\"Ibegofyounottopersistinpayingmecompliments。Igettoomuchofthatcheaparticleelsewhere。IhatetobetoldthatIambetterthanIknowIam。Ifyouaretodomeanygoodbyyourinstruction，youmustbeperfectlysinceretowardme，andtellmeplainlyofmyshort—comings。IpromiseyoubeforehandthatIshallneverbeoffended。Thereismyhand。
Now，isitabargain？\"
Hisfingersclosedinvoluntarilyoverthesoftbeautifulhand，andoncemoretheluxuryofhertouchsentathrillofdelightthroughhim。
\"Ihavenotbeeninsincere，\"hemurmured，\"butIshallbeonmyguardinfuture，evenagainsttheappearanceofinsincerity。\"
\"AndwhenIplaydetestably，youwillsayso，andnotsmoothitoverwithunmeaningflatteries？\"
\"Iwilltry。\"
\"Verywell，thenweshallgetonwelltogether。Donotimaginethatthisisamerefemininewhimofmine。Ineverwasmoreinearnest。Men，andIbelieveforeigners，toagreaterdegreethanAmericans，havetheideathatwomenmustbetreatedwithgentleforbearance;
thattheirfollies，iftheyarefoolish，mustbeglossedoverwithsomepolitename。
Theyexertthemselvestotheutmosttomakeusmereplaythings，and，assuch，contemptiblebothinourowneyesandintheirs。Nosincererespectcanexistwherethetruthhastobeavoided。ButthemajorityofAmericanwomenaremadeoftoosternastufftobedealtwithinthatway。Theyfeelthelurkinginsincerityevenwherepolitenessforbidsthemtoshowit，anditmakesthemdisgustedbothwiththemselves，andwiththeflatterer。Andnowyoumustpardonmeforhavingspokensoplainlytoyouonsoshortanacquaintance;butyouareaforeigner，anditmaybeanactoffriendshiptoinitiateyouassoonaspossibleintoourwaysandcustoms。\"
Hehardlyknewwhattoanswer。Hervehemencewassosudden，andthesentimentsshehadutteredsodifferentfromthosewhichhehadhabituallyascribedtowomen，thathecouldonlysitandgazeatherinmuteastonishment。
Hecouldnotbutadmitthatinthemainshehadjudgedhimrightly，andthathisownattitudeandthatofothermentowardhersex，werebaseduponanimpliedassumptionofsuperiority。
\"IamafraidIhaveshockedyou，\"sheresumed，noticingthestartledexpressionofhiscountenance。\"Butreallyitwasquiteinevitable，ifwewereatalltounderstandeachother。
Youwillforgiveme，won’tyou？\"
\"Forgive！\"stammeredhe，\"Ihavenothingtoforgive。Itwasonlyyourmercilesstruth—
fulnesswhichstartledme。Iratheroweyouthanks，ifyouwillallowmetobegratefultoyou。Itseemsanenviableprivilege。\"
\"Now，\"interruptedEdith，raisingherforefingerinplayfulthreat，\"rememberyourpromise。\"
Thelessonwasnowcontinuedwithoutfurtherinterruption。Whenitwasfinished，alittlegirl，withherhairdoneupincurl—papers，andaverystifflystarcheddress，whichstoodoutonallsidesalmosthorizontally，entered，accompaniedbyMrs。VanKirk。Halfdanimmediatelyrecognizedhisacquaintancefromthepark，anditappearedtohimagoodomenthatthischild，whosefriendlyinterestinhimhadwarmedhisheartinamomentwhenhisfortunesseemedsodesperate，shouldcontinuetobeassociatedwithhislifeonthisnewcontinent。Clarawasevidentlygreatlyimpressedbythechangeinhisappearance，andcouldwithdifficultyberestrainedfromcommentinguponit。
Sheprovedaveryaptscholarinmusic，andenjoyedthelessonsthemoreforhercordiallikingofherteacher。
Itwillbenecessaryhenceforthtoomitthelesssignificantdetailsinthecareerofourfriend\"Mr。Birch。\"Beforeamonthwaspast，hehadfirmlyestablishedhimselfinthefavorofthedifferentmembersoftheVanKirkfamily。
Mrs。VanKirkspokeofhimtoherladyvisitorsas\"aperfectjewel，\"frequentlyleavingthemindoubtastowhetherhewasacookoracoachman。Edithapostrophizedhimtoherfashionablefriendsas\"arealgenius，\"leavingadimimpressionupontheirmindsofflowinglocks，ashinyvelvetjacket，slouchedhat，defiantneck—tieandageneralairofdisreputablepretentiousness。Geniusesoftheforeigntypewerenever，intheestimationoffashionableNewYorksociety，whatyouwouldcall\"exactlynice，\"andagainstprejudicesofthisordernoamountofargumentwilleverprevail。Clara，whohadbythistimediscoveredthatherteacherpossessedaninexhaustiblefundoffairystories，assuredherplaymatesacrossthestreetthathewas\"justsplendid，\"andfrequentlyinvitedthemovertolistentohiswonderfultales。Mr。
VanKirkhimself，ofcourse，wasnon—committal，butpaidthebillsunmurmuringly。
HalfdaninthemeanwhilewasvainlystrugglingagainsthisgrowingpassionforEdith;
butthemoreherebelledthemorehopelesslyhefoundhimselfentangledinitsinextricablenet。Thefly，aslongasitkeepsquietinthespider’sweb，mayforamomentforgetitssituation;buttheleastefforttoescapeisapttofrustrateitselfandagainrevealtheimminentperil。Thushetoo\"kickedagainstthepricks，\"
