Evenwiththesmallamountofinformationobtainedbythesearchamonghispapersandeffects，thegossipsofthevillagehadconstructedseveraldistincthistoriesforthemysteriousstranger。
Hewasanagentofagreatpublishinghouse；aleadingcontributortoseveralimportantperiodicals；theauthorofthatanonymouslypublishednovelwhichhadmadesomuchtalk；thepoetofalargeclothingestablishment；aspyoftheItalian，somesaidtheRussian，somesaidtheBritish，Government；aproscribedrefugeefromsomecountrywherehehadbeenplotting；aschool-masterwithoutaschool，aministerwithoutapulpit，anactorwithoutanengagement；inshort，therewasnoendtotheperfectlysenselessstoriesthatweretoldabouthim，fromthatwhichmadehimoutanescapedconvicttothewhisperedsuggestionthathewastheeccentricheirtoagreatEnglishtitleandestate。
Theoneunquestionablefactwasthatofhisextraordinaryseclusion。
Nobodyinthevillage，nostudentintheUniversity，knewhishistory。NoyoungladyintheCorinnaInstitutehadeverhadawordfromhim。Sometimes，astheboatsoftheUniversityortheInstitutewerereturningatdusk，theirrowerswouldseethecanoestealingintotheshadowsastheydrewnearit。Sometimesonamoonlightnight，whenapartyoftheyoungladieswereoutuponthelake，theywouldseethewhitecanoeglidingghost-likeinthedistance。Andithadhappenedmorethanoncethatwhenaboat\'screwhadbeenoutwithsingersamongthem，whiletheywereinthemidstofasong，thewhitecanoewouldsuddenlyappearandrestuponthewater，——notverynearthem，butwithinhearingdistance，——andsoremainuntilthesingingwasover，whenitwouldstealawayandbelostsightofinsomeinletorbehindsomejuttingrock。
Naturallyenough，therewasintensecuriosityaboutthisyoungman。
Thelandladyhadtoldherstory，whichexplainednothing。Therewasnobodytobequestionedabouthimexcepthisservant，anItalian，whosenamewasPaolo，butwhotothevillagewasknownasMr。Paul。
Mr。Paulwouldhaveseemedtheeasiestpersonintheworldtowormasecretoutof。Hewasgood-natured，child-likeasaHeathenChinee，talkedfreelywitheverybodyinsuchEnglishashehadatcommand，knewallthelittlepeopleofthevillage，andwasfollowedroundbythempartlyfromhispersonalattractionforthem，andpartlybecausehewasapttohaveastickofcandyorahandfulofpeanutsorotherdesirableluxuryinhispocketforanyofhislittlefriendshemetwith。Hehadthatwholesome，happylook，souncommoninouraridcountrymen，——alookhardlytobefoundexceptwherefigsandorangesripenintheopenair。Akindlyclimatetogrowupin，areligionwhichtakesyourmoneyandgivesyouastampedticketgoodatSaintPeter\'sboxoffice，aroomychestandagoodpairoflungsinit，anhonestdigestiveapparatus，alivelytemperament，acheerfulacceptanceoftheplaceinlifeassignedtoonebynatureandcircumstance，——theseareconditionsunderwhichlifemaybequitecomfortabletoendure，andcertainlyisverypleasanttocontemplate。
AlltheseconditionswereunitedinPaolo。Hewastheeasiest；
pleasantestcreaturetotalkwiththatonecouldaskforacompanion。
Hissouthernvivacity，hisamusingEnglish，hissimplicityandopenness，madehimfriendseverywhere。
Itseemedasifitwouldbeaverysimplemattertogetthehistoryofhismasteroutofthisguilelessandunsophisticatedbeing。Hehadbeentriedbyallthevillageexperts。Therectorhadputanumberofwell-studiedcarelessquestions，whichfailedoftheirpurpose。Theoldlibrarianofthetownlibraryhadtakennoteofallthebookshecarriedtohismaster，andaskedabouthisstudiesandpursuits。PaolofoundithardtounderstandhisEnglish，apparently，andansweredinthemostirrelevantway。Theleadinggossipofthevillagetriedherskillinpumpinghimforinformation。Itwasallinvain。
Hismaster\'swayoflifewaspeculiar，——infact，eccentric。Hehadhiredroomsinanold-fashionedthree-storyhouse。Hehadtworoomsinthesecondandthirdstoriesofthisoldwoodenbuilding:hisstudyinthesecond，hissleeping-roomintheoneaboveit。Paololivedinthebasement，wherehehadalltheconveniencesforcooking，andplayedthepartofchefforhismasterandhimself。Thiswasonlyapartofhisduty，forhewasaman-of-all-work，purveyor，steward，chambermaid，——asuniversalinhisservicesforonemanasPusheeattheAnchorTavernusedtobeforeverybody。
ItsohappenedthatPaolotookaseverecoldonewinter\'sday，andhadsuchthreateningsymptomsthatheaskedthebaker，whenhecalled，tosendthevillagephysiciantoseehim。InthecourseofhisvisitthedoctornaturallyinquiredaboutthehealthofPaolo\'smaster。
\"SignorKirkwoodwell，——moltobene，\"saidPaolo。\"Whydoeshekeepoutofsightashedoes？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Healwaysso，\"repliedPaolo。\"Unaantipatia。”
WhetherPaolowasoffhisguardwiththedoctor，whetherherevealedittohimastoafatherconfessor，orwhetherhethoughtittimethatthereasonofhismaster\'sseclusionshouldbeknown，thedoctordidnotfeelsure。Atanyrate，Paolowasnotdisposedtomakeanyfurtherrevelations。Unaantipatia，——anantipathy，——thatwasallthedoctorlearned。Hethoughtthematterover，andthemorehereflectedthemorehewaspuzzled。Whatcouldanantipathybethatmadeayoungmanarecluse!Wasitadreadofblueskyandopenair，ofthesmellofflowers，orsomeelectricalimpressiontowhichbewasunnaturallysensitive？
Dr。Buttscarriedthesequestionshomewithhim。Hiswifewasasensible，discreetwoman，whomhecouldtrustwithmanyprofessionalsecrets。HetoldherofPaolo\'srevelation，andtalkeditoverwithherinthelightofhisexperienceandherown；forshehadknownsomecuriouscasesofconstitutionallikesandaversions。
Mrs。Buttsburiedtheinformationinthegraveofhermemory，whereitlayfornearlyaweek。Attheendofthattimeitemergedinaconfidentialwhispertoherfavoritesister-in-law，aperfectlysafeperson。Twenty-fourhourslaterthestorywasalloverthevillagethatMauriceKirkwoodwasthesubjectofastrange，mysterious，unheard-ofantipathytosomething，nobodyknewwhat；andthewholeneighborhoodnaturallyresolveditselfintoanunorganizedcommitteeofinvestigation。
IV
Whatisacountryvillagewithoutitsmysteriouspersonage？Fewarenowlivingwhocanremembertheadventofthehandsomeyoungmanwhowasthemysteryofourgreatuniversitytown\"sixtyyearssince，\"——
longenoughagoforaromancetogrowoutofanarrative，asWaverleymayremindus。Thewriterofthisnarrativeremembershimwell，andisnotsurethathehasnottoldthestrangestoryinsomeformorothertothelastgeneration，ortotheonebeforethelast。Nomatter:ifhehastoldittheyhaveforgottenit，——thatis，iftheyhaveeverreadit；andwhethertheyhaveorhavenot，thestoryissingularenoughtojustifyrunningtheriskofrepetition。
