MeanwhiletheagentoftheTenhadyieldedhisplacetoasharp-
featuredshabby-lookingfellowinblack，dressedsomewhatlikealawyer\'sclerk，wholaidagrimyhandonTony\'sarm，andwithmanyapologeticgesturessteeredhimthroughthecrowdtothedoorsofthechurch。TheCountheldhimbytheotherarm，andinthisfashiontheyemergedonthesquare，whichnowlayindarknesssaveforthemanylightstwinklingunderthearcadeandinthewindowsofthegaming-roomsaboveit。
Tonybythistimehadregainedvoiceenoughtodeclarethathewouldgowheretheypleased，butthathemustfirstsayawordtothemateoftheHepzibah，whohadnowbeenawaitinghimsometwohoursormoreatthelanding-place。
TheCountrepeatedthistoTony\'scustodian，butthelattershookhisheadandrattledoffasharpdenial。
“Impossible，sir，“saidtheCount。“Ientreatyounottoinsist。
Anyresistancewilltellagainstyouintheend。“
Tonyfellsilent。Witharapideyehewasmeasuringhischancesofescape。Inwindandlimbhewasmorethanamateforhiscaptors，andboyhood\'sruseswerenotsofarbehindhimbuthefelthimselfequaltooutwittingadozengrownmen；buthehadthesensetoseethatatacrythecrowdwouldcloseinonhim。
Spacewaswhathewanted：acleartenyards，andhewouldhavelaughedatDogeandCouncil。Butthethrongwasthickasglue，andhewalkedonsubmissively，keepinghiseyealertforanopening。Suddenlythemobswervedasideaftersomenewshow。
Tony\'sfistshotoutattheblackfellow\'schest，andbeforethelattercouldrighthimselftheyoungNewEnglanderwasshowingacleanpairofheelstohisescort。Onhesped，cleavingthecrowdlikeaflood-tideinGloucesterbay，divingunderthefirstarchthatcaughthiseye，dashingdownalanetoanunlitwater-
way，andplungingacrossanarrowhump-backbridgewhichlandedhiminablackpocketbetweenwalls。Butnowhispursuerswereathisback，reinforcedbytheyelpingmob。Thewallsweretoohightoscale，andforallhiscourageTony\'sbreathcameshortashepacedthemasonrycageinwhichill-luckhadlandedhim。
Suddenlyagateopenedinoneofthewalls，andaslipofaservantwenchlookedoutandbeckonedhim。Therewasnotimetoweighchances。Tonydashedthroughthegate，hisrescuerslammedandboltedit，andthetwostoodinanarrowpavedwellbetweenhighhouses。
II
TheservantpickedupalanternandsignedtoTonytofollowher。
Theyclimbedasqualidstairwayofstone，felttheirwayalongacorridor，andenteredatallvaultedroomfeeblylitbyanoil-
lamphungfromthepaintedceiling。Tonydiscernedtracesofformersplendourinhissurroundings，buthehadnotimetoexaminethem，forafigurestartedupathisapproachandinthedimlightherecognizedthegirlwhowasthecauseofallhistroubles。
Shesprangtowardhimwithoutstretchedhands，butasheadvancedherfacechangedandsheshrankbackabashed。
“Thisisamisunderstanding——adreadfulmisunderstanding，“shecriedoutinherprettybrokenEnglish。“Oh，howdoesithappenthatyouarehere？”
“Throughnochoiceofmyown，madam，Iassureyou！”retortedTony，notover-pleasedbyhisreception。
“Butwhy——how——howdidyoumakethisunfortunatemistake？”
“Why，madam，ifyou\'llexcusemycandour，Ithinkthemistakewasyours——“
“Mine？”——
“insendingmealetter——“
“YOU——aletter？”——
“byasimpletonofalad，whomustneedshandittomeunderyourfather\'sverynose——“
Thegirlbrokeinonhimwithacry。“What！ItwasYOUwhoreceivedmyletter？”Shesweptroundonthelittlemaid-servantandsubmergedherunderafloodofVenetian。Thelattervolleyedbackinthesamejargon，andasshedidso，Tony\'sastonishedeyedetectedinherthedoubletedpagewhohadhandedhimtheletterinSaintMark\'s。
“What！”hecried，“theladwasthisgirlindisguise？”
Polixenabrokeoffwithanirrepressiblesmile；butherfacecloudedinstantlyandshereturnedtothecharge。
“Thiswicked，carelessgirl——shehasruinedme，shewillbemyundoing！Oh，sir，howcanImakeyouunderstand？Theletterwasnotintendedforyou——itwasmeantfortheEnglishAmbassador，anoldfriendofmymother\'s，fromwhomIhopedtoobtainassistance——oh，howcanIeverexcusemyselftoyou？”
“Noexcusesareneeded，madam，“saidTony，bowing；“thoughIamsurprised，Iown，thatanyoneshouldmistakemeforanambassador。“
HereawaveofmirthagainoverranPolixena\'sface。“Oh，sir，youmustpardonmypoorgirl\'smistake。SheheardyouspeakingEnglish，and——and——Ihadtoldhertohandthelettertothehandsomestforeignerinthechurch。“Tonybowedagain，moreprofoundly。“TheEnglishAmbassador，“Polixenaaddedsimply，“isaveryhandsomeman。“
“Iwish，madam，Iwereabetterproxy！”
Sheechoedhislaugh，andthenclappedherhandstogetherwithalookofanguish。“FoolthatIam！HowcanIjestatsuchamoment？Iamindreadfultrouble，andnowperhapsIhavebroughttroubleonyoualso——Oh，myfather！Ihearmyfathercoming！”
Sheturnedpaleandleanedtremblinglyuponthelittleservant。
Footstepsandloudvoiceswereinfactheardoutside，andamomentlaterthered-stockingedSenatorstalkedintotheroomattendedbyhalf-a-dozenofthemagnificoeswhomTonyhadseenabroadinthesquare。Atsightofhim，allclappedhandstotheirswordsandburstintofuriousoutcries；andthoughtheirjargonwasunintelligibletotheyoungman，theirtonesandgesturesmadetheirmeaningunpleasantlyplain。TheSenator，withastartofanger，firstflunghimselfontheintruder；then，snatchedbackbyhiscompanions，turnedwrathfullyonhisdaughter，who，athisfeet，withoutstretchedarmsandstreamingface，pleadedhercausewithalltheeloquenceofyoungdistress。
Meanwhiletheothernoblesgesticulatedvehementlyamongthemselves，andone，atruculent-lookingpersonageinruffandSpanishcape，stalkedapart，keepingajealouseyeonTony。Thelatterwasathiswit\'sendhowtocomporthimself，forthelovelyPolixena\'stearshadquitedrownedherfewwordsofEnglish，andbeyondguessingthatthemagnificoesmeanthimamischiefhehadnonotionwhattheywouldbeat。
Atthispoint，luckily，hisfriendCountRialtosuddenlybrokeinonthescene，andwasatonceassailedbyallthetonguesintheroom。HepulledalongfaceatsightofTony，butsignedtotheyoungmantobesilent，andaddressedhimselfearnestlytotheSenator。Thelatter，atfirst，wouldnotdrawbreathtohearhim；butpresently，sobering，hewalkedapartwiththeCount，andthetwoconversedtogetheroutofearshot。
“Mydearsir，“saidtheCount，atlengthturningtoTonywithaperturbedcountenance，“itisasIfeared，andyouarefallenintoagreatmisfortune。“
“Agreatmisfortune！Agreattrap，Icallit！”shoutedTony，whoseblood，bythistime，wasboiling；butasheutteredthewordthebeautifulPolixenacastsuchastrickenlookonhimthatheblusheduptotheforehead。
