Thiswasadelicate，interestinggamethatheplayed。Underoneinnocentpretextoranother，heinvadedthisorthatspecialprovinceshehadmadeherown。Hewouldcollectthethemesandhavethemallreadandmarked，answerallthepuzzlingquestionsinmathematics，maketheotherteacherscometohimfordirections，andinthiswaygraduallytookuponhimselfnotonlyallthegeneralsuperintendencethatbelongedtohisoffice，butstoleawaysomanyofthespecialdutieswhichmightfairlyhavebelongedtohisassistant，that，beforesheknewit，shewaslookingbetterandfeelingmorecheerfulthanformanyandmanyamonthbefore。
　　Whenthenervousenergyisdepressedbyanybodilycause，orexhaustedbyoverworking，therefolloweffectswhichhaveoftenbeenmisinterpretedbymoralists，andespeciallybytheologians。Theconscienceitselfbecomesneuralgic，sometimesactuallyinflamed，sothattheleasttouchisagony。Ofallliarsandfalseaccusers，asickconscienceisthemostinventiveandindefatigable。Thedevoteddaughter，wife，mother，whoselifehasbeengiventounselfishlabors，whohasfilledaplacewhichitseemstoothersonlyanangelwouldmakegood，reproachesherselfwithincompetenceandneglectofduty。ThehumbleChristian，whohasbeenamodeltoothers，callshimselfawormofthedustononepageofhisdiary，andarraignshimselfonthenextforcomingshortoftheperfectionofanarchangel。
　　Conscienceitselfrequiresaconscience，ornothingcanbemoreunscrupulous。IttoldSaulthathedidwellinpersecutingtheChristians。Ithasgoadedcountlessmultitudesofvariouscreedstoendlessformsofself-torture。ThecitiesofIndiaarefullofcripplesithasmade。Thehill-sidesofSyriaareriddledwithholes，wheremiserablehermits，whoselivesithadpalsied，livedanddiedlikethevermintheyharbored。Ourlibrariesarecrammedwithbookswrittenbyspiritualhypochondriacs，whoinspectedalltheirmoralsecretionsadozentimesaday。Theyarefullofinterest，buttheyshouldbetransferredfromtheshelfofthetheologiantothatofthemedicalmanwhomakesastudyofinsanity。
　　ThiswasthestateintowhichtoomuchworkandtoomuchresponsibilitywerebringingHelenDarley，whenthenewmastercameandliftedsomuchoftheburdenthatwascrushingherasmustberemovedbeforeshecouldhaveachancetorecoverhernaturalelasticityandbuoyancy。Manyofthenoblestwomen，sufferinglikeher，butlessfortunateinbeingrelievedattherightmoment，dieworriedoutoflifebytheperpetualteasingofthisinflamed，neuralgicconscience。Sosubtileisthelinewhichseparatesthetrueandalmostangelicsensibilityofahealthy，butexaltednature，fromthesorenessofasoulwhichissympathizingwithamorbidstateofthebodythatitisnowondertheyareoftenconfounded。Andthusmanygoodwomenaresufferedtoperishbythatformofspontaneouscombustioninwhichthevictimgoesontoilingdayandnightwiththehiddenfireconsumingher，untilallatoncehercheekwhitens，and，aswelookuponher，shedropsaway，aheapofashes。Themoretheyoverworkthemselves，themoreexactingbecomesthesenseofduty，——asthedraughtofthelocomotive’sfurnaceblowsstrongerandmakesthefireburnmorefiercely，thefasteritspinsalongthetrack。
