``Idon’tknowathingaboutmoney，’’Mrs。Presburywenton。``Yourfatheralwayslookedaftereverything。’’
Shehadfallenintothewayofspeakingofherfirsthusbandaspartofsomevague，remotepast，which，indeed，hehadbecomeforher。``Thisman’’——
meaningPresbury——``hasonlyaboutfivethousandayear，asyouknow。Isupposethat’sassmallashesaysitis。Irememberourbillsforonemonthusedtobeasmuchormorethanthat。’’Shewavedheruseless，prettyhandshelplessly。``Idon’tseeHOWwearetogeton，Mildred！’’
Hermotherwishedhertogo！HermotherhadfallenundertheinfluenceofPresbury——hermother，woman-
like，orrather，ladylike，wasofkintothehelpless，flabbythingsthatfloatintheseaandattachthemselvestowhatevertheyhappentolodgeagainst。Hermotherwishedhertogo！
``Atthesametime，’’Mrs。Presburywenton，``I
can’tlivewithoutsomebodyheretostandbetweenmeandhim。I’dkillhimorkillmyself。’’
Mildredmutteredsomeexcuseandfledfromtheroom，tolockherselfin。
Butwhenshecameforthagaintodescendtodinner，shehadresolvednothing，becausetherewasnothingtoresolve。Whenshewasachildsheleanedfromthenurserywindowonedayandsawastable-boydrowningaratthatwasinabig，oval，wirecagewithawoodenbottom。Theboypressedthecageslowlydowninthevatofwater。Therat，intheverytopofthecage，watchedthefloorsink，watchedthewaterrise。Andasitwatcheditutteredastrange，shrill，feeblesoundwhichshecouldstillrememberdistinctlyandterribly。Itseemedtohernowthatifsheweretoutteranysoundatall，itwouldbethatone。
II
ONtheMondaybeforeThanksgiving，PresburywentuptoNewYorktolookafteroneofthelittlespeculationsinWallStreetatwhichhewassoclever。
Throughoutthecivilizedworldnowadays，andespeciallyinandnearthegreatcapitalsoffinance，thereisaclassofmenandwomenofsmallcapitalandofacharacterinwhicharecombinedironself-restraint，rabbit-liketimidity，andgreatshrewdness，whomakeoftenanotinconsiderableincomebygamblinginstocks。Theybuyonlywhenthemarketisadvancingstrongly。theysellassoonastheyhavegainedthescantestmarginofprofit。Theyneverpermitthemselvestobetemptedbythemostabsolutecertaintyoflargergains。Theywillletweeks，monthseven，gobywithoutonceriskingadollar。Theywaituntiltheysimplycannotlose。Tensofthousandseveryyeartrytojointhisclass。Allbutthefewsoonsuccumbtothehourlydazzlingtemptationsthebiggamblersdanglebeforetheeyesofthelittlegamblerstolurethemwithinreachofthemercilessshears。
Presburyhadformanyyearsaddedfromonetotenthousandayeartohisincomebythisformofgambling，successatwhichisinitselfsufficienttostampamanasinfinitelylittleofsoul。OnthatMondayhe，venturingforthefirsttimeinsixmonths，returnedtoHangingRockonthethree-thirtytrainthericherbytwohundredandfiftydollars——aslargea``killing’’ashehadevermadeinanysingleday，onelargeenoughtoelevatehimtotherankofprinceamongthe``sure-thingsnides。’’
Hesaidnothingabouthislucktohisfamily，butletthemattributehisunprecedentedgoodhumortothenewshebroughtandannouncedatdinner。
``Imetanoldfriendinthestreetthisafternoon，’’
saidhe。``HehasinvitedustotakeThanksgivingdinnerwithhim。AndIthinkitwillbeadinnerworthwhile——thefood，Imean，andthewine。Nottheguests。fortherewon’tbeanyguestsbutus。GeneralSiddallisastrangerinNewYork。’’
``ThereareSiddallsinNewYork，’’saidhiswife。
``verynice，refinedpeople——goinginthebestsociety。’’
Presburyshowedhisfalseteethinagenialsmile。fortheold-fashionedorplatekindoffalseteeththeywereextraordinarilygood——whenexactlyinplace。``ButnotmyoldfriendBillSiddall，’’saidhe。``He’snextdoortoanoutlaw。I’dnothaveacceptedhisinvitationifhehadbeenaskingustodineinpublic。Butthisistobeathisownhouse——hisnewhouse——andaverygrandhouseitis，judgingbythephotosheshowedme。
Aregularpalace！He’llnotbeanoutlawlong，Iguess。
Butwemustwaitandseehowhecomesoutsociallybeforewecommitourselves。’’
``Didyouacceptforme，too？’’askedMrs。Presbury。
``Certainly，’’saidPresbury。``Andforyourdaughter，too。’’
``Ican’tgo，’’saidMildred。``I’mdiningwiththeFassetts。’’
Thefamilynolongerhadaservantinconstantattendanceinthedining-room。Themaidofmanyfunctionsalsoactedasbutlerandasfetch-and-carrybetweenkitchenandbutler’spantry。Beforespeaking，Presburywaiteduntilthismaidhadwithdrawntobringtheroastandthevegetables。Thenhesaid：
``Youaregoing，too，miss。’’Thiswiththefullinfusionofinsultintothe``miss。’’
Mildredwassilent。
``BillSiddallislookingforawife，’’proceededPresbury。``AndhehasHeavenknowshowmanymillions。’’
``Doyouthinkthere’sachanceforMilly？’’criedMrs。Presbury，whowasfullofalternatinghopesandfears，bothwhollyirrational。
``Shecanhavehim——ifshewantshim，’’repliedPresbury。``Butit’sonlyfairtowarnherthathe’sastiffdose。’’
``Isthemoney——CERTAIN？’’inquiredMildred’smotherwiththatshrewdnesswhoserareoccasionaldisplayslaidheropentotheunjustsuspicionoffeigningherhabitualstupidity。
``Yes，’’saidPresburyamiably。``It’snothinglikeyourswas。He’ssorichhedoesn’tknowwhattodowithhisincome。Heownsminesscatteredallovertheworld。Andiftheyallfailed，he’sgotbundlesofrailwaystocksandbonds，andgilt-edgedtruststocks，too。
Andhe’sacomparativelyyoungman——hardlyfifty，Ishouldsay。Hepretendstobeforty。’’
``It’sstrangeIneverheardofhim，’’saidMrs。Presbury。
``IfyouwenttoSouthAmericaorSouthAfricaorAlaska，you’dhearofhim，’’saidPresbury。Helaughed。
``AndIguessyou’dhearsomeprettydreadfulthings。
WhenIknewhimtwenty-fiveyearsagohehadjustbeenarrestedforforgingmyfather’snametoacheck。
Buthegotoutofthat——andit’sallpastandgone。
Probablyhehasn’tcommittedanyworsecrimesthanhavemostofourbigrichmen。Bill’shandicaphasbeenthathehadn’tmucheducationoranyswellrelatives。Buthe’sageniusatmoney-making。’’
PresburylookedatMildredwithagrin。``Andhe’sjustthehusbandforMildred。Shecan’taffordtobetooparticular。Somebody’sgottosupporther。_I_can’tandwon’t，andshecan’tsupportherself。’’
``You’llgo——won’tyou，Mildred？’’saidhermother。
``Hemaynotbesobad。’’
``Yes，I’llgo，’’saidMildred。Hergazewasupontheuntouchedfoodonherplate。
``Ofcourseshe’llgo，’’saidPresbury。``Andshe’llmarryhimifshecan。Won’tyou，miss？’’
