Theybothlaughed，andDanlookedabouttheroom，whichhefoundwasaprivatehotelparlour，softenedtoamoredomesticeffectbythesignsofitsprolongedoccupationbytworefinedwomen。Onatablestoodaleatherphotographenvelopewiththreecabinetpicturesinit。Alongthetoplayasprayofwitheredforceythia。Dan’swanderingeyesrestedonit。MissAndersonwentandsoftlyclosedthedooropeningintothenextroom。
“Iwasafraidourtalkingmightdisturbmyaunt。”shesaid，andonherwaybacktohimshepickedupthephotographcaseandbroughtittothelight。
“Thesearemyfatherandmother。WeliveatYonkers;butI’mwithmyauntagooddealofthetimeintown——evenwhenI’mathome。”Shelaughedatherowncontradictorystatement，andputthecasebackwithoutexplainingthethirdfigure——afigureinuniform。Danconjecturedamilitarybrother，orfromherindifferenceperhapsamilitiabrother，andthenforgotabouthim。ButthepartialYonkersresidenceaccountedfortraitsofunconventionalityinMissAndersonwhichhehadnotbeenabletoreconcilewiththenotionofanexclusivelyNewYorkbreeding。Hefelttherelief，thesympathy，thecertaintyofintelligencewhicheverypersonwhoselifehasbeenpartlyspentinthecountryfeelsatfindingthatasuspectedcockneyhasalsohadtheoutlookintonatureandsimplicity。
OntheYonkersbasistheybecamemoreintimate，morepersonal，andDantoldheraboutPonkwassetFallsandhismotherandsisters;hetoldherabouthisfather，andshesaidsheshouldliketoseehisfather;shethoughthemustbelikeherfather。
“Allatonce，andfornoreasonthathecouldthinkofafterward，except，perhaps，thedesiretoseethecasewithhereyes，hebegantotellherofhisaffairwithAlice，andhowandwhyitwasbrokenoff;hetoldthewholetruthinregardtothat，anddidnotsparehimself。
Shelistenedwithoutoncespeaking，butwithoutapparentsurpriseattheconfidence，thoughshemayhavefeltsurprised。Attimesshelookedasifherthoughtswereawayfromwhathewassaying。
Heendedwith，“I’msureIdon’tknowwhyI’vetoldyouallthis。ButI
wantedyoutoknowaboutme。Theworst。”
MissAndersonsaid，lookingdown，“Ialwaysthoughtshewasaveryconscientiousgiyl。”Thenafterapause，inwhichsheseemedtobeovercominganembarrassmentinbeingobligedtospeakofanotherinsuchaconviction，“Ithinkshewasverymoybid。ShewaslikeeversomanyNewEnglandgiylsthatI’vemet。Theyseemtowantsomeexcuseforsuffering;
andtheymustsufferevenifit’sthroughsomebodyelse。Idon’tknow;
they’reromantic，NewEnglandgiylsare;theyhavetoomanyideals。”
Danfeltabalminthis;hetoohadnoticedasuperfluityofidealsinAlice，hehadbornetheburdenofrealisingsomeofthem;theyallseemedtorelateinobjectionabledegreetohisperfectionation。Sohesaidgloomily，“Shewasverygood。AndIwastoblame。”
“Ohyes！“saidMissAnderson，catchingherbreathinaqueerway;“sheseyvedyouright。”
Sheroseabruptly，asifsheheardherauntspeak，andDanperceivedthathehadbeenmakingalongcall。
Hewentawaydazedanddissatisfied;heknewnowthatheoughtnottohavetoldMissAndersonabouthisaffair，unlesshemeantmorebyhisconfidencethanhereallydid——unlesshemeanttofollowitup。
Hetookleaveofher，andaskedhertomakehisadieuxtoheraunt;butthenextdayhecamedowntotheboattoseethemoff。Itseemedtohimthattheirinterviewhadendedtoohastily;hefeltsoreandrestlessoverit;hehopedthatsomethingmoreconclusivemighthappen。ButattheboatMissAndersonandherauntwereinseparable。MissVanHooksaidshehopedtheyshouldsoonseehimattheHygeia，andherepliedthathewasnotsurethatheshouldbeabletocomeafterall。
MissAndersoncalledsomethingafterhimasheturnedfromthemtogoashore。Heranbackeagerlytoknowwhatitwas。“BetterlookoutforthatMr。Lafflinofyours。”sherepeated。
“Oh！ohyes。”hesaid，indefinitelydisappointed。“Ishallkeepasharpeyeonhim。”Hewasdisappointed，buthecouldnothavesaidwhathehadhopedorexpectedhertosay。HewashumbledbeforehimselfforhavingtoldMissAndersonabouthisaffairwithAlice，andhadwishedshewouldsaysomethingthathemightscramblebacktohisself-esteemupon。Hehadtoldherallthatpartlyfrommereweakness，fromhislongingforthesympathywhichhewasalwayssoreadytogive，andpartlyfromthewillingnesstoposebeforeherasabrokenheart，todazzleherbytheironyandpersiflagewithwhichhecouldtreatsuchatragicalmatter;buthecouldnotfeelthathehadsucceeded。ThesumofhercommenthadbeenthatAlicehadservedhimright。Hedidnotknowwhethershereallybelievedthatormerelysaidittopunishhimforsomereason;buthecouldneverletitbethelastword。Hetingledasheturnedtowavehishandkerchieftoherontheboat，withthesuspicionthatshewaslaughingathim;andhecouldnotconsolehimselfwithanyheroofanovelwhohadgothimselfintojustsuchabox。Therewerealwayscircumstances，incidents，mitigations，thatkepttheherostillahero，andennobledtheboxintoanunjustprisoncell。
L。
OnthelongsunnypiazzaoftheHygeiaMrs。BrinkleyandMissVanHooksatandtalkedinacommunityofinterestwhichtheyhadnotdiscoveredduringthesummerbeforeatCampobello，andwithanequalityofhearingwhichthesoundofthewaveswashingalmostattheirfeetestablishedbetweenthem。
InthispleasantnoiseMissVanHookheardaswellasanyone，andMrs。
Brinkleygraduallyrealisedthatitwasthetroubleofhavingtolifthervoicethathadkeptherfromcultivatingaveryagreeableacquaintancebefore。Theladiessatinasecludedcorner，wearinglightwrapsthattheyhadoftenfoundcomfortableatCampobelloinAugust，andfromtimetotimeattestedtoeachothertheirastonishmentthattheyneedednomoreatOldPointinearlyApril。
Theydidthisnotonlyasajusttributetotheamiableclimate，butasarelieffromthetopicwhichhadbeenabsorbingthem，andtowhichtheyconstantlyreturned。
