Lily’spassinglight-heartednesssankbeneatharenewedsenseoffailure。Lifewastoostupid，tooblundering！WhyshouldPercyGryce’smillionsbejoinedtoanothergreatfortune，whyshouldthisclumsygirlbeputinpossessionofpowersshewouldneverknowhowtouse？
Shewasrousedfromthesespeculationsbyafamiliartouchonherarm，andturningsawGusTrenorbesideher。Shefeltathrillofvexation:whatrighthadhetotouchher？LuckilyGertyFarishhadwanderedofftothenexttable，andtheywerealone。
Trenor，lookingstouterthaneverinhistightfrock-coat，andunbecominglyflushedbythebridallibations，gazedatherwithundisguisedapproval。
\"ByJove，Lily，youdolookastunner！\"HehadslippedinsensiblyintotheuseofherChristianname，andshehadneverfoundtherightmomenttocorrecthim。Besides，inhersetallthemenandwomencalledeachotherbytheirChristiannames；itwasonlyonTrenor’slipsthatthefamiliaraddresshadanunpleasantsignificance。
\"Well，\"hecontinued，stilljoviallyimpervioustoherannoyance，\"haveyoumadeupyourmindwhichoftheselittletrinketsyoumeantoduplicateatTiffany’stomorrow？I’vegotachequeforyouinmypocketthatwillgoalongwayinthatline！\"
Lilygavehimastartledlook:hisvoicewaslouderthanusual，andtheroomwasbeginningtofillwithpeople。Butasherglanceassuredherthattheywerestillbeyondear-shotasenseofpleasurereplacedherapprehension。
\"Anotherdividend？\"sheasked，smilinganddrawingnearhiminthedesirenottobeoverheard。
\"Well，notexactly:IsoldoutontheriseandI’vepulledofffourthou’foryou。Notsobadforabeginner，eh？Isupposeyou’llbegintothinkyou’reaprettyknowingspeculator。Andperhapsyouwon’tthinkpooroldGussuchanawfulassassomepeopledo。\"
\"Ithinkyouthekindestoffriends；butIcan’tthankyouproperlynow。\"
Shelethereyesshineintohiswithalookthatmadeupforthehand-clasphewouldhaveclaimediftheyhadbeenalone——andhowgladshewasthattheywerenot！Thenewsfilledherwiththeglowproducedbyasuddencessationofphysicalpain。Theworldwasnotsostupidandblunderingafterall:nowandthenastrokeofluckcametotheunluckiest。Atthethoughtherspiritsbegantorise:itwascharacteristicofherthatonetriflingpieceofgoodfortuneshouldgivewingstoallherhopes。InstantlycamethereflectionthatPercyGrycewasnotirretrievablylost；andshesmiledtothinkoftheexcitementofrecapturinghimfromEvieVanOsburgh。Whatchancecouldsuchasimpletonhaveagainstherifshechosetoexertherself？Sheglancedabout，hopingtocatchaglimpseofGryce；buthereyeslitinsteadontheglossycountenanceofMr。Rosedale，whowasslippingthroughthecrowdwithanairhalfobsequious，halfobtrusive，asthough，themomenthispresencewasrecognized，itwouldswelltothedimensionsoftheroom。
Notwishingtobethemeansofeffectingthisenlargement，LilyquicklytransferredherglancetoTrenor，towhomtheexpressionofhergratitudeseemednottohavebroughtthecompletegratificationshehadmeantittogive。
\"Hangthankingme——Idon’twanttobethanked，butISHOULDlikethechancetosaytwowordstoyounowandthen，\"hegrumbled。\"I
thoughtyouweregoingtospendthewholeautumnwithus，andI’vehardlylaideyesonyouforthelastmonth。Whycan’tyoucomebacktoBellomontthisevening？We’reallalone，andJudyisascrossastwosticks。Docomeandcheerafellowup。IfyousayyesI’llrunyouoverinthemotor，andyoucantelephoneyourmaidtobringyourtrapsfromtownbythenexttrain。\"
Lilyshookherheadwithacharmingsemblanceofregret。\"IwishIcould——butit’squiteimpossible。Myaunthascomebacktotown，andImustbewithherforthenextfewdays。\"
\"Well，I’veseenagooddeallessofyousincewe’vegottobesuchpalsthanIusedtowhenyouwereJudy’sfriend，\"hecontinuedwithunconsciouspenetration。
\"WhenIwasJudy’sfriend？AmInotherfriendstill？Really，yousaythemostabsurdthings！IfIwerealwaysatBellomontyouwouldtireofmemuchsoonerthanJudy——butcomeandseemeatmyaunt’sthenextafternoonyouareintown；thenwecanhaveanicequiettalk，andyoucantellmehowIhadbetterinvestmyfortune。\"
Itwastruethat，duringthelastthreeorfourweeks，shehadabsentedherselffromBellomontonthepretextofhavingothervisitstopay；butshenowbegantofeelthatthereckoningshehadthuscontrivedtoevadehadrolledupinterestintheinterval。
Theprospectofthenicequiettalkdidnotappearasall-
sufficingtoTrenorasshehadhoped，andhisbrowscontinuedtolowerashesaid:\"Oh，Idon’tknowthatIcanpromiseyouafreshtipeveryday。Butthere’sonethingyoumightdoforme；
andthatis，justtobealittleciviltoRosedale。Judyhaspromisedtoaskhimtodinewhenwegettotown，butIcan’tinducehertohavehimatBellomont，andifyouwouldletmebringhimupnowitwouldmakealotofdifference。Idon’tbelievetwowomenhavespokentohimthisafternoon，andIcantellyouhe’sachapitpaystobedecentto。\"
MissBartmadeanimpatientmovement，butsuppressedthewordswhichseemedabouttoaccompanyit。Afterall，thiswasanunexpectedlyeasywayofacquittingherdebt；andhadshenotreasonsofherownforwishingtobeciviltoMr。Rosedale？
\"Oh，bringhimbyallmeans，\"shesaidsmiling；\"perhapsIcangetatipoutofhimonmyownaccount。\"
Trenorpausedabruptly，andhiseyesfixedthemselvesonherswithalookwhichmadeherchangecolour。
\"Isay，youknow——you’llpleaserememberhe’sabloomingbounder，\"hesaid；andwithaslightlaughsheturnedtowardtheopenwindownearwhichtheyhadbeenstanding。
Thethrongintheroomhadincreased，andshefeltadesireforspaceandfreshair。Bothoftheseshefoundontheterrace，whereonlyafewmenwerelingeringovercigarettesandliqueur，whilescatteredcouplesstrolledacrossthelawntotheautumn-tintedbordersoftheflower-garden。
Assheemerged，amanmovedtowardherfromtheknotofsmokers，andshefoundherselffacetofacewithSelden。Thestirofthepulseswhichhisnearnessalwayscausedwasincreasedbyaslightsenseofconstraint。TheyhadnotmetsincetheirSundayafternoonwalkatBellomont，andthatepisodewasstillsovividtoherthatshecouldhardlybelievehimtobelessconsciousofit。Buthisgreetingexpressednomorethanthesatisfactionwhicheveryprettywomanexpectstoseereflectedinmasculineeyes；andthediscovery，ifdistastefultohervanity，wasreassuringtohernerves。BetweenthereliefofherescapefromTrenor，andthevagueapprehensionofhermeetingwithRosedale，itwaspleasanttorestamomentonthesenseofcompleteunderstandingwhichLawrenceSelden’smanneralwaysconveyed。
\"Thisisluck，\"hesaidsmiling。\"IwaswonderingifIshouldbeabletohaveawordwithyoubeforethespecialsnatchesusaway。
IcamewithGertyFarish，andpromisednottolethermissthetrain，butIamsuresheisstillextractingsentimentalsolacefromtheweddingpresents。Sheappearstoregardtheirnumberandvalueasevidenceofthedisinterestedaffectionofthecontractingparties。\"
Therewasnottheleasttraceofembarrassmentinhisvoice，andashespoke，leaningslightlyagainstthejambofthewindow，andlettinghiseyesrestonherinthefrankenjoymentofhergrace，shefeltwithafaintchillofregretthathehadgonebackwithoutanefforttothefootingonwhichtheyhadstoodbeforetheirlasttalktogether。Hervanitywasstungbythesightofhisunscathedsmile。Shelongedtobetohimsomethingmorethanapieceofsentientprettiness，apassingdiversiontohiseyeandbrain；andthelongingbetrayeditselfinherreply。
\"Ah，\"shesaid，\"IenvyGertythatpowershehasofdressingupwithromanceallouruglyandprosaicarrangements！Ihaveneverrecoveredmyself-respectsinceyoushowedmehowpoorandunimportantmyambitionswere。\"
Thewordswerehardlyspokenwhensherealizedtheirinfelicity。
ItseemedtobeherfatetoappearatherworsttoSelden。
\"Ithought，onthecontrary，\"hereturnedlightly，\"thatIhadbeenthemeansofprovingtheyweremoreimportanttoyouthananythingelse。\"
Itwasasiftheeagercurrentofherbeinghadbeencheckedbyasuddenobstaclewhichdroveitbackuponitself。Shelookedathimhelplessly，likeahurtorfrightenedchild:thisrealselfofhers，whichhehadthefacultyofdrawingoutofthedepths，wassolittleaccustomedtogoalone！
Theappealofherhelplessnesstouchedinhim，asitalwaysdid，alatentchordofinclination。Itwouldhavemeantnothingtohimtodiscoverthathisnearnessmadehermorebrilliant，butthisglimpseofatwilightmoodtowhichhealonehadtheclueseemedoncemoretosethiminaworldapartwithher。
