Shesmiledstill。\"Sickpeopleareterribly，egotistical，andIsupposeit’smyconceitofhavingbeenthecentreoftheuniversesolatelythatmakesmementionit。\"Andhereshelaughedalittleatherself，showingacharminglittlepeculiarityinthecatchofherupperliponherteeth。
\"Butthisisdivine——thisairandthissight。\"Sheputherheadoutofhersideofthecarryall，anddranktheminwithherlungsandeyes。
Whensheleanedbackagainontheseatshesaid，\"Ican’tgetenoughofit。\"
\"Butisn’tthisoldrattletraprathertooroughforyou？\"heasked。
\"Ohno，\"shesaid，visitinghimwithafurtiveturnofhereyes。\"It’squiteideallywhatinvalidsineasycircumstancesareadvisedtotakecarriageexercise。\"
\"Yes，it’scertainlycarriageexercise，\"Verrianadmittedinthesamespirit，ifitwasadrollingspirit。Hecouldnothelpbeingamusedbythesituationinwhichtheyhadbeenbroughttogether，throughthevigorouspromptitudeofMissMacroydinmakingthevictoriaherown，andtheeasyindifferenceofMrs。Westangleastohowtheyshouldgettoherhouse。Ifhehadbeenalonehemighthavefelttheindifferenceasaslight，butasitwashefeltitratherafavor。IfMissShirleywasfeelingitaslight，shewastoosecretortoosweettoletitbeknown，andhethoughtthatwasniceofher。Still，hebelievedhemightrecognizethefactwithoutdeepeningapossiblehurtofhers，andheadded，withnoapparentrelevance，\"IfMrs。Westanglewasnotlookingforusonthistrain，shewillfindthatitistheunexpectedwhichhappens。\"
\"Wearecertainlygoingtohappen，\"thegirlsaid，withanacceptanceofthepluralwhichdeepenedtheintimacyofthesituation，andwhichwasnotdispleasingtoVerrianwhensheadded，\"Ifourfriend’svehicleholdsout。\"Thensheturnedherfacefulluponhim，withwhataffectedhimasaustereresolution，incontinuing，\"ButIcan’tletyousupposethatyou’reconveyingasocietyperson，orsomethingofthatsort，toMrs。
Westangle’s。\"Hisownfaceexpressedhismystification，andsheconcluded，\"I’msimplygoingtheretobeginmywork。\"
Hesmiledprovisionallyintemporizingwiththeriddle。\"Youwomenarewonderful，nowadays，fortheworkyoudo。\"
\"Oh，but，\"sheprotested，nervously，anxiously，\"itisn’tgoodworkthatI’mgoingtodo——Iunderstandwhatyoumean——it’sworkforaliving。
I’venobusinesstobearrivingwithaninvitedguest，butitseemedtobeaquestionofarrivingornotatthetimewhenIwasdue。\"
IX。
Verrianstaredathernowfromavisagethatwasanentireblank，thoughbehinditconjecturewasbusy，andhewasaskinghimselfwhetherhiscompanionwassomenewkindofhair-dresser，oruncommonlycultivatedmanicure，oranurserygovernessobeyingahurrycalltotakeaplaceinMrs。Westangle’shousehold，orsomesortofamateurhousekeeperarrivingtosupplantaprofessional。Buthesaidnothing。
MissShirleysaid，withadistresswhichwasgenuine，thoughheperceivedatraceofamusementinit，too，\"IseethatIwillhavetogoon。\"
\"Oh，do！\"hemadeouttoutter。
\"IamgoingtoMrs。Westangle’sasasortofmistressoftherevels。Thebusinessissonewthatithasn’tgotitsnameyet，butifIfailitwon’tneedany。IinventeditonahintIgotfromagirlwhoundertakesthefloraldecorationsforparties。Ididn’tseewhysomeoneshouldn’tfurnishsuggestionsforamusements，aswellasflowers。Iwasalwaysratherluckyatthatinmyownfam——atmyfather’s——\"Shepulledherselfsharplyup，asifdangerlaythatway。\"IgotanintroductiontoMrs。
Westangle，andshe’stoletmetry。Iamgoingtohersimplyaspartofthecatering，andI’mnottohaveanyrecognitioninthehospitalities。
Soitwasn’tnecessaryforhertosendformeatthestation，exceptasameansofhavingmeonthegroundingoodseason。Ihavetothankyouforthat，and——Ithankyou。\"Sheendedinasigh。
\"It’sveryinteresting，\"Verriansaid，andhehopedhewasnotsayingitinanyignobleway。
Hewasverypresentlytolearn。Roundaturnoftheroadtherecamealivelyclackingofhorses’shoesonthehardtrack，withthemutedrumbleofrubber-tiredwheels，andMrs。Westangle’svictoriadashedintoview。
ThecoachmanhadmadeasignaltoVerrian’sdriver，andthevehiclesstoppedsidebyside。Thefootmaninstantlycametothedoorofthecarryall，touchinghishattoVerrian。
\"GoingtoMrs。Westangle’s，sir？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Mrs。Westangle’scarriage。Goingtothestationforyou，sir。\"
\"MissShirley，\"Verriansaid，\"willyouchange？\"
\"Ohno，\"sheanswered，quickly，\"it’sbetterformetogoonasIam。
Butthecarriagewassentforyou。Youmust——\"
Verrianinterruptedtoaskthefootman，\"HowfarisityettoMrs。
Westangle’s？\"
\"Aboutamile，sir。\"
\"IthinkIwon’tchangeforsuchashortdistance。I’llkeeponasI
am，\"Verriansaid，andheletthegoatskin，whichhehadhalfliftedtofreeMissShirleyfordismounting，fallbackagain。\"Goahead，driver。\"
Shehadbeenmakingseveralgaspingeffortsatspeech，accompaniedwithentreatingandprotestingglancesatVerrianinthecourseofhisbriefcolloquywiththefootman。Now，asthecarryalllurchedforwardagain，andthevictoriawheeledandpassedthemonitswayback，shecaughtherhandkerchieftoherface，andtoVerrian’sdismaysobbedintoit。Helethercry，ashemust，inthedistressfulsilencewhichhecouldnotbethefirsttobreak。Besides，hedidnotknowhowshewastakingitalltillshesuddenlywiththrewherhandkerchiefandpulleddownherveil。Thenshespokethreeheart-brokenwords，\"Howcouldyou！\"andhedivinedthathemusthavedonewrong。
