第5章

Wewerequitenearourhotel，butIthoughtitbesttowalkroundthesquareandletthemarrivefirst。OnthewayIamusedmyselfthinkinghowdifferentthegirlhadshownherselftohimfromwhatshehadevershownherselftomywifeorme。Shehadreally，thisplain-mindedgoddess，aveinofpoeticfeeling，someinnerbeautyofsoulansweringtotheouterbeautyofbody。Shehadaromanticattachmenttoherfather，andthisshedasortoflightonbothofthem，thoughIknewthatitwasnotalwaysarevelationofcharacter。

CHAPTERXIII

WhenIreachedthehotelIfoundMissGageatthedoor，andKendrickscomingoutoftheofficetowardher。

"Oh，hereheis!"shecalledtohimatsightofme。

"Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen？"hedemanded。"Ihadjustfoundoutfromtheclerkthatyouhadn"tcomeinyet，andIwasgoingbackforyouwithasearchlight。"

"Oh，Iwasn"tsobadlylostasallthat，"Ireturned。"Imissedyouinthecrowdatthedoor，butIknewyou"dgethomesomehow，andsoIcameonwithoutyou。Butmyagedstepsarenotsoquickasyours。"

Thewords，mechanicallyuttered，suggestedsomething，andIthoughtthatiftheywereinforweirdnessIwouldgivethemasmuchweirdnessastheycouldaskfor。"Whenyougetalongtowardfiftyyou"llfindthatthefootyou"vestillgotoutofthegravedoesn"tworksolivelyasitused。Besides，Iwasinterestedinthenighteffect。It"ssogloriouslydark；andIhadafinesenseofisolationasIcamealong，asifIwerealtogetheroutofmyepochandmyenvironment。IfeltasiftheearthwasasortofFlyingDutchman，andIwastheonlypassenger。ItwasabouttheweirdestsensationIeverhad。Itremindedme，Idon"tknowhow，exactlyofthefeelingIhadwhenIwasyoung，andIsawthesunsetoneeveningthroughthewoodsafterasleet-storm。"

TheystaredateachotherasIwenton，andIcouldseeKendricks"sfineeyeskindlewithanimaginativeappreciationoftheliteraryqualityofthecoincidence。ButwhenIadded，"DidyoueverreadapoemabouttheendoftheworldbythatCityofDreadfulNightman？"

MissGageimpulsivelycaughtmebythecoatlapelandshookme。

"Ah，itwasyouallthetime!Iknewtherewassomebodyfollowingus，andImighthaveKNOWNwhoitwas!"

Weallgavewayinagaleoflaughter，andsatdownontheverandahandhadourjokeoutinfullrecognitionofthefact。WhenKendricksrosetogoatlast，Isaid，"Wewon"tsayanythingaboutthislittleincidenttoMrs。March，hey？"Andthentheylaughedagainasifitwerethefinestwitintheworld，andMissGagebademeajoyfulgood-nightattheheadofthestairsasshewentofftoherroomandItomine。

IfoundMrs。Marchwaitingupwithabook；andassoonasIshutmyselfinwithhershesaid，awfully，"WhatWEREyoulaughingsoabout？"

"Laughing？Didyouhearmelaughing？"

"Thewholehouseheardyou，I"mafraid。Youcertainlyoughttohaveknownbetter，Basil。Itwasveryinconsiderateofyou。"AndasI

sawshewasgoingonwithmoreofthatsortofthing，todivertherthoughtsfrommycrimeItoldherthewholestory。IthadquitetheeffectIintendeduptoacertainpoint。Sheevensmiledalittle，asmuchasawomancouldbeexpectedtosmilewhowasnotoriginallyinthejoke。

"Andtheyhadgottocomparingweirdexperiences？"sheasked。

"Yes；thestalenessofthethingalmostmademesick。Doyourememberwhenwefirstcomparedourweirdexperiences？ButI

supposetheywillgoondoingittotheendoftime，anditwillhaveasgreatacharmforthelastmanandwomanasithadforAdamandEvewhentheycomparedTHEIRweirdexperiences。"

"Andwasthatwhatyouwerelaughingat？"

"WewerelaughingatthewonderfulcaseoftelepathyIputuponthem。"

Mrs。Marchfacedheropenbookdownonthetablebeforeher，andlookedatmewithprofoundsolemnity。"Well，then，Icantellyou，mydear，itisnolaughingmatter。Iftheyhavegottotheweirditisveryserious；andhertalkingtohimaboutherfamily，andhiswantingtoknowaboutherfather，that"sserioustoo——farmoreseriousthaneitherofthemcanunderstand。Idon"tlikeit，Basil；

wehavegotaterribleaffaironourhands。"

"Terrible？"

"Yes，terrible。Aslongashewasinterestedinhersimplyfromaliterarypointofview，thoughIdidn"tlikethateither，Icouldputupwithit；butnowthathe"sgottotellingherabouthimself，andexchangingweirdexperienceswithher，it"sanotherthingaltogether。Oh，IneverwantedKendricksbroughtintotheaffairatall。"

