\"I’vegotthreenewgirls，\"Mrs。Bonnycastlesaid。\"Youmusttalktothemall。\"
\"Allatonce？\"Vogelsteinasked，reversinginfancyapositionnotatallunknowntohim。Hehadsorepeatedlyheardhimselfaddressedinevenmorethantriplesimultaneity。
\"Ohno；youmusthavesomethingdifferentforeach；youcan’tgetoffthatway。Haven’tyoudiscoveredthattheAmericangirlexpectssomethingespeciallyadaptedtoherself？It’sverywellforEuropetohaveafewphrasesthatwilldoforanygirl。TheAmericangirlisn’tANYgirl；she’saremarkablespecimeninaremarkablespecies。
ButyoumustkeepthebestthiseveningforMissDay。\"
\"ForMissDay！\"——andVogelsteinhadastareofintelligence。\"DoyoumeanforPandora？\"
Mrs。Bonnycastlebrokeonhersideintofreeamusement。\"Onewouldthinkyouhadbeenlookingforherovertheglobe！Soyouknowheralready——andyoucallherbyherpetname？\"
\"Ohno，Idon’tknowher；thatisIhaven’tseenherorthoughtofherfromthatdaytothis。WecametoAmericainthesameship。\"
\"Isn’tsheanAmericanthen？\"
\"Ohyes；shelivesatUtica——intheinterior。\"
\"IntheinteriorofUtica？Youcan’tmeanmyyoungwomanthen，wholivesinNewYork，whereshe’sagreatbeautyandagreatbelleandhasbeenimmenselyadmiredthiswinter。\"
\"Afterall，\"saidCountOtto，consideringandalittledisappointed，\"thename’snotsouncommon；it’sperhapsanother。Buthassheratherstrangeeyes，alittleyellow，butverypretty，andanosealittlearched？\"
\"Ican’ttellyouallthat；Ihaven’tseenher。She’sstayingwithMrs。Steuben。Sheonlycameadayortwoago，andMrs。Steuben’stobringher。WhenshewrotetometoaskleaveshetoldmewhatI
tellyou。Theyhaven’tcomeyet。\"
VogelsteinfeltaquickhopethatthesubjectofthiscorrespondencemightindeedbetheyoungladyhehadpartedfromonthedockatNewYork，buttheindicationsseemedtopointanotherway，andhehadnowishtocherishanillusion。Itdidn’tseemtohimprobablethattheenergeticgirlwhohadintroducedhimtoMr。LansingwouldhavetheentreeofthebesthouseinWashington；besides，Mrs。
Bonnycastle’sguestwasdescribedasabeautyandbelongingtothebrilliantcity。
\"What’sthesocialpositionofMrs。Steuben？\"itoccurredtohimtoaskwhilehemeditated。Hehadanearnestartlessliteralwayofputtingsuchaquestionasthat；youcouldseefromitthathewasverythorough。
Mrs。Bonnycastlemetit，however，but，withmockinglaughter。\"I’msureIdon’tknow！What’syourown？\"——andshelefthimtoturntoherotherguests，toseveralofwhomsherepeatedhisquestion。
CouldtheytellherwhatwasthesocialpositionofMrs。Steuben？
TherewasCountVogelsteinwhowantedtoknow。Heinstantlybecameawareofcoursethatheoughtn’tsotohaveexpressedhimself。
Wasn’tthelady’splaceinthescalesufficientlyindicatedbyMrs。
Bonnycastle’sacquaintancewithher？Stilltherewerefinedegrees，andhefeltalittleundulysnubbed。Itwasperfectlytrue，ashetoldhishostess，thatwiththequickwaveofnewimpressionsthathadrolledoverhimafterhisarrivalinAmericatheimageofPandorawasalmostcompletelyeffaced；hehadseeninnumerablethingsthatwerequiteasremarkableintheirwayastheheroineoftheDonau，butatthetouchoftheideathathemightseeherandhearheragainatanymomentshebecameasvividinhismindasiftheyhadpartedthedaybefore：herememberedtheexactshadeoftheeyeshehaddescribedtoMrs。Bonnycastleasyellow，thetoneofhervoicewhenatthelastsheexpressedthehopehemightjudgeAmericacorrectly。HADhejudgedAmericacorrectly？Ifheweretomeetheragainshedoubtlesswouldtrytoascertain。ItwouldbegoingmuchtoofartosaythattheideaofsuchanordealwasterribletoCountOtto；butitmayatleastbesaidthatthethoughtofmeetingPandoraDaymadehimnervous。Thefactiscertainlysingular，butIshallnottakeonmyselftoexplainit；therearesomethingsthateventhemostphilosophichistorianisn’tboundtoaccountfor。
Hewanderedintoanotherroom，andthere，attheendoffiveminutes，hewasintroducedbyMrs。Bonnycastletooneoftheyoungladiesofwhomshehadspoken。ThiswasaveryintelligentgirlwhocamefromBostonandshowedmuchacquaintancewithSpielhagen’snovels。\"Doyoulikethem？\"Vogelsteinaskedrathervaguely，nottakingmuchinterestinthematter，ashereadworksoffictiononlyincaseofasea-voyage。TheyoungladyfromBostonlookedpensiveandconcentrated；thensheansweredthatshelikedSOMEofthemVERY
much，butthattherewereothersshedidn’tlike——andsheenumeratedtheworksthatcameundereachoftheseheads。Spielhagenisavoluminouswriter，andsuchacataloguetooksometime；attheendofitmoreoverVogelstein’squestionwasnotanswered，forhecouldn’thavetolduswhethershelikedSpielhagenornot。
Onthenexttopic，however，therewasnodoubtaboutherfeelings。
TheytalkedaboutWashingtonaspeopletalkonlyintheplaceitself，revolvingaboutthesubjectinwideningandnarrowingcircles，perchingsuccessivelyonitsmanybranches，consideringitfromeverypointofview。OuryoungmanhadbeenlongenoughinAmericatodiscoverthatafterhalfacenturyofsocialneglectWashingtonhadbecomethefashionandenjoyedthegreatadvantageofbeinganewresourceinconversation。Thiswasespeciallythecaseinthemonthsofspring，whentheinhabitantsofthecommercialcitiescamesofarsouthwardtoescape，afterthelongwinter，thatfinalaffront。TheywereallagreedthatWashingtonwasfascinating，andnoneofthemwerebetterpreparedtotalkitoverthantheBostonians。Vogelsteinoriginallyhadbeenratheroutofstepwiththem；hehadn’tseizedtheirpointofview，hadn’tknownwithwhattheycomparedthisobjectoftheirinfatuation。Butnowhekneweverything；hehadsettleddowntothepace；therewasn’tapossiblephaseofthediscussionthatcouldfindhimataloss。
TherewasakindofHegelianelementinit；inthelightoftheseconsiderationstheAmericancapitaltookonthesemblanceofamonstrousmysticalinfiniteWerden。ButtheyfatiguedVogelsteinalittle，anditwashispreference，asageneralthing，nottoengagethesameeveningwithmorethanonenewcomer，onevisitorinthefreshnessofinitiation。ThiswaswhyMrs。Bonnycastle’sexpressionofawishtointroducehimtothreeyoungladieshadstartledhimalittle；hesawacertainprocess，inwhichheflatteredhimselfthathehadbecomeproficient，butwhichwasafteralltolerablyexhausting，repeatedforeachofthedamsels。AfterseparatingfromhisjudiciousBostonianheratherevadedMrs。Bonnycastle，contentinghimselfwiththeconversationofoldfriends，pitchedforthemostpartinalowerandeasierkey。
