TheyfoundMissAgnesinthedrawing-room；she，itseemed，alreadyknewofHazlehurst'sdeparture。Shesaidlittleonthesubject，butlookedanxiousandabsent。Elinorscarcelyknewwhattothink；shewasafraidtotrustherselftomakeanyinquiries，preferringtowaituntilalonewithherauntafterbreakfast。Themealpassedoverinsilence。Mr。Wyllyslookeduneasy；Elinorwasatalosstoknowwhattothink；neitheroftheladiespaidmuchattentiontothemorningmealthatday。
　　MissAgnesrosefromtable，andwenttoherownroom；Elinor，neglectingherusualtaskashousekeeper，hastenedtofollowheraunt，hermindfilledwithindistinctfearsandanxieties。MissAgneswaswalkingaboutherroom，lookingpainedanddistressed。
　　Severalletterswerelyingonatablenearher；twowereunopened；oneshehadbeenreading。
　　“Letters！——mydearAunt，fromwhom？Tellme，Iconjureyou，whatyouknow！HasanythinghappenedtoLouisa——toJane？DidHarryleavenomessageforme？”criedElinor，hurryingtowardsheraunt，whosefaceshewatchedforananswertoeachquestion，assheaskedit。MissWyllysmadeanefforttocomposeherself，andheldoutherhandtoElinor。
　　“MydearestAunt！——praytellmewhatdistressesyou——Ha！Harry'shandwriting！”sheexclaimed，ashereyefellontheopenletterbyMissWyllys——“IknowthatletterisfromHarry；donotconcealanything；isitforme？”
　　“Thisletteristome，mychild，“repliedheraunt，takinguptheoneshehadbeenreading；wishingtogiveElinorallthepreparationinherpower，forablowwhichsheknewmustfallheavily，sinceitwassoentirelyunexpected。
　　“Buttherearetwootherletters，“criedElinor，“oneofthemisforme，Iamsure。Letmeseeitatonce，Aunt；youcannotdenythatitisforme——andifitcontainbadnews，youknowthatI
　　cancommandmyselfwhennecessary。“
　　MissAgnes'shandtrembledasshetooktheletters。
　　“Mychild！MybelovedElinor！”shesaid。
　　“DearestAunt，youtortureme！Tellme，Ibeseechyou，whatwehavetofear！”
　　“Youshallknowall，“MissAgnesreplied，seatingherself；andendeavouringtobecalm。“Youwillbemuchdistressed，mychild；
　　butIknowthatyouwillbenow，whatyoualwayshavebeen，reasonable，andtruetoyourself——toyourgrandfather——tome，“
　　addedMissWyllys，inavoicealmostinarticulate。
　　AthousandindistinctideaspassedthroughElinor'smindwiththerapidityoflightning，whileherauntwasspeaking；illnessofsomeabsentfriendsuggesteditself——yetwhocoulditbe？NotHarry，surely，forhehadgoneovertoUpperLewistonthatmorning——yetherfearsinstinctivelycentreduponHazlehurst。
　　“ItissomethingrelatingtoHarry，Iamsure，“shesaid。“Isheill？——isheintrouble？”sheaskedinafaintvoice，whileaprayerforresignationsprangfromherheart，withthewords。
　　“Youareright，“repliedMissWyllys，inafalteringvoice；andseatingherselfbyherniece，shecontinued，“Heiswell。Ifheisintrouble，itisfromhisownchoice。Haveyounosuspicions，mydearestchild，ofwhathashappened？”
　　“Suspicions！”——exclaimedElinor，inastonishment，“whatisthereformetosuspect？MydearestAunt，Iammoreandmoreperplexed——explainitallyourself——whoisityouareconcernedfor？”
　　“Myonlyconcernisforyou，dearest；myonlyregret，thattroubleshouldhavebeenbroughtonyoubythosedeartoyou——byyourgrandfather，bymyself，byyourcousins。“
　　“Byyou！——bymycousins——whatcousins？”
　　“Harry——Jane——Haveyouremarkednothing？”
　　“Harry！whatcanhehavedone？”
　　“Youmustforgethim，“saidMissWyllys；andasElinorlookedeagerlyinheraunt'seyes，shereadthereallthatMissAgneshadnotcouragetotellinwords。
　　Halfstartingfromherseat，sheexclaimed，“Harry！——andJanetoo！”andasadeadlypalenesscameoverherface，shefellback，unconscious，onthesofa。Herfaintnesslastedbutamoment；tooshortatime，indeed，toallowtheimpressionofwhatshehadheardtopassfromhermind。Sheburstintotears。“Oh，AuntAgnes！——Isitreallytrue？——CanHarryhavechanged？canhehavebeensounkindtome？——AndJane，too！”sheexclaimedatintervals。
　　Herauntansweredonlybyhercaresses，silentlypressingherlipsuponElinor'sforehead。
　　ElinorthrewherarmsaboutMissAgnes'sneck，weepingbitterly。
　　“Butisitreallytrue？Istherenotsomemistake？Isitpossiblehefeltsolittleforme？Oh，dearestAunt！——andJane，too！”
　　MissWyllyssaidthatsheknewnothingofJane'sfeelings；butthatthemannerofbothJaneandHarryhadstruckherseveraltimesassingular；thoughnowbuttooeasilyaccountedfor。
　　Duringthelasttendays，shehadbeguntofearsomethingwrong。
　　“Never，foronesecond，hadIadoubtofeither！”criedElinor。
　　Shenowdreadedtoreceivetheletter，shehadbeforeaskedforsoeagerly。
　　ApackagehadbeengivenbyHarrytothechambermaid，thatmorning，requestinghertoplaceitinMissAgnes'shandsassoonassheleftherroom。Itcontainedthreeletters。ThattoMissAgnesherself，wasfullandexplicit。Henowwrote，hesaid，becausehefeltconcealmenttobenolongerpossible，afterthemannerinwhichhehadbetrayedhimselfonhearingofthesteamboataccident。HefeltconvincedthathisemotionhadbeenobservedbyMissWyllys，andhealmosthopedthesuspicionsofElinorhadbeenaroused。Hehopedit，forhefeltthatlongerconcealmentwouldbeunworthyofElinor，andofhimself，sincehehadnotbeenabletocontrolhisfeelings。Heacknowledgedthatafrankconfessionwasnowduetoher。
　　“Iknow，“hesaid，“thatyouwillreproachmeseverelyformywantoffaith，andIfeelthatIdeservefarmorethanyouwillsay。ButdonotthinkthatIerredfromdeliberateforgetfulnessofallthatIowedtoElinor。Iwasforalongtimeunconsciousofthestateofmyownfeelings；andwhenatlengthIcouldnolongerdeceivemyself，thediscoveryofmyweaknesswasdeeplypainfulandmortifying。Youknowwhathasbeenmysituationsincelastspring——youknowtowhatIhavebeenexposed。Greatercautionmightnodoubthavebeenused，hadInotbeenmisledbyblindness，orself-confidence，orvanity，callitwhatyouplease。NoonecanreproachmeasseverelyasIreproachmyself。
　　ButalthoughmyfeelingshadescapedmyowncontrolbeforeIknewit，yetIdeterminedfromthefirstthatmyactionsshouldatleastbeworthyofElinor。Iinstantlybecamemoreguarded。Nohumanbeing，Ibelieve，untilto-day，suspectedmyfolly。DonotreproachJane。Thefaultisentirelywithme；Janehasbeenblamelessthroughout。“
　　HeconcludedbyhopingthathisletterwouldnotforamomentbeconsideredbyMissWyllysorElinor，asanattempttobreakhisengagement，whichhewasstillanxioustofulfil。Buthethoughtthat，nowtheexplanationhadbeenmade，aseparationforsometimewouldbepreferableforallparties。Heproposedtotravelforsixmonths，andattheendofthattimebehopedtohaveconqueredhisownweakness，andtobeforgivenbyElinor。
　　BittertearswereshedbyElinor，inreadingthisletter。
　　Thenotetoherselfwasshort。Hehadnotthecouragetorepeattoherdirectly，whathehadsaidtoMissWyllys。
　　“Ifeelunworthyofyou，Elinor，andIcannotendurelongertodeceivesogenerousatemperasyours。Youmusthaveremarkedmyemotionthismorning——MissWyllysnowknowsall；Ireferyoutoher。Ishallneverceasetoreproachmyselfformyunpardonableingratitude。Butpainfulasitistoconfessit，itwouldhavebeenintolerabletoplaythehypocriteanylonger，bycontinuingtoreceiveproofsofkindnesswhichInolongerdeserve。Itismyhope，thatintimeyouwillforgiveme；thoughIshallneverforgivemyself。
　　“H。H。“
