Dorset’stoils，showedhimtobesocompletelyfreefromthemthathewasnotafraidofherproximity。
Thesethoughtssoengagedherthatshefellintoagaithardlylikelytocarryhertochurchbeforethesermon，andatlength，havingpassedfromthegardenstothewood-pathbeyond，sofarforgotherintentionastosinkintoarusticseatatabendofthewalk。Thespotwascharming，andLilywasnotinsensibletothecharm，ortothefactthatherpresenceenhancedit；butshewasnotaccustomedtotastethejoysofsolitudeexceptincompany，andthecombinationofahandsomegirlandaromanticscenestruckherastoogoodtobewasted。Noone，however，appearedtoprofitbytheopportunity；andafterahalfhouroffruitlesswaitingsheroseandwanderedon。Shefeltastealingsenseoffatigueasshewalked；thesparklehaddiedoutofher，andthetasteoflifewasstaleonherlips。Shehardlyknewwhatshehadbeenseeking，orwhythefailuretofindithadsoblottedthelightfromhersky:shewasonlyawareofavaguesenseoffailure，ofaninnerisolationdeeperthanthelonelinessabouther。
Herfootstepsflagged，andshestoodgazinglistlesslyahead，diggingthefernyedgeofthepathwiththetipofhersunshade。
Asshedidsoastepsoundedbehindher，andshesawSeldenatherside。
\"Howfastyouwalk！\"heremarked。\"IthoughtIshouldnevercatchupwithyou。\"
Sheansweredgaily:\"Youmustbequitebreathless！I’vebeensittingunderthattreeforanhour。\"
\"Waitingforme，Ihope？\"herejoined；andshesaidwithavaguelaugh:
\"Well——waitingtoseeifyouwouldcome。\"
\"Iseizethedistinction，butIdon’tmindit，sincedoingtheoneinvolveddoingtheother。Butweren’tyousurethatIshouldcome？\"
\"IfIwaitedlongenough——butyouseeIhadonlyalimitedtimetogivetotheexperiment。\"
\"Whylimited？Limitedbyluncheon？\"
\"No；bymyotherengagement。\"
\"YourengagementtogotochurchwithMurielandHilda？\"
\"No；buttocomehomefromchurchwithanotherperson。\"
\"Ah，Isee；Imighthaveknownyouwerefullyprovidedwithalternatives。Andistheotherpersoncominghomethisway？\"
Lilylaughedagain。\"That’sjustwhatIdon’tknow；andtofindout，itismybusinesstogettochurchbeforetheserviceisover。\"
\"Exactly；anditismybusinesstopreventyourdoingso；inwhichcasetheotherperson，piquedbyyourabsence，willformthedesperateresolveofdrivingbackintheomnibus。\"
Lilyreceivedthiswithfreshappreciation；hisnonsensewaslikethebubblingofherinnermood。\"Isthatwhatyouwoulddoinsuchanemergency？\"sheenquired。
Seldenlookedatherwithsolemnity。\"Iamheretoprovetoyou，\"
hecried，\"whatIamcapableofdoinginanemergency！\"
\"Walkingamileinanhour——youmustownthattheomnibuswouldbequicker！\"
\"Ah——butwillhefindyouintheend？That’stheonlytestofsuccess。\"
Theylookedateachotherwiththesameluxuryofenjoymentthattheyhadfeltinexchangingabsurditiesoverhistea-table；butsuddenlyLily’sfacechanged，andshesaid:\"Well，ifitis，hehassucceeded。\"
Selden，followingherglance，perceivedapartyofpeopleadvancingtowardthemfromthefartherbendofthepath。LadyCressidahadevidentlyinsistedonwalkinghome，andtherestofthechurch-goershadthoughtittheirdutytoaccompanyher。Lily’scompanionlookedrapidlyfromonetotheotherofthetwomenoftheparty；WetherallwalkingrespectfullyatLadyCressida’ssidewithhislittlesidelonglookofnervousattention，andPercyGrycebringinguptherearwithMrs。
WetherallandtheTrenors。
\"Ah——nowIseewhyyouweregettingupyourAmericana！\"Seldenexclaimedwithanoteofthefreestadmirationbuttheblushwithwhichthesallywasreceivedcheckedwhateveramplificationshehadmeanttogiveit。
ThatLilyBartshouldobjecttobeingbanteredabouthersuitors，orevenabouthermeansofattractingthem，wassonewtoSeldenthathehadamomentaryflashofsurprise，whichlitupanumberofpossibilities；butsherosegallantlytothedefenceofherconfusion，bysaying，asitsobjectapproached:\"ThatwaswhyI
waswaitingforyou——tothankyouforhavinggivenmesomanypoints！\"
\"Ah，youcanhardlydojusticetothesubjectinsuchashorttime，\"saidSelden，astheTrenorgirlscaughtsightofMissBart；andwhileshesignalledaresponsetotheirboisterousgreeting，headdedquickly:\"Won’tyoudevoteyourafternoontoit？YouknowImustbeofftomorrowmorning。We’lltakeawalk，andyoucanthankmeatyourleisure。\"
Theafternoonwasperfect。Adeeperstillnesspossessedtheair，andtheglitteroftheAmericanautumnwastemperedbyahazewhichdiffusedthebrightnesswithoutdullingit。
Inthewoodyhollowsoftheparktherewasalreadyafaintchill；
butasthegroundrosetheairgrewlighter，andascendingthelongslopesbeyondthehigh-road，Lilyandhercompanionreachedazoneoflingeringsummer。Thepathwoundacrossameadowwithscatteredtrees；thenitdippedintoalaneplumedwithastersandpurplingspraysofbramble，whence，throughthelightquiverofash-leaves，thecountryunrolleditselfinpastoraldistances。
Higherup，thelaneshowedthickeningtuftsoffernandofthecreepingglossyverdureofshadedslopes；treesbegantooverhangit，andtheshadedeepenedtothecheckeredduskofabeech-grove。Thebolesofthetreesstoodwellapart，withonlyalightfeatheringofundergrowth；thepathwoundalongtheedgeofthewood，nowandthenlookingoutonasunlitpastureoronanorchardspangledwithfruit。
Lilyhadnorealintimacywithnature，butshehadapassionfortheappropriateandcouldbekeenlysensitivetoascenewhichwasthefittingbackgroundofherownsensations。Thelandscapeoutspreadbelowherseemedanenlargementofherpresentmood，andshefoundsomethingofherselfinitscalmness，itsbreadth，itslongfreereaches。Onthenearerslopesthesugar-mapleswaveredlikepyresoflight；lowerdownwasamassingofgreyorchards，andhereandtherethelingeringgreenofanoak-grove。
Twoorthreeredfarm-housesdozedundertheapple-trees，andthewhitewoodenspireofavillagechurchshowedbeyondtheshoulderofthehill；whilefarbelow，inahazeofdust，thehigh-roadranbetweenthefields。
\"Letussithere，\"Seldensuggested，astheyreachedanopenledgeofrockabovewhichthebeechesrosesteeplybetweenmossyboulders。
Lilydroppeddownontherock，glowingwithherlongclimb。Shesatquiet，herlipspartedbythestressoftheascent，hereyeswanderingpeacefullyoverthebrokenrangesofthelandscape。Seldenstretchedhimselfonthegrassatherfeet，tiltinghishatagainstthelevelsun-rays，andclaspinghishandsbehindhishead，whichrestedagainstthesideoftherock。
Hehadnowishtomakehertalk；herquick-breathingsilenceseemedapartofthegeneralhushandharmonyofthings。Inhisownmindtherewasonlyalazysenseofpleasure，veilingthesharpedgesofsensationastheSeptemberhazeveiledthesceneattheirfeet。ButLily，thoughherattitudewasascalmashis，wasthrobbinginwardlywitharushofthoughts。Therewereinheratthemomenttwobeings，onedrawingdeepbreathsoffreedomandexhilaration，theothergaspingforairinalittleblackprison-houseoffears。Butgraduallythecaptive’sgaspsgrewfainter，ortheotherpaidlessheedtothem:thehorizonexpanded，theairgrewstronger，andthefreespiritquiveredforflight。
Shecouldnotherselfhaveexplainedthesenseofbuoyancywhichseemedtoliftandswingherabovethesun-suffusedworldatherfeet。Wasitlove，shewondered，oramerefortuitouscombinationofhappythoughtsandsensations？Howmuchofitwasowingtothespelloftheperfectafternoon，thescentofthefadingwoods，thethoughtofthedulnessshehadfledfrom？Lilyhadnodefiniteexperiencebywhichtotestthequalityofherfeelings。
