“Ihavesuspected。”hesaid，——“Ihavehadakindoffeeling——thatshe——Well，come，Doctor，——Idon’tknowthatthere’sanyuseindisguisingthematter，——IhavethoughtElsieVeneerhadratherafancyforsomebodyelse，——Imeanmyself。”
Therewassomethingsobecomingintheblushwithwhichtheyoungmanmadethisconfession，andsomanly，too，inthetonewithwhichhespoke，soremotefromanyshallowvanity，suchasyoungmenwhoareincapableofloveareapttofeel，whensomeloosetendrilofawoman’sfancywhichachancewindhasblownagainstthemtwinesaboutthemforthewantofanythingbetter，thattheoldDoctorlookedathimadmiringly，andcouldnothelpthinkingthatitwasnowonderanyyounggirlshouldbepleasedwithhim。
“Youareamanofnerve，Mr。Langdon？“saidtheDoctor。
“Ithoughtsotillverylately。”hereplied。“Iamnoteasilyfrightened，butIdon’tknowbutImightbebewitchedormagnetized，orwhateveritiswhenoneistiedupandcannotmove。IthinkIcanfindnerveenough，however，ifthereisanyspecialuseyouwanttoputitto。”
“Letmeaskyouonemorequestion，Mr。Langdon。DoyoufindyourselfdisposedtotakeaspecialinterestinElsie，——tofallinlovewithher，inaword？Pardonme，forIdonotaskfromcuriosity，butamuchmoreseriousmotive。”
“Elsieinterestsme。”saidtheyoungman，“interestsmestrangely。
ShehasawildflavorinhercharacterwhichiswhollydifferentfromthatofanyhumancreatureIeversaw。Shehasmarksofgenius，poeticordramatic，——Ihardlyknowwhich。ShereadapassagefromKeats’s’Lamia’theotherday，intheschoolroom，insuchawaythatIdeclaretoyouIthoughtsomeofthegirlswouldfaintorgointofits。MissDarleygotupandlefttheroom，tremblingallover。
Then，Ipityher，sheissolonely。Thegirlsareafraidofher，andsheseemstohaveeitheradislikeorafearofthem。Theyhaveallsortsofpainfulstoriesabouther。Theygiveheranamewhichnohumancreatureoughttobear。Theysayshehidesamarkonherneckbyalwayswearinganecklace。Sheisverygraceful，youknow，andtheywillhaveitthatshecantwistherselfintoallsortsofshapes，ortieherselfinaknot，ifshewantsto。Thereisnotoneofthemthatwilllookherintheeyes。Ipitythepoorgirl；but，Doctor，Idonotloveher。Iwouldriskmylifeforher，ifitwoulddoheranygood，butitwouldbeincoldblood。Ifherhandtouchesmine，itisnotathrillofpassionIfeelrunningthroughme，butaverydifferentemotion。Oh，Doctor！theremustbesomethinginthatcreature’sbloodwhichhaskilledthehumanityinher。Godonlyknowsthecausethathasblightedsuchasoulinsobeautifulabody！
No，Doctor，Idonotlovethegirl。”
“Mr。Langdon。”saidtheDoctor，“youareyoung，andIamold。Letmetalktoyouwithanoldman’sprivilege，asanadviser。Youhavecometothiscountry-townwithoutsuspicion，andyouaremovinginthemidstofperils。TherearethingswhichImustnottellyounow；
butImaywarnyou。Keepyoureyesopenandyourheartshut。If，throughpityingthatgirl，youevercometoloveher，youarelost。
Ifyoudealcarelesslywithher，beware！Thisisnotall。ThereareothereyesonyoubesideElsieVenner’s。Doyougoarmed？“
“Ido！“saidMr。Bernard，——andhe“puthishandsup“intheshapeoffists，insuchawayastoshowthathewasmasterofthenaturalweaponsatanyrate。
TheDoctorcouldnothelpsmiling。Buthisfacefellinaninstant。
“Youmaywantsomethingmorethanthosetoolstoworkwith。Comewithmeintomysanctum。”
TheDoctorledMr。Bernardintoasmallroomopeningoutofthestudy。Itwasaplacesuchasanybodybutamedicalmanwouldshivertoenter。Therewastheusualtallboxwithitsbleached，rattlingtenant；therewerejarsinrowswhere“interestingcases“outlivedthegriefofwidowsandheirsinalcoholicimmortality，——foryour“preparation-jar“isthetrue“monumentumaereperennius；“therewerevarioussemi-possibilitiesofminutedimensionsandunpromisingdevelopments；therewereshininginstrumentsofevilaspect，andgrimplatesonthewalls，andononeshelfbyitself，accursedandapart，coiledinalongcylinderofspirit，ahugecrotalus，rough-scaled，flatheaded，variegatedwithdullbands，oneofwhichpartiallyencircledthenecklikeacollar，——anawfulwretchtolookupon，withmurderwrittenalloverhiminhorridhieroglyphics。Mr。Bernard’slookwasrivetedonthiscreature，——notfascinatedcertainly，foritseyeslookedlikewhitebeads，beingcloudedbytheactionofthespiritsinwhichithadbeenlongkept，——butfixedbysomeindefinitesenseoftherenewalofapreviousimpression；——everybodyknowsthefeeling，withitssuggestionofsomepaststateofexistence。Therewasascrapofpaperonthejar，withsomethingwrittenonit。HewasreachinguptoreaditwhentheDoctortouchedhimlightly。
“Lookhere，Mr。Langdon！“hesaid，withacertainvivacityofmanner，asifwishingtocallawayhisattention，——“thisismyarmory。”
TheDoctorthrewopenthedoorofasmallcabinet，whereweredisposedinartisticpatternsvariousweaponsofoffenceanddefence，——forhewasavirtuosoinhisway，andbythesideoftheimplementsoftheartofhealinghadpleasedhimselfwithdisplayingacollectionofthoseotherinstruments，theuseofwhichrendersthefirstnecessary。
“Seewhichoftheseweaponsyouwouldlikebesttocarryaboutyou。”
saidtheDoctor。
Mr。Bernardlaughed，andlookedattheDoctorasifhehalfdoubtedwhetherhewasinearnest。
“Thislooksdangerousenough。”hesaid，——“forthemanwhocarriesit，atleast。”
HetookdownoneoftheprohibitedSpanishdaggersorkniveswhichatravellermay，occasionallygetholdofandsmuggleoutofthecountry。Thebladewasbroad，trowel-like，butthepointdrawnoutseveralinches，soastolooklikeaskewer。
“Thismustbeajealousbull-fighter’sweapon。”hesaid，andputitbackinitsplace。
Thenhetookdownanancient-lookingbroad-bladeddagger，withacomplexaspectaboutit，asifithadsomekindofmechanismconnectedwithit。
“Takecare！“saidtheDoctor；“thereisatricktothatdagger。”
Hetookitandtouchedaspring。Thedaggersplitsuddenlyintothreeblades，aswhenoneseparatestheforefingerandthering-
fingerfromthemiddleone。Theoutsidebladesweresharpontheirouteredge。Thestabwastobemadewiththedaggershut，thenthespringtouchedandthesplitbladeswithdrawn。
Mr。Bernardreplacedit，saying，thatitwouldhaveservedforside-
armtooldSuwarrow，whotoldhismentoworktheirbayonetsbackandforwardwhentheypinnedaTurk，buttowrigglethemaboutinthewoundwhentheystabbedaFrenchman。
“Here。”saidtheDoctor，“thisisthethingyouwant。”
Hetookdownamuchmoremodernandfamiliarimplement，——asmall，beautifullyfinishedrevolver。
“Iwantyoutocarrythis。”hesaid；“andmorethanthat，Iwantyoutopractisewithitoften，asforamusement，butsothatitmaybeseenandunderstoodthatyouareapttohaveapistolaboutyou。
Pistol-shootingispleasantsportenough，andthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotpractiseitlikeotheryoungfellows。Andnow。”theDoctorsaid，“Ihaveoneother，weapontogiveyou。”
Hetookasmallpieceofparchmentandshookawhitepowderintoitfromoneofhismedicine-jars。Thejarwasmarkedwiththenameofamineralsalt，ofanaturetohavebeenserviceableincaseofsuddenillnessinthetimeoftheBorgias。TheDoctorfoldedtheparchmentcarefully，andmarkedtheLatinnameofthepowderuponit。
“Here。”hesaid，handingittoMr。Bernard，“youseewhatitis，andyouknowwhatserviceitcanrender。Keepthesetwoprotectorsaboutyourpersondayandnight；theywillnotharmyou，andyoumaywantoneortheotherorbothbeforeyouthinkofit。”
Mr。Bernardthoughtitwasveryodd，andnotveryold-gentlemanlike，tobefittinghimoutfortreason，stratagem，andspoils，inthisway。Therewasnoharm，however，incarryingadoctor’spowderinhispocket，orinamusinghimselfwithshootingatamark，ashehadoftendonebefore。Iftheoldgentlemanhadthesefancies，itwasaswelltohumorhim。
SohethankedoldDoctorKittredge，andshookhishandwarmlyashelefthim。
“Thefellow’shanddidnottremble，norhiscolorchange。”theDoctorsaid，ashewatchedhimwalkingaway。“Heisoneoftherightsort。”
CHAPTERXVI
EPISTOLARY。
Mr。LangdontotheProfessor。
