\"Thenyoureallychoosetobeliketherest，——athingofhystericalimpulses，withoutconscienceorreason！Isupposedtheweakestwomanwouldbeequaltoanofferofmarriage。Andyouhaddreamtofbeingaphysiciananduseful！\"
\"Itellyou，\"shecried，halfquelledbyhisderision，\"thatIhavefoundoutthatIamnotfitforit，——thatIamafailureandadisgrace；andyouhadnorighttoexpectmetobeanythingelse。\"
\"Youarenofailure，andIhadarighttoexpectanythingofyouaftertheenduranceandthediscretionyouhaveshowninthelastthreeweeks。
WithoutyourhelpIshouldhavefailedmyself。Youoweittootherwomentogoon。\"
\"Theymusttakecareofthemselves，\"shesaid。\"Ifmyweaknessthrowsshameonthem，theymustbearit。Ithankyouforwhatyousay。I
believeyoumeanit。ButifIwasofanyusetoyouIdidn’tknowit。\"
\"Itwasprobablyinspiration，then，\"heinterruptedcoolly。\"Come，thisisn’tathingtobefrightenedat。You’renotobligedtodowhatIsay。
ButIthinkyououghttohearmeout。Ihaven’tspokenwithoutseriousthought，andIdidn’tsupposeyouwouldrejectmewithoutareason。\"
\"Reason？\"sherepeated。\"Thereisnoreasoninit。\"
\"Thereoughttobe。Thereis，onmyside。Ihaveallkindsofreasonsforaskingyoutobemywife：IbelievethatIcanmakeyouhappyinthefulfilmentofyourplans；IadmireyouandrespectyoumorethananyotherwomanIeversaw；andIloveyou。\"
\"Idon’tloveyou，andthatisreasonenough。\"
\"Yes，betweenboysandgirls。Butbetweenmenandwomenitisn’tenough。
Doyoudislikeme？\"
\"No。\"
\"AmIrepulsiveinanyway？\"
\"No，no！\"
\"IknowthatIamnotveryyoungandthatIamnotverygood-looking。\"
\"Itisn’tthatatall。\"
\"OfcourseIknowthatsuchthingsweighwithwomen，andthatpersonaltraitsandhabitsareimportantinanaffairlikethis。Iamslovenlyandindifferentaboutmydress；butit’sonlybecauseIhavelivedwhereeverysortofspiritandambitionwasuseless。Idon’tknowaboutcityways，butIcouldpickupallofthemthatwereworthwhile。IspokeofgoingtoBoston；butIwouldgoanywhereelsewithyou，eastorwest，thatyouchose，andIknowthatIshouldsucceed。Ihaven’tdonewhatI
mighthavedonewithmyself，becauseI’veneverhadanobjectinlife。
I’vealwayslivedintheonelittleplace，andI’veneverbeenoutofitexceptwhenIwasinthearmy。I’vealwayslikedmyprofession；butnothinghasseemedworthwhile。Youwerearevelationtome；youhaveputambitionandhopeintome。IneversawanywomanbeforethatIwouldhaveturnedmyhandtohave。Theyalwaysseemedtomefittobethecompanionsoffools，ortheplaythingsofmen。Butofallthesimpletons，thewomenwhoweretryingtodosomethingforwoman，astheycalledit，tryingtoexemplifyandillustrateacause，werethesilliestthatIcameacross。Ineverhappenedtohavemetawomandoctorbeforeyoucametome；butIhadimaginedthem，andIcouldn’tbelieveinyouwhenIsawyou。Youwerenotsupersensitive，youwerenotpresumptuous，andyougaveup，notbecauseyoudistrustedyourself，butbecauseyourpatientdistrustedyou。Thatwasright：Ishouldhavedonethesamethingmyself。Undermydirection，youhaveshownyourselffaithful，docile，patient，intelligentbeyondanythingIhaveseen。Ihavewatchedyou，andIknow；andIknowwhatyourpeculiartrialshavebeenfromthatwoman。Youhavetaughtmealesson，——I’mnotashamedtosayit；andyou’vegivenmeamotive。Iwaswrongtoaskyoutomarrymesothatyoumightcarryoutyourplans：thatwasnowaytoappealtoyou。WhatI
meantwasthatImightmakeyourplansmyown，andthatwemightcarrythemouttogether。Idon’tcareformakingmoney；Ihavealwaysbeenpoor，andIhadalwaysexpectedtobeso；andIamnotafraidofhardwork。Thereisn’tanyself-sacrificeyou’vedreamedofthatIwouldn’tgladlyandproudlysharewithyou。Youcan’tdoanythingbyyourself，butwecoulddoanythingtogether。Ifyouhaveanyscrupleaboutgivingupyourtheoryofmedicine，youneedn’tdoit；andtheStateMedicalAssociationmaygotothedevil。I’vesaidmysay。Whatdoyousay？\"
Shelookedallround，asifseekingescapefromameshsuddenlyflungabouther，andthenshelookedimploringlyupathim。\"Ihavenothingtosay，\"shewhisperedhuskily。\"Ican’tansweryou。\"
\"Well，that’sallIask，\"hesaid，movingafewsteps，away，andsufferinghertorise。\"Don’tanswermenow。Taketime，——allthetimeyouwant，allthetimethereis。\"
\"No，\"shesaid，rising，andgatheringsomestrengthfromthesenseofbeingonfootagain。\"Idon’tmeanthat。ImeanthatIdon’t——Ican’tconsent。\"
\"Youdon’tbelieveinme？Youdon’tthinkIwoulddoit？\"
\"Idon’tbelieveinmyself。Ihavenorighttodoubtyou。IknowthatI
oughttohonoryouforwhatyoupropose。\"
\"Idon’tthinkitcallsforanygreathonor。OfcourseIshouldn’tproposeittoeveryladyphysician。\"Hesmiledwithentireserenityandself-possession。\"Tellmeonething：wasthereeveratimewhenyouwouldhaveconsented？\"Shedidnotanswer。\"Thenyouwillconsentyet？\"
\"No。Don’tdeceiveyourself。Ishallneverconsent。\"
\"I’llleavethattothelogicofyourownconscience。Youwilldowhatseemsyourduty。\"
\"Youmustn’ttrusttomyconscience。Iflingitaway！Iwon’thaveanythingtodowithit。I’vebeentorturedenoughbyit。Thereisnosenseorjusticeinit！\"
Helaughedeasilyathervehemence。\"I’lltrustyourconscience。ButI
won’tstaytoworryyounow。I’mcomingagaindayafterto-morrow，andI’mnotafraidofwhatyouwillsaythen。\"
Heturnedandlefther，tearinghiswaythroughthesweet-fernandlowblackberryvines，withlongstrides，ashapeofuncouthforce。Afterhewasoutofsight，shefollowed，scaredandtremblingatherself，asifshehadblasphemed。
XI。
Graceburstintotheroomwherehermothersat；andflungherhatasidewithadesperategesture。\"Now，mother，youhave-gottolistentome。
Dr。Mulbridgehasaskedmetomarryhim！\"
Mrs。Greenputupherspectaclesonherforehead，andstaredatherdaughter，whilesomestrongexpressions，outoftheplebeianorrusticpastwhichliesonlyagenerationortwobehindmostofus，rosetoherlips。Iwillnotrepeatthemhere；shehadlongdeniedthemtoherselfasanimmoralself-indulgence，anditmustbeownedthatsuchthingshaveafearfuleffect，comingfromoldladies。\"Whathasgotintoallthemen？Whatinnaturedoeshewantyoutomarryhimfor？\"
\"Oh，forthebestreasonsintheworld，\"exclaimedthedaughter。\"Forreasonsthatwillmakeyouadmireandrespecthim，\"sheaddedironically。
