Wewerequitenearourhotel，butIthoughtitbesttowalkroundthesquareandletthemarrivefirst。OnthewayIamusedmyselfthinkinghowdifferentthegirlhadshownherselftohimfromwhatshehadevershownherselftomywifeorme。Shehadreally，thisplain-mindedgoddess，aveinofpoeticfeeling，someinnerbeautyofsoulansweringtotheouterbeautyofbody。Shehadaromanticattachmenttoherfather，andthisshedasortoflightonbothofthem，thoughIknewthatitwasnotalwaysarevelationofcharacter。
CHAPTERXIII
WhenIreachedthehotelIfoundMissGageatthedoor，andKendrickscomingoutoftheofficetowardher。
"Oh，hereheis!"shecalledtohimatsightofme。
"Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen？"hedemanded。"Ihadjustfoundoutfromtheclerkthatyouhadn'tcomeinyet，andIwasgoingbackforyouwithasearchlight。"
"Oh，Iwasn'tsobadlylostasallthat，"Ireturned。"Imissedyouinthecrowdatthedoor，butIknewyou'dgethomesomehow，andsoIcameonwithoutyou。Butmyagedstepsarenotsoquickasyours。"
Thewords，mechanicallyuttered，suggestedsomething，andIthoughtthatiftheywereinforweirdnessIwouldgivethemasmuchweirdnessastheycouldaskfor。"Whenyougetalongtowardfiftyyou'llfindthatthefootyou'vestillgotoutofthegravedoesn'tworksolivelyasitused。Besides，Iwasinterestedinthenighteffect。It'ssogloriouslydark；andIhadafinesenseofisolationasIcamealong，asifIwerealtogetheroutofmyepochandmyenvironment。IfeltasiftheearthwasasortofFlyingDutchman，andIwastheonlypassenger。ItwasabouttheweirdestsensationIeverhad。Itremindedme，Idon'tknowhow，exactlyofthefeelingIhadwhenIwasyoung，andIsawthesunsetoneeveningthroughthewoodsafterasleet-storm。"
TheystaredateachotherasIwenton，andIcouldseeKendricks'sfineeyeskindlewithanimaginativeappreciationoftheliteraryqualityofthecoincidence。ButwhenIadded，"DidyoueverreadapoemabouttheendoftheworldbythatCityofDreadfulNightman？"
MissGageimpulsivelycaughtmebythecoatlapelandshookme。
"Ah，itwasyouallthetime!Iknewtherewassomebodyfollowingus，andImighthaveKNOWNwhoitwas!"
Weallgavewayinagaleoflaughter，andsatdownontheverandahandhadourjokeoutinfullrecognitionofthefact。WhenKendricksrosetogoatlast，Isaid，"Wewon'tsayanythingaboutthislittleincidenttoMrs。March，hey？"Andthentheylaughedagainasifitwerethefinestwitintheworld，andMissGagebademeajoyfulgood-nightattheheadofthestairsasshewentofftoherroomandItomine。
IfoundMrs。Marchwaitingupwithabook；andassoonasIshutmyselfinwithhershesaid，awfully，"WhatWEREyoulaughingsoabout？"
"Laughing？Didyouhearmelaughing？"
"Thewholehouseheardyou，I'mafraid。Youcertainlyoughttohaveknownbetter，Basil。Itwasveryinconsiderateofyou。"AndasI
sawshewasgoingonwithmoreofthatsortofthing，todivertherthoughtsfrommycrimeItoldherthewholestory。IthadquitetheeffectIintendeduptoacertainpoint。Sheevensmiledalittle，asmuchasawomancouldbeexpectedtosmilewhowasnotoriginallyinthejoke。
"Andtheyhadgottocomparingweirdexperiences？"sheasked。
"Yes；thestalenessofthethingalmostmademesick。Doyourememberwhenwefirstcomparedourweirdexperiences？ButI
supposetheywillgoondoingittotheendoftime，anditwillhaveasgreatacharmforthelastmanandwomanasithadforAdamandEvewhentheycomparedTHEIRweirdexperiences。"
"Andwasthatwhatyouwerelaughingat？"
"WewerelaughingatthewonderfulcaseoftelepathyIputuponthem。"
Mrs。Marchfacedheropenbookdownonthetablebeforeher，andlookedatmewithprofoundsolemnity。"Well，then，Icantellyou，mydear，itisnolaughingmatter。Iftheyhavegottotheweirditisveryserious；andhertalkingtohimaboutherfamily，andhiswantingtoknowaboutherfather，that'sserioustoo——farmoreseriousthaneitherofthemcanunderstand。Idon'tlikeit，Basil；
wehavegotaterribleaffaironourhands。"
"Terrible？"
"Yes，terrible。Aslongashewasinterestedinhersimplyfromaliterarypointofview，thoughIdidn'tlikethateither，Icouldputupwithit；butnowthathe'sgottotellingherabouthimself，andexchangingweirdexperienceswithher，it'sanotherthingaltogether。Oh，IneverwantedKendricksbroughtintotheaffairatall。"
"Comenow，Isabel!Sticktothefacts，please。"
