Contents：
HANDSOMEISASHANDSOMEDOES
LOTHOW，orTHEADVENTURESOFAYOUNGGENTLEMANINSEARCHOFARELIGION
MUCK-A-MUCK，AMODERNINDIANNOVEL，AFTERJAMESFENIMORECOOPER
TERENCEDENVILLE
SELINASEDILIA
THENINETY-NINEGUARDSMEN[AFTERTHETHREEMUSKETEERS，BYDUMAS]
MISSMIX[AFTERCHARLOTTEBRONTE]
GUYHEAVYSTONE;OR，\"ENTIRE。\"
MR。MIDSHIPMANBREEZY
JOHNJENKINS;OR，THESMOKERREFORMED
NOTITLE[AFTERWILKECOLLINS]
Contains：
MARYJONES’SNARRATIVE
THESLIMYOUNGMAN’SSTORY
NO。27LIMEHOUSEROAD
COUNTMOSCOW’SNARRATIVE
DR。DIGGS’SSTATEMENT
MARYMCGILLUP，ASOUTHERNNOVEL，AFTERBELLEBOYD
HANDSOMEISASHANDSOMEDOES。
BYCH——SR——DE。
CHAPTERI。
TheDoddsweredead。FortwentyyeartheyhadsleptunderthegreengravesofKitterychurchyard。Thetownfolkstillspokeofthemkindly。Thekeeperofthealehouse，whereDavidhadsmokedhispipe，regrettedhimregularly，andMistressKitty，Mrs。Dodd’smaid，whosetrimfigurealwayslookedwellinhermistress’sgowns，wasinconsolable。TheHardinswereinAmerica。Rabywasaristocraticallygouty;Mrs。Raby，religious。Briefly，then，wehavedisposedof——
1。Mr。andMrs。Dodd（dead）。
2。Mr。andMrs。Hardin（translated）。
3。Raby，baronetfemme。（YetIdon’tknowabouttheformer;hecameofalong-livedfamily，andthegoutisanuncertaindisease。）
Wehaveactiveatthepresentwriting（placeauxdames）——
1。LadyCarolineCoventry，nieceofSirFrederick。
2。FaradayHuxleyLittle，sonofHenryandGraceLittle，deceased。
Sequiturtotheabove，AHEROANDHEROINE。
CHAPTERII。
Onthedeathofhisparents，FaradayLittlewastakentoRabyHall。
Inacceptinghisguardianship，Mr。Rabystruggledstoutlyagainsttwoprejudices：Faradaywasplain-lookingandsceptical。
\"Handsomeisashandsomedoes，sweetheart，\"pleadedJael，intercedingfortheorphanwitharmsthatwerestillbeautiful。
\"Dearknows，itisnothisfaultifhedoesnotlooklike——hisfather，\"sheaddedwithagreatgulp。Jaelwasawoman，andvindicatedherwomanhoodbyneverentirelyforgivingaformerrival。
\"It’snotthatalone，madam，\"screamedRaby，\"but，d——mit，thelittlerascal’sascientist，——anatheist，aradical，ascoffer！
DisbelievesintheBible，ma’am;isfullofthisDarwinianstuffaboutnaturalselectionanddescent。Descent，forsooth！Inmyday，madam，gentlemenwerecontenttotracetheirancestorsbacktogentlemen，andnotto——monkeys！\"
\"Dearheart，theboyisclever，\"urgedJael。
\"Clever！\"roaredRaby;\"whatdoesagentlemanwantwithcleverness？\"
CHAPTERIII。
YoungLittleWASclever。Atsevenhehadconstructedatelescope;
atnine，aflying-machine。Attenhesavedavaluablelife。
NorwoodParkwastheadjacentestate，——alordlydomaindottedwithreddeerandblacktrunks，butscrupulouslykeptwithgravelledroadsashardandblueassteel。ThereLittlewasstrollingonesummermorning，meditatingonanewtopwithconcealedsprings。Atalittledistancebeforehimhesawtheflutteroflaceandribbons。Ayounglady，averyyounglady，——sayofsevensummers，——
trickedoutinthecryingabominationsofthepresentfashion，stoodbesidealowbush。Hernursery-maidwasnotpresent，possiblyowingtothefactthatJohnthefootmanwasalsoabsent。
SuddenlyLittlecametowardsher。\"Excuseme，butdoyouknowwhatthoseberriesare？\"Hewaspointingtothelowbushfilledwithdarkclustersofshining——suspiciouslyshining——fruit。
\"Certainly;theyareblueberries。\"
\"Pardonme;youaremistaken。Theybelongtoquiteanotherfamily。\"
MissImpudencedrewherselfuptoherfullheight（exactlythreefeetnineandahalfinches），and，curlinganeightofaninchofscarletlip，said，scornfully。\"YOURfamily，perhaps。\"
FaradayLittlesmiledinthesuperiorityofboyhoodovergirlhood。
\"Ialludetotheclassification。Thatplantisthebelladonna，ordeadlynightshade。Itsalkaloidisanarcoticpoison。\"
Saucinessturnedpale。\"I——have——just——eaten——some！\"Andbegantowhimper。\"Odear，whatshallIdo？\"Thendidit，i。e。wrunghersmallfingersandcried。
\"Pardonmeonemoment。\"Littlepassedhisarmaroundherneck，andwithhisthumbopenedwidelythepatrician-veinedlidsofhersweetblueeyes。\"ThankHeaven，thereisyetnodilationofthepupil;
itisnottoolate！\"Hecastarapidglancearound。Thenozzleandaboutthreefeetofgardenhoselaynearhim。
\"Openyourmouth，quick！\"
Itwasapretty，kissablemouth。ButyoungLittlemeantbusiness。
Heputthenozzledownherpinkthroatasfarasitwouldgo。
\"Now，don’tmove。\"
Hewrappedhishandkerchiefaroundahoopstick。Thenheinsertedbothintheotherendofthestiffhose。Itfittedsnugly。Heshoveditinandthendrewitback。
Natureabhorsavacuum。Theyoungpatricianwasasamenabletothislawasthechildofthelowestpeasant。
Shesuccumbed。Itwasalloverinaminute。Thensheburstintoasmallfury。
\"Younasty，bad——UGLYboy。\"
YoungLittlewinced，butsmiled。
\"Stimulants，\"hewhisperedtothefrightenednursery-maidwhoapproached;\"goodevening。\"Hewasgone。
CHAPTERIV。
ThebreachbetweenyoungLittleandMr。Rabywasslowlywidening。
LittlefoundobjectionablefeaturesintheHall。\"Thisblackoakceilingandwainscoatingisnotashealthfulasplaster;besides，itabsorbsthelight。Thebedroomceilingistoolow;theElizabethanarchitectsknewnothingofventilation。Thecolorofthatoakpanellingwhichyouadmireisduetoanexcessofcarbonandtheexuviafromtheporesofyourskin——\"
\"Leavethehouse，\"bellowedRaby，\"beforetherooffallsonyoursacrilegioushead！\"
AsLittleleftthehouse，LadyCarolineandahandsomeboyofaboutLittle’sageentered。LadyCarolinerecoiled，andthen——blushed。
Littleglared;heinstinctivelyfeltthepresenceofarival。
CHAPTERV。
Littleworkedhard。Hestudiednightandday。Infiveyearshebecamealecturer，thenaprofessor。
Hesoaredashighastheclouds，hedippedaslowasthecellarsoftheLondonpoor。HeanalyzedtheLondonfog，andfoundittwopartssmoke，onedisease，oneunmentionableabominations。Hepublishedapamphlet，whichwasviolentlyattacked。Thenheknewhehaddonesomething。
ButhehadnotforgottenCaroline。HewaswalkingonedayintheZoologicalGardensandhecameuponaprettypicture，——fleshandbloodtoo。
LadyCarolinefeedingbunstothebears！Anexquisitethrillpassedthroughhisveins。Sheturnedhersweetfaceandtheireyesmet。Theyrecollectedtheirfirstmeetingsevenyearsbefore，butitwashisturntobeshyandtimid。Wonderfulpowerofageandsex！Shemethimwithperfectself-possession。
\"Wellmeant，butindigestibleIfear\"（healludedtothebuns）。
\"Acleverpersonlikeyourselfcaneasilycorrectthat\"（she，theslyboots，wasthinkingofsomethingelse）。
Inafewmomentstheywerechattinggayly。Littleeagerlydescanteduponthedifferentanimals;shelistenedwithdeliciousinterest。Anhourglideddelightfullyaway。
