第5章

Heenjoyedbeinglaughedatbyher。SupposeMadeleineLeedidrefusetomarryhim！Whatofit？

“Pooh！”saidSybil；“youmenarealljustalike。Howcanyoubesosilly？

Madeleineandyouwouldbeintolerabletogether。Dofindsomeonewhowon"tbesolemn！”

TheylaidouttheirlittleplotagainstMadeleineandelaborateditcarefully，bothastowhatCarringtonshouldsayandhowheshouldsayit，forSybilassertedthatmenweretoostupidtobetrustedeveninmakingadeclarationoflove，andmustbetaught，likelittlechildrentosaytheirprayers。Carringtonenjoyedbeingtaughthowtomakeadeclarationoflove。

HedidnotaskwhereSybilhadlearnedsomuchaboutmen"sstupidity。HethoughtperhapsSchneidekouponcouldhavethrownlightonthesubject。Atallevents，theyweresobusilyoccupiedwiththeirschemesandlessons，thattheydidnot-reachhometillMadeleinehadbecomeanxiouslesttheyhadmetwithsomeaccident。Thelongduskhadbecomedarknessbeforesheheardtheclatterofhoofsontheasphaltpavement，andshewentdowntothedoortoscoldthemfortheirdelay。Sybilonlylaughedather，andsaiditwasallMr。Carrington"sfault：hehadlosthisway，andshehadbeenforcedtofinditforhim。

Tendaysmorepassedbeforetheirplanwascarriedintoeffect。

Aprilhadcome。Carrington"sworkwascompletedandhewasreadytostartonhisjourney。ThenatlastheappearedoneeveningatMrs。Lee"sattheverymomentwhenSybil，aschancewouldhaveit，wasgoingouttopassanhourortwowithherfriendVictoriaDareafewdoorsaway。Carringtonfeltalittleashamedasshewent。ThiskindofconspiracybehindMrs。Lee"sbackwasnottohistaste。

Heresolutelysatdown，andplungedatonceintohissubject。Hewasalmostreadytogo，hesaid；hehadnearlycompletedhisworkintheDepartment，andhewasassuredthathisinstructionsandpaperswouldbereadyintwodaysmore；hemightnothaveanotherchancetoseeMrs。Leesoquietlyagain，andhewantedtotakehisleavenow，forthiswaswhatlaymostheavilyonhismind；

heshouldhavegonewillinglyandgladlyifithadnotbeenforuneasinessabouther；andyethehadtillnowbeenafraidtospeakopenlyonthesubject。Herehepausedforamomentasthoughtoinvitesomereply。

Madeleinelaiddownherworkwithalookofregretthoughnotofannoyance，andsaidfranklyandinstantlythathehadbeentoogoodafriendtoallowofhertakingoffenceatanythinghecouldsay；shewouldnotpretendtomisunderstandhim。“Myaffairs，“sheaddedwithashadeofbitterness，“seemtohavebecomepublicproperty，andIwouldratherhavesomevoiceindiscussingthemmyselfthantoknowtheyarediscussedbehindmyback。“

Thiswasasharpthrustattheveryoutset，butCarringtonturneditasideandwentquietlyon：

“Youarefrankandloyal，asyoualwaysare。Iwillbesotoo。Ican"thelpbeingso。FormonthsIhavehadnootherpleasurethaninbeingnearyou。

ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIhaveknownwhatitistoforgetmyownaffairsinlovingawomanwhoseemstomewithoutafault，andforonesolitarywordfromwhomIwouldgiveallIhaveinlife，andperhapsitself。“

Madeleineflushedandbenttowardshimwithanearnestnessofmannerthatrepeateditselfinhertone。

“Mr。Carrington，Iamthebestfriendyouhaveonearth。Oneofthesedaysyouwillthankmewithyourwholesoulforrefusingtolistentoyounow。

YoudonotknowhowmuchmiseryIamsavingyou。Ihavenohearttogive。

Youwantayoung，freshlifetohelpyours；agay，livelytemperamenttoenlivenyourdespondency；someonestillyoungenoughtoabsorbherselfinyouandmakeallherexistenceyours。I

couldnotdoit。Icangiveyounothing。IhavedonemybesttopersuademyselfthatsomedayImightbeginlifeagainwiththeoldhopesandfeelings，butitisnouse。Thefireisburnedout。Ifyoumarriedme，youwoulddestroyyourselfYouwouldwakeupsomeday，andfindtheuniversedustandashes。“

Carringtonlistenedinsilence。Hemadenoattempttointerruptortocontradicther。Onlyattheendhesaidwithalittlebitterness：

“Myownlifeisworthsomuchtotheworldandtome，thatI

supposeitwouldbewrongtoriskitonsuchaventure；butIwouldriskit，nevertheless，ifyougavemethechance。DoyouthinkmewickedfortemptingProvidence？Idonotmeantoannoyyouwithentreaties。Ihavealittleprideleft，andagreatdealofrespectforyou。YetIthink，inspiteofallyouhavesaidorcansay，thatonedisappointedlifemaybeasabletofindhappinessandreposeinanother，astogetthembysuckingtheyounglife-bloodofafreshsoul。“

Tothisspeech，whichwasunusuallyfigurativeforCarrington，Mrs。Leecouldfindnoreadyanswer。ShecouldonlyreplythatCarrington"slifewasworthquiteasmuchashisneighbour"s，andthatitwasworthsomuchtoher，ifnottohimself，thatshewouldnotlethimwreckit。

Carringtonwenton：“Forgivemytalkinginthisway。Idonotmeantocomplain。Ishallalwaysloveyoujustasmuch，whetheryoucareformeornot，becauseyouaretheonlywomanIhaveevermet，orameverlikelytomeet，whoseemstomeperfect。“

IfthiswasSybil"steaching，shehadmadethebestofhertime。

Carrington"stoneandwordspiercedthroughallMrs。Lee"sarmourasthoughtheywerepointedwiththemostingeniouscruelty，anddesignedtotortureher。Shefelthardandsmallbeforehim。Lifeforlife，hishadbeen，andwasnow，farlessbrightthanhers，yethewashersuperior。Hesatthere，atrueman，carryinghisburdencalmly，quietly，withoutcomplaint，readytofacethenextshockoflifewiththesameendurancehehadshownagainsttherest。Andhethoughtherperfect！Shefelthumiliatedthatanybravemanshouldsaytoherfacethathethoughtherperfect！She！perfect！Inhercontritionshewashalfreadytogodownathisfeetandconfesshersins；herhystericaldreadofsorrowandsuffering，hernarrowsympathies，herfeeblefaith，hermiserableselfishness，herabjectcowardice。Everynerveinherbodytingledwithshamewhenshethoughtwhatamiserablefraudshewas；whatamassofpretensionsunfounded，ofdeceitingrained。Shewasreadytohideherfaceinherhands。Shewasdisgusted，outragedwithherownimageasshesawit，contrastedwithCarrington"ssingleword：

Perfect！

Norwasthistheworst。Carringtonwasnotthefirstmanwhohadthoughtherperfect。Tohearthiswordsuddenlyusedagain，whichhadneverbeenutteredtoherbeforeexceptbylipsnowdeadandgone，madeherbrainreel。Sheseemedtohearherhusbandoncemoretellingherthatshewasperfect。Yetagainstthistorture，shehadabetterdefence。Shehadlongsincehardenedherselftobeartheserecollections，andtheysteadiedandstrengthenedher。

Shehadbeencalledperfectbeforenow，andwhathadcomeofit？

Twograves，andabrokenlife！Shedrewherselfupwithafacenowgrownquitepaleandrigid。InreplytoCarrington，shesaidnotaword，butonlyshookherheadslightlywithoutlookingathim。

Hewenton：“Afterall，itisnotmyownhappinessIamthinkingofbutyours。IneverwasvainenoughtothinkthatIwasworthyourlove，orthatIcouldeverwinit。Yourhappinessisanotherthing。I

caresomuchforthatastomakemedreadgoingaway，forfearthatyoumayyetfindyourselfentangledinthiswretchedpoliticallifehere，when，perhapsifIstayed，Imightbeofsomeuse。“

“Doyoureallythink，then，thatIamgoingtofallavictimtoMr。

Ratcliffe？”askedMadeleine，withacoldsmile。

“Whynot？”repliedCarrington，inasimilartone。“Hecanputforwardastrongclaimtoyoursympathyandhelp，ifnottoyourlove。Hecanofferyouagreatfieldofusefulnesswhichyouwant。

Hehasbeenveryfaithfultoyou。Areyouquitesurethatevennowyoucanrefusehimwithouthiscomplainingthatyouhavetrifledwithhim？”

“Andareyouquitesure，“addedMrs。Lee，evasively，“thatyouhavenotbeenjudginghimmuchtooharshly？IthinkIknowhimbetterthanyou。Hehasmanygoodqualities，andsomehighones。

Whatharmcanhedome？Supposingeventhathedidsucceedinpersuadingmethatmylifecouldbebestusedinhelpinghis，whyshouldIbeafraidofit？”

