\"Ishouldthinknot，\"returnedJulia，musing;\"I
neverhadasister;butitappearstomethattheveryfamiliarityofsisterswouldbedestructivetofriendship。\"
\"WhyIthoughtitwastheconfidence——thefamiliarity——thesecrets——whichformtheveryessenceoffriendship。\"criedKatherine;\"atleastsoIhavealwaysheard。\"
\"True，\"saidJulia，eagerly，\"youspeaktrue——theconfidenceandthesecrets——butnotthe——the——IamnotsurethatIexpressmyselfwell——buttheintimateknowledgethatonehasofone’sownsister——thatIshouldthinkwouldbedestructivetothedelicacyoffriendship。\"
\"Juliameansthataprophethasneverhonourinhisowncountry，\"criedCharleswithalaugh——\"asomewhatdoubtfulcomplimenttoyoursex，ladies，underherapplicationofit。\"
\"Butwhatbecomesofyourinnateevidenceofworthinfriendship，\"askedMissEmmerson;\"Ithoughtthatwasthemostinfallibleofallkindsoftestimony：surelythatmustbringyouintimatelyacquaintedwitheachother’ssecretfoiblestoo。\"
\"Oh！no——thatisaspeciesofsentimentalknowledge，\"returnedJulia;\"itonlydwellsontheloftierpartsofthecharacter，andneverdescendstotheminuteknowledgewhichmakesussuffersomuchineachother’sestimation：itleavesallthesetobefilledbythe——bythe——bythe——whatshallIcallit？\"
\"Imagination，\"saidKatherine，dryly。
\"Well，bytheimaginationthen：butitisanimaginationthatispurifiedbysentiment，and\"——
\"Alreadyrenderedpartialbytheinnateevidenceofworth，\"interruptedCharles。
Juliahadlostherselfinthemazesofherownideas，andchangedthesubjectunderasecretsuspicionthathercompanionswereamusingthemselvesatherexpense;she，therefore，proceededdirectlytourgetherequestofAnnaMiller。
\"Oh！aunt，nowweareonthesubjectoffriends，I
wishtorequestyouwouldauthorizemetoinvitemyAnnatopassthenextwinterwithusinPark-
Place。\"
\"Iconfess，mylove，\"saidMissEmmerson，glancinghereyeatKatherine，\"thatIhaddifferentviewsforourselvesnextwinter：hasnotMissMilleramarriedsisterlivingintown？\"
\"Yes，butshehaspositivelyrefusedtoaskthedeargirl，Iknow，\"saidJulia。\"Annaisnotafavouritewithhersister。\"
\"Veryoddthat，\"saidtheauntgravely;\"theremustbeareasonforherdislikethen：whatcanbethecauseofthisunusualdistasteforeachother？\"
\"Oh！\"criedJulia，\"itisallthefaultofMrs。Welton;
theyquarrelledaboutsomething，Idon’tknowwhat，butAnnaassuresmeMrs。Weltonisentirelyinfault。\"
\"Indeed！——andyouareperfectlysurethatMrs。
Weltonisinfault——perhapsAnnahas，however，laidtoostrongastressupontheerrorofhersister，\"
observedtheaunt。
\"Oh！notatall，dearaunt。Icanassureyou，onmyownknowledge，\"continuedJulia，\"Annawasanxiousforareconciliation，andofferedtocomeandspendthewinterwithhersister，butMrs。
Weltondeclaredpositivelythatshewouldnothavesoselfishacreatureroundherchildren：nowthisAnnatoldmeherselfoneday，andweptnearlytobreakherheartatthetime。\"
\"PerhapsMrs。Weltonwasrightthen，\"saidMissEmmerson，\"andprudence，ifnotsomeotherreason，justifiedherrefusal。\"
\"Howcanyousayso，dearaunt？\"interruptedJulia，withalittleimpatience，\"whenItellyouthatAnnaherself——myAnna，toldmewithherownlips，hereinthisveryhouse，thatMrs。Weltonwasentirelytoblame，andthatshehadneverdoneanythinginherlifetojustifythetreatmentortheremark——nowAnnatoldmethiswithherownmouth。\"
AsJuliaspoke，theardourofherfeelingsbroughtthecolourtohercheeksandananimationtohereyesthatrenderedherdoublyhandsome;andCharlesWeston，whohadwatchedhervaryingcountenancewithdelight，sighedassheconcluded，andrising，lefttheroom。
\"IunderstandthatyourfatherintendsspendinghiswinterinCarolina，forhishealth，\"saidMissEmmersontoKatherine。
\"Yes，\"returnedtheotherinalowtone，andbendingoverherworktoconcealherfeelings;
\"motherhaspersuadedhimtoavoidourwinter。\"
\"Andyouaretobeleftbehind？\"
\"Iamafraidso，\"wasthemodestreply。
\"AndyourbrotherandsistergotoWashingtontogether？\"
\"Thatisthearrangement，Ibelieve。\"
MissEmmersonsaidnomore，butsheturnedanexpressivelookonherward，whichJuliawastoomuchoccupiedwithherthoughtstonotice。Theillnessofherfather，andtheprospectofalongseparationfromhersister，weretoomuchforthefortitudeofKatherineatanytime，andhastilygatheringherworkinherhand，shelefttheroomjustintimetopreventthetearswhichstreameddownhercheeksfrommeetingtheeyesofhercompanions。
\"WeoughttoaskKatherinetomakeoneofourfamily，intheabsenceofhermotherandsister，\"
saidMissEmmerson，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。
\"Ah！yes，\"criedJulia，fervently，\"byallmeans：poorKatherine，howsolitaryshewouldbeanywhereelse——Iwillgothisinstantandaskher。\"
\"But——stopamoment，mylove;youwillrememberthatwehavenotroomformorethanoneguest。IfKatherineisasked，MissMillercannotbeinvited。
Letuslookatwhatweareabout，andleavenothingtorepentofhereafter。\"
\"Ah！itistrue，\"saidJulia，re-seatingherselfingreatdisappointment;\"wherewillpoorKatherinestaythen？\"
\"IknowmybrotherexpectsthatIwilltakeherundermycharge;and，indeed，Ithinkhehasrighttoaskitofme。\"
\"ButshehasnosuchrightasmyAnna，whoismybosomfriend，youknow。Katherinehasarighthere，itistrue，butitisonlysucharight\"——
\"Asyourown，\"interruptedtheauntgravely;\"youarethedaughterofmysister，andKatherineisthedaughterofmybrother。\"
\"True——true——ifitberight，lawfulright，thatistodecideit，thenKatherinemustcome，Isuppose，\"
saidJulia，alittlepiqued。
\"Letusproceedwithcaution，mylove，\"saidMissEmmerson，kissingherniece——\"DoyoupostponeyourinvitationuntilSeptember，when，ifyoucontinueofthesamemind，wewillgiveAnnathedesiredinvitation：inthemeanwhileprepareyourselfforwhatIknowwillbeamostagreeablesurprise。\"
CHAPTERIV。
ALTHOUGHJuliaspentmostofhertimewithherauntandcousin，opportunitiesformeditationwerenotwanting：intheretirementofherclosetsheperusedandre-perusedthefrequentlettersofherfriend。ThemodestyofJulia，orrathershame，wouldhavepreventedherfrommakingAnnaacquaintedwithallherfeelings，butitwouldhavebeentreasontoherfriendshipnottohavepouredoutalittleofhersoulatthefeetofMissMiller。
Accordingly，inherletters，JuliadidnotavoidthenameofAntonio。Shementioneditoften，butwithwomanlydelicacy，ifnotwithdiscretion。Theseedsofconstantassociationhad，unknowntoherself，takendeeproot，anditwasnotinthepowerofAnnaMillertoeradicateimpressionswhichhadbeenfastenedbytheexampleoftheaunt，andcherishedbythesocietyofhercousin。Althoughdeluded，weak，andevenindiscreet，Juliawasnotindelicate。Yetenoughescapedhertohavegivenanyexperiencedeyeaninsightintotheconditionofhermind，hadAnnachosentohaveexposedherletterstoanyone。Thedangerofsuchacorrespondenceshouldalonedeteranyprudentfemalefromitsindulgence。Societyhasbrandedthemanwithscornwhodaresabusetheconfidenceofawomaninthismanner;andthedreadoftheindignationofhisassociatesmakesitanoffencewhichisrarelycommittedbytheothersex：butthereisnosuchobligationimposedonwomen，andthatfrequentlypassesforajokewhichharrowseveryfeelingthatisdeartothefemalebreast，andviolatesallthatisdelicateandsensitiveinournature。Surely，whereitisnecessaryfromanyadventitiouscircumstancestolaytheheartopeninthismanner，itshouldonlybedonetothosewhosecharactersareconnectedwithourown，andwhofeelridiculeinflictedonus，asdisgraceheapedonthemselves。Apeculiareviloftheseconfidentialfriendshipsis，thattheyaremostliabletooccur，when，fromtheiryouth，theirvictimsaretheleastguarded;and，atthesametime，frominconstancy，themostliabletochange。Happily，however，forJulia’speaceofmind，sheforesawnosuchdangersfromherintimacywithAnna，andletterandanswerpassedbetweenthem，atshortintervals，duringtheremainderofthesummer。Weshallgivebutonemorespecimenofeach，astheyhavestrongresemblancetooneanother——weselecttwothatwerewrittenlateinAugust。
