I。
ThesuccessofVerriandidnotcomeearly，anditdidnotcomeeasily。
Hehadbeentryingalongtimetogethisworkintothebestmagazines，andwhenhehadwonthefavoroftheeditors，whoseinteresthehadperhapshadfromthebeginning，itmightbesaidthattheybegantoaccepthisworkfromtheirconsciences，becauseinitswayitwassogoodthattheycouldnotjustlyrefuseit。TheparticulareditorwhotookVerrian’sserial，afterithadcomebacktotheauthorfromtheeditorsoftheotherleadingperiodicals，wasinfactmovedmainlybythebeliefthatthestorywouldpleasethebettersortofhisreaders。These，iftheywerenotsonumerousastheworse，hefelthadnowandthentherighttohavetheirpleasurestudied。
Itwasaseriousstory，anditwassomewhatbitter，asVerrianhimselfwas，afterhisstruggletoreachthepublicwithworkwhichheknewmeritedrecognition。Buttheworldwhichdoesnotlikepeopletotakethemselvestooseriouslyalsolikesthemtotakethemselvesseriously，andthebitternessinVerrian’sstoryprovedagreeabletoanumberofreadersunexpectedlygreat。Itintimatedaromanticpersonalityintheauthor，andtheworldstilllikestoimagineromanticthingsofauthors。
Itlikesespeciallytoimaginethemofnovelists，nowthattherearenolongerpoets;andwhenitbegantolikeVerrian’sserial，itbegantowritehimallsortsofletters，directly，incareoftheeditor，andindirectlytotheeditor，whomtheyaskedaboutVerrianmorethanabouthisstory。
Itwasaman’sstoryratherthanawoman’sstory，asthesemaybedistinguished;butquiteforthatreasonwomenseemedpeculiarlytakenwithit。Perhapsthewomenhadmoreleisureormorecouragetowritetotheauthorandtheeditor;atanyrate，mostoftheletterswerefromwomen;someofthelettersweresillyandfatuousenough，butotherswereofanintelligencewhichwasnonethelesspenetratingforbeingemotionalratherthancritical。Thesemaidsormatrons，whoeverorwhichevertheywere，knewwonderfullywellwhattheauthorwouldbeat，andtheirinterestinhisstoryimpliedaconstantifnotasingledevotion。NowandthenVerrianwastemptedtoansweroneofthem，andunderfavorofhismother，whohadbeenhisconfidantateverypointofhisliterarycareer，heyieldedtothetemptation;butonedaytherecamealetteraskingananswer，whichneitherhenorhismotherfeltcompetenttodealwith。Theybothperceivedthattheymustreferittotheeditorofthemagazine，anditseemedtothemsoimportantthattheydecidedVerrianmustgowithitinpersontotheeditor。Thenhemustbesofarruledbyhim，ifnecessary，astogivehimtheletterandputhimself，astheauthor，beyondanappealwhichhefoundpeculiarlypoignant。
Theletter，whichhadovercomethetacitmisgivingsofhismotherastheyreaditandreaditagaintogether，wasfromagirlwhohadperhapsnoneedtoconfessherselfyoung，ortoownherinexperienceoftheworldwherestorieswerewrittenandprinted。SheexcusedherselfwithadelicacywhichVerrian’scorrespondentsbynomeansalwaysshowedforintrudinguponhim，andthenpleadedthepowerhisstoryhadoverherastheonlyshadowofrightshehadinaddressinghim。Itsfascination，shesaid，hadbegunwiththefirstnumber，thefirstchapter，almostthefirstparagraph。Itwasnotfortheplotthatshecared;shehadreadtoomanystoriestocarefortheplot;itwastheprobleminvolved。Itwasonewhichshehadsooftenponderedinherownmindthatshefelt，inawayshehopedhewouldnotthinkconceited，almostasifthestorywaswrittenforher。Shehadneverbeenabletosolvetheproblem;howhewouldsolveitshedidnotseehowshecouldwaittoknow;andhereshemadehimaconfidencewithoutwhich，shesaid，sheshouldnothavethecouragetogoon。Shewasaninvalid，andherdoctorhadtoldherthat，thoughshemightliveformonths，therewerechancesthatshemightdieatanymomentsuddenly。Hewouldthinkitstrange，anditwasstrangethatsheshouldtellhimthis，andstrangerstillthatsheshoulddaretoaskhimwhatshewasgoingtoask。Thestoryhadyetfourmonthstorun，andshehadbeguntohaveamorbidforebodingthatsheshouldnotlivetoreaditintheordinarycourse。Shewassoignorantaboutwritersthatshedidnotknowwhethersuchathingwaseverdone，orcouldbedone;
butifhecouldtellherhowthestorywastocomeouthewouldbedoingmoreforherthananythingelsethatcouldbedoneforheronearth。Shehadreadthatsometimesauthorsbegantoprinttheirserialstoriesbeforetheyhadwrittenthemtotheend，andhemightnotbesureoftheendhimself;butifhehadfinishedthisstoryofhis，andcouldletherseethelastpagesinprint，shewouldowehimthegratitudeshecouldneverexpress。
Theletterwaswritteninaneducatedhand，andtherewerenofoiblesofformorexcessesoffashioninthestationerytomarthecharacterofsinceritythesimplewordingconveyed。Thepostaladdress，withthedate，wasfullygiven，andthenamesignedattheendwasevidentlygenuine。
Verrianhimselfhadnoquestionofthegenuinenessoftheletterinanyrespect;hismother，afterherfirstmisgivings，whichwereperhapssensations，thoughtashedidaboutit。Shesaidthestorydealtsoprofoundlywiththedeepestthingsthatitwasnowonderaperson，standinglikethatgirlbetweenlifeanddeath，shouldwishtoknowhowtheauthorsolveditsproblem。Thenshereadthelettercarefullyoveragain，andagainVerrianreadit，withaneffectnotdifferentfromthatwhichitsfirstperusalhadmadewithhim。Hisfaithinhisworkwassogreat，soentire，thatthenotionofanyotherfeelingaboutitwasnotadmissible。
\"Ofcourse，\"hesaid，withasighofsatisfaction，\"ImustshowthelettertoArmigeratonce。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"hismotherreplied。\"Heistheeditor，andyoumustnotdoanythingwithouthisapproval。\"
Thefaithinthewriteroftheletter，whichwasprimarywithhim，wassecondarywithher，butperhapsforthatreason，shewasallthemorefirmlygroundedinit。
II。
Therewasnothingtocloudtheeditor’sjudgment，whenVerriancametohim，exceptthefactthathewasapoetaswellasaneditor。Hereadinasilenceasgreatastheauthor’stheletterwhichVerriansubmitted。
Thenheremainedponderingitforaslongaspacebeforehesaid，\"Thatisverytouching。\"
Verrianjumpedtohisquestion。\"Doyoumeanthatweoughttosendhertheproofsofthestory？\"
