“Howareyou？”hesaid，easily。”Icouldnotresistthe，temptationtocomeoutthisafternoon，itwassopleasant。”
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie，haltingbeforehim，“Iwasjustpreparingto，goforawalkmyself。”
　　“Oh，wereyou？”hesaid。”Supposing，then，yougetyourhatand，webothgo？”
　　TheycrossedtheparkandwentwestalongWashingtonBoulevard，beautifulwithitsbroadmacadamisedroad，andlargeframehouses，setbackfromthesidewalks。Itwasastreetwheremanyofthe，moreprosperousresidentsoftheWestSidelived，andHurstwood，couldnothelpfeelingnervousoverthepublicityofit。They，hadgonebutafewblockswhenaliverystablesigninoneofthe，sidestreetssolvedthedifficultyforhim。Hewouldtakeherto，drivealongthenewBoulevard。
　　TheBoulevardatthattimewaslittlemorethanacountryroad。
　　Thepartheintendedshowingherwasmuchfartheroutonthis，sameWestSide，wheretherewasscarcelyahouse。Itconnected，DouglasParkwithWashingtonorSouthPark，andwasnothingmore，thananeatlyMADEroad，runningduesouthforsomefivemiles，overanopen，grassyprairie，andthendueeastoverthesame，kindofprairieforthesamedistance。Therewasnotahouseto，beencounteredanywherealongthelargerpartoftheroute，and，anyconversationwouldbepleasantlyfreeofinterruption。
　　Atthestablehepickedagentlehorse，andtheyweresoonoutof，rangeofeitherpublicobservationorhearing。
　　“Canyoudrive？”hesaid，afteratime。
　　“Inevertried，“saidCarrie。
　　Heputthereinsinherhand，andfoldedhisarms。
　　“Youseethere’snothingtoitmuch，“hesaid，smilingly。
　　“Notwhenyouhaveagentlehorse，“saidCarrie。
　　“Youcanhandleahorseaswellasanyone，afteralittle，practice，“headded，encouragingly。
　　Hehadbeenlookingforsometimeforabreakintheconversation，whenhecouldgiveitaseriousturn。Onceortwicehehadheld，hispeace，hopingthatinsilenceherthoughtswouldtakethe，colourofhisown，butshehadlightlycontinuedthesubject。
　　Presently，however，hissilencecontrolledthesituation。The，driftofhisthoughtsbegantotell。Hegazedfixedlyatnothing，inparticular，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingwhich，concernedhernotatall。Histhoughts，however，spokefor，themselves。Shewasverymuchawarethataclimaxwaspending。
　　“Doyouknow，“hesaid，“Ihavespentthehappiesteveningsin，yearssinceIhaveknownyou？”
　　“Haveyou？”shesaid，withassumedairiness，butstillexcitedby，theconvictionwhichthetoneofhisvoicecarried。
　　“Iwasgoingtotellyoutheotherevening，“headded，“but，somehowtheopportunityslippedaway。”
　　Carriewaslisteningwithoutattemptingtoreply。Shecould，thinkofnothingworthwhiletosay。Despitealltheideas，concerningrightwhichhadtroubledhervaguelysinceshehad，lastseenhim，shewasnowinfluencedagainstronglyinhis，favour。
　　“Icameouthereto-day，“hewenton，solemnly，“totellyoujust，howIfeel——toseeifyouwouldn’tlistentome。”
　　Hurstwoodwassomethingofaromanticistafterhiskind。Hewas，capableofstrongfeelings——oftenpoeticones——andunderastress，ofdesire，suchasthepresent，hewaxedeloquent。Thatis，his，feelingsandhisvoicewerecolouredwiththatseemingrepression，andpathoswhichistheessenceofeloquence。
　　“Youknow，“hesaid，puttinghishandonherarm，andkeepinga，strangesilencewhileheformulatedwords，“thatIloveyou？”
　　Carriedidnotstiratthewords。Shewasboundupcompletelyin，theman’satmosphere。Hewouldhavechurchlikesilenceinorder，toexpresshisfeelings，andshekeptit。Shedidnotmoveher，eyesfromtheflat，openscenebeforeher。Hurstwoodwaitedfor，afewmoments，andthenrepeatedthewords。
　　“Youmustnotsaythat，“shesaid，weakly。
　　Herwordswerenotconvincingatall。Theyweretheresultofa，feeblethoughtthatsomethingoughttobesaid。Hepaidno，attentiontothemwhatever。
　　“Carrie，“hesaid，usingherfirstnamewithsympathetic，familiarity，“Iwantyoutoloveme。Youdon’tknowhowmuchI
　　needsomeonetowastealittleaffectiononme。Iam，practicallyalone。Thereisnothinginmylifethatispleasant，ordelightful。It’sallworkandworrywithpeoplewhoare，nothingtome。”
　　Ashesaidthis，Hurstwoodreallyimaginedthathisstatewas，pitiful。Hehadtheabilitytogetoffatadistanceandview，himselfobjectively——ofseeingwhathewantedtoseeinthe，thingswhichmadeuphisexistence。Now，ashespoke，hisvoice，trembledwiththatpeculiarvibrationwhichistheresultof，tensity。Itwentringinghometohiscompanion’sheart。
　　“Why，Ishouldthink，“shesaid，turninguponhimlargeeyes，whichwerefullofsympathyandfeeling，“thatyouwouldbevery，happy。Youknowsomuchoftheworld。”
　　“Thatisit，“hesaid，hisvoicedroppingtoasoftminor，“I
　　knowtoomuchoftheworld。”
　　Itwasanimportantthingtohertohearonesowell-positioned，andpowerfulspeakinginthismanner。Shecouldnothelpfeeling，thestrangenessofhersituation。Howwasitthat，insolittle，awhile，thenarrowlifeofthecountryhadfallenfromherasa，garment，andthecity，withallitsmystery，takenitsplace？
　　Herewasthisgreatestmystery，themanofmoneyandaffairs，sittingbesideher，appealingtoher。Behold，hehadeaseand，comfort，hisstrengthwasgreat，hispositionhigh，hisclothing，rich，andyethewasappealingtoher。Shecouldformulateno，thoughtwhichwouldbejustandright。Shetroubledherselfno，moreuponthematter。Sheonlybaskedinthewarmthofhis，feeling，whichwasasagratefulblazetoonewhoiscold。
　　Hurstwoodglowedwithhisownintensity，andtheheatofhis，passionwasalreadymeltingthewaxofhiscompanion’sscruples。
　　“Youthink，“hesaid，“Iamhappy;thatIoughtnottocomplain？
　　Ifyouweretomeetalldaywithpeoplewhocareabsolutely，nothingaboutyou，ifyouwentdayafterdaytoaplacewhere，therewasnothingbutshowandindifference，iftherewasnotone，personinallthoseyouknewtowhomyoucouldappealfor，sympathyortalktowithpleasure，perhapsyouwouldbeunhappy，too。
　　Hewasstrikingachordnowwhichfoundsympatheticresponsein，herownsituation。Sheknewwhatitwastomeetwithpeoplewho，wereindifferent，towalkaloneamidsomanywhocaredabsolutely，nothingaboutyou。Hadnotshe？，Wasnotsheatthisverymoment，quitealone？，Whowasthereamongallwhomsheknewtowhomshe，couldappealforsympathy？，Notone。Shewaslefttoherselfto，broodandwonder。