　　Therearesaidtobeyoungladieswithheartssotender，astobecapableoftwoorthreedifferentloveaffairs，andanunlimitednumberofflirtations，inthecourseofatwelvemonth；butElinor'sdispositionwasofaverydifferentstamp。Herfeelingswerealltrueandstrong；herattachmentforHarrylittleresembledthatmixtureofcapriceandvanitytowhichsomeyoungpeoplegivethenameoflove。Withsomethingoffancy，andashareoftheweakness，nodoubt，itwasyetanaffectiontowhicheverybetterqualityofhernaturehadcontributeditsshare。
　　Hazlehurst'sdeterminationnevertoforgivehimselfforthesorrowhehadcausedher，wasajustone。Hisficklenesshaddeeplywoundedaheart，warm，true，andgenerous，aseverbeatinawoman'sbosom。
　　BitterlydidElinorweep，thatfirstdayofgrief，humiliation，anddisappointment。Shedidnothesitate，however，foramoment，astothecoursetobepursued，andevenfeltindignantthatHarryshouldhavebelievedhercapableofholdinghimtohisengagement，withthefeelingshehadavowed。Sheansweredhisnoteassoonasshecouldcommandherselfsufficientlytowrite。
　　“Idonotblameyou——yourconductwasbutnatural；onemoreexperienced，ormoreprudentthanmyself，wouldprobablyhaveforeseenit。Hadyouleftmeinignoranceofthetruthuntiltoolate，Ishouldthenhavebeenmiserableindeed。Myauntwilltakethefirstopportunityoflettingourmutualfriendsknowthepositioninwhichitisbestweshouldcontinueforthefuture。
　　MayyoubehappywithJane。
　　“ELINORWYLLYS。“
　　Elinor，atthismoment，feltkeenlythedisadvantagesofhomeliness，whichshehadhithertobornesocheerfully，andhadneveryetconsideredanevil。Beautynowappearedtoherasablessedgiftindeed。
　　“HadInotbeensounfortunatelyplain，“thoughtElinor，“surelyHarrycouldnothaveforgottenmesosoon。Oh，“sheexclaimed，“hadIbutasmallportionofthatbeautywhichsomanygirlswasteupontheworld，uponmerevanity；whichtheyaresoreadytocarryabouttopublicplaces——throughtheverystreets，tocatchtheeyeofeverypassingstranger，howhighlyshouldI
　　prizeit，onlyforthesakeofpleasingthoseIlove！Whatahappythoughtitmustbetothoseblessedwithbeauty，thattheeyesoftheirnearestanddearestfriendsneverrestuponthembutwithpleasure！HowwillinglywouldIconsenttoremainplaintougliness，plainasIam，intheeyesoftheworld，forthepreciouspowerofpleasingthoseIlove！”
　　Mr。WyllysandMissAgnes，ofcourse，approvedthestepElinorhadtaken。TheywerebothdeeplypainedbyHarry'sconduct；theybothregrettedhavingallowedtheengagementtotakeplacesoearly，andatthemomentofHarry'sabsence。MissWyllys，indeed，blamedherselfseverelyfornothavingusedallherinfluencetopreventit。Withherfather，onthecontrary，indignationagainstHarrywasthestrongestfeeling。
　　“Heartlessyoungcoxcomb！”heexclaimed；“todaretotriflewithElinor。Ihadagoodopinionofhim；Ithoughthehadtoomuchsense，andtoomuchfeeling，nottoappreciateElinor，thoughherfacemaynotbeasprettyassomeothers。Agnes，hemustneverbeaskedtoWyllys-Roofagain。Icanneverforgethistreatmentofmygrandchild。“
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　“Maythisbeso？”
　　SHAKSPEARE。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“，III。ii。117}
　　WHILEthefamilyatWyllys-Roofwereinthisdistress，MissAgneshadreceivedthepartingvisitoftheTaylors。TheporticosofColonnadeManorrosebeforeclosedwindows；thehousewasabandonedforthewinter；whileMr。TaylorandMissAdelinewereengagedinputtingthefinishingtouchtotheeleganceofNo。
　　fivehundredand——，Broadway，preparatorytothedisplayofthewinter。
　　Mr。TaylorwasgettingathomeinNewYork。Theatmosphereofalargetown，thoroughlycommercial，wasjustfittedtohisnature。
　　HehadcertainlyeveryreasontobesatisfiedwiththerapiditywithwhichhehadmountedtowardsthetopoftheWall-Streetladder。Hewasalreadycheek-by-jowlwithcertainheavymenoftheplace；hewalkeddownBroadwayofamorningwith“Mr。A。oftheOcean，“andupagainofanafternoonwith“Mr。B。oftheHoboken；“heknewsomethingofmostofthegreatmenofthecommercialworld；andasfortherestofthecommunity，hecaredlittleenoughforthemortheirinterests。Hishousewasashandsomeandasfinelyfurnishedashecouldwish，hischildrenwereasexpensivelydressed，asexpensivelyschooled，asanyintheland。Hehadbecomeaccustomedtothefirstburstofluxury，andbeganalreadytolookuponahundredthingsasnecessaries，oftheusesofwhichhehadbeenignorantfiveyearsbefore。HethoughtNewYorkacommercialparadise；notonlytheplacetomakeafortune，buttheveryspottospenditin。HewonderedatMr。Hubbard；whocouldbesatisfiedtoretirefrombusinesssoearly，andwascontenttoliveatLongbridge，thevillagewherehewasborn。Mr。Taylorlookeduponhimselfasalreadyagreatman，butheintendedtobeagreatermanstill，byamillion，ormore。
　　AboutaweekaftertheTaylorsarrivedintown，theygaveaparty——quiteasmallaffair，verysociable，someeightyorninetypeopleonly。Thefollowingmorning，Mrs。Taylor，fatiguedwiththetoilsandcaresofgaiety，wenttoherownroomtorefreshherselfbydarningmorestockingsthanusual；whileMr。Taylor，whohadlabouredhardtheeveningbeforebyendeavouringtobevery'affable'tosometwentynewacquaintances，soughtthereliefofhiscounting-house。AshewalkeddownBroadway，histhoughtsweredividedbetweentwosubjects。Hehadpurchasedsomelotsthepreviousweek，whichprovedsoindifferentabargain，thathewasanxioustopersuadeaparticularfriendtotakethemoffhishands。Hehadalsojustreceivedletterfromhisson，latelyTomTaylor，nowT。TallmanTaylor，Esquire。Theyoungmanhadmadeveryheavydemandsuponhisfather'sbankerlately。Mr。
　　Taylorwasperfectlysatisfiedthathissonshouldspendhismoneyfreely，andhadgivenhimaveryliberalallowance，thathemightbeenabledtocutafigureamonghiscountrymeninParis。
　　Buthisprogressinacquiringhabitsofextravagancehadbecomeoflaterathermorerapidthanwasdesirable。Ashewastoreturn，however，inthecourseofafewweeks，hisfatherhopedthathewouldbeabletoplaythedandyinNewYorkatlesscostthaninParis。
　　Mr。Taylor'smeditationswereinterruptedbyMrs。Hilson，whostoppedtospeaktohimashepassed；shewishedtoinquireifMissAdelinewereathome，asshewasanxioustoseeher，havingapieceofnewstocommunicate。Havinggivenasatisfactoryanswer，themerchantpursuedhiscoursetowardstheregionsofcommerce，atoneextremityofBroadway，andthecity-ladywentherwaytowardstheregionsoffashionintheoppositedirection。
　　Mrs。Hilsonhadalreadyreturnedtohersuiteofapartments，andherintimatefriend，Mrs。Bagman。Attheboarding-houseshepatronised；andeverymorningbetweenthehoursoftwelveandthree，shemightbeseenatthewindowofthedrawing-room，ifitrained，orflittingupanddownBroadwayifthesunshone，generallyattendedbyCaptainKockney，thelong{sic}Englishman，whomshetookgreatpleasureinshowingofftothepublic。Onthepresentoccasionshewasalonehowever，andfortunateenoughtofindMissAdelineandtheFrenchfurniturevisible，foritwasthefirsttimeshehadbeeninthenewhouse。Therose-coloureddamask，andthepea-greensatinofthetwodrawing-roomswasmuchadmired，andmanycomplimentswerelavisheduponthegiltclocks，theSevresvases，&c。，whenMrs。HilsonrememberedshehadapieceofnewstosharewithMissTaylor。
