Thedrivershookhisheadandpointedforwardwithhiswhip。"He’sallright，"saidTrannel。"Hecan’tturnnow。We’vegottotakethenextcorner。"Thestreetinfrontwasempty，andthepeoplewerecrowdingbackonthesidewalks。Loud，vaguenoisesmadethemselvesheardroundthecornertowhichthedriverhadpointed。"ByJove！"Trannelsaid，"Ibelievethey’recomingroundthatway。"
　　"Whoarecoming？"Boynepalpitated。
　　"Thequeens。"
　　"Thequeens？"Boynegasped；itseemedtohimthatheshriekedthewords。
　　"Yes。Andthere’satobacconist’snow，"saidTrannel，asifthatwerewhathehadbeenlookingforallalong。"Iwantsomecigarettes。"
　　Heleapedlightlyfromthecarriage，andpushedhiswayoutofsightonthesidewalk。Boyneremainedaloneinthevehicle，staringwildlyround；
　　thedriverkeptslowlyandstupidlyon，Boynedidnotknowhowmuchfarther。Hecouldnotspeak；hefeltasifhecouldnotstir。Butthemomentcamewhenhecouldnotbestill。Hegaveagalvanicjumptotheground，andthefriendlycrowdonthesidewalkwelcomedhimtoitsranksandclosedabouthim。Thedriverhadtakenthelefthandcorner，justbeforeaplaincarriagewiththeQueenandthequeen-mothercameinsightroundtheright。TheyoungQueenwasbowingtothepeople，gently，andwithasortofmechanicalregularity。Nowandthenabrightersmilethanthatsheconventionallyworelightedupherface。Thesimpleprogresswasabsolutelywithoutstate，exceptfortheaide-de-camponhorsebackwhorodebesidethecarriage，alittletothefront。
　　Boynestoodmotionlessonthecurb，whereafriendlytallDutchmanhadplacedhiminfrontthathemightseetheQueen。
　　"Hello！"saidthevoiceofTrannel，andelbowinghiswaytoBoyne’sside，helaughedandcoughedthroughthesmokeofhiscigarette。"Iwasafraidyouhadlostme。Where’syourcarriage？"
　　Boynedidnotnoticehismockeries。Hewasentrancedinthatbeatificvision；hisboy-heartwentoutinworshiptotheprettyyoungcreaturewithareverencethatcouldnotbeuttered。Thetearscameintohiseyes。
　　"There，there！She’sbowingtoyou，Boyne。she’ssmilingrightatyou。
　　ByJove！She’sbeckoningtoyou！"
　　"Youbestill！"Boyneretorted，findinghistongue。"Sheisn’tdoinganysuchathing。"
　　"Sheis，Iswearsheis！She’sdoingitagain！She’sstoppingthecarriage。Oh，gooutandseewhatshewants！Don’tyouknowthataqueen’swishisacommand？You’vegottogo！"
　　Boynenevercouldtelljusthowithappened。Thecarriagedidseemtobestopping，andtheQueenseemedtobelookingathim。Hethoughthemust，andhestartedintothestreettowardsher，andthecarriagecameabreastofhim。Hehadalmostreachedthecarriagewhentheaideturnedandspurredhishorsebeforehim。FourstronghandsthatwerelikeironclampswerelaidoneoneachofBoyne’selbowsandshoulders，andhewashaledaway，asifbysuperhumanforce。"Mr。Trannel！"hecalledout。
　　inhisagony，butthewretchhaddisappeared，andBoynewasleftwithhiscaptors，towhomhecouldhavesaidnothingifhecouldhavethoughtofanythingtosay。
　　Thedetectivespulledhimthroughthecrowdandhurriedhimswiftlydownthesidestreet。AlittlecuriositystraggledafterhimintheshapeofsmallDutchboys，tooshorttolookovertheshouldersofmenatthequeens，andtooweaktomaketheirwaythroughthemtothefront；butforthem，Boyneseemedaloneintheworldwiththerelentlessofficers，whoweredragginghimforwardandhurtinghimsowiththegripoftheirironhands。Helifteduphisfacetoentreatthemnottoholdhimsotight，andsuddenlyitwasasifhebeheldanangelstandinginhispath。ItwasBreckonwhowasthere，staringathimaghast。
　　"Why，Boyne！"hecried。
　　"Oh，Mr。Breckon！"Boynewailedback。"Isityou？Oh，dotellthemI
　　didn’tmeantodoanything！Ithoughtshebeckonedtome。"
　　"Who？Whobeckonedtoyou？"
　　"TheQueen！"Boynesobbed，whilethedetectivespulledhimrelentlesslyon。
　　Breckonaddressedthemsuavelyintheirowetonguewhichhadnevercomeinmoredeferentialpolitenessfromhumanlips。Heventuredthebeliefthattherewasamistake；heassuredthemthatheknewtheirprisoner，andthathewasthesonofamostrespectableAmericanfamily，whomtheycouldfindattheKurhausinScheveningen。Headdedsomeirrelevancies，andgotforallanswerthattheyhadmadeBoyne’sarrestforsufficientreasons，andweretakinghimtoprison。Ifhisfriendswishedtointerveneinhisbehalftheycoulddosobeforethemagistrate，butforthepresenttheymustadmonishMr。Breckonnottoputhimselfinthewayofthelaw。
　　"Don’tgo，Mr。Breckon！"Boyneimploredhim，ashiscaptorsmadehimquickenhispaceafterslowingalittlefortheircolloquywithBreckon。
　　"Oh，whereispoppa？Hecouldgetmeaway。Oh，whereispoppa？"
　　"Don’t！Don’tcallout，Boyne，"Breckonentreated。"Yourfatherisrighthereattheendofthestreet。He’sinthecarriagetherewithMissKenton。Iwascomingtolookforyou。Don’tcryoutso！"
　　"No，no，Iwon’t，Mr。Breckon。I’llbeperfectlyquietnow。Onlydogetpoppaquick！Hecantelltheminaminutethatit’sallright！"
　　Hemadeaprodigiousefforttocontrolhimself，whileBreckonranalittleahead，withsomewildnotionofpreparingEllen。Ashedisappearedatthecorner，Boynechokedasobintoamuffedbellow，andwasabletomeettheastonishedeyesofhisfatherandsisterinthisdegreeoftriumph。
　　TheyhadnotintheleastunderstoodBreckon’sexplanation，and，infact，ithadnotbeenverylucid。Atsightofherbrotherstrenuouslyupheldbetweenthedetectives，anddraggedalongthesidewalk，Ellensprangfromthecarriageandrantowardshim。"Why，what’sthematterwithBoyne？"
　　shedemanded。"Areyouhurt，Boyne，dear？Aretheytakinghimtothehospital？"
　　Beforehecouldanswer，andquitebeforethejudgecouldreachthetragicalgroup，shehadflungherarmsroundBoyne’sneck，andwaskissinghistear-drabbledface，whilehelamentedback，"They’retakingmetoprison。"
　　"Takingyoutoprison？Ishouldliketoknowwhatfor！Whatareyoutakingmybrothertoprisonfor？"shechallengedthedetectives，whopaused，bewildered，whileallthelittleDutchboysroundadmiredthisobstructionofthelaw，andseveralDutchhousewives，toooldtogoouttoseethequeens，lookeddownfromtheirwindows。Itwaswhollyillegal，butthedetectiveswerehuman。TheycouldsnubsuchafriendoftheirprisonerasBreckon，buttheycouldnotmeetthedovelikeferocityofEllenwithunkindness。Theyexplainedaswellastheymight，andatasuggestionwhichKentonmadethroughBreckon，theyadmittedthatitwasnotbesidetheirdutytotakeBoynedirectlytoamagistrate，whocouldpassuponhiscase，andevenreleasehimuponproperevidenceofhisharmlessness，andsufficientsecurityforanydemandthatjusticemightmakeforhisfutureappearance。
