第8章

"Abank-robber，andwhatyoucallamurderer，likewise，hashisrights，whichmenofenlightenedhumanityandconscienceshouldregardinsomuchthemoreliberalspirit，becausethebulkofsocietyispronetocontroverttheirexistence。Analmostspiritualmedium，liketheelectrictelegraph，shouldbeconsecratedtohigh，deep，joyful，andholymissions。Lovers，dayby，day——hourbyhour，ifsooftenmovedtodoit，——mightsendtheirheart-throbsfromMainetoFlorida，withsomesuchwordsasthese`Iloveyouforever！’——

`Myheartrunsoverwithlove！’——`IloveyoumorethanIcan！’

and，again，atthenextmessage’Ihavelivedanhourlonger，andloveyoutwiceasmuch！’Or，whenagoodmanhasdeparted，hisdistantfriendshouldbeconsciousofanelectricthrill，asfromtheworldofhappyspirits，tellinghim’Yourdearfriendisinbliss！’Or，toanabsenthusband，shouldcometidingsthus`Animmortalbeing，ofwhomyouarethefather，hasthismomentcomefromGod！’andimmediatelyitslittlevoicewouldseemtohavereachedsofar，andtobeechoinginhisheart。Butforthesepoorrogues，thebank-robbers，——who，afterall，areaboutashonestasninepeopleinten，exceptthattheydisregardcertainformalities，andprefertotransactbusinessatmidnightratherthan’Change-hours，——andforthesemurderers，asyouphraseit，whoareoftenexcusableinthemotivesoftheirdeed，anddeservetoberankedamongpublicbenefactors，ifweconsideronlyitsresult，——forunfortunateindividualslikethese，Ireallycannotapplaudtheenlistmentofanimmaterialandmiraculouspowerintheuniversalworld-huntattheirheels！"

"Youcan’t，hey？"criedtheoldgentleman，withahardlook。

"Positively，no！"answeredClifford。"Itputsthemtoomiserablyatdisadvantage。Forexample，sir，inadark，low，cross-beamed，panelledroomofanoldhouse，letussupposeadeadman，sittinginanarm-chair，withablood-stainonhisshirt-bosom，——andletusaddtoourhypothesisanotherman，issuingfromthehouse，whichhefeelstobeover-filledwiththedeadman’spresence，——andletuslastlyimaginehimfleeing，Heavenknowswhither，atthespeedofahurricane，byrailroad！Now，sir，ifthefugutivealightinsomedistanttown，andfindallthepeoplebabblingaboutthatself-samedeadman，whomhehasfledsofartoavoidthesightandthoughtof，willyounotallowthathisnaturalrightshavebeeninfringed？Hehasbeendeprivedofhiscityofrefuge，and，inmyhumbleopinion，hassufferedinfinitewrong！"

"Youareastrangeman；sir"saidtheoldgentleman，bringinghisgimlet-eyetoapointonClifford，asifdeterminedtoborerightintohim。"Ican’tseethroughyou！"

"No，I’llbeboundyoucan’t！"criedClifford，laughing。"Andyet，mydearsir，IamastransparentasthewaterofMaule’swell！

Butcome，Hepzibah！Wehaveflownfarenoughforonce。Letusalight，asthebirdsdo，andperchourselvesonthenearesttwig，andconsultwitherweshallflynext！"

Justthen，asithappened，thetrainreachedasolitaryway-station。

Takingadvantageofthebriefpause，Cliffordleftthecar，anddrewHepzibahalongwithhim。Amomentafterwards，thetrain——withallthelifeofitsinterior，amidwhichCliffordhadmadehimselfsoconspicuousanobject——wasglidingawayinthedistance，andrapidlylesseningtoapointwhich，inanothermoment，vanished。

Theworldhadfledawayfromthesetwowanderers。Theygazeddrearilyaboutthem。Atalittledistancestoodawoodenchurch，blackwithage，andinadismalstateofruinanddecay，withbrokenwindows，agreatriftthroughthemainbodyoftheedifice，andarafterdanglingfromthetopofthesquaretower。Fartheroffwasafarm-house，intheoldstyle，asvenerablyblackasthechurch，witharoofslopingdownwardfromthethree-storypeak，towithinaman’sheightoftheground。Itseemeduninhabited。Thereweretherelicsofawood-pile，indeed，nearthedoor，butwithgrasssproutingupamongthechipsandscatteredlogs。Thesmallrain-dropscamedownaslant；thewindwasnotturbulent，butsullen，andfullofchillymoisture。

Cliffordshiveredfromheadtofoot。Thewildeffervescenceofhismood——whichhadsoreadilysuppliedthoughts，fantasies，andastrangeaptitudeofwords，andimpelledhimtotalkfromthemerenecessityofgivingventtothisbubbling-upgushofideashadentirelysubsided。Apowerfulexcitementhadgivenhimenergyandvivacity。Itsoperationover，heforthwithbegantosink。

"Youmusttaketheleadnow，Hepzibah！"murmuredhe，withatorpidandreluctantutterance。"Dowithmeasyouwill！"

Shekneltdownupontheplatformwheretheywerestandingandliftedherclaspedhandstothesky。Thedull，grayweightofcloudsmadeitinvisible；butitwasnohourfordisbelief，——nojuncturethistoquestionthattherewasaskyabove，andanAlmightyFatherlookingfromit！

"OGod！"——ejaculatedpoor，gauntHepzibah，——thenpausedamoment，toconsiderwhatherprayershouldbe，——"OGod，——ourFather，——arewenotthychildren？Havemercyonus！"

XVIIIGovernorPyncheonJUDGEPYNCHEON，whilehistworelativeshavefledawaywithsuchill-consideredhaste，stillsitsintheoldparlor，keepinghouse，asthefamiliarphraseis，intheabsenceofitsordinaryoccupants。

Tohim，andtothevenerableHouseoftheSevenGables，doesourstorynowbetakeitself，likeanowl，bewilderedinthedaylight，andhasteningbacktohishollowtree。

TheJudgehasnotshiftedhispositionforalongwhilenow。

Hehasnotstirredhandorfoot，norwithdrawnhiseyessomuchasahair’s-breadthfromtheirfixedgazetowardsthecorneroftheroom，sincethefootstepsofHepzibahandCliffordcreakedalongthepassage，andtheouterdoorwasclosedcautiouslybehindtheirexit。Heholdshiswatchinhislefthand，butclutchedinsuchamannerthatyoucannotseethedial-plate。Howprofoundafitofmeditation！Or，supposinghimasleep，howinfantileaquietudeofconscience，andwhatwholesomeorderinthegastricregion，arebetokenedbyslumbersoentirelyundisturbedwithstarts，cramp，twitches，muttereddreamtalk，trumpet-blaststhroughthenasalorgan，oranyslightestirregularityofbreath！

Youmustholdyourownbreath，tosatisfyyourselfwhetherhebreathesatall。Itisquiteinaudible。Youhearthetickingofhiswatch；

hisbreathyoudonothear。Amostrefreshingslumber，doubtless！

Andyet，theJudgecannotbeasleep。Hiseyesareopen！Aveteranpolitician，suchashe，wouldneverfallasleepwithwide-openeyes，lestsomeenemyormischief-maker，takinghimthusatunawares，shouldpeepthroughthesewindowsintohisconsciousness，andmakestrangediscoveriesamongtheremniniscences，projects，hopes，apprehensions，weaknesses，andstrongpoints，whichhehasheretoforesharedwithnobody。Acautiousmanisproverbiallysaidtosleepwithoneeyeopen。Thatmaybewisdom。Butnotwithboth；

forthiswereheedlessness！No，no！JudgePyncheoncannotbeasleep。

Itisodd，however，thatagentlemansoburdenedwithengagements，——andnoted，too，forpunctuality，——shouldlingerthusinanoldlonelymansion，whichhehasneverseemedveryfondofvisiting。

Theoakenchair，tobesure，maytempthimwithitsroominess。

Itis，indeed，aspacious，and，allowingfortherudeagethatfashionedit，amoderatelyeasyseat，withcapacityenough，atallevents，andofferingnorestrainttotheJudge’sbreadthofbeam。Abiggermanmightfindampleaccommodationinit。

Hisancestor，nowpictureduponthewall，withallhisEnglishbeefabouthim，usedhardlytopresentafrontextendingfromelbowtoelbowofthischair，orabasethatwouldcoveritswholecushion。Buttherearebetterchairsthanthis，——mahogany，blackwalnut，rosewood，spring-seatedanddamask-cushioned，withvariedslopes，andinnumerableartificestomakethemeasy，andobviatetheirksomenessoftootameanease，——ascoreofsuchmightbeatJudgePyncheon’sservice。Yes！inascoreofdrawing-roomshewouldbemorethanwelcome。Mammawouldadvancetomeethim，withoutstretchedhand；thevirgindaughter，elderlyashehasnowgottobe，——anoldwidower，ashesmilinglydescribeshimself，——wouldshakeupthecushionfortheJudge，anddoherprettyutmosttomakehimcomfortable。FortheJudgeisaprosperousman。Hecherisheshisschemes，moreover，likeotherpeople，andreasonablybrighterthanmostothers；ordidso，atleast，ashelayabedthismorning，inanagreeablehalf-drowse，planningthebusinessoftheday，andspeculatingontheprobabilitiesofthenextfifteenyears。Withhisfirmhealth，andthelittleinroadthatagehasmadeuponhim，fifteenyearsortwenty——yes，orperhapsfive-and-twenty！——arenomorethanhemayfairlycallhisown。Five-and-twentyyearsfortheenjoymentofhisrealestateintownandcountry，hisrailroad，bank，andinsuranceshares，hisUnitedStatesstock，——hiswealth，inshort，howeverinvested，nowinpossession，orsoontobeacquired；

togetherwiththepublichonorsthathavefallenuponhim，andtheweightieronesthatareyettofall！Itisgood！Itisexcellent！Itisenough！

Stilllingeringintheoldchair！IftheJudgehasalittletimetothrowaway，whydoesnothevisittheinsuranceoffice，asishisfrequentcustom，andsitawhileinoneoftheirleathern-cushionedarm-chairs，listeningtothegossipoftheday，anddroppingsomedeeplydesignedchance-word，whichwillbecertaintobecomethegossipofto-morrow。AndhavenotthebankdirectorsameetingatwhichitwastheJudge’spurposetobepresent，andhisofficetopreside？Indeedtheyhave；andthehourisnotedonacard，whichis，oroughttobe，inJudgePyncheon’srightvest-pocket。Lethimgothither，andlollateaseuponhismoneybags！Hehasloungedlongenoughintheoldchair！

Thiswastohavebeensuchabusyday。Inthefirstplace，theinterviewwithClifford。Halfanhour，bytheJudge’sreckoning，wastosufficeforthat；itwouldprobablybeless，but——takingintoconsiderationthatHepzibahwasfirsttobedealtwith，andthatthesewomenareapttomakemanywordswhereafewwoulddomuchbetter——itmightbesafesttoallowhalfanhour。Halfanhour？Why，Judge，itisalreadytwohours，byyourownundeviatinglyaccuratechronometer。Glanceyoureyedownatitandsee！Ah！hewillnotgivehimselfthetroubleeithertobendhishead，orelevatehishand，soastobringthefaithfultime-keeperwithinhisrangeofvision！Time，allatonce，appearstohavebecomeamatterofnomomentwiththeJudge！

Andhasheforgottenalltheotheritemsofhismemoranda？

Clifford’saffairarranged，hewastomeetaStateStreetbroker，whohasundertakentoprocureaheavypercentage，andthebestofpaper，forafewloosethousandswhichtheJudgehappenstohavebyhim，uninvested。Thewrinklednote-shaverwillhavetakenhisrailroadtripinvain。Halfanhourlater，inthestreetnexttothis，therewastobeanauctionofrealestate，includingaportionoftheoldPyncheonproperty，originallybelongingtoMaule’sgardenground。IthasbeenalienatedfromthePyncheonsthesefour-scoreyears；buttheJudgehadkeptitinhiseye，andhadsethisheartonreannexingittothesmalldemesnestillleftaroundtheSevenGables；andnow，duringthisoddfitofoblivion，thefatalhammermusthavefallen，andtransferredourancientpatrimonytosomealienpossessor。Possibly，indeed，thesalemayhavebeenpostponedtillfairerweather。Ifso，willtheJudgemakeitconvenienttobepresent，andfavortheauctioneerwithhisbid，Ontheproximateoccasion？

Thenextaffairwastobuyahorseforhisowndriving。Theoneheretoforehisfavoritestumbled，thisverymorning，ontheroadtotown，andmustbeatoncediscarded。JudgePyncheon’sneckistooprecioustoberiskedonsuchacontingencyasastumblingsteed。Shouldalltheabovebusinessbeseasonablygotthroughwith，hemightattendthemeetingofacharitablesociety；theverynameofwhich，however，inthemultiplicityofhisbenevolence，isquiteforgotten；sothatthisengagementmaypassunfulfilled，andnogreatharmdone。Andifhehavetime，amidthepressofmoreurgentmatters，hemusttakemeasuresfortherenewalofMrs。Pyncheon’stombstone，which，thesextontellshim，hasfallenonitsmarbleface，andiscrackedquiteintwain。

Shewasapraiseworthywomanenough，thinkstheJudge，inspiteofhernervousness，andthetearsthatshewassooozywith，andherfoolishbehavioraboutthecoffee；andasshetookherdeparturesoseasonably，hewillnotgrudgethesecondtombstone。