Shehadseveraltimesbeeninlovewithfortunesorcareers，butonlyoncewithaman。Thatwasyearsago，whenshefirstcameout，andhadbeensmittenwitharomanticpassionforayounggentlemannamedHerbertMelson，whohadblueeyesandalittlewaveinhishair。Mr。Melson，whowaspossessedofnoothernegotiablesecurities，hadhastenedtoemploytheseincapturingtheeldestMissVanOsburgh:sincethenhehadgrownstoutandwheezy，andwasgiventotellinganecdotesabouthischildren。IfLilyrecalledthisearlyemotionitwasnottocompareitwiththatwhichnowpossessedher；theonlypointofcomparisonwasthesenseoflightness，ofemancipation，whichsherememberedfeeling，inthewhirlofawaltzortheseclusionofaconservatory，duringthebriefcourseofheryouthfulromance。
Shehadnotknownagaintilltodaythatlightness，thatglowoffreedom；butnowitwassomethingmorethanablindgropingoftheblood。ThepeculiarcharmofherfeelingforSeldenwasthatsheunderstoodit；shecouldputherfingeroneverylinkofthechainthatwasdrawingthemtogether。Thoughhispopularitywasofthequietkind，feltratherthanactivelyexpressedamonghisfriends，shehadnevermistakenhisinconspicuousnessforobscurity。Hisreputedcultivationwasgenerallyregardedasaslightobstacletoeasyintercourse，butLily，whopridedherselfonherbroad-mindedrecognitionofliterature，andalwayscarriedanOmarKhayaminhertravelling-bag，wasattractedbythisattribute，whichshefeltwouldhavehaditsdistinctioninanoldersociety。Itwas，moreover，oneofhisgiftstolookhispart；tohaveaheightwhichliftedhisheadabovethecrowd，andthekeenly-modelleddarkfeatureswhich，inalandofamorphoustypes，gavehimtheairofbelongingtoamorespecializedrace，ofcarryingtheimpressofaconcentratedpast。Expansivepersonsfoundhimalittledry，andveryyounggirlsthoughthimsarcastic；butthisairoffriendlyaloofness，asfarremovedaspossiblefromanyassertionofpersonaladvantage，wasthequalitywhichpiquedLily’sinterest。Everythingabouthimaccordedwiththefastidiouselementinhertaste，eventothelightironywithwhichhesurveyedwhatseemedtohermostsacred。Sheadmiredhimmostofall，perhaps，forbeingabletoconveyasdistinctasenseofsuperiorityastherichestmanshehadevermet。
Itwastheunconsciousprolongationofthisthoughtwhichledhertosaypresently，withalaugh:\"Ihavebrokentwoengagementsforyoutoday。Howmanyhaveyoubrokenforme？\"
\"None，\"saidSeldencalmly。\"MyonlyengagementatBellomontwaswithyou。\"
Sheglanceddownathim，faintlysmiling。
\"DidyoureallycometoBellomonttoseeme？\"
\"OfcourseIdid。\"
Herlookdeepenedmeditatively。\"Why？\"shemurmured，withanaccentwhichtookalltingeofcoquetryfromthequestion。
\"Becauseyou’resuchawonderfulspectacle:Ialwaysliketoseewhatyouaredoing。\"
\"HowdoyouknowwhatIshouldbedoingifyouwerenothere？\"
Seldensmiled。\"Idon’tflattermyselfthatmycominghasdeflectedyourcourseofactionbyahair’sbreadth。\"
\"That’sabsurd——since，ifyouwerenothere，Icouldobviouslynotbetakingawalkwithyou。\"
\"No；butyourtakingawalkwithmeisonlyanotherwayofmakinguseofyourmaterial。YouareanartistandIhappentobethebitofcolouryouareusingtoday。It’sapartofyourclevernesstobeabletoproducepremeditatedeffectsextemporaneously。\"
Lilysmiledalso:hiswordsweretooacutenottostrikehersenseofhumour。Itwastruethatshemeanttousetheaccidentofhispresenceaspartofaverydefiniteeffect；orthat，atleast，wasthesecretpretextshehadfoundforbreakingherpromisetowalkwithMr。Gryce。Shehadsometimesbeenaccusedofbeingtooeager——evenJudyTrenorhadwarnedhertogoslowly。
Well，shewouldnotbetooeagerinthiscase；shewouldgivehersuitoralongertasteofsuspense。Wheredutyandinclinationjumpedtogether，itwasnotinLily’snaturetoholdthemasunder。Shehadexcusedherselffromthewalkonthepleaofaheadache:thehorridheadachewhich，inthemorning，hadpreventedherventuringtochurch。Herappearanceatluncheonjustifiedtheexcuse。Shelookedlanguid，fullofasufferingsweetness；shecarriedascent-bottleinherhand。Mr。Grycewasnewtosuchmanifestations；hewonderedrathernervouslyifsheweredelicate，havingfar-reachingfearsaboutthefutureofhisprogeny。Butsympathywontheday，andhebesoughthernottoexposeherself:healwaysconnectedtheouterairwithideasofexposure。
Lilyhadreceivedhissympathywithlanguidgratitude，urginghim，sincesheshouldbesuchpoorcompany，tojointherestofthepartywho，afterluncheon，werestartinginautomobilesonavisittotheVanOsburghsatPeekskill。Mr。Grycewastouchedbyherdisinterestedness，and，toescapefromthethreatenedvacuityoftheafternoon，hadtakenheradviceanddepartedmournfully，inadust-hoodandgoggles:asthemotor-carplungeddowntheavenueshesmiledathisresemblancetoabaffledbeetle。Seldenhadwatchedhermanoeuvreswithlazyamusement。Shehadmadenoreplytohissuggestionthattheyshouldspendtheafternoontogether，butasherplanunfoldeditselfhefeltfairlyconfidentofbeingincludedinit。Thehousewasemptywhenatlengthheheardhersteponthestairandstrolledoutofthebilliard-roomtojoinher。
Shehadonahatandwalking-dress，andthedogswereboundingatherfeet。
\"Ithought，afterall，theairmightdomegood，\"sheexplained；
andheagreedthatsosimplearemedywasworthtrying。
Theexcursionistswouldbegoneatleastfourhours；LilyandSeldenhadthewholeafternoonbeforethem，andthesenseofleisureandsafetygavethelasttouchoflightnesstoherspirit。Withsomuchtimetotalk，andnodefiniteobjecttobeledupto，shecouldtastetherarejoysofmentalvagrancy。
Shefeltsofreefromulteriormotivesthatshetookuphischargewithatouchofresentment。
\"Idon’tknow，\"shesaid，\"whyyouarealwaysaccusingmeofpremeditation。\"
\"Ithoughtyouconfessedtoit:youtoldmetheotherdaythatyouhadtofollowacertainline——andifonedoesathingatallitisamerittodoitthoroughly。\"
\"Ifyoumeanthatagirlwhohasnoonetothinkforherisobligedtothinkforherself，Iamquitewillingtoaccepttheimputation。ButyoumustfindmeadismalkindofpersonifyousupposethatIneveryieldtoanimpulse。\"
\"Ah，butIdon’tsupposethat:haven’tItoldyouthatyourgeniusliesinconvertingimpulsesintointentions？\"
\"Mygenius？\"sheechoedwithasuddennoteofweariness。\"Isthereanyfinaltestofgeniusbutsuccess？AndIcertainlyhaven’tsucceeded。\"
Seldenpushedhishatbackandtookaside-glanceather。
\"Success——whatissuccess？Ishallbeinterestedtohaveyourdefinition。\"
\"Success？\"Shehesitated。\"Why，togetasmuchasonecanoutoflife，Isuppose。It’sarelativequality，afterall。Isn’tthatyourideaofit？\"
\"Myideaofit？Godforbid！\"Hesatupwithsuddenenergy，restinghiselbowsonhiskneesandstaringoutuponthemellowfields。\"Myideaofsuccess，\"hesaid，\"ispersonalfreedom。\"
\"Freedom？Freedomfromworries？\"
\"Fromeverything——frommoney，frompoverty，fromeaseandanxiety，fromallthematerialaccidents。Tokeepakindofrepublicofthespirit——that’swhatIcallsuccess。\"
Sheleanedforwardwitharesponsiveflash。\"Iknow——Iknow——it’sstrange；butthat’sjustwhatI’vebeenfeelingtoday。\"
Hemethereyeswiththelatentsweetnessofhis。\"Isthefeelingsorarewithyou？\"hesaid。
Sheblushedalittleunderhisgaze。\"Youthinkmehorriblysordid，don’tyou？Butperhapsit’sratherthatIneverhadanychoice。Therewasnoone，Imean，totellmeabouttherepublicofthespirit。\"
\"Thereneveris——it’sacountryonehastofindthewaytoone’sself。\"
\"ButIshouldneverhavefoundmywaythereifyouhadn’ttoldme。\"
\"Ah，therearesign-posts——butonehastoknowhowtoreadthem。\"
\"Well，Ihaveknown，Ihaveknown！\"shecriedwithaglowofeagerness。\"WheneverIseeyou，Ifindmyselfspellingoutaletterofthesign——andyesterday——lasteveningatdinner——I
suddenlysawalittlewayintoyourrepublic。\"