hoped，feared，rebelledagainsthisdestiny，andagain，fromsheerweariness，relapsedintoadull，benumbedapathy。Inspiteofherfriendlysympathy，heneverfeltsokeenlyhisalienismasinherpresence。Sheacceptedthespontaneoushomagehepaidher，sometimeswithimpatience，assomethingthatwasreallybeneathhernotice;atothertimesshefranklyrecognizedit，banteredhimwithhis\"OldWorldchivalry，\"whichwouldsoonevaporateinthepracticalAmericanatmosphere，andcalledhimherViking，herknightandherfaithfulsquire。
Butitneveroccurredtohertoregardhisdevotioninaseriouslight，andtolookuponhimasapossibleloverhadevidentlyneverenteredherhead。Astheirintercoursegrewmoreintimate，hehadvolunteeredtoreadhisfavoritepoetswithher，andhadgraduallysucceededinimpartingtohersomethingofhisownpassionatelikingforHeineandBjrnson。ShehadinreturncalledhisattentiontotheworksofAmericanauthorswhohadhithertobeenlittlemorethannamestohim，andtheyhadthusmanagedtobeofmutualbenefittoeachother，andtospendmanyapleasanthourduringthelongwinterafternoonsineachother’scompany。
ButEdithhadaverykeensenseofhumor，andcouldhardlyrestrainhersecretamusementwhensheheardhimreadingLongfellow’s\"PsalmofLife\"andPoe’s\"Raven\"（whichhadbeenfamiliartoherfromherbabyhood），oftenwithfalseaccent，butalwayswithintenseenthusiasm。
Thereflectionthathehadhadnopartofhislifeincommonwithher，——thathedidnotlovethethingswhichsheloved，——couldnotshareherprejudices（andwomenhaveafeelingakintocontemptforamanwhodoesnotrespondtotheirprejudices）——removedhimattimesalmostbeyondthereachofhersympathy。Itwasinterestingenoughaslongastheexperiencewasnovel，tobethusunconsciouslyexploringanotherperson’smindandfindingsomanystrangeobjectsthere;butafterawhilethethingbegantoassumeanuncomfortablyseriousaspect，andthenthereseemedtobesomethingalmostterribleaboutit。Atsuchtimesacallfromagentlemanofherownnation，eventhoughhewereoneoftheplacidlystupidtype，wouldbeapositiverelief;shecouldabandonherselftothesecuresenseofbeingathome;
sheneedfearnosurprises，andinthesmoothshallowsoftheirtalktherewerenounsuspecteddepthstoexciteandtobaffleheringenuity。
And，again，revertinginherthoughttoHalfdan，hisconversationalbrilliancywouldalmostrepelher，assomethingodiousandun—American，thecheapresultofoutlandishbirthandunrepublicaneducation。Notthatshehadevervaluedrepublicanismveryhighly;shewasoneofthosewhoassociatedpoliticswithnoisyvulgarityinspeechanddress，andthereforethankedfortunethatwomenwerepermittedtokeepalooffromit。Butinthepresenceofthisalienshefoundherselfgrowingpatriotic;thatmuch—discussedabstraction，whichwecallourcountry（andwhichisnothingbuttheaggregateofalltheslowandinvisibleinfluenceswhichgotowardmakingupourownbeing），becamebydegreesaverypalpableandintelligiblefacttoher。
FrequentlywhileherAmericanselfwasthusloudlyassertingitself，Edithinflictedmanyacruelwounduponherforeignadorer。Once，——
itwastheFourthofJuly，morethanayearafterHalfdan’sarrival，anumberofyoungladiesandgentlemen，afterhavinglistenedtoapatrioticoration，wereinvitedintoaninformalluncheon。
Whilewaiting，theynaturallyenoughspenttheirtimeinsingingnationalsongs，andHalfdan’scleartenordidgoodserviceinkeepingthestragglingvoicestogether。Whentheyhadfinished，Edithwentuptohimandwasquiteeffusiveinherexpressionsofgratitude。
\"Iamsureweoughtalltobeverygratefultoyou，Mr。Birch，\"shesaid，\"andI，formypart，canassureyouthatIam。\"
\"Grateful？Why？\"demandedHalfdan，lookingquiteunhappy。
\"ForsingingOURnationalsongs，ofcourse。
Now，won’tyousingoneofyourown，please？
WeshouldallbesodelightedtohearhowaSwedish——orNorwegian，isit？——nationalsongsounds。\"
\"Yes，Mr。Birch，DOsingaSwedishsong，\"
echoedseveralvoices。
They，ofcourse，didnotevenremotelysuspecttheirowncruelty。Hehad，inhisenthusiasmforthedayallowedhimselftoforgetthathewasnotmadeofthesameclayastheywere，thathewasanexileandastranger，andmusteverremainso，thathehadnorighttosharetheirjoyintheblessingofliberty。Edithhadtakenpainstodispelthehappyillusion，andhadsenthimoncemorewhirlingtowardhiscoldnativePole。Hispassioncamenearchokinghim，and，toconcealhisimpetuousemotion，heflunghimselfdownonthepiano—stool，andstrucksomeintroductorychordswithperhapsalittlesuperfluousemphasis。SuddenlyhisvoiceburstoutintotheSwedishnationalanthem，\"OurLand，ourLand，ourFatherland，\"andtheairshookandpalpitatedwithstrongmartialmelody。
Hisindignation，hisloveandhismisery，impartedstrengthtohisvoice，anditsoccasionaltrembleinthePIANOpassageswassomethingmorethananartisticintention。Hewasloudlyapplaudedashearose，andtheyoungladiesthrongedabouthimtoaskifhe\"wouldn’tpleasewriteoutthemusicforthem。\"
