\"Yes，Iknow，\"Mr。Royallsaidslowly。\"Butthatain’tgoingtohelpusmuchnow。\"
\"Ithelpsmenottocareastrawwhatliesyoutellaboutme！\"
\"Ifthey’relies，they’renotmylies：myBibleoathonthat，Charity。Ididn’tknowwhereyouwere：Iwasn’toutofthishouselastnight。\"
Shemadenoanswerandhewenton：\"IsitaliethatyouwereseencomingoutofMissHatchard’snighontomidnight？\"
Shestraightenedherselfwithalaugh，allherrecklessinsolencerecovered。\"Ididn’tlooktoseewhattimeitwas。\"
\"Youlostgirl……you……you……Oh，myGod，whydidyoutellme？\"hebrokeout，droppingintohischair，hisheadboweddownlikeanoldman’s。
Charity’sself—possessionhadreturnedwiththesenseofherdanger。\"DoyousupposeI’dtakethetroubletolietoYOU？Whoareyou，anyhow，toaskmewhereIgotowhenIgooutatnight？\"
Mr。Royallliftedhisheadandlookedather。Hisfacehadgrownquietandalmostgentle，assherememberedseeingitsometimeswhenshewasalittlegirl，beforeMrs。Royalldied。
\"Don’tlet’sgoonlikethis，Charity。Itcan’tdoanygoodtoeitherofus。Youwereseengoingintothatfellow’shouse……youwereseencomingoutofit……I’vewatchedthisthingcoming，andI’vetriedtostopit。
AsGodseesme，Ihave……\"
\"Ah，itWASyou，then？Iknewitwasyouthatsenthimaway！\"
Helookedatherinsurprise。\"Didn’thetellyouso？
Ithoughtheunderstood。\"Hespokeslowly，withdifficultpauses，\"Ididn’tnameyoutohim：I’dhavecutmyhandoffsooner。IjusttoldhimIcouldn’tsparethehorseanylonger;andthatthecookingwasgettingtooheavyforVerena。Iguesshe’sthekindthat’sheardthesamethingbefore。Anyhow，hetookitquietlyenough。Hesaidhisjobherewasaboutdone，anyhow;andtheredidn’tanotherwordpassbetweenus……Ifhetoldyouotherwisehetoldyouanuntruth。\"
Charitylistenedinacoldtranceofanger。Itwasnothingtoherwhatthevillagesaid……butallthisfingeringofherdreams！
\"I’vetoldyouhedidn’ttellmeanything。Ididn’tspeakwithhimlastnight。\"
\"Youdidn’tspeakwithhim？\"
\"No……It’snotthatIcarewhatanyofyousay……butyoumayaswellknow。Thingsain’tbetweenusthewayyouthink……andtheotherpeopleinthisplace。Hewaskindtome;hewasmyfriend;andallofasuddenhestoppedcoming，andIknewitwasyouthatdoneit——
YOU！\"Allherunreconciledmemoryofthepastflamedoutathim。\"SoIwenttherelastnighttofindoutwhatyou’dsaidtohim：that’sall。\"
Mr。Royalldrewaheavybreath。\"But，then——ifhewasn’tthere，whatwereyoudoingthereallthattime？——
Charity，forpity’ssake，tellme。I’vegottoknow，tostoptheirtalking。\"
Thispatheticabdicationofallauthorityoverherdidnotmoveher：shecouldfeelonlytheoutrageofhisinterference。
\"Can’tyouseethatIdon’tcarewhatanybodysays？
It’strueIwenttheretoseehim;andhewasinhisroom，andIstoodoutsideforeversolongandwatchedhim;butIdursn’tgoinforfearhe’dthinkI’dcomeafterhim……\"Shefelthervoicebreaking，andgathereditupinalastdefiance。\"AslongasIliveI’llneverforgiveyou！\"shecried。
Mr。Royallmadenoanswer。Hesatandponderedwithsunkenhead，hisveinedhandsclaspedaboutthearmsofhischair。Ageseemedtohavecomedownonhimaswintercomesonthehillsafterastorm。Atlengthhelookedup。
\"Charity，yousayyoudon’tcare;butyou’retheproudestgirlIknow，andthelasttowantpeopletotalkagainstyou。Youknowthere’salwayseyeswatchingyou：you’rehandsomerandsmarterthantherest，andthat’senough。Buttilllatelyyou’venevergiventhemachance。Nowthey’vegotit，andthey’regoingtouseit。Ibelievewhatyousay，buttheywon’t……ItwasMrs。TomFryseenyougoingin……andtwoorthreeofthemwatchedforyoutocomeoutagain……You’vebeenwiththefellowalldaylongeverydaysincehecomehere……andI’malawyer，andIknowhowhardslanderdies。\"Hepaused，butshestoodmotionless，withoutgivinghimanysignofacquiescenceorevenofattention。\"He’sapleasantfellowtotalkto——Ilikedhavinghimheremyself。Theyoungmenuphereain’thadhischances。Butthere’sonethingasoldasthehillsandasplainasdaylight：ifhe’dwantedyoutherightwayhe’dhavesaidso。\"
Charitydidnotspeak。Itseemedtoherthatnothingcouldexceedthebitternessofhearingsuchwordsfromsuchlips。
Mr。Royallrosefromhisseat。\"Seehere，CharityRoyall：Ihadashamefulthoughtonce，andyou’vemademepayforit。Isn’tthatscoreprettynearwipedout？……There’sastreakinmeIain’talwaysmasterof;
butI’vealwaysactedstraighttoyoubutthatonce。
Andyou’veknownIwould——you’vetrustedme。Forallyoursneersandyourmockeryyou’vealwaysknownI