MYDEARPROFESSOR，YouwerekindenoughtopromisemethatyouwouldassistmeinanyprofessionalorscientificinvestigationsinwhichImightbecomeengaged。Ihaveoflatebecomedeeplyinterestedinaclassofsubjectswhichpresentpeculiardifficulty，andImustexercisetheprivilegeofquestioningyouonsomepointsuponwhichIdesireinformationIcannototherwiseobtain。Iwouldnottroubleyou，ifI
couldfindanypersonorbookscompetenttoenlightenmeonsomeofthesesingularmatterswhichhavesoexcitedme。Theleadingdoctorhereisashrewd，sensibleman，butnotversedinthecuriositiesofmedicalliterature。
Iproceed，withyourleave，toaskaconsiderablenumberofquestions，——hopingtogetanswerstosomeofthem，atleast。
Isthereanyevidencethathumanbeingscanbeinfectedorwroughtuponbypoisons，orotherwise，sothattheyshallmanifestanyofthepeculiaritiesbelongingtobeingsofalowernature？Cansuchpeculiarities——betransmittedbyinheritance？Isthereanythingtocountenancethestories，longandwidelycurrent，aboutthe“evileye“？orisitamerefancythatsuchapowerbelongstoanyhumanbeing？Haveyouanypersonalexperienceastothepoweroffascinationsaidtobeexercisedbycertainanimals？Whatcanyoumakeofthosecircumstantialstatementswehaveseeninthepapers，ofchildrenformingmysteriousfriendshipswithophidiansofdifferentspecies，sharingtheirfoodwiththem，andseemingtobeundersomesubtileinfluenceexercisedbythosecreatures？Haveyouread，critically，Coleridge’spoemof“Christabel。”andKeats’s“Lamia“？——Ifso，canyouunderstandthem，orfindanyphysiologicalfoundationforthestoryofeither？
ThereisanothersetofquestionsofadifferentnatureIshouldliketoask，butitishardlyfairtoputsomanyonasinglesheet。
Thereisone，however，youmustanswer。Doyouthinktheremaybepredispositions，inheritedoringrafted，butatanyrateconstitutional，whichshalltakeoutcertainapparentlyvoluntarydeterminationsfromthecontrolofthewill，andleavethemasfreefrommoralresponsibilityastheinstinctsoftheloweranimals？Doyounotthinktheremaybeacrimewhichisnotasin？
Pardonme，mydearSir，fortroublingyouwithsuchalistofnotesofinterrogation。Therearesomeverystrangethingsgoingonhereinthisplace，country-townasitis。Country-lifeisapttobedull；butwhenitoncegetsgoing，itbeatsthecityhollow，becauseitgivesitswholemindtowhatitisabout。TheseruralsinnersmaketerribleworkwiththemiddleoftheDecalogue，whentheygetstarted。However，IhopeIshalllivethroughmyyear’sschool-
keepingwithoutcatastrophes，thoughtherearequeerdoingsaboutmewhichpuzzlemeandmightscaresomepeople。Ifanythingshouldhappen，youwillbeoneofthefirsttohearofit，nodoubt。ButI
trustnottohelpouttheeditorsofthe“RocklandWeeklyUniverse“
withanobituaryofthelatelamented，whosignedhimselfinlifeYourfriendandpupil，BERNARDC。LANGDON。
TheProfessortoMr。Langdon。
MYDEARMR。LANGDON，Idonotwonderthatyoufindnoanswerfromyourcountryfriendstothecuriousquestionsyouput。Theybelongtothatmiddleregionbetweenscienceandpoetrywhichsensiblemen，astheyarecalled，areveryshyofmeddlingwith。Somepeoplethinkthattruthandgoldarealwaystobewashedfor；butthewisersortareofopinion，that，unlesstherearesomanygrainstothepeckofsandornonsenserespectively，itdoesnotpaytowashforeither，solongasonecanfindanythingelsetodo。Idon’tdoubtthereissometruthinthephenomenaofanimalmagnetism，forinstance；butwhenyouaskmetocradleforit，Itellyouthatthehystericgirlscheatso，andtheprofessionalsaresuchasetofpickpockets，thatIcandosomethingbetterthanhuntforthegrainsoftruthamongtheirtricksandlies。
DoyourememberwhatIusedtosayinmylectures？——orwereyouasleepjustthen，orcuttingyourinitialsontherail？YouseeI
canaskquestions，myyoungfriend。Leverageiseverything，——waswhatIusedtosay；——don’tbegintoprytillyouhavegotthelongarmonyourside。
Topleaseyou，andsatisfyyourdoubtsasfaraspossible，Ihavelookedintotheoldbooks，——intoSchenckiusandTurnerandKenelm。
Digbyandtherest，whereIhavefoundplentyofcuriousstorieswhichyoumusttakeforwhattheyareworth。
YourfirstquestionIcananswerintheaffirmativeuponprettygoodauthority。Mizaldustells，inhis“Memorabilia。”thewell-knownstoryofthegirlfedonpoisons，whowassentbythekingoftheIndiestoAlexandertheGreat。“WhenAristotlesawhereyessparklingandsnappinglikethoseofserpents，hesaid，’Lookoutforyourself，Alexander！thisisadangerouscompanionforyou！’“——andsureenough，theyoungladyprovedtobeaveryunsafepersontoherfriends。CardanusgetsastoryfromAvicenna，ofacertainmanbitbyaserpent，whorecoveredofhisbite，thesnakedyingtherefrom。
Thismanafterwardshadadaughterwhomvenomousserpentscouldnotharm，thoughshehadafatalpoweroverthem。
IsupposeyoumayrememberthestatementsofoldauthorsaboutZycanthropy，thediseaseinwhichmentookonthenatureandaspectofwolves。ActiusandPaulus，bothmenofauthority，describeit。
Altomarisgivesahorridcase；andFinceliusmentionsoneoccurringaslateas1541，thesubjectofwhichwascaptured，stillinsistingthathewasawolf，onlythatthehairofhishidewasturnedin！
Versipelles，itmayberemembered，wastheLatinnameforthese“were-wolves。”
Asforthecaseswhererabidpersonshavebarkedandbitlikedogs，thereareplentyofsuchonrecord。
Moresingular，oratleastmorerare，istheaccountgivenbyAndreasBaccius，ofamanwhowasstruckinthehandbyacock，withhisbeak，andwhodiedonthethirddaythereafter，lookingforalltheworldlikeafighting-cock，tothegreathorrorofthespectators。
Astoimpressionstransmittedataveryearlyperiodofexistence，everyoneknowsthestoryofKingJames’sfearofanakedsword，andthewayitisaccountedfor。SirKenelmDigbysays，——“IrememberwhenhedubbedmeKnight，intheceremonyofputtingthepointofanakedsworduponmyshoulder，hecouldnotenduretolookuponit，butturnedhisfaceanotherway，insomuch，that，inlieuoftouchingmyshoulder，hehadalmostthrustthepointintomyeyes，hadnottheDukeofBuckinghamguidedhishandaright。”Itishe，too，whotellsthestoryofthemulberrymarkupontheneckofacertainladyofhighcondition，which“everyyear，tomulberryseason，didswell，growbig，anditch。”AndGaffarelmentionsthecaseofagirlbornwiththefigureofafishononeofherlimbs，ofwhichthewonderwas，that，whenthegirldideatfish，thismarkputhertosensiblepain。Butthereisnoendtocasesofthiskind，andIcouldgivesomeofrecentdate，ifnecessary，lendingacertainplausibilityatleasttothedoctrineoftransmittedimpressions。
Ineversawadistinctcaseofevileye，thoughIhaveseeneyessobadthattheymightproducestrangeeffectsonverysensitivenatures。Butthebeliefinitundervariousnames，fascination，jettcztura，etc。，issopermanentanduniversal，fromEgypttoItaly，andfromthedaysofSolomontothoseofFerdinandofNaples，thattheremustbesomepeculiarity，tosaytheleast，onwhichtheopinionisbased。Thereisverystrongevidencethatsomesuchpowerisexercisedbycertainoftheloweranimals。Thus，itisstatedongoodauthoritythat“almosteveryanimalbecomespanic-struckatthesightoftherattlesnake，andseemsatoncedeprivedofthepowerofmotion，ortheexerciseofitsusualinstinctofself-preservation。”
Otherserpentsseemtosharethispoweroffascination，astheCobraandtheBuccephalusCapensis。
Somethinkthatitisnothingbutfright；othersattributeittothe“strangepowersthatlieWithinthemagiccircleoftheeye。”——
asChurchillsaid，speakingofGarrick。
Youaskmeaboutthosemysteriousandfrightfulintimaciesbetweenchildrenandserpents，ofwhichsomanyinstanceshavebeenrecorded。
IamsureIcannottellwhattomakeofthem。Ihaveseenseveralsuchaccountsinrecentpapers，buthereisonepublishedintheseventeenthcentury，whichisasstrikingasanyofthemoremodernones：
