliards，andproceededtodefeatmeinthreegamesofahundredup（no，itisquiteimmaterialwhetherweplayedforanythingornot），afterwhichhetoldDorathatthevicarwastakingtheeveningservice——ithappenedtobethedaywhentherewasoneattheparishchurch——apieceofinformationonlyrelevantinsofarasitsuggestedthatMr。Ivescouldacceptaninvitationtodinnerifonewereprofferedhim。Dora，veryweakly，rosetothebait。JackIves，airilyremarkingthattherewasnouseinceremonyamongfriends，seizedtheplacenexttoTrixatdinner（hermotherwasjustopposite）andwalkedontheterraceafterdinnerwithherinthemoonlight。Whentheladiesretiredhecameintothesmokingroom，drankawhiskyandsoda，saidthatMissQueenboroughwasreallyaverycharmingcompanion，andapologizedforleavingusearly，onthegroundthathissermonwasstillunwritten。Mygoodcousin，thesquire，suggestedrathergrimlythatadiscourseonthevanityofhumanwishesmightbeappropriate。
\"Ishallpreach，\"saidMr。Ivesthoughtfully，\"ontheopportunitiesofwealth。\"
Thisresolutionhecarriedoutonthenextdaybutone，thatbeingaSunday。IhadthepleasureofsittingnexttoMissTrix，andIwatchedherwithsomeinterestasMr。Ivesdevelopedhistheme。Iwillnottrytoreproducethesermon，whichwouldhaveseemedbynomeansabadonehadanyofourpartybeenabletoignorethepersonalapplicationwhichwereadintoit；foritsmainburdenwasnootherthanthis——thatwealthshouldbeusedbythosewhowerefortunateenoughtopossessit（hereTrixlookeddownandfidgetedwithherPrayer—book）asameansofpromotinggreaterunionbetweenthemselvesandthelessrichlyendowed，andnot——as，alas!hadtoooftenbeenthecase——asthoughitwereanewbarriersetupbetweenthemandtheirfellow—creatures（hereMissTrixblushedslightly，andhadrecoursetohersmelling—bottle）。\"You，\"saidthecurate，waxingrhetoricalasheaddressedanimaginary，butbloated，capitalist，\"havenomorerighttoyourmoneythanIhave。Itisintrustedtoyoutobesharedwithme。\"AtthispointIheardLadyQueenboroughsniffandAlgyStantonsnigger。IstoleaglanceatTrixanddetectedaslightwaverintheadmirablelinesofhermouth。
\"Averygoodsermon，didn’tyouthink？\"Isaidtoher，aswewalkedhome。
\"Oh，very!\"shereplieddemurely。
\"Ah，ifwefollowedallweheardinchurch!\"Isighed。
MissTrixwalkedinsilenceforafewyards。Bydintofneverbecominganythingelse，wehadbecomeverygoodfriends；andpresentlysheremarked，quiteconfidentially：
\"He’sverysilly，isn’the？\"
\"Thenyououghttosnubhim，\"Isaidseverely。
\"SoIdo——sometimes。He’sratheramusing，though。\"
\"Ofcourse，ifyou’repreparedtomakethesacrificeinvolved————\"
\"Oh，whatnonsense!\"
\"Thenyou’venobusinesstoamuseyourselfwithhim。\"
\"Dear，dear!howmoralyouare!\"saidTrix。
Thenextdevelopmentinthesituationwasthis：MycousinDorareceivedaletterfromtheMarquisofNewhaven，withwhomshewasacquainted，prayinghertoallowhimtorundowntoPoltonsforafewdays；heremindedherthatshehadoncegivenhimageneralinvitation；ifitwouldnotbeinconvenient——andsoforth。Themeaningofthiscommunicationdidnot，ofcourse，escapemycousin，whohadwitnessedthewriter’sattentionstoTrixintheprecedingseason，nordiditescapetherestofus（whohadtalkedoverthesaidattentionsattheclub）whenshetoldusaboutit，andannouncedthatLordNewhavenwouldarriveinthemiddleofthenextday。Trixaffecteddenseunconsciousness；hermotherallowedherselfamysterioussmile——which，however，speedilyvanishedwhenthecurate（hewastakinglunchwithus）
observedinacheerfultone：
\"Newhaven!Oh，IrememberthechapattheHouse——plowedtwiceinSmalls——stumpyfellow，isn’the？Notabadchap，though，youknow，barringhislooks。I’mgladhe’scoming。\"
\"Youwon’tbesoon，youngman，\"LadyQueenborough’sangryeyeseemedtosay。
\"Irememberhim，\"pursuedJack；\"awfullysmittenwithatobacconist’sdaughterintheCorn——oh，it’sallRIGHT，LadyQueenborough——shewouldn’tlookathim。\"
ThisquasiapologywascalledforthbythefactofLadyQueenboroughpushingbackherchairandmakingforthedoor。Itdidnotatallappeasehertohearofthescornofthetobacconist’sdaughter。SheglancedsternlyatJackanddisappeared。HeturnedtoTrixandremindedher——withoutdiffidenceandcorampopulo，ashishabitwas——thatshehadpromisedhimastrollinthewestwood。
