ThemomentHaroldbecameconsciousofSelina’sstealthyapproach，hedroppedhispencilandflunghimselfflatuponthetable，protectingthushisliteraryeffortsfromchillingcriticismbytheinterposedthicknessofhisperson。Fromsomewhereinhisinteriorproceededaheartrendingcompoundofsquealandwhistle，asofescapingsteam，——long-drawn，earpiercing，unvaryinginnote。
\"Ionlyjustwanttosee，\"protestedSelina，strugglingtouproothissmallbodyfromthescrawlitguarded。ButHaroldclunglimpet-liketothetableedge，andhisshrillprotestcontinuedtodeafenhumanityandtothreateneventheserenitiesofOlympus。Thetimeseemedcomeforademonstrationinforce。
PersonallyIcaredlittlewhatsoul-outpouringsofHaroldwerepiratedbySelina——shewasprettysuretogetholdofthemsoonerorlater——andindeedIratherwelcomedthediversionasfavourabletotheundisturbedpursuitofArt。Buttheclannishnessofsexhasitsunwrittenlaws。Boys，assuch，aresufficientlyputupon，maltreated，troddenunder，asitis。
Shouldtheyfailtohangtogetherinperiloustimes，whatdisasters，whatignominies，maynotbelookedfor？Possiblyevenanextinctionofthetribe。Idroppedmypaintbrushandsailedshoutingintothefray。
Theresultforashortspacehungdubious。Thereisaperiodoflifewhenthedifferenceofayearortwoinagefaroutweighstheminoradvantageofsex。ThenthegathersofSelina’sfrockcameawaywithasoundliketherattleofdistantmusketry;andthiscalamityitwas，ratherthanmerebrutecompulsion，thatquelledherindomitablespirit。
Thefemaletongueismightierthanthesword，asIsoonhadgoodreasontoknow，whenSelina，herrivengarmentheldoutatlength，avengedherdiscomfiturewiththeGreek-fireofpersonalitiesandabuse。Everyblackincidentinmyshort，butnotstainless，career——everyerror，everyfolly，everypenaltyignoblysuffered——wereparadedbeforemeasinamagic-
lanternshow。Theinformation，however，wasnotparticularlynewtome，andtheeffectwasstaledbypreviousrehearsals。
Besides，avictoryremainsavictory，whateverthemoralcharacterofthetriumphantgeneral。
Haroldchuckledandcrowedashedroppedfromthetable，revealingthedocumentoverwhichsomanygathershadsighedtheirshortlivesout。\"YOUcanreaditifyoulike，\"hesaidtomegratefully。\"It’sonlyaDeath-letter。\"
IthadneverbeenpossibletosaywhatHarold’sparticularamusementofthehourmightturnouttobe。Onethingonlywascertain，thatitwouldbesomethingimprobable，unguessable，nottobeforetold。Who，forinstance，insearchofrelaxation，wouldeverdreamofchoosingthedrawing-upofatestamentarydispositionofproperty？YetthiswastheformtakenbyHarold’slatestcraze;andinjusticethismuchhadtobesaidforhim，thatinthechristeningofhisamusementhehadgonerighttotheheartofthematter。Thewords\"will\"and\"testament\"havevariousmeaningsanduses;butaboutthesignificationof\"death-letter\"therecanbenomannerofdoubt。
Ismoothedoutthecrumpledpaperandread。Inactualformitdeviatedconsiderablyfromthatusuallyadoptedbyfamilysolicitorsofstanding，theonlyresemblance，indeed，lyingintheabsenceofpunctuation。
\"mydearedward（itran）whenIdieIleaveallmymunytoyoumywalkinstickswipsmycropmysordandgunbricksfortsandallthingsihavegoodbyemydearcharlottewhenidieIleaveyoumywachandcumpusandpencelcasemysalorsandcamperdownmypicteresandevthinggoodbyeyourlovingbrotherarmenmydearMarthaIloveyouverymuchileaveyoumygardenmymiceandrabetsmyplantsinpotswhenIdiepleasetakecareofthemmydear——\"Coeteradesunt。
\"Why，you’renotleavingmeanything！\"exclaimedSelina，indignantly。\"You’rearegularmeanlittleboy，andI’lltakebackthelastbirthdaypresentIgaveyou！\"
\"Idon’tcare，\"saidHarold，repossessinghimselfofthedocument。\"Iwasgoingtoleaveyousomething，butIsha’n’tnow，’cosyoutriedtoreadmydeath-letterbeforeIwasdead！\"
\"ThenI’llwriteadeath-lettermyself，\"retortedSelina，scentinganartisticvengeance：\"andIsha’n’tleaveyouasinglething！\"Andshewentoffinsearchofapencil。
Thetempestwithin-doorshadkeptmyattentionofftheconditionofthingswithout。Butnowaglancethroughthewindowtoldmethattherainhadentirelyceased，andthateverythingwasbathedinsteadinaradiantglowofsunlight，moregoldenthananygambogeofminecouldpossiblydepict。LeavingSelinaandHaroldtosettletheirfeudbyamutualdisinheritance，Islippedfromtheroomandescapedintotheopenair，eagertopickupthelooseendofmynewfriendshipjustwhereIhaddroppeditthatmorning。Inthegloriousreactionofthesunshineafterthedownpour，withitsmoistwarmsmells，bespanglementofgreenery，andinspiritingtouchofrain-washedair，theparksandpalacesoftheimaginationglowedwithalivelieriris，andtheirblurredbeautiesshoneoutagainwithfreshblushandpalpitation。AsI
spedalongtothetryst，againIaccompaniedmynewcomradealongthecorridorsofmypetpalaceintowhichIhadsohastilyintroducedher;andonreflectionIbegantoseethatitwouldn’tworkproperly。Ihadmadeamistake，andthosewerenotthesurroundingsinwhichshewasmostfittedtoshine。However，itreallydidnotmattermuch;Ihadotherpalacestoplaceatherdisposal——plentyof’em;andonafurtheracquaintancewithandknowledgeofhertastes，nodoubtIcouldfindsomethingtosuither。
TherewasarealArabianone，forinstance，whichIvisitedbutrarely——onlyjustwhenIwasinthefineOrientalmoodforit;awonderofsilkhangings，fountainsofrosewater，pavilions，andminarets。Hundredsofsilent，well-trainedslavesthrongedthestairsandalleysofthisestablishment，readytofetchandcarryforherallday，ifshewishedit;andmybravesoldierswouldbesparedtheindignity。Alsotherewereprocessionsthroughthebazaaratoddmoments——processionswithcamels，elephants，andpalanquins。Yes，shewasmoresuitedfortheEast，thisimperiousyoungperson;andIdeterminedthatthithersheshouldbepersonallyconductedassoonasevermightbe。
Ireachedthefenceandclimbeduptwobarsofit，andleaningoverIlookedthiswayandthatformytwin-souledpartnerofthemorning。ItwasnotlongbeforeIcaughtsightofher，onlyashortdistanceaway。Herbackwastowardsmeand——well，onecanneverforeseeexactlyhowonewillfindthings——shewastalkingtoaBoy。
Ofcoursethereareboysandboys，andLordknowsIwasnevernarrow。Butthiswastheparson’ssonfromanadjoiningvillage，ared-headedboyandascommonalittlebeastaseverstepped。
Hecultivatedferrets——hisonlygoodpoint;anditwasevidentlythroughthemediumofthisartthathewasbaselysupplantingme，forherheadwasbentabsorbedlyoversomethinghecarriedinhishands。WithsometrepidationIcalledout，\"Hi！\"Butanswertherewasnone。ThenagainIcalled，\"Hi！\"butthistimewithasickeningsenseoffailureandofdoom。Sherepliedonlybyacomplexgesture，decisiveinimportifnoteasilydescribed。A
