“Swaggering，eh！What！You’llgetnothingfromme。Whatdoyou，meanbyyourinsinuations，anyhow？”
“Wherewereyoulastnight？”sheanswered。Thewordswerehotas，theycame。”WhowereyoudrivingwithonWashingtonBoulevard？
WhowereyouwithatthetheatrewhenGeorgesawyou？Doyou，thinkI’mafooltobedupedbyyou？DoyouthinkI’llsitat，homehereandtakeyour’toobusys’and’can’tcome，’whileyou，paradearoundandmakeoutthatI’munabletocome？Iwantyouto，knowthatlordlyairshavecometoanendsofarasIam，concerned。Youcan’tdictatetomenormychildren。I’mthrough，withyouentirely。”
“It’salie，“hesaid，driventoacornerandknowingnoother，excuse。
“Lie，eh！”shesaid，fiercely，butwithreturningreserve;“you，maycallitalieifyouwantto，butIknow。”
“It’salie，Itellyou，“hesaid，inalow，sharpvoice。
“You’vebeensearchingaroundforsomecheapaccusationfor，monthsandnowyouthinkyouhaveit。Youthinkyou’llspring，somethingandgettheupperhand。Well，Itellyou，youcan’t。
AslongasI’minthishouseI’mmasterofit，andyouoranyone，elsewon’tdictatetome——doyouhear？”
Hecrepttowardherwithalightinhiseyethatwasominous。
Somethinginthewoman’scool，cynical，upper-handishmanner，as，ifshewerealreadymaster，causedhimtofeelforthemomentas，ifhecouldstrangleher。
Shegazedathim——apythonessinhumour。
“I’mnotdictatingtoyou，“shereturned;“I’mtellingyouwhatI
want。”
Theanswerwassocool，sorichinbravado，thatsomehowittook，thewindoutofhissails。Hecouldnotattackher，hecouldnot，askherforproofs。Somehowhefeltevidence，law，the，remembranceofallhispropertywhichsheheldinhername，tobe，shininginherglance。Hewaslikeavessel，powerfuland，dangerous，butrollingandflounderingwithoutsail。
“AndI’mtellingyou，“hesaidintheend，slightlyrecovering，himself，“whatyou’llnotget。”
“We’llseeaboutit，“shesaid。”I’llfindoutwhatmyrights，are。Perhapsyou’lltalktoalawyer，ifyouwon’ttome。”
Itwasamagnificentplay，andhaditseffect。Hurstwoodfell，backbeaten。Heknewnowthathehadmorethanmerebluffto，contendwith。Hefeltthathewasfacetofacewithadull，proposition。Whattosayhehardlyknew。Allthemerrimenthad，goneoutoftheday。Hewasdisturbed，wretched，resentful。
Whatshouldhedo？
“Doasyouplease，“hesaid，atlast。”I’llhavenothingmoreto，dowithyou，“andouthestrode。
ChapterXXIII
ASPIRITINTRAVAIL——ONERUNGPUTBEHIND
WhenCarriereachedherownroomshehadalreadyfallenapreyto，thosedoubtsandmisgivingswhichareevertheresultofalack，ofdecision。Shecouldnotpersuadeherselfastothe，advisabilityofherpromise，orthatnow，havinggivenherword，sheoughttokeepit。Shewentoverthewholegroundin，Hurstwood’sabsence，anddiscoveredlittleobjectionsthathad，notoccurredtoherinthewarmthofthemanager’sargument。She，sawwhereshehadputherselfinapeculiarlight，namely，that，ofagreeingtomarrywhenshewasalreadysupposedlymarried。
SherememberedafewthingsDrouethaddone，andnowthatitcame，towalkingawayfromhimwithoutaword，shefeltasifshewere，doingwrong。Now，shewascomfortablysituated，andtoonewho，ismoreorlessafraidoftheworld，thisisanurgentmatter，andonewhichputsupstrange，uncannyarguments。”Youdonot，knowwhatwillcome。Therearemiserablethingsoutside。People，goa-begging。Womenarewretched。Younevercantellwhatwill，happen。Rememberthetimeyouwerehungry。Sticktowhatyou，have。”
Curiously，forallherleaningtowardsHurstwood，hehadnot，takenafirmholdonherunderstanding。Shewaslistening，smiling，approving，andyetnotfinallyagreeing。Thiswasdue，toalackofpoweronhispart，alackofthatmajestyofpassion，thatsweepsthemindfromitsseat，fusesandmeltsallarguments，andtheoriesintoatangledmass，anddestroysforthetimebeing，thereasoningpower。Thismajestyofpassionispossessedby，nearlyeverymanonceinhislife，butitisusuallyanattribute，ofyouthandconducestothefirstsuccessfulmating。
Hurstwood，beinganolderman，couldscarcelybesaidtoretain，thefireofyouth，thoughhedidpossessapassionwarmand，unreasoning。Itwasstrongenoughtoinducetheleaningtoward，himwhich，onCarrie’spart，wehaveseen。Shemighthavebeen，saidtobeimaginingherselfinlove，whenshewasnot。Women，frequentlydothis。Itflowsfromthefactthatineachexistsa，biastowardaffection，acravingforthepleasureofbeingloved。
Thelongingtobeshielded，bettered，sympathisedwith，isoneof，theattributesofthesex。This，coupledwithsentimentanda，naturaltendencytoemotion，oftenmakesrefusingdifficult。It，persuadesthemthattheyareinlove。
Onceathome，shechangedherclothesandstraightenedtherooms，forherself。Inthematterofthearrangementofthefurniture，shenevertookthehousemaid’sopinion。Thatyoungwoman，invariablyputoneoftherocking-chairsinthecorner，and，Carrieasregularlymoveditout。To-dayshehardlynoticedthat，itwasinthewrongplace，soabsorbedwassheinherown，thoughts。SheworkedabouttheroomuntilDrouetputin，appearanceatfiveo’clock。Thedrummerwasflushedandexcited，andfullofdeterminationtoknowallaboutherrelationswith，Hurstwood。Nevertheless，aftergoingoverthesubjectinhis，mindthelivelongday，hewasratherwearyofitandwishedit，overwith。Hedidnotforeseeseriousconsequencesofanysort，andyetheratherhesitatedtobegin。Carriewassittingbythe，windowwhenhecamein，rockingandlookingout。
“Well，“shesaidinnocently，wearyofherownmentaldiscussion，andwonderingathishasteandill-concealedexcitement，“what，makesyouhurryso？”
Drouethesitated，nowthathewasinherpresence，uncertainas，towhatcoursetopursue。Hewasnodiplomat。Hecouldneither，readnorsee。
“Whendidyougethome？”heaskedfoolishly。
“Oh，anhourorsoago。Whatmakesyouaskthat？”
“Youweren’there，“hesaid，“whenIcamebackthismorning，and，Ithoughtyouhadgoneout。”
“SoIdid，“saidCarriesimply。”Iwentforawalk。”
Drouetlookedatherwonderingly。Forallhislackofdignityin，suchmattershedidnotknowhowtobegin。Hestaredatherin，themostflagrantmanneruntilatlastshesaid：
“Whatmakesyoustareatmeso？What’sthematter？”
“Nothing，“heanswered。”Iwasjustthinking。”
“Justthinkingwhat？”shereturnedsmilingly，puzzledbyhis，attitude。
“Oh，nothing——nothingmuch。”
“Well，then，whatmakesyoulookso？”
Drouetwasstandingbythedresser，gazingatherinacomic，manner。Hehadlaidoffhishatandglovesandwasnowfidgeting，withthelittletoiletpieceswhichwerenearesthim。He，hesitatedtobelievethattheprettywomanbeforehimwas，involvedinanythingsounsatisfactorytohimself。Hewasvery，muchinclinedtofeelthatitwasallright，afterall。Yetthe，knowledgeimpartedtohimbythechambermaidwasranklinginhis，mind。Hewantedtoplungeinwithastraightremarkofsome，sort，butheknewnotwhat。