“Mr。HerbertTonesofMonmouth，whenhewasalittleBoy，wasusedtoeathisMilkinaGardenintheMorning，andwasnosoonerthere，butalargeSnakealwayscame，andeatoutoftheDishwithhim，anddidsoforaconsiderabletime，tilloneMorning，hestrikingtheSnakeontheHead，ithissedathim。UponwhichhetoldhisMotherthattheBabyforsohecall’ditcry’dHissathim。HisMotherhaditkill’d，whichoccasionedhimagreatFitofSickness，and’twasthoughtwouldhavedy’d，butdidrecover。”
Therewaslikewiseone“WilliamWrittle，condemnedatMaidstonAssizesforadoublemurder，toldaMinisterthatwaswithhimafterhewascondemned，thathismothertoldhim，thatwhenhewasaChild，therecreptalwaystohimaSnake，wherevershelaidhim。SometimesshewouldconveyhimupStairs，andleavehimneversolittle，sheshouldbesuretofindaSnakeintheCradlewithhim，butneverperceiveditdidhimanyharm。”
Oneofthemoststrikingallegedfactsconnectedwiththemysteriousrelationexistingbetweentheserpentand-thehumanspeciesistheinfluencewhichthepoisonoftheCrotulus，takeninternally，seemedtoproduceoverthemoralfaculties，intheexperimentsinstitutedbyDr。HeringatSurinam。Thereissomethingfrightfulinthedispositionofcertainophidians，asthewhipsnake，whichdartsattheeyesofcattlewithoutanyapparentprovocationorothermotive。
Itisnaturalenoughthattheevilprincipleshouldhavebeenrepresentedintheformofaserpent，butitisstrangetothinkofintroducingitintoahumanbeinglikecow-poxbyvaccination。
YouknowallaboutthePsylli，orancientserpenttamers，Isuppose。
Savarygivesanaccountofthemodernserpent-tamersinhis“LettersonEgypt。”ThesemodernjugglersareinthehabitofmakingthevenomousNajacounterfeitdeath，lyingoutstraightandstiff，changingitintoarod，astheancientmagiciansdidwiththeirserpents，probablythesameanimal，inthetimeofMoses。
IamafraidIcannotthrowmuchlighton“Christabel“or“Lamia“byanycriticismIcanoffer。Geraldine，intheformer，seemstobesimplyamalignantwitch-womanwiththeevileye，butwithnoabsoluteophidianrelationship。Lamiaisaserpenttransformedbymagicintoawoman。Theideaofbothismythological，andnotinanysensephysiological。Somewomenunquestionablysuggesttheimageofserpents；menrarelyornever。Ihavebeenstruck，likemanyothers，withtheophidianheadandeyeofthefamousRachel。
Yourquestionaboutinheritedpredispositions，aslimitingthesphereofthewill，and，consequently，ofmoralaccountability，opensaverywiderangeofspeculation。Icangiveyouonlyabriefabstractofmyownopinionsonthisdelicateanddifficultsubject。Crimeandsin，beingthepreservesoftwogreatorganizedinterests，havebeenguardedagainstallreformingpoacherswithasgreatjealousyastheRoyalForests。Itissoeasytohangatroublesomefellow！Itissomuchsimplertoconsignasoultoperdition，orsaymasses，formoney，tosaveit，thantotaketheblameonourselvesforlettingitgrowupinneglectandruntoruinforwantofhumanizinginfluences！
Theyhungpoor，crazyBellinghamforshootingMr。Perceval。TheordinaryofNewgatepreachedtowomenwhoweretoswingatTyburnforapettytheftasiftheywereworsethanotherpeople，——justasthoughhewouldnothavebeenapickpocketorshoplifter，himself，ifhehadbeenborninadenofthievesandbreduptostealorstarve！
TheEnglishlawneverbegantogetholdoftheideathatacrimewasnotnecessarilyasin，tillHadfield，whothoughthewastheSaviourofmankind，wastriedforshootingatGeorgetheThird；——luckyforhimthathedidnothithisMajesty！
Itisverysingularthatwerecognizeallthebodilydefectsthatunfitamanformilitaryservice，andalltheintellectualonesthatlimithisrangeofthought，butalwaystalkathimasifallhismoralpowerswereperfect。Isupposewemustpunishevil-doersasweextirpatevermin；butIdon’tknowthatwehaveanymorerighttojudgethemthanwehavetojudgeratsandmice，whicharejustasgoodascatsandweasels，thoughwethinkitnecessarytotreatthemascriminals。
Thelimitationsofhumanresponsibilityhaveneverbeenproperlystudied，unlessitbebythephrenologists。YouknowfrommylecturesthatIconsiderphrenology，astaught，apseudo-science，andnotabranchofpositiveknowledge；but，forallthat，weoweitanimmensedebt。Ithasmeltedtheworld’sconscienceinitscrucible，andcastitinanewmould，withfeatureslesslikethoseofMolochandmorelikethoseofhumanity。Ifithasfailedtodemonstrateitssystemofspecialcorrespondences，ithasprovedthattherearefixedrelationsbetweenorganizationandmindandcharacter。Ithasbroughtoutthatgreatdoctrineofmoralinsanity，whichhasdonemoretomakemencharitableandsoftenlegalandtheologicalbarbarismthananyonedoctrinethatIcanthinkofsincethemessageofpeaceandgood-willtomen。
Automaticactioninthemoralworld；thereflexmovementwhichseemstobeself-determination，andhasbeenhangedandhowledatassuchmetaphoricallyfornobodyknowshowmanycenturies：untilsomebodyshallstudythisasMarshallHallhasstudiedreflexnervousactioninthebodilysystem，Iwouldnotgivemuchformen’sjudgmentsofeachothers’characters。Shutuptherobberandthedefaulter，wemust。ButwhatifyouroldestboyhadbeenstolenfromhiscradleandbredinaNorth-Streetcellar？Whatifyouaredrinkingalittletoomuchwineandsmokingalittletoomuchtobacco，andyoursontakesafteryou，andsoyourpoorgrandson’sbrainbeingalittleinjuredinphysicaltexture，helosesthefinemoralsenseonwhichyouprideyourself，anddoesn’tseethedifferencebetweensigninganotherman’snametoadraftandhisown？
IsupposethestudyofautomaticactioninthemoralworldyouseewhatImeanthroughtheapparentcontradictionoftermsmaybeadangerousoneintheviewofmanypeople。Itisliabletoabuse，nodoubt。Peoplearealwaysgladto，getholdofanythingwhichlimitstheirresponsibility。Butrememberthatourmoralestimatescomedowntousfromancestorswhohangedchildrenforstealingfortyshillings’worth，andsenttheirsoulstoperditionforthesinofbeingborn，——whopunishedtheunfortunatefamiliesofsuicides，andintheireagernessforjusticeexecutedoneinnocentpersoneverythreeyears，ontheaverage，asSirJamesMackintoshtellsus。
Idonotknowinwhatshapethepracticalquestionmaypresentitselftoyou；butIwilltellyoumyruleinlife，andIthinkyouwillfinditagoodone。Treatbadmenexactlyasiftheywereinsane。
Theyarein-sane，outofhealth，morally。Reason，whichisfoodtosoundminds，isnottolerated，stilllessassimilated，unlessadministeredwiththegreatestcaution；perhaps，notatall。Avoidcollisionwiththem，sofarasyouhonorablycan；keepyourtemper，ifyoucan，——foroneangrymanisasgoodasanother；restrainthemfromviolence，promptly，completely，andwiththeleastpossibleinjury，justasinthecaseofmaniacs，——andwhenyouhavegotridofthem，orgotthemtiedhandandfootsothattheycandonomischief，sitdownandcontemplatethemcharitably，rememberingthatninetenthsoftheir’perversitycomesfromoutsideinfluences，drunkenancestors，abuseinchildhood，badcompany，fromwhichyouhavehappilybeenpreserved，andforsomeofwhichyou，asamemberofsociety，maybefractionallyresponsible。Ithinkalsothattherearespecialinfluenceswhichworkinthebroodlakeferments，andI
haveasuspicionthatsomeofthosecuriousoldstoriesIcitedmayhavemorerecentparallels。HaveyouevermetwithanycaseswhichadmittedofasolutionlikethatwhichIhavementioned？，Yoursverytruly，__________________________
BernardLangdontoPhilipStaples。
MYDEARPHILIP，——
Ihavebeenforsomemonthsestablishedinthisplace，turningthemaincrankofthemachineryforthemanufactoryofaccomplishmentssuperintendedby，orratherworkedtotheprofitof，acertainMr。
SilasPeckham。Heisapoorwretch，withalittlethinfishybloodinhisbody，leanandflat，long-armedandlarge-handed，thick-
jointedandthin-muscled，——youknowthoseunwholesome，weak-eyed，half-fedcreatures，thatlooknotfittoberoundamonglivefolks，andyetnotquitedeadenoughtobury。Ifyoueverhearofmybeingincourttoanswertoachargeofassaultandbattery，youmayguessthatIhavebeengivinghimathrashingtosettleoffoldscores；forheisatyrant，andhascomeprettynearkillinghisprincipallady-
