第8章
Canitbepossiblethatherpredictionisnotfarfromitsrealization？Ihavehadbothwakingandsleepingvisionswithintheselastmonthsandweekswhichhavetakenpossessionofmeandfilledmylifewithnewthoughts，newhopes，newresolves。
SometimesonthebosomofthelakebywhichIamdreamingawaythisseasonofbloomandfragrance，sometimesinthefieldsorwoodsinadistantglimpse，onceinanearerglance，whichleftmepaleandtremulous，yetwasfollowedbyaswiftreaction，sothatmycheeksflushedandmypulsebounded，Ihaveseenherwho——howdoIdaretotellitsothatmyowneyescanreadit？——Icannothelpbelievingistobemydeliverer，mysaviour。
Ihavebeenwarnedinthemostsolemnandimpressivelanguagebytheexpertsmostdeeplyreadinthelawsoflifeandthehistoryofitsdisturbinganddestroyinginfluences，thatitwouldbeattheimminentriskofmyexistenceifIshouldexposemyselftotherepetitionofmyformerexperiences。Iwasremindedthatunexplainedsuddendeathswereofconstant，ofdailyoccurrence；thatanyemotionisliabletoarrestthemovementsoflife:terror，joy，goodnewsorbadnews，——anythingthatreachesthedeepernervouscentres。Ihadalreadydiedonce，asSirCharlesNapiersaidofhimself；yes，morethanonce，diedandbeenresuscitated。Thenexttime，ImightveryprobablyfailtogetmyreturnticketaftermyvisittoHades。Itwasarathergrimstrokeofhumor，butIunderstooditsmeaningfullwell，andfelttheforceofitsmenace。
Afterall，whathadItoliveforifthegreatprimalinstinctwhichstrivestomakewholethehalflifeoflonelymanhoodisdefeated，suppressed，crushedoutofexistence？Whynotaswelldieintheattempttobreakupawretchedservitudetoapervertednervousmovementasinanyotherway？Iamaloneintheworld，——alonesaveformyfaithfulservant，throughwhomIseemtoholdtothehumanraceasitwerebyasinglefilament。Myfather，whowasmyinstructor，mycompanion，mydearestandbestfriendthroughallmylateryouthandmyearliermanhood，diedthreeyearsagoandleftmemyownmaster，withthemeansoflivingasmightbestpleasemyfancy。Thisseasonshalldecidemyfate。Onemoreexperiment，andI
shallfindmyselfrestoredtomyplaceamongmyfellow-beings，or，asIdevoutlyhope，inaspherewhereallourmortalinfirmitiesarepastandforgotten。
Ihavetoldthestoryofablightedlifewithoutreserve，sothatthereshallnotremainanymysteryoranydarksuspicionconnectedwithmymemoryifIshouldbetakenawayunexpectedly。Ithascostmeanefforttodoit，butnowthatmylifeisonrecordIfeelmorereconciledtomylot，withallitspossibilities，andamongthesepossibilitiesisagleamofabetterfuture。Ihavebeentoldbymyadvisers，someofthemwise，deeplyinstructed，andkind-heartedmen，thatsuchalife-destinyshouldberelatedbythesubjectofitfortheinstructionofothers，andespeciallyforthelightitthrowsoncertainpeculiaritiesofhumancharacteroftenwronglyinterpretedasduetomoralperversion，whentheyareinrealitytheresultsofmisdirectedorreversedactionsinsomeofthecloselyconnectednervouscentres。
FormyselfIcantrulysaythatIhaveverylittlemorbidsensibilityleftwithreferencetothedestinywhichhasbeenallottedtome。I
havepassedthroughdifferentstagesoffeelingwithreferencetoit，asIhavedevelopedfrominfancytomanhood。AtfirstitwasmereblindinstinctaboutwhichIhadnothought，livinglikeotherinfantsthelifeofimpressionswithoutlanguagetoconnecttheminseries。InmyboyhoodIbegantobedeeplyconsciousoftheinfirmitywhichseparatedmefromthosearoundme。InyouthbeganthatconflictofemotionsandimpulseswiththeantagonisticinfluenceofwhichIhavealreadyspoken，aconflictwhichhasneverceased，buttowhichIhavenecessarilybecometoacertaindegreeaccustomed；andagainstthedangersofwhichIhavelearnedtoguardmyselfhabitually。Thatisthemeaningofmyisolation。You，youngman，——ifatanytimeyoureyesshalllookuponmymelancholyrecord，——youatleastwillunderstandme。Doesnotyourheartthrob，inthepresenceofbuddingorbloomingwomanhood，sometimesasifit"werereadytocrack"withitsownexcessofstrain？Whatifinsteadofthrobbingitshouldfalter，flutter，andstopasifnevertobeatagain？You，youngwoman，whowithreadybeliefandtendersympathywilllookuponthesepages，iftheyareeverspreadbeforeyou，knowwhatitiswhenyourbreastheaveswithuncontrollableemotionandthegripofthebodiceseemsunendurableastheembraceoftheironvirginoftheInquisition。Thinkwhatitwouldbeifthegraspweretightenedsothatnobreathofaircouldenteryourpantingchest!
Doesyourheartbeatinthesameway，youngman，whenyourhonoredfriend，avenerablematronofseventyyears，greetsyouwithherkindlysmileasitdoesinthepresenceofyouthfulloveliness？Whenaprettychildbringsyouherdollandlooksintoyoureyeswithartlessgraceandtrustfulsimplicity，doesyourpulsequicken，doyoutremble，doeslifepalpitatethroughyourwholebeing，aswhenthemaidenofseventeenmeetsyourenamoredsightintheglowofherrosebudbeauty？Wondernot，then，iftheperiodofmysticattractionforyoushouldbethatofagitation，terror，danger，tooneinwhomthenaturalcurrentoftheinstinctshashaditscoursechangedasthatofastreamischangedbyaconvulsionofnature，sothattheimpressionwhichisnewlifetoyouisdeathtohim。
Iamnowtwenty-fiveyearsold。IhavereachedthetimeoflifewhichIhavedreamed，nayevenventuredtohope，mightbethelimitofthesentencewhichwaspronounceduponmeinmyinfancy。Icanassignnogoodreasonforthisanticipation。ButinwritingthispaperIfeelasifIwerepreparingtobeginarenewedexistence。
ThereisnothingformetobeashamedofinthestoryIhavetold。
ThereisnomanlivingwhowouldnothaveyieldedtothesenseofinstantlyimpendingdeathwhichseizeduponmeundertheconditionsI
havementioned。Martyrshavegonesingingtotheirflamingshrouds，butneveramancouldholdhisbreathlongenoughtokillhimself；hemusthaveropeorwater，orsomemechanicalhelp，ornaturewillmakehimdrawinabreathofair，andwouldmakehimdosothoughheknewthesalvationofthehumanracewouldbeforfeitedbythatonegasp。