Seldenwasstilllookingather，butwithachangedeye。Hithertohehadfound，inherpresenceandhertalk，theaestheticamusementwhichareflectivemanisapttoseekindesultoryintercoursewithprettywomen。Hisattitudehadbeenoneofadmiringspectatorship，andhewouldhavebeenalmostsorrytodetectinheranyemotionalweaknesswhichshouldinterferewiththefulfilmentofheraims。Butnowthehintofthisweaknesshadbecomethemostinterestingthingabouther。Hehadcomeonherthatmorninginamomentofdisarray；herfacehadbeenpaleandaltered，andthediminutionofherbeautyhadlentherapoignantcharm。THATISHOWSHELOOKSWHENSHEISALONE！hadbeenhisfirstthought；andthesecondwastonoteinherthechangewhichhiscomingproduced。Itwasthedanger-pointoftheirintercoursethathecouldnotdoubtthespontaneityofherliking。Fromwhateverangleheviewedtheirdawningintimacy，hecouldnotseeitaspartofherschemeoflife；andtobetheunforeseenelementinacareersoaccuratelyplannedwasstimulatingeventoamanwhohadrenouncedsentimentalexperiments。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"diditmakeyouwanttoseemore？Areyougoingtobecomeoneofus？\"
Hehaddrawnouthiscigarettesashespoke，andshereachedherhandtowardthecase。
\"Oh，dogivemeone——Ihaven’tsmokedfordays！\"
\"Whysuchunnaturalabstinence？EverybodysmokesatBellomont。\"
\"Yes——butitisnotconsideredbecominginaJEUNEFILLEA
MARIER；andatthepresentmomentIamaJEUNEFILLEAMARIER。
\"Ah，thenI’mafraidwecan’tletyouintotherepublic。\"
\"Whynot？Isitacelibateorder？\"
\"Notintheleast，thoughI’mboundtosaytherearenotmanymarriedpeopleinit。Butyouwillmarrysomeoneveryrich，andit’sashardforrichpeopletogetintoasthekingdomofheaven。\"
\"That’sunjust，Ithink，because，asIunderstandit，oneoftheconditionsofcitizenshipisnottothinktoomuchaboutmoney，andtheonlywaynottothinkaboutmoneyistohaveagreatdealofit。\"
\"Youmightaswellsaythattheonlywaynottothinkaboutairistohaveenoughtobreathe。Thatistrueenoughinasense；butyourlungsarethinkingabouttheair，ifyouarenot。Andsoitiswithyourrichpeople——theymaynotbethinkingofmoney，butthey’rebreathingitallthewhile；takethemintoanotherelementandseehowtheysquirmandgasp！\"
Lilysatgazingabsentlythroughtheblueringsofhercigarette-smoke。
\"Itseemstome，\"shesaidatlength，\"thatyouspendagooddealofyourtimeintheelementyoudisapproveof。\"
Seldenreceivedthisthrustwithoutdiscomposure。\"Yes；butI
havetriedtoremainamphibious:it’sallrightaslongasone’slungscanworkinanotherair。Therealalchemyconsistsinbeingabletoturngoldbackagainintosomethingelse；andthat’sthesecretthatmostofyourfriendshavelost。\"
Lilymused。\"Don’tyouthink，\"sherejoinedafteramoment，\"thatthepeoplewhofindfaultwithsocietyaretooapttoregarditasanendandnotameans，justasthepeoplewhodespisemoneyspeakasifitsonlyuseweretobekeptinbagsandgloatedover？Isn’titfairertolookatthembothasopportunities，whichmaybeusedeitherstupidlyorintelligently，accordingtothecapacityoftheuser？\"
\"Thatiscertainlythesaneview；butthequeerthingaboutsocietyisthatthepeoplewhoregarditasanendarethosewhoareinit，andnotthecriticsonthefence。It’sjusttheotherwaywithmostshows——theaudiencemaybeundertheillusion，buttheactorsknowthatreallifeisontheothersideofthefootlights。Thepeoplewhotakesocietyasanescapefromworkareputtingittoitsproperuse；butwhenitbecomesthethingworkedforitdistortsalltherelationsoflife。\"Seldenraisedhimselfonhiselbow。\"Goodheavens！\"hewenton，\"Idon’tunderratethedecorativesideoflife。Itseemstomethesenseofsplendourhasjustifieditselfbywhatithasproduced。Theworstofitisthatsomuchhumannatureisusedupintheprocess。Ifwe’realltherawstuffofthecosmiceffects，onewouldratherbethefirethattempersaswordthanthefishthatdyesapurplecloak。Andasocietylikeourswastessuchgoodmaterialinproducingitslittlepatchofpurple！LookataboylikeNedSilverton——he’sreallytoogoodtobeusedtorefurbishanybody’ssocialshabbiness。There’saladjustsettingouttodiscovertheuniverse:isn’titapityheshouldendbyfindingitinMrs。Fisher’sdrawing-room？\"
\"Nedisadearboy，andIhopehewillkeephisillusionslongenoughtowritesomenicepoetryaboutthem；butdoyouthinkitisonlyinsocietythatheislikelytolosethem？\"
Seldenansweredherwithashrug。\"Whydowecallallourgenerousideasillusions，andthemeanonestruths？Isn’titasufficientcondemnationofsocietytofindone’sselfacceptingsuchphraseology？IverynearlyacquiredthejargonatSilverton’sage，andIknowhownamescanalterthecolourofbeliefs。\"
Shehadneverheardhimspeakwithsuchenergyofaffirmation。
Hishabitualtouchwasthatoftheeclectic，wholightlyturnsoverandcompares；andshewasmovedbythissuddenglimpseintothelaboratorywherehisfaithswereformed。
\"Ah，youareasbadastheothersectarians，\"sheexclaimed；
\"whydoyoucallyourrepublicarepublic？Itisaclosedcorporation，andyoucreatearbitraryobjectionsinordertokeeppeopleout。\"
\"ItisnotMYrepublic；ifitwere，IshouldhaveaCOUPD’ETAT
andseatyouonthethrone。\"
\"Whereas，inreality，youthinkIcanneverevengetmyfootacrossthethreshold？Oh，Iunderstandwhatyoumean。Youdespisemyambitions——youthinkthemunworthyofme！\"
Seldensmiled，butnotironically。\"Well，isn’tthatatribute？I
thinkthemquiteworthyofmostofthepeoplewholivebythem。\"
Shehadturnedtogazeonhimgravely。\"Butisn’titpossiblethat，ifIhadtheopportunitiesofthesepeople，Imightmakeabetteruseofthem？Moneystandsforallkindsofthings——itspurchasingqualityisn’tlimitedtodiamondsandmotor-cars。\"
\"Notintheleast:youmightexpiateyourenjoymentofthembyfoundingahospital。\"
\"ButifyouthinktheyarewhatIshouldreallyenjoy，youmustthinkmyambitionsaregoodenoughforme。\"
Seldenmetthisappealwithalaugh。\"Ah，mydearMissBart，IamnotdivineProvidence，toguaranteeyourenjoyingthethingsyouaretryingtoget！\"
\"Thenthebestyoucansayformeis，thatafterstrugglingtogetthemIprobablyshan’tlikethem？\"Shedrewadeepbreath。
\"Whatamiserablefutureyouforeseeforme！\"
\"Well——haveyouneverforeseenitforyourself？\"Theslowcolourrosetohercheek，notablushofexcitementbutdrawnfromthedeepwellsoffeeling；itwasasiftheeffortofherspirithadproducedit。
\"Oftenandoften，\"shesaid。\"Butitlookssomuchdarkerwhenyoushowittome！\"
Hemadenoanswertothisexclamation，andforawhiletheysatsilent，whilesomethingthrobbedbetweentheminthewidequietoftheair。
Butsuddenlysheturnedonhimwithakindofvehemence。\"Whydoyoudothistome？\"shecried。\"WhydoyoumakethethingsIhavechosenseemhatefultome，ifyouhavenothingtogivemeinstead？\"
ThewordsrousedSeldenfromthemusingfitintowhichhehadfallen。Hehimselfdidnotknowwhyhehadledtheirtalkalongsuchlines；itwasthelastusehewouldhaveimaginedhimselfmakingofanafternoon’ssolitudewithMissBart。Butitwasoneofthosemomentswhenneitherseemedtospeakdeliberately，whenanindwellingvoiceineachcalledtotheotheracrossunsoundeddepthsoffeeling。
\"No，Ihavenothingtogiveyouinstead，\"hesaid，sittingupandturningsothathefacedher。\"IfIhad，itshouldbeyours，youknow。\"
Shereceivedthisabruptdeclarationinawayevenstrangerthanthemannerofitsmaking:shedroppedherfaceonherhandsandhesawthatforamomentshewept。
Itwasforamomentonly，however；forwhenheleanedneareranddrewdownherhandswithagesturelesspassionatethangrave，sheturnedonhimafacesoftenedbutnotdisfiguredbyemotion，andhesaidtohimself，somewhatcruelly，thatevenherweepingwasanart。
Thereflectionsteadiedhisvoiceasheasked，betweenpityandirony:\"Isn’titnaturalthatIshouldtrytobelittleallthethingsIcan’tofferyou？\"
Herfacebrightenedatthis，butshedrewherhandaway，notwithagestureofcoquetry，butasthoughrenouncingsomethingtowhichshehadnoclaim。
\"ButyoubelittleME，don’tyou，\"shereturnedgently，\"inbeingsosuretheyaretheonlythingsIcarefor？\"