“YouandI，“saidCarrington，“arewideapartinourestimatesofMr。

Ratcliffe。Toyou，ofcourse，heshowshisbestside。Heisonhisgoodbehaviour，andknowsthatanyfalsestepwillruinhim。Iseeinhimonlyacoarse，selfish，unprincipledpolitician，whowouldeitherdragyoudowntohisownlevel，or，whatismorelikely，wouldverysoondisgustyouandmakeyourlifeawretchedself-immolationbeforehisvulgarambition，orcompelyoutoleavehim。Ineithercaseyouwouldbethevictim。Youcannotaffordtomakeanotherfalsestartinlife。Rejectme！Ihavenotawordtosayagainstit。Butbeonyourguardagainstgivingyourexistenceuptohim。“

“WhydoyouthinksoillofMr。Ratcliffe？”askedMadeleine；“healwaysspeakshighlyofyou。Doyouknowanythingagainsthimthattheworlddoesnot？”

“Hispublicactsareenoughtosatisfyme，“repliedCarrington，evadingapartofthequestion。“YouknowthatIhaveneverhadbutoneopinionabouthim。“

Therewasapauseintheconversation。Bothpartiesfeltthatasyetnogoodhadcomeofit。AtlengthMadeleineasked，“Whatwouldyouhavemedo？IsitapledgeyouwantthatIwillundernocircumstancesmarryMr。Ratcliffe？”

“Certainlynot，“wastheanswer；“youknowmebetterthantothinkIwouldaskthat。Ionlywantyoutotaketimeandkeepoutofhisinfluenceuntilyourmindisfairlymadeup。AyearhenceIfeelcertainthatyouwillthinkofhimasIdo。“

“ThenyouwillallowmetomarryhimifIfindthatyouaremistaken，“saidMrs。Lee，withamarkedtoneofsarcasm。

Carringtonlookedannoyed，butheansweredquietly，“WhatIfearishisinfluencehereandnow。WhatIwouldliketoseeyoudoisthis：gonorthamonthearlierthanyouintended，andwithoutgivinghimtimetoact。IfIweresureyouweresafelyinNewport，I

shouldfeelnoanxiety。“

“YouseemtohaveasbadanopinionofWashingtonasMr。Gore，“

saidMadeleine，withacontemptuoussmile。“Hegavemethesameadvice，thoughhewasafraidtotellmewhy。Iamnotachild。Iamthirtyyearsold，andhaveseensomethingoftheworld。Iamnotafraid，likeMr。Gore，ofWashingtonmalaria，or，likeyou，ofMr。

Ratcliffe"sinfluence。IfIfallavictimIshalldeservemyfate，andcertainlyIshallhavenocausetocomplainofmyfriends。Theyhavegivenmeadviceenoughforalifetime。“

Carrington"sfacedarkenedwithadeepershadeofregret。Theturnwhichtheconversationhadtakenwaspreciselywhathehadexpected，andbothSybilandhehadagreedthatMadeleinewouldprobablyanswerjustinthisway。

Nevertheless，hecouldnotbutfeelacutelytheharmhewasdoingtohisowninterests，anditwasonlybyasheereffortofthewillthatheforcedhimselftoalastandmoreearnestattack。

“Iknowitisanimpertinence，“hesaid；“Iwishitwereinmypowertoshowhowmuchitcostsmetooffendyou。Thisisthefirsttimeyoueverhadoccasiontobeoffended。IfIweretoyieldtothefearofyourangerandweretoholdmytonguenow，andbyanychanceyouweretowreckyourlifeonthisrock，Ishouldneverforgivemyselfthecowardice。IshouldalwaysthinkImighthavedonesomethingtopreventit。ThisisprobablythelasttimeIshallhavethechancetotalkopenlywithyou，andIimploreyoutolistentome。IwantnothingformyselfIfIknewIshouldneverseeyouagain，Iwouldstillsaythesamething。LeaveWashington！

Leaveitnow！——

atonce！——withoutgivingmorethantwenty-fourhours"notice！

LeaveitwithoutlettingMr。Ratcliffeseeyouagaininprivate！

Comebacknextwinterifyouplease，andthenaccepthimifyouthinkproper。Ionlyprayyoutothinklongaboutitanddecidewhenyouarenothere。“

Madeleine"seyesflashed，andshethrewasideherembroiderywithanimpatientgesture：“No！Mr。Carrington！Iwillnotbedictatedto！Iwillcarryoutmyownplans！IdonotmeantomarryMr。

Ratcliffe。IfIhadmeantit，Ishouldhavedoneitbeforenow。ButI

willnotrunawayfromhimorfrommyself。Itwouldbeunladylike，undignified，cowardly。“

Carringtoncouldsaynomore。Hehadcometotheendofhislesson。Alongsilenceensuedandthenherosetogo。“Areyouangrywithme？”saidsheinasoftertone。

“Ioughttoaskthatquestion，“saidhe。“Canyouforgiveme？Iamafraidnot。NomancansaytoawomanwhatIhavesaidtoyou，andbequiteforgiven。YouwillneverthinkofmeagainasyouwouldhavedoneifIhadnotspoken。IknewthatbeforeIdidit。Asforme，Icanonlygoonwithmyoldlife。Itisnotgay，andwillnotbethegayerforourtalkto-night。“

Madeleinerelentedalittle：“Friendshipslikeoursarenotsoeasilybroken，“shesaid。“Donotdomeanotherinjustice。Youwillseemeagainbeforeyougo？”

Heassentedandbadegood-night。Mrs。Lee，wearyanddisturbedinmind，hastenedtoherroom。“WhenMissSybilcomesin，tellherthatIamnotverywell，andhavegonetobed，“wereherinstructionstohermaid，andSybilthoughtsheknewthecauseofthisheadache。

ButbeforeCarrington"sdeparturehehadonemoreridewithSybil，andreportedtohertheresultoftheinterview，atwhichbothofthemconfessedthemselvesmuchdepressed。CarringtonexpressedsomehopethatMadeleinemeant，afterasort，togiveakindofpledgebysayingthatshehadnointentionofmarryingMr。

Ratcliffe，butSybilshookherheademphatically：

“Howcanawomantellwhethersheisgoingtoacceptamanuntilsheisasked？”saidshewithentireconfidence，asthoughshewerestatingthesimplestfactintheworld。Carringtonlookedpuzzled，andventuredtoaskwhetherwomendidnotgenerallymakeuptheirmindsbeforehandonsuchaninterestingpoint；butSybiloverwhelmedhimwithcontempt：“Whatgoodwilltheydobymakinguptheirminds，Ishouldliketoknow？ofcoursetheywouldgoanddotheopposite。Sensiblewomendon"tpretendtomakeuptheirminds，Mr。Carrington。Butyoumenaresostupid，andyoucan"tunderstandintheleast。“

Carringtongaveitup，andwentbacktohisstalequestion：CouldSybilsuggestanyotherresource？andSybilsadlyconfessedthatshecouldnot。Sofarasshecouldsee，theymusttrusttoluck，andshethoughtitwascrueltorMr。Carringtontogoawayandleaveheralonewithouthelp。Hehadpromisedtopreventthemarriage。

“OnethingmoreImeantodo，“saidCarrington：“andhereeverythingwilldependonyourcourageandnerve。YoumaydependuponitthatMr。Ratcliffewillofferhimselfbeforeyougonorth。Hedoesnotsuspectyouofmakingtrouble，andhewillnotthinkaboutyouinanywayifyoulethimaloneandkeepquiet。

Whenhedoesofferhimselfyouwillknowit；atleastyoursisterwilltellyouifshehasacceptedhim。Ifsherefuseshimpointblank，youwillhavenothingtodobuttokeephersteady。Ifyouseeherhesitating，youmustbreakinatanycost，anduseallyourinfluencetostopher。Bebold，then，anddoyourbest。Ifeverythingfailsandshestillclingstohim，Imustplaymylastcard，orratheryoumustplayitforme。

Ishallleavewithyouasealedletterwhichyouaretogiveherifeverythingelsefails。DoitbeforesheseesRatcliffeasecondtime。

Seethatshereadsitand，ifnecessary，makeherreadit，nomatterwhenorwhere。Nooneelsemustknowthatitexists，andyoumusttakeasmuchcareofitasthoughitwereadiamond。Youarenottoknowwhatisinit；itmustbeacompletesecret。Doyouunderstand？”

Sybilthoughtshedid，butherheartsank。“Whenshallyougivemethisletter？”sheasked。

“TheeveningbeforeIstart，whenIcometobidgood-bye；probablynextSunday。Thisletterisourlasthope。If，afterreadingthat，shedoesnotgivehimup，youwillhavetopackyourtrunk，mydearSybil，andfindanewhome，foryoucanneverlivewiththem。“

Hehadneverbeforecalledherbyherfirstname，anditpleasedhertohearitnow，thoughshegenerallyhadastrongobjectiontosuchfamiliarities。

“Oh，Iwishyouwerenotgoing！”sheexclaimedtearfully。“WhatshallIdowhenyouaregone？”

