Theyoungpeopleattheothersideofthecompartment，foreverwipingthewindowwiththenapkin，andstrainingtheireyestoseetheinvisible，divertedhisunsettledattention。
Anewperceptionofhowmuchhelikedthemandenjoyedhavingthemwithhim，tookholdofhisthoughts。
Ithadnotoccurredtohimbefore，withanydefiniteness，thathewouldbeinsupportablylonelywhenthetimecametopartwiththem。
Now，whenhedweltuponit，itmadehimfeelsadandold。
Hesaidtohimselfatonce，withdecision，thatthereneedbenopartingatall。Hewouldtakeahousewithoutdelay，andtheyshouldlivewithhim。
Hecouldnotdoubtthatthiswouldbeagreeabletothem；
itwouldsolveeveryproblemforhim。
Hisfancysketchedoutthenaturalandlegitimateextensionsofthisproject。Therewouldbe，firstofall，ahouseintown——afurnishedhouseofamodestsort，havingnopretensionsavetoprovideacheerfultemporaryshelterforthreepeoplewholikedoneanother。
Herethenewhouseholdwouldtakeshape，andgetitsrightnoteofcharacter。ApparentlyLouisawouldnotbeurgedtoformpartofthishousehold。Hesaidtohimselfwithfranknessthathedidn\'twanther，andtherehadbeennothingtoindicatethatherchildrenwouldpineforher。
Sheshowedgoodsensewhenshesaidthatherplacewasintheshop，andinherancestralhomeovertheshop。
Nodoubttherewouldbeacertainawkwardness，visibletoothersifnottothemselves，aboutherlivinginonepartofLondonandherchildreninanother。
Butherealsohergoodsensewouldcomeon；——and，besides，thisfurnishedhouseintownwouldbeamerebriefoverturetotherealthing——thenoblecountrymansionhewasgoingtohave，withgardensandhorsesandhoundsandartificiallakesanddeerparksandeverything。
Quitewithintheyearhewouldbeabletorealizethisconsummationofhisdreams。
Howtheseniceyoungpeoplewouldrevelinsuchaplace——andhowtheywouldworshiphimforhavinggivenittothemforahome！Hisheartwarmedwithinhimashethoughtofthis。
HesmiledaffectionatelyatthepictureJuliamade，polishingtheglasswithvehementcircularmovementsofherslightarm，andthengrimacingincomicvexationatthedeadlyabsenceoflandscapeoutside。Wasthereeverasweeterormorelovablegirlinthisworld？Wouldtherehavetobesomeolderwomantomanagethehouse，atthebeginning？hewondered。Heshouldlikeitimmenselyifthatcouldbeavoided。Julialookedfragileandinexperienced——butshewouldbetwenty-onenextmonth。
Surelythatwasamatureenoughagefortheslightresponsibilityofpresidingoverservantswhoshouldbethebestthatmoneycouldbuy。Manygirlsweremarried，andgivenhouseholdsoftheirowntomanage，whentheywereevenyounger。
Thisreflectionraisedanobstacleagainstthesmooth-
flowingcurrentofhisthoughts。SupposingthatJuliagotthenotionofmarrying——howmiserablethatwouldmakeeverything。Verylikelyshewouldneverdoanysuchthing；hehadobservedinhernoshadowofasignthatathoughtofmatrimonyhadevercrossedherbrain。
Yetthatwasasubjectuponwhich，ofcourse，shecouldnotbeaskedtogivepledges，eventoherself。
Thorpetriedtotakealiberalviewofthismatter。
HearguedtohimselfthattherewouldbenoobjectionatalltoincorporatingJulia\'shusbandintothehousehold，assumingthatshewenttothelengthoftakingone，andthathewasagoodfellow。Onthislatterpoint，itwasonlythebarestjusticetoJulia\'stastesandjudgmenttotakeitforgrantedthathewouldbeagoodfellow。
Yettheunclefeltuneasilythatthiswouldalterthingsfortheworse。Thefamilyparty，withthathypotheticalyoungmaninit，couldneverbequitesoinnocentlyandcompletelyhappyas——forinstance——thefamilypartyinthiscompartmenthadbeenduringthesewonderfulthreemonths。
Mechanicallyherubbedthewindowbesidehim，andturnedtolookoutwithacertainfixedness——asifhemightchancetocatchaglimpseofthebridegroomwithwhomJuliawouldhaveitinherpowertodisturbtheserenityoftheirprospectivehome。Asteepwhitecliff，recedingsullenlyagainstthedimgreyskyline；afarmhousegrotesquelylowforitssize，crouchingunderbigshelvinggalleriesheapedwithsnow；anopeninginfront，totheright，wherevaguelythereseemedtobeavalleyintowhichtheywoulddescend——hesawthesethings。
Theyremainedinhismindafterwardasapartofsomethingelsethathesaw，withhismentalvision，atthesamemoment——astrikinglyrealandvividpresentmentofLadyCressage，attiredashehadseenherinthesaddle，herlighthairblownaboutalittleunderherhat，aspotofcolourintheexquisitecheek，thecold，impersonaldignityofaqueeninthebeautifulprofile。
Thepicturewassoactualfortheinstantthatheutteredaninvoluntaryexclamation——andthenlookedhastilyroundtoseewhetherhiscompanionshadheardit。Seeminglytheyhadnot；helolledagainuponthecomfortlesscushion，andstrovetoconjureuponcemoretheapparition。
Nothingsatisfactorycameoftheeffort。Uponconsideration，hegrewuncertainastowhetherhehadseenanythingatall。
Atthemostitwasakindofhalf-dreamwhichhadvisitedhim。
Heyawnedatthethought，andlightedafreshcigar。
Allatonce，hismindhadbecometooindolenttodoanymorethinking。Ashapelessimpressionthattherewouldbeagoodmanythingstothinkoverlateronflittedintohisbrainandoutagain。
\"Well，howarethemountainsusingyou，now？\"hecalledouttohisniece。
\"Oh，Icouldshakethem！\"shedeclared。\"Listentothis：
\'Aviewofsingularbeauty，embracingthegreaterpartoftheLakeofGeneva，andthesurroundingmountains，issuddenlydisclosed。\'That\'swherewearenow——orwereaminuteago。Youcanseethatthereissomesortofvalleyinfrontofus——butthatisall。IfIcouldonlyseeonemountainwithsnowonit——\"
\"Why，it\'sallmountainsandallsnow，whenyoucometothat，\"Thorpeinsisted，withjocoseperversity。
\"You\'reonmountainsyourself，allthetime。\"
\"YouknowwhatImean，\"sheretorted。\"Iwanttoseesomethinglikethecolouredpicturesinthehotels。\"
\"Oh，probablyitwillbebrightsunlighttomorrow，\"
hesaid，forperhapsthetwentiethtimethatday。
\"There——thatlookslikewater！\"saidAlfred。
\"See？justbeyondthevillage。Yes，itiswater。
There\'syourLakeofGeneva，atallevents。\"
\"Butitisn\'ttherightcolour，\"protestedJulia，peeringthroughtheglass。\"It\'spreciselylikeeverythingelse：it\'sofnocolouratall。Andtheyalwayspaintitsuchalovelyblue！Really，uncle，theSwissGovernmentoughttoreturnyouyourmoney。\"
\"Youwaittillyouseeittomorrow——ornextday，\"
saidtheuncle，vaguely。Heclosedhiseyes，andwelcomedadrowsymood。Ashewentofftosleep，thejoltingracketofthetrainmelloweditselfintoamurmurof\"tomorrowornextday，tomorrowornextday，\"inhisears。
