TheseatstheyhadleftweretakenbyMrs。deVauxandColonelStryker：thelady，amiddle-agedwoman，fashionablydressed；thegentleman，rathermorethanmiddle-agedinhisappearance，anddecidedlylesssoinhisdressandmanners。
　　“YoungTaylorisahandsomefellow，andlooksthebride-groomverywell！”exclaimedMr。Stryker。“HowtheseTaylorshavepushedupwards；IneverheardofthembeforeIwenttoEuropethislasttime，fiveorsixyearsago。“
　　“Thatisjustaboutthemomenttheyfirstburstuponthehorizon。
　　Mr。Taylorseemsdeterminedtomakeupforlosttime。Heisverydisagreeabletousladies；butthegentlemenlikehimonaccountofhiscleverness；theysayheisageniusinallbusinessmatters。“
　　“Tojudgebyhisexpression，themanseemsambitiousof'lessuccesdesalon，'also。Wheredidheimporthismannersfrom，I
　　wonder？——theyhaveasortofbright，newlook，asifhehadnotyetworntheglossoff。“
　　{“lessuccesdesalon“=drawing-roomvictoriesFrench}
　　“Don'tlaughathim；——hegivesexcellentdinners。“
　　“Doeshe？Can'tyouintroduceme，immediately？'Icil'ontfaitnocesetfestins。'Iseemtosmelltheturtle-soup，already。“
　　{“Icil'ont……“=weddingfeastsandbanquetsgivenhereFrench}
　　“Idoubtwhetheryoutasteit，nevertheless，untilnextautumn。
　　Everybodyisgoingoutoftown；theysaythatistheonlydrawbacktothesatisfactionoftheTaylorsatthiswedding。“
　　“Whatisthedrawback，pray？”
　　“Theycannothaveasmanygrandpartiesastheyareentitledto，onaccountoftheseason。“
　　“Thatmustbedistressing，indeed，tothebrides-maids。
　　By-the-bye，IseeMissWyllysisoneofthem。Sheisgoingtoturnoutafortune，Ihear；——doyouknowher？”
　　“Fromachild。Lastyearnoonedreamedofherbeingafortune；
　　butwithinthelastfewmonths，Mr。deVauxtellsme，shehasinheritedaveryhandsomepropertyfromoneofhermother'sfamily；and，inadditiontoit，somenewrail-road，orsomethingofthatkind，hasraisedthevalueofwhatsheownedbefore。“
　　“Whatistheamount，doyouknow？”
　　“Upwardsoftwohundredthousand，Mr。deVauxthinks。“
　　“MissWyllysiscertainlynobeauty；but，doyouknow，Ithinkthereissomethingdecidedlydistinguishedinherappearanceandmanner！Iwasonlyintroducedtheotherday；IdidnothappentoknowtheWyllyses。“
　　“Ihaveknownthemallmylife，andlikethemallverymuch。I
　　ratherwonder，though，atMissElinor'sbeinghereasbride's-maid。Butitisareconciliation，Isuppose。PerhapssheandyoungHazlehurstwillmakeupagain，andwemaybeinvitedtoanotherwedding，beforelong。“
　　“Perhapsso。Howlongdoesittakeayoungladytoresentaninfidelity？Acalendarmonth，Isuppose；or，inextremecases，ayearandaday。By-the-bye，theprettywidow，Mrs。Creighton，hasthrownoffherweeds，Isee。“
　　“Yes，shehascomeoutagain，armedforconquest，Isuppose。Whataflirtsheis！Andasartfulassheispretty，Mr。Stryker。Butperhapsyouareoneofheradmirers，“continuedthelady，laughing。
　　“Ofcourse，itisimpossiblenottoadmireher；butIamafraidofher，“saidMr。Stryker，shrugginghisshoulders。“Iamhorriblyafraidofallprettywidows。“
　　“Mr。Hazlehurstdoesnotseemafraidofher。“
　　“Notabit——heistherehalfhistime；butthenheisyoungandventuresome。Weoldcampaignersaremorewary。“
　　“Heisanoldfriendofherbrother's，Ibelieve；isMr。
　　Ellsworthhere？”
　　“Yes，thereheis，talkingtoMissWyllys。PerhapshemayinterferewithyourpredictionaboutherandmyfriendHazlehurst。“
　　“Possibly；buta-proposofweddings；whydon'tyoumarry，yourself，Mr。Stryker？Youhavebeenadelightfulbeaunow，forhowmanyyears？”askedthelady，mischievously。
　　“Oh，thesefivelustres，Isuppose；forIbeganearly，“repliedMr。Stryker，whohadtoomuchworldlywisdom，nottomakeameritoffrankness，wherehecouldnothelpit。
　　{“lustre“=aperiodoffiveyears}
　　“Six，youmean，“saidMrs。deVaux，laughing。
　　“No，five，honestlycounted。Idon'tknowexactlyhowoldImaybe；buttheotherdayIheardafellowsay，'Strykercan'tbemorethanfive-and-forty；'andIdaresaybewasright。“
　　“Well，allowingyouareonlyfive-and-forty，don'tyoumeantomarry，oneofthesedays？”
　　“Certainly。“
　　“Don'tyouthinkittimetolookaboutyou？”
　　“Hightime；butwhowillhaveme？”continuedMr。Stryker，withgreatcomplacencyofmanner。
　　“Oh，halftheyoungladiesintheroom，Idaresay；excepting，ofcourse，thosewhohaverefusedyoualready，“saidMrs。deVaux，mischievously；foritwassuspectedthatMr。Strykerhadmetwithseveralrebuffs。Thisladyandgentlemaninspiteoftheirsmilingcountenancesandfriendlymanners，owedeachotheragrudge，ofoldstanding。Whodoesnotknowthatwherethespiritoflittlenessandvanityisall-powerful，thesepettytrialsandtriumphsaretoooftenthechiefspringofaction；aswasthecasewithMr。StrykerandMrs。deVaux。Happythey，whohavegoodprincipleandgoodfeelingenough，tocastofffollyonsosmallascale！
　　“Tellmewhatisyourtaste，andIwilllookoutforyou，“
　　continuedMrs。deVaux。
　　“Howkindyouare！——youdon'tincludeMissdeVaux，ofcourse；
　　forshecan'tendureme。Likeallmodestmen，Irequireonlyninehundredandninety-nineperfectionsinmywife。ButthenIinsistchieflyontwoessentials：shemusthavemoney，andshemustnothavebrothersandsisters；Ihaveaninvincibleantipathytocollaterals，whetherofbloodorconnexion。“
　　“MissWyllysistheverypersonforyou。Quiteafortunenow，theysay；andanorphan，withoutbrotherorsister；allyourequire。Then，youlikeherappearance，yousay；thoughsheisplain，sheisclever，too，andamiable。“
　　“Ofcourse；allyoungladiesareamiable，aretheynot？”
　　“Ionlyknowofoneobjection——sheistoogoodforyou。“
　　“Goodnessisnottobedespisedinawife。IshallrequireitfromthefutureMrs。Stryker；thoughnotveryparticularabouttherestoftheworld。Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mrs。deVaux，forthesuggestion；I'llthinkofit，“saidMr。Stryker，deliberatelycrossingonelegovertheother，tomakehimselfcomfortable。
　　“You，whoknoweverybody，Mr。Stryker，“saidthelady，“pray，tellme，whoisthatbright-facedyoungman，orrather，boy，standingnearMr。WyllysandMrs。Stanley？”
　　“Youwishtomortifyme——Ineversawtheladbefore。“
　　“Icanansweryourquestion，Mrs。deVaux，“observedHarry，whohadjustapproached，andmadehisbow；“thatismyfriend，CharlieHubbard，theartist。Don'tyourememberthefineviewofLakeOntario，thatwassomuchadmiredattheExhibition，thisspring？”
　　“Certainly。Isthattheyoungman？——Helookslikeagenius。“
　　“Ratherasageniusshouldlook；yourgreatlionsareoftenverytame-lookinganimals，“observedMr。Stryker。
　　“Hubbard'sfaceonlydoeshimjustice，however；heisfulloftalent，“saidHarry。
　　“ISomeofhispicturesarecertainlyveryfine，“observedMrs。
