第9章

"Dearlittlesaint,youlookasifyou"dliketosmashallthepunchbowlsinthecity,andsaveusjollyyoungfellowsfromtomorrow"sheadache。"

"Ishould,forsuchheadachessometimesendinheartaches,I"mafraid。

DearCharlie,don"tbeangry,butyouknowbetterthanIthatthisisadangerousdayforsuchasyou­sodobecarefulformysake,"sheadded,withanunwontedtouchoftendernessinhervoice,for,lookingatthegallantfigurebeforeher,itwasimpossibletorepressthewomanlylongingtokeepitalwaysasbraveandblitheasnow。

Charliesawthatnewsoftnessintheeyesthatneverlookedunkindlyonhim,fanciedthatitmeantmorethanitdid,and,withasuddenfervorinhisownvoice,answeredquickly:"Mydarling,Iwill！"

Theglowwhichhadrisentohisfacewasreflectedinhers,foratthatmomentitseemedasifitwouldbepossibletolovethiscousinwhowassowillingtobeledbyherandsomuchneededsomehelpfulinfluencetomakeanoblemanofhim。Thethoughtcameandwentlikeaflash,butgaveheraquickheartthrob,asiftheoldaffectionwastremblingonthevergeofsomewarmersentiment,andleftherwithasenseofresponsibilityneverfeltbefore。Obeyingtheimpulse,shesaid,withaprettyblendingofearnestnessandplayfulness,"IfIwearthebracelettorememberyouby,youmustwearthistoremindyouofyourpromise。"

"Andyou,"whisperedCharlie,bendinghisheadtokissthehandsthatputalittlewhiteroseinhisbuttonhole。

Justatthatmostinterestingmomenttheybecameawareofanarrivalinthefrontdrawingroom,whitherAuntPlentyhaddiscreetlyretired。

Rosefeltgratefulfortheinterruption,because,notbeingatallsureofthestateofherheartasyet,shewasafraidoflettingasuddenimpulseleadhertoofar。ButCharlie,consciousthataverypropitiousinstanthadbeenspoiled,regardedthenewcomerwithanythingbutabenignantexpressionofcountenanceand,whispering,"Good—bye,myRose,Ishalllookinthiseveningtoseehowyouareafterthefatiguesoftheday,"hewentaway,withsuchacoolnodtopoorFunSeethattheamiableAsiaticthoughthemusthavemortallyoffendedhim。

Rosehadlittleleisuretoanalyzethenewemotionsofwhichshewasconscious,forMr。TokiocameupatoncetomakehiscomplimentswithacomicalminglingofChinesecourtesyandAmericanawkwardness,andbeforehehadgothishatonJamieshoutedwithadmiringenergy:"Here"sanother！

Oh,suchaswell！"

Theynowcamethickandfastformanyhours,andtheladiesstoodbravelyattheirpoststilllateintotheevening。ThenAuntJessiewenthome,escortedbyaverysleepylittleson,andAuntPlentyretiredtobed,usedup。Dr。Alechadreturnedingoodseason,forhisfriendswerenotfashionableones,butAuntMyrahadsentupforhiminhothasteandhehadgood—naturedlyobeyedthesummons。Infact,hewasquiteusedtothemnow,forMrs。Myra,havingtriedavarietyofdangerousdiseases,hadfinallydecideduponheartcomplaintastheonemostlikelytokeepherfriendsinachronicstateofanxietyandwascontinuallysendingwordthatshewasdying。Onegetsusedtopalpitationsaswellaseverythingelse,sothedoctorfeltnoalarmbutalwayswentandprescribedsomeharmlessremedywiththemostamiablesobrietyandpatience。

Rosewastiredbutnotsleepyandwantedtothinkoverseveralthings,soinsteadofgoingtobedshesatdownbeforetheopenfireinthestudytowaitforheruncleandperhapsCharlie,thoughshedidnotexpecthimsolate。

AuntMyra"spalpitationsmusthavebeenunusuallysevere,fortheclockstrucktwelvebeforeDr。Aleccame,andRosewaspreparingtoendherreveriewhenthesoundofsomeonefumblingatthehalldoormadeherjumpup,sayingtoherself:"Poorman！Hishandsaresocoldhecan"tgethislatchkeyin。Isthatyou,Uncle？"sheadded,runningtoadmithim,forJanewasslowandthenightasbitterasitwasbrilliant。

