\"MissBartremainshere，\"hiswiferejoinedincisively。\"And，I
think，George，wehadbetternotdetainMrs。Stepneyanylonger。\"
MissBart，duringthisbriefexchangeofwords，remainedinadmirableerectness，slightlyisolatedfromtheembarrassedgroupabouther。Shehadpaledalittleundertheshockoftheinsult，butthediscomposureofthesurroundingfaceswasnotreflectedinherown。Thefaintdisdainofhersmileseemedtoliftherhighaboveherantagonist’sreach，anditwasnottillshehadgivenMrs。Dorsetthefullmeasureofthedistancebetweenthemthatsheturnedandextendedherhandtoherhostess。
\"IamjoiningtheDuchesstomorrow，\"sheexplained，\"anditseemedeasierformetoremainonshoreforthenight。\"
SheheldfirmlytoMrs。Bry’swaveringeyewhileshegavethisexplanation，butwhenitwasoverSeldensawhersendatentativeglancefromonetoanotherofthewomen’sfaces。Shereadtheirincredulityintheiravertedlooks，andinthemutewretchednessofthemenbehindthem，andforamiserablehalf-secondhethoughtshequiveredonthebrinkoffailure。Then，turningtohimwithaneasygesture，andthepalebraveryofherrecoveredsmile——\"DearMr。Selden，\"shesaid，\"youpromisedtoseemetomycab。\"
Outside，theskywasgustyandovercast，andasLilyandSeldenmovedtowardthedesertedgardensbelowtherestaurant，spurtsofwarmrainblewfitfullyagainsttheirfaces。Thefictionofthecabhadbeentacitlyabandoned；theywalkedoninsilence，herhandonhisarm，tillthedeepershadeofthegardensreceivedthem，andpausingbesideabench，hesaid:\"Sitdownamoment。\"
Shedroppedtotheseatwithoutanswering，buttheelectriclampatthebendofthepathshedagleamonthestrugglingmiseryofherface。Seldensatdownbesideher，waitingforhertospeak，fearfullestanywordhechoseshouldtouchtooroughlyonherwound，andkeptalsofromfreeutterancebythewretcheddoubtwhichhadslowlyreneweditselfwithinhim。Whathadbroughthertothispass？Whatweaknesshadplacedhersoabominablyatherenemy’smercy？AndwhyshouldBerthaDorsethaveturnedintoanenemyattheverymomentwhenshesoobviouslyneededthesupportofhersex？Evenwhilehisnervesragedatthesubjectionofhusbandstotheirwives，andatthecrueltyofwomentotheirkind，reasonobstinatelyharpedontheproverbialrelationbetweensmokeandfire。ThememoryofMrs。Fisher’shints，andthecorroborationofhisownimpressions，whiletheydeepenedhispityalsoincreasedhisconstraint，since，whicheverwayhesoughtafreeoutletforsympathy，itwasblockedbythefearofcommittingablunder。
Suddenlyitstruckhimthathissilencemustseemalmostasaccusatoryasthatofthemenhehaddespisedforturningfromher；butbeforehecouldfindthefittingwordshehadcuthimshortwithaquestion。
\"Doyouknowofaquiethotel？Icansendformymaidinthemorning。\"
\"Anhotel——HERE——thatyoucangotoalone？It’snotpossible。\"
Shemetthiswithapalegleamofheroldplayfulness。\"WhatIS，then？It’stoowettosleepinthegardens。\"
\"Buttheremustbesomeone——\"
\"SomeonetowhomIcango？Ofcourse——anynumber——butatTHIS
hour？Youseemychangeofplanwasrathersudden——\"
\"GoodGod——ifyou’dlistenedtome！\"hecried，ventinghishelplessnessinaburstofanger。
Shestillheldhimoffwiththegentlemockeryofhersmile。\"Buthaven’tI？\"sherejoined。\"Youadvisedmetoleavetheyacht，andI’mleavingit。\"
Hesawthen，withapangofself-reproach，thatshemeantneithertoexplainnortodefendherself；thatbyhismiserablesilencehehadforfeitedallchanceofhelpingher，andthatthedecisivehourwaspast。
Shehadrisen，andstoodbeforehiminakindofcloudedmajesty，likesomedeposedprincessmovingtranquillytoexile。
\"Lily！\"heexclaimed，withanoteofdespairingappeal；but——\"Oh，notnow，\"shegentlyadmonishedhim；andthen，inallthesweetnessofherrecoveredcomposure:\"SinceImustfindsheltersomewhere，andsinceyou’resokindlyheretohelpme——\"
Hegatheredhimselfupatthechallenge。\"YouwilldoasItellyou？There’sbutonething，then；youmustgostraighttoyourcousins，theStepneys。\"
\"Oh——\"brokefromherwithamovementofinstinctiveresistance；
butheinsisted:\"Come——it’slate，andyoumustappeartohavegonetheredirectly。\"
Hehaddrawnherhandintohisarm，butsheheldhimbackwithalastgestureofprotest。\"Ican’t——Ican’t——notthat——youdon’tknowGwen:youmustn’taskme！\"
\"IMUSTaskyou——youmustobeyme，\"hepersisted，thoughinfectedatheartbyherownfear。
Hervoicesanktoawhisper:\"Andifsherefuses？\"——but，\"Oh，trustme——trustme！\"hecouldonlyinsistinreturn；andyieldingtohistouch，shelethimleadherbackinsilencetotheedgeofthesquare。
InthecabtheycontinuedtoremainsilentthroughthebriefdrivewhichcarriedthemtotheilluminatedportalsoftheStepneys’hotel。Hereheleftheroutside，inthedarknessoftheraisedhood，whilehisnamewassentuptoStepney，andhepacedtheshowyhall，awaitingthelatter’sdescent。Tenminuteslaterthetwomenpassedouttogetherbetweenthegold-lacedcustodiansofthethreshold；butinthevestibuleStepneydrewupwithalastflareofreluctance。
\"It’sunderstood，then？\"hestipulatednervously，withhishandonSelden’sarm。\"Sheleavestomorrowbytheearlytrain——andmywife’sasleep，andcan’tbedisturbed。\"
TheblindsofMrs。Peniston’sdrawing-roomweredrawndownagainsttheoppressiveJunesun，andinthesultrytwilightthefacesofherassembledrelativestookonafittingshadowofbereavement。Theywereallthere:VanAlstynes，StepneysandMelsons——evenastrayPenistonortwo，indicating，byagreaterlatitudeindressandmanner，thefactofremoterrelationshipandmoresettledhopes。ThePenistonsidewas，infact，secureintheknowledgethatthebulkofMr。Peniston’sproperty\"wentback\"；whilethedirectconnectionhungsuspendedonthedisposalofhiswidow’sprivatefortuneandontheuncertaintyofitsextent。JackStepney，inhisnewcharacterastherichestnephew，tacitlytookthelead，emphasizinghisimportancebythedeeperglossofhismourningandthesubduedauthorityofhismanner；
whilehiswife’sboredattitudeandfrivolousgownproclaimedtheheiress’sdisregardoftheinsignificantinterestsatstake。OldNedVanAlstyne，seatednexttoherinacoatthatmadeafflictiondapper，twirledhiswhitemoustachetoconcealtheeagertwitchofhislips；andGraceStepney，red-nosedandsmellingofcrape，whisperedemotionallytoMrs。HerbertMelson:
\"Icouldn’tBEARtoseetheNiagaraanywhereelse！\"
Arustleofweedsandquickturningofheadshailedtheopeningofthedoor，andLilyBartappeared，tallandnobleinherblackdress，withGertyFarishatherside。Thewomen’sfaces，asshepausedinterrogativelyonthethreshold，wereastudyinhesitation。Oneortwomadefaintmotionsofrecognition，whichmighthavebeensubduedeitherbythesolemnityofthescene，orbythedoubtastohowfartheothersmeanttogo；Mrs。JackStepneygaveacarelessnod，andGraceStepney，withasepulchralgesture，indicatedaseatatherside。ButLily，ignoringtheinvitation，aswellasJackStepney’sofficialattempttodirecther，movedacrosstheroomwithhersmoothfreegait，andseatedherselfinachairwhichseemedtohavebeenpurposelyplacedapartfromtheothers。
ItwasthefirsttimethatshehadfacedherfamilysinceherreturnfromEurope，twoweeksearlier；butifsheperceivedanyuncertaintyintheirwelcome，itservedonlytoaddatingeofironytotheusualcomposureofherbearing。Theshockofdismaywithwhich，onthedock，shehadheardfromGertyFarishofMrs。Peniston’ssuddendeath，hadbeenmitigated，almostatonce，bytheirrepressiblethoughtthatnow，atlast，shewouldbeabletopayherdebts。Shehadlookedforwardwithconsiderableuneasinesstoherfirstencounterwithheraunt。
Mrs。Penistonhadvehementlyopposedherniece’sdeparturewiththeDorsets，andhadmarkedhercontinueddisapprovalbynotwritingduringLily’sabsence。ThecertaintythatshehadheardoftherupturewiththeDorsetsmadetheprospectofthemeetingmoreformidable；andhowshouldLilyhaverepressedaquicksenseofreliefatthethoughtthat，insteadofundergoingtheanticipatedordeal，shehadonlytoentergracefullyonalong-assuredinheritance？Ithadbeen，intheconsecratedphrase，\"alwaysunderstood\"thatMrs。Penistonwastoprovidehandsomelyforherniece；andinthelatter’smindtheunderstandinghadlongsincecrystallizedintofact。
