CHAPTERI：STUARTHARLEY：REALIST
\"——ifawordcouldsaveme，andthatwordwerenottheTruth，nay，ifitdidbutswerveahair’s—breadthfromtheTruth，Iwouldnotsayit!\"——LONGFELLOW。
StuartHarley，despitehisauthorshipofmanynovels，stillconsideredhimselfarealist。Heaffectedtosaythathedidnotwritehisbooks；thathemerelytranscribedthemfromlifeashesawit，andheinsistedalwaysthathesawlifeasitwas。
\"Themissionofthenovelist，mydearProfessor，\"hehadoncebeenheardtosayathisclub，\"isnottoamusemerely；hisworkisthatofanhistorian，andheshouldbequiteascarefultowritetruthfullyasisthehistorian。Howisthefuturetoknowwhatmannerofliveswenineteenthcenturypeoplehavelivedunlessournoveliststellthetruth？\"
\"Possiblythehistorianswilltellthem，\"observedtheProfessorofMathematics。\"Historianssometimesdotellusinterestingthings。\"
\"True，\"saidHarley。\"Verytrue；butthenwhathistorianeverletyouintothesecretoftheevery—daylifeofthepeopleofwhomhewrites？WhathistorianeversovitalizedLouistheFourteenthasDumashasvitalizedhim？Truly，inreadingmerehistoryIhaveseemedtobereadingoflayfigures，notofmen；butwhenthenovelisthastakenholdproperly——ah，thenwegetthemen。\"
\"Then，\"objectedtheProfessor，\"thenovelistisnevertocreateagreatcharacter？\"
\"Thehumoristorthemereromancermay，butasforthenovelistwithatrueidealofhismissioninlifehewouldbetterleavecreationtonature。ItisblasphemyforapurelymortalbeingtopretendthathecancreateamoreinterestingcharacterorsetofcharactersthantheAlmightyhasalreadyprovidedfortheuseofhimselfandhisbrothersinliterature；thathecaninvolvethesecreationsinamoredramaticseriesofeventsthanithasoccurredtoanall—wiseProvidencetoputintothelivesofHiscreatures；that，bytheexerciseofthatmisleadingfacultywhichthewriterstyleshisimagination，hecanportrayphasesoflifewhichshallproveofmoreabsorbinginterestorofgreatermoralvaluetohisreadersthanthosetobemetwithintheevery—daylifeofmanasheis。\"
\"Then，\"saidtheProfessor，withadexterousjabofhiscueatthepool—balls——\"then，inyourestimation，anauthorisathingtobeledaboutbythenosebythebeingsheselectsforuseinhisbooks？\"
\"Youputitinaratherhomelyfashion，\"returnedHarley；\"but，onthewhole，thatisaboutthesizeofit。\"
\"Andallamanneeds，then，tobeanauthorisaneyeandatype—
writingmachine？\"askedtheProfessor。
\"Andaregimentofdetectives，\"drawledDr。Kelly，theyoungsurgeon，\"tofollowhischaractersabout。\"
Harleysighed。Surelythesemenwereunsympathetic。
\"Ican’texpectyoutograsptheideaexactly，\"hesaid，\"andIcan’texplainittoyou，becauseyou’dbecomeirreverentifItried。\"
\"No，wewon’t，\"saidKelly。\"Goonandexplainittous——I’mbored，andwanttobeamused。\"
SoHarleywentonandtriedtoexplainhowthetruerealistmustbeaninspiredsortofperson，whocanriseabovepurelyphysicallimitations；whoseeyeshallbeabletopiercethemostimpenetrableofveils；towhomnothinginthewayofobtaininginformationastothedoingsofsuchspecimensofmankindashehasselectedforhispagesisaninsurmountableobstacle。
\"Yourauthor，then，istobeamixtureofaNewYorknewspaperreporterandtheRecordingAngel？\"suggestedKelly。
\"Itoldyouyou’dbecomeirreverent，\"saidHarley；\"nevertheless，eveninyourirreverence，youhaveexpressedtheidea。Thewritermustbeomniscientasfarasthecharactersofhisstoriesareconcerned——hemusthaveaneyewhichshallseeallthattheydo，amindsufficientlyanalyticaltodiscernwhattheirmotivesare，andthecouragetoputitalldowntruthfully，neitheraddingnorsubtracting，coloringonlywherecolorisneededtomakethemorallessonheistryingtoteachstandoutthemorevividly。\"
\"Inshort，you’dhavehimbecomeaphotographer，\"saidtheProfessor。
\"Moretrulyasoulscape—painter，\"retortedHarley，withenthusiasm。
\"Heavens!\"criedtheDoctor，droppinghiscuewithaloudclattertothefloor。\"Soulscape!Here’samantalkingaboutnotcreating，andthenthrowsoutaninventionlikesoulscape!Harley，yououghttowriteadictionary。Withawordlikesoulscapetostartwith，itwouldsweeptheearth!\"
Harleylaughed。Hewasagood—naturedman，andhewasstrongenoughinhisconvictionsnottoweakenforthemerereasonthatsomebodyelsehadridiculedthem。Infact，everybodyelsemighthaveridiculedthem，andHarleywouldstillhavestoodtrue，oncehewasconvincedthathewasright。
\"Yougoonsawingpeople’slegsoff，Billy，\"hesaid，good—naturedly。
\"That’sathingyouknowabout；andasfortheProfessor，hecangoonshowingyouandtherestofmankindjustwhytheshortestdistancebetweentwopointsisinastraightline。I’lltakeyourcollectiveandseparatewordsforanythingonthesubjectofsurgeryormathematics，butwhenitcomestomyworkIwouldn’tbankonyourtheoriesiftheywereendorsedbytheRothschilds。\"
\"He’llneverwriteadecentbookinhislifeifheclingstothattheory，\"saidKelly，afterHarleyhaddeparted。\"There’spreciouslittleinthewayofthedramaticnowadaysinthelivesofpeopleonecarestoreadabout。\"
Nevertheless，Harleyhadwritteninterestingbooks，bookswhichhadbroughthimreputation，andwhatistermedgenteelpoverty——thatistosay，hisfamewasgreat，consideringhisage，andhiscompensationwasjustlargeenoughtomakelifepainfultohim。Hisincomeenabledhimtolivewellenoughtomakeagoodappearanceamong，andsharesomewhatattheirexpenseinthelifeof，othersoffargreatermeans；butitwastoosmalltobringhimmanyofthethingswhich，whilenotabsolutelynecessities，couldnotwellbetermedluxuries，consideringhistastesandhistemperament。Alittlemorewasallheneeded。
\"IfIcouldaffordtowriteonlywhenIfeellikeit，\"hesaid，\"howhappyIshouldbe!Buttheseorders——theymakemeadriverofmen，andnottheirhistorian。\"
