第9章

Euthymiahadhadadmirersenough，atadistance，whileatschool，andinthelongvacations，nearenoughtofindoutthatshewasanythingbuteasytomakeloveto。Shefairlyfrightenedmorethanonerashyouthwhowasdisposedtobetoosentimentalinhercompany。Theyoverdidflattery，whichshewasusedtoandtolerated，butwhichcheapenedtheadmirerinherestimation，andnowandthenbetrayedherintoanexpressionwhichmadehimawareofthefact，andwasadiscouragementtoaggressiveamiability。Therealdifficultywasthatnotoneofheradorershadevergreatlyinterestedher。Itcouldnotbethatnaturehadmadeherinsensible。Itmusthavebeenbecausethemanwhowasmadeforherhadneveryetshownhimself。

Shewasnoteasytoplease，thatwascertain；andshewasoneofthoseyoungwomenwhowillnotacceptasaloveronewhobuthalfpleasesthem。Shecouldnotpickupthefirststickthatfellinherwayandtakeittoshapeheridealoutof。ManyofthegoodpeopleofthevillagedoubtedwhetherEuthymiawouldeverbemarried。

"There"snothinggoodenoughforherinthisvillage，"saidtheoldlandlordofwhathadbeentheAnchorTavern。

"Shemustwaittillaprincecomesalong，"theoldlandladysaidinreply。"She"dmakeasprettyaqueenasanyofthemthat"sborntoit。Wouldn"tshebesplendidwithagoldcrownonherhead，anddi"mondsaglitterin"alloverher!D"yourememberhowhandsomeshelookedinthetableau，whenthefairwasheldfortheDorcasSociety？

Shehadonanolddressofhergrandma"s，——theydon"tmakeanything。

halfsohandsomenowadays，——andshewasjustasprettyasapictur"。

Butwhat"stheuseofgoodlooksiftheyscareawayfolks？Theyoungfellowsthinkthatsuchahandsomegirlasthatwouldcosttentimesasmuchtokeepasaplainone。Shemustbedresseduplikeanempress，——sotheyseemtothink。Itain"tsowithEuthymy:she"dlooklikeagreatladydressedanyhow，andshehasn"tgotanymorenotionsthanthehomeliestgirlthateverstoodbeforeaglasstolookatherself。”

InthehumblerwalksofArrowheadVillagesociety，similaropinionswereentertainedofMissEuthymia。Thefresh-waterfishermanrepresentedprettywelltheaverageestimateoftheclasstowhichhebelonged。"Itellye，"saidhetoanothergentlemanofleisure，whosechiefoccupationwastowatchthecomingandgoingofthevisitorstoArrowheadVillage，——"Itellyethatgirlain"tagontoputupwithanyo"themslab-sidedfellahsthatyouseehangin"

raoundtolookathereverySundaywhenshecomesaouto"meetin"。

It"soneo"thembiggentsfromBostonorNewYorkthat"llstepupan"kerryheroff。”

InthemeantimenothingcouldbefurtherfromthethoughtsofEuthymiathantheprospectofanambitiousworldlyalliance。Theidealsofyoungwomencostthemmanyandgreatdisappointments，buttheysavethemveryoftenfromthoselifelongcompanionshipswhichaccidentisconstantlytryingtoforceuponthem，inspiteoftheirobviousunfitness。Thehighertheideal，thelesslikelyisthecommonplaceneighborwhohasthegreatadvantageofeasyaccess，ortheboarding-houseacquaintancewhocanprofitbythosevacanthourswhentheleastinterestingofvisitorsisbetterthanabsoluteloneliness，——thelesslikelyaretheseundesirablepersonagestobeendured，pitied，and，ifnotembraced，accepted，forwantofsomethingbetter。EuthymiafoundsomuchpleasureintheintellectualcompanionshipofLurida，andfeltherownprudenceandreservesonecessarytothatindependentyounglady，thatshehadbeencontented，sofar，withfriendship，andthoughtofloveonlyinanabstractsortofway。Beneathherabstractionstherewasacapacityoflovingwhichmighthavebeeninferredfromtheexpressionofherfeatures，thelightthatshoneinhereyes，thetonesofhervoice，allofwhichwerefullofthelanguagewhichbelongstosusceptiblenatures。Howmanywomenneversaytothemselvesthattheywereborntolove，untilallatoncethediscoveryopensuponthem，asthesensethathewasbornapainterissaidtohavedawnedsuddenlyuponCorreggio!

Likealltherestofthevillageanditsvisitors，shecouldnothelpthinkingagooddealabouttheyoungmanlyingillamongststrangers。

Shewasnotoneofthosewhohadsenthimthethree-cornerednotesorevenabunchofflowers。Sheknewthathewasreceivingaboundingtokensofkindnessandsympathyfromdifferentquarters，andacertaininwardfeelingrestrainedherfromjoininginthesedemonstrations。Ifhehadbeensufferingfromsomedeadlyandcontagiousmaladyshewouldhaveriskedherlifetohelphim，withoutathoughtthattherewasanywonderfulheroisminsuchself-devotion。

HerfriendLuridamighthavebeencapableofthesamesacrifice，butitwouldbeafterreasoningwithherselfastotheobligationswhichhersenseofhumanrightsanddutieslaiduponher，andfortifyinghercouragewiththememoryofnobledeedsrecordedofwomeninancientandmodernhistory。WithEuthymiatheprimaryhumaninstinctstookprecedenceofallreasoningorreflectionaboutthem。

Allhersympathieswereexcitedbythethoughtofthisforlornstrangerinhissolitude，butshefelttheimpossibilityofgivinganycompleteexpressiontothem。ShethoughtofMungoParkintheAfricandesert，andsheenviedthepoornegresswhonotonlypitiedhim，buthadtheblessedopportunityofhelpingandconsolinghim。

Hownearwerethesetwohumancreatures，eachneedingtheother!Hownearinbodilypresence，howfarapartintheirlives，withabarrierseeminglyimpassablebetweenthem!

XXIII

THEMEETINGOFMAURICEANDEUTHYMIA。

Theseautumnalfevers，whichcarryoffalargenumberofouryoungpeopleeveryyear，aretreacherousanddeceptivediseases。Notonlyaretheyliable，ashasbeenmentioned，tovariousaccidentalcomplicationswhichmayprovesuddenlyfatal，buttoooften，afterconvalescenceseemstobeestablished，relapsesoccurwhicharemoreseriousthanthediseasehadappearedtobeinitspreviouscourse。

OnemorningDr。ButtsfoundMauriceworseinsteadofbetter，ashehadhopedandexpectedtofindhim。Weakashewas，therewaseveryreasontofeartheissueofthisreturnofhisthreateningsymptoms。

Therewasnotmuchtodobesideskeepingupthelittlestrengthwhichstillremained。Itwasallneeded。

Doesthereaderofthesepageseverthinkoftheworkasickmanasmuchasawellonehastoperformwhileheislyingonhisbackandtakingwhatwecallhis"rest"？Morethanathousandtimesanhour，betweenahundredandfiftyandtwohundredthousandtimesaweek，hehastoliftthebarsofthecageinwhichhisbreathingorgansareconfined，tosavehimselffromasphyxia。Rest!Thereisnorestuntilthelastlongsightellsthosewholookuponthedyingthattheceaselessdailytask，torestfromwhichisdeath，isatlastfinished。Weareallgalley-slaves，pullingattheleversofrespiration，——which，risingandfallinglikesomanyoars，driveusacrossanunfathomableoceanfromoneunknownshoretoanother。No!