AtlasthehearditmentionedthatthePresidenthadarrived，hadbeensomehalf-hourinthehouse，andhewentinsearchoftheillustriousguest，whosewhereaboutsatWashingtonpartieswasneverindicatedbyaclusterofcourtiers。Hemadeitapoint，wheneverhefoundhimselfincompanywiththePresident，topayhimhisrespects，andhehadnotbeendiscouragedbythefactthattherewasnoassociationofideasintheeyeofthegreatmanasheputouthishandpresidentiallyandsaid，\"Happytomeetyou，sir。\"CountOttofelthimselftakenforamereloyalsubject，possiblyforanoffice-seeker；andheusedtoreflectatsuchmomentsthatthemonarchicalformhaditsmeritsitprovidedalineofheredityforthefacultyofquickrecognition。Hehadnowsomedifficultyinfindingthechiefmagistrate，andendedbylearningthathewasinthetea-room，asmallapartmentdevotedtolightrefectionneartheentranceofthehouse。Hereouryoungmanpresentlyperceivedhimseatedonasofaandinconversationwithalady。Therewereanumberofpeopleaboutthetable，eating，drinking，talking；andthecoupleonthesofa，whichwasnotnearitbutagainstthewall，inashallowrecess，lookedalittlewithdrawn，asiftheyhadsoughtseclusionandweredisposedtoprofitbythedivertedattentionoftheothers。ThePresidentleanedback；hisglovedhands，restingoneitherknee，madelargewhitespots。Helookedeminent，buthelookedrelaxed，andtheladybesidehimministeredfreelyandwithoutscruple，itwasclear，tothiseffectofhiscomfortablyunbending。Vogelsteincaughthervoiceasheapproached。Heheardhersay\"Wellnow，remember；Iconsideritapromise。\"Shewasbeautifullydressed，inrose-colour；herhandswereclaspedinherlapandhereyesattachedtothepresidentialprofile。
\"Well，madam，inthatcaseit’saboutthefiftiethpromiseI’vegivento-day。\"
Itwasjustasheheardthesewords，utteredbyhercompanioninreply，thatCountOttocheckedhimself，turnedawayandpretendedtobelookingforacupoftea。Itwasn’tusualtodisturbthePresident，evensimplytoshakehands，whenhewassittingonasofawithalady，andtheyoungsecretaryfeltitinthiscaselesspossiblethanevertobreaktherule，fortheladyonthesofawasnoneotherthanPandoraDay。Hehadrecognisedherwithoutherappearingtoseehim，andevenwithhalfaneye，astheysaid，hadtakeninthatshewasnowapersontobereckonedwith。Shehadanairofelation，ofsuccess；sheshone，tointensity，inherrose-
coloureddress；shewasextractingpromisesfromtheruleroffiftymillionsofpeople。Whatanoddplacetomeether，heroldshipmatethought，andhowlittleonecouldtell，afterall，inAmerica，whopeoplewere！Hedidn’twanttospeaktoheryet；hewantedtowaitalittleandlearnmore；butmeanwhiletherewassomethingattractiveinthefactthatshewasjustbehindhim，afewyardsoff，thatifheshouldturnhemightseeheragain。ItwassheMrs。
Bonnycastlehadmeant，itwasshewhowassomuchadmiredinNewYork。Herfacewasthesame，yethehadmadeoutinamomentthatshewasvaguelyprettier；hehadrecognisedthearchofhernose，whichsuggestedafineambition。Hetooksometea，whichhehadn’tdesired，inordernottogoaway。Herememberedherentourageonthesteamer；herfatherandmother，thesilentsenselessburghers，solittle\"oftheworld，\"herinfantsister，somuchofit，herhumorousbrotherwithhistallhatandhisinfluenceinthesmoking-
room。HerememberedMrs。Dangerfield’swarnings——yetherperplexitiestoo——andtheletterfromMr。Bellamy，andtheintroductiontoMr。Lansing，andthewayPandorahadstoopeddownonthedirtydock，laughingandtalking，mistressofthesituation，toopenhertrunkfortheCustoms。Hewasprettysureshehadpaidnodutiesthatday；thiswouldnaturallyhavebeenthepurposeofMr。
Bellamy’sletter。Wasshestillincorrespondencewiththatgentleman，andhadhegotoverthesicknessinterferingwiththeirreunion？TheseimagesandthesequestionscoursedthroughCountOtto’smind，andhesawitmustbequiteinPandora’slinetobemistressofthesituation，fortherewasevidentlynothingonthepresentoccasionthatcouldcallitselfhermaster。Hedrankhisteaandas；heputdownhiscupheardthePresident，behindhim，say：\"Well，IguessmywifewillwonderwhyIdon’tcomehome。\"
\"Whydidn’tyoubringherwithyou？\"Pandorabenevolentlyasked。
\"Well，shedoesn’tgooutmuch。Thenshehasgothersisterstayingwithher——Mrs。Runkle，fromNatchez。She’sagooddealofaninvalid，andmywifedoesn’tliketoleaveher。\"
\"Shemustbeaverykindwoman\"——andtherewasahighmaturecompetenceinthewaythegirlsoundedthenoteofapproval。
\"Well，Iguesssheisn’tspoiled——yet。\"
\"Ishouldlikeverymuchtocomeandseeher，\"saidPandora。
\"Docomeround。Couldn’tyoucomesomenight？\"thegreatmanresponded。
\"Well，I’llcomesometime。AndIshallremindyouofyourpromise。\"
\"Allright。There’snothinglikekeepingitup。Well，\"saidthePresident，\"Imustbidgood-byetothesebrightfolks。\"
Vogelsteinheardhimrisefromthesofawithhiscompanion；afterwhichhegavethepairtimetopassoutoftheroombeforehim。
Theydiditwithacertainimpressivedeliberation，peoplemakingwayfortheruleroffiftymillionsandlookingwithacertaincuriosityatthestrikingpinkpersonathisside。Whenalittlelaterhefollowedthemacrossthehall，intooneoftheotherrooms，hesawthehostandhostessaccompanythePresidenttothedoorandtwoforeignministersandajudgeoftheSupremeCourtaddressthemselvestoPandoraDay。Heresistedtheimpulsetojointhiscircle：ifheshouldspeaktoheratallhewouldsomehowwishittobeinmoreprivacy。Shecontinuedneverthelesstooccupyhim，andwhenMrs。Bonnycastlecamebackfromthehallheimmediatelyapproachedherwithanappeal。\"Iwishyou’dtellmesomethingmoreaboutthatgirl——thatoneoppositeandinpink。\"
\"ThelovelyDay——that’swhattheycallher，Ibelieve？Iwantedyoutotalkwithher。\"
\"IfindsheistheoneI’vemet。Butsheseemstobesodifferenthere。Ican’tmakeitout，\"saidCountOtto。
TherewassomethinginhisexpressionthatagainmovedMrs。
Bonnycastletomirth。\"HowwedopuzzleyouEuropeans！Youlookquitebewildered。\"
\"I’msorryIlookso——Itrytohideit。Butofcoursewe’reverysimple。Letmeaskthenasimpleearnestchildlikequestion。Areherparentsalsoinsociety？\"
\"Parentsinsociety？D’outombez-vous？Didyoueverhearoftheparentsofatriumphantgirlinrose-colour，withanoseallherown，insociety？\"
\"Isshethenallalone？\"hewentonwithastrainofmelancholyinhisvoice。
Mrs。Bonnycastlelaunchedathimallherlaughter。
