YouthinkImighthavegotitoutofBoyne？PerhapsImight，butyouknowIhavemylittlescruples。Idon’tthinkitwouldhequitefair，orquitenice。\"
\"Youarescrupulous。AndIgiveyoucreditforhavingbeenmoredelicatethanI’vebeen。\"
\"Youdon’tmeanyou’vebeentryingtofinditout！\"
\"Ah，nowI’mnotsureaboutthesuperiordelicacy！\"
\"Oh，howgood！\"saidMissRasmith。\"Whatapityyoushouldbewastedinacallingthatlimitsyousomuch。\"
\"Youcallitlimiting？Ididn’tknowbutIhadgonetoofar。\"
\"Notatall！Youknowthere’snothingIlikesomuchasthoselittledigs。\"
\"Ihadforgotten。Thenyouwon’tmindmysayingthatthissurveillanceseemstomerathermorethanIhaveanyrighttofromyou。\"
\"Howexquisitelyyouputit！Whoelsecouldhavetoldmetomindmyownbusinesssodelightfully？Well，itisn’tmybusiness。Iacknowledgethat，andIspokeonlybecauseIknewyouwouldbesorryifyouhadgonetoofar。Irememberedourpromisetobefriends。\"
Shethrewatouchofrealfeelingintohertone，andheresponded，\"Yes，andIthankyouforit，thoughitisn’teasy。\"
Sheputoutherhandtohim，and，ashequestioninglytookit，shepressedhiswithanimation。\"Ofcourseitisn’t！Oritwouldn’tbeforanyotherman。Butdon’tyousupposeIappreciatethatsupremecourageofyours？Thereisnobodyelse-nobody！——whocouldstanduptoanimpertinenceandturnittopraisebysuchhumility。\"
\"Don’tgotoofar，orIshallbeturningyourpraisetoimpertinencebymyhumility。You’requiteright，though，aboutthemainmatter。I
needn’tsupposeanythingsopreposterousasyousuggest，tofeelthatpeoplearebestleftalonetooutlivetheirtroubles，unlesstheyareofthemostobviouskind。\"
\"Now，ifIthoughtIhaddoneanythingtostopyoufromofferingthatsortofhelpfulnesswhichmakesyouablessingtoeverybody，Ishouldneverforgivemyself。\"
\"Nothingsodireasthat，Ibelieve。Butifyou’vemademequestiontheproprietyofapplyingtheblessinginallcases，youhavedoneaverygoodthing。\"
MissRasmithwassilentandapparentlyserious。Afteramomentshesaid，\"AndI，formypart，promisetoletpoorlittleBoynealone。\"
Breckonlaughed。\"Don’tburlesqueit！Besides，Ihaven’tpromisedanything。\"
\"Thatisverytrue，\"saidMissRasmith，andshelaughed，too。
XVI。
Inoneofthosedramaticreverieswhichweallholdwithourselveswhenfortunehaspressinglyplacedus，EllenKentonhadimagineditpossibleforhertotellherstorytothemanwhohadsogentlyandtrulytriedtobeherfriend。Itwasmostlyinthewayofexplainingtohimhowshewasunworthyofhisfriendshipthatthestorywastold，andshefanciedtellingitwithoutbeingscandalizedatviolatingtheconventionsthatshouldhavekeptherfromevendreamingofsuchathing。Itwasallexaltedtoaplanewheretherewasnoquestionoffitorunfitindoingit，butonlytheoccasion；andhewouldneverhearoftheunworthinesswhichshewishedtoascribetoherself。Sometimeshemournfullyleftherwhenshepersisted，leftherforever，andsometimesherefused，andretainedwithherinasublimekindness，anobleamity，loftyandserene，whichdidnotseektobecomeanythingelse。Inthiscaseshewouldbreakfromherreverieswithself-accusingcries，underherbreath，of\"Silly，silly！Oh，howdisgusting！\"andifatthatmomentBreckonwerereallycominguptositbyher，shewouldblushtoherhair，andwishtorunaway，andfailingtheforceforthis，wouldsitcoldandblanktohiscivilities，andhavetobeskilfullyandgraduallytalkedbacktoself-
respectandself-tolerance。
TherecurrenceofthesereveriesandtheirconsequenceinhermadeitdifficultforhimtoputineffectthepromisehehadgivenhimselfinMissRasmith’spresence。IfEllenhadbeeneagertowelcomehiscoming，itwouldhavebeenverysimpletokeepawayfromher，butassheappearedanxioustoescapehim，andhadtobeentreated，asitwere，tosufferhissociety，somethingbetterthanhiscuriositywaspiqued，thoughthatwaspiqued，too。Hebelievedthathesawherlapsingagainintothatmorbidstatefromwhichhehadseemedonceabletosaveher，andhecouldnothelptryingagain。HewasthemoreboundtodosobytheironicalobservanceofMissRasmith，whohadtobedefiedfirst，andthenpropitiated；certainly，whenshesawhimapparentlybreakingfaithwithher，shehadarighttosomesortofexplanation，butcertainlyalsoshehadnorighttoablindandunreasoningsubmissionfromhim。HisembarrassmentwasheightenedbyherinterestinMissKenton，whom，withanadmirableshowofnowfindinghersafefromBreckon’sattractions，shewasalwayswishingtostudyfromhisobservation。Whatwasshereallylike？Thegirlhadaperfectfascinationforher；sheenviedhimhisopportunitiesofknowingher，andhisprivilegesofmakingthatmelancholyfacelightupwiththatheart-breakingsmile，andofbanishingthatdeliciousshynesswithwhichshealwaysseemedtomeethim。MissRasmithhadnoticedit；howcouldshehelpnoticingit？
Breckonwishedtohimselfthatshehadbeenabletohelpnoticingit，orweremorecapableofmindingherownbusinessthansheshowedherself，andhisheartclosedaboutEllenwithatendernessthatwasdangerouslyindignant。AtthesametimehefelthimselfwithheldbyMissRasmith’switnessfrombeingalltothegirlthathewishedtobe，andthathenowseemedtohavebeeninthosefirstdaysofstorm，whileMissRasmithandhermotherwerestillkeepingtheircabin。HeforesawthatitwouldendinMissRasmith’ssympatheticnaturenotbeingabletowithholditselffromEllen’sneedofcheerfulcompanionship，andhewassurprised，aslittleashewaspleased，onemorning，whenhecametotakethechairbesidehertofindMissRasmithinit，talkingandlaughingtothegirl，whoperverselyshowedherselfamused。MissRasmithmadeasiftoofferhimtheseat，buthehadtogoawaydisappointed，afterstandinglongenoughbeforethemtobeawarethattheyweresuspendingsometopicwhilehestayed。
Henaturallysupposedthetopictobehimself，butitwasnotso，oratleastnotdirectlyso。ItwasonlyhimselfasrelatedtothescoldinghehadgivenMissRasmithfortriflingwiththeinnocenceofBoyne，whichshewishedMissKentontounderstandastheeffectofarealaffectionforherbrother。Shelovedallboys，andBoynewassimplythemostdelightfulcreatureintheworld。Shewentontoexplainhowdelightfulhewas，andshowedasuchanappreciationoftheinfantilesweetnessmingledwiththematureseverityofBoyne’scharacterthatEllencouldnothelpbeingpleasedandwon。ShetoldsomelittlestoriesofBoynethatthrewalightalsotheirhomelifeinTuskingum，andMissRasmithdeclaredherselfperfectlyfascinated，andwishedthatshecouldgoandliveinTuskingum。Sheprotestedthatsheshouldnotfinditdull；Boynealonewouldbeentertainmentenough；andshefiguredacircumstancesoidyllicfromthehintsshehadgathered，thatEllen’sbrowdarkenedinsilentdenial，andMissRasmithfeltherself，asthechildrensayinthegame，veryhotinherproximitytothegirl’ssecret。Shewouldhavelikedtoknowit，butwhethershefeltthatshecouldknowitwhenshelikedenough，orwhethersheshouldnotbesosafewithBreckoninknowingit，sheveeredsuddenlyaway，andsaidthatshewassogladtohaveBoyne’sfamilyknowthepeculiarnatureofherdevotion，whichdidnotnecessarilymeanrunningawaywithhim，thoughitmightcometothat。