Neverwasagalley-slavesochainedaswearetothesefourandtwentyoars，atwhichwemusttugdayandnightallourlifelongThedoctorcouldnotfindanyaccidentalcausetoaccountforthisrelapse。Itpresentlyoccurredtohimthattheremightbesomelocalsourceofinfectionwhichhadbroughtonthecomplaint，andwasstillkeepingupthesymptomswhichwerethegroundofalarm。HedeterminedtoremoveMauricetohisownhouse，wherehecouldbesureofpureair，andwherehehimselfcouldgivemoreconstantattentiontohispatientduringthiscriticalperiodofhisdisease。Itwasarisktotake，buthecouldbecarriedonalitterbycarefulmen，andremainwhollypassiveduringtheremoval。Mauricesignifiedhisassent，ashecouldhardlyhelpdoing，——forthedoctor"ssuggestiontookprettynearlytheformofacommand。Hethoughtitamatteroflifeanddeath，andwasgentlyurgentforhispatient"simmediatechangeofresidence。ThedoctorinsistedonhavingMaurice"sbooksandothermovablearticlescarriedtohisownhouse，sothatheshouldbesurroundedbyfamiliarsights，andnotworryhimselfaboutwhatmighthappentoobjectswhichhevalued，iftheywereleftbehindhim。

Allthesedispositionswerequicklyandquietlymade，andeverythingwasreadyforthetransferofthepatienttothehouseofthehospitablephysician。Paolowasatthedoctor"s，superintendingthearrangementofMaurice"seffectsandmakingallreadyforhismaster。

Thenurseinattendance，atrustworthymanenoughinthemain，findinghispatientinatranquilsleep，lefthisbedsideforalittlefreshair。Whilehewasatthedoorheheardashoutingwhichexcitedhiscuriosity，andhefollowedthesounduntilhefoundhimselfattheborderofthelake。Itwasnothingverywonderfulwhichhadcausedtheshouting。ANewfoundlanddoghadbeenshowingoffhisaccomplishments，andsomeoftheidlerswerebettingastothetimeitwouldtakehimtobringbacktohismasterthevariousfloatingobjectswhichhadbeenthrownasfarfromtheshoreaspossible。Hewatchedthedogafewminutes，whenhisattentionwasdrawntoalightwherry，pulledbyoneyoungladyandsteeredbyanother。Itwasmakingfortheshore，whichitwouldsoonreach。

Theattendantrememberedallatonce，thathehadlefthischarge，andjustbeforetheboatcametolandheturnedandhurriedbacktothepatient。Exactlyhowlonghehadbeenabsenthecouldnothavesaid，——perhapsaquarterofanhour，perhapslonger；thetimeappearedshorttohim，weariedwithlongsittingandwatching。

Ithadseemed，whenhestoleawayfromMaurice"sbedside，thathewasnotintheleastneeded。Thepatientwaslyingperfectlyquiet，andtoallappearancewantednothingmorethanlettingalone。Itwassuchacomforttolookatsomethingbesidesthewornfeaturesofasickman，tohearsomethingbesideshislaboredbreathingandfaint，half-whisperedwords，thatthetemptationtoindulgeintheseluxuriesforafewminuteshadprovedirresistible。

Unfortunately，Maurice"sslumbersdidnotremaintranquilduringtheabsenceofthenurse。Heverysoonfellintoadream，whichbeganquietlyenough，butinthecourseofthesuddentransitionswhichdreamsareinthehabitofundergoingbecamesuccessivelyanxious，distressing，terrifying。Hisearlierandlaterexperiencescameupbeforehim，fragmentary，incoherent，chaoticeven，butvividasreality。Hewasatthebottomofacoal-mineinoneofthoselong，narrowgalleries，orratherworm-holes，inwhichhumanbeingspassalargepartoftheirlives，likesomanylarvaeboringtheirwayintothebeamsandraftersofsomeoldbuilding。Howclosetheairwasinthestiflingpassagethroughwhichhewascrawling!Thescenechanged，andhewasclimbingaslipperysheetoficewithdesperateeffort，hisfootonthefloorofashallowniche，hisholdaniciclereadytosnapinaninstant，anabyssbelowhimwaitingforhisfoottosliportheicicletobreak。Howthintheairseemed，howdesperatelyhardtobreathe!HewasthinkingofMontBlanc，itmaybe，andthefearfullyrarefiedatmospherewhichherememberedwellasoneofthegreattrialsinhismountainascents。No，itwasnotMontBlanc，——itwasnotanyoneofthefrozenAlpinesummits；itwasHeclathathewasclimbingThesmokeoftheburningmountainwaswrappingitselfaroundhim；hewaschokingwithitsdensefumes；heheardtheflamesroaringaroundhim，hefeltthehotlavabeneathhisfeet，heutteredafaintcry，andawoke。

Theroomwasfullofsmoke。Hewasgaspingforbreath，stranglinginthesmotheringovenwhichhischamberhadbecome。

Thehousewasonfire!

Hetriedtocallforhelp，buthisvoicefailedhim，anddiedawayinawhisper。Hemadeadesperateeffort，androsesoastositupinthebedforaninstant，buttheeffortwastoomuchforhim，andhesankbackuponhispillow，helpless。Hefeltthathishourhadcome，forhecouldnotliveinthisdreadfulatmosphere，andhewasleftalone。Hecouldhearthecrackleoffireastheflamecreptalongfromonepartitiontoanother。Itwasacruelfatetobelefttoperishinthatway，——thefatethatmanyamartyrhadhadtoface，——tobefirststrangledandthenburned。Deathhadnottheterrorforhimthatithasformostyoungpersons。Hewasaccustomedtothinkingofitcalmly，sometimeswistfully，eventosuchadegreethatthethoughtofself-destructionhadcomeuponhimasatemptation。Butherewasdeathinanunexpectedandappallingshape。Hedidnotknowbeforehowmuchhecaredtolive。Allhisoldrecollectionscamebeforehimasitwereinonelong，vividflash。Theclosedvistaofmemoryopenedtoitsfarhorizon-line，andpastandpresentwerepicturedinasingleinstantofclearvision。Thedreadmomentwhichhadblightedhislifereturnedinallitsterror。Hefelttheconvulsivespringintheformofafaint，impotentspasm，——therushofair，——thethornsofthestingingandlaceratingcradleintowhichhewasprecipitated。Oneafteranotherthoseparalyzingseizureswhichhadbeenlikedeadeningblowsonthenakedheartseemedtorepeatthemselves，asrealasatthemomentoftheiroccurrence。Thepicturespassedinsuccessionwithsuchrapiditythattheyappearedalmostasifsimultaneous。Thevisionofthe"inwardeye"wassointensifiedinthismomentofperilthataninstantwaslikeanhourofcommonexistence。Thosewhohavebeenveryneardrowningknowwellwhatthisdescriptionmeans。Thedevelopmentofaphotographmaynotexplainit，butitillustratesthecuriousandfamiliarfactoftherevivedrecollectionsofthedrowningman"sexperience。Thesensitiveplatehastakenonelookatascene，andremembersitall，Everylittlecircumstanceisthere，——thehoofinair，thewinginflight，theleafasitfalls，thewaveasitbreaks。Allthere，butinvisible；potentiallypresent，butimpalpable，inappreciable，asifnotexistingatall。Awashispouredoverit，andthewholescenecomesoutinallitsperfectionofdetail。Inthosesuprememomentswhendeathstaresamansuddenlyinthefacetherushofunwontedemotionfloodstheundevelopedpicturesofvanishedyears，storedawayinthememory，thevastpanoramaofalifetime，andinoneswiftinstantthepastcomesoutasvividlyasifitwereagainthepresent。Soitwasatthismomentwiththesickman，ashelayhelplessandfeltthathewaslefttodie。Forhesawnohopeofrelief:thesmokewasdriftingincloudsintotheroom；theflameswereverynear；ifhewasnotreachedandrescuedimmediatelyitwasalloverwithhim。

