第16章

Shedrewawayherhandandswiftlyturnedbacktotheroad。

PhilipAmmon，wordless，startedtowardOnabashaonarun。

Elnoracrossedtheroad，climbedthefenceandsoughttheshelteroftheirownwoods。Shechoseadiagonalcourseandfollowedituntilshecametothepathleadingpastthevioletpatch。Shewentdownthishurriedly。

Herhandswereclenchedatherside，hereyesdryandbright，hercheeksred-flushed，andherbreathcomingfast。

Whenshereachedthepatchsheturnedintoitandstoodlookingaroundher。

Themossesweredry，theflowersgone，weedsafoothighcoveredit。Sheturnedawayandwentondownthepathuntilshewasalmostinsightofthecabin。

Mrs。ComstocksmiledandwaitedinthearbouruntilitoccurredtoherthatElnorawasalongtimecoming，soshewenttothegate。TheroadstretchedawaytowardtheLimberlostemptyandlonely。ThensheknewthatElnorahadgoneintotheirownwoodsandwouldcomeinthebackway。Shecouldnotunderstandwhythegirldidnothurrytoherwithwhatshewouldhavetotell。

Shewentoutandwanderedaroundthegarden。Thenshesteppedintothepathandstartedalongthewayleadingtothewoods，pastthepoolnowframedinathicksettingofyellowlilies。Thenshesaw，andstopped，gaspingforbreath。

Herhandsflewupandherlinedfacegrewghastly。

Shestaredattheskyandthenattheprostrategirlfigure。

Overandovershetriedtospeak，butonlyadrybreathcame。

Sheturnedandfledbacktothegarden。

Inthefamiliarenclosureshegazedaroundherlikeacagedanimalseekingescape。Thesunbeatdownonherbareheadmercilessly，andmechanicallyshemovedtotheshadeofahalf-grownhickorytreethatvoluntarilyhadsproutedbesidethemilkhouse。Atherfeetlayanaxewithwhichshemadekindlingsforfires。Shestoopedandpickeditup。Thememoryofthatpronefiguresobbinginthegrasscaughtherwitharenewedspasm。Sheshuthereyesasiftocloseitout。ThatmadehearingsoacuteshefeltcertainsheheardElnoramoaningbesidethepath。

Theeyesflewopen。Theylookedstraightatafewspindlingtomatoplantssettoonearthetreeandstuntedbyitsshade。Mrs。Comstockwhirledonthehickoryandswungtheaxe。Herhairshookdown，herclothingbecamedisarranged，intheheattheperspirationstreamed，butstrokefellonstrokeuntilthetreecrashedover，grazingacornerofthemilkhouseandsmashingthegardenfenceontheeast。

AtthesoundElnorasprangtoherfeetandcamerunningdownthegardenwalk。"Mother!"shecried。"Mother!

Whatintheworldareyoudoing?"

Mrs。Comstockwipedherghastlyfaceonherapron。

"I"velaidouttocutthattreeforyears，"shesaid。

"Itshadesthebeetsinthemorning，andthetomatoesintheafternoon!"

Elnorautteredonewildlittlecryandfledintohermother"sarms。"Ohmother!"shesobbed。"Willyoueverforgiveme?"

Mrs。Comstock"sarmsswepttogetherinatightgriparoundElnora。

"Thereisn"tathingonGod"sfootstoolfromatoizzardIwon"tforgiveyou，mypreciousgirl!"shesaid。"Tellmotherwhatitis!"

Elnoraliftedherwetface。"Hetoldme，"shepanted，"justassoonashedecentlycould——thatseconddayhetoldme。Almostallhislifehe"sbeenengagedtoagirlathome。Henevercaredanythingaboutme。Hewasonlyinterestedinthemothsandgrowingstrong。"

Mrs。Comstock"sarmstightened。Withashakinghandshestrokedthebrighthair。

"Tellme，honey，"shesaid。"Ishetoblameforasingleoneofthesetears?"

"Notone!"sobbedElnora。"Ohmother，Iwon"tforgiveyouifyoudon"tbelievethat。Notone!Heneversaid，orlooked，ordidanythingalltheworldmightnothaveknown。Helikesmeverymuchasafriend。

Hehatedtogodreadfully!"

"Elnora!"themother"sheadbentuntilthewhitehairmingledwiththebrown。"Elnora，whydidn"tyoutellmeatfirst?"

Elnoracaughtherbreathinasharpsnatch。"IknowIshould!"shesobbed。"Iwillbearanypunishmentfornot，butIdidn"tfeelasifIpossiblycould。Iwasafraid。"

"Afraidofwhat?"theshakinghandwasonthehairagain。

"Afraidyouwouldn"tlethimcome!"pantedElnora。

"Andoh，mother，Iwantedhimso!"