Avoiceanswered,"Yes。"Andasthedoorswungopen,inwalked,notDr。Alec,butCharlie,whoimmediatelytookoneofthehallchairsandsattherewithhishaton,rubbinghisglovelesshandsandblinkingasifthelightdazzledhim,ashesaidinarapid,abruptsortoftone,"I

toldyouI"dcome­leftthefellowskeepingitupgloriously­goingtoseetheoldyearout,youknow。ButIpromised­neverbreakmyword­andhereIam。Angelinblue,didyouslayyourthousands？"

"Hush！Thewaitersarestillabout。Cometothestudyfireandwarmyourself,youmustbefrozen,"saidRose,goingbeforetorolluptheeasychair。

"Notatall­neverwarmer­looksverycomfortable,though。Where"sUncle？"askedCharlie,followingwithhishatstillon,hishandsinhispockets,andhiseyefixedsteadilyonthebrightheadinfrontofhim。

"AuntMyrasentforhim,andIwaswaitinguptoseehowshewas,"answeredRose,busilymendingthefire。

Charlielaughedandsatdownuponacornerofthelibrarytable。"Pooroldsoul！Whatapityshedoesn"tdiebeforeheisquitewornout。Alittletoomuchethersomeofthesetimeswouldsendheroffquitecomfortably,youknow。"

"Don"tspeakinthatway。Unclesaysimaginarytroublesareoftenashardtobearasrealones,"saidRose,turningarounddispleased。

Tillnowshehadnotfairlylookedathim,forrecollectionsofthemorningmadeheralittleshy。Hisattitudeandappearancesurprisedherasmuchashiswords,andthequickchangeinherfaceseemedtoremindhimofhismanners。Gettingup,hehastilytookoffhishatandstoodlookingatherwithacuriouslyfixedyetabsentlookashesaidinthesamerapid,abruptway,asif,whenoncestarted,hefoundithardtostop,"Ibegpardon­onlyjoking­verybadtasteIknow,andwon"tdoitagain。

Theheatoftheroommakesmealittledizzy,andIthinkIgotachillcomingout。Itiscold­Iamfrozen,Idaresay­thoughIdrovelikethedevil。"

"Notthatbadhorseofyours,Ihope？Iknowitisdangerous,solateandalone,"saidRose,shrinkingbehindthebigchairasCharlieapproachedthefire,carefullyavoidingafootstoolinhisway。

"Dangerisexciting­that"swhyIlikeit。Nomanevercalledmeacoward­lethimtryitonce。Inevergivein­andthathorseshallnotconquerme。I"llbreakhisneck,ifhebreaksmyspiritdoingit。No­Idon"tmeanthat­nevermind­it"sallright,"andCharlielaughedinawaythattroubledher,becausetherewasnomirthinit。

"Haveyouhadapleasantday？"askedRose,lookingathimintentlyashestoodponderingoverthecigarandmatchwhichheheld,asifdoubtfulwhichtostrikeandwhichtosmoke。

"Day？Oh,yes,capital。Abouttwothousandcalls,andanicelittlesupperattheClub。Randalcan"tsinganymorethanacrow,butIlefthimwithaglassofchampagneupsidedown,tryingtogivethemmyoldfavorite:""Tisbettertolaughthanbesighing,"

andCharlieburstforthinthatbacchanalianmelodyatthetopofhisvoice,wavinganallumetteholderoverhisheadtorepresentRandal"sinvertedwineglass。

"Hush！You"llwakeAunty,"criedRoseinatonesocommandingthathebrokeoffinthemiddleofarouladetostareatherwithablanklookashesaidapologetically,"Iwasmerelyshowinghowitshouldbedone。

Don"tbeangry,dearest­lookatmeasyoudidthismorning,andI"llswearnevertosinganothernoteifyousayso。I"monlyalittlegay­wedrankyourhealthhandsomely,andtheyallcongratulatedme。Told"emitwasn"toutyet。Stop,though­Ididn"tmeantomentionthat。Nomatter­I"malwaysinascrape,butyoualwaysforgivemeinthesweetestway。Doitnow,anddon"tbeangry,littledarling。"And,droppingthevase,hewenttowardherwithasuddenexcitementthatmadehershrinkbehindthechair。

