“Yourperseverance，undersuchobstacles，wastrulysurprising，MissTaylor；“saidHazlehurst。
　　“Wasitnot？Wesoonwroteouradvertisements。Minewasveryshort：'Wanted，anagreeableyouth，asescortbetweenthisandNewYork，applythisevening，atfiveo'clock。'Somewereverylongandridiculous；onewasinverse。Well，afterwehadwrittenthem，weopenedthedoorsandwindows，andtheyounggentlemenflockedinagain。Thenwewentinprocession，andpinnedthemuponthecurtains。Suchatimeaswehad——talkingandgiggling——wewereinsuchagale，that，atlast，someofthemarriedladiescameouttoseewhatwasthematter。But，thebestfunofall，waschoosingourescorts；agreatmanyoffered，andthenweexaminedthem。“
　　“Ihopetheyhadsuitablequalificationsfortheoffice。“
　　“Oh，yes——ItookMr。Hunter，Anne'sbrother。Well，sureenough，weallsetouttogether，thenextmorning；staidonedayinthecity；and，Thursdaymorning，were-appearedwiththedresses。Ofcourse，AnneandIhadtakentheopportunitytogetafreshsupply，besidesthewhitebatiste。Wehadamostdelightfulpic-nic。Iforgottosay，thatAnne'sescort，theMarquisFoletti，wasmissing；shehadtodowithouthim——shegavehimupforlost，orabsconded，andweallowedhertochooseanotherbeau——whensuddenly，justasweweremourningovertheMarquis，heappearedontheground，andthrewhimselfonhisknees，andmadeuslaughmorethanever。Annehadchosenhim，becausehehadthehandsomestmoustachesatSaratoga；buthecouldnotspeakEnglishverywell，andhadgotonboardthewrongboat。Whattimeswehad！Jane，Iwishyouhadbeenthere！”
　　“Yourfaithfulesquireswererewarded，nodoubt，bythegallantryofthedeeditself，MissTaylor，“saidHarry。
　　“Ofcourse；butweneverthelessgavethem，besides，fullpermissiontosayanddojustwhattheypleased，allthatday——andyoucan'tthinkhowmuchnonsensewetalked。Eachgentlemantooktheadvertisementoftheladyhehadescorted，andpinneditoverhisheart。Therewereseveralforeignersthere，andyoucan'tthinkhowtheyenjoyedit；theyhadneverhadsuchafrolicwithyoungladiesbefore，andtheythoughtitdelightful；though，tobesure，theygotatlasttoberathertoofree；andthenwehadtoputastoptoit。“
　　ElinorlookedatJane，toseeifsheseemedtosympathizeinAdeline'sstory；buthercousin'sbeautifulfacewasstillbrightwiththeglowofpleasurefrommeetingherfriend；nootherthoughtorfeelingwastobetracedthere。
　　“Idon'tbelievetheyhaveanysuchfuninParis，Mr。
　　Hazlehurst。“
　　“Notexactly——Theyhaveapleasantryoftheirown，however，whichisquiteagreeable。“
　　“Idon'tthinkIshouldlikeit。Theysay，ayoungladydaresnotspeaktogentlemen，norwalkwiththem，norhavetheleastbitofaflirtation。Howstupiditmustbe！”
　　“ButtheFrenchgirlsdotalktogentlemen，Iassureyou，“
　　repliedJane，“onlytheyarenotintimatewitheverybody。Theyoungmenareveryattentive，too；theytreatyounggirlswithmuchmorerespect，Louisasays，thaninAmerica。“
　　“Whocaresforrespect！Iwanttolaughandamusemyself，andhavemyownway，“exclaimedAdeline。
　　“Itisgrowingquitewarmhere——youwillfinditpleasanterinthedrawing-room，MissTaylor；“saidElinor，notcaringtolistenanylongertoJane'sgiddyfriend。
　　“Well，ifyouplease，I'llrunuptoJanesroom，andlookatthefashions——Iamdyingtoseesomeofhercapesandcollars。
　　By-the-bye，Ihadforgottentwoveryimportantthings。Hereisanoteforyouraunt，MissElinor；someprivatecommunicationfromMa；thecoachmanwilltaketheanswer。Andthen，Icameovertoaskyoualltodrinkteawithus，thisevening，verysociably；
　　nobodybutyourownfamilyandthreeorfourfriends！”
　　Theinvitationwasaccepted，asamatterofcourse。
　　“Goodmorning，Mr。Hazlehurst；IexpecttobeshutupwithJane，forthreehourstocome；Ihavereallytalkedmyselfoutofbreath；butthatisalwaystheway，withme，asyouknow，ofold。“Andthetwogirls，hand-in-hand，ranlightlyupstairs，whereElinor，makinganexcuseofMrs。Taylor'snote，leftthemtoaconfidentialtete-a-tete。
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　“Asoldiermaybeanything，ifbrave；
　　Somayamerchantifnotquiteaknave。“
　　COWPER。
　　“Tradehisdelightandhope；and，ifalive，DoubtIhavenone，thatBarnabywillthrive。“
　　CRABBE。
　　{WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“Hope“lines201-210。
　　GeorgeCrabbeEnglishpoet，1754-1832，“PosthumousTales：VIII
　　Barnaby；theShopman“linesII。3-4}
　　WEhavereallybeenveryremissinomittingsolongtonoticetherapidstrideswithwhichMr。PompeyTaylorhadadvancedontheroadtofameandfortune，duringthetwoyearsinwhichwehavelostsightofhim。Hemighthaveaddressed，tothereader，theremarkthattheEmperorNapoleonappliedtohissecretary，aftertheconquestofPrussiaandAustria：“J'aifaitdesprogresimmensesdepuisqueBourienne{sic}m'aquitte！”
　　{“J'aifaitdes……“=IhavemadeimmenseprogresssinceBourienneleftme！Louis-AntoineFauveletdeBourrienne1769-1834wasaFrenchdiplomatwhoservedasNapoleon'sprivatesecretaryduringhisinvasionofEgypt}
　　Itisarule，incomposition，itwasso，atleast，whenpeoplewrotebyrule，tocomparethelittlewiththegreat。Ifweweretofollowthedirection，itwouldbeeasytoprovethatthesetwoindividuals，theconqueror，Napoleon，andthespeculator，Taylor，werenottoowidelyseparatedformanypointsofresemblancetobetracedbetweenthem。Ambitionwastherulingpassionofboth；
　　andbothwerealikeinsatiable。Bonaparteaddedkingdomtokingdom；Taylor，housetohouse；theemperormightbelievehimselfequaltorulinghalftheworld；themerchantfeltcapableofowningtheotherhalf。Theoneraisedarmyafterarmy；theotherfittedoutvesselaftervessel。Theenergiesofbothwereinexhaustible，andbothaimedatanever-recedinggoal；whileeach，inhisownway，soonreachedaheightneverdreamedofbythemotherswhorockedtheircradles。NorwoulditbejusticetoMr。Taylor，tosuppose，thattheloveofmoney，alone，wasthemain-springofhisactions；he，too，wasspurredonbytheloveofglory；dollarsandcentswerenottheend，withhim；helookeduponhisthousands，ingoldandpaper，asNapoleondiduponhisthousandsinfleshandblood——theywerebuttheinstrumentswhichweretoopentheroadtofame。Themanofcommerce，andthemanofwar，werealikelavishoftheirtreasures，whentheobjectoftheirliveswasinview。Ifonewastheboldestofgenerals，theotherwasthemostenterprisingofmerchants；andFortunefavouredthedaringofboth。Inshort，Mr。Taylorwasnocommon，ploddingtrader，contentwithmoderategainsandsafeinvestments，andfixinghishopesonprobabilities——hepursuedtrafficwiththepassionofagambler，unitedtotheclosecalculationofamiser；andyet，hespentfreelywhathehadacquiredeasily。
　　Therearemerchants，who，bytheireducation，theirintegrity，theirtalentsandtheirliberality，areanhonourtotheprofession；butMr。PompeyTaylorwasnotofthenumber。Wehaveallheardtheanecdoteoftheyoungmanaddictedtothesinofswearing，whoseconversation，duringdinner，wastakendowninshort-hand，and，whenreadafterwards，shockedtheindividualhimself。CouldthethoughtsandwordsofMr。Taylor，duringasingleday，havebeenasfairlyregistered，perhapshehimselfwouldhavebeenastonishedtofindhowverylargeaportionofthemweregiventogainandspeculation，insomeshapeorother。
