Euthymiahadhadadmirersenough，atadistance，whileatschool，andinthelongvacations，nearenoughtofindoutthatshewasanythingbuteasytomakeloveto。Shefairlyfrightenedmorethanonerashyouthwhowasdisposedtobetoosentimentalinhercompany。Theyoverdidflattery，whichshewasusedtoandtolerated，butwhichcheapenedtheadmirerinherestimation，andnowandthenbetrayedherintoanexpressionwhichmadehimawareofthefact，andwasadiscouragementtoaggressiveamiability。Therealdifficultywasthatnotoneofheradorershadevergreatlyinterestedher。Itcouldnotbethatnaturehadmadeherinsensible。Itmusthavebeenbecausethemanwhowasmadeforherhadneveryetshownhimself。
Shewasnoteasytoplease，thatwascertain；andshewasoneofthoseyoungwomenwhowillnotacceptasaloveronewhobuthalfpleasesthem。Shecouldnotpickupthefirststickthatfellinherwayandtakeittoshapeheridealoutof。ManyofthegoodpeopleofthevillagedoubtedwhetherEuthymiawouldeverbemarried。
\"There\'snothinggoodenoughforherinthisvillage，\"saidtheoldlandlordofwhathadbeentheAnchorTavern。
\"Shemustwaittillaprincecomesalong，\"theoldlandladysaidinreply。\"She\'dmakeasprettyaqueenasanyofthemthat\'sborntoit。Wouldn\'tshebesplendidwithagoldcrownonherhead，anddi\'mondsaglitterin\'alloverher!D\'yourememberhowhandsomeshelookedinthetableau，whenthefairwasheldfortheDorcasSociety？
Shehadonanolddressofhergrandma\'s，——theydon\'tmakeanything。
halfsohandsomenowadays，——andshewasjustasprettyasapictur\'。
Butwhat\'stheuseofgoodlooksiftheyscareawayfolks？Theyoungfellowsthinkthatsuchahandsomegirlasthatwouldcosttentimesasmuchtokeepasaplainone。Shemustbedresseduplikeanempress，——sotheyseemtothink。Itain\'tsowithEuthymy:she\'dlooklikeagreatladydressedanyhow，andshehasn\'tgotanymorenotionsthanthehomeliestgirlthateverstoodbeforeaglasstolookatherself。”
InthehumblerwalksofArrowheadVillagesociety，similaropinionswereentertainedofMissEuthymia。Thefresh-waterfishermanrepresentedprettywelltheaverageestimateoftheclasstowhichhebelonged。\'Itellye，\"saidhetoanothergentlemanofleisure，whosechiefoccupationwastowatchthecomingandgoingofthevisitorstoArrowheadVillage，——\"Itellyethatgirlain\'tagontoputupwithanyo\'themslab-sidedfellahsthatyouseehangin\'
raoundtolookathereverySundaywhenshecomesaouto\'meetin\'。
It\'soneo\'thembiggentsfromBostonorNewYorkthat\'llstepupan\'kerryheroff。”
InthemeantimenothingcouldbefurtherfromthethoughtsofEuthymiathantheprospectofanambitiousworldlyalliance。Theidealsofyoungwomencostthemmanyandgreatdisappointments，buttheysavethemveryoftenfromthoselifelongcompanionshipswhichaccidentisconstantlytryingtoforceuponthem，inspiteoftheirobviousunfitness。Thehighertheideal，thelesslikelyisthecommonplaceneighborwhohasthegreatadvantageofeasyaccess，ortheboarding-houseacquaintancewhocanprofitbythosevacanthourswhentheleastinterestingofvisitorsisbetterthanabsoluteloneliness，——thelesslikelyaretheseundesirablepersonagestobeendured，pitied，and，ifnotembraced，accepted，forwantofsomethingbetter。EuthymiafoundsomuchpleasureintheintellectualcompanionshipofLurida，andfeltherownprudenceandreservesonecessarytothatindependentyounglady，thatshehadbeencontented，sofar，withfriendship，andthoughtofloveonlyinanabstractsortofway。Beneathherabstractionstherewasacapacityoflovingwhichmighthavebeeninferredfromtheexpressionofherfeatures，thelightthatshoneinhereyes，thetonesofhervoice，allofwhichwerefullofthelanguagewhichbelongstosusceptiblenatures。Howmanywomenneversaytothemselvesthattheywereborntolove，untilallatoncethediscoveryopensuponthem，asthesensethathewasbornapainterissaidtohavedawnedsuddenlyuponCorreggio!
Likealltherestofthevillageanditsvisitors，shecouldnothelpthinkingagooddealabouttheyoungmanlyingillamongststrangers。
Shewasnotoneofthosewhohadsenthimthethree-cornerednotesorevenabunchofflowers。Sheknewthathewasreceivingaboundingtokensofkindnessandsympathyfromdifferentquarters，andacertaininwardfeelingrestrainedherfromjoininginthesedemonstrations。Ifhehadbeensufferingfromsomedeadlyandcontagiousmaladyshewouldhaveriskedherlifetohelphim，withoutathoughtthattherewasanywonderfulheroisminsuchself-devotion。
HerfriendLuridamighthavebeencapableofthesamesacrifice，butitwouldbeafterreasoningwithherselfastotheobligationswhichhersenseofhumanrightsanddutieslaiduponher，andfortifyinghercouragewiththememoryofnobledeedsrecordedofwomeninancientandmodernhistory。WithEuthymiatheprimaryhumaninstinctstookprecedenceofallreasoningorreflectionaboutthem。
Allhersympathieswereexcitedbythethoughtofthisforlornstrangerinhissolitude，butshefelttheimpossibilityofgivinganycompleteexpressiontothem。ShethoughtofMungoParkintheAfricandesert，andsheenviedthepoornegresswhonotonlypitiedhim，buthadtheblessedopportunityofhelpingandconsolinghim。
Hownearwerethesetwohumancreatures，eachneedingtheother!Hownearinbodilypresence，howfarapartintheirlives，withabarrierseeminglyimpassablebetweenthem!
XXIII
THEMEETINGOFMAURICEANDEUTHYMIA。
Theseautumnalfevers，whichcarryoffalargenumberofouryoungpeopleeveryyear，aretreacherousanddeceptivediseases。Notonlyaretheyliable，ashasbeenmentioned，tovariousaccidentalcomplicationswhichmayprovesuddenlyfatal，buttoooften，afterconvalescenceseemstobeestablished，relapsesoccurwhicharemoreseriousthanthediseasehadappearedtobeinitspreviouscourse。
OnemorningDr。ButtsfoundMauriceworseinsteadofbetter，ashehadhopedandexpectedtofindhim。Weakashewas，therewaseveryreasontofeartheissueofthisreturnofhisthreateningsymptoms。
Therewasnotmuchtodobesideskeepingupthelittlestrengthwhichstillremained。Itwasallneeded。
Doesthereaderofthesepageseverthinkoftheworkasickmanasmuchasawellonehastoperformwhileheislyingonhisbackandtakingwhatwecallhis\"rest\"？Morethanathousandtimesanhour，betweenahundredandfiftyandtwohundredthousandtimesaweek，hehastoliftthebarsofthecageinwhichhisbreathingorgansareconfined，tosavehimselffromasphyxia。Rest!Thereisnorestuntilthelastlongsightellsthosewholookuponthedyingthattheceaselessdailytask，torestfromwhichisdeath，isatlastfinished。Weareallgalley-slaves，pullingattheleversofrespiration，——which，risingandfallinglikesomanyoars，driveusacrossanunfathomableoceanfromoneunknownshoretoanother。No!