\"No，\"theeditorfaltered，buteveninthisdecisionhedidnotdenytheauthorhissympathy。\"You’vetouchedbottominthatstory，Verrian。Youmaygohigher，butyoucannevergodeeper。\"
Verrianflushedalittle。\"Oh，thankyou！\"
\"I’mnotsurprisedthegirlwantstoknowhowyoumanageyourproblem——
suchagirl，standingintheshadowoftheotherworld，whichisalwayseclipsingthis，andseeinghowyou’vecaughtitsawfuloutline。\"
Verrianmadeagratefulmurmuratthepraise。\"Thatiswhatmymotherfelt。Thenyouhavenodoubtofthegoodfaith——\"
\"No，\"theeditorreturned，withthesamequantity，ifnotthesamequality，ofreluctanceasbefore。\"Yousee，itwouldbetoodaring。\"
\"Thenwhynotletherhavetheproofs？\"
\"Thethingissounprecedented——\"
\"Ourdoingitneedn’tformaprecedent。\"
\"No。\"
\"Andifyou’venodoubtofitsbeingatruecase——\"
\"Wemustprovethatitis，or，rather，wemustmakeherproveit。I
quitefeelwithyouaboutit。IfIweretoactuponmyownimpulse，myownconvictions，Ishouldsendhertherestofthestoryandtakethechances。Butshemaybeanenterprisingjournalistindisguiseit’sastonishingwhatwomenwilldowhentheytaketonewspaperwork——andwehavenorighttoriskanything，forthemagazine’ssake，ifnotyoursandmine。Willyouleavethisletterwithme？\"
\"Iexpectedtoleavethewholeaffairinyourhands。Doyoumindtellingmewhatyouproposetodo？Ofcourse，itwon’tbeanything——abrupt——\"
\"Ohno;andIdon’tmindtellingyouwhathasoccurredtome。Ifthisisatruecase，asyousay，andI’venoquestionbutitis，thewriterwillbeonconfidentialtermswithherpastoraswellasherdoctorandI
proposeaskinghertogethimtocertify，inanysortofgeneralterms，toheridentity。Iwilltreatthematterdelicately——Or，ifyouprefertowritetoheryourself——\"
\"Ohno，it’smuchbetterforyoutodoit;youcandoitauthoritatively。\"
\"Yes，andifsheisn’ttherealthing，butmerelyawomanjournalisttryingtoworkusfora’story’inherSundayedition，weshallhearnomorefromher。\"
\"Idon’tseeanythingtoobjecttoinyourplan，\"Verriansaid，uponreflection。\"Shecertainlycan’tcomplainofourbeingcautious。\"
\"No，andshewon’t。Ishallhavetoreferthemattertothehouse——\"
\"Oh，willyou？\"
\"Why，certainly！Icouldn’ttakeasteplikethatwithouttheapprovalofthehouse。\"
\"No，\"Verrianassented，andhemadeanoteofthewriter’saddressfromtheletter。Then，afteramomentspentinlookinghardattheletter，hegaveitbacktotheeditorandwentabruptlyaway。
Hehadproof，thenextmorning，thattheeditorhadactedpromptly，atleastsofarasregardedthehouse。Thehousehadapprovedhisplan，ifonecouldtrusttheromanticparagraphwhichVerrianfoundinhispaperatbreakfast，exploitingthefactconcernedasoneoftheinterestingevidencesoftheholdhisserialhadgotwiththemagazinereaders。Herecognizedintheparagraphthetouchofthegoodfellowwhopreparedtheweeklybulletinsofthehouse，andofferedthepressliteraryintelligenceinaformreadyforimmediateuse。Thecasewasfairlystated，buttheprivacyoftheauthor’scorrespondentwasperfectlyguarded;itwasnotevenmadeknownthatshewasawoman。YetVerrianfelt，inreadingtheparagraph，ashockofguiltydismay，asifhehadbetrayedaconfidencereposedinhim，andhehandedthepaperacrossthetabletohismotherwithratherasicklook。
Afterhisreturnfromthemagazineofficethedaybefore，therehadbeenagooddealoftalkbetweenthemaboutthatgirl。Mrs。Verrianhadagreedwithhimthatnomoreinterestingeventcouldhavehappenedtoanauthor，butshehadtriedtokeephimfromtakingittoopersonally，andfrommakinghimselfmischievousillusionsfromit。Shehadsincesleptuponheranxieties，withtheeffectoffindingthemmorevividatwaking，andshehadbeencastingaboutforanopeningtopenetratehimwiththem，whenfortuneputthisparagraphinherway。
\"Isn’titdisgusting？\"heasked。\"Idon’tseehowArmigercouldletthemdoit。Ihopetoheavenshe’llneverseeit！\"
Hismotherlookedupfromtheparagraphandasked，\"Why？\"
\"Whatwouldshethinkofme？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Shemighthaveexpectedsomethingofthekind。\"
\"Howexpectsomethingofthekind？AmIoneoftheself-advertisers？\"
\"Well，shemusthaverealizedthatshewasdoingratheraboldthing。\"
\"Bold？\"
\"Venturesome，\"Mrs。Verriancompromisedtothekindlingangerinherson’seyes。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，mother。Ithoughtyouagreedwithmeaboutthewriterofthatletter——hersincerity，simplicity。\"
\"Sincerity，yes。Butsimplicity——Philip，athoroughlysingle-mindedgirlneverwrotethatletter。Youcan’tfeelsuchathingasIdo。
Amancouldn’t。Youcanpaintthecharacterofwomen，andyoudoitwonderfully——but，afterall，youcan’tknowthemasawomandoes。\"
\"Youtalk，\"heanswered，alittlesulkily，\"asifyouknewsomeharmofthegirl。\"
\"No，myson，Iknownothingabouther，exceptthatsheisnotsingle-
minded，andthereisnoharminnotbeingsingle-minded。Agreatmanysingle-mindedwomenarefools，andsomedouble-mindedwomenaregood。\"
\"Well，single-mindedordouble-minded，ifsheiswhatshesayssheis，whatmotiveonearthcouldshehaveinwritingtomeexceptthemotiveshegives？Youdon’tdenythatshetellsthetruthaboutherself？\"
\"Don’tIsaythatsheissincere？Butagirldoesn’talwaysknowherownmotives，orallofthem。Shemayhavewrittentoyoubecauseshewouldliketobeginacorrespondencewithanauthor。Orshemayhavedoneitoutoftheloveofexcitement。Orforthesakeofdistraction，togetawayfromherselfandhergloomyforebodings。\"
\"Andshouldyoublameherforthat？\"
\"No，Ishouldn’t。Ishouldpityherforit。But，allthesame，I
shouldn’twantyoutobetakeninbyher。\"
\"Youthink，then，shedoesn’tcareanythingaboutthestory？\"
\"Ithink，veryprobably，shecaresagreatdealaboutit。Sheisaseriousperson，intellectuallyatleast，anditisaseriousstory。Nowondershewouldliketoknow，atfirsthand，somethingaboutthemanwhowroteit。\"
ThisflatteredVerrian，buthewouldnotallowitsreasonableness。Hetookagulpofcoffeebeforesaying，uncandidly，\"Ican’tmakeoutwhatyou’redrivingat，mother。But，fortunately，there’snohurryaboutyourmeaning。Thething’sintheonlyshapewecouldpossiblygiveit，andI