Itisbetter，atleast，thanifshehadneverneededany！Thenextitemonhislistwastogiveordersforsomefruit-trees，ofararevariety，tobedeliverableathiscountry-seatintheensuingautumn。Yes，buythem，byallmeans；andmaythepeachesbelusciousinyourmouth，JudgePyncheon！Afterthiscomessomethingmoreimportant。Acommitteeofhispoliticalpartyhasbesoughthimforahundredortwoofdollars，inadditiontohispreviousdisbursements，towardscarryingonthefallcampaign。TheJudgeisapatriot；thefateofthecountryisstakedontheNovemberelection；andbesides，aswillbeshadowedforthinanotherparagraph，hehasnotriflingstakeofhisowninthesamegreatgame。Hewilldowhatthecommitteeasks；nay，hewillbeliberalbeyondtheirexpectations；theyshallhaveacheckforfivehundreddollars，andmoreanon，ifitbeneeded。Whatnext？Adecayedwidow，whosehusbandwasJudgePyncheon’searlyfriend，haslaidhercaseofdestitutionbeforehim，inaverymovingletter。Sheandherfairdaughterhavescarcelybreadtoeat。Hepartlyintendstocallonherto-day，——perhapsso——perhapsnot，——accordinglyashemayhappentohaveleisure，andasmallbank-note。

Anotherbusiness，which，however，heputsnogreatweighton(itiswell，youknow，tobeheedful，butnotover-anxious，asrespectsone’spersonalhealth)，——anotherbusiness，then，wastoconsulthisfamilyphysician。Aboutwhat，forHeaven’ssake？Why，itisratherdifficulttodescribethesymptoms。Ameredimnessofsightanddizzinessofbrain，wasit？——ordisagreeablechoking，orstifling，orgurgling，orbubbling，intheregionofthethorax，astheanatomistssay？——orwasitaprettyseverethrobbingandkickingoftheheart，rathercreditabletohimthanotherwise，asshowingthattheorganhadnotbeenleftoutoftheJudge’sphysicalcontrivance？

Nomatterwhatitwas。Thedoctorprobablywouldsmileatthestatementofsuchtriflestohisprofessionalear；theJudgewouldsmileinhisturn；andmeetingoneanother’seyes，theywouldenjoyaheartylaughtogether！Butafigformedicaladvice。TheJudgewillneverneedit。

Pray，pray，JudgePyncheon，lookatyourwatch，Now！What——notaglance！Itiswithintenminutesofthedinnerhour！Itsurelycannothaveslippedyourmemorythatthedinnerofto-dayistobethemostimportant，initsconsequences，ofallthedinnersyoueverate。Yes，preciselythemostimportant；although，inthecourseofyoursomewhateminentcareer，youhavebeenplacedhightowardstheheadofthetable，atsplendidbanquets，andhavepouredoutyourfestiveeloquencetoearsyetechoingwithWebster’smightyorgan-tones。Nopublicdinnerthis，however。ItismerelyagatheringofsomedozenorsooffriendsfromseveraldistrictsoftheState；menofdistinguishedcharacterandinfluence，assembling，almostcasually，atthehouseofacommonfriend，likewisedistinguished，whowillmakethemwelcometoalittlebetterthanhisordinaryfare。NothinginthewayofFrenchcookery，butanexcellentdinner，nevertheless。

Realturtle，weunderstand，andsalmon，tautog，canvas-backs，pig，Englishmutton，goodroastbeef，ordaintiesofthatseriouskind，fitforsubstantialcountrygentlemen，asthesehonorablepersonsmostlyare。Thedelicaciesoftheseason，inshort，andflavoredbyabrandofoldMadeirawhichhasbeentheprideofmanyseasons。

ItistheJunobrand；agloriouswine，fragrant，andfullofgentlemight；abottled-uphappiness，putbyforuse；agoldenliquid，worthmorethanliquidgold；sorareandadmirable，thatveteranwine-bibberscountitamongtheirepochstohavetastedit！

Itdrivesawaytheheart-ache，andsubstitutesnohead-ache！

CouldtheJudgebutquaffaglass，itmightenablehimtoshakeofftheunaccountablelethargywhich(fortheteninterveningminutes，andfivetoboot，arealreadypast)hasmadehimsuchalaggardatthismomentousdinner。Itwouldallbutreviveadeadman！Wouldyouliketosipitnow，JudgePyncheon？

Alas，thisdinner。Haveyoureallyforgottenitstrueobject？

Thenletuswhisperit，thatyoumaystartatonceoutoftheoakenchair，whichreallyseemstobeenchanted，liketheoneinComus，orthatinwhichMollPitcherimprisonedyourowngrandfather。Butambitionisatalismanmorepowerfulthanwitchcraft。Startup，then，and，hurryingthroughthestreets，burstinuponthecompany，thattheymaybeginbeforethefishisspoiled！Theywaitforyou；anditislittleforyourinterestthattheyshouldwait。Thesegentlemen——needyoubetoldit？——

haveassembled，notwithoutpurpose，fromeveryquarteroftheState。Theyarepractisedpoliticians，everymanofthem，andskilledtoadjustthosepreliminarymeasureswhichstealfromthepeople，withoutitsknowledge，thepowerofchoosingitsownrulers。Thepopularvoice，atthenextgubernatorialelection，thoughloudasthunder，willbereallybutanechoofwhatthesegentlemenshallspeak，undertheirbreath，atyourfriend’sfestiveboard。Theymeettodecideupontheircandidate。

Thislittleknotofsubtleschemerswillcontroltheconvention，and，throughit，dictatetotheparty。Andwhatworthiercandidate，——morewiseandlearned，morenotedforphilanthropicliberality，truertosafeprinciples，triedoftenerbypublictrusts，morespotlessinprivatecharacter，withalargerstakeinthecommonwelfare，anddeepergrounded，byhereditarydescent，inthefaithandpracticeofthePuritans，——whatmancanbepresentedforthesuffrageofthepeople，soeminentlycombiningalltheseclaimstothechief-rulershipasJudgePyncheonherebeforeus？

Makehaste，then！Doyourpart！Themeedforwhichyouhavetoiled，andfought，andclimbed，andcrept，isreadyforyourgrasp！Bepresentatthisdinner！——drinkaglassortwoofthatnoblewine！——makeyourpledgesinaslowawhisperasyouwill！——

andyouriseupfromtablevirtuallygovernorofthegloriousoldState！GovernorPyncheonofMassachusetts！

Andistherenopotentandexhilaratingcordialinacertaintylikethis？Ithasbeenthegrandpurposeofhalfyourlifetimetoobtainit。Now，whenthereneedslittlemorethantosignifyyouracceptance，whydoyousitsolumpishlyinyourgreat-great-grandfather’soakenchair，asifpreferringittothegubernatorialone？WehaveallheardofKingLog；but，inthesejostlingtimes，oneofthatroyalkindredwillhardlywintheraceforanelectivechief-magistracy。

Well！itisabsolutelytoolatefordinner！Turtle，salmon，tautog，woodcock，boiledturkey，South-Downmutton，pig，roast-beef，havevanished，orexistonlyinfragments，withlukewarmpotatoes，andgraviescrustedoverwithcoldfat。TheJudge，hadhedonenothingelse，wouldhaveachievedwonderswithhisknifeandfork。

Itwashe，youknow，ofwhomitusedtobesaid，inreferencetohisogre-likeappetite，thathisCreatormadehimagreataninmal，butthatthedinner-hourmadehimagreatbeast。Personsofhislargesensualendowmentsmustclaimindulgence，attheirfeeding-time。

But，foronce，theJudgeisentirelytoolatefordinner！Toolate，wefear，eventojointhepartyattheirwine！Theguestsarewarmandmerry；theyhavegivenuptheJudge；and，concludingthattheFree-Soilershavehim，theywillfixuponanothercandidate。Wereourfriendnowtostalkinamongthem，withthatwide-openstare，atoncewildandstolid，hisungenialpresencewouldbeapttochangetheircheer。NeitherwoulditbeseemlyinJudgePyncheon，generallysoscrupulousinhisattire，toshowhimselfatadinner-tablewiththatcrimsonstainuponhisshirt-bosom。Bythebye，howcameitthere？Itisanuglysight，atanyrate；andthewisestwayfortheJudgeistobuttonhiscoatcloselyoverhisbreast，and，takinghishorseandchaisefromtheliverystable，tomakeallspeedtohisownhouse。There，afteraglassofbrandyandwater，andamutton-chop，abeefsteak，abroiledfowl，orsomesuchhastylittledinnerandsupperallinone，hehadbetterspendtheeveningbythefireside。

Hemusttoasthisslippersalongwhile，inordertogetridofthechillinesswhichtheairofthisvileoldhousehassentcurdlingthroughhisveins。

Up，therefore，JudgePyncheon，up！Youhavelostaday。Butto-morrowwillbehereanon。Willyourise，betimes，andmakethemostofit？To-morrow。To-morrow！To-morrow。We，thatarealive，mayrisebetimesto-morrow。Asforhimthathasdiedto-day，hismorrowwillbetheresurrectionmorn。

Meanwhilethetwilightisgloomingupwardoutofthecornersoftheroom。Theshadowsofthetallfurnituregrowdeeper，andatfirstbecomemoredefinite；then，spreadingwider，theylosetheirdistinctnessofoutlineinthedarkgraytideofoblivion，asitwere，thatcreepsslowlyoverthevariousobjects，andtheonehumanfiguresittinginthemidstofthem。Thegloomhasnotenteredfromwithout；ithasbroodedhereallday，andnow，takingitsowninevitabletime，willpossessitselfofeverything。

TheJudge’sface，indeed，rigidandsingularlywhite，refusestomeltintothisuniversalsolvent。Fainterandfaintergrowsthelight。Itisasifanotherdouble-handfulofdarknesshadbeenscatteredthroughtheair。Nowitisnolongergray，butsable。

Thereisstillafaintappearanceatthewindow。neitheraglow，noragleam，Noraglimmer，——anyphraseoflightwouldexpresssomethingfarbrighterthanthisdoubtfulperception，orsense，rather，thatthereisawindowthere。Hasityetvanished？No！——

yes！——notquite！Andthereisstilltheswarthywhiteness，——weshallventuretomarrytheseill-agreeingwords，——theswarthywhitenessofJudgePyncheon’sface。Thefeaturesareallgone:

thereisonlythepalenessofthemleft。Andhowlooksitnow？

Thereisnowindow！Thereisnoface！Aninfinite，inscrutableblacknesshasannihilatedsight！Whereisouruniverse？Allcrumbledawayfromus；andwe，adriftinchaos，mayhearkentothegustsofhomelesswind，thatgosighingandmurmuringaboutinquestofwhatwasonceaworld！

Istherenoothersound？Oneother，andafearfulone。ItisthetickingoftheJudge’swatch，which，eversinceHepzibahlefttheroominsearchofClifford，hehasbeenholdinginhishand。Bethecausewhatitmay，thislittle，quiet，never-ceasingthrobofTime’spulse，repeatingitssmallstrokeswithsuchbusyregularity，inJudgePyncheon’smotionlesshand，hasaneffectofterror，whichwedonotfindinanyotheraccompanimentofthescene。

But，listen！Thatpuffofthebreezewaslouder。it，hadatoneunlikethedrearyandsullenonewhichhasbemoaneditself，andafflictedallmankindwithmiserablesympathy，forfivedayspast。

Thewindhasveeredabout！Itnowcomesboisterouslyfromthenorthwest，and，takingholdoftheagedframeworkoftheSevenGables，givesitashake，likeawrestlerthatwouldtrystrengthwithhisantagonist。Anotherandanothersturdytusslewiththeblast！Theoldhousecreaksagain，andmakesavociferousbutsomewhatunintelligiblebellowinginitssootythroat(thebigflue，wemean，ofitswidechimney)，partlyincomplaintattherudewind，butrather，asbefitstheircenturyandahalfofhostileintimacy，intoughdefiance。Arumblingkindofablusterroarsbehindthefire-board。Adoorhasslammedabovestairs。

Awindow，perhaps，hasbeenleftopen，orelseisdriveninbyanunrulygust。Itisnottobeconceived，before-hand，whatwonderfulwind-instrumentsaretheseoldtimbermansions，andhowhauntedwiththestrangestnoises，whichimmediatelybegintosing，andsigh，andsob，andshriek，——andtosmitewithsledge-hammers，airybutponderous，insomedistantchamber，——andtotreadalongtheentriesaswithstatelyfootsteps，andrustleupanddownthestaircase，aswithsilksmiraculouslystiff，——wheneverthegalecatchesthehousewithawindowopen，andgetsfairlyintoit。Wouldthatwewerenotanattendantspirithere！Itistooawful！Thisclamorofthewindthroughthelonelyhouse；theJudge’squietude，ashesitsinvisible；

andthatpertinacioustickingofhiswatch！

AsregardsJudgePyncheon’sinvisibility，however，thatmatterwillsoonberemedied。Thenorthwestwindhasswepttheskyclear。Thewindowisdistinctlyseen。Throughitspanes，moreover，wedimlycatchthesweepofthedark，clusteringfoliageoutside，flutteringwithaconstantirregularityofmovement，andlettinginapeepofstarlight，nowhere，nowthere。Oftenerthananyotherobject，theseglimpsesilluminatetheJudge’sface。Butherecomesmoreeffectuallight。Observethatsilverydanceupontheupperbranchesofthepear-tree，andnowalittlelower，andnowonthewholemassofboughs，while，throughtheirshiftingintricacies，themoonbeamsfallaslantintotheroom。TheyplayovertheJudge’sfigureandshowthathehasnotstirredthroughoutthehoursofdarkness。

