第5章

Whilehewascomingup，LordIpsdenwaslecturingMarshalSaundersonapointonwhichthatworthyhadalwaysthoughthimselfverysuperiortohismaster——"Gentlemanlydeportment."

"Now，Saunders，mindandbehavelikeagentleman，orweshallbefoundout."

"Itrust，mylord，myconduct——"

"WhatImeanis，youmustnotbesooverpoweringlygentleman—likeasyouareapttobe;nogentlemanissogentlemanasallthat;itcouldnotbeborne，_c’estsuffoquant;_andawhitehandkerchiefisunsoldier—like，andnobodytiesawhitehandkerchiefsowellasthat;ofallthevices，perfectionisthemostintolerable."Hislordshipthentouchedwithhiscanethegeneralissimo’stie，whosecountenancestraightwayfell，asthoughhehadlostthreesuccessivebattles.

Gattycameup.

Theysaluted.

"Whereisyoursecond，sir？"saidthemare’chal.

"Mysecond？"saidGatty."Ah！Iforgottowakehim——doesitmatter？"

"Itismerelyacustom，"saidLordIpsden，withaveryslightlysatiricalmanner."Savanadero，"saidhe，"dousthehonortomeasuretheground，andbeeverybody’ssecond."

Savanaderomeasuredtheground，andhandedapistoltoeachcombatant，andstruckanimposingattitudeapart.

"Areyouready，gentlemen？"saidthisJack—o’—both—sides.

"Yes！"saidboth.

Justasthesignalwasabouttobegiven，aninterruptionoccurred."I

begyourpardon，sir，"saidLordIpsdentohisantagonist;"Iamgoingtotakea_liberty——agreatliberty_withyou，butIthinkyouwillfindyourpistolisonlyathalfcock."

"Thankyou，mylord;whatamItodowiththething？"

"Drawbackthecockso，andbereadytofire？"

"So？"_Bang！_

Hehadtouchedthetriggeraswellasthecock，sooffwentthebarker;

andafteraconsiderablepausethefield—marshalsprangyellingintotheair.

"Hallo！"criedMr.Gatty.

"Ah！oh！I’madeadman，"whinedthegeneral.

"Nonsense！"saidIpsden，afteramomentofanxiety."Giveyourselfnoconcern，sir，"saidhe，soothingly，tohisantagonist——"amereaccident.

Mare’chal，reloadMr.Gatty’spistol."

"Excuseme，mylord——"

"Loadhispistoldirectly，"saidhislordship，sternly;"andbehavelikeagentleman."

"Mylord！mylord！butwhereshallIstandtobesafe？"

"Behindme！"

ThecommanderofdivisionadvancedreluctantlyforGatty’spistol.

"No，mylord！"saidGatty，"itisplainIamnotafitantagonist;I

shallbutexposemyself——andmymotherhasseparatedus;Ihavelosther——ifyoudonotwinhersomeworsemanmay;but，oh！ifyouareaman，usehertenderly."

"Whom？"

"ChristieJohnstone！Oh，sir，donotmakeherregretmetoomuch！Shewasmytreasure，myconsolation——shewastobemywife，shewouldhavecheeredtheroadoflife——itisadesertnow.Ilovedher——I——I——"

Herethepoorfellowchoked.

LordIpsdenturnedround，andthrewhispistoltoSaunders，saying，"Catchthat，Saunders."

Saunders，onthecontrary，byasinglemotionchangedhispersonfromaverticalstraightlinetoahorizontallineexactlyparallelwiththeearth’ssurface，andtheweaponsanginnoxiousoverhim.

Hislordshipthen，withanobledefianceofetiquette，walkeduptohisantagonistandgavehimhishand，withamotionnoonecouldresist;forhefeltforthepoorfellow.

"Itisallamistake，"saidhe."ThereisnosentimentbetweenLaJohnstoneandmebutmutualesteem.Iwillexplainthewholething._I_

admire_her_forhervirtue，herwit，herinnocence，hergoodnessandallthatsortofthing;and_she，_what_she_seesin_me，_IamsureIdon’tknow，"addedhe，slightlyshrugginghisaristocraticshoulders."DomethehonortobreakfastwithmeatNewhaven."

"Ihaveorderedtwelvesortsoffishatthe’Peacock，’mylord，"saidSaunders.

"Divine！（Ihatefish）ItoldSaundersallwouldbehungryandnoneshot;

bytheby，youarewinged，Ithinkyousaid，Saunders？"

"No，mylord！butlookatmytrousers."

Thebullethadcuthispantaloons.

"Isee——onlybarked;sogoandseeaboutourbreakfast."

"Yes，mylord"_（faintly）._

"Anddrawonmeforfiftypounds’worthof——newtrousers."

Yes，mylord"_（sonorously）._

Theduelistsseparated，GattytakingtheshortcuttoNewhaven;heproposedtotakehisfavoriteswimthere，torefreshhimselfbeforebreakfast;andhewentfromhislordshipalittlecheeredbyremarkswhichfellfromhim，andwhich，thoughvague，soundedfriendly——poorfellow，exceptwhenhehadabrushinhandhewasadreamer.

Thisviscount，whodidnotseemtotroublehisheadaboutclassdignity，wastoconverthismotherfromheraristocratictendenciesorsomething.

_Quesais—je？_whatwillnotadreamerhope？

LordIpsdenstrolledalongthesands，andjudgehissurprise，when，attendedbytwofootmen，hemetatthattimeinthemorningLadyBarbaraSinclairLordIpsdenhadbeensodisheartenedandpiquedbythislady’sconductthatforawholeweekhehadnotbeennearher.Thislineofbehaviorsometimesanswers.

Shemethimwithagranddisplayofcordiality.

Sheinquired，"Whetherhehadheardofamostgallantaction，that，coupledwithanothercircumstance"_（hereshesmiled），_"hadinpartreconciledhertotheagewelivein？"

Heaskedforfurtherparticulars.

Shetheninformedhim"thatashiphadbeenashoreontherocks，thatnofishermandaredventureout，thatayounggentlemanhadgiventhemhiswholefortune，andsobribedthemtoaccompanyhim;thathehadsavedtheshipandthemen’slives，paidawayhisfortune，andlightedanodiouscigarandgonehome，neverminding，amidtheblessingsandacclamationsofamaritimepopulation."

Abeautifulstoryshetoldhim;sobeautiful，infact，thatuntilshehaddiscoursedtenminuteshehardlyrecognizedhisownfeat;butwhenhedidheblushedinsideaswellasoutwithpleasure.Oh！musicofmusic——praisefromeloquentlips，andthoselipsthelipswelove.

Thenextmomenthefeltashamed;ashamedthatLadyBarbarashouldpraisehimbeyondhismerits，asheconceived.

Hemadeafainthypocriticalendeavortomoderatehereulogium;thisgavemattersanunexpectedturn，LadyBarbara’seyesflasheddefiance.

"Isayitwasanobleaction，thatonenursedineffeminacy（asyouallare）shouldteachthehardyseamentomockatperil——noblefellow！"

"Hedidaman’sduty，Barbara."

"Ipsden，takecare，youwillmakemehateyou，ifyoudetractfromadeedyoucannotemulate.Thisgentlemanriskedhisownlifetosaveothers——heisahero！IshouldknowhimbyhisfacethemomentIsawhim.Oh，thatI

weresuchaman，orknewwheretofindsuchacreature！"

ThewatercameintoLordIpsden’seyes;hedidnotknowwhattosayordo;heturnedawayhishead.LadyBarbarawassurprised;herconsciencesmoteher.

"Oh，dear，"saidshe，"therenow，Ihavegivenyoupain——forgiveme;wecan’tallbeheroes;dearIpsden，don’tthinkIdespiseyounowasI

used.Oh，no！Ihaveheardofyourgoodnesstothepoor，andIhavemoreexperiencenow.ThereisnobodyIesteemmorethanyou，Richard，soyouneednotlookso."

"Thankyou，dearestBarbara."

