\"Why，ofcourse，Mrs。Deering。It\'sapublichouse，likeanyother，andyouhaveasmuchright——\"
\"ButIdidn\'twantyoutothinkthatIwoulddoitwithoutaskingyou，andifitisgoingtobetheleastbitoftroubletoyou。\"ThepoorthingwhileshetalkedstoodleaninganxiouslyovertowardMrs。
March，whohadrisen，andpressingthepointsofherfingersnervouslytogether。
\"Itwon\'t，Mrs。Deering。Itwillbenothingbutpleasure。Why，certainly。IshallbedelightedtohaveMissGagehere，andanythingthatMr。MarchandIcando——Why，wehadjustbeentalkingofit，andMr。Marchhasthisminutegotbackfromseeingtheclerk，andshecanhaveaveryniceroom。Wehadbeenintendingtospeaktoyouaboutitassoonaswesawyou。\"
Idonotknowwhetherthiswasquitetrueornot，butIwasgladMrs。Marchsaidit，fromtheeffectithaduponMrs。Deering。Tearsofreliefcameintohereyes，andshesaid:\"ThenIcangohomeinthemorning。Iwasgoingtostayonadayortwolonger，onJulia\'saccount，butIdidn\'tfeeljustrightaboutMr。Deering，andnowI
won\'thaveto。\"
Therefollowedaflutterofpoliteoffersandrefusals，acknowledgmentsanddisavowals，andanunderstandingthatIwouldarrangeitall，andthatwewouldcometoMrs。Deering\'shotelaftersupperandseeMissGageaboutthewhenandthehowofhercomingtous。\"
\"Well，Isabel，\"Isaid，afteritwasallover，andMrs。Deeringhadvanishedinamistofhappytears，\"Isupposethisiswhatyoucallperfectlyprovidential。DoyoureallybelievethatMissGagedidn\'tsendherback？\"
\"Iknowshedidn\'t。ButIknowthatsheHADtodoitjustthesameasifMissGagehaddrivenheratthepointofthebayonet。\"
Ilaughedatthistragicalimage。\"Canshebesuchaterror？\"
\"Sheisanideal。AndMrs。Deeringisasafraidasdeathofher。
Ofcourseshehastoliveuptoher。It\'sprobablybeenthestruggleofherlife，andIcanquiteimagineherlettingherhusbanddiebeforeshewouldtakeMissGageback，unlessshewentbacksatisfied。\"
\"Idon\'tbelieveIcanimaginesomuchasthatexactly，butIcanimagineherbeingafraidofMissGage\'stakingitoutofhersomehow。Nowshewilltakeitoutofus。Ihopeyourealisethatyou\'vedoneitnow，mydear。Tobesure，youwillhaveallyourlifetorepentofyourrashness。\"
\"Ishallneverrepent，\"Mrs。Marchretortedhardily。\"Itwastherightthing，theonlything。Wecouldn\'thaveletthatpoorcreaturestayon，whenshewassoanxioustogetbacktoherhusband。\"
\"No。\"
\"AndIconfess，Basil，thatIfeelalittlepityforthatpoorgirl，too。Itwouldhavebeencruel，itwouldhavebeenfairlywicked，tolethergohomesosoon，andespeciallynow。\"
\"Oh!AndIsupposethatbyESPECIALLYNOW，youmeanKendricks，\"I
said，andIlaughedmockingly，asthenovelistssay。\"HowsickIamofthisstaleoldlove-businessbetweenyoungpeople!Weoughttoknowbetter——we\'reoldenough；atleastYOUare。\"
Sheseemednottofeelthegibe。\"Why，Basil，\"sheaskeddreamily，\"haven\'tyouanyromanceleftinyou？\"
\"Romance？Bah!It\'sthemostridiculousunrealityintheworld。
Ifyouhadsomuchsympathyforthatstupidgirl，inthatpoorwomaninheranxietyaboutherdisappointment，whyhadn\'tyoualittleforhersickhusband？Butahusbandisnothing——whenyouhavegothim。\"
\"Ididsympathisewithher。\"
\"Youdidn\'tsayso。\"
\"Well，sheisonlyhissecondwife，andIdon\'tsupposeit\'sanythingserious。Didn\'tIreallysayanythingtoher？\"
\"Notaword。Itiscurious，\"Iwenton，\"howweletthisidioticlove-passionabsorbustotheverylast。Itiswhollyunimportantwhomarrieswho，orwhetheranybodymarriesatall。Andyetwenosoonerhavethemakingofalove-affairwithinreachthanwereverttothefollyofourownyouth，andabandonourselvestoitasifitwereoneofthegreatinterestsoflife。\"
\"Whoistalkingaboutlove？Itisn\'taquestionofthat。It\'saquestionofmakingagirlhaveapleasanttimeforafewdays；andwhatistheharmofit？Girlshaveadullenoughtimeattheverybest。Myheartachesforthem，andIshallneverletachancesliptohelpthem，Idon\'tcarewhatyousay。\"
\"Now，Isabel，\"Ireturned，\"don\'tyoubeahumbug。Thisisaperfectlyplaincase，andyouaregoinginforaveryriskyaffairwithyoureyesopen。Youshallnotpretendyou\'renot。\"