CHAPTERXI
FROMtheirwindows，highupandatthefrontofthebighotel，JulialookeddownupontheLakeofGeneva。
Shewasinsuchhastetobeholditthatshehadnotsomuchasunbuttonedhergloves；sheheldhermuffstillinherhand。Afteronebriefglance，shegroanedaloudwithvexation。
Beyondtheroadway，andthedesertedminiaturepierofTerritet，bothdishevelledundermeltingandmud-stainedsnow，therelayapatchofwater——motionless，inconspicuous，ofafadeddrabcolour——whichatsomesmalldistanceoutvaguelyceasedtolooklikewaterand，yetalittlefurtherout，becamepartandparcelofthedullgreymist。
Savefortheforlornmastsofacoupleoffishingboats，beachedundertheshelterofthepier，therewasnoproofinsightthatthiswasalakeatall。Itwasasuninspiringtotheeyeasapoolofdrippingsfromumbrellasinaporch。
Whileheruncleandbrotheroccupiedthemselveswiththeluggagebeingbroughtupbytheporters，sheopenedawindowandsteppedoutuponthetinybalcony。
AflaringsignontheinnerframeworkofthisbalconybesoughtherinSwiss-French，intheinterestsoforder，nottofeedthebirds。Theinjunctionseemedmeaninglesstoheruntilsheperceived，overbythewater，severalgullslazilywheelingabout。Theywerealmostasgreyasthefogtheycircledin。Suddenlytheyseemedtoperceiveherinturn，and，swervingsharply，camefloatingtowardthehotel，withharsh，almostmenacingcries。
Shehurriedin，andshutthewindowwithdecision。
Itseemedtoherthatthesmilewithwhich，assheturned，shewasabletomeetheruncle\'slook，wasaproductoftrueheroism。
Apparentlythissmiledidnotaltogetherdeludehim。
\"Oh，now，youmustn\'tgetdownonyourluck，\"
headjuredher。\"We\'regoingtobeawfullycozyhere。
Haveyouseenyourroom？It\'sjustthere，inalittlealleytotherightofthedoor。Theysayithasanevenfinerviewthanthesewindows。Oh，youneedn\'tlaugh——thisisthebestviewintheworld，I\'mtoldbythosewhoknow。
Andasawinter-resort，why——\"
\"Isay，lookhere！\"TheinterruptioncamefromAlfred，who，havinggoneoutononeofthebalconies，putinhisheadnowtosummonthem。\"Comehere！Here\'ssomefun。\"
HepointedouttoThorpethemeaningoftheinscriptiononthesign，andthenpulledhimforwardtoobserveitspracticaldefiance。Ascoreofbiggullswereflappinganddodginginexcitedconfusionclosebeforethem，fillingtheirearswithapainfulclamour。Everynowandagain，oneofthebirds，recoveringitssensesinthehurly-burly，wouldmakeacurvingswoopdownwardpasttherowsofwindowsbelow，andtriumphantlycatchinitsbeaksomethingthathadbeenthrownintotheair。
Thorpe，leaningoverhisrailing，sawthataladyonabalconyonefloorbelow，andsomeyardstotheleft，wasfeedingthebirds。Shelaughedaloudasshedidso，andsaidsomethingoverhershouldertoacompanionwhowasnotvisible。
\"Well，that\'sprettycool，\"heremarkedtohisniece，whohadcometostandbesidehim。\"She\'sgotthesamesigndowntherethatwe\'vegot。Icanseeitfromhere。
Orperhapsshecan\'treadFrench。\"
\"Orperhapssheisn\'tfrightenedofthehotelpeople，\"
suggestedthegirl。Sheadded，afteralittle，\"IthinkI\'llfeedthemmyselfinthemorning。Icertainlyshallifthesuncomesout——asasortofThanksgivingfestival，youknow。\"
Heruncleseemednottohearher。Hehadbeenstruckbytheexceptionalgraceofthegestureswithwhichthepiecesofbreadwereflungforth。Thehandsandwristsofthisladywereverywhiteandshapely。Themovementswhichshemadewiththem，allunawareofobservationasshewas，andviewedasheviewedthemfromabove，weresingularlybeautifulintheirunconstraint。Itwasinitswaylikewatchingsomeremarkablefinedancing，hethought。
Hecouldnotseemuchofherface，fromhisperch，butshewastallandfashionablyclad。Therewasaloosecoveringofblacklacethrownoverherhead，butonce，assheturned，hecouldseethatherhairwasred。
Eveninthisfleetingglimpse，theunusualtintattractedhisattention：therewasabrilliancyasoffireinit。
Somehowitseemedtomakeaclaimuponhismemory。
Hecontinuedtostaredownatthestrangerwithanindefinablesensethatheknewsomethingabouther。
Suddenlyanotherfigureappeareduponthebalcony——andinaflashhecomprehendedeverything。Theseidiotic，fightinggluttonsofgullshadactuallypointedouttohimtheobjectofhissearch。ItwasLadyCressagewhostoodinthedoorway，therejustbelowhim——andhercompanion，thered-hairedladywholaughedhotel-rulestoscorn，wastheAmericanheiresswhohadcrossedtheoceaninhisship，andwhomhehadmetlateronatHadlow。
Whatwashername——Martin？No——Madden。Heconfrontedtheswiftimpressionthattherewassomethingoddaboutthesetwowomenbeingtogether。AtHadlowhehadimaginedthattheydidnotlikeeachother。Thenhereflectedasswiftlythatwomenprobablyhadtheirownrulesaboutsuchmatters。
Heseemedtohaveheard，orread，perhaps，thatfemaleslikedanddislikedeachotherwiththemostcapriciousalternationsandontheleasttangibleofgrounds。
Atallevents，heretheyweretogethernow。Thatwasquiteenough。
Thetwoladieshadgonein，andclosedtheirwindow。
Thesophisticatedbirds，withafewungratefulcroaksofremonstrance，haddriftedawayagaintothewater。
Hisniecehaddisappearedfromhiselbow。StillThorperemainedwithhisarmsfoldedontherailing，hiseyesfixedonthevacantbalcony，belowtotheleft。
Whenatlasthewentinside，theyoungpeoplewerewaitingforhimwiththeprojectofastrollbeforedinner。
Thelightwasfailing，buttherewasplentyoftime。
TheyhadascertainedthedirectioninwhichChillonlay；
aservanthadassuredthemthatitwasonlyafewminutes\'
walk，andAlfredwasalmostcertainthathehadseenitfromthewindow。
Thorpeassentedwithacertainlistlessness，whichtheyhadnevernotedinhismannerbefore，butwhenJuliabeggedhimnottostirifhewereintheslightestdegreetired，herepliedhonestlyenoughthathewoulddoanythingratherthanbeleftalone。Then，ofcourse，theysaid，thereshouldbenowalk，buttothishewouldnotlisten。
Thepartytroopeddownstairs，accordingly，andoutintothestreet。Thewalkingwasvile，but，asJuliahadlongagosaid，iftheyweretobedeterredbyslushtheywouldnevergetanywhereorseeanything。
Itprovedtobetoolateandtoodarktoeitherenterthecastleorgetmuchofanideaofitsexterior。
Returning，theypausedagaintolookintothelightedwindowofthenicelittlebook-shop。Thenumerousphotographsofwhattheywereentitledtobeholdfromthewindowsoftheirhotelseemedmoreconvincingthanphotographsusuallywere。Astheyoungpeopleinspectedthem，theybecamereassured。Itwasnotcrediblethatsuchanoblevistawouldforeverdenyitselftosuchearnestpilgrims。