Infact，Harleywasinthatunfortunate，andatthesametimehappy，positionwherehehadmanyordersfortheproductofhispen，andsuchfinancialnecessitiesthathecouldnotaffordtodeclineoneofthem。
AnditwasthisverysituationwhichmadehisrebelliousheroineofwhomIhaveessayedtowritesosoreatrialtothestrugglingyoungauthor。
ItwasearlyinMay，1895，thatHarleyhadreceivedanotefromMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，thepublishers，askingforastoryfromhispenfortheirpopular\"BlueandSilverSeries。\"
\"ThesuccessofyourTiffin—Talk，\"theywrote，\"hasbeensuchthatwearepreparedtoofferyouourhighesttermsforashortstoryof30，000words，orthereabouts，tobepublishedinour’BlueandSilverSeries。’Weshouldliketohaveitalove—story，ifpossible；butwhateveritis，itmustbecharacteristic，andreadyforpublicationinNovember。WeshallneedtohavethemanuscriptbySeptember1statthelatest。IfyoucanletushavethefirstfewchaptersinAugust，wecansendthematoncetoMr。Chromely，whomitisourintentiontohaveillustratethestory，providedhecanbegottodoit。\"
Theletterclosedwithafewformalitiesofanunimportantandstereotypednature，andHarleyimmediatelycalledattheofficeofMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，where，afterlearningthattheirbesttermswerenomoreunsatisfactorythanpublishers’besttermsgenerallyare，heacceptedthecommission。
Andthen，returningtohisapartment，hewentintowhatKellycalledoneofhistrances。
\"Hegoesintooneofhistrances，\"Kellyhadsaid，\"hoistshimselfuptohislittleelevation，andpeepsintotheprivatelifeofhoipolloiuntilhestrikessomethingworthputtingdownandtheresulthecallsliterature。\"
\"Yes，andthepeoplebuyit，andreadit，andcallformore，\"saidtheProfessor。
\"Possiblybecausetheylovenotoriety，\"saidKelly，\"andtheythinkiftheycallformoreoftenenough，hewillfinallypeepinattheirkey—holesandwritethemup。IfheeverputsmeintooneofhisbooksI’llwaylayhimatnightandamputatehiswriting—hand。\"
\"Hewon’t，\"saidtheProfessor。\"Iaskedhimoncewhyhedidn’t，andhesaidyou’dneverdoinoneofhisbooks，becauseyoudon’tbelongtoreallifeatall。HethinksyouaresomenewexperimentofanenterprisingProvidence，andhedoesn’twanttouseyouuntilheseeshowyouturnout。\"
\"HecouldputmedownasIgo，\"suggestedtheDoctor。
\"That’sso，\"repliedtheother。\"Itoldhimso，buthesaidhehadnodesiretowritealotofburlesquesketchescontainingnocoherentidea。\"
\"Oh，hesaidthat，didhe？\"observedtheDoctor，withasmile。
\"Well——waittillStuartHarleycomestomeforaprescription。I’llgetevenwithhim。I’llgivehimapill，andhe’lldisappear——fortendays。\"
WhetheritwasasKellysaidornot，thatHarleywentintoatranceandpokedhisnoseintotheprivatelifeofthepeoplehewroteabout，itwasafactthatwhilemeditatinguponthepossibleoutputofhispenourauthorwasasdeaftohissurroundingsasthoughhehaddepartedintoanotherworld，anditrarelyhappenedthathismindemergedfromthatconditionwithoutbringingalongwithitsomethingofvaluetohiminhiswork。
SoitwasuponthisMaymorning。ForanhourortwoHarleylayquiescent，apparentlygazingoutofhisflatwindowovertheuninspiringchimney—potsoftheCityofNewYork，attheequallyuninspiringLongIslandstationonthefarsideoftheEastRiver。
Itwaswellforhimthathiseyewasabletosee，andyetnotsee：
forgetfulnessofthosesmokingchimney—pots，thered—zinckedroofs，theflappingunder—clothingofthepoorerthanhe，hungouttodryonthetenementtops，wasessentialtotheconstructionofsuchastoryasMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwickhadinmind；andHarleysuccessfullyforgotthem，and，comingbacktoconsciousness，broughtwithhimthedramatispersonaeofhisstory——and，takenasawhole，theywereaninterestinglot。Theherowaslikemostofthosegentlemenwholivetheirlittlelivesinthenovelsoftheday，onlyHarleyhadmodifiedhisaccomplishmentsincertaindirections。
RobertOsborne——suchwashisname——wasnotthesortofmantodoimpossiblethingsforhisheroine。Hewasnotreckless。HewasnotaD’ArtagnanliftedfromthetimeofLouistheFourteenthtothedull，prosaicdaysofPresidentFaure。HewasnotevenaFrenchman，butanessentiallyAmericanAmerican，whodesirestoknow，beforehedoesanything，whyhedoesit，andwhatarehischancesofsuccess。
Iamnotsurethatifhehadhappenedtoseeherstrugglingintheoceanhewouldhavejumpedintorescuetheyoungwomantowhomhishandwasplighted——Idonotspeakofhisheart，forIamnotHarley，andIdonotknowwhetherornotHarleyintendedthatOsborneshouldbeafflictedwithsoinconvenientanorgan——Iamnotsure，Isay，thatifhehadseenhisbest—belovedstrugglingintheoceanOsbornewouldhavejumpedintorescueherwithoutfirststoppingtoremovesuchofhisgarmentsasmightimpedehisprogressbacktolandagain。
Inshort，hewasnotoneofthoseimpetuousheroesthatwereadaboutsooftenandseesoseldom；but，takenaltogether，hewassufficientlyattractivetopleasetheAmericangirlwhomightbeexpectedtoreadHarley’sbook；forthatwasoneofthestipulationsofMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&ChadwickwhentheymadetheirverbalagreementwithHarley。
\"Makeitgowiththegirls，Harley，\"Mr。Chadwickhadsaid。\"Menhaven’ttimetoreadanythingbutthenewspapersinthiscountry。
Hitthegirls，andyourfortuneismade。\"
