InBostontherumourofDan’sbrokenengagementwasfollowedpromptlybyadenialofit;boththerumourandthedenialwereapparentlyauthoritative;butitgivestheeffectofalittlegreatersagacitytodistrustrumoursofallkinds，andmostpeoplewenttobed，aftertheteasanddinnersandreceptionsandclubsatwhichthefactwasfirstdebated，intheself-persuasionthatitwasnotso。Thenextdaytheyfoundtherumourstillpersistent;thedenialwasstillintheairtoo，butitseemedweaker;attheendofthethirddayithadbecomeaquestionastowhichbroketheengagement，andwhy;bytheendofaweekitwasknownthatAlicehadbrokentheengagement，butthereasoncouldnotbeascertained。
Thiswasnotforwantofasking，moreorlessdirect。Pasmer，ofcourse，wentandcameathisclubwithperfectimmunity。Menarequiteascuriousaswomen，buttheysetbusinessboundstotheircuriosity，anddonotdreamofpassingthese。Withwomenwhohavenobusinessoftheirown，andcannotquellthemselveswiththereflectionthatthisthingorthatisnottheiraffair，thereisnoquestionsointimatethattheywillnotputittosomeotherwoman;perhapsitisnotsointimate，orperhapsitwillnotseemso;atanyrate，theychanceit。Mrs。Pasmerwasgiveneveryopportunitytoexplainthefactstotheladieswhomshemet，andifshewasmuchafflictedbyAlice’sbehaviour，shehadameasureofconsolationinusingherskilltobaffletheresearchofheracquaintance。Aftereachencounterofthekindshehadthepleasureofreflectingthatabsolutelynothingmorethanshemeanthadbecomeknown。Thecaseneverbecamefullyknownthroughher;itwasthegirlherselfwhotoldittoMissCottoninoneofthosemomentsofconfidencewhicharenecessarytoburdenedminds;
anditisdoubtfulifmorethantwoorthreepeopleeverclearlyunderstoodit;mostpreferredoneorotherofseveralmistakenversionswhichsocietyfinallysettleddownto。
Theparoxysmofself-doubt，almostself-accusal，inwhichAlicecametoMissCotton，movedthelattertothedeepestsympathy，andleftherwithmisgivingswhichbecameanintolerableanguishtoherconscience。Thechildwassoafflictedatwhatshehaddone，notbecauseshewishedtobereconciledwithherlover，butbecauseshewasafraidshehadbeenunjust，beencruellyimpatientandperemptorywithhim;sheseemedtoMissCottonsoabsolutelyaloneandfriendlesswithhergreattrouble，shewassohelpless，sohopeless，shewassoanxioustodoright，andsofearfulshehaddonewrong，thatMissCottonwouldnothavebeenMissCottonifshehadnottakenherinherarmsandassuredherthatineverythingshehaddoneshehadbeensublimelyandnoblyright，alessontoallhersexinsuchmattersforever。Shetoldherthatshehadalwaysadmiredher，butthatnowsheidolisedher;thatshefeltlikegoingdownonherkneesandsimplyworshippingher。
“Oh，don’tsaythat，MissCotton！“pleadedAlice，pullingawayfromherembrace，butstillclingingtoherwithhertremulous，coldlittlehands。
“Ican’tbearit！I’mwickedandhardyoudon’tknowhowbadIam;andI’mafraidofbeingweak，ofdoingmoreharmyet。Oh，Iwrongedhimcruellyineverlettinghimgetengagedtome！Butnowwhatyou’vesaidwillsupportme。IfyouthinkI’vedoneright——ItmustseemstrangetoyouthatIshouldcometoyouwithmytroubleinsteadofmymother;butI’vebeentoher，and——andwethinkalikeonsofewsubjects，don’tyouknow——“
“Yes，yes;Iknow，dear！“saidMissCotton，inthetenderfollyofherheart，withthesatisfactionwhicheverywomanfeelsinbeingmoresufficienttoanotherintroublethanhernaturalcomforters。
“AndIwantedtoknowhowyousawit;andnow，ifyoufeelasyousay，I
canneverdoubtmyselfagain。”
ShetempestedoutofMissCotton’shouse，alltearfulundertheveilshehadpulleddown，andassheshutthedoorofhercoupe，MissCotton’sheartjumpedintoherthroatwithanimpulsetorunafterher，torecallher，torecant，tomodifyeverything。
FromthatmomentMissCotton’stroublebegan，anditbecameatormentthatmountedandgavehernopeacetillsheimpartedit。Shesaidtoherselfthatsheshouldsuffertotheutmostinthismatter，andifshespoketoanyone，itmustnotbetosameonewhohadagreedwithheraboutAlice，buttosomehard，skepticalnature，someonewhowouldlookatitfromatotallydifferentpointofview，andwouldpunishherforhererror，ifshehadcommittedanerror，insupportingandconsolingAlice。AllthetimeshewasthinkingofMrs。Brinkley;Mrs。Brinkleyhadcomeintohermindatonce;butitwasonlyafterrepeatedstrugglesthatshecouldgetthestrengthtogotoher。
Mrs。Brinkley，sacredlypledgedtosecrecy，listenedwithasufficientlydismayingairtothestorywhichMissCottontoldherintheextremityofherfearanddoubt。
“Well。”shesaidattheend，“haveyouwrittentoMr。Mavering？”
“WrittentoMr。Mavering？”gaspedMissCotton。
“Yes——totellhimshewantshimback。”
“Wantshimback？”MissCottonechoedagain。
“That’swhatshecametoyoufor。”
“Oh，Mrs。Brinkley！“moanedMissCotton，andshestaredatherinmutereproach。
Mrs。Brinkleylaughed。“Idon’tsaysheknewthatshecameforthat;butthere’snodoubtthatshedid;andshewentawaybitterlydisappointedwithyourconsolationandsupport。Shedidn’twantanythingofthekind——
youmaycomfortyourselfwiththatreflection，MissCotton。”
“Mrs。Brinkley。”saidMissCotton，withaseveritywhichoughttohavebeenextremelyeffectivefromsomildaperson，“doyoumeantoaccusethatpoorchildofdissimulation——ofdeceit——insuch——a——a——“
“No！“shoutedMrs。Brinkley;“shedidn’tknowwhatshewasdoinganymorethanyoudid;andshewenthomeperfectlyheart-broken;andIhopeshe’llstayso，forthegoodofallpartiesconcerned。”
MissCottonwassobewilderedbyMrs。Brinkley’sinterpretationofAlice’slatentmotivesthatsheletthetruculenthostilityofheraspirationpassunheeded。Shelookedhelplesslyabout，andseemedfaint，sothatMrs。
Brinkley，withoutappearingtonoticeherstate，interposedthequestionofalittlesherry。Whenithadbeenbrought，andMissCottonhadsippedtheglassthattrembledinonehandwhileheremotionshatteredabiscuitwiththeother，Mrs。Brinkleywenton:“I’mgladtheengagementisbroken，andIhopeitwillneverbemended。Ifwhatyoutellmeofherreasonforbreakingitistrue——“
“Oh，Ifeelsoguiltyfortellingyou！I’dnorightto！Pleaseneverspeakofit！“pleadedMissCotton。