“Becareful，“saidtheCount，inalowtone。“ThoughhisIllustriousnessdoesnotspeakyourlanguage，heunderstandsafewwordsofit，and——“
“Somuchthebetter！”brokeinTony；“IhopehewillunderstandmeifIaskhiminplainEnglishwhatishisgrievanceagainstme。“
TheSenator，atthis，wouldhaveburstforthagain；buttheCount，steppingbetween，answeredquickly：“Hisgrievanceagainstyouisthatyouhavebeendetectedinsecretcorrespondencewithhisdaughter，themostnoblePolixenaCador，thebetrothedbrideofthisgentleman，themostillustriousMarquessZanipolo——“andhewavedadeferentialhandatthefrowninghidalgoofthecapeandruff。
“Sir，“saidTony，“ifthatistheextentofmyoffence，itlieswiththeyoungladytosetmefree，sincebyherownavowal——“
butherehestoppedshort，for，tohissurprise，Polixenashotaterrifiedglanceathim。
“Sir，“interposedtheCount，“wearenotaccustomedinVenicetotakeshelterbehindalady\'sreputation。“
“NomoreareweinSalem，“retortedTonyinawhiteheat。“Iwasmerelyabouttoremarkthat，bytheyounglady\'savowal，shehasneverseenmebefore。“
Polixena\'seyessignalledhergratitude，andhefelthewouldhavediedtodefendher。
TheCounttranslatedhisstatement，andpresentlypursued：“HisIllustriousnessobservesthat，inthatcase，hisdaughter\'smisconducthasbeenallthemorereprehensible。“
“Hermisconduct？Ofwhatdoesheaccuseher？”
“Ofsendingyou，justnow，inthechurchofSaintMark\'s，aletterwhichyouwereseentoreadopenlyandthrustinyourbosom。TheincidentwaswitnessedbyhisIllustriousnesstheMarquessZanipolo，who，inconsequence，hasalreadyrepudiatedhisunhappybride。“
TonystaredcontemptuouslyattheblackMarquess。“IfhisIllustriousnessissolackingingallantryastorepudiatealadyonsotrivialapretext，itisheandnotIwhoshouldbetheobjectofherfather\'sresentment。“
“That，mydearyounggentleman，ishardlyforyoutodecide。
Youronlyexcusebeingyourignoranceofourcustoms，itisscarcelyforyoutoadviseushowtobehaveinmattersofpunctilio。“
ItseemedtoTonyasthoughtheCountweregoingovertohisenemies，andthethoughtsharpenedhisretort。
“Ihadsupposed，“saidhe，“thatmenofsensehadmuchthesamebehaviourinallcountries，andthat，hereaselsewhere，agentlemanwouldbetakenathisword。IsolemnlyaffirmthattheletterIwasseentoreadreflectsinnowayonthehonourofthisyounglady，andhasinfactnothingtodowithwhatyousuppose。“
Ashehadhimselfnonotionwhattheletterwasabout，thiswasasfarashedaredcommithimself。
Therewasanotherbriefconsultationintheopposingcamp，andtheCountthensaid：——“Weallknow，sir，thatagentlemanisobligedtomeetcertainenquiriesbyadenial；butyouhaveatyourcommandthemeansofimmediatelyclearingthelady。Willyoushowthelettertoherfather？”
Therewasaperceptiblepause，duringwhichTony，whileappearingtolookstraightbeforehim，managedtodeflectaninterrogatoryglancetowardPolixena。Herreplywasafaintnegativemotion，accompaniedbyunmistakablesignsofapprehension。
“Poorgirl！”hethought，“sheisinaworsecasethanIimagined，andwhateverhappensImustkeephersecret。“
HeturnedtotheSenatorwithadeepbow。“Iamnot，“saidhe，“inthehabitofshowingmyprivatecorrespondencetostrangers。“
TheCountinterpretedthesewords，andDonnaPolixena\'sfather，dashinghishandonhishilt，brokeintofuriousinvective，whiletheMarquesscontinuedtonursehisoutragedfeelingsaloof。
TheCountshookhisheadfunereally。“Alas，sir，itisasI
feared。Thisisnotthefirsttimethatyouthandpropinquityhaveledtofatalimprudence。ButIneedhardly，Isuppose，pointouttheobligationincumbentuponyouasamanofhonour。“
Tonystaredathimhaughtily，withalookwhichwasmeantfortheMarquess。“Andwhatobligationisthat？”
“Torepairthewrongyouhavedone——inotherwords，tomarrythelady。“
Polixenaatthisburstintotears，andTonysaidtohimself：“Whyinheavendoesshenotbidmeshowtheletter？”Thenherememberedthatithadnosuperscription，andthatthewordsitcontained，supposingthemtohavebeenaddressedtohimself，werehardlyofanaturetodisarmsuspicion。Thesenseofthegirl\'sgraveplighteffacedallthoughtofhisownrisk，buttheCount\'slastwordsstruckhimassopreposterousthathecouldnotrepressasmile。
“Icannotflattermyself，“saidhe，“thattheladywouldwelcomethissolution。“
TheCount\'smannerbecameincreasinglyceremonious。“Suchmodesty，“hesaid，“becomesyouryouthandinexperience；butevenifitwerejustifieditwouldscarcelyalterthecase，asitisalwaysassumedinthiscountrythatayoungladywishestomarrythemanwhomherfatherhasselected。“
“ButIunderstoodjustnow，“Tonyinterposed，“thatthegentlemanyonderwasinthatenviableposition。“
“Sohewas，tillcircumstancesobligedhimtowaivetheprivilegeinyourfavour。“
“Hedoesmetoomuchhonour；butifadeepsenseofmyunworthinessobligesmetodecline——“
“Youarestill，“interruptedtheCount，“labouringunderamisapprehension。Yourchoiceinthematterisnomoretobeconsultedthanthelady\'s。Nottoputtoofineapointonit，itisnecessarythatyoushouldmarryherwithinthehour。“
Tony，atthis，forallhisspirit，feltthebloodrunthininhisveins。Helookedinsilenceatthethreateningvisagesbetweenhimselfandthedoor，stoleaside-glanceatthehighbarredwindowsoftheapartment，andthenturnedtoPolixena，whohadfallensobbingatherfather\'sfeet。
“AndifIrefuse？”saidhe。
TheCountmadeasignificantgesture。“Iamnotsofoolishastothreatenamanofyourmettle。Butperhapsyouareunawarewhattheconsequenceswouldbetothelady。“
Polixena，atthis，strugglingtoherfeet，addressedafewimpassionedwordstotheCountandherfather；butthelatterputherasidewithanobdurategesture。
TheCountturnedtoTony。“Theladyherselfpleadsforyou——atwhatcostyoudonotguess——butasyouseeitisvain。InanhourhisIllustriousness\'schaplainwillbehere。MeanwhilehisIllustriousnessconsentstoleaveyouinthecustodyofyourbetrothed。“
Hesteppedback，andtheothergentlemen，bowingwithdeepceremonytoTony，stalkedoutonebyonefromtheroom。Tonyheardthekeyturninthelock，andfoundhimselfalonewithPolixena。
III
Thegirlhadsunkintoachair，herfacehidden，apictureofshameandagony。SomovingwasthesightthatTonyonceagainforgothisownextremityintheviewofherdistress。Hewentandkneeledbesideher，drawingherhandsfromherface。
“Oh，don\'tmakemelookatyou！”shesobbed；butitwasonhisbosomthatshehidfromhisgaze。Heheldherthereabreathing-
space，ashemighthaveclaspedaweepingchild；thenshedrewbackandputhimgentlyfromher。
“Whathumiliation！”shelamented。
