第20章

\"IthinkConradhadnobusinessthere，oryou，either，Basil，\"saidhiswife。 \"Oh，Idon\'tdefendmyself，\"saidMarch。\"Iwasthereinthecauseofliterarycuriosityandofconjugaldisobedience。ButConrad——yes，hehadsomebusinessthere:itwashisbusinesstosufferthereforthesinsofothers。Isabel，wecan\'tthrowasidethatolddoctrineoftheAtonementyet。ThelifeofChrist，itwasn\'tonlyinhealingthesickandgoingabouttodogood；itwassufferingforthesinsofothers。That\'sasgreatamysteryasthemysteryofdeath。Whyshouldtherebesuchaprincipleintheworld?Butit\'sbeenfelt，andmoreorlessdumbly，blindlyrecognizedeversinceCalvary。Ifwelovemankind，pitythem，weevenwishtosufferforthem。That\'swhathascreatedthereligiousordersinalltimes——thebrotherhoodsandsisterhoodsthatbelongtoourdayasmuchastothemediaevalpast。That\'swhatisdrivingagirllikeMargaretVance，whohaseverythingthattheworldcanofferheryoungbeauty，ontotheworkofaSisterofCharityamongthepoorandthedying。\" \"Yes，yes!\"criedMrs。March。\"How——howdidshelookthere，Basil?\"Shehadherfemininemisgivings；shewasnotsurebutthegirlwassomethingofaposeuse，andenjoyedthepicturesqueness，aswellasthepain；andshewishedtobeconvincedthatitwasnotso。 \"Well，\"shesaid，whenMarchhadtoldagainthelittletherewastotell，\"IsupposeitmustbeagreattrialtoawomanlikeMrs。Horntohaveherniecegoingthatway。\" \"ThewayofChrist?\"askedMarch，withasmile。 \"Oh，Christcameintotheworldtoteachushowtoliverightlyinit，too。Ifwewerealltospendourtimeinhospitals，itwouldberatherdismalforthehomes。Butperhapsyoudon\'tthinkthehomesareworthminding?\"shesuggested，withacertainnoteinhervoicethatheknew。 Hegotupandkissedher。\"Ithinkthegimcrackeriesare。\"Hetookthehathehadsetdownontheparlortableoncomingin，andstartedtoputitinthehall，andthatmadehernoticeit。 \"You\'vebeengettinganewhat!\" \"Yes，\"hehesitated；\"theoldonehadgot——wasdecidedlyshabby。\" \"Well，that\'sright。Idon\'tlikeyoutowearthemtoolong。Didyouleavetheoldonetobepressed?\" \"Well，thehatterseemedtothinkitwashardlyworthpressing，\"saidMarch。Hedecidedthatforthepresenthiswife\'snerveshadquitealltheycouldbear。 XII。 Itwasinamannergrotesque，buttoMarchitwasallthemorenaturalforthatreason，thatDryfoosshouldhaveLindau\'sfuneralfromhishouse。Heknewtheoldmantobedarklygroping，throughthepaymentofthesevainhonorstothedead，forsomeatonementtohisson，andheimaginedhimfindinginthemsuchcomfortascomesfromdoingallonecan，evenwhenallisuseless。 NooneknewwhatLindau\'sreligionwas，andindefaulttheyhadhadtheAnglicanburialservicereadoverhim；itseemssooftentherefugeofthehomelessdead。Mrs。Dryfooscamedownfortheceremony。SheunderstoodthatitwasforCoonrod\'ssakethathisfatherwishedthefuneraltobethere；andsheconfidedtoMrs。MarchthatshebelievedCoonrodwouldhavebeenpleased。\"Coonrodwasamemberofthe\'PiscopalChurch；andfawther\'sdoin\'thewholethingforCoonrodasmuchasforanybody。HethoughttheworldofCoonrod，fawtherdid。Mela，shekindofthoughtitwouldlookqueertohavetwofuneralsfromthesamehouse，hand-runnin\'，asyoumightcallit，andoneof\'emnorelation，either； butwhenshesawhowfawtherwasbentonit，shegivein。Seemsasifshewastryin\'tomakeuptofawtherforCoonrodasmuchasshecould。 Melaalwayswasagoodchild，butnobodycanevercomeuptoCoonrod。\" Marchfeltallthegrotesqueness，thehopelessabsurdityofDryfoos\'sendeavoratatonementinthesevainobsequiestothemanforwhomhebelievedhissontohavedied；buttheefforthaditsmagnanimity，itspathos，andtherewasapoetrythatappealedtohiminthereconciliationthroughdeathofmen，ofideas，ofconditions，thatcouldonlyhavegonewarringoninlife。Hethought，asthepriestwentonwiththesolemnliturgy，howalltheworldmustcometogetherinthatpeacewhich，struggleandstriveaswemay，shallclaimusatlast。HelookedatDryfoos，andwonderedwhetherhewouldconsidertheseritesasufficienttribute，orwhethertherewasenoughinhimtomakehimrealizetheirfutility，exceptasameresignofhiswishtoretrievethepast。Hethoughthowwenevercanatoneforthewrongwedo；theheartwehavegrievedandwoundedcannotkindlewithpityforuswhenonceitisstilled；andyetwecanputourevilfromuswithpenitence，andsomehow，somewhere，theorderoflovingkindness，whichourpassionorourwilfulnesshasdisturbed，willberestored。 Dryfoos，throughFulkerson，hadaskedallthemoreintimatecontributorsof\'EveryOtherWeek\'tocome。Beatonwasabsent，butFulkersonhadbroughtMissWoodburn，withherfather，andMrs。LeightonandAlma，tofillup，ashesaid。Melawasmuchpresent，andwasofficialwiththearrangementoftheflowersandthewelcomeoftheguests。SheimpartedthisimpersonalitytoherreceptionofKendricks，whomFulkersonmetintheouterhallwithhisparty，andwhomhepresentedinwhispertothemall。Kendrickssmiledunderhisbreath，asitwere，andwasthenmutelyandseriouslypolitetotheLeightons。Almabroughtalittlebunchofflowers，whichwerelostinthosewhichDryfooshadorderedtobeunsparinglyprovided。 ItwasakindofsatisfactiontoMelatohaveMissVancecome，andreassuringastohowitwouldlooktohavethefuneralthere；MissVancewouldcertainlynothavecomeunlessithadbeenallright；shehadcome，andhadsentsomeEasterlilies。 \"Ain\'tChristinecomingdown?\"FulkersonaskedMela。 \"No，sheain\'tabitwell，andsheain\'tbeen，eversinceCoonroddied。 Idon\'tknow，what\'sgotoverher，\"saidMela。Sheadded，\"Well，I should\'a\'thoughtMr。Beatonwould\'a\'madeoutto\'a\'come!\" \"Beaton\'speculiar，\"saidFulkerson。\"Ifhethinksyouwanthimhetakesapleasureinnotlettingyouhavehim。\" \"Well，goodnessknows，Idon\'twanthim，\"saidthegirl。 Christinekeptherroom，andforthemostpartkeptherbed；butthereseemednothingdefinitelythematterwithher，andshewouldnotletthemcalladoctor。Hermothersaidshereckonedshewasbeginningtofeelthespringweather，thatalwaysperfectlypulledabodydowninNewYork； andMelasaidifbeingascrossastwostickswasanysignofspring- fever，Christinehaditbad。Shewasfaithfullykindtoher，andsubmittedtoallherhumors，butsherecompensedherselfbythefreestcriticismofChristinewhennotinactualattendanceonher。ChristinewouldnotsufferMrs。Mandeltoapproachher，andshehadwithherfatherasullensubmissionwhichwasnotresignation。Forher，apparently，Conradhadnotdied，orhaddiedinvain。 \"Pshaw!\"saidMela，onemorningwhenshecametobreakfast，\"IreckonifwewastosendupanoldcardofMr。Beaton\'sshe\'drattledown-stairsfastenough。Ifshe\'ssick，she\'slove-sick。Itmakesmesicktoseeher。\" MelawastalkingtoMrs。Mandel，butherfatherlookedupfromhisplateandlistened。Melawenton:\"Idon\'tknowwhat\'smadethefellowquitcomun\'。Buthewasanaggravatun\'thing，andnomoredependablethanwater。It\'sjustlikeAir。Fulkersonsaid，ifhethinksyouwanthimhe\'lltakeapleasureinnotlettun\'youhavehim。Ireckonthat\'swhat\'sthematterwithChristine。Ibelieveinmyheartthegirl\'lldieifshedon\'tgithim。\" Melawentontoeatherbreakfastwithherowngoodappetite。Shenowalwayscamedowntokeepherfathercompany，asshesaid，andshedidherbesttocheerandcomforthim。Atleastshekeptthetalkgoing，andshehaditnearlyalltoherself，forMrs。Mandelwasnowmerelystayingonprovisionally，and，intheabsenceofanyregretsorexcusesfromChristine，waslookingruefullyforwardtothemomentwhenshemustleaveeventhisungentlehomeforthechancesoftheruderworldoutside。 Theoldmansaidnothingattable，but，whenMelawentuptoseeifshecoulddoanythingforChristine，heaskedMrs。MandelagainaboutallthefactsofherlastinterviewwithBeaton。 Shegavethemasfullyasshecouldrememberthem，andtheoldmanmadenocommentonthem。Buthewentoutdirectlyafter，andatthe\'EveryOtherWeek\'officeheclimbedthestairstoFulkerson\'sroomandaskedforBeaton\'saddress。NooneyethadtakenchargeofConrad\'swork，andFulkersonwasrunningthethinghimself，ashesaid，tillhecouldtalkwithDryfoosaboutit。Theoldmanwouldnotlookintotheemptyroomwherehehadlastseenhissonalive；heturnedhisfaceawayandhurriedbythedoor。 XIII。 ThecourseofpubliceventscarriedBeaton\'sprivateaffairsbeyondthereachofhissimplefirstintentiontorenouncehisconnectionwith\'EveryOtherWeek。\'Infact，thiswasnotperhapssosimpleasitseemed，andlongbeforeitcouldbeputineffectitappearedstillsimplertodonothingaboutthematter——toremainpassiveandleavetheinitiativetoDryfoos，tomaintainthedignityofunconsciousnessandletrecognitionofanychangeinthesituationcomefromthosewhohadcausedthechange。Afterall，itwasratherabsurdtoproposemakingapurelypersonalquestionthepivotonwhichhisrelationswith\'EveryOtherWeek\'turned。HetookahintfromMarch\'spositionanddecidedthathedidnotknowDryfoosintheserelations；heknewonlyFulkerson，whohadcertainlyhadnothingtodowithMrs。Mandel\'saskinghisintentions。 AshereflecteduponthishebecamelesseagertolookFulkersonupandmakethemagazineapartnerofhisownsufferings。ThiswasthesoberermoodtowhichBeatontrustedthatnightevenbeforeheslept，andheawokefullyconfirmedinit。Asheexaminedtheoffencedonehiminthecoldlightofday，heperceivedthatithadnotcomeeitherfromMrs。 Mandel，whowasvisiblythefalteringandunwillinginstrumentofit，orfromChristine，whowasaltogetherignorantofit，butfromDryfoos，whomhecouldnothurtbygivinguphisplace。HecouldonlypunishFulkersonbythat，andFulkersonwasinnocent。JusticeandinterestalikedictatedthepassivecoursetowhichBeatoninclined；andhereflectedthathemightsafelyleavethepunishmentofDryfoostoChristine，whowouldfindoutwhathadhappened，andwouldbeabletotakecareofherselfinanyencounteroftemperswithherfather。 Beatondidnotgototheofficeduringtheweekthatfolloweduponthisconclusion；buttheywereusedtheretothesesuddenabsencesofhis，and，ashisworkforthetimewasintrain，nothingwasmadeofhisstayingaway，exceptthesarcasticcommentwhichthethoughtofhimwasapttoexciteintheliterarydepartment。HenolongercamesomuchtotheLeightons，andFulkersonwasinnostateofmindtomissanyonethereexceptMissWoodburn，whomhenevermissed。Beatonwasleft，then，unmolestedlyawaitingthecourseofdestiny，whenhereadinthemorningpaper，overhiscoffeeatMaroni\'s，thedeeplyscare-headedstoryofConrad\'sdeathandtheclubbingofLindau。Heprobablycaredaslittleforeitherofthemasanymanthateversawthem；buthefeltashock，ifnotapang，atConrad\'sfate，sooutofkeepingwithhislifeandcharacter。