Thedrivershookhisheadandpointedforwardwithhiswhip。\"He’sallright，\"saidTrannel。\"Hecan’tturnnow。We’vegottotakethenextcorner。\"Thestreetinfrontwasempty，andthepeoplewerecrowdingbackonthesidewalks。Loud，vaguenoisesmadethemselvesheardroundthecornertowhichthedriverhadpointed。\"ByJove！\"Trannelsaid，\"Ibelievethey’recomingroundthatway。\"
\"Whoarecoming？\"Boynepalpitated。
\"Thequeens。\"
\"Thequeens？\"Boynegasped；itseemedtohimthatheshriekedthewords。
\"Yes。Andthere’satobacconist’snow，\"saidTrannel，asifthatwerewhathehadbeenlookingforallalong。\"Iwantsomecigarettes。\"
Heleapedlightlyfromthecarriage，andpushedhiswayoutofsightonthesidewalk。Boyneremainedaloneinthevehicle，staringwildlyround；
thedriverkeptslowlyandstupidlyon，Boynedidnotknowhowmuchfarther。Hecouldnotspeak；hefeltasifhecouldnotstir。Butthemomentcamewhenhecouldnotbestill。Hegaveagalvanicjumptotheground，andthefriendlycrowdonthesidewalkwelcomedhimtoitsranksandclosedabouthim。Thedriverhadtakenthelefthandcorner，justbeforeaplaincarriagewiththeQueenandthequeen-mothercameinsightroundtheright。TheyoungQueenwasbowingtothepeople，gently，andwithasortofmechanicalregularity。Nowandthenabrightersmilethanthatsheconventionallyworelightedupherface。Thesimpleprogresswasabsolutelywithoutstate，exceptfortheaide-de-camponhorsebackwhorodebesidethecarriage，alittletothefront。
Boynestoodmotionlessonthecurb，whereafriendlytallDutchmanhadplacedhiminfrontthathemightseetheQueen。
\"Hello！\"saidthevoiceofTrannel，andelbowinghiswaytoBoyne’sside，helaughedandcoughedthroughthesmokeofhiscigarette。\"Iwasafraidyouhadlostme。Where’syourcarriage？\"
Boynedidnotnoticehismockeries。Hewasentrancedinthatbeatificvision；hisboy-heartwentoutinworshiptotheprettyyoungcreaturewithareverencethatcouldnotbeuttered。Thetearscameintohiseyes。
\"There，there！She’sbowingtoyou，Boyne。she’ssmilingrightatyou。
ByJove！She’sbeckoningtoyou！\"
\"Youbestill！\"Boyneretorted，findinghistongue。\"Sheisn’tdoinganysuchathing。\"
\"Sheis，Iswearsheis！She’sdoingitagain！She’sstoppingthecarriage。Oh，gooutandseewhatshewants！Don’tyouknowthataqueen’swishisacommand？You’vegottogo！\"
Boynenevercouldtelljusthowithappened。Thecarriagedidseemtobestopping，andtheQueenseemedtobelookingathim。Hethoughthemust，andhestartedintothestreettowardsher，andthecarriagecameabreastofhim。Hehadalmostreachedthecarriagewhentheaideturnedandspurredhishorsebeforehim。FourstronghandsthatwerelikeironclampswerelaidoneoneachofBoyne’selbowsandshoulders，andhewashaledaway，asifbysuperhumanforce。\"Mr。Trannel！\"hecalledout。
inhisagony，butthewretchhaddisappeared，andBoynewasleftwithhiscaptors，towhomhecouldhavesaidnothingifhecouldhavethoughtofanythingtosay。
Thedetectivespulledhimthroughthecrowdandhurriedhimswiftlydownthesidestreet。AlittlecuriositystraggledafterhimintheshapeofsmallDutchboys，tooshorttolookovertheshouldersofmenatthequeens，andtooweaktomaketheirwaythroughthemtothefront；butforthem，Boyneseemedaloneintheworldwiththerelentlessofficers，whoweredragginghimforwardandhurtinghimsowiththegripoftheirironhands。Helifteduphisfacetoentreatthemnottoholdhimsotight，andsuddenlyitwasasifhebeheldanangelstandinginhispath。ItwasBreckonwhowasthere，staringathimaghast。
\"Why，Boyne！\"hecried。
\"Oh，Mr。Breckon！\"Boynewailedback。\"Isityou？Oh，dotellthemI
didn’tmeantodoanything！Ithoughtshebeckonedtome。\"
\"Who？Whobeckonedtoyou？\"
\"TheQueen！\"Boynesobbed，whilethedetectivespulledhimrelentlesslyon。
Breckonaddressedthemsuavelyintheirowetonguewhichhadnevercomeinmoredeferentialpolitenessfromhumanlips。Heventuredthebeliefthattherewasamistake；heassuredthemthatheknewtheirprisoner，andthathewasthesonofamostrespectableAmericanfamily，whomtheycouldfindattheKurhausinScheveningen。Headdedsomeirrelevancies，andgotforallanswerthattheyhadmadeBoyne’sarrestforsufficientreasons，andweretakinghimtoprison。Ifhisfriendswishedtointerveneinhisbehalftheycoulddosobeforethemagistrate，butforthepresenttheymustadmonishMr。Breckonnottoputhimselfinthewayofthelaw。
\"Don’tgo，Mr。Breckon！\"Boyneimploredhim，ashiscaptorsmadehimquickenhispaceafterslowingalittlefortheircolloquywithBreckon。
\"Oh，whereispoppa？Hecouldgetmeaway。Oh，whereispoppa？\"
\"Don’t！Don’tcallout，Boyne，\"Breckonentreated。\"Yourfatherisrighthereattheendofthestreet。He’sinthecarriagetherewithMissKenton。Iwascomingtolookforyou。Don’tcryoutso！\"
\"No，no，Iwon’t，Mr。Breckon。I’llbeperfectlyquietnow。Onlydogetpoppaquick！Hecantelltheminaminutethatit’sallright！\"
Hemadeaprodigiousefforttocontrolhimself，whileBreckonranalittleahead，withsomewildnotionofpreparingEllen。Ashedisappearedatthecorner，Boynechokedasobintoamuffedbellow，andwasabletomeettheastonishedeyesofhisfatherandsisterinthisdegreeoftriumph。
TheyhadnotintheleastunderstoodBreckon’sexplanation，and，infact，ithadnotbeenverylucid。Atsightofherbrotherstrenuouslyupheldbetweenthedetectives，anddraggedalongthesidewalk，Ellensprangfromthecarriageandrantowardshim。\"Why，what’sthematterwithBoyne？\"
shedemanded。\"Areyouhurt，Boyne，dear？Aretheytakinghimtothehospital？\"
Beforehecouldanswer，andquitebeforethejudgecouldreachthetragicalgroup，shehadflungherarmsroundBoyne’sneck，andwaskissinghistear-drabbledface，whilehelamentedback，\"They’retakingmetoprison。\"
\"Takingyoutoprison？Ishouldliketoknowwhatfor！Whatareyoutakingmybrothertoprisonfor？\"shechallengedthedetectives，whopaused，bewildered，whileallthelittleDutchboysroundadmiredthisobstructionofthelaw，andseveralDutchhousewives，toooldtogoouttoseethequeens，lookeddownfromtheirwindows。Itwaswhollyillegal，butthedetectiveswerehuman。TheycouldsnubsuchafriendoftheirprisonerasBreckon，buttheycouldnotmeetthedovelikeferocityofEllenwithunkindness。Theyexplainedaswellastheymight，andatasuggestionwhichKentonmadethroughBreckon，theyadmittedthatitwasnotbesidetheirdutytotakeBoynedirectlytoamagistrate，whocouldpassuponhiscase，andevenreleasehimuponproperevidenceofhisharmlessness，andsufficientsecurityforanydemandthatjusticemightmakeforhisfutureappearance。
