\"Abank-robber，andwhatyoucallamurderer，likewise，hashisrights，whichmenofenlightenedhumanityandconscienceshouldregardinsomuchthemoreliberalspirit，becausethebulkofsocietyispronetocontroverttheirexistence。Analmostspiritualmedium，liketheelectrictelegraph，shouldbeconsecratedtohigh，deep，joyful，andholymissions。Lovers，dayby，day——hourbyhour，ifsooftenmovedtodoit，——mightsendtheirheart-throbsfromMainetoFlorida，withsomesuchwordsasthese`Iloveyouforever！’——
`Myheartrunsoverwithlove！’——`IloveyoumorethanIcan！’
and，again，atthenextmessage’Ihavelivedanhourlonger，andloveyoutwiceasmuch！’Or，whenagoodmanhasdeparted，hisdistantfriendshouldbeconsciousofanelectricthrill，asfromtheworldofhappyspirits，tellinghim’Yourdearfriendisinbliss！’Or，toanabsenthusband，shouldcometidingsthus`Animmortalbeing，ofwhomyouarethefather，hasthismomentcomefromGod！’andimmediatelyitslittlevoicewouldseemtohavereachedsofar，andtobeechoinginhisheart。Butforthesepoorrogues，thebank-robbers，——who，afterall，areaboutashonestasninepeopleinten，exceptthattheydisregardcertainformalities，andprefertotransactbusinessatmidnightratherthan’Change-hours，——andforthesemurderers，asyouphraseit，whoareoftenexcusableinthemotivesoftheirdeed，anddeservetoberankedamongpublicbenefactors，ifweconsideronlyitsresult，——forunfortunateindividualslikethese，Ireallycannotapplaudtheenlistmentofanimmaterialandmiraculouspowerintheuniversalworld-huntattheirheels！\"
\"Youcan’t，hey？\"criedtheoldgentleman，withahardlook。
\"Positively，no！\"answeredClifford。\"Itputsthemtoomiserablyatdisadvantage。Forexample，sir，inadark，low，cross-beamed，panelledroomofanoldhouse，letussupposeadeadman，sittinginanarm-chair，withablood-stainonhisshirt-bosom，——andletusaddtoourhypothesisanotherman，issuingfromthehouse，whichhefeelstobeover-filledwiththedeadman’spresence，——andletuslastlyimaginehimfleeing，Heavenknowswhither，atthespeedofahurricane，byrailroad！Now，sir，ifthefugutivealightinsomedistanttown，andfindallthepeoplebabblingaboutthatself-samedeadman，whomhehasfledsofartoavoidthesightandthoughtof，willyounotallowthathisnaturalrightshavebeeninfringed？Hehasbeendeprivedofhiscityofrefuge，and，inmyhumbleopinion，hassufferedinfinitewrong！\"
\"Youareastrangeman；sir\"saidtheoldgentleman，bringinghisgimlet-eyetoapointonClifford，asifdeterminedtoborerightintohim。\"Ican’tseethroughyou！\"
\"No，I’llbeboundyoucan’t！\"criedClifford，laughing。\"Andyet，mydearsir，IamastransparentasthewaterofMaule’swell！
Butcome，Hepzibah！Wehaveflownfarenoughforonce。Letusalight，asthebirdsdo，andperchourselvesonthenearesttwig，andconsultwitherweshallflynext！\"
Justthen，asithappened，thetrainreachedasolitaryway-station。
Takingadvantageofthebriefpause，Cliffordleftthecar，anddrewHepzibahalongwithhim。Amomentafterwards，thetrain——withallthelifeofitsinterior，amidwhichCliffordhadmadehimselfsoconspicuousanobject——wasglidingawayinthedistance，andrapidlylesseningtoapointwhich，inanothermoment，vanished。
Theworldhadfledawayfromthesetwowanderers。Theygazeddrearilyaboutthem。Atalittledistancestoodawoodenchurch，blackwithage，andinadismalstateofruinanddecay，withbrokenwindows，agreatriftthroughthemainbodyoftheedifice，andarafterdanglingfromthetopofthesquaretower。Fartheroffwasafarm-house，intheoldstyle，asvenerablyblackasthechurch，witharoofslopingdownwardfromthethree-storypeak，towithinaman’sheightoftheground。Itseemeduninhabited。Thereweretherelicsofawood-pile，indeed，nearthedoor，butwithgrasssproutingupamongthechipsandscatteredlogs。Thesmallrain-dropscamedownaslant；thewindwasnotturbulent，butsullen，andfullofchillymoisture。
Cliffordshiveredfromheadtofoot。Thewildeffervescenceofhismood——whichhadsoreadilysuppliedthoughts，fantasies，andastrangeaptitudeofwords，andimpelledhimtotalkfromthemerenecessityofgivingventtothisbubbling-upgushofideashadentirelysubsided。Apowerfulexcitementhadgivenhimenergyandvivacity。Itsoperationover，heforthwithbegantosink。
\"Youmusttaketheleadnow，Hepzibah！\"murmuredhe，withatorpidandreluctantutterance。\"Dowithmeasyouwill！\"
Shekneltdownupontheplatformwheretheywerestandingandliftedherclaspedhandstothesky。Thedull，grayweightofcloudsmadeitinvisible；butitwasnohourfordisbelief，——nojuncturethistoquestionthattherewasaskyabove，andanAlmightyFatherlookingfromit！
\"OGod！\"——ejaculatedpoor，gauntHepzibah，——thenpausedamoment，toconsiderwhatherprayershouldbe，——\"OGod，——ourFather，——arewenotthychildren？Havemercyonus！\"
XVIIIGovernorPyncheonJUDGEPYNCHEON，whilehistworelativeshavefledawaywithsuchill-consideredhaste，stillsitsintheoldparlor，keepinghouse，asthefamiliarphraseis，intheabsenceofitsordinaryoccupants。
Tohim，andtothevenerableHouseoftheSevenGables，doesourstorynowbetakeitself，likeanowl，bewilderedinthedaylight，andhasteningbacktohishollowtree。
TheJudgehasnotshiftedhispositionforalongwhilenow。
Hehasnotstirredhandorfoot，norwithdrawnhiseyessomuchasahair’s-breadthfromtheirfixedgazetowardsthecorneroftheroom，sincethefootstepsofHepzibahandCliffordcreakedalongthepassage，andtheouterdoorwasclosedcautiouslybehindtheirexit。Heholdshiswatchinhislefthand，butclutchedinsuchamannerthatyoucannotseethedial-plate。Howprofoundafitofmeditation！Or，supposinghimasleep，howinfantileaquietudeofconscience，andwhatwholesomeorderinthegastricregion，arebetokenedbyslumbersoentirelyundisturbedwithstarts，cramp，twitches，muttereddreamtalk，trumpet-blaststhroughthenasalorgan，oranyslightestirregularityofbreath！
Youmustholdyourownbreath，tosatisfyyourselfwhetherhebreathesatall。Itisquiteinaudible。Youhearthetickingofhiswatch；
hisbreathyoudonothear。Amostrefreshingslumber，doubtless！
Andyet，theJudgecannotbeasleep。Hiseyesareopen！Aveteranpolitician，suchashe，wouldneverfallasleepwithwide-openeyes，lestsomeenemyormischief-maker，takinghimthusatunawares，shouldpeepthroughthesewindowsintohisconsciousness，andmakestrangediscoveriesamongtheremniniscences，projects，hopes，apprehensions，weaknesses，andstrongpoints，whichhehasheretoforesharedwithnobody。Acautiousmanisproverbiallysaidtosleepwithoneeyeopen。Thatmaybewisdom。Butnotwithboth；
forthiswereheedlessness！No，no！JudgePyncheoncannotbeasleep。
Itisodd，however，thatagentlemansoburdenedwithengagements，——andnoted，too，forpunctuality，——shouldlingerthusinanoldlonelymansion，whichhehasneverseemedveryfondofvisiting。
Theoakenchair，tobesure，maytempthimwithitsroominess。
Itis，indeed，aspacious，and，allowingfortherudeagethatfashionedit，amoderatelyeasyseat，withcapacityenough，atallevents，andofferingnorestrainttotheJudge’sbreadthofbeam。Abiggermanmightfindampleaccommodationinit。
Hisancestor，nowpictureduponthewall，withallhisEnglishbeefabouthim，usedhardlytopresentafrontextendingfromelbowtoelbowofthischair，orabasethatwouldcoveritswholecushion。Buttherearebetterchairsthanthis，——mahogany，blackwalnut，rosewood，spring-seatedanddamask-cushioned，withvariedslopes，andinnumerableartificestomakethemeasy，andobviatetheirksomenessoftootameanease，——ascoreofsuchmightbeatJudgePyncheon’sservice。Yes！inascoreofdrawing-roomshewouldbemorethanwelcome。Mammawouldadvancetomeethim，withoutstretchedhand；thevirgindaughter，elderlyashehasnowgottobe，——anoldwidower，ashesmilinglydescribeshimself，——wouldshakeupthecushionfortheJudge，anddoherprettyutmosttomakehimcomfortable。FortheJudgeisaprosperousman。Hecherisheshisschemes，moreover，likeotherpeople，andreasonablybrighterthanmostothers；ordidso，atleast，ashelayabedthismorning，inanagreeablehalf-drowse，planningthebusinessoftheday，andspeculatingontheprobabilitiesofthenextfifteenyears。Withhisfirmhealth，andthelittleinroadthatagehasmadeuponhim，fifteenyearsortwenty——yes，orperhapsfive-and-twenty！——arenomorethanhemayfairlycallhisown。Five-and-twentyyearsfortheenjoymentofhisrealestateintownandcountry，hisrailroad，bank，andinsuranceshares，hisUnitedStatesstock，——hiswealth，inshort，howeverinvested，nowinpossession，orsoontobeacquired；
togetherwiththepublichonorsthathavefallenuponhim，andtheweightieronesthatareyettofall！Itisgood！Itisexcellent！Itisenough！
Stilllingeringintheoldchair！IftheJudgehasalittletimetothrowaway，whydoesnothevisittheinsuranceoffice，asishisfrequentcustom，andsitawhileinoneoftheirleathern-cushionedarm-chairs，listeningtothegossipoftheday，anddroppingsomedeeplydesignedchance-word，whichwillbecertaintobecomethegossipofto-morrow。AndhavenotthebankdirectorsameetingatwhichitwastheJudge’spurposetobepresent，andhisofficetopreside？Indeedtheyhave；andthehourisnotedonacard，whichis，oroughttobe，inJudgePyncheon’srightvest-pocket。Lethimgothither，andlollateaseuponhismoneybags！Hehasloungedlongenoughintheoldchair！
Thiswastohavebeensuchabusyday。Inthefirstplace，theinterviewwithClifford。Halfanhour，bytheJudge’sreckoning，wastosufficeforthat；itwouldprobablybeless，but——takingintoconsiderationthatHepzibahwasfirsttobedealtwith，andthatthesewomenareapttomakemanywordswhereafewwoulddomuchbetter——itmightbesafesttoallowhalfanhour。Halfanhour？Why，Judge，itisalreadytwohours，byyourownundeviatinglyaccuratechronometer。Glanceyoureyedownatitandsee！Ah！hewillnotgivehimselfthetroubleeithertobendhishead，orelevatehishand，soastobringthefaithfultime-keeperwithinhisrangeofvision！Time，allatonce，appearstohavebecomeamatterofnomomentwiththeJudge！
Andhasheforgottenalltheotheritemsofhismemoranda？
Clifford’saffairarranged，hewastomeetaStateStreetbroker，whohasundertakentoprocureaheavypercentage，andthebestofpaper，forafewloosethousandswhichtheJudgehappenstohavebyhim，uninvested。Thewrinklednote-shaverwillhavetakenhisrailroadtripinvain。Halfanhourlater，inthestreetnexttothis，therewastobeanauctionofrealestate，includingaportionoftheoldPyncheonproperty，originallybelongingtoMaule’sgardenground。IthasbeenalienatedfromthePyncheonsthesefour-scoreyears；buttheJudgehadkeptitinhiseye，andhadsethisheartonreannexingittothesmalldemesnestillleftaroundtheSevenGables；andnow，duringthisoddfitofoblivion，thefatalhammermusthavefallen，andtransferredourancientpatrimonytosomealienpossessor。Possibly，indeed，thesalemayhavebeenpostponedtillfairerweather。Ifso，willtheJudgemakeitconvenienttobepresent，andfavortheauctioneerwithhisbid，Ontheproximateoccasion？
Thenextaffairwastobuyahorseforhisowndriving。Theoneheretoforehisfavoritestumbled，thisverymorning，ontheroadtotown，andmustbeatoncediscarded。JudgePyncheon’sneckistooprecioustoberiskedonsuchacontingencyasastumblingsteed。Shouldalltheabovebusinessbeseasonablygotthroughwith，hemightattendthemeetingofacharitablesociety；theverynameofwhich，however，inthemultiplicityofhisbenevolence，isquiteforgotten；sothatthisengagementmaypassunfulfilled，andnogreatharmdone。Andifhehavetime，amidthepressofmoreurgentmatters，hemusttakemeasuresfortherenewalofMrs。Pyncheon’stombstone，which，thesextontellshim，hasfallenonitsmarbleface，andiscrackedquiteintwain。
Shewasapraiseworthywomanenough，thinkstheJudge，inspiteofhernervousness，andthetearsthatshewassooozywith，andherfoolishbehavioraboutthecoffee；andasshetookherdeparturesoseasonably，hewillnotgrudgethesecondtombstone。