\"Verywell，then，ifIamgoingintoitwithmyeyesopen，Ishalllookoutthatnothinghappens。\"
\"Andyouthinkprevisionwillavail!Iwish，\"Isaid，\"thatinsteadofcominghomethatnightandtellingyouaboutthisgirl，IhadconfinedmysentimentalisingtothatyoungFrench-Canadianmother，andherdirtylittleboywhoatethepea-nutshells。I\'venodoubtitwasreallyamoretragicalcase。Theylookeddreadfullypoorandsqualid。Whycouldn\'tIhaveamusedmyidlefancywiththeirfortunes——thesortofhusbandandfathertheyhad，theirshabbyhome，thestruggleoftheirlife？Thatistheappealthatagenuinepersonlistensto。NothingdoesmoretostampmeaposeurthanthefactthatIpreferredtobemoanmyselfforasulkygirlwhoseemednottobehavingagoodtime。\"
Therewastruthinmyjoking，butthetruthdidnotsaveme；itlostmerather。\"Yes，\"saidmywife；\"itwasyourfault。Ishouldneverhaveseenanythinginherifithadnotbeenforyou。Itwasyourcomingbackandworkingmeupaboutherthatbeganthewholething，andnowifanythinggoeswrongyouwillhaveyourselftothankforit。\"
Sheseizedtheopportunityofmyhavingjestinglytakenupthisloadtobuckleitonmetightandfast，claspingithere，tyingitthere，andgivingafinalpulltotheknotsthatleftmescarcelythepowertodrawmybreath，muchlessthebreathtoprotest。IwasforcedtohearhersayagainthatallherconcernfromthebeginningwasforMrs。Deering，andthatnow，ifshehadofferedtodosomethingforMissGage，itwasnotbecauseshecaredanythingforher，butbecauseshecaredeverythingforMrs。Deering，whocouldneverliftupherheadagainatDeWittPointifshewentbacksocompletelydefeatedinallthepurposesshehadinaskingMissGagetocomewithhertoSaratoga。
IdidnotobservethatthiswaveofcompassioncarriedMrs。MarchsofarastoleaveherstrandedwithMrs。DeeringthateveningwhenwecalledwithKendricks，andaskedherandMissGagetogowithustotheCongressParkconcert。Mrs。Deeringsaidthatshehadtopack，thatshedidnotfeeljustexactlylikegoing；andmytenderheartachedwithaknowledgeofherdistress。MissGagemadeafaint，falsepretenceofrefusingtocomewithus，too；butMrs。Deeringurgedhertogo，andputonthenewdress，whichhadjustcomehome，sothatMrs。Marchcouldseeit。Thegirlcamebacklookingradiant，divine，and——\"Willitdo？\"shepalpitatedundermywife\'scriticalglance。
\"Do？ItwillOUTdo!Ineversawanythinglikeit!\"Theconnoisseurpatteditalittlethiswayandalittlethat。\"Itisadream!Didthehatcometoo？\"
Itappearedthatthehathadcometoo。MissGagerematerialisedwithiton，afteramoment\'sevanescence，andlookedatmywifewiththeexpressionofbeingsomethingimpersonalwithahaton。
\"Simply，thereisnothingtosay!\"criedMrs。March。Thegirlputupherhandstoit。\"Goodgracious!Youmustn\'ttakeitoff!Yourcostumeisperfectfortheconcert。\"
\"Isit，really？\"askedthegirljoyfully；andsheseemedtofindthisthefirstfittingmomenttosay，forsolerecognitionofourself-sacrifice，\"I\'mmuchobligedtoyou，Mr。March，forgettingmethatroom。\"
Ibeggedhernottospeakofit，andturnedanironicaleyeuponmywife；butshewaslostinadmirationofthehat。
\"Yes，\"shesighed；\"it\'smuchbetterthantheoneIwantedyoutogetatfirst。\"Andsheafterwardexplainedthatthegirlseemedtohaveaperfectinstinctforwhatwentwithherstyle。
Kendrickskepthimselfdiscreetlyinthebackground，and，withhisunfailingrightfeeling，wastalkingtoMrs。Deering，inspiteofhernotpayingmuchattentiontohim。ImustownthatItoowasabsorbedinthespectacleofMissGage。
Shewentoffwithus，anddidnotsayanotherwordtoMrs。Deeringabouthelpinghertopack。Perhapsthiswasbest，thoughitseemedheartless；itmaynothavebeensoheartlessasitseemed。Idaresayitwouldhavebeenmoresufferingtothewomanifthegirlhadmissedthischance。
CHAPTERX