Hispastlifehadflashedbeforehim。Thenallatoncerosethethoughtofhisfuture，——ofallitspossibilities，ofthevaguehopeswhichhehadcherishedoflatethathismysteriousdoomwouldbeliftedfromhim。Therewassomething，then，tobelivedfor，something!Therewasanewlife，itmightbe，instoreforhim，andsuchanewlife!Hethoughtofallhewaslosing。Oh，couldhebuthavelivedtoknowthemeaningoflove!Andthepassionatedesireoflifecameoverhim，——notthedreadofdeath，butthelongingforwhatthefuturemightyethaveofhappinessforhim。

Allthistookplaceinthecourseofaveryfewmoments。Dreamsandvisionshavelittletodowithmeasuredtime，andtenminutes，possiblyfifteenortwenty，wereallthathadpassedsincethebeginningofthosenightmareterrorswhichwereevidentlysuggestedbythesuffocatingairhewasbreathing。

Whathadhappened？Intheconfusionofmovingbooksandotherarticlestothedoctor"shouse，doorsandwindowshadbeenforgotten。

Amongtherestawindowopeningintothecellar，wheresomeoldfurniturehadbeenleftbyaformeroccupant，hadbeenleftunclosed。

Oneofthelazynatives，whohadloungedbythehousesmokingabadcigar，hadthrowntheburningstumpinatthisopenwindow。Hehadnoparticularintentionofdoingmischief，buthehadthatindifferencetoconsequenceswhichisthenextstepabovetheinclinationtocrime。Theburningstumphappenedtofallamongthestrawofanoldmattresswhichhadbeenrippedopen。Thesmokerwenthiswaywithoutlookingbehindhim，anditsochancedthatnootherpersonpassedthehouseforsometime。Presentlythestrawwasinablaze，andfromthisthefireextendedtothefurniture，tothestairwayleadingupfromthecellar，andwasworkingitswayalongtheentryunderthestairsleadinguptotheapartmentwhereMauricewaslying。

Theblazewasfierceandswift，asitcouldnothelpbeingwithsuchamassofcombustibles，——loosestrawfromthemattress，dryoldfurniture，andoldwarpedfloorswhichhadbeenparchingandshrinkingforascoreortwoofyears。Thewholehousewas，inthecommonlanguageofthenewspaperreports，"aperfecttinder-box，"andwouldprobablybeaheapofashesinhalfanhour。Andtherewasthisunfortunatedesertedsickmanlyingbetweenlifeanddeath，beyondallhelpunlesssomeunexpectedassistanceshouldcometohisrescue。

AstheattendantdrewnearthehousewhereMauricewaslying，hewashorror-strucktoseedensevolumesofsmokepouringoutofthelowerwindows。Itwasbeginningtomakeitswaythroughtheupperwindows，also，andpresentlyatongueoffireshotoutandstreamedupwardalongthesideofthehouse。ThemanshriekedFire!Fire!withallhismight，andrushedtothedoorofthebuildingtomakehiswaytoMaurice"sroomandsavehim。Hepenetratedbutashortdistancewhen，blindedandchokingwiththesmoke，herushedheadlongdownthestairswithacryofdespairthatrousedeveryman，woman，andchildwithinreachofahumanvoice。Outtheycamefromtheirhousesineveryquarterofthevillage。TheshoutofFire!Fire!wasthechiefaidlentbymanyoftheyoungandold。Somecaughtuppailsandbuckets:themorethoughtfulonesfillingthem；thehastiersnatchingthemupempty，trustingtofindwaternearertheburningbuilding。

Isthesickmanmoved？

Thiswastheawfulquestionfirstasked，——forinthelittlevillageallknewthatMauricewasaboutbeingtransferredtothedoctor"shouse。Theattendant，whiteasdeath，pointedtothechamberwherehehadlefthim，andgaspedout，"Heisthere!"

Aladder!Aladder!wasthegeneralcry，andmenandboysrushedoffinsearchofone。Butasingleminutewasanagenow，andtherewasnoladdertobehadwithoutadelayofmanyminutes。Thesickmanwasgoingtobeswallowedupintheflamesbeforeitcouldpossiblyarrive。Someweregoingforablanketoracoverlet，inthehopethattheyoungmanmighthavestrengthenoughtoleapfromthewindowandbesafelycaughtinit。Theattendantshookhishead，andsaidfaintly，"Hecannotmovefromhisbed。”

Oneofthevisitorsatthevillage，——amillionaire，itwassaid，——akind-heartedman，spokeinhoarse，brokentones:

"Athousanddollarstothemanthatwillbringhimfromhischamber!"

Thefresh-waterfishermanmuttered，"Ishouldliketosavethemanandtoseethemoney，butitain"tathaousan"dollars，nortenthaousan"dollars，that"llpayafellahforburnin"todeath，——orevenchokin"todeath，anyhaow。”

Thecarpenter，whoknewtheframeworkofeveryhouseinthevillage，recentorold，shookhishead。

"Thestairshavebeenshoredup，"hesaid，"andwhenthefiststhatholds"emupgoes，downthey"llcome。Itain"tsafefornomantogooverthemstairs。Hurryalongyourladder，——that"syouronlychance。”

Allwaswildconfusionaroundtheburninghouse。Theladdertheyhadgoneforwasmissingfromitscase，——aneighborhadcarrieditofffortheworkmenwhowereshinglinghisroof。Itwouldnevergetthereintime。Therewasafire-engine，butitwasnearlyhalfamilefromthelakesidesettlement。Somewerethrowingonwaterinanaimless，uselessway；onewassendingathinstreamthroughagardensyringe:itseemedlikedoingsomething，atleast。ButallhopeofsavingMauricewasfastgivingway，sorapidwastheprogressoftheflames，sothickthecloudofsmokethatfilledthehouseandpouredfromthewindows。Nothingwasheardbutconfusedcries，shrieksofwomen，allsortsoforderstodothisandthat，nooneknowingwhatwastobedone。Theladder!Theladder!Fiveminutesmoreanditwillbetoolate!

InthemeantimethealarmoffirehadreachedPaolo，andhehadstoppedhisworkofarrangingMaurice"sbooksinthesamewayasthatinwhichtheyhadstoodinhisapartment，andfollowedinthedirectionofthesound，littlethinkingthathismasterwaslyinghelplessintheburninghouse。"Somechimneyafire，"hesaidtohimself；buthewouldgoandtakealook，atanyrate。

BeforePaolohadreachedthesceneofdestructionandimpendingdeath，twoyoungwomen，inboatingdressesofdecidedlyBloomerishaspect，hadsuddenlyjoinedthethrong。"TheWonder"and"TheTerror"oftheirschool-days——MissEuthymiarowerandMissLuridaVincenthadjustcomefromtheshore，wheretheyhadlefttheirwherry。Afewhurriedwordstoldthemthefearfulstory。MauriceKirkwoodwaslyinginthechambertowhicheveryeyewasturned，unabletomove，doomedtoadreadfuldeath。Allthatcouldbehopedwasthathewouldperishbysuffocationratherthanbytheflames，whichwouldsoonbeuponhim。Themanwhohadattendedhimhadjusttriedtoreachhischamber，buthadreeledbackoutofthedoor，almoststrangledbythesmoke。Athousanddollarshadbeenofferedtoanyonewhowouldrescuethesickman，butnoonehaddaredtomaketheattempt；forthestairsmightfallatanymoment，ifthesmokedidnotblindandsmotherthemanwhopassedthembeforetheyfell。

Thetwoyoungwomenlookedeachotherinthefaceforoneswiftmoment。

"Howcanhebereached？"askedLurida。"Istherenobodythatwillventurehislifetosaveabrotherlikethat？"