“Wheredidyougothismorning？”hefinallyaskedweakly。
“Why，Iwentforawalk，“saidCarrie。
“Sureyoudid？”heasked。
“Yes，whatmakesyouask？”
Shewasbeginningtoseenowthatheknewsomething。Instantly，shedrewherselfintoamorereservedposition。Hercheeks，blanchedslightly。
“Ithoughtmaybeyoudidn’t，“hesaid，beatingaboutthebushin，themostuselessmanner。
Carriegazedathim，andasshedidsoherebbingcouragehalted。
Shesawthathehimselfwashesitating，andwithawoman’s，intuitionrealisedthattherewasnooccasionforgreatalarm。
“Whatmakesyoutalklikethat？”sheasked，wrinklingherpretty，forehead。”Youactsofunnyto-night。”
“Ifeelfunny，“heanswered。
Theylookedatoneanotherforamoment，andthenDrouetplunged，desperatelyintohissubject。
“What’sthisaboutyouandHurstwood？”heasked。
“MeandHurstwood——whatdoyoumean？”
“Didn’thecomehereadozentimeswhileIwasaway？”
“Adozentimes，“repeatedCarrie，guiltily。”No，butwhatdoyou，mean？”
“Somebodysaidthatyouwentoutridingwithhimandthathecame，hereeverynight。”
“Nosuchthing，“answeredCarrie。”Itisn’ttrue。Whotoldyou，that？”
Shewasflushingscarlettotherootsofherhair，butDrouetdid，notcatchthefullhueofherface，owingtothemodifiedlight，oftheroom。HewasregainingmuchconfidenceasCarriedefended，herselfwithdenials。
“Well，someone，“hesaid。”You’resureyoudidn’t？”
“Certainly，“saidCarrie。”Youknowhowoftenhecame。”
Drouetpausedforamomentandthought。
“Iknowwhatyoutoldme，“hesaidfinally。
Hemovednervouslyabout，whileCarrielookedathimconfusedly。
“Well，IknowthatIdidn’ttellyouanysuchthingasthat，“
saidCarrie，recoveringherself。
“IfIwereyou，“wentonDrouet，ignoringherlastremark，“I
wouldn’thaveanythingtodowithhim。He’samarriedman，you，know。”
“Who——whois？”saidCarrie，stumblingattheword。
“Why，Hurstwood，“saidDrouet，notingtheeffectandfeelingthat，hewasdeliveringatellingblow。
“Hurstwood！”exclaimedCarrie，rising。Herfacehadchanged，severalshadessincethisannouncementwasmade。Shelooked，withinandwithoutherselfinahalf-dazedway。
“Whotoldyouthis？”sheasked，forgettingthatherinterestwas，outoforderandexceedinglyincriminating。
“Why，Iknowit。I’vealwaysknownit，“saidDrouet。
Carriewasfeelingaboutforarightthought。Shewasmakinga，mostmiserableshowing，andyetfeelingsweregeneratingwithin，herwhichwereanythingbutcrumblingcowardice。
“IthoughtItoldyou，“headded。
“No，youdidn’t，“shecontradicted，suddenlyrecoveringher，voice。”Youdidn’tdoanythingofthekind。”
Drouetlistenedtoherinastonishment。Thiswassomethingnew。
“IthoughtIdid，“hesaid。
Carrielookedaroundherverysolemnly，andthenwentovertothe，window。
“Yououghtn’ttohavehadanythingtodowithhim，“saidDrouet，inaninjuredtone，“afterallI’vedoneforyou。”
“You，“saidCarrie，“you！Whathaveyoudoneforme？”
Herlittlebrainhadbeensurgingwithcontradictoryfeelings——
shameatexposure，shameatHurstwood’sperfidy，angerat，Drouet’sdeception，themockeryhehadmadeather。Nowone，clearideacameintoherhead。Hewasatfault。Therewasno，doubtaboutit。WhydidhebringHurstwoodout——Hurstwood，a，marriedman，andneversayawordtoher？Nevermindnowabout，Hurstwood’sperfidy——whyhadhedonethis？Whyhadn’thewarned，her？Therehestoodnow，guiltyofthismiserablebreachof，confidenceandtalkingaboutwhathehaddoneforher！
“Well，Ilikethat，“exclaimedDrouet，littlerealisingthefire，hisremarkhadgenerated。”IthinkI’vedoneagooddeal。”
“Youhave，eh？”sheanswered。”You’vedeceivedme——that’swhat，you’vedone。You’vebroughtyouroldfriendsouthereunder，falsepretences。You’vemademeouttobe——Oh，“andwiththis，hervoicebrokeandshepressedhertwolittlehandstogether，tragically。
“Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithit，“saidthedrummer，quaintly。
“No，“sheanswered，recoveringherselfandshuttingherteeth。
“No，ofcourseyoudon’tsee。Thereisn’tanythingyousee。You，couldn’thavetoldmeinthefirstplace，couldyou？Youhadto，makemeoutwronguntilitwastoolate。Nowyoucomesneaking，aroundwithyourinformationandyourtalkaboutwhatyouhave，done。”
DrouethadneversuspectedthissideofCarrie’snature。Shewas，alivewithfeeling，hereyessnapping，herlipsquivering，her，wholebodysensibleoftheinjuryshefelt，andpartakingofher，wrath。
“Who’ssneaking？”heasked，mildlyconsciousoferroronhis，part，butcertainthathewaswronged。
“Youare，“stampedCarrie。”You’reahorrid，conceitedcoward，that’swhatyouare。Ifyouhadanysenseofmanhoodinyou，you，wouldn’thavethoughtofdoinganysuchthing。”
Thedrummerstared。
“I’mnotacoward，“hesaid。”Whatdoyoumeanbygoingwith，othermen，anyway？”
“Othermen！”exclaimedCarrie。”Othermen——youknowbetterthan，that。IdidgowithMr。Hurstwood，butwhosefaultwasit？
Didn’tyoubringhimhere？Youtoldhimyourselfthatheshould，comeouthereandtakemeout。Now，afterit’sallover，you，comeandtellmethatIoughtn’ttogowithhimandthathe’sa，marriedman。”
Shepausedatthesoundofthelasttwowordsandwrungher，hands。TheknowledgeofHurstwood’sperfidywoundedherlikea，knife。
“Oh，“shesobbed，repressingherselfwonderfullyandkeepingher，eyesdry。”Oh，oh！”
“Well，Ididn’tthinkyou’dberunningaroundwithhimwhenIwas，away，“insistedDrouet。
“Didn’tthink！”saidCarrie，nowangeredtothecorebytheman’s，peculiarattitude。”Ofcoursenot。Youthoughtonlyofwhat，wouldbetoyoursatisfaction。Youthoughtyou’dmakeatoyof，me——aplaything。Well，I’llshowyouthatyouwon’t。I’llhave，nothingmoretodowithyouatall。Youcantakeyouroldthings，andkeepthem，“andunfasteningalittlepinhehadgivenher，sheflungitvigorouslyuponthefloorandbegantomoveaboutas，iftogatherupthethingswhichbelongedtoher。
BythisDrouetwasnotonlyirritatedbutfascinatedthemore。
Helookedatherinamazement，andfinallysaid：
“Idon’tseewhereyourwrathcomesin。I’vegottherightof，thisthing。Yououghtn’ttohavedoneanythingthatwasn’tright，afterallIdidforyou。”
“Whathaveyoudoneforme？”askedCarrieblazing，herhead，thrownbackandherlipsparted。
“IthinkI’vedoneagooddeal，“saidthedrummer，looking，around。”I’vegivenyoualltheclothesyouwanted，haven’tI？
I’vetakenyoueverywhereyouwantedtogo。You’vehadasmuch，asI’vehad，andmoretoo。”
