\"Let’sstopatthefirsthouse，then，\"saidCarry。
\"Thefirsthouse，\"saidAddy，peeringthroughthegatheringdarkness，\"isSquireRobinson’s。\"ShedartedamischievousglanceatCarry，that，eveninherdiscomfortandfear，broughtthequickbloodtohercheek。
\"Oh，yes！\"saidKatewithgloomyirony，\"certainly；stopatthesquire’sbyallmeans，andbeinvitedtotea，andbedrivenhomeafterteabyyourdearfriendMr。Harry，withaformalapologyfromMrs。Robinson，andhopesthattheyoungladiesmaybeexcusedthistime。No！\"continuedKatewithsuddenenergy。\"ThatmaysuitYOU；
butI’mgoingbackasIcame，——bythewindow，ornotatall。\"Thenshepouncedsuddenly，likeahawk，onCarry，whowasbetrayingatendencytositdownonasnowbank，andwhimper，andshookherbriskly。\"You’llbegoingtosleepnext。Stay，holdyourtongues，allofyou，——what’sthat？\"
Itwasthesoundofsleigh-bells。Comingdowntowardthemoutofthedarknesswasasleighwithasingleoccupant。\"Holddownyourheads，girls：ifit’sanybodythatknowsus，we’relost。\"Butitwasnot；foravoicestrangetotheirears，butwithalverykindlyandpleasant，askedifitsownercouldbeofanyhelptothem。Astheyturnedtowardhim，theysawitwasamanwrappedinahandsomesealskincloak，wearingasealskincap；hisface，halfconcealedbyamufflerofthesamematerial，disclosingonlyapairoflongmustaches，andtwokeendarkeyes。\"It’sasonofoldSantaClaus！\"whisperedAddy。Thegirlstitteredaudiblyastheytumbledintothesleigh：theyhadregainedtheirformerspirits。\"WhereshallItakeyou？\"saidthestrangerquietly。Therewasahurriedwhispering；andthenKatesaidboldly，\"TotheInstitute。\"Theydrovesilentlyupthehill，untilthelong，asceticbuildingloomedupbeforethem。Thestrangerreinedupsuddenly。\"YouknowthewaybetterthanI，\"hesaid。\"Wheredoyougoin？\"——\"Throughtheback-window，\"saidKatewithsuddenandappallingfrankness。\"I
see！\"respondedtheirstrangedriverquietly，and，alightingquickly，removedthebellsfromthehorses。\"Wecandriveasnearasyoupleasenow，\"headdedbywayofexplanation。\"HecertainlyisasonofSantaClaus，\"whisperedAddy。\"Hadn’twebetteraskafterhisfather？\"\"Hush！\"saidKatedecidedly。\"Heisanangel，Idaresay。\"Sheaddedwithadeliciousirrelevance，whichwas，however，perfectlyunderstoodbyherfeminineauditors，\"Wearelookinglikethreefrights。\"
Cautiouslyskirtingthefences，theyatlastpulledupafewfeetfromadarkwall。Thestrangerproceededtoassistthemtoalight。
Therewasstillsomelightfromthereflectedsnow；and，ashehandedhisfaircompanionstotheground，eachwasconsciousofundergoinganintensethoughrespectfulscrutiny。Heassistedthemgravelytoopenthewindow，andthendiscreetlyretiredtothesleighuntilthedifficultandsomewhatdiscomposingingresswasmade。Hethenwalkedtothewindow，\"Thankyouandgood-night！\"
whisperedthreevoices。Asinglefigurestilllingered。Thestrangerleanedoverthewindow-sill。\"Willyoupermitmetolightmycigarhere？itmightattractattentionifIstruckamatchoutside。\"BytheupspringinglighthesawthefigureofKateverycharminglyframedinbythewindow。Thematchburntslowlyoutinhisfingers。Katesmiledmischievously。Theastuteyoungwomanhaddetectedthepitiablesubterfuge。Forwhatelsedidshestandattheheadofherclass，andhaddotingparentspaidthreeyears’
tuition？
Thestormhadpassed，andthesunwasshiningquitecheerilyintheeasternrecitation-roomthenextmorning，whenMissKate，whoseseatwasnearestthewindow，placingherhandpatheticallyuponherheart，affectedtofallinbashfulandextremeagitationupontheshoulderofCarryherneighbor。\"HEhascome，\"shegaspedinathrillingwhisper。\"Who？\"askedCarrysympathetically，whoneverclearlyunderstoodwhenKatewasinearnest。\"Who？——why，themanwhorescueduslastnight！Isawhimdrivetothedoorthismoment。Don’tspeak：Ishallbebetterinamoment——there！\"shesaid；andtheshamelesshypocritepassedherhandpatheticallyacrossherforeheadwithatragicair。
\"Whatcanhewant？\"askedCarry，whosecuriositywasexcited。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidKate，suddenlyrelapsingintogloomycynicism。
\"Possiblytoputhisfivedaughterstoschool；perhapstofinishhisyoungwife，andwarnheragainstus。\"
\"Hedidn’tlookold，andhedidn’tseemlikeamarriedman，\"
rejoinedAddythoughtfully。
\"Thatwashisart，youpoorcreature！\"returnedKatescornfully。
\"Youcannevertellanythingofthesemen，theyaresodeceitfulBesides，it’sjustmyfate！\"
\"Why，Kate，\"beganCarry，inseriousconcern。
\"Hush！MissWalkerissayingsomething，\"saidKate，laughing。
\"Theyoungladieswillpleasegiveattention，\"saidaslow，perfunctoryvoice。\"MissCarryTretherickiswantedintheparlor。\"