\"Forgreat，andunselfish，andmagnanimousreasons！\"
\"Ishouldwanttobelievetheyweretherealones，first，\"interruptedMrs。Breen。
\"HewantstomarrymebecauseheknowsthatIcan’tfulfilmyplansoflifealone，andbecausewecouldfulfilthemtogether。Weshallnotonlybehusbandandwife，butweshallbephysiciansinpartnership。Imaycontinueahomoeopath，hesays，andtheStateMedicalAssociationmaygotothedevil。\"Sheusedhislanguage，thatwouldhavebeenshockingtoherordinarymoods，withoutblenching，andintheircommonagitationhermotheraccepteditasfitandbecoming。\"HecountsuponmyacceptinghimbecauseImustseeitasmyduty，andmyconsciencewon’tletmerejecttheonlyopportunityIshallhaveofdoingsomegoodandbeingofsomeuseintheworld。WhatdoyouthinkIoughttodo，mother？\"
\"There’sreasoninwhathesays。Itisanopportunity。Youcouldbeofuse，inthatway，andperhapsit’stheonlyway。Yes，\"shecontinued，fascinatedbythelogicoftheposition，anditscapabilitiesforvicariousself-sacrifice。\"Idon’tseehowyoucangetoutofit：Youhavespentyearsandyearsofstudy，andagreatdealofmoney，toeducateyourselfforaprofessionthatyou’retooweaktopractisealone。
\"Youcan’tsaythatIeveradvisedyourdoingit。Itwasyourownidea，andIdidn’topposeit。Butwhenyou’vegonesofar，you’veformedanobligationtogoon。It’syourdutynottogiveup，ifyouknowofanymeanstocontinue。That’syourduty，asplainascanbe。Tosaynothingofthewickedwasteofyourgivingupnow，you’reboundtoconsidertheeffectitwouldhaveuponotherwomenwhoaretryingtodosomethingforthemselves。Theonlything，\"sheadded，withsomemisgiving，\"iswhetheryoubelievehewasinearnestandwouldkeephiswordtoyou。\"
\"Ithinkhewassecretlylaughingatme，andthathewouldexpecttolaughmeoutofhispromise。\"
\"Well，then，yououghttotaketimetoreflect，andyououghttobesurethatyou’rerightabouthim。\"
\"Isthatwhatyoureallythink，mother？\"
\"Iamalwaysgovernedbyreason，Grace，andbyright；andIhavebroughtyouuponthatplan。Ifyouhaveeverdepartedfromit，ithasnotbeenwithmyconsent，norforwantofmywarning。Ihavesimplylaidthematterbeforeyou。\"
\"Thenyouwishmetomarryhim？\"
ThiswasperhapsapointthathadnotoccurredtoMrs。BreeninherrecognitionofthestrengthofDr。Mulbridge’sposition。Itwasonethingtotracethepathofduty；anothertosupporttheaspirantintreadingit。\"Yououghttotaketimetoreflect，\"Mrs。Greenrepeated，withevasionthatsheneverusedinbehalfofothers。
\"Well，mother，\"answeredGrace，\"Ididn’ttaketimetoreflect，andI
shouldn’tcarewhetherIwasrightabouthimornot。IrefusedhimbecauseIdidn’tlovehim。IfIhadlovedhimthatwouldhavebeentheonlyreasonIneededtomarryhim。Butallthedutyintheworldwouldn’tbeenoughwithoutit。Duty？Iamsickofduty！Lettheotherwomenwhoaretryingtodosomethingforthemselves，takecareofthemselvesasmenwould。Idon’towethemmorethanamanwouldoweothermen，andIwon’tbehoodwinkedintothinkingIdo。Asforthewaste，thepastisgone，atanyrate；andthewastethatIlamentistheyearsIspentinworkingmyselfuptoanundertakingthatIwasneverfitfor。Iwon’tcontinuethatwaste，andIwon’tkeepupthedelusionthatbecauseIwasveryunhappyIwasuseful，andthatitwasdoinggoodtobemiserable。IlikepleasureandIlikedress；Ilikeprettythings。
Thereisnoharminthem。Whyshouldn’tIhavethem？\"
\"Thereisharminthemforyou，\"——hermotherbegan。
\"BecauseIhavetriedtomakemylifeahorror？Thereisnootherreason，andthatisnoreason。WhenwegointoBostonthiswinterI
shallgotothetheatre。Ishallgototheopera，，andIhopetherewillbeaballet。Andnextsummer，IamgoingtoEurope；IamgoingtoItaly。\"Shewhirledawaytowardthedoorasifsheweresettingout。
\"Ishouldthinkyouhadtakenleaveofyourconscience！\"criedhermother。
\"IhopeIhave，mother。Iamgoingtoconsultmyreasonafterthis。\"
\"Yourreason！\"
\"Well，then，myinclination。Ihavehadenoughofconscience，——ofmyown，andofyours，too。ThatiswhatItoldhim，andthatiswhatI
mean。Thereissuchathingashavingtoomuchconscience，andofgettingstupefiedbyit，sothatyoucan’treallyseewhat’sright。ButIdon’tcare。IbelieveIshouldliketodowrongforawhile，andI
willdowrongifit’sdoingrighttomarryhim。\"
Shehadherhandonthedoor-knob，andnowsheopenedthedoor，andcloseditafterherwithsomethingverylikeabang。
Shenaturallycouldnotkeepwithindoorsinthisexplosivestate，andshewentdownstairs，andoutuponthepiazza。Mr。Maynardwasthere，smoking，withhisbootsontopoftheveranda-rail，andhispersonthrownbackinhischairattheanglerequisitetoaccomplishthiselevationofthefeet。Hetookthemdown，ashesawherapproach，androse，withtherespectinwhichheneverfailedforwomen，andthrewhiscigaraway。
\"Mr。Maynard，\"sheaskedabruptly，\"doyouknowwhereMr。Libbyis？\"
\"No，Idon’t，doctor，I’msorrytosay。IfIdid，Iwouldsendandborrowsomemorecigarsofhim。IthinkthatthebrandourlandlordkeepsmusthavebeeninventedbyMr。Track，thegreatanti-tobaccoreformer。\"
\"Ishecomingback？Isn’thecomingback？\"shedemandedbreathlessly。
\"Why，yes，Ireckonhemustbecomingback。Libbygenerallyseeshisfriendsthrough。Andhe’llhavesomecuriositytoknowhowMrs。MaynardandIhavecomeoutofitall。\"Helookedatherwithsomethinglatentinhiseye；butwhathiseyeexpressedwasmerelyasympatheticregretthathecouldnotbemoresatisfactory。
\"Perhaps，\"shesuggested，\"Mr。Barlowmightknowsomething。\"
\"Well，now，\"saidMaynard，\"perhapshemight，thatverything。I’llgoroundandaskhim。\"Hewenttothestable，andshewaitedforhisreturn。\"Barlowsays，\"hereported，\"thatheguesseshe’ssomewhereaboutLeyden。Atanyrate，hismare，’sthereyet，inthestablewhereBarlowlefther。Hesawherthere，yesterday。\"
\"Thanks。That’sallIwishedtoknow，\"saidGrace。\"Iwishedtowritetohim，\"sheaddedboldly。
Sheshutherselfinherroomandspenttherestoftheforenooninwritingaletter，whichwhenfirstfinishedwasverylong，butinitsultimatephasewassoshortastooccupybutasmallspaceonasquarecorrespondence-card。Havinggotitwrittenonthecard，shewasdissatisfiedwithitinthatshape，andcopiedituponasheetofnote-
paper。Thenshesealedandaddressedit，andputitintoherpocket；