Whentheiruncleintroducedthistimehisancientformulaaboutthecertaintyofbrilliantsunshineinthemorning，theysomehowfeltlikebelievinghim。
\"Yes——Ireallythinkitmustchange，\"Juliadeclared，withherfascinatedglanceuponthephotographs。
Alfredlookedathiswatch。\"We\'dbettergetalongtothehotel，hadn\'twe？\"hesuggested。
\"Bytheway\"——Thorpebegan，withacertainuneasinessofmanner——\"speakingofdinner，wouldn\'tyouliketodineatthebigtabled\'hote，insteadofupinoursitting-room？\"
\"Ifyou\'retiredofourdiningalone——byallmeans，\"
answeredJulia，readily。Therewasobvioussurprise，however，inbothherlookandtone。
\"Tirednothing！\"heassuredher。\"Ilikeitbetterthananythingelseintheworld。ButwhatImeanis——I
wasthinking，seeingthatthisissuchagreatwinter-
resort，andalltheswaggerpeopleofEuropecomehere——
thatprobablyyouyoungsterswouldenjoyseeingthecrowd。\"
Julia\'sglance，fullofaffectionateappreciation，showedhowwhollyshedivinedhisspiritofself-sacrifice。
\"Wewouldn\'tcareintheleastforit，\"shedeclared。
\"Weenjoybeingalittlepartybyourselveseverywhitasmuchasyoudo——andwebothhatethepeopleyougetattabled\'hotes——andbesides，forthatmatter，ifthereareanyrealswellshere，youmaybesuretheydineintheirownrooms。\"
\"Why，ofcourse！\"Thorpeexclaimedswiftly，inpalpableself-rebuke。\"Idon\'tknowwhatIcouldhavebeenthinkingof。
Ofcoursetheywoulddineintheirrooms。\"
Nextmorning，Thorperoseearlierthanever——withtheimpressionofapeculiarlyrestlessanduncomfortablenightbehindhim。Itwasnotuntilhehadshavedanddressedthathenotedthealteredcharacteroftheairoutside。
Althoughitwasnotfullydaylightyet，hecouldseetheoutlinesofthetreesandvinerowsonthebig，snow-cladhill，whichmonopolizedtheprospectfromhiswindow，allsharpandclearcut，asifhewerelookingatthemthroughanopera-glass。Hewentatoncetothesitting-room，andthrustthecurtainsasidefromoneofthewindows。
Amiraclehadbeenwroughtinthenight。Theskyoverheadwasserenelycloudless；thelakebeneath，stirringsoftlyundersomefaintpassingbreeze，revealeditsfullbreadthwithcrystallinedistinctness。
Betweenskyandwatertherestretchedacrossthepictureabroad，looming，dimly-definedbandofshadow，markedhereandthereatthetopbylittleslantingpatchesofanintenselyglowingwhite。Helookedatthisdarklingmiddledistanceforamomentortwowithoutcomprehension。
ThenheturnedandhurriedlymovedtothedoorofJulia\'sroomandbeatuponit。
\"Getup！\"hecalledthroughthepanels。\"Here\'syoursunrise——here\'syourAlpineview。Gotoyourwindowandseeit！\"
Aclearvoice，notunmirthful，replied：\"I\'vebeenwatchingitforhalfanhour，thanks。Isn\'titglorious？\"
Hewasmorefortunateattheoppositedoor，forAlfredwasstillasleep。Theyoungman，uponhearingthenews，however，madeatoiletofunexampledbrevity，andcamebreathlesslyforth。Thorpefollowedhimtothebalcony，wherehestoodcollarlessanduncombed，withthefreshmorningbreezeblowinghishairawry，hislipsparted，hiseyesstaringwithwhattheunclefelttobeapainfulfixednessbeforehim。
Thorpehadseenmanymountainsinmanylands。Theydidnotinteresthimverymuch。Hethought，however，thathecouldseenowwhypeoplewhohadnomountainsoftheirownshouldgetexcitedaboutSwitzerland。Heunderstoodanumberofthesesentimentalthingsnow，forthatmatter，whichhadbeenGreektohimthreemonthsbefore。
Unreceptiveashisphilistinismmayhaveseemedtothesedelightfulyoungsters，itwasapparentenoughtohimthattheyhadtaughthimagreatdeal。Ifhecouldnothopetosharetheirever-bubblingrapturesandenthusiasms，atleasthehadcometocomprehendthemafterafashion，andeventodiscernsometimeswhatitwasthatstirredthem。
Hewatchedhisnephewnow——havingfirstassuredhimselfbyacomprehensivedownwardglancethatnootherwindowsofthehotel-frontwereopen。Theyoungmanseemedtremendouslymoved，fartoomuchsototalk。
ThorpeventuredoncesomeremarksabouttheMexicanmountains，whichwereeversomuchbigger，asherememberedthem，butAlfredpaidnoheed。Hecontinuedtogazeacrossthelake，watchinginraptsilenceonefacetafteranothercatchthelight，andstandoutfromthemurkygloom，radiantlywhite，tillatlastthewholehorizonwasamassofshiningminaretsanddomes，andthesunfellfullonhisface。Then，withalong-drawnsigh，heturned，re-enteredtheroom，andthrewhimselfintoachair。
\"It\'stoogood！\"hedeclared，withahalf-groan。\"I
didn\'tknowitwouldbelikethat。\"
\"Whynothing\'stoogoodforus，man，\"hisuncletoldhim。
\"THATis，\"saidtheboy，simply，andThorpe，afterstaringforamoment，smiledandrangthebellforbreakfast。
WhenJuliamadeherappearance，afewminuteslater，thetablewasalreadylaid，andthewaiterwascominginwiththecoffee。
\"Ithoughtwe\'dhurryupbreakfast，\"heruncleexplained，aftershehadkissedhimandthankedhimforthesunrisehehadsosuccessfullypredicted——\"becauseIknewyou\'dbothbecrazytogetout。\"
Hehadnotover-estimatedtheireagerness，whichwassogreat，indeed，thattheyfailedtonotetheexcessivetranquilityofhisowndemeanour。Heatewithsuchunusualdeliberation，onthisexcitingmorning，thattheyfoundthemselvesattheendoftheirrepastwhen，apparently，hehadbutmadeabeginning。
\"Nowyoumustn\'twaitformeatall，\"heannouncedtothemthen。\"I\'malittletiredthismorning——andI
thinkI\'djustliketoliearoundandsmoke，andperhapsreadoneofyournovels。Butyoutwomustgetyourthingsonandlosenotimeingettingout。Thisistheverybesttimeofday，youknow——forAlpinescenery。
I\'dhatetohaveyoumissanyofit。\"
Underhiskindlyifsomewhatstrenuousinsistence，theywenttotheirroomstoprepareforanimmediateexcursion。
Hewassoanxioustohavethemseealltherewastobeseenthat，whenJuliareturned，properlycloakedandbefurred，andstoodwaitingatthewindow，hescoldedalittle。
\"Whatonearthisthatboydoing？\"heexclaimed，withalatentsnarlinhistonewhichwasnoveltoherear。
\"He\'llkeepyouheretillnoon！\"
\"He\'sshaving，Ithink。Hewon\'tbelong，\"shereplied，withgreatgentleness。Afteramoment\'spause，sheturnedfromthewindowandcamegaylyforward。
\"Oh，Iforgot：Iwasgoingtofeedthebirds。
Thereareseveralofthemouttherenow。\"Asshespoke，shebusilybrokeupsomeoftherollsonthetable。
Herfacewasbrightwiththepleasureofthethought。
\"Ifyoudon\'tmuchmind，Julia，\"herunclebegan，withalmostpleadingintonations，\"IratherthinkIwouldn\'tfeedthosebirds。Theruleistherebeforeoureyes，youknow——andit\'salwaysbeenmyideathatifyou\'reatahotelit\'sthecorrectthingtoabidebyitsrules。
