\"Yes，atonce。You’dbettercablehim。Haveyougothisaddress？\"
Whitwellhadit，andhetastedallthedramaticqualityofsendingwordtoJeff，whichhewouldreceiveinFlorenceanhourafteritleftBoston。
\"IdidhopeIcouldha’cabledoncetoJacksonwhilehewasgone，\"hesaid，regretfully，\"but，unlesswecanfixupawirewiththeotherworld，IguessIshan’teverdoitnow。IsupposeJackson’sstillhangin’roundMars，some’res。\"
HehadasectarianprideinthebeautyoftheSpiritualTemplewhichWestoverwalkedhimbyonhiswaytoseeTrinityChurchandtheFineArtsMuseum，andhesorrowedthathecouldnotattendaservice’there。ButhewasconsoledbythelunchwhichhehadwithWestoveratarestaurantwhereitwasservedincourses。\"IpresumethisiswhatJeff’sgoin’togive’ematLion’sHeadwhenhegitsitgoin’again。\"
\"Howisithe’sinFlorence？\"itoccurredtoWestovertoask。\"IthoughthewasgoingtoNiceforthewinter。\"
\"Idon’tknow。That’stheaddresshegiveinhislastletter，\"saidWhitwell。\"I’llbegladwhenI’vedonewithhimforgoodandall。
He’sallkindsofadevil。\"
ItwasinWestover’smindtosaythathewishedtheWhitwellshadneverhadanythingtodowithDurginafterhismother’sdeath。Hehadfeltitawantofdelicacyinthemthattheyhadbeenwillingtostayoninhisemploy，andhisidealofCynthiahadsufferedakindofwoundfromwhatmusthavebeenherdecisioninthematter。Hewouldhaveexpectedsomethingaltogetherdifferentfromherpride，herself—respect。Buthenowmerelysaid：\"Yes，Ishallbeglad，too。I’mafraidhe’sabadfellow。\"
HiswordsseemedtoappealtoWhitwell’simpartiality。\"Well，Id’knowasIshouldsaybad，exactly。He’samixture。\"
\"He’sabadmixture，\"saidWestover。
\"Well，Iguessyou’repartlyrightthere，\"Whitwelladmitted，withalaugh。Afteradreamymomentheasked：\"EverhearanythingmoreaboutthatgirlhereinBoston？\"
WestoverknewthathemeantBessieLynde。\"She’sabroadsomewhere，withheraunt。\"
Whitwellhadnottakenanywine；apparentlyhewasafraidofforminginstantlythehabitofdrinkifhetouchedit；buthetoleratedWestover’spintofZinfandel，andheseemedtowarmsympatheticallytoagreaterconfidenceasthepaintermadeawaywithit。\"There’sonethingInevertoldCynthyyet；well，Jombateestedidn’ttellmehimselftillafterJeffwasgone；andthen，thinksI，what’stheuse？ButIguessyouhadbetterknow。\"
Heleanedforwardacrossthetable，andgaveJombateeste’sstoryoftheencounterbetweenJeffandAlanLyndeintheclearing。\"NowwhatdoyousupposewasthereasonJeffletuponthefeller？Ofcourse，hemeanttochokethelifeoutofhim，andhisjustketchin’sightofJombateeste——doyoubelievethatwasenoughtostophim，whenhe’dstartedinforathinglikethat？Orwhatwasitdoneit？\"
Westoverlistenedwithlessthoughtofthefactitselfthanofanotherfactthatitthrewlightupon。ItwascleartohimnowthattheClass—
DayscrappingwhichhadleftitsmarksuponJeff’sfacewaswithLynde，andthatwhenJeffgothiminhispowerhewasinsuchafuryforrevengethatnomeremotiveofprudencecouldhavearrestedhim。Inbothevents，itmusthavebeenBessieLyndethatwasthemovingcause；butwhatwasitthatstayedJeffinhisvengeance？
\"Lethimup，andlethimwalkaway，yousay？\"hedemandedofWhitwell。
Whitwellnodded。\"That’swhatJombateestesaid。SaidJeffsaidifheletthefellerlookbackhe’dshoothim。Buthedidn’thafto。\"
\"Ican’tmakeitout，\"Westoversighed。
\"It’sbeentoomuchforme，\"Whitwellsaid。\"ItoldJombateestehe’dbetterkeepittohimself，andIguesshedoneso。S’poseJeffstillhadasneakin’fondnessforthegirl？\"
