第7章
Nevertheless，itwasunmistakablyhot——aheathomelikeinitsintensity，yetofadifferenteffect，throwinghimintolanguidreverieratherthanfillinghisveinswithfire。Secureinhisseclusionintheleafychase，hetookoffhisjacketandrambledoninhisshirtsleeves。Throughtheopeninghepresentlysawtheabbeyagain，withtherestoredwingwherethenobleownerlivedfortwoorthreeweeksintheyear，butnowgivenovertotheprevailingsolitude。Andthen，issuingfromthechase，hecameuponabroad，moss-grownterrace。Beforehimstretchedatangledandluxuriantwildernessofshrubsandflowers，darkenedbycypressandcedarsofLebanon；itsdundepthsilluminatedbydazzlingwhitestatues，vases，trellises，andpavedpaths，chokedandlostinthetrailinggrowthsofyearsofabandonmentandforgetfulness。Heconsultedhisguide-bookagain。Itwasthe"oldItaliangarden，"
constructedunderthedesignofafamousItaliangardenerbythethirdduke；butitsstudiedformalitybeingdispleasingtohissuccessor，itwasallowedtofallintopicturesquedecayandnegligentprofusion，whichwerenot，however，disturbedbylaterdescendants，——afactdeploredbytheartisticwriteroftheguide-
book，whomournfullycalledattentiontotherarebeautyofthemarblestatues，urns，andfountains，ruinedbyneglect，althoughoneortwooftherarerobjectshadbeenremovedtoDeepDeneLodge，anotherseatofthepresentduke。
ItisneedlesstosaythatMr。Potterconceivedatonceahumorousoppositiontotheartisticenthusiasmofthecritic，and，plungingintothegarden，tookamischievousdelightinitswildnessandthevictoriousstruggleofnaturewiththeformalityofart。Ateverystepthroughthetangledlabyrinthhecouldseewhereprecisionandorderhadbeeninvaded，andeventherigidmasonrybrokenorupheavedbytherebelliousforce。Yethereandtherethetwopowershadcombinedtoofferanexampleofbeautyneithercouldhaveeffectedalone。Apassionvinehadoverrunandenclaspedavasewithaperfectsymmetrynosculptorcouldhaveachieved。A
heavybalustradewasmadeetherealwithadelicatefretworkofvegetationbetweenitsbalusterslikelace。Here，however，thelapandgurgleofwaterfellgratefullyupontheearoftheperspiringandthirstyMr。Potter，andturnedhisattentiontomorematerialthings。Followingthesound，hepresentlycameuponanenormousoblongmarblebasincontainingthreetime-wornfountainswithgroupedfigures。Thepipeswereempty，silent，andchokedwithreedsandwaterplants，butthegreatbasinitselfwasfilledwithwaterfromsomeinvisiblesource。
Aterracedwalkoccupiedonesideofthelongparallelogram；atintervalsandalongtheoppositebank，halfshadowedbywillows，tintedmarblefiguresoftritons，fauns，anddryadsarosehalfhiddeninthereeds。Theyweremoreorlessmutilatedbytime，andhereandthereonlytheempty，moss-coveredplinthsthathadoncesupportedthemcouldbeseen。Buttheyweresolifelikeintheirsubduedcolorintheshadethathewasforamomentstartled。
Thewaterlookeddeliciouslycool。Anaudaciousthoughtstruckhim。Hewasalone，andtheplacewasasecludedone。Heknewtherewerenoothervisitors；themarblebasinwasquitehiddenfromtherestofthegarden，andapproachedonlyfromthepathbywhichhehadcome，andwhoseentireviewhecommanded。Hequietlyanddeliberatelyundressedhimselfunderthewillows，andunhesitatinglyplungedintothebasin。Thewaterwasfourorfivefeetdeep，anditsextremelengthaffordedanexcellentswimmingbath，despitethewater-liliesandafewaquaticplantsthatmottleditsclearsurface，orthesedgethatclungtothebasesofthestatues。Hedisportedforsomemomentsinthedeliciouselement，andthenseatedhimselfupononeofthehalf-submergedplinths，almosthiddenbyreeds，thathadonceupheldarivergod。
Here，lazilyrestinghimselfuponhiselbow，halfhisbodystillbelowthewater，hisquickearwassuddenlystartledbyarustlingnoiseandthesoundoffootsteps。Foramomenthewasinclinedtodoubthissenses；hecouldseeonlytheemptypathbeforehimandthedesertedterrace。Butthesoundbecamemoredistinct，andtohisgreatuneasinessappearedtocomefromtheOTHERsideofthefringeofwillows，wheretherewasundoubtedlyapathtothefountainwhichhehadoverlooked。Hisclotheswereunderthosewillows，buthewasatleasttwentyyardsfromthebankandanequaldistancefromtheterrace。Hewasabouttoslipbeneaththewaterwhen，tohiscrowninghorror，beforehecoulddoso，ayounggirlslowlyappearedfromthehiddenwillowpathfullupontheterrace。Shewaswalkingleisurelywithaparasoloverherheadandabookinherhand。Eveninhisintenseconsternationherwholefigure——acharmingoneinitswhitedress，sailorhat，andtanshoes——wasimprintedonhismemoryassheinstinctivelyhaltedtolookuponthefountain，evidentlyanunexpectedsurprisetoher。
Asuddenideaflasheduponhim。Shewasatleastsixtyyardsaway；
hewashalfhiddeninthereedsandwellinthelongshadowsofthewillows。Ifheremainedperfectlymotionlessshemightoverlookhimatthatdistance，ortakehimforoneofthestatues。Herememberedalsothatashewasrestingonhiselbow，hishalf-