ThispapermayneverreachtheeyeofanyoneafflictedinthesamewaythatIhavebeen。Itprobablyneverwill；butforallthat，therearemanyshynatureswhichwillrecognizetendenciesinthemselvesinthedirectionofmyunhappysusceptibility。Others，towhomsuchweaknessseemsinconceivable，willfindtheirscepticismshaken，ifnotremoved，bythecalm，judicialstatementoftheReportdrawnupfortheRoyalAcademy。Itwillmakelittledifferencetomewhethermystoryisacceptedunhesitatinglyorlookeduponaslargelyaproductoftheimagination。Iambutabirdofpassagethatlightsontheboughsofdifferentnationalities。Ibelongtonoflock；myhomemaybeamongthepalmsofSyria，theolivesofItaly，theoaksofEngland，theelmsthatshadowtheHudsonortheConnecticut；I
buildnonest；to-dayIamhere，to-morrowonthewing。
IfIquitmynativelandbeforethetreeshavedroppedtheirleavesI
shallplacethismanuscriptinthesafehandsofonewhomIfeelsurethatIcantrust；todowithitasheshallseefit。Ifitisonlycuriousandhasnobearingonhumanwelfare，hemaythinkitwelltoletitremainunreaduntilIshallhavepassedaway。Ifinhisjudgmentitthrowsanylightononeofthedeepermysteriesofournature，——therepulsionswhichplaysuchaformidablepartinsociallife，andwhichmustberecognizedasthecorrelativesoftheaffinitiesthatdistributetheindividualsgovernedbytheminthefaceofimpedimentswhichseemtobeimpossibilities，——thenitmaybefreelygiventotheworld。
ButifIamherewhentheleavesareallfallen，theprogrammeofmylifewillhavechanged，andthisstoryofthedeadpastwillbeilluminatedbythelightofalivingpresentwhichwillirradiateallitssaddeningfeatures。Whowouldnotpraythatmylastgleamoflightandhopemaybethatofdawnandnotofdepartingday？
Thereaderwhofindsithardtoaccepttherealityofastorysofarfromthecommonrangeofexperienceisoncemorerequestedtosuspendhisjudgmentuntilhehasreadthepaperwhichwillnextbeofferedforhisconsideration。
THEREPORTOFTHEBIOLOGICALCOMMITTEE。
Perhapsitistoomuchtoexpectareaderwhowishestobeentertained，excited，amused，anddoesnotwanttoworkhispassagethroughpageswhichhecannotunderstandwithoutsomeeffortofhisown，toreadthepaperwhichfollowsandDr。Butts"sreflectionsuponit。Ifhehasnocuriosityinthedirectionofthesechapters，hecanaffordtoleavethemtosuchasrelishaslightflavorofscience。Butifhedoessoleavethemhewillveryprobablyremainscepticalastothetruthofthestorytowhichtheyaremeanttofurnishhimwithakey。
OfcoursethecaseofMauriceKirkwoodisaremarkableandexceptionalone，anditishardlyprobablethatanyreader"sexperiencewillfurnishhimwithitsparallel。Butlethimlookbackoverallhisacquaintances，ifhehasreachedmiddlelife，andseeifhecannotrecallmorethanonewho，forsomereasonorother，shunnedthesocietyofyoungwomen，asiftheyhadadeadlyfearoftheircompany。Ifheremembersanysuch，hecanunderstandthesimplestatementsandnaturalreflectionswhicharelaidbeforehim。
OneofthemostsingularfactsconnectedwiththehistoryofMauriceKirkwoodwasthephilosophicalequanimitywithwhichhesubmittedtothefatewhichhadfallenuponhim。HedidnotchoosetobepumpedbytheInterviewer，whowouldshowhimupinthesensationalcolumnsofhispryingnewspaper。Helivedchieflybyhimself，astheeasiestmodeofavoidingthosemeetingstowhichhewouldbeexposedinalmosteverysocietyintowhichhemightventure。Buthehadlearnedtolookuponhimselfverymuchashewoulduponanintimatenothimself，——uponadifferentpersonality。Ayoungmanwillnaturallyenoughbeashamedofhisshyness。Itissomethingwhichothersbelieve，andperhapshehimselfthinks，hemightovercome。ButinthecaseofMauriceKirkwoodtherewasnoroomfordoubtastotherealityandgravityofthelongenduringeffectsofhisfirstconvulsiveterror。Hehadacceptedthefactashewouldhaveacceptedthecalamityoflosinghissightorhishearing。Whenhewasquestionedbytheexpertstowhomhiscasewassubmitted，hetoldthemallthatheknewaboutitalmostwithoutasignofemotion。
Naturewassoperemptorywithhim，——sayinginlanguagethathadnodoublemeaning:"IfyouviolatetheconditiononwhichyouholdmygiftofexistenceIslayyouonthespot，"——thathebecameasdecisiveinhisobedienceasshewasinhercommand，andacceptedhisfatewithoutrepining。
Yetitmustnotbethoughtforamoment，——itcannotbesupposed，——
thathewasinsensiblebecausehelookeduponhimselfwiththecoolnessofanenforcedphilosophy。Heborehisburdenmanfully，hardasitwastoliveunderit，forhelived，aswehaveseen，inhope。Thethoughtofthrowingitoffwithhislife，astoogrievoustobeborne，wasfamiliartohislonelyhours，butherejecteditasunworthyofhismanhood。HowhehadspeculatedanddreamedaboutitisplainenoughfromthepaperthereadermayrememberonOcean，River，andLake。
Withthesepreliminaryhintsthepaperpromisedissubmittedtosuchasmayfindanyinterestinthem。
ACCOUNTOFACASEOFGYNOPHOBIA。
WITHREMARKS。
BeingtheSubstanceofaReporttotheRoyalAcademyoftheBio~
logicalSciencesbyaCommitteeofthatInstitution。
"Thesingularnatureofthecaseweareabouttonarrateandcommentuponwill，wefeelconfident，arresttheattentionofthosewhohavelearnedthegreatfactthatNatureoftenthrowsthestrongestlightuponherlawsbytheapparentexceptionsandanomalieswhichfromtimetotimeareobserved。Wehavedonewiththelususnaturaeofearliergenerations。Wepaylittleattentiontothestoriesof"miracles，"exceptsofaraswereceivethemready-madeatthehandsofthechurcheswhichstillholdtothem。Notthelessdowemeetwithstrangeandsurprisingfacts，whichacenturyortwoagowouldhavebeenhandledbytheclergyandthecourts，buttodayarecalmlyrecordedandjudgedbythebestlightourknowledgeofthelawsoflifecanthrowuponthem。Itmustbeownedthattherearestorieswhichwecanhardlydispute，soclearandfullistheevidenceintheirsupport，whichdo，notwithstanding，taxourfaithandsometimesleaveusscepticalinspiteofallthetestimonywhichsupportsthem。
"InthiscategorymanywillbedisposedtoplacethecasewecommendtothecandidattentionoftheAcademy。Ifoneweretoldthatayoungman，agentlemanbybirthandtraining，wellformed，inapparentlyperfecthealth，ofagreeablephysiognomyandmanners，couldnotendurethepresenceofthemostattractiveyoungwoman，butwasseizedwithdeadlyterrorandsuddencollapseofallthepowersoflife，ifhecameintoherimmediatepresence；ifitwereaddedthatthissameyoungmandidnotshrinkfromthepresenceofanoldwitheredcrone；thathehadacertaintimidlikingforlittlemaidenswhohadnotyetoutgrownthecompanyoftheirdolls，thelistenerwouldbeapttosmile，ifhedidnotlaugh，attheabsurdityofthefable。Surely，hewouldsay，thismustbethefictionofsomefancifulbrain，thewhimofsomeromancer，thetrickofsomeplaywright。Itwouldmakeacapitalfarce，thisidea，carriedout。