lovedyouthewayamanlovesadecentwoman。I’magoodmanyyearsolderthanyou，butI’mheadandshouldersabovethisplaceandeverybodyinit，andyouknowthattoo。Islippeduponce，butthat’snoreasonfornotstartingagain。Ifyou’llcomewithmeI’lldoit。Ifyou’llmarrymewe’llleavehereandsettleinsomebigtown，wherethere’smen，andbusiness，andthingsdoing。It’snottoolateformetofindanopening……IcanseeitbythewayfolkstreatmewhenIgodowntoHepburnorNettleton……\"
Charitymadenomovement。Nothinginhisappealreachedherheart，andshethoughtonlyofwordstowoundandwither。Butagrowinglassituderestrainedher。Whatdidanythingmatterthathewassaying？Shesawtheoldlifeclosinginonher，andhardlyheededhisfancifulpictureofrenewal。
\"Charity——Charity——sayyou’lldoit，\"sheheardhimurge，allhislostyearsandwastedpassioninhisvoice。
\"Oh，what’stheuseofallthis？WhenIleavehereitwon’tbewithyou。\"
Shemovedtowardthedoorasshespoke，andhestoodupandplacedhimselfbetweenherandthethreshold。Heseemedsuddenlytallandstrong，asthoughtheextremityofhishumiliationhadgivenhimnewvigour。
\"That’sall，isit？It’snotmuch。\"Heleanedagainstthedoor，sotoweringandpowerfulthatheseemedtofillthenarrowroom。\"Well，thenlookhere……You’reright：I’venoclaimonyou——whyshouldyoulookatabrokenmanlikeme？Youwanttheotherfellow……andI
don’tblameyou。Youpickedoutthebestwhenyouseenit……well，thatwasalwaysmyway。\"Hefixedhissterneyesonher，andshehadthesensethatthestrugglewithinhimwasatitshighest。\"Doyouwanthimtomarryyou？\"heasked。
Theystoodandlookedateachotherforalongmoment，eyetoeye，withtheterribleequalityofcouragethatsometimesmadeherfeelasifshehadhisbloodinherveins。
\"Doyouwanthimto——say？I’llhavehimhereinanhourifyoudo。Iain’tbeeninthelawthirtyyearsfornothing。He’shiredCarrickFry’steamtotakehimtoHepburn，butheain’tgoingtostartforanotherhour。
AndIcanputthingstohimsohewon’tbelongdeciding……He’ssoft：Icouldseethat。Idon’tsayyouwon’tbesorryafterward——but，byGod，I’llgiveyouthechancetobe，ifyousayso。\"
Sheheardhimoutinsilence，tooremotefromallhewasfeelingandsayingforanysallyofscorntorelieveher。Asshelistened，thereflittedthroughhermindthevisionofLiffHyatt’smuddybootcomingdownonthewhitebramble—flowers。Thesamethinghadhappenednow;somethingtransientandexquisitehadfloweredinher，andshehadstoodbyandseenittrampledtoearth。WhilethethoughtpassedthroughhershewasawareofMr。Royall，stillleaningagainstthedoor，butcrestfallen，diminished，asthoughhersilenceweretheanswerhemostdreaded。
\"Idon’twantanychanceyoucangiveme：I’mgladhe’sgoingaway，\"shesaid。
Hekepthisplaceamomentlonger，hishandonthedoor—knob。\"Charity！\"hepleaded。Shemadenoanswer，andheturnedtheknobandwentout。Sheheardhimfumblewiththelatchofthefrontdoor，andsawhimwalkdownthesteps。Hepassedoutofthegate，andhisfigure，stoopingandheavy，recededslowlyupthestreet。
Forawhilesheremainedwherehehadlefther。Shewasstilltremblingwiththehumiliationofhislastwords，whichrangsoloudinherearsthatitseemedasthoughtheymustechothroughthevillage，proclaimingheracreaturetolendherselftosuchvilesuggestions。Hershameweighedonherlikeaphysicaloppression：theroofandwallsseemedtobeclosinginonher，andshewasseizedbytheimpulsetogetaway，undertheopensky，wheretherewouldberoomtobreathe。Shewenttothefrontdoor，andasshedidsoLuciusHarneyopenedit。
Helookedgraverandlessconfidentthanusual，andforamomentortwoneitherofthemspoke。
Thenheheldouthishand。\"Areyougoingout？\"heasked。\"MayIcomein？\"
Herheartwasbeatingsoviolentlythatshewasafraidtospeak，andstoodlookingathimwithtear—dilatedeyes;thenshebecameawareofwhathersilencemustbetray，andsaidquickly：\"Yes：comein。\"
Sheledthewayintothedining—room，andtheysatdownonoppositesidesofthetable，thecruet—standandjapannedbread—basketbetweenthem。Harneyhadlaidhisstrawhatonthetable，andashesatthere，inhiseasy—lookingsummerclothes，abrowntieknottedunderhisflannelcollar，andhissmoothbrownhairbrushedbackfromhisforehead，shepicturedhim，asshehadseenhimthenightbefore，lyingonhisbed，withthetossedlocksfallingintohiseyes，andhisbarethroatrisingoutofhisunbuttonedshirt。Hehadneverseemedsoremoteasatthemomentwhenthatvisionflashedthroughhermind。
\"I’msosorryit’sgood—bye：IsupposeyouknowI’mleaving，\"hebegan，abruptlyandawkwardly;sheguessedthathewaswonderinghowmuchsheknewofhisreasonsforgoing。
\"Ipresumeyoufoundyourworkwasoverquickerthanwhatyouexpected，\"shesaid。
\"Well，yes——thatis，no：thereareplentyofthingsI
shouldhavelikedtodo。Butmyholiday’slimited;andnowthatMr。Royallneedsthehorseforhimselfit’sratherdifficulttofindmeansofgettingabout。\"
