IfeltthatIwentpale，andthoughnat'rallyaboldspeaker，I
　　couldn'thardlysay，"Where'sNormandy?"
　　"Bolted。Withtheplate，"saidMr。Chops。
　　"Andt'otherone?"meaninghimasformerlyworethebishop'smitre。
　　"Bolted。Withthejewels，"saidMr。Chops。
　　Isatdownandlookedathim，andhestoodupandlookedatme。
　　"Magsman，"hesays，andheseemedtomyselftogetwiserashegothoarser；"Society，takeninthelump，isalldwarfs。AtthecourtofSt。James's，theywasalladoingmyoldbusiness——allagointhreetimesroundtheCairawan，intheholdcourt-suitsandproperties。Elsewheres，theywasmostof'emringintheirlittlebellsoutofmake-believes。Everywheres，thesarserwasagoinround。Magsman，thesarseristheuniwersalInstitution!"
　　Iperceived，youunderstand，thathewassouredbyhismisfortunes，andIfeltforMr。Chops。
　　"AstoFatLadies，"hesays，givinghisheadatremendiousoneaginthewall，"there'slotsofTHEMinSociety，andworsethantheoriginal。HERSwasaoutrageuponTaste——simplyaoutrageuponTaste——awakenincontempt——carryinitsownpunishmentintheformofaIndian。"Herehegivhimselfanothertremendiousone。"ButTHEIRS，Magsman，THEIRSismercenaryoutrages。LayinCashmeershawls，buybracelets，strew'emandalotof'andsomefansandthingsaboutyourrooms，letitbeknownthatyougiveawaylikewatertoallascometoadmire，andtheFatLadiesthatdon'texhibitforsomuchdownuponthedrum，willcomefromallthepintsofthecompasstoflockaboutyou，whateveryouare。They'lldrillholesinyour'art，Magsman，likeaCullender。Andwhenyou'venomorelefttogive，they'lllaughatyoutoyourface，andleaveyoutohaveyourbonespickeddrybyWulturs，likethedeadWildAssofthePrairiesthatyoudeservetobe!"Herehegivhimselfthemosttremendiousoneofall，anddropped。
　　Ithoughthewasgone。HisEdwassoheavy，andheknockeditsohard，andhefellsostoney，andthesassagerialdisturbanceinhimmusthavebeensoimmense，thatIthoughthewasgone。But，hesooncomeroundwithcare，andhesatuponthefloor，andhesaidtome，withwisdomcominoutofhiseyes，ifeveritcome:
　　"Magsman!Themostmaterialdifferencebetweenthetwostatesofexistencethroughwhichyourunhappyfriendhaspassed；"hereachedouthispoorlittlehand，andhistearsdroppeddownonthemoustachiowhichitwasacredittohimtohavedonehisbesttogrow，butitisnotinmortalstocommandsuccess，——"thedifferencethis。WhenIwasoutofSociety，Iwaspaidlightforbeingseen。
　　WhenIwentintoSociety，Ipaidheavyforbeingseen。Iprefertheformer，evenifIwasn'tforceduponit。Givemeoutthroughthetrumpet，intheholdway，to-morrow。"
　　Arterthat，heslidintothelineagainaseasyasifhehadbeeniledallover。Buttheorganwaskepfromhim，andnoallusionswasevermade，whenacompanywasin，tohisproperty。Hegotwisereveryday；hisviewsofSocietyandthePublicwasluminous，bewilderin，awful；andhisEdgotbiggerandbiggerashisWisdomexpandedit。
　　Hetookwell，andpulled'eminmostexcellentfornineweeks。Attheexpirationofthatperiod，whenhisEdwasasight，heexpressedoneevenin，thelastCompanyhavinbeenturnedout，andthedoorshut，awishtohavealittlemusic。
　　"Mr。Chops，"IsaidIneverdroppedthe"Mr。"withhim；theworldmightdoit，butnotme；"Mr。Chops，areyousureasyouareinastateofmindandbodytositupontheorgan?"
