\"Idonotconsideryouanythingofthesort。Ineversomuchasassociatedyouwithanythingresemblinganidea。Imerelyaskedaquestion，\"shesaid。\"Irepeatit。Doyouordoyounotexist？AreyouabitofthereallyrealorabitofMr。Harley’srealism？Inshort，areyouhereatProfileLake，walkingandtalkingwithme，orareyounot？\"
Arealizingsenseofmytruepositioncreptoverme。InrealityI
wasnottheretalkingtoher，butinmydeninNewYorkwritingabouther。Imaynotbearealist，butIamtruthful。Icouldnotdeceiveher，soIreplied，hesitatingly：
\"Well，MissAndrews，Iam——no，Iamnothere，exceptinspirit。\"
\"That’swhatIthought，\"shesaid，demurely。\"Anddoyouexistsomewhere，oristhisa’situation’calculatedtodelighttheAmericangirl——withpin—moneytospendonMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&
Chadwick’spublications？\"
\"Idoexist，\"Ireplied，meekly；for，Imustconfessit，IrealizedmorethaneverthatMissAndrewswastoomuchforme，andIheartilywishedIwaswelloutofit。\"AndIaloneamresponsibleforthis。
HarleyisofffishingatBarnegat——anddoyouknowwhy？\"
\"Ipresumehehasgonetheretorecuperate，\"shesaid。
\"Precisely，\"saidI。
\"Afterhisungentlemanly，discourteous，andwhollyuncalled—forinterferencewithmycomfortatNewport，\"shesaid，herfaceflushingandtearscomingintohereyes，\"Idon’twonderhe’sprostrated。\"
\"Idonotknowtowhatyourefer，\"saidI。
\"Irefertotheepisodeoftherunawayhorse，\"shesaid，inwrathfulremembranceoftheincident。\"BecauseIrefusetofollowblindlyhiswill，heabuseshispower，placesmeinafalseandperiloussituation，fromwhichI，adefencelesswoman，mustrescuemyselfaloneandunaided。Itwasunmanlyofhim——andIwillpayhimthecomplimentofsayingwhollyunlikehim。\"
Istoodaghast。PoorStuartwasbeingblamedformyact。Hemustbesetrightatonce，howeverunpleasantitmightbeforme。
\"He——hedidn’tdothat，\"Isaid，slowly；\"itwasI。Iwrotethatbitofnonsense；andhe——well，hewasmadbecauseIdidit，andsaidhe’dliketokillanymanwhoill—treatedyou；andhemademepromisenevertotouchuponyourlifeagain。\"
\"MayIaskwhyyoudidthat？\"sheasked，andIwasgladtonotethattherewasnodispleasureinhervoice——infact，sheseemedtocheerupwonderfullywhenItoldherthatitwasI，andnotStuart，whohadsubjectedhertothemisadventure。
\"BecauseIwasangrywithyou，\"Ianswered。\"Youwereruiningmyfriendwithyourcontinuedactsofrebellion：hewassuccessful；nowheisruined。Hethinksofyoudayandnight——hewantsyouforhisheroine；hewantstomakeyouhappy，buthewantsyoutobehappyinyourownway；andwhenhethinkshehasdiscoveredyourway，heworksalongthatline，andallofasudden，bysomeactwhollyunforeseen，and，ifImaysayso，unforeseeable，youtreathimandhisworkwithcontempt，drawyourselfoutofit——andhehastobeginagain。\"
\"Andwhyhaveyouventuredtobreakyourwordtoyourfriend？\"sheasked，calmly。\"Surelyyouaretouchinguponmylifenow，inspiteofyourpromise。\"
\"BecauseIamwillingtosacrificemywordtohiswelfare，\"I
retorted；\"totrytomakeyouunderstandhowyouareblockingthepathofamightyfine—mindedmanbyyourdevotiontowhatyoucallyourindependence。Hewillneveraskyoutodoanythingthatheknowswillberevoltingtoyou，anduntilhehassucceededinpleasingyoutothelastpageofhisbookhewillneverwriteagain。
Ihavedonethisinthehopeofpersuadingyou，atthecostevenofsomepersonaldiscomfort，nottorebelagainsthisgentleleadership—
—tofallinwithhisideasuntilhecanfulfilthistaskofhis，whetheritberealismorpurespeculationonhispart。Ifyoudothis，Stuartissaved。Ifyoudonot，literaturewillbecalledupontomournonewhopromisestobeoneofitsbrightestornaments。\"
Istoppedshort。MissAndrewswasgazingpensivelyoutoverthemirror—likesurfaceoftheLake。Finallyshespoke。
\"YoumaytellMr。Harley，\"shesaid，withasigh，\"thatIwilltroublehimnomore。Hecandowithmeashepleasesinallsaveoneparticular。HeshallnotmarrymetoamanIdonotlove。IfhetakesthemanIloveformyhero，thenwillIfollowhimtothedeath。\"
\"AndmayIaskwhothatmanis？\"
\"Youmayaskifyouplease，\"shereplied，withalittlesmile。\"ButIwon’tansweryou，excepttosaythatitisn’tyou。\"
\"AndamIforgivenformyrunawaystory？\"Iasked。
\"Yes，\"shesaid。\"Youwouldn’texpectmetocondemnamanforloyaltytohisfriend，wouldyou？\"
WithwhichunderstandingMissAndrewsandIcontinuedourwalk，andwhenwepartedIfoundthatthelittleinterviewIhadstartedtowritehadturnedintothesuggestionofaromance，whichIwasindutyboundtodestroy——butIbegantohaveaglimmeringofanideaastowhothemanwasthatMargueriteAndrewswishedforahero，andI
regrettedalsotofindmyselfconvincedofthetruthofherstatementthatthatmandidnotbearmyname。
CHAPTERVIII：HARLEYRETURNSTOTHEFRAY
\"Iwillbemasterofwhatismineown：
Sheismygoods，mychattels。\"
—\"TamingoftheShrew。\"