submergedbodylyingontheplinthbelowwater，hewassomewhatintheattitudeofoneoftherivergods。Andtherewasnootherescape。Ifhedivedhemightnotbeabletokeepunderwateraslongassheremained，andanymovementheknewwouldbetrayhim。
Hestiffenedhimselfandscarcelybreathed。Luckilyforhimhisattitudehadbeenanaturaloneandeasytokeep。Itwaswell，too，forshewasevidentlyinnohurryandwalkedslowly，stoppingfromtimetotimetoadmirethebasinanditsfigures。Suddenlyhewasinstinctivelyawarethatshewaslookingtowardshimandevenchangingherposition，movingherprettyheadandshadinghereyeswithherhandasifforabetterview。Heremainedmotionless，scarcelydaringtobreathe。Yettherewassomethingsoinnocentlyfrankandundisturbedinherobservation，thatheknewasinstinctivelythatshesuspectednothing，andtookhimforahalf-
submergedstatue。Hebreathedmorefreely。Butpresentlyshestopped，glancedaroundher，and，keepinghereyesfixedinhisdirection，begantowalkbackwardsslowlyuntilshereachedastonebalustradebehindher。Onthissheleaped，and，sittingdown，openedinherlapthesketch-bookshewascarrying，and，takingoutapencil，tohishorrorbegantosketch！
Forawildmomentherecurredtohisfirstideaofdivingandswimmingatallhazardstothebank，buttheconvictionthatnowhisslightestmovementmustbedetectedheldhimmotionless。Hemustsaveherthemortificationofknowingshewassketchingalivingman，ifhediedforit。Shesketchedrapidlybutfixedlyandabsorbedly，evidentlyforgettingallelseinherwork。Fromtimetotimesheheldouthersketchbeforehertocompareitwithhersubject。Yetthesecondsseemedminutesandtheminuteshours。
Suddenly，tohisgreatrelief，adistantvoicewasheardcalling"Lottie。"Itwasawoman"svoice；byitsaccentitalsoseemedtohimanAmericanone。
Theyounggirlmadeaslightmovementofimpatience，butdidnotlookup，andherpencilmovedstillmorerapidly。Againthevoicecalled，thistimenearer。Theyounggirl"spencilfairlyflewoverthepaper，as，stillwithoutlookingup，sheliftedaprettyvoiceandansweredback，"Y-e-e-s！"
Itstruckhimthatheraccentwasalsothatofacompatriot。
"Whereonearthareyou？"continuedthefirstvoice，whichnowappearedtocomefromtheothersideofthewillowsonthepathbywhichtheyounggirlhadapproached。"Here，aunty，"repliedthegirl，closinghersketch-bookwithasnapandstartingtoherfeet。
Astoutwoman，fashionablydressed，madeherappearancefromthewillowpath。
"Whathaveyoubeendoingallthiswhile？"shesaidquerulously。
"Notsketching，Ihope，"sheadded，withasuspiciousglanceatthebook。"Youknowyourprofessorexpresslyforbadeyoutodosoinyourholidays。"
Theyounggirlshruggedhershoulders。"I"vebeenlookingatthefountains，"sherepliedevasively。
"Andhorridlookingpaganthingstheyare，too，"saidtheelderwoman，turningfromthemdisgustedly，withoutvouchsafingasecondglance。"Come。Ifweexpecttodotheabbey，wemusthurryup，orwewon"tcatchthetrain。Youruncleiswaitingforusatthetopofthegarden。"
And，toPotter"sintenserelief，shegraspedtheyounggirl"sarmandhurriedheraway，theirfiguresthenextmomentvanishinginthetangledshrubbery。
Potterlostnotimeinplungingwithhiscrampedlimbsintothewaterandregainingtheotherside。Herehequicklyhalfdriedhimselfwithsomesun-warmedleavesandbakedmosses，hurriedonhisclothes，andhastenedoffintheoppositedirectiontothepathtakenbythem，yetwithsuchcircuitousskillandspeedthathereachedthegreatgatewaywithoutencounteringanybody。Abriskwalkbroughthimtothestationintimetocatchastoppingtrain，andinhalfanhourhewasspeedingmilesawayfromDomesdayParkandhishalf-forgottenepisode……
Meantimethetwoladiescontinuedontheirwaytotheabbey。"I
don"tseewhyImayn"tsketchthingsIseeaboutme，"saidtheyoungladyimpatiently。"Ofcourse，IunderstandthatImustgothroughtherudimentarydrudgeryofmyartandstudyfromcasts，andlearnperspective，andallthat；butIcan"tseewhat"sthedifferencebetweenworkinginastuffystudiooverahandorarmthatIknowisonlyaSTUDY，andsketchingafullorhalflengthintheopenairwiththewonderfulillusionoflightandshadeanddistance——andgroupingandcombiningthemall——thatoneknowsandfeelsmakesapicture。Therealpictureonemakesisalreadyinone"sself。"
"Forgoodness"sake，Lottie，don"tgoonagainwithyourusualabsurdities。Sinceyouarebentonbeinganartist，andyourPopperhasconsentedandputyouunderthemostexpensivemasterinParis，theleastyoucandoistofollowtherules。AndIdaresayheonlywantedyouto"sinktheshop"incompany。It"ssuchhorridbadformforyouartisticpeopletobealwaysdraggingoutyoursketch-books。WhatwouldyousayifyourPoppercameoverhere，andbegantoexamineeverylady"sdressinsocietytoseewhatmaterialitwas，justbecausehewasabigdry-goodsdealerinAmerica？"