assistantwithoverworkingherandkeepingheroutofalldecentprivileges。
HelenDarleyisthislady’sname，——twentytwoorthreeyearsold，I
shouldthink，——averysweet，palewoman，——daughteroftheusualcountry-clergyman，——thrownonherownresourcesfromanearlyage，andtherest：acommonstory，butanuncommonperson，——very。Allconscienceandsensibility，Ishouldsay，——acruelworker，——nokindofregardforherself，seemsasfragileandsuppleasayoungwillow-
shoot，buttryherandyoufindshehasthespringinherofasteelcross-bow。IamgladIhappenedtocometothisplace，ifitwereonlyforhersake。Ihavesavedthatgirl’slife；IamassureofitasifIhadpulledheroutofthefireorwater。
OfcourseI’minlovewithher，yousay，——wealwayslovethosewhomwehavebenefited；“savedherlife，——herlovewastherewardofhisdevotion。”etc。，etc。，asinaregularsetnovel。Inlove，Philip？
Well，aboutthat，——IloveHelenDarley——verymuch：thereishardlyanybodyIlovesowell。Whatanoblecreaturesheis！Oneofthosethatjustgorighton，dotheirownworkandeverybodyelse’s，killingthemselvesinchbyinchwithouteverthinkingaboutit，——
singinganddancingattheirtoilwhentheybegin，wornandsaddenedafterawhile，butpressingsteadilyon，totteringbyandby，andcatchingattherailbytheway-sidetohelpthemliftonefootbeforetheother，andatlastfalling，facedown，armsstretchedforwardPhilip，myboy，doyouknowIamthesortofmanthatlockshisdoorsometimesandcrieshisheartoutofhiseyes，——thatcansoblikeawomanandnotbeashamedofit？Icomeoffighting-bloodononeside，youknow；IthinkIcouldbesavageonoccasion。ButIamtender，——moreandmoretenderasIcomeintomyfulnessofmanhood。
Idon’tliketostrikeaman，laugh，ifyoulike，——IknowIhithardwhenIdostrike，——butwhatIcan’tstandisthesightofthesepoor，patient，toilingwomen，whoneverfindoutinthislifehowgoodtheyare，andneverknowwhatitistobetoldtheyareangelswhiletheystillwearthepleasingincumbrancesofhumanity。Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthesecases。Tothinkthatawomanisnevertobeawomanagain，whatevershemaycometoasanunsexedangel，——andthatsheshoulddieunloved！Whydoesnotsomebodycomeandcarryoffthisnoblewoman，waitinghereallreadytomakeamanhappy？
Philip，doyouknowthepathosthereisintheeyesofunsoughtwomen，oppressedwiththeburdenofaninnerlifeunshared？IcanseeintothemnowasIcouldnotinthose’earlierdays。Isometimesthinktheirpupilsdilateonpurposetoletmyconsciousnessglidethroughthem；indeed，Idreadthem，Icomesoclosetothenerveofthesoulitselfinthesemomentaryintimacies。YouusedtotellmeI
wasaTurk，——thatmyheartwasfullofpigeon-holes，withaccommodationsinsideforawholeflockofdoves。Idon’tknowbutI
amstillasYoungishaseverinmyways，——Brigham-Youngish，Imean；
atanyrate，T。alwayswanttogivealittlelovetoallthepoorthingsthatcannothaveawholemantothemselves。Iftheywouldonlybecontentedwithalittle！
HerenowaretwogirlsinthisschoolwhereIamteaching。Oneofthem，RosaM。，isnotmorethansixteenyearsold，Ithinktheysay；
butNaturehasforcedherintoatropicalluxurianceofbeauty，asifitwereJulywithher，insteadofMay。Isupposeitisallnaturalenoughthatthisgirlshouldlikeayoungman’sattention，evenifhewereagraveschoolmaster；buttheeloquenceofthisyoungthing’slookisunmistakable，——andyetshedoesnotknowthelanguageitistalking，——theynoneofthemdo；andthereiswhereagoodmanypoorcreaturesofourgood-for-nothingsexaremistaken。Thereisnodangerofmybeingrash，butIthinkthisgirlwillcostsomebodyhislifeyet。Sheisoneofthosewomenmenmakeaquarrelaboutandfighttothedeathfor，——theoldferalinstinct，youknow。
Pray，don’tthinkIamlostinconceit，butthereisanothergirlherewhoIbegintothinklookswithacertainkindnessonme。HernameisElsieV。，andsheistheonlydaughterandheiressofanoldfamilyinthisplace。Sheisaportentousandalmostfearfulcreature。IfIshouldtellyouallIknowandhalfofwhatIfancyabouther，youwouldtellmetogetmylifeinsuredatonce。Yetsheisthemostpainfullyinterestingbeing，——sohandsome！solonely！——
forshehasnofriendsamongthegirls，andsitsapartfromthem，——
withblackhairliketheflowofamountain-brookafterathaw，withalow-browed，scowlingbeautyofface，andsucheyesaswereneverseenbefore，Ireallybelieve，inanyhumancreature。
Philip，Idon’tknowwhattosayaboutthisElsie。ThereissomethingaboutherIhavenotfathomed。IhaveconjectureswhichI
couldnotuttertoanylivingsoul。Idarenotevenhintthepossibilitieswhichhavesuggestedthemselvestome。ThisIwillsay，thatIdotakethemostintenseinterestinthisyoungperson，aninterestmuchmorelikepitythanloveinitscommonsense。IfwhatIguessatistrue，ofallthetragediesofexistenceIeverknewthisisthesaddest，andyetsofullofmeaning！Donotaskmeanyquestions，——IhavesaidmorethanImeanttoalready；butIaminvolvedinstrangedoubtsandperplexities，——indangerstoo，verypossibly，——anditisareliefjusttospeakeversoguardedlyofthemtoanearlyandfaithfulfriend。
Yoursever，BERNARD。
P。S。IrememberyouhadacopyofFortuniusLicetus’“DeMonstris“
amongyouroldbooks。Can’tyoulendittomeforawhile？Iamcurious，anditwillamuseme。
CHAPTERXVII。
OLDSOPHYCALLSONTHEREVERENDDOCTOR。
Thetwomeeting-houseswhichfacedeachotherlikeapairoffighting-cockshadnotflappedtheirwingsorcrowedateachotherforaconsiderabletime。TheReverendMr。Fairweatherhadbeendyspepticandlow-spiritedoflate，andwastoolanguidforcontroversy。TheReverendDoctorHoneywoodhadbeenverybusywithhisbenevolentassociations，andhaddiscoursedchieflyonpracticalmatters，totheneglectofspecialdoctrinalsubjects。Hisseniordeaconventuredtosaytohimthatsomeofhispeoplerequiredtoberemindedofthegreatfundamentaldoctrineoftheworthlessnessofallhumaneffortsandmotives。SomeofthemwerealtogethertoomuchpleasedwiththesuccessoftheTemperanceSocietyandtheAssociationfortheReliefofthePoor。Therewasapestilentheresyabout，concerningthesatisfactiontobederivedfromagoodconscience，asif，anybodyeverdidanythingwhichwasnottobehated，loathed，despised，andcondemned。
Theoldministerlistenedgravely，withaninwardsmile，andtoldhisdeaconthathewouldattendtohissuggestion。Afterthedeaconhadgone，hetumbledoverhismanuscripts，untilatlengthhecameuponhisfirst-rateoldsermonon“HumanNature。”Hehadreadagreatdealofhardtheology，andhadatlastreachedthatcuriousstatewhichissocommoningoodministers，——that，namely，inwhichtheycontrivetoswitchofftheirlogicalfacultiesonthenarrowsidetrackoftheirtechnicaldogmas，whilethegreatfreight-trainoftheirsubstantialhumanqualitieskeepsinthemainhighwayofcommon-sense，inwhichkindlysoulsarealwaysfoundbyallwhoapproachthembytheirhumanside。
TheDoctorreadhissermonwithapleasant，paternalinterest：itwaswellarguedfromhispremises。Hereandtherehedashedhispenthroughaharshexpression。Nowandthenheaddedanexplanationorqualifiedabroadstatement。Buthismindwasonthelogicalside-
track，andhefollowedthechainofreasoningwithoutfairlyperceivingwhereitwouldleadhim，ifhecarrieditintoreallife。
Hewasjusttouchingupthefinalproposition，whenhisgranddaughter，Letty，oncebeforereferredto，cameintotheroomwithhersmilingfaceandlivelymovement。MissLettyorLetitiaForresterwasacity-bredgirlofsomefifteenorsixteenyearsold，whowaspassingthesummerwithhergrandfatherforthesakeofcountryairandquiet。Itwasasensiblearrangement；for，havingthepromiseoffiguringasabellebyandby，andbeingalittlegiventodancing，andhavingavoicewhichdrewaprettydensecirclearoundthepianowhenshesatdowntoplayandsing，itwashardtokeepherfrombeingcarriedintosocietybeforehertime，bythemereforceofmutualattraction。Fortunately，shehadsomequietaswellassomesocialtastes，andwaswillingenoughtopasstwoorthreeofthesummermonthsinthecountry，whereshewasmuchbetterbestowedthanshewouldhavebeenatoneofthosewatering-placeswheresomanyhalf-formedgirlsgetprematurelyhardenedintheviceofself-
