thatsheinvariablywentonwithherworkheedlessofhispresence，andineverythingtreatedhimasifshehadbeenhisequal。Shepersistedintalkingwithhiminahalfsisterlyfashionabouthisstudiesandhisfuturecareer，warnedhimwithgreatsolicitudeagainstsomeofhisreprobatefriends，ofwhosemerryadventureshehadtoldher;andifheventuredtocomplimentheronherbeautyorheraccomplishments，shewouldlookupgravelyfromhersewing，oranswerhiminawaywhichseemedtobanishtheideaoflove—makingintothelandoftheimpossible。Hewasconstantlytormentedbythesuspicionthatshesecretlydisapprovedofhim，andthatfromameremoralinterestinhiswelfareshewasconscientiouslylaboringtomakehimabetterman。Dayafterdayhepartedfromherfeelinghumiliated，faint—hearted，andsecretlyindignantbothathimselfandher，anddayafterdayhereturnedonlytorenewthesameexperience。Atlastitbecametoointolerable，hecouldendureitnolonger。Letitmakeorbreak，certainty，atallrisks，wasatleastpreferabletothissickeningsuspense。Thathelovedher，hecouldnolongerdoubt;lethisparentsfoamandfretasmuchastheypleased;
foroncehewasgoingtostandonhisownlegs。
Andintheend，hethought，theywouldhavetoyield，fortheyhadnosonbuthim。
Berthawasgoingtoreturntoherhomeonthesea—coastinaweek。Ralphstoodinthelittlelow—ceiledparlor，assheimagined，tobidhergood—bye。Theyhadbeenspeakingofherfather，herbrothers，andthefarm，andshehadexpressedthewishthatifheevershouldcometothatpartofthecountryhemightpaythemavisit。Herwordshadkindledavaguehopeinhisbreast，butintheirveryfranknessandfriendlyregardtherewassomethingwhichslewthehopetheyhadbegotten。Heheldherhandinhis，andherlargeconfidingeyesshonewithanemotionwhichwasbeautiful，butwasyetnotlove。
\"Ifyouwerebutapeasantbornlikemyself，\"
saidshe，inavoicewhichsoundedalmosttender，\"thenIshouldliketotalktoyouasIwouldtomyownbrother;but——\"
\"No，notbrother，Bertha，\"criedhe，withsuddenvehemence;\"IloveyoubetterthanIeverlovedanyearthlybeing，andifyouknewhowfirmlythislovehasclutchedattherootsofmyheart，youwouldperhaps——youwouldatleastnotlooksoreproachfullyatme。\"
Shedroppedhishand，andstoodforamomentsilent。
\"Iamsorrythatitshouldhavecometothis，Mr。Grim，\"saidshe，visiblystrugglingforcalmness。\"AndIamperhapsmoretoblamethanyou。\"
\"Blame，\"mutteredhe，\"whyareyoutoblame？\"
\"BecauseIdonotloveyou;althoughIsometimesfearedthatthismightcome。ButthenagainIpersuadedmyselfthatitcouldnotbeso。\"
Hetookasteptowardthedoor，laidhishandontheknob，andgazeddownbeforehim。
\"Bertha，\"beganhe，slowly，raisinghishead，\"youhavealwaysdisapprovedofme，youhavedespisedmeinyourheart，butyouthoughtyouwouldbedoingagoodworkifyousucceededinmakingamanofme。\"
\"Youusestronglanguage，\"answeredshe，hesitatingly;\"butthereistruthinwhatyousay。\"
Againtherewasalongpause，inwhichthetickingoftheoldparlorclockgrewlouderandlouder。
\"Then，\"hebrokeoutatlast，\"tellmebeforewepartifIcandonothingtogain——Iwillnotsayyourlove——butonlyyourregard？Whatwouldyoudoifyouwereinmyplace？\"
\"Myadviceyouwillhardlyheed，andIdonotevenknowthatitwouldbewellifyoudid。
ButifIwereamaninyourposition，Ishouldbreakwithmywholepast，startoutintotheworldwherenobodyknewme，andwhereI
shouldbedependentonlyuponmyownstrength，andthereIwouldconqueraplaceformyself，ifitwereonlyforthesatisfactionofknowingthatIwasreallyaman。Herecushionsaresewedunderyourarms，ahundredinvisiblethreadsbindyoutoalifeofidlenessandvanity，everybodyisreadytocarryyouonhishands，theroadissmoothedforyou，everystonecarefullymovedoutofyourpath，andyouwillprobablygotoyourgravewithouthavingeverharboredoneearnestthought，withouthavingdoneonemanlydeed。\"
Ralphstoodtransfixed，gazingatherwithopenmouth;hefeltakindofstupidfright，asifsomeonehadsuddenlyseizedhimbytheshouldersandshakenhimviolently。HetriedvainlytoremovehiseyesfromBertha。Sheheldhimasbyapowerfulspell。Hesawthatherfacewaslightedwithanaltogethernewbeauty;henoticedthedeepglowuponhercheek，thebrilliancyofhereye，theslightquiverofherlip。Buthesawallthisasoneseesthingsinahalf—trance，withoutattemptingtoaccountforthem;thedoorbetweenhissoulandhissenseswasclosed。
\"IknowthatIhavebeenboldinspeakingtoyouinthisway，\"shesaidatlast，seatingherselfinachairatthewindow。\"Butitwasyourselfwhoaskedme。AndIhavefeltallthetimethatIshouldhavetotellyouthisbeforeweparted。\"
\"And，\"answeredhe，makingastrongefforttoappearcalm，\"ifIfollowyouradvice，willyouallowmetoseeyouoncemorebeforeyougo？\"
\"Ishallremainhereanotherweek，andshall，duringthattime，alwaysbereadytoreceiveyou。\"
\"Thankyou。Good—bye。\"
\"Good—bye。\"
