\"No，itgotme。Thetidecamein，andthesealbeat。\"
\"Iamgladofthat。\"
\"Thankyou。\"
\"Whatdidyouwantwithit？\"
\"Idon’tthinkIwanteditatall。Atanyrate，that’swhatIalwayssaid。Ishallhavetoaskyoutositonthisside，\"headded，looseningthesheetandpreparingtoshiftthesail。\"Thewindhasbackedroundalittlemoretothesouth，andit’sgettinglighter。\"
\"Ifit’sgoingdownweshallbelate，\"shesaid，withanintimationofapprehension。
\"WeshallbeatLeydenontime。Ifthewindfallsthen，Icangetahorseatthestableandhaveyoudrivenback。\"
\"Well。\"
Hekeptscanningthesky。Then，\"Didyoueverhearthemwhistleforawind？\"heasked。
\"No。Whatisitlike？\"
\"WhenAdamsdoesit，it’slikethis。\"Heputonafurtivelook，andglancedonceortwiceatheraskance。\"Well！\"hesaidwiththereproductionofastrongnasal，\"ofcourseIdon’tbelievethere’sanythinginit。Ofcourseit’sallfoolishness。Nowyoumusturgemealittle，\"headded，inhisownmanner。
\"Oh，byallmeansgoon，Mr。Adams，\"shecried，withalaugh。
Herolledhisheadagaintoonesidesheepishly。
\"Well，Idon’tpresumeitDOEShaveanythingtodowiththewind——well，I
don’tPRESUMEitdoes。\"Hewassilentlongenoughtowhetanimaginedexpectation；thenhesethisfacetowardsthesky，andbeganasoft，low，coaxingsibilationbetweenhisteeth。\"S-s-s-s；s-s-s-s-s-s！Well，itdon’tstandtoreasonitcanbringthewind——S-s-s-s-s-s-s；s-s-s-s。
Why，ofcourseit’sallfoolishness。S-s-s-s。\"Hecontinuedtoemitthesesibilants，interspersingthemwithAdams’sprotests。Suddenlythesailpulledtheloosesheettautandtheboatleapedforwardoverthewater。
\"Wonderful！\"criedthegirl。
\"That’swhatIsaidtoAdams，orwordstothateffect。ButIthoughtweshouldgetitfromthelookoftheskybeforeIproposedtowhistleforit。Now，then，\"hecontinued，\"Iwillbeserious，ifyoulike。\"
\"Serious？\"
\"Yes。Didn’tyouaskmetobeseriousjustbeforethosesealsinterruptedyou？\"
\"Oh！\"sheexclaimed，coloringalittle。\"Idon’tthinkwecangobacktothat，now。\"Hedidnotinsist，andshesaidpresently，\"Ithoughtthesailorshadasuperstitionaboutshipsthatareluckyandunlucky。Butyou’vekeptyourboat\"
\"Ikeptherforluck：thelightningneverstrikestwiceinthesameplace。AndIneversawaboatthatbehavedsowell。\"
\"Doyoucallitbehavingwelltotipover？\"
\"Shebehavedwellbeforethat。Shedidn’ttipoveroutsidethereef\"
\"Itcertainlygoesverysmoothly，\"saidthegirl。Shehadinvainrecurredtothetragicmotiveofhercoming；shecouldnotreviveit；
therehadbeennothinglikeexpiationinthiseventlessvoyage；ithadbeenapleasureandnopenance。Sheabandonedherselfwithaweakluxurytotherespitefromsufferingandanxiety；shemadeherselfthegoodcomradeoftheyoungmanwhomperhapssheeventemptedtoflatterherfartherandfartheroutofthedrearinessinwhichshehaddwelt；andifanywofulcurrentoffeelingsweptbeneath，shewouldnotfathomit，butresolutelyfloated，asonemayatsuchtimes，onthesurface。Theylaughedtogetherandjested；theytalkedinthegayidlenessofsuchraremoods。
Theypassedayachtatanchor，andayoungfellowinawhiteduckcap，leaningovertherail，salutedLibbywiththesignificantgravitywhichoneyoungmanusestowardsanotherwhomheseesinasail-boatwithaprettygirl。
Shelaughedatthis。\"Doyouknowyourfriend？\"sheasked。
\"Yes。ThistimeIdo？\"
\"Hefanciesyouaretakingsomeyoungladyasail。WhatwouldhesayifyouweretostopandintroducemetohimasDr。Breen？\"
\"Oh，heknowswhoyouare。It’sJohnson。\"
\"Theonewhoseclothesyoucameoverin，thatmorning？\"
\"Yes。Isupposeyoulaughedatme。\"
\"Ilikedyourhavingthecouragetodoit。Buthowdoesheknowme？\"
\"I——Idescribedyou。He’sratheranoldfriend。\"Thisalsoamusedher。
\"Ishouldliketohearhowyoudescribedme。\"
\"Iwilltellyousometime。Itwasanelaboratedescription。Icouldn’tgetthroughwithitnowbeforewelanded。\"
Theoldtownhadcomeoutofthehazeofthedistance，——astragglingvillageofweather-beatenwoodandweather-beatenwhitepaint，picturesque，butnolongeravisionofgraystoneandpalemarble。A
coal-yard，andabricklocomotivehouse，andramblingrailroadshedsstretchedalongthewater-front。Theyfoundtheirwayeasilyenoughthroughthesparseshippingtothestepsattheendofthewoodenpier，whereLibbydroppedthesailandmadehisboatfast。
Alittlepleasantgiddiness，asifthelightnessofherhearthadmountedtoherhead，madehergladofhisarmupthesestepsandupthewharf；
andshekeptitastheyclimbedtheslopingelm-shadedvillagestreettothemainthoroughfare，withitsbricksidewalks，itsshopsandawnings，anditscheerfulstirandtraffic。
Thetelegraphofficefrontedtheheadofthestreetwhichtheyhadascended。\"Youcansithereintheapothecary’stillIcomedown，\"hesaid。
\"Doyouthinkthatwillbeprofessionallyappropriate？Iamonlyanursenow。\"
\"No，Iwasn’tthinkingofthat。ButIsawachairinthere。Andwecanmakeapretenseofwantingsomesoda。Itistheproperthingtotreatyoungladiestosodawhenonebringstheminfromthecountry。\"
\"Itdoeshavethatappearance，\"sheassented，withasmile。Shekepthimwaitingwithwhatwouldhavelookedlikecoquettishhesitationinanother，whilesheglancedatthewindowsoverhead，piercedbyaskeinofconvergingwires。\"SupposeIgoupwithyou？\"