Carriewasnotungrateful，whateverelsemightbesaidofher。
Insofarashermindcouldconstrue，sheacknowledgedbenefits，received。Shehardlyknewhowtoanswerthis，andyetherwrath，wasnotplacated。Shefeltthatthedrummerhadinjuredher，irreparably。
“DidIaskyouto？”shereturned。
“Well，Ididit，“saidDrouet，“andyoutookit。”
“YoutalkasthoughIhadpersuadedyou，“answeredCarrie。”You，standthereandthrowupwhatyou’vedone。Idon’twantyourold，things。I’llnothavethem。Youtakethemto-nightanddowhat，youpleasewiththem。I’llnotstayhereanotherminute。”
“That’snice！”heanswered，becomingangerednowatthesenseof，hisownapproachingloss。”Useeverythingandabusemeandthen，walkoff。That’sjustlikeawoman。Itakeyouwhenyouhaven’t，gotanything，andthenwhensomeoneelsecomesalong，whyI’mno，good。Ialwaysthoughtit’dcomeoutthatway。”
Hefeltreallyhurtashethoughtofhistreatment，andlookedas，ifhesawnowayofobtainingjustice。
“It’snotso，“saidCarrie，“andI’mnotgoingwithanybodyelse。
Youhavebeenasmiserableandinconsiderateasyoucanbe。I
hateyou，Itellyou，andIwouldn’tlivewithyouanother，minute。You’reabig，insulting“——hereshehesitatedandusedno，wordatall——“oryouwouldn’ttalkthatway。”
Shehadsecuredherhatandjacketandslippedthelatteronover，herlittleeveningdress。Somewispsofwavyhairhadloosened，fromthebandsatthesideofherheadandwerestragglingover，herhot，redcheeks。Shewasangry，mortified，grief-stricken。
Herlargeeyeswerefulloftheanguishoftears，butherlids，werenotyetwet。Shewasdistractedanduncertain，decidingand，doingthingswithoutanaimorconclusion，andshehadnotthe，slightestconceptionofhowthewholedifficultywouldend。
“Well，that’safinefinish，“saidDrouet。”Packupandpull，out，eh？Youtakethecake。Ibetyouwereknockingaroundwith，Hurstwoodoryouwouldn’tactlikethat。Idon’twanttheold，rooms。Youneedn’tpulloutforme。YoucanhavethemforallI
care，butb’George，youhaven’tdonemeright。”
“I’llnotlivewithyou，“saidCarrie。”Idon’twanttolive，withyou。You’vedonenothingbutbragaroundeversinceyou’ve，beenhere。”
“Aw，Ihaven’tanythingofthekind，“heanswered。
Carriewalkedovertothedoor。
“Whereareyougoing？”hesaid，steppingoverandheadingher，off。
“Letmeout，“shesaid。
“Whereareyougoing？”herepeated。
Hewas，aboveall，sympathetic，andthesightofCarriewandering，out，heknewnotwhere，affectedhim，despitehisgrievance。
Carriemerelypulledatthedoor。
Thestrainofthesituationwastoomuchforher，however。She，madeonemorevaineffortandthenburstintotears。
“Now，bereasonable，Cad，“saidDrouetgently。”Whatdoyouwant，torushoutforthisway？Youhaven’tanyplacetogo。Whynot，stayherenowandbequiet？I’llnotbotheryou。Idon’twantto，stayhereanylonger。”
Carriehadgonesobbingfromthedoortothewindow。Shewasso，overcomeshecouldnotspeak。
“Bereasonablenow，“hesaid。”Idon’twanttoholdyou。You，cangoifyouwantto，butwhydon’tyouthinkitover？Lord，knows，Idon’twanttostopyou。”
Hereceivednoanswer。Carriewasquieting，however，underthe，influenceofhisplea。
“Youstayherenow，andI’llgo，“headdedatlast。
Carrielistenedtothiswithmingledfeelings。Hermindwas，shakenloosefromthelittlemooringoflogicthatithad。She，wasstirredbythisthought，angeredbythat——herowninjustice，Hurstwood’s，Drouet’s，theirrespectivequalitiesofkindnessand，favour，thethreatoftheworldoutside，inwhichshehadfailed，oncebefore，theimpossibilityofthisstateinside，wherethe，chamberswerenolongerjustlyhers，theeffectoftheargument，uponhernerves，allcombinedtomakeheramassofjangling，fibres——ananchorless，storm-beatenlittlecraftwhichcoulddo，absolutelynothingbutdrift。
“Say，“saidDrouet，comingovertoherafterafewmoments，with，anewidea，andputtinghishanduponher。
“Don’t！”saidCarrie，drawingaway，butnotremovingher，handkerchieffromhereyes。
“Nevermindaboutthisquarrelnow。Letitgo。Youstayhere，untilthemonth’sout，anyhow，andthenyoucantellbetterwhat，youwanttodo。Eh？”
Carriemadenoanswer。
“You’dbetterdothat，“hesaid。”There’snouseyourpackingup，now。Youcan’tgoanywhere。”
Stillhegotnothingforhiswords。
“Ifyou’lldothat，we’llcallitoffforthepresentandI’ll，getout。”
Carrieloweredherhandkerchiefslightlyandlookedoutofthe，window。
“Willyoudothat？”heasked。
Stillnoanswer。
“Willyou？”herepeated。
Sheonlylookedvaguelyintothestreet。
“Aw！comeon，“hesaid，“tellme。Willyou？”
“Idon’tknow，“saidCarriesoftly，forcedtoanswer。
“Promisemeyou’lldothat，“hesaid，“andwe’llquittalking，aboutit。It’llbethebestthingforyou。”
Carrieheardhim，butshecouldnotbringherselftoanswer，reasonably。Shefeltthatthemanwasgentle，andthathis，interestinherhadnotabated，anditmadehersufferapangof，regret。Shewasinamosthelplessplight。
AsforDrouet，hisattitudehadbeenthatofthejealouslover。
Nowhisfeelingswereamixtureofangeratdeception，sorrowat，losingCarrie，miseryatbeingdefeated。Hewantedhisrightsin，somewayorother，andyethisrightsincludedtheretainingof，Carrie，themakingherfeelhererror。
“Willyou？”heurged。
“Well，I’llsee，“saidCarrie。
Thisleftthematterasopenasbefore，butitwassomething。It，lookedasifthequarrelwouldblowover，iftheycouldonlyget，somewayoftalkingtooneanother。Carriewasashamed，and，Drouetaggrieved。Hepretendedtotakeupthetaskofpacking，somethingsinavalise。
Now，asCarriewatchedhimoutofthecornerofhereye，certain，soundthoughtscameintoherhead。Hehaderred，true，butwhat，hadshedone？Hewaskindlyandgood-naturedforallhisegotism。
Throughoutthisargumenthehadsaidnothingveryharsh。Onthe，otherhand，therewasHurstwood——agreaterdeceiverthanhe。He，hadpretendedallthisaffection，allthispassion，andhewas，lyingtoherallthewhile。Oh，theperfidyofmen！Andshehad，lovedhim。Therecouldbenothingmoreinthatquarter。She，wouldseeHurstwoodnomore。Shewouldwritehimandlethim，knowwhatshethought。Thereuponwhatwouldshedo？Herewere，theserooms。HerewasDrouet，pleadingforhertoremain。
Evidentlythingscouldgoonheresomewhatasbefore，ifallwere，arranged。Itwouldbebetterthanthestreet，withoutaplaceto，layherhead。
AllthisshethoughtofasDrouetrummagedthedrawersfor，collarsandlabouredlongandpainstakinglyatfindingashirt-
stud。Hewasinnohurrytorushthismatter。Hefeltan，attractiontoCarriewhichwouldnotdown。Hecouldnotthink，thatthethingwouldendbyhiswalkingoutoftheroom。There，mustbesomewayround，somewaytomakeherownupthathewas，rightandshewaswrong——topatchupapeaceandshutout，Hurstwoodforever。Mercy，howheturnedattheman’sshameless，duplicity。