　　“Icouldbecontent，“wentonHurstwood，“ifIhadyoutolove，me。IfIhadyoutogoto;youforacompanion。Asitis，I
　　simplymoveaboutfromplacetoplacewithoutanysatisfaction。
　　Timehangsheavilyonmyhands。BeforeyoucameIdidnothing，butidleanddriftintoanythingthatoffereditself。Sinceyou，came——well，I’vehadyoutothinkabout。”
　　Theoldillusionthatherewassomeonewhoneededheraidbegan，togrowinCarrie’smind。Shetrulypitiedthissad，lonely，figure。Tothinkthatallhisfinestateshouldbesobarrenfor，wantofher;thatheneededtomakesuchanappealwhenshe，herselfwaslonelyandwithoutanchor。Surely，thiswastoobad。
　　“Iamnotverybad，“hesaid，apologetically，asifheoweditto，hertoexplainonthisscore。”Youthink，probably，thatIroam，around，andgetintoallsortsofevil？，Ihavebeenrather，reckless，butIcouldeasilycomeoutofthat。Ineedyouto，drawmeback，ifmylifeeveramountstoanything。”
　　Carrielookedathimwiththetendernesswhichvirtueeverfeels，initshopeofreclaimingvice。Howcouldsuchamanneed，reclaiming？，Hiserrors，whatwerethey，thatshecouldcorrect？
　　Smalltheymustbe，whereallwassofine。Atworst，theywere，gildedaffairs，andwithwhatleniencyaregildederrorsviewed。
　　Heputhimselfinsuchalonelylightthatshewasdeeplymoved。
　　“Isitthatway？”shemused。
　　Heslippedhisarmaboutherwaist，andshecouldnotfindthe，hearttodrawaway。Withhisfreehandheseizeduponher，fingers。Abreathofsoftspringwindwentboundingoverthe，road，rollingsomebrowntwigsofthepreviousautumnbeforeit。
　　Thehorsepacedleisurelyon，unguided。
　　“Tellme，“hesaid，softly，“thatyouloveme。”
　　Hereyesfellconsciously。
　　“Owntoit，dear，“hesaid，feelingly;“youdo，don’tyou？”
　　Shemadenoanswer，buthefelthisvictory。
　　“Tellme，“hesaid，richly，drawinghersoclosethattheirlips，wereneartogether。Hepressedherhandwarmly，andthen，releasedittotouchhercheek。
　　“Youdo？”hesaid，pressinghislipstoherown。
　　Foranswer，herlipsreplied。
　　“Now，“hesaid，joyously，hisfineeyesablaze，“you’remyown，girl，aren’tyou？”
　　Bywayoffurtherconclusion，herheadlaysoftlyuponhis，shoulder。
　　ChapterXIV
　　WITHEYESANDNOTSEEING——ONEINFLUENCEWANES
　　Carrieinherroomsthateveningwasinafineglow，physically，andmentally。Shewasdeeplyrejoicinginheraffectionfor，Hurstwoodandhislove，andlookedforwardwithfinefancyto，theirnextmeetingSundaynight。Theyhadagreed，withoutany，feelingofenforcedsecrecy，thatsheshouldcomedowntownand，meethim，though，afterall，theneedofitwasthecause。
　　Mrs。Hale，fromherupperwindow，sawhercomein。
　　“Um，“shethoughttoherself，“shegoesridingwithanotherman，whenherhusbandisoutofthecity。Hehadbetterkeepaneye，onher。”
　　ThetruthisthatMrs。Halewasnottheonlyonewhohada，thoughtonthisscore。ThehousemaidwhohadwelcomedHurstwood，hadheropinionalso。ShehadnoparticularregardforCarrie，whomshetooktobecoldanddisagreeable。Atthesametime，she，hadafancyforthemerryandeasy-manneredDrouet，whothrewher，apleasantremarknowandthen，andinotherwaysextendedher，theevidenceofthatregardwhichhehadforallmembersofthe，sex。Hurstwoodwasmorereservedandcriticalinhismanner。He，didnotappealtothisbodicedfunctionaryinthesamepleasant，way。Shewonderedthathecamesofrequently，thatMrs。Drouet，shouldgooutwithhimthisafternoonwhenMr。Drouetwasabsent。
　　Shegaveventtoheropinionsinthekitchenwherethecookwas。
　　Asaresult，ahumofgossipwassetgoingwhichmovedaboutthe，houseinthatsecretmannercommontogossip。
　　Carrie，nowthatshehadyieldedsufficientlytoHurstwoodto，confessheraffection，nolongertroubledaboutherattitude，towardshim。TemporarilyshegavelittlethoughttoDrouet，thinkingonlyofthedignityandgraceofherloverandofhis，consumingaffectionforher。Onthefirstevening，shedid，littlebutgooverthedetailsoftheafternoon。Itwasthe，firsttimehersympathieshadeverbeenthoroughlyaroused，and，theythrewanewlightonhercharacter。Shehadsomepowerof，initiative，latentbefore，whichnowbegantoexertitself。She，lookedmorepracticallyuponherstateandbegantosee，glimmeringsofawayout。Hurstwoodseemedadraginthe，directionofhonour。Herfeelingswereexceedinglycreditable，inthattheyconstructedoutoftheserecentdevelopments，somethingwhichconqueredfreedomfromdishonour。Shehadno，ideawhatHurstwood’snextwordwouldbe。Sheonlytookhis，affectiontobeafinething，andappendedbetter，moregenerous，resultsaccordingly。
　　Asyet，Hurstwoodhadonlyathoughtofpleasurewithout，responsibility。Hedidnotfeelthathewasdoinganythingto，complicatehislife。Hispositionwassecure，hishome-life，if，notsatisfactory，wasatleastundisturbed，hispersonalliberty，ratheruntrammelled。Carrie’sloverepresentedonlysomuch，addedpleasure。Hewouldenjoythisnewgiftoverandabovehis，ordinaryallowanceofpleasure。Hewouldbehappywithherand，hisownaffairswouldgoonastheyhad，undisturbed。
　　OnSundayeveningCarriedinedwithhimataplacehehad，selectedinEastAdamsStreet，andthereaftertheytookacabto，whatwasthenapleasanteveningresortoutonCottageGrove，Avenuenear39thStreet。Intheprocessofhisdeclarationhe，soonrealisedthatCarrietookhisloveuponahigherbasisthan，hehadanticipated。Shekepthimatadistanceinarather，earnestway，andsubmittedonlytothosetendertokensof，affectionwhichbetterbecometheinexperiencedlover。Hurstwood，sawthatshewasnottobepossessedfortheasking，anddeferred，pressinghissuittoowarmly。
　　Sincehefeignedtobelieveinhermarriedstatehefoundthathe，hadtocarryoutthepart。Histriumph，hesaw，wasstillata，littledistance。Howfarhecouldnotguess。
　　TheywerereturningtoOgdenPlaceinthecab，whenheasked：
　　“WhenwillIseeyouagain？”
　　“Idon’tknow，“sheanswered，wonderingherself。
　　“WhynotcomedowntoTheFair，“hesuggested，“nextTuesday？”
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　“Notsosoon，“sheanswered。