　　"Then，"saidthejudge，quietly，"tellthemthatwewillgowiththem。
　　Itwillbeallright，Boyne。Ellen，youandIwillgetbackintothecarriage，and——"
　　"No！"Boyneroared。"Don’tleaveme，Nelly！"
　　"Indeed，Iwon’tleaveyou，Boyne！Mr。Breckon，yougetintothecarriagewithpoppa，andI——"
　　"IthinkIhadbettergowithyou，MissKenton，"saidBreckon，andinatendersuperfluitytheybothaccompaniedBoyneonfoot，whilethejudgeremountedtohisplaceinthecarriageandkeptabreastofthemontheirwaytothemagistrate’s。
　　XXIV。
　　ThemagistrateconceivedofBoyne’scasewithareadinessthatgavethejudgeahighopinionofhispersonalandnationalintelligence。Heevensmiledalittle，inacceptingtheexplanationwhichBreckonwasabletomakehimfromBoyne，buthethoughthisdutytogivetheboyafatherlywarningforthefuture。HeremarkedtoBreckonthatitwaswellforBoynethattheaffairhadnothappenedinGermany，whereitwouldhavebeenfoundamuchmoreseriousmatter，though，indeed，headded，ithadtobeseriouslyregardedanywhereinthesetimes，whenthelivesofsovereignsweresomuchatthemercyofallsortsofmadmenandmiscreants。HerelaxedalittlefromhisseverityinhisadmonitiontosaydirectlytoBoynethatqueens，evenwhentheywishedtospeakwithpeople，didnotbeckontheminthepublicstreets。WhenthisspeechtranslatedtoBoynebyBreckon，whomthemagistratecomplimentedontheperfectionofhisDutch，Boynehunghisheadsheepishly，andcouldnotberestoredtohischaracteristicdignityagaininthemagistrate’spresence。Thejudgegratefullyshookhandswiththefriendlyjustice，andmadehimalittlespeechofthanks，whichBreckoninterpreted，andthenthejusticeshookhandwiththejudge，andgracefullyacceptedtheintroductionwhichheofferedhimtoEllen。Theypartedwithreciprocalpraisesandobeisances，whichincludedeventhedetectives。Thejudgehadsomequestion，whichhesubmittedtoBreckon，whetherheoughtnottoofferthemsomething，butBreckonthoughtnot。
　　BreckonfoundithardtoabdicatethesortofauthorityinwhichhisknowledgeofDutchhadplacedhim，andwhenheprotestedthathehaddonenothingbutactasinterpreter，Ellensaid，"Yes，butwecouldn’thavedoneanythingwithoutyou，"andthiswastheviewthatMrs。Kentontookofthematterinthefamilyconclavewhichtookplacelaterintheevening。Breckonwasnotallowedtowithdrawfromit，inspiteofmanymodestefforts，beforeshehadbashfullyexpressedhersenseofhisservicetohim，andmadeBoyneshareherthanksgiving。Shehadherarmabouttheboy’sshoulderingivingBreckonherhand，andwhenBreckonhadgotawayshepulledBoynetoherinamoreperemptoryembrace。
　　"Now，Boyne，"shesaid，"Iamnotgoingtohaveanymorenonsense。I
　　wanttoknowwhyyoudidit。"
　　ThejudgeandEllenhadalreadyconjecturedclearlyenough，andBoynedidnotfearthem。Buthelookedathisyoungersisterashesulkilyanswered，"IamnotgoingtotellyoubeforeLottie。"
　　"Comeinhere，then，"saidhismother，andsheledhimintothenextroomandclosedthedoor。Shequicklyreturnedwithouthim。"Yes，"shebegan，"it’sjustasIsupposed；itwasthatworthlessfellowwhoputhimuptoit。Ofcourse，itbeganwiththosefoolbookshe’sbeenreading，andthenotionsthatMissRasmithputintohishead。Butheneverwouldhavedoneanythingifithadn’tbeenforMr。Trannel。"
　　Lottiehadlistenedinsilentscorntothewholeproceedingsuptothispoint，andhadrefusedapartinthegeneralrecognitionofBreckonasaspecialprovidence。Nowsheflashedoutwithaterriblevolubility:
　　"WhatdidItellyou？WhatelsecouldyouexpectofaCook’stourist？
　　Andmom——motherwantedtomakemegowithyou，afterItoldherwhathewas！Well，ifIhadhavegone，I’llbetIcouldhavekepthimfromplayinghistricks。I’llbethewouldn’thavetakenanyliberties，withmealong。I’llbetifhehad，itwouldn’thavebeenBoynethatgotarrested。I’llbethewouldn’thavegotoffsoeasilywiththemagistrate，either！ButIsupposeyou’llalllethimcomebowingandsmilingroundinthemorning，likebutterwouldn’tmeltinyourmouths。
　　ThatseemstobetheKentonway。Anybodycanpullournoses，orgetusarrestedthatwantsto，andweneversqueak。"Shewentonalongtimetothispurpose，Mrs。Kentonlisteningwithanairalmostofconviction，andEllenpatientlybearingitasarightthatLottiehadinamatterwhereshehadbeenotherwiseignored。
　　Thejudgebrokeout，notuponLottie，butuponhiswife。"Goodheavens，Sarah，can’tyoumakethechildhush？"
　　Lottieansweredforhermother，withacrashofnervesandagushoffurioustears:"Oh，I’vegottohush，Isuppose。It’salwaysthewaywhenI’mtryingtokeepupthedignityofthefamily。IsupposeitwillbecabledtoAmerica，andbytomorrowitwillbealloverTuskingumhowBoynewasmadeafoolofandgotarrested。ButIbetthere’sonepersoninTuskingumthatwon’thaveanyremarkstomake，andthat’sBittridge。
　　Not，aslongasDick’stherehewon’t。"
　　"Lottie！"criedhermother，andherfatherstartedtowardsher，whileEllenstillsatpatientlyquiet。
　　"Oh，well！"Lottiesubmitted。"ButifDickwashereIknowthisTrannelwouldn’tgetoffsosmoothly。DickwouldgivehimaworsecowhidingthanhedidBittridge。"
　　HalfthelastwordwaslostinthebangofthedoorwhichLottieslammedbehindher，leavingherfatherandmothertoasilencewhichEllendidnotoffertobreak。Thejudgehadnohearttospeak，inhisdismay，anditwasMrs。Kentonwhotooktheword。
　　"Ellen，"shebegan，withcompassionategentleness，"wetriedtokeepitfromyou。Weknewhowyouwouldfeel。Butnowwehavegottotellyou。
　　DickdidcowhidehimwhenhegotbacktoTuskingum。LottiewroteouttoDickaboutit，howMr。BittridgehadbehavedinNewYork。YourfatherandIdidn’tapproveofit，andDickdidn’tafterwards；but，yes，hediddoit。"
　　"Iknewit，momma，"saidEllen，sadly。
　　"Youknewit！How？"
　　"ThatotherletterIgotwhenwefirstcame——itwasfromhismother。"
　　"Didshetell——"
　　"Yes。Itwasterriblesheseemedtofeelso。AndIwassorryforher。
　　IthoughtIoughttoanswerit，andIdid。ItoldherIwassorry，too。
　　ItriednottoblameRichard。Idon’tbelieveIdid。AndItriednottoblamehim。Shewasfeelingbadlyenoughwithoutthat。"
　　Herfatherandmotherlookedateachother；theydidnotspeak，andsheasked，"DoyouthinkIoughtn’ttohavewritten？"
　　Herfatheranswered，alittletremulously:"Youdidright，Ellen。AndI