CHAPTERXVIII

WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKEXPERIMENTSWITHREJUVENATION，ANDELNORATEACHESNATURALHISTORY

ForthefollowingweekMrs。ComstockandElnoraworkedsohardtherewasnotimetotalk，andtheywerecompelledtosleepfromphysicalexhaustion。

Neitherofthemmadeanypretenceofeating，fortheycouldnotswallowwithoutaneffort，sotheydrankmilkandworked。ElnorakeptonsettingbaitforCatacolaeandSphinginae，which，unlikethebigmothsofJune，liveseveralmonths。Shetookallthedragonfliesandbutterfliesshecould，andwhenshewentoverthelistforthemanofIndia，shefound，toheramazement，thatwithPhilip"shelpsheoncemorehaditcompletesaveapairofYellowEmperors。

ThiscircumstancewassosurprisingshehadafleetingthoughtofwritingPhilipandaskinghimtoseeifhecouldnotsecureherapair。ShedidtelltheBirdWoman，whofromeverysourceathercommandtriedtocompletetheserieswiththesemoths，butcouldnotfindanyforsale。

"IthinkthemillsoftheGodsaregrindingthisgrist，"

saidElnora，"andwemightaswellwaitpatientlyuntiltheychoosetosendaYellowEmperor。"

Mrs。Comstockinventedwork。Whenshehadnothingmoretodo，shehoedinthegardenalthoughtheearthwashardanddryandtherewerenoplantsthatreallyneededattention。

ThencameanotificationthatElnorawouldbecompelledtoattendaweek"ssessionoftheTeachers"InstituteheldatthecountyseattwentymilesnorthofOnabashathefollowingweek。Thatgavethemsomethingofwhichtothinkandrealworktodo。Elnorawasrequestedtobringherviolin。Asshewasontheprogrammeofoneofthemostimportantsessionsforatalkonnatureworkingradeschools，shewasdriventoprepareherspeech，alsotoselectandpractisesomemusic。Hermotherturnedherattentiontoclothing。

TheywenttoOnabashatogetherandpurchasedasimpleandappropriatefallsuitandhat，goodsforadaintylittlecolouredfrock，andadressskirtandseveralfancywaists。

MargaretSintoncamedownandthesewingbegan。Wheneverythingwasfinishedandpacked，Elnorakissedhermothergood-byeatthedepot，andenteredthetrain。Mrs。Comstockwentintothewaiting-roomanddroppedintoaseattorest。Herheartwassosoreherwholeleftsidefelttender。Shewashalfstarvedforthefoodshehadnoappetitetotake。Shehadworkedindoggeddeterminationuntilshewasexhausted。

Foratimeshesimplysatandrested。Thenshebegantothink。

ShewasgladElnorahadgonewhereshewouldbecompelledtofixhermindonothermattersforafewdays。Sherememberedthegirlhadsaidshewantedtogo。

Schoolwouldbeginthefollowingweek。ShethoughtoverwhatElnorawouldhavetodotoaccomplishherworksuccessfully。Shewouldbecompelledtoariseatsixo"clock，walkthreemilesthroughvaryingweather，leadthehighschoolorchestra，andthenputintheremainderofthedaytravellingfrombuildingtobuildingoverthecity，teachingaspecifiedlengthoftimeeveryweekineachroom。

Shemusthaveherobjectlessonsready，andshemustdoacertainamountofpractisingwiththeorchestra。Thenacoldlunchatnoon，andathree-milewalkatnight。

"Humph!"saidMrs。Comstock，"togetthroughthatthegirlwouldhavetobemadeofcast-iron。IwonderhowIcanhelpherbest?"

Shethoughtdeeply。

"Thelesssheseesofwhatshe"sbeenhavingallsummer，thesoonershe"llfeelbetteraboutit，"shemuttered。

Shearose，wenttothebankandinquiredforthecashier。

"IwanttoknowjusthowIamfixedhere，"shesaid。

Thecashierlaughed。"Youhaven"tbeeninahurry，"

hereplied。"Wehavebeenreadyforyouanytimethesetwentyyears，butyoudidn"tseemtopaymuchattention。

Youraccountisratherflourishing。Interest，whenitgetstocompounding，isquiteamoneybreeder。ComebackheretoatableandIwillshowyouyourbalances。"

Mrs。Comstocksankintoachairandwaitedwhilethecashierreadajumbleoffigurestoher。Itmeantthatherdepositshadexceededherexpensesfromonetothreehundreddollarsayear，accordingtothecattle，sheep，hogs，poultry，butter，andeggsshehadsold。