Shewasnotangry,butshockedandfrightened,forsheknewnowwhatthematterwasandgrewsopale,hesawitandaskedpardonbeforeshecouldutterarebuke。

"We"lltalkofthattomorrow。Itisverylate。Gohomenow,please,beforeUnclecomes,"shesaid,tryingtospeaknaturallyyetbetrayingherdistressbythetremorofhervoiceandthesadanxietyinhereyes。

"Yes,yes,Iwillgo­youaretired­I"llmakeitallrighttomorrow。"

Andasifthesoundofhisuncle"snamesteadiedhimforaninstant,Charliemadeforthedoorwithanunevennessofgaitwhichwouldhavetoldtheshamefultruthifhiswordshadnotalreadydoneso。Beforehereachedit,however,thesoundofwheelsarrestedhimand,leaningagainstthewall,helistenedwithalookofdismaymingledwithamusementcreepingoverhisface。"Brutushasbolted­nowIaminafix。Can"twalkhomewiththishorriddizzinessinmyhead。It"sthecold,Rose,nothingelse,Idoassureyou,andachill­yes,achill。Seehere！Letoneofthosefellowstherelendmeanarm­nousetogoafterthatbrute。

Won"tMotherbefrightenedthoughwhenhegetshome？"Andwiththatemptylaughagain,hefumbledforthedoorhandle。

"No,no­don"tletthemseeyou！Don"tletanyoneknow！StayheretillUnclecomes,andhe"lltakecareofyou。Oh,Charlie！Howcouldyoudoit！Howcouldyouwhenyoupromised？"And,forgettingfearinthesuddensenseofshameandanguishthatcameoverher,Roserantohim,caughthishandfromthelock,andturnedthekey;then,asifshecouldnotbeartoseehimstandingtherewiththatvacantsmileonhislips,shedroppedintoachairandcoveredupherface。

Thecry,theact,and,morethanall,thesightofthebowedheadwouldhavesoberedpoorCharlieifithadnotbeentoolate。Helookedabouttheroomwithavague,despairinglook,asiftofindreasonfastslippingfromhiscontrol,butheatandcold,excitementandrecklesspledgingofmanyhealthshaddonetheirworktoowelltomakeinstantsobrietypossible,andowninghisdefeatwithagroan,heturnedawayandthrewhimselfface—downwardonthesofa,oneofthesaddestsightsthenewyearlookeduponasitcamein。

Asshesattherewithhiddeneyes,Rosefeltthatsomethingdeartoherwasdeadforever。Theideal,whichallwomencherish,lookfor,andtoooftenthinktheyhavefoundwhenloveglorifiesamortalman,ishardtogiveup,especiallywhenitcomesinthelikenessofthefirstloverwhotouchesayounggirl"sheart。Rosehadjustbeguntofeelthatperhapsthiscousin,despitehisfaults,mightyetbecometheherothathesometimeslooked,andthethoughtthatshemightbehisinspirationwasgrowingsweettoher,althoughshehadnotentertainedituntilverylately。Alas,howshortthetenderdreamhadbeen,howrudetheawakening！Howimpossibleitwouldbeeveragaintosurroundthatfallenfigurewithalltheromanceofaninnocentfancyorgiftitwiththehighattributesbelovedbyanoblenature！

Breathingheavilyinthesuddensleepthatkindlybroughtabriefoblivionofhimself,helaywithflushedcheeks,disorderedhair,andathisfeetthelittlerosethatneverwouldbefreshandfairagain­apitifulcontrastnowtothebrave,blitheyoungmanwhowentsogailyoutthatmorningtobesoignominiouslyoverthrownatnight。