Neverwasagalley-slavesochainedaswearetothesefourandtwentyoars，atwhichwemusttugdayandnightallourlifelongThedoctorcouldnotfindanyaccidentalcausetoaccountforthisrelapse。Itpresentlyoccurredtohimthattheremightbesomelocalsourceofinfectionwhichhadbroughtonthecomplaint，andwasstillkeepingupthesymptomswhichwerethegroundofalarm。HedeterminedtoremoveMauricetohisownhouse，wherehecouldbesureofpureair，andwherehehimselfcouldgivemoreconstantattentiontohispatientduringthiscriticalperiodofhisdisease。Itwasarisktotake，buthecouldbecarriedonalitterbycarefulmen，andremainwhollypassiveduringtheremoval。Mauricesignifiedhisassent，ashecouldhardlyhelpdoing，——forthedoctor\'ssuggestiontookprettynearlytheformofacommand。Hethoughtitamatteroflifeanddeath，andwasgentlyurgentforhispatient\'simmediatechangeofresidence。ThedoctorinsistedonhavingMaurice\'sbooksandothermovablearticlescarriedtohisownhouse，sothatheshouldbesurroundedbyfamiliarsights，andnotworryhimselfaboutwhatmighthappentoobjectswhichhevalued，iftheywereleftbehindhim。
Allthesedispositionswerequicklyandquietlymade，andeverythingwasreadyforthetransferofthepatienttothehouseofthehospitablephysician。Paolowasatthedoctor\'s，superintendingthearrangementofMaurice\'seffectsandmakingallreadyforhismaster。
Thenurseinattendance，atrustworthymanenoughinthemain，findinghispatientinatranquilsleep，lefthisbedsideforalittlefreshair。Whilehewasatthedoorheheardashoutingwhichexcitedhiscuriosity，andhefollowedthesounduntilhefoundhimselfattheborderofthelake。Itwasnothingverywonderfulwhichhadcausedtheshouting。ANewfoundlanddoghadbeenshowingoffhisaccomplishments，andsomeoftheidlerswerebettingastothetimeitwouldtakehimtobringbacktohismasterthevariousfloatingobjectswhichhadbeenthrownasfarfromtheshoreaspossible。Hewatchedthedogafewminutes，whenhisattentionwasdrawntoalightwherry，pulledbyoneyoungladyandsteeredbyanother。Itwasmakingfortheshore，whichitwouldsoonreach。
Theattendantrememberedallatonce，thathehadlefthischarge，andjustbeforetheboatcametolandheturnedandhurriedbacktothepatient。Exactlyhowlonghehadbeenabsenthecouldnothavesaid，——perhapsaquarterofanhour，perhapslonger；thetimeappearedshorttohim，weariedwithlongsittingandwatching。
Ithadseemed，whenhestoleawayfromMaurice\'sbedside，thathewasnotintheleastneeded。Thepatientwaslyingperfectlyquiet，andtoallappearancewantednothingmorethanlettingalone。Itwassuchacomforttolookatsomethingbesidesthewornfeaturesofasickman，tohearsomethingbesideshislaboredbreathingandfaint，half-whisperedwords，thatthetemptationtoindulgeintheseluxuriesforafewminuteshadprovedirresistible。
Unfortunately，Maurice\'sslumbersdidnotremaintranquilduringtheabsenceofthenurse。Heverysoonfellintoadream，whichbeganquietlyenough，butinthecourseofthesuddentransitionswhichdreamsareinthehabitofundergoingbecamesuccessivelyanxious，distressing，terrifying。Hisearlierandlaterexperiencescameupbeforehim，fragmentary，incoherent，chaoticeven，butvividasreality。Hewasatthebottomofacoal-mineinoneofthoselong，narrowgalleries，orratherworm-holes，inwhichhumanbeingspassalargepartoftheirlives，likesomanylarvaeboringtheirwayintothebeamsandraftersofsomeoldbuilding。Howclosetheairwasinthestiflingpassagethroughwhichhewascrawling!Thescenechanged，andhewasclimbingaslipperysheetoficewithdesperateeffort，hisfootonthefloorofashallowniche，hisholdaniciclereadytosnapinaninstant，anabyssbelowhimwaitingforhisfoottosliportheicicletobreak。Howthintheairseemed，howdesperatelyhardtobreathe!HewasthinkingofMontBlanc，itmaybe，andthefearfullyrarefiedatmospherewhichherememberedwellasoneofthegreattrialsinhismountainascents。No，itwasnotMontBlanc，——itwasnotanyoneofthefrozenAlpinesummits；itwasHeclathathewasclimbingThesmokeoftheburningmountainwaswrappingitselfaroundhim；hewaschokingwithitsdensefumes；heheardtheflamesroaringaroundhim，hefeltthehotlavabeneathhisfeet，heutteredafaintcry，andawoke。
Theroomwasfullofsmoke。Hewasgaspingforbreath，stranglinginthesmotheringovenwhichhischamberhadbecome。
Thehousewasonfire!
Hetriedtocallforhelp，buthisvoicefailedhim，anddiedawayinawhisper。Hemadeadesperateeffort，androsesoastositupinthebedforaninstant，buttheeffortwastoomuchforhim，andhesankbackuponhispillow，helpless。Hefeltthathishourhadcome，forhecouldnotliveinthisdreadfulatmosphere，andhewasleftalone。Hecouldhearthecrackleoffireastheflamecreptalongfromonepartitiontoanother。Itwasacruelfatetobelefttoperishinthatway，——thefatethatmanyamartyrhadhadtoface，——tobefirststrangledandthenburned。Deathhadnottheterrorforhimthatithasformostyoungpersons。Hewasaccustomedtothinkingofitcalmly，sometimeswistfully，eventosuchadegreethatthethoughtofself-destructionhadcomeuponhimasatemptation。Butherewasdeathinanunexpectedandappallingshape。Hedidnotknowbeforehowmuchhecaredtolive。Allhisoldrecollectionscamebeforehimasitwereinonelong，vividflash。Theclosedvistaofmemoryopenedtoitsfarhorizon-line，andpastandpresentwerepicturedinasingleinstantofclearvision。Thedreadmomentwhichhadblightedhislifereturnedinallitsterror。Hefelttheconvulsivespringintheformofafaint，impotentspasm，——therushofair，——thethornsofthestingingandlaceratingcradleintowhichhewasprecipitated。Oneafteranotherthoseparalyzingseizureswhichhadbeenlikedeadeningblowsonthenakedheartseemedtorepeatthemselves，asrealasatthemomentoftheiroccurrence。Thepicturespassedinsuccessionwithsuchrapiditythattheyappearedalmostasifsimultaneous。Thevisionofthe\"inwardeye\"wassointensifiedinthismomentofperilthataninstantwaslikeanhourofcommonexistence。Thosewhohavebeenveryneardrowningknowwellwhatthisdescriptionmeans。Thedevelopmentofaphotographmaynotexplainit，butitillustratesthecuriousandfamiliarfactoftherevivedrecollectionsofthedrowningman\'sexperience。Thesensitiveplatehastakenonelookatascene，andremembersitall，Everylittlecircumstanceisthere，——thehoofinair，thewinginflight，theleafasitfalls，thewaveasitbreaks。Allthere，butinvisible；potentiallypresent，butimpalpable，inappreciable，asifnotexistingatall。Awashispouredoverit，andthewholescenecomesoutinallitsperfectionofdetail。Inthosesuprememomentswhendeathstaresamansuddenlyinthefacetherushofunwontedemotionfloodstheundevelopedpicturesofvanishedyears，storedawayinthememory，thevastpanoramaofalifetime，andinoneswiftinstantthepastcomesoutasvividlyasifitwereagainthepresent。Soitwasatthismomentwiththesickman，ashelayhelplessandfeltthathewaslefttodie。Forhesawnohopeofrelief:thesmokewasdriftingincloudsintotheroom；theflameswereverynear；ifhewasnotreachedandrescuedimmediatelyitwasalloverwithhim。
