Hurstwoodbegantofeeladeepsympathyforherandforhimself。
Hecouldalmostfeelthatshewastalkingtohim。Hewas，bya，combinationoffeelingsandentanglements，almostdeludedbythat，qualityofvoiceandmannerwhich，likeapatheticstrainof，music，seemseverapersonalandintimatething。Pathoshasthis，quality，thatitseemseveraddressedtoonealone。
“Andyet，shecanbeveryhappywithhim，“wentonthelittle，actress。”Hersunnytemper，herjoyousfacewillbrightenany，home。”
Sheturnedslowlytowardtheaudiencewithoutseeing。Therewas，somuchsimplicityinhermovementsthatsheseemedwhollyalone。
Thenshefoundaseatbyatable，andturnedoversomebooks，devotingathoughttothem。
“WithnolongingsforwhatImaynothave，“shebreathedin，conclusion——anditwasalmostasigh——“myexistencehiddenfrom，allsavetwointhewideworld，andmakingmyjoyoutofthejoy，ofthatinnocentgirlwhowillsoonbehiswife。”
Hurstwoodwassorrywhenacharacter，knownasPeachBlossom，interruptedher。Hestirredirritably，forhewishedhertogo，on。Hewascharmedbythepaleface，thelissomefigure，draped，inpearlgrey，withacoiledstringofpearlsatthethroat。
Carriehadtheairofonewhowaswearyandinneedof，protection，and，underthefascinatingmake-believeofthe，moment，heroseinfeelinguntilhewasreadyinspirittogoto，herandeaseheroutofhermiserybyaddingtohisowndelight。
InamomentCarriewasaloneagain，andwassaying，with，animation：
“Imustreturntothecity，nomatterwhatdangersmaylurkhere。
Imustgo，secretlyifIcan;openly，ifImust。”
Therewasasoundofhorses’hoofsoutside，andthenRay’svoice，saying：
“No，Ishallnotrideagain。Puthimup。”
Heentered，andthenbeganascenewhichhadasmuchtodowith，thecreationofthetragedyofaffectioninHurstwoodasanything，inhispeculiarandinvolvedcareer。ForCarriehadresolvedto，makesomethingofthisscene，and，nowthatthecuehadcome，it，begantotakeafeelingholduponher。BothHurstwoodandDrouet，notedtherisingsentimentassheproceeded。
“IthoughtyouhadgonewithPearl，“shesaidtoherlover。
“Ididgopartoftheway，butIleftthePartyamiledownthe，road。”
“YouandPearlhadnodisagreement？”
“No——yes;thatis，wealwayshave。Oursocialbarometersalways，standat’cloudy’and’overcast。’“
“Andwhosefaultisthat？”shesaid，easily。
“Notmine，“heanswered，pettishly。”IknowIdoallIcan——I
sayallIcan——butshe——“
ThiswasratherawkwardlyputbyPatton，butCarrieredeemedit，withagracewhichwasinspiring。
“Butsheisyourwife，“shesaid，fixingherwholeattentionupon，thestilledactor，andsofteningthequalityofhervoiceuntil，itwasagainlowandmusical。”Ray，myfriend，courtshipisthe，textfromwhichthewholesermonofmarriedlifetakesitstheme。
Donotletyoursbediscontentedandunhappy。”
Sheputhertwolittlehandstogetherandpressedthem，appealingly。
Hurstwoodgazedwithslightlypartedlips。Drouetwasfidgeting，withsatisfaction。
“Tobemywife，yes，“wentontheactorinamannerwhichwas，weakbycomparison，butwhichcouldnotnowspoilthetender，atmospherewhichCarriehadcreatedandmaintained。Shedidnot，seemtofeelthathewaswretched。Shewouldhavedonenearlyas，wellwithablockofwood。Theaccessoriessheneededwere，withinherownimagination。Theactingofotherscouldnot，affectthem。
“Andyourepentalready？”shesaid，slowly。
“Ilostyou，“hesaid，seizingherlittlehand，“andIwasatthe，mercyofanyflirtwhochosetogivemeaninvitinglook。Itwas，yourfault——youknowitwas——whydidyouleaveme？”
Carrieturnedslowlyaway，andseemedtobemasteringsome，impulseinsilence。Thensheturnedback。
“Ray，“shesaid，“thegreatesthappinessIhaveeverfelthas，beenthethoughtthatallyouraffectionwasforeverbestowed，uponavirtuouswoman，yourequalinfamily，fortune，and，accomplishments。Whatarevelationdoyoumaketomenow！What，isitmakesyoucontinuallywarwithyourhappiness？”
Thelastquestionwasaskedsosimplythatitcametothe，audienceandtheloverasapersonalthing。
Atlastitcametothepartwheretheloverexclaimed，“Betome，asyouusedtobe。”
Carrieanswered，withaffectingsweetness，“Icannotbethatto，you，butIcanspeakinthespiritoftheLaurawhoisdeadto，youforever。”
“Beitasyouwill，“saidPatton。
Hurstwoodleanedforward。Thewholeaudiencewassilentand，intent。
“Letthewomanyoulookuponbewiseorvain，“saidCarrie，her，eyesbentsadlyuponthelover，whohadsunkintoaseat，“beautifulorhomely，richorpoor，shehasbutonethingshecan，reallygiveorrefuse——herheart。”
Drouetfeltascratchinhisthroat。
“Herbeauty，herwit，heraccomplishments，shemayselltoyou;
butherloveisthetreasurewithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。”
Themanagersufferedthisasapersonalappeal。Itcametohim，asiftheywerealone，andhecouldhardlyrestrainthetearsfor，sorrowoverthehopeless，pathetic，andyetdaintyandappealing，womanwhomheloved。Drouetalsowasbesidehimself。Hewas，resolvingthathewouldbetoCarriewhathehadneverbeen，before。Hewouldmarryher，byGeorge！Shewasworthit。
“Sheasksonlyinreturn，“saidCarrie，scarcelyhearingthe，small，scheduledreplyofherlover，andputtingherselfeven，moreinharmonywiththeplaintivemelodynowissuingfromthe，orchestra，“thatwhenyoulookuponheryoureyesshallspeak，devotion;thatwhenyouaddressheryourvoiceshallbegentle，loving，andkind;thatyoushallnotdespiseherbecauseshe，cannotunderstandallatonceyourvigorousthoughtsand，ambitiousdesigns;for，whenmisfortuneandevilhavedefeated，yourgreatestpurposes，herloveremainstoconsoleyou。You，looktothetrees，“shecontinued，whileHurstwoodrestrainedhis，feelingsonlybythegrimmestrepression，“forstrengthand，grandeur;donotdespisetheflowersbecausetheirfragranceis，alltheyhavetogive。Remember，“sheconcluded，tenderly，“love，isallawomanhastogive，“andshelaidastrange，sweetaccent，ontheall，“butitistheonlythingwhichGodpermitsusto，carrybeyondthegrave。”
Thetwomenwereinthemostharrowedstateofaffection。They，scarcelyheardthefewremainingwordswithwhichthescene，concluded。Theyonlysawtheiridol，movingaboutwithappealing，grace，continuingapowerwhichtothemwasarevelation。