Thisyoungman，withacuriousnameofScandinavianorigin，appearedunheraldedinthetown，asitwasthen，ofCantabridge。Hewantedemployment，andsoonfounditintheshapeofmanuallabor，whichheundertookandperformedcheerfully。Buthiswholeappearanceshowedplainlyenoughthathewasbredtooccupationsofaverydifferentnature，if，indeed，hehadbeenaccustomedtoanykindoftoilforhisliving。Hisaspectwasthatofoneofgentlebirth。Hishandswerenotthoseofalaborer，andhisfeaturesweredelicateandrefined，aswellasofremarkablebeauty。Whohewas，wherehecamefrom，whyhehadcometoCantabridge，wasneverclearlyexplained。
Hewasalone，withoutfriends，exceptamongtheacquaintanceshehadmadeinhisnewresidence。Ifhehadanycorrespondents，theywerenotknowntotheneighborhoodwherehewasliving。Butifhehadneitherfriendsnorcorrespondents，therewassomereasonforbelievingthathehadenemies。Strangecircumstancesoccurredwhichconnectedthemselveswithhiminanominousandunaccountableway。A
threateningletterwasslippedunderthedoorofahousewherehewasvisiting。Hehadasuddenattackofillness，whichwasthoughttolookverymuchliketheeffectofpoison。Atonetimehedisappeared，andwasfoundwandering，bewildered，inatownmanymilesfromthatwherehewasresiding。Whenquestionedhowhecamethere；hetoldacoherentstorythathehadbeengot，undersomepretext，orinsomenotincredibleway，intoaboat，fromwhich，atacertainlanding-place，hehadescapedandfledforhislife，whichhebelievedwasindangerfromhiskidnappers。
Whoeverhisenemiesmayhavebeen，——iftheyreallyexisted，——hedidnotfallavictimtotheirplots，sofarasknowntoorrememberedbythiswitness。
Variousinterpretationswereputuponhisstory。ConjectureswereasabundantastheywereinthecaseofKasparHauser。Thathewasofgoodfamilyseemedprobable；thathewasofdistinguishedbirth，notimpossible；thathewasthedangerousrivalofacandidateforagreatlycovetedpositioninoneofthenorthernstatesofEuropewasafavoritespeculationofsomeofthemoreromanticyoungpersons。
Therewasnodramaticendingtothisstory，——atleastnoneisrememberedbythepresentwriter。
\"Heleftaname，\"liketheroyalSwede，ofwhoselineagehemayhavebeenforaughtthatthevillagepeopleknew，butnotanameatwhichanybody\"grewpale；\"forhehadswindlednoone，andbrokennowoman\'sheartwithfalsevows。PossiblysomewitheredcheeksmayflushfaintlyastheyrecallthehandsomeyoungmanwhocamebeforetheCantabridgemaidensfullyequippedforaheroofromancewhenthecenturywasinitsfirstquarter。
ThewriterhasbeenremindedofthehandsomeSwedebytheincidentsattendingtheadventoftheunknownandinterestingstrangerwhohadmadehisappearanceatArrowheadVillage。
Itwasaveryinsufficientandunsatisfactoryreasontoassignfortheyoungman\'ssolitaryhabitsthathewasthesubjectofanantipathy。Forwhatdoweunderstandbythatword？Whenayoungladyscreamsatthesightofaspider，weacceptherexplanationthatshehasanaturalantipathytothecreature。Whenapersonexpressesarepugnancetosomewholesomearticleoffood，agreeabletomostpeople，wearesatisfiedifhegivesthesamereason。Andsoofvariousodors，whicharepleasingtosomepersonsandrepulsivetoothers。Wedonotpretendtogobehindthefact。Itisanindividual，anditmaybeafamily，peculiarity。Evenbetweendifferentpersonalitiesthereisaninstinctiveelectivedislikeaswellasanelectiveaffinity。WearenotboundtogiveareasonwhyDr。Fellisodioustousanymorethantheprisonerwhoperemptorilychallengesajurymanisboundtosaywhyhedoesit；itisenoughthathe\"doesnotlikehislooks。”
Therewasnothingstrange，then，thatMauriceKirkwoodshouldhavehisspecialantipathy；agreatmanyotherpeoplehaveoddlikesanddislikes。Butitwasaverycuriousthingthatthisantipathyshouldbeallegedasthereasonforhissingularmodeoflife。Allsortsofexplanationsweresuggested，notoneofthemintheleastsatisfactory，butservingtokeepthecuriosityofinquirersactiveuntiltheyweresupersededbyanewtheory。OnestorywasthatMauricehadagreatfearofdogs。Itgrewatlasttoaconnectednarrative，inwhichafrightinchildhoodfromarabidmongrelwassaidtohavegivenhimsuchasensitivenesstothenearpresenceofdogsthathewasliabletoconvulsionsifonecameclosetohim。
Thishypothesishadsomeplausibility。Noothercreaturewouldbesolikelytotroubleapersonwhohadanantipathytoit。Dogsareveryapttomaketheacquaintanceofstrangers，inafreeandeasyway。
Theyaremetwitheverywhere，——inone\'sdailywalk，atthethresholdsofthedoorsoneenters，inthegentleman\'slibrary，ontherugofmylady\'ssitting-roomandonthecushionofhercarriage。Itistruethattherearefewpersonswhohaveaninstinctiverepugnancetothis\"friendofman。”Butwhatifthisso-calledantipathywereonlyafear，aterror，whichborrowedthelessunmanlyname？Itwasafairquestion，if，indeed，thecuriosityofthepublichadarighttoaskanyquestionsatallaboutaharmlessindividualwhogavenooffence，andseemedentitledtotherightofchoosinghiswayoflivingtosuithimself，withoutbeingsubmittedtoespionage。
Therewasnopositiveevidencebearingonthepointasyet。ButoneofthevillagepeoplehadalargeNewfoundlanddog，ofaverysociabledisposition，withwhichhedeterminedtotestthequestion。
HewatchedforthetimewhenMauriceshouldleavehishouseforthewoodsorthelake，andstartedwithhisdogtomeethim。Theanimalwalkeduptothestrangerinaverysociablefashion，andbeganmakinghisacquaintance，aftertheusualmannerofwell-breddogs；
thatis，withthecourtesiesandblandishmentsbywhichthecanineChesterfieldisdistinguishedfromtheill-conditionedcur。Mauricepattedhiminafriendlyway，andspoketohimasonewhowasusedtothefellowshipofsuchcompanions。Thatidlequestionandfoolishstoryweredisposedof，therefore，andsomeothersolutionmustbefound，ifpossible。
Amuchmorecommonantipathyisthatwhichisentertainedwithregardtocats。Thishasneverbeenexplained。Itisnotmereaversiontothelookofthecreature，ortoanysensiblequalityknowntothecommonobserver。Thecatispleasinginaspect，gracefulinmovement，niceinpersonalhabits，andofamiabledisposition。Nocauseofoffenceisobvious，andyettherearemanypersonswhocannotabidethepresenceofthemostinnocentlittlekitten。Theycantell，insomemysteriousway，thatthereisacatintheroomwhentheycanneitherseenorhearthecreature。Whetheritisanelectricalorquasi-magneticphenomenon，orwhateveritmaybe，ofthefactofthisstrangeinfluencetherearetoomanywell-
authenticatedinstancestoallowitsbeingquestioned。ButsupposeMauriceKirkwoodtobethesubjectofthisantipathyinitsextremestdegree，itwouldinnomanneraccountfortheisolationtowhichhehadcondemnedhimself。Hemightshunthefiresidesoftheoldwomenwhosetabbieswerepurringbytheirfootstools，buttheseworthydamesdonotmakeupthewholepopulation。