\"Then，\"saidthejudge，quietly，\"tellthemthatwewillgowiththem。
Itwillbeallright，Boyne。Ellen，youandIwillgetbackintothecarriage，and——\"
\"No！\"Boyneroared。\"Don’tleaveme，Nelly！\"
\"Indeed，Iwon’tleaveyou，Boyne！Mr。Breckon，yougetintothecarriagewithpoppa，andI——\"
\"IthinkIhadbettergowithyou，MissKenton，\"saidBreckon，andinatendersuperfluitytheybothaccompaniedBoyneonfoot，whilethejudgeremountedtohisplaceinthecarriageandkeptabreastofthemontheirwaytothemagistrate’s。
XXIV。
ThemagistrateconceivedofBoyne’scasewithareadinessthatgavethejudgeahighopinionofhispersonalandnationalintelligence。Heevensmiledalittle，inacceptingtheexplanationwhichBreckonwasabletomakehimfromBoyne，buthethoughthisdutytogivetheboyafatherlywarningforthefuture。HeremarkedtoBreckonthatitwaswellforBoynethattheaffairhadnothappenedinGermany，whereitwouldhavebeenfoundamuchmoreseriousmatter，though，indeed，headded，ithadtobeseriouslyregardedanywhereinthesetimes，whenthelivesofsovereignsweresomuchatthemercyofallsortsofmadmenandmiscreants。HerelaxedalittlefromhisseverityinhisadmonitiontosaydirectlytoBoynethatqueens，evenwhentheywishedtospeakwithpeople，didnotbeckontheminthepublicstreets。WhenthisspeechtranslatedtoBoynebyBreckon，whomthemagistratecomplimentedontheperfectionofhisDutch，Boynehunghisheadsheepishly，andcouldnotberestoredtohischaracteristicdignityagaininthemagistrate’spresence。Thejudgegratefullyshookhandswiththefriendlyjustice，andmadehimalittlespeechofthanks，whichBreckoninterpreted，andthenthejusticeshookhandwiththejudge，andgracefullyacceptedtheintroductionwhichheofferedhimtoEllen。Theypartedwithreciprocalpraisesandobeisances，whichincludedeventhedetectives。Thejudgehadsomequestion，whichhesubmittedtoBreckon，whetherheoughtnottoofferthemsomething，butBreckonthoughtnot。
BreckonfoundithardtoabdicatethesortofauthorityinwhichhisknowledgeofDutchhadplacedhim，andwhenheprotestedthathehaddonenothingbutactasinterpreter，Ellensaid，\"Yes，butwecouldn’thavedoneanythingwithoutyou，\"andthiswastheviewthatMrs。Kentontookofthematterinthefamilyconclavewhichtookplacelaterintheevening。Breckonwasnotallowedtowithdrawfromit，inspiteofmanymodestefforts，beforeshehadbashfullyexpressedhersenseofhisservicetohim，andmadeBoyneshareherthanksgiving。Shehadherarmabouttheboy’sshoulderingivingBreckonherhand，andwhenBreckonhadgotawayshepulledBoynetoherinamoreperemptoryembrace。
\"Now，Boyne，\"shesaid，\"Iamnotgoingtohaveanymorenonsense。I
wanttoknowwhyyoudidit。\"
ThejudgeandEllenhadalreadyconjecturedclearlyenough，andBoynedidnotfearthem。Buthelookedathisyoungersisterashesulkilyanswered，\"IamnotgoingtotellyoubeforeLottie。\"
\"Comeinhere，then，\"saidhismother，andsheledhimintothenextroomandclosedthedoor。Shequicklyreturnedwithouthim。\"Yes，\"shebegan，\"it’sjustasIsupposed；itwasthatworthlessfellowwhoputhimuptoit。Ofcourse，itbeganwiththosefoolbookshe’sbeenreading，andthenotionsthatMissRasmithputintohishead。Butheneverwouldhavedoneanythingifithadn’tbeenforMr。Trannel。\"
Lottiehadlistenedinsilentscorntothewholeproceedingsuptothispoint，andhadrefusedapartinthegeneralrecognitionofBreckonasaspecialprovidence。Nowsheflashedoutwithaterriblevolubility:
\"WhatdidItellyou？WhatelsecouldyouexpectofaCook’stourist？
Andmom——motherwantedtomakemegowithyou，afterItoldherwhathewas！Well，ifIhadhavegone，I’llbetIcouldhavekepthimfromplayinghistricks。I’llbethewouldn’thavetakenanyliberties，withmealong。I’llbetifhehad，itwouldn’thavebeenBoynethatgotarrested。I’llbethewouldn’thavegotoffsoeasilywiththemagistrate，either！ButIsupposeyou’llalllethimcomebowingandsmilingroundinthemorning，likebutterwouldn’tmeltinyourmouths。
ThatseemstobetheKentonway。Anybodycanpullournoses，orgetusarrestedthatwantsto，andweneversqueak。\"Shewentonalongtimetothispurpose，Mrs。Kentonlisteningwithanairalmostofconviction，andEllenpatientlybearingitasarightthatLottiehadinamatterwhereshehadbeenotherwiseignored。
Thejudgebrokeout，notuponLottie，butuponhiswife。\"Goodheavens，Sarah，can’tyoumakethechildhush？\"
Lottieansweredforhermother，withacrashofnervesandagushoffurioustears:\"Oh，I’vegottohush，Isuppose。It’salwaysthewaywhenI’mtryingtokeepupthedignityofthefamily。IsupposeitwillbecabledtoAmerica，andbytomorrowitwillbealloverTuskingumhowBoynewasmadeafoolofandgotarrested。ButIbetthere’sonepersoninTuskingumthatwon’thaveanyremarkstomake，andthat’sBittridge。
Not，aslongasDick’stherehewon’t。\"
\"Lottie！\"criedhermother，andherfatherstartedtowardsher，whileEllenstillsatpatientlyquiet。
\"Oh，well！\"Lottiesubmitted。\"ButifDickwashereIknowthisTrannelwouldn’tgetoffsosmoothly。DickwouldgivehimaworsecowhidingthanhedidBittridge。\"
HalfthelastwordwaslostinthebangofthedoorwhichLottieslammedbehindher，leavingherfatherandmothertoasilencewhichEllendidnotoffertobreak。Thejudgehadnohearttospeak，inhisdismay，anditwasMrs。Kentonwhotooktheword。
\"Ellen，\"shebegan，withcompassionategentleness，\"wetriedtokeepitfromyou。Weknewhowyouwouldfeel。Butnowwehavegottotellyou。
DickdidcowhidehimwhenhegotbacktoTuskingum。LottiewroteouttoDickaboutit，howMr。BittridgehadbehavedinNewYork。YourfatherandIdidn’tapproveofit，andDickdidn’tafterwards；but，yes，hediddoit。\"
\"Iknewit，momma，\"saidEllen，sadly。
\"Youknewit！How？\"
\"ThatotherletterIgotwhenwefirstcame——itwasfromhismother。\"
\"Didshetell——\"
\"Yes。Itwasterriblesheseemedtofeelso。AndIwassorryforher。
IthoughtIoughttoanswerit，andIdid。ItoldherIwassorry，too。
ItriednottoblameRichard。Idon’tbelieveIdid。AndItriednottoblamehim。Shewasfeelingbadlyenoughwithoutthat。\"
Herfatherandmotherlookedateachother；theydidnotspeak，andsheasked，\"DoyouthinkIoughtn’ttohavewritten？\"
Herfatheranswered，alittletremulously:\"Youdidright，Ellen。AndI