Manygirlswouldhavemadelightofatrespasssoreadilyforgivenbytheworld,butRosehadnotyetlearnedtooffertemptationwithasmileandshuthereyestotheweaknessthatmakesamanabrute。Italwaysgrievedordisgustedhertoseeitinothers,andnowitwasveryterribletohaveitbroughtsonear­notinitsworstform,byanymeans,butbadenoughtowringherheartwithshameandsorrowandfillhermindwithdarkforebodingsforthefuture。SoshecouldonlysitmourningfortheCharliethatmighthavebeenwhilewatchingtheCharliethatwaswithanacheinherheartwhichfoundnorelieftill,puttingherhandsthereasiftoeasethepain,theytouchedthepansies,fadedbutstillshowinggoldamongthesomberpurple,andthentwogreattearsdroppedonthemasshesighed:"Ah,me！

Idoneedheart"s—easesoonerthanIthought！"

Heruncle"sstepmadeherspringupandunlockthedoor,showinghimsuchanalteredfacethathestoppedshort,ejaculatingindismay,"Goodheavens,child！What"sthematter？"adding,asshepointedtothesofainpatheticsilence,"Ishehurt？­ill？­dead？"

"No,Uncle,heis­"Shecouldnotuttertheuglywordbutwhisperedwithasobinherthroat,"Bekindtohim,"andfledawaytoherownroom,feelingasifagreatdisgracehadfallenonthehouse。Chapter10。Chapter10。10THESADANDSOBERPART"Howwillhelook？Whatwillhesay？Cananythingmakeusforgetandbehappyagain？"werethefirstquestionsRoseaskedherselfassoonasshewokefromthebriefsleepwhichfollowedalong,sadvigil。Itseemedasifthewholeworldmustbechangedbecauseatroubledarkeneditforher。

Shewastooyoungyettoknowhowpossibleitistoforgivemuchgreatersinsthanthis,forgetfarheavierdisappointments,outlivehigherhopes,andburylovescomparedtowhichherswasbutagirlishfancy。Shewishedithadnotbeensobrightaday,wonderedhowherbirdscouldsingwithsuchshrillgaiety,putnoribboninherhair,andsaid,asshelookedatthereflectionofherowntiredfaceintheglass,"Poorthing！Youthoughtthenewleafwouldhavesomethingpleasantonit。Thestoryhasbeenverysweetandeasytoreadsofar,butthesadandsoberpartiscomingnow。"

Atapatthedoorremindedherthat,inspiteofherafflictions,breakfastmustbeeaten,andthesuddenthoughtthatCharliemightstillbeinthehousemadeherhurrytothedoor,tofindDr。Alecwaitingforherwithhismorningsmile。Shedrewhiminandwhisperedanxiously,asifsomeonelaydangerouslyillnearby,"Ishebetter,Uncle？Tellmeallaboutit­I

canbearitnow。"

Somemenwouldhavesmiledatherinnocentdistressandtoldherthiswasonlywhatwastobeexpectedandendured,butDr。Alecbelievedinthepureinstinctsthatmakeyouthbeautiful,desiredtokeepthemtrue,andhopedhisgirlwouldneverlearntolookunmovedbypainandpityuponanyhumanbeingvanquishedbyavice,nomatterhowtrivialitseemed,howvenialitwasheld。Sohisfacegrewgrave,thoughhisvoicewascheerfulasheanswered:"Allright,Idaresay,bythistime,forsleepisthebestmedicineinsuchcases。Itookhimhomelastnight,andnooneknowshecamebutyouandI。"

"Nooneevershall。Howdidyoudoit,Uncle？"

"Justslippedoutofthelongstudywindowandgothimcannilyoff,fortheairandmotion,afteradashofcoldwater,broughthimaround,andhewasgladtobesafelylandedathome。Hisroomsarebelow,youknow,sonoonewasdisturbed,andIlefthimsleepingnicely。"

"Thankyousomuch,"sighedRose。"AndBrutus？Weren"ttheyfrightenedwhenhegotbackalone？"

"Notatall。Thesagaciousbeastwentquietlytothestable,andthesleepygroomaskednoquestions,forCharlieoftensendsthehorseroundbyhimselfwhenitislateorstormy。Resteasy,dear­noeyebutourssawthepoorladcomeandgo,andwe"llforgiveitforlove"ssake。"

"Yes,butnotforgetit。Inevercan,andhewillneverbeagaintometheCharlieI"vebeensoproudandfondofalltheseyears。Oh,Uncle,suchapity！Suchapity！"