　　Hisanswerwasthis:"Toby，whennextmetwithonthetramp，I
　　forgiveherandtheIndian。AndIam。"
　　ItwaswithfearandtremblingthatIbegantoturnthehandle；buthesatlikealamb。Iwillbemybelieftomydyingday，thatIseehisEdexpandashesat；youmaythereforejudgehowgreathisthoughtswas。Hesatoutallthechanges，andthenhecomeoff。
　　"Toby，"hesays，withaquietsmile，"thelittlemanwillnowwalkthreetimesroundtheCairawan，andretirebehindthecurtain。"
　　Whenwecalledhiminthemorning，wefoundhimgoneintoamuchbetterSocietythanmineorPallMall's。IgivMr。Chopsascomfortableafuneralaslayinmypower，followedmyselfasChief，andhadtheGeorgetheFourthcanvasscarriedfirst，intheformofabanner。But，theHousewassodismalarterwards，thatIgivitup，andtooktotheWanagain。
　　"Idon'ttriumph，"saidJarber，foldingupthesecondmanuscript，andlookinghardatTrottle。"Idon'ttriumphoverthisworthycreature。Imerelyaskhimifheissatisfiednow?"
　　"Howcanhebeanythingelse?"Isaid，answeringforTrottle，whosatobstinatelysilent。"Thistime，Jarber，youhavenotonlyreadusadelightfullyamusingstory，butyouhavealsoansweredthequestionabouttheHouse。Ofcourseitstandsemptynow。Whowouldthinkoftakingitafterithadbeenturnedintoacaravan?"I
　　lookedatTrottle，asIsaidthoselastwords，andJarberwavedhishandindulgentlyinthesamedirection。
　　"Letthisexcellentpersonspeak，"saidJarber。"Youwereabouttosay，mygoodman?"-
　　"Ionlywishedtoask，sir，"saidTrottledoggedly，"ifyoucouldkindlyobligemewithadateortwoinconnectionwiththatlaststory?"
　　"Adate!"repeatedJarber。"Whatdoesthemanwantwithdates!"
　　"Ishouldbegladtoknow，withgreatrespect，"persistedTrottle，"ifthepersonnamedMagsmanwasthelasttenantwholivedintheHouse。It'smyopinion——ifImaybeexcusedforgivingit——thathemostdecidedlywasnot。"
　　Withthosewords，Trottlemadealowbow，andquietlylefttheroom。
　　ThereisnodenyingthatJarber，whenwewerelefttogether，lookedsadlydiscomposed。Hehadevidentlyforgottentoinquireaboutdates；and，inspiteofhismagnificenttalkabouthisseriesofdiscoveries，itwasquiteasplainthatthetwostorieshehadjustread，hadreallyandtrulyexhaustedhispresentstock。Ithoughtmyselfbound，incommongratitude，tohelphimoutofhisembarrassmentbyatimelysuggestion。SoIproposedthatheshouldcometoteaagain，onthenextMondayevening，thethirteenth，andshouldmakesuchinquiriesinthemeantime，asmightenablehimtodisposetriumphantlyofTrottle'sobjection。
　　Hegallantlykissedmyhand，madeaneatlittlespeechofacknowledgment，andtookhisleave。FortherestoftheweekI
　　wouldnotencourageTrottlebyallowinghimtorefertotheHouseatall。Isuspectedhewasmakinghisowninquiriesaboutdates，butI
　　putnoquestionstohim。
　　OnMondayevening，thethirteenth，thatdearunfortunateJarbercame，punctualtotheappointedtime。Helookedsoterriblyharassed，thathewasreallyquiteaspectacleoffeeblenessandfatigue。Isaw，ataglance，thatthequestionofdateshadgoneagainsthim，thatMr。MagsmanhadnotbeenthelasttenantoftheHouse，andthatthereasonofitsemptinesswasstilltoseek。
　　"WhatIhavegonethrough，"saidJarber，"wordsarenoteloquentenoughtotell。OSophonisba，Ihavebegunanotherseriesofdiscoveries!Acceptthelasttwoasstorieslaidonyourshrine；
　　andwaittoblamemeforleavingyourcuriosityunappeased，untilyouhaveheardNumberThree。"