Hedidnotknowwhattodo；andhedidnothing。Hewasnotaskedtothefuneral，buthehadnotexpectedthat，and，whenFulkersonbroughthimnoticethatLindauwasalsotobeburiedfromDryfoos\'shouse，itwaswithouthisusualsullenvindictivenessthathekeptaway。 Inhissort，andasmuchasamancouldwhowasnecessarilysomuchtakenupwithhimself，hewassorryforConrad\'sfather；Beatonhadapeculiartendernessforhisownfather，andheimaginedhowhisfatherwouldfeelifitwerehewhohadbeenkilledinConrad\'splace，asitmightverywellhavebeen；hesympathizedwithhimselfinviewofthepossibility； andforoncetheyweremistakenwhothoughthimindifferentandmerelybrutalinhisfailuretoappearatLindau\'sobsequies。 Hewouldreallyhavegoneifhehadknownhowtoreconcilehispresenceinthathousewiththetermsofhiseffectivebanishmentfromit；andhewasratherforgivinglyfindinghimselfwrongedinthesituation，whenDryfoosknockedatthestudiodoorthemorningafterLindau\'sfuneral。 Beatonroaredout，\"Comein!\"ashealwaysdidtoaknockifhehadnotamodel；ifhehadamodelhesetthedoorslightlyajar，andwithhispaletteonhisthumbfrownedathisvisitorandtoldhimhecouldnotcomein。Dryfoosfumbledaboutfortheknobinthedimpassagewayoutside，andBeaton，whohadexperienceofpeople\'sdifficultieswithit，suddenlyjerkedthedooropen。Thetwomenstoodconfronted，andatfirstsightofeachothertheirquiescentdislikerevived。Eachwouldhavebeenwillingtoturnawayfromtheother，butthatwasnotpossible。 Beatonsnortedsomesortofinarticulatesalutation，whichDryfoosdidnottrytoreturn；heaskedifhecouldseehimaloneforaminuteortwo，andBeatonbadehimcomein，andsweptsomepaint-blotchedragsfromthechairwhichhetoldhimtotake。Henoticed，astheoldmansanktremulouslyintoit，thathismovementwaslikethatofhisownfather，andalsothathelookedverymuchlikeChristine。Dryfoosfoldedhishandstremulouslyonthetopofhishorn-handledstick，andhewasratherfinelyhaggard，withthedarkhollowsroundhisblackeyesandthefallofthemusclesoneithersideofhischin。Hehadforgottentotakehissoft，wide-brimmedhatoff；andBeatonfeltadesiretosketchhimjustashesat。 Dryfoossuddenlypulledhimselftogetherfromthedrearyabsenceintowhichhefellatfirst。\"Youngman，\"hebegan，\"maybeI\'vecomehereonafool\'serrand，\"andBeatonratherfanciedthatbeginning。 Butitembarrassedhimalittle，andhesaid，withashyglanceaside，\"I don\'tknowwhatyoumean。\" \"Ireckon，\"Dryfoosanswered，quietly，\"yougotyournotion，though。 Isetthatwomanontospeaktoyouthewayshedone。Butiftherewasanythingwronginthewayshespoke，orifyoudidn\'tfeellikeshehadanyrighttoquestionyouupasifwesuspectedyouofanythingmean，I wantyoutosayso。\" Beatonsaidnothing，andtheoldmanwenton。 \"Iain\'tverywellupinthewaysoftheworld，andIdon\'tpretendtobe。AllIwantistobefairandsquarewitheverybody。I\'vemademistakes，though，inmytime——\"Hestopped，andBeatonwasnotproofagainstthemiseryofhisface，whichwastwistedaswithsomestrongphysicalache。\"Idon\'tknowasIwanttomakeanymore，ifIcanhelpit。Idon\'tknowbutwhatyouhadarighttokeeponcomin\'，andifyouhadIwantyoutosayso。Don\'tyoubeafraidbutwhatI\'lltakeitintherightway。Idon\'twanttotakeadvantageofanybody，andIdon\'taskyoutosayanymorethanthat。\" Beatondidnotfindthehumiliationofthemanwhohadhumiliatedhimsosweetashecouldhavefancieditmightbe。Heknewhowithadcomeabout，andthatitwasaneffectofloveforhischild；itdidnotmatterbywhatungraciousmeansshehadbroughthimtoknowthathelovedherbetterthanhisownwill，thathiswishforherhappinesswasstrongerthanhispride；itwasenoughthathewasnowsomehowbroughttogiveproofofit。BeatoncouldnotbeawareofallthatdarkcoilofcircumstancethroughwhichDryfoos\'spresentactionevolveditself； theworstofthiswasburiedinthesecretoftheoldman\'sheart，awormofperpetualtorment。Whatwasapparenttoanotherwasthathewasbrokenbythesorrowthathadfallenuponhim，anditwasthisthatBeatonrespectedandpitiedinhisimpulsetobefrankandkindinhisanswer。 \"No，IhadnorighttokeepcomingtoyourhouseinthewayIdid，unless——unlessImeantmorethanIeversaid。\"Beatonadded:\"Idon\'tsaythatwhatyoudidwasusual——inthiscountry，atanyrate；butI can\'tsayyouwerewrong。Sinceyouspeaktomeaboutthematter，it\'sonlyfairtomyselftosaythatagooddealgoesoninlifewithoutmuchthinkingofconsequences。That\'sthewayIexcusemyself。\" \"AndyousayMrs。Mandeldoneright?\"askedDryfoos，asifhewishedsimplytobeassuredofapointofetiquette。 \"Yes，shedidright。I\'venothingtocomplainof。\" \"That\'sallIwantedtoknow，\"saidDryfoos；butapparentlyhehadnotfinished，andhedidnotgo，thoughthesilencethatBeatonnowkeptgavehimachancetodoso。Hebeganaseriesofquestionswhichhadnorelationtothematterinhand，thoughtheywerestrictlypersonaltoBeaton。\"Whatcountrymanareyou?\"heasked，afteramoment。 \"Whatcountryman?\"Beatonfrownedbackathim。 \"Yes，areyouanAmericanbybirth?\" \"Yes；IwasborninSyracuse。\" \"Protestant?\" \"MyfatherisaScotchSeceder。\" \"Whatbusinessisyourfatherin?\" Beatonfalteredandblushed；thenheanswered: \"He\'sinthemonumentbusiness，ashecallsit。He\'satombstonecutter。