colouredcostumeschafferingovertheirproduce。Ilookedabovethemtothetallcampanileofthechurchwhichfilledonesideofthesquare。Irecededastepandadjustedmygunontheledgeofthewindowtomysatisfaction。Ithenlookeddownthestreetinwhichtheprisonwassituated，andwhichdebouchedonthesquare，andawaitedevents。AttenminutespasttenIsawthesoldiersatthedooroftheprisonformup，andthenIknewthatthetwentyprisonersofwhomtheyformedtheescortwerestarting;butthemomenttheybegantomoveI
firedatthebigbellinthecampanile，whichrespondedwithaloudclang。Allthepeopleinthesquarelookedup。Astheprisonersenteredthesquare，whichtheyhadbeguntocrossinitswholebreadth，Ifiredagainandagain。Thebellbangedtwice，andthepeoplebegantobuzzabout。\"Now，\"Ithought，\"Imustlettheoldbellhaveit。\"Bythetimefivemoreballshadstruckthebellwitharesoundingdinthewholesquarewasincommotion。Amiraclewasevidentlyinprogressorthecampanilewasbewitched。Peoplebegantorunhitherandthither;allthesoldiersformingtheescortgapedopen-mouthedatthesteepleastheclangourcontinued。AssoonasthelastshothadbeenfiredIlookeddownintothesquareandsawallthis，andIsawthattheprisonerswereattemptingtoescape，andinmorethanoneinstancehadsucceeded，forthesoldiersbegantoscatterinpursuit，andthecountrypeopletoformthemselvesintoimpedingcrowdsasthoughbyaccident;butnowherecouldIseeValeria。WhenIwasquitesureshehadescapedIwentdownandjoinedthecrowd。Isawthreeprisonerscapturedandbroughtback，andwhenI
askedtheofficerincommandhowmanyhadescapedhesaidthree——
Croppo’swife，thepriest，andanother。
WhenImetmycavalryfriendsatdinnerthateveningitwasamusingtohearthemspeculateupontheremarkableoccurrencewhichhad，infact，upsetthewitsofthewholetown。Priestsandvergersandsacristanshadvisitedthecampanile，andoneofthemhadbroughtawayaflattenedpieceoflead，whichlookedasifitmighthavebeenabullet;butthesuggestionthateightbulletscouldhavehitthebellinsuccessionwithoutanybodyhearingasoundwastreatedwithridicule。Ibelievethebellwassubsequentlyexorcisedwithholywater。Iwasafraidtoremainwiththeregimentwithmyair-gunafterthis，lestsomeoneshoulddiscoveritandunravelthemystery;
besides，Ifeltasortoftraitortothebravefriendswhohadsogenerouslyofferedmetheirhospitality;soIinventedurgentprivateaffairswhichdemandedmyimmediatereturntoNaples，andonthemorningofmydeparturefoundmyselfembracedbyalltheofficersoftheregimentfromthecoloneldownward，whointhefervouroftheirkissesthrustsixteenwaxedmoustache-pointsagainstmycheeks。
AbouteighteenmonthsafterthisIheardofthecaptureandexecutionofCroppo，andIknewthatValeriawasfree;butIhadunexpectedlyinheritedapropertyandwasengagedtobemarried。Iamnowacountrygentlemanwithalargefamily。Mysanctumisstockedwithvariousmementosofmyyouthfuladventures，butnoneawakensinmesuchthrillingmemoriesasareexcitedbythebreviaryofthebrigandpriestandtheportraitofthebrigand’sbride。
MRS。GENERALTALBOYS
BY
ANTHONYTROLLOPE
WhyMrs。GeneralTalboysfirstmadeuphermindtopassthewinterof1859atRomeIneverclearlyunderstood。TomyselfsheexplainedherpurposessoonafterherarrivalattheEternalCity，bydeclaring，inherownenthusiasticmanner，thatshewasinspiredbyaburningdesiretodrinkfreshatthestilllivingfountainsofclassicalpoetryandsentiment。ButIalwaysthoughtthattherewassomethingmorethanthisinit。Classicalpoetryandsentimentweredoubtlessverydeartoher，butsoalso，Iimagine，werethesubstantialcomfortsofHardoverLodge，thegeneral’shouseinBerkshire;andIdonotthinkthatshewouldhaveemigratedforthewinterhadtherenotbeensomeslightdomesticmisunderstanding。Letthis，however，befullymadeclear——
thatsuchmisunderstanding，ifitexisted，musthavebeensimplyanaffairoftemper。Noimproprietyofconducthas，Iamverysure，everbeenimputedtothelady。Thegeneral，asalltheworldknows，ishot;
andMrs。Talboys，whenthesweetriversofherenthusiasmareunfedbycongenialwaters，can，Ibelieve，makeherselfdisagreeable。
Butbethisasitmay，inNovember，1859，Mrs。TalboyscameamongusEnglishatRome，andsoonsucceededinobtainingforherselfacomfortablefootinginoursociety。Weallthoughthermoreremarkableforhermentalattributesthanforphysicalperfection，butneverthelessshewasinherownwayasightlywoman。Shehadnospecialbrilliance，eitherofeyeorcomplexion，suchaswouldproducesuddenflamesinsusceptiblehearts，nordidsheseemtodemandinstanthomagebytheformandstepofagoddess;butwefoundhertobeagood-lookingwomanofsomethirtyorthirty-threeyearsofage，withsoft，peach-likecheeks，——rathertoolikethoseofacherub，——
withsparklingeyeswhichwerehardlylargeenough，withgoodteeth，awhiteforehead，adimpledchin，andafullbust。SuchoutwardlywasMrs。GeneralTalboys。Thedescriptionoftheinwardwomanisthepurporttowhichthesefewpageswillbedevoted。
Therearetwoqualitiestowhichthebestofmankindaremuchsubject，whicharenearlyrelatedtoeachother，andastowhichtheworldhasnotyetdecidedwhethertheyaretobeclassedamongthegoodorevilattributesofournature。Menandwomenareundertheinfluenceofthemboth，butmenoftenestundergotheformer，andwomenthelatter。
Theyareambitionandenthusiasm。NowMrs。Talboyswasanenthusiasticwoman。
Astoambition，generallyastheworldagreeswithMarkAntonyinstigmatisingitasagrievousfault，Iammyselfclearthatitisavirtue;butwithambitionatpresentwehavenoconcern。Enthusiasmalso，asIthink，leanstovirtue’sside，or，atleast，ifitbeafault，ofallfaultsitistheprettiest。Butthen，topartakeatallofvirtueoreventobeinanydegreepretty，theenthusiasmmustbetrue。
Badcoinisknownfromgoodbytheringofit，andsoisbadenthusiasm。Letthecoinerbeeversocleverathisart，inthecoiningofenthusiasmthesoundoftruegoldcanneverbeimpartedtothefalsemetal;andIdoubtwhetherthecleverestsheintheworldcanmakefalseenthusiasmpalatabletothetasteofman;tothetasteofanywomantheenthusiasmofanotherwomanisneververypalatable。
WeunderstoodatRomethatMrs。Talboyshadaconsiderablefamily，——