petulanttossofthehead，ajerkoftheleftshoulder，andabackwardkickoftheleftfoot，alldeliveredatonce——thatwasall，andthatwasenough。Thered-headedboyneverevencondescendedtoglancemyway。Why，indeed，shouldhe？I
droppedfromthefencewithoutanothereffort，andtookmywayhomewardsalongthewearyroad。
Littleinclinationwaslefttome，atfirst，foranysolitaryvisittomyaccustomedpalace，thepleasuresofwhichIhadsorecentlytastedincompany;andyetafteraminuteortwoIfoundmyself，fromhabit，sneakingofftheremuchasusual。PresentlyIbecameawareofacertainsolaceandconsolationinmynewly-recoveredindependenceofaction。Quitofallfemalewhimsandfancifulrestrictions，Irowed，sailed，orpunted，justasI
pleased;intheChocolate-roomIcrackedandnibbledthehardsticks，withacertaincontemptforthosewhopreferredthesoft，veneeredarticle;andImixedandquaffedcountlessfizzydrinkswithoutdreadofanyprohibitionist。Finally，Iswaggeredintothepark，paradedallmysoldiersontheterrace，and，biddingthemtakethetimefromme，gavetheordertofireoffalltheguns。
THEMAGICRING
Grown-uppeoplereallyoughttobemorecareful。Amongthemselvesitmayseembutasmallthingtogivetheirwordandtakebacktheirword。Forthemtherearesomanycompensations。
Lifeliesattheirfeet，aparty-colouredindia-rubberball;theymaykickitthiswayorkickitthat，itturnsupblue，yellow，orgreen，butalwayscolouredandglistening。Thusoneseesithappenalmosteveryday，and，withajestandalaugh，thethingisover，andthedisappointedoneturnstofreshpleasure，lyingreadytohishand。Butwiththosewhoarebelowthem，whoselittleglobeisswayedbythem，whorushtobuildstar-pointingalhambrasontheirmostcasualword，theyreallyoughttobemorecareful。
Inthiscaseofthecircus，forinstance，itwasnotasifwehadleduptothesubject。Itwastheywhobeganitentirely——
promptedtheretobythelocalnewspaper。\"What，acircus！\"saidthey，intheirirritating，casualway：\"thatwouldbenicetotakethechildrento。Wednesdaywouldbeagoodday。SupposewegoonWednesday。Oh，andpleatsarebeingwornagain，withrowsofdeepbraid，\"etc。
WhattheothersthoughtIknownot;whattheysaid，iftheysaidanything，Ididnotcomprehend。Formethehousewasbursting，wallsseemedtocrampandtostifle，theroofwasjumpingandlifting。Escapewastheimperativething——toescapeintotheopenair，toshakeoffbricksandmortar，andtowanderintheunfrequentedplacesoftheearth，themoreproperlytotakeinthepassionandthepromiseofthegiddysituation。
Natureseemedprimandstaidthatdayandtheglobegavenohintthatitwasflyingroundacircusringofitsown。Couldtheyreallybetrue，Iwondered，allthosebewilderingthingsI
hadheardtellofcircuses？Didlong-tailedponiesreallywalkontheirhind-legsandfireoffpistols？Wasithumanlypossibleforclownstoperformone-halfofthebewitchingdrolleriesrecordedinhistory？Andhow，oh，howdareIventuretobelievethat，fromoffthebacksofcreamyArabsteeds，ladiesofmorethanearthlybeautydischargedthemselvesthroughpaperhoops？
No，itwasnotaltogetherpossible，theremusthavebeensomeexaggeration。Still，Iwouldbecontentwithverylittle，I
wouldtakealowpercentage——averysmallproportionofthecircusmythwouldmorethansatisfyme。Butagain，evensupposingthathistorywere，onceinaway，noliar，coulditbethatImyselfwasreallyfatedtolookuponthisthinginthefleshandtolivethroughit，tosurvivetherapture？No，itwasaltogethertoomuch。Somethingwasboundtohappen，oneofuswoulddevelopmeasles，theworldwouldblowupwithaloudexplosion。Imustnotdare，Imustnotpresume，toentertainthesmallesthope。Imustendeavoursternlytothinkofsomethingelse。
Needlesstosay，Ithought，Idreamedofnothingelse，dayornight。Waking，Iwalkedarm-in-armwithaclown，andcrackedaportentouswhiptothebravemusicofaband。Sleeping，I
pursued——perchedastrideofacoal-blackhorse——aprincessallgauzeandspangles，whoalwaysmanagedtokeepjustoneunattainablelengthahead。IntheearlymorningHaroldandI，oncefullyawake，cross-examinedeachotherastothepossibilitiesofthisorthatcircustradition，andexhaustedthelorelongerethefirsthousemaidwasstirring。Inthisstateofexaltationweslippedonwardtowhatpromisedtobeadayofallwhitedays——whichbringsmerightbacktomytext，thatgrown-uppeoplereallyoughttobemorecareful。
Ihadknownitcouldneverreallybe;Ihadsaidsotomyselfadozentimes。Thevisionwastoosweetlyetherealforembodiment。
Yetthepangofthedisillusionmentwasnonethelesskeenandsickening，andthepainwasasthatofacorporealwound。Itseemedstrangeandforeboding，whenweenteredthebreakfast-
room，nottofindeverybodycrackingwhips，jumpingoverchairs，andwhooping。Inecstaticrehearsalofthewildrealitytocome。
Thesituationbecamegrimandpallidindeed，whenIcaughttheexpressions\"garden-party\"and\"mymauvetulle，\"andrealizedthattheybothreferredtothatveryafternoon。Andeveryminute，asIsatsilentandlistened，myheartsanklowerandlower，descendingrelentlesslylikeaclock-weightintomybootsoles。
ThroughoutmyagonyIneverdreamedofresortingtoadirectquestion，muchlessareproach。Evenduringtheperiodofjoyfulanticipationsomefearofbreakingthespellhadkeptmefromanybaldcircustalkinthepresenceofthem。ButHarold，whowasbuiltinquiteanotherway，sosoonashediscernedthedriftoftheirconversationandheardtheknellofallhishopes，filledtheroomwithwailandclamourofbereavement。Thegrinningwelkinrangwith\"Circus！\"\"Circus！\"shookthewindow-panes;themockingwallsre-echoed\"Circus！\"Circushewouldhave，andthewholecircus，andnothingbutthecircus。Nocompromiseforhim，noevasions，nofallacious，unsecuredpromisestopay。HehaddrawnhischequeontheBankofExpectation，andithadgottobecashedthenandthere;elsehewouldyell，andyellhimselfintoafit，andcomeoutofitandyellagain。Yellingshouldbehisprofession，hisart，hismission，hiscareer。Hewasqualified，hewasresolute，andhewasinnohurrytoretirefromthebusiness。
Thenoisyonesoftheworld，iftheydonotalwaysshoutthemselvesintotheimperialpurple，aresureatleastofreceivingattention。Iftheycannotselleverythingattheirownprice，onething——silence——must，atanycost，bepurchasedofthem。Haroldaccordinglyhadtobeconsoledbytheemploymentofeveryspeciousfallacyandbase-borntrickknowntothosewhosedoomitistohandlechildren。Formetheirhollowcajoleryhadnointerest，IcouldplucknoconsolationoutoftheirbankruptthoughprodigalpledgesIonlywaitedtillthathateful，well-known\"Someothertime，dear！\"toldmethathopewasfinallydead。ThenIlefttheroomwithoutanyremark。Itmadeitworse——ifanythingcould——tohearthatstale，worn-outoldphrase，stillsupposedbythosedullardstohavesomeefficacy。