Theaggregateofthesesumshadbeencompoundinginterestthroughouttheyears。Mrs。Comstockstaredatthetotalwithdazedandunbelievingeyes。Throughhersickheartrushedtherealization，thatifshemerelyhadstoodbeforethatwicketandaskedonequestion，shewouldhaveknownthatallthosebitteryearsofskimpingforElnoraandherselfhadbeenunnecessary。Shearoseandwentbacktothedepot。

"Iwanttosendamessage，"shesaid。Shepickedupthepencil，andwithrashextravagance，wrote，"Foundmoneyatbankdidn"tknowabout。Ifyouwanttogotocollege，comeonfirsttrainandgetready。"

Shehesitatedasecondandthenshesaidtoherselfgrimly，"Yes，I"llpayforthat，too，"andrecklesslyadded，"Withlove，Mother。"Thenshesatwaitingfortheanswer。Itcameinlessthananhour。"Willteachthiswinter。Withdearestlove，Elnora。"

Mrs。Comstockheldthemessagealongtime。Whenshearoseshewasravenouslyhungry，butthepaininherheartwasalittleeasier。Shewenttoarestaurantandatesomefood，thentoadressmakerwheresheorderedfourdresses:twoveryplainevery-dayones，aserviceabledarkgrayclothsuit，andasoftlightgraysilkwithtouchesoflavenderandlace。ShemadeaheavylistofpurchasesatBrownlee"s，andtheremainderofthedayshedidbusinessinherdirectandspiritedway。Atnightshewassotiredshescarcelycouldwalkhome，butshebuiltafireandcookedandateaheartymeal。

Latershewentoutbesidethewestfenceandgatheredanarmfuloftansywhichsheboiledtoathickgreentea。

Thenshestirredinoatmealuntilitwasastiffpaste。

Shespreadasheetoverherbedandbegantearingstripsofoldmuslin。Shebandagedeachhandandarmwiththemixtureandplasteredthesoggy，evil-smellingstuffinathickpoulticeoverherfaceandneck。Shewassotiredshewenttosleep，andwhensheawokeshewashalfskinned。

Shebathedherfaceandhands，didtheworkandwentbacktotown，cominghomeatnighttogothroughthesameprocess。

Bythethirdmorningshewasarawevenred，thefourthshehadfadedtoabrilliantpinkunderthesoothinginfluenceofacreamrecommended。ThatdaycamealetterfromElnorasayingthatshewouldremainwhereshewasuntilSaturdaymorning，andthencometoEllenBrownlee"satOnabashaandstayfortheSaturday"ssessionofteacherstoarrangetheiryear"swork。

SundaywasEllen"slastdayathome，andshewantedElnoraverymuch。ShehadtocalltogethertheorchestraandpractisethemSunday；andcouldnotcomehomeuntilafterschoolMondaynight。Mrs。Comstockatonceansweredthelettersayingthosearrangementssuitedher。

Thefollowingdayshewasapalepink，lateradelicateporcelainwhite。Thenshewenttoahairdresserandhadtheropeofsnowyhairwhichcoveredherscalpwashed，dressed，andfastenedwithsuchpinsandcombsasweredecidedtobemostbecoming。Shetooksamplesofherdresses，wenttoamilliner，andboughtastreethattomatchhersuit，andagraysatinwithlavenderorchidstowearwiththesilkdress。Herlastinvestmentwasaloosecoatofsoftgraybroadclothwithwhitelining，andtouchesoflavenderontheembroideredcollar，andgrayglovestomatch。

Thenshewenthome，restedandworkedbyturnsuntilMonday。Whenschoolclosedonthatevening，Elnora，sotiredshealmosttrembled，camedownthelongwalkafteralatesessionofteachers"meeting，tobestoppedbyamessengerboy。

"There"saladywantstoseeyoumostimportant。

Iamtotakeyoutotheplace，"hesaid。

Elnoragroaned。Shecouldnotimaginewhowantedher，buttherewasnothingtodobutfindout；tiredandanxioustoseehermotherasshewas。

"Thisistheplace，"saidtheboy，andwenthiswaywhistling。

Elnorawasthreeblocksfromthehighschoolbuildingonthesamestreet。Shewasbeforeaquaintoldhouse，freshwithpaintandcoveredwithvines。Therewasalongwidelot，grass-covered，closelysetwithtrees，andabarnandchickenparkatthebackthatseemedtobeoccupied。Elnorasteppedontheverandawhichwasfurnishedwithstrawrugs，bent-

hickorychairs，hangingbaskets，andatablewithawork-

boxandmagazines，andknockedatthescreendoor。

Insideshecouldseepolishedfloors，wallsfreshlypaperedinlow-tonedharmoniouscolours，strawrugsandmadrascurtains。

Itseemedtobearestful，homelikeplacetowhichshehadcome。

Asecondlaterdownanopenstairwaycameatall，dark-eyedwomanwithcheeksfaintlypinkandacrownoffluffysnow-

whitehair。Sheworealavenderginghamdresswithwhitecollarandcuffs，andshecalledassheadvanced:"Thatscreenisn"tlatched!Openitandcomeseeyourbrand-newmother，mygirl。"

Elnorasteppedinsidethedoor。"Mother!"shecried。

"Youmymother!Idon"tbelieveit!"

