第2章

Asforornamentalarticlesoffurniture，werecollectbuttwo，ifsuchtheymaybecalled。OnewasamapofthePyncheonterritoryattheeastward，notengraved，butthehandiworkofsomeskilfulolddraughtsman，andgrotesquelyilluminatedwithpicturesofIndiansandwildbeasts，amongwhichwasseenalion；thenaturalhistoryoftheregionbeingaslittleknownasitsgeography，whichwasputdownmostfantasticallyawry。TheotheradornmentwastheportraitofoldColonelPyncheon，attwothirdslength，representingthesternfeaturesofaPuritanic-lookingpersonage，inaskull-cap，withalacedbandandagrizzlybeard；holdingaBiblewithonehand，andintheotherupliftinganironsword-hilt。Thelatterobject，beingmoresuccessfullydepictedbytheartist，stoodoutinfargreaterprominencethanthesacredvolume。Facetofacewiththispicture，onenteringtheapartment，MissHepzibahPyncheoncametoapause；regardingitwithasingularscowl，astrangecontortionofthebrow，which，bypeoplewhodidnotknowher，wouldprobablyhavebeeninterpretedasanexpressionofbitterangerandill-will。Butitwasnosuchthing。She，infact，feltareverenceforthepicturedvisage，ofwhichonlyafar-descendedandtime-strickenvirgincouldbesusceptible；andthisforbiddingscowlwastheinnocentresultofhernear-sightedness，andaneffortsotoconcentrateherpowersofvisionastosubstituteafirmoutlineoftheobjectinsteadofavagueone。

WemustlingeramomentonthisunfortunateexpressionofpoorHepzibah’sbrow。Herscowl，——astheworld，orsuchpartofitassometimescaughtatransitoryglimpseofheratthewindow，wickedlypersistedincallingit，——herscowlhaddoneMissHepzibahaveryilloffice，inestablishinghercharacterasanill-temperedoldmaid；

nordoesitappearimprobablethat，byoftengazingatherselfinadimlooking-glass，andperpetuallyencounteringherownfrownwithitsghostlysphere，shehadbeenledtointerprettheexpressionalmostasunjustlyastheworlddid。"HowmiserablycrossIlook！"

shemustoftenhavewhisperedtoherself；andultimatelyhavefanciedherselfso，byasenseofinevitabledoom。Butherheartneverfrowned。

Itwasnaturallytender，sensitive，andfulloflittletremorsandpalpitations；allofwhichweaknessesitretained，whilehervisagewasgrowingsoperverselystern，andevenfierce。NorhadHepzibaheveranyhardihood，exceptwhatcamefromtheverywarmestnookinheraffections。

Allthistime，however，weareloiteringfaintheartedlyonthethresholdofourstory。Inverytruth，wehaveaninvinciblereluctancetodisclosewhatMissHepzibahPyncheonwasabouttodo。

Ithasalreadybeenobserved，that，inthebasementstoryofthegablefrontingonthestreet，anunworthyancestor，nearlyacenturyago，hadfittedupashop。Eversincetheoldgentlemanretiredfromtrade，andfellasleepunderhiscoffin-lid，notonlytheshop-door，buttheinnerarrangements，hadbeensufferedtoremainunchanged；whilethedustofagesgatheredinch-deepovertheshelvesandcounter，andpartlyfilledanoldpairofscales，asifitwereofvalueenoughtobeweighed。Ittreasureditselfup，too，inthehalf-opentill，wheretherestilllingeredabasesixpence，worthneithermorenorlessthanthehereditarypridewhichhadherebeenputtoshame。SuchhadbeenthestateandconditionofthelittleshopinoldHepzibah’schildhood，whensheandherbrotherusedtoplayathide-and-seekinitsforsakenprecincts。Soithadremained，untilwithinafewdayspast。

ButNow，thoughtheshop-windowwasstillcloselycurtainedfromthepublicgaze，aremarkablechangehadtakenplaceinitsinterior。Therichandheavyfestoonsofcobweb，whichithadcostalongancestralsuccessionofspiderstheirlife’slabortospinandweave，hadbeencarefullybrushedawayfromtheceiling。Thecounter，shelves，andfloorhadallbeenscoured，andthelatterwasoverstrewnwithfreshbluesand。Thebrownscales，too，hadevidentlyundergonerigiddiscipline，inanunavailingefforttorubofftherust，which，alas！hadeatenthroughandthroughtheirsubstance。Neitherwasthelittleoldshopanylongeremptyofmerchantablegoods。Acuriouseye，privilegedtotakeanaccountofstockandinvestigatebehindthecounter，wouldhavediscoveredabarrel，yea，twoorthreebarrelsandhalfditto，——onecontainingflour，anotherapples，andathird，perhaps，Indianmeal。Therewaslikewiseasquareboxofpine-wood，fullofsoapinbars；also，anotherofthesamesize，inwhichweretallowcandles，tentothepound。Asmallstockofbrownsugar，somewhitebeansandsplitpeas，andafewothercommoditiesoflowprice，andsuchasareconstantlyindemand，madeupthebulkierportionofthemerchandise。ItmighthavebeentakenforaghostlyorphantasmagoricreflectionoftheoldshopkeeperPyncheon’sshabbilyprovidedshelves，savethatsomeofthearticleswereofadescriptionandoutwardformwhichcouldhardlyhavebeenknowninhisday。Forinstance，therewasaglasspickle-jar，filledwithfragmentsofGibraltarrock；not，indeed，splintersoftheveritablestonefoundationofthefamousfortress，butbitsofdelectablecandy，neatlydoneupinwhitepaper。JimCrow，moreover，wasseenexecutinghisworld-renowneddance，ingingerbread。Apartyofleadendragoonsweregallopingalongoneoftheshelves，inequipmentsanduniformofmoderncut；

andthereweresomesugarfigures，withnostrongresemblancetothehumanityofanyepoch，butlessunsatisfactorilyrepresentingourownfashionsthanthoseofahundredyearsago。Anotherphenomenon，stillmorestrikinglymodern，wasapackageoflucifermatches，which，inoldtimes，wouldhavebeenthoughtactuallytoborrowtheirinstantaneousflamefromthenetherfiresofTophet。

Inshort，tobringthematteratoncetoapoint，itwasincontrovertiblyevidentthatsomebodyhadtakentheshopandfixturesofthelong-retiredandforgottenMr。Pyncheon，andwasabouttorenewtheenterpriseofthatdepartedworthy，withadifferentsetofcustomers。Whocouldthisboldadventurerbe？

And，ofallplacesintheworld，whyhadhechosentheHouseoftheSevenGablesasthesceneofhiscommercialspeculations？

Wereturntotheelderlymaiden。SheatlengthwithdrewhereyesfromthedarkcountenanceoftheColonel’sportrait，heavedasigh，——indeed，herbreastwasaverycaveofAolusthatmorning，——andsteptacrosstheroomontiptoe，asisthecustomarygaitofelderlywomen。Passingthroughaninterveningpassage，sheopenedadoorthatcommunicatedwiththeshop，justnowsoelaboratelydescribed。

Owingtotheprojectionoftheupperstory——andstillmoretothethickshadowofthePyncheonElm，whichstoodalmostdirectlyinfrontofthegable——thetwilight，here，wasstillasmuchakintonightasmorning。AnotherheavysighfromMissHepzibah！Afteramoment’spauseonthethreshold，peeringtowardsthewindowwithhernear-sightedscowl，asiffrowningdownsomebitterenemy，shesuddenlyprojectedherselfintotheshop。Thehaste，and，asitwere，thegalvanicimpulseofthemovement，werereallyquitestartling。

Nervously——inasortoffrenzy，wemightalmostsay——shebegantobusyherselfinarrangingsomechildren’splaythings，andotherlittlewares，ontheshelvesandattheshop-window。Intheaspectofthisdark-arrayed，pale-faced，ladylikeoldfiguretherewasadeeplytragiccharacterthatcontrastedirreconcilablywiththeludicrouspettinessofheremployment。Itseemedaqueeranomaly，thatsogauntanddismalapersonageshouldtakeatoyinhand；

amiracle，thatthetoydidnotvanishinhergrasp；amiserablyabsurdidea，thatsheshouldgoonperplexingherstiffandsombreintellectwiththequestionhowtotemptlittleboysintoherpremises！

Yetsuchisundoubtedlyherobject。Nowsheplacesagingerbreadelephantagainstthewindow，butwithsotremulousatouchthatittumblesuponthefloor，withthedismembermentofthreelegsanditstrunk；ithasceasedtobeanelephant，andhasbecomeafewbitsofmustygingerbread。There，again，shehasupsetatumblerofmarbles，allofwhichrolldifferentways，andeachindividualmarble，devil-directed，intothemostdifficultobscuritythatitcanfind。

HeavenhelpourpooroldHepzibah，andforgiveusfortakingaludicrousviewofherposition！Asherrigidandrustyframegoesdownuponitshandsandknees，inquestoftheabscondingmarbles，wepositivelyfeelsomuchthemoreinclinedtoshedtearsofsympathy，fromtheveryfactthatwemustneedsturnasideandlaughather。Forhere，——andifwefailtoimpressitsuitablyuponthereader，itisourownfault，notthatofthetheme，hereisoneofthetruestpointsofmelancholyinterestthatoccurinordinarylife。Itwasthefinalthroeofwhatcalleditselfoldgentility。A，lady——whohadfedherselffromchildhoodwiththeshadowyfoodofaristocraticreminiscences，andwhosereligionitwasthatalady’shandsoilsitselfirremediablybydoingaughtforbread，——thisbornlady，aftersixtyyearsofnarrowingmeans，isfaintostepdownfromherpedestalofimaginaryrank。Poverty，treadingcloselyatherheelsforalifetime，hascomeupwithheratlast。Shemustearnherownfood，orstarve！AndwehavestolenuponMissHepzibahPyncheon，tooirreverently，attheinstantoftimewhenthepatricianladyistobetransformedintotheplebeianwoman。