　　NumberThreelookedlikeaveryshortmanuscript，andIsaidasmuch。Jarberexplainedtomethatweweretohavesomepoetrythistime。InthecourseofhisinvestigationshehadsteppedintotheCirculatingLibrary，toseekforinformationontheoneimportantsubject。AlltheLibrary-peopleknewabouttheHousewas，thatafemalerelativeofthelasttenant，astheybelieved，had，justafterthattenantleft，sentalittlemanuscriptpoemtothemwhichshedescribedasreferringtoeventsthathadactuallypassedintheHouse；andwhichshewantedtheproprietoroftheLibrarytopublish。Shehadwrittennoaddressonherletter；andtheproprietorhadkeptthemanuscriptreadytobegivenbacktoherthepublishingofpoemsnotbeinginhislinewhenshemightcallforit。Shehadnevercalledforit；andthepoemhadbeenlenttoJarber，athisexpressrequest，toreadtome。
　　Beforehebegan，IrangthebellforTrottle；beingdeterminedtohavehimpresentatthenewreading，asawholesomecheckonhisobstinacy。TomysurprisePeggyansweredthebell，andtoldme，thatTrottlehadsteppedoutwithoutsayingwhere。Iinstantlyfeltthestrongestpossibleconvictionthathewasathisoldtricks:
　　andthathissteppingoutintheevening，withoutleave，meant——
　　Philandering。
　　Controllingmyselfonmyvisitor'saccount，IdismissedPeggy，stifledmyindignation，andprepared，aspolitelyasmightbe，tolistentoJarber。
　　THREEEVENINGSINTHEHOUSE
　　NUMBERONE。
　　I。
　　Yes，itlook'ddarkanddrearyThatlongandnarrowstreet:
　　Onlythesoundoftherain，Andthetrampofpassingfeet，Thedullerglowofthefire，AndgatheringmistsofnightTomarkhowslowandwearyThelongday'scheerlessflight!
　　II。
　　Watchingthesullenfire，Hearingthedrearyrain，Dropafterdrop，rundownOnthedarkeningwindow-pane；
　　ChillwastheheartofBertha，Chillasthatwinterday，-
　　ForthestarofherlifehadrisenOnlytofadeaway。
　　III。
　　ThevoicethathadbeensostrongTobidthesnaredepart，Thetrueandearnestwill，Andthecalmandsteadfastheart，Werenowweigh'ddownbysorrow，Werequiveringnowwithpain；
　　Theclearpathnowseem'dclouded，Andallhergriefinvain。
　　IV。
　　Duty，Right，Truth，whopromisedTohelpandsavetheirown，Seem'dspreadingwidetheirpinionsToleavehertherealone。
　　So，turningfromthePresentTowell-knowndaysofyore，Shecall'donthemtostrengthenAndguardhersouloncemore。
　　V。
　　ShethoughthowinhergirlhoodHerlifewasgivenaway，ThesolemnpromisespokenShekeptsowellto-day；
　　HowtoherbrotherHerbertShehadbeenhelpandguide，Andhowhisartist-natureOnhercalmstrengthrelied。
　　VI。
　　Howthroughlife'sfretandturmoilThepassionandfireofartInhimwassoothedandquicken'dByhertruesisterheart；
　　HowfuturehopeshadalwaysBeenforhissakealone；
　　Andnow，whatstrangenewfeelingPossess'dherasitsown?
　　VII。
　　Herhome；eachflowerthatbreathedthere；
　　Thewind'ssigh，softandlow；
　　Eachtremblingsprayofivy；
　　Theriver'smurmuringflow；
　　Theshadowoftheforest；
　　Sunset，ortwilightdim；
　　Dearastheywere，weredearerByleavingthemforhim。
　　VIII。
　　AndeachyearasitfoundherInthedull，feverishtown，Sawselfstillmoreforgotten，AndselfishcarekeptdownBythecalmjoyofeveningThatbroughthimtoherside，Towarnhimwithwisecounsel，Orpraisewithtenderpride。
　　IX。
　　Herheart，herlife，herfuture，Hergenius，onlymeantAnotherthingtogivehim，Andbetherewithcontent。
　　To-day，whatwordshadstirr'dher，Hersoulcouldnotforget?
　　Whatdreamhadfill'dherspiritWithstrangeandwildregret?
　　X。
　　Toleavehimforanother:
　　Coulditindeedbeso?
　　CouldithavecostsuchanguishTobidthisvisiongo?
　　Wasthisherfaith?WasHerbertThesecondinherheart?
　　DiditneedallthisstruggleTobidadreamdepart?
　　XI。
　　Andyet，withinherspiritAfar-offlandwasseen；
　　Ahome，whichmighthaveheldher；
　　Alove，whichmighthavebeen；
　　AndLife:notthemerebeingOfdailyebbandflow，ButLifeitselfhadclaim'dher，Andshehadletitgo!