　　Atsocialmeetings，whetherdinnersoreveningparties，heseldomtalkedlongonanyothersubject：hehasbeenknowntouttertheword'stocks，'justasheenteredachurch，onSunday；whileaquestionaboutcertainlotswasthefirstsentencewhichpassedhislips，ashecrossedthethresholdonhiswayout。Eatinghismealsunderhisownroof；walkingdownBroadwaytoWall-Street，everymorning，atnineo'clock，andbackagaineveryafternoonatthree；stilltheechoofMr。Taylor'sthoughtsandwordswas'dollars，''stocks，'and'lots'——'lots，''stocks，'and'dollars。'Hehadavalueforeverythingindollars——hisjokesturneduponstocks——andhisdreamswerefilledwithlots。Letitnotbesupposed，however，thatMr。PompeyTaylorwasbornwiththephrenologicalorganoftheloveofmoneymorestronglydevelopedthanotherhumanbeings。Bynomeans。Hewasendowedbynaturewithfacultiesandfeelingsasvariedasothermen。But，fromthetimehecouldfirstwalkandtalk，preceptandexamplehadgraduallyturnedallhisfacultiesinonedirection；for，suchhadbeentheopinionsandviewsofhisfatherandelderbrothers；andtherewasnootherimpulseinhisnatureoreducation，sufficientlystrongtogiveadifferentbenttohisenergies。Underothercircumstances，PompeyTaylormighthavebeenaquick-wittedlawyer，asupplepolitician，adaringsoldier，or，withadifferentmoraltraining，hemighthavebeensomethingfarsuperiortoeither；butthefieldofcommercewastheonlyonethatopenedtohim，athisentranceintolife；anditwastoowelladaptedtotheman，suchasnatureandeducationhadmadehim，tobeneglected。Hefoundfullscope，insuchasphere，forallhisenergiesofbodyandmind——hedelightedinitslaboursanditsrewards。
　　{“phrenological“=fromthepseudo-scienceofphrenology，whichinterpretedcharacterbyfeelingthebulgesonthehumanhead}
　　Mr。Taylorhadforgotten，ifhehadeverknownthefact，thatthebestpleasuresofthisworldeven，arethosewhichmoneycannotpurchase，theseverestwantsthosewhichitcannotsupply。Hehadnoconceptionofanyconsiderationequaltothatwhichrichesgive。Beautyunadornedwasnobeautyinhiseyes；andhechieflyvaluedtalentasameansofmakinggoodinvestmentsandwilyspeculations。HelookeduponScienceasthehand-maidenofCommerce；ArmiesandNaviesexistedonlytodefendanation'swealth，notitsliberties，oritshonour。Theseatofhispatriotismwasinhispocket；andtheonlyinternalimprovementinwhichhewasinterested，wasthatwhichopenednewfacilitiesforacquiringmoney。Itissurprisinghowtotallysuchamindbecomesunfittedtoenjoyandadmireanygreatornoblequalityintheabstract；inspiteofaquickwitandkeenorgans，suchmenbecomethemostone-sidedbeings，perhaps，inthewholehumanfamily。TomoralbeautyMr。Taylorseemedquiteblind；hismentalvisionresembledthephysicalsightofthoseindividualswhoseeyes，thoughperfectineveryotherrespect，areincapableofreceivinganyimpressionofanobjecttingedwithblue——thecolouroftheheavens。Eventhefewideashehaduponreligioussubjectspartookofthecharacteroflossandgain；thesimplespiritoftruepietycouldneverenterintoamindinthestateofhis。Andyet，Mr。Taylorwaslookeduponasahappyman。
　　Fortunatehecertainlywas，forwealthandluxuryhadrisenaroundhimalmostasreadilyasifpossessedofAladdin'slamp。
　　Hadhebeenactuallyinpossessionofthisgiftofthegenii，hecouldscarcelyhavefoundawishtogratify，asmoneyhadalreadyprovidedhimwithallitcansupplyinthiscountry，andthepursuitofwealthitselfwashisdelight。Deprivedofthis，Othello'soccupationweregone。
　　{“Othello'soccupationweregone“=WilliamShakespeare，“Othello“，III。iii。358}
　　JusticetoMr。Taylorwouldrequirethatweshouldfollowhimtothecounting-house，foritwastherethatheappearedinthemostbrilliantlight。Histalentswereundoubted；hissagacity，hisskill，andhisdaringweregreat；andhisundertakingsweregenerallysuccessful。Thusfarallappearedverywell；butthosewholookedcloserintothematterwouldhavefoundthathisintegritywasanythingbutunimpeachable，hisloveofmoneyfarsurpassinghisloveoftruthandjustice。Thispartofhiscareermustbeleft，however，tootherhands；itisonlywhathewasinsocialanddomesticlife，thatthemerchantappearsamongourLongbridgefriends。
　　ThefirstfewmonthsafterhehadremovedtoNewYork，theutmostextentofMr。Taylor'sambitiousdreamshadbeenthepossessionofabrickhouseinBroadway，onalotofgroundtwenty-threefeetbyseventy。AccordingtothefavouriteruleofNewYorkarchitecture，theruleofthree，thebuildingwastobethreestorieshigh，andthreewindowswide。ButtheendofthefirstninetydaysinWall-Street，broughtanaccessionofseveralthousands，andthebrilliantpromiseofsomanymore，thatthisplanwasenlargedseveralincheseachway。Aseverysucceedingseasonbroughtanincreaseofwealthandambition，theprojecteddwellinggrewatlasttobetallerandbroaderbyseveralfeet，until，atlength，ithadreachedthelimitswhichmagnificenceusuallyattainsontheislandofManhattan。HadMr。TaylorbuilthishouseinPhiladelphia，oralmostanyotherAmericantown，hemighthavelaidratherabroaderfoundationforhishabitation；
　　butNewYorkhouses，asarule，arethenarrowestandthetallestintheland。Someofthosethree-storydwellings，however，whatevermaybetheirarchitecturaldefects，containinmateswhoareasmuchtobedesiredforfriendsasanyothersintheworld。
　　ButtoreturntoMr。Taylor'snewhouse；wehavesaidthatitwasoneoftheproudfewwhichcouldboastitsfourstoriesanditsfourwindows。Hewasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeresultwhenfinished，forhishousefromthegarrettothecellarwasafaithfulcopyofoneoppositetohim，whichhadbeenbuiltsomemonthsearlier，andwaspronouncedthehouseoftheseason。
　　TheAmericanpeoplemayhavebeenperfectlyoriginalintheirconstitution，butinmostotherrespectstheyareparticularlyimitative。Anobserver，atafirstglance，wondersthatsomuchclevernessshouldbewastedinmereimitation；butitis，afterall，thesimpleresultofthepositionofthecountry。Anintelligentpeople，wearefurnishedbybookswithmoreideasthanwehavemodelsonwhichtoshapethem。Inanoldstateofsociety，thereisalwaysaclasswholabourafteroriginality，andareproudtobecalledeccentric；butayoungnation，cutofffromtherestofthecivilizedworld，mustnecessarilybeimitativeinitscharacteruntilithasarrivedatmaturity。Thisspiritofimitation，toacertainextentanadvantage，is，tobesure，oftencarriedtoalaughableextentwhenitlosessightofcommonsense。Peopleseemtoforgetthefactthatproprietymustalwaysbethefirststeptotrueelegance。Asaproofofit，weseemenwhoappeartohaveconsultedtheirneighbours'tastes，habits，andmeans，insteadoftheirown，inbuildingthehousetheythemselvesaretoinhabit；likeMr。Taylor，withoutanyverygoodreason，theyimitatetheiroppositeneighbour。Again，itissurprisingtoseewhattimeandtoilarespentinfollowingeveryvariationoffashionindress，bymanywomenwhocertainlycanillaffordit；wedonotmeanfashioninitsgeneraloutlines，butinitsmosttriflingdetails。Ifonecouldwatchtheprogressofanidlefancyofthisnature，fromthemomentitspringsfromthecapriceofsomeEuropeanelegante，withmoretimeandmoneythansheknowshowtothrowaway，untilitbecomesanecessitytoanAmericanhousemaid，earningadollaraweek——wehavenodoubttheperiodwouldbefoundsurprisinglyshort。
　　{“elegante“=afashionableladyFrench}
　　Thehabitofimitationjustalludedto，ismorestrikingperhapsinarchitecturethaninanythingelse，forinthatshapeitisalwaysbeforeoureyes；andnoplaceinthecountryismoremarkedwithitthanNewYork。Innotowninheworldarethereasmanydwellingssomuchalike；andthisfactisnottheresultofnecessity，orofanyplanofarchitecturalunity——itisnotthattheplanfirsthituponprovedtobethemostrational，orbestsuitedtothespotanditsinhabitants——butitischieflytheconsequenceofaspiritofimitation。