“Doyouthink，“hesaid，afterafewmoments’silence，“that，you’lltryandgetonthestage？”
Hewaswonderingwhatshewasintending。
“Idon’tknowwhatI’lldoyet，“saidCarrie。
“Ifyoudo，maybeIcanhelpyou。I’vegotalotoffriendsin，thatline。”
Shemadenoanswertothis。
“Don’tgoandtrytoknockaroundnowwithoutanymoney。Letme，helpyou，“hesaid。”It’snoeasythingtogoonyourownhook，here。”
Carrieonlyrockedbackandforthinherchair。
“Idon’twantyoutogoupagainstahardgamethatway。”
HebestirredhimselfaboutsomeotherdetailsandCarrierocked，on。
“Whydon’tyoutellmeallaboutthisthing，“hesaid，aftera，time，“andlet’scallitoff？Youdon’treallycarefor，Hurstwood，doyou？”
“Whydoyouwanttostartonthatagain？”saidCarrie。”Youwere，toblame。”
“No，Iwasn’t，“heanswered。
“Yes，youwere，too，“saidCarrie。”Youshouldn’thaveevertold，mesuchastoryasthat。”
“Butyoudidn’thavemuchtodowithhim，didyou？”wenton，Drouet，anxiousforhisownpeaceofmindtogetsomedirect，denialfromher。
“Iwon’ttalkaboutit，“saidCarrie，painedatthequizzical，turnthepeacearrangementhadtaken。
“What’stheuseofactinglikethatnow，Cad？”insistedthe，drummer，stoppinginhisworkandputtingupahandexpressively。
“YoumightletmeknowwhereIstand，atleast。”
“Iwon’t，“saidCarrie，feelingnorefugebutinanger。
“Whateverhashappenedisyourownfault。”
“Thenyoudocareforhim？”saidDrouet，stoppingcompletelyand，experiencingarushoffeeling。
“Oh，stop！”saidCarrie。
“Well，I’llnotbemadeafoolof，“exclaimedDrouet。”Youmay，triflearoundwithhimifyouwantto，butyoucan’tleadme。
Youcantellmeornot，justasyouwantto，butIwon’tfoolany，longer！”
Heshovedthelastfewremainingthingshehadlaidoutintohis，valiseandsnappeditwithavengeance。Thenhegrabbedhis，coat，whichhehadlaidofftowork，pickeduphisgloves，and，startedout。
“YoucangotothedeuceasfarasIamconcerned，“hesaid，as，hereachedthedoor。”I’mnosucker，“andwiththatheopenedit，withajerkandcloseditequallyvigorously。
Carrielistenedatherwindowview，moreastonishedthananything，elseatthissuddenriseofpassioninthedrummer。Shecould，hardlybelievehersenses——sogood-naturedandtractablehadhe，invariablybeen。Itwasnotforhertoseethewellspringof，humanpassion。Arealflameofloveisasubtlething。Itburns，asawill-o’-the-wisp，dancingonwardtofairylandsofdelight。
Itroarsasafurnace。Toooftenjealousyisthequalityupon，whichitfeeds。
ChapterXXIV
ASHESOFTINDER——AFACEATTHEWINDOW
ThatnightHurstwoodremaineddowntownentirely，goingtothe，PalmerHouseforabedafterhisworkwasthrough。Hewasina，feveredstateofmind，owingtotheblighthiswife’saction，threatenedtocastuponhisentirefuture。Whilehewasnotsure，howmuchsignificancemightbeattachedtothethreatshehad，made，hewassurethatherattitude，iflongcontinued，would，causehimnoendoftrouble。Shewasdetermined，andhadworsted，himinaveryimportantcontest。Howwoulditbefromnowon？He，walkedthefloorofhislittleoffice，andlaterthatofhis，room，puttingonethingandanothertogethertonoavail。
Mrs。Hurstwood，onthecontrary，haddecidednottoloseher，advantagebyinaction。Nowthatshehadpracticallycowedhim，shewouldfollowupherworkwithdemands，theacknowledgmentof，whichwouldmakeherwordLAWinthefuture。Hewouldhaveto，payherthemoneywhichshewouldnowregularlydemandorthere，wouldbetrouble。Itdidnotmatterwhathedid。Shereallydid，notcarewhetherhecamehomeanymoreornot。Thehousehold，wouldmovealongmuchmorepleasantlywithouthim，andshecould，doasshewishedwithoutconsultinganyone。Nowsheproposedto，consultalawyerandhireadetective。Shewouldfindoutat，oncejustwhatadvantagesshecouldgain。
Hurstwoodwalkedthefloor，mentallyarrangingthechiefpoints，ofhissituation。”Shehasthatpropertyinhername，“hekept，sayingtohimself。”Whatafooltrickthatwas。Curseit！What，afoolmovethatwas。”
Healsothoughtofhismanagerialposition。”Ifsheraisesarow，nowI’lllosethisthing。Theywon’thavemearoundifmyname，getsinthepapers。Myfriends，too！”Hegrewmoreangryashe，thoughtofthetalkanyactiononherpartwouldcreate。How，wouldthepaperstalkaboutit？Everymanheknewwouldbe，wondering。Hewouldhavetoexplainanddenyandmakeageneral，markofhimself。ThenMoywouldcomeandconferwithhimand，therewouldbethedeviltopay。
Manylittlewrinklesgatheredbetweenhiseyesashecontemplated，this，andhisbrowmoistened。Hesawnosolutionofanything——
notaloopholeleft。
ThroughallthisthoughtsofCarrieflasheduponhim，andthe，approachingaffairofSaturday。Tangledasallhismatterswere，hedidnotworryoverthat。Itwastheonepleasingthingin，thiswholeroutoftrouble。Hecouldarrangethat，satisfactorily，forCarriewouldbegladtowait，ifnecessary。
Hewouldseehowthingsturnedoutto-morrow，andthenhewould，talktoher。Theyweregoingtomeetasusual。Hesawonlyher，prettyfaceandneatfigureandwonderedwhylifewasnot，arrangedsothatsuchjoyashefoundwithhercouldbesteadily，maintained。Howmuchmorepleasantitwouldbe。Thenhewould，takeuphiswife’sthreatagain，andthewrinklesandmoisture，wouldreturn。
Inthemorninghecameoverfromthehotelandopenedhismail，buttherewasnothinginitoutsidetheordinaryrun。Forsome，reasonhefeltasifsomethingmightcomethatway，andwas，relievedwhenalltheenvelopeshadbeenscannedandnothing，suspiciousnoticed。Hebegantofeeltheappetitethathadbeen，wantingbeforehehadreachedtheoffice，anddecidedbefore，goingouttotheparktomeetCarrietodropinattheGrand，Pacificandhaveapotofcoffeeandsomerolls。Whilethe，dangerhadnotlessened，ithadnotasyetmaterialised，andwith，himnonewswasgoodnews。Ifhecouldonlygetplentyoftime，tothink，perhapssomethingwouldturnup。Surely，surely，this，thingwouldnotdriftalongtocatastropheandhenotfindaway，out。
Hisspiritsfell，however，when，uponreachingthepark，he，waitedandwaitedandCarriedidnotcome。Heheldhisfavourite，postforanhourormore，thenaroseandbegantowalkabout，restlessly。Couldsomethinghavehappenedouttheretokeepher，away？Couldshehavebeenreachedbyhiswife？Surelynot。So，littledidheconsiderDrouetthatitneveronceoccurredtohim，toworryabouthisfindingout。Hegrewrestlessashe，ruminated，andthendecidedthatperhapsitwasnothing。Shehad，notbeenabletogetawaythismorning。Thatwaswhynoletter，notifyinghimhadcome。Hewouldgetoneto-day。Itwould，probablybeonhisdeskwhenhegotback。Hewouldlookforit，atonce。