Seldenfeltaninnerstart；butitwasonlythelastquiverofhisegoism。Almostatonceheansweredquitesimply:\"Butyoudocareforthem，don’tyou？Andnowishingofminecanalterthat。\"
Hehadsocompletelyceasedtoconsiderhowfarthismightcarryhim，thathehadadistinctsenseofdisappointmentwhensheturnedonhimafacesparklingwithderision。
\"Ah，\"shecried，\"forallyourfinephrasesyou’rereallyasgreatacowardasIam，foryouwouldn’thavemadeoneofthemifyouhadn’tbeensosureofmyanswer。\"
TheshockofthisretorthadtheeffectofcrystallizingSelden’swaveringintentions。
\"Iamnotsosureofyouranswer，\"hesaidquietly。\"AndIdoyouthejusticetobelievethatyouarenoteither。\"
Itwasherturntolookathimwithsurprise；andafteramoment——\"Doyouwanttomarryme？\"sheasked。
Hebrokeintoalaugh。\"No，Idon’twantto——butperhapsIshouldifyoudid！\"
\"That’swhatItoldyou——you’resosureofmethatyoucanamuseyourselfwithexperiments。\"Shedrewbackthehandhehadregained，andsatlookingdownonhimsadly。
\"Iamnotmakingexperiments，\"hereturned。\"OrifIam，itisnotonyoubutonmyself。Idon’tknowwhateffecttheyaregoingtohaveonme——butifmarryingyouisoneofthem，Iwilltaketherisk。\"
Shesmiledfaintly。\"Itwouldbeagreatrisk，certainly——Ihaveneverconcealedfromyouhowgreat。\"
\"Ah，it’syouwhoarethecoward！\"heexclaimed。
Shehadrisen，andhestoodfacingherwithhiseyesonhers。Thesoftisolationofthefallingdayenvelopedthem:theyseemedliftedintoafinerair。Alltheexquisiteinfluencesofthehourtrembledintheirveins，anddrewthemtoeachotherastheloosenedleavesweredrawntotheearth。
\"It’syouwhoarethecoward，\"herepeated，catchingherhandsinhis。
Sheleanedonhimforamoment，asifwithadropoftiredwings:
hefeltasthoughherheartwerebeatingratherwiththestressofalongflightthanthethrillofnewdistances。Then，drawingbackwithalittlesmileofwarning——\"Ishalllookhideousindowdyclothes；butIcantrimmyownhats，\"shedeclared。
Theystoodsilentforawhileafterthis，smilingateachotherlikeadventurouschildrenwhohaveclimbedtoaforbiddenheightfromwhichtheydiscoveranewworld。Theactualworldattheirfeetwasveilingitselfindimness，andacrossthevalleyaclearmoonroseinthedenserblue。
Suddenlytheyheardaremotesound，likethehumofagiantinsect，andfollowingthehigh-road，whichwoundwhiterthroughthesurroundingtwilight，ablackobjectrushedacrosstheirvision。
Lilystartedfromherattitudeofabsorption；hersmilefadedandshebegantomovetowardthelane。
\"Ihadnoideaitwassolate！Weshallnotbebacktillafterdark，\"shesaid，almostimpatiently。
Seldenwaslookingatherwithsurprise:ittookhimamomenttoregainhisusualviewofher；thenhesaid，withanuncontrollablenoteofdryness:\"Thatwasnotoneofourparty；
themotorwasgoingtheotherway。\"
\"Iknow——Iknow——\"Shepaused，andhesawherreddenthroughthetwilight。\"ButItoldthemIwasnotwell——thatIshouldnotgoout。Letusgodown！\"shemurmured。
Seldencontinuedtolookather；thenhedrewhiscigarette-casefromhispocketandslowlylitacigarette。Itseemedtohimnecessary，atthatmoment，toproclaim，bysomehabitualgestureofthissort，hisrecoveredholdontheactual:hehadanalmostpuerilewishtolethiscompanionseethat，theirflightover，hehadlandedonhisfeet。
Shewaitedwhilethesparkflickeredunderhiscurvedpalm；thenheheldoutthecigarettestoher。
Shetookonewithanunsteadyhand，andputtingittoherlips，leanedforwardtodrawherlightfromhis。Intheindistinctnessthelittleredgleamlitupthelowerpartofherface，andhesawhermouthtrembleintoasmile。
\"Wereyouserious？\"sheasked，withanoddthrillofgaietywhichshemighthavecaughtup，inhaste，fromaheapofstockinflections，withouthavingtimetoselectthejustnote。
Selden’svoicewasunderbettercontrol。\"Whynot？\"hereturned。
\"YouseeItooknorisksinbeingso。\"Andasshecontinuedtostandbeforehim，alittlepaleundertheretort，headdedquickly:\"Letusgodown。\"
ItspokemuchforthedepthofMrs。Trenor’sfriendshipthathervoice，inadmonishingMissBart，tookthesamenoteofpersonaldespairasifshehadbeenlamentingthecollapseofahouse-party。
\"AllIcansayis，Lily，thatIcan’tmakeyouout！\"Sheleanedback，sighing，inthemorningabandonoflaceandmuslin，turninganindifferentshouldertotheheaped-upimportunitiesofherdesk，whilesheconsidered，withtheeyeofaphysicianwhohasgivenupthecase，theerectexteriorofthepatientconfrontingher。
\"Ifyouhadn’ttoldmeyouweregoinginforhimseriously——butI’msureyoumadethatplainenoughfromthebeginning！Whyelsedidyouaskmetoletyouoffbridge，andtokeepawayCarryandKateCorby？Idon’tsupposeyoudiditbecauseheamusedyou；wecouldnoneofusimagineyourputtingupwithhimforamomentunlessyoumeanttomarryhim。AndI’msureeverybodyplayedfair！Theyallwantedtohelpitalong。EvenBerthakeptherhandsoff——Iwillsaythat——tillLawrencecamedownandyoudraggedhimawayfromher。Afterthatshehadarighttoretaliate——whyonearthdidyouinterferewithher？You’veknownLawrenceSeldenforyears——whydidyoubehaveasifyouhadjustdiscoveredhim？IfyouhadagrudgeagainstBerthaitwasastupidtimetoshowit——youcouldhavepaidherbackjustaswellafteryouweremarried！ItoldyouBerthawasdangerous。Shewasinanodiousmoodwhenshecamehere，butLawrence’sturningupputherinagoodhumour，andifyou’donlyletherthinkhecameforHERitwouldhaveneveroccurredtohertoplayyouthistrick。Oh，Lily，you’llneverdoanythingifyou’renotserious！\"
MissBartacceptedthisexhortationinaspiritofthepurestimpartiality。Whyshouldshehavebeenangry？ItwasthevoiceofherownconsciencewhichspoketoherthroughMrs。Trenor’sreproachfulaccents。Buteventoherownconscienceshemusttrumpupasemblanceofdefence。\"Ionlytookadayoff——I
thoughthemeanttostayonallthisweek，andIknewMr。Seldenwasleavingthismorning。\"
Mrs。Trenorbrushedasidethepleawithagesturewhichlaidbareitsweakness。
\"Hedidmeantostay——that’stheworstofit。Itshowsthathe’srunawayfromyou；thatBertha’sdoneherworkandpoisonedhimthoroughly。\"
Lilygaveaslightlaugh。\"Oh，ifhe’srunningI’llovertakehim！\"
Herfriendthrewoutanarrestinghand。\"Whateveryoudo，Lily，donothing！\"
MissBartreceivedthewarningwithasmile。\"Idon’tmean，literally，totakethenexttrain。Thereareways——\"Butshedidnotgoontospecifythem。
Mrs。Trenorsharplycorrectedthetense。\"ThereWEREways——plentyofthem！Ididn’tsupposeyouneededtohavethempointedout。
Butdon’tdeceiveyourself——he’sthoroughlyfrightened。Hehasrunstraighthometohismother，andshe’llprotecthim！\"
\"Oh，tothedeath，\"Lilyagreed，dimplingatthevision。
\"HowyoucanLAUGH——\"herfriendrebukedher；andshedroppedbacktoasobererperceptionofthingswiththequestion:\"WhatwasitBerthareallytoldhim？\"
\"Don’taskme——horrors！Sheseemedtohaverakedupeverything。
Oh，youknowwhatImean——ofcoursethereisn’tanything，REALLY；
butIsupposeshebroughtinPrinceVarigliano——andLordHubert——andtherewassomestoryofyourhavingborrowedmoneyofoldNedVanAlstyne:didyouever？\"
\"Heismyfather’scousin，\"MissBartinterposed。
\"Well，ofcoursesheleftTHATout。ItseemsNedtoldCarryFisher；andshetoldBertha，naturally。They’reallalike，youknow:theyholdtheirtonguesforyears，andyouthinkyou’resafe，butwhentheiropportunitycomestheyremembereverything。\"
Lilyhadgrownpale:hervoicehadaharshnoteinit。\"ItwassomemoneyIlostatbridgeattheVanOsburghs’。Irepaidit，ofcourse。\"
\"Ah，well，theywouldn’trememberthat；besides，itwastheideaofthegamblingdebtthatfrightenedPercy。Oh，Berthaknewherman——sheknewjustwhattotellhim！\"