Atthispitifulappeal，Carringtonfeltasuddenpang。Hefoundthathewasnotsooldashehadthought。Certainlyhehadgrowntolikeherfrankhonestyandsoundcommonsense，andhehadatlengthdiscoveredthatshewashandsome，withaveryprettyfigure。Wasitnotsomethinglikeaflirtationhehadbeencarryingonwiththisyoungpersonforthelastmonth？Aglimmeringofsuspicioncrossedhismind，thoughhegotridofitasquicklyaspossible。Foramanofhisageandsobrietytobeinlovewithtwosistersatoncewasimpossible；stillmoreimpossiblethatSybilshouldcareforhim。

Asforher，however，therewasnodoubtaboutthematter。Shehadgrowntodependuponhim，andshediditwithalltheblindconfidenceofyouth。Tolosehimwasaseriousdisaster。Shehadneverbeforefeltthesensation，andshethoughtitmostdisagreeable。HeryouthfuldiplomatistsandadmirerscouldnotatallfillCarrington"splace。Theydancedandchirrupedcheerfullyonthehollowcrustofsociety，buttheywerewhollyuselesswhenonesuddenlyfellthroughandfoundoneselfstrugglinginthedarknessanddangersbeneath。Youngwomen，too，areapttobeflatteredbytheconfidencesofoldermen；theyhaveakeenpalateforwhateversavoursofexperienceandadventure。Forthefirsttimeinherlife，Sybilhadfoundamanwhogavesomeplaytoherimagination；

onewhohadbeenarebel，andhadgrownusedtotheshocksoffate，soastowalkwithcalmnessintothefaceofdeath，andtocommandorobeywithequalindifference。Shefeltthathewouldtellherwhattodowhentheearthquakecame，andwouldbeathandtoconsult，whichisinawoman"seyesthegreatobjectofmen"sexistence，whentroublecomes。ShesuddenlyconceivedthatWashingtonwouldbeintolerablewithouthim，andthatsheshouldnevergetthecouragetofightMr。Ratcliffealone，or，ifshedid，sheshouldmakesomefatalmistake。

Theyfinishedtheirrideverysoberly。Shebegantoshowanewinterestinallthatconcernedhim，andaskedmanyquestionsabouthissistersandtheirplantation。Shewantedtoaskhimwhethershecouldnotdosomethingtohelpthem，butthisseemedtooawkward。Onhisparthemadeherpromisetowritehimfaithfullyallthattookplace，andthisrequestpleasedher，thoughsheknewhisinterestwasallonhersister"saccount。

ThefollowingSundayeveningwhenhecametobidgood-bye，itwasstillworse。Therewasnochanceforprivatetalk。Ratcliffewasthere，andseveraldiplomatists，includingoldJacobi，whohadeyeslikeacatandsaweverymotionofone"sface。VictoriaDarewasonthesofa，chatteringwithLordDunbeg；Sybilwouldratherhavehadanyordinaryillness，eventotheextentofalightcaseofscarletfeverorsmall-poxthanletherknowwhatwasthematter。

CarringtonfoundmeanstogetSybilintoanotherroomforamomentandtogivehertheletterhehadpromised。Thenhebadehergood-bye，andindoingsoheremindedherofherpromisetowrite，pressingherhandandlookingintohereyeswithanearnestnessthatmadeherheartbeatfaster，althoughshesaidtoherselfthathisinterestwasallabouthersister；asitwas——mostly。

Thethoughtdidnotraiseherspirits，butshewentthroughwithherperformancelikeaheroine。PerhapsshewasalittlepleasedtoseethathepartedfromMadeleinewithmuchlessapparentfeeling。

Onewouldhavesaidthattheyweretwogoodfriendswhohadnotroublesomesentimenttoworrythem。Buttheneveryeyeintheroomwaswatchingthisfarewell，andspeculatingaboutit。

Ratcliffelookedonwithparticularinterestandwasalittleperplexedtoaccountforthistoofraternalcordiality。Couldhehavemadeamiscalculation？orwastheresomethingbehind？HehimselfinsisteduponshakinghandsgeniallywithCarringtonandwishedhimapleasantjourneyandasuccessfulone。

Thatnight，forthefirsttimesinceshewasachild，Sybilactuallycriedalittleaftershewenttobed，althoughitistruethathersentimentdidnotkeepherawake。Shefeltlonelyandweigheddownbyagreatresponsibility。

Foradayortwoafterwardsshewasnervousandrestless。Shewouldnotride，ormakecalls，orseeguests。Shetriedtosingalittle，andfoundittiresome。ShewentoutandsatforhoursintheSquare，wherethespringsunwasshiningwarmandbrightontheprancinghorseofthegreatAndrewJackson。Shewasalittlecross，too，andabsent，andspokesooftenaboutCarringtonthatatlastMadeleinewasstruckbysuddensuspicion，andbegantowatchherwithanxiouscare。

Tuesdaynight，afterthishadgoneonfortwodays，SybilwasinMadeleine"sroom，wheresheoftenstayedtotalkwhilehersisterwasathertoilet。

Thiseveningshethrewherselflistlesslyonthecouch，andwithinfiveminutesagainquotedCarrington。Madeleineturnedfromtheglassbeforewhichshewassitting，andlookedhersteadilyintheface。

“Sybil，“saidshe，“thisisthetwenty-fourthtimeyouhavementionedMr。

Carringtonsincewesatdowntodinner。IhavewaitedfortheroundnumbertodecidewhetherIshouldtakeanynoticeofitornot？whatdoesitmean，mychild？DoyoucareforMr。

Carrington？”

“Oh，Maude！”exclaimedSybilreproachfully，flushingsoviolentlythat，evenbythatdimlight，hersistercouldnotbutseeit。

Mrs。Leeroseand，crossingtheroom，satdownbySybilwhowaslyingonthecouchandturnedherfaceaway。Madeleineputherarmsroundherneckandkissedher。

“Mypoor——poorchild！”saidshepityingly。“Ineverdreamedofthis！WhatafoolIhavebeen！HowcouldIhavebeensothoughtless！Tellme！”sheadded，withalittlehesitation；“hashe——doeshecareforyou？”

“No！no！”criedSybil，fairlybreakingdownintoaburstoftears；

“no！helovesyou！nobodybutyou！henevergaveathoughttome。

Idon"tcareforhimsoverymuch，“shecontinued，dryinghertears；

“onlyitseemssolonelynowheisgone。“

Mrs。Leeremainedonthecouch，withherarmroundhersister"sneck，silent，gazingintovacancy，thepictureofperplexityandconsternation。

Thesituationwasgettingbeyondhercontrol。

ChapterXI

INthemiddleofAprilasuddensocialexcitementstartedtheindolentcityofWashingtontoitsfeet。TheGrand-DukeandDuchessofSaxe-Baden-HombourgarrivedinAmericaonatourofpleasure，andinduecoursecameontopaytheirrespectstotheChiefMagistrateoftheUnion。ThenewspapershastenedtoinformtheirreadersthattheGrand-DuchesswasaroyalprincessofEngland，and，inthewantofanyothersocialevent，everyonewhohadanysenseofwhatwasduetohisorherowndignity，hastenedtoshowthisaugustcoupletherespectwhichallrepublicanswhohavealargeincomederivedfrombusiness，feelforEnglishroyalty。NewYorkgaveadinner，atwhichthemostinsignificantpersonpresentwasworthatleastamilliondollars，andwherethegentlemenwhosatbythePrincessentertainedherforanhourortwobyacalculationoftheaggregatecapitalrepresented。NewYorkalsogaveaballatwhichthePrincessappearedinanill-fittingblacksilkdresswithmocklaceandjetornaments，amongseveralhundredtoiletsthatproclaimedtherefinedrepublicansimplicityoftheirownersatacostofvarioushundredthousanddollars。AfterthesehospitalitiestheGrand-ducalpaircameontoWashington，wheretheybecameguestsofLordSkye，or，moreproperly，LordSkyebecametheirguest，forheseemedtoconsiderthathehandedtheLegationovertothem，andhetoldMrs。Lee，withtrueBritishbluntnessofspeech，thattheywereagreatboreandhewishedtheyhadstayedinSaxe-Baden-Hombourg，orwherevertheybelonged，butastheywerehere，hemustbetheirlackey。Mrs。Leewasamusedandalittleastonishedatthecandourwithwhichhetalkedaboutthem，andshewasinstructedandimprovedbyhisdryaccountofthePrincess，who，itseemed，madeherselfdisagreeablebyherairsofroyalty；whohadsuffereddreadfullyfromthevoyage；andwhodetestedAmericaandeverythingAmerican；butwhowas，notwithoutsomeshowofreason，jealousofherhusband，andenduredendlesssufferings，thoughwithaverybadgrace，ratherthanlosesightofhim。