\"Shegetseverything，ofcourse——Idon’tseewhatwe’reherefor，\"Mrs。JackStepneyremarkedwithcarelessloudnesstoNedVanAlstyne；andthelatter’sdeprecatingmurmur——\"Juliawasalwaysajustwoman\"——mighthavebeeninterpretedassignifyingeitheracquiescenceordoubt。
\"Well，it’sonlyaboutfourhundredthousand，\"Mrs。Stepneyrejoinedwithayawn；andGraceStepney，inthesilenceproducedbythelawyer’spreliminarycough，washeardtosobout:\"Theywon’tfindatowelmissing——Iwentoverthemwithhertheveryday——\"
Lily，oppressedbythecloseatmosphere，andthestiflingodouroffreshmourning，feltherattentionstrayingasMrs。Peniston’slawyer，solemnlyerectbehindtheBuhltableattheendoftheroom，begantorattlethroughthepreambleofthewill。
\"It’slikebeinginchurch，\"shereflected，wonderingvaguelywhereGwenStepneyhadgotsuchanawfulhat。ThenshenoticedhowstoutJackhadgrown——hewouldsoonbealmostasplethoricasHerbertMelson，whosatafewfeetoff，breathingpuffilyasheleanedhisblack-glovedhandsonhisstick。
\"Iwonderwhyrichpeoplealwaysgrowfat——Isupposeit’sbecausethere’snothingtoworrythem。IfIinherit，Ishallhavetobecarefulofmyfigure，\"shemused，whilethelawyerdronedonthroughalabyrinthoflegacies。Theservantscamefirst，thenafewcharitableinstitutions，thenseveralremoterMelsonsandStepneys，whostirredconsciouslyastheirnamesrangout，andthensubsidedintoastateofimpassivenessbefittingthesolemnityoftheoccasion。NedVanAlstyne，JackStepney，andacousinortwofollowed，eachcoupledwiththementionofafewthousands:LilywonderedthatGraceStepneywasnotamongthem。
Thensheheardherownname——\"tomynieceLilyBarttenthousanddollars——\"andafterthatthelawyeragainlosthimselfinacoilofunintelligibleperiods，fromwhichtheconcludingphraseflashedoutwithstartlingdistinctness:\"andtheresidueofmyestatetomydearcousinandname-sake，GraceJuliaStepney。\"
Therewasasubduedgaspofsurprise，arapidturningofheads，andasurgingofsablefigurestowardthecornerinwhichMissStepneywailedouthersenseofunworthinessthroughthecrumpledballofablack-edgedhandkerchief。
Lilystoodapartfromthegeneralmovement，feelingherselfforthefirsttimeutterlyalone。Noonelookedather，nooneseemedawareofherpresence；shewasprobingtheverydepthsofinsignificance。Andunderhersenseofthecollectiveindifferencecametheacuterpangofhopesdeceived。
Disinherited——shehadbeendisinherited——andforGraceStepney！
ShemetGerty’slamentableeyes，fixedonherinadespairingeffortatconsolation，andthelookbroughthertoherself。Therewassomethingtobedonebeforesheleftthehouse:tobedonewithallthenobilitysheknewhowtoputintosuchgestures。SheadvancedtothegroupaboutMissStepney，andholdingoutherhandsaidsimply:\"DearGrace，Iamsoglad。\"
Theotherladieshadfallenbackatherapproach，andaspacecreateditselfabouther。Itwidenedassheturnedtogo，andnooneadvancedtofillitup。Shepausedamoment，glancingabouther，calmlytakingthemeasureofhersituation。Sheheardsomeoneaskaquestionaboutthedateofthewill；shecaughtafragmentofthelawyer’sanswer——somethingaboutasuddensummons，andan\"earlierinstru
ment。\"Thenthetideofdispersalbegantodriftpasther；Mrs。JackStepneyandMrs。
HerbertMelsonstoodonthedoorstepawaitingtheirmotor；asympathizinggroupescortedGraceStepneytothecabitwasfelttobefittingsheshouldtake，thoughshelivedbutastreetortwoaway；andMissBartandGertyfoundthemselvesalmostaloneinthepurpledrawing-room，whichmorethanever，initsstuffydimness，resembledawell-keptfamilyvault，inwhichthelastcorpsehadjustbeendecentlydeposited。
InGertyFarish’ssitting-room，whitherahansomhadcarriedthetwofriends，Lilydroppedintoachairwithafaintsoundoflaughter:itstruckherasahumorouscoincidencethatheraunt’slegacyshouldsonearlyrepresenttheamountofherdebttoTrenor。TheneedofdischargingthatdebthadreasserteditselfwithincreasedurgencysinceherreturntoAmerica，andshespokeherfirstthoughtinsayingtotheanxiouslyhoveringGerty:\"I
wonderwhenthelegacieswillbepaid。\"
ButMissFarishcouldnotpauseoverthelegacies；shebrokeintoalargerindignation。\"Oh，Lily，it’sunjust；it’scruel——GraceStepneymustFEELshehasnorighttoallthatmoney！\"
\"AnyonewhoknewhowtopleaseAuntJuliahasarighttohermoney，\"MissBartrejoinedphilosophically。
\"Butshewasdevotedtoyou——sheledeveryonetothink——\"Gertycheckedherselfinevidentembarrassment，andMissBartturnedtoherwithadirectlook。\"Gerty，behonest:thiswillwasmadeonlysixweeksago。ShehadheardofmybreakwiththeDorsets？\"
\"Everyoneheard，ofcourse，thattherehadbeensomedisagreement——somemisunderstanding——\"
\"DidshehearthatBerthaturnedmeofftheyacht？\"
\"Lily！\"
\"Thatwaswhathappened，youknow。ShesaidIwastryingtomarryGeorgeDorset。Shedidittomakehimthinkshewasjealous。
Isn’tthatwhatshetoldGwenStepney？\"
\"Idon’tknow——Idon’tlistentosuchhorrors。\"
\"IMUSTlistentothem——ImustknowwhereIstand。\"Shepaused，andagainsoundedafaintnoteofderision。\"Didyounoticethewomen？TheywereafraidtosnubmewhiletheythoughtIwasgoingtogetthemoney——afterwardtheyscuttledoffasifI
hadtheplague。\"Gertyremainedsilent，andshecontinued:\"I
stayedontoseewhatwouldhappen。TheytooktheircuefromGwenStepneyandLuluMelson——IsawthemwatchingtoseewhatGwenwoulddo——Gerty，Imustknowjustwhatisbeingsaidofme。\"
\"ItellyouIdon’tlisten——\"
\"Onehearssuchthingswithoutlistening。\"SheroseandlaidherresolutehandsonMissFarish’sshoulders。\"Gerty，arepeoplegoingtocutme？\"
\"YourFRIENDS，Lily——howcanyouthinkit？\"
\"Whoareone’sfriendsatsuchatime？Who，butyou，youpoortrustfuldarling？AndheavenknowswhatYOUsuspectmeof！\"ShekissedGertywithawhimsicalmurmur。\"You’dneverletitmakeanydifference——butthenyou’refondofcriminals，Gerty！Howabouttheirreclaimableones，though？ForI’mabsolutelyimpenitent，youknow。\"
Shedrewherselfuptothefullheightofherslendermajesty，toweringlikesomedarkangelofdefianceabovethetroubledGerty，whocouldonlyfalterout:\"Lily，Lily——howcanyoulaughaboutsuchthings？\"
\"Soasnottoweep，perhaps。Butno——I’mnotofthetearfulorder。Idiscoveredearlythatcryingmakesmynosered，andtheknowledgehashelpedmethroughseveralpainfulepisodes。\"Shetookarestlessturnabouttheroom，andthen，reseatingherself，liftedthebrightmockeryofhereyestoGerty’sanxiouscountenance。
\"Ishouldn’thaveminded，youknow，ifI’dgotthemoney——\"andatMissFarish’sprotesting\"Oh！\"sherepeatedcalmly:\"Notastraw，mydear；for，inthefirstplace，theywouldn’thavequitedaredtoignoreme；andiftheyhad，itwouldn’thavemattered，becauseIshouldhavebeenindependentofthem。Butnow——！\"Theironyfadedfromhereyes，andshebentacloudedfaceuponherfriend。
\"Howcanyoutalkso，Lily？Ofcoursethemoneyoughttohavebeenyours，butafterallthatmakesnodifference。Theimportantthing——\"Gertypaused，andthencontinuedfirmly:\"Theimportantthingisthatyoushouldclearyourself——shouldtellyourfriendsthewholetruth。\"
\"Thewholetruth？\"MissBartlaughed。\"Whatistruth？Whereawomanisconcerned，it’sthestorythat’seasiesttobelieve。Inthiscaseit’sagreatdealeasiertobelieveBerthaDorset’sstorythanmine，becauseshehasabighouseandanoperabox，andit’sconvenienttobeongoodtermswithher。\"
MissFarishstillfixedherwithananxiousgaze。\"ButwhatIS
yourstory，Lily？Idon’tbelieveanyoneknowsityet。\"
\"Mystory？——Idon’tbelieveIknowitmyself。YouseeIneverthoughtofpreparingaversioninadvanceasBerthadid——andifI
had，Idon’tthinkIshouldtakethetroubletouseitnow。\"
ButGertycontinuedwithherquietreasonableness:\"Idon’twantaversionpreparedinadvance——butIwantyoutotellmeexactlywhathappenedfromthebeginning。\"
\"Fromthebeginning？\"MissBartgentlymimickedher。\"DearGerty，howlittleimaginationyougoodpeoplehave！Why，thebeginningwasinmycradle，Isuppose——inthewayIwasbroughtup，andthethingsIwastaughttocarefor。Orno——Iwon’tblameanybodyformyfaults:I’llsayitwasinmyblood，thatIgotitfromsomewickedpleasure-lovingancestress，whoreactedagainstthehomelyvirtuesofNewAmsterdam，andwantedtobebackatthecourtoftheCharleses！\"AndasMissFarishcontinuedtopressherwithtroubledeyes，shewentonimpatiently:\"Youaskedmejustnowforthetruth——well，thetruthaboutanygirlisthatonceshe’stalkedaboutshe’sdonefor；andthemoresheexplainshercasetheworseitlooks——MygoodGerty，youdon’thappentohaveacigaretteaboutyou？\"
