Hurstwoodbegantofeeladeepsympathyforherandforhimself。
　　Hecouldalmostfeelthatshewastalkingtohim。Hewas，bya，combinationoffeelingsandentanglements，almostdeludedbythat，qualityofvoiceandmannerwhich，likeapatheticstrainof，music，seemseverapersonalandintimatething。Pathoshasthis，quality，thatitseemseveraddressedtoonealone。
　　“Andyet，shecanbeveryhappywithhim，“wentonthelittle，actress。”Hersunnytemper，herjoyousfacewillbrightenany，home。”
　　Sheturnedslowlytowardtheaudiencewithoutseeing。Therewas，somuchsimplicityinhermovementsthatsheseemedwhollyalone。
　　Thenshefoundaseatbyatable，andturnedoversomebooks，devotingathoughttothem。
　　“WithnolongingsforwhatImaynothave，“shebreathedin，conclusion——anditwasalmostasigh——“myexistencehiddenfrom，allsavetwointhewideworld，andmakingmyjoyoutofthejoy，ofthatinnocentgirlwhowillsoonbehiswife。”
　　Hurstwoodwassorrywhenacharacter，knownasPeachBlossom，interruptedher。Hestirredirritably，forhewishedhertogo，on。Hewascharmedbythepaleface，thelissomefigure，draped，inpearlgrey，withacoiledstringofpearlsatthethroat。
　　Carriehadtheairofonewhowaswearyandinneedof，protection，and，underthefascinatingmake-believeofthe，moment，heroseinfeelinguntilhewasreadyinspirittogoto，herandeaseheroutofhermiserybyaddingtohisowndelight。
　　InamomentCarriewasaloneagain，andwassaying，with，animation：
　　“Imustreturntothecity，nomatterwhatdangersmaylurkhere。
　　Imustgo，secretlyifIcan;openly，ifImust。”
　　Therewasasoundofhorses’hoofsoutside，andthenRay’svoice，saying：
　　“No，Ishallnotrideagain。Puthimup。”
　　Heentered，andthenbeganascenewhichhadasmuchtodowith，thecreationofthetragedyofaffectioninHurstwoodasanything，inhispeculiarandinvolvedcareer。ForCarriehadresolvedto，makesomethingofthisscene，and，nowthatthecuehadcome，it，begantotakeafeelingholduponher。BothHurstwoodandDrouet，notedtherisingsentimentassheproceeded。
　　“IthoughtyouhadgonewithPearl，“shesaidtoherlover。
　　“Ididgopartoftheway，butIleftthePartyamiledownthe，road。”
　　“YouandPearlhadnodisagreement？”
　　“No——yes;thatis，wealwayshave。Oursocialbarometersalways，standat’cloudy’and’overcast。’“
　　“Andwhosefaultisthat？”shesaid，easily。
　　“Notmine，“heanswered，pettishly。”IknowIdoallIcan——I
　　sayallIcan——butshe——“
　　ThiswasratherawkwardlyputbyPatton，butCarrieredeemedit，withagracewhichwasinspiring。
　　“Butsheisyourwife，“shesaid，fixingherwholeattentionupon，thestilledactor，andsofteningthequalityofhervoiceuntil，itwasagainlowandmusical。”Ray，myfriend，courtshipisthe，textfromwhichthewholesermonofmarriedlifetakesitstheme。
　　Donotletyoursbediscontentedandunhappy。”
　　Sheputhertwolittlehandstogetherandpressedthem，appealingly。
　　Hurstwoodgazedwithslightlypartedlips。Drouetwasfidgeting，withsatisfaction。
　　“Tobemywife，yes，“wentontheactorinamannerwhichwas，weakbycomparison，butwhichcouldnotnowspoilthetender，atmospherewhichCarriehadcreatedandmaintained。Shedidnot，seemtofeelthathewaswretched。Shewouldhavedonenearlyas，wellwithablockofwood。Theaccessoriessheneededwere，withinherownimagination。Theactingofotherscouldnot，affectthem。
　　“Andyourepentalready？”shesaid，slowly。
　　“Ilostyou，“hesaid，seizingherlittlehand，“andIwasatthe，mercyofanyflirtwhochosetogivemeaninvitinglook。Itwas，yourfault——youknowitwas——whydidyouleaveme？”
　　Carrieturnedslowlyaway，andseemedtobemasteringsome，impulseinsilence。Thensheturnedback。
　　“Ray，“shesaid，“thegreatesthappinessIhaveeverfelthas，beenthethoughtthatallyouraffectionwasforeverbestowed，uponavirtuouswoman，yourequalinfamily，fortune，and，accomplishments。Whatarevelationdoyoumaketomenow！What，isitmakesyoucontinuallywarwithyourhappiness？”
　　Thelastquestionwasaskedsosimplythatitcametothe，audienceandtheloverasapersonalthing。
　　Atlastitcametothepartwheretheloverexclaimed，“Betome，asyouusedtobe。”
　　Carrieanswered，withaffectingsweetness，“Icannotbethatto，you，butIcanspeakinthespiritoftheLaurawhoisdeadto，youforever。”
　　“Beitasyouwill，“saidPatton。
　　Hurstwoodleanedforward。Thewholeaudiencewassilentand，intent。
　　“Letthewomanyoulookuponbewiseorvain，“saidCarrie，her，eyesbentsadlyuponthelover，whohadsunkintoaseat，“beautifulorhomely，richorpoor，shehasbutonethingshecan，reallygiveorrefuse——herheart。”
　　Drouetfeltascratchinhisthroat。
　　“Herbeauty，herwit，heraccomplishments，shemayselltoyou;
　　butherloveisthetreasurewithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。”
　　Themanagersufferedthisasapersonalappeal。Itcametohim，asiftheywerealone，andhecouldhardlyrestrainthetearsfor，sorrowoverthehopeless，pathetic，andyetdaintyandappealing，womanwhomheloved。Drouetalsowasbesidehimself。Hewas，resolvingthathewouldbetoCarriewhathehadneverbeen，before。Hewouldmarryher，byGeorge！Shewasworthit。
　　“Sheasksonlyinreturn，“saidCarrie，scarcelyhearingthe，small，scheduledreplyofherlover，andputtingherselfeven，moreinharmonywiththeplaintivemelodynowissuingfromthe，orchestra，“thatwhenyoulookuponheryoureyesshallspeak，devotion;thatwhenyouaddressheryourvoiceshallbegentle，loving，andkind;thatyoushallnotdespiseherbecauseshe，cannotunderstandallatonceyourvigorousthoughtsand，ambitiousdesigns;for，whenmisfortuneandevilhavedefeated，yourgreatestpurposes，herloveremainstoconsoleyou。You，looktothetrees，“shecontinued，whileHurstwoodrestrainedhis，feelingsonlybythegrimmestrepression，“forstrengthand，grandeur;donotdespisetheflowersbecausetheirfragranceis，alltheyhavetogive。Remember，“sheconcluded，tenderly，“love，isallawomanhastogive，“andshelaidastrange，sweetaccent，ontheall，“butitistheonlythingwhichGodpermitsusto，carrybeyondthegrave。”
　　Thetwomenwereinthemostharrowedstateofaffection。They，scarcelyheardthefewremainingwordswithwhichthescene，concluded。Theyonlysawtheiridol，movingaboutwithappealing，grace，continuingapowerwhichtothemwasarevelation。