AttheendoftendaysHarleyreturnedfromBarnegat，brownasaberryandreadyforwar，ifwaritwasstilltobe。Theoutinghaddonehimaworldofgood，andthefishstorieshetoldaswesatatdinnershowedthat，realistthoughhemightbe，hehadyetnotfailedtocultivatehisimaginationincertaindirections。Imayobserveinpassing，andinthisconnection，thatifIhadasonwhomitwasmyambitiontoseemakinghismarkintheworldasawriterofromance，asdistinguishedfromthereal，Ishould，asthefirststepinhisdevelopment，takecarethathebecameafisherman。Thetellingoftalesofthefishhecaughtwhennooneelsewasneartoseewouldgivehim，asithasgivenmanyanother，agoodschoolingintherealmsoftheimagination。
IwasgladtonotethatHarley’swontedcheerfulnesshadreturned，andthathehadbecomemorelikehimselfthanhehadbeenatanytimesincehisfirstfailurewithMissAndrews。
\"Youradvicewasexcellent，\"hesaid，aswesippedourcoffeeattheclubthenightofhisreturn。\"Ihaveacleartwoweeksinwhichtotacklethatstory，andIfeelconfidentnowthatIshallgetitdone。
Furthermore，IshallsendthechapterstoHerring，Beemer，&ChadwickasIwritethem，sothattheremustbenofailure。Ishallbecompelledtofinishthetale，whatevermayhappen，andMissAndrewsshallgothroughtothebitterend，willy—nilly。\"
\"Don’tberash，Harley，\"Isaid；foritseemedtomethatMissAndrews，havingconsentedatmysolicitationtobeadocileheroineforjustsolongasHarleydidnotinsistuponhermarryingthemanshedidnotlove，itwasnotimeforhimtobreakawayfromtheprincipleshehadsosteadfastlyadheredtohithertoandbecomeamartinet。Hestruckmeasbeingmorethanlikelytocrackthewhiplikearing—masterinhispresentmoodthantoplaytheindulgentauthor，andIfeltprettyconfidentthattheinstantthesnapofthelashreachedtheearsofMargueriteAndrewshistroubleswouldbeginagaintenfold，bothinqualityandinquantity，withnopossiblehopeforafuturereconciliationbetweenthem。
\"I’mnotgoingtoberash，\"saidHarley。\"Ineverwasrash，andI’mnotgoingtobeginnow，butIshallusemynerve。Thathasbeenthetroublewithmeinthepast。Ihaven’tbeenfirm。Ihaveletthatgirlhaveherownwayineverything，andI’mverymuchafraidIhavespoiledher。Shebehaveslikeachildwithindulgentparents。Inthelastinstance，theParkerproposal，shesimplyranherindependenceintotheground。Shewasnotonlyrebellioustome，butshewasimpertinenttohim。Herattitudetowardhimwasnotnatureatall；itwasnotrealism，becausesheisawomanofgoodbreeding，andwouldnaturallybethelasttotreatanyman，distastefulornot，withsuchexcessiverudeness。Icompelledhimtogoonandproposetoher，thoughafterhehadbeenatitforfiveminutesIcouldseethathewishedhewaswelloutofit。Ishouldhavetakenherinhandandcontrolledherwithequalfirmness，decliningtopermithertospeaksoopenly。Franknessisgoodenough，especiallyinwomen，amongwhomyourarelyfindit；butfranknessofthesortsheindulgedinhasnoplaceinthepolitecircleinwhichshemoves。\"
\"Nevertheless，shespokethatway——yousaidyourselfshedid，\"I
said，seeingthathewaswrathfulwithMarguerite，andwishingtoassuagehisangerbeforeitcarriedhimtolengthshemightregret。
\"Andyou’vegottotakeherassheisordropheraltogether。\"
\"Shedid——Irepeatthatshedidspeakthatway，butthatwasnoreasonwhyIshouldsubmittoit，\"Harleyanswered。\"Itwasthefaultofhermood。Shewasnervous，almosthysterical——thankstoherrebelliousspirit。ThemomentIdiscoveredhowthingsweregoingI
shouldhavegonebackandstartedafresh，andkeptondoingsountilIhadhersubmissive。Ahuntermaybalkatahighfence，buttheridermustnotgiveintohimunlesshewishestolettheanimalgetthebetterofhim。Ifheiswisehewillgobackandputthehorsetoitagainandagain，untilhefinallyclearsthetopmostbar。ThatIshouldhavedoneinthisinstance，andthatInowintendtodo，untilthatbookcomesoutasIwantit。\"
Ihadtolaughinmysleeve。Onthewhole，Harleywasverylikemostotherrealists，whopretendthattheymerelyputdownlifeasitis，andwhogothroughtheirprofessionalcareersserenelyunconsciousofthetruththattheirfancies，afterall，servethemwhentheirfactsarelacking。EventhatmosteminentdiscipleoftheRealisticCult，Mr。Darrow，hasbeenknowntokilloffaheroinarailroadaccidentthatoweditsbeingtonothingshortofhisownimagination，inorderthattheunhappywightmightnotoffendthereadersofthehighlymoralmagazine，inwhichthestoryfirstappeared，bymarryingawidowwhomhehadbeenforcedbyMr。Darrowtolovebeforeherhusbanddied。Mr。Darrowmanufactured，withfivestrokesofhispen，anengineandatunneltocrushthelifeoutofthepoorfellow，whomanimmoralromancerwouldhaveallowedtoliveonandmarrythelady，andwithperfectproprietytoo，sincetheheroandtheheroinewerebothofthemtheverymodelsofvirtue，inspiteofthelovewhichtheydidnotseek，andwhichMr。Darrowdeliberatelyandalmostbrutallythrustintotheirotherwisehappylives。Ofcoursetherailwayaccidentwasneededtogivetheclimaxtothestory，whichwithoutitmighthaverunthroughsixmorenumbersofthemagazine，totheexclusionofmoreexcitingmaterial；butthatwillnotrelieveMr。Darrow’ssoulofthestainhehasputuponitbydesertingDameRealismforamomenttoflirtwithRomance，whenitcomestotheJudgmentDay。
\"AsIwantittobe，somustitbe，\"quothHarley。