Hurstwoodresolvedathousandsthings，Drouetaswell。They，joinedequallyintheburstofapplausewhichcalledCarrieout。
Drouetpoundedhishandsuntiltheyached。Thenhejumpedup，againandstartedout。Ashewent，Carriecameout，and，seeing，animmensebasketofflowersbeinghurrieddowntheaisletoward，hershewaited。TheywereHurstwood’s。Shelookedtowardthe，manager’sboxforamoment，caughthiseye，andsmiled。Hecould，haveleapedoutoftheboxtoenfoldher。Heforgottheneedof，circumspectnesswhichhismarriedstateenforced。Healmost，forgotthathehadwithhimintheboxthosewhoknewhim。By，theLord，hewouldhavethatlovelygirlifittookhisall。He，wouldactatonce。ThisshouldbetheendofDrouet，anddon’t，youforgetit。Hewouldnotwaitanotherday。Thedrummer，shouldnothaveher。
Hewassoexcitedthathecouldnotstayinthebox。Hewent，intothelobby，andthenintothestreet，thinking。Drouetdid，notreturn。Inafewminutesthelastactwasover，andhewas，crazytohaveCarriealone。Hecursedtheluckthatcouldkeep，himsmiling，bowing，shamming，whenhewantedtotellherthathe，lovedher，whenhewantedtowhispertoheralone。Hegroanedas，hesawthathishopeswerefutile。Hemusteventakeherto，supper，shamming。Hefinallywentaboutandaskedhowshewas，gettingalong。Theactorswerealldressing，talking，hurrying，about。Drouetwaspalaveringhimselfwiththeloosenessof，excitementandpassion。Themanagermasteredhimselfonlybya，greateffort。
“Wearegoingtosupper，ofcourse，“hesaid，withavoicethat，wasamockeryofhisheart。
“Oh，yes，“saidCarrie，smiling。
Thelittleactresswasinfinefeather。Shewasrealisingnow，whatitwastobepetted。Foronceshewastheadmired，the，sought-for。Theindependenceofsuccessnowmadeitsfirstfaint，showing。Withthetablesturned，shewaslookingdown，rather，thanup，toherlover。Shedidnotfullyrealisethatthiswas，so，buttherewassomethingincondescensioncomingfromher，whichwasinfinitelysweet。Whenshewasreadytheyclimbedinto，thewaitingcoachanddrovedowntown;once，only，didshefind，anopportunitytoexpressherfeeling，andthatwaswhenthe，managerprecededDrouetinthecoachandsatbesideher。Before，DrouetwasfullyinshehadsqueezedHurstwood’shandina，gentle，impulsivemanner。Themanagerwasbesidehimselfwith，affection。Hecouldhavesoldhissoultobewithheralone。
“Ah，“hethought，“theagonyofit。”
Drouethungon，thinkinghewasallinall。Thedinnerwas，spoiledbyhisenthusiasm。Hurstwoodwenthomefeelingasifhe，shoulddieifhedidnotfindaffectionaterelief。Hewhispered，“to-morrow“passionatelytoCarrie，andsheunderstood。He，walkedawayfromthedrummerandhisprizeatpartingfeelingas，ifhecouldslayhimandnotregret。Carriealsofeltthemisery，ofit。
“Good-night，“hesaid，simulatinganeasyfriendliness。
“Good-night，“saidthelittleactress，tenderly。
“Thefool！”hesaid，nowhatingDrouet。”Theidiot！I’lldohim，yet，andthatquick！We’llseeto-morrow。”
“Well，ifyouaren’tawonder，“Drouetwassaying，complacently，squeezingCarrie’sarm。”Youarethedandiestlittlegirlon，earth。”
ChapterXX
THELUREOFTHESPIRIT——THEFLESHINPURSUIT
PassioninamanofHurstwood’snaturetakesavigorousform。It，isnomusing，dreamything。Thereisnoneofthetendencyto，singoutsideofmylady’swindow——tolanguishandrepineinthe，faceofdifficulties。Inthenighthewaslonggettingtosleep，becauseoftoomuchthinking，andinthemorninghewasearly，awake，seizingwithalacrityuponthesamedearsubjectand，pursuingitwithvigour。Hewasoutofsortsphysically，aswell，asdisorderedmentally，fordidhenotdelightinanewmannerin，hisCarrie，andwasnotDrouetintheway？Neverwasmanmore，harassedthanhebythethoughtsofhislovebeingheldbythe，elated，flush-mannereddrummer。Hewouldhavegivenanything，it，seemedtohim，tohavethecomplicationended——tohaveCarrie，acquiescetoanarrangementwhichwoulddisposeofDrouet，effectuallyandforever。
Whattodo。Hedressedthinking。Hemovedaboutinthesame，chamberwithhiswife，unmindfulofherpresence。
Atbreakfasthefoundhimselfwithoutanappetite。Themeatto，whichhehelpedhimselfremainedonhisplateuntouched。His，coffeegrewcold，whilehescannedthepaperindifferently。Here，andtherehereadalittlething，butrememberednothing。
Jessicahadnotyetcomedown。Hiswifesatatoneendofthe，tablerevolvingthoughtsofherowninsilence。Anewservant，hadbeenrecentlyinstalledandhadforgotthenapkins。Onthis，accountthesilencewasirritablybrokenbyareproof。
“I’vetoldyouaboutthisbefore，Maggie，“saidMrs。Hurstwood。
“I’mnotgoingtotellyouagain。”
Hurstwoodtookaglanceathiswife。Shewasfrowning。Justnow，hermannerirritatedhimexcessively。Hernextremarkwas，addressedtohim。
“Haveyoumadeupyourmind，George，whenyouwilltakeyour，vacation？”
Itwascustomaryforthemtodiscusstheregularsummeroutingat，thisseasonoftheyear。
“Notyet，“hesaid，“I’mverybusyjustnow。”
“Well，you’llwanttomakeupyourmindprettysoon，won’tyou，ifwe’regoing？”shereturned。
“Iguesswehaveafewdaysyet，“hesaid。
“Hmff，“shereturned。”Don’twaituntiltheseason’sover。”
Shestirredinaggravationasshesaidthis。
“Thereyougoagain，“heobserved。”OnewouldthinkIneverdid，anything，thewayyoubegin。”
“Well，Iwanttoknowaboutit，“shereiterated。
“You’vegotafewdaysyet，“heinsisted。”You’llnotwantto，startbeforetheracesareover。”
Hewasirritatedtothinkthatthisshouldcomeupwhenhewished，tohavehisthoughtsforotherpurposes。
“Well，wemay。Jessicadoesn’twanttostayuntiltheendofthe，races。”
“Whatdidyouwantwithaseasonticket，then？”
“Uh！”shesaid，usingthesoundasanexclamationofdisgust，“I’llnotarguewithyou，“andtherewitharosetoleavethe，table。
“Say，“hesaid，rising，puttinganoteofdeterminationinhis，voicewhichcausedhertodelayherdeparture，“what’sthematter，withyouoflate？Can’tItalkwithyouanymore？”
“Certainly，youcanTALKwithme，“shereplied，layingemphasis，ontheword。
“Well，youwouldn’tthinksobythewayyouact。Now，youwant，toknowwhenI’llbeready——notforamonthyet。Maybenot，then。”
“We’llgowithoutyou。”
“Youwill，eh？”hesneered。
“Yes，wewill。”
Hewasastonishedatthewoman’sdetermination，butitonly，irritatedhimthemore。