WhathappenedonthatstrollIdonotknow；butmeetingMissTrixonthestairslaterintheafternoon，Iventuredtoremark：
\"Ihopeyoubrokeittohimgently，MissQueenborough？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，\"repliedTrixhaughtily。
\"Youwereoutnearlytwohours，\"saidI。
\"Werewe？\"askedTrix，withastart。\"Goodgracious!Wherewasmamma，Mr。Wynne？\"
\"Onthelawn——watchinhand。\"
MissTrixwentslowlyupstairs，andthereisnottheleastdoubtthatsomethingseriouspassedbetweenherandhermother，forbothofthemwereinthemostatrociousofhumorsthatevening。
Fortunately，thecuratewasnotthere；hehadaBibleclass。
ThenextdayLordNewhavenarrived。IfoundhimonthelawnwhenIstrolledup，afteraspellofletter—writing，aboutfouro’clock。Lawntenniswastheorderoftheday，andwewereallinflannels。
\"Oh，here’sMark!\"criedDora，seeingme。\"Now，Mark，youandMr。IveshadbetterplayagainstTrixandLordNewhaven。That’llmakeaverygoodset。\"
\"No，no，Mrs。Polton，\"saidJackIves。\"Theywouldn’thaveachance。Lookhere，I’llplaywithMissQueenboroughagainstLordNewhavenandWynne。\"
Newhaven——whoseappearance，bytheway，thoughhardlydistinguished，wasnotquitesounornamentalasthecuratehadledustoexpect——lookedslightlydispleased，butJackgavehimnotimeforremonstrance。HewhiskedTrixoffandbegantoserveallinamoment。IhadavisionofLadyQueenboroughapproachingfromthehousewithfaceaghast。Thesetwenton；and，owingentirelytoNewhaven’sabsurdchivalryinsendingalltheballstoJackIvesinsteadoffollowingthewell—knownmaximto\"poundawayatthelady，\"theybeatus。Jackwipedhisbrow，strolleduptotheteatablewithTrix，andremarkedinexultanttones：
\"Wemakeaperfectcouple，MissQueenborough；weoughtnevertobeseparated。\"
Doradidnotaskthecuratetodinnerthatnight，buthedroppedinaboutnineo’clocktoaskheropinionastothehymnsonSunday；andfindingMissTrixandNewhaveninthesmalldrawingroom，hesatdownandtalkedtothem。ThiswastoomuchforTrix；shehadtreatedhimverykindlyandhadallowedhimtoamuseher；butitwasimpossibletoputupwithpresumptionofthatkind。DifficultasitwastodiscourageMr。Ives，shedidit，andhewentawaywithadisconsolate，puzzledexpression。Atthelastmoment，however，Trixsofarrelentedastoexpressahopethathewascomingtotennisto—morrow，atwhichhebrightenedupalittle。Idonotwishtobeuncharitable——leastofalltoacharmingyounglady———butmyopinionisthatMissTrixdidnotwishtosetthecuratealtogetheradrift。I
think，however，thatLadyQueenboroughmusthavespokenagain，forwhenJackdidcometotennis，Trixtreatedhimwithmostfreezingcivilityandahardlydisguiseddisdain，anddevotedherselftoLordNewhavenwithasmuchassiduityashermothercouldwish。Wemen，overourpipes，expressedtheopinionthatJackIves’littlehourofsunshinewaspast，andthatnothingwaslefttousbuttolookonattheprosperous，uneventfulcourseofLordNewhaven’swooing。Trixhadhadherfun（soAlgyStantonbluntlyphrasedit）andwouldnowsettledowntobusiness。
\"Ibelieve，though，\"headded，\"thatshelikesthecurateabit，youknow。\"
Duringthewholeofthenextday——Wednesday——JackIveskeptaway；
hehad，apparently，acceptedtheinevitable，andwashealinghiswoundedheartbyastrictattentiontohisparochialduties。
Newhavenremarkedonhisabsencewithanairofrelief，andMissTrixtreateditasamatterofnoimportance；LadyQueenboroughwasallsmiles；andDoraPoltonrestrictedherselftoexclaiming，asIsatbyherattea，inalowtoneandaproposofnothinginparticular，\"Oh，well——poorMr。Ives!\"
ButonThursdaythereoccurredanevent，thesignificanceofwhichpassedatthemomentunperceived，butwhichhad，infact，mostimportantresults。ThiswasnootherthanthearrivaloflittleMrs。Wentworth，anintimatefriendofDora’s。Mrs。
Wentworthhadbeenleftawidowearlyinlife；shepossessedacomfortablecompetence；shewasnothandsome，butshewasvivacious，amusing，and，aboveall，sympathetic。ShesympathizedatoncewithLadyQueenboroughinhermaternalanxieties，withTrixonhercharmingromance，withNewhavenonhissweetdevotedness，withtherestofusinourobviousdesolation——and，afteraconfidentialchatwithDora，shesympathizedmoststronglywithpoorMr。Ivesonhisunfortunateattachment。