“ThenIfeelmorethaneverthatitwasallamistake，andthattohelpitonagainwouldbea——crime。”
MissCottongaveasmalljumpattheword，asifshehadalreadycommittedthecrime:shehadlongedtodoit。
“Yes;Imeantosaythattheyarebetterpartedthanplighted。Ifmatchesaremadeinheaven，Ibelievesomeofthemareunmadetheretoo。They’renotadaptedtoeachother;there’stoogreatadisparity。”
“Youmean。”beganMissCotton，fromherprepossessionofAlice’ssuperiority，“thatshe’saltogetherhisinferior，intellectuallyandmorally。”
“Oh，Ican’tadmitthat！“criedMissCotton，gladtohaveMrs。Brinkleygotoofar，andpluckingupcouragefromherexcess。
“Intellectuallyandmorally。”repeatedMrs。Brinkley，withthemountingconvictionwhichladiesseemtogetfrommerepersistence。“IsawthatgirlatCampobello;Iwatchedher。”
“Ineverfeltthatyoudidherjustice！“criedMissCotton，withthevalourofahen-sparrow。“Therewasanantipathy。”
“Therecertainlywasn’tasympathy，I’mhappytosay。”retortedMrs。
Brinkley。“Iknowher，andIknowherfamily，rootandbranch。ThePasmersarethedullestandmostselfishpeopleintheworld。”
“Oh，Idon’tthinkthat’shercharacter。”saidMissCotton，rufflingherfeathersdefensively。
“NeitherdoI。Shehasnofixedcharacter。Nogirlhas。Nobodyhas。Weallhavetwentydifferentcharacters——morecharactersthangowns——andweputthemonandtakethemoffjustasoftenfordifferentoccasions。I
knowyouthinkeachpersonispermanentlythisorthat;butmyexperienceisthathalfthetimethey’retheotherthing。”
“Thenwhy。”saidMissCotton，winkinghard，assomeweakpeopledowhentheythicktheyaremakingapoint，“doyousaythatAliceisdullandselfish？”
“Idon’t——notalways，ornotsimplyso。That’sthecharacterofthePasmerblood，butit’scrossedwithtwentydifferentcurrentsinher;andfromsomebodythatthePasmerdulnessandselfishnessmusthavedrivenmadshegotacrazystreakofpiety;andthat’sgotmixedupinheragainwithanonsensicalidealofduty;andeverythingshedoesshenotonlythinksisright，butshethinksit’sreligious，andshethinksit’sunselfish。”
“Ifyou’dseenher，ifyou’dheardher，thismorning。”saidMissCotton，“youwouldn’tsaythat，Mrs。Brinkley。”
Mrs。Brinkleyrefusedthiswithanimpatientgesture。“Itisn’twhatsheisnow，orseemstobe，orthinkssheis。It’swhatshe’sgoingtofinallyhardeninto——what’sgoingtobeherprevailingcharacter。NowDanMaveringhasjustthefaultsthatwillmakesuchagirlthinkherowndefectsarevirtues，becausethey’resodifferent。ItellyouAlicePasmerhasneithertheheadnorthehearttoappreciatethegoodness，theloveliness，ofafellowlikeDanMavering。”
“Ithinkshefeelshissweetnessfully。”urgedMissCotton。“Butshecouldn’tendurehisuncertainty。Withherthetruthisfirstofallthings。”
“Thenshe’salittlegoose。Ifshehadthesensetoknowit，shewouldknowthathemightdelayandtemporiseandbeataboutthebush，buthewouldbetruewhenitwasnecessary。Ihaven’ttheleastdoubtintheworldbutthatpoorfellowwasgoingoninperfectsecurity，becausehefeltthatitwouldbesoeasyforhimtogiveup，andsupposeditwouldbejustaseasyforher。Idon’tsupposehehadamisgiving，anditmusthavecomeuponhimlikeathunder-clap。”
“Don’tyouthink。”timidlysuggestedMissCotton，“thattruthisthefirstessentialinmarriage？”
“Ofcourseitis。AndifthisgirlwasworthyofDanMavering，ifshewerecapableoflovinghimoranybodyelseunselfishly，shewouldhavefelthistruthevenifshecouldn’thaveseenit。Ibelievethisminutethatthatmanoeuvring，humbuggingmotherofhersisabetterwoman，akinderwoman，thansheis。”
“Alicesayshermothertookhispart。”saidMissCotton，withasigh。
“Shetookyourviewofit。”
“She’sasensiblewoman。ButIhopeshewon’tbeabletogethimintohertoilsagain。”continuedMrs。Brinkley，recurringtotheconventionalestimateofMrs。Pasmer。
“Ican’thelpfeeling——believing——thatthey’llcometogethersomehowstill。”murmuredMissCotton。Itseemedtoherthatshehadallalongwishedthis;andshetriedtorememberifwhatshehadsaidtocomfortAlicemightbeconstruedasadversetoareconciliation。
“Ihopetheywon’t，then。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“fortheycouldn’thelpbeingunhappytogether，withtheirtemperaments。There’sonething，MissCotton，that’smoreessentialinmarriagethanMissPasmer’sinstantaneoushonesty，andthat’spatience。”
“Patiencewithwrong？”demandedMissCotton。
“Yes，evenwithwrong;butImeantpatiencewitheachother。Marriageisaperpetualpardon，concession，surrender;it’saneverlastinggivingup;
that’sthedivinethingaboutit;andthat’sjustwhatMissPassercouldneverconceiveof，becausesheisself-righteousandconceitedandunyielding。Shewouldmakehimmiserable。”
MissCottonroseinabewildermentwhichdidnotpermithertogoatonce。
Therewassomethinginhermindwhichshewishedtourge，butshecouldnotmakeitout，thoughshefingeredinvaguegeneralities。Whenshegotablockawayfromthehouseitsuddenlycametoher。Love！Iftheylovedeachother，wouldnotallbewellwiththem？ShewouldhavelikedtorunbackandputthatquestiontoMrs。Brinkley;butjustthenshemetBrinkleylumberingheavilyhomeward;sheheardhishardbreathingfromtheexertionofbowingtoherashepassed。
Hiswifemethiminthehall，andwentuptokisshim。Hesmeltabominablyoftobaccosmoke。
“Hullo！“saidherhusband。“Whatareyouafter？”
“Nothing。”saidhiswife，enjoyinghisjoke。“Comeinhere;IwanttotellyouhowIhavejustsatuponMissCotton。”
XLVIII。
TherelationsbetweenDanandhisfatherhadalwaysbeenkindlyandtrustful;theynowbecame，inadegreethattouchedandflatteredtheyoungfellow，confidential。Withtherestofthefamilytheresoonceasedtobeanyreferencetohisengagement;hissisterswereglad，eachinherway，tohavehimbackagain;and，whatevertheymayhavesaidbetweenthemselves，theysaidnothingtohimaboutAlice。Hismotherappearedtohavefinishedwiththematterthefirstnight;shehadhertheory，andshediditjustice;andwhenMrs。Maveringhadoncedoneathingjustice，shedidnotbringitupagainunlesssomebodydisputedit。ButnobodyhaddefendedMrs。PasmerafterDan’sfeebleprotestinherbehalf;Mrs。
Mavering’stheorywasacceptedwithobedienceifnotconviction;thewholeaffairdropped，exceptbetweenDanandhisfather。