Ralphcarefullyavoidedallthefashionablethoroughfares;hefeltdegradedbeforehimself，andhehadanideathateverymancouldreadhishumiliationinhiscountenance。Nowhewalkedonquickly，strikingthesidewalkwithhisheels;now，again，hefellintoanuneasy，recklesssaunter，accordingasthechangingmoodsinspireddefianceofhissentence，oraqualifiedsurrender。And，ashewalkedon，thebitternessgrewwithinhim，andhepitilesslyreviledhimselfforhavingallowedhimselftobemadeafoolofby\"thatlittlecountrygoose，\"
whenhewaswellawarethattherewerehundredsofwomenofthebestfamiliesofthelandwhowouldfeelhonoredatreceivinghisattentions。
Butthissortofreasoningheknewtohebothweakandcontemptible，andhisbetterselfsoonroseinloudrebellion。
\"Afterall，\"hemuttered，\"inthemainthingshewasright。Iamamiserablegood—for—
nothing，ahot—houseplant，apoorstick，andifI
wereawomanmyself，Idon’tthinkIshouldwastemyaffectionsonamanofthatcalibre。\"
ThenheunconsciouslyfelltoanalyzingBertha’scharacter，wonderingvaguelythatapersonwhomovedsotimidlyinsociallife，appearingsodiffident，fromanever—presentfearofblunderingagainsttheestablishedformsofetiquette，couldjudgesoquickly，andwithsuchamercilesscertainty，wheneveramoralquestion，aquestionofrightandwrong，wasatissue。
And，pursuingthesametrainofthought，hecontrastedherwithhimself，whomovedinthehighestspheresofsocietyasinhisnativeelement，heedlessofmoralscruples，andconsciousofnoloftiermotiveforhisactionsthantheimmediatepleasureofthemoment。
AsRalphturnedthecornerofastreet，heheardhimselfhailedfromtheothersidewalkbyachorusofmerryvoices。
\"Ah，mydearBaroness，\"criedayoungman，springingacrossthestreetandgraspingRalph’shand（allhisstudentfriendscalledhimtheBaroness），\"inthenameofthisillustriouscompany，allowmetosaluteyou。Butwhythedeuce——whatisthematterwithyou？IfyouhavetheKatzenjammer，[7]soda—wateristhething。Comealong，——it’smytreat！\"
[7]Katzenjammeristhesensationamanhasthemorningafteracarousal。
ThestudentsinstantlythrongedaroundRalph，whostooddistractedlyswinginghiscaneandsmilingidiotically。
\"Iamnotquitewell，\"saidhe;\"leavemealone。\"
\"No，tobesure，youdon’tlookwell，\"criedajollyyouth，againstwhomBerthahadfrequentlywarnedhim;\"butaglassofsherrywillsoonrestoreyou。Itwouldbehighlyimmoraltoleaveyouinthisconditionwithouttakingcareofyou。\"
Ralphagainvainlytriedtoremonstrate;buttheendwas，thathereluctantlyfollowed。
Hehadalwaysbeenaconspicuousfigureinthestudentworld;butthatnightheastonishedhisfriendsbyhiseloquence，hisrecklesshumor，andhiscapacityfordrinking。Hemadeaspeechfor\"Woman，\"whichbristledwithwit，cynicism，andsarcasticepigrams。Oneyoungman，namedVinter，whowasengaged，undertooktoprotestagainsthissweepingcondemnation，anddeclaredthatRalph，whowasaUniversalfavoriteamongtheladies，oughttobethelasttorevilethem。
\"If，\"hewenton，\"theBaronessshouldproposetosixwell—knownladieshereinthiscitywhomIcouldmention，IwouldwagersixJohannisbergers，andanequalamountofchampagne，thateveryoneofthemwouldaccepthim。\"
Theothersloudlyapplaudedthisproposal，andRalphacceptedthewager。Theletterswerewrittenonthespot，andimmediatelydispatched。
Towardmorning，themerrycarousalbrokeup，andRalphwasconductedintriumphtohishome。
III。
Twodayslater，RalphagainknockedonBertha’sdoor。Helookedpalerthanusual，almosthaggard;hisimmaculatelinenwasalittlecrumpled，andhecarriednocane;hislipsweretightlycompressed，andhisfaceworeanairofdesperateresolution。
\"Itisdone，\"hesaid，asheseatedhimselfoppositeher。\"Iamgoing。\"
\"Going！\"criedshe，startledathisunusualappearance。\"How，where？\"
\"ToAmerica。Isailto—night。Ihavefollowedyouradvice，yousee。Ihavecutoffthelastbridgebehindme。\"
\"But，Ralph，\"sheexclaimed，inavoiceofalarm。\"Somethingdreadfulmusthavehappened。
Tellmequick;Imustknowit。\"
\"No;nothingdreadful，\"mutteredhe，smilingbitterly。\"Ihavemadealittlescandal，thatisall。Myfathertoldmeto—daytogotothedevil，ifIchose，andmymothergavemefivehundreddollarstohelpmealongontheway。
Ifyouwishtoknow，hereistheexplanation。\"
Andhepulledfromhispocketsixperfumedandcarefullyfoldednotes，andthrewthemintoherlap。
\"Doyouwishmetoreadthem？\"sheasked，withgrowingsurprise。
\"Certainly。Whynot？\"
Shehastilyopenedonenoteaftertheother，andread。
\"But，Ralph，\"shecried，springingupfromherseat，whilehereyesflamedwithindignation，\"whatdoesthismean？Whathaveyoudone？\"
\"Ididn’tthinkitneededanyexplanation，\"
repliedhe，withfeignedindifference。\"I
proposedtothemall，and，yousee，theyallacceptedme。Ireceivedalltheselettersto—day。
IonlywishedtoknowwhetherthewholeworldregardedmeassuchaworthlessscampasyoutoldmeIwas。\"