“Well，we’llseeaboutthat。Itseemstomeyou’retryingtorun，thingswithaprettyhighhandoflate。Youtalkasthoughyou，settledmyaffairsforme。Well，youdon’t。Youdon’tregulate，anythingthat’sconnectedwithme。Ifyouwanttogo，go，but，youwon’thurrymebyanysuchtalkasthat。”
Hewasthoroughlyarousednow。Hisdarkeyessnapped，andhe，crunchedhispaperashelaiditdown。Mrs。Hurstwoodsaid，nothingmore。Hewasjustfinishingwhensheturnedonherheel，andwentoutintothehallandupstairs。Hepausedforamoment，asifhesitating，thensatdownanddrankalittlecoffee，and，thereafteraroseandwentforhishatandglovesuponthemain，floor。
Hiswifehadreallynotanticipatedarowofthischaracter。She，hadcomedowntothebreakfasttablefeelingalittleoutof，sortswithherselfandrevolvingaschemewhichshehadinher，mind。Jessicahadcalledherattentiontothefactthatthe，raceswerenotwhattheyweresupposedtobe。Thesocial，opportunitieswerenotwhattheyhadthoughttheywouldbethis，year。Thebeautifulgirlfoundgoingeverydayadullthing。
Therewasanearlierexodusthisyearofpeoplewhowereanybody，tothewateringplacesandEurope。Inherowncircleof，acquaintancesseveralyoungmeninwhomshewasinterestedhad，gonetoWaukesha。Shebegantofeelthatshewouldliketogo，too，andhermotheragreedwithher。
Accordingly，Mrs。Hurstwooddecidedtobroachthesubject。She，wasthinkingthisoverwhenshecamedowntothetable，butfor，somereasontheatmospherewaswrong。Shewasnotsure，afterit，wasallover，justhowthetroublehadbegun。Shewasdetermined，now，however，thatherhusbandwasabrute，andthat，underno，circumstances，wouldsheletthisgobyunsettled。Shewould，havemorelady-liketreatmentorshewouldknowwhy。
Forhispart，themanagerwasloadedwiththecareofthisnew，argumentuntilhereachedhisofficeandstartedfromthereto，meetCarrie。Thentheothercomplicationsoflove，desire，and，oppositionpossessedhim。Histhoughtsfledonbeforehimupon，eagles’wings。HecouldhardlywaituntilheshouldmeetCarrie，facetoface。Whatwasthenight，afterall，withouther——what，theday？Shemustandshouldbehis。
Forherpart，Carriehadexperiencedaworldoffancyandfeeling，sinceshehadlefthim，thenightbefore。Shehadlistenedto，Drouet’senthusiasticmaunderingswithmuchregardforthatpart，whichconcernedherself，withverylittleforthatwhichaffected，hisowngain。Shekepthimatsuchlengthsasshecould，because，herthoughtswerewithherowntriumph。ShefeltHurstwood’s，passionasadelightfulbackgroundtoherownachievement，and，shewonderedwhathewouldhavetosay。Shewassorryforhim，too，withthatpeculiarsorrowwhichfindssomething，complimentarytoitselfinthemiseryofanother。Shewasnow，experiencingthefirstshadesoffeelingofthatsubtlechange，whichremovesoneoutoftheranksofthesuppliantsintothe，linesofthedispensersofcharity。Shewas，allinall，exceedinglyhappy。
Onthemorrow，however，therewasnothinginthepapers，concerningtheevent，and，inviewoftheflowofcommon，everydaythingsabout，itnowlostashadeoftheglowofthe，previousevening。DrouethimselfwasnottalkingsomuchOFas，FORher。Hefeltinstinctivelythat，forsomereasonorother，heneededreconstructioninherregard。
“Ithink，“hesaid，ashesprucedaroundtheirchambersthenext，morning，preparatorytogoingdowntown，“thatI’llstraighten，outthatlittledealofminethismonthandthenwe’llget，married。IwastalkingwithMosheraboutthatyesterday。”
“No，youwon’t，“saidCarrie，whowascomingtofeelacertain，faintpowertojestwiththedrummer。
“Yes，Iwill，“heexclaimed，morefeelinglythanusual，adding，withthetoneofonewhopleads，“Don’tyoubelievewhatI’ve，toldyou？”
Carrielaughedalittle。
“OfcourseIdo，“sheanswered。
Drouet’sassurancenowmisgavehim。Shallowaswashismental，observation，therewasthatinthethingswhichhadhappened，whichmadehislittlepowerofanalysisuseless。Carriewas，stillwithhim，butnothelplessandpleading。Therewasalilt，inhervoicewhichwasnew。Shedidnotstudyhimwitheyes，expressiveofdependence。Thedrummerwasfeelingtheshadowof，somethingwhichwascoming。Itcolouredhisfeelingsandmade，himdevelopthoselittleattentionsandsaythoselittlewords，whichweremereforefendationsagainstdanger。
Shortlyafterwardhedeparted，andCarriepreparedforher，meetingwithHurstwood。Shehurriedathertoilet，whichwas，soonmade，andhasteneddownthestairs。Atthecornershe，passedDrouet，buttheydidnotseeeachother。
Thedrummerhadforgottensomebillswhichhewishedtoturninto，hishouse。Hehastenedupthestairsandburstintotheroom，butfoundonlythechambermaid，whowascleaningup。
“Hello，“heexclaimed，halftohimself，“hasCarriegone？”
“Yourwife？Yes，shewentoutjustafewminutesago。”
“That’sstrange，“thoughtDrouet。”Shedidn’tsayawordtome。
Iwonderwhereshewent？”
Hehastenedabout，rummaginginhisvaliseforwhathewanted，andfinallypocketingit。Thenheturnedhisattentiontohis，fairneighbour，whowasgood-lookingandkindlydisposedtowards，him。
“Whatareyouupto？”hesaid，smiling。
“Justcleaning，“shereplied，stoppingandwindingadusting，towelaboutherhand。
“Tiredofit？”
“Notsovery。”
“Letmeshowyousomething，“hesaid，affably，comingoverand，takingoutofhispocketalittlelithographedcardwhichhad，beenissuedbyawholesaletobaccocompany。Onthiswasprinted，apictureofaprettygirl，holdingastripedparasol，the，coloursofwhichcouldbechangedbymeansofarevolvingdiskin，theback，whichshowedred，yellow，green，andbluethrough，littleintersticesmadeinthegroundoccupiedbytheumbrella，top。
“Isn’tthatclever？”hesaid，handingittoherandshowingher，howitworked。”Youneversawanythinglikethatbefore。”
“Isn’titnice？”sheanswered。
“Youcanhaveitifyouwantit，“heremarked。
“That’saprettyringyouhave，“hesaid，touchingacommonplace，settingwhichadornedthehandholdingthecardhehadgivenher。
“Doyouthinkso？”
“That’sright，“heanswered，makinguseofapretenceat，examinationtosecureherfinger。”That’sfine。”
Theicebeingthusbroken，helaunchedintofurtherobservation，pretendingtoforgetthatherfingerswerestillretainedbyhis。