Harleydidn’texactlyseehowhisfortunewasgoingtobemadeonthebesttermsofMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick，evenifhehitthegirlswithalltheforceofabattering—ram，buthepromisedtokeeptheideainmind，andremainedinhistranceatriflelongerthanmightotherwisehavebeennecessary，endeavoringtoselecttheunquestionablycorrectheroforhisstory，andOsbornewastheresult。Osbornewasmoderatelywitty。Hisreparteesmackedsomewhatoftherefinedcomicpaper——thatistosay，itwassmartandcynical，andnotalwayssuitedtothepicture；butitwasn’tvulgarordull，andhispersonalappearancewascalculatedtoarousetheliveliestinterest。Hewascleanshavenandcleancut。HelookedmorelikeamodernidealofinfalliblegeniusthanByron，andhadprobablyplayedfootballandthebanjoincollege——Harleydidnotgobackthatfarwithhim——allofwhich，itmustbeadmitted，wasprettywellcalculatedtoassurethefulfilmentofHarley’spromisethatthemanshouldpleasetheAmericangirl。Ofcoursethestorywasprovidedwithavillainalso，buthewasavillainofamildtype。MildvillanywasanessentialpartofHarley’sliterarycreed，andthisparticularpersonwasnotconceivedinheresy。HisnamewastohavebeenHoraceBalderstone，andwithhimHarleyintendedtointroducealivelysatireontheemployment，bycertaincontemporarywriters，ofthesupernaturaltoproducedramaticeffects。BalderstonewasofcoursetobetherivalofOsborne。InthisrespectHarleywascommonplace；tohismindthevillainalwayshadtobetherivalofthehero，justasinoperathetenorisalwaysvirtuousatheartifnototherwise，andthebaritoneascoundrel，whichinreallifeisnotaninvariablerulebyanymeans。Indeed，therehavebeenmanyinstancesinreallifewherethevillainandtheherohavebeenonexcellentterms，andtothegreatbenefitoftheherotoo。ButinthiscaseBalderstonewastofollowintherut，andbecometherivalofOsborneforthehandofMargueriteAndrews——theheroine。
Balderstonewastowriteabook，whichforatimeshouldsofascinateMissAndrewsthatshewouldbeblindtothedesirabilityofOsborneasahusband—elect；abookfulloftheweirdandthrilling，dealingwiththeosophyandspiritualism，andallother\"Tommyrotisms，\"asHarleycalledthem，allofwhich，ofcourse，wastobethemakingandtheundoingofBalderstone；forequallyofcourse，intheend，hewouldbecomecrazedbytheuseofopium——theinevitableendofwritersofthatstamp。OsbornewouldrescueMargueritefromhisfatalinfluence，andthelastchapterwouldendwithMargueritelyingpaleandwanuponhersick—bed，recoveringfromthementalprostrationwhichtheinfluenceoverhersofamindlikeBalderstone’swassuretoproduce，holdingOsborne’shandinhers，and\"smilingasweetrecognitionatthelovertowhosevirtuesshehadsolongbeenblind。\"Osbornewouldmurmur，\"Atlast!\"andthebookwouldclosewitha\"firstkiss，\"followedcloselybysixoreightpagesofadvertisementsofotherpublicationsofMessrs。
Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick。ImentionthelattertoshowhowthoroughlyrealisticHarleywas。Hethoughtouthisbookssotrulyandsofullybeforehesatdowntowritethemthatheseemedtoseeeachwritten，printed，madeandboundbeforehim，aconcretethingfromcovertocover。
BesidesOsborneandBalderstoneandMissAndrews——ofwhomIshallatthistimenotspeakatlength，sincethebalanceofthislittlenarrativeistobedevotedtothesettingforthofherpeculiaritiesandcharms——therewereanumberofminorcharacters，notsonecessarytothestoryperhapsastheymighthavebeen，butinterestingenoughintheirway，andverywellcalculatedtoprovidethematerialneededforthefillingoutoftherequirednumberofpages。Furthermore，theycompletedthepicture。
\"Idon’twanttoputinthreevividfigures，andleavethereadertoimaginethattherestoftheworldhasbeenwipedoutofexistence，\"
saidHarley，ashetalkeditoverwithme。\"Thatisnotart。Thereshouldbethreetypesofcharacterineverybook——thepositive，theaverage，andthenegative。Inthatwayyougradeyourstoryoffintotherestoftheworld，andyourreaderfeelsthatwhilehemayneverhavemetthepositivecharacters，hehasmettheaverageorthenegative，orboth，andisthereforebyoneoftheselinksconnectedwiththeothers，andthatgiveshimapersonalinterestinthestory；
andit’sthereader’spersonalinterestthatthewriterisafter。\"
SoMissAndrewswasprovidedwithaveryconventionalaunt——thekindofwomanyoumeetwitheverywhere；mostfrequentlyinchurchsquabblesandhotelparlors，however。Mrs。Corwinwasthislady’sname，andshewastoenacttheroleofchaperontoMissAndrews。
WithMrs。Corwin，byforceofcircumstances，cameapairoftwinchildren，likethoseintheHeavenlyTwins，onlymorereal，andnotsoSarahGrandioseintheirmannersandwit。
ThesepersonsHarleybookedforthesteamshipNewYork，sailingfromNewYorkCityforSouthamptononthethirddayofJuly，1895。Theactionwastoopenatthattime，andMargueriteAndrewswastomeetHoraceBalderstoneonthatvesselontheeveningoftheseconddayout，withwhichincidenttheinterestofHarley’sstorywastobegin。
ButHarleyhadcountedwithouthisheroine。Therestofhiscastweresafelystowedawayonship—boardandreadyforactionattheappointedhour，buttheheroineMISSEDTHESTEAMERBYTHREEMINUTES，ANDITWASALLHARLEY’SOWNFAULT。
CHAPTERII：APRELIMINARYTRIAL
\"I’llnotbemadeasoftanddull—eyedfoolToshakethehead，relent，andsigh，andyield。\"
—\"MerchantofVenice。\"
TheextraordinaryfailureofMissAndrews，castforastarroleinStuartHarley’staleofLoveandVillany，toappearuponthestageselectedbytheauthorforherdebut，mustbeexplained。AsIhavealreadystatedatthecloseoftheprecedingchapter，itwasentirelyHarley’sownfault。HehadstudiedMissAndrewstoosuperficiallytograspthoroughlythemorerefinedsubtletiesofhernature，andhefoundout，atamomentwhenitwastoolatetocorrecthiserror，thatshewasnotawomantobeslightedinrespecttotheconventionalitiesofpolitelife，howevertriflingtoamanofHarley’sstampthesemightseemtobe。Shewasasticklerforform；