Shedidnotanswer，butsatmutelystaringathim，fiercelycrumplingarose—colorednoteinherhand。Hebegantofeeluncomfortableunderhergaze，andthrewhimselfaboutuneasilyinhischair。
\"Well，\"saidhe，atlength，rising，\"Isupposethereisnothingmore。Good—bye。\"
\"Onemoment，Mr。Grim，\"demandedshe，sternly。\"SinceIhavealreadysaidsomuch，andyouhaveobliginglyrevealedtomeanewsideofyourcharacter，IclaimtherighttocorrecttheopinionIexpressedofyouatourlastmeeting。\"
\"Iamallattention。\"
\"Ididthink，Mr。Grim，\"beganshe，breathinghard，andsteadyingherselfagainstthetableatwhichshestood，\"thatyouwereaveryselfishman——anembodimentofselfishness，absoluteandsupreme，butIdidnotbelievethatyouwerewicked。\"
\"AndwhatconvincedyouthatIwasselfish，ifImayask？\"
\"Whatconvincedme？\"repeatedshe，inatoneofinexpressiblecontempt。\"Whendidyoueveractfromanygenerousregardforothers？Whatgooddidyoueverdotoanybody？\"
\"Youmightask，withequaljustice，whatgoodIeverdidtomyself。\"
\"Inacertainsense，yes;becausetogratifyameremomentarywishishardlydoingone’sselfgood。\"
\"ThenIhave，atallevents，followedtheBiblicalprecept，andtreatedmyneighborverymuchasItreatmyself。\"
\"Ididthink，\"continuedBertha，withoutheedingtheremark，\"thatyouwereatbottomkind—hearted，buttoohopelesslywell—bredevertocommitanactofanydecidedcomplexion，eithergoodorbad。NowIseethatIhavemisjudgedyou，andthatyouarecapableofoutragingthemostsacredfeelingsofawoman’sheartinmerewantonness，orforthesakeofsatisfyingabasecuriosity，whichnevercouldhaveenteredthemindofanuprightandgenerousman。\"
Thehard，benumbedlookinRalph’sfacethawedinthewarmthofherpresence，andherwords，thoughstern，touchedasecretspringinhisheart。Hemadetwoorthreevainattemptstospeak，thensuddenlybrokedown，andcried：
\"Bertha，Bertha，evenifyouscornme，havepatiencewithme，andlisten。\"
Andhetoldher，inrapid，brokensentences，howhisloveforherhadgrownfromdaytoday，untilhecouldnolongermasterit;andhow，inanunguardedmoment，whenhisprideroseinfierceconflictagainsthislove，hehaddonethisrecklessdeedofwhichhewasnowheartilyashamed。Thefervorofhiswordstouchedher，forshefeltthattheyweresincere。
Largemutetearstrembledinhereyelashesasshesatgazingtenderlyathim，andinthedepthofhersoulthewishawokethatshemighthavebeenabletoreturnthisgreatandstrongloveofhis;forshefeltthatinthislovelaythegermofanew，ofastrongerandbetterman。Shenoticed，withahalf—regretfulpleasure，hishandsomefigure，hisdelicatelyshapedhands，andthenoblecastofhisfeatures;anoverwhelmingpityforhimrosewithinher，andshebegantoreproachherselfforhavingspokensoharshly，and，asshenowthought，sounjustly。Perhapshereadinhereyestheunspokenwish。Heseizedherhand，andhiswordsfellwithawarmandalluringcadenceuponherear。
\"Ishallnotseeyouforalongtimetocome，Bertha，\"saidhe，\"butif，attheendoffiveorsixyearsyourhandisstillfree，andIreturnanotherman——amantowhomyoucouldsafelyintrustyourhappiness——wouldyouthenlistentowhatImayhavetosaytoyou？ForIpromise，byallthatwebothholdsacred——\"
\"No，no，\"interruptedshe，hastily。\"Promisenothing。Itwouldbeunjustto——yourself，andperhapsalsotome;forasacredpromiseisaterriblething，Ralph。Letusbothremainfree;
and，ifyoureturnandstillloveme，thencome，andIshallreceiveyouandlistentoyou。Andevenifyouhaveoutgrownyourlove，whichis，indeed，moreprobable，comestilltovisitmewhereverImaybe，andweshallmeetasfriendsandrejoiceinthemeeting。\"
\"Youknowbest，\"hemurmured。\"Letitbeasyouhavesaid。\"
Hearose，tookherfacebetweenhishands，gazedlongandtenderlyintohereyes，pressedakissuponherforehead，andhastenedaway。
ThatnightRalphboardedthesteamerforHull，andthreeweekslaterlandedinNewYork。
IV。
ThefirstthreemonthsofRalph’ssojourninAmericawerespentinvainattemptstoobtainasituation。DayafterdayhewalkeddownBroadway，callingatvariousplacesofbusinessandnightafternighthereturnedtohischeer—
lessroomwithafaintheartanddecliningspirits。
Itwas，afterall，amoreseriousthingthanhehadimagined，tocutthecablewhichbindsonetothelandofone’sbirth。Thereahundredsubtileinfluences，theexistenceofwhichnoonesuspectsuntilthemomenttheyarewithdrawn，unitetokeeponeinthestraightpathofrectitude，oratleastofexternalrespectability;andRalph’slifehadbeenallinsociety;theopinionofhisfellow—menhadbeentheoneforcetowhichheimplicitlydeferred，andtheconsciencebywhichhehadbeenwonttotesthisactionshadbeennothingbuttheaggregatejudgmentofhisfriends。Tosuchamantheisolationandtheutterirresponsibilityofalifeamongstrangerswastenfoldmoredangerous;andRalphfound，tohishorror，thathischaractercontainedinnumerablelatentpossibilitieswhichtheeasy—