\"Thereain’tanytoomanyteamsforhirearoundhere，\"
sheacquiesced;andtherewasanothersilence。
\"Thesedaysherehavebeen——awfullypleasant：Iwantedtothankyouformakingthemso，\"hecontinued，hiscolourrising。
Shecouldnotthinkofanyreply，andhewenton：
\"You’vebeenwonderfullykindtome，andIwantedtotellyou……IwishIcouldthinkofyouashappier，lesslonely……Thingsaresuretochangeforyoubyandby……\"
\"Thingsdon’tchangeatNorthDormer：peoplejustgetusedtothem。\"
Theanswerseemedtobreakuptheorderofhisprearrangedconsolations，andhesatlookingatheruncertainly。Thenhesaid，withhissweetsmile：
\"That’snottrueofyou。Itcan’tbe。\"
Thesmilewaslikeaknife—thrustthroughherheart：everythinginherbegantotrembleandbreakloose。Shefelthertearsrunover，andstoodup。
\"Well，good—bye，\"shesaid。
Shewasawareofhistakingherhand，andoffeelingthathistouchwaslifeless。
\"Good—bye。\"Heturnedaway，andstoppedonthethreshold。\"You’llsaygood—byeformetoVerena？\"
Sheheardtheclosingoftheouterdoorandthesoundofhisquicktreadalongthepath。Thelatchofthegateclickedafterhim。
Thenextmorningwhenshearoseinthecolddawnandopenedhershuttersshesawafreckledboystandingontheothersideoftheroadandlookingupather。HewasaboyfromafarmthreeorfourmilesdowntheCrestonroad，andshewonderedwhathewasdoingthereatthathour，andwhyhelookedsohardatherwindow。
Whenhesawherhecrossedoverandleanedagainstthegateunconcernedly。Therewasnoonestirringinthehouse，andshethrewashawloverhernight—gownandrandownandletherselfout。Bythetimeshereachedthegatetheboywassaunteringdowntheroad，whistlingcarelessly;butshesawthataletterhadbeenthrustbetweentheslatsandthecrossbarofthegate。Shetookitoutandhastenedbacktoherroom。
Theenvelopeborehername，andinsidewasaleaftornfromapocket—diary。
DEARCHARITY：
Ican’tgoawaylikethis。IamstayingforafewdaysatCrestonRiver。WillyoucomedownandmeetmeatCrestonpool？Iwillwaitforyoutillevening。
IX
CHARITYsatbeforethemirrortryingonahatwhichAllyHawes，withmuchsecrecy，hadtrimmedforher。Itwasofwhitestraw，withadroopingbrimandcherry—
colouredliningthatmadeherfaceglowliketheinsideoftheshellontheparlourmantelpiece。
Sheproppedthesquareoflooking—glassagainstMr。
Royall’sblackleatherBible，steadyingitinfrontwithawhitestoneonwhichaviewoftheBrooklynBridgewaspainted;andshesatbeforeherreflection，bendingthebrimthiswayandthat，whileAllyHawes’spalefacelookedoverhershoulderliketheghostofwastedopportunities。
\"Ilookawful，don’tI？\"shesaidatlastwithahappysigh。
Allysmiledandtookbackthehat。\"I’llstitchtherosesonrighthere，so’syoucanputitawayatonce。\"
Charitylaughed，andranherfingersthroughherroughdarkhair。SheknewthatHarneylikedtoseeitsreddishedgesruffledaboutherforeheadandbreakingintolittleringsatthenape。ShesatdownonherbedandwatchedAllystoopoverthehatwithacarefulfrown。
\"Don’tyoueverfeellikegoingdowntoNettletonforaday？\"sheasked。
Allyshookherheadwithoutlookingup。\"No，IalwaysrememberthatawfultimeIwentdownwithJulia——tothatdoctor’s。\"
\"Oh，Ally————\"
\"Ican’thelpit。ThehouseisonthecornerofWingStreetandLakeAvenue。Thetrolleyfromthestationgoesrightbyit，andthedaytheministertookusdowntoseethosepicturesIrecognizeditrightoff，andcouldn’tseemtoseeanythingelse。There’sabigblacksignwithgoldlettersallacrossthefront——
’PrivateConsultations。’Shecameasnearasanythingtodying……\"
\"PoorJulia！\"Charitysighedfromtheheightofherpurityandhersecurity。Shehadafriendwhomshetrustedandwhorespectedher。Shewasgoingwithhimtospendthenextday——theFourthofJuly——atNettleton。Whosebusinesswasitbuthers，andwhatwastheharm？ThepityofitwasthatgirlslikeJuliadidnotknowhowtochoose，andtokeepbadfellowsatadistance……Charityslippeddownfromthebed，andstretchedoutherhands。
\"Isitsewed？Letmetryitonagain。\"Sheputthehaton，andsmiledatherimage。ThethoughtofJuliahadvanished……
Thenextmorningshewasupbeforedawn，andsawtheyellowsunrisebroadenbehindthehills，andthesilverylusterprecedingahotdaytrembleacrossthesleepingfields。
Herplanshadbeenmadewithgreatcare。ShehadannouncedthatshewasgoingdowntotheBandofHopepicnicatHepburn，andasnooneelsefromNorthDormerintendedtoventuresofaritwasnotlikelythatherabsencefromthefestivitywouldbereported。Besides，ifitwereshewouldnotgreatlycare。Shewasdeterminedtoassertherindependence，andifshestoopedtofibabouttheHepburnpicnicitwaschieflyfromthesecretiveinstinctthatmadeherdreadtheprofanationofherhappiness。WhenevershewaswithLuciusHarneyshewouldhavelikedsomeimpenetrablemountainmisttohideher。