"Iwillventuremine，"saidEuthymia。

"No!no!"shriekedLurida，——"notyou!notyou!Itisaman"swork，notyours!Youshallnotgo!PoorLuridahadforgottenallhertheoriesinthissuprememoment。ButEuthymiawasnottobeheldback。Takingahandkerchieffromherneck，shedippeditinapailofwaterandbounditaboutherhead。Thenshetookseveraldeepbreathsofair，andfilledherlungsasfullastheywouldhold。Sheknewshemustnottakeasinglebreathinthechokingatmosphereifshecouldpossiblyhelpit，andEuthymiawasnotedforherpowerofstayingunderwatersolongthatmorethanoncethosewhosawherdivethoughtshewouldnevercomeupagain。Sorapidwerehermovementsthattheyparalyzedthebystanders，whowouldforciblyhavepreventedherfromcarryingoutherpurpose。Herimperiousdeterminationwasnottoberesisted。AndsoEuthymia，awillingmartyr，ifmartyrshewastobe，andnotsaviour，passedwithintheveilthathidthesufferer。

Luridaturneddeadlypale，andsankfaintingtotheground。Shewasthefirst，butnottheonlyone，ofhersexthatfaintedasEuthymiadisappearedinthesmokeoftheburningbuilding。Eventherectorgrewverywhiteintheface，——sowhitethatoneofhisvestry-menbeggedhimtositdownatonce，andsprinkledafewdropsofwateronhisforehead，tohisgreatdisgustandmanifestadvantage。Theoldlandladywascryingandmoaning，andherhusbandwaswipinghiseyesandshakinghisheadsadly。

"Shewillnevarcomeoutalive，"hesaidsolemnly。

"Nordead，neither，"addedthecarpenter。"Ther"won"tbenothingleftofneitherof"embutashes。”Andthecarpenterhidhisfaceinhishands。

Thefresh-waterfishermanhadpulledoutaragwhichhecalleda"hangkercher，"——ithadservedtocarrybaitthatmorning，——andwasmakinguseofitsbestcornertodrythetearswhichwererunningdownhischeeks。ThewholevillagewasproudofEuthymia，andwiththesemorequietsignsofgriefweremingledloudlamentations，comingalikefromoldandyoung。

Allthiswasnotsomuchlikeasuccessionofeventsasitwaslikeatableau。Thelookers-onwerestunnedwithitssuddenness，andbeforetheyhadtimetorecovertheirbewilderedsensesallwaslost，orseemedlost。Theyfeltthattheyshouldneverlookagainoneitherofthoseyoungfaces。

Therector，notunfeelingbynature，butinveteratelyprofessionalbyhabit，hadalreadyrecoveredenoughtobethinkingofatextforthefuneralsermon。Thefirstthatoccurredtohimwasthis，——vaguely，ofcourse，inthebackgroundofconsciousness:

"ThenShadrach，Meshach，andAbed-negocameforthofthemidstofthefire。”

Thevillageundertakerwasofnaturallysoberaspectandreflectivedisposition。Hehadalwaysbeenopposedtocremation，andherewasafuneralpileblazingbeforehiseyes。He，too，hadhishumansympathies，butinthedistancehisimaginationpicturedthefinalceremony，andhowhehimselfshouldfigureinaspectaclewheretheusualcentrepieceofattractionwouldbewanting，——perhapshisownservicesuncalledfor。

Blamehimnot，youwhosegarden-patchisnotwateredwiththetearsofmourners。Thestringofself-interestanswerswithitschordtoeverysound；itvibrateswiththefuneral-bell，itfindsitselftremblingtothewailoftheDeProfundis。Notalways，——notalways；

letusnotbecynicalinourjudgments，butcommonhumannature，wemaysafelysay，issubjecttothosesecondaryvibrationsunderthemostsolemnandsoul-subduinginfluences。

Itseemsasifweweredoinggreatwrongtothescenewearecontemplatingindelayingitbythedescriptionoflittlecircumstancesandindividualthoughtsandfeelings。Butlingeraswemay，wecannotcompressintoachapter——wecouldnotcrowdintoavolume——allthatpassedthroughthemindsandstirredtheemotionsoftheawe-struckcompanywhichwasgatheredaboutthesceneofdangerandofterror。Wearedealingwithanimpossibility:consciousnessisasurface；narrativeisaline。

Mauricehadgivenhimselfupforlost。Hisbreathingwasbecomingeverymomentmoredifficult，andhefeltthathisstrengthcouldholdoutbutafewminuteslonger。

"Robert!"hecalledinfaintaccents。Buttheattendantwasnottheretoanswer。

"Paolo!Paolo!"Butthefaithfulservant，whowouldhavegivenhislifeforhismaster，hadnotyetreachedtheplacewherethecrowdwasgathered。

"Oh，forabreathofair!Oh，foranarmtoliftmefromthisbed!

Toolate!Toolate!"hegasped，withwhatmighthaveseemedhisdyingexpiration。

"Nottoolate!"Thesoftvoicereachedhisobscuredconsciousnessasifithadcomedowntohimfromheaven。

Inasingleinstanthefoundhimselfrolledinablanketandinthearmsof——awoman!

Outofthestiflingchamber，——overtheburningstairs，——closebythetonguesoffirethatwerelappingupalltheycouldreach，——outintotheopenair，hewasborneswiftlyandsafely，——carriedaseasilyasifhehadbeenababe，inthestrongarmsof"TheWonder"ofthegymnasium，thecaptainoftheAtalanta，whohadlittledreamedoftheuseshewastomakeofhernaturalgiftsandherschool-girlaccomplishments。

Suchacryasarosefromthecrowdofon-lookers!Itwasasoundthatnoneofthemhadeverheardbeforeorcouldexpectevertohearagain，unlessheshouldbeoneofthelastboat-loadrescuedfromasinkingvessel。Then，thosewhohadresistedtheoverflowoftheiremotion，whohadstoodinwhitedespairastheythoughtofthesetwoyounglivessoontobewrappedintheirburningshroud，——thosesternmen——theoldsea-captain，thehard-faced，moneymaking，cast-irontradesmenofthecitycounting-room——sobbedlikehystericwomen；itwaslikeaconvulsionthatovercamenaturesunusedtothosedeeperemotionswhichmanywhoarecapableofexperiencingdiewithouteverknowing。

ThiswasthesceneuponwhichthedoctorandPaolosuddenlyappearedatthesamemoment。

Asthefreshbreezepassedoverthefaceoftherescuedpatient，hiseyesopenedwide，andhisconsciousnessreturnedinalmostsupernaturallucidity。Euthymiahadsatdownuponabank，andwasstillsupportinghim。Hisheadwasrestingonherbosom。Throughhisawakeningsensesstolethemurmursofthelivingcradlewhichrockedhimwiththewavelikemovementsofrespiration，thesoftsusurrusoftheairthatenteredwitheverybreath，thedoublebeatoftheheartwhichthrobbedclosetohisear。Andeverysense，andeveryinstinct，andeveryrevivingpulsetoldhiminlanguagelikearevelationfromanotherworldthatawoman"sarmswerearoundhim，andthatitwaslife，andnotdeath，whichherembracehadbroughthim。

Shewouldhavedisengagedhimfromherprotectinghold，butthedoctormadeheraperemptorysign，whichhefollowedbyasharpcommand:——

"Donotmovehimahair"sbreadth，"hesaid。"Waituntilthelittercomes。Anysuddenmovementmightbedangerous。Hasanybodyabrandyflaskabouthim？"

Oneortwomembersofthelocaltemperancesocietylookedratherawkward，butdidnotcomeforward。

Thefresh-waterfishermanwasthefirstwhospoke。

"Ihan"tgotnobrandy，"hesaid，"butthere"sadroportwoofoldMedfordruminthisherethatyou"rewelcometo，ifit"llbeofanyhelp。Iallizkerryalittleon"tincaseo"gettin"wet"n"

chilled。”

Sosayingheheldforthaflatbottlewiththeword，Sarsaparillastampedonthegreenglass，butwhichcontainedhalfapintormoreofthespecificonwhichhereliedinthoseveryfrequentexposureswhichhappentopersonsofhiscalling。