Afterthissunshine，clouds。
TothemsuddenlyenteredMr。Rabyandahandsomeyoungman。Thegentlemenbowedstifflyandlookedvicious，——astheyfelt。Theladyofthisquartettesmiledamiably，asshedidnotfeel。
\"Lookingatyourancestors，Isuppose，\"saidMr。Raby，pointingtothemonkeys;\"wewillnotdisturbyou。Come。\"AndheledCarolineaway。
Littlewasheart-sick。Hedarednotfollowthem。Butanhourlaterhesawsomethingwhichfilledhisheartwithblissunspeakable。
LadyCaroline，withadivinesmileonherface，feedingthemonkeys！
CHAPTERVI。
Encouragedbylove，Littleworkedharduponhisnewflying-machine。
HislaborswerelightenedbytalkingofthebelovedonewithherFrenchmaidTherese，whomhehaddiscreetlybribed。MademoiselleTheresewasvenal，likeallherclass，butinthisinstanceIfearshewasnotbribedbyBritishgold。StrangeasitmayseemtotheBritishmind，itwasBritishgenius，Britisheloquence，Britishthought，thatbroughthertothefeetofthisyoungsavan。
\"Ibelieve，\"saidLadyCaroline，oneday，interruptinghermaidinaglowingeulogiumupontheskillof\"M。Leetell，\"——\"IbelieveyouareinlovewiththisProfessor。\"AquickflushcrossedtheolivecheekofTherese，whichLadyCarolineafterwardremembered。
Theeventfuldayoftrialcame。Thepublicweregathered，impatientandscornfulasthepigheadedpublicareapttobe。Intheopenareaalongcylindricalballoon，inshapelikeaBolognasausage，swayedabovethemachine，fromwhich，likesomeenormousbirdcaughtinanet，ittriedtofreeitself。Aheavyropehelditfasttotheground。
Littlewaswaitingfortheballast，whenhiseyecaughtLadyCaroline’samongthespectators。Theglancewasappealing。Inamomenthewasatherside。
\"Ishouldlikesomuchtogetintothemachine，\"saidthearch-
hypocrite，demurely。
\"AreyouengagedtomarryyoungRaby，\"saidLittle，bluntly。
\"Asyouplease，\"shesaidwithacourtesy;\"doItakethisasarefusal？\"
Littlewasagentleman。Heliftedherandherlapdogintothecar。
\"Hownice！itwon’tgooff？\"
\"No，theropeisstrong，andtheballastisnotyetin。\"
Areportlikeapistol，acryfromthespectators，athousandhandsstretchedtograspthepartedrope，andtheballoondartedupward。
Onlyonehandofthatthousandcaughttherope，——Little’s！Butinthesameinstantthehorror-strickenspectatorssawhimwhirledfromhisfeetandborneupward，stillclingingtotherope，intospace。
CHAPTERVII。*
*Therightofdramatizationofthisandsucceedingchaptersisreservedbythewriter。
LadyCarolinefainted。Thecoldwaterynoseofherdogonhercheekbroughthertoherself。Shedarednotlookovertheedgeofthecar;shedarednotlookuptothebellyingmonsteraboveher，bearinghertodeath。Shethrewherselfonthebottomofthecar，andembracedtheonlylivingthingsparedher，——thepoodle。Thenshecried。Thenaclearvoicecameapparentlyoutofthecircumambientair：——
\"MayItroubleyoutolookatthebarometer？\"
Sheputherheadoverthecar。Littlewashangingattheendofalongrope。Sheputherheadbackagain。
Inanothermomenthesawherperplexed，blushingfaceovertheedge，——blissfulsight。
\"O，pleasedon’tthinkofcomingup！Staythere，do！\"
Littlestayed。Ofcourseshecouldmakenothingoutofthebarometer，andsaidso。Littlesmiled。
\"Willyoukindlysenditdowntome？\"
Butshehadnostringorcord。Finallyshesaid，\"Waitamoment。\"
Littlewaited。Thistimeherfacedidnotappear。Thebarometercameslowlydownattheendof——astay-lace。
Thebarometershowedafrightfulelevation。Littlelookedupatthevalveandsaidnothing。Presentlyheheardasigh。Thenasob。Then，rathersharply，——
\"Whydon’tyoudosomething？\"
CHAPTERVIII。
Littlecameuptheropehandoverhand。LadyCarolinecrouchedinthefarthersideofthecar。Fido，thepoodle，whined。\"Poorthing，\"saidLadyCaroline，\"it’shungry。\"
\"Doyouwishtosavethedog？\"saidLittle。
\"Yes。\"
\"Givemeyourparasol。\"
ShehandedLittleagood-sizedaffairoflaceandsilkandwhalebone。（Noneofyour\"sunshades。\"）Littleexamineditsribscarefully。
\"Givemethedog。\"
LadyCarolinehurriedlyslippedanoteunderthedog’scollar，andpassedoverherpet。
Littletiedthedogtothehandleoftheparasolandlaunchedthembothintospace。Thenextmomenttheywereslowly，buttranquilly，sailingtotheearth。
\"Aparasolandaparachutearedistinct，butnotdifferent。Benotalarmed，hewillgethisdinneratsomefarm-house。\"
\"Wherearewenow？\"
\"ThatopaquespotyouseeisLondonfog。ThosetwincloudsareNorthandSouthAmerica。JerusalemandMadagascararethosespeckstotheright。\"
LadyCarolinemovednearer;shewasbecominginterested。Thensherecalledherselfandsaidfreezingly，\"Howarewegoingtodescend？\"
\"Byopeningthevalve。\"
\"Whydon’tyouopenitthen？\"
\"BECAUSETHEVALVE-STRINGISBROKEN！\"
CHAPTERIX。
LadyCarolinefainted。Whenshereviveditwasdark。Theywereapparentlycleavingtheirwaythroughasolidblockofblackmarble。Shemoanedandshuddered。
\"Iwishwehadalight。\"
\"Ihavenolucifers，\"saidLittle。\"Iobserve，however，thatyouwearanecklaceofamber。Amberundercertainconditionsbecomeshighlyelectrical。Permitme。\"
Hetooktheambernecklaceandrubbeditbriskly。Thenheaskedhertopresentherknuckletothegem。Abrightsparkwastheresult。Thiswasrepeatedforsomehours。Thelightwasnotbrilliant，butitwasenoughforthepurposesofpropriety，andsatisfiedthedelicatelymindedgirl。
Suddenlytherewasatearing，hissingnoiseandasmellofgas。
Littlelookedupandturnedpale。Theballoon，atwhatIshallcallthepointedendoftheBolognasausage，wasevidentlyburstingfromincreasedpressure。Thegaswasescaping，andalreadytheywerebeginningtodescend。Littlewasresignedbutfirm。
\"Ifthesilkgivesway，thenwearelost。UnfortunatelyIhavenoropenormaterialforbindingit。\"
Thewoman’sinstincthadarrivedatthesameconclusionsoonerthantheman’sreason。Butshewashesitatingoveradetail。
\"Willyougodowntheropeforamoment？\"shesaid，withasweetsmile。
Littlewentdown。Presentlyshecalledtohim。Sheheldsomethinginherhand，——awonderfulinventionoftheseventeenthcentury，improvedandperfectedinthis：apyramidofsixteencircularhoopsoflightyetstrongsteel，attachedtoeachotherbyclothbands。
WithacryofjoyLittleseizedthem，climbedtotheballoon，andfittedtheelastichoopsoveritsconicalend。Thenhereturnedtothecar。
\"Wearesaved。\"
LadyCaroline，blushing，gatheredherslimbutantiquedraperyagainsttheotherendofthecar。
CHAPTERX。
Theywereslowlydescending。PresentlyLadyCarolinedistinguishedtheoutlinesofRabyHall。\"IthinkIwillgetouthere，\"shesaid。
