CHAPTERI
ThehousesweredarkintheAugustnightandtheperspectiveofBeaconStreet，withitsdoublechainoflamps，wasaforeshorteneddesert。Theclubonthehillalone，fromitssemi-cylindricalfront，projectedaglowupontheduskyvaguenessoftheCommon，andasI
passeditIheardinthehotstillnesstheclickofapairofbilliard-balls。As\"everyone\"wasoutoftownperhapstheservants，intheextravaganceoftheirleisure，wereprofaningthetables。TheheatwasinsufferableandIthoughtwithjoyofthemorrow，ofthedeckofthesteamer，thefresheningbreeze，thesenseofgettingouttosea。IwasevengladofwhatIhadlearnedintheafternoonattheofficeofthecompany——thatattheeleventhhouranoldshipwithalowerstandardofspeedhadbeenputoninplaceofthevesselinwhichIhadtakenmypassage。Americawasroasting，Englandmightverywellbestuffy，andaslowpassage（whichatthatseasonoftheyearwouldprobablyalsobeafineone）wasaguaranteeoftenortwelvedaysoffreshair。
Istrolleddownthehillwithoutmeetingacreature，thoughIcouldseethroughthepalingsoftheCommonthatthatrecreativeexpansewaspeopledwithdimforms。IrememberedMrs。Nettlepoint’shouse——
shelivedinthosedays（theyarenotsodistant，buttherehavebeenchanges）onthewater-side，alittlewaybeyondthespotatwhichthePublicGardenterminates；andIreflectedthatlikemyselfshewouldbespendingthenightinBostonifitweretruethat，ashadbeenmentionedtomeafewdaysbeforeatMountDesert，shewastoembarkonthemorrowforLiverpool。Ipresentlysawthisappearanceconfirmedbyalightaboveherdoorandintwoorthreeofherwindows，andIdeterminedtoaskforher，havingnothingtodotillbedtime。Ihadcomeoutsimplytopassanhour，leavingmyhoteltotheblazeofitsgasandtheperspirationofitsporters；butitoccurredtomethatmyoldfriendmightveryWELLnotknowofthesubstitutionofthePatagoniafortheScandinavia，sothatIshouldbedoingheraservicetopreparehermind。Besides，Icouldoffertohelpher，tolookafterherinthemorning：lonewomenaregratefulforsupportintakingshipforfarcountries。
ItcametomeindeedasIstoodonherdoor-stepthatasshehadasonshemightnotafterallbesolone；yetIrememberedatthesametimethatJasperNettlepointwasnotquiteayoungmantoleanupon，having——asIatleastsupposed——alifeofhisownandtastesandhabitswhichhadlongsincedivertedhimfromthematernalside。Ifhedidhappenjustnowtobeathomemysolicitudewouldofcourseseemofficious；forinhismanywanderings——Ibelievedhehadroamedallovertheglobe——hewouldcertainlyhavelearnedhowtomanage。
Nonetheless，infine，IwasverygladtoshowMrs。NettlepointI
thoughtofher。WithmylongabsenceIhadlostsightofher；butI
hadlikedherofold，shehadbeenagoodfriendtomysisters，andI
hadinregardtoherthatsensewhichispleasanttothosewhoingeneralhavegoneastrayorgotdetached，thesensethatsheatleastknewallaboutme。IcouldtrustheratanytimetotellpeopleI
wasrespectable。PerhapsIwasconsciousofhowlittleIdeservedthisindulgencewhenitcameovermethatIhadn’tbeennearherforages。ThemeasureofthatneglectwasgivenbymyvaguenessofmindaboutJasper。However，Ireallybelongednowadaystoadifferentgeneration；Iwasmorethemother’scontemporarythantheson’s。
Mrs。Nettlepointwasathome：Ifoundherinherbackdrawing-room，wherethewidewindowsopenedtothewater。Theroomwasdusky——itwastoohotforlamps——andshesatslowlymovingherfanandlookingoutonthelittlearmoftheseawhichissoprettyatnight，reflectingthelightsofCambridgeportandCharlestown。Isupposedshewasmusingonthelovedonesshewastoleavebehind，hermarrieddaughters，hergrandchildren；butshestruckanotemorespecificallyBostonianasshesaidtome，pointingwithherfantotheBackBay：
\"Ishallseenothingmorecharmingthanthatoverthere，youknow！\"
Shemademeverywelcome，buthersonhadtoldheraboutthePatagonia，forwhichshewassorry，asthiswouldmeanalongervoyage。Shewasapoorcreatureinanyboatandmainlyconfinedtohercabineveninweatherextravagantlytermedfine——asifanyweathercouldbefineatsea。
\"Ahthenyourson’sgoingwithyou？\"Iasked。
\"Herehecomes，he’lltellyouforhimselfmuchbetterthanIcanpretendto。\"JasperNettlepointatthatmomentjoinedus，dressedinwhiteflannelandcarryingalargefan。\"Well，mydear，haveyoudecided？\"hismothercontinuedwithnoscantirony。\"Hehasn’tyetmadeuphismind，andwesailatteno’clock！\"
\"Whatdoesitmatterwhenmythingsareputup？\"theyoungmansaid。
\"There’snocrowdatthismoment；therewillbecabinstospare。I’mwaitingforatelegram——thatwillsettleit。Ijustwalkeduptotheclubtoseeifitwascome——they’llsendittherebecausetheysupposethishouseunoccupied。Notyet，butIshallgobackintwentyminutes。\"
\"Mercy，howyourushaboutinthistemperature！\"thepoorladyexclaimedwhileIreflectedthatitwasperhapsHISbilliard-ballsI
hadheardtenminutesbefore。Iwassurehewasfondofbilliards。
\"Rush？notintheleast。Itakeituncommoneasy。\"