"Comenow，Isabel!Sticktothefacts，please。"

"Nomatter!Itwasyouthatdiscoveredthegirl，andthensomethinghadtobedone。IwasperfectlyshockedwhenyoutoldmethatMr。

Kendrickswasintown，becauseIsawatoncethathewouldhavetobegotinforit；andnowwehavetothinkwhatweshalldo。"

"Couldn"twethinkbetterinthemorning？"

"No；wemustthinkatonce。Ishallnotsleepto-nightanyhow。Mypeaceisgone。Ishallhavetowatchthemeveryinstant。"

"Beginningatthisinstant。Whynotwaittillyoucanseethem？"

"Oh，youcan"tjokeitaway，mydear。IfIfindtheyarereallyinterestedineachotherIshallhavetospeak。Iamresponsible。"

"Theyounglady，"Isaid，moretogaintimethananythingelse，"seemsquitecapableoftakingcareofherself。"

"Thatmakesitalltheworse。DoyouthinkIcareforheronly？

It"sKendrickstoothatIcarefor。Idon"tknowthatIcareforheratall。"

"Oh，thenIthinkwemayfairlyleaveKendrickstohisowndevices；

andI"mnotalarmedforMissGageeither，thoughIdocareforheragreatdeal。"

"Idon"tunderstandhowyoucanbesoheartlessaboutit，Basil，"

saidMrs。March，plaintively。"Sheisayounggirl，andshehasneverseenanythingoftheworld，andofcourseifhekeepsonpayingherattentioninthiswayshecan"thelpthinkingthatheisinterestedinher。Mennevercanseesuchthingsaswomendo。Theythinkthat，untilamanhasactuallyaskedagirltomarryhim，hehasn"tdoneanythingtowarrantherinsupposingthatheisinlovewithher，orthatshehasanyrighttobeinlovewithhim。"

"Thatistrue；wecan"timaginethatshewouldbesoindelicate。"

"Iseethatyou"redeterminedtotease，mydear，"saidMrs。March，andshetookupherbookwithanairofoffenceanddismissal。"Ifyouwon"ttalkseriously，Ihopeyouwillthinkseriously，andtrytorealisewhatwe"vegotinfor。Suchagirlcouldn"timaginethatwehadsimplygotMrKendrickstogoaboutwithherfromaromanticwishtomakeherhaveagoodtime，andthathewasdoingittoobligeus，andwasn"tatallinterestedinher。"

"Itdoeslookalittlepreposterous，eventotheoutsider，"I

admitted。

"Iamgladyouarebeginningtoseeitinthatlight，mydear，andifyoucanthinkofanythingtodobymorningIshallbehumblythankful。_I_don"texpectto。"

"PerhapsIshalldreamofsomething，"IsaidmorelightlythanI

felt。"Howwoulditdoforyoutohavealittletalkwithher——alittlemotherlytalk——andhintround，andwarnhernottoletherfeelingsrunawaywithherinKendricks"sdirection？"Mrs。Marchfacedherbookdowninherlap，andlistenedasiftheremightbesomereasoninthenonsenseIwastalking。"Youmightsaythathewasasocietyman，andwasingreatrequest，andthenintimatethattherewasapriorattachment，orthathewasthekindofmanwhowouldnevermarry，butwasreallycold-heartedwithallhissweetness，andmerelyhadapassionforstudyingcharacter。"

"Doyouthinkthatwoulddo，Basil？"sheasked。

"Well，Ithoughtperhapsyoumightthinkso。"

"I"mafraiditwouldn"t，"shesighed。

"Allthatwecandonowistowatchthem，andactpromptly，ifweseethattheyarereallyinlove，eitherofthem。"

"Idon"tbelieve，"Isaid，"thatIshouldknowthattheywereinloveevenifIsawit。Ihaveforgottentheoutwardsigns，ifI

everknewthem。Shouldhegiveherflowers？He"sdoneitfromthestart；he"sbroughtherboxesofHuylercandy，andlentherbooks；

butIdaresayhe"sbeenmerelycomplyingwithourwishesindoingit。Idoubtifloverssighnowadays。Ididn"tsighmyself，eveninmytime；andIdon"tbelieveanypassioncouldmakeKendricksneglecthisdress。Hekeepshiseyesonherallthetime，butthatmaybemerelyanefforttodivinehercharacter。Idon"tbelieveI

shouldknow，indeedIdon"t。"

"Ishall，"saidMrs。March。

CHAPTERXIV

Weweretogothenextdaytotheraces，andIwokewithmoreanxietyabouttheweatherthanaboutthelovers，orpotentiallovers。Butafterrealisingthatthedaywasbeautiful，onthatlargescaleoflovelinesswhichseemscharacteristicofthesummerdaysatSaratoga，wheretheyhavethemalmostthesizeofthesummerdaysIknewwhenIwasaboy，Iwassensibleofasecondaryworryinmymind，whichpresentlyrelateditselftoKendricksandMissGage。