Littleanchoredtheballoonandpreparedtofollowher。
\"Notso，myfriend，\"shesaid，withanarchsmile。\"Wemustnotbeseentogether。Peoplemighttalk。Farewell。\"
LittlesprangagainintotheballoonandspedawaytoAmerica。HecamedowninCalifornia，oddlyenoughinfrontofHardin’sdoor，atDutchFlat。Hardinwasjustexaminingaspecimenofore。
\"Youareascientist;canyoutellmeifthatisworthanything？\"
hesaid，handingittoLittle。
Littleheldittothelight。\"Itcontainsninetypercentofsilver。\"
Hardinembracedhim。\"CanIdoanythingforyou，andwhyareyouhere？\"
Littletoldhisstory。Hardinaskedtoseetherope。Thenheexamineditcarefully。
\"Ah，thiswascut，notbroken！\"
\"Withaknife？\"askedLittle。
\"No。Observebothsidesareequallyindented。ItwasdonewithaSCISSORS！\"
\"JustHeaven！\"gaspedLittle。\"Therese！\"
CHAPTERXI。
LittlereturnedtoLondon。PassingthroughLondononedayhemetadog-fancier。\"Buyanicepoodle，sir？\"
Somethingintheanimalattractedhisattention。\"Fido！\"hegasped。
Thedogyelped。
Littleboughthim。Ontakingoffhiscollarapieceofpaperrustledtothefloor。Heknewthehandwritingandkissedit。Itran：——
\"TOTHEHON。AUGUSTUSRABY——Icannotmarryyou。IfImarryanyone\"（slypuss）\"itwillbethemanwhohastwicesavedmylife，——
ProfessorLittle。
\"CAROLINECOVENTRY。\"
Andshedid。
LOTHAW;
OR，THEADVENTURESOFAYOUNGGENTLEMANINSEARCHOFARELIGION。
BYMR。BENJAMINS。
CHAPTERI。
\"Irememberhimalittleboy，\"saidtheDuchess。\"Hismotherwasadearfriendofmine;youknowshewasoneofmybridesmaids。\"
\"Andyouhaveneverseenhimsince，mamma？\"askedtheoldestmarrieddaughter，whodidnotlookadayolderthanhermother。
\"Never;hewasanorphanshortlyafter。Ihaveoftenreproachedmyself，butitissodifficulttoseeboys。\"
Thissimpleyetfirst-classconversationexistedinthemorning-
roomofPlusham，wherethemistressofthepalatialmansionsatinvolvedinthesacredprivacyofacircleofhermarrieddaughters。Onedexterouslyappliedgoldenknitting-needlestothefabricationofapurseofflosssilkoftheraresttexture，whichnonewhoknewthealmostfabulouswealthoftheDukewouldbelievewaseverdestinedtoholdinitssilkenmeshesalesssumthanL1，000，000;anotheradornedaslipperexclusivelywithseedpearls;
athirdemblazonedapagewithrarepigmentsandthefinestqualityofgoldleaf。Beautifulformsleanedoverframesglowingwithembroidery，andbeautifulframesleanedoverformsinlaidwithmother-of-pearl。Others，moreremote，occasionallyburstintomelodyastheytriedthepassagesofanewandexclusiveairgiventotheminMS。bysometitledanddevotedfriend，fortheprivateuseofthearistocracyalone，andabsolutelyprohibitedforpublication。
TheDuchess，herselfthesuperlativeofbeauty，wealth，andposition，wasmarriedtothehighestnobleintheThreeKingdoms。
Thosewhotalkedaboutsuchmatterssaidthattheirprogenywereexactlyliketheirparents，——apeculiarityofthearistocraticandwealthy。Theyalllookedlikebrothersandsisters，excepttheirparents，who，suchwastheirpurityofblood，theperfectionoftheirmanners，andtheopulenceoftheircondition，mighthavebeentakenfortheirownchildren’seldersonanddaughter。Thedaughters，withoneexception，wereallmarriedtothehighestnoblesintheland。ThatexceptionwastheLadyCoriander，who，therebeingnovacancyaboveamarquisandarentalofL1，000，000，waited。Gatheredaroundtherefinedandsacredcircleoftheirbreakfast-table，withtheirglitteringcoronets，which，infilialrespecttotheirfather’sToryinstinctsandtheirmother’sRitualistictastes，theyalwaysworeontheirregalbrows，theeffectwasdazzlingasitwasrefined。Itwasthispeculiarityandtheirstrongfamilyresemblancewhichledtheirbrother-in-law，thegood-humoredSt。Addlegourd，tosaythat，\"’Ponmysoul，youknow，thewholepreciousmoblookedlikeaghastlypackofcourtcards，youknow。\"St。Addlegourdwasaradical。Havingarent-rollofL15，000，000，andbelongingtooneoftheoldestfamiliesinBritain，hecouldaffordtobe。
\"Mamma，I’vejustdroppedapearl，\"saidtheLadyCoriander，bendingoverthePersianhearthrug。
\"Fromyourlips，sweetfriend，\"saidLothaw，whocameofageandenteredtheroomatthesamemoment。
\"No，frommywork。Itwasaveryvaluablepearl，mamma;papagaveIsaacsandSonsL50，000forthetwo。\"
\"Ah，indeed，\"saidtheDuchess，languidlyrising;\"letusgotoluncheon。\"
\"ButyourGrace，\"interposedLothaw，whowasstillquiteyoung，andhaddroppedonall-foursonthecarpetinsearchofthemissinggem，\"considerthevalue——\"
\"Dearfriend，\"interposedtheDuchess，withinfinitetact，gentlyliftinghimbythetailsofhisdress-coat，\"Iamwaitingforyourarm。\"
CHAPTERII。
Lothawwasimmenselyrich。Thepossessorofseventeencastles，fifteenvillas，nineshooting-boxes，andseventownhouses，hehadotherestatesofwhichhehadnotevenheard。
EverybodyatPlushamplayedcroquet，andnonebadly。Nexttotheirpurityofbloodandgreatwealth，thefamilywerefamousforthisaccomplishment。YetLothawsoontiredofthegame，andafterseriouslydamaginghisaristocraticallylargefootinanattemptto\"tightcroquet\"theLadyAniseed’sball，helimpedawaytojointheDuchess。
\"I’mgoingtothehennery，\"shesaid。
\"Letmegowithyou，Idearlylovefowls——broiled，\"headded，thoughtfully。
\"TheDukegaveLadyMontairysomelargeCochinstheotherday，\"
continuedtheDuchess，changingthesubjectwithdelicatetact。
\"LadyMontairy，Quitecontrairy，Howdoyourcochinsgrow？\"
sangLothawgayly。
TheDuchesslookedshocked。Afteraprolongedsilence，Lothawabruptlyandgravelysaid：——
\"Ifyouplease，ma’am，whenIcomeintomypropertyIshouldliketobuildsomeimproveddwellingsforthepoor，andmarryLadyCoriander。\"
\"Youamazeme，dearfriend，andyetbothyouraspirationsarenobleandeminentlyproper，\"saidtheDuchess;\"Corianderisbutachild，——andyet，\"sheadded，lookinggraciouslyuponhercompanion，\"forthematterofthat，soareyou。\"
CHAPTERIII。
Mr。PutneyGiles’swasLothaw’sfirstgranddinner-party。Yet，bycarefullywatchingtheothers，hemanagedtoacquithimselfcreditably，andavoideddrinkingoutofthefinger-bowlbyfirstsecretlytestingitscontentswithaspoon。Theconversationwaspeculiarandsingularlyinteresting。
\"Thenyouthinkthatmonogamyissimplyaquestionofthethermometer？\"saidMrs。PutneyGilestohercompanion。
\"Icertainlythinkthatpolygamyshouldbelimitedbyisothermallines，\"repliedLothaw。
