Heenjoyedbeinglaughedatbyher。SupposeMadeleineLeedidrefusetomarryhim！Whatofit？
“Pooh！”saidSybil；“youmenarealljustalike。Howcanyoubesosilly？
Madeleineandyouwouldbeintolerabletogether。Dofindsomeonewhowon\'tbesolemn！”
TheylaidouttheirlittleplotagainstMadeleineandelaborateditcarefully，bothastowhatCarringtonshouldsayandhowheshouldsayit，forSybilassertedthatmenweretoostupidtobetrustedeveninmakingadeclarationoflove，andmustbetaught，likelittlechildrentosaytheirprayers。Carringtonenjoyedbeingtaughthowtomakeadeclarationoflove。
HedidnotaskwhereSybilhadlearnedsomuchaboutmen\'sstupidity。HethoughtperhapsSchneidekouponcouldhavethrownlightonthesubject。Atallevents，theyweresobusilyoccupiedwiththeirschemesandlessons，thattheydidnot-reachhometillMadeleinehadbecomeanxiouslesttheyhadmetwithsomeaccident。Thelongduskhadbecomedarknessbeforesheheardtheclatterofhoofsontheasphaltpavement，andshewentdowntothedoortoscoldthemfortheirdelay。Sybilonlylaughedather，andsaiditwasallMr。Carrington\'sfault：hehadlosthisway，andshehadbeenforcedtofinditforhim。
Tendaysmorepassedbeforetheirplanwascarriedintoeffect。
Aprilhadcome。Carrington\'sworkwascompletedandhewasreadytostartonhisjourney。ThenatlastheappearedoneeveningatMrs。Lee\'sattheverymomentwhenSybil，aschancewouldhaveit，wasgoingouttopassanhourortwowithherfriendVictoriaDareafewdoorsaway。Carringtonfeltalittleashamedasshewent。ThiskindofconspiracybehindMrs。Lee\'sbackwasnottohistaste。
Heresolutelysatdown，andplungedatonceintohissubject。Hewasalmostreadytogo，hesaid；hehadnearlycompletedhisworkintheDepartment，andhewasassuredthathisinstructionsandpaperswouldbereadyintwodaysmore；hemightnothaveanotherchancetoseeMrs。Leesoquietlyagain，andhewantedtotakehisleavenow，forthiswaswhatlaymostheavilyonhismind；
heshouldhavegonewillinglyandgladlyifithadnotbeenforuneasinessabouther；andyethehadtillnowbeenafraidtospeakopenlyonthesubject。Herehepausedforamomentasthoughtoinvitesomereply。
Madeleinelaiddownherworkwithalookofregretthoughnotofannoyance，andsaidfranklyandinstantlythathehadbeentoogoodafriendtoallowofhertakingoffenceatanythinghecouldsay；shewouldnotpretendtomisunderstandhim。“Myaffairs，“sheaddedwithashadeofbitterness，“seemtohavebecomepublicproperty，andIwouldratherhavesomevoiceindiscussingthemmyselfthantoknowtheyarediscussedbehindmyback。“
Thiswasasharpthrustattheveryoutset，butCarringtonturneditasideandwentquietlyon：
“Youarefrankandloyal，asyoualwaysare。Iwillbesotoo。Ican\'thelpbeingso。FormonthsIhavehadnootherpleasurethaninbeingnearyou。
ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIhaveknownwhatitistoforgetmyownaffairsinlovingawomanwhoseemstomewithoutafault，andforonesolitarywordfromwhomIwouldgiveallIhaveinlife，andperhapsitself。“
Madeleineflushedandbenttowardshimwithanearnestnessofmannerthatrepeateditselfinhertone。
“Mr。Carrington，Iamthebestfriendyouhaveonearth。Oneofthesedaysyouwillthankmewithyourwholesoulforrefusingtolistentoyounow。
YoudonotknowhowmuchmiseryIamsavingyou。Ihavenohearttogive。
Youwantayoung，freshlifetohelpyours；agay，livelytemperamenttoenlivenyourdespondency；someonestillyoungenoughtoabsorbherselfinyouandmakeallherexistenceyours。I
couldnotdoit。Icangiveyounothing。IhavedonemybesttopersuademyselfthatsomedayImightbeginlifeagainwiththeoldhopesandfeelings，butitisnouse。Thefireisburnedout。Ifyoumarriedme，youwoulddestroyyourselfYouwouldwakeupsomeday，andfindtheuniversedustandashes。“
Carringtonlistenedinsilence。Hemadenoattempttointerruptortocontradicther。Onlyattheendhesaidwithalittlebitterness：
“Myownlifeisworthsomuchtotheworldandtome，thatI
supposeitwouldbewrongtoriskitonsuchaventure；butIwouldriskit，nevertheless，ifyougavemethechance。DoyouthinkmewickedfortemptingProvidence？Idonotmeantoannoyyouwithentreaties。Ihavealittleprideleft，andagreatdealofrespectforyou。YetIthink，inspiteofallyouhavesaidorcansay，thatonedisappointedlifemaybeasabletofindhappinessandreposeinanother，astogetthembysuckingtheyounglife-bloodofafreshsoul。“
Tothisspeech，whichwasunusuallyfigurativeforCarrington，Mrs。Leecouldfindnoreadyanswer。ShecouldonlyreplythatCarrington\'slifewasworthquiteasmuchashisneighbour\'s，andthatitwasworthsomuchtoher，ifnottohimself，thatshewouldnotlethimwreckit。
Carringtonwenton：“Forgivemytalkinginthisway。Idonotmeantocomplain。Ishallalwaysloveyoujustasmuch，whetheryoucareformeornot，becauseyouaretheonlywomanIhaveevermet，orameverlikelytomeet，whoseemstomeperfect。“
IfthiswasSybil\'steaching，shehadmadethebestofhertime。
Carrington\'stoneandwordspiercedthroughallMrs。Lee\'sarmourasthoughtheywerepointedwiththemostingeniouscruelty，anddesignedtotortureher。Shefelthardandsmallbeforehim。Lifeforlife，hishadbeen，andwasnow，farlessbrightthanhers，yethewashersuperior。Hesatthere，atrueman，carryinghisburdencalmly，quietly，withoutcomplaint，readytofacethenextshockoflifewiththesameendurancehehadshownagainsttherest。Andhethoughtherperfect！Shefelthumiliatedthatanybravemanshouldsaytoherfacethathethoughtherperfect！She！perfect！Inhercontritionshewashalfreadytogodownathisfeetandconfesshersins；herhystericaldreadofsorrowandsuffering，hernarrowsympathies，herfeeblefaith，hermiserableselfishness，herabjectcowardice。Everynerveinherbodytingledwithshamewhenshethoughtwhatamiserablefraudshewas；whatamassofpretensionsunfounded，ofdeceitingrained。Shewasreadytohideherfaceinherhands。Shewasdisgusted，outragedwithherownimageasshesawit，contrastedwithCarrington\'ssingleword：
Perfect！
Norwasthistheworst。Carringtonwasnotthefirstmanwhohadthoughtherperfect。Tohearthiswordsuddenlyusedagain，whichhadneverbeenutteredtoherbeforeexceptbylipsnowdeadandgone，madeherbrainreel。Sheseemedtohearherhusbandoncemoretellingherthatshewasperfect。Yetagainstthistorture，shehadabetterdefence。Shehadlongsincehardenedherselftobeartheserecollections，andtheysteadiedandstrengthenedher。
Shehadbeencalledperfectbeforenow，andwhathadcomeofit？
Twograves，andabrokenlife！Shedrewherselfupwithafacenowgrownquitepaleandrigid。InreplytoCarrington，shesaidnotaword，butonlyshookherheadslightlywithoutlookingathim。
Hewenton：“Afterall，itisnotmyownhappinessIamthinkingofbutyours。IneverwasvainenoughtothinkthatIwasworthyourlove，orthatIcouldeverwinit。Yourhappinessisanotherthing。I
caresomuchforthatastomakemedreadgoingaway，forfearthatyoumayyetfindyourselfentangledinthiswretchedpoliticallifehere，when，perhapsifIstayed，Imightbeofsomeuse。“
“Doyoureallythink，then，thatIamgoingtofallavictimtoMr。
Ratcliffe？”askedMadeleine，withacoldsmile。
“Whynot？”repliedCarrington，inasimilartone。“Hecanputforwardastrongclaimtoyoursympathyandhelp，ifnottoyourlove。Hecanofferyouagreatfieldofusefulnesswhichyouwant。
Hehasbeenveryfaithfultoyou。Areyouquitesurethatevennowyoucanrefusehimwithouthiscomplainingthatyouhavetrifledwithhim？”
“Andareyouquitesure，“addedMrs。Lee，evasively，“thatyouhavenotbeenjudginghimmuchtooharshly？IthinkIknowhimbetterthanyou。Hehasmanygoodqualities，andsomehighones。
Whatharmcanhedome？Supposingeventhathedidsucceedinpersuadingmethatmylifecouldbebestusedinhelpinghis，whyshouldIbeafraidofit？”
“YouandI，“saidCarrington，“arewideapartinourestimatesofMr。