Itisbetter，atleast，thanifshehadneverneededany！Thenextitemonhislistwastogiveordersforsomefruit-trees，ofararevariety，tobedeliverableathiscountry-seatintheensuingautumn。Yes，buythem，byallmeans；andmaythepeachesbelusciousinyourmouth，JudgePyncheon！Afterthiscomessomethingmoreimportant。Acommitteeofhispoliticalpartyhasbesoughthimforahundredortwoofdollars，inadditiontohispreviousdisbursements，towardscarryingonthefallcampaign。TheJudgeisapatriot；thefateofthecountryisstakedontheNovemberelection；andbesides，aswillbeshadowedforthinanotherparagraph，hehasnotriflingstakeofhisowninthesamegreatgame。Hewilldowhatthecommitteeasks；nay，hewillbeliberalbeyondtheirexpectations；theyshallhaveacheckforfivehundreddollars，andmoreanon，ifitbeneeded。Whatnext？Adecayedwidow，whosehusbandwasJudgePyncheon’searlyfriend，haslaidhercaseofdestitutionbeforehim，inaverymovingletter。Sheandherfairdaughterhavescarcelybreadtoeat。Hepartlyintendstocallonherto-day，——perhapsso——perhapsnot，——accordinglyashemayhappentohaveleisure，andasmallbank-note。
Anotherbusiness，which，however，heputsnogreatweighton(itiswell，youknow，tobeheedful，butnotover-anxious，asrespectsone’spersonalhealth)，——anotherbusiness，then，wastoconsulthisfamilyphysician。Aboutwhat，forHeaven’ssake？Why，itisratherdifficulttodescribethesymptoms。Ameredimnessofsightanddizzinessofbrain，wasit？——ordisagreeablechoking，orstifling，orgurgling，orbubbling，intheregionofthethorax，astheanatomistssay？——orwasitaprettyseverethrobbingandkickingoftheheart，rathercreditabletohimthanotherwise，asshowingthattheorganhadnotbeenleftoutoftheJudge’sphysicalcontrivance？
Nomatterwhatitwas。Thedoctorprobablywouldsmileatthestatementofsuchtriflestohisprofessionalear；theJudgewouldsmileinhisturn；andmeetingoneanother’seyes，theywouldenjoyaheartylaughtogether！Butafigformedicaladvice。TheJudgewillneverneedit。
Pray，pray，JudgePyncheon，lookatyourwatch，Now！What——notaglance！Itiswithintenminutesofthedinnerhour！Itsurelycannothaveslippedyourmemorythatthedinnerofto-dayistobethemostimportant，initsconsequences，ofallthedinnersyoueverate。Yes，preciselythemostimportant；although，inthecourseofyoursomewhateminentcareer，youhavebeenplacedhightowardstheheadofthetable，atsplendidbanquets，andhavepouredoutyourfestiveeloquencetoearsyetechoingwithWebster’smightyorgan-tones。Nopublicdinnerthis，however。ItismerelyagatheringofsomedozenorsooffriendsfromseveraldistrictsoftheState；menofdistinguishedcharacterandinfluence，assembling，almostcasually，atthehouseofacommonfriend，likewisedistinguished，whowillmakethemwelcometoalittlebetterthanhisordinaryfare。NothinginthewayofFrenchcookery，butanexcellentdinner，nevertheless。
Realturtle，weunderstand，andsalmon，tautog，canvas-backs，pig，Englishmutton，goodroastbeef，ordaintiesofthatseriouskind，fitforsubstantialcountrygentlemen，asthesehonorablepersonsmostlyare。Thedelicaciesoftheseason，inshort，andflavoredbyabrandofoldMadeirawhichhasbeentheprideofmanyseasons。
ItistheJunobrand；agloriouswine，fragrant，andfullofgentlemight；abottled-uphappiness，putbyforuse；agoldenliquid，worthmorethanliquidgold；sorareandadmirable，thatveteranwine-bibberscountitamongtheirepochstohavetastedit！
Itdrivesawaytheheart-ache，andsubstitutesnohead-ache！
CouldtheJudgebutquaffaglass，itmightenablehimtoshakeofftheunaccountablelethargywhich(fortheteninterveningminutes，andfivetoboot，arealreadypast)hasmadehimsuchalaggardatthismomentousdinner。Itwouldallbutreviveadeadman！Wouldyouliketosipitnow，JudgePyncheon？
Alas，thisdinner。Haveyoureallyforgottenitstrueobject？
Thenletuswhisperit，thatyoumaystartatonceoutoftheoakenchair，whichreallyseemstobeenchanted，liketheoneinComus，orthatinwhichMollPitcherimprisonedyourowngrandfather。Butambitionisatalismanmorepowerfulthanwitchcraft。Startup，then，and，hurryingthroughthestreets，burstinuponthecompany，thattheymaybeginbeforethefishisspoiled！Theywaitforyou；anditislittleforyourinterestthattheyshouldwait。Thesegentlemen——needyoubetoldit？——
haveassembled，notwithoutpurpose，fromeveryquarteroftheState。Theyarepractisedpoliticians，everymanofthem，andskilledtoadjustthosepreliminarymeasureswhichstealfromthepeople，withoutitsknowledge，thepowerofchoosingitsownrulers。Thepopularvoice，atthenextgubernatorialelection，thoughloudasthunder，willbereallybutanechoofwhatthesegentlemenshallspeak，undertheirbreath，atyourfriend’sfestiveboard。Theymeettodecideupontheircandidate。
Thislittleknotofsubtleschemerswillcontroltheconvention，and，throughit，dictatetotheparty。Andwhatworthiercandidate，——morewiseandlearned，morenotedforphilanthropicliberality，truertosafeprinciples，triedoftenerbypublictrusts，morespotlessinprivatecharacter，withalargerstakeinthecommonwelfare，anddeepergrounded，byhereditarydescent，inthefaithandpracticeofthePuritans，——whatmancanbepresentedforthesuffrageofthepeople，soeminentlycombiningalltheseclaimstothechief-rulershipasJudgePyncheonherebeforeus？
Makehaste，then！Doyourpart！Themeedforwhichyouhavetoiled，andfought，andclimbed，andcrept，isreadyforyourgrasp！Bepresentatthisdinner！——drinkaglassortwoofthatnoblewine！——makeyourpledgesinaslowawhisperasyouwill！——
andyouriseupfromtablevirtuallygovernorofthegloriousoldState！GovernorPyncheonofMassachusetts！
Andistherenopotentandexhilaratingcordialinacertaintylikethis？Ithasbeenthegrandpurposeofhalfyourlifetimetoobtainit。Now，whenthereneedslittlemorethantosignifyyouracceptance，whydoyousitsolumpishlyinyourgreat-great-grandfather’soakenchair，asifpreferringittothegubernatorialone？WehaveallheardofKingLog；but，inthesejostlingtimes，oneofthatroyalkindredwillhardlywintheraceforanelectivechief-magistracy。
Well！itisabsolutelytoolatefordinner！Turtle，salmon，tautog，woodcock，boiledturkey，South-Downmutton，pig，roast-beef，havevanished，orexistonlyinfragments，withlukewarmpotatoes，andgraviescrustedoverwithcoldfat。TheJudge，hadhedonenothingelse，wouldhaveachievedwonderswithhisknifeandfork。
Itwashe，youknow，ofwhomitusedtobesaid，inreferencetohisogre-likeappetite，thathisCreatormadehimagreataninmal，butthatthedinner-hourmadehimagreatbeast。Personsofhislargesensualendowmentsmustclaimindulgence，attheirfeeding-time。
But，foronce，theJudgeisentirelytoolatefordinner！Toolate，wefear，eventojointhepartyattheirwine！Theguestsarewarmandmerry；theyhavegivenuptheJudge；and，concludingthattheFree-Soilershavehim，theywillfixuponanothercandidate。Wereourfriendnowtostalkinamongthem，withthatwide-openstare，atoncewildandstolid，hisungenialpresencewouldbeapttochangetheircheer。NeitherwoulditbeseemlyinJudgePyncheon，generallysoscrupulousinhisattire，toshowhimselfatadinner-tablewiththatcrimsonstainuponhisshirt-bosom。Bythebye，howcameitthere？Itisanuglysight，atanyrate；andthewisestwayfortheJudgeistobuttonhiscoatcloselyoverhisbreast，and，takinghishorseandchaisefromtheliverystable，tomakeallspeedtohisownhouse。There，afteraglassofbrandyandwater，andamutton-chop，abeefsteak，abroiledfowl，orsomesuchhastylittledinnerandsupperallinone，hehadbetterspendtheeveningbythefireside。
Hemusttoasthisslippersalongwhile，inordertogetridofthechillinesswhichtheairofthisvileoldhousehassentcurdlingthroughhisveins。
Up，therefore，JudgePyncheon，up！Youhavelostaday。Butto-morrowwillbehereanon。Willyourise，betimes，andmakethemostofit？To-morrow。To-morrow！To-morrow。We，thatarealive，mayrisebetimesto-morrow。Asforhimthathasdiedto-day，hismorrowwillbetheresurrectionmorn。
Meanwhilethetwilightisgloomingupwardoutofthecornersoftheroom。Theshadowsofthetallfurnituregrowdeeper，andatfirstbecomemoredefinite；then，spreadingwider，theylosetheirdistinctnessofoutlineinthedarkgraytideofoblivion，asitwere，thatcreepsslowlyoverthevariousobjects，andtheonehumanfiguresittinginthemidstofthem。Thegloomhasnotenteredfromwithout；ithasbroodedhereallday，andnow，takingitsowninevitabletime，willpossessitselfofeverything。
TheJudge’sface，indeed，rigidandsingularlywhite，refusestomeltintothisuniversalsolvent。Fainterandfaintergrowsthelight。Itisasifanotherdouble-handfulofdarknesshadbeenscatteredthroughtheair。Nowitisnolongergray，butsable。
Thereisstillafaintappearanceatthewindow。neitheraglow，noragleam，Noraglimmer，——anyphraseoflightwouldexpresssomethingfarbrighterthanthisdoubtfulperception，orsense，rather，thatthereisawindowthere。Hasityetvanished？No！——
yes！——notquite！Andthereisstilltheswarthywhiteness，——weshallventuretomarrytheseill-agreeingwords，——theswarthywhitenessofJudgePyncheon’sface。Thefeaturesareallgone:
thereisonlythepalenessofthemleft。Andhowlooksitnow？
Thereisnowindow！Thereisnoface！Aninfinite，inscrutableblacknesshasannihilatedsight！Whereisouruniverse？Allcrumbledawayfromus；andwe，adriftinchaos，mayhearkentothegustsofhomelesswind，thatgosighingandmurmuringaboutinquestofwhatwasonceaworld！
Istherenoothersound？Oneother，andafearfulone。ItisthetickingoftheJudge’swatch，which，eversinceHepzibahlefttheroominsearchofClifford，hehasbeenholdinginhishand。Bethecausewhatitmay，thislittle，quiet，never-ceasingthrobofTime’spulse，repeatingitssmallstrokeswithsuchbusyregularity，inJudgePyncheon’smotionlesshand，hasaneffectofterror，whichwedonotfindinanyotheraccompanimentofthescene。
But，listen！Thatpuffofthebreezewaslouder。it，hadatoneunlikethedrearyandsullenonewhichhasbemoaneditself，andafflictedallmankindwithmiserablesympathy，forfivedayspast。
Thewindhasveeredabout！Itnowcomesboisterouslyfromthenorthwest，and，takingholdoftheagedframeworkoftheSevenGables，givesitashake，likeawrestlerthatwouldtrystrengthwithhisantagonist。Anotherandanothersturdytusslewiththeblast！Theoldhousecreaksagain，andmakesavociferousbutsomewhatunintelligiblebellowinginitssootythroat(thebigflue，wemean，ofitswidechimney)，partlyincomplaintattherudewind，butrather，asbefitstheircenturyandahalfofhostileintimacy，intoughdefiance。Arumblingkindofablusterroarsbehindthefire-board。Adoorhasslammedabovestairs。
Awindow，perhaps，hasbeenleftopen，orelseisdriveninbyanunrulygust。Itisnottobeconceived，before-hand，whatwonderfulwind-instrumentsaretheseoldtimbermansions，andhowhauntedwiththestrangestnoises，whichimmediatelybegintosing，andsigh，andsob，andshriek，——andtosmitewithsledge-hammers，airybutponderous，insomedistantchamber，——andtotreadalongtheentriesaswithstatelyfootsteps，andrustleupanddownthestaircase，aswithsilksmiraculouslystiff，——wheneverthegalecatchesthehousewithawindowopen，andgetsfairlyintoit。Wouldthatwewerenotanattendantspirithere！Itistooawful！Thisclamorofthewindthroughthelonelyhouse；theJudge’squietude，ashesitsinvisible；
andthatpertinacioustickingofhiswatch！
AsregardsJudgePyncheon’sinvisibility，however，thatmatterwillsoonberemedied。Thenorthwestwindhasswepttheskyclear。Thewindowisdistinctlyseen。Throughitspanes，moreover，wedimlycatchthesweepofthedark，clusteringfoliageoutside，flutteringwithaconstantirregularityofmovement，andlettinginapeepofstarlight，nowhere，nowthere。Oftenerthananyotherobject，theseglimpsesilluminatetheJudge’sface。Butherecomesmoreeffectuallight。Observethatsilverydanceupontheupperbranchesofthepear-tree，andnowalittlelower，andnowonthewholemassofboughs，while，throughtheirshiftingintricacies，themoonbeamsfallaslantintotheroom。TheyplayovertheJudge’sfigureandshowthathehasnotstirredthroughoutthehoursofdarkness。
Theyfollowtheshadows，inchangefulsport，acrosshisunchangingfeatures。Theygleamuponhiswatch。Hisgraspconcealsthedial-plate，——butweknowthatthefaithfulhandshavemet；
foroneofthecityclockstellsmidnight。