　　deVaux。
　　“Ineversawwaterlikehis，“continuedHazlehurst；“suchvariety，andalwaystruetonature。Healmostpersuadesonetobelieveallhesaysaboutwater：hemaintainsthatithasmorevarietyofexpressionthananyotherinanimateobject，andhas，withal，anindependentcharacterofitsown；hesaysitissecondonlytothehumancountenance。“
　　“Heseemsquiteanenthusiast，“saidMrs。deVaux。
　　“Won'thetakeitalloutintalk？”askedMr。Stryker，drily。
　　“LookathisviewofHell-Gateonacloudyevening，andsaysoifyoucan！”exclaimedHarry，warmly。
　　{“Hell-Gate“=anarrowchannelinNewYorkCity'sEastRiver}
　　“Well，afterall，hesaysnomoreforwater，thanhasbeensaidbythepoetsofallnature，fromthetimeofthefirstpastoral；
　　theytellusthatthesunwillmakeabareoldmountainsmile，andthewindwillthrowthefinestforestintoafuss。“
　　“IdefyyoutoproveanyfussuponCharlie'sworks！”
　　“Perhapsnot——Whereishisstudy？Ishouldliketoseewhathehasdone。Ishispencilalwaysamphibious？”
　　“Yes；Ibelievehehasneveryetpaintedalandscape，withoutitsportionofwater。Ifyouwishtoseehisstudy，youmustgosoon；
　　hesailsforItalynextmonth。“
　　“Ifhispartialityforwaterisreallyhonest，itmayhelphimoninhisprofession。Hasheagoodexecution？——thatisall-important。“
　　“Decidedlygood；andheimproveseveryday。Executionisreallyall-importanttoHubbard；fortherecanbenodoubtthathepossessesallanartist'sconception。“
　　“Isuspectthough，hisnotionaboutexpressivewaterisnotoriginal。Itappearstome，someGermanorothercallswater，'theeyesofalandscape。'“
　　“Verypossibly；butCharlieHubbardisnotthemantostealotherpeople'sideas，andpassthemoffforhisown。“
　　“Youmakeapointofalwaysbelievingtheworstofeverybody，Mr。
　　Stryker，“saidMrs。deVaux。
　　“IwishIcouldhelpit。“saidthegentleman，raisinghiseyebrows。
　　“Suppose，Mr。Hazlehurst，youtakehimtoMr。Hubbard'sstudio，andforcehimtoadmirethatfinepictureofLakeOntario。I
　　shouldliketoseeitagain，myself；andMr。deVauxhasbeentalkingofcarryingusalltoMr。Hubbard's，sometime。“
　　HarryprofessedhimselfquiteatMrs。deVaux'sservice。Mrs。
　　Stanley，hesaid，wasgoingtoseehisfriend'spicturestheverynextday。Apartywassoonarranged，thehourfixed，andeverythingsettled，beforesupperwasannounced。AsMrs。deVauxandMr。Strykermovedtowardsthedoor，theywerefollowedbyMrs。CreightonandHarry。
　　“Whowastheyoungmanyouweretalkingwithatsupper，Josephine？”askedMr。Ellsworth，ashesteppedintothecarriageafterMrs。CreightonandHarry，indrivingawayfromthewedding。
　　“Whichdoyoumean？”
　　“Amereboy——oneofthegroomsmen，bythewhitefavoursinhisbutton-hole。“
　　“Oh，thatwasthegroom'sbrother，Mr。PompeyTaylor，theyounger，averysimple，andratheranawkwardyounggentleman。I
　　hadthehonourofmakingtheacquaintanceofallthefamily，inthecourseoftheevening。IwasquiteamusedwithMr。Taylor，thefather；hereallyseemstohaveasgreatarelishforthevanitiesoflife，asanyyounggirloffifteen。“
　　“Becausetheyarequiteasnewtohim，“saidHazlehurst。
　　“Thatisdifficulttobelieveofaclever，calculatingmanoffifty，“observedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Allclevermenoffiftyarenotquitefreefromnonsense，takemywordforit，“saidthelady。
　　“IappealtoMr。Hazlehurst，whoknowsMr。Taylor；asformyself，Iamconvincedbytheman'smannerthisevening。“
　　“Youarecertainlycorrectinyouropinion，Mrs。Creighton。Mr。
　　Tayloris，nodoubt，acleverman；andyethetakesdelightineverypieceoffineryabouthishouse。Heismorepossessedwiththespiritofsheerostentation，thananymanIevermetwith。“
　　“Ah，youwanttosavethecreditofyoursex，bysettinghimdownasanexception！——thatisnotfair，Mr。Hazlehurst。“
　　Itwasapitythattheprettysmilewhichtheladybestowedonherbrother'sfriendwasentirelythrownaway；butthelamp-lighthappenedtobelittlemorethandarknessvisible。
　　EndVolume1
　　ElinorWyllysbySusanFenimoreCooperINTWOVOLUMES。
　　VOL。II。
　　EDITEDBYJ。FENIMORECOOPER。
　　CHAPTERI{wouldbeCHAPTERXXIV，ifnumberedfrombeginningofVol。I}
　　“Butthereismatterforanotherrhyme；
　　AndItothiswouldaddanothertale。“
　　WORDSWORTH。
　　“AndhowdoMissandMadamdo；
　　Thelittleboy，andall？
　　Alltightandwell？andhowdoyou，GoodMr。What-do-you-call？”
　　COWPER。
　　{WilliamWordsworthEnglishpoet，1770-1850，“PoemsoftheImagination：Hart-LeapWell“lines95-96。WilliamCowperEnglishpoet，1731-1800，“TheYearlyDistress，or，TithingTimeatStockinEssex“lines33-36}
　　Itistobefearedthereaderwillfindfaultwiththischapter。
　　Butthereisnoremedy；hemustsubmitquietlytoabreakofthreeyearsinthenarrative：havingtochoosebetweentheunitiesandtheprobabilities，wegreatlypreferredholdingtothelast。Thefault，indeed，ofthishiatus，restsentirelywiththeyoungfolkofLongbridge，whosefortuneswehaveundertakentofollow；hadtheyremainedtogether，weshould，ofcourse，havebeenfaithfultoourdutyasachronicler；butourtaskwasnotsoeasy。Inthepresentstateoftheworld，peoplewillmoveabout——especiallyAmericanpeople；andmakingnoclaimtoubiquity，wewereobligedtowaitpatientlyuntiltimebroughtthewanderersbackagain，totheneighbourhoodwherewefirstmadetheiracquaintance。ShortlyafterJane'smarriage，thewholepartybrokeup；JaneandherhusbandwenttoNew-Orleans，whereTallmanTaylorwasestablishedaspartnerinacommercialhouseconnectedwithhisfather。HazlehurstpassedseveralyearsinMexicoandSouth-America：anoldfriendofhisfather's，adistinguishedpoliticalman，receivedtheappointmentofEnvoytoMexico，andofferedHarrythepostofSecretaryofLegation。
　　Hazlehursthadlongfeltastrongdesiretoseethesoutherncountriesofthecontinent，andwasverygladofsopleasantanarrangement；helefthisfriendEllsworthtopractiselawalone，andaccompaniedMr。Henley，theMinister，toMexico；andfromthenceremoved，afteratime，toBrazil。CharliehadbeenstudyinghisprofessioninFranceandItaly，duringthesameperiod。EvenElinorwasabsentfromhomemuchmorethanusual；
　　MissWyllyshadbeenoutofhealthforthelastyearortwo；and，onheraccount，theypassedtheirsummersintravelling，andawinterintheWest-Indies。Atlength，however，thepartymetagainontheoldground；andweshalltakeupthethreadofournarrative，duringthesummerinwhichthecirclewasre-united。
　　Itistobehopedthatthisbreakinthemovementofourtalewillbeforgiven，whenwedeclare，thattheplotisabouttothicken；perplexities，troubles，andmisfortunesaregatheringaboutourLongbridgefriends；apieceofintelligencewhichwillprobablycheerthereader'sspirits。Wehaveitontheauthorityofaphilosopher，thatthereissomethinggratifyingtohumannatureinthecalamitiesofourfriends；anaxiomwhichseemstrue，atleast，ofallacquaintancesmadeonpaper。