　　Hurstwoodresolvedathousandsthings，Drouetaswell。They，joinedequallyintheburstofapplausewhichcalledCarrieout。
　　Drouetpoundedhishandsuntiltheyached。Thenhejumpedup，againandstartedout。Ashewent，Carriecameout，and，seeing，animmensebasketofflowersbeinghurrieddowntheaisletoward，hershewaited。TheywereHurstwood’s。Shelookedtowardthe，manager’sboxforamoment，caughthiseye，andsmiled。Hecould，haveleapedoutoftheboxtoenfoldher。Heforgottheneedof，circumspectnesswhichhismarriedstateenforced。Healmost，forgotthathehadwithhimintheboxthosewhoknewhim。By，theLord，hewouldhavethatlovelygirlifittookhisall。He，wouldactatonce。ThisshouldbetheendofDrouet，anddon’t，youforgetit。Hewouldnotwaitanotherday。Thedrummer，shouldnothaveher。
　　Hewassoexcitedthathecouldnotstayinthebox。Hewent，intothelobby，andthenintothestreet，thinking。Drouetdid，notreturn。Inafewminutesthelastactwasover，andhewas，crazytohaveCarriealone。Hecursedtheluckthatcouldkeep，himsmiling，bowing，shamming，whenhewantedtotellherthathe，lovedher，whenhewantedtowhispertoheralone。Hegroanedas，hesawthathishopeswerefutile。Hemusteventakeherto，supper，shamming。Hefinallywentaboutandaskedhowshewas，gettingalong。Theactorswerealldressing，talking，hurrying，about。Drouetwaspalaveringhimselfwiththeloosenessof，excitementandpassion。Themanagermasteredhimselfonlybya，greateffort。
　　“Wearegoingtosupper，ofcourse，“hesaid，withavoicethat，wasamockeryofhisheart。
　　“Oh，yes，“saidCarrie，smiling。
　　Thelittleactresswasinfinefeather。Shewasrealisingnow，whatitwastobepetted。Foronceshewastheadmired，the，sought-for。Theindependenceofsuccessnowmadeitsfirstfaint，showing。Withthetablesturned，shewaslookingdown，rather，thanup，toherlover。Shedidnotfullyrealisethatthiswas，so，buttherewassomethingincondescensioncomingfromher，whichwasinfinitelysweet。Whenshewasreadytheyclimbedinto，thewaitingcoachanddrovedowntown;once，only，didshefind，anopportunitytoexpressherfeeling，andthatwaswhenthe，managerprecededDrouetinthecoachandsatbesideher。Before，DrouetwasfullyinshehadsqueezedHurstwood’shandina，gentle，impulsivemanner。Themanagerwasbesidehimselfwith，affection。Hecouldhavesoldhissoultobewithheralone。
　　“Ah，“hethought，“theagonyofit。”
　　Drouethungon，thinkinghewasallinall。Thedinnerwas，spoiledbyhisenthusiasm。Hurstwoodwenthomefeelingasifhe，shoulddieifhedidnotfindaffectionaterelief。Hewhispered，“to-morrow“passionatelytoCarrie，andsheunderstood。He，walkedawayfromthedrummerandhisprizeatpartingfeelingas，ifhecouldslayhimandnotregret。Carriealsofeltthemisery，ofit。
　　“Good-night，“hesaid，simulatinganeasyfriendliness。
　　“Good-night，“saidthelittleactress，tenderly。
　　“Thefool！”hesaid，nowhatingDrouet。”Theidiot！I’lldohim，yet，andthatquick！We’llseeto-morrow。”
　　“Well，ifyouaren’tawonder，“Drouetwassaying，complacently，squeezingCarrie’sarm。”Youarethedandiestlittlegirlon，earth。”
　　ChapterXX
　　THELUREOFTHESPIRIT——THEFLESHINPURSUIT
　　PassioninamanofHurstwood’snaturetakesavigorousform。It，isnomusing，dreamything。Thereisnoneofthetendencyto，singoutsideofmylady’swindow——tolanguishandrepineinthe，faceofdifficulties。Inthenighthewaslonggettingtosleep，becauseoftoomuchthinking，andinthemorninghewasearly，awake，seizingwithalacrityuponthesamedearsubjectand，pursuingitwithvigour。Hewasoutofsortsphysically，aswell，asdisorderedmentally，fordidhenotdelightinanewmannerin，hisCarrie，andwasnotDrouetintheway？Neverwasmanmore，harassedthanhebythethoughtsofhislovebeingheldbythe，elated，flush-mannereddrummer。Hewouldhavegivenanything，it，seemedtohim，tohavethecomplicationended——tohaveCarrie，acquiescetoanarrangementwhichwoulddisposeofDrouet，effectuallyandforever。
　　Whattodo。Hedressedthinking。Hemovedaboutinthesame，chamberwithhiswife，unmindfulofherpresence。
　　Atbreakfasthefoundhimselfwithoutanappetite。Themeatto，whichhehelpedhimselfremainedonhisplateuntouched。His，coffeegrewcold，whilehescannedthepaperindifferently。Here，andtherehereadalittlething，butrememberednothing。
　　Jessicahadnotyetcomedown。Hiswifesatatoneendofthe，tablerevolvingthoughtsofherowninsilence。Anewservant，hadbeenrecentlyinstalledandhadforgotthenapkins。Onthis，accountthesilencewasirritablybrokenbyareproof。
　　“I’vetoldyouaboutthisbefore，Maggie，“saidMrs。Hurstwood。
　　“I’mnotgoingtotellyouagain。”
　　Hurstwoodtookaglanceathiswife。Shewasfrowning。Justnow，hermannerirritatedhimexcessively。Hernextremarkwas，addressedtohim。
　　“Haveyoumadeupyourmind，George，whenyouwilltakeyour，vacation？”
　　Itwascustomaryforthemtodiscusstheregularsummeroutingat，thisseasonoftheyear。
　　“Notyet，“hesaid，“I’mverybusyjustnow。”
　　“Well，you’llwanttomakeupyourmindprettysoon，won’tyou，ifwe’regoing？”shereturned。
　　“Iguesswehaveafewdaysyet，“hesaid。
　　“Hmff，“shereturned。”Don’twaituntiltheseason’sover。”
　　Shestirredinaggravationasshesaidthis。
　　“Thereyougoagain，“heobserved。”OnewouldthinkIneverdid，anything，thewayyoubegin。”
　　“Well，Iwanttoknowaboutit，“shereiterated。
　　“You’vegotafewdaysyet，“heinsisted。”You’llnotwantto，startbeforetheracesareover。”
　　Hewasirritatedtothinkthatthisshouldcomeupwhenhewished，tohavehisthoughtsforotherpurposes。
　　“Well，wemay。Jessicadoesn’twanttostayuntiltheendofthe，races。”
　　“Whatdidyouwantwithaseasonticket，then？”
　　“Uh！”shesaid，usingthesoundasanexclamationofdisgust，“I’llnotarguewithyou，“andtherewitharosetoleavethe，table。
　　“Say，“hesaid，rising，puttinganoteofdeterminationinhis，voicewhichcausedhertodelayherdeparture，“what’sthematter，withyouoflate？Can’tItalkwithyouanymore？”
　　“Certainly，youcanTALKwithme，“shereplied，layingemphasis，ontheword。
　　“Well，youwouldn’tthinksobythewayyouact。Now，youwant，toknowwhenI’llbeready——notforamonthyet。Maybenot，then。”
　　“We’llgowithoutyou。”
　　“Youwill，eh？”hesneered。
　　“Yes，wewill。”
　　Hewasastonishedatthewoman’sdetermination，butitonly，irritatedhimthemore。