MeantimeMr。JackPrince，thenamegivenonthecard，andvariouslettersandcredentialssubmittedtotheRev。Mr。Crammer，pacedthesomewhatsevereapartmentknownpubliclyasthe\"receptionparlor，\"andprivatelytothepupilsas\"purgatory。\"Hiskeeneyeshadtakeninthevariousrigiddetails，fromtheflatsteam\"radiator，\"likeanenormousjapannedsoda-cracker，thatheatedoneendoftheroom，tothemonumentalbustofDr。Crammer，thathopelesslychilledtheother；fromtheLord’sPrayer，executedbyaformerwriting-masterinsuchgratuitousvarietyofelegantcalligraphictriflingastoconsiderablyabatetheseriousvalueofthecomposition，tothreeviewsofGenoafromtheInstitute，whichnobodyeverrecognized，takenonthespotbythedrawing-teacher；
fromtwoilluminatedtextsofScriptureinanEnglishLetter，sogratuitouslyandhideouslyremoteastochillallhumaninterest，toalargephotographoftheseniorclass，inwhichtheprettiestgirlswereEthiopianincomplexion，andsat，apparently，oneachother’sheadsandshoulders。Hisfingershadturnedlistlesslytheleavesofschool-catalogues，the\"Sermons\"ofDr。Crammer，the\"Poems\"ofHenryKirkeWhite，the\"LaysoftheSanctuary\"and\"LivesofCelebratedWomen。\"Hisfancy，anditwasanervouslyactiveone，hadgoneoverthepartingsandgreetingsthatmusthavetakenplacehere，andwonderedwhytheapartmenthadyetcaughtsolittleoftheflavorofhumanity；indeed，Iamafraidhehadalmostforgottentheobjectofhisvisit，whenthedooropened，andCarryTretherickstoodbeforehim。
Itwasoneofthosefaceshehadseenthenightbefore，prettiereventhanithadseemedthen；andyetIthinkhewasconsciousofsomedisappointment，withoutknowingexactlywhy。Herabundantwavinghairwasofaguinea-goldentint，hercomplexionofapeculiarflower-likedelicacy，herbrowneyesofthecolorofseaweedindeepwater。Itcertainlywasnotherbeautythatdisappointedhim。
Withoutpossessinghissensitivenesstoimpression，Carrywas，onherpart，quiteasvaguelyillatease。Shesawbeforeheroneofthosemenwhomthesexwouldvaguelygeneralizeas\"nice，\"thatistosay，correctinallthesuperficialappointmentsofstyle，dress，mannersandfeature。Yettherewasadecidedlyunconventionalqualityabouthim：hewastotallyunlikeanythingoranybodythatshecouldremember；and，astheattributesoforiginalityareoftenasapttoalarmastoattractpeople，shewasnotentirelyprepossessedinhisfavor。
\"Icanhardlyhope，\"hebeganpleasantly，\"thatyourememberme。
Itiselevenyearsago，andyouwereaverylittlegirl。IamafraidIcannotevenclaimtohaveenjoyedthatfamiliaritythatmightexistbetweenachildofsixandayoungmanoftwenty-one。
Idon’tthinkIwasfondofchildren。ButIknewyourmotherverywell。Iwaseditorof’TheAvalanche’inFiddletown，whenshetookyoutoSanFrancisco。\"
\"Youmeanmystepmother：shewasn’tmymother，youknow，\"
interposedCarryhastily。
Mr。Princelookedathercuriously。\"Imeanyourstepmother，\"hesaidgravely。\"Ineverhadthepleasureofmeetingyourmother。\"
\"No：MOTHERhasn’tbeeninCaliforniathesetwelveyears。\"
Therewasanintentionalemphasizingofthetitleandofitsdistinction，thatbegantocoldlyinterestPrinceafterhisfirstastonishmentwaspast。
\"AsIcomefromyourstepmothernow，\"hewentonwithaslightlaugh，\"Imustaskyoutogobackforafewmomentstothatpoint。
Afteryourfather’sdeath，yourmother——Imeanyourstepmother——
recognizedthefactthatyourmother，thefirstMrs。Tretherick，waslegallyandmorallyyourguardian，and，althoughmuchagainstherinclinationandaffections，placedyouagaininhercharge。\"
\"Mystepmothermarriedagainwithinamonthafterfatherdied，andsentmehome，\"saidCarrywithgreatdirectness，andthefaintesttossofherhead。
Mr。Princesmiledsosweetly，andapparentlysosympathetically，thatCarrybegantolikehim。Withnoothernoticeoftheinterruptionhewenton，\"Afteryourstepmotherhadperformedthisactofsimplejustice，sheenteredintoanagreementwithyourmothertodefraytheexpensesofyoureducationuntilyoureighteenthyear，whenyouweretoelectandchoosewhichofthetwoshouldthereafterbeyourguardian，andwithwhomyouwouldmakeyourhome。Thisagreement，Ithink，youarealreadyawareof，and，Ibelieve，knewatthetime。\"
\"Iwasamerechildthen，\"saidCarry。
\"Certainly，\"saidMr。Prince，withthesamesmile。\"Stilltheconditions，Ithink，haveneverbeenoppressivetoyounoryourmother；andtheonlytimetheyarelikelytogiveyoutheleastuneasinesswillbewhenyoucometomakeupyourmindinthechoiceofyourguardian。Thatwillbeonyoureighteenthbirthday，——the20th，Ithink，ofthepresentmonth。\"
Carrywassilent。
\"PraydonotthinkthatIamheretoreceiveyourdecision，evenifitbealreadymade。Ionlycametoinformyouthatyourstepmother，Mrs。Starbottle，willbeintownto-morrow，andwillpassafewdaysatthehotel。Ifitisyourwishtoseeherbeforeyoumakeupyourmind，shewillbegladtomeetyou。Shedoesnot，however，wishtodoanythingtoinfluenceyourjudgment。\"
\"Doesmotherknowsheiscoming？\"saidCarryhastily。