　　“I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，“headded。”I’llwriteyou，careof，thisWestSidePost-office。CouldyoucallnextTuesday？”
　　Carrieassented。
　　Thecabstoppedonedooroutofthewayaccordingtohiscall。
　　“Good-night，“hewhispered，asthecabrolledaway。
　　Unfortunatelyforthesmoothprogressionofthisaffair，Drouet，returned。Hurstwoodwassittinginhisimposinglittleoffice，thenextafternoonwhenhesawDrouetenter。
　　“Why，hello，Charles，“hecalledaffably;“backagain？”
　　“Yes，“smiledDrouet，approachingandlookinginatthedoor。
　　Hurstwoodarose。
　　“Well，“hesaid，lookingthedrummerover，“rosyasever，eh？”
　　Theybegantalkingofthepeopletheyknewandthingsthathad，happened。
　　“Beenhomeyet？”finallyaskedHurstwood。
　　“No，Iamgoing，though，“saidDrouet。
　　“Irememberedthelittlegirloutthere，“saidHurstwood，“and，calledonce。Thoughtyouwouldn’twantherleftquitealone。”
　　“Rightyouare，“agreedDrouet。”Howisshe？”
　　“Verywell，“saidHurstwood。”Ratheranxiousaboutyouthough。
　　You’dbettergooutnowandcheerherup。”
　　“Iwill，“saidDrouet，smilingly。
　　“Liketohaveyoubothcomedownandgototheshowwithme，Wednesday，“concludedHurstwoodatparting。
　　“Thanks，oldman，“saidhisfriend，“I’llseewhatthegirlsays，andletyouknow。”
　　Theyseparatedinthemostcordialmanner。
　　“There’sanicefellow，“Drouetthoughttohimselfasheturned，thecornertowardsMadison。
　　“Drouetisagoodfellow，“Hurstwoodthoughttohimselfashe，wentbackintohisoffice，“buthe’snomanforCarrie。”
　　Thethoughtofthelatterturnedhismindintoamostpleasant，vein，andhewanderedhowhewouldgetaheadofthedrummer。
　　WhenDrouetenteredCarrie’spresence，hecaughtherinhisarms，asusual，butsherespondedtohiskisswithatremourof，opposition。
　　“Well，“hesaid，“Ihadagreattrip。”
　　“Didyou？HowdidyoucomeoutwiththatLaCrossemanyouwere，tellingmeabout？”
　　“Oh，fine;soldhimacompleteline。Therewasanotherfellow，there，representingBurnstein，aregularhook-nosedsheeny，but，hewasn’tinit。Imadehimlooklikenothingatall。”
　　Asheundidhiscollarandunfastenedhisstuds，preparatoryto，washinghisfaceandchanginghisclothes，hedilateduponhis，trip。Carriecouldnothelplisteningwithamusementtohis，animateddescriptions。
　　“Itellyou，“hesaid，“Isurprisedthepeopleattheoffice。
　　I’vesoldmoregoodsthislastquarterthananyothermanofour，houseontheroad。Isoldthreethousanddollars’worthinLa，Crosse。”
　　Heplungedhisfaceinabasinofwater，andpuffedandblewas，herubbedhisneckandearswithhishands，whileCarriegazed，uponhimwithmingledthoughtsofrecollectionandpresent，judgment。Hewasstillwipinghisface，whenhecontinued：
　　“I’mgoingtostrikeforaraiseinJune。Theycanaffordtopay，it，asmuchbusinessasIturnin。I’llgetittoo，don’tyou，forget。”
　　“Ihopeyoudo，“saidCarrie。
　　“AndthenifthatlittlerealestatedealI’vegotongoes，through，we’llgetmarried，“hesaidwithagreatshowof，earnestness，thewhilehetookhisplacebeforethemirrorand，beganbrushinghishair。
　　“Idon’tbelieveyoueverintendtomarryme，Charlie，“Carrie，saidruefully。TherecentprotestationsofHurstwoodhadgiven，hercouragetosaythis。
　　“Oh，yesIdo——courseIdo——whatputthatintoyourhead？”
　　Hehadstoppedhistriflingbeforethemirrornowandcrossed，overtoher。ForthefirsttimeCarriefeltasifshemustmove，awayfromhim。
　　“Butyou’vebeensayingthatsolong，“shesaid，lookingwithher，prettyfaceupturnedintohis。
　　“Well，andImeanittoo，butittakesmoneytoliveasIwant，to。Now，whenIgetthisincrease，Icancomeprettynearfixing，thingsallright，andI’lldoit。Now，don’tyouworry，girlie。”
　　Hepattedherreassuringlyupontheshoulder，butCarriefelthow，reallyfutilehadbeenherhopes。Shecouldclearlyseethat，thiseasy-goingsoulintendednomoveinherbehalf。Hewas，simplylettingthingsdriftbecausehepreferredthefreeround，ofhispresentstatetoanylegaltrammellings。
　　Incontrast，Hurstwoodappearedstrongandsincere。Hehadno，easymannerofputtingheroff。Hesympathisedwithherand，showedherwhathertruevaluewas。Heneededher，whileDrouet，didnotcare。
　　“Oh，no，“shesaidremorsefully，hertonereflectingsomeofher，ownsuccessandmoreofherhelplessness，“youneverwill。”
　　“Well，youwaitalittlewhileandsee，“heconcluded。”I’ll，marryyouallright。”
　　Carrielookedathimandfeltjustified。Shewaslookingfor，somethingwhichwouldcalmherconscience，andhereitwas，a，light，airydisregardofherclaimsuponhisjustice。Hehad，faithfullypromisedtomarryher，andthiswasthewayhe，fulfilledhispromise。
　　“Say，“hesaid，afterhehad，ashethought，pleasantlydisposed，ofthemarriagequestion，“IsawHurstwoodto-day，andhewants，ustogotothetheatrewithhim。”
　　Carriestartedatthename，butrecoveredquicklyenoughtoavoid，notice。
　　“When？”sheasked，withassumedindifference。
　　“Wednesday。We’llgo，won’twe？”
　　“Ifyouthinkso，“sheanswered，hermannerbeingsoenforcedly，reservedastoalmostexcitesuspicion。Drouetnoticedsomething，buthethoughtitwasduetoherfeelingsconcerningtheirtalk，aboutmarriage。
　　“Hecalledonce，hesaid。”
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie，“hewasouthereSundayevening。”
　　“Washe？”saidDrouet。”Ithoughtfromwhathesaidthathehad，calledaweekorsoago。”
　　“Sohedid，“answeredCarrie，whowaswhollyunawareofwhat，conversationherloversmighthaveheld。Shewasallatsea，mentally，andfearfulofsomeentanglementwhichmightensuefrom，whatshewouldanswer。
　　“Oh，thenhecalledtwice？”saidDrouet，thefirstshadeof，misunderstandingshowinginhisface。
　　“Yes，“saidCarrieinnocently，feelingnowthatHurstwoodmust，havementionedbutonecall。
　　Drouetimaginedthathemusthavemisunderstoodhisfriend。He，didnotattachparticularimportancetotheinformation，after，all。
　　“Whatdidhehavetosay？”hequeried，withslightlyincreased，curiosity。
　　“HesaidhecamebecausehethoughtImightbelonely。You，hadn’tbeenintheresolonghewonderedwhathadbecomeofyou。”
　　“Georgeisafinefellow，“saidDrouet，rathergratifiedbyhis，conceptionofthemanager’sinterest。”Comeonandwe’llgoout，todinner。”
