ThelittlegirlcameoutfrombehindtheChristmastree，herstocking，nowbuthalffilled，inherhand。\"HereIam，\"shesaid。\"Don\'tyouwanttogivemeaChristmashug，CaptainCephas？Youandme\'stheonlyonesthathasn\'thadany。\"
TheChristmasdinnerwasastrulyandperfectlyasailor-
cookedmealaseverwasservedonboardashiporoffit。
CaptainCephashadsaidthat，andwhenhehadsospokentherewasnoneedoffurtherwords。
Itwasnearlydarkthatafternoon，andtheywereallsittingaroundthekitchenfire，thethreeseafaringmensmoking，andMrs。Trimmergreatlyenjoyingit。Therecouldbenoobjectiontothesmelloftobaccointhishousesolongasitsfuturemistressenjoyedit。ThelittlegirlsatonthefloornursingaChineseidolwhichhadbeenoneofherpresents。
\"Afterall，\"saidCaptainEli，meditatively，\"thiswholebusinesscomeoutofmysleepin\'withmybestearup。FerifI\'dsleptwithmyhard-o\'-hearin\'earup——\"Mrs。Trimmerputonefingeronhislips。\"Allright，\"saidCaptainEli，\"Iwon\'tsaynomore。Butitwouldhavebeendifferent。\"
Evennow，severalyearsafterthatChristmas，whenthereisnoMrs。Trimmer，andthelittlegirl，whohasbeenregularlyadoptedbyCaptainEliandhiswife，isstudyinggeography，andknowsmoreaboutlatitudeandlongitudethanherteacheratschool，CaptainElihasstillaslightsuperstitiousdreadofsleepingwithhisbestearuppermost。
\"Ofcourseit\'sthemostall-firednonsense，\"hesaystohimselfoverandoveragain。Nevertheless，hefeelssaferwhenitishis\"hard-o\'-hearin\'ear\"thatisnotuponthepillow。
LOVEBEFOREBREAKFAST
IwasstillayoungmanwhenIcameintothepossessionofanexcellentestate。Thisconsistedofalargecountryhouse，surroundedbylawns，groves，andgardens，andsituatednotfarfromtheflourishinglittletownofBoynton。Beinganorphanwithnobrothersorsisters，Isetuphereabachelor\'shall，inwhich，fortwoyears，Ilivedwithgreatsatisfactionandcomfort，improvingmygroundsandfurnishingmyhouse。WhenI
hadmadealltheimprovementswhichwerereallyneeded，andfeelingthatInowhadamostdelightfulhometocomebackto，I
thoughtitwouldbeanexcellentthingtotakeatriptoEurope，givemymindaruninfreshfields，andpickupalotofbric-a-
bracandideasfortheadornmentandadvantageofmyhouseandmind。
Itwasthecustomoftheresidentsinmyneighborhoodwhoownedhousesandtravelledinthesummertolettheirhousesduringtheirabsence，andmybusinessagentandmyselfagreedthatthiswouldbeanexcellentthingformetodo。Ifthehousewerelettoasuitablefamilyitwouldyieldmeaconsiderableincome，andtheplacewouldnotpresentonmyreturnthatairofretrogressionanddesolationwhichImightexpectifitwereleftunoccupiedandinchargeofacaretaker。
MyagentassuredmethatIwouldhavenotroublewhateverinlettingmyplace，foritofferedmanyadvantagesandIexpectedbutareasonablerent。Idesiredtoleaveeverythingjustasitstood，house，furniture，books，horses，cows，andpoultry，takingwithmeonlymyclothesandpersonalrequisites，andIdesiredtenantswhowouldcomeinbringingonlytheirclothesandpersonalrequisites，whichtheycouldquietlytakeawaywiththemwhentheirleaseshouldexpireandIshouldreturnhome。
Inspite，however，oftheassurancesoftheagent，itwasnoteasytoletmyplace。Thehousewastoolargeforsomepeople，toosmallforothers，andwhilesomeapplicantshadmorehorsesthanIhadstallsinmystable，othersdidnotwanteventhehorsesIwouldleave。Ihadengagedmysteamerpassage，andthedayformydeparturedrewnear，andyetnosuitabletenantshadpresentedthemselves。Ihadalmostcometotheconclusionthatthewholematterwouldhavetobeleftinthehandsofmyagent，forIhadnointentionwhateverofgivingupmyprojectedtravels，whenearlyoneafternoonsomepeoplecametolookatthehouse。FortunatelyIwasathome，andIgavemyselfthepleasureofpersonallyconductingthemaboutthepremises。Itwasapleasure，becauseassoonasIcomprehendedthefactthattheseapplicantsdesiredtorentmyhouseIwishedthemtohaveit。
Thefamilyconsistedofanelderlygentlemanandhiswife，withadaughteroftwentyorthereabout。Thiswasafamilythatsuitedmeexactly。Threeinnumber，nochildren，peopleofintelligenceandposition，fondofthecountry，andanxiousforjustsuchaplaceasIofferedthem——whatcouldbebetter？
ThemoreIwalkedaboutandtalkedwiththesegoodpeopleandshowedthemmypossessions，themoreIdesiredthattheyoungladyshouldtakemyhouse。Ofcourseherparentswereincludedinthiswish，butitwasforherearsthatallmyremarkswereintended，althoughsometimesaddressedtotheothers，andshewasthetenantIlaboredtoobtain。Isay\"labored\"advisedly，becauseIrackedmybraintothinkofinducementswhichmightbringthemtoaspeedyandfavorabledecision。
Apartfromtheobviousadvantagesofthearrangement，itwouldbeapositivedelighttomeduringmysummerwanderingsinEuropetothinkthatthatbeautifulgirlwouldbestrollingthroughmygrounds，enjoyingmyflowers，andsittingwithherbookintheshadynooksIhadmadesopleasant，lyinginmyhammocks，spendinghereveninghoursinmystudy，readingmybooks，writingatmydesk，andperhapsmusinginmyeasy-chair。
Beforetheseapplicantsappearedithadsometimespainedmetoimaginestrangersinmyhome；butnosuchthoughtcrossedmymindinregardtothisyounglady，who，ifcharminginthehouseandonthelawn，grewpositivelyentrancingwhenshesawmyJerseycowsandmytwohorses，regardingthemwithanadmirationwhichevensurpassedmyown。
LongbeforewehadcompletedthetourofinspectionIhadmadeupmymindthatthisyoungladyshouldcometoliveinmyhouse。Ifobstaclesshouldshowthemselvestheyshouldberemoved。Iwouldteardown，Iwouldbuild，Iwouldpaperandpaint，Iwouldputinallsortsofelectricbells，Iwouldreducetherentuntilitsuitedtheirnotionsexactly，Iwouldhavemyhorses\'tailsbangedifshelikedthatkindoftailsbetterthanlongones——Iwoulddoanythingtomakethemdefinitelydecidetotaketheplacebeforetheyleftme。Itrembledtothinkofhergoingelsewhereandgivingotherhouseholdersachancetotempther。Shehadlookedatagoodmanycountryhouses，butitwasquiteplainthatnoneofthemhadpleasedhersowellasmine。
Ilefttheminmylibrarytotalkthematteroverbythemselves，andinlessthantenminutestheyoungladyherselfcameoutonthelawntotellmethatherfatherandmotherhaddecidedtotaketheplaceandwouldliketospeakwithme。
\"Iamsoglad，\"shesaidaswewentin。\"IamsureIshallenjoyeveryhourofourstayhere。Itissodifferentfromanythingwehaveyetseen。\"
WheneverythinghadbeensettledIwantedtotakethemagainovertheplaceandpointoutalotofthingsIhadomitted。I
particularlywantedtoshowthemsomelovelywalksinthewoods。
Buttherewasnotime，fortheyhadtocatchatrain。
HernamewasVincent——CoraVincent，asIdiscoveredfromhermother\'sremarks。
AssoonastheydepartedIhadmymaresaddledandrodeintotowntoseemyagent。Iwentintohisofficeexultant。
\"I\'veletmyhouse，\"Isaid，\"andIwantyoutomakeouttheleaseandhaveeverythingfixedandsettledassoonaspossible。
Thisistheaddressofmytenants。\"
Theagentaskedmeagoodmanyquestions，beingparticularlyanxioustoknowwhatrenthadbeenagreedupon。
