\"Well，notatJocelyn’s，\"suggestedBarlow。Mrs。Algerstoppedfanningherselfwithhernewspaper，andlookedathim。Uponhermotion，theotherladieslookedatBarlow。Doubtlesshefeltthathissocialacceptabilityhadceasedwithhisimmediateusefulness。Butheappearedresolvedtocarryitoffeasily。\"Well，\"hesaid，\"IsupposeImustgoandpickmypeas。\"
Noonesaidanythingtothis。Whenthefactotumhaddisappearedroundthecornerofthehouse，Mrs。Algerturnedherhead’aside，andglanceddownwardwithanairoffatigue。InthismannerBarlowwasdismissedfromtheladies’minds。
\"Ipresume，\"saidyoungMrs。Scott，withadeferentialglanceatGrace，\"thatthesunisgoodforapersonwithlung-difficulty。\"
Gracesilentlyrefusedtoconsiderherselfappealedto，andMrs。Merrittsaid，\"Betterthanthemoon，Ishouldthink。\"
Someoftheotherstittered，butGracelookedupatMrs。Merrittandsaid，\"Idon’tthinkMrs。Maynard’scaseissobadthatsheneedbeafraidofeither。\"
\"Oh，Iamsogladtohearit！\"repliedtheother。Shelookedround，butwasunabletoformaparty。BytwosorthreestheymighthavelikedtotakeMrs。Maynardtopieces；butnoonecarestomakeunkindremarksbeforeawholecompanyofpeople。SomeoftheladiesevenbegantosaypleasantthingsaboutMr。Libby，asifhewereGrace’sfriend。
\"Ialwaysliketoseethesefairmenwhentheygettanned，\"saidMrs。
Alger。\"Theirblueeyeslooksoveryblue。Andthebacksoftheirnecks——justlikemyboys！\"
\"DoyouadmiresuchaVERYfighting-clipasMr。Libbyhason？\"
askedMrs。Scott。
\"Itmustbeniceforsummer，\"returnedtheelderlady。
\"Yes，itcertainlymust，\"admittedtheyounger。
\"Really，\"saidanother，\"IwishIcouldgointhefighting-clip。Onedoesn’tknowwhattodowithone’shairatthesea-side；it’salwaysintheway。\"
\"Yourhairwouldbeapublicloss，Mrs。Frost，\"saidMrs。Alger。Theotherslookedatherhair，asiftheyhadseenitnowforthefirsttime。
\"Oh，Idon’tthinkso，\"saidMrs。Frost，inasortofflatteredcoo。
\"Oh，don’thaveitcutoff！\"pleadedayounggirl，comingupandtakingthebeautifulmane，hanginglooseafterthebath，intoherhand。Mrs。
Frostputherarmroundthegirl’swaist，andpulledherdownagainsthershoulder。Uponreflectionshealsokissedher。
Throughasuperstition，handeddownfrommothertodaughter，thatitisuncivilandevenunkindnottokeepsayingsomething，theywentontalkingvapidities，wherethesamenumberofmen，equallyvacuous，wouldhaveremainedsilent；andsomeofthemcomplainedthatthenervousstrainofconversationtookawayallthegoodtheirbathhaddonethem。MissGleason，whodidnotbathe，wasalsonotatalker。Shekeptabright-
eyedreticence，butwasapttobreakoutinratherenigmaticalflashes，whichresolvedthematterinhandintoanabstraction，andlefttheotherswiththefeelingthatshewasapersonofadvancedideas，butthat，whilerejectinghistoricalChristianity，shebelievedinaGodofLove。ThisDeitywassaid，uponcloseranalysis，tohaveprovedtobeaGodofSentiment，andMissGleasonwasherselfahero-worshiper，or，morestrictlyspeaking，aheroine-worshiper。AtpresentDr。Breenwashercult，andshewasapttolieinwaitforheridol，tobeamuponitwithhersuggestiveeyes，andevidentlytoexpectittosayordosomethingremarkable，butnottosufferanythinglikedisillusionordisappointmentinanyevent。Shewouldsometimesofferitsuddenlyamuddleddepthofsympathyinsuchphrasesas，\"Toobad！\"or，\"Idon’tseehowyoukeep-
up？\"anddarklyinsinuatethatsheappreciatedallthatGracewasdoing。
Sheseemedtorejoiceinkeepingherselfatarespectfuldistance，towhichshebreathlesslyretired，asshedidnow，afterwaylayingheratthetopofthestairs，andconfidentiallydartingatherthewords，\"I’msogladyoudon’tlikescandal！\"
III。
Afterdinnertheladiestriedtogetanap，butsuchofthemasre-
appearedonthepiazzalateragreedthatitwasperfectlyuseless。Theytestedeverycornerforabreeze，butthewindhadfallendead，andthevastsweepofseaseemedtosmoulderunderthesun。\"ThisiswhatMr。
Barlowcallshavingitcooler，\"saidMrs。Alger。
\"Therearesomecloudsthatlooklikethunderheadsinthewest，\"saidMrs。Frost，returningfromanexcursiontothepartofthepiazzacommandingthatquarter。
\"Oh，itwon’trainto-day，\"Mrs。Algerdecided。
\"IthoughttherewasalwaysabreezeatJocelyn’s，\"Mrs。Scottobserved，inthecriticalspiritofarecentarrival。
\"Therealwaysis，\"theotherexplained，\"exceptthefirstweekyou’rehere。\"
Alittlebreath，scarcelymorethanasentimentofbreeze，madeitselffelt。\"Idobelievethewindhaschanged，\"saidMrs。Frost。\"It’seast。\"Theothersownedonebyonethatitwasso，andsheenjoyedthemeritofadiscoverer；butherdiscoverywasrapidlysuperseded。Thecloudsmountedinthewest，andtherecameatimewhentheladiesdisputedwhethertheyhadheardthunderornot：afactioncontendedforthebowlingalley，andanotherfactionheldforawagonpassingoverthebridgejustbeforeyoureachedJocelyn’s。Butthosewhowerefaithfultothetheoryofthundercarriedthedaybyasuddencrashthatbrokeovertheforest，and，dyingslowlyawayamongthelowhills，leftthemdeeplysilent。
\"Someone，\"saidMrs。Alger，\"oughttogoforthosechildren。\"Onthisitappearedthatthereweretwomindsastowherethechildrenwere，——
whetheronthebeachorinthewoods。
\"Wasn’tthatthunder，Grace？\"askedMrs。Breen，withtheaccentbywhichsheimplicatedherdaughterinwhateverhappened。
\"Yes，\"saidGrace，fromwhereshesatatherwindow，lookingseaward，andwaitingtremulouslyforhermother’snextquestion。
\"WhereisMrs。Maynard？\"
\"Sheisn’tback，yet。\"
\"Then，\"saidMrs。Breen，\"hereallydidexpectroughweather。\"
\"Hemust，\"returnedGrace，inaguiltywhisper。
\"It’sapity，\"remarkedhermother，\"thatyoumadethemgo。\"
\"Yes。\"Sherose，and，stretchingherselffaroutofthewindow，searchedtheinexorableexpanseofsea。Ithadalreadydarkenedattheverge，andthesailsofsomefishing-craftfleckedalividwallwiththeirwhite，buttherewasnosmallboatinsight。
\"Ifanythinghappenedtothem，\"hermothercontinued，\"Ishouldfeelterriblyforyou。\"
\"Ishouldfeelterriblyformyself，\"Graceresponded，withhereyesstillseaward。
\"Wheredoyouthinktheywent？\"
\"Ididn’task，\"saidthegirl。\"Iwouldn’t，\"sheadded，indevotiontothewholetruth。