　　“Well，we’llseeaboutthat。Itseemstomeyou’retryingtorun，thingswithaprettyhighhandoflate。Youtalkasthoughyou，settledmyaffairsforme。Well，youdon’t。Youdon’tregulate，anythingthat’sconnectedwithme。Ifyouwanttogo，go，but，youwon’thurrymebyanysuchtalkasthat。”
　　Hewasthoroughlyarousednow。Hisdarkeyessnapped，andhe，crunchedhispaperashelaiditdown。Mrs。Hurstwoodsaid，nothingmore。Hewasjustfinishingwhensheturnedonherheel，andwentoutintothehallandupstairs。Hepausedforamoment，asifhesitating，thensatdownanddrankalittlecoffee，and，thereafteraroseandwentforhishatandglovesuponthemain，floor。
　　Hiswifehadreallynotanticipatedarowofthischaracter。She，hadcomedowntothebreakfasttablefeelingalittleoutof，sortswithherselfandrevolvingaschemewhichshehadinher，mind。Jessicahadcalledherattentiontothefactthatthe，raceswerenotwhattheyweresupposedtobe。Thesocial，opportunitieswerenotwhattheyhadthoughttheywouldbethis，year。Thebeautifulgirlfoundgoingeverydayadullthing。
　　Therewasanearlierexodusthisyearofpeoplewhowereanybody，tothewateringplacesandEurope。Inherowncircleof，acquaintancesseveralyoungmeninwhomshewasinterestedhad，gonetoWaukesha。Shebegantofeelthatshewouldliketogo，too，andhermotheragreedwithher。
　　Accordingly，Mrs。Hurstwooddecidedtobroachthesubject。She，wasthinkingthisoverwhenshecamedowntothetable，butfor，somereasontheatmospherewaswrong。Shewasnotsure，afterit，wasallover，justhowthetroublehadbegun。Shewasdetermined，now，however，thatherhusbandwasabrute，andthat，underno，circumstances，wouldsheletthisgobyunsettled。Shewould，havemorelady-liketreatmentorshewouldknowwhy。
　　Forhispart，themanagerwasloadedwiththecareofthisnew，argumentuntilhereachedhisofficeandstartedfromthereto，meetCarrie。Thentheothercomplicationsoflove，desire，and，oppositionpossessedhim。Histhoughtsfledonbeforehimupon，eagles’wings。HecouldhardlywaituntilheshouldmeetCarrie，facetoface。Whatwasthenight，afterall，withouther——what，theday？Shemustandshouldbehis。
　　Forherpart，Carriehadexperiencedaworldoffancyandfeeling，sinceshehadlefthim，thenightbefore。Shehadlistenedto，Drouet’senthusiasticmaunderingswithmuchregardforthatpart，whichconcernedherself，withverylittleforthatwhichaffected，hisowngain。Shekepthimatsuchlengthsasshecould，because，herthoughtswerewithherowntriumph。ShefeltHurstwood’s，passionasadelightfulbackgroundtoherownachievement，and，shewonderedwhathewouldhavetosay。Shewassorryforhim，too，withthatpeculiarsorrowwhichfindssomething，complimentarytoitselfinthemiseryofanother。Shewasnow，experiencingthefirstshadesoffeelingofthatsubtlechange，whichremovesoneoutoftheranksofthesuppliantsintothe，linesofthedispensersofcharity。Shewas，allinall，exceedinglyhappy。
　　Onthemorrow，however，therewasnothinginthepapers，concerningtheevent，and，inviewoftheflowofcommon，everydaythingsabout，itnowlostashadeoftheglowofthe，previousevening。DrouethimselfwasnottalkingsomuchOFas，FORher。Hefeltinstinctivelythat，forsomereasonorother，heneededreconstructioninherregard。
　　“Ithink，“hesaid，ashesprucedaroundtheirchambersthenext，morning，preparatorytogoingdowntown，“thatI’llstraighten，outthatlittledealofminethismonthandthenwe’llget，married。IwastalkingwithMosheraboutthatyesterday。”
　　“No，youwon’t，“saidCarrie，whowascomingtofeelacertain，faintpowertojestwiththedrummer。
　　“Yes，Iwill，“heexclaimed，morefeelinglythanusual，adding，withthetoneofonewhopleads，“Don’tyoubelievewhatI’ve，toldyou？”
　　Carrielaughedalittle。
　　“OfcourseIdo，“sheanswered。
　　Drouet’sassurancenowmisgavehim。Shallowaswashismental，observation，therewasthatinthethingswhichhadhappened，whichmadehislittlepowerofanalysisuseless。Carriewas，stillwithhim，butnothelplessandpleading。Therewasalilt，inhervoicewhichwasnew。Shedidnotstudyhimwitheyes，expressiveofdependence。Thedrummerwasfeelingtheshadowof，somethingwhichwascoming。Itcolouredhisfeelingsandmade，himdevelopthoselittleattentionsandsaythoselittlewords，whichweremereforefendationsagainstdanger。
　　Shortlyafterwardhedeparted，andCarriepreparedforher，meetingwithHurstwood。Shehurriedathertoilet，whichwas，soonmade，andhasteneddownthestairs。Atthecornershe，passedDrouet，buttheydidnotseeeachother。
　　Thedrummerhadforgottensomebillswhichhewishedtoturninto，hishouse。Hehastenedupthestairsandburstintotheroom，butfoundonlythechambermaid，whowascleaningup。
　　“Hello，“heexclaimed，halftohimself，“hasCarriegone？”
　　“Yourwife？Yes，shewentoutjustafewminutesago。”
　　“That’sstrange，“thoughtDrouet。”Shedidn’tsayawordtome。
　　Iwonderwhereshewent？”
　　Hehastenedabout，rummaginginhisvaliseforwhathewanted，andfinallypocketingit。Thenheturnedhisattentiontohis，fairneighbour，whowasgood-lookingandkindlydisposedtowards，him。
　　“Whatareyouupto？”hesaid，smiling。
　　“Justcleaning，“shereplied，stoppingandwindingadusting，towelaboutherhand。
　　“Tiredofit？”
　　“Notsovery。”
　　“Letmeshowyousomething，“hesaid，affably，comingoverand，takingoutofhispocketalittlelithographedcardwhichhad，beenissuedbyawholesaletobaccocompany。Onthiswasprinted，apictureofaprettygirl，holdingastripedparasol，the，coloursofwhichcouldbechangedbymeansofarevolvingdiskin，theback，whichshowedred，yellow，green，andbluethrough，littleintersticesmadeinthegroundoccupiedbytheumbrella，top。
　　“Isn’tthatclever？”hesaid，handingittoherandshowingher，howitworked。”Youneversawanythinglikethatbefore。”
　　“Isn’titnice？”sheanswered。
　　“Youcanhaveitifyouwantit，“heremarked。
　　“That’saprettyringyouhave，“hesaid，touchingacommonplace，settingwhichadornedthehandholdingthecardhehadgivenher。
　　“Doyouthinkso？”
　　“That’sright，“heanswered，makinguseofapretenceat，examinationtosecureherfinger。”That’sfine。”
　　Theicebeingthusbroken，helaunchedintofurtherobservation，pretendingtoforgetthatherfingerswerestillretainedbyhis。
　　Shesoonwithdrewthem，however，andretreatedafewfeettorest，againstthewindow-sill。
　　“Ididn’tseeyouforalongtime，“shesaid，coquettishly，repulsingoneofhisexuberantapproaches。”Youmusthavebeen，away。”