andwhenshewassummonedtogoonboardofanoceansteamshiptheretotakepartinaromanceforthemereaggrandizementofayoungauthor，sheintendedthatheshouldnotignoretheproprieties，evenifinasensetheproprietiestowhichshereferreddidantedatetheperiodatwhichhisstorywastoopen。Shewaswillingtoappear，butitseemedtoherthatStuartHarleyoughttoseetoitthatshewasescortedtothesceneofactionwiththeceremonyduetooneofherposition。
\"Whatdoeshetakemefor？\"sheaskedofMrs。Corwin，indignantly，ontheeveofherdeparture。\"AmIameremarionette，toobeyhisslightestbehest，andatamoment’snotice？AmItodancewhenStuartHarleypullsthestring？\"
\"Notatall，mydearMarguerite，\"saidMrs。Corwin，soothingly。\"Ifhethoughtthat，hewouldnothaveselectedyouforhisstory。I
thinkyououghttofeelhighlycomplimentedthatMr。Harleyshouldchooseyouforoneofhisbooks，andforsuchaconspicuouspart，too。Lookatme；doIcomplain？AmIholdingoutfortheproprieties？Andyetwhatismysituation？I’msimplydraggedinbythehair；andmypoorchildren，insteadofhavinganice，noisyFourthofJulyatthesea—shore，mustneedsbeputuponagreatfloatingcaravansary，tosufferseasicknessandtheotherdiscomfortsofoceantravel，soastointroducealittlejuvenilefunintothisgreatworkofMr。Harley’s——andyetIbowmyheadmeeklyandgo。
Why？BecauseIfeelthat，inconspicuousthoughIshallbe，neverthelessIamhighlyhonoredthatMr。Harleyshouldselectmefromamongmanyfortheusesofhisgiftedpen。\"
\"Youareprepared，then，\"retortedMarguerite，\"toplaceyourselfunreservedlyinMr。Harley’shands？Shallyouflirtwiththecaptainifhethinksyourdoingsowilladdtothehumorousordramaticinterestofhisstory？Willyoupermityourchildrentomakeimpertinentremarkstoeveryoneaboardship；topickupsailors’
slanganduseitatthedining—table——inshort，tomakethemselvesobnoxiouslycleveratalltimes，inorderthatMr。Harley’scriticsmaysaythathisbookfairlyscintillateswithwit，andgivesgratifyingevidencethat’therisingyoungauthor’hasmadeadeepandcarefulanalysisofthejuvenileheart？\"
\"Mr。Harleyistoomuchofagentleman，Marguerite，toplacemeandmychildreninafalseorridiculouslight，\"returnedMrs。Corwin，severely。\"Andevenifhewerenotagentleman，heistootruearealisttomakemedoanythingwhichinthenatureofthingsIshouldnotdo——whichdisposesofyourentirelyuncalled—forremarkaboutthecaptainandmyself。Asforthechildren，Tommiewouldnotrepeatsailors’lingoatthetableunderanycircumstances，andJenniewillnotmakeherselfobnoxiouslycleveratanytime，becauseshehasbeenbroughtuptoocarefullytofailtorespectherelders。BothsheandTommieunderstandthemselvesthoroughly；andwhenMr。Harleyunderstandsthem，whichhecannotfailtodoafterashortacquaintance，hewilldrawthemastheyare；andifprevioustohiscompleteunderstandingoftheirpeculiaritiesheintroducesintohisstorysomethingforeigntotheirnaturesandobnoxioustome，theirmother，Ihavenodoubthewillcorrecthiserrorwhenhecomestoreadtheproofsofhisstoryandseeshismistake。\"
\"YouhavegreatconfidenceinStuartHarley，\"retortedMissAndrews，gazingoutofthewindowwithapensivecastofcountenance。
\"Haven’tyou？\"askedMrs。Corwin，quickly。
\"Asaman，yes，\"returnedMarguerite。\"Asanauthor，however，I
thinkheisopentocriticism。Heisnotalwaystruetothereal。
LookatLordBarncastle，inhisstudyofEnglishmanners!
Barncastle，ashedrewhim，wasnothingbutaNewYorksocietymanwithatitle，livinginEngland。Thatistosay，hetalkedlikeanAmerican，thoughtlikeone——therewasnopointofdifferencebetweenthem。\"
\"Andwhyshouldtherebe？\"askedMrs。Corwin。\"IfaNewYorksocietymanisgenerallyaweakimitationofanEnglishpeer——andnoonehaseverdeniedthatsuchisthecase——whyshouldn’tanEnglishpeerberepresentedasasortofintensifiedNewYorksocietyman？\"
\"Besides，\"saidMissAndrews，ignoringMrs。Corwin’spoint，\"Idon’tcaretobepresentedtooreallytothereadingpublic，especiallyonboardaship。Ineveryetknewawomanwholookedwelltheseconddayout，andifIweretobepresentedasIalwaysamtheseconddayout，Ishoulddieofmortification。Myhairgoesoutofcurl，myfaceisthecolorofanunripepeach，andifIdogoupondeckitisbecauseIamsothoroughlymiserablethatIdonotcarewhoseesmeorwhattheworldthinksofme。IthinkitisveryinconsiderateofMr。Harleytoopenhisstoryonanoceansteamer；and，whatismore，Idon’tliketheAmericanline。ToomanyAmericansofthebrass—bandtypetravelonit。StuartHarleysaidsohimselfinhislastbookofforeigntravel；buthesendsmeoutonitjustthesame，andexpectsmetobesatisfied。PerhapshethinksIlikethatsortofAmerican。
Ifhedoes，he’sgotmoreimaginationthanheevershowedinhisbooks。\"
\"Youmustgettotheothersideinsomeway，\"saidMrs。Corwin。\"ItisatVenicethatthetroublewithBalderstoneistocome，andthatOsbornetoppleshimoverintotheGrandCanal，andrescuesyoufromhisbalefulinfluence。\"
\"Humph!\"saidMarguerite，withascornfulshrugofhershoulders。
\"RobertOsborne!Alikelysortofpersontorescuemefromanything!
Hewouldn’thavenerveenoughtorescuemefromagrasshopperifhewerearmedtotheteeth。Furthermore，IshallnotgotoVeniceinAugust。It’sbadenoughinApril——dampandhot——thehomeofmalaria—
—anasylumforartistictemperaments；andinsecty。No，mydearaunt，evenifIoverlookeverythingelsetopleaseMr。Harley，he’llhavetomodifytheVenetianpartofthatstory，forIamdeterminedthatnopenofhisshallforcemeintoItalyatthisseason。Iwouldn’tgotheretopleaseShakespeare，muchlessStuartHarley。LettheaffaircomeoffatInterlaken，ifitistocomeoffatall，whichI
doubt。\"
\"ThereisnoGrandCanalatInterlaken，\"saidMrs。Corwin，sagely；
forshehadbeenanomnivorousreaderofBaedekersinceshehadlearnedthepartshewastoplayinHarley’sbook，andwasthereforewellupingeography。