　　“Andsuchnews——sounexpectedtousall；youwillbesosurprised！TheengagementbetweenMissWyllysandMr。Hazlehurstisactuallybrokenoff！”
　　AdelinewasnotsomuchastonishedasMrs。Hilsonsupposedshewouldbe。
　　“Iamveryquickatseeingsuchthings，“shesaid。“Iwassureitwouldcometothat；thoughMissWyllysdidnotseemtosuspectanythingherself。Butnowonder——anengagementoftwoyearsistoolongforanybody。IamsurethatintwoyearsIshouldgettiredofthehandsomestbeauinNewYork。“
　　Theladieshadeachtheirsurmisesastowhichofthepartieshadtakenthefirststep，andwhatwasprobablythecause；butalthoughMissTaylorhadaprettycorrectideaofthestateofthings，shedidnotexpressheropiniononthesubjectverydecidedly。Mrs。Hilsonsoonmadehercurtsey，expressingthehopethattheyshouldseeeachotherveryoftenduringthewinter；ahopewhichMissAdelinewasdeterminednottogratify，forMrs。
　　Hilson'sstandingwasnotsufficientlyfashionabletosatisfyher。Thevisitorhadnosoonerlefttheroom，thansheranupstairstoputonherlastParishat，andherhandsomestcashmere，andthenhurriedofftoBarclay-StreettoenjoyaconfidentialmeetingwithJane。
　　Theyoungladieswereclosetedtogetherforanhour。Wehavenoauthorityforrevealingwhatpassed，andcanonlyobservethatJanereturnedtothedrawing-roomwithaheightenedcolour，andtherewasacertainexpressionofmysterystilllingeringaboutMissAdeline'sface。
　　“HaveyouanycommandsforBoston，Mrs。Graham？”theyoungladyinquiredinherusualflippantmanner。“IthinkIshallgotherenextweek，topayashortvisittoafriendofmine；IwishI
　　couldhearofanescort。“
　　Mrs。Grahamthankedhercivilly，butdeclinedtheofferofherservices。
　　“HaveyoureallymadeupyourmindtogotoBoston？”askedJane。
　　“Why，notpositively。Itdepends，asIsaidbefore，uponmyfindinganescort。Ihavesixpressinginvitationsfromdifferentquarters，mostofthemacquaintancesthatImadelastsummeratSaratoga；andIhavebeenhesitatingbetweenAlbany，Boston，orBaltimore。Iamdeterminedtogosomewheretospendthenextthreeweeks，tillthegaietybeginsinearnest，andTallmancomesback。“
　　“Isyourbrotherexpectedsosoon？”askedMrs。Graham。
　　“Yes，hemusthavesailednow。Weheardfromhimlastnight；hewillbeherenextmonth，Ihope，justintimeforthefirstgreatparties。Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo，Jane，togetridofthetimeuntilthen？”
　　“Ihadmuchratheryouwouldstayathome；ifyougo，Ishallmissyouverymuch。“
　　“Butthenweshallhavethepleasureofcorresponding——Iliketheexcitementofreceivingagoodlongletter，fullofnonsense，aboveallthings。“
　　“Youmustnotforgettoletmeknowwhichwayyouarereallygoing，“saidJane。“Iwillwrite，thoughIcan'tpromiseyoualongletter；Ineverwrotealongletterinmylife。“
　　“Well，youmustwrite，atanyrate，Ishallseeyouhalf-a-dozentimesbetweenthisandMonday。IratherthinkIshalldecideuponBoston。MissLawrencesaystherearesomedelightfulyounggentlementhere，andhaspromisedtogivemeaball。IfIgo，I
　　shalltryhardtobringMissLawrencebackwithme。Mind，Jane，youdon'tmaketoomanyconquestswhileIamgone。YoumustreserveyourselffortheoneIhaverecommendedtoyou。Oh，by-the-bye，Mrs。Graham，Iforgottotellyouthenews；Iamastonishedyouhavenothearditalready。“
　　“Pray，whatisit？”askedMrs。Graham。
　　“ItseemstheengagementbetweenMissWyllysandMr。Hazlehursthasbeenbrokenoff。“
　　“Youaremistaken，surely！Wehaveheardnothingofit，anditishighlyimprobable。Iftherebesuchastory，letmebegyouwillnotmentionitagain，MissTaylor！”
　　“Oh，thereisnomistake，I'mquitesure。Ihavehearditthreetimesalreadythismorning，fromLongbridgepeople；firstMrs。
　　Hilsontoldme，andthenImetJohnBibbs，andEdwardTibbs，whosaidthesamething。Mrs。GeorgeWyllys，itseems，contradictedtheengagementopenly；MissHubbardheardher，andwroteittohersister。“
　　“HowgrievedIshouldbeifthisstoryweretoprovetrue；yousurelyneverremarkedanything，Jane？”
　　“Elinorseemedtomejustasusual；butAdelinethinkstherehasbeensomechange，“saidJane，alittleembarrassed。
　　“Oh，yes，givemecreditforbeingquick-sighted；IsuspectedsomethingthefirsttimeIsawthemtogetherafterMr。Hazlehurstcameback。“
　　“Itiswhatnoneoftheirotherfriendsappeartohavedone，MissTaylor，“saidMrs。Graham，alittleseverely。
　　“Idaresaynot；butIamveryquickatseeingsuchthings。IfJanehasanymysteries，shehadbetternotpretendtokeepthemfromme。Butitisnowonderthattheengagementwasbrokenoff——Idon'tbelieveinlongengagements。WemustnotletJanedragmattersonatthatratewhenherturncomes；“andthenkissingherfriendtenderly，andmakingacurtseytoMrs。Graham，withoutremarkingthedisapprovingexpressionofthatlady'sface，thelivelyAdelineleftthemotheranddaughteralone。
　　“IdislikethatMissTaylor，excessively，Jane，“observedhermother，“sheisverydisagreeabletome；IwishyouwouldfindsomebettercompanionwhileweareinNewYork。TherearetheHowards，anddeVaux's——veryamiable，pleasantgirls，andforagreatmanyreasonsfarbetterassociatesforyou。“
　　“ButIdon'tknowthemsowell。Adelineisagreatbelle，mamma，asmuchsoasanygirlintown。“
　　“Sheisnotatalltomytaste，Iconfess。Yourfather，too，dislikestheTaylorsverymuch。ThewayinwhichshespokeofthisstoryaboutElinor'sengagementwasreallyunfeeling。NotthatIbelieveit；butbreakingoffanengagementwithoutgoodreason，isnosuchtrifleinmyopinion，asitseemstobeinthatofMissTaylor。“
　　Janelookedquiteagitated；sheblushedsomuchthathermotherwouldprobablyhaveremarkedit，hadshenotbeen，atthemoment，stoopingoverherlittleinvalidboy，whowaslyingonthesofanearher。
　　“MissTaylorhasnoclaimwhateveruponyou，thatIcansee，“
　　continuedMrs。Graham。“Itistrueshewaskindtoyouwhenyouwereillwiththewhooping-coughatschool；butsowereyourothercompanions——andIamsureshehasnotbeenhalfsoconsiderateandgoodtoyouasElinor，andyetyouseemtopreferMissAdelinenow。“
　　PoorJanelookeddown，andcolouredstillmore。
　　“Adelinewoulddoanythingforme，mother，“shesaid，inalowvoice；“Youdon'tknowhowmuchsheisattachedtome；Ican'thelplikingher，“andJanebegantoshedafewtears。
　　“Foolishchild！”saidhermother，beginningtorelent，assheusuallydidonsuchoccasions，“Idon'twishyoutobeunciviltoher；butIshouldlikeyoutobemorewithKateHoward，andAnnedeVaux；“andtheconversationended，asseveralothersofthesamedescriptionhaddone，byleavingthingspreciselyastheywerebefore。Mrs。Graham，indeed，lookeduponherselfashavingshowedmuchdecisionontheoccasion，andactedasawatchfulmother，byhavingmadetheseobjections，fruitlessastheyprovedtobe。
　　ThereportthattheengagementbetweenElinorandHarryhadbeenbrokenoff，wassoonknowntobecorrect。Itcausedsomesurprisetoallwhoknewthem，andmuchregrettotheirfriends。Mrs。
