第4章
Thewholestorybegantobeputtogetherbybits，andcomprehended.OldJohnstone’sclevernesswasrecalledtomind.
ThefewfishermenleftatNewhavenwerereadytokillthemselves.
TheirwiveswerereadytodothesamegoodofficeforLaJohnstone.
FourIrishmerchantsagreedtoworktogether，andtomakeashowofcompetition，thebettertokeepthepricedownwithinbounds.
Itwashardlyfair，fourmenagainstoneinnocentunguardedfemale.
Butthisisawickedworld.
Christielanded，andproceededtoherownhouse;onthewayshewasmetbyJeanCarnie，whodebarrassedherofcertainwrappers，andahandkerchiefshehadtiedroundherhead，andinformedhershewastheprideofNewhaven.
Shenextmetthesefourlittlemerchants，oneafteranother.
Andsinceweoughttodwellaslittleaspossibleuponscenesinwhichunguardedinnocenceisexposedtoartfulconspiracies，wewillputapageortwointothebruteformofdramaticdialogue，andsosailthroughitquicker.
_1stMerchant._"Whereareyegoing，Meggie？"
_ChristieJohnstone._"Ifonybodyasksye，sayyedinnaken."
_1stMer._"Willyesellyourfish？"
_Christie._"Sunerthangiethem."
_1stMer._"Youwillbeaskingfifteenshillin’thecran."
_Christie._"Andtentothat."
_1stMer._"Good—morning."
_2dMer._"Wouldhenotgooverfifteenshillings？Oh，thethiefo’theworld！——I’llgivesixteen."
_3dMer._"ButI’llgiveeighteen."
_2dMer._"Morefoolyou！Takehimup，mygirl."
_Christie._"Twenty—fiveismypricetheday."
_3dMer._"YouwillkeepthemtillSundayweekandselltheirbones."
_[ExeuntthethreeMerchants.Enter4thMerchant._
_4thMer._"Areyourfishsold？I’llgivesixteenshillings."
_Christie._"I’mseekingtwenty—five，an’I’mofferedeighteen.
_4thMer._"Takeit."_[Exit._
_Christie._"Theyhaeputtentheirheadsthegither."
HereFluckercameuptoher，andtoldhertherewasaLeithmerchantlookingforher."And，Custy，"saidhe，"there’splentywindgettingup，yourfishwillbesairhashed;putthemoffyourhands，Iredeye."
_Christie._"Ay，lad！Flucker，hide，an’whenIplaymyhandsae，ye’llruninancry，’Cirsty，theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellinthecran.’"
_Flucker._"Yekenmairthan’sinthecatecheesm，forasreleegiousasyeare."
TheLeithmerchantwasMr.Miller，andthisisthewayheworked.
_Miller（inamellifluousvoice）._"Areyenofatigued，mydeear？"
_Christie（affectingfatigue）._"Indeed，sir，andIam."
_Miller._"ShallIhavethepleasuretodealwi’ye？"
_Christie._"Ifit’syourpleasure，sir.I’mseekin’twenty—fiveschellin."
_Miller（pretendingnottohear）._"Asyouareabeginner，Imustofferfair;twentyschellinyoushallhave，andthat’sthreeshillingsaboveDunbar."
_Christie._"Wadyeevencartedherrinwithmyfishcallerfra’thesea？
andDunbar——oh，fine！yekenthere’snaeherrinatDunbarthemorn;thisistheDunbarschulethatslippedwestward.I’mthematirket，ye’llhaetobuyo’meorgangtoyourbed"_（hereshesignaledtoFlucker）._"I’llnobeooto’minelang."
_EnterFluckerhastily，crying：_"Cirsty，theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellin."
"I’llnotakit，"saidChristie.
"Theyarekeentohaethem，"saidFlucker;andhastilyretired，asiftotreatfurtherwiththesmallmerchants.
Onthis，Mr.Miller，pretendingtomakeforLeith，said，carelessly，"Twenty—threeshillings，ortheyarenotforme."
"Takthecutter’sfreightatahundre’cran，an’I’mnocaring，"saidChristie.
"Theyaremine！"saidMr.Miller，verysharply."HowmuchshallIgiveyoutheday？"
"Auchtypund，sir，ifyouplease——thelavewhenyoulike;Ikenye，Mr.
Miller."
Whilecountingherthenotes，thepurchasersaidslylytoher：
"There’smorethanahundredcraninthecutter，mywoman."
"Alittle，sir，"repliedthevender;"but，ereIcouldcountthemtillyebybaskets，theywouldlosesevenoreightcraninbook，*yourgain，myloss."
*Bulk.
"Youareavaraintelligentyoungperson，"saidMr.Miller，gravely.
"Yehadmeasuredthemwi’yourwalking—stick，sir;there’sjustaescaleyedidnawipeoff，thoughyeareacarefu’mon，Mr.Miller;saeIlaidthebaitforyean’fineyetookit."
Millertookouthissnuff—box，andtappingitsaid：
"Willyegointopartnershipwithme，mydear？"
"Ay，sir！"wasthereply."WhenI’maulderan’ye’reyounger."
Atthismomentthefourmerchants，believingituselesstodisguisetheirco—operation，returnedtoseewhatcouldbedone.
"Weshallgiveyouaguineaabarrel."
"Why，yeofferedhertwenty—twoshillingsbefore."
"Thatweneverdid，Mr.Miller."
"Haw！haw！"wentFlucker.
Christielookeddownandblushed.
Eyesmeteyes，andwithoutawordspokenallwascomprehendedandsilentlyapproved.Therewasnononsenseutteredaboutmoralityinconnectionwithdealing.
Mr.Millertookanenormouspinchofsnuff，anddrewforthebenefitofallpresentthefollowinginference：
MR.MILLER’SAPOTHEGM.
"Friendsandneighbors！whenaman’sheedisgraywithageandthoucht_（pause）_he’sjustfittogotoschuletoayounglasso’twenty."
Therewasacertainmiddle—agedfishwife，calledBeenyListon，atenantofChristieJohnstone’s;shehadnotpaidherrentforsometime，andshehadnotbeenpressedforit;whetherthis，orthewhiskyshewasinthehabitoftaking，rankledinhermind，certainitisshehadalwaysanillwordforherlandlady.
Shenowmether，enviedhersuccess，andcalledoutinacoarsetone：
"Oh，ye’reagallantquean;ye’llbewaurthaneverthenoo."
"What’swrang，ifyeplease？"saidtheJohnstone，sharply.
Reader，didyoueverseetwofallowbuckscommenceaduel？
Theystrutround，eightyardsapart，tailsup，lookcarefullyanotherwaytomaketheotherthinkitallmeansnothing，and，beingbothequallysly，theirhornscometogetherasifbyconcert.
Evensocommencedthisdueloftonguesbetweenthesetwoheroines.
