HENRYGOWERwasdeadatsixty-one——theendofalifelongfraudwhichneverhadbeensuspected，andneverwouldbe。Withtheworld，withhisacquaintancesandneighbors，withhiswifeandsonanddaughter，hepassedasagenerous，warm-hearted，good-naturedman，readyatalltimestodoanythingtohelpanybody，incapableofenvyorhatredormeanness。Infact，notonceinallhisdayshadheeverthoughtordoneasinglethingexceptforhisowncomfort。Likeallintenselyselfishpeoplewhoarewise，hewascheerfulandamiable，becausethatwasthewaytobehealthyandhappyandtohavethosearoundoneagreeableandinthemoodtodowhatonewishedthemtodo。Hetoldpeople，notthetruth，nottheunpleasantthingthatmighthelpthem，butwhattheywishedtohear。Hisfamilylivedinluxuriouscomfortonlybecausehehimselfwasfondofluxuriouscomfort。
Hiswifeandhisdaughterdressedfashionablyandwentaboutandentertainedinthefashionable，expensivewayonlybecausethatwasthesortoflifethatgratifiedhisvanity。Helivedtogetwhathewanted。hegotiteverydayandeveryhourofalifeintowhichnoraineverfell。hedied，honored，respected，beloved，andlamented。
Theclevertrickhehadplayeduponhisfellowbeingscameveryneartodiscoveryafewdaysafterhisdeath。Hiswidowandhersonanddaughter-in-lawanddaughterwereintheliving-roomofthecharminghouseatHangingRock，nearNewYork，alternatingbetweensorrowingsoverthedeadmanandplanningsforthefuture。Saidthewidow：
``IfHenryhadonlythoughtwhatwouldbecomeofusifheweretakenaway！’’
``Ifhehadsavedevenasmallpartofwhathemadeeveryyearfromthetimehewastwenty-six——forhealwaysmadeabigincome，’’saidhisson，Frank。
``Buthewassogenerous，sosoft-hearted！’’
exclaimedthewidow。``Hecoulddenyusnothing。’’
``Hecouldn’tbearseeinguswiththeslightestwishungratified，’’saidFrank。
``Hewasthebestfatherthateverlived！’’criedthedaughter，Mildred。
AndMrs。GowertheelderandMrs。Gowertheyoungerwept。andMildredturnedawaytohidetheemotiondistortingherface。andFrankstaredgloomilyatthecarpetandsighed。Thehideoussecretofthelifeofduplicitywassafe，safeforever。
Infact，HenryGowerhadoftenthoughtofthefateofhisfamilyifheshoulddie。Inthefirstyearofhismarriedlife，atatimewhenpassionforabeautifulbridewasalmostsweepinghimintogenerousthought，hehadlistenedforupwardofanhourtotheeloquenceofalifeinsuranceagent。Thentheagent，misledbyGower’seffusivelygenerousandunselfishexpressions，hadtakenafalsetack。Hehaddescanteduponthesupremesatisfactionthatwouldbefeltbyadyingmanashereflectedhowhisyoungwidowwouldbeleftinaffluence。Hemadeavividpicture。Gowersaw——
sawhisbridehappierafterhisdeaththanshehadbeenduringhislife，andattractingaswarmofadmirersbyherbeauty，wellsetoffinbecomingblack，andbyherindependentincome。Thegenerousimpulsethenandthereshriveledtoitsweakandshallowroots。Withtearsinhiskind，cleareyeshethankedtheagentandsaid：
``Youhaveconvincedme。Youneedsaynomore。
I’llsendforyouinafewdays。’’
Theagentnevergotintohispresenceagain。
Gowerliveduptohisincome，secureintheknowledgethathisabilityasalawyermadehimcertainofplentyofmoneyaslongasheshouldlive。Butitwouldshowanutterlackofcomprehensionofhispeculiarspeciesofcharactertoimaginethathelethimselfintothesecretofhisownicy-heartednessbyceasingtothinkoftheproblemofhiswifeandtwochildrenwithouthimtotakecareofthem。Onthecontrary，hethoughtofiteveryday，andplannedwhathewoulddoaboutit——to-morrow。Andforhisdelayhehadexcellentconvincingexcuses。Didhenottakecareofhisnaturallyrobusthealth？Wouldhenotcertainlyout-
livehiswife，whowasalwaysdoctoringmoreorless？
Frankwouldbeabletotakecareofhimself。anyhow，itwasnotwelltobringaboyuptoexpectations，becauseeverymanshouldbeself-supportingandself-
reliant。AsforMildred，why，withherbeautyandherclevernessshecouldnotbutmakeabrilliantmarriage。
Really，therewasforhimnoproblemofanorphanedfamily’sfuture。therewasnoreasonwhyheshoulddenyhimselfanycomfortorluxury，orhisvanityanyofthetitillationsthatcomefromsocialdisplay。
Thatoneofhiscalculationswhichwasthemostvitalandseemedthesurestprovedtobeworthless。Itisnottheweaklingswhodie，afterinfancyandyouth，butthestrong，healthymenandwomen。Theweaklingshavetolookoutforthemselves，receiveamplewarninginthedisastrousobviouseffectsoftheslightestimprudence。Therobust，eventhewariestofthem，eventheHenryGowers，overestimateandovertaxtheirstrength。Gower’sdownfallwaschampagne。Hecouldnotresistabottleofitfordinnereverynight。
Assooftenhappens，thecollapseofthekidneyscamewithoutanywarningthatamanofpowerfulconstitutionwoulddeemworthyofnotice。Bythetimethedoctorbegantosuspectthegravityofhistroublehewastoofargone。
Frank，candidlygreedyandselfish——``Suchacontrasttohisfather！’’everyonesaid——wasmarriedtotheprettiestgirlinHangingRockandhadasatisfactorylawpracticeinNewYork。Hisincomewasaboutfifteenthousandayear。Buthiswifehadtastesasextravagantashisown。andHangingRockisoneofthosesuburbsofNewYorkwheregatherwell-to-domiddle-classpeopletoliveluxuriouslyandtodeludeeachotherandthemselveswiththenotionthattheyarefashionable，richNewYorkerswhoprefertoliveinthecountry``liketheEnglish。’’Thus，HenryGower’swidowanddaughtercouldcountonlittlehelpfromFrank——andtheyknewit。
``YouandMillywillhavetomovetosomelessexpensiveplacethanHangingRock，’’saidFrank——itwastheliving-roomconferenceafewdaysafterthefuneral。
Mildredflushedandhereyesflashed。Sheopenedherlipstospeak——closedthemagainwiththeangryretortunuttered。Afterall，Frankwashermother’sandhersoledependence。Theycouldhopeforlittlefromhim，butnothingmustbesaidthatwouldgivehimandhismean，selfishwifeachancetobreakwiththemandrefusetodoanythingwhatever。
``AndMildredmustgetmarried，’’saidNatalie。
InHangingRockmostofthegirlsandmanyoftheboyshadgivennamestakenfromBurke’sPeerage，theAlmanacdeGotha，andfashionablenovels。
AgainMildredflushed。buthereyesdidnotflash，neitherdidsheopenherlipstospeak。Thelittleremarkofhersister-in-law，apparentlysoharmlessandsensible，wasinfactapoisonedarrow。ForMildredwastwenty-three，hadbeen``out’’fiveyears，andwasnoteveninthewaytobecomeengaged。Sheandeveryonehadassumedfromherlovelybabyhoodthatshewouldmarrysplendidly，wouldmarrywealthandsocialposition。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Hadshenotbeauty？Hadshenotfamilyandposition？Hadshenotstyleandcleverness？Yet——fiveyearsoutandnota``serious’’proposal。Animpudentpoorfellowwithnoprospectshadaskedher。AnimpudentrichmanfromfashionableNewYorkhadhungafterher——andhadpresentlyabandonedwhateverdarkprojectshemayhavebeenconcealingandhadmarriedinhisownset，``astheyalwaysdo，themiserablesnobs，’’