"Nomatter!Itwasyouthatdiscoveredthegirl，andthensomethinghadtobedone。IwasperfectlyshockedwhenyoutoldmethatMr。
Kendrickswasintown，becauseIsawatoncethathewouldhavetobegotinforit；andnowwehavetothinkwhatweshalldo。"
"Couldn'twethinkbetterinthemorning？"
"No；wemustthinkatonce。Ishallnotsleepto-nightanyhow。Mypeaceisgone。Ishallhavetowatchthemeveryinstant。"
"Beginningatthisinstant。Whynotwaittillyoucanseethem？"
"Oh，youcan'tjokeitaway，mydear。IfIfindtheyarereallyinterestedineachotherIshallhavetospeak。Iamresponsible。"
"Theyounglady，"Isaid，moretogaintimethananythingelse，"seemsquitecapableoftakingcareofherself。"
"Thatmakesitalltheworse。DoyouthinkIcareforheronly？
It'sKendrickstoothatIcarefor。Idon'tknowthatIcareforheratall。"
"Oh，thenIthinkwemayfairlyleaveKendrickstohisowndevices；
andI'mnotalarmedforMissGageeither，thoughIdocareforheragreatdeal。"
"Idon'tunderstandhowyoucanbesoheartlessaboutit，Basil，"
saidMrs。March，plaintively。"Sheisayounggirl，andshehasneverseenanythingoftheworld，andofcourseifhekeepsonpayingherattentioninthiswayshecan'thelpthinkingthatheisinterestedinher。Mennevercanseesuchthingsaswomendo。Theythinkthat，untilamanhasactuallyaskedagirltomarryhim，hehasn'tdoneanythingtowarrantherinsupposingthatheisinlovewithher，orthatshehasanyrighttobeinlovewithhim。"
"Thatistrue；wecan'timaginethatshewouldbesoindelicate。"
"Iseethatyou'redeterminedtotease，mydear，"saidMrs。March，andshetookupherbookwithanairofoffenceanddismissal。"Ifyouwon'ttalkseriously，Ihopeyouwillthinkseriously，andtrytorealisewhatwe'vegotinfor。Suchagirlcouldn'timaginethatwehadsimplygotMrKendrickstogoaboutwithherfromaromanticwishtomakeherhaveagoodtime，andthathewasdoingittoobligeus，andwasn'tatallinterestedinher。"
"Itdoeslookalittlepreposterous，eventotheoutsider，"I
admitted。
"Iamgladyouarebeginningtoseeitinthatlight，mydear，andifyoucanthinkofanythingtodobymorningIshallbehumblythankful。_I_don'texpectto。"
"PerhapsIshalldreamofsomething，"IsaidmorelightlythanI
felt。"Howwoulditdoforyoutohavealittletalkwithher——alittlemotherlytalk——andhintround，andwarnhernottoletherfeelingsrunawaywithherinKendricks'sdirection？"Mrs。Marchfacedherbookdowninherlap，andlistenedasiftheremightbesomereasoninthenonsenseIwastalking。"Youmightsaythathewasasocietyman，andwasingreatrequest，andthenintimatethattherewasapriorattachment，orthathewasthekindofmanwhowouldnevermarry，butwasreallycold-heartedwithallhissweetness，andmerelyhadapassionforstudyingcharacter。"
"Doyouthinkthatwoulddo，Basil？"sheasked。
"Well，Ithoughtperhapsyoumightthinkso。"
"I'mafraiditwouldn't，"shesighed。
"Allthatwecandonowistowatchthem，andactpromptly，ifweseethattheyarereallyinlove，eitherofthem。"
"Idon'tbelieve，"Isaid，"thatIshouldknowthattheywereinloveevenifIsawit。Ihaveforgottentheoutwardsigns，ifI
everknewthem。Shouldhegiveherflowers？He'sdoneitfromthestart；he'sbroughtherboxesofHuylercandy，andlentherbooks；
butIdaresayhe'sbeenmerelycomplyingwithourwishesindoingit。Idoubtifloverssighnowadays。Ididn'tsighmyself，eveninmytime；andIdon'tbelieveanypassioncouldmakeKendricksneglecthisdress。Hekeepshiseyesonherallthetime，butthatmaybemerelyanefforttodivinehercharacter。Idon'tbelieveI
shouldknow，indeedIdon't。"
"Ishall，"saidMrs。March。
CHAPTERXIV
Weweretogothenextdaytotheraces，andIwokewithmoreanxietyabouttheweatherthanaboutthelovers，orpotentiallovers。Butafterrealisingthatthedaywasbeautiful，onthatlargescaleoflovelinesswhichseemscharacteristicofthesummerdaysatSaratoga，wheretheyhavethemalmostthesizeofthesummerdaysIknewwhenIwasaboy，Iwassensibleofasecondaryworryinmymind，whichpresentlyrelateditselftoKendricksandMissGage。
Itwasahazeoftroublemerely，however，suchasburnsoff，likeamorningfog，whenthesungetshigher，anditwaschieflyonmywife'saccount。
