CHAPTERI。
Iwasnotrich——onthecontrary；andIhadbeentoldthePensionBeaurepaswascheap。Ihad，moreover，beentoldthataboarding-
houseisacapitalplaceforthestudyofhumannature。Ihadafancyforaliterarycareer，andafriendofminehadsaidtome，\"Ifyoumeantowriteyououghttogoandliveinaboarding-house；thereisnoothersuchplacetopickupmaterial。\"IhadreadsomethingofthiskindinaletteraddressedbyStendhaltohissister：\"Ihaveapassionatedesiretoknowhumannature，andhaveagreatmindtoliveinaboarding-house，wherepeoplecannotconcealtheirrealcharacters。\"IwasanadmirerofLaChartreusedeParme，anditappearedtomethatonecouldnotdobetterthanfollowinthefootstepsofitsauthor。Iremembered，too，themagnificentboarding-houseinBalzac’sPereGoriot，——the\"pensionbourgeoisedesdeuxsexesetautres，\"keptbyMadameVauquer，neeDeConflans。
Magnificent，Imean，asapieceofportraiture；theestablishment，asanestablishment，wascertainlysordidenough，andIhopedforbetterthingsfromthePensionBeaurepas。ThisinstitutionwasoneofthemostesteemedinGeneva，and，standinginalittlegardenofitsown，notfarfromthelake，hadaveryhomely，comfortable，sociableaspect。Theregularentrancewas，asonemightsay，attheback，whichlookeduponthestreet，orratheruponalittleplace，adornedlikeeveryplaceinGeneva，greatorsmall，withafountain。Thisfactwasnotprepossessing，foroncrossingthethresholdyoufoundyourselfmoreorlessinthekitchen，encompassedwithculinaryodours。This，however，wasnogreatmatter，foratthePensionBeaurepastherewasnoattemptatgentilityoratconcealmentofthedomesticmachinery。Thelatterwasofaverysimplesort。MadameBeaurepaswasanexcellentlittleoldwoman——shewasveryfaradvancedinlife，andhadbeenkeepingapensionforfortyyears——
whoseonlyfaultswerethatshewasslightlydeaf，thatshewasfondofasurreptitiouspinchofsnuff，andthat，attheageofseventy-
three，sheworeflowersinhercap。Therewasatraditioninthehousethatshewasnotsodeafasshepretended；thatshefeignedthisinfirmityinordertopossessherselfofthesecretsofherlodgers。ButIneversubscribedtothistheory；IamconvincedthatMadameBeaurepashadoutlivedtheperiodofindiscreetcuriosity。
Shewasaphilosopher，onamatter-of-factbasis；shehadbeenhavinglodgersforfortyyears，andallthatsheaskedofthemwasthattheyshouldpaytheirbills，makeuseofthedoor-mat，andfoldtheirnapkins。Shecaredverylittlefortheirsecrets。\"J’enaivusdetouteslescouleurs，\"shesaidtome。Shehadquiteceasedtocareforindividuals；shecaredonlyfortypes，forcategories。Herlargeobservationhadmadeheracquaintedwithagreatnumber，andhermindwasacompletecollectionof\"heads。\"Sheflatteredherselfthatsheknewataglancewheretopigeon-holeanew-comer，andifshemadeanymistakesherdeportmentneverbetrayedthem。Ithinkthat，asregardsindividuals，shehadneitherlikesnordislikes；butshewascapableofexpressingesteemorcontemptforaspecies。Shehadherownways，Isuppose，ofmanifestingherapproval，buthermannerofindicatingthereversewassimpleandunvarying。\"Jetrouvequec’estdeplace\"——thisexhaustedherviewofthematter。Ifoneofherinmateshadputarsenicintothepot-au-feu，IbelieveMadameBeaurepaswouldhavecontentedherselfwithremarkingthattheproceedingwasoutofplace。Thelineofmisconducttowhichshemostobjectedwasanundueassumptionofgentility；shehadnopatiencewithboarderswhogavethemselvesairs。\"Whenpeoplecomechezmoi，itisnottocutafigureintheworld；Ihaveneverhadthatillusion，\"Irememberhearinghersay；\"andwhenyoupaysevenfrancsaday，toutcompris，itcompriseseverythingbuttherighttolookdownupontheothers。Buttherearepeoplewho，thelesstheypay，themoretheytakethemselvesauserieux。Mymostdifficultboardershavealwaysbeenthosewhohavehadthelittlerooms。\"
MadameBeaurepashadaniece，ayoungwomanofsomefortyoddyears；
andthetwoladies，withtheassistanceofacoupleofthick-waisted，red-armedpeasantwomen，keptthehousegoing。Ifonyourexitsandentrancesyoupeepedintothekitchen，itmadeverylittledifference；forCelestine，thecook，hadnopretensiontobeaninvisiblefunctionaryortodealinoccultmethods。Shewasalwaysatyourservice，withagratefulgrinsheblackedyourboots；shetrudgedofftofetchacab；shewouldhavecarriedyourbaggage，ifyouhadallowedher，onherbroadlittleback。Shewasalwaystrampinginandout，betweenherkitchenandthefountainintheplace，whereitoftenseemedtomethatalargepartofthepreparationforourdinnerwentforward——thewringingoutoftowelsandtable-cloths，thewashingofpotatoesandcabbages，thescouringofsaucepansandcleansingofwater——bottles。Youenjoyed，fromthedoorstep，aperpetualback-viewofCelestineandofherlarge，loose，woollenankles，asshecraned，fromthewaist，overintothefountainanddabbledinhervariousutensils。Thissoundsasiflifewentoninaverymake-shiftfashionatthePensionBeaurepas——asifthetoneoftheestablishmentweresordid。Butsuchwasnotatallthecase。
Weweresimplyverybourgeois；wepractisedthegoodoldGeneveseprincipleofnotsacrificingtoappearances。Thisisanexcellentprinciple——whenyouhavethereality。WehadtherealityatthePensionBeaurepas：wehaditintheshapeofsoftshortbeds，equippedwithfluffyduvets；ofadmirablecoffee，servedtousinthemorningbyCelestineinperson，aswelayrecumbentonthesedownycouches；ofcopious，wholesome，succulentdinners，conformabletothebestprovincialtraditions。Formyself，IthoughtthePensionBeaurepaspicturesque，andthis，withme，atthattimewasagreatword。Iwasyoungandingenuous：IhadjustcomefromAmerica。I
wishedtoperfectmyselfintheFrenchtongue，andIinnocentlybelievedthatitflourishedbyLakeLeman。IusedtogotolecturesattheAcademy，andcomehomewithaviolentappetite。Ialwaysenjoyedmymorningwalkacrossthelongbridge（therewasonlyone，justthere，inthosedays）whichspansthedeepblueout-gushofthelake，andupthedarksteepstreetsoftheoldCalvinisticcity。Thegardenfacedthisway，towardthelakeandtheoldtown；andthiswasthepleasantestapproachtothehouse。Therewasahighwall，withadoublegateinthemiddle，flankedbyacoupleofancientmassiveposts；thebigrustygrillecontainedsomeold-fashionediron-work。
Thegardenwasrathermouldyandweedy，tangledanduntended；butitcontainedalittlethin——flowingfountain，severalgreenbenches，aricketylittletableofthesamecomplexion，andthreeorange-trees，intubs，whichweredepositedaseffectivelyaspossibleinfrontofthewindowsofthesalon。
CHAPTERII。
Ascommonlyhappensinboarding-houses，therustleofpetticoatswas，atthePensionBeaurepas，themostfamiliarformofthehumantread。
Therewastheusualallotmentofeconomicalwidowsandoldmaids，andtomaintainthebalanceofthesexestherewereonlyanoldFrenchmanandayoungAmerican。IthardlymadethemattereasierthattheoldFrenchmancamefromLausanne。Hewasanativeofthatestimabletown，buthehadoncespentsixmonthsinParis，hehadtastedofthetreeofknowledge；hehadgotbeyondLausanne，whoseresourceshepronouncedinadequate。Lausanne，ashesaid，\"manquaitd’agrements。\"
Whenobliged，forreasonswhichheneverspecified，tobringhisresidenceinParistoaclose，hehadfallenbackonGeneva；hehadbrokenhisfallatthePensionBeaurepas。Genevawas，afterall，morelikeParis，andataGeneveseboarding-housetherewassuretobeplentyofAmericanswithwhomonecouldtalkabouttheFrenchmetropolis。M。Pigeonneauwasalittleleanman，withalargenarrownose，whosatagreatdealinthegarden，readingwiththeaidofalargemagnifyingglassavolumefromthecabinetdelecture。
Oneday，afortnightaftermyarrivalatthePensionBeaurepas，I
cameback，ratherearlierthanusualfrommyacademicsession；itwantedhalfanhourofthemiddaybreakfast。Iwentintothesalonwiththedesignofpossessingmyselfoftheday’sGalignanibeforeoneofthelittleEnglisholdmaidsshouldhaveremovedittohervirginalbower——aprivilegetowhichMadameBeaurepasfrequentlyalludedasoneoftheattractionsoftheestablishment。InthesalonIfoundanew-comer，atallgentlemaninahighblackhat，whomI
immediatelyrecognisedasacompatriot。Ihadoftenseenhim，orhisequivalent，inthehotelparloursofmynativeland。Heapparentlysupposedhimselftobeatthepresentmomentinahotelparlour；hishatwasonhishead，or，rather，halfoffit——pushedbackfromhisforehead，andrathersuspendedthanpoised。Hestoodbeforeatableonwhicholdnewspaperswerescattered，oneofwhichhehadtakenupand，withhiseye-glassonhisnose，washoldingoutatarm’s-length。
Itwasthathonourablebutextremelydiminutivesheet，theJournaldeGeneve，anewspaperofaboutthesizeofapocket-handkerchief。AsI
drewnear，lookingformyGalignani，thetallgentlemangaveme，overthetopofhiseye-glass，asomewhatsolemnstare。Presently，however，beforeIhadtimetolaymyhandontheobjectofmysearch，hesilentlyofferedmetheJournaldeGeneve。
\"Itappears，\"hesaid，\"tobethepaperofthecountry。\"
\"Yes，\"Ianswered，\"Ibelieveit’sthebest。\"
Hegazedatitagain，stillholdingitatarm’s-length，asifithadbeenalooking-glass。\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Isupposeit’snaturalasmallcountryshouldhavesmallpapers。Youcouldwrapitup，mountainsandall，inoneofourdailies！\"
IfoundmyGalignani，andwentoffwithitintothegarden，whereI
seatedmyselfonabenchintheshade。PresentlyIsawthetallgentlemaninthehatappearinoneoftheopenwindowsofthesalon，andstandtherewithhishandsinhispocketsandhislegsalittleapart。Helookedverymuchbored，and——Idon’tknowwhy——I
immediatelybegantofeelsorryforhim。Hewasnotatallapicturesquepersonage；helookedlikeajaded，fadedmanofbusiness。
Butafteralittlehecameintothegardenandbegantostrollabout；
andthenhisrestless，unoccupiedcarriage，andthevague，unacquaintedmannerinwhichhiseyeswanderedovertheplace，seemedtomakeitproperthat，asanolderresident，Ishouldexerciseacertainhospitality。Isaidsomethingtohim，andhecameandsatdownbesidemeonmybench，claspingoneofhislongkneesinhishands。
\"Whenisitthisbigbreakfastoftheirscomesoff？\"heinquired。
\"That’swhatIcallit——thelittlebreakfastandthebigbreakfast。
IneverthoughtIshouldlivetoseethetimewhenIshouldcaretoeattwobreakfasts。Butaman’sgladtodoanythingoverhere。\"
\"Formyself，\"Iobserved，\"Ifindplentytodo。\"
Heturnedhisheadandglancedatmewithadry，deliberate，kind-
lookingeye。\"You’regettingusedtothelife，areyou？\"
\"Ilikethelifeverymuch，\"Ianswered，laughing。
\"Howlonghaveyoutriedit？\"
\"Doyoumeaninthisplace？\"
\"Well，Imeananywhere。Itseemstomeprettymuchthesameallover。\"
\"Ihavebeeninthishouseonlyafortnight，\"Isaid。
\"Well，whatshouldyousay，fromwhatyouhaveseen？\"mycompanionasked。
\"Oh，\"saidI，\"youcanseeallthereisimmediately。It’sverysimple。\"
\"Sweetsimplicity，eh？I’mafraidmytwoladieswillfindittoosimple。\"
\"Everythingisverygood，\"Iwenton。\"AndMadameBeaurepasisacharmingoldwoman。Andthenit’sverycheap。\"
\"Cheap，isit？\"myfriendrepeatedmeditatively。
\"Doesn’titstrikeyouso？\"Iasked。Ithoughtitverypossiblehehadnotinquiredtheterms。Butheappearednottohaveheardme；hesatthere，claspinghiskneeandblinking，inacontemplativemanner，atthesunshine。
\"AreyoufromtheUnitedStates，sir？\"hepresentlydemanded，turninghisheadagain。
\"Yes，sir，\"Ireplied；andImentionedtheplaceofmynativity。
\"Ipresumed，\"hesaid，\"thatyouwereAmericanorEnglish。I’mfromtheUnitedStatesmyself；fromNewYorkcity。Manyofourpeoplehere？\"
\"Notsomanyas，Ibelieve，therehavesometimesbeen。Therearetwoorthreeladies。\"
\"Well，\"myinterlocutordeclared，\"Iamveryfondofladies’society。
Ithinkwhenit’ssuperiorthere’snothingcomesuptoit。I’vegottwoladiesheremyself；Imustmakeyouacquaintedwiththem。\"
IrejoinedthatIshouldbedelighted，andIinquiredofmyfriendwhetherhehadbeenlonginEurope。
\"Well，itseemspreciouslong，\"hesaid，\"butmytime’snotupyet。
Wehavebeenherefourteenweeksandahalf。\"
\"Areyoutravellingforpleasure？\"Iasked。
Mycompanionturnedhisheadagainandlookedatme——lookedatmesolonginsilencethatIatlastalsoturnedandmethiseyes。
\"No，sir，\"hesaidpresently。\"No，sir，\"herepeated，afteraconsiderableinterval。
\"Excuseme，\"saidI，fortherewassomethingsosolemninhistonethatIfearedIhadbeenindiscreet。
Hetooknonoticeofmyejaculation；hesimplycontinuedtolookatme。\"I’mtravelling，\"hesaid，atlast，\"topleasethedoctors。
Theyseemedtothinktheywouldlikeit。\"
\"Ah，theysentyouabroadforyourhealth？\"
\"Theysentmeabroadbecausetheyweresoconfoundedlymuddledtheydidn’tknowwhatelsetodo。\"
\"That’softenthebestthing，\"Iventuredtoremark。
\"Itwasaconfessionofweakness；theywantedmetostopplaguingthem。Theydidn’tknowenoughtocureme，andthat’sthewaytheythoughttheywouldgetroundit。Iwantedtobecured——Ididn’twanttobetransported。Ihadn’tdoneanyharm。\"
Iassentedtothegeneralpropositionoftheinefficiencyofdoctors，andaskedmycompanionifhehadbeenseriouslyill。
\"Ididn’tsleep，\"hesaid，aftersomedelay。
\"Ah，that’sveryannoying。Isupposeyouwereoverworked。\"
\"Ididn’teat；Itooknointerestinmyfood。\"
\"Well，Ihopeyoubotheatandsleepnow，\"Isaid。
\"Icouldn’tholdapen，\"myneighbourwenton。\"Icouldn’tsitstill。Icouldn’twalkfrommyhousetothecars——andit’sonlyalittleway。Ilostmyinterestinbusiness。\"
\"Youneededaholiday，\"Iobserved。
\"That’swhatthedoctorssaid。Itwasn’tsoverysmartofthem。I
hadbeenpayingstrictattentiontobusinessfortwenty-threeyears。\"
\"Inallthattimeyouhaveneverhadaholiday？\"Iexclaimedwithhorror。
Mycompanionwaitedalittle。\"Sundays，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Nowonder，then，youwereoutofsorts。\"
\"Well，sir，\"saidmyfriend，\"Ishouldn’thavebeenwhereIwasthreeyearsagoifIhadspentmytimetravellingroundEurope。Iwasinaveryadvantageousposition。Ididaverylargebusiness。Iwasconsiderablyinterestedinlumber。\"Hepaused，turnedhishead，andlookedatmeamoment。\"Haveyouanybusinessinterestsyourself？\"
IansweredthatIhadnone，andhewentonagain，slowly，softly，deliberately。\"Well，sir，perhapsyouarenotawarethatbusinessintheUnitedStatesisnotwhatitwasashorttimesince。Businessinterestsareveryinsecure。Thereseemstobeageneralfalling-
off。Differentpartiesofferdifferentexplanationsofthefact，butsofarasIamawarenoneoftheirobservationshavesetthingsgoingagain。\"Iingeniouslyintimatedthatifbusinesswasdull，thetimewasgoodforcomingaway；whereuponmyneighbourthrewbackhisheadandstretchedhislegsawhile。\"Well，sir，that’soneviewofthemattercertainly。There’ssomethingtobesaidforthat。Thesethingsshouldbelookedatallround。That’sthegroundmywifetook。That’stheground，\"headdedinamoment，\"thataladywouldnaturallytake；\"andhegavealittledrylaugh。
\"Youthinkit’sslightlyillogical，\"Iremarked。
\"Well，sir，thegroundItookwas，thattheworseaman’sbusinessis，themoreitrequireslookingafter。Ishouldn’twanttogoouttotakeawalk——noteventogotochurch——ifmyhousewasonfire。
Myfirmisnotdoingthebusinessitwas；it’slikeasickchild，itrequiresnursing。WhatIwantedthedoctorstodowastofixmeup，sothatIcouldgoonathome。I’dhavetakenanythingthey’dhavegivenme，andasmanytimesaday。Iwantedtoberightthere；Ihadmyreasons；Ihavethemstill。ButIcameoffallthesame，\"saidmyfriend，withamelancholysmile。
Iwasagreatdealyoungerthanhe，buttherewassomethingsosimpleandcommunicativeinhistone，soexpressiveofadesiretofraternise，andsoexemptfromanytheoryofhumandifferences，thatIquiteforgothisseniority，andfoundmyselfofferinghimpaternalIadvice。\"Don’tthinkaboutallthat，\"saidI。\"Simplyenjoyyourself，amuseyourself，getwell。TravelaboutandseeEurope。Attheendofayear，bythetimeyouarereadytogohome，thingswillhaveimprovedoverthere，andyouwillbequitewellandhappy。\"
Myfriendlaidhishandonmyknee；helookedatmeforsomemoments，andIthoughthewasgoingtosay，\"Youareveryyoung！\"Buthesaidpresently，\"YOUhavegotusedtoEuropeanyway！\"
CHAPTERIII。
AtbreakfastIencounteredhisladies——hiswifeanddaughter。Theywereplaced，however，atadistancefromme，anditwasnotuntilthepensionnaireshaddispersed，andsomeofthem，accordingtocustom，hadcomeoutintothegarden，thathehadanopportunityofmakingmeacquaintedwiththem。
\"Willyouallowmetointroduceyoutomydaughter？\"hesaid，movedapparentlybyapaternalinclinationtoprovidethisyoungladywithsocialdiversion。Shewasstandingwithhermother，inoneofthepaths，lookingaboutwithnogreatcomplacency，asIimagined，atthehomelycharacteristicsoftheplace，andoldM。Pigeonneauwashoveringnear，hesitatingapparentlybetweenthedesiretobeurbaneandtheabsenceofapretext。\"Mrs。Ruck——MissSophyRuck，\"saidmyfriend，leadingmeup。
Mrs。Ruckwasalarge，plump，light-colouredperson，withasmoothfairface，asomnolenteye，andanelaboratecoiffure。MissSophywasagirlofone-and-twenty，verysmallandverypretty——whatI
supposewouldhavebeencalledalivelybrunette。Bothoftheseladieswereattiredinblacksilkdresses，verymuchtrimmed；theyhadanairofthehighestelegance。
\"Doyouthinkhighlyofthispension？\"inquiredMrs。Ruck，afterafewpreliminaries。
\"It’salittlerough，butitseemstomecomfortable，\"Ianswered。
\"DoesittakeahighrankinGeneva？\"Mrs。Ruckpursued。
\"Iimagineitenjoysaveryfairfame，\"Isaid，smiling。
\"IshouldneverdreamofcomparingittoaNewYorkboarding-house，\"
saidMrs。Ruck。
\"It’squiteadifferentstyle，\"herdaughterobserved。
MissRuckhadfoldedherarms；shewasholdingherelbowswithapairofwhitelittlehands，andshewastappingthegroundwithaprettylittlefoot。
\"Wehardlyexpectedtocometoapension，\"saidMrs。Ruck。\"Butwethoughtwewouldtry；wehadheardsomuchaboutSwisspensions。I
wassayingtoMr。RuckthatIwonderedwhetherthiswasafavourablespecimen。Iwasafraidwemighthavemadeamistake。\"
\"Weknewsomepeoplewhohadbeenhere；theythoughteverythingofMadameBeaurepas，\"saidMissSophy。\"Theysaidshewasarealfriend。\"
\"Mr。andMrs。Parker——perhapsyouhaveheardherspeakofthem，\"Mrs。
Ruckpursued。
\"MadameBeaurepashashadagreatmanyAmericans；sheisveryfondofAmericans，\"Ireplied。
\"Well，ImustsayIshouldthinkshewouldbe，ifshecomparesthemwithsomeothers。\"
\"Motherisalwayscomparing，\"observedMissRuck。
\"OfcourseIamalwayscomparing，\"rejoinedtheelderlady。\"Ineverhadachancetillnow；Ineverknewmyprivileges。GivemeanAmerican！\"AndMrs。Ruckindulgedinalittlelaugh。
\"Well，ImustsaytherearesomethingsIlikeoverhere，\"saidMissSophy，withcourage。AndindeedIcouldseethatshewasayoungwomanofgreatdecision。