Danwascertainlynotsogayasheusedtobe;hewasgladtofindthathewasnotsogay。Therehadbeenasortofmercyinthesuddennessoftheshock;itbenumbedhim，andtherealstressandpaincameduringthelongweeksthatfollowed，whennothingoccurredtovarythesituationinanymanner;hedidnothearawordaboutAlicefromBoston，noranyrumourofherpeople。
AtfirsthehadintendedtogobackwithBoardmanandfaceitout;butthereseemednouseinthis，andwhenitcametothepointhefounditimpossible。Boardmanwentbackalone，andheputDan’sthingstogetherinhisroomsatBostonandsentthemtohim，sothatDanremainedathome。
Hesetabouthelpinghisfatheratthebusinesswithunaffecteddocility。
Hetriednottopose，andhedidhisbesttobearhislossandhumiliationwithmanlyfortitude。Buthiswholelifehadnotsetsostronglyinonedirectionthatitcouldbesharplyturnedasidenow，andnotinmomentsofforgetfulnesspressagainstthebarriersalmosttobursting。Nowandthen，whenhecametohimselffromthewontedtendency，andrememberedthatAliceandhe，whohadbeenallinalltoeachother，werenownothing，thepainwassosharp，soastonishing，thathecouldnotkeepdownagroan，whichhethentriedtoturnoffwithacough，orasnatchofsong，orawhistle，lookingwildlyroundtoseeifanyonehadnoticed。
Oncethishappenedwhenhisfatherandhewerewalkingsilentlyhomefromtheworks，andhisfathersaid，withouttouchinghimorshowinghissympathyexceptinhistoneofhumorouslyfrankrecognition，“Doesitstillhurtalittleoccasionally，Dan？”
“Yes，sir，ithurts。”saidtheson;andheturnedhisfaceaside，andwhistledthroughhisteeth。
“Well，it’satrial，Isuppose。”saidhisfather，withhisgentle，softhalf-lisp。“Buttherearegreatertrials。”
“How，greater？”askedDan，withsadincredulity。“I’velostallthatmadelifeworthliving;andit’sallmyownfault，too。”
“Yes。”saidhisfather;“Ithinkshewasagoodgirl。”
“Good！“criedDan;thewordseemedtochokehim。
“Still，Idoubtifit’sallyourfault。”Danlookedroundathim。Headded，“AndIthinkit’sperhapsforthebestasitis。”
Danhalted，andthensaid，“Oh，Isupposeso。”withdrearyresignation，astheywalkedon。
“Letusgoroundbythepaddock。”saidhisfather，“andseeifPat’sputthehorsesupyet。Youcanhardlyrememberyourmother，beforeshebecameaninvalid，Isuppose。”headded，asDanmechanicallyturnedasidewithhimfromthepaththatledtothehouseintothatleadingtothebarn。
“No;Iwassuchalittlefellow。”saidDan。
“Womengiveupagreatdealwhentheymarry。”saidtheelder。“It’snotstrangethattheyexaggeratethesacrifice，andexpectmoreinreturnthanit’sinthenatureofmentogivethem。Ishouldhavebeensorrytohaveyoumarryawomanofanexactingdisposition。”
“I’mafraidshewasexacting。”saidDan。“Butsheneveraskedmorethanwasright。”
“Andit’sdifficulttodoallthat’sright。”suggestedtheelder。
“I’msureyoualwayshave，father。”saidtheson。
Thefatherdidnotrespond。“Iwishyoucouldrememberyourmotherwhenshewaswell。”hesaid。Presentlyheadded，“Ithinkitisn’tbestforawomantobetoomuchinlovewithherhusband。”
Dantookthistohimself，andhelaughedharshly。“She’sbeenabletodissembleherloveatlast。”
Hisfatherwenton，“Womenkeeptheromanticfeelinglongerthanmen;itdiesoutofusverysoon——perhapstoosoon。”
“YouthinkIcouldn’thavecometotime？”askedDan。“Well，asit’sturnedout，Iwon’thaveto。”
“Nomancanbeallawomanwisheshimtobe。”saidhisfather。“It’sbetterforthedisappointmenttocomebeforeit’stoolate。”
“Iwastoblame。”saidDanstoutly。“Shewasallright。”
“Youweretoblameintheparticularinstance。”hisfatheranswered。“Butingeneralthefaultwasinher——orhertemperament。Aslongastheromancelastedshemighthavedeludedherself，andbelievedyouwereallsheimaginedyou;butromancecan’tlast，evenwithwomen。Idonlikeyourfaults，andIdon’twantyoutoexcusethemtoyourself。Idon’tlikeyourchancingthings，andleavingthemtocomeoutallrightofthemselves;butI’vealwaystriedtomakeyouchildrenseeallyourqualitiesintheirtrueproportionandrelation。”
“Yes;Iknowthat，sir。”saidDan。
“Perhaps。”continuedhisfather，astheyswungeasilyalong，shouldertoshoulder，“ImayhavegonetoofarinthatdirectionbecauseIwasafraidthatyoumighttakeyourmothertooseriouslyintheother——thatyoumightnotunderstandthatshejudgedyoufromhernervesandnotherconvictions。It’spartofhermalady，ofhersuffering，thatherinheritedPuritanismcloudsherjudgment，andmakesherseeallfaultsasofonesizeandequallydamning。Iwishyoutoknowthatshewasnotalwaysso，butwasonceabletodistinguishdifferencesinerror，andtorealisethatevilisofill-will。”
“Yes;Iknowthat。”saidDan。“Sheisnow——whenshefeelswell。”
“Harmcomesfrommanythings，butevilisoftheheart。Iwouldn’thaveyoucondemnyourselftooseverelyforharmthatyoudidn’tintend——that’sremorse——that’sinsanity;andIwouldn’thaveyoufallunderthecondemnationofanother’sinvalidjudgment。”
“Thankyou，father。”saidDan。
Theyhadcomeuptothepaddockbehindthebarn，andtheylaidtheirarmsonthefencewhiletheylookedoveratthehorses，whichwerestillthere。
Thebeasts，intheirroughwintercoats，somebedaubedwithfrozenclotsofthemudinwhichtheyhadbeenrollingearlierintheafternoon，stoodmotionlessinthethin，keenbreezethatcreptoverthehillsidefromtheMarchsunset，andblewtheirmanesandtailsouttowardDanandhisfather。Dan’sponysenthimagleamofrecognitionfromunderhisfrowsybangs，butdidnotstir。
“Bunchlookslikeacaterpillar。”hesaid，recallingthetimewhenhisfatherhadgivenhimthepony;hewasaboythen，andtheponywasasmuchtohim，itwentthroughhismind，asAlicehadeverbeen。Wasitallajest，anirony？heaskedhimself。
“He’sgettingprettyold。”saidhisfather。“Let’ssee:youwereonlytwelve。”
“Ten。”saidDan。“We’vehadhimthirteenyears。”
Someofthehorsesprickeduptheirearsatthesoundoftheirvoices。
Oneofthembitanother’sneck;thevictimthrewuphisheelsandsquealed。
Patcalledfromthestable，“Heigh，youdivils！“
“Ithinkhe’dbettertakethemin。”saidDan’sfather;andhecontinued，asifitwereallthesamesubject，“Ihopeyou’llhaveseensomethingmoreoftheworldbeforeyoufallinlovethenexttime。”