　　“{Minister“=adiplomaticrankbelowthatofAmbassador——aMinisterheadsaLegation，anAmbassadoranEmbassy；priortotheCivilWar，theUnitedStateswasnotconsideredanimportantenoughcountrytosendorreceiveAmbassadors。“SecretaryofLegation“=adiplomatservingunderaMinister。“Aphilosopher“
　　=Francois，DucdelaRochefoucauld1618-1680，Frenchauthorfamousforhismaximsorepigraphs：“Dansl'adversitedenosmeilleursamis，noustrouvonsquelquechosequinenousdeplaitpas“=Inthemisfortuneofourbestfriends，wefindsomethingwhichisnotdispleasingtous。MaximNo。99，latersuppressed。
　　Bythe1840s，awellknownexpression}
　　Weheardailythatlifeisshort；and，surely，Timeflieswithfearfulrapidityifwemeasurehiscoursebyyears：
　　three-score-and-ten，theallottedspanofman，aresoonnumbered。
　　Butevents，thoughts，feelings，hopes，cares，arebettermarksforthedialoflife，thanhoursandminutes。Inthisview，thepathoflifeisalongroad，fullofmeaningandofmovementateverystep；andinthissenseonlyistimejustlyappreciated；
　　eachdaylosesitsinsignificance，andeveryyearlyrevolutionoftheearthbecomesapointineternity。
　　TheoccurrencesofthethreeyearsduringwhichwehavelostsightoftheLongbridgecirclewillspeakforthemselves，asourtaleisgraduallyunfolded。Itisevident，however，atthefirstglance，onreturningtotheoldground，thatthevillageitselfhasundergonesomealterations。Thoughbelongingtoapartofthecountryoccasionallyaccusedofbeing“unenterprising，“ithadnotprovedinsensibletothegeneralmovementfeltthroughouttherepublic，inthosehalcyondaysofbrilliantspeculation，whichcommencedwiththepromiseofgoodfortunetoall，andendedbybringingpovertytomany，anddisgracetoothers。Arail-roadnowrunsthroughtheprincipalstreet，andthenewdepot，alarge，uncouthbuilding，standsconspicuousatitstermination，lookingcommercialprosperity，andinternalimprovement。Severalnewstoreshavebeenopened，half-a-dozen“tastymansions“——chieflyimitationsofMr。Hubbard's——havebeenbuilt，anotherlargetavernhasbeencommenced，andtwoadditionalsteamboatsmaybeseenlyingatthewharf。Thevalueofpropertyinthevillageitself，issaidtohavedoubled，atleast；newstreetsarelaidout，andbranchrail-roadsaretalkedof；andmanypeopleflatterthemselvesthatLongbridgewillfigureinthenextcensusasaflourishingcity，withthefullhonoursofaCorporation，Mayor，andAldermen。Inthepopulation，correspondingchangesarealsoperceptible；manynewfacesareseeninthestreets，newnamesareobservedonthesigns；othersagainaremissedfromtheiroldhaunts，forthereisscarcelyafamilyintheplace，whichhasnotsentitsrepresentationwestward。
　　{“thosehalcyondays“=i。e。，beforetheeconomicPanicof1837，andtheseven-yeardepressionthatfollowed}
　　Mostofouroldacquaintances，however，stillremainonthespot，thispleasantafternooninJune，183。TherestandsMr。JosephHubbard，talkingtoJudgeBernard。ThatisDr。VanHorne，drivingoffinhisprofessionalsulkey。ThereareMrs。TibbsandMrs。
　　Bibbs，side-by-side，asofold。Mrs。GeorgeWyllyshasmoved，itseems；herchildrenareevidentlyathomeinadoor-yardontheoppositesideofthestreet，adjoiningtheHubbard“Park。“Onthedoorofthatbright-coloured，spruce-lookingbrickhouse，youwillseethenameofW。C。Clapp；andthereareapairofbootsrestingonthewindow-sillofanadjoiningoffice，whichprobablybelongtothepersonofthelawyer，himself。Now，wemayobserveMrs。HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbardflittingacrossthestreet，“fascinatingandaristocratic“asever。
　　{“sulkey“=lighttwo-wheeledcarriage，seatedforoneperson；
　　usuallyspelled“sulky“}
　　Letusleavethevillage，however，forthemoreimmediateneighbourhoodofWyllys-Roof；inwhich，itishoped，thereaderwillfeelmoreparticularlyinterested。TherestandsthelittlecottageoftheHubbards，lookingjustasitdidthreeyearssince；itispossiblethatoneortwoofthebull's-eyepanesofglassmayhavebeenbroken，andchanged，andthegreyshinglesarealittlemoremoss-grown；butitsgeneralaspectispreciselywhatitwaswhenwewerelastthere。Thesnow-ballandthesweet-briarareintheiroldplaces，eachsideofthehumbleporch；thewhiteblossomshavefallenfromthescraggybranchesofthesnow-ball，thisfirstweekinJune；thefreshpinkbudsareopeningonthefragrantyoungshootsofthesweet-briar。
　　Thereisourfriend，MissPatsey，wearingasun-bonnet，atworkinthegarden；andifyoulookthroughtheopendoorofthehouse，youwillseebeyondthepassageintotheneatlittlekitchen，wherewecatchaglimpseofMrs。Hubbard'swhitecapoverthebackofherrocking-chair。Itispossiblethatyoumayalsoseethemerry，shining，blackfaceofalittlehandmaiden，whomMissPatseyhaslatelytakenintothefamily；and，asthetea-kettleisboiling，andtheday'sworkchieflyover，thelittlethingisoftenseenatthishour，playingaboutthecornersofthehouse，withtheoldcat。Ah，thereisthelittleminx！——hersharpearshaveheardthesoundofwheels，andsheisalreadyattheopengate，toseewhatpasses。Awagonstops；whomhavewehere？LittleJudyisfrightenedhalfoutofherwits：ayoungmanshedoesnotknow，withhisfacecoveredwithbeard，afterafashionshehadneveryetseen，springsfromthewagon。
　　MissPatseyturnstolook。
　　“Charlie！”——sheexclaims；andinanothermomenttheyouthhasreceivedthejoyful，tearful，agitatedembraceofhismotherandsister。Thedarlingoftheirheartsisathomeagain；threeyearssince，heleftthem，aboy，tomeetdangersexaggeratedtenfoldbytheiranxioushearts；hereturns，aman，whohasfacedtemptationsundreamedofbytheirsimpleminds。Thewandererisoncemorebeneaththeirhumbleroof；theirpartialeyesrestagainonthatyoungface，changed，yetstillthesame。
　　Charliefindsthethreelastyearshavepassedlightlyoverhismotherandhissister；theirsarethesamekindlyfaces，thesamewell-knownvoices，thebestloved，themosttrustedfromchildhood。Afterthefirsteagermomentsofgreetingareover，andthefirsthurriedquestionshavebeenanswered，helooksabouthim。Hasnotthedearoldcottageshrunktoaverynut-shell？Heopensthedooroftheschool-room；thereareitstwobenches，anditshumbleofficialdesk，asofold；helooksintothelittleparlour，andsmilestothinkoftherespecthefeltinhischildishdaysforMissPatsey'sdrawing-room：manyagildedgallery，manyabrilliantsaloonhashesinceenteredasasight-seer，withamorecarelessstep。Hegoesoutontheporch；