amsurethatyoudiditinjusttherightway。\"
\"Itriedto。IthoughtIwouldn’tworryyouaboutit。\"
Sherose，andnowhermotherthoughtshewasgoingtosaythatitputanendtoeverything；thatshemustgobackandofferherselfasasacrificetotheinjuredBittridges。HermindhadrevertedtothatmomentonthesteamerwhenEllentoldherthatnothinghadreconciledhertowhathadhappenedwithBittridgebutthefactthatallthewrongdonehadbeendonetothemselves；thatthisfreedher。Inherdespairshecouldnotforbearasking，\"Whatdidyouwritetoher，Ellen？\"
\"Nothing。IjustsaidthatIwasverysorry，andthatIknewhowshefelt。Idon’trememberexactly。\"
Shewentupandkissedhermother。Sheseemedratherfatiguedthandistressed，andherfatheraskedher。\"Areyougoingtobed，mydear？\"
\"Yes，I’mprettytired，andIshouldthinkyouwouldbe，too，poppa。
I’llspeaktopoorBoyne。Don’tmindLottie。Isupposeshecouldn’thelpsayingit。\"Shekissedherfather，andslippedquietlyintoBoyne’sroom，fromwhichtheycouldhearherpassingontoherownbeforetheyventuredtosayanythingtoeachotherinthehopefulbewildermenttowhichshehadleftthem。
\"Well？\"saidthejudge。
\"Well？\"Mrs。Kentonreturned，inanoteofexasperation，asifshewerenotgoingtoletherselfbeforcedtotheinitiative。
\"Ithoughtyouthought——\"
\"Ididthinkthat。NowIdon’tknowwhattothink。Wehavegottowait。\"
\"I’mwillingtowaitforEllen！\"
\"Sheseems，\"saidMrs。Kenton，\"tohavemoresensethanboththeotherchildrenputtogether，andIwasafraid——\"
\"ShemighteasilyhavemoresensethanBoyne，orLottie，either。\"
\"Well，Idon’tknow，\"Mrs。Kentonbegan。Butshedidnotgoontoresentthedisparagementwhichshehadinvited。\"WhatIwasafraidofwashergoodness。Itwashergoodnessthatgotherintothetrouble，tobeginwith。Ifshehadn’tbeensogood，thatfellowcouldneverhavefooledherashedid。Shewastooinnocent。\"
Thejudgecouldnotforbearthehumorousview。\"Perhapsshe’sgettingwickeder，ornotsoinnocent。Atanyrate，shedoesn’tseemtohavebeentakeinbyTrannel。\"
\"Hedidn’tpayanyattentiontoher。HewasalltakenupwithLottie。\"
\"Well，thatwaslucky。Sarah，\"saidthejudge，\"doyouthinkheislikeBittridge？\"
\"He’smademethinkofhimallthetime。\"
\"It’scurious，\"thejudgemused。\"Ihavealwaysnoticedhowourfaultsrepeatthemselves，butIdidn’tsupposeourfateswouldalwaystakethesameshape，orsomethinglikeit。\"Mrs。Kentonstaredathim。\"Whenthisotheronefirstmadeuptousontheboatmyheartwentdown。I
thoughtofBittridgeso。\"
\"Mr。Breckon？\"
\"Yes，thesamelightness；thesamesortoftrifling——Didn’tyounoticeit？\"
\"No——yes，Inoticedit。ButIwasn’tafraidforaninstant。Isawthathewasgood。\"
\"Oh！\"
\"WhatI’mafraidofnowisthatEllendoesn’tcareanythingabouthim。\"
\"Heisn’twickedenough？\"
\"Idon’tsaythat。Butitwouldbetoomuchhappinesstoexpectinoneshortlife。\"
Thejudgecouldnotdenythereasonablenessofherposition。Hecouldonlyopposeit。\"Well，Idon’tthinkwe’vehadanymorethanourshareofhappinesslately。\"
NooneexceptBoynecouldhavemadeTrannel’sbehavioracauseofquarrel，buttheotherKentonsmadeitacauseofcoldnesswhichwasquiteaseffective。InLottiethistooktheformofsomethingsoactive，sopositive，thatitwassomethingmorethanamereabsenceofwarmth。
Beforeshecameclowntobreakfastthenextmorningshestudiedastareinhermirror，andpractisedituponTrannelsosuccessfullywhenhecameuptospeaktoherthatitmusthavemadehimdoubtwhetherhehadeverhadheracquaintance。Inhisdoubtheventuredtoaddressher，andthenLottieturnedherbackuponhiminamannerthatwasperfectlyconvincing。HeattemptedasmilingeasewithMrs。Kentonandthejudge，buttheysharedneitherhissmilenorhisease，andhisjocosequestionsabouttheendofyesterday’sadventures，whichhehadnotbeenprivyto，didnotseemtoappealtotheAmericansenseofhumorinthem。Ellenwasnotwiththem，norBoyne，butTrannelwasnotaskedtotakeeitherofthevacantplacesatthetable，evenwhenBreckontookoneofthem，afteradecentexchangeofcivilitieswithhim。HecouldonlysaunterawayandleaveMrs。Kentontoalittlepang。
\"Tchk！\"shemade。\"I’msorryforhim！\"
\"SoamI，\"saidthejudge。\"Buthewillgetoverit——onlytoosoon，I’mafraid。Idon’tbelievehe’sverysorryforhimself。\"
TheyhadnotadvisedwithBreckon，andhedidnotfeelauthorizedtomakeanycomment。Heseemedpreoccupied，toMrs。Kenton’seye，whensheturnedituponhimfromTrannel’sdiscomfitedback，lesseningintheperspective，andheansweredvaguelytoherovertureabouthisnight’srest。LottienevermadeanyconversationwithBreckon，andshenowlefthimtohimself，withsomeremnantsofthedisapprovalwhichshefoundonherhandsaftercrushingTrannel。ItcouldnotbesaidthatBreckonwasawareofherdisapproval，andthejudgehadnoapparentconsciousnessofit。HeandBreckontriedtomakesomethingofeachother，butfailed，anditallseemedaverydefeatingsequeltoMrs。Kentonafterthetriumphalglowoftheeveningbefore。WhenLottierose，shewentwithher，allegingherwishtoseeifBoynehadeatenhisbreakfast。Sheconfessed，toBreckon’skindinquiry，thatBoynedidnotseemverywell，andthatshehadmadehimtakehisbreakfastinhisroom，andshedidnotthinkitnecessarytoown，eventosofriendlyawitnessasMr。Breckon，thatBoynewasashamedtocomedown，anddreadedmeetingTrannelsomuchthatshewasgivinghimtimetorecoverhisself-respectandcourage。
AssoonassheandLottieweregoneBreckonbegan，rathermoreformidablythanheliked，buthelplesslyso:\"JudgeKenton，Ishouldbegladofafewmomentswithyouon——onanimportant——onamatterthatisimportanttome。\"
\"Well，\"saidthejudge，cautiously。Whateverwascoming，hewishedtoguardhimselffromthemistakethathehadoncesonearlyfalleninto，andthatstillmadehimcatchhisbreathtothinkof。\"HowcanIbeofusetoyou？\"
\"Idon’tknowthatyoucanbeofanyuse——Idon’tknowthatIoughttospeaktoyou。ButIthoughtyoumightperhapssavemefrom——savemytakingafalsestep。\"
HelookedatKentonasifhewouldunderstand，andKentonsupposedthathedid。Hesaid，\"Mydaughteroncementionedyourwishtotalkwithme。\"
\"Yourdaughter？\"Breckonstaredathiminstupefaction。
\"Yes；Ellen。ShesaidyouwishedtoconsultmeaboutgoingbacktoyourchargeinNewYork，whenwewereontheshiptogether。ButIdon’tknowthatI’mverycompetenttogiveadviceinsuch——\"