Inherstuffyroomatthehoteltowhichshehadgoneonlanding，LilyBartthateveningreviewedhersituation。ItwasthelastweekinJune，andnoneofherfriendswereintown。Thefewrelativeswhohadstayedon，orreturned，forthereadingofMrs。
Peniston’swill，hadtakenflightagainthatafternoontoNewportorLongIsland；andnotoneofthemhadmadeanyprofferofhospitalitytoLily。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeshefoundherselfutterlyaloneexceptforGertyFarish。EvenattheactualmomentofherbreakwiththeDorsetsshehadnothadsokeenasenseofitsconsequences，fortheDuchessofBeltshire，hearingofthecatastrophefromLordHubert，hadinstantlyofferedherprotection，andunderhershelteringwingLilyhadmadeanalmosttriumphantprogresstoLondon。Thereshehadbeensorelytemptedtolingeroninasocietywhichaskedofheronlytoamuseandcharmit，withoutenquiringtoocuriouslyhowshehadacquiredhergiftfordoingso；butSelden，beforetheyparted，hadpressedonhertheurgentneedofreturningatoncetoheraunt，andLordHubert，whenhepresentlyreappearedinLondon，aboundedinthesamecounsel。LilydidnotneedtobetoldthattheDuchess’schampionshipwasnotthebestroadtosocialrehabilitation，andasshewasbesidesawarethathernobledefendermightatanymomentdropherinfavourofanewPROTEGEE，shereluctantlydecidedtoreturntoAmerica。Butshehadnotbeentenminutesonhernativeshorebeforesherealizedthatshehaddelayedtoolongtoregainit。TheDorsets，theStepneys，theBrys——alltheactorsandwitnessesinthemiserabledrama——hadprecededherwiththeirversionofthecase；and，evenhadsheseentheleastchanceofgainingahearingforherown，someobscuredisdainandreluctancewouldhaverestrainedher。
Sheknewitwasnotbyexplanationsandcounter-chargesthatshecouldeverhopetorecoverherloststanding；butevenhadshefelttheleasttrustintheirefficacy，shewouldstillhavebeenheldbackbythefeelingwhichhadkeptherfromdefendingherselftoGertyFarish——afeelingthatwashalfprideandhalfhumiliation。ForthoughsheknewshehadbeenruthlesslysacrificedtoBerthaDorset’sdeterminationtowinbackherhusband，andthoughherownrelationtoDorsethadbeenthatofthemerestgood-fellowship，yetshehadbeenperfectlyawarefromtheoutsetthatherpartintheaffairwas，asCarryFisherbrutallyputit，todistractDorset’sattentionfromhiswife。
Thatwaswhatshewas\"therefor\":itwasthepriceshehadchosentopayforthreemonthsofluxuryandfreedomfromcare。
Herhabitofresolutelyfacingthefacts，inherraremomentsofintrospection，didnotnowallowhertoputanyfalseglossonthesituation。Shehadsufferedfortheveryfaithfulnesswithwhichshehadcarriedoutherpartofthetacitcompact，butthepartwasnotahandsomeoneatbest，andshesawitnowinalltheuglinessoffailure。
Shesaw，too，inthesameuncompromisinglight，thetrainofconsequencesresultingfromthatfailure；andthesebecameclearertoherwitheverydayofherwearylingeringintown。ShestayedonpartlyforthecomfortofGertyFarish’snearness，andpartlyforlackofknowingwheretogo。Sheunderstoodwellenoughthenatureofthetaskbeforeher。Shemustsetouttoregain，littlebylittle，thepositionshehadlost；andthefirststepinthetedioustaskwastofindout，assoonaspossible，onhowmanyofherfriendsshecouldcount。HerhopesweremainlycentredonMrs。Trenor，whohadtreasuresofeasy-goingtoleranceforthosewhowereamusingorusefultoher，andinthenoisyrushofwhoseexistencethestillsmallvoiceofdetractionwasslowtomakeitselfheard。ButJudy，thoughshemusthavebeenapprisedofMissBart’sreturn，hadnotevenrecognizeditbytheformalnoteofcondolencewhichherfriend’sbereavementdemanded。AnyadvanceonLily’ssidemighthavebeenperilous:therewasnothingtodobuttotrusttothehappychanceofanaccidentalmeeting，andLilyknewthat，evensolateintheseason，therewasalwaysahopeofrunningacrossherfriendsintheirfrequentpassagesthroughtown。
Tothisendsheassiduouslyshowedherselfattherestaurantstheyfrequented，where，attendedbythetroubledGerty，shelunchedluxuriously，asshesaid，onherexpectations。
\"MydearGerty，youwouldn’thavemeletthehead-waiterseethatI’venothingtoliveonbutAuntJulia’slegacy？ThinkofGraceStepney’ssatisfactionifshecameinandfounduslunchingoncoldmuttonandtea！Whatsweetshallwehavetoday，dear——COUPE
JACQUESorPECHESALAMELBA？\"
ShedroppedtheMENUabruptly，withaquickheighteningofcolour，andGerty，followingherglance，wasawareoftheadvance，fromaninnerroom，ofapartyheadedbyMrs。TrenorandCarryFisher。Itwasimpossiblefortheseladiesandtheircompanions——amongwhomLilyhadatoncedistinguishedbothTrenorandRosedale——nottopass，ingoingout，thetableatwhichthetwogirlswereseated；andGerty’ssenseofthefactbetrayeditselfinthehelplesstrepidationofhermanner。MissBart，onthecontrary，borneforwardonthewaveofherbuoyantgrace，andneithershrinkingfromherfriendsnorappearingtolieinwaitforthem，gavetotheencounterthetouchofnaturalnesswhichshecouldimparttothemoststrainedsituations。SuchembarrassmentaswasshownwasonMrs。Trenor’sside，andmanifesteditselfintheminglingofexaggeratedwarmthwithimperceptiblereservations。HerloudlyaffirmedpleasureatseeingMissBarttooktheformofanebulousgeneralization，whichincludedneitherenquiriesastoherfuturenortheexpressionofadefinitewishtoseeheragain。Lily，well-versedinthelanguageoftheseomissions，knewthattheywereequallyintelligibletotheothermembersoftheparty:evenRosedale，flushedashewaswiththeimportanceofkeepingsuchcompany，atoncetookthetemperatureofMrs。Trenor’scordiality，andreflecteditinhisoff-handgreetingofMissBart。Trenor，redanduncomfortable，hadcutshorthissalutationsonthepretextofawordtosaytothehead-waiter；andtherestofthegroupsoonmeltedawayinMrs。Trenor’swake。
Itwasoverinamoment——thewaiter，MENUinhand，stillhungontheresultofthechoicebetweenCOUPEJACQUESandPECHESALA
MELBA——butMissBart，intheinterval，hadtakenthemeasureofherfate。WhereJudyTrenorled，alltheworldwouldfollow；andLilyhadthedoomedsenseofthecastawaywhohassignalledinvaintofleeingsails。
InaflashsherememberedMrs。Trenor’scomplaintsofCarryFisher’srapacity，andsawthattheydenotedanunexpectedacquaintancewithherhusband’sprivateaffairs。InthelargetumultuousdisorderofthelifeatBellomont，wherenooneseemedtohavetimetoobserveanyoneelse，andprivateaimsandpersonalinterestsweresweptalongunheededintherushofcollectiveactivities，Lilyhadfanciedherselfshelteredfrominconvenientscrutiny；butifJudyknewwhenMrs。Fisherborrowedmoneyofherhusband，wasshelikelytoignorethesametransactiononLily’spart？Ifshewascarelessofhisaffectionsshewasplainlyjealousofhispocket；andinthatfactLilyreadtheexplanationofherrebuff。TheimmediateresultoftheseconclusionswasthepassionateresolvetopaybackherdebttoTrenor。Thatobligationdischarged，shewouldhavebutathousanddollarsofMrs。Peniston’slegacyleft，andnothingtoliveonbutherownsmallincome，whichwasconsiderablylessthanGertyFarish’swretchedpittance；butthisconsiderationgavewaytotheimperativeclaimofherwoundedpride。ShemustbequitswiththeTrenorsfirst；afterthatshewouldtakethoughtforthefuture。
Inherignoranceoflegalprocrastinationsshehadsupposedthatherlegacywouldbepaidoverwithinafewdaysofthereadingofheraunt’swill；andafteranintervalofanxioussuspense，shewrotetoenquirethecauseofthedelay。TherewasanotherintervalbeforeMrs。Peniston’slawyer，whowasalsooneoftheexecutors，repliedtotheeffectthat，somequestionshavingarisenrelativetotheinterpretationofthewill，heandhisassociatesmightnotbeinapositiontopaythelegaciestillthecloseofthetwelvemonthlegallyallottedfortheirsettlement。Bewilderedandindignant，Lilyresolvedtotrytheeffectofapersonalappeal；butshereturnedfromherexpeditionwithasenseofthepowerlessnessofbeautyandcharmagainsttheunfeelingprocessesofthelaw。Itseemedintolerabletoliveonforanotheryearundertheweightofherdebt；andinherextremityshedecidedtoturntoMissStepney，whostilllingeredintown，immersedinthedelectabledutyof\"goingover\"herbenefactress’seffects。ItwasbitterenoughforLilytoaskafavourofGraceStepney，butthealternativewasbittererstill；