Hespokeinhisamiablyinsultingway——asdistinguishedfromthewayofsavagelysneeringinsultheusuallytookwithher。Heexpectednoreply。Shesurprisedhim。Sheliftedhertragiceyesandlookedfixedlyathim。Shesaid：
``Yes，I’llgo。AndI’llmarryhimifIcan。’’
``Itoldhimhecouldhaveyou，’’saidPresbury。``I
explainedtohimthatyouwereararespecimenoftheperfectlady——justwhathewanted——andthatyou，andallyourfamily，wouldbegratefultoanybodywhowouldundertakeyoursupport。’’
Mrs。Presburyflushedangrily。``You’vemadeitperfectlyuselessforhertogo！’’shecried。
``Calmyourself，mylove，’’saidherhusband。``I
knowBillSiddallthoroughly。Isaidwhatwouldhelp。
Iwanttogetridofherasmuchasyoudo——andthat’ssayingagreatdeal。’’
Mrs。Presburyflamedwiththewrathofthosewhoarejustlyaccused。``IfMildredleft，Ishouldgo，too，’’
criedshe。
``Gowhere？’’inquiredherhusband。``Tothepoorhouse？’’
BypersistentrubbinginPresburyhadsucceededinmakingthetruthaboutherpovertyanddependencecleartohiswife。Shecontinuedtofrownandtolookunutterablecontempt，buthehadsilencedher。
Henotedthiswithasortofsatisfactionandwenton：
``IfBillSiddalltakesher，youcertainlywon’tgothere。Hewouldn’thaveyou。Hefeelsstronglyonthesubjectofmothers-in-law。’’
``Hashebeenmarriedbefore？’’askedMrs。Presbury。
``Twice，’’repliedherhusband。``Hisfirstwifedied。
Hedivorcedthesecondforunfaithfulness。’’
MildredsawinthispainstakingrecitalofallthedisagreeableandrepellentfactsaboutSiddallaneffortfurthertohumiliateherbymakingitapparenthowdesperatelyoffshewas，howshecouldnotrefuseanyoffer，revoltingthoughitmightbetoherprideandtoherwomanlyinstincts。DoubtlessthiswasinparttheexplanationofPresbury’smaliciouscandor。Butanelementinthatcandorwasaprudentpreparingofthegirl’smindforworsethanthereality。ThathewasinearnestinhisprofessionofadesiretobringaboutthematchshowedwhenheproposedthattheyshouldtakeroomsatahotelinNewYork，togiveherachancetodressproperlyforthedinner。True，hehastenedtosaythattheexpensemustbemetaltogetheroutoftheremnantofMildred’sshareofherfather’sestate，buttheideawouldnothaveoccurredtohimhadhenotbeenreallyplanningamarriage。
NeverhadMildredlookedmorebeautifulormoreattractivethanwhenthethreewerereadytosallyforthfromtheManhattanHotelonthatThanksgivingevening。
Attwenty-five，asoundlyhealthyandvigoroustwenty-five，itisimpossibleformindandnerves，howeverwroughtupon，tomakeseriousinroadsuponsurfacecharms。Thehopeofemancipationfromherhideousslaveryhadbeenactinguponthegirllikeapowerfultonic。Shehadgainedseveralpoundsinthethreeinterveningdays。herfacehadfilledout，colorhadcomebackinallitsformerbeautytoherlips。Perhapstherewassomeslightaidfromartintheextraordinarybrilliancyofhereyes。
Presburyinventoriedherwithasuccessionofgruntsofsatisfaction。``Yes，he’llwantyou，’’hesaid。
``You’llstrikehimasjusttheshowpieceheneeds。
Andhe’stooshrewdnottobeawarethathischoiceislimited。’’
``Youcan’tfrightenme，’’saidMildred，witharadiant，coquettishsmile——forpractice。``Nothingcouldfrightenme。’’
``I’mnottrying，’’repliedPresbury。``NorwillSiddallfrightenyou。Awomanwho’safterabill-payercanstomachanything。’’
``Oraman，’’saidMildred。
``Oh，yourmotherwasn’tasbadasallthat，’’saidPresbury，whoneverlostanopportunity。
Mrs。Presbury，seatedbesideherdaughterinthecab，gaveanexclamationofrage。``Myowndaughterinsultingme！’’shesaid。
``Suchathoughtdidnotentermyhead，’’protestedMildred。``Iwasn’tthinkingofanyoneinparticular。’’
``Let’snotquarrelnow，’’saidPresbury，withunprecedentedamiability。``WemustgiveBillaspectacleofthehappyfamily。’’
Thecabenteredtheporte-cochereofahugepalaceofwhitestonejustoffFifthAvenue。Thehousewasevengranderthantheyhadanticipated。Thewrought-
ironfencearoundithadcostasmallfortune。thehouseitself，withoutreferencetoitscontents，alargefortune。
Themassiveouterdoorswereopenedbytwolackeysincherry-coloredsilkandvelvetlivery。abutler，lookinglikeanEnglishgentleman，waswaitingtoreceivethematthetopofashortflightofmarblestepsbetweentheouterandtheinnerentrancedoors。AsMildredascended，shehappenedtonotethesculpturingovertheinnerentrance——arecliningnudefigureofawoman，Cupidswithgarlandsandhymenealtorcheshoveringabouther。
MildredhadbeeninmanypretentioushousesinandnearNewYork，butthisfarsurpassedthegrandestofthem。Everythingwasbrandnew，seemedtohavebeenonlythatmomentplaced，andwasofthecostliest-
statuary，carpets，armor，carvedseatsofstoneandwood，marblestaircaserisingmajestically，tapestries，pictures，drawing-roomfurniture。Thehallwasvast，butthedrawing-roomwasvaster。Empty，onewouldhavesaidthatitcouldnotpossiblybefurnished。Yetitwasnotonlyfull，butcrowded-chairsandsofas，hassocksandtete-a-tetes，cabinets，tables，pictures，statues，busts，palms，flowers，amightyfireplaceinwhich，behindenormousandcostlyandirons，crackledenormousandcostlylogs。Therewasdangerinmovingabout。onecouldnotbesureofnotupsettingsomething，andonefeltthattheleastdamagethatcouldbedonetherewouldbeanappallinglyexpensivematter。
BeforethatcavernousfireplaceposedGeneralSiddall。Hewasatinymiteofamanwithathinwirybodysupportingtheheadofaprofessionalbarber。
Hisblackhairwasglossyandmostromanticallyarranged。Hisblackmustacheandimperialwerewaxedandbrilliantined。Therewasnomistakingtheliberaluseofdye，also。Fromtheratherthin，verysharpfacelookedapairofsmall，muddy，brown-greeneyes——dull，crafty，cold，cruel。Butthelittlemanwassoinsignificantandsobebarberedandbetailoredthatonecouldnottakehimseriously。Neverhadtherebeensonew，socarefullypressed，soperfectlyfittingeveningclothes。neverashirtsoexpensivelygottogether，orjeweledstuds，waistcoatbuttonsandlinkssohighpriced。Fromeverypartoftheroom，fromeverypartofthelittleman’sperfumedandgroomedperson，everyindividualarticleseemedtobeshrieking，``ThebestisnottoogoodforBillSiddall！’’
Mildredwasagreeablysurprised——shewaslookingwithfiercedeterminationforagreeablesurprises——
whenthecostlylittlemanspoke，inaquiet，pleasantvoicewithanelusive，attractiveforeignaccent。
``My，butthisisgrand——grand，GeneralSiddall！’’
saidPresburyinthevoiceofthenoisyflatterer。