\"Well，itisallofthesamepiece，\"saidMrs。Breen。Gracedidnotaskwhatthepiecewas。Sheremainedstaringatthedarkwallacrossthesea，andspirituallyconfrontingherownresponsibility，noatomofwhichsherejected。Sheheldherselfineverywayresponsible，——fordoubtingthatpooryoungfellow’sword，andthenforforcingthatreluctantcreaturetogowithhim，andforbiddingbyherfierceinsistenceanyattemptofhisatexplanation；shecondemnedherselftoperpetualremorsewithevengreaterzealthanhermotherwouldhavesentencedher，andshewouldnotpermitherselfanyrespitewhenalittlesail，whichsheknewfortheirs，blewroundthepoint。Itseemedtoflyalongjustonthehithersideofthatmuraldarkness，skilfullytackingtoreachtheendofthe-reefbeforethewallpusheditontherocks。Suddenly，thelonglowstretchofthereefbrokeintowhitefoam，andthenpassedfromsightundertheblackwall，againstwhichthelittlesailstillflickered。Thegirlfetchedalong，silentbreath。Theywereinsidethereef，incomparativelysmoothwater，andtoherignorancetheyweresafe。Buttherainwouldbecominginanothermoment，andMrs。Maynardwouldbedrenched；andGracewouldbetoblameforherdeath。Sherantothecloset，andpulleddownhermother’sIndia-rubbercloakandherown，andfledout-of-doors，tobereadyonthebeachwiththewrap，againsttheirlanding。Shemettheotherladiesonthestairsandinthehall，andtheyclamoredather；butsheglidedthroughthemlikesomethinginadream，andthensheheardashoutinginherear，andfeltherselfcaughtandheldupagainstthewind。
\"Whereinlandbeyougoin’，MissBreen？\"
Barlow，inalong，yellowoil-skincoatandsou’westerhat，keptpushingherforwardtotheedgeofthecliff，asheasked。
\"I’mgoingdowntomeetthem！\"shescreamed。
\"Well，IhopeyouWILLmeet’em。ButIguessyoubettergobacktothehouse。Hey？WUNT？Well；comealong，then，iftheyain’tpastdoctorin’
bythetimetheygitashore！Prettywellwrappedup，anyway！\"heroared；andsheperceivedthatshehadputonherwaterproofanddrawnthehoodoverherhead。
Thosestepstothebeachhadmadehergiddywhenshedescendedwithleisureforsuchdismay；butnow，withthetempestflatteningheragainstthestair-case，andhergossamerclutchingandclingingtoeverysurface，andagaintwistingitselfaboutherlimbs，sheclambereddownasswiftlyandrecklesslyasBarlowhimself，andfollowedoverthebeachbesidethemenwhowerepullingaboatdownthesandatarun。
\"Letmegetin！\"shescreamed。\"Iwishtogowithyou！\"
\"Takeholdofthegirl，Barlow！\"shoutedoneofthemen。\"She’scrazy。\"
Hetumbledhimselfwithfourothersintotheboat，andtheyallstruckouttogetherthroughthefrothandswirlofthewaves。ShetriedtofreeherselffromBarlow，soastoflingthewaterproofintotheboat。\"Takethis，then。She’llbesoakedthrough！\"
Barlowbrokeintoagrimlaugh。\"Shewon’tneedit，exceptforawindin’-sheet！\"heroared。\"Don’tyouseetheboat’sdrivin’rightont’
thesand？She’llbekindlin’woodinaminute。\"
\"Butthey’reinsidethereef！Theycancometoanchor！\"sheshriekedinreply。Heansweredherwithadespairinggrinandashakeofthehead。
\"Theycan’t。Whathasyourboatgoneoutfor，then？\"
\"Topick’emupoutthesea。Butthey’llnevergit’emalive。Lookhowsheslapsherboomint’thewater！Well！HeDOESknowhowtohandleaboat！\"
ItwasLibbyatthehelm，asshecoulddimlysee，butwhatitwasinhismanagementthatmovedBarlow’spraiseshecouldnotdivine。Theboatseemedtobeaimedfortheshore，andtoberushing，headon，uponthebeach；herbroadsailwasblownstraightoutoverherbow，andflappedtherelikeabanner，whiletheheavyboomhammeredthewaterassheroseandfell。Ajaggedlineofredseamedthebreastofthedarkwallbehind；arendingcrashcame，andasiffiredupon，theboatflunguphersail，asawildfowlflingsupitswingwhenshot，andlaytossingkeelup，onthetopofthewaves。Italllookedscarcelyastone’scastaway，thoughitwasvastlyfarther。Afigurewasseentodragitselfupoutofthesea，andfalloverintotheboat，hoveringandpitchinginthesurroundingwelter，andstrugglingtogetattwootherfiguresclingingtothewreck。Suddenlythemenintheboatpulledaway，andGraceutteredacryofdespairandreproach：\"Why，they’releavingit，they’releavingit！\"
\"Don’texpect’emtotowthewreckashoreinthisweather，doye？\"
shoutedBarlow。\"They’vegotthefolksallsafeenough。ItellyeIsee’em！\"hecried，atawildlookofdoubtin。hereyes。\"Runtothehouse，there，andgeteverythinginapple-pieorder。There’sgoin’tobeachanceforsomeofyourdoctor’n’，now，ifyeknowhowtofetchfolksto。\"
Itwasthelittlehouseonthebeach，whichthechildrenwerealwayspryingandpeeringinto，tryingthelock，andwonderingwhattheboatwaslike，whichGracehadseenlaunched。Nowthedooryieldedtoher，andwithinshefoundafirekindledinthestove，blanketslaidinorder，andflasksofbrandyinreadinessinthecupboard。Sheputtheblanketstoheatforinstantuse，andpreparedfortheworkofresuscitation。Whenshecouldturnfromthemtothedoor，shemetthereaprocessionthatapproachedwithdifficulty，headsdownandhustledbythefuriousblastthroughwhichtherainnowhissedandshot。Barlowandoneoftheboat’screwwerecarryingMrs。Maynard，andbringinguptherearofthehuddlingoil-skinsandsou’westerscameLibby，soaked，anddrippingashewalked。
HiseyesandGrace’sencounteredwithamutualavoidance；butwhateverwastheirsenseofblame，theirvictimhadnoreproachestomakeherself。
Shewasnotinneedofrestoration。Shewasperfectlyalive，andapparentlystimulatedbyherescapefromdeadlyperiltoavividconceptionofthewrongthathadbeendoneher。Iftheadventurehadpassedoffprosperously，shewasthesortofwomantohaveownedtoherfriendthatsheoughtnottohavethoughtofgoing。Buttheeventhadobliteratedthesescruples，andsherealizedherselfasahaplesscreaturewhohadbeenthrustontodangersfromwhichshewouldhaveshrunk。\"Well，Grace！\"shebegan，withavoicearidlookbeforewhichtheotherquailed，\"Ihopeyouaresatisfied！AllthetimeIwasclingingtothatwretchedboat。Iwaswonderinghowyouwouldfeel。
Yes，mylastthoughtswereofyou。Ipitiedyou。Ididn’tseehowyoucouldeverhavepeaceagain。\"
\"Holdon，Mrs。Maynard！\"criedLibby。\"There’sno，timeforthat，now。
Whathadbestbedone，MissGreen？Hadn’tshebetterbegotuptothehouse？\"
\"Yes，byallmeans，\"answeredGrace。
\"Youmightaswellletmediehere，\"Mrs。Maynardprotested，asGracewrappedtheblanketsroundherdrippingdress。\"I’maswetasIcanbe，now。\"
Libbybegantolaughattheseinconsequences，towhichhewasprobablywellused。\"Youwouldn’thavetimetodiehere。Andwewanttogivethishydropathictreatmentafairtrial。You’vetriedthedouche，andnowyou’retohavethepack。\"Hesummonedtwooftheboatmen，whohadbeenconsideratelydrippingoutside，inordertoleavetheinteriortotheshipwreckedcompany，andtheyliftedMrs。Maynard，finallywrappedin，Grace’sIndia-rubbercloak，andlookinglikesomesortofstrange，hugechrysalis，andcarriedheroutintothestormandupthesteps。