"Yes，andifyouweretobesuchagooseastowritemeanotherletterproposingabsurditiestome——"

"Wouldtheanswerbedifferent？"

"Verydifferent."

"Oh，Barbara，wouldyouaccept？"

"Why，ofcoursenot;butIwouldrefusecivilly！"

"Ah！"

"There，don’tsigh;Ihateasighingman.I’lltellyousomethingthatI

knowwillmakeyoulaugh."Shethensmiledsaucilyinhisface，andsaid，"DoyourememberMr.————？"

_L’effronte’e！_thiswastheearnestman.ButIpsdenwasamatchforherthistime."IthinkIdo，"saidhe;"agentlemanwhowantstomakeJohnBulllittleagainintoJohnCalf;butitwon’tdo."

Herladyshiplaughed."WhydidyounottellusthatonInchCoombe？"

"BecauseIhadnotread_TheCatspaw_then."

_"TheCatspaw？_Ah！Ithoughtitcouldnotbeyou.Whoseisit？"

"Mr.Jerrold’s."

"ThenMr.Jerroldisclevererthanyou."

"Itispossible."

"Itiscertain！Well，Mr.JerroldandLordIpsden，youwillbothbegladtohearthatitwas，inpointoffact，abullthatconfutedtheadvocateoftheMiddleAges;wewerewalking;hewastellingmemanhoodwasextinctexceptinafewearnestmenwholiveduponthepast，itsassociations，itstruth;whenahorridbullgave——oh——suchabellow！andcametrottingup.Iscreamedandran——Iremembernothingbutarrivingatthestile，andlo，ontheotherside，offeringmehisarmwith_empressment_acrossthewoodenbarrierwas——"

"Well？"

"Well！don’tyousee？"

"No——oh——yes，Isee！——fancy——ah！ShallItellyouhowhecametogetfirstover？Heranmoreearnestlythanyou."

’ItisnotMr.Jerroldthistime，Ipresume，"saidhersatiricalladyship.

"No！youcannotalwayshavehim.Iventuretopredictyourladyshiponyourreturnhomegavethismediaevalpersonagehis_conge’."_

"No！"

"No？"

"Igaveithimatthestile！Letusbeserious，ifyouplease;Ihaveaconfidencetomakeyou，Ipsden.Frankly，Ioweyousomeapologyformyconductoflate;Imeanttobereserved——Ihavebeenrude——butyoushalljudgeme.Ayearagoyoumademesomeproposals;Irejectedthembecause，thoughIlikeyou——"

"Youlikeme？"

"Idetestyourcharacter.Sincethen，myWestIndiaestatehasbeenturnedintospecie;thatspecie，thebulkofmyfortune，placedonboardavessel;thatvessellost，atleastwethinkso——shehasnotbeenheardof."

"Mydearcousin."

"DoyoucomprehendthatnowIamcoolerthanevertoallyounggentlemenwhohavelargeincomes，and"（holdingoutherhandlikeanangel）"Imusttroubleyoutoforgiveme."

Hekissedherlovelyhand.

"Iesteemyoumoreandmore，"saidhe."Youought，forithasbeenahardstruggletomenottoadoreyou，becauseyouaresoimproved，_moncousin."_

"Isitpossible？Inwhatrespect？"

"Youarebrownerandcharitabler;andIshouldhavebeenverykindtoyou——mawkishlykind，Ifear，mysweetcousin，ifthiswretchedmoneyhadnotgonedowninthe_Tisbe."_

"Hallo！"criedtheviscount.

"Ah！"squeakedLadyBarbara，unusedtosuchinterjections.

"Gonedowninwhat？"saidIpsden，inaloudvoice.

"Don’tbellowinpeople’sears.The_Tisbe，_stupid，"criedshe，screamingatthetopofhervoice.

"Ritum，titurn，titum，tum，tum，tiddy，iddy，"wentLordIpsden——hewhistledapolka.

_LadyBarbara（inspectinghimgravely）._"Ihavehearditatadistance，butIneversawhowitwasdonebefore._Itisvery，verypretty！！！！"_

_Ipsden."Polkez—vous，madame？"_

_LadyBarb."Si，jepolke，MonsieurleVicomte."_

Theypolkedforasecondortwo.

"Well，IdaresayIamwrong，"criedLadyBarbara，"butIlikeyoubetternowyouareadownright——ahem！——thanwhenyouwereonlyaninsipidnon—intellectual——youaregreatlyimproved."

_Ips._"Inwhatrespects？’

_LadyBarb._"DidInottellyou？brownerandmoreimpudent;buttellme，"saidshe，resuminghersly，satiricaltone，"howisitthatyou，whousedtobethepinkofcourtesy，danceandsingoverthewreckofmyfortunes？"

"Becausetheyarenotwrecked."

"IthoughtItoldyoumyspecieisgonedowninthe_Tisbe."_

_Ipsden._"Butthe_Tisbe_hasnotgonedown."

_LadyBarb._"Itellyouitis."

_Ipsden._"Iassureyouitisnot."

_LadyBarb._"Itisnot？"

_Ipsden._"Barbara！Iamtoohappy，Ibegintonourishsuchsweethopesoncemore.Oh，Icouldfallonmykneesandblessyouforsomethingyousaidjustnow."

LadyBarbarablushedtothetemples.

"Thenwhydon’tyou？"saidshe."Allyouwantisalittleenthusiasm."

Thenrecoveringherself，shesaid：

"Youkneelonwetsand，withblacktrouserson;thatwillneverbe！！！"

Thesetwoweresooccupiedthattheydidnotobservetheapproachofastrangeruntilhebrokeinupontheirdialogue.

AnAncientMarinerhadbeenforsomeminutesstandingoffandon，reconnoiteringLordIpsden;henowboredown，andwithgreatrough，roaringcordiality，thatmadeLadyBarbarastart，criedout：

"Givemeyourhand，sir——givemeyourhand，ifyouweretwicealord.

"Icouldn’tspeaktoyoutillthebrigwassafeinport，andyouslippedaway，butI’vebroughtyouupatlast;and——givemeyourhandagain，sir.

Isay，isn’titapityyouarealordinsteadofasailor？"

_Ipsden._"ButIamasailor."

_AncientMariner._"Thatyeare，andassmartaoneasevertiedatrue—lover’sknotinthetop;buttellthetruth——youwerenevernearerlosingthenumberofyourmessthanthatdayintheold_Tisbe."_

_LadyBarb._"Theold_Tisbe！_Oh！"

_Ipsden._"Doyourememberthatnicelittlelurchshegavetoleewardaswebroughtherround？"

_LadyBarb._"Oh，Richard！"

_AncientMariner._"Andthatreeltheoldwenchgaveunderourfeet，norththepier—head.Iwouldn’thavegivenawashing—tubforheratthatmoment."

_Ipsden._"Pastdangerbecomespleasure，sir._Olimethoecmeminisse_——I

begyourpardon，sir."

_AncientMariner（takingoffhishatwithfeeling）._"Godblessye，sir，andsendyemanyhappydays，andwellspent，withtheprettyladyIseealongside;askingyourpardon，miss，forpartingpleasantercompany——soI’llsheeroff."

Andawaywenttheskipperofthe_Tisbe，_rollingfearfully.Intheheatofthisreminiscence，theskipperoftheyacht（theyareallalike，bluewateroncefairlytasted）hadlostsightofLadyBarbara;henowlookedround.Imaginehissurprise！

Herladyshipwasintears.

"DearBarbara，"saidLordIpsden，"donotdistressyourselfonmyaccount."

"Itisnotyourfe—feelingsIcareabout;atleast，Ih—h—hopenot;butI

havebeensounjust，andIpridedmyselfsoonmyj—ju—justice."

"Nevermind！"

"Oh！ifyoudon’t，Idon’t.Ihatemyself，soitisnowonderyouh—hateme."

"Iloveyoumorethanever."

"Thenyouareagoodsoul！OfcourseyouknowIalways_l_—esteemedyou，Richard."