\"WhatoughtItohavedone？\"heasked，withsullenhumility。
\"Yououghttohavetakenthevictoria。\"
\"HowcouldI？\"
\"Yououghttohavedoneit。\"
\"Ithinkyououghttohavedoneityourself，MissShirley，\"Verriansaid，feelinglikethewormthatturns。Headded，lessresentfully，\"Weoughtbothtohavetakenit。\"
\"No，Mrs。Westanglemighthavefelt，veryproperly，thatitwaspresumptuousinme，whetherIcamealoneinitorwithyou。Nowweshallarrivetogetherinthisthing，andshewillbemortifiedforyouandvexedwithme。Shewillblamemeforit，andshewillberight，foritwouldhavebeenverywellformetodriveupinashabbystationcarryall;butaninvitedguest——\"
\"No，indeed，sheshallnotblameyou，MissShirley。Iwillmakeapointoftakingthewholeresponsibility。Iwilltellher——\"
\"Mr。Merriam！\"shecried，inanguish。\"Willyoupleasedonothingofthekind？Doyouwanttomakebadworse？Leavetheexplainingaltogethertome，please。Willyoupromisethat？\"
\"Iwillpromisethat——oranything——ifyouinsist，\"Verriansulked。
Sheinstantlyrelentedalittle。\"Youmustn’tthinkmeunreasonable。
ButIwasdeterminedtocarrymyundertakingthroughonbusinessprinciples，andyouhavespoiledmychance——Iknowyoumeantitkindlyor，ifnotspoiled，madeitmoredifficult。Don’tthinkmeungrateful。
Mr。Merriam——\"
\"Mynameisn’tMerriam，\"heresented，atlast，amisnomerwhichhadannoyedhimfromthefirst。
\"Oh，Iamsoglad！Don’ttellmewhatitis！\"shesaid，givingalaughwhichhadtogoonalittlebeforeherecognizedthehystericalqualityinit。Whenshecouldcheckitsheexplained：\"Nowwearenotevenacquainted，andIcanthankastrangerforthekindnessyouhaveshownme。Iamtrulygrateful。Willyoudomeanotherfavor？\"
\"Yes，\"Verrianassented;buthethoughthehadarighttoask，asthoughhehadnotpromised，\"Whatisit？\"
\"NottospeakofmetoMrs。Westangleunlessshespeaksofmefirst。\"
\"That’ssimple。Idon’tknowthatIshouldhaveanyrighttospeakofyou。\"
\"Ohyes，youwould。Shewillexpectyou，perhaps，tolaughaboutthelittleadventure，andIwouldrathershebeganthelaughingyouhavebeensogood。\"
\"Allright。Butwouldn’tmysilencemakeitrathermoreawkward？\"
\"Iwilltakecareoftheawkwardness，thankyou。Andyoupromise？\"
\"Yes，Ipromise。\"
\"Thatisverygoodofyou。\"Sheputherhandimpulsivelyacrossthegoat-skin，andgavehis，withwhichhetookitinsomesurprise，aquickclasp。Thentheywerebothsilent，andtheygotoutofthecarryallunderMrs。Westangle’sporte-cocherewithouthavingexchangedanotherword。MissShirleydidnotbowtohimorlookathiminparting。
X。
Verriankeptseeingbeforehisinnereyesthethinfaceofthegirl，dimmedratherthanlightedwithhersickyes。Whensheshouldbestronger，theremightbeapaleflushinit，likesunsetonsnow，butVerrianhadtoimaginethat。Hedidnotfinditdifficulttoimaginemanythingsaboutthegirl，whom，inanothermood，amorejudicialmood，hemighthaveaccusedofprovokinghimtoimaginethem。Asitwas，hecouldnothelpnotingtothatsecondselfwhichweallhaveaboutus，thatherconfidences，suchastheywere，hadperhapsbeentoovoluntary;
certainlytheyhadnotbeenquiteobligatory，andtheycouldnotbequiteaccountedfor，exceptuponthetheoryofnervesnotyetperfectlyunderhercontrol。Tobesure，girlssaidallsortsofthingstoone，ignorantlyandinnocently;butshedidnotseemthekindofgirlwho，indifferentcircumstances，wouldhavesaidanythingthatshedidnotchooseorthatshedidnotmeantosay。Shehadbeensurprisinglyfrank，andyet，atheart，Verrianwouldhavethoughtshewasaveryreticentpersonorasecretperson——thatis，mentallyfrankandsentimentallysecret;
possiblyshewaslikemostwomeninthat。Whathewassureofwasthatthevisualimpressionofherwhichhehadreceivedmusthavebeenveryvividtolastsolonginhisconsciousness;allthroughhispreparationsforgoingdowntoafternoonteaherfaceremainedsubjectivelybeforehim，andwhenhewentdownandfoundhimselfpartofalaughingandchatteringcompanyinthelibraryhestillfoundit，inhisinnersense，here，there，andyonder。
HewasawareofsufferingalittledisappointmentinMrs。Westangle’sentirefailuretomentionMissShirley，thoughhewasawarethathisdisappointmentwasaltogetherunreasonable，andhemorereasonablydecidedthatifsheknewanythingofhisarrival，ortheformofit，shehadtoomuchofthemakingofagrandedametoberecognizantofit。Hedidnotknowfromherwhethershehadmeanttosendforhimatthestationornot，orwhethershehadsenthercarriagebackforhimwhenhedidnotarriveinitatfirst。Nothingwasleftinhermannerofsuchslightspecializationasshehadthrownintoitwhen，attheMacroyds’，sheaskedhimdowntoherhouseparty;sheseemed，iftherewereanydifference，tohaveacquiredanadditionalignoranceofwhoandwhathewas，thoughshetwitteredandflitteredupclosetohiselbow，afterhisimpersonalwelcome，andaskedhimifshemightintroducehimtotheyoungladywhowaspouringteaforher，andwho，afterthebriefdramanecessaryforpossessinghimofacupofit，appearedtohavenomoreuseforhimthanMrs。Westangleherselfhad。Thereweremoreyoungmenthanyoungwomenintheroom，butheimaginedtheusualsuperabundanceofgirlhoodtemporarilyabsentforrepairofthefatiguesofthejourney。