goinglifeinhishomeprobablyneverwouldhaverevealedtohim。Itoftencuthimtothequick，when，onenteringanofficeinhisdailysearchforemployment，hewasmetbyhostileorsuspiciousglances，orwhen，asitoccasionallyhappened，thedoorwasslammedinhisface，asifhewereavagabondoranimpostor。Thenthewolfwasoftenrousedwithinhim，andhefeltamomentarywilddesiretobecomewhatthepeoplehereevidentlybelievedhimtobe。
Manyanighthesaunteredirresolutelyaboutthegamblingplacesinobscurestreets，andtheglareoflight，therudeshoutsandclamorsinthesamemomentrepelledandattractedhim。
Ifhewenttothedevil，whowouldcare？Hisfatherhadhimselfpointedoutthewaytohim;
andnobodycouldblamehimifhefollowedtheadvice。Butthenagainamemoryemergedfromthatchamberofhissoulwhichstillheheldsacred;andBertha’sdeep—blueeyesgazeduponhimwiththeirearnestlookoftenderwarningandregret。
Whenthesummerwashalfgone，Ralphhadgainedmanyahardvictoryoverhimself，andlearnedmanyausefullesson;andatlengthheswallowedhispride，divestedhimselfofhisfineclothes，andacceptedapositionasassistantgardeneratavillaontheHudson。Andashestoodperspiringwithaspadeinhishand，andacheapbroad—brimmedstrawhatonhishead，heoftentookagrimpleasureinpicturingtohimselfhowhisaristocraticfriendsathomewouldreceivehim，ifheshouldintroducehimselftotheminthisnewcostume。
\"Afterall，itwasonlymypositiontheycaredfor，\"hereflected，bitterly;\"withoutmyfather’snamewhatwouldIbetothem？\"
Then，again，therewasacertainsatisfactioninknowingthat，forhispresentsituation，humbleasitwas，hewasindebtedtonobodybuthimself;andthethoughtthatBertha’seyes，iftheycouldhaveseenhimnowwouldhavedweltuponhimwithpleasureandapprobation，wentfartoconsolehimforhisachingback，hissunburnedface，andhisswollenandblisteredhands。
Oneday，asRalphwasrakingthegravel—
walksinthegarden，hisemployer’sdaughter，ayoungladyofseventeen，cameoutandspoketohim。Hiscultureandrefinementofmannerstruckherwithwonder，andsheaskedhimtotellherhishistory;butthenhesuddenlygrewverygrave，andsheforborepressinghim。Fromthattimesheattachedakindofromanticinteresttohim，andfinallyinducedherfathertoobtainhimasituationthatwouldbemoretohistaste。And，beforewintercame，Ralphsawthedawnofanewfutureglimmeringbeforehim。
Hehadwrestledbravelywithfate，andhadoncemoregainedavictory。Hebeganthecareerinwhichsuccessanddistinctionawaitedhim，asproof—readeronanewspaperinthecity。
HehadfortunatelybeenfamiliarwiththeEnglishlanguagebeforehelefthome，andbythestrengthofhiswillheconqueredalldifficulties。
Attheendoftwoyearshebecameattachedtotheeditorialstaff;newambitioushopes，hithertoforeigntohismind，awokewithinhim;
andwithjoyoustumultofhearthesawlifeopeningitswidevistasbeforehim，andhelaboredonmanfullytorepairthelossesofthepast，andtopreparehimselfforgreaterusefulnessintimestocome。Hefeltinhimselfastrongerandfullermanhood，asifthegreatarteriesofthevastuniversalworld—lifepulsedinhisownbeing。Thedrowsy，indolentexistenceathomeappearedlikeadullremotedreamfromwhichhehadawaked，andheblessedthedestinywhich，byitsverysternness，hadmercifullysavedhim;heblessedher，too，who，fromtheverywantofloveforhim，had，perhaps，madehimworthieroflove。
Theyearsflewrapidly。Societyhadflungitsdoorsopentohim，andwhatwasmore，hehadfoundsomewarmfriends，inwhosehouseshecouldcomeandgoatpleasure。Heenjoyedkeenlytheprivilegeofdailyassociationwithhigh—mindedandrefinedwomen;theireageractivityofintellectstimulatedhim，theirexquisiteetherealgraceandtheirdelicatelychiseledbeautysatisfiedhisaestheticcravings，andtheresponsivevivacityoftheirnaturepreparedhimevernewsurprises。Hefeltastrangefascinationinthepresenceofthesewomen，andtheconvictiongrewuponhimthattheirtypeofwomanhoodwassuperiortoanyhehadhithertoknown。Andbywayofrefutinghisownargument，hewoulddrawfromhispocket—bookthephotographofBertha，whichhadasecretcompartmenttherealltoitself，and，gazingtenderlyatit，wouldeagerlydefendheragainstthedisparagingreflectionswhichtheinvoluntarycomparisonhadprovoked。Andstill，howcouldhehelpseeingthatherfeatures，thoughwellmolded，lackedanimation;thathereye，withitsdeep，trustfulglance，wasnotbrilliant，andthatthecalmearnestnessofherface，whencomparedwiththebright，intellectualbeautyofhispresentfriends，appearedpaleandsimple，likeavioletinabouquetofvividlycoloredroses？
Itgavehimaquickpang，when，attimes，hewasforcedtoadmitthis;nevertheless，itwasthetruth。
AftersixyearsofresidenceinAmerica，Ralphhadgainedaveryhighreputationasajournalistofrarecultureandability，and，in1867hewassenttotheWorld’sExhibitioninParis，ascorrespondentofthepaperonwhichhehadduringalltheseyearsbeenemployed。