\"Ishouldlikethatbetter，\"hesaid；andshefollowedhimlightlyupthestairsthatledtothetelegraphoffice。Ayoungmanstoodatthemachinewithacigarinhismouth，andhiseyesintentupontheribbonofpaperunreelingitselfbeforehim。
\"Justholdon，\"hesaidtoLibby，withoutturninghishead。\"I’vegotsomethinghereforyou。\"Heread：\"Despatchreceivedyesterday。Comingrightthrough。GeorgeMaynard。\"
\"Good！\"criedLibby。
\"DatedCouncilBluffs。Wantitwrittenout？\"
\"No。What’stopay？\"`
\"Paid，\"saidtheoperator。
Thelaconicallytransactedbusinessendedwiththis，thewirebegantocluckagainliketheanxioushenwhosemannerthemostawfulandmysteriousoftheelementsassumesinbecomingarticulate，andnothingremainedforthembuttocomeaway。
\"ThatwaswhatIwasafraidof，\"saidLibby。\"Maynardwasathisranch，anditmusthavebeenagoodwayout。They’refiftyorsixtymilesout，sometimes。Thatwouldaccountforthedelay。Well，Mrs。Maynarddoesn’tknowhowlongittakestocomefromCheyenne，andwecantellherhe’sontheway，andhastelegraphed。\"Theywerewalkingrapidlydownthestreettothewharfwherehisboatlay。\"Oh！\"heexclaimed，haltingabruptly。
\"Ipromisedtosendyoubackbyland，ifyoupreferred。\"
\"Hasthewindfallen？\"
\"Oh，no。Weshallhaveagoodbreeze：\"
\"Iwon’tputyoutothetroubleofgettingahorse。Icangobackperfectlywellintheboat。\"
\"Well，that’swhatIthink，\"hesaidcheerily。
Shedidnotrespond，andhecouldnotbeawarethatanychangehadcomeoverhermood。Butwhentheywereoncemoreseatedintheboat，andthesailwaspullinginthefreshbreeze，sheturnedtohimwithascarcelyconcealedindignation。\"Haveyouafancyforexperimentinguponpeople，Mr。Libby？\"
\"Experimenting？I？Idon’tknowintheleastwhatyoumean！\"
\"Whydidyoutellmethattheoperatorwasawoman？\"
\"Becausetheotheroperatoris，\"heanswered。
\"Oh！\"shesaid，andfellblanklysilent。
\"Thereisagooddealofbusinessthere。Theyhavetohavetwooperators，\"heexplained，afterapause。
\"Why，ofcourse，\"shemurmuredindeephumiliation。Ifhehadsufferedhertobesilentaslongasshewould，shemighthaveofferedhimsomereparation；buthespoke。
\"WhydidyouthinkIhadbeenexperimentingonyou？\"heasked。
\"Why？\"sherepeated。Thesenseofhavingputherselfinthewrongexasperatedherwithhim。\"Oh，Idaresayyouwerecurious。Don’tyousupposeIhavenoticedthatmenarepuzzledatme？WhatdidyoumeanbysayingthatyouthoughtIwouldbeequaltoanything？\"
\"Imeant——Ithoughtyouwouldliketobetreatedfrankly。\"
\"Andyouwouldn’ttreateverybodyso？\"
\"Iwouldn’ttreatMrs。Maynardso。\"
\"Oh！\"shesaid。\"Youtreatmeuponatheory。\"
\"Don’tyoulikethat？Wetreateverybodyuponatheory\"——
\"Yes，Iknow\"
\"AndIshouldtellyoutheworstofanythingatonce，becauseIthinkyouareoneofthekindthatdon’tliketohavetheirconclusionsmadeforthem。\"
\"Andyouwouldreallyletwomenmaketheirownconclusions，\"shesaid。
\"Youareverypeculiar！\"Shewaitedawhile，andthensheasked，\"Andwhatisyourtheoryofme？\"
\"Thatyouareverypeculiar。\"
\"How？\"
\"Youareproud。\"
\"Andispridesoverypeculiar？\"
\"Yes；inwomen。\"
\"Indeed！Yousetupforaconnoisseuroffemalecharacter。That’sverycommon，nowadays。Whydon’tyoutellmesomethingmoreaboutYourself？
We’realwaystalkingaboutme。\"
Hemightwellhavebeendoubtfulofherhumor。Heseemedtodecidethatshewasjesting，forheansweredlightly，\"Why，youbeganit。\"
\"IknowIdid，thistime。ButnowIwishtostopit，too。\"
Helookeddownatthetillerinhishands。\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Ishouldliketotellyouaboutmyself。IshouldliketoknowwhatyouthinkofthekindofmanIam。WillyoubehonestifIwill？\"
\"That’saverystrangecondition，\"sheanswered，meetingandthenavoidingthegazeheliftedtoherface。
\"What？Beinghonest？\"
\"Well，no——Or，yes！\"
\"Itisn’tforyou。\"
\"Thankyou。ButI’mnotunderdiscussionnow。\"
\"Well，inthefirstplace，\"hebegan，\"Iwasafraidofyouwhenwemet。\"
\"Afraidofme？\"
\"Thatisn’ttheword，perhaps。We’llsayashamedofmyself。Mrs。
Maynardtoldmeaboutyou，andIthoughtyouwoulddespisemefornotdoingorbeinganythinginparticular。Ithoughtyoumust。\"
\"Indeed！\"
Hehesitated，asifstilluncertainofhermoodfromthisintonation，andthenhewenton：\"ButIhadsomelittlehopeyouwouldtolerateme，afterall。YoulookedlikeafriendIusedtohave。——Doyoumindmytellingyou？\"
\"Oh，no。ThoughIcan’tsaythatit’seververycomfortabletobetoldthatyoulooklikesomeoneelse。\"
\"Idon’tsupposeanyoneelsewouldhavebeenstruckbytheresemblance，\"
saidLibby，withalaughofreminiscence。\"Hewashuge。Buthehadeyeslikeagirl，——Ibegyourpardon，——likeyours。\"
\"YoumeanthatIhaveeyeslikeaman。\"
Helaughed，andsaid，\"No，\"andthenturnedgrave。\"Aslongashelived\"——
\"Oh，ishedead？\"sheaskedmoregentlythanshehadyetspoken。
\"Yes，hediedjustbeforeIwentabroad。Iwentoutonbusinessformyfather，——he’sanimporterandjobber，——andboughtgoodsforhim。Doyoudespisebusiness？\"
\"Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。\"
\"Ididittopleasemyfather，andhesaidIwasaverygoodbuyer。Hethinksthere’snothinglikebuying——exceptselling。Heusedtosellthingshimself，overthecounter，andnotsolongago，either。