Hispastlifehadflashedbeforehim。Thenallatoncerosethethoughtofhisfuture，——ofallitspossibilities，ofthevaguehopeswhichhehadcherishedoflatethathismysteriousdoomwouldbeliftedfromhim。Therewassomething，then，tobelivedfor，something!Therewasanewlife，itmightbe，instoreforhim，andsuchanewlife!Hethoughtofallhewaslosing。Oh，couldhebuthavelivedtoknowthemeaningoflove!Andthepassionatedesireoflifecameoverhim，——notthedreadofdeath，butthelongingforwhatthefuturemightyethaveofhappinessforhim。
Allthistookplaceinthecourseofaveryfewmoments。Dreamsandvisionshavelittletodowithmeasuredtime，andtenminutes，possiblyfifteenortwenty，wereallthathadpassedsincethebeginningofthosenightmareterrorswhichwereevidentlysuggestedbythesuffocatingairhewasbreathing。
Whathadhappened？Intheconfusionofmovingbooksandotherarticlestothedoctor\'shouse，doorsandwindowshadbeenforgotten。
Amongtherestawindowopeningintothecellar，wheresomeoldfurniturehadbeenleftbyaformeroccupant，hadbeenleftunclosed。
Oneofthelazynatives，whohadloungedbythehousesmokingabadcigar，hadthrowntheburningstumpinatthisopenwindow。Hehadnoparticularintentionofdoingmischief，buthehadthatindifferencetoconsequenceswhichisthenextstepabovetheinclinationtocrime。Theburningstumphappenedtofallamongthestrawofanoldmattresswhichhadbeenrippedopen。Thesmokerwenthiswaywithoutlookingbehindhim，anditsochancedthatnootherpersonpassedthehouseforsometime。Presentlythestrawwasinablaze，andfromthisthefireextendedtothefurniture，tothestairwayleadingupfromthecellar，andwasworkingitswayalongtheentryunderthestairsleadinguptotheapartmentwhereMauricewaslying。
Theblazewasfierceandswift，asitcouldnothelpbeingwithsuchamassofcombustibles，——loosestrawfromthemattress，dryoldfurniture，andoldwarpedfloorswhichhadbeenparchingandshrinkingforascoreortwoofyears。Thewholehousewas，inthecommonlanguageofthenewspaperreports，\"aperfecttinder-box，\"andwouldprobablybeaheapofashesinhalfanhour。Andtherewasthisunfortunatedesertedsickmanlyingbetweenlifeanddeath，beyondallhelpunlesssomeunexpectedassistanceshouldcometohisrescue。
AstheattendantdrewnearthehousewhereMauricewaslying，hewashorror-strucktoseedensevolumesofsmokepouringoutofthelowerwindows。Itwasbeginningtomakeitswaythroughtheupperwindows，also，andpresentlyatongueoffireshotoutandstreamedupwardalongthesideofthehouse。ThemanshriekedFire!Fire!withallhismight，andrushedtothedoorofthebuildingtomakehiswaytoMaurice\'sroomandsavehim。Hepenetratedbutashortdistancewhen，blindedandchokingwiththesmoke，herushedheadlongdownthestairswithacryofdespairthatrousedeveryman，woman，andchildwithinreachofahumanvoice。Outtheycamefromtheirhousesineveryquarterofthevillage。TheshoutofFire!Fire!wasthechiefaidlentbymanyoftheyoungandold。Somecaughtuppailsandbuckets:themorethoughtfulonesfillingthem；thehastiersnatchingthemupempty，trustingtofindwaternearertheburningbuilding。
Isthesickmanmoved？
Thiswastheawfulquestionfirstasked，——forinthelittlevillageallknewthatMauricewasaboutbeingtransferredtothedoctor\'shouse。Theattendant，whiteasdeath，pointedtothechamberwherehehadlefthim，andgaspedout，\"Heisthere!\"
Aladder!Aladder!wasthegeneralcry，andmenandboysrushedoffinsearchofone。Butasingleminutewasanagenow，andtherewasnoladdertobehadwithoutadelayofmanyminutes。Thesickmanwasgoingtobeswallowedupintheflamesbeforeitcouldpossiblyarrive。Someweregoingforablanketoracoverlet，inthehopethattheyoungmanmighthavestrengthenoughtoleapfromthewindowandbesafelycaughtinit。Theattendantshookhishead，andsaidfaintly，\"Hecannotmovefromhisbed。”
Oneofthevisitorsatthevillage，——amillionaire，itwassaid，——akind-heartedman，spokeinhoarse，brokentones:
\"Athousanddollarstothemanthatwillbringhimfromhischamber!\"
Thefresh-waterfishermanmuttered，\"Ishouldliketosavethemanandtoseethemoney，butitain\'tathaousan\'dollars，nortenthaousan\'dollars，that\'llpayafellahforburnin\'todeath，——orevenchokin\'todeath，anyhaow。”
Thecarpenter，whoknewtheframeworkofeveryhouseinthevillage，recentorold，shookhishead。
\"Thestairshavebeenshoredup，\"hesaid，\"andwhenthefiststhatholds\'emupgoes，downthey\'llcome。Itain\'tsafefornomantogooverthemstairs。Hurryalongyourladder，——that\'syouronlychance。”
Allwaswildconfusionaroundtheburninghouse。Theladdertheyhadgoneforwasmissingfromitscase，——aneighborhadcarrieditofffortheworkmenwhowereshinglinghisroof。Itwouldnevergetthereintime。Therewasafire-engine，butitwasnearlyhalfamilefromthelakesidesettlement。Somewerethrowingonwaterinanaimless，uselessway；onewassendingathinstreamthroughagardensyringe:itseemedlikedoingsomething，atleast。ButallhopeofsavingMauricewasfastgivingway，sorapidwastheprogressoftheflames，sothickthecloudofsmokethatfilledthehouseandpouredfromthewindows。Nothingwasheardbutconfusedcries，shrieksofwomen，allsortsoforderstodothisandthat，nooneknowingwhatwastobedone。Theladder!Theladder!Fiveminutesmoreanditwillbetoolate!