　　isitpossiblethatisthegarden？——whyitisnolargerthanatable-cloth！——heshouldhavethoughtthebedshehadsooftenweededcouldnotbesosmall：andthedoor-yard，onecanshakehandsacrossit！AndthereisWyllys-Roof，halfhidbytrees——heusedtoadmireitasamostvenerablepile；inrealityitisonlyaplain，respectablecountry-house：asthehomeoftheWyllyses，however，itmustalwaysbeanhonouredspottohim。ColonnadeManortoo——helaughs！Therearesomebuildingsthatseem，atfirstsight，toexcitetoirresistiblemerriment；theybelongtowhatmayhecalledthe“ridiculousorder“ofarchitecture，andconsistgenerallyofcaricaturesonnobleGreekmodels；Mr。
　　Taylor'selegantmansionhad，undeniably，aclaimtoaconspicuousplaceamongthenumber。Charlielookswithapainter'seyeatthecountry；thesceneryisofthesimplestkind，yetbeautiful，asinanimatenature，sinlessnature，musteverbeunderallhervarieties：hecastsaglanceupwardatthesky，brightandblueasthatofItaly；howoftenhashestudiedtheheavensfromthatveryspot！Thetreesarerichintheirsummerverdure，themeadowsarefragrantwithclover，andthroughMr。Wyllys'swoodsthereisaglimpseofthebroadriver，gildedbytheeveningsun。Itisapleasingscene，ahappymoment；itisthefirstlandscapeheeverpainted，anditishome。
　　ThenCharliereturnstohismother；hesitsbyherside，shetakeshishandinherwitheredfingers，sherestsherfeeblesightonhisbrightface；whileMissPatseyispreparingallthedaintiesinthehouseforsupper。
　　“Well，littleone，whatisyourname？”saidCharlie，astheblackchildpassedhimwithaloadofgoodthings。
　　“Judy，sir，“saidthelittlegirl，withacurtsey，andahalf-frightenedlookatCharlie'sface，fortheyoungartisthadchosentoreturnwithmoustaches；whetherhethoughtitprofessionalorbecoming，wecannotsay。
　　“WeshallbegoodfriendsIhope，Judy；ifyoumindmysisterbetterthanyoueverdidanybodyelseinyourlife，perhapsI
　　shallfindsomesugar-plumsforyou，“saidCharlie，pleasedtoseeablackfaceagain。
　　Mrs。Hubbardremarkedthat，uponthewhole，Judywasaprettygoodgirl；andthechildgrinned，untiltwodeepdimplesweretobeseeninhershiningdarkcheeks，andthedozenlittlenon-descriptbraidswhichprojectedfromherheadindifferentdirections，seemedtostandonendwithdelight。
　　“AndsoMr。Wyllysandtheladiesarenotathome。IwishIhadknownoftheirbeinginNew-York；Imightatleasthaveseenthemforamoment，yesterday。“
　　“IwonderMrs。Hilsondidnotmentiontheirbeingintown。“
　　“Juliannaneverknowswhatsheistalkingabout。ButIamgladtoheargoodaccountsofthemall。“
　　“Yes；MissWyllyshascomehomefromtheWest-Indies，muchbetter。“
　　“IsitreallytruethatMissElinorisgoingtobemarriedshortly？”
　　“Well，Ican'tsaywhetherthestoryistrueornot。Sheseemstohavemanyadmirersnowshehasbecomeanheiress。“
　　“ButIdon'tunderstandhowshecomestobesuchafortune。“
　　{“afortune“=shortforawomanoffortune，anheiress}
　　“Idon'tunderstanditmyself；Mr。Clappcantellyouallaboutit。Youknowmostpeopleareagreatdealrichernowthantheywereafewyearsago。Iheardsomeonesaytheotherday，thatmyoldpupil'spropertyinLongbridge，isworththreetimesasmuchnow，asitwasashorttimesince。“
　　“IsitpossibleLongbridgehasimprovedsomuch？”
　　“Andthenyouroldplay-fellowhashadtwolegaciesfromrelationsofhermother's；everybodyintheneighbourhoodistalkingofhergood-luck，andsayingwhatafortuneshewillturnout。Ionlyhopeshewillbehappy，andnotbethrownawayuponsomeoneunworthyofher，likeherpoorcousin；foritseemsyoungMr。Taylorisverydissipated。“
　　Charlieprobablysympathizedwiththisremark，thoughhemadenoreply。
　　“Mr。andMrs。TallmanTaylorareinNew-Yorknow，Ihear，justcomefromNew-Orleans。ThefamilyfromWyllys-Roofhavegoneovertoseethem，“addedMissPatsey。
　　“Yes，soIunderstand。Theywillbeherebeforelong，Isuppose。“
　　“Notimmediately；fortheyareallgoingtoSaratogatogether。
　　Dr。VanHornethoughtMissWyllyshadbetterpasstwoorthreeweeksattheSprings。“
　　“Thatisfortunateforme——Ishallseethemthesooner；forI
　　mustbeatLakeGeorgebeforethefirstofJuly。IhaveanorderforthreeviewsoftheLake，whichIhavepromisedtosendtoEnglandearlyinthefall。“
　　HereCharlieenteredintosomedetailsofhisaffairs，veryinterestingtohismotherandsister；andtheyseemedtobeinaverysatisfactorycondition，accordingtohisownmodestviews。
　　AfterawhiletheconversationagainreturnedtotheirLongbridgefriends。
　　“DidyouknowthatMr。Hazlehurstiscominghometoo，thissummer？”askedMissPatsey。
　　“Yes；hewrotemewordhehopedweshouldmeetbeforelong。HowdidthataffairwithMrs。Creightonturnout？”
　　“Wedidbeartheywereengaged；butitcouldnothavebeentrue，fortheladyhasbeeninPhiladelphia，andheinBrazil，forsometime，youknow。Iusedtoaskaboutsuchmattersonceinawhile，onpurposetowriteyouword。ButIhadnogreatopportunityofhearingmuchaboutMr。Hazlehurst；forafterthatunhappybusinessatWyllys-Roof，therewas，ofcourse，agreatcoolness；
　　forsometimeIneverheardhisnamementionedthere，andMr。
　　Wyllysseldomspeaksofhimnow。“
　　“Aretheynotreconciled，then？”
　　“Notentirely，Iamafraid；butyouknowtheyhavenotmetforthreeyears。“
　　“IshallhardlyknowmyselfatWyllys-Roof，withoutseeingMr。
　　HazlehurstandMissGrahamthere。“
　　“Youwillfindagreatchangeinthatrespect。Mrs。Taylorhasnotbeenheresincehermarriage；MissVanAlstyneseemstohavetakenherplace；sheisaverypleasantyounglady。Whenthefamilyisathomenow，thereseemsoftentobesomestrangegentlemanwiththem。“
　　“Fortune-hunters，Isuppose，“saidCharlie，withsomeindignation。“Well，thecourseoftrueloveneverhas，andneverwillrunquiteasitought，Isuppose。AndhowdoalltheLongbridgepeoplecomeon？——HowisUncleJosie？”
　　“Verywell，indeed；justasgoodasevertous。Youmustgotoseehimto-morrow。“
　　“Certainly；——andwhatisUncleDozieabout？”
　　“Atworkinthevegetable-garden，asusual。Hesentmeafinebasketofsalad，andradishes，andonions，thismorning。“
　　“ClapphasgotintoanewhouseIsee。“
　　“Yes；heisinverygoodbusiness，Ibelieve；yousawCatherine，yousay？”
　　“Yes，foraminuteonly。IranintokissKateandthechildren，whiletheywereharnessingahorseformeatthetavern。Katelooksverywellherself。Thechildrendidn'tremembermuchofUncleCharlie；buttheyarepretty，healthylittlethings，nevertheless。“
　　Thegrandmotherassentedtothecommendationofherdaughter'sfamily；shethoughtthemremarkablyfinechildren。“Catherinewasaveryfortunatewoman，“shesaid；“Mr。Clappwasaverysuperiorman，soverycleverthathemustdowell；andthechildrenwereallhealthy——theyhadgonethroughthemeasleswonderfully，thatspring。“