　　XII。
　　Withinherheartthereecho'dAgainthewell-knowntuneThatpromisedthisbrightfuture，Andask'dherforitsown:
　　Thenwordsofsorrow，brokenByhalf-reproachfulpain；
　　Andthenafarewell，spokenInwordsofcolddisdain。
　　XIII。
　　WherenowwasthesternpurposeThatnervedhersoulsolong?
　　Whencecamethewordssheutter'd，Sohard，socold，sostrong?
　　WhatrighthadshetobanishAhopethatGodhadgiven?
　　Whymustshechooseearth'sportion，AndturnasidefromHeaven?
　　XIV。
　　To-day!Wasitthismorning?
　　Ifthislong，fearfulstrifeWasbuttheworkofhours，Whatwouldbeyearsoflife?
　　WhydidacruelHeavenForsuchgreatsufferingcall?
　　Andwhy——O，stillmorecruel!-
　　Mustherownwordsdoall?
　　XV。
　　Didsherepent?OSorrow!
　　WhydowelingerstillTotakethylovingmessage，Anddothygentlewill?
　　See，hertearsfallmoreslowly；
　　Thepassionatemurmurscease，AndbackuponherspiritFlowstrength，andlove，andpeace。
　　XVI。
　　Thefireburnsmorebrightly，Therainhaspassedaway，HerbertwillseenoshadowUponhishometo-day；
　　OnlythatBerthagreetshimWithdoublytendercare，KissingafonderblessingDownonhisgoldenhair。
　　NUMBERTWO。
　　I。
　　Thestudioisdeserted，Paletteandbrushlaidby，Thesketchrestsontheeasel，Thepaintisscarcelydry；
　　AndSilence——whoseemsalwaysWithinherdepthstobearThenextsoundthatwillutter-
　　Nowholdsadumbdespair。
　　II。
　　SoBerthafeelsit:listeningWithbreathless，stonyfear，WaitingthedreadfulsummonsEachminutebringsmorenear:
　　Whentheyounglife，nowebbing，Shallfail，andpassawayIntothatmightyshadowWhoshroudsthehouseto-day。
　　III。
　　Butwhy——whenthesickchamberIsontheupperfloor-
　　WhydaresnotBerthaenterWithintheclose-shutdoor?
　　Ifhe——herall——herBrother，Liesdyinginthatgloom，WhatstrangemysteriouspowerHassentherfromtheroom?
　　IV。
　　Itisnotoneweek'sanguishThatcanhavechangedherso；
　　Joyhasnotdiedherelately，Struckdownbyonequickblow；
　　ButcruelmonthshaveneededTheirlongrelentlesschain，ToteachthatshrinkingmannerOfhelpless，hopelesspain。
　　V。
　　ThestrugglewasscarceoverLastChristmasEvehadbrought:
　　ThefibresstillwerequiveringOftheonewoundedthought，WhenHerbert——who，unconscious，Hadguessednoinwardstrife-
　　Badeher，inprideandpleasure，Welcomehisfairyoungwife。
　　VI。
　　Badeherrejoice，andsmiling，Althoughhiseyesweredim，Thank'dGodhethuscouldpayherThecareshegavetohim。
　　ThisfreshbrightlifewouldbringherAnewandjoyousfate-
　　OBertha，checkthemurmurThatcries，Toolate!toolate!
　　VII。
　　Toolate!CouldshehaveknownitAfewshortweeksbefore，Thathislifewascompleted，Andneedinghersnomore，Shemight——Osadrepining!
　　What"mighthavebeen，"forget；
　　"Itwasnot，"shouldsufficeusTostiflevainregret。
　　VIII。
　　Heneededhernolonger，Eachdayitgrewmoreplain；
　　Firstwithastartledwonder，Thenwithawonderingpain。
　　Love:why，hiswifebestgaveit；
　　Comfort:durstBerthaspeak?