InthemeantimethealarmoffirehadreachedPaolo，andhehadstoppedhisworkofarrangingMaurice\'sbooksinthesamewayasthatinwhichtheyhadstoodinhisapartment，andfollowedinthedirectionofthesound，littlethinkingthathismasterwaslyinghelplessintheburninghouse。\"Somechimneyafire，\"hesaidtohimself；buthewouldgoandtakealook，atanyrate。
BeforePaolohadreachedthesceneofdestructionandimpendingdeath，twoyoungwomen，inboatingdressesofdecidedlyBloomerishaspect，hadsuddenlyjoinedthethrong。\"TheWonder\"and\"TheTerror\"oftheirschool-days——MissEuthymiarowerandMissLuridaVincenthadjustcomefromtheshore，wheretheyhadlefttheirwherry。Afewhurriedwordstoldthemthefearfulstory。MauriceKirkwoodwaslyinginthechambertowhicheveryeyewasturned，unabletomove，doomedtoadreadfuldeath。Allthatcouldbehopedwasthathewouldperishbysuffocationratherthanbytheflames，whichwouldsoonbeuponhim。Themanwhohadattendedhimhadjusttriedtoreachhischamber，buthadreeledbackoutofthedoor，almoststrangledbythesmoke。Athousanddollarshadbeenofferedtoanyonewhowouldrescuethesickman，butnoonehaddaredtomaketheattempt；forthestairsmightfallatanymoment，ifthesmokedidnotblindandsmotherthemanwhopassedthembeforetheyfell。
Thetwoyoungwomenlookedeachotherinthefaceforoneswiftmoment。
\"Howcanhebereached？\"askedLurida。\"Istherenobodythatwillventurehislifetosaveabrotherlikethat？\"
\"Iwillventuremine，\"saidEuthymia。
\"No!no!\"shriekedLurida，——\"notyou!notyou!Itisaman\'swork，notyours!Youshallnotgo!PoorLuridahadforgottenallhertheoriesinthissuprememoment。ButEuthymiawasnottobeheldback。Takingahandkerchieffromherneck，shedippeditinapailofwaterandbounditaboutherhead。Thenshetookseveraldeepbreathsofair，andfilledherlungsasfullastheywouldhold。Sheknewshemustnottakeasinglebreathinthechokingatmosphereifshecouldpossiblyhelpit，andEuthymiawasnotedforherpowerofstayingunderwatersolongthatmorethanoncethosewhosawherdivethoughtshewouldnevercomeupagain。Sorapidwerehermovementsthattheyparalyzedthebystanders，whowouldforciblyhavepreventedherfromcarryingoutherpurpose。Herimperiousdeterminationwasnottoberesisted。AndsoEuthymia，awillingmartyr，ifmartyrshewastobe，andnotsaviour，passedwithintheveilthathidthesufferer。
Luridaturneddeadlypale，andsankfaintingtotheground。Shewasthefirst，butnottheonlyone，ofhersexthatfaintedasEuthymiadisappearedinthesmokeoftheburningbuilding。Eventherectorgrewverywhiteintheface，——sowhitethatoneofhisvestry-menbeggedhimtositdownatonce，andsprinkledafewdropsofwateronhisforehead，tohisgreatdisgustandmanifestadvantage。Theoldlandladywascryingandmoaning，andherhusbandwaswipinghiseyesandshakinghisheadsadly。
\"Shewillnevarcomeoutalive，\"hesaidsolemnly。
\"Nordead，neither，\"addedthecarpenter。\"Ther\'won\'tbenothingleftofneitherof\'embutashes。”Andthecarpenterhidhisfaceinhishands。
Thefresh-waterfishermanhadpulledoutaragwhichhecalleda\"hangkercher，\"——ithadservedtocarrybaitthatmorning，——andwasmakinguseofitsbestcornertodrythetearswhichwererunningdownhischeeks。ThewholevillagewasproudofEuthymia，andwiththesemorequietsignsofgriefweremingledloudlamentations，comingalikefromoldandyoung。
Allthiswasnotsomuchlikeasuccessionofeventsasitwaslikeatableau。Thelookers-onwerestunnedwithitssuddenness，andbeforetheyhadtimetorecovertheirbewilderedsensesallwaslost，orseemedlost。Theyfeltthattheyshouldneverlookagainoneitherofthoseyoungfaces。
Therector，notunfeelingbynature，butinveteratelyprofessionalbyhabit，hadalreadyrecoveredenoughtobethinkingofatextforthefuneralsermon。Thefirstthatoccurredtohimwasthis，——vaguely，ofcourse，inthebackgroundofconsciousness:
\"ThenShadrach，Meshach，andAbed-negocameforthofthemidstofthefire。”
Thevillageundertakerwasofnaturallysoberaspectandreflectivedisposition。Hehadalwaysbeenopposedtocremation，andherewasafuneralpileblazingbeforehiseyes。He，too，hadhishumansympathies，butinthedistancehisimaginationpicturedthefinalceremony，andhowhehimselfshouldfigureinaspectaclewheretheusualcentrepieceofattractionwouldbewanting，——perhapshisownservicesuncalledfor。
Blamehimnot，youwhosegarden-patchisnotwateredwiththetearsofmourners。Thestringofself-interestanswerswithitschordtoeverysound；itvibrateswiththefuneral-bell，itfindsitselftremblingtothewailoftheDeProfundis。Notalways，——notalways；
letusnotbecynicalinourjudgments，butcommonhumannature，wemaysafelysay，issubjecttothosesecondaryvibrationsunderthemostsolemnandsoul-subduinginfluences。
Itseemsasifweweredoinggreatwrongtothescenewearecontemplatingindelayingitbythedescriptionoflittlecircumstancesandindividualthoughtsandfeelings。Butlingeraswemay，wecannotcompressintoachapter——wecouldnotcrowdintoavolume——allthatpassedthroughthemindsandstirredtheemotionsoftheawe-struckcompanywhichwasgatheredaboutthesceneofdangerandofterror。Wearedealingwithanimpossibility:consciousnessisasurface；narrativeisaline。
Mauricehadgivenhimselfupforlost。Hisbreathingwasbecomingeverymomentmoredifficult，andhefeltthathisstrengthcouldholdoutbutafewminuteslonger。
\"Robert!\"hecalledinfaintaccents。Buttheattendantwasnottheretoanswer。
\"Paolo!Paolo!\"Butthefaithfulservant，whowouldhavegivenhislifeforhismaster，hadnotyetreachedtheplacewherethecrowdwasgathered。
\"Oh，forabreathofair!Oh，foranarmtoliftmefromthisbed!
Toolate!Toolate!\"hegasped，withwhatmighthaveseemedhisdyingexpiration。
\"Nottoolate!\"Thesoftvoicereachedhisobscuredconsciousnessasifithadcomedowntohimfromheaven。
Inasingleinstanthefoundhimselfrolledinablanketandinthearmsof——awoman!
Outofthestiflingchamber，——overtheburningstairs，——closebythetonguesoffirethatwerelappingupalltheycouldreach，——outintotheopenair，hewasborneswiftlyandsafely，——carriedaseasilyasifhehadbeenababe，inthestrongarmsof\"TheWonder\"ofthegymnasium，thecaptainoftheAtalanta，whohadlittledreamedoftheuseshewastomakeofhernaturalgiftsandherschool-girlaccomplishments。
Suchacryasarosefromthecrowdofon-lookers!Itwasasoundthatnoneofthemhadeverheardbeforeorcouldexpectevertohearagain，unlessheshouldbeoneofthelastboat-loadrescuedfromasinkingvessel。Then，thosewhohadresistedtheoverflowoftheiremotion，whohadstoodinwhitedespairastheythoughtofthesetwoyounglivessoontobewrappedintheirburningshroud，——thosesternmen——theoldsea-captain，thehard-faced，moneymaking，cast-irontradesmenofthecitycounting-room——sobbedlikehystericwomen；itwaslikeaconvulsionthatovercamenaturesunusedtothosedeeperemotionswhichmanywhoarecapableofexperiencingdiewithouteverknowing。
ThiswasthesceneuponwhichthedoctorandPaolosuddenlyappearedatthesamemoment。