　　WhenHurstwoodsawthatDrouetwasbackhewroteatonceto，Carrie，saying：
　　“ItoldhimIcalledonyou，dearest，whenhewasaway。Idid，notsayhowoften，butheprobablythoughtonce。Letmeknowof，anythingyoumayhavesaid。Answerbyspecialmessengerwhenyou，getthis，and，darling，Imustseeyou。Letmeknowifyoucan’t，meetmeatJacksonandThroopStreetsWednesdayafternoonattwo，o’clock。Iwanttospeakwithyoubeforewemeetatthe，theatre。”
　　CarriereceivedthisTuesdaymorningwhenshecalledattheWest，Sidebranchofthepost-office，andansweredatonce。
　　“Isaidyoucalledtwice，“shewrote。”Hedidn’tseemtomind。
　　IwilltryandbeatThroopStreetifnothinginterferes。Iseem，tobegettingverybad。It’swrongtoactasIdo，Iknow。”
　　Hurstwood，whenhemetherasagreed，reassuredheronthis，score。
　　“Youmustn’tworry，sweetheart，“hesaid。”Justassoonashe，goesontheroadagainwewillarrangesomething。We’llfixit，sothatyouwon’thavetodeceiveanyone。”
　　Carrieimaginedthathewouldmarryheratonce，thoughhehad，notdirectlysaidso，andherspiritsrose。Sheproposedtomake，thebestofthesituationuntilDrouetleftagain。
　　“Don’tshowanymoreinterestinmethanyoueverhave，“
　　Hurstwoodcounselledconcerningtheeveningatthetheatre。
　　“Youmustn’tlookatmesteadilythen，“sheanswered，mindfulof，thepowerofhiseyes。
　　“Iwon’t，“hesaid，squeezingherhandatpartingandgivingthe，glanceshehadjustcautionedagainst。
　　“There，“shesaidplayfully，pointingafingerathim。
　　“Theshowhasn’tbegunyet，“hereturned。
　　Hewatchedherwalkfromhimwithtendersolicitation。Such，youthandprettinessreacteduponhimmoresubtlythanwine。
　　AtthetheatrethingspassedastheyhadinHurstwood’sfavour。
　　IfhehadbeenpleasingtoCarriebefore，howmuchmoresowashe，now。Hisgracewasmorepermeatingbecauseitfoundareadier，medium。Carriewatchedhiseverymovementwithpleasure。She，almostforgotpoorDrouet，whobabbledonasifhewerethehost。
　　Hurstwoodwastooclevertogivetheslightestindicationofa，change。Hepaid，ifanything，moreattentiontohisoldfriend，thanusual，andyetinnowayheldhimuptothatsubtleridicule，whichaloverinfavourmaysosecretlypractisebeforethe，mistressofhisheart。Ifanything，hefelttheinjusticeofthe，gameasitstood，andwasnotcheapenoughtoaddtoitthe，slightestmentaltaunt。
　　Onlytheplayproducedanironicalsituation，andthiswasdueto，Drouetalone。
　　Thescenewasonein“TheCovenant，“inwhichthewifelistened，totheseductivevoiceofaloverintheabsenceofherhusband。
　　“Servedhimright，“saidDrouetafterward，eveninviewofher，keenexpiationofhererror。”Ihaven’tanypityforamanwho，wouldbesuchachumpasthat。”
　　“Well，younevercantell，“returnedHurstwoodgently。”He，probablythoughthewasright。”
　　“Well，amanoughttobemoreattentivethanthattohiswifeif，hewantstokeepher。”
　　Theyhadcomeoutofthelobbyandmadetheirwaythroughthe，showycrushabouttheentranceway。
　　“Say，mister，“saidavoiceatHurstwood’sside，“wouldyoumind，givingmethepriceofabed？”
　　HurstwoodwasinterestedlyremarkingtoCarrie。
　　“HonesttoGod，mister，I’mwithoutaplacetosleep。”
　　Thepleawasthatofagaunt-facedmanofaboutthirty，who，lookedthepictureofprivationandwretchedness。Drouetwasthe，firsttosee。Hehandedoveradimewithanupwellingfeelingof，pityinhisheart。Hurstwoodscarcelynoticedtheincident。
　　Carriequicklyforgot。
　　ChapterXV
　　THEIRKOFTHEOLDTIES——THEMAGICOFYOUTH
　　ThecompleteignoringbyHurstwoodofhisownhomecamewiththe，growthofhisaffectionforCarrie。Hisactions，inallthat，relatedtohisfamily，wereofthemostperfunctorykind。Hesat，atbreakfastwithhiswifeandchildren，absorbedinhisown，fancies，whichreachedfarwithouttherealmoftheirinterests。
　　Hereadhispaper，whichwasheightenedininterestbythe，shallownessofthethemesdiscussedbyhissonanddaughter。
　　Betweenhimselfandhiswiferanariverofindifference。
　　NowthatCarriehadcome，hewasinafairwaytobeblissful，again。Therewasdelightingoingdowntownevenings。Whenhe，walkedforthintheshortdays，thestreetlampshadamerry，twinkle。Hebegantoexperiencethealmostforgottenfeeling，whichhastensthelover’sfeet。Whenhelookedathisfine，clothes，hesawthemwithhereyes——andhereyeswereyoung。
　　Whenintheflushofsuchfeelingsheheardhiswife’svoice，whentheinsistentdemandsofmatrimonyrecalledhimfromdreams，toastalepractice，howitgrated。Hethenknewthatthiswasa，chainwhichboundhisfeet。
　　“George，“saidMrs。Hurstwood，inthattoneofvoicewhichhad，longsincecometobeassociatedinhismindwithdemands，“we，wantyoutogetusaseasontickettotheraces。”
　　“Doyouwanttogotoallofthem？”hesaidwitharising，inflection。
　　“Yes，“sheanswered。
　　TheracesinquestionweresoontoopenatWashingtonPark，on，theSouthSide，andwereconsideredquitesocietyaffairsamong，thosewhodidnotaffectreligiousrectitudeandconservatism。
　　Mrs。Hurstwoodhadneveraskedforawholeseasonticketbefore，butthisyearcertainconsiderationsdecidedhertogetabox。
　　Foronething，oneofherneighbours，acertainMr。andMrs。
　　Ramsey，whowerepossessorsofmoney，madeoutofthecoal，business，haddoneso。Inthenextplace，herfavourite，physician，Dr。Beale，agentlemaninclinedtohorsesandbetting，hadtalkedwithherconcerninghisintentiontoenteratwo-year-
　　oldintheDerby。Inthethirdplace，shewishedtoexhibit，Jessica，whowasgaininginmaturityandbeauty，andwhomshe，hopedtomarrytoamanofmeans。Herowndesiretobeaboutin，suchthingsandparadeamongheracquaintancesandcommonthrong，wasasmuchanincentiveasanything。
　　Hurstwoodthoughtoverthepropositionafewmomentswithout，answering。Theywereinthesittingroomonthesecondfloor，waitingforsupper。Itwastheeveningofhisengagementwith，CarrieandDrouettosee“TheCovenant，“whichhadbroughthim，hometomakesomealterationsinhisdress。
　　“You’resureseparateticketswouldn’tdoaswell？”heasked，hesitatingtosayanythingmorerugged。
　　“No，“sherepliedimpatiently。
　　“Well，“hesaid，takingoffenceathermanner，“youneedn’tget，madaboutit。I’mjustaskingyou。”
　　“I’mnotmad，“shesnapped。”I’mmerelyaskingyouforaseason，ticket。”