IfancieditmadeadifferenceformewhenIwasincollege，andthattheyardstickcamebetweenmeandsociety。Iwasanassforthinkinganythingaboutit。ThoughIdidn’treallycare，much。Ineverlikedsociety，andIdidlikeboatsandhorses。Ithoughtofaprofession，once。Butitwouldn’twork。I’vebeenroundtheworldtwice，andI’vedonenothingbutenjoymyselfsinceIleftcollege，——ortryto。WhenI
firstsawyouIwashesitatingaboutlettingmyfathermakemeofuse。
Hewantsmetobecomeoneofthemostrespectablemembersofsociety，hewantsmetobeacotton-spinner。Youknowthere’snothingsoirreproachableascotton，forabusiness？\"
\"No。Idon’tknowaboutthosethings。\"
\"Well，thereisn’t。WhenIwasabroad，buyingandselling，Imadealittlediscovery：IfoundthatthereweregoodswecouldmakeandsellintheEuropeanmarketcheaperthantheEnglish，andthatgavemyfatherthenotionofbuyingamilltomakethem。I’mboringyou！\"
\"No。\"
\"Well，heboughtit；andhewantsmetotakechargeofit。\"
\"Andshallyou？\"
\"DoyouthinkI’mfitforit？\"
\"I？HowshouldIknow？\"
\"Youdon’tknowcotton；butyouknowmealittle。DoIstrikeyouasfitforanything？\"Shemadenoreplytothis，andhelaughed。\"IassureyouIfeltsmallenoughwhenIheardwhatyouhaddone，andthought——whatI
haddone。Itgavemeastart；andIwrotemyfatherthatnightthatI
wouldgoinforit。\"
\"Ioncethoughtofgoingtoafactorytown，\"sheanswered，withoutwilfulevasion，\"tobeginmypracticethereamongtheoperatives’children。I
shouldhavedoneitifithadnotbeenforcomingherewithMrs。Maynard。
Itwouldhavebeenbetter。\"
\"Cometomyfactorytown，MissBreen！Thereoughttobefeversthereintheautumn，withallthelowlandsthatI’mallowedtofloodMrs。Maynardtoldmeaboutyourplan。\"
\"Pray，whatelsedidMrs。Maynardtellyouaboutme？\"
\"Aboutyourtakingupaprofession，inthewayyoudid，whenyouneedn’t，andwhenyoudidn’tparticularlylikeit。\"
\"Oh！\"shesaid。Thensheadded，\"AndbecauseIwasn’tobligedtoit，anddidn’tlikeit，youtoleratedme？\"
\"Tolerated？\"heechoed。
Thisvexedher。\"Yes，tolerate！Everybody，interestedornot，hastomakeuphismindwhethertotoleratemeassoonashehearswhatIam。
Whatexcusedidyoumakeforme？\"
\"Ididn’tmakeany，\"saidLibby。
\"Butyouhadyourmisgiving，yoursurprise。\"
\"Ithoughtifyoucouldstandit，otherpeoplemight。Ithoughtitwasyouraffair。\"
\"JustasifIhadbeenayoungman？\"
\"No！Thatwasn’tpossible。\"
Shewassilent。Then，\"Theconversationhas-gotbackintotheoldquarter，\"shesaid。\"Youaretalkingaboutmeagain。Haveyouheardfromyourfriendssincetheywentaway？\"
\"Whatfriends？\"
\"Thoseyouwerecampingwith。\"
\"No。\"
\"WhatdidtheysaywhentheyheardthatyouhadfoundayoungdoctressatJocelyn’s？Howdidyoubreakthefacttothem？Whatjokesdidtheymake？Youneedn’tbeafraidtotellme！\"shecried。\"GivemeMr。
Johnson’scomments。\"
Helookedatherinsurprisethatincensedherstillmore，andrenderedherincapableofregardingthepainwithwhichheansweredher。\"I’mafraid，\"hesaid，\"thatIhavedonesomethingtooffendyou。\"
\"Ohno！Whatcouldyouhavedone？\"
\"ThenyoureallymeantoaskmewhetherIwouldletanyonemakeajokeofyouinmypresence？\"
\"Yes；whynot？\"
\"Becauseitwasimpossible，\"heanswered。
\"Whywasitimpossible？\"shepursued。
\"Because——Iloveyou。\"
Shehadbeenlookinghimdefiantlyintheeyes，andshecouldnotwithdrawhergaze。Fortheendlessmomentthatensued，herbreathwastakenaway。Thensheaskedinalow，steadyvoice，\"Didyoumeantosaythat？\"
\"No。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，andIforgiveyou。No，no！\"shecried，atademonstrationofprotestfromhim，\"don’tspeakagain！\"
Heobeyed，instantly，implicitly。Withthetillerinhishandhelookedpastherandguidedtheboat’scourse。Itbecameintolerable。
\"HaveIeverdoneanythingthatgaveyoutherightto——to——saythat？\"sheasked，withouttheself-commandwhichshemighthavewishedtoshow。
\"No，\"hesaid，\"youwereonlythemostbeautiful\"——
\"Iamnotbeautiful！AndifIwere\"——
\"Itwasn’ttobehelped！Isawfromthefirsthowgoodandnobleyouwere，and\"——
\"Thisisabsurd！\"sheexclaimed。\"Iamneithergoodnornoble；andifI
were\"——
\"Itwouldn’tmakeanydifference。Whateveryouare，youaretheonewomanintheworldtome；andyoualwayswillbe。\"
\"Mr。Libby！\"
\"Oh，Imustspeaknow！Youwerealwaysthinking，becauseyouhadstudiedaman’sprofession，thatnoonewouldthinkofyouasawoman，asifthatcouldmakeanydifferencetoamanthathadthesoulofamaninhim！\"
\"No，no！\"sheprotested。\"Ididn’tthinkthat。Ialwaysexpectedtobeconsideredasawoman。\"
\"Butnotasawomantofallinlovewith。Iunderstood。Andthatsomehowmadeyouallthedearertome。Ifyouhadbeenagirllikeothergirls，Ishouldn’thavecaredforyou。\"
\"Oh！\"
\"Ididn’tmeantospeaktoyouto-day。ButsometimeIdidmeantospeak；because，whateverIwas，Ilovedyou；andIthoughtyoudidn’tdislikeme。\"
\"Ididlikeyou，\"shemurmured，\"verymuch。AndIrespectedyou。Butyoucan’tsaythatIevergaveyouanyhopeinthis——this——way。\"Shealmostaskedhimifshehad。
\"No，——notpurposely。Andifyoudid，it’sovernow。Youhaverejectedme。Iunderstandthat。There’snoreasonwhyyoushouldn’t。AndIcanholdmytongue。\"Hedidnotturn，butlookedsteadilypastherattheboat’shead。
Anemotionstirredinherbreastwhichtooktheformofareproach。
\"Wasitfair，then，tosaythiswhenneitherofuscouldescapeafterwards？\"
\"Ididn’tmeantospeak，\"hesaid，withoutlookingup，\"andInevermeanttoplaceyouwhereyoucouldn’tescape。\"