afterdinnershewentdowntothebeach，andwalkedalongwayuponthesands。ShethoughtatfirstthatshewouldaskBarlowtogetittohim，somehow；andthenshedeterminedtofindoutfromBarlowtheaddressofthepeoplewhohadMr。Libby’shorse，andsendittothemforhimbythedriverofthebarge。Shewouldapproachthedriverwithanonchalant，imperiousair，andaskhimtopleasehavethatdeliveredtoMr。Libbyimmediately；andincasehelearnedfromthestable-peoplethathewasnotinLeyden，tobringtheletterbacktoher。Shesawhowthedriverwouldtakeit，andthenshefiguredLibbyopeningandreadingit。Shesometimesfiguredhimoneway，andsometimesanother。Sometimesherapidlyscannedthelines，andtheninstantlyorderedhishorse，andfeverishlyhastenedthemen；againhedeliberatelyreadit，andthentoreitintostallpieces，withalaugh，andflungthemaway。Thisconceptionofhisbehaviormadeherheartalmoststopbeating；buttherewasaluxuryinit，too，andsherecurredtoitquiteasoftenastotheother，whichledhertoadramatizationoftheirmeeting，withalltheirparleyminutelyrealized，andeverymostintimatelookandthoughtimagined。
Thereisofcoursenomeansofprovingthatthissortofmentalexercisewasinanydegreeanexerciseofthereason，orthatDr。Breendidnotbehaveunprofessionallyingivingherselfuptoit。Shecouldonlyhaveclaimedinself-defencethatshewasnolongeraimingataprofessionalbehavior；thatshewasinfactabandoningherselftoarecoveredsenseofgirlhoodandallitssweetestirresponsibilities。Thosewhowouldexcusesoweakandcapriciousacharactermayurge，iftheylike，thatshewasbehavingaswiselyasayoungphysicianoftheothersexwouldhavedoneinthecircumstances。
Sheconcludedtoremainonthebeach，whereonlythechildrenwereplayinginthesand，andwhereshecouldeasilyescapeanyothercompanionshipthatthreatened。Aftershehadwalkedlongenoughtospendthefirstpassionofherreverie，shesatdownunderthecliff，andpresentlygrewconsciousofhisboatswingingatanchorinitswontedplace，andwonderedthatshehadnotthoughthemustcomebackforthat。
Thenshehadamindtotearupherletterassuperfluous；butshedidnot。Sherosefromherplaceunderthecliff，andwenttolookforthedory。Shefounditdrawnuponthesandinalittlecove。Itwasthesameplace，andthewaterwassoshoalfortwentyfeetoutthatnoonecouldhaverowedthedorytoland；itmustbedraggedup。Shelaughedandblushed，andthenboldlyamusedherselfbylookingforfootprints；
butthetidemusthavewashedthemoutlongago；therewereonlythelight，smallfootprintsofthechildrenwhohadbeenplayingaboutthedory。Shebrushedawaysomesandtheyhadscatteredovertheseat，andgotintotheboatandsatdownthere。Itwasagoodseat，andcommandedaviewofthesail-boatintheforegroundoftheotherwiseemptyocean；
shetookoutherletter，andletitlieintheopenhandswhichsheletlieinherlap。
Shewasnotimpatienttohavethetimepass；itwentonlytoosoon。
Thoughsheindulgedthatluxuryofterrorinimaginingherlettertornupandscornfullythrownaway，shereallyrestedquitesafeastotheevent；
butshelikedthisfonddelay，andthesoftblueafternoonmighthavelastedforevertoherentirecontent。
Alittlewhiffofbreezestoleup，andsuddenlycaughttheletterfromheropenhands，andwhiskeditoutoverthesand。Withacryshefledafterit，andwhenshehadrecapturedit，shethoughttolookatherwatch。Itwasalmosttimeforthebarge，andnowshemadesuchneedlesshaste，inordernottogiveherselfchanceformisgivingorretreat，thatshearrivedtoosoonatthepointwhereshemeanttointerceptthedriveronhiswaytothehouse；forinherpresentmutinyshehadresolvedtogratifyalittlenaturallikingformanoeuvre，longstarvedbytherigiddisciplinetowhichshehadsubjectedherself。Shehadalwaysbeenawkwardatit，butshelikedit；andnowitpleasedhertothinkthatsheshouldgiveherlettersecretlytothedriver，andonherwaytomeethimsheforgotthatshehadmeanttoaskBarlowforpartoftheaddress。Shedidnotrememberthistillitwastoolatetogobacktothehotel，andshesuddenlyresolvednottoconsultBarlow，buttoletthedrivergoaboutfromoneplacetoanotherwiththelettertillhefoundtherightone。Shekeptwalkingonoutintotheforestthroughwhichtheroadwound，andshehadgotamileawaybeforeshesawthewearybowingofthehorses’headsastheytuggedthebargethroughthesandatawalk。Shestoppedinvoluntarily，withsomeimpulsestoflight；andasthevehicledrewnearer，shesawthedriverturnedrounduponhisseat，andtalkingtoapassengerbehind。Shehadnevercounteduponhishavingapassenger，andthefactundidall。
Sheremainedhelplessinthemiddleoftheroad；thehorsescametoastand-stillafewpacesfromher，andthedriverceasedfromthehighkeyofconversation，andturnedtoseewhatwasthematter。
\"Mygrief！\"heshouted。\"Ifithadn’tbeenforthemhorseso’mine，I
sh’d’a’runrightoverye。\"
\"Iwishedtospeakwithyou，\"shebegan。\"Iwishedtosend\"——
Shestopped，andthepassengerleanedforwardtolearnwhatwasgoingon。
\"MissBreen！\"heexclaimed，andleapedoutofthebackofthebargeandrantoher。
\"You——yougotmyletter！\"shegasped。
\"No！Whatletter？Isthereanythingthematter？\"
Shedidnotanswer。Shehadbecomeconsciousoftheletter，whichshehadneverceasedtoholdinthehandthatshehadkeptinherpocketforthatpurpose。Shecrusheditintoasmallwad。
Libbyturnedhishead，andsaidtothedriverofthebarge，\"Goahead。\"
And，\"Willyoutakemyarm？\"headdedtoher。\"It’sheavywalkinginthissand。\"
\"No，thankyou，\"shemurmured，recoiling。\"I’mnottired。\"
\"Areyouwell？Haveyoubeenquitewell？\"
\"Oh，yes，perfectly。Ididn’tknowyouwerecomingback。\"
\"Yes。Ihadtocomeback。I’mgoingtoEuropenextweek，andIhadtocometolookaftermyboat，here；andIwantedtosaygood-bytoMaynard。
IwasjustgoingtospeaktoMaynard，andthensailmyboatovertoLeyden。\"
\"Itwillbeverypleasant，\"shesaid，withoutlookingathim。\"It’smoonlightnow。\"
\"Oh，Isha’n’thaveanyuseforthemoon。Ishallgetoverbeforenightfall，ifthisbreezeholds。\"
Shetriedtothinkofsomethingelse，andtogetawayfromthistalkofasailtoLeyden，butshefatallyanswered，\"Isawyourboatthisafternoon。Ihadn’tnoticedbeforethatitwasstillhere。\"
Hehesitatedamoment，andthenasked，\"Didyouhappentonoticethedory？\"
\"Yes，itwasdrawnuponthesand。\"
\"Isupposeit’sallright——ifit’sinthesameplace。\"
\"Itseemedtobe，\"sheansweredfaintly。