\"You’retoopathetic。Don’tyouknowwhatsheis？Isupposedofcourseyouknew。\"
\"It’sexactlywhatI’maskingyou。\"
\"Whyshe’sthenewtype。Ithasonlycomeuplately。Theyhavehadarticlesaboutitinthepapers。That’sthereasonItoldMrs。
Steubentobringher。\"
\"Thenewtype？WHATnewtype，Mrs。Bonnycastle？\"hereturnedpleadingly——soconsciouswashethatalltypesinAmericawerenew。
Herlaughtercheckedherreplyamoment，andbythetimeshehadrecoveredherselftheyoungladyfromBoston，withwhomVogelsteinhadbeentalking，stoodtheretotakeleave。This，foranAmericantype，wasanoldone，hewassure；andtheprocessofpartingbetweentheguestandherhostesshadanancientelaboration。CountOttowaitedalittle；thenheturnedawayandwalkeduptoPandoraDay，whosegroupofinterlocutorshadnowbeenre-enforcedbyagentlemanwhohadheldanimportantplaceinthecabinetofthelateoccupantofthepresidentialchair。HehadaskedMrs。Bonnycastleifshewere\"allalone\"；buttherewasnothinginherpresentsituationtoshowherforsolitary。Shewasn’tsufficientlyaloneforourfriend’staste；buthewasimpatientandhehopedshe’dgivehimafewwordstohimself。Sherecognisedhimwithoutamoment’shesitationandwiththesweetestsmile，asmilematchingtoashadethetoneinwhichshesaid：\"Iwaswatchingyou。Iwonderedifyouweren’tgoingtospeaktome。\"
\"MissDaywaswatchinghim！\"oneoftheforeignministersexclaimed；
\"andweflatteredourselvesthatherattentionwasallwithus。\"
\"Imeanbefore，\"saidthegirl，\"whileIwastalkingwiththePresident。\"
Atwhichthegentlemenbegantolaugh，oneofthemremarkingthatthiswasthewaytheabsentweresacrificed，eventhegreat；whileanotherputonrecordthathehopedVogelsteinwasdulyflattered。
\"OhIwaswatchingthePresidenttoo，\"saidPandora。\"I’vegottowatchHIM。Hehaspromisedmesomething。\"
\"ItmustbethemissiontoEngland，\"thejudgeoftheSupremeCourtsuggested。\"Agoodpositionforalady；they’vegotaladyattheheadoverthere。\"
\"Iwishtheywouldsendyoutomycountry，\"oneoftheforeignministerssuggested。\"I’dimmediatelygetrecalled。\"
\"WhyperhapsinyourcountryIwouldn’tspeaktoyou！It’sonlybecauseyou’rehere，\"theex-heroineoftheDonaureturnedwithagayfamiliaritywhichevidentlyrankedwithherbutasoneoftheartsofdefence。\"You’llseewhatmissionitiswhenitcomesout。
ButI’llspeaktoCountVogelsteinanywhere，\"shewenton。\"He’sanolderfriendthananyrighthere。I’veknownhimindifficultdays。\"
\"Ohyes，onthegreatocean，\"theyoungmansmiled。\"Onthewaterywaste，inthetempest！\"
\"OhIdon’tmeanthatsomuch；wehadabeautifulvoyageandtherewasn’tanytempest。ImeanwhenIwaslivinginUtica。That’sawaterywasteifyoulike，andatempesttherewouldhavebeenapleasantvariety。\"
\"Yourparentsseemedtomesopeaceful！\"herassociateintheothermemoriessighedwithavaguewishtosaysomethingsympathetic。
\"Ohyouhaven’tseenthemashore！AtUticatheywereverylively。
Butthat’snolongerournaturalhome。Don’tyourememberItoldyouIwasworkingforNewYork？Well，Iworked——lhadtoworkhard。
Butwe’vemoved。\"
CountOttoclungtohisinterest。\"AndIhopethey’rehappy。\"
\"Myfatherandmother？Ohtheywillbe，intime。Imustgivethemtime。They’reveryyoungyet，they’veyearsbeforethem。Andyou’vebeenalwaysinWashington？\"Pandoracontinued。\"Isupposeyou’vefoundouteverythingabouteverything。\"
\"Ohno——therearesomethingsICAN’Tfindout。\"
\"ComeandseemeandperhapsIcanhelpyou。I’mverydifferentfromwhatIwasinthatphase。I’veadvancedagreatdealsincethen。\"
\"OhhowwasMissDayinthatphase？\"askedacabinetministerofthelastadministration。
\"Shewasdelightfulofcourse，\"CountOttosaid。
\"He’sveryflattering；Ididn’topenmymouth！\"Pandoracried。
\"HerecomesMrs。Steubentotakemetosomeotherplace。Ibelieveit’saliterarypartyneartheCapitol。EverythingseemssoseparateinWashington。Mrs。Steuben’sgoingtoreadapoem。I
wishshe’dreadithere；wouldn’titdoaswell？\"
Thislady，arriving，signifiedtoheryoungfriendthenecessityoftheirmovingon。ButMissDay’scompanionshadvariousthingstosaytoherbeforegivingherup。Shehadavividanswerforeach，anditwasbroughthometoVogelsteinwhilehelistenedthatthiswouldbeindeed，inherdevelopment，asshesaid，anotherphase。
Daughterofsmallburghersasshemightbeshewasreallybrilliant。
HeturnedawayalittleandwhileMrs。Steubenwaitedputheraquestion。HehadmadeherhalfanhourbeforethesubjectofthatinquirytowhichMrs。Bonnycastlereturnedsoambiguousananswer；
butthiswasn’tbecausehefailedofalldirectacquaintancewiththeamiablewomanorofanygeneralideaoftheesteeminwhichshewasheld。Hehadmetherinvariousplacesandhadbeenatherhouse。Shewasthewidowofacommodore，wasahandsomemildsoftswayingperson，whomeveryoneliked，withglossybandsofblackhairandalittleringletdependingbehindeachear。Someonehadsaidthatshelookedlikethevieuxjeu，ideaofthequeeninHamlet。ShehadwrittenverseswhichwereadmiredintheSouth，woreafull-lengthportraitofthecommodoreonherbosomandspokewiththeaccentofSavannah。ShehadaboutherapositivestrongodourofWashington。IthadcertainlybeenverysuperfluousinouryoungmantoquestionMrs。Bonnycastleabouthersocialposition。
\"Dokindlytellme，\"hesaid，loweringhisvoice，\"what’sthetypetowhichthatyoungladybelongs？Mrs。Bonnycastletellsmeit’sanewone。\"
Mrs。Steubenforamomentfixedherliquideyesonthesecretaryoflegation。Shealwaysseemedtobetranslatingtheproseofyourspeechintothefinerrhythmswithwhichherownmindwasfamiliar。
\"Doyouthinkanything’sreallynew？\"shethenbegantoflute。\"I’mveryfondoftheold；youknowthat’saweaknessofweSoutherners。\"
Thepoorlady，itwillbeobserved，hadanotherweaknessaswell。
\"Whatweoftentaketobethenewissimplytheoldundersomenovelform。Weretherenotremarkablenaturesinthepast？IfyoudoubtityoushouldvisittheSouth，wherethepaststilllingers。\"
VogelsteinhadbeenstruckbeforethiswithMrs。Steuben’spronunciationofthewordbywhichhernativelatitudesweredesignated；transcribingitfromherlipsyouwouldhavewrittenit（asthenearestapproach）theSooth。Butatpresenthescarceheededthispeculiarity；hewaswonderingratherhowawomancouldbeatoncesocopiousandsouninforming。WhatdidhecareaboutthepastorevenabouttheSooth？Hewasafraidofstartingheragain。Helookedather，discouragedandhelpless，asbewilderedalmostasMrs。Bonnycastlehadfoundhimhalfanhourbefore；lookedalsoatthecommodore，who，onherbosom，seemedtobreatheagainwithhiswidow’srespirations。\"Callitanoldtypethenifyoulike，\"hesaidinamoment。\"AllIwanttoknowiswhattypeitIS！