　　“Iwas，“saidDrouet。
　　“Doyoutravelfar？”
　　“Prettyfar——yes。”
　　“Doyoulikeit？”
　　“Oh，notverywell。Yougettiredofitafterawhile。”
　　“IwishIcouldtravel，“saidthegirl，gazingidlyoutofthe，window。
　　“Whathasbecomeofyourfriend，Mr。Hurstwood？”shesuddenly，asked，bethinkingherselfofthemanager，who，fromherown，observation，seemedtocontainpromisingmaterial。
　　“He’shereintown。Whatmakesyouaskabouthim？”
　　“Oh，nothing，onlyhehasn’tbeenheresinceyougotback。”
　　“Howdidyoucometoknowhim？”
　　“Didn’tItakeuphisnameadozentimesinthelastmonth？”
　　“Getout，“saidthedrummer，lightly。”Hehasn’tcalledmore，thanhalfadozentimessincewe’vebeenhere。”
　　“Hehasn’t，eh？”saidthegirl，smiling。”That’sallyouknow，aboutit。”
　　Drouettookonaslightlymoreserioustone。Hewasuncertainas，towhethershewasjokingornot。
　　“Tease，“hesaid，“whatmakesyousmilethatway？”
　　“Oh，nothing。”
　　“Haveyouseenhimrecently？”
　　“Notsinceyoucameback，“shelaughed。
　　“Before？”
　　“Certainly。”
　　“Howoften？”
　　“Why，nearlyeveryday。”
　　Shewasamischievousnewsmonger，andwaskeenlywonderingwhat，theeffectofherwordswouldbe。
　　“Whodidhecometosee？”askedthedrummer，incredulously。
　　“Mrs。Drouet。”
　　Helookedratherfoolishatthisanswer，andthenattemptedto，correcthimselfsoasnottoappearadupe。
　　“Well，“hesaid，“whatofit？”
　　“Nothing，“repliedthegirl，herheadcockedcoquettishlyonone，side。
　　“He’sanoldfriend，“hewenton，gettingdeeperintothemire。
　　Hewouldhavegoneonfurtherwithhislittleflirtation，butthe，tasteforitwastemporarilyremoved。Hewasquiterelievedwhen，thegirl’snamedwascalledfrombelow。
　　“I’vegottogo，“shesaid，movingawayfromhimairily。
　　“I’llseeyoulater，“hesaid，withapretenceofdisturbanceat，beinginterrupted。
　　Whenshewasgone，hegavefreerplaytohisfeelings。Hisface，nevereasilycontrolledbyhim，expressedalltheperplexityand，disturbancewhichhefelt。CoulditbethatCarriehadreceived，somanyvisitsandyetsaidnothingaboutthem？WasHurstwood，lying？Whatdidthechambermaidmeanbyit，anyway？Hehad，thoughttherewassomethingoddaboutCarrie’smanneratthe，time。Whydidshelooksodisturbedwhenhehadaskedherhow，manytimesHurstwoodhadcalled？ByGeorge！Herememberednow。
　　Therewassomethingstrangeaboutthewholething。
　　Hesatdowninarocking-chairtothinkthebetter，drawingup，onelegonhiskneeandfrowningmightily。Hismindranonata，greatrate。
　　AndyetCarriehadn’tactedoutoftheordinary。Itcouldn’tbe，byGeorge，thatshewasdeceivinghim。Shehadn’tactedthat，way。Why，evenlastnightshehadbeenasfriendlytowardhimas，couldbe，andHurstwoodtoo。Lookhowtheyacted！Hecould，hardlybelievetheywouldtrytodeceivehim。
　　Histhoughtsburstintowords。
　　“Shedidactsortoffunnyattimes。Hereshehaddressed，and，goneoutthismorningandneversaidaword。”
　　Hescratchedhisheadandpreparedtogodowntown。Hewasstill，frowning。Ashecameintothehallheencounteredthegirl，who，wasnowlookingafteranotherchamber。Shehadonawhite，dustingcap，beneathwhichherchubbyfaceshonegood-naturedly。
　　Drouetalmostforgothisworryinthefactthatshewassmiling，onhim。Heputhishandfamiliarlyonhershoulder，asifonly，togreetherinpassing。
　　“Gotoverbeingmad？”shesaid，stillmischievouslyinclined。
　　“I’mnotmad，“heanswered。
　　“Ithoughtyouwere，“shesaid，smiling。
　　“Quityourfoolingaboutthat，“hesaid，inanoffhandway。
　　“Wereyouserious？”
　　“Certainly，“sheanswered。Then，withanairofonewhodidnot，intentionallymeantocreatetrouble，“Hecamelotsoftimes。I
　　thoughtyouknew。”
　　ThegameofdeceptionwasupwithDrouet。Hedidnottryto，simulateindifferencefurther。
　　“Didhespendtheeveningshere？”heasked。
　　“Sometimes。Sometimestheywentout。”
　　“Intheevening？”
　　“Yes。Youmustn’tlooksomad，though。”
　　“I’mnot，“hesaid。”Didanyoneelseseehim？”
　　“Ofcourse，“saidthegirl，asif，afterall，itwerenothingin，particular。
　　“Howlongagowasthis？”
　　“Justbeforeyoucameback。”
　　Thedrummerpinchedhislipnervously。
　　“Don’tsayanything，willyou？”heasked，givingthegirl’sarma，gentlesqueeze。
　　“Certainlynot，“shereturned。”Iwouldn’tworryoverit。”
　　“Allright，“hesaid，passingon，seriouslybroodingforonce，andyetnotwhollyunconsciousofthefactthathewasmakinga，mostexcellentimpressionuponthechambermaid。
　　“I’llseeheraboutthat，“hesaidtohimself，passionately，feelingthathehadbeenundulywronged。”I’llfindout，b’George，whethershe’llactthatwayornot。”
　　ChapterXXI
　　THELUREOFTHESPIRIT——THEFLESHINPURSUIT
　　WhenCarriecameHurstwoodhadbeenwaitingmanyminutes。His，bloodwaswarm;hisnerveswroughtup。Hewasanxioustoseethe，womanwhohadstirredhimsoprofoundlythenightbefore。
　　“Hereyouare，“hesaid，repressedly，feelingaspringinhis，limbsandanelationwhichwastragicinitself。
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie。
　　Theywalkedonasifboundforsomeobjectivepoint，while，Hurstwooddrankintheradianceofherpresence。Therustleof，herprettyskirtwaslikemusictohim。
　　“Areyousatisfied？”heasked，thinkingofhowwellshedidthe，nightbefore。
　　“Areyou？”
　　Hetightenedhisfingersashesawthesmileshegavehim。
　　“Itwaswonderful。”
　　Carrielaughedecstatically。
　　“ThatwasoneofthebestthingsI’veseeninalongtime，“he，added。
　　Hewasdwellingonherattractivenessashehadfeltitthe，eveningbefore，andminglingitwiththefeelingherpresence，inspirednow。
　　Carriewasdwellingintheatmospherewhichthismancreatedfor，her。Alreadyshewasenlivenedandsuffusedwithaglow。She，felthisdrawingtowardherineverysoundofhisvoice。
　　“Thoseweresuchniceflowersyousentme，“shesaid，aftera，momentortwo。”Theywerebeautiful。”
　　“Gladyoulikedthem，“heanswered，simply。
　　Hewasthinkingallthetimethatthesubjectofhisdesirewas，beingdelayed。Hewasanxioustoturnthetalktohisown，feelings。Allwasripeforit。HisCarriewasbesidehim。He，wantedtoplungeinandexpostulatewithher，andyethefound，himselffishingforwordsandfeelingforaway。
　　“Yougothomeallright，“hesaid，gloomily，ofasudden，his，tunemodifyingitselftooneofself-commiseration。
