AsusualatSaratoga，earlythenextmorninggroupsofpeoplewereseenmovingfromthedifferenthotels，towardstheCongressSpring。Itwasapleasantday，andgreatnumbersappeareddisposedtodrinkthewateratthefountain-head，insteadofhavingitbroughttotheirrooms。TheHazlehurstswerenottheonlypartyofouracquaintanceswhohadarrivedthenightbefore。
　　TheWyllysesfoundMissEmmaTayloralreadyontheground，chatteringinahighkeywithatall，whiskeredyouth。ThemomentshesawElinor，shesprangforwardtomeether。
　　{“CongressSpring“=principalmineralwatersourceatSaratogaSprings}
　　“Howdoyoudo，MissWyllys？——Areyounotsurprisedtoseemehere？”
　　“Onecanhardlybesurprisedatmeetinganybodyinsuchacrowd，“
　　saidElinor。“Whendidyouarrive？”
　　“Lastnight，ateleveno'clock。WemadeaforcedmarchfromSchenectady，whereweweretohaveslept；butIpersuadedAdelineandMr。St。Legertocomeon。Youcan'tthinkhowdelightedIamtobehere，atlast，“saidtheprettylittlecreature，actuallyskippingaboutwithjoy。
　　“AndwhereisMrs。St。Leger？”
　　“Oh，shewillhehereinamoment。ShehasgonetoJane'sroom。I
　　lefthertherejustnow。“
　　Theplatformroundthespringwasquitecrowded。Inoneparty，ElinorremarkedMrs。HilsonandMissEmmelineHubbard，escortedbyMonsieurBonnetandanotherFrenchman。TheyweresoonfollowedbyasetmoreinterestingtoElinor，theHazlehursts，Mrs。
　　Creighton，andherbrother。
　　“IhopenoneofyourpartyfromWyllys-Roofareherefromnecessity，“saidHarry，afterwishingElinorgood-morning。
　　“Notexactlyfromnecessity；butthephysiciansrecommendedtoAuntAgnestopassafortnighthere，thissummer。Youmayhaveheardthatshewasquiteill，ayearago？”
　　“Yes；Robert，ofcourse，wrotemewordofherillness。ButMissWyllyslooksquitelikeherself，Ithink。AsforMr。Wyllys，hereallyappearsuncommonlywell。“
　　“Thankyou；grandpapaisverywell，indeed；andAuntAgneshasquiterecoveredherhealth，Itrust。“
　　“MissWyllys，“saidMr。Stryker，offeringaglassofthewatertoElinor，“can'tIpersuadeyoutotakeasympatheticcup，thismorning？”
　　“Ibelievenot，“repliedElinor，shakingherhead。
　　“Doyouneverdrinkit“'askedMrs。Creighton。
　　“No；Ireallydislikeitverymuch。“
　　“Pray，giveittome，Mr。Stryker，“continuedMrs。Creighton。
　　“Thankyou：Iamcondemnedtodrinkthreeglasseseverymorning，anditwillbethreehours，atthisrate，beforeIgetthem。“
　　“Didyoueverhearabettershriekthanthat，MissWyllys？”saidMr。Stryker，loweringhisvoice，andpointingtoEmmaTaylor，whowasstandingontheoppositesideofthespring，engagedinanoisy，rattlingflirtation。Afterdrinkinghalftheglassthathadbeengiventoher，shehadhandedittotheyoungmantowhomshewastalking，biddinghimdrinkitwithoutmakingaface。Ofcourse，theyouthimmediatelyexertedhimselftomakeagrimace。
　　“Oh，younaughtyboy！”screamedMissTaylor，seizinganotherhalf-emptyglass，andthrowingahandfulofwaterinhisface；
　　“thisisthewayIshallpunishyou！”
　　Thereweretwogentlemen，Europeantravellers，standingimmediatelybehindElinoratthismoment，andthecolourroseinhercheeksassheheardtheveryunfavourableobservationstheymadeuponMissTaylor，judgingfromhernoisymannerinapublicplace。Elinor，whounderstoodverywellthelanguageinwhichtheyspoke，wassoshutinbythecrowdthatshecouldnotmove，andwascompelledtohearpartofaconversationthatdeeplymortifiedher，asthesetravellers，apparentlygentlemanlymenthemselves，exchangedopinionsuponthemannersofcertainyoungladiestheyhadrecentlymet。Theybegantocomparenotes，andrelatedseverallittleanecdotes，anythingbutflatteringintheirnature，tothedelicacyoftheladiesalludedto；actuallynamingtheindividualsastheyproceeded。MorethanoneoftheseyounggirlswaswellknowntoElinor，andfromheracquaintancewiththeirusualtoneofmannerandconversation，shehadlittledoubtastothetruthofthestoriesthesetravellershadrecordedfortheamusementofthemselvesandtheirfriends；atthesametime，shefeltperfectlyconvincedthattheinterpretationputuponthesegiddy，thoughtlessactions，wascruellyunjust。Couldtheseyoungladieshaveheardtheobservationstowhichtheyhadlaidthemselvesopenbytheirownfolly，theywouldhavebeensoberedatonce；self-respectwouldhaveputthemmoreontheirguard，ESPECIALLYINTHEIR
　　INTERCOURSEWITHFOREIGNERS。Itis，nodoubt，delightfultoseeyoungpersonsfreefromeverysuspicion；noonewouldwishtoimposeasinglerestraintbeyondwhatisnecessary；but，surely，ayounggirlshouldnotonlybesanspeur，butalsosansreproche——thefaintestimputationonhernativemodestyisnottobeendured：and，yet，whohasnotseenpretty，delicatecreatures，scarcelyarrivedatwomanhood，actuallyassuminganoisy，forwardpertness，foreigntotheirnature，merelytoqualifythemfortheenviedtitleofbelles？Thereissomethingwrong，certainly，whereversuchapainfulpictureisexhibited；
　　anditmaybepresumedthatinmostcasesthefaultliesratherwiththeparentsthanthedaughters。Happily，thegiddy，rattlingschooltowhichMissEmmaTaylorbelonged，ismuchlessinfavournow，thanitwassometenorfifteenyearsago，atthedateofourstory。
　　{“sanspeur，butalsosansreproche“=withoutfear，butalsowithoutreproachFrench；theFrenchnationalheroBayard1476-1524，istraditionallycalled“LeChevaliersanspeuretsansreproche“}
　　“HowlittledoEmmaTaylor，andgirlslikeher，imaginethecruelremarkstowhichtheyexposethemselvesbytheirfoolishmanners！”thoughtElinor，asshesucceededatlength，withtheassistanceofMr。Ellsworth，inextricatingherselffromthecrowd。
　　AstheWyllyspartymovedawayfromthespring，towalkintheprettywoodadjoining，theysawayoungmancomingtowardsthemataveryrapidpace。
　　“Whoisit——anyoneyouknow，MissWyllys？”askedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Heisinpursuitofsomeotherparty，Ifancy，“repliedElinor。
　　“ItisCharlieHubbardcomingtojoinus；didweforgettomentionthathecameuptheriverwithus？”saidHarry，whowasfollowingElinor，withMrs。CreightonandMr。Stryker。
　　Theyoungpaintersoonreachedthem，astheyimmediatelystoppedtowelcomehim；hewasverykindlyreceivedbyhisoldfriends。
　　“Well，Charlie，myboy，“saidMr。Wyllys，“ifHarryhadnotbeenheretovouchforyouridentity，IamnotsurebutIshouldhavetakenyouforanexiledItalianbandit。HaveyoushownthosemoustachesatLongbridge？”
　　“Yes，sir；“repliedCharlie，laughing。“Isurprisedmymotherandsisterbyasightofthem，sometendayssince；itrequiredalltheirgood-nature，Ibelieve，toexcusethem。“
　　“Idaresaytheywouldhavebeengladtoseeyou，ifyouhadcomebacklookinglikeaTurk，“saidElinor。
　　“Iamdeterminednottoshaveforsomemonths，outofprinciple；
　　justtoshowmyfriendsthatIamthesameCharlieHubbardwithmoustachesthatIwasthreeyearsagowithoutthem。“
　　“Isupposeyouconsideritpartofyourprofessiontolookaspicturesqueasourstiff-cutbroadclothwillpermit，“saidMr。
　　Wyllys。
　　“Ifyoureallysuspectmeofdandyism，sir，“saidCharlie，“I
　　shallhavetoreformatonce。“
　　“Iamafraid，Mr。Hubbard，thatyouhaveforgottenme，“observedMr。Ellsworth；“thoughIpassedaverypleasantmorningatyourroomsinNewYork，someyearssince。“
　　Charlierememberedhim，however；andalsomadehisbowtoMrs。
　　CreightonandMr。Stryker。
　　“AndhowdidyouleavetheMediterranean，sir？”askedMr。