GracefollowedlastwithMr。Libby，veryheavyheartedandreckless。Shehadnotonlythatsoreself-accusal；butthedegradationoftheaffair，itsgrotesqueness，itsspiritualsqualor，itsuttergracelessness，itsentirewantofdignity，werebitterasdeathinherproudsoul。Itwasnotinthisshamefulguisethatshehadforeseenthegoodshewastodo。
Andithadallcomethroughherownwilfulnessandselfrighteousness。
Thetearscouldmixunseenwiththerainthatdrenchedherface，buttheyblindedher，andhalf-wayupthestepsshestumbledonherskirt，andwouldhavefallen，iftheyoungmanhadnotcaughther。Afterthat，fromtimetotimeheputhisarmabouther，andstayedheragainstthegusts。
Beforetheyreachedthetophesaid，\"MissBreen，I’mawfullysorryforallthis。Mrs。Maynardwillbeashamedofwhatshesaid。Confoundit！
IfMaynardwereonlyhere！\"
\"Whyshouldshebeashamed？\"demandedGrace。\"Ifshehadbeendrowned，Ishouldhavemurderedher，andI’mresponsibleifanythinghappenstoher，——Iamtoblame。\"Sheescapedfromhim，andranintothehouse。Heslunkroundthepiazzatothekitchendoor，undertheeyesoftheladieswatchingattheparlorwindows。
\"Iwonderhelettheotherscarryherup，\"saidMissGleason。\"Ofcourse，hewillmarryhernow，——whenshegetsherdivorce。\"ShespokeofMrs。
Maynard，whomheruniversaltolerationnotonlyincludedinthemercywhichtheopinionsoftheotherladiesdeniedher，butroundwhomherromancecastahaloofprettypossibilitiesasinnocentlysentimentalasthehopesofayounggirl。
IV。
ThenextmorningGracewassittingbesideherpatient，withwhomshehadspentthenight。ItwaspossiblyMrs。Maynard’sspiritualtoughnesswhichavailedher，forshedidnotseemmuchtheworseforheradventure：
shehadalittlefever，andshewasslightlyhoarser；butshehaddiednoneofthedeathsthatsheprojectedduringthewatchesofthenight，andforwhichshehadchastenedthespiritofherphysicianbytherepeatedassurancethatsheforgavehereverything，andGeorgeMaynardeverything，andhopedthattheywouldbegoodtoherpoorlittleBella。
Shehadthechildbroughtfromitscribtoherownbed，andmoanedoverit；butwiththereturnofdayandthedutiesoflifesheappearedtofeelthatshehadcarriedherforgivenessfarenough，andwasagainrememberingherinjuriesagainstGrace，asshelayinhermorninggownontheloungewhichhadbeenbroughtinforherfromtheparlor。
\"Yes，Grace，IshallalwayssayifIhaddiedandImaydieyet——thatI
didnotwishtogooutwithMr。Libby，andthatIwentpurelytopleaseyou。Youforcedmetogo。Ican’tunderstandwhyyoudidit；forI
don’tsupposeyouwantedtokillus，whateveryoudid。\"
Gracecouldnotliftherhead。Sheboweditoverthelittlegirlwhomshehadonherknee，andwhowasplayingwiththepinatherthroat，inapparentunconsciousnessofallthatwassaid。Butshehadreallyfollowedit，withglimpsesofintelligence，aschildrendo，andnowatthisnegativeaccusalsheliftedherhand，andsuddenlystruckGraceastingingblowonthecheek。
Mrs。Maynardsprangfromherlounge。\"Why，Bella！youworthlesslittlewretch！\"ShecaughtherfromGrace’sknee，andshookherviolently。
Then，castingtheculpritfromheratrandom，sheflungherselfdownagaininafitofcoughing，whilethechildfledtoGraceforconsolation，and，wildlysobbing，buriedherfaceinthelapofherinjuredfriend。
\"Idon’tknowwhatIshalldoaboutthatchild！\"criedMrs。Maynard。
\"ShehasGeorgeMaynard’stemperrightoveragain。Ifeeldreadfully，Grace！\"
\"Oh，nevermindit，\"saidGrace，fondlingthechild，andhalfaddressingit。\"IsupposeBellathoughtIhadbeenunkindtohermother。\"
\"That’sjustit！\"exclaimedLouise。\"Whenyou’vebeenkindnessitself！
Don’tIoweeverythingtoyou？Ishouldn’tbealiveatthismomentifitwerenotforyourtreatment。Oh，Grace！\"Shebegantocoughagain；
theparoxysmincreasedinvehemence。Shecaughtherhandkerchieffromherlips；itwasspottedwithblood。Shesprangtoherfeet，andregardeditwithimpersonalsternness。\"Now，\"shesaid，\"Iamsick，andIwantadoctor！\"
\"Adoctor，\"Gracemeeklyechoed。
\"Yes。Ican’tbetrifledwithanylonger。Iwantamandoctor！\"
Gracehadlookedatthehandkerchief。\"Verywell，\"shesaid，withcoldness。\"Ishallnotstandinyourwayofcallinganotherphysician。
Butifitwillconsoleyou，Icantellyouthatthebloodonyourhandkerchiefmeansnothingworthspeakingof。WhomshallIsendfor？\"
sheasked，turningtogooutoftheroam。\"Iwishtobeyourfriendstill，andIwilldoanythingIcantohelpyou。\"
\"Oh，GraceBreen！Isthatthewayyoutalktome？\"whimperedMrs。
Maynard。\"YouknowthatIdon’tmeantogiveyouup。I’mnotastone；
Ihavesomefeeling。Ididn’tintendtodismissyou，butIthoughtperhapsyouwouldliketohaveaconsultationaboutit。Ishouldthinkitwastimetohaveaconsultation，shouldn’tyou？Ofcourse，I’mnotalarmed，butIknowit’sgettingserious，andI’mafraidthatyourmedicineisn’tactiveenough。That’sit；it’sperfectlygoodmedicine，butitisn’tactive。They’veallbeensayingthatIoughttohavesomethingactive。Whynottrythewhiskeywiththewhite-pinechipsinit？I’msureit’sindicated。\"Inherlongcourseofmedicationshehadpickedupcertainprofessionalphrases，whichsheusedwithamusingseriousness。\"Itwouldbeactive，atanyrate。\"
Gracedidnotreply。Asshestoodsmoothingtheheadofthelittlegirl，whohadfollowedhertothedoor，andnowleanedagainsther，hidinghertearfulfaceinGrace’sdress，shesaid，\"Idon’tknowofanyhomoeopathicphysicianinthisneighborhood。Idon’tbelievethere’sonenearerthanBoston，andIshouldmakemyselfridiculousincallingonesofarforaconsultation。ButI’mquitewillingyoushouldcallone，andI
willsendforyouatonce。\"
\"Andwouldn’tyouconsultwithhim，afterhecame？\"
\"Certainlynot。Itwouldbeabsurd。\"
\"Ishouldn’tliketohaveadoctorcomeallthewayfromBoston，\"musedMrs。Maynard，sinkingontheloungeagain。\"Theremustbeadoctorintheneighborhood。Itcan’tbesohealthyasthat！\"
\"There’sanallopathicphysicianatCorbitant，\"saidGracepassively。
\"Averygoodone，Ibelieve，\"sheadded。
\"Oh，well，then！\"criedMrs。Maynard，withimmenserelief。\"Consultwithhim！\"
\"I’vetoldyou，Louise，thatIwouldnotconsultwithanybody。AndI
certainlywouldn’tconsultwithaphysicianwhoseideasandprinciplesI
knewnothingabout。\"