BeenyListon，lookingateverybodybutChristie，addressedthenativeswhowerecongregatingthus：
"Dideveryehearo’adecentlasstakingtheherrin’ooto’themen’smooths？——isyonawoman’spairt，I’maskingye？"
Onthis，Christie，lookingcarefullyatalltheothersexceptBeeny，inquiredwithanairofsimplecuriosity：
"CanonybodytellmewhaListonCarnie’sdrunkenwifeisspeakin’till？
notoonydecentlass，though.Na！yekenshewadnahaeth’impudence！"
"Oh，yekenfineI’mspeakin’tillyoursel’."
Herethehornsclashedtogether.
"Tome，woman？"_（withadmirablyactedsurprise.）_"Oo，ay！itwillbeforthetwayears’rentyou’reawinme.Giest！"
_BeenyListon._"Ye’rejusttheimpudentestgirrli’thetoon，an’yehaeprovedittheday"（herarmsakimbo）.
_Christie（armsakimbo）._"Me，impudent？howdauryespeakagainstmycharackter，that’skennedfordecencyo’baithsidestheFirrth."
_Beeny（contemptuously）._"Oh，ye’reslyenoughtobeguilethemen，butwekenye."
_Christie._"I’mnosly，and"_（drawingnearandhissingthewords）_"I’mnolikethewomanJeanan’IsawinRoseStreet，deaddrunkonthecauseway，whilehermonwasworkingforheratsea.Ifye’renobenyourhooseinaeminute，I’llsaythatwillgarListonCarnieflingyeowerthepier—head，yefool—mootheddrunkenleear——Scairt！"*
*Alocalword;acorruptionfromtheFrench_Sortez._
IfmyreaderhasseenandheardMademoiselleRachelutterherfamous_Sortez，_in"Virginie，"heknowsexactlywithwhatagestureandtonetheJohnstoneutteredthisword.
_Beeny（inavoiceofwhiningsurprise）._"Hech！whataspiteFluckerJohnstone’sdochterhastaenagainstus."
_Christie._"Scairt！"
_Beeny（inacoaxingvoice，andmovingastep）._"Aweel！what’sa’yourpaession，myboennywoman？"
_Christie._"Scairt！"
Beenyretiredbeforethethunderandlightningofindignantvirtue.
Thenallthefishboysstruckupadismalchantofvictory.
"Yoo—hoo——Custy’swontheday——Beeny’sscair_tit，"_goinguponthelastsyllable.
Christiemovedslowlyawaytowardherownhouse，butbeforeshecouldreachthedoorshebegantowhimper——littlefool.
ThereatchorusofyoungAthenianschanted：
"Yu—hoo！comeback，Beeny，ye’llmaybewinyet.Custy’sawaygree_tin"_
_（goinguponthelastsyllable）._
"I’mnogreetin，yerudebairns，"saidChristie，burstingintotears，andretiringassoonasshehadeffectedthatproofofherphilosophy.
Itwasaboutfourhourslater;Christiehadsnatchedsomerepose.Thewind，asFluckerprognosticated，hadgrownintoaveryheavygale，andtheFirthwasbrownandboiling.
Suddenlyaclamorwasheardontheshore，andsoonafterafishwifemadeherappearance，withratherasingularburden.
Herhusband，ladies;_rienquecela._
Shehadhimbythescruffoftheneck;hewas_dos—’a—dos，_withhisbootedlegskickingintheair，andhisfistsmakingwarlikebutidledemonstrationsandhismouthutteringineffectualbadlanguage.
ThisworthyhadbeencalledacowardbySandyListon，andbeingabouttofightwithhim，andgetthrashed，hiswifehadwhippedhimupandcarriedhimaway;shenowflunghimdown，atsomeriskofhisequilibrium.
"Yearenotfittofeichtwi’SandyListon，"saidshe;"ifyeareforfeichtin，here’sforye."
Asacommenttothisproposal，shetuckedupthesleevesofhershortgown.Hetriedtorunbyher;shecaughthimbythebosom，andgavehimaviolentpush，thatsenthimseveralpacesbackward;helookedhalffierce，halfastounded;erehecouldquiterecoverhimself，hislittleservantforcedapipeintohishand，andhesmokedcontentedandpeaceable.
Beforetobaccotheevilpassionsfall，theytellme.
Thecauseofthisquarrelsoonexplaineditself;upcameSandyListon，cursingandswearing.
"What！yehaegottentillyourwife’s;that’stheplaceforye;tosaythere’sabrigindistress，andye’lllethergoontherocksunderyournoses.Butwhatareyeafraido’？there’snadanger？"
"Naedanger！"saidoneofthereproached，"areyefou？"
"Yearefouwi’fearyoursel’;ofa’thebeaststhatcrawltheairth，acoowardistheugliest，Ithink."
"Thewifeswillnoletus，"saidone，sulkily.
"It’sthewomaninyourhairtsthatkeepsye，"roaredSandyhoarsely;
"curseye，yearesuretodeeaneday，andyearesuretobe————！"（apastparticiple）"soonorlate，whatsignifieswhen？Oh！cursethehoureverIwasbornamangsicacooardlycrew."_（Gunatsea.）_
"There！"
"Shespeakstillye，hersel’;shecriesformaircy;tothinkthat，ofa’
thathearyecry，AlexanderListonistheonlymonmonenoughtoanswer."
_（Gun.）_
"Youaremistaken，Mr.AlexanderListon，"saidaclear，smartvoice，whoseownerhadmingledunobservedwiththethrong;"therearealwaysmentoanswersuchoccasions;now，mylads，yourboatshaveplentyofbeam，and，wellhandled，shouldliveinanysea;whovolunteerswithAlexanderListonandme？"
ThespeakerwasLordIpsden.
ThefishwivesofNewhaven，moreaccustomedtomeasurementhanpoorlittleLadyBarbaraSinclair，sawinthismanwhatinpointoffacthewas——acool，daringdevil，thanwhomnonemorelikelytoleadmenintomortaldanger，orpullthemthroughit，forthatmatter.
Theyrecognizedtheirnaturalenemy，andcollectedtogetheragainsthim，likehensatthesightofahawk.
"Andwouldyoureallyenticeourmentilltheirdeath？"
"Mylife’sworthasmuchastheirs，Isuppose.
"Nae！yourlife！it’snaworthabutton;whenyoudee，yournextkinwilldance，andwha’llgreet？butourmenhaewifeandbairnstolooktill."
_（Gunatsea.）_
"Ah！Ididn’tlookatitinthatlight，"saidLordIpsden.Hethendemandedpaperandink;ChristieJohnstone，whohadcomeoutofherhouse，supplieditfromhertreasures，andthiscoolhandactuallybegantoconveyahundredandfiftythousandpoundsaway，uponasheetofpaperblowinginthewind;whenhehadnamedhisresiduarylegatee，anddisposedofcertainlargebequests，hecametothepoint——
"ChristieJohnstone，whatcanthesepeopleliveon？twohundredayear？
livingischeaphere——confoundthewind！"
"Twahundred？Fifty！Vilecount."
"Don’tcallmevilecount.IamIpsden，andmyname’sRichard.Now，then，besmartwithyournames."
Threemensteppedforward，gavetheirnames，hadtheirwidowsprovidedfor，andwentfortheirsou’westers，etc.
"Stay，"saidLordIpsden，writing."ToChristinaJohnstone，outofrespectforhercharacter，onethousandpounds."