　　Toreturntoourstory：thisnewhouseofMr。Taylor，thissuccessfulimitationofhisoppositeneighbour，hadbeenopenedthefirstofMay，thegeneralmovingdayinNewYork。Itwasfittedupintherichestmanner，youngTaylorhavingreceivedcarteblanchefromhisfathertopurchasehandsomefurnitureinParis。Rosewoodandsatin，giltbronzesandSevresvases，wereallofthebestkind——andMr。Taylorwasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeeffectofhistwodrawing-rooms。Itwasdeterminedtheyshouldbeshownoffduringthefollowingwinter，byasuccessionofdinnersandparties。Hehadalreadytriedhishandatentertaining；afterhavingeatenadozengreatdinnerswithdifferentcommercialnotabilities，hehadgivenonehimselfjustbeforeleavingtown。Theaffair，aman-dinner，ofcourse，hadgoneoffbrilliantly——thankstohisbeautifulporcelainedeSevres，hiscandelabrasandhisepergnes，hisEnglishplateandEnglishglass；allofwhichshowedofftogreatadvantagethebestofthegoodthingsaboundingintheNewYorkmarket，cookedbyaFrenchman，andwasheddownbywinesfromthemostfamousvineyardsofFrance，Germany，andSpain。Hisentertainmentwaspronouncedashandsomeasanygiventhatwinterintown；andMr。
　　Taylordeterminedthatitshouldbeonlythefirstofalongseries。
　　{“generalmovingday“=inNewYorkCity，atthistime，leasesfortherentalofhousesgenerallyexpiredonMay1；“porcelainedeSevres“=expensivechinawarefromtheFrenchtownofSevres；
　　“epergne“=anelaboratebowlusedasatablecenterpieceFrench}
　　Hiscountry-houserivalledhisestablishmentintown。Byhisfirstplan，hehadintendedthatitshouldequalthatofMr。
　　Hubbard，atLongbridge；buteighteenmonthshadmadeamaterialchangeinhisaffairs，whichproducedcorrespondingalterationsinthebuilding。Firstonelargewingwasadded，thenanother；
　　Mr。Hubbard'shousehadbutoneCorinthianportico，Mr。Taylor'shadtwo。Hewasborninahousewhichhadbeenpaintedonlyononefront，andhewasnowoftheopinionoftheoldtar，whopurchasedahandsomejacketlikehiscommandingofficer，butorderedthebackaswellasthefronttobemadeofsatin，andmeetingtheadmiral，pulleduphiscoat-tailstoshowthattherewas“nosham。“Mr。Taylorcouldnotoutdotheplate-glass，andmahoganydoorsofMr。Hubbard'shouse，buthehadgreatsatisfactioninshowinghimhisporticoonthesouthfront，andinprovingtherewasnosham。Whenthewingswereadded，theywerecompletelysurroundedonthreesidesbyacolonnade。Mr。
　　Taylorhavinghappened，justatthemoment，tomakethirtythousanddollarsbyonesuccessfulspeculation，hesentorderstothemaster-builderforadoublesetofcolumns；andasaconsequence，thecolonnadewassoveryconspicuousthatitbecametheprideoftheneighbourhood。Mr。Taylor，himself，wassomuchstruckwiththefirstview，whencompleted，thathedecidedtonametheplace“ColonnadeManor。“Thereisnoaccountingfortasteinnames，wesuppose，anymorethaninothermatters。LikeNo。fivehundredand——Broadway，ColonnadeManorwasfurnishedwithrosewoodandsatinfromParis。
　　Mrs。Taylor，goodsoul，enteredverylittleintothespiritofthismagnificence。Shestillsatinhernurserywithheryoungerchildrenasmuchaspossible，darningallthestockingsofthefamily；anoccupationwhichAdelinethoughtveryungenteel，forshenevercondescendedtouseherneedleatall。TomakeMrs。
　　TaylorafineladyhadbeenoneoftheleastsuccessfulofMr。
　　Taylor'sefforts；shewasmuchtoohonestbynaturetoassumeacharacterforwhichshewassolittlequalified。TherewasbutonewayinwhichshecouldsucceedininterestingherselfinalltheparadewhichgratifiedMr。Taylor'staste；shefounditgavepleasuretoherhusbandandchildren，andsheendeavouredtomakethebestofit。SheworethefinedressespurchasedforherbyAdeline，anddroveoutonceinawhileinherhandsomecarriage，topayatleastafewofthemanyvisitsurgedbyMr。Taylor。
　　Amongthenewacquaintancesshehadmadeinthelasttenyears，therewerefewMrs。TaylorlikedaswellasMissWyllys；andMissAgnes，inherturn，respectedallthatwashonestandstraight-forwardinthecharacterofhernewneighbour；indeed，thewholefamilyatWyllys-Roofverymuchpreferredhertothemorepretendinghusbandanddaughter。Thenote，ofwhichAdelinewasthebearer，wasanapplicationtoMissWyllysforadviceinsomedomesticdifficulty。Itranasfollows：
　　“MYDEARMISSWYLLYS：——
　　“Youhavebeensokindtome，eversincewemovedintoyourneighbourhood，thatIhopeyouwillexcusemeforaskingyourassistance，thismorning。Ihavebeenagooddealplaguedinmykitcheneversincewecameintothecountrythisspring。Mycookandchamber-maid，whoaresisters，arealwaysfindingsomeexcuseforwantingtogotothecity；andlastnighttheygotaletter，orpretendedtogetonefromNewYork，sayingthattheirfatherwasverysick；andasIdidn'tknowbutitmightbetrue，I
　　couldn'trefusethem，andtheyhavegoneforaweek——thoughI
　　won'tbesureitwasnotforamerefrolic。Asithappened，Mr。
　　TaylorandAdelinecamebackfromSaratoga，lastnight，andbroughtahouse-fullofcompanywiththem；anoldfriendofminewhomIhadnotseenforyears，andsomenewacquaintancesofAdeline's。Tomakemattersworse，mynurse，afaithful，goodgirl，whohaslivedwithmeforyears，wastakensickthismorning；andJohn，thewaiter，hadaquarrelwiththecoachman，andwentoffinahuff。Youknowsuchthingsalwayscometogether。SoIhavenowonlythecoachmanandhisdaughter，alittlegirloftwelve，inthehouse；happilytheyarebothwilling，andcandoalittleofeverything。IfyouknowofanybodythatIcanfindtotaketheplaceofcook，orhousemaid，Ishallbetrulyobligedtoyouforgivingthecoachmantheirnamesanddirections。
　　“Adelineistohavealittlepartythisevening；shemetseveralofourLongbridgefriendsonboardtheboatyesterday，andtookthatopportunityofaskingthem，assheisveryanxioustomakethehousepleasanttohercompany。Idaresayshehasalreadyinvitedallyourfamily，andIshallbeverysorryifyouarenotabletocome，forwealwaysmissyoumorethananyothersofourneighbours。
　　“HopingyouwillexcusethetroubleIgiveyou，Iremain，dearMadam，“Veryrespectfullyandtrulyyours，“HESTERTAYLOR。“
　　MissWyllyshadnosoonerreadthenote，than，fullofsympathyforMrs。Taylor'sdifficulties，sheheldaconsultationwithherfemalefactotum，Elinor'snurse，orMammyasshewascalled。Allthemen，women，andchildrenintheneighbourhood，whomightpossiblypossesssomequalificationsforthedutiesofcook，chamber-maid，orfootman，wererunoverinMissAgnes'mind；andshesucceededatlast，byincludingonesuperannuatedoldwoman，andanotherchildoften，inmakingoutalistofsomedozennamesforherneighbour'sbenefit。Thewholemorningwasspentbythecoachman，scouringthecountrywiththeTaylorbaroucheandhorses——fornotimewastobespentinchangingharness——inpursuitofDianthyThis，andAramintyThat。Mrs。Taylor，ofcourse，awaitedhisreturnwithtremblinganxiety；theSaratogapartyhadgoneofftofish，escortedbyMr。Taylorandayoungerdaughter；AdelinehavingtakenthatopportunitytogotoseeJane，excusingherselffromaccompanyingthefishingset，onaccountofthearrivalofthisveryintimatefriendofhers。Themistressofthehouse，afterhavingadministeredadoseofmedicinetothesicknurse，andsentthelittlegirloftwelvetomakethebedsandsweep，gaveonemelancholylookatthingsinthekitchen，andthenrememberedthatshecouldnolongerleavethisparticularoldfriendofher'saloneinthedrawing-room。