Itwasahazeoftroublemerely，however，suchasburnsoff，likeamorningfog，whenthesungetshigher，anditwaschieflyonmywife"saccount。

IsupposethatthegreatdifferencebetweenherconscienceandoneoriginatingoutsideofNewEngland(ifanyconsciencecanoriginateoutsideofNewEngland)isthatitcannotleavethemoralgovernmentoftheuniverseinthehandsofdivineProvidence。IwaswillingtoleavesomanythingswhichIcouldnotcontroltotheDeity，whoprobablycouldthatsheaccusedmeoffatalism，andIwasheldtobelittlebetterthanoneofthewickedbecauseIwouldnotforecasttheeffectsofwhatIdidinthelivesofothers。Iinsistedthatotherswerealsoprobablyinthehandsofthesommasapienzaeilprimoamore，andthatIwassolittleawareoftheinfluenceofotherlivesuponmyown，evenwheretherehadbeenadirectandstrenuousefforttoaffectme，thatIcouldnotreadilybelieveothershadswervedfromthelineoftheirdestinybecauseofme。

EspeciallyIprotestedthatIcouldnotholdmyselfguiltyofmisfortunesIhadnotintended，eventhoughmyfaultyconducthadcausedthem。AstothisbusinessofKendricksandMissGage，I

deniedinthedisputeInowbegantacitlytoholdwithMrs。March"sconsciencethatmyconducthadbeenfaulty。Isaidthattherewasnoearthlyharminmyhavingbeeninterestedbythegirl"sforlornnesswhenIfirstsawher；thatIdidnotdowrongtointerestMrs。Marchinher；thatshedidnotsiningoingshoppingwithMissGageandMrs。Deering；thatwehadnotsinned，eitherofus，inrejoicingthatKendrickshadcometoSaratoga，orinlettingMrs。DeeringgohometohersickhusbandandleaveMissGageonourhands；thatwewerenotwickedinpermittingtheyoungfellowtohelpusmakeherhaveagoodtime。InthiscolloquyIdidallthereasoning，andMrs。March"sconsciencewascompletelysilenced；butitrosetriumphantinmymiserablesoulwhenImetMissGageatbreakfast，lookingradiantlyhappy，anddisposedtofellowshipmeinanunusualconfidencebecause，asIclearlyperceived，ofourlastnight"sadventure。Isaidtomyselfbitterlythathappinessdidnotbecomeherstyle，andIhopedthatshewouldgetawaywithherconfoundedrapturebeforeMrs。Marchcamedown。IresolvednottotellMrs。Marchifitfelloutso，butatthesametime，asasortofatonement，IdecidedtobeginkeepingthesharpestkindofwatchuponMissGagefortheoutwardsignsandtokensoflove。

Shesaid，"Whenyoubegantotalkthatwaylastnight，Mr。March，italmosttookmybreath，andifyouhadn"tgonesofar，andmentionedaboutthesunsetthroughthesleetytrees，Inevershouldhavesuspectedyou。"

"Ah，that"sthetroublewithmen，MissGage。"AndwhenIsaid"men"

Ifanciedsheflushedalittle。"Weneverknowwhentostop；wealwaysoverdoit；ifitwerenotforthatweshouldbeasperfectaswomen。Perhapsyou"llgivemeanotherchance，though。"

"No；weshallbeonourguardafterthis。"Shecorrectedherselfandsaid，"Ishallalwaysbelookingoutforyounow，"andshecertainlyshowedherselfconsciousinthebridlingglancethatmetmykeengaze。

"Goodheavens!"Ithought。"Hasitreallygonesofar？"andmorethaneverIresolvednottotellMrs。March。

Iwentouttoengageacarriagetotakeustotheraces，andtoagreewiththedriverthatheshouldwaitforusatacertaincornersomeblocksdistantfromourhotel，whereweweretowalkandfindhim。Wealwaysdidthis，becausetherewereanumberofclergymeninourhouse，andMrs。Marchcouldnotmakeitseemrighttostartfortheracesdirectfromthedoor，thoughsheheldthatitwasperfectlyrightforustogo。Forthesamereasonshemadethedriverstopshortofourdestinationonourreturn，andwalkedhometherestoftheway。AlmostthefirsttimewepractisedthisdeceptionIwasmetatthedoorbythesweetestanddearestoftheseolddivines，whosaid，"Haveyoueverseentheraceshere？I"mtoldthespectacleissomethingveryfine，"andIwasobligedtoownthatIhadoncehadaglimpseofthem。ButitwasinvainthatIpleadedthisfactwithMrs。March；sheinsistedthattheappearanceofnotgoingtotheraceswassomethingthatweowedthecloth，andnoconnivanceontheirpartcoulddispenseusfromit。