　　Stanley，whofeltawarminterestinbothHarryandElinor，wasgrievedanddisappointed。TheGrahams，andMrs。RobertHazlehurst，feltveryunpleasantlywhenthecauseoftherupturecametobesuspected。Mrs。Grahamwas，however，relievedbyfindingthattherewasnounderstandingbetweenHarryandherdaughter——thusfaratleastallwasright；noexplanationhadtakenplacebetweenthem，andJaneevenassuredhermotherthatwheninParis，shehadhadnoideathatHazlehurstwasattachedtoher。Stillthereweremanyblusheswheneverthesubjectwasalludedto，therewereconfidentialmeetingswithAdeline，andothersymptomswhichleftlittledoubttoherfriendsthatJane'sfeelingswereinterested。Mrs。Grahamwasobligedtoconsoleherselfwiththeidea，thatthemischiefhad，atleast，beenunintentionalonthepartofherdaughter。
　　Harry，himself，wasmuchmortifiedbythereceptionofElinor'snote，which，byshowingthefullconsequenceofhisconduct，madeitappearmoreculpableinhisowneyesthanhehadyetbeenwillingtobelieveit。Heevenwroteasecondtime，beggingElinortore-considerherdecision。FullashisfancywasofJane，yethisregard，onemightsayhisaffection，forElinor，wastoowell-founded，andoftoolongstanding，forhimtoendurequietlytheideaofhavingtrifledwithher。Sheremainedfirm，however；hersecondanswerwasasdecidedasthefirst。Harry'sself-reproachwassincere，atleast，andhehadneverbeforefeltsomuchdissatisfiedwithhimself。
　　Hewaslesseagerthanonemightsuppose，toprofitbyhisnewly-acquiredliberty。HewasinnohurrytoofferJanetheattentionswhichhadsolatelybeenElinor'sdue。Itistruethathispositionwasratherawkward；itisnoteveryfaithlessswainwhoisobligedtoplaythelovertotwodifferentindividuals，withinsoshortaperiod，beforethesamewitnesses。Atlength，afterdoingpenanceforawhile，byencouraginghumiliatingreflections，somefearofarivalcarriedHazlehurstontoNewYork，inhisnewcharacterofJane'sadmirer。Thefirstmeetingwasratherawkward，andHarrywasobligedtocallupallhisgood-breedingandcleverness，tomakeitpassoffwithoutleavinganunpleasantimpression。“Cen'estquelepremierpasquicoute，“however，aseverybodyknows。ThesightofJane'slovelyface，withabrightercolourthanusual，andafewhalf-timidandembarrassedglancesfromherbeautifuldarkeyes，hadasurprisingeffectinsoothingHarry'sconscience，andconvincinghisreasonthatafterallhehadnotactedsounwisely。HesoonshowedhimselfverymuchinearnestinseekingJane'sfavour；
　　thoughhepersuadedhimselfthathemustalwaysdojusticetoElinor'sexcellence。“Sheisjustthewomanforafriend，“heobservedtohimself，“andfriendsItrustweshallbe，whenthepastisforgotten。ButJane，withhertranscendant{sic}beauty，hergentlehelplessness，istheverycreaturethatfancywouldpaintforawife！”
　　{“Cen'estquelepremier……“=it'sonlythefirststepthathurtsFrench}
　　CHAPTERXVIII。
　　“Bepatient，gentleNell，forgetthisgrief。“
　　HenryVI。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“2HenryVI“，II。iv。26}
　　THEWyllysesremainedlaterthantheyhadintendedinthecountry。Elinor，indeed，proposedtoherauntthattheyshouldpassthewinteratWyllys-Roof，butMissAgnesandhergrandfatherwereunwillingtodoso。Thevarietyofalifeintownwouldbepreferableforhersaketothequietmonotonyofacountrywinter。Theyknewshehadtoomuchsensetowishtoplaythevictim；butitwasonlynaturaltobelieve，thatinasolitarycountrylife，painfulrecollectionswouldforcethemselvesuponheroftenerthanamongherfriendsintown，whereshewouldheobligedtothinklessofherself，andmoreofothers。
　　Ithadbeenagreatrelieftohertofind，thatJanehadnotactedasunworthilyasMissAgneshadatfirstfeared；inspiteofwhatsheherselfhadoverheardatMissHubbard'sparty，Elinorthrewoffallsuspicionofhercousin，assoonasshelearnedthatJanedeniedanypreviousknowledgeofthechangeinHarry'sfeelings。Hazlehurst，himself，hadsaidinhisletterthatshewasblameless。
　　“Then，“sheexclaimed，“IshallatleastbeabletoloveJaneasbefore！”Sheimmediatelysatdown，andwrotehercousinashort，butaffectionateletter，containingonlyaslightallusiontowhathadpassed。Jane'sanswer，ofcourse，avoidedwoundingherfeelings，andtheirintercoursewasresumed。
　　“Thetimewillcome，Itrust，“shethought，“whenHarry，too，willbeafriendagain。“Butshefeltthehourhadnotyetarrived。Shecouldnotsosoonforgetthepast。Itwasnoeasytask，suddenlytochangethewholecurrentoffeelingwhichhadfilledhermindduringthelasttwoyears。Inspiteofherearnestresolutions，duringthefirstfewweeks，thoughtsandfeelingsofthepastwouldrecurtoooften。ForsometimeElinorwasveryunhappy；shefeltthatthestrongestanddeepestaffectionsofherhearthadbeenneglected，rejected，undervalued，byonewhoseopinionshehadlearnedtoprizetoohighly。SheweptandblushedtothinkhowmuchshehadbecomeattachedtoHarry，sinceshehadlookeduponhimasheraffiancedhusband。Shecouldnotbutfeelherselffreefromallreproachtowardshim；itwashewho，unsoughtbyher，hadwishedtodrawaclosertiebetweenthem。Hehadsucceededbuttoowell，andthenhehadforgottenher。Thetemptationwhichhadprovedtoostrongforhim，wouldnothavedeservedthename，hadthecasebeenreversed，hadshebeenexposedtoit。Andyetshedidnotreproachhim；menthinksomuchofbeauty，andshewassoveryplain！Itwasbutnaturalatsuchamoment，thatsheshouldbeoppressedbyanover-wroughthumility。Sheaccusedherselfofvanity，forhavingatonetimebelieveditpossibleHarrycouldloveonelikeherself。ButhowhappywasJane！
　　Hereffortstostruggleagainstlowspiritswerethegreater，forthesakeofherauntandhergrandfather。Shemadeitadutytoneglectnoregulartask，andmuchofhertimewasoccupiedasusual；butthefeelingswhichshecarriedabouttoheremployment，wereverydifferentfromwhattheyhadbeenheretofore。Itwasherfirsttasteofsorrow；wellmightherauntdeeplyreproachHazlehurstforhisversatileconducttowardsherbelovedchild。ElinorflatteredherselfthatMissAgnesknewnothalfofwhatshefelt。Ingeneralshesucceededinbeingquitecalm，andattentivetoothers；shewasalwayssweet-tempered，andunrepining。Butshecouldnotread，herself，theexpressionofherowncountenance，sotenderlywatchedbyheraunt。Shewasnotawarethatthemusicaltonesofhervoicewerenolongercheerful；thatinsteadofthegay，easyconversationinwhichsheusedtobearherpart，shewasnowattimesabsent，oftensilent；
　　shewhosegracefulwitandyouthfulspiritshadbeenuntillatelythejoyofherfamily。Mr。Wyllys'sindignationagainstHazlehurstwouldhavebeenboundless，ifhecouldhaveseenhimatsuchmoments，aswasoftennowthecase，sittingbythesideofJane，admiringthelengthofhereye-lashes，thepearlysmoothnessofhercomplexion，andthebrightcolourofherlips，assheutteredsomeverycommon-placeremark。SuchhadnowbecomeHazlehurst'sdailypleasure，hisdailyhabit。
　　[“versatile“=inconstant，fickle}
　　MissAgnespurposelylefttoherniece，thisyear，allthearrangementsfortheirremovaltotown；andElinorwasobligedtobeverybusy。Ithappenedtoo，quiteopportunely，perhaps，thatjustatthattimeMrs。GeorgeWyllyswascomingoveroftenerthanusual，toconsultherfather-in-lawandMissAgnes。AgainstMr。
　　Wyllys'sadvice，shehadtowithdrawhereldestboyfromtheschoolwherehehadbeenfirstplaced，andnowanewchoicewastobemade。Mr。Wyllysrecommendedasmallestablishmentintheirownneighbourhood，recentlyopenedbyMissPatsey'sbrother；hethoughtitequallygoodwiththeoneshehadinview，andwiththeadditionaladvantageofmoremoderateterms，andasmallernumberofboys。ButMrs。Wyllyshadagreatdealtosayontheoppositesideofthequestion；thelowpricewasanobjectioninhereyes。