Wehadundertakenratheraqueeraffairbutitwasnotsoqueerafterall，whenMissGagewasfairlysettledwithus。Therewereotheryounggirlsinthatpleasanthousewhohadonlyoneanother\'sprotectionandthegeneralsafetyofthesocialatmosphere。Wecouldnotconcealfromourselves，ofcourse，thatwehaddonearatherromanticthing，and，inthelightofEurope，whichwehadmoreorlessuponouractions，ratheranabsurdthing；butitwasacomforttofindthatMissGagethoughtitneitherromanticnorabsurd。Shetooktheaffairwithanapparentignoranceofanythingunusualinit——withsomuchignorance，indeed，thatMrs。Marchhadheroccasionalquestionwhethershewasdulyimpressedwithwhatwasbeingdoneforher。Whetherthiswassoornot，itiscertainthatshewasasdocileandasbiddableasneedbe。Shedidnotalwaysaskwhatsheshoulddo；thatwouldnothavebeeninthetraditionofvillageindependence；butshealwaysdidwhatshewastold，anddidnotvaryfromherinstructionsahair\'s-breadth。Idonotsupposeshealwaysknewwhyshemightdothisandmightnotdothat；andI
donotsupposethatyounggirlsoftenunderstandthereasonsoftheproprieties。Theyaretoldthattheymust，andthattheymustnot，andthisinanastonishingdegreesufficesthemiftheyarenicegirls。
OfcoursetherewasprettyconstantquestionofKendricksinthemanagementofMissGage\'samusement，forthatwasreallywhatourenterpriseresolveditselfinto。Heshowedfromthefirstthesweetestdispositiontoforwardallourplansinregardtoher，and，infact，heevenanticipatedourwishes。IdonotmeantogivethenotionthathebehavedfromaninterestedmotiveingoingtothestationthemorningMrs。Deeringleft，andgettingherticketforher，andcheckingherbaggage，andpostingherinthechangesshewouldhavetomake。ThiswassomethingIoughttohavethoughtofmyself，butIdidnotthinkofit，andIamwillingthatheshouldhaveallthecredit。
Iknowthathediditoutofthelovelygenerosityofnaturewhichalwaystookmeinhim。MissGagewastherewithher，andsheremainedtobeconsoledafterMrs。Deeringdeparted。Theycamestraighttousfromthetrain，andthen，whenhehadconsignedMissGagetoMrs。March\'scare，heofferedtogoandseethatherthingsweretransferredfromherhoteltoours；theywereallready，shesaid，andthebillwaspaid。
Hedidnotcomebackthatday，and，infact，hedelicatelywaitedforsomesignfromusthathishelpwaswanted。ButwhenhedidcomehehadformulatedSaratogaverycompletely，andhadabetterconceptionofdoingitthanIhad，aftermyrepeatedsojourns。
WewentveryearlyinourexplorationstotheHouseofPansa，whichyoufindinverymuchbetterrepairatSaratogathanyoudoatPompeii，andwecontrivedtopassawholeafternoonthere。MywifeandIhadbeentherebeforemorethanonce；butitalwayspleasantlyrecalledourwander-years，whenwefirstmetinEurope，andwesufferedroundafterthoseyoungthingswithapatiencewhichIhopewillnotbeforgottenatthedayofjudgment。Whenwecametoaseatwesatdown，andletthemgooffbythemselves；butmyrecollectionisthatthereisnotmuchfurnitureintheHouseofPansathatyoucansitdownon，andforthemostpartweallkepttogether。
KendricksandIthoughtalikeaboutthePompeianhouseasamodelofsomethingthatmightbedoneinthewayofaseasidecottageinourowncountry，andwetalkedupalittlepaperthatmightbedoneforEveryOtherWeek，withprettyarchitecturaldrawings，givinganaccountofourimaginaryrealisationofthenotion。
\"Havesomebody，\"hesaid，\"visitpeoplewhohadbeenboringhimtocomedown，orup，orout，andseethem，andfindtheminaPompeianhouse，withtheseainfrontandablue-greengroveoflowpinesbehind。Mighthaveathreadofstory，butmostlytalkabouthowtheycametodoit，andhowdelightfullylivabletheyfoundit。Youcouldworkitupwithsomearchitect，whowouldhelpyouto\'keepoffthegrass\'inthewayoftechnicalblunders。Withallthistendencytotheclassicinpublicarchitecture，Idon\'tseewhythePompeianvillashouldn\'tbethenextwordforsummercottages。\"
\"Well，we\'llseewhatFulkersonsays。Hemayseeanad。init。
Wouldyouliketodoit？\"
\"Whynotdoityourself？Nobodyelsecoulddoitsowell。\"
\"Thanksforthetaffy；buttheideawasyours。\"
\"I\'lldoit，\"saidKendricksafteramoment，\"ifyouwon\'t。\"
\"We\'llsee。\"
MissGagestared，andMrs。Marchsaid-
\"Ididn\'tsupposetheHouseofPansawouldleadtoshopwithyoutwo。\"
\"Younevercantellwhichwaycopylies，\"Ireturned；andIaskedthegirl，\"WhatshouldYOUthink，MissGage，ofalittlepaperwithathreadofstory，butmostlytalk，onasupposititiousPompeiancottage？\"