It\'sjustanideaofmine——andIdaresay，ifyouthinkaboutit，you\'llfeelthesameway。\"
Thegirlfreedthelastremainingbread-crumbfromhergloves。
\"Why，ofcourse，uncle，\"shesaid，withpromptitude。
Althoughtherewasnohintofprotestinhertoneormanner，hefeltimpelledtosoftenstillfurtherthissolitarydemonstrationofhisauthority。
\"YouseeI\'vebeenallroundtheworld，mylittlegirl，\"
heexplained，haltingly，\"andwhenaman\'sdonethat，andknockedabouteverywhere，he\'sapttogetfinickingandnotionalabouttrifleseveryonceinawhile。\"
\"You\'relesssothananybodyIeverknew，\"shegenerouslyinterposed。
\"Oh，noI\'mnot。Youdon\'tknowmewellenoughyet；
that\'swhat\'sthematter。Andyousee，Julia——anotherthingjustbecauseyousawthatladythrowingoutbread，thataintaverygoodreasonwhyyoushoulddoit。
Youdon\'tknowwhatkindofapersonshemaybe。
Girlshavegottobesofrightfullycarefulaboutallthatsortofthing。\"
Juliaofferedaconstrainedlittlelaughincomment。
\"Oh，youdon\'tknowhowcarefulIcanbe，\"shesaid。
\"Butyou\'renotannoyed？\"heentreatedher——andforanswershecamebehindhim，andrestedanarmonhisshoulder，andpattedit。Hestrokedherhandwithhisown。
\"That\'ssomethinglikethenicestnieceintheworld！\"
heexclaimed，withfervour。
Whenatlastsheandherbrotherhadgone，hemadeshortworkofhisbreakfast，anddrankhiscoffeeatagulp。
Arestlessactivitysuddenlyinformedhismovements。
Helitacigar，andbeganpacingupanddowntheroom，bitinghislipsinpreoccupationashewent。Afteralittle，heopenedawindow，andventuredcautiouslyasfaroutonthebalconyaswasnecessarytoobtainaviewofthestreetbelow。Eventually，heidentifiedhisnephewandnieceamongthepedestriansbeneathhim，andhekepttheminsighttill，aftermorethanonetiresomehaltatashopwindow，theydisappearedroundabendintheroad。
Thenheturnedandcamebackintotheroomwiththebuoyantairofamanwhoseaffairsareprospering。
Hesmiledgeniallytohimselfashegatheredfromthetableinonecapacioushandallthepiecesofbreadhisbelovedniecehadbrokenup，andadvancedagaintotheopenwindow。
Waitingheretilloneofthedingygullsmovingaimlesslyaboutwasheadedtowardhim，hetossedoutafragment。
Thebirddashedatitwithascream，andontheinstantthewholesquawkingflockwereonwing。Hesufferedthehubbubtoproceedunappeasedforalittlewhilehekeptawatchfulthoughfurtiveeyeonthatbalconytotheleft，below。Unhappilyhecouldnotgetoutfarenoughtoseewhethertheinnercurtainsofitswindowweredrawn。Hethrewanotherbitofbread，andthenlookedathiswatch。Itwasafewminutespastnine。
Surelypeopletravellingtoseescenerywouldbeupbythishour。
Thestrategyofissuingjustenoughbreadtokeepthefeatheredconcourseinmotioncommendeditselftohismind。
Asaprecautionarymeasure，hetookalltherollsremainingonthetable，andputtheminthedrawerofadeskbythewindow。
Itevenoccurredtohimtoringformorebread，butuponconsiderationthatseemedtoodaring。Thewaiterwouldbesufficientlysurprisedattheparty\'sappetitesasitwas。
Halfanhourlater，hisplanofcampaignsuddenlyyieldedavictory。LadyCressageappearedonherbalcony，cladinsomecharmingsortofmorninggown，andbareheaded。
Shehadnothinginherhands，andseemedindifferenttothebirds，butwhenThorpeflungforthahandfuloffragmentsintothecentreoftheirwhirlingflock，shelookedupathim。Itwastheanxiousinstant，andheventureduponwhathehopedwasadecorouscompromisebetweenabowandalookofrecognition。
Shewasinnohastetoanswereither。Hecouldseeratherthanhearthatshesaidsomethingtoherinvisiblecompanionwithin，thewhilesheglancedserenelyinthegeneraldirectionofhisbalcony。Itseemedtohimthattheanswertoherremark，whateveritwas，musthaveexertedadirectinfluenceuponhisdestiny，forLadyCressageallatoncefocussedhervagueregarduponhim，andnoddedwithareasonablygracioussmile。
\"It\'swonderfullucktofindyouhere，\"hecalleddowntoher。Havingplayedtheirpart，hewishednowthatthebirdswereatJericho。Theirobstreperousracketmadeconversationverydifficult。Apparentlyshemadehimananswer，buthecouldcatchnothingofit。
\"I\'mherewithmynieceandnephew，\"heshouteddown。
\"Idon\'thearwhatyousay。MayIcomedownandpaymyrespects——lateron？Whatisyournumber，andwhenmayIcome？\"
Thesequestions，asheflashedtheminreviewthroughhismind，seemedtobeallrightfromthemostexactingsocialpointofview。Doubtlessitwasequallyallrightthat，beforereplying，sheshouldconsulthercompanion，asshedidatsomelength。Thenshereplied——andhehadnodifficultynowinhearingherabovethebirds——thatitwouldbeveryniceofhimtocome，say，inanhour\'stime。
Shetoldhimthenumber——andthenalmostabruptlywentin。
Thorpe，duringthishourthatensued，smokedwithvolcanicenergy。HetriedtointeresthimselfinoneafteranotherofhalfadozenTauchnitznovelshisniececarriedabout，withapreposterousabsenceofsuccess。
Hestrovetoarrangeinsomekindofsequencethethingsthatheshouldsay，whenthismomentousinterviewshouldbegin，buthecouldthinkofnothingwhichdidnotsoundsilly。Itwouldbeallright，hearguedtohimselfinthefaceofthispresentmentalbarrenness；
healwaystalkedwellenoughonthespurofthemoment，whenthetimecame——andstillwasnotreassured。
Hewonderedifbothladieswouldbetheretoreceivehim，anddecidedthattheywouldprobablyregardthatasindispensabletotheproprieties。Inthatcase，theirconversationwouldnecessarilybeofthemostcasualandgeneralcharacter。
Hewouldtellthemagooddealabouthisniece，heforesaw。
Amantravellingaboutwithaniece——andsuchadelightfullylady-likeandengaginglittleniece——wouldtakeonsomeaddedinterestanddignity，heperceived，intheeyesofladiestravellingalone。HeessayedtoestimatejusthowmuchtheywouldprobablylikeJulia。Ofcoursehewouldsaynothingabouthermotherandthebook-shop；avagueallusiontoawidowedsisterwouldbeampleonthathead。
ButtherecouldbeconfidentreferencestoCheltenham；
heknewfromwhatJuliahadsaidthatitsuggestedthemostsatisfactorysocialguarantees，iftakenstrictlybyitself。AndthensomuchwoulddependuponJuliaherself！Ifshesucceededinstrikingupafriendshipwiththem——ah，theneverythingwouldbeallright。
PerhapstheywouldtakeafancytoAlfredtoo！Hewasaboy，ofcourse，butconceivablythefactthathewantedtopaint，andknewaboutpictures，wouldappealtothem。
Heseemedtohaveheardsomewherethatartistsweretheverydevilamongwomen。