Theyounggirl，accustomedtoheraunt"sextravagances，madenoreply。Butthatnightsheconsultedhersketch，andwassofarconvincedofherowninstincts，andtheprofoundimpressionthefountainhadmadeuponher，thatshewasenabledtosecretlyfinishherinterruptedsketchfrommemory。ForMissCharlotteForrestwasabornartist，andinnomerecapricehadpersuadedherfathertoletheradopttheprofession，andacceptedthedrudgeryofanovitiate。Shelookedearnestlyuponthisfirstrealworkofherhandandfounditgood！Still，itwasbutapencilsketch，andwantedthevivificationofcolor。
WhenshereturnedtoParisshebegan——stillsecretly——alargerstudyinoils。Sheworkeduponitinherownroomeverymomentshecouldsparefromherstudiopractice，unknowntoherprofessor。Itabsorbedherexistence；shegrewthinandpale。Whenitwasfinished，andonlythen，sheshowedittremblinglytohermaster。
Hestoodsilent，inprofoundastonishment。Theeaselbeforehimshowedaforegroundoftangledluxuriance，fromwhichstretchedasheetofwaterlikeadarkenedmirror，whilethroughpartedreedsonitsglossysurfacearosethehalf-submergedfigureofarivergod，exquisiteincontour，yetwhosedelicateoutlineswerealmostavisionbythecrowningillusionoflight，shadow，andatmosphere。
"Itisabeautifulcopy，mademoiselle，andIforgiveyoubreakingmyrules，"hesaid，drawingalongbreath。"ButIcannotnowrecalltheoriginalpicture。"
"It"snocopyofapicture，professor，"saidtheyounggirltimidly，andshedisclosedhersecret。"Itwastheonlyperfectstatuethere，"sheaddeddiffidently；"butIthinkitwanted——
something。"
"True，"saidtheprofessorabstractedly。"Wheretheelbowreststhereshouldbeahalf-invertedurnflowingwithwater；butthedrawingofthatshoulderissoperfect——asisYOURstudyofit——
thatoneguessesthemissingforearmonecannotsee，whichclaspedit。Beautiful！beautiful！"
Suddenlyhestopped，andturnedhiseyesalmostsearchinglyonhers。
"Yousayyouhaveneverdrawnfromthehumanmodel，mademoiselle？"
"Never，"saidtheyounggirlinnocently。
"True，"murmuredtheprofessoragain。"Thesearetheclassicidealmeasurements。Therearenolimbslikethosenow。Yetitiswonderful！Andthisgem，yousay，isinEngland？"
"Yes。"
"Good！Iamgoingthereinafewdays。Ishallmakeapilgrimagetoseeit。Untilthen，mademoiselle，Ibegyoutobreakasmanyofmyrulesasyoulike。"
Threeweekslatershefoundtheprofessoronemorningstandingbeforeherpictureinherprivatestudio。"YouhavereturnedfromEngland，"shesaidjoyfully。
"Ihave，"saidtheprofessorgravely。
"Youhaveseentheoriginalsubject？"shesaidtimidly。
"IhaveNOT。Ihavenotseenit，mademoiselle，"hesaid，gazingathermildlythroughhisglasses，"becauseitdoesnotexist，andneverexisted。"
Theyounggirlturnedpale。
"Listen。IhavegotoEngland。IarriveattheParkofDomesday。
Ipenetratethebeautiful，wildgarden。Iapproachthefountain。
Iseethewonderfulwater，theexquisitelightandshade，thelilies，themysteriousreeds——beautiful，yetnotasbeautifulasyouhavemadeit，mademoiselle，butnostatue——norivergod！I
demanditoftheconcierge。Heknowsofitabsolutelynothing。I
transportmyselftothenobleproprietor，MonsieurleDuc，atadistantchateauwherehehascollectedtheruinedmarbles。Itisnotthere。"
"YetIsawit，"saidtheyounggirlearnestly，yetwithatroubledface。"Oprofessor，"sheburstoutappealingly，"whatdoyouthinkitwas？"
"Ithink，mademoiselle，"saidtheprofessorgravely，"thatyoucreatedit。Believeme，itisafunctionofgenius！More，itisaproof，anecessity！Yousawthebeautifullake，theruinedfountain，thesoftshadows，theemptyplinth，curtainedbyreeds。
Youyourselfsayyoufeeltherewas"somethingwanting。"
Unconsciouslyyouyourselfsuppliedit。Allthatyouhadeverdreamtofmythology，allthatyouhadeverseenofstatuary，throngeduponyouatthatsuprememoment，and，evolvedfromyourownfancy，therivergodwasborn。Itisyourown，chereenfant，asmuchtheoffspringofyourgeniusastheexquisiteatmosphereyouhavecaught，thecharmoflightandshadowthatyouhavebroughtaway。Acceptmyfelicitations。Youhavelittlemoretolearnofme。"
Ashebowedhimselfoutanddescendedthestairsheshruggedhisshouldersslightly。"Sheisanadorablegenius，"hemurmured。
"Yetsheisalsoawoman。Beingawoman，naturallyshehasalover——thisrivergod！Whynot？"
TheextraordinarysuccessofMissForrest"spictureandtheinstantaneousrecognitionofhermeritasanartist，apartfromhernovelsubject，perhapswentfurthertoremoveheruneasinessthananyseriousconvictionoftheprofessor"stheory。Nevertheless，itappealedtoherpoeticandmysticimagination，andalthoughothersubjectsfromherbrushmetwithequallyphenomenalsuccess，andshewasableinayeartoreturntoAmericawithareputationassuredbeyondcriticism，sheneverentirelyforgotthestrangeincidentconnectedwithherinitialeffort。