\"Idon\'tbelieveIunderstand，\"saidshe，fartooremotefromourliteraryinterests，asIsaw，tobeashamedofherignorance。
\"There!\"IsaidtoKendricks。\"Doyouthinkthegeneralpublicwould？\"
\"MissGageisn\'tthegeneralpublic，\"saidmywife，whohadfollowedthecourseofmythought；hertoneimpliedthatMissGagewaswiserandbetter。
\"Wouldyouallowyourselftobedrawn，\"Iasked，\"dreamilyissuingfromanaisleofthepinegroveasthetutelarygoddessofaPompeiancottage？\"
Thegirlcastabewilderedglanceatmywife，whosaid，\"Youneedn\'tpayanyattentiontohim，MissGage。Hehasanideathatheismakingajoke。\"
Wefeltthatwehaddoneenoughforoneafternoon，whenwehaddonetheHouseofPansa，andIproposedthatweshouldgoandsitdowninCongressParkandlistentotheTroyband。Iwasnotwithoutthehopethatitwouldplay\"WashingtonPost。\"
Mywifecontrivedthatweshouldfallinbehindtheyoungpeopleaswewent，andsheasked，\"WhatDOyousupposeshemadeofitall？\"
\"ProbablyshethoughtitwasthehouseofSanchoPanza。\"
\"No；shehasn\'treadenoughtobesoignorantevenasthat。It\'sastonishinghowmuchshedoesn\'tknow。Whatcanherhomelifehavebeenlike？\"
\"Philistinetothelastdegree。Wepeoplewhoareneartoliteraturehavenoconceptionhowfarfromitmostpeopleare。Theimmensemajorityof\'homes，\'asthenewspaperscallthem，havenobooksinthemexcepttheBibleandasemi-religiousvolumeortwo——
thingsyouneverseeoutofsuch\'homes\'——andtheStatebusinessdirectory。IwasastonishedwhenitcameoutthatsheknewaboutEveryOtherWeek。Itmusthavebeenbyaccident。Thesordidnessofherhomelifemustbesomethingunimaginable。Thedaughterofavillagecapitalist，who\'sputtogetherhismoneydollarbydollar，astheydoinsuchplaces，fromthenecessitiesandfolliesofhisneighbours，andhashalfthefarmersoftheregionbythethroatthroughhismortgages——Idon\'tthinkthatshe\'s\'onetobedesired\'
anymorethan\'thedaughterofahundredearls，\'ifsomuch。\"
\"Shedoesn\'tseemsordidherself。\"
\"Oh，thetaintdoesn\'tshowitselfatonce——
\'IfnatureputnotforthherpowerAbouttheopeningoftheflower，Whoisitthatwouldliveanhour？\'
andsheisaflower，beautiful，exquisite\"
\"Yes，andshehadamotheraswellasthisfatherofhers。Whyshouldn\'tshebelikehermother？\"
Ilaughed。\"Thatistrue!Iwonderwhywealwaysleavethemotheroutofthecountwhenwesumupthehereditarytendencies？I
supposethemotherisasmuchaparentasthefather。\"
\"Quite。Andthereisnoreasonwhythisgirlshouldn\'thavehermother\'snature。\"
\"Wedon\'tactuallyKNOWanythingagainstherfather\'snatureyet，\"I
suggested；\"butifhermotherlivedastarvedandstuntedlifewithhim，itmayaccountforthateffectofdisappointedgreedwhichI
fanciedinherwhenIfirstsawher。\"
\"Idon\'tcallitgreedinayounggirltowanttoseesomethingoftheworld。\"
\"Whatdoyoucallit？\"
Kendricksandthegirlwerestoppingatthegateofthepavilion，andlookingroundatus。\"Ah，he\'sgotenoughforoneday!He\'sgoingtoleavehertousnow。\"
Whenwecameuphesaid，\"I\'mgoingtorunoffamoment；I\'mgoinguptothebook-storethere，\"andhepointedtowardonethathadspreadacrossthesidewalkjustbelowtheCongressHallverandah，withbanksandshelvesofnovels，andacryofbargainsinthemonsignsstickingupfromtheirrows。\"IwanttoseeiftheyhavetheLastDaysofPompeii。\"
\"Wewillfindtheladiesinsidethepark，\"Isaid。\"Iwillgowithyou——\"
\"Mr。MarchwantstoseeiftheyhavethelastnumberofEveryOtherWeek，\"mywifemockedafterus。Thiswas，indeed，commonlyafoibleofmine。Ihadnewlybecomeoneoftheownersoftheperiodicalaswellastheeditor，andIwasallthetimelookingoutforitatthenews-standsandbook-stores，andjudgingtheirenterprisebyitspresenceorabsence。ButthistimeIhadanothermotive，thoughI
didnotallegeit。
\"Isupposeit\'sforMissGage？\"Iventuredtosay，bywayofprefacingwhatIwishedtosay。\"Kendricks，I\'mafraidwe\'reabusingyourgoodnature。Iknowyou\'reupheretolookabout，andyou\'relettingususeallyourtime。Youmustn\'tdoit。Womenhavenoconscienceaboutthesethings，andyoucan\'texpectawomanwhohasayoungladyonherhandstospareyou。Igiveyouthehint。