Tonature，asusual，Idriftedbyinstinct，andthere，outofthetrackofhumanity，underafriendlyhedge-rowhadmyblackhourunseen。Theworldwasaglobenolonger，spacewasnomorefilledwithwhirlingcircusesofspheres。Thatdaytheoldbeliefsroseupandassertedthemselves，andtheearthwasflatagain——ditch-riddled，stagnant，anddeadlyflat。Theundeviatingroadscrawledstraightandwhite，elmsdressedthemselvesstifflyalonginflexiblehedges，allnature，centrifugalnolonger，sprawledflatlyinlinesouttoitsfarthestedge，andIfeltjustlikewalkingouttothatterminus，anddroppingquietlyoff。Then，asIsatthere，moroselychewingbitsofstick，therecollectioncamebacktomeofcertainfascinatingadvertisementsIhadspelledoutinthepapers——advertisementsofgreatandhappymen，owningbigshipsoftonnagerunningintofourfigures，whoyetcraved，totheextentofpublicsupplication，forthesympatheticco-operationofyouthsasapprentices。Ididnotrightlyknowwhatapprenticesmightbe，norwhetherIwasyetbigenoughtobestyledayouth;butonethingseemedclear，that，bysomesuchmeansasthis，whatevertheinterveninghardships，Icouldeventuallyvisitallthecircusesoftheworld——thecircusesofmerryFranceandgaudySpain，ofHollandandBohemia，ofChinaandPeru。Herewasaplanworththinkingoutinallitsbearings;forsomethinghadpresentlytobedonetoendthisintolerablestateofthings。
Mid-day，andevenfeeding-time，passedbygloomilyenough，tillasmalldisturbanceoccurredwhichhadtheeffectofreleasingsomeoftheelectricitywithwhichtheairwascharged。Harold，itshouldbeexplained，wasofaverydifferentmentalmould，andneverbrooded，moped，noratehisheartoutoveranydisappointment。Onewildoutburst——onedissolutionofaminuteintohisoriginalelementsofairandwater，oftearsandoutcry——somuchinsultednatureclaimed。Thenhewouldpullhimselftogether，ironouthiscountenancewithasmile，andadjusthimselftothenewconditionofthings。
Ifthegodsareevergratefultomanforanything，itiswhenheissogoodastodisplayashortmemory。TheOlympianswereneverslowtorecognizethisqualityofHarold’s，inwhich，indeed，theirsalvationlay，andonthisoccasiontheirgratitudehadtakenthepracticalformofafinefatorange，tough-
rindedasorangesofthosedayswerewonttobe。Thishehadevisceratedinthegoodold-fashionedmanner，bybitingoutaholeintheshoulder，insertingalumpofsugartherein，andthenworkingitcannilytillthewholesoulandbodyoftheorangepassedglorifiedthroughthesugarintohisbeing。Thereupon，filledfulloforange-juiceandiniquity，heconceivedadeadlysnare。Havingdeftlypattedandsqueezedtheorange-skintillitresumeditsoriginalshape，hefilleditupwithwater，insertedafreshlumpofsugarintheorifice，and，issuingforth，blandlyprofferedittomeasIsatmoodilyinthedoorwaydreamingofstrangewildcircusesundertropicskies。
Suchastaleolddodgeasthiswouldhardlyhavetakenmeinatordinarymoments。ButHaroldhadreckonedrightlyuponthedisturbingeffectofill-humour，andhadguessed，perhaps，thatI
thirstedforcomfortandconsolation，andwouldnotcriticisetoocloselythesourcefromwhichtheycame。UnthinkinglyI
graspedthegoldenfraud，whichcollapsedatmytouch，andsquirteditscontentsintomyeyesandovermycollar，tillthenethermostpartsofmeweredampwiththewaterthathadrundownmyneck。InaninstantIhadHarolddown，and，withalltheenergyofwhichIwascapable，devotedmyselftogrindinghisheadintothegravel;whilehe，realizingthattheclosurewasapplied，andthatthetimefordiscussionorargumentwaspast，sternlyconcentratedhispowersonkickingmeinthestomach。
Somepeoplecanneveralloweventstoworkthemselvesoutquietly。AtthisjunctureoneofThemswoopeddownonthescene，pouringshrill，misplacedabuseonbothofus：onmeforill-
treatingmyyoungerbrother，whereasitwasdistinctlyIwhowastheinjuredandthedeceived;onhimforthehighoffenceofassaultandbatteryonacleancollar——acollarwhichIhadmyselfdefloweredanddefaced，shortlybefore，insheerdesperateill-temper。Disgustedanddefiantwefledindifferentdirections，rejoiningeachotherlaterinthekitchen-garden;andaswestrolledalongtogether，ourshortfeudforgotten，Haroldobserved，gloomily：\"Ishouldliketobeacave-man，likeUncleGeorgewastellin’usabout：withaflinthatchetandnoclothes，andliveinacaveandnotknowanybody！\"
\"Andifanyonecametoseeuswedidn’tlike，\"Ijoinedin，catchingontothepointsoftheidea，\"we’dhithimontheheadwiththehatchettillhedroppeddowndead。\"
\"Andthen，\"saidHarold，warmingup，\"we’ddraghimintothecaveandSKINHIM！\"
Foraspacewegloatedsilentlyoverthefairsceneourimaginationshadconjuredup。ItwasBLOODwefelttheneedofjustthen。Wewantednoluxuries，nothingdear-boughtnorfar-fetched。Justplainblood，andnothingelse，andplentyofit。
Blood，however，wasnottobehad。Thetimewasoutofjoint，andwehadbeenborntoolate。Sowewentofftothegreenhouse，crawledintotheheatingarrangementunderneath，andplayedatthedarkanddirtyandunrestrictedlifeofcave-mentillwewereheartilysickofit。Thenweemergedoncemoreintohistorictimes，andwentofftotheroadtolookforsomethinglivingandsentienttothrowstonesat。
Nature，sooftenacheerfulally，sometimessulksandrefusestoplay。Wheninthismoodshepassesthewordtoherunderlings，andallthelittlepeopleoffurandfeathertakethehintandsliphomequietlybybackstreets。Invainwescouted，lurked，crept，andambuscaded。Everythingthatusuallyscurried，hopped，orfluttered——thesmallsocietyoftheundergrowth——seemedtohaveengagementselsewhere。Thehorridthoughtthatperhapstheyhadallgoneofftothecircusoccurredtoussimultaneously，andwehumpedourselvesuponthefenceandfeltbad。Eventhesoundofapproachingwheelsfailedtostiranyinterestinus。Whenyouarebentonthrowingstonesatsomething，humanityseemsobtrusiveandbetteraway。Thensuddenlywebothjumpedoffthefencetogether，ourfacesclearing。Foroureducatedearhadtoldusthattheapproachingrattlecouldonlyproceedfromadog-cart，andwefeltsureitmustbethefunnyman。
Wecalledhimthefunnymanbecausehewassadandserious，andsaidlittle，butgazedrightintooursouls，andmadeustellhimjustwhatwasonourmindsatthetime，andthencameoutwithsomemagnificentlyluminoussuggestionthatclearedeverycloudaway。Whatwasmorehewouldthengooffwithusatonceandplaythethingrightouttoitsfinish，earnestlyanddevotedly，puttingallotherthingsaside。Sowecalledhimthefunnyman，meaningonlythathewasdifferentfromthoseotherswhothoughtitincumbentonthemtoplaythepainfulmummer。Theidealasopposedtotherealmanwaswhatwemeant，onlywewerenotacquaintedwiththephrase。Thoseothers，withtheirlabouredjestsandclumsycontortions，doubtlessflatteredthemselvesthatTHEYwerefunnymen;we，whohadtositthroughandapplaudthepainfulperformance，knewbetter。