Afteratimehegaveupwaitinganddrearilyheadedforthe，Madisoncar。Toaddtohisdistress，thebrightblueskybecame，overcastwithlittlefleecycloudswhichshutoutthesun。The，windveeredtotheeast，andbythetimehereachedhisofficeit，wasthreateningtodrizzleallafternoon。
Hewentinandexaminedhisletters，buttherewasnothingfrom，Carrie。Fortunately，therewasnothingfromhiswifeeither。He，thankedhisstarsthathedidnothavetoconfrontthat，propositionjustnowwhenheneededtothinksomuch。Hewalked，theflooragain，pretendingtobeinanordinarymood，but，secretlytroubledbeyondtheexpressionofwords。
Atone-thirtyhewenttoRector’sforlunch，andwhenhereturned，amessengerwaswaitingforhim。Helookedatthelittlechap，withafeelingofdoubt。
“I’mtobringananswer，“saidtheboy。
Hurstwoodrecognisedhiswife’swriting。Hetoreitopenand，readwithoutashowoffeeling。Itbeganinthemostformal，mannerandwassharplyandcoldlywordedthroughout。
“IwantyoutosendthemoneyIaskedforatonce。Ineeditto，carryoutmyplans。Youcanstayawayifyouwantto。It，doesn’tmatterintheleast。ButImusthavesomemoney。So，don’tdelay，butsenditbytheboy。”
Whenhehadfinishedit，hestoodholdingitinhishands。The，audacityofthethingtookhisbreath。Itrousedhisirealso——
thedeepestelementofrevoltinhim。Hisfirstimpulsewasto，writebutfourwordsinreply——“Gotothedevil！”——buthe，compromisedbytellingtheboythattherewouldbenoreply。
Thenhesatdowninhischairandgazedwithoutseeing，contemplatingtheresultofhiswork。Whatwouldshedoabout，that？Theconfoundedwretch！Wasshegoingtotrytobulldozehim，intosubmission？Hewouldgoupthereandhaveitoutwithher，that’swhathewoulddo。Shewascarryingthingswithtoohigha，hand。Thesewerehisfirstthoughts。
Later，however，hisolddiscretionasserteditself。Something，hadtobedone。Aclimaxwasnearandshewouldnotsitidle。
Heknewherwellenoughtoknowthatwhenshehaddecidedupona，planshewouldfollowitup。Possiblymatterswouldgointoa，lawyer’shandsatonce。
“Damnher！”hesaidsoftly，withhisteethfirmlyset，“I’llmake，ithotforherifshecausesmetrouble。I’llmakeherchange，hertoneifIhavetouseforcetodoit！”
Hearosefromhischairandwentandlookedoutintothestreet。
Thelongdrizzlehadbegun。Pedestrianshadturnedupcollars，andtrousersatthebottom。Handswerehiddeninthepocketsof，theumbrellaless;umbrellaswereup。Thestreetlookedlikea，seaofroundblackclothroofs，twisting，bobbing，moving。
Trucksandvanswererattlinginanoisylineandeverywheremen，wereshieldingthemselvesasbesttheycould。Hescarcely，noticedthepicture。Hewasforeverconfrontinghiswife，demandingofhertochangeherattitudetowardhimbeforehe，workedherbodilyharm。
Atfouro’clockanothernotecame，whichsimplysaidthatifthe，moneywasnotforthcomingthateveningthematterwouldbelaid，beforeFitzgeraldandMoyonthemorrow，andotherstepswouldbe，takentogetit。
Hurstwoodalmostexclaimedoutloudattheinsistencyofthis，thing。Yes，hewouldsendherthemoney。He’dtakeittoher——
hewouldgoupthereandhaveatalkwithher，andthatatonce。
Heputonhishatandlookedaroundforhisumbrella。Hewould，havesomearrangementofthisthing。
Hecalledacabandwasdriventhroughthedrearyraintothe，NorthSide。Onthewayhistempercooledashethoughtofthe，detailsofthecase。Whatdidsheknow？Whathadshedone？Maybe，she’dgotholdofCarrie，whoknows——or——orDrouet。Perhapsshe，reallyhadevidence，andwaspreparedtofellhimasamandoes，anotherfromsecretambush。Shewasshrewd。Whyshouldshe，taunthimthiswayunlessshehadgoodgrounds？
Hebegantowishthathehadcompromisedinsomewayorother——
thathehadsentthemoney。Perhapshecoulddoituphere。He，wouldgoinandsee，anyhow。Hewouldhavenorow。Bythetime，hereachedhisownstreethewaskeenlyalivetothedifficulties，ofhissituationandwishedoverandoverthatsomesolution，wouldofferitself，thathecouldseehiswayout。Healighted，andwentupthestepstothefrontdoor，butitwaswitha，nervouspalpitationoftheheart。Hepulledouthiskeyand，triedtoinsertit，butanotherkeywasontheinside。Heshook，attheknob，butthedoorwaslocked。Thenherangthebell。No，answer。Herangagain——thistimeharder。Stillnoanswer。He，jangleditfiercelyseveraltimesinsuccession，butwithout，avail。Thenhewentbelow。
Therewasadoorwhichopenedunderthestepsintothekitchen，protectedbyanirongrating，intendedasasafeguardagainst，burglars。Whenhereachedthishenoticedthatitalsowas，boltedandthatthekitchenwindowsweredown。Whatcouldit，mean？Herangthebellandthenwaited。Finally，seeingthatno，onewascoming，heturnedandwentbacktohiscab。
“Iguessthey’vegoneout，“hesaidapologeticallytothe，individualwhowashidinghisredfaceinaloosetarpaulin，raincoat。
“Isawayounggirlupinthatwinder，“returnedthecabby。
Hurstwoodlooked，buttherewasnofacetherenow。Heclimbed，moodilyintothecab，relievedanddistressed。
Sothiswasthegame，wasit？Shuthimoutandmakehimpay。
Well，bytheLord，thatdidbeatall！
ChapterXXV
ASHESOFTINDER——THELOOSINGOFSTAYS
WhenHurstwoodgotbacktohisofficeagainhewasinagreater，quandarythanever。Lord，Lord，hethought，whathadhegot，into？Howcouldthingshavetakensuchaviolentturn，andso，quickly？Hecouldhardlyrealisehowithadallcomeabout。It，seemedamonstrous，unnatural，unwarrantedconditionwhichhad，suddenlydescendeduponhimwithouthisletorhindrance。
MeanwhilehegaveathoughtnowandthentoCarrie。Whatcould，bethetroubleinthatquarter？Noletterhadcome，nowordof，anykind，andyethereitwaslateintheeveningandshehad，agreedtomeethimthatmorning。To-morrowtheyweretohavemet，andgoneoff——where？Hesawthatintheexcitementofrecent，eventshehadnotformulatedaplanuponthatscore。Hewas，desperatelyinlove，andwouldhavetakengreatchancestowin，herunderordinarycircumstances，butnow——nowwhat？Supposing，shehadfoundoutsomething？Supposingshe，too，wrotehimand，toldhimthatsheknewall——thatshewouldhavenothingmoreto，dowithhim？Itwouldbejustlikethistohappenasthingswere，goingnow。Meanwhilehehadnotsentthemoney。
Hestrolledupanddownthepolishedflooroftheresort，his，handsinhispockets，hisbrowwrinkled，hismouthset。Hewas，gettingsomevaguecomfortoutofagoodcigar，butitwasno，panaceafortheillwhichaffectedhim。Everyonceinawhilehe，wouldclinchhisfingersandtaphisfoot——signsofthestirring，mentalprocesshewasundergoing。Hiswholenaturewas，vigorouslyandpowerfullyshakenup，andhewasfindingwhat，limitsthemindhastoendurance。Hedrankmorebrandyandsoda，thanhehadanyeveninginmonths。Hewasaltogetherafine，exampleofgreatmentalperturbation。