\"MyownandbelovedJulia，\"Yourlettersaretheonlyconsolationthatmyanxiousheartcanknowinthedrearysolitudeofthisplace。Oh！myfriend，howwouldyourtenderheartbleeddidyoubutknowtheleastofmysufferings;buttheyareallrequitedbythedelightfulanticipationsofPark-Place。Ihopeyourdearaunthasnotfounditnecessarytolaydownhercarriageinthechangeofthetimes：writemeinyournextaboutit。Antoniohasbeenhereagain，andhesolicitedanaudiencewithmeinprivate——ofcourseIgrantedit，forfriendshiphallowsallthatisdoneunderitsmantle。Itwasamoonlightnight——
mildLunasheddingabalmylightonsurroundingobjects，and，ifpossible，renderingmyheartmoresensitivethanever。Onesolitaryglimmeringstarshowedbyitspalyquiveringstheimpressofevening，whilenotacloudobscuredthevastfirmamentofheaven。OnsuchaneveningAntoniocoulddonothingbutconverseofmyabsentfriend;
hedweltontheindescribablegraceofyourperson，thelustreofyoureye，andthevermilionofyourlips，untilexhaustedlanguagecouldfurnishnomoreepithetsofrapture：thenthetransitiontoyourmindwasnaturalandeasy;anditwaswhilelisteningtohishoniedaccentsthatIthoughtmyJuliaherselfwastalking。
\"Softasthedewsfromheavendescend，hisgentleaccentsfell。\"
Ah，Julia！nothingbutastrongpre-possession，andmyfriendshipforyou，couldremovethedangerofsuchascene。Yes！friendofmyheart，Imustacknowledgemyweakness。ThereisayouthinNew-York，whohaslongbeenmasterofmytoosensitiveheart，andwithouthimlifewillbeaburthen。Cruelfatedividesusnow，butwheninvitedbyyouraunttoPark-Place，Oh，raptureunutterable！IshallbenearmyRegulus。This，surely，isallthatcanbewantingtostimulatemyJuliatogettheinvitationfromheraunt。AntoniosaysthatifIgotothecitythisfall，hewillhovernearmeontheroadtoguardthefriendofJulia;
andthathewilleagerlyavailhimselfofmypresencetoseekhersociety。Iamcalledfrommydelightfuloccupationbyoneofmytroublesomesisters，whowishesmetoassistherinsometrifleorother。Makemymostprofoundrespectstoyourdear，goodaunt，andbelievemeyourowntruefriend，ANNA。\"
{Regulus=prince}
AtlengthJuliathoughtshehadmadethediscoveryofAnna’sreasonforherevidentdesiretospendthewinterintown——likeherself，herfriendhadbecomethevictimofthesoftpassion，andfromthatmomentJuliadeterminedthatKatherineEmmersonmustseekanotherresidence，inorderthatAnnamightbreathelove’satmosphere。HowmuchadesiretoseeAntoniogovernedthisdecision，wecannotsay，butwearecertainthat，ifintheleast，Juliawasherselfignorantofthepower。Withher，itseemedtobetheresultofpure，disinterested，andconfidingfriendship。Inanswer，ourheroinewroteasfollows：
\"MybelovedAnna，\"Yourkind，consolatorylettersarecertainlythesolaceofmylife。Ah！Anna，Ihavelongthoughtthatsomeimportantsecretlayheavyatyourheart。
Theincoherencyofyourletters，andcertainthingstootriflingtomention，hadmademesuspectthatsomeunusualcalamityhadbefallenyou。YoudonotmentionwhoRegulusis。Iamburningwithcuriositytoknow，althoughIdoubtnotbutheiseverywayworthyofyourchoice。
\"Ihaveinvainrunoverinmymindeveryyoungmanthatweknow，butnotoneofthemthatIcanfindhasanyofthequalitiesofahero。Dorelievemycuriosityinyournext，andImayhaveitinmypowertowriteyousomethingofhismovements。
Oh！Anna，whywillyoudwellonthenameofAntonio——IamsureIoughtnottolistenasIdotowhathesays——andwhenwemeet，Iamafraidthathewillnotfindalltheattractionswhichyourtoopartialfriendshiphasportrayed。Ifheshouldbethusdisappointed，Oh！Anna——Anna——whatwouldbecomeofyourfriend——ButIwillnotdwellanthehorrididea。CharlesWestonisyethere，andKatherineEmmersontoo;sothatbutforthethoughtsofmyabsentAnna，andperhapsalittleuneasinessonthesubjectofAntonio，Imightbeperfectlyhappy。YouknowhowgoodandfriendlyKatherineis，andreallyCharlesdoesallinhispowertoplease。Ifhewereonlyalittlemoreheroical，hewouldbeacharmingyoungman：foralthoughheisnotveryhandsome，Idon’tthinkyounoticeitintheleastwhenyouareintimatewithhim。PoorCharles，hewasterriblymortifiedabouttheflashoflightning——butthenallarenotbravealike。Adieu，myAnna——andifyoudoconversemorewithacertainpersonabout，youknowwhom，letitbewithdiscretion，oryoumayraiseexpectationsshewillnotequal。YourownJULIA。\"
\"P。S。IhadalmostforgottentosaythataunthaspromisedmethatIcanaskyoutostaywithus，if，afterthe20thSeptember，Iwishit，asyoumaybesurethatIwill。Auntkeepshercarriageyet，andI
hopewillneverwantitinheroldage。\"
Aboutthetimethisletterwaswritten，MissEmmersonmadebothofherniecesacquaintedwiththepromisedprojectthatwastogivethemtheagreeablesurprise：——shehadlongcontemplatedgoingtosee\"theFalls，\"andshenowintendedputtingherplanintoexecution。Katherinewasherselfpressedtomakeoneoftheparty，buttheyounglady，atthesametimesheownedherwishtoseethisfar-famedcataract，declinedtheofferfirmly，butgratefully，onaccountofherdesiretospendtheremainingtimewithherfatherandmother，beforetheywenttothesouth。CharlesWestonlookedfromKatherinetoJuliaduringthisdialogue，andforaninstantwasatalosstoknowwhichhethoughtthehandsomestofthecousins。
ButJuliaenteredintothefeelingsoftheotherssoquickly，andsogracefullyofferedtogiveupthejourney，inorderthatMissEmmersonmightcontinuewithherbrother，that，aidedbyhersuperiorbeauty，shetriumphed。Itwasevident，thatconsiderationforherniecewasastronginducementwiththeauntformakingthejourney，andthecontestbecameasdisinterestedasitwaspleasingtotheauditors。ButtheauthorityofMissEmmersonprevailed，andCharleswasinstantlyenlistedastheirescortforthejourney。Julianeverlookedmorebeautifuloramiablethanduringthisshortcontroversy。IthadbeenmentionedbytheauntthatsheshouldtakethehouseofMr。Millerinherroad，andtheinformationexcitedanemotionthatbroughtallherlustretohereyes，andbloomtohercheeks。Charlesthoughtitwasaburstofgenerousfriendship，andadmiredtheself-denialwithwhichsheurgedheraunttorelinquishtheidea。ButJuliawasconstitutionallygenerous，anditwastheexcessofthequalitythatmadeherenthusiasticandvisionary。IfshedidnotdeserveallofCharles’sadmiration，shewasentitledtonosmallshareofit。Assoonasthequestionwasdeterminedinfavourofgoing，MissEmmersonandKatherinewithdrew，leavingCharlesalonewiththeheroineofourtale。Undertheageoffive-and-