ravedMrs。Gower，whohadbeenbuildinghighuponthoselavishoutpouringsofcandy，flowers，andautomobilerides。Mildred，however，hadacceptedthedefectionmorephilosophically。ShehadhadenoughvanitytoliketheattentionsoftherichandfashionableNewYorker，enoughgoodsensetosuspect，perhapsnotdefinitely，whatthoseattentionsmeant，butcertainlywhattheydidnotmean。Also，inthebackofherheadhadbeenanintentiontorefuseStanleyBaird，ifbychanceheshouldaskher。Wasthereanysubstancetothisintention，sprungfromherdislikingtheconceited，self-assuredsnobasmuchasshelikedhiswealthandstation？Perhapsnot。Whocansay？Atanyrate，maywenotclaimcreditforourgoodintentions——solongas，eventhroughlackofopportunity，wehavenotstultifiedthem？
Witheverynaturaladvantageapparently，Mildred’sfailuretocatchahusbandseemedtobesomehowherownfault。Othergirls，lessendowedthanshe，weremarrying，weremarryingfairlywell。Why，then，wasMildredlagginginthemarket？
Theremayhavebeenotherreasons，reasonsofaccident——for，inthehigherclassmatrimonialmarket，fewarecalledandfewerchosen。Therewasonereasonnotaccidental。HangingRockwasnoplaceforagirlsosuperioraswasMildredGowertofindafittinghusband。Ashasbeenhinted，HangingRockwasoneofthoseupper-middle-classcolonieswheresplurgeandsocialambitiondominatethecommunitylife。Insuchcoloniestheyoungmenareoftwoclasses——thosebeneathsuchagirlasMildred，andthosewhohadthelooks，themanners，theintelligence，andtheprospectstojustifytheminlookinghighersocially——inlookingamongtheveryrichandreallyfashionable。IntheHangingRocksortofcommunity，havingallthesnobbishnessofFifthAvenue，BackBay，andRittenhouseSquare，withtheaddedtormentofthesnobbishnessbeingperpetuallyungratified——insuchcommunities，beneathasurfacereekingcultureandidealisticfolderol，thereisacoarseandbrutalmaterialism，apassionformoney，forluxury，fordisplay，thatequalsaristocraticsocietiesattheirworst。Noonecanliveforawinter，muchlessgrowup，insuchaplacewithoutbecomingsaturatedwithsycophantry。Thus，onlybysomeimpossiblecombinationofchancescouldtherehavebeenatHangingRockayoungmanwhowouldhaveappreciatedMildredandhavehadthecourageofhisappreciation。Thiscombinationdidnothappen。
InMildred’sgenerationandsettherewereonlythetwoclassesofmennotedabove。Themenoftheoneofthemwhichcouldnothaveattractedheracceptedtheirfateofmatingwithsecond-choicefemalestowhomtheywerethemselvessecondchoice。ThemenoftheotherclassrarelyappearedatHangingRockfunctions，hungabouttherichpeopleinNewYork，Newport，andonLongIsland，andwouldassoonhavethoughtoftakingaHangingRocksocietygirltowifeasofexchanginghundred-dollarbillsfortwenty-five-centpieces。Havingattractionsacceptableinthebestmarkets，theytookthemthere。HangingRockdenouncedthemassnobs，forHangingRockwasvirtuouslyeloquentonthesubjectofsnobbishness——wehumancreaturesbeingneversoeffectiveaswhenassailinginotherstheviceorweaknessweknowfromlifelong，intimate，internalassociationwithit。Butsecretlythesuccessfullyambitiousspurnersofthatsuburbansocietywereapproved，wereenvied。AndHangingRockwasmostgracioustothemwheneveritgotthechance。
InherfiveyearsofsociallifeMildredhadgoneonlywiththevariousclassesoffashionablepeople，hadthereforeknownonlythemenwhoarefullofthepoisonofsnobbishness。Shehadbeenbornandbredinanenvironmentasimpregnatedwiththatpoisonastheairofakitchen-gardenwithonions。Sheknewnothingelse。ThesecretintentiontorefuseStanleyBaird，shouldhepropose，wasthereforethemoreastonishing——andthemoresignificant。Fromtimetotimeinanygivenenvironmentyouwillfindsomeisolatedperson，somepersonality，withatraitwhollyforeignandoutofplacethere。Nowitisasoftvoiceandcourteousmannersinaslum。againitisalongingforalifeoffreedomandequalityinamemberofaroyalfamilythathasknownnothingbutsordidslaveryforcenturies。Or，inthepettyconventionalityofaprosperousmiddle-orupper-classcommunityyoucomeupononewhodreams——perhapsvaguelybutstilllongingly——ofanexistencewhereloveandideasshallelevateandglorifylife。Inspiteofhertraining，inspiteoftheteachingandexampleofallaboutherfromthemomentofheropeninghereyesupontheworld，MildredGowerattwenty-threestillretainedsomethingofthesedreamflowerssowninthesoilofhernaturallygoodmindbysomebookorplayorperhapsbysomecasuallyreadandsoonforgottenarticleinmagazineornewspaper。Wehavethehabitofthinkingonlyweedsproduceseedsthatpenetrateandprospereverywhereandanywhere。Thetruthisthatfineplantsofallkinds，vegetable，fruit，andflowerofrarestcolorandperfume，havethissamehardinessandfecundity。Pullawayattheweedsinyourgardenforawhile，andseeifthisisnotso。Thoughyoumayplantnothing，youwillbeamazedattheresultsifyoubutclearalittlespaceofitsweeds——whichyouhavebeenplantingandcultivating。
Mildred——womanfashion——regardeditasareproachuponherthatshehadnotyetsucceededinmakingthemarriageeveryone，includingherself，predictedforherandexpectedofher。Onthecontrary，itwasthemostsavageindictmentpossibleofthemarriageableandmarryingmenwhohadmether——oftheirstupidity，oftheirshort-sightedandmean-souledcalculation，oftheirlackofcourage——thecouragetotakewhatthey，asmenoffleshandbloodwanted，insteadofwhattheirsnobbishnessordered。AndifStanleyBaird，thenearesttoaflesh-and-bloodmanofanywhohadknownher，hadnotbeensoprofoundlyafraidofhisfashionablemotherandofhissister，theCountessofWaring——Buthewasprofoundlyafraidofthem。so，itisidletospeculateabouthim。
WhatdidmenseewhentheylookedatMildredGower？Usually，whenmenlookatawoman，theyhaveahazy，eitherpleasantorunpleasant，senseofsomethingfeminine。That，andnothingmore。Afterward，throughsomewhimorsomethrustfromchancetheymayseeinher，orfancytheyseeinher，thethingfemininethattheirsouls——itisalways``soul’’——mostyearnsafter。Butjustatfirstglance，socolorlessorconventionallycoloredistheusualhumanbeing，theaveragewoman——indeedeverywomanbutshewhoisexceptional——createsuponmanthemereimpressionofpleasantorunpleasantpetticoats。Intheexceptionalwomansomethingobtrudes。Shehasastonishinghair，orextraordinaryeyes，oramouththatseemstodrawamanlikeamagnet。oritistheallureofapeculiarsmileorofafigurewhosesinuositiesasshemovesseemtocauseacorrespondingwave-disturbanceinmasculinenerves。Further，thepossessionofoneofthesesignalcharmsusuallycausesallhercharmstohavemorethanordinarypotency。Thesightofthemanissobewitchedbytheonepotentcharmthatheseesthewholewomanunderaspell。