Hepulleduptoawalkassoonashecaughtsightofus，andthedog-cartcrawledslowlyalongtillitstoppedjustopposite。
Thenheleanthischinonhishandandregardeduslongandsoulfully，yetsaidheneveraword;whilewejiggedupanddowninthedust，grinningbashfullybutwithexpectation。Foryouneverknewexactlywhatthismanmightsayordo。
\"Youlookbored，\"heremarkedpresently;\"thoroughlybored。Orelse——letmesee;you’renotmarried，areyou？\"
Heaskedthisinsuchsadearnestnessthatwehastenedtoassurehimwewerenotmarried，thoughwefeltheoughttohaveknownthatmuch;wehadbeenintimateforsometime。
\"Thenit’sonlyboredom，\"hesaid。\"Justsatietyandworld-
weariness。Well，ifyouassuremeyouaren’tmarriedyoucanclimbintothiscartandI’lltakeyouforadrive。I’mbored，too。Iwanttodosomethingdarkanddreadfulandexciting。\"
Weclamberedin，ofcourse，yappingwithdelightandtreadingalloverhistoes;andaswesetoff，Harolddemandedofhimimperiouslywhitherhewasgoing。
\"Mywife，\"hereplied，\"hasorderedmetogoandlookupthecurateandbringhimhometotea。Doesthatsoundsufficientlyexcitingforyou？\"
Ourfacesfell。Thecurateofthehourwasnotasuccess，fromourpointofview。Hewasnotafunnyman，inanysenseoftheword。
\"——butI’mnotgoingto，\"headded，cheerfully。\"ThenIwastostopatsomecottageandask——whatwasit？TherewasNETTLE-
RASHmixedupinit，I’msure。Butnevermind，I’veforgotten，anditdoesn’tmatter。Lookhere，we’rethreedesperateyoungfellowswhostickatnothing。Supposewegoofftothecircus？\"
Ofcertainsuprememomentsitisnoteasytowrite。Thevaryingshadesandcurrentsofemotionmayindeedbeputintowordsbythosespeciallyskilledthatway;theyoftenare，atconsiderablelength。Butthesheer，crudearticleitself——thestrong，livethingthatleapsupinsideyouandswellsandstranglesyou，thedizzinessofrevulsionthattakesthebreathlikecoldwater——whoshalldepictthisandlive？AllIknewwasthatI
wouldhavediedthenandthere，cheerfully，forthefunnyman;
thatIlongedforredIndianstospringoutfromthehedgeonthedog-cart，justtoshowwhatIwoulddo;andthat，withallthis，Icouldnotfindtheleastlittlewordtosaytohim。
Haroldwaslesstaciturn。Withshrillvoice，upliftedinsolemnchant，hesangthegreatspheralcircus-song，andtheundyinggloryoftheRing。Ofitstimelessbeginninghesang，ofitsfashioningbycosmicforces，andofitsharmonywiththestellarplan。Ofhorseshesang，oftheirstrength，theirswiftness，andtheirdocilityastotricks。Ofclownsagain，ofthegloryofknavery，andoftheeternaltypethatshallendure。LastlyhesangofHer——theWomanoftheRing——flawless，complete，untrammelledineachsubtlycurvinglimb;earth’shighestoutput，time’snoblestexpression。Atleast，hedoubtlesssangallthesethingsandmore——hecertainlyseemedto;thoughallthatwasdistinguishablewas，\"We’re-goin’-to-the-circus！\"andthen，oncemore，\"We’re-goin’-to-the-circus！\"——thesweetrhythmicphraserepeatedagainandagain。ButindeedIcannotbequitesure，forIheardconfusedly，asinadream。Wingsoffiresprangfromtheoldmare’sshoulders。Wewhirledonourwaythroughpurpleclouds，andearthandtherattleofwheelswerefarawaybelow。
ThedreamandthedizzinesswerestillinmyheadwhenIfoundmyself，scarceconsciousofintermediatesteps，seatedactuallyinthecircusatlast，andtookinthefirstsniffofthatintoxicatingcircussmellthatwillstaybymewhilethisclayendures。Theplacewasbesetbyahumandaglitterandamist;suspensebroodedlargeo’ertheblank，mysteriousarena。
Strunguptothehighestpitchofexpectation，weknewnotfromwhatquarter，inwhatdivineshape，thefirstsurprisewouldcome。
Athudofunseenhoofsfirstsetusaquiver;thenacrashofcymbals，ajangleofbells，ahoarseapplaudingroar，andCoraliewasinthemidstofus，whirlingpast’twixtearthandsky，nowerect，flushed，radiant，nowcrouchedtotheflowingmane;swungandtossedandmouldedbythemaddeningdance-musicoftheband。
Themightywhipofthecountinthefrock-coatmarkedtimewithpistol-shots;hiswar-cry，whoopingclearabovethemusic，firedthebloodwithapassionforsplendiddeeds，asCoralie，laughing，exultant，crashedthroughthepaperhoops。Wegrippedtheredclothinfrontofus，andoursoulsspedroundandroundwithCoralie，leapingwithher，pronewithher，swungbymaneortailwithher。Itwasnotonlytheravishmentofherdeliriousfeats，norhercreamcolouredhorseoffairybreed，long-tailed，roe-footed，anenchantedprincesurely，ifevertherewasone！Itwashermorethanmortalbeauty——displayed，too，underconditionsnevervouchsafedtousbefore——thatheldusspell-bound。Whatprincesshadarmssodazzlinglywhite，orwentdelicatelyclothedinsuchpinkandspangles？Hithertowehadknowntheoutwardwomanasbutadrabthing，hour-glassshaped，nearlylegless，bunchedhere，constrictedthere;slowofmovement，andgiventodeprecatinglustyactionoflimb。Herewasarevelation！Fromhenceforthourimaginationswouldhavetoberevisedandcorrecteduptodate。Inoneofthoseswiftrushesthemindmakesinhigh-strungmoments，IsawmyselfandCoralie，closeenfolded，pacingtheworldtogether，o’erhillandplain，throughstoriedcities，pastrowsofapplaudingrelations，——IinmySundayknickerbockers，sheinherpinkandspangles。
Summerssicken，flowersfailanddie，allbeautybutridesroundtheringandoutattheportal;evensoCoraliepassedinherturn，poisedsideways，panting，onhersteed;lightlyswayedasatulip-bloom，bowingonthissideandonthatasshedisappeared;
andwithherwentmyheartandmysoul，andallthelightandthegloryandtheentrancementofthescene。
Haroldwokeupwithagasp。\"Wasn’tshebeautiful？\"hesaid，inquiteasubduedwayforhim。Ifeltamomentarypang。Wehadbeenfriendlyrivalsbefore，inmanyanexploit;butherewasaltogetheramoreseriousaffair。Wasthis，then，tobethebeginningofstrifeandcoldness，ofcivilwaronthehearthstoneandthesunderingofoldties？ThenIrecollectedthetruepositionofthings，andfeltverysorryforHarold;foritwasinexorablywrittenthathewouldhavetogivewaytome，sinceI
wastheelder。Ruleswerenotmadefornothing，inasensiblyconstructeduniverse。
Therewaslittlemoretowaitfor，nowCoraliehadgone;yetI
lingeredstill，onthechanceofherappearingagain。Nextmomenttheclowntrippedupandfellflat，withmagnificentartifice，andatoncefreshemotionsbegantostir。Lovehadendureditslittlehour，andsternambitionnowasserteditself。
Oh，tobeasplendidfellowlikethis，self-contained，readyofspeech，agilebeyondconception，bravingtheforcesofsociety，hishandagainsteveryone，yetalwaysgettingthebestofit！