\"Youliketheshops——that’swhatyoulike，\"herfatheraffirmed。
Theyoungladyaddressedherselftome，withoutheedingthisremark。
\"Isupposeyoufeelquiteathomehere。\"
\"Oh，helikesit；hehasgotusedtothelife！\"exclaimedMr。Ruck。
\"Iwishyou’dteachMr。Ruck，\"saidhiswife。\"Itseemsasifhecouldn’tgetusedtoanything。\"
\"I’musedtoyou，mydear，\"thehusbandretorted，givingmeahumorouslook。
\"He’sintenselyrestless，\"continuedMrs。Ruck。
\"That’swhatmademewanttocometoapension。Ithoughthewouldsettledownmore。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIAMusedtoyou，afterall，\"saidherhusband。
InviewofapossibleexchangeofconjugalreparteeItookrefugeinconversationwithMissRuck，whoseemedperfectlyabletoplayherpartinanycolloquy。Ilearnedfromthisyoungladythat，withherparents，aftervisitingtheBritishIslands，shehadbeenspendingamonthinParis，andthatshethoughtsheshouldhavediedwhensheleftthatcity。\"Ihungoutofthecarriage，whenweleftthehotel，\"saidMissRuck，\"IassureyouIdid。Andmotherdid，too。\"
\"Outoftheotherwindow，Ihope，\"saidI。
\"Yes，oneoutofeachwindow，\"sherepliedpromptly。\"Fatherhadhardwork，Icantellyou。Wehadn’thalffinished；therewereeversomanyplaceswewantedtogoto。\"
\"Yourfatherinsistedoncomingaway？\"
\"Yes；afterwehadbeenthereaboutamonthhesaidhehadenough。
He’sfearfullyrestless；he’sverymuchoutofhealth。MotherandI
saidtohimthatifhewasrestlessinParisheneedn’thopeforpeaceanywhere。Wedon’tmeantoleavehimalonetillhetakesusback。\"TherewasanairofkeenresolutioninMissRuck’sprettyface，oflucidapprehensionofdesirableends，whichmademe，asshepronouncedthesewords，directaglanceofcovertcompassiontowardherpoorrecalcitrantfather。Hehadwalkedawayalittlewithhiswife，andIsawonlyhisbackandhisstooping，patient-lookingshoulders，whoseairofacuteresignationwasthrownintoreliefbythevoluminoustranquillityofMrs。Ruck。\"HewillhavetotakeusbackinSeptember，anyway，\"theyounggirlpursued；\"hewillhavetotakeusbacktogetsomethingswehaveordered。\"
\"Haveyouorderedagreatmanythings？\"Iaskedjocosely。
\"Well，IguesswehaveorderedSOME。OfcoursewewantedtotakeadvantageofbeinginParis——ladiesalwaysdo。Wehavelefttheprincipalthingstillwegoback。Ofcoursethatistheprincipalinterest，forladies。Mothersaidsheshouldfeelsoshabbyifshejustpassedthrough。WehavepromisedallthepeopletobebackinSeptember，andIneverbrokeapromiseyet。SoMr。Ruckhasgottomakehisplansaccordingly。\"
\"Andwhatarehisplans？\"
\"Idon’tknow；hedoesn’tseemabletomakeany。HisgreatideawastogettoGeneva；butnowthathehasgotherehedoesn’tseemtocare。It’stheeffectofillhealth。Heusedtobesobright；butnowheisquitesubdued。It’sabouttimeheshouldimprove，anyway。
Wewentoutlastnighttolookatthejewellers’windows——inthatstreetbehindthehotel。Ihadalwaysheardofthosejewellers’
windows。Wesawsomelovelythings，butitdidn’tseemtorousefather。He’llgettiredofGenevasoonerthanhedidofParis。\"
\"Ah，\"saidI，\"therearefinerthingsherethanthejewellers’
windows。WeareverynearsomeofthemostbeautifulsceneryinEurope。\"
\"Isupposeyoumeanthemountains。Well，wehaveseenplentyofmountainsathome。Weusedtogotothemountainseverysummer。Wearefamiliarenoughwiththemountains。Aren’twe，mother？\"theyoungladydemanded，appealingtoMrs。Ruck，who，withherhusband，haddrawnnearagain。
\"Aren’twewhat？\"inquiredtheelderlady。
\"Aren’twefamiliarwiththemountains？\"
\"Well，Ihopeso，\"saidMrs。Ruck。
Mr。Ruck，withhishandsinhispockets，gavemeasociablewink。——
\"There’snothingmuchyoucantellthem！\"hesaid。
Thetwoladiesstoodfacetofaceafewmoments，surveyingeachother’sgarments。\"Don’tyouwanttogoout？\"theyounggirlatlastinquiredofhermother。
\"Well，Ithinkwehadbetter；wehavegottogouptothatplace。\"
\"Towhatplace？\"askedMr。Ruck。
\"Tothatjeweller’s——tothatbigone。\"
\"Theyallseemedbigenough；theyweretoobig！\"AndMr。Ruckgavemeanotherwink。
\"Thatonewherewesawthebluecross，\"saidhisdaughter。
\"Oh，come，whatdoyouwantofthatbluecross？\"poorMr。Ruckdemanded。
\"Shewantstohangitonablackvelvetribbonandtieitroundherneck，\"saidhiswife。
\"Ablackvelvetribbon？No，Ithankyou！\"criedtheyounglady。\"DoyousupposeIwouldwearthatcrossonablackvelvetribbon？Onanicelittlegoldchain，ifyouplease——alittlenarrowgoldchain，likeanold-fashionedwatch-chain。That’stheproperthingforthatbluecross。IknowthesortofchainImean；I’mgoingtolookforone。WhenIwantathing，\"saidMissRuck，withdecision，\"Icangenerallyfindit。\"
\"Lookhere，Sophy，\"herfatherurged，\"youdon’twantthatbluecross。\"
\"Idowantit——Ihappentowantit。\"AndSophyglancedatmewithalittlelaugh。
Herlaugh，whichinitselfwaspretty，suggestedthattherewerevariousrelationsinwhichonemightstandtoMissRuck；butIthinkIwasconsciousofacertainsatisfactioninnotoccupyingthepaternalone。\"Don’tworrythepoorchild，\"saidhermother。
\"Comeon，mother，\"saidMissRuck。
\"Wearegoingtolookaboutalittle，\"explainedtheelderladytome，bywayoftakingleave。
\"Iknowwhatthatmeans，\"remarkedMr。Ruck，ashiscompanionsmovedaway。Hestoodlookingatthemamoment，whileheraisedhishandtohishead，behind，andstoodrubbingitalittle，withamovementthatdisplacedhishat。（ImayremarkinparenthesisthatIneversawahatmoreeasilydisplacedthanMr。Ruck’s。）Isupposedhewasgoingtosaysomethingquerulous，butIwasmistaken。Mr。Ruckwasunhappy，buthewasverygood-natured。\"Well，theywanttopickupsomething，\"hesaid。\"That’stheprincipalinterest，forladies。\"
CHAPTERIV。
Mr。Ruckdistinguishedme，astheFrenchsay。Hehonouredmewithhisesteem，and，asthedayselapsed，withalargeportionofhisconfidence。Sometimesheboredmealittle，forthetoneofhisconversationwasnotcheerful，tendingasitdidalmostexclusivelytoamelancholydirgeoverthefinancialprostrationofourcommoncountry。\"No，sir，businessintheUnitedStatesisnotwhatitoncewas，\"hefoundoccasiontoremarkseveraltimesaday。\"There’snotthesamespring——there’snotthesamehopefulfeeling。Youcanseeitinalldepartments。\"Heusedtositbythehourinthelittlegardenofthepension，witharollofAmericannewspapersinhislapandhishighhatpushedback，swingingoneofhislonglegsandreadingtheNewYorkHerald。HepaidadailyvisittotheAmericanbanker’s，ontheothersideoftheRhone，andremainedtherealongtime，turningovertheoldpapersonthegreenvelvettableinthemiddleoftheSalondesEtrangers，andfraternisingwithchancecompatriots。Butinspiteofthesediversionshistimehungheavilyuponhishands。Iusedsometimestoproposetohimtotakeawalk；
buthehadamortalhorrorofpedestrianism，andregardedmyowntasteforitas’amorbidformofactivity。\"You’llkillyourself，ifyoudon’tlookout，\"hesaid，\"walkingalloverthecountry。I
don’twanttowalkroundthatway；Iain’tapostman！\"Brieflyspeaking，Mr。Ruckhadfewresources。Hiswifeanddaughter，ontheotherhand，itwastobesupposed，werepossessedofagoodmanythatcouldnotbeapparenttoanunobtrusiveyoungman。Theyalsosatagreatdealinthegardenorinthesalon，sidebyside，withfoldedhands，contemplatingmaterialobjects，andwereremarkablyindependentofmostoftheusualfeminineaidstoidleness——lightliterature，tapestry，theuseofthepiano。Theywere，however，muchfonderoflocomotionthantheircompanion，andIoftenmetthemintheRueduRhoneandonthequays，loiteringinfrontofthejewellers’windows。TheymighthavehadacavalierinthepersonofoldM。Pigeonneau，whopossessedahighappreciationoftheircharms，butwho，owingtotheabsenceofacommonidiom，wasdeprivedofthepleasuresofintimacy。HeknewnoEnglish，andMrs。Ruckandherdaughterhad，asitseemed，anincurablemistrustofthebeautifultonguewhich，astheoldmanendeavouredtoimpressuponthem，waspre-eminentlythelanguageofconversation。
\"Theyhaveatournuredeprincesse——adistinctionsupreme，\"hesaidtome。\"Oneissurprisedtofindtheminalittlepension，atsevenfrancsaday。\"
\"Oh，theydon’tcomeforeconomy，\"Ianswered。\"Theymustberich。\"
\"Theydon’tcomeformybeauxyeux——formine，\"saidM。Pigeonneau，sadly。\"Perhapsit’sforyours，youngman。Jevousrecommandelamere。\"
Ireflectedamoment。\"TheycameonaccountofMr。Ruck——becauseathotelshe’ssorestless。\"
M。Pigeonneaugavemeaknowingnod。\"Ofcourseheis，withsuchawifeasthat——afemmesuperbe。MadameRuckispreservedinperfection——amiraculousfraicheur。Ilikethoselarge，fair，quietwomen；theyareoften，dansl’intimite，themostagreeable。I’llwarrantyouthatatheartMadameRuckisafinishedcoquette。\"
\"Iratherdoubtit，\"Isaid。
\"Yousupposehercold？Nevousyfiezpas！\"
\"ItisamatterinwhichIhavenothingatstake。\"
\"YouyoungAmericansaredroll，\"saidM。Pigeonneau；\"youneverhaveanythingatstake！Butthelittleone，forexample；I’llwarrantyoushe’snotcold。Sheisadmirablymade。\"
\"Sheisverypretty。\"
\"’Sheisverypretty！’Vousditescelad’unton！WhenyoupaycomplimentstoMademoiselleRuck，Ihopethat’snotthewayyoudoit。\"
\"Idon’tpaycomplimentstoMademoiselleRuck。\"
\"Ah，decidedly，\"saidM。Pigeonneau，\"youyoungAmericansaredroll！\"
IshouldhavesuspectedthatthesetwoladieswouldnotespeciallycommendthemselvestoMadameBeaurepas；thatasamaitressedesalon，whichsheinsomedegreeaspiredtobe，shewouldhavefoundthemwantinginacertainflexibilityofdeportment。ButIshouldhavegonequitewrong；MadameBeaurepashadnofaultatalltofindwithhernewpensionnaires。\"Ihavenoobservationwhatevertomakeaboutthem，\"shesaidtomeoneevening。\"Iseenothinginthoseladieswhichisatalldeplace。Theydon’tcomplainofanything；theydon’tmeddle；theytakewhat’sgiventhem；theyleavemetranquil。TheAmericansareoftenlikethat。Often，butnotalways，\"MadameBeaurepaspursued。\"Wearetohaveaspecimento-morrowofaverydifferentsort。\"
\"AnAmerican？\"Iinquired。
\"TwoAmericaines——amotherandadaughter。ThereareAmericansandAmericans：whenyouaredifficiles，youaremoresothananyone，andwhenyouhavepretensions——ah，perexemple，it’sserious。I
foreseethatwiththislittleladyeverythingwillbeserious，beginningwithhercafeaulait。ShehasbeenstayingatthePensionChamousset——myconcurrent，youknow，fartherupthestreet；butsheiscomingawaybecausethecoffeeisbad。Sheholdstohercoffee，itappears。Idon’tknowwhatliquidMadameChamoussetmayhaveinvented，butwewilldothebestwecanforher。Only，Iknowshewillmakemedeshistoiresaboutsomethingelse。Shewilldemandanewlampforthesalon；vousallesvoircela。Shewishestopaybutelevenfrancsadayforherselfandherdaughter，toutcompris；andfortheirelevenfrancstheyexpecttobelodgedlikeprincesses。
Butsheisvery’ladylike’——isn’tthatwhatyoucallitinEnglish？
Oh，pourcela，sheisladylike！\"
Icaughtaglimpseonthemorrowofthisladylikeperson，whowasarrivingathernewresidenceasIcameinfromawalk。Shehadcomeinacab，withherdaughterandherluggage；and，withanairofperfectsoftnessandserenity，shewasdisputingthefareasshestoodamongherboxes，onthesteps。SheaddressedhercabmaninaveryEnglishaccent，butwithextremeprecisionandcorrectness。\"I
wishtobeperfectlyreasonable，butIdon’twishtoencourageyouinexorbitantdemands。Withafrancandahalfyouaresufficientlypaid。ItisnotthecustomatGenevatogiveapour-boireforsoshortadrive。Ihavemadeinquiries，andIfinditisnotthecustom，eveninthebestfamilies。Iamastranger，yes，butI
alwaysadoptthecustomofthenativefamilies。Ithinkitmydutytowardthenatives。\"
\"ButIamanative，too，moi！\"saidthecabman，withanangrylaugh。
\"YouseemtometospeakwithaGermanaccent，\"continuedthelady。
\"YouareprobablyfromBasel。Afrancandahalfissufficient。I
seeyouhaveleftbehindthelittleredbagwhichIaskedyoutoholdbetweenyourknees；youwillpleasetogobacktotheotherhouseandgetit。Verywell，ifyouareimpoliteIwillmakeacomplaintofyouto-morrowattheadministration。Aurora，youwillfindapencilintheouterpocketofmyembroideredsatchel；pleasetowritedownhisnumber，——87；doyouseeitdistinctly？——incaseweshouldforgetit。\"