"Don"tbreakyourtenderheartaboutit,child,foritisnotincurable,thankGod！Idon"tmakelightofit,butIamsurethatunderbetterinfluencesCharliewillredeemhimselfbecausehisimpulsesaregoodandthishisonlyvice。Icanhardlyblamehimforwhatheis,becausehismotherdidtheharm。Ideclaretoyou,Rose,IsometimesfeelasifImustbreakoutagainstthatwomanandthunderinherearsthatsheisruiningtheimmortalsoulforwhichsheisresponsibletoheaven！"

Dr。Alecseldomspokeinthisway,andwhenhediditwasratherawful,forhisindignationwasoftherighteoussortandsuchthunderoftenrousesupadrowsysoulwhensunshinehasnoeffect。Roselikedit,andsincerelywishedAuntClarahadbeentheretogetthebenefitoftheoutbreak,forsheneededjustsuchanawakeningfromtheself—indulgentdreaminwhichshelived。

"Doit,andsaveCharliebeforeitistoolate！"shecried,kindlingherselfasshewatchedhim,forhelookedlikearousedlionashewalkedabouttheroomwithhishandclenchedandasparkinhiseye,evidentlyindesperateearnestandreadytodoalmostanything。

"Willyouhelp？"heasked,stoppingsuddenlywithalookthatmadeherstandupstraightandstrongassheansweredwithaneagervoice:"Iwill。"

"Thendon"tlovehim­yet。"

Thatstartledher,butsheaskedsteadily,thoughherheartbegantobeatandhercolortocome:"Whynot？"

"Firstly,becausenowomanshouldgiveherhappinessintothekeepingofamanwithoutfixedprinciples;secondly,becausethehopeofbeingworthyofyouwillhelphimmorethananyprayersorpreachingofmine。

Thirdly,becauseitwillneedallourwitandpatiencetoundotheworkofnearlyfourandtwentyyears。YouunderstandwhatImean？"

"Yes,sir。"

"Canyousay"no"whenheasksyoutosay"yes"andwaitalittleforyourhappiness？"

"Ican。"

"Andwillyou？"

"Iwill。"

"ThenI"msatisfied,andagreatweighttakenoffmyheart。Ican"thelpseeingwhatgoeson,ortremblingwhenIthinkofyousettingsailwithnobetterpilotthanpoorCharlie。NowyouanswerasIhopedyouwould,andIamproudofmygirl！"

Theyhadbeenstandingwiththewidthoftheroombetweenthem,Dr。

Aleclookingverymuchlikeacommanderissuingorders,Roselikeawell—drilledprivateobedientlyreceivingthem,andbothworetheairofsoldiersgettingreadyforabattle,withthebracingofnervesandquickeningofthebloodbravesoulsfeelastheyputontheirarmor。Atthelastwordshewenttoher,brushedbackthehair,andkissedherontheforeheadwithatendersortofgravityandalookthatmadeherfeelasifhehadendowedherwiththeVictoriaCrossforcourageonthefield。

Nomorewassaidthen,forAuntPlentycalledthemdownandtheday"sdutiesbegan。ButthatbrieftalkshowedRosewhattodoandfittedhertodoit,foritsethertothinkingofthedutyoneowesone"sselfinlovingasinalltheothergreatpassionsorexperienceswhichmakeormaralife。

Shehadplentyoftimeforquietmeditationthatdaybecauseeveryonewasrestingafteryesterday"sfestivity,andshesatinherlittleroomplanningoutanewyearsofullofgoodworks,grandsuccesses,andbeautifulromancesthatifitcouldhavebeenrealized,theMillenniumwouldhavebegun。Itwasagreatcomforttoher,however,andlightenedthelonghourshauntedbyasecretdesiretoknowwhenCharliewouldcomeandasecretfearofthefirstmeeting。Shewassurehewouldbeboweddownwithhumiliationandrepentance,andastruggletookplaceinhermindbetweenthepityshecouldnothelpfeelingandthedisapprobationsheoughttoshow。Shedecidedtobegentle,butveryfrank;toreprove,butalsotoconsole;

andtotrytoimprovethesoftenedmomentbyinspiringtheculpritwithawishforallthevirtueswhichmakeaperfectman。