Amanofsturdyunderstanding，likeJudgePyncheon，caresnomorefortwelveo’clockatnightthanforthecorrespondinghourofnoon。Howeverjusttheparalleldrawn，insomeoftheprecedingpages，betweenhisPuritanancestorandhimself，itfailsinthispoint。ThePyncheonoftwocenturiesago，incommonwithmostofhiscontemporaries，professedhisfullbeliefinspiritualministrations，althoughreckoningthemchieflyofamalignantcharacter。ThePyncheonofto-night，whositsinyonderarm-chair，believesinnosuchnonsense。Such，atleast，washiscreed，somefewhourssince。Hishairwillnotbristle，therefore，atthestorieswhich——intimeswhenchimney-cornershadbenchesinthem，whereoldpeoplesatpokingintotheashesofthepast，andrakingouttraditionslikelivecoals——usedtobetoldaboutthisveryroomofhisancestralhouse。Infact，thesetalesaretooabsurdtobristleevenchildhood’shair。Whatsense，meaning，ormoral，forexample，suchasevenghost-storiesshouldbesusceptibleof，canbetracedintheridiculouslegend，that，atmidnight，allthedeadPyncheonsareboundtoassembleinthisparlor？And，pray，forwhat？Why，toseewhethertheportraitoftheirancestorstillkeepsitsplaceuponthewall，incompliancewithhistestamentarydirections！Isitworthwhiletocomeoutoftheirgravesforthat？
Wearetemptedtomakealittlesportwiththeidea。Ghost-storiesarehardlytobetreatedseriouslyanylonger。Thefamily-partyofthedefunctPyncheons，wepresume，goesoffinthiswise。
Firstcomestheancestorhimself，inhisblackcloak，steeple-hat，andtrunk-breeches，girtaboutthewaistwithaleathernbelt，inwhichhangshissteel-hiltedsword；hehasalongstaffinhishand，suchasgentlemeninadvancedlifeusedtocarry，asmuchforthedignityofthethingasforthesupporttobederivedfromit。Helooksupattheportrait；athingofnosubstance，gazingatitsownpaintedimage！Allissafe。Thepictureisstillthere。
Thepurposeofhisbrainhasbeenkeptsacredthuslongafterthemanhimselfhassproutedupingraveyardgrass。See！heliftshisineffectualhand，andtriestheframe。Allsafe！Butisthatasmile？——isitnot，ratherafrownofdeadlyimport，thatdarkensovertheshadowofhisfeatures？ThestoutColonelisdissatisfied！
Sodecidedishislookofdiscontentastoimpartadditionaldistinctnesstohisfeatures；throughwhich，nevertheless，themoonlightpasses，andflickersonthewallbeyond。Somethinghasstrangelyvexedtheancestor！Withagrimshakeofthehead，heturnsaway。HerecomeotherPyncheons，thewholetribe，intheirhalfadozengenerations，jostlingandelbowingoneanother，toreachthepicture。Webeholdagedmenandgrandames，aclergymanwiththePuritanicstiffnessstillinhisgarbandmien，andared-coatedofficeroftheoldFrenchwar；andtherecomestheshop-keepingPyncheonofacenturyago，withtherufflesturnedbackfromhiswrists；andtheretheperiwiggedandbrocadedgentlemanoftheartist’slegend，withthebeautifulandpensiveAlice，whobringsnoprideoutofhervirgingrave。Alltrythepicture-frame。Whatdotheseghostlypeopleseek？Amotherliftsherchild，thathislittlehandsmaytouchit！Thereisevidentlyamysteryaboutthepicture，thatperplexesthesepoorPyncheonswhentheyoughttobeatrest。Inacorner，meanwhile，standsthefigureofanelderlyman，inaleathernjerkinandbreeches，withacarpenter’srulestickingoutofhissidepocket；hepointshisfingeratthebeardedColonelandhisdescendants，nodding，jeering，mocking，andfinallyburstingintoobstreperous，thoughinaudiblelaughter。
Indulgingourfancyinthisfreak，wehavepartlylostthepowerofrestraintandguidance。Wedistinguishanunlooked-forfigureinourvisionaryscene。Amongthoseancestralpeoplethereisayoungman，dressedintheveryfashionofto-day:hewearsadarkfrock-coat，almostdestituteofskirts，graypantaloons，gaiterbootsofpatentleather，andhasafinelywroughtgoldchainacrosshisbreast，andalittlesilver-headedwhalebonestickinhishand。Werewetomeetthisfigureatnoonday，weshouldgreethimasyoungJaffreyPyncheon，theJudge’sonlysurvivingchild，whohasbeenspendingthelasttwoyearsinforeigntravel。Ifstillinlife，howcomeshisshadowhither？
Ifdead，whatamisfortune！TheoldPyncheonproperty，togetherwiththegreatestateacquiredbytheyoungman’sfather，woulddevolveonwhom？Onpoor，foolishClifford，gauntHepzibah，andrusticlittlePhoebe！Butanotherandagreatermarvelgreetsus！
Canwebelieveoureyes？Astout，elderlygentlemanhasmadehisappearance；hehasanaspectofeminentrespectability，wearsablackcoatandpantaloons，ofroomywidth，andmightbepronouncedscrupulouslyneatinhisattire，butforabroadcrimsonstainacrosshissnowyneckclothanddownhisshirt-bosom。IsittheJudge，orno？HowcanitbeJudgePyncheon？Wediscernhisfigure，asplainlyastheflickeringmoonbeamscanshowusanything，stillseatedintheoakenchair！Betheapparitionwhoseitmay，itadvancestothepicture，seemstoseizetheframe，triestopeepbehindit，andturnsaway，withafrownasblackastheancestralone。
Thefantasticscenejusthintedatmustbynomeansbeconsideredasforminganactualportionofourstory。Wewerebetrayedintothisbriefextravagancebythequiverofthemoonbeams；theydancehand-in-handwithshadows，andarereflectedinthelooking-glass，which，youareaware，isalwaysakindofwindowordoorwayintothespiritualworld。Weneededrelief，moreover，fromourtoolongandexclusivecontemplationofthatfigureinthechair。
Thiswildwind，too，hastossedourthoughtsintostrangeconfusion，butwithouttearingthemawayfromtheironedeterminedcentre。
YonderleadenJudgesitsimmovablyuponoursoul。Willheneverstiragain？Weshallgomadunlesshestirs！Youmaythebetterestimatehisquietudebythefearlessnessofalittlemouse，whichsitsonitshindlegs，inastreakofmoonlight，closebyJudgePyncheon’sfoot，andseemstomeditateajourneyofexplorationoverthisgreatblackbulk。Ha！whathasstartledthenimblelittlemouse？Itisthevisageofgrimalkin，outsideofthewindow，whereheappearstohavepostedhimselfforadeliberatewatch。Thisgrimalkinhasaveryuglylook。Isitacatwatchingforamouse，orthedevilforahumansoul？Wouldwecouldscarehimfromthewindow！
ThankHeaven，thenightiswell-nighpast！Themoonbeamshavenolongersosilveryagleam，norcontrastsostronglywiththeblacknessoftheshadowsamongwhichtheyfall。Theyarepalernow；theshadowslookgray，notblack。Theboisterouswindishushed。Whatisthehour？Ah！thewatchhasatlastceasedtotick；fortheJudge’sforgetfulfingersneglectedtowinditup，asusual，atteno’clock，beinghalfanhourorsobeforehisordinarybedtime，——andithasrundown，forthefirsttimeinfiveyears。Butthegreatworld-clockofTimestillkeepsitsbeat。
Thedrearynight——for，oh，howdrearyseemsitshauntedwaste，behindus！——givesplacetoafresh，transparent，cloudlessmorn。
Blessed，blessedradiance！Thedaybeam——evenwhatlittleofitfindsitswayintothisalwaysduskyparlor——seemspartoftheuniversalbenediction，annullingevil，andrenderingallgoodnesspossible，andhappinessattainable。WillJudgePyncheonnowriseupfromhischair？Willhegoforth，andreceivetheearlysunbeamsonhisbrow？Willhebeginthisnewday，——whichGodhassmiledupon，andblessed，andgiventomankind，——willhebeginitwithbetterpurposesthanthemanythathavebeenspentamiss？Orareallthedeep-laidschemesofyesterdayasstubborninhisheart，andasbusyinhisbrain，asever？
Inthislattercase，thereismuchtodo。WilltheJudgestillinsistwithHepzibahontheinterviewwithClifford？Willhebuyasafe，elderlygentleman’shorse？WillhepersuadethepurchaseroftheoldPyncheonpropertytorelinquishthebargaininhisfavor？Willheseehisfamilyphysician，andobtainamedicinethatshallpreservehim，tobeanhonorandblessingtohisrace，untiltheutmosttermofpatriarchallongevity？WillJudgePyncheon，aboveall，makedueapologiestothatcompanyofhonorablefriends，andsatisfythemthathisabsencefromthefestiveboardwasunavoidable，andsofullyretrievehimselfintheirgoodopinionthatheshallyetbeGovernorofMassachusetts？
Andallthesegreatpurposesaccomplished，willhewalkthestreetsagain，withthatdog-daysmileofelaboratebenevolence，sultryenoughtotemptfliestocomeandbuzzinit？Orwillhe，afterthetomb-likeseclusionofthepastdayandnight，goforthahumbledandrepentantman，sorrowful，gentle，seekingnoprofit，shrinkingfromworldlyhonor，hardlydaringtoloveGod，butboldtolovehisfellowman，andtodohimwhatgoodhemay？Willhebearaboutwithhim，——noodiousgrinoffeignedbenignity，insolentinitspretence，andloathsomeinitsfalsehood，——butthetendersadnessofacontriteheart，broken，atlast，beneathitsownweightofsin？Foritisourbelief，whatevershowofhonorhemayhavepileduponit，thattherewasheavysinatthebaseofthisman’sbeing。
Riseup，JudgePyncheon！Themorningsunshineglimmersthroughthefoliage，and，beautifulandholyasitis，shunsnottokindleupyourface。Riseup，thousubtle，worldly，selfish，iron-heartedhypocrite，andmakethychoicewhetherstilltobesubtle，worldly，selfish，iron-hearted，andhypocritical，ortotearthesesinsoutofthynature，thoughtheybringthelifebloodwiththem！TheAvengerisuponthee！Riseup，beforeitbetoolate！
What！Thouartnotstirredbythislastappeal？No，notajot！
Andthereweseeafly，——oneofyourcommonhouse-flies，suchasarealwaysbuzzingonthewindow-pane，——whichhassmeltoutGovernorPyncheon，andalights，nowonhisforehead，nowonhischin，andnow，Heavenhelpus！iscreepingoverthebridgeofhisnose，towardsthewould-bechief-magistrate’swide-openeyes！Canstthounotbrushtheflyaway？Artthoutoosluggish？Thouman，thathadstsomanybusyprojectsyesterday！Artthoutooweak，thatwastsopowerful？
Notbrushawayafly？Nay，then，wegivetheeup！
Andhark！theshop-bellrings。Afterhoursliketheselatterones，throughwhichwehaveborneourheavytale，itisgoodtobemadesensiblethatthereisalivingworld，andthateventhisold，lonelymansionretainssomemannerofconnectionwithit。Webreathemorefreely，emergingfromJudgePyncheon’spresenceintothestreetbeforetheSevenGables。
XIXAlice’sPosiesUNCLEVENNER，trundlingawheelbarrow，wastheearliestpersonstirringintheneighborhoodthedayafterthestorm。
PyncheonStreet，infrontoftheHouseoftheSevenGables，wasafarpleasanterscenethanaby-lane，confinedbyshabbyfences，andborderedwithwoodendwellingsofthemeanerclass，couldreasonablybeexpectedtopresent。Naturemadesweetamends，thatmorning，forthefiveunkindlydayswhichhadprecededit。
Itwouldhavebeenenoughtolivefor，merelytolookupatthewidebenedictionofthesky，orasmuchofitaswasvisiblebetweenthehouses，genialoncemorewithsunshine。Everyobjectwasagreeable，whethertobegazedatinthebreadth，orexaminedmoreminutely。Such，forexample，werethewell-washedpebblesandgravelofthesidewalk；eventhesky-reflectingpoolsinthecentreofthestreet；andthegrass，nowfreshlyverdant，thatcreptalongthebaseofthefences，ontheothersideofwhich，ifonepeepedover，wasseenthemultifariousgrowthofgardens。Vegetableproductions，ofwhateverkind，seemedmorethannegativelyhappy，inthejuicywarmthandabundanceoftheirlife。ThePyncheonElm，throughoutitsgreatcircumference，wasallalive，andfullofthemorningsunandasweet-temperedlittlebreeze，whichlingeredwithinthisverdantsphere，andsetathousandleafytonguesa-whisperingallatonce。Thisagedtreeappearedtohavesufferednothingfromthegale。Ithadkeptitsboughsunshattered，anditsfullcomplementofleaves；
andthewholeinperfectverdure，exceptasinglebranch，that，bytheearlierchangewithwhichtheelm-treesometimesprophesiestheautumn，hadbeentransmutedtobrightgold。ItwaslikethegoldenbranchthatgainedAEneasandtheSibyladmittanceintoHades。
ThisonemysticbranchhungdownbeforethemainentranceoftheSevenGables，sonighthegroundthatanypasser-bymighthavestoodontiptoeandpluckeditoff。Presentedatthedoor，itwouldhavebeenasymbolofhisrighttoenter，andbemadeacquaintedwithallthesecretsofthehouse。Solittlefaithisduetoexternalappearance，thattherewasreallyaninvitingaspectoverthevenerableedifice，conveyinganideathatitshistorymustbeadecorousandhappyone，andsuchaswouldbedelightfulforafiresidetale。Itswindowsgleamedcheerfullyintheslantingsunlight。Thelinesandtuftsofgreenmoss，hereandthere，seemedpledgesoffamiliarityandsisterhoodwithNature；asifthishumandwelling-place，beingofsucholddate，hadestablisheditsprescriptivetitleamongprimevaloaksandwhateverotherobjects，byvirtueoftheirlongcontinuance，haveacquiredagraciousrighttobe。Apersonofimaginativetemperament，whilepassingbythehouse，wouldturn，onceandagain，andperuseitwell:itsmanypeaks，consentingtogetherintheclusteredchimney；thedeepprojectionoveritsbasement-story；