\"Heavens！\"heexclaimed，whenImentionedthesum，\"thatiseversomuchlessthanItoldyouyoucouldget。IamincommunicationnowwithapartywhomIknowwouldpayyouconsiderablymorethanthesepeople。Haveyoudefinitelysettledwiththem？Perhapsitisnottoolatetowithdraw。\"
\"Withdraw！\"Icried。\"Never！TheyaretheonlytenantsI
want。Iwasdeterminedtogetthem，andIthinkImusthaveloweredtherentfourorfivetimesinthecourseoftheafternoon。ItookabigsliceoutofitbeforeImentionedthesumatall。Yousee，\"saidI，veryimpressively，\"theseVincentsexactlysuitme。\"AndthenIwentontostatefullytheadvantagesofthearrangement，omitting，however，anyreferencestomyvisionsofMissVincentswinginginmyhammocksormusinginmystudy-chair。
ItwasnowMay15，andmysteamerwouldsailonthetwenty-
first。TheinterveningdaysIemployed，notinpreparingformytravels，butinmakingeverypossiblearrangementforthecomfortandconvenienceofmyincomingtenants。TheVincentsdidnotwishtotakepossessionuntilJune1，andIwassorrytheyhadnotappliedbeforeIhadengagedmypassage，forinthatcaseI
wouldhaveselectedalaterdate。AverygoodsteamersailedonJune3，anditwouldhavesuitedmejustaswell。
HappeningtobeinNewYorkoneday，IwenttotheVincents\'
cityresidencetoconsultwiththeminregardtosomeawningswhichIproposedputtingupatthebackofthehouse。Ifoundnooneathomebuttheoldgentleman，anditmadenodifferencetohimwhethertheawningswereblackandbrownorredandyellow。IcordiallyinvitedhimtocomeoutbeforeIleft，andbringhisfamily，thattheymightlookabouttheplacetoseeiftherewasanythingtheywouldliketohavedonewhichhadnotalreadybeenattendedto。Itwassomuchbetter，Itoldhim，totalkoverthesematterspersonallywiththeownerthanwithanagentinhisabsence。Agentswereoftenveryunwillingtomakechanges。Mr。Vincentwasaveryquietandexceedinglypleasantelderlygentleman，andthankedmeverymuchformyinvitation，butsaidhedidnotseehowhecouldfindthetimetogetouttomyhousebeforeIsailed。Ididnotliketosaythatitwasnotatallnecessaryforhimtoneglecthisaffairsinordertoaccompanyhisfamilytomyplace，butIassuredhimthatifanyofthemwishedtogooutatanytimebeforetheytookpossessiontheymustfeelatperfectlibertytodoso。
Imentionedthismattertomyagent，suggestingthatifhehappenedtobeinNewYorkhemightcallontheVincentsandrepeatmyinvitation。Itwasnotlikelythattheoldgentlemanwouldremembertomentionittohiswifeanddaughter，anditwasreallyimportantthateverythingshouldbemadesatisfactorybeforeIleft。
\"Itseemstome，\"hesaid，smilingalittlegrimly，\"thattheVincentshadbetterbekeptawayfromyourhouseuntilyouhavegone。Ifyoudoanythingmoretoityoumayfindoutthatitwouldhavebeenmoreprofitabletohaveshutitupwhileyouareaway。\"
Hedidcall，however，partlybecauseIwishedhimtoandpartlybecausehewascurioustoseethepeopleIwassoanxioustoinstallinmyhome，andtowhomhewastobemylegalrepresentative。HereportedthenextdaythathehadfoundnooneathomebutMissVincent，andthatshehadsaidthatsheandhermotherwouldbeverygladtocomeoutthenextweekandgoovertheplacebeforetheytookpossession。
\"Nextweek！\"Iexclaimed。\"Ishallbegonethen！\"
\"ButIshallbehere，\"saidMr。Barker，\"andI\'llshowthemaboutandtaketheirsuggestions。\"
Thisdidnotsuitmeatall。ItannoyedmeverymuchtothinkofBarkershowingMissVincentaboutmyplace。Hewasagood-lookingyoungmanandnotatallbackwardinhismanners。
\"Afterall，\"saidI，\"Isupposethateverythingthatoughttobedonehasbeendone。Ihopeyoutoldherthat。\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidhe。\"Thatwouldhavebeenrunningdeadagainstyourorders。Besides，it\'smybusinesstoshowpeopleaboutplaces。Idon\'tmindit。\"
Thisgavemeanunpleasantanduneasyfeeling。IwonderedifMr。BarkerweretheagentIoughttohave，andifamiddle-agedmanwithafamilyandmoreexperiencemightnotbebetterabletomanagemyaffairs。
\"Barker，\"saidI，alittlelater，\"therewillbenouseofyourgoingeverymonthtotheVincentstocollecttheirrent。I
shallwritetoMr。Vincenttopayashepleases。Hecansendacheckmonthlyorattheendoftheseason，asitmaybeconvenient。Heisperfectlyresponsible，andIwouldmuchprefertohavethemoneyinalumpwhenIcomeback。\"
Barkergrinned。\"Allright，\"saidhe，\"butthat\'snotthewaytodobusiness，youknow。\"
Imayhavebeenmistaken，butIfanciedthatIsawinmyagent\'sfaceanexpressionwhichindicatedthatheintendedtocallonthefirstdayofeachmonth，onthepretextoftellingVincentthatitwasnotnecessarytopaytherentatanyparticulartime，andthathealsoproposedtomakemanyotherinterveningvisitstoinquireifrepairswereneeded。Thismighthavebeenagooddealtogetoutofhisexpression，butIthinkI
couldhavegotmoreifIhadthoughtlonger。
OnthedaybeforethatonwhichIwastosail，mymindwasinsuchadisturbedconditionthatIcouldnotattendtomypackingoranythingelse。ItalmostenragedmetothinkthatIwasdeliberatelyleavingthecountrytendaysbeforemytenantswouldcometomyhouse。TherewasnoreasonwhyIshoulddothis。
ThereweremanyreasonswhyIshouldnot。TherewasBarker。I
wasnowoftheopinionthathewouldpersonallysuperintendtheremovaloftheVincentsandtheirestablishmenttomyhome。I
rememberedthattheonlysuggestionhehadmadeabouttheimprovementoftheplacehadbeentheconstructionofatennis-
court。Iknewthathewasachampionplayer。Confoundit！WhatadreadfulmistakeIhadmadeinselectingsuchamanformyhouse-agent。Withmymind\'seyeIcouldalreadyseeMissVincentandBarkerselectingaspotfortennisandplanningthearrangementsofthecourt。
ItookthefirsttraintoNewYorkandwentdirectlytothesteamboatoffice。Itisastonishinghowmanyobstaclescanberemovedfromaman\'spathifhewillmakeuphismindtogivethemagoodkick。Ifoundthatmysteamerwascrowded。Theapplicationsforpassageexceededtheaccommodations，andtheagentwasdelightedtotransfermetothesteamerthatsailedonJune3。Iwenthomeexultant。Barkerdroveoverintheeveningtotakehislastinstructions，andablanklookcameoverhisfacewhenItoldhimthatbusinesshaddelayedmydeparture，andthatIshouldnotsailthenextday。IfIhadtoldhimthatpartofthatbusinesswasthelayingoutofatennis-courthemighthavelookedblanker。
OfcoursethedateofmydeparturedidnotconcerntheVincents，providedthehousewasvacatedbyJune1，andIdidnotinformthemofthechangeinmyplans，butwhenthemotheranddaughtercameoutthenextweektheyweremuchsurprisedtofindmewaitingtoreceivetheminsteadofBarker。Ihopethattheywerealsopleased，andIamsurethattheyhadeveryreasontobeso。Mrs。Vincent，havingdiscoveredthatIwasamostcomplacentlandlord，accommodatedherselfeasilytomydispositionandmadeanumberofminorrequirements，allofwhichIgrantedwithouttheslightesthesitation。Iwasdelightedatlasttoputherintothechargeofmyhousekeeper，andwhenthetwohadbetakenthemselvestothebedroomsIinvitedMissVincenttocomeoutwithmetoselectaspotforatennis-court。Theinvitationwasacceptedwithalacrity，fortennis，shedeclared，wasapassionwithher。