MildredGower，ofthemediumheightandofaslenderandwell-formedfigure，hadafaceofthekindthatiscalledlovely。andhersmile，sweet，dreamy，revealingwhiteandeventeeth，gaveherlovelinessdelicateanimation。Shehadanabundanceofhair，neitherlightnordark。shehadafineclearskin。Hereyes，grayandratherseriousandwellsetunderlongstraightbrows，gaveheralookofhonestyandintelligence。
Butthecharmthatwonmen，hercharmofcharms，washermouth——mobile，slightlypouted，nottoonarrow，ofawonderful，vividlyhealthyandvitalred。Shehadbeauty，shehadintelligence。Butitwasimpossibleforamantothinkofeither，oncehisglancehadbeencaughtbythoseexpressive，invitinglipsofhers，soyoung，sofresh，withtheirever-changing，ever-
fascinatinglineexpressinginathousandwaysthepassionandpoetryofthekiss。
Ofallthemenwhohadadmiredherandhadedgedawaybecausetheyfearedshewouldbewitchthemintoforgettingwhattheworldcalls``goodcommonsense’’——
ofallthosemenonlyonehadsuspectedtherealreasonforherphysicalpowerovermen。AllbutStanleyBairdhadthoughtthemselvesattractedbecauseshewassoprettyorsostylishorsocleverandamusingtotalkwith。Bairdhadlivedintelligentlyenoughtolearnthatfemininecharmisnevergeneral，isalwaysspecific。HeknewitwasMildredGower’slipsthathaunted，thatfrightenedambitiousmenaway，thatsentmenwhoknewtheyhadn’taghostofachancewithherdiscontentedlybacktothesecond-choicewomenwhoalonewereavailableforthem。FortunatelyforMildred，StanleyBaird，toowisetoflatterawomandiscriminatingly，didnottellherthesecretofherfascination。Ifhehadtoldher，shewouldnodoubthavetriedtotrainandtouseit——andsowouldinevitablyhavelostit。
Togoonwiththatimportantconferenceinthesitting-roominthehandsome，roomyhouseoftheGowersatHangingRock，FrankGowereagerlyseizeduponhiswife’ssubtlynastyremark。``Idon’tseewhyinthunderyouhaven’tmarried，Milly，’’saidhe。``You’vehadeverychance，theselastfourorfiveyears。’’
``Andit’llbehardernow，’’moanedhermother。
``Foritlooksasthoughweweregoingtobewretchedlypoor。Andpovertyissorepulsive。’’
``Doyouthink，’’saidMildred，``thatgivingmetheideathatImustmarryrightawaywillmakeiteasierformetomarry？Everyonewhoknowsusknowsourcircumstances。’’ShelookedsignificantlyatFrank’swife，whohadbeenwailingthroughHangingRockthewoefulplightofherdeadfather-in-law’sfamily。
TheyoungMrs。Gowerblushedandglancedaway。
``And，’’Mildredwenton，``everyoneissayingthatI
mustmarryatonce——thatthere’snothingelseformetodo。’’Shesmiledbitterly。``WhenIgointothestreetagainIshallseenothingbutflyingmen。Andnomanwouldcometocallunlesshebroughtachaperonandawitnesswithhim。’’
``Howcanyoubesofrivolous？’’reproachedhermother。
Mildredwasusedtobeingmisunderstoodbyhermother，whohadlongsincebeenmadehopelesslydullbythesuffocatinglifesheledandbypainfromherfeet，whichneverleftherateaseforamomentexceptwhenshehadthemsoakingincoldwater。Mrs。Gowerhadbeenbornwithordinaryfeet，neitheruglynorprettyandentirelyfitfortheusesforwhichnatureintendedfeet。Shehadspoiledthembywearingshoestomakethemlooksmallerandslimmerthantheywere。
Insteadyweathershewasplaintive。inchangeableweathershevariedbetweenirritableandviolent。
SaidMildredtoherbrother：``Howmuch——JUSThowmuchisthere？’’
``Ican’tsayexactly，’’repliedherbrother，whohadnotyetsolvedtohissatisfactionthemoralproblemofhowmuchoftheestateheoughttoallowhismotherandsisterandhowmuchheoughttoclaimforhimself——insuchawaythattheclaimcouldnotbedisputed。
Mildredlookedfixedlyathim。Heshowedhisuneasinessnotbyglancingaway，butbytheappearanceofacertainharddefianceinhiseyes。Saidshe：
``Whatistheverymostwecanhopefor？’’
Asilence。Hermotherbrokeit。``Mildred，howCANyoutalkofthosethings——already？’’
``Idon’tknow，’’repliedMildred。``Perhapsbecauseit’sgottobedone。’’
Thisseemedtothemall——andtoherself——alameexcuseforsuchapparenthardnessofheart。HerfatherhadalwaysbeenSENDER-HEARTED——HADNEVER
SPOKENOFMONEY，ORENCOURAGEDHISFAMILYINSPEAKINGOFIT。
ALONGANDPAINFULSILENCE。THEN，THEWIDOW
ABRUPTLY：
``YOU’RESURE，Frank，there’sNOinsurance？’’
``Fatheralwayssaidthatyoudislikedtheidea，’’
repliedherson。``thatyouthoughtinsurancelookedlikeyourcalculatingonhisdeath。’’
Underherhusband’sadroitpromptingMrs。Gowerhaddiscoveredsuchaviewofinsuranceinherbrain。
Shenowrecalledexpressingit——andregretted。Butshewassilenced。Shetriedtotakehermindofthesub-
jectofmoney。But，likeMildred，shecouldnot。Thethoughtofimminentpovertywasnaggingatthemliketoothache。``There’llbeenoughforayearorso？’’
shesaid，timidlyinterrogative。
``Ihopeso，’’saidFrank。
Mildredwaseyinghimfixedlyagain。Saidshe：
``Haveyoufoundanythingatall？’’
``Hehadabouteightthousanddollarsinbank，’’
saidFrank。``Butmostofitwillgoforthepressingdebts。’’
``ButhowdidHEexpecttolive？’’urgedMildred。
``Yes，theremusthavebeenSOMETHING，’’saidhermother。
``Ofcourse，there’shisshareoftheunsettledandunfinishedbusinessofthefirm，’’admittedFrank。
``Howmuchwillthatbe？’’persistedMildred。
``Ican’ttell，offhand，’’saidFrank，withvirtuousreproach。``Mymind’sbeenon——otherthings。’’
HenryGower’swidowwasnotwithouthershareofinstinctiveshrewdness。Neitherhadshe，unobservantthoughshewas，beenwithinsightofherson’scharacterfortwenty-eightyearswithouthavingunconfessed，unformedmisgivingsconcerningit。
``Youmustn’tbotheraboutthesethingsnow，Frankdear，’’saidshe。``I’llgetmybrothertolookintoit。’’
``Thatwon’tbenecessary，’’hastilysaidFrank。``I
don’twantanyrivallawyerpeepingintoourfirm’saffairs。’’
``MybrotherWhartonisthesoulofhonor，’’saidMrs。Gower，theelder，withdignity。``Youaretooyoungtotakealltheresponsibilityofsettlingtheestate。Yes，I’llsendforWhartonto-morrow。’’
``It’lllookasthoughyoudidn’ttrustme，’’saidFranksourly。
``Wemustn’tdoanythingtostartthegossipsinthistown，’’saidhiswife，assisting。
``Thensendforhimyourself，Frank，’’saidMildred，``andgivehimchargeofthewholematter。’’
Frankeyedherfuriously。``Howashamedfatherwouldbe！’’exclaimedhe。
Butthissolemninvokingofthedeadman’sspiritwasuneffectual。Thespecterofpovertywastooinsistent，tooterrible。Saidthewidow：
``I’msure，inthecircumstances，mydeardeadhusbandwouldwantmetogethelpfromsomeoneolderandmoreexperienced。’’