“Thankyou;therewon’tbeanynexttime。Butdoyouconsidertheworldsuchaschoolofmorals;then？Isupposeditwasaverybadplace。”
“Weseemtohavebeenallbornintoit。”saidthefather。Heliftedhisarmsfromthefence，andDanmechanicallyfollowedhimintothestable。
Awarm，homelysmellofhayandofhorsesfilledtheplace;alanternglimmered，afaintblot，intheloftwherePatwaspitchingsomehayforwardtotheedgeoftheboards;thenaphthagasweaklyflaredfromthejetsbesidetheharness-room，whenceasmellofleatherissuedandmingledwiththeothersmell。Thesimple，earthywholesomenessoftheplaceappealedtoDanandcomfortedhim。Thehaybegantotumblefromtheloftwithapleasantrustlingsound。
HisfathercalleduptoPat，“Ithinkyou’dbettertakethehorsesinnow。”
“Yes，sir:I’vegotthebox-stallsreadyfor’em。”
DanrememberedhowheandEuniceusedtogetintothebox-stallwithhispony，andplayatcircuswithit;hestooduponthepony，andhissisterwasthering-master。Thepictureofhiscarelesschildhoodreflectedadeeperpathosuponhistroubledpresent，andhesighedagain。
Hisfathersaid，astheymovedonthroughthebarn:“SomeofthebestpeopleI’veeverknownwerewhatwerecalledworldlypeople。Theyareapttobesincere，andtheyhavenoneofthespiritualpride，theconceitofself-righteousness，whichoftencomestopeoplewhoareshutupbyconscienceorcircumstancetothestudyoftheirownmotivesandactions。”
“Idon’tthinkshewasoneofthatkind。”saidDan。
“Oh，Idon’tknowthatshewas。Butthechancesofhappiness，ofgoodness，wouldbegreaterwithalessself-centredperson——foryou。”
“Ah，Yes！Forme！“saidDanbitterly。“BecauseIhadn’titinmetobefrankwithher。Withamanlikeme，awomanhadbetterbealittlescampish，too！Father，Icouldgetovertheloss;shemighthavedied，andIcouldhavegotoverthat;butIcan’tgetoverbeingtoblame。”
“Idon’tthinkI’dindulgeinanyremorse。”saidhisfather。“There’snothingsouseless，sodepraving，asthat。Ifyouseeyou’rewrong，it’sforyourwarning，notforyourdestruction。”
Danwasnotreallyfeelingveryremorseful;hehadneverfeltthathewasmuchtoblame;buthehadanintellectualperceptionofthecase，andhethoughtthatheoughttofeelremorseful;itwasthispersuasionthathetookforanemotion。Hecontinuedtolookverydisconsolate。
“Come。”saidhisfather，touchinghisarm，“Idon’twantyoutobrooduponthesethings。Itcandonomannerofgood。IwantyoutogotoNewYorknextweekandlookafterthatLafflinprocess。Ifit’swhathethinks——ifhecanreallycasthisbrasspatternswithoutair-holes——itwillrevolutioniseourbusiness。Iwanttogetholdofhim。”
ThePortuguesecookwasstandinginthebasementdoorwhichtheypassedatthebackofthehouse。Hesalutedfatherandsonwithaglitteringsmile。
“Hello，Joe！“saidDan。
“Ah，Joe！“saidhisfather;hetouchedhishattothecook，whosnatchedhiscapoff。
“Whatabrickyouare，father！“thoughtDan。HisheartleapedatthenotionofgettingawayfromPonkwasset;heperceivedhowithadbeenirkinghimtostay。“IfyouthinkIcouldmanageitwithLafflin“
“Oh，Ithinkyoucould。He’sanotherslipperychap。”
Danlaughedforpleasureandpainathisfather’sjoke。
XLIX。
InNewYorkDanfoundthatLafflinhadgonetoWashingtontolookupsomethinginconnectionwithhispatent。Inhiseagernesstogetawayfromhome，Danhadsupposedthathisfathermeanttomakeaholidayforhim，andhelearnedwithalittlesurprisethathewasquiteinearnestaboutgettingholdoftheinvention。hewrotehomeofLafflin’sabsence;
andhegotatelegraminreplyorderinghimtofollowontoWashington。
ThesunwasshiningwarmontheasphaltwhenhesteppedoutofthePennsylvaniaDepotwithhisbaginhishand，andputitintothehansomthatdroveupforhim。TheskyoverheadwasofanintensebluethatmadehimremembertheBostonskyaspaleandgrey;whenthehansomtiltedoutintotheAvenuehehadajoyousglimpseoftheWhiteHouse;oftheCapitolswimminglikeaballooninthecloudlessair。AkeenMarchbreezesweptthedustbeforehim，andthroughitsveiltheclassicTreasuryBuildingshowedlikeoneedificestandingperfectamidruinrepresentedbythejag-
toothirregularitiesofthebusinessarchitecturealongthewidestreet。
HehadneverbeeninWashingtonbefore，andhehadaconfusedsenseofhavinggotbacktoRome，whichherememberedfromhisboyishvisit。
ThroughouthisstayheseemedtobecomingupagainstthefacadeoftheTempleofNeptune;butitwasthePatentOffice，ortheTreasuryBuilding，ortheWhiteHouse，andunderthegaySouthernskythisreversiontothesensationsofahappiertimebeganatonce，andmadeitselfalastingrelief。Hefeltaliftinhisspiritsfromthefirst。TheygavehimaroomatWormley’s，wherethechairscomportedthemselvesasself-
respectfullyupontwoorthreelegsastheywouldhavedoneatBostonuponfour;thecookingwasexcellent，andamercenarywelcomeglitteredfromallthekindblackfacesaroundhim。AfterthequietofPonkwassetandtherushofNewYork，thelazyeaseofthehotelpleasedhim;theclackofbootsoveritspavements，thecloudsoftobaccosmoke，theSouthernandWesternaccents，thespectacleofpeopleunexpectedlyencounteringandrecognisingeachotherintheofficeandthedining-room，allhelpedtorestorehimtoahopefullermood。Withoutaskinghishearttoocuriouslywhy，hefounditlighter;hefeltthathewasstillyoung。
Intheweatherhehadstruckacoldwave，andthewindwasbitterinthestreets，buttheywerefullofsun;hefoundthegrassgreeninshelteredplaces，andinoneoftheCircleshepluckedablossomedsprayfromanadventurousforceythia。ThishappenedwhenhewaswalkingfromWormley’stotheArlingtonbyaroundaboutwayofhisowninvoluntaryinvention，andhehadtheflowersinhisbutton-holewhenLafflinwaspointedouttohiminthereadingroomthere，andheintroducedhimself。Lafflinhadputhishatfarbackonhishead，andwasintenselychewingatoothpick，withanairofrapturefromeverythingabouthim。HeseemedaverysimplesoultoDan’sinexperienceofmen，andtheyoungfellowhadnodifficultyincommittinghimtoafairconditionalarrangement。HewasgoingtostaysomedaysinWashington，andhepromisedotherinterviews，sothatDanthoughtitbesttostaytoo。HeusedasheetoftheArlingtonletter-