\"AhI’mboundtosayyoudo！\"Mrs。Nettlepointreturnedwithinconsequence。Iguessedatacertaintensionbetweenthepairandawantofconsiderationontheyoungman’spart，arisingperhapsfromselfishness。Hismotherwasnervous，insuspense，wantingtobeatrestastowhethersheshouldhavehiscompanyonthevoyageorbeobligedtostrugglealone。Butashestoodtheresmilingandslowlymovinghisfanhestruckmesomehowasapersononwhomthisfactwouldn’tsittooheavily。Hewasofthetypeofthosewhomotherpeopleworryabout，notofthosewhoworryaboutotherpeople。Tallandstrong，hehadahandsomeface，witharoundheadandclose-
curlinghair；thewhitesofhiseyesandtheenamelofhisteeth，underhisbrownmoustache，gleamedvaguelyinthelightsoftheBackBay。Imadeoutthathewassunburnt，asifhelivedmuchintheopenair，andthathelookedintelligentbutalsoslightlybrutal，thoughnotinamoroseway。Hisbrutality，ifhehadany，wasbrightandfinished。IhadtotellhimwhoIwas，buteventhenIsawhowlittleheplacedmeandthatmyexplanationsgavemeinhismindnogreatidentityoratanyratenogreatimportance。Iforesawthathewouldinintercoursemakemefeelsometimesveryyoungandsometimesveryold，caringhimselfbutlittlewhich。Hementioned，asiftoshowourcompanionthathemightsafelybelefttohisowndevices，thathehadoncestartedfromLondontoBombayatthreequartersofanhour’snotice。
\"Yes，anditmusthavebeenpleasantforthepeopleyouwerewith！\"
\"OhthepeopleIwaswith——！\"hereturned；andhistoneappearedtosignifythatsuchpeoplewouldalwayshavetocomeoffastheycould。
Heaskediftherewerenocolddrinksinthehouse，nolemonade，noicedsyrups；insuchweathersomethingofthatsortoughtalwaystobekeptgoing。WhenhismotherremarkedthatsurelyattheclubtheyWEREkeptgoinghewenton：\"Ohyes，Ihadvariousthingsthere；butyouknowI’vewalkeddownthehillsince。Oneshouldhavesomethingateitherend。MayIringandsee？\"HerangwhileMrs。Nettlepointobservedthatwiththepeopletheyhadinthehouse，anestablishmentreducednaturallyatsuchamomenttoitssimplestexpression——theywereburningupcandle-endsandtherewerenoluxuries——shewouldn’tanswerfortheservice。ThematterendedinherleavingtheroominquestofcordialswiththefemaledomesticwhohadarrivedinresponsetothebellandinwhomJasper’sappealarousednovisibleintelligence。
SheremainedawaysometimeandItalkedwithherson，whowassociablebutdesultoryandkeptmovingovertheplace，alwayswithhisfan，asifhewereproperlyimpatient。Sometimesheseatedhimselfaninstantonthewindow-sill，andthenImadehimoutinfactthoroughlygood-looking——afinebrowncleanyoungathlete。Hefailedtotellmeonwhatspecialcontingencyhisdecisiondepended；
heonlyalludedfamiliarlytoanexpectedtelegram，andIsawhewasprobablyfondatnotimeofthetroubleofexplanations。Hismother’sabsencewasasignthatwhenitmightbeaquestionofgratifyinghimshehadgrownusedtosparenopains，andIfanciedherrummaginginsomeclosestoreroom，amongoldpreserve-pots，whilethedullmaid-servantheldthecandleawry。Idon’tknowwhetherthissamevisionwasinhisowneyes；atalleventsitdidn’tpreventhissayingsuddenly，ashelookedathiswatch，thatImustexcusehim——heshouldhavetogobacktotheclub。Hewouldreturninhalfanhour——orinless。HewalkedawayandIsattherealone，conscious，onthedarkdismantledsimplifiedscene，inthedeepsilencethatrestsonAmericantownsduringthehotseason——therewasnowandthenafarcryoraplashinthewater，andatintervalsthetinkleofthebellsofthehorse-carsonthelongbridge，slowinthesuffocatingnight——ofthestrangeinfluence，half-sweet，half-sad，thatabidesinhousesuninhabitedorabouttobecomeso，inplacesmuffledandbereaved，wheretheunheededsofasandpatientbelitteredtablesseem（likethedisconcerteddogs，towhomeverythingisalikesinister）torecognisetheeveofajourney。
AfterawhileIheardthesoundofvoices，ofsteps，therustleofdresses，andIlookedround，supposingthesethingstodenotethereturnofMrs。Nettlepointandherhandmaidenwiththerefectionpreparedforherson。WhatIsawhoweverwastwootherfemaleforms，visitorsapparentlyjustadmitted，andnowusheredintotheroom。
Theywerenotannounced——theservantturnedherbackonthemandrambledofftoourhostess。Theyadvancedinawaveringtentativeunintroducedway——partly，Icouldsee，becausetheplacewasdarkandpartlybecausetheirvisitwasinitsnatureexperimental，aflightofimaginationorastretchofconfidence。Oneoftheladieswasstoutandtheotherslim，andImadesureinamomentthatonewastalkativeandtheotherreserved。Itwasfurthertobediscernedthatonewaselderlyandtheotheryoung，aswellasthatthefactoftheirunlikenessdidn’tpreventtheirbeingmotheranddaughter。
Mrs。Nettlepointreappearedinaveryfewminutes，buttheintervalhadsufficedtoestablishacommunication——reallycopiousfortheoccasion——betweenthestrangersandtheunknowngentlemanwhomtheyfoundinpossession，hatandstickinhand。Thiswasnotmydoing——
forwhathadItogoupon？——andstilllesswasitthedoingoftheyoungerandthemoreindifferent，orlesscourageous，lady。Shespokebutonce——whenhercompanioninformedmethatshewasgoingouttoEuropethenextdaytobemarried。Thensheprotested\"Ohmother！\"inatonethatstruckmeinthedarknessasdoublyodd，excitingmycuriositytoseeherface。