IsupposethatthegreatdifferencebetweenherconscienceandoneoriginatingoutsideofNewEnglandifanyconsciencecanoriginateoutsideofNewEnglandisthatitcannotleavethemoralgovernmentoftheuniverseinthehandsofdivineProvidence。IwaswillingtoleavesomanythingswhichIcouldnotcontroltotheDeity，whoprobablycouldthatsheaccusedmeoffatalism，andIwasheldtobelittlebetterthanoneofthewickedbecauseIwouldnotforecasttheeffectsofwhatIdidinthelivesofothers。Iinsistedthatotherswerealsoprobablyinthehandsofthesommasapienzaeilprimoamore，andthatIwassolittleawareoftheinfluenceofotherlivesuponmyown，evenwheretherehadbeenadirectandstrenuousefforttoaffectme，thatIcouldnotreadilybelieveothershadswervedfromthelineoftheirdestinybecauseofme。
EspeciallyIprotestedthatIcouldnotholdmyselfguiltyofmisfortunesIhadnotintended，eventhoughmyfaultyconducthadcausedthem。AstothisbusinessofKendricksandMissGage，I
deniedinthedisputeInowbegantacitlytoholdwithMrs。March'sconsciencethatmyconducthadbeenfaulty。Isaidthattherewasnoearthlyharminmyhavingbeeninterestedbythegirl'sforlornnesswhenIfirstsawher；thatIdidnotdowrongtointerestMrs。Marchinher；thatshedidnotsiningoingshoppingwithMissGageandMrs。Deering；thatwehadnotsinned，eitherofus，inrejoicingthatKendrickshadcometoSaratoga，orinlettingMrs。DeeringgohometohersickhusbandandleaveMissGageonourhands；thatwewerenotwickedinpermittingtheyoungfellowtohelpusmakeherhaveagoodtime。InthiscolloquyIdidallthereasoning，andMrs。March'sconsciencewascompletelysilenced；butitrosetriumphantinmymiserablesoulwhenImetMissGageatbreakfast，lookingradiantlyhappy，anddisposedtofellowshipmeinanunusualconfidencebecause，asIclearlyperceived，ofourlastnight'sadventure。Isaidtomyselfbitterlythathappinessdidnotbecomeherstyle，andIhopedthatshewouldgetawaywithherconfoundedrapturebeforeMrs。Marchcamedown。IresolvednottotellMrs。Marchifitfelloutso，butatthesametime，asasortofatonement，IdecidedtobeginkeepingthesharpestkindofwatchuponMissGagefortheoutwardsignsandtokensoflove。
Shesaid，"Whenyoubegantotalkthatwaylastnight，Mr。March，italmosttookmybreath，andifyouhadn'tgonesofar，andmentionedaboutthesunsetthroughthesleetytrees，Inevershouldhavesuspectedyou。"
"Ah，that'sthetroublewithmen，MissGage。"AndwhenIsaid"men"
Ifanciedsheflushedalittle。"Weneverknowwhentostop；wealwaysoverdoit；ifitwerenotforthatweshouldbeasperfectaswomen。Perhapsyou'llgivemeanotherchance，though。"
"No；weshallbeonourguardafterthis。"Shecorrectedherselfandsaid，"Ishallalwaysbelookingoutforyounow，"andshecertainlyshowedherselfconsciousinthebridlingglancethatmetmykeengaze。
"Goodheavens!"Ithought。"Hasitreallygonesofar？"andmorethaneverIresolvednottotellMrs。March。
Iwentouttoengageacarriagetotakeustotheraces，andtoagreewiththedriverthatheshouldwaitforusatacertaincornersomeblocksdistantfromourhotel，whereweweretowalkandfindhim。Wealwaysdidthis，becausetherewereanumberofclergymeninourhouse，andMrs。Marchcouldnotmakeitseemrighttostartfortheracesdirectfromthedoor，thoughsheheldthatitwasperfectlyrightforustogo。Forthesamereasonshemadethedriverstopshortofourdestinationonourreturn，andwalkedhometherestoftheway。AlmostthefirsttimewepractisedthisdeceptionIwasmetatthedoorbythesweetestanddearestoftheseolddivines，whosaid，"Haveyoueverseentheraceshere？I'mtoldthespectacleissomethingveryfine，"andIwasobligedtoownthatIhadoncehadaglimpseofthem。ButitwasinvainthatIpleadedthisfactwithMrs。March；sheinsistedthattheappearanceofnotgoingtotheraceswassomethingthatweowedthecloth，andnoconnivanceontheirpartcoulddispenseusfromit。
AsInowwentlookingupanddownthestreetforthedriverwhowasusuallyonthewatchformeabouteleveno'clockonafairdayoftheraces，Iturnedoverinmymindtheseveralaccidentswhichareemployedinnovelstobringyoungpeopletoarealisingsenseoftheirfeelingstowardeachother，andwonderedwhichofthemImightmostsafelyinvoke。IwasnotanxioustohaveKendricksandMissGagelovers；itwouldbealtogethersimplerforusiftheywerenot；
butiftheywere，thesoonertheyknewitandweknewitthebetter。
Ithoughtofacarriageaccident，inwhichheshouldseizeherandleapwithherfromtheflyingvehicle，whilethehorsesplungedmadlyon，butIdidnotknowwhatinthiscasewouldbecomeofMrs。