Shesoonwithdrewthem，however，andretreatedafewfeettorest，againstthewindow-sill。
“Ididn’tseeyouforalongtime，“shesaid，coquettishly，repulsingoneofhisexuberantapproaches。”Youmusthavebeen，away。”
“Iwas，“saidDrouet。
“Doyoutravelfar？”
“Prettyfar——yes。”
“Doyoulikeit？”
“Oh，notverywell。Yougettiredofitafterawhile。”
“IwishIcouldtravel，“saidthegirl，gazingidlyoutofthe，window。
“Whathasbecomeofyourfriend，Mr。Hurstwood？”shesuddenly，asked，bethinkingherselfofthemanager，who，fromherown，observation，seemedtocontainpromisingmaterial。
“He’shereintown。Whatmakesyouaskabouthim？”
“Oh，nothing，onlyhehasn’tbeenheresinceyougotback。”
“Howdidyoucometoknowhim？”
“Didn’tItakeuphisnameadozentimesinthelastmonth？”
“Getout，“saidthedrummer，lightly。”Hehasn’tcalledmore，thanhalfadozentimessincewe’vebeenhere。”
“Hehasn’t，eh？”saidthegirl，smiling。”That’sallyouknow，aboutit。”
Drouettookonaslightlymoreserioustone。Hewasuncertainas，towhethershewasjokingornot。
“Tease，“hesaid，“whatmakesyousmilethatway？”
“Oh，nothing。”
“Haveyouseenhimrecently？”
“Notsinceyoucameback，“shelaughed。
“Before？”
“Certainly。”
“Howoften？”
“Why，nearlyeveryday。”
Shewasamischievousnewsmonger，andwaskeenlywonderingwhat，theeffectofherwordswouldbe。
“Whodidhecometosee？”askedthedrummer，incredulously。
“Mrs。Drouet。”
Helookedratherfoolishatthisanswer，andthenattemptedto，correcthimselfsoasnottoappearadupe。
“Well，“hesaid，“whatofit？”
“Nothing，“repliedthegirl，herheadcockedcoquettishlyonone，side。
“He’sanoldfriend，“hewenton，gettingdeeperintothemire。
Hewouldhavegoneonfurtherwithhislittleflirtation，butthe，tasteforitwastemporarilyremoved。Hewasquiterelievedwhen，thegirl’snamedwascalledfrombelow。
“I’vegottogo，“shesaid，movingawayfromhimairily。
“I’llseeyoulater，“hesaid，withapretenceofdisturbanceat，beinginterrupted。
Whenshewasgone，hegavefreerplaytohisfeelings。Hisface，nevereasilycontrolledbyhim，expressedalltheperplexityand，disturbancewhichhefelt。CoulditbethatCarriehadreceived，somanyvisitsandyetsaidnothingaboutthem？WasHurstwood，lying？Whatdidthechambermaidmeanbyit，anyway？Hehad，thoughttherewassomethingoddaboutCarrie’smanneratthe，time。Whydidshelooksodisturbedwhenhehadaskedherhow，manytimesHurstwoodhadcalled？ByGeorge！Herememberednow。
Therewassomethingstrangeaboutthewholething。
Hesatdowninarocking-chairtothinkthebetter，drawingup，onelegonhiskneeandfrowningmightily。Hismindranonata，greatrate。
AndyetCarriehadn’tactedoutoftheordinary。Itcouldn’tbe，byGeorge，thatshewasdeceivinghim。Shehadn’tactedthat，way。Why，evenlastnightshehadbeenasfriendlytowardhimas，couldbe，andHurstwoodtoo。Lookhowtheyacted！Hecould，hardlybelievetheywouldtrytodeceivehim。
Histhoughtsburstintowords。
“Shedidactsortoffunnyattimes。Hereshehaddressed，and，goneoutthismorningandneversaidaword。”
Hescratchedhisheadandpreparedtogodowntown。Hewasstill，frowning。Ashecameintothehallheencounteredthegirl，who，wasnowlookingafteranotherchamber。Shehadonawhite，dustingcap，beneathwhichherchubbyfaceshonegood-naturedly。
Drouetalmostforgothisworryinthefactthatshewassmiling，onhim。Heputhishandfamiliarlyonhershoulder，asifonly，togreetherinpassing。
“Gotoverbeingmad？”shesaid，stillmischievouslyinclined。
“I’mnotmad，“heanswered。
“Ithoughtyouwere，“shesaid，smiling。
“Quityourfoolingaboutthat，“hesaid，inanoffhandway。
“Wereyouserious？”
“Certainly，“sheanswered。Then，withanairofonewhodidnot，intentionallymeantocreatetrouble，“Hecamelotsoftimes。I
thoughtyouknew。”
ThegameofdeceptionwasupwithDrouet。Hedidnottryto，simulateindifferencefurther。
“Didhespendtheeveningshere？”heasked。
“Sometimes。Sometimestheywentout。”
“Intheevening？”
“Yes。Youmustn’tlooksomad，though。”
“I’mnot，“hesaid。”Didanyoneelseseehim？”
“Ofcourse，“saidthegirl，asif，afterall，itwerenothingin，particular。
“Howlongagowasthis？”
“Justbeforeyoucameback。”
Thedrummerpinchedhislipnervously。
“Don’tsayanything，willyou？”heasked，givingthegirl’sarma，gentlesqueeze。
“Certainlynot，“shereturned。”Iwouldn’tworryoverit。”
“Allright，“hesaid，passingon，seriouslybroodingforonce，andyetnotwhollyunconsciousofthefactthathewasmakinga，mostexcellentimpressionuponthechambermaid。
“I’llseeheraboutthat，“hesaidtohimself，passionately，feelingthathehadbeenundulywronged。”I’llfindout，b’George，whethershe’llactthatwayornot。”
ChapterXXI
THELUREOFTHESPIRIT——THEFLESHINPURSUIT
WhenCarriecameHurstwoodhadbeenwaitingmanyminutes。His，bloodwaswarm;hisnerveswroughtup。Hewasanxioustoseethe，womanwhohadstirredhimsoprofoundlythenightbefore。
“Hereyouare，“hesaid，repressedly，feelingaspringinhis，limbsandanelationwhichwastragicinitself。
“Yes，“saidCarrie。
Theywalkedonasifboundforsomeobjectivepoint，while，Hurstwooddrankintheradianceofherpresence。Therustleof，herprettyskirtwaslikemusictohim。
“Areyousatisfied？”heasked，thinkingofhowwellshedidthe，nightbefore。
“Areyou？”
Hetightenedhisfingersashesawthesmileshegavehim。
“Itwaswonderful。”
Carrielaughedecstatically。
“ThatwasoneofthebestthingsI’veseeninalongtime，“he，added。
Hewasdwellingonherattractivenessashehadfeltitthe，eveningbefore，andminglingitwiththefeelingherpresence，inspirednow。
Carriewasdwellingintheatmospherewhichthismancreatedfor，her。Alreadyshewasenlivenedandsuffusedwithaglow。She，felthisdrawingtowardherineverysoundofhisvoice。
“Thoseweresuchniceflowersyousentme，“shesaid，aftera，momentortwo。”Theywerebeautiful。”
“Gladyoulikedthem，“heanswered，simply。
Hewasthinkingallthetimethatthesubjectofhisdesirewas，beingdelayed。Hewasanxioustoturnthetalktohisown，feelings。Allwasripeforit。HisCarriewasbesidehim。He，wantedtoplungeinandexpostulatewithher，andyethefound，himselffishingforwordsandfeelingforaway。
“Yougothomeallright，“hesaid，gloomily，ofasudden，his，tunemodifyingitselftooneofself-commiseration。