twenty，mencommonlyactattheinstigationofsuddenimpulse，andyoungWestonwasnotyettwenty-one。HehadlongadmiredJuliaforherbeautyandgoodfeelings;hedidnotseeonehalfofherfolly，andheknewallofherworth;herenthusiasticfriendshipforMissMillerwasforgotten;evenhermirthathisownwantofheroismhadatthemomentescapedhismemory——
andthepoweroftheyoungladyoverhimwasnevergreater。
\"Howadmirableinyou，Julia，\"hesaid，seatinghimselfbyherside，\"tourgewhatwasagainstyourownwishes，inordertoobligeyouraunt！\"
\"Doyouthinkso，Charles？\"saidtheothersimply;
\"butyouseeIurgeditfeebly，forIdidnotprevail。\"
\"No，foryoumistookyouraunt’swishes，itseems：
shedesirestogo——butthenallthelovelinessoftheactwasyours。\"
Atthewordloveliness，Juliaraisedhereyestohisfacewithaslightblush——itwasnewlanguageforCharlesWestontouse，anditwasjustsuitedtoherfeelings。Afteramoment’spause。however，shereplied——
\"Youusestronglanguage，cousinCharles，suchasisunusualforyou。\"
\"Julia，althoughImaynotoftenhaveexpressedit，Ihavelongthoughtyoutobeverylovely！\"
exclaimedtheyoungman，borneawaywithhisardouratthemoment。
\"Uponmyword，Charles，youimprove，\"saidJulia，blushingyetmoredeeply，and，ifpossible，lookingstillhandsomerthanbefore。
\"Julia——MissWarren——youtearmysecretfrommebeforeitstime——Iloveyou，Julia，andwouldwishtomakeyoumywife。\"
ThiswascertainlyveryplainEnglish，nordidJuliamisunderstandasyllableofwhathesaid——butitwasentirelynewandunexpectedtoher;shehadlivedwithCharlesWestonwiththeconfidenceofakinswoman，buthadneverdreamtofhimasalover。
Indeed，shesawnothinginhimthatlookedlikeabeingtoexciteortoentertainsuchapassion;andalthoughfromthemomentofhisdeclarationshebeganinsensiblytothinkdifferentlyofhim，nothingwasfartherfromhermindthantoreturnhisofferedaffection。Butthentheopportunityofmakingasacrificetohersecretlovewasglorious，andherfranknessforbadehertoconcealthetruth。Indeed，whatbetterwaywastheretodestroytheunhappypassionofCharles，thantoconvincehimofitshopelessness？Thesethoughtsflashedthroughhermindwiththerapidityoflightning——andtremblingwiththeagitationandnoveltyofhersituation，sheansweredinalowvoice——
\"That，Charles，canneverbe。\"
\"Whynever，Julia？\"criedtheyouth，givingwayatoncetohislong-suppressedfeelings——\"whynever？
Tryme，proveme！thereisnothingIwillnotdotogainyourlove。\"
Oh！howseductivetoafemaleearisthefirstdeclarationofanattachment，especiallywhenurgedbyyouthandmerit！——itassailsherheartinthemostvulnerablepart，andifitbenotfortifiedunusuallywell，seldomfailsofsuccess。HappilyforJulia，theimageofAntoniopresenteditselftosaveherfrominfidelitytoheroldattachment，andshereplied——
\"Youarekindandgood，Charles，andIesteemyouhighly——butasknomore，Ibegofyou。\"
\"Why，ifyougrantmethis，whyforbidmetohopeformore？\"saidtheyoutheagerly，andlookingreallyhandsome。
Juliahesitatedamoment，andletherdarkeyesfallbeforehisardentgaze，atalosswhattosay——butthefaceofApollointheimperialuniforminterposedtosaveher。
\"Ioweittoyourcandour，Mr。Weston，toownmyweakness——\"shesaid，andhesitated。
\"Goon，Julia——myJulia，\"saidCharles，inanunusuallysoftvoice;\"killmeatonce，orbidmelive！\"
AgainJuliapaused，andagainshelookedonhercompanionwithkindereyesthanusual——whenshefeltthepicturewhichlaynextherheart，andproceeded——
\"Yes，Mr。Weston，thisheart，thisfoolish，weakheartisnolongermyown。\"
\"How！\"exclaimedCharles，inastonishment，\"andhaveIthenarival，andasuccessfulonetoo？\"
\"Youhave，\"saidJulia，buryingherfaceinherhandstoconcealherblushes。——\"But，Mr。Weston，onyourgenerosityIdependforsecrecy——beasgenerousasmyself。\"
\"Yes——yes——Iwillconcealmymiseryfromothers，\"
criedCharles，springingonhisfeetandrushingfromtheroom;\"wouldtoGodIcouldconcealitfrommyself！\"
Juliawassensiblytouchedwithhisdistress，andforaninstanttherewassomeregretmingledwithself-
satisfactionatherowncandour——butthenthedelightfulreflectionsoonpresenteditselfofthegratitudeofAntoniowhenhelearnthergenerousconduct，andherself-denialinfavourofamanwhomshehadasyetneverseen。——Atthesametimeshewasresolutelydeterminednevertomentiontheoccurrenceherself——noteventoherAnna。
MissEmmersonwasenabledtodiscoversomesecretuneasinessbetweenCharlesandJulia，althoughshewasbynomeansabletopenetratethesecret。Thegoodaunthadlonganxiouslywishedforjustsuchadeclarationashadbeenmadetoherniece，anditwasoneofthelastofherapprehensionsthatitwouldnothavebeenfavourablyreceived。Ofsimpleandplainhabitsherself，MissEmmersonwasbutlittleversedinthehumanheart;shethoughtthatJuliawasevidentlyhappyandpleasedwithheryoungkinsman，andsheconsideredhimineveryrespectamosteligibleconnexionforhercharge：theirjointfortuneswouldmakeanampleestate，andtheywerealikeaffectionateandgood-tempered——whatmorecouldbewanting？Nothinghoweverpassedinthefutureintercourseoftheyoungcoupletobetraytheirsecrets，andMissEmmersonsoonforgothersurmises。CharleswasmuchhurtatJulia’savowal，andhadinvainpuzzledhisbrainstodiscoverwhohisrivalcouldbe。Noyoungmanthatwasintheleast（sohethought）suitabletohismistress，visitedher，andhegaveuphisconjecturesindespairofdiscoveringthisunknownlover，untilaccidentordesignshoulddrawhimintonotice。
Littledidhesuspectthetruth。Ontheotherhand，JuliaspenthersecrethoursinthedelightfulconsciousnessofhavingnowdonesomethingthatrenderedherworthyofAntonio，withoccasionalregretthatshewascompelledbydelicacyandlovetorefuseCharlessohastilyasshehaddone。
Verysoonafterthisembarrassingexplanation，Juliareceivedaletterfromherfriendthatwasinnowaydistinguishablefromtherest，exceptthatitcontainedtherealnameofRegulus，whichshedeclaredtobeHenryFrederickSt。Albans。IfCharleswasatalosstodiscoverJulia’shiddenlove，JuliaherselfwasequallyuncertainhowtoknowwhothisMr。St。Albanswas。Afteravastdealofmusing，sherememberedthatAnnawasabsentfromschoolwithoutleaveoneevening，andhadreturnedalonewithayoungmanwhowasunknowntothemistress。Thisincidentwassaid，bysome，tohavecompletedhereducationratherwithintheusualtime。Juliahadherselfthoughtherfriendindiscreet，butonthewhole，hardlytreated——andtheylefttheschooltogether。ThismusthavebeenSt。Albans，andAnnastoodfullyexculpatedinhereyes。Theletteralsoannouncedtheflatteringfact，thatAntoniohadalreadyleftthecountry，orderinghisservantsandhorseshome，andthathehadgonetoNew-YorkwiththeintentionofhoveringaroundJulia，inamask，thatshecouldnotpossiblyremove，duringthedangersoftheirexpectedjourney。AnnaacknowledgedthatshehadbetrayedAntonio’ssecret，butpleadedherdutytoherfriendinjustification。ShedidnotthinkthatJuliawouldbeabletopenetratehisdisguise，ashehaddeclaredhisintentionssotoconcealhimself，bypaintandartifice，astobeabletoescapedetection。Herewasanewsourceofpleasuretoourheroine：Antoniowasalreadyonthewingforthecity，perhapsarrived——nay，mighthaveseenher，mightevennowbewithinashortdistanceofthesummer-housewhereshewassittingatthetime，andwatchinghermovements。Asthisideasuggesteditself，Juliastarted，andunconsciouslyarrangingherhair，bybringingforwardaneglectedcurl，movedwithtremblingstepstowardsthedwelling。Ateachturnofthewalkourheroinethrewatimideyearoundinquestofanunknownfigure，andmorethanoncefanciedshesawthefaceofthegodofmusicpeeringatherfromthefriendlycovertofheraunt’sshrubbery——andtwiceshemistookthelightgreenofaneighbouringcornfield，wavinginthewind，forthecoatofAntonio。Juliahadsolongassociatedtheideaofherherowiththeimageinherbosom，thatshehadgivenitperfectidentity;