Nothingwouldsatisfyher，soDoratoldme，excepttheopportunityofplyingMr。Iveswithhersoothingbalm；andDorawasabouttositdownandwritehimanote，whenhestrolledinthroughthedrawingroomwindow，andannouncedthathiscook’smotherwasill，andthatheshouldbeverymuchobligedifMrs。
Poltonwouldgivehimsomedinnerthatevening。TrixandNewhavenhappenedtoenterbythedooratthesamemoment，andJackdarteduptothem，andshookhandswiththegreatesteffusion。Hehadevidentlyburiedallunkindness——andwithit，wehoped，hismistakenfolly。Howeverthatmightbe，hemadenoefforttoengrossTrix，buttookhisseatmostdocilelybyhishostess——andshe，ofcourse，introducedhimtoMrs。Wentworth。
Hisbehaviorwas，infact，soexemplarythatevenLadyQueenboroughrelaxedherseverity，andcondescendedtocross—
examinehimonthemoralsandmannersoftheoldwomenoftheparish。\"Oh，thevicarlooksafterthem，\"saidJack；andheturnedtoMrs。Wentworthagain。
TherecanbenodoubtthatMrs。Wentworthhadaremarkablepowerofsympathy。Itookherintodinner，andshewasdeepinthesubjectofmy\"nobleandinspiringart\"beforethesoupwasoffthetable。Indeed，I’msurethatmylife’sambitionswouldhavebeenanopenbooktoherbythetimethatthejointarrived，hadnotJackIves，whowassittingonthelady’sotherside，cutintotheconversationjustasMrs。WentworthwascomparingmyearlystruggleswiththoseofMr。Carlyle。AfterthisinterventionofJack’sIhadnotachance。Iatemydinnerwithoutthesauceofsympathy，substitutingforitacertainamusementwhichI
derivedfromstudyingthefaceofMissTrixQueenborough，whowasplacedontheoppositesideofthetable。AndifTrixdidlooknowandagainatMrs。WentworthandJackIves，Icannotsaythatherconductwasunnatural。Totellthetruth，Jackwassoobviouslydelightedwithhisnewfriendthatitwasquitepleasant——and，asIsay，underthecircumstances，ratheramusing——towatchthem。WefeltthatthesquirewasjustifiedinhavingahitatJackwhenJacksaid，inthesmokingroom，thathefoundhimselfratheratalossforasubjectforhisnextsermon。
\"Whatdoyousay，\"suggestedmycousin，puffingathispipe，\"totakingconstancyasyourtext？\"
Jackconsideredtheideaforamoment，butthenheshookhishead。
\"No。Ithink，\"hesaidreflectively，\"thatIshallpreachonthepowerofsympathy。\"
Thatsermonaffordedme——Imustconfessit，attheriskofseemingfrivolous——verygreatentertainment。AgainIsecuredaplacebyMissTrix——onherleft，Newhavenbeingonherright，andherfacewasworthstudywhenJackIvesgaveusamosteloquentdescriptionofthewonderfulgiftinquestion。Itwas，hesaid，theessenceandthecrownoftruewomanliness，anditshoweditself——well，toputitquiteplainly，itshoweditself，accordingtoJackIves，inexactlythatsortofmannerandbearingwhichsohonorablyandgracefullydistinguishedMrs。
Wentworth。Theladywasnot，ofcourse，named，butshewasclearlyindicated。\"Yourgift，yourpreciousgift，\"criedthecurate，apostrophizingtheimpersonationofsympathy，\"isgiventoyou，notforyourprofit，butformine。Itisyours，butitisatrusttobeusedforme。Itisyours，infact，tosharewithme。\"Atthisclimax，whichmusthavestruckuponherearwithacertainfamiliarity，MissTrixQueenborough，notwithstandingtheplaceandoccasion，tossedherprettyheadandwhisperedtome，\"Whathorridstuff!\"
IntheensuingweekJackIveswasourconstantcompanion；thecontinuedillnessofhisservant’smotherlefthimstranded，andDora’skindheartatonceofferedhimthehospitalityofherroof。FormypartIwasglad，forthelittledramawhichnowbeganwasnotwithoutitsinterest。ItwasapleasantchangetoseeJackgeniallypolitetoTrixQueenborough，butquiteindifferenttoherpresenceorabsence，andcontenttoallowhertotakeNewhavenforherpartnerattennisasoftenasshepleased。Hehimselfwasoftenanabsenteefromourgames。Mrs。
Wentworthdidnotplay，andJackwouldsitunderthetreeswithher，ortakeheroutinthecanoe。WhatTrixthoughtIdidnotknow，butitisafactthatshetreatedpoorNewhavenlikedirtbeneathherfeet，andthatLadyQueenborough’sfacebegantoloseitstransientlypleasantexpression。Ihadavagueideathataretributionwasworkingitselfout，anddisposedmyselftoseetheprocesswithallthecomplacencyinducedbythespectacleofothersreceivingpunishmentfortheirsins。