　　Charliehadnotquiteaselevatedanopinionofhisbrother-in-lawasthefemalesofthefamily；heallowedhismother'sremarktopassunnoticed，however。
　　“AndsoMr。TaylorhasgivenupColonnadeManor，“hecontinued。
　　“Yes；hehasjustsoldittoMr。deVaux，afriendofMr。
　　Wyllys，“repliedMissPatsey。
　　“Whydidhesellit，pray？”
　　“Well，theyoungladieslikedbettertoliveaboutathotelsandboarding-housesinthesummer，Ibelieve；theythoughtitwastoodullatLongbridge。Mr。Taylordidn'tcaremuchfortheplace：
　　youknowtherearesomepeople，who，assoonastheyhavebuiltahouse，andgoteverythinginniceorder，wanttosell；itseemsasiftheydidnotcaretobecomfortable；butIsupposeitisonlybecausetheyaresofondofchange。“
　　Wemayaswellobserve，bywayofparenthesis，thatthisfancyofgettingridofaplaceassoonasitisinfineorder，wouldprobablyneveroccurtoanymanbutanAmerican，andanAmericanoftheparticularvarietytowhichMr。Taylorbelonged。
　　“Idon'twonderathiswantingtogetridofthehouse；butthesituationandtheneighbourhoodmighthavesatisfiedhim，I
　　think，“saidCharlie，asheacceptedMissPatsey'sinvitationtoeatthenicesuppershehadpreparedforhim。
　　Ashetookhisseatatthetable，Mrs。Hubbardobserved，thatheprobablyhadnotseensuchshort-cakeasPatseymade，inRome——towhichCharlieassentedwarmly。Hehadwishedoneevening，inFlorence，hesaid，forsomeofhissister'sshort-cake，andagoodcupofteaofhermaking；andthesamenighthedreamedthattheVenusdeMedicishadmadehimsome。Hewasashamedofhimselfforhavinghadsuchadream；butitcouldnotbehelped，suchwasthefact。
　　{“VenusdeMedicis“=FamousnudestatueoftheGoddessVenus——a1stCenturyBCcopyofalostGreekstatuebyCleomenesofAthens——intheUffiziGalleryinFlorence}
　　Mrs。Hubbardthoughtnowoman，Venusornot，oughttobeashamedofmakinggoodshort-cake；iftheywerebad，thatwouldbeadifferentmatter。
　　“Well，Charlie，nowyouhaveseenallthosepaintingsandfiguresyouusedtotalksomuchabout，whatdoyouthinkofthem？——aretheyreallysohandsomeasyouexpected？”askedhissister。
　　“Theyarewonderful！”exclaimedCharlie，withanimation；puttingdownashort-cakehehadjustbuttered。“Wonderful！——Thereisnootherwordtodescribethem。“
　　Mrs。Hubbardobserved，thatshehadsomenotionofapainting，fromtheminister'sportraitintheparlour——Charlietookuphisshortcake——shethoughtapersonmighthavesatisfactioninapainting；suchapictureasthatportrait；butasforthosestonefiguresheusedtowishtosee，shecouldnotunderstandwhatwasthebeautyofsuchidol-likethings。
　　“Theyarenotatalllikeidols，mother；theyarethemostnobleconceptionsofthehumanform。“
　　Howcouldtheylookhuman？Hehimselfhadtoldhertheyweremadeoutofmarble；justsuchmarble，shesupposed，aswasusedfortomb-stones。
　　“IonlywishyoucouldseesomeofthestatuesinItaly；theLaocoon，Niobe，andothersIhaveseen。IthinkyouwouldfeelthenwhatIfelt——whatInevercandescribeinwords。“
　　{“Laocoon“=AfamousGreekstatue，intheVaticanatRome，ofaTrojanpriestandhistwosonsbeingcrushedbyserpents。“Niobe“
　　=afamousstatue，intheUffiziGalleryinFlorenceaRomancopyofalostGreekoriginalattributedtoScopas，ofNiobe——
　　inGreekmythologythedaughterofTantaluswhosechildrenwereslaughteredbyZeusandwhowastransformedintoaweepingimageofstone}
　　Mrs。Hubbardsaidthenamessoundedveryheathen-liketoherears；shehadneverseenastatue，ofanydescriptionwhatever；
　　shedidn'tthinkshecouldhaveanysatisfactioninlookingatone。Iftheyhadanycolourtothem，andweredressedupinuniforms，andhandsomeclothes，likethewax-figuresofGeneralWashington，NapoleonBonaparte，andLordNelson，shehadonceseen，theywouldbeworthlookingat，perhaps。
　　MissPatseywishedtoknow，ifamongthestatueshehadseen，therewereanysupposedtobelikenessesofthegreatmenthatwereadaboutinhistory？
　　“TherearemanystatuesandbustsinItaly，thatareundeniablyportraitsofsomeofthegreatestmenofantiquity，“hereplied。
　　“DoyousupposetheyarereallylikethoseoldRomans？Idon'tmeansuchlikenessesastheportraitofourdearfather；butstillprettygoodforthoseoldtimes？”
　　“Farbetterthananythingofthekindyoueversaw，“repliedCharlie，drinkingoffacupoftea。
　　MissPatseythoughtthosemightbeworthseeing。AconversationfolloweduponthedelightCharliehadfeltinbeholdingcelebratedplaces，thescenesofgreateventsinpastages；adelightthatanAmericancanneverknowinhisowncountry，andwhich，onthatveryaccount，heenjoyswithafarkeenerzestthanaEuropean。MissPatseyseemedtoenteralittleintothispleasure；but，uponthewhole，itwasquiteevidentthatalltheimaginationofthefamilyhadfallentoCharlie'sshare。Theyoungmanthoughtlittleofthis，however：whenJudyhadcarriedawaytheremainsofthesupper，hereturnedtohismother'sside，andtheeveningpassedawayinthatpleasantfamilychat，sointerestingtothosewhofeelalike。Sympathyoftheheartisatieten-foldstrongerthansympathyofthehead；peoplemaythinkalike，andhateeachother；whilethosewhofeeltogether，areoftenledtoadoptthesameopinions。
　　WhenCharliehadreadtheusualeveningchapterintheBible，andhadreceivedhismother'skissandblessing，helaidhimselfdownwithathankfulheart，inthelittlegarret-room，asinhischildishyears。Theyoungartist'sdreamsthatnight，wereamingledcrowdoffancies；thememoriesofhisboyhoodrevivingintheiroldhaunts，accompaniedbymorerecentimagesbroughtfrombeyondtheOcean，andlinkedwithhalf-formedplansandideasforthefuture。Amongthesevisionsofthenight，weretwomoredistinctthantherest；onewasadeterminationtocommence，theverynextmorning，acopyofhishonouredfather'sportrait，inwhichtheartist'sobjectwasunusual；foritwashischiefaimtomakeitaslittleliketheoriginalbeforehim，aspossible。
　　Shallwerevealthefactthatanotherimage，wearingagentleraspectthanthestern，rigidfeaturesoftheminister'sportrait，seemedtoflitbeforetheyoungpainter'sfancy，comingunbidden，andminglingmoreespeciallywithrecollectionsofthepast？Asarayofmoonlightstoleintothelowdormer-window，theyoungmanturnedonhishumblebed，asighburstfromhislips，followedbythewords，“No，no！”
　　Weshallkeepthesecret。
　　CHAPTERII{XXV}
　　“Yonder，sure，theyarecoming。“
　　AsYouLikeIt。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“AsYouLikeIt“，I。ii。147}