thearchedwindow，impartingalook，ifnotofgrandeur，yetofantiquegentility，tothebrokenportaloverwhichitopened；theluxurianceofgiganticburdocks，nearthethreshold；hewouldnoteallthesecharacteristics，andbeconsciousofsomethingdeeperthanhesaw。HewouldconceivethemansiontohavebeentheresidenceofthestubbornoldPuritan，Integrity，who，dyinginsomeforgottengeneration，hadleftablessinginallitsroomsandchambers，theefficacyofwhichwastobeseeninthereligion，honesty，moderatecompetence，oruprightpovertyandsolidhappiness，ofhisdescendants，tothisday。
Oneobject，aboveallothers，wouldtakerootintheimaginativeobserver’smemory。Itwasthegreattuftofflowers，——weeds，youwouldhavecalledthem，onlyaweekago，——thetuftofcrimson-spottedflowers，intheanglebetweenthetwofrontgables。TheoldpeopleusedtogivethemthenameofAlice’sPosies，inremembranceoffairAlicePyncheon，whowasbelievedtohavebroughttheirseedsfromItaly。Theywereflauntinginrichbeautyandfullbloomto-day，andseemed，asitwere，amysticexpressionthatsomethingwithinthehousewasconsummated。
Itwasbutlittleaftersunrise，whenUncleVennermadehisappearance，asaforesaid，impellingawheelbarrowalongthestreet。Hewasgoinghismatutinalroundstocollectcabbage-leaves，turnip-tops，potato-skins，andthemiscellaneousrefuseofthedinner-pot，whichthethriftyhousewivesoftheneighborhoodwereaccustomedtoputaside，asfitonlytofeedapig。UncleVenner’spigwasfedentirely，andkeptinprimeorder，ontheseeleemosynarycontributions；insomuchthatthepatchedphilosopherusedtopromisethat，beforeretiringtohisfarm，hewouldmakeafeastoftheportlygrunter，andinviteallhisneighborstopartakeofthejointsandspare-ribswhichtheyhadhelpedtofatten。MissHepzibahPyncheon’shousekeepinghadsogreatlyimproved，sinceCliffordbecameamemberofthefamily，thathershareofthebanquetwouldhavebeennoleanone；andUncleVenner，accordingly，wasagooddealdisappointednottofindthelargeearthenpan，fulloffragmentaryeatables，thatordinarilyawaitedhiscomingatthebackdoorstepoftheSevenGables。
\"IneverknewMissHepzibahsoforgetfulbefore，\"saidthepatriarchtohimself。\"Shemusthavehadadinneryesterday，——noquestionofthat！Shealwayshasone，nowadays。Sowhere’sthepot-liquorandpotato-skins，Iask？ShallIknock，andseeifshe’sstirringyet？No，no，——’twon’tdo！IflittlePhoebewasaboutthehouse，Ishouldnotmindknocking；butMissHepzibah，likelyasnot，wouldscowldownatmeoutofthewindow，andlookcross，evenifshefeltpleasantly。So，I’llcomebackatnoon。\"
Withthesereflections，theoldmanwasshuttingthegateofthelittleback-yard。Creakingonitshinges，however，likeeveryothergateanddooraboutthepremises，thesoundreachedtheearsoftheoccupantofthenortherngable，oneofthewindowsofwhichhadaside-viewtowardsthegate。
\"Good-morning，UncleVenner！\"saidthedaguerreotypist，leaningoutofthewindow。\"Doyouhearnobodystirring？\"
\"Notasoul，\"saidthemanofpatches。\"Butthat’snowonder。
’Tisbarelyhalfanhourpastsunrise，yet。ButI’mreallygladtoseeyou，Mr。Holgrave！There’sastrange，lonesomelookaboutthissideofthehouse；sothatmyheartmisgaveme，somehoworother，andIfeltasiftherewasnobodyaliveinit。Thefrontofthehouselooksagooddealcheerier；andAlice’sPosiesarebloomingtherebeautifully；andifIwereayoungman，Mr。Holgrave，mysweetheartshouldhaveoneofthoseflowersinherbosom，thoughIriskedmyneckclimbingforit！Well，anddidthewindkeepyouawakelastnight？\"
\"Itdid，indeed！\"answeredtheartist，smiling。\"IfIwereabelieveringhosts，——andIdon’tquiteknowwhetherIamornot，——IshouldhaveconcludedthatalltheoldPyncheonswererunningriotinthelowerrooms，especiallyinMissHepzibah’spartofthehouse。Butitisveryquietnow。\"
\"Yes，MissHepzibahwillbeapttoover-sleepherself，afterbeingdisturbed，allnight，withtheracket，\"saidUncleVenner。\"Butitwouldbeodd，now，wouldn’tit，iftheJudgehadtakenbothhiscousinsintothecountryalongwithhim？Isawhimgointotheshopyesterday。\"
\"Atwhathour？\"inquiredHolgrave。
\"Oh，alongintheforenoon，\"saidtheoldman。\"Well，well！I
mustgomyrounds，andsomustmywheelbarrow。ButI’llbebackhereatdinner-time；formypiglikesadinneraswellasabreakfast。
Nomeal-time，andnosortofvictuals，everseemstocomeamisstomypig。Goodmorningtoyou！And，Mr。Holgrave，ifIwereayoungman，likeyou，I’dgetoneofAlice’sPosies，andkeepitinwatertillPhoebecomesback。\"
\"Ihaveheard，\"saidthedaguerreotypist，ashedrewinhishead，\"thatthewaterofMaule’swellsuitsthoseflowersbest。\"
Heretheconversationceased，andUncleVennerwentonhisway。
Forhalfanhourlonger，nothingdisturbedthereposeoftheSevenGables；norwasthereanyvisitor，exceptacarrier-boy，who，ashepassedthefrontdoorstep，threwdownoneofhisnewspapers；forHepzibah，oflate，hadregularlytakenitin。
Afterawhile，therecameafatwoman，makingprodigiousspeed，andstumblingassheranupthestepsoftheshop-door。Herfaceglowedwithfire-heat，and，itbeingaprettywarmmorning，shebubbledandhissed，asitwere，asifalla-frywithchimney-warmth，andsummer-warmth，andthewarmthofherowncorpulentvelocity。
Shetriedtheshop-door；itwasfast。Shetrieditagain，withsoangryajarthatthebelltinkledangrilybackather。
\"ThedeucetakeOldMaidPyncheon！\"mutteredtheirasciblehousewife。
\"Thinkofherpretendingtosetupacent-shop，andthenlyingabedtillnoon！Thesearewhatshecallsgentlefolk’sairs，Isuppose！
ButI’lleitherstartherladyship，orbreakthedoordown！\"
Sheshookitaccordingly，andthebell，havingaspitefullittletemperofitsown，rangobstreperously，makingitsremonstrancesheard，——not，indeed，bytheearsforwhichtheywereintended，——butbyagoodladyontheoppositesideofthestreet。Sheopenedthewindow，andaddressedtheimpatientapplicant。
\"You’llfindnobodythere，Mrs。Gubbins。\"
\"ButImustandwillfindsomebodyhere！\"criedMrs。Gubbins，inflictinganotheroutrageonthebell。\"Iwantahalf-poundofpork，tofrysomefirst-ratefloundersforMr。Gubbins’sbreakfast；and，ladyornot，OldMaidPyncheonshallgetupandservemewithit！\"
\"Butdohearreason，Mrs。Gubbins！\"respondedtheladyopposite。
\"She，andherbrothertoo，havebothgonetotheircousin’s，JudgePyncheon’sathiscountry-seat。There’snotasoulinthehouse，butthatyoungdaguerreotype-manthatsleepsinthenorthgable。
IsawoldHepzibahandCliffordgoawayyesterday；andaqueercoupleofduckstheywere，paddlingthroughthemud-puddles！
They’regone，I’llassureyou。\"
\"Andhowdoyouknowthey’regonetotheJudge’s？\"askedMrs。
Gubbins。\"He’sarichman；andthere’sbeenaquarrelbetweenhimandHepzibahthismanyaday，becausehewon’tgiveheraliving。That’sthemainreasonofhersettingupacent-shop。\"
\"Iknowthatwellenough，\"saidtheneighbor。\"Butthey’regone，——that’sonethingcertain。Andwhobutabloodrelation，thatcouldn’thelphimself，Iaskyou，wouldtakeinthatawful-temperedoldmaid，andthatdreadfulClifford？That’sit，youmaybesure。\"
Mrs。Gubbinstookherdeparture，stillbrimmingoverwithhotwrathagainsttheabsentHepzibah。Foranotherhalf-hour，or，perhaps，considerablymore，therewasalmostasmuchquietontheoutsideofthehouseaswithin。Theelm，however，madeapleasant，cheerful，sunnysigh，responsivetothebreezethatwaselsewhereimperceptible；aswarmofinsectsbuzzedmerrilyunderitsdroopingshadow，andbecamespecksoflightwhenevertheydartedintothesunshine；alocustsang，onceortwice，insomeinscrutableseclusionofthetree；andasolitarylittlebird，withplumageofpalegold，cameandhoveredaboutAlice’sPosies。
Atlastoursmallacquaintance，NedHiggins，trudgedupthestreet，onhiswaytoschool；andhappening，forthefirsttimeinafortnight，tobethepossessorofacent，hecouldbynomeansgetpasttheshop-dooroftheSevenGables。Butitwouldnotopen。Againandagain，however，andhalfadozenotheragains，withtheinexorablepertinacityofachildintentuponsomeobjectimportanttoitself，didherenewhiseffortsforadmittance。
Hehad，doubtless，sethisheartuponanelephant；or，possibly，withHamlet，hemeanttoeatacrocodile。Inresponsetohismoreviolentattacks，thebellgave，nowandthen，amoderatetinkle，butcouldnotbestirredintoclamorbyanyexertionofthelittlefellow’schildishandtiptoestrength。Holdingbythedoor-handle，hepeepedthroughacreviceofthecurtain，andsawthattheinnerdoor，communicatingwiththepassagetowardstheparlor，wasclosed。
\"MissPyncheon！\"screamedthechild，rappingonthewindow-pane，\"Iwantanelephant！\"
Therebeingnoanswertoseveralrepetitionsofthesummons，Nedbegantogrowimpatient；andhislittlepotofpassionquicklyboilingover，hepickedupastone，withanaughtypurposetoflingitthroughthewindow；atthesametimeblubberingandsputteringwithwrath。Aman——oneoftwowhohappenedtobepassingby——caughttheurchin’sarm。
\"What’sthetrouble，oldgentleman？\"heasked。
\"IwantoldHepzibah，orPhoebe，oranyofthem！\"answeredNed，sobbing。\"Theywon’topenthedoor；andIcan’tgetmyelephant！\"
\"Gotoschool，youlittlescamp！\"saidtheman。\"There’sanothercent-shoproundthecorner。’Tisverystrange，Dixey，\"addedhetohiscompanion，\"what’sbecomeofallthesePyncheon’s！Smith，thelivery-stablekeeper，tellsmeJudgePyncheonputhishorseupyesterday，tostandtillafterdinner，andhasnottakenhimawayyet。AndoneoftheJudge’shiredmenhasbeenin，thismorning，tomakeinquiryabouthim。He’sakindofperson，theysay，thatseldombreakshishabits，orstaysouto’nights。\"
\"Oh，he’llturnupsafeenough！\"saidDixey。\"AndasforOldMaidPyncheon，takemywordforit，shehasrunindebt，andgoneofffromhercreditors。Iforetold，youremember，thefirstmorningshesetupshop，thatherdevilishscowlwouldfrightenawaycustomers。
Theycouldn’tstandit！\"
\"Ineverthoughtshe’dmakeitgo，\"remarkedhisfriend。\"Thisbusinessofcent-shopsisoverdoneamongthewomen-folks。Mywifetriedit，andlostfivedollarsonheroutlay！\"
\"Poorbusiness！\"saidDixey，shakinghishead。\"Poorbusiness！\"
Inthecourseofthemorning，therewerevariousotherattemptstoopenacommunicationwiththesupposedinhabitantsofthissilentandimpenetrablemansion。Themanofroot-beercame，inhisneatlypaintedwagon，withacoupleofdozenfullbottles，tobeexchangedforemptyones；thebaker，withalotofcrackerswhichHepzibahhadorderedforherretailcustom；thebutcher，withanicetitbitwhichhefanciedshewouldbeeagertosecureforClifford。Hadanyobserveroftheseproceedingsbeenawareofthefearfulsecrethiddenwithinthehouse，itwouldhaveaffectedhimwithasingularshapeandmodificationofhorror，toseethecurrentofhumanlifemakingthissmalleddyhereabouts，——whirlingsticks，strawsandallsuchtrifles，roundandround，rightovertheblackdepthwhereadeadcorpselayunseen！
Thebutcherwassomuchinearnestwithhissweetbreadoflamb，orwhateverthedaintymightbe，thathetriedeveryaccessibledooroftheSevenGables，andatlengthcameroundagaintotheshop，whereheordinarilyfoundadmittance。
\"It’sanicearticle，andIknowtheoldladywouldjumpatit，\"
saidhetohimself。\"Shecan’tbegoneaway！InfifteenyearsthatIhavedrivenmycartthroughPyncheonStreet，I’veneverknownhertobeawayfromhome；thoughoftenenough，tobesure，amanmightknockalldaywithoutbringinghertothedoor。
Butthatwaswhenshe’donlyherselftoprovidefor\"
Peepingthroughthesamecreviceofthecurtainwhere，onlyalittlewhilebefore，theurchinofelephantineappetitehadpeeped，thebutcherbeheldtheinnerdoor，notclosed，asthechildhadseenit，butajar，andalmostwideopen。Howeveritmighthavehappened，itwasthefact。Throughthepassage-waytherewasadarkvistaintothelighterbutstillobscureinterioroftheparlor。