Thefonddelusiongrewquiteabsorbing,andhermindwasfullofitasshesatwatchingthesunsetfromherwesternwindowandadmiringwithdreamyeyesthefineeffectofthedistanthillsclearanddarkagainstadaffodilskywhenthebangofadoormadehersitsuddenlyerectinherlowchairandsaywithacatchinherbreath:"He"scoming！ImustrememberwhatIpromisedUncleandbeveryfirm。"

UsuallyCharlieannouncedhisapproachwithmusicofsomesort。Nowheneitherwhistled,hummed,norsang,butcamesoquietlyRosewassurethathedreadedthismeetingasmuchasshedidand,compassionatinghisnaturalconfusion,didnotlookaroundasthestepsdrewnear。Shethoughtperhapshewouldgodownuponhisknees,asheusedtoafteraboyishoffense,buthopednot,fortoomuchhumilitydistressedher,soshewaitedforthefirstdemonstrationanxiously。

Itwasratherashockwhenitcame,however,foragreatnosegaydroppedintoherlapandavoice,boldandgayasusual,saidlightly:"Heresheis,asprettyandpensiveasyouplease。Istheworldhollow,ourdollstuffedwithsawdust,anddowewanttogointoanunnerytoday,Cousin？"

Rosewassotakenabackbythisunexpectedcoolnessthattheflowerslayunnoticedasshelookedupwithafacesofullofsurprise,reproach,andsomethinglikeshamethatitwasimpossibletomistakeitsmeaning。

Charliedidnot,andhadthegracetoreddendeeply,andhiseyesfellashesaidquickly,thoughinthesamelighttone:"Ihumblyapologizefor­comingsolatelastnight。Don"tbeharduponme,Cousin。YouknowAmericaexpectseverymantodohisdutyonNewYear"sDay。"

"Iamtiredofforgiving！Youmakeandbreakpromisesaseasilyasyoudidyearsago,andIshallneveraskyouforanother,"answeredRose,puttingthebouquetaway,fortheapologydidnotsatisfyherandshewouldnotbebribedtosilence。

"But,mydeargirl,youaresoveryexacting,sopeculiarinyournotions,andsoangryabouttriflesthatapoorfellowcan"tpleaseyou,tryashewill,"beganCharlie,illatease,buttooproudtoshowhalfthepenitencehefelt,notsomuchforthefaultasforherdiscoveryofit。

"Iamnotangry­Iamgrievedanddisappointed,forIexpecteverymantodohisdutyinanotherwayandkeephiswordtotheuttermost,asItrytodo。Ifthatisexacting,I"msorry,andwon"ttroubleyouwithmyold—fashionednotionsanymore。"

"Blessmysoul！Whataroutaboutnothing！IownthatIforgot­I

knowIactedlikeafoolandIbegpardon。WhatmorecanIdo？"

"Actlikeaman,andneverletmebesoterriblyashamedofyouagainasIwaslastnight。"AndRosegavealittleshiverasshethoughtofit。

ThatinvoluntaryacthurtCharliemorethanherwords,anditwashisturnnowtofeel"terriblyashamed,"fortheeventsofthepreviouseveningwereveryhazyinhismindandfearmagnifiedthemgreatly。Turningsharplyaway,hewentandstoodbythefire,quiteatalosshowtomakehispeacethistime,becauseRosewassounlikeherself。Usuallyawordofexcusesufficed,andsheseemedgladtopardonandforget;now,thoughveryquiet,therewassomethingalmoststernaboutherthatsurprisedanddauntedhim,forhowcouldheknowthatallthewhileherpitifulheartwaspleadingforhimandtheveryefforttocontrolitmadeheralittlehardandcold？

Ashestoodthere,restlesslyfingeringtheornamentsuponthechimneypiece,hiseyebrightenedsuddenlyand,takinguptheprettybraceletlyingthere,hewentslowlybacktoher,sayinginatonethatwashumbleandseriousenoughnow:"Iwillactlikeaman,andyoushallneverbeashamedagain。Onlybekindtome。Letmeputthison,andpromiseafresh­thistimeIswearI"llkeepit。Won"tyoutrustme,Rose？"