fourorfivechildren，weweretold，——butshebroughtwithheronlyonedaughter，alittlegirlabouttwelveyearsofage。Shehadtornherselfasunder，asshetoldme，fromtheyoungernurslingsofherheart，andhadleftthemtothecareofadevotedfemaleattendant，whoselovewasallbutmaternal。Andthenshesaidawordortwoaboutthegeneralintermswhichmademealmostthinkthatthisquasi-
maternalloveextendeditselfbeyondthechildren。Theidea，however，wasamistakenone，arisingfromthestrengthofherlanguage，towhichIwasthenunaccustomed。IhavesincebecomeawarethatnothingcanbemoredecorousthanoldMrs。Upton，theexcellentheadnurseatHardoverLodge;andnogentlemanmorediscreetinhisconductthanGeneralTalboys。
AndImayaswellheredeclarealsothattherecouldbenomorevirtuouswomanthanthegeneral’swife。Hermarriagevowwastoherparamounttoallothervowsandbondswhatever。Thegeneral’shonourwasquitesafewhenhesentherofftoRomebyherself，andhenodoubtknewthatitwasso。/Illiroburetoestriplex/，ofwhichI
believenoweaponsofanyassailantcouldgetthebetter。Butneverthelessweusedtofancythatshehadnorepugnancetoimproprietyinotherwomen——towhattheworldgenerallycallsimpropriety。Invinciblyattachedherselftothemarriagetie，shewouldconstantlyspeakofitasbynomeansnecessarilybindingonothers;andvirtuousherselfasanygriffinofpropriety，sheconstantlypatronised，atanyrate，thetheoryofinfidelityinherneighbours。ShewasveryeagerindenouncingtheprejudicesoftheEnglishworld，declaringthatshefoundexistenceamongthemtobenolongerpossibleforherself。ShewashotagainstthesternunforgivenessofBritishmatrons，andequallyeagerinreprobatingthestiffconventionalitiesofareligioninwhichshesaidthatnoneofitsvotarieshadfaith，thoughtheyallallowedthemselvestobeenslaved。
WehadatthattimeasmallsetatRomeconsistingchieflyofEnglishandAmericans，whohabituallymetatoneanother’srooms，andspentmanyofoureveninghoursindiscussingItalianpolitics。Wewere，mostofus，painters，poets，novelists，orsculptors——perhapsIshouldsaywould-bepainters，poets，novelists，andsculptors，aspirantshopingtobecomesomedayrecognised;andamongusMrs。Talboystookherplacenaturallyenoughonaccountofaveryprettytasteshehadforpainting。Idonotknowthatsheeveroriginatedanythingthatwasgrand，butshemadesomenicecopiesandwasfond，atanyrate，ofartconversation。Shewroteessaystoo，whichsheshowedinconfidencetovariousgentlemen，andhadsomeideaoftakinglessonsinmodelling。
InallourcircleConradMackinnon，anAmerican，wasperhapsthepersonmostqualifiedtobestyleditsleader。Hewasonewhoabsolutelydidgainhisliving，andanamplelivingtoo，byhispen，andwasregardedonallsidesasaliterarylion，justifiedbysuccessinroaringatanytonehemightplease。Hisusualroarwasnotexactlythatofasuckingdoveoranightingale，butitwasagood-humouredroar，notveryoffensivetoanymanandapparentlyacceptableenoughtosomeladies。Hewasabig，burlyman，neartofifty，asIsuppose，somewhatawkwardinhisgait，andsomewhatloudinhislaugh。Butthoughnightofifty，andthusungainly，helikedtobesmiledonbyprettywomen，andliked，assomesaid，tobeflatteredbythemalso。
Ifsoheshouldhavebeenhappy，fortheladiesatRomeatthattimemademuchofConradMackinnon。
OfMrs。Mackinnonnoonedidmakeverymuch，andyetshewasoneofthesweetest，dearest，quietestlittlecreaturesthatevermadegladaman’sfireside。Shewasexquisitelypretty，alwaysingoodhumour，neverstupid，self-denyingtoafault，andyetshewasgenerallyinthebackground。Shewouldseldomcomeforwardofherownwill，butwascontentedtositbehindherteapotandhearMackinnondohisroaring。
HewascertainlymuchgiventowhattheworldatRomecalledflirting，butthisdidnotintheleastannoyher。Shewastwentyyearshisjunior，andyetsheneverflirtedwithanyone。Womenwouldtellher——
good-naturedfriends——howMackinnonwenton，butshereceivedsuchtidingsasanexcellentjoke，observingthathehadalwaysdonethesame，andnodoubtalwayswoulduntilhewasninety。Idobelievethatshewasahappywoman，andyetIusedtothinkthatsheshouldhavebeenhappier。Thereis，however，noknowingtheinsideofanotherman’shouseorreadingtheriddlesofanotherman’sjoyandsorrow。
Wehadalsothereanotherlion，——alioncub，——entitledtoroaralittle，andofhimalsoImustsaysomething。CharlesO’Brienwasayoungmanabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，whohadsentoutfromhisstudiointheprecedingyearacertainbustsupposedbyhisadmirerstobeunsurpassedbyanyeffortofancientormoderngenius。Iamnojudgeofsculpture，andwillnotthereforepronounceanopinion，butmanywhoconsideredthemselvestobejudgesdeclaredthatitwasa\"goodishheadandshoulders\"andnothingmore。Imerelymentionthefact，asitwasonthestrengthofthatheadandshouldersthatO’BrienseparatedhimselffromathrongofotherssuchashimselfinRome，walkedsolitaryduringthedays，andthrewhimselfatthefeetofvariousladieswhenthedayswereover。Hehadriddenontheshouldersofhisbustintoaprominentplaceinourcircle，andthereencounteredmuchfeminineadmiration——fromMrs。GeneralTalboysandothers。
SomeeighteenortwentyofususedtomeeteverySundayeveninginMrs。Mackinnon’sdrawing-room。Manyofus，indeed，wereinthehabitofseeingoneanotherdailyandofvisitingtogetherthehauntsinRomewhicharebestlovedbyart-lovingstrangers;buthereinthisdrawing-roomweweresuretocometogether，andherebeforetheendofNovemberMrs。Talboysmightalwaysbefound，notinanyaccustomedseat，butmovingabouttheroomasthedifferentmalementalattractionsofoursocietymightchancetomovethemselves。ShewasatfirstgreatlytakenbyMackinnon，whoalsowas，Ithink，alittlestirredbyheradmiration，thoughhestoutlydeniedthecharge。Shebecame，however，verydeartousallbeforesheleftus，andcertainlyweowedtoherourlove，forsheaddedinfinitelytothejoysofourwinter。
\"Ihavecomeheretorefreshmyself，\"shesaidtoMackinnononeevening——toMackinnonandmyself，forwewerestandingtogether。
\"ShallIgetyoutea？\"saidI。
\"Andwillyouhavesomethingtoeat？\"Mackinnonasked。
\"No，no，no，\"sheanswered。\"Tea，yes;butforheaven’ssakeletnothingsoliddispeltheassociationsofsuchameetingasthis！\"
\"Ithoughtyoumighthavedinedearly，\"saidMackinnon。NowMackinnonwasamanwhoseowndinnerwasverydeartohim。Ihaveseenhimbecomehastyandunpleasant，evenunderthepillarsoftheForum，whenhethoughtthatthepartywereplacinghisfishinjeopardybytheirdesiretolingertheretoolong。