　　Whiletalkingoverpasttimes，Mrs。Taylorchosearocking-chaircommandingaviewoftheapproachtothehouse：justatthemomentwhenshebegantofearthehorseshadrunaway，killedthecoachman，andbrokenthecarriage，shesawthebarouchedrivinguptheavenue，but，alas，sanscook！Shekeptherseatwomanfully，andheardouttheendofalongstorywhichtheoldfriendwasrelatingaboutafamilyofrelations。ButatlengthMrs。Taylorfoundthatthemomentforactionhadcome；andgivingherfriendthechoiceofherownknitting-work，orawalkinthegardenwithheryoungestchild，aprettyprattlinglittleboy，sheexcusedherselfforafewmoments，underpretextoflookingafterthesicknurse。Theoldfriendwasquiteatalkativeperson，andonetowhomalistenerwasverynecessary；shepreferredthelittleboytotheknitting-work，andsetouttolookat-thegarden。
　　Mrs。Taylorinstantlydisappearedinthedirectionofthekitchen。
　　“Well，John！”
　　“Well，marm，Icouldn'tpickupnobody，forloveormoney。“
　　“Didn'tMissWyllysknowofanyoneintheneighbourhood？”
　　“Yes，marm；Ihavegotalisthere；butsomeof'emhadgotplacesalready；therewastwothatwassick；one，AramintyCarpenter，Iguess，wouldhavesuitedMrs。Taylorverywell，for，Iknowtheyoungwoman'sfather；butshehasgoneovertoLongbridge，toworkattheUnionHotel，foraweek。TherewasonenamewrittensoIcouldn'tmakeitout；andtwoof'emIcouldn'tfind；folkscouldn'ttellmewheretheylived。ThereisayoungthingdownattheMill，wholookshandy，butdoesn'tknowanythingofcooking；but，Iengagedhertocometo-morrow，andMrs。Taylorcanseeifshesuits。“
　　“Whydidn'tyoubringherwithyouatonce，John？”
　　“Shecouldn'tcome，noways，tillto-morrow；shewaswashing；
　　and，ifsheleftthework，therewasnoonetodoit。“
　　LetitnotbesupposedthatMrs。Taylorsunkunderthesedifficulties。Thefishing-partyreturned；and，bymeansknownonlytoherself，thecoachman，andthelittlegirloftwelve，adinner，muchasusual，wasprovidedforherguests，whowereleftinhappyignoranceofthedesertioninthekitchen。
　　Itmustbesurprising，tothoseunaccustomedtosuchthings，toobservewithwhatcourageandcheerfulnessthemistressofanAmericanfamilyencountersthepeculiarevilsofherlot——evilsundreamtofbypersonsinthesamestationinanyotherpartoftheworld。Herenergiesseemtorisewiththeobstaclesthatcallthemout；sheisfullofexpedients——fullofactivity；and，unlessfairlywornoutbyexertionforwhichshehasnotthephysicalstrength，alwaysmanagestokeepupappearances，andprovideforthecomfortofherhousehold，untilhertroublesaresurmounted，forthetimebeing，andshegathersstrength，inamomentofrespite，forfreshdifficulties，whentheypresentthemselves。Evenherhusbandandsonsareseldomawareofhertoilsandvexations。Manypeopleareignorantofthenumberofvirtuesthatareincluded，atsuchmoments，inthatofhospitality；couldaplain，unvarnishedaccount，bemadeout，ofthedifficultiessurmounted，atsometimeorother，bymostAmericanmatrons，theworldwouldwonderattheirfortitudeandperseverance。Notthatdifficultieslikethoseofourfriend，Mrs。Taylor，areofconstantduration，buttheyoccuroftenerthantheuninitiatedareawareof。Yetevenobstaclesliketheseseemnevertointerferewiththatconstantintercourse，fromtea-partiestovisitsofweeks，whichareexchangedbetweenallAmericanfamiliesandtheirfriends。Butthennopeopleintheworldaremoretrulyhospitable——nonearemoresocialintheirfeelings，thantheinhabitantsoftheseUnitedStates。
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　“Come，come；dealjustlywithme；come，Come；nay，speak！”
　　Hamlet。
　　“Madam，theguestsarecome，supperservedup，youcalled，myyoungladyaskedfor，thenursecursedinthepantry，andeverythinginextremity。“
　　RomeoandJuliet。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“Hamlet“，II。ii。275-276；“RomeoandJuliet“，I。iii。100-102}
　　OFcourse，nothinginterferedwiththepartyatColonnadeManor。
　　ThankstoMrs。Taylor，thecoachmanandthelittlegirloftwelve——quiteawomanly，precocious，littlething，by-the-way——allwentoffverywell。Somecuriousperson，uninitiatedinsimilardomesticmysteries，maywishtoknowhowthingsweremanagedatsuchatryingcrisis。Well，inthefirstplace，Mrs。Taylorcongratulatedherselfthatherguestshadbeenaskedto'spendtheevening，'andnotinvited'totea。'Thiswasapieceofgoodluck，whichdiminishedhercares，andpreventedthedeepmortificationshemusthavefelthadtheteaandcoffeebeencold。Thecoachman，ofcourse，officiatedasfootman；adutytowhichhewasalreadysomewhataccustomed。Thelittlegirloftwelvebegantheeveningasladies'-maid，appearinginthedressing-roominthatcapacity，helpingtheladiestotakeofftheirshawlsandsmooththefoldsoftheirdresses，beforetheymadetheirentranceinthedrawing-rooms。Thecompanysooncollected——aboutfiftyorsixtypersons，altogether——andinpartydress；eachhavingbeeninvitedquitesociably，byMissAdeline。
　　Theywerenotatallsurprisedtoseeeachother，however，fortheyhadoftenalreadypractisedthesameagreeabledeception，themselves。Thecompanyonceassembled，thelittlegirloftwelverolleduphersleeves，andtookherstationinthepantry，whereshereplenishedthecake-baskets，thelemonadeandsangaree-glasseshandedaboutbyherfather，thecoachman。A
　　suppertablewasalreadyspreadinthedining-room；ithadbeenveryprettilyornamentedwithflowersbyAdeline，andherSaratogafriends；andaplentifulsupplyoffruits，ices，jellies，syllabubs，creams，andotherdelicaciesforalightsupper，hadbeenprepared，inthecourseofthemorning，byMrs。
　　Taylorandhercoadjutors，thecoachmanandthelittlegirloftwelve。Thetalkativeoldfriendhadbeenadmittedbehindthescenessofar，astolearnthatthemistressofthehousewouldbeobligedtomakeallthegoodthingsherself；andshehadshownthat，besidestellingalongstory，shecouldmakeveryexcellentsponge-cake；for，unfortunately，itwasdiscoveredthatitwouldbenecessarytoincreasethesupplyofthatdelicacy。Adelinedidhershare；whileherSaratogafriendsweretakingamorningsiesta，withanovelintheirhands，shehadmadethesyllabub，andpreparedthefruit。Thesearrangementshavingbeenmade，thelittlegirloftwelvehadreceivedorderstostationherselfnearathand，whereshecouldbesentof{sic}errandsupanddownstairs。Thecoachmanwastoldtotakehisplacebytheside-table，readytobecalledupon，ifnecessary。Mrs。Taylorherself——alas！thatweshouldbeobligedtorevealthefact，expectedtoslipoutofthedrawing-roomatabouthalf-pastten，andsuperintendthedelicateoperationofremovingthejelliesfromtheirmoulds；thiswouldrequiretenminutestodo，andshehopedtomakeherexitandingressunnoticed；amattereasilymanaged，insummer，whenthedoorsandwindowsareallopen，andcouplesarm-in-arm，areloiteringabout，inandoutinalldirections。Thistaskperformed，whenshehadreturnedtothepublicnotice，sometenminutesafterhavingseeneverythinginitsplace，thecoachmanwasexpectedtoappearatthedrawing-roomdoor，withcomposedmanner，toannouncethatsupperwasready——afactshewaspreparedtohearwiththeexpressionofsublimeindifference，requiredbyetiquette。Fromthatmoment，everythingwouldbecomeeasy；for，ofcourse，thegentlemenwould，asusual，takecareoftheladiesfirst，andthenhelpthemselves。Thegallantwayinwhichtheselight，standingsuppersarealwaysmanaged，amongus，is，by-the-bye，apleasantandsensiblearrangement；nothingbettercouldbedevised，underthecircumstances。Theplanofoperationsthussketched，wemayaswellsay，atonce，thateverythingsucceededtoadmiration。
　　{“sangaree“=acolddrinkofflavored，dilutedwine；“syllabub“
　　=adrinkofmilkandwine}