Thusmonthaftermonthpassedby，andeverydaybroughtitsownmisery。Mrs。VanKirk’spatronizingmanners，andostentatiouskindness，oftentestedhispatiencetotheutmost。Ifhewasguiltyofaninnocentwitticismoralittlequaintnessofexpression，shealwaysassumedittobeamistakeoftermsandcorrectedhimwithanairofbenignsuperiority。Attimes，ofcourse，hercorrectionswerelegitimate，asforinstance，whenhespokeofWEARINGacane，insteadofCARRYINGone，butinninecasesoutoftenthefaultlayinherownlackofimaginationandnotinhisignoranceofEnglish。OnsuchoccasionsEdithoftentookpityonhim，defendedhimagainsthermother’scriticism，andinsistedthatifthisorthatexpressionwasnotincommonvogue，thatwasnoreasonwhyitshouldnotbeused，asitwasperfectlygrammatical，and，moreover，inkeepingwiththespiritofthelanguage。Andhe，listeningpassivelyinadmiringsilencetoherargument，thankedherevenforthemomentarypainbecauseitwasfollowedbysogreatahappiness。
ForitwassosweettobedefendedbyEdith，tofeelthatheandshewerestandingtogethersidebysideagainsttheouterworld。Couldheonlyshowherintheoldheroicmannerhowmuchhelovedher！Wouldonlysomeonethatwasdeartoherdie，sothathe，inthatbreakingdownofsocialbarrierswhichfollowsagreatcalamity，mightcomfortherinhersorrow。
Wouldshethen，perhaps，weeping，leanherwonderfulheaduponhisbreast，feelingbutthathewasafellow—mortal，whohadaheartthatwasloyalandtrue，andforgetting，foronebriefinstant，thathewasaforeigner。Then，totouchthatdelicateElizabethanfrillwhichwounditselfsodaintilyaboutEdith’sneck——
whatinconceivablerapture！Butitwasquiteimpossible。Itcouldneverbe。Thesewereselfishthoughts，nodoubt，buttheywerealover’sselfishness，and，assuch，boreaclosekinshiptoallthatispurestandbestinhumannature。
Itisoneofthetragicfactsofthislife，thatarelationsounequalasthatwhichexistedbetweenHalfdanandEdith，isatallpossible。AsforEdith，Imustadmitthatshewaswellawarethatherteacherwasinlovewithher。Womenhavewonderfullykeensensesforphenomenaofthatkind，anditisanillusionifanyoneimagines，asourNorsemandid，thathehaslockedhissecretsecurelyinthehiddenchamberofhisheart。Infleetingintonations，unconsciousglancesandattitudes，andthroughahundredotherchannelsitwillmakeitswayout，andthebereavedjailermaystillclasphiskeyinfiercetriumph，neverknowingthathehasbeenrobbed。ItwasofcoursenofaultofEdith’sthatshehadbecomepossessedofHalfdan’sheart—secret。Sheregardeditasonthewholeratheranabsurdaffair，andprizeditverylightly。Thatalovesostrongandyetsohumble，sodestituteofhopeandstillsounchanging，reverentandfaithful，hadsomethinggrandandtouchinginit，hadneveroccurredtoher。Itisatruismtosaythatinoursocialcodethevalueofaman’scharacterisdeterminedbyhisposition;
andfinetraitsinaforeigner（unlessheshouldhappentobesomethingverygreat）
strikeusratheraspartofasupposedmentalalienism，andassuch，naturallysuspicious。Itisratherdisgracefulthanotherwisetohaveyourmusicteacherinlovewithyou，andcriticalfriendswillneverquitebanishthesuspicionthatyouhaveencouragedhim。
Edithhad，inherfirstdelightatthediscoveryofHalfdan’stalent，franklyadmittedhimtoarelationofapparentequality。Hewasamanofculture，hadthemannersandbearingofagentleman，andhadnoneofthosetheatricalairswhichsooftenraiseasortofinvisiblewallbetweenforeignersandAmericans。Hermother，wholovedtoplaythepatron，especiallytoyoungmen，hadinvitedhimtodinner—partiesandintroducedhimtotheirfriends，untilalmosteveryonelookeduponhimasaprotegeofthefamily。Heappearedsowellinaparlor，andhadreallysuchadistinguishedpresence，thatitwasapleasuretolookathim。HewasremarkablyfreefromthoseobnoxioustraitswhichgeneralizingAmericantravelershaveledustobelievewereinseparablefromforeignbirth;hisfinger—nailswereinnowayconspicuous;hedidnot，asaFrenchcount，aformeradorerofEdith’s，haddone，indulgeanunmasculinetastefordiamondrings（possiblybecausehehadnone）;hispolitenesswasunobtrusiveandsubdued，andofhisaccenttherewasjustenoughlefttogiveanagreeablecolorofindividualitytohisspeech。But，forallthat，Edithcouldneverquiteridherselfoftheimpressionthathewasintenselyun—American。
Therewasacertainidyllicquiescenceabouthim，achild—likedirectnessandsimplicity，andatotalabsenceof\"push，\"whichwerestartlinglyatvariancewiththespiritofAmericanlife。AnAmericancouldneverhavebeencontenttoremaininaninferiorpositionwithouttrying，insomeway，tobetterhisfortunes。
ButHalfdancouldstandstillandsee，withoutthefainteststirringofenvy，hisplebeianfriendOlson，whoseeducationandtalentscouldbearnocomparisonwithhisown，riserapidlyabovehim，andapparentlyhavenodesiretoemulatehim。Hecouldsitonacricketinacorner，withClaraonhislap，andtwoorthreelittlegirlsnestlingabouthim，andtellthemfairystoriesbythehour，whilehiskindlyfacebeamedwithinnocenthappiness。AndifClara，tocoaxhimintocontinuingtheentertainment，offeredtokisshim，hismeasureofjoywasfull。