\"Idon’tknow；perhaps，\"Westoverasserted。
Whitwellthrewhisheadbackinasuddenlaughthatshowedalltheworkofhisdentist。\"Well，wouldn’titbeajokeifhewasthereinFlorenceafterher？BejustlikeJeff。\"
\"ItwouldbelikeJeff；Idon’tknowwhetheritwouldbeajokeornot。
Ihopehewon’tfinditajoke，ifit’sso，\"saidWestover，gloomily。
Afantasticapprehensionseizedhim，whichmadehimwishforthemomentthatitmightbeso，andwhichthenpassed，leavinghimsimplysorryforanychancethatmightbringBessieLyndeintothefellow’swayagain。
FortheeveningWhitwell’spreferencewouldhavebeenalectureofsomesort，buttherewasnoneadvertised，andheconsentedtogowithWestovertothetheatre。Hecamebacktothepainteratdinner—time，afterawaryexplorationofthecity，whichhadresultednotonlyinapersonalacquaintancewithitsmonuments，butanimmunityfromitsdangersandtemptationswhichhepridedhimselfhardlylessupon。HehadseenFaneuilHall，theoldStateHouse，BunkerHill，thePublicLibrary，andtheOldSouthChurch，andhehadnotbeensandbaggedorbuncoedorledastrayfromthepathsofpropriety。Inthecomfortablesenseofescape，hewasdisposed，tomoralizeuponthecivilizationofgreatcities，whichhenowwitnessedatfirsthandforthefirsttime；andthroughouttheevening，betweentheactsofthe\"OldHomestead，\"whichhefoundaplayofsomemerit，butofnotsomuchnoveltyinitscharactersashehadsomehowledhimselftoexpect，herecurredtothedifficultiesanddangersthatmustbesetayoungmanincomingtoaplacelikeBoston。
WestoverfoundhimlessamusingthanhehadonhisowngroundatLion’sHead，andtastedaqualityofcommonplaceinhisdeliveranceswhichmadehimquestionwhetherhehadnot，perhaps，alwaysowedmoretothisenvironmentthanhehadsuspected。Buttheypartedupontermsofmutualrespectandinthecommonhopeofmeetingagain。WhitwellpromisedtoletWestoverknowwhatheheardofJeff，but，whenthepainterhadwalkedthephilosopherhometohishotel，hefoundamessageawaitinghimathisstudiofromJeffdirect：
Whitwell’sdespatchreceived。Waitletter。
\"DURGIN。\"
Westoverragedattheintelligentthriftofthistelegram，andattheimplicationthathenotonlyknewallaboutthebusinessofWhitwell’sdespatch，butthathewasincommunicationwithhim，andwouldbesufficientlyinterestedtoconveyJeff’smessagetohim。Ofcourse，DurginhadatoncedivinedthatWhitwellmusthavecometohimforadvice，andthathewouldhearfromhim，whetherhewasstillinBostonornot。BycablingtoWestover，JeffsavedthecostofanelaborateaddresstoWhitwellatLion’sHead，andhadbroughtthepainterinforfurtherconsultationandassistanceinhisaffairs。Whatvexedhimstillmorewashisownconsciousnessthathecouldnotdefeatthisimpudentexpectation。Hehad，indeed，somedifficultywithhimselftokeepfromgoingtoWhitwell’shotelwiththedespatchatonce，andhesleptbadly，inhisfearthathemightnotgetittohiminthemorningbeforehelefttown。
ThesumofJeff’sletterwhenitcame，anditcametoWestoverandnottoWhitwell，wastorequestthepaintertoseealawyerinhisbehalf，andputhisinsurancepoliciesinhishands，withfullauthoritytoguardhisinterestsinthematter。HetoldWestoverwherehispolicieswouldbefound，andenclosedthekeyofhisboxintheSafetyVaults，withaduedemandforWestover’sadmissiontoit。Heregisteredhisletter，andhejocoselypromisedWestovertodoasmuchforhimsomeday，inpleadingthattherewasreallynooneelsehecouldturnto。Heputthewholebusinessuponhim，andWestoverdischargedhimselfofitasbrieflyashecouldbydeliveringthepaperstothelawyerhehadalreadyconsultedforWhitwell。