Forallhisstudynothingcameoftheeveningexceptthis——he，sentthemoney。Itwaswithgreatopposition，aftertwoorthree，hoursofthemosturgentmentalaffirmationanddenial，thatat，lasthegotanenvelope，placedinittherequestedamount，and，slowlysealeditup。
ThenhecalledHarry，theboyofallworkaroundtheplace。
“Youtakethistothisaddress，“hesaid，handinghimthe，envelope，“andgiveittoMrs。Hurstwood。”
“Yes，sir，“saidtheboy。
“Ifsheisn’ttherebringitback。”
“Yes，sir“
“You’veseenmywife？”heaskedasaprecautionarymeasureasthe，boyturnedtogo。
“Oh，yes，sir。Iknowher。”
“Allright，now。Hurryrightback。”
“Anyanswer？”
“Iguessnot。”
Theboyhastenedawayandthemanagerfelltohismusings。Now，hehaddoneit。Therewasnousespeculatingoverthat。Hewas，beatenforto-nightandhemightjustaswellmakethebestof，it。But，oh，thewretchednessofbeingforcedthisway！Hecould，seehermeetingtheboyatthedoorandsmilingsardonically。
Shewouldtaketheenvelopeandknowthatshehadtriumphed。If，heonlyhadthatletterbackhewouldn’tsendit。Hebreathed，heavilyandwipedthemoisturefromhisface。
Forrelief，hearoseandjoinedinconversationwithafew，friendswhoweredrinking。Hetriedtogettheinterestof，thingsabouthim，butitwasnottobe。Allthetimehis，thoughtswouldrunouttohishomeandseethescenebeing，thereinenacted。Allthetimehewaswonderingwhatshewould，saywhentheboyhandedhertheenvelope。
Inaboutanhourandthree-quarterstheboyreturned。Hehad，evidentlydeliveredthepackage，for，ashecameup，hemadeno，signoftakinganythingoutofhispocket。
“Well？”saidHurstwood。
“Igaveittoher。”
“Mywife？”
“Yes，sir。”
“Anyanswer？”
“Shesaiditwashightime。”
Hurstwoodscowledfiercely。
Therewasnomoretobedoneuponthatscorethatnight。Hewent，onbroodingoverhissituationuntilmidnight，whenherepaired，againtothePalmerHouse。Hewonderedwhatthemorningwould，bringforth，andsleptanythingbutsoundlyuponit。
Nextdayhewentagaintotheofficeandopenedhismail，suspiciousandhopefulofitscontents。NowordfromCarrie。
Nothingfromhiswife，whichwaspleasant。
Thefactthathehadsentthemoneyandthatshehadreceivedit，workedtotheeaseofhismind，for，asthethoughtthathehad，doneitreceded，hischagrinatitgrewlessandhishopeof，peacemore。Hefancied，ashesatathisdesk，thatnothing，wouldbedoneforaweekortwo。Meanwhile，hewouldhavetime，tothink。
ThisprocessofTHINKINGbeganbyareversiontoCarrieandthe，arrangementbywhichhewastogetherawayfromDrouet。How，aboutthatnow？Hispainatherfailuretomeetorwritehim，rapidlyincreasedashedevotedhimselftothissubject。He，decidedtowritehercareoftheWestSidePost-officeandask，foranexplanation，aswellastohavehermeethim。Thethought，thatthisletterwouldprobablynotreachheruntilMondaychafed，himexceedingly。Hemustgetsomespeediermethod——buthow？
Hethoughtuponitforahalf-hour，notcontemplatingamessenger，oracabdirecttothehouse，owingtotheexposureofit，but，findingthattimewasslippingawaytonopurpose，hewrotethe，letterandthenbegantothinkagain。
Thehoursslippedby，andwiththemthepossibilityoftheunion，hehadcontemplated。HehadthoughttobejoyouslyaidingCarrie，bynowinthetaskofjoiningherintereststohis，andhereit，wasafternoonandnothingdone。Threeo’clockcame，four，five，six，andnoletter。Thehelplessmanagerpacedthefloorand，grimlyenduredthegloomofdefeat。HesawabusySaturday，usheredout，theSabbathin，andnothingdone。Allday，thebar，beingclosed，hebroodedalone，shutoutfromhome，fromthe，excitementofhisresort，fromCarrie，andwithouttheabilityto，alterhisconditiononeiota。ItwastheworstSundayhehad，spentinhislife。
InMonday’ssecondmailheencounteredaverylegal-looking，letter，whichheldhisinterestforsometime。Itborethe，imprintofthelawofficesofMcGregor，JamesandHay，andwitha，veryformal“DearSir，“and“Webegtostate，“wentontoinform，himbrieflythattheyhadbeenretainedbyMrs。JuliaHurstwood，toadjustcertainmatterswhichrelatedtohersustenanceand，propertyrights，andwouldhekindlycallandseethemaboutthe，matteratonce。
Hereaditthroughcarefullyseveraltimes，andthenmerelyshook，hishead。Itseemedasifhisfamilytroubleswerejust，beginning。
“Well！”hesaidafteratime，quiteaudibly，“Idon’tknow。”
Thenhefoldeditupandputitinhispocket。
ToaddtohismiserytherewasnowordfromCarrie。Hewasquite，certainnowthatsheknewhewasmarriedandwasangeredathis，perfidy。Hislossseemedallthemorebitternowthatheneeded，hermost。Hethoughthewouldgooutandinsistonseeingherif，shedidnotsendhimwordofsomesortsoon。Hewasreally，affectedmostmiserablyofallbythisdesertion。Hehadloved，herearnestlyenough，butnowthatthepossibilityoflosingher，staredhiminthefacesheseemedmuchmoreattractive。He，reallypinedforaword，andlookedoutuponherwithhismind’s，eyeinthemostwistfulmanner。Hedidnotproposetoloseher，whatevershemightthink。Comewhatmight，hewouldadjustthis，matter，andsoon。Hewouldgotoherandtellherallhisfamily，complications。Hewouldexplaintoherjustwherehestoodand，howmuchheneededher。Surelyshecouldn’tgobackonhimnow？
Itwasn’tpossible。Hewouldpleaduntilherangerwouldmelt——
untilshewouldforgivehim。
Suddenlyhethought：“Supposingsheisn’toutthere——supposeshe，hasgone？”
Hewasforcedtotakehisfeet。Itwastoomuchtothinkofand，sitstill。
Nevertheless，hisrousingavailedhimnothing。
OnTuesdayitwasthesameway。Hedidmanagetobringhimself，intothemoodtogoouttoCarrie，butwhenhegotinOgdenPlace，hethoughthesawamanwatchinghimandwentaway。Hedidnot，gowithinablockofthehouse。
Oneofthegallingincidentsofthisvisitwasthathecameback，onaRandolphStreetcar，andwithoutnoticingarrivedalmost，oppositethebuildingoftheconcernwithwhichhissonwas，connected。Thissentapangthroughhisheart。Hehadcalledon，hisboythereseveraltimes。Nowtheladhadnotsenthima，word。Hisabsencedidnotseemtobenoticedbyeitherofhis，children。Well，well，fortuneplaysamanqueertricks。Hegot，backtohisofficeandjoinedinaconversationwithfriends。It，wasasifidlechatterdeadenedthesenseofmisery。