paperinwritinghisfatherofwhathehaddone;andthen，asLafflinhadlefthim，hepostedhisletterattheclerk’sdesk，andwanderedoutthroughacorridordifferentfromthatwhichhehadcomeinby。Itledbythedooroftheladiesparlour，andatthesoundofwomen’svoicesDanhalted。Fornootherreasonthanthatsuchvoicesalwaysirresistiblyalluredhim，hewentin，puttingonanairofhavingcometolookforsomeone。Thereweretwoorthreegroupsofladiesreceivingfriendsindifferentpartsoftheroom。Atthewindowagirl’sfiguresilhouetteditselfagainstthekeenlight，andasheadvancedintotheroom，peeringabout，itturnedwithacertainvividnessthatseemedfamiliar。Thisyounglady，whoevershewas，hadtheadvantageofDaninseeinghimwiththelightonhisface，andhewasstillinthedarkabouther，whensheadvancedswiftlyuponhim，holdingoutherhand。
“Youdon’tseemtoknowyouroldfriends，Mr。Mavering。”andthemanlytoneslefthimnodoubt。
Hefeltarushofgladness，andheclaspedherhandandclungtoitasifhewerenotgoingtoletitgoagain，bubblingoutincoherenciesofpleasureatmeetingher。“Why，MissAnderson！Youhere？”Whatapieceofluck！OfcourseIcouldn’tseeyouagainstthewindow——makeyouout！
Butsomethinglookedfamiliar——andthewayyouturned！Andwhenyoustartedtowardme！I’mawfullyglad！When——whereareyou——thatis——“
MissAndersonkeptlaughingwithhim，andbubbledbackthatshewasverygladtoo，andshewasstayingwithherauntinthathotel，andtheyhadbeenthereamonth，anddidn’thethinkWashingtonwascharming？Butitwastoobadhehadjustgottherewiththatblizzard。Theweatherhadbeenperfectlydivinetillthedaybeforeyesterday。
Hetookthesprayofforceythiaoutofhisbuttonhole。“Icanbelieveit。
Ifoundthisinone，ofthesquares，andIthinkitbelongstoyou。”He。
offereditwithabowandalaugh，andshetookitinthesamehumour。
“Whatisthelanguageofforceythia？”sheasked。
“Ithasnone——onlyexpressivesilence，youknow。”
Amiddle-agedladycamein，andMissAndersonsaid，“Myaunt，Mr。
Mavering。”
“Mr。Maveringwillhardlyrememberme。”saidthelady，givinghimherhand。Heprotestedthatheshouldindeed，butshehadreallymadebutavagueimpressionuponhimatCampobello。HeknewthatshewastherewithMissAnderson;hehadbeenpolitetoherashewastoallwomen;buthehadnotnoticedhermuch，andinhishearthehadaslightforher，ascomparedwiththeBostonpeoplehewasmorenaturallythrownwith;hecertainlyhadnotrememberedthatshewasalittlehardofhearing。
MissVanHookwasinasteel-greyeffectofdress，and，shehadcarriedthisupintoherhair，ofwhichsheworntwoshortverticalcurlsoneachtemple。
Shedidnotsitdown，andDanperceivedthattheladiesweregoingout。
Inhertailor-madesuitofclose-fittingsergeandherParisbonnet，carriedlikeacrestonherprettylittlehead，MissAndersonwascharming。Shehadashortveilthatcameacrossthebaseofherlivelynose，andlefthermouthandchintomakethemostofthemselves，unprejudicedbyitsirregularity。
Danfeltitahardshiptopartwiththem，buthepreparedtotakehimselfoff。MissAndersonaskedhimhowlonghewastobeinWashington，andsaidhemustcometoseethem;theymeanttostaytwoweeksyet，andthentheyweregoingtoOldPointComfort;theyhadtheirroomsengaged。
Hewalkeddowntotheircarriagewiththeladiesandputthemintoit，andMissAndersonstillkepthimtalkingthere。
Herauntsaid:“Whyshouldn’tyoucomewithus，Mr。Mavering？We’regoingtoMrs。SecretaryMiller’sreception。”
Dangavehimselfaglance。“Idon’tknow——ifyouwantme？”
“Wewantyou。”saidMissAnderson。“Verywell，then，I’llgo。”
Hegotin，andtheybeganrollingoverthatsmoothWashingtonasphaltwhichmakestalkinacarriageaseasyasinadrawing-room。Dankeptsayingtohimself，“Nowshe’sgoingtobringupCampobello;“butMissAndersonneverrecurredtotheirformermeeting，andexceptforthesenseofoldacquaintancewhichwasmanifestinhertreatmentofhimhemighthavethoughtthattheyhadnevermetbefore。ShetalkedofWashingtonanditsinformaldelights;andofthoseplanswhichheraunthadmade，likeeveryonewhospendsamonthinWashington，tospendalltheremainingwintersofherlifethere。
ItseemedtoDanthatMissAndersonwasavoidingCampobelloonhisaccount;heknewfromwhatAlicehadtoldhimthattherehadbeenmuchsurmiseabouttheiraffairafterhehadlefttheisland，andhesuspectedthatMissAndersonthoughtthesubjectwaspainfultohim。Hewishedtoreassureher。HeaskedatthefirstbreakinthetalkaboutWashington，“HowaretheTrevors？”
“Oh，quitewell。”shesaid，promptlyavailingherselfoftheopening。
“HaveyouseenanyofourCampobellofriendslatelyinBoston？”
“No;I’vebeenathomeforthelastmonth——inthecountry。”Hescannedherfacetoseeifsheknewanythingofhisengagement。ButsheseemedhonestlyignorantofeverythingsinceCampobello;shewasnotjustthekindofNewYorkgirlwhowouldvisitinBoston，orhavefriendslivingthere;probablyshehadneverheardofhisengagement。SomehowthisseemedtosimplifymattersforDan。ShedidnotaskspecificallyafterthePasmers;butthatmighthavebeenbecauseofthesortofbreakinherfriendshipwithAliceafterthatnightattheTrevors’;shedidnotaskspecificallyafterMrs。Brinkleyoranyoftheothers。
AtMrs。SecretaryMiller’sdoortherewasarapidarrivalanddepartureofcarriages，ofcoupes，ofhansoms，andofherdics，allmanagedbyamaninplainlivery，whoopenedandshutthedoors，andsentthedriversoffwithouttheinterventionofapoliceman;itisthegeniusofWashington，whichdistinguishesitfromeveryothercapital，fromeveryothercity，tomakenoshowofformality，ofanymannerofconstraintanywhere。Peoplewereswarminginandout;comingandgoingonfootaswellasbycarriage。
Theblandestofcolouredunclesreceivedtheircardsinthehallandputthemintoavasttrayheapedupwithpasteboard，smilingaffectionatelyuponthemasiftheyhaddonehimafavour。
“Don’tyoulikethem？”askedDanofMissAnderson;hemeanttheSouthernnegroes。
“Iadoyethem。”sheresponded，withequalfervour。“Youmuststudysomenewtypesherefornextsummer。”sheadded。
Danlaughedandwincedtoo。“Yes！“Thenbesaidsolemnly，“IamnotgoingtoCampobellonextsummer。”