but，onmorematurereflection，shewasconvincedofhererror：hewouldcomedisguised，Annahadtoldher，andhadorderedhisservantshome;wherethathomewas，Juliawasleftinignorance——butsheferventlyhoped，notfarremovedfromherbelovedaunt。Theideaofaseparationfromthisaffectionaterelative，whohadprovedamothertoherinherinfancy，gavegreatpaintoherbestfeelings;andJuliaagaininternallyprayedthattheresidenceofAntoniomightnotbefardistant。——
Whatthedisguiseofherloverwouldbe，Juliacouldnotimagine——probably，thatofawanderingharper：
butthensherememberedthattherewerenoharpersinAmerica，andtheverysingularitymightbetrayhissecret。Musicisthe\"foodoflove，\"andJuliafanciedforamomentthatAntoniomightappearasanitinerantorganist——butitwasonlyforamoment;forassoonasshefiguredtoherselftheApolloform，bendingundertheawkwardloadofamusic-grinder，sheturnedindisgustfromthepicture。Histaste，thoughtJuliawillprotectmefromsuchasight——shemighthaveadded，hisconveniencetoo。Variousdisguisespresentedthemselvestoourheroine，until，onaviewofthewholesubject，sheconcludedthatAntoniowouldnotappearasamusicianatall，butinsomecapacityinwhichhemightcontinueunsuspected，nearherperson，andexecutehisprojectofshieldingherfromthedangersoftravelling。Itwasthenonlyasaservantthathecouldappear，and，aftermaturereflection，Juliaconfidentlyexpectedtoseehiminthecharacterofacoachman。
Willingtospareherownhorses，MissEmmersonhadalreadysenttothecityforthekeeperofalivery-stable，tocomeoutandcontractwithherforatravellingcarriage，toconveyhertotheFallsofNiagara。Themancame，anditisnowonderthatJulia，underherimpressions，chosetobepresentattheconversation。
\"Wellthen，\"saidMissEmmersontotheman，\"Iwillpayyouyourprice，butyoumustfurnishmewithgoodhorsestomeetmeatAlbany——rememberthatItakealltheuselessexpensebetweenthetwocities，thatImayknowwhomitisIdealwith。\"
\"MissEmmersonoughttoknowmeprettywellbythistime，\"saidtheman;\"Ihavedrivenherenough，Ithink。\"
\"Andadriver，\"continuedthelady，musing，\"whoamItohaveforadriver？\"HereJuliabecameallattention，tremblingandblushingwithapprehension。
\"Oh，adriver！\"criedthehorse-dealer;\"Ihavegotyouanexcellentdriver，oneofthefirstchopinthecity。\"
{firstchop=firstrank，highestquality}
Althoughthesewerenotthetermsthatourheroinewouldhaveusedherselfinspeakingofthispersonage，yetshethoughttheyplainlyindicatedhissuperiority，andshewaitedinfeverishsuspensetohearmore。
\"Hemustbesteady，andcivil，andsober，andexpert，andtender-hearted，\"saidMissEmmerson，whothoughtofanythingbutaheroindisguise。
\"Yes——yes——yes——yes——yes，\"repliedthestable-
keeper，noddinghisheadandspeakingateachrequisite，\"heisallthat，IcanengagetoMissEmmerson。\"
\"Andhiseyesightmustbegood，\"continuedthelady，deeplyintentonprovidingwellforherjourney;\"wemayridelateintheevening，anditisparticularlyrequisitethathehavegoodeyes。\"
\"Yes——yes，ma’am，\"saidtheman，inalittleembarrassmentthatdidnotescapeJulia;\"hehasasgoodaneyeasanymaninAmerica。\"
\"Ofwhatageishe？\"askedMissEmmerson。
\"Aboutfifty，\"repliedtheman，thinkingyearswouldhearecommendation。
\"Fifty！\"exclaimedJulia，inatoneofdisappointment。
\"’Tistooold，\"saidMissEmmerson;\"heshouldheabletoundergofatigue。\"
\"Well，Imaybemistaken——Oh，hecan’tbemorethanforty，orthirty，\"continuedtheman，watchingthecountenanceofJulia;\"heisamanthatlooksmucholderthanheis。\"
\"Ishestrongandactive？\"
\"Iguessheis——he’sasstrongasanox，andactiveasacat，\"saidtheother，determinedheshouldpass。
\"Well，then，\"saidtheaunt，inhersatisfiedway，\"leteverythingbereadyforusinAlbanybynextTuesday。WeshallleavehomeonMonday。\"
Themanwithdrew。
Juliahadheardenough——foroxshehadsubstitutedHercules，andforcat，shereadthefeatheredMercury。
CHAPTERV。
THElongexpectedMondayatlengtharrived，andMissEmmersonandJulia，takinganaffectionateleaveoftheirrelativesinthecity，wentonboardthesteam-boatundertheprotectionofCharlesWeston。Hereanewsceneindeedopenedonourheroine;forsometimesheevenforgottolookaroundherinthethronginquestofAntonio。Astheboatglidedalongthestream，shestoodleaningononearmofCharles，whileMissEmmersonheldtheother，indelightedgazeattheobjects，whichtheyhadscarcelydistinguishedbeforetheywerepassed。
\"See，dearCharles，\"criedJulia，inaburstofwhatshewouldcallnaturalfeeling——\"thereisourhouse——
herethesummerhouse，andtherethelittlearbourwhereyoureadtouslastweekScott’snewnovel——
howdelightful！everythingnowseemsandfeelslikehome。\"
\"Woulditwereahomeforusall，\"saidCharles，gentlypressingherarminhisown，andspeakingonlytobeheardbyJulia，\"thenshouldIbehappyindeed。\"
JuliathoughtnomoreofAntonio;butwhileherdelightedeyerestedonthewellknownscenesaroundtheirhouse，and{as}shestoodintheworld，forthefirsttime，leaningonCharles，shethoughthimevennearerthantheirintimacyandconsanguinitymadethem。Buttheboatwasfamousforherspeed，andthehouse，garden，andeverythingJuliaknew，weresoonoutofsight，andshe，byaccident，touchingthepicturewhichshehadencasedinanoldgoldsettingofhermother’s，andlodgedinherbosom，wasimmediatelyrestoredtoherformersenseofthings。Thenhereyeglancedrapidlyroundtheboat，butdiscoveringnofacewhichintheleastresembleddisguise，sheabandonedtheexpectationofmeetingherloverbeforetheyreachedAlbany。Herbeautydrewmanyaneyeonher，however，andcatchingthesteadyandadmiringgazeofoneortwoofthegentlemen，Julia’sheartbeat，andherfacewascoveredwithblushes。
ShewasbynomeanssurethatAntoniowouldappearasacoachman——thiswasmerelyasuggestionofherown;andtheideathathemightpossiblybeoneofthegazers，coveredherwithconfusion：herblushesdrewstillmoreattentionandadmirationuponher;andwecannotsaywhatmighthavebeentheresultofherfascinations，hadnotCharlesatthisinstantapproachedthem，andpointingtoaslooptheywerepassingatthetime，exclaimed——
\"See，madam——see，Julia——thereisourtravellingequipageonboardthatsloop，goinguptomeetusinAlbany。\"