ItwasarrangedthatsheshouldwalktoapointoftheCrestonroadwhereHarneywastopickherupanddriveheracrossthehillstoHepburnintimeforthenine—thirtytraintoNettleton。Harneyatfirsthadbeenratherlukewarmaboutthetrip。HedeclaredhimselfreadytotakehertoNettleton，buturgedhernottogoontheFourthofJuly，onaccountofthecrowds，theprobablelatenessofthetrains，thedifficultyofhergettingbackbeforenight;butherevidentdisappointmentcausedhimtogiveway，andeventoaffectafaintenthusiasmfortheadventure。Sheunderstoodwhyhewasnotmoreeager：hemusthaveseensightsbesidewhichevenaFourthofJulyatNettletonwouldseemtame。Butshehadneverseenanything;andagreatlongingpossessedhertowalkthestreetsofabigtownonaholiday，clingingtohisarmandjostledbyidlecrowdsintheirbestclothes。Theonlycloudontheprospectwasthefactthattheshopswouldbeclosed;butshehopedhewouldtakeherbackanotherday，whentheywereopen。
Shestartedoutunnoticedintheearlysunlight，slippingthroughthekitchenwhileVerenabentabovethestove。Toavoidattractingnotice，shecarriedhernewhatcarefullywrappedup，andhadthrownalonggreyveilofMrs。Royall’soverthenewwhitemuslindresswhichAlly’scleverfingershadmadeforher。AllofthetendollarsMr。Royallhadgivenher，andapartofherownsavingsaswell，hadbeenspentonrenewingherwardrobe;andwhenHarneyjumpedoutofthebuggytomeethershereadherrewardinhiseyes。
ThefreckledboywhohadbroughtherthenotetwoweeksearlierwastowaitwiththebuggyatHepburntilltheirreturn。HeperchedatCharity’sfeet，hislegsdanglingbetweenthewheels，andtheycouldnotsaymuchbecauseofhispresence。Butitdidnotgreatlymatter，fortheirpastwasnowrichenoughtohavegiventhemaprivatelanguage;andwiththelongdaystretchingbeforethemlikethebluedistancebeyondthehillstherewasadelicatepleasureinpostponement。
WhenCharity，inresponsetoHarney’smessage，hadgonetomeethimattheCrestonpoolherhearthadbeensofullofmortificationandangerthathisfirstwordsmighteasilyhaveestrangedher。Butithappenedthathehadfoundtherightword，whichwasoneofsimplefriendship。Histonehadinstantlyjustifiedher，andputherguardianinthewrong。HehadmadenoallusiontowhathadpassedbetweenMr。Royallandhimself，buthadsimplyletitappearthathehadleftbecausemeansofconveyancewerehardtofindatNorthDormer，andbecauseCrestonRiverwasamoreconvenientcentre。
Hetoldherthathehadhiredbytheweekthebuggyofthefreckledboy’sfather，whoservedaslivery—stablekeepertooneortwomelancholysummerboarding—housesonCrestonLake，andhaddiscovered，withindrivingdistance，anumberofhousesworthyofhispencil;andhesaidthathecouldnot，whilehewasintheneighbourhood，giveupthepleasureofseeingherasoftenaspossible。
Whentheytookleaveofeachothershepromisedtocontinuetobehisguide;andduringthefortnightwhichfollowedtheyroamedthehillsinhappycomradeship。Inmostofthevillagefriendshipsbetweenyouthsandmaidenslackofconversationwasmadeupforbytentativefondling;butHarney，exceptwhenhehadtriedtocomfortherinhertroubleontheirwaybackfromtheHyatts’，hadneverputhisarmabouther，orsoughttobetrayherintoanysuddencaress。Itseemedtobeenoughforhimtobreathehernearnesslikeaflower’s;andsincehispleasureatbeingwithher，andhissenseofheryouthandhergrace，perpetuallyshoneinhiseyesandsoftenedtheinflectionofhisvoice，hisreservedidnotsuggestcoldness，butthedeferenceduetoagirlofhisownclass。
Thebuggywasdrawnbyanoldtrotterwhowhirledthemalongsobrisklythatthepacecreatedalittlebreeze;
butwhentheyreachedHepburnthefullheatoftheairlessmorningdescendedonthem。Attherailwaystationtheplatformwaspackedwithaswelteringthrong，andtheytookrefugeinthewaiting—room，wheretherewasanotherthrong，alreadydejectedbytheheatandthelongwaitingforretardedtrains。Palemotherswerestrugglingwithfretfulbabies，ortryingtokeeptheirolderoffspringfromthefascinationofthetrack;girlsandtheir\"fellows\"weregigglingandshoving，andpassingaboutcandyinstickybags，andoldermen，collarlessandperspiring，wereshiftingheavychildrenfromonearmtotheother，andkeepingahaggardeyeonthescatteredmembersoftheirfamilies。