\"Idonotknow，\"saidPrincegravely。\"Ionlyknow，that，ifyouconcludetoseeMrs。Starbottle，itwillbewithyourmother’spermission。Mrs。Starbottlewillkeepsacredlythispartoftheagreement，madetenyearsago。Butherhealthisverypoor；andthechangeandcountryquietofafewdaysmaybenefither。\"Mr。
Princebenthiskeen，brighteyesupontheyounggirl，andalmostheldhisbreathuntilshespokeagain。
\"Mother’scomingupto-dayorto-morrow，\"shesaid，lookingup。
\"Ah！\"saidMr。Princewithasweetandlanguidsmile。
\"IsCol。Starbottleheretoo？\"askedCarry，afterapause。
\"Col。Starbottleisdead。Yourstepmotherisagainawidow。\"
\"Dead！\"repeatedCarry。
\"Yes，\"repliedMr。Prince。\"Yourstep-motherhasbeensingularlyunfortunateinsurvivingheraffections。\"
Carrydidnotknowwhathemeant，andlookedso。Mr。Princesmiledre-assuringly。
PresentlyCarrybegantowhimper。
Mr。Princesoftlysteppedbesideherchair。
\"Iamafraid，\"hesaidwithaverypeculiarlightinhiseye，andasingulardroppingofthecornersofhismustache，——\"Iamafraidyouaretakingthistoodeeply。Itwillbesomedaysbeforeyouarecalledupontomakeadecision。Letustalkofsomethingelse。I
hopeyoucaughtnocoldlastevening。\"
Carry’sfaceshoneoutagainindimples。
\"Youmusthavethoughtussoqueer！Itwastoobadtogiveyousomuchtrouble。\"
\"None，whatever，Iassureyou。Mysenseofpropriety，\"headdeddemurely，\"whichmighthavebeenoutraged，hadIbeencalledupontohelpthreeyoungladiesoutofaschoolroomwindowatnight，wasdeeplygratifiedatbeingabletoassisttheminagain。\"Thedoor-
bellrangloudly，andMr。Princerose。\"Takeyourowntime，andthinkwellbeforeyoumakeyourdecision。\"ButCarry’searandattentionweregiventothesoundofvoicesinthehall。Atthesamemoment，thedoorwasthrownopen，andaservantannounced，\"Mrs。TretherickandMr。Robinson。\"
TheafternoontrainhadjustshriekedoutitsusualindignantprotestatstoppingatGenoaatall，asMr。JackPrinceenteredtheoutskirtsofthetown，anddrovetowardshishotel。Hewasweariedandcynical。Adriveofadozenmilesthroughunpicturesqueoutlyingvillages，pastsmalleconomicfarmhouses，andhideousvillasthatviolatedhisfastidioustaste，had，Ifear，leftthatgentlemaninacaptiousstateofmind。Hewouldhaveevenavoidedhistaciturnlandlordashedroveuptothedoor；butthatfunctionarywaylaidhimonthesteps。\"There’saladyinthesittin’-room，waitin’forye。\"Mr。Princehurriedupstairs，andenteredtheroomasMrs。Starbottleflewtowardshim。
Shehadchangedsadlyinthelasttenyears。Herfigurewaswastedtohalfitssize。Thebeautifulcurvesofherbustandshoulderswerebrokenorinverted。Theoncefull，roundedarmwasshrunkeninitssleeve；andthegoldenhoopsthatencircledherwanwristsalmostslippedfromherhandsasherlong，scantfingersclosedconvulsivelyaroundJack’s。Hercheek-boneswerepaintedthatafternoonwiththehecticoffever：somewhereinthehollowsofthosecheekswereburiedthedimplesoflongago；buttheirgraveswereforgotten。Herlustrouseyeswerestillbeautiful，thoughtheorbitsweredeeperthanbefore。Hermouthwasstillsweet，althoughthelipspartedmoreeasilyoverthelittleteeth，andeveninbreathing，andshowedmoreofthemthanshewaswonttodobefore。Thegloryofherblondehairwasstillleft：itwasfiner，moresilkenandethereal，yetitfailedeveninitsplenitudetocoverthehollowsoftheblue-veinedtemples。
\"Clara！\"saidJackreproachfully。
\"Oh，forgiveme，Jack！\"shesaid，fallingintoachair，butstillclingingtohishand，\"forgiveme，dear；butIcouldnotwaitlonger。Ishouldhavedied，Jack，——diedbeforeanothernight。
Bearwithmealittlelonger（itwillnotbelong），butletmestay。Imaynotseeher，Iknow；Ishallnotspeaktoher：butit’ssosweettofeelthatIamatlastnearher，thatIbreathethesameairwithmydarling。Iambetteralready，Jack，Iamindeed。Andyouhaveseenherto-day？Howdidshelook？Whatdidshesay？Tellmeall，everything，Jack。Wasshebeautiful？Theysaysheis。Hasshegrown？Wouldyouhaveknownheragain？Willshecome，Jack？Perhapsshehasbeenherealready；perhaps，\"shehadrisenwithtremulousexcitement，andwasglancingatthedoor，——
\"perhapssheisherenow。Whydon’tyouspeak，Jack？Tellmeall。\"
Thekeeneyesthatlookeddownintoherswereglisteningwithaninfinitetendernessthatnone，perhaps，butshewouldhavedeemedthemcapableof。\"Clara，\"hesaidgentlyandcheerily，\"tryandcomposeyourself。Youaretremblingnowwiththefatigueandexcitementofyourjourney。IhaveseenCarry：sheiswellandbeautiful。Letthatsufficeyounow。\"
Hisgentlefirmnesscomposedandcalmedhernow，asithadoftendonebefore。Strokingherthinhand，hesaid，afterapause，\"DidCarryeverwritetoyou？\"
\"Twice，thankingmeforsomepresents。Theywereonlyschool-girlletters，\"sheadded，nervouslyansweringtheinterrogationofhiseyes。
\"Didsheeverknowofyourowntroubles？ofyourpoverty，ofthesacrificesyoumadetopayherbills，ofyourpawningyourclothesandjewels，ofyour\"——
\"No，no！\"interruptedthewomanquickly：\"no！Howcouldshe？I