InthisstrainMrs。Trenorcontinuedfornearlyanhourtoadmonishherfriend。MissBartlistenedwithadmirableequanimity。Hernaturallygoodtemperhadbeendisciplinedbyyearsofenforcedcompliance，sinceshehadalmostalwayshadtoattainherendsbythecircuitouspathofotherpeople’s；and，beingnaturallyinclinedtofaceunpleasantfactsassoonastheypresentedthemselves，shewasnotsorrytohearanimpartialstatementofwhatherfollywaslikelytocost，themoresoasherownthoughtswerestillinsistingontheothersideofthecase。PresentedinthelightofMrs。Trenor’svigorouscomments，thereckoningwascertainlyaformidableone，andLily，asshelistened，foundherselfgraduallyrevertingtoherfriend’sviewofthesituation。Mrs。Trenor’swordsweremoreoveremphasizedforherhearerbyanxietieswhichsheherselfcouldscarcelyguess。Affluence，unlessstimulatedbyakeenimagination，formsbutthevaguestnotionofthepracticalstrainofpoverty。Judyknewitmustbe\"horrid\"forpoorLilytohavetostoptoconsiderwhethershecouldaffordreallaceonherpetticoats，andnottohaveamotor-carandasteam-yachtatherorders；butthedailyfrictionofunpaidbills，thedailynibbleofsmalltemptationstoexpenditure，weretrialsasfaroutofherexperienceasthedomesticproblemsofthechar-woman。Mrs。
Trenor’sunconsciousnessoftherealstressofthesituationhadtheeffectofmakingitmoregallingtoLily。Whileherfriendreproachedherformissingtheopportunitytoeclipseherrivals，shewasoncemorebattlinginimaginationwiththemountingtideofindebtednessfromwhichshehadsonearlyescaped。Whatwindoffollyhaddrivenheroutagainonthosedarkseas？
Ifanythingwasneededtoputthelasttouchtoherself-abasementitwasthesenseofthewayheroldlifewasopeningitsrutsagaintoreceiveher。Yesterdayherfancyhadflutteredfreepinionsaboveachoiceofoccupations；nowshehadtodroptothelevelofthefamiliarroutine，inwhichmomentsofseemingbrilliancyandfreedomalternatedwithlonghoursofsubjection。
Shelaidadeprecatinghandonherfriend’s。\"DearJudy！I’msorrytohavebeensuchabore，andyouareverygoodtome。Butyoumusthavesomelettersformetoanswer——letmeatleastbeuseful。\"
Shesettledherselfatthedesk，andMrs。Trenoracceptedherresumptionofthemorning’staskwithasighwhichimpliedthat，afterall，shehadprovedherselfunfitforhigheruses。
Theluncheontableshowedadepletedcircle。ALIthemenbutJackStepneyandDorsethadreturnedtotown(itseemedtoLilyalasttouchofironythatSeldenandPercyGryceshouldhavegoneinthesametrain)，andLadyCressidaandtheattendantWetherallshadbeendespatchedbymotortolunchatadistantcountry-house。
AtsuchmomentsofdiminishedinterestitwasusualforMrs。
Dorsettokeepherroomtilltheafternoon；butonthisoccasionshedriftedinwhenluncheonwashalfover，hollowed-eyedanddrooping，butwithanedgeofmaliceunderherindifference。
Sheraisedhereyebrowsasshelookedaboutthetable。\"Howfewofusareleft！Idosoenjoythequiet——don’tyou，Lily？Iwishthemenwouldalwaysstopaway——it’sreallymuchnicerwithoutthem。Oh，youdon’tcount，George:onedoesn’thavetotalktoone’shusband。ButIthoughtMr。Grycewastostayfortherestoftheweek？\"sheaddedenquiringly。\"Didn’theintendto，Judy？
He’ssuchaniceboy——Iwonderwhatdrovehimaway？Heisrathershy，andI’mafraidwemayhaveshockedhim:hehasbeenbroughtupinsuchanold-fashionedway。Doyouknow，Lily，hetoldmehehadneverseenagirlplaycardsformoneytillhesawyoudoingittheothernight？Andhelivesontheinterestofhisincome，andalwayshasalotleftovertoinvest！\"
Mrs。Fisherleanedforwardeagerly。\"Idobelieveitissomeone’sdutytoeducatethatyoungman。Itisshockingthathehasneverbeenmadetorealizehisdutiesasacitizen。Everywealthymanshouldbecompelledtostudythelawsofhiscountry。\"
Mrs。Dorsetglancedatherquietly。\"IthinkheHASstudiedthedivorcelaws。HetoldmehehadpromisedtheBishoptosignsomekindofapetitionagainstdivorce。\"
Mrs。Fisherreddenedunderherpowder，andStepneysaidwithalaughingglanceatMissBart:\"Isupposeheisthinkingofmarriage，andwantstotinkeruptheoldshipbeforehegoesaboard。\"
Hisbetrothedlookedshockedatthemetaphor，andGeorgeDorsetexclaimedwithasardonicgrowl:\"Poordevil！Itisn’ttheshipthatwilldoforhim，it’sthecrew。\"
\"Orthestowaways，\"saidMissCorbybrightly。\"IfIcontemplatedavoyagewithhimIshouldtrytostartwithafriendinthehold。\"
MissVanOsburgh’svaguefeelingofpiquewasstrugglingforappropriateexpression。\"I’msureIdon’tseewhyyoulaughathim；Ithinkhe’sverynice，\"sheexclaimed；\"and，atanyrate，agirlwhomarriedhimwouldalwayshaveenoughtobecomfortable。\"
Shelookedpuzzledattheredoubledlaughterwhichhailedherwords，butitmighthaveconsoledhertoknowhowdeeplytheyhadsunkintothebreastofoneofherhearers。
Comfortable！AtthatmomentthewordwasmoreeloquenttoLilyBartthananyotherinthelanguage。Shecouldnotevenpausetosmileovertheheiress’sviewofacolossalfortuneasamereshelteragainstwant:hermindwasfilledwiththevisionofwhatthatsheltermighthavebeentoher。Mrs。Dorset’spin-pricksdidnotsmart，forherownironycutdeeper:noonecouldhurtherasmuchasshewashurtingherself，fornooneelse——notevenJudyTrenor——knewthefullmagnitudeofherfolly。
Shewasrousedfromtheseunprofitableconsiderationsbyawhisperedrequestfromherhostess，whodrewherapartastheylefttheluncheon-table。
\"Lily，dear，ifyou’venothingspecialtodo，mayItellCarryFisherthatyouintendtodrivetothestationandfetchGus？Hewillbebackatfour，andIknowshehasitinhermindtomeethim。OfcourseI’mverygladtohavehimamused，butIhappentoknowthatshehasbledhimratherseverelysinceshe’sbeenhere，andsheissokeenaboutgoingtofetchhimthatIfancyshemusthavegotalotmorebillsthismorning。Itseemstome，\"Mrs。
Trenorfeelinglyconcluded，\"thatmostofheralimonyispaidbyotherwomen’shusbands！\"
MissBart，onherwaytothestation，hadleisuretomuseoverherfriend’swords，andtheirpeculiarapplicationtoherself。
Whyshouldshehavetosufferforhavingonce，forafewhours，borrowedmoneyofanelderlycousin，whenawomanlikeCarryFishercouldmakealivingunrebukedfromthegood-natureofhermenfriendsandthetoleranceoftheirwives？Itallturnedonthetiresomedistinctionbetweenwhatamarriedwomanmight，andagirlmightnot，do。Ofcourseitwasshockingforamarriedwomantoborrowmoney——andLilywasexpertlyawareoftheimplicationinvolved——butstill，itwasthemereMALUMPROHIBITUM
whichtheworlddecriesbutcondones，andwhich，thoughitmaybepunishedbyprivatevengeance，doesnotprovokethecollectivedisapprobationofsociety。ToMissBart，inshort，nosuchopportunitieswerepossible。Shecouldofcourseborrowfromherwomenfriends——ahundredhereorthere，attheutmost——buttheyweremorereadytogiveagownoratrinket，andlookedalittleaskancewhenshehintedherpreferenceforacheque。Womenarenotgenerouslenders，andthoseamongwhomherlotwascastwereeitherinthesamecaseasherself，orelsetoofarremovedfromittounderstanditsnecessities。TheresultofhermeditationswasthedecisiontojoinherauntatRichfield。ShecouldnotremainatBellomontwithoutplayingbridge，andbeinginvolvedinotherexpenses；andtocontinueherusualseriesofautumnvisitswouldmerelyprolongthesamedifficulties。Shehadreachedapointwhereabruptretrenchmentwasnecessary，andtheonlycheaplifewasadulllife。ShewouldstartthenextmorningforRichfield。
AtthestationshethoughtGusTrenorseemedsurprised，andnotwhollyunrelieved，toseeher。Sheyieldedupthereinsofthelightrunaboutinwhichshehaddrivenover，andasheclimbedheavilytoherside，crushingherintoascantthirdoftheseat，hesaid:\"Halloo！Itisn’toftenyouhonourme。Youmusthavebeenuncommonlyhardupforsomethingtodo。\"
Theafternoonwaswarm，andpropinquitymadehermorethanusuallyconsciousthathewasredandmassive，andthatbeadsofmoisturehadcausedthedustofthetraintoadhereunpleasantlytothebroadexpanseofcheekandneckwhichheturnedtoher；