\"Whybut，Grace，\"Mrs。Maynardexpostulated。\"Isn’tthatratherprejudiced？\"ShebegantotakeanimpartialinterestinGrace’sposition，andfellintoanargumentativetone。\"Iftwoheadsarebetterthanone，——andeverybodysaystheyare，——Idon’tseehowyoucanconsistentlyrefusetotalkwithanotherphysician。\"
\"Ican’texplaintoyou，Louise，\"saidGrace。\"ButyoucancallDr。
Mulbridge，ifyouwish。Thatwillbetherightwayforyoutodo，ifyouhavelostconfidenceinme。\"
\"Ihaven’tlostconfidenceinyou，Grace。Idon’tseehowyoucantalkso。Youcangivemebreadpills，ifyoulike，orairpills，andIwilltakethemgladly。Ibelieveinyouperfectly。ButIdothinkthatinamatterofthiskind，wheremyhealth，andperhapsmylife，isconcerned，Ioughttohavealittlesay。Idon’taskyoutogiveupyourprinciples，andIdon’tdreamofgivingyouup，andyetyouwon’tjusttopleaseme！——exchangeafewwordswithanotherdoctoraboutmycase，merelybecausehe’sallopathic。Ishouldcallitbigotry，andIdon’tseehowyoucancallitanythingelse。\"Therewasasoundofvoicesatthedooroutside，andshecalledcheerily，\"Comein，Mr。Libby，——comein！
There’snobodybutGracehere，\"sheadded，astheyoungmantentativelyopenedthedoor，andlookedin。Heworeaneveningdress，eventothewhitecravat，andhecarriedinhishandacrushhat：therewassomethinganomalousinhisappearance，beyondthephenomenalcharacterofhiscostume，andheblushedconsciouslyashebowedtoGrace，andthenathermotionshookhandswithher。Mrs。Maynarddidnotgiveherselfthefatigueofrising；shestretchedherhandtohimfromthelounge，andhetookitwithoutthejoywhichhehadshownwhenGracemadehimthesameadvance。\"Howveryswellyoulook。Goingtoaneveningpartythismorning？\"shecried；andaftershehadgivenhimasecondglanceofgreaterintensity，\"Why，whatintheworldhascomeover’you？\"ItwasthedresswhichMr。Libbywore。Hewasayoungfellowfartoowellmade，andcarriedhimselftooalertly，tolookasifanyclothesmisfittedhim；
hispersongavetheirgoodcutelegance，buthehadtheeffectofhavingfallenawayinthem。\"Why，youlookasifyouhadbeensickamonth！\"
Mrs。Maynardinterpreted。
Theyoungmansurveyedhimselfwithadownwardglance。\"They’reJohnson’s，\"heexplained。\"HehadthemdownforahopattheLongBeachHouse，andsentoverforthem。Ihadnothingbutmycampingflannels，andtheyhaven’tbeengotintoshapeyet，sinceyesterday。Iwantedtocomeoverandseehowyouwere。\"
\"Poorfellow！\"exclaimedMrs。Maynard。\"Ineverthoughtofyou！Howintheworlddidyougettoyourcamp？\"
\"Iwalked。\"
\"Inallthatrain？\"
\"Well，Ihadbeenprettywellsprinkled，already。Itwasn’taquestionofwetanddry；itwasaquestionofwetandwet。Iwasgoingoffbareheaded，Ilostmyhatinthewater，youknow，——butyourman，here，hailedmeroundthecornerofthekitchen，andlentmeone。I’vebeentakingupcollectionsofclotheseversince。\"
Mr。Libbyspokelightly，andwithacryof\"Barlow’shat！\"Mrs。Maynardwentoffinashriekoflaughter；butadeepdistresskeptGracesilent。
Itseemedtoherthatshehadbeenlackingnotonlyinthoughtfulness，butincommonhumanity，insufferinghimtowalkawayseveralmilesintherain，withoutmakinganoffertokeephimandhavehimprovidedforinthehouse。Sherememberednowherbewilderedimpressionthathewaswithoutahatwhenheclimbedthestairsandhelpedhertothehouse；
sherecalledthefactthatshehadthrusthimontothedangerhehadescaped，andherheartwasmeltedwithgriefandshame。\"Mr。Libby\"——
shebegan，goinguptohim，anddroopingbeforehiminanattitudewhichsimplyandfranklyexpressedthecontritionshefelt；butshecouldnotcontinue。Mrs。Maynard’slaughbrokeintotheusualcough，andassoonasshecouldspeaksheseizedtheword。
\"Well，there，now；wecanleaveittoMr。Libby。It’stheprincipleofthethingthatIlookat。AndIwanttoseehowitstrikeshim。Iwanttoknow，Mr。Libby，ifyouwereadoctor，\"——helookedatGrace，andflushed，——\"andapersonwasverysick，andwantedyoutoconsultwithanotherdoctor，whetheryouwouldletthemerefactthatyouhadn’tbeenintroducedhaveanyweightwithyou？\"TheyoungmansilentlyappealedtoGrace，whodarkenedangrily，andbeforehecouldspeakMrs。Maynardinterposed。\"No，no，yousha’n’taskher。Iwantyouropinion。It’sjustanabstractquestion。\"SheaccountedforthisfibwithawinkatGrace。
\"Really，\"hesaid，\"it’sratherformidable。I’veneverbeenadoctorofanykind。\"
\"Oh，yes，weknowthat！\"saidMrs。Maynard。\"Butyouarenow，andnowwouldyoudoit？\"
\"Iftheotherfellowknewmore，Iwould。\"
\"Butifyouthoughthedidn’t？\"
\"ThenIwouldn’t。Whatareyoutryingtogetat，Mrs。Maynard？I’mnotgoingtoansweranymoreofyourquestions。\"
\"Yes，——onemore。Don’tyouthinkit’sadoctor’splacetogethispatientwellanywayhecan？\"
\"Why，ofcourse！\"
\"There，Grace！It’sjustexactlythesamecase。Andninety-nineoutofahundredwoulddecideagainstyoueverytime。\"
LibbyturnedtowardsGraceinconfusion。\"MissBreen——Ididn’tunderstand——Idon’tpresumetomeddleinanything——You’renotfair，Mrs。
Maynard！Ihaven’tanyopiniononthesubject，MissBreen；Ihaven’t，indeed！\"
\"Oh，youcan’tbackout，now！\"exclaimedMrs。Maynardjoyously。\"You’vesaidit。\"
\"Andyou’requiteright，Mr。Libby，\"saidGracehaughtily。Shebadehimgood-morning；buthefollowedherfromtheroom，andleftMrs。Maynardtohertriumph。
\"MissBreen——Doletmespeaktoyou，please！Uponmywordandhonor，I
didn’tknowwhatshewasdrivingat；Ididn’t，indeed！It’sprettyroughonme，forIneverdreamtofsettingmyselfupasajudgeofyouraffairs。Iknowyou’reright，whateveryouthink；andItakeitallback；itwasgotoutofmebyfraud，anyway。AndIbegyourpardonfornotcallingyouDoctor——ifyouwantmetodoit。Theothercomesmorenatural；butIwishtorecognizeyouinthewayyouprefer，forIdofeelmostrespectul——reverent——\"
Hewassoveryearnestandsoreallytroubled，andhestumbledaboutsofortherightword，andhituponthewrongonewithsuchunfailingdisaster，thatshemusthavebeensuperhumannottolaugh。Herlaughingseemedtorelievehimevenmorethanherheartyspeech。\"Callmehowyoulike，Mr。Libby。Idon’tinsistuponanythingwithyou；butIbelieveI
preferMissBreen。\"
\"You’reverykind！MissBreenitis，then。Andyou’ll，forgivemysidingagainstyou？\"hedemandedradiantly。
\"Don’tspeakofthatagain，please。I’venothingtoforgiveyou。\"
Theywalkeddown-stairsandoutonthepiazza。Barlowstoodbeforethesteps，holdingbythebitafinebaymare，whotwitchedherheadroundalittleatthesoundofLibby’svoice，andgavehimalook。Hepassedwithoutnoticingthehorse。\"I’mgladtofindMrs。Maynardsowell。