Inthisrepublicancountry，amidthefluctuatingwavesofoursociallife，somebodyisalwaysatthedrowning-point。Thetragedyisenactedwithascontinualarepetitionasthatofapopulardramaonaholiday，and，nevertheless，isfeltasdeeply，perhaps，aswhenanhereditarynoblesinksbelowhisorder。Moredeeply；since，withus，rankisthegrossersubstanceofwealthandasplendidestablishment，andhasnospiritualexistenceafterthedeathofthese，butdieshopelesslyalongwiththem。And，therefore，sincewehavebeenunfortunateenoughtointroduceourheroineatsoinauspiciousajuncture，wewouldentreatforamoodofduesolemnityinthespectatorsofherfate。Letusbehold，inpoorHepzibah，theimmemorial，lady——twohundredyearsold，onthissideofthewater，andthriceasmanyontheother，——withherantiqueportraits，pedigrees，coatsofarms，recordsandtraditions，andherclaim，asjointheiress，tothatprincelyterritoryattheeastward，nolongerawilderness，butapopulousfertility，——born，too，inPyncheonStreet，underthePyncheonElm，andinthePyncheonHouse，whereshehasspentallherdays，——reduced。Now，inthatveryhouse，tobethehucksteressofacent-shop。

Thisbusinessofsettingupapettyshopisalmosttheonlyresourceofwomen，incircumstancesatallsimilartothoseofourunfortunaterecluse。Withhernear-sightedness，andthosetremulousfingersofhers，atonceinflexibleanddelicate，shecouldnotbeaseamstress；althoughhersampler，offiftyyearsgoneby，exhibitedsomeofthemostreconditespecimensofornamentalneedlework。Aschoolforlittlechildrenhadbeenofteninherthoughts；and，atonetime，shehadbegunareviewofherearlystudiesintheNewEnglandPrimer，withaviewtoprepareherselffortheofficeofinstructress。ButtheloveofchildrenhadneverbeenquickenedinHepzibah’sheart，andwasnowtorpid，ifnotextinct；shewatchedthelittlepeopleoftheneighborhoodfromherchamber-window，anddoubtedwhethershecouldtolerateamoreintimateacquaintancewiththem。Besides，inourday，theveryABChasbecomeasciencegreatlytooabstrusetobeanylongertaughtbypointingapinfromlettertoletter。

AmodernchildcouldteacholdHepzibahmorethanoldHepzibahcouldteachthechild。So——withmanyacold，deepheart-quakeattheideaofatlastcomingintosordidcontactwiththeworld，fromwhichshehadsolongkeptaloof，whileeveryaddeddayofseclusionhadrolledanotherstoneagainstthecaverndoorofherhermitage——thepoorthingbethoughtherselfoftheancientshop-window，therustyscales，anddustytill。Shemighthaveheldbackalittlelonger；butanothercircumstance，notyethintedat，hadsomewhathastenedherdecision。Herhumblepreparations，therefore，weredulymade，andtheenterprisewasnowtobecommenced。Norwassheentitledtocomplainofanyremarkablesingularityinherfate；

for，inthetownofhernativity，wemightpointtoseverallittleshopsofasimilardescription，someoftheminhousesasancientasthatoftheSevenGables；andoneortwo，itmaybe，whereadecayedgentlewomanstandsbehindthecounter，asgrimanimageoffamilyprideasMissHepzibahPyncheonherself。

Itwasoverpoweringlyridiculous，——wemusthonestlyconfessit，——thedeportmentofthemaidenladywhilesettinghershopinorderforthepubliceye。Shestoleontiptoetothewindow，ascautiouslyasifsheconceivedsomebloody-mindedvillaintobewatchingbehindtheelm-tree，withintenttotakeherlife。

Stretchingoutherlong，lankarm，sheputapaperofpearlbuttons，ajew’s-harp，orwhateverthesmallarticlemightbe，initsdestinedplace，andstraightwayvanishedbackintothedusk，asiftheworldneedneverhopeforanotherglimpseofher。Itmighthavebeenfancied，indeed，thatsheexpectedtoministertothewantsofthecommunityunseen，likeadisembodieddivinityorenchantress，holdingforthherbargainstothereverentialandawe-strickenpurchaserinaninvisiblehand。ButHepzibahhadnosuchflatteringdream。Shewaswellawarethatshemustultimatelycomeforward，andstandrevealedinherproperindividuality；but，likeothersensitivepersons，shecouldnotbeartobeobservedinthegradualprocess，andchoserathertoflashforthontheworld’sastonishedgazeatonce。

Theinevitablemomentwasnotmuchlongertobedelayed。Thesunshinemightnowbeseenstealingdownthefrontoftheoppositehouse，fromthewindowsofwhichcameareflectedgleam，strugglingthroughtheboughsoftheelm-tree，andenlighteningtheinterioroftheshopmoredistinctlythanheretofore。Thetownappearedtobewakingup。Abaker’scarthadalreadyrattledthroughthestreet，chasingawaythelatestvestigeofnight’ssanctitywiththejingle-jangleofitsdissonantbells。Amilkmanwasdistributingthecontentsofhiscansfromdoortodoor；andtheharshpealofafisherman’sconchshellwasheardfaroff，aroundthecorner。NoneofthesetokensescapedHepzibah’snotice。Themomenthadarrived。

Todelaylongerwouldbeonlytolengthenouthermisery。Nothingremained，excepttotakedownthebarfromtheshop-door，leavingtheentrancefree——morethanfree——welcome，asifallwerehouseholdfriends——toeverypasser-by，whoseeyesmightbeattractedbythecommoditiesatthewindow。ThislastactHepzibahnowperformed，lettingthebarfallwithwhatsmoteuponherexcitednervesasamostastoundingclatter。Then——asiftheonlybarrierbetwixtherselfandtheworldhadbeenthrowndown，andafloodofevilconsequenceswouldcometumblingthroughthegap——shefledintotheinnerparlor，threwherselfintotheancestralelbow-chair，andwept。

OurmiserableoldHepzibah！Itisaheavyannoyancetoawriter，whoendeavorstorepresentnature，itsvariousattitudesandcircumstances，inareasonablycorrectoutlineandtruecoloring，thatsomuchofthemeanandludicrousshouldbehopelesslymixedupwiththepurestpathoswhichlifeanywheresuppliestohim。

Whattragicdignity，forexample，canbewroughtintoascenelikethis！Howcanweelevateourhistoryofretributionforthesinoflongago，when，asoneofourmostprominentfigures，wearecompelledtointroduce——notayoungandlovelywoman，noreventhestatelyremainsofbeauty，storm-shatteredbyaffliction——butagaunt，sallow，rusty-jointedmaiden，inalong-waistedsilkgown，andwiththestrangehorrorofaturbanonherhead！Hervisageisnotevenugly。Itisredeemedfrominsignificanceonlybythecontractionofhereyebrowsintoanear-sightedscowl。And，finally，hergreatlife-trialseemstobe，that，aftersixtyyearsofidleness，shefindsitconvenienttoearncomfortablebreadbysettingupashopinasmallway。Nevertheless，ifwelookthroughalltheheroicfortunesofmankind，weshallfindthissameentanglementofsomethingmeanandtrivialwithwhateverisnoblestinjoyorsorrow。Lifeismadeupofmarbleandmud。And，withoutallthedeepertrustinacomprehensivesympathyaboveus，wemighthencebeledtosuspecttheinsultofasneer，aswellasanimmitigablefrown，ontheironcountenanceoffate。Whatiscalledpoeticinsightisthegiftofdiscerning，inthissphereofstrangelymingledelements，thebeautyandthemajestywhicharecompelledtoassumeagarbsosordid。

IIITheFirstCustomerMISSHEPZIBAHPYNCHEONsatintheoakenelbow-chair，withherhandsoverherface，givingwaytothatheavydown-sinkingoftheheartwhichmostpersonshaveexperienced，whentheimageofhopeitselfseemsponderouslymouldedoflead，ontheeveofanenterpriseatoncedoubtfulandmomentous。Shewassuddenlystartledbythetinklingalarum——high，sharp，andirregular——ofalittlebell。

Themaidenladyaroseuponherfeet，aspaleasaghostatcock-crow；

forshewasanenslavedspirit，andthisthetalismantowhichsheowedobedience。Thislittlebell，——tospeakinplainerterms，——beingfastenedovertheshop-door，wassocontrivedastovibratebymeansofasteelspring，andthusconveynoticetotheinnerregionsofthehousewhenanycustomershouldcrossthethreshold。Itsuglyandspitefullittledin(heardnowforthefirsttime，perhaps，sinceHepzibah’speriwiggedpredecessorhadretiredfromtrade)atonceseteverynerveofherbodyinresponsiveandtumultuousvibration。Thecrisiswasuponher！Herfirstcustomerwasatthedoor！

Withoutgivingherselftimeforasecondthought，sherushedintotheshop，pale，wild，desperateingestureandexpression，scowlingportentously，andlookingfarbetterqualifiedtodofiercebattlewithahousebreakerthantostandsmilingbehindthecounter，barteringsmallwaresforacopperrecompense。Anyordinarycustomer，indeed，wouldhaveturnedhisbackandfled。AndyettherewasnothingfierceinHepzibah’spooroldheart；norhadshe，atthemoment，asinglebitterthoughtagainsttheworldatlarge，oroneindividualmanorwoman。Shewishedthemallwell，butwished，too，thatsheherselfweredonewiththem，andinherquietgrave。

Theapplicant，bythistime，stoodwithinthedoorway。Comingfreshly，ashedid，outofthemorninglight，heappearedtohavebroughtsomeofitscheeryinfluencesintotheshopalongwithhim。