havenoenemycruelenoughtotellherthat。\"
\"Butifshe——orifMrs。Tretherick——hadheardofit？IfCarrythoughtyouwerepoor，andunabletosupportherproperly，itmightinfluenceherdecision。Younggirlsarefondofthepositionthatwealthcangive。Shemayhaverichfriends，maybealover。\"
Mrs。Starbottlewincedatthelastsentence。\"But，\"shesaideagerly，graspingJack’shand，\"whenyoufoundmesickandhelplessatSacramento，whenyou——Godblessyouforit，Jack！——offeredtohelpmetotheEast，yousaidyouknewofsomething，youhadsomeplan，thatwouldmakemeandCarryindependent。\"
\"Yes，\"saidJackhastily；\"butIwantyoutogetstrongandwellfirst。And，nowthatyouarecalmer，youshalllistentomyvisittotheschool。\"
ItwasthenthatMr。JackPrinceproceededtodescribetheinterviewalreadyrecorded，withasingularfelicityanddiscretionthatshamesmyownaccountofthatproceeding。Withoutsuppressingasinglefact，withoutomittingawordordetail，heyetmanagedtothrowapoeticveiloverthatprosaicepisode，toinvesttheheroinewitharomanticroseateatmosphere，which，thoughnotperhapsentirelyimaginary，still，Ifear，exhibitedthatgeniuswhichtenyearsagohadmadethecolumnsof\"TheFiddletownAvalanche\"atoncefascinatingandinstructive。Itwasnotuntilhesawtheheighteningcolor，andheardthequickbreathing，ofhiseagerlistener，thathefeltapangofself-reproach。\"Godhelpherandforgiveme！\"hemutteredbetweenhisclinchedteeth，\"buthowcanItellherALLnow！\"
Thatnight，whenMrs。Starbottlelaidherwearyheaduponherpillow，shetriedtopicturetoherselfCarryatthesamemomentsleepingpeacefullyinthegreatschoolhouseonthehill；anditwasararecomforttothisyearning，foolishwomantoknowthatshewassonear。ButatthismomentCarrywassittingontheedgeofherbed，halfundressed，poutingherprettylips，andtwistingherlong，leoninelocksbetweenherfingers，asMissKateVanCorlear——
dramaticallywrappedinalongwhitecounterpane，herblackeyessparkling，andherthorough-brednosethrownhighinair，——stoodoverherlikeawrathfulandindignantghost；forCarryhadthateveningimpartedherwoesandherhistorytoMissKate，andthatyoungladyhad\"provedherselfnofriend\"byfallingintoastateoffieryindignationoverCarry’s\"ingratitude，\"andopenlyandshamelesslyespousingtheclaimsofMrs。Starbottle。\"Why，ifthehalfyoutellmeistrue，yourmotherandthoseRobinsonsaremakingofyounotonlyalittlecoward，butalittlesnob，miss。
Respectability，forsooth！Lookyou，myfamilyarecenturiesbeforetheTrethericks；butifmyfamilyhadevertreatedmeinthisway，andthenaskedmetoturnmybackonmybestfriend，I’dwhistlethemdownthewind；\"andhereKatesnappedherfingers，bentherblackbrows，andglaredaroundtheroomasifinsearchofarecreantVanCorlear。
\"Youjusttalkthisway，becauseyouhavetakenafancytothatMr。
Prince，\"saidCarry。
Inthedebasingslangoftheperiod，thathadevenfounditswayintothevirgincloistersoftheCrammerInstitute，MissKate，assheafterwardsexpressedit，instantly\"wentforher。\"
First，withashakeofherhead，shethrewherlongblackhairoveroneshoulder，then，droppingoneendofthecounterpanefromtheotherlikeavestaltunic，shesteppedbeforeCarrywithapurposely-exaggeratedclassicstride。\"AndwhatifIhave，miss！
WhatifIhappentoknowagentlemanwhenIseehim！WhatifI
happentoknow，thatamongathousandsuchtraditional，conventional，feebleeditionsoftheirgrandfathersasMr。HarryRobinson，youcannotfindoneoriginal，independent，individualizedgentlemanlikeyourPrince！Gotobed，miss，andpraytoHeaventhathemaybeYOURPrinceindeed。Asktohaveacontriteandgratefulheart，andthanktheLordinparticularforhavingsentyousuchafriendasKateVanCorlear。\"Yet，afteranimposingdramaticexit，shere-appearedthenextmomentasastraightwhiteflash，kissedCarrybetweenthebrows，andwasgone。
ThenextdaywasawearyonetoJackPrince。HewasconvincedinhismindthatCarrywouldnotcome；yettokeepthisconsciousnessfromMrs。Starbottle，tomeethersimplehopefulnesswithanequaldegreeofapparentfaith，wasahardanddifficulttask。Hewouldhavetriedtodiverthermindbytakingheronalongdrive；butshewasfearfulthatCarrymightcomeduringherabsence；andherstrength，hewasobligedtoadmit，hadfailedgreatly。Ashelookedintoherlargeandawe-inspiringcleareyes，asomethinghetriedtokeepfromhismind——toputoffdaybydayfromcontemplation——keptassertingitselfdirectlytohisinnerconsciousness。Hebegantodoubttheexpediencyandwisdomofhismanagement。HerecalledeveryincidentofhisinterviewwithCarry，andhalfbelievedthatitsfailurewasduetohimself。YetMrs。Starbottlewasverypatientandconfident：herveryconfidenceshookhisfaithinhisownjudgment。Whenherstrengthwasequaltotheexertion，shewasproppedupinherchairbythewindow，whereshecouldseetheschoolandtheentrancetothehotel。Intheintervalsshewouldelaboratepleasantplansforthefuture，andwouldsketchacountryhome。Shehadtakenastrangefancy，asitseemedtoPrince，tothepresentlocation；butitwasnotablethatthefuture，alwaysthusoutlined，wasoneofquietandrepose。