Itappearedtothebutcherthathecouldprettyclearlydiscernwhatseemedtobethestalwartlegs，cladinblackpantaloons，ofamansittinginalargeoakenchair，thebackofwhichconcealedalltheremainderofhisfigure。Thiscontemptuoustranquillityonthepartofanoccupantofthehouse，inresponsetothebutcher’sindefatigableeffortstoattractnotice，sopiquedthemanoffleshthathedeterminedtowithdraw。
\"So，\"thoughthe，\"theresitsOldMaidPyncheon’sbloodybrother，whileI’vebeengivingmyselfallthistrouble！Why，ifahoghadn’tmoremanners，I’dstickhim！Icallitdemeaningaman’sbusinesstotradewithsuchpeople；andfromthistimeforth，iftheywantasausageoranounceofliver，theyshallrunafterthecartforit！\"
Hetossedthetitbitangrilyintohiscart，anddroveoffinapet。
Notagreatwhileafterwardstherewasasoundofmusicturningthecornerandapproachingdownthestreet，withseveralintervalsofsilence，andthenarenewedandneareroutbreakofbriskmelody。Amobofchildrenwasseenmovingonward，orstopping，inunisonwiththesound，whichappearedtoproceedfromthecentreofthethrong；sothattheywerelooselyboundtogetherbyslenderstrainsofharmony，anddrawnalongcaptive；witheverandanonanaccessionofsomelittlefellowinanapronandstraw-hat，caperingforthfromdoororgateway。ArrivingundertheshadowofthePyncheonElm，itprovedtobetheItalianboy，who，withhismonkeyandshowofpuppets，hadoncebeforeplayedhishurdy-gurdybeneaththearchedwindow。ThepleasantfaceofPhoebe——anddoubtless，too，theliberalrecompensewhichshehadflunghim——stilldweltinhisremembrance。Hisexpressivefeatureskindledup，asherecognizedthespotwherethistriflingincidentofhiserraticlifehadchanced。Heenteredtheneglectedyard(nowwilderthanever，withitsgrowthofhog-weedandburdock)，stationedhimselfonthedoorstepofthemainentrance，and，openinghisshow-box，begantoplay。Eachindividualoftheautomaticcommunityforthwithsettowork，accordingtohisorherpropervocation:themonkey，takingoffhisHighlandbonnet，bowedandscrapedtotheby-standersmostobsequiously，witheveranobservanteyetopickupastraycent；andtheyoungforeignerhimself，asheturnedthecrankofhismachine，glancedupwardtothearchedwindow，expectantofapresencethatwouldmakehismusicthelivelierandsweeter。Thethrongofchildrenstoodnear；someonthesidewalk；somewithintheyard；twoorthreeestablishingthemselvesontheverydoor-step；andonesquattingonthethreshold。Meanwhile，thelocustkeptsinginginthegreatoldPyncheonElm。
\"Idon’thearanybodyinthehouse，\"saidoneofthechildrentoanother。\"Themonkeywon’tpickupanythinghere。\"
\"Thereissomebodyathome，\"affirmedtheurchinonthethreshold。
\"Iheardastep！\"
StilltheyoungItalian’seyeturnedsidelongupward；anditreallyseemedasifthetouchofgenuine，thoughslightandalmostplayful，emotioncommunicatedajuiciersweetnesstothedry，mechanicalprocessofhisminstrelsy。Thesewanderersarereadilyresponsivetoanynaturalkindness——beitnomorethanasmile，oraworditselfnotunderstood，butonlyawarmthinit——whichbefallsthemontheroadsideoflife。Theyrememberthesethings，becausetheyarethelittleenchantmentswhich，fortheinstant，——forthespacethatreflectsalandscapeinasoap-bubble，——buildupahomeaboutthem。Therefore，theItalianboywouldnotbediscouragedbytheheavysilencewithwhichtheoldhouseseemedresolutetoclogthevivacityofhisinstrument。Hepersistedinhismelodiousappeals；hestilllookedupward，trustingthathisdark，aliencountenancewouldsoonbebrightenedbyPhoebe’ssunnyaspect。NeithercouldhebewillingtodepartwithoutagainbeholdingClifford，whosesensibility，likePhoebe’ssmile，hadtalkedakindofheart’slanguagetotheforeigner。Herepeatedallhismusicoverandoveragain，untilhisauditorsweregettingweary。Sowerethelittlewoodenpeopleinhisshow-box，andthemonkeymostofall。Therewasnoresponse，savethesingingofthelocust。
\"Nochildrenliveinthishouse，\"saidaschoolboy，atlast。
\"Nobodylivesherebutanoldmaidandanoldman。You’llgetnothinghere！Whydon’tyougoalong？\"
\"Youfool，you，whydoyoutellhim？\"whisperedashrewdlittleYankee，caringnothingforthemusic，butagooddealforthecheaprateatwhichitwashad。
\"Lethimplayashelikes！Ifthere’snobodytopayhim，that’shisownlookout！\"
Oncemore，however，theItalianranoverhisroundofmelodies。
Tothecommonobserver——whocouldunderstandnothingofthecase，exceptthemusicandthesunshineonthehithersideofthedoor——itmighthavebeenamusingtowatchthepertinacityofthestreet-performer。Willhesucceedatlast？Willthatstubborndoorbesuddenlyflungopen？Willagroupofjoyouschildren，theyoungonesofthehouse，comedancing，shouting，laughing，intotheopenair，andclusterroundtheshow-box，lookingwitheagermerrimentatthepuppets，andtossingeachacopperforlong-tailedMammon，themonkey，topickup？
Buttous，whoknowtheinnerheartoftheSevenGablesaswellasitsexteriorface，thereisaghastlyeffectinthisrepetitionoflightpopulartunesatitsdoor-step。Itwouldbeanuglybusiness，indeed，ifJudgePyncheon(whowouldnothavecaredafigforPaganini’sfiddleinhismostharmoniousmood)shouldmakehisappearanceatthedoor，withabloodyshirt-bosom，andagrimfrownonhisswarthilywhitevisage，andmotiontheforeignvagabondaway！Waseverbeforesuchagrindingoutofjigsandwaltzes，wherenobodywasinthecuetodance？Yes，veryoften。
Thiscontrast，orinterminglingoftragedywithmirth，happensdaily，hourly，momently。Thegloomyanddesolateoldhouse，desertedoflife，andwithawfulDeathsittingsternlyinitssolitude，wastheemblemofmanyahumanheart，which，nevertheless，iscompelledtohearthethrillandechooftheworld’sgayetyaroundit。
BeforetheconclusionoftheItalian’sperformance，acoupleofmenhappenedtobepassing，Ontheirwaytodinner。\"Isay，youyoungFrenchfellow！\"calledoutoneofthem，——\"comeawayfromthatdoorstep，andgosomewhereelsewithyournonsense！ThePyncheonfamilylivethere；andtheyareingreattrouble，justaboutthistime。Theydon’tfeelmusicalto-day。ItisreportedallovertownthatJudgePyncheon，whoownsthehouse，hasbeenmurdered；andthecitymarshalisgoingtolookintothematter。Sobeoffwithyou，atonce！\"
AstheItalianshoulderedhishurdy-gurdy，hesawonthedoorstepacard，whichhadbeencovered，allthemorning，bythenewpaperthatthecarrierhadflunguponit，butwasnowshuffledintosight。Hepickeditup，andperceivingsomethingwritteninpencil，gaveittothemantoread。Infact，itwasanengravedcardofJudgePyncheon’swithcertainpencilledmemorandaontheback，referringtovariousbusinesseswhichithadbeenhispurposetotransactduringtheprecedingday。Itformedaprospectiveepitomeoftheday’shistory；onlythataffairshadnotturnedoutaltogetherinaccordancewiththeprogramme。ThecardmusthavebeenlostfromtheJudge’svest-pocketinhispreliminaryattempttogainaccessbythemainentranceofthehouse。
Thoughwellsoakedwithrain，itwasstillpartiallylegible。
\"Lookhere；Dixey！\"criedtheman。\"ThishassomethingtodowithJudgePyncheon。See！——here’shisnameprintedonit；andhere，Isuppose，issomeofhishandwriting。\"
\"Let’sgotothecitymarshalwithit！\"saidDixey。\"Itmaygivehimjusttheclewhewants。Afterall，\"whisperedheinhiscompanion’sear，\"itwouldbenowonderiftheJudgehasgoneintothatdoorandnevercomeoutagain！Acertaincousinofhismayhavebeenathisoldtricks。AndOldMaidPyncheonhavinggotherselfindebtbythecent-shop，——andtheJudge’spocket-bookbeingwellfilled，——andbadbloodamongstthemalready！Putallthesethingstogetherandseewhattheymake！\"
\"Hush，hush！\"whisperedtheother。\"Itseemslikeasintohethefirsttospeakofsuchathing。ButIthink，withyou，thatwehadbettergotothecitymarshal。\"
\"Yes，yes！\"saidDixey。\"Well！——Ialwayssaidtherewassomethingdevilishinthatwoman’sscowl！\"
Themenwheeledabout，accordingly，andretracedtheirstepsupthestreet。TheItalian，also，madethebestofhiswayoff，withapartingglanceupatthearchedwindow。Asforthechildren，theytooktotheirheels，withoneaccord，andscamperedasifsomegiantorogrewereinpursuit，until，atagooddistancefromthehouse，theystoppedassuddenlyandsimultaneouslyastheyhadsetout。Theirsusceptiblenervestookanindefinitealarmfromwhattheyhadoverheard。Lookingbackatthegrotesquepeaksandshadowyanglesoftheoldmansion，theyfanciedagloomdiffusedaboutitwhichnobrightnessofthesunshinecoulddispel。
AnimaginaryHepzibahscowledandshookherfingeratthem，fromseveralwindowsatthesamemoment。AnimaginaryClifford——for(anditwouldhavedeeplywoundedhimtoknowit)hehadalwaysbeenahorrortothesesmallpeople——stoodbehindtheunrealHepzibah，makingawfulgestures，inafadeddressing-gown。
Childrenareevenmoreapt，ifpossible，thangrownpeople，tocatchthecontagionofapanicterror。Fortherestoftheday，themoretimidwentwholestreetsabout，forthesakeofavoidingtheSevenGables；whiletheboldersignalizedtheirhardihoodbychallengingtheircomradestoracepastthemansionatfullspeed。
ItcouldnothavebeenmorethanhalfanhourafterthedisappearanceoftheItalianboy，withhisunseasonablemelodies，whenacabdrovedownthestreet。ItstoppedbeneaththePyncheonElm；thecabmantookatrunk，acanvasbag，andabandbox，fromthetopofhisvehicle，anddepositedthemonthedoorstepoftheoldhouse；astrawbonnet，andthentheprettyfigureofayounggirl，cameintoviewfromtheinteriorofthecab。ItwasPhoebe！Thoughnotaltogethersobloomingaswhenshefirsttrippedintoourstory，——for，inthefewinterveningweeks，herexperienceshadmadehergraver，morewomanly，anddeeper-eyed，intokenofaheartthathadbeguntosuspectitsdepths，——stilltherewasthequietglowofnaturalsunshineoverher。Neitherhadsheforfeitedherpropergiftofmakingthingslookreal，ratherthanfantastic，withinhersphere。Yetwefeelittobeaquestionableventure，evenforPhoebe，atthisjuncture，tocrossthethresholdoftheSevenGables。Isherhealthfulpresencepotentenoughtochaseawaythecrowdofpale，hideous，andsinfulphantoms，thathavegainedadmittancetheresinceherdeparture？Orwillshe，likewise，fade，sicken，sadden，andgrowintodeformity，andbeonlyanotherpallidphantom，toglidenoiselesslyupanddownthestairs，andaffrightchildrenasshepausesatthewindow？
Atleast，wewouldgladlyforewarntheunsuspectinggirlthatthereisnothinginhumanshapeorsubstancetoreceiveher，unlessitbethefigureofJudgePyncheon，who——wretchedspectaclethatheis，andfrightfulinourremembrance，sinceournight-longvigilwithhim！——stillkeepshisplaceintheoakenchair。
Phoebefirsttriedtheshop-door。Itdidnotyieldtoherhand；
andthewhitecurtain，drawnacrossthewindowwhichformedtheuppersectionofthedoor，struckherquickperceptivefacultyassomethingunusual。Withoutmakinganotherefforttoenterhere，shebetookherselftothegreatportal，underthearchedwindow。
Findingitfastened，sheknocked。Areverberationcamefromtheemptinesswithin。Sheknockedagain，andathirdtime；and，listeningintently，fanciedthatthefloorcreaked，asifHepzibahwerecoming，withherordinarytiptoemovement，toadmither。
Butsodeadasilenceensueduponthisimaginarysound，thatshebegantoquestionwhethershemightnothavemistakenthehouse，familiarasshethoughtherselfwithitsexterior。
Hernoticewasnowattractedbyachild’svoice，atsomedistance。Itappearedtocallhername。Lookinginthedirectionwhenceitproceeded，PhoebesawlittleNedHiggins，agoodwaydownthestreet，stamping，shakinghisheadviolently，makingdeprecatorygestureswithbothhands，andshoutingtoheratmouth-widescreech。
\"No，no，Phoebe！\"hescreamed。\"Don’tyougoin！There’ssomethingwickedthere！Don’t——don’t——don’tgoin！\"
But，asthelittlepersonagecouldnotbeinducedtoapproachnearenoughtoexplainhimself，Phoebeconcludedthathehadbeenfrightened，onsomeofhisvisitstotheshop，byhercousinHepzibah；forthegoodlady’smanifestations，intruth，ranaboutanequalchanceofscaringchildrenoutoftheirwits，orcompellingthemtounseemlylaughter。Still，shefeltthemore，forthisincident，howunaccountablysilentandimpenetrablethehousehadbecome。Ashernextresort，Phoebemadeherwayintothegarden，whereonsowarmandbrightadayasthepresent，shehadlittledoubtoffindingClifford，andperhapsHepzibahalso，idlingawaythenoontideintheshadowofthearbor。Immediatelyonherenteringthegardengate，thefamilyofhenshalfran，halfflewtomeether；