Thisfairchild，withheraffectionateways，andherconfidingprattle，woundherselfevermorecloselyabouthishomelessheart，andheclungtoherwithatouchingdevotion。Forshewastheonlyonewhoseemedtobeunconsciousofthedifferenceofblood，whohadnotyetlearnedthatshewasanAmericanandhe——aforeigner。
VI。
Threeyearshadpassedbyandstillthesituationwasunchanged。Halfdanstilltaughtmusicandtoldfairystoriestothechildren。Hehadagoodmanymorepupilsnowthanthreeyearsago，althoughhehadmadenoefforttosolicitpatronage，andhadnevertriedtoadvertisehistalentbywhatheregardedasvulgarandinartisticdisplay。ButMrs。VanKirk，whohadbythistimediscoveredhisdisinclinationtoasserthimself，hadbeenonlythemoreactive;had\"talkedhimup\"amongheraristocraticfriends;
hadgivenmusicalsoirees，atwhichshehadcoaxedhimtoplaytheprincipalrole，andhadinvariousotherwaysexertedherselfinhisbehalf。Itwasgettingtobequitefashionabletoadmirehisquiet，unostentatiousstyleofplaying，whichwassofarremovedfromthenoisybravadoandclap—trapthencommonlyinvogue。
Evenprofessionalmusiciansbegantoindorsehim，andsome，whohaddiscoveredthat\"therewasmoneyinhim，\"madehimtemptingoffersforapublicengagement。But，withcharacteristicmodesty，hedistrustedtheirverdict;hissensitivenatureshrankfromanythingwhichhadtheappearanceofself—assertionordisplay。
ButEdith——ah，ifithadnotbeenforEdithhemighthavefoundcouragetoenteratthedooroffortune，whichwasnowopenedajar。
Thatfame，ifheshouldgainit，wouldbringhimanynearertoher，wasathoughtthatwasalientosounworldlyatemperamentashis。
Andanyactionthathadnobearinguponhisrelationtoher，lefthimcold——seemedunworthyoftheeffort。Ifshehadaskedhimtoplayinpublic;ifshehadrequiredofhimtogototheNorthPole，ortocuthisownthroat，Iverilybelievehewouldhavedoneit。AndatlastEdithdidaskhimtoplay。SheandOlsonhadplottedtogether，andfromtheveryfriendliestmotivesagreedtoplayintoeachother’shands。
\"IfyouonlyWOULDconsenttoplay，\"saidshe，inherownpersuasiveway，onedayastheyhadfinishedtheirlesson，\"weshouldallbesohappy。
Onlythinkhowproudweshouldbeofyoursuccess，foryouknowthereisnothingyoucan’tdointhewayofmusicifyoureallywantto。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"exclaimedhe，whilehiseyessuddenlygrewlargeandluminous。
\"IndeedIdo，\"saidEdith，emphatically。
\"Andif——ifIplayedwell，\"falteredhe，\"woulditreallypleaseyou？\"
\"Ofcourseitwould，\"criedEdith，laughing;
\"howcanyouasksuchafoolishquestion？\"
\"BecauseIhardlydaredtobelieveit。\"
\"Nowlistentome，\"continuedthegirl，leaningforwardinherchair，andbeamingalloverwithkindlyofficiousness;\"nowforonceyoumustberationalanddojustwhatItellyou。I
shallneverlikeyouagainifyouopposemeinthis，forIhavesetmyheartuponit;youmustpromisebeforehandthatyouwillbegoodandnotmakeanyobjection。Doyouhear？\"
WhenEdithassumedthistonetowardhim，shemightwellhavemadehimpromisetoperformmiracles。Shewastoointentuponherbenevolentschemetoheedthepossibleinferenceswhichhemightdrawfromhersuddendisplayofinterest。
\"Thenyoupromise？\"repeatedshe，eagerly，ashehesitatedtoanswer。
\"Yes，Ipromise。\"
\"Now，youmustnotbesurprised;butmammaandIhavemadearrangementswithMr。
S————thatyouaretoappearunderhisauspicesataconcertwhichistobegivenaweekfromto—night。Allourfriendsaregoing，andweshalltakeupallthefrontseats，andIhavealreadytoldmygentlemenfriendstoscatterthroughtheaudience，andiftheycareanythingformyfavor，theywillhavetoapplaudvigorously。\"
Halfdanreddeneduptohistemples，andbegantotwisthiswatch—chainnervously。
\"Youmusthavesmallconfidenceinmyability，\"hemurmured，\"sinceyouresorttoprecautionslikethese。\"
\"ButmydearMr。Birch，\"criedEdith，whowasquicktodiscoverthatshehadmadeamistake，\"itisnotkindinyoutomistrustmeinthatway。IfaNewYorkaudiencewereashighlycultivatedinmusicasyouare，Iadmitthatmyprecautionswouldbesuperfluous。Butthepapers，youknow，willtaketheirtonefromtheaudience，andthereforewemustmakeuseofalittleinnocentartificetomakesureofit。
Everythingdependsuponthesuccessofyourfirstpublicappearance，andifyourfriendscaninthiswayhelpyoutoestablishthereputationwhichisnothingbutyourright，Iamsureyououghtnottobindtheirhandsbyyourfoolishsensitiveness。Youdon’tknowtheAmericanwayofdoingthingsaswellasIdo，thereforeyoumuststandbyyourpromise，andleaveeverythingtome。\"
ItwasimpossiblenottobelievethatanythingEdithchosetodowasabovereproach。Shelookedsobewitchinginherexcitedeagernessforhiswelfarethatitwouldhavebeeninhumantoopposeher。Sohemeeklysuccumbed，andbegantodiscusswithhertheprogrammefortheconcert。