Ayoungmanslightingthelovelyheroineofthelittlecomedyandmakinglovetohergrandmother!Thiswould，ofcourse，beoverstatingthetruthofthestory，buttosuchamisinterpretationtheplainfactslendthemselvestooeasily。Wewillrelatetheleadingcircumstancesofthecase，astheyweretolduswithperfectsimplicityandfranknessbythesubjectofanaffectionwhich，ifclassified，wouldcomeunderthegeneralheadofAntipathy，buttowhich，ifwegiveitaname，weshallhavetoapplythetermGynophobia，orFearofWoman。”
Herefollowstheaccountfurnishedtothewriterofthepaper，whichisinallessentialsidenticalwiththatalreadylaidbeforethereader。
"Suchisthecaseofferedtoourconsideration。Assumingitstruthfulnessinallitsparticulars，itremainstoseeinthefirstplacewhetherornotitisasentirelyexceptionalandanomalousasitseemsatfirstsight，orwhetheritisonlythelasttermofaseriesofcaseswhichintheirlessformidableaspectarewellknowntousinliterature，intherecordsofscience，andeveninourcommonexperience。
"Tomostofthoseamongustheexplanationswearenowabouttogiveareentirelysuperfluous。Buttherearesomewhosechiefstudieshavebeenindifferentdirections，andwhowillnotcomplainifcertainfactsarementionedwhichtotheexpertwillseemrudimentary，andwhichhardlyrequirerecapitulationtothosewhoarefamiliarlyacquaintedwiththecommontext-books。
"Theheartisthecentreofeverylivingmovementinthehigheranimals，andinman，furnishinginvaryingamount，orwithholdingtoagreaterorlessextent，theneedfulsuppliestoallpartsofthesystem。Ifitsactionisdiminishedtoacertaindegree，faintnessistheimmediateconsequence；ifitisarrested，lossofconsciousness；ifitsactionisnotsoonrestored，death，ofwhichfaintingplantsthewhiteflag，remainsinpossessionofthesystem。
Howcloselytheheartisundertheinfluenceoftheemotionsweneednotgotosciencetolearn，forallhumanexperienceandallliteratureareoverflowingwithevidencethatshowstheextentofthisrelation。Scriptureisfullofit；theheartinHebrewpoetryrepresentstheentirelife，wemightalmostsay。NotlessforcibleisthelanguageofShakespeare，asforinstance，in"MeasureforMeasure:"
"Whydoesmybloodthusmustertomyheart，MakingitbothunableforitselfAnddispossessingallmyotherpartsOfnecessaryfitness？"
Moreespeciallyistheheartassociatedineveryliteraturewiththepassionoflove。AfamousoldstoryisthatofGalen，whowascalledtothecaseofayoungladylongailing，andwastingawayfromsomecausethephysicianswhohadalreadyseenherwereunabletomakeout。Theshrewdoldpractitionersuspectedthatlovewasatthebottomoftheyounglady"smalady。Manyrelativesandfriendsofbothsexes，allofthemreadywiththeirsympathy，cametoseeher。
Thephysiciansatbyherbedsideduringoneofthesevisits，andinaneasy，naturalwaytookherhandandplacedafingeronherpulse。
Itbeatquietlyenoughuntilacertaincomelyyounggentlemanenteredtheapartment，whenitsuddenlyroseinfrequency，andatthesamemomentherhurriedbreathing，herchangingcolor，paleandflushedbyturns，betrayedtheprofoundagitationhispresenceexcited。ThiswasenoughforthesagaciousGreek；lovewasthedisease，thecureofwhichbyitslikemaybeclaimedasananticipationofhomoeopathy。
Inthefrontispiecetothefineold"Junta"editionoftheworksofGalen，youmayfindamongthewood-cutsarepresentationoftheinterestingscene，withthetitleAmantasDignotio，——thediagnosis，orrecognition，ofthelover。
"Lovehasmanylanguages，butthehearttalksthroughallofthem。
Thepallidorburningcheektellsofthefailingorleapingfountainwhichgivesitcolor。Theloversatthe"Brookside"couldheareachother"sheartsbeating。WhenGenevieve，inColeridge"spoem，forgotherself，andwasbeforehandwithhersuitorinhersuddenembrace，"Twaspartlyloveandpartlyfear，Andpartly"twasabashfulart，ThatImightratherfeelthanseeTheswellingofherheart"
Alwaystheheart，whetheritshurriedactionisseen，orheard，orfelt。Butitisnotalwaysinthiswaythatthe"deceitful"organtreatsthelover。
"Faintheartneverwonfairlady。"
Thissayingwasnotmeant，perhaps，tobetakenliterally，butithasitsliteraltruth。Manyaloverhasfoundhisheartsinkwithinhim，——loseallitsforce，andleavehimweakasachildinhisemotionatthesightoftheobjectofhisaffections。WhenPorphyrolookeduponMadelineatherprayersinthechapel，itwastoomuchforhim:
"Sheseemedasplendidangel，newlydrest，Savewings，forheaven:——Porphyrogrewfaint，Sheknelt，sopureathing，sofreefromearthlytaint。"
AndinBalzac"snovel，"CesarBirotteau，"theheroofthestory"faintedawayfor-joyatthemomentwhen，underalinden-tree，atSceaux，Constance-Barbe-Josephineacceptedhimasherfuturehusband。"
"OnewhofaintsisdeadifhedoesnotIcometo，"andnothingismorelikelythanthattoosusceptiblelovershaveactuallygoneoffinthisway。Everythingdependsonhowtheheartbehavesitselfintheseandsimilartryingmoments。Themechanismofitsactionsbecomesaninterestingsubject，therefore，toloversofbothsexes，andtoallwhoarecapableofintenseemotions。
"Theheartisagreatreservoir，whichdistributesfood，drink，air，andheattoeverypartofthesystem，inexchangeforitswastematerial。Itknocksatthegateofeveryorganseventyoreightytimesinaminute，callinguponittoreceiveitssuppliesandunloaditsrefuse。Betweenitandthebrainthereistheclosestrelation。
Theemotions，whichactuponitaswehaveseen，governitbyamechanismonlyoflateyearsthoroughlyunderstood。Thismechanismcanbemadeplainenoughtothereaderwhoisnotafraidtobelievethathecanunderstandit。
"Thebrain，asallknow，istheseatofideas，emotions，volition。