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie，easily。
　　Helookedathersteadilyforamoment，slowinghispaceand，fixingherwithhiseye。
　　Shefeltthefloodoffeeling。
　　“Howaboutme？”heasked。
　　ThisconfusedCarrieconsiderably，forsherealisedtheflood-
　　gateswereopen。Shedidn’tknowexactlywhattoanswer。
　　“Idon’tknow，“sheanswered。
　　Hetookhislowerlipbetweenhisteethforamoment，andthen，letitgo。Hestoppedbythewalksideandkickedthegrasswith，histoe。Hesearchedherfacewithatender，appealingglance。
　　“Won’tyoucomeawayfromhim？”heasked，intensely。
　　“Idon’tknow，“returnedCarrie，stillillogicallydriftingand，findingnothingatwhichtocatch。
　　Asamatteroffact，shewasinamosthopelessquandary。Here，wasamanwhomshethoroughlyliked，whoexercisedaninfluence，overher，sufficientalmosttodeludeherintothebeliefthat，shewaspossessedofalivelypassionforhim。Shewasstillthe，victimofhiskeeneyes，hissuavemanners，hisfineclothes。
　　Shelookedandsawbeforeheramanwhowasmostgraciousand，sympathetic，wholeanedtowardherwithafeelingthatwasa，delighttoobserve。Shecouldnotresisttheglowofhis，temperament，thelightofhiseye。Shecouldhardlykeepfrom，feelingwhathefelt。
　　Andyetshewasnotwithoutthoughtswhichweredisturbing。What，didheknow？WhathadDrouettoldhim？Wassheawifeinhis，eyes，orwhat？Wouldhemarryher？Evenwhilehetalked，andshe，softened，andhereyeswerelightedwithatenderglow，shewas，askingherselfifDrouethadtoldhimtheywerenotmarried。
　　TherewasneveranythingatallconvincingaboutwhatDrouet，said。
　　AndyetshewasnotgrievedatHurstwood’slove。Nostrainof，bitternesswasinitforher，whateverheknew。Hewasevidently，sincere。Hispassionwasrealandwarm。Therewaspowerinwhat，hesaid。Whatshouldshedo？Shewentonthinkingthis，answeringvaguely，languishingaffectionately，andaltogether，drifting，untilshewasonaborderlessseaofspeculation。
　　“Whydon’tyoucomeaway？”hesaid，tenderly。”Iwillarrange，foryouwhatever——“
　　“Oh，don’t，“saidCarrie。
　　“Don’twhat？”heasked。”Whatdoyoumean？”
　　Therewasalookofconfusionandpaininherface。Shewas，wonderingwhythatmiserablethoughtmustbebroughtin。Shewas，struckasbyabladewiththemiserableprovisionwhichwas，outsidethepaleofmarriage。
　　Hehimselfrealizedthatitwasawretchedthingtohavedragged，in。Hewantedtoweightheeffectsofit，andyethecouldnot，see。Hewentbeatingon，flushedbyherpresence，clearly，awakened，intenselyenlistedinhisplan。
　　“Won’tyoucome？”hesaid，beginningoverandwithamore，reverentfeeling。”YouknowIcan’tdowithoutyou——youknowit——
　　itcan’tgoonthisway——canit？”
　　“Iknow，“saidCarrie。
　　“Iwouldn’taskifI——Iwouldn’targuewithyouifIcouldhelp，it。Lookatme，Carrie。Putyourselfinmyplace。Youdon’t，wanttostayawayfromme，doyou？”
　　Sheshookherheadasifindeepthought。
　　“Thenwhynotsettlethewholething，onceandforall？”
　　“Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie。
　　“Don’tknow！Ah，Carrie，whatmakesyousaythat？Don’ttorment，me。Beserious。”
　　“Iam，“saidCarrie，softly。
　　“Youcan’tbe，dearest，andsaythat。NotwhenyouknowhowI
　　loveyou。Lookatlastnight。”
　　Hismannerashesaidthiswasthemostquietimaginable。His，faceandbodyretaineduttercomposure。Onlyhiseyesmoved，and，theyflashedasubtle，dissolvingfire。Inthemthewhole，intensityoftheman’snaturewasdistillingitself。
　　Carriemadenoanswer。
　　“Howcanyouactthisway，dearest？”heinquired，afteratime。
　　“Youloveme，don’tyou？”
　　Heturnedonhersuchastormoffeelingthatshewas，overwhelmed。Forthemomentalldoubtswereclearedaway。
　　“Yes，“sheanswered，franklyandtenderly。
　　“Well，thenyou’llcome，won’tyou——cometo-night？”
　　Carrieshookherheadinspiteofherdistress。
　　“Ican’twaitanylonger，“urgedHurstwood。”Ifthatistoo，soon，comeSaturday。”
　　“Whenwillwebemarried？”sheasked，diffidently，forgettingin，herdifficultsituationthatshehadhopedhetookhertobe，Drouet’swife。
　　Themanagerstarted，hitashewasbyaproblemwhichwasmore，difficultthanhers。Hegavenosignofthethoughtsthat，flashedlikemessagestohismind。
　　“Anytimeyousay，“hesaid，withease，refusingtodiscolourhis，presentdelightwiththismiserableproblem。
　　“Saturday？”askedCarrie。
　　Henoddedhishead。
　　“Well，ifyouwillmarrymethen，“shesaid，“I’llgo。”
　　Themanagerlookedathislovelyprize，sobeautiful，sowinsome，sodifficulttobewon，andmadestrangeresolutions。His，passionhadgottentothatstagenowwhereitwasnolonger，colouredwithreason。Hedidnottroubleoverlittlebarriersof，thissortinthefaceofsomuchloveliness。Hewouldacceptthe，situationwithallitsdifficulties;hewouldnottrytoanswer，theobjectionswhichcoldtruththrustuponhim。Hewould，promiseanything，everything，andtrusttofortunetodisentangle，him。HewouldmakeatryforParadise，whatevermightbethe，result。Hewouldbehappy，bytheLord，ifitcostallhonesty，ofstatement，allabandonmentoftruth。
　　Carrielookedathimtenderly。Shecouldhavelaidherheadupon，hisshoulder，sodelightfuldiditallseem。
　　“Well，“shesaid，“I’lltryandgetreadythen。”
　　Hurstwoodlookedintoherprettyface，crossedwithlittle，shadowsofwonderandmisgiving，andthoughthehadneverseen，anythingmorelovely。
　　“I’llseeyouagainto-morrow，“hesaid，joyously，“andwe’ll，talkovertheplans。”
　　Hewalkedonwithher，elatedbeyondwords，sodelightfulhad，beentheresult。Heimpressedalongstoryofjoyandaffection，uponher，thoughtherewasbuthereandthereaword。Aftera，half-hourhebegantorealisethatthemeetingmustcometoan，end，soexactingistheworld。
　　“To-morrow，“hesaidatparting，agayetyofmanneradding，wonderfullytohisbravedemeanour。
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie，trippingelatedlyaway。
　　Therehadbeensomuchenthusiasmengenderedthatshewas，believingherselfdeeplyinlove。Shesighedasshethoughtof，herhandsomeadorer。Yes，shewouldgetreadybySaturday。She，wouldgo，andtheywouldbehappy。
　　ChapterXXII
　　THEBLAZEOFTHETINDER——FLESHWARSWITHTHEFLESH
　　ThemisfortuneoftheHurstwoodhouseholdwasduetothefact，thatjealousy，havingbeenbornoflove，didnotperishwithit。