ThatnighthedinedatRector’sandreturnedatoncetohis，office。Inthebustleandshowofthelatterwashisonly，relief。Hetroubledovermanylittledetailsandtalked，perfunctorilytoeverybody。Hestayedathisdesklongafterall，othershadgone，andonlyquitteditwhenthenightwatchmanon，hisroundpulledatthefrontdoortoseeifitwassafely，locked。
OnWednesdayhereceivedanotherpolitenotefromMcGregor，James，andHay。Itread：
“DearSir：Webegtoinformyouthatweareinstructedtowait，untilto-morrow(Thursday)atoneo’clock，beforefilingsuit，againstyou，onbehalfofMrs。JuliaHurstwood，fordivorceand，alimony。Ifwedonothearfromyoubeforethattimeweshall，considerthatyoudonotwishtocompromisethematterinanyway，andactaccordingly。”Verytrulyyours，etc。”
“Compromise！”exclaimedHurstwoodbitterly。”Compromise！”
Againheshookhishead。
Sohereitwasspreadoutclearbeforehim，andnowheknewwhat，toexpect。Ifhedidn’tgoandseethemtheywouldsuehim，promptly。Ifhedid，hewouldbeofferedtermsthatwouldmake，hisbloodboil。Hefoldedtheletterandputitwiththeother，one。Thenheputonhishatandwentforaturnabouttheblock。
ChapterXXVI
THEAMBASSADORFALLEN——ASEARCHFORTHEGATE
Carrie，leftalonebyDrouet，listenedtohisretreatingsteps，scarcelyrealisingwhathadhappened。Sheknewthathehad，stormedout。Itwassomemomentsbeforeshequestionedwhether，hewouldreturn，notnowexactly，butever。Shelookedaround，herupontherooms，outofwhichtheeveninglightwasdying，and，wonderedwhyshedidnotfeelquitethesametowardsthem。She，wentovertothedresserandstruckamatch，lightingthegas。
Thenshewentbacktotherockertothink。
Itwassometimebeforeshecouldcollectherthoughts，butwhen，shedid，thistruthbegantotakeonimportance。Shewasquite，alone。SupposeDrouetdidnotcomeback？Supposesheshould，neverhearanythingmoreofhim？Thisfinearrangementof，chamberswouldnotlastlong。Shewouldhavetoquitthem。
Tohercredit，beitsaid，sheneveroncecountedonHurstwood。
Shecouldonlyapproachthatsubjectwithapangofsorrowand，regret。Foratruth，shewasrathershockedandfrightenedby，thisevidenceofhumandepravity。Hewouldhavetrickedher，withoutturninganeyelash。Shewouldhavebeenledintoanewer，andworsesituation。Andyetshecouldnotkeepoutthepictures，ofhislooksandmanners。Onlythisonedeedseemedstrangeand，miserable。Itcontrastedsharplywithallshefeltandknew，concerningtheman。
Butshewasalone。Thatwasthegreaterthoughtjustatpresent。
Howaboutthat？Wouldshegoouttoworkagain？Wouldshebegin，tolookaroundinthebusinessdistrict？Thestage！Oh，yes。
Drouethadspokenaboutthat。Wasthereanyhopethere？She，movedtoandfro，indeepandvariedthoughts，whiletheminutes，slippedawayandnightfellcompletely。Shehadhadnothingto，eat，andyetthereshesat，thinkingitover。
Sherememberedthatshewashungryandwenttothelittle，cupboardintherearroomwhereweretheremainsofoneoftheir，breakfasts。Shelookedatthesethingswithcertainmisgivings。
Thecontemplationoffoodhadmoresignificancethanusual。
Whileshewaseatingshebegantowonderhowmuchmoneyshehad。
Itstruckherasexceedinglyimportant，andwithoutadoshewent，tolookforherpurse。Itwasonthedresser，andinitwere，sevendollarsinbillsandsomechange。Shequailedasshe，thoughtoftheinsignificanceoftheamountandrejoicedbecause，therentwaspaiduntiltheendofthemonth。Shebeganalsoto，thinkwhatshewouldhavedoneifshehadgoneoutintothe，streetwhenshefirststarted。Bythesideofthatsituation，as，shelookedatitnow，thepresentseemedagreeable。Shehada，littletimeatleast，andthen，perhaps，everythingwouldcome，outallright，afterall。
Drouethadgone，butwhatofit？Hedidnotseemseriouslyangry。
Heonlyactedasifhewerehuffy。Hewouldcomeback——ofcourse，hewould。Therewashiscaneinthecorner。Herewasoneofhis，collars。Hehadlefthislightovercoatinthewardrobe。She，lookedaboutandtriedtoassureherselfwiththesightofa，dozensuchdetails，but，alas，thesecondarythoughtarrived。
Supposinghedidcomeback。Thenwhat？
Herewasanotherpropositionnearly，ifnotquite，asdisturbing。
Shewouldhavetotalkwithandexplaintohim。Hewouldwant，hertoadmitthathewasright。Itwouldbeimpossibleforher，tolivewithhim。
OnFridayCarrierememberedherappointmentwithHurstwood，and，thepassingofthehourwhensheshould，byallrightofpromise，havebeeninhiscompanyservedtokeepthecalamitywhichhad，befallenherexceedinglyfreshandclear。Inhernervousnessand，stressofmindshefeltitnecessarytoact，andconsequentlyput，onabrownstreetdress，andateleveno’clockstartedtovisit，thebusinessportiononceagain。Shemustlookforwork。
Therain，whichthreatenedattwelveandbeganatone，served，equallywelltocausehertoretraceherstepsandremainwithin，doorsasitdidtoreduceHurstwood’sspiritsandgivehima，wretchedday。
ThemorrowwasSaturday，ahalf-holidayinmanybusiness，quarters，andbesidesitwasabalmy，radiantday，withthetrees，andgrassshiningexceedinglygreenaftertherainofthenight，before。Whenshewentoutthesparrowsweretwitteringmerrily，injoyouschoruses。Shecouldnothelpfeeling，asshelooked，acrossthelovelypark，thatlifewasajoyousthingforthose，whodidnotneedtoworry，andshewishedoverandoverthat，somethingmightinterferenowtopreserveforherthecomfortable，statewhichshehadoccupied。ShedidnotwantDrouetorhis，moneywhenshethoughtofit，noranythingmoretodowith，Hurstwood，butonlythecontentandeaseofmindshehad，experienced，for，afterall，shehadbeenhappy——happier，at，least，thanshewasnowwhenconfrontedbythenecessityof，makingherwayalone。
Whenshearrivedinthebusinesspartitwasquiteeleven，o’clock，andthebusinesshadlittlelongertorun。Shedidnot，realisethisatfirst，beingaffectedbysomeoftheolddistress，whichwasaresultofherearlieradventureintothisstrenuous，andexactingquarter。Shewanderedabout，assuringherselfthat，shewasmakinguphermindtolookforsomething，andatthesame，timefeelingthatperhapsitwasnotnecessarytobeinsuch，hasteaboutit。Thethingwasdifficulttoencounter，andshe，hadafewdays。Besides，shewasnotsurethatshewasreally，facetofaceagainwiththebitterproblemofself-sustenance。
Anyhow，therewasonechangeforthebetter。Sheknewthatshe，hadimprovedinappearance。Hermannerhadvastlychanged。Her，clotheswerebecoming，andmen——well-dressedmen，someofthe，kindwhobeforehadgazedatherindifferentlyfrombehindtheir，polishedrailingsandimposingofficepartitions——nowgazedinto，herfacewithasoftlightintheireyes。Inaway，shefeltthe，powerandsatisfactionofthething，butitdidnotwholly，reassureher。Shelookedfornothingsavewhatmightcome，legitimatelyandwithouttheappearanceofspecialfavour。She，wantedsomething，butnomanshouldbuyherbyfalse，protestationsorfavour。Sheproposedtoearnherliving，honestly。