Everygirlintheroomhadatleastonemantalkingtoher，andthegirlwhowaspouringteahadoneoneachsideofherandwastryingtofixthembothwithaneyeliftedtowardseach，whileshestruggledtokeepherunitedgazewatchfullyuponthetea-urnandthosewhocameupwithcupstobefilledorrefilled。
Verrianthoughthisfellow-guestswereallamiableenoughlooking，thoughhemadehisreflectionthattheydidnotlook，anyofthem，asiftheywouldsettheSoundonfire;andagainhemissedthecompanionofhisarrival。
Afterhehadgothiscupoftea，hestoodsippingitwithahomelessairwhichhetriedtoconceal，andcastafurtiveeyeroundtheroomtillitresteduponthelaughingfaceofMissMacroyd。Ayoungmanwastakingawayherteacup，andVerrianatoncewentupandseizedhisplace。
\"Howdidyougethere？\"sheasked，rathershamelessly，sinceshehadkepthimfromcominginthevictoria，butamusingly，sincesheseemedtoseeitasajoke，ifshesawitatall。
\"Iwalked，\"heanswered。
\"Truly？\"
\"No，nottruly。\"
\"But，truly，howdidyou？BecauseIsentthecarriagebackforyou。\"
\"Thatwasverythoughtfulofyou。ButIfoundadelightfulpublicvehiclebehindthestation，andIcameinthat。I’msogladtoknowthatitwasn’tMrs。Westanglewhohadthetroubleofsendingthecarriagebackforme。\"
MissMacroydlaughedandlaughedathisresentment。\"Butsurelyyoumetitontheway？Igavethemanadescriptionofyou。Didn’thestopforyou？\"
\"Ohyes，butIwastooproudtochangebythattime。OrperhapsIhatedthetrouble。\"
MissMacroydlaughedthemore;thenshepurposelydarkenedhercountenancesoastosuitittoherlugubriouswhisper，\"Howdidshegethere？\"
\"Whatshe？\"
\"Themysteriousfugitive。Wasn’tshecominghere，afterall？\"
\"Afterallyourtroubleinsupposingso？\"Verrianreflectedamoment，andthenhesaid，deliberately，\"Idon’tknow。\"
MissMacroydwasnotgoingtolethimofflikethat。\"Youdon’tknowhowshecame，oryoudon’tknowwhethershewascoming？\"
\"Ididn’tsay。\"
Herlaughresoundedagain。\"Nowyouaretryingtobewicked，andthatisverywrongforanovelist。\"
\"ButwhatobjectcouldIhaveinconcealingthefactfromyou，MissMacroyd？\"heentreated，withmockearnestness。
\"ThatiswhatIwanttofindout。\"
\"Whatareyoutwolaughingsoabout？\"thevoiceofMrs。WestangletwitteredatVerrian’selbow，and，lookingdown，hefoundheralmosttouchingit。Shehadaverylong，narrowneck，and，sinceitwaslongandnarrow，shehadthegoodsensenottopalliatethefactortrytodresstheeffectofitoutofsight。Shetookherneckinbothhands，asitwere，andputitmoreonshow，sothatyouhadreallytolikeit。Nowitliftedherface，thoughshewasnotatallperson，welltowardsthelevelofhis;tobesure，hewashimselfonlyofthemiddleheightofmen，thoughanaquilineprofilehelpedhimup。
Hestirredtheteawhichhehadceasedtodrink，andsaid，\"Iwasn’t’laughingsoabout，’Mrs。Westangle。ItwasMissMacroyd。\"
\"AndIwaslaughingsoaboutamysteriousstrangerthatcameuponthetrainwithusandgotoutatyourstation。\"
\"AndIwastryingtomakeoutwhatwassofunnyinamysteriousstranger，oreveninhergettingoutatyourstation。\"
Mrs。Westanglewasnotinterestedinthecase，orelseshefailedtoseizethejoke。Atanyrate，sheturnedfromthemwithoutfurtherquestionandwentawaytoanotherpartoftheroom，whereshesemi-
attachedherselfinlikemannertoanothercouple，andagainleftitforstillanother。Thiswaspossiblyherideaoflookingafterherguests;
butwhenshehadlookedafterthemalittlelongerinthatwayshelefttheroomandletthemlookafterthemselvestilldinner。
\"Come，Mr。Verrian，\"MissMacroydresumed，\"whatisthesecret？I’llnevertellifyoutellme。\"
\"Youwon’tifIdon’t。\"
\"Nowyouarebecomingmerelytrivial。Youareceasingeventobeprovoking。\"MissMacroyd，intokenofherdispleasure，laughednolonger。
\"AmI？\"hequestioned;thoughtfully。\"Well，then，Iamtemptedtoactuponimpulse。\"
\"Oh，doactuponimpulseforonce，\"sheurged。I’msureyou’llenjoyit。\"
\"DoyoumeanthatI’mneverimpulsive？\"
\"Idon’tthinkyoulookit。\"
\"IfyouhadseenmeanhouragoyouwouldhavesaidIwasveryimpulsive。
IthinkImayhaveexhaustedmyselfinthatdirection，however。Ifeeltheimpulsefailingmenow。\"
XI。
Hisimpulsereallyhadfailedhim。IthadbeentotellMissMacroydabouthisadventureandfranklytrustherwithit。Hehadlikedheratseveralformermeetingsratherincreasingly，becauseshehadseemedopenandhonestbeyondthemostofwomen，butherpiggishbehavioratthestationhadbeenrathertooopenandhonest，andthesenseofthisnowopportunelyintervenedbetweenhimandthefollyhewasabouttocommit。
Besides，hehadnorighttogiveMissShirley’spartinhisadventureaway，and，sincetheaffairwasmorevitallyhersthanhis，totakeitatalloutofherhands。Theearly-fallingduskhadfavoredanunnoticedadventforthem，andtherewereotherchancesthathadhelpedkeepunknowntheirarrivaltogetheratMrs。Westangle’sinthatsqualidcarryall，suchasMissShirley’shavingmanagedinstantlytoslipindoorsbeforethemancameoutforVerrian’ssuit-case，andofherhavinggottoherownappointedplacelongbeforetherewasanydescentofthecompanytotheafternoontea。
Itwasnotforhimnowtoundoallthatandbeginthelaughingattheaffair，whichshehadpatheticallyintimatedthatshewouldrathersomeoneelseshouldbegin。Herecoiledfromhisimprudencewithashock，buthehadthepleasureofhavingmystifiedMissMacroyd。Hefeltdismissalintherovingeyewhichshecastfromhimroundtheroom，andhewillinglyletanotheryoungmanreplacehimatherside。