Don\'tcountuponMrs。Marchinthismatter。\"
\"Oh，Ithinkyouareverygoodtoallowmetobotherround，\"saidtheyoungfellow，withthatindefatigablepolitenessofhis。Headdedvaguely，\"It\'sveryinteresting。\"
\"Seeingitthroughsuchafreshmind？\"Isuggested。\"Well，I\'llownthatIdon\'tthinkyoucouldhavefoundamuchfresherone。HasshereadtheLastDaysofPompeii？\"
\"Shethoughtshehadatfirst，butitwastheFallofGranada。\"
\"Howdelightful!Don\'tyouwishwecouldreadbookswiththatutterlyunliterarysenseofthem？\"
\"Don\'tyouthinkwomengenerallydo？\"heaskedevasively。
\"IdaresaytheydoatDeWittPoint。\"
Hedidnotanswer；Isawthathewasnotwillingtotalktheyoungladyover，andIcouldnothelppraisinghistastetomyselfatthecostofmyown。Hisdelicacyforbadehimtheindulgencewhichmyownprotestedagainstinvain。Heshowedhistasteagaininbuyingacheapcopyofthebook，whichhemeanttogiveher，andofcoursehehadtobeallthemoreattentivetoherbecauseofmydeprecatinghisself-devotion。
CHAPTERXI
IntheintimacythatgrewupbetweenmywifeandMissGageIfoundmyselflessandlessincluded。ItseemedtomeattimesthatI
mighthavegoneawayfromSaratogaandnotbeenseriouslymissedbyanyone，butperhapsthiswasnottakingsufficientaccountofmyvalueasaspectator，bywhomMrs。Marchcouldverifyherownimpressions。
Thegirlhadneverknownamother\'scare，anditwasaffectingtoseehowwillingshewastobemotheredbythechancekindnessofastranger。SheprobablyfeltmoreandmoreherignoranceoftheworldasitunfoldeditselftoherintermssoaltogetherstrangetothelifeofDeWittPoint。Iwasnotsurethatshewouldhavebeensogratefulfortheeffortsmadeforherenjoymentiftheyhadfailed，butasthecasestoodshewascertainlygrateful；mywifesaidthat，andIsawit。Sheseemedtohavewrittenhomeaboutustoherfather，forshereadmywifepartofaletterfromhimconveyinghis\"respects，\"andaskinghertothankusforhim。Shecametomewiththechequeitenclosed，andaskedmetogetitcashedforher；itwasforahandsomeamount。Butshecontinuedtogoaboutatourcost，quiteunconsciously，tillonedayshehappenedtowitnessacontestofcivilitybetweenKendricksandmyselfastowhichshouldpaythecarriageweweredismissing。ThatnightshecametoMrs。March，and，withmanyblushes，askedtobeallowedtopayforthepastandfutureherfullshareoftheexpenseofourjointpleasures。Shesaidthatshehadneverthoughtofitbefore，andshefeltsomuchashamed。Shecouldnotbeconsoledtillshewaspromisedthatsheshouldbeindulgedforthefuture，andthatI
shouldbeobligedtoaveragetheoutlayalreadymadeandletherpayafourth。Whenshehadgainedherpoint，Mrs。Marchsaidthatsheseemedalittlescared，andsaid，\"Ihaven\'toffendedyou，Mrs。
March，haveI？Becauseifitisn\'trightformetopay——\"
\"It\'squiteright，mydear，\"saidmywife，\"andit\'sveryniceofyoutothinkofit。\"
\"Youknow，\"thegirlexplained，\"I\'veneverbeenoutagreatdealathomeeven；andit\'salwaysthecustomthereforthegentlementopayforaride——ordance——oranything；butthisisdifferent。\"
MrsMarchsaid\"Yes，\"and，intheinterestofcivilisation，shedidalittlemissionarywork。ShetoldherthatinBostontheyoungladiespaidfortheirticketstotheHarvardassemblies，andpreferredtodoit，becauseitleftthemwithoutevenatacitobligation。
MissGagesaidshehadneverheardofsuchathingbefore，butshecouldseehowmuchbetteritwas。
IdonotthinkshegotonwiththeLastDaysofPompeiiveryrapidly；itsimmediateinterestwassupersededbyotherthings。Butshealwayshadthebookaboutwithher，andIfanciedthatshetriedtoreaditinthosemomentsofrelaxationfromourpleasuringwhenshemightbetterhavebeenday-dreaming，thoughIdaresayshedidenoughofthattoo。
Whatamusedmeintheaffairwastheceleritywithwhichittookitselfoutofourhands。InanincrediblyshorttimewehadnolongerthetroubleofthinkingwhatweshoulddoforMissGage；thatwasprovidedforbytheforethoughtofKendricks，andourconcernwashoweachcouldmaketheothergowiththeyoungpeopleontheirexcursionsandexpeditions。Wehadseenanddoneallthethingsthattheyweredoing，anditpresentlyboredustochaperonthem。