amsatisfiedtoleaveitinArmiger’shands。I’mcertainhewilldealwiselywithit-andkindly。\"
\"Yes，I’msurehe’lldealkindly。Ishouldbeveryunhappyifhedidn’t。
Hecouldeasilydealmorewisely，though，thanshehas。\"
Verrianchosenottofollowhismotherinthis。\"Allis，\"hesaid，withfinality，\"Ihopeshe’llneverseethatloathsomeparagraph。\"
\"Oh，verylikelyshewon’t，\"hismotherconsoledhim。
III。
OnlyfourdaysafterhehadseenArmiger，Verrianreceivedanenvelopecoveringabriefnotetohimselffromtheeditor，acopyoftheletterhehadwrittentoVerrian’sunknowncorrespondent，andheranswerintheoriginal。Verrianwasalonewhenthepostmanbroughthimthisenvelope，andhecouldindulgeacertainpassionformethodbywhichhereaditscontentsintheordernamed;ifhismotherhadbeenby，shewouldhavemadehimreadthegirl’sreplyfirstofall。Armigerwrote：
\"MYDEARVERRIAN，——Ienclosetwoexhibitswhichwillpossessyouofallthefactsinthecaseoftheyoungladywhofearedshemightdiebeforeshereadtheendofyourstory，butwho，youwillbegladtofind，islikelytolivethroughtheyear。AsthestoryendsinourOctobernumber，sheneednotbesuppliedwithadvancesheets。Iamsorrythehousehurriedoutaparagraphconcerningthematter，butitwillnotbefollowedbyanother。Perhapsyouwillfeel，asIdo，thattheincidentisclosed。Ihavenotrepliedtothewriter，andyouneednotreturnherletter。Yoursever，\"M。ARMIGER。\"
Theeditor’slettertotheyoungladyread：
\"DEARMADAM，——Mr。P。S。Verrianhashandedmeyourletterofthe4th，andIneednottellyouthatithasinterestedusboth。
\"Iamalmostasmuchgratifiedashebythetestimonyyourrequestbearstotheimportanceofhiswork，andifIcouldhaveacteduponmyinstantfeelingIshouldhavehadnohesitationingrantingit，thoughitissoveryunusualastobe，inmyexperienceasaneditor，unprecedented。I
amsurethatyouwouldnothavemadeitsofranklyifyouhadnotbeenpreparedtoguardinreturnanyconfidenceplacedinyou;butyouwillrealizethatasyouarequiteunknowntous，weshouldnotbejustifiedintakingastepsounusualasyouproposewithouthavingsomeguaranteebesidesthatwhichMr。VerrianandIbothfeelfromthecharacterofyourletter。Simply，then，forpurposesofidentification，asthephraseis，Imustbegyoutoaskthepastorofyourchurch，or，betterstill，yourfamilyphysician，towriteyoualinesayingthatheknowsyou，asasortofletterofintroductiontome。ThenIwillsendyoutheadvanceproofsofMr。Verrian’sstory。Youmayliketoaddressmepersonallyinthecareofthemagazine，andnotastheeditor。
\"Yoursveryrespectfully，\"M。ARMIGER。\"
Theeditor’sletterwasdatedthe6thofthemonth;theanswer，datedthe8th，betrayedtheanxioushasteofthewriterinreplying，anditwasnotherfaultifwhatshewrotecametoVerrianwhenhewasnolongerabletodojusticetoherconfession。Undertheaddressgiveninherfirstlettershenowbegan，in，ahandintowhichakindliereyemighthavereadapatheticperturbation：
\"DEARSIR，——Ihavesomethingawfultotellyou。Imightwritepageswithoutmakingyouthinkbetterofme，andIwillletyouthinktheworstatonce。IamnotwhatIpretendedtobe。IwrotetoMr。VerriansayingwhatIdid，andaskingtoseetherestofhisstoryontheimpulseofthemoment。Ihadbeenreadingit，forIthinkitisperfectlyfascinating;
andafriendofmine，anothergirl，andIgottogethertryingtoguesshowhewouldendit，andwebegantodareeachothertowritetohimandask。Atfirstwedidnotdreamofdoingsuchathing，butwewenton，andjustforthefunofitwedrewlotstoseewhichshouldwritetohim。
Thelotfelltome;butwecomposedthatlettertogether，andweputinaboutmydyingforajoke。Weneverintendedtosendit;butthenonethingledtoanother，andIsigneditwithmyrealnameandwesentit。
Wedidnotreallyexpecttohearanythingfromit，forwesupposedhemustgetlotsoflettersabouthisstoryandneverpaidanyattentiontothem。WedidnotrealizewhatwehaddonetillIgotyourletteryesterday。Thenwesawitall，andeversincewehavebeentryingtothinkwhattodo，andIdonotbelieveeitherofushassleptamoment。
Wehavecometotheconclusionthattherewasonlyonethingwecoulddo，andthatwastotellyoujustexactlyhowithappenedandtaketheconsequences。Butthereisnoreasonwhymorethanonepersonshouldbebroughtintoit，andsoIwillnotletmyfriendsignthisletterwithme，butIwillputmyownnamealonetoit。Youmaynotthinkitismyrealname，butitis;youcanfindoutbywritingtothepostmasterhere。
Idonotknowwhetheryouwillpublishitasafraudforthewarningofothers，butIshallnotblameyouifyoudo。Ideserveanything。
Yourstruly，\"JERUSHAPEREGRINEBROWN。\"
IfVerrianhadbeenanoldermanlifemighthavesuppliedhimwiththemeansofjudgingthewriterofthisletter。Buthisexperienceasanauthorhadnotbeenverygreat，andsuchasitwasithadhardenedandsharpenedhim。Therewasnothingwildorwhirlinginhismood，butinthedeadlyhurtwhichhadbeeninflicteduponhisvanityhecoldlyandcarefullystudiedwhatdeadlierhurthemightinflictagain。Hewasofthecruellerintentbecausehehadnotknownhowmuchofpersonalvanitytherewasintheseriousnesswithwhichhetookhimselfandhiswork。Hehadsupposedthathewasrespectinghisethicsandaesthetics，hisidealofconductandofart，butnowitwasbroughthometohimthathewasswollenwiththeconceitofhisownperformance，andthat，howeverwellothersthoughtofit，hisownthoughtofitfaroutrantheirwilltohonorit。Hewishedtorevengehimselfforthisconsciousnessaswellastheoffenceofferedhim;ofthetwotheconsciousnesswasthemoredisagreeable。
Hismother，dressedforthestreet，cameinwherehesatquietathisdesk，withtheeditor’slettersandthegirl’sbeforehim，andhemutelyreferredthemtoherwithahandliftedoverhisshoulder。Shereadthem，andthenshesaid，\"Thisishardtobear，Philip。IwishIcouldbearitforyou，oratleastwithyou;butI’mlateformyengagementwithMrs。Alfred，asitis——No，IwilltelephoneherI’mdetainedandwe’lltalkitover——\"
\"No，no！Notonanyaccount！I’dratherthinkitoutformyself。Youcouldn’thelpme。Afterall，ithasn’tdonemeanyharm——\"
\"Andyou’vehadagreatescape！AndIwon’tsayawordmorenow，butI’llbebacksoon，andthenwe——Oh，I’msosorryI’mgoing。\"