AndFrank，guiltyofconscienceandanexpertinthewaysofconventionalandhighlymoralrascality，ceasedtoresist。Hiswife，scentingdangertotheirgettingthesharethat``rightfullybelongstotheson，especiallywhenhehasbeenthebrainsofthefirmforseveralyears，’’madeangryandindiscreetbattlefornooutsideinterference。Thelongershetalkedthefirmerthewidowandthedaughterbecame，notonlybecausesheclarifiedsuspicionsthathadbeentoohazytotakeform，butalsobecausetheydislikedherintensely。
ThefollowingdayWhartonConoverbecameunofficialadministrator。HehadnodifficultyinbafflingFrankGower’shalf-heartedandclumsyeffortstohidetwolargefeesduethedeadman’sestate。Hediscoveredclearassetsamountinginalltosixty-
threethousanddollars，mostofitavailablewithinafewmonths。
``Asyouhavethegood-willofthefirmandasyourmotherandsisterhaveonlywhatcanberealizedincash，’’saidhetoFrank，``nodoubtyouwon’tinsistonyourthird。’’
``I’vegottoconsidermywife，’’saidFrank。``I
can’tdoasI’dlike。’’
``Youaregoingtoinsistonyourthird？’’saidConover，withanaccentthatmadeFrankquiver。
``Ican’tdootherwise，’’saidheinadogged，shamedway。
``Um，’’saidConover。``Then，onbehalfofmysisterandherdaughterI’llhavetoinsistonamoredetailedaccountingthanyouhavebeenwillingtogive——andontheproductionofthatsmallbookboundinredleatherwhichdisappearedfrommybrother-in-law’sdesktheafternoonofhisdeath。’’
AwaveofrageandfearsurgedupwithinFrankGowerandcrashedagainsttheseatofhislife。Fordaysthereafterhewasfromtimetotimeseizedwithviolentspasmsoftrembling。yearsafterwardhewasattributingprematureweaknessesofoldagetotheeffectsofthatmomentofhorror。Hisuncle’swordscameasasudden，highshotclimaxtoweeksofexasperatingpeepingandpryingandquestioning，ofsneerandinsinuation。Conoverhadbeenonlymoderatelysuccessfulatthelaw，hadlostclientstoFrank’sfather，hadbeenbeatenwhentheywereonoppositesides。Hehatedthefatherwiththesecret，hypocriticalhatredofthehighlymoralandreligiousman。Hede-
spisedtheson。ItisnotoftenthataChristiangentlemanhassuchanopportunitytocombinejusticeandrevenge，tofeedtoburstinganancientgrudge，thewhileconsciousthatheisbutdoinghisduty。
SaidFrank，whenhewasabletospeak：``Youhavebeenlisteningtotheliesofsometreacherousclerkhere。’’
``Don’tdestroythatlittlebook，’’proceededConovertranquilly。``Wecanprovethatyoutookit。’’
YoungGowerrose。``Imustdeclinetohaveanythingfurthertosaytoyou，sir，’’saidhe。``Youwillleavethisoffice，andyouwillnotbeadmittedhereagainunlessyoucomewithproperpapersasadministrator。’’
Conoversmiledwithcoldsatisfactionanddeparted。
Therefollowedaseriesofquarrels——betweenFrankandhissister，betweenFrankandhismother，betweenFrank’swifeandhismother，betweenMildredandhermother，betweenthemotherandConover。Mrs。Gowerwassuspiciousofherson。butsheknewherbrotherforapinchpenny，exactingthelastdropofwhatheregardedashisown。Andshediscoveredthat，ifsheauthorizedhimtoactasadministratorforher，hecould——andbeyondquestionwould——takealargeshareoftheestate。TheupshotwasthatFrankpaidovertohismotherandsisterforty-seventhousanddollars，andhismotherandherbrotherstoppedspeakingtoeachother。
``Iseethatyouhaveturnedoverallyourmoneytomother，’’saidFranktoMildredafewdaysafterthesettlement。
``Ofcourse，’’saidMildred。Shewasinamoodofhighscornforsordidness——amoodinducedbythespectacleoftheshamefulmannersofConover，Frank，andhiswife。
``Doyouthinkthat’swise？’’suggestedFrank。
``Ithinkit’sdecent，’’saidMildred。
``Well，Ihopeyou’llnotlivetoregretit，’’saidherbrother。
NeitherMrs。Gowernorherdaughterhadeverhadanyexperienceinthecareofmoney。Tobothforty-
seventhousanddollarsseemedafortune——forty-seventhousanddollarsincashinthebank，readytoissueforthanddotheirbiddingatthemerewritingofafewfiguresandasignatureonapieceofpaper。Inasensetheyknewthatformanyyearsthefamily’sannualexpenseshadrangedbetweenfortyandfiftythousand，butinthesenseofactualitytheyknewnothingaboutit——astateofaffairscommonenoughinfamilieswherethemanisinabsolutecontrolandspendsallhemakes。Moneyalwayshadbeenforthcomcoming。{sic}
thereforemoneyalwayswouldbeforthcoming。
Themourningandthelossofthepersonwhohadfilledandemployedtheirlivescausedthewidowandthedaughtertoliveveryquietlyduringthesucceedingyear。Theyspentonlyhalfoftheircapital。Forreasonsofselfishandfar-sightedprudencewhichneednodetailingFrankmovedawaytoNewYorkwithinsixmonthsofhisfather’sdeathandreducedcommunicationbetweenhimselfandwifeandhismotherandsistertoafrigidandrapidlycongealingminimum。
Hecalculatedthatbythetimetheircapitalwascon-
sumedtheywouldhaveleftnofeelingofclaimuponhimorhefeelingofdutytowardthem。
Itwasnotuntileighteenmonthsafterherfather’sdeath，whenthetotalcapitalwassunktolessthanfifteenthousanddollars，thatMildredawakenedtothetruthoftheirplight。Afewmonthsatmost，andtheywouldhavetogiveupthatbeautifulhousewhichhadbeenherhomeallherlife。Shetriedtograspthemeaningofthefactsasherintelligencepresentedthemtoher，butshecouldnot。Shehadnopracticaltrainingwhatever。Shehadbeenbroughtupasarichman’schild，tobemarriedtoarichman，andnevertoknowanythingofthematerialdetailsoflifebeyondwhatwasnecessaryinmanagingservantsaftertheindifferentfashionoftheusualAmericanwomanofthecomfortableclasses。Shehadalwayshadamaid。shecouldnotevendressherselfproperlywithoutthemaid’sassistance。Lifewithoutamaidwasinconceivable。
lifewithoutservantswasimpossible。
Shewanderedthroughthehouse，throughthegrounds。Shesaidtoherselfagainandagain：``Wehavegottogiveupallthis，andbemiserablypoor——
withnotaservant，withlessthanthetenementpeoplehave。’’Butthewordsconveyednomeaningtoher。
Shesaidtoherselfagainandagain：``Imustrousemyself。Imustdosomething。Imust——must——
must！’’Butshedidnotrouse，becausetherewasnothingtorouse。Sofaraspracticallifewasconcernedshewasasdevoidofideasasanew-bornbaby。
Therewasbuttheonehope——marriage，arichmarriage。Itisthehabitofmenwhocantakecareofthemselvesandofwomenwhoaresecurelywelltakencareoftoscornthewomanorthehelpless-bredmanwhomarriesformoneyorevenentertainsthatidea。
Howlittleimaginationthesescornershave！Tomarryforamereliving，hardlybetterthanonecouldmakeforoneself，assuredlydoesshowapitifullackofself-
reliance，amelancholylackofself-respect。Butformenorwomenalltheirlivesusedtoluxuryandwithnoabilitywhateveratearningmoney——forsuchpersonstomarrymoneyinordertosavethemselvesfromthemiseryandshamethatpovertymeanstothemisthemostnatural，themosthumanactionconceivable。Themanorthewomanwhosaysheorshewouldnotdoit，eitherisahypocriteoristalkingwithoutthinking。