Itwasaslenderyoungman，notmorethanoneortwoandtwentyyearsold，withratheragraveandthoughtfulexpressionforhisyears，butlikewiseaspringyalacrityandvigor。Thesequalitieswerenotonlyperceptible，physically，inhismakeandmotions，butmadethemselvesfeltalmostimmediatelyinhischaracter。

Abrownbeard，nottoosilkeninitstexture，fringedhischin，butasyetwithoutcompletelyhidingit；heworeashortmustache，too，andhisdark，high-featuredcountenancelookedallthebetterforthesenaturalornaments。Asforhisdress，itwasofthesimplestkind；asummersackofcheapandordinarymaterial，thincheckeredpantaloons，andastrawhat，bynomeansofthefinestbraid。OakHallmighthavesuppliedhisentireequipment。

Hewaschieflymarkedasagentleman——ifsuch，indeed，hemadeanyclaimtobe——bytheratherremarkablewhitenessandnicetyofhiscleanlinen。

HemetthescowlofoldHepzibahwithoutapparentalarm，ashavingheretoforeencountereditandfounditharmless。

"So，mydearMissPyncheon，"saidthedaguerreotypist，——foritwasthatsoleotheroccupantoftheseven-gabledmansion，——"Iamgladtoseethatyouhavenotshrunkfromyourgoodpurpose。

Imerelylookintooffermybestwishes，andtoaskifIcanassistyouanyfurtherinyourpreparations。"

Peopleindifficultyanddistress，orinanymanneratoddswiththeworld，canendureavastamountofharshtreatment，andperhapsbeonlythestrongerforit；whereastheygivewayatoncebeforethesimplestexpressionofwhattheyperceivetobegenuinesympathy。

SoitprovedwithpoorHepzibah；for，whenshesawtheyoungman’ssmile，——lookingsomuchthebrighteronathoughtfulface，——andheardhiskindlytone，shebrokefirstintoahystericgiggleandthenbegantosob。

"Ah，Mr。Holgrave，"criedshe，assoonasshecouldspeak，"I

nevercangothroughwithitNever，never，neverIwishIweredead，andintheoldfamilytomb，withallmyforefathers！Withmyfather，andmymother，andmysister。Yes，andwithmybrother，whohadfarbetterfindmetherethanhere！Theworldistoochillandhard，——andIamtooold，andtoofeeble，andtoohopeless！"

"Oh，believeme，MissHepzibah，"saidtheyoungmanquietly，"thesefeelingswillnottroubleyouanylonger，afteryouareoncefairlyinthemidstofyourenterprise。Theyareunavoidableatthismoment，standing，asyoudo，ontheoutervergeofyourlongseclusion，andpeoplingtheworldwithuglyshapes，whichyouwillsoonfindtobeasunrealasthegiantsandogresofachild’sstory-book。Ifindnothingsosingularinlife，asthateverythingappearstoloseitssubstancetheinstantoneactuallygrappleswithit。Soitwillbewithwhatyouthinksoterrible。"

"ButIamawoman！"saidHepzibahpiteously。"Iwasgoingtosay，alady，——butIconsiderthataspast。"

"Well；nomatterifitbepast！"answeredtheartist，astrangegleamofhalf-hiddensarcasmflashingthroughthekindlinessofhismanner。"LetitgoYouarethebetterwithoutit。Ispeakfrankly，mydearMissPyncheon！forarewenotfriends？Ilookuponthisasoneofthefortunatedaysofyourlife。Itendsanepochandbeginsone。Hitherto，thelife-bloodhasbeengraduallychillinginyourveinsasyousataloof，withinyourcircleofgentility，whiletherestoftheworldwasfightingoutitsbattlewithonekindofnecessityoranother。Henceforth，youwillatleasthavethesenseofhealthyandnaturaleffortforapurpose，andoflendingyourstrengthbeitgreatorsmall——totheunitedstruggleofmankind。Thisissuccess，——allthesuccessthatanybodymeetswith！"

"Itisnaturalenough，Mr。Holgrave，thatyoushouldhaveideaslikethese，"rejoinedHepzibah，drawinguphergauntfigurewithslightlyoffendeddignity。"Youareaman，ayoungman，andbroughtup，Isuppose，asalmosteverybodyisnowadays，withaviewtoseekingyourfortune。ButIwasbornalady。andhavealwayslivedone；

nomatterinwhatnarrownessofmeans，alwaysalady。"

"ButIwasnotbornagentleman；neitherhaveIlivedlikeone，"

saidHolgrave，slightlysmiling；"so，mydearmadam，youwillhardlyexpectmetosympathizewithsensibilitiesofthiskind；

though，unlessIdeceivemyself，Ihavesomeimperfectcomprehensionofthem。Thesenamesofgentlemanandladyhadameaning，inthepasthistoryoftheworld，andconferredprivileges，desirableorotherwise，onthoseentitledtobearthem。Inthepresent——andstillmoreinthefutureconditionofsociety-theyimply，notprivilege，butrestriction！"

"Thesearenewnotions，"saidtheoldgentlewoman，shakingherhead。"Ishallneverunderstandthem；neitherdoIwishit。"

"Wewillceasetospeakofthem，then，"repliedtheartist，withafriendliersmilethanhislastone，"andIwillleaveyoutofeelwhetheritisnotbettertobeatruewomanthanalady。

Doyoureallythink，MissHepzibah，thatanyladyofyourfamilyhaseverdoneamoreheroicthing，sincethishousewasbuilt，thanyouareperforminginitto-day？Never；andifthePyncheonshadalwaysactedsonobly，IdoubtwhetheranoldwizardMaule’sanathema，ofwhichyoutoldmeonce，wouldhavehadmuchweightwithProvidenceagainstthem。"

"Ah！——no，no！"saidHepzibah，notdispleasedatthisallusiontothesombredignityofaninheritedcurse。"IfoldMaule’sghost，oradescendantofhis，couldseemebehindthecounterto-day。

hewouldcallitthefulfillmentofhisworstwishes。ButIthankyouforyourkindness，Mr。Holgrave，andwilldomyutmosttobeagoodshop-keeper。"

"Praydo"saidHolgrave，"andletmehavethepleasureofbeingyourfirstcustomer。Iamabouttakingawalktotheseashore，beforegoingtomyrooms，whereImisuseHeaven’sblessedsunshinebytracingouthumanfeaturesthroughitsagency。Afewofthosebiscuits，diptinsea-water，willbejustwhatIneedforbreakfast。

Whatisthepriceofhalfadozen？"

"Letmebealadyamomentlonger，"repliedHepzibah，withamannerofantiquestatelinesstowhichamelancholysmilelentakindofgrace。

Sheputthebiscuitsintohishand，butrejectedthecompensation。

"APyncheonmustnot，atalleventsunderherforefathers’roof，receivemoneyforamorselofbreadfromheronlyfriend！"

Holgravetookhisdeparture，leavingher，forthemoment，withspiritsnotquitesomuchdepressed。Soon，however，theyhadsubsidednearlytotheirformerdeadlevel。Withabeatingheart，shelistenedtothefootstepsofearlypassengers，whichnowbegantobefrequentalongthestreet。Onceortwicetheyseemedtolinger；thesestrangers，orneighbors，asthecasemightbe，werelookingatthedisplayoftoysandpettycommoditiesinHepzibah’sshop-window。Shewasdoublytortured；inpart，withasenseofoverwhelmingshamethatstrangeandunlovingeyesshouldhavetheprivilegeofgazing，andpartlybecausetheideaoccurredtoher，withridiculousimportunity，thatthewindowwasnotarrangedsoskilfully，nornearlytosomuchadvantage，asitmighthavebeen。Itseemedasifthewholefortuneorfailureofhershopmightdependonthedisplayofadifferentsetofarticles，orsubstitutingafairerappleforonewhichappearedtobespecked。

Soshemadethechange，andstraightwayfanciedthateverythingwasspoiledbyit；notrecognizingthatitwasthenervousnessofthejuncture，andherownnativesqueamishnessasanoldmaid，thatwroughtalltheseemingmischief。

Anon，therewasanencounter，justatthedoor-step，betwixttwolaboringmen，astheirroughvoicesdenotedthemtobe。Aftersomeslighttalkabouttheirownaffairs，oneofthemchancedtonoticetheshop-window，anddirectedtheother’sattentiontoit。

"Seehere！"criedhe；"whatdoyouthinkofthis？TradeseemstobelookingupinPyncheonStreet！"

"Well，well，thisisasight，tobesure！"exclaimedtheother。

"IntheoldPyncheonHouse，andunderneaththePyncheonElm！Whowouldhavethoughtit？OldMaidPyncheonissettingupacent-shop！"

"Willshemakeitgo，thinkyou，Dixey；"saidhisfriend。"Idon’tcallitaverygoodstand。There’sanothershopjustroundthecorner。"

"Makeitgo！"criedDixey，withamostcontemptuousexpression，asiftheveryideawereimpossibletobeconceived。"Notabitofit！Why，herface——I’veseenit，forIdughergardenforheroneyear——herfaceisenoughtofrightentheOldNickhimself，ifhehadeversogreatamindtotradewithher。Peoplecan’tstandit，Itellyou！Shescowlsdreadfully，reasonornone，outofpureuglinessoftemper。"

"Well，that’snotsomuchmatter，"remarkedtheotherman。

"Thesesour-temperedfolksaremostlyhandyatbusiness，andknowprettywellwhattheyareabout。But，asyousay，Idon’tthinkshe’lldomuch。Thisbusinessofkeepingcent-shopsisoverdone，likeallotherkindsoftrade，handicraft，andbodilylabor。Iknowit，tomycost！Mywifekeptacent-shopthreemonths，andlostfivedollarsonheroutlay。"

"Poorbusiness！"respondedDixey，inatoneasifhewereshakinghishead，——"poorbusiness。"