　　Stryker，inadrytone。“Wastheseaingoodlooks？”
　　“Asblueasever。IamonlyafraidmyfriendsinthiscountrywillnotbelievethecolourIhavegivenitinmysketches。“
　　“Weareboundtobelieveallyourrepresentationsofwater，“
　　remarkedMr。Wyllys。
　　“Ihopeyouhavebroughtbackagreatdealforustosee；haveyouanythingwithyouhere？”askedElinor。
　　“Onlymysketch-book。Iwouldnotbringanythingelse；forImustgetridofmyrecollectionsofItaly。ImustaccustommyeyeagaintoAmericannature；IhaveagreatdealtodowithLakeGeorge，thissummer。“
　　“ButyoumusthavesomethinginNewYork，“saidMissWyllys。
　　“Yes；Ihavebroughthomewithmesamplesofwater，fromsomeofthemostcelebratedlakesandriversinEurope。“
　　“Thatisdelightful，“saidElinor；“andwhencanweseethem？”
　　“Assoonastheyareunpacked，Ishallbeveryhappytoshowthemtomyfriends。Theywillprobablyinterestyouonaccountofthelocalities；andIhaveendeavouredtobeasfaithfultonatureasIcould，ineveryinstance。Youwillfindseveralviewsfamiliartoyou，amongthenumber，“addedCharlie，addressingHazlehurst。
　　“Ihavenodoubtthatyouhavedonethemjustice。“
　　“TheyarefarfrombeingasgoodasIcouldwish；butIdidmybest。Youwillfindsomeimprovement，sir，Ihope，“addedCharlie，turningtoMr。Wyllys，“sincemyfirstattemptatChewattanLake，inthedaysofCompoundInterest。“
　　“Youhavenotforgottenyouroldenemy，theArithmetic，“saidMr。
　　Wyllys，smiling。“IamafraidFortunewillneversmileuponyouforhavingdesertedfromtheranksoftrade。“
　　“Iamnotsureofthat，sir；sheiscapricious，youknow。“
　　“Ishouldthinkyouwoulddowell，Charlie，totryyourluckjustnow，byanexhibitionofyourpictures。“
　　“Myunclehasalreadyproposedanexhibition；butIdoubtitssuccess；ourpeopledon'toftenrunaftergoodpictures，“headded，smiling。“IfIhadbroughtwithmesometrashfromParisorLeghorn，Imighthavemadeamintofmoney。“
　　Ageneralconversationcontinueduntilthepartyreturnedtowardsthehotels。Theyweremet，astheyapproachedCongressHall，byseveralpersons，twoofwhomprovedtobeMrs。Hilson，andMissEmmelineHubbard。CharliehadalreadyseenhiscousinsinNewYork，andhemerelybowedinpassing。MissEmmelinewasleaningonthearmofM。Bonnet，Mrs。HilsononthatofanotherFrenchman，whosename，asthe“BaronAdolphedeMontbrun，“hadbeenconstantlyonherlipsduringthelastfewweeks，orinotherwords，eversinceshehadmadehisacquaintance。Charliekepthiseyefixedonthisindividual，withasingularexpressionofsurpriseandvexation，untilhehadpassed。Hethoughthecouldnotbemistaken，thathiscousin'scompanionwasnootherthanamanofverybadcharacter，whohadbeeninRomeatthesametimewithhimself，andhavingmarriedthewidowofanItalianartist，asisterofoneofHubbard'sfriends，hadobtainedpossessionofherlittleproperty，andthendesertedher。ThewholeaffairhadtakenplacewhileCharliewasinRome；
　　anditwillreadilybeimaginedthathefeltnolittleindignation，whenhemetapersonwhomhestronglysuspectedofbeingthisverychevalierd'industrie，flourishingatSaratoga，bythesideofhisuncleJoseph'sdaughter。
　　{“chevalierd'industrie“=conman；swindler；manwholivesbyhiswitsFrench}
　　CharliehadnosoonerlefttheWyllysesonthepiazzaatCongressHall，thanheproceededtomakesomeinquiryaboutthisFrenchman。Hefoundhisnamedowninthebooksofthehotel，astheBaronAdolphedeMontbrun，whichwiththeexceptionofALPHONSEforthefirstname，wastheappellationoftheverymanwhohadbehavedsobadlyatRome。HewenttoMrs。Hilson，andtoldherhissuspicions；buttheyhadnottheleasteffectonthe“citylady；“shewouldnotbelievethem。Charliehadnopositiveproofofwhatheasserted；hecouldnotbeconfidentbeyondadoubtastotheidentityofthispersonandtheMontbrunoftheRomanstory，forhehadonlyseenthatindividualonceinItaly。
　　Still，hewasconvincedhimself，andheentreatedhiscousintobeonherguard；theeffectofhisrepresentationsmaybeappreciatedfromthefact，thatMrs。HilsonbecamemoreamiablethaneverwiththeBaron，whileshewaspoutingandsulkywithCharlie，scarcelycondescendingtonoticehimatall。Hubbardonlyremainedtwenty-fourhoursatSaratoga，forhewasonhiswaytoLakeGeorge；beforehelefttheSprings，however，hehintedtoMr。WyllyshissuspicionsofthisMontbrun，inordertopreventthatindividual'sintrudingupontheladiesoftheWyllysparty；forMrs。Hilsondelightedinintroducinghimrightandleft。Asforherothercompanion，M。Bonnet，hewasknowntobearespectablemerchantinNewYork。
　　Severaldayspassed，duringwhichourfriendsatSaratoga，liketherestoftheworldthere，walked，androde，anddrankthewaters，andseemedtopasstheirtimeverypleasantly；althoughtheladiesdidnoteitherdressorflirtasmuchasmanyoftheircompanions，whoseemedtolookuponthesetwooccupationsasthepeculiarbusinessoftheplace。Jane'sspiritsimprovedverymuch；therewasmuchcuriositytoseeher，onaccountofherreputationasabeauty；but，liketherestofherparty，shewasonlyoccasionallyinthepublicrooms。
　　“HaveyouseenthebeautifulMrs。Taylor？”——“IcaughtaglimpseofMrs。Taylor，thegreatbeauty，thismorning——“What，thebeautifulJaneGrahamthatwas？issheaslovelyasever？”——wereremarksthatwerefrequentlyheardinthecrowd。
　　Elinoralsocameinforhershareofthepublicnotice，andtheattentionsheattractedwas，ofcourse，ofadirectlyoppositecharacter。TherehappenedtobestayingatCongressHall，justthen，averyprettyyounglady，fromSavannah，whowasalsoconsideredagreatfortune；shewasknownasthe“lovelyheiress，“whileElinor，incontradistinction，wasspokenofasthe“uglyheiress。“
　　“Doyouknow，“saidayounglady，standingonthepiazzaoneevening，“Ihavenotyetseentheuglyheiress。Ishouldliketogetapeepather；isshereallysoveryugly？”shecontinued，addressingayoungmanatherside。
　　“MissWyllys，youmean；aperfectfright——uglyassin，“repliedthegentleman。
　　Elinor，attheverymoment，wasstandingimmediatelybehindthespeakers，andMr。Ellsworth，whowastalkingtoher，wasmuchafraidshehadheardtheremark。Tocutshorttheconversation，heimmediatelyaddressedherhimself，raisinghisvoicealittle，andcallingherbyname。
　　Theyoungladywasquitefrightened，whenshefoundthe“uglyheiress“washernearneighbour，andeventhedandywasabashed；
　　butElinorherselfwasratheramusedwiththecircumstance，andshesmiledattheevidentmortificationofthespeakers。NeverwasthereawomanmorefreefrompersonalvanitythanElinorWyllys；andshewasindifferenttoremarksofthiskind，toadegreethatwouldseemscarcelycredibletothatclassofyoungladies，whothinknosoundsodelightfulasthatofacompliment。
　　Ontheeveninginquestion，thepiazzaswerecrowdedwiththeinmatesofthehotels；thosewhohadfeelingforthebeautiesofnature，andthosewhohadnot，cameoutalike，toadmireanunusualeffectofmoonlightuponafinemassofclouds。ElinorwassoonawarethatshewasintheneighbourhoodofMrs。Hilsonandhersister，bythesillyconversationtheywerekeepingupwiththeircompanions。TheseLongbridgeladiesgenerallykeptwiththeirownparty，whichwasalargeone。TheWyllyseswerenotsorrythattheyseldommet；for，littleastheylikedthesisters，theywishedalwaystotreatthemcivilly，onaccountoftheirfather。TheEnglishartof“cutting“is，indeed，littlepractisedinAmerica；exceptinextremecases；allclassesaretoosocialintheirfeelingsandhabitstoadoptit。Itis，indeed，anhonourablecharacteristicofthosewhooccupythehighestsocialpositioninAmerica——thosewhohavereceived，ineveryrespect，thebesteducationinthecountry——that，asaclass，theyarefreefromthelittle，selfish，ungenerousfeelingofmereexclusiveism。