Itwastruethatshehadproposedtogowithhimintheboat，andthatshehadchosentocomebackwithhim，whenhehadofferedtohaveherdrivenhomefromLeyden。\"No，youarenottoblame，\"shesaid，atlast。
\"Iaskedtosomewithyou。ShallItellyouwhy？\"Hervoicebegantobreak。Inherpityforhimandhershameforherselfthetearsstartedtohereyes。Shedidnotpressherquestion，but，\"ThankyouforremindingmethatIinvitedmyselftogowithyou，\"shesaid，withfeeblebitterness。
Helookedupatherinsilentwonder，andshebrokeintoasob。Hesaidgently，\"Idon’tsupposeyouexpectmetodenythat。Youdon’tthinkmesuchapoordogasthat。\"
\"Why，ofcoursenot，\"sheanswered，withquiveringlips，whileshepressedherhandkerchieftohereyes。
\"Iwasonlytoogladtohaveyoucome。Ialwaysmeanttotellyou——whatIhavetold；butnotwhenIshouldseemtotrapyouintolistening。\"
\"No，\"shemurmured，\"Icanbelievethatofyou。Idobelieveit。ItakebackwhatIsaid。Don’tletusspeakofitanymorenow，\"shecontinued，strugglingforherlostcomposure，withwhatsuccessappearedinthefreshoutburstwithwhichsherecognizedhisforbearancetohintatanypainfulnesstohimselfinthesituation。
\"Idon’tminditsomuchonmyaccount，butoh！howcouldyouforyourownsake？Doletusgethomeasfast-aswecan！\"
\"IamdoingeverythingIcantoreleaseyou，\"hesaid。\"Ifyouwillsithere，\"headded，indicatingtheplacebesidehiminthestern，\"youwon’thavetochangesomuchwhenIwanttotack。\"
Shetooktheotherseat，andforthefirsttimeshenoticedthatthewindhadgrownverylight。Shewatchedhimwithapiteousimpatiencewhileheshiftedthesailfromsidetoside，keepingthesheetinhishandforconvenienceinthefrequentchanges。Hescannedthesky，andturnedeverycurrentoftheebbingtidetoaccount。Itwasuseless；theboatcrept，andpresentlyitscarcelymoved。
\"Thewindisdown，\"hesaid，makingthesheetfast，andrelaxinghisholdonthetillerAnd——Andthetideisgoingout！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Thetideisgoingout，\"headmitted。
\"Ifweshouldgetcaughtontheseflats，\"shebegan，withrisingindignation。
\"Weshouldhavetostaytillthetideturned。\"
Shelookedwildlyaboutforaid。Iftherewerearow-boatanywherewithinhail，shecouldbetakentoJocelyn’sinthat。Buttheywerequitealoneonthoselifelesswaters。
Libbygotoutapairofheavyoarsfromthebottomoftheboat，and，settingtherowlocksoneitherside，tuggedsilentlyatthem。
Thefutileeffortsuggestedanideatoherwhichdoubtlessshewouldnothaveexpressedifshehadnotbeenlacking，assheoncesaid，inasenseofhumor。
\"Whydon’tyouwhistleforawind？\"
Hestaredatherinsadastonishmenttomakesurethatshewasinearnest，andthen，\"Whistle！\"heechoedforlornly，andbrokeintoajoylesslaugh。
\"YouknewthechancesofdelaythatItookinaskingtocomewithyou，\"
shecried，\"andyoushouldhavewarnedme。Itwasungenerous——itwasungentlemanly！\"
\"Itwaswhateveryoulike。Imustbetoblame。IsupposeIwastoogladtohaveyoucome。IfIthoughtanything，IthoughtyoumusthavesomeparticularerrandatLeyden。Youseemedanxioustogo，evenifitstormed。\"
\"Ifithadstormed，\"sheretorted，\"Ishouldnothavecared！Ihopeditwouldstorm。ThenatleastIshouldhaverunthesamedanger，——Ihopeditwouldbedangerous。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean，\"hesaid。
\"Iforcedthatwretchedcreaturetogowithyouthatdaywhenyousaiditwasgoingtoberough；andIshallhaveherblooduponmyhandsifshedies\"
\"Isitpossible，\"criedLibby，pullinginhisuselessoars，andleaningforwarduponthem，\"thatshehasgoneonlettingyouthinkIbelievedtherewasgoingtobeastorm？SheknewperfectlywellthatIdidn’tmindwhatAdamssaid；hewasalwayscroaking。\"Shesatlookingathiminadaze，butshecouldnotspeak，andhecontinued。\"Isee：ithappenedbyonechanceinamilliontoturnoutashesaid；andshehasbeenmakingyoupayforit。Why，Isuppose，\"headded，withamelancholysmileofintelligence，\"she’shadsomuchsatisfactioninholdingyouresponsibleforwhat’shappened，thatshe’salmostgladofit！\"
\"Shehastorturedme！\"criedthegirl。\"Butyou——you，whenyousawthatIdidn’tbelievetherewasgoingtobeanystorm，whydidyou——whydidn’t——you\"——
Ididn’tbelieveiteither！ItwasMrs。Maynardthatproposedthesail，butwhenIsawthatyoudidn’tlikeitIwasgladofanyexcuseforputtingitoff。Icouldn’thelpwantingtopleaseyou，andI
couldn’tseewhyyouurgedusafterwards；butIsupposedyouhadsomereason。\"
Shepassedherhandoverherforehead，asiftoclearawaytheconfusioninwhichallthisinvolvedher。\"Butwhy——whydidyouletmegoonthinkingmyselftoblame\"——
\"HowcouldIknowwhatyouwerethinking？HeavenknowsIdidn’tdreamofsuchathing！ThoughIremember，now，yoursaying\"——
\"Oh，Isee！\"shecried。\"Youareaman！ButIcan’tforgiveit，——no，I
can’tforgiveit！Youwishedtodeceiveherifyoudidn’twishtodeceiveme。Howcanyouexcuseyourselfforrepeatingwhatyoudidn’tbelieve？\"
\"IwaswillingsheshouldthinkAdamswasright。\"
\"Andthatwasdeceit。Whatcanyousaytoit？\"
\"ThereisonlyonethingIcouldsay，\"hemurmured，lookinghopelesslyintohereyes，\"andthat’sofnouse。\"
Sheturnedherheadaway。Hertragedyhadfallentonothing；orratherithadneverbeen。Allherremorse，allhersuffering，wasmerefarcenow；buthisguiltinthematterwasthegreater。Afierceresentmentburnedinherheart；shelongedtomakehimfeelsomethingoftheanguishshehadneedlesslyundergone。