whileastrangegrimalkin，whichwasprowlingundertheparlorwindow，tooktohisheels，clamberedhastilyoverthefence，andvanished。
Thearborwasvacant，anditsfloor，table，andcircularbenchwerestilldamp，andbestrewnwithtwigsandthedisarrayofthepaststorm。Thegrowthofthegardenseemedtohavegotquiteoutofbounds；theweedshadtakenadvantageofPhoebe’sabsence，andthelong-continuedrain，torunrampantovertheflowersandkitchen-vegetables。Maule’swellhadoverfloweditsstoneborder，andmadeapoolofformidablebreadthinthatcornerofthegarden。
Theimpressionofthewholescenewasthatofaspotwherenohumanfoothadleftitsprintformanyprecedingdays，——probablynotsincePhoebe’sdeparture，——forshesawaside-combofherownunderthetableofthearbor，whereitmusthavefallenonthelastafternoonwhensheandCliffordsatthere。
Thegirlknewthathertworelativeswerecapableoffargreaterodditiesthanthatofshuttingthemselvesupintheiroldhouse，astheyappearednowtohavedone。Nevertheless，withindistinctmisgivingsofsomethingamiss，andapprehensionstowhichshecouldnotgiveshape，sheapproachedthedoorthatformedthecustomarycommunicationbetweenthehouseandgarden。Itwassecuredwithin，likethetwowhichshehadalreadytried。Sheknocked，however；andimmediately，asiftheapplicationhadbeenexpected，thedoorwasdrawnopen，byaconsiderableexertionofsomeunseenperson’sstrength，notwide，butfarenoughtoaffordheraside-longentrance。AsHepzibah，inordernottoexposeherselftoinspectionfromwithout，invariablyopenedadoorinthismanner，Phoebenecessarilyconcludedthatitwashercousinwhonowadmittedher。
Withouthesitation，therefore，shesteppedacrossthethreshold，andhadnosoonerenteredthanthedoorclosedbehindher。
XXTheFlowerofEdenPHOEBE，comingsosuddenlyfromthesunnydaylight，wasaltogetherbedimmedinsuchdensityofshadowaslurkedinmostofthepassagesoftheoldhouse。Shewasnotatfirstawarebywhomshehadbeenadmitted。Beforehereyeshadadaptedthemselvestotheobscurity，ahandgraspedherownwithafirmbutgentleandwarmpressure，thusimpartingawelcomewhichcausedherhearttoleapandthrillwithanindefinableshiverofenjoyment。
Shefeltherselfdrawnalong，nottowardstheparlor，butintoalargeandunoccupiedapartment，whichhadformerlybeenthegrandreception-roomoftheSevenGables。Thesunshinecamefreelyintoalltheuncurtainedwindowsofthisroom，andfelluponthedustyfloor；sothatPhoebenowclearlysaw——what，indeed，hadbeennosecret，aftertheencounterofawarmhandwithhers——thatitwasnotHepzibahnorClifford，butHolgrave，towhomsheowedherreception。Thesubtile，intuitivecommunication，or，rather，thevagueandformlessimpressionofsomethingtobetold，hadmadeheryieldunresistinglytohisimpulse。Withouttakingawayherhand，shelookedeagerlyinhisface，notquicktoforebodeevil，butunavoidablyconsciousthatthestateofthefamilyhadchangedsinceherdeparture，andthereforeanxiousforanexplanation。
Theartistlookedpalerthanordinary；therewasathoughtfulandseverecontractionofhisforehead，tracingadeep，verticallinebetweentheeyebrows。Hissmile，however，wasfullofgenuinewarmth，andhadinitajoy，byfarthemostvividexpressionthatPhoebehadeverwitnessed，shiningoutoftheNewEnglandreservewithwhichHolgravehabituallymaskedwhateverlaynearhisheart。Itwasthelookwherewithaman，broodingaloneoversomefearfulobject，inadrearyforestorillimitabledesert，wouldrecognizethefamiliaraspectofhisdearestfriend，bringingupallthepeacefulideasthatbelongtohome，andthegentlecurrentofevery-dayaffairs。
Andyet，ashefeltthenecessityofrespondingtoherlookofinquiry，thesmiledisappeared。
\"Ioughtnottorejoicethatyouhavecome，Phoebe，\"saidhe。
\"Wemeetatastrangemoment！\"
\"Whathashappened！\"sheexclaimed。\"Whyisthehousesodeserted？WhereareHepzibahandClifford？\"
\"Gone！Icannotimaginewheretheyare！\"answeredHolgrave。
\"Wearealoneinthehouse！\"
\"HepzibahandCliffordgone？\"criedPhoebe。\"Itisnotpossible！
Andwhyhaveyoubroughtmeintothisroom，insteadoftheparlor？
Ah，somethingterriblehashappened！Imustrunandsee！\"
\"No，no，Phoebe！\"saidHolgraveholdingherback。\"ItisasI
havetoldyou。Theyaregone，andIknownotwhither。Aterribleeventhas，indeedhappened，butnottothem，nor，asIundoubtinglybelieve，throughanyagencyoftheirs。IfIreadyourcharacterrightly，Phoebe，\"hecontinued，fixinghiseyesonherswithsternanxiety，intermixedwithtenderness，\"gentleasyouare，andseemingtohaveyoursphereamongcommonthings，youyetpossessremarkablestrength。Youhavewonderfulpoise，andafacultywhich，whentested，willproveitselfcapableofdealingwithmattersthatfallfaroutoftheordinaryrule。\"
\"Oh，no，Iamveryweak！\"repliedPhoebe，trembling。\"Buttellmewhathashappened！\"
\"Youarestrong！\"persistedHolgrave。\"Youmustbebothstrongandwise；forIamallastray，andneedyourcounsel。Itmaybeyoucansuggesttheonerightthingtodo！\"
\"Tellme！——tellme！\"saidPhoebe，allinatremble。\"Itoppresses，——itterrifiesme，——thismystery！AnythingelseIcanbear！\"
Theartisthesitated。Notwithstandingwhathehadjustsaid，andmostsincerely，inregardtotheself-balancingpowerwithwhichPhoebeimpressedhim，itstillseemedalmostwickedtobringtheawfulsecretofyesterdaytoherknowledge。Itwaslikedraggingahideousshapeofdeathintothecleanlyandcheerfulspacebeforeahouseholdfire，whereitwouldpresentalltheuglieraspect，amidthedecorousnessofeverythingaboutit。Yetitcouldnotbeconcealedfromher；shemustneedsknowit。
\"Phoebe，\"saidhe，\"doyourememberthis？\"Heputintoherhandadaguerreotype；thesamethathehadshownherattheirfirstinterviewinthegarden，andwhichsostrikinglybroughtoutthehardandrelentlesstraitsoftheoriginal。
\"WhathasthistodowithHepzibahandClifford？\"askedPhoebe，withimpatientsurprisethatHolgraveshouldsotriflewithheratsuchamoment。\"ItisJudgePyncheon！Youhaveshownittomebefore！\"
\"Buthereisthesameface，takenwithinthishalf-hour\"saidtheartist，presentingherwithanotherminiature。\"IhadjustfinisheditwhenIheardyouatthedoor。\"
\"Thisisdeath！\"shudderedPhoebe，turningverypale。\"JudgePyncheondead！\"
\"Suchasthererepresented，\"saidHolgrave，\"hesitsinthenextroom。TheJudgeisdead，andCliffordandHepzibahhavevanished！
Iknownomore。Allbeyondisconjecture。Onreturningtomysolitarychamber，lastevening，Inoticednolight，eitherintheparlor，orHepzibah’sroom，orClifford’s；nostirnorfootstepaboutthehouse。
Thismorning，therewasthesamedeath-likequiet。Frommywindow，I
overheardthetestimonyofaneighbor，thatyourrelativeswereseenleavingthehouseinthemidstofyesterday’sstorm。Arumorreachedme，too，ofJudgePyncheonbeingmissed。AfeelingwhichIcannotdescribe——anindefinitesenseofsomecatastrophe，orconsummation——impelledmetomakemywayintothispartofthehouse，whereI
discoveredwhatyousee。AsapointofevidencethatmaybeusefultoClifford，andalsoasamemorialvaluabletomyself，——for，Phoebe，therearehereditaryreasonsthatconnectmestrangelywiththatman’sfate，——IusedthemeansatmydisposaltopreservethispictorialrecordofJudgePyncheon’sdeath。\"
Eveninheragitation，PhoebecouldnothelpremarkingthecalmnessofHolgrave’sdemeanor。Heappeared，itistrue，tofeelthewholeawfulnessoftheJudge’sdeath，yethadreceivedthefactintohismindwithoutanymixtureofsurprise，butasaneventpreordained，happeninginevitably，andsofittingitselfintopastoccurrencesthatitcouldalmosthavebeenprophesied。
\"Whyhaveyounotthrownopenthedoors，andcalledinwitnesses？\"
inquiredshewithapainfulshudder。\"Itisterribletobeherealone！\"
\"ButClifford！\"suggestedtheartist。\"CliffordandHepzibah！Wemustconsiderwhatisbesttobedoneintheirbehalf。Itisawretchedfatalitythattheyshouldhavedisappeared！Theirflightwillthrowtheworstcoloringoverthiseventofwhichitissusceptible。Yethoweasyistheexplanation，tothosewhoknowthem！Bewilderedandterror-strickenbythesimilarityofthisdeathtoaformerone，whichwasattendedwithsuchdisastrousconsequencestoClifford，theyhavehadnoideabutofremovingthemselvesfromthescene。Howmiserablyunfortunate！HadHepzibahbutshriekedaloud，——hadCliffordflungwidethedoor，andproclaimedJudgePyncheon’sdeath，——itwouldhavebeen，howeverawfulinitself，aneventfruitfulofgoodconsequencestothem。AsIviewit，itwouldhavegonefartowardsobliteratingtheblackstainonClifford’scharacter。\"
\"Andhow\"askedPhoebe，\"couldanygoodcomefromwhatissoverydreadful？\"
\"Because，\"saidtheartist，\"ifthemattercanbefairlyconsideredandcandidlyinterpreted，itmustbeevidentthatJudgePyncheoncouldnothavecomeunfairlytohisend。Thismodeofdeathhadbeenanidiosyncrasywithhisfamily，forgenerationspast；notoftenoccurring，indeed，but，whenitdoesoccur，usuallyattackingindividualsabouttheJudge’stimeoflife，andgenerallyinthetensionofsomementalcrisis，or，perhaps，inanaccessofwrath。
OldMaule’sprophecywasprobablyfoundedonaknowledgeofthisphysicalpredispositioninthePyncheonrace。Now，thereisaminuteandalmostexactsimilarityintheappearancesconnectedwiththedeaththatoccurredyesterdayandthoserecordedofthedeathofClifford’sunclethirtyyearsago。Itistrue，therewasacertainarrangementofcircumstances，unnecessarytoberecounted，whichmadeitpossiblenay，asmenlookatthesethings，probable，orevencertain——thatoldJaffreyPyncheoncametoaviolentdeath，andbyClifford’shands。\"
\"Whencecamethosecircumstances？\"exclaimedPhoebe。\"Hebeinginnocent，asweknowhimtobe！\"
\"Theywerearranged，\"saidHolgrave，——\"atleastsuchhaslongbeenmyconviction，——theywerearrangedaftertheuncle’sdeath，andbeforeitwasmadepublic，bythemanwhositsinyonderparlor。Hisowndeath，solikethatformerone，yetattendedbynoneofthosesuspiciouscircumstances，seemsthestrokeofGoduponhim，atonceapunishmentforhiswickedness，andmakingplaintheinnocenceofClifford，Butthisflight，——itdistortseverything！Hemaybeinconcealment，nearathand。CouldwebutbringhimbackbeforethediscoveryoftheJudge’sdeath，theevilmightberectified，\"
\"Wemustnothidethisthingamomentlonger！\"saidPhoebe。
\"Itisdreadfultokeepitsocloselyinourhearts。Cliffordisinnocent。Godwillmakeitmanifest！Letusthrowopenthedoors，andcallalltheneighborhoodtoseethetruth！\"
\"Youareright，Phoebe，\"rejoinedHolgrave。\"Doubtlessyouareright。\"
Yettheartistdidnotfeelthehorror，whichwaspropertoPhoebe’ssweetandorder-lovingcharacter，atthusfindingherselfatissuewithsociety，andbroughtincontactwithaneventthattranscendedordinaryrules。Neitherwasheinhaste，likeher，tobetakehimselfwithintheprecinctsofcommonlife。Onthecontrary，hegatheredawildenjoyment，——asitwere，aflowerofstrangebeauty，growinginadesolatespot，andblossominginthewind，——suchaflowerofmomentaryhappinesshegatheredfromhispresentposition。
ItseparatedPhoebeandhimselffromtheworld，andboundthemtoeachother，bytheirexclusiveknowledgeofJudgePyncheon’smysteriousdeath，andthecounselwhichtheywereforcedtoholdrespectingit。Thesecret，solongasitshouldcontinuesuch，keptthemwithinthecircleofaspell，asolitudeinthemidstofmen，aremotenessasentireasthatofanislandinmid-ocean；
oncedivulged，theoceanwouldflowbetwixtthem，standingonitswidelysunderedshores。Meanwhile，allthecircumstancesoftheirsituationseemedtodrawthemtogether；theywereliketwochildrenwhogohandinhand，pressingcloselytooneanother’sside，throughashadow-hauntedpassage。TheimageofawfulDeath，whichfilledthehouse，heldthemunitedbyhisstiffenedgrasp。
Theseinfluenceshastenedthedevelopmentofemotionsthatmightnototherwisehavefloweredso。Possibly，indeed，ithadbeenHolgrave’spurposetoletthemdieintheirundevelopedgerms。\"Whydowedelayso？\"askedPhoebe。\"Thissecrettakesawaymybreath！Letusthrowopenthedoors！\"
\"Inallourlivestherecannevercomeanothermomentlikethis！\"