NotonlywasLordSkyeobligedtoturntheLegationintoanhotel，butinthefullenthusiasmofhisloyaltyhefelthimselfcalledupontogiveaball。Itwas，hesaid，theeasiestwayofpayingoffallhisdebtsatonce，andifthePrincesswasgoodfornothingelse，shecouldbeutilizedasashowbywayof“promotingtheharmonyofthetwogreatnations。“Inotherwords，LordSkyemeanttoexhibitthePrincessforhisowndiplomaticbenefit，andhedidso。Onewouldhavethoughtthatatthisseason，whenCongresshadadjourned，Washingtonwouldhardlyhaveaffordedsocietyenoughtofillaball-room，butthis，insteadofbeingadrawback，wasanadvantage。ItpermittedtheBritishMinistertoissueinvitationswithoutlimit。HeaskednotonlythePresidentandhisCabinet，andthejudges，andthearmy，andthenavy，andalltheresidentsofWashingtonwhohadanyclaimtoconsideration，butalsoallthesenators，alltherepresentativesinCongress，allthegovernorsofStateswiththeirstaffs，iftheyhadany，alleminentcitizensandtheirfamiliesthroughouttheUnionandCanada，andfinallyeveryprivateindividual，fromtheNorthPoletotheIsthmusofPanama，whohadevershownhimacivilityorwasabletocontrolinterestenoughtoaskforacard。TheresultwasthatBaltimorepromisedtocomeinabody，andPhiladelphiawasequallywell-disposed；

NewYorkprovidedseveralscoresofguests，andBostonsentthegovernorandadelegation；eventhewell-knownmillionairewhorepresentedCaliforniaintheUnitedStatesSenatewasirritatedbecause，hisinvitationhavingbeentimedtoarrivejustonedaytoolate，hewaspreventedfrombringinghisfamilyacrossthecontinentwithachoicepartyinadirector"scar，toenjoythesmilesofroyaltyinthehallsoftheBritishlion。Itisastonishingwhateffortsfreemenwillmakeinajustcause。

LordSkyehimselftreatedthewholeaffairwitheasycontempt。

OneafternoonhestrolledintoMrs。Lee"sparlourandbeggedhertogivehimacupoftea。

HesaidhehadgotridofhismenagerieforafewhoursbyshuntingitoffupontheGermanLegation，andhewasbywayofwantingalittlehumansociety。Sybil，whowasagreatfavouritewithhim，entreatedtobetoldallabouttheball，butheinsistedthatheknewnomorethanshedid。AmanfromNewYorkhadtakenpossessionoftheLegation，butwhathewoulddowithitwasnotwithintheforesightofthewisest；tromthetalkoftheyoungmembersofhisLegation，LordSkyegatheredthattheentirecitywastoberoofedinandfortymillionsofpeopleexpected，buthisownconcernintheaffairwaslimitedtotheflowershehopedtoreceive。

“Allyoungandbeautifulwomen，“saidhetoSybil，“aretosendmeflowers。

IpreferJacqueminotroses，butwillacceptanyhandsomevariety，providedtheyarenotwired。Itisdiplomaticetiquettethateachladywhosendsmeflowersshallreserveatleastonedanceforme。

Youwillpleaseinscribethisatonceuponyourtablets，MissRoss。“

ToMadeleinethisballwasagodsend，foritcamejustintimetodivertSybil"smindfromitstroubles。AweekhadnowpassedsincethatrevelationofSybil"sheartwhichhadcomelikeanearthquakeuponMrs。Lee。SincethenSybilhadbeennervousandirritable，allthemorebecauseshewasconsciousofbeingwatched。Shewasinsecretashamedofherownconduct，andinclinedtobeangrywithCarrington，asthoughhewereresponsibleforherfoolishness；butshecouldnottalkwithMadeleineonthesubjectwithoutdiscussingMr。Ratcliffe，andCarringtonhadexpresslyforbiddenhertoattackMr。RatcliffeuntilitwasclearthatRatcliffehadlaidhimselfopentoattack。ThisreticencedeceivedpoorMrs。Lee，whosawinhersister"smoodsonlythatunrequitedattachmentforwhichsheheldherselfsolelytoblame。HergrossnegligenceinallowingSybiltobeimproperlyexposedtosuchariskweighedheavilyonhermind。Withasaint"scapacityforself-torment，Madeleinewieldedthescourgeoverherownbackuntilthebloodcame。ShesawtherosesrapidlyfadingfromSybil"scheeks，andbythehelpofanactiveimaginationshediscoveredahecticlookandsymptomsofacough。Shebecamefairlymorbidonthesubject，andfrettedherselfintoafever，uponwhichSybilsent，onherownresponsibility，forthemedicalman，andMadeleinewasobligedtodoseherselfwithquinine。Infact，therewasmuchmorereasonforanxietyaboutherthanforheranxietyaboutSybil，who，barringalittleyouthfulnervousnessinthefaceofresponsibility，wasashealthyandcomfortableayoungwomanascouldbeshowninAmerica，andwhosesentimentnevercostherfiveminutes"sleep，althoughherappetitemayhavebecomeashademoreexactingthanbefore。Madeleinewasquicktonoticethis，andsurprisedhercookbymakingdailyandalmosthourlydemandsfornewandimpossibledishes，whichsheexhaustedalibraryofcookery-bookstodiscover。

LordSkye"sballandSybil"sinterestinitwereagreatrelieftoMadeleine"smind，andshenowturnedherwholesoultofrivolity。

Never，sinceshewasseventeen，hadshethoughtortalkedsomuchaboutaball，asnowaboutthisballtotheGrand-Duchess。SheworeoutherownbrainintheefforttoamuseSybil。ShetookhertocallonthePrincess；shewouldhavetakenhertocallontheGrandLamahadhecometoWashington。SheinstigatedhertoorderandsendtoLordSkyeamassofthehandsomestrosesNewYorkcouldafford。Shesetheratworkonherdressseveraldaysbeforetherewasanyoccasionforit，andthisfamouscostumehadtobetakenout，examined，criticised，anddiscussedwithunendinginterest。Shetalkedaboutthedress，andthePrincess，andtheball，tillhertongueclovetotheroofofhermouth，andherbrainrefusedtoact。Frommorningtillnight，foroneentireweek，sheate，drank，breathed，anddreamtoftheball。Everythingthatlovecouldsuggestorlabourcarryout，shedid，toamuseandoccupyhersister。

Sheknewthatallthiswasonlytemporaryandpalliative，andthatmoreradicalmeasuresmustbetakentosecureSybil"shappiness。

Onthissubjectshethoughtinsecretuntilbothheadandheartached。Onethingandonethingonlywasclear：ifSybillovedCarrington，sheshouldhavehim。HowMadeleineexpectedtobringaboutthischangeofheartinCarrington，wasknownonlytoherself。Sheregardedmenascreaturesmadeforwomentodisposeof，andcapableofbeingtransferredlikechecks，orbaggage-labels，fromonewomantoanother，asdesired。Theonlyconditionwasthatheshouldfirstbecompletelydisabusedofthenotionthathecoulddisposeofhimself。Mrs。LeeneverdoubtedthatshecouldmakeCarringtonfallinlovewithSybilprovidedshecouldplaceherselfbeyondhisreach。Atallevents，comewhatmight，eventhoughshehadtoacceptthedesperatealternativeofferedbyMr。

Ratcliffe，nothingshouldbeallowedtointerferewithSybil"shappiness。Andthusitwas，that，forthefirsttime，Mrs。Leebegantoaskherselfwhetheritwasnotbettertofindthesolutionofherperplexitiesinmarriage。

Wouldsheeverhavebeenbroughttothispointwithouttheviolentpressureofhersister"ssupposedinterests？Thisisoneofthosequestionswhichwisemenwillnotask，becauseitisonewhichthewisestmanorwomancannotanswer。Uponthistheme，anarmyofingeniousauthorshaveexhaustedtheiringenuityinentertainingthepublic，andtheirworksaretobefoundateverybook-stall。

Theyhavedecidedthatanywomanwill，undertherightconditions，marryanymanatanytime，providedher“highernature“isproperlyappealedto。Onlywithregretcanawriterforbeartomoralizeonthissubject。“BeautyandtheBeast，“

“Bluebeard，““AuldRobinGray，“havethedoublecharmtoauthorsofbeingverypleasanttoread，andstilleasiertodilutewithsentiment。Butatleasttenthousandmodernwriters，withLordMacaulayattheirhead，havesoravagedanddespoiledtheregionoffairy-storiesandfables，thatanallusioneventothe“ArabianNights“isnolongerdecent。Thecapacityofwomentomakeunsuitablemarriagesmustbeconsideredasthecorner-stoneofsociety。

Meanwhiletheballhad，intruth，verynearlydrivenallthoughtofCarringtonoutofSybil"smind。Thecityfilledagain。ThestreetsswarmedwithfashionableyoungmenandwomenfromtheprovincesofNewYork，Philadelphia，andBoston，whogaveSybilabundanceofoccupation。Shereceivedbulletinsoftheprogressofaffairs。ThePresidentandhiswifehadconsentedtobepresent，outoftheirhighrespectforHerMajestytheQueenandtheirdesiretoseeandtobeseen。AlltheCabinetwouldaccompanytheChiefMagistrate。Thediplomaticcorpswouldappearinuniform；so，too，theofficersofthearmyandnavy；theGovernor-GeneralofCanadawascoming，withastaff。LordSkyeremarkedthattheGovernor-Generalwasaflat。