\"Early！Yes——no;Iknownotwhenitwas。Onedinesandsleepsinobediencetothatdullclaywhichweighsdownsogenerallytheparticleofourspirit;buttheclaymaysometimesbeforgotten;hereIcanalwaysforgetit。\"
\"Ithoughtyouaskedforrefreshment，\"Isaid。Sheonlylookedatme，whosesmallattemptsatprosecompositionhaduptothattimebeenaltogetherunsuccessful，andthenaddressedherselftoreplytoMackinnon。
\"Itistheairwhichwebreathethatfillsourlungsandgivesuslifeandlight;itisthatwhichrefreshesusifpureorsinksusintostagnationifitbefoul。Letmeforawhileinhalethebreathofaninvigoratingliterature。Sitdown，Mr。Mackinnon;IhaveaquestionthatImustputtoyou。\"Andthenshesucceededincarryinghimoffintoacorner。AsfarasIcouldseehewentwillinglyenoughatthattime，thoughhesoonbecameaversetoanylongretirementincompanywithMrs。Talboys。
Wenoneofusquiteunderstoodwhatwereherexactideasonthesubjectofrevealedreligion。Somebody，Ithink，hadtoldherthattherewereamongusoneortwowhoseopinionswerenotexactlyorthodoxaccordingtothedoctrinesoftheestablishedEnglishchurch。
Ifsoshewasdeterminedtoshowusthatshealsowasadvancedbeyondtheprejudicesofanoldanddryschooloftheology。\"Ihavethrowndownallthebarriersofreligion，\"shesaidtopoorMrs。Mackinnon，\"andamlookingforthesentimentsofapureChristianity。\"
\"Throwndownallthebarriersofreligion！\"saidMrs。Mackinnon，inatoneofhorrorwhichwasnotappreciated。
\"Indeed，yes，\"saidMrs。Talboys，withanexultingvoice。\"Arenotthedaysforsuchtrammelsgoneby？\"
\"ButyetyouholdbyChristianity？\"
\"ApureChristianity，unstainedbybloodandperjury，byhypocrisyandverbosegenuflection。CanInotworshipandsaymyprayersamongtheclouds？\"Andshepointedtotheloftyceilingandthehandsomechandelier。
\"ButIdagoestochurch，\"saidMrs。Mackinnon。IdaTalboyswasherdaughter。Nowitmaybeobservedthatmanywhothrowdownthebarriersofreligion，sofarasthosebarriersmayaffectthemselves，stillmaintainthemonbehalfoftheirchildren。\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Talboys;
\"dearIda！hersoftspiritisnotyetadaptedtoreceivetheperfecttruth。Weareobligedtogovernchildrenbythestrengthoftheirprejudices。\"Andthenshemovedaway，foritwasseldomthatMrs。
Talboysremainedlonginconversationwithanylady。
Mackinnon，Ibelieve，soonbecametiredofher。Helikedherflattery，andatfirstdeclaredthatshewascleverandnice，buthernicenesswastoopurelycelestialtosatisfyhismundanetastes。Mackinnonhimselfcanrevelamongthecloudsinhisownwritings，andcanleaveussometimesindoubtwhetherheevermeanstocomebacktoearth，butwhenhisfootisonterrafirmahelovestofeeltheearthysubstratumwhichsupportshisweight。Withwomenhelikesahandthatcanremainanunnecessarymomentwithinhisown，aneyethatcanglistenwiththesparkleofchampagne，aheartweakenoughtomakeitsowner’sarmtremblewithinhisownbeneaththemoonlightgloomoftheColosseumarches。Adashofsentimentthewhilemakesallthesethingsthesweeter，butthesentimentalonewillnotsufficeforhim。Mrs。
Talboysdid，Ibelieve，drinkherglassofchampagne，asdootherladies，butwithherithadnosuchpleasingeffect。Itloosenedonlyhertongue，butneverhereyes。Herarm，Ithink，nevertrembledandherhandneverlingered。Thegeneralwasalwayssafe，andhappyperhapsinhissolitarysafety。
Itsohappenedthatwehadunfortunatelyamongustwoartistswhohadquarrelledwiththeirwives。O’Brien，whomIhavebeforementioned，wasoneofthem。InhiscaseIbelievehimtohavebeenalmostasfreefromblameasamancanbewhosemarriagewasinitselfafault。
However，hehadawifeinIrelandsometenyearsolderthanhimself，andthoughhemightsometimesalmostforgetthefact，hisfriendsandneighbourswerewellawareofit。Intheothercasethewholefaultprobablywaswiththehusband。Hewasanill-tempered，bad-heartedman，cleverenough，butwithoutprinciple;andhewascontinuallyguiltyofthegreatsinofspeakingevilofthewomanwhosenameheshouldhavebeenanxioustoprotect。Inbothcasesourfriend，Mrs。
Talboys，tookawarminterest，andineachofthemshesympathisedwiththepresenthusbandagainsttheabsentwife。
OftheconsolationwhichsheofferedinthelatterinstanceweusedtohearsomethingfromMackinnon。Hewouldrepeattohiswifeandtomeandmywifetheconversationswhichshehadwithhim。\"PoorBrown！\"
shewouldsay;\"Ipityhimwithmyveryheart’sblood。\"
\"Youareawarethathehascomfortedhimselfinhisdesolation，\"
Mackinnonreplied。
\"Iknowverywelltowhatyouallude。IthinkImaysaythatIamconversantwithallthecircumstancesofthisheart-blightingsacrifice。\"Mrs。Talboyswasapttoboastofthethoroughconfidencereposedinherbyallthoseinwhomshetookaninterest。\"Yes，hehassoughtsuchcomfortinanotherloveasthehardcruelworldwouldallowhim。\"
\"Orperhapssomethingmorethanthat，\"saidMackinnon。\"HehasafamilyhereinRome，youknow;twolittlebabies。\"
\"Iknowit，Iknowit，\"shesaid;\"cherubangels！\"AndasshespokeshelookedupintotheuglyfaceofMarcusAurelius，fortheywerestandingatthemomentunderthefigureofthegreathorsemanontheCampidoglio。\"Ihaveseenthem，andtheyarechildrenofinnocence。IfallthebloodofalltheHowardsranintheirveinsitcouldnotmaketheirbirthmorenoble！\"
\"NotifthefatherandmotherofalltheHowardshadneverbeenmarried，\"saidMackinnon。
\"What！thatfromyou，Mr。Mackinnon！\"saidMrs。Talboys，turningherbackwithenergyupontheequestrianstatueandlookingupintothefacesfirstofPolluxandthenofCastor，asthoughfromthemshemightgainsomeinspirationonthesubject，whichMarcusAureliusinhiscoldnesshaddeniedtoher。\"Fromyou，whohavesonoblyclaimedformankindthedivineattributesoffreeaction！Fromyou，whohavetaughtmymindtosoarabovethepettybondswhichonemaninhislittlenesscontrivesforthesubjectionofhisbrother。Mackinnon——youwhoaresogreat！\"Andshenowlookedupintohisface。\"Mackinnon，unsaythosewords。\"
\"They/are/illegitimate，\"saidhe，\"andiftherewasanylandedproperty——\"
\"Landedproperty！andthatfromanAmerican！\"
\"ThechildrenareEnglish，youknow。\"
\"Landedproperty！Thetimewillshortlycome——ay，andIseeitcoming——whenthathatefulwordshallbeexpungedfromthecalendar，whenlandedpropertyshallbenomore。What！shallthefreesoulofaGod-