　　“Oh，hereyouare，MissWyllys！”exclaimedEmmelineHubbardtoElinor，whowastalkingtoMrs。Creighton。“Ihavebeenwishingtoseeyoualltheafternoon——Ioweyouanapology。“
　　“Anapologytome，MissHubbard？——Iwasnotatallawareofit。“
　　“Isitpossible？Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkmeveryrudethismorning，whenIspoketoyouinthedrawing-room，fortherewasagentlemanwithyouatthetime。OfcourseIoughtnottohavejoinedyouatsuchamoment，butIwasanxioustogiveyoutheLongbridgenews。“
　　“Certainly；Iwasverygladtohearit：theconversationyouinterruptedwasaverytriflingone。“
　　“Oh，IdidnotwishtoinsinuatethatyouwereconversingonaPARTICULARLYinterestingsubject。But，ofcourse，Iamtoowellacquaintedwiththeetiquetteofpolishedcircles，nottoknowthatitiswrongforoneyoungladytointrudeuponanotherwhileconversingwithagentleman。
　　“Iftherebesuchapointofetiquette，Imusthaveoftenbrokenitveryinnocently，myself。Ihaveneverpractisedit，Iassureyou。“
　　“Ah，thatisveryimprudent，MissWyllys！”saidthefairEmmeline，shakingherfanatElinor。“Whoknowshowmuchmischiefonemaydo，inthatway？Youmightactuallypreventadeclaration。Andthenayoungladyis，ofcourse，alwaystooagreeablyoccupiedinentertainingabeau，towishtoleavehimforafemalefriend。Itisnoteverybodywhowouldbeasgood-naturedasyourselfatsuchaninterruption。“
　　“Ihavenomeritwhateverinthematter，Iassureyou；forIwasverygladtofindthat——“
　　JustatthatmomentoneofMissHubbard'sadmirersapproachedher，andwithoutwaitingtoheartheconclusionofElinor'sremark，sheturnedabruptlyfromthelady，tomeetthegentleman，withastrikingincreaseofgrace，andtheexpressionofthegreatestinterestinherwholemanner。
　　Elinorsmiled，asthethoughtoccurredtoher，thatthislastactofrudenesswasreallytryingtohergood-nature，whileshehadneverdreamedofresentingtheinterruptionofthemorning。ButMissHubbardwasonlyfollowingthecodeofetiquette，tacitlyadoptedbytheclassofyoungladiesshebelongedto，whoneverscrupledtomaketheirmannertomen，muchmoreattentiveandflatteringthantowardsoneofthemselves，oreventowardsanolderpersonoftheirownsex。
　　Elinor，however，hadseensuchmanoeuvresbefore，andshewouldscarcelyhavenoticeditatthemoment，haditnotbeenforMissEmmeline'spreviousapology。
　　Mrs。Hilsonsoonapproachedher。“HasEmmelinebeencommunicatingourLongbridgeintelligence，MissWyllys？Doyouthinkitagoodmatch？”
　　“Ihopeitwillproveso；wewereverygladtohearofit。MaryVanHorneisagreatfavouriteofmyaunt's，andMr。Roberts，I
　　hear，ishighlyspokenof。“
　　“Yes；andheisveryrich；too；shehasnothingatallherself；I
　　believe。''
　　“DoyouknowwhethertheyaretoliveinNewYork？Ihopetheywillnotgoveryfarfromus。“
　　“Isupposetheywillliveinthecity，asheissowealthy；Marywillhaveanopportunityoftastingthefascinationsofhighlife。Ishallintroducehertoacliqueofgreatrefinementatonce。Don'tyouthinkSaratogathemostdelightfulplaceintheworld，MissWyllys？Iamneversohappyaswhenhere。Idelightsomuchinthegayworld；itappearstomethatIbreathemorefreelyinacrowd——solitudeoppressesme；doyoulikeit？”
　　“Ihavenevertrieditverylong。Ifyoulikeacrowd，youmustbeperfectlysatisfied，justnow。“
　　''AndsoIam，MissWyllys，perfectlyhappyinthesefashionablescenes。Doyouknow，itisafact，thatIlosemyappetiteunlessIcansitdowntotablewithatleastthirtyorfortyfashionablydressedpeopleaboutme；andIneversleepsounderthanonboardasteamboat，wheretheflooriscoveredwithmattresses。Iamnotmadeforretirement，certainly。Ah，MonsieurBonnet，hereyouareagain，Isee；whathaveyoudonewiththeBaron？——isnottheBaronwithyou？”
　　“No，Madame；hehasnotfinishhiscigar。AndwhereisMlle。
　　Emmeline？——Ihopeshehasnotabandonneme！”saidM。Bonnet，who，todohimjustice，wasasufficientlyrespectableman，aFrenchmerchantinNewYork，andnowayconnectedwiththeBaron。
　　“Oh，no；sheishere；wewerewaitingfortheBaronandyoutoescortustothedrawing-room；butwewillremainuntiltheBaroncomes。Ihaveheardsomethingthatwillputyouingood-humour，anotherofthosemarriagesyouadmiresomuch——oneofthepartiesrollinginwealthandluxury，theotherpoorasJob'sturkey。“
　　“Ah，vraiment；thatisindeeddelightful；celaestforttouchant；
　　thatshowsomuchsensibilite，toappreciatelemerite，thoughsufferingfrompoverty。Amarriagelikethatmustbebeaucommeunreved'Amour！”
　　{“vraiment“=truly；“celaestforttouchant“=thatisverytouching；“beaucommeunreved'Amour“=asbeautifulasadreamofLoveFrench}
　　“Youarequiteromanticonthesubject；butdon'tpeoplemakesuchmatchesinFrance？”
　　“Ah，non，Madame；lefroidcalculdominatesthereatsuchtimes。
　　IhonourthebeautifulpracticethatiscommoninvotrejeuneAmerique；celarappellelesiecled'or。Cantherebeatableaumoredelicieuxthanacoupleunisundersuchcirconstances？Thehappyepoux，ayoungmanperhaps，offorty，andlafemmeacreatureangelique；“hereM。BonnetcastaglanceatMissEmmeline；“unecreatureangelique，whoknowsthatheadoresher，andwhosaystohim，'monamijet'aime，jeveuxfairetonbonheur，'andwhobestowsonhimherwholeheart，andherwholefortune；whilehe，ofcourse，oppressedwithgratitude，laboursonlytoincreasethatfortune，thathemayhaveitinhispowertomakethelifeofhisbienaimeebeautifulcommeunjourdefete。“
　　{“froidcalcul“=coldcalculation；“votrejeune……“=youryoungAmerica；itremindsoneofthegoldenage；“tableaumoredelicieuxthanacoupleunisundersuchcirconstances“=aprettierpicturethanacoupleunitedundersuchcircumstances；
　　“epoux“=husband。“lafemmeacreatureangelique“=thewifeanangeliccreature；“monami，jet'aime，jeveuxfairetonbonheur“
　　=myfriend，Iloveyou，Iwishtomakeyouhappy；“bienaimeebeautifulcommeunjourdefete“=belovedasbeautifulasadayoffestivalmixedFrenchandEnglish}
　　“Youareeloquent，Mr。Bonnet。“
　　“N'estcepasunsujet，Madame，totoucherlecoeurdel'hommeinamostdelicatepoint；amanwhocouldbeinsensibletosuchdelicacy，tosuchaimabletendresse，wouldbenobetterthanoneofyoursauvages，oneofyourMohicans！”
　　{“N'estcepasunsujet，Madame，totoucherlecoeurdel'homme……“=Isthisnotasubject，Madame，whichtouchestheheartofman……；“tosuchaimabletendresse“=tosuchpleasantaffectionmixedFrenchandEnglish}
　　“Well，Idon'tthinksomuchofit，becauseitisverycommonhere；suchmatcheshappeneveryday。“
　　“Andwhoarethehappycoupleyourefertoatpresent？”
　　“'TisayounggentlemanofNewYorkcity，Mr。Roberts，whoisgoingtomarryayounglady，whosefatherisaneighbourofpa's。“
　　“Andwhatisthesumtheyoungladyhasbestoweduponhergratefuladorateur？”
　　“Oh，theladyhasnotanythingtobestowinthiscase；itisthegentleman，whoisverywealthy，anddoingaveryhandsomebusinessinNewYork。“
　　“Ah，“saidM。Bonnet，takingapinchofsnuff；“thatisnotsointerestingIthink，aswhenthemariisthefavouredparty。Theheartofmanismoresusceptibleoflastinggratitudeforuntelbienfait。“
　　{“mari“=husband；“untelbienfait“=suchafavorFrench}