　　“AndI’mtellingyou，“hereturned，fixingaclear，steadyeyeon，her，“thatit’snoeasythingtoget。I’mnotsurewhetherthe，managerwillgiveittome。”
　　Hehadbeenthinkingallthetimeofhis“pull“withtherace-
　　trackmagnates。
　　“Wecanbuyitthen，“sheexclaimedsharply。
　　“Youtalkeasy，“hesaid。”Aseasonfamilyticketcostsone，hundredandfiftydollars。”
　　“I’llnotarguewithyou，“sherepliedwithdetermination。”I
　　wanttheticketandthat’sallthereistoit。”
　　Shehadrisen，andnowwalkedangrilyoutoftheroom。
　　“Well，yougetitthen，“hesaidgrimly，thoughinamodified，toneofvoice。
　　Asusual，thetablewasoneshortthatevening。
　　Thenextmorninghehadcooleddownconsiderably，andlaterthe，ticketwasdulysecured，thoughitdidnothealmatters。Hedid，notmindgivinghisfamilyafairshareofallthatheearned，buthedidnotliketobeforcedtoprovideagainsthiswill。
　　“Didyouknow，mother，“saidJessicaanotherday，“theSpencers，aregettingreadytogoaway？”
　　“No。Where，Iwonder？”
　　“Europe，“saidJessica。”ImetGeorgineyesterdayandshetold，me。Shejustputonmoreairsaboutit。”
　　“Didshesaywhen？”
　　“Monday，Ithink。They’llgetanoticeinthepapersagain——they，alwaysdo。”
　　“Nevermind，“saidMrs。Hurstwoodconsolingly，“we’llgooneof，thesedays。”
　　Hurstwoodmovedhiseyesoverthepaperslowly，butsaidnothing。
　　“’WesailforLiverpoolfromNewYork，’“Jessicaexclaimed，mockingheracquaintance。”’Expecttospendmostofthe“summah“
　　inFrance，’——vainthing。AsIfitwasanythingtogotoEurope。”
　　“Itmustbeifyouenvyhersomuch，“putinHurstwood。
　　Itgrateduponhimtoseethefeelinghisdaughterdisplayed。
　　“Don’tworryoverthem，mydear，“saidMrs。Hurstwood。
　　“DidGeorgegetoff？”askedJessicaofhermotheranotherday，thusrevealingsomethingthatHurstwoodhadheardnothingabout。
　　“Wherehashegone？”heasked，lookingup。Hehadneverbefore，beenkeptinignoranceconcerningdepartures。
　　“HewasgoingtoWheaton，“saidJessica，notnoticingtheslight，putuponherfather。
　　“What’soutthere？”heasked，secretlyirritatedandchagrinedto，thinkthatheshouldbemadetopumpforinformationinthis，manner。
　　“Atennismatch，“saidJessica。
　　“Hedidn’tsayanythingtome，“Hurstwoodconcluded，findingit，difficulttorefrainfromabittertone。
　　“Iguesshemusthaveforgotten，“exclaimedhiswifeblandly。In，thepasthehadalwayscommandedacertainamountofrespect，whichwasacompoundofappreciationandawe。Thefamiliarity，whichinpartstillexistedbetweenhimselfandhisdaughterhe，hadcourted。Asitwas，itdidnotgobeyondthelight，assumptionofwords。TheTONEwasalwaysmodest。Whateverhad，been，however，hadlackedaffection，andnowhesawthathewas，losingtrackoftheirdoings。Hisknowledgewasnolonger，intimate。Hesometimessawthemattable，andsometimesdidnot。
　　Heheardoftheirdoingsoccasionally，moreoftennot。Somedays，hefoundthathewasallatseaastowhattheyweretalking，about——thingstheyhadarrangedtodoorthattheyhaddonein，hisabsence。Moreaffectingwasthefeelingthattherewere，littlethingsgoingonofwhichhenolongerheard。Jessicawas，beginningtofeelthatheraffairswereherown。George，Jr。，flourishedaboutasifhewereamanentirelyandmustneedshave，privatematters。AllthisHurstwoodcouldsee，anditlefta，traceoffeeling，forhewasusedtobeingconsidered——inhis，officialposition，atleast——andfeltthathisimportanceshould，notbegintowanehere。Todarkenitall，hesawthesame，indifferenceandindependencegrowinginhiswife，whilehe，lookedonandpaidthebills。
　　Heconsoledhimselfwiththethought，however，that，afterall，hewasnotwithoutaffection。Thingsmightgoastheywouldat，hishouse，buthehadCarrieoutsideofit。Withhismind’seye，helookedintohercomfortableroominOgdenPlace，wherehehad，spentseveralsuchdelightfulevenings，andthoughthowcharming，itwouldbewhenDrouetwasdisposedofentirelyandshewas，waitingeveningsincoseylittlequartersforhim。Thatnocause，wouldcomeupwherebyDrouetwouldbeledtoinformCarrie，concerninghismarriedstate，hefelthopeful。Thingsweregoing，sosmoothlythathebelievedtheywouldnotchange。Shortlynow，hewouldpersuadeCarrieandallwouldbesatisfactory。
　　Thedayaftertheirtheatrevisithebeganwritingherregularly——
　　alettereverymorning，andbegginghertodoasmuchforhim。
　　Hewasnotliterarybyanymeans，butexperienceoftheworldand，hisgrowingaffectiongavehimsomewhatofastyle。Thishe，exercisedathisofficedeskwithperfectdeliberation。He，purchasedaboxofdelicatelycolouredandscentedwritingpaper，inmonogram，whichhekeptlockedinoneofthedrawers。His，friendsnowwonderedattheclericandveryofficial-looking，natureofhisposition。Thefivebartendersviewedwithrespect，thedutieswhichcouldcallamantodosomuchdesk-workand，penmanship。
　　Hurstwoodsurprisedhimselfwithhisfluency。Bythenaturallaw，whichgovernsalleffort，whathewrotereacteduponhim。He，begantofeelthosesubtletieswhichhecouldfindwordsto，express。Witheveryexpressioncameincreasedconception。Those，inmostbreathingswhichtherefoundwordstookholduponhim。He，thoughtCarrieworthyofalltheaffectionhecouldthere，express。
　　Carriewasindeedworthlovingifeveryouthandgraceareto，commandthattokenofacknowledgmentfromlifeintheirbloom。
　　Experiencehadnotyettakenawaythatfreshnessofthespirit，whichisthecharmofthebody。Hersofteyescontainedintheir，liquidlustrenosuggestionoftheknowledgeofdisappointment。
　　Shehadbeentroubledinawaybydoubtandlonging，butthese，hadmadenodeeperimpressionthancouldbetracedinacertain，openwistfulnessofglanceandspeech。Themouthhadthe，expressionattimes，intalkingandinrepose，ofonewhomight，beuponthevergeoftears。Itwasnotthatgriefwasthusever，present。Thepronunciationofcertainsyllablesgavetoherlips，thispeculiarityofformation——aformationassuggestiveand，movingaspathositself。