Ithadtakentheelderwomanbutamomenttocometothat，andtovariousotherthings，afterIhadexplainedthatImyselfwaswaitingforMrs。Nettlepoint，whowoulddoubtlesssooncomeback。
\"Well，shewon’tknowme——Iguessshehasn’teverheardmuchaboutme，\"thegoodladysaid；\"butI’vecomefromMrs。AllenandIguessthatwillmakeitallright。IpresumeyouknowMrs。Allen？\"
Iwasunacquaintedwiththisinfluentialpersonage，butIassentedvaguelytotheproposition。Mrs。Allen’semissarywasgood-humouredandfamiliar，butratherappealingthaninsistent（sheremarkedthatifherfriendHADfoundtimetocomeintheafternoon——shehadsomuchtodo，beingjustupfortheday，thatshecouldn’tbesure——itwouldbeallright）；andsomehowevenbeforeshementionedMerrimacAvenue（theyhadcomeallthewayfromthere）myimaginationhadassociatedherwiththatindefinitesociallimboknowntotheproperly-constitutedBostonmindastheSouthEnd——anebulousregionwhichcondenseshereandthereintoaprettyface，inwhichthedaughtersarean\"improvement\"onthemothersandaresometimesacquaintedwithgentlemenmoregloriouslydomiciled，gentlemenwhosewivesandsistersareinturnnotacquaintedwiththem。
WhenatlastMrs。Nettlepointcamein，accompaniedbycandlesandbyatrayladenwithglassesofcolouredfluidwhichemittedacooltinkling，Iwasinapositiontoofficiateasmasteroftheceremonies，tointroduceMrs。MavisandMissGraceMavis，torepresentthatMrs。Allenhadrecommendedthem——nay，hadurgedthem——
justtocomethatway，informallyandwithoutfear；Mrs。Allenwhohadbeenpreventedonlybythepressureofoccupationssocharacteristicofher（especiallywhenupfromMattapoisettforafewhours’desperateshopping）fromherselfcallinginthecourseofthedaytoexplainwhotheywereandwhatwasthefavourtheyhadtoaskofherbenevolentfriend。Good-naturedwomenunderstandeachotherevenwhensodividedastositresidentiallyaboveandbelowthesalt，aswhoshouldsay；bywhichtokenourhostesshadquicklymasteredthemainfacts：Mrs。Allen’svisitthatmorninginMerrimacAvenuetotalkofMrs。Amber’sgreatidea，theclassesatthepublicschoolsinvacation（shewasinterestedwithanequalcharitytothatofMrs。Mavis——eveninsuchweather！——inthoseoftheSouthEnd）forgamesandexercisesandmusic，tokeepthepoorunoccupiedchildrenoutofthestreets；thentherevelationthatithadsuddenlybeensettledalmostfromonehourtotheotherthatGraceshouldsailforLiverpool，Mr。Porterfieldatlastbeingready。Hewastakingalittleholiday；hismotherwaswithhim，theyhadcomeoverfromParistoseesomeofthecelebratedoldbuildingsinEngland，andhehadtelegraphedtosaythatifGracewouldstartrightofftheywouldjustfinishitupandbemarried。Itoftenhappenedthatwhenthingshaddraggedonthatwayforyearstheywereallhuddledupattheend。Ofcourseinsuchacaseshe，Mrs。Mavis，hadhadtoflyround。
Herdaughter’spassagewastaken，butitseemedtoodreadfulsheshouldmakeherjourneyallalone，thefirsttimeshehadeverbeenatsea，withoutanycompanionorescort。SHEcouldn’tgo——Mr。Maviswastoosick：shehadn’tevenbeenabletogethimofftotheseaside。
\"Well，Mrs。Nettlepoint’sgoinginthatship，\"Mrs。Allenhadsaid；
andshehadrepresentedthatnothingwassimplerthantogiveherthegirlincharge。WhenMrs。Mavishadrepliedthatthiswasallverywellbutthatshedidn’tknowthelady，Mrs。Allenhaddeclaredthatthatdidn’tmakeaspeckofdifference，forMrs。Nettlepointwaskindenoughforanything。ItwaseasyenoughtoKNOWher，ifthatwasallthetrouble！AllMrs。Maviswouldhavetodowouldbetogorightuptohernextmorning，whenshetookherdaughtertotheship（shewouldseeherthereonthedeckwithherparty）andtellherfairandsquarewhatshewanted。Mrs。Nettlepointhaddaughtersherselfandwouldeasilyunderstand。Verylikelyshe’devenlookafterGracealittleontheotherside，insuchaqueersituation，goingoutalonetothegentlemanshewasengagedto：she’djusthelpher，likeagoodSamaritan，toturnroundbeforeshewasmarried。Mr。
Porterfieldseemedtothinktheywouldn’twaitlong，onceshewasthere：theywouldhaveitrightoverattheAmericanconsul’s。Mrs。
AllenhadsaiditwouldperhapsbebetterstilltogoandseeMrs。
Nettlepointbeforehand，thatday，totellherwhattheywanted：thentheywouldn’tseemtospringitonherjustasshewasleaving。Sheherself（Mrs。Allen）wouldcallandsayawordforthemifshecouldsavetenminutesbeforecatchinghertrain。Ifshehadn’tcomeitwasbecauseshehadn’tsavedhertenminutesbutshehadmadethemfeelthattheymustcomeallthesame。Mrs。Mavislikedthatbetter，becauseontheshipinthemorningtherewouldbesuchaconfusion。
Shedidn’tthinkherdaughterwouldbeanytrouble——conscientiouslyshedidn’t。Itwasjusttohavesomeonetospeaktoherandnotsallyforthlikeaservant-girlgoingtoasituation。
\"Isee，I’mtoactasasortofbridesmaidandtogiveheraway，\"
Mrs。Nettlepointobliginglysaid。Kindenoughinfactforanything，sheshowedonthisoccasionthatitwaseasyenoughtoknowher。
Thereisnotoriouslynothinglessdesirablethananimposedaggravationofeffortatsea，butsheacceptedwithoutbetrayeddismaytheburdenoftheyounglady’sdependenceandallowedher，asMrs。Mavissaid，tohookherselfon。Sheevidentlyhadthehabitofpatience，andherreceptionofhervisitors’storyremindedmeafresh——IwasremindedofitwheneverIreturnedtomynativeland——
thatmydearcompatriotsarethepeopleintheworldwhomostfreelytakemutualaccommodationforgranted。Theyhavealwayshadtohelpthemselves，andhaverathermagnanimouslyfailedtolearnjustwherehelpingothersisdistinguishablefromthat。Innocountryaretherefewerformsandmorereciprocities。
ItwasdoubtlessnotsingularthattheladiesfromMerrimacAvenueshouldn’tfeeltheywereimportunate：whatwasstrikingwasthatMrs。Nettlepointdidn’tappeartosuspectit。However，shewouldinanycasehavethoughtitinhumantoshowthis——thoughIcouldseethatunderthesurfaceshewasamusedateverythingthemoreexpressiveofthepilgrimsfromtheSouthEndtookforgranted。I
scarceknowwhethertheattitudeoftheyoungervisitoraddedornottothemeritofhergoodnature。Mr。Porterfield’sintendedtooknopartinthedemonstration，scarcelyspoke，satlookingattheBackBayandthelightsonthelongbridge。Shedeclinedthelemonadeandtheothermixtureswhich，atMrs。Nettlepoint’srequest，Iofferedher，whilehermotherpartookfreelyofeverythingandIreflected——
forIasfreelydrainedaglassortwoinwhichtheicetinkled——thatMr。Jasperhadbetterhurrybackifhewishedtoenjoytheseluxuries。
Wastheeffectoftheyoungwoman’sreservemeanwhileungracious，orwasitonlynaturalthatinherparticularsituationsheshouldn’thaveaflowofcomplimentathercommand？InoticedthatMrs。
Nettlepointlookedatheroften，andcertainlythoughshewasundemonstrativeMissMaviswasinteresting。Thecandlelightenabledmetoseethatthoughnotintheveryfirstflowerofheryouthshewasstillfreshandhandsome。Hereyesandhairweredark，herfacewaspale，andsheheldupherheadasif，withitsthickbraidsandeverythingelseinvolvedinit，itwereanappurtenanceshewasn’tashamedof。Ifhermotherwasexcellentandcommonshewasnotcommon——notatleastflagrantlyso——andperhapsalsonotexcellent。
Atalleventsshewouldn’tbe，inappearanceatleast，adrearyappendage；whichinthecaseofaperson\"hookingon\"wasalwayssomethinggained。Wasitbecausesomethingofaromanticorpatheticinterestusuallyattachestoagoodcreaturewhohasbeenthevictimofa\"longengagement\"thatthisyoungladymadeanimpressiononmefromthefirst——favouredasIhadbeensoquicklywiththisglimpseofherhistory？Icouldchargehercertainlywithnopositiveappeal；sheonlyheldhertongueandsmiled，andhersmilecorrectedwhateversuggestionmighthaveforceditselfuponmethatthespiritwithinherwasdead——thespiritofthatpromiseofwhichshefoundherselfdoomedtocarryouttheletter。
Whatcorrecteditless，Imustadd，wasanoddrecollectionwhichgatheredvividnessasIlistenedtoit——amentalassociationevokedbythenameofMr。Porterfield。SurelyIhadapersonalimpression，over-smearedandconfused，ofthegentlemanwhowaswaitingatLiverpool，orwhopresentlywouldbe，forMrs。Nettlepoint’sprotegee。Ihadmethim，knownhim，sometime，somewhere，somehow，ontheotherside。Wasn’thestudyingsomething，veryhard，somewhere——probablyinParis——tenyearsbefore，anddidn’themakeextraordinarilyneatdrawings，linearandarchitectural？Didn’thegotoatabled’hote，attwofrancstwenty-five，intheRueBonaparte，whichIthenfrequented，anddidn’thewearspectaclesandaScotchplaidarrangedinamannerwhichseemedtosay\"I’vetrustworthyinformationthatthat’sthewaytheydoitintheHighlands\"？Wasn’theexemplarytopositiveirritation，andverypoor，poortopositiveoppression，sothatIsupposedhehadnoovercoatandhistartanwouldbewhathesleptunderatnight？
Wasn’theworkingveryhardstill，andwouldn’thebe，inthenaturalcourse，notyetsatisfiedthathehadfoundhisfeetorknewenoughtolaunchout？Hewouldbeamanoflongpreparations——MissMavis’swhitefaceseemedtospeaktooneofthat。ItstruckmethatifI
hadbeeninlovewithherIshouldn’thaveneededtolaysuchatrainforthecloserapproach。ArchitecturewashislineandhewasapupiloftheEcoledesBeauxArts。ThisreminiscencegrewsomuchmorevividwithmethatattheendoftenminutesIhadanoddsenseofknowing——byimplication——agooddealabouttheyounglady。
EvenafteritwassettledthatMrs。Nettlepointwoulddoeverythingpossibleforhertheothervisitorsatsippingouricedliquidandtellinghow\"low\"Mr。Mavishadbeen。Atthisperiodthegirl’ssilencestruckmeasstillmoreconscious，partlyperhapsbecauseshedeprecatedhermother’sfreeflow——shewasenoughofan\"improvement\"
tomeasurethat——andpartlybecauseshewastoodistressedbytheideaofleavingherinfirm，herperhapsdyingfather。Itwasn’tindistinguishablethattheywerepoorandthatshewouldtakeoutaverysmallpurseforhertrousseau。ForMr。Porterfieldtomakeupthesumhisowncasewouldhavehadmoreovergreatlytochange。IfhehadenrichedhimselfbythesuccessfulpracticeofhisprofessionIhadencounterednoedificehehadreared——hisreputationhadn’tcometomyears。
Mrs。Nettlepointnotifiedhernewfriendsthatshewasaveryinactivepersonatsea：shewaspreparedtosuffertothefullwithMissMavis，butnotpreparedtopacethedeckwithher，tostrugglewithher，toaccompanyhertomeals。Tothisthegirlrepliedthatshewouldtroubleherlittle，shewassure：shewasconvincedsheshouldproveawretchedsailorandspendthevoyageonherback。Hermotherscoffedatthispicture，prophesyingperfectweatherandalovelytime，andIinterposedtotheeffectthatifImightbetrusted，asatamebachelorfairlysea-seasoned，Ishouldbedelightedtogivethenewmemberofourpartyanarmoranyothercountenancewheneversheshouldrequireit。Boththeladiesthankedmeforthis——takingmyprofessionswithnosortofabatement——andtheelderonedeclaredthatwewereevidentlygoingtobesuchasociablegroupthatitwastoobadtohavetostayathome。SheaskedMrs。
Nettlepointiftherewereanyoneelseinourparty，andwhenourhostessmentionedherson——therewasachanceofhisembarkingbut（wasn’titabsurd？）hehadn’tdecidedyet——shereturnedwithextraordinarycandour：\"Ohdear，Idohopehe’llgo：thatwouldbesolovelyforGrace。\"
SomehowthewordsmademethinkofpoorMr。Porterfield’startan，especiallyasJasperNettlepointstrolledinagainatthatmoment。
Hismotheratoncechallengedhim：itwasteno’clock；hadhebychancemadeuphisgreatmind？Apparentlyhefailedtohearher，beinginthefirstplacesurprisedatthestrangeladiesandthenstruckwiththefactthatoneofthemwasn’tstrange。Theyoungman，afteraslighthesitation，greetedMissMaviswithahandshakeanda\"Ohgood-evening，howdoyoudo？\"Hedidn’tutterhername——whichI
couldseehemusthaveforgotten；butsheimmediatelypronouncedhis，availingherselfoftheAmericangirl’sdiscretionto\"present\"himtohermother。
\"Well，youmighthavetoldmeyouknewhimallthistime！\"thatladyjoviallycried。ThenshehadanequalconfidenceforMrs。
Nettlepoint。\"Itwouldhavesavedmeaworry——anacquaintancealreadybegun。\"
\"Ahmyson’sacquaintances！\"ourhostessmurmured。
\"Yes，andmydaughter’stoo！\"Mrs。Mavisgailyechoed。\"Mrs。Allendidn’ttellusYOUweregoing，\"shecontinuedtotheyoungman。
\"She’dhavebeencleverifshehadbeenableto！\"Mrs。Nettlepointsighed。
\"Dearmother，Ihavemytelegram，\"Jasperremarked，lookingatGraceMavis。
\"Iknowyouverylittle，\"thegirlsaid，returninghisobservation。
\"I’vedancedwithyouatsomeball——forsomesufferersbysomethingorother。\"
\"Ithinkitwasaninundationorabigfire，\"shealittlelanguidlysmiled。\"Butitwasalongtimeago——andIhaven’tseenyousince。\"
\"I’vebeeninfarcountries——tomyloss。Ishouldhavesaiditwasabigfire。\"
\"ItwasattheHorticulturalHall。Ididn’trememberyourname，\"
saidGraceMavis。
\"That’sveryunkindofyou，whenIrecallvividlythatyouhadapinkdress。\"
\"OhIrememberthatdress——yourstrawberrytarletan：youlookedlovelyinit！\"Mrs。Mavisbrokeout。\"Youmustgetanotherjustlikeit——ontheotherside。\"
\"Yes，yourdaughterlookedcharminginit，\"saidJasperNettlepoint。
Thenheaddedtothegirl：\"Yetyoumentionedmynametoyourmother。\"
\"Itcamebacktome——seeingyouhere。Ihadnoideathiswasyourhome。\"
\"Well，Iconfessitisn’t，much。Ohtherearesomedrinks！\"——heapproachedthetrayanditsglasses。
\"Indeedthereareandquitedelicious\"——Mrs。Mavislargelywipedhermouth。
\"Won’tyouhaveanotherthen？——apinkone，likeyourdaughter’sgown。\"
\"Withpleasure，sir。Ohdoseethemover，\"Mrs。Maviscontinued，acceptingfromtheyoungman’shandathirdtumbler。
\"Mymotherandthatgentleman？Surelytheycantakecareofthemselves，\"hefreelypleaded。
\"Thenmydaughter——shehasaclaimasanoldfriend。\"
Buthismotherhadbythistimeinterposed。\"Jasper，whatdoesyourtelegramsay？\"
Hepaidhernoheed：hestoodtherewithhisglassinhishand，lookingfromMrs。MavistoMissGrace。
\"Ahleavehertome，madam；I’mquitecompetent，\"IsaidtoMrs。
Mavis。
Thentheyoungmangavemehisattention。Thenextminuteheaskedofthegirl：\"Doyoumeanyou’regoingtoEurope？\"
\"Yes，tomorrow。Inthesameshipasyourmother。\"
\"That’swhatwe’vecomeherefor，toseeallaboutit，\"saidMrs。
Mavis。
\"Myson，takepityonmeandtellmewhatlightyourtelegramthrows，\"Mrs。Nettlepointwenton。
\"Iwill，dearest，whenI’vequenchedmythirst。\"Andheslowlydrainedhisglass。
\"Well，Ideclareyou’reworsethanGracie，\"Mrs。Maviscommented。
\"Shewasfirstonethingandthentheother——butonlyaboutuptothreeo’clockyesterday。\"