Hesatwatchingheravertedface。\"MissBreen，\"hesaidhuskily，\"willyouletmespeaktoyou？\"
\"Oh，youhavemeinyourpower，\"sheansweredcruelly。\"Saywhatyoulike。\"
Hedidnotspeak，normakeanymotiontodoso。
Afoolish，idlecuriositytoknowwhat，afterallthathadhappened，hecouldpossiblyhavetosay，stirredwithinher，butshedisdainfullystifledit。Theywerebothsostillthatacompanyofsealsfounditsafetoputtheirheadsabovewater，andapproachnearenoughtoexamineherwiththeirroundsofteyes。Sheturnedfromthesillythingsincontemptthattheyshouldevenhaveinterestedher。Shefeltthatfromtimetotimehercompanionliftedananxiousglancetothedullheavens。
Atlastthelimpsailfaintlystirred；itflapped；itfilledshallowly；
theboatmoved。Thesailseemedtohavehadaprescienceofthewindbeforeitpassedoverthesmoothwaterlikeashadow。
Whenawomansayssheneverwillforgiveaman，shealwayshasaconditionofforgivenessinherheart。Nowthatthewindhadrisenagain，\"Ihavenorighttoforbidyoutospeak，\"shesaid，asifnosilencehadelapsed，andsheturnedroundandquietlyconfrontedhim；shenolongerfeltsoimpatienttoescape。
Hedidnotmeethereyeatonce，andheseemedinnohastetoavailhimselfoftheleavegrantedhim。Aheavysadnessblottedthegayetyofafacewhosesunnysympathyhadbeenheronlycheerformanydays。Shefanciedabewildermentinitshopelessnesswhichsmoteherwithstillsharperpathos。\"Ofcourse，\"shesaid，\"IappreciateyourwishtodowhatIwanted，aboutMrs。Maynard。Iremembermytellingyouthatsheoughtn’ttogoout，thatday。Butthatwasnotthewaytodoit\"——
\"Therewasnoother，\"hesaid。
\"No，\"sheassented，uponreflection。\"Thenitoughtn’ttohavebeendone。\"
Heshowednosignofintendingtocontinue，andafteramomentofrestlessness，shebeganagain。
\"IfIhavebeenrudeorhastyinrefusingtohearyou，Mr。Libby，Iamverywrong。Imusthearanythingyouhavetosay。\"
\"Oh，notunlessyouwish。\"
\"Iwishwhateveryouwish。\"
\"I’mnotsurethatIwishthatnow。Ihavethoughtitover；Ishouldonlydistressyoufornothing。Youarelettingmesaywhysentenceshouldn’tbepasseduponme。Sentenceisgoingtobepassedanyway。
IshouldonlyrepeatwhatIhavesaid。Youwouldpityme，butyoucouldn’thelpme。Andthatwouldgiveyoupainfornothing。No，itwouldbeuseless。\"
\"Itwouldbeuselesstotalktomeabout——loving。\"Shetookthewordonherlipswithacertaineffectofadoptingitforconvenience’sakeinhervocabulary。\"Allthatwasendedformelongago，——tenyearsago。
Andmywholelifesincethenhasbeenshapedtodowithoutit。Iwilltellyoumystoryifyoulike。Perhapsit’syourdue。Iwishtobejust。Youmayhavearighttoknow。\"
\"No，Ihaven’t。But。——perhapsIoughttosaythatMrs。Maynardtoldmesomething。\"
\"Well，Iamgladofthat，thoughshehadnorighttodoit。Thenyoucanunderstand。\"
\"Oh，yes，Icanunderstand。Idon’tpretendthatIhadanyreasoninit。\"
Heforboreagaintourgeanypleaforhimself，andoncemoreshewasobligedtointerfereinhisbehalf。\"Mr。Libby，IhaveneverconfessedthatIoncewrongedyouinawaythatI’mverysorryfor。\"
\"AboutMrs。Maynard？Yes，Iknow。Iwon’ttrytowhitewashmyself；butitdidn’toccurtomehowitwouldlook。Iwantedtotalkwithheraboutyou。\"
\"Yououghttohaveconsideredher，though，\"shesaidgently。
\"Sheoughttohaveconsideredherself，\"heretorted，withhisunfailingbitternessforMrs。Maynard。\"Butitdoesn’tmatterwhosefaultitwas。
I’msufficientlypunished；forIknowthatitinjuredmewithyou。\"
\"Itdidatfirst。ButnowIcanseethatIwaswrong。Iwishedtotellyouthat。Itisn’tcreditabletomethatIthoughtyouintendedtoflirtwithher。IfIhadbeenbettermyself\"——
\"You！\"Hecouldnotsaymore。
Thatutterfaithinherwasverycharming。Itsoftenedhermoreandmore；itmadeherwishtoreasonwithhim，andtrygentlytoshowhimhowimpossiblehishopewas。\"Andyouknow，\"shesaid，recurringtosomethingthathadgonebefore，\"thatevenifIhadcaredforyouinthewayyouwish，itcouldn’tbe。Youwouldn’twanttohavepeoplelaughingandsayingIhadbeenadoctress。\"
\"Ishouldn’thaveminded。Iknowhowmuchpeople’stalkisworth。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"Iknowyouwouldbegenerousandbraveaboutthat——
aboutanything。Butwhat——what，ifIcouldn’tgiveupmycareer——myhopesofbeingusefulinthewayIhaveplanned？Youwouldn’thavelikedmetogoonpractisingmedicine？\"
\"Ithoughtofthat，\"heansweredsimply。\"Ididn’tseehowitcouldbedone。Butifyousawanyway，Iwaswilling——No，thatwasmygreattrouble！Iknewthatitwasselfishinme，andveryconceited，tosupposeyouwouldgiveupyourwholelifeforme；andwheneverIthoughtofthat，Ideterminednottoaskyou。ButItriednottothinkofthat。\"
\"Well，don’tyousee？ButifIcouldhaveansweredyouasyouwish，itwouldn’thavebeenanythingtogiveupeverythingforyou。Awomanisn’tsomethingelsefirst，andawomanafterwards。Iunderstandhowunselfishlyyoumeant，andindeed，indeed，Ithankyou。Butdon’tlet’stalkofitanymore。Itcouldn’thavebeen，andthereisnothingbutmiseryinthinkingofit。\"Come，\"shesaid，withastruggleforcheerfulness，\"letusforgetit。Letitbejustasifyouhadn’tspokentome；Iknowyoudidn’tintendtodoit；andletusgoonasifnothinghadhappened。\"
\"Oh，wecan’tgoon，\"heanswered。\"Ishallgetaway，assoonasMaynardcomes，andridyouofthesightofme。\"