　　amsurethatyoudiditinjusttherightway。"
　　"Itriedto。IthoughtIwouldn’tworryyouaboutit。"
　　Sherose，andnowhermotherthoughtshewasgoingtosaythatitputanendtoeverything；thatshemustgobackandofferherselfasasacrificetotheinjuredBittridges。HermindhadrevertedtothatmomentonthesteamerwhenEllentoldherthatnothinghadreconciledhertowhathadhappenedwithBittridgebutthefactthatallthewrongdonehadbeendonetothemselves；thatthisfreedher。Inherdespairshecouldnotforbearasking，"Whatdidyouwritetoher，Ellen？"
　　"Nothing。IjustsaidthatIwasverysorry，andthatIknewhowshefelt。Idon’trememberexactly。"
　　Shewentupandkissedhermother。Sheseemedratherfatiguedthandistressed，andherfatheraskedher。"Areyougoingtobed，mydear？"
　　"Yes，I’mprettytired，andIshouldthinkyouwouldbe，too，poppa。
　　I’llspeaktopoorBoyne。Don’tmindLottie。Isupposeshecouldn’thelpsayingit。"Shekissedherfather，andslippedquietlyintoBoyne’sroom，fromwhichtheycouldhearherpassingontoherownbeforetheyventuredtosayanythingtoeachotherinthehopefulbewildermenttowhichshehadleftthem。
　　"Well？"saidthejudge。
　　"Well？"Mrs。Kentonreturned，inanoteofexasperation，asifshewerenotgoingtoletherselfbeforcedtotheinitiative。
　　"Ithoughtyouthought——"
　　"Ididthinkthat。NowIdon’tknowwhattothink。Wehavegottowait。"
　　"I’mwillingtowaitforEllen！"
　　"Sheseems，"saidMrs。Kenton，"tohavemoresensethanboththeotherchildrenputtogether，andIwasafraid——"
　　"ShemighteasilyhavemoresensethanBoyne，orLottie，either。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknow，"Mrs。Kentonbegan。Butshedidnotgoontoresentthedisparagementwhichshehadinvited。"WhatIwasafraidofwashergoodness。Itwashergoodnessthatgotherintothetrouble，tobeginwith。Ifshehadn’tbeensogood，thatfellowcouldneverhavefooledherashedid。Shewastooinnocent。"
　　Thejudgecouldnotforbearthehumorousview。"Perhapsshe’sgettingwickeder，ornotsoinnocent。Atanyrate，shedoesn’tseemtohavebeentakeinbyTrannel。"
　　"Hedidn’tpayanyattentiontoher。HewasalltakenupwithLottie。"
　　"Well，thatwaslucky。Sarah，"saidthejudge，"doyouthinkheislikeBittridge？"
　　"He’smademethinkofhimallthetime。"
　　"It’scurious，"thejudgemused。"Ihavealwaysnoticedhowourfaultsrepeatthemselves，butIdidn’tsupposeourfateswouldalwaystakethesameshape，orsomethinglikeit。"Mrs。Kentonstaredathim。"Whenthisotheronefirstmadeuptousontheboatmyheartwentdown。I
　　thoughtofBittridgeso。"
　　"Mr。Breckon？"
　　"Yes，thesamelightness；thesamesortoftrifling——Didn’tyounoticeit？"
　　"No——yes，Inoticedit。ButIwasn’tafraidforaninstant。Isawthathewasgood。"
　　"Oh！"
　　"WhatI’mafraidofnowisthatEllendoesn’tcareanythingabouthim。"
　　"Heisn’twickedenough？"
　　"Idon’tsaythat。Butitwouldbetoomuchhappinesstoexpectinoneshortlife。"
　　Thejudgecouldnotdenythereasonablenessofherposition。Hecouldonlyopposeit。"Well，Idon’tthinkwe’vehadanymorethanourshareofhappinesslately。"
　　NooneexceptBoynecouldhavemadeTrannel’sbehavioracauseofquarrel，buttheotherKentonsmadeitacauseofcoldnesswhichwasquiteaseffective。InLottiethistooktheformofsomethingsoactive，sopositive，thatitwassomethingmorethanamereabsenceofwarmth。
　　Beforeshecameclowntobreakfastthenextmorningshestudiedastareinhermirror，andpractisedituponTrannelsosuccessfullywhenhecameuptospeaktoherthatitmusthavemadehimdoubtwhetherhehadeverhadheracquaintance。Inhisdoubtheventuredtoaddressher，andthenLottieturnedherbackuponhiminamannerthatwasperfectlyconvincing。HeattemptedasmilingeasewithMrs。Kentonandthejudge，buttheysharedneitherhissmilenorhisease，andhisjocosequestionsabouttheendofyesterday’sadventures，whichhehadnotbeenprivyto，didnotseemtoappealtotheAmericansenseofhumorinthem。Ellenwasnotwiththem，norBoyne，butTrannelwasnotaskedtotakeeitherofthevacantplacesatthetable，evenwhenBreckontookoneofthem，afteradecentexchangeofcivilitieswithhim。HecouldonlysaunterawayandleaveMrs。Kentontoalittlepang。
　　"Tchk！"shemade。"I’msorryforhim！"
　　"SoamI，"saidthejudge。"Buthewillgetoverit——onlytoosoon，I’mafraid。Idon’tbelievehe’sverysorryforhimself。"
　　TheyhadnotadvisedwithBreckon，andhedidnotfeelauthorizedtomakeanycomment。Heseemedpreoccupied，toMrs。Kenton’seye，whensheturnedituponhimfromTrannel’sdiscomfitedback，lesseningintheperspective，andheansweredvaguelytoherovertureabouthisnight’srest。LottienevermadeanyconversationwithBreckon，andshenowlefthimtohimself，withsomeremnantsofthedisapprovalwhichshefoundonherhandsaftercrushingTrannel。ItcouldnotbesaidthatBreckonwasawareofherdisapproval，andthejudgehadnoapparentconsciousnessofit。HeandBreckontriedtomakesomethingofeachother，butfailed，anditallseemedaverydefeatingsequeltoMrs。Kentonafterthetriumphalglowoftheeveningbefore。WhenLottierose，shewentwithher，allegingherwishtoseeifBoynehadeatenhisbreakfast。Sheconfessed，toBreckon’skindinquiry，thatBoynedidnotseemverywell，andthatshehadmadehimtakehisbreakfastinhisroom，andshedidnotthinkitnecessarytoown，eventosofriendlyawitnessasMr。Breckon，thatBoynewasashamedtocomedown，anddreadedmeetingTrannelsomuchthatshewasgivinghimtimetorecoverhisself-respectandcourage。
　　AssoonassheandLottieweregoneBreckonbegan，rathermoreformidablythanheliked，buthelplesslyso:"JudgeKenton，Ishouldbegladofafewmomentswithyouon——onanimportant——onamatterthatisimportanttome。"
　　"Well，"saidthejudge，cautiously。Whateverwascoming，hewishedtoguardhimselffromthemistakethathehadoncesonearlyfalleninto，andthatstillmadehimcatchhisbreathtothinkof。"HowcanIbeofusetoyou？"
　　"Idon’tknowthatyoucanbeofanyuse——Idon’tknowthatIoughttospeaktoyou。ButIthoughtyoumightperhapssavemefrom——savemytakingafalsestep。"
　　HelookedatKentonasifhewouldunderstand，andKentonsupposedthathedid。Hesaid，"Mydaughteroncementionedyourwishtotalkwithme。"
　　"Yourdaughter？"Breckonstaredathiminstupefaction。
　　"Yes；Ellen。ShesaidyouwishedtoconsultmeaboutgoingbacktoyourchargeinNewYork，whenwewereontheshiptogether。ButIdon’tknowthatI’mverycompetenttogiveadviceinsuch——"