Ratcliffe。Toyou，ofcourse，heshowshisbestside。Heisonhisgoodbehaviour，andknowsthatanyfalsestepwillruinhim。Iseeinhimonlyacoarse，selfish，unprincipledpolitician，whowouldeitherdragyoudowntohisownlevel，or，whatismorelikely，wouldverysoondisgustyouandmakeyourlifeawretchedself-immolationbeforehisvulgarambition，orcompelyoutoleavehim。Ineithercaseyouwouldbethevictim。Youcannotaffordtomakeanotherfalsestartinlife。Rejectme！Ihavenotawordtosayagainstit。Butbeonyourguardagainstgivingyourexistenceuptohim。“
“WhydoyouthinksoillofMr。Ratcliffe？”askedMadeleine；“healwaysspeakshighlyofyou。Doyouknowanythingagainsthimthattheworlddoesnot？”
“Hispublicactsareenoughtosatisfyme，“repliedCarrington，evadingapartofthequestion。“YouknowthatIhaveneverhadbutoneopinionabouthim。“
Therewasapauseintheconversation。Bothpartiesfeltthatasyetnogoodhadcomeofit。AtlengthMadeleineasked，“Whatwouldyouhavemedo？IsitapledgeyouwantthatIwillundernocircumstancesmarryMr。Ratcliffe？”
“Certainlynot，“wastheanswer；“youknowmebetterthantothinkIwouldaskthat。Ionlywantyoutotaketimeandkeepoutofhisinfluenceuntilyourmindisfairlymadeup。AyearhenceIfeelcertainthatyouwillthinkofhimasIdo。“
“ThenyouwillallowmetomarryhimifIfindthatyouaremistaken，“saidMrs。Lee，withamarkedtoneofsarcasm。
Carringtonlookedannoyed，butheansweredquietly，“WhatIfearishisinfluencehereandnow。WhatIwouldliketoseeyoudoisthis：gonorthamonthearlierthanyouintended，andwithoutgivinghimtimetoact。IfIweresureyouweresafelyinNewport，I
shouldfeelnoanxiety。“
“YouseemtohaveasbadanopinionofWashingtonasMr。Gore，“
saidMadeleine，withacontemptuoussmile。“Hegavemethesameadvice，thoughhewasafraidtotellmewhy。Iamnotachild。Iamthirtyyearsold，andhaveseensomethingoftheworld。Iamnotafraid，likeMr。Gore，ofWashingtonmalaria，or，likeyou，ofMr。
Ratcliffe\'sinfluence。IfIfallavictimIshalldeservemyfate，andcertainlyIshallhavenocausetocomplainofmyfriends。Theyhavegivenmeadviceenoughforalifetime。“
Carrington\'sfacedarkenedwithadeepershadeofregret。Theturnwhichtheconversationhadtakenwaspreciselywhathehadexpected，andbothSybilandhehadagreedthatMadeleinewouldprobablyanswerjustinthisway。
Nevertheless，hecouldnotbutfeelacutelytheharmhewasdoingtohisowninterests，anditwasonlybyasheereffortofthewillthatheforcedhimselftoalastandmoreearnestattack。
“Iknowitisanimpertinence，“hesaid；“Iwishitwereinmypowertoshowhowmuchitcostsmetooffendyou。Thisisthefirsttimeyoueverhadoccasiontobeoffended。IfIweretoyieldtothefearofyourangerandweretoholdmytonguenow，andbyanychanceyouweretowreckyourlifeonthisrock，Ishouldneverforgivemyselfthecowardice。IshouldalwaysthinkImighthavedonesomethingtopreventit。ThisisprobablythelasttimeIshallhavethechancetotalkopenlywithyou，andIimploreyoutolistentome。IwantnothingformyselfIfIknewIshouldneverseeyouagain，Iwouldstillsaythesamething。LeaveWashington！
Leaveitnow！——
atonce！——withoutgivingmorethantwenty-fourhours\'notice！
LeaveitwithoutlettingMr。Ratcliffeseeyouagaininprivate！
Comebacknextwinterifyouplease，andthenaccepthimifyouthinkproper。Ionlyprayyoutothinklongaboutitanddecidewhenyouarenothere。“
Madeleine\'seyesflashed，andshethrewasideherembroiderywithanimpatientgesture：“No！Mr。Carrington！Iwillnotbedictatedto！Iwillcarryoutmyownplans！IdonotmeantomarryMr。
Ratcliffe。IfIhadmeantit，Ishouldhavedoneitbeforenow。ButI
willnotrunawayfromhimorfrommyself。Itwouldbeunladylike，undignified，cowardly。“
Carringtoncouldsaynomore。Hehadcometotheendofhislesson。Alongsilenceensuedandthenherosetogo。“Areyouangrywithme？”saidsheinasoftertone。
“Ioughttoaskthatquestion，“saidhe。“Canyouforgiveme？Iamafraidnot。NomancansaytoawomanwhatIhavesaidtoyou，andbequiteforgiven。YouwillneverthinkofmeagainasyouwouldhavedoneifIhadnotspoken。IknewthatbeforeIdidit。Asforme，Icanonlygoonwithmyoldlife。Itisnotgay，andwillnotbethegayerforourtalkto-night。“
Madeleinerelentedalittle：“Friendshipslikeoursarenotsoeasilybroken，“shesaid。“Donotdomeanotherinjustice。Youwillseemeagainbeforeyougo？”
Heassentedandbadegood-night。Mrs。Lee，wearyanddisturbedinmind，hastenedtoherroom。“WhenMissSybilcomesin，tellherthatIamnotverywell，andhavegonetobed，“wereherinstructionstohermaid，andSybilthoughtsheknewthecauseofthisheadache。
ButbeforeCarrington\'sdeparturehehadonemoreridewithSybil，andreportedtohertheresultoftheinterview，atwhichbothofthemconfessedthemselvesmuchdepressed。CarringtonexpressedsomehopethatMadeleinemeant，afterasort，togiveakindofpledgebysayingthatshehadnointentionofmarryingMr。
Ratcliffe，butSybilshookherheademphatically：
“Howcanawomantellwhethersheisgoingtoacceptamanuntilsheisasked？”saidshewithentireconfidence，asthoughshewerestatingthesimplestfactintheworld。Carringtonlookedpuzzled，andventuredtoaskwhetherwomendidnotgenerallymakeuptheirmindsbeforehandonsuchaninterestingpoint；butSybiloverwhelmedhimwithcontempt：“Whatgoodwilltheydobymakinguptheirminds，Ishouldliketoknow？ofcoursetheywouldgoanddotheopposite。Sensiblewomendon\'tpretendtomakeuptheirminds，Mr。Carrington。Butyoumenaresostupid，andyoucan\'tunderstandintheleast。“
Carringtongaveitup，andwentbacktohisstalequestion：CouldSybilsuggestanyotherresource？andSybilsadlyconfessedthatshecouldnot。Sofarasshecouldsee，theymusttrusttoluck，andshethoughtitwascrueltorMr。Carringtontogoawayandleaveheralonewithouthelp。Hehadpromisedtopreventthemarriage。
“OnethingmoreImeantodo，“saidCarrington：“andhereeverythingwilldependonyourcourageandnerve。YoumaydependuponitthatMr。Ratcliffewillofferhimselfbeforeyougonorth。Hedoesnotsuspectyouofmakingtrouble，andhewillnotthinkaboutyouinanywayifyoulethimaloneandkeepquiet。
Whenhedoesofferhimselfyouwillknowit；atleastyoursisterwilltellyouifshehasacceptedhim。Ifsherefuseshimpointblank，youwillhavenothingtodobuttokeephersteady。Ifyouseeherhesitating，youmustbreakinatanycost，anduseallyourinfluencetostopher。Bebold，then，anddoyourbest。Ifeverythingfailsandshestillclingstohim，Imustplaymylastcard，orratheryoumustplayitforme。
Ishallleavewithyouasealedletterwhichyouaretogiveherifeverythingelsefails。DoitbeforesheseesRatcliffeasecondtime。
Seethatshereadsitand，ifnecessary，makeherreadit，nomatterwhenorwhere。Nooneelsemustknowthatitexists，andyoumusttakeasmuchcareofitasthoughitwereadiamond。Youarenottoknowwhatisinit；itmustbeacompletesecret。Doyouunderstand？”
Sybilthoughtshedid，butherheartsank。“Whenshallyougivemethisletter？”sheasked。
“TheeveningbeforeIstart，whenIcometobidgood-bye；probablynextSunday。Thisletterisourlasthope。If，afterreadingthat，shedoesnotgivehimup，youwillhavetopackyourtrunk，mydearSybil，andfindanewhome，foryoucanneverlivewiththem。“
Hehadneverbeforecalledherbyherfirstname，anditpleasedhertohearitnow，thoughshegenerallyhadastrongobjectiontosuchfamiliarities。
“Oh，Iwishyouwerenotgoing！”sheexclaimedtearfully。“WhatshallIdowhenyouaregone？”
Atthispitifulappeal，Carringtonfeltasuddenpang。Hefoundthathewasnotsooldashehadthought。Certainlyhehadgrowntolikeherfrankhonestyandsoundcommonsense，andhehadatlengthdiscoveredthatshewashandsome，withaveryprettyfigure。Wasitnotsomethinglikeaflirtationhehadbeencarryingonwiththisyoungpersonforthelastmonth？Aglimmeringofsuspicioncrossedhismind，thoughhegotridofitasquicklyaspossible。Foramanofhisageandsobrietytobeinlovewithtwosistersatoncewasimpossible；stillmoreimpossiblethatSybilshouldcareforhim。