bornmansubmititselfforevertosuchtrammelsasthat？Shallweneverescapefromtheclaywhichsolonghasmanacledthesubtlerparticlesofthedivinespirit？Ay，yes，Mackinnon！\"andthenshetookhimbythearm，andledhimtothetopofthehugestepswhichleaddownfromtheCampidogliointothestreetsofmodernRome。\"Lookdownuponthatcountlessmultitude。\"Mackinnonlookeddown，andsawthreegroupsofFrenchsoldiers，withthreeorfourlittlemenineachgroup;hesawalsoacoupleofdirtyfriars，andthreepriestsveryslowlybeginningthesideascenttothechurchoftheAraCoeli。\"Lookdownuponthatcountlessmultitude，\"saidMrs。Talboys，andshestretchedherarmsoutoverthehalf-desertedcity。\"Theyareescapingnowfromthosetrammels——now，now——nowthatIamspeaking。\"
\"Theyhaveescapedlongagofromallsuchtrammelsasthatoflandedproperty，\"saidMackinnon。
\"Ay，andfromallterrestrialbonds，\"shecontinued，notexactlyremarkingthepithofhislastobservation;\"frombondsquasi-
terrestrialandquasi-celestial。Thefull-formedlimbsofthepresentage，runningwithquickstreamsofgenerousblood，willnolongerbeartheligatureswhichpasttimehavewovenforthedecrepit。Lookdownuponthatmultitude，Mackinnon;theyshallallbefree。\"Andthen，stillclutchinghimbythearmandstillstandingatthetopofthosestairs，shegaveforthherprophecywiththefuryofasibyl。
\"Theyshallallbefree。ORome，thoueternalone！thouwhohastbowedthynecktoimperialprideandpriestlycraft，thouwhohassufferedsorelyeventothishour，fromNerodowntoPioNono，thedaysofthineoppressionareover。Gonefromthyenfranchisedwaysforeveristheclangofthepraetoriancohortsandthemoreodiousdroneofmeddlingmonks！\"Andyet，asMackinnonobserved，therestillstoodthedirtyfriarsandthesmallFrenchsoldiers，andtherestilltoiledtheslowpriests，wendingtheirtediouswayuptothechurchoftheAraCoeli。Butthatwasthemundaneviewofthematter，aviewnotregardedbyMrs。Talboysinherecstasy。\"OItalia，\"shecontinued，\"O
Italiauna，oneandindivisibleinthyrights，andindivisiblealsointhywrongs！tousisitgiventoseetheaccomplishmentofthyglory。
ApeopleshallarisearoundthinealtarsgreaterintheannalsoftheworldthanthyScipios，thyGracchi，orthyCaesars。Notintorrentsofbloodorwithscreamsofbereavedmothersshallthynewtriumphsbestained;butmindshalldominateovermatter，and，doomedtogetherwithpopesandBourbons，withcardinals，diplomatists，andpolicespies，ignoranceandprejudiceshallbedrivenfromthysmilingterraces。AndthenRomeshallagainbecomethefaircapitalofthefairestregionofEurope。Hithershallflocktheartisansoftheworld，crowdingintothymartsallthatGodandmancangive。Wealth，beauty，andinnocenceshallmeetinthystreets——\"
\"Therewillbeaconsiderablechangebeforethattakesplace，\"saidMackinnon。
\"Thereshallbeaconsiderablechange，\"sheanswered。\"Mackinnon，totheeitisgiventoreadthesignsofthetime;andhastthounotread？WhyhavethefieldsofMagentaandSolferinobeenpiledwiththecorpsesofdyingheroes？WhyhavethewatersoftheMinciorunredwiththebloodofmartyrs？ThatItalymightbeunitedandRomeimmortal。Here，standingontheCapitoliumoftheancientcity，Isaythatitshallbeso;andthou，Mackinnon，whohearestmeknowestthatmywordsaretrue。\"
TherewasnottheninRome——ImayalmostsaytherewasnotinItaly——
anEnglishmanoranAmericanwhodidnotwishwelltothecauseforwhichItalywasandisstillcontending，asalsothereishardlyonewhodoesnotnowregardthatcauseaswell-nightriumphant;butneverthelessitwasalmostimpossibletosympathisewithMrs。Talboys。
AsMackinnonsaid，sheflewsohighthattherewasnocomfortinflyingwithher。
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"Brownandtherestofthemaredownbelow。Shallwegoandjointhem？\"
\"PoorBrown！Howwasitthatinspeakingofhistroubleswewereledontothisheart-stirringtheme？Yes，Ihaveseenthem，thesweetangels;andItellyoualsothatIhaveseentheirmother。IinsistedongoingtoherwhenIheardherhistoryfromhim。\"
\"Andwhatwasshelike，Mrs。Talboys？\"
\"Well，educationhasdonemoreforsomeofusthanforothers，andtherearethosefromwhosemoralsandsentimentswemightthankfullydrawalesson，whosemannersandoutwardgesturesarenotsuchascustomhasmadeagreeabletous。You，Iknow，canunderstandthat。I
haveseenher，andfeelsurethatsheispureinheartandhighinprinciple。Hasshenotsacrificedherself，andisnotself-sacrificethesurestguaranteefortruenobilityofcharacter？WouldMrs。
Mackinnonobjecttomybringingthemtogether？\"
Mackinnonwasobligedtodeclarethathethoughthiswifewouldobject，andfromthattimeforthheandMrs。Talboysceasedtobeverycloseintheirfriendship。ShestillcametothehouseeverySundayevening，stillrefreshedherselfatthefountainsofhisliteraryrills，butherspecialpropheciesfromhenceforthwerepouredintootherears;anditsohappenedthatO’Briennowbecameherchiefally。
Idonotrememberthatshetroubledherselfmuchfurtherwiththecherubangelsorwiththeirmother，andIaminclinedtothinkthat，takingupwarmlyasshedidthestoryofO’Brien’smatrimonialwrongs，sheforgotthelittlehistoryoftheBrowns。Bethatasitmay，Mrs。
TalboysandO’Briennowbecamestrictlyconfidential，andshewouldenlargebythehalf-hourtogetheronthemiseriesofherfriend’spositiontoanyonewhomshecouldgettohearher。
\"I’lltellyouwhat，Fanny，\"Mackinnonsaidtohiswifeoneday——tohiswifeandtomine，forwewerealltogether——\"weshallhavearowinthehouseifwedon’ttakecare。O’BrienwillbemakinglovetoMrs。Talboys。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidMrs。Mackinnon;\"youarealwaysthinkingthatsomebodyisgoingtomakelovetosomeone。\"
\"Somebodyalwaysis，\"saidhe。
\"She’soldenoughtobehismother，\"saidMrs。Mackinnon。
\"WhatdoesthatmattertoanIrishman？\"saidMackinnon。\"Besides，I
doubtifthereismorethanfiveyears’differencebetweenthem。\"
\"Theremustbemorethanthat，\"saidmywife。\"IdaTalboysistwelve，Iknow，andIamnotquitesurethatIdaistheeldest。\"