　　Mrs。Hurstwoodretainedthisinsuchformthatsubsequent，influencescouldtransformitintohate。Hurstwoodwasstill，worthy，inaphysicalsense，oftheaffectionhiswifehadonce，bestoweduponhim，butinasocialsensehefellshort。Withhis，regarddiedhispowertobeattentivetoher，andthis，toa，woman，ismuchgreaterthanoutrightcrimetowardanother。Our，self-lovedictatesourappreciationofthegoodorevilin，another。InMrs。Hurstwooditdiscolouredtheveryhueofher，husband’sindifferentnature。Shesawdesignindeedsand，phraseswhichsprungonlyfromafadedappreciationofher，presence。
　　Asaconsequence，shewasresentfulandsuspicious。Thejealousy，thatpromptedhertoobserveeveryfallingawayfromthelittle，amenitiesofthemarriedrelationonhispartservedtogiveher，noticeoftheairygracewithwhichhestilltooktheworld。She，couldseefromthescrupulouscarewhichheexercisedinthe，matterofhispersonalappearancethathisinterestinlifehad，abatednotajot。Everymotion，everyglancehadsomethinginit，ofthepleasurehefeltinCarrie，ofthezestthisnewpursuit，ofpleasurelenttohisdays。Mrs。Hurstwoodfeltsomething，sniffingchange，asanimalsdodanger，afaroff。
　　Thisfeelingwasstrengthenedbyactionsofadirectandmore，potentnatureonthepartofHurstwood。Wehaveseenwithwhat，irritationheshirkedthoselittledutieswhichnolonger，containedanyamusementofsatisfactionforhim，andtheopen，snarlswithwhich，morerecently，heresentedherirritating，goads。Theselittlerowswerereallyprecipitatedbyan，atmospherewhichwassurchargedwithdissension。Thatitwould，shower，withaskysofullofblackeningthunderclouds，would，scarcelybethoughtworthyofcomment。Thus，afterleavingthe，breakfasttablethismorning，raginginwardlyathisblank，declarationofindifferenceatherplans，Mrs。Hurstwood，encounteredJessicainherdressing-room，veryleisurely，arrangingherhair。Hurstwoodhadalreadyleftthehouse。
　　“Iwishyouwouldn’tbesolatecomingdowntobreakfast，“she，said，addressingJessica，whilemakingforhercrochetbasket。
　　“Nowherethethingsarequitecold，andyouhaven’teaten。”
　　Hernaturalcomposurewassadlyruffled，andJessicawasdoomed，tofeelthefagendofthestorm。
　　“I’mnothungry，“sheanswered。
　　“Thenwhydon’tyousayso，andletthegirlputawaythethings，insteadofkeepingherwaitingallmorning？”
　　“Shedoesn’tmind，“answeredJessica，coolly。
　　“Well，Ido，ifshedoesn’t，“returnedthemother，“and，anyhow，Idon’tlikeyoutotalkthatwaytome。You’retooyoungtoput，onsuchanairwithyourmother。”
　　“Oh，mamma，don’trow，“;answeredJessica。”What’sthematter，thismorning，anyway？”
　　“Nothing’sthematter，andI’mnotrowing。Youmustn’tthink，becauseIindulgeyouinsomethingsthatyoucankeepeverybody，waiting。Iwon’thaveit。”
　　“I’mnotkeepinganybodywaiting，“returnedJessica，sharply，stirredoutofacynicalindifferencetoasharpdefence。”I
　　saidIwasn’thungry。Idon’twantanybreakfast。”
　　“Mindhowyouaddressme，missy。I’llnothaveit。Hearmenow;
　　I’llnothaveit！”
　　Jessicaheardthislastwhilewalkingoutoftheroom，witha，tossofherheadandaflickofherprettyskirtsindicativeof，theindependenceandindifferenceshefelt。Shedidnotpropose，tobequarrelledwith。
　　Suchlittleargumentswerealltoofrequent，theresultofa，growthofnatureswhichwerelargelyindependentandselfish。
　　George，Jr。manifestedevengreatertouchinessandexaggeration，inthematterofhisindividualrights，andattemptedtomakeall，feelthathewasamanwithaman’sprivileges——anassumption，which，ofallthings，ismostgroundlessandpointlessinayouth，ofnineteen。
　　Hurstwoodwasamanofauthorityandsomefinefeeling，andit，irritatedhimexcessivelytofindhimselfsurroundedmoreand，morebyaworlduponwhichhehadnohold，andofwhichhehada，lesseningunderstanding。
　　Now，whensuchlittlethings，suchastheproposedearlierstart，toWaukesha，cameup，theymadecleartohimhisposition。He，wasbeingmadetofollow，wasnotleading。When，inaddition，a，sharptemperwasmanifested，andtotheprocessofshouldering，himoutofhisauthoritywasaddedarousingintellectualkick，suchasasneeroracynicallaugh，hewasunabletokeephis，temper。Heflewintohardlyrepressedpassion，andwished，himselfclearofthewholehousehold。Itseemedamost，irritatingdraguponallhisdesiresandopportunities。
　　Forallthis，hestillretainedthesemblanceofleadershipand，control，eventhoughhiswifewasstrainingtorevolt。Her，displayoftemperandopenassertionofoppositionwerebased，uponnothingmorethanthefeelingthatshecoulddoit。Shehad，nospecialevidencewherewithtojustifyherself——theknowledge，ofsomethingwhichwouldgiveherbothauthorityandexcuse。The，latterwasallthatwaslacking，however，togiveasolid，foundationtowhat，inaway，seemedgroundlessdiscontent。The，clearproofofoneovertdeedwasthecoldbreathneededto，converttheloweringcloudsofsuspicionintoarainofwrath。
　　AninklingofuntowarddeedsonthepartofHurstwoodhadcome。
　　DoctorBeale，thehandsomeresidentphysicianofthe，neighbourhood，metMrs。Hurstwoodatherowndoorstepsomedays，afterHurstwoodandCarriehadtakenthedrivewestonWashington，Boulevard。Dr。Beale，comingeastonthesamedrive，had，recognisedHurstwood，butnotbeforehewasquitepasthim。He，wasnotsosureofCarrie——didnotknowwhetheritwas，Hurstwood’swifeordaughter。
　　“Youdon’tspeaktoyourfriendswhenyoumeetthemoutdriving，doyou？”hesaid，jocosely，toMrs。Hurstwood。
　　“IfIseethem，Ido。WherewasI？”
　　“OnWashingtonBoulevard。”heanswered，expectinghereyeto，lightwithimmediateremembrance。
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　“Yes，outnearHoyneAvenue。Youwerewithyourhusband。”
　　“Iguessyou’remistaken，“sheanswered。Then，rememberingher，husband’spartintheaffair，sheimmediatelyfellapreytoa，hostofyoungsuspicions，ofwhich，however，shegavenosign。
　　“IknowIsawyourhusband，“hewenton。”Iwasn’tsosureabout，you。Perhapsitwasyourdaughter。”
　　“Perhapsitwas，“saidMrs。Hurstwood，knowingfullwellthat，suchwasnotthecase，asJessicahadbeenhercompanionfor，weeks。Shehadrecoveredherselfsufficientlytowishtoknow，moreofthedetails。
　　“Wasitintheafternoon？”sheasked，artfully，assuminganair，ofacquaintanceshipwiththematter。
　　“Yes，abouttwoorthree。”