　　“There，mydearsir，youmustallowmetodifferfromyou。Ihavealwaysintendedtodevotealargeportionofmymeanstotheeducationofmychildren；economyinsuchacase，Icannotlookuponaseconomyatall。“
　　“Certainly，Harriet，youareperfectlyrighttosecuretoyourchildreneveryadvantageinyourpower。Butthisisnotacaseinpoint。ThomasHubbard，youknow，wasaprincipalintheveryschoolwhichyouhaveinview，andonlywithdrewlastspringonaccountofillhealth。Hestillcontinuesthesamesystem，andhasthesamemasters，withtheadvantageofonlyfourboysbesidesEvert，tooccupyhisattention。“
　　Thiswastooplaintobecontradicted。“Butinmyopinion，sir，alargeschoolisverymuchtobepreferredforaboy。Ihavethoughtagreatdealonthesubject，sinceEverthasbeenofanagetoleaveme。“
　　“Butwhatareyourreasonsforpreferringalargeschooltoasmallone？”
　　“Ithinkitabetterpreparationfortheirentranceintolife。
　　Andthentheyhavetheadvantageofchoosingtheirintimatesfromalargernumberofboys；Evert'sdispositionwillmakeitparticularlydesirableforhim。Iamsure，ifhewereshutupwithtwoorthreeboysonly，hewouldfinditsodullthathewouldbedisgusted。“
　　“Well，mydear，Iviewthematterinadifferentlight，“repliedMr。Wyllys，whowouldneverallowhimselftobesilenced，orforcedtoadviseanythingagainsthisconscience；thoughmanymenwouldhavebeenworriedintoitbysuchawoman。Unfortunately，Mrs。Wyllyswastheonlyguardianofherchildren，andMr。Wyllyswasoftenobligedtoseehisdaughter-in-lawactinamannerthathethoughtill-judged；butthoughverygood-natured，hecouldneverbetalkedintobeingapartytosuchplans。“ItispreciselyonaccountofEvert'shighspiritsthatIshouldlikeasmallschoolforhim。Hewouldbelesslikelytogethimselfandothersintoscrapes；hewouldbemoreunderhismaster'seye。“
　　“Ithink，sir，fromtheconversationIhadwithMr。Stone，heisjustthemantoobtainaninfluenceoverEvert。“
　　“YouwouldlikeHubbardstillbetter，ifyouknewhim。“
　　“Idoubtitverymuch，sir；IamsickoftheverynameofHubbard。ThoseLongbridgeHubbardsareenoughtospoilaparadise。“
　　“Well，Harriet，“saidMr。Wyllys，“youseemtohavemadeupyourmind；sohaveI；nowwhatistobedone？”
　　“Ofcourse，sir，youropinionhasgreatweightwithme；youknowIamalwaysguidedbyyou。“
　　“Thenthematterissettled，andEvertgoestoHubbard's。“
　　Mr。Wyllysthoughthehadsucceeded，onthisoccasion，ingaininghispoint，bytakinghisdaughter-in-lawatherword；buttheverynextmorningshedroveovertoWyllys-Roof，withanewviewofthesubject；anditwasnotuntilafterhalf-a-dozenmoreconversations，thatthematterwasfinallysettled，byMr。Wyllysrefusingtogiveanymoreadvice；whenhisdaughter-in-law，ofherownaccord，determinedtosendherboytoMr。Hubbard'sschool。Itmustbeconfessedthatsomewomen，endowedtoowithcertaingoodqualities，areverytrying，andpossessamostvexatiousveinofcaprice。Inthemeantimethechildwastakensick；hewasillforseveralweeks，andElinorassistedinnursinghim。
　　Independentlyoftheseconsultations，andcaresaboutherlittlecousin，therewereotherclaimsuponElinor'sattentionatthistime，andthosetheleastromanticintheworld。Withinthelastfewweeks，allthemenofLongbridgeseemedtohavetheirheadsfullofanewrail-road，oneofthefirstthatweremadeinthiscountry。AllthepropertyElinorhadinheritedfromherfatherwasinthisvillage，andsoplacedastohaveitsvalueverymuchincreasedbythisintendedpieceofinternalimprovement。Mr。
　　Hubbardwasoneofthosemostinterestedintheproject，whichwasofsomeimportancetoMr。Wyllys，also。Thegentlemenhadmanymeetingsonthesubject，andElinorwasobligedtohearagreatdealthatwasgoingon；whichhousesweretobepulleddown，whichstreetswidened，whatengineerwastobeemployed，wheretherailsweretocomefrom，atwhattimetheyhopedtogettheactthroughtheAssembly。Mr。Taylor，ofcourse，wasnotthemantoallowanythingapproachingtospeculation，totakeplaceinhisneighbourhoodwithouthavingsomethingtodowithithimself。HecameovertoLongbridgeexpresslytohelpmatterson；
　　andasColonnadeManorwasshutup，Mr。Wyllys，alwayshospitablyinclined，askedhimtohisownhouseforadayortwo。Withsuchaspiritundertheirroof，littleelsewasheardofbesidesstocksandlots，wharvesandstores。Elinor'spropertywasknowntobemuchinterestedintheaffair，andMr。HubbardandMr。
　　Taylorthoughtitnecessarytocongratulateher。Mr。Taylor，indeed，wouldhavebeenmuchshockedhadheknownhowverylittleshecaredaboutthematter。
　　{“anewrail-road“=TheCamdenandPerthAmboylinecrossedNewJerseyin1833，andthePhiladelphiaandColumbiaPenn。
　　lineopenedin1834}
　　“Weshallhavetoconsultyou，MissElinor，inourproceedings，“
　　saidMr。Hubbard，astheyweresittingatthedinner-table；
　　perhapsyoudon'tknowit，butyouwillbeoneofourstockholders，andmuchinterestedinoursuccess，Iassureyou。“
　　“Mygrandfathertriedlastnighttogivemesomenotionsonthesubject，Mr。Hubbard；butIamafraidhewasnotverysuccessful。“
　　“Oh，Idon'tknowthat，“saidMr。Wyllys；“Ishallmakequiteabusinesswomanofyou，yet，Nelly。“Infact，hergrandfatherhadtakenthemomenttoassureElinorthatitwashightimesheshouldhavesomejustideasonsuchsubjects，andinsistedonherlisteningtoallhisexplanations，anddoingherbesttocomprehendthem。Elinortriedtobeadocilepupil，andreallyacquiredsomeusefulinformation，whichmayappearsingulartoromanticyoungladies，whosetupforbroken-hearted；asheronlyobject，however，wastogratifyhergrandfather，wehopeshewillbeforgivenforanythingsomuchoutofcharacterinaheroine。
　　“Itisabeautifulspeculation，MissWyllys，“observedMr。
　　Taylor。“Isupposeyouknowenoughaboutthesethings，tobegladtohearthatinayearortwo，youwillprobablyrealizetwohundredpercent。onyourlotsinWater-Street，wherethedepotistobebuilt。“
　　“Itallsoundsverygrandly，certainly，“saidElinor，smiling。
　　“Weshallmakeafortuneforyou，MissElinor，“addedMr。
　　Hubbard。“YouwillbethegreatladyofLongbridge。“
　　“Idaresay，Nelly，youwillfindsomewayofspendingthemoney；
　　youngladiesknowverywellhowtogetridofit，letitcomeeversofast。“
　　“Yes，sir，mydaughtersareveryexpertatthat；Emmelinethinksnothingofgivingfiftydollarsforaflimsypocket-handkerchief，andasmuchforaflighty-lookinghat。ButI'venoobjections；
　　I'lltellyouinconfidence，thatiswhatwemakeourmoneyfor，MissElinor——forourchildrentospend，“addedMr。Hubbard，smilinggood-naturedly。“Idaresayyouwillfindarightuseforsomeofyours。Itwillbeingoodhands，andIhopeyoumaylongenjoyit，“saidhe，makingabowtoElinor，ashedrankoffaglassofMadeira。
　　{“fiftydollarsforaflimsypocket-handkerchief“=thisremarkbyMr。HubbardreflectsJamesFenimoreCooper'slittle-knownnovelette，“TheAutobiographyofaPocket-Handkerchief“1843，asdomanyaspectsofthegreedyandostentatiousTaylorfamilywhomEmmelineHubbardseekstoemulate}
　　Mr。Taylor，thoughhejoinedinthetoastwithsome“affable“
　　remark，asusual，couldnothelpregrettingthatsomuchmoney，andconsequentlythepowerofmakingsomuchmore，shouldnotbeinthehandsofonewhocouldturnittobetteraccountthanMissElinorWyllys。HehadaverypooropinionofMr。Wyllys'smoney-makingabilities，andthoughthimvery“unenterprising。“