Afteragooddealoftalkingwearrivedataroughdivisionofduty，andIwentwiththemwalkingandeatinganddrinking，andforanythinginvolvinglatehours，andMrs。Marchpresidedatsuchthingsascarriageexercise，concerts，andshopping。
TherearenotmanypublicentertainmentsatSaratoga，exceptsuchasthehotelssupply；butaseriesofSalvationArmymeetingsdiddutyasamusements，andtherewasonetheatricalperformance——aperformanceofEastLynneentirelybypeopleofcolour。Thesentimentsandincidentsoftheheart-breakingmelodrama，asthecolouredmindinterpretedthem，wereofverycuriouseffect。Itwasasiftheversionweredyedwiththesamepigmentthatdarkenedtheplayers\'skins:itallcameoutnegro。Yettheyhadtriedtomakeitwhite；Icouldperceivehowtheyaimednotattheimitationofournature，butattheimitationofourconvention；itwasliketheplayofchildreninthat。Ishouldhavesaidthatnothingcouldbemorefalsethanthemotivesandemotionsofthedramaastheauthorimaginedthem，butIhadtoownthattheirrenditionbythesesinceresoulswasyetmoreartificial。Therewasnothingtraditional，nothingarchaic，nothingautochthonicintheirpoorart。Ifthescenecouldatanymomenthaveresolvedmyselfintoawalk-round，withaninterspersionofspirituals，itwouldhavehadthecharmofthese；itwouldhaveconsoledandedified；butasitwasIhaveseldombeensobored。Ibegantomakesomesadreflections，asthatourAmericansociety，initsendeavourfortheeffectofEuropeansociety，wasofnotrueridealthanthesecolouredcomedians，andIaccusedmyselfofafinalabsurdityinhavingcometherewiththeseyoungpeople，who，accordingtoourgoodnativeusage，couldhavecomeperfectlywellwithoutme。AttheendofthefirstactIbrokeintotheirtalkwithmyconclusionthatwemustnotcountthehistrionictalentamongthegiftsoftheAfricanracejustyet。Wecouldconcedethemmusic，Isupposed，andthereseemedtobehopeforthem，fromwhattheyhadsomeofthemdone，intheregionoftheplasticarts；butapparentlythestagewasnotforthem，andthiswasallthestrangerbecausetheyweresoimitative。Perhaps，Isaid，itwasanexcessofself-consciousnesswhichpreventedtheirgivingthemselveswhollytotheart，andI
begantospeakofthesubjectiveandtheobjective，oftherealandtheideal；andwhetheritwasthatIbecameunintelligibleasI
becamemetaphysical，IfoundKendricksobviouslynotfollowingmeintheincoherentreplieshegave。MissGagehadhonestlymadenoattempttofollowme。Heasked，Why，didn\'tIthinkitwasprettywelldone？Theyhadenjoyeditverymuch，hesaid。Icouldonlystareinanswer，andwonderwhathadbecomeoftheman\'stastesorhisprinciples；hewaseitherhumbugginghimselforhewashumbuggingme。AfterthatIleftthemalone，andsufferedthroughtherestoftheplaywithwhatreliefIcouldgetfromlaughingwhenthepatheticemotionsofthedramabecametoopoignant。IdecidedthatKendrickswasabsorbedinthestudyofhiscompanion\'smind，whichmustbeopentohiscontemporaneouseyeasitcouldneverhavebeentomyold-sightedglasses，andIenviedhimtheknowledgehewasgainingofthattypeofAmericangirl。Itsuddenlycametomethathemustbefindinghisaccountinthis，andIfeltalittlelessregretforthewasteofcivilities，ofattentions，whichsometimesseemedtomebeyondherappreciation。
I，formypart，gavemyselftothestudyofthetypesaboutme，andIdweltlongandluxuriouslyuponthevisionofafloridandmassivematronindiaphanouseveningdress，whomIimaginedtoberevisitingtheglimpsesofhergirlhoodintheancientwatering-place，andtobegettingallthegaietyshecouldoutofit。ThesearethefiguresonemostlyseesatSaratoga；thereisverylittleyouthofthepresentdaythere，buttheyouthofthepastabounds，withthebelatedyellowhairandthepurplemoustaches，whichgaveanotionofgreaterwickednessinaformergeneration。
Imademyobservationthatthedress，eveninextremecasesofelderlyprime，wasverygood——inthecaseofthewomen，Imean；thementhere，aseverywherewithus，weremostlyslovens；andIwasgladtofindthatthegoodtasteandthecorrectfashionwerewithoutacolour-line；thereweresomemulattoladiespresentasstylishastheirwhitesisters，orstep-sisters。