\"Excuseme——won’tyoutakesomething？\"JasperinquiredofGracie；whohoweverstilldeclined，asiftomakeupforhermother’scopiousconsommation。Ifoundmyselfquiteawarethatthetwoladieswoulddowelltotakeleave，thequestionofMrs。Nettlepoint’sgoodwillbeingsosatisfactorilysettledandthemeetingofthemorrowattheshipsonearathandandIwentsofarastojudgethattheirprotractedstay，withtheirhostessvisiblyinafidget，gavethelastproofoftheirwantofbreeding。MissGraceafterallthenwasnotsuchanimprovementonhermother，forsheeasilymighthavetakentheinitiativeofdeparture，inspiteofMrs。Mavis’sevident\"game\"ofmakingherownabsorptionofrefreshmentlastaslongaspossible。Iwatchedthegirlwithincreasinginterest；Icouldn’thelpaskingmyselfaquestionortwoaboutherandevenperceivingalready（inadimandgeneralway）thatrathermarkedembarrassment，oratleastanxietyattendedher。Wasn’titcomplicatingthatsheshouldhaveneeded，byremaininglongenough，toassuageacertainsuspense，tolearnwhetherornoJasperweregoingtosail？Hadn’tsomethingparticularpassedbetweenthemontheoccasionorattheperiodtowhichwehadcaughttheirallusion，anddidn’tshereallynotknowhermotherwasbringinghertoHISmother’s，thoughsheapparentlyhadthoughtitwellnottobetrayknowledge？Suchthingsweresymptomatic——thoughindeedonescarceknewofwhat——onthepartofayoungladybetrothedtothatcuriouscross-barredphantomofaMr。Porterfield。ButIamboundtoaddthatshegavemenofurtherwarrantforwonderthanwasconveyedinheralltacitlyandcovertlyencouraginghermothertolinger。SomehowIhadasensethatSHEwasconsciousoftheindecencyofthis。Igotupmyselftogo，butMrs。
Nettlepointdetainedmeafterseeingthatmymovementwouldn’tbetakenasahint，andIfeltshewishedmenottoleavemyfellowvisitorsonherhands。Jaspercomplainedoftheclosenessoftheroom，saidthatitwasnotanighttositinaroom——oneoughttobeoutintheair，underthesky。Hedenouncedthewindowsthatoverlookedthewaterfornotopeninguponabalconyoraterrace，untilhismother，whomhehadn’tyetsatisfiedabouthistelegram，remindedhimthattherewasabeautifulbalconyinfront，withroomforadozenpeople。Sheassuredhimwewouldgoandsitthereifitwouldpleasehim。
\"Itwillbeniceandcooltomorrow，whenwesteamintothegreatocean，\"saidMissMavis，expressingwithmorevivacitythanshehadyetthrownintoanyofherutterancesmyownthoughtofhalfanhourbefore。Mrs。Nettlepointrepliedthatitwouldprobablybefreezingcold，andhersonmurmuredthathewouldgoandtrythedrawing-roombalconyandreportuponit。Justashewasturningawayhesaid，smiling，toMissMavis：\"Won’tyoucomewithmeandseeifit’spleasant？\"
\"Ohwell，wehadbetternotstayallnight！\"hermotherexclaimed，butstillwithoutmoving。Thegirlmoved，afteramoment’shesitation；——sheroseandaccompaniedJaspertotheotherroom。I
sawhowherslimtallnessshowedtoadvantageasshewalked，andthatshelookedwellasshepassed，withherheadthrownback，intothedarknessoftheotherpartofthehouse。Therewassomethingrathermarked，rathersurprising——Iscarcelyknewwhy，fortheactinitselfwassimpleenough——inheracceptanceofsuchaplea，andperhapsitwasoursenseofthisthatheldtherestofussomewhatstifflysilentassheremainedaway。IwaswaitingforMrs。Mavistogo，sothatImyselfmightgo；andMrs。NettlepointwaswaitingforhertogosothatImightn’t。Thisdoubtlessmadetheyounglady’sabsenceappeartouslongerthanitreallywas——itwasprobablyverybrief。
Hermothermoreover，Ithink，hadnowavaguelapsefromease。
JasperNettlepointpresentlyreturnedtothebackdrawing-roomtoservehiscompanionwithourlucentsyrup，andhetookoccasiontoremarkthatitwaslovelyonthebalcony：onereallygotsomeair，thebreezebeingfromthatquarter。Iremembered，ashewentawaywithhistinklingtumbler，thatfromMYhand，afewminutesbefore，MissMavishadnotbeenwillingtoacceptthisinnocentoffering。A
littlelaterMrs。Nettlepointsaid：\"Well，ifit’ssopleasanttherewehadbettergoourselves。\"Sowepassedtothefrontandintheotherroommetthetwoyoungpeoplecominginfromthebalcony。I
wastowonder，inthelightoflaterthings，exactlyhowlongtheyhadoccupiedtogetheracoupleofthesetofcanechairsgarnishingtheplaceinsummer。Ifithadbeenbutfiveminutesthatonlymadesubsequenteventsmorecurious。\"Wemustgo，mother，\"MissMavisimmediatelysaid；andamomentafter，withalittlerenewalofchatterastoourgeneralmeetingontheship，thevisitorshadtakenleave。JasperwentdownwiththemtothedoorandassoonastheyhadgotoffMrs。Nettlepointquiterichlyexhaledherimpression。
\"Ahbut’llshebeabore——she’llbeaboreofbores！\"
\"Notthroughtalkingtoomuch，surely。\"
\"Anaffectationofsilenceisasbad。Ihatethatparticularpose；
it’scomingupverymuchnow；animitationoftheEnglish，likeeverythingelse。Agirlwhotriestobestatuesqueatsea——thatwillactonone’snerves！\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatshetriestobe，butshesucceedsinbeingveryhandsome。\"
\"Somuchthebetterforyou。I’llleavehertoyou，forIshallbeshutup。Ilikeherbeingplacedundermy’care’！\"myfriendcried。
\"She’llbeunderJasper’s，\"Iremarked。
\"Ahhewon’tgo，\"shewailed——\"Iwantittoomuch！\"
\"ButIdidn’tseeitthatway。Ihaveanideahe’llgo。\"
\"Whydidn’thetellmesothen——whenhecamein？\"
\"Hewasdivertedbythatyoungwoman——abeautifulunexpectedgirlsittingthere。\"