Theyfollowtheshadows，inchangefulsport，acrosshisunchangingfeatures。Theygleamuponhiswatch。Hisgraspconcealsthedial-plate，——butweknowthatthefaithfulhandshavemet；

foroneofthecityclockstellsmidnight。

Amanofsturdyunderstanding，likeJudgePyncheon，caresnomorefortwelveo’clockatnightthanforthecorrespondinghourofnoon。Howeverjusttheparalleldrawn，insomeoftheprecedingpages，betweenhisPuritanancestorandhimself，itfailsinthispoint。ThePyncheonoftwocenturiesago，incommonwithmostofhiscontemporaries，professedhisfullbeliefinspiritualministrations，althoughreckoningthemchieflyofamalignantcharacter。ThePyncheonofto-night，whositsinyonderarm-chair，believesinnosuchnonsense。Such，atleast，washiscreed，somefewhourssince。Hishairwillnotbristle，therefore，atthestorieswhich——intimeswhenchimney-cornershadbenchesinthem，whereoldpeoplesatpokingintotheashesofthepast，andrakingouttraditionslikelivecoals——usedtobetoldaboutthisveryroomofhisancestralhouse。Infact，thesetalesaretooabsurdtobristleevenchildhood’shair。Whatsense，meaning，ormoral，forexample，suchasevenghost-storiesshouldbesusceptibleof，canbetracedintheridiculouslegend，that，atmidnight，allthedeadPyncheonsareboundtoassembleinthisparlor？And，pray，forwhat？Why，toseewhethertheportraitoftheirancestorstillkeepsitsplaceuponthewall，incompliancewithhistestamentarydirections！Isitworthwhiletocomeoutoftheirgravesforthat？

Wearetemptedtomakealittlesportwiththeidea。Ghost-storiesarehardlytobetreatedseriouslyanylonger。Thefamily-partyofthedefunctPyncheons，wepresume，goesoffinthiswise。

Firstcomestheancestorhimself，inhisblackcloak，steeple-hat，andtrunk-breeches，girtaboutthewaistwithaleathernbelt，inwhichhangshissteel-hiltedsword；hehasalongstaffinhishand，suchasgentlemeninadvancedlifeusedtocarry，asmuchforthedignityofthethingasforthesupporttobederivedfromit。Helooksupattheportrait；athingofnosubstance，gazingatitsownpaintedimage！Allissafe。Thepictureisstillthere。

Thepurposeofhisbrainhasbeenkeptsacredthuslongafterthemanhimselfhassproutedupingraveyardgrass。See！heliftshisineffectualhand，andtriestheframe。Allsafe！Butisthatasmile？——isitnot，ratherafrownofdeadlyimport，thatdarkensovertheshadowofhisfeatures？ThestoutColonelisdissatisfied！

Sodecidedishislookofdiscontentastoimpartadditionaldistinctnesstohisfeatures；throughwhich，nevertheless，themoonlightpasses，andflickersonthewallbeyond。Somethinghasstrangelyvexedtheancestor！Withagrimshakeofthehead，heturnsaway。HerecomeotherPyncheons，thewholetribe，intheirhalfadozengenerations，jostlingandelbowingoneanother，toreachthepicture。Webeholdagedmenandgrandames，aclergymanwiththePuritanicstiffnessstillinhisgarbandmien，andared-coatedofficeroftheoldFrenchwar；andtherecomestheshop-keepingPyncheonofacenturyago，withtherufflesturnedbackfromhiswrists；andtheretheperiwiggedandbrocadedgentlemanoftheartist’slegend，withthebeautifulandpensiveAlice，whobringsnoprideoutofhervirgingrave。Alltrythepicture-frame。Whatdotheseghostlypeopleseek？Amotherliftsherchild，thathislittlehandsmaytouchit！Thereisevidentlyamysteryaboutthepicture，thatperplexesthesepoorPyncheonswhentheyoughttobeatrest。Inacorner，meanwhile，standsthefigureofanelderlyman，inaleathernjerkinandbreeches，withacarpenter’srulestickingoutofhissidepocket；hepointshisfingeratthebeardedColonelandhisdescendants，nodding，jeering，mocking，andfinallyburstingintoobstreperous，thoughinaudiblelaughter。

Indulgingourfancyinthisfreak，wehavepartlylostthepowerofrestraintandguidance。Wedistinguishanunlooked-forfigureinourvisionaryscene。Amongthoseancestralpeoplethereisayoungman，dressedintheveryfashionofto-day:hewearsadarkfrock-coat，almostdestituteofskirts，graypantaloons，gaiterbootsofpatentleather，andhasafinelywroughtgoldchainacrosshisbreast，andalittlesilver-headedwhalebonestickinhishand。Werewetomeetthisfigureatnoonday，weshouldgreethimasyoungJaffreyPyncheon，theJudge’sonlysurvivingchild，whohasbeenspendingthelasttwoyearsinforeigntravel。Ifstillinlife，howcomeshisshadowhither？

Ifdead，whatamisfortune！TheoldPyncheonproperty，togetherwiththegreatestateacquiredbytheyoungman’sfather，woulddevolveonwhom？Onpoor，foolishClifford，gauntHepzibah，andrusticlittlePhoebe！Butanotherandagreatermarvelgreetsus！

Canwebelieveoureyes？Astout，elderlygentlemanhasmadehisappearance；hehasanaspectofeminentrespectability，wearsablackcoatandpantaloons，ofroomywidth，andmightbepronouncedscrupulouslyneatinhisattire，butforabroadcrimsonstainacrosshissnowyneckclothanddownhisshirt-bosom。IsittheJudge，orno？HowcanitbeJudgePyncheon？Wediscernhisfigure，asplainlyastheflickeringmoonbeamscanshowusanything，stillseatedintheoakenchair！Betheapparitionwhoseitmay，itadvancestothepicture，seemstoseizetheframe，triestopeepbehindit，andturnsaway，withafrownasblackastheancestralone。

Thefantasticscenejusthintedatmustbynomeansbeconsideredasforminganactualportionofourstory。Wewerebetrayedintothisbriefextravagancebythequiverofthemoonbeams；theydancehand-in-handwithshadows，andarereflectedinthelooking-glass，which，youareaware，isalwaysakindofwindowordoorwayintothespiritualworld。Weneededrelief，moreover，fromourtoolongandexclusivecontemplationofthatfigureinthechair。

Thiswildwind，too，hastossedourthoughtsintostrangeconfusion，butwithouttearingthemawayfromtheironedeterminedcentre。

YonderleadenJudgesitsimmovablyuponoursoul。Willheneverstiragain？Weshallgomadunlesshestirs！Youmaythebetterestimatehisquietudebythefearlessnessofalittlemouse，whichsitsonitshindlegs，inastreakofmoonlight，closebyJudgePyncheon’sfoot，andseemstomeditateajourneyofexplorationoverthisgreatblackbulk。Ha！whathasstartledthenimblelittlemouse？Itisthevisageofgrimalkin，outsideofthewindow，whereheappearstohavepostedhimselfforadeliberatewatch。Thisgrimalkinhasaveryuglylook。Isitacatwatchingforamouse，orthedevilforahumansoul？Wouldwecouldscarehimfromthewindow！

ThankHeaven，thenightiswell-nighpast！Themoonbeamshavenolongersosilveryagleam，norcontrastsostronglywiththeblacknessoftheshadowsamongwhichtheyfall。Theyarepalernow；theshadowslookgray，notblack。Theboisterouswindishushed。Whatisthehour？Ah！thewatchhasatlastceasedtotick；fortheJudge’sforgetfulfingersneglectedtowinditup，asusual，atteno’clock，beinghalfanhourorsobeforehisordinarybedtime，——andithasrundown，forthefirsttimeinfiveyears。Butthegreatworld-clockofTimestillkeepsitsbeat。

Thedrearynight——for，oh，howdrearyseemsitshauntedwaste，behindus！——givesplacetoafresh，transparent，cloudlessmorn。

Blessed，blessedradiance！Thedaybeam——evenwhatlittleofitfindsitswayintothisalwaysduskyparlor——seemspartoftheuniversalbenediction，annullingevil，andrenderingallgoodnesspossible，andhappinessattainable。WillJudgePyncheonnowriseupfromhischair？Willhegoforth，andreceivetheearlysunbeamsonhisbrow？Willhebeginthisnewday，——whichGodhassmiledupon，andblessed，andgiventomankind，——willhebeginitwithbetterpurposesthanthemanythathavebeenspentamiss？Orareallthedeep-laidschemesofyesterdayasstubborninhisheart，andasbusyinhisbrain，asever？

Inthislattercase，thereismuchtodo。WilltheJudgestillinsistwithHepzibahontheinterviewwithClifford？Willhebuyasafe，elderlygentleman’shorse？WillhepersuadethepurchaseroftheoldPyncheonpropertytorelinquishthebargaininhisfavor？Willheseehisfamilyphysician，andobtainamedicinethatshallpreservehim，tobeanhonorandblessingtohisrace，untiltheutmosttermofpatriarchallongevity？WillJudgePyncheon，aboveall，makedueapologiestothatcompanyofhonorablefriends，andsatisfythemthathisabsencefromthefestiveboardwasunavoidable，andsofullyretrievehimselfintheirgoodopinionthatheshallyetbeGovernorofMassachusetts？

Andallthesegreatpurposesaccomplished，willhewalkthestreetsagain，withthatdog-daysmileofelaboratebenevolence，sultryenoughtotemptfliestocomeandbuzzinit？Orwillhe，afterthetomb-likeseclusionofthepastdayandnight，goforthahumbledandrepentantman，sorrowful，gentle，seekingnoprofit，shrinkingfromworldlyhonor，hardlydaringtoloveGod，butboldtolovehisfellowman，andtodohimwhatgoodhemay？Willhebearaboutwithhim，——noodiousgrinoffeignedbenignity，insolentinitspretence，andloathsomeinitsfalsehood，——butthetendersadnessofacontriteheart，broken，atlast，beneathitsownweightofsin？Foritisourbelief，whatevershowofhonorhemayhavepileduponit，thattherewasheavysinatthebaseofthisman’sbeing。

Riseup，JudgePyncheon！Themorningsunshineglimmersthroughthefoliage，and，beautifulandholyasitis，shunsnottokindleupyourface。Riseup，thousubtle，worldly，selfish，iron-heartedhypocrite，andmakethychoicewhetherstilltobesubtle，worldly，selfish，iron-hearted，andhypocritical，ortotearthesesinsoutofthynature，thoughtheybringthelifebloodwiththem！TheAvengerisuponthee！Riseup，beforeitbetoolate！

What！Thouartnotstirredbythislastappeal？No，notajot！

Andthereweseeafly，——oneofyourcommonhouse-flies，suchasarealwaysbuzzingonthewindow-pane，——whichhassmeltoutGovernorPyncheon，andalights，nowonhisforehead，nowonhischin，andnow，Heavenhelpus！iscreepingoverthebridgeofhisnose，towardsthewould-bechief-magistrate’swide-openeyes！Canstthounotbrushtheflyaway？Artthoutoosluggish？Thouman，thathadstsomanybusyprojectsyesterday！Artthoutooweak，thatwastsopowerful？

Notbrushawayafly？Nay，then，wegivetheeup！

Andhark！theshop-bellrings。Afterhoursliketheselatterones，throughwhichwehaveborneourheavytale，itisgoodtobemadesensiblethatthereisalivingworld，andthateventhisold，lonelymansionretainssomemannerofconnectionwithit。Webreathemorefreely，emergingfromJudgePyncheon’spresenceintothestreetbeforetheSevenGables。

XIXAlice’sPosiesUNCLEVENNER，trundlingawheelbarrow，wastheearliestpersonstirringintheneighborhoodthedayafterthestorm。

PyncheonStreet，infrontoftheHouseoftheSevenGables，wasafarpleasanterscenethanaby-lane，confinedbyshabbyfences，andborderedwithwoodendwellingsofthemeanerclass，couldreasonablybeexpectedtopresent。Naturemadesweetamends，thatmorning，forthefiveunkindlydayswhichhadprecededit。

Itwouldhavebeenenoughtolivefor，merelytolookupatthewidebenedictionofthesky，orasmuchofitaswasvisiblebetweenthehouses，genialoncemorewithsunshine。Everyobjectwasagreeable，whethertobegazedatinthebreadth，orexaminedmoreminutely。Such，forexample，werethewell-washedpebblesandgravelofthesidewalk；eventhesky-reflectingpoolsinthecentreofthestreet；andthegrass，nowfreshlyverdant，thatcreptalongthebaseofthefences，ontheothersideofwhich，ifonepeepedover，wasseenthemultifariousgrowthofgardens。Vegetableproductions，ofwhateverkind，seemedmorethannegativelyhappy，inthejuicywarmthandabundanceoftheirlife。ThePyncheonElm，throughoutitsgreatcircumference，wasallalive，andfullofthemorningsunandasweet-temperedlittlebreeze，whichlingeredwithinthisverdantsphere，andsetathousandleafytonguesa-whisperingallatonce。Thisagedtreeappearedtohavesufferednothingfromthegale。Ithadkeptitsboughsunshattered，anditsfullcomplementofleaves；

andthewholeinperfectverdure，exceptasinglebranch，that，bytheearlierchangewithwhichtheelm-treesometimesprophesiestheautumn，hadbeentransmutedtobrightgold。ItwaslikethegoldenbranchthatgainedAEneasandtheSibyladmittanceintoHades。

ThisonemysticbranchhungdownbeforethemainentranceoftheSevenGables，sonighthegroundthatanypasser-bymighthavestoodontiptoeandpluckeditoff。Presentedatthedoor，itwouldhavebeenasymbolofhisrighttoenter，andbemadeacquaintedwithallthesecretsofthehouse。Solittlefaithisduetoexternalappearance，thattherewasreallyaninvitingaspectoverthevenerableedifice，conveyinganideathatitshistorymustbeadecorousandhappyone，andsuchaswouldbedelightfulforafiresidetale。Itswindowsgleamedcheerfullyintheslantingsunlight。Thelinesandtuftsofgreenmoss，hereandthere，seemedpledgesoffamiliarityandsisterhoodwithNature；asifthishumandwelling-place，beingofsucholddate，hadestablisheditsprescriptivetitleamongprimevaloaksandwhateverotherobjects，byvirtueoftheirlongcontinuance，haveacquiredagraciousrighttobe。Apersonofimaginativetemperament，whilepassingbythehouse，wouldturn，onceandagain，andperuseitwell:itsmanypeaks，consentingtogetherintheclusteredchimney；thedeepprojectionoveritsbasement-story；

thearchedwindow，impartingalook，ifnotofgrandeur，yetofantiquegentility，tothebrokenportaloverwhichitopened；theluxurianceofgiganticburdocks，nearthethreshold；hewouldnoteallthesecharacteristics，andbeconsciousofsomethingdeeperthanhesaw。HewouldconceivethemansiontohavebeentheresidenceofthestubbornoldPuritan，Integrity，who，dyinginsomeforgottengeneration，hadleftablessinginallitsroomsandchambers，theefficacyofwhichwastobeseeninthereligion，honesty，moderatecompetence，oruprightpovertyandsolidhappiness，ofhisdescendants，tothisday。