Theselectionofthattennis-courttooknearlyanhour，fortherewereseveralgoodplacesforoneanditwashardtomakeaselection；besides，IcouldnotlosetheopportunityoftakingMissVincentintothewoodsandshowingherthewalksIhadmadeandtherusticseatsIhadplacedinpleasantnooks。Ofcourseshewouldhavediscoveredthese，butitwasagreatdealbetterforhertoknowallaboutthembeforeshecame。AtlastMrs。Vincentsentamaidtotellherdaughterthatitwastimetogoforthetrain，andthecourthadnotbeendefinitelyplanned。
ThenextdayIwenttoMissVincent\'shousewithaplanofthegrounds，andsheandItalkeditoveruntilthematterwassettled。Itwasnecessarytobepromptaboutthis，Iexplained，astherewouldbeagreatdealoflevellingandrollingtobedone。
Ialsohadatalkwiththeoldgentlemanaboutbooks。TherewereseverallargeboxesofmybooksinNewYorkwhichIhadneversentouttomycountryhouse。ManyoftheseIthoughtmightbeinterestingtohim，andIofferedtohavethemtakenoutandleftathisdisposal。Whenheheardthetitlesofsomeofthebooksinthecollectionhewasmuchinterested，butinsistedthatbeforehemadeuseofthemtheyshouldbecatalogued，asweretherestofmyeffects。Ihesitatedamoment，wonderingifIcouldinduceBarkertocometoNewYorkandcataloguefourbigboxesofbooks，when，tomysurprise，MissVincentincidentallyremarkedthatiftheywereinanyplacewhereshecouldgetatthemshewouldbepleasedtohelpcataloguethem；thatsortofthingwasagreatpleasuretoher。InstantlyIproposedthatI
shouldsendthebookstotheVincenthouse，thattheyshouldtherebetakenoutsothatMr。Vincentcouldselectthosehemightcaretoreadduringthesummer，thatIwouldmakealistofthese，andifVincentwouldassistmeIwouldbegratefulforthekindness，andthosethatwerenotdesiredcouldbereturnedtothestorehouse。
Whatagrandideawasthis！IhadbeeninternallygroaningbecauseIcouldthinkofnopossiblepretence，forfurtherinterviewswithMissVincent，andherewassomethingbetterthanIcouldhaveimagined。Herfatherdeclaredthathecouldnotputmetosomuchtrouble，butIwouldlistentononeofhiswords，andthenextmorningmybookswerespreadoverhislibraryfloor。
Theselectionandcataloguingofthevolumesdesiredoccupiedthemorningsofthreedays。Theoldgentleman\'spartwassoondone，butthereweremanythingsinthebookswhichwerefarmoreinterestingtomethantheirtitles，andtowhichIdesiredtodrawMissVincent\'sattention。Allthisgreatlyprotractedourlabors。Shewasnotonlyabeautifulgirl，butherintelligenceandintellectualgraspwerewonderful。Icouldnothelptellingherwhatagreatpleasureitwouldbetometothink，whilewanderinginforeignlands，thatsuchanappreciativefamilywouldbeenjoyingmybooksandmyplace。
\"Youaresofondofyourhouseandeverythingyouhave，\"saidshe，\"thatweshallalmostfeelasifweweredeprivingyouofyourrights。ButIsupposethatItalianlakesandtheAlpswillmakeyouforgetforatimeevenyourbeautifulhome。\"
\"Notifyouareinit，\"Ilongedtosay，butIrestrainedmyself。IdidnotbelievethatitwaspossibleformetobemoreinlovewiththisgirlthanIwasatthatmoment，but，ofcourse，itwouldbetherankeststupiditytotellherso。ToherIwassimplyherfather\'slandlord。
Iwenttothathousethenextdaytoseethattheboxeswereproperlyrepacked，andIactuallywentthenextdaytoseeiftherightboxeshadgoneintothecountry，andtheothersbacktothestorehouse。ThefirstdayIsawonlythefather。Theseconddayitwasthemotherwhoassuredmethateverythinghadbeenproperlyattendedto。IbegantofeelthatifIdidnotwishadecidedrebuffIwouldbetternotmakeanymorepretencesofbusinessattheVincenthouse。
Therewereaffairsofmyownwhichshouldhavebeenattendedto，andIoughttohavegonehomeandattendedtothem，butI
couldnotbeartodoso。TherewasnoreasontosupposeshewouldgoouttherebeforethefirstofJune。
Thinkingoverthemattermanytimes，IcametotheconclusionthatifIcouldseeheroncemoreIwouldbesatisfied。ThenI
wouldgoaway，andcarryherimagewithmeintoeveryart-
gallery，overeveryglacier，andundereverylovelyskythatI
shouldenjoyabroad，hopingallthetimethat，takingmyplace，asitwere，inmyhome，andmakingmypossessions，inameasure，herown，shewouldindirectlybecomesowellacquaintedwithmethatwhenIreturnedImightspeaktoherwithoutshockingher。
Toobtainthisfinalinterviewtherewasbutoneway。IhadleftmyhouseonSaturday，theVincentswouldcomeonthefollowingMonday，andIwouldsailonWednesday。IwouldgoonTuesdaytoinquireiftheyfoundeverythingtotheirsatisfaction。Thiswouldbeaveryproperattentionfromalandlordabouttoleavethecountry。
WhenIreachedBoyntonIdeterminedtowalktomyhouse，forIdidnotwishtoencumbermyselfwithahiredvehicle。I
mightbeaskedtostaytoluncheon。AverystrangefeelingcameovermeasIenteredmygrounds。Theywerenotmine。Forthetimebeingtheybelongedtosomebodyelse。IwasmerelyavisitororatrespasseriftheVincentsthoughtpropersotoconsiderme。IftheydidnotlikepeopletowalkonthegrassI
hadnorighttodoit。
Noneofmyservantshadbeenleftontheplace，andthemaidwhocametothedoorinformedmethatMr。VincenthadgonetoNewYorkthatmorning，andthatMrs。Vincentandherdaughterwereoutdriving。Iventuredtoaskifshethoughttheywouldsoonreturn，andsheansweredthatshedidnotthinktheywould，astheyhadgonetoRockLake，which，fromthewaytheytalkedaboutit，mustbealongwayoff。
RockLake！WhenIhaddrivenovertherewithmyfriends，wehadtakenluncheonattheinnandreturnedintheafternoon。AndwhatdidtheyknowofRockLake？Whohadtoldthemofit？ThatofficiousBarker，ofcourse。
\"Willyouleaveamessage，sir？\"saidthemaid，who，ofcourse，didnotknowme。
\"No，\"saidI，andasIstillstoodgazingatthepiazzafloor，sheremarkedthatifIwishedtocallagainshewouldgooutandspeaktothecoachmanandaskhimifanythinghadbeensaidtohimaboutthetimeoftheparty\'sreturn。
Worseandworse！Theircoachmanhadnotdriventhem！Someonewhoknewthecountryhadbeentheircompanion。Theywerenotacquaintedintheneighborhood，andtherecouldnotbeashadowofadoubtthatitwasthatobtrusiveBarkerwhohadindecentlythrusthimselfuponthemontheverynextdayaftertheirarrival，andhadthussnatchedfrommethislastinterviewuponwhichIhadcountedsoearnestly。
Ihadnorighttoaskanymorequestions。Ileftnomessagenoranyname，andIhadnoexcuseforsayingIwouldcallagain。
IgotbacktomyhotelwithouthavingmetanyonewhomI
knew，andthatnightIreceivedanotefromBarker，statingthathehadfullyintendedcomingtothesteamertoseemeoff，butthatanengagementwouldpreventhim。Hesent，however，hisbestgoodwishesformysafepassage，andassuredmethathewouldkeepmefullyinformedofthestateofmyaffairsonthisside。
\"Engagement！\"Iexclaimed。\"Ishegoingtodrivewithheragainto-morrow？\"
Mysteamersailedattwoo\'clockthenextday，andafteranearlybreakfastIwenttothecompany\'sofficetoseeifIcoulddisposeofmyticket。Ithadbecomeimpossible，Itoldtheagent，formetoleaveAmericaatpresent。Hesaiditwasaverylatehourtosellmyticket，butthathewoulddowhathecould，andifanapplicantturneduphewouldgivehimmyroomandrefundthemoney。Hewantedmetochangetoanotherdate，butI
declinedtodothis。IwasnotabletosaywhenIshouldsail。