　　“Thegentlemanhasallthemoney，thistime；Idon'tthinkMaryVanHornewillhaveacent；doyou，MissWyllys？”
　　ButElinorwasgone。AstheBaronappeared，however，Mrs。Hilsondidnotregretit。
　　“Ah，Baron，Ithoughtyouwerenevercoming。Yououghttobemuchobligedtome，forIhadjusttoldMonsieurBonnet，wemustnotmovetilltheBaroncomes；theBaronwillnotknowwheretofindus。“
　　CHAPTERVII。{XXX}
　　“Theysitconferring。“
　　TamingtheShrew。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“TheTamingoftheShrew“，V。ii。102}
　　THEusualeveningcirclehadcollectedinMissWyllys'sparlour，withtheadditionofMaryVanAlstyne，whohadjustarrivedfromPoughkeepsie，andMrs。St。Leger。MissEmmaTaylorhadgonetoaconcertwithhergood-naturedbrother-in-law，andacoupleofheradmirers。Janeandhersister-in-law，Adeline，weresittingtogetherinacorner，talkingpartlyabouttheirbabies，partlyaboutwhatthesetwoyoungmatronscalled“oldtimes；“thatistosay，eventswhichhadtranspiredasfarbackasthreeorfouryearspreviously。Tothem，however，thosewere“oldtimes；“for，sincethen，thehopesandfears，caresandpleasures，ofthetwofriendsweremuchchanged。
　　Amongtherestofthepartytheconversationbecamemoregeneral；
　　forElinorhadjustfinishedasong，andMr。WyllyshadjustbeatenMrs。Creightonatagameofchess。
　　“Mr。Hazlehurst，praywhathaveyoudonewithmysayaymanto？”
　　askedtheprettywidow，takingaseatatthesideofElinor，onasofa。“Herehaveyoubeen，three，four，fivedays，andIhavenotevenalludedtoit，which，youmustobserveisagreatactofforbearanceinalady，whenthereisapieceoffineryinquestion。“
　　{“sayaymanto“=skirtandcloakSpanish}
　　“IamreallyashamedofmyselffornothavingreporteditsafeatPhiladelphia，before。Iwouldnotsendittoyourhouse，whenI
　　heardyouwerehere，forIwishedtodeliveritinperson；andI
　　didnotbringitwithme，becauseMrs。Hazlehursttoldmeitwastoowarmforafashionableladytowearanythingasheavyasblacksilkforthenextthreemonths。“
　　“Well，ofcourseIamverymuchobligedtoyouforthetroubleyouhavehadwithit；butIshalldeferthankingyouformally，untilIfindoutwhetheritisbecomingornot。“
　　“DoyouexpecttomakeaverycaptivatingSpaniard？”askedMr。
　　Stryker。
　　“Ishalldomybest，certainly；butIshallleaveyoutodecidehowfarIsucceed，Mr。Stryker。AretheBrazilianwomenpretty，Mr。Hazlehurst？——whatdotheylooklike？”
　　“VerylikePortuguese，“wastheanswer。
　　“MorethantheAmericanslookliketheEnglish？”inquiredElinor。
　　“Farmore，“saidHarry；“butyouknowthereislessdifferencebetweentheclimatesofBrazilandPortugal，thanbetweenoursandthatofEngland。“
　　“Formypart，“observedMr。Ellsworth，“IdonotthinkwelookintheleastliketheEnglish——neithermennorwomen。Wearegettingveryfasttohaveadecidedphysiognomyofourown。IthinkI
　　couldpickoutanAmericanfromamongacrowdofEuropeans，almostassoonasIcouldaTurk。“
　　“Youalwayspiquedyourself，Ellsworth，uponhavingaquickeyefornationalcharacteristics。Weusedtotryhimveryoften，whenwewereinEurope，Mrs。Creighton，andImustdohimthejusticetosayheseldomfailed。“
　　“Oh，yes；IknowallFrank'sopinionsonthesubject，“repliedMrs。Creighton：“itisquiteahobbywithhim。“
　　“WhatdoyouthinkarethephysicalcharacteristicsoftheAmericans，ascomparedwithourEnglishkinsmen？”inquiredMr。
　　Wyllys。
　　“Weareadarker，athinner，andapalerpeople。ThebestspecimensoftheEnglishhavetheadvantageinmanlinessofformandcarriage；theAmericanissuperiorinactivity，intheexpressionofintelligenceandenergyinthecountenance。TheEnglishpeculiaritiesintheirworstshapeare，coarsenessandheavinessofform；abrutal，dullcountenance；theworstpeculiaritiesamongtheAmericansare，anapparentwantofsubstanceintheform，andacold，cunningexpressionoffeatures。Iusedoftentowonder，whentravellinginEurope，particularlyinFranceandGermany，atthenumberofheavyformsandcoarsefeatures，whichstrikeonesooftenthere，evenamongthewomen，andwhicharesoveryuncommoninAmerica。“
　　“Yes；thatbrutalcoarsenessoffeatures，whichstoodforthemodeloftheoldSatyrs，isscarcelytobemetinthiscountry，thoughbynomeansuncommoninmanypartsofEurope，“observedHazlehurst。
　　“Iwasverymuchstrucktheotherevening，atthedance，withtheappearanceofthewomen，“continuedMr。Ellsworth。“Notthattheyaresobrilliantintheirbeauty——oneseesbeautifulwomenineverycountry；buttheyaresopeculiarlyfeminine，andgenerallypretty，asawhole。Byroom-fulls，enmasse，theyappeartomoreadvantageIthink，thananyotherwomen；thegeneraleffectisveryseldombrokenbycoarsenessofface，orunmanageableawkwardnessofform。“
　　“Yes，youareright，“saidMr。Stryker。“Thereisavastdealofprettiness，andverylittlerepulsiveuglinessamongthewomeninthiscountry。Butitstrikesmetheyareincliningalittletoomuchtotheidea，justnow，thatallthebeautyintheworldiscollectedintheseUnitedStates，which，asweallknowisratheramistakenopinion。“
　　“Certainly；thatwouldbeanextremelyridiculousnotion。“
　　“Youthinkdelicacythen，thepeculiarcharacteristicofAmericanbeauty？”saidMr。Wyllys。
　　“Yes，sir；butIcouldpointoutothers，too。BrownhairandhazeleyesareanothercommonfeatureinAmericanbeauty。Ifyoulookovertheprettywomenofyouracquaintance，youwillfindthatthecaseIthink。“
　　“LikeMrs。Creighton's，“saidElinor，smiling。
　　“No；Josephine'sfeaturesarenotsufficientlyregularforabeauty，“saidherbrother，good-naturedly。
　　“Ishan'tgetacomplimentfromFrank，MissWyllys，“repliedthewidow，shakingherhead。“Iagreewithhim，though，aboutthebrown-hairedbeauties；for，Ioncetookthetroubletocountovermyacquaintances，andIfoundagreatmanythatansweredhisdescription。Ithinkitthepredominatingcolouramongus。Iamcertainlyincludedinthebrowntribemyself，andsoareyou，MissWyllys。“
　　“Asfarasthecolourofmyhairgoes，“repliedElinor，withasmilewhichseemedtosay，talkon，Ihavenofeelingonthesubjectofmyplainface。Oneortwopersonspresenthadactuallypaused，thinkingtheconversationwastakinganunfortunateturn，asoneoftheladiespresentwasundeniablywantinginbeauty。Toencouragethenaturalpursuitofthesubject，Elinorremarkedthat，“lighthairanddecidedlyblueeyes，likeMrs。St。Leger's，arenotsoverycommon，certainly；nortrueblackhairandeyeslikeyour's，Jane。“
　　“Youarealmostasmuchgiventocompliments，MissWyllys，asI
　　am，“saidMrs。Creighton；“Ihavetosayasaucythingnowandthen，bywayofvariety。“
　　“Thesaucyspeechesareforyourownsatisfaction，nodoubt，andthecomplimentsforthatofyourfriends，Isuppose，“repliedElinor，smilingalittlearchly；forshehadverygoodreasonsformistrustingthesincerityofeithermodeofspeechfromthelipsofthegaywidow；whom，forthatveryreason，shelikedmuchlessthanherbrother。
　　“Doyoureallythinkmetoosevere？——waittillwearebetteracquainted！”
　　“Ishallalwaysthinkyouverycharming，“repliedElinor，withherusualfranksmile；for，infact，sheadmiredMrs。Creightonquiteasmuchastherestoftheworld。AndthenobservingthatMr。Ellsworthwaslisteningtotheirconversation，sheturnedtohimandasked，ifthetruegoldenhair，somuchadmiredbytheItalianpoets，andsooftensungbythem，werestillcommoninItaly？
　　“Judgingfrombooksandpictures，Ishouldthinkitmusthavebeenmuchmorecommonsomecenturiesagothanatthepresentday；
　　for，certainly，thereisnotoneItalianwomaninahundred，whohasnotverydecidedlyblackhairandeyes。IrememberonceinatranslationfromEnglishintoItalian，Iusedtheexpression'greyeyes，'whichdivertedmymasterverymuch：heinsisteduponit，therewasno'suchthinginnature；'andevenafterIhadremindedhimofNapoleon，hewouldnotbelievetheEmperor'seyeswerenotblack。HewasathoroughItalian，ofcourse，andknewnothingofthenorthernlanguages，orhewouldhavemetwiththeexpressionbefore。“
　　“Letmetellyou，Ellsworth，“saidHarry，afterashortpauseintheconversation，“thatitisverypleasanttopassanagreeableeveninginthisway，chattingwitholdfriends。YouhavenoideahowmuchIenjoyitafterathreeyears'exile！”
　　“Icanreadilybelieveit。“
　　“No，Idon'tthinkyouunderstanditatall。Itistrueyouwererovingabouttheworldseveralyears，butyouwerenotalone，mydearsir。Youhadindeedtheadvantageofparticularlyagreeablecompanionswithyou：inParisyouhadMrs。Creighton，andinEgyptyouhadyourhumbleservant。Andthen，inthenextplace，yourmindwasconstantlyoccupied；youlivedwiththepastwhileinItalyandGreece，andwiththepresentinParis。Now，atRio，thereisnopastatall，andnotmuchofapresent。“
　　“IstherenogeneralsocietyatRio？”inquiredMissWyllys。
　　“Oh，yes；societyenough，intheusualmeaningoftheword。Iwasveryfortunateinmeetingwithsomeveryagreeablepeople，andhavereallyastrongregardforManezes{sic}——agoodfellowheis，andIhopetoseehimhereoneofthesedays。Buttheywereallnewacquaintances。YoucannotthinkhowmuchIwantedtoseeafaceIhadknownallmylife；Iwaspositivelyatonetimeonthevergeofbeinghome-sick。“
　　“Youfoundoutthatyouweremoretender-heartedthanyouhadbelievedyourself，“saidMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Soitseems，“repliedHarry；ashadeofembarrassmentcrossinghisfaceashespoke。
　　“IshouldhavethoughtsomeoldacquaintanceorotherwouldhavegonestragglingtowardsRio，inthesetravellingdays，“observedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“No，Iwasparticularlyunfortunate：oncewhentheAmericansquadronlayatRioforsomeweeks，andIhadseveralfriendsonboardtheMacedonian，Ihappenedatthatverytimetobeabsentonanexcursionintheinterior。Forsixmonths，orsoitdidverywell；ittakesoneaslongasthattoenjoythelovelyscenery，tosaynothingofthenovelty；butafteradmiringthebayandtheCorcovadoundereverypossibleaspect，IgotatlasttobeheartilytiredofRio。Ishouldhaverunaway，ifwehadnotbeenrecalledthissummer。“
　　{“Macedonian“=aUnitedStateswarship，commandedduringtheearly1840sbyCommodoreWilliamBranfordShubrick1790-1874，alife-longclosefriendofJamesFenimoreCooper。SusanFenimoreCooperwroteabiographyofhimin1876；“Corcovado“=afamousmountainpeakoverlookingthebayofRiodeJaneiro}
　　“Youshouldhavefalleninlove，“saidMrs。Creighton。
　　“Idon'tthinkIsucceededinthat；perhapsIdidnottryveryhard。“
　　“ButisnotthestateofsocietypleasantatRio？”inquiredMr。
　　Wyllys。
　　“Notparticularly，sir；itistoomuchlikeourownforthat；
　　somethingprovinciallingeringaboutit，althoughtheyhaveanemperoroftheirown。Wecannotdowithouttheotherhemisphereyet，inspiteofourself-importantairs。WeYankeeshavecoaxedTimeoutofagreatdeal，butheisnottobecheatedforallthat。PeoplewerenotbusyforthousandsofyearsintheOldWorld，merelytoqualifythemfordiscoveringAmerica，whateversomeofourpatriotsmaysayonthesubject。“
　　“Yes，youareright，Harry；Ihaveoftenwishedthatourpeoplewouldrememberwhattheyseemtoforget，thatTimehasaprerogativebeyondtheirreach。ThereisawidedifferencebetweenablindreverenceforTime，andaninfatuateddenialofhispower；andItakeittobeoneofthedutiesofyourgenerationtofindoutthedividinglineinthisandotherpoints，andshapeyourpracticeaccordingly。“
　　“Yes，sir；itappearstomehightimethatthecivilizedworldsetaboutmarkingmoredistinctlyagreatmanyboundarylines，onimportantmoralquestions；anditistobepresumed，thatwithsomuchexperienceatourcommand，weshallatlastdosomethingtowardsit。Itistobehopedthatmankindwillatlengthlearnnotalwaystorushoutofoneextremeintotheother；andwhentheyfeeltheevilofonemeasure，nottoflyforrelieftoitsveryopposite，butsetaboutlookingforthetrueremedy，whichisgenerallynotsofaroff。“
　　“Youdon'tbelieveinmoralhomoeopathy？”saidMrs。Stanley。
　　“Notintheleast。“
　　“Well，weareverymuchobligedtoyouforgettingtiredofRio，“
　　saidMrs。Creighton；“andthinkingthatthegayworldofPhiladelphiawasquiteasagreeableastheImperialCourt。“
　　“Itakeitforgranted，however，thatitwasnotexactlythegayworldthatyouregretted，“saidEllsworth。
　　“Notexactly，no；generalsocietyisnotsufficientlyperfectinitswayamongus，foramantopineafter。“
　　“Ihaveoftenthought，“observedElinor，“thatthespiritofmeredissipationmustbelessexcusableinthiscountrythaninEurope。Societymusthavesomanyattractionsthere——moregeneralfinish——morehighaccomplishment。“
　　“Yes；wewantmoreoftherealthing；wehavesmatterersenoughasitis，“repliedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“AndthenthedecorationsaresowellgotupinEurope！”
　　exclaimedMrs。Creighton。“Imustconfessmyselfenoughofawoman，tobecharmedwithgooddecorations。“
　　“Somethingfarbetterthanmeredecoration；however，isrequisitetomakesocietyatallagreeable，“continuedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Thereisluxuryenoughamongus，ineatinganddrinking，dressingandfurniture，forinstance；andyetwhatcanwellbemoresilly，morepuerile，thanthegeneraltoneofconversationatcommonpartiesamongus？AndhowmanyofthemostdelightfulsoireesinParis，arecollectedinplainrooms，ausecond，orautroisieme，withabrickfloortostandon，andaglassoforgeat，withabitofbriochetoeat！”
　　{“ausecond，orautroisieme“=onthethirdorfourthfloor；
　　“orgeat“=asyrupflavoreddrink；“brioche“=asimplepastryFrench}
　　“LotsandLove——SpeculationandFlirtation，aretooentirelytheorderoftheday，andoftheevening，withus，“saidHarry；
　　“whetherfiguringonChange，oronaBrusselscarpet。“
　　{“onChange“=atthestockmarket}
　　“Ihaveoftenbeenstruck，myself，withtheexcessivesillinessoftheconversationatcommonparties，especiallywhatarecalledyoungparties；thoughIhaveneverseenanythingbetter，“saidElinor。
　　“Thoseyoungpartiesareenoughtospoilanysociety，“saidHarry。
　　“Perhaps，however，youhavetoohighanideaofsuchscenesinEurope，preciselybecauseyouhavenotseenthem，MissWyllys，“
　　observedMr。Ellsworth。
　　“Thatmayverypossiblybethecase。“
　　“Therearealwayssillyandignorantpeopletobemetwitheverywhere，“remarkedHarry；“butthedifferenceliesinthegeneralcharacterofthecircle，whichisnotoftensoinsipidandsopuerileinEurope。“
　　“Itisthedifference，Isuppose，betweenapuppet-showandgenteelcomedy，“saidElinor。
　　“Precisely，MissWyllys，“saidMr。Ellsworth，smiling。
　　“Wehaveveryprettypuppets，though，“observedMrs。Creighton；
　　“quitewell-dressed，andsufficientlygraceful，too；thatistosay，theyoungladypuppets。Asforthegentlemen，Ishallnotattempttodefendthem，enmasse，neithertheirgracenortheircoats。“
　　“Youwon'tallowustobeeitherprettyorwell-dressed？”saidMr。Stryker。