“No。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withasortoffinality，“Ithinkitisthebestthingthatcouldpossiblyhavehappenedtohim。Heisbearingitinaverymanlyway，butIfancyhehasfeltitdeeply，poorfellow。He’sneverbeeninBostonsince，andIdon’tbelievehe’dcomehereifhe’danyideahowmanyBostonpeopletherewereinthehotel——weswarm！Itwouldbeverypainfultohim。”
“Yes。”saidMissVanHook，“youngpeopleseemtofeelthosethings。”
“Ofcoursehe’sgoingtogetoverit。That’swhatyoungpeopledotoo。
Athisagehecan’thelpbeingcaughtwitheveryprettyfaceandeveryprettyfigure，eveninthemidstofhiswoe，andit’sonlyaquestionoftimetillheseizessomeprettyhandandgetsdrawnoutofitaltogether。”
“Ithinkthatwouldbethecasewithmyniece，too。”saidMissVanHook，“ifshewasn’tkeptinitbyasenseofloyalty。Idon’tbelieveshereallydaresmuchforLieutenantWillinganymore;butheseesnosocietywherehe’sstationed，ofcourse，andhisconstancyisa——arebukeanda——
a——anincentivetoher。TheywereengagedalongtimeagojustafterheleftWestPoint——andwe’vealwaysbeeninhopesthathewouldberemovedtosomepostwherehecouldmeetotherladiesandbecomeinterestedinsomeoneelse。Butheneverhas，andsotheaffairremains。It’smostundesirabletheyshouldmarry，andinthemeantimeshewon’tbreakitoff，andit’sspoilingherchancesinlife。”
“Itistoobad。”sighedMrs。Brinkley，“butofcourseyoucandonothing。
Iseethat。”
“No，wecandonothing。Wehavetriedeverything。IusedtothinkitwasbecauseshewassodullthereatYonkerswithherfamily，andbroodedupontheoneideaallthetime，thatshecouldnotgetoverit;andatfirstitdidseemwhenshecametomethatshewouldgetoverit。Sheisveryfondofgaiety——ofyoungmen’ssociety，andshe’shadplentyoflittleflirtationsthatdidn’tmeananything，andneveramountedtoanything。
Everynowandthenaletterwouldcomefromthewildswherehewasstationed，andspoilitall。Sheseemedtofeelasortofchivalrousobligationbecausehewassofaroffandhelplessandlonely。”
“Yes，Iunderstand。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Whatapityshecouldn’tbemadetofeelthatthatdidn’tdeepentheobligationatall。”
“I’vetriedtomakeher。”saidMissVanHook，“andI’vebeeneverywherewithher。OnewinterwewereuptheNile，andanotherinNice，andlastwinterwewereinRome。Shemetyoungmeneverywhere，andhadoffersuponoffers;butitwasofnouse。Sheremainedjustthesame，andtillshemetMr。MaveringinWashingtonIdon’tbelieve——“
MissVanHookstopped，andMrs。Brinkleysaid，“Andyetshealwaysseemedtomeparticularlypracticalandlevel-headed——asthemensay。”
“Sosheis。Butsheisreallyveryromanticaboutsomethings;andwhenitcomestoamatterofthatkind，girlsareaboutallalike，don’tyouthink？”
“Ohyes。”saidMrs。Brinkleyhopelessly，andbothladieslookedoutoverthewater，wherethewavescamerollinginoneafteranothertowastethemselvesontheshoreasfutilelyasiftheyhadbeenlives。
IntheeveningMissAndersongottwolettersfromtheclerk，atthehourwhentheladiesallflockedtohisdeskwiththeeagernessforletterswhichissoengaginginthem。Oneshepulledopenandglancedatwithasortofimpassionedindifference;theothershereadinoneintensemoment，andthenranitintoherpocket，andwithherhandstillonithurriedvividlyflushingtoherroom，andreadandreaditagainwithconstantlymountingemotion。
“WORMLEY’sHOTEL，Washington，April7，188。
“DEARMISSANDERSON，——IhavebeenactingonyourpartingadvicetolookoutforthatMr。Lafflinofmine，andIhavediscoveredthatheisanunmitigatedscamp。ConsequentlythereisnothingmoretokeepmeinWashington，andIshouldnowlikeyouradviceaboutcomingtoFortressMonroe。Doyoufinditmalarial？Ontheboatyourauntaskedmetocome，butyousaidnothingaboutit，andIwaslefttosupposethatyoudidnotthinkitwouldagreewithme。Doyoustillthinkso？orwhatdoyouthink？IknowyouthinkitwasuncalledforandinextremelybadtasteformetotellyouwhatIdidtheotherday;andIhavethoughtsotoo。
Thereisonlyonethingthatcouldjustifyit——thatis，Ithinkitmightjustifyit——ifyouthoughtso。ButIdonotfeelsurethatyouwouldliketoknowit，or，ifyouknewit，wouldlikeit。I’vebeenratherslowcomingtotheconclusionmyself，andperhapsit’sonlythebeginningoftheend;andnottheconclusion——ifthereissuchadifference。ButthequestionnowiswhetherImaycomeandtellyouwhatIthinkitis——
justifymyself，ormakethingsworsethantheyarenow。Idon’tknowthattheycanbeworse，butIthinkIshouldliketotry。Ithinkyourpresencewouldinspireme。
“WashingtonisawildernesssinceMiss——VanHookleft。Itisnotahowlingwildernesssimplybecauseithasnotenoughleftinittohowl;
butithasalltheothermeritsofawilderness。
“Yourssincerely，“D。F。MAVERING。”
Afterasecondperusalofthisnote，MissAndersonrecurredtotheotherletterwhichshehadneglectedforit，andreaditwitheyesfromwhichthetearsslowlyfelluponit。Thenshesatalongtimeathertablewithbothlettersbeforeher，anddidnotmove，excepttotakeherhandkerchiefoutofherpocketanddryhereyes，fromwhichthetearsbeganatoncetodripagain。Atlastshestartedforward，andcaughtpenandpapertowardher，bitingherlipandfrowningasiftokeepherselffirm，andshesaidtothecentralfigureinthephotographcasewhichstoodatthebackofthetable，“Iwill，Iwill！Youareaman，anyway。”
Shesatdown，andbyaseriesofimpulsesshewrotealetter，withwhichshegaveherselfnopausetillsheputitintheclerk’shands，towhomsherandownstairswithit，kickingherskirtintowildwhirlsassheran，andcatchingherfootinitandstumbling。
“Willitgo——goto-night？”shedemandedtragically。