Duringthenextweektherewashardlyadaythathedidnotreadsomestartlingparagraphinthenewspapersabout\"thecelebratedScandinavianpianist，\"whoseappearanceatS————
Hallwaslookedforwardtoastheprincipaleventofthecomingseason。Heinwardlyrebelledagainstthewell—meantexaggerations;
butashesuspectedthatitwasEdith’sinfluencewhichwasinthiswayassertingitselfinhisbehalf，hesethisconscienceatrestandremainedsilent。
Theeveningoftheconcertcameatlast，and，asthepapersstatedthenextmorning，\"thelargehallwascrowdedtoitsutmostcapacitywithaselectandhighlyappreciativeaudience。\"
Edithmusthaveplayedherpartoftheperformanceskillfully，forashewalkedoutuponthestage，hewaswelcomedwithanenthusiasticburstofapplause，asifhehadbeenaworld—
renownedartist。AtEdith’ssuggestion，hertwofavoritenocturneshadbeenplacedfirstupontheprogramme;thenfollowedoneofthoseballadsofChopin，whoserhythmicdinandrushsweeponward，beleagueringtheearlikeeager，melodioushosts，charginginthickeningranksandcolumns，beatingimpetuousretreats，andagainunitingwithonegrandemotionthewide—spreadingarmyofsoundforthefinalvictory。Besidesthese，therewasoneofLiszt’s\"RhapsodiesHongroises，\"animpromptubySchubert，andseveralorchestralpieces;butthegreaterpartoftheprogrammewasdevotedtoChopin，becauseHalfdan，withhisgreat，hopelesspassionlaboringinhisbreast，feltthathecouldinterpretChopinbetterthanhecouldanyothercomposer。Hecarriedhisaudiencebystorm。Asheretiredtothedressing—room，afterhavingfinishedthelastpiece，hisfriends，amongwhomEdithandMrs。VanKirkwerethemostconspicuous，throngedabouthim，showeringtheirpraisesandcongratulationsuponhim。Theyinsistedwithmuchfriendlyurgingupontakinghimhomeintheircarriage;
Clarakissedhim，Mrs。VanKirkintroducedhimtoherladyacquaintancesas\"ourfriend，Mr。Birch，\"andEdithheldhishandsolonginhersthathecamenearlosinghispresenceofmindandtellingherthenandtherethathelovedher。Ashiseyesrestedonher，theybecamesuddenlysuffusedwithtears，andavastbewilderinghappinessvibratedthroughhisframe。Atlasthetorehimselfawayandwanderedaimlesslythroughthelong，lonelystreets。
WhycouldhenottellEdiththathelovedher？
Wasthereanydisgraceinloving？Thisheavenlypassionwhichsosuddenlyhadtransfusedhisbeing，andyearbyyeardeadenedthesubstanceofhisoldself，creatinginitssteadsomethingnewandwildandstrangewhichhenevercouldknow，butstillheldinfinitelydear——haditbeensenttohimmerelyasascourgetotesthiscapacityforsuffering？
Once，whilehewasachild，hismotherhadtoldhimthatsomewhereinthiswideworldtherelivedamaidenwhomGodhadcreatedforhim，andforhimalone，andwhenheshouldseeher，heshouldloveher，andhislifeshouldthenceforthbeallforher。Ithadhardlyoccurredtohim，then，toquestionwhethershewouldlovehiminreturn，ithadappearedsoverynaturalthatsheshould。Nowhehadfoundthismaiden，andshehadbeenverykindtohim;butherkindnesshadbeenlittlebetterthancruelty，becausehehaddemandedsomethingmorethankindness。Andstillhehadnevertoldherofhislove。Hemusttellhereventhisverynightwhilethemoonrodehighintheheavensandallthesmalldifferencesbetweenhumanbeingsseemedlostinthevaststarlitstillness。Heknewwellthatbytherelentlessglareofthedaylighthisowninsignificancewouldbecruellyconspicuousinthepresenceofhersplendor;hisscrupleswouldrevive，andhiscouragefade。
Thenightwasclearandstill。Aclockstruckeleveninsomechurchtowernearby。TheVanKirkmansionrosetallandstatelyinthemoonlight，flingingadensemassofshadowacrossthestreet。Upinthethirdstoryhesawtwowindowslighted;thecurtainsweredrawn，buttheblindswerenotclosed。Alltherestofthehousewasdark。HeraisedhisvoiceandsangaSwedishserenadewhichseemedinperfectconcordwithhisownmood。Hiscleartenorrosethroughthesilenceofthenight，andafeebleechoflungitbackfromthemansionopposite：
[3]\"Star，sweetstar，thatbrightlybeamest，Glitteringontheskiesnocturnal，Hidethineeyenomorefromme，Hidethineeyenomorefromme！\"
[3]FreetranslationofaSwedishserenade，thenameofwhoseauthorI
haveforgotten。H。H。B。
Thecurtainwasdrawnaside，thewindowcautiouslyraised，andtheoutlineofEdith’sbeautifulheadappeareddarkanddistinctagainstthelightwithin。Sheinstantlyrecognizedhim。
\"Youmustgoaway，Mr。Birch，\"camehervoiceinananxiouswhisperoutoftheshadow。
\"Praygoaway。Youwillwakeupthepeople。\"
Herwordswereaudibleenough，buttheyfailedtoconveyanymeaningtohisexcitedmind。Oncemorehisvoicefloatedupwardtoheropenedwindow：
\"AndIyearntoreachthydwelling，Yearntorisefromearth’sfierceturmoil;