``Princely！Royal！’’
MildredglancednervouslyatSiddall。ShefearedthatPresburyhadtakenthewrongtone。Shesawintheunpleasanteyesaglanceofgratifiedvanity。Saidhe：
``Notsobad，notsobad。IsawthehouseinParis，whenIwastakingawalkoneday。IwenttotheAmericanambassadorandaskedforthebestarchitectinParis。Iwenttohim，toldhimaboutthehouse——
andhereitis。’’
``Decorations，furniture，andall！’’exclaimedPresbury。
``No，justthehouse。IpickeduptheinteriorsindifferentpartsofEurope——hadeverythingreproducedwhereIcouldn’tbuyoutright。IwanttoenjoymymoneywhileI’mstillyoung。Ididn’tcarewhatitcosttogetthepropersurroundings。AsIsaidtomyarchitectandtomystaffofartists，Iexpectedtobecheated，butIwantedthegoods。AndIgotthegoods。I’llshowyouthroughthehouseafterdinner。It’sonthissamescalethroughout。Andthey’reputtingmetogetheracountryplace——samesortofthing。’’Hethrewbackhislittleshouldersandprotrudedhislittlechest。``Andthejokeofitisthatthewholebusinessisn’tcostingmeacent。’’
``Notacentlessthanhalfadozenoradozenmillions，’’saidPresbury。
``Notsomuchasthat——notquite，’’protestedthedelightedlysparklinglittlegeneral。``ButwhatI
meantwasthat，asfastasthesefellowsspend，Igodown-townandmake。Factis，I’malittlebetteroffthanIwaswhenIstartedintobuild。’’
``Well，youdidn’tgetanyofMYmoney，’’laughedPresbury。``ButIsupposeprettymucheverybodyelseinthecountrymusthavecontributed。’’
GeneralSiddallsmiled。Mildredwonderedwhetherthepointsofhismustacheandimperialwouldcrackandbreakof，ifheshouldtouchthem。Shenotedthathishairwasroachedabsurdlyhighabovethemiddleofhisforeheadandthathewaswearingthetallestheelsshehadeverseen。Shecalculatedthat，withhishairflatandhisfeetontheground，hewouldhardlycometohershoulder——andshewasbarelyofwoman’smediumheight。Shecaughtsightofhishands——thesquare，stubbyhandsofaworkingman。thefingerspermanentlyslightlycurvedasbythehandleofshovelandpick。theskinshriveledbutwhitewithaghastly，sickeningbleachedwhite，thenailsrepulsivelymanicuredintolongwhitecurves。``Ifheshouldtouchme，I’dscream，’’shethought。AndthenshelookedatPresbury——andaroundherattheevidencesofenormouswealth。
Thegeneral——shewonderedwherehehadgotthattitle——ledhermotherintodinner，Presburygaveherhisarm。Onthewayhefoundopportunitytomutter：
``Layitonthick！Flatterthefool。Youcan’toffendhim。Tellhimhe’sdivinelyhandsome——aLouisFourteen，aNapoleon。Praiseeverything——napkins，tablecloth，dishes，food。Raveoverthewine。’’
ButMildredcouldnotadoptthisobviouslyexcellentadvice。Shesatsilentandcold，whilePresburyandhermotherravedanddrewoutthegeneraltotalkofhimself——theonlysubjectinthewholeworldthatseemedtohimthoroughlyworthwhile。AsMildredlistenedandfurtivelyobserved，itseemedtoherthatthistinyfool，soobviouslypleasedbythesecoarseandinsultingflatteries，couldnotpossiblyhavehadthebrainstoamassthevastfortuneheapparentlypossessed。Butpresentlyshenotedthatbehindthepersonalitythatwaspleasedbythisgrossfawningandbootlickingtherelay——layinwaitandonguard——
anotherpersonality，onethatdespisedtheseguestsofhis，estimatingthemattheirtruevalueandusingthemcontemptuouslyforthegratificationofhiscoarseappetites。Intheglimpseshecaughtofthatdeeperandrealpersonality，shelikeditevenlessthanshelikedtheoneuponthesurface。
ItwasevidenceofsuperioracumenthatshesawevenvaguelytherealBillSiddall，themoney-maker，beneaththeGeneralWilliamSiddall，rawandignorantandvulgar——morevulgarinhisrefinementthanthemostshockingbumathomeandateaseinfoul-smellingstew。
Everymanofachievementhidesbeneathhissurface——
personalitythissecondandrealman，whomakesthefortune，discoversthesecretofchemistry，fightsthebattle，carriestheelection，paintsthepicture，commitsthefrightfulmurder，evolvesthedivinesermonorpoemorsymphony。Thus，whenwemeetamanofachievement，weinvariablyhaveasenseofdisappointment。
``Why，that’snottheman！’’weexclaim。``Theremustbesomemistake。’’Anditis，indeed，nottheman。
Himweareincapableofseeing。Wehaveonlyeyesforsurfaces。and，notbeingdoersofextraordinarydeeds，butmereploddersintheroutinesofexistence，wecannotbelievethatthereisanymoretoanotherthanthereistoourselves。Thepleasantorunpleasantsurfacefortheconventionalrelationsoflifeisaboutallthereistous。thereforeitisallthereistohumannature。Well，there’snohelpforit。Inmeasuringourfellowbeingswecanuseonlythemeasurementsofourownselves。wehavenoothers，andifothersaregiventousweareasfoozledasoneknowingonlyfeetandincheswhohasatapemarkedoffinmetersandcentimeters。
ItsohappenedthatinhersocialexcursionsMildredhadneverbeeninanyofthenumeroushomesofthesuddenlyandvastlyrichofhumbleorigin。Shewasusedto——andregardedasproperandelegant——theordinaryostentationsandcruditiesoftherichofconventionalsociety。NomorethanyouorIwasshemovedtoridiculeordisdainbythesillinessandthetawdryvulgarityofthelifeofpalaceandliveriedlackeyandemptyceremonial，bythetediousentertainments，bythedisplaysofcostlyandpoisonousfood。
ButGeneralSiddall’sestablishmentpresentedanewphasetoher——andshethoughtituniqueindreadfulnessandabsurdity。
Thegeneralhadhadahomelifeinhisyouth——inacoal-miner’scabinnearWilkes-Barre。Eversince，hehadlivedinboarding-housesorhotels。Ashisshrewdandrapaciousmindhadgatheredinmoreandmorewealth，hehadlivedmoreandmoreluxuriously——butalwaysathotels。Hehadseenlittleoftheprivatelifeoftherich。Thushehadbeencompelledtogethisideasofluxuryandofceremonialaltogetherfromthehotel-keepersandcatererswhogivetherichwhatthemoreintelligentandinformedoftherichareusuallyshamedbypeopleoftastefromgivingthemselvesathome。
Shethoughtthetablecloth，napkins，andgaudygoldandflowerycutglassalittleoverdone，butonthewholenotsobad。ShehadseensuchalmostasgrandatafewNewYorkhouses。Thelaceintheclothandinthenapkinswasmerelyalittletoomagnificent。Itmadethetablelumpy，itmadethenapkinsunfitforuse。
Butthewaythedinnerwasserved！Youwouldhavesaidyouwereinaglorifiedpalace-hotelrestaurant。
Youlookedaboutforthecashier’sdesk。youwerecertainabillwouldbepresentedafterthelastcourse。
Thegeneral，tinierandmoregrotesquethaneverinthegreathigh-backed，richlycarvedarmchair，surveyedtheprogressofthebanquetwiththeairofagodperformingmiraclesofcreationandpassingtheminreviewandgivingthemhisdivineendorsement。HewaswellpleasedwiththeenthusiasticpraisesPresburyandhiswifelavisheduponthefoodanddrink。Hewouldhavebeenbetterpleasedhadtheyprecededandfollowedeverymouthfulwithaeulogy。Hesupplementedtheircomplimentswithevenmorefulsomecompliments，addingdetailsastotheoriginandthecost。
``Darcy’’——thistothebutler——``tellthechefthatthisfishisthebestyet——reallyexquisite。’’ToPresbury：``IhaditbroughtoverfromFrance——alive，ofcourse。Wehavemanyexcellentfish，butIlikeachangenowandthen。SoIhaveastandingorderwithPrunier——he’sthebigoyster-andfish-manofParis——
tosendmeoversomethingseverytwoweeksbyspecialexpress。Thatway，anoystercostsaboutfiftycentsandafishaboutfiveorsixdollars。’’
ToMrs。Presbury：``I’llhaveDarcymakeyouandMissPresbury——excuseme，MissGower——bouquetsoftheflowersafterward。MostofthemcomefromNewYork——andveryhighreallyfirst-classflowersare。
Ipaytwodollarsapieceformyrosesevenatthisseason。Andorchids——well，IfeelreallyextravagantwhenIindulgeinorchidsasIhavethisevening。Tendollarsapieceforthose。Butthey’reworthit。’’
Thedinnerwasinterminablylong——upwardoftwentykindsoffood，nolessthanfivekindsofwine。
enoughservedandspoiledtohavefedandintoxicatedadozenpeopleatleast。Anduponeveryitemoffoodanddrinkthegeneralhadsomeremarkstomake。Heimpressedituponhisgueststhatthisdinnerwasverylittlebetterthantheoneservedtohimeverynight，thattheincreaseinexpenseandluxurywasnotintheirhonor，butinhisown——toshowthemwhathecoulddowhenhewishedtomakeaholiday。Finallythegrandcoursewasreached。Intothedining-room，totheamazementoftheguests，wererolledtwogreatrestaurantjointwagons。Insteadofbeingmadeofsilver-platednickelorplainnickeltheywereofsilverembossedwithgold，andthelargecarversandserving-
spoonsandforkshadgold-mountedsilverhandles。
Whenthelackeysturnedbackthecoversthereweredisclosedseveraltrulywonderfulyoungturkeys，fattenedasifbypainstakingandskillfulhandandsuperblybrowned。
Uptothattimetherichandcostlyfoodhadbeensadlymedium——likethewines。Buttheseturkeyswereagenuinetriumph。EvenMildredgavethemalookofinterestandadmiration。InavoicethatmadeGeneralSiddallecstaticPresburycried：
``GODblessmysoul！WHEREdidyougetthosebeauties，oldman！’’
``Paris，’’saidSiddallinavoicetremulouswithprideandself-admiration。Youwouldhavethoughtthathehadcreatednotmerelytheturkeys，butParis，also。
``Potinsendsthemovertome。Potin，youknow，isthefinestdealeringroceries，fruit，game，andsoonintheworld。Ihaveastandingorderwithhimforthebestof——
everythingthatcomesin。I’dhatetotellyouwhatmybillwithPotiniseverymonth——heonlysendsittomeonceayear。Really，IthinkIoughttobeashamedofmyself，butIreasonthat，ifamancanaffordit，he’safooltoputanythingbutthebestintohisstomach。’’
``You’rerightthere！’’mumbledPresbury。Hismouthwasfullofturkey。``YouHAVEgotachef，General！’’
``Heoughttocookwell。Ipayhimmorethanmostbank-presidentsget。Whatdoyouthinkofthosejointwagons，Mrs。Presbury？’’
``They’revery——interesting，’’repliedshe，alittlenervousbecauseshesuspectedtheyweresomesortofvulgarjoke。
``Iknewyou’dlikethem，’’saidthegeneral。``Myownideaentirely。Isawtheminseveralrestaurantsabroad——onlyofcoursethosetheyhadwerejustordinaryaffairs，notfittobeintroducedintoagentleman’sdining-room。ButItooktheideaandadaptedittomypurposes——andthereyouare！’’
``Veryoriginal，oldman，’’saidPresbury，whohadbeendrinkingtoomuch。``I’veneverseenitbefore，andIdon’tthinkIevershallagain。Gottheideapatented？’’
ButSiddallinhissoberestmomentwouldhavebeenslowtoadmitasuspicionthatanyofthehumanrace，whichheregardedasonitskneesbeforehim，wasventuringtopokefunathim。Drunkashenowwas，theopenestsarcasmwouldhavebeenacceptedasacompliment。
Afteragorgeousdessertwhichnobodymorethantouched——amoldedmousseofwhippedandfrozencreamandstrawberries——``speciallysentontomefromFloridaandcostingmeadollarapiece，Iguess’’——afterthiscostlywonderhaddisappearedfruitwasserved。
GeneralSiddallhadreadyalongorationuponthiscourse。Hedelivereditinadisgustinglythicktone。
ThepineapplewasanEnglishhothouseproduct，thegrapesweregrownbyacostlyprocessunderglassinBelgium。Asforthepeaches，Potinhadsentthosedeli-
catelyblushingmarvels，andthechargeforthiswouldbe``notlessthanalouisapiece，sir——alouisd’or——which，asyounodoubtknow，isaboutfourdollarsofUncleSam’smoney。’’
Thecoffee——``theQueenofHollandmayhaveitonherPRIVATEtable——MAY，Isay——butIdoubtifanyoneelseintheworldgetsasmellofitexceptme’’——
thecoffeeandthebrandycamenotamomenttoosoon。
Presburywasbecomingstupefiedwithindigestion。hiswifewasnoddingandwaswearingthatvague，forced，pleasantsmilewhichstandspropriety-guardoveramindasleep。MildredGowerfeltthathernerveswouldendurenomore。andthegeneralwasfallingintoabesottedstate，spillinghiswine，mumblinghiswords。
Thecoffeeandthebrandyrevivedthemallsomewhat。
Mildred，liftinghereyes，sawbywayofamirroredsectionoftheenormoussideboardtheEnglishbutlersurveyingmasterandguestswithslowlymoving，sneeringglanceofineffablecontempt。
Inthedrawing-roomagainMildred，requestedbySiddallandorderedbyPresbury，sangalittleFrenchsongandthen——attheurgingofSiddall——``AnnieLaurie。’’Siddallwaswipinghiseyeswhensheturnedaround。HesaidtoPresbury：
``Takeyourwifeintotheconservatorytolookatmyorchids。Iwanttosayawordtoyourstepdaughter。’’
Mildredstartedupnervously。Shesawhowdrunkthegeneralwas，sawtheexpressionofhisfacethatawomanhastobeinnocentindeednottounderstand。
Shewasafraidtobeleftalonewithhim。Presburycameuptoher，saidrapidly，inalowtone：
``It’sallright。He’sgotahighsenseofwhat’sduearespectablewomanofourclass。Heisn’tasdrunkashelooksandacts。’’
Havingsaidwhich，hetookhiswifebythearmandpushedherintotheadjoiningconservatory。Mildredreseatedherselfupontheinlaidpiano-bench。Thelittleman，hisfacenowshinywiththesweatofdrinkandemotion，drewupachairinfrontofher。Hesat——