AsInowwentlookingupanddownthestreetforthedriverwhowasusuallyonthewatchformeabouteleveno"clockonafairdayoftheraces，Iturnedoverinmymindtheseveralaccidentswhichareemployedinnovelstobringyoungpeopletoarealisingsenseoftheirfeelingstowardeachother，andwonderedwhichofthemImightmostsafelyinvoke。IwasnotanxioustohaveKendricksandMissGagelovers；itwouldbealtogethersimplerforusiftheywerenot；

butiftheywere，thesoonertheyknewitandweknewitthebetter。

Ithoughtofacarriageaccident，inwhichheshouldseizeherandleapwithherfromtheflyingvehicle，whilethehorsesplungedmadlyon，butIdidnotknowwhatinthiscasewouldbecomeofMrs。

Marchandme。Besides，Icouldthinkofnothingthatwouldfrightenourdriver"shorses，andIdismissedthefleetingnotionofgettinganyothersbecauseMrs。Marchlikedtheirbeingsosafe，andshehad，besides，interestedherselfparticularlyinthedriver，whohadafamilyandcounteduponourcustom。Thepoorfellowcameinsightpresently，andsmilinglymadetheusualarrangementwithme，andanhourlaterhedeliveredusallsoundinwindandlimbattheracecourse。

Iwatchedinvainforsignsofuncommontendernessinthetwoyoungpeople。Ifanythingtheywereratherstiffanddistantwitheachother，andIaskedmyselfwhetherthismightnotbefromanaccessofconsciousness。KendrickswasparticularlydevotedtoMrs。March，who，intheairydetachmentwithwhichsherespondedtohisattentions，gavemetheimpressionthatshehadabsolutelydismissedhersuspicionsofthenightbefore，orelsehadheartlesslyabandonedtheaffairtomealtogether。Ifshehadreallydonethis，thenIsawnowayoutofitformebutbyanaccidentwhichshouldrevealthemtoeachother。PerhapssomeonemightinsultMissGage——

someruffian——andKendricksmightstrikethefellow；butthisseemedtoosqualid。Theremightbeaterriblejam，andheinterposehispersonbetweenherandthedangerofherbeingcrushedtodeath；

orthefloorofthegrandstandmightgiveway，andeverybodybeprecipitatedintothespacebeneath，andhefighthisway，withhersenselessformonhisarm，overthebodiesofthemangledanddying。

Anyofthesethingswouldhaveavailedinanovel，andsomethingofthekindwouldhavehappened，too。But，totellthetruth，nothingwhateverhappened，andifithadnotbeenforthatanxietyonmymindIshouldhavethoughtitmuchpleasanterso。

EvenasitwasIfeltameasureofthehilaritywhichcommonlyfillsmeatarunningrace，andIbegantoloseinthecharmofthegayscenethesenseofmyresponsibility，andlittlebylittletoabatethevigilanceapparentlyleftalltome。Thedaywasbeautiful；thelongheathadburneditselfout，andtherewasaclearsparkleinthesunshine，whichseemedblownacrossthewidespacewithintheloopofthetrackbythedelicatebreeze。Avague，remotesmellofhorseshauntedtheair，withnowandthenabreathofthepinesfromthegroveshuttingtherace-groundfromthehighway。Wegotexcellentplaces，asonealwaysmay，thegrandstandissovast，andtheyoungpeopledisposedthemselvesonthebenchinfrontofus，butsonearthatwewerenottemptedtotalkthemover。Thenewsboyscameroundwithpapers，andtheboyswhosoldprogrammesoftheraces；fromthebarbelowthereappearedfromtimetotimeshiningnegroesinwhitelinenjackets，withtraysbearingtallglassesoflemonade，andstrawstiltedintheglasses。Bookmakersfromthepool-roomstookthebetsoftheladies，whoformedbyfarthegreaterpartofthespectatorsonthegrandstand，andcontributed，withtheirsummerhatsandgowns，tothegaietyoftheensemble。Theywereofalltypes，cityandcountryboth，andoftheSoutherndarkaswellastheNorthernfaircomplexion，withsothickasprinklingofSouthAmericansthattheSpanishgutturalsmadethemselvesalmostasmuchheardastheYankeenasals。Amongthemmovedtwonunsofsomemendicantorder，receivingcharityfromthefairgamblers，whogaveforluckwithoutdistinctionofraceorreligion。

IleanedforwardandcalledKendricks"sattentiontothenuns，andtotheadmirableliteraryqualityofthewholesituation。HewastalkingtoMissGage，andhesaidasimpatientlyasheeversufferedhimselftospeak，"Yes，yes；tremendouslypicturesque。"

"Yououghttogetsomethingoutofit，mydearfellow。Don"tyoufeelcopyinit？"

"Oh，splendid，ofcourse；butit"syourground，Mr。March。I

shouldn"tfeelitrighttodoanythingwithSaratogaafteryouhaddiscoveredit，"andheturnedeagerlyagaintoMissGage。

Mywifeputherhandonmysleeveandfrowned，andIhadsofarlostmyselfinmyappreciationofthescenethatIwasgoingtoaskherwhatthematterwas，whenageneralsensationaboutmemademelookatthetrack，wherethehorsesforthefirstracehadalreadyappeared，withtheirjockeysinvividsilkjacketsofvariousdyes。