Theyfeltintoastreamofpeopletendingtowardanarchwaybetweenthedrawing-rooms，whereMrs。SecretaryMillerstoodwithtwoladyfriendswhowerehelpingherreceive。Theysmiledwearilybutkindlyuponthecrowd，forwhomtheSecretary’swifehadalookofimpartialhospitality。Shecouldnothaveknownmorethanoneinfifty;andshemetthemallwiththislookatfirst，breakingintoincredulousrecognitionwhenshefoundafriend。“Don’tgoawayyet。”shesaidcordially，toMissVanHookandherniece，andsheheldtheirhandsforamomentwithagentlelookofreliefandappealwhichincludedDan。“LetmeintroduceyoutoMrs。TolliverandtoMissDixon。”
TheseladiessaidthatitwasnotnecessaryinregardtoMissAndersonandMissVanHook;andasthecrowdpushedthemon，Danfeltthattheyhadbeenreceivedwithdistinction。
Thecrowdexpressedthenationalvarietyofrichandpoor，plainandfashionable，urbaneandrustic;theyelbowedandshoulderedeachotheruponaperfectequalityinaplacewhereallwereasfreetocomeastotheWhiteHouse，andtheyjostledquaintgroupsofalmond-eyedlegationsintheyellowsandpurplesoftheEast，wholookeddreamilyonasifpuzzledpastallsurmisebythescene。CertainyounggentlemenwiththeunmistakableairofbeingEuropeanorSouthAmericanattachesfoundtheirwayaboutontheirlittlefeet，whichthestalwartbootsoftherepublicanmassesmusthaveimperilled;andsmiledwithafaintdiplomaticsuperiority，notvisiblyadmitted，butallthesameindisputable。SeveraloftheseseemedtoknowMissAnderson，andtookherpresentationofMaveringwithexaggeratedeffusion。
“Iwanttointroduceyoutomycousinoveryonder。”shesaid，gettingridofaminuteBrazilianunder-secretary，andputtingherhandonDan’sarmtodirecthim:“Mrs。JusticeAverill。”
MissVanHook，keepingherlookofseverevigilance，reallyfollowedherenergeticniece，whotookthelead，asayoungladymustwheneversheandherchaperonmeetonequalterms。
Mrs。JusticeAverill，whowasfromthefarWestsomewhere，receivedDanwiththeeaseofthefarEast，andwastalkingLondonandParistohimbeforetheendofthethirdminute。ItgaveDanasenseofliberation，ofexpansion;hefilledhislungswiththecosmopolitanairinasortofintoxication;withoutformulatingit，hefelt，withtheastonishmentwhichmustalwaysattendtheBostonian’sperceptionofthefact，thatthereisagreatsociallifeinAmericaoutsideofBoston。AtCampobellohehadthoughtMissAndersonaveryjollygirl，bright，anduptoallsortsofthings;butinthepresenceoftheportableBostontherehecouldnothelpregardingherwithasortoftolerancewhichhenowblushedfor;hethoughthehadbeenagreatass。Sheseemedtoknowallsortsofnicepeople，andshestrovewithgeneroushospitalitytomakehimhaveagoodtime。ShesaiditwasCabinetDay，andthatallthesecretaries’wiveswerereceiving，andshetoldhimhehadbettermaketheroundswiththem。
Heassentedverywillingly，andatsixo’clockhewasalreadysomuchinthespiritofthisfreeandsimplesociety，somuchopenerandthereforesomuchwiserthananyother，thatheprofessedaprofounddisappointmentwiththetwoorthreeCabinetladieswhosefailuretoreceivebroughthispleasuretoaprematureclose。
“ButIsupposeyou’regoingtoMrs。Whittington’sto-night！“MissAndersonsaidtohim，astheydroveuptoWormley’s，whereshesethimdown。MissVanHookhadlongceasedtosayanything;Danthoughtheraperfectduenna。“Youknowyoucangolatethere。”sheadded。
“No，Ican’tgoatall。”saidDan。“Idon’tknowthem。”
“They’reNewEnglandpeople。”urgedMissAnderson;asiftomakehimtrytothinkthathewasaskedtoMrs。Whittington’s。
“Idon’tknowmorethanhalfthepopulationofNewEngland。”saidDan，withapparentlevity，butrealforlornness。
“Ifyou’dliketogo——ifyou’resureyou’venootherengagement——“
“Oh，I’mcertainofthat？”
“——wewouldcomeforyou。”
“Do！“
“Athalf-pastten，then。”
MissAndersonexplainedtoheraunt，whocordiallyconfirmedherinvitation，andtheybothshookhandswithhimuponit，andhebackedoutofthecarriagewithagrinofhappinessonhisface;itremainedtherewhilehewroteouttheorderforhisdinner，whichtheyrequireatWormley’sinholograph。Thewaiterreflectedhissmilewithethnicalwarm-heartedness。ForamomentDantriedtothinkwhatitwashehadforgotten;hethoughtitwassomeotherdish;thenherememberedthatitwashisbrokenheart。Hetriedtosubduehimself;buttherewassomethingintheairoftheplace，theclimate，perhaps，orapleasantsenseofitsfacilesociallife，thatkepthimbuoyantinspiteofhimself。Hewentoutafterdinner，andsawpartofapoorplay，andreturnedintimetodressforhisappointmentwithMissAnderson。Herauntwaswithher，ofcourse;sheseemedtoDanmoreindefatigablethanshewasbyday。Hecouldnotthinkhersuperfluous;andshewasverygood-natured。Shemadelittleremarksfullofconventionalwisdom，andappealedtohisjudgmentonseveralpointsastheydrovealong。Whentheycametoastreetlampwhereshecouldseehim，henoddedandsaidyes，orno，respectfully。
BetweentimeshetalkedwithMissAnderson，wholecturedhimuponWashingtonsociety，andpreparedhimforthedifferencehewastofindbetweenMrs。Whittington’seveningofinvitedguestsandtheCabinetladies’afternoonofvolunteerguests。
“Volunteerguestsisgood。”helaughed。“Doyoumeanthatanybodycango？”
“Anybodythatisabletobeabout。ThisisCabinetDay。There’saSupremeCourtDayandaSenators’Day，andaRepresentatives’Day。Doyoumeantosayyouweren’tgoingtocalluponyourSenator？”
“Ididn’tknowIhadany。”
“NeitherdidItillIcamehere。Butyou’vegottwo;everybody’sgottwo。
AndthePresident’swifereceivesthreetimesaweek，andthePresidenthastwoorthreedays。TheysaythepublicdaysattheWhiteHousearegreatfun。I’vebeentosomeoftheinvited，orsemi-invitedorofficialevenings。”
HecouldnotseethatdifferencefromthegreatpublicreceptionswhichMissAndersonhadpromisedhimatMrs。Whittington’s，thoughhepretendedafterwardthathehaddoneso。Thepeopleweremoreuniformlywelldressed，therewerenotsomanyofthem，andthehostesswassureofknowingheracquaintancesatfirstglance;buttherewasthesameease，thesameunconstraint，thesameabsenceofprovincialanxietywhichmakesaWashingtonalighterandfriendlierLondon。Therewererathermoresallowattaches;intheirlow-cutwhitewaistcoats，withsmallbrassbuttons，theymovedmoreconsciouslyabout，andlookedweightierpersonagesthanseveralforeignministerswhowerepresent。