ThedayoftheballwasadayofanxietytoSybil，althoughnotonaccountofMr。RatcliffeorofMr。Carrington，whowereoftriflingconsequencecomparedwiththeseriousproblemnowbeforeher。

TheresponsibilityofdressingbothhersisterandherselffelluponSybil，whowastherealauthorofallMrs。Lee"smillinerytriumphswhentheynowoccurred，exceptthatMadeleinemanagedtoputcharacterintowhatevershewore，whichSybilrepudiatedonherownaccount。OnthisdaySybilhadreasonsforspecialexcitement。

Allwintertwonewdresses，oneespeciallyatriumphofMr。

Worth"sart，hadlaininstateupstairs，andSybilhadwaitedinvainforanoccasionthatshouldwarrantthesplendourofthesegarments。

OneafternooninearlyJuneoftheprecedingsummer，Mr。WorthhadreceivedaletteronthepartofthereigningfavouriteoftheKingofDahomey，directinghimtocreateforheraball-dressthatshouldannihilateandutterlydestroywithjealousyanddespairtheheartsofherseventy-fiverivals；shewasyoungandbeautiful；

expensewasnotaconsideration。Suchwerethewordsofherchamberlain。Allthatnight，thegreatgeniusofthenineteenthcenturytossedwakefullyonhisbedrevolvingtheprobleminhismind。Visionsofflesh-colouredtintsshotwithblood-redperturbedhisbrain，buthefoughtagainstanddismissedthem；thatcombinationwouldbecommonplaceinDahomey。Whenthefirstraysofsunlightshowedhimthereflectionofhiscarewornfaceintheplate-glassmirroredceiling，heroseand，withanimpulseofdespair，flungopenthecasements。Therebeforehisblood-shoteyeslaythepure，still，new-born，radiantJunemorning。Withacryofinspirationthegreatmanleanedoutofthecasementandrapidlycaughtthedetailsofhisnewconception。Beforeteno"clockhewasagainathisbureauinParis。Animperiousorderbroughttohisprivateroomeverysilk，satin，andgauzewithintherangeofpalepink，palecrocus，palegreen，silverandazure。Thencamechromaticscalesofcolour；combinationsmeanttovulgarisetherainbow；sinfoniesandfugues；thetwitteringofbirdsandthegreatpeaceofdewynature；maidenhoodinherawakeninginnocence；

“TheDawninJune。“TheMasterrestedcontent。

AweeklatercameanorderfromSybil，including“anentirelyoriginalball-dress，——unlikeanyothersenttoAmerica。“Mr。Worthpondered，hesitated；recalledSybil"sfigure；theoriginalposeofherhead；glancedanxiouslyatthemap，andspeculatedwhethertheNewYorkHeraldhadaspecialcorrespondentatDahomey；andatlast，withagenerositypeculiartogreatsouls，heduplicatedfor“MissS。Ross，NewYork，U。S。America，“theorderfor“L"Aube，MoisdeJuin。“

TheSchneidekouponsandMr。French，whohadreappearedinWashington，cametodinewithMrs。Leeontheeveningoftheball，andJuliaSchneidekouponsoughtinvaintodiscoverwhatSybilwasgoingtowear。“Behappy，mydear，inyourignorance！”

saidSybil；“thepangsofenvywillranklesoonenough。“

Anhourlaterherroom，exceptthefireplace，whereawoodfirewasgentlysmouldering，becameanaltarofsacrificetotheDeityofDawninJune。Herbed，herlowcouch，herlittletables，herchintzarm-chairs，werecoveredwithportionsofthedivinity，downtoslippersandhandkerchief，glovesandbunchesoffreshroses。Whenatlength，afteralongeffort，theworkwascomplete，Mrs。Leetookalastcriticallookattheresult，andenjoyedaglowofsatisfaction。Young，happy，sparklingwithconsciousnessofyouthandbeauty，Sybilstood，HebeAnadyomene，risingfromthefoamofsoftcreplissewhichsweptbackbeneaththelongtrainofpale，tender，pinksilk，faintingintobreadthsofdelicateprimrose，relievedhereandtherebyfacingsofJunegreen——orwasittheblueofearlymorning？——orboth？

suggestingunutterablefreshness。Amodesthintfromhermaidthat“thegirls，“aswomen-servantscalleachotherinAmericanhouseholds，wouldliketooffertheirshareofincenseattheshrine，wasamiablymet，andtheywereallowedaglimpseofthedivinitybeforeshewasenvelopedinwraps。Anadmiringgroup，huddledinthedoorway，murmuredapproval，fromtheleading“girl，“whowasthecook，acolouredwidowofsomesixtywinters，whoseadmirationwasirrepressible，downtoaNewEnglandspinsterwhoseAnabaptistconsciencewrestledwithherinstincts，andwho，althoughdisapprovingof“Frenchfolks，“paidinherheartthatsecrethomagetotheirgownsandbonnetswhichhersternerlipsrefused。Theapplauseofthisaudiencehas，fromgenerationtogeneration，cheeredtheheartsofmyriadsofyoungwomenstartingoutontheirlittleadventures，whilethedomesticlaurelsflourishgreenandfreshforonehalfhour，untiltheywitheratthethresholdoftheball-room。

Mrs。Leetoiledlongandearnestlyoverhersister"stoilet，forhadnotsheherselfinherowndaybeenthebest-dressedgirlinNewYork？——atleast，sheheldthatopinion，andheroldinstinctscametolifeagainwheneverSybilwastobepreparedforanygreatoccasion。Madeleinekissedhersisteraffectionately，andgaveherunusualpraisewhenthe“DawninJune“wascomplete。Sybilwasatthismomenttheidealofbloomingyouth，andMrs。Leealmostdaredtohopethatherheartwasnotpermanentlybroken，andthatshemightyetsurviveuntilCarringtoncouldbebroughtback。Herowntoiletwasamuchshorteraffair，butSybilwasimpatientlongbeforeitwasconcluded；thecarriagewaswaiting，andshewasobligedtodisappointherhouseholdbycomingdownenvelopedinherlongopera-cloak，andhurryingaway。

Whenatlengththesistersenteredthereception-roomattheBritishLegation，LordSkyerebukedthemfornothavingcomeearlytoreceivewithhim。HisLordship，withahugeribandacrosshisbreast，andastaronhiscoat，condescendedtoexpresshimselfvigorouslyonthesubjectofthe“DawninJune。“Schneidekoupon，whowasproudofhiseasyuseofthelatestartisticjargon，lookedwithrespectatMrs。Lee"ssilver-graysatinanditsVenetianlace，thearrangementofwhichhadbeenconscientiouslystolenfromapictureintheLouvre，andhemurmuredaudibly，“Nocturneinsilver-gray！”——then，turningtoSybil——“andyou？Ofcourse！Isee！A

songwithoutwords！”Mr。Frenchcameupand，inhismostfascinatingtones，exclaimed，“Why，Mrs。Lee，youlookrealhandsometo-night！”Jacobi，afteraclosescrutiny，saidthathetookthelibertyofanoldmanintellingthemthattheywerebothdressedabsolutelywithoutfault。EventheGrand-DukewasstruckbySybil，andmadeLordSkyeintroducehim，afterwhichceremonyheterrifiedherbyaskingthepleasureofawaltz。ShedisappearedfromMadeleine"sview，nottobebroughtbackagainuntilDawnmetdawn。

Theballwas，asthenewspapersdeclared，abrilliantsuccess。

EveryonewhoknowsthecityofWashingtonwillrecollectthat，amongsomescoresofmagnificentresidenceswhichourownandforeigngovernmentshavebuiltforthecomfortofcabinetofficers，judges，diplomatists，vice-presidents，speakers，andsenators，theBritishLegationisbyfarthemostimpressive。

CombininginoneharmoniouswholetheproportionsofthePittiPalacewiththedecorationoftheCasad"OroandthedomeofanEasternMosque，thisarchitecturaltriumphoffersextraordinaryresourcesforsociety。Furtherdescriptionisunnecessary，sinceanyonemayeasilyreferbacktotheNewYorknewspapersofthefollowingmorning，whereaccurateplansofthehouseonthegroundfloor，willbefound；whiletheillustratednewspapersofthesameweekcontainexcellentsketchesofthemostpleasingsceniceffects，aswellasoftheball-roomandofthePrincesssmilinggraciouslyfromherthrone。TheladyjustbehindthePrincessonherleft，isMrs。Lee，apoorlikeness，buteasilydistinguishablefromthefactthattheartist，forhisownobjects，hasmadeherrathershorter，andthePrincessrathertaller，thanwasstrictlycorrect，justashehasgiventhePrincessagracioussmile，whichwasquitedifferentfromheractualexpression。Inshort，theartistiscompelledtoexhibittheworldratheraswewouldwishittobe，thanasitwasoris，or，indeed，islikeshortlytobecome。Thestrangestpartofhispictureis，however，thefactthatheactuallydidseeMrs。Leewherehehasputher，atthePrincess"selbow，whichwasalmostthelastplaceintheroomwhereanyonewhoknewMrs。Leewouldhavelookedforher。