\"No；butthere’stheJungfrau。OsbornecanpushBalderstonedownthesideofanAlpandkillhim，\"returnedMissAndrews，viciously。
\"Why，Marguerite!Howcanyoutalkso？Mr。Harleydoesn’twishtohaveBalderstonekilled，\"criedMrs。Corwin，aghast。\"IfOsbornekilledBalderstonehe’dbeamurderer，andthey’dexecutehim。\"
\"WhichisexactlywhatIwant，\"saidMissAndrews，firmly。\"Ifhelives，itpleasestheomnipotentMr。HarleythatIshallmarryhim，andIpositively——Well，justyouwaitandsee。\"
Therewassilenceforsomeminutes。
\"ThenIsupposeyouwilldeclinetogoabroadaltogether？\"askedMrs。
Corwinafterawhile；\"andMr。Harleywillbeforcedtogetsomeoneelse；andI——Ishallbedeprivedofapleasanttour——becauseI’monlytobeoneofthepartybecauseI’myouraunt。\"
Mrs。Corwin’slipquiveredalittleasshespoke。Shehadanticipatedmuchpleasurefromhertrip。
\"No，Ishallnotdeclinetogo，\"MissAndrewsreplied。\"Iexpecttogo，butitisentirelyonyouraccount。Imustsay，however，thatStuartHarleywillfindout，tohissorrow，thatIamnotadoll，tobeworkedwithastring。IshallgivehimascareattheoutsetwhichwillshowhimthatIknowtherightsofaheroine，andthathemustrespectthem。Forinstance，hecannotignoremycomfort。Doyousupposethatbecausehisstoryistoopenwithmybeautifulselfonboardthatship，I’mtobetherewithouthismakinganyefforttogetmethere？NotI!YouandthechildrenandOsborneandBalderstonemaygodownanywayyouplease。Youmaygoontheelevatedrailroadoronfoot。Youmaygoonthehorse—cars，oryoumaygoontheluggage—van。Itisimmaterialtomewhatyoudo；butwhenitcomestomyself，StuartHarleymustprovideacarriage，orI
misstheboat。Idon’twishtoinvolveyouinthis。Youwanttogo，andarewillingtogoinhisway，whichsimplymeansturningupattherightmoment，withnotroubletohim。Fromyourpointofviewitisallright。Youareanxioustogoabroad，andaregratefultoMr。
Harleyforlettingyougo。Forme，however，hemustdodifferently。
IhavenoparticulardesiretoleaveAmerica，andifIgoatallitisasafavortohim，andhemustactaccordingly。Itisacaseofcarriageornoheroine。IfI’mleftbehind，youandtherestcangoalongwithoutme。Ishalldoverywell，anditwillbeMr。Harley’sownfault。Itmayhurthisstorysomewhat，butthatisnoconcernofmine。\"
\"Isupposethereasonwhyhedoesn’tsendacarriageisthatthatpartofyourlifedoesn’tappearinhisstory，\"explainedMrs。
Corwin。
\"Thatdoesn’taffectthepointthatheoughttosendone，\"saidMarguerite。\"Heneedn’twriteuptheepisodeoftheridetothepierunlesshewantsto，butthefactremainsthatit’shisdutytoseemesafelyonboardfrommyhome，andthatheshalldo，orIfailhimatthemomentheneedsme。Ifheisselfishenoughtooverlookthematter，hemustsuffertheconsequences。\"
Allofwhich，Ithink，wasveryreasonable。Noheroinelikestofeelthatsheiscalledintobeingmerelytoprovidecopyforthepersonwhoisnarratingherstory；andtobeimpressedwiththeideathatthemomentsheisoffthestageshemustshiftentirelyforherselfistoohumiliatingtobecompatiblewithtrueheroism。
NowitsohappenedthatinhismeditationsuponthatopeningchapterthesceneofwhichwastobeplacedonboardoftheNewYork，StuartrealizedthathisstoryofMissAndrews’scharacterhadindeedbeentoosuperficial。Hefoundthatoutatthemomenthesatdowntodescribeherarrivalatthepier，asitwouldbeinalllikelihood。
Whatwouldshesaythemomentshe——themomentshewhat？——themomentshe\"emergedfromtheperilousstreamofvehicleswhichcrowdWestStreetfrommorninguntilnight，\"orthemoment\"shesteppedoutofthecabasitdrewupatthefootofthegangway\"？Thatwasthepoint。Howwouldshearrive——onfootorinacab？Whichwaywouldshecome，andatwhattimemustshestartfromhome？Shouldshecomealone，orshouldMrs。Corwinandthetwinscomewithher？——orwouldawomanofherstampnotbelikelytohaveanintimatefriendtoaccompanyhertothesteamer？Stuartwasarapidthinker，andasheponderedovertheseproblemsitdidnottakehimlongtoreachtheconclusionthatacabwasnecessaryforMissAndrews；andthatMrs。
Corwinandthetwins，withOsborneandBalderstone，mightgetaboardintheirownway。HealsodecidedthatitwouldbeanexcellentplantohaveMarguerite’soldschoolfriendMrs。Willardaccompanyhertothesteamer。ByanequallyrapidbitofthoughtheconcludedthatifthecabstartedfromtheAndrewsapartmentatFifty—ninthStreetandCentralParkat9。30A。M。，thetriptothepiercouldeasilybemadeinanhour，whichwouldbeinampletime，sincethesailinghouroftheNewYorkwaseleven。UnfortunatelyHarley，inhishurry，forgottwoorthreeincidentsofdeparturesgenerally，especiallydeparturesofwomen，whichheshouldnothaveoverlooked。Itwascarelessofhimtoforgetthatawomanabouttotravelabroadwantstomakeherselfasstunningasshepossiblycanonthedayofdeparture，sothattheimpressionshewillmakeatthestartshallbestrongenoughtocarryherthroughthedowdystagewhichcomes，asMargueritehadintimated，onthesecondandthirddaysatsea；andtoexpectawomanlikeMargueriteAndrews，whoreallyhadnoresponsibilitiestocallherupatanearlyhour，tobereadyat9。30sharp，wasafatalerror，unlessheprovidedhiscabwithanunusuallyfasthorse，orapairofhorses，bothofwhichHarleyneglectedtodo。MissAndrewswastwentyminuteslateatstartingthefirsttime，andjustahalf—
hourbehindscheduletimewhen，havingrushedbacktoherroomsforhergloves，whichintheexcitementofthemomentshehadforgotten，shestartedfinallyfortheship。Eventhenallwouldhavebeenwellhadtheunfortunateauthornotoverlookedoneothervitalpoint。
InsteadofsendingthecabstraightdownFifthAvenue，toBroadway，toBarclayStreet，hesentitdownSixth，andthencethroughGreenwichVillage，emergingatWestStreetatitsjunctionwithChristopher，andthentheinevitablehappened。
THECABWASBLOCKED!