Thesetwoantipathieshavingbeendisposedof，anewsuggestionwasstarted，andwastalkedoverwithacurioussortofhalfbelief，verymuchasghoststoriesaretoldinacircleofmoderatelyinstructedandinquiringpersons。ThiswasthatMauricewasendowedwiththeunenviablegiftoftheevileye。HewasinfrequentcommunicationwithItaly，ashislettersshowed，andhadrecentlybeenresidinginthatcountry，aswaslearnedfromPaolo。NoweverybodyknowsthattheevileyeisnotrarelymetwithinItaly。EverybodywhohaseverreadMr。Story\'s\"RobadiRoma\"knowswhataterriblepoweritiswhichtheowneroftheevileyeexercises。Itcanblightanddestroywhateveritfallsupon。Noperson\'slifeorlimbissafeifthejettatura，thewitheringglanceofthedeadlyorgan，fallsuponhim。
Itmustbeobservedthatthismaligneffectmayfollowalookfromtheholiestpersonages，thatis，ifwemayassumethatamonkissuchasamatterofcourse。CertainlywehavearighttotakeitforgrantedthatthelatePope，PiusNinth，wasaneminentlyholyman，andyethehadthenameofdispensingthemysticanddreadedjettaturaaswellashisblessing。IfMauriceKirkwoodcarriedthatdestructiveinfluence，sothathisclearblueeyesweremoretobefearedthanthefascinationsofthedeadliestserpent，itcouldeasilybeunderstoodwhyhekepthislookawayfromallaroundhimwhomhefearedhemightharm。
NosensiblepersoninArrowheadVillagereallybelievedintheevileye，butitservedthepurposeofatemporaryhypothesis，asdomanysuppositionswhichwetakeasanucleusforourobservationswithoutputtinganyrealconfidenceinthem。Itwasjustsuitedtotheromanticnotionsofthemoreflightypersonsinthevillage，whohadmeddledmoreorlesswithSpiritualism，andwerereadyforanynewfancy，ifitwereonlywildenough。
Theriddleoftheyoungstranger\'speculiaritydidnotseemlikelytofindanyveryspeedysolution。Everynewsuggestionfurnishedtalkforthegossipsofthevillageandthebabbleofthemanytonguesinthetwoeducationalinstitutions。Naturally，thediscussionwasliveliestamongtheyoungladies。Hereisanextractfromaletterofoneoftheseyoungladies，who，havingreceivedatherbirththeever-pleasingnameofMary，sawfittohaveherselfcalledMollieinthecatalogueandinherletters。Theoldpostmasterofthetowntowhichherletterwasdirectedtookituptostamp，andreadontheenvelopethedirectionto\"MissLuluPinrow。”Hebroughtthestampdownwithaviciousemphasis，comingverynearblottingoutthenurseryname，insteadofcancellingthepostage-stamp。\"Lulu!\"heexclaimed。\"Ishouldliketoknowifthatgreatstrappinggirlisn\'toutofhercradleyet!IsupposeMissLouisawillthinkthatbelongstoher，butIsawherchristenedandIheardthenametheministergaveher，anditwasn\'t\'Lulu，\'oranysuchbabynonsense。”Andsosaying，hegaveitaflingtotheboxmarkedP，asifitburnedhisfingers。Whyagrown-upyoungwomanallowedherselftobecheapenedinthewaysomanyofthemdobytheuseofnameswhichbecomethemaswellasthefrockofaten-year-oldschoolgirlwouldbecomeagraduateoftheCorinnaInstitute，theoldpostmastercouldnotguess。Hewasaqueeroldman。
Theletterthusscornfullytreatedrunsoverwithayounggirl\'swrittenloquacity:
\"Oh，Lulu，thereissuchasensationasyouneversaworheardof\'inallyourborndays，\'asmammausedtosay。Hehasbeenatthevillageforsometime，butlatelywehavehad——oh，theweirdeststoriesabouthim!\'TheMysteriousStrangeristhenamesomegivehim，butwegirlscallhimtheSachem，becausehepaddlesaboutinanIndiancanoe。IfIshouldtellyouallthethingsthataresaidabouthimIshoulduseupallmypapertentimesover。HehasnevermadeavisittotheInstitute，andnoneofthegirlshaveeverspokentohim，butthepeopleatthevillagesayheisvery，veryhandsome。
Wearedyingtogetalookathim，ofcourse——thoughthereisahorridstoryabouthim——thathehastheevileyedidyoueverhearabouttheevileye？Ifapersonwhoisbornwithitlooksatyou，youdie，orsomethinghappens——awful——isn\'tit？
\"Therectorsayshenevergoestochurch，butthenyouknowagoodmanyofthepeoplethatpassthesummeratthevillageneverdo——theythinktheirreligionmusthavevacations——that\'swhatI\'veheardtheysay——vacations，justlikeotherhardwork——itoughtnottobehardwork，I\'msure，butIsupposetheyfeelsoaboutit。Shouldyoufeelafraidtohavehimlookatyou？Someofthegirlssaytheywouldn\'thavehimforthewholeworld，butIshouldn\'tmindit——especiallyifIhadonmyeyeglasses。Doyousupposeifthereisanythingintheevileyeitwouldgothroughglass？Idon\'tbelieveit。Doyouthinkblueeye-glasseswouldbebetterthancommonones？Don\'tlaughatme——theytellsuchweirdstories!TheTerror——LuridaVincent，youknow-makesfunofalltheysayaboutit，butthenshe\'knowseverythinganddoesn\'tbelieveanything，\'thegirlssay——Well，I
shouldbeawfullyscared，Iknow，ifanybodythathadtheevileyeshouldlookatme——but——oh，Idon\'tknow——butifitwasayoungman——
andifhewasvery——verygood-looking——Ithink——perhapsIwouldruntherisk——butdon\'ttellanybodyIsaidanysuchhorridthing——andburnthisletterrightup——there\'sadeargoodgirl。”
Itistobehopedthatnoreaderwilldoubtthegenuinenessofthisletter。Therearenotquitesomany\"awfuls\"and\"awfullys\"asoneexpectstofindinyoungladies\'letters，buttherearetwo\"weirds，\"
whichmaybeconsideredafairallowance。Howithappenedthat\"jolly\"didnotshowitselfcanhardlybeaccountedfor；nodoubtitturnsuptwoorthreetimesatleastinthepostscript。
Hereisanextractfromanotherletter。ThiswasfromoneofthestudentsofStoughtonUniversitytoafriendwhosenameasitwaswrittenontheenvelopewasMr。FrankMayfield。TheoldpostmasterwhofoundfaultwithMiss\"Lulu\'s\"designationwouldprobablyhavequarrelledwiththisaddress，ifithadcomeunderhiseye。\"Frank\"
isaverypretty，pleasant-soundingname，anditisnotstrangethatmanypersonsuseitincommonconversationalltheirdayswhenspeakingofafriend。Weretheyreallychristenedbythatname，anyofthesenumerousFranks？Perhapstheywere，andifsothereisnothingtobesaid。Butifnot，wasthebaptismalnameFrancisorFranklin？Themindisapttofasteninaveryperverseandunpleasantwayuponthisquestion，whichtoooftenthereisnopossiblewayofsettling。Onemighthope，ifheoutlivedthebeareroftheappellation，togetatthefact；butsinceevengravestoneshavelearnedtousethenamesbelongingtochildhoodandinfancyintheirsolemnrecord，thegenerationwhichdocksitsChristiannamesinsuchanun-Christianwaywillbequeathwholechurchyardsfullofriddlestoposterity。HowitwillpuzzleanddistressthehistoriansandantiquariansofacominggenerationtosettlewhatwastherealnameofDanandBertandBilly，whichlastislegibleonawhitemarbleslab，raisedinmemoryofagrownperson，inacertainburial-
groundinatowninEssexCounty，Massachusetts!