　　Thatgentleman，onthecontrary，whenbroughtinclosercontactwithMr。Taylor，begantohaveaclearerinsightintohischaracter，andwhilehefoundhimuncommonlyclever，discoveredthatseveralofhispropositionsbetrayedanythingbuthighprinciples。HebegantobelievethatMr。Graham'sdislikewasnotill-founded。
　　Mr。Hubbard，inthemeantime，whohadknownElinorfromachild，wasthinkinghowhecouldsaysomethingagreeableaboutloveandbeaux，supposedalwaystobepleasantsubjectstoyoungladies。
　　HefeltsomedoubtsabouthintingatHazlehurst，forhethoughthehadheardtheengagementwasbrokenoff。HappilyforElinor，thepartyrosefromtablebeforeanythinghadsuggesteditself。
　　AtlengthMrs。Wyllys'sboyrecovered，andwassentofftoschool；andthisrail-roadmatterwasalsosatisfactorilysettled。Astherewasnothingmoretodetainthefamilyinthecountry，theWyllyseswenttoPhiladelphia，andtookpossessionoftheirlodgingsforthewinter。
　　CHAPTERXIX。
　　“Hadyounotlatelyanintent，speaktruly，TogotoParis？”
　　SHAKSPEARE。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“All'sWellThatEndsWell“，I。iii。218-219}
　　MISSTAYLORpaidhervisittoMissLawrence。OnemorningatbreakfastsheinformedherparentsthatsheintendedtomakeanexcursiontoBoston。“Whomwasshegoingtosee？”askedherfather。“MissLawrence，ayoungladywhohadpassedthreedaysattheSprings，atthehotelwheretheystayed，andwithwhomshehadbecomeveryintimate。““Howlongwasshegoingtobeabsent？”
　　inquiredhermother。“Shethoughtofremainingafortnight；
　　perhapsthreeweeks，ifshefounditverypleasant。Mr。Powell，theyounggentlemanwhowastobeherescort，hadbeenintroducedtohertheeveningpreviousataball，andshethoughthimsufficientlyfashionableinhisappearance，tohavethehonouroftakingchargeofherselfandherbaggage。“Herfatherobservedthathewouldbringasupplyofmoneyforher，whenhecamehometodinner；hermotherofferedtolookoverherstockings。
　　Everythingthussettled，thenextmorningMr。TaylorandMissAdelinedrovetotheEast-Riverwharf，wheretheBostonboatlay：
　　heretheymetwithaslightdifficulty；thegentlemanengagedasanescortcouldnotbefound；somethinghadinterferedwithhisjourney。Nothingwaseasierthantopickupanother，however。Mr。
　　Taylorlookedabouthim，sawafaceheknewslightly，andrememberedthenamethatbelongedtoit。
　　“Goodmorning，sir；areyougoingtoBoston，Mr。Hopkins？”
　　Mr。Hopkinsbowed，anddeclaredthathewasgoingtoBoston。
　　“Ihaveadaughteronboard，sir；andtheyounggentlemanwhowastobeherescortisnothere；willyoubesogoodastolookafterher？”
　　Mr。HopkinswouldbeveryhappytotakechargeofMissTaylor。
　　ButAdelinewasalmostindespairwhenshesawhim。HowcouldoneofthemostdashingbellesinNewYork，consenttosit，inviewofallthepassengers，side-by-sidewithsuchafat，rusty，snuffy，littleoldgentleman，whomoregreenspectacles，andhadaredsilkhandkerchiefspreadonhisknee？Supposeheshouldaskhertowalk，howcouldshepaceupanddownthepromenade-deckarm-in-armwithsuchafigure？She，AdelineTaylor，whosetravellingdresswasfaultless，andwhohadexpectedtohaveacharmingflirtationwithAlbertPowell！Whatcouldshedo？Thefates，andthewarningbell，decidedthequestion；itwastoolatetolookoutforsomebetter-lookingescort。Mr。Taylorhadhardlytimetoshakehandswithhisdaughter，andjumponthewharf，erethewhizzingofthesteamhadceased，andtheplashingofthewheelswasheard。Adelinesankonabenchbesidetherustyoldgentlemanforamoment，butsoonfledtotheladies'cabinforrefuge。
　　Duringthewholejaunt，thefat，snuffyMr。Hopkinswaskindandgood-naturedtoAdeline，whenevershewouldallowhim。Hethoughtshemustbelonely，andshehadbeenobligedtoconfessthatsheknewnooneonboard；sotheoldgentlemanhelditincumbentonhimtobesociable。Hetooksomepea-nutsoutofhispocket，andofferedherahandful；hegaveheracoupleofnewspaperstoread；askedherquestionsaboutherfamily，brothersandsisters，andseemedtolookuponherasaschool-girl。Hewasnottheleastimpressedwithhereleganceandfinery，andquiteunawareofherbelle-ship；heevenoncecalledher“mydear。“Then，theredsilkhandkerchiefwasalwayseitheronhisknee，orinhishand！ItwouldhedifficulttosaywhetherAdelinewouldhavesurvivedthemortificationofsuchanescort，haditnotbeenfortwocircumstances，whichchangedthecurrentofherthoughts。
　　Therewereseveralelegantlydressedyoungladiesonboard，andshesoonsucceededingettingupanintimacywithtwoofthem；
　　theyexchangedcardsandinvitationstoeachother'shouses，andthroughthesamemeansAdelinewasintroducedtoacoupleofbeaux。Betweenbreakfastanddinner，thesenewbosom-friendsandherselfwereinseparable，but，unfortunately，theywereonlygoinghalf-way。Thegriefofseparationwas，however，somewhatassuagedwithMissTaylorbysea-sickness，which，aseveryoneknows，isverydestructivetosentimentandsensibility。AslongastheyweretossingaboutnearPointJudith，thesnuffyoldgentleman，whowasnotintheleastsea-sickhimself，wasveryfaithfulinhisinquiriesafterAdeline，andproposedseveralremediestoher，throughthestewardess。AtlengththeyreachedBoston。AstheydrovetothedoorofMissLawrence'sfather，Mr。
　　Hopkinsasked“howlongsheintendedtoremaininBoston？”“Aboutafortnight，“Adelinereplied。
　　{“PointJudith“=prominentcapeonthecoastofRhodeIsland，southofNarragansett}
　　“IshallbegoingbacktoNewYorkaboutthesametime，mydear，andifyouhavenotgotsomeonemoretoyourtaste，I'lltakecareofyouonyourwayhome，withpleasure，“saidthefatoldgentleman，sprinklingahandfulofsnuffonMissTaylor'sgreysilk，andbrandishingtheredhandkerchiefatthesametime。
　　Adeline'sthankswereveryfaintlyuttered；butgratitudeisnotafashionablevirtue。ItwasfortunatelysodarkthattherustyoldgentlemancouldscarcelybeseenashetookleaveoftheelegantMissTayloratMr。Lawrence'sdoor，andthustheyounglady'smortificationwasover。
　　Attheendofthethreeweeks，Adelinereturnedhome，bringingglowingaccountsofthedelightsofBoston，andtalkingagreatdealaboutseveral“delightfulyounggentlemen，“andoccasionallymentioningacertainTheodoreSt。Leger。ShehadheardthattheBostonpeoplewereallBLUE；butitmustbeacalumnytosayso，forshehadhadaverylivelytime——plentyoffunandflirtation。
　　MissLawrencereturnedwithher，andofcourseapartywasgiveninherhonour；thereweresomeeightypersonspresent，allfreefromtheshacklesofmatrimony，apparentlytogivetheBostonyoungladyanopportunityofmeetingarepresentationofherpeers，themarriageableportiononlyoftheNewYorkcommunity。
　　TheeveningwaspronounceddelightfulbyMissLawrence；butalltheguestswerenotofthesameopinion。
　　{“BLUE“=literaryorlearned，from“blue-stocking“}
　　“Whatanabsurdcustomitis，tohavetheseyoungpeopleparties，“saidHarryHazlehurst，whowasononeofhisfrequentvisitstoNewYorkatthetime，andwassittinginMrs。Graham'sdrawing-room，withthatlady，Jane，andMrs。Stanley。
　　“Iagreewithyou；itisabadplan，“observedMrs。Stanley。
　　“ThefirstofthekindthatIwentto，afterwecamehome，mademefeelashamedofmyself；thoughDr。VanHorne，Isuppose，wouldaccusemeofhigh-treasonforsayingso。“
　　“Butmostyoungpeopleseemtoenjoythem，“saidMrs。Graham。