ThemostamiableofthehumanraceisingreatforceatSaratoga，wherethevasthotelserviceiswhollyinitshands，andithadhonouredtheeffortofthecomediansthatnightwithafullhouseoftheirowncomplexion。Wewhowerenotofitshowedstrangelyenoughinthedarkmass，wholetusleadtheapplause，however，asifdoubtfulthemselveswhereitoughttocomein，andwhomIfoundwillingeventosharesomemisplacedlaughterofmine。Theyformedtwo-thirdsoftheaudienceonthefloor，andtheywereacloudinthegallery，scarcelybrokenbyagleamofwhite。
Ientertainedmyselfwiththemagooddeal，andIthoughthowmuchmoredelightfultheywereintheirownkindlycharacterthanintheirassumptionofwhitecharacter，andItriedtodefinemysufferingfromtheperformanceasaneffectfrommytormentedsympathiesratherthanfrommyoffendedtastes。Whenthelongstresswasover，andweroseandstoodtoletthecrowdgetout，I
askedMissGageifshedidnotthinkthismustbethecase。Idonotsupposeshewasreallymuchmoreexperiencedinthetheatrethanthepeopleonthestage，someofwhomIdoubtedtohaveeverseenaplaytilltheytookpartinEastLynne。ButIthoughtIwouldaskherthatinordertohearwhatshewouldsay；andshesaidverysimplythatshehadseensofewplaysshedidnotknowwhattothinkofit，andIcouldseethatshewasabashedbythefact。Kendricksmusthaveseenittoo，forhebeganatoncetosaveherfromherself，withallhissubtlegenerosity，andtoturnhershametopraise。Myheart，whichremainedsufficientlycoldtoher，warmedmorethanevertohim，andIshouldhavelikedtotellherthatherewasthefinestandraresthumanporcelainusingitselflikecommonclayinherbehalf，andtodemandwhethershethoughtshewasworthit。
Ididnotthinkshewas，andIhadaluridmomentwhenIwastemptedtopushonandmakehershowherselfsomehowatherworst。Wehadundertakenapreposterousthinginbefriendingheraswehaddone，andourcourseinbringingKendricksinwaswhollyunjustifiable。
HowcouldIleadherontosomebetrayalofheressentialPhilistinism，andmakehersoimpossibleinhiseyesthatevenhe，withallhissweetnessandgoodness，musttakethefirsttrainfromSaratogainthemorning？
Wehadofcoursejoinedthecrowdinpushingforward；peoplealwaysdo，thoughtheypromisethemselvestowaittillthelastoneisout。
Igotcaughtinadarkeddyonthefirststair-landing；butIcouldseethemfartherdown，andIknewtheywouldwaitformeoutsidethedoor。
WhenIreacheditatlasttheywerenowheretobeseen；Ilookedupthisstreetanddownthat，buttheywerenotinsight。
CHAPTERXII
Ididnotafflictmyselfverymuch，norpretendtodoso。Theyknewthewayhome，andafterIhadblunderedaboutinsearchofthemthroughthelampshotdarkness，Isettledmyselftowalkbackatmyleisure，comfortablysurethatIshouldfindthemontheverandahwaitingformewhenIreachedthehotel。Itwasquiteathicknight，andIalmostranintoacoupleatacornerofourquieterstreetwhenIhadgottoitoutofBroadway。Theyseemedtobestandingandlookingabout，andwhenthemansaid，\"Hemusthavethoughtwetookthefirstturn，\"andthewoman，\"Yes，thatmusthavebeentheway，\"Irecognisedmyestrays。
IthoughtIwouldnotdiscovermyselftothem，butfollowon，andsurprisethembyarrivingatourstepsatthesamemomenttheydid，andIpreparedmyselftohurryafterthem。Buttheyseemedinnohurry，andIhadevensomedifficultyinaccommodatingmypacetotheslownessoftheirs。
\"Won\'tyoutakemyarm，MissGage？\"heaskedastheymovedon。
\"It\'ssoVERYdark，\"sheanswered，andIknewshehadtakenit。\"I
canhardlyseeastep，andpoorMr。Marchwithhisglasses——Idon\'tknowwhathe\'lldo。\"
\"Oh，heonlyusesthemtoreadwith；hecanseeaswellaswecaninthedark。\"
\"He\'sveryyounginhisfeelings，\"saidthegirl；\"heputsmeinmindofmyownfather。\"
\"He\'sveryyounginhisthoughts，\"saidKendricks；\"andthat\'smuchmoretothepurposeforamagazineeditor。Thereareveryfewmenofhisagewhokeepintouchwiththetimesashedoes。\"
\"Still，Mrs。Marchseemsagooddealyounger，don\'tyouthink？I
wonderhowsoontheybegintofeelold？\"
\"Oh，nottillalongintheforties，Ishouldsay。It\'sagooddealintemperament。Idon\'tsupposethateitherofthemrealisesyetthatthey\'reold，andtheymustbenearlyfifty。\"