Andbydegreesasingularchangecameoverher。Rich，famous，andattractive，shebegantoexperienceasentimentalandromanticinterestinthatepisode。Once，whenreproachedbyherfriendsforherindifferencetoheradmirers，shehadhalflaughinglyrepliedthatshehadoncefoundher"ideal，"butneverwouldagain。Yetthejesthadscarcelypassedherlipsbeforeshebecamepaleandsilent。Withthischangecamealsoadesiretore-purchasethepicture，whichshehadsoldinherearlysuccesstoaspeculativeAmericanpicture-dealer。Oninquiryshefound，alas！thatithadbeensoldonlyadayortwobeforetoaChicagogentleman，ofthenameofPotter，whohadtakenafancytoit。
MissForrestcurledherprettylip，but，nothingdaunted，resolvedtoeffectherpurpose，andsoughtthepurchaserathishotel。Shewasusheredintoaprivatedrawing-room，where，onahandsomeeasel，stoodthenewlyacquiredpurchase。Mr。Potterwasout，"butwouldreturninamoment。"
MissForrestwasrelieved，for，aloneandundisturbed，shecouldnowletherfullsoulgoouttoherromanticcreation。Asshestoodthere，shefelttheglamouroftheoldEnglishgardencomebacktoher，theplayoflightandshadow，thesilentpool，thegodlikefaceandbust，withitscast-down，meditativeeyes，seenthroughthepartedreeds。Sheclaspedherhandssilentlybeforeher。Shouldsheneverseeitagainasthen？
"Praydon"tletmedisturbyou；butwon"tyoutakeaseat？"
MissForrestturnedsharplyround。Thenshestarted，utteredafrightenedlittlecry，andfaintedaway。
Mr。Potterwastouched，butamasterofhimself。Asshecameto，hesaidquietly："Icameuponyousuddenly——asyoustoodentrancedbythispicture——justasIdidwhenIfirstsawit。That"swhyI
boughtit。AreyouanyrelativeoftheMissForrestwhopaintedit？"hecontinued，quietlylookingathercard，whichheheldinhishand。
MissForrestrecoveredherselfsufficientlytoreply，andstatedherbusinesswithsomedignity。
"Ah，"saidMr。Potter，"THATisanotherquestion。Yousee，thepicturehasaspecialvaluetome，asIoncesawanold-fashionedgardenlikethatinEngland。Butthatchapthere，——Ibegyourpardon，Imeanthatfigure，——Ifancy，isyourowncreation，entirely。However，I"llthinkoveryourproposition，andifyouwillallowmeI"llcallandseeyouaboutit。"
Mr。Potterdidcall——notonce，butmanytimes——andshowedquitearemarkableinterestinMissForrest"sart。Thequestionofthesaleofthepicture，however，remainedinabeyance。Afewweekslater，afteralongercallthanusual，Mr。Pottersaid：——
"Don"tyouthinkthebestthingwecandoistomakeakindofcompromise，andletusownthepicturetogether？"
Andtheydid。
AROMANCEOFTHELINE
Asthetrainmovedslowlyoutofthestation，theWriterofStorieslookedupwearilyfromtheillustratedpagesofthemagazinesandweekliesonhislaptotheillustratedadvertisementsonthewallsofthestationslidingpasthiscarriagewindows。Itwasgettingtobemonotonous。Forawhilehehadbeenhopefullyinterestedinthebustleofthedepartingtrains，andlookedupfromhiscomfortableandearlyinvestedpositiontothelatercomerswiththatsenseofsuperioritycommontotravelers；hadwatchedtheconventionalleave-takings——alwaysfeeblyprolongedtotheuneasinessofbothparties——andcontrasteditwiththeimpassivebusinesspromptitudeoftherailwayofficials；butitwastheoldexperiencerepeated。Fallingbackontheillustratedadvertisementsagain，hewonderediftheirperpetualrecurrenceateverystationwouldnotatlastbringtothetiredtravelertheloathingofsatiety；whetherthepassengerinrailwaycarriages，continuallyofferedSomebody"soats，inks，washingblue，candles，andsoap，apparentlyasanecessaryequipmentforafewhours"journey，wouldnotthereandthereafterforeverignoretheuseofthesearticles，orrecoilfromthatparticularquality。Or，asanunbiasedobserver，hewonderedif，ontheotherhand，impressiblepassengers，afterpassingthreeorfourstations，hadeverleapedfromthetrainandrefusedtoproceedfurtheruntiltheyweresuppliedwithoneormoreofthosearticles。HadheeverknownanyonewhoconfidedtohiminamomentofexpansivenessthathehaddatedhisuseofSomebody"ssoaptoanadvertisementpersistentlyborneuponhimthroughthemediumofarailwaycarriagewindow？No！Wouldhenothaveconnectedthatmanwiththatothercertifyingindividualwhoalwaysappendsanameandaddresssingularlyobscureandunconvincing，yetwho，atsomesuprememoment，recommendsSomebody"spillstoadyingfriend，——afflictedwithasimilaraddress，——whichrestorehimtolifeandundyingobscurity。Yetthesepictorialandliteraryappealsmusthaveapotencyindependentofthewarestheyadvertise，ortheywouldn"tbethere。
Perhapshewasthemoresensitivetothismonotonyashewasjustthenseekingchangeandnoveltyinordertowriteanewstory。Hewasnotlookingformaterial，——hissubjectswereusuallythesame，——
hewasmerelyhopingforthatrelaxationanddiversionwhichshouldfreshenandfithimforlaterconcentration。Still，hehadoftenheardoftheoddcircumstancestowhichhiscraftweresometimesindebtedforsuggestion。Theinvasionofaneccentric-