ButinthemeantimeweareforgettingtheletterdirectedtoMr。
FrankMayfield。
\"DEARFRANK，——Hooray!Hurrah!Rah!
\"Ihavemadetheacquaintanceof\'TheMysteriousStranger\'!Ithappenedbyaqueersortofaccident，whichcameprettynearrelievingyouofthedutyofreplyingtothisletter。Iwasoutinmylittleboat，whichcarriesasailtoobigforher，asIknowandoughttohaveremembered。Oneofthosefitfulflawsofwindtowhichthelakeissoliablestruckthesailsuddenly，andoverwentmyboat。Myfeetgottangledinthesheetsomehow，andIcouldnotgetfree。Ihadhardworktokeepmyheadabovewater，andIstruggleddesperatelytoescapefrommytoils；foriftheboatweretogodownIshouldbedraggeddownwithher。Ithoughtofagoodmanythingsinthecourseofsomefourorfiveminutes，Icantellyou，andIgotalessonabouttimebetterthananythingKantandalltherestofthemhavetosayofit。AfterIhadbeenthereaboutanordinarylifetime，Isawawhitecanoemakingtowardme，andIknewthatourshyyounggentlemanwascomingtohelpme，andthatweshouldbecomeacquaintedwithoutanintroduction。Soitwas，sureenough。Hesawwhatthetroublewas，managedtodisentanglemyfeetwithoutdrowningmeintheprocessorupsettinghislittleflimsycraft，and，asIwassomewhattiredwithmystruggle，tookmeintowandcarriedmetothelandingwherehekepthiscanoe。Ican\'tsaythatthereisanythingoddabouthismannersorhiswayoftalk。IjudgehimtobeanativeofoneofourNorthernStates，——perhapsaNewEnglander。Hehaslivedabroadduringsomepartsofhislife。Heisnotanartist，asitwasatonetimethoughthemightbe。Heisagood-lookingfellow，welldeveloped，manlyinappearance，withnothingtoexcitespecialremarkunlessitbeacertainlookofanxietyorapprehensionwhichcomesoverhimfromtimetotime。YourememberouroldfriendSquireB。，whosecompanionwaskilledbylightningwhenhewasstandingclosetohim。Youknowthelookhehadwheneveranythinglikeathundercloudcameupinthesky。Well，IshouldsaytherewasalooklikethatcameoverthisMauriceKirkwood\'sfaceeverynowandthen。
Inoticedthathelookedroundonceortwiceasiftoseewhethersomeobjectorotherwasinsight。Therewasalittlerustlinginthegrassasifoffootsteps，andthislookcameoverhisfeatures。
Arabbitranbyus，andIwatchedtoseeifheshowedanysignofthatantipathywehaveheardsomuchof，butheseemedtobepleasedwatchingthecreature。
\"IfyouaskmewhatmyopinionisaboutthisMauriceKirkwood，I
thinkheiseccentricinhishabitoflife，butnotwhattheycalla\'crank\'exactly。Hetalkedwellenoughaboutsuchmattersaswespokeof，——thelake，thesceneryingeneral，theclimate。Iaskedhimtocomeoverandtakealookatthecollege。Hedidn\'tpromise，butIshouldnotbesurprisedifIshouldgethimovertheresomeday。Iaskedhimwhyhedidn\'tgotothePansophianmeetings。Hedidn\'tgiveanyreason，butheshookhisheadinaverypeculiarway，asmuchastosaythatitwasimpossible。
\"Onthewhole，Ithinkitisnothingmorethanthesamefeelingofdreadofhumansociety，ordislikeforit，whichunderthenameofreligionusedtodrivemenintocavesanddeserts。WhatapitythatProtestantismdoesnotmakespecialprovisionforallthefreaksofindividualcharacter!Ifwehadalittlemorefaithandafewmorecaverns，orconvenientplacesformakingthem，weshouldhavehermitsintheseholesasthickaswoodchucksorprairiedogs。Ishouldliketoknowifyouneverhadthefeeling，\'Oh，thatthedesertweremydwelling-place!\'
Iknowwhatyouranswerwillbe，ofcourse。Youwillsay，\'Certainly，\'Withonefairspiritformyminister；\"\'
butImeanalone，——allalone。Don\'tyoueverfeelasifyoushouldliketohavebeenapillar-saintinthedayswhenfaithwasasstrongaslyespeltwithay，insteadofbeingasweakasdish-water？
Jerryislookingovermyshoulder，andsaysthispunistoobadtosend，andadisgracetotheUniversity——butnevermind。IoftenfeelasifIshouldliketoroostonapillarahundredfeethigh，——yes，andhaveitsoapedfromtoptobottom。Wouldn\'titbefuntolookdownattheboresandtheduns？Letusgetupapillar-roosters\'
association。Jerry——stilllookingoversaysthereisanabsurdcontradictionintheidea。
\"Whatamatter-of-factidiotJerryis!