“Yes，“saidCarrie，easily。
Helookedathersteadilyforamoment，slowinghispaceand，fixingherwithhiseye。
Shefeltthefloodoffeeling。
“Howaboutme？”heasked。
ThisconfusedCarrieconsiderably，forsherealisedtheflood-
gateswereopen。Shedidn’tknowexactlywhattoanswer。
“Idon’tknow，“sheanswered。
Hetookhislowerlipbetweenhisteethforamoment，andthen，letitgo。Hestoppedbythewalksideandkickedthegrasswith，histoe。Hesearchedherfacewithatender，appealingglance。
“Won’tyoucomeawayfromhim？”heasked，intensely。
“Idon’tknow，“returnedCarrie，stillillogicallydriftingand，findingnothingatwhichtocatch。
Asamatteroffact，shewasinamosthopelessquandary。Here，wasamanwhomshethoroughlyliked，whoexercisedaninfluence，overher，sufficientalmosttodeludeherintothebeliefthat，shewaspossessedofalivelypassionforhim。Shewasstillthe，victimofhiskeeneyes，hissuavemanners，hisfineclothes。
Shelookedandsawbeforeheramanwhowasmostgraciousand，sympathetic，wholeanedtowardherwithafeelingthatwasa，delighttoobserve。Shecouldnotresisttheglowofhis，temperament，thelightofhiseye。Shecouldhardlykeepfrom，feelingwhathefelt。
Andyetshewasnotwithoutthoughtswhichweredisturbing。What，didheknow？WhathadDrouettoldhim？Wassheawifeinhis，eyes，orwhat？Wouldhemarryher？Evenwhilehetalked，andshe，softened，andhereyeswerelightedwithatenderglow，shewas，askingherselfifDrouethadtoldhimtheywerenotmarried。
TherewasneveranythingatallconvincingaboutwhatDrouet，said。
AndyetshewasnotgrievedatHurstwood’slove。Nostrainof，bitternesswasinitforher，whateverheknew。Hewasevidently，sincere。Hispassionwasrealandwarm。Therewaspowerinwhat，hesaid。Whatshouldshedo？Shewentonthinkingthis，answeringvaguely，languishingaffectionately，andaltogether，drifting，untilshewasonaborderlessseaofspeculation。
“Whydon’tyoucomeaway？”hesaid，tenderly。”Iwillarrange，foryouwhatever——“
“Oh，don’t，“saidCarrie。
“Don’twhat？”heasked。”Whatdoyoumean？”
Therewasalookofconfusionandpaininherface。Shewas，wonderingwhythatmiserablethoughtmustbebroughtin。Shewas，struckasbyabladewiththemiserableprovisionwhichwas，outsidethepaleofmarriage。
Hehimselfrealizedthatitwasawretchedthingtohavedragged，in。Hewantedtoweightheeffectsofit，andyethecouldnot，see。Hewentbeatingon，flushedbyherpresence，clearly，awakened，intenselyenlistedinhisplan。
“Won’tyoucome？”hesaid，beginningoverandwithamore，reverentfeeling。”YouknowIcan’tdowithoutyou——youknowit——
itcan’tgoonthisway——canit？”
“Iknow，“saidCarrie。
“Iwouldn’taskifI——Iwouldn’targuewithyouifIcouldhelp，it。Lookatme，Carrie。Putyourselfinmyplace。Youdon’t，wanttostayawayfromme，doyou？”
Sheshookherheadasifindeepthought。
“Thenwhynotsettlethewholething，onceandforall？”
“Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie。
“Don’tknow！Ah，Carrie，whatmakesyousaythat？Don’ttorment，me。Beserious。”
“Iam，“saidCarrie，softly。
“Youcan’tbe，dearest，andsaythat。NotwhenyouknowhowI
loveyou。Lookatlastnight。”
Hismannerashesaidthiswasthemostquietimaginable。His，faceandbodyretaineduttercomposure。Onlyhiseyesmoved，and，theyflashedasubtle，dissolvingfire。Inthemthewhole，intensityoftheman’snaturewasdistillingitself。
Carriemadenoanswer。
“Howcanyouactthisway，dearest？”heinquired，afteratime。
“Youloveme，don’tyou？”
Heturnedonhersuchastormoffeelingthatshewas，overwhelmed。Forthemomentalldoubtswereclearedaway。
“Yes，“sheanswered，franklyandtenderly。
“Well，thenyou’llcome，won’tyou——cometo-night？”
Carrieshookherheadinspiteofherdistress。
“Ican’twaitanylonger，“urgedHurstwood。”Ifthatistoo，soon，comeSaturday。”
“Whenwillwebemarried？”sheasked，diffidently，forgettingin，herdifficultsituationthatshehadhopedhetookhertobe，Drouet’swife。
Themanagerstarted，hitashewasbyaproblemwhichwasmore，difficultthanhers。Hegavenosignofthethoughtsthat，flashedlikemessagestohismind。
“Anytimeyousay，“hesaid，withease，refusingtodiscolourhis，presentdelightwiththismiserableproblem。
“Saturday？”askedCarrie。
Henoddedhishead。
“Well，ifyouwillmarrymethen，“shesaid，“I’llgo。”
Themanagerlookedathislovelyprize，sobeautiful，sowinsome，sodifficulttobewon，andmadestrangeresolutions。His，passionhadgottentothatstagenowwhereitwasnolonger，colouredwithreason。Hedidnottroubleoverlittlebarriersof，thissortinthefaceofsomuchloveliness。Hewouldacceptthe，situationwithallitsdifficulties;hewouldnottrytoanswer，theobjectionswhichcoldtruththrustuponhim。Hewould，promiseanything，everything，andtrusttofortunetodisentangle，him。HewouldmakeatryforParadise，whatevermightbethe，result。Hewouldbehappy，bytheLord，ifitcostallhonesty，ofstatement，allabandonmentoftruth。
Carrielookedathimtenderly。Shecouldhavelaidherheadupon，hisshoulder，sodelightfuldiditallseem。
“Well，“shesaid，“I’lltryandgetreadythen。”
Hurstwoodlookedintoherprettyface，crossedwithlittle，shadowsofwonderandmisgiving，andthoughthehadneverseen，anythingmorelovely。
“I’llseeyouagainto-morrow，“hesaid，joyously，“andwe’ll，talkovertheplans。”
Hewalkedonwithher，elatedbeyondwords，sodelightfulhad，beentheresult。Heimpressedalongstoryofjoyandaffection，uponher，thoughtherewasbuthereandthereaword。Aftera，half-hourhebegantorealisethatthemeetingmustcometoan，end，soexactingistheworld。
“To-morrow，“hesaidatparting，agayetyofmanneradding，wonderfullytohisbravedemeanour。
“Yes，“saidCarrie，trippingelatedlyaway。
Therehadbeensomuchenthusiasmengenderedthatshewas，believingherselfdeeplyinlove。Shesighedasshethoughtof，herhandsomeadorer。Yes，shewouldgetreadybySaturday。She，wouldgo，andtheywouldbehappy。
ChapterXXII
THEBLAZEOFTHETINDER——FLESHWARSWITHTHEFLESH
ThemisfortuneoftheHurstwoodhouseholdwasduetothefact，thatjealousy，havingbeenbornoflove，didnotperishwithit。