　　"Oh！"Breckonexclaimed，inatoneofimmenserelief，whichdidnotcontinueitselfinwhathewentontosay。"That！I’vequitemadeupmymindtogoback。"Hestopped，andthenbeburstout，"Iwanttospeakwithyouabouther。"Thejudgesatsteady，stillresolutenottogivehimselfaway，andtheyoungmanscarcelyrecoveredfromwhathadbeenadesperateplungeinadding:"Iknowthatit’susualtospeakwithher——
　　withtheladyherselffirst，but——Idon’tknow！Thecircumstancesarepeculiar。Youonlyknowaboutmewhatyou’veseenofme，andIwouldrathermakemymistakesintheorderthatseemsrighttome，althoughitisn’tjusttheAmericanway。"
　　Hesmiledratherpiteously，andthejudgesaid，ratherencouragingly，"Idon’tquiteknowwhetherIfollowyou。"
　　Breckonblushed，andsoughthelpinwhatremainedofhiscoffee。"Thewayisn’teasyforme。Butit’sthis:IaskyourleavetoaskMissEllentomarryme。"Theworstwasovernow，andlookedasifitwerearelief。
　　"Sheisthemostbeautifulpersonintheworldtome，andthebest；
　　butasyouknowsolittleofme，Ithoughtitrighttogetyourleave——totellyou——to——to——Thatisall。"HefellbackinhischairandlookedaatKenton。
　　"Itisunusual，"thejudgebegan。
　　"Yes，Yes；Iknowthat。AndforthatreasonIspeakfirsttoyou。I’llberuledbyyouimplicitly。"
　　"Idon’tmeanthat，"Kentonsaid。"Iwouldhaveexpectedthatyouwouldspeaktoherfirst。ButIgetyourpointofview，andImustsayIthinkyou’reright。Ithinkyouarebehaving——honorably。Iwishthateveryonewaslikeyou。ButIcan’tsayanythingnow。Imusttalkwithhermother。Mydaughter’slifehasnotbeenhappy。Ican’ttellyou。ButasfarasIamconcerned，andIthinkMrs。Kenton，too，Iwouldbeglad——WelikeyouMr。Breckon。Wethinkyouareagoodman。
　　"Oh，thankyou。I’mnotsosure——"
　　"We’driskit。Butthatisn’tall。WillyouexcusemeifIdon’tsayanythingmorejustyet——andifIleaveyou？"
　　"Why，certainly。"Thejudgehadrisenandpushedbackhischair，andBreckondidthesame。"AndIshall——hearfromyou？"
　　"Why，certainly，"saidthejudgeinhisturn。
　　"Itisn’tpossiblethatyouputhimoff！"hiswifereproachedhim，whenhetoldwhathadpassedbetweenhimandBreckon。"Oh，youcouldn’thavelethimthinkthatwedidn’twanthimforher！Surelyyoudidn’t！"
　　"Willyougetitintoyourhead，"heflamedback，"thathehasn’tspokentoEllenyet，andIcouldn’taccepthimtillshehad？"
　　"Ohyes。Iforgotthat。"Mrs。Kentonstruggledwiththefact，inthedifficultyofrealizingsostrangeanorderofprocedure。"Isupposeit’shisbeingeducatedabroadthatway。But，dogobacktohim，Rufus，andtellhimthatofcourse——"
　　"Iwilldonothingofthekind，Sarah！Whatareyouthinkingof？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknowwhatI’mthinkingof！ImustseeEllen，Isuppose。
　　I’llgotohernow。Oh，dear，ifshedoesn’t——ifsheletssuchachanceslipthroughherfingers——Butshe’squitelikelyto，she’ssoobstinate！
　　Iwonderwhatshe’llwantustodo。"
　　Shefledtoherdaughter’sroomandfoundBoynethere，sittingbesidehissister’sbed，givingheradetailedaccountofhisadventureofthedaybefore，uptothemomentMr。Breckonmethim，inchargeofthedetectives。Uptothatmoment，itappearedtoBoyne，asnearlyashecouldrecollect，thathehadnotbrokendown，buthadbehavedhimselfwithadignitywhichwasnowbeginningtoclothehiswholeexperience。
　　Intheretrospect，aquietheroismcharacterizedhisconduct，andatthemomenthismotherenteredtheroomhewasquestioningEllenastoherimpressionsofhisbearingwhenshefirstsawhiminthegraspofthedetectives。
　　Hismothertookhimbythearm，andsaid，"IwanttospeakwithEllen，Boyne，"andputhimoutofthedoor。
　　Thenshecamebackandsatdowninhischair。"Ellen。Mr。Breckonhasbeenspeakingtoyourfather。Doyouknowwhatabout？"
　　"AbouthisgoingbacktoNewYork？"thegirlsuggested。
　　Hermotherkeptherpatiencewithdifficulty。"No，notaboutthat。
　　Aboutyou！He’saskedyourfather——Ican’tunderstandyetwhyhedidit，onlyhe’ssodelicateandhonorable，andgoodnessknownweappreciateit——
　　whetherhecantellyouthat——that——"ItwasnotpossibleforsuchamotherasMrs。Kentontosay"Helovesyou"；itwouldhavesoundedasshewouldhavesaid，toosickish，andshecompromisedon:"Helikesyou，andwantstoaskyouwhetheryouwillmarryhim。And，Ellen，"shecontinued，intheamplesilencewhichfollowed，"ifyoudon’tsayyouwill，IwillhavenothingmoretodoWithsuchasimpleton。IhavealwaysfeltthatyoubehavedveryfoolishlyaboutMr。Bittridge，butIhopedthatwhenyougrewolderyouwouldseeitaswedid，and——andbehavedifferently。Andnow，if，afterallwe’vebeenthroughwithyou，youaregoingtosaythatyouwon’thaveMr。Breckon——"
　　Mrs。KentonstoppedforwantofafigurethatwouldconveyallthedisasterthatwouldfalluponElleninsuchanevent，andshewasgivenfurtherpausewhenthegirlgentlyanswered，"I’mnotgoingtosaythat，momma。"
　　"Thenwhatintheworldareyougoingtosay？"Mrs。Kentondemanded。
　　Ellenhadturnedherfaceawayonthepillow，andnowsheanswered，quietly，"WhenMr。BreckonasksmeIwilltellhim。"
　　"Well，youhadbetter！"hermotherthreatenedinreturn，andshedidnotrealizethefalsityofherpositiontillshereportedEllen’swordstothejudge。
　　Well，Sarah，Ithinkshehadyouthere，"hesaid，andMrs。Kentonthensaidthatshedidnotcare，ifthechildwasonlygoingtobehavesensiblyatlast，andshedidbelieveshewas。
　　"Thenit’sallright"saidthejudge，andhetookuptheTuskingumIntelligencer，lyingtillthenunreadintheexcitementswhichhadfolloweditsarrivalthedaybefore，andbegantoreadit。
　　Mrs。Kentonsatdreamilywatchinghim，withherhandsfalleninherlap。
　　Shesuddenlystartedup，withthecry，"Goodgracious！Whatareweallthinkingof？"
　　Kentonstaredatheroverthetopofhispaper。"How，thinkingof？"
　　"WhyMr。Breckon！Hemustbecrazytoknowwhatwe’vedecided，poorfellow！"
　　"Oh，"saidthejudge，foldingtheIntelligenceronhisknee。"Ihadforgotten。Somehow，Ithoughtitwasallsettled。"
　　Mrs，Kentontookhispaperfromhim，andfinishedfoldingit。"Ithasn’tbeguntobesettled。Youmustgoandlethimknow。"
　　"Won’thelookmeup？"thejudgesuggested。
　　"Youmustlookhimup。Goatoncedear！Thinkhowanxioushemustbe！"
　　KentonwasnotsurethatBreckonlookedveryanxiouswhenhefoundhimonthebrickpromenadebeforetheKurhaus，apparentlyabsorbedinnotingtheconvulsionsofalarge，roundGermanladyinthewater，whomusthavesupposedherselftobebathing。Butperhapstheyoungmandidnotseeher；thesmileonhisfacewastoovagueforsuchaninterestwhenheturnedatKenton’sapproachingsteps。