butshewasawarealso，fromthelookinhissmalldulleyes，thatthecontactwithherfreshnessandslendernesswasasagreeabletohimasthesightofacoolingbeverage。
Theperceptionofthisfacthelpedhertoanswergaily:\"It’snotoftenIhavethechance。Therearetoomanyladiestodisputetheprivilegewithme。\"
\"Theprivilegeofdrivingmehome？Well，I’mgladyouwontherace，anyhow。ButIknowwhatreallyhappened——mywifesentyou。Nowdidn’tshe？\"
Hehadthedullman’sunexpectedflashesofastuteness，andLilycouldnothelpjoininginthelaughwithwhichhehadpouncedonthetruth。
\"Yousee，JudythinksI’mthesafestpersonforyoutobewith；
andshe’squiteright，\"sherejoined。
\"Oh，isshe，though？Ifsheis，it’sbecauseyouwouldn’twasteyourtimeonanoldhulklikeme。Wemarriedmenhavetoputupwithwhatwecanget:alltheprizesareforthecleverchapswho’vekeptafreefoot。Letmelightacigar，willyou？I’vehadabeastlydayofit。\"
Hedrewupintheshadeofthevillagestreet，andpassedthereinstoherwhileheheldamatchtohiscigar。Thelittleflameunderhishandcastadeepercrimsononhispuffingface，andLilyavertedhereyeswithamomentaryfeelingofrepugnance。Andyetsomewomenthoughthimhandsome！
Asshehandedbackthereins，shesaidsympathetically:\"Didyouhavesuchalotoftiresomethingstodo？\"
\"Ishouldsayso——rather！\"Trenor，whowasseldomlistenedto，eitherbyhiswifeorherfriends，settleddownintotherareenjoymentofaconfidentialtalk。\"Youdon’tknowhowafellowhastohustletokeepthiskindofthinggoing。\"HewavedhiswhipinthedirectionoftheBellomontacres，whichlayoutspreadbeforetheminopulentundulations。\"Judyhasnoideaofwhatshespends——notthatthereisn’tplentytokeepthethinggoing，\"heinterruptedhimself，\"butamanhasgottokeephiseyesopenandpickupallthetipshecan。Myfatherandmotherusedtolivelikefighting-cocksontheirincome，andputbyagoodbitofittoo——luckilyforme——butatthepacewegonow，Idon’tknowwhereIshouldbeifitweren’tfortakingaflyernowandthen。
Thewomenallthink——ImeanJudythinks——I’venothingtodobuttogodowntownonceamonthandcutoffcoupons，butthetruthisittakesadevilishlotofhardworktokeepthemachineryrunning。NotthatIoughttocomplainto-day，though，\"hewentonafteramoment，\"forIdidaveryneatstrokeofbusiness，thankstoStepney’sfriendRosedale:bytheway，MissLily，Iwishyou’dtrytopersuadeJudytobedecentlyciviltothatchap。He’sgoingtoberichenoughtobuyusalloutoneofthesedays，andifshe’donlyaskhimtodinenowandthenIcouldgetalmostanythingoutofhim。Themanismadtoknowthepeoplewhodon’twanttoknowhim，andwhenafellow’sinthatstatethereisnothinghewon’tdoforthefirstwomanwhotakeshimup。\"
Lilyhesitatedamoment。Thefirstpartofhercompanion’sdiscoursehadstartedaninterestingtrainofthought，whichwasrudelyinterruptedbythementionofMr。Rosedale’sname。Sheutteredafaintprotest。
\"ButyouknowJackdidtrytotakehimabout，andhewasimpossible。\"
\"Oh，hangit——becausehe’sfatandshiny，andhasasloppymanner！Well，allIcansayisthatthepeoplewhoarecleverenoughtobeciviltohimnowwillmakeamightygoodthingofit。Afewyearsfromnowhe’llbeinitwhetherwewanthimornot，andthenhewon’tbegivingawayahalf-a-milliontipforadinner。\"
Lily’smindhadrevertedfromtheintrusivepersonalityofMr。
RosedaletothetrainofthoughtsetinmotionbyTrenor’sfirstwords。ThisvastmysteriousWallStreetworldof\"tips\"and\"deals\"——mightshenotfindinitthemeansofescapefromherdrearypredicament？Shehadoftenheardofwomenmakingmoneyinthiswaythroughtheirfriends:shehadnomorenotionthanmostofhersexoftheexactnatureofthetransaction，anditsvaguenessseemedtodiminishitsindelicacy。Shecouldnot，indeed，imagineherself，inanyextremity，stoopingtoextracta\"tip\"fromMr。Rosedale；butathersidewasamaninpossessionofthatpreciouscommodity，andwho，asthehusbandofherdearestfriend，stoodtoherinarelationofalmostfraternalintimacy。
InherinmostheartLilyknewitwasnotbyappealingtothefraternalinstinctthatshewaslikelytomoveGusTrenor；butthiswayofexplainingthesituationhelpedtodrapeitscrudity，andshewasalwaysscrupulousaboutkeepingupappearancestoherself。Herpersonalfastidiousnesshadamoralequivalent，andwhenshemadeatourofinspectioninherownmindtherewerecertaincloseddoorsshedidnotopen。
AstheyreachedthegatesofBellomontsheturnedtoTrenorwithasmile。\"Theafternoonissoperfect——don’tyouwanttodriveme
alittlefarther？I’vebeenratheroutofspiritsallday，andit’ssorestfultobeawayfrompeople，withsomeonewhowon’tmindifI’malittledull。\"
Shelookedsoplaintivelylovelyassheprofferedtherequest，sotrustfullysureofhissympathyandunderstanding，thatTrenorfelthimselfwishingthathiswifecouldseehowotherwomentreatedhim——notbatteredwire-pullerslikeMrs。Fisher，butagirlthatmostmenwouldhavegiventheirbootstogetsuchalookfrom。
\"Outofspirits？Whyonearthshouldyoueverbeoutofspirits？
IsyourlastboxofDoucetdressesafailure，ordidJudyrookyououtofeverythingatbridgelastnight？\"
Lilyshookherheadwithasigh。\"IhavehadtogiveupDoucet；
andbridgetoo——Ican’taffordit。InfactIcan’taffordanyofthethingsmyfriendsdo，andIamafraidJudyoftenthinksmeaborebecauseIdon’tplaycardsanylonger，andbecauseIamnotassmartlydressedastheotherwomen。ButyouwillthinkmeaboretooifItalktoyouaboutmyworries，andIonlymentionthembecauseIwantyoutodomeafavour——theverygreatestoffavours。\"
Hereyessoughthisoncemore，andshesmiledinwardlyatthetingeofapprehensionthatshereadinthem。
\"Why，ofcourse——ifit’sanythingIcanmanage——\"Hebrokeoff，andsheguessedthathisenjoymentwasdisturbedbytheremembranceofMrs。Fisher’smethods。
\"Thegreatestoffavours，\"sherejoinedgently。\"Thefactis，Judyisangrywithme，andIwantyoutomakemypeace。\"
\"Angrywithyou？Oh，come，nonsense——\"hisreliefbrokethroughinalaugh。\"Why，youknowshe’sdevotedtoyou。\"
\"SheisthebestfriendIhave，andthatiswhyImindhavingtovexher。ButIdaresayyouknowwhatshehaswantedmetodo。Shehassetherheart——poordear——onmymarrying——marryingagreatdealofmoney。\"
Shepausedwithaslightfalterofembarrassment，andTrenor，turningabruptly，fixedonheralookofgrowingintelligence。
\"Agreatdealofmoney？Oh，byJove——youdon’tmeanGryce？
What——youdo？Oh，no，ofcourseIwon’tmentionit——youcantrustmetokeepmymouthshut——butGryce——goodLord，GRYCE！DidJudyreallythinkyoucouldbringyourselftomarrythatportentouslittleass？Butyoucouldn’t，eh？Andsoyougavehimthesack，andthat’sthereasonwhyhelitoutbythefirsttrainthismorning？\"Heleanedback，spreadinghimselffartheracrosstheseat，asifdilatedbythejoyfulsenseofhisowndiscernment。\"HowonearthcouldJudythinkyouwoulddosuchathing？Icouldhavetoldheryou’dneverputupwithsuchalittlemilksop！\"
Lilysighedmoredeeply。\"Isometimesthink，\"shemurmured，\"thatmenunderstandawoman’smotivesbetterthanotherwomendo。\"
\"Somemen——I’mcertainofit！IcouldhaveTOLDJudy，\"herepeated，exultingintheimpliedsuperiorityoverhiswife。
\"Ithoughtyouwouldunderstand；that’swhyIwantedtospeaktoyou，\"MissBartrejoined。\"Ican’tmakethatkindofmarriage；
it’simpossible。ButneithercanIgoonlivingasallthewomeninmysetdo。Iamalmostentirelydependentonmyaunt，andthoughsheisverykindtomeshemakesmenoregularallowance，andlatelyI’velostmoneyatcards，andIdon’tdaretellheraboutit。Ihavepaidmycarddebts，ofcourse，butthereishardlyanythingleftformyotherexpenses，andifIgoonwithmypresentlifeIshallbeinhorribledifficulties。Ihaveatinyincomeofmyown，butI’mafraidit’sbadlyinvested，foritseemstobringinlesseveryyear，andIamsoignorantofmoneymattersthatIdon’tknowifmyaunt’sagent，wholooksafterit，isagoodadviser。\"Shepausedamoment，andaddedinalightertone:\"Ididn’tmeantoboreyouwithallthis，butIwantyourhelpinmakingJudyunderstandthatIcan’t，atpresent，goonlivingasonemustliveamongyouall。IamgoingawaytomorrowtojoinmyauntatRichfield，andIshallstaytherefortherestoftheautumn，anddismissmymaidandlearnhowtomendmyownclothes。\"
