Alanhadtolooktwiceatthepainter。\"Ohyes。Mr。Durgin，here——
tellingmeabouthisplaceinthemountains。Saysyou’vebeenthere。
Going——goingmyselfinthesummer。Seehis——horses。\"Hemadepausesbetweenhiswordsassomepeopledowhenthey，trytokeepfromstammering。
WestoverbelievedLyndeunderstoodJefftobeacountrygentlemanofsportingtastes，andhewouldnotletthatpass。\"Yes，it’sthepleasantestlittlehotelinthemountains。\"
\"Strictly—temperance，Isuppose？\"saidAlan，tryingtosmilewithlipsthatobeyedhimstiffly。HeappearednottocarewhoorwhatJeffwas；
thechampagnehadwashedawayalldifferencebetweenthem。HewentontosaythathehadheardofJeff’sintentionofrunningthehotelhimselfwhenhegotoutofHarvard。Heheldittobedamnedgoodstuff。
Jefflaughed。\"Yoursisterwouldn’tbelievemewhenItoldher。\"
\"IthinkIdidn’tmentionMissLynde，\"saidAlan，haughtily。
Jefffilledhisglass；Alanlookedatit，faltered，andthendrankitoff。Thetalkbeganagainbetweentheyoungmen，butitleftWestoverout，andhehadtogoaway。WhetherJeffwasgettingLyndebeyondhimselffromtheloveofmischief，suchashadpromptedhimtoteaselittlechildreninhisboyhood，orwastryingtoingratiatehimselfwiththeyoungfellowthroughhisweakness，ordoinghimharmoutofmerethoughtlessness，Westovercameawayveryunhappyatwhathehadseen。
HisunhappinessconnecteditselfsodistinctlywithLynde’sfamilythathewentandsatdownbesideMissLyndefromanobscureimpulseofcompassion，andtriedtotalkwithher。Itwouldnothavebeensohardifsheweremerelydeaf，forshehadtheskillofdeafpeopleinarrangingtheconversationsothatanoddedyesornowouldbeallthatwasneededtocarryitforward。ButtoWestovershewasterriblydull，andhewasgasping，asinanexhaustedreceiver，whenBessiecameupwithasmileofradiantrecognitionforhisextremity。Shegotridofherpartner，anddevotedherselfatoncetoWestover。\"Howgoodofyou！\"
shesaid，withoutgivinghimthepainofanawkwarddisclaimer。
Hecouldcounterinequalsincerityandambiguity，\"Howbeautifulofyou。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"Iamlookingratherwell，tonight；butdon’tyouthinkeffectivewouldhavebeenabetterword？\"Shesmiledacrossherauntathimoutofacloudofpink，fromwhichherthinshouldersandslenderneckemerged，andherarms，glovedtothetop，fellintoherlap；oneofthemseemedtoterminatenaturallyinthefanwhichsensitivelysharedtheinquiescenceofherperson。
\"Iwillsayeffective，too，ifyouinsist，\"saidWestover。\"Butatthesametimeyou’rethemostbeautifulpersonhere。\"
\"Howlovelyofyou，evenifyoudon’tmeanit，\"shesighed。\"Ifgirlscouldhavemoreofthosethingssaidtothem，theywouldbebetter，don’tyouthink？Oratleastfeelbetter。\"
Westoverlaughed。\"Wemightorganizeasociety——theyhavethemfornearlyeverythingnow——forsayingpleasantthingstoyoungladieswithaviewtothemoraleffect。\"
\"Oh，doI\"
\"Butitoughttobedoneconscientiously，andyoucouldn’tgoroundtellingeveryonethatshewasthemostbeautifulgirlintheroom。\"
\"Whynot？She’dbelieveit！\"
\"Yes；buttheeffectonthemembersofthesociety？\"