Alittlescenewhichoccurredafterlunchonedaywassignificant。Iwassittingontheterrace，readybootedandbreeched，waitingformyhorsetobebroughtround。Trixcameoutandsatdownbyme。
\"Where’sNewhaven？\"Iasked。
\"Oh，Idon’talwayswantLordNewhaven!\"sheexclaimedpetulantly。\"Isenthimoffforawalk——I’mgoingoutintheCanadiancanoewithMr。Ives。\"
\"Oh，youare，areyou？\"saidI，smiling。AsIspoke，JackIvesranuptous。
\"Isay，MissQueenborough，\"hecried，\"I’vejustgotyourmessagesayingyou’dletmetakeyouonthelake。\"
\"Isitagreatbore？\"askedTrix，withaglance——aglancethatmeantmischief。
\"Ishouldlikeitawfully，ofcourse，\"saidJack；\"butthefactisI’vepromisedtotakeMrs。Wentworth——beforeIgotyourmessage，youknow。\"
Trixdrewherselfup。
\"Ofcourse，ifMrs。Wentworth————\"shebegan。
\"I’mverysorry，\"saidJack。
ThenMissQueenborough，forgetting——asIhope——orchoosingtodisregardmypresence，leanedforwardandasked，inhermostcoaxingtones：
\"Don’tyoueverforgetapromise，Mr。Ives？\"
Jacklookedather。Isupposeherdaintyprettinessstruckhimafresh，forhewaveredandhesitated。
\"She’sgoneupstairs，\"pursuedthetempter，\"andweshallbesafeawaybeforeshecomesdownagain。\"
Jackshuffledwithonefootonthegravel。
\"Itellyouwhat，\"hesaid；\"I’llaskherifshemindsmetakingyouforalittlewhilebeforeI————\"
Ibelievehereallythoughtthathehadhituponacompromisesatisfactorytoallparties。Ifso，hewasspeedilyundeceived。
Trixflushedredandansweredangrily：
\"Praydon’ttrouble。Idon’twanttogo。\"
\"Perhapsafterwardyoumight，\"suggestedthecurate，butnowrathertimidly。
\"I’mgoingoutwithLordNewhaven，\"saidshe。Andsheadded，inanaccessofuncontrollableannoyance。\"Go，pleasego。I——I
don’twantyou。\"
Jacksheeredoff，withalookofpuzzledshamefacedness。Hedisappearedintothehouse。NothingpassedbetweenMissTrixandmyself。AmomentlaterNewhavencameout。
\"Why，MissQueenborough，\"saidhe，inapparentsurprise，\"IvesisgoingwithMrs。Wentworthinthecanoe!\"
InaninstantIsawwhatshehaddone。InrashpresumptionshehadtoldNewhaventhatshewasgoingwiththecurate——andnowthecuratehadrefusedtotakeher——andIveshadmethiminsearchofMrs。Wentworth。Whatcouldshedo？Well，sherose——orfell——totheoccasion。Inthecoldestofvoicesshesaid；
\"Ithoughtyou’dgoneforyourwalk。\"
\"Iwasjuststarting，\"heansweredapologetically，\"whenImetIves。But，asyouweren’tgoingwithhim————\"Hepaused，aninquiringlookinhiseyes。Hewasevidentlyaskinghimselfwhyshehadnotgonewiththecurate。
\"I’dratherbeleftalone，ifyoudon’tmind，\"saidshe。Andthen，flushingredagain，sheadded。\"IchangedmymindandrefusedtogowithMr。Ives。SohewentofftogetMrs。
Wentworthinstead。\"
Istarted。Newhavenlookedatherforaninstant，andthenturnedonhisheel。Sheturnedtome，quickaslightning，andwithherfaceallaflame。
\"Ifyoutell，I’llneverspeaktoyouagain，\"shewhispered。
Afterthistherewassilenceforsomeminutes。
\"Well？\"shesaid，withoutlookingatme。
\"Ihavenoremarktooffer，MissQueenborough，\"Ireturned。
\"Isupposethatwasalie，wasn’tit？\"sheaskeddefiantly。
\"It’snotmybusinesstosaywhatitwas，\"wasmydiscreetanswer。
\"Iknowwhatyou’rethinking。\"
\"Iwasthinking，\"saidI，\"whichIwouldratherbe——themanyouwillmarry，orthemanyouwouldlike————\"
\"Howdareyou!It’snottrue。OhMr。Wynne，indeedit’snottrue!\"
WhetheritweretrueornotIdidnotknow。Butifithadbeen，MissTrixQueenboroughmighthavebeenexpectedtoactverymuchinthewayinwhichsheproceededtoact：thatistosay，tobeextravagantlyattentivetoLordNewhavenwhenJackIveswaspresent，andmarkedlyneglectfulofhiminthecurate’sabsence。
ItalsofittedinverywellwiththetheorywhichIhadventuredtohintthatherbearingtowardMrs。Wentworthwasdistinguishedbyastatelycivility，andherremarksaboutthatladybyasuperfluityoflaudation；forifthesebenottwodistinguishingmarksofrivalryinthewell—bred，Imustgobacktomyfavoritebooksandlearnfromthem——morefolly。AndifTrix’smannerswereallthattheyshouldbe，praisenolesshighmustbeaccordedtoMrs。Wentworth’s；sheattainedanaltitudeofadmirableunconsciousnessandconductedherflirtation（thepovertyoflanguageforcesmetotheword，butitisover—