　　Itisnotverylikely，aswassaidatthebeginningofthischapter，thatweshalltroubleourselvesagreatdealabouttheinternalaffairsoftheApollineanInstitute。Theseschoolsare，inthenatureofthings，notsoveryunlikeeachotherastorequireaminutedescriptionforeachparticularoneamongthem。Theyhaveallverymuchthesamegeneralfeatures，pleasinganddispleasing。Allfeeding-establishmentshavesomethingodiousaboutthem，——fromthewretchedcountry-houseswherepaupersarefarmedouttothelowestbidder，uptothecommons-tablesatcollegesandeventhefashionableboarding-house。Aperson’sappetiteshouldbeatwarwithnootherpursethanhisown。Youngpeople，especially，whohaveabone-
　　factoryatworkinthem，andhavetofeedthelivingloomsofinnumerablegrowingtissues，shouldbeprovidedfor，ifpossible，bythosewholovethemliketheirownfleshandblood。Elsewheretheirappetiteswillbesuretomakethemenemies，or，whatarealmostasbad，friendswhoseinterestsareatvariancewiththeclaimsoftheirexactingnecessitiesanddemands。
　　Besides，allcommercialtransactionsinregardtothemostsacredinterestsoflifearehatefuleventothosewhoprofitbythem。Theclergyman，thephysician，theteacher，mustbepaid；buteachofthem，ifhisdutybeperformedinthetruespirit，canhardlyhelpashiverofdisgustwhenmoneyiscountedouttohimforadministeringtheconsolationsofreligion，forsavingsomepreciouslife，forsowingtheseedsofChristiancivilizationinyoungingenuoussouls。
　　Andyetalltheseschools，withtheirprovincialFrenchandtheirmechanicalaccomplishments，withtheircheapparadeofdiplomasandcommencementsandotherpublichonors，haveaneverfreshinteresttoallwhoseethetasktheyareperforminginournewsocialorder。
　　Thesegirlsarenotbeingeducatedforgovernesses，ortobeexported，withothermanufacturedarticles，tocolonieswheretherehappenstobeasurplusofmales。Mostofthemwillbewives，andeveryAmerican-bornhusbandisapossiblePresidentoftheseUnitedStates。Anyoneofthesegirlsmaybeafour-years’queen。Thereisnosphereofhumanactivitysoexaltedthatshemaynotbecalledupontofillit。
　　Butthereisanotherconsiderationoffarhigherinterest。Theeducationofourcommunitytoallthatisbeautifulisflowinginmainlythroughitswomen，andthattoaconsiderableextentbytheaidoftheselargeestablishments，theleastperfectofwhichdosomethingtostimulatethehighertastesandpartiallyinstructthem。
　　Sometimesthereis，perhaps，reasontofearthatgirlswillbetoohighlyeducatedfortheirownhappiness，iftheyareliftedbytheircultureoutoftherangeofthepracticalandevery-dayworkingyouthbywhomtheyaresurrounded。Butthisisariskwemusttake。Ouryoungmencomeintoactivelifesoearly，that，ifourgirlswerenoteducatedtosomethingbeyondmerepracticalduties，ourmaterialprosperitywouldoutstripourculture；asitoftendoesinlargeplaceswheremoneyismadetoorapidly。Thisisthemeaning，therefore，ofthatsomewhatambitiousprogrammecommontomostoftheselargeinstitutions，atwhichwesometimessmile，perhapsunwiselyoruncharitably。
　　WeshalltakeitforgrantedthattheroutineofinstructionwentonattheApollineanInstitutemuchasitdoesinotherschoolsofthesameclass。People，youngorold，arewonderfullydifferent，ifwecontrastextremesinpairs。Theyapproachmuchnearer，ifwetakethemingroupsoftwenty。Taketwoseparatehundredsastheycome，withoutchoosing，andyougetthegamutofhumancharacterinbothsocompletelythatyoucanstrikemanychordsineachwhichshallbeinperfectunisonwithcorrespondingonesintheother。Ifwegoastepfarther，andcomparethepopulationoftwovillagesofthesameraceandregion，thereissucharegularlygraduateddistributionandparallelismofcharacter，thatitseemsasifNaturemustturnouthumanbeingsinsetslikechessmen。