Theexplanationofthiscuriousaccidentshallbegivenimmediately，sincethefactsarenotmentionedinthepublicreportsoftheball，whichonlysaidthat，“closebehindherRoyalHighnesstheGrand-Duchess，stoodourcharmingandaristocraticcountrywoman，Mrs。LightfootLee，whohasmadesogreatasensationinWashingtonthiswinter，andwhosenamepublicrumourhasconnectedwiththatoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury。

ToherthePrincessappearedtoaddressmostofherconversation。“

Theshowwasaveryprettyone，andonapleasantAprileveningthereweremanyplaceslessagreeabletobeinthanthis。Muchgroundoutsidehadbeenroofedover，tomakeaball-room，largeasanopera-house，withada？sandasofainthecentreofonelongside，andanotherda？swithasecondsofaimmediatelyoppositetoitinthecentreoftheotherlongside。Eachda？shadacanopyofredvelvet，onebearingtheLionandtheUnicorn，theothertheAmericanEagle。TheRoyalStandardwasdisplayedabovetheUnicorn；theStars-and-Stripes，notquitesoeffectively，wavedabovetheEagle。ThePrincess，beingnolongerquiteachild，foundgastryingtohercomplexion，andcompelledLordSkyetoilluminateherbeautybyonehundredthousandwaxcandies，moreorless，whichwerearrangedtobebecomingabouttheGrand-ducalthrone，andtobeshowyandunbecomingabouttheoppositeinstitutionacrosstheway。

Theexactfactswerethese。IthadhappenedthattheGrand-Duchess，havingbeennecessarilybroughtintocontactwiththePresident，andparticularlywithhiswife，duringthepastweek，hadconceivedforthelatteranantipathyhardlytobeexpressedinwords。HerfixeddeterminationwasatanycosttokeepthePresidentialpartyatadistance，anditwasonlyafterastormyscenethattheGrand-DukeandLordSkyesucceededinextortingherconsentthatthePresidentshouldtakehertosupper。Furtherthanthisshewouldnotgo。Shewouldnotspeakto“thatwoman，“

asshecalledthePresident"swife，norbeinherneighbourhood。

Shewouldratherstayinherownroomalltheevening，andshedidnotcareintheleastwhattheQueenwouldthinkofit，forshewasnosubjectoftheQueen"s。ThecasewasahardoneforLordSkye，whowasperplexedtoknow，fromthispointofview，whyhewasentertainingthePrincessatall；but，withthehelpoftheGrand-DukeandLordDunbeg，whowasveryactiveandsmileddeprecationwithsomesuccess，hefoundawayoutofit；andthiswasthereasonwhythereweretwothronesintheball-room，andwhytheBritishthronewaslightedwithsuchcarefulreferencetothePrincess"scomplexion。LordSkyeimmolatedhimselfintheusualeffortofBritishandAmericanMinisters，tokeepthetwogreatpowersapart。HeandtheGrand-DukeandLordDunbegactedasbufferswithwatchfuldiligence，dexterity，andsuccess。Asoneresource，LordSkyehadbethoughthimselfofMrs。Lee，andhetoldthePrincessthestoryofMrs。Lee"srelationswiththePresident"swife，astorywhichwasnosecretinWashington，for，apartfromMadeleine"sownaccount，societywasleftinnodoubtofthelightinwhichMrs。LeewasregardedbythemistressoftheWhiteHouse，whomWashingtonladleswerenowinthehabitofdrawingoutonthesubjectofMrs。Lee，andwhoalwaysrosetothebaitwithfreshvivacity，totheamusementanddelightofVictoriaDareandothermischief-makers。

“ShewillnottroubleyousolongasyoucankeepMrs。Leeinyourneighbourhood，“saidLordSkye，andthePrincessaccordinglyseizeduponMrs。Leeandbrandishedher，asthoughshewereacharmagainsttheevileye，inthefaceofthePresident"sparty。ShemadeMrs。Leetakeaplacejustbehindherasthoughshewerealady-in-waiting。Sheevengraciouslypermittedhertositdown，sonearthattheirchairstouched。Whenever“thatwoman“waswithinsight，whichwasmostofthetime，thePrincessdirectedherconversationentirelytoMrs。Leeandtookcaretomakeitevident。

EvenbeforethePresidentialpartyhadarrived，MadeleinehadfallenintothePrincess"sgrasp，andwhenthePrincesswentforwardtoreceivethePresidentandhiswife，whichshedidwithabowofstatelyanddistantdignity，shedraggedMadeleinecloselybyherside。Mrs。Leebowedtoo；shecouldnotwellhelpit；butwascutdeadforherpains，withaglareofcontemptandhatred。

LordSkye，whowasactingascavaliertothePresident"swife，waspanic-stricken，andhastenedtomarchhisdemocraticpotentateaway，underpretenceofshowingherthedecorations。Heplacedheratlastonherownthrone，whereheandtheGrand-Dukerelievedeachotherinstandingguardatintervalsthroughouttheevening。WhenthePrincessfollowedwiththePresident，shecompelledherhusbandtotakeMrs。LeeonhisarmandconducthertotheBritishthrone，withnootherobjectthantoexasperatethePresident"swife，who，fromherelevatedplatform，lookeddownuponthecortègewithascowl。

InallthisaffairMrs。Leewastheprincipalsufferer。Noonecouldrelieveher，andshewasliterallypennedinasshesat。ThePrincesskeptupanincessantfireofsmallconversation，principallycomplaintandfault-finding，whichnoonedaredtointerrupt。Mrs。

Leewaspainfullybored，andafteratimeeventheabsurdityofthethingceasedtoamuseher。

Shehad，too，theill-lucktomakeoneortworemarkswhichappealedtosomehiddensenseofhumourinthePrincess，wholaughedand，inthestyleofroyalpersonages，gavehertounderstandthatshewouldlikemoreamusementofthesamesort。

Ofallthingsinlife，Mrs。Leeheldthiskindofcourt-serviceincontempt，forshewassomethingmorethanrepublican——alittlecommunisticatheart，andheronlyseriouscomplaintofthePresidentandhiswifewasthattheyundertooktohaveacourtandtoapemonarchy。

Shehadnonotionofadmittingsocialsuperiorityinanyone，PresidentorPrince，andtobesuddenlyconvertedintoalady-in-waitingtoasmallGermanGrand-Duchess，wasaterribleblow。Butwhatwastobedone？LordSkyehaddraftedherintotheserviceandshecouldnotdecentlyrefusetohelphimwhenhecametohersideandtoldher，withhisusualcalmdirectness，whathisdifficultieswere，andhowhecounteduponhertohelphimout。

Thesameplaywentonatsupper，wheretherewasaroyal-presidentialtable，whichheldabouttwodozenguests，andthetwogreatladiespresiding，asfarapartastheycouldbeplaced。

TheGrand-DukeandLordSkye，oneithersideofthePresident"swife，didtheirdutylikemen，andwererewardedbyreceivingfromhermuchinformationaboutthedomesticarrangementsoftheWhiteHouse。ThePresident，however，whosatnextthePrincessattheoppositeend，wasevidentlydepressed，owingpartlytothefactthatthePrincess，indefianceofalletiquette，hadcompelledLordDunbegtotakeMrs。LeetosupperandtoplaceherdirectlynextthePresident。Madeleinetriedtoescape，butwasstoppedbythePrincess，whoaddressedheracrossthePresidentandinadecidedtoneaskedhertositpreciselythere。Mrs。

Leelookedtimidlyatherneighbour，whomadenosign，butatehissupperinsilenceonlybrokenbyanoccasionalreplytoarareremark。Mrs。Leepitiedhim，andwonderedwhathiswifewouldsaywhentheyreachedhome。ShecaughtRatcliffe"seyedownthetable，watchingherwithasmile；shetriedtotalkfluentlywithDunbeg；butnotuntilsupperwaslongoverandtwoo"clockwasathand；notuntilthePresidentialparty，underalltheproperformalities，hadtakentheirleaveoftheGrand-ducalparty；notuntilLordSkyehadescortedthemtotheircarriageandreturnedtosaythattheyweregone，didthePrincesslooseherholduponMrs。

Leeandallowhertoslipawayintoobscurity。

Meanwhiletheballhadgoneonafterthemannerofballs。AsMadeleinesatinherenforcedgrandeurshecouldwatchallthatpassed。ShehadseenSybilwhirlingaboutwithonemanafteranother，amidaswarmofdancers，enjoyingherselftotheutmostandoccasionallygivinganodandasmiletohersisterastheireyesmet。There，too，wasVictoriaDare，whoneverappearedflurriedevenwhenwaltzingwithLordDunbeg，whoseeducationasadancerhadbeenneglected。ThefactwasnowfullyrecognizedthatVictoriawascarryingonasystematicflirtationwithDunbeg，andhadundertakenasherlatestdutythetaskofteachinghimtowaltz。

Hisstrugglesandhercalmnessinassistingthemcommandedrespect。Ontheoppositesideoftheroom，bytherepublicanthrone，Mrs。LeehadwatchedMr。RatcliffestandingbythePresident，whoappearedunwillingtolethimoutofarm"slengthandwhoseemedtomaketohimmostofhisfewremarks。