Withthatcoldofhers，hangingonsolong，Ididn’tknowbutshe’dbeinanawfulstatethismorning。\"
\"Yes，\"saidGrace，\"it’samiraculousescape。\"
\"ThefactisIsentovertoNewLeydenformyteamyesterday。Ididn’tknowhowthingsmightturnout，andyou’resofarfromalemonhere，thatIthoughtImightbeusefulingoingerrands。\"
Graceturnedherheadandglancedattheequipage。\"Isthatyourteam？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheyoungfellow，withasmileofsuppressedpride。
\"Whatanexquisitecreature！\"saidthegirl。
\"ISN’Tshe？\"Theybothfacedabout，andstoodlookingatthemare，andthelight，shining，openbuggybehindher。Thesunshinehadtheafter-
stormglister；theairwasbrisk，andthebreezeblewbalmfromtheheartofthepineforest。\"MissBreen，\"hebrokeout，\"Iwishyou’dtakealittledashthroughthewoodswithme。I’vegotabroad-trackbuggy，that’sjustrightfortheseroads。Idon’tsupposeit’sthethingatalltoaskyou，onsuchshortacquaintance，butIwishyouwould。Iknowyou’denjoyit：Come？\"
Hisjoyousurgencegaveherastrangethrill。Shehadlongceasedtoimagineherselfthepossiblesubjectofwhatyoungladiescallattentions，andshedidnotthinkofherselfinthatwaynow。Therewassomethinginthefrank，eagerboyishnessoftheinvitationthatfascinatedher，andthesunnyfaceturnedsohopefullyuponherhaditsamusingeloquence。Shelookedabouttheplacewithananxietyofwhichshewasimmediatelyashamed：alltheladieswereoutofsight，andprobablyatthefootofthecliff。
\"Don’tsayno，MissBreen，\"pleadedthegayvoice。
Theanswerseemedtocomeofitself。\"Oh，thankyou，yes，Ishouldliketogo。\"
\"Good！\"heexclaimed，andthewordwhichrivetedherconsentmadeherrecoil。
\"Butnotthismorning。Someotherday。I——I——IwanttothinkaboutMrs。
Maynard。I——oughtn’ttoleaveher。Excusemethismorning，Mr。Libby。\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"hetriedtosaywithunalteredgayety，butanoteofdisappointmentmadeitselffelt。\"Doyouthinkshe’sgoingtobeworse？\"
\"No，Idon’tthinksheis。But——\"Shepaused，andwaitedaspacebeforeshecontinued。\"I’mafraidIcan’tbeofusetoheranylonger。Shehaslostconfidenceinme——It’simportantsheshouldtrustherphysician。\"Libbyblushed，ashealwaysdidwhenrequiredtorecognizeGraceinherprofessionalquality。\"It’smoreamatterofnervesthananythingelse，andifshedoesn’tbelieveinmeIcan’tdoheranygood。\"
\"Yes，Icanunderstandthat，\"saidtheyoungman，withgentlesympathy；
andshefelt，somehow，thathedelicatelyrefrainedfromanyleadingorpromptingcomment。
\"Shehasbeenurgingmetohaveaconsultationwithsomedoctorabouthercase，andI——itwouldberidiculous！\"
\"ThenIwouldn’tdoit！\"saidMr。Libby。\"Youknowagreatdealbetterwhatshewantsthanshedoes。Youhadbettermakeher，dowhatyousay。\"
\"Ididn’tmeantoburdenyouwithmyaffairs，\"saidGrace，\"butIwishedtoexplainhermotiveinspeakingtoyouasshedid。\"Aftershehadsaidthis，itseemedtoherratherweak，andshecouldnotthinkofanythingelsethatwouldstrengthenit。Theyoungmanmightthinkthatshehadaskedadviceofhim。ShebegantoresenthistellinghertomakeMrs。
Maynarddowhatshesaid。Shewasabouttoaddsomethingtosnubhim，whensherecollectedthatitwasherownwilfulnesswhichhadprecipitatedthepresentsituation，andshehumbledherself。
\"Shewillprobablychangehermind，\"saidLibby。\"Shewouldifyoucouldlethercarryherpoint，\"headded，withalightesteemforMrs。MaynardwhichsethimwrongagaininGrace’seyes：hehadnobusinesstospeaksotoher。
\"Verylikely，\"shesaid，instiffwithdrawalfromalltermsofconfidenceconcerningMrs。Maynard。Shedidnotaddanythingmore，andshemeantthattheyoungfellowshouldperceivethathis，audiencewasatanend。
Hedidnotapparentlyresentit，butshefanciedhimhurtinhisacquiescence。
Shewentbacktoherpatient，whomshefoundlanguidanddisposedtosleepaftertherecentexcitement，andsheleftheragain，takinglittleBellawithher。Mrs。Maynardsleptlong，butwokenonethebetterforhernap。Towardseveningshegrewfeverish，andherfevermountedasthenightfell。Shewasrestlessandwakeful，andbetweenherdreamydozesshewasincessantinherhintsforaconsultationtoGrace，whopassedthenightinherroom，andwatchedeverychangefortheworsewithaself-accusingheart。Theimpendingtroublewasinthatindeterminatephasewhichmustgivethephysicianhismostanxiousmoments；andthisinexperiencedgirl；whoseknowledgewasalltobeapplied，andwhohadhardlyarrivedyetatthatdismayingstagewhenayoungphysicianfindsalltheresultsatwarwithalltheprecepts，begantorealizetheawfulnessofherresponsibility。Shehadalwaysthoughtofsavinglife，andnotoflosingit。
V。
BymorningGracewasasnervousandanxiousasherpatient，whohadmomentarilytheadvantageofherinhavingfallenasleep。Shewentstealthilyout，andwalkedthelengthofthepiazza，bathinghereyeswiththesightofthesea，coolanddimunderacloudedsky。AtthecornernextthekitchensheencounteredBarlow，who，havingkindledthefireforthecook，hadspentsmomentofleisureinkillingsomechickensatthebarn；heappearedwithaclusterofhisvictimsinhishand，butatsightofGraceheconsideratelyputthembehindhim。
Shehadnotnoticedthem。\"Mr。Barlow，\"shesaid，\"howfarisittoCorbitant？\"
Barlowslouchedintoaconversationalposture，easilyrestingonhisraisedhipthebackofthehandinwhichheheldthechickens。\"Well，it’saccordin’towhoyouask。Somesayssixmile，andrealcleverfolksmakesitaboutfourandaquarter。\"
\"Iaskyou，\"persistedGrace。
\"Well，thelasttimeIwasthere，Ithoughtitwasaboutsixty。’Mostfrozemyfingersgoin’roundthepoint。’N’allIwasafraidofwasgettin’theretoosoon。Tellyou，aleeshoreain’tapleasantneighborinaregularoldnortheaster。’Fyougobyland，Iguessit’sabouttenmileroundthroughthewoods。WanttosendforDr。Mulbridge？Ithoughtmebbe\"——
\"No，no！\"saidGrace。Sheturnedbackintothehouse，andthenshecamerunningoutagain；butbythistimeBarlowhadgoneintothekitchen，wheresheheardhimtellingthecookthatthesewerethelastofthedommyneckers。AtbreakfastseveraloftheladiescameandaskedafterMrs。Maynard，wheserestlessnighttheyhadsomehowheardof。Whenshecameoutofthedining-room’MissGleasonwaylaidherinthehall。
\"Dr。Breen，\"shesaid，inarepressedtumult，\"Ihopeyouwon’tgiveway。
Forwoman’ssake，Ihopeyouwon’t！Youoweittoyourselfnottogiveway！I’msureMrs。Maynardisaswelloffinyourhandsasshecanbe。