consciousness。
MissLettywasaltogethertoowholesome，hearty，andhigh-strungayounggirltobeamodel，accordingtotheflat-chestedandcachecticpatternwhichistheclassicaltypeofcertainexcellentyoungfemales，oftenthesubjectsofbiographicalmemoirs。Buttheoldministerwasproudofhisgranddaughterforallthat。Shewassofulloflife，sograceful，sogenerous，sovivacious，soreadyalwaystodoallshecouldforhimandforeverybody，soperfectlyfrankinheravoweddelightinthepleasureswhichthismiserableworldofferedherintheshapeofnaturalbeauty，ofpoetry，ofmusic，ofcompanionship，ofbooks，ofcheerfulcooperationinthetasksofthoseabouther，thattheReverendDoctorcouldnotfinditinhishearttocondemnherbecauseshewasdeficientinthoseparticulargracesandthatsignalother-worldlinesshehadsometimesnoticedinfeebleyoungpersonssufferingfromvariouschronicdiseaseswhichimpairedtheirvivacityandremovedthemfromtherangeoftemptation。
WhenLetty，therefore，cameboundingintotheoldminister’sstudy，heglancedupfromhismanuscript，and，ashiseyefelluponher，itflashedacrosshimthattherewasnothingsoverymonstrousandunnaturalaboutthespecimenofcongenitalperversionhewaslookingat，withhisfeaturesopeningintotheirpleasantestsunshine。
Technically，accordingtothefifthpropositionofthesermononHumanNature，verybad，nodoubt。Practically，accordingtothefactbeforehim，averyprettypieceoftheCreator’shandiwork，bodyandsoul。WasitnotaconceivablethingthatthedivinegracemightshowitselfindifferentformsinafreshyounggirllikeLetitia，andinthatpoorthinghehadvisitedyesterday，half-grown，half-
colored，inbedforthelastyearwithhip-disease？
Wasittobesupposedthatthishealthyyounggirl，withlifethrobbingalloverher，could，withoutamiracle，begoodaccordingtotheinvalidpatternandformula？
Andyetthereweremysteriesinhumannaturewhichpointedtosometremendousperversionofitstendencies，——tosomeprofound，radicalviceofmoralconstitution，nativeortransmitted，asyouwillhaveit，butpositive，atanyrate，astheleprosy，breakingoutinthebloodofraces，guardthemeversocarefully。DidhenotknowthecaseofayoungladyinRockland，daughterofoneofthefirstfamiliesintheplace，averybeautifulandnoblecreaturetolookat，forwhosebringingupnothinghadbeenspared，——agirlwhohadhadgovernessestoteachheratthehouse，whohadbeenindulgedalmosttookindly，——agirlwhosefatherhadgivenhimself，uptoher，hebeinghimselfapureandhigh-souledman？——andyetthisgirlwasaccusedinwhispersofhavingbeenontheveryvergeofcommittingafatalcrime；shewasanobjectoffeartoallwhoknewthedarkhintswhichhadbeenletfallabouther，andthereweresomethatbelieved——Why，whatwasthisbutaninstanceofthetotalobliquityanddegenerationofthemoralprinciple？andtowhatcoulditbeowing，buttoaninnateorganictendency？
“Busy，grandpapa？“saidLetty，andwithoutwaitingforananswerkissedhischeekwithapairoflipsmadeonpurposeforthatlittlefunction，——fine，butrichlyturnedout，thecornerstuckedinwithafinishofprettydimples，therose-budlipsofgirlhood’sJune。
Theoldgentlemanlookedathisgranddaughter。Natureswelledupfromhisheartinawavethatsentaglowtohischeekandasparkletohiseye。Butitisveryhardtobeinterruptedjustaswearewindingupastringofpropositionswiththegrandconclusionwhichisthestatementinbriefofallthathasgonebefore：ourownstarting-point，intowhichwehavebeentryingtobackourreaderorlistenerasonebacksa，horseintotheshafts。
“Videomeliora，proboque，——Iseethebetter，andapproveit；
deteriorasequor，Ifollowaftertheworse；’tisthatnaturaldisliketowhatisgood，pure，holy，andtrue，thatinrootedselfishness，totallyinsensibletotheclaimsof“——
HeretheworthymanwasinterruptedbyMissLetty。
“Docome，ifyoucan，grandpapa。”saidtheyounggirl；“hereisapooroldblackwomanwantstoseeyousomuch！“
Thegoodministerwasaskind-heartedasifhehadnevergropedinthedustandashesofthosecrueloldabstractionswhichhavekilledoutsomuchoftheworld’slifeandhappiness。“Withtheheartmanbelievethuntorighteousness；“aman’sloveisthemeasureofhisfitnessforgoodorbadcompanyhereorelsewhere。MenaretattooedwiththeirspecialbeliefslikesomanySouth-SeaIslanders；butarealhumanheart，withDivineloveinit，beatswiththesameglowunderall，thepatternsofallearth’sthousandtribes！
TheDoctorsighed，andfoldedthesermon，andlaidtheQuartoCrudenonit。Herosefromhisdesk，and，lookingoncemoreattheyounggirl’sface，forgothislogicalconclusions，andsaidtohimselfthatshewasalittleangel，——whichwasinviolentcontradictiontotheleadingdoctrineofhissermononHumanNature。Andsohefollowedheroutofthestudyintothewideentryoftheold-fashionedcountry-house。
Anoldblackwomansatontheplainoakensettlewhichhumblevisitorswaitingtoseetheministerwerewonttooccupy。Shewasold，buthowolditwouldbeveryhardtoguess。Shemightbeseventy。Shemightbeninety。Onecouldnotswearshewasnotahundred。Blackwomenremainatastationaryagetotheeyesofwhitepeople，atleastforthirtyyears。TheydonotappeartochangeduringthisperiodanymorethansomanyTrentontrilobites。
Bentup，wrinkled，yellow-eyed，withlongupper-lip，projectingjaws，retreatingchin，stillmeekfeatures，longarms，largeflathandswithuncoloredpalmsandslightlywebbedfingers，itwasimpossiblenottoseeinthisoldcreatureahintofthegradationsbywhichlifeclimbsupthroughthelowernaturestothehighesthumandevelopments。Wecannottellsucholdwomen’sagesbecausewedonotunderstandthephysiognomyofaracesounlikeourown。Nodoubttheyseeagreatdealineachother’sfacesthatwecannot，——changesofcolorandexpressionasrealasourown，blushesandsuddenbetrayalsoffeeling，——justasthesetwocanariesknowwhattheirsinglenotesandshortsentencesandfullsongwiththisorthatvariationmean，thoughitisamysterytousunplumedmortals。
Thisparticularoldblackwomanwasastrikingspecimenofherclass。
Oldasshelooked，hereyewasbrightandknowing。Sheworeared-
and-yellowturban，whichsetoffhercomplexionwell，andhoopsofgoldinherears，andbeadsofgoldaboutherneck，andanoldfuneralringuponherfinger。Shehadthattouchingstillnessaboutherwhichbelongstoanimalsthatwaittobespokentoandthenlookupwithakindofsadhumility。
“Why，Sophy！“saidthegoodminister，“isthisyou？“
Shelookedupwiththestillexpressiononherface。“It’sol’
Sophy。”shesaid。
“Why。”saidtheDoctor，“IdidnotbelieveyoucouldwalksofarasthistosavetheUnion。BringSophyaglassofwine，Letty。Wine’sgoodforoldfolkslikeSophyandme，afterwalkingagoodway，orpreachingagoodwhile。”
Theyounggirlsteppedintotheback-parlor，whereshefoundthegreatpewterflagoninwhichthewinethatwasleftaftereachcommunion-servicewasbroughttotheminister’shouse。Withmuchtoilshemanagedtotipitsoastogetacoupleofglassesfilled。
Theministertastedhis，andmadeoldSophyfinishhers。
“Iwan’toseeyou’n’talkwi’youallalone。”shesaidpresently。
Theministergotupandledthewaytowardshisstudy。“Tobesure。”
hesaid；hehadonlywaitedforhertorestamomentbeforeheaskedherintothelibrary。Theyounggirltookhergentlybythearm，andhelpedherfeeblestepsalongthepassage。Whentheyreachedthestudy，shesmoothedthecushionofarocking-chair，andmadetheoldwomansitdowninit。Thenshetrippedlightlyaway，andleftheralonewiththeminister。
OldSophywasamemberoftheReverendDoctorHoneywood’schurch。