\"Oh！\"Breckonexclaimed，inatoneofimmenserelief，whichdidnotcontinueitselfinwhathewentontosay。\"That！I’vequitemadeupmymindtogoback。\"Hestopped，andthenbeburstout，\"Iwanttospeakwithyouabouther。\"Thejudgesatsteady，stillresolutenottogivehimselfaway，andtheyoungmanscarcelyrecoveredfromwhathadbeenadesperateplungeinadding:\"Iknowthatit’susualtospeakwithher——
withtheladyherselffirst，but——Idon’tknow！Thecircumstancesarepeculiar。Youonlyknowaboutmewhatyou’veseenofme，andIwouldrathermakemymistakesintheorderthatseemsrighttome，althoughitisn’tjusttheAmericanway。\"
Hesmiledratherpiteously，andthejudgesaid，ratherencouragingly，\"Idon’tquiteknowwhetherIfollowyou。\"
Breckonblushed，andsoughthelpinwhatremainedofhiscoffee。\"Thewayisn’teasyforme。Butit’sthis:IaskyourleavetoaskMissEllentomarryme。\"Theworstwasovernow，andlookedasifitwerearelief。
\"Sheisthemostbeautifulpersonintheworldtome，andthebest；
butasyouknowsolittleofme，Ithoughtitrighttogetyourleave——totellyou——to——to——Thatisall。\"HefellbackinhischairandlookedaatKenton。
\"Itisunusual，\"thejudgebegan。
\"Yes，Yes；Iknowthat。AndforthatreasonIspeakfirsttoyou。I’llberuledbyyouimplicitly。\"
\"Idon’tmeanthat，\"Kentonsaid。\"Iwouldhaveexpectedthatyouwouldspeaktoherfirst。ButIgetyourpointofview，andImustsayIthinkyou’reright。Ithinkyouarebehaving——honorably。Iwishthateveryonewaslikeyou。ButIcan’tsayanythingnow。Imusttalkwithhermother。Mydaughter’slifehasnotbeenhappy。Ican’ttellyou。ButasfarasIamconcerned，andIthinkMrs。Kenton，too，Iwouldbeglad——WelikeyouMr。Breckon。Wethinkyouareagoodman。
\"Oh，thankyou。I’mnotsosure——\"
\"We’driskit。Butthatisn’tall。WillyouexcusemeifIdon’tsayanythingmorejustyet——andifIleaveyou？\"
\"Why，certainly。\"Thejudgehadrisenandpushedbackhischair，andBreckondidthesame。\"AndIshall——hearfromyou？\"
\"Why，certainly，\"saidthejudgeinhisturn。
\"Itisn’tpossiblethatyouputhimoff！\"hiswifereproachedhim，whenhetoldwhathadpassedbetweenhimandBreckon。\"Oh，youcouldn’thavelethimthinkthatwedidn’twanthimforher！Surelyyoudidn’t！\"
\"Willyougetitintoyourhead，\"heflamedback，\"thathehasn’tspokentoEllenyet，andIcouldn’taccepthimtillshehad？\"
\"Ohyes。Iforgotthat。\"Mrs。Kentonstruggledwiththefact，inthedifficultyofrealizingsostrangeanorderofprocedure。\"Isupposeit’shisbeingeducatedabroadthatway。But，dogobacktohim，Rufus，andtellhimthatofcourse——\"
\"Iwilldonothingofthekind，Sarah！Whatareyouthinkingof？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowwhatI’mthinkingof！ImustseeEllen，Isuppose。
I’llgotohernow。Oh，dear，ifshedoesn’t——ifsheletssuchachanceslipthroughherfingers——Butshe’squitelikelyto，she’ssoobstinate！
Iwonderwhatshe’llwantustodo。\"
Shefledtoherdaughter’sroomandfoundBoynethere，sittingbesidehissister’sbed，givingheradetailedaccountofhisadventureofthedaybefore，uptothemomentMr。Breckonmethim，inchargeofthedetectives。Uptothatmoment，itappearedtoBoyne，asnearlyashecouldrecollect，thathehadnotbrokendown，buthadbehavedhimselfwithadignitywhichwasnowbeginningtoclothehiswholeexperience。
Intheretrospect，aquietheroismcharacterizedhisconduct，andatthemomenthismotherenteredtheroomhewasquestioningEllenastoherimpressionsofhisbearingwhenshefirstsawhiminthegraspofthedetectives。
Hismothertookhimbythearm，andsaid，\"IwanttospeakwithEllen，Boyne，\"andputhimoutofthedoor。
Thenshecamebackandsatdowninhischair。\"Ellen。Mr。Breckonhasbeenspeakingtoyourfather。Doyouknowwhatabout？\"
\"AbouthisgoingbacktoNewYork？\"thegirlsuggested。
Hermotherkeptherpatiencewithdifficulty。\"No，notaboutthat。
Aboutyou！He’saskedyourfather——Ican’tunderstandyetwhyhedidit，onlyhe’ssodelicateandhonorable，andgoodnessknownweappreciateit——
whetherhecantellyouthat——that——\"ItwasnotpossibleforsuchamotherasMrs。Kentontosay\"Helovesyou\"；itwouldhavesoundedasshewouldhavesaid，toosickish，andshecompromisedon:\"Helikesyou，andwantstoaskyouwhetheryouwillmarryhim。And，Ellen，\"shecontinued，intheamplesilencewhichfollowed，\"ifyoudon’tsayyouwill，IwillhavenothingmoretodoWithsuchasimpleton。IhavealwaysfeltthatyoubehavedveryfoolishlyaboutMr。Bittridge，butIhopedthatwhenyougrewolderyouwouldseeitaswedid，and——andbehavedifferently。Andnow，if，afterallwe’vebeenthroughwithyou，youaregoingtosaythatyouwon’thaveMr。Breckon——\"
Mrs。KentonstoppedforwantofafigurethatwouldconveyallthedisasterthatwouldfalluponElleninsuchanevent，andshewasgivenfurtherpausewhenthegirlgentlyanswered，\"I’mnotgoingtosaythat，momma。\"
\"Thenwhatintheworldareyougoingtosay？\"Mrs。Kentondemanded。
Ellenhadturnedherfaceawayonthepillow，andnowsheanswered，quietly，\"WhenMr。BreckonasksmeIwilltellhim。\"
\"Well，youhadbetter！\"hermotherthreatenedinreturn，andshedidnotrealizethefalsityofherpositiontillshereportedEllen’swordstothejudge。
Well，Sarah，Ithinkshehadyouthere，\"hesaid，andMrs。Kentonthensaidthatshedidnotcare，ifthechildwasonlygoingtobehavesensiblyatlast，andshedidbelieveshewas。
\"Thenit’sallright\"saidthejudge，andhetookuptheTuskingumIntelligencer，lyingtillthenunreadintheexcitementswhichhadfolloweditsarrivalthedaybefore，andbegantoreadit。
Mrs。Kentonsatdreamilywatchinghim，withherhandsfalleninherlap。
Shesuddenlystartedup，withthecry，\"Goodgracious！Whatareweallthinkingof？\"
Kentonstaredatheroverthetopofhispaper。\"How，thinkingof？\"
\"WhyMr。Breckon！Hemustbecrazytoknowwhatwe’vedecided，poorfellow！\"
\"Oh，\"saidthejudge，foldingtheIntelligenceronhisknee。\"Ihadforgotten。Somehow，Ithoughtitwasallsettled。\"
Mrs，Kentontookhispaperfromhim，andfinishedfoldingit。\"Ithasn’tbeguntobesettled。Youmustgoandlethimknow。\"
\"Won’thelookmeup？\"thejudgesuggested。
\"Youmustlookhimup。Goatoncedear！Thinkhowanxioushemustbe！\"
KentonwasnotsurethatBreckonlookedveryanxiouswhenhefoundhimonthebrickpromenadebeforetheKurhaus，apparentlyabsorbedinnotingtheconvulsionsofalarge，roundGermanladyinthewater，whomusthavesupposedherselftobebathing。Butperhapstheyoungmandidnotseeher；thesmileonhisfacewastoovagueforsuchaninterestwhenheturnedatKenton’sapproachingsteps。