\"Ishouldsayitwasamatteroflatitude，\"observedaloudtalkativemanopposite。HewasanOxfordProfessorwithatasteforsatire，andhadmadehimselfveryobnoxioustothecompany，duringdinner，byspeakingdisparaginglyofaformerwell-knownChancelloroftheExchequer，——agreatstatesmanandbrilliantnovelist，——whomhefearedandhated。
Suddenlytherewasasensationintheroom;amongthefemalesitabsolutelyamountedtoanervousthrill。HisEminence，theCardinal，wasannounced。Heenteredwithgreatsuavityofmanner，and，aftershakinghandswitheverybody，askingaftertheirrelatives，andchuckingthemoredelicatefemalesunderthechinwithahigh-bredgracepeculiartohisprofession，hesatdown，saying，\"Andhowdoweallfindourselvesthisevening，mydears？\"
inseveraldifferentlanguages，whichhespokefluently。
Lothaw’sheartwastouched。Hisdeeplyreligiousconvictionswereimpressed。Heinstantlywentuptothisgiftedbeing，confessed，andreceivedabsolution。\"To-morrow，\"hesaidtohimself，\"Iwillpartakeofthecommunion，andendowtheChurchwithmyvastestates。ForthepresentI’lllettheimprovedcottagesgo。\"
CHAPTERIV。
AsLothawturnedtoleavetheCardinal，hewasstruckbyabeautifulface。Itwasthatofamatron，slimbutshapelyasanIoniccolumn。HerfacewasGrecian，withCorinthiantemples;
Helleniceyesthatlookedfromjuttingeyebrows，likedormer-
windowsinanAtticforehead，completedherperfectAthenianoutline。Sheworeablackfrock-coattightlybuttonedoverherbloomertrousers，andastandingcollar。
\"YourLordshipisstruckbythatface，\"saidasocialparasite。
\"Iam;whoisshe？\"
\"HernameisMaryAnn。SheismarriedtoanAmerican，andhaslatelyinventedanewreligion\"
\"Ah！\"saidLothaweagerly，withdifficultyrestraininghimselffromrushingtowardher。
\"Yes;shallIintroduceyou？\"
LothawthoughtofLadyCoriander’sHighChurchproclivities，oftheCardinal，andhesitated：\"No，Ithankyou，notnow。\"
CHAPTERV。
Lothawwasmaturing。Hehadattendedtwowoman’srightsconventions，threeFenianmeetings，haddinedatWhite’s，andhaddancedvis-a-vistoaprinceoftheblood，andeatenoffofgoldplatesatCrecyHouse。
HisstableswerenearOxford，andoccupiedmoregroundthantheUniversity。Hewasdrivingoverthereoneday，whenheperceivedsomerusticsandmenialsendeavoringtostopapairofrunawayhorsesattachedtoacarriageinwhichaladyandgentlemanwereseated。Calmlyawaitingtheterminationoftheaccident，withhigh-bredcourtesyLothawforboretointerfereuntilthecarriagewasoverturned，theoccupantsthrownout，andtherunawayssecuredbytheservants，whenheadvancedandofferedtheladytheexclusiveuseofhisOxfordstables。
TurninguponhimafacewhoseperfectHellenicdetailsheremembered，sheslowlydraggedagentlemanfromunderthewheelsintothelightandpresentedhimwithladylikedignityasherhusband，Major-GeneralCamperdown，anAmerican。
\"Ah，\"saidLothaw，carelessly，\"IbelieveIhavesomelandthere。
IfImistakenot，myagent，Mr。PutneyGiles，latelypurchasedtheStateof——Illinois——Ithinkyoucallit。\"
\"Exactly。AsaformerresidentofthecityofChicago，letmeintroducemyselfasyourtenant。\"
Lothawbowedgraciouslytothegentleman，who，exceptthatheseemedbetterdressedthanmostEnglishmen，showednoothersignsofinferiorityandplebeianextraction。
\"Wehavemetbefore，\"saidLothawtotheladyassheleanedonhisarm，whiletheyvisitedhisstables，theUniversity，andotherplacesofinterestinOxford。\"Praytellme，whatisthisnewreligionofyours？\"
\"ItisWomanSuffrage，FreeLove，MutualAffinity，andCommunism。
Embraceitandme。\"
Lothawdidnotknowexactlywhattodo。Shehoweversoothedandsustainedhisagitatedframeandsealedwithanembracehisspeechlessform。TheGeneralapproachedandcoughedslightlywithgentlemanlytact。
\"Myhusbandwillbetoohappytotalkwithyoufurtheronthissubject，\"shesaidwithquietdignity，assheregainedtheGeneral’sside。ComewithustoOneida。BrookFarmisathingofthepast。\"
CHAPTERVI。
AsLothawdrovetowardhiscountry-seat，\"TheMuralEnclosure，\"heobservedacrowd，apparentlyoftheworkingclass，gatheredaroundasingular-lookingmaninthepicturesquegarbofanEthiopianserenader。\"Whatdoeshesay？\"inquiredLothawofhisdriver。
Themantouchedhishatrespectfullyandsaid，\"MyMaryAnn。\"
\"’MyMaryAnn！’\"Lothaw’sheartbeatrapidly。Whowasthismysteriousforeigner？HehadheardfromLadyCorianderofacertainPopishplot;butcouldheconnectMr。Camperdownwithit？
ThespectacleoftwohundredmenatarmswhoadvancedtomeethimatthegatesofTheMuralEnclosuredroveallelsefromthestillyouthfulandimpressiblemindofLothaw。Immediatelybehindthem，onthestepsofthebaronialhalls，wererangedhisretainers，ledbythechiefcookandbottle-washer，andheadcrumb-remover。Oneithersideweretwocompaniesoflaundry-maids，precededbythechiefcrimperandfluter，supportingalongAncestralLine，onwhichdependedthefamilylinen，andunderwhichtheyouthfullordofthemanorpassedintothehallsofhisfathers。Twenty-fourscullionscarriedthemassivegoldandsilverplateofthefamilyontheirshoulders，anddepositeditatthefeetoftheirmaster。
Thespoonswerethensolemnlycountedbythesteward，andtheperfectceremonyended。
Lothawsighed。Hesoughtoutthegorgeouslygilded\"Taj，\"orsacredmausoleumerectedtohisgrandfatherinthesecondstoryfrontroom，andweptoverthemanhedidnotknow。Hewanderedaloneinhismagnificentpark，andthen，throwinghimselfonagrassybank，ponderedontheGreatFirstCause，andthenecessityofreligion。\"IwillsendMaryAnnahandsomepresent，\"saidLothaw，thoughtfully。
CHAPTERVII。
\"Eachofthesepearls，myLord，isworthfiftythousandguineas，\"
saidMr。Amethyst，thefashionablejeweler，ashelightlyliftedalargeshovelfulfromaconvenientbinbehindhiscounter。
\"Indeed，\"saidLothaw，carelessly，\"Ishouldprefertoseesomeexpensiveones。
\"Somenumbersixes，Isuppose，\"saidMr。Amethyst，takingacouplefromtheapexofasmallpyramidthatlaypiledontheshelf。
\"TheseareaboutthesizeoftheDuchessofBillingsgate’s，buttheyareinfinercondition。Thefactis，herGracepermitshertwochildren，theMarquisofSmithfieldandtheDukeofSt。Giles，——
twosweetprettyboys，myLord，——tousethemasmarblesintheirgames。Pearlsrequiresomeattention，andIgodownthereregularlytwiceaweektocleanthem。PerhapsyourLordshipwouldlikesomeropesofpearls？\"
\"Abouthalfacable’slength，\"saidLothaw，shortly，\"andsendthemtomylodgings。\"
Mr。Amethystbecamethoughtful。\"IamafraidIhavenottheexactnumber——thatis——excusemeonemoment。IwillrunovertotheTowerandborrowafewfromthecrownjewels。\"AndbeforeLothawcouldpreventhim，heseizedhishatandleftLothawalone。