“Justintime。”saidtheclerk，withoutlookingup，andapparentlynotthinkingthathertonebetrayedanyunusualamountofemotioninaladypostingaletter;hewasusedtointensityonsuchoccasions。
Theletterran——
“DEARMR。MAVERING，——WeshallnowbeheresoshortatimethatIdonotthinkitadvisableforyoutocome。
“Yourletterwasratherenigmatical，andIdonotknowwhetherI
understooditexactly。Isupposeyoutoldmewhatyoudidforgoodreasonsofyourown，andIdidnotthinkmuchaboutit。Ibelievethequestionoftastedidnotcomeupinmymind。
“Myauntjoinsmeinkindestregards。
“Yoursverysincerely，“JULIAV。H。ANDERSON。”
“P。S——IthinkthatIoughttoreturnyourletter。Iknowthatyouwouldnotobjecttomykeepingit，butitdoesnotseemright。Iwishtoaskyourcongratulations。IhavebeenengagedforseveralyearstoLieutenantWilling，oftheArmy。HehasbeentransferredfromhispostinMontanatoFortHamiltonatNewYork，andwearetobemarriedinJune。
ThenextmorningMrs。Brinkleycameupfrombreakfastinasortofduplexexcitement，whichshetriedtoimparttoherhusband;hestoodwithhisbacktowardthedoor，bendingforwardtotheglassforamoreaccurateviewofhisface，fromwhichhehadscrapedhalfthelatherinshaving。
Shehadtwocardsinherhand:“MissVanHookandMissAndersonhavegone。
Theywentthismorning。IfoundtheirP。P。C。’sbymyplate。”
Mr。Brinkleymadeaninarticulatenoiseforcomment，andassumedthecontemptuoussneerwhichsomemenfindconvenientforshavingthelowerlip。
“Andguesswho’scome，ofallpeopleintheworld？”
“Idon’tknow。”saidBrinkley，seizinghischancetospeak。
“ThePasmers！——Aliceandhermother！Isn’titawful？”
Mr。Brinkleyhadentereduponaverydifficultspotatthecornerofhisleftjaw。Hefinisheditbeforehesaid，“Idon’tseeanythingawfulaboutit，solongasPasmerhasn’tcometoo。”
“ButDanMavering！He’sinWashington，andhemaycomedownhereanyday。
Justthinkhowshockingthatwouldbe！“
“Isn’tthatratheratheory？”askedMr。Brinkley，findingsuchopportunitiesforconversationashecould。“IdaresayMrs。Pasmerwouldbeverygladtoseehim。”
“I’venodoubtshewould。”saidMrs。Brinkley。Butit’stheworstthingthatcouldhappen——forhim。AndIfeellikewritinghimnottocome——
telegraphinghim。”
“YouknowhowthemanmadeafortuneinChicago。”saidherhusband，dryinghisrazortenderlyonatowelbeforebeginningtostropit。“Iadviseyoutoletthewholethingalone。Itdoesn’tconcernusinanywaywhatever。”
“Then。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“thereoughttobeacommitteetotakeitinhandandwarnhim。”
“Idaresayyoucouldmakeoneupamongtheladies。Butdon’tbethefirsttomoveinthematter。”
“Ireallybelieve。”saidhiswife，withhermindtakenoffthepointbytheattractivenessofasurmisewhichhadjustoccurredtoher，“thatMrs。
PasmerwouldbecapableoffollowinghimdownifsheknewhewasinWashington。”
“Yes，ifsheknow。Butsheprobablydoesn’t。”
“Yes。”saidMrs。Brinkleydisappointedly。“IthinkthesuddendepartureoftheVanHooksmusthavehadsomethingtodowithDanMavering。”
“Seemsaveryinfluentialyoungman。”saidherhusband。“Heattractsandrepelspeoplerightandleft。DidyouspeaktothePasmers？”
“No;you’dbetter，whenyougodown。They’vejustcomeintothedining-
room。Thegirllookslikedeath。”
“Well，I’lltalktoheraboutMavering。That’llcheerherup。”
Mrs。Brinkleylookedathimforaninstantasifshereallythoughthimcapableofit。Thenshejoinedhiminhislaugh。
Mrs。BrinkleyhadtheorisedAlicePasmerassimplyandprimitivelyselfish，liketherestofthePasmersinwhomthefamilytraitsprevailed。
WhenMaveringstoppedcomingtoherhouseafterhisengagementshejustlysuspectedthatitwasbecauseAlicehadforbiddenhim，andshehadrejoicedatthebrokenengagementasanescapeforDan;shehadfranklysaidso，andshehadreceivedhimbackintofullfavouratthefirstmomentinWashington。ShelikedMissAnderson，andshehadhoped，withtheinterestwhichwomenfeelineverysuchaffair，thatherflirtationwithhimmightbecomeserious。Butnowthishadapparentlynothappened。
JuliaAndersonwasgonewithmystifyingprecipitation，andAlicePasmerhadcomewithanunexpectednesswhichhadtheaspectoffatality。
Mrs。Brinkleyfeltbound，ofcourse，sincetherewasnoopenenmitybetweenthem，tomeetthePasmersontheneutralgroundoftheHygeiawithconventionalamiability。Shewasreallytouchedbytheabsentwannessofthegirlslook，andbythelater-comingrecognitionwhichshapedhermouthintoapatheticsnide。Alicedidnotlooklikedeathquite，asMrs。
Brinkleyhadtoldherhusband，withthenecessityhersexhasforputtingitssuperlativesbeforeitspositives;butshewaspaleandthin，andshemovedwithalanguidstepwhentheyallmetatnightafterMrs。BrinkleyhadkeptoutofthePasmers’wayduringtheday。
“Shehasbeenillallthelatterpartofthewinter。”saidMrs。PasmertoMrs。Brinkleythatnightinthecornerofthespreadinghotelparlours，wheretheyfoundthemselves。Mrs。Pasmerdidnotlookwellherself;shespokewithhereyesfixedanxiouslyonthedoorAlicehadjustpassedoutof。“Sheisgoingtobed，butIknowIshallfindherawakewheneverI
go。”
“Perhaps。”suggestedMrs。Brinkley，“thissoft，heavyseaairwillputhertosleep。”Shetriedtospeakdrilyandindifferently，butshecouldnot;
shewas，infact，verymuchinterestedbythesituation，andshewastouched，inspiteofherdistasteforthemboth，bytheevidentunhappinessofmotheranddaughter。Sheknewwhatitcamefrom，andshesaidtoherselfthattheydeservedit;butthisdidnotaltogetherfortifyheragainsttheirpathos。“Icanhardlykeepawakemyself。”sheaddedgruffly。
“Ihopeitmayhelpher。”saidMrs。Pasmer;“thedoctorstronglyurgedourcoming。”
Mr。Pasmerisn’twithyou。”saidMrs。Brinkley，feelingthatitwasdecenttosaysomethingabouthim。