Ourheroinelookedasdirected，andsawavesselmovingwithtolerablerapidityuptheriver，withinashortdistancefromthem。Onitsdeckwereatravellingcarriageandapairofhorses，andbythelatterstoodamanwho，bythewhipinhishead，wasevidentlythedriver。Hisstaturewastallandathletic;hiscomplexiondarktonearblackness;hisfacewasburiedinwhiskers;andhisemployerhadspokenthetruthwhenhesaidhehadasgoodaneyeasanymeninAmerica——itwaslarge，black，andmightbepiercing。Butthenhehadbutone——atleasttheplacewheretheotheroughttobe，wascoveredbyanenormouspatchofgreensilk。ThisthenwasAntonio。Itistrue，hedidnotresembleApollo，buthisdisguisealteredhimsothatitwasdifficulttodetermine。AstheyMovedslowlybythevessel，thedriverrecognisedCharles，havinghadaninterviewwithhimthedaybefore，andsalutedhimwithalowbow——hissalutationwasnoticedbytheyoungman，whoslightlytouchedhishat，andgavehimafamiliarnodinreturn——Julia，unconsciously，bentherbody，andfelthercheeksglowwithconfusionassheroseagain。Shecouldnotmusterresolutiontoraisehereyestowardsthesloop，butbyakindofinstinctivecoquetrydraggedhercompaniontotheothersideoftheboat。Assoonasshewasabletorecoverhercomposure，Juliarevolvedinhermindthescenewhichhadjustoccurred。ShehadseenAntonio——everythingabouthimequalledherexpectations——evenatthedistance，shehadeasilydiscernedthenobledignityofhismanners——hiseyegaveassuranceofhisconsciousworth——hisveryattitudewasthatofagentleman。Nottoknowhimforamanofbirth，ofeducationandoffortune，Juliafelttoherwouldbeimpossible;andshetrembledlestothers，asdiscerningasherself，shoulddiscoverhisdisguise，andsheinconsequencebecoveredwithconfusion。
Sheearnestlyhopedhisincog。wouldeverremainunknown，forherdelicacyshrunkatthepublicityandnotorietywhichwouldthenattendhisattachment。Itwascertainlydelightfultobeloved，andsoloved——tobeattended，andsoattended;buttheheartofJuliawastoounpractisedtorelishthelaughandobservationsofamalignantworld。\"No，myAntonio，\"shebreathedinternally，\"hoveraroundme，shieldmefromimpendingdangers，delightmewithyourpresence，andenchantmewithyoureye;
butclaimmeintheguiseofagentlemanandahero，thatnoenvioustonguemayprobethesecretsofourlove，noranyprofanescofferridiculethosesensitivepleasuresthatheistoounsentimentaltoenjoy。\"Withthese，andsimilarthoughts，didJuliaoccupyherself，untilCharlespointedouttoherthemajesticentrancetotheHighlands。Ourheroine，whowastrulyalivetoallthecharmsofnature，gazedwithraptureastheboatplungedbetweenthemountainsoneitherhand，andturnedawistfulgazedowntheriver，inthevainhopethatAntoniomight，atthesamemoment，beenjoyingthescene——butthesluggishsloopwasnowfarbehind，andtheeyeofAntonio，brightasitwas，couldnotpiercethedistance。Juliafeltratherrelievedthanotherwise，whenthevesselwhichcontainedherherowashidfromviewbyamountainthattheydoubled。Herfeelingsweremuchlikethoseofagirlwhohadlonganxiouslywaitedthedeclarationofafavouriteyouth，hadreceivedit，andacknowledgedherownpartiality。Shefeltalltheassuranceofherconquest，andwouldgladly，foratime，avoidtheshameofherownacknowledgment。ThepassageuptheHudsonfurnishesinitselfsomuchtocharmtheeyeofanovice，thatnonebutoneundertheextraordinarycircumstancesofourheroine，couldhavebeheldthebeautiesoftheriverunmoved。IfJuliadidnotexperiencequiteasmuchraptureinthejourneyasshehadanticipated，sheattributedittotheremarkablydelicatesituationshewasinwithherlover，andpossiblytoadreadofhisbeingdetected。Anofficerofhisrankandreputationmustbewellknown，thoughtshe，andhemaymeetwithacquaintanceseverywhere。However，bytheattentionofCharles，shepassedthedaywithaverytolerableproportionofpleasure。TheirarrivalatAlbanywasundistinguishedbyanyremarkableevent，thoughJulialookedinvainthroughthedarknessofthenight，inquestofthefertilemeadowsanddesertislandswhichAnnahadmentionedinherletter。Eventheriverseemedstraightanduninteresting。ButJuliawastired——itwasnight——andAntoniowasabsent。
ThefollowingmorningMissEmmersonandherniece，attendedbyCharles，tookawalktoexaminethebeautiesofAlbany。Itdidnotstrikeourheroineasbeingsopicturesqueasithadherfriend;stillithadnovelty，andthatlentitmanycharmsitmighthavewantedonamoreintimateacquaintance。
Theirforenoon，however，exhaustedthebeautiesofthischarmingtown，andtheyhadreturnedtotheinn，andtheladiesweresittinginratheralistlessstatewhenCharlesenteredtheroomwithalookofpleasure，andcried\"heishere。\"
\"Who！\"exclaimedJulia，starting，andtremblinglikeanaspen。
\"He！——Tony，\"saidCharles，inreply。
Juliawasunabletosayanymore;butheraunt，withoutnoticingheragitation，askedmildly，\"AndwhoisTony？\"
\"WhyAnthony，thedriver——heishereandwishestoseeyou。\"
\"Showhimup，Charles，andletuslearnwhenhewillbereadytogoon。\"
ThiswasanawfulmomenttoJulia——shewasontheeveofbeingconfronted，inaroom，forthefirsttime，withthemanonwhomshefeltthatherhappinessormiserymustdepend。Althoughsheknewthevastimportancetoherofgoodlooksatsuchamoment，shelookedunusuallyill——shewaspalefromapprehension，andawkwardandungracefulfromheragitation。Shewouldhavegiventheworldtohavegotoutoftheroom，butthiswasimpossible——therewasbutonedoor，andthroughthathemustcome。Shehadjustconcludedthatitwasbettertoremaininherchairthanincurtheriskoffaintinginthepassage，whenheentered，precededbyCharles。Hisupper，andpartofhislowerlip，werecleanshaved;asmallpartofonecheekandhisnoseweretobeseen;alltherestofhisfacewascoveredwithhair，orhidunderthepatch。Anenormouscolouredhandkerchiefwastied，inaparticularmanner，roundhisneck;andhiscoat，madeofplainmaterials，andsomewhattarnishedwithservice，wasbuttonedasclosetohisthroatasthehandkerchiefwouldallow。Inshort，hiswholeattirewasthatofacommondriverofahackcarriage;andnoonewhohadnotpreviouslyreceivedanintimationthathischaracterwasdifferentfromhisappearance，wouldatallhavesuspectedthedeception。
\"YournameisAnthony？\"saidMissEmmerson，ashebowedtoherwithduedeference。
\"Yes，ma’am，Anthony——TonySandford，\"wasthereply——itwasutteredinavulgarnasaltone，thatJuliainstantlyperceivedwascounterfeited：butMissEmmerson，withperfectinnocency，proceededinherinquiries。
\"Areyourhorsesgentleandgood，Tony？\"adoptingthefamiliarnomenclaturethatseemedmosttohisfancy。
\"Asgentlease’eraladyintheland，\"saidTony，turninghislargeblackeyeroundtheroom，andlettingitdwellamomentonthebeautifulfaceofJulia——herheartthrobbedwithtumultuousemotionatthefirstsoundofhisvoice，andshewashighlyamusedattheingenuityhehaddisplayed，inpayingacharacteristiccomplimenttohergentleness，inthisclandestinemanner——ifhepreserveshisincognitosoingeniouslyhewillneverbedetected，thoughtJulia，andallwillbewell。
\"Andthecarriage，\"continuedMissEmmerson，\"isitfittocarryus？\"
\"Ican’tsayhowfititmaybetocarrysichladiesasyoube，butitisasgoodacarriageasrunsoutofYork。\"
Herewasanotherdelicatecompliment，thoughtJulia，andsoartfullyconcealedunderbrutalindifferencethatitnearlydeceivedevenherself。
\"Whenwillyoubereadytostart？\"askedMissEmmerson。
\"Thismoment，\"wasthepromptreply——\"wecaneasilyreachSchenectadybysundown。\"
HereJuliasawthedecisionandpromptitudeofasoldierusedtomarchesandmovements，besidesaneagerdesiretoremoveherfromthebustleofalargetownandthoroughfare，toaretirementwhereshewouldbemoreparticularlyunderhisprotection。
MissEmmerson，ontheotherhand，sawnothingbuttheanxietyofacarefulhireling，willingtopromotetheinterestofhismaster，whowastobepaidforhisconveyancebythejob——sodifferentlydosixtyandsixteenjudgethesameactions！Atallevents，theofferwasaccepted，andthemanorderedtosecurethebaggage，andpreparefortheirimmediatedeparture。