\"Isthisanothercharitypatient？\"askedhisfriend，withagrin。
\"No，\"repliedWestover。\"Youcanchargethisfellowalongthewholeline。\"
Beforehepartedwiththelawyerhehadhismisgivings，andhesaid：
\"Ishouldn’twanttheblackguardtothinkIhadgotafriendafatjoboutofhim。\"
Thelawyerlaughedintelligently。\"Ishallonlymaketheusualcharge。
Thenheisablackguard。\"
\"Thereoughttobeamoreblisteringword。\"
\"Onethatwouldimplythathewascapableofsettingfiretohisproperty？\"
\"Idon’tsaythat。ButI’mgladhewasawaywhenittookfire，\"saidWestover。
\"Yougivehimthebenefitofthedoubt。\"
\"Yes，ofeverykindofdoubt。\"
LII。
WestoveroncemorepromisedhimselftohavenothingtodowithJeffDurginorhisaffairs。Buthedidnotpromisethissoconfidentlyasuponformeroccasions，andheinstinctivelywaitedforanewcomplication。HecouldnotunderstandwhyJeffshouldnothavecomehometolookafterhisinsurance，unlessitwasbecausehehadbecomeinterestedinsomewomanevenbeyondhisconcernforhisownadvantage。
Hebelievedhimcapableofthrowingawayadvantagesfordisadvantagesinathingofthatkind，buthethoughtitmoreprobablethathehadfalleninlovewithonewhomhewouldlosenothingbywinning。ItdidnotseematallimpossiblethatheshouldhaveagainmetBessieLynde，andthattheyshouldhavemadeuptheirquarrel，orwhateveritwas。JeffwouldconsiderthathehaddonehiswholedutybyCynthia，andthathewasfreetorenewhissuitwithBessie；andtherewasnothinginBessie’scharacter，asWestoverunderstoodit，topreventhertakinghimbackuponaverysmallshowofrepentanceiftheneededemotionswereinprospect。
HehaddecidedprettyfinallythatitwouldbeBessieratherthananotherwhenhereceivedaletterfromMrs。Vostrand。ItwasdatedatFlorence，andaftersomeprettypalaverabouttheiroldfriendship，whichsheonlyhopedherememberedhalfasfondlyasshedid，theletterran：
\"Iamturningtoyounowinaverystrangedifficulty，butIdonotknowthatIshouldturntoyouevennow，andknowingallIdoofyourgoodness，ifIwerenotaskedtodosobyanother。
\"IbelievewehavenotheardfromeachothersincethefirstdaysofmypoorGenevieve’smarriage，wheneverythinglookedsobrightandfair，andwelittlerealizedthecloudsthatweretoovercastherhappiness。Itisalongstory，andIwillnotgointoitfully。
ThetruthisthatpoorGigididnottreatherverykindly，andthatshehasnotlivedwithhimsincethebirthoftheirlittlegirl，nownearlytwoyearsold，andthesweetestlittlecreatureintheworld；
Iwishyoucouldseeher；Iamsureitwouldinspireyourpencilwiththeideaofanangel—child。AtfirstIhopedthattheseparationwouldbeonlytemporary，andthatwhenGenevievehadregainedherstrengthshewouldbewillingtogobacktoherhusband；butnothingwouldinducehertodoso。Infact，poorGigihadspentallhermoney，andtheywouldhavehadnothingtoliveuponbuthispay，andyouknowthatthepayoftheItalianofficersisverysmall。