Shehadbeenputthroughthenecessaryconfessionsinatolerablysatisfactorymanner。Tobesure，ashergrandfatherhadbeenacannibalchief，accordingtothecommonstory，and，atanyrate，aterriblewildsavage，andashermotherretainedtothelastsomeoftheprejudicesofherearlyeducation，therewasaheathenflavorinherChristianitywhichhadoftenscandalizedtheelderoftheminister’stwodeacons。But，thegoodministerhadsmoothedmattersover：hadexplainedthatallowancesweretobemadeforthosewhohadbeenlongsittingwithoutthegateofZion，——that，nodoubt，apartofthecursewhichdescendedtothechildrenofHamconsistedin“havingtheunderstandingdarkened。”aswellastheskin，——andsohadbroughthissuspiciousseniordeacontotolerateoldSophyasoneofthecommunionoffellow-sinners——
Poorthings！HowlittleweknowthesimplenotionswithwhichtheserudimentsofsoulsarenourishedbytheDivineGoodness！DidnotMrs。Professorcomehomethisveryblessedmorningwithastoryofoneofheroldblackwomen？
“Andhowdoyoufeelto-day，Mrs。Robinson？“
“Oh，mydear，Ihavethissinginginmyheadallthetime。”Whatdoctorscalltinnitusaurium。
“She’sgotacoldinthehead。”saidoldMrs。Rider。
“Oh，no，mydear！WhateverI’mthinkingabout，it’sallthissinging，thismusic。WhenI’mthinkingofthedearRedeemer，itallturnsintothissingingandmusic。Whentheclarkcametoseeme，I
askedhimifhecouldn’tcureme，andhesaid，No，——itwastheHolySpiritinme，singingtome；andallthetimeIhearthisbeautifulmusic，andit’stheHolySpirita-singingtome。”
ThegoodmanwaitedforSophytospeak；butshedidnotopenherlipsasyet。
“Ihopeyouarenottroubledinmindorbody。”hesaidtoheratlength，findingshedidnotspeak。
Thepooroldwomantookoutawhitehandkerchief，andliftedit——toherblackface。Shecouldnotsayawordforhertearsandsobs。
Theministerwouldhaveconsoledher；hewasusedtotears，andcouldinmostcaseswithstandtheircontagionmanfully；butsomethingchokedhisvoicesuddenly，andwhenhecalleduponit，hegotnoanswer，butatremulousmovementofthemuscles，whichwasworsethansilence。
Atlastshespoke。
“Oh，no，no，no！It’smypoorgirl，mydarling，mybeauty，mybaby，that’sgrownuptobeawoman；shewillcometoabadend；shewilldosomethingthatwillmakethemkillherorshutherupallherlife。Or，Doctor，Doctor，saveher，prayforher！Ita’n’therfault。Ita’n’therfault。IftheyknewallthatIknow，theywouldn’blamethatpoorchild。Imusttellyou，Doctor：ifIshoulddie，perhapsnobodyelsewouldtellyou。MassaVeneercan’ttalkaboutit。DoctorKittredgewon’ttalkaboutit。NobodybutoldSophytotellyou，Doctor；andoldSophycan’tdiewithouttellingyou。”
Thekindministersoothedthepooroldsoulwiththosegentle，quietingtoneswhichhadcarriedpeaceandcomforttosomanychambersofsicknessandsorrow，tosomanyheartsoverburdenedbythetrialslaiduponthem。
OldSophybecamequietinafewminutes，andproceededtotellherstory。Shetolditinthelowhalf-whisperwhichisthenaturalvoiceoflipsoppressedwishgriefandfears；withquickglancesaroundtheapartmentfromtimetotime，asifshedreadedlestthedimportraitsonthewallsandthedarkfoliosontheshelvesmightoverhearherwords。
Itwasnotoneofthoseconversationswhichathirdpersoncanreportminutely，unlessbythatmiracleofclairvoyanceknowntothereadersofstoriesmadeoutofauthors’brains。Yetitsmaincharactercanbeimpartedinamuchbrieferspacethantheoldblackwomantooktogiveallitsdetails。
ShewentfarbacktothetimewhenDudleyVennerwasborn，——shebeingthenamiddle-agedwoman。Theheirandhopeofafamilywhichhadbeennarrowingdownasifdoomedtoextinction，hehadbeensurroundedwitheverycareandtrainedbythebesteducationhecouldhaveinNewEngland。Hehadleftcollege，andwasstudyingtheprofessionwhichgentlemenofleisuremostaffect，whenhefellinlovewithayounggirlleftintheworldalmostalone，ashewas。
Theoldwomantoldthestoryofhisyoungloveandhisjoyousbridalwithatendernesswhichhadsomethingmore，even，thanherfamilysympathiestoaccountforit。Hadshenothangingoverherbedapaper-cuttingofaprofile，——jetblack，butnotblackerthanthefaceitrepresented——ofonewhowouldhavebeenherownhusbandinthesmallyearsofthiscentury，ifthevesselinwhichhewenttosea，likeJamieintheballad，hadnotsailedawayandnevercomebacktoland？Hadshenotherbitsoffurniturestowedawaywhichhadbeengotreadyforherownwedding，——tworocking-chairs，onewornwithlonguse，onekeptforhimsolongthatithadgrownasuperstitionwithhernevertositinit，——andmighthenotcomebackyet，afterall？Hadshenotherchestoflinenreadyforherhumblehouse-
keepingwithstoreofserviceablehuckabackandpilesofneatlyfoldedkerchiefs，wherefromthisonethatshowedsowhiteagainstherblackfacewastaken，forthatsheknewhereyeswouldbetrayherin“thepresence“？
Allthefirstpartofthestorytheoldwomantoldtenderly，andyetdwellinguponeveryincidentwithalovingpleasure。Howhappythisyoungcouplehadbeen，whatplansandprojectsofimprovementtheyhadformed，howtheylivedineachother，alwaystogether，soyoungandfreshandbeautifulassherememberedtheminthatoneearlysummerwhentheywalkedarminarmthroughthewildernessofrosesthatranriotinthegarden，——shetoldofthisasloathtoleaveitandcometothewoethatlaybeneath。
Shetoldthewholestory；-shallIrepeatit？Notnow。If，inthecourseofrelatingtheincidentsIhaveundertakentoreport，ittellsitself，perhapsthiswillbebetterthantoruntheriskofproducingapainfulimpressiononsomeofthosesusceptiblereaderswhomitwouldbeill-advisedtodisturborexcite，whentheyratherrequiretobeamusedandsoothed。Inourpicturesoflife，wemustshowtheflowering-outofterriblegrowthswhichhavetheirrootsdeep，deepunderground。Justhowfarweshalllaybaretheunseemlyrootsthemselvesisamatterofdiscretionandtaste，andwhichnoneofusareinfallible。
TheoldwomantoldthewholestoryofElsie，ofherbirth，ofherpeculiaritiesofpersonanddisposition，ofthepassionatefearsandhopeswithwhichherfatherhadwatchedthecourseofherdevelopment。Sherecountedallherstrangeways，fromthehourwhenshefirsttriedtocrawlacrossthecarpet，andherfather’slookassheworkedherwaytowardshim。WiththememoryofJuliet’snurseshetoldthestoryofherteething，andhow，thewomantowhosebreastshehadclungdyingsuddenlyaboutthattime，theyhadtostrugglehardwiththechildbeforeshewouldlearntheaccomplishmentoffeedingwithaspoon。Andsoofherfierceplaysandfiercerdisputeswiththatboywhohadbeenhercompanion，andthewholesceneofthequarrelwhenshestruckhimwiththosesharpwhiteteeth，frighteningher，oldSophy，almosttodeath；for，asshesaid，theboywouldhavedied，ifithadn’tbeenfortheoldDoctor’sgallopingoverasfastashecouldgallopandburningtheplacesrightoutofhisarm。Thencamethestoryofthatotherincident，sufficientlyalludedtoalready，whichhadproducedsuchanecstasyoffrightandleftsuchanightmareofapprehensioninthehousehold。
Andsotheoldwomancamedowntothispresenttime。Thatboysheneverlovednortrustedwasgrowntoadark，dangerous-lookingman，andhewasundertheirroof。HewantedtomarryourpoorElsie，andElsiehatedhim，andsometimesshewouldlookathimoverhershoulderjustassheusedtolookatthatwomanshehated；andshe，oldSophy，couldn’tsleepforthinkingsheshouldhearascreamfromthewhitechambersomenightandfindhiminspasmssuchasthatwomancamesoneardyingwith。AndthentherewassomethingaboutElsieshedidnotknowwhattomakeof：shewouldsitandhangherheadsometimes，andlookasifsheweredreaming；andshebroughthomebookstheysaidayounggentlemanupatthegreatschoollenther；andoncesheheardherwhisperinhersleep，andshetalkedasyounggirlsdotothemselveswhenthey’rethinkingaboutsomebodytheyhavealikingforandthinknobodyknowsit。
Shefinishedherlongstoryatlast。Theministerhadlistenedtoitinperfectsilence。Hesatstillevenwhenshehaddonespeaking，——