\"Ohyes；that！Butyoucouldvaryitsoastosaveyourconscience。Youcouldsay，’Howdivinelyyou’relooking！’or’Howangelic！’or’You’retheverypoetryofmotion，’or’Youaregraceitself，’or’Yourgownisaperfectdream，oranylittlecommonplace，andeveryonewouldtakeitforpraiseofherpersonalappearance，andfeelherselfagreatbeauty，justasIdonow，thoughIknowverywellthatI’malloutofdrawing，andjustchicquedtogether。\"
\"Icouldn’tallowanyonebutyoutosaythat，MissBessie；andIonlyletitpassbecauseyousayitsowell。\"
\"Yes；you’realwayssogood！Youwouldn’tcontradictmeevenwhenyouturnedmeoutofyourclass。\"
\"DidIturnyououtofmyclass？\"
\"Notjustinsomanywords，butwhenIsaidIcouldn’tdoanythinginart，youdidn’tinsistthatitwasbecauseIwouldn’t，andofcoursethenIhadtogo。I’veneverforgivenyou，Mr。Westover，never！Dokeepontalkingveryexcitedly；there’samancominguptousthatIdon’twanttothinkIseehim，orhe’llstop。There！He’sveeredoff！Wherewereyou，Mr。Westover？\"
\"Ah，MissBessie，\"saidthepainter；delightedatherdrama，\"thereisn’tanythingyoucouldn’tdoifyouwould。\"
\"Youmeanparlorentertainments；impersonations；impressions；thatsortofthing？Ihavethoughtofit。Butitwouldbetooeasy。Iwanttotrysomethingdifficult。\"
\"Forinstance。\"
\"Well，beingvery，verygood。Iwantsomethingthatwouldreallytaxmypowers。Ishouldliketobeanexample。ItriedittheothernightjustbeforeIwenttosleep，anditwasfine。Ibecameanexampletoothers。
ButwhenIwokeup——Iwentonintheoldway。Iwantsomethinghard，don’tyouknow；butIwantittobeeasy！\"
Shelaughed，andWestoversaid：\"Iamgladyou’renotserious。Nooneoughttobeanexampletoothers。Tobeexemplaryisasdangerousastobecomplimentary。
\"Itcertainlyisn’tsoagreeabletotheobject，\"saidthegirl。\"Butit’sfineforthesubjectaslongasitlasts。Howmetaphysicalwe’regetting！Theobjectiveandthesubjective。It’squitewhatIshouldexpectoftalkataBostondanceifIwereaNew—Yorker。Haveyouseenanythingofmybrother，withinthelasthourorso，Mr。Westover？\"
\"Yes；Ijustlefthiminthesupper—room。ShallIgogethimforyou？\"
Whenhehadsaidthis，withthenotionofrescuinghimfromJeff，Westoverwassorry，forhedoubtedifAlanLyndewereanylongerinthestatetobebroughtawayfromthesupper—room，andhewasgladtohaveBessiesay：
\"No，no。He’lllookusupinthecourseoftheevening——orthemorning。\"
Ayoungfellowcametoclaimherforadance，andWestoverhadnotthefacetoleaveMissLynde，allthelessbecauseshetoldhimhemustnotthinkofstaying。Hestayedtillthedancewasover，andBessiecamebacktohim。
\"Whattimeisit，Mr。Westover？Iseemyauntbeginningtonodonherperch。\"
Westoverlookedathiswatch。\"It’stenminutespasttwo。\"
\"Howearly！\"sighedthegirl。\"I’mtiredofit，aren’tyou？\"
\"Very，\"saidWestover。\"Iwastiredanhourago。\"
Bessiesankbackinherchairwithanairofnervouscollapse，anddidnotsayanything。Westoversawherwatchingtheyoungcoupleswhopassedinandoutoftheroomwherethedancingwas，orfoundcornersonsofas，orwindow—seats，orshelteredspacesbesidethedoorsandthechimney—
piece，thegirlspantingandthemenleaningforwardtofanthem。Shelookedverytiredofit；andwhenayoungfellowcameupandaskedhertodance，shetoldhimthatshewasprovisionallyengaged。\"Comebackandgetme，ifyoucan’tdobetter，\"shesaid，andheansweredtherewasnousetryingtodobetter，andsaidhewouldwaittilltheothermanturnedup，ordidn’t，ifshewouldlethim。Hesatdownbesideher，andsomeyoungtalkbeganbetweenthem。