"No！Ihadanideayoudespisedme！"

"Howsillyyouare！Can’tyousee？WhenIthoughtyouwerenotperfection，whichyouarenow，itvexedmetodeath;youneversawmeaffrontanyonebutyou？"

"No，Ineverdid！Whatdoesthatprove？"

"Thatdependsuponthewitofhimthatreasonsthereon."（Comingtoherself.）

"Iloveyou，Barbara！Willyouhonormewithyourhand？"

"No！Iamnotsobase，soselfish.Youareworthahundredofme，andherehaveIbeentreatingyou_dehautenbas._DearRichard，poorRichard.Oh！oh！oh！"（Aperfectfloodoftears.）

"Barbara！Iregretnothing;thismomentpaysforall."

"Well，then，Iwill！sinceyoukeeppressingme.There，letmego;Imustbealone;ImusttelltheseahowunjustIwas，andhowhappyIam，andwhenyouseemeagainyoushallseethebettersideofyourcousinBarbara."

Shewasperemptory."Shehadherfollyandhismeritstothinkover，"shesaid;butshepromisedtopassthroughNewhaven，andheshouldputherintoherpony—phaeton，whichwouldmeetherthere.

LadyBarbarawasonlyafoolbytheexcessofherwitoverherexperience;andLordIpsden’slovewasnotmisplaced，forshehadagreatheartwhichshehidfromlittlepeople.Iforgiveher！

Theresolutionssheformedincompanywiththesea，havingdismissedIpsden，andorderedherflunkyintothehorizon，willprobablygiveourviscountjusthalfacenturyofconjugalbliss.

Ashewasgoingshestoppedhimandsaid："YourfriendhadbrownerhandsthanIhavehithertoconceivedpossible._Totellthetruth，_Itookthemfortheclawsofamahoganytablewhenhegrappledyou——isthattheterm？

_C’este’gal_——Ilikehim——"

Shestoppedhimagain."Ipsden，inthemidstofallthisthatpoorman’sshipisbroken.Ifeelitis！Youwillbuyhimanother，ifyoureallyloveme——forIlikehim."

Andsotheseloverspartedforatime;andLordIpsdenwithaboundingheartreturnedtoNewhaven.Hewenttoentertainhislate_vis—’a—vis_atthe"Peacock."

Meantimeashorterandlesspleasant_rencontre_hadtakenplacebetweenLeithandthatvillage.

Gattyfeltheshouldmeethislostsweetheart;andsureenough，ataturnoftheroadChristieandJeancamesuddenlyuponhim.

Jeannodded，butChristietooknonoticeofhim;theypassedhim;heturnedandfollowedthem，andsaid，"Christie！"

"Whatisyourwillwi’me？"saidshe，coldly.

"I——I——Howpaleyouare！"

"Iamnoveryweel."

"Shehasbeenwatchingovermucklewi’Flucker，"saidJean.

Christiethankedherwithalook.

"Ihopeitisnot——not——"

"Naefears，lad，"saidshe，briskly;"Idinnathinkthatmuckleo’ye."

"AndIthinkofnothingbutyou，"saidhe.

Adeepflushcrimsonedtheyoungwoman’sbrow，butsherestrainedherself，andsaidicily："Thaat’sverygudeo’ye，I’msure."

Gattyfeltallthecontempthermannersandwordsexpressed.Hebithislips.Thetearstartedtohiseye."Youwillforgetme，"saidhe."Idonotdeservetoberemembered，butIshallneverforgetyou.IleaveforEngland.IleaveNewhavenforever，whereIhavebeensohappy.Iamgoingatthreeo’clockbythesteamboat.Won’tyoubidmegood—by？"Heapproachedhertimidly.

"Ay！thatwulldo，"criedshe;"Gudebewi’ye，lad;Iwishyenaeill."

Shegaveacommandinggestureofdismissal;heturnedaway，andwentsadlyfromher.Shewatchedeverymotionwhenhisbackwasturned.

"Thatisyou，Christie，"saidJean;"usetheladslikedirt，an’theythinka’themairo’ye."

"Oh，Jean，myhairt’sbroken.I’mjustdeeingforhim."

"Letmespeaktillhimthen，"saidJean;"I’llsunebringhimtillhismarrow—banes;"andshetookahastysteptofollowhim.

Christieheldherfast."I’ddeeereI’dgiveintillthem.Oh，Jean！I’malassiecleanflungawa;hehasneitherhairtnorspunkava，yonlad！"

Jeanbegantomakeexcusesforhim.Christieinveighedagainsthim.Jeanspokeupforhimwithmoreearnestness.

Nowobserve，Jeandespisedthepoorboy.

Christieadoredhim.

SoJeanspokeforhim，becausewomenofeverydegreeareoftenonesolidmassoftact;andChristieabusedhim，becauseshewantedtohearhimdefended.

CHAPTERXVI.

RICHARD，LORDVISCOUNTIPSDEN，havingdottedtheseashorewithsentinels，totellhimofLadyBarbara’sapproach，awaitedhisguestinthe"Peacock";but，asGattywasalittlebehindtime，heplacedSaunderssentineloverthe"Peacock，"andstrolledeastward;ashecameoutofthe"Peacock，"Mrs.Gattycamedownthelittlehillinfront，andalsoproceededeastward;meantimeLadyBarbaraandherescortwerenotfarfromtheNewTownofNewhaven，ontheirwayfromLeith.

Mrs.Gattycamedown，merelywithavaguefear.Shehadnoreasontosupposeherson’salliancewithChristieeitherwouldorcouldberenewed，butshewasacarefulplayerandwouldnotgiveachanceaway;

shefoundhewasgoneoutunusuallyearly，soshecamestraighttotheonlyplaceshedreaded;itwasherson’slastdayinScotland.Shehadpackedhisclothes，andhehadinspiredherwithconfidencebyarrangingpictures，etc.，himself;shehadnoideahewaspackingforhisdeparturefromthislife，notEdinburghonly.

ShecamethentoNewhavenwithnoseriousmisgivings，for，evenifhersonhadagainvacillated，shesawthat，withChristie’sprideandherownfirmness，thegamemustbehersintheend;but，asIsaidbefore，shewasonewhoplayedhercardsclosely，andsuchseldomlose.

Butmystoryiswiththetwoyoungfishwives，who，ontheirreturnfromLeith，foundthemselvesatthefootoftheNewTown，Newhaven，someminutesbeforeanyoftheotherpersonswho，itistobeobserved，wereapproachingitfromdifferentpoints;theycameslowlyin，Christieinparticular，withalistlessnessshehadnever，knowntillthislastweek;

forsomedaysherstrengthhadfailedher——itwasJeanthatcarriedthecreelnow——before，Christie，intheprideofherstrength，wouldalwaysdomorethanhershareoftheirjointlabor.Thenshecouldhardlybeforcedtoeat，andwhatshedideatwasquitetastelesstoher，andsleeplefther，andinitssteadcameuneasyslumbers，fromwhichsheawokequiveringfromheadtofoot.

Oh！perilousventureofthosewholoveoneobjectwiththewholeheart.

Thisgreatbuttenderheartwasbreakingdaybyday.

Well，ChristieandJean，strollingslowlyintotheNewTownofNewhaven，foundanassemblageofthenativesalllookingseaward;thefishermen，exceptSandyListon，wereawayattheherringfishery，butalltheboysandwomenoftheNewTownwerecollected;thegirlsfeltamomentarycuriosity;itproved，however，tobeonlyanindividualswimmingintowardshorefromagreaterdistancethanusual.

Alittlematterexcitescuriosityinsuchplaces.

Theman’sheadlookedlikeaspotofink.

SandyListonwasmindinghisownbusiness，lazilymendingaskait—net，whichhehadattachedtoacrazyoldherring—boathauleduptorot.

Christiesatdown，paleandlanguid，byhim，onacreepiethatalasswhohadbeenbaitingalinewithmusselshadjustvacated;suddenlysheseizedJean’sarmwithaconvulsivemotion;Jeanlookedup——itwastheLondonsteamboatrunningoutfromLeithtoGrantonPiertotakeupherpassengersforLondon.CharlesGattywasgoingbythatboat;thelookofmutedespairthepoorgirlgavewenttoJean’sheart;sheranhastilyfromthegroup，andcriedoutofsightforpoorChristie.