\"I’mgoingtogivetheboattoJohnson。\"
Shedidnotsayanything，forshecouldthinkofnothingtosay，butthatshehadlookedforsealsonthereef，buthadnotseenany，andthiswouldhavebeentooshamelesslyleading。Thatleftthewordtohim，andheaskedtimidly，——
\"Ihopemycomingdon’tseemintrusive，MissBreen？\"
Shedidnotheedthis，but\"Youaregoingtobegoneagreatwhile？\"sheasked，inturn。
\"Idon’tknow，\"hereplied，inanuncertaintone，asiftroubledtomakeoutwhethershewasvexedwithhimornot。\"Ithought，\"headded，\"IwouldgouptheNilethistime。I’veneverbeenuptheNile，youknow。\"
\"No，Ididn’tknowthat。Well，\"sheaddedtoherself，\"Iwishyouhadnotcomeback！Youhadbetternothavecomeback。Ifyouhadn’tcome，youwouldhavegotmyletter。Andnowitcanneverbedone！No，Ican’tgothroughitallagain，andnoonehastherighttoaskit。Wehavemissedtheonlychance，\"shecriedtoherself，insuchkeenreproachofhimthatshethoughtshemusthavespokenaloud。
\"IsMrs。Maynardallrightagain？\"heasked。
\"Yes，sheisverymuchbetter，\"sheanswered，confusedly，asifhehadheardherreproachandhadignoredit。
\"Ihopeyou’renotsotiredasyouwere。\"
\"No，I’mnottirednow。\"
\"Ithoughtyoulookedalittlepale，\"hesaidsympathetically，andnowshesawthathewasso。Itirritatedherthatsheshouldbesofarfromhim，inallhelpfulness，andshecouldscarcelykeepdownthewishthatachedinherheart。
Wearenevernearerdoingthethingwelongtodothanwhenwehaveproclaimedtoourselvesthatitmustnotandcannotbe。
\"Whyareyousopale？\"shedemanded，almostangrily。
\"I？Ididn’tknowthatIwas，\"heanswered。\"IsupposedIwasprettywell。IdaresayIoughttobeashamedofshowingitinthatway。Butifyouaskme，well，Iwilltellyou；Idon’tfinditanyeasierthanI
didatfirst。\"
\"Youaretoblame，then！\"shecried。\"IfIwereaman，Ishouldnotletsuchathingwearuponmeforamoment\"
\"Oh，IdaresayIshalllivethroughit，\"heanswered，withthenationalwhimsicalitythatcomestoouraidinmostemergencies。
Alittlepangwentthroughherheart，butsheretorted，\"Iwouldn’tgotoEuropetoescapeit，noruptheNile。IwouldstayandfightitwhereIwas。\"\"Stay？\"Heseemedtohavecaughthopefullyattheword。
\"Ithoughtyouwerestronger。Ifyougiveupinthiswayhowcanyouexpectme\"——Shestopped；shehardlyknewwhatshehadintendedtosay；
shefearedthatheknew。
Butheonlysaid：\"I’msorry。Ididn’tintendtotroubleyouwiththesightofme。Ihadaplanforgettingoverthecliffwithoutlettingyouknow，andhavingMaynardcomedowntomethere。\"
\"Anddidyoureallymean，\"shecriedpiteously，\"togoawaywithouttryingtoseemeagain？\"
\"Yes，\"heownedsimply。\"IthoughtImightcatchaglimpseofyou，butI
didn’texpecttospeaktoyou。\"
\"Didyouhatemesobadlyasthat？WhathadIdonetoyou？\"
\"Done？\"Hegaveasorrowfullaugh；andadded，withanabsentair，\"Yes，it’sreallylikedoingsomethingtome！Andsometimesitseemsasifyouhaddoneitpurposely。\"
\"YouknowIdidn’t！Now，then，\"shecried，\"youhaveinsultedme，andyouneverdidthatbefore。Youwereverygoodandnobleandgenerous，andwouldn’tletmeblamemyselfforanything。Iwantedalwaystorememberthatofyou；forIdidn’tbelievethatanymancouldbesomagnanimous。Butitseemsthatyoudon’tcaretohavemerespectyou！\"
\"Respect？\"herepeated，inthesamevagueway。\"No，Ishouldn’tcareaboutthatunlessitwasincludedintheother。ButyouknowwhetherI
haveaccusedyouofanything，orwhetherIhaveinsultedyou。Iwon’texcusemyself。Ithinkthatoughttobeinsultingtoyourcommonsense。\"
\"Thenwhyshouldyouhavewishedtoavoidseeingmeto-day？Wasittospareyourself？\"shedemanded，quiteincoherentlynow。\"OrdidyouthinkIshouldnotbeequaltothemeeting？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhattosaytoyou，\"answeredtheyoungman。\"IthinkI
mustbecrazy。\"Hehalted，andlookedatherincompletebewilderment。
\"Idon’tunderstandyouatall。\"
\"Iwishedtoseeyouverymuch。Iwantedyouradvice，as——as——afriend。\"
Heshookhishead。\"Yes！youshallbemyfriend，inthisatleast。I
canclaimit——demandit。Youhadnorightto——to——makeme——trustyousomuch，and——andthen——desertme。\"
\"Oh，verywell，\"heanswered。\"Ifanyadviceofmine——ButIcouldn’tgothroughthatsacrilegiousfarceofbeingnearyouandnot\"——Shewaitedbreathlessly，acondensedeternity，forhimtogoon；buthestoppedatthatword，andadded：\"HowcanIadviseyou？\"
Thedisappointmentwassocruelthatthetearscameintohereyesandrandownherface，whichsheavertedfromhim。Whenshecouldcontrolherselfshesaid，\"Ihaveanopportunityofgoingoninmyprofessionnow，inawaythatmakesmesureofsuccess。\"
\"Iamverygladonyouraccount。Youmustbegladtorealize\"
\"No，no！\"sheretortedwildly。\"Iamnotglad！\"
\"Ithoughtyou\"——
\"Butthereareconditions！Hesayshewillgowithmeanywhere，andwecanpractiseourprofessiontogether，andIcancarryoutallmyplans。
Butfirst——first——hewantsmeto——marryhim！\"
\"Who？\"
\"Don’tyouknow？Dr。Mulbridge！\"
\"That——Ibegyourpardon。I’venorighttocallhimnames。\"Theyoungfellowhalted，andlookedatherdowncastface。\"Well，doyouwantmetotellyoutotakehim？Thatistoomuch。Ididn’tknowyouwerecruel。\"
\"Youmakemecruel！Youleavemetobecruel！\"
\"Ileaveyoutobecruel？\"
\"Oh，don’tplayuponmywords，ifyouwon’taskmewhatIanswered！\"
\"HowcanIaskthat？Ihavenorighttoknow。\"
\"Butyoushallknow！\"shecried。\"ItoldhimthatIhadnoplans。
Ihavegiventhemallupbecause——becauseI’mtooweakforthem，andbecauseIabhorhim，andbecause——Butitwasn’tenough。HewouldnottakewhatIsaidforanswer，andheiscomingagainforananswer。\"
\"Comingagain？\"
\"Yes。Heisamanwhobelievesthatwomenmaychange，forreasonornoreason；and\"——
\"You——youmeantotakehimwhenhecomesback？\"gaspedtheyoungman。
\"Never！Notifhecameathousandtimes！\"
\"Thenwhatisityouwantmetoadviseyouabout？\"hefaltered。
\"Nothing！\"sheanswered，withfreezinghauteur。Shesuddenlyputupherarmsacrosshereyes，withthebeautiful，artlessactionofashame-
smittenchild，andleftheryoungfigureinbewilderingrelief。\"Oh，don’tyouseethatIloveyou？\"