\"Good，\"thoughtI。\"Itwillnodoubtbeexcellent；butbehonest，anddon’tinsistthatyou’vetakendownlifeasitis；foryoumayhaveanastigmatism，forallyouknow，andlifemaynotbeatallwhatithasseemedtoyouwhileyouwereputtingitdown。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidHarley，leaningbackinhischairanddrawingalongbreath，whichshowedhisdetermination，\"tothebitterendsheshallgo，throughsuchcomplicationsasIchoosetohaveher，encounteringwhatevervillainsImayhappentofindmostconvenient，andtocompleteherstorysheshallmarrythemanIselectformyhero，ifheisascommonplaceastheaveragesalesmaninaBrooklynuniversaldry—goodsemporium。\"
Imaginemyfeelingsifyoucan!Havinggoneasaself—appointedambassadortotheenemytosecuretermsofpeace，toreturntofindmyprincipaldonninghisarmoranddaubinghisfacewithpaintforarenewalofthecombat，wascertainlynotpleasant。WhatcouldIsaytoMargueriteAndrewsifIevermetherinreallife？HowcouldI
lookherintheeye？Thesituationoverpoweredme，andIhardlyknewwhattosay。Icouldn’tbegHarleytosticktohisrealismandnotindulgeincompulsion，becauseIhadoftenjeeredathimfornotinfusingalittlemoreofthedramaticintohisstories，evenifithadtobe\"luggedinbytheears，\"asheputit。Norwasheinanymoodformetotellhimofmybreachoffaith——themereknowledgethatshehadpromisedtobedocileoutofcharitywouldhavestunghispride，andIthoughtitwouldbebetter，forthetime，atleast，toletmyinterviewremainasecret。Fortunefavoredme，however。
KellyandtheProfessorenteredthediningroomatthismoment，andtheProfessorheldinhishandacopyofthecurrentissueofTheLiteraryMan，Messrs。Herring，Beemer，&Chadwick’sfortnightlypublication，aperiodicalhavingtodowhollywiththingsbookish。
\"Whosatforthis，Stuart？\"calledouttheProfessor，tappingthefrontispieceofthemagazine。
\"Whosatforwhat？\"repliedStuart，lookingup。
\"Thispicture，\"saidtheProfessor。
\"It’sapictureofafinelyintellectual—lookingpersonwithyournameunderit，Harley，\"putintheDoctor。
\"Oh——that，\"saidHarley。\"Itdoesflattermeabit。\"
\"Sodoesthearticlewithit，\"saidKelly。\"Saysyouareagreatman——manwithanidea，andallthat。Isthattrue，orisitjustplainlibel？Haveyouanidea？\"
Harleylaughedgood—naturedly。\"Ihadoneonce，butit’slost，\"hesaid。\"Astothatpicture，they’rebringingoutabookforme，\"headded，modestly。\"Goodad。，youknow。\"
\"Whenyouarethroughwiththat，Professor，\"Iputin，\"letmehaveit，willyou？IwanttoseewhatitsaysaboutHarley。\"
\"It’safirst—ratescreed，\"repliedtheProfessor，handingoverthepublication。\"IthitsHarleyrightonthehead。\"
\"Idon’tknowasthat’spleasant，\"saidHarley。
\"WhatImean，mydearboy，\"saidtheProfessor，\"isthatitdoesyoujustice。\"
AnditreallydiddoHarleyjustice，although，ashehadsuggested，itwaswrittenlargelytoadvertisetheforthcomingwork。ItspokenicelyofHarley’spreviousefforts，andjudiciously，asitseemedtome。Hehadnotgottothetopoftheladderyet，buthewasgettingtherebyaslow，steadydevelopment，andlargelybecausehewasamanwithafixedideaastowhatliteratureoughttobe。
\"Mr。Harleyhasseenclearlyfromtheoutsetwhatitwasthathewishedtoaccomplishandhowtoaccomplishit，\"thewriterobserved。
\"Hehasswervedneithertotherightnortotheleft，buthasprogressedundeviatinglyalongthelineshehasmappedoutforhimself，andkeepingconstantlyinmindtheprincipleswhichseemedtohimatthebeginningofhiscareertoberight。IthasbeenthispersistentandconsistentadherencetoprinciplethathasgainedforMr。Harleyhishearing，andwhichisconstantlyrenderingmorecertainandpermanenthispositionintheworldliterary。Othersmaybeledhitherandyonbythefadsandfolliesofthescatter—brained，butRealismwilleverhaveonesteadfastchampioninStuartHarley。\"
\"Readthat，\"Isaid，tossingthejournalacrossthetable。
Hereadit，andblushedtotherootsofhisears。
\"Thisisnotimetodeserttheflag，Harley，\"saidI，asheread。
\"Sticktoyourcolors，andlethersticktohers。You’dbetterbecarefulhowyouforceyourheroine。\"
\"Ha，ha!\"helaughed。\"Ishouldthinkso，andformorereasonsthanone。Ineverreallyintendedtodohorriblethingswithher，myboy。
Trustme，ifIdoleadher，toleadhergently。Mypersuasionwillbesuggestiveratherthanmandatory。\"
\"Andthathero——fromtheBrooklyndry—goodsshop？\"Iasked，withasmile。
\"I’dliketoseehimsomuchas——tellherthepriceofanything，\"
criedHarley。\"AmanlikethathasnobusinesstoliveinthesamehemispherewithawomanlikeMargueriteAndrews。WhenIthreatenedherwithhimIwasconversingthroughalargeandelegantthoughwhollyinvisiblehat。\"
Ibreathedmorefreely。Shewasstillsacredandsafeinhishands。
Shortlyafter，dinnerover，weleftthetable，andwenttothetheatre，wherewesawwhattheprogrammecalledthe\"latestLondonrealisticsuccess，\"inwhichthreeofthefouractsofanintenselyexcitingmelodramadependeduponawoman’snotseeingalargenavyrevolver，whichlayonthetabledirectlybeforehereyesinthefirst。Theplaywasfullofbloodandrepletewiththunder，andwetrulyenjoyedit，onlyHarleywouldnottalkmuchbetweentheacts。