　　THEweatherhadbeenmorethanusuallywarmforseveralweeks，andthemorningafterCharlie'sreturntoLongbridge，whenthesteamboatNorthAmericaleftthewharfatNew-York，herdecksandcabinswerefilledbysomefiveorsixhundredpassengers。Thereweremen，women，andchildren，ofvariouscharacters，coloursandconditions。Thesceneondeckwaspleasingandcheerful；thedaywaslovely，thesteamerlookedneatandbright，andthegreatmajorityofthefemalesweregailydressedintheirsummerattire；mostofthefaceslookedgood-humoured，asifpleasedtoescapefromtheheatandconfinementofthetown，tocoolerair，andasightofthewaterandgreenwoods。Onemighthavesupposeditapartyofpleasureonalargescale；infact，Americansseemalwaysgood-natured，andinapleasantmoodwheninmotion；suchistheirpeculiartemperament。ThepassengersonboardtheNorthAmericasoonbegantocollectinknots，family-groups，orpartiesofacquaintance；somechatting，somereading，somemeditating。
　　Therewasonedifficulty，however，wantofspacetomoveaboutin，orwantofseatsforsomeofthosewhowerestationary。
　　Aftertheboathadfairlybegunhertrip，andpeoplehadsettledthemselvesaswellastheycould，accordingtotheirdifferentfancies，aprettylittlewomanappearedatthedooroftheladies'cabin。Inherlighthair，andsomewhatinsipidface，encasedinanextremelyfashionablehat，werecogniseMrs。
　　Hilson。Turningtowardsagentlemanwhoseemedwaitingnearthedoorforher，sheaddressedhim。
　　“Now，MonsieurBonnet，doexertyourgallantry，andfindmeaseatondeck。Thecabinisintolerablywarm，Icannotstayhere；——whereareEmmelineandtheBaron？”
　　“Yousee，Madame，“hesaid，pointingtowardsthecouple，“Montbruntakeatabouretatonce，whenwecomeonboard，andMademoiselleEmmelinenowhasit。Itwasverymaladroitinmenottokeeponeforyou；Ibegat'ousandpardons。“
　　{“tabouret“=astool；“maladroit“=carelessFrench}
　　“Haven'tyougotaseat；thatisapity。ButIdaresayyoucaneasilyfindone。“
　　“Vraiment，machereMadameEEL-sun，thereisnosacrificeIwouldnotmaketoprocureyouone。Iamdesoleitshouldbeimpossible。
　　Ihavebeenlooking；butallthetabouretsandchairaretakenbyladiesandgentlemans。Youhaveadroledemaniereoftravelinthiscountree；somanypeopletogether，theladiesmustbevictimessometime。“
　　{“Vraiment，machere……“=truly，mydear……；“droledemaniere“
　　=funnywayFrench}
　　“Oh，no；youdon'tknowhowtomanage，thatisall。HasnottheBaronachair？”
　　“Non，Madame；youseeheisdebout。“
　　{“debout“=standingFrench}
　　“Well，therearesomegentlemenseated；Iseethreeorfour——onequitenearyou。Askhimforhischair。“
　　TheFrenchmanshruggedhisshoulders，andlookedbewildered。
　　“Pray，askthatgentlemanforhischair，“repeatedthelady，pointingwithherparasoltoapersonsittingatnogreatdistance。
　　“But，Madame，thegentlemanwillnotknowwhatacharmingladywishforthechair——hewillnotgiveit。“
　　“Oh，nodanger；ifyoutellhimitisforalady，ofcoursehewillletyouhaveit。Why，howslowyouareaboutit；youarealmostasbadasCaptainKockney，whoneverdidanythingwhenhewasasked。“
　　“Ah，Madame，degracesdonotsaythat！——Igo。“
　　{“degraces“=pleaseFrench}
　　AndMonsieurBonnet，edginghiswayhereandtherebehindtheladies，andbeggingtenthousandpardons，atlengthreachedthepersonMrs。Hilsonhadpointedouttohim。
　　“Whatdidyousay？”exclaimedthisindividual，lookinguprathergruffly，atbeingaddressedbyanutterstranger。
　　“Millepardons，Monsieur，“continuedMonsieurBonnet；“aladyisverymuchoppressedwithfatigue，andsendmetobegyouwillbeaimabletogiveheryourchair。“
　　{“millepardons“=excuseme；“aimable“=obligingenoughFrench}
　　“Whatisit？”repeatedtheman，wholookedlikeanEnglishman；“I
　　don'tunderstandyou。“
　　MonsieurBonnetagainurgedhisrequest，intermsstillmorecivil。Itwouldberenderingaverygreatservicetothelady，hesaid。
　　“Iamnotacquaintedwiththelady；Iadviseyoutolookforanemptychair，“repliedtheother，resolutelyturninghisfaceinanoppositedirection。
　　MonsieurBonnetshruggedhisshoulders，andwasmovingtowardsMrs。Hilsonaudesespoir，whenagentlemanly-lookingman，whowasseated，reading，notfarfromtheEnglishman，roseandquietlyofferedhisbenchfortheuseofthelady。MonsieurBonnetwas，ofcourse，allgratitude，andreturnedenchantetoMrs。Hilson，whotookthematterveryquietly；whileM。Bonnetseemedsurprisedathisownsuccess。
　　{“audesespoir“=indespair；“enchante“=delightedFrench}
　　Thegentlemanwhohadgivenuphisseat，wasobligedtocontinuestanding；shuttinguphisbook，hebegantolookabouthim，amongthecrowd，foracquaintances。Therewasaverygay，noisyparty，atnogreatdistance，whichfirstattractedhisattention；itconsistedoftwoprettyyoungwomeninthecentreofagroupofmen。Theshrillvoiceandrattlinglaughofonelady，mightbeverydistinctlyheardacrossthedeck；theotherwasleaningbacklistlesslyinherchair：oneoftheyoungmenwasreadingapaperwithasortoffamilyexpression，asiftheladieswerehisnearconnexions；and，onachair，atthesideofthesilentlady，satanoldgentleman，withaveryrustycoat，snuffynose，andaredhandkerchiefspreadononeknee，whileontheotherheheldaprettylittleboy，abouttwoyearsold。
　　“ItellyouIknowshewasdeadinlovewithhim！”criedtherattlingyounglady，atthetopofhervoice。Then，observingthegentleman，whowaslookinginthatdirection，shebowedwithacoquettishgraciousness。Thebowwasreturned，butthegentlemandidnotseemveryanxioustoapproachtheparty；whentheyounglady，beckoningwithherfinger，obligedhimtodrawnear。
　　“Now，Mr。Ellsworth，youarejustthemanIwanted。Threeofthesegentlemenareagainstme；Ihaveonlyoneonmyside，andI
　　wantyoutohelpmetofightthebattle。“
　　“MustIenlist，MissTaylor，beforeIknowwhetherthecauseisgoodorbad？”
　　“Oh，certainly，orelseyouarenotworthacent。ButI'lltellyouhowthematterstands：youknowHelendeVauxandyouwereattheSprings，lastsummer，whensheandMr。VanAlstynewerethere。Well，Isayshewasdeadinlovewithhim，thoughshedidrefusehim。“
　　“Wasshe？”repliedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Why，Iknowshewas；itwasasplainasapike-stafftoeverybodywhosawthemtogether。Andhere，thesegoodfolksprovokemeso；theysayifsherefusedhimshedidnotcareforhim；andhereismyridiculousbrother-in-law，Mr。St。Leger，saysIdon'tknowanythingaboutit；andmysisterAdelinealwaysthinksjustasherhusbanddoes。“
　　“That'squiteright，mydear，“saidtherustyMr。Hopkins，takingapinchofsnuff。“Ihopeyouwillfollowherexampleoneofthesedays。“
　　“Whataretheprecisesymptomsofayounglady'sbeingdeadinlove？”askedthequiet，business-lookingTheodoreSt。Leger。
　　“Oh，youknowwellenoughwhatImean。YoumaysaywhatyoupleaseaboutHelendeVauxnotcaringforhim，Iknowbetter，“