flippant）withthecurateinastaid，quasi—maternalway。Shecalledhimadelightfulboy，andsaidthatshewasintenselyinterestedinallhisaimsandhopes。
\"Whatdoesshewant？\"IaskedDoradespairingly。\"Shecan’twanttomarryhim。\"IwasreferringtoTrixQueenborough，nottoMrs。
Wentworth。
\"Goodgracious，no!\"answeredDora，irritably。\"It’ssimplejealousy。Shewon’tletthepoorboyalonetillhe’sinlovewithheragain。It’sahorribleshame!\"
\"Oh，well，hehasgreatrecuperativepower，\"saidI。
\"She’dbetterbecareful，though。It’saverydangerousgame。
HowdoyousupposeLordNewhavenlikesit？\"
AccidentgavemethatverydayahinthowlittleLordNewhavenlikedit，andaglimpseoftheriskMissTrixwasrunning。
Enteringthelibrarysuddenly，IheardNewhaven’svoiceraisedabovehisordinarytones。
\"Iwon’tstandit!\"hewasdeclaring。\"Ineverknowhowshe’lltreatmefromoneminutetothenext。\"
Myentrance，ofcourse，stoppedtheconversationveryabruptly。Newhavenhadcometoastandinthemiddleoftheroom，andLadyQueenboroughsatonthesofa，aformidablefrownonherbrow。Withdrawingmyselfasrapidlyaspossible，IarguedtheprobabilityofaseverelectureforMissTrix，endinginacommandtotryhernoblesuitor’spatiencenolonger。Ihopeallthishappened，forI，notseeingwhyMrs。Wentworthshouldmonopolizethegraceofsympathy，tookthelibertyofextendingminetoNewhaven。HewascertainlyinlovewithTrix，notwithhermoney，andthetreatmentheunderwentmusthavebeenastryingtohisfeelingsasitwasgallingtohispride。
Mysympathywasnotpremature，forMissTrix’sfascinations，whichwereindubitablygreat，begantohavetheireffect。Thesceneaboutthecanoewasre—enacted，butwithadifferentdenouement。Thistimethepromisewasforgotten，andthewidowforsaken。ThenMrs。Wentworthputonherarmor。Wehad，infact，reachedthisveryabsurdsituation，thatthesetwoladieswerecontendingforthefavorsof，orthedominationover，suchanobscure，poverty—stricken，hopelesslyineligiblepersonasthecurateofPoltonsundoubtedlywas。Thepositionseemedtomethen，andstillseems，toindicatesomeremarkablequalitiesinthatyoungman。
AtlastNewhavenmadeamove。Atbreakfast，onWednesdaymorning，heannouncedthat，reluctantasheshouldbetoleavePoltonsPark，hewasdueathisaunt’splace，inKent，onSaturdayevening，andmust，therefore，makehisarrangementstoleavebynoononthatday。Thesignificancewasapparent。Hadhecomedowntobreakfastwith\"NoworNever!\"stampedinfierylettersacrosshisbrow，itwouldhavebeenmoreobtrusive，indeed，butnotawhitplainer。Wealllookeddownatourplates，exceptJackIves。Heflungoneglance（Isawitoutofthecornerofmylefteye）atNewhaven，anotheratTrix；thenheremarkedkindly：
\"Weshallbeuncommonlysorrytoloseyou，Newhaven。\"
Eventsbegantohappennow，andIwilltellthemaswellasIamable，supplementingmyownknowledgebywhatIlearnedafterwardfromDora——shehavinglearneditfromtheactorsinthescene。
InspiteofthesolemnwarningconveyedinNewhaven’sintimation，Trix，greatlydaring，wentoffimmediatelyafterlunchforwhatshedescribedas\"alongramble\"withMr。Ives。Therewas，indeed，theexcuseofanoldwomanattheendoftheramble，andTrixprovidedJackwithasmallbasketofcomfortsfortheusefuloldbody；buttheramblewas，wefelt，thething，andIwasmuchannoyedatnotbeingabletoaccompanythewalkersinthecloakofdarknessorotherinvisiblecontrivance。Therambleconsumedthreehours——fullmeasure。Indeed，itwashalf—pastsixbeforeTrix，alone，walkedupthedrive。Newhaven，asolitaryfigure，pacedupanddowntheterracefrontingthedrive。Trixcameon，herheadthrownbackandasteadysmileonherlips。ShesawNewhaven；hestoodlookingatherforamomentwithwhatsheafterwarddescribedasanindescribablesmileonhisface，butnot，asDoraunderstoodfromher，byanymeansapleasantone。
Yet，ifnotpleasant，thereisnottheleastdoubtintheworldthatitwashighlysignificant，forshecriedoutnervously：