“DoyouthinkIblameyouforwhathashappened？”
“Alas，wasitnotmyfoolishletterthatbroughtyoutothisplight？Andhownoblyyoudefendedme！Howgenerousitwasofyounottoshowtheletter！IfmyfatherknewIhadwrittentotheAmbassadortosavemefromthisdreadfulmarriagehisangeragainstmewouldbeevengreater。“
“Ah——itwasthatyouwrotefor？”criedTonywithunaccountablerelief。
“Ofcourse——whatelsedidyouthink？”
“ButisittoolatefortheAmbassadortosaveyou？”
“FromYOU？”Asmileflashedthroughhertears。“Alas，yes。“
Shedrewbackandhidherfaceagain，asthoughovercomebyafreshwaveofshame。
Tonyglancedabouthim。“IfIcouldwrenchabaroutofthatwindow——“hemuttered。
“Impossible！Thecourtisguarded。Youareaprisoner，alas——
Oh，Imustspeak！”Shesprangupandpacedtheroom。“Butindeedyoucanscarcethinkworseofmethanyoudoalready——“
“Ithinkillofyou？”
“Alas，youmust！Tobeunwillingtomarrythemanmyfatherhaschosenforme——“
“Suchabeetle-browedlout！Itwouldbeaburningshameifyoumarriedhim。“
“Ah，youcomefromafreecountry。Hereagirlisallowednochoice。“
“Itisinfamous，Isay——infamous！”
“No，no——Ioughttohaveresignedmyself，likesomanyothers。“
“Resignedyourselftothatbrute！Impossible！”
“Hehasadreadfulnameforviolence——hisgondolierhastoldmylittlemaidsuchtalesofhim！ButwhydoItalkofmyself，whenitisofyouIshouldbethinking？”
“Ofme，poorchild？”criedTony，losinghishead。
“Yes，andhowtosaveyou——forICANsaveyou！Buteverymomentcounts——andyetwhatIhavetosayissodreadful。“
“Nothingfromyourlipscouldseemdreadful。“
“Ah，ifhehadhadyourwayofspeaking！”
“Well，nowatleastyouarefreeofhim，“saidTony，alittlewildly；butatthisshestoodupandbentagravelookonhim。
“No，Iamnotfree，“shesaid；“butyouare，ifyouwilldoasI
tellyou。“
Tony，atthis，feltasuddendizziness；asthough，fromamadflightthroughcloudsanddarkness，hehaddroppedtosafetyagain，andthefallhadstunnedhim。
“WhatamItodo？”hesaid。
“Lookawayfromme，orIcannevertellyou。“
Hethoughtatfirstthatthiswasajest，buthereyescommandedhim，andreluctantlyhewalkedawayandleanedintheembrasureofthewindow。Shestoodinthemiddleoftheroom，andassoonashisbackwasturnedshebegantospeakinaquickmonotonousvoice，asthoughshewererecitingalesson。
“YoumustknowthattheMarquessZanipolo，thoughagreatnoble，isnotarichman。True，hehaslargeestates，butheisadesperatespendthriftandgambler，andwouldsellhissoulforaroundsumofreadymoney——IfyouturnroundIshallnotgoon！——
Hewrangledhorriblywithmyfatherovermydowry——hewantedmetohavemorethaneitherofmysisters，thoughonemarriedaProcuratorandtheotheragrandeeofSpain。Butmyfatherisagamblertoo——oh，suchfortunesasaresquanderedoverthearcadeyonder！Andso——andso——don\'tturn，Iimploreyou——oh，doyoubegintoseemymeaning？”
Shebrokeoffsobbing，andittookallhisstrengthtokeephiseyesfromher。
“Goon，“hesaid。
“Willyounotunderstand？Oh，Iwouldsayanythingtosaveyou！
Youdon\'tknowusVenetians——we\'realltobeboughtforaprice。
Itisnotonlythebrideswhoaremarketable——sometimesthehusbandssellthemselvestoo。Andtheythinkyourich——myfatherdoes，andtheothers——Idon\'tknowwhy，unlessyouhaveshownyourmoneytoofreely——andtheEnglishareallrich，aretheynot？And——oh，oh——doyouunderstand？Oh，Ican\'tbearyoureyes！”
Shedroppedintoachair，herheadonherarms，andTonyinaflashwasatherside。
“Mypoorchild，mypoorPolixena！”hecried，andweptandclaspedher。
“YouARErich，areyounot？Youwouldpromisethemaransom？”
shepersisted。
“ToenableyoutomarrytheMarquess？”
“Toenableyoutoescapefromthisplace。Oh，IhopeImayneverseeyourfaceagain。“Shefelltoweepingoncemore，andhedrewawayandpacedthefloorinafever。
Presentlyshesprangupwithafreshairofresolution，andpointedtoaclockagainstthewall。“Thehourisnearlyover。
Itisquitetruethatmyfatherisgonetofetchhischaplain。
Oh，Iimploreyou，bewarnedbyme！Thereisnootherwayofescape。“
“AndifIdoasyousay——？”
“Youaresafe！Youarefree！Istakemylifeonit。“
“Andyou——youaremarriedtothatvillain？”
“ButIshallhavesavedyou。Tellmeyourname，thatImaysayittomyselfwhenIamalone。“
“MynameisAnthony。Butyoumustnotmarrythatfellow。“
“Youforgiveme，Anthony？Youdon\'tthinktoobadlyofme？”
“Isayyoumustnotmarrythatfellow。“
Shelaidatremblinghandonhisarm。“Timepresses，“sheadjuredhim，“andIwarnyouthereisnootherway。“
Foramomenthehadavisionofhismother，sittingveryupright，onaSundayevening，readingDr。Tillotson\'ssermonsinthebestparlouratSalem；thenheswungroundonthegirlandcaughtbothherhandsinhis。“Yes，thereis，“hecried，“ifyouarewilling。Polixena，letthepriestcome！”
Sheshrankbackfromhim，whiteandradiant。“Oh，hush，besilent！”shesaid。
“IamnonobleMarquess，andhavenogreatestates，“hecried。
“MyfatherisaplainIndiamerchantinthecolonyofMassachusetts——butifyou——“
“Oh，hush，Isay！Idon\'tknowwhatyourlongwordsmean。ButI
blessyou，blessyou，blessyouonmyknees！”Andshekneltbeforehim，andfelltokissinghishands。
Hedrewheruptohisbreastandheldherthere。
“Youarewilling，Polixena？”hesaid。
“No，no！”Shebrokefromhimwithoutstretchedhands。“Iamnotwilling。Youmistakeme。ImustmarrytheMarquess，Itellyou！”
“Onmymoney？”hetauntedher；andherburningblushrebukedhim。
“Yes，onyourmoney，“shesaidsadly。
“Why？Because，muchasyouhatehim，youhatemestillmore？”
Shewassilent。
“Ifyouhateme，whydoyousacrificeyourselfforme？”hepersisted。
“Youtortureme！AndItellyouthehourispast。“
“Letitpass。I\'llnotacceptyoursacrifice。Iwillnotliftafingertohelpanothermantomarryyou。“
“Oh，madman，madman！”shemurmured。
Tony，withcrossedarms，facedhersquarely，andsheleanedagainstthewallafewfeetofffromhim。Herbreastthrobbedunderitslaceandfalbalas，andhereyesswamwithterrorandentreaty。
“Polixena，Iloveyou！”hecried。
Ablushsweptoverherthroatandbosom，bathingherinlighttothevergeofhertroubledbrows。
“Iloveyou！Iloveyou！”herepeated。
Andnowshewasonhisbreastagain，andalltheiryouthwasintheirlips。Butherembracewasasfleetingasabird\'spoiseandbeforeheknewitheclaspedemptyair，andhalftheroomwasbetweenthem。
Shewasholdingupalittlecoralcharmandlaughing。“Itookitfromyourfob，“shesaid。“Itisofnovalue，isit？AndI
shallnotgetanyofthemoney，youknow。“
Shecontinuedtolaughstrangely，andtherougeburnedlikefireinherashenface。
“Whatareyoutalkingof？”hesaid。
“TheynevergivemeanythingbuttheclothesIwear。AndIshallneverseeyouagain，Anthony！”Shegavehimadreadfullook。