Marchandme。Besides，Icouldthinkofnothingthatwouldfrightenourdriver'shorses，andIdismissedthefleetingnotionofgettinganyothersbecauseMrs。Marchlikedtheirbeingsosafe，andshehad，besides，interestedherselfparticularlyinthedriver，whohadafamilyandcounteduponourcustom。Thepoorfellowcameinsightpresently，andsmilinglymadetheusualarrangementwithme，andanhourlaterhedeliveredusallsoundinwindandlimbattheracecourse。
Iwatchedinvainforsignsofuncommontendernessinthetwoyoungpeople。Ifanythingtheywereratherstiffanddistantwitheachother，andIaskedmyselfwhetherthismightnotbefromanaccessofconsciousness。KendrickswasparticularlydevotedtoMrs。March，who，intheairydetachmentwithwhichsherespondedtohisattentions，gavemetheimpressionthatshehadabsolutelydismissedhersuspicionsofthenightbefore，orelsehadheartlesslyabandonedtheaffairtomealtogether。Ifshehadreallydonethis，thenIsawnowayoutofitformebutbyanaccidentwhichshouldrevealthemtoeachother。PerhapssomeonemightinsultMissGage——
someruffian——andKendricksmightstrikethefellow；butthisseemedtoosqualid。Theremightbeaterriblejam，andheinterposehispersonbetweenherandthedangerofherbeingcrushedtodeath；
orthefloorofthegrandstandmightgiveway，andeverybodybeprecipitatedintothespacebeneath，andhefighthisway，withhersenselessformonhisarm，overthebodiesofthemangledanddying。
Anyofthesethingswouldhaveavailedinanovel，andsomethingofthekindwouldhavehappened，too。But，totellthetruth，nothingwhateverhappened，andifithadnotbeenforthatanxietyonmymindIshouldhavethoughtitmuchpleasanterso。
EvenasitwasIfeltameasureofthehilaritywhichcommonlyfillsmeatarunningrace，andIbegantoloseinthecharmofthegayscenethesenseofmyresponsibility，andlittlebylittletoabatethevigilanceapparentlyleftalltome。Thedaywasbeautiful；thelongheathadburneditselfout，andtherewasaclearsparkleinthesunshine，whichseemedblownacrossthewidespacewithintheloopofthetrackbythedelicatebreeze。Avague，remotesmellofhorseshauntedtheair，withnowandthenabreathofthepinesfromthegroveshuttingtherace-groundfromthehighway。Wegotexcellentplaces，asonealwaysmay，thegrandstandissovast，andtheyoungpeopledisposedthemselvesonthebenchinfrontofus，butsonearthatwewerenottemptedtotalkthemover。Thenewsboyscameroundwithpapers，andtheboyswhosoldprogrammesoftheraces；fromthebarbelowthereappearedfromtimetotimeshiningnegroesinwhitelinenjackets，withtraysbearingtallglassesoflemonade，andstrawstiltedintheglasses。Bookmakersfromthepool-roomstookthebetsoftheladies，whoformedbyfarthegreaterpartofthespectatorsonthegrandstand，andcontributed，withtheirsummerhatsandgowns，tothegaietyoftheensemble。Theywereofalltypes，cityandcountryboth，andoftheSoutherndarkaswellastheNorthernfaircomplexion，withsothickasprinklingofSouthAmericansthattheSpanishgutturalsmadethemselvesalmostasmuchheardastheYankeenasals。Amongthemmovedtwonunsofsomemendicantorder，receivingcharityfromthefairgamblers，whogaveforluckwithoutdistinctionofraceorreligion。
IleanedforwardandcalledKendricks'sattentiontothenuns，andtotheadmirableliteraryqualityofthewholesituation。HewastalkingtoMissGage，andhesaidasimpatientlyasheeversufferedhimselftospeak，"Yes，yes；tremendouslypicturesque。"
"Yououghttogetsomethingoutofit，mydearfellow。Don'tyoufeelcopyinit？"
"Oh，splendid，ofcourse；butit'syourground，Mr。March。I
shouldn'tfeelitrighttodoanythingwithSaratogaafteryouhaddiscoveredit，"andheturnedeagerlyagaintoMissGage。
Mywifeputherhandonmysleeveandfrowned，andIhadsofarlostmyselfinmyappreciationofthescenethatIwasgoingtoaskherwhatthematterwas，whenageneralsensationaboutmemademelookatthetrack，wherethehorsesforthefirstracehadalreadyappeared，withtheirjockeysinvividsilkjacketsofvariousdyes。
Theybegantoformforthestartwiththeusualtricksandfeints，tillIbecameveryindignantwiththem，thoughIhadnobetspending，anddidnotcareintheleastwhichhorsewon。WhatI