Inowhadnoplanofaction。AllIknewwasthatIcouldnotleaveAmericawithoutfindingoutsomethingdefiniteaboutthisBarkerbusiness。Thatistosay，ifitshouldbemadeknowntomethatinsteadofattendingtomybusiness，sendingacarpentertomakerepairs，ifsuchwerenecessary，orgoingpersonallytotheplumbertomakesurethatthaterraticpersonagewouldgivehisattentiontoanypipesinregardtowhichMr。Vincentmighthavewritten，Barkershouldmingleinsociablerelationswithmytenants，anddriveorplaytenniswiththeyoungladyofthehouse，thenwouldIimmediatelyhavedonewithhim。IwouldwithdrawmybusinessfromhishandsandplaceitinthoseofoldMr。Poindexter。Morethanthat，itmightbemydutytowarnMissVincent\'sparentsagainstBarker。Ididnotdoubtthathewasaverygoodhouseandland-agent，butinselectinghimassuchI
hadnoideaofintroducinghimtotheVincentsinasocialway。
Infact，themoreIthoughtaboutitthemoreIbecameconvincedthatifeverImentionedBarkertomytenantsitwouldbetowarnthemagainsthim。Fromcertainpointsofviewhewasactuallyadangerousman。
This，however，IwouldnotdountilIfoundmyagentwasreallyculpable。TodiscoverwhatBarkerhaddone，whathewasdoing，andwhatheintendedtodo，wasnowmyonlybusinessinlife。UntilIhadsatisfiedmyselfonthesepointsIcouldnotthinkofstartingoutuponmytravels。
NowthatIhaddeterminedIwouldnotstartforEuropeuntilIhadsatisfiedmyselfthatMr。Barkerwascontentinghimselfwithattendingtomybusiness，andnotendeavoringtoforcehimselfintosocialrelationswithmytenants，Iwasanxiousthatthepostponementofmyjourneyshouldbeunknowntomyfriendsandacquaintances，andIwas，therefore，verygladtoseeinanewspaper，publishedontheafternoonofthedayofmyintendeddeparture，mynameamongthelistofpassengerswhohadsailedupontheMnemonic。ForthefirsttimeIcommendedthesuper-enterpriseofareporterwhogavemoreattentiontothetimelinessofhisnewsthantoitsaccuracy。
IwasstoppingataNewYorkhotel，butIdidnotwishtostaythere。UntilIfeltmyselfreadytostartonmytravelstheneighborhoodofBoyntonwouldsuitmebetterthananywhereelse。
Ididnotwishtogotothetownitself，forBarkerlivedthere，andIknewmanyofthetownspeople；buttherewerefarmhousesnotfarawaywhereImightspendaweek。Afterconsideringthematter，Ithoughtofsomethingthatmightsuitme。Aboutthreemilesfrommyhouse，onanunfrequentedroad，wasamillwhichstoodattheendofanextensivesheetofwater，inrealityamill-pond，butcommonlycalledalake。Themiller，anoldman，hadrecentlydied，andhishousenearbywasoccupiedbyanewcomerwhomIhadneverseen。IfIcouldgetaccommodationsthereitwouldsuitmeexactly。IleftthetraintwostationsbelowBoyntonandwalkedovertothemill。
Thecountry-folkinmyneighborhoodarealwayspleasedtotakesummerboardersiftheycangetthem，andthemillerandhiswifeweregladtogivemearoom，notimaginingthatIwastheownerofagoodhousenotfaraway。Theplacesuitedmyrequirementsverywell。Itwasnearher，andImightlivehereforatimeunnoticed，butwhatIwasgoingtodowithmyopportunityIdidnotknow。SeveraltimestheconvictionforceditselfuponmethatIshouldgetupatonceandgotoEuropebythefirststeamer，andsoshowmyselfthatIwasamanofsense。
Thisconvictionwasbanishedonthesecondafternoonofmystayatthemill。Iwassittingunderatreeintheorchardnearthehouse，thinkingandsmokingmypipe，whenalongtheroadwhichranbythesideofthelakecameMr。VincentonmyblackhorseGeneralandhisdaughteronmymareSappho。InstinctivelyIpulledmystrawhatovermyeyes，butthisprecautionwasnotnecessary。Theywerelookingatthebeautifullake，withitshillsandoverhangingtrees，andsawmenot！
WhentheverytipofSappho\'stailhadmeltedintothefoliageoftheroad，Iarosetomyfeetandtookadeepbreathofthehappyair。Ihadseenher，anditwaswithherfathershewasriding。
IdonotbelieveIsleptaminutethatnightthroughthinkingofher，andfeelinggladthatIwasnearher，andthatshehadbeenridingwithherfather。
Whentheearlydawnbegantobreakanideabrighterthanthedawnbrokeuponme：Iwouldgetupandgonearertoher。Itisamazinghowmuchwelosebynotgettingupearlyonthelongsummerdays。HowbeautifulthemorningmightbeonthisearthI
neverknewuntilIfoundmyselfwanderingbytheedgeofmywoodsandovermylawnwiththetendergray-blueskyabovemeandallthefreshnessofthegrassandflowersandtreesaboutme，thebirdssingingamongthebranches，andshesleepingsweetlysomewherewithinthathousewithitssoftlydefinedlightsandshadows。HowIwishedIknewwhatroomsheoccupied！
Thebeautiesandjoysofthathourwerelosttoeverypersonontheplace，whowereall，nodoubt，intheirsoundestsleep。I
didnotevenseeadog。Quietlyandstealthilysteppingfrombushtohedge，Iwentaroundthehouse，andasIdrewnearthebarnIfanciedIcouldhearfromalittleroomadjoiningitthesnoresofthecoachman。Thelazyrascalwouldprobablynotawakenfortwoorthreehoursyet，butIwouldrannorisks，andinhalfanhourIhadspedaway。
NowIknewexactlywhyIwasstayingatthehouseofthemiller。IwasdoingsoinorderthatImightgoearlyinthemorningstomyownhome，inwhichthegirlIlovedlaydreaming，andthatfortherestofthedayandmuchofthenightImightthinkofher。
\"WhatplaceinEurope，\"Isaidtomyself，\"couldbesobeautiful，socharming，andsohelpfultoreflectionasthissequesteredlake，thesenobletrees，thesestretchesofundulatingmeadow？\"
EvenifIshouldcaretogoabroad，amonthortwolaterwouldanswerallmypurposes。WhyhadIeverthoughtofspendingfivemonthsaway？
Therewasaprettystreamwhichranfromthelakeandwendeditswaythroughagreenandshadedvalley，andhere，witharod，Iwanderedandfishedandthought。Themillerhadboats，andinoneoftheseIrowedfarupthelakewhereitnarrowedintoacreek，andbetweenthehighhillswhichshutmeoutfromtheworldIwouldfloatandthink。
Everymorning，soonafterbreakofday，Iwenttomyhomeandwanderedaboutmygrounds。IfitrainedIdidnotmindthat。I
likeasummerrain。
DaybydayIgrewbolder。Nobodyinthathouseholdthoughtofgettingupuntilseveno\'clock。Fortwohours，atleast，I
couldrambleundisturbedthroughmygrounds，andmuchasIhadonceenjoyedthesegrounds，theyneveraffordedmethepleasuretheygavemenow。InthesehappymorningsIfeltallthelifeandspiritsofaboy。Iwentintomylittlefieldandstrokedthesleeksidesofmycowsastheynibbledthedewygrass。IevenpeepedthroughthebarredwindowofSappho\'sboxandfedher，asIhadbeenusedtodoing，withbunchesofclover。
Isawthattheyoungchickenswereflourishing。Iwentintothegardenandnotedthegrowthofthevegetables，feelinggladthatshewouldhavesomanyfinestrawberriesandtenderpeas。
Ihadnottheslightestdoubtthatshewasfondofflowers，andforhersakenow，asIusedtodoformyownsake，Ivisitedtheflowerbedsandborders。Notfarfromthehousetherewasaclusterofold-fashionedpinkswhichIwassurewerenotdoingverywell。Theyhadbeentheretoolong，perhaps，andtheylookedstuntedandweak。Inthemiller\'sgardenIhadnoticedgreatbedsofthesepinks，andIaskedhiswifeifImighthavesome，andshe，consideringthemasmerewildflowers，saidI
mighthaveasmanyasIliked。ShemighthavethoughtIwantedsimplytheblossoms，butthenextmorningIwentovertomyhousewithabasketfilledwithgreatmattedmassesoftheplantstakenupwiththerootsandplentyofeartharoundthem，andaftertwentyminutes\'workinmyownbedofpinks，Ihadtakenoutalltheoldplantsandfilledtheirplaceswithfresh，luxuriantmassesofbudsandleavesandblossoms。Howgladshewouldbewhenshesawthefreshlifethathadcometothatflower-bed！