\"Atleastyoucan’tthinkworsethingsofmethanyousay！\"sheexclaimedwithatremblinglaugh；butbeforehecouldanswer，theflowofcomprehensionbetweenthemwasabruptlystayedbythereappearanceofGusTrenor，whoadvancedwithMr。
Rosedaleinhiswake。
\"Hangit，Lily，Ithoughtyou’dgivenmetheslip:RosedaleandI
havebeenhuntingalloverforyou！\"
Hisvoicehadanoteofconjugalfamiliarity:MissBartfanciedshedetectedinRosedale’seyeatwinklingperceptionofthefact，andtheideaturnedherdislikeofhimtorepugnance。
Shereturnedhisprofoundbowwithaslightnod，mademoredisdainfulbythesenseofSelden’ssurprisethatsheshouldnumberRosedaleamongheracquaintances。Trenorhadturnedaway，andhiscompanioncontinuedtostandbeforeMissBart，alertandexpectant，hislipspartedinasmileatwhatevershemightbeabouttosay，andhisverybackconsciousoftheprivilegeofbeingseenwithher。
Itwasthemomentfortact；forthequickbridgingoverofgaps；
butSeldenstillleanedagainstthewindow，adetachedobserverofthescene，andunderthespellofhisobservationLilyfeltherselfpowerlesstoexertherusualarts。ThedreadofSelden’ssuspectingthattherewasanyneedforhertopropitiatesuchamanasRosedalecheckedthetrivialphrasesofpoliteness。
Rosedalestillstoodbeforeherinanexpectantattitude，andshecontinuedtofacehiminsilence，herglancejustlevelwithhispolishedbaldness。Thelookputthefinishingtouchtowhathersilenceimplied。
Hereddenedslowly，shiftingfromonefoottotheother，fingeredtheplumpblackpearlinhistie，andgaveanervoustwisttohismoustache；then，runninghiseyeoverher，hedrewback，andsaid，withaside-glanceatSelden:\"Uponmysoul，Ineversawamorerippingget-up。Isthatthelastcreationofthedress-makeryougotoseeattheBenedick？Ifso，Iwonderalltheotherwomendon’tgotohertoo！\"
ThewordswereprojectedsharplyagainstLily’ssilence，andshesawinaflashthatherownacthadgiventhemtheiremphasis。Inordinarytalktheymighthavepassedunheeded；butfollowingonherprolongedpausetheyacquiredaspecialmeaning。Shefelt，withoutlooking，thatSeldenhadimmediatelyseizedit，andwouldinevitablyconnecttheallusionwithhervisittohimself。TheconsciousnessincreasedherirritationagainstRosedale，butalsoherfeelingthatnow，ifever，wasthemomenttopropitiatehim，hatefulasitwastodosoinSelden’spresence。
\"Howdoyouknowtheotherwomendon’tgotomydress-maker？\"shereturned。\"YouseeI’mnotafraidtogiveheraddresstomyfriends！\"
HerglanceandaccentsoplainlyincludedRosedaleinthisprivilegedcirclethathissmalleyespuckeredwithgratification，andaknowingsmiledrewuphismoustache。
\"ByJove，youneedn’tbe！\"hedeclared。\"Youcouldgive’emthewholeoutfitandwinatacanter！\"
\"Ah，that’sniceofyou；anditwouldbenicerstillifyouwouldcarrymeofftoaquietcorner，andgetmeaglassoflemonadeorsomeinnocentdrinkbeforeweallhavetorushforthetrain。\"
Sheturnedawayasshespoke，lettinghimstrutathersidethroughthegatheringgroupsontheterrace，whileeverynerveinherthrobbedwiththeconsciousnessofwhatSeldenmusthavethoughtofthescene。
Butunderherangrysenseoftheperversenessofthings，andthelightsurfaceofhertalkwithRosedale，athirdideapersisted:
shedidnotmeantoleavewithoutanattempttodiscoverthetruthaboutPercyGryce。Chance，orperhapshisownresolve，hadkeptthemapartsincehishastywithdrawalfromBellomont；butMissBartwasanexpertinmakingthemostoftheunexpected，andthedistastefulincidentsofthelastfewminutes——therevelationtoSeldenofpreciselythatpartofherlifewhichshemostwishedhimtoignore——increasedherlongingforshelter，forescapefromsuchhumiliatingcontingencies。Anydefinitesituationwouldbemoretolerablethanthisbuffetingofchances，whichkeptherinanattitudeofuneasyalertnesstowardeverypossibilityoflife。
Indoorstherewasageneralsenseofdispersalintheair，asofanaudiencegatheringitselfupfordepartureaftertheprincipalactorshadleftthestage；butamongtheremaininggroups，LilycoulddiscoverneitherGrycenortheyoungestMissVanOsburgh。
Thatbothshouldbemissingstruckherwithforeboding；andshecharmedMr。Rosedalebyproposingthattheyshouldmaketheirwaytotheconservatoriesatthefartherendofthehouse。Therewerejustenoughpeopleleftinthelongsuiteofroomstomaketheirprogressconspicuous，andLilywasawareofbeingfollowedbylooksofamusementandinterrogation，whichglancedoffasharmlesslyfromherindifferenceasfromhercompanion’sself-satisfaction。ShecaredverylittleatthatmomentaboutbeingseenwithRosedale:allherthoughtswerecentredontheobjectofhersearch。Thelatter，however，wasnotdiscoverableintheconservatories，andLily，oppressedbyasuddenconvictionoffailure，wascastingaboutforawaytoridherselfofhernowsuperfluouscompanion，whentheycameuponMrs。VanOsburgh，flushedandexhausted，butbeamingwiththeconsciousnessofdutyperformed。
Sheglancedatthemamomentwiththebenignbutvacanteyeofthetiredhostess，towhomherguestshavebecomemerewhirlingspotsinakaleidoscopeoffatigue；thenherattentionbecamesuddenlyfixed，andsheseizedonMissBartwithaconfidentialgesture。\"MydearLily，Ihaven’thadtimeforawordwithyou，andnowIsupposeyouarejustoff。HaveyouseenEvie？She’sbeenlookingeverywhereforyou:shewantedtotellyouherlittlesecret；butIdaresayyouhaveguesseditalready。Theengagementisnottobeannouncedtillnextweek——butyouaresuchafriendofMr。Gryce’sthattheybothwishedyoutobethefirsttoknowoftheirhappiness。\"
InMrs。Peniston’syouth，fashionhadreturnedtotowninOctober；thereforeonthetenthdayofthemonththeblindsofherFifthAvenueresidenceweredrawnup，andtheeyesoftheDyingGladiatorinbronzewhooccupiedthedrawing-roomwindowresumedtheirsurveyofthatdesertedthoroughfare。
ThefirsttwoweeksafterherreturnrepresentedtoMrs。Penistonthedomesticequivalentofareligiousretreat。She\"wentthrough\"thelinenandblanketsintheprecisespiritofthepenitentexploringtheinnerfoldsofconscience；shesoughtformothsasthestrickensoulseeksforlurkinginfirmities。Thetopmostshelfofeveryclosetwasmadetoyieldupitssecret，cellarandcoal-binwereprobedtotheirdarkestdepthsand，asafinalstageinthelustralrites，theentirehousewasswathedinpenitentialwhiteanddelugedwithexpiatorysoapsuds。
ItwasonthisphaseoftheproceedingsthatMissBartenteredontheafternoonofherreturnfromtheVanOsburghwedding。Thejourneybacktotownhadnotbeencalculatedtosoothehernerves。ThoughEvieVanOsburgh’sengagementwasstillofficiallyasecret，itwasoneofwhichtheinnumerableintimatefriendsofthefamilywerealreadypossessed；andthetrainfulofreturningguestsbuzzedwithallusionsandanticipations。Lilywasacutelyawareofherownpartinthisdramaofinnuendo:sheknewtheexactqualityoftheamusementthesituationevoked。Thecrudeformsinwhichherfriendstooktheirpleasureincludedaloudenjoymentofsuchcomplications:thezestofsurprisingdestinyintheactofplayingapracticaljoke。Lilyknewwellenoughhowtobearherselfindifficultsituations。Shehad，toashade，theexactmannerbetweenvictoryanddefeat:everyinsinuationwasshedwithoutaneffortbythebrightindifferenceofhermanner。
Butshewasbeginningtofeelthestrainoftheattitude；thereactionwasmorerapid，andshelapsedtoadeeperself-disgust。
Aswasalwaysthecasewithher，thismoralrepulsionfoundaphysicaloutletinaquickeneddistasteforhersurroundings。
SherevoltedfromthecomplacentuglinessofMrs。Peniston’sblackwalnut，fromtheslipperyglossofthevestibuletiles，andthemingledodourofsapolioandfurniture-polishthatmetheratthedoor。
Thestairswerestillcarpetless，andonthewayuptoherroomshewasarrestedonthelandingbyanencroachingtideofsoapsuds。Gatheringupherskirts，shedrewasidewithanimpatientgesture；andasshedidsoshehadtheoddsensationofhavingalreadyfoundherselfinthesamesituationbutindifferentsurroundings。ItseemedtoherthatshewasagaindescendingthestaircasefromSelden’srooms；andlookingdowntoremonstratewiththedispenserofthesoapyflood，shefoundherselfmetbyaliftedstarewhichhadoncebeforeconfrontedherundersimilarcircumstances。Itwasthechar-womanoftheBenedickwho，restingoncrimsonelbows，examinedherwiththesameunflinchingcuriosity，thesameapparentreluctancetoletherpass。Onthisoccasion，however，MissBartwasonherownground。