Atlastthetrainrumbledin，andengulfedthewaitingmultitude。HarneysweptCharityupontothefirstcarandtheycapturedabenchfortwo，andsatinhappyisolationwhilethetrainswayedandroaredalongthroughrichfieldsandlanguidtree—clumps。Thehazeofthemorninghadbecomeasortofcleartremorovereverything，likethecolourlessvibrationaboutaflame;andtheopulentlandscapeseemedtodroopunderit。ButtoCharitytheheatwasastimulant：itenvelopedthewholeworldinthesameglowthatburnedatherheart。NowandthenalurchofthetrainflungheragainstHarney，andthroughherthinmuslinshefeltthetouchofhissleeve。Shesteadiedherself，theireyesmet，andtheflamingbreathofthedayseemedtoenclosethem。
ThetrainroaredintotheNettletonstation，thedescendingmobcaughtthemonitstide，andtheyweresweptoutintoavaguedustysquarethrongedwithseedy\"hacks\"andlongcurtainedomnibusesdrawnbyhorseswithtasselledfly—netsovertheirwithers，whostoodswingingtheirdepressedheadsdrearilyfromsidetoside。
Amobof’busandhackdriverswereshouting\"TotheEagleHouse，\"\"TotheWashingtonHouse，\"\"ThiswaytotheLake，\"\"JuststartingforGreytop;\"andthroughtheiryellscamethepoppingoffire—crackers，theexplosionoftorpedoes，thebangingoftoy—guns，andthecrashofafiremen’sbandtryingtoplaytheMerryWidowwhiletheywerebeingpackedintoawaggonettestreamingwithbunting。
Theramshacklewoodenhotelsaboutthesquarewereallhungwithflagsandpaperlanterns，andasHarneyandCharityturnedintothemainstreet，withitsbrickandgranitebusinessblockscrowdingouttheoldlow—
storiedshops，anditstoweringpolesstrungwithinnumerablewiresthatseemedtotrembleandbuzzintheheat，theysawthedoublelineofflagsandlanternstaperingawaygailytotheparkattheotherendoftheperspective。ThenoiseandcolourofthisholidayvisionseemedtotransformNettletonintoametropolis。CharitycouldnotbelievethatSpringfieldorevenBostonhadanythinggrandertoshow，andshewonderedif，atthisverymoment，AnnabelBalch，onthearmofasbrilliantayoungman，werethreadingherwaythroughscenesasresplendent。
\"Whereshallwegofirst？\"Harneyasked;butassheturnedherhappyeyesonhimheguessedtheanswerandsaid：\"We’lltakealookround，shallwe？\"
Thestreetswarmedwiththeirfellow—travellers，withotherexcursionistsarrivingfromotherdirections，withNettleton’sownpopulation，andwiththemill—handstroopinginfromthefactoriesontheCreston。Theshopswereclosed，butonewouldscarcelyhavenoticedit，sonumerousweretheglassdoorsswingingopenonsaloons，onrestaurants，ondrug—
storesgushingfromeverysoda—watertap，onfruitandconfectioneryshopsstackedwithstrawberry—cake，cocoanutdrops，traysofglisteningmolassescandy，boxesofcaramelsandchewing—gum，basketsofsoddenstrawberries，anddanglingbranchesofbananas。Outsideofsomeofthedoorsweretrestleswithbanked—uporangesandapples，spottedpearsanddustyraspberries;andtheairreekedwiththesmelloffruitandstalecoffee，beerandsarsaparillaandfriedpotatoes。
Eventheshopsthatwereclosedoffered，throughwideexpansesofplate—glass，hintsofhiddenriches。Insome，wavesofsilkandribbonbrokeovershoresofimitationmossfromwhichravishinghatsroseliketropicalorchids。Inothers，thepinkthroatsofgramophonesopenedtheirgiantconvolutionsinasoundlesschorus;orbicyclesshininginneatranksseemedtoawaitthesignalofaninvisiblestarter;ortiersoffancy—goodsinleatheretteandpasteandcelluloiddangledtheirinsidiousgraces;and，inonevastbaythatseemedtoprojectthemintoexcitingcontactwiththepublic，waxladiesindaringdresseschattedelegantly，or，withgesturesintimateyetblameless，pointedtotheirpinkcorsetsandtransparenthosiery。
PresentlyHarneyfoundthathiswatchhadstopped，andturnedinatasmalljeweller’sshopwhichchancedtostillbeopen。WhilethewatchwasbeingexaminedCharityleanedovertheglasscounterwhere，onabackgroundofdarkbluevelvet，pins，rings，andbroochesglitteredlikethemoonandstars。Shehadneverseenjewellrysonearby，andshelongedtolifttheglasslidandplungeherhandamongtheshiningtreasures。ButalreadyHarney’swatchwasrepaired，andhelaidhishandonherarmanddrewherfromherdream。
\"Whichdoyoulikebest？\"heaskedleaningoverthecounteratherside。
\"Idon’tknow……\"Shepointedtoagoldlily—of—the—
valleywithwhiteflowers。
\"Don’tyouthinkthebluepin’sbetter？\"hesuggested，andimmediatelyshesawthatthelilyofthevalleywasmeretrumperycomparedtothesmallroundstone，blueasamountainlake，withlittlesparksoflightallroundit。Shecolouredatherwantofdiscrimination。
\"It’ssolovelyIguessIwasafraidtolookatit，\"shesaid。