Shebelievedshewouldgetwellsoon：infact，shethoughtshewasnowmuchbetterthanshehadbeen；butitmightbelongbeforesheshouldbequitestrongagain。ShewouldwhisperoninthiswayuntilJackwoulddashmadlydownintothebar-room，orderliquorsthathedidnotdrink，lightcigarsthathedidnotsmoke，talkwithmenthathedidnotlistento，andbehavegenerallyasourstrongersexisapttodoinperiodsofdelicatetrialsandperplexity。
Thedayclosedwithacloudedskyandabitter，searchingwind。
Withthenightfellafewwanderingflakesofsnow。Shewasstillcontentandhopeful；and，asJackwheeledherfromthewindowtothefire，sheexplainedtohim，how，that，astheschool-termwasdrawingnearitsclose，Carrywasprobablykeptcloselyatherlessonsduringtheday，andcouldonlyleavetheschoolatnight。
Soshesatupthegreaterpartoftheevening，andcombedhersilkenhair，and，asfarasherstrengthwouldallow，madeanundresstoilettoreceiveherguest。\"Wemustnotfrightenthechild，Jack，\"shesaidapologetically，andwithsomethingofheroldcoquetry。
Itwaswithafeelingofrelief，that，atteno’clock，Jackreceivedamessagefromthelandlord，sayingthatthedoctorwouldliketoseehimforamomentdownstairs。AsJackenteredthegrim，dimly-lightedparlor，heobservedthehoodedfigureofawomannearthefire。Hewasabouttowithdrawagain，whenavoicethatherememberedverypleasantlysaid，——
\"Oh，it’sallright！I’mthedoctor。\"
Thehoodwasthrownback；andPrincesawtheshiningblackhair，andblack，audaciouseyes，ofKateVanCorlear。
\"Don’taskanyquestions。I’mthedoctorandthere’smyprescription，\"andshepointedtothehalf-frightened，half-sobbingCarryinthecorner——\"tobetakenatonce。\"
\"ThenMrs。Tretherickhasgivenherpermission？\"
\"Notmuch，ifIknowthesentimentsofthatlady，\"repliedKatesaucily。
\"Thenhowdidyougetaway？\"askedPrincegravely。
\"BYTHEWINDOW。\"
WhenMr。PrincehadleftCarryinthearmsofherstepmother，hereturnedtotheparlor。
\"Well？\"demandedKate。
\"Shewillstay——YOUwill，Ihope，also——to-night。\"
\"AsIshallnotbeeighteen，andmyownmistressonthe20th，andasIhaven’tasickstepmother，Iwon’t。\"
\"Thenyouwillgivemethepleasureofseeingyousafelythroughthewindowagain？\"
WhenMr。Princereturnedanhourlater，hefoundCarrysittingonalowstoolatMrs。Starbottle’sfeet。Herheadwasinherstepmother’slap；andshehadsobbedherselftosleep。Mrs。
Starbottleputherfingertoherlip。\"Itoldyoushewouldcome。
Godblessyou，Jack！andgood-night。\"
ThenextmorningMrs。Tretherick，indignant，theRev。AsaCrammer，principal，injured，andMr。JoelRobinson，sen。，complacentlyrespectable，calleduponMr。Prince。Therewasastormymeeting，endinginademandforCarry。\"Wecertainlycannotadmitofthisinterference，\"saidMrs。Tretherick，afashionablydressed，indistinctivelookingwoman。\"Itisseveraldaysbeforetheexpirationofouragreement；andwedonotfeel，underthecircumstances，justifiedinreleasingMrs。Starbottlefromitsconditions。\"\"Untiltheexpirationoftheschool-term，wemustconsiderMissTretherickascomplyingentirelywithitsrulesanddiscipline，\"imposedDr。Crammer。\"Thewholeproceedingiscalculatedtoinjuretheprospects，andcompromisetheposition，ofMissTretherickinsociety，\"suggestedMr。Robinson。
InvainMr。PrinceurgedthefailingconditionofMrs。Starbottle，herabsolutefreedomfromcomplicitywithCarry’sflight，thepardonableandnaturalinstinctsofthegirl，andhisownassurancethattheywerewillingtoabidebyherdecision。Andthenwitharisingcolorinhischeek，adangerouslookinhiseye，butasingularcalmnessinhisspeech，headded，——
\"Onewordmore。Itbecomesmydutytoinformyouofacircumstancewhichwouldcertainlyjustifyme，asanexecutorofthelateMr。
Tretherick，infullyresistingyourdemands。AfewmonthsafterMr。Tretherick’sdeath，throughtheagencyofaChinamaninhisemployment，itwasdiscoveredthathehadmadeawill，whichwassubsequentlyfoundamonghispapers。Theinsignificantvalueofhisbequest——mostlyland，thenquitevalueless——preventedhisexecutorsfromcarryingouthiswishes，orfromevenprovingthewill，ormakingitotherwisepubliclyknown，untilwithinthelasttwoorthreeyears，whenthepropertyhadenormouslyincreasedinvalue。Theprovisionsofthatbequestaresimple，butunmistakable。
ThepropertyisdividedbetweenCarryandherstepmother，withtheexplicitconditionthatMrs。Starbottleshallbecomeherlegalguardian，provideforhereducation，andinalldetailsstandtoherinlocoparentis。\"
\"Whatisthevalueofthisbequest？\"askedMr。Robinson。\"Icannottellexactly，butnotfarfromhalfamillion，Ishouldsay，\"
returnedPrince。\"Certainly，withthisknowledge，asafriendofMissTretherick，Imustsaythatherconductisasjudiciousasitishonorabletoher，\"respondedMr。Robinson。\"Ishallnotpresumetoquestionthewishes，orthrowanyobstaclesinthewayofcarryingouttheintentions，ofmydeadhusband，\"addedMrs。
Tretherick；andtheinterviewwasclosed。
WhenitsresultwasmadeknowntoMrs。Starbottle，sheraisedJack’shandtoherfeverishlips。\"ItcannotaddtoMYhappinessnow，Jack；buttellme，whydidyoukeepitfromher？\"Jacksmiled，butdidnotreply。
Withinthenextweekthenecessarylegalformalitieswereconcluded；andCarrywasrestoredtoherstepmother。AtMrs。
Starbottle’srequest，asmallhouseintheoutskirtsofthetownwasprocured；andthithertheyremovedtowaitthespring，andMrs。
Starbottle’sconvalescence。Bothcametardilythatyear。
Yetshewashappyandpatient。Shewasfondofwatchingthebuddingofthetreesbeyondherwindow，——anovelsighttoherCalifornianexperience，——andofaskingCarrytheirnamesandseasons。Evenatthistimesheprojectedforthatsummer，whichseemedtohersomysteriouslywithheld，longwalkswithCarrythroughtheleafywoods，whosegray，mistyranksshecouldseealongthehilltop。Sheeventhoughtshecouldwritepoetryaboutthem，andrecalledthefactasevidenceofhergainingstrength；
andthereis，Ibelieve，stilltreasuredbyoneofthemembersofthislittlehouseholdalittlecarolsojoyous，sosimple，andsoinnocent，thatitmighthavebeenanechooftherobinthatcalledtoherfromthewindow，asperhapsitwas。
Andthen，withoutwarning，theredroppedfromHeavenadaysotender，somysticallysoft，sodreamilybeautiful，sothrobbing，andalivewiththeflutteringofinvisiblewings，sorepleteandbounteouslyoverflowingwithanawakeningandjoyousresurrectionnottaughtbymanorlimitedbycreed，thattheythoughtitfittobringherout，andlayherinthatglorioussunshinethatsprinkledlikethedroppingsofabridaltorchthehappylintelsanddoors。
Andthereshelaybeatifiedandcalm。
Weariedbywatching，Carryhadfallenasleepbyherside；andMrs。
Starbottle’sthinfingerslaylikeabenedictiononherhead。
PresentlyshecalledJacktoherside。
\"Whowasthat，\"shewhispered，\"whojustcamein？\"
\"MissVanCorlear，\"saidJack，answeringthelookinhergreatholloweyes。
\"Jack，\"shesaid，afteramoment’ssilence，\"sitbymeamoment，dearJack：I’vesomethingImustsay。IfIeverseemedhard，orcold，orcoquettishtoyouintheolddays，itwasbecauseIlovedyou，Jack，toowelltomaryourfuturebylinkingitwithmyown。
Ialwayslovedyou，dearJack，evenwhenIseemedleastworthyofyou。Thatisgonenow。ButIhadadreamlately，Jack，afoolishwoman’sdream，——thatyoumightfindwhatIlackedinHER，\"andsheglancedlovinglyatthesleepinggirlatherside；\"thatyoumightloveherasyouhavelovedme。Buteventhatisnottobe，Jack，isit？\"andsheglancedwistfullyinhisface。Jackpressedherhand，butdidnotspeak。Afterafewmoments’silence，sheagainsaid，\"Perhapsyouarerightinyourchoice。Sheisagood-heartedgirl，Jack——butalittlebold。\"
Andwiththislastflickeroffoolish，weakhumanityinherstrugglingspirit，shespokenomore。Whentheycametoheramomentlater，atinybirdthathadlituponherbreastflewaway；
andthehandthattheyliftedfromCarry’sheadfelllifelessatherside。
AJERSEYCENTENARIAN
Ihaveseenheratlast。Sheisahundredandsevenyearsold，andremembersGeorgeWashingtonquitedistinctly。Itissomewhatconfusing，however，thatshealsoremembersacontemporaneousJosiahW。PerkinsofBaskingRidge，N。J。，and，Ithink，hastheimpressionthatPerkinswasthebetterman。Perkins，atthecloseofthelastcentury，paidhersomelittleattention。Thereareafewthingsthatareallynoblewomanofahundredandsevenneverforgets。
ItwasPerkins，whosaidtoherin1795，inthestreetsofPhiladelphia，\"ShallIshowtheeGen。Washington？\"Thenshesaidcareless-like（foryouknow，child，atthattimeitwasn’twhatitisnowtoseeGen。Washington），shesaid，\"Sodo，Josiah，sodo！\"
Thenhepointedtoatallmanwhogotoutofacarriage，andwentintoalargehouse。Hewaslargerthanyoube。Heworehisownhair——notpowdered；hadafloweredchintzvest，withyellowbreechesandbluestockings，andabroad-brimmedhat。Insummerheworeawhitestrawhat，andathisfarmatBaskingRidgehealwaysworeit。Atthispoint，itbecametooevidentthatshewasdescribingtheclothesoftheall-fascinatingPerkins：soIgentlybutfirmlyledherbacktoWashington。Thenitappearedthatshedidnotrememberexactlywhathewore。Toassisther，Isketchedthegeneralhistoricdressofthatperiod。Shesaidshethoughthewasdressedlikethat。Emboldenedbymysuccess，IaddedahatofCharlesII。，andpointedshoesoftheeleventhcentury。Sheindorsedthesewithsuchcheerfulalacrity，thatIdroppedthesubject。
ThehouseuponwhichIhadstumbled，or，rather，towhichmyhorse——
aJerseyhack，accustomedtohistoricresearch——hadbroughtme，waslowandquaint。Likemostoldhouses，ithadtheappearanceofbeingencroacheduponbythesurroundingglebe，asifitwerealreadyhalfinthegrave，withasodortwo，intheshapeofmossthrownonit，likeashesonashes，anddustondust。Awoodenhouse，insteadofacquiringdignitywithage，isapttoloseitsyouthandrespectabilitytogether。Aporch，withscant，slopingseats，fromwhicheventhewinter’ssnowmusthavesliduncomfortably，projectedfromadoorwaythatopenedmostunjustifiablyintoasmallsitting-room。Therewasnovestibule，orlocuspoenitentiae，fortheembarrassedorbashfulvisitor：hepassedatoncefromthesecurityofthepublicroadintoshamefulprivacy。Andhere，inthemellowautumnalsunlight，that，streamingthroughthemaplesandsumachontheoppositebank，flickeredanddanceduponthefloor，shesatanddiscoursedofGeorgeWashington，andthoughtofPerkins。Shewasquiteinkeepingwiththehouseandtheseason，albeitalittleinadvanceofboth；herskinbeingofafadedrusset，andherhandssolikedeadNovemberleaves，thatIfanciedtheyevenrustledwhenshemovedthem。
Forallthat，shewasquitebrightandcheery；herfacultiesstillquitevigorous，althoughperformingirregularlyandspasmodically。
Itwassomewhatdiscomposing，Iconfess，toobserve，thatattimesherlowerjawwoulddrop，leavingherspeechless，untiloneofthefamilywouldnoticeit，andraiseitsmartlyintoplacewithaslightsnap，——anoperationalwaysperformedinsuchanhabitual，perfunctorymanner，generallyinpassingtoandfrointheirhouseholdduties，thatitwasverytryingtothespectator。Itwasstillmoreembarrassingtoobservethatthedearoldladyhadevidentlynoknowledgeofthis，butbelievedshewasstilltalking，andthat，onresumingheractualvocalutterance，shewasoftenabruptandincoherent，beginningalwaysinthemiddleofasentence，andofteninthemiddleofaword。\"Sometimes，\"saidherdaughter，agiddy，thoughtlessyoungthingofeighty-five，——
\"sometimesjustmovingherheadsortofunhitchesherjaw；and，ifwedon’thappentoseeit，she’llgoontalkingforhourswithoutevermakingasound。\"AlthoughIwasconvinced，afterthis，thatduringmyinterviewIhadlostseveralimportantrevelationsregardingGeorgeWashingtonthroughthesepeculiarlapses，IcouldnothelpreflectinghowbeneficentweretheseprovisionsoftheCreator，——how，ifproperlystudiedandapplied，theymightbefraughtwithhappinesstomankind，——howaslightjostleorjaratadinner-partymightmakethepost-prandialeloquenceofgarruloussenilitysatisfactorytoitself，yetharmlesstoothers，——howamoreintimateknowledgeofanatomy，introducedintothedomesticcircle，mightmakeahometolerableatleast，ifnothappy，——howalong-sufferinghusband，underthepretenceofaconjugalcaress，mightsounhookhiswife’scondyloidprocessastoallowtheflowofexpostulation，criticism，ordenunciation，togoonwithgratificationtoher，andperfectimmunitytohimself。
ButthiswasnotgettingbacktoGeorgeWashingtonandtheearlystrugglesoftheRepublic。SoIreturnedtothecommander-in-
chief，butfound，afteroneortwoleadingquestions，thatshewasratherinclinedtoresenthisre-appearanceonthestage。Herreminiscencesherewerechieflysocialandlocal，andmoreorlessflavoredwithPerkins。WegotbackasfarastheRevolutionaryepoch，or，rather，herimpressionsofthatepoch，whenitwasstillfreshinthepublicmind。AndhereIcameuponanincident，purelypersonalandlocal，but，withal，sonovel，weird，anduncanny，thatforawhileIfearitquitedisplacedGeorgeWashingtoninmymind，andtingedtheautumnalfieldsbeyondwitharedthatwasnotofthesumach。Idonotremembertohavereadofitinthebooks。I
donotknowthatitisentirelyauthentic。Itwasattestedtomebymotheranddaughter，asanuncontradictedtradition。
Inthelittlefieldbeyond，wheretheploughstillturnsupmusket-
ballsandcartridge-boxes，tookplaceoneofthoseirregularskirmishesbetweenthemilitiamenandKnyphausen’sstragglers，thatmadetheretreathistorical。AHessiansoldier，woundedinbothlegsandutterlyhelpless，draggedhimselftothecoverofahazel-
copse，andlaytherehiddenfortwodays。Onthethirdday，maddenedbythirst，hemanagedtocreeptotherail-fenceofanadjoiningfarm-house，butfoundhimselfunabletomountitorpassthrough。Therewasnooneinthehousebutalittlegirlofsixorsevenyears。Hecalledtoher，andinafaintvoiceaskedforwater。Shereturnedtothehouse，asiftocomplywithhisrequest，but，mountingachair，tookfromthechimneyaheavily-
loadedQueenAnnemusket，and，goingtothedoor，tookdeliberateaimatthehelplessintruder，andfired。Themanfellbackdead，withoutagroan。Shereplacedthemusket，and，returningtothefence，coveredthebodywithboughsandleaves，untilitwashidden。Twoorthreedaysafter，sherelatedtheoccurrenceinacareless，casualway，andleadingthewaytothefence，withapieceofbreadandbutterinherguilelesslittlefingers，pointedouttheresultofhersimple，unsophisticatedeffort。TheHessianwasdecentlyburied，butIcouldnotfindoutwhatbecameofthelittlegirl。Nobodyseemedtoremember。Itrust，that，inafter-