Youmayinhonestycriticizeandcondemnasocialsystemthatsuffersmenandwomentobesocrudelyandcriminallymiseducatedbybeinggivenluxurytheydidnotearn。Buttocondemnthevictimsofthatsystemforactingasitslogiccompelsissheerfollyorsheerphariseeism。
WouldMildredGowerhavemarriedformoney？Astheweeksfled，asthebankaccountdwindled，shewouldhavegraspedeagerlyatanyrichmanwhomighthaveofferedhimself——nomatterhowrepellenthemighthavebeen。Shedidnotwantabareliving。shedidnotwantwhatpasseswiththemassofmiddle-classpeopleforcomfort。Shewantedwhatshehad——thebeautifulandspacioushouse，thecostlyandfashionableclothing，theservants，thecarriagesandmotors，thethousandandonecomforts，luxuries，andvanitiestowhichshehadalwaysbeenused。InthebrainofayoungwomanofpoororonlycomfortablyofffamilythethoughtsthatseethedinMildredGower’sbrainwouldhavebeensomanyindicationsofdepravity。InMildredGower’sbraintheywerethenatural，theinevitable，thoughts。
Theyindicatedeverythingastohertraining，nothingastohercharacter。So，whenshe，thinkingonlyofarichmarriagewithnomatterwhom，andcontrastingherselfwiththefinewomenportrayedinthenovelsandplays，condemnedherselfasshamelessanddegraded，shedidherselfgraveinjustice。
Butnorichman，whetherattractiveorrepulsive，offered。Indeed，nomanofanykindoffered。Instead，itwashermotherwhomarried。
AwidowernamedJamesPresbury，elderly，withanincomeoffivetosixthousandayearfrominheritedwealth，stumbledintoHangingRocktolive，wasimpressedbythestylethewidowGowermaintained，believedtherumorthatherhusbandhadleftherbetteroffthanwasgenerallythought，proposed，andwasaccepted。AndtwoyearsandamonthafterHenryGower’sdeathhiswidowbecameMrs。JamesPresbury——andceasedtoveilfromhernewhusbandthetruthastoheraffairs。
Mildredhadthoughtthat，thanthefamilyquarrelsincidenttosettlingherfather’sestate，humannaturecouldnolowerdescend。Shewasnowtobedisillusioned。
Whenayoungmanorayoungwomanblundersintoapoormarriageintryingtomakearichone，heorsheisusuallywithheldfromimmediateandfrankexpressionbythetimidityofyouth。Notsotheelderlymanorwoman。Aswegrowolder，nomat-
terhowtimidlyconventionalwearebynature，webecome，throughselfishnessorthroughindifferencetotheopinionofothersorthroughimpatienceofpettyrestraint，moreandmoreoutspoken。OldPresburydiscoveredhowhehadtrickedhimselffourdaysafterthewedding。HeandhisbridewereattheWaldorfinNewYork，a-honeymooning。
Thebridehadneverprofessedtoberich。Shehadsimplycontinuedinherlifelongway，hadsimplyactedrich。Shewellknewthegaudydelusionsheradmirerwasentertaining，andshesawtoitthatnothingwassaidordonetodisturbhim。Sheinquiredintohisaffairs，madesureofthesubstantialityofthecomparativelysmallincomehepossessed，decidedtoaccepthimasherbestavailablechancetoescapebecomingachargeuponheranythingbuteagerandgenerousrelatives。Sheawaitedtheexplosionwithserenity。
ShecarednotaflipforPresbury，whowasasoftandsillyoldfool，fullofantiquatedcomplimentsandsodrearilytheinferiorofHenryGower，physicallyandmentally，thatevenshecouldappreciatethedifference，thedescent。Sheratherenjoyedtheprospectofacombatwithhim，oftheendofdissimulatinghercontempt。Shehadthoughtoutandhadputinarsenalreadyforuseavarietyofsneers，jeers，andinsultsthatsuggestedthemselvestoherasshelistenedandsimperedandrespondedwhilehewascourting。
Hadtheopportunityofferedearlierthanthefourthdayshewouldhaveseizedit，butnotuntilthatfourthmorningwassheinjusttherightmood。Shehadeatentoomuchdinnerthenightbefore，andhadfolloweditaftertwohoursinastuffytheaterwithanindigestiblesupper。Helikedthebedroomwindowsopenatnight。shelikedthemclosed。Aftershefellintoaheavysleep，heslippedoutofbedandopenedthewindowswide——toteachherbythenight’shappyexperiencethatshewasentirelymistakenastotheharmfulnessoffreshwinterair。Theresultwasthatsheawakenedwithafrightfulcoldandasplittingheadache。Andastheweatherwasabouttochangeshehadshootingpainsliketoothachethroughhertoestheinstantshethrustthemintohershoes。
Theelderlygroom，believinghehadarichbride，wasallsolicitudeandinfuriatingattention。Shewaiteduntilhehadwroughthertotheproperpitchoffury。Thenshesaid——inreplytosomeremarkofhis：
``Yes，Ishallrelyuponyouentirely。Iwantyoutotakeabsolutechargeofmyaffairs。’’
Thetearssprangtohiseyes。Hisweakoldmouth，rapidlyfallingtopieces，twistedandtwitchedwithemotion。``I’lltrytodeserveyourconfidence，darling，’’saidhe。``I’vehadlargebusinessexperience——
inthewayofinvestingcarefully，Imean。Idon’tthinkyouraffairswillsufferinmyhands。’’
``Oh，I’msurethey’llnottroubleyou，’’saidsheinasweet，suretoneasthepainsshotthroughherfeetandherhead。``You’llhardlynoticemylittlemiteinyourproperty。’’Shepretendedtoreflect。``Letmesee——there’sseventhousandleft，butofcoursehalfofthatisMillie’s。’’
``Itmustbeverywellinvested，’’saidhe。``Thoseseventhousandsharesmustbeoftheverybest。’’
``Shares？’’saidshe，withagentlelittlelaugh。``I
meandollars。’’
Presburywasabouttoliftacupofcafeaulaittohislips。Instead，heturneditoverintotheplatterofeggsandbacon。
``We——MildredandI，’’pursuedhisbride，``wereleftwithonlyforty-oddthousandbetweenus。Ofcourse，wehadtolive。So，naturally，there’sverylittleleft。’’
Presburywasshakingsoviolentlythathisheadandarmswaggledlikeajumping-jack’s。Hewrappedhiselegantwhitefingersaboutthearmsofhischairtosteadyhimself。Inasuffocatedvoicehesaid：``Doyoumeantosaythatyouhaveonlyseventhousanddollarsintheworld？’’
``Onlyhalfthat，’’correctedshe。``Oh，dear，howmyheadaches！Lessthanhalfthat，fortherearesomedebts。’’
Shewasimpatientfortheexplosion。theagonyofherfeetandheadneededoutletandrelief。Buthedisappointedher。Thatwasoneofthesituationsinwhichoneappealsinvaintotheresourcesoflanguage。Heshrankandsankbackinhischair，hisjawdropped，andheventedastrange，imbecilecacklinglaugh。Itwasnotanexpressionofphilosophicmirth，ofsenseofthegrotesquenessofananti-climax。Itwasnotanexpressionofanyemotionwhatever。Itwassimplyasignalfromamindtemporarilydethroned。
``Whatareyoulaughingat？’’shesaidsharply。
Hisanswerwasarepetitionoftheidioticsound。
``What’sthematterwithyou？’’demandedshe。
``Pleasecloseyourmouth。’’
Itwasatimelypieceofadvice。forhisupperandfalseteethhadbecomepartiallydislodgedandthreatenedtodropupontheshirt-bosomgaylyshowingbetweenthelapelsofhisdark-bluesilkhouse-coat。Heslowlyclosedhismouth，movinghisteethbackintoplacewithhistongue——agesturethatmadeherfacetwitchwithrageanddisgust。