Afishwife，lookingthroughatelescopeattheswimmer，remarked："He’scominginfast;he’sagallantswimmer，yon——

"Canhedee’t？"inquiredChristieofSandyListon.

"Finethaat，"wasthereply;"hedoesitayeo’Sundayswhenyeareatthekirk."

"It’snoooto’thekirkwindowye’llhaeseenhim，Sandy，mymon，"saidayoungfishwife.

"Rinformyglassonyway，Flucker，"saidChristie，forcingherselftotakesomelittleinterest.

Fluckerbroughtittoher，sheputherhandonhisshoulder，gotslowlyup，andstoodonthecreepieandadjustedthefocusofherglass;afterashortview，shesaidtoFlucker：

"Rinandseethenook."Shethenleveledherglassagainattheswimmer.

Fluckerinformedherthenooksaid"halfeleven"——Scotchfor"halfpastten."

Christiewhippedoutawell—thumbedalmanac.

"Yonnook’sayeahint，"saidshe.Sheswepttheseaoncemorewithherglass，thenbroughtittogetherwithaclick，andjumpedoffthestool.

Herquickintelligenceviewedthematterdifferentlyfromalltheothers.

"Noow，"criedshe，smartly，"wha’lllendmehisyawl？"

"Hets！dinnabesaeinterferin’，lassie，"saidafishwife.

"Haenaneo’yeonyspunk？"saidChristie，takingnonoticeofthewoman.

"Speak，laddies！"

"M’uncle’syawlisatthepier—head;ye’llgether，mywoman，"saidaboy.

"Aschell’nforwha’sfirstonboard，"saidChristie，holdingupthecoin.

"Comeawa’，Flucker，we’llhaeherschell’n;"andthesetwoworthiesinstantlyeffectedafalsestart.

"It’snounderyourjackets，"saidChristie，asshedashedafterthemlikethewind.

"Haw！haw！haw！"laughedSandy.

"What’sherbusinesspickingupamonagainsthiswill？"saidawoman.

"She’sanawfu’lassie，"whinedanother.Theexaminationoftheswimmerwasthencontinued，andthecrowdincreased;somewouldhaveithewasrapidlyapproaching，othersthathemadelittleornoway.

"Whaest？"saidanother.

"It’salummy，"saidagirl.

"Na！it’snoalummy，"saidanother.

Christie’sboatwasnowseenstandingoutfromthepier.SandyListon，castingacontemptuouslookonalltherest，liftedhimselflazilyintotheherring—boatandlookedseaward.Hismannerchangedinamoment.

"TheDeevil！"criedhe;"thetide’sturned！Youwi’yourglass，couldyounoseeyonman’sdriftingoottosea？"

"Hech！"criedthewomen，"he’llbedrooned——he’llbedrooned！"

"Yes;he’llbedrooned！"criedSandy，"ifyonlassiedoesnacomealongsidehimdeevelichquick——he’ssairspent，Idoot."

Twospectatorswerenowaddedtothescene，Mrs.GattyandLordIpsden.

Mrs.Gattyinquiredwhatwasthematter.

"It’samondrooning，"wasthereply.

Thepoorfellow，whomSandy，byaidofhisglass，nowdiscoveredtobeinawornoutcondition，wasabouthalfamileeastofNewhavenpier—head，andunfortunatelythewindwasnearlydueeast.Christiewasstandingnorth—northeast，herboat—hookjammedagainstthesail，whichstoodasflatasaknife.

ThenativesoftheOldTownwerenowseenpouringdowntothepierandthebeach，andstrangerswerecollectinglikebees.

"Afterwitiseverybody’swit！！！"——_OldProverb._

TheaffairwasintheJohnstone’shands.

"Thatboatisnotgoingtothepoorman，"saidMrs.Gatty，"itisturningitsbackuponhim."

"Shecannalieinthewind’seye，forascleverassheis，"answeredafishwife.

"Ikenwhaitis，"suddenlysqueakedalittlefishwife;"it’sChristieJohnstone’slad;it’syondaftpainterfr’England.Hech！"criedshe，suddenly，observingMrs.Gatty，"it’syourson，woman."

Theunfortunatewomangaveafearfulscream，and，flyinglikeatigeronListon，commandedhim"togostraightouttoseaandsaveherson."

JeanCarnieseizedherarm."Divyeseeyonboat？"criedshe;"anddivyemindChristie，thelasswha’shairtyehaebroken？aweel，woman——_it’sjustaracebetweendeethandCirstyJohnstoneforyourson._

Thepooroldwomanswooneddeadaway;theycarriedherintoChristieJohnstone’shouseandlaidherdown，thenhurriedback——thegreaterterrorabsorbedtheless.

LadyBarbaraSinclairwastherefromLeith;and，seeingLordIpsdenstandingintheboatwithafisherman，sheaskedhimtotellherwhatitwas;neitherhenoranyoneansweredher.

"Whydoesn’tshecomeabout，Liston？"criedLordIpsden，stampingwithanxietyandimpatience.

"She’llnobelang，"saidSandy;"butthey’llmakamesso’’twi’ne’eramani’theboat."

"Ye’resureo’thaat？"putinawoman.

"Ay，aboutshecomes，"saidListon，asthesailcamedownonthefirsttack.Hewasmistaken;theydippedthelugascleverlyasanymaninthetowncould.

"Hech！lookatherhaulingontheropelikeamon，"criedawoman.Thesailflewupontheothertack.

"She’sanawfu’lassie，".whinedanother.

"He’sawa，"groanedListon，"he’sdoon！"

"No！he’supagain，"criedLordIpsden;"butIfearhecan’tlivetilltheboatcomestohim."

Thefishermanandtheviscountheldonbyeachother.

"Hedoesnaseeher，ormaybehe’dtakhairt."

"I’dgivetenthousandpoundsifonlyhecouldseeher.MyGod，themanwillbedrownedunderoureyes.Ifhebutsawher！！！"

ThewordshadhardlyleftLordIpsden’slips，whenthesoundofawoman’svoicecamelikeanAEoliannoteacrossthewater.

"Hurraih！"roaredListon，andeverycreaturejoinedthecheer.

"She’llnolethimdee.Ah！she’sinthebows，hailinghiman’wavingthelad’sbonnetowerherheadtogiehimcoorage.Gudeblessye，lass;Gudeblessye！"

Christieknewitwasnousehailinghimagainstthewind，butthemomentshegotthewindshedartedintothebows，andpitchedinitshighestkeyherfullandbrilliantvoice;afteramomentofsuspenseshereceivedproofthatshemustbeheardbyhim，foronthepiernowhungmenandwomen，clusteredlikebees，breathlesswithanxiety，andthemomentaftershehailedthedrowningman，shesawandheardawildyellofapplauseburstfromthepier，andthepierwasmoredistantthantheman.ShesnatchedFlucker’scap，plantedherfootonthegunwale，heldonbyarope，hailedthepoorfellowagain，andwavedthecaproundandroundherhead，togivehimcourage;andinamoment，atthesightofthis，thousandsofvoicesthunderedbacktheircheerstoheracrossthewater.

Blow，wind——spring，boat——andyou，Christie，stillringlifetowardthosedespairingearsandwavehopetothosesinkingeyes;cheertheboaton，youthousandsthatlookuponthisaction;hurrah！fromthepier;hurrah！

fromthetown;hurrah！fromtheshore;hurrah！now，fromtheveryshipsintheroads，whosecrewsareswarmingontheyardstolook;fiveminutesagotheylaughedatyou;threethousandeyesandheartshanguponyounow;ay，thesearethemomentswelivefor！

Andnowdeadsilence.Theboatiswithinfiftyyards，theyareallthreeconsultingtogetherroundthemast;anerrornowisdeath;hisforeheadonlyseemsabovewater.