ShesupposedshewasalittlemorbidaboutitfromwhatMr。Breckonhadbeensaying；hehadaconsciencethatwouldbreakthepeaceofawholecommunity，thoughhewasthegreatestpossiblefavorite，notonlywithhisowncongregation，whichsimplyworshippedhim，butwiththebestsociety，wherehewasinconstantrequest。
Itwasnotherfaultifshedidnotoverdothesehistory，butperhapsitwasalltrueaboutthenumberofgirlswhowerereadyandwillingtomarryhim。Itmightevenbetrue，thoughshehadnodirectauthorityforsayingit，thathehadmadeuphismindnevertomarry，andthatwasthereasonwhyhefelthimselfsosafeinbeingthenicestsortoffriend。
Hewassafe，MissRasmithphilosophized，butwhetherotherpeopleweresosafewasadifferentquestion。Thereweregirlswhoweresaidtobedyingforhim；butofcoursethosethingswerealwayssaidaboutahandsomeyoungminister。Shehadfranklytakenhimonhisownground，fromthebeginning，andshebelievedthatthiswaswhatheliked。Atanyrate，theyhadagreedthattheywerenevertobeanythingbutthebestoffriends，andtheyalwayshadbeen。
Mrs。KentoncameandshylytookthechaironMissRasmith’sotherside，andMissRasmithsaidtheyhadbeentalkingaboutMr。Breckon，andsherepeatedwhatshehadbeensayingtoEllen。Mrs。KentonassentedmoreopenlythanEllencouldtoherpraises，butwhenshewentaway，andherdaughtersatpassive，withoutcommentorapparentinterest，themotherdrewalong，involuntarysigh。
\"Doyoulikeher，Ellen？\"
\"Shetriestobepleasant，Ithink。\"
\"DoyouthinkshereallyknowsmuchaboutMr。Breckon？\"
\"Ohyes。Whynot？Shebelongstohischurch。\"
\"Hedoesn’tseemtomelikeapersonwhowouldhaveaparcelofgirlstaggingafterhim。\"
\"ThatiswhattheydointheEast，Boynesays。\"
\"IwishshewouldletBoynealone。Sheismakingafoolofthechild。
He’sroundwithhereverymoment。Ithinksheoughttobeashamed，suchanoldthing！\"
Ellenchosetoprotest，orthoughtitfairtodoso。\"Idon’tbelievesheisdoinghimanyharm。Shejustletshimtalkout，andeverybodyelsecheckshimupso。Itwasniceofhertocomeandtalkwithme，whenwehadallbeenkeepingawayfromher。Perhapshesenther，though。Shesaystheyhavealwaysbeensuchgoodfriendsbecauseshewouldn’tbeanythingelsefromthebeginning。\"
\"Idon’tseewhysheneedhavetoldyouthat。\"
\"Oh，itwasjusttoshowhewasrunafter。Iwonderifhethinkswearerunningafterhim？Momma，Iamtiredofhim！Iwishhewouldn’tspeaktomeanymore。\"
\"Why！doyoureallydislikehim，Ellen？\"
\"No，notdislikehim。Butittiresmetohavehimtryingtoamuseme。
Don’tyouunderstand？\"
Mrs。Kentonsaidyes，sheunderstood，butshewasclearonlyofthefactthatEllenseemedflushedandweakatthatmoment。ShebelievedthatitwasMissRasmithandnotMr。Breckonwhowastoblame，butshesaid:
\"Well，youneedn’tworryaboutitlong。ItwillonlybeadayortwonowtillwegettoBoulogne，andthenhewillleaveus。Hadn’tyoubettergodownnow，andrestawhileinyourberth？Iwillbringyourthings。\"
Ellenrose，pullingherwrapsfromherskirtstogivethemtohermother。
Avoicefrombehindsaidbetweentheirmeetingshoulders:\"Oh，areyougoingdown？IwasjustcomingtobegMissKentontotakealittlewalkwithme，\"andtheylookedroundtogetherandmetBreckon’ssmilingface。
\"I’mafraid，\"Mrs。Kentonbegan，andthen，likeawell-trainedAmericanmother，shestoppedandlefttheaffairtoherdaughter。
\"Doyouthinkyoucangetdownwiththem，momma？\"thegirlasked，andsomehowhermother’sheartwaslightenedbyherevasion，nottocallituncandor。Itwasatleastnotmorbid，itwasatleastlikeothergirls，andMrs。Kentonimpartedwhatcomforttherewasinittothejudge，whenheaskedwhereshehadleftEllen。
\"Notthatit’sanyuse，\"shesighed，whenshehadseenhimshareitwithacertainshamefacedness。\"Thatwomanhasgothergriponhim，andshedoesn’tmeantoletgo。\"
KentonunderstoodMissRasmithbythatwoman；buthewouldnotallowhimselftobesoeasilycastdown。ThiswasoneofthethingsthatprovokedMrs。Kentonwithhim；whenhehadoncetakenhopehewouldnotabandonitwithoutreason。\"Idon’tseeanyevidenceofherhavinghergriponhim。I’venoticedhim，andhedoesn’tseemattentivetoher。
Ishouldsayhetriedtoavoidher。Hecertainlydoesn’tavoidEllen。\"
\"Whatareyouthinkingof，Rufus？\"
\"Whatareyou？Youknowwe’dbothbegladifhefanciedher。\"
\"Well，supposewewould？Idon’tdenyit。HeisoneofthemostagreeablegentlemenIeversaw；oneofthekindestandnicest。\"
\"He’smorethanthat，\"saidthejudge。\"I’vebeensoundinghimonvariouspoints，andIdon’tseewherehe’swrong。Ofcourse，Idon’tknowmuchabouthisreligiouspersuasion，ifitisone，butIthinkI’maprettyfairjudgeofcharacter，andthatyoungmanhascharacter。Heisn’talightperson，thoughhelikesjokingandlaughing，andheappreciatesEllen。\"
\"Yes，sodowe。Andthere’saboutasmuchprospectofhismarryingher。
Rufus，it’sprettyhard！She’sjustinthemoodtobetakenwithhim，butshewon’tletherself，becausesheknowsit’sofnouse。ThatMissRasmithhasbeentellingherhowmuchheisrunafter，andIcouldseethatthatsettleditforEllenasplainlyasifshesaidso。Moreplainly，forthere’senoughofthegirlinhertomakehersayonethingwhenshemeansanother。Shewasjustsayingshewassickofhim，andneverwantedtospeaktohimagain，whenhecameupandaskedhertowalk，andshewentwithhiminstantly。Iknewwhatshemeant。Shewasn’tgoingtolethimsupposethatanythingMissRasmithhadsaidwasgoingtochangeher。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidthejudge，\"Idon’tseewhatyou’rescaredat。\"
I’mnotSCARED。But，oh，Rufus！Itcan’tcometoanything！Thereisn’ttime！\"Anhystericalhopetrembledinherasseverationofdespairthatmadehimsmile。
\"Iguessiftime’sallthat’swanted——\"
\"HeisgoingtogetoffatBoulogne。\"
\"Well，wecangetoffthere，too。\"
\"Rufus，ifyoudaretothinkofsuchathing！\"
\"Idon’t。ButEuropeisn’tsobigbutwhathecanfindusagainifhewantsto。\"
\"Ah，ifhewantsto！\"
Ellenseemedtohavelethermothertakeherlanguorbelowalongwiththeshawlsshehadgivenher。Buttonedintoaclosejacket，andskirtedshortforthesea，shepushedagainstthebreezeatBreckon’selbowwithavigorthatmadehimlookhissurpriseather。Girl-like，shetookitthatsomethingwaswrongwithherdress，andranherselfoverwithanuneasyeye。
Thenheexplained:\"IwasjustthinkinghowmuchyouwerelikeMissLottie-ifyou’llexcusemybeingsopersonal。Anditneverstruckmebefore。\"
\"Ididn’tsupposewelookedalike，\"saidEllen。
\"No，certainly。Ishouldn’thavetakenyouforsisters。Andyet，justnow，Ifeltthatyouwerelikeher。Youseemsomuchstrongerthismorning——perhapsit’sthatthevoyageisdoingyougood。Shallyoubesorrytohaveitend？\"
\"Shallyou？That’sthewayLottiewouldanswer。\"
Breckonlaughed。\"Yes，itis。Ishallbeverysorry。Ishouldbewillingtohaveitroughagain，itthatwouldmakeitlonger。Ilikedit’sbeingrough。Wehadittoourselves。\"Hehadnotthoughthowthatsounded，butifitsoundedparticular，shedidnotnoticeit。
Shemerelysaid，\"Iwassurprisednottobeseasick，too。\"
\"Andshouldyoubewillingtohaveitroughagain？\"
\"Youwouldn’tseeanythingmoreofyourfriends，then。\"
\"Ah，yes；MissRasmith。Sheisagreattalker，Didyoufindherinteresting？\"
\"Shewasveryinteresting。\"
\"Yes？Whatdidshetalkabout？\"
Ellenrealizedthefacttoolatetowithhold\"Why，aboutyou。\"
\"Andwasthatwhatmadeherinteresting？\"
\"Now，whatwouldLottiesaytosuchathingasthat？\"askedEllen，gayly。