Yethewasnotaltogethersatisfied。Acertainmeanerselfthattherewasinhimwasnotpleasedwithhisrelegationevenmerelyinhisownconsciousnesstothechampionshipofagirlwhowasgoingtomakeherlivinginasortofmenialway。Ithadbetterbeownedforhimthat，inhisvisionsofliteraryglory，hehadfiguredinsocialtriumphswhich，thoughvague，wereresplendentwiththeglitterofsmartcircles。Hehadbeensoignorantofsuchcirclesastosupposetheywouldhavesomeuseforhimasabrilliantyoungauthor;andthoughhewasoutwearingthisillusion，hestillwouldnothavelikedagirllikeJuliaMacroyd，whosefamily，ifnotsmart，wasatleastchic，toknowthathehadcometothehousewithaprofessionalmistressoftherevels，untilMissShirleyshouldhaveapprovedherselfchic，too。Thenotionofsuchanemploymentasherswasinitselfchic，butthegirlwasmerelyapaidpartoftheentertainment，asyet，andhadnotrisenabovethehirelingstatus。Ifshehadsunktothatlevelfromahigherrankitwouldbeallright，buttherewasnoevidencethatshehadeverbeensmart。Verrianwould，therefore，rathernotbemixedupwithher——atanyrate，intheimaginationofagirllikeJuliaMacroyd;andashelefthersidehedrewalongbreathofreliefandwentandputdownhisteacupwherehehadgotit。
Bythistimethegirlwhowas\"pouring\"hadexhaustedoneofthetwooriginalguardsonwhomshehadbeendividinghervision，andVerrianmadeapretence，whichshefavored，thathehadcomeuptopushthemanaway。Themangracefullysubmittedtobedislodged，andVerrianremainedintheenjoymentofoneofthegirl’sdistortedeyestill，yetanothermancomingup，sheabruptlygotridofVerrianbypresentinghimtoyetanothergirl。Insuchmanoeuvresthehourofafternoonteawillpass;
andthetimereallyworeontillitwastimetodressfordinner。
Bythetimethattheguestscamedowntodinnertheywereallabletoparticipateintheexchangeofthediscoverywhicheachhadmade，thatitwassnowingoutdoors，andtheykeptthisgoingtillonegirlhadthegood-lucktosay，\"Idon’tseeanythingsoastonishinginthatatthistimeofyear。Now，ifitwassnowingindoors，itwouldbedifferent。\"
Thisrelievedthetensioninagenerallaugh，andayoungmantriedtocontributefurthertothegayetybydeclaringthatitwouldnotbesurprisingtohaveitsnowin-doors。Hehadonceseenthethingdoneinacrowdedhall，onenight，whensomebodyputupawindow，andthefreezingcurrentofaircongealedtherespirationofthecrowd，whichcamedowninalightfallofsnow-flakes。HeownedthatitwasinBoston。
\"Oh，thatexcusesit，then，\"MissMacroydsaid。Butshelostthelaughwhichwasherdueintherushwhichsomeoftheothersmadetoopenawindowandseewhetheritcouldbemadetosnowin-doorsthere。
\"Oh，itisn’tcrowdedenoughhere，\"theyoungmanexplainedwhohadallegedthescientificmarvel。
\"Anditisn’tBoston，\"MissMacroydtriedagainonthesamestring，andthistimeshegotherlaugh。
Thegirlwhohadfirstspokenremained，attheriskofpneumonia，withherarmprettilyliftedagainsttheopensash，foramomentpeeringout，andthenreported，indashingitdownwithashiver，\"Itseemstobeaverysoftsnow。\"
\"Thenitwillberainbymorning，\"anotherpredicted，andthegirltriedhardtothinkofsomethingtosayinsupportofthehitshehadmadealready。Butshecouldnot，andwassilentalmostthroughthewholefirstcourseatdinner。
Inspiteofitsbeingasoftsnow，itcontinuedtofallassnowandnotasrain。Itlentthecharmofstormycoldwithouttothebrightnessandwarmthwithin。Muchlater，whenbetweenwaltzessomeofthedancerswentoutontheverandasforabreathofair，theycamebackreportingthatthewindwasrisingandthesnowwasdrifting。
Uponthewhole，thesnowwasagreatsuccess，andherguestscongratulatedMrs。Westangleonhavingthoughttohaveit。Thefelicitationsincludedrecognitionoftheoriginalityofherwholescheme。ShehaddownedthehoarysuperstitionthatpeoplehadtoomuchofagoodtimeonChristmastowantanygoodtimeatallintheweekfollowing;andinactinguponthewell-knownfactthatyouneverwantedaholidaysomuchasthedayafteryouhadone，shehadmadeamovementofthehighestsocialimportance。TheseweretheideaswhichVerrianandtheyoungmanofthein-doorssnow-stormurgeduponher;hisnamewasBushwick，andheandVerrianfoundthattheywereverygood-fellowsaftertheyhadrathersupposedthecontrary。
Mrs。Westanglereceivedtheirideaswiththetwitteringreticencethatdeceivedsomanypeoplewhentheysupposedsheknewwhattheyweretalkingabout。
XII。
Atbreakfast，wheretheguestswerereasonablypunctual，theywereallabletoobserve，intherapidsuccessioninwhichtheydescendedfromtheirrooms，thatithadstoppedsnowingandthesunwasshiningbrilliantly。
\"Thereisn’tenoughforsleighing，\"Mrs。Westangleproclaimedfromtheheadofthetableinherhightwitter，\"andthereisn’tanycoastinghereinthisflatcountryformiles。\"
\"Thenwhatarewegoingtodowithit？\"oneoftheyoungladieshumorouslypouted。
\"That’swhatIwasgoingtosuggest，\"Mrs。Westanglereplied。Shepronouncedit’sujjest’，butnoonefeltthatitmattered。\"And，ofcourse，\"shecontinued，\"youneedn’tanyofyoudoitifyoudon’tlike。\"
\"We’llalldoit，Mrs。Westangle，\"Bushwicksaid。\"Weareunanimousinthat。\"