Thejudgehesitatedforaninstant，inwhichthesmileleftBreckon’sface。\"Ibelievethat’sallright，Mr。Breckon，\"hesaid。\"You’llfindMrs。Kentoninourparlor，\"andthenthetwomenparted，withan\"Oh，thankyou！\"fromBreckon，whowalkedbacktowardsthehotel，andleftKentontoponderupontheGermanlady；assoonasherealizedthatshewasnotabarrel，thejudgecontinuedhiswalkalongthepromenade，feelingratherashamed。
Mrs。KentonhadgonetoEllen’sroomagainwhenshehadgotthejudgeoffuponhismission。Sheratherflunginuponher。\"Oh，youareup！\"sheapologizedtoEllen’sback。Thegirl’sfacewastowardstheglass，andshewastiltingherheadtogettheeffectofthehatonit，whichshenowtookoff。
\"Isupposepoppa’sgonetotellhim，\"shesaid，sittingtremulouslydown。
\"Didn’tyouwanthimto？\"hermotherasked，strickenalittleatsightofheragitation。
\"Yes，Iwantedhimto，butthatdoesn’tmakeitanyeasier。Itmakesitharder。Momma！\"
\"Well，Ellen？\"
\"Youknowyou’vegottotellhim，first。\"
\"Tellhim？\"Mrs。Kentonrepeated，butsheknewwhatEllenmeant。
\"About——Mr。Bittridge。Allaboutit。Everysinglething。Abouthiskissingmethatnight。\"
AtthelastdemandMrs。Kentonwasvisiblyshakeninherinvisibleassenttothegirl’swish。\"Don’tyouthink，Ellen，thatyouhadbettertellhimthat——sometime？\"
\"No，now。Andyoumusttellhim。Youletmegotothetheatrewithhim。\"Thefaintestshadowofresentmentcloudedthegirl’sface，butstillMrs。Kenton，thoughtsheknewherownguilt，couldnotyield。
\"Why，Ellen，\"shepleaded，notwithoutareproachfulsenseofvulgarityinsuchaplea，\"don’tyousupposeHEever——kissedanyone？\"
\"Thatdoesn’tconcernme，momma，\"saidEllen，withoutatraceofconsciousnessthatshewassayinganythinguncommon。\"Ifyouwon’ttellhim，thenthatendsit。Iwon’tseehim。\"
\"Oh，well！\"hermothersighed。\"Iwilltrytotellhim。ButI’dratherbewhipped。Iknowhe’lllaughatme。\"
\"Hewon’tlaughatyou，\"saidthegirl，confidently，almostcomfortingly。
\"IwanthimtoknoweverythingbeforeImeethim。Idon’twanttohaveasinglethingonmymind。Idon’twanttothinkofmyself！\"
Mrs。Kentonunderstoodthewoman——soulthatspokeinthesewords。
\"Well，\"shesaid，withadeep，longbreath，\"beready，then。\"
Butshefelttheburdenwhichhadbeenputuponhertobesomuchmorethanshecouldbearthatwhenshefoundherhusbandintheirparlorsheinstantlyresolvedtocastituponhim。Hestoodatthewindowwithhishaton。
\"HasBreckonbeenhereyet？\"heasked。
\"Haveyouseenhimyet？\"shereturned。
\"Yes，andIthoughthewascomingrighthere。Butperhapshestoppedtoscrewhiscourageup。Heonlyknewhowlittleitneededwithus！\"
\"Well，now，it’swewho’vegottohavethecourage。Oryouhave。DoyouknowwhatEllenwantstohavedone？\"Mrs。Kentonputitintheseimpersonalterms，andasapreliminarytoshirkinghershareoftheburden。
\"Shedoesn’twanttohavehimrefused？\"
\"ShewantstohavehimtoldallaboutBittridge。\"
Afteramomentaryrevoltthejudgesaid，\"Well，that’sright。It’slikeEllen。\"
\"There’ssomethingelsethat’smorelikeher，\"saidMrs。Kenton，indignantly。\"ShewantshimtotoldaboutwhatBittridgedidthatnight——abouthimkissingher。\"
Thejudgelookeddisgustedwithhiswifefortheword；thenhelookedaghast。\"About——\"
\"Yes，andshewon’thaveawordtosaytohimtillheistold，andunlessheistoldshewillrefusehim。\"
\"Didshesaythat？\"
\"No，butIknowshewill。\"
\"Ifshedidn’tsayshewould，Ithinkwemaytakethechancesthatshewon’t。\"
\"No，wemustn’ttakeanysuchchances。Youmusttellhim。\"
\"I？No，Icouldn’tmanageit。Ihavenotact，anditwouldsoundsoconfoundedlyqueer，comingfromonemantoanother。Itwouldbe——
indelicate。It’ssomethingthatnobodybutawoman——Whydoesn’tshetellhimherself？\"
\"Shewon’t。Sheconsidersitourpart，andsomethingweoughttodobeforehecommitshimself。\"
\"Verywell，then，Sarah，youmusttellhim。Youcanmanageitsoitwon’tbyso——queer。
\"ThatisjustwhatIsupposedyouwouldsay，Mr。Kenton，butImustsayI
didn’texpectitofyou。Ithinkit’scowardly。\"
\"Lookout，Sarah！Idon’tlikethatword。\"
\"Oh，Isupposeyou’rebraveenoughwhenitcomestoanykindofdanger。
Butwhenitcomestotakingthebruntofanythingunpleasant——\"
\"Itisn’tunpleasant——it’squeer。\"
\"Whydoyoukeepsayingthatoverandover？There’snothingqueeraboutit。It’sEllenishbutisn’titright？\"
\"It’sright，yes，Isuppose。Butit’ssqueamish。\"
\"Iseenothingsqueamishaboutit。ButIknowyou’redeterminedtoleaveittome，andsoIshalldoit。Idon’tbelieveMr。Breckonwillthinkit’squeerorsqueamish。\"
\"I’venodoubthe’lltakeitintherightway；you’llknowhowto——\"
Kentonlookedintohishat，whichhehadtakenoffandthenputitonagain。Histoneandhismannerweresufficientlysneaking，andhecouldnotmakethemotherwise。Itwasforthisreason，nodoubt，thathewouldnotprolongtheinterview。
\"Ohyes，go！\"saidMrs。Kenton，ashefoundhimselfwithhishandonthedoor。\"Leaveitalltome，do！\"andhewasawareofskulkingoutoftheroom。Bythetimethatitwouldhavetakenhimsolongastowalktothetopofthegrandstairwayhewasbackagain。\"He’scoming！\"hesaid，breathlessly。\"Isawhimatthebottomofthestairs。Gointoyourroomandwashyoureyes。I’LLtellhim。\"
\"No，no，Rufus！Letme！Itwillbemuchbetter。You’llbesuretobungleit。\"
\"Wemustriskthat。Youwerequiteright，Sarah。Itwouldhavebeencowardlyinmetoletyoudoit。\"
\"Rufus！YouknowIdidn’tmeanit！Surelyyou’renotresentingthat？\"
\"No。I’mgladyoumademeseeit。You’reallright，Sarah，andyou’llfindthatitwillallcomeoutallright。Youneedn’tbeafraidI’llbungleit。Ishallusediscretion。Go——\"
\"Ishallnotstirastepfromthisparlor！You’vegotbackallyourspirit，dear，\"saidtheoldwife，withyoungprideinherhusband。
\"ButImustsaythatEllenisputtingmoreuponyouthanshehasanyrightto。Ithinkshemighttellhimherself。\"
\"No，it’sourbusiness——mybusiness。Weallowedhertogetinforit。
She’squiterightaboutit。Wemustnotlethimcommithimselftohertillheknowsthethingthatmostputshertoshame。Itisn’tenoughforustosaythatitwasreallynoshame。Shefeelsthatitcastsasortofstain——youknowwhatImean，Sarah，andIbelieveIcanmakethisyoungmanknow。IfIcan’t，somuchtheworseforhim。HeshallneverseeEllenagain。\"
\"Oh，Rufus！\"
\"Doyouthinkhewouldbeworthyofherifhecouldn’t？\"
\"IthinkEllenisperfectlyridiculous。\"
\"ThenthatshowsthatIamrightindecidingnottoleavethisthingtoyou。Ifeelasshedoesaboutit，andIintendthatheshall。\"
\"Doyouintendtoletherrunthechanceoflosinghim？\"
\"ThatiswhatIintendtodo。\"
\"Well，then，I’lltellyouwhat:Iamgoingtostayrighthere。Wewillbothseehim；it’srightforustodoit。\"ButatarapontheparlordoorMrs。Kentonflewtothatofherownroom，whichshecloseduponherwithasortofParthianwhimper，\"Oh，dobecareful，Rufus！\"
WhetherKentonwascarefulornotcouldneverbeknown，fromeitherKentonhimselforfromBreckon。Thejudgedidtellhimeverything，andtheyoungmanreceivedthemostdamningdetailsofEllen’shistorywitharadiantabsencewhichtestifiedthattheyfelluponasurfacesenseofKenton，anddidnotpenetratetotheall-pervadingsenseofEllenherselfbelow。AttheendKentonwasafraidhehadnotunderstood。
\"Youunderstand，\"hesaid，\"thatshecouldnotconsenttoseeyoubeforeyouknewjusthowweakshethoughtshehadbeen。\"Thejudgestiffenedtodefianceinmakingthishumiliation。\"Idon’tconsider，myself，thatshewasweakatall。\"
\"Ofcoursenot！\"Breckonbeamedbackathim。
\"Iconsiderthatthroughoutsheactedwiththegreatest——greatest——Andthatinthataffair，whenhebehavedwiththat——thatoutrageousimpudence，itwasbecauseshehadmisledthescoundrelbyherkindness，herforbearance，herwishnottodohimtheleastshadowofinjustice，buttogivehimeverychanceofprovinghimselfworthyofhertolerance；
and——\"
Thejudgechoked，andBreckoneagerlyasked，\"AndshallI——mayIseehernow？\"
\"Why——yes，\"thejudgefaltered。\"Ifyou’resure——\"
\"Whatabout？\"Breckondemanded。
\"Idon’tknowwhethershewillbelievethatIhavetoldyou。\"
\"Iwilltrytoconvinceher。WhereshallIseeher？\"
\"Iwillgoandtellheryouarehere。Iwillbringher——\"
Kentonpassedintotheadjoiningroom，wherehiswifelaidholdofhim，almostviolently。\"Youdiditbeautifully，Rufus，\"shehuskilywhispered，\"andIwassoafraidyouwouldspoileverything。Oh，howmanlyyouwere，andhowperfecthewas！Butnowit’smyturn，andIwillgoandbringEllen——Youwillletme，won’tyou？\"
\"Youmaydoanythingyouplease，Sarah。Idon’twanttohaveanymoreofthis，\"saidthejudgefromthechairhehaddroppedinto。
\"Well，then，Iwillbringheratonce，\"saidMrs。Kenton，stayingonlyinhergladnesstokisshimonhisgrayhead；hereceivedherembracewithasuperficialsultrinesswhichdidnotdeceiveher。
Ellencamebackwithouthermother，andassoonassheenteredtheroom，andBreckonrealizedthatshehadcomealone，herantowardsherasiftotakeherinhisarms。Butsheputupherhandwithextendedfingers，andheldhimlightlyoff。
\"Didpoppatellyou？\"sheasked，withacertaindefiance。Sheheldherheadupfiercely，andspokesteadily，buthecouldseethepulsebeatinginherprettyneck。
\"Yes，hetoldme——\"
\"And——well？\"
\"Oh，Iloveyou，Ellen——\"
\"Thatisn’tit。Didyoucare？\"
Breckonhadaninspiration，aninspirationfromthetruththatdweltatthebottomofhissoulandhadneveryetfailedtosavehim。Helethisarmsfallandanswered，desperately:\"Yes，Idid。Iwishedithadn’thappened。\"Hesawthepulseinherneckceasetobeat，andheswiftlyadded，\"ButIknowthatithappenedjustbecauseyouwereyourself，andwereso——\"
\"Ifyouhadsaidyoudidn’tcare，\"shebreathlesslywhispered，\"Iwouldneverhavespokentoyou。Hefeltaconditionaltremorcreepingintothefingerswhichhadbeensorigidagainsthisbreast。\"Idon’tseehowI
livedthroughit！Doyouthinkyoucan？\"
\"Ithinkso，\"hereturned，withafaint，farsuggestionoflevitythatbroughtfromheranimperative，imploring——
\"Don’t！\"
Thenheadded，solemnly，\"Ithadnomoretodowithyou，Ellen，thananoffencefromsomehatefulanimal——\"
\"Oh，howgoodyouare！\"Thefingersfoldedthemselves，andherarmsweakenedsothattherewasnothingtokeephimfromdrawinghertohim。
\"What——whatareyoudoing？\"sheasked，withherfacesmotheredagainsthis。
\"Oh，Ell-en，Ellen，Ellen！Oh，mylove，mydearest，mybest！\"
\"ButIhavebeensuchafool！\"sheprotested，imaginingthatshewasgoingtopushhimfromher，butlosingherselfinhimmoreandmore。
\"Yes，yes，darling！Iknowit。That’swhyIloveyouso！\"
XXVI。
\"Thereisjustonething，\"saidthejudge，ashewounduphiswatchthatnight，\"thatmakesmealittleuneasystill。\"
Mrs。Kenton，alreadyinherbedturnedherfaceuponhimwithadespairing\"Tchk！Dear！Whatisit？Ithoughtwehadtalkedovereverything，\"
\"Wehaven’tgotLottie’sconsentyet。\"
\"Well，IthinkIseemyselfaskingLottie！\"Mrs。Kentonbegan，beforesherealizedherhusband’sirony。Sheadded，\"Howcouldyougivemesuchastart？\"
\"Well，LottiehasbossedussolongthatIcouldn’thelpmentioningit，\"
saidthejudge。
Itwasalameexcuse，andinitsmostpotentialimplicationhissuggestionprovedwithoutreason。IfLottienevergaveherexplicitapprovaltoEllen’sengagement，sheneveropenlyopposedit。Shetreatedit，rather，withsomethinglikesilentcontempt，asachildishweaknessonEllen’spartwhichwasbeneathherseriousconsideration。TowardsBreckon，herbehaviorhardlychangedintheseveritywhichshehadassumedfromthemomentshefirstceasedtohaveanyuseforhim。
\"IsupposeIwillhavetokisshim，\"shesaid，gloomily，whenhermothertoldherthathewastobeherbrother，andsheperformedtheritewithasmuchcoldnessaswaseverputinthatformofaffectionatewelcome。
ItisdoubtfulifBreckonperfectlyrealizeditscoldness；heneverknewhowmuchheenragedherbyactingasifshewerealittlegirl，andsayinglightly，almosttrivially，\"I’msogladyou’regoingtobeasistertome。\"
WithEllen，Lottienowconsideredherselfquits，andfromthefirsthourofEllen’shappinessshethrewoffallthecarewithalltheapparentkindnesswhichshehadusedtowardsherwhenshewasamorbidinvalid。
Hereagain，ifLottiehadmindedsuchathing，shemighthavebeenasmuchvexedbyEllen’sattitudeasbyBreckon’s。Ellenneveroncenoticedthewithdrawalofheranxiousoversight，orseemedintheleasttomissit。Asmuchashermeeknaturewouldallow，shearrogatedtoherselftheprivilegesandprerogativesofaneldersister，andifithadbeenpossibletomakeLottieeverfeellikeachit，thereweremomentswhenEllen’sbehaviorwouldhavemadeherfeellikeachit。ItwasnottillaftertheirreturntoTuskingumthatLottietookhertrueplaceinrelationtotheaffair，andinthepreparationsforthewedding，whichsheappointedtobeintheFirstUniversalistChurch，overrulingbothhermother’sandsister’spreferencesforahomewedding，thatLottieroseindueauthority。Mrs。Kentonhadnotceasedtofeelquelledwheneverheryoungerdaughtercalledhermotherinsteadofmomma，andEllenseemednotreallytocare。ShesubmittedthemattertoBreckon，whosaid，\"Ohyes，ifLottiewishes，\"andhelaughedwhenEllenconfessed，\"Well，Isaidwewould。\"