Whatwonder，then，thathestartedforEuropeafewweeksbeforehispresencewasneededintheimperialcity，andthathesteeredhiscoursedirectlytowardthefjordvalleywhereBerthahadherhome？ItwasshewhohadbiddenhimGodspeedwhenhefledfromthelandofhisbirth，andshe，too，shouldreceivehisfirstgreetingonhisreturn。
V。
Thesunhadfortifieditselfbehindacitadelofflamingclouds，andtheupperforestregionshonewithastrangeetherealglow，whilethelowerplainswerewrappedinshadow;buttheshadowitselfhadastrongsuffusionofcolor。
Themountainpeaksrosecoldandblueinthedistance。
Ralph，havinginquiredhiswayoftheboatmanwhohadlandedhimatthepier，walkedrapidlyalongthebeach，withasmallvaliseinhishand，andalightsummerovercoatflungoverhisshoulder。Manyhalf—thoughtsgrazedhismind，anderethefirsthadtakenshape，thesecond，andthethirdcameandchaseditaway。
AndstilltheyallinsomefashionhadreferencetoBertha;forinamisty，abstractway，shefilledhiswholemind;butforsomeindefinablereason，hewasafraidtogivefreereintothesentimentwhichlurkedintheremotercornersofhissoul。
Onwardhehastened，whilehisheartthrobbedwiththequickeningtempoofmingledexpectationandfear。Nowandthenoneofthosechillgustsofairwhichseemtobecareeringaboutaimlesslyintheatmosphereduringearlysummer，wouldstrikeintohisface，andrecallhimtoakeenerself—consciousness。
Ralphconcluded，fromhisincreasingagitation，thathemustbeverynearBertha’shome。
Hestoppedandlookedaroundhim。Hesawalargemapleattheroadside，somethirtystepsfromwherehewasstanding，andthegirlwhowassittingunderit，restingherheadinherhandandgazingoutoverthesea，herecognizedinaninstanttobeBertha。Hesprangupontheroad，notcrossing，however，herlineofvision，andapproachedhernoiselesslyfrombehind。
\"Bertha，\"hewhispered。
Shegavealittlejoyouscry，sprangup，andmadeagestureasiftothrowherselfinhisarms;
thensuddenlycheckedherself，blushedcrimson，andmovedastepbackward。
\"Youcamesosuddenly，\"shemurmured。
\"But，Bertha，\"criedhe（andthefullbassofhisvoicerangthroughherverysoul），\"haveI
goneintoexileandwaitedthesemanyyearsforsocoldawelcome？\"
\"Youhavechangedsomuch，Ralph，\"sheanswered，withthatoldgravesmilewhichheknewsowell，andstretchedoutbothherhandstowardhim。\"AndIhavethoughtofyousomuchsinceyouwentaway，andblamedmyselfbecauseIhadjudgedyousoharshly，andwonderedthatyoucouldlistentomesopatiently，andneverbearmeanymaliceforwhatIsaid。\"
\"Ifyouhadsaidawordless，\"declaredRalph，seatinghimselfathersideonthegreensward，\"orifyouhadvarnisheditoverwithpoliteness，thenyouwouldprobablyhavefailedtoproduceanyeffectandIshouldnothavebeenburdenedwiththatheavydebtofgratitudewhichInowoweyou。Iwasaprettythick—skinnedanimalinthosedays，Bertha。Yousaidtherightwordattherightmoment;yougavemeaholdandagoodpieceofadvice，whichmyowningenuitywouldneverhavesuggestedtome。Iwillnotthankyou，because，insograveacaseasthis，spokenthankssoundlikeameremockery。WhateverIam，Bertha，andwhateverImayhopetobe，Ioweitalltothathour。\"
Shelistenedwithrapturetothemanlyassuranceofhisvoice;hereyesdweltwithunspeakablejoyuponhisstrong，bronzedfeatures，hisfullthickblondebeard，andthevigorousproportionsofhisframe。Manyandmanyatimeduringhisabsencehadshewonderedhowhewouldlookifheevercameback，andwiththatminuteconscientiousnesswhich，asitwere，pervadedherwholecharacter，shehadheldherselfresponsiblebeforeGodforhisfate，prayedforhim，andtrembledlestevilpowersshouldgaintheascendencyoverhissoul。
Ontheirwaytothehousetheytalkedtogetherofmanythings，butinaguarded，cautiousfashion，andwithoutthecheerfulabandonmentofformeryears。Theyboth，asitwere，gropedtheirwaycarefullyineachother’sminds，andeachvaguelyfeltthattherewassomethingintheother’sthoughtwhichitwasnotwelltotouchunbidden。Berthasawthatallherfearsforhimhadbeengroundless，andhisveryappearanceliftedthewholeweightofresponsibilityfromherbreast;andstill，didsherejoiceatherdeliverancefromherburden？Ah，no，inthismomentsheknewthatthatwhichshehadfoolishlycherishedasthebestandnoblestpartofherself，hadbeenbutaselfishneedofherownheart。Shefearedthatshehadonlytakenthatinterestinhimwhichonefeelsinathingofone’sownmaking;andnow，whenshesawthathehadrisenquiteaboveher;thathewasfreeandstrong，andcouldhavenomoreneedofher，shehad，insteadofgenerouspleasureathissuccess，butapainfulsenseofemptiness，asifsomethingverydearhadbeentakenfromher。