\"Howdoyoulikelookingover，Mr。Inspectorgeneral？\"
Thereaderwillnotgetmuchinformationoutofthislivelyyoungfellow\'sletter，buthemaygetalittle。ItissomethingtoknowthatthemysteriousresidentofArrowheadVillagedidnotlooknortalklikeacrazyperson；thathewasofagreeableaspectandaddress，helpfulwhenoccasionoffered，andhadnothingabouthim，sofarasyetappeared，topreventhisbeinganacceptablememberofsociety。
Ofcoursethepeopleinthevillagecouldneverbecontentedwithoutlearningeverythingtherewastobelearnedabouttheirvisitor。Allthecitypaperswereexaminedforadvertisements。Ifacashierhadabsconded，ifabrokerhaddisappeared，ifarailroadpresidentwasmissing，someoftheoldstorieswouldwakeupandgetafreshcurrency，untilsomenewcircumstancegaverisetoanewhypothesis。
Unconsciousofalltheseinquiriesandfictions，MauriceKirkwoodlivedoninhisinoffensiveandunexplainedsolitude，andseemedlikelytoremainanunsolvedenigma。The\"Sachem\"oftheboatinggirlsbecamethe\"Sphinx\"ofthevillageramblers，anditwasagreedonallhandsthatEgyptdidnotholdanyhieroglyphicshardertomakeoutthanthemeaningofthisyoungman\'soddwayofliving。
V
THEENIGMASTUDIED。
Itwasacurious，ifitwasnotasuspicious，circumstancethatayoungman，seeminglyingoodhealth，ofcomelyaspect，lookingasifmadeforcompanionship，shouldkeephimselfapartfromalltheworldaroundhiminaplacewheretherewasageneralfeelingofgoodneighborhoodandapleasantsocialatmosphere。ThePublicLibrarywasacentralpointwhichbroughtpeopletogether。ThePansophianSocietydidagreatdealtomakethemacquaintedwitheachotherformanyofthemeetingswereopentooutsidevisitors，andthesubjectsdiscussedinthemeetingsfurnishedthematerialforconversationintheirintervals。AcardofinvitationhadbeensentbytheSecretarytoMaurice，inanswertowhichPaolocarriedbackapolitenoteofregret。Thepaperhadanarrowrimofblack，implyingapparentlysomelossofrelativeorfriend，butnotanyveryrecentandcrushingbereavement。Thisrefusaltocometothemeetingsofthesocietywasonlywhatwasexpected。Itwaspropertoaskhim，buthisdecliningtheinvitationshowedthathedidnotwishforattentionsorcourtesies。Therewasnothingfurthertobedonetobringhimoutofhisshell，andseeminglynothingmoretobelearnedabouthimatpresent。
Inthisstateofthingsitwasnaturalthatallwhichhadbeenpreviouslygatheredbythefewwhohadseenorknownanythingofhimshouldbeworkedoveragain。Whenthereisnoneworetobedug，theoldrefuseheapsarelookedoverforwhatmaystillbefoundinthem。
ThelandlordoftheAnchorTavern，nowtheheadoftheboarding-
house，talkedaboutMaurice，aseverybodyinthevillagedidatonetimeoranother。Hehadnotmuchtosay，butheaddedafactortwo。
Theyounggentlemanwasgoodpay，——sotheyallsaid。Sometimeshepaidingold；sometimesinfreshbills，justoutofthebank。Hetrustedhisman，Mr。Paul，withthemoneytopayhisbills。Heknewsomethingabouthorses；heshowedthatbythewayhehandledthatcolt，——theonethatthrewthehostlerandbrokehiscollar-bone。
\"Mr。Paulcomedowntothestable。\'Letmeseethatcultyouall\'fraidof，\'sayshe。\'Mymaster，herideanyhoss，\'saysPaul。\'Yousaddlehim，\'saysbe；andsotheydid，andPaul，heledthatcolt——
thekickinestandugliestyoungbeastyoueverseeinyourlife——uptotheplacewherehismaster，ashecallshim，andhelives。WhatdoesthatKirkwooddobutclaponacoupleoflongspursandjumpontothatcolt\'sback，andoffthebeastgoes，tailup，heelsflying，standinguponend，tryingallsortsofcapers，andatlastgoingitfullrunforacoupleofmiles，tillhe\'dgotaboutenoughofit。
Thatcoltwentoffasferceasawild-cat，andcomebackasquietasacossetlamb。Amanthatpayshisbillsreg\'lar，ingoodmoney，andknowshowtohandleahossisthreequartersofagentleman，ifheisn\'tawholeone，——andmostlikelyheisawholeone。”
SospakethepatriarchoftheAnchorTavern。Hiswifehadalreadygivenherfavorableopinionofherformerguest。Shenowaddedsomethingtoherdescriptionasasequeltoherhusband\'sremarks。
\"Icallhim，\"shesaid，\"aboutaslikelyayounggentlemanaseverI
clappedmyeyeson。HeisratherslighterthanIliketoseeayoungmanofhisage；ifhewasmysun，Ishouldliketoseehimalittlemorefleshy。Idon\'tbelieveheweighsmorethanahundredandthirtyorfortypounds。Didy\'everlookatthoseeyesofhis，M\'randy？Justasblueassuccoryflowers。Idolikethoselight-
complectedyoungfellows，withtheirfreshcheeksandtheircurlyhair；somehow，curlyhairdoossetoffanybody\'sface。Heisn\'tanyforeigner，forallthathetalksItalianwiththatMr。Paulthat\'shishelp。Helooksjustlikeourkindoffolks，thecollegekind，that\'sbroughtupamongbooks，andishandling\'em，andreadingof\'em，andmakingof\'em，aslikeasnot，alltheirlives。AllthatyousayabouthisridingthemadcoltisjustwhatIshouldthinkhewasupto，forhe\'sasspryasasquirrel；yououghttoseehimgooverthatfence，asIdidonce。Idon\'tbelievethere\'sanyharminthatyounggentleman，——Idon\'tcarewhatpeoplesay。Isupposehelikesthisplacejustasotherpeoplelikeit，andcaresmoreforwalkinginthewoodsandpaddlingaboutinthewaterthanhedoosforcompany；andifhedoos，whosebusinessisit，Ishouldliketoknow？\"
ThethirdofthespeakerswasMiranda，whohadherownwayofjudgingpeople。
\"Ineverseehimbuttwoorthreetimes，\"Mirandasaid。\"Ishouldliketohavewaitedonhim，andgotachancetolookstiddyathimwhenhewaseatin\'hisvittles。That\'sthetimetowatchfolks，whentheirjawsgeta-goin\'andtheireyesareonwhat\'safore\'em。
Doyourememberthatchapthesheriffcomeandtookawaywhenwekep\'
tahvern？Elevenyearagoitwas，comenex\'Thanksgivin\'time。A
mightygrandgentlemanfromtheCityhesetupfor。Iwatchedhim，andIwatchedhim。SaysI，Idon\'tbelieveyou\'renogentleman，saysI。Heeatwithhisknife，andthatain\'tthewaycityfolkseats。EverytimeIhandedhimanythingIlookedcloseterandcloseter。Themwhiskersnevergroovedonthemcheeks，saysItomyself。Them\'spapercollars，saysI。Thatdimuninyourshirt-