\"Somethingterriblycutting，I’mafraid。Butdon’tyou！FromyouI
don’twanttobelieveIdeserveit，nomatterwhatMissRasmithsaidme。\"
\"Oh，shedidn’tsayanythingverybad。Unlessyoumindbeingauniversalfavorite。\"
\"Well，itmakesamanoutrathersilly。\"
\"Butyoucan’thelpthat。\"
\"NowyouremindmeofMissLottieagain！\"
\"ButIdidn’tmeanthat，\"saidEllen，blushingandlaughing。\"Ihopeyouwouldn’tthinkIcouldbesopert。\"
\"Iwouldn’tthinkanythingthatwasn’ttoyourpraise，\"saidBreckon，andapauseensued，afterwhichthewordsheaddedseemedtameandflat。
\"IsuspectMissRasmithhasbeenidealizingthesituation。Atanyrate，Ishouldn’tadviseyoutotrustherreportimplicitly。I’mattheheadofasociety，youknow，ethicalorsociological，oraltruistic，whateveryouchoosetocallit，whichhasn’tanyverydefiniteobjectofworship，andyetmeetseverySundayforasortofworship；andIhavetobeinthepulpit。Soyousee？\"
Ellensaid，\"IthinkIunderstand，\"withatemptationtosmileattheruefulnessofhisappeal。
Breckonlaughedforher。\"That’sthemischiefandtheabsurdityofit。
Butitisn’tsobadasitseems。They’rereallymostofthemhard-headedpeople；andthosethatarenotcouldn’tmakeafoolofamanthatnaturehadn’tbegunwith。Still，I’mnotverywellsatisfiedwithmyworkamongthem——thatis，I’mnotsatisfiedwithmyself。\"Hewastalkingsoberlyenough，andhedidnotfindthatshewaslisteningtooseriously。\"I’mgoingawaytoseewhetherIshallcomeback。\"Helookedathertomakesurethatshehadtakenhismeaning，andseemedsatisfiedthatshehad。
\"I’mnotsurethatI’mfitforanysortofministry，andImayfindthewinterinEnglandtryingtofindout。IwasatschoolinEngland，youknow。\"
Ellenconfessedthatshehadnotknownthat。
\"Yes；Isupposethat’swhatmademeseem’soEnglishy’thefirstdaytoMissLottie，asshecalledit。ButI’mstraightenoughAmericanasfarasparentagegoes。DoyouthinkyouwillbeinEngland-later？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Ifpoppagetstoohomesickwewillgobackinthefall。\"
\"MissKenton，\"saidtheyoungman，abruptly，\"willyouletmetellyouhowmuchIadmireandrevereyourfather？\"
Tearscameintohereyesandherthroatswelled。\"Butyoudon’tknow，\"
shebegun；andthenshestopped。
\"Ihavebeenwantingtosubmitsomethingtohisjudgment；butI’vebeenafraid。Imightseemtobefishingforhisfavor。\"
\"Poppawouldn’tthinkanythingthatwasunjust，\"saidEllen，gravely。
\"Ah，\"Breckonlaughed，\"IsuspectthatIshouldratherhavehimunjust。
Iwishyou’dtellmewhathewouldthink。\"
\"ButIdon’tknowwhatitis，\"sheprotested，withareflectedsmile。
\"IwasinhopesMissRasmithmighthavetoldyou。Well，itissimplythis，andyouwillseethatI’mnotquitetheuniversalfavoriteshe’sbeenmakingyoufancyme。Thereisariftinmylute，aschisminmylittlesociety，whichissolittlethatIcouldnothavesupposedtherewasenoughofittobreakintwo。Therearesomewhothinktheirlecturer——forthat’swhatIamountto——oughttobeanolder，ifnotagraverman。Theyareintheminority，butthey’reintheright，I’mafraid；andthat’swhyIhappentobeheretellingyouallthis。It’saquestionofwhetherIoughttogobacktoNewYorkorstayinLondon，wherethere’sbeenafaintcallforme。\"Hesawthegirllisteningdevoutly，withthatflatteredlookwhichaseriousgirlcannotkeepoutofherfacewhenamanconfidesaseriousmattertoher。\"Imightsafelypromisetobeolder，butcouldIkeepmywordifIpromisedtobegraver？
That’sthepoint。IfIwereaCalvinistImightholdfastbyfaith，andfightitoutwiththat；orifIwereaCatholicIcouldcastmyselfuponthestrengthoftheChurch，andtriumphinspiteoftemperament。Thenitwouldn’tmatterwhetherIwasgraveorgay；itmightbeevenbetterifI
weregay。But，\"hewenton，intermswhich，doubtless，werenotthenforthefirsttimeformulatedinhismind，\"beingmerelytheleaderofasortofforlornhopeintheDivineGoodness，perhapsIhavenorighttobesocheerful。\"
ThenoteofasadironyinhiswordsappealedtosuchindignationforhiminEllenassheneverfeltforherself。Butsheonlysaid，\"Idon’tbelievePoppacouldtakethatinthewrongwayifyoutoldhim。\"
Breckonstared。\"Yesyourfather！Whatwouldhesay？\"
\"Ican’ttellyou。ButI’msurehewouldknowwhatyoumeant。\"
\"Andyou，\"hepursued，\"whatshouldYOUsay？\"
\"I？Ineverthoughtaboutsuchathing。Youmustn’taskme，ifyou’reserious；andifyou’renot——\"
\"ButIam；Iamdeeplyserious。Iwouldlike，toknowhowthecasestrikesyou。Ishallbesogratefulifyouwilltellme。\"
\"I’msorryIcan’t，Mr。Breckon。Whydon’tyouaskpoppa？\"
\"No，IseenowIsha’n’tbeable。Ifeeltoomuch，aftertellingyou，asifIhadbeenposing。Therealityhasgoneoutofitall。AndI’mashamed。\"
\"Youmustn’tbe，\"shesaid，quietly；andsheadded，\"Isupposeitwouldbelikeakindofdefeatifyoudidn’tgoback？\"
\"Ishouldn’tcarefortheappearanceofdefeat，\"hesaid，courageously。
\"Thegreatquestionis，whethersomebodyelsewouldn’tbeofmoreuseinmyplace。\"
\"Nobodycouldbe，\"saidshe，inasortofimpassionedabsence，andthencomingtoherself，\"Imean，theywouldn’tthinkso，Idon’tbelieve。\"
\"Thenyouadvise——\"
\"No，no！Ican’t；Idon’t。I’mnotfittohaveanopinionaboutsuchathing；itwouldbecrazy。Butpoppa——\"
Theywereatthedoorofthegangway，andsheslippedwithinandlefthim。Hisnervestingled，andtherewasaglowinhisbreast。Itwassweettohavesurprisedthatpraisefromher，thoughhecouldnothavesaidwhyheshouldvaluethepraiseoragirlofheropenignoranceandinexperienceineverythingthatwouldhavequalifiedhertojudgehim。
Buthefoundhimselfvaluingitsupremely，andwonderinglywishingtobeworthyofit。
XVII。
Ellendiscoveredherfatherwithabookinadistantcornerofthedining-saloon，whichhepreferredtothedeckorthelibraryforhisreading，insuchintervalsasthestewards，layingandcleaningthetables，lefthimunmolestedinit。Sheadvancedprecipitatelyuponhim，andstoodbeforehiminanexcitementwhich，thoughheliftedhisdazedeyestoitfromhispage，hewasnotentirelyawareoftillafterwards。
Thenherealizedthathercheekswerefullofcolor，andhereyesoflight，andthatshepantedasifshehadbeenrunningwhenshespoke。
\"Poppa，\"shesaid，\"thereissomethingthatMr。Breckonwantstospeaktoyou——toaskyouabout。Hehasaskedme，butIwantyoutoseehim，forI
thinkhehadbettertellyouhimself。\"
Whilehestillstaredathershewasassuddenlygoneasshehadcome，andheremainedwithhisbook，whichthemeaninghadassuddenlyleft。
Therewasnomeaninginherwords，exceptasheputitintothem，andafterhehadgotitinhestruggledwithitinasortofperfunctoryincredulity。Itwasnotimpossible；itchieflyseemedsobecauseitseemedtoogoodtobetrue；andthemorehepondereditthemorepossible，ifnotprobable，itbecame。Hecouldnotbesafewithittillhehadsubmittedittohiswife；andhewenttoherwhilehewassureofrepeatingEllen’swordswithoutvaryingfromthemasyllable。
Tohisastonishment，Mrs。Kentonwasinstantlyconvinced。\"Why，ofcourse，\"shesaid，\"itcan’tpossiblymeananythingelse。Whyshoulditbesoverysurprising？Thetimehasn’tbeenverylong，butthey’vebeentogetheralmosteverymoment；andhewastakenwithherfromtheverybeginning——Icouldseethat。Putonyourothercoat，\"shesaid，asshedustedthecollarofthecoatthejudgewaswearing。\"He’llbelookingyouup，atonce。Ican’tsaythatit’sunexpected，\"andsheclaimedaprescienceinthematterwhichallherwordshadhithertodenied。