Atlastthewearytimeofwaitinghadwornitselfout，somehow，and，afterafinalpolishingbeforehisglass，hewentdown，andfoundhisrightcorridor，andknockedatthedoor。Apleasantvoicebadehimenter，and，hatandglovesinhand，hewentin。
Ashehadimagined，bothladieswerepresent。
Hehadnotbeenprepared，however，forthefactthatitwastheAmericanwhoplayedthepartofhostess。
Itwasshewhoreceivedhim，andinvitedhimtositdown，andgenerallymadehimfreeoftheapartment。WhenheshookhandswithLadyCressage，therewassomehowaneffectoftheincidentalintheceremony，asifshewerealsoaguest。
Nothingcouldhavebeensimplerormorepleasingthanthelittlevisitturnedouttobe。MissMaddenhadsuddenlygrowntiredofthesnowlessanddrippingEnglishwinter，andhadaspromptlydecidedtocometoSwitzerland，wherethedriftsoughttobehighenough，andthefrostssearchingenough，inallconscience。
TheyhadselectedTerritet，becauseitwasfamiliartoher，andbecauseitwasonthewaytoMartignyandBrieg，andshehadhadanotionofcrossingeithertheSimplonortheSt。Bernardinwinter。Asshefoundnow，theSt。Bernardwasquiteimpracticable，butadmittedlyapostroadwaskeptopenovertheSimplon。Itwassaidnowthatshewouldnotbeallowedtoproceedbythis，butitoftenhappenedthatshedidthethingsthatshewasnotallowedtodo。Thehotel-peopleatbothBriegandBerisalhadwrittenrefusingtolettheirhorsesattempttheSimplonjourney，andtheywereofcoursequitewithintheirrights，buttherewereotherhorsesinSwitzerland。
Onesurelycouldbuyhorses——andsoon。
Thorpealsohadhisturnatautobiography。Hetoldratherwhimsicallyofhisthreemonths\'experiencesatthetailofthejuvenilewhirligigs，andhisauditorslistenedtothemwithmildsmiles。HeventureduponnumerousglowingparenthesesaboutJulia，andtheyatleastdidnotsaythattheydidnotwanttoknowher。
Theyheardwithpoliteness，too，whathecouldcontrivetodraginabouthisartist-nephew，andsaiditmustbeverypleasantforhimtohavesuchnicecompany。AtleastMissMaddensaidthis：hercompanion，ashethoughtitoverafterward，seemedhardlytohavesaidanythingatall。
Sheansweredthefewremarkswhichhefounditpossibletodirecttoher，buttheresponsestooknoholduponhismemory。Hefanciedthatshewasbored，orunhappy，orboth。
Finally，inthemidstofcommonplaceswhich，tohisapprehension，wereverginguponflatness，aboldinspirationdiscloseditself——assplendidastheDentduMidirevealingitsglaciersabovethemountingsunrise——inhisbrain。
\"Weshouldallbecharmedifyouwouldcomeupanddinewithustonight，\"hesaid，undertheabruptimpulsionofthisidea。\"It\'sbeensuchanagesincewewanderershavehadtheprivilegeofcompanyatourtable！\"
Thefelicityofthesephrasesfromhislipsattractedhisadmiringattention，evenwhilehewaitedinsuspenseforananswertothem。
Theladiesexchangedalook。\"Yes，\"saidMissMadden，aftertheslightestofpauses，\"weshallbeveryhappy。\"
ShortlythereafterThorpetookhisleave，andwentdownstairsandout。Hewanderedabouttillluncheontime，observingthemountainsacrossthelakefromvariousstandpoints，and，asitwere，withneweyes。
Hewasinterestedintheminacuriousnewfashion；
theyseemedtosaythingstohim。HislipcurledonceattheconceitthathewasoneoftheAlpshimself。
CHAPTERXII
ITdidnothappenuntilthreedayslaterthatThorpe\'sopportunitytospeakalonewithLadyCressagecame。
Inthisbriefperiod，thetwopartiesseemedtohavebecomefusedinaremarkableintimacy。Thiswasclearlyduetothepresenceoftheyoungpeople，andThorpecongratulatedhimselfmanytimeseachdayuponthestrikingpresciencehehadshowninbringingthem。
BoththeladiesunaffectedlylikedJulia；somuchsothattheyseemedunwillingtomakeanyplanswhichdidnotincludeher。Thenitwasonlyamatterofcoursethatwhereshewentherbrothershouldgo——andafurtherlogicalstepquitenaturallybroughtintheirwillinguncle。
Ifhehadplannedeverything，andnowwasorderingeverything，itcouldnothavegonemoretohisliking。
Certainsidespeculationslentasavourtothesatisfactionwithwhichheviewedthisstateofaffairs。HefoundmanylittlesignstoconfirmthesuspicionthatthetwoladieshadbeenthereadiertomakemuchofJuliabecausetheywerenotoverkeenabouteachother\'ssociety。Thebright，sweet-naturedgirlhadcomeasawelcomediversiontoacouplewhoinseclusiondidbattlewithtendenciestoyawn。Hewasnotquiteconvinced，forthatmatter，thattheAmericanladyalwayswenttothattrouble。
Sheseemedtohisobservationawilfulsortofperson，whowouldnotberestrainedbysmallordinaryconsiderationsfromdoingthethingsshewantedtodo。Herrelationswithhercompanionaffordedhimfoodformuchthought。
Withoutanyovertdemonstrations，sheproducedtheeffectoforderingLadyCressageabout。This，sofarasitwent，tendedtoprejudicehimagainsther。
Ontheotherhand，however，shewassogoodtoJulia，inapeculiarlyfrankandbuoyantwaywhichfascinatedthegirl，thathecouldnotbutlikeher。AndshewasverygoodtoAlfredtoo。
Therewas，indeed，heperceived，agreatdealofindividualityaboutthefriendshipwhichhadsprungupbetweenMissMaddenandhisnephew。Shewasyearshissenior——hesettleditwithhimselfthattheAmericancouldnotbelessthanseven-and-twenty，——yetAlfredstolecovertglancesofadmirationather，andseemedtothinkofnothingbutopportunitiesforbeinginhercompanyasif——asif——Thorpehardlylikedtocompletethecomparisoninhisownthoughts。Alfred，ofcourse，saiditwasallonaccountofherwonderfulhair；heratherwentoutofhiswaytodilateupontheenthusiasmher\"colourscheme\"——whateverthatmightmean——excitedinhimasanartist。Theunclehadmomentsofprofoundskepticismaboutthis——momentswhenheuneasilywonderedwhetheritwasnotgoingtobehisdutytospeaktotheyoungman。
Forthemostpart，however，heextractedreassurancefromMissMadden\'sdemeanourtowardthelad。Sheknew，itseemed，avastdealaboutpictures；atleastshewasabletotalkavastdealaboutthem，andshediditinsuchacalmlydogmaticfashion，layingdownthelawalways，thatsheputAlfredinthepositionoflisteningasapupilmightlistentoamaster。ThehumilitywithwhichhisnephewacceptedthispositionannoyedThorpeuponoccasion，buthereasonedthatitwasafaultontherightside。
Verylikelyitwouldhelptokeepthefactofthelady\'ssenioritymoreclearlybeforetheyoungster\'smind，andthatwouldbesomuchgained。
Andtheseapprehensions，afterall，werescarcelytobecountedinthebalanceagainstthesenseofachievedhappinesswithwhichthesehalcyondayskeptThorpefilled。