Theybegantoformforthestartwiththeusualtricksandfeints，tillIbecameveryindignantwiththem，thoughIhadnobetspending，anddidnotcareintheleastwhichhorsewon。WhatI

wantedwastoseetherace，theflight，andallthismiserablemanoeuvringwasretardingit。Nowandthenajockeyrodehishorsefaroffonthetrackandcamebackbetweenthefalsestarts；nowandthenonekeptstubbornlybehindtherestandwouldnotstartwiththem。HowtheirseveralschemesandambitionswerefinallyreconciledInevercouldtell，butatlastthestarter"sflagsweptdownandtheywerereallyoff。Everybodycouldhaveseenperfectlywellastheysat，buteverybodyroseandwatchedtheswiftswoopofthehorses，bunchedtogetherinthedistance，andscarcelydistinguishablebythecoloursoftheirriders。Thesuprememomentcameformewhentheywereexactlyoppositethegrandstand，fullhalfamileaway——themomentthatIrememberedfromyeartoyearasoneofexquisiteillusion——forthenthehorsesseemedtoliftfromtheearthaswithwings，andtoskimoverthetracklikeacoveyoflow-flyingbirds。Thefinishwastametothis。Mrs。MarchandI

hadourwonteddifferenceofopinionastowhichhorsehadwon，andwewereratheruncommonlycontroversialbecausewehadbothdecideduponthesamehorse，aswefound，onlyshewastalkingofthejockey"scolours，andIwastalkingofthehorse"s。WeappealedtoKendricks，whosaidthatanotherhorsealtogetherhadwontherace，andthiscompromisepacifiedus。

Wewereallonfoot，andhesuggested，"Wecouldseebetter，couldn"twe，ifwewentfartherdowninfront？"AndMrs。Marchanswered-

"No，weprefertostayhere；butyoutwocango。"Andwhentheyhadpromptlyavailedthemselvesofherleave，shesaidtome，"Thisiskillingmedead，Basil，andifitkeepsupmuchlongerIdon"tbelieveIcanlivethroughit。Idon"tcarenow，andIbelieveI

shallthrowthemtogetherallIcanfromthisout。Thequickertheydecidewhetherthey"reinloveornotthebetter。_I_havesomerightstoo。"

Herwhirlingwordsexpressedthefeelinginmyownmind。Ihadthesamesenseofbeingtrifledwithbytheseyoungpeople，whowouldnotbehavesoconclusivelytowardeachotherastojustifyourinterferenceonthegroundthattheywereinlove，noryettreateachothersoindifferentlyastorelieveusofthestrainofapprehension。Ihadlostallfaithinaccidentbythistime，andI

wasquitewillingtoleavethemtotheirowndevices；IwassodesperatethatIsaidIhopedtheywouldgetlostfromus，astheyhadfrommethenightbefore，andnevercomeback，butjustkeeponwanderingroundforever。AllsortsofvengefulthoughtswentthroughmymindasIsawthemleaningtowardeachothertosaysomething，andthendrawingaparttolaughinwhatseemedanindefinitecomraderyinsteadofanirrepressiblepassion。Didtheythinkweweregoingtoletthissortofthinggoon？Whatdidtheysupposeournervesweremadeof？Hadtheynomercy，noconsideration？Itwasquiteliketheselfishnessofyouthtowishtocontinueinthatfool"sparadise，buttheywouldfindoutthatmiddleagehaditsrightstoo。Ifeltcapableofaskingthembluntlywhattheymeantbyit。Butwhentheydocilelyrejoinedusattheendoftheraces，hurryingupwithsomejokeaboutnotlettingmegetlostthistime，andMissGageputherselfatmywife"ssideandKendricksdroppedintostepwithme，allIhadbeenthinkingseemedabsurd。Theywerejusttwoyoungpeoplewhowereenjoyingaholiday-timetogether，andwewereinnowiseculpableconcerningthem。

IsuggestedthistoMrs。Marchwhenwegothome，and，intheneedofsomerelieffromthetensionshehadbeenin，shewasfaintoacceptthetheoryprovisionally，thoughIknewthatherlaterrejectionofitwouldbeallthemoreviolentforthisrespite。

CHAPTERXV

TherewastobeahopattheGrandUnionthatnight，andIhadgotticketsforitinvirtueofmyrelationtoEveryOtherWeek。Imustsaytheclerkwhogavethemmewasverycivilaboutit；hesaidtheywerereallyonlyforthehotelguests，buthewasgladtogivethemtooutsiderswhoappliedwithpropercredentials；andheevenofferedmemoreticketsthanIaskedfor。

MissGagewasgettingadressforthehop，anditwastobefinishedthatday。Ithinkwomenreallylikethescareofthinkingtheirdresseswillnotbedoneforagivenoccasion，andsoarrangetohavethematthelastmoment。Mrs。Marchwentwiththegirlearlyintheafternoontohaveittriedonforthelasttime，andtheycamehomereportingthatitwasapoem。Mywifeconfidedtomethatitwasnothalfdone——merelybegun，infact——andwouldneverbefinishedintimeintheworld。ShealsoassuredMissGagethatsheneednotbetheleastuneasy；thattherewasnotanhour"sworkonthedress；andthatthedress-maker"sreputationwasatstake，andshewouldnotdaretofailher。Iknewshewasperfectlysincereinboththesedeclarations，whichwere，indeed，merelytheexpressionoftwomentalattitudes，andhadnorelationtothefacts。