\"Nowthathewaslaunched，Beatonsawnoreasonfornotdeclaring，\"Myfather\'salwaysbeenapoorman，andworkedwithhisownhandsforhisliving。\"HehadtooslightesteemsociallyforDryfoostoconcealafactfromhimthathemighthavewishedtoblinkwithothers。 \"Well，that\'sright，\"saidDryfoos。\"Iusedtofarmitmyself。I\'vegotagoodpileofmoneytogether，now。Atfirstitdidn\'tcomeeasy；butnowit\'sgotstarteditpoursinandpoursin；itseemsliketherewasnoendtoit。I\'vegotwellontothreemillion；butitcouldn\'tkeepmefromlosin\'myson。Itcan\'tbuymebackaminuteofhislife；notallthemoneyintheworldcandoit!\" HegrievedthisoutasiftohimselfratherthantoBeaton，who，scarcelyventuredtosay，\"Iknow——Iamverysorry——\" \"Howdidyoucome，\"Dryfoosinterrupted，\"totakeuppaintin\'?\" \"Well，Idon\'tknow，\"saidBeaton，alittlescornfully。\"Youdon\'t。 takeathingofthatkindup，Ifancy。Ialwayswantedtopaint。\" \"Fathertrytostopyou?\" \"No。Itwouldn\'thavebeenofanyuse。Why——\" \"Myson，hewantedtobeapreacher，andIdidstophimorIthoughtI did。ButIreckonhewasapreacher，allthesame，everyminuteofhislife。Asyousay，itain\'tanyusetotrytostopathinglikethat。 Ireckonifachildhasgotanyparticularbent，itwasgiventoit； andit\'sgoin\'againstthegrain，it\'sgoin\'againstthelaw，totrytobenditsomeotherway。There\'slotsofgoodbusinessmen，Mr。Beaton，twentyof\'emtoeverygoodpreacher?\" \"Iimaginemorethantwenty，\"saidBeaton，amusedandtouchedthroughhiscuriosityastowhattheoldmanwasdrivingatbythequaintsimplicityofhisspeculations。 \"Fatherevercometothecity?\" \"No；heneverhasthetime；andmymother\'saninvalid。\" \"Oh!Brothersandsisters?\" \"Yes；we\'realargefamily。\" \"Ilosttwolittlefellers——twins，\"saidDryfoos，sadly。\"Butwehain\'teverhadbutjustthefive。Evertakeportraits?\" \"Yes，\"saidBeaton，meetingthiszigzaginthequeriesasseriouslyastherest。\"Idon\'tthinkIamgoodatit。\" Dryfoosgottohisfeet。\"Iwishyou\'dpaintalikenessofmyson。 You\'veseenhimplentyoftimes。Wewon\'tfightabouttheprice，don\'tyoubeafraidofthat。\" Beatonwasastonished，andinamistakenwayhewasdisgusted。HesawthatDryfooswastryingtoundoMrs。Mandel\'sworkpractically，andgethimtocomeagaintohishouse；thathenowconceivedoftheoffencegivenhimascondoned，andwishedtorestoretheformersituation。HeknewthathewasattemptingthisforChristine\'ssake，buthewasnotthemantoimaginethatDryfooswastryingnotonlytotoleratehim，buttolikehim；and，infact，Dryfooswasnotwhollyconscioushimselfofthisend。WhattheybothunderstoodwasthatDryfooswasendeavoringtogetatBeatonthroughConrad\'smemory；butwithonethiswasitsdedicationtoapurposeofselfsacrifice，andwiththeotheravulgarandshamelessuseofit。 \"Icouldn\'tdoit，\"saidBeaton。\"Icouldn\'tthinkofattemptingit。\" \"Whynot?\"Dryfoospersisted。\"Wegotsomephotographsofhim；hedidn\'tliketositverywell；buthismothergothimto；andyouknowhowhelooked。\" \"Icouldn\'tdoit——Icouldn\'t。Ican\'tevenconsiderit。I\'mverysorry。Iwould，ifitwerepossible。Butitisn\'tpossible。\" \"Ireckonifyouseethephotographsonce\" \"Itisn\'tthat，Mr。Dryfoos。ButI\'mnotinthewayofthatkindofthinganymore。\" \"I\'dgiveanypriceyou\'veamindtoname——\" \"Oh，itisn\'tthemoney!\"criedBeaton，beginningtolosecontrolofhimself。 Theoldmandidnotnoticehim。Hesatwithhisheadfallenforward，andhischinrestingonhisfoldedhands。Thinkingoftheportrait，hesawConrad\'sfacebeforehim，reproachful，astonished，butallgentleasitlookedwhenConradcaughthishandthatdayafterhestruckhim；heheardhimsay，\"Father!\"andthesweatgatheredonhisforehead。\"Oh，myGod!\" hegroaned。\"No；thereain\'tanythingIcandonow。\" BeatondidnotknowwhetherDryfooswasspeakingtohimornot。Hestartedtowardhim。\"Areyouill?\" \"No，thereain\'tanythingthematter，\"saidtheoldman。\"ButIguessI\'lllaydownonyoursetteeaminute。\"HetotteredwithBeaton\'shelptotheaestheticcouchcoveredwithatiger-skin，onwhichBeatonhadoncethoughtofpaintingaCleopatra；buthecouldnevergettherightmodel。Astheoldmanstretchedhimselfoutonit，paleandsuffering，hedidnotlookmuchlikeaCleopatra，butBeatonwasstruckwithhiseffectiveness，andthelikenessbetweenhimandhisdaughter；shewouldmakeaverygoodCleopatrainsomeways。Allthetime，whilethesethoughtspassedthroughhismind，hewasafraidDryfooswoulddie。 Theoldmanfetchedhisbreathingasps，whichpresentlysmoothedandlengthenedintohisnormalbreathing。Beatongothimaglassofwine，andaftertastingithesatup。 \"You\'vegottoexcuseme，\"hesaid，gettingbacktohischaracteristicgrimnesswithsurprisingsuddenness，whenoncehebegantorecoverhimself。\"I\'vebeenthroughagooddeallately；andsometimesitketchesmeroundtheheartlikeapain。\" Inhislifeofselfishimmunityfromgrief，Beatoncouldnotunderstandthisexperiencethatpoignantsorrowbrings；hesaidtohimselfthatDryfooswasgoingthewayofanginapectoris；ashebeganshufflingoffthetiger-skinhesaid:\"Hadyoubettergetup?Wouldn\'tyoulikemetocalladoctor?\" \"I\'mallright，youngman。\"Dryfoostookhishatandstickfromhim，buthemadeforthedoorsouncertainlythatBeatonputhishandunderhiselbowandhelpedhimout，anddownthestairs，tohiscoupe。 \"Hadn\'tyoubetterletmedrivehomewithyou?\"heasked。 \"What?\"saidDryfoos，suspiciously。 Beatonrepeatedhisquestion。 \"IguessI\'mabletogohomealone，\"saidDryfoos，inasurlytone，andheputhisheadoutofthewindowandcalledup\"Home!\"tothedriver，whoimmediatelystartedoffandleftBeatonstandingbesidethecurbstone。 XIV。 BeatonwastedtherestofthedayintheemotionsandspeculationswhichDryfoos\'scallinspired。Itwasnotthattheycontinuouslyoccupiedhim，buttheybrokeupthetrainofotherthoughts，andspoiledhimforwork； averylittlespoiledBeatonforwork；herequiredjusttherightmoodforwork。HecomprehendedperfectlywellthatDryfooshadmadehimthatextraordinaryembassybecausehewishedhimtorenewhisvisits，andheeasilyimaginedthemeansthathadbroughthimtothispass。Fromwhatheknewofthatgirlhedidnotenvyherfatherhismeetingwithherwhenhemusttellherhismissionhadfailed。Buthaditfailed?WhenBeatoncametoaskhimselfthisquestion，hecouldonlyperceivethatheandDryfooshadfailedtofindanygroundofsympathy，andhadpartedinthesamedislikewithwhichtheyhadmet。Butastoanyotherfailure，itwascertainlytacit，anditstillrestedwithhimtogiveiteffect。 HecouldgobacktoDryfoos\'shouse，asfreelyasbefore，anditwasclearthathewasverymuchdesiredtocomeback。Butifhewentbackitwasalsoclearthathemustgobackwithintentionsmoreexplicitthanbefore，andnowhehadtoaskhimselfjusthowmuchorhowlittlehehadmeantbygoingthere。HislikingforChristinehadcertainlynotincreased，butthecharm，ontheotherhand，ofholdingaleopardessinleashhadnotyetpalleduponhim。Inhislifeofinconstancies，itwasapleasuretorestuponsomethingfixed，andthemanwhohadnocontroloverhimselflikedlogicallyenoughtofeelhiscontrolofsomeoneelse。 Thefactcannototherwisebeputinterms，andtheattractionwhichChristineDryfooshadforhim，apartfromthis，escapesfromallterms，asanythingpurelyandmerelypassionalmust。Hehadseenfromthefirstthatshewasacat，andsofarasyouthforecastssuchthings，hefeltthatshewouldbeashrew。Buthehadaperversesenseofherbeauty，andheknewasortoflifeinwhichherpowertomolesthimwithhertempercouldbereducedtothesmallestproportions，andevenbrokentopieces。Thentheconsciousnessofhermoneyentered。Itwasevidentthattheoldmanhadmentionedhismillionsinthewayofahinttohimofwhathemightreasonablyexpectifhewouldturnandbehisson-in- law。Beatondidnotputittohimselfinthosewords；andinfacthiscogitationswerenotinwordsatall。Itwastheplayofcognitions，ofsensations，formlesslytendingtotheeffectwhichcanonlybeveryclumsilyinterpretedinlanguage。Butwhenhegottothispointinthem，BeatonrosetomagnanimityandinaflashofdramaticreveriedisposedofapartofDryfoos\'srichesinplacinghisfatherandmother，andhisbrothersandsisters，beyondallpecuniaryanxietyforever。Hehadnoshame，noscrupleinthis，forhehadbeenapensioneruponotherseversinceaSyracusanamateuroftheartshaddetectedhistalentandgivenhimthemoneytogoandstudyabroad。Beatonhadalwaysconsideredthemoneyaloan，toberepaidoutofhisfuturesuccess；buthenowneverdreamtofrepayingit；asthemanwasrich，hehadevenacontemptforthenotionofrepayinghim；butthisdidnotpreventhimfromfeelingverykeenlythehardshipsheputhisfathertoinborrowingmoneyfromhim，thoughheneverrepaidhisfather，either。InthisreveriehesawhimselfsacrificedinmarriagewithChristineDryfoos，inakindofadmiringself-pity，andhewasmeltedbythespectacleofthedignitywithwhichhesufferedallthelifelongtrialsensuingfromhisunselfishness。ThefancythatAlmaLeightoncamebitterlytoregrethim，contributedtosootheandflatterhim，andhewasnotsurethatMargaret。 Vancedidnotsufferalikelossinhim。 Therehadbeentimeswhen，ashebelieved，thatbeautifulgirl\'shighthoughtshadtendedtowardhim；therehadbeenlooks，gestures，evenwords，thathadthiseffecttohim，orthatseemedtohavehadit；andBeatonsawthathemighteasilyconstrueMrs。Horn\'sconfidentialappealtohimtogetMargaretinterestedinartagainassomethingbynomeansnecessarilyoffensive，eventhoughithadbeenmadetohimastoamasterofillusion。IfMrs。Hornhadtochoosebetweenhimandthelifeofgoodworkstowhichherniecewasvisiblyabandoningherself，Beatoncouldnotdoubtwhichshewouldchoose；theonlyquestionwashowrealthedangerofalifeofgoodworkswas。 Ashethoughtofthesetwogirls，onesocharmingandtheothersodivine，itbecameindefinitelydifficulttorenouncethemforChristineDryfoos，withhersultrytemperandherearthboundideals。LifehadbeensoflatteringtoBeatonhithertothathecouldnotbelievethembothfinallyindifferent；andiftheywerenotindifferent，perhapshedidnotwisheitherofthemtobeverydefinite。Whathereallylongedforwastheirsympathy；foramanwhoisabletowalkroundquiteruthlesslyonthefeelingsofothersoftenhasverytenderfeelingsofhisown，easilylacerated，andeagerlyresponsivetothecaressesofcompassion。InthisframeBeatondeterminedtogothatafternoon，thoughitwasnotMrs。 Horn\'sday，andcalluponherinthehopeofpossiblyseeingMissVancealone。Ashecontinuedinit，hetookthisforasignandactuallywent。 Itdidnotfalloutatonceashewished，buthegotMrs。Horntotalkingagainaboutherniece，andMrs。HornagainregrettedthatnothingcouldbedonebythefineartstoreclaimMargaretfromgoodworks。 \"Issheathome?Willyouletmeseeher?\"askedBeacon，withsomethingofthescientificinterestofaphysicianinquiringforapatientwhosesymptomshavebeenrehearsedtohim。Hehadnotaskedforherbefore。 \"Yes，certainly，\"saidMrs。Horn，andshewentherselftocallMargaret，andshedidnotreturnwithher。Thegirlenteredwiththegentlegracepeculiartoher；andBeaton，bentashewasonhisownconsolation，couldnothelpbeingstruckwiththespiritualexaltationofherlook。 Atsightofher，thevaguehopehehadneverquiterelinquished，thattheymightbesomethingmorethanaestheticfriends，diedinhisheart。 Sheworeblack，assheoftendid；butinspiteofitsfashionherdressreceivedanun-likeeffectfromthepensiveabsenceofherface。 \"Decidedly，\"thoughtBeaton，\"sheisfargoneingoodworks。\" Butherose，allthesame，tomeetherontheoldlevel，andhebeganatoncetotalktoherofthesubjecthehadbeendiscussingwithheraunt。 Hesaidfranklythattheybothfeltshehadunjustifiablyturnedherbackuponpossibilitieswhichsheoughtnottoneglect。 \"Youknowverywell，\"sheanswered，\"thatIcouldn\'tdoanythinginthatwayworththetimeIshouldwasteonit。Don\'ttalkofit，please。 Isupposemyaunthasbeenaskingyoutosaythis，butit\'snouse。 I\'msorryit\'snouse，shewishesitsomuch；butI\'mnotsorryotherwise。Youcanfindthepleasureatleastofdoinggoodworkinit； butIcouldn\'tfindanythinginitbutabarrenamusement。Mr。Wetmoreisright；forme，it\'slikeenjoyinganopera，oraball。\" \"That\'soneofWetmore\'sphrases。He\'dsacrificeanythingtothem。\" Sheputasidethewholesubjectwithalook。\"YouwerenotatMr。 Dryfoos\'stheotherday。Haveyouseenthem，anyofthem，lately?\" \"Ihaven\'tbeenthereforsometime，no，\"saidBeaton，evasively。 Buthethoughtifhewastogetontoanything，hehadbetterbecandid。 \"Mr。Dryfooswasatmystudiothismorning。He\'sgotaqueernotion。 Hewantsmetopainthisson\'sportrait。\" Shestarted。\"Andwillyou——\" \"No，Icouldn\'tdosuchathing。Itisn\'tinmyway。Itoldhimso。 Hissonhadabeautifulfaceanantiqueprofile；asortofearlyChristiantype；butI\'mtoomuchofapaganforthatsortofthing。\" \"Yes。\" \"Yes，\"Beatoncontinued，notquitelikingherassentafterhehadinvitedit。Hehadhisprideinbeingapagan，aGreek，butitfailedhiminherpresence，now；andhewishedthatshehadprotestedhewasnone。\"Hewasasingularcreature；akindofsurvival；anexileinourtimeandplace。 Idon\'tknow:wedon\'tquiteexpectasainttoberustic；butwithallhisgoodnessConradDryfooswasacountryperson。Ifhewerenotdyingforacauseyoucouldimaginehimmilking。\"Beatonintendedacontemptthatcamefromthebitternessofhavinghimselfoncemilkedthefamilycow。 HiscontemptdidnotreachMissVance。\"Hediedforacause，\"shesaid。 \"Theholiest。\" \"Oflabor?\" \"Ofpeace。Hewastheretopersuadethestrikerstobequietandgohome。\" \"Ihaven\'tbeenquitesure，\"saidBeaton。\"Butinanycasehehadnobusinessthere。Thepolicewereonhandtodothepersuading。\" \"Ican\'tletyoutalkso!\"criedthegirl。\"It\'sshocking!Oh，Iknowit\'sthewaypeopletalk，andtheworstisthatinthesightoftheworldit\'stherightway。Buttheblessingonthepeacemakersisnotforthepolicemenwiththeirclubs。\" Beatonsawthatshewasnervous；hemadehisreflectionthatshewasaltogethertoofargoneingoodworksforthefineartstoreachher； hebegantothinkhowhecouldturnherprimitiveChristianitytotheaccountofhismodernheathenism。Hehadnodeeperdesignthantogetflatteredbackintohisownfavorfarenoughtofindcourageforsomesortofdecisivestep。InhishearthewastryingtowillwhetherheshouldorshouldnotgobacktoDryfoos\'shouse。Itcouldnotbefromthecapricethathadformerlytakenhim；itmustbefromadefinitepurpose；againherealizedthis。\"Ofcourse；youareright，\"hesaid。 \"IwishIcouldhaveansweredthatoldmandifferently。Ifancyhewasboundupinhisson，thoughhequarrelledwithhim，andcrossedhim。ButIcouldn\'tdoit；itwasn\'tpossible。\"Hesaidtohimselfthatifshesaid\"No，\"now，hewouldberuledbyheragreementwithhim；andifshedisagreedwithhim，hewouldberuledstillbythechance，andwouldgonomoretotheDryfooses\'。Hefoundhimselfembarrassedtothepointofblushingwhenshesaidnothing，andlefthim，asitwere，onhisownhands。\"Ishouldliketohavegivenhimthatcomfort；Ifancyhehasn\'tmuchcomfortinlife；butthereseemsnocomfortinme。\" Hedroppedhisheadinafitattitudeforcompassion；butshepourednopityuponit。 \"Thereisnocomfortforusinourselves，\"shesaid。\"It\'shardtogetoutside；butthere\'sonlydespairwithin。Whenwethinkwehavedonesomethingforothers，bysomegreateffort，wefindit\'sallforourownvanity。\" \"Yes，\"saidBeaton。\"IfIcouldpaintpicturesforrighteousness\'sake，IshouldhavebeengladtodoConradDryfoosforhisfather。Ifeltsorryforhim。Didtherestseemverymuchbrokenup?Yousawthemall?\" \"Notall。MissDryfooswasill，hersistersaid。It\'shardtotellhowmuchpeoplesuffer。Hismotherseemedbewildered。Theyoungersisterisasimplecreature；shelookslikehim；Ithinkshemusthavesomethingofhisspirit。\" \"Notmuchspiritofanykind，Iimagine，\"saidBeaton。\"Butshe\'samiablymaterial。DidtheysayMissDryfooswasseriouslyill?\" \"No。Isupposedshemightbeprostratedbyherbrother\'sdeath。