Asforher，however，therewasnodoubtaboutthematter。Shehadgrowntodependuponhim，andshediditwithalltheblindconfidenceofyouth。Tolosehimwasaseriousdisaster。Shehadneverbeforefeltthesensation，andshethoughtitmostdisagreeable。HeryouthfuldiplomatistsandadmirerscouldnotatallfillCarrington\'splace。Theydancedandchirrupedcheerfullyonthehollowcrustofsociety，buttheywerewhollyuselesswhenonesuddenlyfellthroughandfoundoneselfstrugglinginthedarknessanddangersbeneath。Youngwomen，too，areapttobeflatteredbytheconfidencesofoldermen；theyhaveakeenpalateforwhateversavoursofexperienceandadventure。Forthefirsttimeinherlife，Sybilhadfoundamanwhogavesomeplaytoherimagination；
onewhohadbeenarebel，andhadgrownusedtotheshocksoffate，soastowalkwithcalmnessintothefaceofdeath，andtocommandorobeywithequalindifference。Shefeltthathewouldtellherwhattodowhentheearthquakecame，andwouldbeathandtoconsult，whichisinawoman\'seyesthegreatobjectofmen\'sexistence，whentroublecomes。ShesuddenlyconceivedthatWashingtonwouldbeintolerablewithouthim，andthatsheshouldnevergetthecouragetofightMr。Ratcliffealone，or，ifshedid，sheshouldmakesomefatalmistake。
Theyfinishedtheirrideverysoberly。Shebegantoshowanewinterestinallthatconcernedhim，andaskedmanyquestionsabouthissistersandtheirplantation。Shewantedtoaskhimwhethershecouldnotdosomethingtohelpthem，butthisseemedtooawkward。Onhisparthemadeherpromisetowritehimfaithfullyallthattookplace，andthisrequestpleasedher，thoughsheknewhisinterestwasallonhersister\'saccount。
ThefollowingSundayeveningwhenhecametobidgood-bye，itwasstillworse。Therewasnochanceforprivatetalk。Ratcliffewasthere，andseveraldiplomatists，includingoldJacobi，whohadeyeslikeacatandsaweverymotionofone\'sface。VictoriaDarewasonthesofa，chatteringwithLordDunbeg；Sybilwouldratherhavehadanyordinaryillness，eventotheextentofalightcaseofscarletfeverorsmall-poxthanletherknowwhatwasthematter。
CarringtonfoundmeanstogetSybilintoanotherroomforamomentandtogivehertheletterhehadpromised。Thenhebadehergood-bye，andindoingsoheremindedherofherpromisetowrite，pressingherhandandlookingintohereyeswithanearnestnessthatmadeherheartbeatfaster，althoughshesaidtoherselfthathisinterestwasallabouthersister；asitwas——mostly。
Thethoughtdidnotraiseherspirits，butshewentthroughwithherperformancelikeaheroine。PerhapsshewasalittlepleasedtoseethathepartedfromMadeleinewithmuchlessapparentfeeling。
Onewouldhavesaidthattheyweretwogoodfriendswhohadnotroublesomesentimenttoworrythem。Buttheneveryeyeintheroomwaswatchingthisfarewell，andspeculatingaboutit。
Ratcliffelookedonwithparticularinterestandwasalittleperplexedtoaccountforthistoofraternalcordiality。Couldhehavemadeamiscalculation？orwastheresomethingbehind？HehimselfinsisteduponshakinghandsgeniallywithCarringtonandwishedhimapleasantjourneyandasuccessfulone。
Thatnight，forthefirsttimesinceshewasachild，Sybilactuallycriedalittleaftershewenttobed，althoughitistruethathersentimentdidnotkeepherawake。Shefeltlonelyandweigheddownbyagreatresponsibility。
Foradayortwoafterwardsshewasnervousandrestless。Shewouldnotride，ormakecalls，orseeguests。Shetriedtosingalittle，andfoundittiresome。ShewentoutandsatforhoursintheSquare，wherethespringsunwasshiningwarmandbrightontheprancinghorseofthegreatAndrewJackson。Shewasalittlecross，too，andabsent，andspokesooftenaboutCarringtonthatatlastMadeleinewasstruckbysuddensuspicion，andbegantowatchherwithanxiouscare。
Tuesdaynight，afterthishadgoneonfortwodays，SybilwasinMadeleine\'sroom，wheresheoftenstayedtotalkwhilehersisterwasathertoilet。
Thiseveningshethrewherselflistlesslyonthecouch，andwithinfiveminutesagainquotedCarrington。Madeleineturnedfromtheglassbeforewhichshewassitting，andlookedhersteadilyintheface。
“Sybil，“saidshe，“thisisthetwenty-fourthtimeyouhavementionedMr。
Carringtonsincewesatdowntodinner。IhavewaitedfortheroundnumbertodecidewhetherIshouldtakeanynoticeofitornot？whatdoesitmean，mychild？DoyoucareforMr。
Carrington？”
“Oh，Maude！”exclaimedSybilreproachfully，flushingsoviolentlythat，evenbythatdimlight，hersistercouldnotbutseeit。
Mrs。Leeroseand，crossingtheroom，satdownbySybilwhowaslyingonthecouchandturnedherfaceaway。Madeleineputherarmsroundherneckandkissedher。
“Mypoor——poorchild！”saidshepityingly。“Ineverdreamedofthis！WhatafoolIhavebeen！HowcouldIhavebeensothoughtless！Tellme！”sheadded，withalittlehesitation；“hashe——doeshecareforyou？”
“No！no！”criedSybil，fairlybreakingdownintoaburstoftears；
“no！helovesyou！nobodybutyou！henevergaveathoughttome。
Idon\'tcareforhimsoverymuch，“shecontinued，dryinghertears；
“onlyitseemssolonelynowheisgone。“
Mrs。Leeremainedonthecouch，withherarmroundhersister\'sneck，silent，gazingintovacancy，thepictureofperplexityandconsternation。
Thesituationwasgettingbeyondhercontrol。
ChapterXI
INthemiddleofAprilasuddensocialexcitementstartedtheindolentcityofWashingtontoitsfeet。TheGrand-DukeandDuchessofSaxe-Baden-HombourgarrivedinAmericaonatourofpleasure，andinduecoursecameontopaytheirrespectstotheChiefMagistrateoftheUnion。ThenewspapershastenedtoinformtheirreadersthattheGrand-DuchesswasaroyalprincessofEngland，and，inthewantofanyothersocialevent，everyonewhohadanysenseofwhatwasduetohisorherowndignity，hastenedtoshowthisaugustcoupletherespectwhichallrepublicanswhohavealargeincomederivedfrombusiness，feelforEnglishroyalty。NewYorkgaveadinner，atwhichthemostinsignificantpersonpresentwasworthatleastamilliondollars，andwherethegentlemenwhosatbythePrincessentertainedherforanhourortwobyacalculationoftheaggregatecapitalrepresented。NewYorkalsogaveaballatwhichthePrincessappearedinanill-fittingblacksilkdresswithmocklaceandjetornaments，amongseveralhundredtoiletsthatproclaimedtherefinedrepublicansimplicityoftheirownersatacostofvarioushundredthousanddollars。AfterthesehospitalitiestheGrand-ducalpaircameontoWashington，wheretheybecameguestsofLordSkye，or，moreproperly，LordSkyebecametheirguest，forheseemedtoconsiderthathehandedtheLegationovertothem，andhetoldMrs。Lee，withtrueBritishbluntnessofspeech，thattheywereagreatboreandhewishedtheyhadstayedinSaxe-Baden-Hombourg，orwherevertheybelonged，butastheywerehere，hemustbetheirlackey。Mrs。Leewasamusedandalittleastonishedatthecandourwithwhichhetalkedaboutthem，andshewasinstructedandimprovedbyhisdryaccountofthePrincess，who，itseemed，madeherselfdisagreeablebyherairsofroyalty；whohadsuffereddreadfullyfromthevoyage；andwhodetestedAmericaandeverythingAmerican；butwhowas，notwithoutsomeshowofreason，jealousofherhusband，andenduredendlesssufferings，thoughwithaverybadgrace，ratherthanlosesightofhim。
NotonlywasLordSkyeobligedtoturntheLegationintoanhotel，butinthefullenthusiasmofhisloyaltyhefelthimselfcalledupontogiveaball。Itwas，hesaid，theeasiestwayofpayingoffallhisdebtsatonce，andifthePrincesswasgoodfornothingelse，shecouldbeutilizedasashowbywayof“promotingtheharmonyofthetwogreatnations。“Inotherwords，LordSkyemeanttoexhibitthePrincessforhisowndiplomaticbenefit，andhedidso。Onewouldhavethoughtthatatthisseason，whenCongresshadadjourned，Washingtonwouldhardlyhaveaffordedsocietyenoughtofillaball-room，butthis，insteadofbeingadrawback，wasanadvantage。ItpermittedtheBritishMinistertoissueinvitationswithoutlimit。HeaskednotonlythePresidentandhisCabinet，andthejudges，andthearmy，andthenavy，andalltheresidentsofWashingtonwhohadanyclaimtoconsideration，butalsoallthesenators，alltherepresentativesinCongress，allthegovernorsofStateswiththeirstaffs，iftheyhadany，alleminentcitizensandtheirfamiliesthroughouttheUnionandCanada，andfinallyeveryprivateindividual，fromtheNorthPoletotheIsthmusofPanama，whohadevershownhimacivilityorwasabletocontrolinterestenoughtoaskforacard。TheresultwasthatBaltimorepromisedtocomeinabody，andPhiladelphiawasequallywell-disposed；