Hewasunusuallymoody。Aftertheplaywasoverhistongueloosened，however，andwewenttothePlayersforasupper，andthereheburstforthintospeech。
\"IfMargueriteAndrewshadbeentheheroineofthatplayshe’dhaveseenthatgun，andtheaudiencewouldhavehadtogohomeinsideoftenminutes，\"hesaid。Lateronheburstoutwith，\"IfmyMissAndrewshadbeentheheroineofthatplay，themanwhofallsovertheprecipiceinthesecondactwouldhavebeenaliveatthismoment。\"
Andfinallyhedemanded：\"DoyousupposeaheroinelikeMargueriteAndrewswouldhaveoverlookedthecommaonthepostalcardthatwomanreadinthethirdact，andsomadethefourthactpossible？Notshe。
She’sawomanwithamind。AndyettheycallthatthelatestLondonrealisticsuccess!Realistic!TheseLondonersdonotseemtounderstandtheirownlanguage。Ifthatplaywasrealism，whatsortofanightmaredoyousupposearomanticdramawouldbe？\"
\"Well，maybeLondonwomeninreallifehaven’tanyminds，\"Isaid，growingratherwearyofthesubject。IadmiredMissAndrewsmyself，buttherewereotherthingsIcouldtalkabout——\"likelemonadeandelephants，\"asthesmallboysaid。\"Letitgoatthat。Itwasaninterestingplay，andthat’sallplaysoughttobe。Realisminplaysisnottobeencouraged。Amangoestothetheatretobeamusedandentertained，nottoberemindedofhomediscomforts。\"
Stuartlookedatmereproachfully，orderedafreshcigar，andsuggestedturninginforthenight。IwalkedhomewithhimandtriedtogethiminterestedinafarceIwasatworkon，butitwasofnouse。Hehadbecomeamonomaniac，andhismonomaniawashisrebelliousheroine。FinallyIblurtedout：
\"Well，forHeaven’ssake，Stuart，getthewomancaged，willyou？
For，candidly，I’dliketotalkaboutsomethingelse，anduntilMargueriteAndrewsisdisposedofIdon’tbelieveyou’llbeableto。\"
\"I’llhavehalftheworkdonebythistimeto—morrownight，\"saidhe。
\"I’vegottenthousandwordsofitinmymindnow。\"
\"I’llbetyouthereareonlytwowordsdowninyourmind，\"saidI。
\"Whatarethey？\"heasked。
\"MargueriteandAndrews，\"saidI。
Stuartlaughed。\"They’retheonlyonesI’msureof，\"saidhe。Andthenweparted。
Buthewasrightaboutwhathewouldhaveaccomplishedbythattimethenextnight；forbeforesundownhehadhalfthestorywritten，and，whatismore，thechaptershadcomeaseasilyasanywritingheeverdid。Fordocility，Margueritewasaperfectwonder。Notonlydidshefollowouthiswishes；sheoftenanticipatedthem，andincertainpartsgavehimaleadinanewdirection，which，Stuartsaid，gavethestoryahundredpercent。morecharacter。
Inshort，MargueriteAndrewswaskeepingherpromisetomenobly。
TheonlythingIregrettedaboutit，nowthatallseemedplainsailing，wasitseffectonStuart。Heramiabilitywasprovingagreatattractiontohissusceptiblesoul，andIwasbeginningtofearthatStuartwasslowlybutsurelyfallinginlovewithhisrebelliousheroine，whichwouldneverdo，unlessshewerereallyreal，onwhichpointIwasmostuncertain。
\"Itwouldbeaterriblething，\"saidIconfidentiallytomyself，\"ifStuartHarleyweretofallinlovewithacreationofhisownrealism。\"
CHAPTERIX：ASUMMONSNORTH
\"PORTIA。Aquarrel，ho，already？What’sthematter？
\"GRATIANO。Aboutahoopofgold，apaltryring。\"
—\"MerchantofVenice。\"
Theeventsjustnarratedtookplaceonthe15thofAugust，andasHarley’stimetofulfilhiscontractwithMessrs。Herring，Beemer，&
Chadwickwasgrowingveryshort——twoweeksisshortshriftforanauthorwithabooktowriteforwaitingpresses，evenwithawillingandhelpfulcastofcharacters——soIresolvednottointrudeuponhimuntilhehimselfshouldsummonme。Iknewmyself，frombitterexperience，howunwelcomethemostwelcomeofone’sfriendscanbeatbusyhours，havinghadmanyabeautifulsketchabsolutelyruinedbytheuntimelyintrusionofthosewhowishedmewell，soIresolutelykeptmyselfawayfromhisden，althoughIwasburningwithcuriositytoknowhowhewasgettingon。
Onoccasionsmycuriositywouldgetthebetterofmyjudgment，andI
wouldendeavor，withtheaidofmyownmuses，toholdamoment’schatwithMissAndrews；butsheeludedme。Icouldn’tfindheratall——
as，indeed，howshouldI，sinceHarleyhadnottakenmeintohisconfidenceastohisintentionsinthenewstory？HemighthavelaidthesceneofitinSingapore，foraughtIknew，and，wanderwhereI
wouldinmyfancy，Iwasutterlyunabletodiscoverherwhereabouts，untiloneeveningaveryweirdthinghappened——athingsoweirdthatIhavebeenpinchingmyselfwithgreatassiduityeversinceinordertoreassuremyselfofmyownexistence。Ihadcomehomefromahardday’seditorialwork，haddinedaloneandcomfortably，andwasstretchedoutatfulllengthuponthelowdivanthatstandsattheendofmyworkshop——thedelightofmywearybonesandtheenvyofmyfriends，whohaveneverbeenabletofindanywhereanotherexactlylikeit。Mycigarwasbetweenmylips，andabovemyhead，risinginacurlingcloudtotheceiling，wasamassofsmoke。IamsureIwasnotdreaming，althoughhowelsetoaccountforitIdonotknow。
Whathappened，toputitbriefly，wasmysuddentransportationtoalittlemountainhotelnotfarfromLakeGeorge，whereIfoundmyselfsittingandtalkingtothewomanIhadsofutilelysought。