\"Couldn’tyouunderstand，——couldn’tyouseewhatImeant？\"sheaskedagainthatnight，astheylostthemselvesonthelongstretchofthemoonlitbeach。Withhisarmcloseaboutthatlovelyshapetheywouldhaveseemedbutonepersontotheinattentiveobserver，astheypacedalonginthewhitesplendor。
\"Icouldn’triskanything。Ihadspoken，onceforall。Ialwaysthoughtthatforamantoofferhimselftwicewasindelicateandunfair。Icouldneverhavedoneit。\"
\"That’sverysweetinyou，\"shesaid；andperhapsshewouldhavepraisedinthesametermsthepreciselyoppositesentiment。\"It’ssomecomfort，\"
sheadded，withadeep-fetchedsigh，\"tothinkIhadtospeak。\"
Helaughed。\"Youdidn’tfinditsoeasytomakelove！\"
\"Oh，NOTHINGiseasythatmenhavetodo！\"sheanswered，withpassionateearnestness。
Therearemomentsofextremeconcession，ofmagnanimousadmission，thatcomebutonceinalifetime。
XII。
Dr。Mulbridgedidnotwaitforthetimehehadfixedforhisreturn。Hemayhavejudgedthathertendencyagainsthimwouldstrengthenbydelay，orhemayhaveyieldedtohisownimpatienceincomingthenextday。HeaskedforGracewithhiswontedabruptness，andwaitedforhercominginthelittleparlorofthehotel，walkingupanddownthefloor，withhisshaggyheadbentforward，andhisbighandsclaspedbehindhim。
Asshehoveredatthedoorbeforeentering，shecouldwatchhimwhilehewalkedthewholeroom’slengthaway，andshefeltapangatsightofhim。
Ifshecouldhavebelievedthathelovedher，shecouldnothavefacedhim，butmusthaveturnedandrunaway；andevenasitwasshegrievedforhim。Suchamanwouldnothavemadeuphismindtothisstepwithoutadeepmotive，ifnotadeepfeeling。Herhearthadbeensoftenedsothatshecouldnotthinkoffrustratinghisambition，ifitwerenobetterthanthat，withoutpity。Onemanhadmadeherfeelverykindlytowardallothermen；shewishedinthetenderconfusionofthemomentthatsheneednotrejectherimportunatesuitor，whoseimportunityevenshecouldnotresent。
Hecaughtsightofherassoonashemadehisturnattheendoftheroom，andwithaquick\"Ah，Ah！\"hehastenedtomeether，withthesmileinwhichtherewascertainlysomethingattractive。\"YouseeI’vecomebackadaysoonerthanIpromised。Ihaven’tthesortofturnoutyou’vebeenusedto，butIwantyoutodrivewithme。\"\"Ican’tdrivewithyou，Dr。Mulbridge，\"shefaltered。
\"Well，walk，then。Ishouldprefertowalk。\"
\"Youmustexcuseme，\"sheanswered，andremainedstandingbeforehim。
\"Sitdown，\"hebadeher，andpushedupachairtowardsher。Hisaudacity，ifithadbeenafinercourage，wouldhavebeensplendid，andasitwasshehelplesslyobeyedhim，asifshewerehispatient，andmustdoso。\"IfIweresuperstitiousIshouldsaythatyoureceivemeominously，\"hesaid，fixinghisgrayeyeskeenlyuponher。
\"Ido！\"sheforcedherselftoreply。\"Iwishyouhadnotcome。\"
\"That’sexplicit，atanyrate。Haveyouthoughtitover？\"
\"No；Ihadnoneedtodothat，IhadfullyresolvedwhenIspokeyesterday。Dr。Mulbridge，whydidn’tyousparemethis？It’sunkindofyoutoinsist，afterwhatIsaid。YouknowthatImusthatetorepeatit。IdovalueyousohighlyinsomewaysthatIblameyouforobligingmetohurtyou——ifitdoeshurt——bytellingyouagainthatIdon’tloveyou。\"
Hedrewinalongbreath，andsethisteethharduponhislip。\"Youmaydependuponitshurting，\"hesaid，\"butIwasgladtoriskthepain，whateveritwas，forthechanceofgettingyoutoreconsider。IpresumeI’mnottheconventionalwooer。I’mtoooldforit，andI’mtoobluntandplainaman。I’vebeenthirty-fiveyearsmakingupmymindtoaskyoutomarryme。You’rethefirstwoman，andyoushallbethelast。Youcouldn’tsupposeIwasgoingtogiveyouupforoneno？\"
\"Youhadbetter。\"
\"Notfortwenty！Icanunderstandverywellhowyouneverthoughtofmeinthisway；butthere’snoreasonwhyyoushouldn’t。Come，it’samatterthatwecanreasonabout，likeanythingelse。\"
\"No。Itoldyou，it’ssomethingwecan’treasonabout。Oryes，itis。
Iwillreasonwithyou。Yousaythatyouloveme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ifyoudidn’tloveme，youwouldn’taskmetomarryyou？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenhowcanyouexpectmetomarryyouwithoutlovingyou？\"
\"Idon’t。AllthatIaskisthatyouwon’trefuseme。Iknowthatyoucanloveme。\"
\"No，no，never！\"
\"AndIonlywantyoutotaketimetotry。\"
\"Idon’twishtotry。Ifyoupersist，Imustleavetheroom。Wehadbetterpart。Iwasfoolishtoseeyou。ButIthought——Iwassorry——I
hopedtomakeitlessunkindtoyou。\"
\"Inspiteofyourself，youwererelenting。\"
\"Notatall！\"
\"Butifyoupitiedme，youdidcareformealittle？\"
\"YouknowthatIhadthehighestrespectforyouasaphysician。Itellyouthatyouweremyidealinthatway，andIwilltellyouthatif\"——shestopped，andhecontinuedforher。
\"Ifyouhadnotresolvedtogiveitup，youmighthavedonewhatI
asked。\"
\"Ididnotsaythat，\"sheansweredindignantly。
\"Butwhydoyougiveitup？\"
\"BecauseIamnotequaltoit。\"
\"Howdoyouknowit？Whotoldyou？\"
\"Youhavetoldme，——byeverylookandactofyours，——andI’mgratefultoyouforit。\"
\"AndifItoldyounowbywordthatyouwerefitforit。\"
\"Ishouldn’tbelieveyou。\"
\"Youwouldn’tbelievemyword？\"Shedidnotanswer。\"Isee，\"hesaidpresently，\"thatyoudoubtmesomehowasaman。Whatisityouthinkofme？\"
\"Youwouldn’tliketoknow。\"
\"Oh，yes，Ishould。\"
\"Well，Iwilltellyou。Ithinkyouareatyrant，andthatyouwantaslave，notawife。Youwishtobeobeyed。Youdespisewomen。Idon’tmeantheirminds，——they’redespicableenough，inmostcases，asmen’sare，——buttheirnature。\"
\"Thisisnewstome，\"hesaid，laughing。\"IneverknewthatIdespisedwomen’snature。\"
\"It’strue，whetheryouknewitornot。\"
\"DoIdespiseyou？\"
\"Youwould，ifyousawthatIwasafraidofyou：Oh，whydoyouforcemetosaysuchthings？Whydon’tyouspareme——spareyourself？\"
\"InthiscauseIcouldn’tsparemyself。Ican’tbeartogiveyouup！
I’mwhatIam，whateveryousay；butwithyou，Icouldbewhateveryouwould。Icouldshowyouthatyouarewrongifyougavemethechance。
IknowthatIcouldmakeyouhappy。Listentomeamoment。\"
\"It’suseless。\"
\"No！Ifyouhavetakenthetroubletoreadmeinthisway，theremusthavebeenatimewhenyoumighthavecared。\"
\"Thereneverwasanysuchtime。Ireadyoufromthefirst。\"
\"Iwillgoaway，\"hesaid，afterapause，inwhichshehadrisen，andbeganaretreattowardsthedoor。\"ButIwillnot——Icannot——giveyouup。Iwillseeyouagain。\"