　　“Itispayingusbutapoorcomplimenttosayso。Onewouldthinktheyoungpeoplewereafraidtolaughandtalkbeforetheirfathersandmothers。Ireallyfelttheothernightasifwewereapartyofchildrenturnedintothenurserytoplay，andeatsugar-plumstogether，andmakeasmuchnoiseaswepleased，withoutdisturbingourelders。Itisacustomthatappearstomeasunnaturalasitispuerile。Ihopeyoudon'tlikeit，“headded，turningtoJane。
　　“Icareverylittleaboutit。“
　　“Iamglad，atleast，youdonotdefendit。“
　　“Thereareafewfamiliesyouknow，Harry，whonevergivethosekindofparties，“observedMrs。Stanley。
　　Hazlehurst'sconsciencefeltatwinge，forheknewshewasthinkingofElinor，whomMissWyllyshadneverallowedtogivetheseUNMARRIEDparties；thoughshewenttootherhouses，whenasked。
　　“MissTaylorhadcollectedatribeofEuropeansofallsorts，lastnight；half-a-dozenEnglishmen，andavulgarFrenchman，“
　　observedHarry，bywayofchangingtheconversation。“IwassurprisedwhenmyfriendTownsendtoldmehewasinvited；hedidnotknowtheTaylors，andonlyarrivedaweeksince。“
　　“Adelineinvitedhimonpurpose；MissLawrenceisveryfondofforeigners，andyouknowMr。Taylorcallsonallthestrangerswhoarrive，“saidJane。
　　Harry'slipcurledalittle。
　　“HowdisagreeablethatCaptainKockneyis，“continuedJane。
　　“Morethandisagreeable，“repliedHarry。“Ishouldnothaveusedsosoftaword。Iwasnotalittleamused，by-the-bye，toseehowthefellowcooledoffwhenTownsendandEllerycamein。YourlowsetofEnglishhavesuchathoroughaweofthoseafewdegreesabovethem。“
　　“ThatMr。Kockneyissoveryforwardandvulgar，“saidMrs。
　　Graham，“thatIwonderanybodycanendurehim。IwasdisgustedwithhismanneronboardthesteamboatfromLongbridge，theotherday。“
　　“Heisbeneathnotice，“saidHarry。
　　“Iamnotsure，either，thatIlikeyourfriend，Mr。Ellery，Harry。“
　　“Elleryisnofriendofmine；but，pray，don'tnamehiminthesamebreathwiththatKockney。“
　　“Oh，no，Mr。Elleryisagentleman，evidently；butIdon'tlikehismanners，thereissomethingaffectedabouthim。“
　　“Certainly，heknowshowtoplaythecoxcomb，andcondescendstodosoquitetoooften。ButIhopeyoulikeTownsend；heisreallyafinefellow。“
　　“Mr。Townsendhasverydifferentmanners。“
　　“Yes，hehasthebestEnglishmanner；quitenatural，andnotafraidtobecivil。ItisonlythebestoftheEnglishwhoarequitefreefromnonsense。Elleryaimsateffect，halfthetime；
　　Townsendhastoomuchsensetodoso。“
　　“Well，Ireallywonder，“saidJane，“howMrs。HilsoncanendurethatCaptainKockney。“
　　“Thesillylittlesoulknowsnobetter。“
　　“Tobesure，sheisquiteasridiculousasheis。“
　　“Sheisreallyverysilly，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Itisapitythatgood，worthyMr。Hubbardshouldhavedaughterssolittlelikehimself，andsomuchliketheirmother。“
　　“Sheisverypretty，though，anddressesverywell，“saidJane。
　　“Wouldyoubelieveit，mamma，theotherday，whenshecalledatAdeline'ssheworeacollarpreciselyliketheprettiestofthoseIbroughtfromParis。“
　　“DoesshevisitagreatdealatMrs。Taylor's？”inquiredhermother。
　　“Oh，no；Adelinecan'tendureher。Butshecannotgetridofherentirely，becausetheymeetinthecountry。Adelinewouldliketodroptheacquaintancealtogether，butshesaysMrs。Hilsonwon'tlether，becauseMrs。Taylor'sistheonlyfashionablehousewhereshevisits。“
　　“TheseTaylorshavereallydonewondersinthelastfewyears，“
　　saidMrs。Stanley，smiling。
　　“Theyhavebeenquiteaspersevering，Idaresay，asMrs。Hilsoncanbe。Theyareaveryvulgar，pushingfamily，“observedMrs。
　　Graham。
　　Janecoloured，andHarryfearedshewouldshedatearortwo。Shewasquiteagitated。“DearJane，“hethought，“whatanaffectionateheartshehas！”Bywayofconsolingher，probably，andatthesametimeobtainingabetterviewofherdowncastface，hetookaseatbesideher。Heevenrefrainedfrommakinganobservationwhichhehadinpetto，uponthevolatilecharacterandmannersofMissTaylor，reservingitforthefuture；
　　determiningthatwhentheyweremanandwife，Janeshouldhavethefullbenefitofhisopinionofherfriend。
　　{“inpetto“=inmind}
　　LetitnotbesupposedthatHarrywastoosureofsuccess，inthuslookingforwardtohismarriagewithJaneasnoveryimprobableevent。Sincehehadappearedinthefamilyashersuitor，hermannerhadbeenencouraging。Therewereblushesandmomentsofembarrassmentwhichlookedveryfavourably；andhadhebeenobligedtoproclaimallhishopes，hewouldhaveconfessedthatthesameflatteringsignshadbeenobservedbyhiminParis，andhadcontributednotalittletoincreasethewarmthofhisownfeelings。Therewasnowarivalinthefield，andonebynomeanstobedespised；but，althoughyoungdeVauxwasgood-looking，agreeable，andverymuchinlove，Janedidnotseemdisposedtosmileuponhim。Todoherjustice，shewasnocoquette；shewastooindolentbynature，tolabourveryhardtosecureseveralconquestsatthesametime。MissGrahamwasverymuchadmired，however，andwasgenerallyproclaimedthebeautyoftheseason；whileHarrysoonbegantofeelthevanityofthefavouredman。
　　Butifshewereabeauty，Adelinewasabelle；apretty，andarichbelle，moreover，andMissTaylor'strainofadmirerswasmuchlargerthanthatofMissGraham。Sonumerousindeedwereherfollowers，thatshewasseldomseenalone。Ifshevisited，itwaswithanattendantbeau；ifshewerewalkinginBroadway，shehadgenerallyoneoneachsideofher；andatapartyshewasalwaystalkingtohalf-a-dozenyoungmenatatime。MissAdelinewas，undeniably，averypopularbelle。Butallthishomagewassometimesattendedwithdifficulties：onemorningshewroteanurgentnotetoherfriendJane，requestingthatshewouldcometoseeher，forshewasunwellherself，andwantedadviceinamomentousaffair。
　　ThesympathisingJanehadnosoonerappeared，thanAdelineexclaimed，{sic}
　　“Iamsoperplexed，thatIreallydon'tknowwhattodo！Youmustdecideforme。“
　　“HowcanIhelpyou？Whatisthematter？”inquiredJane。
　　“Whyyouknowto-nightisMrs。Thompson'sgreatball，andIamgoing，ofcourse；thoughIhaveaverybadcold。“
　　“Yes，youarereallyquitehoarse。“
　　“Nowonder！Ihavebeensopesteredbyserenadesforthelastfortnight，thatIhavenothadonegoodnight'srest。Ihadtogetupandshowmyselfatthewindow，untilIcaughtonecoldafteranother。“
　　“Perhapsyouhadbetternotgoto-night。“
　　“YoumaybesureIshan'tstayathomeunlessIhavetokeepmybed；Iamalreadyengagedforfivedances。Butjustlookatthecentre-table。“
　　Janeturnedhereyestowardsthetable，whichwascoveredwithflowers。
　　“Howbeautifultheyare！”sheexclaimed，goingtolookatthem。
　　“One，two，four，sixbouquets！——Wheredidtheyallcomefrom？”
　　“Don'taskme；Iamsickoftheverysightofflowers！”
　　“This，withthevariegatedcamellias，isbeautiful！”
　　“Yes，it'sprettyenough；butwhatshallIdowithit？”
　　“Why，takeittothepartythisevening，ofcourse。“
　　“No，indeed；itcamefromMr。Howard，andIcan'tendurehim。“
　　“Whichhaveyouchosen，then？”
　　“Thatistheveryquestion；Idon'tknowhowtosettleit。“
　　“Takethisonewiththepassion-flower。“
　　“No，thatIshan't；foritwassentjusttospiteme。Mr。Grantsentit——andItoldhimlastnightthatIhatedpassionflowers，andeverythingelsethatissentimental。WhatshallIdo？——Itissoprovoking！”
　　“Supposeyouputthemallinwater，andgowithoutany。“