andhewasalmostastallsittingasstanding。Hesaidgraciously：
``Don’tbeafraid，mydeargirl。I’mnotthatdangerous。’’
Sheliftedhereyesandlookedathim。Shetriedtoconcealheraversion。shefearedshewasnotsucceeding。
Butsheneednothaveconcernedherselfaboutthat。
GeneralSiddall，afterthemannerofveryrichmen，couldnotconceiveofanyonebeinglessimpressedwithhissuperiorityinanywaythanhehimselfwas。Foryearshehadheardonlyflatteriesofhimself——hisownvoicesinginghispraises，thefawningvoicesofthosehehiredandofthosehopingtogetsomefinancialadvantage。Hecouldnothaveimaginedamerewomannotbeingoverwhelmedbytheprospectofhiscourtingher。Norwouldithaveenteredhisheadthathismoneywouldbethechief，muchlesstheonly，considerationwithher。Hehadlongsincelostallpointofview，andbelievedthattheadulationpaidhiswealthwasevokedbyhischarmsofperson，mind，andmanner。Thosewhoimaginethiswasevidenceoffollyandweak-mindednessandextraordinaryvanityshowhowlittletheyknowhumannature。Thestrongestheadcouldnotre-
mainsteady，themostaccurateeyescouldnotretaintheirmeasuringskill，insuchanenvironmentasalwayscompletelyenvelopswealthandpower。Andthemuch-
talked-ofdifferencebetweenthoseborntowealthandpowerandthosewhorisetoitfromobscurityresolvesitselftolittlemorethanthedifferencebetweenthosebornmadandthosewhogoinsane。
Lookingatthelittlemanwiththedisagreeableeyes，sodullyetsoshrewd，Mildredsawthatwithinthedrunkardwhocouldscarcelysitstraightupontherichlyupholsteredandcarvedgiltchairtherewasanotherperson，coldlysober，calmlycalculating。Andsherealizedthatitwasthispersonwithwhomshewasabouttohavethemostseriousconversationofherlifethusfar。
Thedrunkardsmiledwitharepulsivewipingandsmackingofthethin，sensuallips。``IsupposeyouknowwhyIhadyoubroughtherethisevening？’’saidhe。
Mildredlookedandwaited。
``Ididn’tintendtosayanythingto-night。Infact，Ididn’texpecttofindinyouwhatI’vebeenlookingfor。Ithoughtthatoldfoolofastepfatherofyourswascrackinguphisgoodsbeyondtheirmerits。Buthewasn’t。Mydear，yousuitmefromthegroundup。I’vebeenlookingyouovercarefully。YouweremadefortheplaceIwanttofill。’’
Mildredhadloweredhereyes。Herfacehadbecomedeathlypale。``Ifeelfaint，’’shemurmured。``Itisverywarmhere。’’
``You’renotsickly？’’inquiredthegeneralsharply。
``Youlooklikeagoodsolidwoman——thinbutwiry。
Everbeensick？Imustlookintoyourhealth。That’sapointonwhichImustbesatisfied。’’
Awaveofangersweptthroughher，restoringherstrength。Shewasabouttospeak——arebuketohiscolossalimpudencethathewouldnotsoonforget。
Thensheremembered，andbitherlips。
``Idon’taskyoutodecideto-night，’’pursuedhe，hasteningtoexplainthisconcessionbyadding：``I
don’tintendtodecide，myself。AllIsayisthatIamwilling——ifthegoodsareuptothesample。’’
Mildredsawherstepfatherandhermotherwatchingfromjustwithintheconservatorydoor。AmovementoftheportiereatthedoorintothehallletherknowthatDarcy，thebutler，waspeepingandlisteningthere。Shestoodup，clenchedherhands，struckthemtogether，struckthemagainsthertemples，crossedtheroomswiftly，flungherselfdownuponasofa，andburstintotears。Presburyandhiswifeentered。Siddallwasstanding，lookingafterMildredwithagrin。HewinkedatPresburyandsaid：
``Iguesswegavehertoomuchofthatwine。It’salloldandstrongerthanyou’dthink。’’
``Mydaughterhardlytouchedherglasses，’’criedMrs。Presbury。
``Iknowthat，ma’am，’’repliedSiddall。``Iwatchedher。Ifshe’ddonemuchdrinking，I’dhavebeendone，thenandthere。’’
``Isuspectshe’supsetbywhatyou’vebeensaying，General，’’saidPresbury。``Wasn’titenoughtoupsetagirl？Youdon’trealizehowmagnificentyouare——
howmagnificenteverythingishere。’’
``I’msorryifIupsether，’’saidthegeneral，swellingandloftilycontrite。``Idontknowwhyitisthatpeopleneverseemtobeabletoactnaturalwithme。’’Hehatedthosewhodid，regardingthemassodden，unappreciativefools。
Mrs。Presburywasquietingherdaughter。PresburyandSiddalllightedcigarsandwentintothesmoking——
andbilliard-roomacrossthehall。SaidPresbury：
``Ididn’tdeceiveyou，didI，General？’’
``She’sentirelysatisfactory，’’repliedSiddall。``I’mgoingtomakecarefulinquiriesabouthercharacterandherhealth。IfthosethingsprovetobeallrightI’mreadytogoahead。’’
``Thenthething’ssettled，’’saidPresbury。``She’sallthataladyshouldbe。Andexceptacoldnowandthensheneverhasanythingthematterwithher。Shecomesofgoodhealthystock。’’
``Ican’tstandasickly，ailingwoman，’’saidSiddall。
``Iwouldn’tmarryone，andifoneImarriedturnedouttobethatkind，I’dmakeshortworkofher。Whenyougetrightdowntofacts，whatisawoman？Why，abody。Ifsheain’tprettyandwell，sheain’tnothing。
WhileI’mlookingupherpedigree，sotospeak，IwantyoutogethermothertoexplaintoherjustwhatkindofamanIam。’’
``Certainly，certainly，’’saidPresbury。
``HavehertoldthatIdon’tputupwithfoolishness。
Ifshewantstolookataman，letherlookatme。’’
``You’llhavenotroubleinthatway，’’saidPresbury。
``IDIDhavetroubleinthatway，’’repliedthegeneralsourly。``Womenarefools——ALLwomen。ButtheprincipaltroublewiththesecondMrs。Siddallwasthatshewasn’taladyborn。’’
``That’swhyIsayyou’llhavenotrouble，’’saidPresbury。
``Well，Iwanthermothertotalktoherplainerthanagentlemancantalktoayounglady。IwanthertounderstandthatIammarryingsothatIcanhaveaWIFE——cheerful，ready，andhealthy。I’llnotputupwithfoolishnessofanykind。’’
``Iunderstand，’’saidPresbury。``You’llfindthatshe’llmeetallyourconditions。’’
``Explaintoherthat，whileI’mtheeasiest，mostliberal-spendingmanintheworldwhenI’mgettingwhatIwant，IamjusttheoppositewhenI’mnotgettingwhatIpayfor。IfItakeherandifsheactsright，she’llhavemoreofeverythingthatwomenwantthananywomanintheworld。I’dtakeaprideinmywife。
Thereisn’tanythingIwouldn’tspendinshowingherofftoadvantage。AndI’mwillingtobeliberalwithhermother，too。’’
Presburyhadbeenhopingforthis。Hiseyessparkled。
``You’reaprince，General，’’hesaid。``Agenuineprince。Youknowhowtodothingsright。’’
``IflattermyselfIdo，’’saidthegeneral。``I’vebeenupanddowntheworld，andItellyoumostofthekingslivecheapbesideme。AndwhenIgetawifeworthshowingof，I’lldostillbetter。I’vegotwonderfulcreativeability。Thereisn’tanythingIcan’tandwon’tbuy。’’