andonemorningshepresentedherselfatMrs。Peniston’s，whereGrace，forthefacilitationofherpioustask，hadtakenupaprovisionalabode。
Thestrangenessofenteringasasuppliantthehousewhereshehadsolongcommanded，increasedLily’sdesiretoshortentheordeal；andwhenMissStepneyenteredthedarkeneddrawing-room，rustlingwiththebestqualityofcrape，hervisitorwentstraighttothepoint:wouldshebewillingtoadvancetheamountoftheexpectedlegacy？
Grace，inreply，weptandwonderedattherequest，bemoanedtheinexorablenessofthelaw，andwasastonishedthatLilyhadnotrealizedtheexactsimilarityoftheirpositions。Didshethinkthatonlythepaymentofthelegacieshadbeendelayed？Why，MissStepneyherselfhadnotreceivedapennyofherinheritance，andwaspayingrent——yes，actually！——fortheprivilegeoflivinginahousethatbelongedtoher。ShewassureitwasnotwhatpoordearcousinJuliawouldhavewished——shehadtoldtheexecutorssototheirfaces；buttheywereinaccessibletoreason，andtherewasnothingtodobuttowait。LetLilytakeexamplebyher，andbepatient——letthembothrememberhowbeautifullypatientcousinJuliahadalwaysbeen。
Lilymadeamovementwhichshowedherimperfectassimilationofthisexample。\"Butyouwillhaveeverything，Grace——itwouldbeeasyforyoutoborrowtentimestheamountIamaskingfor。\"
\"Borrow——easyformetoborrow？\"GraceStepneyroseupbeforeherinsablewrath。\"DoyouimagineforamomentthatIwouldraisemoneyonmyexpectationsfromcousinJulia，whenIknowsowellherunspeakablehorrorofeverytransactionofthesort？Why，Lily，ifyoumustknowthetruth，itwastheideaofyourbeingindebtthatbroughtonherillness——youremembershehadaslightattackbeforeyousailed。Oh，Idon’tknowtheparticulars，ofcourse——Idon’tWANTtoknowthem——buttherewererumoursaboutyouraffairsthatmadehermostunhappy——noonecouldbewithherwithoutseeingthat。Ican’thelpitifyouareoffendedbymytellingyouthisnow——ifIcandoanythingtomakeyourealizethefollyofyourcourse，andhowdeeplySHE
disapprovedofit，Ishallfeelitisthetruestwayofmakinguptoyouforherloss。
ItseemedtoLily，asMrs。Peniston’sdoorclosedonher，thatshewastakingafinalleaveofheroldlife。ThefuturestretchedbeforeherdullandbareasthedesertedlengthofFifthAvenue，andopportunitiesshowedasmeagrelyasthefewcabstrailinginquestoffaresthatdidnotcome。Thecompletenessoftheanalogywas，however，disturbedasshereachedthesidewalkbytherapidapproachofahansomwhichpulledupatsightofher。
Frombeneathitsluggage-ladentop，shecaughtthewaveofasignallinghand；andthenextmomentMrs。Fisher，springingtothestreet，hadfoldedherinademonstrativeembrace。
\"Mydear，youdon’tmeantosayyou’restillintown？WhenIsawyoutheotherdayatSherry’sIdidn’thavetimetoask——\"Shebrokeoff，andaddedwithaburstoffrankness:\"ThetruthisI
wasHORRID，Lily，andI’vewantedtotellyousoeversince。\"
\"Oh——\"MissBartprotested，drawingbackfromherpenitentclasp；butMrs。Fisherwentonwithherusualdirectness:\"Lookhere，Lily，don’tlet’sbeataboutthebush:halfthetroubleinlifeiscausedbypretendingthereisn’tany。That’snotmyway，andIcanonlysayI’mthoroughlyashamedofmyselfforfollowingtheotherwomen’slead。Butwe’lltalkofthatbyandbye——tellmenowwhereyou’restayingandwhatyourplansare。Idon’tsupposeyou’rekeepinghouseintherewithGraceStepney，eh？——anditstruckmeyoumightberatheratlooseends。\"
InLily’spresentmoodtherewasnoresistingthehonestfriendlinessofthisappeal，andshesaidwithasmile:\"Iamatlooseendsforthemoment，butGertyFarishisstillintown，andshe’sgoodenoughtoletmebewithherwhenevershecansparethetime。\"
Mrs。Fishermadeaslightgrimace。\"H’m——that’satemperatejoy。
Oh，Iknow——Gerty’satrump，andworthalltherestofusputtogether；butALALONGUEyou’reusedtoalittlehigherseasoning，aren’tyou，dear？Andbesides，Isupposeshe’llbeoffherselfbeforelong——thefirstofAugust，yousay？Well，lookhere，youcan’tspendyoursummerintown；we’lltalkofthatlatertoo。Butmeanwhile，whatdoyousaytoputtingafewthingsinatrunkandcomingdownwithmetotheSamGormers’
tonight？\"
AndasLilystaredatthebreathlesssuddennessofthesuggestion，shecontinuedwithhereasylaugh:\"Youdon’tknowthemandtheydon’tknowyou；butthatdon’tmakearapofdifference。They’vetakentheVanAlstyneplaceatRoslyn，andI’vegotCARTEBLANCHEtobringmyfriendsdownthere——themorethemerrier。Theydothingsawfullywell，andthere’stoberatherajollypartytherethisweek——\"shebrokeoff，checkedbyanundefinablechangeinMissBart’sexpression。\"Oh，Idon’tmeanYOURparticularset，youknow:ratheradifferentcrowd，butverygoodfun。Thefactis，theGormershavestruckoutonalineoftheirown:whattheywantistohaveagoodtime，andtohaveitintheirownway。Theygavetheotherthingafewmonths’
trial，undermydistinguishedauspices，andtheywerereallydoingextremelywell——gettingonagooddealfasterthantheBrys，justbecausetheydidn’tcareasmuch——butsuddenlytheydecidedthatthewholebusinessboredthem，andthatwhattheywantedwasacrowdtheycouldreallyfeelathomewith。Ratheroriginalofthem，don’tyouthinkso？MattieGormerHASgotaspirationsstill；womenalwayshave；butshe’sawfullyeasy-going，andSamwon’tbebothered，andtheybothliketobethemostimportantpeopleinsight，sothey’vestartedasortofcontinuousperformanceoftheirown，akindofsocialConeyIsland，whereeverybodyiswelcomewhocanmakenoiseenoughanddoesn’tputonairs。Ithinkit’sawfullygoodfunmyself——someoftheartisticset，youknow，anyprettyactressthat’sgoing，andsoon。Thisweek，forinstance，theyhaveAudreyAnstell，whomadesuchahitlastspringin’TheWinningofWinny’；andPaulMorpeth——he’spaintingMattieGormer——andtheDickBellingers，andKateCorby——well，everyoneyoucanthinkofwho’sjollyandmakesarow。Nowdon’tstandtherewithyournoseintheair，mydear——itwillbeagooddealbetterthanabroilingSundayintown，andyou’llfindcleverpeopleaswellasnoisyones——Morpeth，whoadmiresMattieenormously，alwaysbringsoneortwoofhisset。\"
Mrs。FisherdrewLilytowardthehansomwithfriendlyauthority。
\"Jumpinnow，there’sadear，andwe’lldriveroundtoyourhotelandhaveyourthingspacked，andthenwe’llhavetea，andthetwomaidscanmeetusatthetrain。\"
ItwasagooddealbetterthanabroilingSundayintown——ofthatnodoubtremainedtoLilyas，recliningintheshadeofaleafyverandah，shelookedseawardacrossastretchofgreenswardpicturesquelydottedwithgroupsofladiesinlaceraimentandmenintennisflannels。ThehugeVanAlstynehouseanditsramblingdependencieswerepackedtotheirfullestcapacitywiththeGormers’week-endguests，whonow，intheradianceoftheSundayforenoon，weredispersingthemselvesoverthegroundsinquestofthevariousdistractionstheplaceafforded:
distractionsrangingfromtennis-courtstoshooting-galleries，frombridgeandwhiskeywithindoorstomotorsandsteam-launcheswithout。Lilyhadtheoddsenseofhavingbeencaughtupintothecrowdascarelesslyasapassengerisgatheredinbyanexpresstrain。TheblondeandgenialMrs。Gormermight，indeed，havefiguredtheconductor，calmlyassigningseatstotherushoftravellers，whileCarryFisherrepresentedtheporterpushingtheirbagsintoplace，givingthemtheirnumbersforthedining-car，andwarningthemwhentheirstationwasathand。Thetrain，meanwhile，hadscarcelyslackenedspeed——lifewhizzedonwithadeafening’rattleandroar，inwhichonetravelleratleastfoundawelcomerefugefromthesoundofherownthoughts。
TheGormerMILIEUrepresentedasocialout-skirtwhichLilyhadalwaysfastidiouslyavoided；butitstruckher，nowthatshewasinit，asonlyaflamboyantcopyofherownworld，acaricatureapproximatingtherealthingasthe\"societyplay\"approachesthemannersofthedrawing-room。ThepeopleaboutherweredoingthesamethingsastheTrenors，theVanOsburghsandtheDorsets:thedifferencelayinahundredshadesofaspectandmanner，fromthepatternofthemen’swaistcoatstotheinflexionofthewomen’svoices。Everythingwaspitchedinahigherkey，andtherewasmoreofeachthing:morenoise，morecolour，morechampagne，morefamiliarity——butalsogreatergood-nature，lessrivalry，andafreshercapacityforenjoyment。