Verriangavealaugh。\"Youcouldn’tdoanythingifyoustayed，mother。
Dogo！\"
\"Well——\"Shelookedathim，smoothinghermuffwithherhandamoment，andthenshedroppedafondkissonhischeekandobeyedhim。
IV
Verrianstillsatathisdesk，thinking，withhisburningfaceinhishands。Itwascoveredwithshameforwhathadhappenedtohim，buthishumiliationhadnoqualityofpityinit。Hemustwritetothatgirl，andwriteatonce，andhissolehesitationwasastotheformheshouldgivehisreply。HecouldnotaddressherasDearMissBrownorasDearMadam。EvenMadamwasnotsharpandforbiddingenough;besides，Madam，aloneorwiththesenselessprefix，wasarchaic，andVerrianwishedtobeverymodernwiththismostoffensiveinstanceofthelatestgirl。
Hedecidedupondealingwithherinthethirdperson，andtrustingtohisliteraryskilltokeeptheformfromclumsiness。
Hetrieditinthatform，anditwassimplydisgusting，theattitudestiffandswelling，andthedictionaffectedandunnatural。Withaquickreversiontotheimpossiblefirsttype，herecasthisletterinwhatwasnowtheonlypossibleshape。
\"MYDEARMISSBROWN，——TheeditoroftheAmericanMiscellanyhassentmeacopyofhisrecentlettertoyouandyourownreply，andhasremandedtomeanaffairwhichresultedfrommygoingtohimwithyourrequesttoseethecloseofmystorynowpublishinginhismagazine。
\"Aftergivingthemattermybestthought，Ihaveconcludedthatitwillbewelltoenclosealltheexhibitstoyou，andInowdothisinthehopethataseriousstudyofthemwillenableyoutosharemysurpriseatthemoralandsocialconditionsinwhichthebusinesscouldoriginate。Iwillinglyleavewithyouthequestionwhichisthemoretrustworthy，yourlettertomeoryourlettertohim，orwhichthemoretrulyrepresentstheinterestingdiversityofyournature。Iconfessthatthefirstmovedmemorethanthesecond，andIdonotseewhyIshouldnottellyouthatassoonasIhadyourrequestIwentwithittoMr。ArmigeranddidwhatIcouldtoprompthiscompliancewithit。Inputtingthesepapersoutofmyhands，IoughttoacknowledgethattheyhaveformedatemptationtomakeliteraryuseoftheaffairwhichIshallnowbethebetterfittedtoresist。Youwill，ofcourse，beamusedbytheeasewithwhichyoucouldabusemyrelianceonyourgoodfaith，andIamsureyouwillnotallowanyshameforyourtricktoqualifyyourpleasureinitssuccess。
\"Itwillnotbenecessaryforyoutoacknowledgethisletteranditsenclosures。Iwillregisterthepackage，sothatitwillnotfailtoreachyou，andIwillreturnanyanswerofyoursunopened，or，ifnotrecognizablyaddressed，thenunread。
\"Yourssincerely，\"P。S。VERRIAN。\"
Hereadandreadagaintheselines，withonlythesenseoftheirinsufficiencyindoingtheeffectofthebitternessinhisheart。Iftheletterwasinsulting，itwasbynomeansasinsultingashewouldhavelikedtomakeit。Whetheritwouldbewoundingenoughwassomethingthatdependeduponthepersonwhomhewishedtowound。Allthatwasproudandvainandcruelinhimsurgedupatthethoughtofthetrickthathadbeenplayeduponhim，andallthatwassweetandkindandgentleinhim，whenhebelievedthetrickwasagenuineappeal，turnedtotheircounterqualities。Yet，feebleandinadequateashisletterwas，heknewthathecouldnotdomoreorworsebytrying，andhesomuchfearedthatbywaitinghemightdolessandbetterthathehurrieditintothepostatonce。Ifhismotherhadbeenathandhewouldhaveshownither，thoughhemightnothavebeenruledbyherjudgmentofit。Hewasgladthatshewasnotwithhim，foreithershewouldhavehadheropinionofwhatwouldbemoretelling，orshewouldhaveinsisteduponhisdelayinganysortofreply，andhecouldnotendurethethoughtofdifferenceordelay。
Heaskedhimselfwhetherheshouldletherseetheroughfirstdraftofhisletterornot，andhedecidedthathewouldnot。Butwhenshecameintohisstudyonherreturnheshowedither。
Shereaditinsilence，andthensheseemedtotemporizeinasking，\"Wherearehertwoletters？\"
\"I’vesentthembackwiththeanswer。\"
Hismotherletthepaperdropfromherhands。\"Philip！Youhaven’tsentthis！\"
\"Yes，Ihave。Itwasn’twhatIwantedtomakeit，butIwishedtogetthedetestableexperienceoutofmymind，anditwasthebestIcoulddoatthemoment。Don’tyoulikeit？\"
\"Oh——\"Sheseemedbeginningtosaysomething，butwithoutsayinganythingshetookthefallenleafupandreaditagain。
\"Well！\"hedemanded，withimpatience。
\"Oh，youmayhavebeenright。Ihopeyou’venotbeenwrong。\"
\"Mother！\"
\"Shedeservedtheseverestthingsyoucouldsay;andyet——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Perhapsshewaspunishedenoughalready。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Idon’tlikeyourbeing-vindictive。\"
\"Vindictive？\"
\"Beingsoterriblyjust，then。\"Sheadded，athisblankstare，\"Thisiskilling，Philip。\"
Hegaveabitterlaugh。\"Idon’tthinkitwillkillher。Sheisn’tthatkind。\"
\"She’sagirl，\"hismothersaid，withakindofsadabsence。
\"Butnotasingle-mindedgirl，youwarnedme。IwishIcouldhavetakenyourwarning。ItwouldhavesavedmefromplayingthefoolbeforemyselfandgivingmyselfawaytoArmiger，andlettinghimgivehimselfaway。
Idon’tthinkMissBrownwillsuffermuchbeforeshedies。Shewill’gettogether，’asshecallsit，withthatothergirlandhave’arealgoodtime’overit。Youknowthevillagetypeandthevillageconditions，wherethevulgarignoranceofanylargerworldissothickyoucouldcutitwithaknife。Don’tbetroubledbymyvindictivenessormyjustice，mother！IbegintothinkIhavedonejusticeandnotfallenshortofit，asIwasafraid。\"
Mrs。Verriansighed，andagainshegavehisletterbacktoherson。
\"Perhapsyouareright，Philip。Sheisprobablysotoughasnottofeelitverypainfully。\"
\"She’snotsotoughbutshe’llbeverygladtogetoutofitsolightly。
Shehashadausefulscare，andI’vedoneherafavorinmakingthescareasharpone。Isuppose，\"Verrianmused，\"thatshethinksI’vekeptcopiesofherletters。\"
\"Yes。Whydidn’tyou？\"hismotherasked。
Verrianlaughed，onlyalittlelessbitterlythanbefore。\"Ishallbegintobelieveyou’reallalike，mother。
Ididn’tkeepcopiesofherlettersbecauseIwantedtogetherandherlettersoutofmymind，finallyandforever。Besides，Ididn’tchoose。