Itseemsimpossible，\"hegasped，\"tofindout。\"
\"Youcanfindoutinthenewspapers。They’vehadarticlesaboutit。
Theywriteabouteverythingnow。Butitisn’ttrueaboutMissDay。
It’soneofthefirstfamilies。Hergreat-grandfatherwasintheRevolution。\"PandorabythistimehadgivenherattentionagaintoMrs。Steuben。Sheseemedtosignifythatshewasreadytomoveon。
\"Wasn’tyourgreat-grandfatherintheRevolution？\"theelderladyasked。\"I’mtellingCountVogelsteinabouthim。\"
\"Whyareyouaskingaboutmyancestors？\"thegirldemandedoftheyoungGermanwithuntemperedbrightness。\"Isthatthethingyousaidjustnowthatyoucan’tfindout？Well，ifMrs。Steubenwillonlybequietyouneverwill。\"
Mrs。Steubenshookherheadratherdreamily。\"Well，it’snotroubleforweoftheSoothtobequiet。There’sakindoflanguorinourblood。Besides，wehavetobeto-day。ButI’vegottoshowsomeenergyto-night。I’vegottogetyoutotheendofPennsylvaniaAvenue。\"
PandoragaveherhandtoCountOttoandaskedhimifhethoughttheyshouldmeetagain。HeansweredthatinWashingtonpeoplewerealwaysmeetingagainandthatatanyrateheshouldn’tfailtowaituponher。Hereupon，justasthetwoladiesweredetachingthemselves，Mrs。SteubenremarkedthatiftheCountandMissDaywishedtomeetagainthepicnicwouldbeagoodchance——thepicnicshewasgettingupforthefollowingThursday。Itwastoconsistofabouttwentybrightpeople，andthey’dgodownthePotomactoMountVernon。TheCountansweredthatifMrs。Steubenthoughthimbrightenoughheshouldbedelightedtojointheparty；andhewastoldthehourforwhichthetrystwastaken。
HeremainedatMrs。Bonnycastle’saftereveryonehadgone，andthenheinformedthisladyofhisreasonforwaiting。Wouldshehavemercyonhimandlethimknow，inasingleword，beforehewenttorest——forwithoutitrestwouldbeimpossible——whatwasthisfamoustypetowhichPandoraDaybelonged？
\"Gracious，youdon’tmeantosayyou’venotfoundoutthattypeyet！\"Mrs。Bonnycastleexclaimedwithareturnofherhilarity。
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingalltheevening？YouGermansmaybethorough，butyoucertainlyarenotquick！\"
ItwasAlfredBonnycastlewhoatlasttookpityonhim。\"MydearVogelstein，she’sthelatestfreshestfruitofourgreatAmericanevolution。She’stheself-madegirl！\"
CountOttogazedamoment。\"ThefruitofthegreatAmericanRevolution？Yes，Mrs。Steubentoldmehergreat-grandfather——\"buttherestofhissentencewaslostinarenewedexplosionofMrs。
Bonnycastle’ssenseoftheridiculous。Hebravelypushedhisadvantage，suchasitwas，however，and，desiringhishost’sdefinitiontobedefined，inquiredwhattheself-madegirlmightbe。
\"Sitdownandwe’lltellyouallaboutit，\"Mrs。Bonnycastlesaid。
\"Iliketalkingthisway，afteraparty’sover。Youcansmokeifyoulike，andAlfredwillopenanotherwindow。Well，tobeginwith，theself-madegirl’sanewfeature。That，however，youknow。Inthesecondplacesheisn’tself-madeatall。Weallhelptomakeher——wetakesuchaninterestinher。\"
\"That’sonlyaftershe’smade！\"AlfredBonnycastlebrokein。\"Butit’sVogelsteinthattakesaninterest。WhatonearthhasstartedyouupsoonthesubjectofMissDay？\"
Thevisitorexplainedaswellashecouldthatitwasmerelytheaccidentofhishavingcrossedtheoceaninthesteamerwithher；
buthefelttheinadequacyofthisaccountofthematter，feltitmorethanhishosts，whocouldknowneitherhowlittleactualcontacthehadhadwithherontheship，howmuchhehadbeenaffectedbyMrs。Dangerfield’swarnings，norhowmuchobservationatthesametimehehadlavishedonher。Hesattherehalfanhour，andthewarmdeadstillnessoftheWashingtonnight——nowherearethenightssosilent——cameinattheopenwindow，mingledwithasoftsweetearthysmell，thesmellofgrowingthingsandinparticular，ashethought，ofMrs。Steuben’sSooth。Beforehewentawayhehadheardallabouttheself-madegirl，andtherewassomethinginthepicturethatstronglyimpressedhim。ShewaspossibledoubtlessonlyinAmerica；Americanlifehadsmoothedthewayforher。Shewasnotfast，noremancipated，norcrude，norloud，andtherewasn’tinher，ofnecessityatleast，agrainofthestuffofwhichtheadventuressismade。Shewassimplyverysuccessful，andhersuccesswasentirelypersonal。Shehadn’tbeenbornwiththesilverspoonofsocialopportunity；shehadgraspeditbyhonestexertion。
Youknewherbymanydifferentsigns，butchiefly，infallibly，bytheappearanceofherparents。Itwasherparentswhotoldherstory；youalwayssawhowlittleherparentscouldhavemadeher。
Herattitudewithregardtothemmightvaryindifferentways。Asthegreatfactonherownsidewasthatshehadliftedherselffromalowersocialplane，doneitallherself，anddoneitbythesimpleleverofherpersonality，itwasnaturallytobeexpectedthatshewouldleavetheauthorsofhermerematerialbeingintheshade。
Sometimesshehadtheminherwake，lostinthebubblesandthefoamthatshowedwhereshehadpassed；sometimes，asAlfredBonnycastlesaid，sheletthemslidealtogether；sometimesshekeptthemincloseconfinement，resortingtothemundercoverofnightandwitheveryprecaution；sometimessheexhibitedthemtothepublicindiscreetglimpses，inprearrangedattitudes。Butthegeneralcharacteristicoftheself-madegirlwasthat，thoughitwasfrequentlyunderstoodthatshewasprivatelydevotedtoherkindred，sheneverattemptedtoimposethemonsociety，anditwasstrikingthat，thoughinsomeofhermanifestationsabore，shewasatherworstlessofaborethanthey。Theywerealmostalwayssolemnandportentous，andtheywereforthemostpartofadeathlyrespectability。Shewasn’tnecessarilysnobbish，unlessitwassnobbishtowantthebest。Shedidn’tcringe，shedidn’tmakeherselfsmallerthanshewas；shetookonthecontraryastandofherownandattractedthingstoherself。NaturallyshewaspossibleonlyinAmerica——onlyinacountrywherewholerangesofcompetitionandcomparisonwereabsent。Thenaturalhistoryofthisinterestingcreaturewasatlastcompletelylaidbaretotheearneststranger，who，ashesatthereintheanimatedstillness，withthefragrantbreathoftheWesternworldinhisnostrils，wasconvincedofwhathehadalreadysuspected，thatconversationinthegreatRepublicwasmoreyearningly，nottosaygropingly，psychologicalthanelsewhere。Anotherthing，ashelearned，thatyouknewtheself-