MissBart’sarrivalhadbeenwelcomedwithanuncriticalfriendlinessthatfirstirritatedherprideandthenbroughthertoasharpsenseofherownsituation——oftheplaceinlifewhich，forthemoment，shemustacceptandmakethebestof。
Thesepeopleknewherstory——ofthatherfirstlongtalkwithCarryFisherhadleftnodoubt:shewaspubliclybrandedastheheroineofa\"queer\"episode——butinsteadofshrinkingfromherasherownfriendshaddone，theyreceivedherwithoutquestionintotheeasypromiscuityoftheirlives。TheyswallowedherpastaseasilyastheydidMissAnstell’s，andwithnoapparentsenseofanydifferenceinthesizeofthemouthful:alltheyaskedwasthatsheshould——inherownway，fortheyrecognizedadiversityofgifts——contributeasmuchtothegeneralamusementasthatgracefulactress，whosetalents，whenoffthestage，wereofthemostvariedorder。Lilyfeltatoncethatanytendencytobe\"stuck-up，\"tomarkasenseofdifferencesanddistinctions，wouldbefataltohercontinuanceintheGormerset。Tobetakeninonsuchterms——andintosuchaworld！——washardenoughtothelingeringprideinher；butsherealized，withapangofself-contempt，thattobeexcludedfromitwould，afterall，beharderstill。For，almostatonce，shehadfelttheinsidiouscharmofslippingbackintoalifewhereeverymaterialdifficultywassmoothedaway。Thesuddenescapefromastiflinghotelinadustydesertedcitytothespaceandluxuryofagreatcountry-housefannedbyseabreezes，hadproducedastateofmorallassitudeagreeableenoughafterthenervoustensionandphysicaldiscomfortofthepastweeks。Forthemomentshemustyieldtotherefreshmenthersensescraved——afterthatshewouldreconsiderhersituation，andtakecounselwithherdignity。Herenjoymentofhersurroundingswas，indeed，tingedbytheunpleasantconsiderationthatshewasacceptingthehospitalityandcourtingtheapprovalofpeopleshehaddisdainedunderotherconditions。Butshewasgrowinglesssensitiveonsuchpoints:ahardglazeofindifferencewasfastformingoverherdelicaciesandsusceptibilities，andeachconcessiontoexpediencyhardenedthesurfacealittlemore。
OntheMonday，whenthepartydisbandedwithuproariousadieux，thereturntotownthrewintostrongerreliefthecharmsofthelifeshewasleaving。Theotherguestsweredispersingtotakeupthesameexistenceinadifferentsetting:someatNewport，someatBarHarbour，someintheelaboraterusticityofanAdirondackcamp。EvenGertyFarish，whowelcomedLily’sreturnwithtendersolicitude，wouldsoonbepreparingtojointheauntwithwhomshespenthersummersonLakeGeorge:onlyLilyherselfremainedwithoutplanorpurpose，strandedinabackwaterofthegreatcurrentofpleasure。ButCarryFisher，whohadinsistedontransportinghertoherownhouse，wheresheherselfwastoperchforadayortwoonthewaytotheBrys’camp，cametotherescuewithanewsuggestion。
\"Lookhere，Lily——I’lltellyouwhatitis:IwantyoutotakemyplacewithMattieGormerthissummer。They’retakingapartyouttoAlaskanextmonthintheirprivatecar，andMattie，whoisthelaziestwomanalive，wantsmetogowiththem，andrelieveherofthebotherofarrangingthings；buttheBryswantmetoo——oh，yes，we’vemadeitup:didn’tItellyou？——and，toputitfrankly，thoughIliketheGormersbest，there’smoreprofitformeintheBrys。Thefactis，theywanttotryNewportthissummer，andifIcanmakeitasuccessforthemthey——well，they’llmakeitasuccessforme。\"Mrs。Fisherclaspedherhandsenthusiastically。\"Doyouknow，Lily，themoreIthinkofmyideathebetterIlikeit——quiteasmuchforyouasformyself。TheGormershavebothtakenatremendousfancytoyou，andthetriptoAlaskais——well——theverythingIshouldwantforyoujustatpresent。\"
MissBartliftedhereyeswithakeenglance。\"Totakemeoutofmyfriends’way，youmean？\"shesaidquietly；andMrs。Fisherrespondedwithadeprecatingkiss:\"Tokeepyououtoftheirsighttilltheyrealizehowmuchtheymissyou。\"
MissBartwentwiththeGormerstoAlaska；andtheexpedition，ifitdidnotproducetheeffectanticipatedbyherfriend，hadatleastthenegativeadvantageofremovingherfromthefierycentreofcriticismanddiscussion。GertyFarishhadopposedtheplanwithalltheenergyofhersomewhatinarticulatenature。ShehadevenofferedtogiveuphervisittoLakeGeorge，andremainintownwithMissBart，ifthelatterwouldrenounceherjourney；
butLilycoulddisguiseherrealdistasteforthisplanunderasufficientlyvalidreason。
\"Youdearinnocent，don’tyousee，\"sheprotested，\"thatCarryisquiteright，andthatImusttakeUpmyusuallife，andgoaboutamongpeopleasmuchaspossible？IfmyoldfriendschoosetobelieveliesaboutmeIshallhavetomakenewones，that’sall；
andyouknowbeggarsmustn’tbechoosers。NotthatIdon’tlikeMattieGormer——IDOlikeher:she’skindandhonestandunaffected；anddon’tyousupposeIfeelgratefultoherformakingmewelcomeatatimewhen，asyou’veyourselfseen，myownfamilyhaveunanimouslywashedtheirhandsofme？\"
Gertyshookherhead，mutelyunconvinced。ShefeltnotonlythatLilywascheapeningherselfbymakinguseofanintimacyshewouldneverhavecultivatedfromchoice，butthat，indriftingbacknowtoherformermanneroflife，shewasforfeitingherlastchanceofeverescapingfromit。GertyhadbutanobscureconceptionofwhatLily’sactualexperiencehadbeen:butitsconsequenceshadestablishedalastingholdonherpitysincethememorablenightwhenshehadofferedupherownsecrethopetoherfriend’sextremity。TocharacterslikeGerty’ssuchasacrificeconstitutesamoralclaimonthepartofthepersoninwhosebehalfithasbeenmade。HavingoncehelpedLily，shemustcontinuetohelpher；andhelpingher，mustbelieveinher，becausefaithisthemain-springofsuchnatures。ButevenifMissBart，afterherrenewedtasteoftheamenitiesoflife，couldhavereturnedtothebarrennessofaNewYorkAugust，mitigatedonlybypoorGerty’spresence，herworldlywisdomwouldhavecounselledheragainstsuchanactofabnegation。SheknewthatCarryFisherwasright:thatanopportuneabsencemightbethefirststeptowardrehabilitation，andthat，atanyrate，tolingeronintownoutofseasonwasafataladmissionofdefeat。
FromtheGormers’tumultuousprogressacrosstheirnativecontinent，shereturnedwithanalteredviewofhersituation。
Therenewedhabitofluxury——thedailywakingtoanassuredabsenceofcareandpresenceofmaterialease——graduallybluntedherappreciationofthesevalues，andlefthermoreconsciousofthevoidtheycouldnotfill。MattieGormer’sundiscriminatinggood-nature，andtheslap-dashsociabilityofherfriends，whotreatedLilypreciselyastheytreatedeachother——allthesecharacteristicnotesofdifferencebegantowearuponherendurance；andthemoreshesawtocriticizeinhercompanions，thelessjustificationshefoundformakinguseofthem。Thelongingtogetbacktoherformersurroundingshardenedtoafixedidea；butwiththestrengtheningofherpurposecametheinevitableperceptionthat，toattainit，shemustexactfreshconcessionsfromherpride。These，forthemoment，tooktheunpleasantformofcontinuingtoclingtoherhostsaftertheirreturnfromAlaska。LittleasshewasinthekeyoftheirMILIEU，herimmensesocialfacility，herlonghabitofadaptingherselftootherswithoutsufferingherownoutlinetobeblurred，theskilledmanipulationofallthepolishedimplementsofhercraft，hadwonforheranimportantplaceintheGormergroup。Iftheirresonanthilaritycouldneverbehers，shecontributedanoteofeasyelegancemorevaluabletoMattieGormerthanthelouderpassagesoftheband。SamGormerandhisspecialcroniesstoodindeedalittleinaweofher；butMattie’sfollowing，headedbyPaulMorpeth，madeherfeelthattheyprizedherfortheveryqualitiestheymostconspicuouslylacked。IfMorpeth，whosesocialindolencewasasgreatashisartisticactivity，hadabandonedhimselftotheeasycurrentoftheGormerexistence，wheretheminorexactionsofpolitenesswereunknownorignored，andamancouldeitherbreakhisengagements，orkeeptheminapainting-jacketandslippers，hestillpreservedhissenseofdifferences，andhisappreciationofgraceshehadnotimetocultivate。DuringthepreparationsfortheBrys’TABLEAUXhehadbeenimmenselystruckbyLily’splasticpossibilities——\"nottheface:tooself-controlledforexpression；buttherestofher——gad，whatamodelshe’dmake！\"——andthoughhisabhorrenceoftheworldinwhichhehadseenherwastoogreatforhimtothinkofseekingherthere，hewasfullyalivetotheprivilegeofhavinghertolookatandlistentowhileheloungedinMattieGormer’sdishevelleddrawing-room。