“ThisstoreclosesatoneonSaturdays，“wasapleasingand，satisfactorylegendtoseeupondoorswhichshefeltsheoughtto，enterandinquireforwork。Itgaveheranexcuse，andafter，encounteringquiteanumberofthem，andnotingthattheclock，registered12。15，shedecidedthatitwouldbenousetoseek，furtherto-day，soshegotonacarandwenttoLincolnPark。
Therewasalwayssomethingtoseethere——theflowers，the，animals，thelake——andsheflatteredherselfthatonMondayshe，wouldbeupbetimesandsearching。Besides，manythingsmight，happenbetweennowandMonday。
Sundaypassedwithequaldoubts，worries，assurances，andheaven，knowswhatvagariesofmindandspirit。Everyhalf-hourinthe，daythethoughtwouldcometohermostsharply，likethetailof，aswishingwhip，thataction——immediateaction——wasimperative。
Atothertimesshewouldlookaboutherandassureherselfthat，thingswerenotsobad——thatcertainlyshewouldcomeoutsafe，andsound。AtsuchtimesshewouldthinkofDrouet’sadvice，aboutgoingonthestage，andsawsomechanceforherselfinthat，quarter。Shedecidedtotakeupthatopportunityonthemorrow。
Accordingly，shearoseearlyMondaymorninganddressedherself，carefully。Shedidnotknowjusthowsuchapplicationswere，made，butshetookittobeamatterwhichrelatedmoredirectly，tothetheatrebuildings。Allyouhadtodowastoinquireof，someoneaboutthetheatreforthemanagerandaskfora，position。Iftherewasanything，youmightgetit，or，atleast，hecouldtellyouhow。
Shehadhadnoexperiencewiththisclassofindividuals，whatsoever，anddidnotknowthesalacityandhumourofthe，theatricaltribe。SheonlyknewofthepositionwhichMr。Hale，occupied，but，ofallthings，shedidnotwishtoencounterthat，personage，onaccountofherintimacywithhiswife。
Therewas，however，atthistime，onetheatre，theChicagoOpera，House，whichwasconsiderablyinthepubliceye，anditsmanager，DavidA。Henderson，hadafairlocalreputation。Carriehadseen，oneortwoelaborateperformancesthereandhadheardofseveral，others。SheknewnothingofHendersonnorofthemethodsof，applying，butsheinstinctivelyfeltthatthiswouldbealikely，place，andaccordinglystrolledaboutinthatneighbourhood。She，camebravelyenoughtotheshowyentranceway，withthepolished，andbegildedlobby，setwithframedpicturesoutofthecurrent，attraction，leadinguptothequietbox-office，butshecouldget，nofurther。Anotedcomicoperacomedianwasholdingforththat，week，andtheairofdistinctionandprosperityoverawedher。
Shecouldnotimaginethattherewouldbeanythinginsucha，loftysphereforher。Shealmosttrembledattheaudacitywhich，mighthavecarriedherontoaterriblerebuff。Shecouldfind，heartonlytolookatthepictureswhichwereshowyandthenwalk，out。Itseemedtoherasifshehadmadeasplendidescapeand，thatitwouldbefoolhardytothinkofapplyinginthatquarter，again。
Thislittleexperiencesettledherhuntingforoneday。She，lookedaroundelsewhere，butitwasfromtheoutside。Shegot，thelocationofseveralplayhousesfixedinhermind——notablythe，GrandOperaHouseandMcVickar’s，bothofwhichwereleadingin，attractions——andthencameaway。Herspiritswerematerially，reduced，owingtothenewlyrestoredsenseofmagnitudeofthe，greatinterestsandtheinsignificanceofherclaimsupon，society，suchassheunderstoodthemtobe。
ThatnightshewasvisitedbyMrs。Hale，whosechatterand，protractedstaymadeitimpossibletodwelluponherpredicament，orthefortuneoftheday。Beforeretiring，however，shesat，downtothink，andgaveherselfuptothemostgloomy，forebodings。Drouethadnotputinanappearance。Shehadhad，nowordfromanyquarter，shehadspentadollarofherprecious，suminprocuringfoodandpayingcarfare。Itwasevidentthat，shewouldnotendurelong。Besides，shehaddiscoveredno，resource。
InthissituationherthoughtswentouttohersisterinVan，BurenStreet，whomshehadnotseensincethenightofher，flight，andtoherhomeatColumbiaCity，whichseemednowapart，ofsomethingthatcouldnotbeagain。Shelookedfornorefuge，inthatdirection。Nothingbutsorrowwasbroughtherby，thoughtsofHurstwood，whichwouldreturn。Thathecouldhave，chosentodupeherinsoreadyamannerseemedacruelthing。
Tuesdaycame，andwithitappropriateindecisionandspeculation。
Shewasinnomood，afterherfailureofthedaybefore，to，hastenforthuponherwork-seekingerrand，andyetsherebuked，herselfforwhatsheconsideredherweaknessthedaybefore。
AccordinglyshestartedouttorevisittheChicagoOperaHouse，butpossessedscarcelyenoughcouragetoapproach。
Shedidmanagetoinquireatthebox-office，however。
“Managerofthecompanyorthehouse？”askedthesmartlydressed，individualwhotookcareofthetickets。Hewasfavourably，impressedbyCarrie’slooks。
“Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie，takenbackbythequestion。
“Youcouldn’tseethemanagerofthehouseto-day，anyhow，“
volunteeredtheyoungman。”He’soutoftown。”
Henotedherpuzzledlook，andthenadded：“Whatisityouwish，toseeabout？”
“Iwanttoseeaboutgettingaposition，“sheanswered。
“You’dbetterseethemanagerofthecompany，“hereturned，“but，heisn’therenow。”
“Whenwillhebein？”askedCarrie，somewhatrelievedbythis，information。
“Well，youmightfindhiminbetweenelevenandtwelve。He’s，hereaftertwoo’clock。”
Carriethankedhimandwalkedbrisklyout，whiletheyoungman，gazedafterherthroughoneofthesidewindowsofhisgilded，coop。
“Good-looking，“hesaidtohimself，andproceededtovisionsof，condescensionsonherpartwhichwereexceedinglyflatteringto，himself。
Oneoftheprincipalcomedycompaniesofthedaywasplayingan，engagementattheGrandOperaHouse。HereCarrieaskedtosee，themanagerofthecompany。Shelittleknewthetrivial，authorityofthisindividual，orthathadtherebeenavacancyan，actorwouldhavebeensentonfromNewYorktofillit。
“Hisofficeisupstairs，“saidamaninthebox-office。
Severalpersonswereinthemanager’soffice，twoloungingneara，window，anothertalkingtoanindividualsittingataroll-top，desk——themanager。Carrieglancednervouslyabout，andbeganto，fearthatsheshouldhavetomakeherappealbeforetheassembled，company，twoofwhom——theoccupantsofthewindow——werealready，observinghercarefully。
“Ican’tdoit，“themanagerwassaying;“it’saruleofMr。
Frohman’snevertoallowvisitorsbackofthestage。No，no！”