WithlightfootstepsIwentaway，notfeelingtheweightofthebasketfilledwiththeoldplantsandroots。
Thesummergrewandstrengthened，andthesunroseearlier，butasthathadnoeffectupontherisingofthepresentinhabitantsofmyplace，itgavememoretimeformymorningpursuits。GraduallyIconstitutedmyselftheregularflower-
gardenerofthepremises。Howdelightfultheworkwas，andhowfoolishIthoughtIhadbeennevertothinkofdoingthisthingformyself！butnodoubtitwasbecauseIwasdoingitforherthatIfounditsopleasant。
OnceagainIhadseenMissVincent。Itwasintheafternoon，andIhadrowedmyselftotheupperpartofthelake，where，withthehighhillsandthetreesoneachsideofme，IfeltasifI
werealoneintheworld。Floating，idlyalong，withmythoughtsaboutthreemilesaway，Iheardthesoundofoars，andlookingoutontheopenpartofthelake，Isawaboatapproaching。Themillerwasrowing，andinthesternsatanelderlygentlemanandayounglady。Iknewtheminaninstant：theywereMr。andMissVincent。
WithafewvigorousstrokesIshotmyselfintotheshadows，androwedupthestreamintothenarrowstretchesamongthelily-
pads，underabridge，andaroundalittlewoodedpoint，whereI
rantheboatashoreandspranguponthegrassybank。AlthoughI
didnotbelievethemillerwouldbringthemasfarasthis，I
wentuptoahigherspotandwatchedforhalfanhour；butIdidnotseethemagain。HowrelievedIwas！Itwouldhavebeenterriblyembarrassinghadtheydiscoveredme。AndhowdisappointedIwasthatthemillerturnedbacksosoon！
Inowextendedthesupervisionofmygrounds。Iwalkedthroughthewoods，andsawhowbeautifultheywereintheearlydawn。Ithrewasidethefallentwigsandcutawayencroachingsaplings，whichwerebeginningtoencumberthepathsIhadmade，andifIfoundaboughwhichhungtoolowIcutitoff。
Therewasagreatbeech-tree，betweenwhichandadogwoodIhadtheyearbeforesuspendedahammock。Inpassingthis，onemorning，IwasamazedtoseeahammockswingingfromthehooksI
hadputinthetwotrees。ThiswasaretreatwhichIhadsupposednooneelsewouldfancyoreventhinkof！Inthehammockwasafan——acommonJapanesefan。ForfifteenminutesI
stoodlookingatthathammock，everynervea-tingle。ThenI
glancedaround。Thespothadbeenalmostunfrequentedsincelastsummer。Littlebushes，weeds，andvineshadsprunguphereandtherebetweenthetwotrees。Thereweredeadtwigsandlimbslyingabout，andtheshortpathtothemainwalkwasmuchovergrown。
Ilookedatmywatch。Itwasaquartertosix。Ihadyetagoodhourforwork，andwithnothingbutmypocket-knifeandmyhandsIbegantoclearawaythespaceaboutthathammock。WhenI
leftit，itlookedasitusedtolookwhenitwasmypleasuretoliethereandswingandreadandreflect。
Toapproachthisspotitwasnotnecessarytogothroughmygrounds，formybitofwoodsadjoinedaconsiderablestretchofforest-land，andinmymorningwalksfromthemillIoftenusedapaththroughthesewoods。ThenextmorningwhenItookthispathIwaslatebecauseIhadunfortunatelyoversleptmyself。WhenI
reachedthehammockitwantedfifteenminutestoseveno\'clock。
Itwastoolateformetodoanything，butIwasgladtobeabletostaythereevenforafewminutes，tobreathethatair，tostandonthatground，totouchthathammock。Ididmorethanthat。Whyshouldn\'tI？Igotintoit。ItwasabetteronethanthatIhadhungthere。Itwasdelightfullycomfortable。Atthismoment，gentlyswinginginthatwoodlandsolitude，withthesweetodorsofthemorningallaboutme，IfeltmyselfnearertoherthanIhadeverbeenbefore。
ButIknewImustnotrevelinthisplacetoolong。IwasonthepointofrisingtoleavewhenIheardapproachingfootsteps。
Mybreathstopped。WasIatlasttobediscovered？Thiswaswhatcameofmyrecklesssecurity。Butperhapstheperson，someworkmanmostlikely，wouldpasswithoutnoticingme。Toremainquietseemedthebestcourse，andIlaymotionless。
Butthepersonapproachingturnedintothelittlepathway。
Thefootstepscamenearer。Isprangfromthehammock。BeforemewasMissVincent！
WhatwasmyaspectIknownot，butIhavenodoubtIturnedfieryred。Shestoppedsuddenly，butshedidnotturnred。
\"Oh，Mr。Ripley，\"sheexclaimed，\"goodmorning！Youmustexcuseme。Ididnotknow——\"
Thatsheshouldhavehadsufficientself-possessiontosaygoodmorningamazedme。Herwholeappearance，infact，amazedme。Thereseemedtobesomethingwantinginhermanner。I
endeavoredtogetmyselfintocondition。
\"Youmustbesurprised，\"Isaid，\"toseemehere。YousupposedIwasinEurope，but——\"
AsIspokeImadeacoupleofstepstowardher，butsuddenlystopped。Oneofmycoatbuttonshadcaughtinthemeshesofthehammock。Itwasconfoundedlyawkward。Itriedtoloosenthebutton，butitwasbadlyentangled。ThenIdesperatelypulledatittotearitoff。
\"Oh，don\'tdothat，\"shesaid。\"Letmeunfastenitforyou。\"
Andtakingthethreadsofthehammockinoneofherlittlehandsandthebuttonintheother，shequicklyseparatedthem。\"I
shouldthinkbuttonswouldbeveryinconvenientthings——atleast，inhammocks，\"shesaidsmiling。\"Yousee，girlsdon\'thaveanysuchtrouble。\"
Icouldnotunderstandhermanner。Sheseemedtotakemybeingthereasamatterofcourse。
\"Imustbegathousandpardonsforthis——thistrespass，\"I
said。
\"Trespass！\"saidshe，withasmile。\"Peopledon\'ttrespassontheirownland——\"
\"Butitisnotmyland，\"saidI。\"Itisyourfather\'sforthetimebeing。Ihavenorightherewhatever。Idonotknowhowtoexplain，butyoumustthinkitverystrangetofindmeherewhenyousupposedIhadstartedforEurope。\"
\"Oh！IknewyouhadnotstartedforEurope，\"saidshe，\"becauseIhaveseenyouworkinginthegrounds——\"
\"Seenme！\"Iinterrupted。\"Isitpossible？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidshe。\"Idon\'tknowhowlongyouhadbeencomingwhenIfirstsawyou，butwhenIfoundthatfreshbedofpinksalltransplantedfromsomewhere，andjustaslovelyastheycouldbe，insteadoftheoldones，Ispoketotheman；buthedidnotknowanythingaboutit，andsaidhehadnothadtimetodoanythingtotheflowers，whereasIhadbeengivinghimcreditforeversomuchweedingandcleaningup。ThenIsupposedthatMr。
Barker，whoisjustaskindandattentiveashecanbe，haddoneit；butIcouldhardlybelievehewasthesortofmantocomeearlyinthemorningandworkoutofdoors，\"——\"Oh，howI
wishhehadcome！\"Ithought。\"IfIhadcaughthimhereworkingamongtheflowers！\"，——\"andwhenhecamethatafternoontoplaytennisIfoundthathehadbeenawayfortwodays，andcouldnothaveplantedthepinks。SoIsimplygotupearlyonemorningandlookedout，andthereIsawyou，withyourcoatoff，workingjustashardaseveryoucould。\"
Isteppedback，mymindforamomentaperfectblank。
\"Whatcouldyouhavethoughtofme？\"Iexclaimedpresently。
\"Really，atfirstIdidnotknowwhattothink，\"saidshe。\"OfcourseIdidnotknowwhathaddetainedyouinthiscountry，butIrememberedthatIhadheardthatyouwereaveryparticularpersonaboutyourflowersandshrubsandgrounds，andthatmostlikelyyouthoughttheywouldbebettertakencareofifyoukeptaneyeonthem，andthatwhenyoufoundtherewassomuchtodoyoujustwenttoworkanddidit。Ididnotspeakofthistoanybody，becauseifyoudidnotwishittobeknownthatyouweretakingcareofthegroundsitwasnotmybusinesstotellpeopleaboutit。Butyesterday，whenIfoundthisplacewhereIhadhungmyhammocksobeautifullyclearedupandmadesoniceandcleanandpleasantineveryway，IthoughtImustcomedowntotellyouhowmuchobligedIam，andalsothatyououghtnottotakesomuchtroubleforus。Ifyouthinkthegroundsneedmoreattention，Iwillpersuademyfathertohireanotherman，nowandthen，toworkabouttheplace。Really，Mr。Ripley，yououghtnottohaveto——\"