Itwasveryhardtoresistthepleadingvoiceandeyes,forthishumilitywasdangerous;and,butforUncleAlec,Rosewouldhaveanswered"yes。"

Theblueforget—me—notsremindedherofherownpromise,andshekeptitwithdifficultynow,tobegladalwaysafterward。Puttingbacktheofferedtrinketwithagentletouch,shesaidfirmly,thoughshedarednotlookupintotheanxiousfacebendingtowardher:"No,Charlie­Ican"twearit。MyhandsmustbefreeifI"mtohelpyouasIought。Iwillbekind,Iwilltrustyou,butdon"tswearanything,onlytrytoresisttemptation,andwe"llallstandbyyou。"

Charliedidnotlikethatandlostthegroundhehadgainedbysayingimpetuously:"Idon"twantanyonebutyoutostandbyme,andImustbesureyouwon"tdesertme,else,whileI"mmortifyingsoulandbodytopleaseyou,somestrangerwillcomeandstealyourheartawayfromme。Icouldn"tbearthat,soIgiveyoufairwarning,insuchacaseI"llbreakthebargain,andgostraighttothedevil。"

Thelastsentencespoileditall,foritwasbothmasterfulanddefiant。

RosehadtheCampbellspiritinher,thoughitseldomshowed;asyetshevaluedherlibertymorethananyloveofferedher,andsheresentedtheauthorityheassumedtoosoon­resenteditallthemorewarmlybecauseoftheeffortshewasmakingtoreinstateherhero,whowouldinsistonbeingaveryfaultyandungratefulman。Sherosestraightoutofherchair,sayingwithalookandtonewhichratherstartledherhearerandconvincedhimthatshewasnolongeratenderheartedchildbutawomanwithawillofherownandaspiritasproudandfieryasanyofherrace:"Myheartismyown,todisposeofasIplease。Don"tshutyourselfoutofitbypresumingtoomuch,foryouhavenoclaimonmebutthatofcousinship,andyouneverwillhaveunlessyouearnit。Rememberthat,andneitherthreatennordefymeanymore。"

ForaminuteitwasdoubtfulwhetherCharliewouldanswerthisflashwithanother,andageneralexplosionensue,orwiselyquenchtheflamewiththemildanswerwhichturnethawaywrath。Hechosethelattercourseandmadeitveryeffectivebythrowinghimselfdownbeforehisoffendedgoddess,ashehadoftendoneinjest。Thistimeitwasnotacting,butserious,earnest,andtherewasrealpassioninhisvoiceashecaughtRose"sdressinbothhands,sayingeagerly:"No,no！Don"tshutyourheartagainstmeorIshallturndesperate。I"mnothalfgoodenoughforsuchasaintasyou,butyoucandowhatyouwillwithme。Ionlyneedamotivetomakeamanofme,andwherecanIfindastrongeronethanintryingtokeepyourlove？"

"Itisnotyoursyet,"beganRose,muchmoved,thoughallthewhileshefeltasifshewereonastageandhadaparttoplay,forCharliehadmadelifesolikeamelodramathatitwashardforhimtobequitesimpleevenwhenmostsincere。

"Letmeearnit,then。Showmehow,andI"lldoanything,foryouaremygoodangel,Rose,andifyoucastmeoff,IfeelasifIshouldn"tcarehowsoontherewasanendofme,"criedCharlie,gettingtragicinhisearnestnessandputtingbotharmsaroundher,asifhisonlysafetylayinclingingtothisbelovedfellowcreature。

Behindfootlightsitwouldhavebeenirresistible,butsomehowitdidnottouchtheonespectator,thoughshehadneithertimenorskilltodiscoverwhy。Foralltheirardorthewordsdidnotringquitetrue。Despitethegraceoftheattitude,shewouldhavelikedhimbettermanfullyerectuponhisfeet,andthoughthegesturewasfulloftenderness,asubtleinstinctmadehershrinkawayasshesaidwithacomposurethatsurprisedherselfevenmorethanitdidhim:"Pleasedon"t。No,Iwillpromisenothingyet,forImustrespectthemanIlove。"