“Oh，mypoorboy，mypoorlove——\'ILOVEYOU，ILOVEYOU，POLIXENA！\'“
Hethoughtshehadturnedlight-headed，andadvancedtoherwithsoothingwords；butsheheldhimquietlyatarm\'slength，andashegazedhereadthetruthinherface。
Hefellbackfromher，andasobbrokefromhimashebowedhisheadonhishands。
“Only，forGod\'ssake，havethemoneyready，ortheremaybefoulplayhere，“shesaid。
Asshespoketherewasagreattrampingofstepsoutsideandaburstofvoicesonthethreshold。
“Itisallalie，“shegaspedout，“aboutmymarriage，andtheMarquess，andtheAmbassador，andtheSenator——butnot，oh，notaboutyourdangerinthisplace——oraboutmylove，“shebreathedtohim。Andasthekeyrattledinthedoorshelaidherlipsonhisbrow。
Thekeyrattled，andthedoorswungopen——buttheblack-cassockedgentlemanwhosteppedin，thoughapriestindeed，wasnovotaryofidolatrousrites，butthatsoundorthodoxdivine，theReverendOziasMounce，lookingverymuchperturbedathissurroundings，andverymuchonthealertfortheScarletWoman。Hewassupported，tohisevidentrelief，bythecaptainoftheHepzibahB。，andtheprocessionwasclosedbyanescortofstern-lookingfellowsincockedhatsandsmall-swords，wholedbetweenthemTony\'slatefriendsthemagnificoes，nowassorryalookingcompanyasthelaweverlandedinhernet。
Thecaptainstrodebrisklyintotheroom，utteringagruntofsatisfactionasheclappedeyesonTony。
“So，Mr。Bracknell，“saidhe，“youhavebeenseeingtheCarnivalwiththispackofmummers，haveyou？Andthisiswhereyourpleasuringhaslandedyou？H\'m——aprettyestablishment，andaprettyladyattheheadofit。“HeglancedabouttheapartmentanddoffedhishatwithmockceremonytoPolixena，whofacedhimlikeaprincess。
“Why，mygirl，“saidhe，amicably，“IthinkIsawyouthismorninginthesquare，onthearmofthePantaloonyonder；andasforthatCaptainSpavent——“andhepointedaderisivefingerattheMarquess——“I\'vewatchedhimdrivehisbully\'stradeunderthearcadeeversinceIfirstdroppedanchorinthesewaters。Well，well，“hecontinued，hisindignationsubsiding，“all\'sfairinCarnival，Isuppose，butthisgentlemanhereisundersailingorders，andIfearwemustbreakupyourlittleparty。“
AtthisTonysawCountRialtostepforward，lookingverysmallandexplanatory，anduncoveringobsequiouslytothecaptain。
“Icanassureyou，sir，“saidtheCountinhisbestEnglish，“thatthisincidentistheresultofanunfortunatemisunderstanding，andifyouwillobligeusbydismissingthesemyrmidons，anyofmyfriendsherewillbehappytooffersatisfactiontoMr。Bracknellandhiscompanions。“
Mr。Mounceshrankvisiblyatthis，andthecaptainburstintoaloudguffaw。
“Satisfaction？”sayshe。“Why，mycock，that\'sveryhandsomeofyou，consideringtherope\'satyourthroats。Butwe\'llnottakeadvantageofyourgenerosity，forIfearMr。Bracknellhasalreadytrespassedonittoolong。Youpackofgalley-slaves，you！”hesplutteredsuddenly，“decoyingyounginnocentswiththatdevil\'sbaitofyours——“HiseyefellonPolixena，andhisvoicesoftenedunaccountably。“Ah，well，wemustallseetheCarnivalonce，Isuppose，“hesaid。“All\'swellthatendswell，asthefellowsaysintheplay；andnow，ifyouplease，Mr。Bracknell，ifyou\'lltakethereverendgentleman\'sarmthere，we\'llbidadieutoourhospitableentertainers，andrightaboutfacefortheHepzibah。“
TheEndofAVenetianNight\'sEntertainmentXINGU
December，1911
Mrs。BallingerisoneoftheladieswhopursueCultureinbands，asthoughitweredangeroustomeetalone。TothisendshehadfoundedtheLunchClub，anassociationcomposedofherselfandseveralotherindomitablehuntressesoferudition。TheLunchClub，afterthreeorfourwintersoflunchinganddebate，hadacquiredsuchlocaldistinctionthattheentertainmentofdistinguishedstrangersbecameoneofitsacceptedfunctions；inrecognitionofwhichitdulyextendedtothecelebrated“OsricDane，“onthedayofherarrivalinHillbridge，aninvitationtobepresentatthenextmeeting。
TheClubwastomeetatMrs。Ballinger\'s。Theothermembers，behindherback，wereofonevoiceindeploringherunwillingnesstocedeherrightsinfavorofMrs。Plinth，whosehousemadeamoreimpressivesettingfortheentertainmentofcelebrities；
while，asMrs。Leveretobserved，therewasalwaysthepicture-
gallerytofallbackon。
Mrs。Plinthmadenosecretofsharingthisview。ShehadalwaysregardeditasoneofherobligationstoentertaintheLunchClub\'sdistinguishedguests。Mrs。Plinthwasalmostasproudofherobligationsasshewasofherpicture-gallery；shewasinfactfondofimplyingthattheonepossessionimpliedtheother，andthatonlyawomanofherwealthcouldaffordtoliveuptoastandardashighasthatwhichshehadsetherself。Anall-roundsenseofduty，roughlyadaptabletovariousends，was，inheropinion，allthatProvidenceexactedofthemorehumblystationed；butthepowerwhichhadpredestinedMrs。Plinthtokeepfootmenclearlyintendedhertomaintainanequallyspecializedstaffofresponsibilities。ItwasthemoretoberegrettedthatMrs。Ballinger，whoseobligationstosocietywereboundedbythenarrowscopeoftwoparlour-maids，shouldhavebeensotenaciousoftherighttoentertainOsricDane。
Thequestionofthatlady\'sreceptionhadforamonthpastprofoundlymovedthemembersoftheLunchClub。Itwasnotthattheyfeltthemselvesunequaltothetask，butthattheirsenseoftheopportunityplungedthemintotheagreeableuncertaintyoftheladywhoweighsthealternativesofawell-stockedwardrobe。
IfsuchsubsidiarymembersasMrs。Leveretwereflutteredbythethoughtofexchangingideaswiththeauthorof“TheWingsofDeath，“noforebodingsofthekinddisturbedtheconsciousadequacyofMrs。Plinth，Mrs。BallingerandMissVanVluyck。
“TheWingsofDeath“had，infact，atMissVanVluyck\'ssuggestion，beenchosenasthesubjectofdiscussionatthelastclubmeeting，andeachmemberhadthusbeenenabledtoexpressherownopinionortoappropriatewhateverseemedmostlikelytobeofuseinthecommentsoftheothers。Mrs。Robyalonehadabstainedfromprofitingbytheopportunitythusoffered；butitwasnowopenlyrecognisedthat，asamemberoftheLunchClub，Mrs。Robywasafailure。“Itallcomes，“asMissVanVluyckputit，“ofacceptingawomanonaman\'sestimation。“Mrs。Roby，returningtoHillbridgefromaprolongedsojourninexoticregions——theotherladiesnolongertookthetroubletorememberwhere——hadbeenemphaticallycommendedbythedistinguishedbiologist，ProfessorForeland，asthemostagreeablewomanhehadevermet；andthemembersoftheLunchClub，awedbyanencomiumthatcarriedtheweightofadiploma，andrashlyassumingthattheProfessor\'ssocialsympathieswouldfollowthelineofhisscientificbent，hadseizedthechanceofannexingabiologicalmember。Theirdisillusionmentwascomplete。AtMissVanVluyck\'sfirstoff-handmentionofthepterodactylMrs。Robyhadconfusedlymurmured：“Iknowsolittleaboutmetres——“andafterthatpainfulbetrayalofincompetenceshehadprudentlywithdrawnfromfartherparticipationinthementalgymnasticsoftheclub。