　　“MydearJane，howyoutalk！That'swhatIneverdidinmylife。
　　Gotoaballwithoutabouquet！——Ican'tthinkofsuchathing！”
　　“Wecanuntiethem，andmakeuponeourselves，takingtheprettiestflowersfromeach。“
　　“Thatwon'tdo，either；forit'sonlythegardenersthatcandoupthesethingsdecently。Iwouldn't，fortheworld，carryonethatlookedasifIhadmadeitupmyself。“
　　“Well，“saidJane，indespair，“Ireallydon'tknowwhatelsetoadvise。“
　　“Idobelievetheyounggentlemenhaveleaguedtogethertoprovokeme！Andthisisnotall，therearethreemoreinwaterup-stairs。“
　　“Youmighttakethefirstthatcame；perhapsthatwouldbethebestplan。“
　　“Wouldyouhavemetakethisridiculous-lookingthing，withonlyonecamelliainit！No，indeed；“andforamomentthetwoyoungladiessatdownbythecentre-table，lookingdespondinglyateachotherandattheflowers。
　　“IfIcouldonlytaketheoneIlikebest，itwouldbetheeasiestthingintheworld；but，youknow，alltheothergentlemenwouldbeoffendedthen。“
　　“Whichdoyoulikebest？”askedJane。
　　“Whythisone，withthewhitecamellias；itcamefromTheodoreSt。Leger；hetoldmehewouldsendonewithwhiteflowersonly。“
　　Adeline'scolourrosealittleasshespoke，andasthatwasnotacommonoccurrencewithher，itlookedsuspicious。
　　“DidMr。St。Legerdancewithyoulastnight？”
　　“Why，no，child，heneverdances；Ididn'tseehimdance，allthetimewewereinBoston。“
　　“Ithoughtyoulikedhim，“saidJane，withinnocentsurprise。
　　“Ilikehimwellenough，afterafashion；aswellasonecanlikeamanwhoneverdances，anddon'ttalkmuch。Heisverystupid，sometimes，anddressesverybadlytoo。“
　　“Ishehandsome？”askedJane。
　　“No，heisasuglyashecanbe；IreallythinkhelooksjustalittlelikethatoldMr。Hopkins，hisuncle。“
　　“Whatintheworldmakesyoulikehimthen？”
　　“IamsureIdon'tknow。Butdon'tfancyIreallycareabouttheman。HeisgoingbacktoBostonnextweek，andIdon'tsupposeI
　　shalleverseehimagain；butIthoughtIwouldtakehisbouquet，to-night，becausehewassopolitetome；andhewillbethere。
　　Oh，mydearJane，talkingofBoston，Ihavehituponanidea！”
　　“Well，whatisit？”
　　“Isawagirlatapartythere——by-the-bye，itwasTheodoreSt。
　　Leger'ssister——whohadherdresstrimmedwithnaturalflowers；
　　that'sjustthethingforme！”criedAdeline，clappingherhands。
　　Thedifficultythushappilyremoved，theyoungladiesranupstairs，todeterminemorefullyupontrimmingacertainwhitecrapewiththeeightbouquets，dividedforthepurpose。Thewhiteone，theofferingofMr。St。Leger，wasreservedfortheplaceofhonour，inAdeline'shand。
　　CHAPTERXX。
　　“Thyyoungandinnocentheart，Howisitbeating？Hasitnoregrets？
　　Discoverestthounoweaknesslurkingthere？”
　　ROGERS。
　　{SamuelRogersEnglishpoet，1763-1855，“Italy：TheNun“lines71-73}
　　SISTERS'children，thoughbearingdifferentnames，andclassedbytheworldindifferentfamilies，aregenerallymuchmorealikethanthoseofbrothers；theyareapttohavemorehabits，tastes，andfeelingsincommon。Andthereasonisevident；itisusuallythemotherwhocontrolstheinternalfamilypolicy，whogivesthecolouringtowhatmaybecalledthefamilyatmosphere。Thefathermaypassastatuteonceinawhile，butthecommon-lawwhichregulatestheevery-dayproceedingsofthelittlecommunityflowsfromthemother；andweallknowthatthecharacterismouldedratherbydailypracticeintrifles，thanbyafewisolatedactionsofgreaterimportanceinthemselves。Theaimsandviewswhichpeoplecarrywiththemthroughlife，generallyspringupfromseedsreceivedinthenursery，oratthefamilyfire-side。
　　Evenwithmenthisisthecase。Thefathermayinculcatethisorthatpoliticalcreedintohisson，hemaydirecthischoicetothisorthatprofession；butthemannerinwhichtheyouthcarriesouthispoliticalprinciples，thewayinwhichhefillshisprofession，willdependontheimpulsesandmotivescultivatedinchildhood，andearlyyouth；foritisthenthatthecharacterreceivesitsbias。Themother'sinfluenceandexampleareoftentobetracedinthoseminuteshadesoftasteandopinion，whicharethefoundationofourpartialities，orourdislikes；and，ofcourse，thedaughtersofafamily，frombeingmoreconstantlysubjecttothisinfluence，imbibealargershareofit。Itisimmaterialwhetherthemotherbeawareoftheimportanceofherduties，oftheweightofthisresponsibility，ornot；forgoodorforevil，theeffectwillstillbefelt，thoughvarying，ofcourse，indifferentcircumstances。
　　Elinorhadnotseenhercousin，MaryVanAlstyne，hermother'sniece，forseveralyears，andshenowmetherinPhiladelphiawithgreatpleasure。MissVanAlstynewassomefiveorsixyearsolderthanherself；thisdifferenceinyearshad，indeed，beenthechiefreasonwhytheyhadneveryetbeenveryintimate。Butthesamedistancewhichseparatesgirlsoftwelveandeighteen，is，ofcourse，lessthoughtofattwentyandsix-and-twenty，whenbotharefairlylaunchedintotheworld。MaryVanAlstyneandElinorfoundmuchtolikeineachotheronacloseracquaintance；
　　andMissWyllysobservingthatthetwocousinssuitedeachothersowell，drewthemtogetherasmuchaspossible，inorderthatElinormighthavesomeonetofilltheemptyplacesofherformercompanions，JaneandHarry。
　　Mrs。RobertHazlehurstwasanearneighbouroftheWyllysesinPhiladelphia；butElinorhadtoomuchdreadofmeetingHarry，togothereoften；anditwasonlywhensheknewthathewasinNewYork，thatshewenttohisbrother's。Thechangeintheirpositionwastoorecenttoallowofherseeinghimwithcomposure；theirfamilyconnexion，andtheintimatetermsuponwhichtheyhadhithertolived，onlymadetheirpresentestrangementmuchmoreawkwardthanusual。ElinortriedtothinkitfortunatethatheshouldnowbesoofteninNewYork。
　　ThefirsttimehewasinPhiladelphiaaftertheWyllysesweresettledthereforthewinter，Elinorescapedseeinghim。Asshecameinonemorningfromaridewithhergrandfather，shefoundhiscardonthetable。Ittoldthewholestoryofwhathadpassed；forshecouldnotrememberhishavingeverleftacardattheirhousebefore；hehadbeenasmuchathomethereasherself，untilthelastsixweeks。Thesightofitcausedheraverypainfulfeeling，anddidawayallthegoodeffectofthepleasantrideshehadjusttakenonthebanksoftheSchuylkill。Asshewalkedslowlyup-stairstochangeherhabit，hereyesfilledwithtears；andhadshebeenendowedwiththeproperdegreeofromanceforaregularheroine，shewouldprobablyhavepassedthemorninginhystericalsobs。Butasshehadquiteasmuchgoodsense，asfancyandfeeling，shewasbynomeansromantic；shehadneverfaintedbutonceinherlife；andalthoughitmustbeconfessedshehadweptduringthelastfewweeks，yetitwasalwaysinspiteofherself，atmomentswhenthetearswereforcedfromherbysomesuddenrecollectionofthepast，orsomedistressingglimpseofthefuture。Onthepresentoccasion，insteadofencouragingsolitarygrief，shereturnedtothedrawing-room，andreadaloudtoheraunt，whowasbusywithherneedle。
　　ButHarry'ssecondvisittoPhiladelphiawasnottopasswithouttheirmeeting。Mr。Wyllys，MissAgnes，andElinorwerespendingtheeveningatthehouseofafriend，when，tothesurpriseandregretofallparties，Hazlehurstwalkedinwithoneoftheyoungmenofthefamily，withwhomhewasintimate。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethealarmonthepiazzaatWyllys-Roof。