Mrs。Churchgavemeasmilewhichwasequivalenttoaconfession。\"I
wishtoretainaLITTLE——justalittle。Surely，wehavedonesomuch，wemightrestawhile；wemightpause。Thatisallmyfeeling——
justtostopalittle，towait！Ihaveseensomanychanges。Iwishtodrawin，todrawin——toholdback，toholdback。\"
\"Youshouldn’tholdyourdaughterback！\"Ianswered，laughingandgettingup。Igotup，notbywayofterminatingourinterview，forI
perceivedMrs。Church’sexpositionofherviewstobebynomeanscomplete，butinordertoofferachairtoMissAurora，whoatthismomentdrewnear。Shethankedmeandremainedstanding，butwithoutatfirst，asInoticed，meetinghermother’seye。
\"Youhavebeenengagedwithyournewacquaintance，mydear？\"thisladyinquired。
\"Yes，mamma，dear，\"saidtheyounggirl，gently。
\"Doyoufindherveryedifying？\"
Aurorawassilentamoment；thenshelookedathermother。\"Idon’tknow，mamma；sheisveryfresh。\"
Iventuredtoindulgeinarespectfullaugh。\"Yourmotherhasanotherwordforthat。ButImustnot，\"Iadded，\"becrude。\"
\"Ah，vousm’envoulez？\"inquiredMrs。Church。\"AndyetIcan’tpretendIsaiditinjest。Ifeelittoomuch。Wehavebeenhavingalittlesocialdiscussion，\"shesaidtoherdaughter。\"Thereisstillsomuchtobesaid。\"\"AndIwish，\"shecontinued，turningtome，\"thatIcouldgiveyouourpointofview。Don’tyouwish，Aurora，thatwecouldgivehimourpointofview？\"
\"Yes，mamma，\"saidAurora。
\"Weconsiderourselvesveryfortunateinourpointofview，don’twe，dearest？\"mammademanded。
\"Veryfortunate，indeed，mamma。\"
\"YouseewehaveacquiredaninsightintoEuropeanlife，\"theelderladypursued。\"WehaveourplaceatmanyaEuropeanfireside。Wefindsomuchtoesteem——somuchtoenjoy。Dowenot，mydaughter？\"
\"Soverymuch，mamma，\"theyounggirlwenton，withasortofinscrutablesubmissiveness。Iwonderedatit；itofferedsostrangeacontrasttothemockingfreedomofhertonethenightbefore；butwhileIwonderedIwascarefulnottoletmyperplexitytakeprecedenceofmygoodmanners。
\"Idon’tknowwhatyouladiesmayhavefoundatEuropeanfiresides，\"
Isaid，\"buttherecanbeverylittledoubtwhatyouhaveleftthere。\"
Mrs。Churchgotup，toacknowledgemycompliment。\"Wehavespentsomecharminghours。Andthatremindsmethatwehavejustnowsuchanoccasioninprospect。WearetocalluponsomeGenevesefriends——
thefamilyofthePasteurGalopin。TheyaretogowithustotheoldlibraryattheHoteldeVille，wheretherearesomeveryinterestingdocumentsoftheperiodoftheReformation；wearepromisedaglimpseofsomemanuscriptsofpoorServetus，theantagonistandvictim，youknow，ofCalvin。Here，ofcourse，onecanonlyspeakofCalvinunderone’sbreath，butsomeday，whenwearemoreprivate，\"andMrs。
Churchlookedroundtheroom，\"Iwillgiveyoumyviewofhim。I
thinkithasatouchoforiginality。Auroraisfamiliarwith，areyounot，mydaughter，familiarwithmyviewofCalvin？\"
\"Yes，mamma，\"saidAurora，withdocility，whilethetwoladieswenttopreparefortheirvisittothePasteurGalopin。
CHAPTERVI。
\"Shehasdemandedanewlamp；Itoldyoushewould！\"ThiscommunicationwasmademebyMadameBeaurepasacoupleofdayslater。
\"Andshehasaskedforanewtapisdelit，andshehasrequestedmetoprovideCelestinewithapairoflightshoes。Itoldherthat，asageneralthing，cooksarenotshodwithsatin。ThatpoorCelestine！\"
\"Mrs。Churchmaybeexacting，\"Isaid，\"butsheisacleverlittlewoman。\"
\"Aladywhopaysbutfivefrancsandahalfshouldn’tbetooclever。
C’estdeplace。Idon’tlikethetype。\"
\"WhattypedoyoucallMrs。Church’s？\"
\"MonDieu，\"saidMadameBeaurepas，\"c’estunedecesmamanscommevousenavez，quipromenentleurfille。\"
\"Sheistryingtomarryherdaughter？Idon’tthinkshe’softhatsort。\"
ButMadameBeaurepasshrewdlyheldtoheridea。\"Sheistryingitinherownway；shedoesitveryquietly。Shedoesn’twantanAmerican；
shewantsaforeigner。Andshewantsamariserieux。ButsheistravellingoverEuropeinsearchofone。Shewouldlikeamagistrate。\"
\"Amagistrate？\"
\"Agrosbonnetofsomekind；aprofessororadeputy。\"
\"Iamverysorryforthepoorgirl，\"Isaid，laughing。
\"Youneedn’tpityhertoomuch；she’saslything。\"
\"Ah，forthat，no！\"Iexclaimed。\"She’sacharminggirl。\"
MadameBeaurepasgaveanelderlygrin。\"Shehashookedyou，eh？Butthemotherwon’thaveyou。\"
Idevelopedmyidea，withoutheedingthisinsinuation。\"She’sacharminggirl，butsheisalittleodd。It’sanecessityofherposition。Sheislesssubmissivetohermotherthanshehastopretendtobe。That’sinself-defence；it’stomakeherlifepossible。\"
\"Shewishestogetawayfromhermother，\"continuedMadameBeaurepas。
\"Shewishestocourirleschamps。\"
\"ShewishestogotoAmerica，hernativecountry。\"
\"Precisely。Andshewillcertainlygo。\"
\"Ihopeso！\"Irejoined。
\"Somefinemorning——orevening——shewillgooffwithayoungman；
probablywithayoungAmerican。\"
\"Allonsdonc！\"saidI，withdisgust。
\"ThatwillbequiteAmericaenough，\"pursuedmycynicalhostess。\"I
havekeptaboarding-houseforfortyyears。Ihaveseenthattype。\"
\"Havesuchthingsasthathappenedchezvous？\"Iasked。
\"Everythinghashappenedchezmoi。Butnothinghashappenedmorethanonce。Thereforethiswon’thappenhere。Itwillbeatthenextplacetheygoto，orthenext。Besides，herethereisnoyoungAmericanpourlapartie——noneexceptyou，Monsieur。Youaresusceptible，butyouaretooreasonable。\"
\"It’sluckyforyouIamreasonable，\"Ianswered。\"It’sthankstothatfactthatyouescapeascolding！\"
Onemorning，aboutthistime，insteadofcomingbacktobreakfastatthepension，aftermylecturesattheAcademy，Iwenttopartakeofthismealwithafellow-student，atanancienteating-houseinthecollegiatequarter。Onseparatingfrommyfriend，ItookmywayalongthatcharmingpublicwalkknowninGenevaastheTreille，ashadyterrace，ofimmenseelevation，overhangingaportionofthelowertown。Therearespreadingtreesandwell-wornbenches，andoverthetilesandchimneysofthevillebassethereisaviewofthesnow-crestedAlps。Ontheotherside，asyouturnyourbacktotheview，thepromenadeisoverlookedbyarowoftall，sober-facedhotels，thedwellingsofthelocalaristocracy。Iwasveryfondoftheplace，andoftenresortedtoittostimulatemysenseofthepicturesque。Presently，asIlingeredthereonthisoccasion，I
becameawarethatagentlemanwasseatednotfarfromwhereIstood，withhisbacktotheAlpinechain，whichthismorningwasbrilliantanddistinct，andanewspaper，unfolded，inhislap。Hewasnotreading，however；hewasstaringbeforehimingloomycontemplation。