"Well，youbetter!"saidMrs。Comstock，"becauseit"strue!YousaidyouwishedIwereliketheothergirls"mothers，andI"veshotasclosethemarkasIcouldwithoutanypractice。Ithoughtthatwalkwouldbetoomuchforyouthiswinter，soIjustrentedthishouseandmovedin，tobenearyou，andhelpmoreincaseI"mneeded。

I"veonlylivedhereaday，butIlikeitsowellI"veamortalbignotiontobuytheplace。"

"Butmother!"protestedElnora，clingingtoherwonderingly。

"Youareperfectlybeautiful，andthishouseisalittleparadise，buthowwillweeverpayforit?Wecan"taffordit!"

"Humph!HaveyouforgottenItelegraphedyouI"dfoundsomemoneyIdidn"tknowabout?AllI"vedoneispaidfor，andplentymoretosettleforallI

proposetodo。"

Mrs。Comstockglancedaroundwithsatisfaction。

"Imaygethomesickasapupbeforespring，"shesaid，"butifIdoIcangoback。IfIdon"t，I"llsellsometimberandputafewoilwellswheretheydon"tshowmuch。

Icanhavelandenoughclearedforafewfieldsandputatenantonourfarm，andwewillbuythisandsettlehere。

It"sforsale。"

"Youdon"tlookit，butyou"vesurelygonemad!"

"Justthereverse，mygirl，"saidMrs。Comstock，"I"vegonesane。Ifyouaregoingtoundertakethiswork，youmustbeconvenienttoit。Andyourmothershouldbewhereshecanseethatyouareproperlydressed，fed，andcaredfor。Thisisour——letmethink——reception-room。

Howdoyoulikeit?Thisdoorleadstoyourworkroomandstudy。

Ididn"tdomuchtherebecauseIwasn"tsureofmyway。

ButIknewyouwouldwantarug，curtains，table，shelvesforbooks，andacaseforyourspecimens，soIhadacarpentershelveandenclosethatendofit。Looksprettyneattome。Thedining-roomandkitchenareback，oneofthecowsinthebarn，andsomechickensinthecoop。

Iunderstandthatnoneoftheothergirls"mothersmilkacow，soaneighbourboywilltendtooursforathirdofthemilk。Therearethreebedrooms，andabathupstairs。

Gotakeone，putonsomefreshclothes，andcometosupper。

Youcanfindyourroombecauseyourthingsareinit。"

Elnorakissedhermotheroverandover，andhurriedupstairs。

Sheidentifiedherroombythedressing-case。Therewereaprettyrug，andcurtains，whiteironbed，plainandrockingchairstomatchhercase，ashirtwaistchest，andthebigclosetwasfilledwithheroldclothingandseveralnewdresses。Shefoundthebathroom，bathed，dressedinfreshlinenandwentdowntoasupperthatwasanevidenceofMrs。Comstock"shighestartincooking。

Elnorawassohungrysheateherfirstrealmealintwoweeks。

Butthebiteswentdownslowlybecausesheforgotabouttheminwatchinghermother。

"Howonearthdidyoudoit?"sheaskedatlast。"Ialwaysthoughtyouwerenaturallybrownasanut。"

"Oh，thatwastanandsunburn!"explainedMrs。Comstock。

"IalwaysknewIwaswhiteunderneathit。IhatedtoshademyfacebecauseIhadn"tanythingbutasunbonnet，andIcouldn"tstandforittotouchmyears，soIwentbareheadedandtookallthecolourIaccumulated。

ButwhenIbegantothinkofmovingyouintoyourwork，IsawImustputupanappearancethatwouldn"tdisgraceyou，soIthoughtI"dbestremovethecrust。Ittooksometime，andIhopeImaydiebeforeIeverendurethefeelandthesmellofthestuffIusedagain，butitskinnedmenicely。Whatyounowseeismyownwithalittledustofricepowder，forprotection。I"msortoftenderyet。"

"Andyourlovely，lovelyhair?"breathedElnora。

"Hairdresserdidthat!"saidMrs。Comstock。"Itcostlikesmoke。ButIwatchedher，andwithalittlehelpfromyouIcanwashitalonenexttime，thoughitwillbehardwork。Ilethermonkeywithituntilshesaidshehadfound`mystyle。"ThenItoreitdownandhadhershowmehowtobuilditupagainthreetimes。