ThatbroughtCharlietohisfeet,palewithsomethingdeeperthananger,fortherecoiltoldhimmoreplainlythanthewordshowmuchhehadfalleninherregardsinceyesterday。Thememoryofthehappymomentwhenshegavetherosewiththatnewsoftnessinhereyes,theshycolor,thesweet"formysake"camebackwithsuddenvividness,contrastingsharplywiththenowavertedface,thehandoutstretchedtoputhimback,theshrinkingfigure,andinthatinstant"ssilence,poorCharlierealizedwhathehadlost,foragirl"sfirstthoughtofloveisasdelicateathingastherosymorningglory,whichabreathofaircanshatter。Onlyahintofevil,onlyanhour"sdebasementforhim,amoment"sglimpseforherofthecoarserpleasuresmenknow,andtheinnocentheart,justopeningtoblessandtobeblessed,closedagainlikeasensitiveplantandshuthimoutperhapsforever。

Theconsciousnessofthisturnedhimpalewithfear,forhislovewasdeeperthansheknew,andheprovedthiswhenhesaidinatonesofullofmingledpainandpatiencethatittouchedhertotheheart:"YoushallrespectmeifIcanmakeyou,andwhenI"veearnedit,mayIhopeforsomethingmore？"

Shelookedupthen,sawinhisfacethenobleshame,thehumblesortofcouragethatshowsrepentancetobegenuineandgivespromiseofsuccess,and,withahopefulsmilethatwasacordialtohim,answeredheartily:

"Youmay。"

"Blessyouforthat！I"llmakenopromises,I"llaskfornone­onlytrustme,Rose,andwhileyoutreatmelikeacousin,rememberthatnomatterhowmanyloversyoumayhaveyou"llneverbetoanyofthemasdearasyouaretome。"

AtraitorousbreakinhisvoicewarnedCharlietostopthere,andwithnoothergood—bye,heverywiselywentaway,leavingRosetoputtheneglectedflowersintowaterwithremorsefulcareandlayawaythebracelet,sayingtoherself:"I"llneverwearittillIfeelasIdidbefore。ThenheshallputitonandI"llsay"yes。""Chapter11。Chapter11。11SMALLTEMPTATIONS"Oh,Rose,I"vegotsomethingsoexcitingtotellyou！"criedKittyVanTassel,skippingintothecarriagenextmorningwhenherfriendcalledforhertogoshopping。

Kittyalwaysdidhavesome"perfectlythrilling"communicationtomakeandRosehadlearnedtotakethemquietly,butthenextdemonstrationwasanewone,for,regardlessalikeofcuriousobserversoutsideanddisorderedhatswithin,KittycaughtRosearoundtheneck,exclaiminginarapturouswhisper:"Mydearestcreature,I"mengaged！"

"I"msoglad！OfcourseitisSteve？"

"Dearfellow,hediditlastnightinthenicestway,andMamaissodelighted。NowwhatshallIbemarriedin？"AndKittycomposedherselfwithafacefullofthedeepestanxiety。

"Howcanyoutalkofthatsosoon？Why,Kit,youunromanticgirl,yououghttobethinkingofyourloverandnotyourclothes,"saidRose,amusedyetratherscandalizedatsuchwantofsentiment。

"Iamthinkingofmylover,forhesayshewillnothavealongengagement,soImustbegintothinkaboutthemostimportantthingsatonce,mustn"tI？"

"Ah,hewantstobesureofyou,foryouaresuchaslipperycreatureheisafraidyou"lltreathimasyoudidpoorJacksonandtherest,"interruptedRose,shakingherfingeratherprospectivecousin,whohadtriedthispastimetwicebeforeandwasratherproudthanotherwiseofherbriefengagements。

"Youneedn"tscold,forIknowI"mright,andwhenyou"vebeeninsocietyaslongasIhaveyou"llfindthattheonlywaytoreallyknowamanistobeengagedtohim。Whiletheywantyoutheyarealldevotion,butwhentheythinkthey"vegotyou,thenyoufindoutwhatwretchestheyare,"

answeredKittywithanairofworldlywisdomwhichcontrastedoddlywithheryouthfulfaceandgiddymanners。