“No;hewasdetained。”Mrs。Pasmerdidnotexplainthecauseofhisdetention，andthetwoladiesslowlywavedtheirfansamomentinsilence。
“AretheremanyBostonPeopleinthehouse？”Mrs。Pasmerasked。
“It’sfullofthem。”criedMrs。Brinkley。
“Ihadscarcelynoticed。”sighedMrs。Pasmer;andMrs。Brinkleyknewthatthiswasnottrue。“Alicetakesupallmythoughts。”sheadded;andthismightbetrueenough。Sheleanedalittleforwardandasked，inalow，entreatingvoiceoverherfan，“Mrs。Brinkley，haveyouseenMr。Maveringlately？”
Mrs。Brinkleyconsideredthisalittletoobold，alittletoobrazen。HadtheyactuallycomeSouthinpursuitofhim？Itwasshameless，andsheletMrs:Pasmerknowsomethingofherfeelingintheshortnesswithwhichsheanswered，“IsawhiminWashingtontheotherday——foramoment。”SheshortenedthetimeshehadspentinDan’scompanysoastocutMrs。Pasmerofffromasmuchcomfortaspossible，andshestaredatherinopenastonishment。
Mrs。PasmerdroppedhereyesandfingeredtheedgeofherfanwithasubmissivenessthatseemedtoMrs。Brinkleytheperfectionofduplicity;
shewantedtoshakeher。“Iknew。”sighedMrs。Pasmer，“thatyouhadalwaysbeensuchafriendofhis。”
Itisthelaststrawwhichbreaksthecamel’sback;Mrs。Brinkleyfelthermoralvertebraegiveway;shealmostheardthemcrack;butiftherewasreallyadetonation，thedrownedthenoisewithaharshlaugh。“Oh，hehadotherfriendsinWashington。ImethimeverywherewithMissAnderson。”ThisstatementconflictedwiththetheoryofhersingleinstantwithDan，butshefeltthatinsuchacause，inthecauseofgivingpaintoawomanlikeMrs。Pasmer，thedeflectionfromexacttruthwasjustifiable。Shehurriedon:“Iratherexpectedhemightrundownhere，butnowthatthey’regone，Idon’tsupposehe’llcome。YourememberMissAnderson’saunt，MissVanHook？”
“Ohyes。”saidMrs。Pasmer。
“Shewasherewithher。”
“MissVanHookwassuchaNewYorktype——ofacertainkind。”saidMrs。
Pasmer。Sherose，withasmileatoncesoconventional，soheroic，andsopitifulthatMrs。Brinkleyfelttheremorseofagenerousvictor。
Shewenttoherroom，hardeningherheart，andsheburstinwithafloodofvolubleexasperationthatthreatenedalltheneighbouringroomswithoverflow。
“Well，shecried，“theyhaveshowntheirhandscompletely。TheyhavecomeheretohoundDanMaveringdown，andgethimintotheirtoilsagain。Why，thewomanactuallysaidasmuch！ButIfancyIhavegivenherafitofinsomniathatwillenablehertoshareherdaughter’svigils。ReallysuchimpudenceIneverheardof！“
“Doyouwanteverybodyinthecorridortohearofit？”askedBrinkley，frombehindanewspaper。
“Iknowonething。”continuedMrs。Brinkley，droppinghervoiceacoupleofoctaves。TheywillnevergethimhereifIcanhelpit。Hewon’tcome，anyway，nowMissAndersonisgone;butI’llmakeassurancedoublysurebywritinghimnottocome;I’lltellhimthey’vegone;andthanwearegoingtoo。”
“YouhadbetterrememberthemaninChicago。”saidherhusband。
“Well，thisismybusiness——orI’llmakeitmybusiness！“criedMrs。
Brinkley。Shewentontalkingrapidly，risingwithgreatexcitementinhervoiceattimes，andthenrememberingtospeaklower;andherhusbandapparentlyreadonthroughmostofhertalk，thoughnowandthenhemadesomecommentthatseemedofalmostinspiredaptness。
“Thewaytheybothmadeuptomewasdisgusting。ButIknowthegirlisjustatoolinhermother’shands。Hermotherseemedactuallypassiveincomparison。ForskilfulwheedlingIcouldfalldownandworshipthatwoman;Ireallyadmireher。Aslongasthegirlwaswithusshekeptherselfinthebackgroundandputthegirlatme。Itwassimplyamasterpiece。”
“Howdoyouknowsheputheratyou？”askedBrinkley。
“How？Bythewaysheseemednottodoit！AndbecausefromwhatIknowofthatstupidPasmerprideitwouldbeperfectlyimpossibleforanyonewhowasaPasmertotakeherdeprecatorymannertowardmeofherself。Yououghttohaveseenit！Itwassimplyperfect。”
“Perhaps。”saidBrinkley，witharemotedreaminess，“shewastrulysorry。”
“Trulystuff！No，indeed;shehatesmeasmuchasever——more！“
“Well，then，maybeshe’sdoingitbecauseshehatesyou——doingitforhersoul’sgood——sortofpenance，sortofatonementtoMavering。”
Mrs。Brinkleyturnedroundfromherdressing-tabletoseewhatherhusbandmeant，butthenewspaperhidhim。Weallknowthatourownnaturesaremixedandcontradictory，butweeachattributetoothersalogicalconsistencywhichweneverfindinanyoneoutofthenovels。AlicePasmerwascoldandreticent，andMrs。Brinkley，whohadlivedhalfacenturyinaworldfullofparadoxes，couldnotimaginehersubjecttogustsofpassionatefrankness;sheknewthegirltobeproudanddistant，andshecouldnotconceiveofanabjecthumilityandlongingforsympathyinherheart。IfAlicefelt，whenshesawMrs。Brinkley，thatshehadaprovidentialopportunitytopunishherselfforherinjusticetoDan，thefactcouldnotbeestablisheduponMrs。Brinkley’stheoryofher。Iftheasceticimpulseisthemostpurelyselfishimpulseinhumannature，Mrs。
Brinkleymightnothavebeenmistakeninsuspectingherofanignoblemotive，thoughitmighthavehadforthegirlthelastsublimityofself-
sacrifice。Thewomanwhodislikedherandpitiedherknewthatshehadnoarts，andratherthanadoptsosimpleatheoryofherbehaviourasherhusbandhadadvancedsheheldallthemorestrenuouslytoherowntheorythatAlicewaspractisinghermother’sarts。Thiswasinevitable，partlyfromthesenseofMrs。Pasmer’sartfulnesswhicheverybodyhad，andpartlyfromtheallegiancewhichwepay——andwomenespeciallyliketopay——tothetraditionoftheplaywrightsandthenovelists，thatsocialresultsofallkindsaretheworkofdeep，andmoreorlessdarkling，designonthepartofotherwomen——suchotherwomenasMrs。Pasmer。