Ithoughtmyarmswoulddrop。WhenIpaidthebillforherwork，thetimeI"dtaken，thepins，andcombsshe"dused，Inearlyhadheartfailure，butIdidn"tturnahairbeforeher。Ijustsmiledathersweetlyandsaid，`Howreasonableyouare!"Cometothinkofit，shewas!Shemighthavechargedmetendollarsforwhatshedidquiteaswellasnineseventy-five。Icouldn"thavehelpedmyself。

Ihadmadenobargaintobeginon。"

ThenElnoraleanedbackinherchairandshouted，inagustofheartylaughter，soalittleoftheacheceasedinherbreast。Therewasnotimetothink，theremainderofthatevening，shewassotiredshehadtosleep，whilehermotherdidnotawakenheruntilshebarelyhadtimetodress，breakfastandreachschool。Therewasnothinginthenewlifetoremindheroftheold。Itseemedasiftherenevercameaminuteforretrospection，buthermotherappearedonthescenewithmorework，orsomeentertainingthingtodo。

Mrs。ComstockinvitedElnora"sfriendstovisither，andprovedherselfabrightandinterestinghostess。

Shedigestedasubjectbeforeshespoke；andwhensheadvancedaview，herpointwassuretobeoriginalandterselyexpressed。Beforethreemonthspeoplewaitedtohearwhatshehadtosay。Shekeptherappearancesoinmindthatshemadeahandsomeandadistinguishedfigure。

ElnoranevermentionedPhilipAmmon，neitherdidMrs。Comstock。EarlyinDecembercameanoteandabigboxfromhim。Itcontainedseveralbooksonnaturesubjectswhichwouldbeofmuchhelpinschoolwork，anumberofconveniencesElnoracouldnotafford，andapairofglass-coveredplastercasts，foreachlargemothshehad。Inthesetheupperandunderwingsofmaleandfemaleshowed。Heexplainedthatshewouldbreakherspecimenseasily，carryingthemaroundinboxes。Hehadseentheseandthoughttheywouldbeofuse。Elnorawasdelightedwiththem，andatoncebeganthetediousprocessofsofteningthemountedmothsandfittingthemtothecastsmouldedtoreceivethem。Hertimewassotakeninschool，sheprogressedslowly，sohermotherundertookthiswork。Aftertryingoneortwoverycommononesshelearnedtohandlethemostdelicatewithease。Shetookkeenprideinrelaxingthetensemoths，fittingthemtothecases，polishingtheglasscoverstothelastdegreeandsealingthem。Theresultswerebeautifultobehold。

SoonafterElnorawrotetoPhilip:

DEARFRIEND:

Iamwritingtothankyouforthebooks，andtheboxofconveniencessentmeformywork。Icanuseeverythingwithfineresults。

HopeIamgivinggoodsatisfactioninmyposition。Youwillbeinterestedtolearnthatwhenthesummer"sworkwasclassifiedandpinned，IagainhadmycompletecollectionforthemanofIndia，saveaYellowEmperor。IhavetriedeverywhereIknow，sohastheBirdWoman。Wecannotfindapairforsale。Fateisagainstme，atleastthisseason。Ishallhavetowaituntilnextyearandtryagain。

Thankyouverymuchforhelpingmewithmycollectionandforthebooksandcases。

Sincerelyyours，ELNORACOMSTOCK。

Philipwasdisappointedoverthatnoteandinsteadofkeepingithetoreitintobitsanddroppedthemintothewastebasket。

ThatwaspreciselywhatElnorahadintendedheshoulddo。

ChristmasbroughtbeautifulcardsofgreetingtoMrs。ComstockandElnora，Easterothers，andtheyearranrapidlytowardspring。Elnora"spositionhadbeenintenselyabsorbing，whileshehadworkedwithallherpower。

Shehadmadeawonderfulsuccessandwonnewfriends。

Mrs。Comstockhadhelpedineverywayshecould，soshewasverypopularalso。

Throughoutthewintertheyhadenjoyedthecitythoroughly，andthechangeoflifeitafforded，butsignsofspringdidwonderfulthingstotheheartsofthecountry-bredwomen。

ArestlessnessbeganonbrightFebruarydays，calmedduringMarchstormsandattackedfullforceinApril。Whenneithercouldbearitanylongertheywereforcedtodiscussthematterandadmittheyweregrowingillwithpurehomesickness。

Theydecidedtokeepthecityhouseduringthesummer，buttoreturntothefarmtoliveassoonasschoolclosed。

SoMrs。Comstockwouldpreparebreakfastandlunchandthenslipawaytothefarmtomakeupbedsinherploughedgarden，plantseeds，trimandtendherflowers，andpreparethecabinforoccupancy。ThenshewouldgohomeandmaketheeveningascheerfulaspossibleforElnora；inthesedaysshelivedonlyforthegirl。

BothofthemweregladwhenthelastofMaycameandtheschoolsclosed。Theypackedthebooksandclothingtheywishedtotakeintoawagonandwalkedacrossthefieldstotheoldcabin。Astheyapproachedit，Mrs。ComstocksaidtoElnora:"Youaresureyouwon"tbelonelyhere?"