NewYorkprovidedseveralscoresofguests，andBostonsentthegovernorandadelegation；eventhewell-knownmillionairewhorepresentedCaliforniaintheUnitedStatesSenatewasirritatedbecause，hisinvitationhavingbeentimedtoarrivejustonedaytoolate，hewaspreventedfrombringinghisfamilyacrossthecontinentwithachoicepartyinadirector\'scar，toenjoythesmilesofroyaltyinthehallsoftheBritishlion。Itisastonishingwhateffortsfreemenwillmakeinajustcause。
LordSkyehimselftreatedthewholeaffairwitheasycontempt。
OneafternoonhestrolledintoMrs。Lee\'sparlourandbeggedhertogivehimacupoftea。
HesaidhehadgotridofhismenagerieforafewhoursbyshuntingitoffupontheGermanLegation，andhewasbywayofwantingalittlehumansociety。Sybil，whowasagreatfavouritewithhim，entreatedtobetoldallabouttheball，butheinsistedthatheknewnomorethanshedid。AmanfromNewYorkhadtakenpossessionoftheLegation，butwhathewoulddowithitwasnotwithintheforesightofthewisest；tromthetalkoftheyoungmembersofhisLegation，LordSkyegatheredthattheentirecitywastoberoofedinandfortymillionsofpeopleexpected，buthisownconcernintheaffairwaslimitedtotheflowershehopedtoreceive。
“Allyoungandbeautifulwomen，“saidhetoSybil，“aretosendmeflowers。
IpreferJacqueminotroses，butwillacceptanyhandsomevariety，providedtheyarenotwired。Itisdiplomaticetiquettethateachladywhosendsmeflowersshallreserveatleastonedanceforme。
Youwillpleaseinscribethisatonceuponyourtablets，MissRoss。“
ToMadeleinethisballwasagodsend，foritcamejustintimetodivertSybil\'smindfromitstroubles。AweekhadnowpassedsincethatrevelationofSybil\'sheartwhichhadcomelikeanearthquakeuponMrs。Lee。SincethenSybilhadbeennervousandirritable，allthemorebecauseshewasconsciousofbeingwatched。Shewasinsecretashamedofherownconduct，andinclinedtobeangrywithCarrington，asthoughhewereresponsibleforherfoolishness；butshecouldnottalkwithMadeleineonthesubjectwithoutdiscussingMr。Ratcliffe，andCarringtonhadexpresslyforbiddenhertoattackMr。RatcliffeuntilitwasclearthatRatcliffehadlaidhimselfopentoattack。ThisreticencedeceivedpoorMrs。Lee，whosawinhersister\'smoodsonlythatunrequitedattachmentforwhichsheheldherselfsolelytoblame。HergrossnegligenceinallowingSybiltobeimproperlyexposedtosuchariskweighedheavilyonhermind。Withasaint\'scapacityforself-torment，Madeleinewieldedthescourgeoverherownbackuntilthebloodcame。ShesawtherosesrapidlyfadingfromSybil\'scheeks，andbythehelpofanactiveimaginationshediscoveredahecticlookandsymptomsofacough。Shebecamefairlymorbidonthesubject，andfrettedherselfintoafever，uponwhichSybilsent，onherownresponsibility，forthemedicalman，andMadeleinewasobligedtodoseherselfwithquinine。Infact，therewasmuchmorereasonforanxietyaboutherthanforheranxietyaboutSybil，who，barringalittleyouthfulnervousnessinthefaceofresponsibility，wasashealthyandcomfortableayoungwomanascouldbeshowninAmerica，andwhosesentimentnevercostherfiveminutes\'sleep，althoughherappetitemayhavebecomeashademoreexactingthanbefore。Madeleinewasquicktonoticethis，andsurprisedhercookbymakingdailyandalmosthourlydemandsfornewandimpossibledishes，whichsheexhaustedalibraryofcookery-bookstodiscover。
LordSkye\'sballandSybil\'sinterestinitwereagreatrelieftoMadeleine\'smind，andshenowturnedherwholesoultofrivolity。
Never，sinceshewasseventeen，hadshethoughtortalkedsomuchaboutaball，asnowaboutthisballtotheGrand-Duchess。SheworeoutherownbrainintheefforttoamuseSybil。ShetookhertocallonthePrincess；shewouldhavetakenhertocallontheGrandLamahadhecometoWashington。SheinstigatedhertoorderandsendtoLordSkyeamassofthehandsomestrosesNewYorkcouldafford。Shesetheratworkonherdressseveraldaysbeforetherewasanyoccasionforit，andthisfamouscostumehadtobetakenout，examined，criticised，anddiscussedwithunendinginterest。Shetalkedaboutthedress，andthePrincess，andtheball，tillhertongueclovetotheroofofhermouth，andherbrainrefusedtoact。Frommorningtillnight，foroneentireweek，sheate，drank，breathed，anddreamtoftheball。Everythingthatlovecouldsuggestorlabourcarryout，shedid，toamuseandoccupyhersister。
Sheknewthatallthiswasonlytemporaryandpalliative，andthatmoreradicalmeasuresmustbetakentosecureSybil\'shappiness。
Onthissubjectshethoughtinsecretuntilbothheadandheartached。Onethingandonethingonlywasclear：ifSybillovedCarrington，sheshouldhavehim。HowMadeleineexpectedtobringaboutthischangeofheartinCarrington，wasknownonlytoherself。Sheregardedmenascreaturesmadeforwomentodisposeof，andcapableofbeingtransferredlikechecks，orbaggage-labels，fromonewomantoanother，asdesired。Theonlyconditionwasthatheshouldfirstbecompletelydisabusedofthenotionthathecoulddisposeofhimself。Mrs。LeeneverdoubtedthatshecouldmakeCarringtonfallinlovewithSybilprovidedshecouldplaceherselfbeyondhisreach。Atallevents，comewhatmight，eventhoughshehadtoacceptthedesperatealternativeofferedbyMr。
Ratcliffe，nothingshouldbeallowedtointerferewithSybil\'shappiness。Andthusitwas，that，forthefirsttime，Mrs。Leebegantoaskherselfwhetheritwasnotbettertofindthesolutionofherperplexitiesinmarriage。
Wouldsheeverhavebeenbroughttothispointwithouttheviolentpressureofhersister\'ssupposedinterests？Thisisoneofthosequestionswhichwisemenwillnotask，becauseitisonewhichthewisestmanorwomancannotanswer。Uponthistheme，anarmyofingeniousauthorshaveexhaustedtheiringenuityinentertainingthepublic，andtheirworksaretobefoundateverybook-stall。
Theyhavedecidedthatanywomanwill，undertherightconditions，marryanymanatanytime，providedher“highernature“isproperlyappealedto。Onlywithregretcanawriterforbeartomoralizeonthissubject。“BeautyandtheBeast，“
“Bluebeard，““AuldRobinGray，“havethedoublecharmtoauthorsofbeingverypleasanttoread，andstilleasiertodilutewithsentiment。Butatleasttenthousandmodernwriters，withLordMacaulayattheirhead，havesoravagedanddespoiledtheregionoffairy-storiesandfables，thatanallusioneventothe“ArabianNights“isnolongerdecent。Thecapacityofwomentomakeunsuitablemarriagesmustbeconsideredasthecorner-stoneofsociety。
Meanwhiletheballhad，intruth，verynearlydrivenallthoughtofCarringtonoutofSybil\'smind。Thecityfilledagain。ThestreetsswarmedwithfashionableyoungmenandwomenfromtheprovincesofNewYork，Philadelphia，andBoston，whogaveSybilabundanceofoccupation。Shereceivedbulletinsoftheprogressofaffairs。ThePresidentandhiswifehadconsentedtobepresent，outoftheirhighrespectforHerMajestytheQueenandtheirdesiretoseeandtobeseen。AlltheCabinetwouldaccompanytheChiefMagistrate。Thediplomaticcorpswouldappearinuniform；so，too，theofficersofthearmyandnavy；theGovernor-GeneralofCanadawascoming，withastaff。LordSkyeremarkedthattheGovernor-Generalwasaflat。
ThedayoftheballwasadayofanxietytoSybil，althoughnotonaccountofMr。RatcliffeorofMr。Carrington，whowereoftriflingconsequencecomparedwiththeseriousproblemnowbeforeher。
TheresponsibilityofdressingbothhersisterandherselffelluponSybil，whowastherealauthorofallMrs。Lee\'smillinerytriumphswhentheynowoccurred，exceptthatMadeleinemanagedtoputcharacterintowhatevershewore，whichSybilrepudiatedonherownaccount。OnthisdaySybilhadreasonsforspecialexcitement。