"Richard！dinnagang，"criedChristie，"oh，dinnagang，dinnagang，dinnagang;it’snoyourbusiness."
"Willyoulendmeyourpapa’sFlushingjacketandsou’wester，mydear？IfIwassuretobedrowned，I’dgo！"
Christieraninforthem.
Inthemeantime，discomposedbythewind，andbyfeelingswhoseexistenceneitherhe，norI，noranyonesuspected，Saunders，afterasorestrugglebetweenthefrailmanandtheperfectdomestic，blurtedout：
"Mylord，Ibegyourlordship’spardon，butitblowstempestuous."
"Thatiswhythebrigwantsus，"wasthereply.
"Mylord，Ibegyourlordship’spardon，"whimperedSaunders."But，oh！mylord，don’tgo;it’sallverywellforfishermentobedrowned;itistheirbusiness，butnotyours，mylord."
"Saunders，helpmeonwiththiscoat."
Christiehadbroughtit.
"Yes，mylord，"saidSaunders，briskly，hissecondnaturereviving.
Hislordship，whileputtingonthecoatandhat，undertooktocoolMr.
Saunders’saristocraticprejudices.
"ShouldAlexanderListonandIbedrowned，"saidhe，coolly，"whenourbonescomeashore，youwillnotknowwhicharethefisherman’sandwhichtheviscount’s."Sosaying，hejoinedtheenterprise.
"Ishallprayforye，lad，"saidChristieJohnstone，andsheretiredforthatpurpose.
Saunders，withaheavyheart，tothenearesttavern，toprepareanaccountofwhathecalled"HeroisminHighLife，"largeletters，andtheusualsignsofgreatastonishment！！！！！forthe_PolytechnicMagazine._
Thecommanderofthedistressedvesselhadbeenpenny—wise.HehaddeclinedapilotofftheIsleofMay，trustingtofallinwithoneclosetotheportofLeith;butaheavygaleandfoghadcomeon;heknewhimselfinthevicinityofdangerousrocks;and，tomakemattersworse，hisship，oldandsorebatteredbyalongandstormyvoyage，wasleaky;
andunlessapilotcamealongside，hisfatewouldbe，eithertofounder，orrunupontherocks，wherehemustexpecttogotopiecesinaquarterofanhour.
TheNewhavenboatlayincomparativelysmoothwater，ontheleesideofthepier.
Ouradventurersgotintoher，steppedthemast，setasmallsail，andranout！SandyListonheldthesheet，passedonceroundthebelaying—pin，andwheneveralargerwavethanusualcameatthem，heslackedthesheet，andtheboat，losingherway，rosegently，likeacork，uponseasthathadseemedabouttoswallowher.
Butseenfromtheshoreitwasenoughtomakethemostexperiencedwince;
socompletelywasthiswoodenshelllosttosight，asshedescendedfromawave，thateachtimeherreappearanceseemedareturnfromthedead.
Theweatherwasmisty——theboatwassoonlostsightof;thestoryremainsashore.
CHAPTERXIV.
ITwasanhourlater;thenativesoftheNewTownhadleftthepier，andwereabouttheirowndoors，whenthreeBuckhavenfishermencameslowlyupfromthepier;thesemenhadarrivedinoneoftheirlargefishing—boats，whichdefyallweather.
Themencameslowlyup;theirpetticoattrousersweredrenched，andtheirneck—handkerchiefsandhairwerewetwithspray.
AtthefootoftheNewTowntheystoodstillandwhisperedtoeachother.
TherewassomethingaboutthesementhatdrewtheeyeofNewhavenuponthem.
InthefirstplaceaBuckhavenmanrarelycommunicateswithnativesofNewhaven，exceptatthepier，wherehebringsinhiscodandlingfromthedeepsea，flingsthemoutlikestones，andsellsthemtothefishwives;thenupsailandawayforFifeshire.
Butthesemenevidentlycameashoretospeaktosomeoneinthetown.
Theywhisperedtogether;somethingappearedtobeproposedanddemurredto;butatlasttwowentslowlybacktowardthepier，andtheeldestremained，withafisherman’slongmackintoshcoatinhishandwhichtheothershadgivenhimastheylefthim.
Withthisinhishand，theBuckhavenfishermanstoodinanirresoluteposture;helookeddown，andseemedtoaskhimselfwhatcourseheshouldtake.
"What’swrang？"saidJeanCarnie，who，withherneighbors，hadobservedthemen;"Iwishyonmanmaynahaeillnews."
"Whatillnewswadhehae？"repliedanother.
"AreonyfreendsofListonCarniehere？"saidthefisherman.
"Thewife’sawa’toGranton，BeenyListontheyca’her——there’shishouse，"addedJean，pointinguptherow.
"Ay，"saidthefisherman，"Ikenhelivedthere."
"Livedthere！"criedChristieJohnstone."Oh，what’sthis？"
"Freends，"saidtheman，gravely，"hisboatisdrivingkeeluppermostinKircauldyBay.Wepassedhernearenoughtoreadthenameuponher."
"Butthemenwillhavewontoshore，pleaseGod？"
Thefishermanshookhishead.
"She’llhaecoupitamilewastInchKeith，an’thetiderinningafftheislandan’aheavyseagaun.Thisisa’Newhavenwe’llseeofthem_（holdingupthecoat）_"tilltheyrisetothetopinthreeweeks’time."
Themanthentookthecoat，whichwasnowseentobedrenchedwithwater，andhungituponalinenotveryfarfromitsunfortunateowner’shouse.
Then，inthesamegraveandsubduedtoneinwhichhehadspokenallalong，hesaid，"Wearesorrytobringsiccanataleintoyourtoon，"andslowlymovedofftorejoinhiscomrades，whohadwaitedforhimatnogreatdistance.TheythenpassedthroughtheOldTown，andinfiveminutesthecalamitywasknowntothewholeplace.
Afterthefirststupor，thepeopleintheNewTowncollectedintoknots，andlamentedtheirhazardouscalling，andfearedforthelivesofthosethathadjustputtoseainthisfatalgalefortherescueofstrangers，andtheolderonesfailednottomatchthispresentsorrowwithotherswithintheirrecollection.
Inthemiddleofthis，FluckerJohnstonecamehastilyinfromtheOldTownandtoldthemhehadseenthewife，BeenyListon，comingthroughfromGranton.
Thesympathyofallwasinstantlyturnedinthisdirection.
"Shewouldhearthenews."
"Itwouldfallonherlikeathunderclap."
"Whatwouldbecomeofher？"
EveryeyewasstrainedtowardtheOldTown，andsoonthepoorwomanwasseenabouttoemergefromit;butshewaswalkinginherusualway，andtheyfeltshecouldnotcarryherpersonsoifsheknew.
Atthelasthouseshewasseentostopandspeaktoafishermanandhiswifethatstoodattheirowndoor.
"Theyaretellingher，"wasthenthecry.
BeenyListonthenproceededonherway.
Everyeyewasstrained.
No！theyhadnottoldher.
Shecamegaylyon，theunconsciousobjectofeveryeyeandeveryheart.