Theyoungladyaddressedas\"Aurora\"——aslight，fairgirl，holdingalargeparcelofumbrellas——stoodathandwhilethisallocutionwentforward，butsheapparentlygavenoheedtoit。Shestoodlookingabouther，inalistlessmanner，atthefrontofthehouse，atthecorridor，atCelestinetuckingupheraproninthedoorway，atmeasIpassedinamidthedisseminatedluggage；hermother’sparsimoniousattitudeseemingtoproduceinMissAuroraneithersympathynorembarrassment。Atdinnerthetwoladieswereplacedonthesamesideofthetableasmyself，belowMrs。Ruckandherdaughter，myownpositionbeingontherightofMr。Ruck。IhadthereforelittleobservationofMrs。Church——suchIlearnedtobehername——butI
occasionallyheardhersoft，distinctvoice。
\"Whitewine，ifyouplease；wepreferwhitewine。Thereisnoneonthetable？Thenyouwillpleasetogetsome，andtoremembertoplaceabottleofitalwayshere，betweenmydaughterandmyself。\"
\"Thatladyseemstoknowwhatshewants，\"saidMr。Ruck，\"andshespeakssoIcanunderstandher。Ican’tunderstandeveryone，overhere。Ishouldliketomakethatlady’sacquaintance。Perhapssheknowswhat_I_want，too；itseemshardtofindout。ButIdon’twantanyoftheirsourwhitewine；that’soneofthethingsIdon’twant。Iexpectshe’llbeanadditiontothepension。\"
Mr。RuckmadetheacquaintanceofMrs。Churchthateveningintheparlour，beingpresentedtoherbyhiswife，whopresumedontherightsconferreduponherselfbythemutualproximity，attable，ofthetwoladies。IsuspectedthatinMrs。Church’sviewMrs。Ruckpresumedtoofar。ThefugitivefromthePensionChamousset，asM。
Pigeonneaucalledher，wasalittlefresh，plump，comelywoman，lookinglessthanherage，witharound，bright，seriousface。Shewasverysimplyandfrugallydressed，notatallinthemannerofMr。
Ruck’scompanions，andshehadanairofquietdistinctionwhichwasanexcellentdefensiveweapon。SheexhibitedapolitedispositiontolistentowhatMr。Ruckmighthavetosay，buthermannerwasequivalenttoanintimationthatwhatshevaluedleastinboarding-
houselifewasitssocialopportunities。Shehadplacedherselfnearalamp，aftercarefullyscrewingitandturningitup，andshehadopenedinherlap，withtheassistanceofalargeembroideredmarker，anoctavovolume，whichIperceivedtobeinGerman。ToMrs。Ruckandherdaughtershewasevidentlyapuzzle，withhereconomicalattireandherexpensiveculture。Thetwoyoungerladies，however，hadbeguntofraterniseveryfreely，andMissRuckpresentlywentwanderingoutoftheroomwithherarmroundthewaistofMissChurch。Itwasaverywarmevening；thelongwindowsofthesalonstoodwideopenintothegarden，and，inspiredbythebalmydarkness，M。PigeonneauandMademoiselleBeaurepas，amostobliginglittlewoman，wholispedandalwaysworeahugecravat，declaredtheywouldorganiseafetedenuit。Theyengagedinthisundertaking，andthefetedevelopeditself，consistingofhalf-a-dozenredpaperlanterns，hungaboutonthetrees，andofseveralglassesofsirop，carriedonatraybythestout-armedCelestine。AsthefestivaldeepenedtoitsclimaxIwentoutintothegarden，whereM。Pigeonneauwasmasterofceremonies。
\"Butwherearethosecharmingyoungladies，\"hecried，\"MissRuckandthenew-comer，l’aimabletransfuge？Theirabsencehasbeenremarked，andtheyarewantingtothebrilliancyoftheoccasion。VoyezIhaveselectedaglassofsyrup——agenerousglass——forMademoiselleRuck，andIadviseyou，myyoungfriend，ifyouwishtomakeagoodimpression，toputasideonewhichyoumayoffertotheotheryounglady。Whatishername？MissChurch。Isee；it’sasingularname。
ThereisachurchinwhichIwouldwillinglyworship！\"
Mr。Ruckpresentlycameoutofthesalon，havingconcludedhisinterviewwithMrs。Church。ThroughtheopenwindowIsawthelatterladysittingunderthelampwithherGermanoctavo，whileMrs。Ruck，established，empty-handed，inanarm-chairnearher，gazedatherwithanairoffascination。
\"Well，ItoldyoushewouldknowwhatIwant，\"saidMr。Ruck。\"ShesaysIwanttogouptoAppenzell，whereverthatis；thatIwanttodrinkwheyandliveinahighlatitude——whatdidshecallit？——ahighaltitude。SheseemedtothinkweoughttoleaveforAppenzellto-
morrow；she’dgotitallfixed。Shesaysthisain’tahighenoughlat——ahighenoughaltitude。AndshesaysImustn’tgotoohigheither；thatwouldbejustasbad；sheseemstoknowjusttherightfigure。Shesaysshe’llgivemealistofthehotelswherewemuststop，onthewaytoAppenzell。Iaskedherifshedidn’twanttogowithas，butshesaysshe’drathersitstillandread。Iexpectshe’sabigreader。\"
Thedaughterofthisaccomplishedwomannowreappeared，incompanywithMissRuck，withwhomshehadbeenstrollingthroughtheoutlyingpartsofthegarden。
\"Well，\"saidMissRuck，glancingattheredpaperlanterns，\"aretheytryingtosticktheflower-potsintothetrees？\"
\"It’sanilluminationinhonourofourarrival，\"theotheryounggirlrejoined。\"It’satriumphoverMadameChamousset。\"
\"Meanwhile，atthePensionChamousset，\"Iventuredtosuggest，\"theyhaveputouttheirlights；theyaresittingindarkness，lamentingyourdeparture。\"
Shelookedatme，smiling；shewasstandinginthelightthatcamefromthehouse。M。Pigeonneau，meanwhile，whohadbeenawaitinghischance，advancedtoMissRuckwithhisglassofsyrup。\"Ihavekeptitforyou，Mademoiselle，\"hesaid；\"Ihavejealouslyguardedit。Itisverydelicious！\"
MissRucklookedathimandhissyrup，withoutanymotiontotaketheglass。\"Well，Iguessit’ssour，\"shesaidinamoment；andshegavealittleshakeofherhead。
M。Pigeonneaustoodstaringwithhissyrupinhishand；thenheslowlyturnedaway。Helookedaboutattherestofus，asiftoappealfromMissRuck’sinsensibility，andwenttodeposithisrejectedtributeonabench。
\"Won’tyougiveittome？\"askedMissChurch，infaultlessFrench。
\"J’adorelesirop，moi。\"
M。Pigeonneaucamebackwithalacrity，andpresentedtheglasswithaverylowbow。\"Iadoregoodmanners，\"murmuredtheoldman。
ThisincidentcausedmetolookatMissChurchwithquickenedinterest。Shewasnotstrikinglypretty，butinhercharmingirregularfacetherewassomethingbrilliantandardent。Likehermother，shewasverysimplydressed。
\"ShewantstogotoAmerica，andhermotherwon’tlether，\"saidMissSophytome，explaininghercompanion’ssituation。
\"Iamverysorry——forAmerica，\"Ianswered，laughing。
\"Well，Idon’twanttosayanythingagainstyourmother，butIthinkit’sshameful，\"MissRuckpursued。
\"Mammahasverygoodreasons；shewilltellyouthemall。\"
\"Well，I’msureIdon’twanttohearthem，\"saidMissRuck。\"Youhavegotarighttogotoyourowncountry；everyonehasarighttogototheirowncountry。\"
\"Mammaisnotverypatriotic，\"saidAuroraChurch，smiling。
\"Well，Icallthatdreadful，\"hercompaniondeclared。\"IhaveheardthattherearesomeAmericanslikethat，butIneverbelievedit。\"
\"ThereareallsortsofAmericans，\"Isaid，laughing。
\"Aurora’soneoftherightsort，\"rejoinedMissRuck，whohadapparentlybecomeveryintimatewithhernewfriend。
\"Areyouverypatriotic？\"Iaskedoftheyounggirl。
\"She’srightdownhomesick，\"saidMissSophy；\"she’sdyingtogo。IfIwereyoumymotherwouldhavetotakeme。\"
\"MammaisgoingtotakemetoDresden。\"
\"Well，IdeclareIneverheardofanythingsodreadful！\"criedMissRuck。\"It’slikesomethinginastory。\"
\"IneverheardtherewasanythingverydreadfulinDresden，\"I
interposed。
MissRucklookedatmeamoment。\"Well，Idon’tbelieveYOUareagoodAmerican，\"shereplied，\"andIneversupposedyouwere。YouhadbettergointhereandtalktoMrs。Church。\"
\"Dresdenisreallyverynice，isn’tit？\"Iaskedofhercompanion。
\"Itisn’tniceifyouhappentopreferNewYork，\"saidMissSophy。
\"MissChurchprefersNewYork。TellhimyouaredyingtoseeNewYork；itwillmakehimangry，\"shewenton。
\"Ihavenodesiretomakehimangry，\"saidAurora，smiling。
\"ItisonlyMissRuckwhocandothat，\"Irejoined。\"HaveyoubeenalongtimeinEurope？\"
\"Always。\"
\"Icallthatwicked！\"MissSophydeclared。
\"Youmightbeinaworseplace，\"Icontinued。\"IfindEuropeveryinteresting。\"
MissRuckgavealittlelaugh。\"IwassayingthatyouwantedtopassforaEuropean。\"
\"Yes，IwanttopassforaDalmatian。\"
MissRucklookedatmeamoment。\"Well，youhadbetternotcomehome，\"shesaid。\"Noonewillspeaktoyou。\"
\"Wereyouborninthesecountries？\"Iaskedofhercompanion。
\"Oh，no；IcametoEuropewhenIwasasmallchild。ButIrememberAmericaalittle，anditseemsdelightful。\"
\"Waittillyouseeitagain。It’sjusttoolovely，\"saidMissSophy。
\"It’sthegrandestcountryintheworld，\"Iadded。
MissRuckbegantotossherhead。\"Comeaway，mydear，\"shesaid。
\"Ifthere’sacreatureIdespiseit’samanthattriestosayfunnythingsabouthisowncountry。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkonecanbetiredofEurope？\"Auroraasked，lingering。
\"Possibly——aftermanyyears。\"
\"Fatherwastiredofitafterthreeweeks，\"saidMissRuck。
\"Ihavebeenheresixteenyears，\"herfriendwenton，lookingatmewithacharmingintentness，asifshehadapurposeinspeaking。\"Itusedtobeformyeducation。Idon’tknowwhatit’sfornow。\"
\"She’sbeautifullyeducated，\"saidMissRuck。\"Sheknowsfourlanguages。\"
\"IamnotverysurethatIknowEnglish。\"
\"YoushouldgotoBoston！\"criedMissSophy。\"TheyspeaksplendidlyinBoston。\"
\"C’estmonreve，\"saidAurora，stilllookingatme。
\"HaveyoubeenalloverEurope，\"Iasked——\"inallthedifferentcountries？\"
Shehesitatedamoment。\"Everywherethatthere’sapension。Mammaisdevotedtopensions。Wehavelived，atonetimeoranother，ineverypensioninEurope。\"
\"Well，Ishouldthinkyouhadseenaboutenough，\"saidMissRuck。
\"It’sadelightfulwayofseeingEurope，\"Aurorarejoined，withherbrilliantsmile。\"Youmayimaginehowithasattachedmetothedifferentcountries。Ihavesuchcharmingsouvenirs！ThereisapensionawaitingusnowatDresden，——eightfrancsaday，withoutwine。That’sratherdear。Mammameanstomakethemgiveuswine。
Mammaisagreatauthorityonpensions；sheisknown，thatway，alloverEurope。LastwinterwewereinItaly，andshediscoveredoneatPiacenza，——fourfrancsaday。Wemadeeconomies。\"
\"Yourmotherdoesn’tseemtominglemuch，\"observedMissRuck，glancingthroughthewindowatthescholasticattitudeofMrs。
Church。
\"No，shedoesn’tmingle，exceptinthenativesociety。Thoughshelivesinpensions，shedeteststhem。\"
\"Whydoessheliveinthem，then？\"askedMissSophy，ratherresentfully。
\"Oh，becausewearesopoor；it’sthecheapestwaytolive。Wehavetriedhavingacook，butthecookalwayssteals。Mammausedtosetmetowatchher；that’sthewayIpassedmyjeunesse——mybellejeunesse。Wearefrightfullypoor，\"theyounggirlwenton，withthesamestrangefrankness——acuriousmixtureofgirlishgraceandconsciouscynicism。\"Nousn’avonspaslesou。That’soneofthereasonswedon’tgobacktoAmerica；mammasayswecan’taffordtolivethere。\"
\"Well，anyonecanseethatyou’reanAmericangirl，\"MissRuckremarked，inaconsolatorymanner。\"IcantellanAmericangirlamileoff。You’vegottheAmericanstyle。\"
\"I’mafraidIhaven’ttheAmericantoilette，\"saidAurora，lookingattheother’ssuperiorsplendour。
\"Well，yourdresswascutinFrance；anyonecanseethat。\"
\"Yes，\"saidAurora，withalaugh，\"mydresswascutinFrance——atAvranches。\"
\"Well，you’vegotalovelyfigure，anyway，\"pursuedhercompanion。
\"Ah，\"saidtheyounggirl，\"atAvranches，too，myfigurewasadmired。\"Andshelookedatmeaskance，withacertaincoquetry。
ButIwasaninnocentyouth，andIonlylookedbackather，wondering。ShewasagreatdealnicerthanMissRuck，andyetMissRuckwouldnothavesaidthat。\"ItrytobelikeanAmericangirl，\"
shecontinued；\"Idomybest，thoughmammadoesn’tatallencourageit。Iamverypatriotic。Itrytocopythem，thoughmammahasbroughtmeupalafrancaise；thatis，asmuchasonecaninpensions。Forinstance，Ihaveneverbeenoutofthehousewithoutmamma；oh，never，never。ButsometimesIdespair；Americangirlsaresowonderfullyfrank。Ican’tbefrank，likethat。Iamalwaysafraid。ButIdowhatIcan，asyousee。Excusezdupeu！\"
Ithoughtthisyoungladyatleastasoutspokenasmostofherunexpatriatedsisters；therewassomethingalmostcomicalinherdespondency。Butshehadbynomeanscaught，asitseemedtome，theAmericantone。Whateverhertonewas，however，ithadafascination；
therewassomethingdaintyaboutit，andyetitwasdecidedlyaudacious。
Theyoungladiesbegantostrollaboutthegardenagain，andI
enjoyedtheirsocietyuntilM。Pigeonneau’sfestivalcametoanend。
CHAPTERV。
Mr。RuckdidnottakehisdepartureforAppenzellonthemorrow，inspiteoftheeagernesstowitnesssuchaneventwhichhehadattributedtoMrs。Church。Hecontinued，onthecontrary，formanydaysafter，tohangaboutthegarden，towanderuptothebanker’sandbackagain，toengageindesultoryconversationwithhisfellow-