Mrs。Hurstwoodretainedthisinsuchformthatsubsequent，influencescouldtransformitintohate。Hurstwoodwasstill，worthy，inaphysicalsense，oftheaffectionhiswifehadonce，bestoweduponhim，butinasocialsensehefellshort。Withhis，regarddiedhispowertobeattentivetoher，andthis，toa，woman，ismuchgreaterthanoutrightcrimetowardanother。Our，self-lovedictatesourappreciationofthegoodorevilin，another。InMrs。Hurstwooditdiscolouredtheveryhueofher，husband’sindifferentnature。Shesawdesignindeedsand，phraseswhichsprungonlyfromafadedappreciationofher，presence。
Asaconsequence，shewasresentfulandsuspicious。Thejealousy，thatpromptedhertoobserveeveryfallingawayfromthelittle，amenitiesofthemarriedrelationonhispartservedtogiveher，noticeoftheairygracewithwhichhestilltooktheworld。She，couldseefromthescrupulouscarewhichheexercisedinthe，matterofhispersonalappearancethathisinterestinlifehad，abatednotajot。Everymotion，everyglancehadsomethinginit，ofthepleasurehefeltinCarrie，ofthezestthisnewpursuit，ofpleasurelenttohisdays。Mrs。Hurstwoodfeltsomething，sniffingchange，asanimalsdodanger，afaroff。
Thisfeelingwasstrengthenedbyactionsofadirectandmore，potentnatureonthepartofHurstwood。Wehaveseenwithwhat，irritationheshirkedthoselittledutieswhichnolonger，containedanyamusementofsatisfactionforhim，andtheopen，snarlswithwhich，morerecently，heresentedherirritating，goads。Theselittlerowswerereallyprecipitatedbyan，atmospherewhichwassurchargedwithdissension。Thatitwould，shower，withaskysofullofblackeningthunderclouds，would，scarcelybethoughtworthyofcomment。Thus，afterleavingthe，breakfasttablethismorning，raginginwardlyathisblank，declarationofindifferenceatherplans，Mrs。Hurstwood，encounteredJessicainherdressing-room，veryleisurely，arrangingherhair。Hurstwoodhadalreadyleftthehouse。
“Iwishyouwouldn’tbesolatecomingdowntobreakfast，“she，said，addressingJessica，whilemakingforhercrochetbasket。
“Nowherethethingsarequitecold，andyouhaven’teaten。”
Hernaturalcomposurewassadlyruffled，andJessicawasdoomed，tofeelthefagendofthestorm。
“I’mnothungry，“sheanswered。
“Thenwhydon’tyousayso，andletthegirlputawaythethings，insteadofkeepingherwaitingallmorning？”
“Shedoesn’tmind，“answeredJessica，coolly。
“Well，Ido，ifshedoesn’t，“returnedthemother，“and，anyhow，Idon’tlikeyoutotalkthatwaytome。You’retooyoungtoput，onsuchanairwithyourmother。”
“Oh，mamma，don’trow，“;answeredJessica。”What’sthematter，thismorning，anyway？”
“Nothing’sthematter，andI’mnotrowing。Youmustn’tthink，becauseIindulgeyouinsomethingsthatyoucankeepeverybody，waiting。Iwon’thaveit。”
“I’mnotkeepinganybodywaiting，“returnedJessica，sharply，stirredoutofacynicalindifferencetoasharpdefence。”I
saidIwasn’thungry。Idon’twantanybreakfast。”
“Mindhowyouaddressme，missy。I’llnothaveit。Hearmenow;
I’llnothaveit！”
Jessicaheardthislastwhilewalkingoutoftheroom，witha，tossofherheadandaflickofherprettyskirtsindicativeof，theindependenceandindifferenceshefelt。Shedidnotpropose，tobequarrelledwith。
Suchlittleargumentswerealltoofrequent，theresultofa，growthofnatureswhichwerelargelyindependentandselfish。
George，Jr。manifestedevengreatertouchinessandexaggeration，inthematterofhisindividualrights，andattemptedtomakeall，feelthathewasamanwithaman’sprivileges——anassumption，which，ofallthings，ismostgroundlessandpointlessinayouth，ofnineteen。
Hurstwoodwasamanofauthorityandsomefinefeeling，andit，irritatedhimexcessivelytofindhimselfsurroundedmoreand，morebyaworlduponwhichhehadnohold，andofwhichhehada，lesseningunderstanding。
Now，whensuchlittlethings，suchastheproposedearlierstart，toWaukesha，cameup，theymadecleartohimhisposition。He，wasbeingmadetofollow，wasnotleading。When，inaddition，a，sharptemperwasmanifested，andtotheprocessofshouldering，himoutofhisauthoritywasaddedarousingintellectualkick，suchasasneeroracynicallaugh，hewasunabletokeephis，temper。Heflewintohardlyrepressedpassion，andwished，himselfclearofthewholehousehold。Itseemedamost，irritatingdraguponallhisdesiresandopportunities。
Forallthis，hestillretainedthesemblanceofleadershipand，control，eventhoughhiswifewasstrainingtorevolt。Her，displayoftemperandopenassertionofoppositionwerebased，uponnothingmorethanthefeelingthatshecoulddoit。Shehad，nospecialevidencewherewithtojustifyherself——theknowledge，ofsomethingwhichwouldgiveherbothauthorityandexcuse。The，latterwasallthatwaslacking，however，togiveasolid，foundationtowhat，inaway，seemedgroundlessdiscontent。The，clearproofofoneovertdeedwasthecoldbreathneededto，converttheloweringcloudsofsuspicionintoarainofwrath。
AninklingofuntowarddeedsonthepartofHurstwoodhadcome。
DoctorBeale，thehandsomeresidentphysicianofthe，neighbourhood，metMrs。Hurstwoodatherowndoorstepsomedays，afterHurstwoodandCarriehadtakenthedrivewestonWashington，Boulevard。Dr。Beale，comingeastonthesamedrive，had，recognisedHurstwood，butnotbeforehewasquitepasthim。He，wasnotsosureofCarrie——didnotknowwhetheritwas，Hurstwood’swifeordaughter。
“Youdon’tspeaktoyourfriendswhenyoumeetthemoutdriving，doyou？”hesaid，jocosely，toMrs。Hurstwood。
“IfIseethem，Ido。WherewasI？”
“OnWashingtonBoulevard。”heanswered，expectinghereyeto，lightwithimmediateremembrance。
Sheshookherhead。
“Yes，outnearHoyneAvenue。Youwerewithyourhusband。”
“Iguessyou’remistaken，“sheanswered。Then，rememberingher，husband’spartintheaffair，sheimmediatelyfellapreytoa，hostofyoungsuspicions，ofwhich，however，shegavenosign。
“IknowIsawyourhusband，“hewenton。”Iwasn’tsosureabout，you。Perhapsitwasyourdaughter。”
“Perhapsitwas，“saidMrs。Hurstwood，knowingfullwellthat，suchwasnotthecase，asJessicahadbeenhercompanionfor，weeks。Shehadrecoveredherselfsufficientlytowishtoknow，moreofthedetails。
“Wasitintheafternoon？”sheasked，artfully，assuminganair，ofacquaintanceshipwiththematter。
“Yes，abouttwoorthree。”