Mrs。Brinkleycontinuedtotalk，butthegodspokenomorefrombehindthenewspaper;andafterwardMrs。Brinkleylayalongtimeawake;hardeningherheart。Butshewashauntedtothevergeofherdreamsbythatgirl’ssicklook，byherlanguidwalk，andbytheeffectwhichshehadseenherownwordstakeuponMrs。Pasmer——aneffectsoadmirablydisowned，soperfectlyobvious。Beforeshecouldgettosleepshewasobligedtomakeacompromisewithherheart，inpursuanceofwhich，whenshefoundMrs。
Pasmeratbreakfastaloneinthemorning，shewentuptoher，andsaid，holdingherhandamoment，“Ihopeyourdaughtersleptwelllastnight。”
“No。”saidMrs。Pasmer，slippingherhandaway，“Ican’tsaythatshedid。”Therewasprobablynoresentmentexpressedinthewayshewithdrewherhand，buttheotherthoughttherewas。
“IwishIcoulddosomethingforher。”shecried。
“Oh，thankyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer。“It’sverygoodofyou。”AndMrs。
Brinkleyfanciedshesmiledratherbitterly。
Mrs。BrinkleywentoutupontheseawardverandahofthehotelwiththisbitternessofMrs。Pasmer’ssmileinherthoughts;anditdisposedhertofeelmorekeenlythequalityofMissPasmer’ssmile。Shefoundthegirlstandingthereataremotepointofthatlongstretchofplanking，andlookingoutoverthewater;sheheldwithbothhandsacrossherbreastthesoftchuddahshawlwhichthewindcaughtandflutteredawayfromherwaist。Shewasalone，saidasMrs。Brinkley’scompunctionsgoadedhernearer，shefanciedthatthesawAlicemasteraprimarydislikeinherface，andputonalookofpatheticpropitiation。ShedidnotcomeforwardtomeetMrs。Brinkley，wholikedbetterherwaitingtobeapproached;butshesmiledgratefullywhenMrs。Brinkleyputoutherhand，andshetookitwithaverycoldone。
“Youmustfinditchillyhere。”saidtheelderwoman。
“IhadbetterbeoutintheairallIcould，thedoctorsaid。”answeredAlice。
“Well，then，comewithmeroundthecorner;there’sasortofrecessthere，andyouwon’tbeblowntopierces。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withauthority。Theysatdowntogetherintherecess，andsheadded:“IusedtositherewithMissVanHook;shecouldhearbetterinthenoisethewavesmade。Ihopeitisn’ttoomuchforyou。”
“Ohno。”saidAlice。“Mammasaidyoutoldhertheywerehere。”Mrs。
Brinkleyreassuredherselffromthis;MissVanHook’snamehadratherslippedout;butofcourseMrs。PasmerhadnotrepeatedwhatshehadsaidaboutDaninthisconnection。“IwishIcouldhaveseenJulia。”Alicewenton。“ItwouldhavebeenquitelikeCampobelloagain。”
“Oh，quite。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withashortbreath，andnotknowingwhitherthistended。Alicedidnotleaveherindoubt。
“Ishouldliketohaveseenher，andbeggedherforthewayItreatedherthelastpartofthetimethere。IfeelasifIcouldmakemywholelifeareparation。”sheaddedpassionately。
Mrs。Brinkleybelievedthatthiswasthemerefrenzyofsentimentality，theexaltationofaselfishasceticism;butatthebreakinthegirl’svoiceandtheaversionofherfaceshecouldnothelpathrillofmotherlytendernessforher。Shewantedtotellhershewasanunconscioushumbug，bentnowasalwaysonherownadvantage，andreallyindifferenttoothersshealsowantedtocomforther，andtellherthatsheexaggerated，andwasnottoblame。Shedidneither，butwhenAliceturnedherfacebacksheseemedencouragedbyMrs。Brinkley’slooktogoon:“Ididn’tappreciateherthen;shewasverygenerousandhigh-minded——toohigh-mindedformetounderstand，even。Butwedon’tseemtoknowhowgoodothersaretillwewrongthem。”
“Yes，thatisverytrue。”saidMrs。Brinkley。SheknewthatAlicewasobviouslyreferringtothebreachbetweenherselfandMissAndersonfollowingthenightoftheTrevortheatricals，andthedislikeforherthatshehadshownwithafranknesssomeoftheladieshadthoughtbrutal。
Mrs。Brinkleyalsobelievedthatherwordshadatacitmeaning，andshewouldhavelikedtohavethehardnesstosayshehadseenanunnamedvictimofAlicedoinghisbesttoconsoletheothershehadspecified。
Butshemerelysaiddrily，“Yes，perhapsthat’sthereasonwhywe’reallowedtoinjurepeople。”
“Itmustbe。”saidAlicesimply。“DidMissAndersoneverspeakofme？”
“No;Ican’trememberthatsheeverdid。”Mrs。BrinkleydidnotfeelboundtosaythatsheandMissVanHookhaddiscussedheratlarge，andagreedperfectlyabouther。
“Ishouldliketoseeher;Ishouldliketowritetoher。”
Mrs。Brinkleyfeltthatsheoughtnottosufferthisintimatetendencyinthetalk:
“Youmustfindagreatmanyotheracquaintancesinthehotel，MissPasmer。”
“SomeoftheFranklandgirdsarehere，andthetwoBellinghams。Ihavehardlyspokentothemyet。Doyouthinkthatwhereyouhaveevenbeenintheright，ifyouhavebeenharsh，ifyouhavebeenhasty，ifyouhaven’tmadeallowances，yououghttooffersomeatonement？”
“Really，Ican’tsay。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withasmileofdistaste。“I’mafraidyourquestionisn’tquiteinmylineofthinking;it’smoreinMissCotton’sway。You’dbetteraskhersometime。”
“No。”saidAlicesadly;“shewouldflatterme。”
“Ah！Ialwayssupposedshewasveryconscientious。”
“She’sconscientious，butshelikesmetoowell。”
“Oh！“commentedMrs。Brinkleytoherself，“thenyouknowIdon’tlikeyou，andyou’llusemeinoneway，ifyoucan’tinanother。Verywell！“Butshefoundthegirl’strusttouchingsomehow，thoughthesentimentalityofherappealseemedastawdryasever。
“Iknewyouwouldbejust。”addedAlicewistfully。
“Oh，Idon’tknowaboutatonements！“saidMrs。Brinkley，withaneffectofcarelessness。“Itseemstomethatweusuallymakethemforourownsake。”
“Ihavethoughtofthat。”saidAlice，withalookofexpectation。
“Andweusuallyastonishotherpeoplewhenweofferthem。”
“Eithertheydon’tlikeit，orelsetheydon’tfeelsomuchinjuredaswehadsupposed。”