Asthefreshbreezepassedoverthefaceoftherescuedpatient，hiseyesopenedwide，andhisconsciousnessreturnedinalmostsupernaturallucidity。Euthymiahadsatdownuponabank，andwasstillsupportinghim。Hisheadwasrestingonherbosom。Throughhisawakeningsensesstolethemurmursofthelivingcradlewhichrockedhimwiththewavelikemovementsofrespiration，thesoftsusurrusoftheairthatenteredwitheverybreath，thedoublebeatoftheheartwhichthrobbedclosetohisear。Andeverysense，andeveryinstinct，andeveryrevivingpulsetoldhiminlanguagelikearevelationfromanotherworldthatawoman\'sarmswerearoundhim，andthatitwaslife，andnotdeath，whichherembracehadbroughthim。
Shewouldhavedisengagedhimfromherprotectinghold，butthedoctormadeheraperemptorysign，whichhefollowedbyasharpcommand:——
\"Donotmovehimahair\'sbreadth，\"hesaid。\"Waituntilthelittercomes。Anysuddenmovementmightbedangerous。Hasanybodyabrandyflaskabouthim？\"
Oneortwomembersofthelocaltemperancesocietylookedratherawkward，butdidnotcomeforward。
Thefresh-waterfishermanwasthefirstwhospoke。
\"Ihan\'tgotnobrandy，\"hesaid，\"butthere\'sadroportwoofoldMedfordruminthisherethatyou\'rewelcometo，ifit\'llbeofanyhelp。Iallizkerryalittleon\'tincaseo\'gettin\'wet\'n\'
chilled。”
Sosayingheheldforthaflatbottlewiththeword，Sarsaparillastampedonthegreenglass，butwhichcontainedhalfapintormoreofthespecificonwhichhereliedinthoseveryfrequentexposureswhichhappentopersonsofhiscalling。
ThedoctormotionedbackPaolo，whowouldhaverushedatoncetotheaidofMaurice，andwhowasnotwantedatthatmoment。SopoorPaolo，inanagonyoffearforhismaster，waskeptasquietaspossible，andhadtocontenthimselfwithaskingallsortsofquestionsandrepeatingalltheprayershecouldthinkoftoOurLadyandtohisholynamesaketheApostle。
Thedoctorwipedthemouthofthefisherman\'sbottleverycarefully。
\"Takeafewdropsofthiscordial，\"hesaid，asheheldittohispatient\'slips。\"Holdhimjustso，Euthymia，withoutstirring。I
willwatchhim，andsaywhenheisreadytobemoved。Thelitterisnearby，waiting。”Dr。ButtswatchedMaurice\'spulseandcolor。The\"oldMedford\"knewitsbusiness。Ithadknockedoveritstensofthousands；ithaditsredeemingvirtue，andhelpedtosetupapoorfellownowandthen。ItdidthisforMauriceveryeffectively。Whenheseemedsomewhatrestored，thedoctorhadthelitterbroughttohisside，andEuthymiasoftlyresignedherhelplessburden，whichPaoloandtheattendantRobertliftedwiththeaidofthedoctor，whowalkedbythepatientashewasbornetothehomewhereMrs。Buttshadmadeallreadyforhisreception。
AsforpoorLurida，whohadthoughtherselfequaltothesanguinarydutiesofthesurgeon，shewasleftlyingonthegrasswithanoldwomanoverher，workinghardwithfanandsmelling-saltstobringherbackfromherlongfaintingfit。
XXIV
THEINEVITABLE。
WhyshouldnothumannaturebethesameinArrowheadVillageaselsewhere？Itcouldnotseemstrangetothegoodpeopleofthatplaceandtheirvisitorsthatthesetwoyoungpersons，broughttogetherundercircumstancesthatstirredupthedeepestemotionsofwhichthehumansouliscapable，shouldbecomeattachedtoeachother。Butthebondbetweenthemwasstrongerthananyknew，exceptthegooddoctor，whohadlearnedthegreatsecretofMaurice\'slife。
Forthefirsttimesincehisinfancyhehadfullyfeltthecharmwhichtheimmediatepresenceofyouthfulwomanhoodcarrieswithit。
Hecouldhardlybelievethefactwhenhefoundhimselfnolongerthesubjectoftheterrifyingseizuresofwhichhehadhadmanyandthreateningexperiences。
Itwasthedoctor\'sbusinesstosavehispatient\'slife，ifhecouldpossiblydoit。Mauricehadbeenreducedtothemostperilousstateofdebilitybytherelapsewhichhadinterruptedhisconvalescence。
Onlybywhatseemedalmostamiraclehadhesurvivedtheexposuretosuffocationandthementalanguishthroughwhichhehadpassed。ItwasperfectlycleartoDr。ButtsthatifMauricecouldseetheyoungwomantowhomheowedhislife，and，asthedoctorfeltassured，therevolutioninhisnervoussystemwhichwouldbethebeginningofanewexistence，itwouldbeoffarmorevalueasarestorativeagencythananyorallofthedrugsinthepharmacopoeia。HetoldthistoEuthymia，andexplainedthemattertoherparentsandfriends。Shemustgowithhimonsomeofhisvisits。Hermothershouldgowithher，orhersister；butthiswasacaseoflifeanddeath，andnomaidenlyscruplesmustkeepherfromdoingherduty。
Thefirstofhervisitstothesick，perhapsdying，manpresentedascenenotunlikethepicturebeforespokenofonthetitle-pageoftheoldeditionofGalen。Thedoctorwasperhapsthemostagitatedofthelittlegroup。Hewentbeforetheothers，tookhisseatbythebedside，andheldthepatient\'swristwithhisfingeronthepulse。
AsEuthymiaentereditgaveasinglebound，flutteredforaninstantasifwithafaintmemoryofitsoldhabit，thenthrobbedfullandstrong，comparatively，asifunderthespurofsomepowerfulstimulus。Euthymia\'staskwasadelicateone，butsheknewhowtodisguiseitsdifficulty。
\"HereisaflowerIhavebroughtyou，Mr。Kirkwood，\"shesaid，andhandedhimawhitechrysanthemum。Hetookitfromherhand，andbeforesheknewithetookherhandintohisown，andhelditwithagentleconstraint。Whatcouldshedo？Herewastheyoungmanwhoselifeshehadsaved，atleastforthemoment，andwhowasyetindangerfromthediseasewhichhadalmostwornouthispowersofresistance。
\"SitdownbyMr。Kirkwood\'sside，\"saidthedoctor。\"Hewantstothankyou，ifhehasstrengthtodoit，forsavinghimfromthedeathwhichseemedinevitable。”
NotmanywordscouldMauricecommand。Hewasweakenoughforwomanlytears，buttheirfountainsnolongerflowed；itwaswithhimaswiththedying，whoseeyesmaylightup，butrarelyshedatear。
Theriverwhichhasfoundanewchannelwidensanddeepens——it；itletstheoldwater-coursefillup，andneverreturnstoitsforsakenbed。Thetyrannoushabitwasbroken。Theprophecyofthegitanahadverifieditself，andtheillafairwomanhadwroughtafairerwomanbadconqueredandabolished。
ThehistoryofMauriceKirkwoodlosesitsexceptionalcharacterfromthetimeofhisrestorationtohisnaturalconditions。Hisconvalescencewasveryslowandgradual，butnofurtheraccidentinterrupteditsevenprogress。Theseasonwasover，thesummervisitorshadleftArrowheadVillage；thechrysanthemumsweregoingoutofflower，thefrostshadcome，andMauricewasstillbeneaththeroofofthekindphysician。Therelationbetweenhimandhispreserverwassoentirelyapartfromallcommonacquaintancesandfriendshipsthatnoordinaryrulescouldapplytoit。Euthymiavisitedhimoftenduringtheperiodofhisextremeprostration。
\"Youmustcomeeveryday，\"thedoctorsaid。\"Hegainswitheveryvisityoumakehim；hepinesifyoumisshimforasingleday。”Soshecameandsatbyhim，thedoctororgoodMrs。Buttskeepinghercompanyinhispresence。Hegrewstronger，——begantositupinbed；
andatlastEuthymiafoundhimdressedasinhealth，andbeginningtowalkabouttheroom。Shewasstartled。Shehadthoughtofherselfasakindofnurse，buttheyounggentlemancouldhardlybesaidtoneedanurseanylonger。Shehadscruplesaboutmakinganyfurthervisits。SheaskedLuridawhatshethoughtaboutit。