Sweeteststarupwardtothee，Yearntorise，brightstartothee。\"
\"DearMr。Birch，\"shewhisperedoncemoreintonesofdistress。\"PrayDOgoaway。Orperhaps，\"sheinterruptedherself\"——waitonemomentandIwillcomedown。\"
Presentlythefrontdoorwasnoiselesslyopened，andEdith’stall，litheform，dressedinawhiteflowingdress，andwithherblondehairrollinglooselyoverhershoulders，appearedforaninstant，andthenagainvanished。WithoneleapHalfdansprangupthestairsandpushedthroughthehalf—openeddoor。Edithclosedthedoorbehindhim，thenwithrapidstepsledthewaytothebackparlorwherethemoonbrokefeeblythroughthebarsoftheclosedshutters。
\"NowMr。Birch，\"shesaid，seatingherselfuponalounge，\"youmayexplaintomewhatthisunaccountablebehaviorofyoursmeans。
IshouldhardlythinkIhaddeservedtobetreatedinthiswaybyyou。\"
Halfdanwasutterlybewildered;anervousfitoftremblingranthroughhim，andheendeavoredinvaintospeak。Hehadbeenpreparedforpassionatereproaches，butthiscalmseveritychilledhimthrough，andhecouldonlygaspandtremble，butcouldutternowordinhisdefense。
\"Isupposeyouareaware，\"continuedEdith，inthesameimperturbablemanner，\"thatifI
hadnotinterruptedyou，thepolicemanwouldhaveh*eardyou，andyouwouldhavebeenarrestedforstreetdisturbance。Thento—morrowweshouldhaveseenitinallthenewspapers，andIshouldhavebeenthelaughing—stockofthewholetown。\"
No，surelyhehadneverthoughtofitinthatlight;theideastruckhimasentirelynew。
Therewasalongpause。Acockcrowedwithadrowsyremotenessinsomeneighboringyard，andthelittleclockonthemantel—piecetickedonpatientlyinthemoonlitdusk。
\"Ifyouhavenothingtosay，\"resumedEdith，whilethesternindifferenceinhervoiceperceptiblyrelaxed，\"thenIwillbidyougood—
night。\"
Shearose，andwithagrandsweepofherdrapery，movedtowardthedoor。
\"MissEdith，\"criedhe，stretchinghishandsdespairinglyafterher，\"youmustnotleaveme。\"
Shepaused，tossedherhairbackwithherhands，andgazedathimoverhershoulder。Hethrewhimselfonhisknees，seizedthehemofherdress，andpressedittohislips。Itwasagestureofsuchinexpressiblehumilitythatevenastonewouldhaverelented。
\"Donotbefoolish，Mr。Birch，\"shesaid，try—
ingtopullherdressawayfromhim。\"Getup，andifyouhaveanythingrationaltosaytome，Iwillstayandlisten。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"hewhispered，hoarsely，\"Ishallberational。Onlydonotleaveme。\"
Sheagainsankdownwearilyuponthelounge，andlookedathiminexpectantsilence。
\"MissEdith，\"pleadedheinthesamehoarse，passionateundertone，\"havepityonme，anddonotdespiseme。Iloveyou——oh——ifyouwouldbutallowmetodieforyou，Ishouldbethehappiestofmen。\"
Againheshuddered，andstoodlonggazingatherwithamute，pitifulappeal。AtearstoleintoEdith’seyeandtrickleddownoverhercheek。
\"Ah，Mr。Birch，\"shemurmured，whileasighshookherbosom，\"Iamsorry——verysorrythatthismisfortunehashappenedtoyou。Youhavedeservedabetterfatethantoloveme——toloveawomanwhocannevergiveyouanythinginreturnforwhatyougiveher。\"
\"Never？\"herepeatedmournfully，\"never？\"
\"No，never！Youhavebeenagoodfriendtome，andassuchIvalueyouhighly，andIhadhopedthatyouwouldalwaysremainso。ButIseethatitcannotbe。Itwillperhapsbebestforyouhenceforthnottoseeme，atleastnotuntil——pardontheexpression——youhaveout—
livedthisgenerousfolly。Andnow，youknow，youwillneedmenomore。Youhavemadeasplendidreputation，andifyouchoosetoavailyourselfofit，yourfortuneisalreadymade。I
shallalwaysrejoicetohearofyoursuccess，and——andifyoushouldeverneedaFRIEND，youmustcometonoonebutme。Iknowthatthesearefeeblewords，Mr。Birch，andiftheyseemcoldtoyou，youmustpardonme。Icansaynothingmore。\"
Theywereindeedfeeblewords，althoughmostcordiallyspoken。Hetriedtoweighthem，tomeasuretheirmeaning，buthismindwasasifbenumbed，andutterlyincapableofthought。
Hewalkedacrossthefloor，perhapsonlytodosomething，notfeelingwherehetrod，butstillwithanabsurdsensationthathewastakingimmoderatelylongsteps。Thenhestoppedabruptly，wrunghishands，andgazedatEdith。
Andsuddenly，likeaflashinavacuum，thethoughtshotthroughhisbrainthathehadseenthisveryscenesomewhere——inadream，inaremotechildhood，inapreviousexistence，hedidnotknowwhenorwhere。Itseemedstrangelyfamiliar，andinthenextinstantstrangelymean—
inglessandunreal。Thewalls，thefloor——
everythingbegantomove，towhirlabouthim;hestruckhishandsagainsthisforehead，andsankdownintoadamask—coveredeasy—chair。Withafaintcryofalarm，Edithsprangup，seizedabottleofcolognewhichhappenedtobewithinreach，andkneltdownathisside。Sheputherarmaroundhisneck，andraisedhishead。
\"Mr。Birch，dearMr。Birch，\"shecried，inafrightenedwhisper，\"forGod’ssakecometoyourself！OGod，whathaveIdone？\"