Whatfreshnessofhumour，whatcourtesytodames，whattriumphantabilitytodiscomfitrivals，frock-coatedandmoustachedthoughtheymightbe！Andwhatagrand，self-
confidentstraddleofthelegs！Whocoulddesireafinercareerthantogothroughlifethusgorgeouslyequipped！Successwashiskey-note，adroitnesshispanoply，andthemellowmusicoflaughterhisinstantreward。EvenCoralie’simagewaveredandreceded。Iwouldcomebacktoherintheevening，ofcourse;butIwouldbeaclownalltheworkinghoursoftheday。
Theshortintervalwasended：theband，withlong-drawnchords，soundedapreludetouchedwithsignificance;andtheprogramme，inlettersovertoppingtheirfellows，proclaimedZephyrine，theBrideoftheDesert，inherunequalledbarebackequestrianinterlude。SosatedwasIalreadywithbeautyandwithwit，thatIhardlydaredhopeforafreshemotion。Yethertitlewastingedwithromance，andCoralie’sdisplayhadarousedinmeaninterestinhersexwhichevenherselfhadfailedtosatisfyentirely。
Brayedinbytrumpets，Zephyrineswungpassionatelyintothearena。Withaboundshestooderect，onefootuponeachofhersupple，plungingArabs;andatonceIknewthatmyfatewassealed，mychapterclosed，andtheBrideoftheDesertwastheonebrideforme。Blackwasherraiment，greatsilverstarsshonethroughit，caughtintheduskytwilightofhergauze;
blackasherownhairwerethetwomightysteedsshebestrode。
Inatempesttheythunderedby，inawhirlwind，asciroccooftan;hercheeksborethekissofanEasternsun，andthesand-
stormsofhernativedesertwerehersatellites。WhatwasCoralie，withherpinksilk，hergoldenhairandslenderlimbs，besidethismagnificent，full-figuredCleopatra？Inatwinklingwewerescouringthedesert——sheandIandthetwocoal-
blackhorses。Sidebyside，keepingpaceinourswinginggallop，wedistancedtheostrich，weoutstrodethezebra;and，aswewent，itseemedthewildernessblossomedliketherose……
Iknownotrightlyhowwegothomethatevening。Ontheroadtherewereeverywherestrangepresences，andthethudofphantomhoofsencircledus。Inmynosewasthepungentcircus-smell;thecrackofthewhipandthefranklaughoftheclownwereinmyears。Thefunnymanthoughtfullyabstainedfromconversation，andleftourillusionquitealone，sparingusalljarringcriticismandanalysis;andhegavemenochance，whenhedepositedusatourgate，togetridoftheclumsyexpressionsofgratitudeIhadbeenlaboriouslyframing。Fortherestoftheevening，distraughtandsilent，Ionlyheardthemarch-musicoftheband，playingoninsomecornerofmybrain。Whenatlastmyheadtouchedthepillow，inatriceIwaswithZephyrine，ridingtheboundlessSahara，cheektocheek，theworldwelllost;
whileattimes，throughthesand-cloudsthatencircledus，glimmeredtheeyesofCoralie，touched，onefancied，withsomethingofatenderreproach。
ITSWALLSWEREASOFJASPER
Inthelongwinterevenings，whenwehadthepicture-booksoutonthefloor，andsprawledtogetheroverthemwithelbowsdeepinthehearth-rug，thefirstbusinesstobegonethroughwastheprocessofallotment。Allthecharactersinthepictureshadtobeassignedanddealtoutamongus，accordingtoseniority，asfarastheywouldgo。Whenoncethathadbeensatisfactorilycompleted，thestorywasallowedtoproceed;andthereafter，inadditiontotheexcitementoftheplot，onealwayspossessedapersonalinterestinsomeparticularmemberofthecast，whosesuccessesorrebuffsonetookassomuchprivategainorloss。
ForEdwardthiswassatisfactoryenough。Claiminghisrightoftheeldest，hewouldannextheherointheveryfrontispiece;andfortherestofthestoryhiscareer，ifchequeredatintervals，wassureofheroicepisodesandagloriousclose。Buthisjuniors，whohadtoputupwithcharactersofaclaymoremixed——nay，sometimeswithundilutedvillainy——werehardputtoitonoccasiontodefendtheirotherselves（asitwasstrictetiquettetodo）fromignominyperhapsonlytoojustlymerited。Edwardwasindeedahopelessgrabber。
Inthe\"Buffalo-book，\"forinstance（sonamedfromthesubjectofitsprincipalpicture，thoughindeeditdealtwithvariedslaughterineveryzone），Edwardwasthestalwart，beardedfigure，withyellowleggingsandapowder-horn，whoundauntedlydischargedthefatalbulletintotheshoulderofthegreatbullbison，charginghometowithinayardofhismuzzle。Tomewasallottedthesubsidiarycharacterofthefriendwhohadsucceededinbringingdownacow;whileHaroldhadtobecontenttoholdEdward’ssparerifleinthebackground，withevidentsignsofuneasiness。Fartheron，again，wherethemagnificentchamoissprangrigidintomid-air，Edward，croucheddizzilyagainsttheprecipice-face，wasthesportsmanfromwhoseweaponapuffofwhitesmokewasfloatingaway。Abare-kneedguidewasallthatfelltomyshare，whilepoorHaroldhadtotaketheboywiththehaversack，orabandon，forthisoccasionatleast，allAlpineambitions。
Ofcoursethegirlsfaredbadlyinthisbook，anditwasnotsurprisingthattheypreferredthe\"Pilgrim’sProgress\"（forinstance），wherewomenhadafairshow，andtherewasgenerallyenoughof’emtogoround;oragoodfairystory，whereinprincessesmetwithahealthyappreciation。Butindeedwewereallbestpleasedwithapicturewhereinthecharactersjustfittedus，innumber，sex，andqualifications;andthis，tous，stoodforartisticmerit。
AlltheChristmasnumbers，intheirgiltframesonthenursery-
wall，hadbeengonethroughandallottedlongago;andinthese，soonerorlater，eachoneofusgotachancetofigureinsomesatisfactoryandbrightlycolouredsituation。Fewoftheotherpicturesaboutthehouseaffordedequalfacilities。Theyweregenerallywantinginfigures，andevenwhenthesewerepresenttheylackeddramaticinterest。InthispicturethatIhavetospeakabout，althoughthecharactershadastupidwayofnotdoinganything，andapparentlynotwantingtodoanything，therewasatleastasufficiencyofthem;soinduecoursetheywereallotted，too。
Initselfthepicture，which——initsebonyandtortoise-shellframe——hunginacornerofthedining-room，hadhithertopossessednospecialinterestforus，andwouldprobablyneverhavebeendealtwithatallbutforarevoltofthegirlsagainstasuccessionofbooksonsport，inwhichtheillustratorseemedtohaveforgottenthatthereweresuchthingsaswomenintheworld。Selinaaccordinglymadeforitonerainymorning，andannouncedthatshewastheladyseatedinthecentre，whosegownofrich，floweredbrocadefellinsuchstraight，severelinestoherfeet，whosecloakofdarkbluewasheldbyajewelledclasp，andwhoselong，fairhairwascrownedwithadiademofgoldandpearl。Well，wehadnoobjectiontothat;itseemedfairenough，especiallytoEdward，whopromptlyproceededto\"grab\"thearmour-manwhostoodleaningonhisshieldatthelady’srighthand。Adaintyanddelicatearmour-manthis！AndIconfess，thoughIknewitwasallrightandfairandorderly，IfeltaslightpangwhenhepassedoutofmyreachintoEdward’spossession。HisarmourwasjustthesortIwantedmyself——