\"Gigimadeseveralattemptstoseeher，andhethreatenedtotakethechildfromher，buthewasalwayswillingtocompromiseformoney。Iamafraidthatheneverreallylovedherandthatwewerebothdeceivedbyhisferventprotestations。WemanagedtogetawayfromFlorencewithouthisknowingit，andwehavespentthelasttwoyearsinLausanne，veryhappily，thoughveryquietly。OurdearCheccoisintheuniversitythere，hisfatherhavinggivenuptheplanofsendinghimtoHarvard，andwehadhimwithus，whileweweretakingmeasurestosecurethedivorce。EveninthesimplewaywelivedGenevieveattractedagreatdealofattention，asshealwayshasdone，andshewouldhavehadseveraleligibleoffersifshehadbeendivorced，orifheraffectionshadnotalreadybeenengaged，asIdidnotknowatthetime。
\"Wewereinthisstateofuncertaintyuptothemiddleoflastsummer，whenthenewsofpoorGigi’ssuddendeathcame。Iamsorrytosaythathishabitsinsomerespectswerenotgood，andthatprobablyhasteneditsome；ithadobligedhimtoleavethearmy。
Genevievedidnotfeelthatshecouldconsistentlyputonblackforhim，andIdidnoturgeher，underthepeculiarcircumstances；
thereissomuchmereformalityinthosekindofthingsatthebest；
butweimmediatelyreturnedtoFlorencetotryandseeifwecouldnotgetbacksomeofhereffectswhichhisfamilyhadseized。Iamopposedtolawsuitsiftheycanpossiblybeavoided，andwearrangedwithpoorGigi’sfamilybyagreeingtoletthemhaveGenevieve’sfurnitureiftheywouldpromisenevertomolestherwiththechild，andImustsaytheyhavebehavedverywell。Weareonthebestoftermswiththem，andtheyhaveletushavesomeofthethingsbackwhichwereendearedtoherbyoldassociations，ataveryreasonablerate。
\"Thisbringsmetotheromanticpartofmyletter，andIwillsayatoncethatwefoundyourfriendMr。DurgininFlorence，intheveryhotelwewentto。Weallmetinthedining—room，atthetabled’hoteoneevening，andGenevieveandhetooktoeachotheratonce。
Hespenttheeveningwithusinourprivatedrawing—room，andshesaidtome，afterhewent，thatforthefirsttimeinyearsshefeltrested。Itseemsthatshehadalwayssecretlyfanciedhim，andthatshegaveuptomeinthematterofmarryingpoorGigi，becausesheknewIhadmyheartsetuponit，andshewasnotverycertainofherownfeelingswhenMr。D。offeredhimselfinBoston；buttheconvictionthatshehadmadeamistakegrewupon，hermoreandmoreaftershehadmarriedGigi。
\"Well，now，Mr。Westover，IsupposeyouhaveguessedbythistimethatMr。Durginhasrenewedhisoffer，andGenevievehasconditionallyacceptedhim；wedonotfeelthatsheislikeanordinarywidow，andthatshehastofillupacertainseasonofmourning；sheandGigihavebeendeadtoeachotherforyears；andMr。DurginisasfondofourdearlittleBiceasherownfathercouldbe，andtheyaretogetherallthetime。HernameisBeatricede’PopolaniGrassi。Isn’titlovely？ShehaspoorGigi’sblackeyes，withthemostbeautifulgoldenhair，whichshegetsfromouraide。YourememberGenevieve’shairbackinthedearolddays，beforeanytroublehadcome，andwewereallsohappytogether？AndthisbringsmetowhatIwantedtosay。Youaretheoldestfriendwehave，andbyasingularcoincidenceyouaretheoldestfriendofMr。Durgin，too。Icannotbeartoriskmychild’shappinessasecondtime，andthoughMr。Vostrandfullyapprovesofthematch，andhascabledhisconsentfromSeattle，Washington，still，youknow，amother’sheartcannotbeatrestwithoutsomepositiveassurance。ItoldMr。DurginquitefranklyhowIfelt，andheagreedwithmethatafterourexperiencewithpoorGigiwecouldnotbetoocareful，andheauthorizedmetowritetoyouandfindoutallyouknewabouthim。Hesaidyouhadknownhimeversincehewasaboy，andthatiftherewasanythingbadinhisrecordyoucouldtellit，andhedidnotwantyoutospirethetruth。Heknowsyouwillbejust，andhewantsyoutowriteoutthefactsastheystruckyouatthetime。