IfIdidn’tthinkso，Ishouldbethelasttoadviseyourbeingfirm；
but，feelingasIdo，Idoadviseitmoststrongly。Everythingdependsonit。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，MissGleason，\"saidGrace。
\"I’mgladithasn’tcometoyouyet。Ifitwasaquestionofmereprofessionalpride，Ishouldsay，Byallmeanscallhimatonce。ButI
feelthatagreatdealmoreisinvolved。Ifyouyield，youmakeitharderforotherwomentohelpthemselveshereafter，andyouconfirmsuchpeopleastheseintheirdistrustoffemalephysicians。Lookingatitinalargeway，Ialmostfeelthatitwouldbebetterforhertodiethanforyoutogiveup；andfeelingasIdo\"——
\"AreyoutalkingofMrs。Maynard？\"askedGrace。
\"TheyareallsayingthatyououghttogiveupthecasetoDr。Mulbridge。
ButIhopeyouwon’t。Ishouldn’tblameyouforcallinginanotherfemalephysician\"——
\"Thankyou，\"answeredGrace。\"Thereisnodangerofherdying。Butitseemstomethatshehastoomanyfemalephysiciansalready。InthishouseIshouldthinkitbettertocallaman。\"SheleftthebarbtorankleinMissGleason’sbreast，andfollowedhermothertoherroom，whoavengedMissGleasonbyaseriesofinquisitionaltortures，endingwiththehopethat，whatevershedid，Gracewouldnothavethatsillycreature’sbloodonherhands。Thegirlopenedherlipstoattemptsomeanswertothisunanswerableaspiration，whentheunwontedsoundofwheelsontheroadwithoutcaughtherear。
\"Whatisthat，Grace？\"demandedhermother，asifGracewereguiltyofthenoise。
\"Mr。Libby，\"answeredGrace，rising。
\"Hashecomeforyou？\"
\"Idon’tknow。ButIamgoingdowntoseehim。\"
Atsightoftheyoungman’sface，Gracefeltherheartlighten。Hehadjumpedfromhisbuggy，andwasstandingathissmilingeaseonthepiazzasteps，lookingaboutasifforsomeone，andhebrightenedjoyfullyathercoming。Hetookherhandwitheagerfriendliness，andatherimpulsebegantomoveawaytotheendofthepiazzawithher。Theladieshadnotyetdescendedtothebeach；apparentlytheirinterestinDr。Breen’spatientkeptthem。
\"HowisMrs。Maynardthismorning？\"heasked；andsheanswered，astheygotbeyondearshot，——
\"Notbetter，I’mafraid。\"
\"Oh，I’msorry，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Thenyouwon’tbeabletodrivewithmethismorning？Ihopesheisn’tseriouslyworse？\"headded，recurringtoMrs。MaynardatthesightofthetroubleinGrace’sface。
\"Ishallasktodrivewithyou，\"shereturned。\"Mr。Libby，doyouknowwhereCorbitantis？\"
\"Oh，yes。\"
\"Andwillyoudrivemethere？\"
\"Why，certainly！\"hecried，inpolitewonder。
\"Thankyou。\"Sheturnedhalfround，andcastawoman’slookattheotherwomen。\"Ishallbereadyinhalfanhour。Willyougoaway，andcomebackthen？Notsooner。\"
\"Anythingyouplease，MissBreen，\"hesaid，laughinginhismystification。\"Inthirtyminutes，orthirtydays。\"
Theywentbacktothesteps，andhemountedhisbuggy。Shesatdown，andtakingsomeworkfromherpocket，bentherheadoverit。Atfirstshewaspale，andthenshegrewred。Butthesefluctuationsofcolorcouldnotkeepherspectatorslong；onebyonetheydispersedanddescendedthecliff；andwhensherosetogoforherhatthelasthadvanished，withalonginglookather。ItwasMissGleason。
Gracebrieflyannouncedherpurposetohermother，whosaid，\"Ihopeyouarenotdoinganythingimpulsive\"；andsheanswered，\"No，Ihadquitemadeupmymindtoitlastnight。\"
Mr。Libbyhadnotyetreturnedwhenshewentbacktothepiazza，andshewalkedoutontheroadbywhichhemustarrive。Shehadnottowalkfar。
Hedrewinsightbeforeshehadgoneaquarterofamile，drivingrapidly。\"AmIlate？\"heasked，turning，andpullingupattheroadside，withwellsubduedastonishmentatencounteringher。
\"Oh，no；notthatIknow。\"Shemountedtotheseat，andtheydroveoffinasilencewhichenduredforalongtime。IfLibbyhadbeenasvainasheseemedlight，hemusthavefounditcruellyunflattering，foritignoredhispresenceandevenhisexistence。Shebrokethesilenceatlastwithadeep-drawnsigh，asfranklysadasifshehadbeenquitealone，butshereturnedtoconsciousnessofhiminit。\"Mr。Libby，youmustthinkitisverystrangeformetoaskyoutodrivemetoCorbitantwithouttroublingmyselftotellyoumyerrand。\"
\"Oh，notatall，\"saidtheyoungman。\"I’mgladtobeofuseonanyterms。Itisn’toftenthatonegetsthechance。\"
\"IamgoingtoseeDr。Mulbridge，\"shebegan，andthenstoppedsolongthatheperceivedshewishedhimtosaysomething。
Hesaid，\"Yes？\"
\"Yes。IthoughtthismorningthatIshouldgiveMrs。Maynard’scaseuptohim。Ishouldn’tbeatalltroubledatseemingtogiveitupunderapressureofopinion，thoughIshouldnotgiveitupforthat。Ofcourse，\"
sheexplained，\"youdon’tknowthatallthosewomenhavebeensayingthatIoughttocallinDr。Mulbridge。It’soneofthosethings，\"sheaddedbitterly，\"thatmakeitsopleasantforawomantotrytohelpwomen。\"
Hemadealittlemurmurofcondolence，andsherealizedthatshehadthrownherselfonhissympathy，whenshethoughtshehadbeenmerelythinkingaloud。\"WhatImeanisthatheisamanofexperienceandreputation，andcouldprobablybeofmoreusetoherthanI，forshewouldtrusthimmore。ButIhaveknownheralongtime，andIunderstandhertemperamentandhercharacter，——whichgoesforagooddealinsuchmatters，——andIhaveconcludednottogiveupthecase。IwishtomeetDr。Mulbridge，however，andaskhimtoseeherinconsultationwithme。
Thatisall，\"sheendedratherhaughtily，asifshehadbeendramatizingthefacttoDr。Mulbridgeinherownmind。
\"Ishouldthinkthatwouldbetherightthing，\"saidLibbylimply，withuncalled-forapproval；butheleftthisdangerousgroundabruptly。\"Asyousay，charactergoesforagreatdealinthesethings。I’veseenMrs。
Maynardatthepointofdeathbefore。Asageneralrule，shedoesn’tdie。Ifyouhaveknownheralongtime，youknowwhatImean。Shelikestosharehersufferingswithherfriends。I’veseenpooroldMaynard\"——
\"Mr。Libby！\"Gracebrokein。\"YoumayspeakofMr。Maynardasyoulike，butIcannotallowyourdisrespectfulnesstoMrs。Maynard。It’sshocking！Youhadnorighttobetheirfriendifyoufelttowardthemasyouseemtohavedone。\"
\"Why，therewasnoharminthem。Ilikedthem！\"explainedtheyoungman。
\"Peoplehavenorighttolikethosetheydon’trespect！\"
Libbylookedasifthiswereratheranewanddrollidea。Butheseemednottoobjecttohertutoringhim。\"Well，\"hesaid，\"asfarasMrs。
Maynardwasconcerned，Idon’tknowthatIlikedheranymorethanI
respectedher。\"
Graceoughttohavefrownedatthis，butshehadtocheckasmilein。