Allwintertwonewdresses，oneespeciallyatriumphofMr。
Worth\'sart，hadlaininstateupstairs，andSybilhadwaitedinvainforanoccasionthatshouldwarrantthesplendourofthesegarments。
OneafternooninearlyJuneoftheprecedingsummer，Mr。WorthhadreceivedaletteronthepartofthereigningfavouriteoftheKingofDahomey，directinghimtocreateforheraball-dressthatshouldannihilateandutterlydestroywithjealousyanddespairtheheartsofherseventy-fiverivals；shewasyoungandbeautiful；
expensewasnotaconsideration。Suchwerethewordsofherchamberlain。Allthatnight，thegreatgeniusofthenineteenthcenturytossedwakefullyonhisbedrevolvingtheprobleminhismind。Visionsofflesh-colouredtintsshotwithblood-redperturbedhisbrain，buthefoughtagainstanddismissedthem；thatcombinationwouldbecommonplaceinDahomey。Whenthefirstraysofsunlightshowedhimthereflectionofhiscarewornfaceintheplate-glassmirroredceiling，heroseand，withanimpulseofdespair，flungopenthecasements。Therebeforehisblood-shoteyeslaythepure，still，new-born，radiantJunemorning。Withacryofinspirationthegreatmanleanedoutofthecasementandrapidlycaughtthedetailsofhisnewconception。Beforeteno\'clockhewasagainathisbureauinParis。Animperiousorderbroughttohisprivateroomeverysilk，satin，andgauzewithintherangeofpalepink，palecrocus，palegreen，silverandazure。Thencamechromaticscalesofcolour；combinationsmeanttovulgarisetherainbow；sinfoniesandfugues；thetwitteringofbirdsandthegreatpeaceofdewynature；maidenhoodinherawakeninginnocence；
“TheDawninJune。“TheMasterrestedcontent。
AweeklatercameanorderfromSybil，including“anentirelyoriginalball-dress，——unlikeanyothersenttoAmerica。“Mr。Worthpondered，hesitated；recalledSybil\'sfigure；theoriginalposeofherhead；glancedanxiouslyatthemap，andspeculatedwhethertheNewYorkHeraldhadaspecialcorrespondentatDahomey；andatlast，withagenerositypeculiartogreatsouls，heduplicatedfor“MissS。Ross，NewYork，U。S。America，“theorderfor“L\'Aube，MoisdeJuin。“
TheSchneidekouponsandMr。French，whohadreappearedinWashington，cametodinewithMrs。Leeontheeveningoftheball，andJuliaSchneidekouponsoughtinvaintodiscoverwhatSybilwasgoingtowear。“Behappy，mydear，inyourignorance！”
saidSybil；“thepangsofenvywillranklesoonenough。“
Anhourlaterherroom，exceptthefireplace，whereawoodfirewasgentlysmouldering，becameanaltarofsacrificetotheDeityofDawninJune。Herbed，herlowcouch，herlittletables，herchintzarm-chairs，werecoveredwithportionsofthedivinity，downtoslippersandhandkerchief，glovesandbunchesoffreshroses。Whenatlength，afteralongeffort，theworkwascomplete，Mrs。Leetookalastcriticallookattheresult，andenjoyedaglowofsatisfaction。Young，happy，sparklingwithconsciousnessofyouthandbeauty，Sybilstood，HebeAnadyomene，risingfromthefoamofsoftcreplissewhichsweptbackbeneaththelongtrainofpale，tender，pinksilk，faintingintobreadthsofdelicateprimrose，relievedhereandtherebyfacingsofJunegreen——orwasittheblueofearlymorning？——orboth？
suggestingunutterablefreshness。Amodesthintfromhermaidthat“thegirls，“aswomen-servantscalleachotherinAmericanhouseholds，wouldliketooffertheirshareofincenseattheshrine，wasamiablymet，andtheywereallowedaglimpseofthedivinitybeforeshewasenvelopedinwraps。Anadmiringgroup，huddledinthedoorway，murmuredapproval，fromtheleading“girl，“whowasthecook，acolouredwidowofsomesixtywinters，whoseadmirationwasirrepressible，downtoaNewEnglandspinsterwhoseAnabaptistconsciencewrestledwithherinstincts，andwho，althoughdisapprovingof“Frenchfolks，“paidinherheartthatsecrethomagetotheirgownsandbonnetswhichhersternerlipsrefused。Theapplauseofthisaudiencehas，fromgenerationtogeneration，cheeredtheheartsofmyriadsofyoungwomenstartingoutontheirlittleadventures，whilethedomesticlaurelsflourishgreenandfreshforonehalfhour，untiltheywitheratthethresholdoftheball-room。
Mrs。Leetoiledlongandearnestlyoverhersister\'stoilet，forhadnotsheherselfinherowndaybeenthebest-dressedgirlinNewYork？——atleast，sheheldthatopinion，andheroldinstinctscametolifeagainwheneverSybilwastobepreparedforanygreatoccasion。Madeleinekissedhersisteraffectionately，andgaveherunusualpraisewhenthe“DawninJune“wascomplete。Sybilwasatthismomenttheidealofbloomingyouth，andMrs。Leealmostdaredtohopethatherheartwasnotpermanentlybroken，andthatshemightyetsurviveuntilCarringtoncouldbebroughtback。Herowntoiletwasamuchshorteraffair，butSybilwasimpatientlongbeforeitwasconcluded；thecarriagewaswaiting，andshewasobligedtodisappointherhouseholdbycomingdownenvelopedinherlongopera-cloak，andhurryingaway。
Whenatlengththesistersenteredthereception-roomattheBritishLegation，LordSkyerebukedthemfornothavingcomeearlytoreceivewithhim。HisLordship，withahugeribandacrosshisbreast，andastaronhiscoat，condescendedtoexpresshimselfvigorouslyonthesubjectofthe“DawninJune。“Schneidekoupon，whowasproudofhiseasyuseofthelatestartisticjargon，lookedwithrespectatMrs。Lee\'ssilver-graysatinanditsVenetianlace，thearrangementofwhichhadbeenconscientiouslystolenfromapictureintheLouvre，andhemurmuredaudibly，“Nocturneinsilver-gray！”——then，turningtoSybil——“andyou？Ofcourse！Isee！A
songwithoutwords！”Mr。Frenchcameupand，inhismostfascinatingtones，exclaimed，“Why，Mrs。Lee，youlookrealhandsometo-night！”Jacobi，afteraclosescrutiny，saidthathetookthelibertyofanoldmanintellingthemthattheywerebothdressedabsolutelywithoutfault。EventheGrand-DukewasstruckbySybil，andmadeLordSkyeintroducehim，afterwhichceremonyheterrifiedherbyaskingthepleasureofawaltz。ShedisappearedfromMadeleine\'sview，nottobebroughtbackagainuntilDawnmetdawn。
Theballwas，asthenewspapersdeclared，abrilliantsuccess。
EveryonewhoknowsthecityofWashingtonwillrecollectthat，amongsomescoresofmagnificentresidenceswhichourownandforeigngovernmentshavebuiltforthecomfortofcabinetofficers，judges，diplomatists，vice-presidents，speakers，andsenators，theBritishLegationisbyfarthemostimpressive。
CombininginoneharmoniouswholetheproportionsofthePittiPalacewiththedecorationoftheCasad\'OroandthedomeofanEasternMosque，thisarchitecturaltriumphoffersextraordinaryresourcesforsociety。Furtherdescriptionisunnecessary，sinceanyonemayeasilyreferbacktotheNewYorknewspapersofthefollowingmorning，whereaccurateplansofthehouseonthegroundfloor，willbefound；whiletheillustratednewspapersofthesameweekcontainexcellentsketchesofthemostpleasingsceniceffects，aswellasoftheball-roomandofthePrincesssmilinggraciouslyfromherthrone。TheladyjustbehindthePrincessonherleft，isMrs。Lee，apoorlikeness，buteasilydistinguishablefromthefactthattheartist，forhisownobjects，hasmadeherrathershorter，andthePrincessrathertaller，thanwasstrictlycorrect，justashehasgiventhePrincessagracioussmile，whichwasquitedifferentfromheractualexpression。Inshort，theartistiscompelledtoexhibittheworldratheraswewouldwishittobe，thanasitwasoris，or，indeed，islikeshortlytobecome。Thestrangestpartofhispictureis，however，thefactthatheactuallydidseeMrs。Leewherehehasputher，atthePrincess\'selbow，whichwasalmostthelastplaceintheroomwhereanyonewhoknewMrs。Leewouldhavelookedforher。
Theexplanationofthiscuriousaccidentshallbegivenimmediately，sincethefactsarenotmentionedinthepublicreportsoftheball，whichonlysaidthat，“closebehindherRoyalHighnesstheGrand-Duchess，stoodourcharmingandaristocraticcountrywoman，Mrs。LightfootLee，whohasmadesogreatasensationinWashingtonthiswinter，andwhosenamepublicrumourhasconnectedwiththatoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury。