wantedwastoseetherace，theflight，andallthismiserablemanoeuvringwasretardingit。Nowandthenajockeyrodehishorsefaroffonthetrackandcamebackbetweenthefalsestarts；nowandthenonekeptstubbornlybehindtherestandwouldnotstartwiththem。HowtheirseveralschemesandambitionswerefinallyreconciledInevercouldtell，butatlastthestarter'sflagsweptdownandtheywerereallyoff。Everybodycouldhaveseenperfectlywellastheysat，buteverybodyroseandwatchedtheswiftswoopofthehorses，bunchedtogetherinthedistance，andscarcelydistinguishablebythecoloursoftheirriders。Thesuprememomentcameformewhentheywereexactlyoppositethegrandstand，fullhalfamileaway——themomentthatIrememberedfromyeartoyearasoneofexquisiteillusion——forthenthehorsesseemedtoliftfromtheearthaswithwings，andtoskimoverthetracklikeacoveyoflow-flyingbirds。Thefinishwastametothis。Mrs。MarchandI
hadourwonteddifferenceofopinionastowhichhorsehadwon，andwewereratheruncommonlycontroversialbecausewehadbothdecideduponthesamehorse，aswefound，onlyshewastalkingofthejockey'scolours，andIwastalkingofthehorse's。WeappealedtoKendricks，whosaidthatanotherhorsealtogetherhadwontherace，andthiscompromisepacifiedus。
Wewereallonfoot，andhesuggested，"Wecouldseebetter，couldn'twe，ifwewentfartherdowninfront？"AndMrs。Marchanswered-
"No，weprefertostayhere；butyoutwocango。"Andwhentheyhadpromptlyavailedthemselvesofherleave，shesaidtome，"Thisiskillingmedead，Basil，andifitkeepsupmuchlongerIdon'tbelieveIcanlivethroughit。Idon'tcarenow，andIbelieveI
shallthrowthemtogetherallIcanfromthisout。Thequickertheydecidewhetherthey'reinloveornotthebetter。_I_havesomerightstoo。"
Herwhirlingwordsexpressedthefeelinginmyownmind。Ihadthesamesenseofbeingtrifledwithbytheseyoungpeople，whowouldnotbehavesoconclusivelytowardeachotherastojustifyourinterferenceonthegroundthattheywereinlove，noryettreateachothersoindifferentlyastorelieveusofthestrainofapprehension。Ihadlostallfaithinaccidentbythistime，andI
wasquitewillingtoleavethemtotheirowndevices；IwassodesperatethatIsaidIhopedtheywouldgetlostfromus，astheyhadfrommethenightbefore，andnevercomeback，butjustkeeponwanderingroundforever。AllsortsofvengefulthoughtswentthroughmymindasIsawthemleaningtowardeachothertosaysomething，andthendrawingaparttolaughinwhatseemedanindefinitecomraderyinsteadofanirrepressiblepassion。Didtheythinkweweregoingtoletthissortofthinggoon？Whatdidtheysupposeournervesweremadeof？Hadtheynomercy，noconsideration？Itwasquiteliketheselfishnessofyouthtowishtocontinueinthatfool'sparadise，buttheywouldfindoutthatmiddleagehaditsrightstoo。Ifeltcapableofaskingthembluntlywhattheymeantbyit。Butwhentheydocilelyrejoinedusattheendoftheraces，hurryingupwithsomejokeaboutnotlettingmegetlostthistime，andMissGageputherselfatmywife'ssideandKendricksdroppedintostepwithme，allIhadbeenthinkingseemedabsurd。Theywerejusttwoyoungpeoplewhowereenjoyingaholiday-timetogether，andwewereinnowiseculpableconcerningthem。
IsuggestedthistoMrs。Marchwhenwegothome，and，intheneedofsomerelieffromthetensionshehadbeenin，shewasfaintoacceptthetheoryprovisionally，thoughIknewthatherlaterrejectionofitwouldbeallthemoreviolentforthisrespite。
CHAPTERXV
TherewastobeahopattheGrandUnionthatnight，andIhadgotticketsforitinvirtueofmyrelationtoEveryOtherWeek。Imustsaytheclerkwhogavethemmewasverycivilaboutit；hesaidtheywerereallyonlyforthehotelguests，buthewasgladtogivethemtooutsiderswhoappliedwithpropercredentials；andheevenofferedmemoreticketsthanIaskedfor。
MissGagewasgettingadressforthehop，anditwastobefinishedthatday。Ithinkwomenreallylikethescareofthinkingtheirdresseswillnotbedoneforagivenoccasion，andsoarrangetohavethematthelastmoment。Mrs。Marchwentwiththegirlearlyintheafternoontohaveittriedonforthelasttime，andtheycamehomereportingthatitwasapoem。Mywifeconfidedtomethatitwasnothalfdone——merelybegun，infact——andwouldneverbefinishedintimeintheworld。ShealsoassuredMissGagethatsheneednotbetheleastuneasy；thattherewasnotanhour'sworkonthedress；andthatthedress-maker'sreputationwasatstake，andshewouldnotdaretofailher。Iknewshewasperfectlysincereinboththesedeclarations，whichwere，indeed，merelytheexpressionoftwomentalattitudes，andhadnorelationtothefacts。