“0h，butthere’snoquestion——“
“IfMissAnderson——“
“MissAnderson？Oh——ohyes！“
“IfMissAndersonforexample。”pursuedMrs。Brinkley，“feltaggrievedwithyou。ButreallyI’venorighttoenterintoyouraffairs，MissPasmer。”
“OhYes，yes！——do！Iaskedyouto。”thegirlimplored。
“Idoubtifitwillhelpmattersforhertoknowthatyouregretanything;
andifsheshouldn’thappentohavethoughtthatyouwereunjusttoher，itwouldmakeheruncomfortablefornothing。”
“Doyouthinkso？”askedthegirl，withadisappointmentthatbetrayeditselfinhervoiceandeyes。
“IneverfeelImyselfcompetenttoadvise。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Icancriticise——anybodycan——andIdo，prettyfreely;butadviceisamoreseriousmatter。Eachofusmustactfromherself——fromwhatshethinksisright。”
“Yes，Isee。Thankyousomuch，Mrs。Brinkley。”
“Afterall，wehavearighttodoourselvesgood，evenwhenwepretendthatit’sgoodtoothers，ifwedon’tdothemanyharm。”
“Yes，Isee。”Alicelookedaway，andthenseemedabouttospeakagain;
butoneofMrs。Brinkley’sacquaintancecameup，andthegirlrosewithafrightenedairandwentaway。
“Alice’stalkwithyouthismorningdidhersomuchgood！“saidMrs。
Pasmer，later。“ShehasalwaysfeltsobadlyaboutMissAnderson！“
Mrs。BrinkleysawthatMrs。PasmerwishedtoconfinethemeaningoftheirtalktoMissAnderson，andsheassented，withapenetrationofwhichshesawthatMrs。Pasmerwasgratefullyaware。
ShegrewmoretolerantofboththePasmersasthedangerofgreaterintimacyfromthem，whichseemedtothreatenatfirstseemedtopassaway。
Shehadnotrespondedtotheiradvances，buttherewasnoreasonwhysheshouldnotbeciviltothem;therehadneverbeenanyopenquarrelwiththem。Sheoftenfoundherselfintalkwiththem，andwasamusedtonotethatshewastheonlyBostonianwhomtheydidnotkeepalooffrom。
Itcouldnotbesaidthatshecametolikeeitherofthembetter。ShestillsuspectedMrs。Pasmerofdesign，thoughshedevelopednonebeyondmanoeuvringAliceoutofthewayofpeoplewhomshewishedtoavoid;andshestillfoundthegirl，asshealwaysthoughther，asegotist，whosebestimpulsestowardothershadafinalaiminherself。Shethoughtherverycrudeinherideas——cruderthanshehadseemedatCampobello，whereshehadperhapsbeensoftenedbyheraffinitionwiththegentlerandkindliernatureofDanMavering。Mrs。Brinkleywasnevertiredofsayingthathehadmadethemostfortunateescapeintheworld，andthoughBrinkleyownedhewastiredofhearingit，shecontinuedtosayitwithagreatvarietyofspeculation。SherecognisedthatinmostgirlsofAlice’sagemanytraitsareinsolution，waitingtheirprecipitationintocharacterbythechemicalcontactwhichtimeandchancesmustbring，andthatitwasnotfairtojudgeherbythepresentfermentofhereditarytendencies;butsherejoicedallthesamethatitwasnotDanMavering’scharacterwhichwastogivefixitytohers。Themoreshesawofthegirlthemoreshewasconvincedthattwosuchpeoplecouldonlymakeeachotherunhappy;fromdaytoday，almostfromhourtohour，sheresolvedtowritetoMaveringandtellhimnottocome。
ShewassurethatthePasmerswishedtohavetheaffaironagain，andpartofherfascinationwithagirlwhomsheneitherlikednorapprovedwasherbeliefthatAlice’shealthhadbrokenunderthestrainofherregretsandherdespair。Shedidnotgetbetterfromthechangeofair;shegrewmorelistlessandlanguid，andmoredependentuponMrs。Brinkley’scharysympathy。Theolderwomanaskedherselfagainandagainwhatmadethegirlclingtoher？WasshegoingtoaskherfinallytointercedewithDan？orwasitreallyadespairingatonementtohim，themostdisagreeablesacrificeshecouldoffer，asMr。Brinkleyhadstupidlysuggested？ShebelievedthatAlice’sselfishnessandmorbidsentimentwereequaltoeither。
Brinkleygenerallytookthegirl’spartagainsthiswife，andinaheavyjocosewaytriedtocheerherup。Hedidlittlethingsforher;fetchedandcarriedchairsandcushionsandrugs，andgavehisattentionstheairofpleasantries。Oneofhisofficeswastogettheladies’lettersforthemintheevening，andonenighthecameinbeamingwithaletterforeachofthemwheretheysattogetherintheparlour。Hedistributedthemintotheirlaps。
“Hello！I’vemadeamistake。”hesaid，puttingdownhisheadtotakebacktheletterhehaddroppedinMissPasmer’slap。“I’vegivenyoumywife’sletter。”
Thegirlglancedatit，gaveamoaningkindofcry，andfellbeakinherchair，hidingherfaceinherhands。
Mrs。Brinkley，possessedherselfoftheotherletter，and，thoughpasttheagewhenladieswishtokilltheirhusbandsfortheirstupidity，shegaveBrinkleyalookofmassacrewhichmystifiedevenmorethanitmurderedhisinnocence。Hehadtolearnlaterfromhiswife’smoreelicitfurywhatthewomenhadallknowninstantly。
HeshowedhisusefulnessingatheringAliceupandgettinghertohermother’sroom。”
“Oh，Mrs。Brinkley。”imploredMrs。Pasmer，followinghertothedoor，“isMr。Maveringcominghere？”
“Idon’tknow——Ican’tsay——Ihaven’treadtheletteryet。”
“Oh，doletmeknowwhenyou’vereadit，won’tyou？Idon’tknowwhatweshalldo。”
Mrs。Brinkleyreadtheletterinherownroom。“Yougodown。”shesaidtoherhusband，withunabatedferocity;“andtelegraphDanMaveringatWormley’snottocame。Saywe’regoingawayatonce。”
ThenshesentMrs。Pasmeraslipofpaperonwhichshehadwritten，“Notcoming。”
Ithasbeentheexperienceofeveryonetohavesomealienconcerncomeintohislifeandtormenthimwithmoreanxietythananyaffairofhisovn。Thisis，perhaps，ahintfromtheinfinitesympathywhichfeelsforusallthatnoneofuscanhopetofreehimselffromthetroublesofothers，thatweareeachboundtoeachbytieswhich，forthemostpart，wecannotperceive，butwhich，atthemomenttheirstresscomes，wecannotbreak。