\" \"Doessheseemthatkindofpersontoyou，MissVance?\"askedBeaton。 \"Idon\'tknow。Ihaven\'ttriedtoseesomuchofthemasImight，thepastwinter。IwasnotsureaboutherwhenImether；I\'veneverseenmuchofpeople，exceptinmyownset，andthe——verypoor。IhavebeenafraidIdidn\'tunderstandher。Shemayhaveakindofpridethatwouldnotletherdoherselfjustice。\" Beatonfelttheunconsciousdislikeintheendeavorofpraise。\"Thensheseemstoyoulikeapersonwhoselife——itstrials，itschances——wouldmakemoreofthansheisnow?\" \"Ididn\'tsaythat。Ican\'tjudgeofheratall；butwherewedon\'tknow，don\'tyouthinkweoughttoimaginethebest?\" \"Ohyes，\"saidBeaton。\"Ididn\'tknowbutwhatIoncesaidofthemmighthaveprejudicedyouagainstthem。Ihaveaccusedmyselfofit。\"Healwaystookatoneofconscientiousness，ofself-censure，intalkingwithMissVance；hecouldnothelpit。 \"Ohno。AndIneverallowedmyselftoformanyjudgmentofher。Sheisverypretty，don\'tyouthink，inakindofway?\" \"Very。\" \"Shehasabeautifulbrunettecoloring:thatflourywhiteandthedelicatepinkinit。Hereyesarebeautiful。\" \"She\'sgraceful，too，\"saidBeaton。\"I\'vetriedherincolor；butI didn\'tmakeitout。\" \"I\'vewonderedsometimes，\"saidMissVance，\"whetherthatelusivequalityyoufindinsomepeopleyoutrytopaintdoesn\'tcharacterizethemallthrough。MissDryfoosmightbeeversomuchfinerandbetterthanwewouldfindoutinthesocietywaythatseemstheonlyway。\" \"Perhaps，\"saidBeaton，gloomily；andhewentawayprofoundlydiscouragedbythislastanalysisofChristine\'scharacter。TheangelicimperviousnessofMissVancetopropertiesofwhichhisownwickednesswassokeenlyawareinChristinemighthavemadehimlaugh，ifithadnotbeensuchaseriousaffairwithhim。Asitwas，hesmiledtothinkhowverydifferentlyAlmaLeightonwouldhavejudgedherfromMissVance\'spremises。HelikedthatclearvisionofAlma\'sevenwhenitpiercedhisowndisguises。Yes，thatwasthelighthehadletdieout，anditmighthaveshoneuponhispaththroughlife。Beatonneverfeltsopoignantlythedisadvantageofhavingonanygivenoccasionbeenwantingtohisownintereststhroughhisself-loveasinthis。Hehadnoonetoblamebuthimselfforwhathadhappened，butheblamedAlmaforwhatmighthappeninthefuturebecausesheshutoutthewayofretrievalandreturn。Whenbethoughtoftheattitudeshehadtakentowardhim，itseemedincredible，andhewasalwayslongingtogiveherafinalchancetoreverseherfinaljudgment。Itappearedtohimthatthetimehadcomeforthisnow，ifever。 XV。 Whilewearestillyoungwefeelakindofpride，asortoffiercepleasure，inanyimportantexperience，suchaswehavereadoforheardofinthelivesofothers，nomatterhowpainful。Itwasthispride，thispleasure，whichBeatonnowfeltinrealizingthatthetoilsoffatewereabouthim，thatbetweenhimandafutureofwhichChristineDryfoosmustbethegeniustherewasnothingbutthewill，themood，thefancyofagirlwhohadnotgivenhimthehopethateithercouldeveragainbeinhisfavor。Hehadnothingtotrustto，infact，buthisknowledgethathehadoncehadthemall；shedidnotdenythat；butneitherdidsheconcealthathehadflungawayhispoweroverthem，andshehadtoldhimthattheynevercouldbehisagain。Amanknowsthathecanloveandwhollyceasetolove，notoncemerely，butseveraltimes；herecognizesthefactinregardtohimself，boththeoreticallyandpractically；butinregardtowomenhecherishesthesuperstitionoftheromancesthatloveisonceforall，andforever。ItwasbecauseBeatonwouldnotbelievethatAlmaLeighton，beingawoman，couldputhimoutofherheartaftersufferinghimtostealintoit，thathenowhopedanythingfromher，andshehadbeensoexplicitwhentheylastspokeofthataffairthathedidnothopemuch。Hesaidtohimselfthathewasgoingtocasthimselfonhermercy，totakewhateverchanceoflife，love，andworktherewasinherhavingthesmallestpityonhim。Ifshewouldhavenone，thentherewasbutonethinghecoulddo:marryChristineandgoabroad。HedidnotseehowhecouldbringthisalternativetobearuponAlma；evenifsheknewwhathewoulddoincaseofafinalrejection，hehadgroundsforfearingshewouldnotcare；buthebroughtittobearuponhimself，anditnervedhimtoadesperatecourage。Hecouldhardlywaitforeveningtocome，beforehewenttoseeher；whenitcame，itseemedtohavecometoosoon。Hehadwroughthimselfthoroughlyintotheconvictionthathewasinearnest，andthateverythingdependeduponheranswertohim，butitwasnottillhefoundhimselfinherpresence，andalonewithher，thatherealizedthetruthofhisconviction。Thentheinfluencesofhergrace，hergayety，herarchbeauty，aboveall，hergoodsense，penetratedhissoullikeasubtleintoxication，andhesaidtohimselfthathewasright；hecouldnotlivewithouther；theseattributesofherswerewhatheneededtowinhim，tocheerhim，tocharmhim，toguidehim。Helongedsotopleaseher，toingratiatehimselfwithher，thatheattemptedtobelightlikeherinhistalk，butlapsedintoabysmalabsencesandgloomyrecessesofintrospection。 \"Whatareyoulaughingat?\"heasked，suddenlystartingfromoneofthese。 \"Whatyouarethinkingof。\" \"It\'snothingtolaughat。DoyouknowwhatI\'mthinkingof?\" \"Don\'ttell，ifit\'sdreadful。\" \"Oh，Idaresayyouwouldn\'tthinkit\'sdreadful，\"hesaid，withbitterness。\"It\'ssimplythecaseofamanwhohasmadeafoolofhimselfandseesnohelpofretrievalinhimself。