Helaughed，andtheywentoutoftheshop;butafewstepsawayheexclaimed：\"Oh，byJove，Iforgotsomething，\"andturnedbackandleftherinthecrowd。
Shestoodstaringdownarowofpinkgramophonethroatstillherejoinedherandslippedhisarmthroughhers。
\"Youmustn’tbeafraidoflookingatthebluepinanylonger，becauseitbelongstoyou，\"hesaid;andshefeltalittleboxbeingpressedintoherhand。Herheartgavealeapofjoy，butitreachedherlipsonlyinashystammer。Sherememberedothergirlswhomshehadheardplanningtoextractpresentsfromtheirfellows，andwasseizedwithasuddendreadlestHarneyshouldhaveimaginedthatshehadleanedovertheprettythingsintheglasscaseinthehopeofhavingonegiventoher……
Alittlefartherdownthestreettheyturnedinataglassdoorwayopeningonashininghallwithamahoganystaircase，andbrasscagesinitscorners。\"Wemusthavesomethingtoeat，\"Harneysaid;andthenextmomentCharityfoundherselfinadressing—roomalllooking—glassandlustroussurfaces，whereapartyofshowy—lookinggirlsweredabbingonpowderandstraighteningimmenseplumedhats。Whentheyhadgoneshetookcouragetobatheherhotfaceinoneofthemarblebasins，andtostraightenherownhat—brim，whichtheparasolsofthecrowdhadindented。Thedressesintheshopshadsoimpressedherthatshescarcelydaredlookatherreflection;butwhenshedidso，theglowofherfaceunderhercherry—colouredhat，andthecurveofheryoungshouldersthroughthetransparentmuslin，restoredhercourage;andwhenshehadtakenthebluebroochfromitsboxandpinneditonherbosomshewalkedtowardtherestaurantwithherheadhigh，asifshehadalwaysstrolledthroughtessellatedhallsbesideyoungmeninflannels。
Herspiritsankalittleatthesightoftheslim—
waistedwaitressesinblack，withbewitchingmob—capsontheirhaughtyheads，whoweremovingdisdainfullybetweenthetables。\"Notf’ranotherhour，\"oneofthemdroppedtoHarneyinpassing;andhestooddoubtfullyglancingabouthim。
\"Oh，well，wecan’tstayswelteringhere，\"hedecided;
\"let’strysomewhereelse——\"andwithasenseofreliefCharityfollowedhimfromthatsceneofinhospitablesplendour。
That\"somewhereelse\"turnedout——aftermorehottramping，andseveralfailures——tobe，ofallthings，alittleopen—airplaceinabackstreetthatcalleditselfaFrenchrestaurant，andconsistedintwoorthreericketytablesunderascarlet—runner，betweenapatchofzinniasandpetuniasandabigelmbendingoverfromthenextyard。Heretheylunchedonqueerlyflavouredthings，whileHarney，leaningbackinacrippledrocking—chair，smokedcigarettesbetweenthecoursesandpouredintoCharity’sglassapaleyellowwinewhichhesaidwastheverysameonedrankinjustsuchjollyplacesinFrance。
Charitydidnotthinkthewineasgoodassarsaparilla，butshesippedamouthfulforthepleasureofdoingwhathedid，andoffancyingherselfalonewithhiminforeigncountries。Theillusionwasincreasedbytheirbeingservedbyadeep—bosomedwomanwithsmoothhairandapleasantlaugh，whotalkedtoHarneyinunintelligiblewords，andseemedamazedandoverjoyedathisansweringherinkind。Attheothertablesotherpeoplesat，mill—handsprobably，homelybutpleasantlooking，whospokethesameshrilljargon，andlookedatHarneyandCharitywithfriendlyeyes;andbetweenthetable—legsapoodlewithbaldpatchesandpinkeyesnosedaboutforscraps，andsatuponhishindlegsabsurdly。
Harneyshowednoinclinationtomove，forhotastheircornerwas，itwasatleastshadedandquiet;and，fromthemainthoroughfarescametheclangingoftrolleys，theincessantpoppingoftorpedoes，thejingleofstreet—organs，thebawlingofmegaphonemenandtheloudmurmurofincreasingcrowds。Heleanedback，smokinghiscigar，pattingthedog，andstirringthecoffeethatsteamedintheirchippedcups。\"It’stherealthing，youknow，\"heexplained;andCharityhastilyrevisedherpreviousconceptionofthebeverage。
Theyhadmadenoplansfortherestoftheday，andwhenHarneyaskedherwhatshewantedtodonextshewastoobewilderedbyrichpossibilitiestofindananswer。FinallysheconfessedthatshelongedtogototheLake，whereshehadnotbeentakenonherformervisit，andwhenheanswered，\"Oh，there’stimeforthat——itwillbepleasanterlater，\"shesuggestedseeingsomepicturesliketheonesMr。Mileshadtakenherto。ShethoughtHarneylookedalittledisconcerted;buthepassedhisfinehandkerchiefoverhiswarmbrow，saidgaily，\"Comealong，then，\"androsewithalastpatforthepink—eyeddog。