madegirlbywasherculture，whichwasperhapsalittletoorestlessandobvious。Shehadusuallygotintosocietymoreorlessbyreading，andherconversationwasapttobegarnishedwithliteraryallusions，evenwithfamiliarquotations。Vogelsteinhadn’thadtimetoobservethiselementasadevelopedforminPandoraDay；butAlfredBonnycastlehintedthathewouldn’ttrusthertokeepitunderinatete-a-tete。ItwasneedlesstosaythattheseyoungpersonshadalwaysbeentoEurope；thatwasusuallythefirstplacetheygotto。Bysuchartstheysometimesenteredsocietyontheothersidebeforetheydidsoathome；itwastobeaddedatthesametimethatthisresourcewaslessandlessvaluable，forEurope，intheAmericanworld，hadlessandlessprestigeandpeopleintheWesternhemispherenowkeptawatchonthatroundaboutroad。AllofwhichquiteappliedtoPandoraDay——
thejourneytoEurope，theculture（asexemplifiedinthebooksshereadontheship），therelegation，theeffacement，ofthefamily。
Theonlythingthatwasexceptionalwastherapidityofhermarch；
forthejumpshehadtakensinceheleftherinthehandsofMr。
LansingstruckVogelstein，evenafterhehadmadeallallowancefortheabnormalhomogeneityoftheAmericanmass，asreallyconsiderable。Ittookallherclevernesstoaccountforsuchthings。Whenshe\"moved\"fromUtica——mobilisedhercommissariat——
thebattleappearedvirtuallytohavebeengained。
CountOttocalledthenextday，andMrs。Steuben’sblackamoorinformedhim，inthecommunicativemannerofhisrace，thattheladieshadgoneouttopaysomevisitsandlookattheCapitol。
Pandoraapparentlyhadnothithertoexaminedthismonument，andouryoungmanwishedhehadknown，theeveningbefore，ofheromission，sothathemighthaveofferedtobeherinitiator。ThereistooobviousaconnexionforustofailofcatchingitbetweenhisregretandthefactthatinleavingMrs。Steuben’sdoorheremindedhimselfthathewantedagoodwalk，andthathethereupontookhiswayalongPennsylvaniaAvenue。Hiswalkhadbecomefairlygoodbythetimehereachedthegreatwhiteedificethatunfoldsitsrepeatedcolonnadesandupliftsitsisolateddomeattheendofalongvistaofsaloonsandtobacco-shops。Heslowlyclimbedthegreatsteps，hesitatingalittle，evenwonderingwhyhehadcome。Thesuperficialreasonwasobviousenough，buttherewasarealonebehinditthatstruckhimasratherwantinginthesoliditywhichshouldcharacterisethemotivesofanemissaryofPrinceBismarck。ThesuperficialreasonwasabeliefthatMrs。Steubenwouldpayhervisitfirst——itwasprobablyonlyaquestionofleavingcards——andbringheryoungfriendtotheCapitolatthehourwhentheyellowafternoonlightwouldgiveatonetotheblanknessofitsmarblewalls。TheCapitolwasasplendidbuilding，butitwasratherwantingintone。
Vogelstein’scuriosityaboutPandoraDayhadbeenmuchmorequickenedthancheckedbytherevelationsmadetohiminMrs。
Bonnycastle’sdrawing-room。Itwasarelieftohavethecreatureclassified；buthehadadesire，ofwhichhehadnotbeenconsciousbefore，toseereallytotheendhowwell，inotherwordshowcompletelyandartistically，agirlcouldmakeherself。Hiscalculationshadbeenjust，andhehadwanderedabouttherotundaforonlytenminutes，lookingagainatthepaintings，commemorativeofthenationalannals，whichoccupyitslowerspaces，andatthesimulatedsculptures，sotouchinglycharacteristicofearlyAmericantaste，whichadornitsupperreaches，whenthecharmingwomenhehadbeencountingonpresentedthemselvesinchargeofalicensedguide。
Hewenttomeetthemanddidn’tconcealfromthemthathehadmarkedthemforhisveryown。Theencounterwashappyonbothsides，andheaccompaniedthemthroughthequeerandendlessinterior，throughlabyrinthsofbleakbaredevelopment，intolegislativeandjudicialhalls。Hethoughtitahideousplace；hehadseenitallbeforeandaskedhimselfwhatsenselessgamehewasplaying。InthelowerHousewerecertainbedaubedwalls，inthebaseststyleofimitation，whichmadehimfeelfaintlysick，nottospeakofalobbyadornedwithartlessprintsandphotographsofeminentdefunctCongressmenthatwasalltooseriousforajokeandtoocomicforaValhalla。
ButPandorawasgreatlyinterested；shethoughttheCapitolveryfine；itwaseasytocriticisethedetails，butasawholeitwasthemostimpressivebuildingshehadeverseen。Sheprovedacharmingfellowtourist；shehadconstantlysomethingtosay，butneversaidittoomuch；itwasimpossibletodraginthewakeofaciceronelessofalengtheningoranirritatingchain。Vogelsteincouldseetoothatshewishedtoimprovehermind；shelookedatthehistoricalpictures，attheuncannystatuesoflocalworthies，presentedbythedifferentStates——theywereofdifferentsizes，asiftheyhadbeen\"numbered，\"inashop——sheaskedquestionsoftheguideandinthechamberoftheSenaterequestedhimtoshowherthechairsofthegentlemenfromNewYork。Shesatdowninoneofthem，thoughMrs。SteubentoldherTHATSenator（shemistookthechair，droppingintoanotherState）wasahorridoldthing。
ThroughoutthehourhespentwithherVogelsteinseemedtoseehowitwasshehadmadeherself。Theywalkedabout，afterwardsonthesplendidterracethatsurroundstheCapitol，thegreatmarbleflooronwhichitstands，andmadevagueremarks——Pandora’swerethemostdefinite——abouttheyellowsheenofthePotomac，thehazyhillsofVirginia，thefar-gleamingpedimentofArlington，therawconfused-
lookingcountry。Washingtonwasbeneaththem，bristlingandgeometrical；thelonglinesofitsavenuesseemedtostretchintonationalfutures。PandoraaskedCountOttoifhehadeverbeentoAthensand，onhisadmittingsomuch，soughttoknowwhethertheeminenceonwhichtheystooddidn’tgivehimanideaoftheAcropolisinitsprime。Vogelsteindeferredthesatisfactionofthisappealtotheirnextmeeting；hewasglad——inspiteoftheappeal——tomakepretextsforseeingheragain。Hedidsoonthemorrow；Mrs。Steuben’spicnicwasstillthreedaysdistant。HecalledonPandoraasecondtime，alsomethereacheveningintheWashingtonworld。IttookverylittleofthistoremindhimthathewasforgettingbothMrs。Dangerfield’swarningsandtheadmonitions——