“Isupposesheflatteredhim，“MissVanVluycksummedup——“orelseit\'sthewayshedoesherhair。“
ThedimensionsofMissVanVluyck\'sdining-roomhavingrestrictedthemembershipoftheclubtosix，thenon-conductivenessofonememberwasaseriousobstacletotheexchangeofideas，andsomewonderhadalreadybeenexpressedthatMrs。Robyshouldcaretolive，asitwere，ontheintellectualbountyoftheothers。Thisfeelingwasaugmentedbythediscoverythatshehadnotyetread“TheWingsofDeath。“SheownedtohavingheardthenameofOsricDane；butthat——incredibleasitappeared——wastheextentofheracquaintancewiththecelebratednovelist。Theladiescouldnotconcealtheirsurprise，butMrs。Ballinger，whoseprideintheclubmadeherwishtoputevenMrs。Robyinthebestpossiblelight，gentlyinsinuatedthat，thoughshehadnothadtimetoacquaintherselfwith“TheWingsofDeath，“shemustatleastbefamiliarwithitsequallyremarkablepredecessor，“TheSupremeInstant。“
Mrs。Robywrinkledhersunnybrowsinaconscientiouseffortofmemory，asaresultofwhichsherecalledthat，oh，yes，sheHAD
seenthebookatherbrother\'s，whenshewasstayingwithhiminBrazil，andhadevencarrieditofftoreadonedayonaboatingparty；buttheyhadallgottoshyingthingsateachotherintheboat，andthebookhadgoneoverboard，soshehadneverhadthechance——
ThepictureevokedbythisanecdotedidnotadvanceMrs。Roby\'screditwiththeclub，andtherewasapainfulpause，whichwasbrokenbyMrs。Plinth\'sremarking：“Icanunderstandthat，withallyourotherpursuits，youshouldnotfindmuchtimeforreading；butIshouldhavethoughtyoumightatleasthaveGOTUP
\'TheWingsofDeath\'beforeOsricDane\'sarrival。“
Mrs。Robytookthisrebukegood-humouredly。Shehadmeant，sheownedtoglancethroughthebook；butshehadbeensoabsorbedinanovelofTrollope\'sthat——
“NoonereadsTrollopenow，“Mrs。Ballingerinterruptedimpatiently。
Mrs。Robylookedpained。“I\'monlyjustbeginning，“sheconfessed。
“Anddoesheinterestyou？”Mrs。Plinthinquired。
“Heamusesme。“
“Amusement，“saidMrs。Plinthsententiously，“ishardlywhatI
lookforinmychoiceofbooks。“
“Oh，certainly，\'TheWingsofDeath\'isnotamusing，“venturedMrs。Leveret，whosemannerofputtingforthanopinionwaslikethatofanobligingsalesmanwithavarietyofotherstylestosubmitifhisfirstselectiondoesnotsuit。
“WasitMEANTtobe？”enquiredMrs。Plinth，whowasfondofaskingquestionsthatshepermittednoonebutherselftoanswer。
“Assuredlynot。“
“Assuredlynot——thatiswhatIwasgoingtosay，“assentedMrs。
Leveret，hastilyrollingupheropinionandreachingforanother。
“Itwasmeantto——toelevate。“
MissVanVluyckadjustedherspectaclesasthoughtheyweretheblackcapofcondemnation。“Ihardlysee，“sheinterposed，“howabooksteepedinthebitterestpessimismcanbesaidtoelevate，howevermuchitmayinstruct。“
“Imeant，ofcourse，toinstruct，“saidMrs。Leveret，flurriedbytheunexpecteddistinctionbetweentwotermswhichshehadsupposedtobesynonymous。Mrs。Leveret\'senjoymentoftheLunchClubwasfrequentlymarredbysuchsurprises；andnotknowingherownvaluetotheotherladiesasamirrorfortheirmentalcomplacencyshewassometimestroubledbyadoubtofherworthinesstojoinintheirdebates。Itwasonlythefactofhavingadullsisterwhothoughthercleverthatsavedherfromasenseofhopelessinferiority。
“Dotheygetmarriedintheend？”Mrs。Robyinterposed。
“They——who？”theLunchClubcollectivelyexclaimed。
“Why，thegirlandman。It\'sanovel，isn\'tit？Ialwaysthinkthat\'stheonethingthatmatters。Ifthey\'reparteditspoilsmydinner。“
Mrs。PlinthandMrs。Ballingerexchangedscandalisedglances，andthelattersaid：“Ishouldhardlyadviseyoutoread\'TheWingsofDeath，\'inthatspirit。Formypart，whentherearesomanybooksthatoneHAStoread，Iwonderhowanyonecanfindtimeforthosethataremerelyamusing。“
“Thebeautifulpartofit，“LauraGlydemurmured，“issurelyjustthis——thatnoonecantellHOW\'TheWingsofDeath\'ends。OsricDane，overcomebythedreadsignificanceofherownmeaning，hasmercifullyveiledit——perhapsevenfromherself——asApelles，inrepresentingthesacrificeofIphigenia，veiledthefaceofAgamemnon。“
“What\'sthat？Isitpoetry？”whisperedMrs。LeveretnervouslytoMrs。Plinth，who，disdainingadefinitereply，saidcoldly：“Youshouldlookitup。Ialwaysmakeitapointtolookthingsup。“
Hertoneadded——“thoughImighteasilyhaveitdoneformebythefootman。“
“Iwasabouttosay，“MissVanVluyckresumed，“thatitmustalwaysbeaquestionwhetherabookCANinstructunlessitelevates。“
“Oh——“murmuredMrs。Leveret，nowfeelingherselfhopelesslyastray。
“Idon\'tknow，“saidMrs。Ballinger，scentinginMissVanVluyck\'stoneatendencytodepreciatethecoveteddistinctionofentertainingOsricDane；“Idon\'tknowthatsuchaquestioncanseriouslyberaisedastoabookwhichhasattractedmoreattentionamongthoughtfulpeoplethananynovelsince\'RobertElsmere。\'“
“Oh，butdon\'tyousee，“exclaimedLauraGlyde，“thatit\'sjustthedarkhopelessnessofitall——thewonderfultone-schemeofblackonblack——thatmakesitsuchanartisticachievement？ItremindedmesowhenIreaditofPrinceRupert\'smanierenoire……
thebookisetched，notpainted，yetonefeelsthecolourvaluessointensely……“
“WhoisHE？”Mrs。Leveretwhisperedtoherneighbour。“Someoneshe\'smetabroad？”
“Thewonderfulpartofthebook，“Mrs。Ballingerconceded，“isthatitmaybelookedatfromsomanypointsofview。IhearthatasastudyofdeterminismProfessorLuptonranksitwith\'TheDataofEthics。\'“
“I\'mtoldthatOsricDanespenttenyearsinpreparatorystudiesbeforebeginningtowriteit，“saidMrs。Plinth。“Shelooksupeverything——verifieseverything。Ithasalwaysbeenmyprinciple，asyouknow。Nothingwouldinduceme，now，toputasideabookbeforeI\'dfinishedit，justbecauseIcanbuyasmanymoreasIwant。“
“AndwhatdoYOUthinkof\'TheWingsofDeath\'？”Mrs。Robyabruptlyaskedher。
Itwasthekindofquestionthatmightbetermedoutoforder，andtheladiesglancedateachotherasthoughdisclaiminganyshareinsuchabreachofdiscipline。TheyallknewthattherewasnothingMrs。Plinthsomuchdislikedasbeingaskedheropinionofabook。Bookswerewrittentoread；ifonereadthemwhatmorecouldbeexpected？TobequestionedindetailregardingthecontentsofavolumeseemedtoherasgreatanoutrageasbeingsearchedforsmuggledlacesattheCustomHouse。