Kentondidnotnoticeherinconsistency。\"IfitwerenotsoexactlywhatIwished，\"hesaid，\"Idon’tknowthatIshouldbesurprisedatitmyself。Sarah，ifIhadbeentryingtoimagineanyoneforEllen，I
couldn’thavedreamedofapersonbettersuitedtoherthanthisyoungman。He’severythingthatIcouldwishhimtobe。I’veseenthepleasureandcomfortshetookinhiswayfromthefirstmoment。Heseemedtomakeherforget——DoyousupposeshehasforgottenthatmiserablewretchDoyouthink——\"
\"Ifshehadn’t，couldshebelettinghimcometospeaktoyou？Idon’tbelievesheeverreallycaredforBittridge——ornotafterhebeganflirtingwithMrs。Uphill。\"ShehadnoshrinkingfromthenameswhichKentonavoidedwithdisgust。\"TheonlyquestionforyouistoconsiderwhatyoushallsaytoMr。Breckon。\"
\"Saytohim？Why，ofcourse，ifEllenhasmadeuphermind，there’sonlyonethingIcansay。\"
\"Indeedthereis！HeoughttoknowallaboutthatdisgustingBittridgebusiness，andyouhavegottotellhim。\"
\"Sarah，Icouldn’t。Itistoohumiliating。Howwoulditdotoreferhimto——Youcouldmanagethatpartsomuchbetter。Idon’tseehowIcouldkeepitfromseeminganindelicatebetrayalofthepoorchild——\"
\"Perhapsshe’stoldhimherself，\"Mrs。Kentonprovisionallysuggested。
Thejudgeeagerlycaughtatthenotion。\"Doyouthinkso？Itwouldbelikeher！Ellenwouldwishhimtoknoweverything。\"
Hestopped，andhiswifecouldseethathewastremblingwithexcitement。
\"Wemustfindout。IwillspeaktoEllen——\"
\"And——youdon’tthinkI’dbetterhavethetalkwithhimfirst？\"
\"Certainlynot！\"
\"Why，Rufus！Youwerenotgoingtolookhimup？\"
\"No，\"hehesitated；butshecouldseethatsomesuchthinghadbeenonhismind。
\"Surely，\"shesaid，\"youmustbecrazy！\"Butshehadnotthehearttoblighthisjoywithsarcasm，andperhapsnosarcasmwouldhaveblightedit。
\"ImerelywonderedwhatIhadbettersayincasehespoketomebeforeyousawEllen——that’sall。Sarah！Icouldn’thavebelievedthatanythingcouldpleasemesomuch。ButitdoesseemasifitweretheassuranceofEllen’shappiness；andshehasdeservedit，poorchild！Ifevertherewasadutifulandlovingdaughter——atleastbeforethatwretchedaffair——shewasone。\"
\"Shehasbeenagoodgirl，\"Mrs。Kentonstoicallyadmitted。
\"Andtheyareverywellmatched。Ellenisacultivatedwoman。Henevercouldhavecausetoblushforher，eitherhermindorhermanners，inanycircleofsociety；shewoulddohimcreditunderanyandallcircumstances。IfitwereLottie——\"
\"Lottieisallright，\"saidhermother，inresentmentofhispreference；
butshecouldnothelpsmilingatit。\"Don’tyoubefoolishaboutEllen。
IapproveofMr。Breckonasmuchasyoudo。Butit’sherprettinessandsweetnessthat’stakenhisfancy，andnotherwisdom，ifshe’sgothim。\"
\"Ifshe’sgothim？\"
\"Well，youknowwhatImean。I’mnotsayingshehasn’t。Dearknows，I
don’twantto！Ifeeljustasyoudoaboutit。Ithinkit’sthegreatestpieceofgoodfortune，comingontopofallourtroublewithher。Icouldn’thaveimaginedsuchathing。\"
Hewasinstantlyappeased。\"AreyougoingtospeakwithEllen\"heradiantlyinquired。
\"Iwillsee。There’snoespecialhurry，isthere？\"
\"Only，ifheshouldhappentomeetme——\"
\"Youcankeepoutofhisway，Ireckon。OrYoucanputhimoff，somehow。\"
\"Yes，\"Kentonreturned，doubtfully。\"Don’t，\"headded，\"betoobluntwithEllen。Youknowshedidn’tsayanythingexplicittome。\"
\"IthinkIwillknowhowtomanage，Mr。Kenton。\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，Sarah。I’mnotsayingthat。\"
Breckondidnotapparentlytrytofindthejudgebeforelunch，andattablehedidnotseemespeciallydevotedtoElleninherfather’sjealouseyes。HejokedLottie，andexchangedthosepassagesorreparteewithherinwhichshedidnotmindusingabludgeonwhenshehadnotarapierathand；itisdoubtfulifshewasverysensibleofthedifference。Ellensatbyinpassivecontent，smilingnowandthen，andBoynecarriedonadignifiedconversationwithMr。Pogis，whomhehadaskedtolunchathistable，andwholistenedwithoneeartothevigorousretortsofLottieinhercombatwithBreckon。
Thejudgewitnesseditallwithagravedispleasure，moreandmorepainfullyapparenttohiswife。Shecouldseetheimpatience，thegatheringmisgiving，inhisface，andsheperceivedthatshemustnotletthiscometoconsciousdissatisfactionwithBreckon；sheknewherhusbandcapableofindignationwithtriflingwhichwouldcomplicatethesituation，ifitcametothat。ShedecidedtospeakwithEllenassoonaspossible，andshemeanttofollowhertoherstate-roomwhentheyleftthetable。Butfateassortedthepiecesinthegamedifferently。BoynewalkedovertotheplacewhereMissRasmithwassittingwithhermother；
LottieandMr。Pogiswentofftopractiseduetstogether，terrible，four——
handedtormentsunderwhichthepianopresentlyclamored；andEllenstoodforamomenttalkedtobyMr。Breckon，whochallengedherthenforawalkondeck，andwithwhomshewentawaysmiling。
Mrs。Kentonappealedwiththereflectionofthegirl’shappinessinherfacetothefrowningcensureinherhusband’s；butKentonspokefirst。
\"Whatdoeshemean？\"hedemanded，darkly。\"Ifheismakingafoolofherhe’llfindthatthatgamecan’tbeplayedtwice，withimpunity。
Sarah，IbelieveIshouldchokehim。\"
\"Mr。Kenton！\"shegasped，andshetrembledinfearofhim，evenwhileshekeptherselfwithdifficultyfromshakinghimforhisfolly。\"Don’tsaysuchathing！Can’tyouseethattheywanttotalkitover？Ifhehasn’tspokentoyouit’sbecausehewantstoknowhowyoutookwhatshesaid。\"Seeingtheeffectofthesearguments，shepursued:\"Willyouneverhaveanysense？IwillspeaktoEllentheveryminuteIgetheralone，andyouhavejustgottowait。Don’tyousupposeit’shardforme，too？HaveIgotnothingtobear？\"
Kentonwentsilentlybacktohisbook，whichhetookwithhimtothereading-room，wherefromtimetotimehiswifecametohimandreportedthatEllenandBreckonwerestillwalkingupanddowntogether，orthattheyweresittingdowntalking，orwereforward，lookingoverattheprow，orwerewatchingthedeck-passengersdancing。Herhusbandreceivedhersuccessiveadviceswithrelaxinginterest，andwhenshehadbroughtthelastshewasawarethattheaffairwasentirelyinherhandswithalltheresponsibility。AfterthegaypartingbetweenEllenandBreckon，whichtookplacelateintheafternoon，shesufferedanintervaltoelapsebeforeshefollowedthegirldowntoherstate-room。Shefoundherlyinginherberth，withshiningeyesandglad，redcheeks；shewassmilingtoherself。
\"Thatisright，Ellen，\"hermothersaid。\"Youneedrestafteryourlongtramp。\"
\"I’mnottired。Weweresittingdownagooddeal。Ididn’tthinkhowlateitwas。I’meversomuchbetter。Where’sLottie？\"
\"OffsomewherewiththatyoungEnglishman，\"saidMrs。Kenton，asifthatwereofnosortofconsequence。\"Ellen，\"sheadded，abruptly，tryingwithinatremuloussmiletohidehereagerness，\"whatisthisthatMr。
Breckonwantstotalkwithyourfatherabout？\"
\"Mr。Breckon？Withpoppa？\"
\"Yes，certainly。YoutoldhimthismorningthatMr。Breckon——\"
\"Oh！Ohyes！\"saidEllen，asifrecollectingsomethingthathadslippedhermind。\"HewantspoppatoadvisehimwhethertogobacktohiscongregationinNewYorkornot。\"