Itisthegreatcentraltelegraphicstationwithwhichmanylessercentresareincloserelation，fromwhichtheyreceive，andtowhichtheytransmit，theirmessages。Thehearthasitsownlittlebrains，sotospeak，——smallcollectionsofnervoussubstancewhichgovernitsrhythmicalmotionsunderordinaryconditions。Buttheselessernervouscentresaretoalargeextentdominatedbyinfluencestransmittedfromcertaingroupsofnerve-cellsinthebrainanditsimmediatedependencies。
"Therearetwoamongthespecialgroupsofnerve-cellswhichproducedirectlyoppositeeffects。Oneofthesehasthepowerofacceleratingtheactionoftheheart，whiletheotherhasthepowerofretardingorarrestingthisaction。Oneactsasthespur，theotherasthebridle。Accordingasoneortheotherpredominates，theactionoftheheartwillbestimulatedorrestrained。Amongthegreatmoderndiscoveriesinphysiologyisthatoftheexistenceofadistinctcentreofinhibition，astherestraininginfluenceovertheheartiscalled。
"Thecentreofinhibitionplaysaterriblepartinthehistoryofcowardiceandofunsuccessfullove。Nomancanbebravewithoutbloodtosustainhiscourage，anymorethanhecanthink，astheGermanmaterialistsays，notabsurdly，withoutphosphorus。Thefaintinglovermustrecoverhiscirculation，orhisladywilllendhimhersmelling-saltsandtakeagallantwithbloodinhischeeks。
PorphyrogotoverhisfaintnessbeforeheranawaywithMadeline，andCesarBirotteauwasanacceptedloverwhenheswoonedwithhappiness:
butmanyanofficerhasbeencashiered，andmanyasuitorhasbeenrejected，becausethecentreofinhibitionhasgottheupperhandofthecentreofstimulation。
"Inthewell-knowncasesofdeadlyantipathywhichhavebeenrecorded，themostfrequentcausehasbeenthedisturbedanddepressinginfluenceofthecentreofinhibition。Faintingatthesightofbloodisoneofthecommonestexamplesofthisinfluence。A
singleimpression，inaveryearlyperiodofatmosphericexistence，——
perhaps，indirectly，beforethatperiod，aswassaidtohavehappenedinthecaseofJamestheFirstofEngland，——mayestablishacommunicationbetweenthiscentreandtheheartwhichwillremainopeneverafterwards。Howdoesafootpathacrossafieldestablishitself？Itscurvesarearbitrary，andwhatwecallaccidental，butoneafteranotherfollowsitasifhewereguidedbyachartonwhichitwaslaiddown。Soitiswiththisdangeroustransitbetweenthecentreofinhibitionandthegreatorganoflife。Ifoncethepathisopenedbythetrackofsomeprofoundimpression，thatsameimpression，ifrepeated，orasimilarone，islikelytofindtheoldfootmarksandfollowthem。Habitonlymakesthepatheasiertotraverse，andthustheunreasoningterrorofachild，ofaninfant，mayperpetuateitselfinatimiditywhichshamesthemanhoodofitssubject。
"Thecasebeforeusisanexceptionalandmostremarkableexampleoftheeffectofinhibitionontheheart。
"Wewillnotsaythatwebelieveittobeuniqueinthehistoryofthehumanrace；onthecontrary，wedonotdoubtthattherehavebeensimilarcases，andthatinsomerareinstancessuddendeathhasbeentheconsequenceofseizureslikethatofthesubjectofthisReport。
ThecasemostlikeitisthatofColoneTownsend，whichistoowellknowntorequireanylengtheneddescriptioninthispaper。Itisenoughtorecallthemainfacts。Hecouldbyavoluntaryeffortsuspendtheactionofhisheartforaconsiderableperiod，duringwhichhelaylikeonedead，pulseless，andwithoutmotion。Afteratimethecirculationreturned，andhedoesnotseemtohavebeentheworseforhisdangerous，orseeminglydangerous，experiment。Butinhiscaseitwasbyanactofthewillthattheheart"sactionwassuspended。Inthecasebeforeusitisaninvoluntaryimpulsetransmittedfromthebraintotheinhibitingcentre，whicharreststhecardiacmovements。
"Whatisliketobethefurtherhistoryofthecase？
"Thesubjectofthisanomalousafflictionisnowmorethantwentyyearsold。Thechainofnervousactionshasbecomefirmlyestablished。Itmighthavebeenhopedthatthechangesofadolescencewouldhaveeffectedatransformationofthepervertedinstinct。Onthecontrary，thewholeforceofthisinstinctthrowsitselfonthecentreofinhibition，insteadofquickeningtheheart-
beats，andsendingtherushofyouthfulbloodwithfreshlifethroughtheentiresystemtothethrobbingfinger-tips。
"Isitprobablethattimeandcircumstanceswillalterahabitofnervousinteractionssolongestablished？Wearedisposedtothinkthatthereisachanceofitsbeingbrokenup。Andwearenotafraidtosaythatwesuspecttheoldgypsywoman，whoseprophecytooksuchholdofthepatient"simagination，hashituponthewayinwhichthe"spell，"asshecalledit，istobedissolved。Shemust，inallprobability，havehadahintofthe"antipatia"towhichtheyouthbeforeherwasavictim，anditscause，andifso，herguessastotheprobablemodeinwhichtheyoungmanwouldobtainrelieffromhisunfortunateconditionwastheonewhichwouldnaturallysuggestitself。
"Ifoncethenervousimpressionwhichfallsonthecentreofinhibitioncanbemadetochangeitscourse，soastofollowitsnaturalchannel，itwillprobablykeeptothatchanneleverafterwards。Andthiswill，itismostlikely，beeffectedbysomesudden，unexpectedimpression。Ifheweredrowning，andayoungwomanshouldrescuehim，itisbynomeansimpossiblethatthechangeinthenervouscurrentwehavereferredtomightbebroughtaboutasrapidly，aseasily，asthereversalofthepolesinamagnet，whichiseffectedinaninstant。Buthecannotbeexpectedtothrowhimselfintothewaterjustattherightmomentwhenthe"fairlady"
ofthegitana"sprophecyispassingontheshore。Accidentmayeffectthecurewhichartseemsincompetenttoperform。Itwouldnotbestrangeifinsomefutureseizureheshouldnevercomebacktoconsciousness。Butitisquiteconceivable，ontheotherhand，thatahappiereventmayoccur，thatinasinglemomentthenervouspolaritymaybereversed，thewholecourseofhislifechanged，andhispastterribleexperiencesbetohimlikeascarce-remembereddream。
"Thisisone，ofthosecasesinwhichitisveryhardtodeterminethewisestcoursetobepursued。Thequestionisnotunlikethatwhicharisesincertaincasesofdislocationofthebonesoftheneck。Shalltheunfortunatesufferergoallhisdayswithhisfaceturnedfarroundtotherightortheleft，orshallanattemptbemadetoreplacethedislocatedbones？anattemptwhichmaysucceed，ormaycauseinstantdeath。Thepatientmustbeconsultedastowhetherhewilltakethechance。Thepractitionermaybeunwillingtoriskit，ifthepatientconsents。