　　“Oh，everybodyknowsthatMr。Stryker'scoatandbowarebothunexceptionable。“
　　“Whydon'tyougotowork，goodpeople，andimprovetheworld，insteadoffindingfaultwithit？”saidMr。Wyllys，whowaspreparingforanothergameofchesswithMrs。RobertHazlehurst。
　　“AlabourofHercules，sir！”exclaimedMr。Stryker，shrugginghisshoulders。“Thepositionofareformerisnotsufficientlygracefultosuitmyfancy。“
　　“Itisfatiguing，too；itismucheasiertositstillandfindfault，sir，“observedRobertHazlehurst，smiling。
　　“Sauvequipeut，ismymotto，“continuedMr。Stryker。“Ishalltakecareofmyself；thoughIhavenoobjectionthattherestoftheworldshouldprofitbymyexcellentexample；theymayimproveonmymodel，iftheyplease。“
　　{“sauvequipeut“=everyoneforhimselfFrench}
　　“Thefactis，thatmanners，andallothermattersoftaste，oughttocomebyinstinct，“saidMrs。RobertHazlehurst；“onesoonbecomestiredofbeingsregularlytutoredonsuchpoints。“
　　“Nodoubtofthat，“repliedHarry；“butunfortunately，thoughreadingandwritingcomebynature，asDogberrysays，inthiscountry，yetitisbynomeanssoclearthatgoodtastefollowsasaconsequence。“
　　{“Dogberry“=aconstableinShakespeare'scomedy，“MuchAdoAboutNothing“：“Tobeawell-favor'dmanisthegiftoffortune，buttowriteandreadcomesbynature。“III。iii。14-16}
　　“Goodtastenevercamebynature，anywherebutinoldGreece，I
　　takeit，“saidEllsworth。“Inanewstateofsociety，suchthingsmustforcethemselvesuponone。“
　　“Certainly，“saidMr。Wyllys；“andyouyoungpeople，whohavehadsomanyadvantagesofeducationandleisure，areveryrighttogivethesubjectsomeattention，forthesakeofthecommunityinwhichyoulive。Mannersintheirbestmeaning，asapartofcivilization，arecloselyconnectedatmanydifferentpoints，withthecharacterandmoralsofanation。Hithertointhiscountry，thesubjecthasbeentoomuchlefttoitself；butinmanyrespectsthereisagoodfoundationtoworkupon——someofournationaltraitsareverycreditable。“
　　“Thatistrue，sir，“repliedMr。Ellsworth；“andAmericansarenaturallyveryquickintakingahint，andinfittingittotheirownuses。Theyareagood-natured，sociablerace，too，neithercoarsenorunwieldyinbodyormind。Alltheywantis，alittlemorereflectiononthesubject，andasufficientlylargenumberofmodels，toobserve，andcomparetogether；fortheyaretooquickandclever，nottopreferthegoodtothebad，whenthechoiceliesbeforethem。“
　　“Remembertoo，“saidMr。Wyllys，“thatifyoucannotdoeverything，youmustnotsupposeyoucandonothing。“
　　“ThereisonepointinAmericanmanners，thatisverygood，“saidHarry：“amongourverybestpeoplewefindagreatdealoftruesimplicity；simplicityoftherightsort；real，notfactitious。“
　　“Sweetsimplicity，oh，la！”exclaimedMr。Stryker。“Well，Iamabadsubjecttodealwith，myself。Iamtoooldtogotoschool，andIamtooyoungyet，Iflattermyself，togivemuchweighttomyadvice。Notquiteincorrigible，however，Itrust，“headded，endeavouringtosmileinanaturalway，asheturnedtowardsElinorandMrs。Creighton。“Ishallbemosthappytolearnfromtheladies，andtrytoimproveundertheiradvice。Haveyounosuggestionstomake，MissWyllys？”
　　“IamafraidIcouldnotbeofmuchuseinthatway。“
　　“Thereareonlyathousand-and-onehintsthatIshouldgiveyou，“
　　saidMrs。Creighton，laughing。
　　“Youmustbefrightfullyparticular！”exclaimedMr。Stryker；
　　“pray，whatishintNo。1？”
　　“Oh，Ishouldnothavetimetomakeevenabeginning；itisgrowingverylate，andIshalldeferyoureducationuntilthenexttimewemeet。Mr。Hazlehurst，thatismyscarf，Ibelieve，onyourchair。“
　　Thepartyseparated；HarryofferinghisarmtoMrs。Creighton。
　　CHAPTERVIII。{XXXI}
　　“VerilyYoushallnotgo——alady'sverilyisAspotentasalord's。Willyougoyet？”
　　Winter'sTale。
　　{WilliamShakespeare，“AWinter'sTale“，I。ii。50-51}
　　MRS。STANLEYhadjoinedtheWyllysesatSaratoga，afewdaysaftertheyarrived，andthemeetingbetweenHazlehurstandherselfhadbeenverycordial。ShehadalwaysfeltawarminterestinHarry，lookinguponhimasherhusband'schosenrepresentative，andallbutanadoptedson；theintercoursebetweenthemhadinvariablybeenofthemostfriendlyandintimatenature。
　　Mr。Stanley'swillhadplacedtheentirecontrolofhislargeestateinthehandsofhiswidow，andhisoldfriend，Mr。Wyllys。
　　Mrs。Stanley，herself，wastoretainonehalfoftheproperty，forlife；atherdeathitwastobedividedindifferentlegacies，torelativesofherown，andtocharitableinstitutions，accordingtoherowndiscretion。Theotherhalfwasalsotobekeptinthehandsoftheexecutorsuntilhisownsonreturned，andhadreachedtheageoffive-and-twenty；or，incasethereportofWilliamStanley'sdeath，whichhadjustreachedhisfamily，weretobeconfirmed，thenHarryHazlehurstwastotakehisplace，andreceivehisson'sportion，onconditionthathis，Hazlehurst's，secondsonshouldtakethenameofStanley。
　　Hazlehurstwasanephewbymarriage；thatistosay，hisfather，afterthedeathofafirstwife，Harry'smother，hadmarriedMr。
　　Stanley'sonlysister：thisladydiedbeforeherbrother，leavingnochildren。Atthetimethiswillwasmade，Mr。Stanleyhadgivenupall，butthefaintest，hopeofhisson'sbeingalive；
　　still，heleftlettersforhim，containinghislastblessing，andforgiveness，incasetheyoungmanweretoreturn。Healsoexpressedawishthataneasyallowance，accordingtoMrs。
　　Stanley'sdiscretion，shouldbegiven，aftertheageofone-and-twenty，tohisson，ortoHarry，whicheverweretoprovehisheir；onconditionthattherecipientshouldpursuesomeregularprofessionoroccupation，ofarespectablecharacter。
　　Hazlehurstwastoreceivealegacyofthirtythousanddollars，incaseofWilliamStanley'sreturn。
　　SuchwasMr。Stanley'swill；andcircumstanceshavingsoonshowedthatthereportofhisson'sdeathwasscarcelytobedoubted，Hazlehursthadbeenforyearsconsideredashisheir。AsHarrygrewup，andhischaracterbecameformed，hisprinciplesproving，ineveryrespect，suchashisfriendscouldwish，Mrs。Stanleyhadmadeveryampleprovisionforhim。Theallowancehehadreceivedforhiseducationwasveryliberal，andduringhisvisittoEuropeithadbeenincreased。Atdifferenttimesconsiderablesumshadbeenadvanced，toenablehimtomakedesirablepurchases：upononeoccasion，aportionofthepropertyuponwhichhisancestorshadfirstsettled，ascolonists，wasofferedforsalebyadistantrelative，andHarrywishedtoobtainpossessionofit；twentythousanddollarswereadvancedforthispurpose。Then，Hazlehurstwasverydesirousofcollectingarespectablelibrary，and，asdifferentopportunitiesoffered，hehadbeenenabled，whileinEurope，tomakevaluableacquisitionsofthiskind，thankstoMrs。Stanley'sliberality。Aseverycollectorhasafavouritebranchofhisown，Harry'stasteshadledhimtolookforbotanicalworks，inwhichhewasparticularlyinterested；andhehadoftenpaidlargesumsforrareorexpensivevolumesconnectedwiththisscience。Sincehehadreachedtheageoffive-and-twenty，or，duringthelasttwoyears，hehadbeeninfullpossessionoftheentirehalfofMr。
　　Stanley'sproperty，amounting，itwasgenerallysupposed，tosometenthousandayear。Accordingtoacodicilofthewill，HazlehurstwasalsototakepossessionofGreatwood，athismarriage：thiswasapleasantcountry-house，surroundedbyaplaceinfineorder；butMrs。Stanley，whopreferredlivingintown，hadalreadygivenhimpossession。