fronthain\'tgotnolifetoit，saysI。Idon\'tbelieveit\'snothiri\'more\'nabito\'winderglass。SosaysItoPushee，\'Youjes\'stepoutandgetthesherifftocomeinandtakealookatthatchap。\'Iknowedhewasafterafellah。Hecomerightin，an\'hegoesuptothechap。\'Why，Bill，\'sayshe，\'I\'mmightygladtoseeyer。
We\'vehadtheholeinthewallyougotoutofmended，andIwantyourcompanytocomeandlookattheoldplace，\'sayshe，andhepullsoutacoupleofhandcuffsandhas\'emonhiswristsinlessthannotime，an\'offtheygoestogether!Iknowonethingaboutthatyounggentleman，anyhow，——thereain\'tnobetterjudgeofwhat\'sgoodeatin\'
thanheis。Icookedhimsomemaccaronimyselfoneday，andhesendswordtomebythatMr。Paul，\'TellMissMiranda，\'sayshe，IthatthePopeo\'Romedon\'thavenobettercookedmaccaronithanwhatshesentuptomeyesterday，\'sayshe。Idon\'knowmuchaboutthePopeo\'
Romeexceptthathe\'saRomanCatholic，andIdon\'knowwhocooksforhim，whetherit\'samanorawoman；butwhenitcomestoadisho\'
maccaroni，Iain\'tafeardoftheirshefs，astheycall\'em，——themhe-
cooksthatcan\'tserveupacoldpotaterwithoutcallin\'itbysomenamenobodycansayafter\'em。Butthisgentlemanknowsgoodcookin\'，andthat\'sasgoodasignofagentlemanasIwanttotell\'emby。”
VI
STILLATFAULT。
ThehouseinwhichMauriceKirkwoodhadtakenuphisabodewasnotaveryinvitingone。Itwasold，andhadbeenleftinasomewhatdilapidatedanddisorderlyconditionbythetenantswhohadlivedinthepartwhichMauricenowoccupied。Theyhadpiledtheirpacking-
boxesinthecellar，withbrokenchairs，brokenchina，andotherhouseholdwrecks。Acrackedmirrorlayonanoldstrawmattress，thecontentsofwhichwereairingthemselvesthroughwideripsandrents。
Alameclothes-horsewassaddledwithanoldrugfringedwitharaggedborder，outofwhichallthecolorshadbeencompletelytrodden。Nowomanwouldhavegoneintoahouseinsuchacondition。
Buttheyoungmandidnottroublehimselfmuchaboutsuchmatters，andwassatisfiedwhentheroomswhichweretobeoccupiedbyhimselfandhisservantweremadedecentandtolerablycomfortable。Duringthefineseasonallthiswasnotofmuchconsequence，andifMauricemadeuphismindtostaythroughthewinterhewouldhavehischoiceamongmanymoreeligibleplaces。
ThesummervacationoftheCorinnaInstitutehadnowarrived，andtheyoungladieshadscatteredtotheirhomes。AmongthegraduatesoftheyearwereMissEuthymiaTowerandMissLuridaVincent，whohadnowreturnedtotheirhomesinArrowheadVillage。Theywerebothgladtorestafterthelongfinalexaminationsandtheexercisesoftheclosingday，inwhicheachofthemhadborneaconspicuouspart。
Itwasapleasantlifetheyledinthevillage，whichwaslivelyenoughatthisseason。Walking，riding，driving，boating，visitstotheLibrary，meetingsofthePansophianSociety，hops，andpicnicsmadethetimepassverycheerfully，andsoonshowedtheirrestoringinfluences。TheTerror\'slargeeyesdidnotwearthedull，glazedlookbywhichtheyhadtoooftenbetrayedtheaftereffectsofover-
excitementofthestrongandactivebrainbehindthem。TheWondergainedafresherbloom，andlookedfullenoughoflifetoradiatevitalityintoastatueofice。Theyhadaboatoftheirown，inwhichtheypassedmanydelightfulhoursonthelake，rowing，drifting，reading，tellingofwhathadbeen，dreamingofwhatmightbe。
TheLibrarywasoneofthechiefcentresofthefixedpopulation，andvisitedoftenbystrangers。TheoldLibrarianwasapeculiarcharacter，astheseofficialsareapttobe。Theyhaveacuriouskindofknowledge，sometimesimmenseinitsway。Theyknowthebacksofbooks，theirtitle-pages，theirpopularityorwantofit，theclassofreaderswhocallforparticularworks，thevalueofdifferenteditions，andagooddealbesides。Theirmindscatchuphintsfromallmannerofworksonallkindsofsubjects。Theywillgiveavisitorafactandareferencewhichtheyaresurprisedtofindtheyrememberandwhichthevisitormighthavehuntedforayear。Everygoodlibrarian，everyprivatebook-owner，whohasgrownintohislibrary，findshehasabunchofnervesgoingtoeverybookcase，abranchtoeveryshelf，andatwigtoeverybook。Thesenervesgetverysensitiveinoldlibrarians，sometimes，andtheydonotliketohaveavolumemeddledwithanymorethantheywouldliketohavetheirnakedeyeshandled。Theycometofeelatlastthatthebooksofagreatcollectionareapart，notmerelyoftheirownproperty，thoughtheyareonlytheagentsfortheirdistribution，butthattheyare，asitwere，outlyingportionsoftheirownorganization。TheoldLibrarianwasgettingamiserlyfeelingabouthisbooks，ashecalledthem。Fortunately，hehadayoungladyforhisassistant，whowasneversohappyaswhenshecouldfindtheworkanyvisitorwantedandputitinhishands，——orherhands，forthereweremorereadersamongthewivesand——daughters，andespeciallyamongtheaunts，thantherewereamongtheirmalerelatives。TheoldLibrarianknewthebooks，butthebooksseemedtoknowtheyoungassistant；soitlooked，atleast，totheimpatientyoungpeoplewhowantedtheirservices。
Mauricehadagoodmanyvolumesofhisown，——agreatmany，accordingtoPaolo\'saccount；butPaolo\'sideaswerelimited，andafewwell-
filledshelvesseemedaverylargecollectiontohim。HismasterfrequentlysenthimtothePublicLibraryforbooks，whichsomewhatenlargedhisnotions；still，theSignorwasaverylearnedman，hewascertain，andsomeofhiswhitebooksboundinvellumandrichlygiltweremoresplendid，accordingtoPaolo，thananythingintheLibrary。
TherewasnolittlecuriositytoknowwhatwerethebooksthatMauricewasinthehabitoftakingout，andtheLibrarian\'srecordwascarefullysearchedbysomeofthemoreinquisitiveinvestigators。
Thelistprovedtobealongandvariedone。Itwouldimplyaconsiderableknowledgeofmodernlanguagesandoftheclassics；alikingformathematicsandphysics，especiallyallthatrelatedtoelectricityandmagnetism；afancyfortheoccultsciences，ifthereisanyproprietyincouplingthesewords；andawhimforoddandobsoleteliterature，liketheParthenologiaofFortuniusLicetus，thequainttreatise\'DeSternutatione，\"booksaboutalchemy，andwitchcraft，apparitions，andmodernworksrelatingtoSpiritualism。