lookingindividual——probablyaninnocenttradesmanintoarailwaycarriagehadgiventhehintfor"ANightwithaLunatic；"anervouslyexcitedandbelatedpassengerhadonceunconsciouslysatforanescapedforger；thepickingupofaforgottennovelintherack，withpassagesmarkedinpencil，hadaffordedtheplotofalovestory；orthegermofaromancehadbeenfoundinanobscurenewsparagraphwhich，underlesslistlessmoments，wouldhavepassedunread。Ontheotherhand，herecalledtheseinconvenientandinconsistentmomentsfromwhichtheso-called"inspiration"
sprang，theutterincongruityoftimeandplaceinsomebrilliantconception，andwonderedifsheervacuityofmindwerereallysofavorable。
Goingbacktohismagazineagain，hebegantogetmildlyinterestedinastory。Turningthepage，however，hewasconfrontedbyapictorialadvertisingleafletinsertedbetweenthepages，yetsoartisticincharacterthatitmighthavebeeneasilymistakenforanillustrationofthestoryhewasreading，andperhapswasnotmoreremoteorobscureinreferencethanmanyhehadknown。Butthenextmomentherecognizedwithdespairthatitwasonlyasmallercopyofonehehadseenonthehoardingatthelaststation。Hethrewtheleafletaside，buttheflavorofthestorywasgone。Thepeerlessdetergentoftheadvertisementhaderaseditfromthetabletsofhismemory。Heleanedbackinhisseatagain，andlazilywatchedtheflyingsuburbs。Hereweretheusualpromisingopenspacesandpatchesofgreen，quicklysucceededagainbysolidblocksofhouseswhoserearwindowsgavedirectlyupontheline，yetseldomshowedaninquisitiveface——evenofawonderingchild。Itwasastrangerevelationofthedepressingeffectsoffamiliarity。Expressesmightthunderby，goodstrainsdragtheirslowlengthalong，shuntingtrainspipealldaybeneaththeirwindows，butthetenantsheededthemnot。Here，too，wasthejunction，withitslabyrinthineinterlacingoftracksthatdazedthetiredbrain；theoverburdenedtelegraphposts，thatlookedasiftheyreallycouldnotstandanotherwire；thelonglinesofempty，homeless，anddesertedtrainsinsidingsthathadseenbetterdays；theidletrains，withstaringvacantwindows，whichwereeventuallyseizedbyapertenginehissing，"Comealong，willyou？"anddepartedwithadiscontentedgruntfromeveryindividualcarriagecoupling；theracingtrains，thatsuddenlyappearedparallelwithone"scarriagewindows，begotfalsehopesofachallengeofspeed，andthen，withoutwarning，drewcontemptuouslyand，superciliouslyaway；theswifteclipseofeverythinginatunneledbridge；thelong，slitheringpassageofan"up"express，andthentheflashofastation，incoherentandunintelligiblewithpictorialadvertisementsagain。
Heclosedhiseyestoconcentratehisthought，andbydegreesapleasantlanguorstoleoverhim。Thetrainhadbythistimeattainedthatrateofspeedwhichgaveitaslightswingandrolloncurvesandswitchesnotunliketherockingofacradle。Onceortwiceheopenedhiseyessleepilyuponthewaltzingtreesinthedoubleplanesofdistance，andagainclosedthem。Then，inoneoftheseslightoscillations，hefelthimselfridiculouslyslippingintoslumber，andawokewithsomeindignation。Anotherstationwaspassed，inwhichprocessthepictorialadvertisementsonthehoardingsandthepicturesinhislapseemedtohavebecomejumbledup，confused，andtodancebeforehim，andthensuddenlyandstrangely，withoutwarning，thetrainstoppedshort——atANOTHER
station。Andthenhearose，and——whatfiveminutesbeforeheneverconceivedofdoing——gatheredhispapersandslippedfromthecarriagetotheplatform。WhenIsay"he"Imean，ofcourse，theWriterofStories；yetthemanwhoslippedoutwashalfhisageandadifferent-lookingperson……
Thechangefromthemotionofthetrain——foritseemedthathehadbeentravelingseveralhours——tothefirmerplatformforamomentbewilderedhim。Thestationlookedstrange，andhefancieditlackedacertainkindofdistinctness。Butthatqualitywasalsonoticeableintheportersandloungersontheplatform。Hethoughtitsingular，untilitseemedtohimthattheywerenotcharacteristic，norinanywayimportantornecessarytothebusinesshehadinhand。Then，withaneffort，hetriedtorememberhimselfandhispurpose，andmadehiswaythroughthestationtotheopenroadbeyond。Avan，bearingtheinscription，"RemovalstoTownandCountry，"stoodbeforehimandblockedhisway，butadogcartwasinwaiting，andagrizzledgroom，whoheldthereins，touchedhishatrespectfully。Althoughstilldazedbyhisjourneyanduncertainofhimself，heseemedtorecognizeinthemanthatdistinctivecharacterwhichwaswantingintheothers。Thecorrectnessofhissurmisewasrevealedafewmomentslater，when，afterhehadtakenhisseatbesidehim，andtheywererattlingoutofthevillagestreet，themanturnedtowardshimandsaid：——
"Tha"llknowSirJarge？"
"Idonot，"saidtheyoungman。
"Ay！buttheer"smanyascoomshereasdoan"t，foralltheycooms。
Tha"llsayitillbecoomsmeaaswarmanandboyinSirJarge"ssarviceforfiftyyear，tosayowtagenhim，butI"mheretodoit，ortheycouldn"tfoolfiltheirbusiness。ThawasttoaxmequestionsaboutSirJargeandtheGrange，andIwortoanswersoaastomakethathinktharwassuthingwrongwi"un。HowbutImaysavethatimeandtelltheadownroightthatSirJargeforgedhisuncle"swill，andsogottentheGrange。That"eekeepshisnieceinmortalfearo"he。Thattha"llbeputinhauntedchamberwi"aboggle。"