Hispositioncertainlywasembarrassing。Hecouldnotmovewithoutsteppingoncostlygemswhichhadrolledfromthecounter;therarestdiamondslayscatteredontheshelves;untoldfortunesinpricelessemeraldslaywithinhisgrasp。Althoughsuchwasthearistocraticpurityofhisbloodandthestrengthofhisreligiousconvictionsthatheprobablywouldnothavepocketedasinglediamond，stillhecouldnothelpthinkingthathemightheaccusedoftakingsome。\"Youcansearchme，ifyoulike，\"hesaidwhenMr。
Amethystreturned;\"butIassureyou，uponthehonorofagentleman，thatIhavetakennothing。\"
\"Enough，myLord，\"saidMr。Amethyst，withalowbow;\"weneversearchthearistocracy。\"
CHAPTERVIII。
AsLothawleftMr。Amethyst’s，heranagainstGeneralCamperdown。
\"HowisMaryAnn？\"heaskedhurriedly。
\"Iregrettostatethatsheisdying，\"saidthegeneral，withagravevoice，asheremovedhiscigarfromhislips，andliftedhishattoLothaw。
\"Dying！\"saidLothaw，incredulously。
\"Alas，tootrue！\"repliedtheGeneral。\"Theengagementsofalonglecturingseason，exposureintravellingbyrailwayduringthewinter，andtheimperfectnourishmentaffordedbytherefreshmentsalongtheroad，havetoldonherdelicateframe。Butshewantstoseeyoubeforeshedies。Hereisthekeyofmylodging。Iwillfinishmycigarouthere。\"
LothawhardlyrecognizedthosewastedHellenicoutlinesasheenteredthedimlylightedroomofthedyingwoman。Shewasalreadyaclassicruin，——aswreckedandyetasperfectastheParthenon。
Hegraspedherhandsilently。
\"Open-airspeakingtwiceaweek，andsaleratusbreadintheruraldistricts，havebroughtmetothis，\"shesaidfeebly;\"butitiswell。Thecauseprogresses。Thetyrantmansuccumbs。\"
Lothawcouldonlypressherhand。
\"Promisemeonething。Don’t——whateveryoudo——becomeaCatholic。\"
\"Why？\"
\"TheChurchdoesnotrecognizedivorce。Andnowembraceme。I
wouldpreferatthissuprememomenttointroducemyselftothenextworldthroughthemediumofthebestsocietyinthis。Goodby。
WhenIamdead，begoodenoughtoinformmyhusbandofthefact。\"
CHAPTERIX。
LothawspentthenextsixmonthsonanAryanisland，inanAryanclimate，andwithanAryanrace。
\"ThisisanAryanlandscape，\"saidhishost，\"andthatisaMaryAnnstatue。\"Itwas，infact，afull-lengthfigureinmarbleofMrs。GeneralCamperdown！
\"Ifyouplease，IshouldliketobecomeaPagan，\"saidLothaw，oneday，afterlisteningtoanimpassioneddiscourseonGreekartfromthelipsofhishost。
Butthatnight，onconsultingawell-knownspiritualmedium，LothawreceivedamessagefromthelateMrs。GeneralCamperdown，advisinghimtoreturntoEngland。TwodayslaterhepresentedhimselfatPlusham。
\"Theyoungladiesareinthegarden，\"saidtheDuchess。\"Don’tyouwanttogoandpickarose？\"sheaddedwithagracioussmile，andthenearestapproachtoawinkthatwasconsistentwithherpatricianbearingandaquilinenose。
LothawwentandpresentlyreturnedwiththeblushingCorianderuponhisarm。
\"Blessyou，mychildren，\"saidtheDuchess。Then，turningtoLothaw，shesaid：\"Youhavesimplyfulfilledandacceptedyourinevitabledestiny。Itwasmorallyimpossibleforyoutomarryoutofthisfamily。Forthepresent，theChurchofEnglandissafe。\"
MUCK-A-MUCK。
AMODERNINDIANNOVEL。
AFTERCOOPER。
CHAPTERI。
ItwastowardthecloseofabrightOctoberday。ThelastraysofthesettingsunwerereflectedfromoneofthosesylvanlakespeculiartotheSierrasofCalifornia。OntherightthecurlingsmokeofanIndianvillagerosebetweenthecolumnsoftheloftypines，whiletotheleftthelogcottageofJudgeTompkins，emboweredinbuckeyes，completedtheenchantingpicture。
Althoughtheexteriorofthecottagewashumbleandunpretentious，andinkeepingwiththewildnessofthelandscape，itsinteriorgaveevidenceofthecultivationandrefinementofitsinmates。Anaquarium，containinggoldfishes，stoodonamarblecentre-tableatoneendoftheapartment，whileamagnificentgrandpianooccupiedtheother。Thefloorwascoveredwithayieldingtapestrycarpet，andthewallswereadornedwithpaintingsfromthepencilsofVanDyke，Rubens，Tintoretto，MichaelAngelo，andtheproductionsofthemoremodernTurner，Kensett，Church，andBierstadt。AlthoughJudgeTompkinshadchosenthefrontiersofcivilizationashishome，itwasimpossibleforhimtoentirelyforegothehabitsandtastesofhisformerlife。Hewasseatedinaluxuriousarm-chair，writingatamahoganyecritoire，whilehisdaughter，alovelyyounggirlofseventeensummers，pliedhercrochet-needleonanottomanbesidehim。Abrightfireofpinelogsflickeredandflamedontheamplehearth。
GenevraOctaviaTompkinswasJudgeTompkins’sonlychild。HermotherhadlongsincediedonthePlains。Rearedinaffluence，nopainshadbeensparedwiththedaughter’seducation。Shewasagraduateofoneoftheprincipalseminaries，andspokeFrenchwithaperfectBeniciaaccent。Peerlesslybeautiful，shewasdressedinawhitemoireantiquerobetrimmedwithtulle。Thatsimplerosebudwithwhichmostheroinesexclusivelydecoratetheirhair，wasallsheworeinherravenlocks。
TheJudgewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
\"Genevra，thelogswhichcomposeyonderfireseemtohavebeenincautiouslychosen。Thesibilationproducedbythesap，whichexudescopiouslytherefrom，isnotconducivetocomposition。\"
\"True，father，butIthoughtitwouldbepreferabletotheconstantcrepitationwhichisapttoattendthecombustionofmoreseasonedligneousfragments。\"
TheJudgelookedadmiringlyattheintellectualfeaturesofthegracefulgirl，andhalfforgottheslightannoyancesofthegreenwoodinthemusicalaccentsofhisdaughter。Hewassmoothingherhairtenderly，whentheshadowofatallfigure，whichsuddenlydarkenedthedoorway，causedhimtolookup。
CHAPTERII。
Itneededbutaglanceatthenew-comertodetectatoncetheformandfeaturesofthehaughtyaborigine，——theuntaughtanduntrammelledsonoftheforest。Overoneshoulderablanket，negligentlybutgracefullythrown，disclosedabareandpowerfulbreast，decoratedwithaquantityofthree-centpostage-stampswhichhehaddespoiledfromanOverlandMailstageafewweeksprevious。Acast-offbeaverofJudgeTompkins’s，adornedbyasimplefeather，coveredhiserecthead，frombeneathwhichhisstraightlocksdescended。Hisrighthandhunglightlybyhisside，whilehisleftwasengagedinholdingonapairofpantaloons，whichthelawlessgraceandfreedomofhislowerlimbsevidentlycouldnotbrook。
\"Why，\"saidtheIndian，inalowsweettone，——\"whydoesthePaleFacestillfollowthetrackoftheRedMan？Whydoeshepursuehim，evenasO-kee-chow，thewild-cat，chasesKa-ka，theskunk？
WhyarethefeetofSorrel-top，thewhitechief，amongtheacornsofMuck-a-muck，themountainforest？Why，\"herepeated，quietlybutfirmlyabstractingasilverspoonfromthetable，——\"whydoyouseektodrivehimfromthewigwamsofhisfathers？Hisbrothersarealreadygonetothehappyhunting-grounds。WillthePaleFaceseekhimthere？\"And，avertinghisfacefromtheJudge，hehastilyslippedasilvercake-basketbeneathhisblanket，toconcealhisemotion。
\"Muck-a-Muckhasspoken，\"saidGenevra，softly。\"Lethimnowlisten。AretheacornsofthemountainsweeterthantheesculentandnutritiousbeanofthePaleFaceminer？Doesmybrotherprizetheediblequalitiesofthesnailabovethatofthecrispandoleaginousbacon？Deliciousarethegrasshoppersthatsportonthehillside，——aretheybetterthanthedriedapplesofthePaleFaces？
Pleasantisthegurgleofthetorrent，Kish-Kish，butisitbetterthanthecluck-cluckofoldBourbonfromtheoldstonebottle？\"
\"Ugh！\"saidtheIndian，——\"ugh！good。TheWhiteRabbitiswise。
HerwordsfallasthesnowonTootoonolo，andtherockyheartofMuck-a-Muckishidden。WhatsaysmybrothertheGrayGopherofDutchFlat？\"
\"Shehasspoken，Muck-a-Muck，\"saidtheJudge，gazingfondlyonhisdaughter。\"Itiswell。Ourtreatyisconcluded。No，thankyou，——
youneedNOTdancetheDanceofSnowShoes，ortheMoccasinDance，theDanceofGreenCorn，ortheTreatyDance。Iwouldbealone。A
strangesadnessoverpowersme。\"
\"Igo，\"saidtheIndian。\"TellyourgreatchiefinWashington，theSachemAndy，thattheRedManisretiringbeforethefootstepsoftheadventurousPioneer。Informhim，ifyouplease，thatwestwardthestarofempiretakesitsway，thatthechiefsofthePi-UtenationareforReconstructiontoaman，andthatKlamathwillpollaheavyRepublicanvoteinthefall。\"
Andfoldinghisblanketmoretightlyaroundhim，Muck-a-Muckwithdrew。
CHAPTERIII。
GenevraTompkinsstoodatthedoorofthelog-cabin，lookingaftertheretreatingOverlandMailstagewhichconveyedherfathertoVirginiaCity。\"Hemayneverreturnagain，\"sighedtheyounggirlassheglancedatthefrightfullyrollingvehicleandwildlycareeringhorses，——\"atleast，withunbrokenbones。Shouldhemeetwithanaccident！Imindmenowafearfullegend，familiartomychildhood。Canitbethatthedriversonthislineareprivatelyinstructedtodespatchallpassengersmaimedbyaccident，topreventtediouslitigation？No，no。Butwhythisweightuponmyheart？\"
Sheseatedherselfatthepianoandlightlypassedherhandoverthekeys。Then，inaclearmezzo-sopranovoice，shesangthefirstverseofoneofthemostpopularIrishballads：——
\"OArrah，madheelish，thedistantdudheenLiessoftinthemoonlight，mabouchalvourneen：
Thespringinggossoonsontheheatherarestill，Andthecaubeensandcolleensareheardonthehills。\"
Butastheravishingnotesofhersweetvoicediedupontheair，herhandssanklistlesslytoherside。Musiccouldnotchaseawaythemysteriousshadowfromherheart。Againsherose。Puttingonawhitecrapebonnet，andcarefullydrawingapairoflemon-coloredglovesoverhertaperfingers，sheseizedherparasolandplungedintothedepthsofthepineforest。
CHAPTERIV。
Genevrahadnotproceededmanymilesbeforeawearinessseizeduponherfragilelimbs，andshewouldfainseatherselfuponthetrunkofaprostratepine，whichshepreviouslydustedwithherhandkerchief。Thesunwasjustsinkingbelowthehorizon，andthescenewasoneofgorgeousandsylvanbeauty。\"HowbeautifulisNature！\"murmuredtheinnocentgirl，as，reclininggracefullyagainsttherootofthetree，shegatheredupherskirtsandtiedahandkerchiefaroundherthroat。Butalowgrowlinterruptedhermeditation。Startingtoherfeet，hereyesmetasightwhichfrozeherbloodwithterror。
Theonlyoutlettotheforestwasthenarrowpath，barelywideenoughforasingleperson，hemmedinbytreesandrocks，whichshehadjusttraversed。Downthispath，inIndianfile，cameamonstrousgrizzly，closelyfollowedbyaCalifornialion，awild-
cat，andabuffalo，therearbeingbroughtupbyawildSpanishbull。Themouthsofthethreefirstanimalsweredistendedwithfrightfulsignificance;thehornsofthelastwereloweredasominously。AsGenevrawaspreparingtofaint，sheheardalowvoicebehindher。
\"Eternallydog-gonemyskinefthisain’ttheputtiestchanceyet。\"
Atthesamemoment，along，shiningbarreldroppedlightlyfrombehindher，andrestedoverhershoulder。
Genevrashuddered。
\"Dernye——don’tmove！\"
Genevrabecamemotionless。
Thecrackofariflerangthroughthewoods。Threefrightfulyellswereheard，andtwosullenroars。Fiveanimalsboundedintotheairandfivelifelessbodieslayupontheplain。Thewell-aimedbullethaddoneitswork。Enteringtheopenthroatofthegrizzly，ithadtraversedhisbodyonlytoenterthethroatoftheCalifornialion，andinlikemannerthecatamount，untilitpassedthroughintotherespectiveforeheadsofthebullandthebuffalo，andfinallyfellflattenedfromtherockyhillside。
Genevraturnedquickly。\"Mypreserver！\"sheshrieked，andfellintothearmsofNattyBumpo，thecelebratedPikeRangerofDonnerLake。
CHAPTERV。
ThemoonrosecheerfullyaboveDonnerLake。Onitsplacidbosomadug-outcanoeglidedrapidly，containingNattyBumpoandGenevraTompkins。
Bothweresilent。Thesamethoughtpossessedeach，andperhapstherewassweetcompanionshipevenintheunbrokenquiet。Genevrabitthehandleofherparasolandblushed。NattyBumpotookafreshchewoftobacco。AtlengthGenevrasaid，asifinhalf-
spokenrevery：——
\"Thesoftshiningofthemoonandthepeacefulrippleofthewavesseemtosaytousvariousthingsofaninstructiveandmoraltendency。\"
\"Youmaybetyerpileonthat，Miss，\"saidhercompanion，gravely。
\"It’sallthepreachin’andpsalm-singin’I’veheernsinceIwasaboy。\"
\"Noblebeing！\"saidMissTompkinstoherself，glancingatthestatelyPikeashebentoverhispaddletoconcealhisemotion。
\"Rearedinthiswildseclusion，yethehasbecomepenetratedwithvisibleconsciousnessofaGreatFirstCause。\"Then，collectingherself，shesaidaloud：\"Methinks’twerepleasanttoglideeverthusdownthestreamoflife，handinhandwiththeonebeingwhomthesoulclaimsasitsaffinity。ButwhatamIsaying？\"——andthedelicate-mindedgirlhidherfaceinherhands。
Alongsilenceensued，whichwasatlengthbrokenbyhercompanion。
\"Efyoumeanyou’reonthemarry，\"hesaid，thoughtfully，\"Iain’tinnowisepartikler！\"
\"Myhusband，\"falteredtheblushinggirl;andshefellintohisarms。
IntenminutesmorethelovingcouplehadlandedatJudgeTompkins’s。
CHAPTERVI。
Ayearhaspassedaway。NattyBumpowasreturningfromGoldHill，wherehehadbeentopurchaseprovisions。OnhiswaytoDonnerLake，rumorsofanIndianuprisingmethisears。\"Derntheirpeskyskins，eftheydaretotouchmyJenny，\"hemutteredbetweenhisclenchedteeth。