Theinitiatorydinnerhadgoneoffperfectly。Hecouldhavewished，indeed，thatJuliahadasmarterfrock，andmorerings，whenhesawtheimposingcostumesandjewelledthroatsandhandsofhisguests——butshewasayounggirl，bycomparison，hereflected，andtherecouldbenodoubtthattheyfoundhercharming。AsforAlfred，hewasnotablyfine-lookinginhisevening-clothes——infinitelymorelikethesonofanobleman，thegratifiedunclekeptsayingtohimself，thanthatbigdullard，theHonourableBalder。
ItfilledhimwithanewpleasuretorememberthatAlfredhadvisitingcardspresentinghisnameasD\'Aubigny，whicheverybodyofeducationknewwaswhatthedegenerateDabneyreallystoodfor。TheladandhissisterhaduniteduponthisexcellentchangelongagoatCheltenham，andoddlyenoughtheyhadconfessedittotheiruncle，atthebeginningofthetrip，withashowoftrepidation，asiftheyfearedhisanger。Withradiantgayetyhehadrelievedtheirmindsbyshowingthemhiscard，with\"Mr。
StormontThorpe\"aloneuponit。Atthedinnertable，intheproudestmomentofhislife，hehadmadehimselfprouderstillbythinkinghowdistinguishedanappearancehisandAlfred\'scardswouldmaketogetherintheapartmentbelownextday。
Butnextday，therelationsbetweenthetwopartieshadalreadybecometooinformalforcards。Juliawentdowntoseethem；theycameuptoseeJulia。Thentheyallwentforalongwalk，withluncheonatVevey，andbeforeeveningAlfredwastalkingconfidentlyofpaintingMissMadden。
NextdaytheywentbytraintoSt。Maurice，and，returningafterdark，dinedwithoutceremonytogether。
Thisthirdday——theweatherstillremainingbright——theyhadascendedbythefunicularroadtoGlion，andwalkedonamongtheswarmingluegers，uptoCaux。Here，afterluncheon，theyhadwanderedaboutforatime，regardingthepanoramaoflakeandmountains。Now，asthehomewarddescentbegan，chanceledthetwoyoungpeopleandMissMaddenonahead。
ThorpefoundhimselfwalkingbesideLadyCressage。
Hehaduponhisarmherouterwrap，whichshesaidshewouldputonpresently。Tolookattheviewhemustglancepastherface：theprofile，underthegracefulfurcap，wassoenrichedbyglowingcolourthatitwas，tohisthought，asifshewereblushing。
\"HowlittleIthought，afewmonthsago，\"hesaid，\"thatweshouldbemountaineeringtogether！\"
\"Oh，nooneknowsadayahead，\"sheresponded，vaguely。
\"IhadprobablylessnotionofcomingtoSwitzerlandthenthanyouhad。\"
\"Thenyoudon\'tcomeregularly？\"
\"IhaveneverseeneitherGermanyorSwitzerlandbefore。
IhavescarcelybeenoutofEnglandbefore。\"
\"Whynow\"——hepaused，tothinkbrieflyuponhiswords——\"I
tookitforgrantedyouwereshowingMissMaddenaround。\"
\"It\'squitetheotherwayabout，\"sheanswered，withacoldlittlelaugh。\"Itisshewhoisshowingmearound。
Itishertour。Iamthechaperone。\"Thorpedweltuponthewordinhismind。Heunderstoodwhatitmeantonlyinaway，buthewasluminouslyclearastothebitternessofthetoneinwhichithadbeenuttered。
\"No——itdidn\'tseemasifitwerealtogether——whatI
mightcall——YOURtour，\"heventured。Theyhadseenmuchofeachotherthesepastfewdays，butitwasstillhardforhimtomakesurewhethertheirfreedomofintercoursehadbeenenlarged。
Theslightshrugoftheshoulderswithwhich，insilence，shecommenteduponhisremark，embarrassedhim。Foramomenthesaidnothing。Hewentonthenwitharenewedconsciousnessofrisk。
\"Youmustn\'tbeannoyedwithme，\"heurged。\"I\'vebeentravellingwiththatdearlittlenieceofmineandherbrother，solong，thatI\'vegotintoahabitofwatchingtonoticeifthefacesIseeroundmearehappy。Andwhenthey\'renot，thenIhaveakindoffatherlynotionofinterfering，andseeingwhat\'swrong。\"
Shesmiledfaintlyatthis，butwhenheadded，upondoubtfulinspiration——\"Bytheway，speakingoffathers，Ididn\'tknowatHadlowthatyouwerethedaughterofoneofmyDirectors\"——thissmilefrozeupontheinstant。
\"TheDentduMidiismoreimpressivefromthehotel，don\'tyouthink？\"sheremarked，\"thanitisfromhere。\"
Uponconsideration，heresolvedtogoforward。
\"IhavetakenagreatinterestinGeneralKervick，\"
hesaid，almostdefiantly。\"Iamseeingtoitthathehasacomfortableincome——anincomesuitabletoagentlemanofhisposition——fortherestofhislife。\"
\"Hewillbeverygladofit，\"sheremarked。
\"ButIhopedthatyouwouldbegladofittoo，\"
hetoldher，bluntly。Acurioussenseofrelianceuponhissuperiorityinyearshadcometohim。Ifhecouldmakehisairelderlyandpaternalenough，itseemedlikelythatshewoulddefertoit。\"I\'mtalkingtoyouasIwouldtomyniece，youknow，\"headded，plausibly。
Sheturnedherheadtomakeafleetingsurveyofhisface，asifthepointofviewtookherbysurprise。
\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"shesaid。\"Youareprovidinganincomeformyfather，becauseyouwishtospeaktomelikeanuncle。Isthatit？\"
Helaughed，somewhatdisconsolately。\"No——thatisn\'tit，\"
hesaid，andlaughedagain。\"Icouldn\'ttell，youknow，thatyouwouldn\'twanttotalkaboutyourfather。\"
\"Why，there\'snoreasonintheworldfornottalkingofhim，\"
shemadehastetodeclare。\"Andifhe\'sgotsomethinggoodintheCity，I\'msureI\'masgladasanyone。Heisthesortthatoughtalwaystohaveagooddealofmoney。
Imean，itwillbringouthismoreamiablequalities。
Hedoesnotshinemuchinadversity——anymorethanIdo。\"
Thorpefeltkeenlythattherewerefinethingstobesaidhere——buthehadconfidenceinnothingthatcametohistongue。\"I\'vebeenapoormanallmylife——tillnow，\"
washiseventualremark。
\"Pleasedon\'ttellmethatyouhavebeenveryhappyinyourpoverty，\"sheadjuredhim，withthedimflickerofareturningsmile。\"Verylikelytherearepeoplewhoaresoconstituted，buttheyarenotmykind。
Idon\'twanttohearthemtellaboutit。Tomepovertyisthehorror——theunmentionablehorror！\"
\"ThereneverwasadaythatIdidn\'tfeelTHAT！\"
Thorpeputfervourintohisvoice。\"Iwasneverreconciledtoitforaminute。IneverceasedswearingtomyselfthatI\'dpullmyselfoutofit。Andthat\'swhatmakesmesortofsoft-heartednowtowardthose——
towardthosewhohaven\'tpulledthemselvesoutofit。\"
\"Yourniecesaysyouaresoft-heartedbeyondexample，\"
remarkedLadyCressage。
\"Whocouldhelpbeing，tosuchasweetlittlegirlassheis？\"
demandedtheuncle，fondly。
\"Sheisverynice，\"saidtheother。\"Ifonemaysaysuchathing，Ifancythesethreemonthswithherhavehadanappreciableeffectuponyou。I\'msureInoteadifference。\"
\"That\'sjustwhatI\'vebeensayingtomyself！\"hetoldher。
Hewasvisiblydelightedwiththiscorroboration。