\"Thinkaboutit？\"saidLurida。\"Whyshouldn\'tyougotoseeabrotheraswellasasister，Ishouldliketoknow？IfyouareafraidtogotoseeMauriceKirkwood，Iamnotafraid，atanyrate。
Ifyouwouldratherhavemegothangoyourself，Iwilldoit，andletpeopletalkjustasmuchastheywantto。ShallIgoinsteadofyou？\"
Euthymiawasnotquitesurethatthiswouldbethebestthingforthepatient。Thedoctorhadtoldherhethoughttherewerespecialreasonsforherowncourseincomingdailytoseehim。\"Iamafraid，\"shesaid，\"youaretoobrighttobesafeforhiminhisweakstate。Yourmindissuchastimulatingone，youknow。Adullsortofpersonlikemyselfisbetterforhimjustnow。IwillcontinuevisitinghimaslongasthedoctorsaysitisimportantthatIshould；butyoumustdefendme，Lurida，——Iknowyoucanexplainitallsothatpeoplewillnotblameme。”
EuthymiaknewfullwellwhattheeffectofLurida\'spenetratinghead-
voicewouldbeinaconvalescent\'schamber。Sheknewhowthatactivemindofherswouldsettheyoungman\'sthoughtsatwork，whenwhathewantedwasrestofeveryfaculty。Werenotthesegoodandsufficientreasonsforherdecision？Whatotherscouldtherebe？
SoEuthymiakeptonwithhervisits，untilsheblushedtoseethatshewascontinuinghercharitableofficeforonewhowasbeginningtolooktoowelltobecalledaninvalid。Itwasadangerousconditionofaffairs，andthebusytonguesofthevillagegossipswerefreeintheircomments。Free，butkindly，forthestoryoftherescuehadmeltedeveryheart；andwhatcouldbemorenaturalthanthatthesetwoyoungpeoplewhomGodhadbroughttogetherinthedreadmomentofperilshouldfindithardtotearthemselvesasunderafterthehourofdangerwaspast？Whengratitudeisabankrupt，loveonlycanpayhisdebts；andifMauricegavehishearttoEuthymia，wouldnotshereceiveitaspaymentinfull？
ThechangewhichhadtakenplaceinthevitalcurrentsofMauriceKirkwood\'ssystemwasassimpleandsolidafactasthechangeinamagneticneedlewhentheborealbecomestheaustralpole，andtheaustraltheboreal。Itwaswell，perhaps，thatthischangetookplacewhilehewasenfeebledbythewastingeffectsoflongillness。
Forallthelong-defeated，disturbed，pervertedinstinctshadfoundtheirnaturalchannelfromthecentreofconsciousnesstotheorganwhichthrobsinresponsetoeveryprofoundemotion。Ashishealthgraduallyreturned，Euthymiacouldnothelpperceivingaflushinhischeek，aglitterinhiseyes，asomethinginthetoneofhisvoice，whichaltogetherwereawarningtotheyoungmaidenthatthehighwayoffriendlyintercoursewasfastnarrowingtoalane，attheheadofwhichherwoman\'seyecouldreadplainlyenough，\"Dangerouspassing。”
\"Youlooksomuchbetterto-day，Mr。Kirkwood，\"shesaid，\"thatI
thinkIhadbetternotplaySisterofCharityanylonger。ThenexttimewemeetIhopeyouwillbestrongenoughtocallonme。”
Shewasfrightenedtoseehowpaleheturned，——hewasweakerthanshethought。TherewasasilencesoprofoundandsolongthatMrs。Buttslookedupfromthestockingshewasknitting。Theyhadforgottenthegoodwoman\'spresence。
PresentlyMauricespoke，——veryfaintly，butMrs。Buttsdroppedastitchatthefirstword，andherknittingfellintoherlapasshelistenedtowhatfollowed。
\"No!youmustnotleaveme。Youmustneverleaveme。Yousavedmylife。Butyouhavedonemorethanthat，——morethanyouknoworcaneverknow。ToyouIoweitthatIamliving；withyouIlivehenceforth，ifIamtoliveatall。AllIam，allIhope，——willyoutakethispoorofferingfromonewhoowesyoueverything，whoselipsnevertouchedthoseofwomanorbreathedawordoflovebeforeyou？
WhatcouldEuthymiareplytothisquestion，utteredwithallthedepthofapassionwhichhadneverbeforefoundexpression。
NotonesyllableofanswerdidlisteningMrs。Buttsoverhear。ButshetoldherhusbandafterwardsthattherewasnothinginthetableauxtheyhadhadinSeptembertocomparewithwhatshethensaw。
ItwasindeedapleasingpicturewhichthosetwoyoungheadspresentedasEuthymiagaveherinarticulatebutinfinitelyexpressiveanswertothequestionofMauriceKirkwood。Thegood-heartedwomanthoughtittimetoleavetheyoungpeople。Downwentthestockingwiththeneedlesinit；outofherlaptumbledtheballofworsted，rollingalongthefloorwithitsyarntrailingafterit，likesomevillagematronwhogoesaboutcirculatingfromhearthtohearth，leavingallalonghertrackthestoryofthenewengagementorofthearrivalofthelast\"littlestranger。”
NotmanysunshadsetbeforeitwastoldallthroughArrowheadVillagethatMauriceKirkwoodwastheacceptedloverofEuthymiaTower。
POSTSCRIPT:AFTER-GLIMPSES。
MISSLURIDAVINCENTTOMRS。EUTHYMIAKIRKWOOD。
ARROWHEADVILLAGE，May18。
MYDEARESTEUTHYMIA，——Whowouldhavethought，whenyoubrokeyouroarastheAtalantaflashedbytheAlgonquin，lastJune，thatbeforetherosescameagainyouwouldfindyourselfthewifeofafinescholarandgrandgentleman，andtheheadofahouseholdsuchasthatofwhichyouarethemistress？YoumustnotforgetyouroldArrowheadVillagefriends。WhatamIsaying？——youforgetthem!No，dearest，Iknowyourhearttoowellforthat!Youarenotoneofthosewholayasidetheiroldfriendshipsastheydolastyearsbonnetwhentheygetanewone。Youhavetoldmeallaboutyourselfandyourhappiness，andnowyouwantmetotellyouaboutmyselfandwhatisgoingoninourlittleplace。
Andfirstaboutmyself。Ihavegivenuptheideaofbecomingadoctor。IhavestudiedmathematicssomuchthatIhavegrownfondofcertainties，ofdemonstrations，andmedicinedealschieflyinprobabilities。Thepracticeoftheartissomixedupwiththedeepesthumanintereststhatitishardtopursueitwiththatevenpoiseoftheintellectwhichisdemandedbyscience。Iwantknowledgepureandsimple，——Idonotfancyhavingitmixed。NeitherdoIlikethethoughtofpassingmylifeingoingfromonesceneofsufferingtoanother；Iamnotsaintlyenoughforsuchadailymartyrdom，norcallousenoughtomakeitaneasyoccupation。I
faintedatthefirstoperationIsaw，andIhaveneverwantedtoseeanother。Idon\'tsaythatIwouldn\'tmarryaphysician，iftherightoneaskedme，buttheyoungdoctorisnotforthcomingatpresent。
Yes，IthinkImightmakeaprettygooddoctor\'swife。Icouldteachhimagooddealaboutheadachesandbackachesandallsortsofnervousrevolutions，asthedoctorsaystheFrenchwomencalltheirtantrums。Idon\'tknowbutIshouldbewillingtolethimtryhisnewmedicinesonme。Ifhewereahomeopath，IknowIshould；forifabillionthofagrainofsugarwon\'tbegintosweetenmyteaorcoffee，Idon\'tfeelafraidthatabillionthofagrainofanythingwouldpoisonme，——no，notifitweresnake-venom；andifitwerenotdisgusting，Iwouldswallowahandfulofhislachesisglobules，topleasemyhusband。ButifIeverbecomeadoctor\'swife，myhusbandwillnotbeoneofthatkindofpractitioners，youmaybesureofthat，noran\"eclectic，\"nora\"faith-cureman。”Onthewhole，I
don\'tthinkIwanttobemarriedatall。Idon\'tlikethemaleanimalverywell(exceptsuchnoblespecimensasyourhusband)。Theyarealltyrants，——almostall，——sofarasoursexisconcerned，andI
oftenthinkwecouldgetonbetterwithoutthem。