years，shewashappilymarried；thatnoJerseyLovelaceattemptedtotriflewithaheartwhoseimpulsesweresoprompt，andwhosepurposesweresosincere。Theydidnotseemtoknowifshehadmarriedornot。Yetitdoesnotseemprobablethatsuchsimplicityofconception，franknessofexpression，anddeftnessofexecution，werelosttoposterity，orthattheyfailed，intheirtimeandseason，togiveflavortothedomesticfelicityoftheperiod。
Beyondthis，thestoryperhapshaslittlevalue，exceptasanoffsettotheusualanecdotesofHessianatrocity。
TheyhadtheirfinancialpanicseveninJersey，intheolddays。
SherememberedwhenDr。WhitemarriedyourcousinMary——orwasitSusan？——yes，itwasSusan。SheremembersthatyourUncleHarrybroughtinanarmfulofbank-notes，——papermoney，youknow，——andthrewtheminthecorner，sayingtheywerenogoodtoanybody。Sherememberedplayingwiththem，andgivingthemtoyourAuntAnna——
no，child，itwasyourownmother，blessyourheart！Someofthemwasmarkedashighasahundreddollars。Everybodykeptgoldandsilverinastocking，orina\"chaney\"vase，likethat。Youneverusedmoneytobuyanything。WhenJosiahwenttoSpringfieldtobuyanything，hetookacartloadofthingswithhimtoexchange。
Thatyallerpicture-framewaspaidforingreenings。Butthenpeopleknewjestwhattheyhad。Theydidn’tfrittertheirsubstanceawayinunchristiantrifles，likeyourfather，ElizaJane，whodoesn’tknowthatthereisaGodwhowillsmitehimhipandthigh；forvengeanceismine，andthosethatbelieveinme。
Buthere，singularlyenough，theinferiormaxillariesgaveout，andherjawdropped。（Inoticedthathergiddydaughterofeighty-fivewassittingnearher；butIdonotpretendtoconnectthisfactwiththearrestedflowofpersonaldisclosure。）Howbeit，whensherecoveredherspeechagain，itappearedthatshewascomplainingoftheweather。
Theseasonshadchangedverymuchsinceyourfatherwenttosea。
Thewintersusedtobeterribleinthosedays。WhenshewentovertoSpringfield，inJune，shesawthesnowstillonWatson’sRidge。
Therewerewholedayswhenyoucouldn’tgitovertoWilliamHenry’s，theirnextneighbor，aquarterofamileaway。ItwasthatdreffulwinterthattheSpanishsailorwasfound。Youdon’tremembertheSpanishsailor，ElizaJane——itwasbeforeyourtime。
Therewasalittlepersonalskirmishinghere，whichIfeared，atfirst，mightendinasuspensionofmaxillaryfunctions，andthelossofthestory；buthereitis。Ah，me！itisapurewhitewinteridyl：howshallIsingitthisbright，gayautumnalday？
Itwasaterriblenight，thatwinter’snight，whensheandthecenturywereyoungtogether。Thesunwaslostatthreeo’clock：
thesnowynightcamedownlikeawhitesheet，thatflappedaroundthehouse，beatatthewindowswithitsedges，andatlastwrappeditinacloseembrace。Inthemiddleofthenight，theythoughttheyheardabovethewindavoicecrying，\"Christus，Christus！\"inaforeigntongue。Theyopenedthedoor，——noeasytaskinthenorthwindthatpresseditsstrongshouldersagainstit，——butnothingwastobeseenbutthedriftingsnow。Thenextmorningdawnedonfenceshidden，andalandscapechangedandobliteratedwithdrift。
Duringtheday，theyagainheardthecryof\"Christus！\"thistimefaintandhidden，likeachild’svoice。Theysearchedinvain：thedriftedsnowhiditssecret。Onthethirddaytheybrokeapathtothefence，andthentheyheardthecrydistinctly。Diggingdown，theyfoundthebodyofaman，——aSpanishsailor，darkandbearded，withear-ringsinhisears。Astheystoodgazingdownathiscoldandpulselessfigure，thecryof\"Christus！\"againroseuponthewintryair；andtheyturnedandfledinsuperstitiousterrortothehouse。Andthenoneofthechildren，bolderthantherest，kneltdown，andopenedthedeadman’sroughpea-jacket，andfound——whatthinkyou？——alittleblue-and-greenparrot，nestlingagainsthisbreast。Itwasthebirdthathadechoedmechanicallythelastdespairingcryofthelifethatwasgiventosaveit。Itwasthebird，thateverafter，amidoutlandishoathsandwildersailor-
songs，thatIfearoftenshockedthepureearsofitsgentlemistress，andbroughtscandalintotheJerseys，stillretainedthatoneweirdandmournfulcry。
Thesunmeanwhilewassinkingbehindthesteadfastrangebeyond，andIcouldnothelpfeelingthatImustdepartwithmywantsunsatisfied。Ihadbroughtawaynohistoricfragment：IabsolutelyknewlittleornothingnewregardingGeorgeWashington。Ihadbeenaddressedvariouslybythenamesofdifferentmembersofthefamilywhoweredeadandforgotten；Ihadstoodforanhourinthepast：
yetIhadnotaddedtomyhistoricalknowledge，northepracticalbenefitofyourreaders。IspokeoncemoreofWashington，andsherepliedwithareminiscenceofPerkins。
Standforth，OJosiahW。PerkinsofBaskingRidge，N。J。Thouwastoflittleaccountinthylife，Iwarrant；thoudidstnotevenfeelthegreatnessofthydayandtime；thoudidstcriticisethysuperiors；thouwastsmallandnarrowinthyways；thyverynameandgraveareunknownanduncaredfor：butthouwastoncekindtoawomanwhosurvivedthee，and，lo！thynameisagainspokenofmen，andforamomentliftedupabovethybetters。