　　Therewasnothingboldinhermanner。Lifehadnottaughther，domination——superciliousnessofgrace，whichisthelordlypower，ofsomewomen。Herlongingforconsiderationwasnot，sufficientlypowerfultomovehertodemandit。Evennowshe，lackedself-assurance，buttherewasthatinwhatshehadalready，experiencedwhichleftheralittlelessthantimid。Shewanted，pleasure，shewantedposition，andyetshewasconfusedasto，whatthesethingsmightbe。Everyhourthekaleidoscopeofhuman，affairsthrewanewlustreuponsomething，andtherewithit，becameforherthedesired——theall。Anothershiftofthebox，andsomeotherhadbecomethebeautiful，theperfect。
　　Onherspiritualside，also，shewasrichinfeeling，assucha，naturewellmightbe。Sorrowinherwasarousedbymanya，spectacle——anuncriticalupwellingofgrieffortheweakandthe，helpless。Shewasconstantlypainedbythesightofthewhite-
　　faced，raggedmenwhosloppeddesperatelybyherinasortof，wretchedmentalstupor。Thepoorlycladgirlswhowentblowing，byherwindowevenings，hurryinghomefromsomeoftheshopsof，theWestSide，shepitiedfromthedepthsofherheart。She，wouldstandandbiteherlipsastheypassed，shakingherlittle，headandwondering。Theyhadsolittle，shethought。Itwasso，sadtoberaggedandpoor。Thehangoffadedclothespainedher，eyes。
　　“Andtheyhavetoworksohard！”washeronlycomment。
　　Onthestreetsometimesshewouldseemenworking——Irishmenwith，picks，coal-heaverswithgreatloadstoshovel，Americansbusy，aboutsomeworkwhichwasamerematterofstrength——andthey，touchedherfancy。Toil，nowthatshewasfreeofit，seemed，evenamoredesolatethingthanwhenshewaspartofit。Shesaw，itthroughamistoffancy——apale，sombrehalf-light，whichwas，theessenceofpoeticfeeling。Heroldfather，inhisflour-
　　dustedmiller’ssuit，sometimesreturnedtoherinmemory，revivedbyafaceinawindow。Ashoemakerpeggingathislast，ablastmanseenthroughanarrowwindowinsomebasementwhere，ironwasbeingmelted，abench-workerseenhighaloftinsome，window，hiscoatoff，hissleevesrolledup;thesetookherback，infancytothedetailsofthemill。Shefelt，thoughsheseldom，expressedthem，sadthoughtsuponthisscore。Hersympathies，wereeverwiththatunder-worldoftoilfromwhichshehadso，recentlysprung，andwhichshebestunderstood。
　　ThoughHurstwooddidnotknowit，hewasdealingwithonewhose，feelingswereastenderandasdelicateasthis。Hedidnot，know，butitwasthisinher，afterall，whichattractedhim。He，neverattemptedtoanalysethenatureofhisaffection。Itwas，sufficientthattherewastendernessinhereye，weaknessinher，manner，goodnatureandhopeinherthoughts。Hedrewnearthis，lily，whichhadsuckeditswaxenbeautyandperfumefrombelowa，depthofwaterswhichhehadneverpenetrated，andoutofooze，andmouldwhichhecouldnotunderstand。Hedrewnearbecauseit，waswaxenandfresh。Itlightenedhisfeelingsforhim。Itmade，themorningworthwhile。
　　Inamaterialway，shewasconsiderablyimproved。Her，awkwardnesshadallbutpassed，leaving，ifanything，aquaint，residuewhichwasaspleasingasperfectgrace。Herlittleshoes，nowfittedhersmartlyandhadhighheels。Shehadlearnedmuch，aboutlacesandthoselittleneckpieceswhichaddsomuchtoa，woman’sappearance。Herformhadfilledoutuntilitwas，admirablyplumpandwell-rounded。
　　Hurstwoodwroteheronemorning，askinghertomeethimin，JeffersonPark，MonroeStreet。Hedidnotconsideritpolicyto，callanymore，evenwhenDrouetwasathome。
　　Thenextafternoonhewasintheprettylittleparkbyone，and，hadfoundarusticbenchbeneaththegreenleavesofalilacbush，whichborderedoneofthepaths。Itwasatthatseasonofthe，yearwhenthefulnessofspringhadnotyetwornquiteaway。At，alittlepondnearbysomecleanlydressedchildrenweresailing，whitecanvasboats。Intheshadeofagreenpagodaabebuttoned，officerofthelawwasresting，hisarmsfolded，hisclubatrest，inhisbelt。Anoldgardenerwasuponthelawn，withapairof，pruningshears，lookingaftersomebushes。Highoverheadwasthe，cleanblueskyofthenewsummer，andinthethicknessofthe，shinygreenleavesofthetreeshoppedandtwitteredthebusy，sparrows。
　　Hurstwoodhadcomeoutofhisownhomethatmorningfeelingmuch，ofthesameoldannoyance。Athisstorehehadidled，there，beingnoneedtowrite。Hehadcomeawaytothisplacewiththe，lightnessofheartwhichcharacterisesthosewhoputweariness，behind。Now，intheshadeofthiscool，greenbush，helooked，abouthimwiththefancyofthelover。Heheardthecartsgo，lumberingbyupontheneighbouringstreets，buttheywerefar，off，andonlybuzzeduponhisear。Thehumofthesurrounding，citywasfaint，theclangofanoccasionalbellwasasmusic。He，lookedanddreamedanewdreamofpleasurewhichconcernedhis，presentfixedconditionnotatall。Hegotbackinfancytothe，oldHurstwood，whowasneithermarriednorfixedinasolid，positionforlife。Herememberedthelightspiritinwhichhe，oncelookedafterthegirls——howhehaddanced，escortedthem，home，hungovertheirgates。Healmostwishedhewasbackthere，again——hereinthispleasantscenehefeltasifhewerewholly，free。
　　AttwoCarriecametrippingalongthewalktowardhim，rosyand，clean。Shehadjustrecentlydonnedasailorhatfortheseason，withabandofprettywhite-dottedbluesilk。Herskirtwasofa，richbluematerial，andhershirtwaistmatchedit，withathin-
　　stripeofblueuponasnow-whiteground——stripesthatwereas，fineashairs。Herbrownshoespeepedoccasionallyfrombeneath，herskirt。Shecarriedherglovesinherhand。
　　Hurstwoodlookedupatherwithdelight。
　　“Youcame，dearest，“hesaideagerly，standingtomeetherand，takingherhand。
　　“Ofcourse，“shesaid，smiling;“didyouthinkIwouldn’t？”
　　“Ididn’tknow，“hereplied。
　　Helookedatherforehead，whichwasmoistfromherbriskwalk。
　　Thenhetookoutoneofhisownsoft，scentedsilkhandkerchiefs，andtouchedherfacehereandthere。
　　“Now，“hesaidaffectionately，“you’reallright。”
　　Theywerehappyinbeingnearoneanother——inlookingintoeach，other’seyes。Finally，whenthelongflushofdelighthadsub，sided，hesaid：
　　“WhenisCharliegoingawayagain？”
　　“Idon’tknow，“sheanswered。”Hesayshehassomethingstodo，forthehouseherenow。”
　　Hurstwoodgrewserious，andhelapsedintoquietthought。He，lookedupafteratimetosay：
　　“Comeawayandleavehim。”
　　Heturnedhiseyestotheboyswiththeboats，asiftherequest，wereoflittleimportance。