Mrs。Kentonsatinthecornerofthesofanextthedoor，lookingintothegirl’sfaceonthepillowasshelaywithherarmsunderherhead。Tearsofdefeatandshamecameintohereyes，andshecouldnotseethegirl’slightnonchalanceinadding:
\"Buthehasn’tgotuphiscourageyet。Hethinkshe’llaskhimafterdinner。Hesayshedoesn’twantpoppatothinkhe’sposing。Idon’tknowwhathemeans。\"
Mrs。Kentondidnotspeakatonce。Herbitterestmortificationwasnotforherself，butforthesimpleandtenderfather-soulwhichhadbeensotriedalready。Shedidnotknowhowhewouldbearit，thedisappointment，andthecruelhurttohispride。Butshewantedtofallonherkneesinthankfulnessthathehadbetrayedhimselfonlytoher。
Shestartedinsuddenalarmwiththethought。\"Whereishenow——
Mr。Breckon？\"
\"He’sgonewithBoynedownintothebaggage-room。\"
Mrs。Kentonsankbackinhercorner，awarenowthatshewouldnothavehadthestrengthtogotoherhusbandeventosavehimfromtheawfuldisgraceofgivinghimselfawaytoBreckon。\"Andwasthatall？\"shefaltered。
\"All？\"
\"Thathewantedtospeaktoyourfatherabout？\"
Shemustmakeirrefragablysure，forKenton’ssake，thatshewasnotmisunderstanding。
\"Why，ofcourse！Whatelse？Why，momma！whatareyoucryingabout？\"
\"I’mnotcrying，child。Justsomefoolishnessofyourfather’s。Heunderstood——hethought——\"Mrs。Kentonbegantolaughhysterically。\"Butyouknowhowridiculousheis；andhesupposed——No，Iwon’ttellyou！\"
Itwasnotnecessary。Thegirl’smind，perhapsbecauseitwasimbuedalreadywiththesubject，hadpossesseditselfofwhatfilledhermother’s。Shedroppedfromtheelbowonwhichshehadliftedherself，andturnedherfaceintothepillow，withalongwailofshame。
XVIII。
Mrs。Kenton’sdifficultiesinsettingherhusbandrightwereindefinitelyheightenedbythesuspicionthatthemostunsuspiciousofmenfellintoconcerningBreckon。DidBreckonsupposethatthemattercouldbeturnedoffinthatway？hestupidlydemanded；andwhenhewasextricatedfromthiserrorbyhiswife’srepresentationthatBreckonhadnotchangedatall，buthadnevertoldEllenthathewishedtospeakwithhimofanythingbuthisreturningtohissociety，Kentonstillcouldnotacceptthefact。HewouldhavecontendedthatatleasttheothermattermusthavebeeninBreckon’smind；andwhenhewasbeatenfromthisposition，andconvincedthatthemeaningtheyhadtakenfromEllen’swordshadneverbeeninanymindbuttheirown，hefellintohumiliationsoabjectthathecouldhideitonlybythehauteurwithwhichhecarriedhimselftowardsBreckonwhentheymetatdinner。Hewouldscarcelyspeaktotheyoungman；Ellendidnotcometothetable；LottieandBoyneandtheirfriendMr。PogiswerediningwiththeRasmiths，andMrs。Kentonhadtobe，asshefelt，cringinglykindtoBreckoninexplainingjustthesortoftemporaryheadachethatkepthereldestdaughteraway。Hewasmorethanordinarilysympatheticandpolite，buthewasmanifestlybewilderedbyKenton’sbehavior。HerefusedanhilariousinvitationfromMrs。
Rasmith，whenherosefromtable，tostopandhavehiscoffeewithheronhiswayoutofthesaloon。HisoldadorerexplainedthatshehadorderedasmallbottleofchampagneinhonorofitsbeingthenightbeforetheyweretogetintoBoulogne，andthatheoughttositdownandhelpherkeeptheyoungpeoplestraight。Julia，shebrokenlysyllabled，withthegaybeveragebubblingbackintoherthroat，wasnottheleastuse；shewasworsethanany。Juliadidnotlookit，inthedemureregardwhichshebentuponheramusingmother，andBreckonpersistedinrefusing。HesaidhethoughthemightsafelyleavethemtoBoyne，andMrs。Rasmithsaidintoherhandkerchief，\"Ohyes！Boyne！\"andpressedBoyne’ssleevewithherknobbedandjewelledfingers。
Itwasevidentwheremostofthesmallbottlehadgone，butBreckonwasnonethecheerfullerforthespectacleofMrs。Rasmith。Hecouldnothaveamoment’sdoubtastothesortofworkhehadbeendoinginNewYorkifshewereaneffectofit，andheturnedhismindfromthesadcertaintybacktothemoreimportantinquiryastowhatoffencehiswishtoadvisewithJudgeKentoncouldhaveconveyed。Ellenhadtoldhimintheafternoonthatshehadspokenwithherfatheraboutit，andshehadnotintimatedanydispleasureorreluctanceonhim；butapparentlyhehaddecidednottosufferhimselftobeapproached。
Itmightbeaswell。BreckonhadnotbeenabletoconvincehimselfthathisproposaltoconsultJudgeKentonwasnotapose。HehadflashesofowningthatitwascontemplatedmerelyasameansofingratiatinghimselfwithEllen。Now，ashefoundhiswayupanddownamongtheemptysteamer-chairs，hewasaware，atthebottomofhisheart，ofnotcaringintheleastforJudgeKenton’srepellentbearing，exceptasitpossibly，orimpossibly，reflectedsomemoodofhers。Hecouldnotmakeouthernotcomingtodinner；theheadachewasclearlyanexcuse；forsomereasonshedidnotwishtoseehim，heargued，withtheegotismofhiscondition。
Thelogicofhisconclusionwasstrengthenedatbreakfastbyhercontinuedabsence；andthistimeMrs。Kentonmadenoapologiesforher。
Thejudgewasashadelesssevere；orelseBreckondidnotputhimselfsomuchinthewaytobewithheldashehadthenightbefore。BoyneandLottiecarriedonasortofmutedscrap，unrebukedbytheirmother，whoseemedtoomuchdistractedinsometacittroubletomindthem。FromtimetotimeBreckonfoundhereyesdwellinguponhimwonderingly，entreatingly；shedroppedthem，ifshecaughthis，andcolored。
IntheafternoonitwasearlyevidentthattheywereapproachingBoulogne。Thehatchwasopenedandthesailorsbegangettingupthebaggageofthepassengerswhoweregoingtodisembark。Itseemedalongtimeforeverybodytillthesteamergotin；thosegoingashoresatontheirhand-baggageforanhourbeforethetugcameuptotake，themoff。
Mr。Pogiswasamongthem；hehadbegunintheforenoontomarktheapproachingseparationbetweenLottieandhimselfbyintervalsofunmistakablewithdrawal。Anothergirlmighthavecared，butLottiedidnotcare，forherfailuretogetariseoutofhimbyhermockinglyvaried\"Oh，Isay！\"and\"Well，rather！\"InthegrowthofhisdignifiedreserveMr。Pogiswasindifferenttojeers。Bywhatevertraditionofwhatwouldorwouldnotdohewascontrolledinrelinquishingheracquaintance，orwhetheritwasinobediencetosomeimperativeideal，orsomefearfuldomesticinfluencesubtlymakingitselffeltfromthecoastsofhisnativeisland，orsomefinedespairofequallingtheimaginedgrandeurofLottie’ssocialstateinTuskingumbyanythinghecouldshowherinEngland，itwascertainthathewasendingwithLottiethenandthere。AtthesametimehewascarefullydefininghimselffromtheRasmiths，withwhomhemustland。Hehadhisstate-roomthingsputatanappreciabledistance，wherehedidnotescapeafinalstabfromLottie。
\"Oh，dogivemearoseoutofthat，\"sheentreated，intravestiedimploring，ashestoodlookingatawitheredbouquetwhichthestewardhadbroughtupwithhisrugs。
\"I’mtakin’ithome，\"heexplained，coldly。
\"AndIwanttotakearosebacktoNewYork。Iwanttogiveittoafriendofminethere。\"
Mr。Pogishesitated。Thenheasked，\"Aman？\"\"Well，rather！\"saidLottie。
Heanswerednothing，butlookeddefinitivelydownattheflowersinhishand。
\"Oh，Isay！\"Lottieexulted。