Schneidekouponandhissisterweremixedinthethrong，dancingasthoughEnglandhadnevercountenancedtheheresyoffree-trade。Onthewhole，Mrs。Leewassatisfied。

Ifherownsufferingsweregreat，theywerenotwithoutreward。

Shestudiedallthewomenintheball-room，andiftherewasoneprettierthanSybil，Madeleine"seyescouldnotdiscoverher。Iftherewasamoreperfectdress，Madeleineknewnothingofdressing。Onthesepointsshefelttheconfidenceofconviction。Hercalmwouldhavebeencomplete，hadshefeltquitesurethatnoneofSybil"sgaietywassuperficialandthatitwouldnotbefollowedbyreaction。Shewatchednervouslytoseewhetherherfacechangeditsgayexpression，andonceshethoughtitbecamedepressed，butthiswaswhentheGrand-Dukecameuptoclaimhiswaltz，andthelookrapidlypassedawaywhentheygotuponthefloorandhisHighnessbegantowheelroundtheroomwithaprecisionandmomentumthatwouldhavedonehonourtoaregimentofLifeGuards。Heseemedpleasedwithhisexperiment，forhewasseenagainandagaincareeringoverthefloorwithSybiluntilMrs。Leeherselfbecamenervous，forthePrincessfrowned。

AfterherreleaseMadeleinelingeredawhileintheball-roomtospeakwithhersisterandtoreceivecongratulations。ForhalfanhourshewasagreaterbellethanSybil。Acrowdofmenclusteredabouther，amusedatthepartshehadplayedintheevening"sentertainmentandfullofcomplimentsuponherpromotionatCourt。LordSkyehimselffoundtimetoofferherhisthanksinamoreserioustonethanhegenerallyaffected。“Youhavesufferedmuch，“saidhe，“andIamgrateful。“Madeleinelaughedassheansweredthathersufferingshadseemednothingtoherwhileshewatchedhis。Butatlastshebecamewearyofthenoiseandglareoftheball-room，and，acceptingthearmofherexcellentfriendCountPopoff，shestrolledwithhimbacktothehouse。Thereatlastshesatdownonasofainaquietwindow-recesswherethelightwaslessstrongandwhereaconvenientlaurelspreaditsleavesinfrontsoastomakeabowerthroughwhichshecouldseethepassers-bywithoutbeingseenbythemexceptwithaneffort。Hadshebeenayoungerwoman，thiswouldhavebeenthespotforaflirtation，butMrs。Leeneverflirted，andtheideaofherflirtingwithPopoffwouldhaveseemedludicroustoallmankind。

Hedidnotsitdown，butwasleaningagainsttheangleofthewall，talkingwithher，whensuddenlyMr。RatcliffeappearedandtooktheseatbyhersidewithsuchdeliberationandapparentsenseofpropertythatPopoffincontinentlyturnedandfled。NooneknewwheretheSecretarycamefrom，orhowhelearnedthatshewasthere。Hemadenoexplanationandshetookcaretoaskfornone。

Shegavehimahighly-colouredaccountofherevening"sserviceaslady-in-waiting，whichhematchedbythatofhisowntrialsasgentleman-ushertothePresident，who，itseemed，hadclungdesperatelytohisoldenemyintheabsenceofanyotherrocktoclutchat。

RatcliffelookedthecharacterofPrimeMinistersufficientlywellatthismoment。Hewouldhaveheldhisown，atapinch，inanyCourt，notmerelyinEuropebutinIndiaorChina，wheredignityisstillexpectedofgentlemen。

Exceptingforacertaincoarseandanimalexpressionaboutthemouth，andanindefinablecoldnessintheeye，hewasahandsomemanandstillinhisprime。EveryoneremarkedhowmuchhewasimprovedsinceenteringtheCabinet。Hehaddroppedhissenatorialmanner。Hisclotheswerenolongercongressional，butthoseofarespectableman，neatanddecent。Hisshirtsnolongerprotrudedinthewrongplaces，norwerehisshirt-collarsfrayedorsoiled。Hishairdidnotstrayoverhiseyes，ears，andcoat，likethatofaScotchterrier，buthadgotitselfcut。HavingoverheardMrs。

Leeexpressononeoccasionheropinionofpeoplewhodidnottakeacoldbatheverymorning，hehadthoughtitbesttoadoptthisreform，althoughhewouldnothavehaditgenerallyknown，totitsavouredotcaste。HemadeaneffortnottobedictatorialandtoforgetthathehadbeenthePrairieGiant，thebullyoftheSenate。Inshort，whatwithMrs。Lee"sinfluenceandwhatwithhisemancipationfromtheSenatechamberwithitscodeofbadmannersandworsemorals，Mr。Ratcliffewasfastbecomingarespectablememberofsocietywhomamanwhohadneverbeeninprisonorinpoliticsmightsafelyacknowledgeasafriend。

Mr。Ratcliffewasnowevidentlybentuponbeingheard。AfterchartingforatimewithsomehumouronthePresident"ssuccessesasamanoffashion，hechangedthesubjecttothemeritsofthePresidentasastatesman，andlittlebylittleashespokehebecameseriousandhisvoicesankintolowandconfidentialtones。HeplainlysaidthatthePresident"sincapacityhadnowbecomenotoriousamonghisfollowers；thatitwasonlywithdifficultyhisCabinetandfriendscouldpreventhimfrommakingafoolofhimselffiftytimesaday；thatallthepartyleaderswhohadoccasiontodealwithhimweresothoroughlydisgustedthattheCabinethadtopassitstimeintryingtopacifythem；whilethisstateofthingslasted，Ratcliffe"sowninfluencemustbeparamount；hehadgoodreasontoknowthatifthePresidentialelectionweretotakeplacethisyear，nothingcouldpreventhisnominationandelection；evenatthreeyears"distancethechancesinhisfavourwereatleasttwotoone；andafterthisexordiumhewentoninalowtonewithincreasingearnestness，whileMrs。LeesatmotionlessasthestatueofAgrippina，hereyesfixedontheground：

“Iamnotoneofthosewhoarehappyinpoliticallife。IamapoliticianbecauseIcannothelpmyself；itisthetradeIamfittestfor，andambitionismyresourcetomakeittolerable。Inpoliticswecannotkeepourhandsclean。Ihavedonemanythingsinmypoliticalcareerthatarenotdefensible。Toactwithentirehonestyandself-respect，oneshouldalwaysliveinapureatmosphere，andtheatmosphereofpoliticsisimpure。

Domesticlifeisthesalvationofmanypublicmen，butIhaveformanyyearsbeendeprivedofit。Ihavenowcometothatpointwhereincreasingresponsibilitiesandtemptationsmakemerequirehelp。Imusthaveit。Youalonecangiveittome。Youarekind，thoughtful，conscientious，high-minded，cultivated，fittedbetterthananywomanIeversaw，forpublicduties。Yourplaceisthere。

Youbelongamongthosewhoexerciseaninfluencebeyondtheirtime。Ionlyaskyoutotaketheplacewhichisyours。“

ThisdesperateappealtoMrs。Lee"sambitionwasacalculatedpartofRatcliffe"sscheme。Hewaswellawarethathehadmarkedhighgame，andthatinproportiontothisheightmustbethepowerofhislure。NorwasheembarrassedbecauseMrs。Leesatstillandpalewithhereyesfixedonthegroundandherhandstwistedtogetherinherlap。Theeaglethatsoarshighestmustbelongerindescendingtothegroundthanthesparroworthepartridge。Mrs。

Leehadathousandthingstothinkaboutinthisbrieftime，andyetshefoundthatshecouldnotthinkatall；asuccessionofmereimagesandfragmentsofthoughtpassedrapidlyoverhermind，andherwillexercisednocontrolupontheirorderortheirnature。

Oneofthesefleetingreflectionswasthatinalltheoffersofmarriageshehadeverheard，thiswasthemostunsentimentalandbusinesslike。Asforhisappealtoherambition，itfellquitedeaduponherear，butawomanmustbemorethanaheroinewhocanlistentoflatterysoevidentlysincere，fromamanwhoispre-eminentamongmen，withoutbeingaffectedbyit。Toher，however，thegreatandoverpoweringfactwasthatshefoundherselfunabletoretreatorescape；hertacticsweredisconcerted，hertemporarybarriersbeatendown。

Theofferwasmade。Whatshouldshedowithit？

Shehadthoughtformonthsonthissubjectwithoutbeingabletoformadecision；whathopewastherethatsheshouldbeabletodecidenow，inaball-room，ataminute"snotice？When，asoccasionallyhappens，theconflictingsentiments，prejudices，andpassionsofalifetimearecompressedintoasingleinstant，theysometimesoverchargethemindanditrefusestowork。Mrs。Leesatstillandletthingstaketheircourse；adangerousexpedient，asthousandsofwomenhavelearned，foritleavesthematthemercyofthestrongwill，bentuponmastery。