\"Ishallbeonpinsandneedles，asthesayingis，tillwehearfromyou，andyouknowhewGenevieveandMr。D。mustbefeeling。Sheisfullyresolvednottohavehimwithoutyourendorsement，andheisquitewillingtoabidebywhatyousay。
IcouldalmostwishyoutocablemejustGoodorBad，butIknowthatthiswillnotbewise，andIamgoingtowaitforyourletter，andgetyouropinioninfull。
\"Wealljoininthekindestregards。Mr。D。istalkingwithGenevievewhileIwrite，andhasourdarlingBiceonhisknees。
Youcannotimaginewhatapictureitmakes，herchildishdelicacycontrastedwithhisstalwartstrength。Shesaystosendyouabaciettino，andIwishyouwereheretoreceiveitfromherangellips。Yoursfaithfully，\"MEDORAVOSTRAND。
\"P。S。——Mr。D。saysthathefellinlovewithGenevieveacrossthebarrierbetweenthefirstandsecondcabinwhenhecameoverwithusontheAquitainefouryearsago，andthathehasneverceasedtoloveher，thoughatonetimehepersuadedhimselfthathecaredforanotherbecausehefeltthatshewaslosttohimforever，anditwasnouse：Hereallydidcarefortheladyhewasengagedto，andhadatrueaffectionforher，whichhemistookforawarmerfeeling。Hesaysthatshewasworthyofanyman’sloveandofthehighestrespect。ItellGenevievethat，sheoughttohonorhimforit，andthatshemustneverbejealousofamemory。WeareveryhappyinMr。Vostrand’scordialapprovalofthematch。HeissogladtothinkthatMr。D。isabusinessman。HiscablefromSeattlewasmostenthusiastic。
\"M。D。\"
Westoverdidnotknowwhethertolaughorcrywhenhereadthisletter，whichcoveredseveralsheetsofpaperinlinesthattraversedeachotherindifferentdirections。Hisold，youthfulidealofMrs。Vostrandfinallyperishedinitspresence，thoughstillhecouldnotblameherforwishingtoseeherdaughterwellmarriedafterhavingseenhermarriedsoill。Heaskedhimself，withoutgettinganyverydefiniteresponse，whetherMrs。Vostrandhadalwaysbeenthiskindofawoman，orhadgrownintoitbytheuseofartswhichherpeculiarplanoflifehadrenderednecessarytoher。HerememberedtheintelligenttolerationofCynthiainspeakingofher，andhisindignationinbehalfofthegirlwasalsothrillofjoyforherescapefromthefatewhichMrs。Vostrandwassoeagerlyinvokingforherdaughter。ButhethoughtofGenevievewithsomethingofthesametenderness，andwithacompassionthatwasforheralone。Sheseemedtohimavictimwhowastobesacrificedasecondtime，andhehadclearlyadutytoherwhichhemustnotevade。Theonlyquestioncouldbehowbesttodischargeit，andWestovertooksomehoursfromhisworktoturnthequestionoverinhismind。Intheend，whenhewasabouttogivethewholeaffairupforthepresent，andloseanight’ssleepoveritlater，hehadaninspiration，andheacteduponitatonce。
HeperceivedthatheowednoformalresponsetothesentimentalinsinceritiesofMrs。Vostrand’sletter，andhedecidedtowritetoDurginhimself，andtoputthecasealtogetherinhishands。IfDurginchosetoshowtheVostrandswhatheshouldwrite，verywell；ifhechosenottoshowit，thenWestover’sapparentsilencewouldbeasufficientreplytoMrs。Vostrand’sappeal。
\"Iprefertoaddressyou，\"hebegan，\"becauseIdonotchoosetoletyouthinkthatIhaveanyfeelingtoindulgeagainstyou，andbecauseIdonotthinkIhavetherighttotakeyououtofyourownkeepinginanyway。YouwouldbeinmykeepingifIdid，andIdonotwishthat，notonlybecauseitwouldbeabothertome，butbecauseitwouldbeawrongtoyou。