Sheaddedtomethatshewascompletelywornoutwithanxietyandworry，andImustnotthinkofhergoingtothehop。Iwouldhavetodothechaperoningforher，andshedidhopethatIwouldnotforgetwhatIwassentfor，orgettalkingwithsomebody，andleaveMissGagealtogethertoKendricks。Shesaidthatquitelikelytheremightbefriendsoracquaintancesofhisatthehop——suchalargeaffair——whomhewouldwanttoshowsomeattention，andImusttakechargeofMissGagemyself，andtrytofindherotherpartners。ShedrilledmeinthedutiesofmypositionuntilIbelievedthatIwasletter-perfect，andthenshesaidthatshesupposedIwouldcommitsometerribleblunderthatwouldruineverything。
Ithoughtthatthiswasverylikely，too，butIwouldnotadmitit。
Thedresscamehomeatnineo'clock，andoperatedahappydiversionfrommyimaginableshortcomings；foritappearedfromMrs。March'sasidestomethatitwasaperfecthorrorintheset，andthateverybodycouldseethatithadbeensimplySLUNGtogetheratthelastmoment，andshewouldnever，aslongastheworldstood，gotothatwomanforanythingagain。
ImustsayIcouldnotmyselfseeanythingwrongaboutthedress。I
thoughtitexquisiteintintandtexture；adelicate，pale-greenishfilmthatclungandfloated，andsetoffthegirl'sbeautyastheleafageofaflowerheightensthelovelinessofaflower。IdidnotdaretosaythisinthefaceofMrs。March'sprivatedespair，andI
wassilentwhilethegirlsubmittedtobetwirledaboutformyinspectionlikeastatueonarevolvingpedestal。Kendricks，however，hadnosuchrestrictionsuponhim，andIcouldseehimstartwithdelightinthesplendidvisionbeforehespoke。
"ISN'Titapoem？"demandedMrs。March。"Isn'titaperfectLYRIC？"
"Whyshouldyouhaveallowedhertobetransportedaltogetherintotheideal？Wasn'tshefarenoughfromusbefore？"heasked；andI
foundmyselfwishingthathewouldbeeitherlessormorearticulate。Heoughttohavebeenmutewithpassion，orelseheoughttohavebeenfranklyvolubleaboutthegirl'sgown，andgoneonaboutitlonger。Buthesimplyleftthematterthere，andthoughIkepthimcarefullyundermyeye，Icouldnotseethathewasconcealinganyfurtheremotion。She，onherpart，neitherblushednorfrownedathiscompliment；shedidnothingbylookorgesturetoprovokemorepraise；shetookitverymuchasthebeautifuleveningmight，soundeniablyfine，soperfectinitsway。
Sheandtheeveningwereequallyfittedfortheeventtowhichtheyseemedequallydedicated。Thedancingwastobeoutofdoorsonavastplanking，orplatform，setupintheheartofthatboskycourtwhichthehotelincloses。Aroundthisplatformdroopedtheslim，tallSaratogantrees，andoverithungtheSaratogansky，ofanocturnalblueveryrareinourlatitude，withthestarsfaintinitsdepths，andbyandbyawhitemoonthatpermitteditselfamodestcompetitionwiththeelectriclightseffulgenteverywhere。
Therewasagreatcrowdofpeopleintheportico，thevestibule，andtheinnerpiazzas，andonthelawnaroundtheplatform，where"thetroddenweed"sentupthesweetscentofbruisedgrassinthecoolnightair。Myfoolisholdheartboundedwithapulseofyouthatthethoughtofallthegayandtenderpossibilitiesofsuchascene。
Buttheyoungpeopleundermycareseemedinnohastetomingleinit。Weoldstersarealwaysfancyingyouthimpatient，butthereisnotimeoflifewhichhassomuchpatience。Itbehavesasifithadeternitybeforeit——aneternityofyouth——insteadofafewdaysandyears，andthenthefrostypoll。Wewhoareyoungnolongerthinkwewoulddosoandsoifwewereyoung，aswomenthinktheywoulddosoandsoiftheyweremen；butifwewerereallyyoungagain，weshouldnotdoatallwhatwethink。Weshouldnothurrytoexperienceouremotions；weshouldnotpressforwardtodischargeourdutiesorrepairourmistakes；weshouldnotseizetheoccasiontomakeafriendorreconcileanenemy；weshouldletweeksandmonthsgobyintherealisationofapassion，andtrustallsortsofcontingenciesandaccidentstohelpusoutwithitsconfession。Thethoughtsofyouthareverylong，anditsconclusionsaredeliberateanddelayed，andoftenwithheldaltogether。Itisagewhichistremulouslyeagerinthesematters，andcannotwaitwiththefinepatienceofnatureinhergrowingmoods。