Idon’tknowwhetherIrecognisedfirstthenewspaperoritsproprietor；one，ineithercase，wouldhavehelpedmetoidentifytheother。OnewastheNewYorkHerald；theother，ofcourse，wasMr。
Ruck。AsIdrewnearer，hetransferredhiseyesfromthestony，high-featuredmasksofthegrayoldhousesontheothersideoftheterrace，andIknewbytheexpressionofhisfacejusthowhehadbeenfeelingaboutthesedistinguishedabodes。Hehadmadeuphismindthattheirproprietorswereadusky，narrow-minded，unsociablecompany；plungingtheirrootsintoasuperfluouspast。I
endeavoured，therefore，asIsatdownbesidehim，tosuggestsomethingmoreimpersonal。
\"That’sabeautifulviewoftheAlps，\"Iobserved。
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Ruck，withoutmoving，\"I’veexaminedit。Finething，initsway——finething。Beautiesofnature——thatsortofthing。Wecameuponpurposetolookatit。\"
\"Yourladies，then，havebeenwithyou？\"
\"Yes；theyarejustwalkinground。They’reawfullyrestless。TheykeepsayingI’mrestless，butI’masquietasasleepingchildtothem。Ittakes，\"headdedinamoment，drily，\"theformofshopping。\"
\"Aretheyshoppingnow？\"
\"Well，iftheyain’t，they’retryingto。Theytoldmetosithereawhile，andthey’djustwalkround。Igenerallyknowwhatthatmeans。
Butthat’stheprincipalinterestforladies，\"headded，retractinghisirony。\"Wethoughtwe’dcomeuphereandseethecathedral；Mrs。
Churchseemedtothinkitadeadlossthatweshouldn’tseethecathedral，especiallyaswehadn’tseenmanyyet。AndIhadtocomeuptothebanker’sanyway。Well，wecertainlysawthecathedral。I
don’tknowasweareanythebetterforit，andIdon’tknowasI
shouldknowitagain。Butwesawit，anyway。Idon’tknowasI
shouldwanttogothereregularly；butIsupposeitwillgiveus，inconversation，akindofholdonMrs。Church，eh？Iguesswewantsomethingofthatkind。Well，\"Mr。Ruckcontinued，\"Isteppedinatthebanker’stoseeiftherewasn’tsomething，andtheyhandedmeoutaHerald。\"
\"IhopetheHeraldisfullofgoodnews，\"Isaid。
\"Can’tsayitis。D-dbadnews。\"
\"Political，\"Iinquired，\"orcommercial？\"
\"Oh，hangpolitics！It’sbusiness，sir。Thereain’tanybusiness。
It’sallgoneto，\"——andMr。Ruckbecameprofane。\"Ninefailuresinoneday。Whatdoyousay-tothat？\"
\"Ihopetheyhaven’tinjuredyou，\"Isaid。
\"Well，theyhaven’thelpedmemuch。Somanyhousesonfire，that’sall。Iftheyhappentotakeplaceinyourownstreet，theydon’tincreasethevalueofyourproperty。Whenminecatches，Isupposethey’llwriteandtellme——oneofthesedays，whenthey’vegotnothingelsetodo。Ididn’tgetablessedletterthismorning；I
supposetheythinkI’mhavingsuchagoodtimeoverhereit’sapitytodisturbme。IfIcouldattendtobusinessforabouthalfanhour，I’dfindoutsomething。ButIcan’t，andit’snousetalking。Thestateofmyhealthwasneversounsatisfactoryasitwasaboutfiveo’clockthismorning。\"
\"Iamverysorrytohearthat，\"Isaid，\"andIrecommendyoustronglynottothinkofbusiness。\"
\"Idon’t，\"Mr。Ruckreplied。\"I’mthinkingofcathedrals；I’mthinkingofthebeautiesofnature。Come，\"hewenton，turningroundonthebenchandleaninghiselbowontheparapet，\"I’llthinkofthosemountainsoverthere；theyAREpretty，certainly。Can’tyougetoverthere？\"
\"Overwhere？\"
\"Overtothosehills。Don’ttheyrunatrainrightup？\"
\"YoucangotoChamouni，\"Isaid。\"YoucangotoGrindelwaldandZermattandfiftyotherplaces。Youcan’tgobyrail，butyoucandrive。\"
\"Allright，we’lldrive——andnotinaone-horseconcern，either。
Yes，Chamouniisoneoftheplacesweputdown。IhopethereareafewniceshopsinChamouni。\"Mr。Ruckspokewithacertainquickenedemphasis，andinatonemoreexplicitlyhumorousthanhecommonlyemployed。Ithoughthewasexcited，andyethehadnottheappearanceofexcitement。Helookedlikeamanwhohassimplytaken，inthefaceofdisaster，asudden，somewhatimaginative，resolutionnotto\"worry。\"Hepresentlytwistedhimselfaboutonhisbenchagainandbegantowatchforhiscompanions。\"Well，theyAREwalkinground，\"heresumed；\"Iguessthey’vehitonsomething，somewhere。
Andthey’vegotacarriagewaitingoutsideofthatarchwaytoo。Theyseemtodoabigbusinessinarchwayshere，don’tthey。Theyliketohaveacarriagetocarryhomethethings——thoseladiesofmine。Thenthey’resurethey’vegotthem。\"Theladies，afterthis，todothemjustice，werenotverylonginappearing。Theycametowardus，fromunderthearchwaytowhichMr。Ruckhadsomewhatinvidiouslyalluded，slowlyandwitharatherexhaustedstepandexpression。Mycompanionlookedatthemamoment，astheyadvanced。\"They’retired，\"hesaidsoftly。\"Whenthey’retired，likethat，it’sveryexpensive。\"
\"Well，\"saidMrs。Ruck，\"I’mgladyou’vehadsomecompany。\"Herhusbandlookedather，insilence，throughnarrowedeyelids，andI
suspectedthatthisgraciousobservationonthelady’spartwaspromptedbyarestlessconscience。
MissSophyglancedatmewithherlittlestraightforwardairofdefiance。\"ItwouldhavebeenmoreproperifWEhadhadthecompany。
Whydidn’tyoucomeafterus，insteadofsittingthere？\"sheaskedofMr。Ruck’scompanion。
\"Iwastoldbyyourfather，\"Iexplained，\"thatyouwereengagedinsacredrites。\"MissRuckwasnotgracious，thoughIdoubtwhetheritwasbecauseherconsciencewasbetterthanhermother’s。
\"Well，foragentlemanthereisnothingsosacredasladies’
society，\"repliedMissRuck，inthemannerofapersonaccustomedtogivingneatretorts。
\"IsupposeyourefertotheCathedral，\"saidhermother。\"Well，I
mustsay，wedidn’tgobackthere。Idon’tknowwhatitmaybeofaSunday，butitgavemeachill。\"
\"Wediscoveredtheloveliestlittlelace-shop，\"observedtheyounggirl，withaserenitythatwassuperiortobravado。
Herfatherlookedatherawhile；thenturnedaboutagain，leaningontheparapet，andgazedawayatthe\"hills。\"
\"Well，itwascertainlycheap，\"saidMrs。Ruck，alsocontemplatingtheAlps。
\"WearegoingtoChamouni，\"saidherhusband。\"Youhaven’tanyoccasionforlaceatChamouni。\"
\"Well，I’mgladtohearyouhavedecidedtogosomewhere，\"rejoinedhiswife。\"Idon’twanttobeafixtureataboarding-house。\"
\"Youcanwearlaceanywhere，\"saidMissRuck，\"ifyoupatitonright。That’sthegreatthing，withlace。Idon’tthinktheyknowhowtowearlaceinEurope。IknowhowImeantowearmine；butI
meantokeepittillIgethome。\"
Herfathertransferredhismelancholygazetoherelaborately-