Forsomereasonorother，notveryeasytoanalyze，therehadhardlybeensobitterapanginallherpreviousmiseryaboutthematteraswhatthrilledHepzibah’sheartonoverhearingtheaboveconversation。Thetestimonyinregardtoherscowlwasfrightfullyimportant；itseemedtoholdupherimagewhollyrelievedfromthefalselightofherself-partialities，andsohideousthatshedarednotlookatit。Shewasabsurdlyhurt，moreover，bytheslightandidleeffectthathersettingupshop——aneventofsuchbreathlessinteresttoherself——appearedtohaveuponthepublic，ofwhichthesetwomenwerethenearestrepresentatives。Aglance；apassingwordortwo；acoarselaugh；andshewasdoubtlessforgottenbeforetheyturnedthecorner。Theycarednothingforherdignity，andjustaslittleforherdegradation。Then，also，theauguryofill-success，utteredfromthesurewisdomofexperience，felluponherhalf-deadhopelikeaclodintoagrave。Theman’swifehadalreadytriedthesameexperiment，andfailed！Howcouldtheborn，ladytherecluseofhalfalifetime，utterlyunpractisedintheworld，atsixtyyearsofage，——howcouldsheeverdreamofsucceeding，whenthehard，vulgar，keen，busy，hackneyedNewEnglandwomanhadlostfivedollarsonherlittleoutlay！Successpresenteditselfasanimpossibility，andthehopeofitasawildhallucination。

Somemalevolentspirit，doinghisutmosttodriveHepzibahmad，unrolledbeforeherimaginationakindofpanorama，representingthegreatthoroughfareofacityallastirwithcustomers。Somanyandsomagnificentshopsastherewere！Groceries，toy-shops，drygoodsstores，withtheirimmensepanesofplate-glass，theirgorgeousfixtures，theirvastandcompleteassortmentsofmerchandise，inwhichfortuneshadbeeninvested；andthosenoblemirrorsatthefartherendofeachestablishment，doublingallthiswealthbyabrightlyburnishedvistaofunrealities！Ononesideofthestreetthissplendidbazaar，withamultitudeofperfumedandglossysalesmen，smirking，smiling，bowing，andmeasuringoutthegoods。Ontheother，theduskyoldHouseoftheSevenGables，withtheantiquatedshop-windowunderitsprojectingstory，andHepzibahherself，inagownofrustyblacksilk，behindthecounter，scowlingattheworldasitwentby！

Thismightycontrastthrustitselfforwardasafairexpressionoftheoddsagainstwhichshewastobeginherstruggleforasubsistence。Success？Preposterous！Shewouldneverthinkofitagain！Thehousemightjustaswellbeburiedinaneternalfogwhileallotherhouseshadthesunshineonthem；fornotafootwouldevercrossthethreshold，norahandsomuchastrythedoor！

But，atthisinstant，theshop-bell，rightoverherhead，tinkledasifitwerebewitched。Theoldgentlewoman’sheartseemedtobeattachedtothesamesteelspring，foritwentthroughaseriesofsharpjerks，inunisonwiththesound。Thedoorwasthrustopen，althoughnohumanformwasperceptibleontheothersideofthehalf-window。Hepzibah，nevertheless，stoodatagaze，withherhandsclasped，lookingverymuchasifshehadsummonedupanevilspirit，andwereafraid，yetresolved，tohazardtheencounter。

"Heavenhelpme！"shegroanedmentally。"Nowismyhourofneed！"

Thedoor，whichmovedwithdifficultyonitscreakingandrustyhinges，beingforcedquiteopen，asquareandsturdylittleurchinbecameapparent，withcheeksasredasanapple。Hewascladrathershabbily(but，asitseemed，moreowingtohismother’scarelessnessthanhisfather’spoverty)，inablueapron，verywideandshorttrousers，shoessomewhatoutatthetoes，andachiphat，withthefrizzlesofhiscurlyhairstickingthroughitscrevices。Abookandasmallslate，underhisarm，indicatedthathewasonhiswaytoschool。HestaredatHepzibahamoment，asaneldercustomerthanhimselfwouldhavebeenlikelyenoughtodo，notknowingwhattomakeofthetragicattitudeandqueerscowlwherewithsheregardedhim。

"Well，child，"saidshe，takingheartatsightofapersonagesolittleformidable，——"well，mychild，whatdidyouwishfor？"

"ThatJimCrowthereinthewindow，"answeredtheurchin，holdingoutacent，andpointingtothegingerbreadfigurethathadattractedhisnotice，asheloiteredalongtoschool；"theonethathasnotabrokenfoot。"

SoHepzibahputforthherlankarm，and，takingtheeffigyfromtheshop-window，deliveredittoherfirstcustomer。

"Nomatterforthemoney，"saidshe，givinghimalittlepushtowardsthedoor；forheroldgentilitywascontumaciouslysqueamishatsightofthecoppercoin，and，besides，itseemedsuchpitifulmeannesstotakethechild’spocket-moneyinexchangeforabitofstalegingerbread。"Nomatterforthecent。YouarewelcometoJimCrow。"

Thechild，staringwithroundeyesatthisinstanceofliberality，whollyunprecedentedinhislargeexperienceofcent-shops，tookthemanofgingerbread，andquittedthepremises。Nosoonerhadhereachedthesidewalk(littlecannibalthathewas！)thanJimCrow’sheadwasinhismouth。Ashehadnotbeencarefultoshutthedoor，Hepzibahwasatthepainsofclosingitafterhim，withapettishejaculationortwoaboutthetroublesomenessofyoungpeople，andparticularlyofsmallboys。ShehadjustplacedanotherrepresentativeoftherenownedJimCrowatthewindow，whenagaintheshop-belltinkledclamorously，andagainthedoorbeingthrustopen，withitscharacteristicjerkandjar，disclosedthesamesturdylittleurchinwho，preciselytwominutesago，hadmadehisexit。Thecrumbsanddiscolorationofthecannibalfeast，asyethardlyconsummated，wereexceedinglyvisibleabouthismouth。

"Whatisitnow，child？"askedthemaidenladyratherimpatiently；

"didyouComebacktoshutthedoor？"

"No，"answeredtheurchin，pointingtothefigurethathadjustbeenputup；"IwantthatotherJim。Crow"

"Well，hereitisforyou，"saidHepzibah，reachingitdown；butrecognizingthatthispertinaciouscustomerwouldnotquitherOnanyotherterms，solongasshehadagingerbreadfigureinhershop，shepartlydrewbackherextendedhand，"Whereisthecent？"

Thelittleboyhadthecentready，but，likeatrue-bornYankee，wouldhavepreferredthebetterbargaintotheworse。Lookingsomewhatchagrined，heputthecoinintoHepzibah’shand，anddeparted，sendingthesecondJimCrowinquestoftheformerone。

Thenewshop-keeperdroppedthefirstsolidresultofhercommercialenterpriseintothetill。Itwasdone！Thesordidstainofthatcoppercoincouldneverbewashedawayfromherpalm。Thelittleschoolboy，aidedbytheimpishfigureofthenegrodancer，hadwroughtanirreparableruin。Thestructureofancientaristocracyhadbeendemolishedbyhim，evenasifhischildishgripehadtorndowntheseven-gabledmansion。NowletHepzibahturntheoldPyncheonportraitswiththeirfacestothewall，andtakethemapofherEasternterritorytokindlethekitchenfire，andblowuptheflamewiththeemptybreathofherancestraltraditions！Whathadshetodowithancestry？Nothing；nomorethanwithposterity！Nolady，now，butsimplyHepzibahPyncheon，aforlornoldmaid，andkeeperofacent-shop！

Nevertheless，evenwhilesheparadedtheseideassomewhatostentatiouslythroughhermind，itisaltogethersurprisingwhatacalmnesshadcomeoverher。Theanxietyandmisgivingswhichhadtormentedher，whetherasleeporinmelancholyday-dreams，eversinceherprojectbegantotakeanaspectofsolidity，hadnowvanishedquiteaway。Shefeltthenoveltyofherposition，indeed，butnolongerwithdisturbanceoraffright。Nowandthen，therecameathrillofalmostyouthfulenjoyment。Itwastheinvigoratingbreathofafreshoutwardatmosphere，afterthelongtorporandmonotonousseclusionofherlife。Sowholesomeiseffort！Somiraculousthestrengththatwedonotknowof！

ThehealthiestglowthatHepzibahhadknownforyearshadcomenowinthedreadedcrisis，when，forthefirsttime，shehadputforthherhandtohelpherself。Thelittlecircletoftheschoolboy’scoppercoin——dimandlustrelessthoughitwas，withthesmallserviceswhichithadbeendoinghereandthereabouttheworld——hadprovedatalisman，fragrantwithgood，anddeservingtobesetingoldandwornnextherheart。Itwasaspotent，andperhapsendowedwiththesamekindofefficacy，asagalvanicring！Hepzibah，atallevents，wasindebtedtoitssubtileoperationbothinbodyandspirit；somuchthemore，asitinspiredherwithenergytogetsomebreakfast，atwhich，stillthebettertokeepuphercourage，sheallowedherselfanextraspoonfulinherinfusionofblacktea。

Herintroductorydayofshop-keepingdidnotrunon，however，withoutmanyandseriousinterruptionsofthismoodofcheerfulvigor。Asageneralrule，Providenceseldomvouchsafestomortalsanymorethanjustthatdegreeofencouragementwhichsufficestokeepthematareasonablyfullexertionoftheirpowers。Inthecaseofouroldgentlewoman，aftertheexcitementofnewefforthadsubsided，thedespondencyofherwholelifethreatened，everandanon，toreturn。Itwasliketheheavymassofcloudswhichwemayoftenseeobscuringthesky，andmakingagraytwilighteverywhere，until，towardsnightfall，ityieldstemporarilytoaglimpseofsunshine。But，always，theenviouscloudstrivestogatheragainacrossthestreakofcelestialazure。