InthemidstofitJeffappeared。HelookedatWestoverfirst，andthenapproachedwithanembarrassedface。
Bessiegotvividlytoherfeet。\"Noapologies，Mr。Durgin，please！Butinjustanothermomentyou’dhavelastyourdance。\"
WestoversawwhathebelievedachangepassinJeff’slookfromembarrassmenttosurpriseandthentoflatteredintelligence。Hebeamedallover；andhewentawaywithBessietowardtheballroom，andleftWestovertoawhollyunsupportedbeliefthatshehadnotbeenengagedtodancewithJeff。Hewonderedwhatherrecklessmeaningcouldbe，buthehadalwaysthoughtherayoungladysingularlyfittedbynatureandarttotakecareofherself，andwhenhereasoneduponwhatwasinhismindhehadtoownthattherewasnoharminJeff’sdancingwithher。
HetookleaveofMissLynde，andwasgoingtogethiscoatandhatforhiswalkhomewhenhewasmysteriouslystoppedinacornerofthestairsbyoneofthecaterer’smenwhomheknew。Itissounnaturaltobeaddressedbyaservantatallunlessheasksyouifyouwillhavesomethingtoeatordrink，thatWestoverwasinamannerpreparedtohavehimsaysomethingstartling。\"It’saboutyoungMr。Lynde，sor。We’vegotuminoneoftheroomsup—stairs，butheain’tfittogohomealone，andI’vebeenlookin’forsomebodythatknowsthefamilytohelpgetumintoacar’ge。Hewon’tgoforannyofus，sor。\"
\"Whereishe？\"askedWestover，inanguishatbeingunabletorefusetheappeal，butloathingtheofficeputuponhim。
\"I’llshowyou，sor，\"saidthecaterer’sman，andhesprangupthestairsbeforeWestover，withgladalacrity。
XXXIII。
Inalittleroomatthesideofthatwherethemen’shatsandcoatswerechecked，AlanLyndesatdroopingforwardinanarm—chair，withhisheadfallenonhisbreast。Herousedhimselfattheflashoftheburnerwhichthemanturnedup。\"What’sallthis？\"hedemanded，haughtily。\"Where’sthecarriage？What’sthematter？\"
\"Yourcarriageiswaiting，Lynde，\"saidWestover。\"I’llseeyoudowntoit，\"andhemurmured，hopelessly，tothecaterer’sman：\"Isthereanybackway？\"
\"There’sthewanwegotumupby。\"
\"Itwilldo，\"saidWestover，assimply。
ButLyndecalledout，defiantly：\"Backway；Isha’n’tgodownbackway。
Inshulttoguest。Iwish——say——good—nightto——Mrs。Enderby。Whoyou，anyway？Damncaterer’sman？\"
\"I’mWestover，Lynde，\"thepainterbegan，buttheyoungfellowbrokeinuponhim，shakinghishandandthentakinghisarm。
\"Oh，Westover！Allright！I’llgodownbackwaywithyou。Thought——
thoughtitwasdamncaterer’sman。No——offence。\"
\"No。It’sallright。\"WestovergothisarmunderLynde’selbow，and，withthemangoingbeforeforthemtofalluponjointlyincasetheyshouldstumble，hegothimdownthedarkandtwistingstairsandthroughthebasementhall，whichwasvaguelyhauntedbythedispossessedwomenservantsofthefamily，andsooutuponthepavementofthemoonlightedstreets。
\"CallMissLynde’scar’ge，\"shoutedthecaterer’smantothebarker，andescapedbackintothebasement，leavingWestovertostayhishelplesschargeonthesidewalk。