\"Areyougoingaway？\"shesoftlyasked。\"Whyneedyou？Iknowthatpeoplealwaysseemtothinktheycan’tbefriendsafter——suchathingasthis。Butwhyshouldn’twe？Irespectyou，andIlikeyouverymuch。
Youhaveshownmemoreregardandmorekindnessthananyotherfriend\"——
\"ButIwasn’tyourfriend，\"heinterrupted。\"Ilovedyou。\"
\"Well，\"shesighed，ingentleperplexity，\"thenyoucan’tbemyfriend？\"
Never。ButIshallalwaysloveyou。Ifitwoulddoanygood，Iwouldstay，asyouaskit。Ishouldn’tmindmyself。ButIshouldbeanuisancetoyou。\"
\"No，no！\"sheexclaimed。\"Iwilltaketheriskofthat。Ineedyouradvice，your——sympathy，your——Youwon’ttroubleme，indeedyouwon’t。
Perhapsyouhavemistakenyour——feelingaboutme。It’ssuchaverylittletimesincewemet，\"shepleaded。
\"Thatmakesnodifference，——thetime。AndI’mnotmistaken。\"
\"Well，stayatleasttillMrs。Maynardiswell，andwecanallgoawaytogether。Promisemethat！\"Sheinstinctivelyputoutherhandtowardhiminentreaty。Hetookit，andpressingittohislipscovereditwithkisses。
\"Oh！\"shegrievedinreproachfulsurprise。
\"There！\"hecried。\"YouseethatImustgo！\"
\"Yes，\"shesighedinassent，\"youmustgo。\"
Theydidnotlookateachotheragain，butremainedinalamentablesilencewhiletheboatpushedswiftlybeforethefresheningbreeze；andwhentheyreachedtheplacewherethedorylay，hedroppedthesailandthrewouttheanchorwithoutaword。
Hewashaggardtotheglanceshestoleathim，whentheyhadtakentheirplacesinthedory，andheconfrontedher，pullinghardattheoars。Hedidnotlifthiseyestohers，butfromtimetotimehelookedoverhisshoulderattheboat’sprow，andherowedfromonepointtoanotherforagoodlanding。Adreamypityforhimfilledher；throughthememoriesofherownsuffering，shedivinedthesorenessofhisheart。
Shestartedfromherreverieasthebottomofthedorystruckthesand。
Theshoalwaterstretchedtwentyfeetbeyond。Hepulledintheoarsandrosedesperately。\"It’sofnouse：Ishallhavetocarryyouashore。\"
Shesatstaringupintohisface，andlongingtoaskhimsomething，toaccusehimofhavingdonethispurposely。Butshehaderredinsomanydoubts，hersuspicionsofhimhadallrecoiledsopitilesslyuponher，thatshehadnolongerthecouragetoquestionorreproachhim。\"Oh，no，thankyou，\"shesaidweakly。\"Iwon’ttroubleyou。I——Iwillwaittillthetideisout。\"
\"Thetide’soutnow，\"heansweredwithcoldness，\"andyoucan’twade。\"
Sherosedesperately。\"Why，ofcourse！\"shecriedinself-contempt，glancingatthewater，intowhichhepromptlysteppedtohisboot-tops。
\"Awomanmustn’tgetherfeetwet。\"
VIII。
Gracewenttoherownroomtolayasidehershawlandhat，beforegoingtoMrs。Maynard，andfoundhermothersewingthere。
\"Why，whoiswithMrs。Maynard？\"sheasked。
\"MissGleasonisreadingtoher，\"saidMrs。Breen。\"Ifshehadanysortofactivetreatment，shecouldgetwellatonce。Icouldn’ttaketheresponsibilityofdoinganythingforher，anditwassuchaworrytostayandseeeverythinggoingwrong，thatwhenMissGleasoncameinIwasgladtogetaway。MissGleasonseemstobelieveinyourDr。Mulbridge。\"
\"MyDr。Mulbridge！\"echoedGrace。
\"Shetalkedofhimasifhewereyours。Idon’tknowwhatyou’vebeensayingtoherabouthim；butyouhadbetterbecareful。Thewomanisafool。\"Shenowlookedupatherdaughterforthefirsttime。\"Why，whatisthematterwithyouwhatkeptyousolong？Youlookperfectlywild。\"
\"Ifeelwild，\"saidGracecalmly。\"Thewindwentdown。\"
\"Wasthatall？Idon’tseewhythatshouldmakeyoufeelwild，\"saidhermother，droppingherspectaclestohersewingagain。
\"Itwasn’tall，\"answeredthegirl，sinkingprovisionallyuponthesideofachair，withhershawlstillonherarm，andherhatinherhand。
\"Mother，haveyounoticedanythingpeculiaraboutMr。Libby？\"
\"He’stheonlypersonwhoseemstobeoftheslightestuseabouthere；
I’venoticedthat，\"saidMrs。Breen。\"He’salwaysgoingandcomingforyouandMrs。Maynard。Whereisthatworthlesshusbandofhers？Hasn’thehadtimetocomefromCheyenneyet？\"
\"He’sontheway。HewasoutathisranchwhenMr。Libbytelegraphedfirst，andhadtobesentfor。WefoundadespatchfromhimatLeyden，sayinghehadstarted，\"Graceexplained。
\"Whatbusinesshadhetobesofarawayatall？\"demandedhermother。
ItwasplainthatMrs。Breenwasinhermostcensorioustemper，whichhadprobablyacquiredasharperedgetowardsMaynardfromherreconciliationwithhiswife。
Graceseizedherchancetomeettheworst。\"DoyouthinkthatIhavedoneanythingtoencourageMr。Libby？\"sheasked，lookingbravelyathermother。
\"Encouragehimtodowhat？\"askedMrs。Breen，withoutliftinghereyesfromherwork。
\"Encouragedhimto——thinkIcaredforhim；to——tobeinlovewithme。\"
Mrs。Breenliftedherheadnow，andpushedherspectaclesuponherforehead，whilesheregardedherdaughterinsilence。\"Hashebeenmakinglovetoyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
Hermotherpushedherspectaclesdownagain；and，turningtheseamwhichshehadbeensewing，flatteneditwithherthumb-nail。Shemadethisactionexpressiveofhavingforeseensucharesult，andofhavingstruggledagainstit，neglectedandalone。\"Verywell，then。Ihopeyouacceptedhim？\"sheaskedquietly。
\"Mother！\"
\"Whynot？Youmustlikehim，\"shecontinuedinthesametone。\"Youhavebeenwithhimeverymomentthelastweekthatyouhaven’tbeenwithMrs。