Thehandsofthispeoplewerehard，andtheirtonguesrude，buttheyshrunkfromtellingthispoorwomanofherbereavement——theythoughtitkindersheshouldknowitunderherownroof，fromherfriendsorneighbors，thanfromcomparativestrangers.
Shedrewnearherowndoor.
AndnowaknotcollectedroundChristieJohnstone，andurgedhertoundertakethesadtask.
"Youthatspeaksalearned，Christie，yeshouldtellher;wedaurna."
"HowcanItellher？"saidChristie，turningpale."HowwillItellher？
I’setry."
Shetookonetremblingsteptomeetthewoman.
Beeny’seyefelluponher.
"Ay！here’stheQueeno’Newhaven，"criedshe，inaloudandrathercoarsevoice."Themenwillhaetaleavetheplacenowy’areturnedfisherman，Idaursay."
"Oh，dinnafieichtonme！dinnafieichtonme！"criedChristie，trembling.
"Maircyonus，"saidtheother，"auldFluckerJohnstone’sdochterturnedhumble.Whatnext？"
"I’mvexedforspeakingbacktillyethemorn，"falteredChristie.
"Hett，"saidthewomancarelessly，"letyonfleasticki’thewa’.I
fancyIbeganonye.Aweel，Cirsty，"saidshe，fallingintoafriendliertone;"it’stheplaceweliveinspoilsus——Newhaven’sanimpudenttoon，assureasdeeth.
"IpassedthroughtheAuldToonthenoo——aplaceIneverspeakin;an’iftheydidnagloweratmeasIhadbeenastrangebeast.
"Theycam’totheirverydoorstogloweratme;ifye’llbelieveme，I
thouchtshame.
"Atthehinderendmypaassiongotup，andIfacedawifeEast—by，andI
said，’Whatgarsyegloweratmethatway，yeignorantwoman？’yewouldnathinkit，sheansweredlikehoneyitsel’.’I’maskin’yourpaarrdon，’
saysshe;andhermonbyhersidesaid，’Ganghametoyourainhoose，mywoman，andGudehelpye，andhelpusa’atourneed，’thedecentmon.
’It’sjustthereI’mfor，’saidI，’togetmymonhisbreakfast.’"
Allwhoheardherdrewtheirbreathwithdifficulty.
Thewomanthenmadeforherownhouse，butingoingupthestreetshepassedthewetcoathangingontheline.
Shestoppeddirectly.
Theyalltrembled——theyhadforgottenthecoat——itwasallover;thecoatwouldtellthetale.
"Aweel，"saidshe，"Icouldsweerthat’sListonCarnie’scoat，adroukitwi’therain;thenshelookedagainatit，andadded，slowly，"ifIdidnakenhehashisawaywi’himatthepiloting."Andinanothermomentshewasinherownhouse，leavingthemallstandingtherehalfstupefied.
Christiehadindeedendeavoredtospeak，buthertonguehadcloventohermouth.
Whiletheystoodlookingatoneanother，andatBeenyListon’sdoor，avoicethatseemedincrediblyrough，loudandharsh，jarreduponthem;itwasSandyListon，whocameinfromLeith，shouting：
"Fiftypoundsforsalvage，lasses！isnathaatbetterthanstayingcooard—likeasidethewomen？"
"Whisht！whisht！"criedChristie.
"Weareinheavysorrow;puirListonCairnieandhissonWillyliedeedatthebottomo’theFirrth."
"Gudehelpus！"saidSandy，andhisvoicesank.
"An’，oh，Sandy，thewifedoesnaken，andit’shairt—breakingtoseeher，andhearher;wecannagethertell’t;ye’retheauldestmonhere;
ye’lltellher，willyeno，Sandy？"
"No，me，that’Iwillnot！"
"Oh，yes;yearekennedforyourstootheart，an’courage;yecomefra’
facingtheseaan’windinabityawl."
"Theseaandthewind，"criedhe，contemptuously;"theybe————，I’musedwi’them;buttolookawomani’theface，an’tellherhermonandhersonaredrownedsinceyestreen，Ihaenacoorageforthat."
Allfurtherdebatewascutshortbytheentranceofonewhocameexpresslytodischargethesaddutyallhadfoundsodifficult.ItwasthePresbyterianclergymanoftheplace;hewavedthemback."Iknow，I
know，"saidhe，solemnly."Whereisthewife？"
Shecameoutofherhouseatthismoment，asithappened，topurchasesomethingatDrysale’sshop，whichwasopposite.
"Beeny，"saidtheclergyman，"Ihavesorrowfultidings."
"Tellmethem，sir，"saidshe，unmoved."Isitadeeth？"addedshe，quietly.
"Itis！——death，suddenandterrible;inyourownhouseImusttellityou——（andmayGodshowmehowtobreakittoher）."
Heenteredherhouse.
"Aweel，"saidthewomantotheothers，"itmaunbesomefar—awacousin，orthelike，forListonan’mehaenaenearfreends.Meg，yeidlefuzzy，"
screamedshetoherservant，whowasoneofthespectators，"yourpatisnoonyet;divyethinkthemenwillnobehungrywhentheycomeinfra’
thesea？"
"Theywillneverhungernorthirstonymair，"saidJean，solemnly，asthebereavedwomanenteredherowndoor.
Thereensuedalistlessandfearfulsilence.
Everymomentsomesignofbittersorrowwasexpectedtobreakforthfromthehouse，butnonecame;andamidtheexpectationandsilencethewavesdashedlouderandlouder，asitseemed，againstthedike，consciousofwhattheyhaddone.
Atlast，inamoment，acryofagonyarose，soterriblethatallwhoheardittrembled，andmorethanonewomanshriekedinreturn，andfledfromthedoor，atwhich，thenextmoment，theclergymanstoodalone，collected，butpale，andbeckoned.Severalwomenadvanced.
"Onewoman，"saidhe.
JeanCarniewasadmitted;andafterawhilereturned.
"Sheiscometohersel’，"whisperedshe;"Iamnoweelmysel’."Andshepassedintoherownhouse.
ThenFluckercrepttothedoortosee.
"Oh，dinnaspyonher，"criedChristie.
"Oh，yes，Flucker，"saidmanyvoices.
"Heiskneelin’，"saidFlucker."Hehasherhand，togarherkneeltae——shewinna——shedoesnaseehim，norhearhim;hewillhaeher.Hehaswonhertokneel——heisprayin，an’greetinasideher.Icannaseenoo，myeen’sblinded."
"He’sagudemon，"saidChristie."Oh，whatwadwedowithouttheministers？"
SandyListonhadbeenleaningsorrowfullyagainstthewallofthenexthouse;henowbrokeout：
"Anauldshipmateatthewhale—fishing！！！an’noowwe’llneverliftthedredgingsangthegitheragain，inyondirtydetchthat’sdroownedhim;I
maunhaewhisky，an’forgetita’."