BoyneremainedfixedinfealtytotheRasmiths，withwhomBreckonwasalsotalkingasMrs。Kentoncameupwiththejudge。SheexplainedhowsorryherdaughterEllenwasatnotbeingabletosaygoodbye；shewasstillnotatallwell；andtheladiesreceivedherexcuseswithpolitepatience。Mrs。RasmithsaidshedidnotknowwhattheyshoulddowithoutBoyne，andMissRasmithputherarmacrosshisshouldersandpulledhimuptoher，andimplored，\"Oh，givehimtome，Mrs。Kenton！\"
Boynestoleanashamedlookathismother，andhisfathersaid，withanunbendingtoBreckonwhichmusthavebeentheeffectofsevereexpostulationfromMrs。Kenton，\"IsupposeyouandtheladieswillgotoParistogether。\"
\"Why，no，\"Breckonsaid，andheadded，withmountingconfusion，\"I——IhadarrangedtokeepontoRotterdam。Iwasgoingtomentionit。\"
\"KeepontoRotterdam！\"Mrs。Rasmith’seyesexpressedthegreatestastonishment。
\"Why，ofcourse，mother！\"saidherdaughter。\"Don’tyouknow？Boynetoldus。\"
Boyne，aftertheirparting，seizedthefirstchanceofassuringhismotherthathehadnottoldMissRasmiththat，forhehadnotknownit，andhewentsofarinhercondemnationtowonderhowshecouldsaysuchathing。Hismothersaiditwasnotverynice，andthensuggestedthatperhapsshehadhearditfromsomeoneelse，andthoughtitwashe。SheacquittedhimofcomplicitywithMissRasmithinforbearingtocontradicther；anditseemedtoherafittingtimetofindoutfromBoynewhatshehonestlycouldabouttherelationoftheRasmithstoMr。Breckon。Itwasverylittlebeyondtheirsupposition，whicheveryoneelsehadshared，thathewasgoingtolandwiththematBoulogne，andhemusthavechangedhismindverysuddenly。BoynehadnotheardtheRasmithsspeakofit。
MissRasmithneverspokeofMr。Breckonatall；butsheseemedtowanttotalkofEllen；shewasalwaysaskingabouther，andwhatwasthematterwithher，andhowlongshehadbeensick。
\"Boyne，\"saidhismother，withapang，\"youdidn’ttellheranythingaboutEllen？\"
\"Momma！\"saidtheboy，insuchevidentabhorrenceoftheideathatsherestedtranquilconcerningit。ShepaidlittleattentiontowhatBoynetoldherotherwiseoftheRasmiths。HerownhorizonweresolimitedthatshecouldnothavebroughthometoherselfwithinthemthatwanderinglifetheRasmithsledfromclimatetoclimateandsensationtosensation，withnostaysolongastheannuallymadeinNewYork，wheretheysometimespassedmonthsenoughtoestablishthemselvesingivingandtakingteainacircleofkindrednomads。SheconjecturedasignorantlyasBoynehimselfthattheywereveryrich，anditwouldnothaveenlightenedhertoknowthatthemotherwasthewidowofaCaliforniapolitician，whomshehadmarriedinthesortofmiddleperiodfollowinguponherlessmortuarysurvivalofMissRasmith’sfather，whosenamewasnotRasmith。
WhatMrs。KentondivinedwasthattheyhadwantedtogetBreckon，andthatsofarasconcernedherowninterestinhimtheyhadwantedtogethimawayfromEllen。Inherinnermostself-confidencesshedidnotpermitherselfthenotionthatEllenhadanyrighttohim；butstillitwasarelieftohavethemofftheship，andtohavehimleft。Ofallthewitnessesofthefact，shealonedidnotfinditawkward。Breckonhimselffounditveryawkward。HedidnotwishtobewiththeRasmiths，buthefoundituncomfortablenotbeingwiththem，underthecircumstances，andhefollowedthemashoreintinglingreveriesofexplanationandapology。HehadcertainlymeanttogetoffatBoulogne，andwhenhehadsuddenlyandtardilymadeuphismindtokeepontoRotterdam，hehadmeanttotellthemassoonashehadthelabelsonhisbaggagechanged。Hehadnotmeanttotellthemwhyhehadchangedhismind，andhedidnottellthemnowinthesetinglingreveries。Hedidnotownthereasoninhissecretthoughts，foritnolongerseemedareason；itnolongerseemedacause。HeknewwhattheRasmithswouldthink；buthecouldeasilymakethatrightwithhisconscience，atleast，bypartingwiththeKentonsatRotterdam，andleavingthemtofindtheirunconductedwaytoanypointtheychosebeyond。Heseparatedhimselfuncomfortablyfromthemwhenthetenderhadputoffwithherpassengersandtheshiphadgotunderwayagain，andwenttothesmoking-room，whilethejudgereturnedtohisbookandMrs。KentonabandonedLottietoherowndevices，andtookBoyneasideforherapparentlyfruitlessinquiries。
Theywerenotreallysofruitlessbutthatattheendofthemshecouldgowithdueauthoritytolookupherhusband。Shegentlytookhisbookfromhimandshutitup。\"Now，Mr。Kenton，\"shebegan，\"ifyoudon’tgorightstraightandfindMr。Breckonandtalkwithhim，I——Idon’tknowwhatIwilldo。Youmusttalktohim——\"
\"AboutEllen？\"thejudgefrowned。
\"No，certainlynot。Talkwithhimaboutanythingthatinterestsyou。Bepleasanttohim。Can’tyouseethathe’sgoingontoRotterdamonouraccount？\"
\"ThenIwishhewasn’t。There’snouseinit。\"
\"Nomatter！It’spoliteinhim，andIwantyoutoshowhimthatyouappreciateit。\"
\"Nowseehere，Sarah，\"saidthejudge，\"ifyouwanthimshownthatweappreciatehispolitenesswhydon’tyoudoityourself？\"
\"I？Becauseitwouldlookasifyouwereafraidto。Itwouldlookasifwemeantsomethingbyit。\"
\"Well，Iamafraid；andthat’sjustwhatI’mafraidof。Ideclare，myheartcomesintomymouthwheneverIthinkwhatanescapewehad。I
thinkofitwheneverIlookathim，andIcouldn’ttalktohimwithouthavingthatinmymindallthetime。No，womencanmanagethosethingsbetter。Ifyoubelieveheisgoingalongonouraccount，soastohelpusseeHolland，andtokeepusfromgettingintoscrapes，you’retheonetomakeituptohim。Idon’tcarewhatyousaytoshowhimourgratitude。Ireckonwewillgetintoallsortsoftroubleifwe’relefttoourselves。Butifyouthinkhe’sstayedbecausehewantstobewithEllen，and——\"
\"Oh，Idon’tKNOWwhatIthink！Andthat’ssillyIcan’ttalktohim。
I’mafraidit’llseemasifwewantedtoflatterhim，andgoodnessknowswedon’twantto。Or，yes，wedo！I’dgiveanythingifitwastrue。
Rufus，doyousupposehedidstayonheraccount？My，oh，my！IfI
couldonlythinkso！Wouldn’titbethebestthingintheworldforthepoorchild，andforallofus？IneversawanybodythatIlikedsomuch。
Butit’stoogoodtobetrue。\"
\"He’sanicefellow，butIdon’tthinkhe’sanytoogoodforEllen。\"
\"I’mnotsayingheis。Thegreatthingisthathe’sgoodenough，andgraciousknowswhatwillhappenifshemeetssomeotherworthlessfellow，andgetsbefooledwithhim！Orifshedoesn’ttakeafancytosomeone，andgoesbacktoTuskingumwithoutseeinganyoneelseshelikes，thereisthatawfulwretch，andwhenshehearswhatDickdidtohim——she’sjustwrong-headedenoughtotakeupwithhimagaintomakeamendstohim。Oh，dearoh，dear！IknowLottiewillletitouttoheryet！\"
Thejudgebeganthreateningly，\"YoutellLottiefromme——\"
\"What？\"saidthegirlherself，whohadseenherfatherandmothertalkingtogetherinaremotecornerofthemusic-roomandhadstolenlight-footedlyuponthemjustatthismoment。
\"Lottie，child，\"saidhermother，undismayedatLottie’sarrivalinherlargeranxiety，\"IwishyouwouldtryandbeagreeabletoMr。Breckon。
Nowthathe’sgoingonwithustoHolland，Idon’twanthimtothinkwe’reavoidinghim。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Oh，because。\"
\"BecauseyouwanttogethimforEllen？\"
\"Don’tbeimpudent，\"saidherfather。\"Youdoasyourmotherbidsyou。\"