Maynard。AtleastI’veseennothingofyou，exceptwhenyoucametotellmeyouweregoingtowalkortodrivewithhim。Youseemtohaveaskedhimtotakeyoumostofthetime。\"
\"Howcanyousaysuchathing，mother？\"criedthegirl。
\"Didn’tyouaskhimtoletyougowithhimthisafternoon？Youtoldmeyoudid。\"
\"Yes，Idid。Ididitforapurpose。\"
\"Ah！forapurpose，\"saidMrs。Breen，takingasurveyofthenewseam，whichshepulledfromherknee，whereoneendofitwaspinned，towardsherchin。Sheleftthewordtoherdaughter，whowasobligedtotakeit。
\"IaskedhimtoletmegowithhimbecauseLouisehadtorturedmeaboutmakinghergooutinhisboat，tillIcouldn’tbearitanylonger。ItseemedtomethatifItookthesameriskmyself，itwouldbesomething；
andIhopedtherewouldbeastorm。\"
\"Ishouldthinkyouhadtakenleaveofyoursenses，\"Mrs。Breenobserved，withherspectaclesintentuponherseam。\"Didyouthinkitwouldbeanyconsolationtohimifyouweredrowned，ortoher？Andif，\"sheadded，herconsciencerisingequaltothevicariousdemanduponit，\"youhopedtherewouldbedanger，hadyouanyrighttoexposehimtoit？Evenifyouchosetoriskyourownlife，youhadnorighttoriskhis。\"Sheliftedherspectaclesagain，andturnedtheiraustereglitteruponherdaughter。
\"Yes，itallseemsverysillynow，\"saidthegirl，withahopelesssigh。
\"Silly！\"criedhermother。\"I’mgladyoucancallitsilly。\"
\"Anditseemedworsestillwhenhetoldmethathehadneverbelieveditwasgoingtostormthatday，whenhetookLouiseout。Hismansaiditwas，andherepeateditbecausehesawIdidn’twanthertogo。\"
\"Perhaps，\"suggestedMrs。Breen，\"ifhewaswillingtodeceiveherthen，heiswillingtodeceiveyounow。\"
\"Hedidn’tdeceiveher。Hesaidwhathehadheard。Andhesaiditbecausehe——Iwishedit。\"
\"Icallitdeceiving。Truthistruth。ThatiswhatIwastaught；andthat’swhatIsupposedIhadtaughtyou。\"
\"IwouldtrustMr。Libbyinanything，\"returnedthedaughter。\"Heisperfectlyfrankabouthimself。Heconfessedthathehaddoneittopleaseme。Hesaidthatnothingelsecouldexcuseit。\"
\"Oh，thenyouhaveacceptedhim！\"
\"No，mother，Ihaven’t。Ihaverefusedhim，andheisgoingawayassoonasMr。Maynardcomes。\"Shesatlookingatthewindow，andthetearsstoleintohereyes，andblurredtheseaandskytogetherwhereshesawtheirmeetingatthehorizonline。
\"Well，\"saidhermother，\"theirthatistheendofit，Ipresume。\"
\"Yes，that’stheend，\"saidGrace。\"But——Ifeltsorryforhim，mother。
Once，\"shewenton，\"IthoughtIhadeverythingclearbeforeme；butnowIseemonlytohavemadeconfusionofmylife。Yes，\"sheaddeddrearily，\"itwasfoolishandwicked，anditwasperfectlyuseless，too。Ican’tescapefromtheconsequencesofwhatIdid。Itmakesnodifferencewhathebelievedoranyonebelieved。IdrovethemontorisktheirlivesbecauseIthoughtmyselfsomuchbetterthanthey；becauseIwasself-
righteousandsuspiciousandstubborn。Well，Imustbearthepenalty：
andoh，ifIcouldonlybearitalone！\"Withalongsighshetookbacktheburdenwhichshehadbeenstrugglingtocastoff，andfromwhichforatimeshehadactuallyseemedtoescape。Sheputawayherhatandshawl，andstoodbeforetheglass，smoothingherhair。\"Whenwilliteverend？\"shemoanedtothereflectionthere，ratherthantohermother，whodidnotinterruptthisspiritualordeal。Inanotherage，suchaNewEnglandgirlwouldhavetorturedherselfwithinquisitionastosomeneglecteddutytoGod；——inours，whenreligionissolargelyhumanified，thisPuritansoulcouldonlywreakitselfinasenseofirreparablewrongtoherfellow-creature。
WhenshewentoutshemetMissGleasonhalf-waydownthecorridortoMrs。
Maynard’sdoor。Thelatterhadabookinherhand，andcameforwardwhispering。\"She’sasleep，\"shesaidverysibilantly。\"Ihavereadhertosleep，andshe’ssleepingbeautifully。Haveyoueverreadit？\"sheasked，withhoarsebreaksfromherundertone，asshehelduponeofthosecheaplibrary-editionsofanoveltowardGrace。
\"JaneEyre？Why，ofcourse。Longago。\"
\"SohaveI，\"saidMissGleason。\"ButIsentandgotitagain，torefreshmyimpressionsofRochester。WeallthinkDr。Mulbridgeisjustlikehim。Rochesterismyidealcharacter，——aperfectconceptionofaman：soabrupt，sorough，sosavage。Oh，Ilikethosemen！Don’tyou？\"shefluted。\"Mrs。Maynardseestheresemblance，aswellastherestofus。
ButIknow！Youdon’tapproveofthem。Isupposetheycan’tbedefendedonsomegrounds；butIcanseehow，eveninsuchacaseasthis，theperfectmasteryoftheman-physicianconstitutesthehighestusefulnessofthewoman-physician。Theadvancementofwomenmustbeaswomen。
’Maleandfemalecreatedhethem，’anditisonlyinrememberingthisthatwearehelpingGawd，whetherasananthropomorphicconceptionorauniversallypervadinginstinctoflove，don’tyouthink？\"
Withhernovelclappedagainstherbreast，sheleanedwinninglyovertowardGrace，andfixedherwithherwideeyes，whichhadringsofwhiteroundthepupils。
\"Dotellme！\"sheranonwithoutwaitingananswer。\"Didn’tyougowithMr。Libbybecauseyouhopeditmightstorm，andwishedtotakethesameriskasMrs。Maynard？ItoldMrs。Algeryoudid！\"
Graceflushedguiltily，andMissGleasoncoweredalittle，perhapsinterpretingthecolorasresentment。\"Ishouldconsiderthataverysillymotive，\"shesaid，helplesslyashamedthatshewasleavingtheweightoftheblowuponMissGleason’sshouldersinsteadofherown。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMissGleasonenthusiastically，\"youcan’tconfessit。