ordertosaygravely，\"Iknowsheisdisagreeableattimes。Andshelikestosharehersufferingswithothers，asyousay。Butherhusbandwasfullyentitledtoanyshareofthemthathemayhaveborne。Ifhehadbeenkindertoher，shewouldn’tbewhatandwheresheisnow。\"
\"Kindertoher！\"Libbyexclaimed。\"He’sthekindestfellowintheworld！
Now，MissBreen，\"hesaidearnestly，\"IhopeMrs。Maynardhasn’tbeentalkingagainstherhusbandtoyou？\"
\"Isitpossible，\"demandedGrace，\"thatyoudon’tknowthey’reseparated，andthatshe’sgoingtotakestepsforadivorce？\"
\"Adivorce？No！Whatintheworldfor？\"
\"Inevertalkgossip。Ithoughtofcourseshehadtoldyou\"——
\"Shenevertoldmeaword！Shewasashamedtodoit！SheknowsthatI
knowMaynardwasthebesthusbandintheworldtoher。Allshetoldmewasthathewasoutonhisranch，andshehadcomeonhereforherhealth。It’ssomeridiculouslittlethingthatnoreasonablewomanwouldhavedreamtofcaringfor。It’soneofhercaprices。It’sherownfickleness。She’stiredofhim，——orthinkssheis，andthat’sallaboutit。MissBreen，Ibegyouwon’tbelieveanythingagainstMaynard！\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"falteredGrace，astonishedathisfervor；andthelightitcastuponherfirstdoubtsofhim。\"Ofcourse，Ionlyknowtheaffairfromherreport，andIhaven’tconcernedmyselfinit，exceptasitaffectedherhealth。AndIdon’twishtomisjudgehim。AndIlikeyour——defendinghim，\"shesaid，thoughitinstantlyseemedapatronizingthingtohavesaid。\"ButIcouldn’twithholdmysympathywhereI
believedtherehadbeenneglectandsystematicunkindness，andfinallydesertion。\"
\"Oh，IknowMrs。Maynard；Iknowherkindoftalk。I’veseenMaynard’sneglectandunkindness，andIknowjustwhathisdesertionwouldbe。Ifhe’slefther，it’sbecauseshewantedhimtoleaveher；hedidittohumorher，topleaseher。IshallhaveatalkwithMrs。Maynardwhenwegetback。\"
\"I’mafraidIcan’tallowitatpresent，\"saidGrace，veryseriously。
\"Sheisworseto-day。OtherwiseIshouldn’tbegivingyouthistrouble。\"
\"Oh，it’snotrouble\"——
\"ButI’mglad——I’mgladwe’vehadthisunderstanding。I’mveryglad。Itmakesmethinkworseofmyselfandbetterof——others。\"
Libbygavealaugh。\"Andyoulikethat？You’reeasilypleased。\"
Sheremainedgrave。\"IoughttobeabletotellyouwhatImean。Butitisn’tpossible——now。Willyouletmebegyourpardon？\"sheurged，withimpulsiveearnestness。
\"Why，yes，\"heanswered，smiling。
\"Andnotaskmewhy？\"
\"Certainly。\"
\"Thankyou。Yes，\"sheaddedhastily，\"sheissomuchworsethatsomeoneofgreaterexperiencethanImustseeher，andIhavemadeupmymind。
Dr。Mulbridgemayrefusetoconsultwithme。Iknowverywellthatthereisaprejudiceagainstwomenphysicians，andIcouldn’tespeciallyblamehimforsharingit。Ihavethoughtitallover。Ifherefuses，Ishallknowwhattodo。\"ShehadceasedtoaddressLibby，whorespectedhersoliloquy。Hedroveonrapidlyoverthesoftroad，wherethewheelsmadenosound，andthetrackwanderedwithapparentaimlessnessthroughtheinterminablewoodsofyoungoakandpine。Thelowtreeswerefullofthesunshine，anddappledthemwithshadowastheydashedalong；thefresh，greenfernsspringingfromthebrowncarpetofthepineneedleswereasifpaintedagainstit。Thebreathofthepineswasheavierfortherecentrain；andthewoodysmelloftheoakswaspungentwherethebalsamfailed。Theymetnoone，butthesolitudedidnotmakeitselffeltthroughherpreoccupation。Fromtimetotimeshedroppedawordortwo；
butforthemostshewassilent，andhedidnotattempttolead。Byandbytheycametoanopenerplace，wherethereweremanyredfieldliliestiltinginthewind。
\"Wouldyoulikesomeofthose？\"heasked，pullingup。
\"Ishould，verymuch，\"sheanswered，gladofthesightofthegaythings。
Butwhenhehadgatheredherabunchoftheflowersshelookeddownattheminherlap，andsaid，\"It’ssillyinmetobecaringforliliesatsuchatime，andIshouldmakeanunfavorableimpressiononDr。Mulbridgeifhesawmewiththem。ButIshallrisktheireffectonhim。HemaythinkIhavebeenbotanizing。\"
\"Unlessyoutellhimyouhaven’t，\"theyoungmansuggested。
\"Ineedn’tdothat。\"
\"Idon’tthinkanyoneelsewoulddoit。\"
Shecoloredalittleatthetributetohercandor，anditpleasedher，thoughithadjustpleasedherasmuchtoforgetthatshewasnotlikeanyotheryounggirlwhomightbesimplyandirresponsiblyhappyinflowersgatheredforherbyayoungman。\"Iwon’ttellhim，either！\"shecried，willingtograspthefleetingemotionagain；butitwasgone，andonlyalittleresidueofsadconsciousnessremained。
Thewoodsgavewayoneithersideoftheroad，whichbegantobeavillagestreet，slopingandshelvingdowntowardthecurveofaquietbay。Theneatweather-graydwellings，shingledtothegroundandbrightenedwithdoor-yardflowersandcreepers，straggledoffintotheboat-housesandfishing-hutsontheshore，andthevillageseemedtogetafloatatlastinthesloopsandschoonersridingintheharbor，whosesmoothplanerosehighertotheeyethanthetownitself。Thesaltandthesandwereeverywhere，butthoughtherehadbeennopositiveprosperityinCorbitantforageneration，theplacehadanimpregnableneatness，whichdefieddecay；iftherehadbeenadoginthestreet，therewouldnothavebeenasticktothrowathim。
Oneofthebetter，butnotthebest，ofthevillagehouses，whichdidnotdifferfromtheothersinanyessentialparticular，andwhichstoodflushuponthestreet，boreadoor-platewiththenameDr。RufusMulbridge，andLibbydrewupinfrontofitwithouthavinghadtoalarmthevillagewithinquiries。Graceforbadehishelpindismounting，andrantothedoor，wheresherangoneofthosebellswhichsharplyrespondatthebackofthepaneltotheturnofacrankinfront；sheobserved，inadifferenceofpaint，thatthismodernimprovementhaddisplacedanoldfashionedknocker。Thedoorwasopenedbyatallandstrikinglyhandsomeoldwoman，whoseblackeyesstillkepttheirkeenlightunderherwhitehair，andwhosedressshowednoneoftheincongruitywhichwasoffensiveinthedoor-bell：itwasintheperfectionofanantiquatedtaste，which，however，camejustshortofcharacterizingitwithgentlewomanliness。
\"IsDr。Mulbridgeathome？\"askedGrace。
\"Yes，\"saidtheother，withacertainhesitation，andholdingthedoorajar。
\"Ishouldliketoseehim，\"saidGrace，mountingtothethreshold。
\"Isitimportant？\"askedtheelderwoman。
\"Quite，\"repliedGrace，withanaccentatonceofsurpriseanddecision。
\"Youmaycomein，\"saidtheotherreluctantly，andsheopenedadoorintoaroomatthesideofthehall。