saidHolgrave。\"Phoebe，isitallterror？——nothingbutterror？
Areyouconsciousofnojoy，asIam，thathasmadethistheonlypointoflifeworthlivingfor？\"
\"Itseemsasin，\"repliedPhoebe，trembling，\"tothinkofjoyatsuchatime！\"
\"Couldyoubutknow，Phoebe，howitwaswithmethehourbeforeyoucame！\"exclaimedtheartist。\"Adark，cold，miserablehour！
Thepresenceofyonderdeadmanthrewagreatblackshadowovereverything；hemadetheuniverse，sofarasmyperceptioncouldreach，asceneofguiltandofretributionmoredreadfulthantheguilt。Thesenseofittookawaymyyouth。Ineverhopedtofeelyoungagain！Theworldlookedstrange，wild，evil，hostile；mypastlife，solonesomeanddreary；myfuture，ashapelessgloom，whichImustmouldintogloomyshapes！
But，Phoebe，youcrossedthethreshold；andhope，warmth，andjoycameinwithyou！Theblackmomentbecameatonceablissfulone。Itmustnotpasswithoutthespokenword。
Iloveyou！\"
\"Howcanyouloveasimplegirllikeme？\"askedPhoebe，compelledbyhisearnestnesstospeak。\"Youhavemany，manythoughts，withwhichIshouldtryinvaintosympathize。AndI，——I，too，——Ihavetendencieswithwhichyouwouldsympathizeaslittle。Thatislessmatter。ButIhavenotscopeenoughtomakeyouhappy。\"
\"Youaremyonlypossibilityofhappiness！\"answeredHolgrave。
\"Ihavenofaithinit，exceptasyoubestowitonme！\"
\"Andthen——Iamafraid！\"continuedPhoebe，shrinkingtowardsHolgrave，evenwhileshetoldhimsofranklythedoubtswithwhichheaffectedher。\"Youwillleadmeoutofmyownquietpath。Youwillmakemestrivetofollowyouwhereitispathless。
Icannotdoso。Itisnotmynature。Ishallsinkdownandperish！\"
\"Ah，Phoebe！\"exclaimedHolgrave，withalmostasigh，andasmilethatwasburdenedwiththought。
\"Itwillbefarotherwisethanasyouforebode。Theworldowesallitsonwardimpulsestomenillatease。Thehappymaninevitablyconfineshimselfwithinancientlimits。Ihaveapresentimentthat，hereafter，itwillbemylottosetouttrees，tomakefences，——perhaps，even，induetime，tobuildahouseforanothergeneration，——inaword，toconformmyselftolawsandthepeacefulpracticeofsociety。Yourpoisewillbemorepowerfulthananyoscillatingtendencyofmine。\"
\"Iwouldnothaveitso！\"saidPhoebeearnestly。
\"Doyouloveme？\"askedHolgrave。\"Ifweloveoneanother，themomenthasroomfornothingmore。Letuspauseuponit，andbesatisfied。Doyouloveme，Phoebe？\"
\"Youlookintomyheart，\"saidshe，lettinghereyesdrop。
\"YouknowIloveyou！\"
Anditwasinthishour，sofullofdoubtandawe，thattheonemiraclewaswrought，withoutwhicheveryhumanexistenceisablank。Theblisswhichmakesallthingstrue，beautiful，andholyshonearoundthisyouthandmaiden。Theywereconsciousofnothingsadnorold。Theytransfiguredtheearth，andmadeitEdenagain，andthemselvesthetwofirstdwellersinit。Thedeadman，soclosebesidethem，wasforgotten。Atsuchacrisis，thereisnodeath；
forimmortalityisrevealedanew，andembraceseverythinginitshallowedatmosphere。
Buthowsoontheheavyearth-dreamsettleddownagain！
\"Hark！\"whisperedPhoebe。\"Somebodyisatthestreetdoor！\"
\"Nowletusmeettheworld！\"saidHolgrave。\"Nodoubt，therumorofJudgePyncheon’svisittothishouse，andtheflightofHepzibahandClifford，isabouttoleadtotheinvestigationofthepremises。
Wehavenowaybuttomeetit。Letusopenthedooratonce。\"
But，totheirsurprise，beforetheycouldreachthestreetdoor，——evenbeforetheyquittedtheroominwhichtheforegoinginterviewhadpassed，——theyheardfootstepsinthefartherpassage。
Thedoor，therefore，whichtheysupposedtobesecurelylocked，——whichHolgrave，indeed，hadseentobeso，andatwhichPhoebehadvainlytriedtoenter，——musthavebeenopenedfromwithout。
Thesoundoffootstepswasnotharsh，bold，decided，andintrusive，asthegaitofstrangerswouldnaturallybe，makingauthoritativeentranceintoadwellingwheretheyknewthemselvesunwelcome。
Itwasfeeble，asofpersonseitherweakorweary；therewasthemingledmurmuroftwovoices，familiartoboththelisteners。
\"Canitbe？\"whisperedHolgrave。
\"Itisthey！\"answeredPhoebe。\"ThankGod！——thankGod！\"
Andthen，asifinsympathywithPhoebe’swhisperedejaculation，theyheardHepzibah’svoicemoredistinctly。
\"ThankGod，mybrother，weareathome！\"
\"Well！——Yes！——thankGod！\"respondedClifford。\"Adrearyhome，Hepzibah！Butyouhavedonewelltobringmehither！Stay！Thatparlordoorisopen。Icannotpassbyit！Letmegoandrestmeinthearbor，whereIused，——oh，verylongago，itseemstome，afterwhathasbefallenus，——whereIusedtobesohappywithlittlePhoebe！\"
ButthehousewasnotaltogethersodrearyasCliffordimaginedit。Theyhadnotmademanysteps，——intruth，theywerelingeringintheentry，withthelistlessnessofanaccomplishedpurpose，uncertainwhattodonext，——whenPhoeberantomeetthem。Onbeholdingher，Hepzibahburstintotears。Withallhermight，shehadstaggeredonwardbeneaththeburdenofgriefandresponsibility，untilnowthatitwassafetoflingitdown。Indeed，shehadnotenergytoflingitdown，buthadceasedtoupholdit，andsufferedittopresshertotheearth。Cliffordappearedthestrongerofthetwo。
\"ItisourownlittlePhoebe！——Ah！andHolgravewith，her\"
exclaimedhe，withaglanceofkeenanddelicateinsight，andasmile，beautiful，kind，butmelancholy。\"Ithoughtofyouboth，aswecamedownthestreet，andbeheldAlice’sPosiesinfullbloom。
AndsotheflowerofEdenhasbloomed，likewise，inthisold，darksomehouseto-day。\"
XXITheDepartureTHEsuddendeathofsoprominentamemberofthesocialworldastheHonorableJudgeJaffreyPyncheoncreatedasensation(atleast，inthecirclesmoreimmediatelyconnectedwiththedeceased)whichhadhardlyquitesubsidedinafortnight。
Itmayberemarked，however，that，ofalltheeventswhichconstituteaperson’sbiography，thereisscarcelyone——none，certainly，ofanythinglikeasimilarimportance——towhichtheworldsoeasilyreconcilesitselfastohisdeath。Inmostothercasesandcontingencies，theindividualispresentamongus，mixedupwiththedailyrevolutionofaffairs，andaffordingadefinitepointforobservation。Athisdecease，thereisonlyavacancy，andamomentaryeddy，——verysmall，ascomparedwiththeapparentmagnitudeoftheingurgitatedobject，——andabubbleortwo，ascendingoutoftheblackdepthandburstingatthesurface。AsregardedJudgePyncheon，itseemedprobable，atfirstblush，thatthemodeofhisfinaldeparturemightgivehimalargerandlongerposthumousvoguethanordinarilyattendsthememoryofadistinguishedman。Butwhenitcametobeunderstood，onthehighestprofessionalauthority，thattheeventwasanatural，and——exceptforsomeunimportantparticulars，denotingaslightidiosyncrasy——bynomeansanunusualformofdeath，thepublic，withitscustomaryalacrity，proceededtoforgetthathehadeverlived。Inshort，thehonorableJudgewasbeginningtobeastalesubjectbeforehalfthecountrynewspapershadfoundtimetoputtheircolumnsinmourning，andpublishhisexceedinglyeulogisticobituary。
Nevertheless，creepingdarklythroughtheplaceswhichthisexcellentpersonhadhauntedinhislifetime，therewasahiddenstreamofprivatetalk，suchasitwouldhaveshockedalldecencytospeakloudlyatthestreet-corners。Itisverysingular，howthefactofaman’sdeathoftenseemstogivepeopleatruerideaofhischaracter，whetherforgoodorevil，thantheyhaveeverpossessedwhilehewaslivingandactingamongthem。Deathissogenuineafactthatitexcludesfalsehood，orbetraysitsemptiness；itisatouchstonethatprovesthegold，anddishonorsthebasermetal。Couldthedeparted，whoeverhemaybe，returninaweekafterhisdecease，hewouldalmostinvariablyfindhimselfatahigherorlowerpointthanhehadformerlyoccupied，onthescaleofpublicappreciation。Butthetalk，orscandal，towhichwenowallude，hadreferencetomattersofnolessoldadatethanthesupposedmurder，thirtyorfortyyearsago，ofthelateJudgePyncheon’suncle。Themedicalopinionwithregardtohisownrecentandregretteddeceasehadalmostentirelyobviatedtheideathatamurderwascommittedintheformercase。Yet，astherecordshowed，therewerecircumstancesirrefragablyindicatingthatsomepersonhadgainedaccesstooldJaffreyPyncheon’sprivateapartments，atornearthemomentofhisdeath。Hisdeskandprivatedrawers，inaroomcontiguoustohisbedchamber，hadbeenransacked；moneyandvaluablearticlesweremissing；therewasabloodyhand-printontheoldman’slinen；and，byapowerfullyweldedchainofdeductiveevidence，theguiltoftherobberyandapparentmurderhadbeenfixedonClifford，thenresidingwithhisuncleintheHouseoftheSevenGables。
Whencesoeveroriginating，therenowaroseatheorythatundertooksotoaccountforthesecircumstancesastoexcludetheideaofClifford’sagency。Manypersonsaffirmedthatthehistoryandelucidationofthefacts，longsomysterious，hadbeenobtainedbythedaguerreotypistfromoneofthosemesmericalseerswho，nowadays，sostrangelyperplextheaspectofhumanaffairs，andputeverybody’snaturalvisiontotheblush，bythemarvelswhichtheyseewiththeireyesshut。
Accordingtothisversionofthestory，JudgePyncheon，exemplaryaswehaveportrayedhiminournarrative，was，inhisyouth，anapparentlyirreclaimablescapegrace。Thebrutish，theanimalinstincts，asisoftenthecase，hadbeendevelopedearlierthantheintellectualqualities，andtheforceofcharacter，forwhichhewasafterwardsremarkable。Hehadshownhimselfwild，dissipated，addictedtolowpleasures，littleshortofruffianlyinhispropensities，andrecklesslyexpensive，withnootherresourcesthanthebountyofhisuncle。Thiscourseofconducthadalienatedtheoldbachelor’saffection，oncestronglyfixeduponhim。Nowitisaverred，——butwhetheronauthorityavailableinacourtofjustice，wedonotpretendtohaveinvestigated，——thattheyoungmanwastemptedbythedevil，onenight，tosearchhisuncle’sprivatedrawers，towhichhehadunsuspectedmeansofaccess。Whilethuscriminallyoccupied，hewasstartledbytheopeningofthechamber-door。TherestoodoldJaffreyPyncheon，inhisnightclothes！Thesurpriseofsuchadiscovery，hisagitation，alarm，andhorror，broughtonthecrisisofadisordertowhichtheoldbachelorhadanhereditaryliability；heseemedtochokewithblood，andfelluponthefloor，strikinghistempleaheavyblowagainstthecornerofatable。Whatwastobedone？Theoldmanwassurelydead！Assistancewouldcometoolate！Whatamisfortune，indeed，shoulditcometoosoon，sincehisrevivingconsciousnesswouldbringtherecollectionoftheignominiousoffencewhichhehadbeheldhisnephewintheveryactofcommitting！
Butheneverdidrevive。Withthecoolhardihoodthatalwayspertainedtohim，theyoungmancontinuedhissearchofthedrawers，andfoundawill，ofrecentdate，infavorofClifford，——whichhedestroyed，——andanolderone，inhisownfavor，whichhesufferedtoremain。Butbeforeretiring，Jaffreybethoughthimselfoftheevidence，intheseransackeddrawers，thatsomeonehadvisitedthechamberwithsinisterpurposes。Suspicion，unlessaverted，mightfixupontherealoffender。Intheverypresenceofthedeadman，therefore，helaidaschemethatshouldfreehimselfattheexpenseofClifford，hisrival，forwhosecharacterhehadatonceacontemptandarepugnance。Itisnotprobable，beitsaid，thatheactedwithanysetpurposeofinvolvingCliffordinachargeofmurder。Knowingthathisuncledidnotdiebyviolence，itmaynothaveoccurredtohim，inthehurryofthecrisis，thatsuchaninferencemightbedrawn。But，whentheaffairtookthisdarkeraspect，Jaffrey’spreviousstepshadalreadypledgedhimtothosewhichremained。Socraftilyhadhearrangedthecircumstances，that，atClifford’strial，hiscousinhardlyfounditnecessarytosweartoanythingfalse，butonlytowithholdtheonedecisiveexplanation，byrefrainingtostatewhathehadhimselfdoneandwitnessed。
ThusJaffreyPyncheon’sinwardcriminality，asregardedClifford，was，indeed，blackanddamnable；whileitsmereoutwardshowandpositivecommissionwasthesmallestthatcouldpossiblyconsistwithsogreatasin。Thisisjustthesortofguiltthatamanofeminentrespectabilityfindsiteasiesttodisposeof。
Itwassufferedtofadeoutofsightorbereckonedavenialmatter，intheHonorableJudgePyncheon’slongsubsequentsurveyofhisownlife。Heshuffleditaside，amongtheforgottenandforgivenfrailtiesofhisyouth，andseldomthoughtofitagain。
WeleavetheJudgetohisrepose。Hecouldnotbestyledfortunateatthehourofdeath。Unknowingly，hewasachildlessman，whilestrivingtoaddmorewealthtohisonlychild’sinheritance。
Hardlyaweekafterhisdecease，oneoftheCunardsteamersbroughtintelligenceofthedeath，bycholera，ofJudgePyncheon’sson，justatthepointofembarkationforhisnativeland。BythismisfortuneCliffordbecamerich；sodidHepzibah；sodidourlittlevillagemaiden，and，throughher，thatswornfoeofwealthandallmannerofconservatism，——thewildreformer，——Holgrave！
ItwasnowfartoolateinClifford’slifeforthegoodopinionofsocietytobeworththetroubleandanguishofaformalvindication。Whatheneededwastheloveofaveryfew；nottheadmiration，oreventherespect，oftheunknownmany。Thelattermightprobablyhavebeenwonforhim，hadthoseonwhomtheguardianshipofhiswelfarehadfallendeemeditadvisabletoexposeCliffordtoamiserableresuscitationofpastideas，whentheconditionofwhatevercomforthemightexpectlayinthecalmofforgetfulness。Aftersuchwrongashehadsuffered，thereisnoreparation。Thepitiablemockeryofit，whichtheworldmighthavebeenreadyenoughtooffer，comingsolongaftertheagonyhaddoneitsutmostwork，wouldhavebeenfitonlytoprovokebittererlaughterthanpoorCliffordwasevercapableof。
Itisatruth(anditwouldbeaverysadonebutforthehigherhopeswhichitsuggests)thatnogreatmistake，whetheractedorendured，inourmortalsphere，iseverreallysetright。Time，thecontinualvicissitudeofcircumstances，andtheinvariableinopportunityofdeath，renderitimpossible。If，afterlonglapseofyears，therightseemstobeinourpower，wefindnonichetosetitin。Thebetterremedyisforthesufferertopasson，andleavewhatheoncethoughthisirreparableruinfarbehindhim。
TheshockofJudgePyncheon’sdeathhadapermanentlyinvigoratingandultimatelybeneficialeffectonClifford。ThatstrongandponderousmanhadbeenClifford’snightmare。Therewasnofreebreathtobedrawn，withinthesphereofsomalevolentaninfluence。
Thefirsteffectoffreedom，aswehavewitnessedinClifford’saimlessflight，wasatremulousexhilaration。Subsidingfromit，hedidnotsinkintohisformerintellectualapathy。Henever，itistrue，attainedtonearlythefullmeasureofwhatmighthavebeenhisfaculties。Butherecoveredenoughofthempartiallytolightuphischaracter，todisplaysomeoutlineofthemarvellousgracethatwasabortiveinit，andtomakehimtheobjectofNolessdeep，althoughlessmelancholyinterestthanheretofore。Hewasevidentlyhappy。Couldwepausetogiveanotherpictureofhisdailylife，withalltheappliancesnowatcommandtogratifyhisinstinctfortheBeautiful，thegardenscenes，thatseemedsosweettohim，wouldlookmeanandtrivialincomparison。
Verysoonaftertheirchangeoffortune，Clifford，Hepzibah，andlittlePhoebe，withtheapprovaloftheartist，concludedtoremovefromthedismaloldHouseoftheSevenGables，andtakeuptheirabode，forthepresent，attheelegantcountry-seatofthelateJudgePyncheon。Chanticleerandhisfamilyhadalreadybeentransportedthither，wherethetwohenshadforthwithbegunanindefatigableprocessofegg-laying，withanevidentdesign，asamatterofdutyandconscience，tocontinuetheirillustriousbreedunderbetterauspicesthanforacenturypast。Onthedaysetfortheirdeparture，theprincipalpersonagesofourstory，includinggoodUncleVenner，wereassembledintheparlor。
\"Thecountry-houseiscertainlyaveryfineone，sofarastheplangoes，\"observedHolgrave，asthepartywerediscussingtheirfuturearrangements。\"ButIwonderthatthelateJudge——beingsoopulent，andwithareasonableprospectoftransmittinghiswealthtodescendantsofhisown——shouldnothavefelttheproprietyofembodyingsoexcellentapieceofdomesticarchitectureinstone，ratherthaninwood。Then，everygenerationofthefamilymighthavealteredtheinterior，tosuititsowntasteandconvenience；
whiletheexterior，throughthelapseofyears，mighthavebeenaddingvenerablenesstoitsoriginalbeauty，andthusgivingthatimpressionofpermanencewhichIconsideressentialtothehappinessofanyonemoment。\"
\"Why，\"criedPhoebe，gazingintotheartist’sfacewithinfiniteamazement，\"howwonderfullyyourideasarechanged！Ahouseofstone，indeed！Itisbuttwoorthreeweeksagothatyouseemedtowishpeopletoliveinsomethingasfragileandtemporaryasabird’s-nest！\"
\"Ah，Phoebe，Itoldyouhowitwouldbe！\"saidtheartist，withahalf-melancholylaugh。\"Youfindmeaconservativealready！
LittledidIthinkevertobecomeone。Itisespeciallyunpardonableinthisdwellingofsomuchhereditarymisfortune，andundertheeyeofyonderportraitofamodelconservative，who，inthatverycharacter，renderedhimselfsolongtheevildestinyofhisrace。\"
\"Thatpicture！\"saidClifford，seemingtoshrinkfromitssternglance。\"WheneverIlookatit，thereisanolddreamyrecollectionhauntingme，butkeepingjustbeyondthegraspofmymind。Wealth，itseemstosay！——boundlesswealth！——unimaginablewealth！Icouldfancythat，whenIwasachild，orayouth，thatportraithadspoken，andtoldmearichsecret，orhadheldforthitshand，withthewrittenrecordofhiddenopulence。Butthoseoldmattersaresodimwithme，nowadays！Whatcouldthisdreamhavebeen？\"
\"PerhapsIcanrecallit，\"answeredHolgrave。\"See！Thereareahundredchancestoonethatnoperson，unacquaintedwiththesecret，wouldevertouchthisspring。\"
\"Asecretspring！\"criedClifford。\"Ah，IrememberNow！Ididdiscoverit，onesummerafternoon，whenIwasidlinganddreamingaboutthehouse，long，longago。Butthemysteryescapesme。\"
Theartistputhisfingeronthecontrivancetowhichhehadreferred。Informerdays，theeffectwouldprobablyhavebeentocausethepicturetostartforward。But，insolongaperiodofconcealment，themachineryhadbeeneatenthroughwithrust；sothatatHolgrave’spressure，theportrait，frameandall，tumbledsuddenlyfromitsposition，andlayfacedownwardonthefloor。Arecessinthewallwasthusbroughttolight，inwhichlayanobjectsocoveredwithacentury’sdustthatitcouldnotimmediatelyberecognizedasafoldedsheetofparchment。Holgraveopenedit，anddisplayedanancientdeed，signedwiththehieroglyphicsofseveralIndiansagamores，andconveyingtoColonelPyncheonandhisheirs，forever，avastextentofterritoryattheEastward。
\"Thisistheveryparchment，theattempttorecoverwhichcostthebeautifulAlicePyncheonherhappinessandlife，\"saidtheartist，alludingtohislegend。\"ItiswhatthePyncheonssoughtinvain，whileitwasvaluable；andnowthattheyfindthetreasure，ithaslongbeenworthless。\"
\"PoorCousinJaffrey！Thisiswhatdeceivedhim，\"exclaimedHepzibah。\"Whentheywereyoungtogether，Cliffordprobablymadeakindoffairy-taleofthisdiscovery。Hewasalwaysdreaminghitherandthitheraboutthehouse，andlightingupitsdarkcornerswithbeautifulstories。AndpoorJaffrey，whotookholdofeverythingasifitwerereal，thoughtmybrotherhadfoundouthisuncle’swealth。Hediedwiththisdelusioninhismind！\"
\"But，\"saidPhoebe，aparttoHolgrave，\"howcameyoutoknowthesecret？\"
\"MydearestPhoebe，\"saidHolgrave，\"howwillitpleaseyoutoassumethenameofMaule？Asforthesecret，itistheonlyinheritancethathascomedowntomefrommyancestors。Youshouldhaveknownsooner(onlythatIwasafraidoffrighteningyouaway)that，inthislongdramaofwrongandretribution，Irepresenttheoldwizard，andamprobablyasmuchawizardaseverhewas。ThesonoftheexecutedMatthewMaule，whilebuildingthishouse，tooktheopportunitytoconstructthatrecess，andhideawaytheIndiandeed，onwhichdependedtheimmenseland-claimofthePyncheons。ThustheybarteredtheireasternterritoryforMaule’sgarden-ground。\"
\"Andnow\"saidUncleVenner\"Isupposetheirwholeclaimisnotworthoneman’sshareinmyfarmyonder！\"
\"UncleVenner，\"criedPhoebe，takingthepatchedphilosopher’shand，\"youmustnevertalkanymoreaboutyourfarm！Youshallnevergothere，aslongasyoulive！Thereisacottageinournewgarden，——theprettiestlittleyellowish-browncottageyoueversaw；andthesweetest-lookingplace，foritlooksjustasifitweremadeofgingerbread，——andwearegoingtofititupandfurnishit，onpurposeforyou。Andyoushalldonothingbutwhatyouchoose，andshallbeashappyasthedayislong，andshallkeepCousinCliffordinspiritswiththewisdomandpleasantnesswhichisalwaysdroppingfromyourlips！\"
\"Ah！mydearchild，\"quothgoodUncleVenner，quiteovercome，\"ifyouweretospeaktoayoungmanasyoudotoanoldone，hischanceofkeepinghisheartanotherminutewouldnotbeworthoneofthebuttonsonmywaistcoat！And——soulalive！——thatgreatsigh，whichyoumademeheave，hasburstofftheverylastofthem！But，nevermind！ItwasthehappiestsighIeverdidheave；anditseemsasifImusthavedrawninagulpofheavenlybreath，tomakeitwith。Well，well，MissPhoebe！They’llmissmeinthegardenshereabouts，androundbythebackdoors；
andPyncheonStreet，I’mafraid，willhardlylookthesamewithoutoldUncleVenner，whoremembersitwithamowingfieldononeside，andthegardenoftheSevenGablesontheother。ButeitherImustgotoyourcountry-seat，oryoumustcometomyfarm，——that’soneoftwothingscertain；andIleaveyoutochoosewhich！\"
\"Oh，comewithus，byallmeans，UncleVenner！\"saidClifford，whohadaremarkableenjoymentoftheoldman’smellow，quiet，andsimplespirit。\"Iwantyoualwaystobewithinfiveminutes，saunterofmychair。YouaretheonlyphilosopherIeverknewofwhosewisdomhasnotadropofbitteressenceatthebottom！\"
\"Dearme！\"criedUncleVenner，beginningpartlytorealizewhatmannerofmanhewas。\"Andyetfolksusedtosetmedownamongthesimpleones，inmyyoungerdays！ButIsupposeIamlikeaRoxburyrusset，——agreatdealthebetter，thelongerIcanbekept。Yes；andmywordsofwisdom，thatyouandPhoebetellmeof，arelikethegoldendandelions，whichnevergrowinthehotmonths，butmaybeseenglisteningamongthewitheredgrass，andunderthedryleaves，sometimesaslateasDecember。
Andyouarewelcome，friends，tomymessofdandelions，ifthereweretwiceasmany！\"
Aplain，buthandsome，dark-greenbarouchehadnowdrawnupinfrontoftheruinousportaloftheoldmansion-house。Thepartycameforth，and(withtheexceptionofgoodUncleVenner，whowastofollowinafewdays)proceededtotaketheirplaces。Theywerechattingandlaughingverypleasantlytogether；and——asprovestobeoftenthecase，atmomentswhenweoughttopalpitatewithsensibility——CliffordandHepzibahbadeafinalfarewelltotheabodeoftheirforefathers，withhardlymoreemotionthaniftheyhadmadeittheirarrangementtoreturnthitherattea-time。
Severalchildrenweredrawntothespotbysounusualaspectacleasthebaroucheandpairofgrayhorses。RecognizinglittleNedHigginsamongthem，Hepzibahputherhandintoherpocket，andpresentedtheurchin，herearliestandstaunchestcustomer，withsilverenoughtopeopletheDomdanielcavernofhisinteriorwithasvariousaprocessionofquadrupedsaspassedintotheark。
Twomenwerepassing，justasthebarouchedroveoff。
\"Well，Dixey，\"saidoneofthem，\"whatdoyouthinkofthis？Mywifekeptacent-shopthreemonths，andlostfivedollarsonheroutlay。OldMaidPyncheonhasbeenintradejustaboutaslong，andridesoffinhercarriagewithacoupleofhundredthousand，——reckoninghershare，andClifford’s，andPhoebe’s，——andsomesaytwiceasmuch！Ifyouchoosetocallitluck，itisallverywell；butifwearetotakeitasthewillofProvidence，why，Ican’texactlyfathomit！\"
\"Prettygoodbusiness！\"quoththesagaciousDixey，——\"prettygoodbusiness！\"
Maule’swell，allthistime，thoughleftinsolitude，wasthrowingupasuccessionofkaleidoscopicpictures，inwhichagiftedeyemighthaveseenforeshadowedthecomingfortunesofHepzibahandClifford，andthedescendantofthelegendarywizard，andthevillagemaiden，overwhomhehadthrownLove’swebofsorcery。
ThePyncheonElm，moreover，withwhatfoliagetheSeptembergalehadsparedtoit，whisperedunintelligibleprophecies。AndwiseUncleVenner，passingslowlyfromtheruinousporch，seemedtohearastrainofmusic，andfanciedthatsweetAlicePyncheon——afterwitnessingthesedeeds，thisbygonewoeandthispresenthappiness，ofherkindredmortals——hadgivenonefarewelltouchofaspirit’sjoyuponherharpsichord，asshefloatedheavenwardfromtheHOUSE
OFTHESEVENGABLES！
End