Elnoraknewwhatshereallymeant。

"Quitesure，"shesaid。"ForatimelastfallIwasgladtobeaway，butthatallworeoutwiththewinter。

SpringmademehomesickasIcouldbe。Icanscarcelywaituntilwegetbackagain。"

Sotheybeganthatsummerastheyhadbegunallothers——withwork。Butbothofthemtookanewjoyineverything，andtheviolinsangbythehourinthetwilight。

CHAPTERXIX

WHEREINPHILIPAMMONGIVESABALLINHONOUROFEDITHCARR，ANDHARTHENDERSONAPPEARSONTHESCENE

EdithCarrstoodinavine-enclosedsideverandaoftheLakeShoreClubHousewaitingwhilePhilipAmmongavesomeimportantorders。InafewdaysshewouldsailforParistoselectawonderfultrousseaushehadplannedforhermarriageinOctober。To-nightPhilipwasgivingaclubdanceinherhonour。Hehadspentdaysindevisingnewandexquisiteeffectsindecorations，entertainment，andsupper。Weeksbeforethefavouredguestshadbeennotified。DaysbeforetheyhadreceivedtheinvitationsaskingthemtoparticipateinthisentertainmentbyPhilipAmmoninhonourofMissCarr。

Theyspokeofitas"Phil"sdanceforEdith!"

Shecouldheartherumbleofcarriagesandthepantingofautomobilesasinasteadystreamtheyrolledtothefrontentrance。Shecouldcatchglimpsesoffloatingdraperiesofgauzeandlace，theflashofjewels，andthepassingofexquisitecolour。Everyonewasnewlyarrayedinherhonourintheloveliestclothing，andthemostexpensivejewelstheycouldcommand。Asshethoughtofitsheliftedherheadatriflehigherandhereyesflashedproudly。

ShewasrobedinaFrenchcreationsuggestedanddesignedbyPhilip。Hehadsaidtoher:"IknowacompetentjudgewhosaysthedistinctivefeatureofJuneisherexquisitebignightmoths。IwantyoutobetheveryessenceofJunethatnight，asyouwillbetheembodimentoflove。Beamoth。Themostbeautifulofthemiseitherthepale-greenLunaortheYellowImperialis。Bemymoonlady，ormygoldEmpress。"

Hetookhertothemuseumandshowedherthemoths。

Sheinstantlydecidedontheyellow。Becausesheknewtheshadeswouldmakehermorestartlinglybeautifulthananyothercolour。Tohimshesaid:"Amoonladyseemssofarawayandcold。Iwouldbeofearthandverynearonthatnight。IchoosetheEmpress。"

Soshematchedthecoloursexactly，wroteouttheideaandforwardedtheordertoPaquin。To-nightwhenPhilipAmmoncameforher，hestoodspeechlessaminuteandthensilentlykissedherhands。

Forshestoodtall，lithe，ofgraceinborn，herdarkwavinghairhighpiledandcrossedbygoldbandsstuddedwithamethystandatonesideanenamelledlavenderorchidrimmedwithdiamonds，whichflashedandsparkled。Thesoftyellowrobeoflightestweightvelvetfittedherformperfectly，whilefromeachshoulderfellagreatvelvetwinglinedwithlavender，andfleckedwithembroideryofthatcolourinimitationofthemoth。Aroundherthroatwasawonderfulnecklaceandonherarmswerebraceletsofgoldsetwithamethystandrimmedwithdiamonds。Philiphadsaidthathergloves，fan，andslippersmustbelavender，becausethefeetofthemothwerethatcolour。Theseaccessorieshadbeenmadetoorderandembroideredwithgold。Ithadbeenarrangedthathermother，Philip"s，andafewbestfriendsshouldreceivehisguests。ShewastoappearwhensheledthegrandmarchwithPhilipAmmon。MissCarrwaspositivethatshewouldbethemostbeautiful，andmostexquisitelygownedwomanpresent。Inherheartshethoughtofherselfas"ImperialisRegalis，"astheYellowEmpress。

InafewmomentsshewouldstunherworldintofeelingitasPhilipAmmonhaddone，forshehadtakenpainsthatthehistoryofhercostumeshouldbewhisperedtoafewwhowouldgiveitcirculation。Sheliftedherheadproudlyandwaited，forwasnotPhilipplanningsomethingunusualandunsurpassedinherhonour?Thenshesmiled。

ButofallthefragmentarythoughtscrossingherbraintheonethatnevercamewasthatofPhilipAmmonastheEmperor。

Philipthekingofherheart；atleastherequalinallthings。

ShewastheEmpress——yes，Philipwasbutamereman，todeviseentertainments，toprovideluxuries，tohumourwhims，tokisshands!