ThedoctormotionedbackPaolo，whowouldhaverushedatoncetotheaidofMaurice，andwhowasnotwantedatthatmoment。SopoorPaolo，inanagonyoffearforhismaster，waskeptasquietaspossible，andhadtocontenthimselfwithaskingallsortsofquestionsandrepeatingalltheprayershecouldthinkoftoOurLadyandtohisholynamesaketheApostle。

Thedoctorwipedthemouthofthefisherman"sbottleverycarefully。

"Takeafewdropsofthiscordial，"hesaid，asheheldittohispatient"slips。"Holdhimjustso，Euthymia，withoutstirring。I

willwatchhim，andsaywhenheisreadytobemoved。Thelitterisnearby，waiting。”Dr。ButtswatchedMaurice"spulseandcolor。The"oldMedford"knewitsbusiness。Ithadknockedoveritstensofthousands；ithaditsredeemingvirtue，andhelpedtosetupapoorfellownowandthen。ItdidthisforMauriceveryeffectively。Whenheseemedsomewhatrestored，thedoctorhadthelitterbroughttohisside，andEuthymiasoftlyresignedherhelplessburden，whichPaoloandtheattendantRobertliftedwiththeaidofthedoctor，whowalkedbythepatientashewasbornetothehomewhereMrs。Buttshadmadeallreadyforhisreception。

AsforpoorLurida，whohadthoughtherselfequaltothesanguinarydutiesofthesurgeon，shewasleftlyingonthegrasswithanoldwomanoverher，workinghardwithfanandsmelling-saltstobringherbackfromherlongfaintingfit。

XXIV

THEINEVITABLE。

WhyshouldnothumannaturebethesameinArrowheadVillageaselsewhere？Itcouldnotseemstrangetothegoodpeopleofthatplaceandtheirvisitorsthatthesetwoyoungpersons，broughttogetherundercircumstancesthatstirredupthedeepestemotionsofwhichthehumansouliscapable，shouldbecomeattachedtoeachother。Butthebondbetweenthemwasstrongerthananyknew，exceptthegooddoctor，whohadlearnedthegreatsecretofMaurice"slife。

Forthefirsttimesincehisinfancyhehadfullyfeltthecharmwhichtheimmediatepresenceofyouthfulwomanhoodcarrieswithit。

Hecouldhardlybelievethefactwhenhefoundhimselfnolongerthesubjectoftheterrifyingseizuresofwhichhehadhadmanyandthreateningexperiences。

Itwasthedoctor"sbusinesstosavehispatient"slife，ifhecouldpossiblydoit。Mauricehadbeenreducedtothemostperilousstateofdebilitybytherelapsewhichhadinterruptedhisconvalescence。

Onlybywhatseemedalmostamiraclehadhesurvivedtheexposuretosuffocationandthementalanguishthroughwhichhehadpassed。ItwasperfectlycleartoDr。ButtsthatifMauricecouldseetheyoungwomantowhomheowedhislife，and，asthedoctorfeltassured，therevolutioninhisnervoussystemwhichwouldbethebeginningofanewexistence，itwouldbeoffarmorevalueasarestorativeagencythananyorallofthedrugsinthepharmacopoeia。HetoldthistoEuthymia，andexplainedthemattertoherparentsandfriends。Shemustgowithhimonsomeofhisvisits。Hermothershouldgowithher，orhersister；butthiswasacaseoflifeanddeath，andnomaidenlyscruplesmustkeepherfromdoingherduty。

Thefirstofhervisitstothesick，perhapsdying，manpresentedascenenotunlikethepicturebeforespokenofonthetitle-pageoftheoldeditionofGalen。Thedoctorwasperhapsthemostagitatedofthelittlegroup。Hewentbeforetheothers，tookhisseatbythebedside，andheldthepatient"swristwithhisfingeronthepulse。

AsEuthymiaentereditgaveasinglebound，flutteredforaninstantasifwithafaintmemoryofitsoldhabit，thenthrobbedfullandstrong，comparatively，asifunderthespurofsomepowerfulstimulus。Euthymia"staskwasadelicateone，butsheknewhowtodisguiseitsdifficulty。

"HereisaflowerIhavebroughtyou，Mr。Kirkwood，"shesaid，andhandedhimawhitechrysanthemum。Hetookitfromherhand，andbeforesheknewithetookherhandintohisown，andhelditwithagentleconstraint。Whatcouldshedo？Herewastheyoungmanwhoselifeshehadsaved，atleastforthemoment，andwhowasyetindangerfromthediseasewhichhadalmostwornouthispowersofresistance。

"SitdownbyMr。Kirkwood"sside，"saidthedoctor。"Hewantstothankyou，ifhehasstrengthtodoit，forsavinghimfromthedeathwhichseemedinevitable。”

NotmanywordscouldMauricecommand。Hewasweakenoughforwomanlytears，buttheirfountainsnolongerflowed；itwaswithhimaswiththedying，whoseeyesmaylightup，butrarelyshedatear。

Theriverwhichhasfoundanewchannelwidensanddeepens——it；itletstheoldwater-coursefillup，andneverreturnstoitsforsakenbed。Thetyrannoushabitwasbroken。Theprophecyofthegitanahadverifieditself，andtheillafairwomanhadwroughtafairerwomanbadconqueredandabolished。

ThehistoryofMauriceKirkwoodlosesitsexceptionalcharacterfromthetimeofhisrestorationtohisnaturalconditions。Hisconvalescencewasveryslowandgradual，butnofurtheraccidentinterrupteditsevenprogress。Theseasonwasover，thesummervisitorshadleftArrowheadVillage；thechrysanthemumsweregoingoutofflower，thefrostshadcome，andMauricewasstillbeneaththeroofofthekindphysician。Therelationbetweenhimandhispreserverwassoentirelyapartfromallcommonacquaintancesandfriendshipsthatnoordinaryrulescouldapplytoit。Euthymiavisitedhimoftenduringtheperiodofhisextremeprostration。

"Youmustcomeeveryday，"thedoctorsaid。"Hegainswitheveryvisityoumakehim；hepinesifyoumisshimforasingleday。”Soshecameandsatbyhim，thedoctororgoodMrs。Buttskeepinghercompanyinhispresence。Hegrewstronger，——begantositupinbed；

andatlastEuthymiafoundhimdressedasinhealth，andbeginningtowalkabouttheroom。Shewasstartled。Shehadthoughtofherselfasakindofnurse，buttheyounggentlemancouldhardlybesaidtoneedanurseanylonger。Shehadscruplesaboutmakinganyfurthervisits。SheaskedLuridawhatshethoughtaboutit。

"Thinkaboutit？"saidLurida。"Whyshouldn"tyougotoseeabrotheraswellasasister，Ishouldliketoknow？IfyouareafraidtogotoseeMauriceKirkwood，Iamnotafraid，atanyrate。

Ifyouwouldratherhavemegothangoyourself，Iwilldoit，andletpeopletalkjustasmuchastheywantto。ShallIgoinsteadofyou？"

Euthymiawasnotquitesurethatthiswouldbethebestthingforthepatient。Thedoctorhadtoldherhethoughttherewerespecialreasonsforherowncourseincomingdailytoseehim。"Iamafraid，"shesaid，"youaretoobrighttobesafeforhiminhisweakstate。Yourmindissuchastimulatingone，youknow。Adullsortofpersonlikemyselfisbetterforhimjustnow。IwillcontinuevisitinghimaslongasthedoctorsaysitisimportantthatIshould；butyoumustdefendme，Lurida，——Iknowyoucanexplainitallsothatpeoplewillnotblameme。”

EuthymiaknewfullwellwhattheeffectofLurida"spenetratinghead-

voicewouldbeinaconvalescent"schamber。Sheknewhowthatactivemindofherswouldsettheyoungman"sthoughtsatwork，whenwhathewantedwasrestofeveryfaculty。Werenotthesegoodandsufficientreasonsforherdecision？Whatotherscouldtherebe？