\"Perhapsyou’llthinkitratherfunny——odd，\"shesaid。
\"Theodderthebetter，Ithink，\"Verrianventured，andanothermandeclaredthatnothingMrs。Westanglewoulddowasodd，thougheverythingwasoriginal。
\"Well，thereissuchathingasbeingtoooriginal，\"shereturned。Thensheturnedherheadasideandlookeddownatsomethingbesideherplateandsaid，withoutliftinghereyes，\"YouknowthatintheMiddleAgesthereusedtobeflower-fightsamongtheyoungnobilityinItaly。Thewomenheldatower，andthemenattackeditwithrosesandflowersgenerally。\"
\"Why，isthisaspeech？\"MissMacroydinterrupted。
\"Aspeechfromthethrone，yes，\"Bushwicksolemnlycorrectedher。\"Andshe’sgotitwrittendown，likeaqueen——haven’tyou，Mrs。Westangle？\"
\"Yes，Ithoughtitwouldbemorerespectful。\"
\"Shecomingout，\"BushwicksaidtoVerrianacrossthetable。
\"AndifIgotmixedupIcouldgobackandstraightenit，\"thehostessdeclared，withagood——humoredcandorthattookthegeneralfancy，\"andyoucouldunderstandwithoutsomuchexplaining。Wehaven’tgotflowersenoughatthisseason，\"shewenton，lookingdownagainatthepaperbesideherplate，\"butwehappentohaveplentyofsnowballs，andthenotionistohavethewomenoccupyasnowtowerandthemenattackthemwithsnowballs。\"
\"Why，\"Bushwicksaid，\"thisisthesnow-fortbusinessofourboyhood！
Let’sgooutandfortifytheladiesatonce。\"HeappealedtoVerrianandmadeafeintofpushinghischairback。\"Mayweusewater-soakedsnowballs，ormusttheyallbesoftandharmless？\"heaskedofMrs。
Westangle，whowasnowthecentreofastormofapplauseandquestionfromthewholetable。
Shekeptherheadandreferredagaintoherpaper。\"Themissilesoftheassailantsaretobeverysoftsnowballs，hardlymorethanmereclots，sothatnobodycanbehurtintheassault，butthedefendersmayrepeltheassailantswithhardersnowballs。\"
\"Oh，\"MissMacroydprotested，\"thisisconsultingtheweaknessofoursex。\"
\"Inthefuryoftheonsetwe’llforgetit，\"Verrianreassuredher。
\"Doyouthinkyoureallywill，Mr。Verrian？\"sheasked。\"Whatisallourathletictrainingtogoforifyoudo？\"
Mrs。Westanglereadon：
\"Thetermsofcapitulationcanbearrangedontheground，whetherthecastleiscarriedortheassailingpartyaremadeprisonersbyitsdefenders。\"
\"Hopelesscaptivityineithercase！\"Bushwicklamented。
\"Isn’titratheracademic？\"MissMacroydaskedofVerrian，inalowvoice。
\"I’mafraid，rather，\"heowned。
\"Butwhyareyousoserious？\"shepursued。
\"AmIserious？\"heretorted，withatraceofexasperation;andshelaughed。
TheirparleywasquitelostintheclamorwhichragedupanddownthetabletillMrs。Westangleendeditbysaying，\"There’snoobligationonanyonetotakepartinthehostilities。Therewon’tbeanyconscription;it’safreefightthatwillbeopentoeverybody。\"Shefoldedthepapershehadbeenreadingfromandputitinherlap，indefaultofapocket。Shewentonimpromptu：
\"Youneedn’ttroubleaboutbuildingthefort，Mr。Bushwick。I’vehadthefarmerandhismenworkingatthecastlesincedaybreak，andtheladieswillfinditallreadyforthem，whenthey’rereadytodefendit，downinthemeadowbeyondtheedgeofthebirchlot。Thebattlewon’tbegintilleleveno’clock。\"
Sherose，andtheclamorroseagainwithher，andherguestscrushedabouther，demandingtobeallowedatleasttogoandlookatthecastleimmediately。
Oneofthemen’svoicesasked，\"MayIbeoneofthedefenders，Mrs。
Westangle？Iwanttobeonthewinningside，sure。\"
\"Oh，isthisgoingtobeacircuschariot-race？\"anotherlamented。
\"No，indeed，\"agirlcried，\"it’stobetherealthing。\"
ItfelltoVerrian，intheassortmentofcouplesinwhichMrs。
Westangle’sguestssalliedouttoviewtheproposedsceneofaction，tofindhimself，nottoowillingly，atMissMacroyd’sside。InhisheartandinhismindhewasdefendingtheamusementwhichheinstantlydivinedasnoinventionofMrs。Westangle’s，andbothhisheartandhismindmisgavehimaboutthisfirstessayofMissShirleyinhernewenterprise。
Itwas，asMissMacroydhadsuggested，academic，andatthesametimeithadadangerinitofbeingtomboyish。Golf，tennis，riding，boating，swimming——allthevigoroussportsinwhichwomennowexcel——wereboldlyathletic，andyetyoucouldnotfeelquitethattheyweretomboyish。WasitbecausethebentofMissShirleywassoacademicthatshewasperilingupontomboyishnesswithoutknowingitinthisprimalinspirationofhers？
Inwardlyheresentedthewordacademic，althoughoutwardlyhehadassentedtoitwhenMissMacroydproposedit。TobeacademicwouldbeevenmorefataltoMissShirley’sambitionthantobetomboyish，andhethoughtwithpathosofthattouchabouttheItaliannobilityintheMiddleAges，andhowlittleitcouldhavemovedthetoughfanciesofthatcrowdofwell-groomedyoungpeopleatthebreakfast-tablewhenMrs。
Westanglebroughtitoutwithherignorantacceptanceofitasasocialforce。Afterall，MissMacroydwasabouttheonlyonewhocouldhavefeltitinthewayitwasmeant，andshehadchosentosmileatit。Hewonderedifpossiblyshecouldfeelthesecondarypathosofitashedid。
Buttomaketalkwithherhemerelyasked：
\"Doyouintendtotakepartinthefray？\"
\"NotunlessIcanbeoneofthereservecorpsthatwon’tneedtobebroughtuptillit’sallover。I’venoideaofgettingmyhairdown。\"
\"Ah，\"hesighed，\"youthinkit’sgoingtoberude：\"