\"Whydon’tyouhelpAntonioonwiththebaggage，Charles？\"saidJulia，asshestoodlookingatthedrivertotteringundertheweightofthetrunks。
Charlesstaredamomentwithsurprise——thenamecreatednoastonishment，buttherequestdid。Juliahadahabitofsofteningnames，thatwereratherharshinthemselves，towhichhewasaccustomed。
PetershecalledPierre;RobertwasRubert{sic};
andheraunt’sblackfootmanTimothy，shehaddesignatedasTimotheus：butitwasnotusualforladiestorequestgentlementoperformmenialoffices——until，recollectingthatJuliahadexpressedunusualsolicitudeconcerningadressing-boxthatcontainedAnna’sletters，heatoncesupposeditwastothatshewishedhimtoattend。Charleslefttheroom，andsuperintendedthewholearrangements，whenonceenlisted。Julianowfeltthateverydoubtoftheidentityofherloverwiththiscoachmanwasremoved。HehadingeniouslyadoptedthenameofAnthony，asresemblinginsoundtheonesheherselfhadgivenhiminherletters。ThisheundoubtedlyhadlearntfromAnna——
andthenSandfordwasverymuchlikeStanley——hispatch，hisdress，hisair——everythingabouthimunitedtoconfirmherimpressions;andJulia，atthesametimesheresolvedtoconductherselftowardshimintheirjourneywithaproperfemininereserve，thoughtshecoulddonolesstoamanwhosubmittedtosomuchtoserveher，thantosufferhimtoperceivethatshewasnotentirelyinsensibletotheobligation。
OurheroinecouldnotbutadmiretheknowingmannerwithwhichAntoniotookhisseatonthecarriage，andthedexterityhediscoveredinthemanagementofhishorses——thiswasinfallibleevidenceofhisacquaintancewiththeanimal，andasuresignthathewasthemasterofmany，andhadlongbeenaccustomedtotheirservice。Perhaps，thoughtJulia，hehasbeenanofficerofcavalry。
Intheconstantexcitementproducedbyhersituation，Juliacouldnotenterintoallthefeelingsdescribedbyherfriend，duringtheridetoSchenectady。Itsbeautiesmightbemelancholy，butcouldshebemelancholy，andAntoniosonear？Thepinesmightbesilveryandlofty，buttheproudstatureofmajesticman，eclipsedinhereyesalltheirbeauties。NotsoCharles。Heearlybegantolavishhisabuseonthesterilegroundstheypassed，andgaveanythingbutencomiumsonthesmoothnessoftheroadtheyweretravelling。Inthelatterparticular，eventhequietspiritofMissEmmersonjoinedhim，andJuliaherselfwasoccasionallymadesensiblethatshewasnotreposing\"onabedofroses。\"
{sterilegrounds=thesandy\"pinebarrens\"
betweenAlbanyandSchenectadywerenotoriousfortheirlackofscenicbeauty}
\"DoIdrivetoofastfortheladies？\"askedAntonio，onhearingaslightcomplaintandafaintscreaminthesoftvoiceofJulia。Oh，howconsiderateheis！
thoughtourheroine——howtender！——withouthiscareIcertainlyshouldhavebeenkilledinthisrudeplace。Itwasexpectedthatasshehadcomplained，shewouldanswer;andafteramomentemployedinrallyinghersensesfortheundertaking，sherepliedinavoiceofbreathingmelody——
\"Oh！no，Antonio，youareveryconsiderate。\"
ForaworldJuliacouldnothavesaidmore;andMissEmmersonthoughtthatshehadsaidquiteasmuchastheoccasionrequired;butMissEmmerson，itwillberemembered，supposedtheirdrivertobeAnthonySandford。Thehero，himself，onhearingsuchagentlevoicesosoftlyreplyingtohisquestion，couldnotrefrainfromturninghisfaceintothecarriage，andJuliafeltherowneyeslowerbeforehisearnestgaze，whilehercheeksburnedwiththeblushesthatsuffusedthem。Butthelookspokevolumes——heunderstandsmy\"Antonio，\"
thoughtJulia，andperceivesthat，tome，heisnolongerunknown。Thatexpressiveglancehasopenedbetweenusacommunicationthatwillceasebutwithourlives。Julianowenjoyed，fortheremainderoftheirjourneytoMr。Miller’s，oneofthegreatestpleasuresoflove——unsuspectedbyothers，shecouldholdcommunionwithhimwhohadherheart，bytheeyes，andathousandtenderandnamelesslittleofficeswhichgiveinteresttoaffection，andzesttopassion。
Theyhadnowgothalfwaybetweenthetwocities，andCharlestookaseatbythesideofthedriver，withtheintention，asheexpressedhimself，ofstretchinghislegs：thecarriagewasopenandlight，sothatallofthefiguresofthetwoyoungmencouldbeseenbytheladies，aswellastheirconversationheard。Charlesneverappearedtolessadvantageinhisperson，thoughtJulia，thannow，seatedbythesideofthemanlyandnobleAntonio。
ThefigureofCharleswaslight，andbynomeanswithoutgrace;yetitdidnotstrikethefancyofourheroineassofittoshieldandsupportherthroughlife，asthemorerobustpersonofhiscompanion。
Juliaherselfwas，inform，thecounterpartofhermind——shewaslight，airy，andbeautifullysoftenedinallheroutlines。Itwasimpossibletomistakeherforanythingbutalady，andoneofthegentlestpassionsandsentiments。Shefeltherownweakness，andwouldreposeitonthemanlystrengthofAntonio。
\"Whichdoyoucallthebestofyourhorses？\"askedCharles，sosoonashehadgothimselfcomfortablyseated。
\"Theoff——butbotharetrueassteel，\"wasthelaconicreply。ThecomparisonwasnewtoJulia，anditevidentlydenotedamindaccustomedtothecontemplationofarms。
\"Howlonghaveyoufollowedthebusinessofadriver，Tony？\"saidCharles，inthecarelessmannerofagentlemanwhenhewishestointroducefamiliaritywithaninferior，byseemingtotakeaninterestintheother’saffairs。Juliafeltindignantatthefreedomofhismanner，andparticularlyattheepithetof\"Tony\"——yetherloverdidnotintheleastregardeither——orratherhismannerexhibitednosymptomsofdispleasure——hehasmadeuphismind，thoughtJulia，tosupporthisdisguise，anditisbestforusboththatheshould。
\"EversinceIwassixteenIhavebeenusedtohorses，\"wasthereplyofAntoniotothequestionofCharles——Juliasmiledattheambiguityoftheanswer，andwasconfirmedinherimpressionthathehadleftcollegeatthatagetoserveinthecavalry。
\"Youmustunderstandthemwellbythistime，\"
continuedCharles，glancinghiseyeathiscompanionasiftojudgeofhisyears——\"Youmustbeforty\"——JuliafidgetedalittleatthisguessofCharles，butsoonsatisfiedherselfwiththereflectionthathisdisguisecontributedtotheerror。
\"Myageisverydeceiving，\"saidtheman;\"Ihaveseengreathardshipsinmytime，bothofbodyandmind。\"
HereJuliacouldscarcelybreathethroughanxiety。
Everysyllablethatheutteredwasdevouredwitheagercuriositybytheenamouredgirl——heknewthatshewasalistener，andthatsheunderstoodhisdisguise;anddoubtlessmeant，inthatindirectmanner，toacquaintherwiththeincidentsofhislife。Itwasclearthatheindicatedhisagetobelessthanwhathisappearancewouldhaveledhertobelieve——hissufferings，hiscruelsufferingshadchangedhim。
\"Thelifeofacoachmanisnothard，\"saidCharles。
\"No，sir，farfromit——butIhavenotbeenacoachmanallmylife。\"
Nothingcouldbeplainerthanthis——itwasadirectassertionofhisdegradationbythebusinessinwhichhewasthenengaged。