Itseemedapublicationofthewretch’sshamewhenthebarkerbegantofillthenightwithhoarsecriesof，\"MissLynde’scarriage；carriageforMissLynde！\"Thecriesweretakenupbyacoachmanhereandthereintherankofvehicleswhosevarnishedroofsshoneinthemoonupanddownthestreet。AfteratimethatWestoverofcoursefelttobelongerthanitwas，MissLynde’soldcoachmanwasrousedfromhissleepontheboxandstartedoutoftherank。Hetookinthesituationwiththeeyeofcustom，whenhesawAlansupportedonthesidewalkbyastrangerattheendofthecanopycoveringthepavement。
Hesaid，\"Oh，ahlright，sor！\"andwhenthetwowhite—glovedpolicemenfromeithersideofithelpedWestoverintothecarriagewithLynde，hesetoffataquicktrot。Thepolicemenclappedtheirhandstogether，andsmiledacrossthestripofcarpetthatseparatedthem，andwinksandnodsofintelligencepassedamongthebarkerstothefootmenaboutthecurbandsteps。Therewerenoneofthemsorrytoseeagentlemaninthatstate；someofthemhadperhapsseenAlaninthatstatebefore。
Half—wayhomeherousedhimselfandputhishandonthecarriage—doorlatch。\"Tellthecoachmandriveusto——the——club。Makenightofit。\"
\"No，no，\"saidWestover，tryingtorestrainhim。\"We’dbettergorightontoyourhouse。\"
\"Who——who——whoareyou？\"demandedAlan。
\"Westover。\"
\"Ohyes——Westover。ThoughtweleftWestoveratMrs。Enderby’s。Thoughtitwasthatjay——What’shisname？Durgin。He’sawfuljay，butciviltome，andIwantbeciviltohim。You’renot——jay？No？That’sright。
Fellowmademesick；butItookhischampagne；andImustshowhimsome——attention。\"Hereleasedthedoor—handle，andfellbackagainstthecushionedcarriagewall。\"He’sablackguard！\"hesaid，sourly。\"Not——
simplejay—blackguard，too。No——no——businessbringinmysister’sname，hey？You——yousayit’s——Westover？Ohyes，Westover。Oldfriendoffamily。Tellyougoodjoke，Westover——mysister’s。Nomorejaysforme，nomorejagsforyou。That’swhatshesay——justbetweenherandme，youknow；she’salady，Bessis；knowswhentouse——slang。Mark——markofaladyknowwhentouseslang。Prettygood——jaysandjags。Guesswedidn’tcountthistime——eitherofus。\"
WhenthecarriagepulledupbeforeMissLynde’shouse，Westoveropenedthedoor。\"You’reathome，now，Lynde。Come，let’sgetout。\"
Lyndedidnotstir。HeaskedWestoveragainwhohewas，andwhenhehadmadesureofhim，hesaid，withdignity，Verywell；nowtheymustgettheotherfellow。Westoverentreated；heevenreasoned；Lyndelaybackinthecornerofthecarriage，andseemedasleep。
Westoverthoughtofpullinghimupandgettinghimindoorsbymainforce。
Heappealedtothecoachmantoknowiftheycouldnotdoittogether。
\"Why，yousee，Icouldn’tleavemeharsses，sor，\"saidthecoachman。
\"What’shewants，sor？\"HebenturbanelydownfromhisboxandlistenedtotheexplanationthatWestovermadehim，standinginthecoldonthecurbstone，withonehandonthecarriagedoor。\"Thenit’snouse，sor，\"
themandecided。\"Whig\"he’sthatway，ahlhellcouldn’tstirum。Bestgoback，sor，andtrytofindthegentleman。\"
ThiswasintheendwhatWestoverhadtodo，feelingallthetimethatathingsofranticallyabsurdcouldnotbeawakingact，buthelplesstoescapefromitsperformance。Hethoughtofabandoninghischargeandleavinghim，tohisfatewhenheopenedthecarriagedoorbeforeMrs。