Ralph，too，wasloathtoanalyzetheimpressionhisoldlovemadeuponhim。Hisfeelingswereofsocomplexanature，hewasanxioustokeephismoremagnanimousimpulsesactive，andhestrovehardtoconvincehimselfthatshewasstillthesametohimasshehadbeenbeforetheyhadeverparted。But，alas！thoughtheheartbewarmandgenerous，theeyeisamercilesscritic。Andthemanwhohadmovedonthewidearenaoftheworld，whosemindhadhousedthelargethoughtsofthiscentury，andexpandedwithitsinvigoratingbreath，——washetoblamebecausehehadunconsciouslyoutgrownhisoldprovincialself，andcouldnomorejudgebyitsstandards？
Bertha’sfatherwasapeasant，buthehad，byhislumbertrade，acquiredwhatinNorwaywascalledaveryhandsomefortune。Hereceivedhisguestwithdignifiedreserve，andRalphthoughthedetectedinhiseyesalurkinglookofdistrust。\"Iknowyourerrand，\"thatlookseemedtosay，\"butyouhadbettergiveitupatonce。Itwillbeofnouseforyoutotry。\"
Andaftersupper，asRalphandBerthasattalkingconfidinglywitheachotheratthewindow，hesenthisdaughteraquick，sharpglance，andthen，withoutceremony，commandedhertogotobed。Ralph’sheartgaveagreatthumpwithinhim;notbecausehefearedtheoldman，butbecausehiswords，aswellashisglances，revealedtohimthesadhistoryoftheselong，patientyears。Hedoubtednolongerthatthelovewhichhehadoncesoardentlydesiredwashisatlast;andhemadeasilentvowthat，comewhatmight，hewouldremainfaithful。
Ashecamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning，hefoundBerthasittingatthewindow，engagedinhemmingwhatappearedtobearoughkitchentowel。Shebenteagerlyoverherwork，andonlyavividflushuponhercheektoldhimthatshehadnoticedhiscoming。Hetookachair，seatedhimselfoppositeher，andbadeher\"good—morning。\"Sheraisedherhead，andshowedhimasweet，troubledcountenance，whichtheearlysunlightilluminedwithahighspiritualbeauty。Itremindedhimforciblyofthosepale，sweet—facedsaintsofFraAngelico，withwhomthefrailfleshseemseveronthepointofyieldingtotheardentaspirationsofthespirit。Andstill，eveninthismomenthecouldnotpreventhiseyesfromobservingthatonesideofherforefingerwasroughfromsewing，andthatthewhitenessofherarm，whichtheloosesleevesdisplayed，contrastedstronglywiththebrownedandsun—burnedcomplexionofherhands。
Afterbreakfasttheyagainwalkedtogetheronthebeach，andRalph，havingonceformedhisresolution，nowtalkedfreelyoftheNewWorld——ofhissphereofactivitythere;ofhisfriendsandofhisplansforthefuture;andshelistenedtohimwithamild，perplexedlookinhereyes，asiftryingvainlytofollowtheflightofhisthoughts。Andhewondered，withsecretdismay，whethershewasstillthesamestrong，brave—heartedgirlwhomhehadonceaccountedalmostbold;whetherthelifeinthisnarrowvalley，amidahundredpettyanddepressingcares，hadnotcrampedherspiritualgrowth，andnarrowedthesphereofherthought。Orwasshestillthesame，andwasitonlyhewhohadchanged？Atlasthegaveutterancetohiswonder，andsheansweredhiminthosegrave，earnesttoneswhichseemedinthemselvestobehalfarefutationofhisdoubts。
\"Itwaseasyformetogiveyoudaringadvice，then，Ralph，\"shesaid。\"Likemostschool—
girls，Ithoughtthatlifewasagreatandgloriousthing，andthathappinesswasafruitwhichhungwithinreachofeveryhand。NowIhavelivedforsixyearstryingsingle—handedtorelievethewantandsufferingoftheneedypeoplewithwhomIcomeincontact，andtheirsqualorandwretchednesshavesickenedme，and，whatisstillworse，IfeelthatallIcandoisasadropintheocean，andafterall，amountstonothing。
IknowIamnolongerthesamerecklessgirl，who，withtheverybestintention，sentyouwanderingthroughthewideworld;andIthankGodthatitprovedtobeforyourgood，althoughthewholenowappearsquiteincredibletome。Mythoughtshavemovedsolongwithinthenarrowcircleofthesemountainsthattheyhavelosttheiryouthfulelasticity，andcannomoreriseabovethem。\"
Ralphdetected，inthemidstofherdespondency，asparkofherformerfire，andgreweloquentinhisendeavorstopersuadeherthatshewasunjusttoherself，andthattherewasbutawidersphereoflifeneededtodevelopallthelatentpowersofherrichnature。
Atthedinner—table，herfatheragainsateyeinghisguestwiththatsamecoldlookofdistrustandsuspicion。Andwhenthemealwasatanend，heroseabruptlyandcalledhisdaughterintoanotherroom。PresentlyRalphheardhisangryvoiceresoundingthroughthehouse，interruptednowandthenbyawoman’ssobs，andasubdued，passionatepleading。WhenBerthaagainenteredtheroom，hereyeswereveryred，andhesawthatshehadbeenweeping。
Shethrewashawloverhershoulders，beckonedtohimwithherhand，andhearoseandfollowedher。Sheledthewaysilentlyuntiltheyreachedathickcopseofbirchandaldernearthestrand。Shedroppeddownuponabenchbetweentwotrees，andhetookhisseatatherside。
\"Ralph，\"beganshe，withavisibleeffort，\"I
hardlyknowwhattosaytoyou;butthereissomethingwhichImusttellyou——myfatherwishesyoutoleaveusatonce。\"
\"AndYOU，Bertha？\"
\"Well——yes——Iwishittoo。\"