\"Inwhatmannerdidyouloseyoureye，Tony，\"saidCharles，inatoneofsympathythatJuliablessedhimforinherheart，althoughsheknewthatthememberwasuninjured，andonlyhiddentofavourhisdisguise。Antoniohesitatedalittleinhisanswer，andstammeredwhilegivingit——\"Itwasinthewars，\"atlengthhegotout，andJuliaadmiredthenoblemagnanimitywhichwouldnotallowhim，eveninimagination，tosufferinalessgloriousmanner——notwithstandinghiseyeissafeandasbeautifulastheother，hehassufferedinthewars，thoughtourheroine，anditispardonableforhimtousethedeception，situatedasheis——itisnothingmorethananequivoque。ButthiswastouchingCharlesonafavouritechord。LittleofaheroasJuliafanciedhimtobe，hedelightedinconversingaboutthewarwiththosemen，who，havingactedinsubordinatestations，wouldgiveadifferentviewofthesubjectfromtheofficialaccounts，inwhichhewasdeeplyread。Itwasnowonder，therefore，thatheeagerlyseizedonthepresentopportunitytorelievethetediumofaridebetweenAlbanyandSchenectady。
{equivoque=doublemeaning，apun}
\"Inwhatbattle，\"askedCharles，quickly;\"byseaorbyland？\"
\"Bysea，\"saidAntonio，speakingtohishorses，withanevidentunwillingnesstosayanymoreonthesubject。
Ah！thedeception，andtheideaofhisfriendLawrence，aretoomuchforhissensibility，thoughtJulia;andtorelievehimsheaddressedCharlesherself。
\"HowfararewefromSchenectady，cousinCharles？\"
Antonio，certainly，wasnothercousinCharles;butasifhethoughttheansweringsuchquestionstobehispeculiarprovince，herepliedimmediately——
\"Fourmiles，ma’am;there’sthestone。\"
Therewasnothingintheansweritself，orthemannerofitsdelivery，toattractnoticeinanunsuspectinglistener;butbyJuliaitwaswellunderstood——itwasthefirsttimehehadeverspokendirectlytoherself——itwasaneweraintheirlives——andhisbodyturnedhalfroundtowardherashespoke，showedhismanlyformtogreatadvantage;buttheimpressiveanddignifiedmannerinwhichhedroppedhiswhiptowardsthemile-stone，Juliafeltthatshenevercouldforget——itwasintendedtomarkthespotwherehehadfirstaddressedher。Hehadchosenitwithtaste。Thestonestoodundertheshadeofasolitaryoak，andmighteasilybefanciedtobeamonumenterectedtocommemoratesomeimportanteventinthelivesofourlovers。Juliaranoverinhermindthetimewhensheshouldpayanannualvisittothathallowedplace，andleaningonthearmofhermajestichusband，murmurinhisear，\"Here，onthislovedspot，didAntoniofirstaddresshishappy，thricehappyJulia。\"
\"Well，Tony，\"saidthemildvoiceofMissEmmerson，\"thesunisnearsetting，letusgothefourmilesasfastasyouplease。\"
\"I’msure，ma’am，\"saidAntonio，withprofoundrespect，\"youdon’twanttogetinmorethanIdo，forIhadnosleepalllastnight;I’llnotkeepyououtoneminuteafternight\"——sosaying，heurgedhishorsestoafasttrot，andwasquiteusgoodashisword。Howdelicateinhisattentions，andyethowartfullyhasheconcealedhisanxietyonmyaccountunderafeigneddesireforsleep，thoughtJulia。
IfanythinghadbeenwantingeithertoconvinceJuliaofthetruthofherconjecture，ortosecuretheconquestofAntonio，ourheroinefeltthatthisshortridehadabundantlysuppliedit。
CHAPTERVI。
THEfollowingdayourtravellerswereontheroadbeforethesun，andbusilypursuedtheirroutethroughthedelightfulvalleyoftheMohawk。ItwasnowthatJulia，insomemeasureaccustomedtoherproximitytoherhero，begantoenjoythebeautiesofthescenery;hereyedweltwithraptureoneachopeningglimpsethattheycaughtoftheriver，andtookinitsgazemeadowsofnever-failingverdure，whichwerebeautifullyinterspersedwithelmsthatseemedcoevalwiththecountryitself。Occasionallyshewoulddrawtheattentionofheraunttosomeviewofparticularinterest;andifhereagervoicecaughttheattentionofAntonio，andheturnedtogaze，toponder，andtoadmire——thenJuliafelthappyindeed，forthenitwasthatshefelttheindescribableblissofsharingourpleasureswiththosewelove。Whatheartofsensibilityhasstoodandcoldlygazedonasceneoverwhichtheeye，thatitlovestoadmire，isrovingwithdelight？Whoistherethathasyettolearn，thatifthestrongestbondtoloveispropinquity，soisitstenderesttie，sympathy？Inthismannerdidourlovelyheroinepassadayofhithertountastedbliss。Antoniowouldfrequentlystophishorsesonthesummitofahill，andJuliaunderstoodthemotive;turningherlooksinthedirectioninwhichshesawtheeyeofherloverbent，shewouldsitinsilentandsecretcommunionwithhisfeelings。InvainCharlesendeavouredtocatchherattention——hisremarkswereunnoticed，andhissimpleeffortstopleasedisregarded。Atlength，astheyadvancedtowardsthecloseoftheirday’sride，Charles，observingamountainobtrudingitselfdirectlyacrosstheirpath，andmeetingtheriver，whichsweptwithgreatvelocityarounditsbase，criedaloudwithalaugh——
\"Anthony，Iwishyouwouldremoveyournose！\"
\"Charles！\"exclaimedJulia，shockedathisrudefamiliaritieswithamanofAntonio’selevatedcharacter。
\"Poh！\"saidtheyoungman，inanundertone，conceivinghersurprisetobeoccasionedbyhisloweringhimselftojokewithaninferior，\"heisagood，honestfellow，anddon’tmindajokeatall，I
assureyou。\"
Charleswasright，forAntonio，movinghisface，withalaughcriedinhisturn——\"There，sir，mynoseismoved，butyoucan’tseenobetter，afterall。\"
Juliawasamusedwithhiscondescension，whichshethoughtauguredperfectgood-natureandaffability。Afterall，thoughtJulia，ifnobleandcommandingqualitiesarenecessarytoexciteadmirationortocommandrespect，familiarvirtuesinduceustolovemoretenderly，andgoodtemperisabsolutelynecessarytocontributetoourcomfort。Onthewhole，shewasratherpleasedthanotherwise，thatAntoniocouldreceiveandreturnwhatwasevidentlyintendedforawitticism，althoughasyetshedidnotcomprehendit。ButCharlesdidnotleaveherlongindoubt。OnthenorthsideoftheMohawk，andataboutfiftymilesfromitsmouth，isamountainwhich，aswehavealreadysaid，juts，inanearlyperpendicularpromontory，intothebedoftheriver;itsinclinationissufficienttoadmitofitsreceivingthenameofanose。Withouttheleastintentionofalludingtoourhero，theearlysettlershadaffixedthenameofSt。
Anthony，whoappearstohavebeenakindofDutchdeityinthisstate，andtohavemonopolizedallthenaturalnoseswithinherboundariestohimself。Thevulgaridiommadethepronunciationan-TONY’snose——andallthisCharlesbrieflyexplainedtoMissEmmersonandherniecebywayofgivingpointtohisownwit。Hehadhardlymadethemcomprehendthefullbrilliancyandbeautyofhisapplicationofthemountaintotheirdriver，whentheyreachedthepassitself。Theroadwasbarelysufficienttosuffertwocarriagestomovebyeachotherwithouttouching，beingfromnecessitydugoutofthebaseofthemountain;aprecipiceofmanyfeetledtotheriver，whichwashighandturbulentatthetime;
therewasnorailingnoranyprotectiononthesidenextthewater——andinendeavouringtoavoidtheunprotectedsideoftheroad，twowagonshadmetashorttimebefore，andoneofthemlostawheelintheencounter——itsownerhadgonetoadistanceforassistance，leavingthevehiclewhereithadfallen。ThehorsesofAntonio，unaccustomedtosuchasight，werewithsomedifficultydrivenbytheloadedwagon，andwhennearlypasttheobject，tookasuddenfrightatitstop，whichwasflappinginthewind。AlltheskillandexertionsofAntoniotopreventtheirbackingwasuseless，andcarriageandhorseswouldinevitablyhavegoneoffthebanktogether，hadnotCharles，withadmirablepresenceofmind，openedadoor，andspringingout，placedabilletofwood，whichhadbeenusedasabaseforaleverinliftingthebrokenwagon，underoneofthewheels。ThischeckedthehorsesuntilAntoniohadtimetorallythem，and，byusingthewhipwithenergy，bringthemintotheroadagain。Hecertainlyshowedgreatdexterityasacoachman。But，unhappily，themovementofCharleshadbeenmisunderstoodbyJulia，and，throwingopenthedoor，withtheblindnessoffear，shesprangfromthecarriagealso：itwasonthesidenextthewater，andherfirstleapwasoverthebank;thehillwasnotperpendicular，buttoosteepforJuliatorecoverherbalance——andpartlyrunning，andpartlyfalling，theunfortunategirlwasplungedintotherapidriver。CharlesheardthescreamsofMissEmmerson，andcaughtaglimpseofthedressofJuliaasshesprangfromthecarriage。Herantothebankjustintimetoseeherfallintothewater。