\"Howdoyoudo？\"saidshe，pleasantly，asImaterializedatherside。
\"Iamaswellasapersoncanbe，\"Ireplied，rubbingmyeyesinconfusion，\"whosuddenlyfindshimselftwohundredandfiftymilesawayfromthespotwhere，ahalf—hourbefore，hehadlaindowntorest。\"
MissAndrewslaughed。\"Youseehowitisyourself，\"shesaid。
\"Seehowwhatismyself？\"Iqueried。
\"Tobethepuppetofapersonwho——writes，\"sheanswered。
\"AndhaveIbecomethat？\"Iasked。
\"Youhave，\"shesmiled。\"That’swhyyouarehere。\"
Theideamademenervous，andIpinchedmyarmtoseewhetherIwasthereornot。Theresultwasnotaltogetherreassuring。Ineverfeltthepinch，and，tryasIwould，Icouldn’tmakemyselffeelit。
\"Excuseme，\"Isaid，\"fordeviatingamomentfromthematterinhand，buthaveyouahat—pin？\"
\"No，\"sheanswered；\"butIhaveabrooch，ifthatwillserveyourpurpose。Whatdoyouwantitfor？\"
\"Iwishtorunitintomyarmforamoment，\"Iexplained。
\"Itwon’thelpyouany，\"sheanswered，smilingdivinely。\"Imusthaveawordwithyou；allthehat—pinsintheworldshallnotpreventme，nowthatyouarehere。\"
\"Well，waitaminute，Ibegofyou，\"Iimplored。\"YouintimatedamomentagothatIwasapuppetinthehandsofsomeauthor。Whose？
I’veareputationtosustain，andshallnotgivemyselfupwillingly，unlessIamsurethatthatpersonwillnottriflewithmycharacter。\"
\"Exactlymyposition，\"saidshe。\"AsIsaid，youcannowunderstandhowitisyourself。ButIwilltellyouinwhosehandsyouarenow——
youareinmine。SurelyifyouhadtherighttosendmetearingdownBellevueAvenueatNewportbehindarunawayhorse，andthenpursuemeinspirittotheProfileHouse，Ihavetherighttobringyouhere，andIhaveaccordinglydoneso。\"
Forawoman’s，herlogicwassurprisinglyconvincing。ShecertainlyhadasmuchrighttotriflewithmycomfortasIhadtotriflewithhers。
\"Youareright，MissAndrews，\"Imurmured，meekly。\"Praycommandmeasyouwill——anddealgentlywiththeerring。\"
\"Iwilltreatyoufarbetterthanyoutreatedme，\"shesaid。\"Sohavenofear——althoughIhavebeenhalfmindedattimestorevengemyselfuponyouforthatrunaway。Icouldmakeyoudreadfullyuncomfortable，forwhenItakemypeninhandmyimaginationinthedirectionofthehorribleissomethingawful。Ishallbemerciful，however，forIbelieveintherealisticidea，andIwillmerelymakeuseofthepowermypenpossessesoveryoutohaveyouactpreciselyasyouwouldifyouwereactuallyhere。\"
\"ThenIamnothere？\"Iqueried。
\"Whatdoyouthink？’sheasked，archly。
IwasabouttosaythatifIweren’t，IwishedmostheartilythatI
were；butIrememberedfortunatelythatitwouldneverdoformetoflirtwithStuartHarley’sheroine，soIcontentedmyselfwithsaying，boldly，\"Idon’tknowwhattothink。\"
MissAndrewslookedatmeforamoment，andthen，reachingoutherhand，tookmine，pressedit，andrelinquishedit，saying，\"Youarealoyalfriendindeed。\"
Therewasnothingflirtatiousabouttheact；itwasasimpleandhighlypleasingacknowledgmentofmyforbearance，anditmademesomewhatmorecomfortablethanIhadbeenatanytimesincemysuddentransportationthroughtheair。
\"YourememberwhatIsaidtoyou？\"sheresumed。\"ThatIwouldceasetorebel，whatsoeverMr。Harleyaskedmetodo，unlessheinsisteduponmarryingmetoamanIdidnotlove？\"
\"Ido，\"Ireplied。\"And，asfarasIamaware，youhavestuckbyyouragreement。Stuart，Idoubtnot，hasbythistimegotreadyforhisfinishing—touches。\"
\"Yoursurmiseiscorrect，\"sheanswered，sadly；andthen，withsomespirit，sheadded：\"Andtheyarefinishing—toucheswithavengeance。
Ihavebeenloyaltomyword，inspiteofmuchdiscomfort。Ihavetravelledfrompillartopostasmeeklyasalamb，becauseitfittedinwithStuartHarley’sconveniencethatIshoulddoso。HehastakenmeandmyfriendMrs。Willardtoandthroughfivedifferentsummerresorts，whereIhavecutthefigurehewishedmetocutwithoutregardtomyownfeelings。Ihavediscussedallsortsoftopics，ofwhichinrealityIknownothing，tolenddepthtohisbook。IhavesnubbedmenIreallyliked，andappearedtolikemenI
profoundlyhated，forhissake。Ihavewittinglyenduredperilforhissake，knowingofcoursethatultimatelyhewouldgetmeoutofdanger；butperilisperiljustthesame，andtothatextentdistractingtothenerves。IhavebeenupsetinacanoeatBarHarbor，andlostonamountaininVermont。IhavesprainedmyankleatSaratoga，andfaintedatadanceatLenox；butnocomplainthaveI
uttered——noteventhesuggestionofarebellionhaveIgiven。Once，Iadmit，IwasdisposedtoresenthisdesirethatIshouldwearacertaincostume，whichhe，manasheis，couldnotseewouldbewofullyunbecoming。Authorshavenobusinesstotouchonsuchthings。ButIovercamethetemptationtorebel，andtopleasehimworeablueandpinkshirt—waistwithafloralsilkskirtatagarden—party——Isupposehethoughtfloralsilkwasappropriatetothegarden；nordidIevenshowmymortificationtothoseaboutme。
NothingwassaidinthebookaboutitsbeingStuartHarley’staste；