　　Thejudgehesitatedforaninstant，inwhichthesmileleftBreckon’sface。"Ibelievethat’sallright，Mr。Breckon，"hesaid。"You’llfindMrs。Kentoninourparlor，"andthenthetwomenparted，withan"Oh，thankyou！"fromBreckon，whowalkedbacktowardsthehotel，andleftKentontoponderupontheGermanlady；assoonasherealizedthatshewasnotabarrel，thejudgecontinuedhiswalkalongthepromenade，feelingratherashamed。
　　Mrs。KentonhadgonetoEllen’sroomagainwhenshehadgotthejudgeoffuponhismission。Sheratherflunginuponher。"Oh，youareup！"sheapologizedtoEllen’sback。Thegirl’sfacewastowardstheglass，andshewastiltingherheadtogettheeffectofthehatonit，whichshenowtookoff。
　　"Isupposepoppa’sgonetotellhim，"shesaid，sittingtremulouslydown。
　　"Didn’tyouwanthimto？"hermotherasked，strickenalittleatsightofheragitation。
　　"Yes，Iwantedhimto，butthatdoesn’tmakeitanyeasier。Itmakesitharder。Momma！"
　　"Well，Ellen？"
　　"Youknowyou’vegottotellhim，first。"
　　"Tellhim？"Mrs。Kentonrepeated，butsheknewwhatEllenmeant。
　　"About——Mr。Bittridge。Allaboutit。Everysinglething。Abouthiskissingmethatnight。"
　　AtthelastdemandMrs。Kentonwasvisiblyshakeninherinvisibleassenttothegirl’swish。"Don’tyouthink，Ellen，thatyouhadbettertellhimthat——sometime？"
　　"No，now。Andyoumusttellhim。Youletmegotothetheatrewithhim。"Thefaintestshadowofresentmentcloudedthegirl’sface，butstillMrs。Kenton，thoughtsheknewherownguilt，couldnotyield。
　　"Why，Ellen，"shepleaded，notwithoutareproachfulsenseofvulgarityinsuchaplea，"don’tyousupposeHEever——kissedanyone？"
　　"Thatdoesn’tconcernme，momma，"saidEllen，withoutatraceofconsciousnessthatshewassayinganythinguncommon。"Ifyouwon’ttellhim，thenthatendsit。Iwon’tseehim。"
　　"Oh，well！"hermothersighed。"Iwilltrytotellhim。ButI’dratherbewhipped。Iknowhe’lllaughatme。"
　　"Hewon’tlaughatyou，"saidthegirl，confidently，almostcomfortingly。
　　"IwanthimtoknoweverythingbeforeImeethim。Idon’twanttohaveasinglethingonmymind。Idon’twanttothinkofmyself！"
　　Mrs。Kentonunderstoodthewoman——soulthatspokeinthesewords。
　　"Well，"shesaid，withadeep，longbreath，"beready，then。"
　　Butshefelttheburdenwhichhadbeenputuponhertobesomuchmorethanshecouldbearthatwhenshefoundherhusbandintheirparlorsheinstantlyresolvedtocastituponhim。Hestoodatthewindowwithhishaton。
　　"HasBreckonbeenhereyet？"heasked。
　　"Haveyouseenhimyet？"shereturned。
　　"Yes，andIthoughthewascomingrighthere。Butperhapshestoppedtoscrewhiscourageup。Heonlyknewhowlittleitneededwithus！"
　　"Well，now，it’swewho’vegottohavethecourage。Oryouhave。DoyouknowwhatEllenwantstohavedone？"Mrs。Kentonputitintheseimpersonalterms，andasapreliminarytoshirkinghershareoftheburden。
　　"Shedoesn’twanttohavehimrefused？"
　　"ShewantstohavehimtoldallaboutBittridge。"
　　Afteramomentaryrevoltthejudgesaid，"Well，that’sright。It’slikeEllen。"
　　"There’ssomethingelsethat’smorelikeher，"saidMrs。Kenton，indignantly。"ShewantshimtotoldaboutwhatBittridgedidthatnight——abouthimkissingher。"
　　Thejudgelookeddisgustedwithhiswifefortheword；thenhelookedaghast。"About——"
　　"Yes，andshewon’thaveawordtosaytohimtillheistold，andunlessheistoldshewillrefusehim。"
　　"Didshesaythat？"
　　"No，butIknowshewill。"
　　"Ifshedidn’tsayshewould，Ithinkwemaytakethechancesthatshewon’t。"
　　"No，wemustn’ttakeanysuchchances。Youmusttellhim。"
　　"I？No，Icouldn’tmanageit。Ihavenotact，anditwouldsoundsoconfoundedlyqueer，comingfromonemantoanother。Itwouldbe——
　　indelicate。It’ssomethingthatnobodybutawoman——Whydoesn’tshetellhimherself？"
　　"Shewon’t。Sheconsidersitourpart，andsomethingweoughttodobeforehecommitshimself。"
　　"Verywell，then，Sarah，youmusttellhim。Youcanmanageitsoitwon’tbyso——queer。
　　"ThatisjustwhatIsupposedyouwouldsay，Mr。Kenton，butImustsayI
　　didn’texpectitofyou。Ithinkit’scowardly。"
　　"Lookout，Sarah！Idon’tlikethatword。"
　　"Oh，Isupposeyou’rebraveenoughwhenitcomestoanykindofdanger。
　　Butwhenitcomestotakingthebruntofanythingunpleasant——"
　　"Itisn’tunpleasant——it’squeer。"
　　"Whydoyoukeepsayingthatoverandover？There’snothingqueeraboutit。It’sEllenishbutisn’titright？"
　　"It’sright，yes，Isuppose。Butit’ssqueamish。"
　　"Iseenothingsqueamishaboutit。ButIknowyou’redeterminedtoleaveittome，andsoIshalldoit。Idon’tbelieveMr。Breckonwillthinkit’squeerorsqueamish。"
　　"I’venodoubthe’lltakeitintherightway；you’llknowhowto——"
　　Kentonlookedintohishat，whichhehadtakenoffandthenputitonagain。Histoneandhismannerweresufficientlysneaking，andhecouldnotmakethemotherwise。Itwasforthisreason，nodoubt，thathewouldnotprolongtheinterview。
　　"Ohyes，go！"saidMrs。Kenton，ashefoundhimselfwithhishandonthedoor。"Leaveitalltome，do！"andhewasawareofskulkingoutoftheroom。Bythetimethatitwouldhavetakenhimsolongastowalktothetopofthegrandstairwayhewasbackagain。"He’scoming！"hesaid，breathlessly。"Isawhimatthebottomofthestairs。Gointoyourroomandwashyoureyes。I’LLtellhim。"
　　"No，no，Rufus！Letme！Itwillbemuchbetter。You’llbesuretobungleit。"
　　"Wemustriskthat。Youwerequiteright，Sarah。Itwouldhavebeencowardlyinmetoletyoudoit。"
　　"Rufus！YouknowIdidn’tmeanit！Surelyyou’renotresentingthat？"
　　"No。I’mgladyoumademeseeit。You’reallright，Sarah，andyou’llfindthatitwillallcomeoutallright。Youneedn’tbeafraidI’llbungleit。Ishallusediscretion。Go——"
　　"Ishallnotstirastepfromthisparlor！You’vegotbackallyourspirit，dear，"saidtheoldwife，withyoungprideinherhusband。
　　"ButImustsaythatEllenisputtingmoreuponyouthanshehasanyrightto。Ithinkshemighttellhimherself。"
　　"No，it’sourbusiness——mybusiness。Weallowedhertogetinforit。
　　She’squiterightaboutit。Wemustnotlethimcommithimselftohertillheknowsthethingthatmostputshertoshame。Itisn’tenoughforustosaythatitwasreallynoshame。Shefeelsthatitcastsasortofstain——youknowwhatImean，Sarah，andIbelieveIcanmakethisyoungmanknow。IfIcan’t，somuchtheworseforhim。HeshallneverseeEllenagain。"
　　"Oh，Rufus！"
　　"Doyouthinkhewouldbeworthyofherifhecouldn’t？"