Oneobject，aboveallothers，wouldtakerootintheimaginativeobserver’smemory。Itwasthegreattuftofflowers，——weeds，youwouldhavecalledthem，onlyaweekago，——thetuftofcrimson-spottedflowers，intheanglebetweenthetwofrontgables。TheoldpeopleusedtogivethemthenameofAlice’sPosies，inremembranceoffairAlicePyncheon，whowasbelievedtohavebroughttheirseedsfromItaly。Theywereflauntinginrichbeautyandfullbloomto-day，andseemed，asitwere，amysticexpressionthatsomethingwithinthehousewasconsummated。

Itwasbutlittleaftersunrise，whenUncleVennermadehisappearance，asaforesaid，impellingawheelbarrowalongthestreet。Hewasgoinghismatutinalroundstocollectcabbage-leaves，turnip-tops，potato-skins，andthemiscellaneousrefuseofthedinner-pot，whichthethriftyhousewivesoftheneighborhoodwereaccustomedtoputaside，asfitonlytofeedapig。UncleVenner’spigwasfedentirely，andkeptinprimeorder，ontheseeleemosynarycontributions；insomuchthatthepatchedphilosopherusedtopromisethat，beforeretiringtohisfarm，hewouldmakeafeastoftheportlygrunter，andinviteallhisneighborstopartakeofthejointsandspare-ribswhichtheyhadhelpedtofatten。MissHepzibahPyncheon’shousekeepinghadsogreatlyimproved，sinceCliffordbecameamemberofthefamily，thathershareofthebanquetwouldhavebeennoleanone；andUncleVenner，accordingly，wasagooddealdisappointednottofindthelargeearthenpan，fulloffragmentaryeatables，thatordinarilyawaitedhiscomingatthebackdoorstepoftheSevenGables。

"IneverknewMissHepzibahsoforgetfulbefore，"saidthepatriarchtohimself。"Shemusthavehadadinneryesterday，——noquestionofthat！Shealwayshasone，nowadays。Sowhere’sthepot-liquorandpotato-skins，Iask？ShallIknock，andseeifshe’sstirringyet？No，no，——’twon’tdo！IflittlePhoebewasaboutthehouse，Ishouldnotmindknocking；butMissHepzibah，likelyasnot，wouldscowldownatmeoutofthewindow，andlookcross，evenifshefeltpleasantly。So，I’llcomebackatnoon。"

Withthesereflections，theoldmanwasshuttingthegateofthelittleback-yard。Creakingonitshinges，however，likeeveryothergateanddooraboutthepremises，thesoundreachedtheearsoftheoccupantofthenortherngable，oneofthewindowsofwhichhadaside-viewtowardsthegate。

"Good-morning，UncleVenner！"saidthedaguerreotypist，leaningoutofthewindow。"Doyouhearnobodystirring？"

"Notasoul，"saidthemanofpatches。"Butthat’snowonder。

’Tisbarelyhalfanhourpastsunrise，yet。ButI’mreallygladtoseeyou，Mr。Holgrave！There’sastrange，lonesomelookaboutthissideofthehouse；sothatmyheartmisgaveme，somehoworother，andIfeltasiftherewasnobodyaliveinit。Thefrontofthehouselooksagooddealcheerier；andAlice’sPosiesarebloomingtherebeautifully；andifIwereayoungman，Mr。Holgrave，mysweetheartshouldhaveoneofthoseflowersinherbosom，thoughIriskedmyneckclimbingforit！Well，anddidthewindkeepyouawakelastnight？"

"Itdid，indeed！"answeredtheartist，smiling。"IfIwereabelieveringhosts，——andIdon’tquiteknowwhetherIamornot，——IshouldhaveconcludedthatalltheoldPyncheonswererunningriotinthelowerrooms，especiallyinMissHepzibah’spartofthehouse。Butitisveryquietnow。"

"Yes，MissHepzibahwillbeapttoover-sleepherself，afterbeingdisturbed，allnight，withtheracket，"saidUncleVenner。"Butitwouldbeodd，now，wouldn’tit，iftheJudgehadtakenbothhiscousinsintothecountryalongwithhim？Isawhimgointotheshopyesterday。"

"Atwhathour？"inquiredHolgrave。

"Oh，alongintheforenoon，"saidtheoldman。"Well，well！I

mustgomyrounds，andsomustmywheelbarrow。ButI’llbebackhereatdinner-time；formypiglikesadinneraswellasabreakfast。

Nomeal-time，andnosortofvictuals，everseemstocomeamisstomypig。Goodmorningtoyou！And，Mr。Holgrave，ifIwereayoungman，likeyou，I’dgetoneofAlice’sPosies，andkeepitinwatertillPhoebecomesback。"

"Ihaveheard，"saidthedaguerreotypist，ashedrewinhishead，"thatthewaterofMaule’swellsuitsthoseflowersbest。"

Heretheconversationceased，andUncleVennerwentonhisway。

Forhalfanhourlonger，nothingdisturbedthereposeoftheSevenGables；norwasthereanyvisitor，exceptacarrier-boy，who，ashepassedthefrontdoorstep，threwdownoneofhisnewspapers；forHepzibah，oflate，hadregularlytakenitin。

Afterawhile，therecameafatwoman，makingprodigiousspeed，andstumblingassheranupthestepsoftheshop-door。Herfaceglowedwithfire-heat，and，itbeingaprettywarmmorning，shebubbledandhissed，asitwere，asifalla-frywithchimney-warmth，andsummer-warmth，andthewarmthofherowncorpulentvelocity。

Shetriedtheshop-door；itwasfast。Shetrieditagain，withsoangryajarthatthebelltinkledangrilybackather。

"ThedeucetakeOldMaidPyncheon！"mutteredtheirasciblehousewife。

"Thinkofherpretendingtosetupacent-shop，andthenlyingabedtillnoon！Thesearewhatshecallsgentlefolk’sairs，Isuppose！

ButI’lleitherstartherladyship，orbreakthedoordown！"

Sheshookitaccordingly，andthebell，havingaspitefullittletemperofitsown，rangobstreperously，makingitsremonstrancesheard，——not，indeed，bytheearsforwhichtheywereintended，——butbyagoodladyontheoppositesideofthestreet。Sheopenedthewindow，andaddressedtheimpatientapplicant。

"You’llfindnobodythere，Mrs。Gubbins。"

"ButImustandwillfindsomebodyhere！"criedMrs。Gubbins，inflictinganotheroutrageonthebell。"Iwantahalf-poundofpork，tofrysomefirst-ratefloundersforMr。Gubbins’sbreakfast；and，ladyornot，OldMaidPyncheonshallgetupandservemewithit！"

"Butdohearreason，Mrs。Gubbins！"respondedtheladyopposite。

"She，andherbrothertoo，havebothgonetotheircousin’s，JudgePyncheon’sathiscountry-seat。There’snotasoulinthehouse，butthatyoungdaguerreotype-manthatsleepsinthenorthgable。

IsawoldHepzibahandCliffordgoawayyesterday；andaqueercoupleofduckstheywere，paddlingthroughthemud-puddles！

They’regone，I’llassureyou。"

"Andhowdoyouknowthey’regonetotheJudge’s？"askedMrs。

Gubbins。"He’sarichman；andthere’sbeenaquarrelbetweenhimandHepzibahthismanyaday，becausehewon’tgiveheraliving。That’sthemainreasonofhersettingupacent-shop。"

"Iknowthatwellenough，"saidtheneighbor。"Butthey’regone，——that’sonethingcertain。Andwhobutabloodrelation，thatcouldn’thelphimself，Iaskyou，wouldtakeinthatawful-temperedoldmaid，andthatdreadfulClifford？That’sit，youmaybesure。"

Mrs。Gubbinstookherdeparture，stillbrimmingoverwithhotwrathagainsttheabsentHepzibah。Foranotherhalf-hour，or，perhaps，considerablymore，therewasalmostasmuchquietontheoutsideofthehouseaswithin。Theelm，however，madeapleasant，cheerful，sunnysigh，responsivetothebreezethatwaselsewhereimperceptible；aswarmofinsectsbuzzedmerrilyunderitsdroopingshadow，andbecamespecksoflightwhenevertheydartedintothesunshine；alocustsang，onceortwice，insomeinscrutableseclusionofthetree；andasolitarylittlebird，withplumageofpalegold，cameandhoveredaboutAlice’sPosies。

Atlastoursmallacquaintance，NedHiggins，trudgedupthestreet，onhiswaytoschool；andhappening，forthefirsttimeinafortnight，tobethepossessorofacent，hecouldbynomeansgetpasttheshop-dooroftheSevenGables。Butitwouldnotopen。Againandagain，however，andhalfadozenotheragains，withtheinexorablepertinacityofachildintentuponsomeobjectimportanttoitself，didherenewhiseffortsforadmittance。

Hehad，doubtless，sethisheartuponanelephant；or，possibly，withHamlet，hemeanttoeatacrocodile。Inresponsetohismoreviolentattacks，thebellgave，nowandthen，amoderatetinkle，butcouldnotbestirredintoclamorbyanyexertionofthelittlefellow’schildishandtiptoestrength。Holdingbythedoor-handle，hepeepedthroughacreviceofthecurtain，andsawthattheinnerdoor，communicatingwiththepassagetowardstheparlor，wasclosed。

"MissPyncheon！"screamedthechild，rappingonthewindow-pane，"Iwantanelephant！"

Therebeingnoanswertoseveralrepetitionsofthesummons，Nedbegantogrowimpatient；andhislittlepotofpassionquicklyboilingover，hepickedupastone，withanaughtypurposetoflingitthroughthewindow；atthesametimeblubberingandsputteringwithwrath。Aman——oneoftwowhohappenedtobepassingby——caughttheurchin’sarm。

"What’sthetrouble，oldgentleman？"heasked。

"IwantoldHepzibah，orPhoebe，oranyofthem！"answeredNed，sobbing。"Theywon’topenthedoor；andIcan’tgetmyelephant！"

"Gotoschool，youlittlescamp！"saidtheman。"There’sanothercent-shoproundthecorner。’Tisverystrange，Dixey，"addedhetohiscompanion，"what’sbecomeofallthesePyncheon’s！Smith，thelivery-stablekeeper，tellsmeJudgePyncheonputhishorseupyesterday，tostandtillafterdinner，andhasnottakenhimawayyet。AndoneoftheJudge’shiredmenhasbeenin，thismorning，tomakeinquiryabouthim。He’sakindofperson，theysay，thatseldombreakshishabits，orstaysouto’nights。"

"Oh，he’llturnupsafeenough！"saidDixey。"AndasforOldMaidPyncheon，takemywordforit，shehasrunindebt，andgoneofffromhercreditors。Iforetold，youremember，thefirstmorningshesetupshop，thatherdevilishscowlwouldfrightenawaycustomers。

Theycouldn’tstandit！"

"Ineverthoughtshe’dmakeitgo，"remarkedhisfriend。"Thisbusinessofcent-shopsisoverdoneamongthewomen-folks。Mywifetriedit，andlostfivedollarsonheroutlay！"

"Poorbusiness！"saidDixey，shakinghishead。"Poorbusiness！"

Inthecourseofthemorning，therewerevariousotherattemptstoopenacommunicationwiththesupposedinhabitantsofthissilentandimpenetrablemansion。Themanofroot-beercame，inhisneatlypaintedwagon，withacoupleofdozenfullbottles，tobeexchangedforemptyones；thebaker，withalotofcrackerswhichHepzibahhadorderedforherretailcustom；thebutcher，withanicetitbitwhichhefanciedshewouldbeeagertosecureforClifford。Hadanyobserveroftheseproceedingsbeenawareofthefearfulsecrethiddenwithinthehouse，itwouldhaveaffectedhimwithasingularshapeandmodificationofhorror，toseethecurrentofhumanlifemakingthissmalleddyhereabouts，——whirlingsticks，strawsandallsuchtrifles，roundandround，rightovertheblackdepthwhereadeadcorpselayunseen！

Thebutcherwassomuchinearnestwithhissweetbreadoflamb，orwhateverthedaintymightbe，thathetriedeveryaccessibledooroftheSevenGables，andatlengthcameroundagaintotheshop，whereheordinarilyfoundadmittance。

"It’sanicearticle，andIknowtheoldladywouldjumpatit，"

saidhetohimself。"Shecan’tbegoneaway！InfifteenyearsthatIhavedrivenmycartthroughPyncheonStreet，I’veneverknownhertobeawayfromhome；thoughoftenenough，tobesure，amanmightknockalldaywithoutbringinghertothedoor。

Butthatwaswhenshe’donlyherselftoprovidefor"

Peepingthroughthesamecreviceofthecurtainwhere，onlyalittlewhilebefore，theurchinofelephantineappetitehadpeeped，thebutcherbeheldtheinnerdoor，notclosed，asthechildhadseenit，butajar，andalmostwideopen。Howeveritmighthavehappened，itwasthefact。Throughthepassage-waytherewasadarkvistaintothelighterbutstillobscureinterioroftheparlor。