　　Theeveningwaspronouncedverypleasant；and，asseveralofourfriendswerepresent，weshallfollowthem。Therewasagreatdealoftalkingandlaughing；areasonablequantityofflirtation；and，onceortwice，somerompinginthecorneroftheroomwhereMissAdelinehappenedtobeatthetime。Amongthosewhohadexcusedthemselvesfromacceptingtheinvitation，wereMr。andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，whodislikedtheideaofgoingsofar，andMr。andMrs。Graham，theladybeingdetainedathomebyaheadach{sic}，thegentlemanbyaparticulardisliketoMr。
　　Taylor，who，hethought，hadbehavedinanungentlemanlymanneraboutamortgage，inwhichtheybothhappenedtobeinterested。
　　Mr。Grahamwasamanofaviolenttemper，andunsocialhabits，generallytakinglittlepainstoconcealhisfeelings；andaccordingly，hismannertoMr。Taylorwasanythingbutflattering，thoughtheiracquaintance，atbest，wasbuttrifling。
　　Mrs。Grahamalsodislikedthewholefamily；andyettheintimacybetweenJaneandAdelinewasallowedtocontinue，asasortofmatterofcourse，betweenschoolcompanions。
　　MissWyllysaccompaniedherniecetotheparty——shegenerallymadeitapointtogowithElinor；for，shehadold-fashionednotionsonthesubject，andthoughtthatthepresenceoftheirelderswasanadvantageandaprotectionthatwell-educatedyounggirlshavearighttoexpectfromtheirfriends。Sheseldomspokeonthematter，however，butcontentedherselfwithgiving，whatshethought，agoodexample。BothMissAgnesandElinorwererathersurprisedtofindthatJane'spartialityforhergiddyfriendAdeline，hadnotbeenintheleastdiminished，byhervisittoEurope。MissWyllysdisapprovedoftheintimacy；but，asJane'smotherhadnoobjections，sheherselfcouldsaynothing。
　　Thetwoyoungladieswereagreatdealtogether，inthecourseoftheevening，asbecamebosom-friendsafteralongseparation。
　　Mrs。Taylor'soldfriend，thetalkativelady，wasintroducedtoseveraloftheelderportionofthecompany，andwasthushappilyprovidedwithlisteners。MissAdeline'sfashionableacquaintancesfromSaratoga，werealsosupplied，eachwithacoupleofattendantbeaux，uponwhomtotrytheeffectoftheircharms。
　　Everythingthushappilyarranged，MissAdelineproposeda'march'
　　whichwasmanagedasusual。YoungVanHorne，whohadsomemusicalcapabilities，wasplacedatthepiano，andplayedWashington'sMarch，whentheyoungpeoplepairedoffinaline，andbegantowalk，movingintimeupanddownthetwodrawing-rooms，throughthefolding-doors——eachgentleman，ofcourse，offeringhisarmtoalady；chaquechacun，avecsachacune。Adelinewasnotquitesatisfiedwithhercavalier，CharlieHubbard；shedidnotcaremuchabouthim，atanytime；and，onthepresentoccasion，heseemedlessinterestedinlisteningtoherownconversation，thaninwatchingthemovementsofsomeoneelse；whoitwas，shecouldnotsay。Shereproachedhimwiththisinattention。
　　{“chaquechacun，avecsachacune“=eachonewithhisownFrench}
　　“Ideclare，Idon'tbelieveyouhearhalfIsay。Ineversawanybodylikeyou。“
　　“Charlieblushedalittle，rallied，anddevotedhimselfmoreexclusivelytothedutyofbeingentertained。Afterthesecondorthirdturninthemarch，AdelinediscoveredHazlehurst，who，insteadofbeinginmotionwiththerest，wasleaninginadoor-way。Asshepassedhim，shesnappedherembroideredhandkerchiefinthatdirection，andsummonedhimtojointhe'promenade。'Harryexcusedhimselfbysaying，hewasafraidhecouldnotfindanyonetowalkwithhim。
　　“Howcanyoutalkso！ThereisMissWyllys，Ideclare；Ihadnotseenherbefore。“——AndAdelinecrossedtheroomtoawindowwhereElinorwassittingquietlyasalooker-on，havingjustescapedfromalongconversationwiththetalkativeoldfriend。
　　“Now，MissWyllys，Iamsureyoumustwishtopromenade！”
　　“Wouldyouliketowalk？”quietlyaskedHazlehurst，whohadfollowedMissTaylor。
　　“No，indeed，“saidElinor，smilingandshakingherheadgood-naturedly。“Ihavehadonelongwalk，already，thisafternoon，andmuchprefersittingstill，justnow。“
　　“YoushouldfollowJane'sexample；yousee，sheispromenading，and，Idaresay，shetookthewalkwithyou，too，“saidAdeline。
　　“DidyoueverknowJanetakealongwalk，whenshecouldhelpit？”askedElinor，smiling。“Ihadreallyrathersitstill，MissTaylor。“
　　Adeline，findingthatonthisoccasionshecouldnotsucceedinsettingallherfriendsinmotion，whichshegenerallyendeavouredtodo，returnedtotheranks；leavingElinortodoasshechose。Hazlehursttookaseatbyher，andmadesomeinquiriesaboutseveraloftheiroldacquaintancesintheroom。
　　“Don'tyouthinkthosetwoyoungladiesbothverypretty，Mr。
　　Hazlehurst，“saidDr。VanHorne，approachingthespotwhereHarrywasstandingnearElinor，afterhavinggivenuphischairtooneoftheSaratogabelles，whenthemarchwasfinished。
　　“Whichdoyoumean，sir？”askedHarry。
　　“MissTaylorandMissGraham，whoarestandingtogethernearthepiano。“
　　“Yes，“repliedHazlehurst，“MissTaylorisevenprettierthanI
　　hadsupposedshewouldbe。“
　　“Shewillnotcompare，however，withMissJane。Tomymind，MissGrahamanswerstheideaofperfectbeauty。Inallyourtravels，didyoumeetwithafacethatyouthoughtmorebeautiful？”
　　“Ibelievenot，“saidHarry，laconically，andslowlycolouringatthesametime。
　　“IsitJaneyouwerespeakingof，Doctor？”inquiredElinor，turningtowardshim。“Don'tyouthinkshehascomebacktwiceasbeautifulasshewaslastyear？Itisreallyapleasuretolookatafacelikehers。“
　　“Iamafraid，itwillproveratheradangerouspleasure，MissElinor，tosomeofthebeaux，thiswinter。“
　　“Nodoubtshewillbeverymuchadmired；butshetakesitallveryquietly。Idon'tbelieveyourgreatbeautiesasmuchdisposedtovanityasotherpeople。“
　　“Perhapsnot；“repliedthedoctor，drawingnearher。“Agreatdealdependsoneducation。Butwhatdothetravellerstellyouaboutthesightstheyhaveseen，MissElinor？”
　　“Oh，wehaveonlygoneasfarasthefirstchapteroftheirtravels，“shereplied。“Theyhavenothalfsaidtheirsayyet。“
　　“Well，Ishouldliketohaveatalkwithyouonthesubject，Mr。
　　Hazlehurst。Iwasinhopesofmeetingyourbrotherhere，to-night，buthehasnotcome，Ifind；Ishallhavetoboreyouwithmyquestions，unlessyouwanttodancethisjig，orwhateveritis，theyarebeginning。“
　　“Notatall，mydearsir；Ishallbegladtoansweranyquestionsofyours。“
　　“Thankyou。Supposeweimprovetheopportunity，MissElinor，andgivehimasharpcross-examination；doyouthinkhewouldbearit？”
　　“Ihopeso，“saidElinor，smilingquietly，asifshefeltveryeasyonthesubject。
　　“Don'ttrusthimtoofar。Idaresayyouhavenotbeenhalfsevereenoughuponhim，“saidDr。VanHorne，whohadaveryhighopinionofHarry。“Buttospeakseriously，Mr。Hazlehurst，I
　　don'tatalllikeanotionmysonBenhasofgoingtoEurope。“
　　“Whatisyourobjection？”
　　“IdoubtifitisatallanadvantagetosendmostyoungmentoEurope。I'veseensomanycomebackconceited，anddissatisfied，andgood-for-nothing，thatIcan'tmakeupmymindtospoilBenbythesameprocess。Hetriesveryhardtopersuademe，thatnow-a-days，nodoctorisfittobetrustedwhohasnotfinishedoffinParis；butwemanagedwithoutitthirtyyearsago。“
　　“YoumustknowmuchmorethanIdoonthatsubject，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，takingaseatontheothersideofElinor。
　　“Ofcourse，Iknowmoreaboutthehospitals。ButasIhaveneverbeenabroadmyself，Idon'tknowwhateffectasightoftheOldWorldhasonone。Itseemstomeitruinsagreatmanyyoungfellows。“
　　“Anditimprovesagreatmany，“saidHazlehurst。
　　“Iambynomeanssosureofthat。Itimprovessome，Igrantyou；