"Ithink，"saidtheyoungmanhesitatingly，"thattheremustbesomemistake。IdonotknowanySirGeorge，andIamNOTgoingtotheGrange。"
"Eay！Thentheearen"tthe"erosentdownfromLondonbythestorywriter？"
"NotbyTHATone，"saidtheyoungmandiffidently。
Theoldman"sfacechanged。Itwasnomerefigureofspeech：itactuallywasANOTHERfacethatlookeddownuponthetraveler。
"ThenmayhapyourhonorwillbebespokenattheAngel"sInn，"hesaid，withanentirelydistinctandolderdialect，"andafinerhostelforayounggentlemanofyourconditionye"llnotfindonthissideofOxford。Afairchamber，lookingtothesun；sheetssmellingoflavenderfromDameMargery"sownstore，and，forthematterofthat，spreadbythefairhandsofMaudlin，herdaughter——
thebestfavoredlassthateverdancedunderaMaypole。Ha！haveatyethere，youngsir！NottospeakoftheOctoberaleofoldGregory，herfather——ay，northerareHollands，thatneverpaidexcisedutiestotheking。"
"I"mafraid，"saidtheyoungtravelertimidly，"there"soveracenturybetweenus。There"sreallysomemistake。"
"What？"saidthegroom，"yeareNOTtheyoungsparkwhoistomarryMistressAmyattheHall，yetmakesapotherandmessofitallbyaduelwithSirRogerdeCadgerly，thewickedbaronet，forhisover-freediscoursewithourfairMaudlinthisveryeve？YeareNOTthetravelerwhosepost-chaiseisnowattheFalcon？YearenothethatwasbespokenbythestorywriterinLondon？"
"Idon"tthinkIam，"saidtheyoungmanapologetically。"Indeed，asIamfeelingfarfromwell，IthinkI"llgetoutandwalk。"
Hegotdown——thevehicleanddrivervanishedinthedistance。Itdidnotsurprisehim。"Imustcollectmythoughts，"hesaid。Hedidso。Possiblythecollectionwasnotlarge，forpresentlyhesaid，withasighofrelief：——
"Iseeitallnow！MynameisPaulBunker。IamoftheyoungbranchofanoldQuakerfamily，richandrespectedinthecountry，andIamonavisittomyancestralhome。ButIhavelivedsinceachildinAmerica，andamalientothetraditionsandcustomsoftheoldcountry，andevenoftheseattowhichmyfathersbelong。I
havebroughtwithmefromthefarWestmanypeculiaritiesofspeechandthoughtthatmaystartlemykinsfolk。ButIcertainlyshallnotaddressmyuncleas"Hoss！"norshallIsay"guess"oftenerthanisnecessary。"
Muchbrightenedandrefreshedbyhissettledidentity，hehadtime，ashewalkedbrisklyalong，tonoticethescenery，whichwascertainlyvariedandconflictingincharacter，andquiteinconsistentwithhispreconceivednotionsofanEnglishlandscape。
Onhisright，alakeofthebrightestcobaltbluestretchedbeforeamany-toweredandterracedtown，whichwasrelievedbyabackgroundofluxuriantfoliageandemerald-greenmountains；onhisleftarosearuggedmountain，whichhewassurprisedtoseewassnow-capped，albeitatunnelwasobservablemidwayofitsheight，andatrainjustissuingfromit。Almostregrettingthathehadnotcontinuedonhisjourney，ashewasfullysensiblethatitwasinsomewayconnectedwiththerailwayhehadquitted，presentlyhisattentionwasdirectedtothegatewayofahandsomepark，whosemansionwasfaintlyseeninthedistance。Hurryingtowardshim，downtheavenueoflimes，wasastrangefigure。Itwasthatofamanofmiddleage；cladinQuakergarb，yetwithanextravaganceofcutanddetailwhichseemedantiquatedevenforEngland。Hehadevidentlyseentheyoungmanapproaching，andhisfacewasbeamingwithwelcome。IfPaulhaddoubtedthatitwashisuncle，thefirstwordshespokewouldhavereassuredhim。
"WelcometoHawthornHall，"saidthefigure，graspinghishandheartily，"buttheewillexcusemeifIdonottarrywiththeelongatpresent，forIamhastening，evennow，withsomenourishingandsustainingfoodforGilesHayward，afarmlaborer。"Hepointedtoapackagehewascarrying。"ButtheewillfindthycousinsJaneandDorcasBunkertakingteainthesummer-house。Gotothem！
Nay——positively——Imaynotlinger，butwillreturntotheequickly。"
And，toPaul"sastonishment，hetrottedawayonhissturdy，respectablelegs，stillbeamingandcarryinghispackageinhishand。
"Well，I"llbedog-goned！buttheoldmanain"tgoingtobeleft，youbet！"heejaculated，suddenlyrememberinghisdialect。"He"llgetthere，whetherschoolkeepsornot！"Then，reflectingthatnooneheardhim，headdedsimply，"Hecertainlywasnotoverciviltowardsthenephewhehasneverseenbefore。Andthosegirls——whomIdon"tknow！Howveryawkward！"
Nevertheless，hecontinuedhiswayuptheavenuetowardsthemansion。Theparkwasbeautifullykept。RememberingthenativewildnessandvirginseclusionoftheWesternforest，hecouldnothelpcontrastingitwiththeconservativegardeningofthisprettywoodland，everyroodofwhichhadbeenpatrolledbykeepersandrangers，andpreservedandfosteredhundredsofyearsbeforehewasborn，untilwarmedforhumanoccupancy。Attimestheavenuewascrossedbygrassdrives，wheretheoriginalwoodlandhadbeendisplaced，notbytheexigencyofa"clearing"fortillage，asinhisownWest，butfortheleisurelypleasureoftheowner。Then，afewhundredyardsfromthehouseitself，——aquaintJacobeanmansion，——hecametoanopenspacewherethesylvanlandscapehadyieldedtofloralcultivation，andsofelluponacharmingsummer-