Mr。Miles’spictureshadbeenshowninanaustereY。M。C。A。hall，withwhitewallsandanorgan;butHarneyledCharitytoaglitteringplace——everythingshesawseemedtoglitter——wheretheypassed，betweenimmensepicturesofyellow—hairedbeautiesstabbingvillainsineveningdress，intoavelvet—curtainedauditoriumpackedwithspectatorstothelastlimitofcompression。Afterthat，forawhile，everythingwasmergedinherbraininswimmingcirclesofheatandblindingalternationsoflightanddarkness。Alltheworldhastoshowseemedtopassbeforeherinachaosofpalmsandminarets，chargingcavalryregiments，roaringlions，comicpolicemenandscowlingmurderers;
andthecrowdaroundher，thehundredsofhotsallowcandy—munchingfaces，young，old，middle—aged，butallkindledwiththesamecontagiousexcitement，becamepartofthespectacle，anddancedonthescreenwiththerest。
Presentlythethoughtofthecooltrolley—runtotheLakegrewirresistible，andtheystruggledoutofthetheatre。Astheystoodonthepavement，Harneypalewiththeheat，andevenCharityalittleconfusedbyit，ayoungmandrovebyinanelectricrun—aboutwithacalicobandbearingthewords：\"TendollarstotakeyouroundtheLake。\"BeforeCharityknewwhatwashappening，Harneyhadwavedahand，andtheywereclimbingin。\"Say，fortwenny—fiveI’llrunyououttoseetheball—gameandback，\"thedriverproposedwithaninsinuatinggrin;butCharitysaidquickly：\"Oh，I’drathergorowingontheLake。\"Thestreetwassothrongedthatprogresswasslow;butthegloryofsittinginthelittlecarriagewhileitwriggleditswaybetweenladenomnibusesandtrolleysmadethemomentsseemtooshort。\"NextturnisLakeAvenue，\"
theyoungmancalledoutoverhisshoulder;andastheypausedinthewakeofabigomnibusgroaningwithKnightsofPythiasincockedhatsandswords，Charitylookedupandsawonthecornerabrickhousewithaconspicuousblackandgoldsignacrossitsfront。\"Dr。
Merkle;PrivateConsultationsatallhours。LadyAttendants，\"sheread;andsuddenlysherememberedAllyHawes’swords：\"ThehousewasatthecornerofWingStreetandLakeAvenue……there’sabigblacksignacrossthefront……\"Throughalltheheatandtheraptureashiverofcoldranoverher。
X
THELakeatlast——asheetofshiningmetalbroodedoverbydroopingtrees。CharityandHarneyhadsecuredaboatand，gettingawayfromthewharvesandtherefreshment—booths，theydriftedidlyalong，huggingtheshadowoftheshore。Wherethesunstruckthewateritsshaftsflamedbackblindinglyattheheat—
veiledsky;andtheleastshadewasblackbycontrast。
TheLakewassosmooththatthereflectionofthetreesonitsedgeseemedenamelledonasolidsurface;butgradually，asthesundeclined，thewatergrewtransparent，andCharity，leaningover，plungedherfascinatedgazeintodepthssoclearthatshesawtheinvertedtree—topsinterwovenwiththegreengrowthsofthebottom。
TheyroundedapointatthefartherendoftheLake，andenteringaninletpushedtheirbowagainstaprotrudingtree—trunk。Agreenveilofwillowsoverhungthem。Beyondthetrees，wheat—fieldssparkledinthesun;andallalongthehorizontheclearhillsthrobbedwithlight。Charityleanedbackinthestern，andHarneyunshippedtheoarsandlayinthebottomoftheboatwithoutspeaking。
EversincetheirmeetingattheCrestonpoolhehadbeensubjecttothesebroodingsilences，whichwereasdifferentaspossiblefromthepauseswhentheyceasedtospeakbecausewordswereneedless。Atsuchtimeshisfaceworetheexpressionshehadseenonitwhenshehadlookedinathimfromthedarknessandagaintherecameoverherasenseofthemysteriousdistancebetweenthem;butusuallyhisfitsofabstractionwerefollowedbyburstsofgaietythatchasedawaytheshadowbeforeitchilledher。
Shewasstillthinkingofthetendollarshehadhandedtothedriveroftherun—about。Ithadgiventhemtwentyminutesofpleasure，anditseemedunimaginablethatanyoneshouldbeabletobuyamusementatthatrate。Withtendollarshemighthaveboughtheranengagementring;sheknewthatMrs。TomFry’s，whichcamefromSpringfield，andhadadiamondinit，hadcostonlyeightseventy—five。Butshedidnotknowwhythethoughthadoccurredtoher。Harneywouldneverbuyheranengagementring：theywerefriendsandcomrades，butnomore。Hehadbeenperfectlyfairtoher：hehadneversaidawordtomisleadher。Shewonderedwhatthegirlwaslikewhosehandwaswaitingforhisring……
BoatswerebeginningtothickenontheLakeandtheclangofincessantlyarrivingtrolleysannouncedthereturnofthecrowdsfromtheball—field。Theshadowslengthenedacrossthepearl—greywaterandtwowhitecloudsnearthesunwereturninggolden。Ontheoppositeshoremenwerehammeringhastilyatawoodenscaffoldinginafield。Charityaskedwhatitwasfor。
\"Why，thefireworks。Isupposethere’llbeabigshow。\"Harneylookedatherandasmilecreptintohismoodyeyes。\"Haveyouneverseenanygoodfireworks？\"
\"MissHatchardalwayssendsuplovelyrocketsontheFourth，\"sheanswereddoubtfully。