\"IfshehadasonintheGuardsitwouldmakenodifference，\"saidMackinnon。\"Therearemenwhoconsiderthemselvesboundtomakelovetoawomanundercertaincircumstances，lettheageoftheladybewhatitmay。O’Brienissuchaone;andifshesympathiseswithhimmuchoftenerhewillmistakethematterandgodownonhisknees。Yououghttoputhimonhisguard，\"hesaid，addressinghimselftohiswife。
\"Indeed，Ishalldonosuchthing，\"saidshe;\"iftheyaretwofoolstheymust，likeotherfools，paythepriceoftheirfolly。\"AsaruletherecouldbenosoftercreaturethanMrs。Mackinnon，butitseemedtomethathertendernessneverextendeditselfinthedirectionofMrs。Talboys。
Justatthistime，towardtheend，thatis，ofNovember，wemadeapartytovisitthetombswhichliealongtheAppianWaybeyondthatmostbeautifulofallsepulchres，thetombofCeciliaMetella。Itwasadeliciousday，andwehaddrivenalongthisroadforacoupleofmilesbeyondthewallsofthecity，enjoyingthemostlovelyviewwhichtheneighborhoodofRomeaffords，lookingoverthewondrousruinsoftheoldaqueductsuptowardTivoliandPalestrina。OfalltheenvironsofRomethisis，onafairday，themostenchanting;andhereperhaps，amongaworldoftombs，thoughtsandalmostmemoriesoftheold，olddayscomeupononewiththegreatestforce。ThegrandeurofRomeisbestseenandunderstoodfrombeneaththewallsoftheColosseum，anditsbeautyamongthepillarsoftheForumandthearchesoftheSacredWay;butitshistoryandfallbecomemorepalpabletothemindandmoreclearlyrealisedouthereamongthetombs，wheretheeyesrestuponthemountains，whoseshadeswerecooltotheoldRomansastous，thananywherewithinthewallsofthecity。HerewelookoutatthesameTivoliandthesamePraenesteglitteringinthesunshine，emboweredamongthefar-offvalleys，whichweredeartothem;andthebluemountainshavenotcrumbledawayintoruins。WithinRomeitselfwecanseenothingastheysawit。
Ourpartyconsistedofsomedozenorfifteenpersons，and，asahamperwithluncheoninithadbeenleftonthegrassyslopeatthebaseofthetombofCeciliaMetella，theexpeditionhadinitsomethingofthenatureofapicnic。Mrs。Talboyswasofcoursewithus，andIdaTalboys。O’Brienalsowasthere。ThehamperhadbeenpreparedinMrs。
Mackinnon’sroomundertheimmediateeyeofMackinnonhimself，andtheythereforewereregardedasthedominantspiritsoftheparty。MywifewasleaguedwithMrs。Mackinnon，aswasusuallythecase;andthereseemedtobeageneralopinion，amongthosewhowerecloselyinconfidencetogether，thatsomethingwouldhappenintheO’Brien-
Talboysmatter。Thetwohadbeeninseparableonthepreviousevening，forMrs。TalboyshadbeenurgingontheyoungIrishmanhercounselsrespectinghisdomestictroubles。SirCresswellCresswell，shehadtoldhim，washisrefuge。\"Whyshouldhissoulsubmittobondswhichtheworldhadnowdeclaredtobeintolerable？Divorcewasnotnowtheprivilegeofthedissoluterich。Spiritswhichwereincompatibleneednolongerbecompelledtofretbeneaththesamecouples。\"Inshort，shehadrecommendedhimtogotoEnglandandgetridofhiswife，asshewouldwithalittleencouragementhaverecommendedanymantogetridofanything。Iamsurethat，hadshebeenskilfullybroughtontothesubject，shemighthavebeeninducedtopronounceaverdictagainstsuchligaturesforthebodyascoats，waistcoats，andtrousers。Heraspirationsforfreedomignoredallbounds，andintheorytherewerenobarrierswhichshewasnotwillingtodemolish。
PoorO’Brien，asweallnowbegantosee，hadtakenthematteramiss。
HehadofferedtomakeabustofMrs。Talboys，andshehadconsented，expressingawishthatitmightfindaplaceamongthosewhohaddevotedthemselvestotheenfranchisementoftheirfellow-creatures。I
reallythinkshehadbutlittleofawoman’scustomarypersonalvanity。Iknowshehadanideathathereyewaslightedupinherwarmermomentsbysomespecialfire，thatsparksoflibertyshoneroundherbrow，andthatherbosomheavedwithgloriousaspirations;
butallthesefeelingshadreferencetoherinnergenius，nottoanyoutwardbeauty。ButO’Brienmisunderstoodthewoman，andthoughtitnecessarytogazeintoherfaceandsighasthoughhisheartwerebreaking。Indeed，hedeclaredtoayoungfriendthatMrs。Talboyswasperfectinherstyleofbeauty，andbeganthebustwiththisidea。Itwasgraduallybecomingcleartousallthathewouldbringhimselftogrief;butinsuchamatterwhocancautionaman？
Mrs。Mackinnonhadcontrivedtoseparatetheminmakingthecarriagearrangementsonthisday，butthisonlyaddedfueltothefirewhichwasnowburningwithinO’Brien’sbosom。Ibelievethathereallydidloveherinhiseasy，eager，susceptibleIrishway。Thathewouldgetoverthelittleepisodewithoutanyseriousinjurytohisheartnoonedoubted;butthenwhatwouldoccurwhenthedeclarationwasmade？HowwouldMrs。Talboysbearit？\"
\"Shedeservesit，\"saidMrs。Mackinnon。
\"Andtwiceasmuch，\"mywifeadded。Whyisitthatwomenaresospitefultooneanother？
EarlyinthedayMrs。Talboysclambereduptothetopofatomb，andmadealittlespeech，holdingaparasoloverherhead。Beneathherfeet，shesaid，reposedtheashesofsomebloatedsenator，somegluttonoftheempire，whohadswallowedintohismawtheprovisionnecessaryforatribe。OldRomehadfallenthroughsuchselfishnessasthat，butnewRomewouldnotforgetthelesson。Allthiswasverywell，andthenO’Brienhelpedherdown;butafterthistherewasnoseparatingthem。Forherownpart，shewouldsoonerhavehadMackinnonatherelbow;butMackinnonnowhadfoundsomeotherelbow。\"Enoughofthatwasasgoodasafeast，\"hehadsaidtohiswife。AndthereforeMrs。Talboys，quiteunconsciousofevil，allowedherselftobeengrossedbyO’Brien。
Andthen，aboutthreeo’clock，wereturnedtothehamper。Luncheonundersuchcircumstancesalwaysmeansdinner，andwearrangedourselvesforaverycomfortablemeal。TothosewhoknowthetombofCeciliaMetellanodescriptionofthesceneisnecessary，andtothosewhodonotnodescriptionwillconveyafairideaofitsreality。Itisitselfalargelowtowerofgreatdiameter，butofbeautifulproportion，standingfaroutsidethecity，closeontothesideoftheoldRomanway。Ithasbeenembattledonthetopbysomelatter-daybaroninorderthatitmightbeusedforprotectiontothecastlewhichhasbeenbuiltonandattachedtoit。IfIrememberrightly，thiswasdonebyoneoftheFrangipani，andaverylovelyruinhehasmadeofit。Iknownocastellatedoldtumble-downresidenceinItalymorepicturesquethanthisbaronialadjuncttotheoldRomantomb，orwhichbettertallieswiththeideasengenderedwithinourmindsbyMrs。Radcliffeand\"TheMysteriesofUdolpho。\"Itliesalongtheroad，protectedonthesideofthecitybytheproudsepulchreoftheRomanmatron，anduptothelongruinedwallsofthebackofthebuildingstretchesagrassyslope，atthebottomofwhicharetheremainsofanoldRomancircus。Beyondthatisthelong，thin，gracefullineoftheClaudianaqueduct，withSoracteinthedistancetotheleft，andTivoli，Palestrina，andFrascatilyingamongthehillswhichboundtheview。ThatFrangipanibaronwasintherightofit，andIhopehegotthevalueofhismoneyoutoftheresidencewhichhebuiltforhimself。Idoubt，however，thathedidbutlittlegoodtothosewholivedinhiscloseneighbourhood。