\"I\'vebeenalonepracticallyallmylife。Ihadnofriendstospeakof——Ihadnofitcompany——Ihadn\'tanythingbutthedeterminationtoclimboutofthehole。
Well，I\'vedonethat——andI\'vegotamongthekindofpeoplethatInaturallylike。Butthentherecamethequestionofwhethertheywouldlikeme。Itellyoufrankly，thatwaswhatwasworryingtheheartoutofmewhenI
firstmetyou。Iliketobeconfessingittoyounow——butyoufrightenedmewithinaninchofmylife。Wellnow，yousee，I\'mnotscaredofyouatall。Andofcourseit\'sbecauseJulia\'sbeenputtingmethroughacourseofsprouts。\"
ThefigurewaslostuponLadyCressage，butthespiritoftheremarksseemednotunpleasanttoher。\"I\'msureyou\'refullofkindness，\"shesaid。\"YoumustforgetthatI
snappedatyou——aboutpapa。\"\"AllIrememberaboutthatis，\"
hebegan，hiseyelightingupwiththethoughtthatthistimetheopportunityshouldnotpassunimproved，\"thatyousaidhedidn\'tshinemuchinadversity——anymorethanyoudid。
NowonthatlastpointIdisagreewithyou，straight。
Therewouldn\'tbeanyplaceinwhichyouwouldn\'tshine。\"
\"Isthatthewayonetalkstoone\'sniece？\"sheaskedhim，almostlistlessly。\"Suchflatterymustsurelybebadfortheyoung。\"Herwordsweresprightlyenough，butherfacehadcloudedover。Shehadnoheartforthebanter。
\"Ah\"——hehalf-groaned。\"IonlywishIknewwhatwastherightwaytotalktoyou。TherealthingisthatI
seeyou\'reunhappy——andthatgetsonmynerve——andI
shouldliketoaskyouiftherewasn\'tsomethingIcoulddo——andaskitinsuchawaythatyou\'dhavetoadmittherewas——andIdon\'tknowenoughtodoit。\"
Hehadawansmileforthanks。\"Butofcoursethereisnothing，\"shereplied，gently。
\"Oh，theremustbe！\"heinsisted。Hehadnolongeranyclearnotionsastowherehistonguemightnotleadhim。
\"Theremustbe！YousaidImighttalktoyouasIwouldtoJulia\"DidI？\"
\"Well，I\'mgoingto，anyway，\"hewentonstoutly，ignoringthenoteofdefinitedissentinherinterruption。
\"YouAREunhappy！Youspokeaboutbeingachaperone。
Wellnow，tospeakplainly，ifitisn\'tentirelypleasantforyouwithMissMadden——whywouldn\'tyoubeachaperoneforJulia？ImustbegoingtoLondonverysoon——butshecanstayhere，orgotoEgypt，orwherevershelikes——andofcourseyouwoulddoeverything，andhaveeverything——whateveryouliked，too。\"
\"Theconversationisgettinguponratherimpossiblegrounds，I\'mafraid，\"shesaid，andthenbitherlipstogether。
Halting，shefrownedalittleintheeffortofconsideringherfurtherwords，buttherewasnothingsevereintheglancewhichsheliftedtohimasshebegantospeak。
\"Letuswalkon。Imusttellyouthatyoumisconceivethesituationentirely。NobodycouldpossiblybekinderormoreconsideratethanMissMadden。OfcoursesheisAmerican——orratherIrish-American，andI\'mEnglish，andournotionsandwaysarenotalwaysalike。Butthathasnothingtodowithit。Anditisnotsomuchthatshehasmanythousandsayear，andIonlyafewhundreds。
Thatinitselfwouldsignifynothing——andifImusttakehelpfromsomebodyIwouldrathertakeitfromCeliaMaddenthananybodyelseIknow——butthisisthepoint，Mr。Thorpe。
Idonoteatthebreadofdependencegracefully。Ipullwryfacesoverit，andIdon\'ttryverymuchtodisguisethem。
Thatismyfault。Yes——ohyes，Iknowitisafault——butIamasIam。AndifMissMaddendoesn\'tmind——why\"——sheconcludedwithamirthless，uncertainlaugh——\"whyonearthshouldyou？\"
\"Ah，whyshouldI？\"heechoed，reflectively。\"Ishouldlikedesperatelytotellyouwhy。SometimeIwilltellyou。\"
Theywalkedoninsilenceforabriefspace。Thensheputoutherhandforherwrap，andasshepaused，hespreaditoverhershoulders。
\"Iamamazedtothinkwhatwehavebeensayingtoeachother，\"
shesaid，buttoningthefurastheymovedonagain。
\"Iamvexedwithmyself。\"
\"Andmorestillwithme，\"hesuggested。
\"No-o——butIoughttobe。You\'vemademetalkthemostshockingrubbish。\"
\"Therewedisagreeagain，youknow。Everythingyou\'vesaid\'sbeenperfect。Whatyou\'rethinkingofnowisthatI\'mnotanoldenoughfriendtohavebeenallowedtohearit。ButifI\'mnotasoldafriendassome，IwishIcouldmakeyoufeelthatI\'massolidafriendasany——assolidandasstaunchandastrue。IwishI
couldhearyousayyoubelievedthat。\"
\"Butyoutalkof\'friends，\'\"shesaid，inatonenotatallresponsive——\"whatismeantby\'friends\'？We\'vechancedtomeettwice——andoncewebarelyexchangedcivilities，andthistimewe\'vebeenhotelacquaintances——hardlymore，isit？——andyouandyouryoungpeoplehavebeenverypolitetome——andIinasillymomenthavetalkedtoyoumoreaboutmyaffairsthanIshould——Isupposeitwasbecauseyoumentionedmyfather。But\'friends\'isratherabigwordforthat，isn\'tit？\"
Thorpepoutedforadubiousmoment。\"Icanthinkofabiggerwordstill，\"hesaid，daringly。\"It\'sbeenonthetipofmytonguemorethanonce。\"
Shequickenedherpace。Theairhadgrownperceptiblycolder。
Thedistantmountains，visibleeverandagainthroughthebarebranches，wereofadarkandcheerlessblue，andsharplydefinedagainstthesky。Itwasnotyetthesunsethour，andtherewerenomists，butthelightofdayseemedtobegoingoutoftheheavens。
Hehurriedonbesideherindepressedsilence。
Theircompanionswerehiddenfromviewinaconvolutionofthewindingroad，buttheyweresonearthattheirvoicescouldbeheardastheytalked。Frequentlythesoundoflaughtercamebackwardfromthem。
\"They\'rejollyenoughdownthere，\"hecommentedatlast，moodily。
\"That\'sagoodreasonforourjoiningthem，isn\'tit？\"
Hertonewasatoncecasualandpointed。
\"ButIdon\'twanttojointhem！\"heprotested。\"Whydon\'tyoustaywithme——andtalk？\"\"Butyoubullymeso，\"
sheofferedinexplanation。
Thephrasecaughthisattention。Coulditbethatitexpressedherrealfeeling？Shehadsaid，herecalled，thathehadmadehertalk。Hercomplaintwaslikeanadmissionthathecouldoverpowerherwill。
Ifthatweretrue——thenhehadresourcesofmasterfulnessstillinreservesufficienttowinanyvictory。
\"No——notbullyyou，\"hesaidslowly，asifobjectingtothewordratherthantheidea。\"Thatwouldn\'tbepossibletome。
Butyoudon\'tknowmewellenoughtounderstandme。
Iamthekindofmanwhogetsthethingshewants。
Letmetellyousomething：WhenIwasatHadlow，Ihadnevershotapheasantinmylife。Iusedtodotolerablywellwitharifle，butIhardlyknewanythingaboutashot-gun，andIdon\'tsupposeI\'deverkilledmorethantwoorthreebirdsonthewing——andthatwasagesago。
ButItookthenotionthatIwouldshootbetterthananybodyelsethere。Imadeupmymindtoit——andIsimplydidit，that\'sall。Idon\'tknowifyouremember——butIkilledagooddealmorethanboththeothersputtogether。