appointedlittleperson；therewasagreatdealofverynew-lookingdetailinMissRuck’sappearance。Then，inatoneofvoicequiteoutofconsonancewithhisfacialdespondency，\"Haveyoupurchasedagreatdeal？\"heinquired。
\"Ihavepurchasedenoughforyoutomakeafussabout。\"
\"Hecan’tmakeafussaboutthat，\"saidMrs。Ruck。
\"Well，you’llsee！\"declaredtheyounggirlwithalittlesharplaugh。
Butherfatherwenton，inthesametone：\"Haveyougotitinyourpocket？Whydon’tyouputiton——whydon’tyouhangitroundyou？\"
\"I’llhangitroundYOU，ifyoudon’tlookout！\"criedMissSophy。
\"Don’tyouwanttoshowittothisgentleman？\"Mr。Ruckcontinued。
\"Mercy，howyoudotalkaboutthatlace！\"saidhiswife。
\"Well，Iwanttobelively。There’severyreasonforit；we’regoingtoChamouni。\"
\"You’rerestless；that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。\"AndMrs。Ruckgotup。
\"No，Iain’t，\"saidherhusband。\"Ineverfeltsoquiet；Ifeelaspeacefulasalittlechild。\"
Mrs。Ruck，whohadnosensewhateverofhumour，lookedatherdaughterandatme。\"Well，Ihopeyou’llimprove，\"shesaid。
\"Sendinthebills，\"Mr。Ruckwenton，risingtohisfeet。\"Don’thesitate，Sophy。Idon’tcarewhatyoudonow。Inforapenny，inforapound。\"
MissRuckjoinedhermother，withalittletossofherhead，andwefollowedtheladiestothecarriage。\"Inyourplace，\"saidMissSophytoherfather，\"Iwouldn’ttalksomuchaboutpenniesandpoundsbeforestrangers。\"
PoorMr。Ruckappearedtofeeltheforceofthisobservation，which，intheconsciousnessofamanwhohadneverbeen\"mean，\"couldhardlyfailtostrikearesponsivechord。Hecolouredalittle，andhewassilent；hiscompanionsgotintotheirvehicle，thefrontseatofwhichwasadornedwithalargeparcel。Mr。Ruckgavetheparcelalittlepokewithhisumbrella，andthen，turningtomewitharathergrimlypenitentialsmile，\"Afterall，\"hesaid，\"fortheladiesthat’stheprincipalinterest。\"
CHAPTERVII。
OldM。Pigeonneauhadmorethanonceproposedtometotakeawalk，butIhadhithertobeenunabletorespondtosoalluringaninvitation。Itbefell，however，oneafternoon，thatIperceivedhimgoingforthuponadesultorystroll，withacertainlonesomenessofdemeanourthatattractedmysympathy。Ihastilyovertookhim，andpassedmyhandintohisvenerablearm，aproceedingwhichproducedinthegoodoldmansojovialasenseofcomradeshipthatheardentlyproposedweshouldbendourstepstotheEnglishGarden；nolocalitylessfestivewasworthyoftheoccasion。TotheEnglishGarden，accordingly，wewent；itlaybeyondthebridge，besidethelake。Itwasveryprettyandveryanimated；therewasabandplayinginthemiddle，andaconsiderablenumberofpersonssittingunderthesmalltrees，onbenchesandlittlechairs，orstrollingbesidethebluewater。Wejoinedthestrollers，weobservedourcompanions，andconversedonobvioustopics。Someoftheselast，ofcourse，weretheprettywomenwhoembellishedthescene，andwho，inthelightofM。
Pigeonneau’scomprehensivecriticism，appearedsurprisinglynumerous。
Heseemedbentuponourmakingupourmindsastowhichwastheprettiest，andasthiswasaninnocentgameIconsentedtoplayatit。
SuddenlyM。Pigeonneaustopped，pressingmyarmwiththeliveliestemotion。\"Lavoila，lavoila，theprettiest！\"hequicklymurmured，\"comingtowardus，inabluedress，withtheother。\"ItwasattheotherIwaslooking，fortheother，tomysurprise，wasourinterestingfellow-pensioner，thedaughterofavigilantmother。M。
Pigeonneau，meanwhile，hadredoubledhisexclamations；hehadrecognisedMissSophyRuck。\"Oh，labellerencontre，nosaimablesconvives；theprettiestgirlintheworld，ineffect！\"
Weimmediatelygreetedandjoinedtheyoungladies，who，likeourselves，werewalkingarminarmandenjoyingthescene。
\"IwascitingyouwithadmirationtomyfriendevenbeforeIhadrecognisedyou，\"saidM。PigeonneautoMissRuck。
\"Idon’tbelieveinFrenchcompliments，\"remarkedthisyounglady，presentingherbacktothesmilingoldman。
\"AreyouandMissRuckwalkingalone？\"Iaskedofhercompanion。
\"YouhadbetteracceptofM。Pigeonneau’sgallantprotection，andofmine。\"
AuroraChurchhadtakenherhandoutofMissRuck’sarm；shelookedatme，smiling，withherheadalittleinclined，while，uponhershoulder，shemadeheropenparasolrevolve。\"Whichismostimproper——towalkaloneortowalkwithgentlemen？Iwishtodowhatismostimproper。\"
\"Whatmysteriouslogicgovernsyourconduct？\"Iinquired。
\"Hethinksyoucan’tunderstandhimwhenhetalkslikethat，\"saidMissRuck。\"ButIdounderstandyou，always！\"
\"SoIhavealwaysventuredtohope，mydearMissRuck。\"
\"Well，ifIdidn’t，itwouldn’tbemuchloss，\"rejoinedthisyounglady。
\"Allons，enmarche！\"criedM。Pigeonneau，smilingstill，andundiscouragedbyherinhumanity。\"Letasmaketogetherthetourofthegarden。\"AndheimposedhissocietyuponMissRuckwitharespectful，elderlygracewhichwasevidentlyunabletoseeanythinginherreluctancebutmodesty，andwassublimelyconsciousofamissiontoplacemodestyatitsease。Thisill-assortedcouplewalkedinfront，whileAuroraChurchandIstrolledalongtogether。
\"Iamsurethisismoreimproper，\"saidmycompanion；\"thisisdelightfullyimproper。Idon’tsaythatasacomplimenttoyou，\"sheadded。\"Iwouldsayittoanyman，nomatterhowstupid。\"
\"Oh，Iamverystupid，\"Ianswered，\"butthisdoesn’tseemtomewrong。\"
\"Notforyou，no；onlyforme。Thereisnothingthatamancandothatiswrong，isthere？Enmorale，youknow，Imean。Ah，yes，hecansteal；butIthinkthereisnothingelse，isthere？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Onedoesn’tknowthosethingsuntilafteronehasdonethem。Thenoneisenlightened。\"
\"Andyoumeanthatyouhaveneverbeenenlightened？Youmakeyourselfoutverygood。\"
\"Thatisbetterthanmakingone’sselfoutbad，asyoudo。\"
Theyounggirlglancedatmeamoment，andthen，withhercharmingsmile，\"That’soneoftheconsequencesofafalseposition。\"
\"Isyourpositionfalse？\"Iinquired，smilingtooatthislargeformula。
\"Distinctlyso。\"
\"Inwhatway？\"
\"Oh，ineveryway。Forinstance，Ihavetopretendtobeajeunefille。Iamnotajeunefille；noAmericangirlisajeunefille；anAmericangirlisanintelligent，responsiblecreature。Ihavetopretendtobeveryinnocent，butIamnotveryinnocent。\"
\"Youdon’tpretendtobeveryinnocent；youpretendtobe——whatshallIcallit？——verywise。\"
\"That’snopretence。Iamwise。\"
\"YouarenotanAmericangirl，\"Iventuredtoobserve。
Mycompanionalmoststopped，lookingatme；therewasalittleflushinhercheek。\"Voila！\"shesaid。\"There’smyfalseposition。I
wanttobeanAmericangirl，andI’mnot。\"
\"Doyouwantmetotellyou？\"Iwenton。\"AnAmericangirlwouldn’ttalkasyouaretalkingnow。\"
\"Pleasetellme，\"saidAuroraChurch，withexpressiveeagerness。
\"Howwouldshetalk？\"
\"Ican’ttellyouallthethingsanAmericangirlwouldsay，butI
thinkIcantellyouthethingsshewouldn’tsay。Shewouldn’treasonoutherconduct，asyouseemtometodo。\"
Auroragavemethemostflatteringattention。\"Isee。Shewouldbesimpler。Todoverysimplethingsthatarenotatallsimple——thatistheAmericangirl！\"
Ipermittedmyselfasmallexplosionofhilarity。\"Idon’tknowwhetheryouareaFrenchgirl，orwhatyouare，\"Isaid，\"butyouareverywitty。\"
\"Ah，youmeanthatIstrikefalsenotes！\"criedAuroraChurch，sadly。
\"That’sjustwhatIwanttoavoid。Iwishyouwouldalwaystellme。\"
TheconversationalunionbetweenMissRuckandherneighbour，infrontofus，hadevidentlynotbecomeacloseone。Theyoungladysuddenlyturnedroundtouswithaquestion：\"Don’tyouwantsomeice-cream？\"
\"SHEdoesn’tstrikefalsenotes，\"Imurmured。
Therewasakindofpavilionorkiosk，whichservedasacafe，andatwhichthedelicaciesprocurableatsuchanestablishmentweredispensed。MissRuckpointedtothelittlegreentablesandchairswhichweresetoutonthegravel；M。Pigeonneau，flutteringwithasenseofdissipation，secondedtheproposal，andwepresentlysatdownandgaveourordertoanimbleattendant。ImanagedagaintoplacemyselfnexttoAuroraChurch；ourcompanionswereontheothersideofthetable。
Myneighbourwasdelightedwithoursituation。\"Thisisbestofall，\"shesaid。\"IneverbelievedIshouldcometoacafewithtwostrangemen！Now，youcan’tpersuademethisisn’twrong。\"
\"Tomakeitwrongweoughttoseeyourmothercomingdownthatpath。\"
\"Ah，mymothermakeseverythingwrong，\"saidtheyounggirl，attackingwithalittlespoonintheshapeofaspadetheapexofapinkice。Andthenshereturnedtoherideaofamomentbefore：
\"Youmustpromisetotellme——towarnmeinsomeway——wheneverI
strikeafalsenote。Youmustgivealittlecough，likethat——ahem！\"
\"Youwillkeepmeverybusy，andpeoplewillthinkIaminaconsumption。\"
\"Voyons，\"shecontinued，\"whyhaveyounevertalkedtomemore？Isthatafalsenote？Whyhaven’tyoubeen’attentive？’That’swhatAmericangirlscallit；that’swhatMissRuckcallsit。\"
Iassuredmyselfthatourcompanionswereoutofearshot，andthatMissRuckwasmuchoccupiedwithalargevanillacream。\"Becauseyouarealwaysentwinedwiththatyounglady。Thereisnogettingnearyou。\"
Auroralookedatherfriendwhilethelatterdevotedherselftoherice。\"YouwonderwhyIlikehersomuch，Isuppose。Sodoesmamma；
elles’yperd。Idon’tlikeherparticularly；jen’ensuispasfolle。Butshegivesmeinformation；shetellsmeaboutAmerica。
Mammahasalwaystriedtopreventmyknowinganythingaboutit，andI
amallthemorecurious。AndthenMissRuckisveryfresh。\"
\"ImaynotbesofreshasMissRuck，\"Isaid，\"butinfuture，whenyouwantinformation，Irecommendyoutocometomeforit。\"
\"OurfriendofferstotakemetoAmerica；sheinvitesmetogobackwithher，tostaywithher。Youcouldn’tdothat，couldyou？\"Andtheyounggirllookedatmeamoment。\"Bon，afalsenoteIcanseeitbyyourface；youremindmeofamaitredepiano。\"
\"Youoverdothecharacter——thepoorAmericangirl，\"Isaid。\"Areyougoingtostaywiththatdelightfulfamily？\"
\"Iwillgoandstaywithanyonethatwilltakemeoraskme。It’sarealnostalgie。ShesaysthatinNewYork——inThirty-SeventhStreet——
Ishouldhavethemostlovelytime。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtyouwouldenjoyit。\"
\"Absolutelibertytobeginwith。\"
\"Itseemstomeyouhaveacertainlibertyhere，\"Irejoined。
\"Ah，THIS？Oh，Ishallpayforthis。Ishallbepunishedbymamma，andIshallbelecturedbyMadameGalopin。\"
\"Thewifeofthepasteur？\"
\"Hisdigneepouse。MadameGalopin，formamma，istheincarnationofEuropeanopinion。That’swhatvexesmewithmamma，herthinkingsomuchofpeoplelikeMadameGalopin。GoingtoseeMadameGalopin——
mammacallsthatbeinginEuropeansociety。Europeansociety！I’msosickofthatexpression；IhavehearditsinceIwassixyearsold。WhoisMadameGalopin——whothinksanythingofherhere？Sheisnobody；sheisperfectlythird-rate。IfIlikeAmericabetterthanmamma，IalsoknowEuropebetter。\"
\"Butyourmother，certainly，\"Iobjected，atrifletimidly，formyyoungladywasexcited，andhadacharminglittlepassioninhereye——
\"yourmotherhasagreatmanysocialrelationsallovertheContinent。\"
\"Shethinksso，buthalfthepeopledon’tcareforus。Theyarenotsogoodaswe，andtheyknowit——I’lldothemthatjustice——andtheywonderwhyweshouldcareforthem。Whenwearepolitetothem，theythinkthelessofus；thereareplentyofpeoplelikethat。Mammathinkssomuchofthemsimplybecausetheyareforeigners。IfI
couldtellyouallthedull，stupid，second-ratepeopleIhavehadtotalkto，fornobetterreasonthanthattheyweredeleurpays！——
Germans，French，Italians，Turks，everything。WhenIcomplain，mammaalwayssaysthatatanyrateit’spracticeinthelanguage。AndshemakessomuchoftheEnglish，too；Idon’tknowwhatthat’spracticein。\"
BeforeIhadtimetosuggestanhypothesis，asregardsthislatterpoint，Isawsomethingthatmademerise，withacertainsolemnity，frommychair。ThiswasnothinglessthantheneatlittlefigureofMrs。Church——aperfectmodelofthefemmecommeilfaut——approachingourtablewithanimpatientstep，andfollowedmostunexpectedlyinheradvancebythepre-eminentformofMr。Ruck。Shehadevidentlycomeinquestofherdaughter，andifshehadcommandedthisgentleman’sattendance，ithadbeenonnosoftergroundthanthatofhisunenviedpaternitytoherguiltychild’saccomplice。Mymovementhadgiventhealarm，andAuroraChurchandM。Pigeonneaugotup；MissRuckalonedidnot，inthelocalphrase，derangeherself。Mrs。
Church，beneathhermodestlittlebonnet，lookedveryserious，butnotatallfluttered；shecamestraighttoherdaughter，whoreceivedherwithasmile，andthenshelookedallroundattherestofus，veryfixedlyandtranquilly，withoutbowing。Imustdoboththeseladiesthejusticetomentionthatneitherofthemmadetheleastlittle\"scene。\"
\"Ihavecomeforyou，dearest，\"saidthemother。
\"Yes，dearmamma。\"
\"Comeforyou——comeforyou，\"Mrs。Churchrepeated，lookingdownattherelicsofourlittlefeast。\"IwasobligedtoaskMr。Ruck’sassistance。Iwaspuzzled；Ithoughtalongtime。\"
\"Well，Mrs。Church，Iwasgladtoseeyoupuzzledonceinyourlife！\"
saidMr。Ruck，withfriendlyjocosity。\"Butyoucameprettystraightforallthat。Ihadhardworktokeepupwithyou。\"
\"Wewilltakeacab，Aurora，\"Mrs。Churchwenton，withoutheedingthispleasantry——\"aclosedone。Come，mydaughter。\"
\"Yes，dearmamma。\"Theyounggirlwasblushing，yetshewasstillsmiling；shelookedroundatusall，and，ashereyesmetmine，I
thoughtshewasbeautiful。\"Good-bye，\"shesaidtous。\"IhavehadaLOVELYTIME。\"
\"Wemustnotlinger，\"saidhermother；\"itisfiveo’clock。Wearetodine，youknow，withMadameGalopin。\"
\"Ihadquiteforgotten，\"Auroradeclared。\"Thatwillbecharming。\"
\"Doyouwantmetoassistyoutocarryherback，maam？\"askedMr。
Ruck。
Mrs。Churchhesitatedamoment，withherserenelittlegaze。\"Doyouprefer，then，toleaveyourdaughtertofinishtheeveningwiththesegentlemen？\"
Mr。Ruckpushedbackhishatandscratchedthetopofhishead。
\"Well，Idon’tknow。Howwouldyoulikethat，Sophy？\"
\"Well，Inever！\"exclaimedSophy，asMrs。Churchmarchedoffwithherdaughter。
CHAPTERVIII。
IhadhalfexpectedthatMrs。ChurchwouldmakemefeeltheweightofherdisapprovalofmyownshareinthatlittleactofrevelryintheEnglishGarden。Butshemaintainedherclaimtobeingahighlyreasonablewoman——Icouldnotbutadmirethejusticeofthispretension——byrecognisingmyirresponsibility。IhadtakenherdaughterasIfoundher，whichwas，accordingtoMrs。Church’sview，inaveryequivocalposition。Thenaturalinstinctofayoungman，insuchasituation，isnottoprotestbuttoprofit；anditwascleartoMrs。ChurchthatIhadhadnothingtodowithMissAurora’sappearinginpublicundertheinsufficientchaperonageofMissRuck。
Besides，shelikedtoconverse，andsheapparentlydidmethehonourtobelievethatofallthemembersofthePensionBeaurepasIhadthemostcultivatedunderstanding。IfoundherinthesalonacoupleofeveningsaftertheincidentIhavejustnarrated，andIapproachedherwithaviewofmakingmypeacewithher，ifthisshouldprovenecessary。ButMrs。ChurchwasasgraciousasIcouldhavedesired；
sheputhermarkerintoherbook，andfoldedherplumplittlehandsonthecover。ShemadenospecificallusiontotheEnglishGarden；
sheembarked，rather，uponthosegeneralconsiderationsinwhichherrefinedintellectwassomuchathome。
\"Alwaysatyourstudies，Mrs。Church，\"Iventuredtoobserve。
\"Quevoulez-vous？Tosaystudiesistosaytoomuch；onedoesn’tstudyintheparlourofaboarding-house。ButIdowhatIcan；I
havealwaysdonewhatIcan。ThatisallIhaveeverclaimed。\"
\"Noonecandomore，andyouseemtohavedoneagreatdeal。\"
\"Doyouknowmysecret？\"sheasked，withanairofbrighteningconfidence。Andshepausedamomentbeforesheimpartedhersecret——
\"TocareonlyfortheBEST！Todothebest，toknowthebest——tohave，todesire，torecognise，onlythebest。That’swhatIhavealwaysdone，inmyquietlittleway。IhavegonethroughEuropeonmydevotedlittleerrand，seeking，seeing，heeding，onlythebest。
Andithasnotbeenformyselfalone；ithasbeenformydaughter。
Mydaughterhashadthebest。Wearenotrich，butIcansaythat。\"
\"Shehashadyou，madam，\"Irejoinedfinely。
\"Certainly，suchasIam，Ihavebeendevoted。Wehavegotsomethingeverywhere；alittlehere，alittlethere。That’stherealsecret——
togetsomethingeverywhere；youalwayscanifyouaredevoted。
Sometimesithasbeenalittlemusic，sometimesalittledeeperinsightintothehistoryofart；everylittlecountsyouknow。
Sometimesithasbeenjustaglimpse，aview，alovelylandscape，animpression。Wehavealwaysbeenonthelook-out。Sometimesithasbeenavaluedfriendship，adelightfulsocialtie。\"
\"Herecomesthe’Europeansociety，’thepoordaughter’sbugbear，\"I
saidtomyself。\"Certainly，\"Iremarkedaloud——Iadmit，ratherperversely——\"ifyouhavelivedagreatdealinpensions，youmusthavegotacquaintedwithlotsofpeople。\"
Mrs。Churchdroppedhereyesamoment；andthen，withconsiderablegravity，\"IthinktheEuropeanpensionsysteminmanyrespectsremarkable，andinsomesatisfactory。Butofthefriendshipsthatwehaveformed，fewhavebeencontractedinestablishmentsofthiskind。\"
\"Iamsorrytohearthat！\"Isaid，laughing。
\"Idon’tsayitforyou，thoughImightsayitforsomeothers。WehavebeeninterestedinEuropeanhomes。\"
\"Oh，Isee！\"
\"WehavetheentreeoftheoldGenevesesocietyIlikeitstone。I
preferittothatofMr。Ruck，\"addedMrs。Church，calmly；\"tothatofMrs。RuckandMissRuck——ofMissRuckespecially。\"
\"Ah，thepoorRuckshaven’tanytoneatall，\"Isaid\"Don’ttakethemmoreseriouslythantheytakethemselves。\"
\"Tellmethis，\"mycompanionrejoined，\"aretheyfairexamples？\"
\"Examplesofwhat？\"
\"OfourAmericantendencies。\"
\"’Tendencies’isabigword，dearlady；tendenciesaredifficulttocalculate。Andyoushouldn’tabusethosegoodRucks，whohavebeenverykindtoyourdaughter。TheyhaveinvitedhertogoandstaywiththeminThirty-SeventhStreet。\"
\"Aurorahastoldme。Itmightbeveryserious。\"
\"Itmightbeverydroll，\"Isaid。
\"Tome，\"declaredMrs。Church，\"itissimplyterrible。IthinkweshallhavetoleavethePensionBeaurepas。IshallgobacktoMadameChamousset。\"
\"OnaccountoftheRucks？\"Iasked。
\"Pray，whydon’ttheygothemselves？Ihavegiventhemsomeexcellentaddresses——writtendowntheveryhoursofthetrains。TheyweregoingtoAppenzell；Ithoughtitwasarranged。\"
\"TheytalkofChamouninow，\"Isaid；\"buttheyareveryhelplessandundecided。\"
\"IwillgivethemsomeChamouniaddresses。Mrs。Ruckwillsendachaiseaporteurs；Iwillgiveherthenameofamanwholetsthemlowerthanyougetthematthehotels。AfterthattheyMUSTgo。\"
\"Well，Idoubt，\"Iobserved，\"whetherMr。RuckwilleverreallybeseenontheMerdeGlace——inahighhat。He’snotlikeyou；hedoesn’tvaluehisEuropeanprivileges。Hetakesnointerest。HeregretsWallStreet，acutely。Ashiswifesays，heisveryrestless，buthehasnocuriosityaboutChamouni。Soyoumustnotdependtoomuchontheeffectofyouraddresses。\"
\"Isitafrequenttype？\"askedMrs。Church，withanairofself-
control。
\"Iamafraidso。Mr。Ruckisabroken-downmanofbusiness。Heisbrokendowninhealth，andIsuspectheisbrokendowninfortune。
Hehasspenthiswholelifeinbuyingandselling；heknowshowtodonothingelse。Hiswifeanddaughterhavespenttheirlives，notinselling，butinbuying；andthey，ontheirside，knowhowtodonothingelse。Togetsomethinginashopthattheycanputontheirbacks——thatistheironeidea；theyhaven’tanotherintheirheads。
Ofcoursetheyspendnoendofmoney，andtheydoitwithanimplacablepersistence，withamixtureofaudacityandofcunning。