Withthesewerethetitlesofnovelsandnowandthenofbooksofpoems；butitmaybetakenforgrantedthathisownshelvesheldtheworkshewasmostfrequentlyinthehabitofreadingorconsulting。
Notmuchwastobemadeoutofthisbeyondthefactofwidescholarship，——moreorlessdeepitmightbe，butatanyrateimplyingnosmallmentalactivity；forheappearedtoreadveryrapidly，atanyrateexchangedthebookshehadtakenoutfornewonesveryfrequently。Tojudgebyhisreading，hewasamanofletters。Butsowide-readingamanoflettersmusthaveanobject，aliterarypurposeinallprobability。Whyshouldnothebewritinganovel？
Notanovelofsociety，assuredly，forahermitisnotthepersontoreportthetalkandmannersofaworldwhichhehasnothingtodowith。Novelistsandlawyersunderstandtheartof\"cramming\"betterthananyotherpersonsintheworld。Whyshouldnotthisyoungmanbeworkingupthepicturesqueinthisromanticregiontoserveasabackgroundforsomestorywithmagic，perhaps，andmysticism，andhintsborrowedfromscience，andallsortsofout-of-the-wayknowledgewhichhisoddandmiscellaneousselectionofbooksfurnishedhim？Thatmightbe，orpossiblyhewasonlyreadingforamusement。Whocouldsay？
ThefundsofthePublicLibraryofArrowheadVillageallowedthemanagerstopurchasemanybooksoutofthecommonrangeofreading。
Thetwolearnedpeopleofthevillageweretherectorandthedoctor。
Thesetwoworthieskeptuptheoldcontroversybetweentheprofessions，whichgrowsoutofthefactthatonestudiesnaturefrombelowupwards，andtheotherfromabovedownwards。Therectormaintainedthatphysicianscontractedasquintwhichturnstheireyesinwardly，whilethemuscleswhichrolltheireyesupwardbecomepalsied。Thedoctorretortedthattheologicalstudentsdevelopedathirdeyelid，——thenictitatingmembrane，whichissowellknowninbirds，andwhichservestoshutout，notalllight，butallthelighttheydonotwant。Theirlittleskirmishesdidnotpreventtheirbeingverygoodfriends，whohadacommoninterestinmanythingsandmanypersons。BothwereonthecommitteewhichhadthecareoftheLibraryandattendedtothepurchaseofbooks。Eachwasscholarenoughtoknowthewantsofscholars，anddisposedtotrustthejudgmentoftheotherastowhatbooksshouldbepurchased，。
Consequently，theclergymansecuredtheadditiontotheLibraryofagoodmanyoldtheologicalworkswhichthephysicianwouldhavecalledbrimstonedivinity，andheldtobejustthethingtokindlefireswith，——goodbooksstillforthosewhoknowhowtousethem，oftentimesasawfulexamplesoftheextremeofdisorganizationthewholemoralsystemmayundergowhenabarbarousbeliefhasstrangledthenaturalhumaninstincts。Thephysician，inthemeantime，acquiredforthecollectionsomeofthosemedicalworkswhereonemayfindrecordedvariousrareandalmostincrediblecases，whichmaynothavetheirlikeforawholecentury，andthenrepeatthemselves，soastogiveanewleaseofcredibilitytostorieswhichhadcometobelookeduponasfables。
Boththeclergymanandthephysiciantookaverynaturalinterestintheyoungmanwhohadcometoresideintheirneighborhoodforthepresent，perhapsforalongperiod。Therectorwouldhavebeengladtoseehimatchurch。HewouldhavelikedmoreespeciallytohavehadhimhearhissermonontheDutiesofYoungMentoSociety。Thedoctor，meanwhile，wasmeditatingonthedutiesofsocietytoyoungmen，andwishingthathecouldgaintheyoungman\'sconfidence，soastohelphimoutofanyfalsehabitofmindoranydelusiontowhichhemightbesubject，ifhehadthepowerofbeingusefultohim。
Dr。Buttswastheleadingmedicalpractitioner，notonlyofArrowheadVillage，butofallthesurroundingregion。Hewasanexcellentspecimenofthecountrydoctor，self-reliant，self-sacrificing，workingagreatdealharderforhislivingthanmostofthosewhocallthemselvesthelaboringclasses，——asifnonebutthosewhosehandswerehardenedbytheuseoffarmingormechanicalimplementshadanyworktodo。Hehadthatsagacitywithoutwhichlearningisamereincumbrance，andhehadalsoafairshareofthatlearningwithoutwhichsagacityislikeatravellerwithagoodhorse，butwhocannotreadthedirectionsontheguideboards。Hewasnotamantobetakeninbynames。Hewellknewthatoftentimesveryinnocent-
soundingwordsmeanverygravedisorders；thatall，degreesofdiseaseanddisorderarefrequentlyconfoundedunderthesameterm；
that\"rundown\"maystandforafatigueofmindorbodyfromwhichaweekoramonthofrestwillcompletelyrestoretheover-workedpatient，oranadvancedstageofamortalillness；that\"seedy\"maysignifythemorning\'sstateoffeeling，afteranevening\'sover-
indulgence，whichcallsforaglassofsoda-waterandacupofcoffee，oradangerousmaladywhichwillpackoffthesubjectofit，attheshortestnotice，tothesouthofFrance。Heknewtoowellthatwhatisspokenlightlyofasa\"nervousdisturbance\"mayimplythatthewholemachineryoflifeisinaderangedcondition，andthateveryindividualorganwouldgroanaloudifithadanyotherlanguagethantheterribleinarticulateoneofpainbywhichtocommunicatewiththeconsciousness。
When，therefore，Dr。Buttsheardthewordantipatiahedidnotsmile，andsaytohimselfthatthiswasanidlewhim，afoolishfancy，whichtheyoungmanhadgotintohishead。Neitherwashesatisfiedtosetdowneverythingtotheaccountofinsanity，plausibleasthatsuppositionmightseem。Hewaspreparedtobelieveinsomeexceptional，perhapsanomalous，formofexaggeratedsensibility，relatingtowhatclassofobjectshecouldnotatpresentconjecture，butwhichwasasvitaltothesubjectofitastheinsulatingarrangementtoapieceofelectricalmachinery。Withthisfeelinghebegantolookintothohistoryofantipathiesasrecordedinallthebooksandjournalsonwhichhecouldlayhishands——
TheholderofthePortfolioasksleavetocloseitforabriefinterval。Hewishestosayafewwordstohisreaders，beforeofferingthemsomeverseswhichhavenoconnectionwiththenarrativenowinprogress。
Ifonecouldhavebeforehimasetofphotographstakenannually，representingthesamepersonasheorsheappearedforthirtyorfortyorfiftyyears，itwouldbeinterestingtowatchthegradualchangesofaspectfromtheageoftwenty，orevenofthirtyorforty，tothatofthreescoreandten。Thefacemightbeanuninterestingone；still，assharingtheinevitablechangeswroughtbytime，itwouldbeworthlookingatasitpassedthroughthecurveoflife，——