Itwasdarkwhenhereachedthebordersofthelake。Aroundaglitteringfirehedimlydiscernedduskyfiguresdancing。Theywereinwarpaint。ConspicuousamongthemwastherenownedMuck-a-
Muck。ButwhydidthefingersofNattyBumpotightenconvulsivelyaroundhisrifle？
Thechiefheldinhishandlongtuftsofravenhair。TheheartofthepioneersickenedasherecognizedtheclusteringcurlsofGenevra。Inamomenthisriflewasathisshoulder，andwithasharp\"ping，\"Muck-a-Muckleapedintotheairacorpse。Toknockoutthebrainsoftheremainingsavages，tearthetressesfromthestiffeninghandofMuck-a-Muck，anddashrapidlyforwardtothecottageofJudgeTompkins，wastheworkofamoment。
Heburstopenthedoor。Whydidhestandtransfixedwithopenmouthanddistendedeyeballs？Wasthesighttoohorribletobeborne？Onthecontrary，beforehim，inherpeerlessbeauty，stoodGenevraTompkins，leaningonherfather’sarm。
\"Ye’rnotscalped，then！\"gaspedherlover。
\"No。IhavenohesitationinsayingthatIamnot;butwhythisabruptness？\"respondedGenevra。
Bumpocouldnotspeak，butfranticallyproducedthesilkentresses。
Genevraturnedherfaceaside。
\"Why，that’sherwaterfall！\"saidtheJudge。
Bumposankfaintingtothefloor。
ThefamousPikechieftainneverrecoveredfromthedeceit，andrefusedtomarryGenevra，whodied，twentyyearsafterwards，ofabrokenheart。JudgeTompkinslosthisfortuneinWildCat。ThestagepassestwiceaweekthedesertedcottageatDonnerLake。
ThuswasthedeathofMuck-a-Muckavenged。
TERENCEDENVILLE。
BYCH——L——SL——V——R。
CHAPTERI。
MYHOME。
ThelittlevillageofPilwiddleisoneofthesmallestandobscuresthamletsonthewesterncoastofIreland。Onaloftycrag，overlookingthehoarseAtlantic，stands\"Denville’sShotTower\"——acorruptionbythepeasantryofD’Enville’sChateau，socalledfrommygreat-grandfather，PhelimSt。Kemyd’Enville，whoassumedthenameandtitleofaFrenchheiresswithwhomheranaway。TothisfactmyfamiliarknowledgeandexcellentpronunciationoftheFrenchlanguagemaybeattributed，aswellasmanyoftheeventswhichcoveredmyafterlife。
TheDenvilleswerealwayspassionatelyfondoffieldsports。Attheageoffour，Iwasalreadytheboldestriderandthebestshotinthecountry。Whenonlyeight，IwontheSt。RemyCupatthePilwiddleraces，——ridingmyfavoritebloodmareHellfire。AsI
approachedthestandamidsttheplauditsoftheassembledmultitude，andcriesof，\"Thrueforye，MastherTerence，\"and\"O，butit’saDinville！\"therewasaslightstiramongthegentry，whosurroundedtheLordLieutenant，andothertitledpersonageswhomtheracehadattractedthither。\"Howyoungheis，——amerechild;
andyethownoble-looking，\"saidasweetlowvoice，whichthrilledmysoul。
IlookedupandmetthefullliquidorbsoftheHon。BlancheFitzroySackville，youngestdaughteroftheLordLieutenant。Sheblusheddeeply。Iturnedpaleandalmostfainted。Butthecold，sneeringtonesofamasculinevoicesentthebloodbackagainintomyyouthfulcheek。
\"VerylikelytheraggedscionofoneofthesebandittiIrishgentry，whohastakennaturallyto’theroad。’Heshouldbeatschool——thoughIwarrantmehisknowledgeofTerencewillnotextendbeyondhisownname，\"saidLordHenrySomerset，aid-de-camptotheLordLieutenant。
AmomentandIwasperfectlycalm，thoughcoldasice。
Dismounting，andsteppingtothesideofthespeaker，Isaidinalow，firmvoice：——
\"HadyourLordshipreadTerencemorecarefully，youwouldhavelearnedthatbandittiaresometimesproficientinotherartsbesidehorsemanship，\"andItouchedhisholstersignificantlywithmyhand。IhadnotreadTerencemyself，butwiththeskilfulaudacityofmyraceIcalculatedthatavagueallusion，coupledwithathreat，wouldembarrasshim。Itdid。
\"Ah——whatmeanyou？\"hesaid，whitewithrage。
\"Enough，weareobserved，\"Ireplied;\"FatherTomwillwaitonyouthisevening;andto-morrowmorning，mylord，intheglenbelowPilwiddlewewillmeetagain。\"
\"FatherTom——glen！\"ejaculatedtheEnglishman，withgenuinesurprise。\"What？dopriestscarrychallengesandactassecondsinyourinfernalcountry？\"
\"Yes！\"Ianswered，scornfully，\"whyshouldtheynot？Theirservicesaremoreoftennecessarythanthoseofasurgeon，\"Iaddedsignificantly，turningaway。
Thepartyslowlyrodeoff，withtheexceptionoftheHon。BlancheSackville，wholingeredforamomentbehind。InaninstantIwasatherside。Bendingherblushingfaceovertheneckofherwhitefilly，shesaidhurriedly：——
\"WordshavepassedbetweenLordSomersetandyourself。Youareabouttofight。Don’tdenyit——buthearme。Youwillmeethim——I
knowyourskillofweapons。Hewillbeatyourmercy。Ientreatyoutosparehislife！\"
Ihesitated。\"Never！\"Icriedpassionately;\"hehasinsultedaDenville！\"
\"Terence，\"shewhispered，\"Terence——FORMYSAKE？\"
Thebloodrushedtomycheeks，andhereyessoughtthegroundinbashfulconfusion。
\"Youlovehimthen？\"Icried，bitterly。
\"No，no，\"shesaid，agitatedly，\"no，youdomewrong。I——I——cannotexplainmyself。Myfather！——theLadyDowagerSackville——theestateofSackville——theborough——myuncle，FitzroySomerset。Ah！whatamIsaying？Forgiveme。OTerence，\"shesaid，asherbeautifulheadsankonmyshoulder，\"youknownotwhatIsuffer！\"
Iseizedherhandandcovereditwithpassionatekisses。Butthehigh-bredEnglishgirl，recoveringsomethingofherformerhauteur，saidhastily，\"Leaveme，leaveme，butpromise！\"
\"Ipromise，\"Ireplied，enthusiastically;\"IWILLsparehislife！\"
\"Thanks，Terence，——thanks！\"anddisengagingherhandfrommylipssheroderapidlyaway。
Thenextmorning，theHon。CaptainHenrySomersetandmyselfexchangednineteenshotsintheglen，andateachfireIshotawayabuttonfromhisuniform。Asmylastbulletshotoffthelastbuttonfromhissleeve，Iremarkedquietly，\"Youseemnow，mylord，tobealmostasraggedasthegentryyousneeredat，\"androdehaughtilyaway。
CHAPTERII。
THEFIGHTINGFIFTY-SIXTH。
WhenIwasnineteenyearsoldmyfathersoldtheChateaud’Envilleandpurchasedmycommissioninthe\"Fifty-sixth\"withtheproceeds。
\"Isay，Denville，\"saidyoungMcSpadden，aboy-facedensign，whohadjustjoined，\"you’llrepresenttheestateintheArmy，ifyouwon’tintheHouse。\"Poorfellow，hepaidforhismeaninglessjokewithhislife，forIshothimthroughtheheartthenextmorning。
\"You’reagoodfellow，Denville，\"saidthepoorboyfaintly，asI
kneltbesidehim：\"goodby！\"Forthefirsttimesincemygrandfather’sdeathIwept。IcouldnothelpthinkingthatIwouldhavebeenabettermanifBlanche——butwhyproceed？WasshenotnowinFlorence——thebelleoftheEnglishEmbassy？