Wehadaverycomfortablelittlebanquetseatedonthebrokenlumpsofstonewhichlieaboutunderthewallsofthetomb。IwonderwhethertheshadeofCeciliaMetellawaslookingdownuponus。Wehaveheardmuchofherintheselatterdays，andyetweknownothingabouther，norcanconceivewhyshewashonouredwithabiggertombthananyotherRomanmatron。Therewerethosethenamongourpartywhobelievedthatshemightstillcomebackamongus，and，withdueassistancefromsomecognatesusceptiblespirit，explaintousthecauseofherwidowedhusband’sliberality。Alas，alas！ifwemayjudgeoftheRomansbyourselvesthetruereasonforsuchsepulchralgrandeurwouldredoundlittletothecreditoftheladyCeciliaMetellaherselfortothatofCrassus，herbereavedanddesolatelord。
Shedidnotcomeamongusontheoccasionofthisbanquet，possiblybecausewehadnotablestheretoturninpreparationforherpresence;buthadshedoneso，shecouldnothavebeenmoreeloquentofthingsoftheotherworldthanwasMrs。Talboys。IhavesaidthatMrs。Talboys’seyeneverglancedmorebrightlyafteraglassofchampagne，butIaminclinedtothinkthatonthisoccasionitmayhavedoneso。O’BrienenactedGanymede，andwasperhapsmoreliberalthanotherlatter-dayGanymedestowhoseservicesMrs。Talboyshadbeenaccustomed。Letitnot，however，besuspectedbyanyonethatsheexceededthelimitsofadiscreetjoyousness。Bynomeans！Thegenerouswinepenetrated，perhaps，tosomeinnercellsofherheart，andbroughtforththoughtsinsparklingwordswhichotherwisemighthaveremainedconcealed;buttherewasnothinginwhatshethoughtorspokecalculatedtogiveumbrageeithertoananchoretortoavestal。
Awordortwoshesaidorsungabouttheflowingbowl，andonceshecalledforFalernian;butbeyondthisherconversewaschieflyoftherightsofmanandtheweaknessofwomen，oftheironagesthatwerepast，andofthegoldentimethatwastocome。
Shecalledatoastanddranktothehopesofthelatterhistoriansofthenineteenthcentury。ThenitwasthatshebadeO’Brien\"fillhighthebowlwithSamianwine。\"TheIrishmantookheratherword，andsheraisedthebumperandwaveditoverherheadbeforesheputittoherlips。Iamboundtodeclarethatshedidnotspilladrop。\"Thetrue’Falerniangrape，’\"shesaid，asshedepositedtheemptybeakeronthegrassbeneathherelbow。VilerchampagneIdonotthinkIeverswallowed;butitwasthetheoryofthewine，notitspalpablebodypresentthere，asitwereintheflesh，whichinspiredher。Therewasreallysomethinggrandaboutheronthatoccasion，andherenthusiasmalmostamountedtoreality。
Mackinnonwasamused，andencouragedher，asImustconfessdidI
also。Mrs。Mackinnonmadeuselesslittlesignstoherhusband，reallyfearingthattheFalernianwoulddoitsgoodofficestoothoroughly。
Mywife，gettingmeapartasIwalkedroundthecircledistributingviands，remarkedthat\"thewomanwasafoolandwoulddisgraceherself。\"ButIobservedthatafterthedisposalofthatbumpersheworshippedtherosygodintheoryonly，andthereforesawnooccasiontointerfere。\"Come，Bacchus，\"shesaid，\"andcome，Silenus，ifthouwilt;Iknowthatyearehoveringroundthegravesofyourdepartedfavourites。Andye，too，nymphsofEgeria，\"andshepointedtotheclassicgrovewhichwasallbutclosetousaswesatthere。\"Inoldendaysyedidnotalwaysdespisetheabodesofmen。Butwhyshouldweinvokethepresenceofthegods——wewhocanbecomegodlikeourselves！
Weourselvesarethedeitiesofthepresentage。Forusshallthetablesbespreadwithambrosia，forusshallthenectarflow。\"
Uponthewholeitwasaverygoodfooling——forawhile;andassoonasweweretiredofitwearosefromourseatsandbegantostrollabouttheplace。Itwasbeginningtobealittleduskandsomewhatcool，buttheeveningairwaspleasant，andtheladies，puttingontheirshawls，didnotseeminclinedatoncetogetintothecarriages。Atanyrate，Mrs。Talboyswasnotsoinclined，forshestarteddownthehilltowardthelonglowwalloftheoldRomancircusatthebottom，andO’Brien，closeatherelbow，startedwithher。
\"Ida，mydear，youhadbetterremainhere，\"shesaidtoherdaughter;
\"youwillbetiredifyoucomeasfaraswearegoing。\"
\"Ohno，mamma，Ishallnot，\"saidIda;\"yougettiredmuchquickerthanIdo。\"
\"Ohyes，youwill;besides，Idonotwishyoutocome。\"TherewasanendofitforIda，andMrs。TalboysandO’Brienwalkedofftogether，whilewealllookedintooneanother’sfaces。
\"Itwouldbeacharitytogowiththem，\"saidMackinnon。
\"Doyoubecharitablethen，\"saidhiswife。
\"Itshouldbealady，\"saidhe。
\"Itisapitythatthemotherofthespotlesscherubimisnotherefortheoccasion，\"saidshe。\"Ihardlythinkthatanyonelessgiftedwillundertakesuchaself-sacrifice。\"Anyattemptofthekindwould，however，nowhavebeentoolate，fortheywerealreadyatthebottomofthehill。O’Brienhadcertainlydrunkfreelyoftheperniciouscontentsofthoselong-neckedbottles，and，thoughnoonecouldfairlyaccusehimofbeingtipsy，neverthelessthatwhichmighthavemadeothersdrunkhadmadehimbold，andhedaredtodoperhapsmorethanmightbecomeaman。IfunderanycircumstanceshecouldbefoolenoughtomakeanavowaloflovetoMrs。Talboyshemightbeexpected，asweallthought，todoitnow。
Wewatchedthemastheymadeforagapinthewallwhichledthroughintothelargeenclosedspaceoftheoldcircus。Ithadbeenanarenaforchariotgames，andtheyhadgonedownwiththeavowedpurposeofsearchingwheremighthavebeenthemetaandascertaininghowthedriverscouldhaveturnedwhenattheirfullspeed。Forawhilewehadheardtheirvoices，orratherhervoiceespecially。\"Theheartofaman，O’Brien，shouldsufficeforallemergencies，\"wehadheardhersay。Shehadassumedastrangehabitofcallingmenbytheirsimplenames，asmenaddressoneanother。WhenshedidthistoMackinnon，whowasmucholderthanherself，wehadbeenallamusedbyit，andotherladiesofourpartyhadtakentocallhim\"Mackinnon\"whenMrs。