Shesawthepainfulshockwhichherwordsgavehim，andshestrovehardtospeak。Herlipstrembled，hereyesbecamesuffusedwithtears，whichgrewandgrew，butneverfell;shecouldnotutteraword。
\"Well，Bertha，\"answeredhe，withalittlequiverinhisvoice，\"ifyou，too，wishmetogo，Ishallnottarry。Good—bye。\"
Herosequickly，and，withavertedface，heldouthishandtoher;butasshemadenomotiontograspthehand，hebegandistractedlytobuttonhiscoat，andmovedslowlyaway。
\"Ralph。\"
Heturnedsharply，and，beforeheknewit，shelaysobbinguponhisbreast。
\"Ralph，\"shemurmured，whilethetearsalmostchokedherwords，\"Icouldnothaveyouleavemethus。Itishardenough——itishardenough——\"
\"Whatishard，beloved？\"
Sheraisedherheadabruptly，andturneduponhimagazefullofhopeanddoubt，andsweetperplexity。
\"Ah，no，youdonotloveme，\"shewhispered，sadly。
\"WhyshouldIcometoseekyou，afterthesemanyyears，dearest，ifIdidnotwishtomakeyoumywifebeforeGodandmen？WhyshouldI——\"
\"Ah，yes，Iknow，\"sheinterruptedhimwithafreshfitofweeping，\"youaretoogoodandhonesttowishtothrowmeaway，nowwhenyouhaveseenhowmysoulhashungeredforthesightofyouthesemanyyears，howevennowIclingtoyouwithadespairingclutch。
Butyoucannotdisguiseyourself，Ralph，andI
sawfromthefirstmomentthatyoulovedmenomore。\"
\"Donotbesuchanunreasonablechild，\"heremonstrated，feebly。\"Idonotloveyouwiththewild，irrationalpassionofformeryears;
butIhavethetenderestregardforyou，andmyheartwarmsatthesightofyoursweetface，andIshalldoallinmypowertomakeyouashappyasanymancanmakeyouwho——\"
\"Whodoesnotloveme，\"shefinished。
Asuddenshudderseemedtoshakeherwholeframe，andshedrewherselfmoretightlyuptohim。
\"Ah，no，\"shecontinued，afterawhile，sinkingbackuponherseat。\"Itisahopelessthingtocompelareluctantheart。Iwillacceptnosacrificefromyou。Youowemenothing，foryouhaveactedtowardmehonestlyanduprightly，andIshallbeastronger，or——atleast——
abetterwomanforwhatyougaveme——and——
forwhatyoucouldnotgiveme，eventhoughyouwould。\"
\"But，Bertha，\"exclaimedhe，lookingmournfullyather，\"itisnottruewhenyousaythatI
oweyounothing。Sixyearsago，whenfirstI
wooedyou，youcouldnotreturnmylove，andyousentmeoutintotheworld，andevenrefusedtoacceptanypledgeorpromiseforthefuture。\"
\"Andyoureturned，\"sheresponded，\"aman，suchasmyhopehadpicturedyou;but，whileI
hadalmostbeenstandingstill，youhadoutgrownme，andoutgrownyouroldself，and，withyouroldself，outgrownitsloveforme，foryourlovewasnotofyournewself，butoftheold。Alas！itisasadtale，butitistrue。\"
Shespokegravelynow，andwithasteadiervoice，buthereyeshunguponhisfacewithaneagerlookofexpectation，asifyearningtodetecttheresomegleamofhope，somecontradictionofthedismaltruth。Hereadthatlookaright，anditpiercedhimlikeasharpsword。
Hemadeabraveefforttorespondtoitsappeal，buthisfeaturesseemedhardasstone，andhecouldonlycryoutagainsthisdestiny，andbewailhismisfortuneandhers。
Towardevening，Ralphwassittinginanopenboat，listeningtothemeasuredoar—strokesoftheboatmenwhowererowinghimouttotheneareststopping—placeofthesteamer。Themountainsliftedtheirgreatplacidheadsupamongthesun—bathedclouds，andthefjordopeneditscooldepthsasiftomakeroomfortheirvastreflections。Ralphfeltasifhewerefloatinginthemidstoftheblueinfinitespace，and，withthestrengthwhichthisfeelinginspired，hetriedtofaceboldlythethoughtfromwhichhehadbutamomentagoshrunkasfromsomethinghopelesslysadandperplexing。
AndinthathourhelookedfearlesslyintothegulfwhichseparatestheNewWorldfromtheOld。Hehadhopedtobridgeit;but，alas！itcannotbebridged。
ASCIENTIFICVAGABOND。
I。
THEsteamerwhichasfarbackas1860
passedeveryweekonitsnorthwardwayupalongthecoastofNorway，wasofaverysociableturnofmind。Itranwithmuchshriekingandneedlessblusterinandoutthecalm，windingfjords，paidunceremoniouslittlevisitsineveryout—of—the—waynookandbay，droppednowandthenablackheapofcoalintotheshiningwater，andsentthickvolleysofsmokeandshrilllittleechoescareeringaimlesslyamongthemountains。Itseemed，onthewhole，fromanaestheticpointofview，anobjectionablephenomenon——ablotupontheperfectsummerday。Bytheinhabitants，however，oftheseremoteregions（withtheexceptionofafewobstinateindividuals，whohadatfirstlookeduponitasthesureheraldofdooms—
day，andstillwerevaguelywonderingwhattheworldwascomingto，）itwasregardedinaverydifferentlight。Thischolericlittlemonsterwastothemafriendlyandwelcomevisitor，whichestablishedtheirconnectionwiththeoutsideworld，andgavethemaproudconsciousnessoflivingintheveryheartofcivilization。