Itappearedtothebutcherthathecouldprettyclearlydiscernwhatseemedtobethestalwartlegs，cladinblackpantaloons，ofamansittinginalargeoakenchair，thebackofwhichconcealedalltheremainderofhisfigure。Thiscontemptuoustranquillityonthepartofanoccupantofthehouse，inresponsetothebutcher’sindefatigableeffortstoattractnotice，sopiquedthemanoffleshthathedeterminedtowithdraw。

"So，"thoughthe，"theresitsOldMaidPyncheon’sbloodybrother，whileI’vebeengivingmyselfallthistrouble！Why，ifahoghadn’tmoremanners，I’dstickhim！Icallitdemeaningaman’sbusinesstotradewithsuchpeople；andfromthistimeforth，iftheywantasausageoranounceofliver，theyshallrunafterthecartforit！"

Hetossedthetitbitangrilyintohiscart，anddroveoffinapet。

Notagreatwhileafterwardstherewasasoundofmusicturningthecornerandapproachingdownthestreet，withseveralintervalsofsilence，andthenarenewedandneareroutbreakofbriskmelody。Amobofchildrenwasseenmovingonward，orstopping，inunisonwiththesound，whichappearedtoproceedfromthecentreofthethrong；sothattheywerelooselyboundtogetherbyslenderstrainsofharmony，anddrawnalongcaptive；witheverandanonanaccessionofsomelittlefellowinanapronandstraw-hat，caperingforthfromdoororgateway。ArrivingundertheshadowofthePyncheonElm，itprovedtobetheItalianboy，who，withhismonkeyandshowofpuppets，hadoncebeforeplayedhishurdy-gurdybeneaththearchedwindow。ThepleasantfaceofPhoebe——anddoubtless，too，theliberalrecompensewhichshehadflunghim——stilldweltinhisremembrance。Hisexpressivefeatureskindledup，asherecognizedthespotwherethistriflingincidentofhiserraticlifehadchanced。Heenteredtheneglectedyard(nowwilderthanever，withitsgrowthofhog-weedandburdock)，stationedhimselfonthedoorstepofthemainentrance，and，openinghisshow-box，begantoplay。Eachindividualoftheautomaticcommunityforthwithsettowork，accordingtohisorherpropervocation:themonkey，takingoffhisHighlandbonnet，bowedandscrapedtotheby-standersmostobsequiously，witheveranobservanteyetopickupastraycent；andtheyoungforeignerhimself，asheturnedthecrankofhismachine，glancedupwardtothearchedwindow，expectantofapresencethatwouldmakehismusicthelivelierandsweeter。Thethrongofchildrenstoodnear；someonthesidewalk；somewithintheyard；twoorthreeestablishingthemselvesontheverydoor-step；andonesquattingonthethreshold。Meanwhile，thelocustkeptsinginginthegreatoldPyncheonElm。

"Idon’thearanybodyinthehouse，"saidoneofthechildrentoanother。"Themonkeywon’tpickupanythinghere。"

"Thereissomebodyathome，"affirmedtheurchinonthethreshold。

"Iheardastep！"

StilltheyoungItalian’seyeturnedsidelongupward；anditreallyseemedasifthetouchofgenuine，thoughslightandalmostplayful，emotioncommunicatedajuiciersweetnesstothedry，mechanicalprocessofhisminstrelsy。Thesewanderersarereadilyresponsivetoanynaturalkindness——beitnomorethanasmile，oraworditselfnotunderstood，butonlyawarmthinit——whichbefallsthemontheroadsideoflife。Theyrememberthesethings，becausetheyarethelittleenchantmentswhich，fortheinstant，——forthespacethatreflectsalandscapeinasoap-bubble，——buildupahomeaboutthem。Therefore，theItalianboywouldnotbediscouragedbytheheavysilencewithwhichtheoldhouseseemedresolutetoclogthevivacityofhisinstrument。Hepersistedinhismelodiousappeals；hestilllookedupward，trustingthathisdark，aliencountenancewouldsoonbebrightenedbyPhoebe’ssunnyaspect。NeithercouldhebewillingtodepartwithoutagainbeholdingClifford，whosesensibility，likePhoebe’ssmile，hadtalkedakindofheart’slanguagetotheforeigner。Herepeatedallhismusicoverandoveragain，untilhisauditorsweregettingweary。Sowerethelittlewoodenpeopleinhisshow-box，andthemonkeymostofall。Therewasnoresponse，savethesingingofthelocust。

"Nochildrenliveinthishouse，"saidaschoolboy，atlast。

"Nobodylivesherebutanoldmaidandanoldman。You’llgetnothinghere！Whydon’tyougoalong？"

"Youfool，you，whydoyoutellhim？"whisperedashrewdlittleYankee，caringnothingforthemusic，butagooddealforthecheaprateatwhichitwashad。

"Lethimplayashelikes！Ifthere’snobodytopayhim，that’shisownlookout！"

Oncemore，however，theItalianranoverhisroundofmelodies。

Tothecommonobserver——whocouldunderstandnothingofthecase，exceptthemusicandthesunshineonthehithersideofthedoor——itmighthavebeenamusingtowatchthepertinacityofthestreet-performer。Willhesucceedatlast？Willthatstubborndoorbesuddenlyflungopen？Willagroupofjoyouschildren，theyoungonesofthehouse，comedancing，shouting，laughing，intotheopenair，andclusterroundtheshow-box，lookingwitheagermerrimentatthepuppets，andtossingeachacopperforlong-tailedMammon，themonkey，topickup？

Buttous，whoknowtheinnerheartoftheSevenGablesaswellasitsexteriorface，thereisaghastlyeffectinthisrepetitionoflightpopulartunesatitsdoor-step。Itwouldbeanuglybusiness，indeed，ifJudgePyncheon(whowouldnothavecaredafigforPaganini’sfiddleinhismostharmoniousmood)shouldmakehisappearanceatthedoor，withabloodyshirt-bosom，andagrimfrownonhisswarthilywhitevisage，andmotiontheforeignvagabondaway！Waseverbeforesuchagrindingoutofjigsandwaltzes，wherenobodywasinthecuetodance？Yes，veryoften。

Thiscontrast，orinterminglingoftragedywithmirth，happensdaily，hourly，momently。Thegloomyanddesolateoldhouse，desertedoflife，andwithawfulDeathsittingsternlyinitssolitude，wastheemblemofmanyahumanheart，which，nevertheless，iscompelledtohearthethrillandechooftheworld’sgayetyaroundit。

BeforetheconclusionoftheItalian’sperformance，acoupleofmenhappenedtobepassing，Ontheirwaytodinner。"Isay，youyoungFrenchfellow！"calledoutoneofthem，——"comeawayfromthatdoorstep，andgosomewhereelsewithyournonsense！ThePyncheonfamilylivethere；andtheyareingreattrouble，justaboutthistime。Theydon’tfeelmusicalto-day。ItisreportedallovertownthatJudgePyncheon，whoownsthehouse，hasbeenmurdered；andthecitymarshalisgoingtolookintothematter。Sobeoffwithyou，atonce！"

AstheItalianshoulderedhishurdy-gurdy，hesawonthedoorstepacard，whichhadbeencovered，allthemorning，bythenewpaperthatthecarrierhadflunguponit，butwasnowshuffledintosight。Hepickeditup，andperceivingsomethingwritteninpencil，gaveittothemantoread。Infact，itwasanengravedcardofJudgePyncheon’swithcertainpencilledmemorandaontheback，referringtovariousbusinesseswhichithadbeenhispurposetotransactduringtheprecedingday。Itformedaprospectiveepitomeoftheday’shistory；onlythataffairshadnotturnedoutaltogetherinaccordancewiththeprogramme。ThecardmusthavebeenlostfromtheJudge’svest-pocketinhispreliminaryattempttogainaccessbythemainentranceofthehouse。

Thoughwellsoakedwithrain，itwasstillpartiallylegible。

"Lookhere；Dixey！"criedtheman。"ThishassomethingtodowithJudgePyncheon。See！——here’shisnameprintedonit；andhere，Isuppose，issomeofhishandwriting。"

"Let’sgotothecitymarshalwithit！"saidDixey。"Itmaygivehimjusttheclewhewants。Afterall，"whisperedheinhiscompanion’sear，"itwouldbenowonderiftheJudgehasgoneintothatdoorandnevercomeoutagain！Acertaincousinofhismayhavebeenathisoldtricks。AndOldMaidPyncheonhavinggotherselfindebtbythecent-shop，——andtheJudge’spocket-bookbeingwellfilled，——andbadbloodamongstthemalready！Putallthesethingstogetherandseewhattheymake！"

"Hush，hush！"whisperedtheother。"Itseemslikeasintohethefirsttospeakofsuchathing。ButIthink，withyou，thatwehadbettergotothecitymarshal。"

"Yes，yes！"saidDixey。"Well！——Ialwayssaidtherewassomethingdevilishinthatwoman’sscowl！"

Themenwheeledabout，accordingly，andretracedtheirstepsupthestreet。TheItalian，also，madethebestofhiswayoff，withapartingglanceupatthearchedwindow。Asforthechildren，theytooktotheirheels，withoneaccord，andscamperedasifsomegiantorogrewereinpursuit，until，atagooddistancefromthehouse，theystoppedassuddenlyandsimultaneouslyastheyhadsetout。Theirsusceptiblenervestookanindefinitealarmfromwhattheyhadoverheard。Lookingbackatthegrotesquepeaksandshadowyanglesoftheoldmansion，theyfanciedagloomdiffusedaboutitwhichnobrightnessofthesunshinecoulddispel。

AnimaginaryHepzibahscowledandshookherfingeratthem，fromseveralwindowsatthesamemoment。AnimaginaryClifford——for(anditwouldhavedeeplywoundedhimtoknowit)hehadalwaysbeenahorrortothesesmallpeople——stoodbehindtheunrealHepzibah，makingawfulgestures，inafadeddressing-gown。

Childrenareevenmoreapt，ifpossible，thangrownpeople，tocatchthecontagionofapanicterror。Fortherestoftheday，themoretimidwentwholestreetsabout，forthesakeofavoidingtheSevenGables；whiletheboldersignalizedtheirhardihoodbychallengingtheircomradestoracepastthemansionatfullspeed。

ItcouldnothavebeenmorethanhalfanhourafterthedisappearanceoftheItalianboy，withhisunseasonablemelodies，whenacabdrovedownthestreet。ItstoppedbeneaththePyncheonElm；thecabmantookatrunk，acanvasbag，andabandbox，fromthetopofhisvehicle，anddepositedthemonthedoorstepoftheoldhouse；astrawbonnet，andthentheprettyfigureofayounggirl，cameintoviewfromtheinteriorofthecab。ItwasPhoebe！Thoughnotaltogethersobloomingaswhenshefirsttrippedintoourstory，——for，inthefewinterveningweeks，herexperienceshadmadehergraver，morewomanly，anddeeper-eyed，intokenofaheartthathadbeguntosuspectitsdepths，——stilltherewasthequietglowofnaturalsunshineoverher。Neitherhadsheforfeitedherpropergiftofmakingthingslookreal，ratherthanfantastic，withinhersphere。Yetwefeelittobeaquestionableventure，evenforPhoebe，atthisjuncture，tocrossthethresholdoftheSevenGables。Isherhealthfulpresencepotentenoughtochaseawaythecrowdofpale，hideous，andsinfulphantoms，thathavegainedadmittancetheresinceherdeparture？Orwillshe，likewise，fade，sicken，sadden，andgrowintodeformity，andbeonlyanotherpallidphantom，toglidenoiselesslyupanddownthestairs，andaffrightchildrenasshepausesatthewindow？

Atleast，wewouldgladlyforewarntheunsuspectinggirlthatthereisnothinginhumanshapeorsubstancetoreceiveher，unlessitbethefigureofJudgePyncheon，who——wretchedspectaclethatheis，andfrightfulinourremembrance，sinceournight-longvigilwithhim！——stillkeepshisplaceintheoakenchair。

Phoebefirsttriedtheshop-door。Itdidnotyieldtoherhand；

andthewhitecurtain，drawnacrossthewindowwhichformedtheuppersectionofthedoor，struckherquickperceptivefacultyassomethingunusual。Withoutmakinganotherefforttoenterhere，shebetookherselftothegreatportal，underthearchedwindow。

Findingitfastened，sheknocked。Areverberationcamefromtheemptinesswithin。Sheknockedagain，andathirdtime；and，listeningintently，fanciedthatthefloorcreaked，asifHepzibahwerecoming，withherordinarytiptoemovement，toadmither。

Butsodeadasilenceensueduponthisimaginarysound，thatshebegantoquestionwhethershemightnothavemistakenthehouse，familiarasshethoughtherselfwithitsexterior。

Hernoticewasnowattractedbyachild’svoice，atsomedistance。Itappearedtocallhername。Lookinginthedirectionwhenceitproceeded，PhoebesawlittleNedHiggins，agoodwaydownthestreet，stamping，shakinghisheadviolently，makingdeprecatorygestureswithbothhands，andshoutingtoheratmouth-widescreech。

"No，no，Phoebe！"hescreamed。"Don’tyougoin！There’ssomethingwickedthere！Don’t——don’t——don’tgoin！"

But，asthelittlepersonagecouldnotbeinducedtoapproachnearenoughtoexplainhimself，Phoebeconcludedthathehadbeenfrightened，onsomeofhisvisitstotheshop，byhercousinHepzibah；forthegoodlady’smanifestations，intruth，ranaboutanequalchanceofscaringchildrenoutoftheirwits，orcompellingthemtounseemlylaughter。Still，shefeltthemore，forthisincident，howunaccountablysilentandimpenetrablethehousehadbecome。Ashernextresort，Phoebemadeherwayintothegarden，whereonsowarmandbrightadayasthepresent，shehadlittledoubtoffindingClifford，andperhapsHepzibahalso，idlingawaythenoontideintheshadowofthearbor。Immediatelyonherenteringthegardengate，thefamilyofhenshalfran，halfflewtomeether；

whileastrangegrimalkin，whichwasprowlingundertheparlorwindow，tooktohisheels，clamberedhastilyoverthefence，andvanished。