Lilyhadthusformed，inthetumultofhersurroundings，alittlenucleusoffriendlyrelationswhichmitigatedthecrudenessofhercourseinlingeringwiththeGormersaftertheirreturn。Norwasshewithoutpaleglimpsesofherownworld，especiallysincethebreaking-upoftheNewportseasonhadsetthesocialcurrentoncemoretowardLongIsland。KateCorby，whosetastesmadeheraspromiscuousasCarryFisherwasrenderedbyhernecessities，occasionallydescendedontheGormers，where，afterafirststareofsurprise，shetookLily’spresencealmosttoomuchasamatterofcourse。Mrs。Fisher，too，appearingfrequentlyintheneighbourhood，droveovertoimpartherexperiencesandgiveLilywhatshecalledthelatestreportfromtheweather-bureau；andthelatter，whohadneverdirectlyinvitedherconfidence，couldyettalkwithhermorefreelythanwithGertyFarish，inwhosepresenceitwasimpossibleeventoadmittheexistenceofmuchthatMrs。Fisherconvenientlytookforgranted。
Mrs。Fisher，moreover，hadnoembarrassingcuriosity。ShedidnotwishtoprobetheinwardnessofLily’ssituation，butsimplytoviewitfromtheoutside，anddrawherconclusionsaccordingly；
andtheseconclusions，attheendofaconfidentialtalk，shesummeduptoherfriendinthesuccinctremark:\"Youmustmarryassoonasyoucan。\"
Lilyutteredafaintlaugh——foronceMrs。Fisherlackedoriginality。\"Doyoumean，likeGertyFarish，torecommendtheunfailingpanaceaof’agoodman’slove’？\"
\"No——Idon’tthinkeitherofmycandidateswouldanswertothatdescription，\"saidMrs。Fisherafterapauseofreflection。
\"Either？Arethereactuallytwo？\"
\"Well，perhapsIoughttosayoneandahalf——forthemoment。\"
MissBartreceivedthiswithincreasingamusement。\"Otherthingsbeingequal，IthinkIshouldpreferahalf-husband:whoishe？\"
\"Don’tflyoutatmetillyouhearmyreasons——GeorgeDorset。\"
\"Oh——\"Lilymurmuredreproachfully；butMrs。Fisherpressedonunrebuffed。\"Well，whynot？Theyhadafewweeks’honeymoonwhentheyfirstgotbackfromEurope，butnowthingsaregoingbadlywiththemagain。Berthahasbeenbehavingmorethaneverlikeamadwoman，andGeorge’spowersofcredulityareverynearlyexhausted。They’reattheirplacehere，youknow，andIspentlastSundaywiththem。Itwasaghastlyparty——nooneelsebutpoorNeddySilverton，wholookslikeagalley-slave(theyusedtotalkofmymakingthatpoorboyunhappy！)——andafterluncheonGeorgecarriedmeoffonalongwalk，andtoldmetheendwouldhavetocomesoon。\"
MissBartmadeanincredulousgesture。\"Asfarasthatgoes，theendwillnevercome——Berthawillalwaysknowhowtogethimbackwhenshewantshim。\"
Mrs。Fishercontinuedtoobservehertentatively。\"Notifhehasanyoneelsetoturnto！Yes——that’sjustwhatitcomesto:thepoorcreaturecan’tstandalone。AndIrememberhimsuchagoodfellow，fulloflifeandenthusiasm。\"Shepaused，andwenton，droppingherglancefromLily’s:\"Hewouldn’tstaywithhertenminutesifheKNEW——\"
\"Knew——？\"MissBartrepeated。
\"WhatYOUmust，forinstance——withtheopportunitiesyou’vehad！
Ifhehadpositiveproof，Imean——\"
Lilyinterruptedherwithadeepblushofdispleasure。\"Pleaseletusdropthesubject，Carry:it’stooodioustome。\"Andtodiverthercompanion’sattentionsheadded，withanattemptatlightness:\"Andyoursecondcandidate？Wemustnotforgethim。\"
Mrs。Fisherechoedherlaugh。\"Iwonderifyou’llcryoutjustasloudifIsay——SimRosedale？\"
MissBartdidnotcryout:shesatsilent，gazingthoughtfullyatherfriend。Thesuggestion，intruth，gaveexpressiontoapossibilitywhich，inthelastweeks，hadmorethanoncerecurredtoher；butafteramomentshesaidcarelessly:\"Mr。RosedalewantsawifewhocanestablishhiminthebosomoftheVanOsburghsandTrenors。\"
Mrs。Fishercaughtherupeagerly。\"AndsoYOUcould——withhismoney！Don’tyouseehowbeautifullyitwouldworkoutforyouboth？\"
\"Idon’tseeanywayofmakinghimseeit，\"Lilyreturned，withalaughintendedtodismissthesubject。
ButinrealityitlingeredwithherlongafterMrs。Fisherhadtakenleave。ShehadseenverylittleofRosedalesinceherannexationbytheGormers，forhewasstillsteadilybentonpenetratingtotheinnerParadisefromwhichshewasnowexcluded；butonceortwice，whennothingbetteroffered，hehadturnedupforaSunday，andontheseoccasionshehadleftherinnodoubtastohisviewofhersituation。Thathestilladmiredherwas，morethanever，offensivelyevident；forintheGormercircle，whereheexpandedasinhisnativeelement，therewerenopuzzlingconventionstocheckthefullexpressionofhisapproval。Butitwasinthequalityofhisadmirationthatshereadhisshrewdestimateofhercase。HeenjoyedlettingtheGormersseethathehadknown\"MissLily\"——shewas\"MissLily\"tohimnow——beforetheyhadhadthefaintestsocialexistence:
enjoyedmoreespeciallyimpressingPaulMorpethwiththedistancetowhichtheirintimacydatedback。Butheletitbefeltthatthatintimacywasamererippleonthesurfaceofarushingsocialcurrent，thekindofrelaxationwhichamanoflargeinterestsandmanifoldpreoccupationspermitshimselfinhishoursofease。
Thenecessityofacceptingthisviewoftheirpastrelation，andofmeetingitinthekeyofpleasantryprevalentamonghernewfriends，wasdeeplyhumiliatingtoLily。ButshedaredlessthanevertoquarrelwithRosedale。Shesuspectedthatherrejectionrankledamongthemostunforgettableofhisrebuffs，andthefactthatheknewsomethingofherwretchedtransactionwithTrenor，andwassuretoputthebasestconstructiononit，seemedtoplaceherhopelesslyinhispower。YetatCarryFisher’ssuggestionanewhopehadstirredinher。MuchasshedislikedRosedale，shenolongerabsolutelydespisedhim。Forhewasgraduallyattaininghisobjectinlife，andthat，toLily，wasalwayslessdespicablethantomissit。Withtheslowunalterablepersistencywhichshehadalwaysfeltinhim，hewasmakinghiswaythroughthedensemassofsocialantagonisms。Alreadyhiswealth，andthemasterlyusehehadmadeofit，weregivinghimanenviableprominenceintheworldofaffairs，andplacingWallStreetunderobligationswhichonlyFifthAvenuecouldrepay。Inresponsetotheseclaims，hisnamebegantofigureonmunicipalcommitteesandcharitableboards；heappearedatbanquetstodistinguishedstrangers，andhiscandidacyatoneofthefashionableclubswasdiscussedwithdiminishingopposition。HehadfiguredonceortwiceattheTrenordinners，andhadlearnedtospeakwithjusttherightnoteofdisdainofthebigVanOsburghcrushes；andallhenowneededwasawifewhoseaffiliationswouldshortenthelasttediousstepsofhisascent。
Itwaswiththatobjectthat，ayearearlier，hehadfixedhisaffectionsonMissBart；butintheintervalhehadmountednearertothegoal，whileshehadlostthepowertoabbreviatetheremainingstepsoftheway。Allthisshesawwiththeclearnessofvisionthatcametoherinmomentsofdespondency。Itwassuccessthatdazzledher——shecoulddistinguishfactsplainlyenoughinthetwilightoffailure。Andthetwilight，asshenowsoughttopierceit，wasgraduallylightedbyafaintsparkofreassurance。UndertheutilitarianmotiveofRosedale’swooingshehadfelt，clearlyenough，theheatofpersonalinclination。Shewouldnothavedetestedhimsoheartilyhadshenotknownthathedaredtoadmireher。What，then，ifthepassionpersisted，thoughtheothermotivehadceasedtosustainit？Shehadnevereventriedtopleasehim——hehadbeendrawntoherinspiteofhermanifestdisdain。Whatifshenowchosetoexertthepowerwhich，eveninitspassivestate，hehadfeltsostrongly？Whatifshemadehimmarryherforlove，nowthathehadnootherreasonformarryingher？
Asbecamepersonsoftheirrisingconsequence，theGormerswereengagedinbuildingacountry-houseonLongIsland；anditwasapartofMissBart’sdutytoattendherhostessonfrequentvisitsofinspectiontothenewestate。There，whileMrs。Gormerplungedintoproblemsoflightingandsanitation，Lilyhadleisuretowander，inthebrightautumnair，alongthetree-fringedbaytowhichthelanddeclined。Littleasshewasaddictedtosolitude，therehadcometobemomentswhenitseemedawelcomeescapefromtheemptynoisesofherlife。Shewaswearyofbeingsweptpassivelyalongacurrentofpleasureandbusinessinwhichshehadnoshare；wearyofseeingotherpeoplepursueamusementandsquandermoney，whileshefeltherselfofnomoreaccountamongthemthananexpensivetoyinthehandsofaspoiledchild。