Assoon，even，asIwasinthehotelIwasimpatienttopressthroughtotheplacewherethedancingwas，andwhereIalreadyheardthebandplaying。IknewverywellthatwhenwegotthereI
shouldhavetositdownsomewhereontheedgeoftheplatformwiththeotherfrumpsandfogies，andbegintakingcoldinmydress-coat，andwanttodozeoffwithoutbeingableto，whilemyyoungpeoplewerewaltzingtogether，orelsepromenadingupanddownignoringme，orrecognisingmebytheofferofafan，andthequestionwhetherI
wasnotsimplymelting；Ihaveseenhowthepoorchaperonfaresatsuchtimes。Butthey，secureoftheirfun，werebynomeansdesiroustohaveitover，oreventohaveitbegin。Theydawdledthroughthethrongedhoteloffice，whereotherirresponsiblepairswerecomingandgoingundertheadmiringeyesofthehotelloungers，andtheywanderedupanddownthewasteparlours，andsatontete-a-
tetesjusttotrythem，apparently；andMissGageverifiedinthemirrorsthebeautywhichwasreflectedinalleyes。Theyamusedthemselveswiththeextentoftherichly-carpetedandupholstereddesolationaroundthem，whereonlyafewlonelyandagingwomenlurkedaboutonsofasandottomans；andtheyfelltoplayingwiththeircompassionfortheplebeianspectatorsatthelongverandahwindowstryingtopenetratewiththeirforbiddeneyestothehopgoingoninthecourtfarbeyondtheintermediarydesertoftheparlours。
Whentheysignifiedatlastthattheywerereadyformetoleadthemontothedance，Iwouldsomuchratherhavegonetobedthattherearenowordsforthecomparison。Then，whenwegottotheplace，whichIshouldneverhavebeenabletoreachintheworldifithadnotbeenfortheyoungenergyandinspirationofKendricks，andtheyhadputmeinacertainseatwithMissGage'swrapsbesidemewheretheycouldfindme，theywentoffanddancedforhoursandhours。
Forhoursandhours？Foragesandages!whileIwitheredawayamidmoulderingmothers，andsawmychargesthroughthedreadfulhalf-
dreamsofsuchastatewhirlinginthewaltz，hoppinginthepolka，slidinginthegalop，andthenendlesslywalkingupanddownbetweenthedances，andeatinganddrinkingthechillrefreshmentsthatitmademyteethchattertothinkof。Isupposetheydecentlycametomefromtimetotime，thoughtheyseemedtobealwaysdancing，forI
couldafterwardrememberMissGagetakingawrapfrommenowandthen，andquicklycomingbacktoshedituponmylapagain。Igotsochilledthatiftheyhadnotbeenunmistakablywomen'swrapsI
shouldhavebundledthemallaboutmyshoulders，whichIcouldalmosthearcreakwithrheumatism。Imusthavefallenintoasortofdrowseatlast；forIwashavingadisputewithsomesortofauthority，whichturnedouttobeMrs。March，andupbraidingherwiththefactthattherewerenowomen'swrapswhichwouldalsodoforaman，whentheyoungpeoplestoodarminarmbeforeme，andMissGagesaidthatshewastiredtodeathnow，andtheyweregoing。
Butitappearedthattheywereonlygoingasfarastheparloursforthepresent；forwhentheyre-enteredthehotel，theyturnedintothem，andsatdowntherequiteasifthathadbeentheunderstanding。WhenIarrivedwiththewraps，Iwasremindedofsomething，andIsaid，"Haveyoutwobeendancingtogetherthewholeevening？"
Theylookedateachotherasifforthefirsttimetheynowrealisedthefact，andKendrickssaid，"Why，ofcoursewehave!Wedidn'tknowanybody。"
"Verywell，then，"Isaid；"youhavegotmeintoascrape。"
"Oh，poorMr。March!"criedthegirl。"Howhavewedoneit？"
"Why，Mrs。MarchsaidthatMr。Kendrickswouldbesuretoknownumbersofpeople，andImustgetyouotherpartners，foritwouldn'tdoforyoutodancethewholeeveningtogether。"
Shethrewherselfbackinthechairshehadtaken，andlaughedasifthiswerethebestjokeintheworld。
Hesaidhardily，"YouseeitHASdone。"
"Andifitwouldn'tdo，"shegasped，"whydidn'tyoubringmetheotherpartners？"
"BecauseIdidn'tknowany，"Isaid；andthisseemedtoamusethembothsomuchthatIwasafraidtheywouldnevergettheirbreath。
Shelookedbyandbyatherdancing-card，andassoonasshecouldwipethetearsfromhereyesshesaid，"No；thereisnoothernamethere"；andthisseemedevenabetterjokethantheotherfromthewaytheyjoinedinlaughingatit。