"Iftheymisshimonthattack？"saidLordIpsden，significantly，toListon.

"He’llneverseeLondonBriggagain，"wasthewhisperedreply.

Theycarriedontillallonshorethoughttheywouldrunoverhim，orpasthim;butno，attenyardsdistanttheywereallatthesail，andhaditdownlikelightning;andthenFluckersprangtothebows，theotherboytothehelm.

Unfortunately，therewerebuttwoJohnstonesintheboat;andthisboy，inhishurry，actuallyputthehelmtoport，insteadoftostarboard.

Christie，whostoodamidships，sawtheerror;shesprangaft，flungtheboyfromthehelmandjammedithard—a—starboardwithherfoot.Theboatansweredthehelm，buttoolateforFlucker;themanwasfouryardsfromhimastheboatdriftedby.

"He’sadeedmon！"criedListon，onshore.

Theboat’slengthgaveonemorelittlechance;theafter—partmustdriftnearerhim——thankstoChristie.Fluckerflewaft;flunghimselfonhisback，andseizedhissister’spetticoats.

"Flingyourselfowerthegunwale，"screamedhe."Ye’llnohurt;I’sehaudye."

Sheflungherselfboldlyoverthegunwale;themanwassinking，hernailstouchedhishair，herfingersentangledthemselvesinit，shegavehimapowerfulwrenchandbroughthimalongside;theboyspinnedhimlikewild—cats.

Christiedartedawayforwardtothemast，passedaroperoundit，threwittheboys，inamomentitwasunderhisshoulders.Christiehauledonitfromtheforethwart，theboysliftedhim，andtheytumbledhim，gaspingandgurglinglikeadyingsalmon，intothebottomoftheboat，andflungnetandjacketsandsailoverhimtokeepthelifeinhim.

Ah！drawyourbreathallhandsatseaandashore，anddon’ttryitagain，younggentleman，fortherewasnothingtospare;whenyouweremissedatthebowtwostoutheartsquiveredforyou;LordIpsdenhidhisfaceinhistwohands，SandyListongaveagroan，and，whenyouweregrabbedastern，jumpedoutofhisboatandcried：

"Agillo’whiskyforonyfavor，forit’sturnedmeasseeckasadoeg."

Headded："Hemayblessyonlassie’sfowrbanes，forshe’sta’enhimooto’Death’smaw，assureasGude’sinheaven！"

LadyBarbara，whohadallherlifebeenlongingtoseeperilousadventures，prayedandtrembledandcriedmostpiteously;andLordIpsden’sbackwastoher，andhepaidnoattentiontohervoice;butwhenthebattlewaswon，andLordIpsdenturnedandsawher，sheclungtohisarmanddriedhertears;andthentheOldTowncheeredtheboat，andtheNewTowncheeredtheboat，andthetownscheeredeachother;andtheJohnstones，ladandlass，settheirsail，andsweptbackintriumphtothepier;sothenLadyBarbara’sbloodmountedandtingledinherveinslikefire."Oh，hownoble！"criedshe.

"Yes，dearest，"saidIpsden."Youhaveseensomethinggreatdoneatlast;

andbyawoman，too！"

"Yes，"saidBarbara，"howbeautiful！oh！howbeautifulitallis;onlythenextoneIseeIshouldlikethedangertobeoverfirst，thatisall."

TheboysandChristie，themomenttheyhadsavedGatty，upsailagainforNewhaven;theylandedinaboutthreeminutesatthepier.

TIME.FromNewhaventowntopieronfoot：1m.30sec.Firsttack：5m.

30sec.Secondtack，andgettinghimonboard：4m.0sec.Backtothepier，goingfree：3m.30sec.

Total：14m.30sec.

Theycameintothepier，Christiesittingquietlyonthethwartafterherwork，theboysteering，andFluckerstandingagainstthemast，handsinhispockets;thedeportmentthisyounggentlemanthoughtfittoassumeonthisoccasionwas"completeapathy";hecameintoportwiththeairofonebringinghometheordinaryresultsofhisday’sfishing;thiswas，I

suppose，toimpressthespectatorswiththenotionthatsavingliveswasanevery—dayaffairwithLaFamilleJohnstone;asforGatty，hecametohimselfunderhisheapofnetsandjacketsandspokeoncebetweenDeath’sjawandthepier.

"Beautiful！"murmuredhe，andwassilent.Themeaningofthisobservationnevertranspired，andneverwillinthisworld.Sixmonthsafterward，beingsubjectedtoasearchinginterrogatory，hestatedthathehadalludedtothemajestyandfreedomofacertain_pose_Christiehadadoptedwhilehailinghimfromtheboat;but，reader，ifhehadwantedyouandmetobelieveitwasthis，heshouldnothavebeenhalfayearfindingitout——_increduliodimus！_Theylanded，andChristiesprangonshore;whileshewaswendingherwaythroughthecrowd，impededbygreetingsandacclamations，witheverynowandthenalasswavingherkerchieforaladhisbonnetovertheheroine’shead，poorMrs.GattywasreceivingtheattentionoftheNewTown;theybroughtherto，theytoldherthegoodnews——shethankedGod.

Thewholestoryhadspreadlikewildfire;theyexpostulatedwithher，theytoldhernowwasthetimetoshowshehadaheart，andblesstheyoungpeople.

Sherewardedthemwithavaluableprecept.

"Mindyourownbusiness！"saidshe.

"Hech！y’areadourwife！"criedNewhaven.

Thedourwifebenthereyesontheground.

Thepeoplewerestillcollectedatthefootofthestreet，buttheywerenowinknots，whenindashedFlucker，arrivingbyashortcut，andcrying："Shedoesnaken，shedoesnaken，shewasowermoedesttolook，Idaursay，andye’llnotellher，forhe’sablackguard，an’he’sjustmakingafuleo’thepuirlass，andifshekenswhatshehasdoneforhim，she’llbefondero’himthanacoowo’hercauf."

"Oh，Flucker！wemauntellher，it’sherlad，herainlad，shesaved，"

expostulatedawoman.

"Didevermyfeytherdoagoodturntillye？"criedFlucker."Awel，then，ye’llnotellthelassie，she’sweelassheis;he’sgaunt’Ennglandtheday.Icanniegieyea’ahidin’，"saidhe，withaneyethatflashedvolumesofgoodintentiononahundredandfiftypeople;"butIamfeytherlessandmotherless，an’Icanfa’onmykneesan’curseyea’ifyedoussicanillturn，an’thenye’llseewhetherye’llthrive."

"We’llnotell，Flucker，yeneednacurseusonyway."

Hislordship，withallthesharpauthorityofaskipper，orderedMasterFluckertothepier，withamessagetotheyacht;Flucker_qua_yachtsmanwasamachine，andwentasamatterofcourse."Iamdeterminedtotellher，"saidLordIpsdentoLadyBarbara.

"But，"remonstratedLadyBarbara，"thepoorboysayshewillcurseusifwedo."

"Hewon’tcurseme."

"Howdoyouknowthat？"

"Becausethelittleblackguard’sgrogwouldbestoppedonboardtheyachtifhedid."

Fluckerhadnotbeengonemanyminutesbeforeloudcheeringwasheard，andChristieJohnstoneappearedconvoyedbyalargedetachmentoftheOldTown;shehadtriedtoslipaway，buttheywouldnotlether.TheyconvoyedherintriumphtilltheysawtheNewTownpeople，andthentheyturnedandlefther.

Shecameinamongthegroups，achangedwoman——herpallorandherlistlessnessweregone——theoldlightwasinhereye，andthebrightcolorinhercheek，andsheseemedhardlytotouchtheearth.

"I’mjustdroukit，lasses，"criedshe，gayly，wringinghersleeve.Everyeyewasuponher;didsheknow，ordidshenotknow，whatshehaddone？

LordIpsdensteppedforward;thepeopletacitlyacceptedhimasthevehicleoftheircuriosity.

"Whowasit，Christie？"

"Idinnaken，formypairt！"

Mrs.Gattycameoutofthehouse.