boarders，andtoendeavourtoassuagehisconstitutionalrestlessnessbyperusaloftheAmericanjournals。ButonthemorrowIhadthehonourofmakingMrs。Church’sacquaintance。Shecameintothesalon，afterthemiddaybreakfast，withherGermanoctavounderherarm，andsheappealedtomeforassistanceinselectingaquietcorner。
\"Wouldyouverykindly，\"shesaid，\"movethatlargefauteuilalittlemorethisway？Notthelargest；theonewiththelittlecushion。
Thefauteuilshereareveryinsufficient；ImustaskMadameBeaurepasforanother。Thankyou；alittlemoretotheleft，please；thatwilldo。Areyouparticularlyengaged？\"sheinquired，aftershehadseatedherself。\"Ifnot，Ishouldliketohavesomeconversationwithyou。ItissometimesinceIhavemetayoungAmericanofyour——
whatshallIcallit？——youraffiliations。IhavelearnedyournamefromMadameBeaurepas；IthinkIusedtoknowsomeofyourpeople。I
don’tknowwhathasbecomeofallmyfriends。Iusedtohaveacharminglittlecircleathome，butnowImeetnooneIknow。Don’tyouthinkthereisagreatdifferencebetweenthepeopleonemeetsandthepeopleonewouldliketomeet？Fortunately，sometimes，\"
addedmyinterlocutressgraciously，\"it’squitethesame。Isupposeyouareaspecimen，afavourablespecimen，\"shewenton，\"ofyoungAmerica。Tellme，now，whatisyoungAmericathinkingofinthesedaysofours？Whatareitsfeelings，itsopinions，itsaspirations？
WhatisitsIDEAL？\"IhadseatedmyselfnearMrs。Church，andshehadpointedthisinterrogationwiththegazeofherbrightlittleeyes。IfeltitembarrassingtobetreatedasafavourablespecimenofyoungAmerica，andtobeexpectedtoanswerforthegreatrepublic。Observingmyhesitation，Mrs。Churchclaspedherhandsontheopenpageofherbookandgaveanintense，melancholysmile。
\"HASitanideal？\"shesoftlyasked。\"Well，wemusttalkofthis，\"
shewenton，withoutinsisting。\"Speak，forthepresent，foryourselfsimply。HaveyoucometoEuropewithanyspecialdesign？\"
\"Nothingtoboastof，\"Isaid。\"Iamstudyingalittle。\"
\"Ah，Iamgladtohearthat。YouaregatheringupalittleEuropeanculture；that’swhatwelack，youknow，athome。Noindividualcandomuch，ofcoarse。Butyoumustnotbediscouraged；everylittlecounts。\"
\"Iseethatyou，atleast，aredoingyourpart，\"Irejoinedgallantly，droppingmyeyesonmycompanion’slearnedvolume。
\"Yes，IfranklyadmitthatIamfondofstudy。Thereisnoone，afterall，liketheGermans。Thatis，forfacts。ForopinionsIbynomeansalwaysgowiththem。Iformmyopinionsmyself。Iamsorrytosay，however，\"Mrs。Churchcontinued，\"thatIcanhardlypretendtodiffusemyacquisitions。IamafraidIamsadlyselfish；Idolittletoirrigatethesoil。Ibelong——Ifranklyconfessit——totheclassofabsentees。\"
\"Ihadthepleasure，lastevening，\"Isaid，\"ofmakingtheacquaintanceofyourdaughter。ShetoldmeyouhadbeenalongtimeinEurope。\"
Mrs。Churchsmiledbenignantly。\"Canoneeverbetoolong？Weshallneverleaveit。\"
\"Yourdaughterwon’tlikethat，\"Isaid，smilingtoo。
\"Hasshebeentakingyouintoherconfidence？Sheisamoresensibleyoungladythanshesometimesappears。Ihavetakengreatpainswithher；sheisreally——Imaybepermittedtosayit——superblyeducated。\"
\"Sheseemedtomeaverycharminggirl，\"Irejoined。\"AndIlearnedthatshespeaksfourlanguages。\"
\"Itisnotonlythat，\"saidMrs。Church，inatonewhichsuggestedthatthismightbeaverysuperficialspeciesofculture。\"Shehasmadewhatwecalldefortesetudes——suchasIsupposeyouaremakingnow。Sheisfamiliarwiththeresultsofmodernscience；shekeepspacewiththenewhistoricalschool。\"
\"Ah，\"saidI，\"shehasgonemuchfartherthanI！\"
\"YoudoubtlessthinkIexaggerate，andyouforceme，therefore，tomentionthefactthatIamabletospeakofsuchmatterswithacertainintelligence。\"
\"Thatisveryevident，\"Isaid。\"Butyourdaughterthinksyououghttotakeherhome。\"Ibegantofear，assoonasIhadutteredthesewords，thattheysavouredoftreacherytotheyounglady，butIwasreassuredbyseeingthattheyproducedonhermother’splacidcountenancenosymptomwhateverofirritation。
\"Mydaughterhasherlittletheories，\"Mrs。Churchobserved；\"shehas，Imaysay，herillusions。Andwhatwonder！Whatwouldyouthbewithoutitsillusions？AurorahasatheorythatshewouldbehappierinNewYork，inBoston，inPhiladelphia，thaninoneofthecharmingoldcitiesinwhichourlotiscast。Butsheismistaken，thatisall。Wemustallowourchildrentheirillusions，mustwenot？Butwemustwatchoverthem。\"
Althoughsheherselfseemedproofagainstdiscomposure，Ifoundsomethingvaguelyirritatinginhersoft，sweetpositiveness。
\"Americancities，\"Isaid，\"aretheparadiseofyounggirls。\"
\"Doyoumean，\"askedMrs。Church，\"thattheyounggirlswhocomefromthoseplacesareangels？\"
\"Yes，\"Isaid，resolutely。
\"Thisyounglady——whatisheroddname？——withwhommydaughterhasformedasomewhatprecipitateacquaintance：isMissRuckanangel？
ButIwon’tforceyoutosayanythinguncivil。Itwouldbetoocrueltomakeasingleexception。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"atanyrate，inAmericayounggirlshaveaneasierlot。Theyhavemuchmoreliberty。\"
Mycompanionlaidherhandforaninstantonmyarm。\"Mydearyoungfriend，IknowAmerica，Iknowtheconditionsoflifethere，sowell。
ThereisperhapsnosubjectonwhichIhavereflectedmorethanonournationalidiosyncrasies。\"
\"Iamafraidyoudon’tapproveofthem，\"saidI，alittlebrutally。
Brutalindeedmypropositionwas，andMrs。Churchwasnotpreparedtoassenttoitinthisroughshape。Shedroppedhereyesonherbook，withanairofacutemeditation。Then，raisingthem，\"Weareverycrude，\"shesoftlyobserved——\"weareverycrude。\"Lesteventhisdelicately-utteredstatementshouldseemtosavourofthevicethatshedeprecated，shewentontoexplain。\"Therearetwoclassesofminds，youknow——thosethatholdback，andthosethatpushforward。
MydaughterandIarenotpushers；wemovewithlittlesteps。Weliketheold，troddenpaths；weliketheold，oldworld。\"
\"Ah，\"saidI，\"youknowwhatyoulike；thereisagreatvirtueinthat。\"
\"Yes，welikeEurope；wepreferit。WeliketheopportunitiesofEurope；weliketheREST。Thereissomuchinthat，youknow。Theworldseemstometobehurrying，pressingforwardsofiercely，withoutknowingwhereitisgoing。’Whither？’Ioftenask，inmylittlequietway。ButIhaveyettolearnthatanyonecantellme。\"
\"You’reagreatconservative，\"Iobserved，whileIwonderedwhetherI
myselfcouldanswerthisinquiry。