　　“Iwish，Harry，wecouldkeepyouathome，now，“saidMrs。
　　Stanleytoheryoungfriend，onemorning，ashewassittingwithherself，MaryVanAlstyne，andElinor，inherroomsatCongressHall。“IthinkMr。Henleycouldspareyoubetterthanwecan。IsitquitedecidedthatyougotoRussia？”
　　“Youareverykindtoexpresssomuchinterestinmymovements。
　　ButyoumustpermitmetoremindyouofapieceofadviceIhaveoftenreceived，asayoungster，fromyourownlips，dearMrs。
　　Stanley；andthatis，nevertoabandonmerelyfromcaprice，thepathoflifeImightchoose。“
　　“Certainly；butIthinkyoumightfindverygoodreasonsforstayingathome，now；youraffairswouldgoonallthebetterforsomepersonalattention；Ishouldbesorrytohaveyouaroverallyourlife，Harry。“
　　“Ihaveno，intention，Ma'am，Iassureyou，ofbeingavagrantallmydays。Andifthereisnothingelsetokeepmeathome，itishighlyprobablethatIshallbethrownontheshelfbeforelongbyUncleSam。Whenamanhasservedhisapprenticeship，andisfullyqualifiedtofillhisofficecreditably，hemaypreparetobeturnedout；and，verylikely，somerawbackwoodsman，whoknowsnothingoftheworldingeneral，orofdiplomacyinparticular，willbeputinhisplace。Thatisoftenthewaythingsaremanagedamongus，youknow。
　　{SusanFenimoreCooperisreflectingtheviewsofherfather，basedonhisexperiencewithAmericandiplomacyinEuropefrom1826-33。TheUnitedStatesForeignServicedidnotbecomeafullyprofessional，careerorganizationuntil1946}
　　“Forthatveryreason，Iwouldnothaveanythingtodowithpubliclife，ifIwereayoungman！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley，earnestly。“Somanymenwhoareill-qualifiedforeitherpublicorprivateconfidence，getintooffice，thatIshouldthinknomanofhighprinciplesandhonourableviews，wouldcaretobelongtothebodyofpublicservants。“
　　“Thereisallthemoreneed，then，thateveryhonestman，whohasanopportunityofservinghiscountry，shoulddoso，“observedHarry。“Idonotbelieve，however，thatasregardsprinciples，thepublicmenamongusareanyworsethanthepublicmenelsewhere，“headded。
　　“Whereallarechosen，theyoughttobebetter，“saidMaryVanAlstyne。
　　“ThatIgrant，“saidHazlehurst；“thechoicebyelection，orbyappointment，mightoftenbemorecreditable；wheneveritisbad，itisdisgracefultothecommunity。“
　　“LookatA——，B——，andC——，whomyouandIhappentoknow！”exclaimedMrs。Stanley。
　　“Nodoubttheyarelittlefitfortheofficestheyhold，“repliedHarry。
　　“Theworstofitisthis，Harry：thattheveryqualitieswhichoughttorecommendyou，willprobablykeepyoubackinthecareeryouhavechosen，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Yourprinciplesaretoofirmforpubliclife。“
　　“Ishalltrytheexperiment，atleast，“saidHarry。“Mr。Henleyurgesmetopersevere，andwithhisexamplebeforeme，Ioughtnottobediscouraged；heisaproofthatapublicmanisnotnecessarilyrequiredtobeasycophant，andatime-server；thatheisnotalwaysneglectedbecauseheisanuprightman，andagentleman。Ishallfollowhisexample；andIamconvincedtheexperimentwouldsucceedmuchoftener，provideditwerefairlytried。“
　　“Mrs。Stanleyshookherhead。Shewasawomanofratherapeculiarcharacter，thoughverywarminherfeelings，andfirminherprinciples。Shehadbecomedisgustedwiththeworld，fromseeingmuchthatwasevilanddisgracefulgoingonabouther；
　　forgettingtoobservethegoodaswellasthebad。Oflateyears，shehadwithdrawnentirelywithinanarrowcircleofoldfriends，amongwhomtheWyllysesandHazlehurstsheldaconspicuousplace。
　　Shewasdisposedtomistrustrepublicaninstitutions，merelybecausesheattributedeveryevilofthesocietyabouther，tothisonecause：heropinionsonthissubjectwere，however，ofnovaluewhatever；forsheknewnothingofothercountries，theirevilsandabuses。Ifwarmlyattachedtoherfriends，shewascertainlytooindifferenttothecommunityinwhichshelived。
　　Shewasverydecidedinallheractionsandopinions：thus，forinstance，shewouldneverallowanewspaper，ofanycharacterwhatever，toappearinherhouse——sheheldeverysheetalike，tobelooseinprinciples，andvulgarintone；because，unfortunately，therearemanytobefoundwhichanswersuchadescription。Anoffice-holder，andaspeculator，shewouldnevertrust，andavoidedeveryindividualofeitherclassasmuchaspossible。Herfriendswouldhavewishedhermorediscriminatinginheropinions，butsheneverobtrudedtheseuponothers。
　　Personally，nowomancouldbemorerespectedbyherintimates；
　　therewasnothinglowortrivialinhercharacterandturnofmind——noshadowofvacillationinherprinciplesorherfeelings。
　　Mrs。StanleyandheryoungfriendHazlehurst，muchastheyesteemedandrespectedeachother，disagreedonmanysubjects。
　　Harrymadeapointoflookingatbothsidesofaquestion；hewasloyaltohiscountry，andwillingtoserveittothebestofhisability——notatallinclinedtobeanidler，andplaythedroneinthebee-hive，whethersocialorpolitical。Mrs。Stanleyhadmuchregrettedhisbeinginanywayconnectedwithpubliclife，butsheseldomattemptedtoinfluencehim。
　　“Whatdoyousay，youngladies？”askedHarry，atlength，turningtowardsElinorandMaryVanAlstyne，whohadhithertothoughttheconversationoftoopersonalanature，tospeakmuchthemselves。
　　“DoyouthinkIhadbetterstayathome，andlookafterthestockatGreatwood，orgotoSt。Petersburg，andsetupmydroschky？”
　　{“droschky“=afour-wheeledopencarriageusedinRussia}
　　“IshouldneverhavetheleastfancyforgoingtoRussia，“
　　repliedMary；“and，therefore，IamnotmuchdisposedtoadmireyourconstancyinadheringtoMr。Henley。“
　　“Oh，go，byallmeans，“saidElinor；“youwillseesomuch！AndbesureyougototheCrimeabeforeyoucomehome。“
　　“TheCrimeaiscertainlyatemptation，“observedHarry。“Ibeg，ladies，youwillhonourmewithyourcommandsforSt。Petersburg，sometimeduringthenextthreemonths。IreferyoutoMrs。
　　Creightonforacertificateofgoodtaste；hersayaymantoisperfectinitsway，Iamtold。“
　　“PerhapsIoughttohaveengagedMrs。Creightononmyside，beforeItriedtocoaxyouintostayingathome，“saidMrs。
　　Stanley，smiling。
　　WeareobligedtoconfessthatHarrycolouredatthisremark，inspiteofadeterminationnottodoso；andagreatmisdemeanouritwasinadiplomatist，tobeguiltyofblushing；itclearlyprovedthatHazlehurstwasstillinhisnoviciate。Happily，however，iftheDepartmentofState，atWashington，besometimesmoreparticularininvestigatingthepartypoliticsofitsagentsinforeigncountries，thanotherqualifications，itisalsocertain，ontheotherhand，thattheydonotrequirebyanymeans，asmuchbronzeofcountenanceasmostEuropeancabinets。
　　{“bronzeofcountenance“=unblushingness，brazenlying}
　　“Oh，Mrs。Creightonstronglyrecommendsmetopersevereindiplomacy，“saidHarry。
　　Justatthatmoment，anotewasbroughtinfromthisverylady。
　　“WithMrs。Creighton'scompliments，“saidthemanwhobroughtit。
　　Harry'scolourroseagain，andforasecondhelookedalittleembarrassed。Mrs。Stanleysmiled，andsodidtheyoungladies，justalittle。
　　“Iwilllookforthebookimmediately，''wasHarry'sreply；andturningtotheladies，hecommunicatedthefact，thatMrs。
　　CreightonhadaskedforthevolumeofengravingswhichhehadshowntoMr。Wyllys，twoorthreeeveningsbefore。ThebookwasinMissWyllys'sroom，andElinorwentforit。
　　“Willyoudinewithusto-day，Harry，orattheotherhouse？”