\"Mrs。Vostrand，whoselettertomeIwillleaveyoutoanswerbyshowingherthis，orinanyothermanneryouchoose，tellsmeyoudonotwantmetosparethetruthconcerningyou。Ihaveneverbeenquitecertainwhatthetruthwasconcerningyou；youknowthatbetterthanIdo；andIdonotproposetowriteyourbiographyhere。
ButIwillremindyouofafewthings。
\"ThefirstdayIsawyou，Icaughtyouamusingyourselfwiththeterroroftwolittlechildren，andIhadthepleasureofcuffingyouforit。Butyouwereonlyaboythen，andafterwardyoubehavedsowellthatIdecidedyouwerenotsomuchcruelasthoughtlesslymischievous。Whenyouhaddoneallyoucouldtoleadmetothisfavorableconclusion，yousuddenlyturnedandavengedyourselfonme，sofarasyoucould，forthehelpIhadgiventhelittleonesagainstyou。Inevergreatlyblamedyouforthat，forIdecidedthatyouhadavindictivetemperament，andthatyouwerenotresponsibleforyourtemperament，butonlyforyourcharacter。
\"InyourfirstyearatHarvardyourassociationswerebad，andyourconductgenerallywassobadthatyouweresuspended。Youwerearrestedwithotherrowdystudents，andpassedthenightinapolicestation。Ibelieveyouwerejustlyacquittedofanyspecificoffence，andIalwaysbelievedthatifyouhadexperiencedgreaterkindnesssociallyduringyourfirstyearincollegeyouwouldhavebeenabetterman。
\"YouseemtohavetoldMrs。Vostrandofyourengagement，andIwillnotspeakofthat。Itwascreditabletoyouthatsowiseandgoodagirlasyourbetrothedshouldhavetrustedyou，andIdonotknowthatitwasagainstyouthatanothergirlwhowasneitherwisenorgoodshouldhavetrustedyouatthesametime。Youbrokewiththelast，becauseyouhadtochoosebetweenthetwo；and，sofarasI
know，youacceptedwithaduesenseofyourfaithlessnessyourdismissalbythefirst。InthisconnectionImustremindyouthatwhileyouweredoingyourbesttomakethepartytoyoursecondengagementbelievethatyouwereinlovewithher，yougotherbrother，anhabitualinebriate，drunk，andwere，sofar，instrumentalinbreakingdowntheweakwillwithwhichhewasstrugglingagainsthispropensity。ItisonlyfairtoyouthatI
shouldaddthatyoupersuadedmeyougothimonlyalittledrunkerthanhealreadygothimself，andthatyoumeanttohavelookedafterhim，butforgothiminyourpreoccupationwithhissister。
\"Idonotknowwhattookplacebetweenyouandthesepeopleafteryoubrokeyourengagementwiththesister，untilyourencounterwiththebrotherinWhitwell’sClearing，andIknowofthisonlyatsecondhand。Icanwellbelievethatyouhadsomerealorfanciedinjurytopayoff；andIgiveyouallthecredityoumaywishtoclaimforsparinghimatlast。Foroneofyourvindictivetemperamentitmusthavebeendifficult。
\"IhavetoldyoutheworstthingsIknowofyou，andIdonotpretendtoknowthemmorethansuperficially。Iamnotaskedtojudgeyou，andIwillnot。Youmustbeyourownjudge。Youaretodecidewhethertheseandotheractsofyoursaretheactsofamangoodenoughtobeintrustedwiththehappinessofawomanwhohasalreadybeenveryunhappy。
\"Youhavesometimes，however——oftenerthanIwished——cometomeforadvice，andInowofferyousomeadvicevoluntarily。Donotsupposethatbecauseyoulovethiswoman，asyoubelieve，youarefittobethekeeperofherfuture。Askyourselfhowyouhavedealthithertowiththosewhohavelovedyou，andwhominasortyouloved，anddonotgofurtherunlesstheanswerissuchasyoucanfullyandfaithfullyreporttothewomanyouwishtomarry。Whatyouhavemadeyourselfyouwillbetotheend。Youoncecalledmeanidealist，andperhapsyouwillcallthisidealism。Iwillonlyadd，andIwillgivethelastwordinyourdefence，youaloneknowwhatyouare。\"