ButIknowyouarecapableofsuchathing——ofanythingheroic！
Doforgiveme，\"shesaid，seizingGrace’shand。Shehelditamoment，gazingwithadevouringfondnessintoherface，whichshestoopedalittlesidewisetopeerupinto。Thenshequicklydroppedherhand，and，whirlingaway，glidedslimlyoutofthecorridor。
GracesoftlyopenedMrs。Maynard’sdoor，andthesickwomanopenedhereyes。\"Iwasn’tasleep，\"shesaidhoarsely，\"butIhadtopretendtobe，orthatwomanwouldhavekilledme。\"
Gracewenttoherandfeltherhandsandherflushedforehead。
\"Iamworsethisevening，\"saidMrs。Maynard。
\"Oh，no，\"sighedthegirl，droppingintoachairatthebedside，withhereyesfixedinasortoffascinationontheluridfaceofthesickwoman。
\"Aftergettingmehere，\"continuedMrs。Maynard，inthesamelow，hoarsemurmur，\"youmightatleaststaywithmealittle。Whatkeptyousolong？\"
\"Thewindfell。Wewerebecalmed。\"
\"WewerenotbecalmedthedayIwentoutwithMr。Libby。Butperhapsnobodyforcedyoutogo。
Havinglaunchedthisdart，sheclosedhereyesagainwithsomethingmorelikecontentthanshehadyetshown：ithadanaimofwhichshecouldalwaysbesure。
\"WehaveheardfromMr。Maynard，\"saidGracehumbly。\"TherewasadespatchwaitingforMr。LibbyatLeyden。Heisonhisway。\"
Mrs。Maynardbetrayednoimmediateeffectofthisotherthantosay，\"Hehadbetterhurry，\"anddidnotopenhereyes。
Gracewentabouttheroomwithaleadenweightineveryfibre，puttingtheplaceinorder，andMrs。Maynarddidnotspeakagaintillshehadfinished。Thenshesaid，\"IwantyoutotellmejusthowbadDr。
MulbridgethinksIam。\"
\"Hehasneverexpressedanyanxiety，\"Gracebegan，withherinaptnessatevasion。
\"Ofcoursehehasn’t，\"murmuredthesickwoman。\"Heisn’tafool！
Whatdoeshesay？\"
Thispassedthesufferanceevenofremorse。\"Hesaysyoumustn’ttalk，\"
thegirlflashedout。\"Andifyouinsistupondoingso，Iwillleaveyou，andsendsomeoneelsetotakecareofyou。\"
\"Verywell，then。Iknowwhatthatmeans。Whenadoctortellsyounottotalk，it’sbecauseheknowshecan’tdoyouanygood。AssoonasGeorgeMaynardgetshereIwillhavesomeonethatcancureme，orIwillknowthereasonwhy。\"Theconceptionofherhusbandasachampionseemedtocommendhimtoherinnoveldegree。Sheshedsometears，andafteralittlereflectionsheasked，\"Howsoonwillhebehere？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidGrace。\"Heseemstohavestartedyesterdaymorning。\"
\"Hecanbeherebydayafterto-morrow，\"Mrs。Maynardcomputed。\"TherewillbesomeonetolookafterpoorlittleBellathen，\"sheadded，asif，duringhersickness，Bellamusthavebeenwhollyneglected。\"Don’tletthechildbealldirtwhenherfathercomes。\"
\"MotherwilllookafterBella，\"Gracereplied，toomeekagaintoresenttheimplication。Afterapause，\"Oh，Louise，\"sheaddedbeseechingly，\"I’vesufferedsomuchfrommyownwrong-headednessandobstinacythatI
couldn’tbeartoseeyoutakingthesamerisk，andI’msogladthatyouaregoingtomeetyourhusbandintherightspirit。\"
\"Whatrightspirit？\"croakedMrs。Maynard。
\"Thewishtopleasehim，to\"——
\"Idon’tchoosetohavehimsaythathischilddisgraceshim，\"repliedMrs。Maynard，inthelow，husky，monotonousmurmurinwhichshewasobligedtouttereverything。
\"But，dearLouise！\"criedtheother，\"youchoosesomethingelsetoo，don’tyou？Youwishtomeethimasifnounkindnesshadpartedyou，andasifyouweretobealwaystogetherafterthis？Ihopeyoudo！ThenI
shouldfeelthatallthissufferingand，troublewasamercy。\"
\"Otherpeople’smiseryisalwaysamercytothem，\"hoarselysuggestedMrs。Maynard。
\"Yes，Iknowthat，\"Gracesubmitted，withmeekconviction。\"But，Louise，\"shepleaded，\"youwillmakeupwithyourhusband，won’tyou？
Whateverhehasdone，thatwillsurelybebest。Iknowthatyoulovehim，andthathemustloveyou，yet。It’stheonlyway。Ifyouwerefinallyseparatedfromhim，andyouandhecouldbehappyapart，whatwouldbecomeofthatpoorchild？Whowilltakeafather’splacewithher？That’stheworstaboutit。Oh，Louise，Ifeelsobadlyforyou——
forwhatyouhavelost，andmaylose。Marriagemustchangepeoplesothatunlesstheylivetoeachother，theirliveswillbemaimedanduseless。Itoughttobesomucheasiertoforgiveanywrongyourhusbanddoesyouthantopunishit；forthatperpetuatesthewrong，andforgivenessendsit，andit’stheonlythingthatcanendawrong。Iamsurethatyourhusbandwillbereadytodoorsayanythingyouwish；butifheshouldn’t，Louise，youwillreceivehimforgivingly，andmakethefirstadvance？It’sawoman’srighttomaketheadvancesinforgiving。\"
Mrs。Maynardlaywithherhandsstretchedathersideunderthecovering，andonlyherfacevisibleaboveit。Shenowturnedherheadalittle，soastopiercetheearnestspeakerwithagleamfromherdulleye。\"HaveyouacceptedWalterLibby？\"sheasked。
\"Louise！\"criedGrace，withablushthatburnedlikefire。
\"That’sthewayIusedtotalkwhenIwasfirstengaged。Waittillyou’remarriedawhile。IwantBellatohaveonherpique，andherpinksash，——notthecherryone。Ishouldthinkyouwouldhavestudiedtobeaministerinsteadofadoctor。Butyouneedn’tpreachtome；IshallknowhowtobehavetoGeorgeMaynardwhenhecomes，——ifheeverdoescome。AndnowIshouldthinkyouhadmademetalkenough！\"
\"Yes，Yes，\"saidGrace，recalledtohermoreimmediatedutyinalarm。