\"Don’tyouseethatIwishtogoby？Pleasemoveyourpail，\"shesaidsharply。
Thewomanatfirstseemednottohear；then，withoutawordofexcuse，shepushedbackherpailanddraggedawetfloor-clothacrossthelanding，keepinghereyesfixedonLilywhilethelattersweptby。ItwasinsufferablethatMrs。Penistonshouldhavesuchcreaturesaboutthehouse；andLilyenteredherroomresolvedthatthewomanshouldbedismissedthatevening。
Mrs。Peniston，however，wasatthemomentinaccessibletoremonstrance:sinceearlymorningshehadbeenshutupwithhermaid，goingoverherfurs，aprocesswhichformedtheculminatingepisodeinthedramaofhouseholdrenovation。IntheeveningalsoLilyfoundherselfalone，forheraunt，whorarelydinedout，hadrespondedtothesummonsofaVanAlstynecousinwhowaspassingthroughtown。Thehouse，initsstateofunnaturalimmaculatenessandorder，wasasdrearyasatomb，andasLily，turningfromherbriefrepastbetweenshroudedsideboards，wanderedintothenewly-uncoveredglareofthedrawing-roomshefeltasthoughshewereburiedaliveinthestiflinglimitsofMrs。Peniston’sexistence。
Sheusuallycontrivedtoavoidbeingathomeduringtheseasonofdomesticrenewal。Onthepresentoccasion，however，avarietyofreasonshadcombinedtobringhertotown；andforemostamongthemwasthefactthatshehadfewerinvitationsthanusualfortheautumn。Shehadsolongbeenaccustomedtopassfromonecountry-housetoanother，tillthecloseoftheholidaysbroughtherfriendstotown，thattheunfilledgapsoftimeconfrontingherproducedasharpsenseofwaningpopularity。ItwasasshehadsaidtoSelden——peopleweretiredofher。Theywouldwelcomeherinanewcharacter，butasMissBarttheyknewherbyheart。
Sheknewherselfbyhearttoo，andwassickoftheoldstory。
Thereweremomentswhenshelongedblindlyforanythingdifferent，anythingstrange，remoteanduntried；buttheutmostreachofherimaginationdidnotgobeyondpicturingherusuallifeinanewsetting。Shecouldnotfigureherselfasanywherebutinadrawing-room，diffusingeleganceasaflowershedsperfume。
Meanwhile，asOctoberadvancedshehadtofacethealternativeofreturningtotheTrenorsorjoiningherauntintown。EventhedesolatingdulnessofNewYorkinOctober，andthesoapydiscomfortsofMrs。Peniston’sinterior，seemedpreferabletowhatmightawaitheratBellomont；andwithanairofheroicdevotionsheannouncedherintentionofremainingwithheraunttilltheholidays。
Sacrificesofthisnaturearesometimesreceivedwithfeelingsasmixedasthosewhichactuatethem；andMrs。Penistonremarkedtoherconfidentialmaidthat，ifanyofthefamilyweretobewithheratsuchacrisis(thoughforfortyyearsshehadbeenthoughtcompetenttoseetothehangingofherowncurtains)，shewouldcertainlyhavepreferredMissGracetoMissLily。GraceStepneywasanobscurecousin，ofadaptablemannersandvicariousinterests，who\"ranin\"tositwithMrs。PenistonwhenLilydinedouttoocontinuously；whoplayedbezique，pickedupdroppedstitches，readoutthedeathsfromtheTimes，andsincerelyadmiredthepurplesatindrawing-roomcurtains，theDyingGladiatorinthewindow，andtheseven-by-fivepaintingofNiagarawhichrepresentedtheoneartisticexcessofMr。
Peniston’stemperatecareer。
Mrs。Peniston，underordinarycircumstances，wasasmuchboredbyherexcellentcousinastherecipientofsuchservicesusuallyisbythepersonwhoperformsthem。ShegreatlypreferredthebrilliantandunreliableLily，whodidnotknowoneendofacrochet-needlefromtheother，andhadfrequentlywoundedhersusceptibilitiesbysuggestingthatthedrawing-roomshouldbe\"doneover。\"Butwhenitcametohuntingformissingnapkins，orhelpingtodecidewhetherthebackstairsneededre-carpeting，Grace’sjudgmentwascertainlysounderthanLily’s:nottomentionthefactthatthelatterresentedthesmellofbeeswaxandbrownsoap，andbehavedasthoughshethoughtahouseoughttokeepcleanofitself，withoutextraneousassistance。
Seatedunderthecheerlessblazeofthedrawing-roomchandelier——Mrs。Penistonneverlitthelampsunlesstherewas\"company\"——Lilyseemedtowatchherownfigureretreatingdownvistasofneutral-tinteddulnesstoamiddleagelikeGraceStepney’s。WhensheceasedtoamuseJudyTrenorandherfriendsshewouldhavetofallbackonamusingMrs。Peniston；whicheverwayshelookedshesawonlyafutureofservitudetothewhimsofothers，neverthepossibilityofassertingherowneagerindividuality。
Aringatthedoor-bell，soundingemphaticallythroughtheemptyhouse，rousedhersuddenlytotheextentofherboredom。Itwasasthoughallthewearinessofthepastmonthshadculminatedinthevacuityofthatinterminableevening。Ifonlytheringmeantasummonsfromtheouterworld——atokenthatshewasstillrememberedandwanted！
Aftersomedelayaparlour-maidpresentedherselfwiththeannouncementthattherewasapersonoutsidewhowasaskingtoseeMissBart；andonLily’spressingforamorespecificdescription，sheadded:
\"It’sMrs。Haffen，Miss；shewon’tsaywhatshewants。\"
Lily，towhomthenameconveyednothing，openedthedooruponawomaninabatteredbonnet，whostoodfirmlyplantedunderthehall-light。Theglareoftheunshadedgasshonefamiliarlyonherpock-markedfaceandthereddishbaldnessvisiblethroughthinstrandsofstraw-colouredhair。Lilylookedatthechar-womaninsurprise。
\"Doyouwishtoseeme？\"sheasked。
\"Ishouldliketosayawordtoyou，Miss。\"Thetonewasneitheraggressivenorconciliatory:itrevealednothingofthespeaker’serrand。Nevertheless，someprecautionaryinstinctwarnedLilytowithdrawbeyondear-shotofthehoveringparlour-maid。
ShesignedtoMrs。Haffentofollowherintothedrawing-room，andclosedthedoorwhentheyhadentered。
\"Whatisitthatyouwish？\"sheenquired。
Thechar-woman，afterthemannerofherkind，stoodwithherarmsfoldedinhershawl。Unwindingthelatter，sheproducedasmallparcelwrappedindirtynewspaper。
\"Ihavesomethingherethatyoumightliketosee，MissBart。\"
Shespokethenamewithanunpleasantemphasis，asthoughherknowingitmadeapartofherreasonforbeingthere。ToLilytheintonationsoundedlikeathreat。
\"Youhavefoundsomethingbelongingtome？\"sheasked，extendingherhand。
Mrs。Haffendrewback。\"Well，ifitcomestothat，Iguessit’smineasmuchasanybody’s，\"shereturned。
Lilylookedatherperplexedly。Shewassure，now，thathervisitor’smannerconveyedathreat；but，expertasshewasincertaindirections，therewasnothinginherexperiencetoprepareherfortheexactsignificanceofthepresentscene。Shefelt，however，thatitmustbeendedaspromptlyaspossible。
\"Idon’tunderstand；ifthisparcelisnotmine，whyhaveyouaskedforme？\"
Thewomanwasunabashedbythequestion。Shewasevidentlypreparedtoanswerit，butlikeallherclassshehadtogoalongwaybacktomakeabeginning，anditwasonlyafterapausethatshereplied:\"MyhusbandwasjanitortotheBenedicktillthefirstofthemonth；sincethenhecan’tgetnothingtodo。\"
Lilyremainedsilentandshecontinued:\"Itwasn’tnofaultofourown，neither:theagenthadanothermanhewantedtheplacefor，andwewasputout，bagandbaggage，justtosuithisfancy。
Ihadalongsicknesslastwinter，andanoperationthatateupallwe’dputby；andit’shardformeandthechildren，Haffenbeingsolongoutofajob。\"
Afterall，then，shehadcomeonlytoaskMissBarttofindaplaceforherhusband；or，moreprobably，toseektheyounglady’sinterventionwithMrs。Peniston。Lilyhadsuchanairofalwaysgettingwhatshewantedthatshewasusedtobeingappealedtoasanintermediary，and，relievedofhervagueapprehension，shetookrefugeintheconventionalformula。
\"Iamsorryyouhavebeenintrouble，\"shesaid。
\"Oh，thatwehave，Miss，andit’son’yjustbeginning。Ifon’ywe’d’agotanothersituation——buttheagent，he’sdeadagainstus。Itain’tnofaultofours，neither，but——\"
AtthispointLily’simpatienceovercameher。\"Ifyouhaveanythingtosaytome——\"sheinterposed。
Thewoman’sresentmentoftherebuffseemedtospurherlaggingideas。
\"Yes，Miss；I’mcomingtothat，\"shesaid。Shepausedagain，withhereyesonLily，andthencontinued，inatoneofdiffusenarrative:\"WhenwewasattheBenedickIhadchargeofsomeofthegentlemen’srooms；leastways，Iswep’’emoutonSaturdays。