However，thecreaturesareusefulintheSociety。Theysenduspapers，someofthemwellworthreading。YouhavetoldmesooftenthatyouwouldliketoknowhowtheSocietyisgettingon，andtoreadsomeofthepaperssenttoitiftheyhappenedtobeinteresting，thatIhavelaidasideoneortwomanuscriptsexpresslyforyourperusal。Youwillgetthembyandby。
IamdelightedtoknowthatyoukeepPaolowithyou。ArrowheadVillagemisseshimdreadfully，Icantellyou。ThatisthereasonpeoplebecomesoattachedtotheseservantswithSouthernsunlightintheirnatures？IsupposelifeisnotlongenoughtocooltheirblooddowntoourNorthernstandard。Thentheyaresochild-like，whereasthenativeoftheselatitudesisneveryoungafterheistenortwelveyearsold。Mothersays，——youknowmother\'sold-fashionednotions，andhowshrewdandsensiblesheisinspiteofthem，——mothersaysthatwhenshewasagirlfamiliesusedtoimportyoungmenandyoungwomenfromthecountrytowns，whocalledthemselves\"helps，\"
notservants，——no，thatwasScriptural；\"buttheydidn\'tknoweverythingdowninJudee，\"anditisnotgoodAmericanlanguage。Shesaysthatthesepeoplewouldliveinthesamehouseholduntiltheyweremarried，andthewomenoftenremaininthesameserviceuntiltheydiedorwereoldandwornout，andthen，whatwiththemoneytheyhadsavedandthecareandassistancetheygotfromtheirformeremployers，wouldpassadecentandcomfortableoldage，andbeburiedinthefamilylot。Motherhasmadeuphermindtothechange，butgrandmotherisbitteraboutit。Shesaysthereneverwasacountryyetwherethepopulationwasmadeupof\"ladies\"and\"gentlemen，\"andshedoesn\'tbelievetherecanbe；northatputtingaspreadeagleonacoppermakesagolddollarofit。Sheisapessimistafterherownfashion。Shethinksallsentimentisdyingoutofourpeople。Noloyaltyforthesovereign，theking-postofthepoliticaledifice，shesays；nodeepattachmentbetweenemployerandemployed；noreverenceofthehumblermembersofahouseholdforitsheads；andtomakesureofcontinuedcorruptionandmisery，whatshecalls\"universalsuffrage\"emptyingallthesewersintothegreataqueductweallmustdrinkfrom。\"Universalsuffrage!\"Isupposewewomendon\'tbelongtotheuniverse!Waituntilwegetachanceattheballot-box，Itellgrandma，andseeifwedon\'twashoutthesewersbeforetheyreachtheaqueduct!ButmypenhasrunawaywithmenI
wasthinkingofPaolo，andwhatapleasantthingitistohaveoneofthosechild-like，warm-hearted，attachable，cheerful，contented，humble，faithful，companionable，butneverpresuminggrownupchildrenoftheSouthwaitingonone，asifeverythinghecoulddoforonewasapleasure，andcarryingalookofcontentinhisfacewhichmakeseveryonewhomeetshimhappierforaglimpseofhisfeatures。
Itdoesseemashamethatthecharmingrelationofmasterandservant，intelligentauthorityandcheerfulobedience，mutualinterestineachother\'swelfare，thankfulrecognitionofalltheadvantageswhichbelongtodomesticserviceinthebetterclassoffamilies，shouldbealmostwhollyconfinedtoaliensandtheirimmediatedescendants。WhyshouldHannahthinkherselfsomuchbetterthanBridget？Whentheymeetatthepollstogether，astheywillbeforelong，theywillbegintofeelmoreofanequalitythanisrecognizedatpresent。Thenativefemaleturnshernoseupattheideaof\"livingout；\"doesshethinkherselfsomuchsuperiortothewomenofothernationalities？Ourwomenwillhavetocometoit，——sograndmothersays，——inanothergenerationortwo，andinahundredyears，accordingtoherprophecy，therewillbeanewsetofold\"MissPollys\"and\"MissBetseys\"whohavelivedhalfacenturyinthesamefamilies，respectfulandrespected，cherished，caredforintimeofneed(citizensaswellasservants，holdingaballotaswellasabroom，Itellher)，andbringingbacktousthelowly，underfootvirtuesofcontentmentandhumility，whichwedosoneedtocarpetthebarrenandhungrythoroughfareofourunstratifiedexistence。
There，Ihavegota-going，andamforgettingallthenewsIhavetotellyou。Thereisanengagementyouwillwanttoknowallabout。
Itcametopassthroughourfamousboat-race，whichyouandI
remember，andshallneverforgetaslongaswelive。Itseemsthattheyoungfellowwhopulledthebowoarofthatmen\'scollegeboatwhichwehadthepleasureofbeatinggotsomeglimpsesofGeorgina，ourhandsomestrokeoar。Ibelievehetookitintohisheadthatitwasshewhothrewthebouquetthatwontheraceforus。Hewas，asyouknow，greatlymistaken，andoughttohavemadelovetome，onlyhedidn\'t。Well，itseemshecamepostingdowntotheInstitutejustbeforethevacationwasover，andtheregotasightofGeorgina。
Iwonderwhethershetoldhimshedidn\'tflingthebouquet!Anyhow，theacquaintancebeganinthatway，andnowitseemsthatthisyoungfellow，good-lookingandabrightscholar，butwithagoodmanymonthsmoretopassincollege，ishercaptive。Itwastoobad。
Justthinkofmybouquet\'sgoingtoanothergirl\'scredit!Nomatter，theoldAtalantastorywaspaidoff，atanyrate。
YouwanttoknowallaboutdearDr。Butts。TheysayhehasjustbeenofferedaProfessorshipinoneofthegreatmedicalcolleges。I
askedhimaboutit，andhedidnotsaythathehadorhadnot。
\"But，\"saidbe，\"supposethatIhadbeenofferedsuchaplace；doyouthinkIoughttoacceptitandleaveArrowheadVillage？Letustalkitover，\"saidhe，\"justasifIhadhadsuchanoffer。”Itoldhimheoughttostay。ThereareplentyofmenthatcangetintoaProfessor\'schair，Isaid，andtalklikeSolomonstoaclassofwonderingpupils:butoncegetareallygooddoctorinaplace，amanwhoknowsallabouteverybody，whethertheyhavethisorthattendency，whetherwhentheyaresicktheyhaveawayofdyingorawayofgettingwell，whatmedicinesagreewiththemandwhatdrugstheycannottake，whethertheyareofthesortthatthinknothingisthematterwiththemuntiltheyaredeadassmokedherring，orofthesortthatsendfortheministeriftheygetastomach-achefromeatingtoomanycucumbers，——whoknowsallaboutallthepeoplewithinhalfadozenmiles(allthesensibleones，thatis，whoemployaregularpractitioner)，——suchamanasthat，Isay，isnottobereplacedlikeamissingpieceoutofaSpringfieldmusketoraWalthamwatch。Don\'tgo!saidI。Stayhereandsaveourpreciouslives，ifyoucan，oratleastputusthroughintheproperway，sothatweneedn\'tbeashamedofourselvesfordying，ifwemustdie。
Well，Dr。Buttsisnotgoingtoleaveus。Ihopeyouwillhavenounwelcomeoccasionforhisservices，——youareneverill，youknow，——
but，anyhow，heisgoingtobehere，andnomatterwhathappenshewillbeonhand。
Thevillagenewsisnotofaveryexcitingcharacter。Item1。Anewhouseisputupovertheashesoftheoneinwhichyourhusbandlivedwhilehewashere。Itwasplannedbyoneoftheautochthonousinhabitantswiththemostingeniouscombinationofinconveniencesthatthenaturalmancouldeducefromhisoriginalperversityofintellect。Togetatanyoneroomyoumustpassthrougheveryother。