"Ahandsomeyoungfellow，Ihope，Christie？"resumedLordIpsden.

"YemaunaskFlucker，"wasthereply."Icouldnotakmucklenotice，yeken，"puttingherhandbeforehereye，andhalfsmiling.

"Well！Ihearheisverygood—looking;andIhearyouthinkso，too."

Sheglidedtohimandlookedinhisface.Hegaveameaningsmile.Thepoorgirllookedquiteperplexed.Suddenlyshegaveaviolentstart.

"Christie！whereisChristie？"hadcriedawell—knownvoice.Hehadlearnedonthepierwhohadsavedhim——hehadslippedupamongtheboatstofindher——hecouldnotfindhishat——hecouldnotwaitforit——hisdrippinghairshowedwherehehadbeen——itwasherlovewhomshehadjustsavedoutofDeath’sveryjaws.

Shegaveacryoflovethatwentthrougheveryheart，highorlow，youngorold，thatheardit.Andshewenttohim，throughtheairitseemed;

but，quickasshewas，anotherwasasquick;themotherhadseenhimfirst，andshewasthere.Christiesawnothing.Withanothercry，theverykeynoteofhergreatandlovingheart，sheflungherarmsround——Mrs.Gatty，whowasonthesameerrandasherself.

"Heartsarenotsteel，andsteelisbent;Heartsarenotflint，andflintisrent."

TheoldwomanfeltChristietouchher.Sheturnedfromhersoninamomentandweptuponherneck.Herlovertookherhandandkissedit，andpressedittohisbosom，andtriedtospeaktoher;butallhecoulddowastosobandchoke——andkissherhandagain.

"Mydaughter！"sobbedtheoldwoman.

AtthatwordChristieclaspedherquickly;andthenChristiebegantocry.

"Iamnotastone，"criedMrs.Gatty.

"Igavehimlife;butyouhavesavedhimfromdeath.Oh，Charles，nevermakeherrepentwhatshehasdoneforyou."

Shewasawoman，afterall;andprudenceandprejudicemeltedlikesnowbeforeherheart.

Therewerenotmanydryeyes——leastofalltheheroicLadyBarbara’s.

Thethreewhomamomenthadmadeonewerebecomingcalmer，andtakingoneanother’shandsforlife，whenadiabolicalsoundarose——andwhatwasitbutSandyListon，who，afterfuriousresistance，wasblubberingwithexplosivebutshort—livedviolence？Havingdoneit，hewasthefirsttodraweverybody’sattentiontothephenomenon;andaffectingtoconsideritapurelyphysicalattack，likea_coupdesoleil，_orsoon，heproceededinstantlytoDrysel’sforhispanacea.

LadyBarbaraenjoinedLordIpsdentowatchthesepeople，andnottoloseawordtheysaid;and，aftershehadinsisteduponkissingChristie，shewentofftohercarriage.Andshetoowassohappy，shecriedthreedistincttimesonherwaytoEdinburgh.

LordIpsden，havingremindedGattyofhisengagement，beggedhimtoaddhismotherandChristietotheparty，andescortedLadyBarbaratoherphaeton.

Sothenthepeopledispersedbydegrees.

"Thatoldlady’sfaceseemsfamiliartome，"saidLordIpsden，ashestoodonthelittlenaturalplatformbythe"Peacock.""Doyouknowwhosheis，Saunders？"

"ItisPeggy，thatwascookinyourlordship’suncle’stime，mylord.Shemarriedagreen—grocer，"addedSaunders，withaninjuredair.

"Hech！hech！"criedFlucker，"Christiehasta’enupherheadwi’acook’sson."

Mrs.Gattywasusheredintothe"Peacock"withmockcivilitybyMr.

Saunders.Norecognitiontookplace，eachbeingashamedoftheotherasanacquaintance.

Thenextarrivalwasabeautifulyoungladyinablacksilkgown，aplainbutduck—likeplaidshawl，whoprovedtobeChristieJohnstone，inherSundayattire.

Whentheymet，Mrs.Gattygavealittlescreamofjoy，andsaid："Oh，mychild;ifIhadseenyouinthatdress，Ishouldneverhavesaidawordagainstyou."

"Parsminimaestipsapuellasui！"

Hislordshipsteppeduptoher，tookoffhishat，andsaid："WillMrs.

Gattytakefrommeacommissionfortwopictures，asbigasherself，andasbonny？"addedhe，doingalittleScotch.Hehandedheracheck;and，turningtoGatty，added，"Atyourconvenience，sir，_bienentendu."_

"Hech！it’sforfivehundredpund，Chairles."

"Goodgeargangsinlittlebook，"*saidJean.

*Bulk.

"Ay，doesit，"repliedFlucker，assumingthecompliment.

"Mylord！"saidtheartist，"youtreatArtlikeaprince;andsheshalltreatyoulikeaqueen.Whenthesuncomesoutagain，Iwillworkforyouandfame.Youshallhavetwothingspainted，everystrokeloyallyinthesunlight.InspiteofgloomywinterandgloomierLondon，IwilltryifI

can’thangnatureandsummeronyourwallsforever.Asforme，youknowI

mustgotoGerardDowandCuyp，andPierredeHoogh，whenmylittlesandisrun;butmyhandwritingshallwarmyourchildren’schildren’shearts，sir，whenthishandisdust."Hiseyeturnedinward，hewalkedtoandfro，andhiscompanionsdiedoutofhissight——hewasinthekingdomofart.

HislordshipandJeanenteredthe"Peacock，"followedbyFlucker，whomerelylingeredatthedoortomoralizeasfollows：

"Hech！hech！isnathaatlamentable？Christie’smon’sasdaftasadrunkweaver."

Butonestayedquietlybehind，andassumedthatmomenttheofficeofherlife.

"Ay！"heburstoutagain，"theresourcesofourartarestillunfathomed！

Picturesareyettobepaintedthatshallrefreshmen’sinnersouls，andhelptheirheartsagainsttheartificialworld;andcharmthefiendaway，likeDavid’sharp！！Theworld，aftercenturiesoflies，willgivenatureandtruthatrial.Whataparadiseartwillbe，whentruths，insteadoflies，shallbetoldonpaper，onmarble，oncanvas，andontheboards！！！"

"Dinner’sontheboarrd，"murmuredChristie，alludingtoLordIpsden’sbreakfast;"andIhaethechargeo’ye，"pullinghissleevehardenoughtodestroytheequilibriumofaflea.

"Thendon’tletuswasteourtimehere.Oh，Christie！"

"Whatest，myladdy？"

"I’msopreciouslyhungry！！！！"

"C—way*then！"

*Comeaway.

Offtheyran，handinhand，sparksofbeauty，loveandhappinessflyingallaboutthem.

CHAPTERXVII.

"THEREisnothingbutmeetingandpartinginthisworld！"andyoumaybesuretheincongruouspersonagesofourtalecouldnotlongbetogether.

Theirseparatepathshadmetforaninstantinonefocus，furnishedthenandtherethematterofaneccentricstory，andthendivergedforever.

Ourliveshaveageneralcurrent，andalsoanepisodeortwo;andtheepisodesofacommonplacelifeareoftenratherstartling;inlikemannerthistaleisnotaspecimen，butanepisodeofLordIpsdenandLadyBarbara，whosoonafterthismarriedandlivedliketherestofthe_beaumonde._Insodoing，theypassedoutofmyhands;suchaswishtoknowhowviscountsandviscountessesfeedandsleep，anddothedomestic（socalled），andthesocial（socalled），arereferredtothefashionablenovel.ToMr.Saunders，forinstance，whohasinthepressoneofthosecerberus—leviathansoffiction，socommonnow;incredibleasfoliotofutureages.Saunderswilltakeyoubythehand，andleadyouovercarpetstwoinchesthick——underrosycurtains——todinner—tables.Hewill_fete_you，andoperayou，anddazzleyouryoungimaginationwith_e’p’ergnes，_andsalvers，andbuhlandormolu.Nofishwivesorpaintersshallintrudeuponhispolishedscenes;allshallbeasgenteelashimself.Saundersisagoodauthority;heismoreinthesociety，andfarmoreintheconfidenceofthegreat，thanmostfashionablenovelists.Mr.