“ItmusthavebeenJessica，“saidMrs。Hurstwood，notwishingto，seemtoattachanyimportancetotheincident。
Thephysicianhadathoughtortwoofhisown，butdismissedthe，matterasworthyofnofurtherdiscussiononhispartatleast。
Mrs。Hurstwoodgavethisbitofinformationconsiderablethought，duringthenextfewhours，andevendays。Shetookitfor，grantedthatthedoctorhadreallyseenherhusband，andthathe，hadbeenriding，mostlikely，withsomeotherwoman，after，announcinghimselfasBUSYtoher。Asaconsequence，she，recalled，withrisingfeeling，howoftenhehadrefusedtogoto，placeswithher，toshareinlittlevisits，or，indeed，takepart，inanyofthesocialamenitieswhichfurnishedthediversionof，herexistence。Hehadbeenseenatthetheatrewithpeoplewhom，hecalledMoy’sfriends;nowhewasseendriving，and，most，likely，wouldhaveanexcuseforthat。Perhapstherewereothers，ofwhomshedidnothear，orwhyshouldhebesobusy，so，indifferent，oflate？Inthelastsixweekshehadbecome，strangelyirritable——strangelysatisfiedtopickupandgoout，whetherthingswererightorwronginthehouse。Why？
Sherecalled，withmoresubtleemotions，thathedidnotlookat，hernowwithanyoftheoldlightofsatisfactionorapprovalin，hiseye。Evidently，alongwithotherthings，hewastakingher，tobegettingoldanduninteresting。Hesawherwrinkles，perhaps。Shewasfading，whilehewasstillpreeninghimselfin，hiseleganceandyouth。Hewasstillaninterestedfactorinthe，merry-makingsoftheworld，whileshe——butshedidnotpursuethe，thought。Sheonlyfoundthewholesituationbitter，andhated，himforitthoroughly。
Nothingcameofthisincidentatthetime，forthetruthisit，didnotseemconclusiveenoughtowarrantanydiscussion。Only，theatmosphereofdistrustandill-feelingwasstrengthened，precipitatingeverynowandthenlittlesprinklingsofirritable，conversation，enlivenedbyflashesofwrath。Thematterofthe，Waukeshaoutingwasmerelyacontinuationofotherthingsofthe，samenature。
ThedayafterCarrie’sappearanceontheAverystage，Mrs。
HurstwoodvisitedtheraceswithJessicaandayouthofher，acquaintance，Mr。BartTaylor，thesonoftheownerofalocal，house-furnishingestablishment。Theyhaddrivenoutearly，and，asitchanced，encounteredseveralfriendsofHurstwood，all，Elks，andtwoofwhomhadattendedtheperformancetheevening，before。Athousandchancesthesubjectoftheperformancehad，neverbeenbroughtuphadJessicanotbeensoengagedbythe，attentionsofheryoungcompanion，whousurpedasmuchtimeas，possible。ThisleftMrs。Hurstwoodinthemoodtoextendthe，perfunctorygreetingsofsomewhoknewherintoshort，conversations，andtheshortconversationsoffriendsintolong，ones。Itwasfromonewhomeantbuttogreetherperfunctorily，thatthisinterestingintelligencecame。
“Isee，“saidthisindividual，whoworesportingclothesofthe，mostattractivepattern，andhadafield-glassstrungoverhis，shoulder，“thatyoudidnotgetovertoourlittleentertainment，lastevening。”
“No？”saidMrs。Hurstwood，inquiringly，andwonderingwhyhe，shouldbeusingthetonehedidinnotingthefactthatshehad，notbeentosomethingsheknewnothingabout。Itwasonherlips，tosay，“Whatwasit？”whenheadded，“Isawyourhusband。”
Herwonderwasatoncereplacedbythemoresubtlequalityof，suspicion。
“Yes，“shesaid，cautiously，“wasitpleasant？Hedidnottellme，muchaboutit。”
“Very。ReallyoneofthebestprivatetheatricalsIever，attended。Therewasoneactresswhosurprisedusall。”
“Indeed，“saidMrs。Hurstwood。
“It’stoobadyoucouldn’thavebeenthere，really。Iwassorry，tohearyouweren’tfeelingwell。”
Feelingwell！Mrs。Hurstwoodcouldhaveechoedthewordsafter，himopen-mouthed。Asitwas，sheextricatedherselffromher，mingledimpulsetodenyandquestion，andsaid，almostraspingly：
“Yes，itistoobad。”
“Looksliketherewillbequiteacrowdhereto-day，doesn’tit？”
theacquaintanceobserved，driftingoffuponanothertopic。
Themanager’swifewouldhavequestionedfarther，butshesawno，opportunity。Shewasforthemomentwhollyatsea，anxiousto，thinkforherself，andwonderingwhatnewdeceptionwasthis，whichcausedhimtogiveoutthatshewasillwhenshewasnot。
Anothercaseofhercompanynotwanted，andexcusesbeingmade。
Sheresolvedtofindoutmore。
“Wereyouattheperformancelastevening？”sheaskedofthenext，ofHurstwood’sfriendswhogreetedherasshesatinherbox。
“Yes。Youdidn’tgetaround。”
“No，“sheanswered，“Iwasnotfeelingverywell。”
“Soyourhusbandtoldme，“heanswered。”Well，itwasreally，veryenjoyable。TurnedoutmuchbetterthanIexpected。”
“Weretheremanythere？”
“Thehousewasfull。ItwasquiteanElknight。Isawquitea，numberofyourfriends——Mrs。Harrison，Mrs。Barnes，Mrs。
Collins。”
“Quiteasocialgathering。”
“Indeeditwas。Mywifeenjoyeditverymuch。”
Mrs。Hurstwoodbitherlip。
“So，“shethought，“that’sthewayhedoes。TellsmyfriendsI
amsickandcannotcome。”
Shewonderedwhatcouldinducehimtogoalone。Therewas，somethingbackofthis。Sherummagedherbrainforareason。
Byevening，whenHurstwoodreachedhome，shehadbroodedherself，intoastateofsullendesireforexplanationandrevenge。She，wantedtoknowwhatthispeculiaractionofhisimported。She，wascertaintherewasmorebehinditallthanwhatshehadheard，andevilcuriositymingledwellwithdistrustandtheremnantsof，herwrathofthemorning。She，impendingdisasteritself，walked，aboutwithgatheredshadowattheeyesandtherudimentary，musclesofsavageryfixingthehardlinesofhermouth。
Ontheotherhand，aswemaywellbelieve，themanagercamehome，inthesunniestmood。HisconversationandagreementwithCarrie，hadraisedhisspiritsuntilhewasintheframeofmindofone，whosingsjoyously。Hewasproudofhimself，proudofhis，success，proudofCarrie。Hecouldhavebeengenialtoallthe，world，andheborenogrudgeagainsthiswife。Hemeanttobe，pleasant，toforgetherpresence，toliveintheatmosphereof，youthandpleasurewhichhadbeenrestoredtohim。