　　“Wherewouldwego？”sheaskedinmuchthesamemanner，rolling，hergloves，andlookingintoaneighbouringtree。
　　“Wheredoyouwanttogo？”heenquired。
　　Therewassomethinginthetoneinwhichhesaidthiswhichmade，herfeelasifshemustrecordherfeelingsagainstanylocal，habitation。
　　“Wecan’tstayinChicago，“shereplied。
　　Hehadnothoughtthatthiswasinhermind——thatanyremoval，wouldbesuggested。
　　“Whynot？”heaskedsoftly。
　　“Oh，because，“shesaid，“Iwouldn’twantto。”
　　Helistenedtothiswithbutdullperceptionofwhatitmeant。
　　Ithadnoseriousringtoit。Thequestionwasnotupfor，immediatedecision。
　　“Iwouldhavetogiveupmyposition，“hesaid。
　　Thetoneheusedmadeitseemasifthematterdeservedonly，slightconsideration。Carriethoughtalittle，thewhile，enjoyingtheprettyscene。
　　“Iwouldn’tliketoliveinChicagoandhimhere，“shesaid，thinkingofDrouet。
　　“It’sabigtown，dearest，“Hurstwoodanswered。”Itwouldbeas，goodasmovingtoanotherpartofthecountrytomovetothe，SouthSide。”
　　Hehadfixeduponthatregionasanobjectivepoint。
　　“Anyhow，“saidCarrie，“Ishouldn’twanttogetmarriedaslong，asheishere。Iwouldn’twanttorunaway。”
　　ThesuggestionofmarriagestruckHurstwoodforcibly。Hesaw，clearlythatthiswasheridea——hefeltthatitwasnottobe，gottenovereasily。Bigamylightenedthehorizonofhisshadowy，thoughtsforamoment。Hewonderedforthelifeofhimhowit，wouldallcomeout。Hecouldnotseethathewasmakingany，progresssaveinherregard。Whenhelookedathernow，he，thoughtherbeautiful。Whatathingitwastohaveherlovehim，evenifitbeentangling！Sheincreasedinvalueinhiseyes，becauseofherobjection。Shewassomethingtostrugglefor，and，thatwaseverything。Howdifferentfromthewomenwhoyielded，willingly！Hesweptthethoughtofthemfromhismind。
　　“Andyoudon’tknowwhenhe’llgoaway？”askedHurstwood，quietly。
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　Hesighed。
　　“You’readeterminedlittlemiss，aren’tyou？”hesaid，aftera，fewmoments，lookingupintohereyes。
　　Shefeltawaveoffeelingsweepoverheratthis。Itwaspride，atwhatseemedhisadmiration——affectionforthemanwhocould，feelthisconcerningher。
　　“No，“shesaidcoyly，“butwhatcanIdo？”
　　Againhefoldedhishandsandlookedawayoverthelawnintothe，street。
　　“Iwish，“hesaidpathetically，“youwouldcometome。Idon’t，liketobeawayfromyouthisway。Whatgoodistherein，waiting？You’renotanyhappier，areyou？”
　　“Happier！”sheexclaimedsoftly，“youknowbetterthanthat。”
　　“Herewearethen，“hewentoninthesametone，“wastingour，days。Ifyouarenothappy，doyouthinkIam？Isitandwrite，toyouthebiggestpartofthetime。I’lltellyouwhat，Carrie，“heexclaimed，throwingsuddenforceofexpressioninto，hisvoiceandfixingherwithhiseyes，“Ican’tlivewithout，you，andthat’sallthereistoit。Now，“heconcluded，showing，thepalmofoneofhiswhitehandsinasortofat-an-end，helplessexpression，“whatshallIdo？”
　　ThisshiftingoftheburdentoherappealedtoCarrie。The，semblanceoftheloadwithouttheweighttouchedthewoman’s，heart。
　　“Can’tyouwaitalittlewhileyet？”shesaidtenderly。”I’ll，tryandfindoutwhenhe’sgoing。”
　　“Whatgoodwillitdo？”heasked，holdingthesamestrainof，feeling。
　　“Well，perhapswecanarrangetogosomewhere。”
　　Shereallydidnotseeanythingclearerthanbefore，butshewas，gettingintothatframeofmindwhere，outofsympathy，awoman，yields。
　　Hurstwooddidnotunderstand。Hewaswonderinghowshewastobe，persuaded——whatappealwouldmovehertoforsakeDrouet。He，begantowonderhowfarheraffectionforhimwouldcarryher。
　　Hewasthinkingofsomequestionwhichwouldmakehertell。
　　Finallyhehitupononeofthoseproblematicalpropositionswhich，oftendisguiseourowndesireswhileleadingustoan，understandingofthedifficultieswhichothersmakeforus，and，sodiscoverforusaway。Ithadnottheslightestconnection，withanythingintendedonhispart，andwasspokenatrandom，beforehehadgivenitamoment’sseriousthought。
　　“Carrie，“hesaid，lookingintoherfaceandassumingaserious，lookwhichhedidnotfeel，“supposeIweretocometoyounext，week，orthisweekforthatmatter——to-nightsay——andtellyouI
　　hadtogoaway——thatIcouldn’tstayanotherminuteandwasn’t，comingbackanymore——wouldyoucomewithme？”
　　Hissweetheartviewedhimwiththemostaffectionateglance，her，answerreadybeforethewordswereoutofhismouth。
　　“Yes，“shesaid。
　　“Youwouldn’tstoptoargueorarrange？”
　　“Notifyoucouldn’twait。”
　　Hesmiledwhenhesawthatshetookhimseriously，andhethought，whatachanceitwouldaffordforapossiblejunketofaweekor，two。Hehadanotiontotellherthathewasjokingandsobrush，awayhersweetseriousness，buttheeffectofitwastoo，delightful。Heletitstand。
　　“Supposewedidn’thavetimetogetmarriedhere？”headded，an，afterthoughtstrikinghim。
　　“Ifwegotmarriedassoonaswegottotheotherendofthe，journeyitwouldbeallright。”
　　“Imeantthat，“hesaid。
　　“Yes。”
　　Themorningseemedpeculiarlybrighttohimnow。Hewondered，whatevercouldhaveputsuchathoughtintohishead。Impossible，asitwas，hecouldnothelpsmilingatitscleverness。It，showedhowshelovedhim。Therewasnodoubtinhismindnow，andhewouldfindawaytowinher。
　　“Well，“hesaid，jokingly，“I’llcomeandgetyouoneofthese，evenings，“andthenhelaughed。
　　“Iwouldn’tstaywithyou，though，ifyoudidn’tmarryme，“
　　Carrieaddedreflectively。
　　“Idon’twantyouto，“hesaidtenderly，takingherhand。
　　Shewasextremelyhappynowthatsheunderstood。Shelovedhim，themoreforthinkingthathewouldrescueherso。Asforhim，themarriageclausedidnotdwellinhismind。Hewasthinking，thatwithsuchaffectiontherecouldbenobartohiseventual，happiness。
　　“Let’sstrollabout，“hesaidgayly，risingandsurveyingallthe，lovelypark。
　　“Allright，“saidCarrie。
　　TheypassedtheyoungIrishman，wholookedafterthemwith，enviouseyes。
　　“’Tisafoinecouple，“heobservedtohimself。”Theymustbe，rich。”
　　ChapterXVI
　　AWITLESSALADDIN——THEGATETOTHEWORLD
　　InthecourseofhispresentstayinChicago，Drouetpaidsome，slightattentiontothesecretordertowhichhebelonged。
　　Duringhislasttriphehadreceivedanewlightonits，importance。