\"Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat？What’sthematter？\"
Newhaven，stillsayingnothing，turnedhisbackonher，andmadeasifhewouldwalkintothehouseandleaveherthere，ignored，discarded，donewith。She，realizingthecrisiswhichhadcome，forgettingeverythingexcepttheimminentdangeroflosinghimonceforall，withouttimeforlongexplanationoranyround—
aboutseductions，ranforward，layingherhandonhisarmandblurtingout：
\"ButI’verefusedhim。\"
IdonotknowwhatNewhaventhinksnow，butIsometimesdoubtwhetherhewouldnothavebeenwisertoshakeoffthedetaininghand，andpursuehislonelyway，firstintothehouse，andultimatelytohisaunt’s。But（tosaynothingofthetwentythousandayear，which，afterall，andbeyouasromanticasyoumaypleasetobe，isnotathingtobesneezedat）Trix’sface，itsmingledeagernessandshame，itsflushedcheeksandshiningeyes，thepiquancyofitsunwontedhumility，overcamehim。Hestoppeddead。
\"I——Iwasobligedtogivehiman——anopportunity，\"saidMissTrix，havingthegracetostumblealittleinherspeech。\"And——
andit’sallyourfault。\"
Thewarwasthus，byhappyaudacity，carriedintoNewhaven’sownquarters。
\"Myfault!\"heexclaimed。\"Myfaultthatyouwalkalldaywiththatcurate!\"
ThenMissTrix——andletnoirrelevantconsiderationsmartheappreciationoffineacting——droppedhereyesandmurmuredsoftly：
\"I——IwassoterriblyafraidofseemingtoexpectYOU。\"
Wherewithshe（andnothe）ranawaylightlyupthestairs，turningjustoneglancedownwardasshereachedthelanding。
Newhavenwaslookingupfrombelowwithan\"enchanted\"smile——thewordisTrix’sown；Ishouldprobablyhaveusedadifferentone。
WasthenthecurateofPoltonsutterlydefeated——broughttohisknees，onlytobespurned？Itseemedso；andhecamedowntodinnerthatnightwithasubduedandmelancholyexpression。
Trix，ontheotherhand，wasbrilliantandtalkativetothelastdegree，andthegayetyspreadfromherallaroundthetable，leavinguntouchedonlytherejectedloverandMrs。Wentworth；forthelastnamedlady，truetoherdistinguishingquality，hadbeguntotalktopoorJackIvesinlow，soothingtones。
AfterdinnerTrixwasnotvisible；butthedoorofthelittleboudoirbeyondstoodhalf—open，andverysoonNewhavenedgedhiswaythrough。AlmostatthesamemomentJackIvesandMrs。
Wentworthpassedoutofthewindowandbegantowalkupanddownthegravel。Nobodybutmyselfappearedtonoticetheseremarkableoccurrences，butIwatchedthemwithkeeninterest。
Halfanhourpassed，andthentheresmoteonmywatchfulearthesoundofalowlaughfromtheboudoir。Itwasfollowedalmostimmediatelybyastrangersoundfromthegravelwalk。Then，allinamoment，twothingshappened。Theboudoirdooropened，andTrix，followedbyNewhaven，camein，smiling；fromthewindowenteredJackIvesandMrs。Wentworth。Myeyeswereonthecurate。Hegaveonesudden，comprehendingglancetowardtheothercouple；thenhetookthewidow’shand，ledheruptoDora，andsaid，inlowyetpenetratingtones。
\"Willyouwishusjoy，Mrs。Polton？\"
Thesquire，Rippleby，andAlgyStantonwereroundtheminaninstant。Ikeptmyplace，watchingnowthefaceofTrixQueenborough。Sheturnedfirstflamingred，thenverypale。I
sawherturntoNewhavenandspeakoneortwourgent，imperativewordstohim。Then，drawingherselfuptoherfullheight，shecrossedtheroomtowherethegroupwasassembledroundMrs。
WentworthandJackIves。
\"What’sthematter？Whatareyousaying？\"sheasked。
Mrs。Wentworth’seyesweremodestlycastdown，butasmileplayedroundhermouth。Noonespokeforamoment。ThenJackIvessaid：
\"Mrs。Wentworthhaspromisedtobemywife，MissQueenborough。\"
Foramoment，hardlyperceptible，Trixhesitated；then，withthemostwinning，touching，sweetestsmileintheworld，shesaid：
\"Soyoutookmyadvice，andourafternoonwalkwasnotwasted，afterall？\"
Mrs。Poltonisnotusedtothesefineflightsofdiplomacy；shehadheardbeforedinnersomethingofwhathadactuallyhappenedintheafternoon；andthesimplewomanpositivelyjumped。JackIvesmetTrix’sscornfuleyesfullandsquare。
\"Notatallwasted，\"saidhe，withasmile。\"Notonlyhasitshownmewheremytruehappinesslies，butithasalsogivenmeajusterideaofthevalueandsincerityofyourregardforme，MissQueenborough。\"