"Ah，myluck!"criedavoicebehindher。

EdithCarrturnedandsmiled。

"Ithoughtyouwereontheocean，"shesaid。

"Ionlyreachedthedock，"repliedtheman，"whenIhadaletterthatrecalledmebythefirstlimited。"

"Oh!Importantbusiness?"

"Theonlybusinessofanyimportanceinalltheworldtome。I"mtriumphantthatIcame。Edith，youarethemostsuperbwomanineveryrespectthatIhaveeverseen。

Oneglimpseisworththewholejourney。"

"Youlikemydress?"Shemovedtowardhimandturned，liftingherarms。"Doyouknowwhatitisintendedtorepresent?"

"Yes，PollyAmmontoldme。IknewwhenIheardaboutithowyouwouldlook，soIstartedasleuthhunt，togetthefirstpeep。Edith，Icanbecomeintoxicatedmerelywithlookingatyouto-night。"

Hehalf-closedhiseyesandsmilinglystaredstraightather。

Hewastallerthanshe，aleanman，withclose-croppedlighthair，steel-grayeyes，asquarechinand"manoftheworld"

writtenalloverhim。

EdithCarrflushed。"Ithoughtyourealizedwhenyouwentawaythatyouweretostopthat，HartHenderson，"

shecried。

"Idid，butthisletterofwhichItellyoucalledmebacktostartitalloveragain。"

Shecameastepcloser。"Whowrotethatletter，andwhatdiditcontainconcerningme?"shedemanded。

"Oneofyourmostintimatechumswroteit。ItcontainedthehazardthatpossiblyIhadgivenuptoosoon。ItsaidthatinafitofpetulanceyouhadbrokenyourengagementwithAmmontwicethiswinter，andhehadcomebackbecauseheknewyoudidnotreallymeanit。IthoughtdeeplythereonthedockwhenIreadthat，andmyboatsailedwithoutme。

Iarguedthatanythingsoweakasanengagementtwicebrokenandpatchedupagainwasamightyfrailaffairindeed，andlikelytosmashcompletelyatanytime，soIcameontherun。

IsaidonceIwouldnotseeyoumarryanyotherman。

BecauseIcouldnotbearit，Iplannedtogointoexileofanysorttoescapethat。Ihavechangedmymind。Ihavecomebacktohauntyouuntiltheceremonyisover。ThenIgo，notbefore。Iwasinsane!"

Thegirllaughedmerrily。"Nothalfsoinsaneasyouarenow，Hart!"shecriedgaily。"YouknowthatPhilipAmmonhasbeendevotedtomeallmylife。NowI"lltellyousomethingelse，becausethislooksseriousforyou。

Ilovehimwithallmyheart。Notwhilehelivesshallheknowit，andIwilllaughathimifyoutellhim，butthefactremains:Iintendtomarryhim，butnodoubtIshallteasehimconstantly。It"sgoodforamantobeuncertain。

IfyoucouldseePhilip"sfaceatthequarterlyreturnofhisring，youwouldunderstandthefunofit。Youhadbetterhavetakenyourboat。"

"Possibly，"saidHendersoncalmly。"Butyouaretheonlywomanintheworldforme，andwhileyouarefree，asInowseemylight，Iremainnearyou。Youknowtheoldadage。"

"ButI"mnot`free!""criedEdithCarr。"I"mtellingyouIamnot。ThisnightismypublicacknowledgmentthatPhilandIarepromised，asourworldhassurmisedsincewewerechildren。Thatpromiseisanactualfact，becauseofwhatIjusthavetoldyou。Mylittlefitsoftemperdon"tcountwithPhil。He"sbeenrearedonthem。

Infact，Iofteninventoneinaperfectcalmtoseehimperform。Heisthemostamusingspectacle。But，please，please，dounderstandthatIlovehim，andalwaysshall，andthatweshallbemarried。"

"Justthesame，I"llwaitandseeitanaccomplishedfact，"saidHenderson。"AndEdith，becauseIloveyou，withthesortofloveitisworthawoman"swhiletoinspire，Iwantyourhappinessbeforemyown。SoI

amgoingtosaythistoyou，forIneverdreamedyouwerecapableofthefeelingyouhavedisplayedforPhil。

Ifyoudolovehim，andhavelovedhimalways，adisappointmentwouldcutyoudeeperthanyouknow。