\"Thatisoneofthechances。Butyouseemtobesufferingaboutit，Mr。
Verrian！\"shesaid，and，ofcourse，shelaughed。
\"Who？I？\"hereturned，inthetemptationtodenyit。Butheresisted。
\"Ialwayssufferwhenthere’sanythingsillyhappening，asifIweredoingitmyself。Don’tyou？\"
\"No，thankyou，Ibelievenot。Butperhapsyouaredoingthis？Onecan’tsupposeMrs。Westangleimaginedit。\"
\"No，Ican’tpleadguilty。Butwhyisn’titpredicableofMrs。
Westangle？\"
\"Youmustn’tasktoomuchofme，Mr。Verrian。Somehow，Iwon’tsayhow，it’sbeenimaginedforher。She’sheardofitsbeingdonesomewhere。Itcan’tbesupposedshe’sreadofit，anywhere。\"
\"No，Idaresaynot。\"
MissMacroydcameoutwithherlaugh。\"Ishouldliketoknowwhatshemakesofyou，Mr。Verrian，whensheisalonewithherself。Shemusthavelookedyouupandauthenticatedyouinherownway，butitwouldbeasfarfromyourwayas——well，say——theMilkyWay。\"
\"Youdon’tthinksheaskedmebecauseshemetmeatyourhouse？\"
\"No，thatwouldn’tbeenough，fromherpointofview。Shemeanstogomuchfurtherthanwe’veevergot。\"
\"Thenayearfromnowshewouldn’taskme？\"
\"Itdependsuponwhoasksyouinthemeantime。
Youmightgettobeafad，andthenshewouldfeelthatshewouldhavetohaveyou。\"
\"You’renotflatteringme？\"
\"Doyoufinditflattering？\"
\"Itisn’texactlymyideaoftherewardI’vebeenworkingfor。WhatshallIdotobeafad？\"
\"Well，ratherdegradingstunts，ifyoumeaninthesmartset。Jumpaboutonallfoursandpickupawoman’sumbrellawithyourteeth，andbark。
Anythingelsewouldbeeasierforyouamongchicpeople，whereyourbrilliancywouldcount。\"
\"Brilliancy？Oh，thankyou！Goon。\"
\"Now，agirl——ifyouwereagirl——\"
\"Ohyes，ifIwereagirl！Thatwillbesomuchmoreinteresting。\"
\"Agirl，\"MissMacroydcontinued，\"mightdoitbyposingeffectivelyforamateurphotography。Ordoingsomethingoriginalindramaticsorpantomimicsorrecitation——butveryoriginal，becausechicpeoplearecritical。Orifshehadagiftforgettingupthingsthatwouldshowothergirlsoff;orsuggestingamusements;butthatwouldberatherinthelineofswellpeople，whoarenotgoodatgettingupthingsandaregladofhelp。\"
\"Isee，Isee！\"Verriansaid，eagerly。Buthewalkedalonglookingdownatthesnow，andnotmeetingthelaughingglancethatMissMacroydcastathisface。\"Well？\"
\"Ibelievethat’sall，\"shesaid，sharply。Sheadded，lesssharply：
\"Shecouldn’taffordtofail，though，atanypoint。Thefadthatfailsisextinguishedforever。Willthesesimplefactsdoforfiction？Orisitforsomebodyinreallifeyou’reasking，Mr。Verrian？\"
\"Oh，forfiction。Andthankyouverymuch。Oh，that’sratherpretty！\"
XIII。
Theyhadcomeintothemeadowwherethesnowbattlewastobe，andonitsslope，againstthedarkweftoftheyoungbirch-trees，therewasamimiccastleoutlinedinthemasonryofwhiteblocksquarriedfromthedriftsandbuiltupincourseslikeroughblocksofmarble。Adecorationofgreenfromthepinesthatmixedwiththebircheshadbeensuggestedratherthanexecuted，andwasperhapsthemoreeffectiveforitssketchiness。
\"Yes，it’sreallybeautiful，\"MissMacroydowned，andthoughshedidnotjoinhercriestothoseoftheothergirls，whostoodscatteredaboutadmiringit，andlaughingandchatteringwiththemenwhoseapplause，ofcourse，tookthejocoseform，therewasnodoubtbutsheadmiredit。
\"WhatIcan’tunderstandishowMrs。Westanglegotthenotionofthis。
There’sthesopranonoteinit，andsomewomanmusthavegivenittoher。\"
\"Notcontralto，possibly？\"Verrianasked。
\"Iinsistuponthesoprano，\"shesaid。
Buthedidnotnoticewhatshesaid。Hiseyeswerefollowingafigurewhichseemedtobeescapingupthroughthebirchesbehindthesnowcastleandploughingitswaythroughthedrifts;infrontofthestructuretheyhadbeenlevelledtomakeaneasierbattle-field。HeknewthatitwasMissShirley，andheinferredthatshehadbeeninthecastledirectingthefarm——handsbuildingit，andnow，beingcaughtbytheprematurearrivalofthecontestingforces，hadfledbeforethemandlefthersubordinatestofinishthework。Hefelt，withathroeofhelplesssympathy，thatshewasundertakingtoomuch。Itwashazardousenoughtoattemptthepracticeofhernovelprofessionunderthebestofcircumstances，buttokeepherselfinabeyancesofarasnottobeknownatallinit，and，atthesametime，togivewaytoherinterestinittotheextentofcomingout，withherinfirmlyestablishedhealth，intothatwintryweather，andsuperintendingthepreparationsforthefirstfollyshehadplanned，wasariskaltogethertoogreatforher。
Whointheworld，\"MissMacroydsuddenlydemanded，\"isthepersonflounderingaboutinthebirchwoods？\"
\"Perhapsthesoprano，\"Verrianreturned，hardily。
BushwickdetachedhimselffromagroupofgirlsnearbyandinterceptedanyresponsefromMissMacroydtoVerrianbycallingtoherbeforehecameup，\"Areyougoingtobeoneoftheenemy，MissMacroyd？\"
\"No，IthinkIwillbeneutral。\"Sheadded，\"Istheregoingtobeanysuchthingasanumpire？\"
\"Wehadn’tthoughtofthat。Therecouldbe。Theofficecouldbecreated;but，youknow，it’sthepostofdanger。\"