Customerscamein，astheforenoonadvanced，butratherslowly；

insomecases，too，itmustbeowned，withlittlesatisfactioneithertothemselvesorMissHepzibah；nor，onthewhole，withanaggregateofveryrichemolumenttothetill。Alittlegirl，sentbyhermothertomatchaskeinofcottonthread，ofapeculiarhue，tookonethatthenear-sightedoldladypronouncedextremelylike，butsooncamerunningback，withabluntandcrossmessage，thatitwouldnotdo，and，besides，wasveryrotten！Then，therewasapale，care-wrinkledwoman，notoldbuthaggard，andalreadywithstreaksofgrayamongherhair，likesilverribbons；oneofthosewomen，naturallydelicate，whomyouatoncerecognizeasworntodeathbyabrute——probablyadrunkenbrute——ofahusband，andatleastninechildren。Shewantedafewpoundsofflour，andofferedthemoney，whichthedecayedgentlewomansilentlyrejected，andgavethepoorsoulbettermeasurethanifshehadtakenit。

Shortlyafterwards，amaninabluecottonfrock，muchsoiled，cameinandboughtapipe，fillingthewholeshop，meanwhile，withthehotodorofstrongdrink，notonlyexhaledinthetorridatmosphereofhisbreath，butoozingoutofhisentiresystem，likeaninflammablegas。ItwasimpressedonHepzibah’smindthatthiswasthehusbandofthecare-wrinkledwoman。Heaskedforapaperoftobacco；andasshehadneglectedtoprovideherselfwiththearticle，herbrutalcustomerdasheddownhisnewly-boughtpipeandlefttheshop，mutteringsomeunintelligiblewords，whichhadthetoneandbitternessofacurse。HereuponHepzibahthrewuphereyes，unintentionallyscowlinginthefaceofProvidence！

Nolessthanfivepersons，duringtheforenoon，inquiredforginger-beer，orroot-beer，oranydrinkofasimilarbrewage，and，obtainingnothingofthekind，wentoffinanexceedinglybadhumor。Threeofthemleftthedooropen，andtheothertwopulleditsospitefullyingoingoutthatthelittlebellplayedtheverydeucewithHepzibah’snerves。Around，bustling，fire-ruddyhousewifeoftheneighborhoodburstbreathlessintotheshop，fiercelydemandingyeast；andwhenthepoorgentlewoman，withhercoldshynessofmanner，gaveherhotcustomertounderstandthatshedidnotkeepthearticle，thisverycapablehousewifetookuponherselftoadministeraregularrebuke。

"Acent-shop，andNoyeast！"quothshe；"thatwillneverdo！

Whoeverheardofsuchathing？Yourloafwillneverrise，nomorethanminewillto-day。Youhadbettershutupshopatonce。"

"Well，"saidHepzibah，heavingadeepsigh，"perhapsIhad！"

Severaltimes，moreover，besidestheaboveinstance，herlady-likesensibilitieswereseriouslyinfringeduponbythefamiliar，ifnotrude，tonewithwhichpeopleaddressedher。Theyevidentlyconsideredthemselvesnotmerelyherequals，butherpatronsandsuperiors。Now，Hepzibahhadunconsciouslyflatteredherselfwiththeideathattherewouldbeagleamorhalo，ofsomekindorother，aboutherperson，whichwouldinsureanobeisancetohersterlinggentility，or，atleast，atacitrecognitionofit。

Ontheotherhand，nothingtorturedhermoreintolerablythanwhenthisrecognitionwastooprominentlyexpressed。Tooneortworatherofficiousoffersofsympathy，herresponseswerelittleshortofacrimonious；and，weregrettosay，Hepzibahwasthrownintoapositivelyunchristianstateofmindbythesuspicionthatoneofhercustomerswasdrawntotheshop，notbyanyrealneedofthearticlewhichshepretendedtoseek，butbyawickedwishtostareather。Thevulgarcreaturewasdeterminedtoseeforherselfwhatsortofafigureamildewedpieceofaristocracy，afterwastingallthebloomandmuchofthedeclineofherlifeapartfromtheworld，wouldcutbehindacounter。Inthisparticularcase，howevermechanicalandinnocuousitmightbeatothertimes，Hepzibah’scontortionofbrowservedheringoodstead。

"Ineverwassofrightenedinmylife！"saidthecuriouscustomer，indescribingtheincidenttooneofheracquaintances。"She’sarealoldvixen，takemywordofit！Shesayslittle，tobesure；

butifyoucouldonlyseethemischiefinhereye！"

Onthewhole，therefore，hernewexperienceledourdecayedgentlewomantoverydisagreeableconclusionsastothetemperandmannersofwhatshetermedthelowerclasses，whomheretoforeshehadlookeddownuponwithagentleandpityingcomplaisance，asherselfoccupyingasphereofunquestionablesuperiority。

But，unfortunately，shehadlikewisetostruggleagainstabitteremotionofadirectlyoppositekind:asentimentofvirulence，wemean，towardstheidlearistocracytowhichithadsorecentlybeenherpridetobelong。Whenalady，inadelicateandcostlysummergarb，withafloatingveilandgracefullyswayinggown，and，altogether，anethereallightnessthatmadeyoulookatherbeautifullyslipperedfeet，toseewhethershetrodonthedustorfloatedintheair，——whensuchavisionhappenedtopassthroughthisretiredstreet，leavingittenderlyanddelusivelyfragrantwithherpassage，asifabouquetoftea-roseshadbeenbornealong，——thenagain，itistobefeared，oldHepzibah’sscowlcouldnolongervindicateitselfentirelyonthepleaofnear-sightedness。

"Forwhatend，"thoughtshe，givingventtothatfeelingofhostilitywhichistheonlyrealabasementofthepoorinpresenceoftherich，——"forwhatgoodend，inthewisdomofProvidence，doesthatwomanlive？Mustthewholeworldtoil，thatthepalmsofherhandsmaybekeptwhiteanddelicate？"

Then，ashamedandpenitent，shehidherface。

"MayGodforgiveme！"saidshe。

Doubtless，Goddidforgiveher。But，takingtheinwardandoutwardhistoryofthefirsthalf-dayintoconsideration，Hepzibahbegantofearthattheshopwouldproveherruininamoralandreligiouspointofview，withoutcontributingveryessentiallytowardsevenhertemporalwelfare。

IVADayBehindtheCounterTOWARDSnoon，Hepzibahsawanelderlygentleman，largeandportly，andofremarkablydignifieddemeanor，passingslowlyalongontheoppositesideofthewhiteanddustystreet。OncomingwithintheshadowofthePyncheonElm，hestopt，and(takingoffhishat，meanwhile，towipetheperspirationfromhisbrow)seemedtoscrutinize，withespecialinterest，thedilapidatedandrusty-visagedHouseoftheSevenGables。Hehimself，inaverydifferentstyle，wasaswellworthlookingatasthehouse。

Nobettermodelneedbesought，norcouldhavebeenfound，ofaveryhighorderofrespectability，which，bysomeindescribablemagic，notmerelyexpresseditselfinhislooksandgestures，butevengovernedthefashionofhisgarments，andrenderedthemallproperandessentialtotheman。Withoutappearingtodiffer，inanytangibleway，fromotherpeople’sclothes，therewasyetawideandrichgravityaboutthemthatmusthavebeenacharacteristicofthewearer，sinceitcouldnotbedefinedaspertainingeithertothecutormaterial。Hisgold-headedcane，too，——aserviceablestaff，ofdarkpolishedwood，——hadsimilartraits，and，haditchosentotakeawalkbyitself，wouldhavebeenrecognizedanywhereasatolerablyadequaterepresentativeofitsmaster。Thischaracter——whichshoweditselfsostrikinglyineverythingabouthim，andtheeffectofwhichweseektoconveytothereader——wentnodeeperthanhisstation，habitsoflife，andexternalcircumstances。

Oneperceivedhimtobeapersonageofmarkedinfluenceandauthority；

and，especially，youcouldfeeljustascertainthathewasopulentasifhehadexhibitedhisbankaccount，orasifyouhadseenhimtouchingthetwigsofthePyncheonElm，and，Midas-like，transmutingthemtogold。

Inhisyouth，hehadprobablybeenconsideredahandsomeman；

athispresentage，hisbrowwastooheavy，histemplestoobare，hisremaininghairtoogray，hiseyetoocold，hislipstoocloselycompressed，tobearanyrelationtomerepersonalbeauty。Hewouldhavemadeagoodandmassiveportrait；betternow，perhaps，thanatanypreviousperiodofhislife，althoughhislookmightgrowpositivelyharshintheprocessofbeingfixeduponthecanvas。

Theartistwouldhavefounditdesirabletostudyhisface，andproveitscapacityforvariedexpression；todarkenitwithafrown，——tokindleitupwithasmile。

WhiletheelderlygentlemanstoodlookingatthePyncheonHouse，boththefrownandthesmilepassedsuccessivelyoverhiscountenance。

Hiseyerestedontheshop-window，andputtingupapairofgold-bowedspectacles，whichheheldinhishand，heminutelysurveyedHepzibah’slittlearrangementoftoysandcommodities。Atfirstitseemednottopleasehim，——nay，tocausehimexceedingdispleasure，——andyet，theverynextmoment，hesmiled。Whilethelatterexpressionwasyetonhislips，hecaughtaglimpseofHepzibah，whohadinvoluntarilybentforwardtothewindow；andthenthesmilechangedfromacridanddisagreeabletothesunniestcomplacencyandbenevolence。Hebowed，withahappymixtureofdignityandcourteouskindliness，andpursuedhisway。

"Thereheis！"saidHepzibahtoherself，gulpingdownaverybitteremotion，and，sinceshecouldnotridherselfofit，tryingtodriveitbackintoherheart。"Whatdoeshethinkofit，Iwonder？Doesitpleasehim？Ah！heislookingback！"

Thegentlemanhadpausedinthestreet，andturnedhimselfhalfabout，stillwithhiseyesfixedontheshop-window。Infact，hewheeledwhollyround，andcommencedasteportwo，asifdesigningtoentertheshop；but，asitchanced，hispurposewasanticipatedbyHepzibah’sfirstcustomer，thelittlecannibalofJimCrow，who，staringupatthewindow，wasirresistiblyattractedbyanelephantofgingerbread。Whatagrandappetitehadthissmallurchin！——

TwoJimCrowsimmediatelyafterbreakfast！——andnowanelephant，asapreliminarywhetbeforedinner。Bythetimethislatterpurchasewascompleted，theelderlygentlemanhadresumedhisway，andturnedthestreetcorner。

"Takeitasyoulike，CousinJaffrey。"mutteredthemaidenlady，asshedrewback，aftercautiouslythrustingoutherhead，andlookingupanddownthestreet，——"Takeitasyoulike！Youhaveseenmylittleshop——window。Well！——whathaveyoutosay？——isnotthePyncheonHousemyown，whileI’malive？"

Afterthisincident，Hepzibahretreatedtothebackparlor，wheresheatfirstcaughtupahalf-finishedstocking，andbeganknittingatitwithnervousandirregularjerks；butquicklyfindingherselfatoddswiththestitches，shethrewitaside，andwalkedhurriedlyabouttheroom。AtlengthshepausedbeforetheportraitofthesternoldPuritan，herancestor，andthefounderofthehouse。Inonesense，thispicturehadalmostfadedintothecanvas，andhiddenitselfbehindtheduskinessofage；inanother，shecouldnotbutfancythatithadbeengrowingmoreprominentandstrikinglyexpressive，eversinceherearliestfamiliaritywithitasachild。

For，whilethephysicaloutlineandsubstanceweredarkeningawayfromthebeholder’seye，thebold，hard，and，atthesametime，indirectcharacterofthemanseemedtobebroughtoutinakindofspiritualrelief。Suchaneffectmayoccasionallybeobservedinpicturesofantiquedate。Theyacquirealookwhichanartist(ifhehaveanythinglikethecomplacencyofartistsnowadays)

wouldneverdreamofpresentingtoapatronashisowncharacteristicexpression，butwhich，nevertheless，weatoncerecognizeasreflectingtheunlovelytruthofahumansoul。Insuchcases，thepainter’sdeepconceptionofhissubject’sinwardtraitshaswroughtitselfintotheessenceofthepicture，andisseenafterthesuperficialcoloringhasbeenrubbedoffbytime。

Whilegazingattheportrait，Hepzibahtrembledunderitseye。

Herhereditaryreverencemadeherafraidtojudgethecharacteroftheoriginalsoharshlyasaperceptionofthetruthcompelledhertodo。Butstillshegazed，becausethefaceofthepictureenabledher——atleast，shefanciedso——toreadmoreaccurately，andtoagreaterdepth，thefacewhichshehadjustseeninthestreet。

"Thisistheveryman！"murmuredshetoherself。"LetJaffreyPyncheonsmileashewill，thereisthatlookbeneath！Putonhimaskull-cap，andaband，andablackcloak，andaBibleinonehandandaswordintheother，——thenletJaffreysmileashemight，——nobodywoulddoubtthatitwastheoldPyncheoncomeagain。Hehasprovedhimselftheverymantobuildupanewhouse！

Perhaps，too，todrawdownanewcurse！"

ThusdidHepzibahbewilderherselfwiththesefantasiesoftheoldtime。Shehaddwelttoomuchalone，——toolonginthePyncheonHouse，——untilherverybrainwasimpregnatedwiththedry-rotofitstimbers。

Sheneededawalkalongthenoondaystreettokeephersane。

Bythespellofcontrast，anotherportraitroseupbeforeher，paintedwithmoredaringflatterythananyartistwouldhaveventuredupon，butyetsodelicatelytouchedthatthelikenessremainedperfect。Malbone’sminiature，thoughfromthesameoriginal，wasfarinferiortoHepzibah’sair-drawnpicture，atwhichaffectionandsorrowfulremembrancewroughttogether。

Soft，mildly，andcheerfullycontemplative，withfull，redlips，justonthevergeofasmile，whichtheeyesseemedtoheraldbyagentlekindling-upoftheirorbs！Femininetraits，mouldedinseparablywiththoseoftheothersex！Theminiature，likewise，hadthislastpeculiarity；sothatyouinevitablythoughtoftheoriginalasresemblinghismother，andshealovelyandlovablewoman，withperhapssomebeautifulinfirmityofcharacter，thatmadeitallthepleasantertoknowandeasiertoloveher。

"Yes，"thoughtHepzibah，withgriefofwhichitwasonlythemoretolerableportionthatwelledupfromherhearttohereyelids，"theypersecutedhismotherinhim！HeneverwasaPyncheon！"

Butheretheshop-bellrang；itwaslikeasoundfromaremotedistance，——sofarhadHepzibahdescendedintothesepulchraldepthsofherreminiscences。Onenteringtheshop，shefoundanoldmanthere，ahumbleresidentofPyncheonStreet，andwhom，foragreatmanyyearspast，shehadsufferedtobeakindoffamiliarofthehouse。Hewasanimmemorialpersonage，whoseemedalwaystohavehadawhiteheadandwrinkles，andnevertohavepossessedbutasingletooth，andthatahalf-decayedone，inthefrontoftheupperjaw。WelladvancedasHepzibahwas，shecouldnotrememberwhenUncleVenner，astheneighborhoodcalledhim，hadnotgoneupanddownthestreet，stoopingalittleanddrawinghisfeetheavilyoverthegravelorpavement。

Butstilltherewassomethingtoughandvigorousabouthim，thatnotonlykepthimindailybreath，butenabledhimtofillaplacewhichwouldelsehavebeenvacantintheapparentlycrowdedworld。Togooferrandswithhisslowandshufflinggait，whichmadeyoudoubthowheeverwastoarriveanywhere；tosawasmallhousehold’sfootortwooffirewood，orknocktopiecesanoldbarrel，orsplitupapineboardforkindling-stuff；insummer，todigthefewyardsofgardengroundappertainingtoalow-rentedtenement，andsharetheproduceofhislaboratthehalves；inwinter，toshovelawaythesnowfromthesidewalk，oropenpathstothewoodshed，oralongtheclothes-line；suchweresomeoftheessentialofficeswhichUncleVennerperformedamongatleastascoreoffamilies。

Withinthatcircle，heclaimedthesamesortofprivilege，andprobablyfeltasmuchwarmthofinterest，asaclergymandoesintherangeofhisparishioners。Notthathelaidclaimtothetithepig；but，asananalogousmodeofreverence，hewenthisrounds，everymorning，togatherupthecrumbsofthetableandoverflowingsofthedinner-pot，asfoodforapigofhisown。

Inhisyoungerdays——for，afterall，therewasadimtraditionthathehadbeen，notyoung，butyounger——UncleVennerwascommonlyregardedasratherdeficient，thanotherwise，inhiswits。Intruthhehadvirtuallypleadedguiltytothecharge，byscarcelyaimingatsuchsuccessasothermenseek，andbytakingonlythathumbleandmodestpartintheintercourseoflifewhichbelongstotheallegeddeficiency。Butnow，inhisextremeoldage，——whetheritwerethathislongandhardexperiencehadactuallybrightenedhim，orthathisdecayingjudgmentrenderedhimlesscapableoffairlymeasuringhimself，——thevenerablemanmadepretensionstonolittlewisdom，andreallyenjoyedthecreditofit。Therewaslikewise，attimes，aveinofsomethinglikepoetryinhim；itwasthemossorwall-flowerofhismindinitssmalldilapidation，andgaveacharmtowhatmighthavebeenvulgarandcommonplaceinhisearlierandmiddlelife。Hepzibahhadaregardforhim，becausehisnamewasancientinthetownandhadformerlybeenrespectable。ItwasastillbetterreasonforawardinghimaspeciesoffamiliarreverencethatUncleVennerwashimselfthemostancientexistence，whetherofmanorthing，inPyncheonStreet，excepttheHouseoftheSevenGables，andperhapstheelmthatovershadowedit。

ThispatriarchnowpresentedhimselfbeforeHepzibah，cladinanoldbluecoat，whichhadafashionableair，andmusthaveaccruedtohimfromthecast-offwardrobeofsomedashingclerk。Asforhistrousers，theywereoftow-cloth，veryshortinthelegs，andbaggingdownstrangelyintherear，butyethavingasuitablenesstohisfigurewhichhisothergarmententirelylacked。Hishathadrelationtonootherpartofhisdress，andbutverylittletotheheadthatworeit。ThusUncleVennerwasamiscellaneousoldgentleman，partlyhimself，but，ingoodmeasure，somebodyelse；patchedtogether，too，ofdifferentepochs；anepitomeoftimesandfashions。

"So，youhavereallybeguntrade，"saidhe，——"reallybeguntrade！

Well，I’mgladtoseeit。Youngpeopleshouldneverliveidleintheworld，noroldonesneither，unlesswhentherheumatizegetsholdofthem。Ithasgivenmewarningalready；andintwoorthreeyearslonger，Ishallthinkofputtingasidebusinessandretiringtomyfarm。That’syonder，——thegreatbrickhouse，youknow，——theworkhouse，mostfolkscallit；butImeantodomyworkfirst，andgotheretobeidleandenjoymyself。AndI’mgladtoseeyoubeginningtodoyourwork，MissHepzibah！"

"Thankyou，UncleVenner"saidHepzibah，smiling；forshealwaysfeltkindlytowardsthesimpleandtalkativeoldman。Hadhebeenanoldwoman，shemightprobablyhaverepelledthefreedom，whichshenowtookingoodpart。"Itistimeformetobeginwork，indeed！Or，tospeakthetruth，IhavejustbegunwhenIoughttobegivingitup。"