Iwashumbled，abashed。Shehadseenmeatmymorningdevotions，andthiswasthewaysheinterpretedthem。Sheconsideredmeanovernicefellowwhowassodesperatelyafraidhisplacewouldbeinjuredthathecamesneakingaroundeverymorningtoseeifanydamagehadbeendoneandtoputthingstorights。
Shestoodforamomentasifexpectingmetospeak，brushedabuzzingflyfromhersleeve，andthen，lookingatmewithagentlesmile，sheturnedalittleasifshewereabouttoleave。
Icouldnotlethergowithouttellinghersomething。Herpresentopinionofmemustnotrestinhermindanotherminute。
Andyet，whatstorycouldIdevise？How，indeed，couldIdeviseanythingwithwhichtodeceiveagirlwhospokeandlookedatmeasthisgirldid？Icouldnotdoit。Imustrushawayspeechlessandneverseeheragain，orImusttellherall。I
camealittlenearertoher。
\"MissVincent，\"saidI，\"youdonotunderstandatallwhyI
amhere——whyIhavebeenheresomuch——whyIdidnotgotoEurope。Thetruthis，Icouldnotleave。Idonotwishtobeaway；Iwanttocomehereandliveherealways——\"
\"Oh，dear！\"sheinterrupted，\"ofcourseitisnaturalthatyoushouldnotwanttotearyourselfawayfromyourlovelyhome。
Itwouldbeveryhardforustogoawaynow，especiallyforfatherandme，forwehavegrowntolovethisplacesomuch。Butifyouwantustoleave，Idaresay——\"
\"Iwantyoutoleave！\"Iexclaimed。\"Never！WhenIsaythatIwanttoliveheremyself，thatmyheartwillnotletmegoanywhereelse，ImeanthatIwantyoutoliveheretoo——you，yourmotherandfather——thatIwant——\"
\"Oh，thatwouldbeperfectlysplendid！\"shesaid。\"Ihaveeversooftenthoughtthatitwasashamethatyoushouldbedeprivedofthepleasuresyousomuchenjoy，whichIseeyoucanfindhereandnowhereelse。Now，IhaveaplanwhichIthinkwillworksplendidly。Weareaverysmallfamily。Whyshouldn\'tyoucomehereandlivewithus？Thereisplentyofroom，andI
knowfatherandmotherwouldbeveryglad，andyoucanpayyourboard，ifthatwouldpleaseyoubetter。Youcanhavetheroomatthetopofthetowerforyourstudyandyoursmokingden，andtheroomunderitcanbeyourbedroom，soyoucanbejustasindependentasyoupleaseoftherestofus，andyoucanbelivingonyourownplacewithoutinterferingwithusintheleast。Infact，itwouldbeeversonice，especiallyasIaminthehabitofgoingawaytothesea-shorewithmyaunteverysummerforsixweeks，andIwasthinkinghowlonelyitwouldbethisyearforfatherandmothertostayhereallbythemselves。\"
Thetowerandtheroomunderit！Forme！Whatacontemptiblylittle-mindedandinsignificantpersonshemustthinkme。ThewordswithwhichIstrovetotellherthatIwishedtolivehereaslord，withherasmyqueen，wouldnotcome。ShelookedatmeforamomentasIstoodonthebrinkofsayingsomethingbutnotsayingit，andthensheturnedsuddenlytowardthehammock。
\"DidyouseeanythingofafanIlefthere？\"shesaid。\"I
knowIleftithere，butwhenIcameyesterdayitwasgone。
Perhapsyoumayhavenoticeditsomewhere——\"
Now，themorningbefore，Ihadtakenthatfanhomewithme。
Itwasanawkwardthingtocarry，butIhadconcealeditundermycoat。Itwasacontemptibletrick，butthefanhadherinitialsonit，andasitwastheonlythingbelongingtoherofwhichI
couldpossessmyself，thetemptationhadbeentoogreattoresist。Asshestoodwaitingformyanswertherewasalightinhereyewhichilluminatedmyperceptions。
\"Didyouseemetakethatfan？\"Iasked。
\"Idid，\"saidshe。
\"Thenyouknow，\"Iexclaimed，steppingnearertoher，\"whyitisIdidnotleavethiscountryasIintended，whyitwasimpossibleformetotearmyselfawayfromthishouse，whyitisthatIhavebeenhereeverymorning，hoveringaroundanddoingthethingsIhavebeendoing？\"
Shelookedupatme，andwithhereyesshesaid，\"HowcouldI
helpknowing？\"Shemighthaveintendedtosaysomethingwithherlips，butItookmyanswerfromhereyes，andwiththequickimpulseofaloverIstoppedherspeech。
\"Youhavestrangeways，\"shesaidpresently，blushingandgentlypressingbackmyarm。\"Ihaven\'ttoldyouathing。\"
\"Letustelleachothereverythingnow，\"Icried，andweseatedourselvesinthehammock。
Itwasaquarterofanhourlaterandwewerestillsittingtogetherinthehammock。
\"Youmaythink，\"saidshe，\"that，knowingwhatIdid，itwasveryqueerformetocomeouttoyouthismorning，butI
couldnothelpit。Youweregettingdreadfullycareless，andwerestayingsolateanddoingthingswhichpeoplewouldhavebeenboundtonotice，especiallyasfatherisalwaystalkingaboutourenjoyingthefreshhoursofthemorning，thatIfeltI
couldnotletyougoonanylonger。AndwhenitcametothatfanbusinessIsawplainlythatyoumusteitherimmediatelystartforEuropeor——\"
\"Orwhat？\"Iinterrupted。
\"Orgotomyfatherandregularlyengageyourselfasa——\"
Idonotknowwhethershewasgoingtosay\"gardener\"ornot，butitdidnotmatter。Istoppedher。
Itwasperhapstwentyminuteslater，andwewerestandingtogetherattheedgeofthewoods。Shewantedmetocometothehousetotakebreakfastwiththem。
\"Oh，Icouldnotdothat！\"Isaid。\"Theywouldbesosurprised。IshouldhavesomuchtoexplainbeforeIcouldevenbegintostatemycase。\"
\"Well，then，explain，\"saidshe。\"Youwillfindfatheronthefrontpiazza。Heisalwaystherebeforebreakfast，andthereisplentyoftime。Afterallthathasbeensaidhere，Icannotgotobreakfastandlookcommonplacewhileyourunaway。\"
\"Butsupposeyourfatherobjects？\"saidI。
\"Well，thenyouwillhavetogobackandtakebreakfastwithyourmiller，\"saidshe。
IneversawafamilysolittleaffectedbysurprisesasthoseVincents。WhenIappearedonthefrontpiazzatheoldgentlemandidnotjump。Heshookhandswithmeandaskedmetositdown，andwhenItoldhimeverythinghedidnotevenejaculate，butsimplyfoldedhishandstogetherandlookedoutovertherailing。
\"ItseemedstrangetoMrs。Vincentandmyself，\"hesaid，\"whenwefirstnoticedyourextraordinaryattachmentforourdaughter，but，afterall，itwasnaturalenough。\"
\"Noticedit！\"Iexclaimed。\"Whendidyoudothat？\"
\"Verysoon，\"hesaid。\"WhenyouandCorawerecataloguingthebooksatmyhouseintownInoticeditandspoketoMrs。
Vincent，butshesaiditwasnothingnewtoher，foritwasplainenoughonthedaywhenwefirstmetyouherethatyouwerelettingthehousetoCora，andthatshehadnotspokenofittomebecauseshewasafraidImightthinkitwrongtoacceptthefavorableandunusualarrangementsyouweremakingwithusifI
suspectedthereasonforthem。Wetalkedoverthematter，but，ofcourse，wecoulddonothing，becausetherewasnothingtodo，andMrs。VincentwasquitesureyouwouldwritetousfromEurope。ButwhenmymanAmbrosetoldmehehadseensomeoneworkingabouttheplaceintheveryearlymorning，andthat，asitwasagentleman，hesupposeditmustbethelandlord，fornobodyelsewouldbedoingsuchthings，Mrs。VincentandIlookedoutofthewindowthenextday，andwhenwefounditwasindeedyouwhowerecominghereeveryday，wefeltthatthematterwasseriousandwereagooddealtroubled。Wefound，however，thatyouwereconductingaffairsinaveryhonorableway，——thatyouwerenotendeavoringtoseeCora，andthatyoudidnottrytohaveanysecretcorrespondencewithher，——andaswehadnorighttopreventyoufromcomingonyourgrounds，weconcludedtoremainquietuntilyoushouldtakesomestepwhichwewouldbeauthorizedtonotice。Later，whenMr。BarkercameandtoldmethatyouhadnotgonetoEurope，andwerelivingwithamillernotfarfromhere——\"