　　askedMrs。Stanley。
　　{“otherhouse“=i。e。，otherhotel，CongressHallandtheUnitedStatesbeingthetwofashionablehotelsinSaratogaSprings}
　　“Thankyou，ma'am；IamengagedtodinewithMr。Henley，whoisonlyherefortheday，andwishestohavealittlebusiness-talkwithme。Wearetoeatabachelor'sdinnertogether，inhisroom。“
　　Elinorreturnedwiththebook，andHarrymadehisbow。
　　Ashelefttheroom，MaryVanAlstyneobservedthatMr。
　　Hazlehurstseemedquiteattentivetohisfriend'ssister。“Headmirestheprettywidow，Ifancy，“shesaid。
　　“Nowonder，“saidElinor；“Mrs。Creightonissoverypretty，andverycharming。“
　　“Yes；sheisverypretty，withthosespiritedbrowneyes，andbeautifulteeth。Sheisanadeptintheartofdressing，too，andmakesthemostofeveryadvantage。Butthoughsheissopretty，andsoclever，andsoagreeable，yetIdonotlikeher。“
　　“Peopleseemtolovesometimes，menespecially，wheretheydonotlike，“saidMrs。Stanley。“Ishouldnotbesurprised，atanytime，tohearthatHarryandMrs。Creightonareengaged。Iwishhemaymarrysoon。“
　　“Theladyis，atleast，well-disposedforconquest，Ithink，“
　　saidMaryVanAlstyne。
　　“Shewillprobablysucceed，“repliedElinor，inaquiet，naturalvoice。
　　MissAgnes，whohadjustenteredtheroom，heardtheremark，andwasgratifiedbytheeasytoneinwhichElinorhadspoken。SinceHazlehurst'sreturn，Elinor'smannertowardshimhadbeenjustwhatherauntthoughtproperunderthecircumstances；itwasquiteunembarrassedandnatural，though，ofcourse，therewasmorereservethanduringtheyearstheyhadlivedsomuchtogether，almostasbrotherandsister。Weareobligedtoleavetheladiesforthepresent，andfollowHazlehursttohistete-a-tetedinnerwithMr。Henley。
　　Wepassoverthemealitself，whichwasverygoodinitsway；norshallwedaretoraisethecurtain，andrevealcertaincommunicationsrelatingtoaffairsofstate，politicalanddiplomatic，whichwerediscussedbytheministerandhissecretary。HarryheardsomeRioJaneironewstoo，whichseemedtoamusehim，butwouldscarcelyhaveanyinterestforthereader。
　　Atlength，asMr。HenleyandHarrywerepickingtheirnuts，theministerhappenedtoenquirethedayofthemonth。
　　“Itisthetwentieth，Ibelieve，sir；andbythesametoken，to-morrowwillbemybirth-day，“
　　“Yourbirth-day，willit？——Howoldmayyoube？”
　　“Twenty-seven，ifIrememberright。“
　　“Ihadthoughtyoutwoorthreeyearsyounger。Well，Iwishyoualonglifeandahappy！”
　　“Thankyou，sir；Iammuchobligedtoyoufortheinterestyouhavealwaysshownme。“
　　“Noneedofthanks，Harry；itisonlywhatyourfather'ssonhadarighttoexpectfromme。“
　　Asilenceofamomentensued，whenMr。Henleyagainspoke。
　　“Youareseven-and-twenty，yousay，Hazlehurst？——letmegiveyouapieceofadvice——don'tletthenexttenyearspasswithoutmarrying。“
　　“Iwasjustaboutmakingupmymind，atRio，tobeagaybachelor，mydearsir，“saidHarry。
　　“Yes；Iremembertohaveheardyousaysomethingofthekind；buttakemyadvice，andmarry，unlessyouhavesomeverygoodreasonfornotdoingso。“
　　Hazlehurstmadenoanswer，buthelpedhimselftoanothersupplyofnuts。“Moreeasilysaidthandone，perhaps，“heobserved。
　　“Nonsense！——Therearemanyamiableyoungwomenwhowouldsuityou；anditwouldbestrangeifyoucouldnotmeetwithonethatwouldhaveyou。Somepretty，lady-likegirl。Idaresayyouknowtwentysuch，inPhiladelphia，orevenhere，atSaratoga。“
　　“Fivehundred，nodoubt，“repliedHarry；“butsupposetheverywomanIshouldfancy，wouldnotfancyme。“WhetherhewasthinkingofhispastexperiencewithJane，ornot，wecannotsay。
　　“Idon'tseethatawomancanfindanyreasonablefaultwithyou——youdowellenough，mygoodfellow，astheworldgoes；andI
　　amsurethereare，asyousay，fivehundredyoungwomentochoosefrom。Inthatpointamanhasthebestofit；younggirlsofacertainclass，ifnotangels，areatleastgenerallyunexceptionable；buttherearemanymen，unhappily，whosemoralreputationsare，andshouldbeobstaclesinawoman'seyes。“
　　'Aregularoldbachelor'snotion，ameremarriageofconvenience，'thoughtHarry，whoratherresentedtheideaofthefivehundredcongenialspirits，intheshapeofsuitableyoungladies。
　　“Youaresurprised，perhaps，tohearthisfromme，“continuedMr。
　　Henley。
　　“No，sir：forIoncebeforeheardyouexpressmuchthesameopinion。“
　　“Didyou？——Idon'toftenthinkorspeakonsuchmatters；butI
　　remembertohaveheardyoutalkaboutasinglelifeoccasionally，atRio；andIalwaysintendedtogivethispieceofadvicetomynephews，andtoyou，Harry。IfIweretolivemylifeoveragain，Ishouldmarrymyself；foroflateyearsIhavefeltthewantofahome，andonecan'thaveapleasanthomewithoutthewomen。“
　　“ThereIagreewithyou，sir，entirely。“
　　“Thatismorethansomegay，rattlingyoungfellowswouldadmit。
　　Sinceyouthinkso，“continuedMr。Henley，smiling，“perhapsyouhavealsofixeduponsomeamiableyounggirl，whowouldbeapleasantcompanionforyou。“
　　Hazlehurstwassilent。
　　“Idaresayyouhave，andImighthavesparedyoutheadvice。Ifthatisthecase，youmustmakethemostofthenextthreemonths；persuadehertomarryyou，andwecantakehertoRussia，todothehonoursforus。“
　　“Thingshavenotgonequitesofarasthat，yet，“saidHarry，justalittleembarrassed。
　　“Well，mygoodfellow，settlethematteryourownway；Ihaveatleastsatisfiedmyconscience，bytellingyounottofollowmyownbadexample，“saidtheminister，asherosefromtable。
　　ItseemedthatMr。Henley，likemostoldbachelors，regrettednothavingmarried；thoughhethoughtthathishabitshadallbecometooconfirmed，tomakeitworthwhiletoattemptachange。Asageneralrule，itwillbefoundthatyourdecidedlyoldmaidiscontentedwithherlot，whileyourveryoldbachelorisdissatisfiedwithhis。Thepeculiarevilsofasinglelife——foreverylifemusthaveitsown——aremostfeltbywomenearlyintheday；bymen，inoldage。Theworldbeginsverysoontolaughattheoldmaid，andcontinuestolaugh，untilshamedoutofthehabitbyhergoodnature，andherrespectablelife。Thebachelor，onthecontrary，foralongtimefindsanallyintheworld；hegoesonenjoyingthepleasuresitoffers，untiloldagemakeshimwearyofthem——andthen，ashisheadgrowsgrey，whenhefindshimselfgoingoutoffavour，hebeginstofeelthewantofsomethingbetter——ahometoretreatto。Helooksabouthim，andhefindsthathisfemalecontemporaryhasoutlivedherpeculiarannoyances；“theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot；“shehaslongsincefoundsomecollateralhome；or，inherrightasawoman，hasmadeahomeforherself，whereshelivesaspleasantlyasherneighbours。Perhapshesetsaboutimitatingherexample；
　　but，poorfellow，hefindsitanawkwardtask；hecanneversucceedinmakinghishouseholdgodssmilewithagoodwill，onahomewherenofemalevoiceisheardatthefire-side。
　　{“theworldforgetting……“=AlexanderPopeEnglishpoet，1688-1744，“EloisatoAbelard“I。207-208：“HowhappyistheblamelessVestal'slot！Theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot。“}
　　SothoughtMr。Henley，andhehadbeenintendingtorecommendtoHarrytolookoutforawife，forsometimepast。Theminister'sideasonthesubjectofloveandmatrimonywere，tobesure，rathermatteroffact，andstatesmanlike；hewouldhavebeenquitesatisfiedifHazlehursthadmarriedthefirstyounggirl，ofarespectablefamily，thathemetwith；thehundredthpartofMrs。Creighton'sattractionshewouldhavethoughtsufficient。