longfamiliartohim——ofhisownconscience。Washeinperiloflove？WashetobesacrificedonthealtaroftheAmericangirl，analtaratwhichthoseotherpoorfellowshadpouredoutsomeofthebluestbloodinGermanyandhehadhimselftakenoathhewouldneverseriouslyworship？Hedecidedthathewasn’tinrealdanger，thathehadratherclinchedhisprecautions。Itwastruethatayoungpersonwhohadsucceededsowellforherselfmightbeagreathelptoherhusband；butthisdiplomaticaspirantpreferredonthewholethathissuccessshouldbehisown：itwouldn’tpleasehimtohavetheairofbeingpushedbyhiswife。Suchawifeasthatwouldwishtopushhim，andhecouldhardlyadmittohimselfthatthiswaswhatfatehadinreserveforhim——tobepropelledinhiscareerbyayoungladywhowouldperhapsattempttotalktotheKaiserashehadheardhertheothernighttalktothePresident。Wouldsheconsenttodiscontinuerelationswithherfamily，orwouldshewishstilltoborrowplasticrelieffromthatdomesticbackground？Thatherfamilywassoimpossiblewastoacertainextentanadvantage；foriftheyhadbeenalittlebetterthequestionofarupturewouldbelesseasy。Heturnedoverthesequestionsinspiteofhissecurity，orperhapsindeedbecauseofit。Thesecuritymadethemspeculativeanddisinterested。
TheyhauntedhimduringtheexcursiontoMountVernon，whichtookplaceaccordingtotraditionslongestablished。Mrs。Steuben’sconfederatesassembledonthesteamerandweresetafloatonthebigbrownstreamwhichhadalreadyseemedtoourspecialtravellertohavetoomuchbosomandtoolittlebank。Hereandthere，however，hebecameconsciousofashorewheretherewassomethingtolookat，eventhoughconsciousatthesametimethathehadofoldlostgreatopportunitiesofanidylliccastinnothavingmanagedtobemore\"thrownwith\"acertainyoungladyonthedeckoftheNorthGermanLloyd。ThetwoturnedroundtogethertohangoverAlexandria，whichforPandora，asshedeclared，wasapictureofOldVirginia。ShetoldVogelsteinthatshewasalwayshearingaboutitduringtheCivilWar，agesbefore。Littlegirlasshehadbeenatthetimesherememberedallthenamesthatwereonpeople’slipsduringthoseyearsofreiteration。Thishistoricspothadatouchoftheromanceofrichdecay，areferencetoolderthings，toadramaticpast。ThepastofAlexandriaappearedinthevistaofthreeorfourshortstreetsslopingupahillandlinedwithpoorbrickwarehouseserectedformerchandisethathadceasedtocomeorgo。Itlookedhotandblankandsleepy，downtotheshabbywatersidewheretattereddarkiesdangledtheirbarefeetfromtheedgeofrottingwharves。PandorawasevenmoreinterestedinMountVernon——whenatlastitswoodedbluffbegantocommandtheriver——thanshehadbeenintheCapitol，andaftertheyhaddisembarkedandascendedtothecelebratedmansionsheinsistedongoingintoeveryroomitcontained。She\"claimedforit，\"asshesaid——someofherturnsweresocharacteristicbothofhernationalityandherownstyle——
thefinestsituationintheworld，andwasdistinctastotheshameoftheirnotgivingittothePresidentforhiscountry-seat。Mostofhercompanionshadseenthehouseoften，andwerenowcouplingthemselvesinthegroundsaccordingtotheirsympathies，sothatitwaseasyforVogelsteintoofferthebenefitofhisownexperiencetothemostinquisitivememberoftheparty。Theywerenottolunchforanotherhour，andintheintervaltheyoungmanroamedwithhisfirstandfairestacquaintance。ThebreathofthePotomac，ontheboat，hadbeenalittleharsh，butonthesoftly-curvinglawn，beneaththeclusteredtrees，withtheriverrelegatedtoamereshiningpresencefarbelowandinthedistance，thedaygaveoutnothingbutitsmildness，thewholescenebecamenobleandgenial。
CountOttocouldjokealittleongreatoccasions，andthepresentonewasworthyofhishumour。Hemaintainedtohiscompanionthattheshallowpaintedmansionresembledafalsehouse，a\"wing\"orstructureofdaubedcanvas，onthestage；butsheansweredhimsowellwithcertaineconomicalpalacesshehadseeninGermany，where，asshesaid，therewasnothingbutchinastovesandstuffedbirds，thathewasobligedtoallowthehomeofWashingtontobeafterallreallygemuthlich。Whathefoundsoinfactwasthesofttextureoftheday，hispersonalsituation，thesweetnessofhissuspense。Forsuspensehaddecidedlybecomehisportion；hewasunderacharmthatmadehimfeelhewaswatchinghisownlifeandthathissusceptibilitieswerebeyondhiscontrol。Ithungoverhimthatthingsmighttakeaturn，fromonehourtotheother，whichwouldmakethemverydifferentfromwhattheyhadbeenyet；andhisheartcertainlybeatalittlefasterashewonderedwhatthatturnmightbe。WhydidhecometopicnicsonfragrantAprildayswithAmericangirlswhomightleadhimtoofar？Wouldn’tsuchgirlsbegladtomarryaPomeraniancount？AndWOULDthey，afterall，talkthatwaytotheKaiser？Ifheweretomarryoneofthemheshouldhavetogiveherseveralthoroughlessons。
Intheirlittletourofthehouseouryoungfriendandhiscompanionhadhadagreatmanyfellowvisitors，whohadalsoarrivedbythesteamerandwhohadhithertonotleftthemanidealprivacy。Buttheothersgraduallydispersed；theycircledaboutakindofshowmanwhowastheauthorisedguide，abigslowgenialvulgarheavily-
beardedman，withawhimsicaledifyingpatronisingtone，atonethathadimmensesuccesswhenhestoppedhereandtheretomakehispoints——topasshiseyesoverhislisteningflock，thenfixthemquiteaboveitwithameditativelookandbringoutsomeancientpleasantryasifitwereasuddeninspiration。Hemadeacheerfulthing，anechooftheplatformbeforetheboothofacountryfair，evenofavisittothetombofthepaterpatriae。Itisenshrinedinakindofgrottointhegrounds，andVogelsteinremarkedtoPandorathathewasagoodmanfortheplace，butwastoofamiliar。
\"Ohhe’dhavebeenfamiliarwithWashington，\"saidthegirlwiththebrightdrynesswithwhichsheoftenutteredamusingthings。
Vogelsteinlookedatheramoment，anditcameoverhim，ashesmiled，thatsheherselfprobablywouldn’thavebeenabashedevenbytheherowithwhomhistoryhastakenfewestliberties。\"Youlookasifyoucouldhardlybelievethat，\"Pandorawenton。\"YouGermansarealwaysinsuchaweofgreatpeople。\"AnditoccurredtohercriticthatperhapsafterallWashingtonwouldhavelikedhermanner，whichwaswonderfullyfreshandnatural。ThemanwiththebeardwasanidealministertoAmericanshrines；heplayedonthecuriosityofhislittlebandwiththetouchofamaster，drawingthemattherightmomentawaytoseetheclassicice-housewheretheoldladyhadbeenfoundweepinginthebeliefitwasWashington’sgrave。Whilethismonumentwasunderinspectionourinterestingcouplehadthehousetothemselves，andtheyspentsometimeonaprettyterracewherecertainwindowsofthesecondflooropened——alittlerootlessverandahwhichoverhung，inamanner，obliquely，allthemagnificenceoftheview；theimmensesweepoftheriver，theartisticplantations，thelast-centurygardenwithitsbigboxhedgesandremainsofoldespaliers。Theylingeredherefornearlyhalfanhour，anditwasinthisretirementthatVogelsteinenjoyedtheonlyapproachtointimateconversationappointedforhim，aswastoappear，withayoungwomaninwhomhehadbeenunabletopersuadehimselfthathewasnotabsorbed。It’snotnecessary，andit’snotpossible，thatIshouldreproducethiscolloquy；butImaymentionthatitbegan——astheyleanedagainsttheparapetoftheterraceandheardthecheerfulvoiceoftheshowmanwafteduptothemfromadistance——withhissayingtoherratherabruptlythathecouldn’tmakeoutwhytheyhadn’thadmoretalktogetherwhentheycrossedtheAtlantic。