itmustneedsbesetdownasmine；andwhilethepagesofHarley’sbookcontainnocriticismofmycostume，Iknowwellenoughwhatalltheotherwomenthoughtaboutit。Still，Istoodit。Ienduredalsowithoutamurmurthecourtshipanddeclarationofloveofaperfectboobyofaman；thatistosay，hewasaboobyintheeyesofawoman——menmightlikehim。IpresumethatasMr。Harleyhaschosenhimtostandfortheheroofhisbook，hemustadmirehim；butI
don’t，andhaven’t，andsha’n’t。YetIhavepretendedtodoso；andfinally，whenheproposedmarriagetomeImeeklyanswered’yes，’
weepinginthebitternessofmyspiritthatmypromiseboundmetodoso；andStuartHarley，notingthosetears，callsthemtearsofjoy!\"
\"Youneedn’thaveacceptedhim，\"Isaid，softly。\"Thatwasn’tpartofthebargain。\"
\"Yes，itwas，\"shereturned，positively；\"thatis，Iregardeditso，andImustactaccordingtomyviewsofthings。WhatIpromisedwastofollowhiswishesinallthingssaveinmarriagetoamanIdidn’tlove。Gettingengagedisnotgettingmarried，andashewishedmetogetengaged，soIdid，expectingofcoursethatthebookwouldendthere，asitoughttohavedone，andthatthereforenomarriagewouldevercomeoftheengagement。\"
\"Certainlythebookshouldendthere，then，\"saidI。\"Youhavekepttotheletterofyouragreement，andnobly，\"Iadded，withenthusiasm，forInowsawwhatthepoorgirlmusthavesuffered。
\"Harleydidn’ttrytogofurther，didhe？\"
\"Hedid，\"shesaid，hervoicetremblingwithemotion。\"Hesetthetimeandplaceforthewedding，issuedthecards，providedmewithatrousseau——atrousseaubaseduponhisintuitionsofwhatatrousseauoughttobe，andthereforeaboutassatisfactorytoawomanoftasteasthatfloralsilkcostumeofthegarden—party；heengagedtheorganist，chosemybridesmaids——girlsIdetested——andfinallyassembledtheguests。Thegroomwasthereatthechancelrail；Mr。
Willard，whomhehadselectedtogivemeaway，waswaitingoutsideinthelobby，cladinhisfrock—coat，aflowerinhisbutton—hole，andhisarmreadyforthebridetoleanon；theministerwasbehindtherail；thewedding—marchwassounding——\"
\"Andyou？\"Icried，utterlyunabletocontainmyselflonger。
\"IwasspeedingpastYonkersonthethree—o’clockSaratogaexpress——
boundhither，\"sheanswered，withasignificanttossofherhead。
\"NoonebutyourselfknowswhereIam，andIhavesummonedyoutoexplainmyactionbeforeyouhearofitfromhim。Idonotwishtobemisjudged。StuartHarleyhadhiswarning，buthechosetoignoreit，andhecangetoutofthedifficultyhehasbroughtuponhimselfinhisownway——possiblyhewilldestroythewholebook；butIwantedyoutoknowthatwhilehedidnotkeepthefaith，Idid。\"
Isuddenlyrealizedtheappallingtruth。Myownweaknesswasresponsibleforitall。IhadnottoldHarleyofmyinterviewandherpromise，feelingthatitwasnotnecessary，andfearingitseffectuponhispride。
\"Imayadd，\"shesaid，quietly，\"thatIambitterlydisappointedinyourfriend。Iwasinterestedinhim，andbelievedinhim。Mostofmyactsofrebellion——ifyoucancallmerebellious——werepromptedbymydesiretokeephimtruetohiscreed；andIwilltellyouwhatI
havenevertoldtoanother：IregardedStuartHarleyalmostasanidealman，butthishaschangeditall。IfhewaswhatIthoughthim，hecouldnothaveactedwithsolittleconscienceastotrytoforcethismatchuponme，whenhemusthaveknownthatIdidnotloveHenryDunning。\"
\"Hedidn’tknow，\"Isaid。
\"Heshouldhavebeensurebeforeprovidingfortheceremony，afterhearingwhatIhadpromisedyouIwouldandwouldnotdo，\"saidMarguerite。
\"But——Inevertoldhimanythingaboutyourpromise!\"Ishouted，desperately。\"Hehasdoneallthisunwittingly。\"
\"Isthattrue？Didn’tyoutellhim？\"shecried，eagerlygraspingmyhand。
Hermannerleftnodoubtinmymindastowhotheheroofherchoicewouldbe——andagainIsighedtothinkthatitwasnotI。
\"AstrueasthatIstandhere，\"Isaid。\"Inevertoldhim。\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
\"Oh，well，youknowwhatImean!\"Isaid，excitedly。\"WhereverIdostand，it’sastrueasthatIstandthere。\"
Thephrasewasawkward，butitfulfilleditspurpose。
\"Whydidn’tyoutellhim？\"sheasked。
\"BecauseIdidn’tthinkitnecessary。Factis，\"Iadded，\"IhadasortofnotionthatifyoumarriedanybodyinoneofHarley’sbooks，ifHarleyhadhisownwayitwouldbetothemanwho——whotellsthesto——\"
AloudnoiseinterruptedmyremarkandIstartedupinalarm，andinaninstantIfoundmyselfbackinmyroomsintownoncemore。ThelittlemountainhousenearLakeGeorge，withitsinterestingandbeautifulguest，hadfadedfromsight，andIrealizedthatsomebodywashammeringwithastickuponmydoor。
\"Hellothere!\"Icried。\"What’swanted？\"
\"It’sI——Harley，\"cameStuart’svoice。\"Letmein。\"
Iunlockedthedoorandheentered。ThebrownofBarnegathadgone，andhewashisbrokenselfagain。
\"Well，\"Isaid，tryingtoignorehisappearance，whichreallyshockedme，\"how’sthebook？Gotitdone？\"
Hesankintoachairwithagroan。
\"Hangthebook!——it’sallupwiththat；I’mgoingtoChadwickto—
morrowandcallthethingoff，\"hesaid。\"Shewon’twork——twoweeks’
steadyapplicationgonefornothing。\"
\"Oh，come!\"Isaid；\"notasbadasthat。\"
\"Preciselyasbadasthat，\"heretorted。\"Whatcanafellowdoifhisheroinedisappearsascompletelyasiftheearthhadopenedandswallowedherup？\"