{St。Anthony’sNose=thisincidentprobablyoccurredataplaceontheMohawkRivercalledtodayTheNoses，betweenFondaandPalatineBridge;thereisanotherSt。Anthony’sNoseontheHudsonRiver}
\"Oh，God！\"hecried，\"Julia！——myJulia！\"——and，withoutseemingtotouchtheearth，heflewdownthebank，andthrewhimselfheadlongintothestream。HisgreatexertionsandnervousarmssoonbroughthimalongsideofJulia，and，happilyforthemboth，aneddyinthewatersdrewthemtotheland。WithsomedifficultyCharleswasenabledtoreachtheshorewithhisburthen。
Juliawasnotinsensible，norintheleastinjured。
Herauntwassoonbyherside，andfoldingherinherarms，pouredoutherfeelingsinatorrentoftears。Charleswouldnot，however，sufferanydelay，orexpressionsofgratitude——but，forcingbothauntandnieceintothecarriage，bidAnthonydriverapidlytoatavernknowntobeatnogreatdistance。——
Ontheirarrival，bothJuliaandCharlesimmediatelycladthemselvesindryclothes——whenMissEmmersoncommandedthepresenceoftheyoungmaninherownroom。Onentering，CharlesfoundJuliasittingbyafire，athousandtimeshandsomer，ifpossible，thanever。Hereyeswerebeamingwithgratitude，andhercountenancewasglowingwiththeexcitementproducedbythedangerthatshehadencountered。
\"Ah！Charles，mydearcousin，\"criedJulia，risingandmeetinghimwithbothhandsextended，\"Iowemylifetoyourbraveryandpresenceofmind。\"
\"Andminetoo，Charles。\"saidMissEmmerson;\"butforyou，weshouldhaveallgoneoffthehilltogether。\"
\"Yes，ifAnthonyhadnotmanagedthehorsesadmirably，youmighthavegoneindeed，\"saidCharles，withamodestwishtogetridoftheirpraise。ButthiswasanunluckyspeechforCharles：
hehad，unconsciouslypresentedtheimageofarival，atthemomentthathehopedhefilledallthethoughtsofJulia。
\"Ah，Antonio！\"shecried，\"poorAntonio！——andwhereishe？——Whydoyounotsendforhim，dearaunt？\"
\"What，mylove，intomybed-chamber！\"saidMissEmmerson，insurprise;\"fearhasmadethegirlcrazy！——But，Charles，whereisAnthony？\"
\"Inthestable，withthehorses，Ibelieve，\"saidtheyouth——\"no，hereheis，underthewindow，leadingthemtothepump。\"
\"Givehimthismoney，\"saidMissEmmerson，\"andtellhimitisforhisadmirableskillinsavingmylife。\"
Juliasawthedangerofanexposureifsheinterfered，yetshehadthecuriositytogotothewindow，andseehowAntoniowouldconductinthemortifyingdilemma。
\"Here，Anthony，\"saidCharles，\"MissEmmersonhassentyoutendollars，fordrivingsowell，andsavingthecarriage。\"
\"Ah！sir，itisnomatter——Icanasknothingforthat，I’msure。\"
ButCharles，accustomedtothebackwardnessofthecommonAmericanstoreceivemorethanthepricestipulated，stillextendedhishandtowardstheman。Juliasawhisembarrassment，andknowingofnootherexpedientbywhichtorelievehim，said，inavoiceofpersuasion——
\"Takeitformysake，Antonio——ifitbeunworthyofyou，still，takeit，toobligeme。\"
Themannolongerhesitated，buttookthemoney，andgaveJuliaalookandabowthatsunkdeepintothetabletofhermemory——whileCharlesthoughthimextremelywellpaidforwhathehaddone，butmadedueallowancesfortheexcitedstateofhiscousin’sfeelings。
\"Youperceive，\"saidMissEmmerson，withasmile，asJuliawithdrewfromthewindow，\"ifCharlesbealittleafraidoflightning，hehasnodreadofthewater。\"
\"Ah！Iretractmyerror，\"criedJulia;\"Charlesmustbebrave，orhenevercouldhaveactedsocoolly，andsowell。\"
\"Verytrue，mylove，\"saidMissEmmerson，excessivelygratifiedtohearherniecepraisetheyouth;\"itisthesuresttestofcouragewhenmenbehavewithpresenceofmindinnovelsituations。
Thoseaccustomedtoparticulardangerseasilydischargetheirduties，becausetheyknow，asitwereinstinctively，whatistobedone。ThuswithTony——hedidwell，but，Idoubtnot，hewashorriblyfrightened——andfortheworldhecouldnothavedonewhatCharlesdid。\"
\"NotAntonio！\"echoedJulia，thrownalittleoffherguard——\"Iwouldpledgemylife，aunt，thatAntoniowouldhavedoneasmuch，ifnotmore，thanCharles！\"
\"Whydidhenot，then？——-Itwashisplacetostopthecarriage——-whydidhenot？\"
\"Itwashisplace，\"saidJulia，\"tomanagethehorses，andyouacknowledgethathediditwell。
Dutiesincurred，nomatterhowunworthyofus，mustbedischarged;andalthoughwemaybeconsciousthatourmeritorourbirthentitlesustoadifferentstationfromtheonewefill，yetanoblemindwillnotceasetoperformitsduty，eveninpovertyanddisgrace。\"
MissEmmersonlistenedinsurprise;butashernieceoftentalkedinamannerthatshedidnotcomprehend，sheattributedittotheimprovementsineducation，andwassatisfied。ButJuliahadfurnishedherselfwithacluetowhathadoccasionedhersomeuneasiness。AtonetimeshethoughtAntoniooughttohaveleftcarriage，horses，everything，andflowntoherrescue，asCharleshaddone;butnowshesawthattheprobityofhissoulforbadeit。Hehad，doubtless，bysecretmeans，inducedtheownerofthehorsestoentrustthemtohiskeeping——-andcouldhe，asoldier，oneusedtotrustandresponsibility，forgethisdutyinthemomentofneed？Soonerwouldthesentinelquithispostunrelieved——-soonerthegallantsoldierturnhisbackonhisenemy——-orsoonerwouldAntonioforgethisJulia！
Withthisviewoftheproprietyofhisconduct，Juliawasfilledwiththedesiretolethimknowthatsheapprovedofwhathehaddone。Surely，ifanythingcanbemortifyingtoalover，thoughtourheroine，itmustbetoseearivalsavethelifeofhismistress，whileimperiousdutychainshimtoanothertask。
YoungasJuliawas，shehadalreadylearnt，thatitisnotenoughforourhappinessthatwehavetheconsciousnessofdoingright，butitisnecessarythatothersshouldthinkwehavedonesotoo。
Accordingly，earlythefollowingmorningshearose，andwanderedaroundthehouse，inhopesthatchancewouldthrowherloverinherway，andgiveheranopportunityofrelievinghismindfromtheloadofmortificationunderwhichsheknewhemustbelabouring。Itwasseldomthatourheroinehadbeeninthepublicbar-roomofatavern——but，inglidingbythedoor，shecaughtaglimpseofAntoniointhebar;and，impelledbyherfeelings，shewasnearhimbeforeshehadtimetocollectherscatteredsenses。TobewithAntonio，andalone，Juliafeltwasdangerous;forhispassionmightbringonadeclaration，andbetraythembothtothepublicandvulgarnotice。——Anxious，therefore，toeffectherobjectatonce，shegentlylaidherhandonhisarm——Antoniostartedandturned，whiletheglassinhishandsfell，withitscontents，untasted，onthefloor。
\"Resteasy，Antonio，\"saidJulia，inthegentlestpossibletones;\"tomeyourconductissatisfactory，andyoursecretwillneverbeexposed。\"Sosaying，sheturnedquickly，andglidedfromtheroom。