\"No，sir。Youshallnotseemeagain。Iwillnotsubmittoit。Iwillnotbepersecuted。\"Shewastrembling，andsheknewthathesawhertremor。
\"Well，\"hesaid，withasmilethatrecognizedhertrepidation，\"Iwillnotpersecuteyou。I’llrenouncethesepretensions。ButI’llaskyoutoseemeoncemore，asafriend，——anacquaintance。\"
\"Iwillnotseeyouagain。\"
\"Youareratherhardwithme，Ithink，\"heurgedgently。\"Idon’tthinkI’mplayingthetyrantwithyounow。\"
\"Youare，——thebaffledtyrant。\"
\"ButifIpromisednottooffendagain，whyshouldyoudenymeyouracquaintance？\"
\"BecauseIdon’tbelieveyou。\"Shewasgettingnearerthedoor，andassheputherhandbehindherandtouchedtheknob，thewildterrorshehadfelt，lestheshouldreachitfirstandpreventherescape，lefther。
\"Youaretreatingmelikeachildthatdoesn’tknowitsownmind，orhasnonetoknow。Youarelaughingatme——playingwithme；youhaveshownmethatyoudespiseme。\"
Heactuallylaughed。\"Well，you’veshownthatyouarenotafraidofme。
Whyareyounotafraid？\"
\"Because，\"sheanswered，andshedealttheblownowwithoutpity，\"I’mengaged，——engagedtoMr。Libby！\"Shewhirledaboutandvanishedthroughthedoor，ashamed，indignant，fearingthatifshehadnotfled，hewouldsomehowhavefoundmeanstomakehiswillprevailevenyet。
Hestood，stupefied，lookingatthecloseddoor，andhemadeaturnortwoabouttheroombeforehesummonedintelligencetoquitit。Whendeathitselfcomes，thesenseofcontinuanceisnotatoncebrokeninthesurvivors。Inthesemoraldeaths，whichmensurviveintheirownlives，thereisnoimmediateconsciousnessofanend。Forawhile，habitandtheautomatictendencyofdesirecarrythemon。
HedrovebacktoCorbitantperchedonthericketyseatofhisrattlingopenbuggy，andbowedforwardashiswontwas，hisroundedshouldersbringinghischinwelloverthedashboard。Ashepasseddownthelongsandystreet，towardthecornerwherehisownhousestood，thebroodinggroupofloafers，waitinginHackett’sstoreforthedistributionofthemail，watchedhimthroughtheopendoor，andfromundertheboughsoftheweatherbeatenpoplarbeforeit。Hacketthadbeencuttingapoundofcheeseoutofthethickyellowdiskbeforehim，fortheWidowHolman，andhestaredatthestreetafterMulbridgepassed，asifhismentaleyehadhaltedhimthereforthepublicconsideration，whileheleanedoverthecounter，andheldbythepointthelongknifewithwhichhehadcutthecheese。
\"IseesomethefolksfromovertoJocelyn’s，yist’d’y，\"hesaid，inaspasmofsharp，cracklingspeech，\"andtheyseemedtothink’tMis’
Mulbridge’dgottosteproundprettyspry’fshedidn’twantanotherthesamenameinthehousewithher。\"
Alongsilencefollowed，inwhichnoonechangedinanywisethepostureinwhichhefoundhimselfwhenHackettbegantospeak。Cap’nGeorgeWray，tiltedbackagainstthewallinhischair，continuedtostareatthestore-keeper；Cap’nJabezWray，didnotlookupfromwhittlingthechairbetweenhislegs；theircousin，Cap’nWrayStorrell，seatedonanailkegnearthestove，wentonfrettingtherustonthepipewiththeendofastiff，cast-offenvelope；twoothercaptains，moreorlessakintothem，continuedtheirgameofcheckers；theWidowSethWray’sboyrestedimmovable，withhischinandhandonthecounter，wherehehadbeentryingsincetheWidowHolmanwentouttocatchHackett’seyeandbuyacorn-ball。OldCap’nBillyWraywasthefirsttobreakthespell。
Hetookhiscigarfromhismouth，andhelditbetweenhisshakingthumbandforefinger，whilehepursedhislipsforspeech。\"Jabez，\"hesaid，\"didCap’nSam’lgitthatcoalier？\"
\"No，\"answeredthewhittler，cuttingdeeperintohischair，\"shedidn’tsignalforhimtillshegotintothechannel，andthenhe’dgotacoupleo’passengersforLeyden；andCap’nJimbroughtherup。\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidCap’nBilly，withastiffyettremulousreferenceofhimselftothestorekeeper，\"assprynesswouldhelpher，aslongashetookthenotion。Iguesshe’smasterofhisownship。Who’shegoingtomarry？Thegrahs-widowgotwellenough？\"
\"No。AsIunderstand，\"crackledthestore-keeper，\"herhusband’sturnedup。Folksoverthereseemtothink’the’sgothiseyeontheotherdoctor。\"
\"Goingtomarrywithher，hey？Well，ifeitherof’emgetssicktheywon’thavetogofarforadvice，andtheywon’thaveanydoctor’sbillstopay。Still，Ishouldn’tha’pickedoutjustthatkindofawifeforhim。\"
\"AsIunderstand，\"thestorekeeperbegan；butherehecaughtsightofWidowSethWray’sboy，andasked，\"What’swanted，Bub？Corn-ball？\"andturningtotakethatsweetmeatfromtheshelfbehindhimheaddedtherestinthemouthofthehollowlyreverberatingjar，\"She’sgotprop’ty。\"
\"Well，IneverknewaMulbridgeyet’tobjectedtoprop’ty，——especially，otherfolks’s。\"
\"Barlowhe’stellin’roundthatshe’sveryfineappearin’。\"Hehandedthecorn-balltoWidowSethWray’sboy，whowentnoiselesslyoutonhisbarefeet。
Cap’nBillydrewseverallongbreaths。Whenanothermanmighthavebeensupposedtohavedismissedthesubjecthesaid，\"Well，IneverknewaMulbridgethatobjectedtogoodlooksinwomenfolks。They’veallmerriedhahnsomewives，eversincetheoldgentlemanset’emtheexamplewithhissecondone。Theygottheirownlooksfromthefirst。Well，\"headded，\"Ihopeshe’satoughone。She’sgoteithertobendortobreak。\"
\"Theysay，\"saidCap’nGeorgeWray，likeonerisingfromthedeadtosayit，sodumbandmotionlesshadhebeentillnow，\"thatMis’Mulbridgewastoomuchfortheolddoctor。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"Cap’nBillyreplied，\"butIguessherson’stoomuchforher：she’sonlyGardiner，andhe’sGardinerandMulbridgeboth。\"
Noonechangedcountenance，butasenseofCap’nBilly’switsparelyyetsatisfyinglyglimmeredfromtheeyesofCap’nGeorgeandthestorekeeper，andCap’nJabezclosedhisknifewithasnapandlookedup。\"Perhaps，\"
hesuggested，\"she’sseenenoughofhimtoknowbeforehandthattherewouldbetoomuchofhim。\"
\"Ineverrightlyunderstood，\"saidHackett，\"justwhatitwasabouthim，thereinthearmy——comingoutayearbeforehand，thatway。\"
\"Iguessyouneverwill，——fromhim，\"saidCap’nJabez。
\"Laziness，Iguess，——toomuchwork，\"saidoldCap’nBilly。\"Whathewantsisawifewithmoney。Thereain’tabetterdoctoranywhere。I’veheard’tuptoBoston，wherehegothismanifest，theythoughteverythingofhim。He’ssmartenough，buthe’slazy，andhealwayswaslazy，andharder’nanut。He’sacuriousmixtur’。N’Iguesshe’sbeenonthelookoutforsomethin’ofthiskindeversencehebegunpractisingamongthesummerboarders。Guesshe’shadaneyeout。\"