　　“ItmusthavebeenJessica，“saidMrs。Hurstwood，notwishingto，seemtoattachanyimportancetotheincident。
　　Thephysicianhadathoughtortwoofhisown，butdismissedthe，matterasworthyofnofurtherdiscussiononhispartatleast。
　　Mrs。Hurstwoodgavethisbitofinformationconsiderablethought，duringthenextfewhours，andevendays。Shetookitfor，grantedthatthedoctorhadreallyseenherhusband，andthathe，hadbeenriding，mostlikely，withsomeotherwoman，after，announcinghimselfasBUSYtoher。Asaconsequence，she，recalled，withrisingfeeling，howoftenhehadrefusedtogoto，placeswithher，toshareinlittlevisits，or，indeed，takepart，inanyofthesocialamenitieswhichfurnishedthediversionof，herexistence。Hehadbeenseenatthetheatrewithpeoplewhom，hecalledMoy’sfriends;nowhewasseendriving，and，most，likely，wouldhaveanexcuseforthat。Perhapstherewereothers，ofwhomshedidnothear，orwhyshouldhebesobusy，so，indifferent，oflate？Inthelastsixweekshehadbecome，strangelyirritable——strangelysatisfiedtopickupandgoout，whetherthingswererightorwronginthehouse。Why？
　　Sherecalled，withmoresubtleemotions，thathedidnotlookat，hernowwithanyoftheoldlightofsatisfactionorapprovalin，hiseye。Evidently，alongwithotherthings，hewastakingher，tobegettingoldanduninteresting。Hesawherwrinkles，perhaps。Shewasfading，whilehewasstillpreeninghimselfin，hiseleganceandyouth。Hewasstillaninterestedfactorinthe，merry-makingsoftheworld，whileshe——butshedidnotpursuethe，thought。Sheonlyfoundthewholesituationbitter，andhated，himforitthoroughly。
　　Nothingcameofthisincidentatthetime，forthetruthisit，didnotseemconclusiveenoughtowarrantanydiscussion。Only，theatmosphereofdistrustandill-feelingwasstrengthened，precipitatingeverynowandthenlittlesprinklingsofirritable，conversation，enlivenedbyflashesofwrath。Thematterofthe，Waukeshaoutingwasmerelyacontinuationofotherthingsofthe，samenature。
　　ThedayafterCarrie’sappearanceontheAverystage，Mrs。
　　HurstwoodvisitedtheraceswithJessicaandayouthofher，acquaintance，Mr。BartTaylor，thesonoftheownerofalocal，house-furnishingestablishment。Theyhaddrivenoutearly，and，asitchanced，encounteredseveralfriendsofHurstwood，all，Elks，andtwoofwhomhadattendedtheperformancetheevening，before。Athousandchancesthesubjectoftheperformancehad，neverbeenbroughtuphadJessicanotbeensoengagedbythe，attentionsofheryoungcompanion，whousurpedasmuchtimeas，possible。ThisleftMrs。Hurstwoodinthemoodtoextendthe，perfunctorygreetingsofsomewhoknewherintoshort，conversations，andtheshortconversationsoffriendsintolong，ones。Itwasfromonewhomeantbuttogreetherperfunctorily，thatthisinterestingintelligencecame。
　　“Isee，“saidthisindividual，whoworesportingclothesofthe，mostattractivepattern，andhadafield-glassstrungoverhis，shoulder，“thatyoudidnotgetovertoourlittleentertainment，lastevening。”
　　“No？”saidMrs。Hurstwood，inquiringly，andwonderingwhyhe，shouldbeusingthetonehedidinnotingthefactthatshehad，notbeentosomethingsheknewnothingabout。Itwasonherlips，tosay，“Whatwasit？”whenheadded，“Isawyourhusband。”
　　Herwonderwasatoncereplacedbythemoresubtlequalityof，suspicion。
　　“Yes，“shesaid，cautiously，“wasitpleasant？Hedidnottellme，muchaboutit。”
　　“Very。ReallyoneofthebestprivatetheatricalsIever，attended。Therewasoneactresswhosurprisedusall。”
　　“Indeed，“saidMrs。Hurstwood。
　　“It’stoobadyoucouldn’thavebeenthere，really。Iwassorry，tohearyouweren’tfeelingwell。”
　　Feelingwell！Mrs。Hurstwoodcouldhaveechoedthewordsafter，himopen-mouthed。Asitwas，sheextricatedherselffromher，mingledimpulsetodenyandquestion，andsaid，almostraspingly：
　　“Yes，itistoobad。”
　　“Looksliketherewillbequiteacrowdhereto-day，doesn’tit？”
　　theacquaintanceobserved，driftingoffuponanothertopic。
　　Themanager’swifewouldhavequestionedfarther，butshesawno，opportunity。Shewasforthemomentwhollyatsea，anxiousto，thinkforherself，andwonderingwhatnewdeceptionwasthis，whichcausedhimtogiveoutthatshewasillwhenshewasnot。
　　Anothercaseofhercompanynotwanted，andexcusesbeingmade。
　　Sheresolvedtofindoutmore。
　　“Wereyouattheperformancelastevening？”sheaskedofthenext，ofHurstwood’sfriendswhogreetedherasshesatinherbox。
　　“Yes。Youdidn’tgetaround。”
　　“No，“sheanswered，“Iwasnotfeelingverywell。”
　　“Soyourhusbandtoldme，“heanswered。”Well，itwasreally，veryenjoyable。TurnedoutmuchbetterthanIexpected。”
　　“Weretheremanythere？”
　　“Thehousewasfull。ItwasquiteanElknight。Isawquitea，numberofyourfriends——Mrs。Harrison，Mrs。Barnes，Mrs。
　　Collins。”
　　“Quiteasocialgathering。”
　　“Indeeditwas。Mywifeenjoyeditverymuch。”
　　Mrs。Hurstwoodbitherlip。
　　“So，“shethought，“that’sthewayhedoes。TellsmyfriendsI
　　amsickandcannotcome。”
　　Shewonderedwhatcouldinducehimtogoalone。Therewas，somethingbackofthis。Sherummagedherbrainforareason。
　　Byevening，whenHurstwoodreachedhome，shehadbroodedherself，intoastateofsullendesireforexplanationandrevenge。She，wantedtoknowwhatthispeculiaractionofhisimported。She，wascertaintherewasmorebehinditallthanwhatshehadheard，andevilcuriositymingledwellwithdistrustandtheremnantsof，herwrathofthemorning。She，impendingdisasteritself，walked，aboutwithgatheredshadowattheeyesandtherudimentary，musclesofsavageryfixingthehardlinesofhermouth。
　　Ontheotherhand，aswemaywellbelieve，themanagercamehome，inthesunniestmood。HisconversationandagreementwithCarrie，hadraisedhisspiritsuntilhewasintheframeofmindofone，whosingsjoyously。Hewasproudofhimself，proudofhis，success，proudofCarrie。Hecouldhavebeengenialtoallthe，world，andheborenogrudgeagainsthiswife。Hemeanttobe，pleasant，toforgetherpresence，toliveintheatmosphereof，youthandpleasurewhichhadbeenrestoredtohim。