　　ItmustbeconfessedthatthepositioninwhichMr。Bernardnowfoundhimselfhadapleasingdangeraboutitwhichmightwelljustifyallthefearsentertainedonhisaccountbymoreexperiencedfriends，whentheylearnedthathewasengagedinaYoungLadies’Seminary。
　　Theschoolneverwentonmoresmoothlythanduringthefirstperiodofhisadministration，afterhehadarrangeditsduties，andtakenhisshare，andevenmorethanhisshare，uponhimself。ButhumannaturedoesnotwaitforthediplomaoftheApollineanInstitutetoclaimtheexerciseofit，instinctsandfaculties。Theseyounggirlssawbutlittleoftheyouthoftheneighborhood。Themansion-houseyoungmenwereoffatcollegeorinthecities，ormakinglovetoeachother’ssisters，oratanyrateunavailableforsomereasonorother。Therewereafew“clerks。”——thatis，youngmenwhoattendedshops，commonlycalled“stores。”——whowerefondofwalkingbytheInstitute，whentheywereoffduty，forthesakeofexchangingawordoraglancewithanyoneoftheyoungladiestheymighthappentoknow，ifanysuchwerestirringabroad：crudeyoungmen，mostly，withagreatmany“Sirs“and“Ma’ams“intheirspeech，andwiththatstyleofaddresssometimesacquiredintheretailbusiness，asifthesalesmanwererecommendinghimselftoacustomer，“First-ratefamilyarticle，Ma’am；warrantedtowearalifetime；justoneyardandthreequartersinthispattern，Ma’am；sha’n’tIhavethepleasure？“andsoforth。Iftherehadbeeneversomanyofthem，andiftheyhadbeeneversofascinating，thequarantineoftheInstitutewastoorigoroustoallowanyromanticinfectiontobeintroducedfromwithout。
　　Anybodymightseewhatwouldhappen，withagood-looking，well-
　　dressed，well-bredyoungman，whohadtheauthorityofamaster，itistrue，butthemannersofafriendandequal，movingaboutamongtheseyounggirlsdayafterday，hiseyesmeetingtheirs，hisbreathminglingwiththeirs，hisvoicegrowingfamiliartothem，neverinanyharshtones，oftensoothing，encouraging，alwayssympathetic，withitsmaledepthandbreadthofsoundamongthechorusoftrebles，asifitwereariverinwhichahundredoftheselittlepipingstreamlets-mightlosethemselves；anybodymightseewhatwouldhappen。Younggirlswrotehometotheirparentsthattheyenjoyedthemselvesmuch，thisterm，attheInstitute，andthoughttheyweremakingrapidprogressintheirstudies。Therewasagreatenthusiasmfortheyoungmaster’sreading-classesinEnglishpoetry。Someofthepoorlittlethingsbegantoadornthemselveswithanextraribbon，orabitofsuchjewelryastheyhadbeforekeptforgreatoccasions。Dearsouls！theyonlyhalfknewwhattheyweredoingitfor。Doesthebirdknowwhyitsfeathersgrowmorebrilliantanditsvoicebecomesmusicalinthepairingseason？
　　Andso，inthemidstofthisquietinlandtown，whereamereaccidenthadplacedMr。BernardLangdon，therewasaconcentrationofexplosivematerialswhichmightatanytimechangeitsArcadianandacademicreposeintoasceneofdangerouscommotion。WhatsaidHelenDarley，whenshesawwithherwoman’sglancethatmorethanonegirl，whensheshouldbelookingatherbook，waslookingoverittowardthemaster’sdesk？Washerownheartwarmedbyanylivelierfeelingthangratitude，asitslifebegantoflowwithfullerpulses，andthemorningskyagainlookedbrightandtheflowersrecoveredtheirlostfragrance？Wasthereanystrange，mysteriousaffinitybetweenthemasterandthedarkgirlwhosatbyherself？Couldshecallhimatwillbylookingathim？Coulditbethat——？Itmadehershivertothinkofit——AndwhowasthatstrangehorsemanwhopassedMr。
　　Bernardatdusktheotherevening，lookingsolikeMephistophelesgallopinghardtobeinseasonatthewitches’Sabbath-gathering？
　　ThatmustbethecousinofElsie’swhowantstomarryher，theysay。
　　Adangerous-lookingfellowforarival，ifonetookafancytothedarkgirl！Andwhoisshe，andwhat？——bywhatdemonisshehaunted，bywhattaintissheblighted，bywhatcurseisshefollowed，bywhatdestinyisshemarked，thatherstrangebeautyhassuchaterrorinit，andthathardlyoneshalldaretoloveher，andhereyeglittersalways，butwarmsfornone？
　　Someofthesequestionsareours。SomewereHelenDarley’s。SomeofthemmingledwiththedreamsofBernardLangdon，ashesleptthenightaftermeetingthestrangehorseman。Inthemorninghehappenedtobealittlelateinenteringtheschoolroom。TherewassomethingbetweentheleavesoftheVirgilwhichlayuponhisdesk。Heopeneditandsawafreshlygatheredmountain-flower。HelookedatElsie，instinctively，involuntarily。Shehadanothersuchfloweronherbreast。
　　Ayounggirl’sgracefulcompliment，——thatisall，——nodoubt，——nodoubt。ItwasoddthattheflowershouldhavehappenedtobelaidbetweentheleavesoftheFourthBookofthe“AEneid。”andatthisline，“Incipiteffari，mediaqueinvoceresistit。”
　　Aremembranceofanancientsuperstitionflashedthroughthemaster’smind，andhedeterminedtotrytheSortesVirgilianae。Heshutthevolume，andopeneditagainataventure——ThestoryofLaocoon！
　　Hereadwithastrangefeelingofunwillingfascination，from“Horrescoreferees“to“Bismediumamplexi。”andflungthebookfromhim，asifitsleaveshadbeensteepedinthesubtlepoisonsthatprincesdieof。
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　CURIOSITY。
　　Peoplewilltalk。Ciascunlodiceisatunethatisplayedoftenerthanthenationalairofthiscountryoranyother。
　　“That’swhattheysay。Meanstomarryher，ifsheishiscousin。
　　Gotmoneyhimself，——that’sthestory，——butwantstocomeandliveintheoldplace，andgettheDudleypropertybyandby。”“Mother’sfolkswaswealthy。’！——“Twenty-threetotwenty-fiveyearold。”——“Hea’n’tmore’ntwenty，ortwenty-oneattheoutside。”——“Looksasifheknewtoomuchtobeonlytwentyyearold。”——“Guesshe’sbeenthroughthemill，——don’tlooksogreen，anyhow，hey？Didy’evermindthatcutoverhislefteyebrow？“
　　SotheygossipedinRockland。TheyoungfellowscouldmakenothingofDickVenner。Hewasshyandproudwiththefewwhomadeadvancestohim。Theyoungladiescalledhimhandsomeandromantic，buthelookedatthemlikeamany-tailedpachawhowasinthehabitof，orderinghiswivesbythedozen。
　　“WhatdoyouthinkoftheyoungmanoverthereattheVeneers’？“saidMissArabellaThorntontoherfather。
　　“Handsome。”saidtheJudge，“butdangerous-looking。Hisfaceisindictableatcommonlaw。Doyouknow，mydear，IthinkthereisablankattheSheriff’soffice，withaplaceforhisnameinit？“
　　TheJudgepausedandlookedgrave，asifhehadjustlistenedtotheverdictofthejuryandwasgoingtopronouncesentence。
　　“Haveyouheardanythingagainsthim？“saidtheJudge’sdaughter。