Sonow，thehouse，tohismind，hadamostpleasingand，comfortableappearance。Inthehallhefoundaneveningpaper，laidtherebythemaidandforgottenbyMrs。Hurstwood。Inthe，dining-roomthetablewascleanlaidwithlinenandnaperyand，shinywithglassesanddecoratedchina。Throughanopendoorhe，sawintothekitchen，wherethefirewascracklinginthestove，andtheeveningmealalreadywellunderway。Outinthesmall，backyardwasGeorge，Jr。frolickingwithayoungdoghehad，recentlypurchased，andintheparlourJessicawasplayingatthe，piano，thesoundsofamerrywaltzfillingeverynookandcorner，ofthecomfortablehome。Everyone，likehimself，seemedtohave，regainedhisgoodspirits，tobeinsympathywithyouthand，beauty，tobeinclinedtojoyandmerry-making。Hefeltasifhe，couldsayagoodwordallaroundhimself，andtookamostgenial，glanceatthespreadtableandpolishedsideboardbeforegoing，upstairstoreadhispaperinthecomfortablearmchairofthe，sitting-roomwhichlookedthroughtheopenwindowsintothe，street。Whenheenteredthere，however，hefoundhiswife，brushingherhairandmusingtoherselfthewhile。
Hecamelightlyin，thinkingtosmoothoveranyfeelingthat，mightstillexistbyakindlywordandareadypromise，butMrs。
Hurstwoodsaidnothing。Heseatedhimselfinthelargechair，stirredlightlyinmakinghimselfcomfortable，openedhispaper，andbegantoread。Inafewmomentshewassmilingmerrilyover，averycomicalaccountofabaseballgamewhichhadtakenplace，betweentheChicagoandDetroitteams。
ThewhilehewasdoingthisMrs。Hurstwoodwasobservinghim，casuallythroughthemediumofthemirrorwhichwasbeforeher。
Shenoticedhispleasantandcontentedmanner，hisairygraceand，smilinghumour，anditmerelyaggravatedherthemore。She，wonderedhowhecouldthinktocarryhimselfsoinherpresence，afterthecynicism，indifference，andneglecthehadheretofore，manifestedandwouldcontinuetomanifestsolongasshewould，endureit。Shethoughthowsheshouldliketotellhim——what，stressandemphasisshewouldlendherassertions，howsheshould，driveoverthiswholeaffairuntilsatisfactionshouldbe，renderedher。Indeed，theshiningswordofherwrathwasbut，weaklysuspendedbyathreadofthought。
InthemeanwhileHurstwoodencounteredahumorousitemconcerning，astrangerwhohadarrivedinthecityandbecameentangledwith，abunco-steerer。Itamusedhimimmensely，andatlasthestirred，andchuckledtohimself。Hewishedthathemightenlisthis，wife’sattentionandreadittoher。
“Ha，ha，“heexclaimedsoftly，asiftohimself，“that’sfunny。”
Mrs。Hurstwoodkeptonarrangingherhair，notsomuchas，deigningaglance。
Hestirredagainandwentontoanothersubject。Atlasthefelt，asifhisgood-humourmustfindsomeoutlet。Juliawasprobably，stilloutofhumouroverthataffairofthismorning，butthat，couldeasilybestraightened。Asamatteroffact，shewasin，thewrong，buthedidn’tcare。ShecouldgotoWaukesharight，awayifshewantedto。Thesoonerthebetter。Hewouldtellher，thatassoonashegotachance，andthewholethingwouldblow，over。
“Didyounotice，“hesaid，atlast，breakingforthconcerning，anotheritemwhichhehadfound，“thattheyhaveenteredsuitto，compeltheIllinoisCentraltogetoffthelakefront，Julia？”he，asked。
Shecouldscarcelyforceherselftoanswer，butmanagedtosay，“No，“sharply。
Hurstwoodprickeduphisears。Therewasanoteinhervoice，whichvibratedkeenly。
“Itwouldbeagoodthingiftheydid，“hewenton，halfto，himself，halftoher，thoughhefeltthatsomethingwasamissin，thatquarter。Hewithdrewhisattentiontohispapervery，circumspectly，listeningmentallyforthelittlesoundswhich，shouldshowhimwhatwasonfoot。
Asamatteroffact，nomanascleverasHurstwood——asobservant，andsensitivetoatmospheresofmanysorts，particularlyuponhis，ownplaneofthought——wouldhavemadethemistakewhichhedidin，regardtohiswife，wroughtupasshewas，hadhenotbeen，occupiedmentallywithaverydifferenttrainofthought。Had，nottheinfluenceofCarrie’sregardforhim，theelationwhich，herpromisearousedinhim，lastedover，hewouldnothaveseen，thehouseinsopleasantamood。Itwasnotextraordinarily，brightandmerrythisevening。Hewasmerelyverymuchmistaken，andwouldhavebeenmuchmorefittedtocopewithithadhecome，homeinhisnormalstate。
Afterhehadstudiedhispaperafewmomentslonger，hefeltthat，heoughttomodifymattersinsomewayorother。Evidentlyhis，wifewasnotgoingtopatchuppeaceataword。Sohesaid：
“WheredidGeorgegetthedoghehasthereintheyard？”
“Idon’tknow，“shesnapped。
Heputhispaperdownonhiskneesandgazedidlyoutofthe，window。Hedidnotproposetolosehistemper，butmerelytobe，persistentandagreeable，andbyafewquestionsbringarounda，mildunderstandingofsomesort。
“Whydoyoufeelsobadaboutthataffairofthismorning？he，said，atlast。“Weneedn’tquarrelaboutthat。Youknowyoucan，gotoWaukeshaifyouwantto。”
“Soyoucanstayhereandtriflearoundwithsomeoneelse？”she，exclaimed，turningtohimadeterminedcountenanceuponwhichwas，drawnasharpandwrathfulsneer。
Hestoppedasifslappedintheface。Inaninstanthis，persuasive，conciliatorymannerfled。Hewasonthedefensiveat，awinkandpuzzledforawordtoreply。
“Whatdoyoumean？”hesaidatlast，straighteninghimselfand，gazingatthecold，determinedfigurebeforehim，whopaidno，attention，butwentonarrangingherselfbeforethemirror。
“YouknowwhatImean，“shesaid，finally，asiftherewerea，worldofinformationwhichsheheldinreserve——whichshedidnot，needtotell。
“Well，Idon’t，“hesaid，stubbornly，yetnervousandalertfor，whatshouldcomenext。Thefinalityofthewoman’smannertook，awayhisfeelingofsuperiorityinbattle。
Shemadenoanswer。
“Hmph！”hemurmured，withamovementofhisheadtooneside。It，wastheweakestthinghehadeverdone。Itwastotally，unassured。
Mrs。Hurstwoodnoticedthelackofcolourinit。Sheturnedupon，him，animal-like，abletostrikeaneffectualsecondblow。
“IwanttheWaukeshamoneyto-morrowmorning，“shesaid。
Helookedatherinamazement。Neverbeforehadheseensucha，cold，steelydeterminationinhereye——suchacruellookof，indifference。Sheseemedathoroughmasterofhermood——
thoroughlyconfidentanddeterminedtowrestallcontrolfrom，him。Hefeltthatallhisresourcescouldnotdefendhim。He，mustattack。
“Whatdoyoumean？”hesaid，jumpingup。”Youwant！I’dliketo，knowwhat’sgotintoyouto-night。”
“Nothing’sGOTintome，“shesaid，flaming。”Iwantthatmoney。
Youcandoyourswaggeringafterwards。”