Presburynoteduneasilyhowcoldandstraight，howobviouslyrepelledandrepellingthegirlwasassheyieldedherfingerstoSiddallattheleave-taking。Heandhermothercoveredthesilenceandicewithhotandvolublesycophantry。Theymighthavesparedthemselvestheexertion。ToSiddallMildredwasathermostfascinatingwhenshewasthus``theladyandthequeen。’’Thefinalimpressionshemadeuponhimwasthemostfavorableofall。
InthecabMrs。Presburytalkedoutofthefullnessofanoverflowingheart。``Whataremarkablemanthegeneralis！’’saidshe。``You’veonlytolookathimtorealizethatyou’reinthepresenceofareallysuperiorperson。Andwhattacthehas！——andhowgenerousheis！——andhowbeautifullyheentertains！
Somuchdignity——somuchsimplicity——somuch——’’
``Fiddlesticks！’’interruptedPresbury。``Yourdaughterisn’tadamnfool，Mrs。Presbury。’’
Mildredgaveashort，drylaugh。
Upflaredhermother。``ImeaneverywordIsaid！’’
criedshe。``IfIhadn’tadmiredandappreciatedhim，I’dcertainlynothaveactedasIdid。_I_couldn’tstooptosuchhypocrisy。’’
``Fiddlesticks！’’sneeredPresbury。``BillSiddallisahorror。Hishouseisahorror。Hisdinnerwasahorror。Theseloathsomerichpeople！They’reruiningtheworld——astheyalwayshave。They’remakingitimpossibleforanyonetogetgoodserviceorgoodfoodorgoodfurnitureorgoodclothingorgoodanything。Theydon’tknowgoodthings，andtheypayexorbitantpricesforshowytrash，forcrudevulgarluxury。Theycorrupttaste。Theymakeeveryoneroundthemornearthemsycophantsandcheats。Theysubstitutemoneyforintelligenceanddiscrimination。
Theydegradeeveryfinethinginlife。Civilizationisbuiltupbybrainsandhardwork，andalongcometherichandrotandruinit！’’
Mildredandhermotherwerelisteninginastonishment。
Saidthemother：
``I’dbeashamedtoconfessmyselfsuchahypocrite。’’
``AndI，madam，wouldbeashamedtobesuchahypocritewithouttakingabathofconfessionafterward，’’
retortedPresbury。
``AtleastyoumighthavewaiteduntilMildredwasn’tinhearing，’’snappedshe。
``IshallmarryhimifIcan，’’saidMildred。
``Andblissfullyhappyyou’llbe，’’saidPresbury。
``Women，ladies——trueladies，likeyouandyourmother——havenosensibilities。Allyouaskisluxury。
IfBillSiddallwereathousandtimesworsethanheis，hismoneywouldbuyhimalmostanyrefined，delicateladyanywhereinChristendom。’’
Mrs。Presburylaughedangrily。``YOU，talkinglikethis——youofallmen。IsthereanythingYOUwouldn’tstooptoformoney？’’
``DoyouthinkIlaidmyselfopentothatchargebymarryingyou？’’saidPresbury，madecheerfuldespitehissavageindigestionbytheopportunityforeffectiveinsultshehadgivenhimandhehadpromptlyseized。
``Iamfartoogallanttoagreewithyou。ButI’malsotoogallanttocontradictalady。Bytheway，youmustbecarefulindealingwithSiddall。Richpeopleliketobefawnedon，butnottobeslobberedon。
Youwententirelytoofar。’’
Mrs。Presbury，whomindigestionhadrenderedstupid，couldthinkofnoreply。Sosheburstintotears。
``Andmyowndaughtersittingsilentwhilethatmaninsultshermother！’’shesobbed。
Mildredsatstiffandcold。
``It’llbeaweekbeforeIrecoverfromthatdinner，’’
Presburywentonsourly。``Whatadinner！Whatavillainousmess！Thesevulgar，showyrich！Thatchampagne！Hesaiditcosthimsixdollarsabottle，andnodoubtitdid。IdoubtifiteversawFrance。
Thedealersrarelywastegenuinewineonsuchcattle。
Thewine-cellarsoffinehousestheworldthrougharethelaughing-stockofconnoisseurs——liketheirpicture-
galleriesandtheirotherattemptstomakemoneydotheworkoftaste。Iforgottoputmypillsinmybag。
I’llhavetohuntupanall-nightdrug-store。I’dnotdaregotobedwithouttakinganantidoteforthatpoison。’’
ButPresburyhadnotbeenaltogetherimprovident。
HehadhopedgreatthingsofBillSiddall’swine-cellar——thisdespiteanalmostunbrokenseriesofbitterdisillusionmentsanddisappointmentsinexperiencewiththosewhohadthewealthtobuy，iftheyhadhadthetastetoselect，thefinewinesheloved。So，resolvingtoindulgehimself，hehadputintohisbaghispairofgout-boots。
Thiswasadeviceofhisowninventing，onwhichhepridedhimself。Itconsistedofapairofroomydoe-
skinslippersreenforcedwithheavysolesandprovidedwithasetofthreethininsolestobeusedaccordingasthestateofhistoesmadeadvisable。ThecostofthePresburygout-boothadbeen，thankstopatientsearchforacheapcobbler，somethingunderfourdollars——
this，whenmenpaidshoespecialiststwenty，thirty，andevenfortydollarsapairforgout-bootsthatgavelesscomfort。Themorningafterthedinneratwhichhehaddrunktodrownhischagrinandtogivehimcourageandtongueforsycophantry，heputontheboots。
Withoutthemitwouldhavebeennecessarytocarryhimfromhisroomtoacabandfromcabtotrain。Withthemhewasabletohobbletoastreet-car。Hetriedtodistracthismindfromhissufferingsbylashingawaywithoutceasingathiswifeandhisstep-daughter。
Whentheywereoncemoreathome，andthemotheranddaughterescapedfromhim，themothersaid：
``Iwasgladtoseethatyouputupwiththatwretch，anddidn’tanswerhimback。’’
``Ofcourse，’’saidMildred。``He’smadtoberidofme，butifIoffendedhimhemightsnatchawaythischance。’’
``Hewould，’’saidMrs。Presbury。``I’msurehewould。But——’’shelaughedviciously——``onceyou’remarriedyoucanrevengeyourself——andme！’’
``Iwonder，’’saidMildredthoughtfully。
``Whynot？’’exclaimedhermother，irritated。
``Ican’tmakeMr。Presburyout，’’repliedthegirl。
``Iunderstandwhyhe’shelpingmetothischance，butIdon’tunderstandwhyheisn’tmakingfriendswithme，inthehopeofgettingsomethingafterI’mmarried。’’
Hermothersawthepoint，andwasinstantlyagitated。
``Perhapshe’ssimplyleadingyouon，intendingtoup-
setitallatthelastminute。’’Shegrittedherteeth。
``Oh，whatawretch！’’
Mildredwasnotheeding。``ImusthaveGeneralSiddalllookedupcarefully，’’shewenton。``Itmaybethatheisn’trich，orthathehasanotherwifesomewhere，orthatthere’ssomeotherawfulreasonwhymarryinghimwouldbeevenworsethanitseems。’’
``Worsethanitseems！’’criedhermother。``HowCANyoutalkso，Milly！Thegeneralseemstobeanidealhusband——simplyideal！Iwish_I_hadyourchance。Anysensiblewomancouldlovehim。’’
Astrangelookcameintothegirl’sface，andhermothercouldnotwithstandhereyes。``Don’t，mother，’’