Theydoitinhisteethandtheydoitbehindhisback；themotherprotectsthedaughter，andthedaughtereggsonthemother。Betweenthemtheyarebleedinghimtodeath。\"
\"Ah，whatapicture！\"murmuredMrs。Church。\"Iamafraidtheyarevery-uncultivated。\"
\"Ishareyourfears。Theyareperfectlyignorant；theyhavenoresources。Thevisionoffineclothesoccupiestheirwholeimagination。Theyhavenotanidea——evenaworseone——tocompetewithit。PoorMr。Ruck，whoisextremelygood-naturedandsoft，seemstomeareallytragicfigure。Heisgettingbadnewseverydayfromhome；hisbusinessisgoingtothedogs。Heisunabletostopit；hehastostandandwatchhisfortunesebb。Hehasbeenusedtodoingthingsinabigway，andhefeelsmean，ifhemakesafussaboutbills。Sotheladieskeepsendingthemin。\"
\"Buthaven’ttheycommonsense？Don’ttheyknowtheyareruiningthemselves？\"
\"Theydon’tbelieveit。ThedutyofanAmericanhusbandandfatheristokeepthemgoing。Ifheasksthemhow，that’shisownaffair。
So，bywayofnotbeingmean，ofbeingagoodAmericanhusbandandfather，poorRuckstandsstaringatbankruptcy。\"
Mrs。Churchlookedatmeamoment，inquickenedmeditation。\"Why，ifAuroraweretogotostaywiththem，shemightnotevenbeproperlyfed！\"
\"Idon’t，onthewhole，recommend，\"Isaid，laughing，\"thatyourdaughtershouldpayavisittoThirty-SeventhStreet。\"
\"WhyshouldIbesubjectedtosuchtrials——sosadlyeprouvee？Whyshouldadaughterofminelikethatdreadfulgirl？\"
\"DOESshelikeher？\"
\"Pray，doyoumean，\"askedmycompanion，softly，\"thatAuroraisahypocrite？\"
Ihesitatedamoment。\"Alittle，sinceyouaskme。Ithinkyouhaveforcedhertobe。\"
Mrs。Churchansweredthispossiblypresumptuouschargewithatranquil，candidexultation。\"Ineverforcemydaughter！\"
\"Sheisneverthelessinafalseposition，\"Irejoined。\"Shehungersandthirststogobacktoherowncountry；shewants’tocome’outinNewYork，whichiscertainly，sociallyspeaking，theElDoradoofyoungladies。Shelikesanyone，forthemoment，whowilltalktoherofthat，andserveasaconnecting-linkwithhernativeshores。
MissRuckperformsthisagreeableoffice。\"
\"Yourideais，then，thatifsheweretogowithMissRucktoAmericashewoulddropherafterwards。\"
IcomplimentedMrs。Churchuponherlogicalmind，butIrepudiatedthiscynicalsupposition。\"Ican’timagineher——whenitshouldcometothepoint——embarkingwiththefamilleRuck。ButIwishshemightgo，nevertheless。\"
Mrs。Churchshookherheadserenely，andsmiledatmyinappropriatezeal。\"Itrustmypoorchildmayneverbeguiltyofsofatalamistake。Sheiscompletelyinerror；sheiswhollyunadaptedtothepeculiarconditionsofAmericanlife。Itwouldnotpleaseher。Shewouldnotsympathise。Mydaughter’sidealisnottheidealoftheclassofyoungwomentowhichMissRuckbelongs。Ifeartheyareverynumerous；theygivethetone——theygivethetone。\"
\"Itisyouthataremistaken，\"Isaid；\"gohomeforsixmonthsandsee。\"
\"Ihavenot，unfortunately，themeanstomakecostlyexperiments。Mydaughterhashadgreatadvantages——rareadvantages——andIshouldbeverysorrytobelievethataufondshedoesnotappreciatethem。Onethingiscertain：Imustremoveherfromthisperniciousinfluence。
Wemustpartcompanywiththisdeplorablefamily。IfMr。RuckandhisladiescannotbeinducedtogotoChamouni——ajourneythatnotravellerwiththesmallestself-respectwouldomit——mydaughterandIshallbeobligedtoretire。WeshallgotoDresden。\"
\"ToDresden？\"
\"ThecapitalofSaxony。Ihadarrangedtogotherefortheautumn，butitwillbesimplertogoimmediately。Thereareseveralworksinthegallerywithwhichmydaughterhasnot，Ithink，sufficientlyfamiliarisedherself；itisespeciallystrongintheseventeenthcenturyschools。\"
AsmycompanionofferedmethisinformationIperceivedMr。Ruckcomeloungingin，withhishandsinhispockets，andhiselbowsmakingacuteangles。Hehadhisusualanomalousappearanceofbothseekingandavoidingsociety，andhewanderedobliquelytowardMrs。Church，whoselastwordshehadoverheard。\"Theseventeenthcenturyschools，\"hesaid，slowly，asifhewereweighingsomeverysmallobjectinaverylarge-pairofscales。\"Now，doyousupposetheyHAD
schoolsatthatperiod？\"
Mrs。Churchrosewithagooddealofprecision，makingnoanswertothisincongruousjest。Sheclaspedherlargevolumetoherneatlittlebosom，andshefixedagentle，seriouseyeuponMr。Ruck。
\"IhadaletterthismorningfromChamouni，\"shesaid。
\"Well，\"repliedMr。Ruck，\"Isupposeyou’vegotfriendsallover。\"
\"IhavefriendsatChamouni，buttheyareleaving。Totheirgreatregret。\"Ihadgotup，too；Ilistenedtothisstatement，andI
wondered。Iamalmostashamedtomentionthesubjectofmyagitation。Iaskedmyselfwhetherthiswasasuddenimprovisation，consecratedbymaternaldevotion；butthispointhasneverbeenelucidated。\"Theyaregivingupsomecharmingrooms；perhapsyouwouldlikethem。Iwouldsuggestyourtelegraphing。Theweatherisglorious，\"continuedMrs。Church，\"andthehighestpeaksarenowperceivedwithextraordinarydistinctness。\"
Mr。Rucklistened，ashealwayslistened，respectfully。\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Idon’tknowasIwanttogoupMountBlank。That’stheprincipalattraction，isn’tit？\"
\"Therearemanyothers。IthoughtIwouldofferyouan——anexceptionalopportunity。\"
\"Well，\"saidMr。Ruck，\"you’rerightdownfriendly。ButIseemtohavemoreopportunitiesthanIknowwhattodowith。Idon’tseemabletotakehold。\"
\"Itonlyneedsalittledecision，\"remarkedMrs。Church，withanairwhichwasanadmirableexampleofthisvirtue。\"Iwishyougood-
night，sir。\"Andshemovednoiselesslyaway。
Mr。Ruck，withhislonglegsapart，stoodstaringafterher；thenhetransferredhisperfectlyquieteyestome。\"Doessheownahoteloverthere？\"heasked。\"HasshegotanystockinMountBlank？\"
CHAPTERIX。
ThenextdayMadameBeaurepashandedme，withherownelderlyfingers，amissive，whichprovedtobeatelegram。Afterglancingatit，Iinformedherthatitwasapparentlyasignalformydeparture；
mybrotherhadarrivedinEngland，andproposedtometomeethimthere；hehadcomeonbusiness，andwastospendbutthreeweeksinEurope。\"Butmyhouseemptiesitself！\"criedtheoldwoman。\"ThefamilleRucktalksofleavingme，andMadameChurchnousfaitlareverence。\"
\"Mrs。Churchisgoingaway？\"
\"Sheispackinghertrunk；sheisaveryextraordinaryperson。Doyouknowwhatsheaskedmethismorning？ToinventsomecombinationbywhichthefamilleRuckshouldmoveaway。IinformedherthatI