Withtheliftingofhisgreatanxiety，hehadgotbacktothatlightnesswhichwasmostlikehim，andhecouldnotalwaysconcealfromLottieherselfthatheregardedherasajoke。Shedidnotmindit，shesaid，fromsuchameresopas，inthevastcontentofhislove，hewas。
ThiswassomemonthsafterLottiehadgotatScheveningenfromMr。
Plumptonthatletterwhichdecidedherthatshehadnouseforhim。
Therecamethesameday，andbythesamepostwithit，aletterfromoneofheryoungmeninTuskingum，whohadfaithfullywrittentoherallthewinterbefore，andhadnotintermittedhislettersaftershewentabroad。
ToKentonhehadalwaysseemedtoowiseifnottoogoodforLottie，butMrs。Kenton，whohadherowndoubtsofLottie，wouldnotallowthiswhenitcametothequestion，andsaid，woundedly，thatshedidnotseewhyLottiewasnotfullyhisequalineveryway。
\"Well，\"thejudgesuggested，\"sheisn’tthefirstyounglawyerattheTuskingumbar。\"
\"Well，Iwouldn’twishhertobe，\"saidMrs。Kenton，whodidnotoftenmakejokes。
\"Well，Idon’tknowthatIwould，\"herhusbandassented，andheadded，\"Prettygood，Sarah。\"
\"Lottie，\"hermothersummedup，\"ispractical，andsheisveryneat。Shewon’tletMr。Elroygoaroundlookingsoslovenly。Ihopeshewillmakehimhavehishaircut，andnotlookasifitwerebittenoff。AndI
don’tbelievehe’shadhisbootsblackedsince——\"
\"Hewasborn，\"thejudgeproposed，andsheassented。
\"Yes。Sheisverysaving，andheiswasteful。Itwillbeaverygoodmatch。Youcanletthembuildontheothercornerofthelot，ifEllenisgoingtobeinNewYork。IwouldmissLottiemorethanEllenaboutthehousekeeping，thoughthedearknowsIwillmissthembothbadlyenough。\"
\"Well，youcanbreakofftheirengagements，\"saidthejudge。
Asyet，anduntilEllenwasoffherhands，LottiewouldnotallowMr。
Elroytoconsiderhimselfengagedtoher。Hisconditionaldevotiondidnotdebarhimfromalover’srights，and，untilBreckoncameonfromNewYorktobemarried，therewasmuchmorecourtshipofLottiethanofElleninthehouse。ButLottiesavedherselfintheformifnotthefact，andasfarasverbaltermswereconcerned，shewasjustifiedbythemindeclaringthatshewouldnothaveanothersophanginground。
ItwasBoyne，andBoynealone，whohadanymisgivingsinregardtoEllen’sengagement，andthesewereofanaturesoreconditethatwhenhecametoimpartthemtohismother，beforetheyleftScheveningen，andwhiletherewasyettimeforthatconclusionwhichhisfathersuggestedtoMrs。Kentontoolate，Boynehadanalmosthopelessdifficultyinstatingthem。Hisapproaches，even，weresomysticalthathismotherwasforcedtobringhimtobooksharply。
\"Boyne，ifyoudon’ttellmerightoffjustwhatyoumean，Idon’tknowwhatIwilldotoyou！Whatareyoudrivingat，forpity’ssake？Areyousayingthatsheoughtn’ttobeengagedtoMr。Breckon？\"
\"No，I’mnotsayingthat，momma，\"saidBoyne，inadistressthatcausedhismothertotakeareefinherimpatience。
\"Well，whatareyousaying，then？\"
\"Why，youknowhowEllenis，momma。Youknowhowconscientiousand——and——sensitive。Or，Idon’tmeansensitive，exactly。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Well，Idon’tthinksheoughttobeengagedtoMr。Breckonoutof——
gratitude。\"
\"Gratitude？\"
\"Yes。Ijustknowthatshethinks——oritwouldbejustlikeher——thathesavedmethatday。Butheonlymetmeaboutasecondbeforewecametoherandpoppa，andtheofficersweretakingmerightalongtowardsthem。\"
Mrs。Kentonheldherselfstormilyin，andhecontinued:\"Iknowthathetranslatedforusbeforethemagistrate，butthemagistratecouldspeakalittleEnglish，andwhenhesawpoppahesawthatitwasallright，anyway。Idon’twanttosayanythingagainstMr。Breckon，andIthinkhebehavedaswellanyonecould；butifEllenisgoingtomarryhimoutofgratitudeforsavingme——\"
Mrs。Kentoncouldholdinnolonger。\"Andisthiswhatyou’vebeenbotheringthelifehalfoutofmefor，forthelasthour？\"
\"Well，Ithoughtyououghttolookatitinthatlight，momma。\"
\"Well，Boyne，\"saidhismother，\"sometimesIthinkyou’realmostafool！\"
andsheturnedherbackuponhersonandlefthim。
Boyne’splaceintheKentonfamily，forwhichhecontinuedtohavethehighestregard，becamealittlelessdifficult，alittlelessincompatiblewithhisself-respectastimewenton。Hisspirit，whichhadlaggedalittleafterhisbodyinstature，began，ashisfathersaid，tocatchup。Henolongernourisheditsoexclusivelyuponheroicalromanceashehadduringthepastyear，andafterhisreturntoTuskingumhewentintohisbrotherRichard’sonce，andmanifestedacertaincuriosityinthestudyofthelaw。HereadBlackstone，andcouldgiveafairaccountofhisimpressionsofEnglishlawtohisfather。Hehadquiteoutlivedtheperiodofentomologicalresearch，andhepresentedhiscollectionsofinsectssomewhatmoth-eatentohisnephew，onwhomhealsobestowedhispostage-stampalbum；MaryKentonacceptedthemintrust，thenephewbeingofyettootenderyearsfortheircare。InthepreoccupationsofhisimmediatefamilywithEllen’sengagement，Boynebecameratherclosefriendswithhissister-in-law，andthereweretimeswhenhewastemptedtosubmittoherjudgmentthequestionwhethertheyoungQueenofHollanddidnotreallybeckontohimthatday。ButpendingthehourwhenheforesawthatLottieshouldcomeoutwiththewholestory，insomeinstantofexcitement，Boynehadnotquitethehearttospeakofhisexperience。Itassumedmoreandmorerespectabilitywithhim，andlostthatsqualorwhichhadonceputhimtoshamewhileitwasyetnew。HethoughtthatMarymightbereasonedintoregardinghimastheheroofanadventure，butheisstillhesitatingwhethertoconfideinher。Inthemeantimesheknowsallaboutit。MaryandRichardbothapprovedofEllen’schoice，thoughtheyaresomewhatpuzzledtomakeoutjustwhatMr。Breckon’sreligionis，andwhathisrelationstohischargeinNewYorkmaybe。Thesedonotseemtothemquitepastoral，andhehimselfsharestheiruncertainty。ButsincehisflockdoesnotincludeMrs。Rasmithandherdaughter，heiscontenttoletthequestionremaininabeyance。TheRasmithsaresettledinRomewithanapparentpermanencywhichtheyhavenotknownelsewhereforalongtime，andtheyhavebothjoinedinthefriendliestkindofletteronhismarriagetotheirformerpastor，ifthatwaswhatBreckonwas。TheyhaveprofessedtoknowfromthefirstthathewasinlovewithEllen，andthatheisinlovewithhernowisthestrongpresentbeliefofhisflock，iftheyareaflock，andiftheymaybesaidtohaveanythingsopositiveasabeliefinregardtoanything。