Someofthegentlemengotthegreatestsightofletters:Ineversawthelikeofit。Theirwaste-paperbaskets’dbefairlybrimming，andpapersfallingoveronthefloor。Maybehavin’somanyishowtheygetsocareless。Someof’emisworsethanothers。Mr。Selden，Mr。LawrenceSelden，hewasalwaysoneofthecarefullest:burnthislettersinwinter，andtore’eminlittlebitsinsummer。Butsometimeshe’dhavesomanyhe’djustbunch’emtogether，thewaytheothersdid，andtearthelotthroughonce——likethis。\"
Whileshespokeshehadloosenedthestringfromtheparcelinherhand，andnowshedrewforthaletterwhichshelaidonthetablebetweenMissBartandherself。Asshehadsaid，theletterwastornintwo；butwitharapidgestureshelaidthetornedgestogetherandsmoothedoutthepage。
AwaveofindignationsweptoverLily。Shefeltherselfinthepresenceofsomethingvile，asyetbutdimlyconjectured——thekindofvilenessofwhichpeoplewhispered，butwhichshehadneverthoughtofastouchingherownlife。Shedrewbackwithamotionofdisgust，butherwithdrawalwascheckedbyasuddendiscovery:undertheglareofMrs。Peniston’schandeliershehadrecognizedthehand-writingoftheletter。Itwasalargedisjointedhand，withaflourishofmasculinitywhichbutslightlydisguiseditsramblingweakness，andthewords，scrawledinheavyinkonpale-tintednotepaper，smoteonLily’searasthoughshehadheardthemspoken。
Atfirstshedidnotgraspthefullimportofthesituation。SheunderstoodonlythatbeforeherlayaletterwrittenbyBerthaDorset，andaddressed，presumably，toLawrenceSelden。Therewasnodate，buttheblacknessoftheinkprovedthewritingtobecomparativelyrecent。ThepacketinMrs。Haffen’shanddoubtlesscontainedmorelettersofthesamekind——adozen，Lilyconjecturedfromitsthickness。Theletterbeforeherwasshort，butitsfewwords，whichhadleaptintoherbrainbeforeshewasconsciousofreadingthem，toldalonghistory——ahistoryoverwhich，forthelastfouryears，thefriendsofthewriterhadsmiledandshrugged，viewingitmerelyasoneamongthecountless\"goodsituations\"ofthemundanecomedy。NowtheothersidepresenteditselftoLily，thevolcanicnethersideofthesurfaceoverwhichconjectureandinnuendoglidesolightlytillthefirstfissureturnstheirwhispertoashriek。Lilyknewthatthereisnothingsocietyresentssomuchashavinggivenitsprotectiontothosewhohavenotknownhowtoprofitbyit:itisforhavingbetrayeditsconnivancethatthebodysocialpunishestheoffenderwhoisfoundout。Andinthiscasetherewasnodoubtoftheissue。ThecodeofLily’sworlddecreedthatawoman’shusbandshouldbetheonlyjudgeofherconduct:shewastechnicallyabovesuspicionwhileshehadtheshelterofhisapproval，orevenofhisindifference。ButwithamanofGeorgeDorset’stempertherecouldbenothoughtofcondonation——thepossessorofhiswife’sletterscouldoverthrowwithatouchthewholestructureofherexistence。AndintowhathandsBerthaDorset’ssecrethadbeendelivered！ForamomenttheironyofthecoincidencetingedLily’sdisgustwithaconfusedsenseoftriumph。Butthedisgustprevailed——allherinstinctiveresistances，oftaste，oftraining，ofblindinheritedscruples，roseagainsttheotherfeeling。Herstrongestsensewasoneofpersonalcontamination。
Shemovedaway，asthoughtoputasmuchdistanceaspossiblebetweenherselfandhervisitor。\"Iknownothingoftheseletters，\"shesaid；\"Ihavenoideawhyyouhavebroughtthemhere。
\"Mrs。Haffenfacedhersteadily。\"I’lltellyouwhy，Miss。
Ibrought’emtoyoutosell，becauseIain’tgotnootherwayofraisingmoney，andifwedon’tpayourrentbytomorrownightwe’llbeputout。Ineverdoneanythin’ofthekindbefore，andifyou’dspeaktoMr。SeldenortoMr。RosedaleaboutgettingHaffentakenonagainattheBenedick——IseenyoutalkingtoMr。
RosedaleonthestepsthatdayyoucomeoutofMr。Selden’srooms——\"
ThebloodrushedtoLily’sforehead。Sheunderstoodnow——Mrs。
Haffensupposedhertobethewriteroftheletters。Inthefirstleapofherangershewasabouttoringandorderthewomanout；
butanobscureimpulserestrainedher。ThementionofSelden’snamehadstartedanewtrainofthought。BerthaDorset’sletterswerenothingtoher——theymightgowherethecurrentofchancecarriedthem！ButSeldenwasinextricablyinvolvedintheirfate。
Mendonot，atworst，suffermuchfromsuchexposure；andinthisinstancetheflashofdivinationwhichhadcarriedthemeaningoftheletterstoLily’sbrainhadrevealedalsothattheywereappeals——repeatedandthereforeprobablyunanswered——fortherenewalofatiewhichtimehadevidentlyrelaxed。Nevertheless，thefactthatthecorrespondencehadbeenallowedtofallintostrangehandswouldconvictSeldenofnegligenceinamatterwheretheworldholdsitleastpardonable；andthereweregraverriskstoconsiderwhereamanofDorset’sticklishbalancewasconcerned。
Ifsheweighedallthesethingsitwasunconsciously:shewasawareonlyoffeelingthatSeldenwouldwishthelettersrescued，andthatthereforeshemustobtainpossessionofthem。Beyondthatherminddidnottravel。Shehad，indeed，aquickvisionofreturningthepackettoBerthaDorset，andoftheopportunitiestherestitutionoffered；butthisthoughtlitupabyssesfromwhichsheshrankbackashamed。
MeanwhileMrs。Haffen，prompttoperceiveherhesitation，hadalreadyopenedthepacketandrangeditscontentsonthetable。
Allthelettershadbeenpiecedtogetherwithstripsofthinpaper。Somewereinsmallfragments，theothersmerelytominhalf。Thoughtherewerenotmany，thusspreadouttheynearlycoveredthetable。Lily’sglancefellonawordhereandthere——thenshesaidinalowvoice:\"Whatdoyouwishmetopayyou？\"
Mrs。Haffen’sfacereddenedwithsatisfaction。Itwasclearthattheyoungladywasbadlyfrightened，andMrs。Haffenwasthewomantomakethemostofsuchfears。Anticipatinganeasiervictorythanshehadforeseen，shenamedanexorbitantsum。
ButMissBartshowedherselfalessreadypreythanmighthavebeenexpectedfromherimprudentopening。Sherefusedtopaythepricenamed，andafteramoment’shesitation，metitbyacounter-offerofhalftheamount。
Mrs。Haffenimmediatelystiffened。Herhandtravelledtowardtheoutspreadletters，andfoldingthemslowly，shemadeasthoughtorestorethemtotheirwrapping。
\"Iguessthey’reworthmoretoyouthantome，Miss，butthepoorhasgottoliveaswellastherich，\"sheobservedsententiously。
Lilywasthrobbingwithfear，buttheinsinuationfortifiedherresistance。
\"Youaremistaken，\"shesaidindifferently。\"IhaveofferedallI
amwillingtogivefortheletters；buttheremaybeotherwaysofgettingthem。\"
Mrs。Haffenraisedasuspiciousglance:shewastooexperiencednottoknowthatthetrafficshewasengagedinhadperilsasgreatasitsrewards，andshehadavisionoftheelaboratemachineryofrevengewhichawordofthiscommandingyounglady’smightsetinmotion。
Sheappliedthecornerofhershawltohereyes，andmurmuredthroughitthatnogoodcameofbearingtoohardonthepoor，butthatforherpartshehadneverbeenmixedupinsuchabusinessbefore，andthatonherhonourasaChristianallsheandHaffenhadthoughtofwasthatthelettersmustn’tgoanyfarther。
Lilystoodmotionless，keepingbetweenherselfandthechar-womanthegreatestdistancecompatiblewiththeneedofspeakinginlowtones。Theideaofbargainingfortheletterswasintolerabletoher，butsheknewthat，ifsheappearedtoweaken，Mrs。Haffenwouldatonceincreaseheroriginaldemand。
Shecouldneverafterwardrecallhowlongtheduellasted，orwhatwasthedecisivestrokewhichfinally，afteralapseoftimerecordedinminutesbytheclock，inhoursbytheprecipitatebeatofherpulses，putherinpossessionoftheletters；sheknewonlythatthedoorhadfinallyclosed，andthatshestoodalonewiththepacketinherhand。
Shehadnoideaofreadingtheletters；eventounfoldMrs。
Haffen’sdirtynewspaperwouldhaveseemeddegrading。Butwhatdidsheintendtodowithitscontents？Therecipientofthelettershadmeanttodestroythem，anditwasherdutytocarryouthisintention。Shehadnorighttokeepthem——todosowastolessenwhatevermeritlayinhavingsecuredtheirpossession。Buthowdestroythemsoeffectuallythatthereshouldbenosecondriskoftheirfallinginsuchhands？Mrs。Peniston’sicydrawing-roomgrateshonewithaforbiddinglustre:thefire，likethelamps，wasneverlitexceptwhentherewascompany。