\"Theysayhe’spoplaramong’em，\"observedthestorekeeperthoughtfully。
\"He’sbeenpootyp’tic’lar，ortheyhave，\"saidCap’nJabez。
\"Well，moston’em’smerriedwomen，\"Hacketturged。\"It’sastonishin’
howtheydocomeoffandleavetheirhusbands，thewholesummerlong。
Theysaythey’reallouto’health，though。\"
\"Iwonder，\"saidoldCap’nBilly，\"ifthemcoaliersisgoin’tomakeasettledthingofhaulin’insidebeforetheysignalapilot。\"
\"Iknowonething，\"answeredCap’nJabez，\"thatifanycoaliersignalsmeinthechannel，I’llseeherinhellfirst\"Heslippedhissmooth，warmknifeintohispocket，andwalkedoutofthestoreamidageneralsilence。
\"He’sconsid’bleworkedup，aboutthemcoaliers，\"saidoldCap’nBilly。
\"Idon’tknowasI’veheardJabezswearbefore——notsincehewasmateoftheGallatin。Heusedtoswearthen，consid’able。\"
\"Themcoaliersisenoughtomakeanyoneswear，\"saidCap’nGeorge。\"Ifit’sanywaysfairweathertheywon’ttakeyououtside，andtheycutyoudownfromtwenty-fivedollarstotwodollarsiftheytakeyouinside。\"
OldCap’nBillydidnotanswerbeforehehadbreathedawhile，andthen，havingtriedhiscigarandfounditout，hescrapedamatchonhiscoat-
sleeve。Helookedattheflamewhileitburnedfrombluetoyellow。
\"Well，Iguessifanybody’sbeenp’tic’lar，it’sbeenhim。Thereain’tanydoubtbutwhathe’sgotatakin’waywiththewomen。Theylikehim。
He’smasterful，andheain’tafool，andwomenmostgen’lylikeamanthatain’tafool。Iguessifhe’sgothiseyeonthegirl’sprop’ty，she’llhavetocomealong。He’dbeginbyhavin’hisownwayaboutheranswer；he’dhangontillshesaidYes，ifshedidn’tsayitfirst-off；
andhe’dkeeponashe’dbegun。Iguessifhewantsherit’samatch。\"
AndCap’nBillythrewhisownintothesquareboxoftobacco-stainedsawdustunderthestove。
Mrs。MaynardfullysharedtheopinionwhichrockedDr。Mulbridge’sdefeatwithabeliefinhisinvinciblewill。Whenitbecamenecessary，inthecourseofeventswhichmadeGraceandLibbyresolveuponashortengagement，totellherthattheyweregoingtobemarried，sheexpressedafrankastonishment。\"WalterLibby！\"shecried。\"Well，Iamsurprised。
WhenIwastalkingtoyoutheotherdayaboutgettingmarried，ofcourseIsupposeditwasgoingtobeDr。Mulbridge。Ididn’twantyoutomarryhim，butIthoughtyouweregoingto。\"
\"Andwhy，\"demandedGrace，withmountingsensation，\"didyouthinkthat？\"
\"Oh，Ithoughtyouwouldhaveto。\"
\"Haveto？\"
\"Oh，youhavesuchaweakwill。OrIalwaysthoughtyouhad。Butperhapsit’sonlyaweakwillwithotherwomen。Idon’tknow！ButWalterLibby！Iknewhewasperfectlygoneuponyou，andItoldyousoatthebeginning；butIneverdreamtofyourcaringforhim。Why，itseemstooridiculous。\"
\"Indeed！I’mgladthatitamusesyou。\"
\"Ohno，you’renot，Grace。ButyouknowwhatImean。Heseemssomuchyounger。\"
\"Younger？He’shalfayearolderthanIam。\"
\"Ididn’tsayhewasyounger。Butyou’resoverygraveandhe’ssoverylight。Well，IalwaystoldWalterLibbyIshouldgethimawife，butyouwerethelastpersonIshouldhavethoughtof。What’sgoingtobecomeofallyourhighpurposes？Youcan’tdoanythingwiththemwhenyou’remarried！Butyouwon’thaveanyoccasionforthem，that’sonecomfort。\"
\"It’snotmyideaofmarriagethatanyhighpurposewillbelostinit。\"
\"Oh，itisn’tanybody’s，beforetheygetmarried。IhadsuchhighpurposesIcouldn’trest。Ifeltlikehiringahall，asGeorgesays，allthetime。WalterLibbyisn’tgoingtoletyoupractise，ishe？Youmustn’tlethim！Iknowhe’dbewillingtodoanythingyousaid，butahusbandoughttobesomethingmorethanamere&Co。\"
Gracelaughedattheimpudentcynicismofallthis，forshewastoohappytobevexedwithanyonejustthen。\"I’m，gladyou’vecometothinksowellofhusbands’rightsatlast，Louise，\"shesaid。
Mrs。Maynardtookthelittlepunctureingoodpart。\"Oh，yes，GeorgeandIhavehadagooddealoflightletinonus。Idon’tsupposemycharacterwasmuchchangedoutwardlyinmysickness，\"shesuggested。
\"Itwasnot，\"answeredGracewarmly。\"Itwasintensified，thatwasall。\"
Mrs。Maynardlaughedinherturn，withrealenjoymentoftheconception。
\"Well，Iwasn’tgoingtoleton，unlessitcametotheworst；Ididn’tsaymuch，butIkeptupanawfulthinking。Itwouldhavebeeneasyenoughtogetadivorce，andGeorgewouldn’thaveopposedit；butI
lookedatitinthisway：thatthedivorcewouldn’thaveputusbackwherewewere，anyway，asIhadsupposeditwould。Wehadbrokenintoeachother’slives，andwecouldn’tgetoutagain，withallthedivorcesunderthesun。That’stheworstofgettingmarried：youbreakintoeachother’slives。Yousaidsomethinglikeittome，thatdaywhenyoucamebackfromyoursailwithWalterLibby。AndIjustconcludedthattherecouldn’tbeanytrialthatwouldn’tbeagreatdealeasiertobearthangettingridofallyourtrials；andIjustmadeupmymindthatifanydivorcewastobegot，GeorgeMaynardmightgetithimself；atemporaryseparationwasbadenoughforme，andItoldhimso，aboutthefirstwordsIcouldspeak。Andwe’regoingtotrythenewdepartureonthatplatform。Wedon’teitherofussuspectwecanhavethingsperfectlysmooth，butwe’veagreedtoroughittogetherwhenwecan’t。We’vefoundoutthatwecan’tmarryandthenbecomesingle，anymorethanwecoulddieandcometolifeagain。Anddon’tyouforgetit，Grace！Youdon’thalfknowyourself，now。Youknowwhatyouhavebeen；butgettingmarriedletslooseallyourpossibilities。Youdon’tknowwhatatemperyou’vegot，norhowbadlyyoucanbehave——howmuchlikeanaughty，good-
for-nothinglittlegirl；forahusbandandwifearejusttwochildrentogether：that’swhatmakesthesweetnessofit，andthat’swhatmakesthedreadfulness。Oh，you’llhaveneedofallyourgoodprinciples，I
cantellyou，andifyou’veamindtodoanythingpracticalinthewayofhighpurposes，Ireckonthere’llbeuseforthemall。\"