still，andlostinthought。Itwasaveryawkwardmatterforhimtohaveahandin。OldSophywashisparishioner，buttheVeneershadapewintheReverendMr。Fairweather’smeeting-house。Itwouldseemthathe，Mr。Fairweather，wasthenaturaladviserofthepartiesmostinterested。Hadhesenseandspiritenoughtodealwithsuchpeople？
Wasthereenoughcapitalofhumanityinhissomewhatlimitednaturetofurnishsympathyandunshrinkingserviceforhisfriendsinanemergency？orwashetoobusywithhisownattacksofspiritualneuralgia，andtoomuchoccupiedwithtakingaccountofstockofhisownthin-bloodedoffences，toforgethimselfandhispersonalinterestsonthesmallscaleandthelarge，andrunariskofhislife，ifneedwere，atanyrategivehimselfupwithoutreservetothedangeroustaskofguidingandcounsellingthesedistressedandimperilledfellow-creatures？
ThegoodministerthoughtthebestthingtodowouldbetocallandtalkoversomeofthesematterswithBrotherFairweather，——forsohewouldcallhimattimes，especiallyifhisseniordeaconwerenotwithinearshot。Havingsettledthispoint，hecomfortedSophywithafewwordsofcounselandapromiseofcomingtoseeherverysoon。
HethencalledhismantoputtheoldwhitehorseintothechaiseanddriveSophybacktothemansion-house。
WhentheDoctorsatdowntohissermonagain，itlookedverydifferentlyfromthewayithadlookedatthemomentheleftit。
Whenhecametothinkofit，hedidnotfeelquitesosurepracticallyaboutthatmatteroftheutternaturalselfishnessofeverybody。TherewasLetty，now，seemedtotakeaveryunselfishinterestinthatoldblackwoman，andindeedinpoorpeoplegenerally；perhapsitwouldnotbetoomuchtosaythatshewasalwaysthinkingofotherpeople。Hethoughthehadseenotheryoungpersonsnaturallyunselfish，thoughtfulforothers；itseemedtobeafamilytraitinsomehehadknown。
ButmostofallhewasexercisedaboutthispoorgirlwhosestorySophyhadbeentelling。Ifwhattheoldwomanbelievedwastrue，——
andithadtoomuchsemblanceofprobability，——whatbecameofhistheoryofingrainedmoralobliquityappliedtosuchacase？IfbythevisitationofGodapersonreceivesanyinjurywhichimpairstheintellectorthemoralperceptions，isitnotmonstroustojudgesuchapersonbyourcommonworkingstandardsofrightandwrong？
Certainly，everybodywillanswer，incaseswherethereisapalpableorganicchangebroughtabout，aswhenablowontheheadproducesinsanity。Fools！Howlongwillitbebeforeweshalllearnthatforeverywoundwhichbetraysitselftothesightbyascar，thereareathousandunseenmutilationsthatcripple，eachofthem，someoneormoreofourhighestfaculties？IfwhatSophytoldandbelievedwastherealtruth，whatprayerscouldbeagonizingenough，whattendernesscouldbedeepenough，forthispoor，lost，blighted，hapless，blamelesschildofmisfortune，struckbysuchadoomasperhapsnolivingcreatureinallthesisterhoodofhumanitysharedwithher？
Theministerthoughtthesemattersoveruntilhismindwasbewilderedwithdoubtsandtossedtoandfroonthatstormydeepofthoughtheavingforeverbeneaththeconflictofwindydogmas。Helaidbyhisoldsermon。Heputbackapileofoldcommentatorswiththeireyesandmouthsandheartsfullofthedustoftheschools。ThenheopenedthebookofGenesisattheeighteenthchapterandreadthatremarkableargumentofAbraham’swithhisMakerinwhichheboldlyappealstofirstprinciples。Hetookashistext，“ShallnottheJudgeofalltheearthdoright？“andbegantowritehissermon，afterwardssofamous，“OntheObligationsofanInfiniteCreatortoaFiniteCreature。”
Itastonishedthegoodpeople，whohadbeenaccustomedsolongtorepeatmechanicallytheirOrientalhyperbolesofself-abasement，toheartheirworthyministermaintainingthatthedignifiedattitudeoftheoldPatriarch，insistingonwhatwasreasonableandfairwithreferencetohisfellow-creatures，wasreallymuchmorerespectfultohisMaker，andagreatdealmanlierandmoretohiscredit，thanifhehadyieldedthewholematter，andpretendedthatmenhadnotrightsaswellasduties。Thesamelogicwhichhadcarriedhimtocertainconclusionswithreferencetohumannature，thissameirresistiblelogiccarriedhimstraightonfromhistextuntilhearrivedatthoseotherresults，whichnotonlyastonishedhispeople，aswassaid，butsurprisedhimself。Hewentsofarindefenceoftherightsofman，thatheputhisfootintoseveralheresies，forwhichmenhadbeenburnedsooften，itwastime，ifeveritcouldbe，toacknowledgethedemonstrationoftheargumentumadignem。Hedidnotbelieveintheresponsibilityofidiots。Hedidnotbelieveanew-
borninfantwasmorallyanswerableforotherpeople’sacts。Hethoughtamanwithacrookedspinewouldneverbecalledtoaccountfornotwalkingerect。Hethoughtifthecrookwasinhisbrain，insteadofhisback，hecouldnotfairlybeblamedforanyconsequenceofthisnaturaldefect，whateverlawyersordivinesmightcallit。Heargued，that，ifapersoninheritedaperfectmind，body，anddisposition，andhadperfectteachingfrominfancy，thatpersoncoulddonothingmorethankeepthemorallawperfectly。ButsupposingthattheCreatorallowsapersontobebornwithanhereditaryoringraftedorganictendency，andthenputsthispersonintothehandsofteachersincompetentorpositivelybad，isnotwhatiscalledsinortransgressionofthelawnecessarilyinvolvedinthepremises？IsnotaCreatorboundtoguardhischildrenagainsttheruinwhichinheritedignorancemightentailonthem？Woulditbefairforaparenttoputintoachild’shandsthetitle-deedstoallitsfuturepossessions，andabunchofmatches？Andarenotmenchildren，nay，babes，intheeyeofOmniscience？——Theministergrewboldinhisquestions。HadnotheasgoodrighttoaskquestionsasAbraham？
ThiswasthedangerousveinofspeculationinwhichtheReverendDoctorHoneywoodfoundhimselfinvolved，asaconsequenceofthesuggestionsforceduponhimbyoldSophy’scommunication。Thetruthwas，thegoodmanhadgotsohumanizedbymixingupwithotherpeopleinvariousbenevolentschemes，that，theverymomenthecouldescapefromhisoldscholasticabstractions，hetookthesideofhumanityinstinctively，justastheFatheroftheFaithfuldid，——allhonorbetothenobleoldPatriarchforinsistingontheworthofanhonestman，andmakingthebesttermshecouldforaveryill-conditionedmetropolis，whichmightpossibly，however，havecontainedtenrighteouspeople，forwhosesakeitshouldbespared！
Theconsequenceofallthiswas，thathewasinasingularandseeminglyself-contradictorystateofmindwhenhetookhishatandcaneandwentforthtocallonhishereticalbrother。TheoldministertookitforgrantedthattheReverendMr。Fairweatherknewtheprivatehistoryofhisparishioner’sfamily。Hedidnotreflectthattherearegriefsmenneverputintowords，——thattherearefearswhichmustnotbespoken，——intimatemattersofconsciousnesswhichmustbecarried，asbulletswhichhavebeendrivendeepintothelivingtissuesaresometimescarried，forawholelifetime，——encystedgriefs，ifwemayborrowthechirurgeon’sterm，nevertobereached，nevertobeseen，nevertobethrownout，buttogointothedustwiththeframethatborethemaboutwithit，duringlongyearsofanguish，knownonlytothesuffererandhisMaker。DudleyVennerhadtalkedwithhisministeraboutthischildofhis。Buthehadtalkedcautiously，feelinghiswayforsympathy，lookingoutforthoseindicationsoftactandjudgmentwhichwouldwarranthiminsomepartialcommunication，atleast，oftheoriginofhisdoubtsandfears，andneverfindingthem。
TherewassomethingabouttheReverendMr。Fairweatherwhichrepressedallattemptsatconfidentialintercourse。Whatthissomethingwas，DudleyVennercouldhardlysay；buthefeltitdistinctly，anditsealedhislips。Henevergotbeyondcertaingeneralitiesconnectedwitheducationandreligiousinstruction。Theministercouldnothelpdiscovering，however，thatthereweredifficultiesconnectedwiththisgirl’smanagement，andheheardenoughoutsideofthefamilytoconvincehimthatshehadmanifestedtendencies，fromanearlyage，atvariancewiththetheoreticalopinionshewasinthehabitofpreaching，andinadimwayofholdingfortruth，astothenaturaldispositionsofthehumanbeing。