\"Barker！\"Icried。\"Thescoundrel！\"
\"Youaremistaken，sir，\"saidMr。Vincent。\"Hespokewiththegreatestkindnessofyou，andsaidthatasitwasevidentyouhadyourownreasonsforwishingtostayintheneighborhood，anddidnotwishthefacttobeknown，hehadspokenofittonoonebutme，andhewouldnothavedonethishadhenotthoughtitwouldpreventembarrassmentincaseweshouldmeet。\"
WouldthateverlastingBarkereverceasemeddlinginmyaffairs？
\"Doyousuppose，\"Iasked，\"thatheimaginedthereasonformystayinghere？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"saidtheoldgentleman，\"butafterthequestionsIputtohimIhavenodoubthesuspectedit。Imademanyinquiriesofhimregardingyou，yourfamily，habits，anddisposition，forthiswasaveryvitalmattertome，sir，andI
amhappytoinformyouthathesaidnothingofyouthatwasnotgood，soIurgedhimtokeepthemattertohimself。I
determined，however，thatifyoucontinuedyourmorningvisitsI
shouldtakeanearlyopportunityofaccostingyouandaskinganexplanation。\"
\"Andyounevermentionedanythingofthistoyourdaughter？\"
saidI。
\"Oh，no，\"heanswered。\"Wecarefullykepteverythingfromher。\"
\"But，mydearsir，\"saidI，rising，\"youhavegivenmenoanswer。
Youhavenottoldmewhetherornotyouwillacceptmeasason-in-law。\"
Hesmiled。\"Truly，\"hesaid，\"Ihavenotansweredyou；butthefactis，Mrs。VincentandIhaveconsideredthemattersolong，andhavingcometotheconclusionthatifyoumadeanhonorableandstraightforwardproposition，andifCorawerewillingtoacceptyou，wecouldseenoreasontoobjectto——\"
AtthismomentthefrontdooropenedandCoraappeared。
\"Areyougoingtostaytobreakfast？\"sheasked。\"Because，ifyouare，itisready。\"
Istayedtobreakfast。
Iamnowlivinginmyownhouse，notinthetwotowerrooms，butinthewholemansion，ofwhichmyformertenant，Cora，isnowmistresssupreme。Mr。andMrs。Vincentexpecttospendthenextsummerhereandtakecareofthehousewhilewearetravelling。
Mr。Barker，anexcellentfellowandamostthoroughbusinessman，stillmanagesmyaffairs，andthereisnothingontheplacethatflourishessovigorouslyasthebedofpinkswhichIgotfromthemiller\'swife。
Bytheway，whenIwentbacktomylodgingonthateventfulday，themiller\'swifemetmeatthedoor。
\"Ikeptyourbreakfastwaitin\'foryouforagoodwhile，\"
saidshe，\"butasyoudidn\'tcome，Isupposedyouweretakin\'
breakfastinyourownhouse，andIcleareditaway。\"
\"DoyouknowwhoIam？\"Iexclaimed。
\"Oh，yes，sir，\"shesaid。\"Wedidnotatfirst，butwheneverybodybegantotalkaboutitwecouldn\'thelpknowin\'it。\"
\"Everybody！\"Igasped。\"AndmayIaskwhatyouandeverybodysaidaboutme？\"
\"Ithinkitwasthegeneralopinion，sir，\"saidshe，\"thatyouweresuspiciousofthemtenantsofyours，andnobodywonderedatit，forwhencitypeoplegetsintothecountryandonotherpeople\'sproperty，there\'snotrustin\'themoutofyoursightforaminute。\"
Icouldnotletthegoodwomanholdthisopinionofmytenants，andIbrieflytoldherthetruth。Shelookedatmewithmoistadmirationinhereyes。
\"Iamgladtohearthat，sir，\"saidshe。\"Ilikeitverymuch。ButifIwasyouIwouldn\'tbeinahurrytotellmyhusbandandthepeopleintheneighborhoodaboutit。Theymightbealittledisappointedatfirst，fortheyhadamightyhighopinionofyouwhentheythoughtthatyouwaslayin\'lowheretokeepaneyeonthemtenantsofyours。\"
THESTAYINGPOWEROF
SIRROHAN
DuringthewinterinwhichIreachedmytwentyfifthyearIlivedwithmymother\'sbrother，Dr。AlfredMorris，inWarburton，asmallcountrytown，andIwastherebeginningthepracticeofmedicine。Ihadbeengraduatedinthespring，andmyuncleearnestlyadvisedmetocometohimandactashisassistant，whichadvice，consideringthefactthathewasanelderlyman，andthatImighthopetosucceedhiminhisexcellentpractice，wasconsideredgoodadvicebymyselfandmyfamily。
AtthistimeIpractisedverylittle，butlearnedagreatdeal，forasIoftenaccompaniedmyuncleonhisprofessionalvisits，Icouldnothavetakenabetterpostgraduatecourse。
IhadaninvitationtospendtheChristmasofthatyearwiththeCollingwoods，whohadopenedtheircountryhouse，abouttwelvemilesfromWarburton，fortheentertainmentofaholidayhouseparty。Ihadgladlyacceptedtheinvitation，andonthedaybeforeChristmasIwenttotheliverystableinthevillagetohireahorseandsleighforthetrip。AtthestableImetUncleBeamish，whohadalsocometohireaconveyance。
\"UncleBeamish，\"ashewasgenerallycalledinthevillage，althoughIamsurehehadnonephewsorniecesintheplace，wasanelderlymanwhohadretiredfromsomebusiness，Iknownotwhat，andwasapparentlyquiteabletoliveuponwhateverincomehehad。Hewasagoodman，ratherilliterate，butveryshrewd。
Generousingoodworks，Idonotthinkhewasfondofgivingawaymoney，buthisserviceswereatthecallofallwhoneededthem。
IlikedUncleBeamishverymuch，forhewasnotonlyagoodstory-teller，buthewaswillingtolistentomystories，andwhenIfoundhewantedtohireahorseandsleightogotothehouseofhismarriedsister，withwhomheintendedtospendChristmas，andthathissisterlivedonUpperHillturnpike，onwhichroadtheCollingwoodhousewassituated，Iproposedthatweshouldhireasleightogether。
\"Thatwillsuitme，\"saidUncleBeamish。\"Therecouldn\'thavebeenabetterfitifIhadbeenmeasuredforit。Lessthanhalfamileafteryouturnintotheturnpike，youpassmysister\'shouse。ThenyoucandropmeandgoontotheCollingwoods\'，whichIshouldsayisn\'tmorethanthreemilesfurther。\"
Thearrangementwasmade，ahorseandsleighordered，andearlyintheafternoonwestartedfromWarburton。
Thesleighingwasgood，butthesamecouldnotbesaidofthehorse。Hewasabigroan，powerfulandsteady，butentirelytoodeliberateinaction。UncleBeamish，however，wasquitesatisfiedwithhim。
\"Whatyouwantwhenyouaregoin\'totakeajourneywithahorse，\"saidhe，\"isstayin\'power。Yourfasttrotterisallverywellforamileortwo，butifIhavegottogointothecountryinwinter，givemeahorselikethis。\"
Ididnotagreewithhim，butwejoggedalongquitepleasantlyuntiltheafternoongrewprematurelydarkanditbegantosnow。
\"Now，\"saidI，givingtheroanauselesscut，\"whatweoughttohaveisafasthorse，sothatwemaygettherebeforethereisastorm。\"
\"No，doctor，you\'rewrong，\"saidUncleBeamish。\"Whatwewantisastronghorsethatwilltakeustherewhetheritstormsornot，andwehavegothim。Andwhocaresforalittlesnowthatwon\'thurtnobody？\"
Ididnotcareforsnow，andweturnedupourcollarsandwentasmerrilyaspeoplecangotothemusicofslowlyjinglingsleigh-bells。
Thesnowbegantofallrapidly，and，whatwasworse，thewindblewdirectlyinourfaces，sothatsometimesmyeyesweresoplasteredupwithsnowflakesthatIcouldscarcelyseehowtodrive。Ineverknewsnowtofallwithsuchviolence。Theroadwayinfrontofus，asfarasIcouldseeit，wassoononeunbrokenstretchofwhitefromfencetofence。