Sheaddedtomethatshewascompletelywornoutwithanxietyandworry，andImustnotthinkofhergoingtothehop。Iwouldhavetodothechaperoningforher，andshedidhopethatIwouldnotforgetwhatIwassentfor，orgettalkingwithsomebody，andleaveMissGagealtogethertoKendricks。Shesaidthatquitelikelytheremightbefriendsoracquaintancesofhisatthehop——suchalargeaffair——whomhewouldwanttoshowsomeattention，andImusttakechargeofMissGagemyself，andtrytofindherotherpartners。ShedrilledmeinthedutiesofmypositionuntilIbelievedthatIwasletter-perfect，andthenshesaidthatshesupposedIwouldcommitsometerribleblunderthatwouldruineverything。

Ithoughtthatthiswasverylikely，too，butIwouldnotadmitit。

Thedresscamehomeatnineo"clock，andoperatedahappydiversionfrommyimaginableshortcomings；foritappearedfromMrs。March"sasidestomethatitwasaperfecthorrorintheset，andthateverybodycouldseethatithadbeensimplySLUNGtogetheratthelastmoment，andshewouldnever，aslongastheworldstood，gotothatwomanforanythingagain。

ImustsayIcouldnotmyselfseeanythingwrongaboutthedress。I

thoughtitexquisiteintintandtexture；adelicate，pale-greenishfilmthatclungandfloated，andsetoffthegirl"sbeautyastheleafageofaflowerheightensthelovelinessofaflower。IdidnotdaretosaythisinthefaceofMrs。March"sprivatedespair，andI

wassilentwhilethegirlsubmittedtobetwirledaboutformyinspectionlikeastatueonarevolvingpedestal。Kendricks，however，hadnosuchrestrictionsuponhim，andIcouldseehimstartwithdelightinthesplendidvisionbeforehespoke。

"ISN"Titapoem？"demandedMrs。March。"Isn"titaperfectLYRIC？"

"Whyshouldyouhaveallowedhertobetransportedaltogetherintotheideal？Wasn"tshefarenoughfromusbefore？"heasked；andI

foundmyselfwishingthathewouldbeeitherlessormorearticulate。Heoughttohavebeenmutewithpassion，orelseheoughttohavebeenfranklyvolubleaboutthegirl"sgown，andgoneonaboutitlonger。Buthesimplyleftthematterthere，andthoughIkepthimcarefullyundermyeye，Icouldnotseethathewasconcealinganyfurtheremotion。She，onherpart，neitherblushednorfrownedathiscompliment；shedidnothingbylookorgesturetoprovokemorepraise；shetookitverymuchasthebeautifuleveningmight，soundeniablyfine，soperfectinitsway。

Sheandtheeveningwereequallyfittedfortheeventtowhichtheyseemedequallydedicated。Thedancingwastobeoutofdoorsonavastplanking，orplatform，setupintheheartofthatboskycourtwhichthehotelincloses。Aroundthisplatformdroopedtheslim，tallSaratogantrees，andoverithungtheSaratogansky，ofanocturnalblueveryrareinourlatitude，withthestarsfaintinitsdepths，andbyandbyawhitemoonthatpermitteditselfamodestcompetitionwiththeelectriclightseffulgenteverywhere。

Therewasagreatcrowdofpeopleintheportico，thevestibule，andtheinnerpiazzas，andonthelawnaroundtheplatform，where"thetroddenweed"sentupthesweetscentofbruisedgrassinthecoolnightair。Myfoolisholdheartboundedwithapulseofyouthatthethoughtofallthegayandtenderpossibilitiesofsuchascene。

Buttheyoungpeopleundermycareseemedinnohastetomingleinit。Weoldstersarealwaysfancyingyouthimpatient，butthereisnotimeoflifewhichhassomuchpatience。Itbehavesasifithadeternitybeforeit——aneternityofyouth——insteadofafewdaysandyears，andthenthefrostypoll。Wewhoareyoungnolongerthinkwewoulddosoandsoifwewereyoung，aswomenthinktheywoulddosoandsoiftheyweremen；butifwewerereallyyoungagain，weshouldnotdoatallwhatwethink。Weshouldnothurrytoexperienceouremotions；weshouldnotpressforwardtodischargeourdutiesorrepairourmistakes；weshouldnotseizetheoccasiontomakeafriendorreconcileanenemy；weshouldletweeksandmonthsgobyintherealisationofapassion，andtrustallsortsofcontingenciesandaccidentstohelpusoutwithitsconfession。Thethoughtsofyouthareverylong，anditsconclusionsaredeliberateanddelayed，andoftenwithheldaltogether。Itisagewhichistremulouslyeagerinthesematters，andcannotwaitwiththefinepatienceofnatureinhergrowingmoods。