　　Counsel:whenquickresentmentFlush'dontheyoungwife'scheek。
　　IX。
　　NomorelongtalksbyfirelightOfchildishtimeslongpast，AnddreamsoffuturegreatnessWhichhemustreachatlast；
　　Dreams，whereherpurerinstinctWithtruthunerringtoldWherewastheworthlessgilding，Andwhererefinedgold。
　　X。
　　Slowly，butsurelyever，Dora'spoorjealouspride，Whichshecall'dloveforHerbert，DroveBerthafromhisside；
　　And，spiteofnervouseffortTosharetheiralter'dlife，ShefeltachecktoHerbert，Aburdentohiswife。
　　XI。
　　Thiswastheleast；forBerthaFear'd，dreaded，KNEWatlength，HowmuchhisnatureowedherOftruth，andpower，andstrength；
　　Andwatch'dthedailyfailingOfallhisnoblerpart:
　　Lowaims，weakpurpose，tellingInlower，weakerart。
　　XII。
　　Andnow，whenheisdying，ThelastwordsshecouldhearMustnotbehers，butgivenThebrideofoneshortyear。
　　Thelastcareisanother's；
　　ThelastprayermustnotbeTheonetheylearnttogetherBesidetheirmother'sknee。
　　XIII。
　　Summon'datlast:shekissesTheclay-coldstiffeninghand；
　　And，readingpleadingeffortsTomakeherunderstand，Answers，withsolemnpromise，Inclearbuttremblingtone，ToDora'slifehenceforwardShewilldevoteherown。
　　XIV。
　　Nowallisover。BerthaDaresnotremaintoweep，ButsoothesthefrightenedDoraIntoasobbingsleep。
　　Thepoorweakchildwillneedher:
　　O，whocandarecomplain，WhenGodsendsanewDutyTocomforteachnewPain!
　　NUMBERTHREE。
　　I。
　　TheHouseisalldesertedInthedimeveninggloom，OnlyonefigurepassesSlowlyfromroomtoroom；
　　And，pausingateachdoorway，SeemsgatheringupagainWithinherhearttherelicsOfbygonejoyandpain。
　　II。
　　ThereisanearnestlongingInthosewhoonwardgaze，LookingwithwearypatienceTowardsthecomingdays。
　　Thereisadeeperlonging，Moresad，morestrong，morekeen:
　　Thoseknowitwholookbackward，Andyearnforwhathasbeen。
　　III。
　　Ateveryhearthshepauses，Toucheseachwell-knownchair；
　　Gazesfromeverywindow，Lingersoneverystair。
　　WhathavethesemonthsbroughtBerthaNowonemoreyearispast?
　　ThisChristmasEveshalltellus，Thethirdoneandthelast。
　　IV。
　　Thewilful，waywardDora，Inthosefirstweeksofgrief，CouldseekandfindinBerthaStrength，soothing，andrelief。
　　AndBertha——lastsadcomfortTruewoman-heartcantake-
　　HadsomethingstilltosufferAnddoforHerbert'ssake。
　　V。
　　Spring，withherwesternbreezes，FromIndianislandsboreToBerthanewsthatLeonardWouldseekhishomeoncemore。
　　Whatwasit——joy，orsorrow?
　　Whatwerethey——hopes，orfears?
　　Thatflush'dhercheekswithcrimson，Andfill'dhereyeswithtears?
　　VI。
　　Hecame。AndwhosokindlyCouldaskandhearhertellHerbert'slasthours；forLeonardHadknownandlovedhimwell。
　　Dailyhecame；andBertha，Poorwearheart，atlength，Weigh'ddownbyother'sweakness，Couldrestuponhisstrength。
　　VII。
　　YetnotthevoiceofLeonardCouldhertruecarebeguile，Thatturn'dtowatch，rejoicing，Dora'srevivingsmile。
　　So，fromthatlittlehouseholdTheworstgloompass'daway，TheonebrighthourofeveningLitupthelivelongday。
　　VIII。
　　Dayspassed。ThegoldensummerInsuddenheatboredownItsblue，bright，glowingsweetnessUponthescorchingtown。
　　AndsightsandsoundsofcountryCameinthewarmsofttuneSungbythehoney'dbreezesBorneonthewingsofJune。
　　IX。
　　Onetwilighthour，butearlierThanusual，BerthathoughtSheknewthefreshsweetfragranceOfflowersthatLeonardbrought；
　　Throughopen'ddoorsandwindowsItstoleupthroughthegloom，AndwithappealingsweetnessDrewBerthafromherroom。
　　X。
　　Yes，hewasthere；andpausingJustneartheopen'ddoor，Tocheckherheart'squickbeating，Sheheard——andpausedstillmore-
　　HislowvoiceDora'sanswers-
　　Hispleading——Yes，sheknewThetone——thewords——theaccents:
　　Sheoncehadheardthemtoo。
　　XI。