thevitalparabola，whichbetraysitselfinthesymbolicchangesofthefeatures。Aninscriptionisthesamething，whetherwereaditonslate-stone，orgranite，ormarble。Towatchthelightsandshades，thereliefsandhollows，ofacountenancethroughalifetime，oralargepartofit，bytheaidofacontinuousseriesofphotographswouldnotonlybecurious；itwouldteachusmuchmoreaboutthelawsofphysiognomythanwecouldgetfromcasualandunconnectedobservations。
Thesamekindofinterest，withoutanyassumptionofmerittobefoundinthem，Iwouldclaimforaseriesofannualpoems，beginninginmiddlelifeandcontinuedtowhatmanyofmycorrespondentsarepleasedtoremindme——asifIrequiredtohavethefactbroughttomyknowledge——isnolongeryouth。Hereisthelatestofaseriesofannualpoemsreadduringthelastthirty-fouryears。Thereseemstohavebeenoneinterruption，buttheremayhavebeenotherpoemsnotrecordedorremembered。This，thelatestpoemoftheseries，waslistenedtobythescantyremnantofwhatwasalargeandbrilliantcircleofclassmatesandfriendswhenthefirstofthelongserieswasreadbeforethem，thenintheflushofardentmanhood:——
THEOLDSONG。
TheminstreloftheclassiclayOfloveandwinewhosingsStillfoundthefingersrunastrayThattouchedtherebelstrings。
OfCadmushewouldfairhavesung，OfAtreusandhisline；
ButallthejocundechoesrungWithsongsofloveandwine。
Ah，brothers!IwouldfairhavecaughtSomefresherfancy\'sgleam；
Mytruantaccentsfind，unsought，Theoldfamiliartheme。
Love，Love!butnotthesportivechildWithshaftandtwangingbow，WhoserandomarrowsdroveuswildSomethreescoreyearsago；
NotEros，withhisjoyouslaugh，Theurchinblindandbare，ButLove，withspectaclesandstaff，Andscanty，silveredhair。
Ourheadswithfrostedlocksarewhite，Ourroofsarethatchedwithsnow，Butred，inchillingwinter\'sspite，Ourheartsandhearthstonesglow。
Ouroldacquaintance，Time，dropsin，AndwhiletherunningsandsTheirgoldenthreadunheededspin，Hewarmshisfrozenhands。
Stay，wingedhours，tooswift，toosweet，Andwaftthismessageo\'erToallwemiss，fromallwemeetOnlife\'sfast-crumblingshore:
SaythattooldaffectiontrueWehugthenarrowingchainThatbindsourhearts，——alas，howfewThelinksthatyetremain!
ThefataltouchawaitsthemallThatturnstherockstodust；
>Fromyeartoyeartheybreakandfall，Theybreak，butneverrust。
SayifonenoteofhappierstrainThisworn-outharpafford，——
Onethrobthattrembles，notinvain，Theirmemorylentitschord。
SaythatwhenFancyclosedherwingsAndPassionquenchedhisfire，Love，Love，stillechoedfromthestringsAsfromAnacreon\'slyre!
January8，1885。
VII
ARECORDOFANTIPATHIES
Inthinkingthewholematterover，Dr。Buttsfeltconvincedthat，withcareandpatienceandwatchinghisopportunity，heshouldgetatthesecret，whichsofarbadyieldednothingbutasingleword。Itmightbeaskedwhyhewassoanxioustolearnwhat，fromallappearances，theyoungstrangerwasunwillingtoexplain。Hemayhavebeentosomeextentinfectedbythegeneralcuriosityofthepersonsaroundhim，inwhichgoodMrs。Buttsshared，andwhichshehadhelpedtointensifybyrevealingtheworddroppedbyPaolo。Butthiswasnotreallyhischiefmotive。Hecouldnotlookuponthisyoungman，livingalifeofunwholesomesolitude，withoutanaturaldesiretodoallthathisscienceandhisknowledgeofhumannaturecouldhelphimtodotowardsbringinghimintohealthyrelationswiththeworldabouthim。Still，hewouldnotintrudeuponhiminanyway。Hewouldonlymakecertaingeneralinvestigations，whichmightproveserviceableincasecircumstancesshouldgivehimtherighttocounseltheyoungmanastohiscourseoflife。Thefirstthingtobedonewastostudysystematicallythewholesubjectofantipathies。
Then，ifanyfurtheroccasionoffereditself，hewouldbereadytotakeadvantageofit。TheresourcesofthePublicLibraryoftheplaceandhisownprivatecollectionwereputinrequisitiontofurnishhimthesingularandwidelyscatteredfactsofwhichhewasinsearch。
ItisnoteveryreaderwhowillcaretofollowDr。Buttsinhisstudyofthenaturalhistoryofantipathies。Thestoriestoldaboutthemare，however，verycurious；andifsomeofthemmaybequestioned，thereisnodoubtthatmanyofthestrangestaretrue，andconsequentlytakeawayfromtheimprobabilityofotherswhichwearedisposedtodoubt。
Butinthefirstplace，whatdowemeanbyanantipathy？Itisanaversiontosomeobject，whichmayvaryindegreefrommeredisliketomortalhorror。Whatthecauseofthisaversioniswecannotsay。
Itactssometimesthroughthesenses，sometimesthroughtheimagination，sometimesthroughanunknownchannel。Therelationswhichexistbetweenthehumanbeingandallthatsurroundshimvaryinconsequenceofsomeadjustmentpeculiartoeachindividual。Thebrutefactisexpressedinthephrase\"Oneman\'smeatisanotherman\'spoison。”
Instudyingthehistoryofantipathiesthedoctorbeganwiththosereferabletothesenseoftaste，whichareamongthemostcommon。Inanycollectionofahundredpersonstherewillbefoundthosewhocannotmakeuseofcertainarticlesoffoodgenerallyacceptable。
Thismaybefromthedisgusttheyoccasionortheeffectstheyhavebeenfoundtoproduce。Everyoneknowsindividualswhocannotventureonhoney，orcheese，orveal，withimpunity。Carlyle，forexample，complainsofhavingvealsetbeforehim，——ameathecouldnotendure。ThereisawholefamilyconnectioninNewEngland，andthataveryfamousone，tomanyofwhosemembers，indifferentgenerations，alltheproductsofthedairyarethesubjectsofacongenitalantipathy。Montaignesaystherearepersonswhodreadthesmellofapplesmorethantheywoulddreadbeingexposedtoafireofmusketry。Thereadersofthecharmingstory\"AWeekinaFrenchCountry-House\"willrememberpoorMonsieurJacque\'spiteouscryinthenight:\"Ursula，artthouasleep？Oh，Ursula，thousleepest，butIcannotclosemyeyes。DearestUrsula，thereissuchadreadfulsmell!Oh，Ursula，itissuchasmell!Idosowishthoucouldstsmellit!Good-night，myangel!——Dearest!Ihavefoundthem!