scallopedandflutedandshimmeringandspotless;and，thoughhewasbutaboybyhisbeardlessfaceandgoldenhair，theshatteredspear-shaftinhisgraspproclaimedhimagenuinefighterandfreshfromsomesuchagreeablework。Yes，IgrudgedEdwardthearmour-man，andwhenhesaidIcouldhavethefellowontheotherside，IhungbackandsaidI’dthinkaboutit。
Thisfellowhadnoarmournorweapons，butworeaplainjerkinwithaleatherpouch——amerecivilian——andwithonehandhepointedtoawoundinhisthigh。Ididn’tcareabouthim，andwhenHaroldeagerlyputinhisclaimIgavewayandlethimhavetheman。ThecauseofHarold’sanxietyonlycameoutlater。Itwasthewoundhecoveted，itseemed。Hewantedtohaveabig，sorewoundofhisveryown，andgoaboutandshowittopeople，andexcitetheirenvyorwintheirrespect。Charlottewasonlytoopleasedtotakethechild-angelseatedatthelady’sfeet，grapplingwithamusicalinstrumentmuchtoobigforher。
Charlottewantedwingsbadly，and，nexttothose，aguitarorabanjo。Theangel，besides，woreanambernecklace，whichtookherfancyimmensely。
Thisleftthepictureallotted，withtheexceptionoftwoorthreemoreangels，whopeepedorperchedbehindthemainfigureswithacertainsubdueddrolleryintheirfaces，asifthethinghadgoneonlongenough，anditwasnowtimetoupsetsomethingorkickuparowofsomesort。Weknewthesegoodfolktobesaintsandangels，becausewehadbeentoldtheywere;otherwiseweshouldneverhaveguessedit。Angels，asweknewtheminourSundaybooks，werevapid，colourless，uninterestingcharacters，withstraightup-and-downsortoffigures，whitenightgowns，whitewings，andthesamestraightyellowhairpartedinthemiddle。Theywereserious，evenmelancholy;andwehadnodesiretohaveanytrafficwiththem。Thesebrightbejewelledlittlepersons，however，piquantoffaceandradiantoffeather，wereevidentlyhatchedfromquiteadifferentegg，andwefeltwemighthaveinterestsincommonwiththem。Short-nosed，shockheaded，withmouthsthatwentupatthecornersandwithanevidentdisregardforalltheirfineclothes，theywouldbethebestofgoodcompany，wefeltsure，ifonlywecouldmanagetogetatthem。Onedoubtalonedisturbedmymind。Ingamesrequiringagility，thosewingsoftheirswouldgivethematremendouspull。Couldtheybetrustedtoplayfair？I
askedSelina，whorepliedscornfullythatangelsALWAYSplayedfair。ButIwentbackandhadanotherlookatthebrown-facedonepeepingoverthebackofthelady’schair，andstillIhadmydoubts。
WhenEdwardwentofftoschoolagreatdealofadjustmentandre-
allotmenttookplace，andalltheheroesofillustratedliteraturewereatmycall，didIchoosetopossessthem。Inthisparticularcase，however，Imadenohastetoseizeuponthearmour-man。PerhapsitwasbecauseIwantedaFRESHsaintofmyown，notastalesaintthatEdwardhadbeenforsolongatime。Perhapsitwasratherthat，eversinceIhadelectedtobesaintless，Ihadgotintothehabitofstrollingoffintothebackground，andamusingmyselfwithwhatIfoundthere。
Averyfascinatingbackgrounditwas，andheldagreatdeal，thoughsotiny。Meadow-landcamefirst，setwithflowers，blueandred，likegems。Thenawhiteroadran，withwilful，uncalled-forloops，upasteep，conicalhill，crownedwithtowers，bastionedwalls，andbelfries;anddowntheroadthelittleknightscameriding，twoandtwo。Thehillononesidedescendedtowater，tranquil，far-reaching，andblue;andaverycurlyshiplayatanchor，withonemasthavinganoddsortofcrow’s-nestatthetopofit。
Therewasplentytodointhispleasantland。Theannoyingthingaboutitwas，onecouldneverpenetratebeyondacertainpoint。
ImightwanderupthatroadasoftenasIliked，Iwasboundtobebroughtupatthegateway，thefunnygalleried，top-heavygateway，ofthelittlewalledtown。Inside，doubtless，therewerehighjinksgoingon;butthepasswordwasdeniedtome。I
couldgetonboardaboatandrowupasfarasthecurlyship，butaroundtheheadlandImightnotgo。Ontheotherside，ofasurety，theshippinglaythick。Themerchantswalkedonthequay，andthesailorssangastheyswungoutthecordedbales。
Butasforme，Imuststaydowninthemeadow，andimagineitallasbestIcould。
OnceIbroachedthesubjecttoCharlotte，andfound，tomysurprise，thatshehadhadthesamejoysandencounteredthesamedisappointmentsinthisdelectablecountry。She，too，hadwalkedupthatroadandflattenedhernoseagainstthatportcullis;andshepointedoutsomethingthatIhadoverlooked——towit，thatifyourowedoffinaboattothecurlyship，andgotholdofarope，andclamberedaboardofher，andswarmedupthemast，andgotintothecrow’s-nest，youcouldjustseeovertheheadland，andtakeinatyoureasethelifeandbustleoftheport。Sheproceededtodescribeallthefunthatwasgoingonthere，atsuchlengthandwithsomuchparticularitythatIlookedathersuspiciously。\"Why，youtalkasifyou’dbeeninthatcrow’s-nestyourself！\"Isaid。Charlotteanswerednothing，butpursedhermouthupandnoddedviolentlyforsomeminutes;andI
couldgetnothingmoreoutofher。Ifeltratherhurt。
Evidentlyshehadmanaged，somehoworother，togetupintothatcrow’s-nest。Charlottehadgotaheadofmeonthisoccasion。
Itwasnecessary，nodoubt，thatgrown-uppeopleshoulddressthemselvesupandgoforthtopaycalls。Idon’tmeanthatwesawanysenseinthepractice。Itwouldhavebeensomuchmorereasonabletostayathomeinyouroldclothesandplay。Butwerecognizedthatthesefolkhadtodomanyunaccountablethings，andafterallitwasTHEIRlife，andnotours，andwewerenotinapositiontocriticise。Besides，theyhadmanyhabitsmoreobjectionablethanthisone，whichtousgenerallymeantafreeanduntrammelledafternoon，whereintoplaythedevilinourownway。Thecasewasdifferent，however，whenthepress-gangwasabroad，whenprayersandexcuseswerealikedisregarded，andwewereforcedintotheservice，likenativeleviesimpelledtowardthefoelessbytheinherentrighteousnessofthecausethanbytheindisputableriflesoftheirwhiteallies。Thiswasunpardonableandaltogetherdetestable。Still，thethinghappened，nowandagain;andwhenitdid，therewasnoarguingaboutit。Theorderwasforthefront，andwejusthadtoshutupandmarch。
Selina，tobesure，hadasneakingfondnessfordressingupandpayingcalls，thoughshepretendedtodislikeit，justtokeeponthesoftsideofpublicopinion。SoIthoughtitextremelymeaninhertohavetheearacheonthatparticularafternoonwhenAuntElizaorderedthepony-carriageandwentonthewar-path。I
wasorderedalso，inthesamebreathasthepony-carriage;and，asweeventuallytrundledoff，itseemedtomethattheutterwasteofthatafternoon，forwhichIhadplannedsomuch，couldneverbemadeupnoratonedforinallthetremendousstretchofyearsthatstilllaybeforeme。