\"Well，Icanifyoucan’t，\"saidPandora。\"I’dhavetalkedquickenoughifyouhadspokentome。Ispoketoyoufirst。\"
\"Yes，Irememberthat\"——anditaffectedhimawkwardly。
\"YoulistenedtoomuchtoMrs。Dangerfield。\"
Hefeignedavagueness。\"ToMrs。Dangerfield？\"
\"Thatwomanyouwerealwayssittingwith；shetoldyounottospeaktome。I’veseenherinNewYork；shespeakstomenowherself。
Sherecommendedyoutohavenothingtodowithme。\"
\"Ohhowcanyousaysuchdreadfulthings？\"CountOttocriedwithaverybecomingblush。
\"Youknowyoucan’tdenyit。Youweren’tattractedbymyfamily。
They’recharmingpeoplewhenyouknowthem。Idon’thaveabettertimeanywherethanIhaveathome，\"thegirlwentonloyally。\"Butwhatdoesitmatter？Myfamilyareveryhappy。They’regettingquiteusedtoNewYork。Mrs。Dangerfield’savulgarwretch——nextwintershe’llcallonme。\"
\"YouareunlikeanyMadchenI’veeverseen——Idon’tunderstandyou，\"
saidpoorVogelsteinwiththecolourstillinhisface。
\"Well，youneverWILLunderstandme——probably；butwhatdifferencedoesitmake？\"
Heattemptedtotellherwhatdifference，butI’venospacetofollowhimhere。It’sknownthatwhentheGermanmindattemptstoexplainthingsitdoesn’talwaysreducethemtosimplicity，andPandorawasfirstmystified，thenamused，bysomeoftheCount’srevelations。AtlastIthinkshewasalittlefrightened，forsheremarkedirrelevantly，withsomedecision，thatluncheonwouldbereadyandthattheyoughttojoinMrs。Steuben。Hercompanionwalkedslowly，onpurpose，astheyleftthehousetogether，forheknewthepangofavaguesensethathewaslosingher。
\"AndshallyoubeinWashingtonmanydaysyet？\"heappealedastheywent。
\"Itwillalldepend。I’mexpectingimportantnews。WhatIshalldowillbeinfluencedbythat。\"
Thewayshetalkedaboutexpectingnews——andimportant！——madehimfeelsomehowthatshehadacareer，thatshewasactiveandindependent，sothathecouldscarcelyhopetostopherasshepassed。Itwascertainlytruethathehadneverseenanygirllikeher。ItwouldhaveoccurredtohimthatthenewsshewasexpectingmighthavereferencetothefavourshehadbeggedofthePresident，ifhehadn’talreadymadeuphismind——inthecalmofmeditationafterthattalkwiththeBonnycastles——thatthisfavourmustbeapleasantry。Whatshehadsaidtohimhadadiscouraging，asomewhatchillingeffect；neverthelessitwasnotwithoutacertainardourthatheinquiredofherwhether，solongasshestayedinWashington，hemightn’tpayhercertainrespectfulattentions。
\"Asmanyasyoulike——andasrespectfulones；butyouwon’tkeepthemupforever！\"
\"Youtrytotormentme，\"saidCountOtto。
Shewaitedtoexplain。\"ImeanthatImayhavesomeofmyfamily。\"
\"Ishallbedelightedtoseethemagain。\"
Againshejusthungfire。\"Therearesomeyou’veneverseen。\"
Intheafternoon，returningtoWashingtononthesteamer，Vogelsteinreceivedawarning。ItcamefromMrs。Bonnycastleandconstituted，oddlyenough，thesecondjunctureatwhichanofficiousfemalefriendhad，whilesociablyafloatwithhim，advisedhimonthesubjectofPandoraDay。
\"There’sonethingweforgottotellyoutheothernightabouttheself-madegirl，\"saidtheladyofinfinitemirth。\"It’sneversafetofixyouraffectionsonher，becauseshehasalmostalwaysanimpedimentsomewhereinthebackground。\"
Helookedatheraskance，butsmiledandsaid：\"Ishouldunderstandyourinformation——forwhichI’msomuchobliged——alittlebetterifIknewwhatyoumeanbyanimpediment。\"
\"OhImeanshe’salwaysengagedtosomeyoungmanwhobelongstoherearlierphase。\"
\"Herearlierphase？\"
\"Thetimebeforeshehadmadeherself——whenshelivedunconsciousofherpowers。AyoungmanfromUtica，say。Theyusuallyhavetowait；he’sprobablyinastore。It’salongengagement。\"
CountOttosomehowpreferredtounderstandaslittleaspossible。
\"Doyoumeanabetrothal——totakeeffect？\"
\"Idon’tmeananythingGermanandmoonstruck。ImeanthatpieceofpeculiarlyAmericanenterpriseaprematureengagement——totakeeffect，buttoocomplacently，attheendoftime。\"
Vogelsteinveryproperlyreflectedthatitwasnousehishavingenteredthediplomaticcareerifheweren’tabletobearhimselfasifthisinterestinggeneralisationhadnoparticularmessageforhim。HedidMrs。Bonnycastlemoreoverthejusticetobelievethatshewouldn’thaveapproachedthequestionwithsuchlevityifshehadsupposedsheshouldmakehimwince。Thewholethingwas，likeeverythingelse，butforhertolaughat，andthebetrayalmoreoverofagoodintention。\"Isee，Isee——theself-madegirlhasofcoursealwayshadapast。Yes，andtheyoungmaninthestore——fromUtica——ispartofherpast。\"
\"Youexpressitperfectly，\"saidMrs。Bonnycastle。\"Icouldn’tsayitbettermyself。\"
\"Butwithherpresent，withherfuture，whentheychangelikethisyounglady’s，Isupposeeverythingelsechanges。HowdoyousayitinAmerica？Sheletshimslide。\"
\"Wedon’tsayitatall！\"Mrs。Bonnycastlecried。\"Shedoesnothingofthesort；forwhatdoyoutakeher？Shestickstohim；thatatleastiswhatweEXPECThertodo，\"sheaddedwithlessassurance。
\"AsItellyou，thetype’snewandthecaseunderconsideration。Wehaven’tyethadtimeforcompletestudy。\"
\"OhofcourseIhopeshestickstohim，\"VogelsteindeclaredsimplyandwithhisGermanaccentmoreaudible，asitalwayswaswhenhewasslightlyagitated。
Fortherestofthetriphewasratherrestless。Hewanderedabouttheboat，talkinglittlewiththereturningpicnickers。Towardthelast，astheydrewnearWashingtonandthewhitedomeoftheCapitolhungaloftbeforethem，lookingassimpleasasuspendedsnowball，hefoundhimself，onthedeck，inproximitytoMrs。Steuben。Hereproachedhimselfwithhavingratherneglectedherduringanentertainmentforwhichhewasindebtedtoherbounty，andhesoughttorepairhisomissionbyaproperdeference。ButtheonlyactofhomagethatoccurredtohimwastoaskherasbychancewhetherMissDaywere，toherknowledge，engaged。