TheclubhadalwaysrespectedthisidiosyncrasyofMrs。Plinth\'s。
Suchopinionsasshehadwereimposingandsubstantial：hermind，likeherhouse，wasfurnishedwithmonumental“pieces“thatwerenotmeanttobesuddenlydisarranged；anditwasoneoftheunwrittenrulesoftheLunchClubthat，withinherownprovince，eachmember\'shabitsofthoughtshouldberespected。Themeetingthereforeclosedwithanincreasedsense，onthepartoftheotherladies，ofMrs。Roby\'shopelessunfitnesstobeoneofthem。
II
Mrs。Leveret，ontheeventfulday，hadarrivedearlyatMrs。
Ballinger\'s，hervolumeofAppropriateAllusionsinherpocket。
ItalwaysflusteredMrs。LeverettobelateattheLunchClub：
shelikedtocollectherthoughtsandgatherahint，astheothersassembled，oftheturntheconversationwaslikelytotake。To-day，however，shefeltherselfcompletelyataloss；
andeventhefamiliarcontactofAppropriateAllusions，whichstuckintoherasshesatdown，failedtogiveheranyreassurance。Itwasanadmirablelittlevolume，compiledtomeetallthesocialemergencies；sothat，whetherontheoccasionofAnniversaries，joyfulormelancholyastheclassificationran，ofBanquets，socialormunicipal，orofBaptisms，ChurchofEnglandorsectarian，itsstudentneedneverbeatalossforapertinentreference。Mrs。Leveret，thoughshehadforyearsdevoutlyconneditspages，valuedit，however，ratherforitsmoralsupportthanforitspracticalservices；forthoughintheprivacyofherownroomshecommandedanarmyofquotations，theseinvariablydesertedheratthecriticalmoment，andtheonlylinesheretained——CANSTTHOUDRAWOUTLEVIATHANWITHA
HOOK？——wasoneshehadneveryetfoundtheoccasiontoapply。
To-dayshefeltthateventhecompletemasteryofthevolumewouldhardlyhaveinsuredherself-possession；forshethoughtitprobable，evenifsheDID，insomemiraculousway，rememberanAllusion，itwouldbeonlytofindthatOsricDaneusedadifferentvolumeMrs。Leveretwasconvincedthatliterarypeoplealwayscarriedthem，andwouldconsequentlynotrecogniseherquotations。
Mrs。Leveret\'ssenseofbeingadriftwasintensifiedbytheappearanceofMrs。Ballinger\'sdrawing-room。Toacarelesseyeitsaspectwasunchanged；butthoseacquaintedwithMrs。
Ballinger\'swayofarrangingherbookswouldinstantlyhavedetectedthemarksofrecentperturbation。Mrs。Ballinger\'sprovince，asamemberoftheLunchClub，wastheBookoftheDay。
Onthat，whateveritwas，fromanoveltoatreatiseonexperimentalpsychology，shewasconfidently，authoritatively“up。“Whatbecameoflastyear\'sbooks，orlastweek\'seven；
whatshedidwiththe“subjects“shehadpreviouslyprofessedwithequalauthority；noonehadeveryetdiscovered。Hermindwasanhotelwherefactscameandwentliketransientlodgers，withoutleavingtheiraddressbehind，andfrequentlywithoutpayingfortheirboard。ItwasMrs。Ballinger\'sboastthatshewas“abreastwiththeThoughtoftheDay，“andherpridethatthisadvancedpositionshouldbeexpressedbythebooksonherdrawing-roomtable。Thesevolumes，frequentlyrenewed，andalmostalwaysdampfromthepress，borenamesgenerallyunfamiliartoMrs。Leveret，andgivingher，asshefurtivelyscannedthem，adishearteningglimpseofnewfieldsofknowledgetobebreathlesslytraversedinMrs。Ballinger\'swake。Butto-
dayanumberofmaturer-lookingvolumeswereadroitlymingledwiththeprimeursofthepress——KarlMarxjostledProfessorBergson，andthe“ConfessionsofSt。Augustine“laybesidethelastworkon“Mendelism“；sothateventoMrs。Leveret\'sflutteredperceptionsitwasclearthatMrs。Ballingerdidn\'tintheleastknowwhatOsricDanewaslikelytotalkabout，andhadtakenmeasurestobepreparedforanything。Mrs。Leveretfeltlikeapassengeronanoceansteamerwhoistoldthatthereisnoimmediatedanger，butthatshehadbetterputonherlife-belt。
ItwasarelieftoberousedfromtheseforebodingsbyMissVanVluyck\'sarrival。
“Well，mydear，“thenew-comerbrisklyaskedherhostess，“whatsubjectsarewetodiscussto-day？”
Mrs。BallingerwasfurtivelyreplacingavolumeofWordsworthbyacopyofVerlaine。“Ihardlyknow，“shesaidsomewhatnervously。“Perhapswehadbetterleavethattocircumstances。“
“Circumstances？”saidMissVanVluyckdrily。“Thatmeans，I
suppose，thatLauraGlydewilltakethefloorasusual，andweshallbedelugedwithliterature。“
PhilanthropyandstatisticswereMissVanVluyck\'sprovince，andshenaturallyresentedanytendencytodiverttheirguest\'sattentionfromthesetopics。
Mrs。Plinthatthismomentappeared。
“Literature？”sheprotestedinatoneofremonstrance。“Butthisisperfectlyunexpected。IunderstoodweweretotalkofOsricDane\'snovel。“
Mrs。Ballingerwincedatthediscrimination，butletitpass。
“Wecanhardlymakethatourchiefsubject——atleastnotTOO
intentionally，“shesuggested。“OfcoursewecanletourtalkDRIFTinthatdirection；butweoughttohavesomeothertopicasanintroduction，andthatiswhatIwantedtoconsultyouabout。
Thefactis，weknowsolittleofOsricDane\'stastesandintereststhatitisdifficulttomakeanyspecialpreparation。“
“Itmaybedifficult，“saidMrs。Plinthwithdecision，“butitisabsolutelynecessary。Iknowwhatthathappy-go-luckyprincipleleadsto。AsItoldoneofmyniecestheotherday，therearecertainemergenciesforwhichaladyshouldalwaysbeprepared。
It\'sinshockingtastetowearcolourswhenonepaysavisitofcondolence，oralastyear\'sdresswhentherearereportsthatone\'shusbandisonthewrongsideofthemarket；andsoitiswithconversation。AllIaskisthatIshouldknowbeforehandwhatistobetalkedabout；thenIfeelsureofbeingabletosaytheproperthing。“
“Iquiteagreewithyou，“Mrs。Ballingeranxiouslyassented；
“but——“
Andatthatinstant，heraldedbytheflutteredparlour-maid，OsricDaneappeareduponthethreshold。
Mrs。Leverettoldhersisterafterwardthatshehadknownataglancewhatwascoming。ShesawthatOsricDanewasnotgoingtomeetthemhalfway。Thatdistinguishedpersonagehadindeedenteredwithanairofcompulsionnotcalculatedtopromotetheeasyexerciseofhospitality。Shelookedasthoughshewereabouttobephotographedforaneweditionofherbooks。