\"Itisasreal，Mr。Ives，asitissincere，\"saidshe。
\"Itislikeyourself，MissQueenborough，\"saidhe，withalittlebow；andheturnedfromherandbegantotalktohisfiancee。
TrixQueenboroughmovedslowlytowardwhereIsat。Newhavenwaswatchingherfromwherehestoodaloneontheothersideoftheroom。
\"Andhaveyounonewsforus？\"Iaskedinlowtones。
\"Thankyou，\"shesaidhaughtily；\"Idon’tcarethatmineshouldbeapendenttothegreattidingsaboutthelittlewidowandcurate。\"
Afteramoment’spauseshewenton：
\"Helostnotime，didhe？Hewaswisetosecureherbeforewhathappenedthisafternooncouldleakout。Nobodycantellhernow。\"
\"Thisafternoon？\"
\"Heaskedmetomarryhimthisafternoon。\"
\"Andyourefused？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，hisbehaviorisinoutrageouslybadtaste，but————\"
Shelaidahandonmyarm，andsaidincalm，leveltones。
\"IrefusedhimbecauseIdarednothavehim；butItoldhimI
caredforhim，andhesaidhelovedme。AndIlethimkissme。
Good—night，Mr。Wynne。\"
Isatstillandsilent。Newhavencameacrosstous。Trixputupherhandandcaughthimbythesleeve。
\"Fred，\"shesaid，\"mydear，honestoldFred；youloveme，don’tyou？\"
Newhaven，muchembarrassedandsurprised，lookedatmeinalarm。
Butherhandwasinhisnow，andhereyesimploringhim。
\"IshouldratherthinkIdid，mydear，\"saidhe。
IreallyhopethatLordandLadyNewhavenwillnotbeveryunhappy，whileMrs。Ivesquiteworshipsherhusband，andisconvincedthatsheeclipsedthebrilliantandwealthyMissQueenborough。
Perhapsshedid——perhapsnot。
Thereare，asIhavesaid，greatqualitiesinthecurateofPoltons，butIhavenotquitemadeupmymindpreciselywhattheyare。Iought，however，tosaythatDoratakesamorefavorableviewofhimandalesslenientviewofTrixthanI。
Thatisperhapsnatural。Besides，Doradoesnotknowtheprecisemannerinwhichthecuratewasrefused。Bytheway，hepreachednextSundayonthetext，\"Thechildrenofthisworldarewiserintheirgenerationthanthechildrenoflight。\"
VI。
WHICHSHALLITBE？
Itwasacharminglymildandbalmyday。Thesunshonebeyondtheorchard，andtheshadewascoolinside。Alightbreezestirredtheboughsoftheoldappletreeunderwhichthephilosophersat。
Noneofthesethingsdidthephilosophernotice，unlessitmightbewhenthewindblewabouttheleavesofthelargevolumeonhisknees，andhehadtofindhisplaceagain。Thenhewouldexclaimagainstthewind，shuffletheleavestillhegottherightpage，andsettletohisreading。Thebookwasatreatiseonontology；
itwaswrittenbyanotherphilosopher，afriendofthisphilosopher’s；itbristledwithfallacies，andthisphilosopherwasdiscoveringthemall，andnotingthemontheflyleafattheend。Hewasnotgoingtoreviewthebook（assomemighthavethoughtfromhisbehavior），oreventoansweritinaworkofhisown。Itwasjustthathefoundapleasureinstrippinganypoorfallacynakedandcrucifyingit。
Presentlyagirlinawhitefrockcameintotheorchard。Shepickedupanapple，bitit，andfounditripe。Holdingitinherhandshewalkeduptowherethephilosophersat，andlookedathim。Hedidnotstir。Shetookabiteoutoftheapple，munchedit，andswallowedit。Thephilosophercrucifiedafallacyontheflyleaf。Thegirlflungtheappleaway。
\"Mr。Jerningham，\"saidshe，\"areyouverybusy？\"
Thephilosopher，pencilinhand，lookedup。
\"No，MissMay，\"saidhe，\"notvery。\"
\"BecauseIwantyouropinion。\"
\"Inonemoment，\"saidthephilosopherapologetically。
Heturnedbacktotheflyleafandbegantonailthelastfallacyalittletightertothecross。Thegirlregardedhim，firstwithamusedimpatience，thenwithavexedfrown，finallywithawistfulregret。Hewassoveryoldforhisage，shethought；hecouldnotbemuchbeyondthirty；hishairwasthickandfullofwaves，hiseyesbrightandclear，hiscomplexionnotyetdivestedofallyouth’srelics。
\"Now，MissMay，Iamatyourservice，\"saidthephilosopher，withalingeringlookathisimpaledfallacy。Andheclosedthebook，keepingit，however，onhisknee。
Thegirlsatdownjustoppositetohim。
\"It’saveryimportantthingIwanttoaskyou，\"shebegan，tuggingatatuftofgrass，\"andit’svery——difficult，andyoumustn’ttellanyoneIaskedyou；atleast，I’dratheryoudidn’t。\"
\"Ishallnotspeakofit；indeed，Ishallprobablynotrememberit，\"saidthephilosopher。