Itisblind，ornearlyso，ontheonlysidewhichhasagoodprospect，andcommandsafineviewofthebarnandpigstythroughnumerouswindows。Item2。Wehaveasmallfire-enginenearthenewhousewhichcanbeworkedbyamanortwo，andwouldbeequaltotheemergencyofputtingoutabunchoffire-crackers。Item3。Wehaveanewladder，inabog，closetothenewfire-engine，soifthenewhousecatchesfire，likeitspredecessor，andthereshouldhappento，beasickmanonanupperfloor，hecanbegotoutwithoutrunningtheriskofgoingupanddownaburningstaircase。Whatablessedthingitwasthattherewasnofire-enginenearbyandnoladderathandonthedayofthegreatrescue!Iftherehadbeen，whatachangeinyourprogrammeoflife!Yourememberthat\"cupofteaspiltonMrs。Masham\'sapron，\"whichweusedtoreadofinoneofEverett\'sOrations，andallitswide-reachingconsequencesintheaffairsofEurope。IhuntedupthatcupofteaasdiligentlyaseveraBostonmatronsoughtforthelastleavesinheroldcaddyafterthetea-chestshadbeenflungoverboardatGriffin\'swharf，——butnomatteraboutthat，now。Thatisthewaythingscomeaboutinthisworld。Imustwritealectureonluckymishaps，or，moreelegantly，fortunatecalamities。ItwillbejusttheconverseofthatoddessayofSwift\'swereadtogether，theawkwardandstupidthingsdonewiththebestintentions。PerhapsIshalldeliverthelectureinyourcity:youwillcomeandhearit，andbringhim，won\'tyou，dearest？
Always，yourlovingLURIDA。
MISSLURIDAVINCENTTOMRS。EUTHYMIAKIRKWOOD。
Itseemsforeversinceyouleftus，dearestEuthymia!Andareyou，andisyourhusband，andPaolo，——goodPaolo，——areyouallaswellandhappyasyouhavebeenandasyououghttobe？Isupposeoursmallvillageseemsaveryquietsortofplacetopassthewinterin，nowthatyouhavebecomeaccustomedtothenoiseandgayetyofagreatcity。Forallthat，itisaprettybusyplacethiswinter，Icantellyou。Wehavesleighingparties，——Inevergotothem，myself，becauseIcan\'tkeepwarm，andmymindfreezesupwhenmybloodcoolsdownbelow95or96deg。Fahrenheit。IhadagreatdealrathersitbyagoodfireandreadaboutArcticdiscoveries。ButIlikeverywelltohearthebells\'jinglingandtoseetheyoungpeopletryingtohaveagoodtimeashardastheydoatapicnic。Itmaybethattheydo，buttomeapicnicispurgatoryandasleigh-ridethatotherplace，where，asmyfavoriteMiltonsays，\"frostperformstheeffectoffire。”IbelieveIhavequotedhimcorrectly；Ioughtto，forI
couldrepeathalfhispoemsfrommemoryonce，ifIcannotnow。
Youmusthaveplentyofexcitementinyourcitylife。Isupposeyourecognizedyourselfinoneofthesocietycolumnsofthe\"HouseholdInquisitor:\"\"Mrs。E。K。，verybeautiful，inanelegant，\"etc。，etc，\"withpearls，\"etc。，etc。，——asifyouwerenottheornamentofallthatyouwear，nomatterwhatitis!
Iamsogladthatyouhavemarriedascholar!WhyshouldnotMaurice——youbothtellmetocallhimso——takethediplomaticofficewhichhasbeenofferedhim？Itseemstomethathewouldfindhimselfinexactlytherightplace。Hecantalkintwoorthreelanguages，hasgoodmanners，andawifewho——well，whatshallIsayofMrs。Kirkwoodbutthat\"shewouldbegoodcompanyforaqueen，\"asouroldfriendthequondamlandladyoftheAnchorTavernusedtosay？
IshouldsoliketoseeyoupresentedatCourt!ItseemstomethatIshouldbewillingtoholdyourtrainforthesakeofseeingyouinyourcourtfeathersandthings。
Asformyself，IhavebeenthinkingoflatethatIwouldbecomeeitheraprofessionallecturerorheadmistressofagreatschoolorcollegeforgirls。Ihavetriedthefirstbusinessalittle。LastmonthIdeliveredalectureonQuaternions。Igotthreeformyaudience；twocameoverfromtheInstitute，andonefromthatmen\'scollegewhichtheytrytomakeouttobeauniversity，andwherenofemaleisadmittedunlessshebelongsamongthequadrupeds。I
enjoyedlecturing，butthesubjectisadifficultone，andIdon\'tthinkanyoneofthemhadanyveryclearnotionofwhatIwastalkingabout，exceptRhodora，——andIknowshedidn\'t。Totellthetruth，I
waslecturingtoinstructmyself。Imeantotrysomethingeasiernexttime。IhavethoughtoftheBasquelanguageandliterature。
Whatdoyousaytothat？
TheSocietygoesonfamously。Wehavehadapaperpresentedandreadlatelywhichhasgreatlyamusedsomeofusandprovokedafewoftheweakersort。ThewriteristhatcrabbedoldProfessorofBelles-
Lettresatthatmen\'scollegeoverthere。Heisdreadfullyhardonthepoor\"poets，\"astheycallthemselves。Itseemsthatagreatmanyyoungpersons，andmoreespeciallyagreatmanyyounggirls，ofwhomtheInstitutehasfurnishedaconsiderableproportion，havetakentosendinghimtheirrhymedproductionstobecriticised，——
expectingtobepraised，nodoubt，everyoneofthem。Imustgiveyouoneofthesauciestextractsfromhispaperinhisownwords:
\"Ittakeshalfmytimetoreadthe\'poems\'sentmebyyoungpeopleofbothsexes。TheywouldbemoreshyofdoingitiftheyknewthatI
recognizeatendencytorhymingasacommonformofmentalweakness，andthepublicationofathinvolumeofverseasprimafacieevidenceofambitiousmediocrity，ifnotinferiority。Ofcoursethereareexceptionstothisruleofjudgment，butImaintainthatthepresumptionisalwaysagainsttherhymesterascomparedwiththelesspretentiouspersonsabouthimorher，busywithsomeusefulcalling，——toobusytobetaggingrhymedcommonplacestogether。Justnowthereseemstobeanepidemicofrhymingasbadasthedancingmania，orthesweatingsickness。Afterreadingacertainamountofmanuscriptverseoneisdisposedtoanathematizetheinventorofhomophonoussyllabification。[Thisphrasemadeagreatlaughwhenitwasread。]This，thatisrhyming，musthavebeenfoundoutveryearly，\'Whereareyou，Adam？\'
\'HereamI，Madam；\'
butitcanneverhavebeenhabituallypractiseduntilaftertheFall。
TheintrusionoftintinnabulatingterminationsintotheconversationalintercourseofmenandangelswouldhavespoiledParadiseitself。MiltonwouldnothavethemeveninParadiseLost，youremember。Formyownpart，Iwishcertainrhymescouldbedeclaredcontrabandofwrittenorprintedlanguage。Nothingshouldbeallowedtobehurledattheworldorwhirledwithit，orfurleduponitorcurledoverit；alleyesshouldbekeptawayfromtheskies，inspiteofoshominisublimededit；youthshouldbecoupledwithallthevirtuesexcepttruth；earthshouldneverberemindedofherbirth；deathshouldneverbeallowedtostopamortal\'sbreath，northebelltosoundhisknell，norflowersfromblossomingbowerstowaveoverhisgraveorshowtheirbloomuponhistomb。Wehaverhymingdictionaries，——letushaveonefromwhichallrhymesarerigorouslyexcluded。Thesightofapoorcreaturegrubbingforrhymestofilluphissonnet，ortocramoneofthosevoracious，rhyme-swallowingrigmaroleswhichsomeofourdrudgingpoeticaloperativeshavebeenexhaustingthemselvesoflatetosatiatewithjingles，makesmyheadacheandmystomachrebel。
Work，workofsomekind，isthebusinessofmenandwomen，notthemakingofjingles!
No，——no，——no!Iwanttoseetheyoungpeopleinourschoolsandacademiesandcolleges，andthegraduatesoftheseinstitutions，liftedupoutofthelittleDismalSwampofself-contemplatingandself-indulgingandself-commiseratingemotionalismwhichissurfeitingthelandwiththoseliterarysandwiches，——thinslicesoftinklingsentimentalitybetweentwocoverslookinglikehard-bakedgiltgingerbread。Butwhatfacestheseyoungfolksmakeupatmygoodadvice!Theygettipsyontheirrhymes。Nothingintoxicatesonelikehis——orher——ownverses，andtheyholdontotheirmetre-
ballad-mongeringasthefellowsthatinhalenitrousoxideholdontothegas-bag。”