Eachcasemustbejudgedonitsownspecialgrounds。Wecannotthinkthatthisyoungmanisdoomedtoperpetualseparationfromthesocietyofwomanhoodduringtheperiodofitsbloomandattraction。Buttoprovokeanotherseizureafterhispastexperienceswouldbetoomuchlikecommittingsuicide。
Wefearthatwemusttrusttothechapterofaccidents。Thestrangemalady——forsuchitis——hasbecomeasecondnature，andmayrequireasenergeticashocktodisplaceitasitdidtobringitintoexistence。Timealonecansolvethisquestion，onwhichdependsthewell-beingand，itmaybe，theexistenceofayoungmaneverywayfittedtobehappy，andtogivehappiness，ifrestoredtohistruenature。”
XX。
DR。BUTTSREFLECTS。
Dr。Buttssatuplateatnightreadingthesepapersandreflectinguponthem。Hewasprofoundlyimpressedandtenderlyaffectedbytheentirefrankness，theabsenceofallattemptatconcealment，whichMauriceshowedinplacingthesepapersathisdisposal。Hebelievedthathispatientwouldrecoverfromthisillnessforwhichhehadbeentakingcareofhim。Hethoughtdeeplyandearnestlyofwhathecoulddoforhimafterheshouldhaveregainedhishealthandstrength。
Therewerereferences，inMaurice"sownaccountofhimself，whichthedoctorcalledtomindwithgreatinterestafterreadinghisbriefautobiography。Someoneperson——someyoungwoman，itmustbe——hadproducedasingularimpressionuponhimsincethoseearlierperilousexperiencesthroughwhichhehadpassed。ThedoctorcouldnothelpthinkingofthatmeetingwithEuthymiaofwhichshehadspokentohim。Maurice，asshesaid，turnedpale，——heclappedhishandtohisbreast。Hemighthavedonesoifbehadmetherchambermaid，oranystragglingdamselofthevillage。ButEuthymiawasnotayoungwomantobelookeduponwithindifference。Sheheldherselflikeaqueen，andwalkedlikeone，notastagequeen，butonebornandbredtoself-reliance，andcommandofherselfaswellasothers。Onecouldnotpassherwithoutbeingstruckwithhernoblebearingandspiritedfeatures。IfshehadknownhowMauricetrembledashelookeduponher，inthatconflictofattractionanduncontrollabledread，——ifshehadknownit!Butwhat，eventhen，couldshehavedone？Nothingbutgetawayfromhimasfastasshecould。Asitwas，itwasalongtimebeforehisagitationsubsided，andhisheartbeatwithitscommonforceandfrequency。
Dr。Buttswasnotamalegossipnoramatchmakinggo-between。Buthecouldnothelpthinkingwhatapityitwasthatthesetwoyoungpersonscouldnotcometogetherasotheryoungpeopledointhepairingseason，andfindoutwhethertheycaredforandwerefittedforeachother。Hedidnotpretendtosettlethisquestioninhisownmind，butthethoughtwasanaturalone。AndherewasagulfbetweenthemasdeepandwideasthatbetweenLazarusandDives。
Woulditeverbebridgedover？Thisthoughttookpossessionofthedoctor"smind，andheimaginedallsortsofwaysofeffectingsomeexperimentalapproximationbetweenMauriceandEuthymia。Fromthisdelicatesubjectheglancedofftocertaingeneralconsiderationssuggestedbytheextraordinaryhistoryhehadbeenreading。Hebeganbyspeculatingastothepossibilityofthepersonalpresenceofanindividualmakingitselfperceivedbysomechannelotherthananyofthefivesenses。Thestudyofthenaturalsciencesteachesthosewhoaredevotedtothemthatthemostinsignificantfactsmayleadthewaytothediscoveryofthemostimportant，all-pervadinglawsoftheuniverse。Fromthekickofafrog"shindlegtotheamazingtriumphswhichbeganwiththatseeminglytrivialincidentisalong，averylongstrideifMadamGalvanihadnotbeenindelicatehealth，whichwastheoccasionofherhavingsomefrog-brothpreparedforher，theworldofto-daymightnotbeinpossessionoftheelectrictelegraphandthelightwhichblazeslikethesunathighnoon。Acommon-
lookingoccurrence，oneseeminglyunimportant，whichhadhithertopassedunnoticedwiththeordinarycourseofthings，wasthemeansofintroducingustoanewandvastrealmofcloselyrelatedphenomena。
Itwaslikeakeythatwemighthavepickedup，lookingsosimplethatitcouldhardlyfitanylockbutoneoflikesimplicity，butwhichshouldallatoncethrowbacktheboltsoftheonelockwhichhaddefiedthemostingeniousofourcompleximplementsandopenourwayintoahithertounexploredterritory。
ItcertainlywasnotthroughtheeyealonethatMauricefelttheparalyzinginfluence。HecouldcontemplateEuthymiafromadistance，ashedidonthedayoftheboat-race，withoutanynervousdisturbance。Acertainproximitywasnecessaryfortheinfluencetobefelt，asinthecaseofmagnetismandelectricity。Anatmosphereofdangersurroundedeverywomanheapproachedduringtheperiodwhenhersexexercisesitsmostpowerfulattractions。Howfardidthatatmosphereextend，andthroughwhatchanneldiditact？
Thekeytothephenomenaofthiscase，hebelieved，wastobefoundinafactashumbleasthatwhichgavebirthtothescienceofgalvanismanditspracticalapplications。ThecircumstancesconnectedwiththeverycommonantipathytocatswereasremarkableinmanypointsofviewasthesimilarcircumstancesinthecaseofMauriceKirkwood。Thesubjectsofthatantipathycouldnottellwhatitwaswhichdisturbedtheirnervoussystem。Alltheyknewwasthatasenseofuneasiness，restlessness，oppression，cameovertheminthepresenceofoneoftheseanimals。Herememberedthefactalreadymentioned，thatpersonssensitivetothisimpressioncantellbytheirfeelingsifacatisconcealedintheapartmentinwhichtheymayhappentobe。Itmaybethroughsomeemanation。Itmaybethroughthemediumofsomeelectricaldisturbance。Whatifthenerve-thrillspassingthroughthewholesystemoftheanimalpropagatethemselvestoacertaindistancewithoutanymoreregardtointerveningsolidsthanisshownbymagnetism？Asieveletssandpassthroughit；afilterarrestssand，butletsfluidspass，glassholdsfluids，butletslightthrough；woodshutsoutlight，butmagneticattractiongoesthroughitassandwentthroughthesieve。
Nogoodreasonscanbegivenwhythepresenceofacatshouldnotbetrayitselftocertainorganizations，atadistance，throughthewallsofaboxinwhichtheanimalisshutup。Weneednotdisbelievethestorieswhichallegesuchanoccurrenceasafactandanotveryinfrequentone。