\"Ihadnoideaitwassofar，\"saidMarguerite，lookingoutofthecabwindowatthecrowdedanddirtythoroughfare。
\"It’sagoodmilefartheryet，\"repliedMrs。Willard。\"Ishallhavejustthatmuchmoreofyoursociety。\"
\"Itlookstome，\"saidMarguerite，withashortlaugh，asthecabcamesuddenlytoahalt—\"itlookstomeasifyouwerelikelytohavemorethanthatofit；forweareinanapparentlyinextricable，immovablemixtureoftrucks，horse—cars，andincompetentpolicemen，andnothingshortofamiraclewillgetusamilefartheralongintwentyminutes。\"
\"Idobelieveyouareright，\"saidMrs。Willard，lookingatherwatchanxiously。\"Whatwillyoudoifyoumissthesteamer？\"
\"Escapeahorridfate，\"laughedMarguerite，gayly。
\"PoorMr。Harley——why，itwillupsethiswholestory，\"saidMrs。
Willard。
\"Andsavehisreputation，\"saidMarguerite。\"Itwouldn’thavebeenreal，thatstory，\"sheadded。\"Inthefirstplace，Balderstonecouldn’twriteastorythatwouldfascinateme；hecouldneveracquireabalefulinfluenceoverme；and，finally，InevershouldmarryRobertOsborneunderanycircumstances。He’snotatallthestyleofmanIadmire。I’mwillingtogoalongandletMr。Harleytrytoworkitouthisway，buthewillgiveitupasabadideabeforelong——ifIcatchthesteamer；andifIdon’t，thenhe’llhavetomodifythestory。Thatmodified，I’mwillingtobehisheroine。\"
\"Butyourauntandthetwins——theymustbeaboardbythistime。Theywillbeworriedtodeathaboutyou，\"suggestedMrs。Willard。
\"Forafewmoments——butAuntEmmawantedtogo，andsheandtherestofthemwillhaveagoodtime，I’venodoubt，\"repliedMissAndrews，calmly；andhereStuartHarley’sheroineactuallychuckled。\"AndmaybeMr。HarleycanmakeamatchbetweenAuntEmmaandOsborne，whichwillsuitthepublishersandpleasetheAmericangirl，\"shesaid，gleefully。\"Ialmosthopewedomissit。\"
Andmissittheydid，asIhavealreadytoldyou，bythreeminutes。
Asthecabenteredthebroadpier，thegreatsteamermovedslowlybutsurelyoutintothestream，andMrs。WillardandMr。Harley’sheroinewerejustintimetoseeMrs。Corwinwildlywavingherparasolatthecaptainonthebridge，beseechinghiminagonizedtonestogobackjustforamoment，whiletwoseparateanddistincttwins，onemaleandonefemale，peeredovertherail，weepingbitterly。Incidentallymentionmaybemadeoftwoyoungmen，BalderstoneandOsborne，whosatchattinggaylytogetherinthesmoking—room。
\"Well，Osborne，\"saidone，lightinghiscigar，\"shedidn’tarrive。\"
\"No，\"smiledtheother。\"Factis，Balderstone，I’mgladofit。
She’stoosnippyforme，andI’mafraidIshouldhavequarrelledwithyouaboutherinahalf—hearted，unconvincingmanner。\"
\"I’mafraidI’dhavebeenthesame，\"rejoinedBalderstone；\"for，betweenus，there’saprettylittlebrunettefromChicagoupondeck，andMargueriteAndrewswouldhavegotlittleattentionfrommewhileshewasabout，unlessHarleyviolentlyoutragedmyfeelingsandhisownconvictions。\"
AndsotheNewYorksailedouttosea，andMargueriteAndrewswatchedherfromthepieruntilshehadfadedfromview。
AsforStuartHarley，theauthor，hesatinhisstudy，wringinghishandsandcursinghiscarelessness。
\"I’llhavetomodifythewholestorynow，\"hesaid，impatiently，\"sinceitisoutofmypowertobringtheNewYorkbackintoport，withmyhero，villain，chaperon，andtwins；butwheneverorwhereverthenewstorymaybelaid，MargueriteAndrewsshallbetheheroine——
sheinterestsme。MeantimeletMrs。Willardchaperonher。\"
Andclosinghismanuscriptbookwithabang，Harleylitacigarette，putonhishat，andwenttotheclub。
CHAPTERIII：THERECONSTRUCTIONBEGINS
\"Thengentlyscanyourbrotherman，Stillgentlersisterwoman；
Tho’theymaygangakenninwrang，Tostepasideishuman。\"——BURNS。
When，afewdayslater，Harleycametothereconstructionofhisstory，hebegantoappreciatethefactthatwhathadseemedatfirsttobehismisfortunewas，onthewhole，amatterforcongratulation；
andashethoughtoverthepeoplehehadsenttosea，hecametorejoicethatMargueritewasnotoneoftheparty。
\"Osbornewasn’thersort，afterall，\"hemusedtohimselfthatnightoverhiscoffee。\"Hehadn’tmuchmind。I’mafraidIbankedtoomuchonhisgoodlooks，andtoolittleuponwhatImightcallherindependence；forofalltheheroinesIeverhad，sheisthemostsufficientuntoherself。HadshegonealongI’mhalfafraidI
couldn’thavegotridofBalderstonesoeasilyeither，forhe’sadetermineddevilasIseehim；andhisintellectualqualitiesweresovastlysuperiortothoseofOsbornethatbymerecontrasttheywouldmostcertainlyhaveappealedtoherstrongly。Thebalefulinfluencemighthaveaffectedherseriously，andOsbornewasneverthemantoovercomeit，andstrictrealismwouldhaveforcedherintoanundesirablemarriage。Yes，I’mgladitturnedoutthewayitdid；
she’stoogoodforeitherofthem。Icouldn’thavedonethetaleasIintendedwithoutacertainamountofcompulsion，whichwouldneverhaveworkedoutwell。She’dhavebeenmiserablewithOsborneforahusbandanyhow，evenifhedidsucceedinoutwittingBalderstone。\"
ThenHarleywentintoatranceforamoment。Fromthisheemergedalmostimmediatelywithalaugh。Thetravellersontheseahadcometohismind。
\"PoorMrs。Corwin，\"hesaid，\"she’sawfullyupset。Ishallhavetogivehersomediversion。Let’ssee，whatshallitbe？She’sawidow，youngandfascinating。H’m——notabadfoundationforaromance。Theremustbeamanontheshipwho’dlikeher；but，hangitall!therearethosetwins。Notmuchromanceforherwiththosetwinsalong，unlesstheman’safool；andshe’stoofineawomanforafool。Mendon’tfallinlovewithwholefamiliesthatway。NowiftheyhadonlybeenleftonthepierwithMissAndrews，itwouldhaveworkedupwell。Mrs。Corwincouldhavefascinatedsomefellow—
traveller，wonhisheart，acceptedhimatSouthampton，andtoldhimaboutthetwinsafterwards。Asatestofhisaffectionthatwouldbeastrongsituation；butwiththetwinsalong，makingtheremarkstheyarelikelytomake，andallthat——no，thereisnohopeforMrs。
Corwin，exceptinajuvenilestory——somethinglike’TwoTwinsinaBoat，nottoMentiontheWidow，’orsomethingofthatsort。Poorwoman!I’llletherrestinpeace，forthepresent。She’llenjoyhertrip，anyhow；andasforOsborneandBalderstone，I’llletthemfightitoutforthatdark—eyedlittlewomanfromChicagoIsawonboard，andwhenthebestmanwinsI’llputthewholethingintoashortstory。\"