Enderby’shouse；butwiththenextthoughtheperceivedthatthiswasonallaccountsimpossible。Hewentin，andbeganhisquestforJeff，sendingvariousserving\"menaboutwithvaguedescriptionsofhim，andaskingforhimofdepartingguests，mostlyyoungmenhedidnotknow，butwho，hethought，mightknowJeff。
Hehadtotakeoffhisovercoatatlast，andreappearattheball。Thecrowdwasstillgreat，butvisiblylessdensethanithadbeen。Byasuddeninspirationhemadehiswaytothesupper—room，andhefoundJeffthere，fillingaplate，asifhewereabouttocarryitoffsomewhere。
HecommandedJeff’sinstantpresenceinthecarriageoutside；hetoldhimofAlan’sdesireforhim。
Jeffleanedbackagainstthewallwiththeplateinhishandandlaughedtillithalfslippedfromhishold。Whenhecouldgethisbreath，hesaid：\"I’llbebackinafewminutes；I’vegottotakethistoMissBessieLynde。ButI’llberightback。\"
Westoverhardlybelievedhim。Butwhenhegotonhisownthingsagain，Jeffjoinedhiminhishatandovercoat，andtheywentouttogether。
Itwasanothercarriagethatstoppedthewaynow，andoncemorethebarkermadethenightringwithwhatWestoverfelthisheartlessandshamelesscriesforMissLynde’scarriage。Afteramaddeningdelay，itlaggeduptothecurbandJeffpulledthedooropen。
\"Hello！\"hesaid。\"There’snobodyhere！\"
\"Nobodythere？\"criedWestover，andtheyfelluponthecoachmanwithwildquestionandreproach，；thepolicemanhadtotellhimatlastthatthecarriagemustmoveon，tomakewayforothers。
Thecoachmanhadnoexplanationtooffer：hedidnotknowhoworwhenMr。
Alanhadgotaway。
\"Butyoucangiveaguesswherehe’sgone？\"Jeffsuggested，withapresenceofmindwhichWestovermutelyadmired。
\"Well，sor，Iknowwherehedobegahn，sometimes，\"themanadmitted。
\"Well，thatwilldo；takemethere，\"saidJeff。\"YougoinandaccountformetoMissLynde，\"heinstructedWestover，acrosshisshoulder。
\"I’llgethimhomebeforemorning，somehow；andI’llsendthecarriagerightbackfortheladies，now。\"
WestoverhadtheforethoughttodecidethatMissBessieshouldaskforJeffifshewantedhim，andthissimplifiedmattersverymuch。Sheaskednothingabouthim。AtsightofWestovercominguptoherwhereshesatwithheraunt，shemerelysaid：\"Why，Mr。Westover！Ithoughtyoutookleaveofthissceneofgayetylongago。\"
\"Didyou？\"Westoverreturned，provisionally，andshesavedhimfromthesinofframingsomedeceitinfinalanswerbyhernextquestion。
\"HaveyouseenanythingofAlanlately？\"sheasked，inavoiceinvoluntarilylowered。
Westoverrepliedinthesameoctave：\"Yes；Isawhimgoingagoodwhileago。\"
\"Oh！\"saidthegirl。\"ThenIthinkmyauntandIhadbettergo，too。\"
Stillshedidnotgo，andtherewasanintervalinwhichshehadtheairofvaguelywaiting。ToWestover’svision，theyoungpeoplestillpassingtoandfromtheballroomwerelikethepaintedfiguresofapicturequickenedwithsuddenanimation。Therewerescarcelyanyelderstobeseennow，exceptthechaperons，whosatintheirplaceswithironfortitude；Westoverrealizedthathewastheonlymanofhisageleft。
Hefeltthatthelightsoughttohavegrowndim，buttheplacewasasbrilliantasever。Awindowhadbeenopenedsomewhere，andthecoldbreathofthenightwasdrawingthroughtheheatedrooms。
HewascontenttohaveBessiestayon，thoughhewasalmostdroppingwithsleep，forhewasafraidthatifshewentatonce，thecarriagemightnothavegotback，andthewholeaffairmustsomehowbegivenaway；atlast，ifshewerewaiting，shedecidedtowaitnolonger，andthenWestoverdidnotknowhowtokeepher。Hesawherriseandstoopoverheraunt，puttinghermouthtotheelderlady’sear，andheheardhersaying，\"Iamgoinghome，AuntLouisa。\"Sheturnedsweetlytohim。\"Won’tyouletussetyoudown，Mr。Westover？\"
\"Why，thankyou，IbelieveIpreferwalking。Butdoletmehaveyourcarriagecalled，\"andagainhehurriedhimselfintohisovercoatandhat，andrandown—stairs，andthebarkerathirdtimesentforthhislamentablecriesinsummonsofMissLynde’scarriage。
Whilehestoodonthecurb—stoneeagerlypeeringupanddownthestreet，heheard，withoutbeingableeithertoenjoyorresentit，oneofthepolicemensayacrosshimtotheother，\"Misslyndeseemstobedoin’alivery—stablebusinessto—night。\"
Almostatthemomentacarriagedroveup，andherecognizedMissLynde’scoachman，whorecognizedhim。
\"Justgotback，sor，\"hewhispered，andaminutelaterBessiecamedaintilyoutoverthecarpetedwaywithheraunt。
\"Howgoodofyou！\"shesaid，and\"Good—night，Mr。Westover，\"saidMissLynde，withanimplicationinhervoicethatvirtuewaspeculiarlyitsownrewardforthosewhoperformedanygoodofficeforherorhers。
Westovershutthemin，thecarriagerolledoff，andhestartedonhishomewardwalkwithalongsighofrelief。
XXXIV。
Bessieaskedthesleepymanwhoopenedheraunt’sdoorwhetherherbrotherhadcomeinyet，andfoundthathehadnot。Shehelpedherauntoffup—stairswithhermaid，andwhenshecamedownagainshesentthemantobed；shetoldhimshewasgoingtositupandshewouldletherbrotherin。ThecapricesofAlan’slatch—keywereknowntoalltheservants，andthemanunderstoodwhatshe，meant。Hesaidhehadleftalightinthereception—roomandtherewasafirethere；andBessietrippedondownfromthelibraryfloor，whereshehadmethim。Shehadputoffherballdressandhadslippedintothesimplestandeasiestofbreakfastfrocks，whichwasbynomeansplain。Bessiehadnoplainfrocksforanyhouroftheday；herfrocksallexpressedinstuffandstyleandcolor，andthebraveryoftheirflyinglacesandribbons，theaudacityofspiritwithwhichshewasherselfchicquedtogether，asshesaid。Thisoneshehadonnowwassomethingthatbrightenedherdullcomplexion，andbroughtoutthebesteffectofhereyesandmouth，andseemedtheeffluenceofherpersonaldashandgrace。Itmadethemostofher，andshelikeditbeyondallherothernegligeesforitscomplaisance。
Shegotabook，andsatdowninalong，lowchairbeforethefireandcrossedherprettyslippersonthewarmhearth。Itwasaquarterafterthreebytheclockonthemantel；butshehadneverfeltmoreeagerlyawake。Thepartyhadnotbeenaltogethertohermind，uptomidnight，butafterthatithadbeenaseriesofrapidandvividemotions，whichcontinuedthemselvesstillinthetumultofhernerves，andseemedtodemandanindefinitesequenceofexperience。Shedidnotknowwhatstateherbrothermightbeinwhenhecamehome；shehadnotseenanythingofhimaftershefirstwentouttosupper；tillthen，though，hehadkepthimselfstraight，asheneedsmust；butshecouldnottellwhathappenedtohimafterward。Shehopedthathewouldcomehomeabletotalk，forshewishedtotalk。