Themusicfromtheball-roomdidnotstop。Crowdsofpersonspassedbytheirretreat。Someglancedin，andnotoneofthesefeltadoubtwhatwasgoingonthere。Anunmistakeableatmosphereofmysteryandintensitysurroundedtflepair。Ratcliffe"seyeswerefixeduponMrs。Lee，andhersontheground。Neitherseemedtospeakortostir。OldBaronJacobi，whoneverfailedtoseeeverything，sawthisashewentby，andejaculatedaforeignoathoffrightfulimport。VictoriaDaresawitandwasdevouredbycuriositytosuchapointastobehardlycapableofcontainingherself。

Afterasilencewhichseemedinterminable，Ratcliffewenton：“I

donotspeakofmyownfeelingsbecauseIknowthatunlesscompelledbyastrongsenseofduty，youwillnotbedecidedbyanydevotionofmine。ButIhonestlysaythatIhavelearnedtodependonyoutoadegreeIcanhardlyexpress；andwhenIthinkofwhatIshouldbewithoutyou，lifeseemstomesointolerablydarkthatIamreadytomakeanysacrifice，toacceptanyconditionsthatwillkeepyoubymyside。“

MeanwhileVictoriaDare，althoughdeeplyinterestedinwhatDunbegwastellingher，hadmetSybilandhadstoppedasinglesecondtowhisperinherear：“Youhadbetterlookafteryoursister，inthewindow，behindthelaurelwithMr。Ratcliffe！”SybilwasonLordSkye"sarm，enjoyingherselfamazingly，thoughthenightwasfargone，butwhenshecaughtVictoria"swords，theexpressionofherfacewhollychanged。Alltheanxietiesandterrorsofthelastfortnight，camebackuponit。ShedraggedLordSkyeacrossthehallandlookedinuponhersister。Oneglancewasenough。

Desperatelyfrightenedbutafraidtohesitate，shewentdirectlyuptoMadeleinewhowasstillsittinglikeastatue，listeningtoRatcliffe"slastwords。Asshehurriedlyentered，Mrs。Lee，lookingup，caughtsightofherpaleface，andstartedfromherseat。

“Areyouill，Sybil？”sheexclaimed；“isanythingthematter？”

“Alittle——fatigued，“gaspedSybil；“Ithoughtyoumightbereadytogohome。“

“Iam，“criedMadeleine；“Iamquiteready。Goodevening，Mr。

Ratcliffe。Iwillseeyouto-morrow。LordSkye，shallItakeleaveofthePrincess？”

“ThePrincessretiredhalfanhourago，“repliedLordSkye，whosawthesituationandwasquitereadytohelpSybil；“letmetakeyoutothedressing-roomandorderyourcarriage。“Mr。Ratcliffefoundhimselfsuddenlyleftalone，whileMrs。Leehurriedaway，tornbyfreshanxieties。Theyhadreachedthedressing-roomandwerenearlyreadytogohome，whenVictoraDaresuddenlydashedinuponthem，withananimationofmannerveryunusualinher，and，seizingSybilbythehand，drewherintoanadjoiningroomandshutthedoor。“Canyoukeepasecret？”saidsheabruptly。

“What！”saidSybil，lookingatherwithopen-mouthedinterest；

“youdon"tmean——areyoureally——tellme，quick！”

“Yes！”saidVictoriarelapsingintocomposure；“Iamengaged！”

“ToLordDunbeg？”

Victorianodded，andSybil，whosenerveswerestrungtothehighestpitchbyexcitement，flattery，fatigue，perplexity，andterror，burstintoaparoxysmoflaughter，thatstartledeventhecalmMissDare。

“PoorLordDunbeg！don"tbehardonhim，Victoria！”shegaspedwhenatlastshefoundbreath；“doyoureallymeantopasstherestofyourlifeinIreland？Oh，howmuchyouwillteachthem！”

“Youforget，mydear，“saidVictoria，whohadplacidlyenthronedherselfonthefootofabed，“thatIamnotapauper。IamtoldthatDunbegCastleisaromanticsummerresidence，andinthedullseasonweshallofcoursegotoLondonorsomewhere。Ishallbeciviltoyouwhenyoucomeover。Don"tyouthinkacoronetwilllookwellonme？”

SybilburstagainintolaughtersoirrepressibleandprolongedthatitpuzzledevenpoorDunbeg，whowasimpatientlypacingthecorridoroutside。

ItalarmedMadeleine，whosuddenlyopenedthedoor。Sybilrecoveredherself，and，hereyesstreamingwithtears，presentedVictoriatohersister：

“Madeleine，allowmetointroduceyoutotheCountessDunbeg！”

ButMrs。LeewasmuchtooanxioustofeelanyinterestinLadyDunbeg。AsuddenfearstruckherthatSybilwasgoingintohystericsbecauseVictoria"sengagementrecalledherowndisappointment。Shehurriedhersisterawaytothecarriage。

ChapterXII

THEYdrovehomeinsilence，Mrs。Leedisturbedwithanxietiesanddoubts，partlycausedbyhersister，partlybyMr。Ratcliffe；

SybildividedbetweenamusementatVictoria"sconquest，andalarmatherownboldnessinmeddlingwithhersister"saffairs。

Desperation，however，wasstrongerthanfear。Shemadeuphermindthatfurthersuspensewasnottobeendured；shewouldfightherbafflenowbeforeanotherhourwaslost；surelynotimecouldbebetter。Afewmomentsbroughtthemtotheirdoor。Mrs。Leehadtoldhermaidnottowaitforthem，andtheywerealone。ThefirewasstillaliveonMadeleine"shearth，andshethrewmorewooduponit。ThensheinsistedthatSybilmustgotobedatonce。

ButSybilrefused；shefeltquitewell，shesaid，andnotintheleastsleepy；shehadagreatdealtotalkabout，andwantedtogetitoffhermind。Nevertheless，herfeminineregardforthe“DawninJune“ledhertopostponewhatshehadtosayuntilwithMadeleine"shelpshehadlaidthetriumphoftheballcarefullyaside；then，puttingonherdressing-gown，andhastilyplungingCarrington"sletterintoherbreast，likeaconcealedweapon，shehurriedbacktoMadeleine"sroomandestablishedherselfinachairbeforethefire。There，afteramoment"spause，thetwowomenbegantheirlong-deferredtrialofstrength，inwhichthematchwassonearlyequalastomaketheresultdoubtful；for，ifMadeleineweremuchthecleverer，Sybilinthiscaseknewmuchbetterwhatshewanted，andhadaclearideahowshemeanttogainit，whileMadeleine，unsuspiciousofattack，hadnoplanofdefenceatall。

“Madeleine，“beganSybil，solemnly，andwithaviolentpalpitationoftheheart，“Iwantyoutotellmesomething。“

“Whatisit，mychild？”saidMrs。Lee，puzzled，andyethalfreadytoseethattheremustbesomeconnectionbetweenhersister"scomingquestionandthesuddenillnessattheball，whichhaddisappearedassuddenlyasitcame。

“DoyoumeantomarryMr。Ratcliffe？”

PoorMrs。Leewasquitedisconcertedbythedirectnessoftheattack。Thisfatalquestionmetherateveryturn。Hardlyhadshesucceededinescapingtromitattheballscarcelyanhourago，byastrokeofgoodfortuneforwhichshenowbegantoseeshewasindebtedtoSybil，andhereitwasagainpresentedtoherfacelikeapistol。Thewholetown，then，wasaskingit。

Ratcliffe"soffermusthavebeenseenbyhalfWashington，andherreplywasawaitedbyanimmenseaudience，asthoughshewereapoliticalreturning-board。Herdisgustwasintense，andherfirstanswertoSybilwasaquickinquiry：

“Whydoyouasksuchaquestion？haveyouheardanything，——hasanyonetalkedaboutittoyou？”

“No！”repliedSybil；“butImustknow；Icanseeformyselfwithoutbeingtold，thatMr。Racliffeistryingtomakeyoumarryhim。I

don"taskoutofcuriosity；thisissomethingthatconcernsmenearlyasmuchasitdoesyouyourself。Pleasetellme！don"ttreatmelikeachildanylonger！letmeknowwhatyouarethinkingabout！Iamsotiredofbeingleftinthedark！

Youhavenoideahowmuchthisthingweighsonme。Oh，Maude，Ishallneverbehappyagainuntilyoutrustmeaboutthis。“

Mrs。Leefeltalittlepangofconscience，andseemedsuddenlytobecomeconsciousofanewcoil，tighteningabouther，inthiswretchedcomplication。Unabletoseeherway，ignorantofhersister"smotives，urgedonbytheideathatSybil"shappinesswasinvolved，shewasnowchargedwithwantoffeeling，andcalleduponforadirectanswertoaplainquestion。

HowcouldsheaverthatshedidnotmeantomarryMr。Ratcliffe？

tosaythiswouldbetoshutthedooronalltheobjectsshehadatheart。Ifadirectanswermustbegiven，itwasbettertosay“Yes！”

andhaveitover；bettertoleapblindlyandseewhatcameofit。

Mrs。Lee，therefore，withaninternalgasp，butwithnovisiblesignofexcitement，said，asthoughshewereinadream：

“Well，Sybil，Iwilltellyou。IwouldhavetoldyoulongagoifIhadknownmyself。Yes！IhavemadeupmymindtomarryMr。

Ratcliffe！”