Mrs。SteubenturnedherSoutherneyesuponhimwithalookofalmostromanticcompassion。\"Tomyknowledge？WhyofcourseI’dknow！I
shouldthinkyou’dknowtoo。Didn’tyouknowshewasengaged？Whyshehasbeenengagedsinceshewassixteen。\"
CountOttogazedatthedomeoftheCapitol。\"ToagentlemanfromUtica？
\"Yes，anativeofherplace。She’sexpectinghimsoon。\"
\"I’msoverygladtohearit，\"saidVogelstein，whodecidedly，forhiscareer，hadpromise。\"Andisshegoingtomarryhim？\"
\"WhywhatdopeoplefallinlovewitheachotherFOR？Ipresumethey’llmarrywhenshegetsroundtoit。AhifshehadonlybeenfromtheSooth——！\"
Atthishebrokequicklyin：\"Butwhyhavetheyneverbroughtitoff，asyousay，insomanyyears？\"
\"Well，atfirstshewastooyoung，andthenshethoughtherfamilyoughttoseeEurope——ofcoursetheycouldseeitbetterWITHher——
andtheyspentsometimethere。AndthenMr。Bellamyhadsomebusinessdifficultiesthatmadehimfeelasifhedidn’twanttomarryjustthen。ButhehasgivenupbusinessandIpresumefeelsmorefree。Ofcourseit’sratherlong，butallthewhilethey’vebeenengaged。It’satrue，truelove，\"saidMrs。Steuben，whosesoundoftheadjectivewasthatofafeebleflute。
\"IshisnameMr。Bellamy？\"theCountaskedwithhishauntingreminiscence。\"D。F。Bellamy，so？Andhashebeeninastore？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatkindofbusinessitwas：itwassomekindofbusinessinUtica。IthinkhehadabranchinNewYork。He’soneoftheleadinggentlemenofUticaandveryhighlyeducated。He’sagooddealolderthanMissDay。He’saveryfineman——Ipresumeacollegeman。HestandsveryhighinUtica。Idon’tknowwhyyoulookasifyoudoubtedit。\"
VogelsteinassuredMrs。Steubenthathedoubtednothing，andindeedwhatshetoldhimwasprobablythemorecredibleforseemingtohimeminentlystrange。Bellamyhadbeenthenameofthegentlemanwho，ayearandahalfbefore，wastohavemetPandoraonthearrivaloftheGermansteamer；itwasinBellamy’snamethatshehadaddressedherselfwithsucheffusiontoBellamy’sfriend，themaninthestrawhatwhowasabouttofumbleinhermother’soldclothes。ThiswasafactthatseemedtoCountOttotofinishthepictureofhercontradictions；itwantedatpresentnotouchtobecomplete。Yetevenasithungtherebeforehimitcontinuedtofascinatehim，andhestaredatit，detachedfromsurroundingthingsandfeelingalittleasifhehadbeenpitchedoutofanoverturnedvehicle，tilltheboatbumpedagainstoneoftheoutstandingpilesofthewharfatwhichMrs。Steuben’spartywastodisembark。Therewassomedelayingettingthesteameradjustedtothedock，duringwhichthepassengerswatchedtheprocessoveritssideandextractedwhatentertainmenttheymightfromtheappearanceofthevariouspersonscollectedtoreceiveit。Thereweredarkiesandloafersandhackmen，andalsovagueindividuals，theloosestandblankesthehadeverseenanywhere，withtuftsontheirchins，toothpicksintheirmouths，handsintheirpockets，ruminationintheirjawsanddiamondpinsintheirshirt-fronts，wholookedasiftheyhadsaunteredoverfromPennsylvaniaAvenuetowhileawayhalfanhour，forsakingforthatintervaltheirvariousslantingposturesintheporticoesofthehotelsandthedoorwaysofthesaloons。
\"OhI’msoglad！Howsweetofyoutocomedown！\"ItwasavoiceclosetoCountOtto’sshoulderthatspokethesewords，andhehadnoneedtoturntoseefromwhomitproceeded。Ithadbeeninhisearsthegreaterpartoftheday，though，ashenowperceived，withoutthefullestrichnessofexpressionofwhichitwascapable。Stilllesswasheobligedtoturntodiscovertowhomitwasaddressed，forthefewsimplewordsIhavequotedhadbeenflungacrossthenarrowingintervalofwater，andagentlemanwhohadsteppedtotheedgeofthedockwithoutouryoungman’sobservinghimtossedbackanimmediatereply。
\"Igotherebythethreeo’clocktrain。TheytoldmeinKStreetwhereyouwere，andIthoughtI’dcomedownandmeetyou。\"
\"Charmingattention！\"saidPandoraDaywiththelaughthatseemedalwaystoinvitethewholeofanycompanytopartakeinit；thoughforsomemomentsafterthissheandherinterlocutorappearedtocontinuetheconversationonlywiththeireyes。MeanwhileVogelstein’salsowerenotidle。Helookedathervisitorfromheadtofoot，andhewasawarethatshewasquiteunconsciousofhisownproximity。Thegentlemanbeforehimwastall，good-looking，well-
dressed；evidentlyhewouldstandwellnotonlyatUtica，but，judgingfromthewayhehadplantedhimselfonthedock，inanypositionthatcircumstancesmightcompelhimtotakeup。Hewasaboutfortyyearsold；hehadablackmoustacheandheseemedtolookattheworldoversomecounter-likeexpanseonwhichheinviteditallwarilyandpleasantlytoputdownfirstitsideaofthetermsofatransaction。HewavedaglovedhandatPandoraasif，whensheexclaimed\"Gracious，ain’ttheylong！\"tourgehertobepatient。
Shewaspatientseveralsecondsandthenaskedhimifhehadanynews。Helookedatherbriefly，insilence，smiling，afterwhichhedrewfromhispocketalargeletterwithanofficial-lookingsealandshookitjocoselyabovehishead。Thiswasdiscreetly，covertlydone。Noonebutouryoungmanappearedawareofhowmuchwastakingplace——andpoorCountOttomainlyfeltitintheair。Theboatwastouchingthewharfandthespacebetweenthepairinconsiderable。
\"DepartmentofState？\"Pandoraveryprettilyandsoundlesslymouthedacrossathim。
\"That’swhattheycallit。\"
\"Well，whatcountry？\"
\"What’syouropinionoftheDutch？\"thegentlemanaskedforanswer。
\"Ohgracious！\"criedPandora。
\"Well，areyougoingtowaitforthereturntrip？\"saidthegentleman。
Oursilentsuffererturnedaway，andpresentlyMrs。Steubenandhercompaniondisembarkedtogether。WhenthisladyenteredacarriagewithMissDaythegentlemanwhohadspokentothegirlfollowedthem；theothersscattered，andVogelstein，decliningwiththanksa\"lift\"fromMrs。Bonnycastle，walkedhomealoneandinsomeintensityofmeditation。TwodayslaterhesawinanewspaperanannouncementthatthePresidenthadofferedthepostofMinistertoHollandtoMr。D。F。BellamyofUtica；andinthecourseofamonthheheardfromMrs。SteubenthatPandora，athousandotherdutiesperformed，hadfinally\"gotround\"tothealtarofherownnuptials。
HecommunicatedthisnewstoMrs。Bonnycastle，whohadnothearditbutwho，shriekingatthequeerfaceheshowedher，metitwiththeremarkthattherewasnowgroundforanewinductionastotheself-
madegirl。