Hemadeforthespirit—shoplikeamadman;buterehecouldreachthedoorahandwaslaidonhimlikeavise.ChristieJohnstonehadliterallysprungonhim.Shehatedthishorriblevice——hadoftencheckedhim;andnowitseemedsoawfulamomentforsuchasin，thatsheforgotthewildandsavagenatureoftheman，whohadstruckhisownsister，andseriouslyhurther，amonthbefore——shesawnothingbuttheviceanditsvictim，andsheseizedhimbythecollar，withagraspfromwhichheinvainattemptedtoshakehimselfloose.
"No！ye’llnogangthereatsiccanatime."
"Handsoff，yedaftjaud，"roaredhe，"orthere’llbeanotherdeethi’
thetoon."
AtthenoiseJeanCarnieranin.
"Lettheruffiango，"criedshe，indismay."Oh，Christie，dinnaputyourhandonalion’smane."
"Yes，I’llputmyhandonhismane，ereI’lllethimmakabeasto’
himsel’."
"Sandy，ifyehurther，I’llfindtwentyladsthatwilllayyedeedatherfeet."
"Haudyourwhisht，"saidChristie，verysharply，"he’snotobethreetened."
SandyListon，blackandwhitewithrage，groundhisteethtogether，andsaid，liftinghishand，"Wullyeletmego，ormustItakmyhandtillye？"
"No！"saidChristie，"I’llnoletyego，_saelookmei’theface;
Flucker’sdochter，yourauldcomrade，thatsavedyourlifeatHolyIsle，thinko’hisface——an’lookinmines——an’strikeme！！！"_
Theyglaredononeanother——hefiercelyandunsteadily;shefirmlyandproudly.
JeanCarniesaidafterward，"Hereyeswerelikecoalsoffire."
"Yearedoingwhatnaemoni’thetoondaur;yeareabauld，unwiselassy."
"It’syoumakmebauld，"wastheinstantreply."Isawyefacethemadsea，tosaveashipfra’therocks，an’willIfearamon’shand，whenI
cansave"_（risingtodoubleherheight）_"myfeyther’sauldfreendfra’
thepuirmon’senemy，theenemyo’mankind，thecursed，curseddrink？Oh，SandyListon，hoowcouldyethinktoputanenemyinyourmoothtostealawayourbrains！"
"This’snoNewhavenchat;whalairnsyesicwordso’power？"
"Adeedmon！"
"Iwouldnawonder，y’arenocanny;she’sta’ena’thepoowerooto’mybody，Ithink."Thensuddenlydescendingtoatoneofabjectsubmission，"What’syourpleesure，FluckerJohnstone’sdochter？"
Sheinstantlywithdrewtheoffendinggrasp，and，leaningaffectionatelyonhisshoulder，shemeltedintoherrichIonictones.
"It’snoatimeforsin;ye’llsitbymyfire，an’getyourdinner;abonnyhaggishaeIforyouan’Flucker，an’we’llimprovethissorrowfu’
judgment;an’ye’lltellmeo’auldtimes——o’myfeytherdear，thatlikeityeweel，Sandy——o’thestorrmsyehaeweathered，sidebyside——o’
themucklewhalesyekilledGreenlandway——an’abunea’，o’thelivesyehaesavedatsea，byyourdaurinan’yourskell;an’，oh，Sandy，willnathatbebetterassitan’poorleequiddamnationdoownyourthroat，an’
gieawathesensean’feelingo’amonforasairheedandanillname？"
"I’segang，mylamb，"saidtheroughman，quitesubdued;"Idaursaywhiskywillnopassmyteeththeday."
Andsohewentquietlyaway，andsatbyChristie’sfireside.
JeanandChristiewenttowardtheboats.
Jean，aftertakingitphilosophicallyforhalfaminute，begantowhimper.
"What’swrang？"saidChristie.
"Divyethinkmyhairt’snoinmymoothwi’yougrippingyonfiercerobber？"
Hereayoungfishwife，withaboxinherhand，whohadfollowedthem，pulledJeanbythecoats.
"Hets，"saidJean，pullingherselffree.
Thechildthen，withapertinacitytheselittleanimalshave，pulledChristie’scoats.
"Hets，"saidChristie，freeingherselfmoregently.
"YesuldmairryVanAmburgh，"continuedJean;"yearejustsuchalassasheisalad."
Christiesmiledproudly，wassilent，butdidnotdisownthecomparison.
Thelittlefishwife，unabletoattractattentionbypulling，openedherbox，andsaying，"Lasses，I’llletyeseemypresoner.Hech！he’sboenny！"pulledoutamousebyastringfastenedtohistailandsethiminthemidstforfriendlyadmiration.
"Idinnalikeit——Idinnalikeit！"screamedChristie."Jean，putitaway——itfearsme，Jean！"Thissheuttered（hereyesalmoststartingfromherheadwithunaffectedterror）atthedistanceofabouteightyards，whithershehadarrivedintwoboundsthatwouldhavedonenodiscredittoanantelope.
"Het，"saidJean，uneasily，"haeyecoowedyousavage，tobescaredattheweebeastie？"
Christie，lookingaskantattheanimal，explained："Amooseisanawesomebeast——it’snolikeamon！"andstillhereyewasfixedbyfascinationuponthefour—footeddanger.
Jean，whohadnotbeenherselfingenuinetranquillity，nowturnedsavagelyonthelittleWombwelless."An’divyereallythinkyearetocomeherewi’a’thebeastsi’theAirk？Come，awayego，thepairo’
ye."
Theseseverewords，andasmartpush，sentthepoorlittlebipedoffroaring，withthestringoverhershoulder，recklesslydraggingtheterrificquadruped，whichmadefruitlessgrabsattheshingle.——_Moral._
Don’tterrifybiggerfolkthanyourself.
ChristiehadintendedtogouptoEdinburghwithhereightypounds，buttherewasmoretroubleinstorethiseventfulday.
Fluckerwentoutafterdinner，andleftherwithSandyListon，whowasinthemiddleofayarn，whensomeonecamerunninginandtoldherFluckerwasatthepiercryingforher.Sheinquiredwhatwasthematter."Come，an’ye’llsee，"wasalltheanswer.Sherandowntothepier.TherewaspoorFluckerlyingonhisback;hehadslippedfromthepierintoaboatthatlayalongside;thefallwasconsiderable;foraminutehehadbeeninsensible，thenhehadbeendreadfullysick，andnowhewasbeginningtofeelhishurt;hewasingreatanguish;nobodyknewtheextentofhisinjuries;hewouldletnobodytouchhim;allhiscrywasforhissister.
Atlastshecame;theyallmadewayforher;hewascryingforherasshecameup.
"Mybairn！mybairn！"criedshe，andthepoorlittlefellowsmiled，andtriedtoraisehimselftowardher.
Sheliftedhimgentlyinherarms——shewaspowerful，andaffectionmadeherstronger;shecarriedhiminherarmsallthewayhome，andlaidhimonherownbed.WillyListon，herdiscardedsuitor，ranforthesurgeon.
Therewerenobonesbroken，buthisanklewasseverelysprained，andhehadaterriblebruiseontheloins;hisdark，ruddyfacewasstreakedandpale;buthenevercomplainedafterhefoundhimselfathome.