Ifthepresenceofacatcanproduceitseffectsunderthesecircumstances，whyshouldnotthatofahumanbeingundersimilarconditions，actingoncertainconstitutions，exerciseitsspecificinfluence？Thedoctorrecalledastorytoldhimbyoneofhisfriends，astorywhichthefriendhimselfheardfromthelipsofthedistinguishedactor，thelateMr。Fechter。TheactormaintainedthatRachelhadnogeniusasanactress。ItwasallSamson"strainingandstudy，accordingtohim，whichexplainedthesecretofherwonderfuleffectivenessonthestage。Butmagnetism，hesaid，——magnetism，shewasfullof。Hedeclaredthathewasmadeawareofherpresenceonthestage，whenhecouldnotseeherorknowofherpresenceotherwise，bythismagneticemanation。Thedoctortookthestoryforwhatitwasworth。Theremightveryprobablybeexaggeration，perhapshighimaginativecoloringaboutit，butitwasnotawhitmoreunlikelythanthecat-stories，acceptedasauthentic。Hecontinuedthistrainofthoughtintofurtherdevelopments。Intothisseriesofreflectionswewilltrytofollowhim。
Whatisthemeaningofthehalowithwhichartistshavesurroundedtheheadsoftheirpicturedsaints，oftheaureoleswhichwrapsthemlikealuminouscloud？Isitnotarecognitionofthefactthattheseholypersonagesdiffusetheirpersonalityintheformofavisibleemanation，whichremindsusofMilton"sdefinitionoflight:
"Brighteffluenceofbrightessenceincreate"？
Thecommonuseoftheterminfluencewouldseemtoimplytheexistenceofitscorrelative，effluence。ThereisnogoodreasonthatIcansee，thedoctorsaidtohimself，whyamongtheforceswhichworkuponthenervouscentresthereshouldnotbeonewhichactsatvariousdistancesfromitssource。Itmaynotbevisiblelikethe"glory"ofthepainters，itmaynotbeappreciablebyanyoneofthefivesenses，andyetitmaybefeltbythepersonreachedbyitasmuchasifitwereapalpablepresence，——morepowerfully，perhaps，fromthemysterywhichbelongstoitsmodeofaction。
WhyshouldnotMauricehavebeenrenderedrestlessandanxiousbytheunseennearnessofayoungwomanwhowasinthenextroomtohim，justasthepersonswhohavethedreadofcatsaremadeconsciousoftheirpresencethroughsomeunknownchannel？Isitanythingstrangethatthelargerandmorepowerfulorganismshoulddiffuseaconsciousnessofitspresencetosomedistanceaswellastheslighterandfeeblerone？Isitstrangethatthismysteriousinfluenceoreffluenceshouldbelongespeciallyorexclusivelytotheperiodofcompletewomanhoodindistinctionfromthatofimmaturityordecadence？Onthecontrary，itseemstobeinaccordancewithalltheanalogiesofnature，——analogiestoooftencruelinthesentencetheypassuponthehumanfemale。
Amongthemanycuriousthoughtswhichcameupinthedoctor"smindwasthis，whichmadehimsmileasifitwereajest，butwhichhefeltverystronglyhaditsseriousside，andwasinvolvedwiththehappinessorsufferingofmultitudesofyouthfulpersonswhodiewithouttellingtheirsecret:
Howmanyyoungmenhaveamortalfearofwoman，aswoman，whichtheyneverovercome，andinconsequenceofwhichtheattractionwhichdrawsmantowardsher，asstronginthemasinothers，——oftentimes，invirtueoftheirpeculiarlysensitiveorganizations，morepotentinthemthaninothersoflikeageandconditions，——inconsequenceofwhichfear，thisattractioniscompletelyneutralized，andallthepossibilitiesofdoubledandindefinitelyextendedlifedependinguponitareleftunrealized!ThinkwhatnumbersofyoungmeninCatholiccountriesdevotethemselvestolivesofcelibacy。Thinkhowmanyyoungmenlosealltheirconfidenceinthepresenceoftheyoungwomantowhomtheyaremostattracted，andatlaststealawayfromacompanionshipwhichitisrapturetodreamofandtorturetoendure，sodoesthepresenceofthebelovedobjectparalyzeallthepowersofexpression。Sorcerershaveinalltimeandcountriesplayedonthehopesandterrorsoflovers。Onceletlooseastrongimpulseonthecentreofinhibition，andthewarriorwhohadfacedbayonetsandbatteriesbecomesacowardwhomthewell-dressedherooftheball-
roomandleaderoftheGermanwillputtoignominiousflightinfiveminutesofeasy，audaciousfamiliaritywithhislady-love。
Yes，thedoctorwentonwithhisreflections，IdonotknowthatI
haveseenthetermGynophobiabeforeIopenedthismanuscript，butI
haveseenthemaladymanytimes。Onlyonewordhasstoodbetweenmanyapairofyoungpeopleandtheirlifelonghappiness，andthatwordhasgotasfarasthelips，butthelipstrembledandwouldnot，couldnot，shapethatlittleword。AllyoungwomenarenotlikeColeridge"sGenevieve，whoknewhowtohelpherloveroutofhisdifficulty，andsaidyesbeforehehadaskedforananswer。SothewavewhichwastohavewaftedthemontotheshoreofElysiumhasjustfailedoflandingthem，andbacktheyhavebeendrawnintothedesolateoceantomeetnomoreonearth。
Loveisthemaster-key，hewentonthinking，loveisthemaster-keythatopensthegatesofhappiness，ofhatred，ofjealousy，and，mosteasilyofall，thegateoffear。Howterribleistheonefactofbeauty!——notonlythehistoricwonderofbeauty，that"burntthetoplesstowersofIlium"forthesmileofHelen，andfiredthepalacesofBabylonbythehandofThais，butthebeautywhichspringsupinalltimesandplaces，andcarriesatorchandwearsaserpentforawreathastrulyasanyoftheEumenides。PaintBeautywithherfootuponaskullandadragoncoiledaroundher。
Thedoctorsmiledathisownimposingclassicalallusionsandpictorialimagery。Driftingalongfromthoughttothought，hereflectedontheprobableconsequencesofthegeneralknowledgeofMauriceKirkwood"sstory，ifitcamebeforethepublic。
Whatapieceofworkitwouldmakeamongthelivelyyouthsofthevillage，tobesure!Whatscoffing，whatridicule，whatembellishments，whatfables，wouldfollowinthetrailofthestory!
IftheInterviewergotholdofit，how"ThePeople"sPerennialandHouseholdInquisitor"wouldblazewithcapitalsinitsnextissue!
Theyoungfellows"oftheplacewouldbedisposedtomakefunofthewholematter。Theyounggirls-thedoctorhardlydaredtothinkwhatwouldhappenwhenthestorygotaboutamongthem。"TheSachem"ofthesolitarycanoe，theboldhorseman，thehandsomehermit，——handsomesofarastheglimpsestheyhadgotofhimwent，——mustneedsbeanobjectoftenderinterestamongthem，nowthathewasailing，suffering，indangerofhislife，awayfromfriends，——poorfellow!