AnotherladywhowasastonishedatGrace’schoicewasmoreincurablydisappointedandmoregrievedforthewasteofthosenobleaimswithwhichherworshippingfancyhadendowedthegirlevenmorerichlythanherownambition。ItwasGrace’swishtopassayearinEuropebeforeherhusbandshouldsettledowninchargeofhismills；andtheirengagement，marriage，anddeparturefollowedsoswiftlyupononeanother，thatMissGleasonwouldhavehadnoopportunitytoprofferremonstranceoradvice。ShecouldonlyaccountforGrace’scourseonthetheorythatDr。Mulbridgehadfailedtoofferhimself；butthisexplainedherfailuretomarryhim，withoutexplaininghermarriagewithMr。Libby。Thatremainedforsometimeamystery，forMissGleasonfirmlyrefusedtobelievethatsuchagirlcouldbeinlovewithamansomuchherinferior：theconceptiondisgracednotonlyheridol，butcastshameuponallotherwomen，whosecourseinsuchmattersisnotoriouslygovernedbymotivesofthehighestsagacityandjudgment。
Mrs。BreenhesitatedbetweenthedutyofaccompanyingtheyoungcoupleontheirEuropeantravels，andthatofgoingtothevillagewhereLibby’smillsweresituated，——insouthernNewHampshire。Shewasnotstronglyurgedtoadecisionbyherchildren，andshefinallychosethelattercourse。ThemillpropertyhadbeenalongtimeabandonedbeforeLibby’sfatherboughtit，andputitinarepairwhichhedidnothastentoextendtothevillage。Thishadremainedinasortofpicturesqueneglect，whichharmonizedwiththesceneryofthewildlittlevalleywhereitnestled；andMrs。Breenfound，uponthevigorousinquirywhichshesetonfoot，thattheoperativesweredeplorablydestituteofcultureanddrainage。Sheatoncedevotedherselftotheestablishmentofacirculatinglibraryandanenlightenedsystemofcess-pools，tosuchaneffectofingratitudeinherbeneficiariesthatshewasquitereadytoremandthemtotheirformersqualorwhenherson-in-lawreturned。Buthefoundherworkallsogoodthathemediatedbetweenherandtheinhabitants，andadopteditwithaheartyappreciationthatwentfartoconsoleher，andfinallypopularizedit。Infact，heenteredintothespiritofallpracticalreformswithanenergyandintelligencethatquitereconciledhertohim。ItwasratherwithGracethanwithhimthatshehadfaulttofind。ShebelievedthatthegirlhadreturnedfromEuropematerializedandcorrupted；andsheregardedthesouvenirsoftravelwithwhichthehousewasfilledassomanytokensofmoraldecay。
ItisundeniablethatGraceseemedforatime，tohavesoftenedto，acertaindegreeofself-indulgence。Duringthebriefoperaseasonthefirstwinterafterherreturn，shespentaweekinBoston；sheoftencametothecity，andwenttothetheatresandtheexhibitionsofpictures。
ItwasforsometimeMissGleason’sopinionthattheseescapadeswerethestrugglesofamagnanimousnature，unequallymated，toforgetitself。
WhentheymetsheindulgedthehabitofregardingMrs。Libbywitheyesoflatentpity，tillonedaysheheardsomethingthatgavehermorereliefthanshecouldeverhavehopedfor。Thiswasthefact，perfectlyascertainedbysomesummersojournersintheneighborhood；thatMrs。
Libbywasturningherprofessionaltrainingtoaccountbytreatingthesickchildrenamongherhusband’soperatives。
InthefallMissGleasonsawherheroineatanexhibitionofpictures。
SherushedacrossthemainhalloftheMuseumtogreether。
\"Congratulateyou！\"shedeeplywhispered，\"onrealizingyourdream！
Nowyouarehappy，nowyoucanbeatpeace！\"
\"Happy？Atpeace？\"
\"Inthegoodworkyouhavetakenup。Oh，nothing，underGawd，islost！\"
sheexclaimed，gettingreadytorunaway，andspeakingwithherfaceturnedoverhershouldertowardsMrs。Libby。
\"Dream？Goodwork？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Thosefactorychildren！\"
\"Oh！\"saidMrs。Libbycoldly，\"thatwasmyhusband’sidea。\"
\"Yourhusband’s！\"criedMissGleason，facingaboutagain，andtryingtoletawholehistoryofsuddenlyrelievedanxietyspeakinhereyes。\"Howhappyyoumakeme！Doletmethankyou！\"
IntheefforttoshakehandswithMrs。Libbysheknockedthecatalogueoutofherhold，andvanishedinthecrowdwithoutknowingit。Somegentlemanpickeditup，andgaveittoheragain，withabowofburlesquedevotion。
Mrs。Libbyflushedtenderly。\"Imighthaveknownitwouldbeyou，Walter。Wheredidyouspringfrom？\"
\"I’vebeenhereeversinceyoucame。\"
\"Whatintheworlddoing？\"
\"Oh，enjoyingmyself。\"
\"Lookingatthepictures？\"
\"Watchingyouwalkround：’
\"Ithoughtyoucouldn’tbeenjoyingthepictures，\"shesaidsimply。\"
I’mnot。\"
Shewasnothappy，indeed，inanyoftheaestheticdissipationsintowhichshehadplunged，anditwasdoubtlessfromashrewderknowledgeofhernaturethanshehadherselfthatherhusbandhadproposedthisactiveusefulness，whichsheonceintendedundersuchdifferentconditions。AttheendoftheendsshewasaPuritan；belated，misdated，ifthereaderwill，andcastupongoodworksfortheconsolationwhichthePuritansformerlyfoundinacreed。Richesandeaseweresinfultoher，andsomehowtobeatonedfor；andshehadnorealloveforanythingthatwasnotofanimmediatehumaneandspiritualeffect。Undertheshelterofherhusband’snamethebenevolentuseofherskillwasnoqueererthanthecharitytowhichmanyladiesdevotethemselves；thoughtheyareneitherofthempeopletohavefelttheanguishwhichcomesfromthefearofwhatotherpeoplewillthink。Theygotheirwayinlife，andareprobablynotdisturbedbyanymisgivingsconcerningthem。Itisthought，ononehand，thatheisamanofexcellenthead，andofaheartsogenerousthathisdeferencetoherincertainmattersispartofthedevotedflatterywhichwouldspoilanyotherwoman，butthatsheconsultshisjudgmentineveryactionofherlife，andtrustshissensewiththesamecompletenessthatshetrustshislove。Ontheotherhand，whenitisfeltthatsheoughttohavedoneforthesakeofwomanwhatshecouldnotdoforherself，sheisregardedassacrificedinhermarriage。If，itisfeared，sheisnotinfatuatedwithherhusband，sheisinadisgracefulsubjection，withoutthehopeofbetterorhigherthings。Ifshehadchildren，theymightbeacompensationandrefugeforher；inthatcase，tobesure，shemustbecutofffromherpresentresourceincaringforthechildrenofothers；thoughtheconditionsunderwhichshenowexercisesherskillcertainlyamounttobeggingthewholequestionofwoman’sfitnessforthecareershehadchosen。
Bothpartiestothiscontentionare，strangetosay，ladies。Ifithasnotbeenmadeclearfromtheeventsandcharactersoftheforegoinghistorywhichopinionisright，Iamunabletodecide。Itiswell，perhaps，nottobetooexplicitlyintheconfidenceofone’sheroine。
Afterhermarriageperhapsitisnotevendecorous。