shesaidquietly。``Eitheryoutakemeforafooloryouaretryingtoshowmethatyouhavenoself-
respect。IamnotdeceivingmyselfaboutwhatI’mdoing。’’
Mrs。Presburyopenedherlipstoremonstrate，changedhermind，drewadeepsigh。``It’sfrightfultobeawoman，’’shesaid。
``Tobealady，Mr。Presburywouldsay，’’suggestedMildred。
Aftersomediscussion，theyfixeduponJosephTilkerasthebestavailableinvestigatorofGeneralSiddall。
TilkerhadbeenheadclerkforHenryGower。HewasnowinforhimselfandhadofferedtolookafteranylegalbusinessMrs。Presburymighthavewithoutchargingher。Hepresentlyreportedthattherewasnotadoubtastothewealthofthelittlegeneral。
``Thereareallsortsofuglystoriesabouthowhemadehismoney，’’saidTilker。``butallthegreatfortuneshaveascandaloushistory，andIdoubtifSiddall’sisanyworsethantheothers。Idon’tseehowitwellcouldbe。Siddallhasthereputationofbeingameanandcruellittletyrant。Heissaidtobepompous，vain，ignorant——’’
``Indeedhe’snot，’’criedMrs。Presbury。``He’saroughdiamond，butanaturalgentleman。I’vemethim。’’
``Well，he’srichenough，andthatwasallyouaskedmetofindout，’’saidTilker。``ButImustwarnyou，Mrs。Presbury，nottohaveanybusinessorintimatepersonalrelationswithhim。’’
Mrs。PresburycongratulatedherselfonherwisdominhavingcomealonetohearTilker’sreport。ShedidnotrepeatanypartofittoMildredexceptwhathehadsaidaboutthewealth。ThatsheenlargeduponuntilMildred’spatiencegaveout。Sheinterruptedwithashrewd：
``Anythingelse，mamma？Anythingabouthimpersonally？’’
``We’vegottojudgehiminthatwayforourselves，’’
repliedMrs。Presbury。``Youknowhowwickedlytheylieaboutanyonewhohasanything。’’
``IshouldliketoreadafullaccountofGeneralSiddall，’’saidMildredreflectively。``justtosatisfymycuriosity。’’
Mrs。Presburymadenoreply。
Presburyhaddecidedthatitwasbesttomakenoadvance，buttowaituntiltheyheardfromSiddall。Heletaweek，tendays，goby。thenhisimpatiencegotthebetterofhisshrewdness。HesoughtadmittancetothegreatmanattheofficesoftheInternationalMetalsandMineralsCompanyinCedarStreet。Afterbeingsubjectedtovariedindignitiesbysundryunder-
strappers，hereceivedamessagefromthegeneralthroughasecretary：``Thegeneralsayshe’llletyouknowwhenhe’sreadytotakeupthatmatter。Hesayshehasn’tgotroundtoityet。’’Presburyapologizedcourteouslyforhisintrusionandwentaway，cursingunderhisbreath。Youmaybesurethathemadehiswifeandhisstepdaughtersufferforwhathehadbeenthrough。Twoweeksmorepassed——three——amonth。
Onemorninginthemailtherearrivedthisnote——type-
writtenuponbusinesspaper：
JAMESPRESBURY，Esqr。：
DEARSIR：
GeneralSiddallasksmetopresenthiscomplimentsandtosaythathewillbepleasedifyouandyourwifeandtheyoungladywilldinewithhimathishousenextThursdaytheseventeenthathalf-pastsevensharp。
ROBERTCHANDLESS，Secretary。
Theonlywordsinlonghandwerethetwoformingthenameofthesecretary。Presburylaughedandtossedthenoteacrossthebreakfasttabletohiswife。
``Youseewhatanignorantcreatureheis，’’saidhe。
``Heimagineshehasdonethethingupingrandstyle。
He’sthesortofmanthatcan’tbetaughtmannersbecausehethinksmanners，theordinarycivilities，areforthelowerordersofpeople。Oh，he’sajoke，isBillSiddall——ahorriblejoke。’’
Mrs。PresburyreadandpassedthelettertoMildred。
Shesimplyglancedatitandreturnedittoherstep-father。
``I’mjustaboutoverthatlastdinner，’’pursuedPresbury。``I’lleatlittleThursdayanddrinkless。
AndI’dadviseyoutodothesame，Mrs。Presbury。’’
Healwaysaddressedheras``Mrs。Presbury’’
becausehehaddiscoveredthatwhensoaddressedshealwayswinced，and，ifheputacertaintoneintohisvoice，shequivered。
``Thatdinneragedyoufiveyears，’’hewenton。
``Besides，youdranksomuchthatitwenttoyourheadandmadeyouslatherhimwithflatteriesthatirritatedhim。Hethoughtyouwereafool，andnooneisstupidenoughtoliketobeflatteredbyafool。’’
Mrs。Presburybridled，swallowedhard，saidmildly：
``We’llhavetospendthenightintownagain，Isuppose。’’
``Youandyourdaughtermaydoasyoulike，’’saidPresbury。``Ishallreturnherethatnight。Ialwayscatchcoldinstrangebeds。’’
``Wemightaswellallreturnhere，’’saidMildred。
``Ishallnotweareveningdress。thatis，I’llwearahigh-neckdressandahat。’’
Shehadjustgotanewhatthatwaspeculiarlybecomingtoher。ShehadshownSiddallherselfatthebestineveningattire。anothersortofcostumewouldgivehimadifferentviewofherlooks，onewhichsheflatteredherselfwasnotlessattractive。ButPresburyinterposedanemphaticveto。
``You’llwearfulleveningdress，’’saidhe。``BareneckandarmsformenlikeBillSiddall。Theywanttoseewhatthey’regetting。’’
Mildredflushedscarletandherlipstrembledasthoughshewereabouttocry。Infact，heremotionwasaltogethershame——ashamesopoignantthatevenPresburywasabashed，andmumbledsomethingapologetic。
Neverthelesssheworealow-neckdressonThursdayevening，oneasdaringastheextremelydaringfashionsofthatyearpermittedanunmarriedwomantowear。ItseemedtoherthatSiddallwasstillmorecostlyandelegant-lookingthanbefore，thoughthismayhavebeenduetothefactthathealwayscreatedanimpressionthatintheretrospectofmemoryseemedexaggerated。Itseemedimpossiblethatanyonecouldbesoclean，sopolishedandscoured，sogroomedandtailored，sobedecked，sohigh-heeledandloftilycoiffed。
Hismeanlittlecountenancewithitsgrotesquelywaxedmustacheandimperialworeanexpressionofgraciousbenignitythatassuredhisgueststheyneedanticipatenodisagreeablenews。
``Ioweyouanapologyforkeepingyouinsuspensesolong，’’saidhe。``I’maverybusyman，withinterestsinallpartsoftheworld。Ikeephouse——
someof’embiggerthanthis——openandgoinginsisdifferentplaces。Ialwaysliketobeathomewherevermybusinesstakesme。’’
Mrs。Presburyrolledhereyes。``Isn’tthatWONDERFUL！’’
sheexclaimed。``Whataninterestinglifeyoumustlead！’’
``Oh，so——so，’’repliedthegeneral。``ButIgetawfullonesome。I’mnaturallyadomesticman。I
don’tcareforfriends。They’reexpensiveanddangerous。
Amaninmypositionislikeaking。Hecan’thavefriends。So，ifhehasn’tgotafamily，hehasn’tgotnoth——anything。’’
``Nothinglikehomelife，’’saidPresbury。
``Yes，indeed，’’criedMrs。Presbury。
ThelittlegeneralsmileduponMildred，sittingpaleandsilent，witheyesdowncast。``Well，Idon’tintendtobealonemuchlonger，ifIcanhelpit，’’saidhe。