\"Divertedfromhismotherandherfondhope？——hismothertremblingforhisdecision？\"
\"Well\"——Ipiecedittogether——\"she’sanoldfriend，olderthanweknow。Itwasameetingafteralongseparation。\"
\"Yes，suchalotofthemashedoesknow！\"Mrs。Nettlepointsighed。
\"Suchalotofthem？\"
\"Hehassomanyfemalefriends——inthemostvariedcircles。\"
\"Well，wecancloseroundherthen，\"Ireturned；\"forIonmysideknow，orusedtoknow，heryoungman。\"
\"Herintended？\"——shehadalightofreliefforthis。
\"Theveryoneshe’sgoingoutto。Hecan’t，bytheway，\"itoccurredtome，\"beveryyoungnow。\"
\"Howodditsounds——hermuddlingafterhim！\"saidMrs。Nettlepoint。
Iwasgoingtoreplythatitwasn’toddifyouknewMr。Porterfield，butIreflectedthatthatperhapsonlymadeitodder。Itoldmycompanionbrieflywhohewas——thatIhadmethimintheoldParisdays，whenIbelievedforafleetinghourthatIcouldlearntopaint，whenIlivedwiththejeunessedesecoles；andhercommentonthiswassimply：\"Well，hehadbetterhavecomeoutforher！\"
\"Perhapsso。Shelookedtomeasshesatthereasif，shemightchangehermindatthelastmoment。\"
\"Abouthermarriage？
\"Aboutsailing。Butshewon’tchangenow。\"
Jaspercameback，andhismotherinstantlychallengedhim。\"Well，AREyougoing？\"
\"Yes，Ishallgo\"——hewasfinallyatpeaceaboutit。\"I’vegotmytelegram。\"
\"Ohyourtelegram！\"——Iventuredalittletojeer。
\"Thatcharminggirl’syourtelegram。\"
Hegavemealook，butintheduskIcouldn’tmakeoutverywellwhatitconveyed。Thenhebentoverhismother，kissingher。\"Mynewsisn’tparticularlysatisfactory。I’mgoingforYOU。\"
\"Ohyouhumbug！\"shereplied。Butshewasofcoursedelighted。
CHAPTERII
Peopleusuallyspendthefirsthoursofavoyageinsqueezingthemselvesintotheircabins，takingtheirlittleprecautions，eithersoexcessiveorsoinadequate，wonderinghowtheycanpasssomanydaysinsuchaholeandaskingidioticquestionsofthestewards，whoappearincomparisonraremenoftheworld。Myowninitiationswererapid，asbecameanoldsailor，andso，itseemed，wereMissMavis’s，forwhenImountedtothedeckattheendofhalfanhourIfoundhertherealone，inthesternoftheship，hereyesonthedwindlingcontinent。Itdwindledveryfastforsobigaplace。Iaccostedher，havinghadnoconversationwithheramidthecrowdofleave-
takersandthemuddleoffarewellsbeforeweputoff；wetalkedalittleabouttheboat，ourfellow-passengersandourprospects，andthenIsaid：\"IthinkyoumentionedlastnightanameIknow——thatofMr。Porterfield。\"
\"OhnoIdidn’t！\"sheansweredverystraightwhileshesmiledatmethroughherclosely-drawnveil。
\"Thenitwasyourmother。\"
\"Verylikelyitwasmymother。\"AndshecontinuedtosmileasifI
oughttohaveknownthedifference。
\"IventuretoalludetohimbecauseI’veanideaIusedtoknowhim，\"
Iwenton。
\"OhIsee。\"Andbeyondthisremarksheappearedtotakenointerest；
sheleftittometomakeanyconnexion。
\"Thatisifit’sthesameone。\"Itstruckmeasfeebletosaynothingmore；soIadded\"MyMr。PorterfieldwascalledDavid。\"
\"Well，soisours。\"\"Ours\"affectedmeasclever。
\"IsupposeIshallseehimagainifhe’stomeetyouatLiverpool，\"I
continued。
\"Well，itwillbebadifhedoesn’t。\"
Itwastoosoonformetohavetheideathatitwouldbebadifhedid：thatonlycamelater。SoIremarkedthat，nothavingseenhimforsomanyyears，itwasverypossibleIshouldn’tknowhim。
\"Well，I’venotseenhimforaconsiderabletime，butIexpectI
shallknowhimallthesame。\"
\"Ohwithyouit’sdifferent，\"Ireturnedwithharmlesslybrightsignificance。\"Hasn’thebeenbacksincethosedays？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"shesturdilyprofessed，\"whatdaysyoumean。\"
\"WhenIknewhiminParis——agesago。HewasapupiloftheEcoledesBeauxArts。Hewasstudyingarchitecture。\"
\"Well，he’sstudyingitstill，\"saidGraceMavis。
\"Hasn’thelearnedityet？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhathehaslearned。Ishallsee。\"Thensheaddedforthebenefitofmyperhapsunduelevity：\"Architecture’sverydifficultandhe’stremendouslythorough。\"
\"Ohyes，Irememberthat。Hewasanadmirableworker。Buthemusthavebecomequiteaforeignerifit’ssomanyyearssincehehasbeenathome。\"
Sheseemedtoregardthispropositionatfirstascomplicated；butshedidwhatshecouldforme。\"Ohhe’snotchangeable。Ifhewerechangeable——\"
Then，however，shepaused。Idaresayshehadbeengoingtoobservethatifhewerechangeablehewouldlongagohavegivenherup。
Afteraninstantshewenton：\"Hewouldn’thavestucksotohisprofession。Youcan’tmakemuchbyit。\"
Isoughttoattenuateherratheroddmaidenlygrimness。\"Itdependsonwhatyoucallmuch。\"
\"Itdoesn’tmakeyourich。\"
\"Ohofcourseyou’vegottopractiseit——andtopractiseitlong。\"
\"Yes——soMr。Porterfieldsays。\"
Somethinginthewaysheutteredthesewordsmademelaugh——theyweresocalmanimplicationthatthegentlemaninquestiondidn’tliveuptohisprinciples。ButIcheckedmyself，askingherifsheexpectedtoremaininEuropelong——towhatonemightcallsettle。
\"Well，itwillbeagoodwhileifittakesmeaslongtocomebackasithastakenmetogoout。\"