SoEuthymiakeptonwithhervisits，untilsheblushedtoseethatshewascontinuinghercharitableofficeforonewhowasbeginningtolooktoowelltobecalledaninvalid。Itwasadangerousconditionofaffairs，andthebusytonguesofthevillagegossipswerefreeintheircomments。Free，butkindly，forthestoryoftherescuehadmeltedeveryheart；andwhatcouldbemorenaturalthanthatthesetwoyoungpeoplewhomGodhadbroughttogetherinthedreadmomentofperilshouldfindithardtotearthemselvesasunderafterthehourofdangerwaspast？Whengratitudeisabankrupt，loveonlycanpayhisdebts；andifMauricegavehishearttoEuthymia，wouldnotshereceiveitaspaymentinfull？

ThechangewhichhadtakenplaceinthevitalcurrentsofMauriceKirkwood"ssystemwasassimpleandsolidafactasthechangeinamagneticneedlewhentheborealbecomestheaustralpole，andtheaustraltheboreal。Itwaswell，perhaps，thatthischangetookplacewhilehewasenfeebledbythewastingeffectsoflongillness。

Forallthelong-defeated，disturbed，pervertedinstinctshadfoundtheirnaturalchannelfromthecentreofconsciousnesstotheorganwhichthrobsinresponsetoeveryprofoundemotion。Ashishealthgraduallyreturned，Euthymiacouldnothelpperceivingaflushinhischeek，aglitterinhiseyes，asomethinginthetoneofhisvoice，whichaltogetherwereawarningtotheyoungmaidenthatthehighwayoffriendlyintercoursewasfastnarrowingtoalane，attheheadofwhichherwoman"seyecouldreadplainlyenough，"Dangerouspassing。”

"Youlooksomuchbetterto-day，Mr。Kirkwood，"shesaid，"thatI

thinkIhadbetternotplaySisterofCharityanylonger。ThenexttimewemeetIhopeyouwillbestrongenoughtocallonme。”

Shewasfrightenedtoseehowpaleheturned，——hewasweakerthanshethought。TherewasasilencesoprofoundandsolongthatMrs。Buttslookedupfromthestockingshewasknitting。Theyhadforgottenthegoodwoman"spresence。

PresentlyMauricespoke，——veryfaintly，butMrs。Buttsdroppedastitchatthefirstword，andherknittingfellintoherlapasshelistenedtowhatfollowed。

"No!youmustnotleaveme。Youmustneverleaveme。Yousavedmylife。Butyouhavedonemorethanthat，——morethanyouknoworcaneverknow。ToyouIoweitthatIamliving；withyouIlivehenceforth，ifIamtoliveatall。AllIam，allIhope，——willyoutakethispoorofferingfromonewhoowesyoueverything，whoselipsnevertouchedthoseofwomanorbreathedawordoflovebeforeyou？

WhatcouldEuthymiareplytothisquestion，utteredwithallthedepthofapassionwhichhadneverbeforefoundexpression。

NotonesyllableofanswerdidlisteningMrs。Buttsoverhear。ButshetoldherhusbandafterwardsthattherewasnothinginthetableauxtheyhadhadinSeptembertocomparewithwhatshethensaw。

ItwasindeedapleasingpicturewhichthosetwoyoungheadspresentedasEuthymiagaveherinarticulatebutinfinitelyexpressiveanswertothequestionofMauriceKirkwood。Thegood-heartedwomanthoughtittimetoleavetheyoungpeople。Downwentthestockingwiththeneedlesinit；outofherlaptumbledtheballofworsted，rollingalongthefloorwithitsyarntrailingafterit，likesomevillagematronwhogoesaboutcirculatingfromhearthtohearth，leavingallalonghertrackthestoryofthenewengagementorofthearrivalofthelast"littlestranger。”

NotmanysunshadsetbeforeitwastoldallthroughArrowheadVillagethatMauriceKirkwoodwastheacceptedloverofEuthymiaTower。

POSTSCRIPT:AFTER-GLIMPSES。

MISSLURIDAVINCENTTOMRS。EUTHYMIAKIRKWOOD。

ARROWHEADVILLAGE，May18。

MYDEARESTEUTHYMIA，——Whowouldhavethought，whenyoubrokeyouroarastheAtalantaflashedbytheAlgonquin，lastJune，thatbeforetherosescameagainyouwouldfindyourselfthewifeofafinescholarandgrandgentleman，andtheheadofahouseholdsuchasthatofwhichyouarethemistress？YoumustnotforgetyouroldArrowheadVillagefriends。WhatamIsaying？——youforgetthem!No，dearest，Iknowyourhearttoowellforthat!Youarenotoneofthosewholayasidetheiroldfriendshipsastheydolastyearsbonnetwhentheygetanewone。Youhavetoldmeallaboutyourselfandyourhappiness，andnowyouwantmetotellyouaboutmyselfandwhatisgoingoninourlittleplace。

Andfirstaboutmyself。Ihavegivenuptheideaofbecomingadoctor。IhavestudiedmathematicssomuchthatIhavegrownfondofcertainties，ofdemonstrations，andmedicinedealschieflyinprobabilities。Thepracticeoftheartissomixedupwiththedeepesthumanintereststhatitishardtopursueitwiththatevenpoiseoftheintellectwhichisdemandedbyscience。Iwantknowledgepureandsimple，——Idonotfancyhavingitmixed。NeitherdoIlikethethoughtofpassingmylifeingoingfromonesceneofsufferingtoanother；Iamnotsaintlyenoughforsuchadailymartyrdom，norcallousenoughtomakeitaneasyoccupation。I

faintedatthefirstoperationIsaw，andIhaveneverwantedtoseeanother。Idon"tsaythatIwouldn"tmarryaphysician，iftherightoneaskedme，buttheyoungdoctorisnotforthcomingatpresent。

Yes，IthinkImightmakeaprettygooddoctor"swife。Icouldteachhimagooddealaboutheadachesandbackachesandallsortsofnervousrevolutions，asthedoctorsaystheFrenchwomencalltheirtantrums。Idon"tknowbutIshouldbewillingtolethimtryhisnewmedicinesonme。Ifhewereahomeopath，IknowIshould；forifabillionthofagrainofsugarwon"tbegintosweetenmyteaorcoffee，Idon"tfeelafraidthatabillionthofagrainofanythingwouldpoisonme，——no，notifitweresnake-venom；andifitwerenotdisgusting，Iwouldswallowahandfulofhislachesisglobules，topleasemyhusband。ButifIeverbecomeadoctor"swife，myhusbandwillnotbeoneofthatkindofpractitioners，youmaybesureofthat，noran"eclectic，"nora"faith-cureman。”Onthewhole，I

don"tthinkIwanttobemarriedatall。Idon"tlikethemaleanimalverywell(exceptsuchnoblespecimensasyourhusband)。Theyarealltyrants，——almostall，——sofarasoursexisconcerned，andI

oftenthinkwecouldgetonbetterwithoutthem。

However，thecreaturesareusefulintheSociety。Theysenduspapers，someofthemwellworthreading。YouhavetoldmesooftenthatyouwouldliketoknowhowtheSocietyisgettingon，andtoreadsomeofthepaperssenttoitiftheyhappenedtobeinteresting，thatIhavelaidasideoneortwomanuscriptsexpresslyforyourperusal。Youwillgetthembyandby。