　　“Itellyou，“saidanotherdrummertohim，“it’sagreatthing。
　　LookatHazenstab。Heisn’tsodeucedclever。Ofcoursehe’s，gotagoodhousebehindhim，butthatwon’tdoalone。Itellyou，it’shisdegree。He’saway-upMason，andthatgoesalongway。
　　He’sgotasecretsignthatstandsforsomething。”
　　Drouetresolvedthenandtherethathewouldtakemoreinterest，insuchmatters。SowhenhegotbacktoChicagoherepairedto，hislocallodgeheadquarters。
　　“Isay，Drouet，“saidMr。HarryQuincel，anindividualwhowas，veryprominentinthislocalbranchoftheElks，“you’retheman，thatcanhelpusout。”
　　Itwasafterthebusinessmeetingandthingsweregoingsocially，withahum。Drouetwasbobbingaroundchattingandjokingwitha，scoreofindividualswhomheknew。
　　“Whatareyouupto？”heinquiredgenially，turningasmiling，faceuponhissecretbrother。
　　“We’retryingtogetupsometheatricalsfortwoweeksfromto-
　　day，andwewanttoknowifyoudon’tknowsomeyoungladywho，couldtakeapart——it’saneasypart。”
　　“Sure，“saidDrouet，“whatisit？”Hedidnottroubletoremember，thatheknewnoonetowhomhecouldappealonthisscore。His，innategood-nature，however，dictatedafavourablereply。
　　“Well，now，I’lltellyouwhatwearetryingtodo，“wentonMr。
　　Quincel。”Wearetryingtogetanewsetoffurnitureforthe，lodge。Thereisn’tenoughmoneyinthetreasuryatthepresent，time，andwethoughtwewouldraiseitbyalittle，entertainment。”
　　“Sure，“interruptedDrouet，“that’sagoodidea。”
　　“Severaloftheboysaroundherehavegottalent。There’sHarry，Burbeck，hedoesafineblack-faceturn。MacLewisisallright，atheavydramatics。Didyoueverhearhimrecite’Overthe，Hills’？”
　　“Neverdid。”
　　“Well，Itellyou，hedoesitfine。”
　　“Andyouwantmetogetsomewomantotakeapart？”questioned，Drouet，anxioustoterminatethesubjectandgetontosomething，else。”Whatareyougoingtoplay？”
　　“’UndertheGaslight，’“saidMr。Quincel，mentioningAugustin，Daly’sfamousproduction，whichhadwornfromagreatpublic，successdowntoanamateurtheatricalfavourite，withmanyofthe，troublesomeaccessoriescutoutandthedramatispersonaereduced，tothesmallestpossiblenumber。
　　Drouethadseenthisplaysometimeinthepast。
　　“That’sit，“hesaid;“that’safineplay。Itwillgoallright。
　　Yououghttomakealotofmoneyoutofthat。”
　　“Wethinkwe’lldoverywell，“Mr。Quincelreplied。”Don’tyou，forgetnow，“heconcluded，Drouetshowingsignsofrestlessness;
　　“someyoungwomantotakethepartofLaura。”
　　“Sure，I’llattendtoit。”
　　Hemovedaway，forgettingalmostallaboutitthemomentMr。
　　Quincelhadceasedtalking。Hehadnoteventhoughttoaskthe，timeorplace。
　　Drouetwasremindedofhispromiseadayortwolaterbythe，receiptofaletterannouncingthatthefirstrehearsalwasset，forthefollowingFridayevening，andurginghimtokindly，forwardtheyounglady’saddressatonce，inorderthatthepart，mightbedeliveredtoher。
　　“Now，whothedeucedoIknow？”askedthedrummerreflectively，scratchinghisrosyear。”Idon’tknowanyonethatknows，anythingaboutamateurtheatricals。”
　　Hewentoverinmemorythenamesofanumberofwomenheknew，andfinallyfixedonone，largelybecauseoftheconvenient，locationofherhomeontheWestSide，andpromisedhimselfthat，ashecameoutthateveninghewouldseeher。When，however，he，startedwestonthecarheforgot，andwasonlyremindedofhis，delinquencybyaniteminthe“EveningNews“——asmallthree-line，affairundertheheadofSecretSocietyNotes——whichstatedthe，CusterLodgeoftheOrderofElkswouldgiveatheatrical，performanceinAveryHallonthe16th，when“UndertheGaslight“
　　wouldbeproduced。
　　“George！”exclaimedDrouet，“Iforgotthat。”
　　“What？”inquiredCarrie。
　　Theywereattheirlittletableintheroomwhichmighthavebeen，usedforakitchen，whereCarrieoccasionallyservedameal。To-
　　nightthefancyhadcaughther，andthelittletablewasspread，withapleasingrepast。
　　“Why，mylodgeentertainment。They’regoingtogiveaplay，and，theywantedmetogetthemsomeyoungladytotakeapart。”
　　“Whatisitthey’regoingtoplay？”
　　“’UndertheGaslight。’“
　　“When？”
　　“Onthe16th。”
　　“Well，whydon’tyou？”askedCarrie。
　　“Idon’tknowanyone，“hereplied。
　　Suddenlyhelookedup。
　　“Say，“hesaid，“howwouldyouliketotakethepart？”
　　“Me？”saidCarrie。”Ican’tact。”
　　“Howdoyouknow？”questionedDrouetreflectively。
　　“Because，“answeredCarrie，“Ineverdid。”
　　Nevertheless，shewaspleasedtothinkhewouldask。Hereyes，brightened，foriftherewasanythingthatenlistedher，sympathiesitwastheartofthestage。
　　Truetohisnature，Drouetclungtothisideaasaneasywayout。
　　“That’snothing。Youcanactallyouhavetodownthere。”
　　“No，Ican’t，“saidCarrieweakly，verymuchdrawntowardthe，propositionandyetfearful。
　　“Yes，youcan。Now，whydon’tyoudoit？Theyneedsomeone，and，itwillbelotsoffunforyou。”
　　“Oh，no，itwon’t，“saidCarrieseriously。
　　“You’dlikethat。Iknowyouwould。I’veseenyoudancing，aroundhereandgivingimitationsandthat’swhyIaskedyou。
　　You’recleverenough，allright。”
　　“No，I’mnot，“saidCarrieshyly。
　　“Now，I’lltellyouwhatyoudo。Yougodownandseeaboutit。
　　It’llbefunforyou。Therestofthecompanyisn’tgoingtobe，anygood。Theyhaven’tanyexperience。Whatdotheyknowabout，theatricals？”
　　Hefrownedashethoughtoftheirignorance。
　　“Handmethecoffee，“headded。
　　“Idon’tbelieveIcouldact，Charlie，“Carriewentonpettishly。
　　“Youdon’tthinkIcould，doyou？”
　　“Sure。Outo’sight。Ibetyoumakeahit。Nowyouwanttogo，Iknowyoudo。IknewitwhenIcamehome。That’swhyIasked，you。”
　　“Whatistheplay，didyousay？”
　　“’UndertheGaslight。’“
　　“Whatpartwouldtheywantmetotake？”
　　“Oh，oneoftheheroines——Idon’tknow。”
　　“Whatsortofaplayisit？”
　　“Well，“saidDrouet，whosememoryforsuchthingswasnotthe，best，“it’saboutagirlwhogetskidnappedbyacoupleof，crooks——amanandawomanthatliveintheslums。Shehadsome，moneyorsomethingandtheywantedtogetit。Idon’tknownow，howitdidgoexactly。”
　　“Don’tyouknowwhatpartIwouldhavetotake？”
　　“No，Idon’t，totellthetruth。”Hethoughtamoment。”Yes，I
　　do，too。Laura，that’sthething——you’retobeLaura。”
　　“Andyoucan’trememberwhatthepartislike？”