Itwasinthisframeofmindthat，strikingbackfromtheshoreonemorningintothewindingsofanunfamiliarlane，shecamesuddenlyuponthefigureofGeorgeDorset。TheDorsetplacewasintheimmediateneighbourhoodoftheGormers’newly-acquiredestate，andinhermotor-flightsthitherwithMrs。Gormer，Lilyhadcaughtoneortwopassingglimpsesofthecouple；buttheymovedinsodifferentanorbitthatshehadnotconsideredthepossibilityofadirectencounter。
Dorset，swingingalongwithbenthead，inmoodyabstraction，didnotseeMissBarttillhewascloseuponher；butthesight，insteadofbringinghimtoahalt，asshehadhalf-expected，senthimtowardherwithaneagernesswhichfoundexpressioninhisopeningwords。
\"MissBart！——You’llshakehands，won’tyou？I’vebeenhopingtomeetyou——IshouldhavewrittentoyouifI’ddared。\"Hisface，withitstossedredhairandstragglingmoustache，hadadrivenuneasylook，asthoughlifehadbecomeanunceasingracebetweenhimselfandthethoughtsathisheels。
ThelookdrewawordofcompassionategreetingfromLily，andhepressedon，asifencouragedbyhertone:\"Iwantedtoapologize——toaskyoutoforgivemeforthemiserablepartI
played——\"
Shecheckedhimwithaquickgesture。\"Don’tletusspeakofit:
Iwasverysorryforyou，\"shesaid，withatingeofdisdainwhich，assheinstantlyperceived，wasnotlostonhim。
Heflushedtohishaggardeyes，flushedsocruellythatsherepentedthethrust。\"Youmightwellbe；youdon’tknow——youmustletmeexplain。Iwasdeceived:abominablydeceived——\"
\"Iamstillmoresorryforyou，then，\"sheinterposed，withoutirony；\"butyoumustseethatIamnotexactlythepersonwithwhomthesubjectcanbediscussed。\"
Hemetthiswithalookofgenuinewonder。\"Whynot？Isn’tittoyou，ofallpeople，thatIoweanexplanation——\"
\"Noexplanationisnecessary:thesituationwasperfectlycleartome。\"
\"Ah——\"hemurmured，hisheaddroopingagain，andhisirresolutehandswitchingattheunderbrushalongthelane。ButasLilymadeamovementtopasson，hebrokeoutwithfreshvehemence:\"MissBart，forGod’ssakedon’tturnfromme！Weusedtobegoodfriends——youwerealwayskindtome——andyoudon’tknowhowI
needafriendnow。\"
ThelamentableweaknessofthewordsrousedamotionofpityinLily’sbreast。Shetooneededfriends——shehadtastedthepangofloneliness；andherresentmentofBerthaDorset’scrueltysoftenedherhearttothepoorwretchwhowasafterallthechiefofBertha’svictims。
\"Istillwishtobekind；Ifeelnoill-willtowardyou，\"shesaid。\"Butyoumustunderstandthatafterwhathashappenedwecan’tbefriendsagain——wecan’tseeeachother。\"
\"Ah，youAREkind——you’remerciful——youalwayswere！\"Hefixedhismiserablegazeonher。\"Butwhycan’twebefriends——whynot，whenI’verepentedindustandashes？Isn’tithardthatyoushouldcondemnmetosufferforthefalseness，thetreacheryofothers？Iwaspunishedenoughatthetime——istheretobenorespiteforme？\"
\"Ishouldhavethoughtyouhadfoundcompleterespiteinthereconciliationwhichwaseffectedatmyexpense，\"Lilybegan，withrenewedimpatience；buthebrokeinimploringly:\"Don’tputitinthatway——whenthat’sbeentheworstofmypunishment。MyGod！whatcouldIdo——wasn’tIpowerless？Youweresingledoutasasacrifice:anywordImighthavesaidwouldhavebeenturnedagainstyou——\"
\"IhavetoldyouIdon’tblameyou；allIaskyoutounderstandisthat，aftertheuseBerthachosetomakeofme——afterallthatherbehaviourhassinceimplied——it’simpossiblethatyouandI
shouldmeet。\"
Hecontinuedtostandbeforeher，inhisdoggedweakness。\"Isit——needitbe？Mightn’ttherebecircumstances——？\"hecheckedhimself，slashingatthewaysideweedsinawiderradius。Thenhebeganagain:\"MissBart，listen——givemeaminute。Ifwe’renottomeetagain，atleastletmehaveahearingnow。Yousaywecan’tbefriendsafter——afterwhathashappened。Butcan’tIatleastappealtoyourpity？Can’tImoveyouifIaskyoutothinkofmeasaprisoner——aprisoneryoualonecansetfree？\"
Lily’sinwardstartbetrayeditselfinaquickblush:wasitpossiblethatthiswasreallythesenseofCarryFisher’sadumbrations？
\"Ican’tseehowIcanpossiblybeofanyhelptoyou，\"shemurmured，drawingbackalittlefromthemountingexcitementofhislook。
Hertoneseemedtosoberhim，asithadsooftendoneinhisstormiestmoments。Thestubbornlinesofhisfacerelaxed，andhesaid，withanabruptdroptodocility:\"YouWOULDsee，ifyou’dbeasmercifulasyouusedtobe:andheavenknowsI’veneverneededitmore！\"
Shepausedamoment，movedinspiteofherselfbythisreminderofherinfluenceoverhim。Herfibreshadbeensoftenedbysuffering，andthesuddenglimpseintohismockedandbrokenlifedisarmedhercontemptforhisweakness。
\"Iamverysorryforyou——Iwouldhelpyouwillingly；butyoumusthaveotherfriends，otheradvisers。\"
\"Ineverhadafriendlikeyou，\"heansweredsimply。\"Andbesides——can’tyousee？——you’retheonlyperson\"——hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper——\"theonlypersonwhoknows。\"
Againshefelthercolourchange；againherheartroseinprecipitatethrobstomeetwhatshefeltwascoming。Heliftedhiseyestoherentreatingly。\"Youdosee，don’tyou？Youunderstand？I’mdesperate——I’mattheendofmytether。I
wanttobefree，andyoucanfreeme。Iknowyoucan。Youdon’twanttokeepmeboundfastinhell，doyou？Youcan’twanttotakesuchavengeanceasthat。Youwerealwayskind——youreyesarekindnow。Yousayyou’resorryforme。Well，itrestswithyoutoshowit；andheavenknowsthere’snothingtokeepyouback。Youunderstand，ofcourse——therewouldn’tbeahintofpublicity——notasoundorasyllabletoconnectyouwiththething。Itwouldnevercometothat，youknow:allIneedistobeabletosaydefinitely:’Iknowthis——andthis——andthis’——andthefightwoulddrop，andthewaybecleared，andthewholeabominablebusinesssweptoutofsightinasecond。\"
Hespokepantingly，likeatiredrunner，withbreaksofexhaustionbetweenhiswords；andthroughthebreaksshecaught，asthroughtheshiftingrentsofafog，greatgoldenvistasofpeaceandsafety。Fortherewasnomistakingthedefiniteintentionbehindhisvagueappeal；shecouldhavefilleduptheblankswithoutthehelpofMrs。Fisher’sinsinuations。Herewasamanwhoturnedtoherintheextremityofhislonelinessandhishumiliation:ifshecametohimatsuchamomenthewouldbeherswithalltheforceofhisdeludedfaith。Andthepowertomakehimsolayinherhand——laythereinacompletenesshecouldnotevenremotelyconjecture。Revengeandrehabilitationmightbehersatastroke——therewassomethingdazzlinginthecompletenessoftheopportunity。
Shestoodsilent，gazingawayfromhimdowntheautumnalstretchofthedesertedlane。Andsuddenlyfearpossessedher——fearofherself，andoftheterribleforceofthetemptation。Allherpastweaknesseswerelikesomanyeageraccomplicesdrawinghertowardthepaththeirfeethadalreadysmoothed。Sheturnedquickly，andheldoutherhandtoDorset。
\"Goodbye——I’msorry；there’snothingintheworldthatIcando。\"
\"Nothing？Ah，don’tsaythat，\"hecried；\"saywhat’strue:thatyouabandonmeliketheothers。You，theonlycreaturewhocouldhavesavedme！\"
\"Goodbye——goodbye，\"sherepeatedhurriedly；andasshemovedawaysheheardhimcryoutonalastnoteofentreaty:\"Atleastyou’llletmeseeyouoncemore？\"
Lily，onregainingtheGormergrounds，struckrapidlyacrossthelawntowardtheunfinishedhouse，whereshefanciedthatherhostessmightbespeculating，nottooresignedly，onthecauseofherdelay；for，likemanyunpunctualpersons，Mrs。Gormerdislikedtobekeptwaiting。
AsMissBartreachedtheavenue，however，shesawasmartphaetonwithahigh-steppingpairdisappearbehindtheshrubberyinthedirectionofthegate；andonthedoorstepstoodMrs。Gormer，withaglowofretrospectivepleasureonheropencountenance。AtsightofLilytheglowdeepenedtoanembarrassedred，andshesaidwithaslightlaugh:\"Didyouseemyvisitor？Oh，Ithoughtyoucamebackbytheavenue。ItwasMrs。GeorgeDorset——shesaidshe’ddroppedintomakeaneighbourlycall。\"
Lilymettheannouncementwithherusualcomposure，thoughherexperienceofBertha’sidiosyncrasieswouldnothaveledhertoincludetheneighbourlyinstinctamongthem；andMrs。Gormer，relievedtoseethatshegavenosignofsurprise，wentonwithadeprecatinglaugh:\"Ofcoursewhatreallybroughtherwascuriosity——shemademetakeheralloverthehouse。Butnoonecouldhavebeennicer——noairs，youknow，andsogood-natured:I
canquiteseewhypeoplethinkhersofascinating。\"
Thissurprisingevent，coincidingtoocompletelywithhermeetingwithDorsettoberegardedascontingentuponit，hadyetimmediatelystruckLilywithavaguesenseofforeboding。ItwasnotinBertha’shabitstobeneighbourly，muchlesstomakeadvancestoanyoneoutsidetheimmediatecircleofheraffinities。Shehadalwaysconsistentlyignoredtheworldofouteraspirants，orhadrecognizeditsindividualmembersonlywhenpromptedbymotivesofself-interest；andtheverycapriciousnessofhercondescensionshad，asLilywasaware，giventhemspecialvalueintheeyesofthepersonsshedistinguished。LilysawthisnowinMrs。Gormer’sunconcealablecomplacency，andinthehappyirrelevancewithwhich，forthenextdayortwo，shequotedBertha’sopinionsandspeculatedontheoriginofhergown。AllthesecretambitionswhichMrs。Gormer’snativeindolence，andtheattitudeofhercompanions，keptinhabitualabeyance，werenowgerminatingafreshintheglowofBertha’sadvances；andwhateverthecauseofthelatter，Lilysawthat，iftheywerefollowedup，theywerelikelytohaveadisturbingeffectuponherownfuture。
Shehadarrangedtobreakthelengthofherstaywithhernewfriendsbyoneortwovisitstootheracquaintancesasrecent；
andonherreturnfromthissomewhatdepressingexcursionshewasimmediatelyconsciousthatMrs。Dorset’sinfluencewasstillintheair。Therehadbeenanotherexchangeofvisits，ateaatacountry-club，anencounteratahuntball；therewasevenarumourofanapproachingdinner，whichMattieGormer，withanunnaturaleffortatdiscretion，triedtosmuggleoutoftheconversationwheneverMissBarttookpartinit。
ThelatterhadalreadyplannedtoreturntotownafterafarewellSundaywithherfriends；and，withGertyFarish’said，haddiscoveredasmallprivatehotelwhereshemightestablishherselfforthewinter。Thehotelbeingontheedgeofafashionableneighbourhood，thepriceofthefewsquarefeetshewastooccupywasconsiderablyinexcessofhermeans；butshefoundajustificationforherdislikeofpoorerquartersintheargumentthat，atthisparticularjuncture，itwasoftheutmostimportancetokeepupashowofprosperity。Inreality，itwasimpossibleforher，whileshehadthemeanstopayherwayforaweekahead，tolapseintoaformofexistencelikeGertyFarish’s。Shehadneverbeensonearthebrinkofinsolvency；butshecouldatleastmanagetomeetherweeklyhotelbill，andhavingsettledtheheaviestofherpreviousdebtsoutofthemoneyshehadreceivedfromTrenor，shehadastillfairmarginofcredittogoupon。Thesituation，however，wasnotagreeableenoughtolullhertocompleteunconsciousnessofitsinsecurity。
Herrooms，withtheircrampedoutlookdownasallowvistaofbrickwallsandfire-escapes，herlonelymealsinthedarkrestaurantwithitssurchargedceilingandhauntingsmellofcoffee——allthesematerialdiscomforts，whichwereyettobeaccountedassomanyprivilegessoontobewithdrawn，keptconstantlybeforeherthedisadvantagesofherstate；andhermindrevertedthemoreinsistentlytoMrs。Fisher’scounsels。
Beataboutthequestionasshewould，sheknewtheoutcomeofitwasthatshemusttrytomarryRosedale；andinthisconvictionshewasfortifiedbyanunexpectedvisitfromGeorgeDorset。
Shefoundhim，onthefirstSundayafterherreturntotown，pacinghernarrowsitting-roomtotheimminentperilofthefewknick-knackswithwhichshehadtriedtodisguiseitsplushexuberances；butthesightofherseemedtoquiethim，andhesaidmeeklythathehadn’tcometobotherher——thatheaskedonlytobeallowedtositforhalfanhourandtalkofanythingsheliked。Inreality，assheknew，hehadbutonesubject:
himselfandhiswretchedness；anditwastheneedofhersympathythathaddrawnhimback。Buthebeganwithapretenceofquestioningheraboutherself，andasshereplied，shesawthat，forthefirsttime，afaintrealizationofherplightpenetratedthedensesurfaceofhisself-absorption。Wasitpossiblethatheroldbeastofanaunthadactuallycutheroff？Thatshewaslivingalonelikethisbecausetherewasnooneelseforhertogoto，andthatshereallyhadn’tmorethanenoughtokeepaliveontillthewretchedlittlelegacywaspaid？Thefibresofsympathywerenearlyatrophiedinhim，buthewassufferingsointenselythathehadafaintglimpseofwhatothersufferingsmightmean——and，assheperceived，analmostsimultaneousperceptionofthewayinwhichherparticularmisfortunesmightservehim。
Whenatlengthshedismissedhim，onthepretextthatshemustdressfordinner，helingeredentreatinglyonthethresholdtoblurtout:\"It’sbeensuchacomfort——dosayyou’llletmeseeyouagain——\"Buttothisdirectappealitwasimpossibletogiveanassent；andshesaidwithfriendlydecisiveness:\"I’msorry——butyouknowwhyIcan’t。\"
Hecolouredtotheeyes，pushedthedoorshut，andstoodbeforeherembarrassedbutinsistent。\"Iknowhowyoumight，ifyouwould——ifthingsweredifferent——anditlieswithyoutomakethemso。It’sjustawordtosay，andyouputmeoutofmymisery！\"
Theireyesmet，andforasecondshetrembledagainwiththenearnessofthetemptation。\"You’remistaken；Iknownothing；I
sawnothing，\"sheexclaimed，striving，bysheerforceofreiteration，tobuildabarrierbetweenherselfandherperil；
andasheturnedaway，groaningout\"Yousacrificeusboth，\"shecontinuedtorepeat，asifitwereacharm:\"Iknownothing——absolutelynothing。\"
LilyhadseenlittleofRosedalesinceherilluminatingtalkwithMrs。Fisher，butonthetwoorthreeoccasionswhentheyhadmetshewasconsciousofhavingdistinctlyadvancedinhisfavour。
Therecouldbenodoubtthatheadmiredherasmuchasever，andshebelieveditrestedwithherselftoraisehisadmirationtothepointwhereitshouldbeardownthelingeringcounselsofexpediency。Thetaskwasnotaneasyone；butneitherwasiteasy，inherlongsleeplessnights，tofacethethoughtofwhatGeorgeDorsetwassoclearlyreadytooffer。Basenessforbaseness，shehatedtheotherleast:therewereevenmomentswhenamarriagewithRosedaleseemedtheonlyhonourablesolutionofherdifficulties。Shedidnotindeedletherimaginationrangebeyondthedayofplighting:afterthateverythingfadedintoahazeofmaterialwell-being，inwhichthepersonalityofherbenefactorremainedmercifullyvague。Shehadlearned，inherlongvigils，thattherewerecertainthingsnotgoodtothinkof，certainmidnightimagesthatmustatanycostbeexorcised——andoneofthesewastheimageofherselfasRosedale’swife。
CarryFisher，onthestrength，asshefranklyowned，oftheBrys’
Newportsuccess，hadtakenfortheautumnmonthsasmallhouseatTuxedo；andthitherLilywasboundontheSundayafterDorset’svisit。Thoughitwasnearlydinner-timewhenshearrived，herhostesswasstillout，andthefirelitquietofthesmallsilenthousedescendedonherspiritwithasenseofpeaceandfamiliarity。ItmaybedoubtedifsuchanemotionhadeverbeforebeenevokedbyCarryFisher’ssurroundings；but，contrastedtotheworldinwhichLilyhadlatelylived，therewasanairofreposeandstabilityintheveryplacingofthefurniture，andinthequietcompetenceoftheparlour-maidwholedheruptoherroom。Mrs。Fisher’sunconventionalitywas，afterall，amerelysuperficialdivergencefromaninheritedsocialcreed，whilethemannersoftheGormercirclerepresentedtheirfirstattempttoformulatesuchacreedforthemselves。
ItwasthefirsttimesinceherreturnfromEuropethatLilyhadfoundherselfinacongenialatmosphere，andthestirringoffamiliarassociationshadalmostpreparedher，asshedescendedthestairsbeforedinner，toenteruponagroupofheroldacquaintances。Butthisexpectationwasinstantlycheckedbythereflectionthatthefriendswhoremainedloyalwerepreciselythosewhowouldbeleastwillingtoexposehertosuchencounters；anditwashardlywithsurprisethatshefound，instead，Mr。Rosedalekneelingdomesticallyonthedrawing-roomhearthbeforehishostess’slittlegirl。
RosedaleinthepaternalrolewashardlyafiguretosoftenLily；
yetshecouldnotbutnoticeaqualityofhomelygoodnessinhisadvancestothechild。Theywerenot，atanyrate，thepremeditatedandperfunctoryendearmentsoftheguestunderhishostess’seye，forheandthelittlegirlhadtheroomtothemselves；andsomethinginhisattitudemadehimseemasimpleandkindlybeingcomparedtothesmallcriticalcreaturewhoenduredhishomage。Yes，hewouldbekind——Lily，fromthethreshold，hadtimetofeel——kindinhisgross，unscrupulous，rapaciousway，thewayofthepredatorycreaturewithhismate。