Thehousethatwewereboundforonthisoccasionwasa\"bighouse;\"agenerictitleappliedbyustotheclassofresidencethathadalongcarriage-drivethroughrhododendrons;andaporticoproppedbyflutedpillars;andagravebutlerwhoboltedbackswing-doors，andcamedownsteps，andpretendedtohaveentirelyforgottenhisfamiliarintercoursewithyouatlessseriousmoments;andabighall，wherenobootsorshoesoruppergarmentswereallowedtolieaboutfranklyandeasily，aswithus;andwhere，finally，peoplewereapttositaboutdressedupasiftheyweregoingontoaparty。
TheladywhoreceiveduswaseffusivetoAuntElizaandhollowlygracioustome。IntensecondstheyhadtheirheadstogetherandwerehardatittalkingCLOTHES。Iwaslefthighanddryonastraight-backedchair，longingtokickthelegsofit，yetnotdaring。ForatimeIwascontenttostare;therewaslotstostareat，highandlowandaround。Thentheinevitablefidgetscameon，andscratchingone’slegsmitigatedslightly，butdidnotentirelydispersethem。Mytwowarderswerestilldeepinclothes;Islippedoffmychairandedgedcautiouslyaroundtheroom，exploring，examining，recording。
Manystrange，finethingslayalongmyroute——picturesandgimcracksonthewalls，trinketsandglobularoldwatchesandsnuff-boxesonthetables;andItookgoodcaretofingereverythingwithinreachthoroughlyandconscientiously。Somearticles，inaddition，Ismelt。AtlastinmyorbitIhappenedonanopendoor，halfconcealedbythefoldsofacurtain。I
glancedcarefullyaround。Theywerestilldeepinclothes，bothtalkingtogether，andIslippedthrough。
ThiswasaltogetheramoresensiblesortofroomthatIhadgotinto;forthewallswerehonestlyupholsteredwithbooks，thoughtheseforthemostpartglimmeredprovokinglythroughtheglassdoorsoftheirtallcases。Ireadtheirtitleslongingly，breathingoneveryaccessiblepaneofglass，forIdarednotattempttoopenthedoors，withtheenemyencampedsonear。Inthewindow，though，onahighsortofdesk，therelay，allbyitself，amostpromising-lookingbook，gorgeouslybound。I
raisedtheleavesbyonecorner，andlikescentfromapot-pourrijartherefloatedoutabriefvisionofbluesandreds，tellingofpictures，andpicturesallhighlycoloured！Herewastherightsortofthingatlast，andmyafternoonwouldnotbeentirelywasted。IinclinedaneartothedoorbywhichIhadentered。Likethebrimmingtideofafull-fedriverthegrand，eternal，inexhaustibleclothes-problembubbledandeddiedandsurgedalong。Itseemedsafeenough。Islidthebookoffitsdeskwithsomedifficulty，foritwasveryfineandlarge，andstaggeredwithittothehearthrug——theonlyfitandproperplaceforbooksofquality，suchasthis。
Theywereexcellenthearthrugsinthathouse;softandwide，withthethickestofpile，andone’skneessankintothemmostcomfortably。WhenIgotthebookopentherewasadifficultyatfirstinmakingthegreatstiffpagesliedown。Mostfortunatelythecoal-scuttlewasactuallyatmyelbow，anditwaseasytofindaflatbitofcoaltolayontherefractorypage。
Really，itwasjustasifeverythinghadbeenarrangedforme。
Thiswasnotsuchabadsortofhouseafterall。
Thebeginningsofthethingweregayborders——scrollsandstrap-
workanddiaperedbackgrounds，amazeofcolour，withsmallmisshapenfiguresclamberingcheerilyupanddowneverywhere。
ButfirstIeagerlyscannedwhattexttherewasinthemiddle，inordertogetahintofwhatitwasallabout。OfcourseIwasnotgoingtowasteanytimeinreading。Aclue，asign-board，afinger-postwasallIrequired。Tomydismayanddisgustitwasallinastupidforeignlanguage！Really，theperversityofsomepeoplemadeoneattimesalmostdespairofthewholerace。
However，thepicturesremained;picturesneverlied，nevershufflednorevaded;andasforthestory，Icouldinventitmyself。
OverthepageIwent，shiftingthebitofcoaltoanewposition;
and，astheschemeofthepicturedisengageditselffromoutthemedleyofcolourthatmetmydelightedeyes，firsttherewasawarmsenseoffamiliarity，thenadawningrecognition，andthen——
Othen！alongwithblissfulcertaintycametheimperiousneedtoclaspmystomachwithbothhands，inordertorepresstheshoutofrapturethatstruggledtoescape——itwasmyownlittlecity！
Iknewitwellenough，Irecognizeditatonce，thoughIhadneverbeenquitesonearitbefore。Herewasthefamiliargateway，totheleftthatstrange，slendertowerwithitsgrim，squareheadshotfarabovethewalls;totheright，outsidethetown，thehill——asofold——brokesteeplydowntothesea。
Butto-dayeverythingwasbiggerandfresherandclearer，thewallsseemednewlyhewn，gaycarpetswerehungoutoverthem，fairladiesandlong-hairedchildrenpeepedandcrowdedonthebattlements。Betterstill，theportculliswasup——Icouldevencatchaglimpseofthesunlitsquarewithin——andadaintycompanywastroopingthroughthegateonhorseback，twoandtwo。Theirhorses，intrappingsthatswepttheground，weregayasthemselves;andTHEYwerethegayestcrew，fordressandbearing，Ihadeveryetbeheld。Itcouldmeannothingelsebutawedding，Ithought，thisholidayattire，thisfestalandsolemnentry;and，weddingorwhateveritwas，Imeanttobethere。
ThistimeIwouldnotbebalkedbyanygrimportcullis;thistimeIwouldslipinwiththerestofthecrowd，findoutjustwhatmylittletownwaslike，withinthoseexasperatingwallsthathadsolongconfrontedme，and，moreover，havemyshareofthefunthatwasevidentlygoingoninside。Confident，yetbreathlesswithexpectation，Iturnedthepage。
Joy！AtlastIwasinit，atlastIwasontherightsideofthoseprovokingwalls;and，needlesstosay，Ilookedaboutmewithmuchcuriosity。Apublicplace，clearly，thoughnotsuchasIwasusedto。Thehousesatthebackstoodonasortofcolonnade，beneathwhichthepeoplejostledandcrowded。Theupperstorieswereallpaintedwithwonderfulpictures。Abovethestraightlineoftheroofsthedeepblueofacloudlessskystretchedfromsidetoside。Lordsandladiesthrongedtheforeground，whileonadaisinthecentreagallantgentleman，justalightedoffhishorse，stoopedtothefingersofagirlasbravelydressedoutasSelina’sladybetweenthesaints;androundaboutstoodvenerablepersonages，robedinthemostvariegatedclothing。Therewereboys，too，inplenty，withtinyredcapsontheirthickhair;andtheirshirtshadbunchedupandworkedoutatthewaist，justasmyowndidsooften，afterchasinganybody;andeachboyofthemworeanoddpairofstockings，oneblueandtheotherred。Thissystemofattirewentstraighttomyheart。Ihadtriedthesamethingsooften，andhadmetwithsomuchdiscouragement;andhere，atlast，wasmyjustification，painteddeliberatelyinagrown-upbook！I