　　continuedtheyounglady，inavoicethatmightbeheardontheothersideoftheboat。
　　“AsMissdeVaux'smotherisonboard，supposeyoureferthequestiontoher，“saidMr。Ellsworth，inadrymanner。
　　“Isshe？——Ihopeshedidn'thearus，“continuedtheyounglady，loweringhervoicehalfatone。“Butyouneednotaskher，though；forIdon'tbelievehermotherknowsanythingaboutit。“
　　“YouaregoingtotheSprings，Isuppose，“saidMr。Ellsworth，bywayofchangingtheconversation。
　　“Iwishwewere！No；Adelinehastakenitintoherheadtoberomantic，forthefirsttimeinherlife。ShesayswemustgototheFalls；anditwillbeafortnightlostfromSaratoga。“
　　“But，haveyounowishtoseeNiagara？”
　　“Notabit；andIdon'tbelieveAdelinehas，either。Butitisnowondershedoesn'tcareabouttheSprings，nowshe'smarried；shebegantogotherefouryearsbeforeIdid。“
　　“HaveyouneverbeentoNiagara，Mrs。St。Leger？”continuedMr。
　　Ellsworth，addressingtheeldersister；who，fromthegiddy，belleishAdeline，wasnowmetamorphosedintothehalf-soberyoungmatron——thewifeofanindividual，whoinspiteoftheromanticappellationofTheodoreSt。Leger，wasaveryquiet，industriousbusiness-man，thenephewandadoptedsonofMr。Hopkins，Adeline'sBostonescort。Shehadbeensittingcontentedlybesidetheoldgentleman，forthelasthalfhour，leavingherunmarriedsistertoentertainthebeaux，accordingtoetiquette。
　　“No，IhaveneverbeentotheFalls；andallourpartybutmysisterEmma，seemedtothinkitwouldbeapleasantjaunt。“
　　“Mr。Hopkinshasenteredintoanengagementtosupplymewithatleasttwobeauxatatime，andaregularchangeallthewaytoNiagara，orelseIshouldn'thavecome，“saidMissEmma。
　　“Weareengagedatleastbytheday，Ihope，“interposedoneoftheattendantyoungmen。
　　“No，indeed；Ishouldbetiredtodeathofyou，formorethananhouratatime。Isha'n'tspeaktoYOUagain，untilwehavepassedWestPoint。“
　　“Ihavehadnotroubleasyet，mydear，inpickinguprecruits，“
　　saidMr。Hopkins，whoseattentionseemedequallydividedbetweenhissnuff-box，andthelittleHopkins，junior，onhisknee——hisgreat-nephew。
　　“Iftherearetwo，that'sallIcarefor；butIhatetohaveonlyonepersontotalkto。“
　　Mr。Ellsworthbithislips，topreventtheirexpressinghisopinion，thattheyoungladymustalwayshavealargecircleoflisteners。
　　“HaveyouseenMr。Wyllys'spartythismorning？”inquiredAdeline。
　　“TheWyllyses！——Aretheyonboard？”exclaimedMr。Ellsworth，withsurpriseandpleasure。“IthoughtthematSaratogabythistime。“
　　“Oh，no；theyaresomewhereontheothersideoftheboat；mysister-in-law，Mrs。Taylor'slittlegirliswiththem。
　　By-the-bye，Emma，IamgoingintothecabintolookafterJane；
　　willyougowithme？”
　　“No，indeed；Ihalethecabinofasteamboat！”
　　Adelinewasquitesatisfiedtoleavehersisterwiththeprospectofagoodsupplyofyoungmentoflirtwith；thoughmatrimonyhadchangedherinsomerespects，shestillconsidereditadutytoencouragetotheutmost，alllove-affairs，andflirtationsgoingoninherneighbourhood。Mr。Hopkinsresignedthelittleboytohismother'scare；Mr。St。Legerhelpedhiswifethroughthecrowd；and，undercoverofthemovementmadetoallowAdelinetopass，Mr。Ellsworthmadehisescape。Hiseyehadbeenalreadydirectedtowardstheoppositesideoftheboat，wherehehaddiscoveredthevenerable，benevolentfaceofMr。Wyllys，withthreeladiesnearhim。Mr。EllsworthimmediatelyrecognisedMissAgnes，Elinor，andMaryVanAlstyne。Itwasseveralminutesbeforehecouldedgehiswaythroughthecrowd，tojointhem；butwhenhereachedthespot，hewasreceivedverycordiallybyMr。
　　WyllysandMissAgnes，inafriendlymannerbyMaryVanAlstyne，andpossiblytherewassomethingofconsciousnessbetrayedbyElinor。
　　“IthoughtyoualreadyatSaratoga！”exclaimedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Weweredetainedseveraldays，waitingforMrs。Taylor，“repliedElinor，towhomtheremarkwasmade。
　　“WeshallnotbeatSaratogauntilMonday，“addedMr。Wyllys；“wearegoingtopassadayortwowithourfriends，theV——s，atPoughkeepsie。“
　　“Iamverysorrytohearit，“continuedMr。Ellsworth；“IhavepromisedtocarryMrs。CreightontoNahant，aboutthattime，andshallhavemyusualbadluckinmissingyou。“
　　{“Nahant“=sea-sideresortinMassachusetts，thenverypopular，justnorthofBoston}
　　“WemustpersuadeMrs。Creightonnottorunaway，“saidMr。
　　Wyllys。
　　AsElinorstoopedatthatmoment，tountiethehatoftheprettylittlecreatureatherside，itwasimpossibletosaywhetherthisintelligenceweredispleasingtoherornot。
　　“ThatisMrs。Taylor'schild，isitnot？”observedMr。Ellsworth，lookingatthelittlegirl。“SheisverylikeMrs。St。Leger。“
　　“Doyoureallythinkso？——wefancyherlikehermother，“saidElinor。
　　“HowisTallmanTaylornow？——hewasnotwellwhentheypassedthroughPhiladelphia。“
　　“Helooksbadlystill，“saidMissAgnes。“Heisveryimprudent，anddistressesJaneverymuchbyhiscarelessness。“
　　“Gentlemenneverseemtodowhatisrightwheninvalids，“
　　observedMaryVanAlstyne，smiling。“Theyareeitherveryreckless，andindifferenttotheirhealth，orelseover-careful。“
　　“Whatdoyousay，Mr。Ellsworth；isthataccounttrue？”askedMissWyllys。
　　“Idaresayitis——Ihavenodoubtweareverytroublesometoournurses。But，fortunately，womenareendowedwithadoublestockofpatience，tomakeupforourdeficiencies。IsMr。Tayloronboard？——Ihavenotseenhim。“
　　“No；heremainedintowntoattendtosomebusiness，“repliedMissWyllys。“WehavechargeofMrs。Taylor，however，whowasveryanxioustogetintothecountry，onaccountofheryoungestchild。“
　　“Isee，Mr。Ellsworth，thatoldIronsideshasarrivedatNorfolk，bringingMr。HenleyfromRio，“observedMr。Wyllys。
　　{“OldIronsides“=theUnitedStatesFrigate“Constitution“；intheearly1800s，U。S。navalshipsfrequentlycarrieddiplomatstoandfromtheirstations}
　　“Certainly；shearrivedonTuesday。“
　　“IsawitintheGlobe，lastnight，grandpapa，Mr。HenleyhadarrivedatWashington。Harryiswithhim，ofcourse，“saidElinor，inaquiet，naturaltone。
　　“Isupposedyouknewoftheirarrival，“observedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“IhavealetterfromHazlehurstinmypocket。HeseemstohavehadquiteenoughofRio。“
　　“Mr。Henley，Iunderstand，istalkedofasministertoRussia，“
　　saidMr。Wyllys。
　　“Yes；Ibelievethataffairissettled。“
　　“DoesHazlehurstmentionwhetherheisgoingwithMr。Henley？”
　　“Thatmaybeastatesecret，“saidElinor，smiling。
　　“Hehashadanofferofthesituation，Ibelieve——butdoesnotseemtohavemadeuphismind；heiscominghometolookabouthim，hesays，havingthreemonths'vacationatanyrate。“