"Oh，neversaythat，MissHepzibah！"answeredtheoldman。"Youareayoungwomanyet。Why，IhardlythoughtmyselfyoungerthanIamnow，itseemssolittlewhileagosinceIusedtoseeyouplayingaboutthedooroftheoldhouse，quiteasmallchild！Oftener，though，youusedtobesittingatthethreshold，andlookinggravelyintothestreet；foryouhadalwaysagravekindofwaywithyou，——agrown-upair，whenyouwereonlytheheightofmyknee。ItseemsasifIsawyounow；andyourgrandfatherwithhisredcloak，andhiswhitewig，andhiscockedhat，andhiscane，comingoutofthehouse，andsteppingsograndlyupthestreet！ThoseoldgentlementhatgrewupbeforetheRevolutionusedtoputongrandairs。Inmyyoungdays，thegreatmanofthetownwascommonlycalledKing；andhiswife，notQueentobesure，butLady。Nowadays，amanwouldnotdaretobecalledKing；andifhefeelshimselfalittleabovecommonfolks，heonlystoopssomuchthelowertothem。Imetyourcousin，theJudge，tenminutesago；and，inmyoldtow-clothtrousers，asyousee，theJudgeraisedhishattome，Idobelieve！Atanyrate，theJudgebowedandsmiled！"

"Yes，"saidHepzibah，withsomethingbitterstealingunawaresintohertone；"mycousinJaffreyisthoughttohaveaverypleasantsmile！"

"Andsohehas"repliedUncleVenner。"Andthat’sratherremarkableinaPyncheon；for，beggingyourpardon，MissHepzibah，theyneverhadthenameofbeinganeasyandagreeablesetoffolks。Therewasnogettingclosetothem。ButNow，MissHepzibah，ifanoldmanmaybeboldtoask，whydon’tJudgePyncheon，withhisgreatmeans，stepforward，andtellhiscousintoshutupherlittleshopatonce？It’sforyourcredittobedoingsomething，butit’snotfortheJudge’scredittoletyou！"

"Wewon’ttalkofthis，ifyouplease，UncleVenner，"saidHepzibahcoldly。"Ioughttosay，however，that，ifIchoosetoearnbreadformyself，itisnotJudgePyncheon’sfault。Neitherwillhedeservetheblame，"addedshemorekindly，rememberingUncleVenner’sprivilegesofageandhumblefamiliarity，"ifIshould，byandby，finditconvenienttoretirewithyoutoyourfarm。"

"Andit’snobadplace，either，thatfarmofmine！"criedtheoldmancheerily，asifthereweresomethingpositivelydelightfulintheprospect。"Nobadplaceisthegreatbrickfarm-house，especiallyforthemthatwillfindagoodmanyoldcroniesthere，aswillbemycase。Iquitelongtobeamongthem，sometimes，ofthewinterevenings；foritisbutdullbusinessforalonesomeelderlyman，likeme，tobenodding，bythehourtogether，withnocompanybuthisair-tightstove。Summerorwinter，there’sagreatdealtobesaidinfavorofmyfarm！And，takeitintheautumn，whatcanbepleasanterthantospendawholedayonthesunnysideofabarnorawood-pile，chattingwithsomebodyasoldasone’sself；or，perhaps，idlingawaythetimewithanatural-bornsimpleton，whoknowshowtobeidle，becauseevenourbusyYankeesneverhavefoundouthowtoputhimtoanyuse？

Uponmyword，MissHepzibah，IdoubtwhetherI’veeverbeensocomfortableasImeantobeatmyfarm，whichmostfolkscalltheworkhouse。Butyou，——you’reayoungwomanyet，——youneverneedgothere！Somethingstillbetterwillturnupforyou。

I’msureofit！"

Hepzibahfanciedthattherewassomethingpeculiarinhervenerablefriend’slookandtone；insomuch，thatshegazedintohisfacewithconsiderableearnestness，endeavoringtodiscoverwhatsecretmeaning，ifany，mightbelurkingthere。Individualswhoseaffairshavereachedanutterlydesperatecrisisalmostinvariablykeepthemselvesalivewithhopes，somuchthemoreairilymagnificentastheyhavethelessofsolidmatterwithintheirgraspwhereoftomouldanyjudiciousandmoderateexpectationofgood。Thus，allthewhileHepzibahwasperfectingtheschemeofherlittleshop，shehadcherishedanunacknowledgedideathatsomeharlequintrickoffortunewouldinterveneinherfavor。

Forexample，anuncle——whohadsailedforIndiafiftyyearsbefore，andneverbeenheardofsince——mightyetreturn，andadopthertobethecomfortofhisveryextremeanddecrepitage，andadornherwithpearls，diamonds，andOrientalshawlsandturbans，andmakehertheultimateheiressofhisunreckonableriches。OrthememberofParliament，nowattheheadoftheEnglishbranchofthefamily，——withwhichtheelderstock，onthissideoftheAtlantic，hadheldlittleornointercourseforthelasttwocenturies，——thiseminentgentlemanmightinviteHepzibahtoquittheruinousHouseoftheSevenGables，andcomeovertodwellwithherkindredatPyncheonHall。But，forreasonsthemostimperative，shecouldnotyieldtohisrequest。Itwasmoreprobable，therefore，thatthedescendantsofaPyncheonwhohademigratedtoVirginia，insomepastgeneration，andbecameagreatplanterthere，——hearingofHepzibah’sdestitution，andimpelledbythesplendidgenerosityofcharacterwithwhichtheirVirginianmixturemusthaveenrichedtheNewEnglandblood，——wouldsendheraremittanceofathousanddollars，withahintofrepeatingthefavorannually。Or，——and，surely，anythingsoundeniablyjustcouldnotbebeyondthelimitsofreasonableanticipation，——thegreatclaimtotheheritageofWaldoCountymightfinallybedecidedinfavorofthePyncheons；sothat，insteadofkeepingacent-shop，Hepzibahwouldbuildapalace，andlookdownfromitshighesttoweronhill，dale，forest，field，andtown，asherownshareoftheancestralterritory。

Theseweresomeofthefantasieswhichshehadlongdreamedabout；

and，aidedbythese，UncleVenner’scasualattemptatencouragementkindledastrangefestalgloryinthepoor，bare，melancholychambersofherbrain，asifthatinnerworldweresuddenlylightedupwithgas。

Buteitherheknewnothingofhercastlesintheair，——ashowshouldhe？——

orelseherearnestscowldisturbedhisrecollection，asitmightamorecourageousman’s。Insteadofpursuinganyweightiertopic，UncleVennerwaspleasedtofavorHepzibahwithsomesagecounselinhershop-keepingcapacity。

"Givenocredit！"——theseweresomeofhisgoldenmxims，——"Nevertakepaper-money。Lookwelltoyourchange！Ringthesilveronthefour-poundweight！ShovebackallEnglishhalf-penceandbasecoppertokens，suchasareveryplentyabouttown！Atyourleisurehours，knitchildren’swoollensocksandmittens！Brewyourownyeast，andmakeyourownginger-beer！"

AndwhileHepzibahwasdoingherutmosttodigestthehardlittlepelletsofhisalreadyutteredwisdom，hegaveventtohisfinal，andwhathedeclaredtobehisall-importantadvice，asfollows:——

"Putonabrightfaceforyourcustomers，andsmilepleasantlyasyouhandthemwhattheyaskfor！Astalearticle，ifyoudipitinagood，warm，sunnysmile，willgooffbetterthanafreshonethatyou’vescowledupon。"

TothislastapothegmpoorHepzibahrespondedwithasighsodeepandheavythatitalmostrustledUncleVennerquiteaway，likeawitheredleaf，——ashewas，——beforeanautumnalgale。

Recoveringhimself，however，hebentforward，and，withagooddealoffeelinginhisancientvisage，beckonedhernearertohim。

"Whendoyouexpecthimhome？"whisperedhe。

"Whomdoyoumean？"askedHepzibah，turningpale。

"Ah？youdon’tlovetotalkaboutit，"saidUncleVenner。"Well，well！we’llsaynomore，thoughthere’swordofitallovertown。

Irememberhim，MissHepzibah，beforehecouldrunalone！"

Duringtheremainderoftheday，poorHepzibahacquittedherselfevenlesscreditably，asashop-keeper，thaninherearlierefforts。

Sheappearedtobewalkinginadream；or，moretruly，thevividlifeandrealityassumedbyheremotionsmadealloutwardoccurrencesunsubstantial，liketheteasingphantasmsofahalf-consciousslumber。Shestillresponded，mechanically，tothefrequentsummonsoftheshop-bell，and，atthedemandofhercustomers，wentpryingwithvagueeyesabouttheshop，profferingthemonearticleafteranother，andthrustingaside——perversely，asmostofthemsupposed——theidenticalthingtheyaskedfor。Thereissadconfusion，indeed，whenthespiritthusflitsawayintothepast，orintothemoreawfulfuture，or，inanymanner，stepsacrossthespacelessboundarybetwixtitsownregionandtheactualworld；wherethebodyremainstoguideitselfasbestitmay，withlittlemorethanthemechanismofanimallife。Itislikedeath，withoutdeath’squietprivilege，——itsfreedomfrommortalcare。Worstofall，whentheactualdutiesarecomprisedinsuchpettydetailsasnowvexedthebroodingsouloftheoldgentlewoman。Astheanimosityoffatewouldhaveit，therewasagreatinfluxofcustominthecourseoftheafternoon。

Hepzibahblunderedtoandfroabouthersmallplaceofbusiness，committingthemostunheard-oferrors:nowstringinguptwelve，andnowseven，tallow-candles，insteadoftentothepound；sellinggingerforScotchsnuff，pinsforneedles，andneedlesforpins；

misreckoningherchange，sometimestothepublicdetriment，andmuchoftenertoherown；andthusshewenton，doingherutmosttobringchaosbackagain，until，atthecloseoftheday’slabor，toherinexplicableastonishment，shefoundthemoney-draweralmostdestituteofcoin。Afterallherpainfultraffic，thewholeproceedswereperhapshalfadozencoppers，andaquestionableninepencewhichultimatelyprovedtobecopperlikewise。