house，orarbor，emboweredwithroses。Itmusthavebeentheoneofwhichhisunclehadspoken，forthere，tohiswonderingadmiration，sattwolittlemaidsbeforearustictable，drinkingteademurely，yes，withalltheevidentdelightofachildishescapadefromtheirelders。Whileinthepicturesquequaintnessoftheirattiretherewasstillaformalsuggestionofthesecttowhichtheirfatherbelonged，theirsummerfrocks——differingincolor，yeteachofthesamesubduedtint——werealikeincutandfashion，andshortenoughtoshowtheirdaintyfeetinprimslippersandsilkenhosethatmatchedtheirfrocks。Astheafternoonsunglancedthroughtheleavesupontheirpinkcheeks，tiedupinquainthatsbyribbonsundertheirchins，theymadeacharmingpicture。AtleastPaulthoughtsoasheadvancedtowardsthem，hatinhand。Theylookedupathisapproach，butagaincastdowntheireyeswithdemureshyness；yethefanciedthattheyfirstexchangedglanceswitheachother，fullofmischievousintelligence。
"IamyourcousinPaul，"hesaidsmilingly，"thoughIamafraidI
amintroducingmyselfalmostasbrieflyasyourfatherjustnowexcusedhimselftome。HetoldmeIwouldfindyouhere，buthehimselfwashasteningonaSamaritanmission。"
"Withaboxinhishand？"saidthegirlssimultaneously，exchangingglanceswitheachotheragain。
"Withaboxcontainingsomerestorative，Ithink，"respondedPaul，alittlewonderingly。
"Restorative！SoTHAT"Swhathecallsitnow，isit？"saidoneofthegirlssaucily。"Well，nooneknowswhat"sinthebox，thoughhealwayscarriesitwithhim。Theeneverseeshimwithoutit"——
"Andarollofpaper，"suggestedtheothergirl。
"Yes，arollofpaper——butoneneverknowswhatitis！"saidthefirstspeaker。"It"sverystrange。Butnomatternow，Paul。
WelcometoHawthornHall。IamJaneBunker，andthisisDorcas。"
Shestopped，andthen，lookingdowndemurely，added，"Theemaykissusboth，cousinPaul。"
Theyoungmandidnotwaitforasecondinvitation，butgentlytouchedhislipstotheirsoftyoungcheeks。
"TheedoesnotspeaklikeanAmerican，Paul。Istheereallyandtrulyone？"continuedJane。
Paulrememberedthathehadforgottenhisdialect，butitwastoolatenow。
"Iamreallyandtrulyone，andyourowncousin，andIhopeyouwillfindmeaverydear"——
"Oh！"saidDorcas，startingupprimly。"Youmustreallyallowmetowithdraw。"Totheyoungman"sastonishment，sheseizedherparasol，and，withayouthfulaffectationofdignity，glidedfromthesummer-houseandwaslostamongthetrees。
"Thydeclarationtomewasrathersudden，"saidJanequietly，inanswertohislookofsurprise，"andDorcasispeculiarlysensitiveandlesslikethe"world"speople"thanIam。Anditwasjustalittlecruel，consideringthatshehaslovedtheesecretlyalltheseyears，followedthyfortunesinAmericawithbreathlesseagerness，thrilledatthynarrowescapes，andweptatthyprivations。"
"Butshehasneverseenmebefore！"saidtheastoundedPaul。
"Andtheehadneverseenmebefore，andyettheehasdaredtoproposetomefiveminutesaftertheearrived，andinherpresence。"
"But，mydeargirl！"expostulatedPaul。
"Standoff！"shesaid，rapidlyopeningherparasolandinterposingitbetweenthem。"Anotherstepnearer——ay，evenanotherwordofendearment——andIshallbecompelled——nay，forced，"sheaddedinalowervoice，"toremovethisparasol，lestitshouldbecrushedandruined！"
"Isee，"hesaidgloomily，"youhavebeenreadingnovels；butsohaveI，andthesameones！Nevertheless，IintendedonlytotellyouthatIhopedyouwouldalwaysfindmeakindfriend。"
Sheshutherparasolupwithasnap。"AndIonlyintendedtotelltheethatmyheartwasgiventoanother。"
"YouINTENDED——andnow？"
"Isitthe"kindfriend"whoasks？"
"Ifitwerenot？"
"Really？"
"Yes。"
"Ah！"
"Oh！"
"Buttheelovesanother？"shesaid，toyingwithhercup。
Heattemptedtotoywithhis，butbrokeit。Amanlacksdelicacyinthiskindofpersiflage。"YoumeanIamlovedbyanother，"hesaidbluntly。
"Youdaretosaythat！"shesaid，flashing，inspiteofherprimdemeanor。
"No，butYOUdidjustnow！Yousaidyoursisterlovedme！"
"DidI？"shesaiddreamily。"Dear！dear！That"sthetroubleoftryingtotalklikeMr。Blank"sdelightfuldialogues。Onegetssomixed！"
"Yetyouwillbeasistertome？"hesaid。""TisanoldAmericanjoke，but"twillserve。"
Therewasalongsilence。
"HadtheenotbettergotosisterDorcas？Sheisplayingwiththecows，"saidJaneplaintively。
"Youforget，"hereturnedgravely，"that，onpage27ofthenovelwehavebothread，atthispointheissupposedtokissher。"
Shehadforgotten，buttheybothrememberedintime。Atthismomentascreamcamefaintlyfromthedistance。Theybothstarted，androse。
"ItissisterDorcas，"saidJane，sittingdownagainandpouringoutanothercupoftea。"IhavealwaystoldherthatoneofthoseSwisscowswouldhookher。"