IamdelightedtoknowthatyoukeepPaolowithyou。ArrowheadVillagemisseshimdreadfully，Icantellyou。ThatisthereasonpeoplebecomesoattachedtotheseservantswithSouthernsunlightintheirnatures？IsupposelifeisnotlongenoughtocooltheirblooddowntoourNorthernstandard。Thentheyaresochild-like，whereasthenativeoftheselatitudesisneveryoungafterheistenortwelveyearsold。Mothersays，——youknowmother"sold-fashionednotions，andhowshrewdandsensiblesheisinspiteofthem，——mothersaysthatwhenshewasagirlfamiliesusedtoimportyoungmenandyoungwomenfromthecountrytowns，whocalledthemselves"helps，"

notservants，——no，thatwasScriptural；"buttheydidn"tknoweverythingdowninJudee，"anditisnotgoodAmericanlanguage。Shesaysthatthesepeoplewouldliveinthesamehouseholduntiltheyweremarried，andthewomenoftenremaininthesameserviceuntiltheydiedorwereoldandwornout，andthen，whatwiththemoneytheyhadsavedandthecareandassistancetheygotfromtheirformeremployers，wouldpassadecentandcomfortableoldage，andbeburiedinthefamilylot。Motherhasmadeuphermindtothechange，butgrandmotherisbitteraboutit。Shesaysthereneverwasacountryyetwherethepopulationwasmadeupof"ladies"and"gentlemen，"andshedoesn"tbelievetherecanbe；northatputtingaspreadeagleonacoppermakesagolddollarofit。Sheisapessimistafterherownfashion。Shethinksallsentimentisdyingoutofourpeople。Noloyaltyforthesovereign，theking-postofthepoliticaledifice，shesays；nodeepattachmentbetweenemployerandemployed；noreverenceofthehumblermembersofahouseholdforitsheads；andtomakesureofcontinuedcorruptionandmisery，whatshecalls"universalsuffrage"emptyingallthesewersintothegreataqueductweallmustdrinkfrom。"Universalsuffrage!"Isupposewewomendon"tbelongtotheuniverse!Waituntilwegetachanceattheballot-box，Itellgrandma，andseeifwedon"twashoutthesewersbeforetheyreachtheaqueduct!ButmypenhasrunawaywithmenI

wasthinkingofPaolo，andwhatapleasantthingitistohaveoneofthosechild-like，warm-hearted，attachable，cheerful，contented，humble，faithful，companionable，butneverpresuminggrownupchildrenoftheSouthwaitingonone，asifeverythinghecoulddoforonewasapleasure，andcarryingalookofcontentinhisfacewhichmakeseveryonewhomeetshimhappierforaglimpseofhisfeatures。

Itdoesseemashamethatthecharmingrelationofmasterandservant，intelligentauthorityandcheerfulobedience，mutualinterestineachother"swelfare，thankfulrecognitionofalltheadvantageswhichbelongtodomesticserviceinthebetterclassoffamilies，shouldbealmostwhollyconfinedtoaliensandtheirimmediatedescendants。WhyshouldHannahthinkherselfsomuchbetterthanBridget？Whentheymeetatthepollstogether，astheywillbeforelong，theywillbegintofeelmoreofanequalitythanisrecognizedatpresent。Thenativefemaleturnshernoseupattheideaof"livingout；"doesshethinkherselfsomuchsuperiortothewomenofothernationalities？Ourwomenwillhavetocometoit，——sograndmothersays，——inanothergenerationortwo，andinahundredyears，accordingtoherprophecy，therewillbeanewsetofold"MissPollys"and"MissBetseys"whohavelivedhalfacenturyinthesamefamilies，respectfulandrespected，cherished，caredforintimeofneed(citizensaswellasservants，holdingaballotaswellasabroom，Itellher)，andbringingbacktousthelowly，underfootvirtuesofcontentmentandhumility，whichwedosoneedtocarpetthebarrenandhungrythoroughfareofourunstratifiedexistence。

There，Ihavegota-going，andamforgettingallthenewsIhavetotellyou。Thereisanengagementyouwillwanttoknowallabout。

Itcametopassthroughourfamousboat-race，whichyouandI

remember，andshallneverforgetaslongaswelive。Itseemsthattheyoungfellowwhopulledthebowoarofthatmen"scollegeboatwhichwehadthepleasureofbeatinggotsomeglimpsesofGeorgina，ourhandsomestrokeoar。Ibelievehetookitintohisheadthatitwasshewhothrewthebouquetthatwontheraceforus。Hewas，asyouknow，greatlymistaken，andoughttohavemadelovetome，onlyhedidn"t。Well，itseemshecamepostingdowntotheInstitutejustbeforethevacationwasover，andtheregotasightofGeorgina。

Iwonderwhethershetoldhimshedidn"tflingthebouquet!Anyhow，theacquaintancebeganinthatway，andnowitseemsthatthisyoungfellow，good-lookingandabrightscholar，butwithagoodmanymonthsmoretopassincollege，ishercaptive。Itwastoobad。

Justthinkofmybouquet"sgoingtoanothergirl"scredit!Nomatter，theoldAtalantastorywaspaidoff，atanyrate。

YouwanttoknowallaboutdearDr。Butts。TheysayhehasjustbeenofferedaProfessorshipinoneofthegreatmedicalcolleges。I

askedhimaboutit，andhedidnotsaythathehadorhadnot。

"But，"saidbe，"supposethatIhadbeenofferedsuchaplace；doyouthinkIoughttoacceptitandleaveArrowheadVillage？Letustalkitover，"saidhe，"justasifIhadhadsuchanoffer。”Itoldhimheoughttostay。ThereareplentyofmenthatcangetintoaProfessor"schair，Isaid，andtalklikeSolomonstoaclassofwonderingpupils:butoncegetareallygooddoctorinaplace，amanwhoknowsallabouteverybody，whethertheyhavethisorthattendency，whetherwhentheyaresicktheyhaveawayofdyingorawayofgettingwell，whatmedicinesagreewiththemandwhatdrugstheycannottake，whethertheyareofthesortthatthinknothingisthematterwiththemuntiltheyaredeadassmokedherring，orofthesortthatsendfortheministeriftheygetastomach-achefromeatingtoomanycucumbers，——whoknowsallaboutallthepeoplewithinhalfadozenmiles(allthesensibleones，thatis，whoemployaregularpractitioner)，——suchamanasthat，Isay，isnottobereplacedlikeamissingpieceoutofaSpringfieldmusketoraWalthamwatch。Don"tgo!saidI。Stayhereandsaveourpreciouslives，ifyoucan，oratleastputusthroughintheproperway，sothatweneedn"tbeashamedofourselvesfordying，ifwemustdie。

Well，Dr。Buttsisnotgoingtoleaveus。Ihopeyouwillhavenounwelcomeoccasionforhisservices，——youareneverill，youknow，——

but，anyhow，heisgoingtobehere，andnomatterwhathappenshewillbeonhand。

Thevillagenewsisnotofaveryexcitingcharacter。Item1。Anewhouseisputupovertheashesoftheoneinwhichyourhusbandlivedwhilehewashere。Itwasplannedbyoneoftheautochthonousinhabitantswiththemostingeniouscombinationofinconveniencesthatthenaturalmancouldeducefromhisoriginalperversityofintellect。Togetatanyoneroomyoumustpassthrougheveryother。

Itisblind，ornearlyso，ontheonlysidewhichhasagoodprospect，andcommandsafineviewofthebarnandpigstythroughnumerouswindows。Item2。Wehaveasmallfire-enginenearthenewhousewhichcanbeworkedbyamanortwo，andwouldbeequaltotheemergencyofputtingoutabunchoffire-crackers。Item3。Wehaveanewladder，inabog，closetothenewfire-engine，soifthenewhousecatchesfire，likeitspredecessor，andthereshouldhappento，beasickmanonanupperfloor，hecanbegotoutwithoutrunningtheriskofgoingupanddownaburningstaircase。Whatablessedthingitwasthattherewasnofire-enginenearbyandnoladderathandonthedayofthegreatrescue!Iftherehadbeen，whatachangeinyourprogrammeoflife!Yourememberthat"cupofteaspiltonMrs。Masham"sapron，"whichweusedtoreadofinoneofEverett"sOrations，andallitswide-reachingconsequencesintheaffairsofEurope。IhuntedupthatcupofteaasdiligentlyaseveraBostonmatronsoughtforthelastleavesinheroldcaddyafterthetea-chestshadbeenflungoverboardatGriffin"swharf，——butnomatteraboutthat，now。Thatisthewaythingscomeaboutinthisworld。Imustwritealectureonluckymishaps，or，moreelegantly，fortunatecalamities。ItwillbejusttheconverseofthatoddessayofSwift"swereadtogether，theawkwardandstupidthingsdonewiththebestintentions。PerhapsIshalldeliverthelectureinyourcity:youwillcomeandhearit，andbringhim，won"tyou，dearest？