　　"IthinkEllenisperfectlyridiculous。"
　　"ThenthatshowsthatIamrightindecidingnottoleavethisthingtoyou。Ifeelasshedoesaboutit，andIintendthatheshall。"
　　"Doyouintendtoletherrunthechanceoflosinghim？"
　　"ThatiswhatIintendtodo。"
　　"Well，then，I’lltellyouwhat:Iamgoingtostayrighthere。Wewillbothseehim；it’srightforustodoit。"ButatarapontheparlordoorMrs。Kentonflewtothatofherownroom，whichshecloseduponherwithasortofParthianwhimper，"Oh，dobecareful，Rufus！"
　　WhetherKentonwascarefulornotcouldneverbeknown，fromeitherKentonhimselforfromBreckon。Thejudgedidtellhimeverything，andtheyoungmanreceivedthemostdamningdetailsofEllen’shistorywitharadiantabsencewhichtestifiedthattheyfelluponasurfacesenseofKenton，anddidnotpenetratetotheall-pervadingsenseofEllenherselfbelow。AttheendKentonwasafraidhehadnotunderstood。
　　"Youunderstand，"hesaid，"thatshecouldnotconsenttoseeyoubeforeyouknewjusthowweakshethoughtshehadbeen。"Thejudgestiffenedtodefianceinmakingthishumiliation。"Idon’tconsider，myself，thatshewasweakatall。"
　　"Ofcoursenot！"Breckonbeamedbackathim。
　　"Iconsiderthatthroughoutsheactedwiththegreatest——greatest——Andthatinthataffair，whenhebehavedwiththat——thatoutrageousimpudence，itwasbecauseshehadmisledthescoundrelbyherkindness，herforbearance，herwishnottodohimtheleastshadowofinjustice，buttogivehimeverychanceofprovinghimselfworthyofhertolerance；
　　and——"
　　Thejudgechoked，andBreckoneagerlyasked，"AndshallI——mayIseehernow？"
　　"Why——yes，"thejudgefaltered。"Ifyou’resure——"
　　"Whatabout？"Breckondemanded。
　　"Idon’tknowwhethershewillbelievethatIhavetoldyou。"
　　"Iwilltrytoconvinceher。WhereshallIseeher？"
　　"Iwillgoandtellheryouarehere。Iwillbringher——"
　　Kentonpassedintotheadjoiningroom，wherehiswifelaidholdofhim，almostviolently。"Youdiditbeautifully，Rufus，"shehuskilywhispered，"andIwassoafraidyouwouldspoileverything。Oh，howmanlyyouwere，andhowperfecthewas！Butnowit’smyturn，andIwillgoandbringEllen——Youwillletme，won’tyou？"
　　"Youmaydoanythingyouplease，Sarah。Idon’twanttohaveanymoreofthis，"saidthejudgefromthechairhehaddroppedinto。
　　"Well，then，Iwillbringheratonce，"saidMrs。Kenton，stayingonlyinhergladnesstokisshimonhisgrayhead；hereceivedherembracewithasuperficialsultrinesswhichdidnotdeceiveher。
　　Ellencamebackwithouthermother，andassoonassheenteredtheroom，andBreckonrealizedthatshehadcomealone，herantowardsherasiftotakeherinhisarms。Butsheputupherhandwithextendedfingers，andheldhimlightlyoff。
　　"Didpoppatellyou？"sheasked，withacertaindefiance。Sheheldherheadupfiercely，andspokesteadily，buthecouldseethepulsebeatinginherprettyneck。
　　"Yes，hetoldme——"
　　"And——well？"
　　"Oh，Iloveyou，Ellen——"
　　"Thatisn’tit。Didyoucare？"
　　Breckonhadaninspiration，aninspirationfromthetruththatdweltatthebottomofhissoulandhadneveryetfailedtosavehim。Helethisarmsfallandanswered，desperately:"Yes，Idid。Iwishedithadn’thappened。"Hesawthepulseinherneckceasetobeat，andheswiftlyadded，"ButIknowthatithappenedjustbecauseyouwereyourself，andwereso——"
　　"Ifyouhadsaidyoudidn’tcare，"shebreathlesslywhispered，"Iwouldneverhavespokentoyou。Hefeltaconditionaltremorcreepingintothefingerswhichhadbeensorigidagainsthisbreast。"Idon’tseehowI
　　livedthroughit！Doyouthinkyoucan？"
　　"Ithinkso，"hereturned，withafaint，farsuggestionoflevitythatbroughtfromheranimperative，imploring——
　　"Don’t！"
　　Thenheadded，solemnly，"Ithadnomoretodowithyou，Ellen，thananoffencefromsomehatefulanimal——"
　　"Oh，howgoodyouare！"Thefingersfoldedthemselves，andherarmsweakenedsothattherewasnothingtokeephimfromdrawinghertohim。
　　"What——whatareyoudoing？"sheasked，withherfacesmotheredagainsthis。
　　"Oh，Ell-en，Ellen，Ellen！Oh，mylove，mydearest，mybest！"
　　"ButIhavebeensuchafool！"sheprotested，imaginingthatshewasgoingtopushhimfromher，butlosingherselfinhimmoreandmore。
　　"Yes，yes，darling！Iknowit。That’swhyIloveyouso！"
　　XXVI。
　　"Thereisjustonething，"saidthejudge，ashewounduphiswatchthatnight，"thatmakesmealittleuneasystill。"
　　Mrs。Kenton，alreadyinherbedturnedherfaceuponhimwithadespairing"Tchk！Dear！Whatisit？Ithoughtwehadtalkedovereverything，"
　　"Wehaven’tgotLottie’sconsentyet。"
　　"Well，IthinkIseemyselfaskingLottie！"Mrs。Kentonbegan，beforesherealizedherhusband’sirony。Sheadded，"Howcouldyougivemesuchastart？"
　　"Well，LottiehasbossedussolongthatIcouldn’thelpmentioningit，"
　　saidthejudge。
　　Itwasalameexcuse，andinitsmostpotentialimplicationhissuggestionprovedwithoutreason。IfLottienevergaveherexplicitapprovaltoEllen’sengagement，sheneveropenlyopposedit。Shetreatedit，rather，withsomethinglikesilentcontempt，asachildishweaknessonEllen’spartwhichwasbeneathherseriousconsideration。TowardsBreckon，herbehaviorhardlychangedintheseveritywhichshehadassumedfromthemomentshefirstceasedtohaveanyuseforhim。
　　"IsupposeIwillhavetokisshim，"shesaid，gloomily，whenhermothertoldherthathewastobeherbrother，andsheperformedtheritewithasmuchcoldnessaswaseverputinthatformofaffectionatewelcome。
　　ItisdoubtfulifBreckonperfectlyrealizeditscoldness；heneverknewhowmuchheenragedherbyactingasifshewerealittlegirl，andsayinglightly，almosttrivially，"I’msogladyou’regoingtobeasistertome。"
　　WithEllen，Lottienowconsideredherselfquits，andfromthefirsthourofEllen’shappinessshethrewoffallthecarewithalltheapparentkindnesswhichshehadusedtowardsherwhenshewasamorbidinvalid。
　　Hereagain，ifLottiehadmindedsuchathing，shemighthavebeenasmuchvexedbyEllen’sattitudeasbyBreckon’s。Ellenneveroncenoticedthewithdrawalofheranxiousoversight，orseemedintheleasttomissit。Asmuchashermeeknaturewouldallow，shearrogatedtoherselftheprivilegesandprerogativesofaneldersister，andifithadbeenpossibletomakeLottieeverfeellikeachit，thereweremomentswhenEllen’sbehaviorwouldhavemadeherfeellikeachit。ItwasnottillaftertheirreturntoTuskingumthatLottietookhertrueplaceinrelationtotheaffair，andinthepreparationsforthewedding，whichsheappointedtobeintheFirstUniversalistChurch，overrulingbothhermother’sandsister’spreferencesforahomewedding，thatLottieroseindueauthority。Mrs。Kentonhadnotceasedtofeelquelledwheneverheryoungerdaughtercalledhermotherinsteadofmomma，andEllenseemednotreallytocare。ShesubmittedthemattertoBreckon，whosaid，"Ohyes，ifLottiewishes，"andhelaughedwhenEllenconfessed，"Well，Isaidwewould。"