　　Sonow，thehouse，tohismind，hadamostpleasingand，comfortableappearance。Inthehallhefoundaneveningpaper，laidtherebythemaidandforgottenbyMrs。Hurstwood。Inthe，dining-roomthetablewascleanlaidwithlinenandnaperyand，shinywithglassesanddecoratedchina。Throughanopendoorhe，sawintothekitchen，wherethefirewascracklinginthestove，andtheeveningmealalreadywellunderway。Outinthesmall，backyardwasGeorge，Jr。frolickingwithayoungdoghehad，recentlypurchased，andintheparlourJessicawasplayingatthe，piano，thesoundsofamerrywaltzfillingeverynookandcorner，ofthecomfortablehome。Everyone，likehimself，seemedtohave，regainedhisgoodspirits，tobeinsympathywithyouthand，beauty，tobeinclinedtojoyandmerry-making。Hefeltasifhe，couldsayagoodwordallaroundhimself，andtookamostgenial，glanceatthespreadtableandpolishedsideboardbeforegoing，upstairstoreadhispaperinthecomfortablearmchairofthe，sitting-roomwhichlookedthroughtheopenwindowsintothe，street。Whenheenteredthere，however，hefoundhiswife，brushingherhairandmusingtoherselfthewhile。
　　Hecamelightlyin，thinkingtosmoothoveranyfeelingthat，mightstillexistbyakindlywordandareadypromise，butMrs。
　　Hurstwoodsaidnothing。Heseatedhimselfinthelargechair，stirredlightlyinmakinghimselfcomfortable，openedhispaper，andbegantoread。Inafewmomentshewassmilingmerrilyover，averycomicalaccountofabaseballgamewhichhadtakenplace，betweentheChicagoandDetroitteams。
　　ThewhilehewasdoingthisMrs。Hurstwoodwasobservinghim，casuallythroughthemediumofthemirrorwhichwasbeforeher。
　　Shenoticedhispleasantandcontentedmanner，hisairygraceand，smilinghumour，anditmerelyaggravatedherthemore。She，wonderedhowhecouldthinktocarryhimselfsoinherpresence，afterthecynicism，indifference，andneglecthehadheretofore，manifestedandwouldcontinuetomanifestsolongasshewould，endureit。Shethoughthowsheshouldliketotellhim——what，stressandemphasisshewouldlendherassertions，howsheshould，driveoverthiswholeaffairuntilsatisfactionshouldbe，renderedher。Indeed，theshiningswordofherwrathwasbut，weaklysuspendedbyathreadofthought。
　　InthemeanwhileHurstwoodencounteredahumorousitemconcerning，astrangerwhohadarrivedinthecityandbecameentangledwith，abunco-steerer。Itamusedhimimmensely，andatlasthestirred，andchuckledtohimself。Hewishedthathemightenlisthis，wife’sattentionandreadittoher。
　　“Ha，ha，“heexclaimedsoftly，asiftohimself，“that’sfunny。”
　　Mrs。Hurstwoodkeptonarrangingherhair，notsomuchas，deigningaglance。
　　Hestirredagainandwentontoanothersubject。Atlasthefelt，asifhisgood-humourmustfindsomeoutlet。Juliawasprobably，stilloutofhumouroverthataffairofthismorning，butthat，couldeasilybestraightened。Asamatteroffact，shewasin，thewrong，buthedidn’tcare。ShecouldgotoWaukesharight，awayifshewantedto。Thesoonerthebetter。Hewouldtellher，thatassoonashegotachance，andthewholethingwouldblow，over。
　　“Didyounotice，“hesaid，atlast，breakingforthconcerning，anotheritemwhichhehadfound，“thattheyhaveenteredsuitto，compeltheIllinoisCentraltogetoffthelakefront，Julia？”he，asked。
　　Shecouldscarcelyforceherselftoanswer，butmanagedtosay，“No，“sharply。
　　Hurstwoodprickeduphisears。Therewasanoteinhervoice，whichvibratedkeenly。
　　“Itwouldbeagoodthingiftheydid，“hewenton，halfto，himself，halftoher，thoughhefeltthatsomethingwasamissin，thatquarter。Hewithdrewhisattentiontohispapervery，circumspectly，listeningmentallyforthelittlesoundswhich，shouldshowhimwhatwasonfoot。
　　Asamatteroffact，nomanascleverasHurstwood——asobservant，andsensitivetoatmospheresofmanysorts，particularlyuponhis，ownplaneofthought——wouldhavemadethemistakewhichhedidin，regardtohiswife，wroughtupasshewas，hadhenotbeen，occupiedmentallywithaverydifferenttrainofthought。Had，nottheinfluenceofCarrie’sregardforhim，theelationwhich，herpromisearousedinhim，lastedover，hewouldnothaveseen，thehouseinsopleasantamood。Itwasnotextraordinarily，brightandmerrythisevening。Hewasmerelyverymuchmistaken，andwouldhavebeenmuchmorefittedtocopewithithadhecome，homeinhisnormalstate。
　　Afterhehadstudiedhispaperafewmomentslonger，hefeltthat，heoughttomodifymattersinsomewayorother。Evidentlyhis，wifewasnotgoingtopatchuppeaceataword。Sohesaid：
　　“WheredidGeorgegetthedoghehasthereintheyard？”
　　“Idon’tknow，“shesnapped。
　　Heputhispaperdownonhiskneesandgazedidlyoutofthe，window。Hedidnotproposetolosehistemper，butmerelytobe，persistentandagreeable，andbyafewquestionsbringarounda，mildunderstandingofsomesort。
　　“Whydoyoufeelsobadaboutthataffairofthismorning？he，said，atlast。“Weneedn’tquarrelaboutthat。Youknowyoucan，gotoWaukeshaifyouwantto。”
　　“Soyoucanstayhereandtriflearoundwithsomeoneelse？”she，exclaimed，turningtohimadeterminedcountenanceuponwhichwas，drawnasharpandwrathfulsneer。
　　Hestoppedasifslappedintheface。Inaninstanthis，persuasive，conciliatorymannerfled。Hewasonthedefensiveat，awinkandpuzzledforawordtoreply。
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”hesaidatlast，straighteninghimselfand，gazingatthecold，determinedfigurebeforehim，whopaidno，attention，butwentonarrangingherselfbeforethemirror。
　　“YouknowwhatImean，“shesaid，finally，asiftherewerea，worldofinformationwhichsheheldinreserve——whichshedidnot，needtotell。
　　“Well，Idon’t，“hesaid，stubbornly，yetnervousandalertfor，whatshouldcomenext。Thefinalityofthewoman’smannertook，awayhisfeelingofsuperiorityinbattle。
　　Shemadenoanswer。
　　“Hmph！”hemurmured，withamovementofhisheadtooneside。It，wastheweakestthinghehadeverdone。Itwastotally，unassured。
　　Mrs。Hurstwoodnoticedthelackofcolourinit。Sheturnedupon，him，animal-like，abletostrikeaneffectualsecondblow。
　　“IwanttheWaukeshamoneyto-morrowmorning，“shesaid。
　　Helookedatherinamazement。Neverbeforehadheseensucha，cold，steelydeterminationinhereye——suchacruellookof，indifference。Sheseemedathoroughmasterofhermood——
　　thoroughlyconfidentanddeterminedtowrestallcontrolfrom，him。Hefeltthatallhisresourcescouldnotdefendhim。He，mustattack。
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”hesaid，jumpingup。”Youwant！I’dliketo，knowwhat’sgotintoyouto-night。”
　　“Nothing’sGOTintome，“shesaid，flaming。”Iwantthatmoney。
　　Youcandoyourswaggeringafterwards。”