Thearborwasvacant，anditsfloor，table，andcircularbenchwerestilldamp，andbestrewnwithtwigsandthedisarrayofthepaststorm。Thegrowthofthegardenseemedtohavegotquiteoutofbounds；theweedshadtakenadvantageofPhoebe’sabsence，andthelong-continuedrain，torunrampantovertheflowersandkitchen-vegetables。Maule’swellhadoverfloweditsstoneborder，andmadeapoolofformidablebreadthinthatcornerofthegarden。

Theimpressionofthewholescenewasthatofaspotwherenohumanfoothadleftitsprintformanyprecedingdays，——probablynotsincePhoebe’sdeparture，——forshesawaside-combofherownunderthetableofthearbor，whereitmusthavefallenonthelastafternoonwhensheandCliffordsatthere。

Thegirlknewthathertworelativeswerecapableoffargreaterodditiesthanthatofshuttingthemselvesupintheiroldhouse，astheyappearednowtohavedone。Nevertheless，withindistinctmisgivingsofsomethingamiss，andapprehensionstowhichshecouldnotgiveshape，sheapproachedthedoorthatformedthecustomarycommunicationbetweenthehouseandgarden。Itwassecuredwithin，likethetwowhichshehadalreadytried。Sheknocked，however；andimmediately，asiftheapplicationhadbeenexpected，thedoorwasdrawnopen，byaconsiderableexertionofsomeunseenperson’sstrength，notwide，butfarenoughtoaffordheraside-longentrance。AsHepzibah，inordernottoexposeherselftoinspectionfromwithout，invariablyopenedadoorinthismanner，Phoebenecessarilyconcludedthatitwashercousinwhonowadmittedher。

Withouthesitation，therefore，shesteppedacrossthethreshold，andhadnosoonerenteredthanthedoorclosedbehindher。

XXTheFlowerofEdenPHOEBE，comingsosuddenlyfromthesunnydaylight，wasaltogetherbedimmedinsuchdensityofshadowaslurkedinmostofthepassagesoftheoldhouse。Shewasnotatfirstawarebywhomshehadbeenadmitted。Beforehereyeshadadaptedthemselvestotheobscurity，ahandgraspedherownwithafirmbutgentleandwarmpressure，thusimpartingawelcomewhichcausedherhearttoleapandthrillwithanindefinableshiverofenjoyment。

Shefeltherselfdrawnalong，nottowardstheparlor，butintoalargeandunoccupiedapartment，whichhadformerlybeenthegrandreception-roomoftheSevenGables。Thesunshinecamefreelyintoalltheuncurtainedwindowsofthisroom，andfelluponthedustyfloor；sothatPhoebenowclearlysaw——what，indeed，hadbeennosecret，aftertheencounterofawarmhandwithhers——thatitwasnotHepzibahnorClifford，butHolgrave，towhomsheowedherreception。Thesubtile，intuitivecommunication，or，rather，thevagueandformlessimpressionofsomethingtobetold，hadmadeheryieldunresistinglytohisimpulse。Withouttakingawayherhand，shelookedeagerlyinhisface，notquicktoforebodeevil，butunavoidablyconsciousthatthestateofthefamilyhadchangedsinceherdeparture，andthereforeanxiousforanexplanation。

Theartistlookedpalerthanordinary；therewasathoughtfulandseverecontractionofhisforehead，tracingadeep，verticallinebetweentheeyebrows。Hissmile，however，wasfullofgenuinewarmth，andhadinitajoy，byfarthemostvividexpressionthatPhoebehadeverwitnessed，shiningoutoftheNewEnglandreservewithwhichHolgravehabituallymaskedwhateverlaynearhisheart。Itwasthelookwherewithaman，broodingaloneoversomefearfulobject，inadrearyforestorillimitabledesert，wouldrecognizethefamiliaraspectofhisdearestfriend，bringingupallthepeacefulideasthatbelongtohome，andthegentlecurrentofevery-dayaffairs。

Andyet，ashefeltthenecessityofrespondingtoherlookofinquiry，thesmiledisappeared。

"Ioughtnottorejoicethatyouhavecome，Phoebe，"saidhe。

"Wemeetatastrangemoment！"

"Whathashappened！"sheexclaimed。"Whyisthehousesodeserted？WhereareHepzibahandClifford？"

"Gone！Icannotimaginewheretheyare！"answeredHolgrave。

"Wearealoneinthehouse！"

"HepzibahandCliffordgone？"criedPhoebe。"Itisnotpossible！

Andwhyhaveyoubroughtmeintothisroom，insteadoftheparlor？

Ah，somethingterriblehashappened！Imustrunandsee！"

"No，no，Phoebe！"saidHolgraveholdingherback。"ItisasI

havetoldyou。Theyaregone，andIknownotwhither。Aterribleeventhas，indeedhappened，butnottothem，nor，asIundoubtinglybelieve，throughanyagencyoftheirs。IfIreadyourcharacterrightly，Phoebe，"hecontinued，fixinghiseyesonherswithsternanxiety，intermixedwithtenderness，"gentleasyouare，andseemingtohaveyoursphereamongcommonthings，youyetpossessremarkablestrength。Youhavewonderfulpoise，andafacultywhich，whentested，willproveitselfcapableofdealingwithmattersthatfallfaroutoftheordinaryrule。"

"Oh，no，Iamveryweak！"repliedPhoebe，trembling。"Buttellmewhathashappened！"

"Youarestrong！"persistedHolgrave。"Youmustbebothstrongandwise；forIamallastray，andneedyourcounsel。Itmaybeyoucansuggesttheonerightthingtodo！"

"Tellme！——tellme！"saidPhoebe，allinatremble。"Itoppresses，——itterrifiesme，——thismystery！AnythingelseIcanbear！"

Theartisthesitated。Notwithstandingwhathehadjustsaid，andmostsincerely，inregardtotheself-balancingpowerwithwhichPhoebeimpressedhim，itstillseemedalmostwickedtobringtheawfulsecretofyesterdaytoherknowledge。Itwaslikedraggingahideousshapeofdeathintothecleanlyandcheerfulspacebeforeahouseholdfire，whereitwouldpresentalltheuglieraspect，amidthedecorousnessofeverythingaboutit。Yetitcouldnotbeconcealedfromher；shemustneedsknowit。

"Phoebe，"saidhe，"doyourememberthis？"Heputintoherhandadaguerreotype；thesamethathehadshownherattheirfirstinterviewinthegarden，andwhichsostrikinglybroughtoutthehardandrelentlesstraitsoftheoriginal。

"WhathasthistodowithHepzibahandClifford？"askedPhoebe，withimpatientsurprisethatHolgraveshouldsotriflewithheratsuchamoment。"ItisJudgePyncheon！Youhaveshownittomebefore！"

"Buthereisthesameface，takenwithinthishalf-hour"saidtheartist，presentingherwithanotherminiature。"IhadjustfinisheditwhenIheardyouatthedoor。"

"Thisisdeath！"shudderedPhoebe，turningverypale。"JudgePyncheondead！"

"Suchasthererepresented，"saidHolgrave，"hesitsinthenextroom。TheJudgeisdead，andCliffordandHepzibahhavevanished！

Iknownomore。Allbeyondisconjecture。Onreturningtomysolitarychamber，lastevening，Inoticednolight，eitherintheparlor，orHepzibah’sroom，orClifford’s；nostirnorfootstepaboutthehouse。

Thismorning，therewasthesamedeath-likequiet。Frommywindow，I

overheardthetestimonyofaneighbor，thatyourrelativeswereseenleavingthehouseinthemidstofyesterday’sstorm。Arumorreachedme，too，ofJudgePyncheonbeingmissed。AfeelingwhichIcannotdescribe——anindefinitesenseofsomecatastrophe，orconsummation——impelledmetomakemywayintothispartofthehouse，whereI

discoveredwhatyousee。AsapointofevidencethatmaybeusefultoClifford，andalsoasamemorialvaluabletomyself，——for，Phoebe，therearehereditaryreasonsthatconnectmestrangelywiththatman’sfate，——IusedthemeansatmydisposaltopreservethispictorialrecordofJudgePyncheon’sdeath。"

Eveninheragitation，PhoebecouldnothelpremarkingthecalmnessofHolgrave’sdemeanor。Heappeared，itistrue，tofeelthewholeawfulnessoftheJudge’sdeath，yethadreceivedthefactintohismindwithoutanymixtureofsurprise，butasaneventpreordained，happeninginevitably，andsofittingitselfintopastoccurrencesthatitcouldalmosthavebeenprophesied。

"Whyhaveyounotthrownopenthedoors，andcalledinwitnesses？"

inquiredshewithapainfulshudder。"Itisterribletobeherealone！"

"ButClifford！"suggestedtheartist。"CliffordandHepzibah！Wemustconsiderwhatisbesttobedoneintheirbehalf。Itisawretchedfatalitythattheyshouldhavedisappeared！Theirflightwillthrowtheworstcoloringoverthiseventofwhichitissusceptible。Yethoweasyistheexplanation，tothosewhoknowthem！Bewilderedandterror-strickenbythesimilarityofthisdeathtoaformerone，whichwasattendedwithsuchdisastrousconsequencestoClifford，theyhavehadnoideabutofremovingthemselvesfromthescene。Howmiserablyunfortunate！HadHepzibahbutshriekedaloud，——hadCliffordflungwidethedoor，andproclaimedJudgePyncheon’sdeath，——itwouldhavebeen，howeverawfulinitself，aneventfruitfulofgoodconsequencestothem。AsIviewit，itwouldhavegonefartowardsobliteratingtheblackstainonClifford’scharacter。"

"Andhow"askedPhoebe，"couldanygoodcomefromwhatissoverydreadful？"

"Because，"saidtheartist，"ifthemattercanbefairlyconsideredandcandidlyinterpreted，itmustbeevidentthatJudgePyncheoncouldnothavecomeunfairlytohisend。Thismodeofdeathhadbeenanidiosyncrasywithhisfamily，forgenerationspast；notoftenoccurring，indeed，but，whenitdoesoccur，usuallyattackingindividualsabouttheJudge’stimeoflife，andgenerallyinthetensionofsomementalcrisis，or，perhaps，inanaccessofwrath。

OldMaule’sprophecywasprobablyfoundedonaknowledgeofthisphysicalpredispositioninthePyncheonrace。Now，thereisaminuteandalmostexactsimilarityintheappearancesconnectedwiththedeaththatoccurredyesterdayandthoserecordedofthedeathofClifford’sunclethirtyyearsago。Itistrue，therewasacertainarrangementofcircumstances，unnecessarytoberecounted，whichmadeitpossiblenay，asmenlookatthesethings，probable，orevencertain——thatoldJaffreyPyncheoncametoaviolentdeath，andbyClifford’shands。"

"Whencecamethosecircumstances？"exclaimedPhoebe。"Hebeinginnocent，asweknowhimtobe！"

"Theywerearranged，"saidHolgrave，——"atleastsuchhaslongbeenmyconviction，——theywerearrangedaftertheuncle’sdeath，andbeforeitwasmadepublic，bythemanwhositsinyonderparlor。Hisowndeath，solikethatformerone，yetattendedbynoneofthosesuspiciouscircumstances，seemsthestrokeofGoduponhim，atonceapunishmentforhiswickedness，andmakingplaintheinnocenceofClifford，Butthisflight，——itdistortseverything！Hemaybeinconcealment，nearathand。CouldwebutbringhimbackbeforethediscoveryoftheJudge’sdeath，theevilmightberectified，"

"Wemustnothidethisthingamomentlonger！"saidPhoebe。

"Itisdreadfultokeepitsocloselyinourhearts。Cliffordisinnocent。Godwillmakeitmanifest！Letusthrowopenthedoors，andcallalltheneighborhoodtoseethetruth！"

"Youareright，Phoebe，"rejoinedHolgrave。"Doubtlessyouareright。"

Yettheartistdidnotfeelthehorror，whichwaspropertoPhoebe’ssweetandorder-lovingcharacter，atthusfindingherselfatissuewithsociety，andbroughtincontactwithaneventthattranscendedordinaryrules。Neitherwasheinhaste，likeher，tobetakehimselfwithintheprecinctsofcommonlife。Onthecontrary，hegatheredawildenjoyment，——asitwere，aflowerofstrangebeauty，growinginadesolatespot，andblossominginthewind，——suchaflowerofmomentaryhappinesshegatheredfromhispresentposition。

ItseparatedPhoebeandhimselffromtheworld，andboundthemtoeachother，bytheirexclusiveknowledgeofJudgePyncheon’smysteriousdeath，andthecounselwhichtheywereforcedtoholdrespectingit。Thesecret，solongasitshouldcontinuesuch，keptthemwithinthecircleofaspell，asolitudeinthemidstofmen，aremotenessasentireasthatofanislandinmid-ocean；

oncedivulged，theoceanwouldflowbetwixtthem，standingonitswidelysunderedshores。Meanwhile，allthecircumstancesoftheirsituationseemedtodrawthemtogether；theywereliketwochildrenwhogohandinhand，pressingcloselytooneanother’sside，throughashadow-hauntedpassage。TheimageofawfulDeath，whichfilledthehouse，heldthemunitedbyhisstiffenedgrasp。

Theseinfluenceshastenedthedevelopmentofemotionsthatmightnototherwisehavefloweredso。Possibly，indeed，ithadbeenHolgrave’spurposetoletthemdieintheirundevelopedgerms。"Whydowedelayso？"askedPhoebe。"Thissecrettakesawaymybreath！Letusthrowopenthedoors！"

"Inallourlivestherecannevercomeanothermomentlikethis！"

saidHolgrave。"Phoebe，isitallterror？——nothingbutterror？

Areyouconsciousofnojoy，asIam，thathasmadethistheonlypointoflifeworthlivingfor？"