``Seventhousanddollars，’’hemumbleddazedly。
``Isaidlessthanhalfthat，’’retortedshesharply。
``AndI——thoughtyouwere——rich。’’
Apeculiarrollingoftheeyesandtwistingofthelipsgavehertheideathathewasabouttoventthatrepulsivesoundagain。``Don’tyoulaugh！’’shecried。
``Ican’tbearyourlaugh——evenatitsbest。’’
Suddenlyhegalvanizedintofury。``Thisisanoutrage！’’hecried，wavinghisuseless-lookingwhitefists。
``Youhaveswindledme——SWINDLEDme！’’
Herheadstoppedaching。Thepainsinherfeeteitherceasedorsheforgotthem。Inasuspiciouslycalmvoiceshesaid：``Whatdoyoumean？’’
``Imeanthatyouareaswindler！’’heshouted，bangingonefistonthetableandwavingtheother。
Sheactedasthoughhismeaningwerejustdawninguponher。``Doyoumean，’’saidshetranquilly，``thatyoumarriedmeformoney？’’
``ImeanthatIthoughtyouasubstantialwoman，andthatIfindyouareanadventuress。’’
``Didyouthink，’’inquiredshe，``thatanywomanwhohadmoneywouldmarryYOU？’’Shelaughedveryquietly。``YouAREafool！’’
Hesatbacktolookather。Thismodeofcombatinsuchcircumstancespuzzledhim。
``Iknewthatyouwererich，’’shewenton，``oryouwouldnothavedaredofferyourselftome。Allmyfriendswereamazedatmystoopingtoacceptyou。
YourfatherwasanIrishTammanycontractor，wasn’the？——asortofcriminal？ButIsimplyhadtomarry。
SoIgaveyoumyfamilyandpositionandnameinexchangeforyourwealth——agoodbargainforyou，butapooroneforme。’’
ThesereferencestoHISwealthweremostdisconcerting，especiallyastheywereaccompaniedbyremarksabouthisorigin，ofwhichhewassoashamedthathehadchangedthespellingofhisnameintheefforttoclearhimselfofit。However，someretortwasimperative。
Helookedatherandsaid：
``Swindlerandadventuress！’’
``Don’trepeatthatlie，’’saidshe。``Youaretheadventurer——despitethefactthatyouareveryrich。’’
``Don’tsaythatagain，’’criedhe。``IneversaidorpretendedIwasrich。Ihaveaboutfivethousandayear——andyou’llnotgetacentofit，madam！’’
Sheknewhisincome，butnoonewouldhavesuspecteditfromherexpressionofhorror。``What！’’shegasped。``YoudaredtomarryMEwhenyouwerea——
beggar！Me——thewidowofHenryGower！Youimpudentoldwreck！Why，youhaven’tenoughtopaymyservants。Whatarewetoliveon，pray？’’
``Idon’tknowwhatYOU’LLliveon，’’repliedhe。
``_I_shallliveasIalwayshave。’’
``Abeggar！’’sheexclaimed。``I——marriedtoabeggar。’’Sheburstintotears。``Howmentakeadvantageofawomanalone！Ifmysonhadbeennearme！Butthere’ssurelysomelawtoprotectme。Yes，I’msurethereis。Oh，I’llpunishyouforhavingdeceivedme。’’Hereyesdriedasshelookedathim。
``Howdareyousitthere？Howdareyoufaceme，youmiserablefraud！’’
Earlyinheracquaintancewithhimshehaddiscoveredthatdeterminingfactorsinhischaracterweresensitivenessabouthisoriginandsensitivenessabouthissocialposition。Onthisknowledgeofhisweaknesseswassecurelybasedherconfidencethatshecouldactasshepleasedtowardhim。Toeaseherpainssheproceededtopouroutherprivateopinionofhim——allthedisagreeablethings，alltheinsultsshehadbeenstoringup。
Shewatchedhimasonlyawomancanwatchaman。
Shesawthathisragewasnotdangerous，thatshewasforcinghimintoapositionwherefearofherrevengingherselfbydisgracinghimwouldovercomeangeratthecollapseofhisfatuousdreamsofwealth。Shedidnotdespisehimthemoredeeplyforsittingthere，fornotflyingfromtheroomortryingtokillherorsomehowcompellinghertocheckthatflowofinsult。Shealreadydespisedhimutterly。also，sheattachedsmallimportancetoself-respect，havingnoknowledgeofwhatthatqualityreallyis。
Whenshegrewtired，shebecamequiet。Theysattherealongtimeinsilence。Atlastheranupthewhiteflagofabjectsurrenderbysaying：
``What’llweliveon——that’swhatI’dliketoknow？’’
Aneavesdropperupontheprecedingviolenceofupwardofanhourwouldhaveassumedthatatitsendthispairmustseparate，nevertoseeeachotheragainvoluntarily。Butthatidea，evenasapossibility，hadnotenteredthemindofeither。Theyhadlivedalongtime。
theywerepracticalpeople。Theyknewfromtheoutsetthatsomehowtheymustarrangetogoontogether。
Thealternativemeantamerepittanceofalimonyforher。meantforhimsocialostracismandthesmallincomecutinhalf。meantforbothscandalandconfusion。
Saidshefretfully：``Oh，Isupposewe’llgetalong，somehow。Idon’tknowanythingaboutthosethings。
I’vealwaysbeenlookedafter——keptfromcontactwiththesordidsideoflife。’’
``Thathouseyoulivein，’’hewenton，``doesitbelongtoyou？’’
Shegavehimacontemptuousglance。``Ofcourse，’’
saidshe。``Whatlowpeopleyoumusthavebeenusedto！’’
``Ithoughtperhapsyouhadrenteditforyourbuncogame，’’retortedhe。``Thefurniture，thehorses，themotor——allthosethings——dotheybelongtoyou？’’
``Ishallleavetheroomifyouinsultme，’’saidshe。
``Didyouincludethemintheseventhousanddollars？’’
``Themoneyisinthebank。Ithasnothingtodowithourhouseandourproperty。’’
Hereflected，presentlysaid：``Thehorsesandcarriagesmustbesoldatonce——andallthoseservantsdismissedexceptperhapstwo。Wecanliveinthehouse。’’
Shegrewpurplewithrage。``SellMYcarriages！
DischargeMYservants！I’dliketoseeyoutry！’’
``Who’stopayforkeepingupthatestablishment？’’
demandedhe。
Shewassilent。Shesawwhathehadinmind。
``Ifyouwanttokeepthathouseandlivecomfortably，’’
hewenton，``you’vegottocutexpensestothebone。Youseethat，don’tyou？’’
``Ican’tliveanywaybutthewayI’vebeenusedtoallmylife，’’wailedshe。
Heeyedherdisgustedly。Wasthereanythingequaltoawomanforfolly？
``We’vegottomakethemostofwhatlittlewehave，’’saidhe。
``ItellyouIdon’tknowanythingaboutthosethings，’’repeatedshe。``You’llhavetolookafterthem。
MildredandIaren’tlikethewomenyou’vebeenusedto。
Weareladies。’’
Presbury’srageboiledoveragainatthementionofMildred。``Thatdaughterofyours！’’hecried。
``What’stobedoneabouther？I’vegotnomoneytowasteonher。’’
``YoumiserableTammanyTHING！’’exclaimedshe。
``Don’tyoudareSPEAKofmydaughterexceptinthemostrespectfulway。’’
Andoncemoresheopenedoutuponhim，wreakinguponhimallherwrathagainstfate，allthepent-upfuryoftwoyears——furywhichhadbeendeniedsuchfury’susualandnaturalexpressionindenunciationsofthedeadbread-winner。Thegenerousandever-kindHenryGowercouldnotbetoblameforherwretchedplight。and，ofcourse，sheherselfcouldnotbetoblameforit。So，untilnowtherehadbeennoscapegoat。
Presburythereforereceivedthewholeburden。He，alarmedlestacreatureapparentlysoirrational，shouldinwildragedrivehimaway，ruinhimsocially，perhapsinduceasympatheticcourttoawardheralargepartofhisincomeasalimony，saidnotawordinreply。Hebadehiswrathwait。Lateron，whentheperilwasover，whenhehadafirmgripuponthesituation——thenhewouldtakehisrevenge。