\"Gone？\"Icried，withdifficultyrepressingmydesiretolaugh。
\"Completely——searchedhighandlowforher——noearthlyuse，\"heanswered。\"Ican’tevenimaginewheresheis。\"
\"Allofwhich，mydearStuart，\"Isaid，adoptingasuperiortoneforthemoment，\"showsthatanimaginationthatisworthsomethingwouldn’tbeabadpossessionforarealist，afterall。Iknowwhereyourheroineis。SheisatalittlemountainhousenearLakeGeorge，andshehasfledtheretoescapeyourboobyofahero，whomyoushouldhaveknownbetterthantoforceuponagirllikeMargueriteAndrews。You’regettinginartistic，mydearboy。SacrificesomethingtotheAmericangirl，butdon’tsacrificeyourart。Justbecausetheaforesaidgirllikesherstoriestoendupwithaweddingisnoreasonwhyyoushouldtrytocondemnyourheroinetolife—longmisery。\"
Stuartlookedatmewithapuzzledexpressionforafullminute。
\"Howthedeucedoyouknowanythingaboutit？\"heasked。
Iimmediatelyenlightenedhim。Itoldhimeverycircumstance——evenmysuspicionastotheheroofherheart，anditseemedtopleasehim。
\"Won’tthestorygoifyoustopitwiththeengagement？\"Iasked，afteritwasallover。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，thoughtfully。\"ButIshallnotpublishit。Ifitwasallsodistastefultoherasyousay，I’dratherdestroyit。\"
\"Don’tdothat，\"Isaid。\"Changetheheroine’sname，andnobodybutourselveswilleverbethewiser。\"
\"Ineverthoughtofthat，\"saidhe。
\"That’sbecauseyou’venoimagination，\"Iretorted。
Stuartsmiled。\"It’sagoodidea，andI’lldoit；itwon’tbethetruestrealism，butIthinkIamentitledtotheleewayononelapse，\"hesaid。
\"Youare，\"Irejoined。\"Lapseforthesakeofrealism。Themanwhoneverlapsesisnotreal。Thereneverwassuchaman。Youmightchangethatgarden—partycostumetoo。Ifyoucan’tthinkofabettercombinationthanthat，leaveittome。I’llwritetomysisterandaskhertodesignadecentdressforthatoccasion。\"
\"Thanks，\"saidStuart，withalaugh。\"Iacceptyouroffer；but，I
say，whatwasthenameofthelittlemountainhousewhereyoufoundher？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"Ireplied。\"YoumadesuchaninfernalrowbatteringdownmydoorthatIcameawayinahurryandforgottoask。\"
\"Thatisunfortunate，\"saidStuart。\"Ishouldhavelikedtogoupthereforawhile——shemighthelpmecorrecttheproofs，youknow。\"
That’swhathesaid，buthedidn’tdeceiveme。Helovedher，andI
beganagaintohopetograciousthatHarleyhadnotdeceivedhimselfandme，andthatMargueriteAndrewswasabitofreallife，andnotaworkoftheimagination。
Atanyrate，Harleyhadanabidingfaithinherexistence，forthefollowingMondaynighthepackedhiscaseandsetoutforLakeGeorge。Hewasgoingtoexplore，hesaid。
CHAPTERX：BYWAYOFEPILOGUE
\"Let，downthecurtain，thefarceisdone。\"
—RABELAIS。
Isupposemystoryoughttoendhere，sinceHarley’srebelliousheroinehasfinallybeensubduedfortheuseofhispublishersandtheconsequentdeclarationofdividendsfortheHarleyexchequer；buttherewasanepiloguetothelittlefarce，whichnearlyturneditintotragedy，fromwhichtheprincipalsweresavedbynothingshortofmyowningenuity。HarleyhadfallendesperatelyinlovewithMargueriteAndrews，andMargueriteAndrewshadfalleninlovewithStuartHarley，andHarleycouldn’tfindher。Sheeludedhiseveryeffort，andhebegantodoubtthathehaddrawnherfromreallife，afterall。ShehadbecomeaMarjorieDawtohim，andthenotionthathemustgothroughlifecherishingahopelesspassionwasdistractingtohim。Hisbookwasthegreatestofhissuccesses，whichwasanadditionalcauseofdiscomforttohim，since，knowingashenowdidthathisstudywasnotafaithfulportrayaloftheinnerlifeofhisheroine，hefeltthatthelaurelsthatwerebeingplaceduponhisbrowhadbeenobtainedunderfalsepretences。
\"Ifeellikeahypocrite，\"hesaid，ashereadanenthusiasticreviewofhislittleworkfromthepenofnolessapersonthanMr。Darrow，thehigh—priestoftherealisticsect。\"IamafraidIshallnotbeabletolookDarrowintheeyewhenImeethimattheclub。\"
\"Neverfearforthat，Stuart，\"Isaid，laughinginwardlyathisplight。\"Brazenitout；keepastiffupperlip，andDarrowwillneverknow。Hehasinsight，ofcourse，buthecan’tseeasfarinasyouandhethink。\"
\"It’sadevilishsituation，\"hecried，impatientlystridingupanddowntheroom，\"thatamanofmyageshouldbesohopelesslyinlovewithawomanhecan’tfind；andthathecan’tfindherissuchacruelsarcasmuponhisliterarycreed!Whatcursedidiosyncrasyoffateisitthathasbroughtthisthinguponme？\"
\"It’sthepunishmentthatfitsyourcrime，Harley，\"Isaid。\"You’vebeenrathernarrowmindedinyourliteraryideas。Possiblyitwillmakeamoretolerantcriticofyouhereafter，whenyoucometoflayfellowslikeBalderstoneforventuringtothinkdifferentlyfromyouastothesortofbooksitispropertowrite。Hehasasmuchrighttotheprofitshecanderivefromhisfancyasyouhavetotheemolumentsofyourinsight。\"
\"I’dtakesomecomfortifIthoughtthatshereallylovedme，\"hesaid，mournfully。
\"Havenodoubtonthatscore，Stuart，\"Isaid。\"Shedoesloveyou。