\"Andyoumustn’tlookatme，please，whileI’maskingyou。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIwaslookingatyou，butifIwasIbegyourpardon，\"saidthephilosopherapologetically。
Shepulledthetuftofgrassrightoutofthegroundandflungitfromherwithallherforce。
\"Supposeaman————\"shebegan。\"No，that’snotright。\"
\"Youcantakeanyhypothesisyouplease，\"observedthephilosopher，\"butyoumustverifyitafterward，ofcourse。\"
\"Oh，doletmegoon。Supposeagirl，Mr。Jerningham——Iwishyouwouldn’tnod。\"
\"ItwasonlytoshowthatIfollowedyou。\"
\"Oh，ofcourseyou`followme，’asyoucallit。Supposeagirlhadtwolovers——you’renoddingagain——or，Ioughttosay，supposethereweretwomenwhomightbeinlovewithagirl。\"
\"Onlytwo？\"askedthephilosopher。\"Yousee，anynumberofmenMIGHTbeinlovewith————\"
\"Oh，wecanleavetherestout，\"saidMissMay，withasuddendimple；\"theydon’tmatter。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidthephilosopher。\"Iftheyareirrelevant，wewillputthemaside。\"
\"Suppose，then，thatoneofthesemenwas——oh，AWFULLYinlovewiththegirl——and——andproposed，youknow————\"
\"Amoment!\"saidthephilosopher，openinganotebook。\"Letmetakedownhisproposition。Whatwasit？\"
\"Why，proposedtoher——askedhertomarryhim，\"saidthegirl，withastare。
\"Dearme!Howstupidofme!Iforgotthatspecialuseoftheword。Yes？\"
\"Thegirllikeshimprettywell，andherpeopleapproveofhimandallthat，youknow。\"
\"Thatsimplifiestheproblem，\"saidthephilosopher，noddingagain。
\"Butshe’snotin——inlovewithhim，youknow。Shedoesn’tREALLYcareforhim——MUCH。Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Perfectly。Itisamostnaturalstateofmind。\"
\"Well，then，supposethatthere’sanotherman——whatareyouwriting？\"
\"Ionlyputdown（B。）——likethat，\"pleadedthephilosopher，meeklyexhibitinghisnotebook。
Shelookedathiminasortofhelplessexasperation，withjustasmilesomewhereinthebackgroundofit。
\"Oh，youreallyare————\"sheexclaimed。\"Butletmegoon。Theothermanisafriendofthegirl’s；he’sveryclever——oh，fearfullyclever；andhe’sratherhandsome。Youneedn’tputthatdown。\"
\"Itiscertainlynotverymaterial，\"admittedthephilosopher，andhecrossedout\"handsome。\"\"Clever\"heleft。
\"Andthegirlismostawfully——sheadmireshimtremendously；shethinkshimjustthegreatestmanthateverlived，youknow。Andshe——she————\"Thegirlpaused。
\"I’mfollowing，\"saidthephilosopher，withpencilpoised。
\"She’dthinkitbetterthanthewholeworldif——ifshecouldbeanythingtohim，youknow。\"
\"Youmeanbecomehiswife？\"
\"Well，ofcourseIdo——atleastsupposeIdo。\"
\"Youspokerathervaguely，youknow。\"
Thegirlcastoneglanceatthephilosopherasshereplied：
\"Well，yes。Ididmean，becomehiswife。\"
\"Yes。Well？\"
\"But，\"continuedthegirl，startingonanothertuftofgrass，\"hedoesn’tthinkmuchaboutthosethings。Helikesher。Ithinkhelikesher————\"
\"Well，doesn’tdislikeher？\"suggestedthephilosopher。\"Shallwecallhimindifferent？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Yes，ratherindifferent。Idon’tthinkhethinksaboutit，youknow。Butshe——she’spretty。Youneedn’tputthatdown。\"
\"Iwasnotabouttodoso，\"observedthephilosopher。
\"Shethinkslifewithhimwouldbejustheaven；and——andshethinksshewouldmakehimawfullyhappy。Shewould——wouldbesoproudofhim，yousee。\"
\"Isee。Yes!\"
\"And——Idon’tknowhowtoputit，quite——shethinksthat，ifheeverthoughtaboutitall，hemightcareforher；becausehedoesn’tcareforanybodyelse；andshe’spretty————\"
\"Yousaidthatbefore。\"
\"Oh，dear!IdaresayIdid。Andmostmencareforsomebody，don’tthey？Somegirl，Imean。\"
\"Mostmen，nodoubt，\"concededthephilosopher。
\"Well，then，whatoughtshetodo？It’snotarealthing，youknow，Mr。Jerningham。It’sin——inanovelIwasreading。\"Shesaidthishastily，andblushedasshespoke。
\"Dearme!Andit’squiteaninterestingcase!Yes，Isee。Thequestionis，Willsheactmostwiselyinacceptingtheofferofthemanwholovesherexceedingly，butforwhomsheentertainsonlyamoderateaffection————\"
\"Yes。Justaliking。He’sjustafriend。\"