Littletokensoftheirregardhadreachedhissick-chamber；bunchesofflowerswith(daintylittlenotes，someofthempinkish，somethree-cornered，someofthemwithbriefmessages，others"criss-
crossed，"weregrowingmorefrequentasitwasunderstoodthatthepatientwaslikelytobeconvalescentbeforemanydayshadpassed。
Ifitshouldcometobeunderstoodthattherewasadeadlyobstacletotheircomingintoanypersonalrelationswithhim，thedoctorhadhisdoubtswhethertherewerenotthosewhowouldsubjecthimtotherisk；fortherewerecoquettesinthevillage，——strangers，visitors，letushope，——whowouldsacrificeanythingoranybodytotheirvanityandloveofconquest。
XXI
ANINTIMATECONVERSATION。
TheillnessfromwhichMauricehadsufferedlefthiminastateofprofoundprostration。Thedoctor，whorememberedtheextremedangerofanyoverexertioninsuchcases，hardlyallowedhimtolifthisheadfromthepillow。Buthismindwasgraduallyrecoveringitsbalance，andhewasabletoholdsomeconversationwiththoseabouthim。HisfaithfulPaolohadgrownsothininwaitinguponhimandwatchingwithhimthatthevillagechildrenhadtotakeasecondlookathisfacewhentheypassedhimtomakesurethatitwasindeedtheiroldfriendandnoother。Butashismasteradvancedtowardsconvalescenceandthedoctorassuredhimthathewasgoinginallprobabilitytogetwell，Paolo"sfacebegantorecoversomethingofitsoldlookandexpression，andoncemorehispocketsfilledthemselveswithcomfitsforhislittlecircleofworshippingthreeandfouryearoldfollowers。
HowisMr。Kirkwood？"wasthequestionwithwhichhewasalwaysgreeted。Intheworstperiodsofthefeverberarelylefthismaster。Whenhedid，andthequestionwasputtohim，hewouldshakehisheadsadly，sometimeswithoutaword，sometimeswithtearsandsobsandfalteringwords，——morelikeabrokenheartedchildthanastalwartmanashewas，suchamanassoldiersaremadeofinthegreatContinentalarmies。
"Heverybad，——henoeatnothing，——he——nosaynothing，——heneverbenobetter，"andallhisSouthernnaturebetrayeditselfinapassionateburstoflamentation。Butnowthathebegantofeeleasyabouthismaster，hisreadyoptimismdeclareditselfnolesstransparently。
"Hebettereverydaynow。Hegetwellinfewweeks，sure。Youseehimonhossinlittlewhile。”Thekind-heartedcreature"slifewasboundupinthatofhis"master，"ashelovedtocallhim，insovereigndisregardofthecommentsofthenatives，whoheldthemselvestoohighforanysuchrecognitionofanotherastheirbetter。Theycouldnotunderstandhowhe，somuchtheirsuperiorinbodilypresence，inairandmanner，couldspeakofthemanwhoemployedhiminanyotherwaythanas"Kirkwood，"withoutevendemeaninghimselfsofarastoprefixa"Mr。”toit。But"mymaster"MauriceremainedforPaoloinspiteofthefactthatallmenarebornfreeandequal。AndneverwasaservantmoredevotedtoamasterthanwasPaolotoMauriceduringthedaysofdoubtanddanger。
SincehisimprovementMauriceinsisteduponhisleavinghischamberandgettingoutofthehouse，soastobreathethefreshairofwhichhewasinsomuchneed。Itworriedhimtoseehisservantreturningaftertooshortanabsence。Theattendantwhohadhelpedhiminthecareofthepatientwaswithincall，andPaolowasalmostdrivenoutofthehousebytheurgencyofhismaster"scommandthatheshouldtakeplentyofexerciseintheopenair。
NotwithstandingthefactofMaurice"simprovedcondition，althoughtheforceofthediseasehadspentitself，thestateofweaknesstowhichhehadbeenreducedwasacauseofsomeanxiety，andrequiredgreatprecautionstobetaken。Helayinbed，wasted，enfeebledtosuchadegreethathehadtobecaredforverymuchasachildistended。Graduallyhisvoicewascomingbacktohim，sothathecouldholdsomeconversation，aswasbeforementioned，withthoseabouthim。ThedoctorwaitedfortherightmomenttomakementionofthemanuscriptwhichMauricehadsubmittedtohim。Uptothistime，althoughithadbeenalludedtoandthedoctorhadtoldhimoftheintenseinterestwithwhichhehadreadit，hehadneverventuredtomakeitthesubjectofanylongtalk，suchaswouldbeliabletofatiguehispatient。Butnowhethoughtthetimehadcome。
"Ihavebeenthinking，"thedoctorsaid，"ofthesingularseizurestowhichyouareliable，andasitismybusinessnotmerelytothinkaboutsuchcases，buttodowhatIcantohelpanywhomaybecapableofreceivingaidfrommyart，Iwishtohavesomeadditionalfactsaboutyourhistory。Andinthefirstplace，willyouallowmetoaskwhatledyoutothisparticularplace？Itissomuchlessknowntothepublicatlargethanmanyotherresortsthatwenaturallyask，Whatbringsthisorthatnewvisitoramongus？Wehavenoill-
tasting，naturalspringofbadwatertobeanalyzedbythestatechemistandproclaimedasaspecific。Wehavenogreatgambling-
houses，noracecourse(exceptthatfoxboatsonthelake)；wehavenocoaching-club，nogreatballs，fewlionsofanykind，soweask，Whatbringsthisorthatstrangerhere？AndIthinkImayventuretoaskyouwhetherany，specialmotivebroughtyouamongus，orwhetheritwasaccidentthatdeterminedyourcomingtothisplace。”
"Certainly，doctor，"Mauriceanswered，"Iwilltellyouwithgreatpleasure。LastyearIpassedontheborderofagreatriver。TheyearbeforeIlivedinalonelycottageatthesideoftheocean。I
wantedthisyeartobebyalake。Youheardthepaperreadatthemeetingofyoursociety，oratleastyouheardofit，——forsuchmattersarealwaystalkedoverinavillagelikethis。Youcanjudgebythatpaper，orcould，ifitwerebeforeyou，oftheframeofmindinwhichIcamehere。Iwastiredofthesullenindifferenceoftheoceanandthebabblingegotismoftheriver，alwayshurryingalongonitsownprivatebusiness。Iwantedthedreamystillnessofalarge，tranquilsheetofwaterthathadnothinginparticulartodo，andwouldleavemetomyselfandmythoughts。Ihadreadsomewhereabouttheplace，andtheoldAnchorTavern，withitspaternallandlordandmotherlylandladyandold-fashionedhousehold，andthat，thoughitwasnolongeropenasatavern，Icouldfindaresting-placethereearlyintheseason，atleastforafewdays，whileIlookedaboutmeforaquietplaceinwhichImightpassmysummer。Ihavefoundthisapleasantresidence。BybeingupearlyandoutlateIhavekeptmyselfmainlyinthesolitudewhichhasbecomemyenforcedhabitoflife。Theseasonhasgonebytooswiftlyformesincemydreamhasbecomeavision。”
ThedoctorwassittingwithhishandroundMaurice"swrist，threefingersonhispulse。Ashespoketheselastwordshenoticedthatthepulseflutteredalittle，——beatirregularlyafewtimes；
intermitted；becamefeebleandthready；whilehischeekgrewwhiterthanthepallidbloodlessnessofhislongillnesshadleftit。
"Nomoretalk，now，"hesaid。"Youaretootiredtobeusingyourvoice。Iwillhearalltherestanothertime。”
ThedoctorhadinterruptedMauriceataninterestingpoint。Whatdidhemeanbysayingthathisdreamhadbecomeavision？Thisiswhatthedoctorwasnaturallycurious，andprofessionallyanxious，toknow。Buthishandwasstillonhispatient"spulse，whichtoldhimunmistakablythatthehearthadtakenthealarmandwaslosingitsenergyunderthedepressingnervousinfluence。Presently，however，itrecovereditsnaturalforceandrhythm，andafaintflushcamebacktothepalecheek。ThedoctorrememberedthestoryofGalen，andtheyoungmaidenwhosecomplainthadpuzzledthephysicians。