Atthisprice，oratwhateverprice，sherejoicedthatthedayhadreacheditsend。Neverbeforehadshehadsuchasenseoftheintolerablelengthoftimethatcreepsbetweendawnandsunset，andofthemiserableirksomenessofhavingaughttodo，andofthebetterwisdomthatitwouldbetoliedownatonce，insullenresignation，andletlife，anditstoilsandvexations，trampleoverone’sprostratebodyastheymay！Hepzibah’sfinaloperationwaswiththelittledevourerofJimCrowandtheelephant，whonowproposedtoeatacamel。Inherbewilderment，sheofferedhimfirstawoodendragoon，andnextahandfulofmarbles；neitherofwhichbeingadaptedtohiselseomnivorousappetite，shehastilyheldoutherwholeremainingstockofnaturalhistoryingingerbread，andhuddledthesmallcustomeroutoftheshop。Shethenmuffledthebellinanunfinishedstocking，andputuptheoakenbaracrossthedoor。

Duringthelatterprocess，anomnibuscametoastand-stillunderthebranchesoftheelm-tree。Hepzibah’sheartwasinhermouth。

Remoteanddusky，andwithnosunshineonalltheinterveningspace，wasthatregionofthePastwhenceheronlyguestmightbeexpectedtoarrive！Wasshetomeethim。now？

Somebody，atallevents，waspassingfromthefarthestinterioroftheomnibustowardsitsentrance。Agentlemanalighted；butitwasonlytoofferhishandtoayounggirlwhoseslenderfigure，nowiseneedingsuchassistance，nowlightlydescendedthesteps，andmadeanairylittlejumpfromthefinalonetothesidewalk。Sherewardedhercavalierwithasmile，thecheeryglowofwhichwasseenreflectedonhisownfaceashereenteredthevehicle。ThegirlthenturnedtowardstheHouseoftheSevenGables，tothedoorofwhich，meanwhile，——nottheshop-door，buttheantiqueportal，——theomnibus-manhadcarriedalighttrunkandabandbox。Firstgivingasharprapoftheoldironknocker，helefthispassengerandherluggageatthedoor-step，anddeparted。

"Whocanitbe？"thoughtHepzibah，whohadbeenscrewinghervisualorgansintotheacutestfocusofwhichtheywerecapable。

"Thegirlmusthavemistakenthehouse。"Shestolesoftlyintothehall，and，herselfinvisible，gazedthroughthedustyside-lightsoftheportalattheyoung，blooming，andverycheerfulfacewhichpresenteditselfforadmittanceintothegloomyoldmansion。Itwasafacetowhichalmostanydoorwouldhaveopenedofitsownaccord。

Theyounggirl，sofresh，sounconventional，andyetsoorderlyandobedienttocommonrules，asyouatoncerecognizedhertobe，waswidelyincontrast，atthatmoment，witheverythingabouther。Thesordidanduglyluxurianceofgiganticweedsthatgrewintheangleofthehouse，andtheheavyprojectionthatovershadowedher，andthetime-wornframeworkofthedoor，——noneofthesethingsbelongedtohersphere。But，evenasarayofsunshine，fallintowhatdismalplaceitmay，instantaneouslycreatesforitselfaproprietyinbeingthere，sodiditseemaltogetherfitthatthegirlshouldbestandingatthethreshold。Itwasnolessevidentlyproperthatthedoorshouldswingopentoadmither。Themaidenladyherself，sternlyinhospitableinherfirstpurposes，soonbegantofeelthatthedooroughttobeshovedback，andtherustykeybeturnedinthereluctantlock。

"CanitbePhoebe？"questionedshewithinherself。"ItmustbelittlePhoebe；foritcanbenobodyelse，——andthereisalookofherfatherabouther，too！Butwhatdoesshewanthere？Andhowlikeacountrycousin，tocomedownuponapoorbodyinthisway，withoutsomuchasaday’snotice，oraskingwhethershewouldbewelcome！Well；shemusthaveanight’slodging，Isuppose；andto-morrowthechildshallgobacktohermother。"

Phoebe，itmustbeunderstood，wasthatonelittleoffshootofthePyncheonracetowhomwehavealreadyreferred，asanativeofaruralpartofNewEngland，wheretheoldfashionsandfeelingsofrelationshiparestillpartiallykeptup。Inherowncircle，itwasregardedasbynomeansimproperforkinsfolktovisitoneanotherwithoutinvitation，orpreliminaryandceremoniouswarning。

Yet，inconsiderationofMissHepzibah’sreclusewayoflife，aletterhadactuallybeenwrittenanddespatched，conveyinginformationofPhoebe’sprojectedvisit。Thisepistle，forthreeorfourdayspast，hadbeeninthepocketofthepenny-postman，who，happeningtohavenootherbusinessinPyncheonStreet，hadnotyetmadeitconvenienttocallattheHouseoftheSevenGables。

"No——shecanstayonlyonenight，"saidHepzibah，unboltingthedoor。"IfCliffordweretofindherhere，itmightdisturbhim！"

VMayandNovemberPHOEBEPYNCHEONslept，onthenightofherarrival，inachamberthatlookeddownonthegardenoftheoldhouse。Itfrontedtowardstheeast，sothatataveryseasonablehouraglowofcrimsonlightcamefloodingthroughthewindow，andbathedthedingyceilingandpaper-hangingsinitsownhue。TherewerecurtainstoPhoebe’sbed；adark，antiquecanopy，andponderousfestoonsofastuffwhichhadbeenrich，andevenmagnificent，initstime；butwhichnowbroodedoverthegirllikeacloud，makinganightinthatonecorner，whileelsewhereitwasbeginningtobeday。Themorninglight，however，soonstoleintotheapertureatthefootofthebed，betwixtthosefadedcurtains。Findingthenewguestthere，——withabloomonhercheekslikethemorning’sown，andagentlestirofdepartingslumberinherlimbs，aswhenanearlybreezemovesthefoliage，——thedawnkissedherbrow。Itwasthecaresswhichadewymaiden——suchastheDawnis，immortally——givestohersleepingsister，partlyfromtheimpulseofirresistiblefondness，andpartlyasaprettyhintthatitistimenowtounclosehereyes。

Atthetouchofthoselipsoflight，Phoebequietlyawoke，and，foramoment，didnotrecognizewhereshewas，norhowthoseheavycurtainschancedtobefestoonedaroundher。Nothing，indeed，wasabsolutelyplaintoher，exceptthatitwasnowearlymorning，andthat，whatevermighthappennext，itwasproper，firstofall，togetupandsayherprayers。Shewasthemoreinclinedtodevotionfromthegrimaspectofthechamberanditsfurniture，especiallythetall，stiffchairs；oneofwhichstoodclosebyherbedside，andlookedasifsomeold-fashionedpersonagehadbeensittingthereallnight，andhadvanishedonlyjustinseasontoescapediscovery。

WhenPhoebewasquitedressed，shepeepedoutofthewindow，andsawarosebushinthegarden。Beingaverytallone，andofluxuriantgrowth，ithadbeenproppedupagainstthesideofthehouse，andwasliterallycoveredwitharareandverybeautifulspeciesofwhiterose。Alargeportionofthem，asthegirlafterwardsdiscovered，hadblightormildewattheirhearts；but，viewedatafairdistance，thewholerosebushlookedasifithadbeenbroughtfromEdenthatverysummer，togetherwiththemouldinwhichitgrew。Thetruthwas，nevertheless，thatithadbeenplantedbyAlicePyncheon，——shewasPhoebe’sgreat-great-grand-aunt，——insoilwhich，reckoningonlyitscultivationasagarden-plat，wasnowunctuouswithnearlytwohundredyearsofvegetabledecay。

Growingastheydid，however，outoftheoldearth，theflowersstillsentafreshandsweetincenseuptotheirCreator；norcouldithavebeenthelesspureandacceptablebecausePhoebe’syoungbreathmingledwithit，asthefragrancefloatedpastthewindow。

Hasteningdownthecreakingandcarpetlessstaircase，shefoundherwayintothegarden，gatheredsomeofthemostperfectoftheroses，andbroughtthemtoherchamber。

LittlePhoebewasoneofthosepersonswhopossess，astheirexclusivepatrimony，thegiftofpracticalarrangement。Itisakindofnaturalmagicthatenablesthesefavoredonestobringoutthehiddencapabilitiesofthingsaroundthem；andparticularlytogivealookofcomfortandhabitablenesstoanyplacewhich，forhoweverbriefaperiod，mayhappentobetheirhome。Awildhutofunderbrush，tossedtogetherbywayfarersthroughtheprimitiveforest，wouldacquirethehomeaspectbyonenight’slodgingofsuchawoman，andwouldretainitlongafterherquietfigurehaddisappearedintothesurroundingshade。

Nolessaportionofsuchhomelywitchcraftwasrequisitetoreclaim，asitwere，Phoebe’swaste，cheerless，andduskychamber，whichhadbeenuntenantedsolong——exceptbyspiders，andmice，andrats，andghosts——thatitwasallovergrownwiththedesolationwhichwatchestoobliterateeverytraceofman’shappierhours。WhatwaspreciselyPhoebe’sprocesswefinditimpossibletosay。Sheappearedtohavenopreliminarydesign，butgaveatouchhereandanotherthere；broughtsomearticlesoffurnituretolightanddraggedothersintotheshadow；loopeduporletdownawindow-curtain；and，inthecourseofhalfanhour，hadfullysucceededinthrowingakindlyandhospitablesmileovertheapartment。Nolongeragothanthenightbefore，ithadresemblednothingsomuchastheoldmaid’sheart；fortherewasneithersunshinenorhouseholdfireinonenortheother，and，Saveforghostsandghostlyreminiscences，notaguest，formanyyearsgoneby，hadenteredtheheartorthechamber。

Therewasstillanotherpeculiarityofthisinscrutablecharm。