Iknowthat。Iwishshedidn’t。\"
\"Thenwhycan’tIfindher？Whydoesshehidefromme？\"hecried，fortunatelyignoringmydevoutlyexpressedwish，whichslippedoutbeforeIknewit。
\"Becausesheisawoman，\"Ireplied。\"Hasn’tyouranalyticalmindtoldyouyetthatthemoreawomanlovesaman，theharderhe’sgottoworktofinditoutand——andclinchthebargain？\"
\"Isupposeyouareright，\"hesaid，gloomily。\"ButifIwereawoman，andknewIwaskillingamanbykeepingmyselfinhiding，I’dcomeoutandshowmyselfatanycost，especiallyifIlovedhim。\"
\"Nowyouaredealinginimagination，Harley，\"Isaid；\"andthatneverwasyourstrongpoint。\"
Nevertheless，hewasrightononepoint。ThehopelessnessofhisquestwaskillingHarley——notphysicallyexactly，butemotionally，asitwere。Itwastakingalltheheartoutofhim，andhispresentstateofmindwasfarmoredeplorablethanwhenhewasstrugglingwiththebook，andconstantlygrowingworse。Hetriedeverydevicetofindher——theWillardswereconjuredup，andknewnothing；Mrs。
CorwinandthetwinswerebroughtbackfromEurope，andrefusedtoyieldupthesecret；allthepowersofarealisticpenwerebroughttobearuponher，andyetsherefusedutterlytomaterialize。
Finally，Ifounditnecessarytoactmyself。IcouldnotstandthesightofHarleybeinggraduallyeatenupbythelongingofhisownsoul，andItriedmyhandatexploration。Ihadnobettersuccessforseveralweeks；andthen，likeaninspiration，thewholethingcametome。\"Shewon’tcomewhenhesummonsher，becausesheloveshim。Shewon’tsummonhimtocometoher，forthesamereason。Whynotsummonbothofthemyourselftoacommonground？Embalmtheminalittleromanceofyourown。Forcethemifneedbe，butgetthemthere，andsobringthemtogether，andletthemworkouttheirownhappiness，\"saidItomyself。TheonlydifficultythatpresenteditselfwasastowhetherornotMargueritewouldallowherselftobeforced。Itwasworththetrial，however，andfortunefavoredme。I
foundherfarfromrebellious。Mypenhadhardlytouchedpaperwhenshematerialized，morebewilderinglybeautifulthanever。IlaidthesceneofmylittleessayatLake—wood，andIfoundhersittingdownbythewater，dreamilygazingoutoverthelake。InherlapwasStuartHarley’sbook，anddaintilypastedonthefly—leafofthiswastheportraitwhichhadappearedintheAugustissueofTheLiteraryMan，whichshehadcutoutandpreserved。
Havingprovidedtheheroinewithaspotconducivetohercomfort，I
hastenedtotransportHarleytothescene。Itwaseasytodo，seeinghowdeeplyinterestedIwasinmyplotandhowwillinghewas。IgothimtherelookinglikeaGreekgod，onlyatriflemoreinteresting，becauseofhissympathy—arousingpallor——thepallorwhichcomesfromanundeservedbuffetingatthehandsofamischievousCupid。Iknowitwell，forIhaveobserveditseveraltimesuponmyowncountenance。ThemomentHarleyappeareduponthesceneIchosetohaveMargueritehastilyclaspthebookinherhands，raiseittoherlips，andkissthepicture——anditmusthavebeenintenselytruetolife，forshediditwithoutamoment’shesitation，almostanticipatingmyconvenience，throwinganamountofpassionintotheactwhichmademypenfairlyhissasIdippeditintotheink。OfcourseHarleycouldnotfailtoseeit——Ihadtakencaretoarrangeallthat——andequallyofcoursehecouldnotfailtocomprehendwhatthatkissmeant；couldnotfailtostopshort，withaconvulsiveefforttocontrolhimself——heroesalwaysdothat；couldnotfailtherebytoattractherattention。Afterthisnothingwasmorenaturalthanthatsheshouldspringtoherfeet，\"theblushesofasurprisedlovemantlinghercheeks\"；itwasequallynaturalthatsheshouldtrytorun，shouldslip，havehimcatchherarmandsaveherfromfalling，and——well，Iamnotgoingtotellthewholestory。I
haveneitherthetime，theinclination，northetalenttolaybaretotheworldthelove—affairsofmyfriend。Furthermore，havinggotthemtogether，Idiscreetlywithdrew，sothatevenifIweretotrytowriteuptherestofthecourtship，itwouldmerelyresultinmytellingyouhowIimagineditprogressed，andIfancymyreadersareaswellupinmattersofthatsortasIam。Sufficeittosay，therefore，thatinthiswayIbroughtStuartHarleyandMargueriteAndrewstogether，andthattheeventjustifiedthemeans：andthattheotherday，whenMr。andMrs。Harleyreturnedfromtheirhoneymoon，theytoldmetheythoughtIoughttogiveuphumorandtaketowritinglove—stories。
\"Thatkissingthepictureepisode，\"saidStuart，lookinggratefullyatme，\"wasaninspiration。Tomymind，itwasthemostsatisfactorythingyou’veeverdone。\"
\"Ilikethat!\"criedhiswife，withamischievoustwinkleinhereye。
\"Hedidn’tdoit。ItwasIwhokissedthepicture。Hecouldn’thavemademedoanythingelsetosavehislife。\"
\"Rebellioustothelast!\"saidI，withasightothinkthatImustnowwritetheword\"Finis\"tomylittlefarce。
\"Yes，\"sheanswered。\"Rebellioustothelast。Ishallneverconsenttobetheheroineofabookagain，until——\"
ShepausedandlookedatStuart。
\"Untilwhat？\"heasked，tenderly。
\"Untilyouwriteyourautobiography，\"saidshe。\"Ihavealwayswantedofbetheheroineofthat。\"
Andthrowingdownmypen，IdiscoveredIwasalone。