toemulateherduplicitybyanysortofdissimulation。
\"Iseewhatyoumean，\"hismothersaid。\"And，ofcourse，youhavetakentheonlyhonorableway。\"
Thentheywerebothsilentforatime，thinkingtheirseveralthoughts。
Verrianbrokethesilencetosay，\"IwishIknewwhatsortof’othergirl’itwasthatshe’gottogetherwith。’\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseshewroteamorecultivatedletterthanthismagnanimouscreaturewhotakesalltheblametoherself。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tbelievethey’reboththesame？\"
\"Theyareboththesameinstationeryandchirography，butnotinliterature。\"
\"Ihopeyouwon’tgettothinkingabouther，then，\"hismotherentreated，intelligiblybutnotdefinitely。
\"Notseriously，\"Verrianreassuredher。\"I’vehadmymedicine。\"
V。
Continuityissomuchthelessonofexperiencethatinthecourseofalifebynomeanslongitbecomestheinstinctiveexpectation。Theeventthathashappenedwillhappenagain;itwillprolongitselfinaseriesofrecurrencesbywhicheachone’sepisodesharesintheunendinghistoryofall。Thesenseofthisissopervasivethathumanityrefusestoacceptdeathitselfasfinal。Intheagonizedaffections，theshatteredhopes，ofthosewhoremain，theseveredlifekeepsonunbrokenly，andwhentimeandreasonprevail，atleastastothelifehere，thedefeatedfaithappealsforfulfilmenttoanotherworld，andthebeliefofimmortalityholdsagainstthemyriadyearsinwhichnoneofthenumberlessdeadhavemadeanindisputablesigninwitnessofit。Thelostlimbstillreportsitssensationstothebrain;thefixedhabitmechanicallyattemptsitsrepetitionwhentheconditionsrenderitimpossible。
Verrianwasawarehowdeeplyandabsorbinglyhehadbroodedupontheincidentwhichhehaddonehisutmosttoclose，whenhefoundhimselfexpectingananswerofsomesortfromhisunknowncorrespondent。Heperceived，then，withoutowningthefact，thathehadreallyhopedforsomeprotest，someexcuse，someextenuation，whichintheendwouldsufferhimtobemoremerciful。Thoughhehadwishedtocrushherintosilence，andtoforbidherallhopeofhisforgiveness，hehad，inamanner，notmeanttodoit。Hehadkeptasecretplaceinhissoulwherethesinneragainsthimcouldfindrefugefromhisjustice，andwhenthissanctuaryremainedunattemptedhefoundhimselfwitharegretthathehadbarredthewaytoitsoeffectually。Theregretwassovague，soformless，however，thathecouldtacitlydenyittohimselfatalltimes，andexplicitlydenyittohismotheratsuchtimesashertouchtaughthimthatitwastangible。
Oneday，aftertenortwelvedayshadgoneby，sheaskedhim，\"Youhaven’theardanythingmorefromthatgirl？\"
\"Whatgirl？\"hereturned，asifhedidnotknow;andhefrowned。\"Youmeanthegirlthatwrotemeaboutmystory？\"
Hecontinuedtofrownrathermoredarkly。\"Idon’tseehowyoucouldexpectmetohearfromher，afterwhatIwrote。But，tobecategorical，Ihaven’t，mother。\"
\"Oh，ofcoursenot。Didyouthinkshewouldbesoeasilysilenced？\"
\"IdidwhatIcouldtocrushherintosilence。\"
\"Yes，andyoudidquiteright;Iammoreandmoreconvincedofthat。Butsuchaverytoughyoungpersonmighthaverefusedtostaycrushed。Shemightverynaturallyhavegotherselfintoshapeagainandsmoothedoutthecreases，atleastsofartotrysomefurtherdefence。\"
\"Itseemsthatshehasn’t，\"Verriansaid，stilldarkly，butnotsofrowningly。
\"Ishouldhavefancied，\"hismothersuggested，\"thatifshehadwantedtoopenacorrespondencewithyou——ifthatwasheroriginalobject——shewouldnothaveletitdropsoeasily。\"
\"Hassheletitdropeasily？IthoughtIhadlefthernopossiblechanceofresumingit。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"hismothersaid，andforthetimeshesaidnomoreaboutthematter。
NotlongafterthishecamehomefromthemagazineofficeandreportedtoherfromArmigerthatthestorywascatchingonmoreandmorewiththebestclassofreaders。TheeditorhadshownVerriansomereferencestoitinnewspapersofgoodstandingandseverallettersaboutit。
\"Ithoughtyoumightliketolookattheletters，\"Verriansaid，andhetooksomelettersfromhispocketandhandedthemtoheracrossthelunch-table。Shedidnotimmediatelylookatthem，becausehewentontoaddsomethingthattheybothfelttobemoreimportant。\"Armigersaystherehasbeensomeincreaseofthesales，whichIcanattributetomystoryifIhavethecheek。\"
\"Thatisgood。\"
\"Andthehousewantstopublishthebook。Theythink，downthere，thatitwillhaveaveryprettysuccess——notbeabigseller，ofcourse，butsomethingcomfortable。\"
Mrs。Verrian’seyesweresuffusedwithprideandfondness。\"Andyoucanalwaysthink，Philip，thatthishascometoyouwithouttheleastloweringofyourstandard，withoutforsakingyouridealforamoment。\"
\"Thatiscertainlyasatisfaction。\"
Shekeptherproudandtendergazeuponhim。\"NoonewilleverknowasI
dohowfaithfulyouhavebeentoyourart。Didanyofthenewspapersrecognizethat——orsurmiseit，orsuspectit？\"
\"No，thatisn’ttheturntheytake。Theyspeakofthestrongloveinterestinvolvedintheproblem。Andtheabundanceofincident。
Ilookedouttokeepsomethinghappening，youknow。I’msorryIdidn’taskArmigertoletmebringthenoticeshometoyou。I’mnotsurethatI
didwiselynottosubscribetothatpress-clippingsbureau。\"
Hismothersmiled。\"Youmustn’tletprosperitycorruptyou，Philip。
Wouldn’tseeingwhatthepressissayingofitdistractyoufromtherealaimyouhadinyourstory？\"
\"We’reallweak，ofcourse。Itmight，ifthestorywerenotfinished;
butasitis，IthinkIcouldbeproofagainstthestupidestpraise。\"
\"Well，formypart，I’mgladyoudidn’tsubscribetotheclippingsbureau。Itwouldhavebeenadisturbingelement。\"Shenowlookeddownatthelettersasifsheweregoingtotakethemup，andhefollowedthedirectionofhereyes。Asifremindedofthefactbythis，hesaid：
\"ArmigeraskedmeifIhadeverheardanythingmorefromthatgirl。\"
\"Hashe？\"hismothereagerlyasked，transferringherglancefromtheletterstoherson’sface。
\"Notaword。IthinkIsilencedherthoroughly。\"