ThenbegananewquestforcharacterstogowithMargueriteAndrews。
\"Shemusthaveachaperon，tobeginwith，\"thoughtHarley。\"Thatisindispensable。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwickregardthemselvesasconservatorsofpublicmorals，intheir’BlueandSilverSeries，’soagirlunmarriedandwithoutachaperonwouldneverdoforthisbook。
Iftheyweretopublishitintheir’YellowPrismSeries’Icouldflingallsuchconsiderationstothewinds，fortheretheycatertostrongerpalates，palatescultivatedbyFrenchliterarycooks，andmoralsneednotbeconsidered，providedthestoryiswelltoldandlikelytosell；butthisisfortheotherseries，andachaperonisasinequanon。Margueritedoesn’tneedonehalfasmuchasthegirlsinthe’YellowPrism’books，butshe’sgottohaveonejustthesame，ortheAmericangirlwillnotreadabouther：andwhoisbetterthanDorothyWillard，whohaschargeofhernow？\"
Harleyslappedhiskneewithdelight。
\"HowfortunateI’dprovidedher!\"hesaid。\"I’vegotmystartalready，andwithouthavingtothinkveryhardoveriteither。\"
Thetrancebeganagain，andlastedseveralhours，duringwhichtimeKellyandtheProfessorstolesoftlyintoHarley’srooms，and，perceivinghiscondition，respectedit。
\"He’seitherasleeporimagining，\"saidtheProfessor，inawhisper。
\"Hecan’timagine，\"returnedtheDoctor。\"Callit——realizing。
Whateveritishe’supto，wemustn’tinterfere。Thereisn’tanyusewakinghimanyhow。Iknowwherehekeepshiscigars。Let’ssitdownandhaveasmoke。\"
Thistheintrudersdid，hopingthatsoonerorlatertheirhostwouldobservetheirpresence；butHarleylayinblissfulunconsciousnessoftheircoming，andtheyfinallygrewwearyofwaiting。
\"Hemustbeatworkonaten—volumenovel，\"saidtheDoctor。\"Let’sgo。\"
Andwiththattheydeparted。Nightcameon，andwithitdarkness，butHarleynevermoved。ThefactwashewasgoingthroughanexaminationofthehumanracetofindamangoodenoughforMargueriteAndrews，anditspeaksvolumesfortheinterestshehadsuddenlyinspiredinhisbreastthatittookhimsolongtofindwhathewanted。
Alongaboutnineo’clockhegaveadeepsighandreturnedtoearth。
\"IguessI’vegothim，\"hesaid，wearily，rubbinghisforehead，whichbegantoacheatrifle。\"I’llmodelhimaftertheProfessor。He’sagoodfellow，moderatelygood—looking，hasposition，andcertainlyknowssomething，asprofessorsgo。IdoubtifheisimposingenoughfortheAmericangirlgenerally，buthe’sthebestIcangetinthetimeatmydisposal。\"
SotheProfessorwasunconsciouslyslatedfortheofficeofhero；
Mrs。Willardwascastforchaperon，andtheDoctor，inspiteofHarley’spreviousresolvenottousehim，wastobeintroducedforthecomedyelement。Thevillainselectedwastheusualpoverty—
strickenforeignerwithatitleandapassionforwealth，whichacloserstudyofhisheroineshowedHarleythatMissAndrewspossessed；foronherwayhomefromthepiershetookMrs。WillardtotheAmsterdamandtreatedhertoaluncheonwhichnothingshortofaten—dollarbillwouldpayfor，afterwhichthetwowentshopping，replenishingMissAndrews’swardrobe——mostofwhichlaysnuglystoredintheholdoftheNewYork，andmomentarilygettingfartherandfartherawayfromitsfairowner——inthecourseofwhichtourMissAndrewsexpendedasumwhich，hadHarleypossessedit，wouldhavemadeitunnecessaryforhimtowritethebookhehadinmindatall。
\"It’sgoodshe’srich，\"sighedHarley。\"ThatwillmakeitalltheeasiertohavehergotoNewportandattracttheCount。\"
AtthemomentthatHarleyspokethesewordstohimselfMrs。WillardandMarguerite，accompaniedbyMr。Willard，enteredthemansionofthelatteronFifthAvenue。TheyhadspenttheafternoonandeveningattheAndrewsapartment，arrangingforitsclosinguntilthereturnofMrs。Corwin。MargueritemeanwhilewastobetheguestoftheWillards。
\"Nextweekwe’llrunuptoNewport，\"saidDorothy。\"Thehouseisready，andBobisgoingforhiscruise。\"
Margueritelookedathercuriouslyforamoment。
\"Didyouintendtogothereallalong？\"sheasked。
\"Yes——ofcourse。Whydoyouask？\"returnedMrs。Willard。
\"Why，thatveryideacameintomymindatthemoment，\"repliedMarguerite。\"IthoughtthisafternoonI’drunuptoRiverdaleandstaywiththeHallidaysnextweek，whenallofasuddenNewportcameintomymind，andithasbeenstrugglingtherewithRiverdalefortwohours——untilIalmostbegantobelievesomebodywastryingtocompelmetogotoNewport。Ifitisyouridea，andhasbeenallalong，I’llgo；butifStuartHarleyistryingtogetmedownthereforliterarypurposes，Isimplyshallnotdoit。\"
\"Youhadbetterdismissthatideafromyourmindatonce，mydear，\"
saidMrs。Willard。\"Mr。Harleynevercompels。Nocompulsionisthecorner—stoneofhisliterarystructure；freewillishiscreed：youmaycountonthat。Ifhemeanstomakeyouhisheroinestill，itwillbeatNewportifyouareatNewport，atRiverdaleifyouhappentobeatRiverdale。Docomewithme，evenifhedoesimpressyouasendeavoringtoforceyou；foratNewportIshallbeyourchaperon，andIshoulddearlylovetobeputinabook——withyou。BobhasaskedJackPerkinsdown，andMrs。HowlettwritesmethatCountBonetti，ofNaples，isthere，andisareallydelightfulfellow。Weshallhave——\"
\"Yousimplyconfirmmyfears，\"interruptedMarguerite。\"YouaretobeHarley’schaperon，ProfessorPerkinsishishero，andCountBonettiisthevillain——\"
\"Why，Marguerite，howyoutalk!\"criedMrs。Willard。\"DoyouexistmerelyinStuartHarley’sbrain？DoI？Arewenoneofuslivingcreaturestodoaswewill？Arewenothingmorethanmaterialspigeon—holedforMr。Harley’sfutureuse？HasCountBonetticrossedtheoceanjusttopleaseMr。Harley？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatIbelieve，\"saidMissAndrews，\"andIdon’tcaremucheitherway，aslongasIhaveindependenceofaction。I’llgowithyou，Dorothy；butifitturnsout，asIfear，thatweareexpectedtoactourpartsinaHarleyromance，thatromancewillreceiveashockfromwhichitwillneverrecover。\"
\"WhydoyouobjectsotoMr。Harley，anyhow？Ithoughtyoulikedhisbooks，\"saidMrs。Willard。
\"Ido；someofthem，\"Margueriteanswered；\"andIlikehim；buthedoesnotunderstandme，anduntilhedoesheshallnotputmeinhisstories。I’llrouthimateverypoint，untilhe——\"