VerrianjoinedthegroupthatBushwickhasleft。Hefoundagreatscepticismastothecombat，mixedwithsomeadmirationforthecastle，andhesethimselftocontesttheprevalentfeeling。Whatwasthematterwithasnow-fight？hedemanded。Itwouldbegreatfun。Decidedlyhewasgoinginforit。Herevivedthedroopingsentimentinitsfavor，andthen，flownwithhissuccess，hewentfromgrouptogroupandcoupletocouple，andanimatedallwithhiszeal，whichcame，hehardlyknewwhence;whathepretendedtotheotherswasthattheywereratherboundnottoletMrs。Westangle’sschemefallthrough。Theirdoubtsvanishedbeforehim，andthetermsofthebattlewerequicklyarranged。Hesaidhehadreadofoneofthosemediaevalflower-fights，andhecouldtellthemhowthatwasdone。Whereitwouldnotfitintothesnow-fight，theycouldtrusttoinspiration;everyrealbattlewastheeffectofinspiration。
Hecameout，andsomeoftheyoungwomenandmostoftheyoungmen，whohaddimlyknownofhimasasortofcelebrity，andsuspectedhimofbeingaprig，werereconciled，andacceptedhimforanicefellow，andbecameofhisopinionastothedetailsoftheamusementbeforethem。
ItwasnotveryHomeric，whenitcameoff，orverymediaeval，butitwasreallylotsoffun，orfarmorefunthanonewouldhavethought。Thestormingofthecastlewasverysincere，andthefortresswashonestlydefended。MissMacroydwasmadeumpire，asshewished，andprovidedwithalargesnowballtositonatasafedistance;asshewaschosenbythemen，thegirlswantedtohaveanumpireoftheirown，whowouldbereallyfair，andtheyvotedVerrianintotheoffice。Butherefused，partlybecausehedidnotcareaboutbeingpairedoffwithMissMacroydsoconspicuously，andpartlybecausehewishedtohelpthefightalong。
Attacksweremadeandrepelled，andtherewerefeatsofindividualandcollectivedaringonthesideofthedefenderswhichwerenonethelessdaringbecausetheassailantsstoppedtocheerthem，andtodisablethemselvesbylaughingatthefuryofthefoe。Adetachmentoftheyoungmenatlaststormedthecastleandsoweakeneditswallsthattheytoppledinward;thenthedefenders，tosavethemselvesfrombeingburiedundertheavalanche，swarmedoutintotheopenandmadetheentireforceoftheenemyprisoners。
Themenpretendedthatthiswaswhatmighthavebeenexpectedfromthebeginning，butbythistimetheBerserkermadnesshadpossessedMissMacroyd，too;sheleftherthroneofsnowandcameforwardshoutingthatithadbeenperfectlyfair，andthatthemenhadbeenreallybeaten，andtheyhadnorighttopretendthattheyhadgiventhemselvesuppurposely。
Thesex-partisanship，whichissuchadrollfactinwomenwhenthereisanyquestionoftheirgeneraloppositiontomen，possessedthemall，andtheystoodas，onegirlfortherealityoftheirtriumph。Thisdidnotpreventthemfromdeclaringthatthemenhadbehavedwithoutrageousunfairness，andthattheonlyonewhofoughtwithabsolutesincerityfromfirsttolastwasMr。Verrian。
NeithertheirunityofconvictionconcerningthegeneralfactnorthesurprisingdeductionfromitinVerrian’scaseoperatedtomakethemrefusethehelpoftheircaptivesingettinghome。Whentheyhadbounduptheirtumbledhair，insomecases，andrepairedtheravagesofwaramongtheirfeathersandfursanddraperies，inothercases，theyacceptedthehandsofthelateenemyatdifficultpointsofthepath。
Buttheyranforwardwhentheynearedthehouse，andtheywereprompttoscreamuponMrs。Westanglethatthereneverhadbeensuchasuccessorsuchfun，andthattheywerealmostdead，andsoonastheyhadsomethingtoeattheyweregoingtobedandnevergoingtogetupagain。
Inthedetailswhichtheywereabletogiveatluncheon，theydidjusticetoVerrian’snoblepartinthewholeaffair，whichhadsavedtheday，notonlyinkeepingthemuptotheworkwhentheyhadgotthinkingitcouldn’tbecarriedthrough，butingivingthecombatavaliditywhichitwouldnothavehadwithouthim。Theyhadtothankhim，nexttoMrs。
Westangleherself，whomtheypraisedbeyondanyarticulateexpression，forthinkingupsuchadelightfulthing。Theywonderedhowshecouldeverhavethoughtofit——suchasimplethingtoo;andtheyweresurethatwhenpeopleheardofittheywouldallbewantingtohavesnowbattles。
Mrs。Westangletookherpraisesaspassively，ifnotasmodestly，asVerrianreceivedhis。Shemadenoshowofdisclaimingthem，butshehadtheart，invaluableinawomanwhomeanttogofarinthelineshehadchosen，ofnotseemingtohavedoneanything，orofnotcaringwhetherpeoplelikeditornot。Verrianaskedhimself，ashewatchedhertwitteringbackatthosegirls，andsheddingequallytheirthanksandpraisesfromherimpermeableplumage，howshewouldhavebehavedifMissShirley’sattempthadbeenanentirefailure。Hedecidedthatshewouldhaveignoredthefailurewiththesameimpersonalityasthatwithwhichshenowignoredthesuccess。Itappearedthatinonepointhedidherinjustice，forwhenhewentuptodressfordinnerafterthelongstrollhetooktowardsnighthefoundanoteunderhisdoor，bywhichhemustinferthatMrs。Westanglehadnotkepttherealfactsofhertriumphfromthemistressoftherevels。
\"DEARMR。VERRIAN，Iamnotlikelytoseeyou，butImustthankyou。
M。SHIRLEY。
\"P。S。Don’ttrytoanswer，please。\"
Verrianliked，thenote，heevenlikedtheimpulsewhichhaddictatedit，andheunderstoodtheimpulse;buthedidnotlikegettingthenote。IfMissShirleymeantbusinessintakingupthelineoflifeshehadprofessedtohaveentereduponseriously，shehadbetter，inthecaseofayoungmanwhoseacquaintanceshehadchancedtomake，lethergratitudewait。Butwhendidawomanevermeanbusiness，exceptintheonegreatbusiness？
XIV。