\"Oh————\"hiscontemptwasunbounded。\"Imeanabigperformancelikethis，illuminatedboats，andalltherest。\"
Sheflushedatthepicture。\"DotheysendthemupfromtheLake，too？\"
\"Rather。Didn’tyounoticethatbigraftwepassed？It’swonderfultoseetherocketscompletingtheirorbitsdownunderone’sfeet。\"Shesaidnothing，andheputtheoarsintotherowlocks。
\"Ifwestaywe’dbettergoandpickupsomethingtoeat。\"
\"Buthowcanwegetbackafterwards？\"sheventured，feelingitwouldbreakherheartifshemissedit。
Heconsultedatime—table，foundateno’clocktrainandreassuredher。\"Themoonrisessolatethatitwillbedarkbyeight，andwe’llhaveoveranhourofit。\"
Twilightfell，andlightsbegantoshowalongtheshore。ThetrolleysroaringoutfromNettletonbecamegreatluminousserpentscoilinginandoutamongthetrees。Thewoodeneating—housesattheLake’sedgedancedwithlanterns，andtheduskechoedwithlaughterandshoutsandtheclumsysplashingofoars。
HarneyandCharityhadfoundatableinthecornerofabalconybuiltovertheLake，andwerepatientlyawaitinganunattainablechowder。Closeunderthemthewaterlappedthepiles，agitatedbytheevolutionsofalittlewhitesteamboattrellisedwithcolouredglobeswhichwastorunpassengersupanddowntheLake。
Itwasalreadyblackwiththemasitsheeredoffonitsfirsttrip。
SuddenlyCharityheardawoman’slaughbehindher。Thesoundwasfamiliar，andsheturnedtolook。Abandofshowilydressedgirlsanddapperyoungmenwearingbadgesofsecretsocieties，withnewstrawhatstiltedfarbackontheirsquare—clippedhair，hadinvadedthebalconyandwereloudlyclamouringforatable。Thegirlintheleadwastheonewhohadlaughed。Sheworealargehatwithalongwhitefeather，andfromunderitsbrimherpaintedeyeslookedatCharitywithamusedrecognition。
\"Say！ifthisain’tlikeOldHomeWeek，\"sheremarkedtothegirlatherelbow;andgigglesandglancespassedbetweenthem。CharityknewatoncethatthegirlwiththewhitefeatherwasJuliaHawes。Shehadlostherfreshness，andthepaintunderhereyesmadeherfaceseemthinner;butherlipshadthesamelovelycurve，andthesamecoldmockingsmile，asifthereweresomesecretabsurdityinthepersonshewaslookingat，andshehadinstantlydetectedit。
Charityflushedtotheforeheadandlookedaway。
ShefeltherselfhumiliatedbyJulia’ssneer，andvexedthatthemockeryofsuchacreatureshouldaffecther。ShetrembledlestHarneyshouldnoticethatthenoisytroophadrecognizedher;buttheyfoundnotablefree，andpassedontumultuously。
Presentlytherewasasoftrushthroughtheairandashowerofsilverfellfromtheblueeveningsky。Inanotherdirection，paleRomancandlesshotupsinglythroughthetrees，andafire—hairedrocketsweptthehorizonlikeaportent。Betweentheseintermittentflashesthevelvetcurtainsofthedarknessweredescending，andintheintervalsofeclipsethevoicesofthecrowdsseemedtosinktosmotheredmurmurs。
CharityandHarney，dispossessedbynewcomers，wereatlengthobligedtogiveuptheirtableandstrugglethroughthethrongabouttheboat—landings。Forawhilethereseemednoescapefromthetideoflatearrivals;butfinallyHarneysecuredthelasttwoplacesonthestandfromwhichthemoreprivilegedweretoseethefireworks。Theseatswereattheendofarow，oneabovetheother。Charityhadtakenoffherhattohaveanuninterruptedview;andwheneversheleanedbacktofollowthecurveofsomedishevelledrocketshecouldfeelHarney’skneesagainstherhead。
Afterawhilethescatteredfireworksceased。Alongerintervalofdarknessfollowed，andthenthewholenightbrokeintoflower。Fromeverypointofthehorizon，goldandsilverarchessprangupandcrossedeachother，sky—orchardsbrokeintoblossom，shedtheirflamingpetalsandhungtheirbrancheswithgoldenfruit;andallthewhiletheairwasfilledwithasoftsupernaturalhum，asthoughgreatbirdswerebuildingtheirnestsinthoseinvisibletree—tops。
Nowandthentherecamealull，andawaveofmoonlightswepttheLake。Inaflashitrevealedhundredsofboats，steel—darkagainstlustrousripples;thenitwithdrewasifwithafurlingofvasttranslucentwings。Charity’sheartthrobbedwithdelight。Itwasasifallthelatentbeautyofthingshadbeenunveiledtoher。Shecouldnotimaginethattheworldheldanythingmorewonderful;butnearhersheheardsomeonesay，\"Youwaittillyouseethesetpiece，\"andinstantlyherhopestookafreshflight。Atlast，justasitwasbeginningtoseemasthoughthewholearchoftheskywereonegreatlidpressedagainstherdazzledeye—balls，andstrikingoutofthemcontinuousjetsofjewelledlight，thevelvetdarknesssettleddownagain，andamurmurofexpectationranthroughthecrowd。