"Well，now，"Isaid，whentheywerequietagain，"thiswon'tdo，myyoungfriends。It'sallverywellforyou，andyouseemtolikeit；
butIamresponsibleforyourhavingpassedapropereveningundermychaperonage，andsomethinghasgottobedonetoproveit。"Theysawthereasonablenessofthis，andtheyimmediatelybecamesober。
"Kendricks，"Iasked，"can'tyouthinkofsomething？"
No，hesaid，hecouldn't；andthenhebegantolaughagain。
Iappliedtoherinthesameterms；butsheonlyanswered，"Oh，don'taskME，"andshewentofflaughingtoo。
"Verywell，then，"Isaid；"Ishallhavetodosomethingdesperate，andIshallexpectyoubothtobearmeoutinit，andIdon'twantanymiserablesubterfugeswhenitcomestothepointwithMrs。
March。Willyouletmehaveyourdancing-cardMissGage？"Shedetachedit，andhandedittome。"It'sveryfortunatethatMr。
Kendrickswrotehisnameforthefirstdanceonly，anddidn'tgoonandfillitup。"
"Why，wedidn'tthinkitwasworthwhile!"sheinnocentlyexplained。
"Andthat'swhatmakesitsoperfectlyprovidential，asMrs。Marchsays。Nowthen，"Iwenton，asIwroteinthenameofarisingyoungpolitician，whohappenedjustthentohavebeenannouncedasarrivinginSaratogatojoinsomeotherleadersinarrangingtheslateofhispartyfortheconventiontomeetamonthlater，"wewillbeginwithagoodAmerican。"
IhandedthecardtoKendricks。"DoyouhappentorememberthenameoftheyoungFrenchnoblemanwhodancedthethirddancewithMissGage？"
"No，"hesaid；"butIthinkIcouldinventit。"Andhedasheddownanextremelyprobablemarquis，whileMissGageclappedherhandsforjoy。
"Oh，howglorious!howsplendid!"
Iasked，"Willyouevergivemeawaythelongestdayyoulive？"
"Never，"shepromised；andIaddedthenameofaSouthAmericandoctor，oneofthosedoctorswhoseemtobealwaysbecomingthepresidentsoftheirrepublics，andorderingalltheirpatientsofoppositepoliticstobeshotintheplaza。
KendricksenteredayoungersonofanEnglishduke，andI
contributedthehyphenatedsurnameofaNewYorkswell，andbetweenuswesoonhadallthedancesonMissGage'scardtakenbythemostdistinguishedpeople。Wereallystudiedprobabilityintheforgery，andwewereproudoftheairofrealityitworeinthecarefullydifferencedhandwritings，withnationaltraitsnicelyaccentedineach。
CHAPTERXVI
ThefunofitallwasthatMrs。Marchwasnotdeceivedforaninstant。"Oh，nonsense!"shesaid，whensheglancedatourprettydeception，whichwepresentedwithperhapstooperfectseriousness。
"Thenyoudancedonlythefirstdance？"
"No，no!"MissGageprotested。"IdancedeverydanceaslongasI
stayed。"Shelaughedwithherhandkerchieftohermouthandhereyesshiningabove。
"Yes；Icantestifytothat，Mrs。March，"saidKendricks，andhelaughedwildly，too。Imustsaytheirlaughterthroughoutwasfarbeyondthemirthfulnessofthefacts。Theybothprotestedthattheyhadhadthebesttimeintheworld，andthegayesttime；thatIhadbeenamirrorofchaperons，andfollowedthemroundwithmyeyeswherevertheywentlikeafamilyportrait；andthattheywerethemostexemplaryyoungcoupleatthehopintheirbehaviour。Mrs。
Marchaskedthemallaboutit，andshejoinedintheirfunwithahilaritywhichIknewfromlongexperiencebodedmenogood。
WhenKendrickshadgoneaway，andMissGagehadleftusforthenightwithanembrace，whosefondnessIwonderedat，fromMrs。
March，anawfulsilencefelluponusinthedesertedparlourwhereshehadwaitedup。
Iknewthatwhenshebrokethesilenceshewouldbeginwith，"Well，mydear!"andthiswaswhatshedid。Sheadded，"Ihopeyou'reconvincedNOW!"
Ididnotevenpretendnottounderstand。"Youmeanthattheyareinlove？Isupposethattheirwe-ingandus-ingsomuchwouldindicatesomethingofthekind。"
"Itisn'tthatalone；everythingindicatesit。Shewouldhardlyletgoofhimwithhereyes。Iwish，"sighedMrs。March，andsheletherheaddroopuponherhandamoment，"IcouldbeassureofhimasIamofher。"
''Wouldn'tthatdoublethedifficulty？"Iventuredtosuggest，thoughtillshespokeIhadnotdoubtedthatitwasthecase。
"IshouldmakeyouspeaktohimifIweresureofhim；butasitisIshallspeaktoher，andthesoonerthebetter。"
"To-night？"Iquaked。
"No；Ishallletthepoorthinghavehersleepto-night。ButthefirstthinginthemorningIshallspeak，andIwantyoutosendheruptomeassoonasshe'shadherbreakfast。TellherI'mnotwell，andshallnotbedown；Ishallnotclosemyeyesthewholenight。