Margueritepaused。Herfaceflushed。Tearscameintohereyes。
\"Untilhewhat，dearest？\"askedMrs。Willard，sympathetically。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidMarguerite，withaquiverinhervoice，assheroseandlefttheroom。
\"Ifancywe’dbettergoatonce，Bob，\"saidMrs。Willardtoherhusband，lateron。\"Margueriteisquiteupsetbytheexperiencesoftheday，andNewYorkisfearfullyhot。\"
\"Iagreewithyou，\"returnedWillard。\"JerroldsentwordthisafternoonthattheboatwillbereadyFriday，insteadofThursdayofnextweek；soifyou’llpackupto—morrowwecanboardherFriday，andgouptheSoundbywaterinsteadofbyrail。Itwillbepleasanterforallhands。\"
WhichwasjustwhatHarleywanted。TheWillardswereofcoursenotconsciousofthefact，thoughMrs。Willard’ssympathywithMargueriteledhertosuspectthatsuchwasthecase；forthatsuchwasthecasewaswhatMargueritefeared。
\"Wearebeingforced，Dorothy，\"shesaid，asshesteppedontheyachttwodayslater。
\"Well，whatifweare？It’spleasantergoingthiswaythanbyrail，isn’tit？\"Mrs。Willardreplied，withsomeimpatience。\"IfweoweallthistoStuartHarley，weoughttothankhimforhiskindness。
Accordingtoyourtheoryhecouldhavesentusuponahot，dustytrain，andhadacollisionreadyforusatNewLondon，inordertokilloffafewundesirablecharactersandgivehisheroachancetodistinguishhimself。IthinkthatevenfromyourownpointofviewMr。Harleyisbehavinginaveryconsideratefashion。\"
\"Nodoubtyouthinkso，\"returnedMarguerite，spiritedly。\"Butit’sdifferentwithyou。Youaresettledinlife。Yourhusbandisthemanofyourchoice；youarehappy，witheverythingyouwant。Youwilldonothingextraordinaryinthebook。Ifyoudiddosomethingextraordinaryyouwouldceasetobeagoodchaperon，andfromthatmomentwouldbecastaside；butI——Iaminadifferentpositionaltogether。Iamasinglewoman，unsettledasyet，forwhomthisauthorinhisinfinitewisdomdeemsitnecessarytoprovidealoverandhusband；andinorderthathisnarrativeofhowIgetthispersonhehasselected——withoutconsultingmytastes——mayinterestalotofothergirls，whoareexpectedtobuyandreadhisbook，hemakesmetheobjectofanintriguingfortune—hunterfromItaly。Iamtobelieveheisarealnobleman，andallthat；andastupidwiseacrefromtheYorkUniversity，whocan’tdance，andwhothinksofnothingbuthisbooksandhisclub，istocomeinattherightmomentandexposetheCount，andallsuchtrashasthat。Iknowattheoutsethowitallistobe。Youcouldn’tdeceiveasensiblegirlfiveminuteswithCountBonetti，anymorethanthatBalderstoneman，whoisnowmakingauselesstripacrosstheAtlanticwithmyauntandhertwins，couldhaveexerteda’balefulinfluence’overmewithhisdilutedspiritualism。I’mnotanidiot，mydearDorothy。\"
\"Youareaheroine，love，\"returnedMrs。Willard。
\"Perhaps——butIamthekindofheroinewhowouldstopaplayfiveminutesafterthecurtainhadrisenonthefirstactiftheremainingfouractsdependedonherfailingtoseesomethingthatwasplaintotheveriestdoltintheaudience，\"Margueritereplied，withspirit。
\"NobodyshalleverwritemeupsaveasIam。\"
\"Well——perhapsyouarewrongthistime。PerhapsMr。Harleyisn’tgoingtomakeabookofyou，\"saidMrs。Willard。
\"Verylikelyheisn’t，\"saidMarguerite；\"buthe’stryingit——Iknowthatmuch。\"
\"Andhow，pray？\"askedMrs。Willard。
\"That，\"saidMarguerite，herfrownvanishingandasmiletakingitsplace——\"thatisforthepresentmysecret。I’lltellyousomeday，butnotuntilIhavebaffledMr。Harleyinhisill—advisedpurposeofmarryingmeofftoamanIdon’twant，andwouldn’thaveunderanycircumstances。EvenifIhadcaughttheNewYorktheotherdayhisplanswouldhavemiscarried。I’dneverhavemarriedthatOsborneman；I’dhavesnubbedBalderstonethemomenthespoketome；andifStuartHarleyhadgotabookoutofmytriptoEuropeatall，itwouldhavebeenaseriesofpapersonsomesuchtopicas’TheSpinsterAbroad，orHowtobeHappythoughSingle。’NomoreshallI
takethepartheintendsmetointhisNewportromance，unlessheremovesCountBonettifromthesceneentirely，andprovidesmewithadifferentstyleofherofromhisProfessor，theoriginalofwhom，by—
the—way，asIhappentoknow，isalreadymarriedandhastwochildren。Iwenttoschoolwithhiswife，andIknowjusthowmuchofaheroheis。\"
AndsotheywenttoNewport，andHarley’snovelopenedswimmingly。
Hisdescriptionoftheyachtwasperfect；hisnarrationoftheincidentsoftheembarkationcouldnotbeimproveduponinanyway。
Theywereabsolutelytruetothelife。
ButhisaccountofwhatMargueriteAndrewssaidanddidandthoughtwhileontheWillards’yachtwasnotrealismatall——itwasimaginationofthewildestkind，forshesaid，did，andthoughtnothingofthesort。
Harleydidhisbest，buthisheroinewasobdurate，andthepoorfellowdidnotknowthathewaswritinguntruths，forheverilybelievedthatheheardandsawallthatheattributedtoherexactlyasheputitdown。
Sothestorybeganwell，andHarleyforatimewasquitehappy。Attheendofaweek，however，hehadafearfulset—back。CountBonettiwasreadytobepresentedtoMargueriteaccordingtotheplan，buttheretheschedulebrokedown。
Harley’sheroinetookanewandentirelyunexpectedtack。
CHAPTERIV：ACHAPTERFROMHARLEY，WITHNOTES
\"Good—bye，proudworld，I’mgoinghome。
Thouartnotmyfriend，andI’mnotthine。\"
—EMERSON。
IthinkthereaderwillpossiblygainabetterideaofwhathappenedattheHowlettdance，atwhichCountBonettiwastohavebeenpresentedtoMissAndrews，ifIforegothepleasureofwritingthischaptermyself，andproduceinsteadthechapterofStuartHarley’sill—fatedbookwhichwastohavedealtwiththatmostinterestingincident。Havingrelinquishedallhopeofevergettingthatparticularstoryintoshapewithoutachangeofheroine，andbeingunwillingtogotothatextreme，Mr。Harleyhasverykindlyplacedhismanuscriptatmydisposal。
\"Useitasyouwill，mydearfellow，\"hesaid，whenIaskedhimforit。\"Ican’tdoanythingwithitmyself，anditismerelyoccupyingspaceinmypigeon—holesforwhichIcanfindbetteruse。Itmayneedacertainamountofrevision——infact，itissureto，foritisunconscionablylong，and，thankstothepersistentfailureofMissAndrewstodoasIthoughtshewould，mayfrequentlyseemincoherent。