"Itseemsasin，"repliedPhoebe，trembling，"tothinkofjoyatsuchatime！"

"Couldyoubutknow，Phoebe，howitwaswithmethehourbeforeyoucame！"exclaimedtheartist。"Adark，cold，miserablehour！

Thepresenceofyonderdeadmanthrewagreatblackshadowovereverything；hemadetheuniverse，sofarasmyperceptioncouldreach，asceneofguiltandofretributionmoredreadfulthantheguilt。Thesenseofittookawaymyyouth。Ineverhopedtofeelyoungagain！Theworldlookedstrange，wild，evil，hostile；mypastlife，solonesomeanddreary；myfuture，ashapelessgloom，whichImustmouldintogloomyshapes！

But，Phoebe，youcrossedthethreshold；andhope，warmth，andjoycameinwithyou！Theblackmomentbecameatonceablissfulone。Itmustnotpasswithoutthespokenword。

Iloveyou！"

"Howcanyouloveasimplegirllikeme？"askedPhoebe，compelledbyhisearnestnesstospeak。"Youhavemany，manythoughts，withwhichIshouldtryinvaintosympathize。AndI，——I，too，——Ihavetendencieswithwhichyouwouldsympathizeaslittle。Thatislessmatter。ButIhavenotscopeenoughtomakeyouhappy。"

"Youaremyonlypossibilityofhappiness！"answeredHolgrave。

"Ihavenofaithinit，exceptasyoubestowitonme！"

"Andthen——Iamafraid！"continuedPhoebe，shrinkingtowardsHolgrave，evenwhileshetoldhimsofranklythedoubtswithwhichheaffectedher。"Youwillleadmeoutofmyownquietpath。Youwillmakemestrivetofollowyouwhereitispathless。

Icannotdoso。Itisnotmynature。Ishallsinkdownandperish！"

"Ah，Phoebe！"exclaimedHolgrave，withalmostasigh，andasmilethatwasburdenedwiththought。

"Itwillbefarotherwisethanasyouforebode。Theworldowesallitsonwardimpulsestomenillatease。Thehappymaninevitablyconfineshimselfwithinancientlimits。Ihaveapresentimentthat，hereafter，itwillbemylottosetouttrees，tomakefences，——perhaps，even，induetime，tobuildahouseforanothergeneration，——inaword，toconformmyselftolawsandthepeacefulpracticeofsociety。Yourpoisewillbemorepowerfulthananyoscillatingtendencyofmine。"

"Iwouldnothaveitso！"saidPhoebeearnestly。

"Doyouloveme？"askedHolgrave。"Ifweloveoneanother，themomenthasroomfornothingmore。Letuspauseuponit，andbesatisfied。Doyouloveme，Phoebe？"

"Youlookintomyheart，"saidshe，lettinghereyesdrop。

"YouknowIloveyou！"

Anditwasinthishour，sofullofdoubtandawe，thattheonemiraclewaswrought，withoutwhicheveryhumanexistenceisablank。Theblisswhichmakesallthingstrue，beautiful，andholyshonearoundthisyouthandmaiden。Theywereconsciousofnothingsadnorold。Theytransfiguredtheearth，andmadeitEdenagain，andthemselvesthetwofirstdwellersinit。Thedeadman，soclosebesidethem，wasforgotten。Atsuchacrisis，thereisnodeath；

forimmortalityisrevealedanew，andembraceseverythinginitshallowedatmosphere。

Buthowsoontheheavyearth-dreamsettleddownagain！

"Hark！"whisperedPhoebe。"Somebodyisatthestreetdoor！"

"Nowletusmeettheworld！"saidHolgrave。"Nodoubt，therumorofJudgePyncheon’svisittothishouse，andtheflightofHepzibahandClifford，isabouttoleadtotheinvestigationofthepremises。

Wehavenowaybuttomeetit。Letusopenthedooratonce。"

But，totheirsurprise，beforetheycouldreachthestreetdoor，——evenbeforetheyquittedtheroominwhichtheforegoinginterviewhadpassed，——theyheardfootstepsinthefartherpassage。

Thedoor，therefore，whichtheysupposedtobesecurelylocked，——whichHolgrave，indeed，hadseentobeso，andatwhichPhoebehadvainlytriedtoenter，——musthavebeenopenedfromwithout。

Thesoundoffootstepswasnotharsh，bold，decided，andintrusive，asthegaitofstrangerswouldnaturallybe，makingauthoritativeentranceintoadwellingwheretheyknewthemselvesunwelcome。

Itwasfeeble，asofpersonseitherweakorweary；therewasthemingledmurmuroftwovoices，familiartoboththelisteners。

"Canitbe？"whisperedHolgrave。

"Itisthey！"answeredPhoebe。"ThankGod！——thankGod！"

Andthen，asifinsympathywithPhoebe’swhisperedejaculation，theyheardHepzibah’svoicemoredistinctly。

"ThankGod，mybrother，weareathome！"

"Well！——Yes！——thankGod！"respondedClifford。"Adrearyhome，Hepzibah！Butyouhavedonewelltobringmehither！Stay！Thatparlordoorisopen。Icannotpassbyit！Letmegoandrestmeinthearbor，whereIused，——oh，verylongago，itseemstome，afterwhathasbefallenus，——whereIusedtobesohappywithlittlePhoebe！"

ButthehousewasnotaltogethersodrearyasCliffordimaginedit。Theyhadnotmademanysteps，——intruth，theywerelingeringintheentry，withthelistlessnessofanaccomplishedpurpose，uncertainwhattodonext，——whenPhoeberantomeetthem。Onbeholdingher，Hepzibahburstintotears。Withallhermight，shehadstaggeredonwardbeneaththeburdenofgriefandresponsibility，untilnowthatitwassafetoflingitdown。Indeed，shehadnotenergytoflingitdown，buthadceasedtoupholdit，andsufferedittopresshertotheearth。Cliffordappearedthestrongerofthetwo。

"ItisourownlittlePhoebe！——Ah！andHolgravewith，her"

exclaimedhe，withaglanceofkeenanddelicateinsight，andasmile，beautiful，kind，butmelancholy。"Ithoughtofyouboth，aswecamedownthestreet，andbeheldAlice’sPosiesinfullbloom。

AndsotheflowerofEdenhasbloomed，likewise，inthisold，darksomehouseto-day。"

XXITheDepartureTHEsuddendeathofsoprominentamemberofthesocialworldastheHonorableJudgeJaffreyPyncheoncreatedasensation(atleast，inthecirclesmoreimmediatelyconnectedwiththedeceased)whichhadhardlyquitesubsidedinafortnight。

Itmayberemarked，however，that，ofalltheeventswhichconstituteaperson’sbiography，thereisscarcelyone——none，certainly，ofanythinglikeasimilarimportance——towhichtheworldsoeasilyreconcilesitselfastohisdeath。Inmostothercasesandcontingencies，theindividualispresentamongus，mixedupwiththedailyrevolutionofaffairs，andaffordingadefinitepointforobservation。Athisdecease，thereisonlyavacancy，andamomentaryeddy，——verysmall，ascomparedwiththeapparentmagnitudeoftheingurgitatedobject，——andabubbleortwo，ascendingoutoftheblackdepthandburstingatthesurface。AsregardedJudgePyncheon，itseemedprobable，atfirstblush，thatthemodeofhisfinaldeparturemightgivehimalargerandlongerposthumousvoguethanordinarilyattendsthememoryofadistinguishedman。Butwhenitcametobeunderstood，onthehighestprofessionalauthority，thattheeventwasanatural，and——exceptforsomeunimportantparticulars，denotingaslightidiosyncrasy——bynomeansanunusualformofdeath，thepublic，withitscustomaryalacrity，proceededtoforgetthathehadeverlived。Inshort，thehonorableJudgewasbeginningtobeastalesubjectbeforehalfthecountrynewspapershadfoundtimetoputtheircolumnsinmourning，andpublishhisexceedinglyeulogisticobituary。

Nevertheless，creepingdarklythroughtheplaceswhichthisexcellentpersonhadhauntedinhislifetime，therewasahiddenstreamofprivatetalk，suchasitwouldhaveshockedalldecencytospeakloudlyatthestreet-corners。Itisverysingular，howthefactofaman’sdeathoftenseemstogivepeopleatruerideaofhischaracter，whetherforgoodorevil，thantheyhaveeverpossessedwhilehewaslivingandactingamongthem。Deathissogenuineafactthatitexcludesfalsehood，orbetraysitsemptiness；itisatouchstonethatprovesthegold，anddishonorsthebasermetal。Couldthedeparted，whoeverhemaybe，returninaweekafterhisdecease，hewouldalmostinvariablyfindhimselfatahigherorlowerpointthanhehadformerlyoccupied，onthescaleofpublicappreciation。Butthetalk，orscandal，towhichwenowallude，hadreferencetomattersofnolessoldadatethanthesupposedmurder，thirtyorfortyyearsago，ofthelateJudgePyncheon’suncle。Themedicalopinionwithregardtohisownrecentandregretteddeceasehadalmostentirelyobviatedtheideathatamurderwascommittedintheformercase。Yet，astherecordshowed，therewerecircumstancesirrefragablyindicatingthatsomepersonhadgainedaccesstooldJaffreyPyncheon’sprivateapartments，atornearthemomentofhisdeath。Hisdeskandprivatedrawers，inaroomcontiguoustohisbedchamber，hadbeenransacked；moneyandvaluablearticlesweremissing；therewasabloodyhand-printontheoldman’slinen；and，byapowerfullyweldedchainofdeductiveevidence，theguiltoftherobberyandapparentmurderhadbeenfixedonClifford，thenresidingwithhisuncleintheHouseoftheSevenGables。

Whencesoeveroriginating，therenowaroseatheorythatundertooksotoaccountforthesecircumstancesastoexcludetheideaofClifford’sagency。Manypersonsaffirmedthatthehistoryandelucidationofthefacts，longsomysterious，hadbeenobtainedbythedaguerreotypistfromoneofthosemesmericalseerswho，nowadays，sostrangelyperplextheaspectofhumanaffairs，andputeverybody’snaturalvisiontotheblush，bythemarvelswhichtheyseewiththeireyesshut。

Accordingtothisversionofthestory，JudgePyncheon，exemplaryaswehaveportrayedhiminournarrative，was，inhisyouth，anapparentlyirreclaimablescapegrace。Thebrutish，theanimalinstincts，asisoftenthecase，hadbeendevelopedearlierthantheintellectualqualities，andtheforceofcharacter，forwhichhewasafterwardsremarkable。Hehadshownhimselfwild，dissipated，addictedtolowpleasures，littleshortofruffianlyinhispropensities，andrecklesslyexpensive，withnootherresourcesthanthebountyofhisuncle。Thiscourseofconducthadalienatedtheoldbachelor’saffection，oncestronglyfixeduponhim。Nowitisaverred，——butwhetheronauthorityavailableinacourtofjustice，wedonotpretendtohaveinvestigated，——thattheyoungmanwastemptedbythedevil，onenight，tosearchhisuncle’sprivatedrawers，towhichhehadunsuspectedmeansofaccess。Whilethuscriminallyoccupied，hewasstartledbytheopeningofthechamber-door。TherestoodoldJaffreyPyncheon，inhisnightclothes！Thesurpriseofsuchadiscovery，hisagitation，alarm，andhorror，broughtonthecrisisofadisordertowhichtheoldbachelorhadanhereditaryliability；heseemedtochokewithblood，andfelluponthefloor，strikinghistempleaheavyblowagainstthecornerofatable。Whatwastobedone？Theoldmanwassurelydead！Assistancewouldcometoolate！Whatamisfortune，indeed，shoulditcometoosoon，sincehisrevivingconsciousnesswouldbringtherecollectionoftheignominiousoffencewhichhehadbeheldhisnephewintheveryactofcommitting！

Butheneverdidrevive。Withthecoolhardihoodthatalwayspertainedtohim，theyoungmancontinuedhissearchofthedrawers，andfoundawill，ofrecentdate，infavorofClifford，——whichhedestroyed，——andanolderone，inhisownfavor，whichhesufferedtoremain。Butbeforeretiring，Jaffreybethoughthimselfoftheevidence，intheseransackeddrawers，thatsomeonehadvisitedthechamberwithsinisterpurposes。Suspicion，unlessaverted，mightfixupontherealoffender。Intheverypresenceofthedeadman，therefore，helaidaschemethatshouldfreehimselfattheexpenseofClifford，hisrival，forwhosecharacterhehadatonceacontemptandarepugnance。Itisnotprobable，beitsaid，thatheactedwithanysetpurposeofinvolvingCliffordinachargeofmurder。Knowingthathisuncledidnotdiebyviolence，itmaynothaveoccurredtohim，inthehurryofthecrisis，thatsuchaninferencemightbedrawn。But，whentheaffairtookthisdarkeraspect，Jaffrey’spreviousstepshadalreadypledgedhimtothosewhichremained。Socraftilyhadhearrangedthecircumstances，that，atClifford’strial，hiscousinhardlyfounditnecessarytosweartoanythingfalse，butonlytowithholdtheonedecisiveexplanation，byrefrainingtostatewhathehadhimselfdoneandwitnessed。

ThusJaffreyPyncheon’sinwardcriminality，asregardedClifford，was，indeed，blackanddamnable；whileitsmereoutwardshowandpositivecommissionwasthesmallestthatcouldpossiblyconsistwithsogreatasin。Thisisjustthesortofguiltthatamanofeminentrespectabilityfindsiteasiesttodisposeof。

Itwassufferedtofadeoutofsightorbereckonedavenialmatter，intheHonorableJudgePyncheon’slongsubsequentsurveyofhisownlife。Heshuffleditaside，amongtheforgottenandforgivenfrailtiesofhisyouth，andseldomthoughtofitagain。