ToherthePrincessappearedtoaddressmostofherconversation。“
Theshowwasaveryprettyone，andonapleasantAprileveningthereweremanyplaceslessagreeabletobeinthanthis。Muchgroundoutsidehadbeenroofedover，tomakeaball-room，largeasanopera-house，withada？sandasofainthecentreofonelongside，andanotherda？swithasecondsofaimmediatelyoppositetoitinthecentreoftheotherlongside。Eachda？shadacanopyofredvelvet，onebearingtheLionandtheUnicorn，theothertheAmericanEagle。TheRoyalStandardwasdisplayedabovetheUnicorn；theStars-and-Stripes，notquitesoeffectively，wavedabovetheEagle。ThePrincess，beingnolongerquiteachild，foundgastryingtohercomplexion，andcompelledLordSkyetoilluminateherbeautybyonehundredthousandwaxcandies，moreorless，whichwerearrangedtobebecomingabouttheGrand-ducalthrone，andtobeshowyandunbecomingabouttheoppositeinstitutionacrosstheway。
Theexactfactswerethese。IthadhappenedthattheGrand-Duchess，havingbeennecessarilybroughtintocontactwiththePresident，andparticularlywithhiswife，duringthepastweek，hadconceivedforthelatteranantipathyhardlytobeexpressedinwords。HerfixeddeterminationwasatanycosttokeepthePresidentialpartyatadistance，anditwasonlyafterastormyscenethattheGrand-DukeandLordSkyesucceededinextortingherconsentthatthePresidentshouldtakehertosupper。Furtherthanthisshewouldnotgo。Shewouldnotspeakto“thatwoman，“
asshecalledthePresident\'swife，norbeinherneighbourhood。
Shewouldratherstayinherownroomalltheevening，andshedidnotcareintheleastwhattheQueenwouldthinkofit，forshewasnosubjectoftheQueen\'s。ThecasewasahardoneforLordSkye，whowasperplexedtoknow，fromthispointofview，whyhewasentertainingthePrincessatall；but，withthehelpoftheGrand-DukeandLordDunbeg，whowasveryactiveandsmileddeprecationwithsomesuccess，hefoundawayoutofit；andthiswasthereasonwhythereweretwothronesintheball-room，andwhytheBritishthronewaslightedwithsuchcarefulreferencetothePrincess\'scomplexion。LordSkyeimmolatedhimselfintheusualeffortofBritishandAmericanMinisters，tokeepthetwogreatpowersapart。HeandtheGrand-DukeandLordDunbegactedasbufferswithwatchfuldiligence，dexterity，andsuccess。Asoneresource，LordSkyehadbethoughthimselfofMrs。Lee，andhetoldthePrincessthestoryofMrs。Lee\'srelationswiththePresident\'swife，astorywhichwasnosecretinWashington，for，apartfromMadeleine\'sownaccount，societywasleftinnodoubtofthelightinwhichMrs。LeewasregardedbythemistressoftheWhiteHouse，whomWashingtonladleswerenowinthehabitofdrawingoutonthesubjectofMrs。Lee，andwhoalwaysrosetothebaitwithfreshvivacity，totheamusementanddelightofVictoriaDareandothermischief-makers。
“ShewillnottroubleyousolongasyoucankeepMrs。Leeinyourneighbourhood，“saidLordSkye，andthePrincessaccordinglyseizeduponMrs。Leeandbrandishedher，asthoughshewereacharmagainsttheevileye，inthefaceofthePresident\'sparty。ShemadeMrs。Leetakeaplacejustbehindherasthoughshewerealady-in-waiting。Sheevengraciouslypermittedhertositdown，sonearthattheirchairstouched。Whenever“thatwoman“waswithinsight，whichwasmostofthetime，thePrincessdirectedherconversationentirelytoMrs。Leeandtookcaretomakeitevident。
EvenbeforethePresidentialpartyhadarrived，MadeleinehadfallenintothePrincess\'sgrasp，andwhenthePrincesswentforwardtoreceivethePresidentandhiswife，whichshedidwithabowofstatelyanddistantdignity，shedraggedMadeleinecloselybyherside。Mrs。Leebowedtoo；shecouldnotwellhelpit；butwascutdeadforherpains，withaglareofcontemptandhatred。
LordSkye，whowasactingascavaliertothePresident\'swife，waspanic-stricken，andhastenedtomarchhisdemocraticpotentateaway，underpretenceofshowingherthedecorations。Heplacedheratlastonherownthrone，whereheandtheGrand-Dukerelievedeachotherinstandingguardatintervalsthroughouttheevening。WhenthePrincessfollowedwiththePresident，shecompelledherhusbandtotakeMrs。LeeonhisarmandconducthertotheBritishthrone，withnootherobjectthantoexasperatethePresident\'swife，who，fromherelevatedplatform，lookeddownuponthecortègewithascowl。
InallthisaffairMrs。Leewastheprincipalsufferer。Noonecouldrelieveher，andshewasliterallypennedinasshesat。ThePrincesskeptupanincessantfireofsmallconversation，principallycomplaintandfault-finding，whichnoonedaredtointerrupt。Mrs。
Leewaspainfullybored，andafteratimeeventheabsurdityofthethingceasedtoamuseher。
Shehad，too，theill-lucktomakeoneortworemarkswhichappealedtosomehiddensenseofhumourinthePrincess，wholaughedand，inthestyleofroyalpersonages，gavehertounderstandthatshewouldlikemoreamusementofthesamesort。
Ofallthingsinlife，Mrs。Leeheldthiskindofcourt-serviceincontempt，forshewassomethingmorethanrepublican——alittlecommunisticatheart，andheronlyseriouscomplaintofthePresidentandhiswifewasthattheyundertooktohaveacourtandtoapemonarchy。
Shehadnonotionofadmittingsocialsuperiorityinanyone，PresidentorPrince，andtobesuddenlyconvertedintoalady-in-waitingtoasmallGermanGrand-Duchess，wasaterribleblow。Butwhatwastobedone？LordSkyehaddraftedherintotheserviceandshecouldnotdecentlyrefusetohelphimwhenhecametohersideandtoldher，withhisusualcalmdirectness，whathisdifficultieswere，andhowhecounteduponhertohelphimout。
Thesameplaywentonatsupper，wheretherewasaroyal-presidentialtable，whichheldabouttwodozenguests，andthetwogreatladiespresiding，asfarapartastheycouldbeplaced。
TheGrand-DukeandLordSkye，oneithersideofthePresident\'swife，didtheirdutylikemen，andwererewardedbyreceivingfromhermuchinformationaboutthedomesticarrangementsoftheWhiteHouse。ThePresident，however，whosatnextthePrincessattheoppositeend，wasevidentlydepressed，owingpartlytothefactthatthePrincess，indefianceofalletiquette，hadcompelledLordDunbegtotakeMrs。LeetosupperandtoplaceherdirectlynextthePresident。Madeleinetriedtoescape，butwasstoppedbythePrincess，whoaddressedheracrossthePresidentandinadecidedtoneaskedhertositpreciselythere。Mrs。
Leelookedtimidlyatherneighbour，whomadenosign，butatehissupperinsilenceonlybrokenbyanoccasionalreplytoarareremark。Mrs。Leepitiedhim，andwonderedwhathiswifewouldsaywhentheyreachedhome。ShecaughtRatcliffe\'seyedownthetable，watchingherwithasmile；shetriedtotalkfluentlywithDunbeg；butnotuntilsupperwaslongoverandtwoo\'clockwasathand；notuntilthePresidentialparty，underalltheproperformalities，hadtakentheirleaveoftheGrand-ducalparty；notuntilLordSkyehadescortedthemtotheircarriageandreturnedtosaythattheyweregone，didthePrincesslooseherholduponMrs。
Leeandallowhertoslipawayintoobscurity。
Meanwhiletheballhadgoneonafterthemannerofballs。AsMadeleinesatinherenforcedgrandeurshecouldwatchallthatpassed。ShehadseenSybilwhirlingaboutwithonemanafteranother，amidaswarmofdancers，enjoyingherselftotheutmostandoccasionallygivinganodandasmiletohersisterastheireyesmet。There，too，wasVictoriaDare，whoneverappearedflurriedevenwhenwaltzingwithLordDunbeg，whoseeducationasadancerhadbeenneglected。ThefactwasnowfullyrecognizedthatVictoriawascarryingonasystematicflirtationwithDunbeg，andhadundertakenasherlatestdutythetaskofteachinghimtowaltz。
Hisstrugglesandhercalmnessinassistingthemcommandedrespect。Ontheoppositesideoftheroom，bytherepublicanthrone，Mrs。LeehadwatchedMr。RatcliffestandingbythePresident，whoappearedunwillingtolethimoutofarm\'slengthandwhoseemedtomaketohimmostofhisfewremarks。