\"YoumaygiveDr。Mulbridgemycard，ifyouplease，\"saidGrace，beforesheturnedtogointothisroom；andtheothertookit，andlefthertofindachairforherself。Itwasacountrydoctor’soffice，withtheusualcountrydoctor’ssupplyofdrugsonashelf，butverymuchmorethanthecountrydoctor’susuallibrary：thestandardworkswerethere，andtherewerealsotheprincipalperiodicalsandthelatesttreatisesofnoteinthemedicalworld。Inalong，uprightcase，likethatofanoldhall-clock，wastheanatomyofonewhohadlongdonewithtime；alaryngoscopeandsomeotherprofessionalapparatusofconstantutilitylayupontheleafofthedoctor’sdesk。Therewasnothingintheroomwhichdidnotsuggesthisprofession，excepttheswordandthespurswhichhunguponthewalloppositewhereGracesatbesideoneofthefrontwindows。Shespenthertimeinstudyoftheroomanditsappointments，andinnowandthenglancingoutatMr。Libby，whosatstatuesquelypatientinthebuggy。Hisprofilecutagainsttheskywasblameless；andahumorousshrewdnesswhichshowedinthewrinkleathiseyeandinthedroopofhisyellowmustachegaveitsregularitylifeandcharm。ItoccurredtoherthatifDr。MulbridgecaughtsightofMr。Libbybeforehesawher，orbeforeshecouldexplainthatshehadgotoneofthegentlemenatthehotel——sheresolveduponthisprevarication——todrivehertoCorbitantindefaultofanotherconveyance，hewouldhavehisimpressionsandconjectures，whichdoubtlessthebunchofliliesinherhandwoulddotheirparttostimulate。Shesubmittedtothispossibility，andwaitedforhiscoming，whichbegantoseemunreasonablydelayed。Thedooropenedatlast，andatall，powerfullyframedmanofthirty-fiveorforty，dressedinanill-fittingsuitofgrayCanadahomespunappeared。Hemovedwithaslow，ponderingstep，andcarriedhisshaggyheadbentdownwardsfromshouldersslightlyrounded。Hisdarkbeardwasalreadygrizzled，andshesawthathismustachewasburntandturnedtawnyatpointsbysmoking，ofwhichhabithispresencegavestaleevidencetoanothersense。HeheldGrace’scardinhishand，andhelookedather，asheadvanced，outofgrayeyesthat，ifnotsympathetic，wereperfectlyintelligent，andthatatoncesoughttodivineandclassher。Sheperceivedthathetookintheliliesandhercomingcolor；shefeltthathenotedherfigureandherdress。
Shehalfroseinresponsetohisquestioningbow，andhemotionedhertoherseatagain。\"Ihadtokeepyouwaiting，\"hesaid。\"Iwasupallnightwithapatient，andIwasasleepwhenmymothercalledme。\"Hestoppedhere，anddefinitivelywaitedforhertobegin。
Shedidnotfindthiseasy，ashetookachairinfrontofher，andsatlookingsteadilyinherface。\"I’msorrytohavedisturbedyou\"
\"Oh，notatall，\"heinterrupted。\"Theruleistodisturbadoctor。\"
\"Imean，\"shebeganagain，\"thatIamnotsurethatIamjustifiedindisturbingyou。\"
Hewaitedalittlewhileforhertogoon，andthenhesaid，\"Well，letushear。\"
\"Iwishtoconsultwithyou，\"shebrokeout，andagainshecametoasuddenpause；andasshelookedintohisvigilantface，inwhichshewasnotsuretherewasnotahoveringderision，shecouldnotcontinue。Shefeltthatsheoughttogathercouragefromthefactthathehadnotstarted，ordoneanythingpositivelydisagreeablewhenshehadaskedforaconsultation；butshecouldnot，anditdidnotavailhertoreflectthatshewasrenderingherselfliabletoallconceivablemisconstruction，——thatshewasbehavingchildishly，witheveryappearanceofbehavingguiltily。
Hecametoheraidagain，inabluntfashion，neitherkindnorunkind，butsimplycommonsense。\"Whatisthematter？\"
\"Whatisthematter？\"sherepeated。
\"Yes。Whatarethesymptoms？Whereandhoware，yousick？\"
\"Iamnotsick，\"shecried。Theystaredateachotherinreciprocalamazementandmystification。
\"ThenexcusemeifIaskyouwhatyouwishmetodo？\"
\"Oh！\"saidGrace，realizinghisnaturalerror，withaflush。\"Itisn’tinregardtomyselfthatIwishtoconsultwithyou。It’sanotherperson——afriend\"——
\"Well，\"saidDr。Mulbridge，laughing，withtheimpatienceofaphysicianusedtomakingshortcutsthroughtheelaborateandreluctantstatementsofladiesseekingadvice，\"whatisthematterwithyourfriend？\"
\"Shehasbeenaninvalidforsometime，\"repliedGrace。Thelaugh，whichhaditsedgeofpatronageandconceit，stungherintoself-possessionagain，andshebrieflygavethepointsofMrs。Maynard’scase，withtherecentaccidentandthesymptomsdevelopedduringthenight。Helistenedattentively，noddinghisheadattimes，andnowandthenglancingsharplyather，asonemightatasurprisinglyintelligentchild。
\"Imustseeher，\"hesaiddecidedly，whenshecametoanend。\"Iwillseeherassoonaspossible。IwillcomeovertoJocelyn’sthisafternoon，——assoonasIcangetmydinner，infact。\"
Therewassuchatoneofdismissalinhiswordsthatsherose，andhepromptlyfollowedherexample。Shestoodhesitatingamoment。Then，\"Idon’tknowwhetheryouunderstoodthatIwishmerelytoconsultwithyou，\"shesaid；\"thatIdon’twishtorelinquishthecasetoyou\"——
\"Relinquishthecase——consult\"——Dr。Mulbridgestaredather。\"No，I
don’tunderstand。Whatdoyoumeanbynotrelinquishingthecase？
Ifthereissomeoneelseinattendance\"
\"Iaminattendance，\"saidthegirlfirmly。\"IamMrs。Maynard’sphysician。\"
\"You？Physician\"
\"Ifyouhavelookedatmycard\"——shebeganwithindignantseverity。
Hegaveasortofroarofamusementandapology，andthenhestaredatheragainwithmuchoftheinterestofanaturalistinanextraordinaryspecimen。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"heexclaimed。\"Ididn’tlookatit\"；buthenowdidso，wherehehelditcrumpledinthepalmofhislefthand。\"Mymothersaiditwasayounglady，andIdidn’tlook。Willyouwillyousitdown，Dr。Breen？\"Hebustledingettingherseveralchairs。
\"Iliveoffhereinacorner，andIhaveneverhappenedtomeetanyladiesofourprofessionbefore。Excuseme，ifIspokeundera，——mistakenimpression。I——I——Ishouldnothave——ah——takenyouforaphysician。
You\"——Hecheckedhimself，asifhemighthavebeengoingtosaythatshewastooyoungandtoopretty。\"Ofcourse，Ishallhavepleasureinconsultingwithyouinregardtoyourfriend’scase，thoughI’venodoubtyouaredoingallthatcanbedone。\"Withagreatshowofdeference，hestillbetrayedsomethingoftheairofonewhohumorsajoke；andshefeltthis，butfeltthatshecouldnotopenlyresentit。
\"Thankyou，\"shereturnedwithdignity，indicatingwithagestureofherhandthatshewouldnotsitdownagain。\"Iamsorrytoaskyoutocomesofar。\"
\"Oh，notatall。Ishallbedrivingoverinthatdirectionatanyrate。