Christiehoveredroundhim，aministeringangel，applyingtohimwithalightandlovinghandwhatevercouldeasehispain;andhewatchedherwithanexpressionshehadnevernoticedinhiseyebefore.
Atlast，aftertwohours’silence，hemadehersitinfullview，andthenhespoketoher;andwhatthinkyouwasthesubjectofhisdiscourse？
Heturnedtoandtoldher，oneafteranother，withoutpreface，allthelovingthingsshehaddonetohimeversincehewasfiveyearsold.Poorboy，hehadnevershownmuchgratitude，buthehadforgottennothing，literallynothing.
Christiewasquiteovercomewiththisunexpectedtrait;shedrewhimgentlytoherbosom，andweptoverhim;anditwassweettoseeabrotherandsistertreateachotheralmostlikelovers，asthesetwobegantodo——theywatchedeachother’seyesotenderly.
Thisnewcarekeptthesisterinherownhouseallthenextday;buttowardtheeveningJean，whoknewherotheranxiety，slippedinandofferedtotakeherplaceforanhourbyFlucker’sside;atthesametimeshelookedoneofthosesignalswhicharetoosubtleforanybutwomantounderstand.
Christiedrewheraside，andlearnedthatGattyandhismotherwerejustcomingthroughfromLeith;Christieranforhereightypounds，placedtheminherbosom，castahastyglanceatalooking—glass，littlelargerthananoyster—shell，andranout.
"Hech！Whatpleasedtheauldwifewillbetoseehehasalassthatcanmakauchtypundinamorning."
ThiswasChristie’snotion.
Atsightofthemshetookoutthebanknotes，andwitheyesglisteningandcheeksflushingshecried：
"Oh，Chairles，ye’llnogangtojail——Ihaethesiller！"andsheofferedhimthemoneywithbothhands，andalookoftendernessandmodestythatembellishedhumannature.
Erehecouldspeak，hismotherputoutherhand，andnotrudely，butverycoldly，repellingChristie’sarm，saidinafreezingmanner：
"Wearemuchobligedtoyou，butmyson’sowntalentshaverescuedhimfromhislittleembarrassment."
"Anoblemanhasboughtmypicture，"saidGatty，proudly.
"Foronehundredandfiftypounds，"saidtheoldlady，meaningtomarkthecontrastbetweenthatsumandwhatChristiehadinherhand.
Christieremainedlikeastatue，withherarmsextended，andthebank—notesinherhand;herfeaturesworked——shehadmuchadonottocry;
andanyonethathadknownthewholestory，andseenthisunmeritedrepulse，wouldhavefeltforher;butherlovecametoheraid，sheputthenotesinherbosom，sighedandsaid：
"Iwouldhaelikeittohaebeenthefirst，yeken，butI’mrealpleased."
"But，mother，"saidGatty，"itwasverykindofChristieallthesame.
Oh，Christie！"saidhe，inatoneofdespair.
AtthiskindwordChristie’sfortitudewassoretried;sheturnedawayherhead;shewasfartoodelicatetoletthemknowwhohadsentLordIpsdentobuythepicture.
Whilesheturnedaway，Mrs.Gattysaidinherson’sear：
"Now，Ihaveyoursolemnpromisetodoithere，andatonce;youwillfindmeonthebeachbehindtheseboats——doit."
ThereaderwillunderstandthatduringthelastfewdaysMrs.Gattyhadimprovedheradvantage，andthatCharleshadpositivelyconsentedtoobeyher;thepoorboywaswornoutwiththestruggle——hefelthemusthavepeaceordie;hewasthinandpale，andsuddentwitchescameoverhim;
histemperamentwasnotfitforsuchabattle;and，itistobeobserved，nearlyallthetalkwasononeside.Hehadmadeoneexpiringstruggle——hedescribedtohismotheranartist’snature;hisstrength，hisweakness——hebesoughthernottobeaslavetogeneralrules，buttoinquirewhatsortofacompaniontheindividualGattyneeded;helashedwithtruebutbrilliantsatirethesortofwifehismotherwasreadytoseehimsaddledwith——astupid，unsympathizingcreature，whosetenchildrenwould，bynature’slaw，bealsostupid，andsobeaweightonhimtillhisdyingday.HepaintedChristieJohnstone，mindandbody，inwordsastrueandbrightashiscolors;heshowedhisownweakpoints，herstrongones，andhowthelatterwouldfortifytheformer.
Hedisplayed，inshort，inoneminute，moreintellectthanhismotherhadexhibitedinsixtyyears;andthatdone，withallhisunderstanding，witandeloquence，hesuccumbedlikeachildtoherstrongerwill——hepromisedtobreakwithChristieJohnstone.
WhenChristiehadrecoveredhercomposureandturnedroundtohercompanions，shefoundherselfalonewithCharles.
"Chairles，"saidshe，gravely.
"Christie，"saidhe，uneasily.
"Yourmotherdoesnalikeme.Oh，yeneednadenyit;andwearenatogetherasweusedtobe，mylad."
"Sheisprejudiced;butshehasbeenthebestofmotherstome，Christie."
"Aweel."
"CircumstancescompelmetoreturntoEngland."
（Ah，coward！anythingbuttherealtruth！）
"Aweel，Chairles，itwillnobeforlang."
"Idon’tknow;youwillnotbesounhappyasIshall——atleastIhopenot."
"Hoowdoyekenthat？"
"Christie，doyourememberthefirstnightwedancedtogether？"
"Ay."
"Andwewalkedinthecoolbytheseaside，andItoldyouthenamesofthestars，andyousaidthosewerenottheirrealnames，butnicknameswegivethemhereonearth.Ilovedyouthatfirstnight."
"AndIfanciedyouthefirsttimeIseteyesonyou."
"HowcanIleaveyou，Christie？WhatshallIdo？"
"IkenwhatIshalldo，"answeredChristiecoolly;then，burstingintotears，sheadded，"Ishalldee！Ishalldee！"
"No！youmustnotsayso;atleastIwillneverloveanyonebutyou."
"An’I’llliveasIama’mydaysforyoursake.Oh，England！Ihaelikeityesaeweel，yesuldnarobmeo’mylad——he’sa’thejoyIhae！"
"Iloveyou，"saidGatty."Doyouloveme？"
Alltheanswerwas，herheaduponhisshoulder.
"Ican’tdoit，"thoughtGatty，"andIwon’t！Christie，"saidhe，"stayhere，don’tmovefromhere."Andhedashedamongtheboatsingreatagitation.
Hefoundhismotherrathernearthesceneofthelateconference.
"Mother，"saidhe，fiercely，likeacowardashewas，"askmenomore，mymindismadeupforever;Iwillnotdothisscoundrelly，heartless，beastly，ungratefulactionyouhavebeenpushingmetosolong."
"Takecare，Charles，takecare，"saidtheoldwoman，tremblingwithpassion，forthiswasanewtoneforhersontotakewithher."Youhadmyblessingtheotherday，andyousawwhatfollowedit;donottemptmetocurseanundutiful，disobedient，ungratefulson."