\"AndIthinkyourmothersaidlastnightthatitwasyourfirstvisit。\"
MissMavis，inherdeliberateway，metmyeyes。\"Didn’tmothertalk！\"
\"Itwasallveryinteresting。\"
Shecontinuedtolookatme。\"Youdon’tthinkthat，\"shethensimplystated。
\"WhathaveItogainthenbysayingit？\"
\"Ohmenhavealwayssomethingtogain。\"
\"Youmakemeinthatcasefeelaterriblefailure！Ihopeatanyratethatitgivesyoupleasure，\"Iwenton，\"theideaofseeingforeignlands。\"
\"Mercy——Ishouldthinkso！\"
Thiswasalmostgenial，anditcheeredmeproportionately。\"It’sapityourship’snotoneofthefastones，ifyou’reimpatient。\"
Shewassilentalittleafterwhichshebroughtout：\"OhIguessit’llbefastenough！\"
ThateveningIwentintoseeMrs。Nettlepointandsatonhersea-
trunk，whichwaspulledoutfromundertheberthtoaccommodateme。
Itwasnineo’clockbutnotquitedark，asournorthwardcoursehadalreadytakenusintothelatitudeofthelongerdays。Shehadmadehernestadmirablyandnowrestedfromherlabours；shelayuponhersofainadressing-gownandacapthatbecameher。Itwasherregularpracticetospendthevoyageinhercabin，whichsmeltpositivelygood——suchwastherefinementofherart；andshehadasecretpeculiartoherselfforkeepingherportopenwithoutshippingseas。Shehatedwhatshecalledthemessoftheshipandtheidea，ifsheshouldgoabove，ofmeetingstewardswithplatesofsupererogatoryfood。Sheprofessedtobecontentwithhersituation——
wepromisedtolendeachotherbooksandIassuredherfamiliarlythatIshouldbeinandoutofherroomadozentimesaday——pityingmeforhavingtomingleinsociety。Shejudgedthisalimitedprivilege，foronthedeckbeforeweleftthewharfshehadtakenaviewofourfellow-passengers。
\"OhI’maninveterate，almostaprofessionalobserver，\"Ireplied，\"andwiththatviceI’maswelloccupiedasanoldwomaninthesunwithherknitting。Itmakesme，inanysituation，justinordinatelyandsubmissivelySEEthings。Ishallseethemevenhereandshallcomedownveryoftenandtellyouaboutthem。You’renotinterestedtoday，butyouwillbetomorrow，foraship’sagreatschoolofgossip。Youwon’tbelievethenumberofresearchesandproblemsyou’llbeengagedinbythemiddleofthevoyage。\"
\"I？Neverintheworld！——lyingherewithmynoseinabookandnotcaringastraw。\"
\"You’llparticipateatsecondhand。You’llseethroughmyeyes，hanguponmylips，takesides，feelpassions，allsortsofsympathiesandindignations。I’veanidea，\"Ifurtherdeveloped，\"thatyouryounglady’sthepersononboardwhowillinterestmemost。\"
\"’Mine’indeed！Shehasn’tbeennearmesinceweleftthedock。\"
\"Thereyouare——youdofeelsheowesyousomething。Well，\"Iadded，\"she’sverycurious。\"
\"You’vesuchcold-bloodedterms！\"Mrs。Nettlepointwailed。\"Ellenesaitpasseconduire；sheoughttohavecometoaskaboutme。\"
\"Yes，sinceyou’reunderhercare，\"Ilaughed。\"Asforhernotknowinghowtobehave——well，that’sexactlywhatweshallsee。\"
\"Youwill，butnotI！Iwashmyhandsofher。\"
\"Don’tsaythat——don’tsaythat。\"
Mrs。Nettlepointlookedatmeamoment。\"Whydoyouspeaksosolemnly？\"
InreturnIconsideredher。\"I’lltellyoubeforeweland。Andhaveyouseenmuchofyourson？\"
\"Ohyes，hehascomeinseveraltimes。Heseemsverymuchpleased。
Hehasgotacabintohimself。\"
\"That’sgreatluck，\"Isaid，\"butI’veanideahe’salwaysinluck。
IwassureIshouldhavetoofferhimthesecondberthinmyroom。\"
\"Andyouwouldn’thaveenjoyedthat，becauseyoudon’tlikehim，\"shetookuponherselftosay。
\"Whatputthatintoyourhead？\"
\"Itisn’tinmyhead——it’sinmyheart，mycoeurdemere。Weguessthosethings。Youthinkhe’sselfish。Icouldseeitlastnight。\"
\"Dearlady，\"Icontrivedpromptlyenoughtoreply，\"I’venogeneralideasabouthimatall。He’sjustoneofthephenomenaIamgoingtoobserve。Heseemstomeaveryfineyoungman。However，\"Iadded，\"sinceyou’vementionedlastnightI’lladmitthatIthoughtherathertantalisedyou。Heplayedwithyoursuspense。\"
\"Whyhecameatthelastjusttopleaseme，\"saidMrs。Nettlepoint。
Iwassilentalittle。\"Areyousureitwasforyoursake？\"
\"Ah，perhapsitwasforyours！\"
Iboreup，however，againstthisthrust，characteristicofperfidiouswomanwhenyoupresumetosidewithheragainstafondtormentor。
\"Whenhewentoutonthebalconywiththatgirl，\"Ifoundassurancetosuggest，\"perhapssheaskedhimtocomeforHERS。\"
\"Perhapsshedid。Butwhyshouldhedoeverythingsheaskshim——suchassheis？\"
\"Idon’tknowyet，butperhapsIshallknowlater。Notthathe’lltellme——forhe’llnevertellmeanything：he’snot，\"Iconsistentlyopined，\"oneofthosewhotell。\"
\"Ifshedidn’taskhim，whatyousayisagreatwrongtoher，\"saidMrs。Nettlepoint。
\"Yes，ifshedidn’t。ButyousaythattoprotectJasper——nottoprotecther，\"Ismiled。
\"YouAREcold-blooded——it’suncanny！\"myfriendexclaimed。
\"Ahthisisnothingyet！Waitawhile——you’llsee。AtseaingeneralI’mawful——Iexceedthelimits。IfI’veoutragedherinthoughtI’lljumpoverboard。Therearewaysofasking——amandoesn’tneedtotellawomanthat——withoutthecrudewords。\"