lookedaboutformysaint-friends——thearmourmanandtheotherfellow——buttheywerenottobeseen。Evidentlytheywereunabletogetoffduty，evenforawedding，andstillstoodonguardinthatgreenmeadowdownbelow。Iwasdisappointed，too，thatnotanangelwasvisible。Oneortwoofthem，surely，couldeasilyhavebeensparedforanhour，torunupandseetheshow;
andtheywouldhavebeenthoroughlyathomehere，inthemidstofallthecolourandthemovementandthefun。
Butitwastimetogeton，forclearlytheinterestwasonlyjustbeginning。Overwentthenextpage，andtherewewere，thewholecrowdofus，assembledinanoblechurch。Itwasnoteasytomakeoutexactlywhatwasgoingon;butinthethrongIwasdelightedtorecognizemyangelsatlast，happyandverymuchathome。Theyhadmanagedtogetleaveoff，evidently，andmusthaverunupthehillandscamperedbreathlesslythroughthegate;
andperhapstheycriedalittlewhentheyfoundthesquareempty，andthoughtthefunmustbeallover。Twoofthemhadgotholdofagreatwaxcandleapiece，asmuchastheycouldstaggerunder，andweretitteringsidewaysateachotherasthegreaseranbountifullyovertheirclothes。Athirdhadstrolledinamongthecompany，andwaschattingtoayounggentleman，withwhomsheappearedtobeonthebestofterms。Decidedly，thiswastherightbreedofangelforus。Noneofyoursick-bedornightnurserybusinessforthem！
Well，nodoubttheywerenowbeingmarried，HeandShe，justasalwayshappened。Andthen，ofcourse，theyweregoingtolivehappilyeverafter;andTHATwasthepartIwantedtogetto。
Story-booksweresostupid，alwaysstoppingatthepointwheretheybecamereallynice;butthispicture-storywasonlyinitsfirstchapters，andatlastIwastohaveachanceofknowingHOWpeoplelivedhappilyeverafter。Wewouldallgohometogether，HeandShe，andtheangels，andI;andthearmour-manwouldbeinvitedtocomeandstay。Andthenthestorywouldreallybegin，atthepointwherethoseotheronesalwaysleftoff。Iturnedthepage，andfoundmyselffreeofthedimandsplendidchurchandoncemoreintheopencountry。
Thiswasallright;thiswasjustasitshouldbe。Theskywasaflecklessblue，theflagsdancedinthebreeze，andourmerrybridalparty，withjestandlaughter，joggeddowntothewater-
side。Iwasthroughthetownbythistime，andoutontheothersideofthehill，whereIhadalwayswantedtobe;and，sureenough，therewastheharbour，allthickwithcurlyships。Mostofthemwerepiledhighwithwedding-presents——balesofsilk，andgoldandsilverplate，andcomfortable-lookingbagssuggestingbullion;andthegayestshipofalllaycloseuptothecarpetedlanding-stage。Alreadythebridewassteppingdaintilydownthegangway，herladiesfollowingprimly，onebyone;afewminutesmoreandweshouldallbeaboard，thehawserswouldsplashinthewater，thesailswouldfillandstrain。FromthedeckI
shouldseethelittlewalledtownrecedeandsinkandgrowdim，whileeveryplungeofourbowsbroughtusnearertothehappyisland——itwasanislandwewereboundfor，Iknewwell！AlreadyIcouldseetheisland-peoplewavinghandsonthecrowdedquay，whencethelittlehousesranupthehilltothecastle，crowningallwithitstowersandbattlements。Oncemoreweshouldridetogether，amerryprocession，clatteringupthesteepstreetandthroughthegrimgateway;andthenweshouldhavearrived，thenweshouldalldinetogether，thenweshouldhavereachedhome！
Andthen——
OW！OW！OW！
Bitteritistostumbleoutofanopalescentdreamintothecolddaylight;crueltoloseinasecondasea-voyage，anisland，andacastlethatwastobepracticallyyourown;butcruellestandbitterestofalltoknow，inadditiontoyourloss，thatthefingersofanangryaunthaveyoutightbythescruffofyourneck。Mybeautifulbookwasgonetoo——ravishedfrommygraspbythedressylady，whojoinedintheoutburstofdenunciationasheartilyasifshehadbeenarelative——andnaughtwasleftmebuttoblubberdismally，awakenedofasuddentotheharshnessofrealthingsandtheunnumberedhostilitiesoftheactualworld。
Icaredlittlefortheirreproaches，theirabuse;butIsorrowedheartilyformylostship，myvanishedisland，myuneatendinner，andfortheknowledgethat，ifIwantedanyangelstoplaywith，Imusthenceforthputupwiththeanaemic，night-gownednonentitiesthathoveredoverthebedoftheSunday-schoolchildinthepagesoftheSabbathImprover。
Iwasledignominiouslyoutofthehouse，inapulpy，waterystate，whilethebutlerhandledhisswingdoorswithastony，impassivecountenance，intendedforthedeceptionoftheveryelect，thoughitdidnotdeceiveme。Iknewwellenoughthatnexttimehewasoffduty，andstrolledaroundourway，weshouldmeetinourkitchenasmantoman，andIwouldpunchhimandaskhimriddles，andhewouldteachmetrickswithcorksandbitsofstring。Sohisunsympatheticmannerdidnotaddtomydepression。
Imaintainedadiplomaticblubberlongafterwehadbeenpackedintoourpony-carriageandthelodge-gatehadclickedbehindus，becauseitservedasasortofarmour-platingagainsthecklingandargumentandabuse，andIwasthinkinghardandwantedtobeletalone。AndthethoughtsthatIwasthinkingweretwo。
FirstIthought，\"I’vegotaheadofCharlotteTHIStime！\"
AndnextIthought，\"WhenI’vegrownupbig，andhavemoneyofmyown，andafull-sizedwalking-stick，Iwillsetoutearlyonemorning，andneverstoptillIgettothatlittlewalledtown。\"Thereoughttobenorealdifficultyinthetask。Itonlymeantaskinghereandaskingthere，andpeoplewereveryobliging，andIcoulddescribeeverystickandstoneofit。
AsfortheislandwhichIhadneverevenseen，thatwasnotsoeasy。YetIfeltconfidentthatsomehow，atsometime，soonerorlater，Iwasdestinedtoarrive。
ASAGAOFTHESEAS
Ithappenedonedaythatsomeladiescametocall，whowerenotatallthesortIwasusedto。Theysufferedfromagrievance，sofarasIcouldgather，andtheburdenoftheirplaintwasMan——MeningeneralandManinparticular。（Thoughthewordswerebutspoken，IcouldclearlydiscernthecapitalMintheiracidutterance。）
OfcourseIwasnotpresentofficially，sotospeak。Downbelow，inmysub-worldofchair-legsandhearthrugsandtheundersidesofsofas，Iwasworkingoutmyownfloor-problems，whiletheybabbledonfarabovemyhead，consideringmeasbutachair-leg，orevensomethinglowerinthescale。YetIwaslisteninghardallthetime，withthatrespectfulconsiderationonegivestoallgrown-uppeople’sremarks，solongasoneknowsnobetter。
Itseemedaseriousindictmentenough，astheyrolleditout。Intact，considerateness，andrightappreciation，aswellasintasteandaestheticsensibilities——wefailedateverypoint，webreechedandbeardedprentice-jobsofNature;andIbegantofeellikecollapsingonthecarpetfromsheerspiritualanaemia。Butwhenoneofthem，withaswingofherskirt，prostratedawholeregimentofmybravetinsoldiers，andneverapologizednorevenofferedheraidtowardrevivifyingthebattle-line，Icouldnothelpfeelingthatintactfulnessandconsiderationforothersshewasstillalittletoseek。AndIsaidasmuch，withsomedirectnessoflanguage。