Aboutthisterriblefactofcongenitalobliquityhisnewbeliefsbegantoclusterasacentre，andtotakeformasacrystalarounditsnucleus。Still，hemightperhapshavestruggledagainstthem，haditnotbeenforthelittleRomanCatholicchapelhepassedeverySunday，onhiswaytothemeeting-house。Suchacrowdofworshippers，swarmingintothepewslikebees，fillingalltheaisles，runningoveratthedoorlikeberriesheapedtoofullinthemeasure，——somekneelingonthesteps，somestandingonthesidewalk，hatsoff，headsdown，lipsmoving，somelookingondevoutlyfromtheothersideofthestreet！Oh，couldhehavefollowedhisownBridget，maidofallwork，intotheheartofthatsteamingthrong，andbowedhisheadwhilethepriestsintonedtheirLatinprayers！
couldhehavesnuffedupthecloudoffrankincense，andfeltthathewasinthegreatarkwhichholdsthebetterhalfoftheChristianworld，whileallarounditarewretchedcreatures，somestrugglingagainstthewavesinleakyboats，andsomeonill-connectedrafts，andsomewiththeirheadsjustabovewater，thinkingtorideoutthefloodwhichistosweeptheearthcleanofsinners，upontheirownprivate，individuallife-preservers！
SuchwasthepresentstateofmindoftheReverendChauncyFairweather，whenhisclericalbrothercalleduponhimtotalkoverthequestionstowhicholdSophyhadcalledhisattention。
CHAPTERVIII。
THEREVERENDDOCTORCALLSONBROTHERFAIRWEATHER。
Forthelastfewmonths，whileallthesevariousmattersweregoingoninRockland，theReverendChauncyFairweatherhadbeenbusywiththerecordsofancientcouncilsandthewritingsoftheearlyfathers。Themoreheread，themorediscontentedhebecamewiththeplatformuponwhichheandhispeoplewerestanding。Theyandhewereclearlyinaminority，andhisdeepinwardlongingtobewiththemajoritywasgrowingintoanengrossingpassion。Heyearnedespeciallytowardsthegoodoldunquestioning，authoritativeMotherChurch，withherarticlesoffaithwhichtookawaythenecessityforprivatejudgment，withhertraditionalformsandceremonies，andherwholeapparatusofstimulantsandanodynes。
Aboutthistimeheprocuredabreviaryandkeptitinhisdeskundertheloosepapers。HesenttoaCatholicbookstoreandobtainedasmallcrucifixsuspendedfromastringofbeads。Heorderedhisnewcoattobecutverynarrowinthecollarandtobemadesingle-
breasted。HebegananinformalseriesofreligiousconversationswithMissO’Brien，theyoungpersonofIrishextractionalreadyreferredtoasBridget，maidofallwork。Thesenotprovingverysatisfactory，hemanagedtofallinwithFatherMcShane，theCatholicpriestoftheRocklandchurch。
FatherMcShaneencouragedhisnibbleveryscientifically。ItwouldbesuchafinethingtobringoveroneofthoseProtestantheretics，anda“liberal“onetoo！——notthattherewasanyrealdifferencebetweenthem，butitsoundedbetter，tosaythatoneoftheserationalizingfree-and-equalreligionistshadbeenmadeaconvertthananyofthosehalf-wayProtestantswhoweretheslavesofcatechismsinsteadofcouncils，andofcommentatorsinsteadofpopes。
Thesubtlepriestplayedhisdisciplewithhisfinesttackle。Itwashardlynecessary：whenanythingoranybodywishestobecaught，abarehookandacoarselineareallthatisneeded。
Ifamanhasagenuine，sincere，heartywishtogetridofhisliberty，ifheisreallybentuponbecomingaslave，nothingcanstophim。Andthetemptationistosomenaturesaverygreatone。
Libertyisoftenaheavyburdenonaman。Itinvolvesthatnecessityforperpetualchoicewhichisthekindoflabormenhavealwaysdreaded。Incommonlifeweshirkitbyforminghabits，whichtaketheplaceofself-determination。Inpoliticsparty-organizationsavesusthepainsofmuchthinkingbeforedecidinghowtocastourvote。Inreligiousmatterstherearegreatmultitudeswatchingusperpetually，eachpropagandistreadywithhisbundleoffinalities，whichhavingacceptedwemaybeatpeace。Themoreabsolutethesubmissiondemanded，thestrongerthetemptationbecomestothosewhohavebeenlongtossedamongdoubtsandconflicts。
Soitisthatinallthequietbayswhichindenttheshoresofthegreatoceanofthought，ateverysinkingwharf，weseemooredthehulksandtherazeesofenslavedorhalf-enslavedintelligences。
Theyrockpeacefullyaschildrenintheircradlesonthesubduedswellwhichcomesfeeblyinoverthebarattheharbor’smouth，slowlycrustingwithbarnacles，pullingattheirironcablesasiftheyreallywantedtobefree；butbettercontentedtoremainboundastheyare。Forthesenomoretheroundunwalledhorizonoftheopensea，thejoyousbreezealoft，thefurrow，thefoam，thesparkle，thattracktherushingkeel！Theyhaveescapedthedangersofthewave，andliestillhenceforth，evermore。Happiestofsouls，iflethargyisbliss，andpalsythechiefbeatitude！
AmericaowesitspoliticalfreedomtoreligiousProtestantism。Butpoliticalfreedomisreactingonreligiousprescriptionwithstillmightierforce。Wewonder，therefore，whenwefindasoulwhichwasborntoafullsenseofindividualliberty，anunchallengedrightofself-determinationoneverynewallegedtruthofferedtoitsintelligence，voluntarilysurrenderinganyportionofitslibertytoaspiritualdictatorshipwhichalwaysprovestorest，inthelastanalysis，onamajorityvote，nothingmorenorless，commonlyanoldone，passedinthosebarbaroustimeswhenmencursedandmurderedeachotherfordifferencesofopinion，andofcoursewerenotinaconditiontosettlethebeliefsofacomparativelycivilizedcommunity。
Inourdisgust，weareliabletobeintolerant。Weforgetthatweaknessisnotinitselfasin。Weforgetthatevencowardicemaycallforourmostlenientjudgment，ifitspringfrominnateinfirmity，Whoofusdoesnotlookwithgreattendernessontheyoungchieftaininthe“FairMaidofPerth。”whenheconfesseshiswantofcourage？Allofuslovecompanionshipandsympathy；someofusmaylovethemtoomuch。Allofusaremoreorlessimaginativeinourtheology。
Someofusmayfindtheaidofmaterialsymbolsacomfort，ifnotanecessity。Theboldestthinkermayhavehismomentsoflanguoranddiscouragement，whenhefeelsasifhecouldwillinglyexchangefaithswiththeoldbeldamecrossingherselfatthecathedral-door，——
nay，that，ifhecoulddropallcoherentthought，andlieintheflowerymeadowwiththebrown-eyedsolemnlyunthinkingcattle，lookinguptothesky，andalltheirsimpleconsciousnessstainingitselfblue，thendowntothegrass，andlifeturningtoameregreenness，blendedwithconfusedscentsofherbs，——noindividualmind-movementsuchasmenareteasedwith，butthegreatcalmcattle-
senseofalltimeandallplacesthatknowthemilkysmellofherds，——ifhecouldbelikethese，hewouldbecontenttobedrivenhomebythecow-boy，andsharethegrassybanquetofthekingofancientBabylon。Letusbeverygenerous，then，inourjudgmentofthosewholeavethefrontranksofthoughtforthecompanyofthemeeknon-
combatantswhofollowwiththebaggageandprovisions。Age，illness，toomuchwearandtear，ahalf-formedparalysis，maybringanyofustothispass。Butwhilewecanthinkandmaintaintherightsofourownindividualityagainsteveryhumancombination，letusnotforgettocautionallwhoaredisposedtowaverthatthereisacowardicewhichiscriminal，andalongingforrestwhichitisbasenesstoindulge。Godhelphim，overwhosedeadsoulinhislivingbodymustbeutteredthesadsupplication，Requiescatinpace！
AknockattheReverendMr。Fairweather’sstudydoorcalledhiseyesfromthebookonwhichtheywereintent。Helookedup，asifexpectingawelcomeguest。
TheReverendPierrepontHoneywood，D。D。，enteredthestudyoftheReverendChauncyFairweather。Hewasnottheexpectedguest。Mr。
Fairweatherslippedthebookhewasreadingintoahalf-opendrawer，andpushedinthedrawer。Heslidsomethingwhichrattledunderapaperlyingonthetable。Herosewithaslightchangeofcolor，andwelcomed，alittleawkwardly，hisunusualvisitor。
“Good-evening，BrotherFairweather！“saidtheReverendDoctor，inaverycordial，good-humoredway。“IhopeIamnotspoilingoneofthoseeloquentsermonsIneverhaveachancetohear。”