Thenextdayhispatientwaswellenoughtoenteroncemoreintoconversation。
"Yousaidsomethingaboutadreamofyourswhichhadbecomeavision，"saidthedoctor，withhisfingersonhispatient"swrist，asbefore。Hefeltthearteryleap，underhispressure，falteralittle，stop，thenbeginagain，growingfullerinitsbeat。Thehearthadfeltthepullofthebridle，butthespurhadrousedittoswiftreaction。
"Youknowthestoryofmypastlife，doctor，"Mauriceanswered；"and，Iwilltellyouwhatisthevisionwhichhastakentheplaceofmydreams。Youremembertheboat-race？Iwatcheditfromadistance，butIheldapowerfulopera-glassinmyhand，whichbroughtthewholecrewoftheyoungladies"boatsoclosetomethatIcouldseethefeatures，thefigures，themovements，ofeveryoneoftherowers。I
sawthelittlecoxswainflingherbouquetinthetrackoftheotherboat，——yourememberhowtheracewaslostandwon，——butIsawonefaceamongthoseyounggirlswhichdrewmeawayfromalltherest。
Itwasthatoftheyoungladywhopulledthebowoar，thecaptainoftheboat"screw。Ihavesincelearnedhername，youknowitwell，——I
neednotnameher。SincethatdayIhavehadmanydistantglimpsesofher；andonceImethersosquarelythatthedeadlysensationcameoverme，andIfeltthatinanothermomentIshouldfallsenselessatherfeet。ButshepassedonherwayandIonmine，andthespasmwhichhadclutchedmyheartgraduallyleftit，andIwasaswellasbefore。Youknowthatyounglady，doctor？"
"Ido；andsheisaverynoblecreature。Youarenotthefirstyoungmanwhohasbeenfascinated，almostataglance，byMissEuthymiaTower。Andsheiswellworthknowingmoreintimately。”
Thedoctorgavehimafullaccountoftheyounglady，ofherearlydays，hercharacter，heraccomplishments。Toallthishelisteneddevoutly，andwhenthedoctorlefthimhesaidtohimself，"Iwillseeherandspeakwithher，ifitcostsmemylife。”
XXII
EUTHYMIA。
"TheWonder"oftheCorinnaInstitutehadneverwillinglymadeashowofhergymnasticaccomplishments。Herfeats，whichweresomuchadmired，wereonlyhernaturalexercise。Graduallythedumb-bellsothersusedbecametoolightforher，theropessheclimbedtooshort，theclubssheexercisedwithseemedasiftheyweremadeofcorkinsteadofbeingheavywood，andallthetestsandmetersofstrengthandagilityhadbeenstrainedbeyondthestandardswhichtherecordsoftheschoolhadmarkedastheirhistoricmaxima。Itwasnotherfaultthatshebrokeadynamometeroneday；sheapologizedforit，buttheteachersaidhewishedhecouldhaveadozenbrokeneveryyearinthesameway。Theconsciousnessofherbodilystrengthhadmadeherverycarefulinhermovements。Thepressureofherhandwasnevertoohardforthetenderestlittlemaidenwhosepalmwasagainstherown。Sofarfrompridingherselfonherspecialgifts，shewasdisposedtobeashamedofthem。Thereweretimesandplacesinwhichshecouldgivefullplaytohermuscleswithoutfearorreproach。Shehadherspecialcostumefortheboatandforthewoods。Shewouldclimbtheruggedoldhemlocksnowandthenforthesakeofawideoutlook，ortopeepintothelargenestwhereahawk，oritmaybeaneagle，wasraisingherlittlebroodofair-pirates。
Therewerethosewhospokeofherwanderingsinlonelyplacesasanunsafeexposure。Onesometimesmetdoubtfulcharactersabouttheneighborhood，andstorieswere——toldofoccurrenceswhichmightwellfrightenayounggirl，andmakehercautiousoftrustingherselfaloneinthewildsolitudeswhichsurroundedthelittlevillage……
ThosewhoknewEuthymiathoughtherquiteequaltotakingcareofherself。Herverylookwasenoughtoensuretherespectofanyvagabondwhomightcrossherpath，andifmatterscametotheworstshewouldproveasdangerousasapanther。
Butitwasapitytoassociatethisclassofthoughtswithanoblespecimenoftruewomanhood。Health，beauty，strength，werefinequalities，andinalltheseshewasrich。Sheenjoyedallhernaturalgifts，andthoughtlittleaboutthem。Unwillingly，butover-
persuadedbysomeofherfriends，shehadallowedherarmandhandtobemodelled。Theartistswhosawthecastwonderedifitwouldbepossibletogetthebustofthemaidenfromwhomitwastaken。
NobodywouldhavedaredtosuggestsuchanideatoherexceptLurida。
ForLuridasexwasatriflingaccident，tobedisregardednotonlyintheinterestsofhumanity，butforthesakeofart。
"Itisashame，"shesaidtoEuthymia，"thatyouwillnotletyourexquisitelymouldedformbeperpetuatedinmarble。Youhavenorighttowithholdsuchamodelfromthecontemplationofyourfellow-
creatures。Thinkhowrareitistoseeawomanwhotrulyrepresentsthedivineidea!Youbelongtoyourrace，andnottoyourself，——atleast，yourbeautyisagiftnottobeconsideredasapieceofprivateproperty。Lookattheso-calledVenusofMilo。Doyousupposethenoblewomanwhowastheoriginalofthatdivinelychastestatuefeltanyscrupleaboutallowingthesculptortoreproduceherpure，unblemishedperfections？"
Euthymiawasalwayspatientwithherimaginativefriend。Shelistenedtohereloquentdiscourse，butshecouldnothelpblushing，usedasshewastoLurida"saudacities。"TheTerror"s"brainhadrunawaywithalargeshareofthebloodwhichoughttohavegonetothenourishmentofhergeneralsystem。Shecouldnothelpadmiring，almostworshipping，acompanionwhosebeingwasrichinthewomanlydevelopmentswithwhichnaturehadsoeconomicallyendowedherself。
Animpoverishedorganizationcarrieswithitcertainneutralqualitieswhichmakeitssubjectappear，inthepresenceofcompletemanhoodandwomanhood，likeadeaf-muteamongspeakingpersons。ThedeepblushwhichcrimsonedEuthymia"scheekatLurida"ssuggestionwasinastrangecontrasttoherownundisturbedexpression。TherewasarangeofsensibilitiesofwhichLuridaknewfarlessthanshedidofthosemanyanddifficultstudieswhichhadabsorbedhervitalforces。Shewasstartledtoseewhataneffectherproposalhadproduced，forEuthymiawasnotonlyblushing，buttherewasaflameinhereyeswhichshehadhardlyeverseenbefore。
"Isthisonlyyourownsuggestion？"Euthymiasaid，"orhassomeonebeenputtingtheideaintoyourhead？"ThetruthwasthatshehadhappenedtomeettheInterviewerattheLibrary，oneday，andshewasoffendedbythelong，searchingstarewithwhichthatindividualhadhonoredher。Itoccurredtoherthathe，orsomesuchvisitortotheplace，mighthavespokenofhertoLurida，ortosomeotherpersonwhohadrepeatedwhatwassaidtoLurida，asagoodsubjectfortheartofthesculptor，andshefeltallhermaidensensibilitiesoffendedbytheproposition。Luridacouldnotunderstandherexcitement，butshewasstartledbyit。Natureswhicharecomplementaryofeachotherareliabletotheseaccidentalcollisionsoffeeling。Theygetalongverywelltogether，nonetheworsefortheirdifferences，untilallatoncethetenderspotofoneortheotheriscarelesslyhandledinutterunconsciousnessonthepartoftheaggressor，andtheexclamation，theoutcry，ortheexplosionexplainsthesituationaltogethertooemphatically。Suchscenesdidnotfrequentlyoccurbetweenthetwofriends，andthislittleflurrywassoonover；butitservedtowarnLuridathatMissEuthymiaTowerwasnotofthatclassofself-consciousbeautieswhowouldbereadytodisputetheempireoftheVenusofMiloonherownground，indefencesasscantyandinsufficientasthoseofthemarbledivinity。