Assoon，even，asIwasinthehotelIwasimpatienttopressthroughtotheplacewherethedancingwas，andwhereIalreadyheardthebandplaying。IknewverywellthatwhenwegotthereI

shouldhavetositdownsomewhereontheedgeoftheplatformwiththeotherfrumpsandfogies，andbegintakingcoldinmydress-coat，andwanttodozeoffwithoutbeingableto，whilemyyoungpeoplewerewaltzingtogether，orelsepromenadingupanddownignoringme，orrecognisingmebytheofferofafan，andthequestionwhetherI

wasnotsimplymelting；Ihaveseenhowthepoorchaperonfaresatsuchtimes。Butthey，secureoftheirfun，werebynomeansdesiroustohaveitover，oreventohaveitbegin。Theydawdledthroughthethrongedhoteloffice，whereotherirresponsiblepairswerecomingandgoingundertheadmiringeyesofthehotelloungers，andtheywanderedupanddownthewasteparlours，andsatontete-a-

tetesjusttotrythem，apparently；andMissGageverifiedinthemirrorsthebeautywhichwasreflectedinalleyes。Theyamusedthemselveswiththeextentoftherichly-carpetedandupholstereddesolationaroundthem，whereonlyafewlonelyandagingwomenlurkedaboutonsofasandottomans；andtheyfelltoplayingwiththeircompassionfortheplebeianspectatorsatthelongverandahwindowstryingtopenetratewiththeirforbiddeneyestothehopgoingoninthecourtfarbeyondtheintermediarydesertoftheparlours。

Whentheysignifiedatlastthattheywerereadyformetoleadthemontothedance，Iwouldsomuchratherhavegonetobedthattherearenowordsforthecomparison。Then，whenwegottotheplace，whichIshouldneverhavebeenabletoreachintheworldifithadnotbeenfortheyoungenergyandinspirationofKendricks，andtheyhadputmeinacertainseatwithMissGage"swrapsbesidemewheretheycouldfindme，theywentoffanddancedforhoursandhours。

Forhoursandhours？Foragesandages!whileIwitheredawayamidmoulderingmothers，andsawmychargesthroughthedreadfulhalf-

dreamsofsuchastatewhirlinginthewaltz，hoppinginthepolka，slidinginthegalop，andthenendlesslywalkingupanddownbetweenthedances，andeatinganddrinkingthechillrefreshmentsthatitmademyteethchattertothinkof。Isupposetheydecentlycametomefromtimetotime，thoughtheyseemedtobealwaysdancing，forI

couldafterwardrememberMissGagetakingawrapfrommenowandthen，andquicklycomingbacktoshedituponmylapagain。Igotsochilledthatiftheyhadnotbeenunmistakablywomen"swrapsI

shouldhavebundledthemallaboutmyshoulders，whichIcouldalmosthearcreakwithrheumatism。Imusthavefallenintoasortofdrowseatlast；forIwashavingadisputewithsomesortofauthority，whichturnedouttobeMrs。March，andupbraidingherwiththefactthattherewerenowomen"swrapswhichwouldalsodoforaman，whentheyoungpeoplestoodarminarmbeforeme，andMissGagesaidthatshewastiredtodeathnow，andtheyweregoing。

Butitappearedthattheywereonlygoingasfarastheparloursforthepresent；forwhentheyre-enteredthehotel，theyturnedintothem，andsatdowntherequiteasifthathadbeentheunderstanding。WhenIarrivedwiththewraps，Iwasremindedofsomething，andIsaid，"Haveyoutwobeendancingtogetherthewholeevening？"

Theylookedateachotherasifforthefirsttimetheynowrealisedthefact，andKendrickssaid，"Why，ofcoursewehave!Wedidn"tknowanybody。"

"Verywell，then，"Isaid；"youhavegotmeintoascrape。"

"Oh，poorMr。March!"criedthegirl。"Howhavewedoneit？"

"Why，Mrs。MarchsaidthatMr。Kendrickswouldbesuretoknownumbersofpeople，andImustgetyouotherpartners，foritwouldn"tdoforyoutodancethewholeeveningtogether。"

Shethrewherselfbackinthechairshehadtaken，andlaughedasifthiswerethebestjokeintheworld。

Hesaidhardily，"YouseeitHASdone。"

"Andifitwouldn"tdo，"shegasped，"whydidn"tyoubringmetheotherpartners？"

"BecauseIdidn"tknowany，"Isaid；andthisseemedtoamusethembothsomuchthatIwasafraidtheywouldnevergettheirbreath。

Shelookedbyandbyatherdancing-card，andassoonasshecouldwipethetearsfromhereyesshesaid，"No；thereisnoothernamethere"；andthisseemedevenabetterjokethantheotherfromthewaytheyjoinedinlaughingatit。

"Well，now，"Isaid，whentheywerequietagain，"thiswon"tdo，myyoungfriends。It"sallverywellforyou，andyouseemtolikeit；

butIamresponsibleforyourhavingpassedapropereveningundermychaperonage，andsomethinghasgottobedonetoproveit。"Theysawthereasonablenessofthis，andtheyimmediatelybecamesober。