　　Withtheliftingofhisgreatanxiety，hehadgotbacktothatlightnesswhichwasmostlikehim，andhecouldnotalwaysconcealfromLottieherselfthatheregardedherasajoke。Shedidnotmindit，shesaid，fromsuchameresopas，inthevastcontentofhislove，hewas。
　　ThiswassomemonthsafterLottiehadgotatScheveningenfromMr。
　　Plumptonthatletterwhichdecidedherthatshehadnouseforhim。
　　Therecamethesameday，andbythesamepostwithit，aletterfromoneofheryoungmeninTuskingum，whohadfaithfullywrittentoherallthewinterbefore，andhadnotintermittedhislettersaftershewentabroad。
　　ToKentonhehadalwaysseemedtoowiseifnottoogoodforLottie，butMrs。Kenton，whohadherowndoubtsofLottie，wouldnotallowthiswhenitcametothequestion，andsaid，woundedly，thatshedidnotseewhyLottiewasnotfullyhisequalineveryway。
　　"Well，"thejudgesuggested，"sheisn’tthefirstyounglawyerattheTuskingumbar。"
　　"Well，Iwouldn’twishhertobe，"saidMrs。Kenton，whodidnotoftenmakejokes。
　　"Well，Idon’tknowthatIwould，"herhusbandassented，andheadded，"Prettygood，Sarah。"
　　"Lottie，"hermothersummedup，"ispractical，andsheisveryneat。Shewon’tletMr。Elroygoaroundlookingsoslovenly。Ihopeshewillmakehimhavehishaircut，andnotlookasifitwerebittenoff。AndI
　　don’tbelievehe’shadhisbootsblackedsince——"
　　"Hewasborn，"thejudgeproposed，andsheassented。
　　"Yes。Sheisverysaving，andheiswasteful。Itwillbeaverygoodmatch。Youcanletthembuildontheothercornerofthelot，ifEllenisgoingtobeinNewYork。IwouldmissLottiemorethanEllenaboutthehousekeeping，thoughthedearknowsIwillmissthembothbadlyenough。"
　　"Well，youcanbreakofftheirengagements，"saidthejudge。
　　Asyet，anduntilEllenwasoffherhands，LottiewouldnotallowMr。
　　Elroytoconsiderhimselfengagedtoher。Hisconditionaldevotiondidnotdebarhimfromalover’srights，and，untilBreckoncameonfromNewYorktobemarried，therewasmuchmorecourtshipofLottiethanofElleninthehouse。ButLottiesavedherselfintheformifnotthefact，andasfarasverbaltermswereconcerned，shewasjustifiedbythemindeclaringthatshewouldnothaveanothersophanginground。
　　ItwasBoyne，andBoynealone，whohadanymisgivingsinregardtoEllen’sengagement，andthesewereofanaturesoreconditethatwhenhecametoimpartthemtohismother，beforetheyleftScheveningen，andwhiletherewasyettimeforthatconclusionwhichhisfathersuggestedtoMrs。Kentontoolate，Boynehadanalmosthopelessdifficultyinstatingthem。Hisapproaches，even，weresomysticalthathismotherwasforcedtobringhimtobooksharply。
　　"Boyne，ifyoudon’ttellmerightoffjustwhatyoumean，Idon’tknowwhatIwilldotoyou！Whatareyoudrivingat，forpity’ssake？Areyousayingthatsheoughtn’ttobeengagedtoMr。Breckon？"
　　"No，I’mnotsayingthat，momma，"saidBoyne，inadistressthatcausedhismothertotakeareefinherimpatience。
　　"Well，whatareyousaying，then？"
　　"Why，youknowhowEllenis，momma。Youknowhowconscientiousand——and——sensitive。Or，Idon’tmeansensitive，exactly。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Well，Idon’tthinksheoughttobeengagedtoMr。Breckonoutof——
　　gratitude。"
　　"Gratitude？"
　　"Yes。Ijustknowthatshethinks——oritwouldbejustlikeher——thathesavedmethatday。Butheonlymetmeaboutasecondbeforewecametoherandpoppa，andtheofficersweretakingmerightalongtowardsthem。"
　　Mrs。Kentonheldherselfstormilyin，andhecontinued:"Iknowthathetranslatedforusbeforethemagistrate，butthemagistratecouldspeakalittleEnglish，andwhenhesawpoppahesawthatitwasallright，anyway。Idon’twanttosayanythingagainstMr。Breckon，andIthinkhebehavedaswellanyonecould；butifEllenisgoingtomarryhimoutofgratitudeforsavingme——"
　　Mrs。Kentoncouldholdinnolonger。"Andisthiswhatyou’vebeenbotheringthelifehalfoutofmefor，forthelasthour？"
　　"Well，Ithoughtyououghttolookatitinthatlight，momma。"
　　"Well，Boyne，"saidhismother，"sometimesIthinkyou’realmostafool！"
　　andsheturnedherbackuponhersonandlefthim。
　　Boyne’splaceintheKentonfamily，forwhichhecontinuedtohavethehighestregard，becamealittlelessdifficult，alittlelessincompatiblewithhisself-respectastimewenton。Hisspirit，whichhadlaggedalittleafterhisbodyinstature，began，ashisfathersaid，tocatchup。Henolongernourisheditsoexclusivelyuponheroicalromanceashehadduringthepastyear，andafterhisreturntoTuskingumhewentintohisbrotherRichard’sonce，andmanifestedacertaincuriosityinthestudyofthelaw。HereadBlackstone，andcouldgiveafairaccountofhisimpressionsofEnglishlawtohisfather。Hehadquiteoutlivedtheperiodofentomologicalresearch，andhepresentedhiscollectionsofinsectssomewhatmoth-eatentohisnephew，onwhomhealsobestowedhispostage-stampalbum；MaryKentonacceptedthemintrust，thenephewbeingofyettootenderyearsfortheircare。InthepreoccupationsofhisimmediatefamilywithEllen’sengagement，Boynebecameratherclosefriendswithhissister-in-law，andthereweretimeswhenhewastemptedtosubmittoherjudgmentthequestionwhethertheyoungQueenofHollanddidnotreallybeckontohimthatday。ButpendingthehourwhenheforesawthatLottieshouldcomeoutwiththewholestory，insomeinstantofexcitement，Boynehadnotquitethehearttospeakofhisexperience。Itassumedmoreandmorerespectabilitywithhim，andlostthatsqualorwhichhadonceputhimtoshamewhileitwasyetnew。HethoughtthatMarymightbereasonedintoregardinghimastheheroofanadventure，butheisstillhesitatingwhethertoconfideinher。Inthemeantimesheknowsallaboutit。MaryandRichardbothapprovedofEllen’schoice，thoughtheyaresomewhatpuzzledtomakeoutjustwhatMr。Breckon’sreligionis，andwhathisrelationstohischargeinNewYorkmaybe。Thesedonotseemtothemquitepastoral，andhehimselfsharestheiruncertainty。ButsincehisflockdoesnotincludeMrs。Rasmithandherdaughter，heiscontenttoletthequestionremaininabeyance。TheRasmithsaresettledinRomewithanapparentpermanencywhichtheyhavenotknownelsewhereforalongtime，andtheyhavebothjoinedinthefriendliestkindofletteronhismarriagetotheirformerpastor，ifthatwaswhatBreckonwas。TheyhaveprofessedtoknowfromthefirstthathewasinlovewithEllen，andthatheisinlovewithhernowisthestrongpresentbeliefofhisflock，iftheyareaflock，andiftheymaybesaidtohaveanythingsopositiveasabeliefinregardtoanything。