TheygaveuptheexpensivesuiteattheWaldorfthatverydayandreturnedtoHangingRock。Theyalternatedbetweensilenceandthecoarsest，crudestquarrelings，forneitherhadtheintelligencetoquarrelwittilyortherefinementtoquarrelartistically。AssoonastheyarrivedattheGowerhouse，Mildredwasdraggedintothewrangle。
``Imarriedthisterriblemanforyoursake，’’wastheburdenofhermother’swail。``Andheisabeggar——
wantstoselloffeverythinganddismisstheservants。’’
``Youareapairofpaupers，’’criedtheoldman。
``Youareshamelesstricksters。Becarefulhowyougoadme！’’
Mildredhadanticipatedanunhappyendingtohermother’smarriage，butshehadnotknowledgeenoughoflifeorofhumannaturetoanticipateanysuchhorrorsasnowbegan。Everyday，alldaylongthevulgarfightraged。Hermotherandherstepfatherwithdrewfromeachother’spresenceonlytothinkupfreshinsultstoflingateachother。Assoonastheywerearmedtheyhastenedtogivebattleagain。SheavoidedPresbury。Hermothershecouldnotavoid。andwhenhermotherwasnotincombatwithhim，shewasweepingorwailingorrailingtoMildred。
ItwasatMildred’surgingthathermotheracquiescedinPresbury’splansforreducingexpenseswithinincome。Atfirstthegirl，evenmoreignorantthanhermotherofpracticalaffairs，didnotappreciatethewisdom，nottosaythenecessity，ofwhathewishedtodo，butsoonshesawthathewasright，thattheservantsmustgo，thatthehorsesandcarriagesandthemotorsmustbesold。Whenshewasconvincedandhadconvincedhermother，shestilldidnotrealizewhatthethingreallymeant。Notuntilshenolongerhadamaiddidshecomprehend。Toawomanwhohasneverhadamaid，orwhohastakenonamaidasaluxury，itwillseemanexaggerationtosaythatMildredfeltashelplessasababylyingaloneinacribbeforeithaslearnedtocrawl。Yetthatisratheranunderstatementofherplight。Themaidleftintheafternoon。
Mildred，notwithoutinconveniencesthathadinthenoveltytheiramusingside，contrivedtodressthateveningfordinnerandtogettobed。butwhensheawakenedinthemorningandwasreadytodress，thelossofTheresebecameatragedy。Ittookthegirlnearlyfourhourstogetherselftogetherpresentably——andthen，neverhadshelookedsounkempt。Withherhair，thickandsoft，shecoulddonothing。
``WhatawonderfulpersonTheresewas！’’thoughtshe。``AndIalwaysregardedherasratherstupid。’’
Hermother，whohadnothadamaiduntilshewasaboutthirtyandhadneverbecomecompletelydependent，faredsomewhatbetter，though，hearinghermoans，youwouldhavethoughtshewasfaringworse。
Mildred’sunhappinessincreasedfromdaytoday，asherwardrobefellintoconfusionanddisrepair。Shefeltthatshemustrisetothesituation，mustteachherself，mustsaveherselffromimpendingdowdinessandslovenliness。Butherbrainseemedtobeparalyzed。
Shedidnotknowhoworwheretobegintolearn。Sheofteninsecretgavewaytothefutilityoftears。
Therewerenowonlyacookandonehousemaidandamanofallwork——allthreenewcomers，forPresburyinsisted——mostwisely——thatnoneoftheservantsoftheluxurious，wastefuldayswouldbeusefulinthenewcircumstances。Hewasoneofthosesmall，orderlymenwhohaveageniusforjustsuchsituationsastheonehenowproceededtograpplewithandsolve。Inhispleasureatmanagingeverythingaboutthathouse，indistributingtheworkamongthethreeservants，inmarketing，and，ininspectingpurchasesandnosingintothegarbage-barrel，inlookingfordustonpicture-
framesandtable-topsandforneglectedweedsinthegardenwalks——inthismultitudeofengrossingdelightsheforgothisangeroverthetrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim。Hestillfoughtwithhiswifeanddenouncedherandmetinsultwithinsult。Butthat，too，wasoneofhispleasures。Also，hefeltthatonthewholehehaddonewellinmarrying。Hehadbeenlonelyasabachelor，hadhadnoonetotalkwith，ortoquarrelwith，nothingtodo。Themarriagewasnotsoexpensive，ashiswifehadbroughthimahouse——anditsuchaoneashehadalwaysregardedastheapogeeofelegance。LivingwasnotdearinHangingRock，ifoneunderstoodmanagingandgavetimetoit。Andsociallyhewasatlastestablished。
Soonhiswifewasaboutascontentedasshehadeverbeeninherlife。Shehatedanddespisedherhusband，butquarrelingwithhimandrailingagainsthimgaveheroccupationandaim——twovaluableassetstowardhappinessthatshehadtheretoforelacked。Herliving——shelter，food，clothingenough——wasnowsecure。
Butthemostimportantfactorofallinhercontentwastheoneapparentlytootrivialtobeworthyofrecord。
Fromgirlhoodshecouldnotrecallasingledayinwhichshehadnotsufferedfromherfeet。Andshehadbeenashamedtosayanythingaboutit——hadneverletanyone，evenhermaid，seeherfeet，whichwereabouttheonlyunsightlypartofher。Nonehadguessedthecauseofherchronicill-temperuntilPresbury，thatgeniusforthelittle，saidwithinaweekoftheirmarriage：
``Youtalkandactlikeawomanwithchroniccorns。’’
Hedidnotdreamoftheeffectthischancethrusthaduponhiswife。Forthefirsttimehehadreally``landed。’’Sheconcealedherfrightandhershameasbestshecouldandwentonquarrelingmoreviciouslythanever。Buthepresentlyreturnedtotheattack。
Saidhe：
``Yourfeethurtyou。I’msuretheydo。NowthatIthinkofit，youwalkthatway。’’
``IsupposeIdeservemyfate，’’saidshe。``Whenawomanmarriesbeneathhershemustexpectinsultandlowconversation。’’
``Youmustcureyourfeet，’’saidhe。``I’llnotliveinthehousewithapersonwhoismadefiendishbycorns。
Ithinkit’sonlycorns。Iseenosignsofbunions。’’
``Youbrute！’’criedhiswife，rushingfromtheroom。
Butwhentheymetagain，heatonceresumedthesubject，tellingherjusthowshecouldcureherself——andhekeptontellingher，sheapparentlyignoringbutsecretlyactingonhisadvice。Heknewwhathewasabout，andherfeetgrewbetter，grewwell——andshewashappierthanshehadbeensincegirlhoodwhenshebeganruiningherfeetwithtightshoes。
Sixmonthsafterthemarriage，Presburyandhiswifeweregettingonaboutascomfortablyasitisgiventoaveragehumanitytogetoninthisworldofincessantstrugglebetweenuncomfortablemanandhisuncomfortableenvironment。ButMildredhadbecomemoreandmoreunhappy。Hermother，sometimesangrily，againreproachfully——andthatwasfarhardertobear——blamedherfor``mymiserablemarriagetothislow，quarrelsomebrute。’’Presburyletnodaypasswithouttellingheropenlythatshewasabeggarlivingoffhim，thatshewouldbettermarrysoonorhewouldtakedrasticstepstoreleasehimselfoftheburden。Whenheattackedherbeforehermother，therewasaviolentquarrelfromwhichMildredfledtohideinherroomorintheremotestpartofthegarden。Whenhehuntedherouttoinsultheralone，shesatorstoodwitheyesdownandfaceghastlypale，mute，quivering。Shedidnotinter-
rupt，didnottrytoescape。Shewaslikethechainedandspiritlessdogthatcrouchesandtakestheshowerofblowsfromitscruelmaster。