Gocarefulfromnowon!Don"tstrainthatpatchedengagementofyoursanyfurther。I"veknownPhilipallmylife。I"veknownhimthroughboyhood，incollege，andsince。Allmenrespecthim。Wheretherestofusconfessoursins，hestandsclean。Youcangotohisarmswithnothingtoforgive。Markthisthing!Ihaveheardhimsay，`Edithismyslogan，"andIhaveseenhimmarchhomestronginthestrengthofhisloveforyou，inthefaceoftemptationsbeforewhicheveryothermanofusfell。

Beforethegods!thatoughttobeworthsomethingtoagirl，ifshereallyisthedelicate，sensitive，refinedthingshewouldhavemanbelieve。Itwouldtakeawomanwiththeorganismofanostrichtoenduresomeofthemenhereto-night，ifsheknewthemasIdo；butPhilissoundtothecore。SothisiswhatIwouldsaytoyou:first，yourinstinctsarerightinlovinghim，whynotlethimfeelitinthewaysawomanknows?

Second，don"tbreakyourengagementagain。Asmenknowtheman，anyofuswouldbeafraidtothesoul。

Helovesyou，yes!Heislong-sufferingforyou，yes!

Butmenknowhehasalimit。Whenthelimitisreached，hewillstandfast，andallthepowerscan"tmovehim。Youdon"tseemtothinkit，butyoucangotoofar!"

"Isthatall?"laughedEdithCarrsarcastically。

"No，thereisonethingmore，"saidHenderson。"Hereorhere-after，nowandsolongasIbreathe，Iamyourslave。

YoucandoanythingyouchooseandknowthatIwillkneelbeforeyouagain。Socarrythisinthedepthsofyourheart；noworatanytime，inanyplaceorcondition，merelyliftyourhand，andIwillcome。Anythingyouwantofme，thatthingwillIdo。Iamgoingtowait；ifyouneedme，itisnotnecessarytospeak；onlygivemethefaintestsign。AllyourlifeIwillbesomewherenearyouwaitingforit。"

"Idjit!Yourave!"laughedEdithCarr。"Howyouwouldfrightenme!Whatabugbearyouwouldraise!

BesensibleandgofindwhatkeepsPhil。Iwaswaitingpatiently，butmypatienceisgoing。Iwon"tlooknearlysowellasIdonowwhenitisgone。"

AtthatinstantPhilipAmmonentered。Hewasinfulleveningdressandexceptionallyhandsome。

"Everythingisready，"hesaid；"theyarewaitingforustoleadthemarch。Itisformed。"

EdithCarrsmiledentrancingly。"DoyouthinkIamready?"

Philiplookedwhathethought，andofferedhisarm。

EdithCarrnoddedcarelesslytoHartHenderson，andmovedaway。AttendantspartedthecurtainsandtheYellowEmpressbowingrightandleft，sweptthelengthoftheballroomandtookherplaceattheheadoftheformedprocession。Thelargeopendancingpavilionwasdrapedwithyellowsilkcaughtupwithlilacflowers。

Everycornerwasfilledwithbloomofthosecolours。

Themusicwasplayedbyharpersdressedinyellowandviolet，sotheballopened。

Themidnightsupperwasservedwiththesamecoloursandthelasthalfoftheprogrammewasbeingdanced。

NeverhadgirlbeenmorecomplimentedandpettedinthesamelengthoftimethanEdithCarr。Everyminutesheseemedtogrowmoreworthyofpraise。Apartners"

dancewascalledandthefloorwasfilledwithcoupleswaitingforthemusic。PhilipstoodwhisperingdelightfulthingstoEdithfacinghim。Fromoutofthenight，inatthewidefrontentrancetothepavilion，theresweptinslowwaveringflightalargeyellowmothandflutteredtowardthecentreclusterofglaringelectriclights。

PhilipAmmonandEdithCarrsawitatthesameinstant。

"Why，isn"tthat——?"shebeganexcitedly。

"It"saYellowEmperor!Thisisfate!"criedPhilip。

"ThelastoneElnoraneedsforhercollection。Imusthaveit!Excuseme!"

Herantowardthelight。"Hats!Handkerchiefs!Fans!

Anything!"hepanted。"Everyoneholdupsomethingandstopthat!It"samoth；I"vegottocatchit!"

"It"syellow!HewantsitforEdith!"raninamurmuraroundthehall。Thegirl"sfaceflushed，whileshebitherlipsinvexation。

Instantlyeveryonebeganholdingupsomethingtokeepthemothfromflyingbackintothenight。Onefanheldstraightbeforeitserved，andthemothgentlysettledonit。

"Holdsteady!"criedPhilip。"Don"tmoveforyourlife!"

Herushedtowardthemoth，madeaquicksweepandhelditupbetweenhisfingers。"Allright!"hecalled。"Thanks，everyone!Excusemeaminute。"

Herantotheoffice。