　　JudgeKentonhasgiventheElroystheothercornerofthelot，andhassuppliedthemthemeansofbuildingonit。MaryandLottierundiagonallyintothehome-houseeveryday，andnothingkeepseitherfromcomingintoauthorityovertheoldpeopleexceptthefearofeachotherinwhichtheystand。TheKentonsnolongermakeanysummerjourneys，butinthewintertheytakeBoyneandgotoseeElleninNewYork。TheydonotstaysolongasMrs。Kentonwouldlike。AssoonastheyhavefairlyseentheBreckons，andhavesettledcomfortablydownintheirpleasanthouseonWestSeventy-fourthStreet，shedetectshiminasecrethabitofsighing，whichsherecognizesastheworstsymptomofhomesickness，andthensheconfidestoEllenthatshesupposesMr。Kentonwillmakehergohomewithhimbeforelong。Ellenknowsitisuselesstointerfere。Sheevenencouragesherfather’slongings，sofarasindulginghisclandestinevisitstotheseedsman’s，andshegoeswithhimtopickupsecond-handbooksaboutOhiointheWaratthedealers’，whorememberthejudgeveryflatteringly。
　　AsFebruarydrawsontowardsMarchitbecomesimpossibletodetainKenton。HiswifeandsonreturnwithhimtoTuskingum，whereLottiehasseentothekindlingofagoodfireinthefurnaceagainsttheirarrival，andhasnearlycometoblowswithMaryaboutprovisioningthemforthefirstdinner。ThenMrs。Kentonowns，withacomfortwhichshewillnotletherhusbandsee，thatthereisnoplacelikehome，andtheytakeuptheirlifeintheplacewheretheyhavebeensohappyandsounhappy。Hereadstoheragooddealatnight，andtheyplayagameofcheckersusuallybeforetheygotobed；shestillcheatswithoutscruple，for，asshejustlysays，heknowsverywellthatshecannotbeartobebeaten。
　　Thecolonel，asheisstillinvariablyknowntohisveterans，worksprettyfaithfullyattheregimentalautobiography，anddrivesroundthecountry，pickingupmaterialamongthem，inabuggyplasteredwithmud。
　　Hehasimagined，sincehislastvisittoBreckon，whodictateshissermons，iftheyaresermons，takingastenographerwithhim，andtheyounglady，whoisindeadlyterrorofthecolonel’sdriving，isofthegreatestusetohim，inthecaseofveteranswhowillnotorcannotgivedownastheysayintheirdairy-countryparlance，andhasalreadyrescuedmanyreminiscencesfromperishingintheirfalteringmemories。
　　Shewritesthemoutinthejudge’slibrarywhenthecolonelgetshome，andhiswifesometimessurprisesMr。Kentoncorrectingthemthereatnightaftershesupposeshehasgonetobed。
　　SinceithasallturnedoutforthebestconcerningBittridge，shenolongerhasthosepangsofself-reproachforRichard’streatmentofhimwhichshesufferedwhileafraidthatifthefactcametoEllen’sknowledgeitmightmakeherrefuseBreckon。Shedoesnotfindherdaughter’sbehaviorinthemattersoanomalousasitappearstothejudge。
　　Heiswillingtoaccountforitonthegroundofthatinconsistencywhichhehasobservedinallhumanbehavior，butMrs。Kentonisnotinclinedtoadmitthatitissoveryinconsistent。ShecontendsthatEllenhadsimplylivedthroughthathatefulepisodeofherpsychologicalhistory，asshewassuretodosoonerorlaterandasshewasdestinedtodoassoonassomeotherpersonarrivedtotakeherfancy。
　　Ifthisisthecrude，common-senseviewofthematter，Ellenherselfisabletooffernofinerexplanation，whichshallatthesametimebemorethorough。Sheandherhusbandhavenotfailedtotalktheaffairover，withthatfulnessoftreatmentwhichyoungmarriedpeoplegivetheirpastwhentheyhavenothingtoconcealfromeachother。Shehasattemptedtosolvethemysterybyblamingherselfforacertainessentiallevityofnaturewhich，underallherappearanceofgravity，sympathizedwithlevityinothers，and，forwhatsheknowstothecontrary，withsomethingignobleandunworthyinthem。Breckon，ofcourse，doesnotadmitthis，buthehassuggestedthatshewasfirstattractedtohimbyacertainunseriousnesswhichremindedherofBittridge，inenablinghimtotakeherseriousnesslightly。Thisisthelogicalinferencewhichhemakesfromhertheoryofherself，butsheinsiststhatitdoesnotfollow；andshecontendsthatshewasmovedtolovehimbyaninstantsenseofhisgoodness，whichsheneverlost，andinwhichshewastryingtoequalherselfwithhimbyeventhedesperatemeasureofrenouncingherhappiness，ifthatshouldeverseemherduty，tohisperfection。Hesaysthisisnotveryclear，thoughitisawfullygratifying，andhedoesnotquiteunderstandwhyMrs。Bittridge’slettershouldhaveliberatedEllenfromherfanciedobligationstothepast。Ellencanonlysaythatitdidsobymakinghersoashamedevertohavehadanythingtodowithsuchpeople，andmakingherseehowmuchshehadtriedherfatherandmotherbyherfolly。ThisagainBreckoncontendsisnotclear，buthesaysweliveinauniverseofproblemsinwhichanother，moreorless，doesnotmuchmatter。HeisalwaysexpectingthatsomechanceshallconfronthimwithBittridge，andthattheman’spresencewillexplaineverything；for，likesomanyOhiopeoplewholeavetheirnativeState，theBittridgeshavecomeEastinsteadofgoingWest，inquittingtheneighborhoodofTuskingum。HeissettledwithhisidolizedmotherinNewYork，whereheisobscurelyattachedtooneofthenewspapers。Thathehasasyetfailedtorisefromtheranksinthegreatarmyofassignmentmenmaybebecausemoralqualitytellseverywhere，andtobeacleverblackguardisnotsowellastobesimplyclever。IfeverBreckonhasmethisalterego，asheamuseshimselfincallinghim，hehasnotknownit，thoughBittridgemayhavebeenwiserinthecaseofamanofBreckon’spublicity，nottocallitdistinction。Therewasatime，immediatelyaftertheBreckonsheardfromTuskingumthattheBittridgeswereinNewYork，whenEllen’shusbandconsultedherastowhatmightbehisdutytowardsherlatesuitorintheeventwhichhasnottakenplace，andwhenhesuggested，nottooseriously，thatRichard’scoursemightbethesolution。TohissuggestionEllenanswered:"Ohno，dear！Thatwaswrong，"andthisremainsalsoRichard’sopinion。
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