Schneidekouponandhissisterweremixedinthethrong，dancingasthoughEnglandhadnevercountenancedtheheresyoffree-trade。Onthewhole，Mrs。Leewassatisfied。
Ifherownsufferingsweregreat，theywerenotwithoutreward。
Shestudiedallthewomenintheball-room，andiftherewasoneprettierthanSybil，Madeleine\'seyescouldnotdiscoverher。Iftherewasamoreperfectdress，Madeleineknewnothingofdressing。Onthesepointsshefelttheconfidenceofconviction。Hercalmwouldhavebeencomplete，hadshefeltquitesurethatnoneofSybil\'sgaietywassuperficialandthatitwouldnotbefollowedbyreaction。Shewatchednervouslytoseewhetherherfacechangeditsgayexpression，andonceshethoughtitbecamedepressed，butthiswaswhentheGrand-Dukecameuptoclaimhiswaltz，andthelookrapidlypassedawaywhentheygotuponthefloorandhisHighnessbegantowheelroundtheroomwithaprecisionandmomentumthatwouldhavedonehonourtoaregimentofLifeGuards。Heseemedpleasedwithhisexperiment，forhewasseenagainandagaincareeringoverthefloorwithSybiluntilMrs。Leeherselfbecamenervous，forthePrincessfrowned。
AfterherreleaseMadeleinelingeredawhileintheball-roomtospeakwithhersisterandtoreceivecongratulations。ForhalfanhourshewasagreaterbellethanSybil。Acrowdofmenclusteredabouther，amusedatthepartshehadplayedintheevening\'sentertainmentandfullofcomplimentsuponherpromotionatCourt。LordSkyehimselffoundtimetoofferherhisthanksinamoreserioustonethanhegenerallyaffected。“Youhavesufferedmuch，“saidhe，“andIamgrateful。“Madeleinelaughedassheansweredthathersufferingshadseemednothingtoherwhileshewatchedhis。Butatlastshebecamewearyofthenoiseandglareoftheball-room，and，acceptingthearmofherexcellentfriendCountPopoff，shestrolledwithhimbacktothehouse。Thereatlastshesatdownonasofainaquietwindow-recesswherethelightwaslessstrongandwhereaconvenientlaurelspreaditsleavesinfrontsoastomakeabowerthroughwhichshecouldseethepassers-bywithoutbeingseenbythemexceptwithaneffort。Hadshebeenayoungerwoman，thiswouldhavebeenthespotforaflirtation，butMrs。Leeneverflirted，andtheideaofherflirtingwithPopoffwouldhaveseemedludicroustoallmankind。
Hedidnotsitdown，butwasleaningagainsttheangleofthewall，talkingwithher，whensuddenlyMr。RatcliffeappearedandtooktheseatbyhersidewithsuchdeliberationandapparentsenseofpropertythatPopoffincontinentlyturnedandfled。NooneknewwheretheSecretarycamefrom，orhowhelearnedthatshewasthere。Hemadenoexplanationandshetookcaretoaskfornone。
Shegavehimahighly-colouredaccountofherevening\'sserviceaslady-in-waiting，whichhematchedbythatofhisowntrialsasgentleman-ushertothePresident，who，itseemed，hadclungdesperatelytohisoldenemyintheabsenceofanyotherrocktoclutchat。
RatcliffelookedthecharacterofPrimeMinistersufficientlywellatthismoment。Hewouldhaveheldhisown，atapinch，inanyCourt，notmerelyinEuropebutinIndiaorChina，wheredignityisstillexpectedofgentlemen。
Exceptingforacertaincoarseandanimalexpressionaboutthemouth，andanindefinablecoldnessintheeye，hewasahandsomemanandstillinhisprime。EveryoneremarkedhowmuchhewasimprovedsinceenteringtheCabinet。Hehaddroppedhissenatorialmanner。Hisclotheswerenolongercongressional，butthoseofarespectableman，neatanddecent。Hisshirtsnolongerprotrudedinthewrongplaces，norwerehisshirt-collarsfrayedorsoiled。Hishairdidnotstrayoverhiseyes，ears，andcoat，likethatofaScotchterrier，buthadgotitselfcut。HavingoverheardMrs。
Leeexpressononeoccasionheropinionofpeoplewhodidnottakeacoldbatheverymorning，hehadthoughtitbesttoadoptthisreform，althoughhewouldnothavehaditgenerallyknown，totitsavouredotcaste。HemadeaneffortnottobedictatorialandtoforgetthathehadbeenthePrairieGiant，thebullyoftheSenate。Inshort，whatwithMrs。Lee\'sinfluenceandwhatwithhisemancipationfromtheSenatechamberwithitscodeofbadmannersandworsemorals，Mr。Ratcliffewasfastbecomingarespectablememberofsocietywhomamanwhohadneverbeeninprisonorinpoliticsmightsafelyacknowledgeasafriend。
Mr。Ratcliffewasnowevidentlybentuponbeingheard。AfterchartingforatimewithsomehumouronthePresident\'ssuccessesasamanoffashion，hechangedthesubjecttothemeritsofthePresidentasastatesman，andlittlebylittleashespokehebecameseriousandhisvoicesankintolowandconfidentialtones。HeplainlysaidthatthePresident\'sincapacityhadnowbecomenotoriousamonghisfollowers；thatitwasonlywithdifficultyhisCabinetandfriendscouldpreventhimfrommakingafoolofhimselffiftytimesaday；thatallthepartyleaderswhohadoccasiontodealwithhimweresothoroughlydisgustedthattheCabinethadtopassitstimeintryingtopacifythem；whilethisstateofthingslasted，Ratcliffe\'sowninfluencemustbeparamount；hehadgoodreasontoknowthatifthePresidentialelectionweretotakeplacethisyear，nothingcouldpreventhisnominationandelection；evenatthreeyears\'distancethechancesinhisfavourwereatleasttwotoone；andafterthisexordiumhewentoninalowtonewithincreasingearnestness，whileMrs。LeesatmotionlessasthestatueofAgrippina，hereyesfixedontheground：
“Iamnotoneofthosewhoarehappyinpoliticallife。IamapoliticianbecauseIcannothelpmyself；itisthetradeIamfittestfor，andambitionismyresourcetomakeittolerable。Inpoliticswecannotkeepourhandsclean。Ihavedonemanythingsinmypoliticalcareerthatarenotdefensible。Toactwithentirehonestyandself-respect，oneshouldalwaysliveinapureatmosphere，andtheatmosphereofpoliticsisimpure。
Domesticlifeisthesalvationofmanypublicmen，butIhaveformanyyearsbeendeprivedofit。Ihavenowcometothatpointwhereincreasingresponsibilitiesandtemptationsmakemerequirehelp。Imusthaveit。Youalonecangiveittome。Youarekind，thoughtful，conscientious，high-minded，cultivated，fittedbetterthananywomanIeversaw，forpublicduties。Yourplaceisthere。
Youbelongamongthosewhoexerciseaninfluencebeyondtheirtime。Ionlyaskyoutotaketheplacewhichisyours。“
ThisdesperateappealtoMrs。Lee\'sambitionwasacalculatedpartofRatcliffe\'sscheme。Hewaswellawarethathehadmarkedhighgame，andthatinproportiontothisheightmustbethepowerofhislure。NorwasheembarrassedbecauseMrs。Leesatstillandpalewithhereyesfixedonthegroundandherhandstwistedtogetherinherlap。Theeaglethatsoarshighestmustbelongerindescendingtothegroundthanthesparroworthepartridge。Mrs。
Leehadathousandthingstothinkaboutinthisbrieftime，andyetshefoundthatshecouldnotthinkatall；asuccessionofmereimagesandfragmentsofthoughtpassedrapidlyoverhermind，andherwillexercisednocontrolupontheirorderortheirnature。
Oneofthesefleetingreflectionswasthatinalltheoffersofmarriageshehadeverheard，thiswasthemostunsentimentalandbusinesslike。Asforhisappealtoherambition，itfellquitedeaduponherear，butawomanmustbemorethanaheroinewhocanlistentoflatterysoevidentlysincere，fromamanwhoispre-eminentamongmen，withoutbeingaffectedbyit。Toher，however，thegreatandoverpoweringfactwasthatshefoundherselfunabletoretreatorescape；hertacticsweredisconcerted，hertemporarybarriersbeatendown。
Theofferwasmade。Whatshouldshedowithit？
Shehadthoughtformonthsonthissubjectwithoutbeingabletoformadecision；whathopewastherethatsheshouldbeabletodecidenow，inaball-room，ataminute\'snotice？When，asoccasionallyhappens，theconflictingsentiments，prejudices，andpassionsofalifetimearecompressedintoasingleinstant，theysometimesoverchargethemindanditrefusestowork。Mrs。Leesatstillandletthingstaketheircourse；adangerousexpedient，asthousandsofwomenhavelearned，foritleavesthematthemercyofthestrongwill，bentuponmastery。