Thedesiretopropitiateadivinityisgenerallyininverseratiotoitsresponsiveness，andthesenseofdiscouragementproducedbyOsricDane\'sentrancevisiblyincreasedtheLunchClub\'seagernesstopleaseher。Anylingeringideathatshemightconsiderherselfunderanobligationtoherentertainerswasatoncedispelledbyhermanner：asMrs。Leveretsaidafterwardtohersister，shehadawayoflookingatyouthatmadeyoufeelasiftherewassomethingwrongwithyourhat。ThisevidenceofgreatnessproducedsuchanimmediateimpressionontheladiesthatashudderofaweranthroughthemwhenMrs。Roby，astheirhostessledthegreatpersonageintothedining-room，turnedbacktowhispertotheothers：“Whatabrutesheis！”
Thehouraboutthetabledidnottendtocorrectthisverdict。
ItwaspassedbyOsricDaneinthesilentdeglutitionofMrs。
Ballinger\'smenu，andbythemembersoftheClubintheemissionoftentativeplatitudeswhichtheirguestseemedtoswallowasperfunctorilyasthesuccessivecoursesoftheluncheon。
Mrs。Ballinger\'sdeplorabledelayinfixingatopichadthrowntheClubintoamentaldisarraywhichincreasedwiththereturntothedrawing-room，wheretheactualbusinessofdiscussionwastoopen。Eachladywaitedfortheothertospeak；andtherewasageneralshockofdisappointmentwhentheirhostessopenedtheconversationbythepainfullycommonplaceinquiry：“IsthisyourfirstvisittoHillbridge？”
EvenMrs。Leveretwasconsciousthatthiswasabadbeginning；
andavagueimpulseofdeprecationmadeMissGlydeinterject：“Itisaverysmallplaceindeed。“
Mrs。Plinthbristled。“Wehaveagreatmanyrepresentativepeople，“shesaid，inthetoneofonewhospeaksforherorder。
OsricDaneturnedtoherthoughtfully。“Whatdotheyrepresent？”
sheasked。
Mrs。Plinth\'sconstitutionaldisliketobeingquestionedwasintensifiedbyhersenseofunpreparedness；andherreproachfulglancepassedthequestionontoMrs。Ballinger。
“Why，“saidthatlady，glancinginturnattheothermembers，“asacommunityIhopeitisnottoomuchtosaythatwestandforculture。“
“Forart——“MissGlydeeagerlyinterjected。
“Forartandliterature，“Mrs。Ballingeremended。
“Andforsociology，Itrust，“snappedMissVanVluyck。
“Wehaveastandard，“saidMrs。Plinth，feelingherselfsuddenlysecureonthevastexpanseofageneralisation：andMrs。Leveret，thinkingtheremustberoomformorethanoneonsobroadastatement，tookcouragetomurmur：“Oh，certainly；wehaveastandard。“
“Theobjectofourlittleclub，“Mrs。Ballingercontinued，“istoconcentratethehighesttendenciesofHillbridge——tocentraliseandfocusitscomplexintellectualeffort。“
Thiswasfelttobesohappythattheladiesdrewanalmostaudiblebreathofrelief。
“Weaspire，“thePresidentwenton，“tostandforwhatishighestinart，literatureandethics。“
OsricDaneagainturnedtoher。“Whatethics？”sheasked。
Atremorofapprehensionencircledtheroom。Noneoftheladiesrequiredanypreparationtopronounceonaquestionofmorals；
butwhentheywerecalledethicsitwasdifferent。Theclub，whenfreshfromthe“EncyclopaediaBritannica，“the“Reader\'sHandbook“orSmith\'s“ClassicalDictionary，“coulddealconfidentlywithanysubject；butwhentakenunawaresithadbeenknowntodefineagnosticismasaheresyoftheEarlyChurchandProfessorFroudeasadistinguishedhistologist；andsuchminormembersasMrs。Leveretstillsecretlyregardedethicsassomethingvaguelypagan。
EventoMrs。Ballinger，OsricDane\'squestionwasunsettling，andtherewasageneralsenseofgratitudewhenLauraGlydeleanedforwardtosay，withhermostsympatheticaccent：“Youmustexcuseus，Mrs。Dane，fornotbeingable，justatpresent，totalkofanythingbut\'TheWingsofDeath。\'“
“Yes，“saidMissVanVluyck，withasuddenresolvetocarrythewarintotheenemy\'scamp。“Wearesoanxioustoknowtheexactpurposeyouhadinmindinwritingyourwonderfulbook。“
“Youwillfind，“Mrs。Plinthinterposed，“thatwearenotsuperficialreaders。“
“Weareeagertohearfromyou，“MissVanVluyckcontinued，“ifthepessimistictendencyofthebookisanexpressionofyourownconvictionsor——“
“Ormerely，“MissGlydehastilythrustin，“asombrebackgroundbrushedintothrowyourfiguresintomorevividrelief。AREyounotprimarilyplastic？”
“Ihavealwaysmaintained，“Mrs。Ballingerinterposed，“thatyourepresentthepurelyobjectivemethod——“
OsricDanehelpedherselfcriticallytocoffee。“Howdoyoudefineobjective？”shetheninquired。
TherewasaflurriedpausebeforeLauraGlydeintenselymurmured：
“InreadingYOUwedon\'tdefine，wefeel。“
OsricDanesmiled。“Thecerebellum，“sheremarked，“isnotinfrequentlytheseatoftheliteraryemotions。“Andshetookasecondlumpofsugar。
Thestingthatthisremarkwasvaguelyfelttoconcealwasalmostneutralisedbythesatisfactionofbeingaddressedinsuchtechnicallanguage。
“Ah，thecerebellum，“saidMissVanVluyckcomplacently。“TheClubtookacourseinpsychologylastwinter。“
“Whichpsychology？”askedOsricDane。
Therewasanagonisingpause，duringwhicheachmemberoftheClubsecretlydeploredthedistressinginefficiencyoftheothers。OnlyMrs。Robywentonplacidlysippingherchartreuse。
AtlastMrs。Ballingersaid，withanattemptatahightone：
“Well，really，youknow，itwaslastyearthatwetookpsychology，andthiswinterwehavebeensoabsorbedin——“
Shebrokeoff，nervouslytryingtorecallsomeoftheClub\'sdiscussions；butherfacultiesseemedtobeparalysedbythepetrifyingstareofOsricDane。WhatHADtheclubbeenabsorbedinlately？Mrs。Ballinger，withavaguepurposeofgainingtime，repeatedslowly：“We\'vebeensointenselyabsorbedin——“
Mrs。Robyputdownherliqueurglassanddrewnearthegroupwithasmile。
“InXingu？”shegentlyprompted。
Athrillranthroughtheothermembers。Theyexchangedconfusedglances，andthen，withoneaccord，turnedagazeofmingledreliefandinterrogationontheirunexpectedrescuer。Theexpressionofeachdenotedadifferentphaseofthesameemotion。
Mrs。Plinthwasthefirsttocomposeherfeaturestoanairofreassurance：afteramoment\'shastyadjustmentherlookalmostimpliedthatitwasshewhohadgiventhewordtoMrs。Ballinger。
“Xingu，ofcourse！”exclaimedthelatterwithheraccustomedpromptness，whileMissVanVluyckandLauraGlydeseemedtobeplumbingthedepthsofmemory，andMrs。Leveret，feelingapprehensivelyforAppropriateAllusions，wassomehowreassuredbytheuncomfortablepressureofitsbulkagainstherperson。
OsricDane\'schangeofcountenancewasnolessstrikingthanthatofherentertainers。Shetooputdownhercoffee-cup，butwithalookofdistinctannoyance：shetoowore，forabriefmoment，whatMrs。Robyafterwarddescribedasthelookoffeelingforsomethinginthebackofherhead；andbeforeshecoulddissemblethesemomentarysignsofweakness，Mrs。Roby，turningtoherwithadeferentialsmile，hadsaid：“Andwe\'vebeensohopingthatto-dayyouwouldtellusjustwhatyouthinkofit。“