"Kendricks，"Iasked，"can"tyouthinkofsomething？"

No，hesaid，hecouldn"t；andthenhebegantolaughagain。

Iappliedtoherinthesameterms；butsheonlyanswered，"Oh，don"taskME，"andshewentofflaughingtoo。

"Verywell，then，"Isaid；"Ishallhavetodosomethingdesperate，andIshallexpectyoubothtobearmeoutinit，andIdon"twantanymiserablesubterfugeswhenitcomestothepointwithMrs。

March。Willyouletmehaveyourdancing-cardMissGage？"Shedetachedit，andhandedittome。"It"sveryfortunatethatMr。

Kendrickswrotehisnameforthefirstdanceonly，anddidn"tgoonandfillitup。"

"Why，wedidn"tthinkitwasworthwhile!"sheinnocentlyexplained。

"Andthat"swhatmakesitsoperfectlyprovidential，asMrs。Marchsays。Nowthen，"Iwenton，asIwroteinthenameofarisingyoungpolitician，whohappenedjustthentohavebeenannouncedasarrivinginSaratogatojoinsomeotherleadersinarrangingtheslateofhispartyfortheconventiontomeetamonthlater，"wewillbeginwithagoodAmerican。"

IhandedthecardtoKendricks。"DoyouhappentorememberthenameoftheyoungFrenchnoblemanwhodancedthethirddancewithMissGage？"

"No，"hesaid；"butIthinkIcouldinventit。"Andhedasheddownanextremelyprobablemarquis，whileMissGageclappedherhandsforjoy。

"Oh，howglorious!howsplendid!"

Iasked，"Willyouevergivemeawaythelongestdayyoulive？"

"Never，"shepromised；andIaddedthenameofaSouthAmericandoctor，oneofthosedoctorswhoseemtobealwaysbecomingthepresidentsoftheirrepublics，andorderingalltheirpatientsofoppositepoliticstobeshotintheplaza。

KendricksenteredayoungersonofanEnglishduke，andI

contributedthehyphenatedsurnameofaNewYorkswell，andbetweenuswesoonhadallthedancesonMissGage"scardtakenbythemostdistinguishedpeople。Wereallystudiedprobabilityintheforgery，andwewereproudoftheairofrealityitworeinthecarefullydifferencedhandwritings，withnationaltraitsnicelyaccentedineach。

CHAPTERXVI

ThefunofitallwasthatMrs。Marchwasnotdeceivedforaninstant。"Oh，nonsense!"shesaid，whensheglancedatourprettydeception，whichwepresentedwithperhapstooperfectseriousness。

"Thenyoudancedonlythefirstdance？"

"No，no!"MissGageprotested。"IdancedeverydanceaslongasI

stayed。"Shelaughedwithherhandkerchieftohermouthandhereyesshiningabove。

"Yes；Icantestifytothat，Mrs。March，"saidKendricks，andhelaughedwildly，too。Imustsaytheirlaughterthroughoutwasfarbeyondthemirthfulnessofthefacts。Theybothprotestedthattheyhadhadthebesttimeintheworld，andthegayesttime；thatIhadbeenamirrorofchaperons，andfollowedthemroundwithmyeyeswherevertheywentlikeafamilyportrait；andthattheywerethemostexemplaryyoungcoupleatthehopintheirbehaviour。Mrs。

Marchaskedthemallaboutit，andshejoinedintheirfunwithahilaritywhichIknewfromlongexperiencebodedmenogood。

WhenKendrickshadgoneaway，andMissGagehadleftusforthenightwithanembrace，whosefondnessIwonderedat，fromMrs。

March，anawfulsilencefelluponusinthedesertedparlourwhereshehadwaitedup。

Iknewthatwhenshebrokethesilenceshewouldbeginwith，"Well，mydear!"andthiswaswhatshedid。Sheadded，"Ihopeyou"reconvincedNOW!"

Ididnotevenpretendnottounderstand。"Youmeanthattheyareinlove？Isupposethattheirwe-ingandus-ingsomuchwouldindicatesomethingofthekind。"

"Itisn"tthatalone；everythingindicatesit。Shewouldhardlyletgoofhimwithhereyes。Iwish，"sighedMrs。March，andsheletherheaddroopuponherhandamoment，"IcouldbeassureofhimasIamofher。"

""Wouldn"tthatdoublethedifficulty？"Iventuredtosuggest，thoughtillshespokeIhadnotdoubtedthatitwasthecase。

"IshouldmakeyouspeaktohimifIweresureofhim；butasitisIshallspeaktoher，andthesoonerthebetter。"

"To-night？"Iquaked。

"No；Ishallletthepoorthinghavehersleepto-night。ButthefirstthinginthemorningIshallspeak，andIwantyoutosendheruptomeassoonasshe"shadherbreakfast。TellherI"mnotwell，andshallnotbedown；Ishallnotclosemyeyesthewholenight。