Atthispictureoflovelinessindistress，thepathosofwhichwasheightenedbythelighttouchwithwhichitwasdrawn，amurmurofindignantsympathybrokefromTrenor。Twenty-fourhoursearlier，ifhiswifehadconsultedhimonthesubjectofMissBart’sfuture，hewouldhavesaidthatagirlwithextravaganttastesandnomoneyhadbettermarrythefirstrichmanshecouldget；butwiththesubjectofdiscussionathisside，turningtohimforsympathy，makinghimfeelthatheunderstoodherbetterthanherdearestfriends，andconfirmingtheassurancebytheappealofherexquisitenearness，hewasreadytoswearthatsuchamarriagewasadesecration，andthat，asamanofhonour，hewasboundtodoallhecouldtoprotectherfromtheresultsofherdisinterestedness。ThisimpulsewasreinforcedbythereflectionthatifshehadmarriedGryceshewouldhavebeensurroundedbyflatteryandapproval，whereas，havingrefusedtosacrificeherselftoexpediency，shewaslefttobearthewholecostofherresistance。Hangit，ifhecouldfindawayoutofsuchdifficultiesforaprofessionalspongelikeCarryFisher，whowassimplyamentalhabitcorrespondingtothephysicaltitillationsofthecigaretteorthecock-tail，hecouldsurelydoasmuchforagirlwhoappealedtohishighestsympathies，andwhobroughthertroublestohimwiththetrustfulnessofachild。
TrenorandMissBartprolongedtheirdrivetilllongaftersunset；andbeforeitwasoverhehadtried，withsomeshowofsuccess，toprovetoherthat，ifshewouldonlytrusthim，hecouldmakeahandsomesumofmoneyforherwithoutendangeringthesmallamountshepossessed。Shewastoogenuinelyignorantofthemanipulationsofthestock-markettounderstandhistechnicalexplanations，orevenperhapstoperceivethatcertainpointsinthemwereslurred；thehazinessenvelopingthetransactionservedasaveilforherembarrassment，andthroughthegeneralblurherhopesdilatedlikelampsinafog。Sheunderstoodonlythathermodestinvestmentsweretobemysteriouslymultipliedwithoutrisktoherself；andtheassurancethatthismiraclewouldtakeplacewithinashorttime，thattherewouldbenotediousintervalforsuspenseandreaction，relievedherofherlingeringscruples。
Againshefeltthelighteningofherload，andwithitthereleaseofrepressedactivities。Herimmediateworriesconjured，itwaseasytoresolvethatshewouldneveragainfindherselfinsuchstraits，andastheneedofeconomyandself-denialrecededfromherforegroundshefeltherselfreadytomeetanyotherdemandwhichlifemightmake。EventheimmediateoneoflettingTrenor，astheydrovehomeward，leanalittlenearerandresthishandreassuringlyonhers，costheronlyamomentaryshiverofreluctance。Itwaspartofthegametomakehimfeelthatherappealhadbeenanuncalculatedimpulse，provokedbythelikingheinspired；andtherenewedsenseofpowerinhandlingmen，whileitconsoledherwoundedvanity，helpedalsotoobscurethethoughtoftheclaimatwhichhismannerhinted。Hewasacoarsedullmanwho，underallhisshowofauthority，wasameresupernumeraryinthecostlyshowforwhichhismoneypaid:
surely，toaclevergirl，itwouldbeeasytoholdhimbyhisvanity，andsokeeptheobligationonhisside。
ThefirstthousanddollarchequewhichLilyreceivedwithablottedscrawlfromGusTrenorstrengthenedherself-confidenceintheexactdegreetowhichiteffacedherdebts。
Thetransactionhadjustifieditselfbyitsresults:shesawnowhowabsurditwouldhavebeentoletanyprimitivescrupledepriveherofthiseasymeansofappeasinghercreditors。Lilyfeltreallyvirtuousasshedispensedthesuminsopstohertradesmen，andthefactthatafreshorderaccompaniedeachpaymentdidnotlessenhersenseofdisinterestedness。Howmanywomen，inherplace，wouldhavegiventheorderswithoutmakingthepayment！
ShehadfounditreassuringlyeasytokeepTrenorinagoodhumour。Tolistentohisstories，toreceivehisconfidencesandlaughathisjokes，seemedforthemomentallthatwasrequiredofher，andthecomplacencywithwhichherhostessregardedtheseattentionsfreedthemoftheleasthintofambiguity。Mrs。TrenorevidentlyassumedthatLily’sgrowingintimacywithherhusbandwassimplyanindirectwayofreturningherownkindness。
\"I’msogladyouandGushavebecomesuchgoodfriends，\"shesaidapprovingly。\"It’stoodelightfulofyoutobesonicetohim，andputupwithallhistiresomestories。Iknowwhattheyare，becauseIhadtolistentothemwhenwewereengaged——I’msureheistellingthesameonesstill。AndnowIshan’talwayshavetobeaskingCarryFisherheretokeephiminagood-humour。She’saperfectvulture，youknow；andshehasn’ttheleastmoralsense。
SheisalwaysgettingGustospeculateforher，andI’msuresheneverpayswhensheloses。\"
MissBartcouldshudderatthisstateofthingswithouttheembarrassmentofapersonalapplication。Herownpositionwassurelyquitedifferent。Therecouldbenoquestionofhernotpayingwhenshelost，sinceTrenorhadassuredherthatshewascertainnottolose。InsendingherthechequehehadexplainedthathehadmadefivethousandforheroutofRosedale’s\"tip，\"
andhadputfourthousandbackinthesameventure，astherewasthepromiseofanother\"bigrise\"；sheunderstoodthereforethathewasnowspeculatingwithherownmoney，andthatsheconsequentlyowedhimnomorethanthegratitudewhichsuchatriflingservicedemanded。Shevaguelysupposedthat，toraisethefirstsum，hehadborrowedonhersecurities；butthiswasapointoverwhichhercuriositydidnotlinger。Itwasconcentrated，forthemoment，ontheprobabledateofthenext\"bigrise。\"
Thenewsofthiseventwasreceivedbyhersomeweekslater，ontheoccasionofJackStepney’smarriagetoMissVanOsburgh。Asacousinofthebridegroom，MissBarthadbeenaskedtoactasbridesmaid；butshehaddeclinedonthepleathat，sinceshewasmuchtallerthantheotherattendantvirgins，herpresencemightmarthesymmetryofthegroup。Thetruthwas，shehadattendedtoomanybridestothealtar:whennextseenthereshemeanttobethechieffigureintheceremony。Sheknewthepleasantriesmadeattheexpenseofyounggirlswhohavebeentoolongbeforethepublic，andshewasresolvedtoavoidsuchassumptionsofyouthfulnessasmightleadpeopletothinkherolderthanshereallywas。
TheVanOsburghmarriagewascelebratedinthevillagechurchnearthepaternalestateontheHudson。Itwasthe\"simplecountrywedding\"towhichguestsareconvoyedinspecialtrains，andfromwhichthehordesoftheuninvitedhavetobefendedoffbytheinterventionofthepolice。Whilethesesylvanritesweretakingplace，inachurchpackedwithfashionandfestoonedwithorchids，therepresentativesofthepresswerethreadingtheirway，note-bookinhand，throughthelabyrinthofweddingpresents，andtheagentofacinematographsyndicatewassettinguphisapparatusatthechurchdoor。ItwasthekindofsceneinwhichLilyhadoftenpicturedherselfastakingtheprincipalpart，andonthisoccasionthefactthatshewasoncemoremerelyacasualspectator，insteadofthemysticallyveiledfigureoccupyingthecentreofattention，strengthenedherresolvetoassumethelatterpartbeforetheyearwasover。Thefactthatherimmediateanxietieswererelieveddidnotblindhertoapossibilityoftheirrecurrence；itmerelygaveherenoughbuoyancytoriseoncemoreaboveherdoubtsandfeelarenewedfaithinherbeauty，herpower，andhergeneralfitnesstoattractabrilliantdestiny。Itcouldnotbethatoneconsciousofsuchaptitudesformasteryandenjoymentwasdoomedtoaperpetuityoffailure；andhermistakeslookedeasilyreparableinthelightofherrestoredself-confidence。