\"Yes，\"hismothersaid。\"Therecouldhavebeennogoodobjectinprolongingtheaffairandlettingherconfirmherselfinthenotionthatshewasofsufficientimportanceeithertoyouortohimforyoutocontinuethecorrespondencewithher。Shecouldn’tlearntoodistinctlythatshehaddone——averywrongthingintryingtoplaysuchatrickonyou。\"
\"ThatwasthewayIlookedatit，\"Verriansaid，buthedrewalightsigh，ratherwearily。
\"Ihope，\"hismothersaid，witharecurrentglanceattheletters，\"thatthereisnothingofthatsillykindamongthese。\"
\"No，theseareblamelessenough，unlesstheyaretobeblamedforbeingtooflattering。Thatgirlseemstobesoleofherkind，unlessthegirlthatshe’gottogetherwith’wasreallylikeher。\"
\"Idon’tbelievetherewasanyothergirl。Ineverthoughttherewasmorethanone。\"
\"Thereseemedtobetwostylesandtwogradesofculture，suchastheywere。\"
\"Oh，shecouldeasilyimitatetwomanners。Shemusthavebeenaclevergirl，\"Mrs。Verriansaid，withthatadmirationforanysortofclevernessinhersexwhichevenverygoodwomencannothelpfeeling。
\"Well，perhapsshewaspunishedenoughforboththecharacterssheassumed，\"Verriansaid，withasmilethatwasnotgay。
\"Don’tthinkabouther！\"hismotherreturned，withaperceptionofhismood。\"I’monlythankfulthatshe’soutofourlivesineverysortofway。\"
VI。
Verriansaidnothing，buthereflectedwithasortofgloomyamusementhowimpossibleitwasforanywoman，evenawomansowide-mindedandhigh-principledashismother，toescapethepersonalviewofallthingsandallpersonswhichwomentake。Hetacitlynotedthefact，asthenovelistnoteswhateverhappensorappearstohim，buthelettheoccasiondropoutofhismindassoonashecouldafterithaddroppedoutofhistalk。
Thenightwhenthelastnumberofhisstorycametotheminthemagazine，andwasalreadyannouncedasabook，hesatupwithhismothercelebrating，ashesaid，andexultinginthefutureaswellasthepast。
Theyhadalittlesupper，whichshecookedforhiminachafing-dish，inthedining-roomofthetinyapartmentwheretheylivedtogether，andshemadesomecoffeeafterwards，tocarryofftheeffectoftheNewburglobster。Perhapsbecausetherewasnothingtocarryofftheeffectofthecoffee，heheardher，throughthepartitionoftheirrooms，stirringrestlesslyafterhehadgonetobed，andalittlelatershecametohisdoor，whichshesetajar，toask，\"Areyouawake，Philip？\"
\"Youseemtobe，mother，\"heanswered，withanamusementatherquestionwhichseemednottohaveimparteditselftoherwhenshecameinandstoodbesidehisbedinherdressing-gown。
\"Youdon’tthinkwehavejudgedhertooharshly，Philip？\"
\"Doyou，mother？\"
\"No，Ithinkwecouldn’tbetoosevereinathinglikethat。Sheprobablythoughtyouwerelikesomeoftheotherstory-writers;shecouldn’tfeeldifferences，shades。Shepretendedtobetakenwiththecircumstancesofyourwork，butshehadtodothatifshewantedtofoolyou。Well，shehasgothercome-uppings，asshewouldprobablysay。\"
Verrianreplied，thoughtfully，\"Shedidn’tstrikemeasacountryperson——atleast，inherfirstletter。\"
\"Thenyoustillthinkshedidn’twriteboth？\"
\"Ifshedid，shewastryingherhandinapersonalityshehadinvented。\"
\"Girlsareverystrange，\"hismothersighed。\"Theylikeexcitement，adventure。It’sverydullinthoselittleplaces。Ishouldn’twishyoutothinkanyharmofthepoorthing。\"
\"Poorthing？Whythismagnanimouscompassion，mother？\"
\"Oh，nothing。ButIknowhowIwasmyselfwhenIwasagirl。Iusedalmosttodieofhungerforsomethingtohappen。Canyourememberjustwhatyousaidinyourletter？\"
Verrianlaughed。\"NO，Ican’t。ButIdon’tbelieveIsaidhalfenough。
You’renervous，mother。\"
\"Yes，Iam。Butdon’tyougettoworrying。ImerelygottothinkinghowIshouldhatetohaveanybody’sunhappinessmixedupwiththishappinessofours。Idosowantyourpleasureinyoursuccesstobepure，nottaintedwiththepainofanyhumancreature。\"
Verrianansweredwithlightcynicism：\"Itwillbetaintedwiththepainofthefellowswhodon’tlikeme，orwhohaven’tsucceeded，andthey’lltakecaretoletmesharetheirpainifevertheycan。Butifyoumeanthatmerrymaidenupcountry，she’sprobablythinking，ifshethinksaboutitatall，thatshe’stheluckiestgirlintheUnitedStatestohavegotoutofanawfulscrapesoeasily。Attheworst，Ionlyhadfunwithherinmyletter。Probablysheseesthatshehasnothingtogrieveforbutherownbreak。\"
\"No，andyoudidjustasyoushouldhavedone;andIamgladyoudon’tfeelbitterlyaboutit。Youdon’t，doyou？\"
\"Nottheleast。\"
Hismotherstoopedoverandkissedhimwherehelaysmiling。\"Well，that’sgood。Afterall，it’syouIcaredfor。NowIcansaygood-
night。\"Butshelingeredtotuckhiminalittle，fromthepersistenceofthemotherhabit。\"Iwishyoumayneverdoanythingthatyouwillbesorryfor。\"
\"Well，Iwon’t——ifit’sagoodaction。\"
Theylaughedtogether，andshelefttheroom，stilllookingbacktoseeiftherewasanythingmoreshecoulddoforhim，whilehelaysmiling，intelligentlyforwhatshewasthinking，andpatientlyforwhatshewasdoing。
VII。
Eveninthetimewhichwasthencomingandwhichnowis，whensuccessfulauthorsarealmostasmanyasmillionaires，Verrian’sbookbroughthimaprettycelebrity;andthiscelebritywasinawayspecific。Itrelatedtothequalityofhiswork，whichwasquietlyartisticandpsychological，whateverlivelinessofincidentitutteredonthesurface。Hebelongedtothegoodschoolwhichisofnofashionandofeverytime，farbothfromactualityandunreality;andhisrecognitioncamefrompeoplewhoserecognitionwasworthhaving。Withthiscamethewidernoticewhichwasnotworthhaving，likethenoticeofMrs。Westangle，sincesowellknowntosocietyreportersasasocietywoman，whichcouldnotbecalledrecognitionofhim，becauseitdidnotinvolveanyknowledgeofhisbook，notevenitstitle。Shedidnotreadanysortofbooks，andsheassimilatedhimbyasortofatmosphericsense。Shewassureofnothingbuttheattentionpaidhiminacertainverygoodishhouse，bypeoplewhomsheheardtalkinginunintelligiblebutunmistakablepraise，whenshesaid，casually，withaliquidglitterofhersweet，smalleyes，\"Iwishyouwouldcomedowntomyplace，Mr。Verrian。I’maskingafewyoungpeopleforChristmasweek。Willyou？\"