WeleavetheJudgetohisrepose。Hecouldnotbestyledfortunateatthehourofdeath。Unknowingly，hewasachildlessman，whilestrivingtoaddmorewealthtohisonlychild’sinheritance。

Hardlyaweekafterhisdecease，oneoftheCunardsteamersbroughtintelligenceofthedeath，bycholera，ofJudgePyncheon’sson，justatthepointofembarkationforhisnativeland。BythismisfortuneCliffordbecamerich；sodidHepzibah；sodidourlittlevillagemaiden，and，throughher，thatswornfoeofwealthandallmannerofconservatism，——thewildreformer，——Holgrave！

ItwasnowfartoolateinClifford’slifeforthegoodopinionofsocietytobeworththetroubleandanguishofaformalvindication。Whatheneededwastheloveofaveryfew；nottheadmiration，oreventherespect，oftheunknownmany。Thelattermightprobablyhavebeenwonforhim，hadthoseonwhomtheguardianshipofhiswelfarehadfallendeemeditadvisabletoexposeCliffordtoamiserableresuscitationofpastideas，whentheconditionofwhatevercomforthemightexpectlayinthecalmofforgetfulness。Aftersuchwrongashehadsuffered，thereisnoreparation。Thepitiablemockeryofit，whichtheworldmighthavebeenreadyenoughtooffer，comingsolongaftertheagonyhaddoneitsutmostwork，wouldhavebeenfitonlytoprovokebittererlaughterthanpoorCliffordwasevercapableof。

Itisatruth(anditwouldbeaverysadonebutforthehigherhopeswhichitsuggests)thatnogreatmistake，whetheractedorendured，inourmortalsphere，iseverreallysetright。Time，thecontinualvicissitudeofcircumstances，andtheinvariableinopportunityofdeath，renderitimpossible。If，afterlonglapseofyears，therightseemstobeinourpower，wefindnonichetosetitin。Thebetterremedyisforthesufferertopasson，andleavewhatheoncethoughthisirreparableruinfarbehindhim。

TheshockofJudgePyncheon’sdeathhadapermanentlyinvigoratingandultimatelybeneficialeffectonClifford。ThatstrongandponderousmanhadbeenClifford’snightmare。Therewasnofreebreathtobedrawn，withinthesphereofsomalevolentaninfluence。

Thefirsteffectoffreedom，aswehavewitnessedinClifford’saimlessflight，wasatremulousexhilaration。Subsidingfromit，hedidnotsinkintohisformerintellectualapathy。Henever，itistrue，attainedtonearlythefullmeasureofwhatmighthavebeenhisfaculties。Butherecoveredenoughofthempartiallytolightuphischaracter，todisplaysomeoutlineofthemarvellousgracethatwasabortiveinit，andtomakehimtheobjectofNolessdeep，althoughlessmelancholyinterestthanheretofore。Hewasevidentlyhappy。Couldwepausetogiveanotherpictureofhisdailylife，withalltheappliancesnowatcommandtogratifyhisinstinctfortheBeautiful，thegardenscenes，thatseemedsosweettohim，wouldlookmeanandtrivialincomparison。

Verysoonaftertheirchangeoffortune，Clifford，Hepzibah，andlittlePhoebe，withtheapprovaloftheartist，concludedtoremovefromthedismaloldHouseoftheSevenGables，andtakeuptheirabode，forthepresent，attheelegantcountry-seatofthelateJudgePyncheon。Chanticleerandhisfamilyhadalreadybeentransportedthither，wherethetwohenshadforthwithbegunanindefatigableprocessofegg-laying，withanevidentdesign，asamatterofdutyandconscience，tocontinuetheirillustriousbreedunderbetterauspicesthanforacenturypast。Onthedaysetfortheirdeparture，theprincipalpersonagesofourstory，includinggoodUncleVenner，wereassembledintheparlor。

"Thecountry-houseiscertainlyaveryfineone，sofarastheplangoes，"observedHolgrave，asthepartywerediscussingtheirfuturearrangements。"ButIwonderthatthelateJudge——beingsoopulent，andwithareasonableprospectoftransmittinghiswealthtodescendantsofhisown——shouldnothavefelttheproprietyofembodyingsoexcellentapieceofdomesticarchitectureinstone，ratherthaninwood。Then，everygenerationofthefamilymighthavealteredtheinterior，tosuititsowntasteandconvenience；

whiletheexterior，throughthelapseofyears，mighthavebeenaddingvenerablenesstoitsoriginalbeauty，andthusgivingthatimpressionofpermanencewhichIconsideressentialtothehappinessofanyonemoment。"

"Why，"criedPhoebe，gazingintotheartist’sfacewithinfiniteamazement，"howwonderfullyyourideasarechanged！Ahouseofstone，indeed！Itisbuttwoorthreeweeksagothatyouseemedtowishpeopletoliveinsomethingasfragileandtemporaryasabird’s-nest！"

"Ah，Phoebe，Itoldyouhowitwouldbe！"saidtheartist，withahalf-melancholylaugh。"Youfindmeaconservativealready！

LittledidIthinkevertobecomeone。Itisespeciallyunpardonableinthisdwellingofsomuchhereditarymisfortune，andundertheeyeofyonderportraitofamodelconservative，who，inthatverycharacter，renderedhimselfsolongtheevildestinyofhisrace。"

"Thatpicture！"saidClifford，seemingtoshrinkfromitssternglance。"WheneverIlookatit，thereisanolddreamyrecollectionhauntingme，butkeepingjustbeyondthegraspofmymind。Wealth，itseemstosay！——boundlesswealth！——unimaginablewealth！Icouldfancythat，whenIwasachild，orayouth，thatportraithadspoken，andtoldmearichsecret，orhadheldforthitshand，withthewrittenrecordofhiddenopulence。Butthoseoldmattersaresodimwithme，nowadays！Whatcouldthisdreamhavebeen？"

"PerhapsIcanrecallit，"answeredHolgrave。"See！Thereareahundredchancestoonethatnoperson，unacquaintedwiththesecret，wouldevertouchthisspring。"

"Asecretspring！"criedClifford。"Ah，IrememberNow！Ididdiscoverit，onesummerafternoon，whenIwasidlinganddreamingaboutthehouse，long，longago。Butthemysteryescapesme。"

Theartistputhisfingeronthecontrivancetowhichhehadreferred。Informerdays，theeffectwouldprobablyhavebeentocausethepicturetostartforward。But，insolongaperiodofconcealment，themachineryhadbeeneatenthroughwithrust；sothatatHolgrave’spressure，theportrait，frameandall，tumbledsuddenlyfromitsposition，andlayfacedownwardonthefloor。Arecessinthewallwasthusbroughttolight，inwhichlayanobjectsocoveredwithacentury’sdustthatitcouldnotimmediatelyberecognizedasafoldedsheetofparchment。Holgraveopenedit，anddisplayedanancientdeed，signedwiththehieroglyphicsofseveralIndiansagamores，andconveyingtoColonelPyncheonandhisheirs，forever，avastextentofterritoryattheEastward。

"Thisistheveryparchment，theattempttorecoverwhichcostthebeautifulAlicePyncheonherhappinessandlife，"saidtheartist，alludingtohislegend。"ItiswhatthePyncheonssoughtinvain，whileitwasvaluable；andnowthattheyfindthetreasure，ithaslongbeenworthless。"

"PoorCousinJaffrey！Thisiswhatdeceivedhim，"exclaimedHepzibah。"Whentheywereyoungtogether，Cliffordprobablymadeakindoffairy-taleofthisdiscovery。Hewasalwaysdreaminghitherandthitheraboutthehouse，andlightingupitsdarkcornerswithbeautifulstories。AndpoorJaffrey，whotookholdofeverythingasifitwerereal，thoughtmybrotherhadfoundouthisuncle’swealth。Hediedwiththisdelusioninhismind！"

"But，"saidPhoebe，aparttoHolgrave，"howcameyoutoknowthesecret？"

"MydearestPhoebe，"saidHolgrave，"howwillitpleaseyoutoassumethenameofMaule？Asforthesecret，itistheonlyinheritancethathascomedowntomefrommyancestors。Youshouldhaveknownsooner(onlythatIwasafraidoffrighteningyouaway)that，inthislongdramaofwrongandretribution，Irepresenttheoldwizard，andamprobablyasmuchawizardaseverhewas。ThesonoftheexecutedMatthewMaule，whilebuildingthishouse，tooktheopportunitytoconstructthatrecess，andhideawaytheIndiandeed，onwhichdependedtheimmenseland-claimofthePyncheons。ThustheybarteredtheireasternterritoryforMaule’sgarden-ground。"

"Andnow"saidUncleVenner"Isupposetheirwholeclaimisnotworthoneman’sshareinmyfarmyonder！"

"UncleVenner，"criedPhoebe，takingthepatchedphilosopher’shand，"youmustnevertalkanymoreaboutyourfarm！Youshallnevergothere，aslongasyoulive！Thereisacottageinournewgarden，——theprettiestlittleyellowish-browncottageyoueversaw；andthesweetest-lookingplace，foritlooksjustasifitweremadeofgingerbread，——andwearegoingtofititupandfurnishit，onpurposeforyou。Andyoushalldonothingbutwhatyouchoose，andshallbeashappyasthedayislong，andshallkeepCousinCliffordinspiritswiththewisdomandpleasantnesswhichisalwaysdroppingfromyourlips！"

"Ah！mydearchild，"quothgoodUncleVenner，quiteovercome，"ifyouweretospeaktoayoungmanasyoudotoanoldone，hischanceofkeepinghisheartanotherminutewouldnotbeworthoneofthebuttonsonmywaistcoat！And——soulalive！——thatgreatsigh，whichyoumademeheave，hasburstofftheverylastofthem！But，nevermind！ItwasthehappiestsighIeverdidheave；anditseemsasifImusthavedrawninagulpofheavenlybreath，tomakeitwith。Well，well，MissPhoebe！They’llmissmeinthegardenshereabouts，androundbythebackdoors；

andPyncheonStreet，I’mafraid，willhardlylookthesamewithoutoldUncleVenner，whoremembersitwithamowingfieldononeside，andthegardenoftheSevenGablesontheother。ButeitherImustgotoyourcountry-seat，oryoumustcometomyfarm，——that’soneoftwothingscertain；andIleaveyoutochoosewhich！"

"Oh，comewithus，byallmeans，UncleVenner！"saidClifford，whohadaremarkableenjoymentoftheoldman’smellow，quiet，andsimplespirit。"Iwantyoualwaystobewithinfiveminutes，saunterofmychair。YouaretheonlyphilosopherIeverknewofwhosewisdomhasnotadropofbitteressenceatthebottom！"

"Dearme！"criedUncleVenner，beginningpartlytorealizewhatmannerofmanhewas。"Andyetfolksusedtosetmedownamongthesimpleones，inmyyoungerdays！ButIsupposeIamlikeaRoxburyrusset，——agreatdealthebetter，thelongerIcanbekept。Yes；andmywordsofwisdom，thatyouandPhoebetellmeof，arelikethegoldendandelions，whichnevergrowinthehotmonths，butmaybeseenglisteningamongthewitheredgrass，andunderthedryleaves，sometimesaslateasDecember。

Andyouarewelcome，friends，tomymessofdandelions，ifthereweretwiceasmany！"

Aplain，buthandsome，dark-greenbarouchehadnowdrawnupinfrontoftheruinousportaloftheoldmansion-house。Thepartycameforth，and(withtheexceptionofgoodUncleVenner，whowastofollowinafewdays)proceededtotaketheirplaces。Theywerechattingandlaughingverypleasantlytogether；and——asprovestobeoftenthecase，atmomentswhenweoughttopalpitatewithsensibility——CliffordandHepzibahbadeafinalfarewelltotheabodeoftheirforefathers，withhardlymoreemotionthaniftheyhadmadeittheirarrangementtoreturnthitherattea-time。

Severalchildrenweredrawntothespotbysounusualaspectacleasthebaroucheandpairofgrayhorses。RecognizinglittleNedHigginsamongthem，Hepzibahputherhandintoherpocket，andpresentedtheurchin，herearliestandstaunchestcustomer，withsilverenoughtopeopletheDomdanielcavernofhisinteriorwithasvariousaprocessionofquadrupedsaspassedintotheark。

Twomenwerepassing，justasthebarouchedroveoff。

"Well，Dixey，"saidoneofthem，"whatdoyouthinkofthis？Mywifekeptacent-shopthreemonths，andlostfivedollarsonheroutlay。OldMaidPyncheonhasbeenintradejustaboutaslong，andridesoffinhercarriagewithacoupleofhundredthousand，——reckoninghershare，andClifford’s，andPhoebe’s，——andsomesaytwiceasmuch！Ifyouchoosetocallitluck，itisallverywell；butifwearetotakeitasthewillofProvidence，why，Ican’texactlyfathomit！"

"Prettygoodbusiness！"quoththesagaciousDixey，——"prettygoodbusiness！"

Maule’swell，allthistime，thoughleftinsolitude，wasthrowingupasuccessionofkaleidoscopicpictures，inwhichagiftedeyemighthaveseenforeshadowedthecomingfortunesofHepzibahandClifford，andthedescendantofthelegendarywizard，andthevillagemaiden，overwhomhehadthrownLove’swebofsorcery。

ThePyncheonElm，moreover，withwhatfoliagetheSeptembergalehadsparedtoit，whisperedunintelligibleprophecies。AndwiseUncleVenner，passingslowlyfromtheruinousporch，seemedtohearastrainofmusic，andfanciedthatsweetAlicePyncheon——afterwitnessingthesedeeds，thisbygonewoeandthispresenthappiness，ofherkindredmortals——hadgivenonefarewelltouchofaspirit’sjoyuponherharpsichord，asshefloatedheavenwardfromtheHOUSE

OFTHESEVENGABLES！

End