Aspecialappositenesswasgiventothesereflectionsbythediscovery，inaneighbouringpew，oftheseriousprofileandneatly-trimmedbeardofMr。PercyGryce。Therewassomethingalmostbridalinhisownaspect:hislargewhitegardeniahadasymbolicairthatstruckLilyasagoodomen。Afterall，seeninanassemblageofhiskindhewasnotridiculous-looking:afriendlycriticmighthavecalledhisheavinessweighty，andhewasathisbestintheattitudeofvacantpassivitywhichbringsouttheodditiesoftherestless。Shefanciedhewasthekindofmanwhosesentimentalassociationswouldbestirredbytheconventionalimageryofawedding，andshepicturedherself，intheseclusionoftheVanOsburghconservatories，playingskillfullyuponsensibilitiesthuspreparedforhertouch。Infact，whenshelookedattheotherwomenabouther，andrecalledtheimageshehadbroughtawayfromherownglass，itdidnotseemasthoughanyspecialskillwouldbeneededtorepairherblunderandbringhimoncemoretoherfeet。
ThesightofSelden’sdarkhead，inapewalmostfacingher，disturbedforamomentthebalanceofhercomplacency。Theriseofherbloodastheireyesmetwassucceededbyacontrarymotion，awaveofresistanceandwithdrawal。Shedidnotwishtoseehimagain，notbecauseshefearedhisinfluence，butbecausehispresencealwayshadtheeffectofcheapeningheraspirations，ofthrowingherwholeworldoutoffocus。Besides，hewasalivingreminderoftheworstmistakeinhercareer，andthefactthathehadbeenitscausedidnotsoftenherfeelingstowardhim。Shecouldstillimagineanidealstateofexistenceinwhich，allelsebeingsuperadded，intercoursewithSeldenmightbethelasttouchofluxury；butintheworldasitwas，suchaprivilegewaslikelytocostmorethanitwasworth。
\"Lily，dear，Ineversawyoulooksolovely！Youlookasifsomethingdelightfulhadjusthappenedtoyou！\"
Theyoungladywhothusformulatedheradmirationofherbrilliantfrienddidnot，inherownperson，suggestsuchhappypossibilities。MissGertrudeFarish，infact，typifiedthemediocreandtheineffectual。Iftherewerecompensatingqualitiesinherwidefrankglanceandthefreshnessofhersmile，thesewerequalitieswhichonlythesympatheticobserverwouldperceivebeforenoticingthathereyeswereofaworkadaygreyandherlipswithouthauntingcurves。Lily’sownviewofherwaveredbetweenpityforherlimitationsandimpatienceathercheerfulacceptanceofthem。ToMissBart，astohermother，acquiescenceindinginesswasevidenceofstupidity；andthereweremomentswhen，intheconsciousnessofherownpowertolookandtobesoexactlywhattheoccasionrequired，shealmostfeltthatothergirlswereplainandinferiorfromchoice。Certainlynooneneedhaveconfessedsuchacquiescenceinherlotaswasrevealedinthe\"useful\"colourofGertyFarish’sgownandthesubduedlinesofherhat:itisalmostasstupidtoletyourclothesbetraythatyouknowyouareuglyastohavethemproclaimthatyouthinkyouarebeautiful。
Ofcourse，beingfatallypooranddingy，itwaswiseofGertytohavetakenupphilanthropyandsymphonyconcerts；buttherewassomethingirritatinginherassumptionthatexistenceyieldednohigherpleasures，andthatonemightgetasmuchinterestandexcitementoutoflifeinacrampedflatasinthesplendoursoftheVanOsburghestablishment。Today，however，herchirpingenthusiasmsdidnotirritateLily。Theyseemedonlytothrowherownexceptionalnessintobecomingrelief，andgiveasoaringvastnesstoherschemeoflife。
\"Doletusgoandtakeapeepatthepresentsbeforeeveryoneelseleavesthedining-room！\"suggestedMissFarish，linkingherarminherfriend’s。Itwascharacteristicofhertotakeasentimentalandunenviousinterestinallthedetailsofawedding:shewasthekindofpersonwhoalwayskeptherhandkerchiefoutduringtheservice，anddepartedclutchingaboxofwedding-cake。
\"Isn’teverythingbeautifullydone？\"shepursued，astheyenteredthedistantdrawing-roomassignedtothedisplayofMissVanOsburgh’sbridalspoils。\"IalwayssaynoonedoesthingsbetterthancousinGrace！DidyouevertasteanythingmoredeliciousthanthatMOUSSEoflobsterwithchampagnesauce？ImadeupmymindweeksagothatIwouldn’tmissthiswedding，andjustfancyhowdelightfullyitallcameabout。WhenLawrenceSeldenheardIwascoming，heinsistedonfetchingmehimselfanddrivingmetothestation，andwhenwegobackthiseveningIamtodinewithhimatSherry’s。IreallyfeelasexcitedasifI
weregettingmarriedmyself！\"
Lilysmiled:sheknewthatSeldenhadalwaysbeenkindtohisdullcousin，andshehadsometimeswonderedwhyhewastedsomuchtimeinsuchanunremunerativemanner；butnowthethoughtgaveheravaguepleasure。
\"Doyouseehimoften？\"sheasked。
\"Yes；heisverygoodaboutdroppinginonSundays。Andnowandthenwedoaplaytogether；butlatelyIhaven’tseenmuchofhim。Hedoesn’tlookwell，andheseemsnervousandunsettled。
Thedearfellow！Idowishhewouldmarrysomenicegirl。Itoldhimsotoday，buthesaidhedidn’tcareforthereallyniceones，andtheotherkinddidn’tcareforhim——butthatwasjusthisjoke，ofcourse。HecouldnevermarryagirlwhoWASN’Tnice。
Oh，mydear，didyoueverseesuchpearls？\"
Theyhadpausedbeforethetableonwhichthebride’sjewelsweredisplayed，andLily’sheartgaveanenviousthrobasshecaughttherefractionoflightfromtheirsurfaces——themilkygleamofperfectlymatchedpearls，theflashofrubiesrelievedagainstcontrastingvelvet，theintenseblueraysofsapphireskindledintolightbysurroundingdiamonds:alltheseprecioustintsenhancedanddeepenedbythevariedartoftheirsetting。TheglowofthestoneswarmedLily’sveinslikewine。Morecompletelythananyotherexpressionofwealththeysymbolizedthelifeshelongedtolead，thelifeoffastidiousaloofnessandrefinementinwhicheverydetailshouldhavethefinishofajewel，andthewholeformaharmonioussettingtoherownjewel-likerareness。
\"Oh，Lily，dolookatthisdiamondpendant——it’sasbigasadinner-plate！Whocanhavegivenit？\"MissFarishbentshort-sightedlyovertheaccompanyingcard。\"MR。SIMONROSEDALE。
What，thathorridman？Oh，yes——Irememberhe’safriendofJack’s，andIsupposecousinGracehadtoaskhimheretoday；butshemustratherhatehavingtoletGwenacceptsuchapresentfromhim。\"
Lilysmiled。ShedoubtedMrs。VanOsburgh’sreluctance，butwasawareofMissFarish’shabitofascribingherowndelicaciesoffeelingtothepersonsleastlikelytobeencumberedbythem。
\"Well，ifGwendoesn’tcaretobeseenwearingitshecanalwaysexchangeitforsomethingelse，\"sheremarked。
\"Ah，hereissomethingsomuchprettier，\"MissFarishcontinued。
\"Dolookatthisexquisitewhitesapphire。I’msurethepersonwhochoseitmusthavetakenparticularpains。Whatisthename？
PercyGryce？Ah，thenI’mnotsurprised！\"Shesmiledsignificantlyasshereplacedthecard。\"Ofcourseyou’veheardthathe’sperfectlydevotedtoEvieVanOsburgh？CousinGraceissopleasedaboutit——it’squitearomance！HemetherfirstattheGeorgeDorsets’，onlyaboutsixweeksago，andit’sjustthenicestpossiblemarriagefordearEvie。Oh，Idon’tmeanthemoney——ofcourseshehasplentyofherown——butshe’ssuchaquietstay-at-homekindofgirl，anditseemshehasjustthesametastes；sotheyareexactlysuitedtoeachother。\"
Lilystoodstaringvacantlyatthewhitesapphireonitsvelvetbed。EvieVanOsburghandPercyGryce？Thenamesrangderisivelythroughherbrain。EVIEVANOSBURGH？Theyoungest，dumpiest，dullestofthefourdullanddumpydaughterswhomMrs。VanOsburgh，withunsurpassedastuteness，had\"placed\"onebyoneinenviablenichesofexistence！Ah，luckygirlswhogrowupintheshelterofamother’slove——amotherwhoknowshowtocontriveopportunitieswithoutconcedingfavours，howtotakeadvantageofpropinquitywithoutallowingappetitetobedulledbyhabit！Thecleverestgirlmaymiscalculatewhereherowninterestsareconcerned，mayyieldtoomuchatonemomentandwithdrawtoofaratthenext:ittakesamother’sunerringvigilanceandforesighttolandherdaughterssafelyinthearmsofwealthandsuitability。