MissBartwasturningtocarrythelettersupstairswhensheheardtheopeningoftheouterdoor，andherauntenteredthedrawing-room。Mrs。Penistonwasasmallplumpwoman，withacolourlessskinlinedwithtrivialwrinkles。Hergreyhairwasarrangedwithprecision，andherclotheslookedexcessivelynewandyetslightlyold-fashioned。Theywerealwaysblackandtightlyfitting，withanexpensiveglitter:shewasthekindofwomanwhoworejetatbreakfast。Lilyhadneverseenherwhenshewasnotcuirassedinshiningblack，withsmalltightboots，andanairofbeingpackedandreadytostart；yetsheneverstarted。
Shelookedaboutthedrawing-roomwithanexpressionofminutescrutiny。\"IsawastreakoflightunderoneoftheblindsasI
droveup:it’sextraordinarythatIcanneverteachthatwomantodrawthemdownevenly。\"
Havingcorrectedtheirregularity，sheseatedherselfononeoftheglossypurplearm-chairs；Mrs。Penistonalwayssatonachair，neverinit。
ThensheturnedherglancetoMissBart。\"Mydear，youlooktired；Isupposeit’stheexcitementofthewedding。CorneliaVanAlstynewasfullofit:Mollywasthere，andGertyFarishraninforaminutetotellusaboutit。Ithinkitwasodd，theirservingmelonsbeforetheCONSOMME:aweddingbreakfastshouldalwaysbeginwithCONSOMME。Mollydidn’tcareforthebridesmaids’dresses。ShehaditstraightfromJuliaMelsonthattheycostthreehundreddollarsapieceatCeleste’s，butshesaystheydidn’tlookit。I’mgladyoudecidednottobeabridesmaid；thatshadeofsalmon-pinkwouldn’thavesuitedyou。\"
Mrs。Penistondelightedindiscussingtheminutestdetailsoffestivitiesinwhichshehadnottakenpart。NothingwouldhaveinducedhertoundergotheexertionandfatigueofattendingtheVanOsburghwedding，butsogreatwasherinterestintheeventthat，havingheardtwoversionsofit，shenowpreparedtoextractathirdfromherniece。Lily，however，hadbeendeplorablycarelessinnotingtheparticularsoftheentertainment。ShehadfailedtoobservethecolourofMrs。VanOsburgh’sgown，andcouldnotevensaywhethertheoldVanOsburghSevreshadbeenusedatthebride’stable:Mrs。Peniston，inshort，foundthatshewasofmoreserviceasalistenerthanasanarrator。
\"Really，Lily，Idon’tseewhyyoutookthetroubletogotothewedding，ifyoudon’trememberwhathappenedorwhomyousawthere。WhenIwasagirlIusedtokeeptheMENUofeverydinnerIwentto，andwritethenamesofthepeopleontheback；andI
neverthrewawaymycotillionfavourstillafteryouruncle’sdeath，whenitseemedunsuitabletohavesomanycolouredthingsaboutthehouse。Ihadawholecloset-full，Iremember；andIcantelltothisdaywhatballsIgotthemat。MollyVanAlstyneremindsmeofwhatIwasatthatage；it’swonderfulhowshenotices。Shewasabletotellhermotherexactlyhowthewedding-dresswascut，andweknewatonce，fromthefoldintheback，thatitmusthavecomefromPaquin。\"
Mrs。Penistonroseabruptly，and，advancingtotheormoluclocksurmountedbyahelmetedMinerva，whichthronedonthechimney-piecebetweentwomalachitevases，passedherlacehandkerchiefbetweenthehelmetanditsvisor。
\"Iknewit——theparlour-maidneverduststhere！\"sheexclaimed，triumphantlydisplayingaminutespotonthehandkerchief；then，reseatingherself，shewenton:\"MollythoughtMrs。Dorsetthebest-dressedwomanatthewedding。I’venodoubtherdressDID
costmorethananyoneelse’s，butIcan’tquiteliketheidea——acombinationofsableandPOINTDEMILAN。ItseemsshegoestoanewmaninParis，whowon’ttakeanordertillhisclienthasspentadaywithhimathisvillaatNeuilly。Hesayshemuststudyhissubject’shomelife——amostpeculiararrangement，Ishouldsay！ButMrs。DorsettoldMollyaboutitherself:shesaidthevillawasfullofthemostexquisitethingsandshewasreallysorrytoleave。Mollysaidsheneversawherlookingbetter；shewasintremendousspirits，andsaidshehadmadeamatchbetweenEvieVanOsburghandPercyGryce。Shereallyseemstohaveaverygoodinfluenceonyoungmen。IhearsheisinterestingherselfnowinthatsillySilvertonboy，whohashadhisheadturnedbyCarryFisher，andhasbeengamblingsodreadfully。Well，asIwassaying，Evieisreallyengaged:Mrs。
DorsethadhertostaywithPercyGryce，andmanageditall，andGraceVanOsburghisintheseventhheaven——shehadalmostdespairedofmarryingEvie。\"
Mrs。Penistonagainpaused，butthistimeherscrutinyaddresseditself，nottothefurniture，buttoherniece。
\"CorneliaVanAlstynewassosurprised:shehadheardthatyouweretomarryyoungGryce。ShesawtheWetherallsjustaftertheyhadstoppedwithyouatBellomont，andAliceWetherallwasquitesuretherewasanengagement。ShesaidthatwhenMr。Gryceleftunexpectedlyonemorning，theyallthoughthehadrushedtotownforthering。\"
Lilyroseandmovedtowardthedoor。
\"IbelieveIAMtired:IthinkIwillgotobed，\"shesaid；andMrs。Peniston，suddenlydistractedbythediscoverythattheeaselsustainingthelateMr。Peniston’scrayon-portraitwasnotexactlyinlinewiththesofainfrontofit，presentedanabsent-mindedbrowtoherkiss。
InherownroomLilyturnedupthegas-jetandglancedtowardthegrate。Itwasasbrilliantlypolishedastheonebelow，buthereatleastshecouldburnafewpaperswithlessriskofincurringheraunt’sdisapproval。Shemadenoimmediatemotiontodoso，however，butdroppingintoachairlookedwearilyabouther。Herroomwaslargeandcomfortably-furnished——itwastheenvyandadmirationofpoorGraceStepney，whoboarded；but，contrastedwiththelighttintsandluxuriousappointmentsoftheguest-roomswheresomanyweeksofLily’sexistencewerespent，itseemedasdrearyasaprison。ThemonumentalwardrobeandbedsteadofblackwalnuthadmigratedfromMr。Peniston’sbedroom，andthemagenta\"flock\"wall-paper，ofapatterndeartotheearly’sixties，washungwithlargesteelengravingsofananecdoticcharacter。Lilyhadtriedtomitigatethischarmlessbackgroundbyafewfrivoloustouches，intheshapeofalace-deckedtoilettableandalittlepainteddesksurmountedbyphotographs；butthefutilityoftheattemptstruckherasshelookedabouttheroom。Whatacontrasttothesubtleeleganceofthesettingshehadpicturedforherself——anapartmentwhichshouldsurpassthecomplicatedluxuryofherfriends’
surroundingsbythewholeextentofthatartisticsensibilitywhichmadeherfeelherselftheirsuperior；inwhicheverytintandlineshouldcombinetoenhanceherbeautyandgivedistinctiontoherleisure！Oncemorethehauntingsenseofphysicaluglinesswasintensifiedbyhermentaldepression，sothateachpieceoftheoffendingfurnitureseemedtothrustforthitsmostaggressiveangle。
Heraunt’swordshadtoldhernothingnew；buttheyhadrevivedthevisionofBerthaDorset，smiling，flattered，victorious，holdingheruptoridiculebyinsinuationsintelligibletoeverymemberoftheirlittlegroup。Thethoughtoftheridiculestruckdeeperthananyothersensation:Lilykneweveryturnoftheallusivejargonwhichcouldflayitsvictimswithoutthesheddingofblood。Hercheekburnedattherecollection，andsheroseandcaughtuptheletters。Shenolongermeanttodestroythem:thatintentionhadbeeneffacedbythequickcorrosionofMrs。
Peniston’swords。
Instead，sheapproachedherdesk，andlightingataper，tiedandsealedthepacket；thensheopenedthewardrobe，drewoutadespatch-box，anddepositedtheletterswithinit。Asshedidso，itstruckherwithaflashofironythatshewasindebtedtoGusTrenorforthemeansofbuyingthem。
Theautumndraggedonmonotonously。MissBarthadreceivedoneortwonotesfromJudyTrenor，reproachingherfornotreturningtoBellomont；butsherepliedevasively，allegingtheobligationtoremainwithheraunt。Intruth，however，shewasfastwearyingofhersolitaryexistencewithMrs。Peniston，andonlytheexcitementofspendinghernewly-acquiredmoneylightenedthedulnessofthedays。
AllherlifeLilyhadseenmoneygooutasquicklyasitcamein，andwhatevertheoriesshecultivatedastotheprudenceofsettingasideapartofhergains，shehadunhappilynosavingvisionoftherisksoftheoppositecourse。Itwasakeensatisfactiontofeelthat，forafewmonthsatleast，shewouldbeindependentofherfriends’bounty，thatshecouldshowherselfabroadwithoutwonderingwhethersomepenetratingeyewoulddetectinherdressthetracesofJudyTrenor’srefurbishedsplendour。Thefactthatthemoneyfreedhertemporarilyfromallminorobligationsobscuredhersenseofthegreateroneitrepresented，andhavingneverbeforeknownwhatitwastocommandsolargeasum，shelingereddelectablyovertheamusementofspendingit。