Sheblewtheeau—de—cologneintohisface，and，ashelanguidlyopenedhiseyes，hefeltthetouchofherwarmhanduponhischeeksandhisforehead。
\"Thankheaven！heisbetter，\"shemurmured，stillcontinuingtobathehistemples。\"Howdoyoufeelnow，Mr。Birch？\"sheadded，inatoneofanxiousinquiry。
\"Thankyou，itwasanunpardonableweakness，\"
hemuttered，withoutchanginghisattitude。
\"Donottroubleyourselfaboutme。I
shallsoonbewell。\"
Itwassosweettobeconsciousofhergentleministry，thatitrequiredagreateffort，aneffortofconscience，torousehimoncemore，ashisstrengthreturned。
\"Hadyounotbetterstay？\"sheasked，asherosetoputonhisovercoat。\"Iwillcalloneoftheservantsandhavehimshowyouaroom。
Wewillsayto—morrowmorningthatyouweretakenill，andnobodywillwonder。\"
\"No，no，\"heresponded，energetically。\"I
amperfectlystrongnow。\"Buthestillhadtoleanonachair，andhisfacewasdeathlypale。
\"Farewell，MissEdith，\"hesaid;andatendersadnesstrembledinhisvoice。\"Farewell。Weshall——probably——nevermeetagain。\"
\"Donotspeakso，\"sheanswered，seizinghishand。\"Youwilltrytoforgetthis，andyouwillstillbegreatandhappy。Andwhenfortuneshallagainsmileuponyou，and——and——
youwillbecontenttobemyfriend，thenweshallseeeachotherasbefore。\"
\"No，no，\"hebrokeforth，withasuddenhoarseness。\"Itwillneverbe。\"
Hewalkedtowardthedoorwiththemotionsofonewhofeelsdeathinhislimbs;thenstoppedoncemoreandhiseyeslingeredwithinexpressiblesadnessonthewonderful，belovedformwhichstooddimlyoutlinedbeforehiminthetwilight。ThenEdith’smeasureofmisery，too，seemedfull。Withthedivineheedlessnesswhichbelongstohersex，sherusheduptowardhim，andrememberingonlythathewasweakandunhappy，andthathesufferedforhersake，shetookhisfacebetweenherhandsandkissedhim。Hewastoogenerousamantomisinterprettheact;sohewhisperedbutoncemore：
\"Farewell，\"andhastenedaway。
VII。
AfterthateventfulDecembernight，AmericawasnomorewhatithadbeentoHalfdanBjerk。Astrangetorpidityhadcomeoverhim;
everyrisingdaygazedintohiseyeswithafierceunmeaningglare。Thenoiseofthestreetannoyedhimandmadehimchildishlyfretful，andthesolitudeofhisownroomseemedstillmoredrearyanddepressing。Hewentmechanicallythroughthedailyroutineofhisdutiesasifthesoulhadbeentakenoutofhiswork，andlefthislifeallbarrennessanddesolation。Hemovedrestlesslyfromplacetoplace，roamedatalltimesofthedayandnightthroughthecityanditssuburbs，tryingvainlytoexhausthisphysicalstrength;gradually，ashislethargydeepenedintoanumb，helplessdespair，itseemedsomehowtoimpartacertaintoughnesstohisotherwisedelicateframe。Olson，whowasnowajuniorpartnerinthefirmofRemsen，VanKirkandCo。，stoodbyhimfaithfullyinthesedaysofsorrow。Hewasnevereffusiveinhissympathy，butwaspatientlyforbearingwithhisfriend’swhimsandmoods，andhumoredhimasifhehadbeenasickchildintrustedtohiscustody。ThatEdithmightbethemovingcauseofOlson’skindnesswasathoughtwhich，strangelyenough，hadneveroccurredtoHalfdan。
Atlast，whenspringcame，thevacancyofhismindwassuddenlyinvadedwithastrongdesiretorevisithisnativeland。HedisclosedhisplantoOlson，who，afterduedeliberationandseveralvisitstotheVanKirkmansion，decidedthatthepleasureofseeinghisoldfriendsandthescenesofhischildhoodmightpushthepainfulmemoriesoutofsight，andrenewhisinterestinlife。So，onemorning，whiletheMaysunshonewithasoftradianceuponthebeautifulharbor，ourNorsemanfoundhimselfstandingonthedeckofahugeblack—hulledCunarder，shiveringinspiteofthewarmth，andfeelingachilllonelinesscreepingoverhimatthesightofthekissingandaffectionateleave—
takingswhichweregoingonallaroundhim。
Olsonwasrunningbackandforth，attendingtohisbaggage;buthehimselftooknothought，andfeltnomoreresponsibilitythanifhehadbeenahelplesschild。Hehalfregrettedthathisownwishhadprevailed，andwasinclinedtoholdhisfriendresponsibleforit;andstillhehadnotenergyenoughtoprotestnowwhenthejourneyseemedinevitable。Hisheartstillclungtotheplacewhichheldthecorpseofhisruinedlife，asamanmayclingtothespotwhichhideshisbeloveddead。
AbouttwoweekslaterHalfdanlandedinNorway。Hewashalfreluctanttoleavethesteamer，andthelandofhisbirthexcitednoemotioninhisbreast。HewasbutconsciousofadimregretthathewassofarawayfromEdith。Atlast，however，hebetookhimselftoahotel，wherehespenttheafternoonsittingwithhalf—closedeyesatawindow，watchinglistlesslythedrowsyslow—pulsedlifewhichdribbledlanguidlythroughthenarrowthoroughfare。ThenoisyuproarofBroadwaychimedremotelyinhisears，likethedistantroarofatempest—tossedsea，andwhathadoncebeenaperpetualannoyancewasnowasweetmemory。HowoftenwithEdithathissidehadhethreadedhiswaythroughthesurgingcrowdsthatpour，onafineafternoon，inanunceasingcurrentupanddownthestreetbetweenUnionandMadisonSquares。Howfriendly，andsweet，andgracious，Edithhadbeenatsuchtimes;