Paulstaredatherwithastrangerevulsionoffeeling。"IcouldsaveDorcas，"hemutteredtohimself，"inlesstimethanittakestodescribe。"Hepaused，however，ashereflectedthatthiswoulddependentirelyuponthemethodsofthewriterofthisdescription。
"Icouldrescueher！Ihaveonlytotakethefirstclothes-linethatIfind，andwiththatknowledgeandskillwiththelassowhichIlearnedinthewildsofAmerica，Icouldstopthechargeofthemostfuriousruminant。Iwill！"andwithoutanotherwordheturnedandrushedoffinthedirectionofthesound……
Hehadnotgoneahundredyardsbeforehepaused，alittlebewildered。Totheleftcouldstillbeseenthecobaltlakewiththeterracedbackground；totherighttheruggedmountains。Hechosethelatter。Luckilyforhimacottager"sgardenlayinhispath，andfromalinesupportedbyasinglepoledependedthehomelylinenofthecottager。Totearthesegarmentsfromthelinewastheworkofamoment（althoughitrepresentedthewholeweek"swashing），andhastilycoilingtheropedexterouslyinhishand，hespedonward。Alreadypantingwithexertionandexcitement，afewroodsfartherhewasconfrontedwithaspectaclethatlefthimbreathless。
Awoman——young，robust，yetgracefullyformed——wasrunningaheadofhim，drivingbeforeherwithanopenparasolananimalwhichheinstantlyrecognizedasoneofthatsimpleyettreacherousspeciesmostfearedbythesex——knownasthe"MooCow。"
Foramomenthewasappalledbythespectacle。Butitwasonlyforamoment！Recallinghismanhoodandherweakness，hestopped，andbracinghisfootagainstastone，withagracefulflourishofhislassoaroundhishead，threwitintheair。Ituncoiledslowly，spedforwardwithunerringprecision，andmissed！Withthesinglecryof"Saved！"thefairstrangersankfaintinginhisarms！Heheldhercloselyuntilthecolorcamebacktoherpaleface。Thenhequietlydisentangledthelassofromhislegs。
"WhereamI？"shesaidfaintly。
"Inthesameplace，"hereplied，slowlybutfirmly。"But，"headded，"youhavechanged！"
Shehad，indeed，eventoherdress。Itwasnowofavividbrickred，andsomuchlongerintheskirtthatitseemedtomakehertaller。Onlyherhatremainedthesame。
"Yes，"shesaid，inalow，reflectivevoiceandadisregardofherpreviousdialect，asshegazedupinhiseyeswithaneloquentlucidity，"Ihavechanged，Paul！IfeelmyselfchangingatthosewordsyouutteredtoJane。Therearemomentsinawoman"slifethatmanknowsnothingof；momentsbitterandcruel，sweetandmerciful，thatchangeherwholebeing；momentsinwhichthesimplegirlbecomesaworldlywoman；momentsinwhichtheslowprocessionofheryearsisnevernoted——exceptbyanotherwoman！Momentsthatchangeheroutlookontheworldandherrelationstoit——andherhusband"srelations！Momentswhenthemaidbecomesawife，thewifeawidow，thewidoware-marriedwoman，byasimple，swiftilluminationofthefancy。Momentswhen，wroughtuponbyasingleword——alook——anemphasisandrisinginflection，alllogicalsequenceiscastaway，processesarelost——inductionsleadnowhere。
Momentswhentheinharmoniousbecomesharmonious，theindiscreetdiscreet，theinefficientefficient，andtheinevitableevitable。
Imean，"shecorrectedherselfhurriedly——"YouknowwhatImean！
Ifyouhavenotfeltityouhavereadit！"
"Ihave，"hesaidthoughtfully。"Wehavebothreaditinthesamenovel。Sheisafinewriter。"
"Ye-e-s。"Shehesitatedwiththatslightresentmentofpraiseofanotherwomansodelightfulinhersex。"ButyouhaveforgottentheMooCow！"andshepointedtowherethedistractedanimalwascareeringacrossthelawntowardsthegarden。
"Youareright，"hesaid，"theincidentisnotyetclosed。Letuspursueit。"
Theybothpursuedit。Discardingtheuselesslasso，hehadrecoursetoafewwell-aimedepithets。Theinfuriatedanimalswervedandmadedirectlytowardsasmallfountaininthecentreofthegarden。Inattemptingtoclearit，itfelldirectlyintothedeepcup-likebasinandremainedhelplesslyfixed，withitsfore-
legsprojectinguneasilybeyondtherim。
"Letusleaveitthere，"shesaid，"andforgetit——andallthathasgonebefore。Believeme，"sheadded，withafaintsigh，"itisbest。Ourpathsdivergefromthismoment。Igotothesummer-
house，andyougototheHall，wheremyfatherisexpectingyou。"
Hewouldhavedetainedheramomentlonger，butsheglidedawayandwasgone。
Lefttohimselfagain，thatslightsenseofbewildermentwhichhadcloudedhismindforthelasthourbegantoclearaway；hissingularencounterwiththegirlsstrangelyenoughaffectedhimlessstronglythanhisbriefandunsatisfactoryinterviewwithhisuncle。For，afterall，hewashishost，anduponhimdependedhisstayatHawthornHall。Themysteriousandslightingallusionsofhiscousinstotheoldman"seccentricitiesalsopiquedhiscuriosity。Whyhadtheysneeredathisdescriptionofthecontentsofthepackagehecarried——andwhatdiditreallycontain？Hedidnotreflectthatitwasnoneofhisbusiness，——peopleinhissituationseldomdo，——andheeagerlyhurriedtowardstheHall。