Itwasononeoftheseoccasionsthat，leavingashopwhereshehadspentanhourofdeliberationoveradressing-caseofthemostcomplicatedelegance，sheranacrossMissFarish，whohadenteredthesameestablishmentwiththemodestobjectofhavingherwatchrepaired。Lilywasfeelingunusuallyvirtuous。Shehaddecidedtodeferthepurchaseofthedressing-casetillsheshouldreceivethebillforhernewopera-cloak，andtheresolvemadeherfeelmuchricherthanwhenshehadenteredtheshop。Inthismoodofself-approvalshehadasympatheticeyeforothers，andshewasstruckbyherfriend’sairofdejection。
MissFarish，itappeared，hadjustleftthecommittee-meetingofastrugglingcharityinwhichshewasinterested。Theobjectoftheassociationwastoprovidecomfortablelodgings，withareading-roomandothermodestdistractions，whereyoungwomenoftheclassemployedindowntownofficesmightfindahomewhenoutofwork，orinneedofrest，andthefirstyear’sfinancialreportshowedsodeplorablysmallabalancethatMissFarish，whowasconvincedoftheurgencyofthework，feltproportionatelydiscouragedbythesmallamountofinterestitaroused。Theother-regardingsentimentshadnotbeencultivatedinLily，andshewasoftenboredbytherelationofherfriend’sphilanthropicefforts，buttodayherquickdramatizingfancyseizedonthecontrastbetweenherownsituationandthatrepresentedbysomeofGerty’s\"cases。\"Thesewereyounggirls，likeherself；someperhapspretty，somenotwithoutatraceofherfinersensibilities。Shepicturedherselfleadingsuchalifeastheirs——alifeinwhichachievementseemedassqualidasfailure——andthevisionmadehershuddersympathetically。Thepriceofthedressing-casewasstillinherpocket；anddrawingoutherlittlegoldpursesheslippedaliberalfractionoftheamountintoMissFarish’shand。
Thesatisfactionderivedfromthisactwasallthatthemostardentmoralistcouldhavedesired。Lilyfeltanewinterestinherselfasapersonofcharitableinstincts:shehadneverbeforethoughtofdoinggoodwiththewealthshehadsooftendreamedofpossessing，butnowherhorizonwasenlargedbythevisionofaprodigalphilanthropy。Moreover，bysomeobscureprocessoflogic，shefeltthathermomentaryburstofgenerosityhadjustifiedallpreviousextravagances，andexcusedanyinwhichshemightsubsequentlyindulge。MissFarish’ssurpriseandgratitudeconfirmedthisfeeling，andLilypartedfromherwithasenseofself-esteemwhichshenaturallymistookforthefruitsofaltruism。
AboutthistimeshewasfarthercheeredbyaninvitationtospendtheThanksgivingweekatacampintheAdirondacks。Theinvitationwasonewhich，ayearearlier，wouldhaveprovokedalessreadyresponse，fortheparty，thoughorganizedbyMrs。
Fisher，wasostensiblygivenbyaladyofobscureoriginandindomitablesocialambitions，whoseacquaintanceLilyhadhithertoavoided。Now，however，shewasdisposedtocoincidewithMrs。Fisher’sview，thatitdidn’tmatterwhogavetheparty，aslongasthingswerewelldone；anddoingthingswell(undercompetentdirection)wasMrs。WellingtonBry’sstrongpoint。Thelady(whoseconsortwasknownas\"Welly\"BryontheStockExchangeandinsportingcircles)hadalreadysacrificedonehusband，andsundryminorconsiderations，toherdeterminationtogeton；and，havingobtainedaholdonCarryFisher，shewasastuteenoughtoperceivethewisdomofcommittingherselfentirelytothatlady’sguidance。Everything，accordingly，waswelldone，fortherewasnolimittoMrs。
Fisher’sprodigalitywhenshewasnotspendingherownmoney，andassheremarkedtoherpupil，agoodcookwasthebestintroductiontosociety。IfthecompanywasnotasselectastheCUISINE，theWellyBrysatleasthadthesatisfactionoffiguringforthefirsttimeinthesocietycolumnsincompanywithoneortwonoticeablenames；andforemostamongthesewasofcourseMissBart’s。Theyoungladywastreatedbyherhostswithcorrespondingdeference；andshewasinthemoodwhensuchattentionsareacceptable，whatevertheirsource。Mrs。Bry’sadmirationwasamirrorinwhichLily’sself-complacencyrecovereditslostoutline。Noinsecthangsitsnestonthreadsasfrailasthosewhichwillsustaintheweightofhumanvanity；
andthesenseofbeingofimportanceamongtheinsignificantwasenoughtorestoretoMissBartthegratifyingconsciousnessofpower。Ifthesepeoplepaidcourttoheritprovedthatshewasstillconspicuousintheworldtowhichtheyaspired；andshewasnotaboveacertainenjoymentindazzlingthembyherfineness，indevelopingtheirpuzzledperceptionofhersuperiorities。
Perhaps，however，herenjoymentproceededmorethanshewasawarefromthephysicalstimulusoftheexcursion，thechallengeofcrispcoldandhardexercise，theresponsivethrillofherbodytotheinfluencesofthewinterwoods。Shereturnedtotowninaglowofrejuvenation，consciousofaclearercolourinhercheeks，afreshelasticityinhermuscles。Thefutureseemedfullofavaguepromise，andallherapprehensionsweresweptoutofsightonthebuoyantcurrentofhermood。
AfewdaysafterherreturntotownshehadtheunpleasantsurpriseofavisitfromMr。Rosedale。Hecamelate，attheconfidentialhourwhenthetea-tablestilllingersbythefireinfriendlyexpectancy；andhismannershowedareadinesstoadaptitselftotheintimacyoftheoccasion。
Lily，whohadavaguesenseofhisbeingsomehowconnectedwithherluckyspeculations，triedtogivehimthewelcomeheexpected；buttherewassomethinginthequalityofhisgenialitywhichchilledherown，andshewasconsciousofmarkingeachstepintheiracquaintancebyafreshblunder。
Mr。Rosedale——makinghimselfpromptlyathomeinanadjoiningeasy-chair，andsippinghisteacritically，withthecomment:
\"Yououghttogotomymanforsomethingreallygood\"——appearedtotallyunconsciousoftherepugnancewhichkeptherinfrozenerectnessbehindtheurn。Itwasperhapsherverymannerofholdingherselfaloofthatappealedtohiscollector’spassionfortherareandunattainable。Hegave，atanyrate，nosignofresentingitandseemedpreparedtosupplyinhisownmanneralltheeasethatwaslackinginhers。
Hisobjectincallingwastoaskhertogototheoperainhisboxontheopeningnight，andseeingherhesitatehesaidpersuasively:\"Mrs。Fisheriscoming，andI’vesecuredatremendousadmirerofyours，who’llneverforgivemeifyoudon’taccept。\"
AsLily’ssilencelefthimwiththisallusiononhishands，headdedwithaconfidentialsmile:\"GusTrenorhaspromisedtocometotownonpurpose。Ifancyhe’dgoagooddealfartherforthepleasureofseeingyou。\"
MissBartfeltaninwardmotionofannoyance:itwasdistastefulenoughtohearhernamecoupledwithTrenor’s，andonRosedale’slipstheallusionwaspeculiarlyunpleasant。
\"TheTrenorsaremybestfriends——Ithinkweshouldallgoalongwaytoseeeachother，\"shesaid，absorbingherselfinthepreparationoffreshtea。
Hervisitor’ssmilegrewincreasinglyintimate。\"Well，Iwasn’tthinkingofMrs。Trenoratthemoment——theysayGusdoesn’talways，youknow。\"Then，dimlyconsciousthathehadnotstrucktherightnote，headded，withawell-meanteffortatdiversion:
\"How’syourluckbeengoinginWallStreet，bytheway？IhearGuspulledoffanicelittlepileforyoulastmonth。\"
Lilyputdownthetea-caddywithanabruptgesture。Shefeltthatherhandsweretrembling，andclaspedthemonherkneetosteadythem；butherliptrembledtoo，andforamomentshewasafraidthetremormightcommunicateitselftohervoice。Whenshespoke，however，itwasinatoneofperfectlightness。
\"Ah，yes——Ihadalittlebitofmoneytoinvest，andMr。Trenor，whohelpsmeaboutsuchmatters，advisedmyputtingitinstocksinsteadofamortgage，asmyaunt’sagentwantedmetodo；andasithappened，Imadealucky’turn’——isthatwhatyoucallit？Foryoumakeagreatmanyyourself，Ibelieve。\"
Shewassmilingbackathimnow，relaxingthetensionofherattitude，andadmittinghim，byimperceptiblegradationsofglanceandmanner，astepfarthertowardintimacy。Theprotectiveinstinctalwaysnervedhertosuccessfuldissimulation，anditwasnotthefirsttimeshehadusedherbeautytodivertattentionfromaninconvenienttopic。
WhenMr。Rosedaletookleave，hecarriedwithhim，notonlyheracceptanceofhisinvitation，butageneralsenseofhavingcomportedhimselfinawaycalculatedtoadvancehiscause。Hehadalwaysbelievedhehadalighttouchandaknowingwaywithwomen，andthepromptmannerinwhichMissBart(ashewouldhavephrasedit)had\"comeintoline，\"confirmedhisconfidenceinhispowersofhandlingthisskittishsex。HerwayofglossingoverthetransactionwithTrenorheregardedatonceasatributetohisownacuteness，andaconfirmationofhissuspicions。Thegirlwasevidentlynervous，andMr。Rosedale，ifhesawnoothermeansofadvancinghisacquaintancewithher，wasnotabovetakingadvantageofhernervousness。