Saunders’sworkwillbeinthreevolumes;ninehundredandninetypages！！！！！！

Inotherwords，thissingleworkofthisingeniouswriterwillequalinbulktheaggregateofallthewritingsextantbyMoses，David，Solomon，Isaiah，andSt.Paul！！！

Ishallnotventureintocompetitionwiththisbehemothofthe_salon;_I

willevaporateinthingeneralities.

LordIpsdenthenlivedveryhappilywithLadyBarbara，whoseherohestraightwaybecame，andwhonoblyandpoeticallydotesuponhim.Hehasgoneintopoliticallifetopleaseher，andwillremainthere——topleasehimself.TheywerebothverygratefultoNewhaven;whentheymarriedtheyvowedtovisitittwiceayear，andmingleafortnight’ssimplelifewithitssimplescenes;butfouryearshavepassed，andtheyhaveneverbeenthereagain，andIdaresayneverwill;butwhenViscountIpsdenfallsinwithabrotheraristocratwhoiscrushedbythefiend_ennui，_heremembersAberford，andcondenseshisfamousrecipeintoatwo—edgedhexameter，whichwillmakemylearnedreaderlaugh，foritisfullofwisdom：

"Diluculosurgas！miserissuccurrerediscas！！"

FluckerJohnstonemeditatedduringbreakfastuponthefivehundredpounds，andregrettedhehadnotyearsagoadoptedMr.Gatty’sprofession;somedaysafterwardheinvitedhissistertoaconference.

Chairsbeingset，Mr.Fluckerlaiddownthisobservation，thatnearrelationsshouldbedeucedcarefulnottocastdiscreditupononeanother;thatnowhissisterwastobealady，itwasrepugnanttohissenseofrighttobeafishermanandmakeherladyshipblushforhim;onthecontrary，hefeltithisdutytorisetosuchhighconsiderationthatsheshouldbeproudofhim.

Christieacquiescedatonceinthisposition，butprofessedherselfembarrassedtoknowhowsucha"ne’er—do—weel"wastobemadeasourceofpride;thenshekissedFlucker，andsaid，inatonesomewhatinconsistentwiththeabove，"Tellme，mylaamb！"

Herlambinformedherthattheseahasmanypaths;someofthemdisgraceful，suchaslineornetfishing，andtheperiodicallayingdown，onrockyshoals，andtakingupagain，oflobster—creels;others，superiortoanythingthedrylandcanofferinimportanceanddignityandgeneralestimation，suchasthecommandofamerchantvesseltradingtotheEastorWestIndies.Herlambthensuggestedthatifshewouldbesogoodastolaunchhiminthemerchant—service，withagoodrigofclothesandmoneyinhispocket，therewasthatinhisheadwhichwouldenablehimtoworktowindwardofmostofhiscontemporaries.Hebadehercalculateuponthefollowingresults：Inayearortwohewouldbesecondmate，andnextyearfirstmate，andinafewyearsmoreskipper！Thinkofthat，lass！Skipperofavessel，whoserighegenerouslylefthissisterfreetodetermine;premisingthattwomastswere，inhistheoryofnavigation，indispensable，andthatthreewereagreatdealmorelikeCockerthantwo.Thisledtoageneralconsultation;Flucker’sambitionwasdiscussedandpraised.Thatmodestyounggentleman，inspiteofmanyinjunctionstothecontrary，communicatedhissister’splansforhimtoLordIpsden，andaffectedtodoubttheirprudence.Thebaittook;LordIpsdenwrotetohismanofbusiness，andanunexpectedblowfellupontheingeniousFlucker.

Hewassenttoschool;theretolearnalittleastronomy，alittlenavigation，alittleseamanship，alittlemanners，etc.;inthemysteriesofreadingandwritinghissisterhadalreadyperfectedhimbydintof"thetaws."Thisschoolwasablow;butFluckerwasnofool;hesawtherewasnowayofgettingfromschooltoseawithoutworking.Soheliterallyworkedouttosea.Hisfirstvoyagewasdistinguishedbythefollowingpeculiarities：Attemptstoputtricksuponthisparticularnovicegenerallyendedinthelaughturningagainsttheexperimenters;andinsteadofdrinkinghisgrog，whichhehates，hesecretedit，andsolditforvariousadvantages.Hehasbeennowfourvoyages.Whenhecomesashore，insteadofgoingtohauntsoffollyandvice，heinstantlybearsupforhissister’shouse——KensingtonGravel—pits——whichhemakesinthefollowingmanner：Hegoesuptheriver——Heavenknowswhereall——thishecallsrunningdownthelongitude;thenhelands，andbearsdownupontheGravel—pits;inparticularknowledgeofthenamesofstreetsheisdeficient，butheknowstheexactbearingsofChristie’sdwelling.Hetacksandwearsaccordingasmasonrycompelshim，andhearrivesatthegate.Hehailsthehouse，inavoicethatbringsalltheinhabitantsoftherowtotheirwindows，includingChristie;heisfallenuponanddraggedintothehouse.Thefirstthingis，hedrawsoutfromhisboots，andhisback，andotherhiding—places，ChinacrapeandmarveloussilkhandkerchiefsforChristie;andshetakesfromhispocketamassofOrientalsugar—plums，withwhich，butforthisprecaution，sheknowsbyexperiencehewouldpoisonyoungCharley;andsoonheistobeseensittingwithhishandinhissister’s，andshelooknglikeamotheruponhishandsome，weather—beatenface，andGattyopposite，adoringhimasaspecimenofmalebeauty，andsometimesmakingfurtivesketchesofhim.

Andthenthetaleshealwaysbringswithhim;thehouseisneververydull，butitislivelierthaneverwhenthisinexhaustiblesailorcastsanchorinit.

Thefriends（chieflyartists）whousedtoleaveat9：30，staytilleleven;foranintelligentsailorisbettercompanythantwolawyers，twobishops，threesoldiers，andfourwritersofplaysandtales，allrolledtogether.AndstillhetellsChristieheshallcommandavesselsomeday，andleadshertothemostcheeringinferencesfromthefactofhisprudenceandhisgeneralwidth—awake;inparticularhebidshercontrastwithhimthegeneralfateofsailors，eatenupbyland—sharks，particularlyofthefemalegender，whomhedemonstratestobetheworstenemiespoorJackhas;hecallsthesesunkenrocks，fire—shipsandothermetaphors.Heconcludesthus："YouareallthelassImeantohavetillI’maskipper，andthenI’llbearupalongsidesomepretty，decentlass，likeyourself，Christie，andwe’llsailincompanyallourlives，letthewindblowhighorlow."SuchisthegraciousFluckerbecomeinhistwentiethyear.Lastvoyage，withChristie’said，heproducedasextantofhisown，and"madeittwelveo’clock"（withthesun’sconsent，I

hope），andtheeyesofauthorityfelluponhim.So，whoknows？perhapshemayoneday，sailaship;and，ifhedoes，hewillbeprouderandhappierthanifwemadehimmonarchoftheglobe.

Toreturntoourchiefs;Mrs.Gattygaveherformalconsenttoherson’smarriagewithChristieJohnstone.

Therewereexamples.Aristocracyhaderenowcondescendedtowealth;

earlshadmarriedwomenrichbytallow—importingpapas;andnodoubt，hadthesesameearlsbeenconsultedinGatty’scase，theywouldhavedecidedthatChristieJohnstone，withherrealandfundedproperty，wasnotavillainousmatchforagreengrocer’sson，withoutarapp;*butMrs.

Gattydidnotreasonso，didnotreasonatall，luckily，herheartranawaywithherjudgment，and，herjudgmentceasingtoact，shebecameawisewoman.

*AdiminutiveGermancoin.

Thecasewaspeculiar.Gattywasaartist_pursang_——andChristie，whowouldnothavebeenthewifefora_petitmaitre，_wasthewifeofwivesforhim.