Always，yourlovingLURIDA。

MISSLURIDAVINCENTTOMRS。EUTHYMIAKIRKWOOD。

Itseemsforeversinceyouleftus，dearestEuthymia!Andareyou，andisyourhusband，andPaolo，——goodPaolo，——areyouallaswellandhappyasyouhavebeenandasyououghttobe？Isupposeoursmallvillageseemsaveryquietsortofplacetopassthewinterin，nowthatyouhavebecomeaccustomedtothenoiseandgayetyofagreatcity。Forallthat，itisaprettybusyplacethiswinter，Icantellyou。Wehavesleighingparties，——Inevergotothem，myself，becauseIcan"tkeepwarm，andmymindfreezesupwhenmybloodcoolsdownbelow95or96deg。Fahrenheit。IhadagreatdealrathersitbyagoodfireandreadaboutArcticdiscoveries。ButIlikeverywelltohearthebells"jinglingandtoseetheyoungpeopletryingtohaveagoodtimeashardastheydoatapicnic。Itmaybethattheydo，buttomeapicnicispurgatoryandasleigh-ridethatotherplace，where，asmyfavoriteMiltonsays，"frostperformstheeffectoffire。”IbelieveIhavequotedhimcorrectly；Ioughtto，forI

couldrepeathalfhispoemsfrommemoryonce，ifIcannotnow。

Youmusthaveplentyofexcitementinyourcitylife。Isupposeyourecognizedyourselfinoneofthesocietycolumnsofthe"HouseholdInquisitor:""Mrs。E。K。，verybeautiful，inanelegant，"etc。，etc，"withpearls，"etc。，etc。，——asifyouwerenottheornamentofallthatyouwear，nomatterwhatitis!

Iamsogladthatyouhavemarriedascholar!WhyshouldnotMaurice——youbothtellmetocallhimso——takethediplomaticofficewhichhasbeenofferedhim？Itseemstomethathewouldfindhimselfinexactlytherightplace。Hecantalkintwoorthreelanguages，hasgoodmanners，andawifewho——well，whatshallIsayofMrs。Kirkwoodbutthat"shewouldbegoodcompanyforaqueen，"asouroldfriendthequondamlandladyoftheAnchorTavernusedtosay？

IshouldsoliketoseeyoupresentedatCourt!ItseemstomethatIshouldbewillingtoholdyourtrainforthesakeofseeingyouinyourcourtfeathersandthings。

Asformyself，IhavebeenthinkingoflatethatIwouldbecomeeitheraprofessionallecturerorheadmistressofagreatschoolorcollegeforgirls。Ihavetriedthefirstbusinessalittle。LastmonthIdeliveredalectureonQuaternions。Igotthreeformyaudience；twocameoverfromtheInstitute，andonefromthatmen"scollegewhichtheytrytomakeouttobeauniversity，andwherenofemaleisadmittedunlessshebelongsamongthequadrupeds。I

enjoyedlecturing，butthesubjectisadifficultone，andIdon"tthinkanyoneofthemhadanyveryclearnotionofwhatIwastalkingabout，exceptRhodora，——andIknowshedidn"t。Totellthetruth，I

waslecturingtoinstructmyself。Imeantotrysomethingeasiernexttime。IhavethoughtoftheBasquelanguageandliterature。

Whatdoyousaytothat？

TheSocietygoesonfamously。Wehavehadapaperpresentedandreadlatelywhichhasgreatlyamusedsomeofusandprovokedafewoftheweakersort。ThewriteristhatcrabbedoldProfessorofBelles-

Lettresatthatmen"scollegeoverthere。Heisdreadfullyhardonthepoor"poets，"astheycallthemselves。Itseemsthatagreatmanyyoungpersons，andmoreespeciallyagreatmanyyounggirls，ofwhomtheInstitutehasfurnishedaconsiderableproportion，havetakentosendinghimtheirrhymedproductionstobecriticised，——

expectingtobepraised，nodoubt，everyoneofthem。Imustgiveyouoneofthesauciestextractsfromhispaperinhisownwords:

"Ittakeshalfmytimetoreadthe"poems"sentmebyyoungpeopleofbothsexes。TheywouldbemoreshyofdoingitiftheyknewthatI

recognizeatendencytorhymingasacommonformofmentalweakness，andthepublicationofathinvolumeofverseasprimafacieevidenceofambitiousmediocrity，ifnotinferiority。Ofcoursethereareexceptionstothisruleofjudgment，butImaintainthatthepresumptionisalwaysagainsttherhymesterascomparedwiththelesspretentiouspersonsabouthimorher，busywithsomeusefulcalling，——toobusytobetaggingrhymedcommonplacestogether。Justnowthereseemstobeanepidemicofrhymingasbadasthedancingmania，orthesweatingsickness。Afterreadingacertainamountofmanuscriptverseoneisdisposedtoanathematizetheinventorofhomophonoussyllabification。[Thisphrasemadeagreatlaughwhenitwasread。]This，thatisrhyming，musthavebeenfoundoutveryearly，"Whereareyou，Adam？"

"HereamI，Madam；"

butitcanneverhavebeenhabituallypractiseduntilaftertheFall。

TheintrusionoftintinnabulatingterminationsintotheconversationalintercourseofmenandangelswouldhavespoiledParadiseitself。MiltonwouldnothavethemeveninParadiseLost，youremember。Formyownpart，Iwishcertainrhymescouldbedeclaredcontrabandofwrittenorprintedlanguage。Nothingshouldbeallowedtobehurledattheworldorwhirledwithit，orfurleduponitorcurledoverit；alleyesshouldbekeptawayfromtheskies，inspiteofoshominisublimededit；youthshouldbecoupledwithallthevirtuesexcepttruth；earthshouldneverberemindedofherbirth；deathshouldneverbeallowedtostopamortal"sbreath，northebelltosoundhisknell，norflowersfromblossomingbowerstowaveoverhisgraveorshowtheirbloomuponhistomb。Wehaverhymingdictionaries，——letushaveonefromwhichallrhymesarerigorouslyexcluded。Thesightofapoorcreaturegrubbingforrhymestofilluphissonnet，ortocramoneofthosevoracious，rhyme-swallowingrigmaroleswhichsomeofourdrudgingpoeticaloperativeshavebeenexhaustingthemselvesoflatetosatiatewithjingles，makesmyheadacheandmystomachrebel。

Work，workofsomekind，isthebusinessofmenandwomen，notthemakingofjingles!

No，——no，——no!Iwanttoseetheyoungpeopleinourschoolsandacademiesandcolleges，andthegraduatesoftheseinstitutions，liftedupoutofthelittleDismalSwampofself-contemplatingandself-indulgingandself-commiseratingemotionalismwhichissurfeitingthelandwiththoseliterarysandwiches，——thinslicesoftinklingsentimentalitybetweentwocoverslookinglikehard-bakedgiltgingerbread。Butwhatfacestheseyoungfolksmakeupatmygoodadvice!Theygettipsyontheirrhymes。Nothingintoxicatesonelikehis——orher——ownverses，andtheyholdontotheirmetre-

ballad-mongeringasthefellowsthatinhalenitrousoxideholdontothegas-bag。”