HeleftLilytoapassionofdisgustandfear。ItseemedincrediblethatGusTrenorshouldhavespokenofhertoRosedale。
Withallhisfaults，Trenorhadthesafeguardofhistraditions，andwasthelesslikelytooverstepthembecausetheyweresopurelyinstinctive。ButLilyrecalledwithapangthattherewereconvivialmomentswhen，asJudyhadconfidedtoher，Gus\"talkedfoolishly\":inoneofthese，nodoubt，thefatalwordhadslippedfromhim。AsforRosedale，shedidnot，afterthefirstshock，greatlycarewhatconclusionshehaddrawn。Thoughusuallyadroitenoughwhereherowninterestswereconcerned，shemadethemistake，notuncommontopersonsinwhomthesocialhabitsareinstinctive，ofsupposingthattheinabilitytoacquirethemquicklyimpliesageneraldulness。Becauseablue-bottlebangsirrationallyagainstawindow-pane，thedrawing-roomnaturalistmayforgetthatunderlessartificialconditionsitiscapableofmeasuringdistancesanddrawingconclusionswithalltheaccuracyneedfultoitswelfare；andthefactthatMr。
Rosedale’sdrawing-roommannerlackedperspectivemadeLilyclasshimwithTrenorandtheotherdullmensheknew，andassumethatalittleflattery，andtheoccasionalacceptanceofhishospitality，wouldsufficetorenderhiminnocuous。However，therecouldbenodoubtoftheexpediencyofshowingherselfinhisboxontheopeningnightoftheopera；andafterall，sinceJudyTrenorhadpromisedtotakehimupthatwinter，itwasaswelltoreaptheadvantageofbeingfirstinthefield。
ForadayortwoafterRosedale’svisit，Lily’sthoughtsweredoggedbytheconsciousnessofTrenor’sshadowyclaim，andshewishedshehadaclearernotionoftheexactnatureofthetransactionwhichseemedtohaveputherinhispower；buthermindshrankfromanyunusualapplication，andshewasalwayshelplesslypuzzledbyfigures。MoreovershehadnotseenTrenorsincethedayoftheVanOsburghwedding，andinhiscontinuedabsencethetraceofRosedale’swordswassooneffacedbyotherimpressions。
Whentheopeningnightoftheoperacame，herapprehensionshadsocompletelyvanishedthatthesightofTrenor’sruddycountenanceinthebackofMr。Rosedale’sboxfilledherwithasenseofpleasantreassurance。LilyhadnotquitereconciledherselftothenecessityofappearingasRosedale’sguestonsoconspicuousanoccasion，anditwasarelieftofindherselfsupportedbyanyoneofherownset——forMrs。Fisher’ssocialhabitsweretoopromiscuousforherpresencetojustifyMissBart’s。
ToLily，alwaysinspiritedbytheprospectofshowingherbeautyinpublic，andconscioustonightofalltheaddedenhancementsofdress，theinsistencyofTrenor’sgazemergeditselfinthegeneralstreamofadmiringlooksofwhichshefeltherselfthecentre。Ah，itwasgoodtobeyoung，toberadiant，toglowwiththesenseofslenderness，strengthandelasticity，ofwell-poisedlinesandhappytints，tofeelone’sselfliftedtoaheightapartbythatincommunicablegracewhichisthebodilycounterpartofgenius！
Allmeansseemedjustifiabletoattainsuchanend，orrather，byahappyshiftingoflightswithwhichpracticehadfamiliarizedMissBart，thecauseshranktoapin-pointinthegeneralbrightnessoftheeffect。Butbrilliantyoungladies，alittleblindedbytheirowneffulgence，areapttoforgetthatthemodestsatellitedrownedintheirlightisstillperformingitsownrevolutionsandgeneratingheatatitsownrate。IfLily’spoeticenjoymentofthemomentwasundisturbedbythebasethoughtthathergownandoperacloakhadbeenindirectlypaidforbyGusTrenor，thelatterhadnotsufficientpoetryinhiscompositiontolosesightoftheseprosaicfacts。HeknewonlythathehadneverseenLilylooksmarterinherlife，thattherewasn’tawomaninthehousewhoshowedoffgoodclothesasshedid，andthathithertohe，towhomsheowedtheopportunityofmakingthisdisplay，hadreapednoreturnbeyondthatofgazingatherincompanywithseveralhundredotherpairsofeyes。
ItcametoLilythereforeasadisagreeablesurprisewhen，inthebackofthebox，wheretheyfoundthemselvesalonebetweentwoacts，Trenorsaid，withoutpreamble，andinatoneofsulkyauthority:\"Lookhere，Lily，howisafellowevertoseeanythingofyou？I’mintownthreeorfourdaysintheweek，andyouknowalinetotheclubwillalwaysfindme，butyoudon’tseemtoremembermyexistencenowadaysunlessyouwanttogetatipoutofme。\"
Thefactthattheremarkwasindistinctlybadtastedidnotmakeitanyeasiertoanswer，forLilywasvividlyawarethatitwasnotthemomentforthatdrawingupofherslimfigureandsurprisedliftingofthebrowsbywhichsheusuallyquelledincipientsignsoffamiliarity。
\"I’mverymuchflatteredbyyourwantingtoseeme，\"shereturned，essayinglightnessinstead，\"but，unlessyouhavemislaidmyaddress，itwouldhavebeeneasytofindmeanyafternoonatmyaunt’s——infact，Iratherexpectedyoutolookmeupthere。\"
Ifshehopedtomollifyhimbythislastconcessiontheattemptwasafailure，forheonlyreplied，withthefamiliarloweringofthebrowsthatmadehimlookhisdullestwhenhewasangry:\"Hanggoingtoyouraunt’s，andwastingtheafternoonlisteningtoalotofotherchapstalkingtoyou！YouknowI’mnotthekindtositinacrowdandjaw——I’dalwaysratherclearoutwhenthatsortofcircusisgoingon。Butwhycan’twegooffsomewhereonalittlelarktogether——anicequietlittleexpeditionlikethatdriveatBellomont，thedayyoumetmeatthestation？\"
Heleanedunpleasantlycloseinordertoconveythissuggestion，andshefanciedshecaughtasignificantaromawhichexplainedthedarkflushonhisfaceandtheglisteningdampnessofhisforehead。
Theideathatanyrashanswermightprovokeanunpleasantoutbursttemperedherdisgustwithcaution，andsheansweredwithalaugh:\"Idon’tseehowonecanverywelltakecountrydrivesintown，butIamnotalwayssurroundedbyanadmiringthrong，andifyouwillletmeknowwhatafternoonyouarecomingIwillarrangethingssothatwecanhaveanicequiettalk。\"
\"Hangtalking！That’swhatyoualwayssay，\"returnedTrenor，whoseexpletiveslackedvariety。\"YouputmeoffwiththatattheVanOsburghwedding——buttheplainEnglishofitisthat，nowyou’vegotwhatyouwantedoutofme，you’dratherhaveanyotherfellowabout。\"
Hisvoicehadrisensharplywiththelastwords，andLilyflushedwithannoyance，butshekeptcommandofthesituationandlaidapersuasivehandonhisarm。
\"Don’tbefoolish，Gus；Ican’tletyoutalktomeinthatridiculousway。Ifyoureallywanttoseeme，whyshouldn’twetakeawalkintheParksomeafternoon？Iagreewithyouthatit’samusingtoberusticintown，andifyoulikeI’llmeetyouthere，andwe’llgoandfeedthesquirrels，andyoushalltakemeoutonthelakeinthesteam-gondola。\"
Shesmiledasshespoke，lettinghereyesrestonhisinawaythattooktheedgefromherbanterandmadehimsuddenlymalleabletoherwill。
\"Allright，then:that’sago。Willyoucometomorrow？Tomorrowatthreeo’clock，attheendoftheMall。I’llbetheresharp，remember；youwon’tgobackonme，Lily？\"
ButtoMissBart’srelieftherepetitionofherpromisewascutshortbytheopeningoftheboxdoortoadmitGeorgeDorset。
Trenorsulkilyyieldedhisplace，andLilyturnedabrilliantsmileonthenewcomer。ShehadnottalkedwithDorsetsincetheirvisitatBellomont，butsomethinginhislookandmannertoldherthatherecalledthefriendlyfootingonwhichtheyhadlastmet。Hewasnotamantowhomtheexpressionofadmirationcameeasily:hislongsallowfaceanddistrustfuleyesseemedalwaysbarricadedagainsttheexpansiveemotions。But，whereherowninfluencewasconcerned，Lily’sintuitionssentoutthread-likefeelers，andasshemaderoomforhimonthenarrowsofashewassurehefoundadumbpleasureinbeingnearher。FewwomentookthetroubletomakethemselvesagreeabletoDorset，andLilyhadbeenkindtohimatBellomont，andwasnowsmilingonhimwithadivinerenewalofkindness。
\"Well，hereweare，inforanothersixmonthsofcaterwauling，\"
hebegancomplainingly。\"Notashadeofdifferencebetweenthisyearandlast，exceptthatthewomenhavegotnewclothesandthesingershaven’tgotnewvoices。Mywife’smusical，youknow——putsmethroughacourseofthiseverywinter。Itisn’tsobadonItaliannights——thenshecomeslate，andthere’stimetodigest。
ButwhentheygiveWagnerwehavetorushdinner，andIpayupforit。Andthedraughtsaredamnable——asphyxiainfrontandpleurisyintheback。There’sTrenorleavingtheboxwithoutdrawingthecurtain！Withahidelikethatdraughtsdon’tmakeanydifference。DidyoueverwatchTrenoreat？Ifyoudid，you’dwonderwhyhe’salive；Isupposehe’sleatherinsidetoo——ButI
cametosaythatmywifewantsyoutocomedowntoourplacenextSunday。Doforheaven’ssakesayyes。She’sgotalotofborescoming——intellectualones，Imean；that’shernewline，youknow，andI’mnotsureitain’tworsethanthemusic。Someof’emhavelonghair，andtheystartanargumentwiththesoup，anddon’tnoticewhenthingsarehandedtothem。Theconsequenceisthedinnergetscold，andIhavedyspepsia。ThatsillyassSilvertonbringsthemtothehouse——hewritespoetry，youknow，andBerthaandhearegettingtremendouslythick。Shecouldwritebetterthananyof’emifshechose，andIdon’tblameherforwantingcleverfellowsabout；allIsayis:’Don’tletmesee’emeat！’\"
ThegistofthisstrangecommunicationgaveLilyadistinctthrillofpleasure。Underordinarycircumstances，therewouldhavebeennothingsurprisinginaninvitationfromBerthaDorset；
butsincetheBellomontepisodeanunavowedhostilityhadkeptthetwowomenapart。Now，withastartofinnerwonder，Lilyfeltthatherthirstforretaliationhaddiedout。IFYOUWOULD
FORGIVEYOURENEMY，saystheMalayproverb，FIRSTINFLICTAHURT
ONHIM；andLilywasexperiencingthetruthoftheapothegm。
IfshehaddestroyedMrs。Dorset’sletters，shemighthavecontinuedtohateher；butthefactthattheyremainedinherpossessionhadfedherresentmenttosatiety。
Sheutteredasmilingacceptance，hailingintherenewalofthetieanescapefromTrenor’simportunities。
Meanwhiletheholidayshadgonebyandtheseasonwasbeginning。
FifthAvenuehadbecomeanightlytorrentofcarriagessurgingupwardtothefashionablequartersaboutthePark，whereilluminatedwindowsandoutspreadawningsbetokenedtheusualroutineofhospitality。Othertributarycurrentscrossedthemainstream，bearingtheirfreighttothetheatres，restaurantsoropera；andMrs。Peniston，fromthesecludedwatch-towerofherupperwindow，couldtelltoanicetyjustwhenthechronicvolumeofsoundwasincreasedbythesuddeninfluxsettingtowardaVanOsburghball，orwhenthemultiplicationofwheelsmeantmerelythattheoperawasover，orthattherewasabigsupperatSherry’s。
Mrs。Penistonfollowedtheriseandculminationoftheseasonaskeenlyasthemostactivesharerinitsgaieties；and，asalooker-on，sheenjoyedopportunitiesofcomparisonandgeneralizationsuchasthosewhotakepartmustproverbiallyforego。Noonecouldhavekeptamoreaccuraterecordofsocialfluctuations，orhaveputamoreunerringfingeronthedistinguishingfeaturesofeachseason:itsdulness，itsextravagance，itslackofballsorexcessofdivorces。Shehadaspecialmemoryforthevicissitudesofthe\"newpeople\"whorosetothesurfacewitheachrecurringtide，andwereeithersubmergedbeneathitsrushorlandedtriumphantlybeyondthereachofenviousbreakers；andshewasapttodisplayaremarkableretrospectiveinsightintotheirultimatefate，sothat，whentheyhadfulfilledtheirdestiny，shewasalmostalwaysabletosaytoGraceStepney——therecipientofherprophecies——thatshehadknownexactlywhatwouldhappen。
ThisparticularseasonMrs。Penistonwouldhavecharacterizedasthatinwhicheverybody\"feltpoor\"excepttheWellyBrysandMr。
SimonRosedale。IthadbeenabadautumninWallStreet，wherepricesfellinaccordancewiththatpeculiarlawwhichprovesrailwaystocksandbalesofcottontobemoresensitivetotheallotmentofexecutivepowerthanmanyestimablecitizenstrainedtoalltheadvantagesofself-government。Evenfortunessupposedtobeindependentofthemarketeitherbetrayedasecretdependenceonit，orsufferedfromasympatheticaffection:
fashionsulkedinitscountryhouses，orcametotownincognito，generalentertainmentswerediscountenanced，andinformalityandshortdinnersbecamethefashion。
Butsociety，amusedforawhileatplayingCinderella，soonweariedofthehearthsiderole，andwelcomedtheFairyGodmotherintheshapeofanymagicianpowerfulenoughtoturntheshrunkenpumpkinbackagainintothegoldencoach。Themerefactofgrowingricheratatimewhenmostpeople’sinvestmentsareshrinking，iscalculatedtoattractenviousattention；andaccordingtoWallStreetrumours，WellyBryandRosedalehadfoundthesecretofperformingthismiracle。
Rosedale，inparticular，wassaidtohavedoubledhisfortune，andtherewastalkofhisbuyingthenewly-finishedhouseofoneofthevictimsofthecrash，who，inthespaceoftwelveshortmonths，hadmadethesamenumberofmillions，builtahouseinFifthAvenue，filledapicture-gallerywitholdmasters，entertainedallNewYorkinit，andbeensmuggledoutofthecountrybetweenatrainednurseandadoctor，whilehiscreditorsmountedguardovertheoldmasters，andhisguestsexplainedtoeachotherthattheyhaddinedwithhimonlybecausetheywantedtoseethepictures。Mr。Rosedalemeanttohavealessmeteoriccareer。Heknewheshouldhavetogoslowly，andtheinstinctsofhisracefittedhimtosufferrebuffsandputupwithdelays。Buthewasprompttoperceivethatthegeneraldulnessoftheseasonaffordedhimanunusualopportunitytoshine，andhesetaboutwithpatientindustrytoformabackgroundforhisgrowingglory。
Mrs。Fisherwasofimmenseservicetohimatthisperiod。Shehadsetoffsomanynewcomersonthesocialstagethatshewaslikeoneofthosepiecesofstockscenerywhichtelltheexperiencedspectatorexactlywhatisgoingtotakeplace。ButMr。Rosedalewanted，inthelongrun，amoreindividualenvironment。HewassensitivetoshadesofdifferencewhichMissBartwouldneverhavecreditedhimwithperceiving，becausehehadnocorrespondingvariationsofmanner；anditwasbecomingmoreandmorecleartohimthatMissBartherselfpossessedpreciselythecomplementaryqualitiesneededtoroundoffhissocialpersonality。
SuchdetailsdidnotfallwithintherangeofMrs。Peniston’svision。Likemanymindsofpanoramicsweep，herswasapttooverlooktheMINUTIAEoftheforeground，andshewasmuchmorelikelytoknowwhereCarryFisherhadfoundtheWellyBrys’CHEF
forthem，thanwhatwashappeningtoherownniece。Shewasnot，however，withoutpurveyorsofinformationreadytosupplementherdeficiencies。GraceStepney’smindwaslikeakindofmoralfly-paper，towhichthebuzzingitemsofgossipweredrawnbyafatalattraction，andwheretheyhungfastinthetoilsofaninexorablememory。LilywouldhavebeensurprisedtoknowhowmanytrivialfactsconcerningherselfwerelodgedinMissStepney’shead。Shewasquiteawarethatshewasofinteresttodingypeople，butsheassumedthatthereisonlyoneformofdinginess，andthatadmirationforbrilliancyisthenaturalexpressionofitsinferiorstate。SheknewthatGertyFarishadmiredherblindly，andthereforesupposedthatsheinspiredthesamesentimentsinGraceStepney，whomsheclassifiedasaGertyFarishwithoutthesavingtraitsofyouthandenthusiasm。
Inreality，thetwodifferedfromeachotherasmuchastheydifferedfromtheobjectoftheirmutualcontemplation。MissFarish’sheartwasafountainoftenderillusions，MissStepney’sapreciseregisteroffactsasmanifestedintheirrelationtoherself。Shehadsensibilitieswhich，toLily，wouldhaveseemedcomicinapersonwithafrecklednoseandredeyelids，wholivedinaboarding-houseandadmiredMrs。Peniston’sdrawing-room；butpoorGrace’slimitationsgavethemamoreconcentratedinnerlife，aspoorsoilstarvescertainplantsintointenserefflorescence。Shehadintruthnoabstractpropensitytomalice:
shedidnotdislikeLilybecausethelatterwasbrilliantandpredominant，butbecauseshethoughtthatLilydislikedher。Itislessmortifyingtobelieveone’sselfunpopularthaninsignificant，andvanitypreferstoassumethatindifferenceisalatentformofunfriendliness。EvensuchscantcivilitiesasLilyaccordedtoMr。RosedalewouldhavemadeMissStepneyherfriendforlife；buthowcouldsheforeseethatsuchafriendwasworthcultivating？How，moreover，canayoungwomanwhohasneverbeenignoredmeasurethepangwhichthisinjuryinflicts？And，lastly，howcouldLily，accustomedtochoosebetweenapressureofengagements，guessthatshehadmortallyoffendedMissStepneybycausinghertobeexcludedfromoneofMrs。