wasnotaninventor。ThatpoorfamilleRuck！’Obligemebygettingridofthem，’saidMadameChurch，asshewouldhaveaskedCelestinetoremoveadishofcabbage。ShespeaksasiftheworldweremadeforMadameChurch。Iintimatedtoherthatifsheobjectedtothecompanytherewasaverysimpleremedy；andatpresentellefaitsespaquets。\"
\"ShereallyaskedyoutogettheRucksoutofthehouse？\"
\"Sheaskedmetotellthemthattheirroomshadbeenlet，threemonthsago，toanotherfamily。ShehasanAPLOMB！\"
Mrs。Church’saplombcausedmeconsiderablediversion；Iamnotsurethatitwasnot，insomedegree，tolaughoveritatmyleisurethatIwentoutintothegardenthateveningtosmokeacigar。Thenightwasdarkandnotparticularlybalmy，andmostofmyfellow-
pensioners，afterdinner，hadremainedin-doors。AlongstraightwalkconductedfromthedoorofthehousetotheancientgrillethatIhavedescribed，andIstoodhereforsometime，lookingthroughtheironbarsatthesilentemptystreet。Theprospectwasnotentertaining，andIpresentlyturnedaway。AtthismomentIsaw，inthedistance，thedoorofthehouseopenandthrowashaftoflamplightintothedarkness。Intothelamplighttheresteppedthefigureofafemale，whopresentlyclosedthedoorbehindher。Shedisappearedintheduskofthegarden，andIhadseenherbutforaninstant，butIremainedundertheimpressionthatAuroraChurch，ontheeveofherdeparture，hadcomeoutforameditativestroll。
Ilingerednearthegate，keepingtheredtipofmycigarturnedtowardthehouse，andbeforelongayoungladyemergedfromamongtheshadowsofthetreesandencounteredthelightofalampthatstoodjustoutsidethegate。ItwasinfactAuroraChurch，butsheseemedmorebentuponconversationthanuponmeditation。Shestoodamomentlookingatme，andthenshesaid，-
\"OughtItoretire——toreturntothehouse？\"
\"Ifyouought，Ishouldbeverysorrytotellyouso，\"Ianswered。
\"Butweareallalone；thereisnooneelseinthegarden。\"
\"ItisnotthefirsttimethatIhavebeenalonewithayounglady。
Iamnotatallterrified。\"
\"Ah，butI？\"saidtheyounggirl。\"Ihaveneverbeenalone——\"then，quickly，sheinterruptedherself。\"Good，there’sanotherfalsenote！\"
\"Yes，Iamobligedtoadmitthatoneisveryfalse。\"
Shestoodlookingatme。\"Iamgoingawayto-morrow；afterthattherewillbenoonetotellme。\"
CHAPTERX。
\"Thatwillmatterlittle，\"Ipresentlyreplied。\"Tellingyouwilldonogood。\"
\"Ah，whydoyousaythat？\"murmuredAuroraChurch。
Isaiditpartlybecauseitwastrue；butIsaiditforotherreasonsaswell，whichitwashardtodefine。Standingtherebare-headed，inthenightair，inthevaguelight，thisyoungladylookedextremelyinteresting；andtheinterestofherappearancewasnotdiminishedbyasuspiciononmyownpartthatshehadcomeintothegardenknowingmetobethere。Ithoughtheracharminggirl，andIfeltverysorryforher；but，asIlookedather，thetermsinwhichMadameBeaurepashadventuredtocharacteriseherrecurredtomewithacertainforce。
Ihadprofessedacontemptforthematthetime，butitnowcameintomyheadthatperhapsthisunfortunatelysituated，thisinsidiouslymutinousyoungcreature，waslookingoutforapreserver。Shewascertainlynotagirltothrowherselfataman’shead，butitwaspossiblethatinherintense——heralmostmorbid-desiretoputintoeffectanidealwhichwasperhapsafterallchargedwithasmanyfallaciesashermotheraffirmed，shemightdosomethingrecklessandirregular——somethinginwhichasympatheticcompatriot，asyetunknown，wouldfindhisprofit。Theimage，unshapedthoughitwas，ofthissympatheticcompatriot，filledmewithasortofenvy。ForsomemomentsIwassilent，consciousofthesethings，andthenI
answeredherquestion。\"Becausesomethings——somedifferencesarefelt，notlearned。Toyoulibertyisnotnatural；youarelikeapersonwhohasboughtarepeater，and，inhissatisfaction，isconstantlymakingitsound。ToarealAmericangirlherlibertyisaveryvulgarly-tickingoldclock。\"
\"Ah，youmean，then，\"saidthepoorgirl，\"thatmymotherhasruinedme？\"
\"Ruinedyou？\"
\"Shehassopervertedmymind，thatwhenItrytobenaturalIamnecessarilyimmodest。\"
\"Thatagainisafalsenote，\"Isaid，laughing。
Sheturnedaway。\"Ithinkyouarecruel。\"
\"Bynomeans，\"Ideclared；\"because，formyowntaste，Ipreferyouas——as——\"
Ihesitated，andsheturnedback。\"Aswhat？\"
\"Asyouare。\"
Shelookedatmeawhileagain，andthenshesaid，inalittlereasoningvoicethatremindedmeofhermother’s，onlythatitwasconsciousandstudied，\"IwasnotawarethatIamunderanyparticularobligationtopleaseyou！\"Andthenshegaveaclearlaugh，quiteatvariancewithhervoice。
\"Oh，thereisnoobligation，\"Isaid，\"butonehaspreferences。Iamverysorryyouaregoingaway。\"
\"Whatdoesitmattertoyou？Youaregoingyourself。\"
\"AsIamgoinginadifferentdirectionthatmakesallthegreaterseparation。\"
Sheanswerednothing；shestoodlookingthroughthebarsofthetallgateattheempty，duskystreet。\"Thisgrilleislikeacage，\"shesaid，atlast。
\"Fortunately，itisacagethatwillopen。\"AndIlaidmyhandonthelock。
\"Don’topenit，\"andshepressedthegateback。\"IfyoushouldopenitIwouldgoout——andneverreturn。\"
\"Whereshouldyougo？\"
\"ToAmerica。\"
\"Straightaway？\"
\"Somehoworother。IwouldgototheAmericanconsul。Iwouldbeghimtogivememoney——tohelpme。\"
Ireceivedthisassertionwithoutasmile；Iwasnotinasmilinghumour。Onthecontrary，Ifeltsingularlyexcited，andIkeptmyhandonthelockofthegate。Ibelieved（orIthoughtIbelieved）
whatmycompanionsaid，andIhad——absurdasitmayappear——anirritatedvisionofherthrowingherselfuponconsularsympathy。Itseemedtome，foramoment，thattopassoutofthatgatewiththisyearning，straining，youngcreature，wouldbetopassintosomemysteriousfelicity。IfIwereonlyaheroofromance，Iwouldoffer，myself，totakehertoAmerica。
Inamomentmore，perhaps，IshouldhavepersuadedmyselfthatIwasone，butatthisjunctureIheardasoundthatwasnotromantic。ItprovedtobetheveryrealistictreadofCelestine，thecook，whostoodgrinningatusasweturnedaboutfromourcolloquy。
\"Iaskbienpardon，\"saidCelestine。\"ThemotherofMademoiselledesiresthatMademoiselleshouldcomeinimmediately。M。lePasteurGalopinhascometomakehisadieuxtocesdames。\"
Auroragavemeonlyoneglance，butitwasatouchingone。ThensheslowlydepartedwithCelestine。
Thenextmorning，oncomingintothegarden，IfoundthatMrs。Churchandherdaughterhaddeparted。IwasinformedofthisfactbyoldM。