JudgeKentonhasgiventheElroystheothercornerofthelot，andhassuppliedthemthemeansofbuildingonit。MaryandLottierundiagonallyintothehome-houseeveryday，andnothingkeepseitherfromcomingintoauthorityovertheoldpeopleexceptthefearofeachotherinwhichtheystand。TheKentonsnolongermakeanysummerjourneys，butinthewintertheytakeBoyneandgotoseeElleninNewYork。TheydonotstaysolongasMrs。Kentonwouldlike。AssoonastheyhavefairlyseentheBreckons，andhavesettledcomfortablydownintheirpleasanthouseonWestSeventy-fourthStreet，shedetectshiminasecrethabitofsighing，whichsherecognizesastheworstsymptomofhomesickness，andthensheconfidestoEllenthatshesupposesMr。Kentonwillmakehergohomewithhimbeforelong。Ellenknowsitisuselesstointerfere。Sheevenencouragesherfather’slongings，sofarasindulginghisclandestinevisitstotheseedsman’s，andshegoeswithhimtopickupsecond-handbooksaboutOhiointheWaratthedealers’，whorememberthejudgeveryflatteringly。
AsFebruarydrawsontowardsMarchitbecomesimpossibletodetainKenton。HiswifeandsonreturnwithhimtoTuskingum，whereLottiehasseentothekindlingofagoodfireinthefurnaceagainsttheirarrival，andhasnearlycometoblowswithMaryaboutprovisioningthemforthefirstdinner。ThenMrs。Kentonowns，withacomfortwhichshewillnotletherhusbandsee，thatthereisnoplacelikehome，andtheytakeuptheirlifeintheplacewheretheyhavebeensohappyandsounhappy。Hereadstoheragooddealatnight，andtheyplayagameofcheckersusuallybeforetheygotobed；shestillcheatswithoutscruple，for，asshejustlysays，heknowsverywellthatshecannotbeartobebeaten。
Thecolonel，asheisstillinvariablyknowntohisveterans，worksprettyfaithfullyattheregimentalautobiography，anddrivesroundthecountry，pickingupmaterialamongthem，inabuggyplasteredwithmud。
Hehasimagined，sincehislastvisittoBreckon，whodictateshissermons，iftheyaresermons，takingastenographerwithhim，andtheyounglady，whoisindeadlyterrorofthecolonel’sdriving，isofthegreatestusetohim，inthecaseofveteranswhowillnotorcannotgivedownastheysayintheirdairy-countryparlance，andhasalreadyrescuedmanyreminiscencesfromperishingintheirfalteringmemories。
Shewritesthemoutinthejudge’slibrarywhenthecolonelgetshome，andhiswifesometimessurprisesMr。Kentoncorrectingthemthereatnightaftershesupposeshehasgonetobed。
SinceithasallturnedoutforthebestconcerningBittridge，shenolongerhasthosepangsofself-reproachforRichard’streatmentofhimwhichshesufferedwhileafraidthatifthefactcametoEllen’sknowledgeitmightmakeherrefuseBreckon。Shedoesnotfindherdaughter’sbehaviorinthemattersoanomalousasitappearstothejudge。
Heiswillingtoaccountforitonthegroundofthatinconsistencywhichhehasobservedinallhumanbehavior，butMrs。Kentonisnotinclinedtoadmitthatitissoveryinconsistent。ShecontendsthatEllenhadsimplylivedthroughthathatefulepisodeofherpsychologicalhistory，asshewassuretodosoonerorlaterandasshewasdestinedtodoassoonassomeotherpersonarrivedtotakeherfancy。
Ifthisisthecrude，common-senseviewofthematter，Ellenherselfisabletooffernofinerexplanation，whichshallatthesametimebemorethorough。Sheandherhusbandhavenotfailedtotalktheaffairover，withthatfulnessoftreatmentwhichyoungmarriedpeoplegivetheirpastwhentheyhavenothingtoconcealfromeachother。Shehasattemptedtosolvethemysterybyblamingherselfforacertainessentiallevityofnaturewhich，underallherappearanceofgravity，sympathizedwithlevityinothers，and，forwhatsheknowstothecontrary，withsomethingignobleandunworthyinthem。Breckon，ofcourse，doesnotadmitthis，buthehassuggestedthatshewasfirstattractedtohimbyacertainunseriousnesswhichremindedherofBittridge，inenablinghimtotakeherseriousnesslightly。Thisisthelogicalinferencewhichhemakesfromhertheoryofherself，butsheinsiststhatitdoesnotfollow；andshecontendsthatshewasmovedtolovehimbyaninstantsenseofhisgoodness，whichsheneverlost，andinwhichshewastryingtoequalherselfwithhimbyeventhedesperatemeasureofrenouncingherhappiness，ifthatshouldeverseemherduty，tohisperfection。Hesaysthisisnotveryclear，thoughitisawfullygratifying，andhedoesnotquiteunderstandwhyMrs。Bittridge’slettershouldhaveliberatedEllenfromherfanciedobligationstothepast。Ellencanonlysaythatitdidsobymakinghersoashamedevertohavehadanythingtodowithsuchpeople，andmakingherseehowmuchshehadtriedherfatherandmotherbyherfolly。ThisagainBreckoncontendsisnotclear，buthesaysweliveinauniverseofproblemsinwhichanother，moreorless，doesnotmuchmatter。HeisalwaysexpectingthatsomechanceshallconfronthimwithBittridge，andthattheman’spresencewillexplaineverything；for，likesomanyOhiopeoplewholeavetheirnativeState，theBittridgeshavecomeEastinsteadofgoingWest，inquittingtheneighborhoodofTuskingum。HeissettledwithhisidolizedmotherinNewYork，whereheisobscurelyattachedtooneofthenewspapers。Thathehasasyetfailedtorisefromtheranksinthegreatarmyofassignmentmenmaybebecausemoralqualitytellseverywhere，andtobeacleverblackguardisnotsowellastobesimplyclever。IfeverBreckonhasmethisalterego，asheamuseshimselfincallinghim，hehasnotknownit，thoughBittridgemayhavebeenwiserinthecaseofamanofBreckon’spublicity，nottocallitdistinction。Therewasatime，immediatelyaftertheBreckonsheardfromTuskingumthattheBittridgeswereinNewYork，whenEllen’shusbandconsultedherastowhatmightbehisdutytowardsherlatesuitorintheeventwhichhasnottakenplace，andwhenhesuggested，nottooseriously，thatRichard’scoursemightbethesolution。TohissuggestionEllenanswered:\"Ohno，dear！Thatwaswrong，\"andthisremainsalsoRichard’sopinion。
End