Talboyswasnotby;butwehadfeltthecomedytobelesssafewithO’Brien，especiallywhenononeoccasionweheardhimaddressherasArabella。Shedidnotseemtobeinanywaystruckbyhisdoingso，andwesupposedthereforethatithadbecomefrequentbetweenthem。
WhatreplyhemadeatthemomentabouttheheartofamanIdonotknow，andtheninafewminutestheydisappearedthroughthegapinthewall。
Noneofusfollowedthem，althoughitwouldhaveseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtodosohadnothingoutofthewaybeenexpected。Asitwas，weremainedthereroundthetombquizzingthelittlefoiblesofourdearfriendandhopingthatO’Brienwouldbequickinwhathewasdoing。Thathewouldundoubtedlygetaslapintheface，metaphorically，weallfeltcertain，fornoneofusdoubtedtherigidproprietyofthelady’sintentions。Someofusstrolledintothebuildingsandsomeofusgotoutontotheroad，butweallofuswerethinkingthatO’BrienwasveryslowaconsiderabletimebeforewesawMrs。Talboysreappearthroughthegap。
Atlast，however，shewasthere，andweatoncesawthatshewasalone。Shecameon，breastingthehillwithquicksteps，andwhenshedrewnearwecouldseethattherewasafrownasofinjuredmajestyonherbrow。Mackinnonandhiswifewentforwardtomeether。Ifshewerereallyintroubleitwouldbefittinginsomewaytoassisther，andofallwomenMrs。Mackinnonwasthelasttoseeanotherwomansufferfromillusagewithoutattemptingtoaidher。\"Icertainlyneverlikedher，\"Mrs。Mackinnonsaidafterward，\"butIwasboundtogoandhearhertalewhenshereallyhadataletotell。\"
AndMrs。Talboysnowhadataletotell——ifshechosetotellit。TheladiesofourpartydeclaredafterwardthatshewouldhaveactedmorewiselyhadshekepttoherselfbothO’Brien’swordstoherandheranswer。\"Shewaswellabletotakecareofherself，\"Mrs。Mackinnonsaid;\"andafterallthesillymanhadtakenananswerwhenhegotit。\"Not，however，thatO’Brienhadtakenhisanswerquiteimmediately，asfarasIcouldunderstandfromwhatweheardofthematterafterward。
AtthepresentmomentMrs。Talboyscameuptherisinggroundallaloneandataquickpace。\"Themanhasinsultedme，\"shesaidaloud，aswellasherpantingbreathwouldallowher，andassoonasshewasnearenoughtoMrs。Mackinnontospeaktoher。
\"Iamsorryforthat，\"saidMrs。Mackinnon。\"Isupposehehastakenalittletoomuchwine。\"
\"No;itwasapremeditatedinsult。Thebase-heartedchurlhasfailedtounderstandthemeaningoftrue，honestsympathy。\"
\"Hewillforgetallaboutitwhenheissober，\"saidMackinnon，meaningtocomforther。
\"WhatcareIwhatheremembersorwhatheforgets？\"shesaid，turninguponpoorMackinnonindignantly。\"Youmengrovelsoinyourideas——\"
（\"Andyet，\"asMackinnonsaidafterward，\"shehadbeentellingmethatIwasafoolforthelastthreeweeks。\"）\"Youmengrovelsoinyourideasthatyoucannotunderstandthefeelingsofatrue-heartedwoman。
Whatcanhisforgetfulnessorhisremembrancebetome？MustnotI
rememberthisinsult？IsitpossiblethatIshouldforgetit？\"
Mr。andMrs。Mackinnononlyhadgoneforwardtomeether，butneverthelessshespokesoloudthatallheardherwhowerestillclusteredroundthespotonwhichwehaddined。
\"WhathasbecomeofMr。O’Brien？\"aladywhisperedtome。
Ihadafield-glasswithme，and，lookinground，Isawhishatashewaswalkinginsidethewallsofthecircusinthedirectiontowardthecity。\"Andveryfoolishhemustfeel，\"saidthelady。
\"Nodoubtheisusedtoit，\"saidanother。
\"Butconsideringherage，youknow，\"saidthefirst，whomighthavebeenperhapsthreeyearsyoungerthanMrs。Talboys，andwhowasnotherselfaversetotheexcitementofamoderateflirtation。Butthenwhyshouldshehavebeenaverse，seeingthatshehadnotasyetbecomesubjecttothewillofanyimperiallord？
\"Hewouldhavefeltmuchmorefoolish，\"saidthethird，\"ifshehadlistenedtowhathesaidtoher。\"
\"Well，Idon’tknow，\"saidthesecond;\"nobodywouldhaveknownanythingaboutitthen，andinafewweekstheywouldhavegraduallybecometiredofeachotherintheordinaryway。\"
ButinthemeantimeMrs。Talboyswasamongus。Therehadbeennoattemptatsecrecy，andshewasstillloudlyinveighingagainstthegrovellingpropensitiesofmen。\"That’squitetrue，Mrs。Talboys，\"
saidoneoftheelderladies;\"butthenwomenarenotalwayssocarefulastheyshouldbe。OfcourseIdonotmeantosaythattherehasbeenanyfaultonyourpart。\"
\"Faultonmypart！Ofcoursetherehasbeenfaultonmypart。Noonecanmakeanymistakewithoutfaulttosomeextent。Itookhimtobeamanofsense，andheisafool。GotoNaplesindeed。\"
\"DidhewantyoutogotoNaples？\"askedMrs。Mackinnon。
\"Yes;thatwaswhathesuggested。WeweretoleavebythetrainforCivitaVecchiaatsixto-morrowmorning，andcatchthesteamerwhichleavesLeghornto-night。Don’ttellmeofwine。Hewaspreparedforit！\"Andshelookedroundaboutonuswithanairofinjuredmajestyinherfacewhichwasalmostinsupportable。
\"Iwonderwhetherhetooktheticketsovernight，\"saidMackinnon。
\"Naples！\"shesaid，asthoughnowspeakingexclusivelytoherself，\"theonlygroundinItalywhichhasasyetmadenostruggleonbehalfoffreedom——afittingresidenceforsuchadastard！\"
\"Youwouldhavefounditverypleasantatthisseason，\"saidtheunmarriedladywhowasthreeyearsherjunior。
MywifehadtakenIdaoutofthewaywhenthefirstcomplainingnotefromMrs。Talboyshadbeenheardascendingthehill。Butnow，whenmattersbegangraduallytobecomequiescent，shebroughtherback，suggestingasshedidsothattheymightbegintothinkofreturning。
\"Itisgettingverycold，Idadear，isitnot？\"saidshe。
\"ButwhereisMr。O’Brien？\"saidIda。
\"Hehasfled——aspoltroonsalwaysfly，\"saidMrs。Talboys。Ibelieveinmyheartthatshewouldhavebeengladtohavehadhimthereinthemiddleofthecircle，andtohavetriumphedoverhimpubliclyamongusall。Nofeelingofshamewouldhavekepthersilentforamoment。
\"Fled！\"saidIda，lookingupintohermother’sface。
\"Yes，fled，mychild。\"Andsheseizedherdaughterinherarms，andpressedhercloselytoherbosom。\"Cowardsalwaysfly。\"
\"IsMr。O’Brienacoward？\"Idaasked。
\"Yes，acoward，averycoward！Andhehasfledbeforetheglanceofanhonestwoman’seye。Come，Mrs。Mackinnon，shallwegobacktothecity？Iamsorrythattheamusementofthedayshouldhavereceivedthischeck。\"Andshewalkedforwardtothecarriageandtookherplaceinitwithanairthatshowedthatshewasproudofthewayinwhichshehadconductedherself。