Pigeonneau，whosatthereunderatree，havinghiscoffeeatalittlegreentable。
\"Ihavenothingtoenvyyou，\"hesaid；\"IhadthelastglimpseofthatcharmingMissAurora。\"
\"Ihadaverylateglimpse，\"Ianswered，\"anditwasallIcouldpossiblydesire。\"
\"Ihavealwaysnoticed，\"rejoinedM。Pigeonneau，\"Thatyourdesiresaremoremoderatethanmine。Quevoulez-vous？Iamoftheoldschool。Jecroisquelaraceseperd。Iregretthedepartureofthatyounggirl：shehadanenchantingsmile。Ceseraunefemmed’esprit。Forthemother，Icanconsolemyself。IamnotsurethatSHEwasafemmed’esprit，thoughshewishedtopassforone。Round，rosy，potelee，sheyethadnotthetemperamentofherappearance；shewasafemmeaustere。IhaveoftennoticedthatcontradictioninAmericanladies。Youseeaplumplittlewoman，withaspeakingeye，andthecontourandcomplexionofaripepeach，andifyouventuretoconductyourselfinthesmallestdegreeinaccordancewiththeseindices，youdiscoveraspeciesofMethodist——ofwhatdoyoucallit？——ofQuakeress。Ontheotherhand，youencounteratall，lean，angularperson，withoutcolour，withoutgrace，allelbowsandknees，andyoufindit’sanatureofthetropics！Thewomenofdutylooklikecoquettes，andtheotherslooklikealpenstocks！However，wehavestillthehandsomeMadameRuck——arealfemmedeRubens，celle-
la。ItisverytruethattotalktoheronemustknowtheFlemishtongue！\"
Ihaddetermined，inaccordancewithmybrother’stelegram，togoawayintheafternoon；sothat，havingvariousdutiestoperform，I
leftM。Pigeonneautohisinternationalcomparisons。Amongotherthings，Iwentinthecourseofthemorningtothebanker’s，todrawmoneyformyjourney，andthereIfoundMr。Ruck，withapileofcrumpledlettersinhislap，hischairtippedback，andhiseyesgloomilyfixedonthefringeofthegreenplushtable-cloth。I
timidlyexpressedthehopethathehadgotbetternewsfromhome；
whereuponhegavemealookinwhich，consideringhisprovocation，theabsenceofirritationwasconspicuous。
Hetookuphislettersinhislargehand，andcrushingthemtogether，helditouttome。\"Thatepistolarymatter，\"hesaid，\"isworthaboutfivecents。ButIguess，\"headded，rising，\"Ihavetakenitinbythistime。\"WhenIhaddrawnmymoneyIaskedhimtocomeandbreakfastwithmeatthelittlebrasserie，muchfavouredbystudents，towhichIusedtoresortintheoldtown。\"Icouldn’teat，sir，\"hesaid，\"I——couldn’teat。Badnewstakesawaytheappetite。ButI
guessI’llgowithyou，sothatIneedn’tgototabledownthereatthepension。Theoldwomandownthereisalwaysaccusingmeofturningupmynoseatherfood。Well，IguessIshan’tturnupmynoseatanythingnow。\"
Wewenttothelittlebrasserie，wherepoorMr。Ruckmadethelightestpossiblebreakfast。Butifheateverylittle，hetalkedagreatdeal；hetalkedaboutbusiness，goingintoahundreddetailsinwhichIwasquiteunabletofollowhim。Histalkwasnotangrynorbitter；itwasalong，meditative，melancholymonologue；ifithadbeenatriflelessincoherentIshouldalmosthavecalleditphilosophic。Iwasverysorryforhim；Iwantedtodosomethingforhim，buttheonlythingIcoulddowas，whenwehadbreakfasted，toseehimsafelybacktothePensionBeaurepas。WewentacrosstheTreilleanddowntheCorraterie，outofwhichweturnedintotheRueduRhone。Inthislatterstreet，asalltheworldknows，aremanyofthosebrilliantjewellers’shopsforwhichGenevaisfamous。I
alwaysadmiredtheirglitteringwindows，andneverpassedthemwithoutalingeringglance。Evenonthisoccasion，pre-occupiedasI
waswithmyimpendingdeparture，andwithmycompanion’stroubles，I
sufferedmyeyestowanderalongtheprecioustiersthatflashedandtwinkledbehindthehugeclearplatesofglass。Thankstothisinveteratehabit，Imadeadiscovery。InthelargestandmostbrilliantoftheseestablishmentsIperceivedtwoladies，seatedbeforethecounterwithanairofabsorption，whichsufficientlyproclaimedtheiridentity。Ihopedmycompanionwouldnotseethem，butaswecameabreastofthedoor，alittlebeyond，wefounditopentothewarmsummerair。Mr。Ruckhappenedtoglancein，andheimmediatelyrecognisedhiswifeanddaughter。Heslowlystopped，lookingatthem；Iwonderedwhathewoulddo。Thesalesmanwasholdingupabraceletbeforethem，onitsvelvetcushion，andflashingitaboutinanirresistiblemanner。
Mr。Rucksaidnothing，buthepresentlywentin，andIdidthesame。
\"Itwillbeanopportunity，\"Iremarked，ascheerfullyaspossible，\"formetobidgood-byetotheladies。\"
TheyturnedroundwhenMr。Ruckcamein，andlookedathimwithoutconfusion。\"Well，youhadbettergohometobreakfast，\"remarkedhiswife。MissSophymadenoremark，butshetookthebraceletfromtheattendantandgazedatitveryfixedly。Mr。Ruckseatedhimselfonanemptystoolandlookedroundtheshop。
\"Well，youhavebeenherebefore，\"saidhiswife；\"youwereherethefirstdaywecame。\"
MissRuckextendedthepreciousobjectinherhandstowardsme。
\"Don’tyouthinkthatsweet？\"sheinquired。
Ilookedatitamoment。\"No，Ithinkit’sugly。\"
Sheglancedatmeamoment，incredulous。\"Well，Idon’tbelieveyouhaveanytaste。\"
\"Why，sir，it’sjustlovely，\"saidMrs。Ruck。
\"You’llseeitsomedayonme，anyway，\"herdaughterdeclared。
\"No，hewon’t，\"saidMr。Ruck，quietly。
\"Itwillbehisownfault，then，\"MissSophyobserved。
\"Well，ifwearegoingtoChamouniwewanttogetsomethinghere，\"
saidMrs。Ruck。\"Wemaynothaveanotherchance。\"
Mr。Ruckwasstilllookingroundtheshop，whistlinginaverylowtone。\"Weain’tgoingtoChamouni。WearegoingtoNewYorkcity，straight。\"
\"Well，I’mgladtohearthat，\"saidMrs。Ruck。\"Don’tyousupposewewanttotakesomethinghome？\"
\"IfwearegoingstraightbackImusthavethatbracelet，\"herdaughterdeclared，\"OnlyIdon’twantavelvetcase；Iwantasatincase。\"
\"Imustbidyougood-bye，\"Isaidtotheladies。\"IamleavingGenevainanhourortwo。\"
\"Takeagoodlookatthatbracelet，soyou’llknowitwhenyouseeit，\"saidMissSophy。
\"She’sboundtohavesomething，\"remarkedhermother，almostproudly。
Mr。Ruckwasstillvaguelyinspectingtheshop；hewasstillwhistlingalittle。\"Iamafraidheisnotatallwell，\"Isaid，softly，tohiswife。
Shetwistedherheadalittle，andglancedathim。
\"Well，Iwishhe’dimprove！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Asatincase，andaniceone！\"saidMissRucktotheshopman。
IbadeMr。Ruckgood-bye。\"Don’twaitforme，\"hesaid，sittingthereonhisstool，andnotmeetingmyeye。\"I’vegottoseethisthingthrough。\"
IwentbacktothePensionBeaurepas，andwhen，anhourlater，Ileftitwithmyluggage，thefamilyhadnotreturned。