Therefore，onsteamboatdaystheyflockedenmassedownonthepiers，and，withanever—freshsenseofnovelty，greetedtheapproachingboatwithlivelycheers，withfiringofmusketsandwavingofhandkerchiefs。Themenofcondition，asthejudge，thesheriff，andtheparson，whosedignityforbadethemtoreceivethesteamerinperson，contentedthemselveswithwatchingitthroughanopera—glassfromtheirbalconies;andifahighofficialwasknowntobeonboard，theyperhapsdisplayedthenationalbannerfromtheirflag—poles，asadelicatecomplimenttotheirsuperior。
ButtheRev。Mr。Oddson，theparsonofwhomIhavetospeak，hadthisdayyieldedtothegentleurgingsofhisdaughters（as，indeed，healwaysdid），andhadwiththemboardedthesteamertoreceivehisnephew，ArnfinnVording，whowasreturningfromtheuniversityforhissummervacation。Andnowtheyhadhimbetweenthemintheirprettywhite—paintedpar—
sonageboat，withthebluelinealongthegunwale，beleagueringhimwitheagerquestionsaboutfriendsandrelativesinthecapital，chums，universitysports，andamedleyofotherthingsinterestingtoyoungladieswhohaveacollegianforacousin。Hisunclewascharitableenoughtocheckhisowncuriosityaboutthenephew’sprogressintheartsandsciences，andtheresultofhisrecentexaminations，tillheshouldhavebecomefairlysettledunderhisroof;andArnfinn，who，inspiteofhisnaturalbrightnessandreadyhumor，wasanythingbuta\"dig，\"wasgratefulfortherespite。
Theparsonagelaysnuglynestledattheendofthebay，shiningcontentedlythroughthegreenfoliagefromamultitudeofsmallsun—
smittenwindows。Itspinkishwhitewash，whichwaspeelingofffromlongexposuretotheweather，wasincheerfulcontrasttothebroadblacksurfaceoftheroof，withitsglazedtiles，andthestarlings’nestsunderthechimney—tops。
Thethick—leavedmaplesandwalnut—treeswhichgrewinrandomclustersaboutthewallsseemedloftilyconsciousofstandingthereforpurposesofprotection;for，wherevertheirlong—fingeredbrancheshappenedtograzetheroof，itwasalwayswithatouch，light，graceful，andairilycaressing。Theirregularlypavedyardwasinclosedontwosidesbythemainbuilding，andonthethirdbyaspeciesoflogcabin，which，inNorway，iscalledabrew—house;buttowardthewesttheviewwasbutslightlyobscuredbyanelevatedpigeoncotandaclumpofbirches，throughwhosesparseleavesthefjordbeneathsentitsrapidjetsandgleamsoflight，anditsstrangesuggestionsofdistance，peaceandunaccountablegladness。
ArnfinnVording’scareerhadpresentedthatsubtlecombinationoffarceandtragedywhichmosthumanlivesareapttobe;andifthetragicelementhadduringhisearlyyearsbeenpreponderating，hewashardlyhimselfawareofit;forhehadbeentooyoungatthedeathofhisparentstofeelthatkeennessofgriefwhichthesameprivationwouldhavegivenhimatalaterperiodofhislife。Itmighthavebeenhumiliatingtoconfessit，butitwasneverthelesstruethattheterrorhehadoncesustainedonbeingpursuedbyafuriousbullwasmuchmorevividinhismemorythanthevaguewonderanddepressionwhichhadfilledhismindatseeinghismothersosuddenlystrickenwithage，asshelaymotionlessinherwhiterobesinthefrontparlor。
Sincethenhisuncle，whowashisguardianandnearestrelative，hadtakenhimintohisfamily，hadinstructedhimwithhisowndaughters，andfinallysenthimtotheUniversity，leavingthelittlefortunewhichhehadinheritedtoaccumulateforfutureuse。ArnfinnhadapainfullydistinctrecollectionofhisearlyhardshipsintryingtoacquirethatsoftpronunciationoftherwhichispeculiartothewesternfjorddistrictsofNorway，andwhichheadmiredsomuchinhiscousins;forthemerry—eyedInga，whowaslessscrupulousbyagooddealthanheroldersister，Augusta，hadfromthebeginningpersistedininterpretingtheirrelationofcousinshipasanunboundedprivilegeonherparttoridiculehimforhispersonalpeculiarities，andespeciallyforhisharshrandhisbroadeasternaccent。Herridiculewasalwaysverygood—natured，tobesure，butthereforenolessannoying。
But——suchistheperversenessofhumannature——
inspiteofaseriesofapparentrebuffs，interruptednowandthenbyfitsofviolentattachment，Arnfinnhadearlyselectedthisdimpledandyellow—hairedyounggirl，withherpiquantlittlenose，forhisfavoritecousin。Itwastheprospectofseeingherwhich，aboveallelse，hadlent，inanticipation，analtogethernewradiancetothedaywhenheshouldpresenthim—
selfinhishomewiththelong—tasseledstudentcaponhishead，theunnecessary\"pinchers\"onhisnose，andwiththeothertraditionalparaphernaliaoftheNorwegianstudent。Thatgreatdayhadnowcome;ArnfinnsatatInga’ssideplayingwithherwhitefingers，whichlayrestingonhisknee，andcoveringthedepthofhisfeelingwithharmlessbanterabouther\"amusinglyunclassicallittlenose。\"Hehadoncedetectedher，whenachild，standingbeforeamirror，andpinchingthisunhappyfeatureinthemiddle，inthehopeofmakingit\"likeAugusta’s;\"andsincethenhehadnolongerfeltsoutterlydefenselesswheneverhisownfoibleswereattacked。