\"Howstrangeitmustbe，\"saidthegirl，\"fiftyyearsold!Twentyseemsoldenough，goodnessknows。\"
\"Howshouldyouliketobeadotardoftwenty-seven？\"Kendricksasked，andshelaughedathisjoke。
\"Idon\'tsupposeIshouldminditsomuchifIwereaman。\"
IhadpromisedmyselfthatifthetalkbecameatallconfidentialI
woulddropbehindoutofearshot；butthoughitwascuriouslyintimateformetobeputapartinthemindsoftheseyoungpeopleonaccountofmyyearsasnotofthesameraceorfateasthemselves，therewasnothinginwhattheysaidthatImightnotinnocentlyoverhear，asfarastheywereconcerned，andIlistenedon。
Buttheyhadapparentlygivenmequiteenoughattention。Aftersomemutuallaughteratwhatshesaidlast，theyweresilentamoment，andthenhesaidsoberly，\"There\'ssomethingfineinthisisolationthedarkgivesyou，isn\'tthere？You\'reasremoteinitfromourowntimeandplaceasifyouwerewanderingininterplanetaryspace。\"
\"IsupposeweAREdoingthatallthetime——ontheearth，\"shesuggested。
\"Yes；buthowharditistorealisethatweareontheearthnow。
SometimesIhaveasenseofit，though，whenthemoonbreaksfromoneflyingcloudtoanother。ThenitseemsasifIwereapassengeronsomevast，shapelessshipsailingthroughtheair。What，\"heasked，withnorelevancythatIcouldperceive，\"wasthestrangestfeelingYOUeverhad？\"IrememberedaskinggirlssuchquestionswhenIwasyoung，andtheirnotapparentlythinkingitatallodd。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"shereturnedthoughtfully。\"TherewasonetimewhenIwaslittle，andithadsleeted，andthesuncameoutjustbeforeitset，andseemedtosetallthewoodsonfire。Ithoughttheworldwasburningup。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenveryweird，\"saidKendricks；andIthought，\"Oh，goodheavens!Hashegottotalkingofweirdthings？\"
\"It\'sstrange，\"headded，\"howweallhavethatbeliefwhenwearechildrenthattheworldisgoingtoburnup!Idon\'tsupposeanychildescapesit。DoyourememberthatpoemofThompson\'s——theCityofDreadfulNightman——wherehedescribestheendoftheworld？\"
\"No，Ineverreadit。\"
\"Well，merely，hesayswhentheconflagrationbeganthelittleflameslookedlikecrocusesbreakingthroughthesod。IfiteverhappenedIfancyitwouldbequiteassimpleasthat。Butperhapsyoudon\'tlikegloomypoetry？\"
\'Yes，yes，Ido。It\'stheonlykindthatIcareabout。\"
\"Thenyouhatefunnypoetry？\"
\"Ithinkit\'sdisgusting。Papaisalwayscuttingitoutofthepapersandwantingtosendittome，andwehavethegreatestTIMES!\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidKendricks，\"itexpressessomemoods，though。\"
\"Ohyes；itexpressessomemoods；andsometimesitmakesmelaughinspiteofmyself，andashamedofanythingserious。\"
\"That\'salwaystheeffectofafarcewithme。\"
\"ButthenI\'mashamedofbeingashamedafterward，\"saidthegirl。
\"IsupposeyougotothetheatreagreatdealinNewYork。\"
\"It\'saschooloflife，\"saidKendricks。\"Imeantheaudience。\"
\"Iwouldliketogototheoperaonce。Iamgoingtomakepapatakemeinthewinter。\"Shelaughedwithagaysenseofpower，andhesaid-
\"Youseemtobegreatfriendswithyourfather。\"
\"Yes，we\'realwaystogether。Ialwayswenteverywherewithhim；
thisisthefirsttimeI\'vebeenawaywithouthim。ButIthoughtI\'dcomewithMrs。DeeringandseewhatSaratogawaslike；Ihadneverbeenhere。\"
\"Andisitlikewhatyouthought？\"
\"No。Thefirstweekwedidn\'tdoanything。ThenwegotacquaintedwithMr。andMrs。March，andIbegantoreallyseesomething。ButI
supposeditwasallballsandgaiety。\"
\"Wemustgetupafewifyou\'resofondofthem，\"Kendricksplayfullysuggested。
\"Oh，Idon\'tknowasIam。Ineverwentmuchathome。Papadidn\'tcaretohaveme。\"
\"Ah，doyouthinkitwasrightforhimtokeepyoualltohimself？\"
Thegirldidnotanswer，andtheyhadbothhaltedsoabruptlythatI
almostranintothem。\"Idon\'tquitemakeoutwhereweare。\"
Kendricksseemedtobepeeringabout。Iplungedacrossthestreetlestheshouldaskme。Iheardhimadd，\"Ohyes；Iknownow，\"andthentheypressedforward。