\" \"Cananyoneelsehelpamanunmakeafoolofhimself?\"sheasked，withasmile。 \"Yes。Inacaselikethis。\" \"Dearme!Thisisveryinteresting。\" Shedidnotaskhimwhatthecasewas，buthewaslaunchednow，andhepressedon。\"Iamthemanwhohasmadeafoolofhimself——\" \"Oh!\" \"Andyoucanhelpmeoutifyouwill。Alma，IwishyoucouldseemeasI reallyam。\" \"Doyou，Mr。Beacon?PerhapsIdo。\" \"No；youdon\'t。Youformulatedmeinacertainway，andyouwon\'tallowforthechangethattakesplaceineveryone。Youhavechanged；whyshouldn\'tI?\" \"Hasthistodowithyourhavingmadeafoolofyourself?\" \"Yes。\" \"Oh!ThenIdon\'tseehowyouhavechanged。\" Shelaughed，andhetoo，ruefully。\"You\'recruel。NotbutwhatI deserveyourmockery。Butthechangewasnotfromthecapacityofmakingafoolofmyself。IsupposeIshallalwaysdothatmoreorless——unlessyouhelpme。Alma!Whycan\'tyouhavealittlecompassion?YouknowthatImustalwaysloveyou。\" \"Nothingmakesmedoubtthatlikeyoursayingit，Mr。Beaton。Butnowyou\'vebrokenyourword——\" \"Youaretoblameforthat。YouknewIcouldn\'tkeepit!\" \"Yes，I\'mtoblame。Iwaswrongtoletyoucome——afterthat。AndsoI forgiveyouforspeakingtomeinthatwayagain。Butit\'sperfectlyimpossibleandperfectlyuselessformetohearyouanymoreonthatsubject；andso-good-bye!\" Sherose，andheperforcewithher。\"Anddoyoumeanit?\"heasked。 \"Forever?\" \"Forever。ThisistrulythelasttimeIwilleverseeyouifIcanhelpit。Oh，Ifeelsorryenoughforyou!\"shesaid，withaglanceathisface。\"Idobelieveyouareinearnest。Butit\'stoolatenow。Don\'tletustalkaboutitanymore!Butweshall，ifwemeet，andso，——\" \"Andsogood-bye!Well，I\'venothingmoretosay，andImightaswellsaythat。Ithinkyou\'vebeenverygoodtome。Itseemstomeasifyouhadbeen——shallIsayit?——tryingtogivemeachance。Isthatso?\" Shedroppedhereyesanddidnotanswer。 \"Youfounditwasnouse!Well，Ithankyoufortrying。It\'scurioustothinkthatIoncehadyourtrust，yourregard，andnowIhaven\'tit。Youdon\'tmindmyrememberingthatIhad?It\'llbesomelittleconsolation，andIbelieveitwillbesomehelp。IknowIcan\'tretrievethepastnow。Itistoolate。Itseemstoopreposterous——perfectlylurid——thatI couldhavebeengoingtotellyouwhatatangleI\'dgotmyselfin，andtoaskyoutohelpuntangleme。Imustchokeintheinfernalcoil，butI\'dliketohavethesweetnessofyourpityinit——whateveritis。\" Sheputoutherhand。\"Whateveritis，Idopityyou；Isaidthat。\" \"Thankyou。\"Hekissedthebandshegavehimandwent。 Hehadgoneonsomesuchtermsbefore；wasitnowforthelasttime?Shebelieveditwas。Shefeltinherselfasatiety，afatigue，inwhichhisgoodlooks，hisinventedairsandposes，hisrealtrouble，wereallalikerepulsive。Shedidnotacquitherselfofthewrongofhavinglethimthinkshemightyethavelikedhimassheoncedid；butshehadbeenhonestlywillingtoseewhethershecould。IthadmystifiedhertofindthatwhentheyfirstmetinNewYork，aftertheirsummerinSt。Barnaby，shecarednothingforhim；shehadexpectedtopunishhimforhisneglect，andthenfancyhimasbefore，butshedidnot。Moreandmoreshesawhimselfishandmean，weak-willed，narrow-minded，andhard- hearted；andaimless，withallhistalent。Sheadmiredhistalentinproportionasshelearnedmoreofartists，andperceivedhowuncommonitwas；butshesaidtoherselfthatifsheweregoingtodevoteherselftoart，shewoulddoitatfirst-hand。ShewasperfectlysereneandhappyinherfinalrejectionofBeaton；hehadwornoutnotonlyherfancy，buthersympathy，too。 ThiswaswhathermotherwouldnotbelievewhenAlmareportedtheinterviewtoher；shewouldnotbelieveitwasthelasttimetheyshouldmeet；deathitselfcanhardlyconvinceusthatitisthelasttimeofanything，ofeverythingbetweenourselvesandthedead。\"Well，Alma，\" shesaid，\"Ihopeyou\'llneverregretwhatyou\'vedone。\" \"YoumaybesureIshallnotregretit。IfeverI\'mlow-spiritedaboutanything，I\'llthinkofgivingMr。Beatonhisfreedom，andthatwillcheermeup。\" \"Anddon\'tyouexpecttogetmarried?Doyouintendtobeanoldmaid?\" demandedhermother，inthebondsofthesuperstitionwomenhavesolongbeenundertotheeffectthateverywomanmustwishtogetmarried，iffornootherpurposethantoavoidbeinganoldmaid。 \"Well，mamma，\"saidAlma，\"Iintendbeingayoungoneforafewyearsyet；andthenI\'llsee。IfImeettherightperson，allwellandgood； ifnot，not。ButIshallpickandchoose，asamandoes；Iwon\'tmerelybepickedandchosen。\" \"Youcan\'thelpyourself；youmaybeverygladifyouarepickedandchosen。\" \"Whatnonsense，mamma!Agirlcangetanymanshewants，ifshegoesabout。ittherightway。Andwhenmy\'fatedfairyprince\'comesalong，Ishalljustsimplymakefuriouslovetohimandgrabhim。Ofcourse，Ishallmakeadecentpretenceoftalkinginmysleep。Ibelieveit\'sdonethatwaymorethanhalfthetime。Thefatedfairyprincewouldn\'tseetheprincessinninecasesoutoftenifshedidn\'tsaysomething； hewouldgomooningalongafterthemaidsofhonor。\" Mrs。Leightontriedtolookunspeakablehorror；butshebrokedownandlaughed。\"Well，youareastrangegirl，Alma。\" \"Idon\'tknowaboutthat。ButonethingIdoknow，mamma，andthatisthatPrinceBeatonisn\'ttheF。F。P。forme。Howstrangeyouare，mamma!Don\'tyouthinkitwouldbeperfectlydisgustingtoacceptapersonyoudidn\'tcarefor，andlethimgoonandloveyouandmarryyou?