　　TheshrilltoneofMissEmmaTaylor'svoicewasatthismomentheardsodistinctly，fromtheothersideoftheboatthatMr。
　　Wyllyslookedupfromhispaper，andMr。Ellsworthsmiled。Itwasveryevidenttheyoungladyhadinheritedthepeculiartoneofvoice，andallthecast-offanimationofhereldersister。
　　“MissTaylorseemstobeinverygoodspirits，“remarkedMr。
　　Ellsworth。
　　“Yes；shealwaystalksandlaughsagreatdeal，“repliedMaryVanAlstyne。
　　“Theyarenolongeryourneighbours，Iunderstand，sir。“
　　“No；Mr。TaylorsoldColonnadeManorthisspring；DeVauxhaspurchasedit，andchangedthenameoftheplace。ItisnowtobecalledBroadlawn，whichiscertainlyagreatimprovement。“
　　“AndwheredoesMr。Taylor'sfamilypassthesummer？”
　　“Why，Janetellsmeheisbuildingsomethinghecallsacottage，atRockaway，withinastone'sthrowoftheprincipalhotel。TheythoughtLongbridgetooquiet。“
　　Mrs。Taylor'slittlegirlhad，bythis，time，becomeverysleepy，andalittlefretful；andMissAgnesadvisedherbeingcarriedtohermother。Elinorledheraway，rather，itisbelieved，toMr。
　　Ellsworth'sregret。
　　Itwasnoeasytasktomakeone'swayamongthenurses，andbabies，andbaskets，fillingtheladies'cabin，whichwasmorethanusuallycrowded。ButatlengthElinorreachedJaneandAdeline，whoweresittingtogether。
　　Asingleglancewassufficienttoshowthatachangehadcomeoverthesetwoyoungwomen，sincethegiddydaysoftheirgirlhood。Janewaspale，butbeautifulasever；shewasholdingonherkneesasickchild，abouttwomonthsold，whichapparentlyengrossedallherattention。Whatwouldbehersystemasamother，mightbeforetoldbythemannerinwhichshepacifiedthelittlegirlElinorhadbroughtwithher。
　　“Givehersomecandy，Dinah，“shesaidtotheblacknurse；whosebroad，good-naturedfacewassooncoveredwithshiningmarksofaffection，fromthehandsoftheprettylittlecharge。
　　Adelinewaslesschangedinherappearancethanhersister-in-law；thatistosay，shewasasprettyasever，andneitherthinnorpale。Buttherewassomethinginherexpression，andagreatdealinhermanner，thatwasnolongerwhatithadbeenofold。Thatexcessiveanimationwhichhaddistinguishedherasabelle，hadbeenallowedtodieaway；andtherestlessexpression，producedbyaperpetuallabourtomakeconquests，whichwas，atonetime，alwaystobetraceduponherfeatures，hadnowvanishedentirely。Initsplacetherewasatouchofmatronlycareandaffection，morenatural，andfarmorepleasing。
　　She，too，wassittingbythesideofherchild，drivingawaythefliesfromthelittlething，whowassleepinginaberth。AdelineTaylorhadmarriedwell，inthebestsenseoftheword。Notthatshedeservedmuchcreditfordoingso，sinceshehadonlyaccidentally，asitwere，becomeattachedtotheyoungmanwhohappenedtobethemostdeservingamonghersuitors。Chancehadhadagreatdealtowiththematch，asithaswithmanymatches。
　　Shehad，however，onemerit——thatofnotrejectinghimonaccountofhiswantoffortune；althoughatthetime，shemighthavemarriedamanwhowouldhavegivenherafour-story，four-windowhouseinBroadway。Mr。Taylorhadnotinterfered：shehaddoneasshepleasedintheaffair。Itistrue，thatherfatherratherinclinedtowardstherichestsuitor；still，hetookitforgranted，thatifTheodoreSt。Legerhadnotafortuneatthetime，beingamerchant，hewould，ofcourse，makeoneinafewyears。ButMr。Taylor'sson-in-lawwasamanofverydifferentcharacterfromhimself；hewasaquiet，prudent，unostentatiousyoungman，ofgoodabilities，whohadreceivedbyeducationexcellentprinciples，andmoderateviews，andwhohadfalleninlovewithAdeline'sprettyface。Mr。Hopkins，hisuncleandadoptedfather，wasaveryworthyman，thoughalittleeccentric，andrathertoomuchgiventosnuff，andoldcoats，andredhandkerchiefs。NoonestoodbetteronChangethanJohnHopkins，whosewordhadbeenasgoodashisbond，throughoutalonglife。
　　Hewasamanofsomepropertytoo，buthehadonlygivenhisnephewenoughtobeginlifeverymoderately。EvenwiththeveryliberalallowancewhichMr。Taylorfreelygavehischildren，Adeline，whenshemarried，wasobligedtoliveinamuchplainerandquieterwaythanshehaddoneforthelastfiveorsixyears。
　　{“Change“=thestockexchange}
　　Altogether，however，theyoungcoupleseemedtoagreeverywell，inspiteofthedifferenceintheircharacters：apretty，good-naturedwifewasalltheyoungmerchanthadwishedfor；andAdelinewasreallyattachedtoherhusband，whosechieffaultseemedtobeinhiscoats，whichwererathertoomuchafterthefashionofthoseofUncleHopkins。
　　Jane'sfatehadprovedlesshappythanthatofherfriendAdeline。TallmanTaylor'shabitsofextravagancehadledthemintodifficultiesinmorewaysthanone。Hehadspentfarmorethanhisincome，andhiscarelessnessinbusinesshadprovedagreatdisadvantagetothehousewithwhichhewasconnected。
　　Duringthelastyear，mattershadgrownworseandworse；hehadneglectedhiswife，andlostlargesumsatthegambling-table。
　　PoorJanehadpassedsomeunhappymonths，andtracesofsorrowweretobeseenonherpaleface。Towardsthelastofthewinter，youngTaylorhadbeendangerouslyillwithamalignantfeverprevailinginNewOrleans；andasalongconvalescenceinterferedwithhisdissipatedhabits，andconfinedhimforsometimetohisownhouse，hisfriendshopedthathewouldhavetimeandleisuretomakesomeusefulreflections。Buttheyweredeceived；sicknessandsufferingonlymadehimmoreselfishandirritable：poorJanehadalreadypaidaheavypenanceforherduplicity，andherobstinacyinmarryinghim。Mr。Taylorhadquarrelledwithhispartners；anditwastheobjectofhispresentvisittoNewYork，topersuadehisfathertomakesomeheavyadvancesinhisbehalf，asotherwisehewouldberuined。Jane，itistrue，knewbutlittleofherhusband'saffairs；still，shesawandheardenoughtomakeheranxiousforthefuture，andshegaveherselfuptomelancholyrepining，whilehermannerlostallcheerfulness。Herfather'sfamilywereinCharleston，andshehadnotseenthemformorethanatwelvemonth；butMr。RobertHazlehurst，MissAgnes，andElinorhaddoneallthatwaspossibletosupplytheirplace，sinceshehadbeenintheirneighbourhood。Adeline，too，waswellenoughdisposedtowardshersister-in-law，butshehadneitherthegoodsensenorthedelicacyofMissWyllysandElinor，andwasfarlesssuccessfulinherfriendlyefforts。ThesocietyofherauntandcousinseemedarelieftoJane；anditwasattheirrequestthatshewasgoingtopassafortnightwiththematSaratoga，whereMissAgneshadbeenorderedbyherphysician。
　　Elinor，onjoininghercousininthecabin，triedtopersuadeJanetohavethesickchildcarriedondeck，forthesakeofthefreshair，butshedidnotsucceed；andnotwishingtoleaveMrs。