　　butIthinkthechancesarethatitisaninjury。Wehavehappenedtoseeagreatdeal，lately，oftwoyoungchaps，nephewsofmine，whocamehomelastspring。Threeyearsagotheywentabroad，sober，sensible，well-behavedladsenough，andnowtheyhavebothcomeback，worsethangood-for-nothing。TherewasRockwell，heusedtobeaplain，straight-forward，smooth-facedfellow；andnowhehascomehomebristlingwithwhiskers，andbeard，andmoustaches，andacutacrosstheforehead，thathegotinaduelinBerlin。Worsethanall，hisbrainissobefogged，andmystified，thathecan'tseeanythingstraighttosavehislife；andyet，forsooth，mygentlemanisgoingtosetthenationtorightswithsomenewsystemofhisown。“
　　“IknownothingoftheGermanUniversities，doctor，frommyownobservation；butIshouldthinkitmightbeadangerousthingtosendayoungmanthereunlesshewaswellsuppliedwithsoundcommonsenseofhisown。“
　　“Well，thereisBillHartley，again，whostaidallthetimeinParis。Hehascomebackaregulargrumbler。Ifyouwouldbelievehim，thereisnotasinglethingworthhaving，fromoneendoftheUniontotheother。Heisdisgustedwitheverything，andonlylastnightsaidthatourclimatewantsfog！Now，Ithinkitismuchbettertogoploddingonathome，thantotravelforthesakeofbringingbacksuchenlargedviewsasmakeyourselfandyourfriendsuncomfortablefortherestofyourdays。“
　　“Butitisaman'sownfault，mydearsir，ifhebringsbackmorebadthangoodwithhim。Thefactis，youwillgenerallyfindthegoodamanbringshome，inproportiontothegoodhetookabroad。“
　　“I'mnotsosureofthat。IusedtothinkRockwellwasquiteapromisingyoungmanatonetime。Butthatisnotthequestion。
　　If，afterall，thoughitdoessharpenaman'swits，itonlymakeshimdiscontentedfortherestofhislife，Imaintainthatsuchastateofimprovementisnottobedesired。IfthingsarereallybetterandpleasanterinEurope，Idon'twanttoknowit。Itwouldmakemedissatisfied，unlessIwastobearenegade，andgiveupthecountryIwasbornin；wouldyouhaveamandothat？”
　　“Never！”saidHarry。“Iholdthatitisasortofdesertion，togiveupthepostwhereProvidencehasplacedus，unlessinextremecases；andIbelieveamancanliveamoreusefulandmorehonourablelifetherethanelsewhere。ButIthinktravellingaverygreatadvantage，nevertheless。Theverypowerofcomparison，ofwhichyoucomplain，isasourceofgreatintellectualpleasure，andmustbeusefulifproperlyemployed，sinceithelpsustoreachthetruth。“
　　Thedoctorshookhishead。“Iwantyoujusttotellmehowmuchofthisgrumblingandfault-findingisconceit，andhowmuchisthenaturalconsequenceoftravelling？IseverythingreallysuperiorinEuropetowhatwehavehere？”
　　“Everything？No；“saidHarry，laughing。Butyouwouldseemtothinkamandissatisfied，doctor，ifhedidnot，onthecontrary，proclaimthateverythingisimmeasurablybetterinthiscountrythaninanyotherontheglobe。Now，confess，isnotthatyourstandardofpatriotism？”
　　“Ah，youareshiftingyourground，younggentleman。Butweshallbringyoutothepointpresently。Nowtellushonestly，wereyounotdisappointedwiththelooksofthingswhenyoucameback？”
　　“Ifbydisappointed，youmeanthatmanythingsasIseethemnow，strikemeasveryinferiortoobjectsofthesamedescriptioninEurope，Idonotscrupletosaytheydo。WhenIlanded，Isaidtomyself，“'Thestreetsarenarrowandthebuildingsmean；
　　DidI，orfancy，havethembroadandclean？'“
　　{GeorgeCrabbeEnglishpoet，1754-1832，“PosthumousTales：TaleVI——TheFarewellandReturn“，PartII，lines79-80}
　　“Ifearedso！”andthedoctorlookedmuchasapiousMahometanmightbesupposedtodo，ifheweretoseeaFrankseizetheGrandTurkbythebeard。“Ishouldhavethoughtbetterofyou，“
　　headded。
　　{“Frank“=aEuropeanChristian；“GrandTurk“=OttomanEmperor}
　　“Mydearsir，“saidHarry，laughing，“howcouldIhelpit！Imustdefendmyselffromanydesiretobedisappointed，Iassureyou。
　　Onthecontrary，Iwishverysincerelythateverythinginmynativecountrywereasgoodaspossibleinitsway；thatthearchitectureofthepublicbuildingswereofthenoblestkind；
　　theprivatehousesthemostpleasantandconvenient；thestreetsthebestpaved，andbestlightedintheworld。ButIdon'tconceivethatthewaytobringthisaboutistomaintainlepistoletalagorge，thatperfectionhasalreadybeenattainedinalltheseparticulars。Tospeakfrankly，itstrikesmeastheheightofpuerilitytowishtodeceiveoneselfuponsuchsubjects。Onthecontrary，Ithinkitisthedutyofeveryman，sofarashehastheopportunity，toaimatcorrectnotionsoneverythingwithinhisreach。“
　　{“lepistoletalagorge“=thepistoltothethroatFrench}
　　“Well，“remarkedthedoctor，“youonlyconfirmmeinmyopinion。
　　IshallbemoreunwillingthanevertoletBengo；sinceevenyou，HarryHazlehurst，whoareagooddealbetterthanmostyoungmen，confesstheharmtravellinghasdoneyou。“
　　“But，mydearsir，Iconfessnosuchthing。I'mconsciousthattravellinghasbeenagreatbenefittomeinmanyways。IshallbeahappierandbettermanforwhatIhaveseen，allmylife，I
　　trust，sincemanyofmyopinionsarebuiltonabetterfoundationthantheywerebefore。“
　　“IfIwereyou，Iwouldnotlethimsayso，MissElinor。Hisfriendswon'tliketohearit；andI，forone，amverysorrythatyouarenotasgoodanAmericanasItookyoufor。“
　　“Itisquiteanewideatome，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，“thatmentalblindnessandvanityarenecessarypartsoftheAmericancharacter。We，whoclaimtobesoenlightened！Ishouldbesorrytobeconvincedthatyourviewiscorrect。Ihavealwaysbelievedthattruepatriotismconsistedinservingone'scountry，notinservingoneselfbyflatteringone'scountrymen。Imustgivemytestimonyonthesesubjects，whencalledfor，aswellasonanyother，honestly，andtothebestofmyability。“
　　“Doyouknow，doctor，“saidElinor，“poorHarryhashadtofightseveralbattlesonthissubjectalready。Mrs。Bernardattackedhimtheotherevening，becausehesaidthemountainsinSwitzerlandwerehigherthantheWhiteMountains。Nowwehaveonlytolookinageographytoseethattheyareso。“
　　“Butonedon'tliketohearsuchthings，MissElinor。“
　　“Mrs。BernardaskedhimifhehadseenanythingfinerthantheWhiteMountains；whatcouldhesay！Itseemstomejustaspossibleforamantolovehiscountry，andseefaultsinit，asitdoesforhimtolovehiswifeandchildren，withoutbelievingthemtobethemostperfectspecimensofthehumanfamily，inbodyandmind，thateverexisted。Youwillallowthatamanmaybeaverygoodandkindhusbandandfather，withoutmaintainingeverywherethathiswifeanddaughterssurpassalltheirsex，ineverypossibleparticular？”
　　“Youwillnot，surely，deny，doctor，“saidHazlehurst，“thatitisreasonabletosupposethatEuropepossessessomeadvantagesofanadvancedstateofcivilization，thatwehavenotyetattainedto？Wehavedonemuchforayoungpeople，butwehavethemeansofdoingmuchmore；anditwillbeourownfaultifwedon'timprove。“
　　“Weshallimprove，Idaresay。“
　　“Doyouexpectustogobeyondperfection，then？”
　　“Ican'tseetheuseoftalkingaboutdisagreeablesubjects。“
　　“Buteventhemostdisagreeabletruthshavetheiruses。“
　　“Thatmaybe；andyetIbelieveyouwouldhavebeenhappierifyouhadstaidathome。Whilehewasawayfromyou，MissElinor，I
　　amafraidhelearnedsomeofthosedisagreeabletruthswhichitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimnottohavediscovered。“
　　Harrystoopedtopickupaglove，andremainedsilentforamoment。
　　Shortlyafter，supperwasannounced；and，althoughthecoachmanwasnotquiteasmuchathomeinthepantryasinthestable，yeteverythingwasverysuccessfullymanaged。