"Imusttakemychance，"saidhe，desperately，"forIamunderacurseanyway！Iplacedmyringonherfinger，andheldupmyhandtoGodandsworesheshouldbemywife;shehasmyringandmyoath，andIwillnotperjuremyselfevenformymother."
"Yourring！NottherubyringIgaveyoufromyourdeadfather’sfinger——notthat！notthat！"
"Yes！yes！Itellyouyes！andifhewasalive，andsawher，andknewhergoodness，hewouldhavepityonme，butIhavenofriend;youseehowillyouhavemademe，butyouhavenopity;Icouldnothavebelievedit;
but，sinceyouhavenomercyonme，Iwillhavethemoremercyonmyself;
Imarryherto—morrow，andputanendtoallthisshufflingandmaneuveringagainstanangel！Iamnotworthyofher，butI’llmarryherto—morrow.Good—by."
"Stay！"saidtheoldwoman，inaterriblevoice;"beforeyoudestroymeandallIhavelivedfor，andsuffered，andpinchedfor，hearme;ifthatringisnotoffthehussy’sfingerinhalfanhour，andyoumysonagain，Ifallonthissandand——"
"ThenGodhavemercyuponme，forI’llseethewholecreationlosteternallyereI’llwrongtheonlycreaturethatisanornamenttotheworld."
Hewasdesperate;andtheweak，driventodesperation，aremorefuriousthanthestrong.
ItwasbyHeaven’smercythatneithermothernorsonhadtimetospeakagain.
Astheyfacedeachother，withflamingeyesandfaces，allself—commandgone，abouttoutterhastywords，andlayupregret，perhapsforalltheirlivestocome，inamoment，asifshehadstartedfromtheearth，ChristieJohnstonestoodbetweenthem！
Gatty’swords，and，stillmore，hishesitation，hadmadeherquickintelligencesuspect.Shehadresolvedtoknowthetruth;theboatsofferedeveryfacilityforlistening——shehadheardeveryword.
Shestoodbetweenthemotherandson.
Theywereconfused，abashed，andthehotbloodbegantoleavetheirfaces.
Shestooderectlikeastatue，hercheekpaleasashes，hereyesglitteringlikebasilisks，shelookedatneitherofthem.
Sheslowlyraisedherlefthand，shewithdrewarubyringfromit，anddroppedtheringonthesandbetweenthetwo.
Sheturnedonherheel，andwasgoneasshehadcome，withoutawordspoken.
Theylookedatoneanother，stupefiedatfirst;afteraconsiderablepausethesternoldwomanstooped，pickedupthering，and，inspiteofacertainchillthattheyoungwoman’smajesticsorrowhadgivenher，said，placingitonherownfinger，"Thisisforyourwife！！！"
"Itwillbeformycoffin，then，"saidherson，socoldly，sobitterlyandsosolemnlythatthemother’sheartbegantoquake.
"Mother，"saidhecalmly，"forgiveme，andacceptyourson’sarm.
"Iwill，myson！"
"Wearealoneintheworldnow，mother."
Mrs.Gattyhadtriumphed，butshefeltthepriceofhertriumphmorethanhervictory.Ithadbeendoneinonemoment，thatforwhichshehadsolabored，anditseemedthathadshespokenlongagotoChristie，insteadofCharles，itcouldhavebeendoneatanymoment.
Strangetosay，forsomeminutesthemotherfeltmoreuneasythanherson;shewasawoman，afterall，andcouldmeasureawoman’sheart，andshesawhowdeepthewoundshehadgivenoneshewasnowcompelledtorespect.
Charles，ontheotherhand，hadbeensoharassedbackwardandforward，thattohimcertaintywasrelief;itwasagreatmattertobenolongercalledupontodecide.Hismotherhadsaid，"Part，"andnowChristiehadsaid，"Part";atleasttheaffairwastakenoutofhishands，andhisfirstfeelingwasaheavenlycalm.
Inthisstatehecontinuedforaboutamile，andhespoketohismotherabouthisart，soleobjectnow;butafterthefirstmilehebecamesilent，_distrait;_Christie’spaleface，hermortifiedair，whenhergenerousofferwascoldlyrepulsed，filledhimwithremorse.Finally，unabletobearit，yetnotdaringtospeak，hebrokesuddenlyfromhismotherwithoutaword，andranwildlybacktoNewhaven;helookedbackonlyonce，andtherestoodhismother，pale，withherhandspiteouslyliftedtowardheaven.
BythetimehegottoNewhavenhewasassorryforherasforChristie.
Herantothehouseofthelatter;FluckerandJeantoldhimshewasonthebeach.Herantothebeach！hedidnotseeheratfirst，but，presentlylookingback，hesawher，attheedgeoftheboats，incompanywithagentlemaninaboating—dress.Helooked——couldhebelievehiseyes？hesawChristieJohnstonekissthisman’shand，whothen，takingherheadgentlyinhistwohands，placedakissuponherbrow，whilesheseemedtoyieldlovinglytothecaress.
Gattyturnedfaint，sick;foramomenteverythingswambeforehiseyes;
herecoveredhimself，theyweregone.
Hedartedroundtointerceptthem;Christiehadslippedawaysomewhere;
heencounteredthemanalone！
CHAPTERXV.
CHRISTIE’Ssituationrequirestobeexplained.
OnleavingGattyandhismother，shewenttoherownhouse.Flucker——whoafterlookinguponherforyearsasaninconvenientappendage，exceptatdinnertime，hadfalleninlovewithherinamannerthatwashalfpathetic，halflaughable，allthingsconsidered——sawbyherfaceshehadreceivedablow，andraisinghimselfinthebed，inquiredanxiously，"Whatailedher？"
Atthesekindwords，ChristieJohnstonelaidhercheekuponthepillowbesideFlucker’sandsaid：
"Oh，mylaamb，bekindtoyourpuirsisterfra’thishoor，forshehasnaethingi’thewarldnoobutyoursel’."
Fluckerbegantosobatthis.
Christiecouldnotcry;herheartwaslikealumpofleadinherbosom;
butsheputherarmroundhisneck，andatthesightofhissympathyshepantedheavily，butcouldnotshedatear——shewassorestricken.
PresentlyJeancamein，and，asthepoorgirl’sheadachedaswellasherheart，theyforcedhertogoandsitintheair.Shetookhercreepieandsat，andlookedonthesea;but，whethershelookedseawardorlandward，allseemedunreal;notthings，buthardpicturesofthings，somemoving，somestill.Lifeseemedended——shehadlostherlove.
Anhourshesatinthismiserabletrance;shewasdivertedintoabetter，becauseasomewhatlessdangerousformofgrief，byoneofthosetriflingcircumstancesthatoftenpenetratetothehumanheartwheninaccessibletogreaterthings.
Willythefiddlerandhisbrothercamethroughthetown，playingastheywent，accordingtocustom;theirmusicfloatedpastChristie’searslikesomedrowsychime，until，allofasudden，theystruckuptheoldEnglishair，"SpeedthePlow."
NowitwastothistuneCharlesGattyhaddancedwithhertheirfirstdancethenighttheymadeacquaintance.