Mrs。Brinkleylayawakeandragedimpotentlyagainsthercomplicitywiththeunhappinessofthatdistastefulgirlandhermorethandistastefulmother。Inherrevoltagainstitsherenouncedtheinterestshehadfeltinthatsillyboy，andhisridiculouslovebusiness，soreallyunimportanttoherwhateverturnittook。Sheaskedherselfwhatitmatteredtoherwhetherthosechildrenmarredtheirlivesonewayoranotherway。TherewasaluridmomentbeforeshesleptwhenshewishedBrinkleytogodownandrecallhertelegram;butherefusedtobeafoolatsomuchinconveniencetohimself。
Mrs。BrinkleycametobreakfastfeelingsomuchmorehaggardthanshefoundeitherofthePasmerslooking，thatshewasabletothrowoffherlingeringremorseforhavingtoldMaveringnottocome。Shehadtheadvantagealsoofdoubtastoherprecisemotiveinhavingdoneso;shehadeitherdonesobecauseshehadjudgeditbestforhimnottoseeMissPasmeragain，orelseshehaddonesotorelievethegirlfromthepainofanencounterwhichhermotherevidentlydreadedforher。Ifonemotiveseemedatmomentsoutrageouslymeddlingandpresumptuous，theotherwassonoblygoodandkindthatitmorethancounterbalanceditinMrs。
Brinkley’smind，whoknewverywellinspiteofherdoubtthatshehad，actedfromamixtureofboth。Withthisconviction，itwasbothacomfortandapangtofindbytheregisterofthehotel，whichshefurtivelyconsulted，thatDanhadnotarrivedbythemorningboat，asshegroundlesslyfearedandhopedhemighthavedone。
Inanycase，however，andattheendofalltheends，shehadthatgirlonherhandsmorethanever;andbelievingasshedidthatDanandAlicehadonlytomeetinordertobereconciled，shefeltthatthegirlwhomshehadbalkedofherpreywasherinnocentvictim。Whatrighthadshetointerfere？Washenothernaturalprey？Ifhelikedbeingaprey，whowaslawfullytoforbidhim？Hewasnotperfect;hewouldknowhowtotakecareofhimselfprobably;inmarriagethingsequalisedthemselves。Shelookedatthegirl’sthincheeksandlack-lustreeyes，andpitiedandhatedherwiththatstrangemixtureoffeelingwhichourvictimsaspireinus。
ShewalkedoutontheverandahwiththePasmersafterbreakfast，andchattedawhileaboutindifferentthings;andAlicemadeanefforttoignoretheeventofthenightbeforewithapathoswhichwrungMrs。
Brinkley’sheart，andwithagayresolutionwhichoughttohavebeenagreatpleasuretosuchaveterandissemblerashermother。Shesaidshehadneverfoundtheairsodelicious;shereallybelieveditwouldbegintodohergoodnow;butitwasalittlefreshjustthere，andwithhereyessheinvitedhermothertocomewithherroundthecornerintothatshelteredrecess，andinvitedMrs。Brinkleynottocome。
Itwasthateffectofresentmentwhichislightereventhanatouch，thewaftofthearrow’sfeather;butitcouldwoundaguiltyheart，andMrs。
Brinkleysatdownwhereshewas，realisingwithapangthatthetimewhenshemighthavebeeneverythingtothisunhappygirlhadjustpassedforever，andhenceforthshecouldbenothing。Sheremainedmusingsadlyuponthecontradictionsshehadfeltinthegirl’scharacter，theconfusionofgoodandevil，thepotentialitiesofmiseryandharm，thepotentialitiesofblissandgood;andshefeltlessandlesssatisfiedwithherself。ShehadreallypresumedtointerferewithFate;perhapsshehadinterferedwithProvidence。Shewouldhavegivenanythingtorecallheract;andthenwithaflashsherealisedthatitwasquitepossibletorecallit。
ShecouldtelegraphMaveringtocome;andsherose，humblyandgratefully，asiffromanansweredprayer，togoanddoso。
Shewasnotatallayoungwoman，andmanythingshadcomeandgoneinherlifethatoughttohavefortifiedheragainstsurprise;butshewantedtoscreamlikealittlefrightenedgirlasDanMaveringsteppedoutoftheparlourdoortowardher。Thehabitofnotscreaming，however，prevailed，andshemadeatolerablysuccessfulefforttotreathimwithdecentcomposure。Shegavehimarigidhand。“Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom？Didyougetmytelegram？”
“No。Didyougetmyletter？”
“Yes。”
“Well，ItookanotiontocomerightonafterIwrote，andIstartedonthesametrainwithit。ButtheysaiditwasnousetryingtogetintotheHygeia，andIstoppedlastnightatthelittlehotelinHampton。I’vejustwalkedover，andMr。Brinkleytoldmeyouwereoutheresomewhere。
That’sthewholestory，Ibelieve。”Hegavehisnervouslaugh，butitseemedtoMrs。Brinkleythatithadnotmuchjoyinit。
“Hush！“shesaidinvoluntarily，recedingtoherchairandsinkingbackintoitagain。Helookedsurprised。“YouknowtheVanHooksaregone？”
Helaughedharshly。“Ishouldthinktheyweredeadfromyourmanner，Mrs。
Brinkley。ButIdidn’tcometoseetheVanHooks。WhatmadeyouthinkI
did？”
Hegaveheralookwhichshefoundsodishonest，soreallyinsincere，thatsheresolvedtoabandonhimtoProvidenceassoonasshecould。“Oh，I
didn’tknowbuttherehadbeensomelittleunderstandingatWashington。”
“Perhapsontheirpart。Theywerepeoplewhoseemedtotakeagoodmanythingsforgranted，buttheycouldhardlyexpecttocontrolotherpeople’smovements。”
HelookedsharplyatMrs。Brinkley，asiftoquestionhowmuchsheknew;
butshehadnowmeasuredhim，andshesaid，“Oh！thenthevisit’stome？”
“Entirely。”criedDan。Theoldsweetnesscameintohislaughingeyesagain，andwenttoMrs。Brinkley’sheart。Shewishedhimtobehappy，somehow;shewouldhavedoneanythingforhim;shewishedsheknewwhattodo。OughtshetotellhimthePasmerswerethere？Oughtshetomakeupsomeexcuseandgethimawaybeforehemetthem？Shefeltherselfgettingmoreandmorebewilderedandhelpless。ThosewomenmightcomeroundthatcorneranymomentandthensheknowthefirstsightofAlice’sfacewoulddoorundoeverythingwithDan。Didshewishthemreconciled？Didshewishthemforeverparted？Shenolongerknewwhatshewished;sheonlyknewthatshehadnorighttowishanything。ShecontinuedtotalkonwithDan，whogrewmoreandmoreatease，anddidmostofthetalking，whileMrs。Brinkley’swholebeingnarroweditselftothequestion。WouldthePasmerscomebackthatway，orwouldtheygoroundthefurthercorner，andgetintothehotelbyanotherdoor？