Shewishedtotalkaboutherself；andasshehadalreadyhadflatteryenough，shewantedsometruthaboutherself；shewantedAlantosaywhathethoughtofherbehaviorthewholeeveningwiththatjay。Hemusthaveseensomethingofitinthebeginning，andsheshouldtellhimalltherest。Sheshouldtellhimjusthowoftenshehaddancedwiththeman，andhowmanydancesshehadsatoutwithhim；howshehadpretendedoncethatshewasengagedwhenanothermanaskedher，andthendancedwiththejay，towhomshepretendedthathehadengagedherforthedance。Shehadwishedtoseehowhewouldtakeit；forthesamereasonshehadgiventosomeoneelseadancethatwasreallyhis。
ShewouldtellAlanhowthejayhadaskedherforthatlastdance，andthennevercomenearheragain。Thatwouldgivehimthewholesituation，andshewouldknowjustwhathethoughtofit。
Whatshethoughtofherselfshehardlyknew，ormadebelieveshehardlyknew。Shepridedherselfuponnotbeingaflirt；shemightnotbeverygood，asgoodnesswent，butshewasnotdespicable，andaflirtwasdespicable。Shedidnotcalltheaudacityofherbehaviorwiththejayflirting；heseemedtounderstanditaswellasshe，andtomeetherinherownspirit；shewonderednowwhetherthisjaywasreallymoreinterestingthantheothermenonemet，oronlydifferent；whetherhewasoriginal，likeAlanhimself，ormerelynovel，andwouldsoonweardowntothetiresomenessthatseemedtounderliethemall，andmadeonewishtodosomethingdreadful。Inthejay’spresenceshehadnowishtodoanythingdreadful。Wasitbecausehewasdreadfulenoughforboth，allthetime，withoutdoinganything？ShewouldliketoaskAlanthat，andseehowhewouldtakeit。Nothingseemedtoputthejayout，sofarasshehadtried，andshehadtriedsomeboldimpertinenceswithhim。Hewasveryjollythroughthemall，andattheworstofthemhelaughedandaskedherforthatdance，whichhenevercametoclaim，thoughinthemeantimehebroughthersomebelatedsupper，andwasdevotedtoherandheraunt，inventingservicestodoforthem。Thensuddenlyhewentoffanddidnotreturn，andMr。Westovermysteriouslyreappeared，andgottheircarriage。
Sheheardascratchingatthekey—holeoftheoutsidedoor；sheknewitwasAlan’slatch。Shehadlefttheinnerdoorajarthattheremightbenouncertaintyofhearinghim，andsheranoutintothespacebetweenthatandtheouterdoorwherethefumblingandscrapingkepton。
\"Isthatyou，Alan？\"shecalled，softly，andifshehadanydoubtbefore，shehadnonewhensheheardherbrotheroutside，cursinghisluckwithhiskeyasusual。
Sheflungthedooropen，andconfrontedhimwithanotherman，whohadhisarmsaroundhimasifhehadcaughthimfromfallingwiththeinwardpullofthedoor。Alangottohisfeetandgrappledwiththeman，andinsistedthatheshouldcomeinandmakeanightofit。
BessiesawthatitwasJeff，andtheystoodamoment，lookingateachother。JefftriedtofreehimselfwithanappealtoBessie：\"Ibegyourpardon，MissLynde。Iwalkedhomewithyourbrother，andIwasjusthelpinghimtogetin——Ididn’tthinkthatyou——\"
Alansaid，withhismeasureddistinctness：\"Nobodycareswhatyouthink。
Comein，andgetsomethingtocarryyouoverthebridge。Cambridgecarsstoppedrunninglongago。Isayyoushall！\"Hebegantoraisehisvoice。Alightflashedinawindowacrosstheway，andasashwaslifted；someonemustbelookingout。