Wherecouldshego？Nowhere。Whatcouldshedo？Nothing。Inthedaysofprosperityshehadregardedherselfasproudandhighspirited。Shenowwonderedatherself！Whathadbecomeofthepride？
Whatofthespirit？Sheavoidedlookingatherimageintheglass——thatthin，pallidface，thosecircledeyes，thedrawn，sickexpressionaboutthemouthandnose。
``I’mstunned，’’shesaidtoherself。``I’vebeenstunnedeversincefather’sdeath。I’veneverrecovered——norhasmother。’’Andshegavewaytotears——forherfather，shefancied。infact，fromshameatherweaknessandhelplessness。Shethought——hoped——thatshewouldnotbethusfeebleandcowardly，ifshewerenotlivingathome，inthehousesheloved，thehousewhereshehadspentherwholelife。Andsuchahouse！Comfortandluxuryandtaste。everyroom，everycornerofthegrounds，fullofthetenderestandmostbeautifulassociations。Also，therewasherpositioninHangingRock。Everywhereelseshewouldbeastrangerandwouldhaveeithernopositionatalloroneworsethanthatoftheutteroutsider。There，shewasofthefewlookeduptobythewholecommunity。Nooneknew，orevensuspected，howshewasdegradedbyherstep-
father。Beforetheworldhewascourteousandconsideratetowardherastowardeverybody。Indeed，Presbury’snaturalinstinctsweregentleandkindly。HishatredofMildredandhispassionforhumiliatingherweretheresultofhisconvictionthathehadbeentrickedintothemarriageandhisinabilitytogratifyhisresentmentuponhiswife。Hecouldnotmakethemothersuffer。buthecouldmakethedaughtersuffer——andhedid。Besides，shewasofnousetohimandwouldpresentlybeanexpense。
``Yourmoneywillsoonbegone，’’hesaidtoher。
``Ifyoupaidyourjustshareoftheexpensesitwouldbegonenow。Whenitisgone，whatwillyoudo？’’
Shewassilent。
``Yourmotherhaswrittentoyourbrotheraboutyou。’’
Mildredliftedherhead，agleamofherformerspiritinhereyes。Thensheremembered，andbenthergazeupontheground。
``Buthe，likethecurthatheis，answeredthroughasecretarythathewishedtohavenothingtodowitheitherofyou。’’
MildredguessedthatFrankhadmadethemarriageanexcuse。
``Surelysomeofyourrelativeswilldosomethingforyou。Ihavemyhandsfull，supportingyourmother。
Idon’tproposetohavetwostrapping，worthlesswomenhangingfrommyneck。’’
Shebentherheadlower，andremainedsilent。
``Iwarnyoutobestiryourself，’’hewenton。``I
giveyoufourmonths。Afterthefirstoftheyearyoucan’tstayhereunlessyoupayyourshare——yourthird。’’
Noanswer。
``YouhearwhatIsay，miss？’’hedemanded。
``Yes，’’repliedshe。
``Ifyouhadanysenseyouwouldn’twaituntilyourlastcentwasgone。You’dgotoNewYorknowandgetsomethingtodo。’’
``What？’’sheasked——allshecouldtrustherselftospeak。
``Howshould_I_know？’’retortedhefuriously。
``youareastrangertome。You’vebeeneducated，I
assume。Surelythere’ssomethingyoucando。You’vebeenoutsixyearsnow，andhavehadnosuccess，foryou’reneithermarriednorengaged。Youcan’tcallitsuccesstobeflatteredandsoughtbypeoplewhowantedinvitationstothishousewhenitwasasocialcenter。’’
Hepausedforresponsefromher。Nonecame。
``Youadmityouareafailure？’’hesaidsharply。
``Yes，’’saidshe。
``Youmusthaverealizeditseveralyearsago，’’hewenton。``Insteadofallowingyourmothertokeeponwastingmoneyinentertaininglavishlyheretogiveyouachancetomarry，youshouldhavebeenpreparingyourselftoearnaliving。’’Apause。``Isn’tthattrue，miss？’’
Hehadawayofpronouncingtheword``miss’’thatmadeitanepithet，asneeratherunmarriedandun-
marriageablestate。Shecolored，paled，murmured：
``Yes。’’
``Then，betterlatethannever。You’lldowelltofollowmyadviceandgotoNewYorkandlookaboutyou。’’
``I’ll——I’llthinkofit，’’stammeredshe。
Andshedidthinkofit。Butinallherlifeshehadneverconsideredtheideaofmoney-making。Thatwassomethingformen，andforthemiddleandlowerclasses——whileHangingRockwasregardedasmostnoisomelymiddleclassbyfashionablepeople，itdidnotsoregarditself。Money-makingwasnotforladies。Likeallherclass，shewasaconstantandaseverecriticofthewomenofthelowerorderswhoworkedforherasmilliners，dressmakers，shop-attendants，cooks，maids。But，asshenowrealized，itisonethingtopassupontheworkofothers。itisanotherthingtodoworkoneself。
She——Therewasliterallynothingthatshecoulddo。
Anyoccupation，eventhemostmenial，waseitherbeyondherskillorbeyondherstrength，orbeyondboth。
Suddenlysherecalledthatshecouldsing。Herprostratespiritsuddenlyleapederect。Yes，shecouldsing！
Hervoicehadbeenpraisedbyexperts。Hersinginghadbeenindemandatcharityentertainmentswhereamateurshadtocompetewithprofessionals。Thendownshedroppedagain。Shesangwellenoughtoknowhowbadlyshesang——thelongandtoilsomeandexpensivetrainingthatlaybetweenherandoperaticorconcertorevenmusic-hallstage。Hervoicewasfineattimes。Again——mostofthetime——itwasunreliable。
No，shecouldnothopetogetpayingemploymentevenasachurchchoir-singer。MissDresserwhosanginthechoiroftheGoodShepherdfortendollarsaSunday，hadnotnearlysogoodavoiceasshe，butitwasreliable。
``ThereisnothingIcando——nothing！’’
Allatonce，withnoapparentbridgeacrossthevastchasm，herheartwentout，notinpitybutinhumanunderstandingandsisterlysympathy，tothewomenofthepariahclassatwhom，duringherstopsinNewYork，shehadsometimesgazedinwonderandhorror。``Why，weandtheyareonlyastepapart，’’shesaidtoherselfinamazement。``Weandtheyaremuchnearerthanmymaidorthecookandthey！’’
Andthenherheartskippedabeatandherskingrewcoldandafogswirledoverherbrain。Ifsheshouldbecastout——ifshecouldfindnoworkandnoonetosupporther——wouldshe——``OmyGod！’’shemoaned。
``Imustbecrazy，tothinksuchthoughts。Inevercould！I’ddiefirst——DIE！’’Butifanyonehadpicturedtoherthekindoflifeshewasnowleading——thehumiliationanddegradationshewasmeeklyenduringwithnothoughtofflight，withaneverstrongerdesiretostayon，regardlessofprideandself-respect——ifanyonehadpicturedthistoheraswhatshewouldendure，whatwouldshehavesaid？Shecouldseeherselfflashingscornfuldenial，sayingthatshewouldratherkillherself。Yetshewasliving——andwasnotevencontemplatingsuicideasawayout！
AfewdaysafterPresburygaveherwarning，hermothertookadvantageofhisabsenceforhisreligiouslyobserveddailyconstitutionaltosaytoher：
``Ihopeyoudidn’tthinkIwasbehindhiminwhathesaidtoyouaboutgoingaway？’’
Mildredhadnotthoughtso，butinhermother’sguiltytoneandguiltiereyesshenowreadthathermotherwishedhertogo。
``It’dbeawfulformetobeleftherealonewithhim，’’
wailedhermotherinsincerely。``Ofcoursewe’vegotnomoney，andbeggarscan’tbechoosers。Butit’djustaboutkillmetohaveyougo。’’
Mildredcouldnotspeak。