Hewantedabeautifulwifetoembellishhiscanvas，disfiguredhithertobyaninjudiciousselectionofmodels;avirtuouswifetobehiscrown;aprudentwifetosavehimfromruin;acheerfulwifetosustainhisspirits，droopingattimesbyvirtueofhisartist’stemperament;anintellectualwifetopreservehischildrenfrombeingborndoltsandbreddunces，andtokeephisownmindfromsharpeningtoonepoint，andsocontractingandbecomingmonomaniacal.Andhefoundallthesequalities，togetherwiththesunandmoonofhumanexistence——trueloveandtruereligion——inChristieJohnstone.

Insimilarcases，foolishmenhavesettoworktomake，insixmonths，theirdiamondofnature，theexactcutandglossofothermen’spastes，and，nervouslywatchingtheprocess，havesufferedtorture;luckilyCharlesGattywasnotwiseenoughforthis;hesawnaturehaddistinguishedherhelovedbeyondherfellows;here，aselsewhere，hehadfaithinnature——hebelievedthatChristiewouldcharmeverybodyofeye，andear，andmind，andheart，thatapproachedher;headmiredherasshewas，andlefthertopolishherself，ifshechose.Hedidwell;shecametoLondonwithafinemind，abroadbrogue，adelicateear;sheobservedhowherhusband’sfriendsspoke，andinaveryfewmonthsshehadtoneddownherScotchtoarichIoniccoloring，whichherwomanlyinstinctwillneverletherexchangeforthethin，vinegaraccentsthataretooprevalentinEnglishandFrenchsociety;andinotherrespectsshecaught，byeasygradation，thetoneofthenewsocietytowhichhermarriageintroducedher，without，however，losinghercharmingself.

Thewisedowagerlodgeshardby，havingresistedaninvitationtobeinthesamehouse;shecomestothathousetoassisttheyoungwifewithherexperience，andtobewelcome——nottointerfereeveryminute，andteaseher;shelovesherdaughter—in—lawalmostasmuchasshedoesherson，andsheishappybecausehebidsfairtobeanimmortalpainter，and，aboveall，agentleman;andshe，awifelywife，amotherlymother，and，aboveall，alady.

This，then，isahappycouple.Theirlifeisfullofpurposeandindustry，yetlightenedbygayety;theygotooperas，theatersandballs，fortheyareyoung.Theyhaveplentyofsociety，realsociety，nottheill—assortedcollectionofapredeterminednumberofbodies，thatblindlyassumesthatname，buttherichcommunicationofvariousandfertileminds;theyvery，veryseldomconsenttosquatfourmortalhoursononechair（likeoldharesstiffeningintheirhotforms），andnibbling，sippingandtwaddlinginfourmortalhourswhatcouldhavebeeneaten，drunkenandsaidinthirty—fiveminutes.Theyarebothartistsatheart，anditshockstheirnaturestoseefolksmixsoverylargelythe_inutile_withthe_insipidum，_andwaste，atonehugebutbarrenincubation，thesoul，andthestomach，andtheirrevocablehours，thingswithwhichsomuchistobedone.Buttheyhavemanydesirableacquaintances，andnotafewfriends;thelatteraremostlyloversoftruthintheirseveraldepartments，andinallthings.Amongthemarepainters，sculptors，engineers，writers，conversers，thinkers;theseacknowledging，eveninEngland，othergodsbesidestheintestines，meetoften_chez_Gatty，chieflyformentalintercourse;acupofteawithsuchisfound，byexperience，tobebetterthanastalledelkwherechit—chatreignsovertheprostratehours.

This，then，isahappycouple;theverypigeonsandthecrowsneednotblushforthenestatKensingtonGravel—pits.TherethedivineinstitutionMarriagetakesitsnaturalcolors，anditisatoncepleasantandgoodtocatchsuchglimpsesofHeaven’sdesign，andsadtothinkhowoftenthisgreatboon，accordedbyGodtomanandwoman，musthavebeenabusedandperverted，ereitcouldhavesunktobethestandingbuttoffarce—writers，andthethemeofweeklypunsters.

Inthispairweseethewondersamaleandfemalecandoforeachotherinthesweetbondofholywedlock.Inthatblessedrelationalonetwointerestsarereallyone，andtwoheartsliesafeatanchorsidebyside.

ChristieandCharlesarefriends——fortheyaremanandwife.

ChristieandCharlesareloversstill——fortheyaremanandwife.

ChristieandCharlesareoneforever——fortheyaremanandwife.

Thiswifebrightensthehouse，fromkitchentogarret，forherhusband;

thishusbandworkslikeakingforhiswife’scomfort，andforhisownfame——andthatfameishiswife’sglory.Whenoneoftheseexpressesorhintsawish，theother’sfirstimpulseistofindthemeans，nottheobjections.

Theysharealltroubles，and，bysharing，halvethem.

Theyshareallpleasures，and，bysharing，doublethem.

Theyclimbthehilltogethernow，andmanyacantydaytheyshallhavewithoneanother;andwhen，bytheinevitablelaw，theybegintodescendtowardthedarkvalley，theywillstillgohandinhand，smilingsotenderly，andsupportingeachotherwithacaremorelovelythanwhenthearmwasstrongandthefootfirm.

Onthesetwotemperatelivesoldagewilldescendlightly，gradually，gently，andlate——andlateupontheseevergreenhearts，becausetheyarenottunedtosomeselfish，isolatedkey;theseheartsbeatandringwiththeyoungheartsoftheirdearchildren，andyearshencepapaandmammawillbeginlifehopefully，wishfully，warmlyagainwitheachlovednoviceinturn.

Andwhenoldagedoescome，itwillbenocalamitytothese，asitistoyou，poorbatteredbeau，laughedatbythefairninnieswhoerstlaughedwithyou;toyou，poorfollowerofsalmon，fox，andpheasant，whosejointsarestiffening，whosenerveisgone——whoseGolgotharemains;toyou，poorfadedbeauty，whohavestakedalluponman’sappetite，andnotaccumulatedgoodnessorsenseforyoursecondcourse;toyou，poordrawing—roomwit，whosesarcasmhasturnedtovenomandisturningtodrivel.

Whatterrorshasoldageforthishappypair？itcannotmakethemugly，for，thoughthepurplelightofyouthrecedes，anewkindoftranquilbeauty，thealoe—blossomofmanyyearsofinnocence，comesto，andsitslikeadoveupon，theagedfaces，wheregoodness，sympathyandintelligencehaveharboredtogethersolong;andwhereevilpassionshaveflitted（forweareallhuman），butfoundnoresting—place.

Oldageisnocalamitytothem.Itcannotterrifythem;foreretheyhadbeenmarriedaweekthewomantaughttheman，loveroftruth，tosearchforthehighestandgreatesttruthsinabookwrittenformen’ssoulsbytheAuthoroftheworld，thesea，thestars，thesun，thesoul;andthisbook，_Deigratia，_will，asthegoodbishopsings，"TeachthemtolivethattheymaydreadThegraveaslittleastheirbed."

Itcannotmakethemsad，for，ereitcomeslovedsoulswillhavegonefromearthandfromtheirtenderbosom，butnotfromtheirmemories;andwillseemtobeckonthemnowacrossthecoldvalleytothegoldenland.

Itcannotmakethemsad，foronearththehappiestmustdrinkasorrowfulcupmorethanonceinalonglife，andsotheirbrightesthopeswillhavecometodwellhabituallyonthingsbeyondthegrave;andthegreatpainter，_jamSenex，_willchieflymeditateuponaricherlandscapeandbrighterfiguresthanhumanhandhaseverpainted;ascenewhoseglorieshecanseefromhencebutbyglimpsesandthroughaglassdarkly;thegreatmeadowsontheothersideofJordan，whicharebrightwiththespiritsofthejustthatwalkthere，andarewarmedwithaneternalsun，andringwiththetriumphofthehumbleandthetrue，andthepraisesofGodforever.