\"BeagreeabletothatoldBreckon？IthinkIseemyself！I’dsoonerread！I’mgoingtogetabooknow。\"Sheleftthemasabruptlyasshehadcomeuponthem，andranacrosstothebookcase，wheresheremainedtwosteppingandpeeringthroughtheglassdoorsattheliteraturewithin，inunaccustomedquestionconcerningit。
\"She’sacase，\"saidthejudge，lookingathernotonlywithrelenting，butwiththeprideinhersufficiencyforalltheexigenciesoflifewhichhecouldnotfeelinEllen。\"Shecantakecareofherself。\"
\"Ohyes，\"Mrs。Kentonsadlyassented，Idon’tthinkanybodywillevermakeafoolofLottie。\"
\"It’sagreatdealmorelikelytobetheotherway，\"herfathersuggested。
\"IthinkLottieisconscientious，\"Mrs。Kentonprotested。\"Shewouldn’treallyfoolwithaman。\"
\"No，she’sagoodgirl，\"thejudgeowned。
\"It’sgirlslikeEllenwhomakethetroubleandthecare。Theyaretoogood，andyouhavetothinksomeevilinthisworld。Well！\"Sheroseandgaveherhusbandbackhisbook。
\"DoyouknowwhereBoyneis？\"
\"No。DoyouwanthimtobepleasanttoMr。Breckon？\"
\"Somebodyhasgotto。ButitwouldberidiculousifnobodybutBoynewas。\"
ShedidnotfindBoyne，afternoveryexhaustivesearch，andtheboywaslefttoformhisbearingtowardsBreckononthebehavioroftherestofhisfamily。Asthiscontinuedhelplesslyconstrainedbothinhisfatherandmother，andvoluntarilyrepellentinLottie，BoynedecideduponablendofconductwhichleftBreckoningreaterandgreaterdoubtofhiswisdominkeepingontoRotterdam。Therewasnogoodreasonwhichhewouldhavebeenwillingtogivehimself，fromthebeginning。Ithadbeenanimpulse，suddenlycominguponhiminthebaggage-roomwherehehadgonetogetsomethingoutofhistrunk，andwherehehaddecidedtohavethelabelofhisbaggagechangedfromtheoriginaldestinationatBoulognetothefinalportofthesteamer’sarrival。Whenthiswasoncedonehewassorry，buthewasashamedtohavethelabelchangedback。
ThemostassignablemotiveforhisactwashisreluctancetogoontoPariswiththeRasmiths，orratherwithMrs。Rasmith；forwithherdaughter，whowasnotabadfellow，onecouldalwaysmanage。HewasquiteawareofbeingsafelyinhisownhandsagainstanydesignofMrs。
Rasmith’s，buthermachinationshumiliatedhimforher；hehatedtoseehergoingthroughhermanoeuvres，andhecouldnothelpgrievingforherfailures，withasortofimpersonalsympathy，allthemorebecausehedislikedheraslittleasherespectedher。
Themotivewhichhedidnotassigntohimselfwasthatwhichprobablyprevailedwithhim，thoughinthelastanalysisitwasasselfish，nodoubt，astheoneheacknowledged。EllenKentonstillpiquedhiscuriosity，stilltouchedhiscompassion。Hehadsofarfromexhaustedhiswishorhispowertobefriendher，tohelpher，thathehadstillawhollyunsatisfiedlongingtoconsoleher，especiallywhenshedroopedintothatlistlessattitudeshewasapttotake，withherfacefallenandherhandsletlie，thebackofoneinthepalmoftheother，inherlap。
Itwaspossiblythevisionofthisfollowinghimtothebaggage-room，whenhewenttoopenhistrunk，thatasmuchasanythingdecidedhimtohavethelabelchangedonhisbaggage，buthedidnotownitthen，andstilllessdidheownitnow，whenhefoundhimselfquiteonhisownhandsforhispains。
HefeltthatforsomereasontheKentonswereallavoidinghim。Ellen，indeed，didnottakepart，againsthim，unlessnegatively，forshehadappearedneitheratlunchnoratdinnerasthevesselkeptonitswayafterleavingBoulogne；andwhenheventuredtoaskforherMrs。Kentonansweredwithembarrassmentthatshewasnotfeelingverywell。Heaskedforheratlunch，butnotatdinner，andwhenhehadfinishedthatmealhewentonthepromenade-deck，andwalkedforlornlyupanddown，feelingthathehadbeenafool。
Mrs。Kentonwentbelowtoherdaughter’sroom，andfoundEllenthereonthesofa，withherbookshutonherthumbattheplacewherethetwilighthadfailedher。
\"Ellen，dear，\"hermothersaid，\"aren’tyoufeelingwell？\"
\"Yes，I’mwellenough，\"saidthegirl，sensibleofaleadinginthequestion。\"Why？\"
\"Oh，nothing。Only——onlyIcan’tmakeyourfatherbehavenaturallywithMr。Breckon。He’sgothismindsofullofthatmistakewebothcamesonearmakingthathecan’tthinkofanythingelse。He’ssosheepishaboutitthathecanhardlyspeaktohimorevenlookathim；andImustconfessthatIdon’tdomuchbetter。YouknowIdon’tliketoputmyselfforwardwhereyourfatheris，andifIdid，reallyIdon’tbelieveI
couldmakeupmymouthtosayanything。IdidwantLottietobenicetohim，butLottiedislikeshimso！AndevenBoyne——well，itwouldn’tmatteraboutBoyne，ifhedidn’tseemtobecarryingoutasortoffamilyplan——Boynebarelyanswershimwhenhespeakstohim。Idon’tknowwhathecanthink。\"Ellenwasagoodlistener，andMrs。Kenton，havingbegun，didnotstoptillshehademptiedthebag。\"Ijustknowthathedidn’tgetoffatBoulognebecausehewantedtostayonwithus，andthoughthecouldbeusefultousatTheHague，andeverywhere；andherewe’reactingasungratefully！Why，we’renotevencommonlypolitetohim，andIknowhefeelsit。Iknowthathe’shurt。\"
Ellenroseandstoodbeforetheglass，intowhichheaskedofhermother’sreflectedface，whilesheknottedafallencoilofhairintoitsplace，\"Whereishe？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Hewentondecksomewhere。\"
Ellenputonherhatandpinnedit，andputonherjacketandbuttonedit。Thenshestartedtowardsthedoor。Hermothermadewayforher，faltering，\"Whatareyougoingtodo，Ellen？\"
\"Iamgoingtodoright。\"
\"Don’t-catchcold！\"hermothercalledafterherfigurevanishingdownthecorridor，butthewarningcouchedinthesetermshadreallynoreferencetotheweather。
Thegirl’simpulsewasoneofthoseeffectsoftheweakwillinherwhichwereapttoleavehershortofthefulfilmentofapurpose。Itcarriedherasherasthepromenade，whichshefoundempty，andshewentandleanedupontherail，andlookedoutoverthesorrowfulNorthSea，whichwaswashingdarklyawaytowardswherethegloomysunsethadbeen。
Stepsfromtheothersideoftheshipapproached，hesitatedtowardsher，andthenarrestedthemselves。Shelookedround。
\"Why，MissKenton！\"saidBreckon，stupidly。
\"Thesunsetisover，isn’tit？\"sheanswered。
\"Thetwilightisn’t。\"Breckonstopped；thenheasked，\"Wouldn’tyouliketotakealittlewalk？\"
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，andsmiledfullyuponhim。Hehadneverknownbeforehowradiantasmileshelead。
\"Betterhavemyarm。It’sgettingratherdark。\"
\"Well。\"Sheputherhandonhisarmandhefeltittremblethere，whileshepalpitated，\"WeareallsogladyoucouldgoontoRotterdam。Mymotherwantedmetotellyou。\"
\"Oh，don’tspeakofthat，\"saidBreckon，notveryappositely。Presentlyheforcedalaugh，inordertoadd，withlightness，\"IwasafraidperhapsIhadgivenyouallsomereasontoregretit！\"
Shesaid，\"Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkthat——ormommawas——andI
couldn’tbeartohaveyou。\"
\"Well，then，Iwon’t。\"
XIX。
Breckonhadansweredwithgayety，buthishappinesswassomethingbeyondgayety。HehadreallyfelttheexclusionfromtheKentonsinwhichhehadpassedtheday，andhehadfeltitthemorepainfullybecausehelikedthemall。ItmaybeownedthathelikedEllenbestfromthebeginning，andnowhelikedherbetterthanever，butevenintheday’sexilehehadnotceasedtolikeeachofthem。Theywere，intheirfamilyaffection，aslovableasthatsortofselfishnesscanmakepeople。Theywereveryunitedandgoodtooneanother。Lottieherself，exceptinhermostluridmoments，wasgoodtoherbrotherandsister，andalmostinvariablykindtoherparents。Shewouldnot，Breckonsaw，havebrookedmuchmeddlingwithherflirtationsfromthem，butastheydidnotoffertomeddle，shehadnooccasiontogrumbleonthatscore。ShegrumbledwhentheyaskedhertodothingsforEllen，butshedidthem，andthoughsheneverdidthemwithoutgrumbling，shesometimesdidthemwithoutbeingasked。ShewasreallyverywatchfulofEllenwhenitwouldleasthavebeenexpected，andsometimesshewassweet。SheneverwassweetwithBoyne，butshewasoftenhisfriend，thoughthisdidnotkeepherfromturninguponhimatthefirstchancetogivehimalittledig，oralargeone，forthatmatter。AsforBoyne，hewasamassofhelplesssweetness，thoughhedidnotknowit，andsometimestookhimselfforanicebergwhenhewasmerelyanice-creamofheroicmould。HewasashelplesslysweetwithLottieaswithanyone，andifhesufferedkeenlyfromhertreacheries，andseizedeveryoccasiontorepaytheminkind，itwasclearlyamatterofconsciencewithhim，andalwaysforthegood。
Theirfatherandmothertreatedtheirsquabblesverywisely，Breckonthought。Theyignoredthemasmuchaspossible，andtheyrecognizedthemwithoutattemptingtodothatjusticebetweenthemwhichwouldhaverankledinboththeirbreasts。
Toaspectatorwhohadbeencriticalatfirst，Mr。andMrs。KentonseemedanexemplaryfatherandmotherwithEllenaswellaswiththeirotherchildren。Itiseasytobeexemplarywithasickgirl，buttheyincreasinglyaffectedBreckonasexemplarywithEllen。Hefanciedthattheyacteduponeachotherbeneficiallytowardsher。Atfirsthehadforebodedsometiresomeboastingfromthefather’stenderness，andsomeweakindulgenceofthedaughter’swhimsfromhermother；buttherewaseitherneveranygroundforthis，orelseMrs。Kenton，inkeepingherhusbandfromboasting，hadbeenobligedinmereconsistencytosetaguarduponherownfondness。
Itwasnotthat。Ellen，hewasmoreandmoredecided，wouldhaveabusedtheweaknessofeither；iftherewasanythingmoreangelicthanherpatience，itwasherwishtobeacomforttothem，and，betweenthecapricesofherinvalidism，tobeaservice。ItwaspathetictoseeherrememberingtodothingsforthemwhichBoyneandLottiehadforgotten，orplainlyshirkeddoing，andtokeepthefactoutofsight。Shereallykeptitoutofsightwiththem，andifshedidnothideitfromsocloseanobserverasBreckon，thatwasmorehisfaultthanhers。Whenherfatherfirstlaunchedoutinherpraise，orthepraiseofherreading，theyoungmanhaddreadedarusticprig；yetshehadneverbeenaprig，butsimplygladofwhatbookshehadknown，andmeeklysubmissivetohisknowledgeifnothistaste。Heownedthatshehadarighttohertaste，whichhefoundalmostalwaysgood，andaccountedforasinstinctiveintheabsenceofanimaginablecultureinherimaginableambient。Sofarashehadglimpsesofthis，hefounditsodifferentfromanythinghehadknownthatthemodestadequacyofMrs。KentoninthepoliticalexperiencesofmodernEurope，aswellastheclearjudgmentsofKentonhimselfinmatterssometimesbeyondBreekonhimself，mystifiedhimnolessthanEllen’staste。
Evenwiththegrowthofhisrespectfortheirintelligenceandhisloveoftheirkindliness，hehadnotbeenabletokeepacertainpatronagefrommingling，anditwasnottilltheyevincednotonlyentireability，butanapparentwishtogetonwithouthisapproval，withouthisacquaintanceeven，thathehadconceivedajustsenseofthem。Thelikeisapttohappenwiththebestofus，whenwearealsothefinest，andBreckonwasnotsingularincomingtoadueconsciousnessofsomethingvaluableonlyinthehourofitsloss。Hedidnotknowthatthelosswasonlyapparent。Heknewthathehadmadeadistinctsacrificeforthesepeople，andthat，whenhehadpreparedhimselftobefriendthemlittleshortofself-devotion，theyshowedthemselvesindifferent，andalmostrepellent。Intherevulsionoffeeling，whenEllengavehimhermother’smessage，andfranklyofferedhimreparationonbehalfofherwholefamily，hemayhaveoverdonehisgratitude，buthedidnotoverdoittoherperception。TheywalkedupanddownthepromenadeoftheAmstel，inthewateryNorthSeamoon，whilebellsafterbellsnotedthehourunheeded，andwhentheypartedforthenightitwaswithaninvoluntarypressureofhands，fromwhichshesuddenlypulledhers，andrandownthecorridorofherstate-roomandLottie’s。
Hestoodwatchingthenarrowspaceinwhichshehadvanished，andthinkinghowgentleshewas，andhowshehadcontrivedsomehowtomakehimfeelthatnowitwasshewhohadbeenconsolinghim，andtryingtointeresthimandamusehim。Hehadnotrealizedthatbefore；hehadbeenusedtointerestingandamusingher，buthecouldnotresentit；hecouldnotresenttheimplicationofsuperiority，ifsuchathingwerepossible，whichherkindnessconveyed。ThequestionwithBreckonwaswhethershehadwalkedwithhimsolongbecauseshewished，inthehour，tomakeupasfullyaspossiblefortheday’sneglect，orbecauseshehadlikedtowalkupanddownwithhim。Itwasaquestionhefoundkeepingitselfpoignantly，yetpleasantly，inhismind，afterhehadgotintohisberthunderthesolidlyslumberousBoyne，andincliningnowtoonesolutionandnowtotheother，withadelicateoscillationthatwascharming。
TheAmsteltookhertimetogetintoRotterdam，andwhenherpassengershadgoneashorethenextforenoonthetrainthatcarriedBreckontoTheHagueinthesamecompartmentwiththeKentonswasinnogreaterhurry。
ItarrivedwithadeliberationwhichkeptitfromcarryingthemontoAmsterdambeforetheyknewit，andMrs。KentonhadtimetoplacesuchpartsofthewarsintheRiseoftheDutchRepublicasshecouldattachtothenamesofthestationsandthegeneralfeaturesofthelandscape。
Boynewasoccupiedwithimprovementsforthewindmillsandthecanal-
boats，whichdidnotseemtohimofthequalityoftheMichiganaerometers，orthecraftwithwhichhewasfamiliarontheHudsonRiverandonthecanalthatpassedthroughTuskingum。Lottie，withrespecttothecanals，offeredthefrankobservationthattheysmelt，andinrecognizingafactwhichtravelalmostuniversallyignoresinHolland，shewatchedherchanceofpoppingupthewindowbetweenherselfandBoyne，whichBoyneputdownwithmountingrage。Theagriculturewhichtriumphedeverywhereonthelittlehalf——acreplotsliftedfifteeninchesabovethewatersoftheenvironingditches，andtheblackandwhitecattleeverywhereattestingtheimmemorialDutchidealofacow，werewhatatfirstoccupiedKenton，andhewastardilywonfromthemtothequestionoffightingoveracountrylikethat。Itwasaconcessiontohiswife’simpassionedinterestintheoverthrowoftheSpaniardsinalandscapewhichhadevidentlynotchangedsince。ShesaiditwashardtorealizethatHollandwasnotstillarepublic，andshewasnotverypatientwithBreckon’sdefenceofthemonarchyonthegroundthattheyoungQueenwasaveryprettygirl。
\"Andsheisonlysixteen，\"Boyneurged。
\"Thensheistwoyearstoooldforyou，\"saidLottie。
\"Nosuchthing！\"Boyneretorted。\"IwasfifteeninJune。\"
\"Dearme！Ishouldneverhavethoughtit，\"saidhissister。
Ellenseemedhardlytolookoutofthewindowatanythingdirectly，butwhenherfatherbadeherseethisthingandthat，itseemedthatshehadseenitalready。Shesaidatlast，withaquietsigh，\"Ineverwanttogoaway。\"