howfreshhervoice，howwittyandanimatedherchanceremarkswhentheystoppedtogreetapassingacquaintance;and，aboveall，howinspiringthesightofherheavenlybeauty。
Nowthatwasallpast。PerhapsheshouldneverseeEdithagain。
Thenextdayhesaunteredthroughthecity，meetingsomeoldfriends，whoallseemedchangedandsingularlyuninteresting。Theywereallengagedormarried，andcouldtalkofnothingbutmatrimony，andtheirprospectsofadvancementintheGovernmentservice。Onehadaninfluentialunclewhohadbeenachumofthepresentministeroffinance;anotherbasedhishopesoffutureprosperityuponthefamilyconnectionsofhisbetrothed，andathirdwaswaitingwithapatientperseverance，worthyofabettercause，forthedeathorresignationofanantiquatedchef—de—bureau，which，accordingtothepromiseofsomemightyman，wouldopenapositionforhimintheDepartmentofJustice。
AllhadthemostabsurdtheoriesaboutAmericandemocracy，andindulgedfreelyinpropheciesofcomingdisasters;butabouttheirowngovernmenttheyhadnoopinionwhatever。IfHalfdanattemptedtosetthemright，theyatoncegrewexcitedanddeclamatory;theiropinionswerebaseduponconvictionandacharmingignoranceoffacts，andtheywerenottobemoved。TheyknewallaboutTweedandtheTammanyRing，andbelievedthemtoberepresentativecitizensofNewYork，ifnotoftheUnitedStates;butofCharlesSumnerandCarlSchurztheyhadneverheard。Halfdan，who，inspiteofhismisfortunesinthelandofhisadoption，cherishedaverytenderfeelingforit，wasoftensothoroughlyarousedatthefoolishprejudiceswhicheverywheremethim，thathistorpiditygraduallythawedaway，andhebegantolookmorelikehisformerself。
TowardautumnhereceivedaninvitationtovisitacountryclergymanintheNorth，adistantrelativeofhisfather’s，andtherewhiledawayhistime，fishingandshooting，untilwintercame。ButasChristmasdrewnear，andthedaywrestledfeeblywiththeall—conqueringnight，theoldsorrowrevived。Inthedarknesswhichnowbroodedoverlandandsea，thethoughtsneedednolongerbeonguardagainstthemselves;
theycouldroamfarandwideastheylisted。WherewasEdithnow，thesweet，thewonderfulEdith？Wasthereyetthesamedancinglightinherbeautifuleyes，thesamegoldensheeninherhair，thesamemerryringinhervoice？Andhadshenotsaidthatwhenhewascontenttobeonlyherfriend，hemightreturntoher，andshewouldreceivehimintheoldjoyousandconfidingway？Surelytherewasnolifetohimapartfromher：whyshouldhenotbeherfriend？Onlyaglimpseofherlovelyface——ah，itwasworthalifetime;itwouldconsecrateanageofmisery，aglimpseofEdith’sface。Thusranhisfanciesdaybyday，andthenightonlylentadeeperintensitytotheyearningsoftheday。Hewalkedaboutasinadream，seeingnothing，heedingnothing，whilethisonestrongdesire——toseeEdithoncemore——throbbedandthrobbedwithaslow，feverishperseverancewithinhim。Edith——Edith，theverynamehadastrange，potentfascination。
Everythoughtwhispered\"Edith，\"——hispulsebeat\"Edith，\"——andhisheartrepeatedthebelovedname。Itwashispulse—beat，——hisheartbeat，——hislife—beat。
Andonemorningashestoodabsentlylookingathisfingersagainstthelight——andtheyseemedstrangelywanandtransparent——thethoughtatlasttookshape。Itrusheduponhimwithsuchvehemence，thathecouldnomoreresistit。Sohebadetheclergymangood—bye，gatheredhisfewworldlygoodstogetherandsetoutforBergen。TherehefoundanEnglishsteamerwhichcarriedhimtoHull，andafewweekslater，hewasoncemoreinNewYork。
ItwaslateoneeveninginJanuarythatatug—boatarrivedandtookthecabinpassengersashore。Themoonsailedtranquillyoverthedeepbluedomeofthesky，thestarstracedtheirglitteringpathsoflightfromthezenithdownward，anditwassharp，bittercold。Northwardovertheriverlayagreatbankofcloud，dense，grayandmassive，thespectreofthecomingsnow—storm。Thereitlaysohugeandfantasticallyhuman，rufflingitselfup，asfowlsdo，indefenseagainstthecold。Halfdanwalkedonatabriskrate——strangetosay，allthestreet—
carshemetwentthewrongway——startlingeverynowandthensomepreciousmemory，somewordorlookorgestureofEdith’swhichhadhoveredlongoverthosescenes，waitingforhisrecognition。Therewasthegreatjewel—storewhereEdithhadtakenhimsooftentoconsulthistastewheneverafriendofherswastobemarried。ItwastherethattheyhadhadanamicablequarreloverthatbronzestatueofFaustwhichshehadfoundbeautiful，whilehe，witharudenesswhichseemednowquiteincomprehensible，hadinsistedthatitwasnot。
Andwhenhehadfailedtoconvinceher，shehadgivenhimherhandintokenofreconciliation——
andEdithhadawonderfulwayofgivingherhand，whichmadeanyonefeelthatitwasapeculiarprivilegetopressit——andtheyhadwalkedoutarminarmintotheanimated，gas—