\"Why，thankyou——thankyouverymuch，\"Verriansaid，waitingtohearmoreinexplanationofthehospitalitylaunchedathim。HehadneverseenMrs。Westangletillthen，orheardofher，andhehadnottheleastnotionwhereshelived。Butsheseemedtohavesocialauthority，thoughVerrian，inlookingroundathishostessandherdaughter，whostoodnear，lettingpeopletakeleave，learnednothingfromtheircommonsmile。
Mrs。Westanglehadglidedclosetohim，inthewayshehadofgettingverynearwithoutapparentlyhavingadvancedbysteps，andshestoodgleamingandtwitteringupathim。
\"Ishallsendyoualittlenote;Iwon’tletyouforget，\"shesaid。Thenshesuddenlyshookhandswiththeladiesofthehouseandwasflashinglygone。
Verrianthoughthemightaskthedaughterofthehouse，\"AndifIdon’tforget，amIengagedtospendChristmasweekwithher？\"
Thegirllaughed。\"Ifshedoesn’tforget，youare。Butyou’llhaveagoodtime。She’llknowhowtomanagethat。\"Otherguestskeptcominguptotakeleave，andVerrian，whodidnotwanttogojustyet，wasretiredtothebackground，wherethegirl’svoice，thrownoverhershoulderathim，reachedhiminthewords，asgayasiftheywerethebestofthejoke，\"It’sontheSound。\"
TheinferencewasthatMrs。Westangle’splacewasontheSound;andthatwasallVerrianknewaboutittillhegotherlittlenote。Mrs。
Westangleknewhowtowriteinaformlesshand，butshedidnotknowhowtospell，andshehadthoughtitbesttohaveasecretarywhocouldwritewellandspellcorrectly。Though，asfarasliteracywasconcerned，shewassuchanalmostincomparablyignorantwoman，shehadalltheknowledgethebestsocietywants，or，ifshefoundherselfoutofany，shewentandboughtsome;shewasabletobuyalmostanything。
Verrianthankedthesecretaryforrememberinghim，inthebeliefthathewasdirectlythankingMrs。Westangle，whosewidespreadconsciousnesshishappinessinacceptingdidnotimmediatelyreach;andintheverylargehouseparty，whichhedulyjoinedunderherroof，hewasawareoflosingdistinctivenessalmosttothepointoflosingidentity。ThisdidnotquitehappenonthewaytoBelford，for，whenhewenttotakehisseatinthedrawing-roomcar，agirlinthechairfrontinghimputoutherhandwiththelaughofMissMacroyd。
\"Shedidrememberyou！\"shecriedout。\"Howdelightful！Idon’tseehowsheevergotontoyou\"——shemadetheslangherown——\"inthefirstplace，andshemusthaveworkedhardtobesureofyousince。\"
Verrianhunguphiscoatandputhissuit-casebehindhischair，theporterhavingputitwherehecouldnotwheelhimselfvis-a-viswiththegirl。\"Shetookallthetimetherewas，\"heanswered。\"Igotmyinvitationonlythedaybeforeyesterday，andifIhadbeeninmoredemand，orhadaworseconscience——\"
\"Oh，dosayworseconscience！It’ssomuchmoreinteresting，\"thegirlbrokein。
\"——Ishouldn’thavethepleasureofgoingtoSeasandswithyounow，\"heconcluded，andshegaveherlaugh。\"DoIunderstandthatsimplymygrowingfamewouldn’thaveprevailedwithher？\"
AnythingseemedtomakeMissMacroydlaugh。\"Shecouldn’thavecaredaboutthat，andshewouldn’thaveknown。Youmaybesurethatitwasasocialquestionwithherafterthepersonalquestionwassettled。Shemusthavelikedyourlooks！\"AgainMissMacroydlaughed。
\"OnthatsideI’minvulnerable。It’sonlyaliteraryvanitytobesoothedortobewoundedthatIhave，\"Verriansaid。
\"Oh，therewouldn’tbeanythingpersonalinherlikingyourlooks。Itwouldbemerelydecidingthatpersonallyyouwoulddo，\"MissMacroydlaughed，asalways，andVerrianputonamockseriousnessinasking：
\"ThenIneedn’tbeseriousifthereshouldhappentobeanythingsoWestangularasaMr。Westangle？\"
\"Nottheleastintheworld。\"
\"Butthereissomething？\"
\"Oh，Ibelieveso。ButnotprobablyatSeasands。\"
\"Isthatherhouse？\"
\"Yes。Everyothernamehadbeenused，andshecouldn’tsaySoundsands。\"
\"ThenwherewouldtheMr。Westangularpartmoreprobablybefound？\"
\"Oh，inMontanaorMesopotamia，oranyofthoseplaces。Don’tyouknowabouthim？Howignorantliterarypeoplecanbe！Why，hewastheAmalgamatedClothespin。Youhaven’theardofthat？\"
Shewentontotellhim，withgaydigressions，abouttheinventionwhichenabledWestangletobuyuptheotherclothes-pinsandmergetheminhisown——tobecomeacommercialoctopus，clutchingthethroatsofotherclothespininventorsinthetentaclesoftheWestanglepin。\"Butheisn’tinclothespinsnow。He’sinmines，andbanks，andsteamboats，andrailroads，andIdon’tknowwhatall;andMrs。Westangle，thesecondofhername，neverwasinclothespins。\"
MissMacroydlaughedallthroughhertalk，andshewasinafinalburstoflaughingwhenthetrainslowedintoStamford。Thereagirlcameintothecartrailingherskirtswithasortofvividdebilityandoverturningsomeminorpiecesofhand-baggagewhichherdraperiessweptoutoftheirshelterbesidethechairs。Shehadtotakeoneoftheseatswhichbackagainstthewallofthestate-room，whereshemustfacethewholelengthofthecar。Shesatweaklyfallenbackinthechairandmotionless，asifalmostunconscious;butafterthetrainhadbeguntostirshestartedup，andwithaquickflingingofherveilasideturnedtolookoutofthewindow。IntheflyinginstantVerriansawacolorlessfacewithpinchedandsunkeneyesunderaworn-lookingforehead，andawitheredmouthwhoselipspartedfeebly。
Onherpart，MissMacroydhaddoubtlessalreadynotedthatthegirlwas，withnoshowofexpensiveness，authoritativelywellgownedandpersonallyhatted。Shestaredather，andsaid，\"Whataveryhuntedandescapingeffect。\"
\"Shedoeslookrather-fugitive，\"Verrianagreed，staringtoo。
\"Onemightalmostfancy——anasylum。\"
\"Yes，orahospital。\"
Theycontinuedbothtostareather，helplessforwhateverdifferentreasonstotaketheireyesaway，andtheywerestillinterestedinherwhentheyheardheraskingtheconductor，\"MustIchangeandtakeanothertrainbeforewegettoBelford？Myfriendsthought——\"
\"No，thistrainstopsatSouthfield，\"theconductoranswered，absentlybitingseveralholesintoherdrawing-roomticket。
\"Canshebeoneofus？\"MissMacroyddemanded，inadramaticwhisper。