Thesuspenseseemedinterminable;theymusthavealreadygonethatotherway。Suddenlysheheardthepushingbackofchairsinthatrecess。Shecouldnotbearit。Shejumpedtoherfeet。
“Justwaitamoment，Mr。Mavering！I’lljoinyouagain。Mr。Brinkleyisexpecting——Imust——“……
OnemorningofthefollowingJuneMrs。BrinkleysatwellforwardinthebeautifulchurchwhereDanandAliceweretobemarried。Thelovelydaybecameastilllovelierdaywithin，enrichedbythedyesofthestainedwindowsthroughwhichitstreamed;thestillplacewasdimyetbrightwithit;thefigurespaintedonthewallshadasoftdistinctness;abodyoflightseemedtoirradiatefromthedepthsofthedomelikelamp-light。
Therewasasubduedmurmurofvoicesamongthepeopleinthepews:theywereinasacrededificewithoutbeingexactlyatchurch，andtheymighttalk;nowandthenamuffled，nervouslaughescaped。Adelicatescentofflowersfromthemassesinthechancelmixedwiththelightandtheprevailingsilence。Therewasasoft，continuousrustleofdraperyastheladiesadvancedupthethicklycarpetedaislesonthearmsoftheyoungushersandcompressedthemselvesintoplaceinthepews。
TwoorthreepeoplewhomshedidnotknowwereputintothepewwithMrs。
Brinkley，butshekeptherseatnexttheaisle;presentlyanusherbroughtupaladywhosatdownbesideher，andthenforamomentortwoseemedtosinkandrise，asifonthespringsofanintenseexcitement。
ItwasMissCotton，who，whilethisprocessofquiescinglasted，appearednottoknowMrs。Brinkley。Whenshebecameawareofher，allwaslostagain。“Mrs。Brinkley！“shecried，aswellasonecancryinwhisper。
“Isitpossible？”
“Ihavemydoubts。”Mrs。Brinkleywhisperedback。“Butwe’llsupposethecase。”
“Oh，it’salltoogoodtohetrue！HowIenvyyoubeingthemeansofbringingthemtogether，Mrs。Brinkley！“
“Means？”
“Yes——theyoweitalltoyou;youneedn’ttrytodenyit;he’stoldeveryone！“
“Iwassureshehadn’t。”saidMrs。Brinkley，rememberinghowAlicehadmarkedanincreasingignoranceofanypartshemighthavehadintheaffairfromthefirstmomentofherreconciliationwithDan;shehadtheeffectoffeelingthatshehadsacrificedenoughtoMrs。Brinkley;andMrs。Brinkleyhadbeenrestoredtoalltheoriginalstrengthofherconvictionthatshewasasolemnlittleunconsciousegotist，andDanwasasunselfishandgoodashewasunequaltoherexactions。
“Ohno？”saidMissCotton。“Shecouldn’t！“implyingthatAlicewouldbetoodelicatetospeakofit。
“Doyouseeanyofhisfamilyhere？”askedMrs。Brinkley。
“Yes;overthere——upfront。”MissCottonmotioned，withhereyestowardapewinwhichMrs。Brinkleydistinguishedanelderlygentleman’sdown-
mistedbaldheadandthebackofayounglady’sbonnet。“Hisfatherandsister;theother’sabridemaid;motherbed-riddenandcouldn’tcome。”
“Theymighthavebroughtherinan-arm-chair。”suggestedMrs。Brinkleyironically，“onsuchanoccasion。Butperhapstheydon’ttakemuchinterestinsuchapatched-upaffair。”
“Ohyes，theydo！“exclaimedMissCotton。“TheyidoliseAlice。”
“AndMrs。PasmerandMister，too？”
“Idon’tsupposethatsomuchmatters。”
“Theyknowhowtoacquiesce，I’venodoubt。”
“Ohyes！You’veheard？Theyoungpeoplearegoingabroadfirstwithherfamilyforayear，andthentheycomebacktolivewithhis——wheretheWorksare。”
“Poorfellow！“saidMrs。Brinkley。
“Why，Mrs。Brinkley，doyoustillfeelthatway？”askedMissCotton，withacertaindistress。Itseemstomethatifevertwoyoungpeoplehadthepromiseofhappiness，theyhave。Justseewhattheirlovehasdoneforthemalready！“
“Andyoustillthinkthatinthesecaseslovecandoeverything？”
MissCottonwasabouttoreply，whensheobservedthatthepeopleaboutherhadstoppedtalking。Thebridegroom，withhisbestman，inwhomhisfewacquaintancesthererecognisedBoardmanwithsomesurprise，cameoverthechancelfromoneside。
MissCottonbentclosetoMrs。Brinkleyandwhisperedrapidly:“AlicefoundoutMr。Maveringwishedit，andinsistedonhishavinghim。Itwasagreatconcession，butshe’sperfectlymagnanimous。Poorfellow！howhedoeslook！“
Alice，onherfather’sarm，withherbridemaids，ofwhomthefirstwasMinnieMavering，mountedthechancelsteps，whereMr。Pasmerremainedstandingtillheadvancedtogiveawaythebride。Hebehavedwithgreatdignity，butseemeddeeplyaffected;theladiesinthefrontpewssaidtheycouldseehisfacetwitch;butheneverlookedhandsomer。
Thefiveclergymencarnefromthebackofthechancelintheirwhitesurplices。Theceremonyproceededtotheend。
Theyoungcoupledroveatoncetothestation，wheretheyweretotakethetrainforNewYork，andwaitthereadayortwoforMrs。andMr。Pasmerbeforetheyallsailed。
Astheydrovealong，AliceheldDan’swristinthecoldclutchofhertremblinglittleunglovedhand，onwhichherweddingringshone。“O
dearest！letusbegood！“shesaid。“Iwilltrymybest。Iwilltrynottobeexactingandunreasonable，andIknowIcan。Iwon’tevenmakeanyconditions，ifyouwillalwaysbefrankandopenwithme，andtellmeeverything。”
Heleanedoverandkissedherbehindthedrawncurtains。“Iwill，Alice！
Iwillindeed！Iwon’tkeepanythingfromyouafterthis。”
HeresolvedtotellherallaboutJuliaAndersonattherightmoment，whenAlicewasinthemood，andassoonashethoroughlyunderstoodwhathehadreallymeanthimself。
Ifhehadbeendifferentshewouldnothaveaskedhimtobefrankandopen;ifshehadbeendifferent，hemighthavebeenfrankandopen。Thiswasthebeginningoftheirmarriedlife。
End