TohavegotthatsillilysuperfluousnotetoVerrianwithoutanyone’sknowingbesides，MissShirleymusthavestolentohisdoorherselfandslippeditunder。Inordertodothisunsuspectedandunseen，shemusthavefoundoutinsomesortthatwouldnotgiveherawaywhichhisroomwas，andthenwatchedherchance。Itallarguedapervasivenessinher，aftersuchabriefsojourninthehouse，andamasteryoffinessethathedidnotlike，though，hereflected，hewasnotauthorizedtolikeordislikeanythingabouther。Hewasthirty-sevenyearsold，andhehadnotlivedthroughthattime，withhismotherathiselbowtosuggestinferencesfromfacts，withoutbeingversedinwileswhich，evenwhentheywerehonest，werealwayswiles，andinlureswhich，whentheywereofthemostgossamertenuity，wereyetoftexturecloseenoughtomakethemanwhoblunderedthroughthemawarethattheyhadbeenthrownacrosshispath。Heunderstood，ofcourse，thattheyweresometimeshelplesslythrownacrossit，andweremereexpressionsofabstractwomanwithrelationtoabstractman，butthatdidnotchangetheirnature。Hedidnotabhorthem，buthebelievedheknewthem，andhebelievednowthathedetectedoneoftheminMissShirley’snote。Ofcourse，onecouldtakeanotherviewofit。Onecouldsaytoone’sselfthatshewasreallysoferventlygratefulthatshecouldnottrustsomeaccidenttobringthemtogetherinaplacewhereshewasmerelyapartofthecatering，asshesaid，andhewasaguest，andthatshewasexcusable，oratleastmercifullyexplicable，inherwishtohavehimknowthatsheappreciatedhisgoodness。Verrianhadbeenverygood，heknewthat;hehadsavedthedayforthepoorthingwhenitwasindangerofthedreariestkindofslump。Shewasapoorthing，asanywomanwaswhohadtomakeherownway，andshehadbeensickandwascharming。Besides，shehadfoundouthisnameandhadprobablyrecognizedaqualityofcelebrityinit，unknowntotheotheryoungpeoplewithwhomhefoundhimselfsostrangelyassortedunderMrs。Westangle’sroof。
Intheend，anduponthewhole，Verrianwouldratherhaveliked，ifthethingcouldhavebeenmadetohappen，meetingMissShirleylongenoughtodisclaimmeritingherthanks，andtoascribetotheintrinsicvalueofherschemethebrilliantsuccessithadachieved。Thiswouldnothavebeentrue，butitwouldhavebeenencouragingtoher;andinthereverywhichfolloweduponhisconditionaldesirehehadalongimaginaryconversationwithher，anddiscussedallherotherplansfortherevelsoftheweek。Thesehadnotthetroubleofdefiningthemselvesverydistinctlyintheconversationinordertowinhisapplause，andtheirconsiderationdidnotcarryhimwithMissShirleybeyondthestrictlyprofessionalgroundonwhichtheymet。
Shehadapparentlyinventednothingforthatevening，andthehousepartywaslefttoitsownresourcesindancingandsittingoutdances，whichapparentlyfullysufficedit。Theywerealltired，andbrokeupearly。
Thewomentooktheircandlesandwentofftobed，andthemenwenttothebilliard-roomtosmoke。Onthewaydownfromhisroom，wherehehadgonetoputonhissmoking-jacket，VerrianmetMissMacroydcomingup，candleinhand，andreceivedfromheratacitintimationthathemightstopherforajokinggood-night。
\"Ihopeyou’llsleepwellonyourlaurelsasumpire，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，thankyou，\"shereturned，\"andIhopeyourlaurelswon’tkeepyouawake。Itmustseemtoyouasifitwasblowingaperfectgaleinthem。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Ididnothing。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tmeanyourpromotionofthesnowbattle。Buthaven’tyouheard？\"Hestared。\"You’vebeenfoundout！\"
\"Foundout？\"Verrian’ssoulwasfilledwiththejoyofliteraryfame。
\"Yes。Youcan’tconcealyourselfnow。You’reVerriantheactor。\"
\"Theactor？\"Verrianfrownedblacklyinhisdisgust，soblacklythatMissMacroydlaughedaloud。
\"Yes，thecomingmatineeidol。Oneofthegirlsrecognizedyouassoonasyoucameintothehouse，andthenamesettledit，though，ofcourse，you’resupposedtobehereincognito。\"
ThementionofthatnamewhichheenjoyedincommonwiththeactormadeVerrianfurious，forwhentheactorfirstappearedwithitinNewYorkVerrianhadbeenatthepainstofindoutthatitwasnothisrealname，andthathehadmerelytakenitbecauseoftheweakqualityofromanceinit，whichVerrianhimselfhadalwaysdisliked。But，ofcourse，hecouldnotventhisfuryonMissMacroyd。Allhecoulddowastoask，\"Thentheyhavegotmyphotographontheirdressing-tables，withcandlesburningbeforeit？\"
\"No，Idon’tbelieveIcangiveyouthatcomfort。Thefactis，youractingisnotmuchadmiredamongthegirlshere，buttheythinkyouareunexpectedlyniceasaprivateperson。\"
\"That’ssomething。AnddoesMrs。WestanglethinkI’mtheactor，too？\"
\"HowshouldMrs。Westangleknowwhatshethinks？Andifshedoesn’t，howshouldI？\"
\"That’strue。Andareyougoingtogivemeaway？\"
\"Ihaven’tdoneityet。Butisn’titbesttobehonest？\"
\"Itmightn’tbeasuccess。\"
\"Thehonesty？\"
\"Myliterarycelebrity。\"
\"There’sthat，\"MissMacroydrejoiced。\"Well，sofarI’vemerelysaidI
wassureyouwerenotVerriantheactor。I’llthinktheotherpartover。\"Shewentonup-stairs，withthesoundofherlaughfollowingher，andVerrianwentgloomilybacktothebilliard-room，wherehefoundmostofthesmokersconspicuouslyyawning。Helightedafreshcigar，andwhilehesmokedtheydroppedawayonebyonetillonlyBushwickwasleft。