\"Shemightbeanything，\"Verrianreturned，tryinginstantly，withawhirofhisinventivemachinery，tophraseher。Hemadeasortofluxuriousfailureofit，andrestedcontentwithherface，whichshoweditselfnowinprofileandnowfrontedhiminfull，andnowwasrestlessandnowsubsidedinalookofdelicateexhaustion。Hewouldhavesaid，ifhewouldhavesaidanythingabsolute，thatshewasapersonwhohadsomethingonhermind;atinstantsshehadthathuntedair，passingatotherinstantsintothatairofescape。HediscussedtheseappearanceswithMissMacroyd，butfoundhertoofranklydisputatious;andshelaughedtoomuchandtooloud。
VIII。
AtSouthfield，wheretheyalldescended，MissMacroydpromptlypossessedherselfofagroom，whocameforwardtentatively，touchinghishat。
\"MissMacroyd？\"shesuggested。
\"Yes，miss，\"themansaid，andledthewayroundthestationtothevictoriawhich，whenMissMacroyd’smaidhadmountedtotheplacebesideher，hadnoroom;foranyoneelse。
VerrianaccountedforheractivityuponthetheoryofherquitejustifiablewishnottoarriveatSeasandswithayoungmanwhomshemightthenhavetheeffectofhavingvoluntarilycomeallthewaywith;
andafteroneortwocircuitsofthestationitwasapparenttohimthathewasnottohavebeensentforfromMrs。Westangle’s，buttohavebeenlefttothechancesofthelocaldriversandtheirvehicles。Thesewerereducedtoasinglecarryallandafrowsyhorsewhoseroughwintercoatrecalledtheaspectofhisspeciesintheperiodfollowingtheglacialepoch。Themud，asofaworld-thaw，encrustedthewheelsandcurtainsofthecarryall。
Verrianseizeduponitandthenwentintothewaiting-room，wherehehadlefthissuit-case。Hefoundthestrangerthereinparleywiththeyoungwomanintheticket-officeaboutaconveyancetoMrs。Westangle’s。Itprovedthathehadsecurednotonlytheonlythingofthesort，buttheonlypresenthopeofanyother，andinthehardcasehecouldnothesitatewithdistresssointeresting。Itwouldhavebeenbrutaltodriveoffandleavethatgirlthere，anditwouldhavebeenavulgarflourishtoputtheentirevehicleatherservice。Besides，andperhapsaboveall，Verrianhadnoideaofdeprivinghimselfofsuchachanceasheavenseemedtoofferhim。
Headvancedwiththedelicacyofthehighest-bredherohecouldimagine，andsaid，\"IamgoingtoMrs。Westangle’s，andI’mafraidI’vegottheonlyconveyance——suchasitis。Ifyouwouldletmeofferyouhalfofit？Mr。Verrian，\"headded，atthelightofacceptanceinstantlykindlinginherface，whichflushedthinly，aswithanafterglowofinvalidism。
\"Why，thankyou;I’mafraidImust，Mr。Merriam，\"andVerrianwasawareofbeingvexedatherfailuretocatchhisname;thenameofVerrianoughttohavebeenunmistakable。\"Theyoungladyintheofficesaystherewon’tbeanother，andI’mexpectedpromptly。\"Sheadded，withalittletremorofthelip，\"Idon’tunderstandwhyMrs。Westangle——\"
Butthenshestopped。
Verrianinterpretedforher：\"Thesea-horsesmusthavegivenoutatSeasands。Orprobablythere’ssomemistake，\"andhereflectedbitterlyupontheselfishnessofMissMacroydingrabbingthatvictoriaforherselfandhermaid，notconsideringthatshecouldnotknow，andhasnobusinesstoask，whetherthisgirlwasgoingtoMrs。Westangle’s，too。
\"Haveyouacheck？\"heasked。\"Ithinkourdrivercouldfindroomforsomethingbesidesmyvalise。OrIcouldhaveitcome——\"
\"Notatall，\"thegirlsaid。\"Isentmytrunkaheadbyexpress。\"
Afrowsyman，tomatchthefrowsyhorse，lookedinimpatiently。\"Anyotherbaggage？\"
\"No，\"Verriananswered，andheledthewayoutafterthevanishingdriver。\"Ourchariotisbackhereinhiding，Miss——\"
\"Shirley，\"shesaid，andtrailedbeforehimthroughthedoorheopened。
Hefeltthathedidnotdoitasamanoftheworldwouldhavedoneit，andinputtingherintotheramshacklecarryallheknewthathehadnotthegraceofthesortofmanwhodoesnothingelse。ButMissShirleyseemedtohavegraceenough，ofafeebleandbrokensort，forboth，andheresolvedtosupplyhisownlackwithsincerity。Hethereforesethisjawfirmlyandmadeitsupperanglesjutsharplythroughhisclean-shavencheeks。ItwaswellthatMissShirleyhadsomebeautytospare，too，forVerrianhadscarcelyenoughforhimself。Suchdistinctionashehadwasfromasortofintellectualtensenesswhichshowedratherinthegauntformsofhisfacethaninthegrayeyes，heavilylashedaboveandbelow，andlookingseriousbutdullwiththeirrank，blackbrows。HewaschewingacudofbitternessintheaccusalhemadehimselfofhavingforcedMissShirleytogivehername;butwiththatinterestingpersonalityathisside，underthesametatteredandill-scentedJapanesegoat-skin，hecouldnotrefusetobeglad，withallhisself-blame。
\"I’mafraidit’sratheralongdrive-foryou，MissShirley，\"heventured，withaglanceatherface，whichlookedverylittleunderherhat。\"Thedriversaysit’sfivemilesroundthroughthemarshes。\"
\"Oh，Ishallnotmind，\"shesaid，courageously，ifnotcheerfully，andhedidnotfeelauthorizedfurthertorecognizethefactthatshewasaninvalid，oratbestaconvalescent。
\"Thesewintrytree-formsarefine，though，\"hefoundhimselfobligedtoconcludehisapology，ratherirrelevantly，asthewheelsoftherattling，andtiltingcarryallcrunchedthesurfaceoftheroadinthesuccessionofjerksrespondingtothealternatewalkandgallopofthehorse。
\"Yes，theyare，\"MissShirleyanswered，lookingaroundwithacertainsurprise，asifseeingthemnowforthefirsttime。\"Somuchvarietyofcolor;andthatburnishedlookthatsomeofthemhave。\"Thetrees，farandnear，weregivingtheirtonesandlustresinthelowDecembersun。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"it’sdecidedlymorerefinedthantheautumnalcoloringwebragof。\"
\"Itis，\"sheapproved，aswithnovelconviction。\"Thelandscapeisreallybeautiful。Soniceandflat，\"sheadded。
Hetookherintention，andhesaid，ashecranedhisneckoutofthecarryalltoincludethenearerroadsidestretches，withtheirlowbushesliftingintoremotertrees，\"It’srestfulinawaythatneitherthemountainsnorthesea，quitemanage。\"
\"Ohyes，\"shesighed，withakindofwearinesswhichexplaineditselfinwhatsheadded：\"It’sthekindofthingyou’dliketohavekeeponandon。\"Sheseemedtosaythatmoretoherselfthantohim，andhiseyesquestionedher。Shesmiledslightlyinexplaining：\"IsupposeIfinditallthemorebeautifulbecausethisismyfirstreallookintotheworldaftersixmonthsindoors。\"
\"Oh！\"hesaid，andtherewasnodoubtapromptinginhistone。