Themusicfromtheball-roomdidnotstop。Crowdsofpersonspassedbytheirretreat。Someglancedin，andnotoneofthesefeltadoubtwhatwasgoingonthere。Anunmistakeableatmosphereofmysteryandintensitysurroundedtflepair。Ratcliffe\'seyeswerefixeduponMrs。Lee，andhersontheground。Neitherseemedtospeakortostir。OldBaronJacobi，whoneverfailedtoseeeverything，sawthisashewentby，andejaculatedaforeignoathoffrightfulimport。VictoriaDaresawitandwasdevouredbycuriositytosuchapointastobehardlycapableofcontainingherself。
Afterasilencewhichseemedinterminable，Ratcliffewenton：“I
donotspeakofmyownfeelingsbecauseIknowthatunlesscompelledbyastrongsenseofduty，youwillnotbedecidedbyanydevotionofmine。ButIhonestlysaythatIhavelearnedtodependonyoutoadegreeIcanhardlyexpress；andwhenIthinkofwhatIshouldbewithoutyou，lifeseemstomesointolerablydarkthatIamreadytomakeanysacrifice，toacceptanyconditionsthatwillkeepyoubymyside。“
MeanwhileVictoriaDare，althoughdeeplyinterestedinwhatDunbegwastellingher，hadmetSybilandhadstoppedasinglesecondtowhisperinherear：“Youhadbetterlookafteryoursister，inthewindow，behindthelaurelwithMr。Ratcliffe！”SybilwasonLordSkye\'sarm，enjoyingherselfamazingly，thoughthenightwasfargone，butwhenshecaughtVictoria\'swords，theexpressionofherfacewhollychanged。Alltheanxietiesandterrorsofthelastfortnight，camebackuponit。ShedraggedLordSkyeacrossthehallandlookedinuponhersister。Oneglancewasenough。
Desperatelyfrightenedbutafraidtohesitate，shewentdirectlyuptoMadeleinewhowasstillsittinglikeastatue，listeningtoRatcliffe\'slastwords。Asshehurriedlyentered，Mrs。Lee，lookingup，caughtsightofherpaleface，andstartedfromherseat。
“Areyouill，Sybil？”sheexclaimed；“isanythingthematter？”
“Alittle——fatigued，“gaspedSybil；“Ithoughtyoumightbereadytogohome。“
“Iam，“criedMadeleine；“Iamquiteready。Goodevening，Mr。
Ratcliffe。Iwillseeyouto-morrow。LordSkye，shallItakeleaveofthePrincess？”
“ThePrincessretiredhalfanhourago，“repliedLordSkye，whosawthesituationandwasquitereadytohelpSybil；“letmetakeyoutothedressing-roomandorderyourcarriage。“Mr。Ratcliffefoundhimselfsuddenlyleftalone，whileMrs。Leehurriedaway，tornbyfreshanxieties。Theyhadreachedthedressing-roomandwerenearlyreadytogohome，whenVictoraDaresuddenlydashedinuponthem，withananimationofmannerveryunusualinher，and，seizingSybilbythehand，drewherintoanadjoiningroomandshutthedoor。“Canyoukeepasecret？”saidsheabruptly。
“What！”saidSybil，lookingatherwithopen-mouthedinterest；
“youdon\'tmean——areyoureally——tellme，quick！”
“Yes！”saidVictoriarelapsingintocomposure；“Iamengaged！”
“ToLordDunbeg？”
Victorianodded，andSybil，whosenerveswerestrungtothehighestpitchbyexcitement，flattery，fatigue，perplexity，andterror，burstintoaparoxysmoflaughter，thatstartledeventhecalmMissDare。
“PoorLordDunbeg！don\'tbehardonhim，Victoria！”shegaspedwhenatlastshefoundbreath；“doyoureallymeantopasstherestofyourlifeinIreland？Oh，howmuchyouwillteachthem！”
“Youforget，mydear，“saidVictoria，whohadplacidlyenthronedherselfonthefootofabed，“thatIamnotapauper。IamtoldthatDunbegCastleisaromanticsummerresidence，andinthedullseasonweshallofcoursegotoLondonorsomewhere。Ishallbeciviltoyouwhenyoucomeover。Don\'tyouthinkacoronetwilllookwellonme？”
SybilburstagainintolaughtersoirrepressibleandprolongedthatitpuzzledevenpoorDunbeg，whowasimpatientlypacingthecorridoroutside。
ItalarmedMadeleine，whosuddenlyopenedthedoor。Sybilrecoveredherself，and，hereyesstreamingwithtears，presentedVictoriatohersister：
“Madeleine，allowmetointroduceyoutotheCountessDunbeg！”
ButMrs。LeewasmuchtooanxioustofeelanyinterestinLadyDunbeg。AsuddenfearstruckherthatSybilwasgoingintohystericsbecauseVictoria\'sengagementrecalledherowndisappointment。Shehurriedhersisterawaytothecarriage。
ChapterXII
THEYdrovehomeinsilence，Mrs。Leedisturbedwithanxietiesanddoubts，partlycausedbyhersister，partlybyMr。Ratcliffe；
SybildividedbetweenamusementatVictoria\'sconquest，andalarmatherownboldnessinmeddlingwithhersister\'saffairs。
Desperation，however，wasstrongerthanfear。Shemadeuphermindthatfurthersuspensewasnottobeendured；shewouldfightherbafflenowbeforeanotherhourwaslost；surelynotimecouldbebetter。Afewmomentsbroughtthemtotheirdoor。Mrs。Leehadtoldhermaidnottowaitforthem，andtheywerealone。ThefirewasstillaliveonMadeleine\'shearth，andshethrewmorewooduponit。ThensheinsistedthatSybilmustgotobedatonce。
ButSybilrefused；shefeltquitewell，shesaid，andnotintheleastsleepy；shehadagreatdealtotalkabout，andwantedtogetitoffhermind。Nevertheless，herfeminineregardforthe“DawninJune“ledhertopostponewhatshehadtosayuntilwithMadeleine\'shelpshehadlaidthetriumphoftheballcarefullyaside；then，puttingonherdressing-gown，andhastilyplungingCarrington\'sletterintoherbreast，likeaconcealedweapon，shehurriedbacktoMadeleine\'sroomandestablishedherselfinachairbeforethefire。There，afteramoment\'spause，thetwowomenbegantheirlong-deferredtrialofstrength，inwhichthematchwassonearlyequalastomaketheresultdoubtful；for，ifMadeleineweremuchthecleverer，Sybilinthiscaseknewmuchbetterwhatshewanted，andhadaclearideahowshemeanttogainit，whileMadeleine，unsuspiciousofattack，hadnoplanofdefenceatall。
“Madeleine，“beganSybil，solemnly，andwithaviolentpalpitationoftheheart，“Iwantyoutotellmesomething。“
“Whatisit，mychild？”saidMrs。Lee，puzzled，andyethalfreadytoseethattheremustbesomeconnectionbetweenhersister\'scomingquestionandthesuddenillnessattheball，whichhaddisappearedassuddenlyasitcame。
“DoyoumeantomarryMr。Ratcliffe？”
PoorMrs。Leewasquitedisconcertedbythedirectnessoftheattack。Thisfatalquestionmetherateveryturn。Hardlyhadshesucceededinescapingtromitattheballscarcelyanhourago，byastrokeofgoodfortuneforwhichshenowbegantoseeshewasindebtedtoSybil，andhereitwasagainpresentedtoherfacelikeapistol。Thewholetown，then，wasaskingit。
Ratcliffe\'soffermusthavebeenseenbyhalfWashington，andherreplywasawaitedbyanimmenseaudience，asthoughshewereapoliticalreturning-board。Herdisgustwasintense，andherfirstanswertoSybilwasaquickinquiry：
“Whydoyouasksuchaquestion？haveyouheardanything，——hasanyonetalkedaboutittoyou？”
“No！”repliedSybil；“butImustknow；Icanseeformyselfwithoutbeingtold，thatMr。Racliffeistryingtomakeyoumarryhim。I
don\'taskoutofcuriosity；thisissomethingthatconcernsmenearlyasmuchasitdoesyouyourself。Pleasetellme！don\'ttreatmelikeachildanylonger！letmeknowwhatyouarethinkingabout！Iamsotiredofbeingleftinthedark！
Youhavenoideahowmuchthisthingweighsonme。Oh，Maude，Ishallneverbehappyagainuntilyoutrustmeaboutthis。“
Mrs。Leefeltalittlepangofconscience，andseemedsuddenlytobecomeconsciousofanewcoil，tighteningabouther，inthiswretchedcomplication。Unabletoseeherway，ignorantofhersister\'smotives，urgedonbytheideathatSybil\'shappinesswasinvolved，shewasnowchargedwithwantoffeeling，andcalleduponforadirectanswertoaplainquestion。
HowcouldsheaverthatshedidnotmeantomarryMr。Ratcliffe？
tosaythiswouldbetoshutthedooronalltheobjectsshehadatheart。Ifadirectanswermustbegiven，itwasbettertosay“Yes！”
andhaveitover；bettertoleapblindlyandseewhatcameofit。
Mrs。Lee，therefore，withaninternalgasp，butwithnovisiblesignofexcitement，said，asthoughshewereinadream：
“Well，Sybil，Iwilltellyou。IwouldhavetoldyoulongagoifIhadknownmyself。Yes！IhavemadeupmymindtomarryMr。
Ratcliffe！”