DanwassoonlostfromthesideofMissAnderson，whomoreandmoreseemedtohimimportantsocially。Sheseemed，inherpresentleadership;toknowmoreoflife，thanhe;tobematurer。Butshedidnotabusehersuperiority;shekeptaneffectofherlastsummer’sfriendlinessforhimthroughout。Severaltimes，findingherselfnearhim;sheintroducedhimtopeople。
Guestskeptarrivingtillmidnight。Amongthelatest，whenDanhadlosthimselffarfromBostonintalkwithayoungladyfromRichmond，whospokewithaslurofhervowelsthatfascinatedhim，cameMr。andMrs。Brinkley。
HefelthimselfgrowpaleandinattentivetohisprettyVirginian。ThataccentofMrs。Brinkley’srecalledhimtohishistory。Hehopedthatshewouldnotseehim;butinanothermomenthewasgreetingherwithawarmthwhichBostoniansseldomshowinmeetingatBoston。
“WhendidyoucometoWashington？”sheasked，tryingtokeepherconsciousnessoutofhereyes，whichsheletdwellkindlyuponhim。
“Daybeforeyesterday——no，yesterday。Itseemsamonth，I’veseenanddonesomuch。”hesaid，withhislaugh。“MissAnderson’sbeenshowingmethewholeofWashingtonsociety。Haveyoubeenherelong？”
“Sincemorning。”saidMrs。Brinkley。Andsheadded，“MissAnderson？”
“Yes——Campobello，don’tyouknow？”
“Ohyes。Isshehereto-night？”
“Icamewithherandheraunt。”
“Ohyes。”
“HowisallBoston？”askedDanboldly。
“Idon’tknow;I’mjustgoingdowntoOldPointComforttoask。EveryotherhouseontheBackBayhasbeenabandonedfortheHygeia。”Mrs。
Brinkleystopped，andthensheasked。“Areyoujustupfromthere？”
“No;butIdon’tknowbutIshallgo。”
“Hello，Mavering！“saidMr。Brinkley，comingupandtakinghishandintohisfatgrasp。“OnyourwaytoFortressMonroe？Bettercomewithus。
Why;Munt！“
HeturnedtogreetthisotherBostonian，whohadhardlyexpressedhisjoyatmeetingwithhisfellow-townsmenwhenthehostessrustledsoftlyup，andsaid，withtheironymoreorlessfriendly，whicheverybodyusesinspeakingofBoston，orrecognisingtheintellectualpre-eminenceofitspeople，“I’mnotgoingtoletyoukeepthisfeastofreasonalltoyourselves。Iwantyoutoleaventhewholelump。”andshebegantodispersethem，andtointroducethemaboutrightandleft。
DantriedtofindhisVirginianagain，butshewasgone。HefoundMissAnderson;shewaswithheraunt。“Shallwebetearingyouaway？”sheasked。
“Ohno。I’mquitereadytogo。”
Hisnerveswereinatremble。ThoseBostonfacesandvoiceshadbroughtitallbackagain;itseemedasifhehadmetAlice。Hewassilentandincoherentastheydrovehome，butMissAndersonapparentlydidnotwanttotalkmuch，andapparentlydidnotnoticehisreticence。
Hefellasleepwiththepanginhisheartwhichhadbeentheresooften。
WhenDancamedowntobreakfasthefoundtheBrinkleysatapleasantplacebyoneofthewindows，andaftertheyhadexchangedapleasedsurprisewithhimthattheyshouldallhappentobeinthesamehotel，theyaskedhimtositattheirtable。
Therewasabrightsunshining，andtheachewasgoneoutofDan’sheart。
HebegantochattergailywithMrs。BrinkleyaboutWashington。
“Oh，bettercomeontoFortressMonroe。”saidherhusband。“Bettercomeonwithus。”
“No，Ican’tjustyet。”saidDan。“I’vegotsomebusinessherethatwillkeepmeforawhile。PerhapsImayrundowntherealittlelater。”
“MissAndersonseemstohaveagooddealofbusinessinWashingtontoo。”
observedBrinkley，withsomehazynotionofsayingapleasantrallyingthingtotheyoungman。Hewonderedattheglarehiswifegavehim。WiththosepannedoystersbeforehimhehadforgottenallaboutDan’sloveaffairwithMissPasmer。
Mrs。BrinkleyhastenedtomakethementionofMissAndersonasimpersonalaspossible。
“Itwassonicetomeetheragain。Sheissuchanhonest，wholesomecreature，andsobrightandfullofsense。Shealwaysmademethinkofthebroaddaylight。Ialwayslikedthatgirl。”
“Yes;isn’tshejolly？”saidDanjoyously。“Sheseemstoknoweverybodyhere。It’sagreatpieceofluckforme。They’regoingtotakeahouseinWashingtonnextwinter。”
“Yes;Iknowthatstage。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Heraunt’sanamusinglyNew-Yorkrespectability。Idon’tthinkyou’dfindjustsuchMissMitfordcurlsashersinallBoston。”
“Yes，theyareliketheportraits，aren’tthey？”saidDan;delighted。
“She’sverynice，don’tyouthink？”
“Very。ButMissAndersonismorethanthat。IwasdisposedtobecriticalofheratCampobelloforawhile，butsheworeextremelywell。
Allatonceyoufoundyourselfadmiringheruncommoncommon-sense。
“Yes。That’sjustit。”criedDan。“Sheissosensible！“
“Ithinkshe’sverypretty。”saidMrs。Brinkley。”
“Well，hernose。”suggestedDan。“Itseemsalittlecapricious。”
“It’satriflebizarre，Isuppose。Butwhatbeautifuleyes！Andherfigure！Ideclarethatgirl’scarriageissomethingsuperb。”
“Yes，shehasamagnificentwalk。”
“Walkswithhercarriage。”musedBrinkleyaloud。
Hiswifedidnotregardhim。“Idon’tknowwhatMissAnderson’sprinciplesare，butherpracticesareperfect。Ineverknewherdoanunkindorshabbything。Sheseemsverygoodandverywise。Andthatdeepvoiceofhershassuchacharm。It’ssorestful。Youfeelasifyoucouldreposeuponitforathousandyears。Well！Youwillgetdownbeforeweleave？”
“Yes，Iwill。”saidDan。“I’mhereafteramanwho’safterapatent，andassoonasIcanfinishupmybusinesswithhimIbelieveIwillrundowntoFortressMonroe。”
“Thiseleven-o’clocktrainwillgetyouthereatsix。”saidBrinkley。
“Bettertelegraphforyourrooms。”
“Or，letusknow。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“andwe’llsecurethemforyou。”
“Oh，thankyou。”saidDan。
Hewentaway，feelingthatMrs。Brinkleywasthepleasantestwomanheevermet。HeknewthatshehadtalkedMissAndersonsofullyinordertotakeawaytheimplicationofherhusband’sjoke，andheadmiredhertact。HethoughtofthisasheloiteredalongthestreetfromWormley’stotheArlington，wherehewasgoingtofindMissAnderson，byanappointmentofthenightbefore，andtakeawalkwithher;andthinkingoftactmadehimthinkofMrs。Pasmer。Mrs。Pasmerwasfulloftact;andhowkindshehadalwaysbeentohim！Shehadreallybeenlikeamothertohim;hewassureshehadunderstoodhim;hebelievedshehaddefendedhim;withafutilityofwhichhefeltthepathos，hemadeherdefendhimnowtoAlice。Alicewasveryhardandcold，aswhenhesawherlast;hermother’swordsfelluponherasuponastone;evenMrs。Pasmer’stears，whichDanmadehershed，hadnoeffectuponthehaughtygirl。Notthathecarednow。