ButNapoleonhadreturnedfromElba。Europewasinablazeofexcitement。TheAllieswerepreparingtoresisttheManofDestiny。WewereorderedfromGibraltarhome，andweresoonagainenrouteforBrussels。IdidnotregretthatIwastobeplacedinactiveservice。Iwasambitious，andlongedforanopportunitytodistinguishmyself。MygarrisonlifeinGibraltarhadbeenmonotonousanddull。Ihadkilledfivemeninduel，andhadanaffairwiththecolonelofmyregiment，whohandsomelyapologizedbeforethematterassumedaseriousaspect。Ihadbeentwiceinlove。Yetthesewerebutboyishfreaksandfollies。Iwishedtobeaman。
Thetimesooncame，——themorningofWaterloo。Butwhydescribethatmomentousbattle，onwhichthefateoftheentireworldwashanging？TwiceweretheFifty-sixthsurroundedbyFrenchcuirassiers，andtwicedidwemowthemdownbyourfire。Ihadsevenhorsesshotunderme，andwasmountingtheeighth，whenanorderlyrodeuphastily，touchedhiscap，and，handingmeadespatch，gallopedrapidlyaway。
Iopenedithurriedlyandread：——
\"LETPICTONADVANCEIMMEDIATELYONTHERIGHT。\"
Isawitallataglance。Ihadbeenmistakenforageneralofficer。Butwhatwastobedone？Picton’sdivisionwastwomilesaway，onlyaccessiblethroughaheavycrossfireofartilleryandmusketry。Butmymindwasmadeup。
InaninstantIwasengagedwithanentiresquadronofcavalry，whoendeavoredtosurroundme。Cuttingmywaythroughthem，Iadvancedboldlyuponabatteryandsabredthegunnersbeforetheycouldbringtheirpiecestobear。Lookingaround，IsawthatIhadinfactpenetratedtheFrenchcentre。BeforeIwaswellawareofthelocality，IwashailedbyasharpvoiceinFrench，——
\"Comehere，sir！\"
Iobeyed，andadvancedtothesideofalittlemaninacockedhat。
\"HasGrouchycome？\"
\"Notyet，sire，\"Ireplied，——foritwastheEmperor。
\"Ha！\"hesaidsuddenly，bendinghispiercingeyesonmyuniform;\"aprisoner？\"
\"No，sire，\"Isaid，proudly。
\"Aspy？\"
Iplacedmyhanduponmysword，butagesturefromtheEmperorbademeforbear。
\"Youareabraveman，\"hesaid。
Itookmysnuff-boxfrommypocket，and，takingapinch，repliedbyhandingit，withabow，totheEmperor。
Hisquickeyecaughtthecipheronthelid。\"What！aD’Enville？
Ha！thisaccountsforthepurityofyouraccent。AnyrelationtoRoderickd’Enville？\"
\"Myfather，sire。\"
\"Hewasmyschool-fellowattheEcolePolytechnique。Embraceme！\"
AndtheEmperorfelluponmyneckinthepresenceofhisentirestaff。Then，recoveringhimself，hegentlyplacedinmyhandhisownmagnificentsnuff-box，inexchangeformine，andhanginguponmybreastthecrossoftheLegionofHonorwhichhetookfromhisown，hebadeoneofhisMarshalsconductmebacktomyregiment。
IwassointoxicatedwiththehonorofwhichIhadbeentherecipient，thatonreachingourlinesIutteredashoutofjoyandputspurstomyhorse。Theintelligentanimalseemedtosympathizewithmyfeelings，andfairlyflewovertheground。Onarisingeminenceafewyardsbeforemestoodagray-hairedofficer，surroundedbyhisstaff。Idon’tknowwhatpossessedme，butputtingspurstomyhorse，Irodeathimboldly，andwithoneboundclearedhim，horseandall。Ashoutofindignationarosefromtheassembledstaff。Iwheeledsuddenly，withtheintentionofapologizing，butmymaremisunderstoodme，and，againdashingforward，oncemorevaultedovertheheadoftheofficer，thistimeunfortunatelyuncoveringhimbyaviciouskickofherhoof。\"Seizehim！\"roaredtheentirearmy。Iwasseized。Asthesoldiersledmeaway，Iaskedthenameofthegray-hairedofficer。\"That——why，that’stheDUKEOFWELLINGTON！\"
Ifainted。
******
ForsixmonthsIhadbrain-fever。DuringmyillnesstengrapeshotwereextractedfrommybodywhichIhadunconsciouslyreceivedduringthebattle。WhenIopenedmyeyesImetthesweetglanceofaSisterofCharity。
\"Blanche！\"Istammeredfeebly。
\"Thesame，\"shereplied。
\"Youhere？\"
\"Yes，dear;buthush！It’salongstory。Yousee，dearTerence，yourgrandfathermarriedmygreat-aunt’ssister，andyourfatheragainmarriedmygrandmother’sniece，who，dyingwithoutawill，was，accordingtotheFrenchlaw——\"
\"ButIdonotcomprehend，\"Isaid。
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidBlanche，withheroldsweetsmile;\"you’vehadbrain-fever;sogotosleep。\"
Iunderstood，however，thatBlanchelovedme;andIamnow，dearreader，SirTerenceSackville，K。C。B。，andLadyBlancheisLadySackville。
SELINASEDILIA。
BYMISSM。E。B——DD——NANDMRS。H——N——YW——D。
CHAPTERI。
ThesunwassettingoverSlopertonGrange，andreddenedthewindowofthelonelychamberinthewesterntower，supposedtobehauntedbySirEdwardSedilia，thefounderoftheGrange。InthedreamydistancearosethegildedmausoleumofLadyFeliciaSedilia，whohauntedthatportionofSediliaManor，knownas\"Stiff-unsAcre。\"
AlittletotheleftoftheGrangemighthavebeenseenamoulderingruin，knownas\"Guy’sKeep，\"hauntedbythespiritofSirGuySedilia，whowasfound，onemorning，crushedbyoneofthefallenbattlements。Yet，asthesettingsungildedtheseobjects，abeautifulandalmostholycalmseemeddiffusedabouttheGrange。
TheLadySelinasatbyanorielwindow，overlookingthepark。ThesunsankgentlyinthebosomoftheGermanOcean，andyettheladydidnotliftherbeautifulheadfromthefinelycurvedarmanddiminutivehandwhichsupportedit。Whendarknessfinallyshroudedthelandscapeshestarted，forthesoundofhorse-hoofsclatteredoverthestonesoftheavenue。Shehadscarcelyrisenbeforeanaristocraticyoungmanfellonhiskneesbeforeher。
\"MySelina！\"
\"Edgardo！Youhere？\"
\"Yes，dearest。\"
\"And——you——you——have——seennothing？\"saidtheladyinanagitatedvoiceandnervousmanner，turningherfaceasidetoconcealheremotion。
\"Nothing——thatisnothingofanyaccount，\"saidEdgardo。\"Ipassedtheghostofyourauntinthepark，noticedthespectreofyouruncleintheruinedkeep，andobservedthefamiliarfeaturesofthespiritofyourgreat-grandfatherathisusualpost。Butnothingbeyondthesetrifles，mySelina。Nothingmore，love，absolutelynothing。\"
Theyoungmanturnedhisdarkliquidorbsfondlyupontheingenuousfaceofhisbetrothed。
\"MyownEdgardo！——andyoustillloveme？Youstillwouldmarrymeinspiteofthisdarkmysterywhichsurroundsme？Inspiteofthefatalhistoryofmyrace？Inspiteoftheominouspredictionsofmyagednurse？\"
\"Iwould，Selina\";andtheyoungmanpassedhisarmaroundheryieldingwaist。Thetwoloversgazedateachother’sfacesinunspeakablebliss。SuddenlySelinastarted。
\"Leaveme，Edgardo！leaveme！Amysterioussomething——afatalmisgiving——adarkambiguity——anequivocalmistrustoppressesme。I
wouldbealone！\"
Theyoungmanarose，andcastalovingglanceonthelady。\"Thenwewillbemarriedontheseventeenth。\"
\"Theseventeenth，\"repeatedSelina，withamysteriousshudder。