　　“ItisreallymortifyingtohearamanlikeDr。VanHorne，fancyitpatriotictofosterconceitedignoranceandchildishvanity，onallnationalsubjects，“exclaimedHarry，ashetookhisseatinthecarriage，afterhandingtheladiesin。“Andthatisnottheworstofit；for，ofcourse，ifrespectable，independentmentalkinthattone，therewillbenoendtothefulsome，nauseating，vulgarflatteriesthatwillbepoureduponusbythosewhoseinterestitistoflatter！”
　　“Iheardpartofyourconversation，and，Imustconfess，thedoctordidnotshowhisusualgoodsense，“observedMissAgnes。
　　“Youarereallyquiteindignantagainstthedoctor，“saidElinor。
　　“Notonlyagainsthim，butagainstallwhoarewilling，likehim，toencouragesuchamiserableperversionoftruth。Believethem，andyoumakepatriotismanything，andeverything，butavirtue。“
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　“Why，hownow，count？Whereforeareyousosad？”
　　SHAKSPEARE。{sic——thisistheCooperfamily'susualspellingofthename}
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“，II。i。289}
　　“WELL，Jenny，youaregoingtoleaveusto-day，itseems，“saidMr。Wyllys，thenextmorning，atbreakfast。“Iamsorryforit；
　　but，Isupposeyourmotherhasabetterrighttoyouthanwehave。“
　　“IpromisedmammaIwouldnotstayafterto-day，sir。AuntAgnesistocarrymeovertoLongbridge，beforedinner。“
　　“Youmustcomebackagain，asoftenasyoucan，child。Italwaysseemstome，thatHarryandyoubelonghere，asmuchasyoudoanywhereelse。HowlongdoyousupposeyourmotherwillstayatLongbridge？”
　　“WearegoingtoNewYorknextweek。FatherwishestobeinCharlestonearlyinOctober。“
　　“Ican'tbeartothinkofyourgoingsosoon。IfyouareonceinCarolina，Isuppose，weshan'tseeyouagainuntilnextJune；
　　but，mind，youaretopassallnextsummerwithus，“saidElinor。
　　“Thatistosay，Nelly，ifshehasnomoreimportantengagement，“
　　addedMr。Wyllys，smiling。
　　“Evenaveryimportantengagementneednotinterfere，“saidMissAgnes。“Weshallbeveryhappy，Jane，toseeanyCharlestonfriendyoumayseefittobringwithyou。“
　　“Idon'tthinkthereistheleastdangerthatanyCharlestonfriendwillcomewithme；“saidJane，blushingalittle。
　　“Haveyouselectedafriendfromsomeotherplace，Jenny？”askedheruncle。
　　“Oh，no，sir！”wastheanswer；buthercolourcontinuedtorise，andsheappearedalittleuneasy。AsforHarry，hehadtakennopartintheconversation，butseemedverybusywithhisknifeandfork。
　　“Prayremember，Jane，“saidElinor，“Iamtohavetimelynoticeofawedding，inmycapacityofbridesmaid。“
　　“Whoknows，Nelly，butyoumaycalluponJanefirst。Youhavefixeduponyourfriend，Itakeit；eh，Harry？”
　　“Ihopeso；“Hazlehurstreplied，inalowvoice，andhedrankoffacupofhotcoffeewithsuchrapidity，thatMissWyllyslookedathimwithastonishment。
　　Elinormadenoanswer，forshewasalreadyattheotherendoftheroom，talkinggailytoherbirds。
　　AsHarryrosefromtableandwalkedintothenextroom，hetriedtofeelverygladthatJanewastoleavethemthatday；hesatdown，andtookupapaper；but，insteadofreadingit，silentlyfollowedatrainofthoughtbynomeansagreeable。
　　Inthecourseofthemorning，accordingtothearrangementwhichhadbeenmade，HarrydrovetheladiestoLongbridge。Hethoughthehadneverpassedamoreunpleasantmorninginhislife。HefeltrelievedwhenElinor，insteadoftakingaseatwithhim，choseoneinside，withherauntandJane；thoughhisheartsmotehimwheneverhersweet，cheerfulvoicefelluponhisear。Hetriedtobelieve，however，thatitwasinspiteofhimselfhehadbeencaptivatedbyJune'sbeauty。Washenot，atthatverymoment，carryingher，atfullspeed，towardsherfather's，anddoinghisbesttohopethattheyshouldmeetbutonceortwiceagain，formonthstocome？Undersuchcircumstances，wasnotamaninlovetobepitied？Forsomeweeks，Hazlehursthadnotbeenabletoconcealfromhimself，thatifheoccupiedthepositionoftheloverofElinor，hefeltliketheloverofJane。
　　Ashedroveon，inmoodysilence，thepartyinthecarriageatlengthremarked，thathehadnotjoinedintheirconversationatall。
　　“Harrydoesnottalksomuchasheusedto；“observedMissWyllys；“don'tyouthinkhehasgrownsilent，Jane？”
　　“Perhapshehas，“shereplied；“butitneverstruckme，before。“
　　“Doyouhear，Harry？”saidElinor；“AuntAgnesthinkstheairofParishasmadeyousilent。Itoughtsurelytohavehadaverydifferenteffect。“
　　“Thisdetestableroadrequiresallaman'sattentiontokeepoutoftheruts；“hereplied。“Iwishwehadgonetheotherway。“
　　“IfAuntAgneshasnoobjection，wecancomebackbytheriverroad，“saidElinor。“Butyourcoachmanshipissogood，youhavecarriedusalongverysmoothly；iftheroadisbad，wehavenotfeltit。“
　　Harrymutteredsomethingaboutholesandruts，whichwasnotheardverydistinctly。
　　“Outofhumour，too；veryunusual！”thoughtMissAgnes。Therewasasomethingunnaturalinhismanner，whichbegantogiveheralittleuneasiness；forshesawnogoodwayofaccountingforit。
　　TheladiesweredriventothedooroftheBellevueHotel，wheretheGrahamshadrooms。TheyfoundseveralvisiterswithMrs。
　　Graham，amongwhom，themostconspicuous，andtheleastagreeable，wereMrs。Hilsonandhersister，bothredolentofBroadway，elegantandfashionableintheextreme；looking，itistrue，verypretty，buttalking，asusual，veryabsurdly。
　　Mrs。Grahamhadscarcelykissedherdaughter，beforeMrs。HilsongaveElinoranimportantpieceofinformation。
　　“Iamsodelighted，MissWyllys，tohearthisgoodnews——“
　　“Mycousins'return，doyoumean？Didyounotknowtheyhadarrived？”
　　“Oh，yes；weheardthat，ofcourse，lastweek；butIalludetothismorning'sgoodnews，whichIhavejustheardfromthisfascinatinglittlecreature；“addedthelady，catchingoneofMrs。Graham'syoungerchildren，asitslippedpasther。
　　Elinorlookedsurprised，whenMrs。Hilsoncondescendedtoexplain。
　　“Mrs。GrahamistopassthewinterinNewYork，Ihear。“
　　“Indeed！”exclaimedElinor，turningwithjoyfuleagernesstowardsMrs。Graham。“Areyoureallygoingtostaysonearus？”
　　Mrs。Grahamwasthusobligedtoinformherfriendsofthechangeinherplans；shewould，ofcourse，havepreferredwaitinguntilalonewithMissAgnesandElinor，todoso；but，Mrs。Hilson'sofficiousnessobligedhertosaysomethingimmediately。One，ofherchildren，alittleboy，hadbeensufferingwithsomediseaseofthespine，duringthelastyear，andaconsultationofphysicians，heldthedaybefore，inNewYork，haddecidedthatasea-voyage，oralongjourney，wasmorethanthepoorlittlefellowcouldbear，inthepresentstateofhishealth，ashehadbeenmuchworse，duringthelastthreemonths，sincetheGrahamshadbeenatLongbridge。ItwasthereforesettledthatMrs。
　　Graham，Jane，andtheyoungerchildren，weretoremaininNewYork，whiletheboywasunderthecareofDr。S——，inwhomhisparentshadgreatconfidence。Mr。Grahamandhisoldestboyweretopasspartofthewinterontheirplantation，andthenreturntohisfamily。
　　MissWyllysandElinor，thoughregrettingthecause，were，ofcourse，muchpleasedwiththisarrangement；Jane，too，appearedperfectlysatisfied。
　　“Ishouldnotbesurprised，MissGraham，“continuedMrs。Hilson，“ifsomeofyourNewYorkadmirershadbribedDr。S——；I'msure，weareverymuchobligedtohimforhavingdetainedyou。I
　　hopeyouwillbesomewherenearus，inthecity。Emmelineistopasspartofthewinterwithme；and，Idaresay，youwillbeveryintimate。Iwish，Mrs。Grahamwecouldpersuadeyoutocometoourboarding-house。Mrs。Stoneisreallyafascinatinglady，herself；andshealwaysmanagestohaveacharmingcliqueatherhouse——Quiteexclusive，Iassureyou。“
　　“Ihopetofindmoreprivatelodgings——Ihavetoomanylittlepeopleforaboarding-house。“
　　“Notatall。Mrs。Stonecouldgiveyouanexcellentnursery。Shehasseverallovelylittledarlings，herself。HerlittleAlgernonwouldmakeaverygoodbeauforyouryoungestlittleMiss。Whatdoyousay，mydear，“catchingthechildagain；“won'tyousetyourcapforAlgernon？”
　　Thelittlegirlopenedherlarge，darkeyeswithoutanswering。
　　Mrs。Hilson，andhersisternowrosetotakeleaveofMrs。
　　Graham，repeating，however，beforetheywent，theinvitationtheyhadalreadygiven，toaballforthenextweek。Itwastobeahouse-warming，andagrandaffair。Theladiesthenflittedawayontip-toe。
　　Thedoorhadscarcelyclosedbehindthem，beforeMrs。GeorgeWyllys，whohadbeensittingasfarfromthemaspossible，begantoexclaimupontheabsurdityofthewholeHubbardfamily。
　　“Theyarereallyintolerable，Agnes；“shesaidtohersister-in-law。“Theyattackmeuponalloccasions。TheybroughtMrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbstoseeme，andjoinedmeinthestreet，yesterday：theyarealmostenoughtodrivemeawayfromLongbridge。Ican'timaginewhatmakesthemsoattentivetome——plain，soberbody，asIam——whatcantheyaimat？”
　　“Theyaimatuniversalfascination，Isuppose；“saidElinor，laughing。
　　“Andmustwereallygotothishouse-warming？”askedMrs。Wyllys。
　　“ElinorandIhavealreadyacceptedtheinvitation；“saidMissAgnes。“Myfatherwishedustogo，forhereallyhasagreatrespectforMr。Hubbard。“
　　“Well，Ican'tsaythatthegentlemenstrikemeassomuchsuperiortotheladiesofthefamily。'UncleJosie'seemstoadmirehisdaughter'snonsense；and'UncleDozie'neveropenshislips。“
　　“Thereisnotashadeoffascinationaboutthem，however，“saidElinor。
　　“Igrantyouthat，“saidMrs。Wyllys，smiling。“Ishalldeclinetheinvitation，though，Ithink。“
　　“Thatyoucandoveryeasily；“saidMissAgnes。
　　TheladiesthenfollowedMrs。Grahamtoanadjoiningroom，toseethelittleinvalid，andtalkoverthenewarrangementforthewinter。
　　ItwasfortunateforHarry，thattheyhadleftthedrawing-roombeforeheenteredit；forhenosoonerappearedatthedoor，thanthesamelittlechatter-box，whohadbetrayedthechangeinhermother'splanstoMrs。Hilson，ranuptohimtotellthegreatnewsthattheywerenotgoingbacktoCharleston，butweretostayinNewYorkallwinter，'mamma，andJane，andallofthem，exceptpapaandEdward。'Thevaryingexpressionofsurprise，pleasure，anddistress，thatpassedoverHazlehurst'sface，ashereceivedtheintelligence，wouldhaveastonishedandperplexedMissAgnes，hadsheseenit。HehaddependeduponJane'sabsencetolightenthecoursewhichhefeltitwashisdutytopursue；
　　andnowshewastobeinNewYork！Ofcourse，shewouldbehalfhertimewithElinor，asusual。And，ifhehadalreadyfounditsodifficult，sincetheyhadallbeentogether，toconcealthetruestateofhisfeelings，howshouldhesucceedinperseveringinthesametaskformonths？
　　Hedetermined，atleast，toleaveLongbridge，foratime，andremaininPhiladelphia，untiltheGrahamsweresettledinNewYork。
　　Thesameevening，asthefamilyatWyllys-Roof，andhimself，weresittingtogether，heannouncedhisintention。
　　“CanIdoanythingforyou，inPhiladelphia，Elinor？”heasked；
　　“Ishallhavetogototown，to-morrow，andmaybedetainedaweekortendays。“
　　“Areyoureallygoingtotown？——Ididnotknowyouwerethinkingofit。IwishIhadknownitthismorning，forIamverymuchinwantofworstedsforthechair-patternJanebroughtme；but，unfortunately，IleftitatAuntWyllys's。Didyousayyouweregoingto-morrow？”
　　“Yes，Imustbeoffinthemorning。“
　　“ThenImustgiveupmypattern，forthepresent。“
　　“IstherenothingelseIcandoforyou？”
　　“Nothing，thankyou——unlessyoubringsomenewbooks；which，wewillleavetoyourtaste，tochoose。“
　　“Isnotthisratherasuddenmove，Harry？”saidMr。Wyllys，whohadjustfinishedagameofchesswithMissAgnes。“Ihaven'theardyoumentionitbefore？”
　　“Iintendedtoputitoff；sir；but，onthinkingthematterover，IfindIhadbettergoatonce。“
　　“Iwishyouwouldlookaboutyoualittle，forlodgingsforus；
　　itistimewesecuredthem。Isuppose，youwillwantustogototownearly，thiswinter，Nelly，won'tyou？ItwillnotdoforMasterHarrytobewastinghalfhistimehere，afterhehasoncetakenseriouslytolaw；youknowhewillhavetwomistressestowaitupon，thiswinter。“
　　“Itistobehopedtheywillnotinterferewitheachother，“saidMissAgnes，smiling。
　　“Thatiswhattheygenerallydo，mydear。By-the-bye，Nelly，I
　　supposeLouisawillhaveJaneinPhiladelphia，withher，partofthewinter。“
　　“Yes，sir，afterChristmas；itisalreadysettled，muchtomyjoy。“
　　“Somuchthebetter！”saidhergrandfather。
　　“Somuchtheworse！”thoughtHazlehurst。
　　“YourParispartywillbealltogetheragain，Harry？”continuedMr。Wyllys。
　　“Yes，sir；“wasHazlehurst'slaconicreply。'IwishIcouldforgetit，'thoughthe。Somuchhadhebeenannoyed，throughouttheday，thathesoonaftertookupacandle，and，wishingthefamilygood-night，wenttohisownroom。
　　“IamafraidHarryisnotwell，“saidMissWyllys，afterhehadleftthem。“Heseemsoutofspirits。“
　　Elinorlookedupfromherwork。
　　“Nowyouspeakofit，“repliedMr。Wyllys，“Ithinkhedoesseemratheroutofsorts。“
　　Nothingmorewassaidonthesubject；butsomeunpleasantthoughtssuggestedthemselvestoMissWyllys；for，duringthelastdayortwo，Hazlehurst'smannerhadrepeatedlystruckherasunnatural，andshefearedthatsomethingweigheduponhismind。
　　AsforElinor，hernaturewasasfaraspossiblefrombeingsuspicious；and，leastofall，wouldshehavemistrustedHarry；
　　shemerelyreproachedherselfforhavinglaughedonceortwice，duringtheday，athisexpense，whenhehadbeenveryabsent。Sherememberedheseemedalittleannoyed，atthetime，thoughheneverusedtomindsuchthings——'Iamafraidhethoughtitunkind，ifhewasnotwell，'shesaidtoherself，anddeterminedtomakeamends，thenextmorning，bypresidingathisearlybreakfast，beforehesetout。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　“Whatlouduproar，burstsfromthatdoor？”
　　COLERIDGE。
　　{SamuelTaylorColeridgeEnglishpoet，1772-1834，“RimeoftheAncientMariner“VIIline592}
　　WEshallfollowtheexampleofthegoodpeopleofLongbridge，itsparty-goinginhabitants，atleast，anddiscard，forthemoment，allothertopics，inordertogiveduejusticetotheexpectedballattheHubbards。Itwasunderstoodthatthishouse-warmingwastobethemostbrilliantaffair，ofitskind，thathadtakenplace，intheneighbourhood，withinthememoryofman。Mrs。
　　HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbardhadstakedtheirreputations，foreleganceandfashion，upontheoccasion。ThelistofinvitationswaslargerthananyyetissuedatLongbridge，andallthepreparationswereonaproportionatescaleofgrandeur。
　　Abouttendaysbeforetheeventfulevening，Mrs。HilsonandMissEmmelinewereclosetedwiththeirintimatefriends，Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbs，engagedindrawingupaplanofoperationsfortheoccasion。Probablythe'city-lady，'asMrs。Hilsonalwayscalledherself，hadinvitedthetwofriendsascounsellors，morewithaviewofastonishingthembyadisplayofherownviewsofmagnificence，thanfromanyideathattheirsuggestionswouldbeofimportance。
　　MissEmmelinewasseated，pencilinhand，withseveralsheetsofpaperbeforeher，allready，totakenotesofthedirectionsastheyweresettled。Mrs。BibbsandMrs。Tibbswereplacedonasofa；andMrs。Hilsonthrewherselfintoarocking-chair。
　　“Inthefirstplace，Emmeline，“saidthe'city-lady，'“wemusthavebonedturkey：putdownbonedturkey。“
　　“Ithoughtyouweregoingtomakeoutthelistofinvitationsfirst，“saidthesister。
　　“Justputdownthebonedturkey，forthatisabsolutelynecessary；andthenwecanrunoverthenames。“