Igiveyouthatasanexample。IwantedyoutothinkthatIwasacrackshot——andsoImademyselfbeacrackshot。\"
\"Thatisveryinteresting，\"shemurmured。Theydidnotseemtobewalkingquitesofast。
\"Don\'tthinkIwanttobragaboutmyself，\"hewenton。
\"Idon\'tfancymyself——inthatway。I\'mnotspeciallyproudofdoingthings——it\'sthethingsthemselvesthatIcarefor。Ifsomemenhadmadeagreatfortune，theywouldbeconceitedaboutit。Well，I\'mnot。
WhatI\'mkeenaboutisthewaytousethatfortunesothatIwillgetthemostoutofit——themosthappiness，Imean。Thethingtodoistomakeupyourmindcarefullywhatitisthatyouwant，andtoputallyourpowerandresolutionintogettingit——andtherestiseasyenough。
Idon\'tthinkthere\'sanythingbeyondastrongman\'sreach，ifheonlybelievesenoughinhimself。\"
\"Butaren\'tyouconfusingtwothings？\"shequeried。
Thesubjectapparentlyinterestedher。\"Towinone\'sobjectsbysheerpersonalforceisonething。Tomerelysecurethembecauseone\'spurseislongerthanotherpeople\'s——that\'squiteanothermatter。\"
Hesmiledgrimlyather。\"Well，I\'llcombinethetwo，\"
hesaid。
\"ThenIsupposeyouwillbealtogetherirresistible，\"
shesaid，lightly。\"Therewillbenopheasantsleftforotherpeopleatall。\"
\"Idon\'tmindbeingchaffed，\"hetoldher，withgravity。
\"Solongasyou\'regood-natured，youcanmakegameofmeallyoulike。ButI\'minearnest，allthesame。
I\'mnotgoingtoplaythefoolwithmymoneyandmypower。
Ihavegreatprojects。SometimeI\'lltellyouaboutthem。
Theywillallbeputthrough——everyoneofthem。Andyouwouldn\'tobjecttotalkingthemoverwithme——wouldyou？\"
\"Myopinionon\'projects\'isofnoearthlyvalue——tomyselforanyoneelse。\"
\"Butstillyou\'dgivemeyouradviceifIaskedit？\"
hepersisted。\"Especiallyifitwasaprojectinwhichyouwereconcerned？\"
Afteramoment\'sconstrainedsilenceshesaidtohim，\"Youmusthavenoprojects，Mr。Thorpe，inwhichI
amconcerned。Thistalkisallverywideofthemark。
YouarenotentitledtospeakasifIweremixedupwithyouraffairs。Thereisnothingwhatevertowarrantit。\"
\"ButhowcanyouhelpbeinginmyprojectsifIputyouthere，andkeepyouthere？\"heaskedher，withgleefulboldness。
\"Andjustaskyourselfwhetheryoudoreallywanttohelpit。Whyshouldyou？You\'veseenenoughofmetoknowthatIcanbeagoodfriend。AndI\'mthekindoffriendwhoamountstosomething——whocanandwilldothingsforthosehelikes。Whatobligationareyouundertoturnawaythatkindofafriend，whenheoffershimselftoyou？Putthatquestionplainlytoyourself。\"
\"ButyouarenotinapositiontonominatethequestionsthatIamtoputtomyself，\"shesaid。Theefforttoimportdecisionintohertoneandmannerwasapparent。
\"ThatiswhatIdesireyoutounderstand。Wemustnottalkanymoreaboutme。Iamnotthetopicofconversation。\"
\"ButfirstletmefinishwhatIwantedtosay，\"heinsisted。
\"Mytalkwon\'tbreakanybones。You\'dbewrongnottolistentoit——becauseit\'smeanttohelpyou——tobeofusetoyou。Thisisthething，LadyCressage：
You\'reinaparticularlyhardandunpleasantposition。
LikemyfriendPlowden\"——hewatchedherfacenarrowlybutinvain，inthedulllight，foranychangeatmentionofthename——\"likemyfriendPlowdenyouhaveapositionandtitletokeepup，andnexttonothingtokeepitupon。ButhecangodownintotheCityandmakemoney——ortryto。HecanacceptDirectorshipsandtipsaboutthemarketandsoon，frommenwhoaredisposedtobegoodtohim，andwhoseehowhecanbeofusetothem——andinthatwayhecandosomethingforhimself。
Butthereisthedifference：youcan\'tdothesethings，oryouthinkyoucan\'t，whichisthesamething。
You\'reallfencedin；you\'resurroundedbynotice-boards，tellingyouthatyoumustn\'twalkthiswayorlookthatway；
thatyoumustn\'tsaythisthingordotheother。
Nowyourfrienddownaheadthere——MissMadden——shedoesn\'ttakemuchstockinnotice-boards。Infact，shefeedsthegulls，simplybecauseshe\'sforbiddentodoit。
Butyou——youdon\'tfeedanygulls，andyetyou\'reannoyedwithyourselfthatyoudon\'t。Isn\'tthatthecase？Haven\'tIreadyouright？\"
Sheseemedtohavesubmittedtohischoiceofatopic。
Therewasnotouchofexpostulationinthevoicewithwhichsheansweredhim。\"Iseewhatyouthinkyoumean，\"
shesaid。
\"Think！\"heresponded，withself-confidentemphasis。
\"I\'mnot\'thinking。\'I\'mreadinganopenbook。AsIsay，you\'renotcontented——you\'renothappy；youdon\'ttrytopretendthatyouare。Butallthesame，thoughyouhateit，youacceptit。Youthinkthatyoureallymustobeyyournotice-boards。NowwhatItellyouyououghttodoistotakeadifferentview。Whyshouldyouputupallthisbarbedwirebetweenyourselfandyourfriends？Itdoesn\'tdoanybodyelseanygood——anditdoesyouharm。
Why，forexample，shouldPlowdenbefreetotakethingsfromme，andyounot？\"
Sheglancedathim，withacoldhalf-smileinhereye。
\"UnfortunatelyIwasnotaskedtojoinyourBoard。\"
Hepressedhislipstightlytogether，andregardedhermeditativelyasheturnedthesewordsoverinhismind。
\"WhatI\'mdoingforPlowden，\"hesaidwithslowvaguenessmeanwhile，\"itisn\'tsomuchbecausehe\'sontheBoard。
He\'sofnospecialusetomethere。Buthewasnicetomeatatimewhenthatmeanteverythingintheworldtome——andIdon\'tforgetthingsofthatsort。Besides，Ilikehim——anditpleasesmetolethiminforashareofmygoodfortune。See？It\'smywayofenjoyingmyself。
Wellnow，Ilikeyoutoo，andwhyshouldn\'tIbeallowedtoletyouinalsoforashareofthatgoodfortune？
Youthinkthere\'sadifference，butItellyouit\'simaginary——puremoonshine。Why，theverypeoplewhoseopinionyou\'reafraidof——whatdidtheydothemselveswhentheSouthAfricancrazewason？I\'mtoldthatthescumoftheearthhadonlytoownsomeCharteredshares，andpretendtobe\'intheknow\'aboutthem——andtheycoulddinewithasmanyduchessesastheyliked。
Iknewoneortwoofthemenwhowereinthatdeal——I
wouldn\'thavetheminmyhouse——butitseemstherewasn\'tanyotherhousetheycouldn\'tgotoinLondon。\"
\"Ohyes，thereweremanyhouses，\"sheinterposed。
\"Itwasn\'taniceexhibitionthatsocietymadeofitself——
oneadmitsthat，——butitwasonlyonesetthatquitelosttheirheads。Thereareallkindsofsets，youknow。
And——Idon\'tthinkIseeyourapplication，inanyevent。
Thecraze，asyoucallit，wasallonabusinessbasis。
Peopleranafterthosewhocouldtellthemwhichsharesweregoingup，andtheygambledinthoseshares。Thatwasall，wasn\'tit？\"
Stilllookingintentlyather，hedismissedherquerywithalittleshakeofthehead。\"\'Onabusinessbasis，\'\"
herepeated，asiftalkingtohimself。\"Theyliketohavethings\'onabusinessbasis。\'\"