\"Thisisthebigstormoftheseason，\"saidUncleBeamish，\"anditisagoodthingwestartedintime，forifthewindkeepsblowin\'，thisroadwillbeprettyhardtotravelinacoupleofhours。\"
InabouthalfanhourthewindlulledalittleandIcouldgetabetterviewofoursurroundings，althoughIcouldnotseeveryfarthroughtheswiftlydescendingsnow。
\"Iwasthinkin\'，\"saidUncleBeamish，\"thatitmightbeagoodidee，whenwegettoCrocker\'splace，tostopalittle，andletyouwarmyourfingersandnose。Crocker\'sisruthermorethanhalf-waytothepike。\"
\"Oh，Idonotwanttostopanywhere，\"Irepliedquickly。\"I
amallright。\"
Nothingwassaidforsometime，andthenUncleBeamishremarked：
\"Idon\'twanttostopanymorethanyoudo，butitdoesseemstrangethatweain\'tpassedCrocker\'syit。Wecouldhardlymisshishouse，itissoclosetotheroad。Thishorseisslow，butI
tellyouonething，doctor，he\'simprovin\'。Heisgoin\'betterthanhedid。That\'sthewaywiththiskind。Ittakesthemagoodwhiletogetwarmedup，buttheykeepongettin\'fresherinsteadoftireder。\"
Thebigroanwasgoingbetter，butstillwedidnotreachCrocker\'s，whichdisappointedUncleBeamish，whowantedtobeassuredthatthegreaterpartofhisjourneywasover。
\"Wemusthavepassedit，\"hesaid，\"whenthesnowwassoblindin\'。\"
IdidnotwishtodiscouragehimbysayingthatIdidnotthinkwehadyetreachedCrocker\'s，butIbelievedIhadamuchbetterappreciationofourhorse\'sslownessthanhehad。
Againthewindbegantoblowinourfaces，andthesnowfellfaster，buttheviolenceofthestormseemedtoencourageourhorse，forhispacewasnowgreatlyincreased。
\"That\'sthesortofbeasttohave，\"exclaimedUncleBeamish，splutteringasthesnowblewinhismouth。\"Heisgettin\'hisspiritsupjustwhentheyaremostwanted。WemusthavepassedCrocker\'sagoodwhileago，anditcan\'tbelongbeforewegettothepike。Andit\'stimewewasthere，forit\'sdarkenin\'。\"
Onandonwewent，butstillwedidnotreachthepike。
Wehadlostagreatdealoftimeduringthefirstpartofthejourney，andalthoughthehorsewastravellingsomuchbetternow，hispacewasbelowtheaverageofgoodroadsters。
\"Whenwegettothepike，\"saidUncleBeamish，\"youcan\'tmissit，forthisroaddoesn\'tcrossit。Allyou\'vegottodoistoturntotheleft，andintenminutesyouwillseethelightsinmysister\'shouse。AndI\'lltellyou，doctor，ifyouwouldliketostopthereforthenight，she\'dbemightygladtohaveyou。\"
\"Muchobliged，\"repliedI，\"butIshallgoon。It\'snotlateyet，andIcanreachtheCollingwoods\'ingoodtime。\"
Wenowdroveoninsilence，ourhorseactuallyarchinghisneckashethumpedthroughthesnow。Driftshadbeguntoformacrosstheroad，butthroughthesehebravelyplunged。
\"Stayin\'poweriswhatwewant，doctor！\"exclaimedUncleBeamish。\"Wherewouldyourfasttrotterbeindriftslikethese，I\'dliketoknow？Wegottherighthorsewhenwegotthisone，butIwishwehadbeengoin\'thisfastallthetime。\"
Itgrewdarkeranddarker，butatlastwesaw，notfarinfrontofus，alight。
\"Thatbeatsme，\"saidUncleBeamish。\"Idon\'tremembernootherhousesoneartheroad。Itcan\'tbeweain\'tpassedCrocker\'syit！Ifweain\'tgotnofurtherthanthat，I\'minfavorofstoppin\'。I\'mnotafraidofasnow-storm，butIain\'tafoolnuther，andifwehaven\'tgotfurtherthanCrocker\'sitwillbefoolhardytotrytopushonthroughthedarkandthesebigdrifts，whichwillbegettin\'bigger。\"
Ididnotgiveitupsoeasily。Igreatlywishedto`
reachmydestinationthatnight。Buttherewerethreewillsintheparty，andoneofthembelongedtothehorse。BeforeIhadanyideaofsuchathing，theanimalmadeasuddenturn，——toosuddenforsafety，——passedthroughawidegateway，andafterafewrapidboundswhich，tomysurprise，Icouldnotrestrain，hestoppedsuddenly。
\"Hello！\"exclaimedUncleBeamish，peeringforward，\"here\'sabarndoor。\"Andheimmediatelybegantothrowoffthefarrobethatcoveredourknees。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"Iasked。
\"I\'mgoin\'toopenthebarndoorandletthehorsegoin，\"
saidhe。\"Heseemstowantto。Idon\'tknowwhetherthisisCrocker\'sbarnornot。Itdon\'tlooklikeit，butImaybemistaken。Anyway，wewillletthehorsein，andthengotothehouse。Thisain\'tnonighttobetravellin\'anyfurther，doctor，andthatisthelongandtheshortofit。Ifthepeoplehereain\'tCrockers，IguesstheyareChristians！\"
Ihadnotmuchtimetoconsiderthesituation，forwhilehehadbeenspeaking，UncleBeamishhadwadedthroughthesnow，andfindingthebarndoorunfastened，hadslidittooneside。
Instantlythehorseenteredthedarkbarn，fortunatelyfindingnothinginhisway。
\"Now，\"saidUncleBeamish，\"ifwecangetsomethin\'totiehimwith，sothathedon\'tdonomischief，wecanleavehimhereandgouptothehouse。\"Icarriedapocketlantern，andquicklylightedit。\"ByGeorge！\"saidUncleBeamish，asIheldupthelantern，\"thisain\'tmuchofabarn——it\'snomorethanawagon-
house。Itain\'tCrocker\'s——butnomatter；we\'llgouptothehouse。Hereisahitchin\'-rope。\"
Wefastenedthehorse，threwarobeoverhim，shutthebarndoorbehindus，andslowlymadeourwaytothebackofthehouse，inwhichtherewasalightedwindow。Mountingalittleportico，wereachedadoor，andwereabouttoknockwhenitwasopenedforus。Awoman，plainlyaservant，stoodinakitchen，lightandwarm。
\"Comerightin，\"shesaid。\"Iheardyourbells。Didyouputyourhorseinthebarn？\"
\"Yes，\"saidUncleBeamish，\"andnowwewouldliketosee——\"
\"Allright，\"interruptedthewoman，movingtowardaninnerdoor。\"Justwaithereforaminute。I\'mgoinguptotellher。\"
\"Idon\'tknowthisplace，\"saidUncleBeamish，aswestoodbythekitchenstove，\"butIexpectitbelongstoawidowwoman。\"
\"Whatmakesyouthinkthat？\"Iasked。
\"\'Causeshesaidshewasgoin\'totellHER。Iftherehadbeenamaninthehouse，shewouldhavegonetotellHIM。\"
Inafewmomentsthewomanreturned。
\"Shesaysyouaretotakeoffyourwetthingsandthengointothesitting-room。She\'llbedowninaminute。\"
IlookedatUncleBeamish，thinkingitwashisrighttomakeexplanations，but，givingmealittlewink，hebegantotakeoffhisovercoat。ItwasplaintoperceivethatUncleBeamishdesiredtoassumethataplaceofrefugewouldbeofferedus。
\"It\'sanawfulbadnight，\"hesaidtothewoman，ashesatdowntotakeoffhisarcticovershoes。
\"It\'sallthat，\"saidshe。\"Youmayhangyourcoatsoverthemchairs。Itwon\'tmatteriftheydodriponthisbarefloor。
Now，then，comerightintothesitting-room。\"
Inspiteofmydisappointment，Iwasgladtobeinawarmhouse，andhopedwemightbeabletostaythere。Icouldhearthestormbeatingfuriouslyagainstthewindow-panesbehindthedrawnshades。Therewasastoveinthesitting-room，andalargelamp。
\"Sitdown，\"saidthewoman。\"Shewillbehereinaminute。\"
\"Itstrikesme，\"saidUncleBeamish，whenwewereleftalone，\"thatsomebodyisexpectedinthishouse，mostlikelytospendChristmas，andthatwearemistookforthem，whoevertheyare。\"
\"Ihavethesameidea，\"Ireplied，\"andwemustexplainassoonaspossible。\"
\"Ofcoursewewilldothat，\"saidhe，\"butIcantellyouonething：whoeverisexpectedain\'tcomin\'，forhecan\'tgethere。