Christielistened，liftedupherhands，andcrying：
"Oh，whatwillIdo？whatwillIdo？"burstintoapassionofgrief.
Sheputherapronoverherhead，androckedherself，andsobbedbitterly.
ShewasinthissituationwhenLordIpsden，whowasprowlingabout，examiningtheproportionsoftheboats，discoveredher.
"Someoneindistress——thatwasallinhisway."
"Madam！"saidhe.
Sheliftedupherhead.
"ItisChristieJohnstone.I’msoglad;thatis，I’msorryyouarecrying，butI’mgladIshallhavethepleasureofrelievingyou;"andhislordshipbegantofeelforacheck—book.
"Anddivyereallythinksiller’sacureforeverygrief！"saidChristie，bitterly.
"Idon’tknow，"saidhislordship;"ithascuredthemallasyet."
"Itwillnacureme，then！"andshecoveredherheadwithherapronagain.
"Iamverysorry，"saidhe;"tellme"_（whispering），_"whatisit？poorlittleChristie！"
"Dinnaspeaktome;Ithinkshame;askJean.Oh，Richard，I’llnobelanginthiswarld！！！"
"Ah！"saidhe，"Iknowtoowellwhatitisnow;Iknow，bysadexperience.But，Christie，moneywillcureitinyourcase，anditshall，too;only，insteadoffivepounds，wemustputathousandpoundsortwotoyourbanker’saccount，andthentheywillallseeyourbeauty，andrunafteryou."
"HowdauryeeventomethatI’mseekinalad？"criedshe，risingfromherstool;"IwouldnacaresupposetherewasnaaladinBritain."Andoffsheflounced.
"Offendedherbymygrosswantoftact，"thoughttheviscount.
Shecreptback，andtwovelvetlipstouchedhishand.Thatwasbecauseshehadspokenharshlytoafriend.
"Oh，Richard，"saidshe，despairingly，"I’llnobelanginthiswarld."
Hewastouched;anditwasthenhetookherheadandkissedherbrow，andsaid："Thiswillneverdo.Mychild，gohomeandhaveanicecry，andI
willspeaktoJean;and，relyuponme，IwillnotleavetheneighborhoodtillIhavearrangeditalltoyoursatisfaction."
Andsoshewent——alittle，averylittle，comfortedbyhistoneandwords.
Nowthiswasallverypretty;butthenseenatadistanceoffiftyyardsitlookedveryugly;andGatty，whohadneverbeforeknownjealousy，thestrongestandworstofhumanpassions，wasripeforanything.
HemetLordIpsden，andsaidatonce，inhiswise，temperateway：
"Sir，youareavillain！"
_Ipsden."Plait—il？"_
_Gatty._"Youareavillain！"
_Ipsden._"Howdoyoumakethatout？"
_Gatty._"But，ofcourse，youarenotacoward，too."
_Ipsden（ironically）._"Yousurprisemewithyourmoderation，sir."
_Gatty._"Thenyouwillwaiveyourrank——youarealord，Ibelieve—andgivemesatisfaction."
_Ipsden._"Myrank，sir，suchasitis，engagesmetogiveaproperanswertoproposalsofthissort;Iamatyourorders."
_Gatty._"Amanofyourcharactermustoftenhavebeencalledtoanaccountbyyourvictims，so——so——"（hesitating）"perhapsyouwilltellmethepropercourse."
_Ipsden."I_shallsendanotetothecastle，andthecolonelwillsendmedownsomebodywithamustache;Ishallpretendtoremembermustache，mustachewillpretendheremembersme;hewillthencommunicatewithyourfriend，andtheywillarrangeitallforus."
_Gatty._"And，perhaps，throughyourlicentiousness，oneorbothofuswillbekilled."
_Ipsden._"Yes！butweneednottroubleourheadsaboutthat——thesecondsundertakeeverything."
_Gatty._"Ihavenopistols."
_Ipsden._"Ifyouwilldomethehonortouseoneofmine，itshallbeatyourservice."
_Gatty._"Thankyou."
_Ipsden._"To—morrowmorning？"
_Gatty._"No.Ihavefourdays’paintingtodoonmypicture，Ican’tdietillitisfinished;Fridaymorning."
_Ipsden._"（Heismad.）Iwishtoaskyouaquestion，youwillexcusemycuriosity.Haveyouanyideawhatweareagreeingtodifferabout？"
_Gatty._"Thequestiondoesyoulittlecredit，mylord;thatistoaddinsulttowrong."
Hewentoffhurriedly，leavingLordIpsdenmystified.
HethoughtChristieJohnstonewassomehowconnectedwithit;but，consciousofnowrong，hefeltlittledisposedtoputupwithanyinsult，especiallyfromthisboy，towhomhehadbeenkind，hethought.
Hislordshipwas，besides，oneofthosegood，simple—mindedcreatures，educatedabroad，who，wheninvitedtofight，simplybow，andloadtwopistols，andgetthemselvescalledatsix;insteadoftakingdowntomesofcasuistryandpuzzlingtheirpoorbrainstofindoutwhethertheyaregamecocksorcapons，andwhy.
AsforGatty，hehurriedhomeinafeverofpassion，beggedhismother’spardon，andreproachedhimselfforeverhavingdisobeyedheronaccountofsuchaperfidiouscreatureasChristieJohnstone.
Hethentoldherwhathehadseen，asdistanceandimaginationhadpresentedittohim;tohissurprisetheoldladycuthimshort.
"Charles，"saidshe，"thereisnoneedtotakethegirl’scharacteraway;
shehasbutonefault——sheisnotinthesameclassoflifeasyou，andsuchmarriagesalwaysleadtomisery;butinotherrespectssheisaworthyyoungwoman——don’tspeakagainsthercharacter，oryouwillmakemyfleshcreep;youdon’tknowwhathercharacteristoawoman，highorlow."
Bythismoderation，perhapssheheldhimstillfaster.
Fridaymorningarrived.Gattyhad，byhardwork，finishedhispicture，collectedhissketchesfromnature，whichwerenumerous，leftbymemorandumeverythingtohismother，andwas，orratherfelt，asreadytodieaslive.
Hehadhardlyspokenawordoreatenamealthesefourdays;hismotherwasinanxietyabouthim.Heroseearly，andwentdowntoLeith;anhourlater，hismother，findinghimgoneout，roseandwenttoseekhimatNewhaven.
MeantimeFluckerhadentirelyrecovered，buthissister’scolorhadlefthercheeks.Theboysworevengeanceagainstthecauseofherdistress.
OnFridaymorning，then，therepacedonLeithSandstwofigures.
OnewasLordIpsden.
Theotherseemedamilitarygentleman，whohavingswallowedthemess—roompoker，andfounditinsufficient，hadaddedtheramrodsofhiscompany.
ThemorehislordshipreflectedonGatty，thelessinclinedhehadfelttoinviteasatiricalyoungdogfrombarrackstocriticisesucha_rencontre;_hehadthereforeorderedSaunderstogetupasafield—marshal，orsomesuchtrifle，andwhatSaunderswouldhavecalledincomparableverticalitywastheresult.
Thepainterwasalsoinsight.