OsricDanereceivedthehomageofthesmileasamatterofcourse；buttheaccompanyingquestionobviouslyembarrassedher，anditbecamecleartoherobserversthatshewasnotquickatshiftingherfacialscenery。Itwasasthoughhercountenancehadsolongbeensetinanexpressionofunchallengedsuperioritythatthemuscleshadstiffened，andrefusedtoobeyherorders。
“Xingu——“shemurmured，asifseekinginherturntogaintime。
Mrs。Robycontinuedtopressher。“Knowinghowengrossingthesubjectis，youwillunderstandhowithappensthattheClubhasleteverythingelsegotothewallforthemoment。SincewetookupXinguImightalmostsay——wereitnotforyourbooks——thatnothingelseseemstousworthremembering。“
OsricDane\'ssternfeaturesweredarkenedratherthanlitupbyanuneasysmile。“Iamgladtohearthereisoneexception，“shegaveoutbetweennarrowedlips。
“Oh，ofcourse，“Mrs。Robysaidprettily；“butasyouhaveshownusthat——soverynaturally！——youdon\'tcaretotalkaboutyourownthings，wereallycan\'tletyouofffromtellingusexactlywhatyouthinkaboutXingu；especially，“sheadded，withapersuasivesmile，“assomepeoplesaythatoneofyourlastbookswassimplysaturatedwithit。“
ItwasanIT，then——theassurancespedlikefirethroughtheparchedmindsoftheothermembers。IntheireagernesstogaintheleastlittlecluetoXingutheyalmostforgotthejoyofassistingatthediscomfitureofMrs。Dane。
Thelatterreddenednervouslyunderherantagonist\'sdirectassault。“MayIask，“shefalteredoutinanembarrassedtone，“towhichofmybooksyourefer？”
Mrs。Robydidnotfalter。“That\'sjustwhatIwantyoutotellus；because，thoughIwaspresent，Ididn\'tactuallytakepart。“
“Presentatwhat？”Mrs。Danetookherup；andforaninstantthetremblingmembersoftheLunchClubthoughtthatthechampionProvidencehadraisedupforthemhadlostapoint。ButMrs。
Robyexplainedherselfgaily：“Atthediscussion，ofcourse。Andsowe\'redreadfullyanxioustoknowjusthowitwasthatyouwentintotheXingu。“
Therewasaportentouspause，asilencesobigwithincalculabledangersthatthememberswithoneaccordcheckedthewordsontheirlips，likesoldiersdroppingtheirarmstowatchasinglecombatbetweentheirleaders。ThenMrs。Danegaveexpressiontotheirinmostdreadbysayingsharply：“Ah——yousayTHEXingu，doyou？”
Mrs。Robysmiledundauntedly。“ItISashadepedantic，isn\'tit？
Personally，Ialwaysdropthearticle；butIdon\'tknowhowtheothermembersfeelaboutit。“
Theothermemberslookedasthoughtheywouldwillinglyhavedispensedwiththisdeferentialappealtotheiropinion，andMrs。
Roby，afterabrightglanceaboutthegroup，wenton：“Theyprobablythink，asIdo，thatnothingreallymattersexceptthethingitself——exceptXingu。“
NoimmediatereplyseemedtooccurtoMrs。Dane，andMrs。
Ballingergatheredcouragetosay：“SurelyeveryonemustfeelthataboutXingu。“
Mrs。Plinthcametohersupportwithaheavymurmurofassent，andLauraGlydebreathedemotionally：“Ihaveknowncaseswhereithaschangedawholelife。“
“Ithasdonemeworldsofgood，“Mrs。Leveretinterjected，seemingtoherselftorememberthatshehadeithertakenitorreaditinthewinterbefore。
“Ofcourse，“Mrs。Robyadmitted，“thedifficultyisthatonemustgiveupsomuchtimetoit。It\'sverylong。“
“Ican\'timagine，“saidMissVanVluycktartly，“grudgingthetimegiventosuchasubject。“
“Anddeepinplaces，“Mrs。Robypursued；sothenitwasabook！
“Anditisn\'teasytoskip。“
“Ineverskip，“saidMrs。Plinthdogmatically。
“Ah，it\'sdangerousto，inXingu。Evenatthestartthereareplaceswhereonecan\'t。Onemustjustwadethrough。“
“IshouldhardlycallitWADING，“saidMrs。Ballingersarcastically。
Mrs。Robysentheralookofinterest。“Ah——youalwaysfounditwentswimmingly？”
Mrs。Ballingerhesitated。“Ofcoursetherearedifficultpassages，“sheconcededmodestly。
“Yes；somearenotatallclear——even，“Mrs。Robyadded，“ifoneisfamiliarwiththeoriginal。“
“AsIsupposeyouare？”OsricDaneinterposed，suddenlyfixingherwithalookofchallenge。
Mrs。Robymetitbyadeprecatingsmile。“Oh，it\'sreallynotdifficultuptoacertainpoint；thoughsomeofthebranchesareverylittleknown，andit\'salmostimpossibletogetatthesource。“
“Haveyouevertried？”Mrs。Plinthenquired，stilldistrustfulofMrs。Roby\'sthoroughness。
Mrs。Robywassilentforamoment；thensherepliedwithloweredlids：“No——butafriendofminedid；averybrilliantman；andhetoldmeitwasbestforwomen——notto……“
Ashudderranaroundtheroom。Mrs。Leveretcoughedsothattheparlour-maid，whowashandingthecigarettes，shouldnothear；
MissVanVluyck\'sfacetookonanauseatedexpression，andMrs。
Plinthlookedasifshewerepassingsomeoneshedidnotcaretobowto。ButthemostremarkableresultofMrs。Roby\'swordswastheeffecttheyproducedontheLunchClub\'sdistinguishedguest。
OsricDane\'simpassivefeaturessuddenlymeltedtoanexpressionofthewarmesthumansympathy，andedgingherchairtowardMrs。
Roby\'ssheasked：“Didhereally？And——didyoufindhewasright？”
Mrs。Ballinger，inwhomannoyanceatMrs。Roby\'sunwontedassumptionofprominencewasbeginningtodisplacegratitudefortheaidshehadrendered，couldnotconsenttoherbeingallowed，bysuchdubiousmeans，tomonopolisetheattentionoftheirguest。IfOsricDanehadnotenoughself-respecttoresentMrs。
Roby\'sflippancy，atleasttheLunchClubwoulddosointhepersonofitsPresident。
Mrs。BallingerlaidherhandonMrs。Roby\'sarm。“Wemustnotforget，“shesaidwithafrigidamiability，“thatabsorbingasXinguistoUS，itmaybelessinterestingto——“
“Oh，no，onthecontrary，Iassureyou，“OsricDaneenergeticallyintervened。
“——toothers，“Mrs。Ballingerfinishedfirmly；“andwemustnotallowourlittlemeetingtoendwithoutpersuadingMrs。Danetosayafewwordstousonasubjectwhich，to-day，ismuchmorepresentinallourthoughts。Irefer，ofcourse，to\'TheWingsofDeath。\'“
Theothermembers，animatedbyvariousdegreesofthesamesentiment，andencouragedbythehumanisedmienoftheirredoubtableguest，repeatedafterMrs。Ballinger：“Oh，yes，youreallyMUSTtalktousalittleaboutyourbook。“
OsricDane\'sexpressionbecameasbored，thoughnotashaughty，aswhenherworkhadbeenpreviouslymentioned。ButbeforeshecouldrespondtoMrs。Ballinger\'srequest，Mrs。Robyhadrisenfromherseat，andwaspullingherveildownoverherfrivolousnose。
“I\'msosorry，“shesaid，advancingtowardherhostesswithoutstretchedhand，“butbeforeMrs。DanebeginsIthinkI\'dbetterrunaway。Unluckily，asyouknow，Ihaven\'treadherbooks，soIshouldbeataterribledisadvantageamongyouall；
andbesides，I\'veanengagementtoplaybridge。“