\"Sheisalittleconceitedaboutitafterall，\"saidthatunmarriedlady。\"IfpoorMr。O’BrienhadnotshownsomuchprematureanxietywithreferencetothatlittlejourneytoNaples，thingsmighthavegonequietlyafterall。\"
Buttheunmarriedladywaswronginherjudgment。Mrs。Talboyswasproudandconceitedinthematter，butnotproudofhavingexcitedtheadmirationofherIrishlover。Shewasproudofherownsubsequentconduct，andgaveherselfcreditforcomingoutstronglyasthenoble-mindedmatron。\"Ibelieveshethinks，\"saidMrs。Mackinnon，\"thathervirtueisquiteSpartanandunique;andifsheremainsinRomeshe’llboastofitthroughthewholewinter。\"
\"Ifshedoes，shemaybecertainthatO’Brienwilldothesame，\"saidMackinnon。\"Andinspiteofhishavingfledfromthefield，itisuponthecardsthathemaygetthebestofit。Mrs。Talboysisaveryexcellentwoman。Shehasprovedherexcellencebeyondadoubt。Butneverthelesssheissusceptibleofridicule。\"
WeallfeltalittleanxietytohearO’Brien’saccountofthematter，andafterhavingdepositedtheladiesattheirhomesMackinnonandI
wentofftohislodgings。Atfirsthewasdeniedtous，butafterawhilewegothisservanttoacknowledgethathewasathome，andthenwemadeourwayuptohisstudio。Wefoundhimseatedbehindahalf-
formedmodel，orratheramerelumpofclaypunchedintosomethingresemblingtheshapeofahead，withapipeinhismouthandabitofstickinhishand。Hewaspretendingtowork，thoughwebothknewthatitwasoutofthequestionthatheshoulddoanythinginhispresentframeofmind。
\"IthinkIheardmyservanttellyouthatIwasnotathome，\"saidhe。
\"Yes，hedid，\"saidMackinnon，\"andwouldhaveswornittooifwewouldhavelethim。Come，don’tpretendtobesurly。\"
\"Iamverybusy，Mr。Mackinnon。\"
\"CompletingyourheadofMrs。Talboys，Isuppose，beforeyoustartforNaples。\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatshehastoldyouallaboutit？\"Andheturnedawayfromhiswork，andlookedupintoourfaceswithacomicalexpression，halfoffunandhalfofdespair。
\"Everywordofit，\"saidI。\"Whenyouwantaladytotravelwithyouneveraskhertogetupsoearlyinwinter。\"
\"But，O’Brien，howcouldyoubesuchanass？\"saidMackinnon。\"Asithasturnedout，thereisnoverygreatharmdone。Youhaveinsultedarespectablemiddle-agedwoman，themotherofafamilyandthewifeofageneralofficer，andthereisanendofit——unless，indeed，thegeneralofficershouldcomeoutfromEnglandtocallyoutoaccount。\"
\"Heiswelcome，\"saidO’Brienhaughtily。
\"Nodoubt，mydearfellow，\"saidMackinnon;\"thatwouldbeadignifiedandpleasantendingtotheaffair。ButwhatIwanttoknowisthis：
whatwouldyouhavedoneifshehadagreedtogo？\"
\"Henevercalculatedonthepossibilityofsuchacontingency，\"saidI。
\"Byheavens，then，Ithoughtshewouldlikeit，\"saidhe。
\"Andtoobligeheryouwerecontenttosacrificeyourself，\"saidMackinnon。
\"Well，thatwasjustit。Whatthedeuceisafellowtodowhenawomangoesoninthatway？Shetoldmedownthere，upontheoldrace-course，youknow，thatmatrimonialbondsweremadeforfoolsandslaves。WhatwasItosupposethatshemeantbythat？But，tomakeallsure，I
askedherwhatsortofafellowthegeneralwas。’Dearoldman，’shesaid，claspingherhandstogether。’Hemight，youknow，havebeenmyfather。’’Iwishhewere，’saidI，’becausethenyou’dbefree。’’Iamfree，’saidshe，stampingontheground，andlookingupatmesomuchastosaythatshecaredfornoone。’Then，’saidI，’acceptallthatisleftoftheheartofWenceslausO’Brien，’andIthrewmyselfbeforeherinherpath。’Hand，’saidI，’Ihavenonetogive，butthebloodwhichrunsredthroughmyveinsisdescendedfromadoublelineofkings。’Isaidthatbecausesheisalwaysfondofridingahighhorse。
Ihadgottencloseunderthewallsothatnoneofyoushouldseemefromthetower。\"
\"Andwhatanswerdidshemake？\"saidMackinnon。
\"Why，shewaspleasedasPunch——gavemebothherhandsanddeclaredthatwewouldbefriendsforever。Itismybelief，Mackinnon，thatthatwomanneverheardanythingofthekindbefore。Thegeneral，nodoubt，diditbyletter。\"
\"Andhowwasitthatshechangedhermind？\"
\"Why，Igotup，putmyarmroundherwaist，andtoldherthatwewouldbeofftoNaples。I’mblessedifshedidn’tgivemeaknockintheribsthatnearlysentmebackward。Shetookmybreathaway，sothatI
couldn’tspeaktoher。\"
\"Andthen————\"
\"Oh，therewasnothingmore。OfcourseIsawhowitwas。SoshewalkedoffonewayandItheother。Onthewhole，IconsiderthatIamwelloutofit。\"
\"AndsodoI，\"saidMackinnon，verygravely。\"Butifyouwillallowmetogiveyoumyadvice，Iwouldsuggestthatitwouldbewelltoavoidsuchmistakesinfuture。\"
\"Uponmyword，\"saidO’Brien，excusinghimself，\"Idon’tknowwhatamanistodoundersuchcircumstances。IgiveyoumyhonourthatIdiditalltoobligeher。\"
WethendecidedthatMackinnonshouldconveytotheinjuredladythehumbleapologyofherlateadmirer。Itwassettledthatnodetailedexcusesshouldbemade。Itshouldbelefttohertoconsiderwhetherthedeedwhichhadbeendonemighthavebeenoccasionedbywineorbythefollyofamoment，orbyherownindiscreetenthusiasm。Noonebutthetwowerepresentwhenthemessagewasgiven，andthereforewewereobligedtotrusttoMackinnon’saccuracyforanaccountofit。
Shestoodonveryhighgroundindeed，hesaid，atfirstrefusingtohearanythingthathehadtosayonthematter。Thefoolishyoungman，shedeclared，wasbelowherangerandbelowhercontempt。
\"HeisnotthefirstIrishmanthathasbeenmadeindiscreetbybeauty，\"saidMackinnon。
\"Atrucetothat，\"shereplied，wavingherhandwithanairofassumedmajesty。\"Theincident，contemptibleasitis，hasbeenunpleasanttome。ItwillnecessitatemywithdrawalfromRome。\"
\"Ohno，Mrs。Talboys;thatwillbemakingtoomuchofhim。\"
\"Thegreatestherothatlives，\"sheanswered，\"mayhavehishousemadeuninhabitablebyaverysmallinsect。\"Mackinnonsworethatthosewereherownwords。ConsequentlyasobriquetwasattachedtoO’Brienofwhichhebynomeansapproved，andfromthatdaywealwayscalledMrs。
Talboys\"thehero。\"
Mackinnonprevailedatlastwithher，andshedidnotleaveRome。ShewaseveninducedtosendamessagetoO’Brienconveyingherforgiveness。TheyshookhandstogetherwithgreateclatinMrs。
Mackinnon’sdrawing-room;butIdonotsupposethatsheeveragainofferedtohimsympathyonthescoreofhismatrimonialtroubles。