Theblizzardofthepreviousdayshadwhirledaway;thesunshinelaystill，withawarmglistenandsparkle，ontheasphaltwhichseemedtobaskinit，andwhichitsoftenedtothefoot。HeloiteredbythegateofthelittleparkorplantationwherethestatueofGeneralJacksonisridingacock-horsetoBanburyCross，andlookedoverattheFrench-
ItalianclassicismoftheWhiteHousearchitecturewithapensivejoyatfindingpleasureinit，andthenhewentontotheArlington。
MissAndersonwaswaitingforhimintheparlour，andtheywentalongwalkuptheavenuesandacrosshalfthealphabetinthestreets，andthroughtheprettysquaresandcircles，wherethestatuesweresometimesbeautifulandalwayspicturesque;andthesparrowsmadeavernalchirpinginthenakedtreesandonthegreengrass。Intwoorthreetheysatdownontheironbenchesandrested。
Theytalkedandtalked——aboutthepeopletheyknew，andofwhomtheyfoundthattheythoughtsurprisinglyalike，andaboutthemselves，whomtheyfoundsurprisinglyalikeinagreatmanythings，andthensurprisinglyunlike。Danbroughtforwardsomepointsofidentitywhichhe，andAlicehadfoundinthemselves;itwasjustthesamewithMissAnderson。Shefoundherselfratherwarmwiththeseal-skinsacqueshehadputon;shelethimcarryitonhisarmwhiletheywalked，andthenlayitoverhershoulderswhentheysatdown。Hefeltapangofself-reproach，asifhehadbeeninconstanttoAlice。Thiswasanoldhabitoffeeling，formedduringthemonthsoftheirengagement，when，atherinspiration，hewasalwaysbringinghimselftobookaboutsomething。Herepliedtoherbitterly，inthecolloquywhichbegantoholditselfinhismind，andtoldherthatshehadnoclaimuponhimnow;thatifhisthoughtswanderedfromheritwasherfault，nothis;thatsheherselfhadsetthemfree。Butinfacthewaslikeallyoungmen，withathousand，potentialitiesofloving。
Therewasnoaspectofbeautythatdidnottenderlymovehim;hecouldnothelpasoftthrillatthesightofanyprettyshape，thesoundofanypiquantvoice;andAlicehadmerelybeenthesynthesisofallthatwasmostcharmingtothisfancy。Thisisatruthwhichitistheconventionofthepoetsandthenoveliststodeny;butitisalsotruethatshemighthaveremainedthesumofallthatwasloveliestifshewould;orifshecould。
ItwaschieflybecauseshewouldnotorcouldnotthathisglancerecognisedthecharmofMissAnderson’sbackhair，bothinitsstrayinggossamerandintheloosemassinwhichitwascaughtupunderherhat，whenhelaidhersacqueonhershoulders。TheymetthatafternoonataSenator’s，andinthehouseofadistinguishedcitizen，towhosewifeDanhadbeenpresentedatMrs。Whittington’s，andwhohadsomehowgothisaddress，andsenthimacardforherevening。Theyencounteredherewithajocoseoldfriendliness，andaprofessionofbeingtiredofalwaysmeetingMissAndersonandMr。Mavering。Hebroughthersaladandice，andtheymadeanappointmentforanotherwalkinthemorning，ifitwasfine。
Hecarriedhersomeflowers。Asuccessionoffinedaysfollowed，andtheywalkedeverymorning。SometimesDanwaslate，andexplainedthatitwashispatent-rightmanhadkepthim。Shewasinterestedinthepatent-rightman，whomDanbegantofindnotquitesosimpleasatfirst，butshewasnotexactingwithhimabouthiswantofpunctuality;shewasveryeasy-
going;shewasnotalwaysreadyherself。Whenhebegantobeataboutthebush，totalkinsincerities，andtolosehimselfinintentionlessplausibilities，shewaitedwithserenepatienceforhimtohavedone，andmethimontheirhabitualgroundoffranknessandrealityasifhehadnotleftit。Hegottotellingherallhisstepswithhispatent-rightman，whoseemedtobegrowingmoteandmoreslippery，andwhopresentlydevelopedademandforfunds。Thenshegavehimsomeveryshrewd，practicaladvice，andtoldhimtogorightintothehotelofficeandtelegraphtohisfatherwhileshewasputtingonherbonnet。
“Yes。”hesaid，“that’swhatIthoughtofdoing。”Butheadmiredherforadvisinghim;hesaidtohimselfthatMissAndersonwasthekindofgirlhisfatherwouldadmire。Shewasgood，andshewasoftheworldtoo;
thatwaswhathisfathermeant。Heimaginedhimselfarrivinghomeandsaying，“Wellfather，youknowthatdespatchIsentyou，aboutLafflin’swantingmoney？”andtellinghimaboutMissAnderson。Thenhefanciedheracquaintedwithhissistersandvisitingthem，andhisfathermoreandmorefondofher，andperhapsindeclininghealth，andeagertoseehissonsettledinlife;andhepicturedhimselftellingherthathehaddonewithloveforever，butifshecouldacceptrespect，fidelity，gratitude，hewasreadytodevotehislifetoher。Sherefusedhim，buttheyalwaysremainedgoodfriendsandcomrades;shemarriedanother，perhapsBoardman，whileDanwaswritingouthistelegram，andhebrokeintowhisperedmaledictionsonhisfolly，whichattractedthenoticeoftheoperator。
OnemorningwhenhesentuphisnametoMissAnderson，whomhedidnotfindinthehotelparlour，theservantcamebackwithwordthatMissVanHookwouldliketohavehimcomeuptotheirrooms。ButitwasMissAndersonwhomethimatthedoor。
“ItseemedratherformaltosendyouwordthatMissVanHookwasindisposed，andMissAndersonwouldbeunabletowalkthismorning，andIthoughtperhapsyou’drathercomeupandgetmyregretsinperson。
AndIwantedyoutoseeourview。”
Sheledthewaytothewindowforit，buttheydidnotlookatit，thoughtheysatdownthereapparentlyforthepurpose。Danputhishatbesidehischair，andobservedsomeinattentivecivilitiesininquiringafterMissVanHook’shealth，andinhearingthatitwasmerelyabadheadache，oneofasortinwhichherniecehatedtoleavehertoserveherselfwiththewetcompresseswhichMissVanHookalwaysboreonherforeheadforit。
“Onething:it’sdecidedustobeoffforFortressMonroeatlast。Weshallgobytheboatto-morrow，ifmyaunt’sbetter。”
“To-morrow？”saidDan。“What’stobecomeofmewhenyou’regone？”
“Oh，weshallnottakethewholepopulationwithus。”suggestedMissAnderson。
“Iwishyouwouldtakeme。ItoldMrs。BrinkleyIwouldcomewhileshewasthere，butI’mafraidIcan’tgetoff。Lafflinisdevelopingintoallsortsofstrangepropositions。”
“Ithinkyou’dbetterlookoutforthatman。”saidMissAnderson。
“Oh，Idonothingwithoutconsultingmyfather。ButIshallmissyou。”
“Thankyou。”saidthegirlgravely。
“Idon’tmeaninabusinesscapacityonly。”