``AndImaysaythatIcanmakeawomanhappyifshe’stherightsort——ifshehassenseenoughtoappreciateagoodhusband。’’Thislasthesaidsternly，withmorethanahintofhispastmatrimonialmisfortunesinhisfrownandinhisvoice。``Thetroublewithagreatmanywomenisthatthey’refools——flighty，ungratefulfools。IfImarriedawomanlikethat，I’dmakeshortworkofher。’’
``Andshe’ddeserveit，General，’’saidMildred’smotherearnestly。``Butyou’llhavenotroubleifyouselectalady——agirlwho’sbeenwellbroughtupandhasrespectforherself。’’
``That’smyopinion，ma’am，’’saidthegeneral。
``I’mconvincedthatwhileamancanbecomeagentleman，awoman’sgottobebornaladyorsheneverisone。’’
``Verytrue，General，’’criedMrs。Presbury。``I
neverthoughtofitbefore，butit’sthetruestthingI
everheard。’’
Presburygrinnedathisplate。HestoleaglanceatMildred。Theireyesmet。Sheflushedfaintly。
``I’vehadagreatdealofexperienceofwomen，’’pur-
suedthegeneral。``InmyboyhooddaysIwasaladies’
man。AndofcoursesinceI’vehadmoneythey’veswarmedroundmelikebeesinaclover-patch。’’
``Oh，General，you’refartoomodest，’’criedMrs。
Presbury。``Amanlikeyouwouldn’tneedtobeafraid，ifhehadn’tacent。’’
``ButnotthekindofwomenIwant，’’repliedhe，firmlyifcomplacently。``Aladyneedsmoneytokeepupherposition。Shehastohaveit。Ontheotherhand，amanofwealthandstationneedsaladytoassisthimintheproperkindoflifeformenofhissort。
Sotheyneedeachother。They’vegottohaveeachother。That’sthepractical，sensiblewaytolookatit。’’
``Exactly，’’saidPresbury。
``AndI’vemadeupmymindtomarry，andmarryrightaway。Butwe’llcomebacktothislateron。
Presbury，you’reneglectingthatwine。’’
``I’mdrinkingitslowlytoenjoyitbetter，’’saidPresbury。
ThedinnerwasthesameunendingandexpensivefunctionthathadweariedthemandupsettheirdigestionsonThanksgivingDay。Therewastoomuchofeverything，anditwasalljustwrong。Thegeneralwasnotquitesovolubleashehadbeenbefore。hisgazewasfixedmostofthetimeonMildred——rovingfromherlovelyfacetohersmooth，slendershouldersandbackagain。Ashedrankandatehisgestureofslightlysmackinghisthinlipsseemedtoincludeanenjoymentofthegirl’scharms。Andasensitiveobservermighthavesuspectedthatshewasnotunconsciousofthisandwassufferingsomesuchpainasifabhorrentandcruellipsandteethwereactuallymouthingandmumblingher。Shesaidnotawordfromsittingdownattableuntiltheyrosetogointothelibraryforcoffee。
``Dotellmeaboutyourearlylife，General，’’Mrs。
Presburysaid。``OnlytheotherdayMilliewassayingshewishedshecouldreadabiographyofyourromanticcareer。’’
``Yes，ithasbeenrather——unusual，’’concededthegeneralwithswellingchestandgentlywavingdollar-
and-a-half-apiececigar。
``IdosoADMIREamanwhocarvesouthisownfortune，’’Mrs。Presburywenton——shehadnotobeyedherhusband’sinjunctionastothechampagne。``Itseemssowonderfultomethatamancouldwithhisownhandsjustdigafortuneoutoftheground。’’
``Hecouldn’t，ma’am，’’saidthegeneral，withgracioustolerance。``Itwasn’ttillIstoppedthefooldiggingandhuntingaroundforgoldthatIbegantogetahead。Ithrewawaythepickandshovelandopenedahotel。’’Thereweretwoorthreesleeping-roomsofakindinthat``hotel，’’butitwasratherasaloonofthespeciesknownas``doggery。’’``Yes，itwasinthehotelthatIgotmystart。Thefellowsthatmakethemoneyinminingcountriesain’ttheprospectorsanddiggers，ma’am。’’
``Really！’’criedMrs。Presburybreathlessly。``Howinteresting！’’
``They’refools，theyare，’’proceededthegeneral。
``No，themoney’smadebythefellowsthatgrub-stakethefools——give’emsuppliesandsend’emouttonosearoundinthemountains。Thenthemthatfindany-
thinghavetogivehalftothefellowthatdidthegrub-
staking。Andhelooksintotheclaim，andifthere’sanythinginit，why，hebuysthefoolout。Inmines，likeeverywhereelse，ma’am，itain’twork，it’sbrainsthatmakesthemoney。Nominerevermadeaminingfortune——notone。It’sthebrainy，foxyfellowsthatstaybackinthecamps。Iusedtosendoutfiftyandahundredmenayear。Maybeonlytwoorthree’dturnupanythingworthwhile。No，ma’am，Inevergotadollaraheadonmydigging。AllthegoldIeverdugwentrightoffforgrub——oragoodtime。’’
``Wonderful！’’exclaimedMrs。Presbury。``Ineverheardofsuchathing。’’
``Butwe’renotheretotalkaboutmines，’’saidthegeneral，hiseyesuponMildred。``I’vebeenlookingintomatters——togetdowntobusiness——andI’veaskedyouheretoletyouknowthatI’mwillingtogoahead。’’
Profoundsilence。Mildredsuddenlydrewinherbreathwithasoundsosharpthatthethreeothersstartedandglancedhastilyather。Butshemadenofurthersign。Shesatstillandcoldandpale。
Thegeneral，perfectlyatease，brokethesilence。
``IthinkMissGowerandIwouldgetonfasteralone。’’
Presburyatoncestoodup。hiswifehesitated，hereyesuneasilyuponherdaughter。Presburysaid：
``Comeon，Alice。’’Sheroseandprecededhimintotheadjoiningconservatory。Thelittlegeneralposedhimselfbeforethehugeopenfire，onehandbehindhim，theotheratthelevelofhiswaistcoat，thebigcigarbe-
tweenhisfirstandsecondfingers。``Well，mydear？’’
saidhe。
Mildredsomewhathesitatinglyliftedhereyes。but，onceshehadthemup，theirgazeheldsteadilyenoughuponhis——toosteadilyforhiscomfort。Headdressedhimselftohiscigar：
``I’mnotquitereadytosayI’mwillingtogothelimit，’’saidhe。``Wedon’texactlyknoweachothersufficientlywellasyet，dowe？’’
``No，’’saidMildred。
``I’vebeenmakinginquiries，’’hewenton。``thatis，Ihadmychiefsecretarymakethem——andhe’saverythoroughman，thankstomytraining。Hereportseverythingentirelyallright。Iadmiredignityandreserveinawoman，andyouhavebeenveryparticular。
WereyouengagedtoStanleyBaird？’’
Mildredflushed，veiledhereyestohidetheirresentfulflashatthisimpertinence。Shedebatedwithherself，decidedthatanyrebukeshortofonethatwouldangerhimwouldbewasteduponhim。``No，’’saidshe。
``ThatagreeswithHarding’sreport，’’saidthegeneral。``Itwasameregirlishflirtation——verydignifiedandproper，’’hehastenedtoadd。``Idon’tmeantosuggestthatyouwereatallflighty。’’
``Thankyou，’’saidMildredsweetly。
``Arethereanyquestionsyouwouldliketoaskaboutme？’’inquiredhe。
``No，’’saidMildred。
``AsIunderstandit——frommytalkwithPresbury——youarewillingtogoon？’’
``Yes，’’saidMildred。