　　“Nothing。ButIdon’tlikethesemixedbloodsandhalf-toldstories。
　　Besides，Ihaveseenagoodmanydesperatefellowsatthebar，andI
　　haveafancytheyallhavealookbelongingtothem。TheworstoneI
　　eversentencedlookedagooddeallikethisfellow。Awickedmouth。
　　Allourotherfeaturesaremadeforus；butamanmakeshisownmouth。”
　　“Whowasthepersonyousentenced？“
　　“Hewasayoungfellowthatundertooktogarroteamanwhohadwonhismoneyatcards。Thesameslendershape，thesamecunning，fiercelook，smoothedoverwithaplausibleair。Dependuponit，thereisanexpressioninallthesortofpeoplewholivebytheirwitswhentheycan，andbyworseweaponswhentheirwitsfailthem，thatweoldlaw-doctorsknowjustaswellasthemedicalcounsellorsknowthemarksofdiseaseinaman’sface。Dr。Kittredgelooksatamanandsaysheisgoingtodie；Ilookatanothermanandsayheisgoingtobehanged，ifnothinghappens。Idon’tsaysoofthisone，butI
　　don’tlikehislooks。IwonderDudleyVeneertakestohimsokindly。”
　　“It’sallforElsie’ssake。”saidMissThornton。“Ifeelquitesureofthat。Heneverdoesanythingthatisnotmeantforherinsomeway。Isupposeitamuseshertohavehercousinaboutthehouse。
　　Sheridesagooddealsincehehasbeenhere。Haveyouseenthemgallopingabouttogether？HelookslikemyideaofaSpanishbanditonthatwildhorseofhis。”
　　“Possiblyhehasbeenone，——orisone。”saidtheJudge，——smilingasmensmilewhoselipshaveoftenbeenfreightedwiththelifeanddeathoftheirfellow-creatures。“Imetthemridingtheotherday。
　　PerhapsDudleyisright，ifitpleaseshertohaveacompanion。Whatwillhappen，though，ifhemakeslovetoher？WillElsiebeeasilytakenwithsuchafellow？Youyoungfolksaresupposedtoknowmoreaboutthesemattersthanwemiddle-agedpeople。”
　　“Nobodycantell。Elsieisnotlikeanybodyelse。Thegirlswhohaveseenmostofherthinkshehatesmen，allbut’Dudley，’asshecallsherfather。Someofthemdoubtwhethersheloveshim。Theydoubtwhethershecanloveanythinghuman，exceptperhapstheoldblackwomanwhohastakencareofhersinceshewasababy。Thevillagepeoplehavethestrangeststoriesabouther；youknowwhattheycallher？“
　　Shewhisperedthreewordsinherfather’sear。TheJudgechangedcolorasshespoke，sigheddeeply，andwassilentasiflostinthoughtforamoment。
　　“Irememberhermother。”hesaid，“sowell！Asweetercreatureneverlived。Elsiehassomethingofherinherlook，butthosearenothermother’seyes。Theyweredark，butsoft，asinallIeversawofherrace。Herfather’saredarktoo，butmild，andeventender，Ishouldsay。Idon’tknowwhatthereisaboutElsie’s，——butdoyouknow，mydear，Ifindmyselfcuriouslyinfluencedbythem？Ihavehadtofaceagoodmanysharpeyesandhardones，——murderers’eyesandpirates’，——menwhohadtobewatchedinthebar，wheretheystoodontrial，forfeartheyshouldspringontheprosecutingofficersliketigers，——butIneversawsucheyesasElsie’s；andyettheyhaveakindofdrawingvirtueorpoweraboutthem，——Idon’tknowwhatelsetocallit：haveyouneverobservedthis？“
　　Hisdaughtersmiledinherturn。
　　“Neverobservedit？Why，ofcourse，nobodycouldbewithElsieVennerandnotobserveit。Thereareagoodmanyotherstrangethingsabouther：didyouevernoticehowshedresses？“
　　“Why，handsomelyenough，Ishouldthink。”theJudgeanswered。“I
　　supposeshedressesasshelikes，andsendstothecityforwhatshewants。Whatdoyoumeaninparticular？Wemennoticeeffectsindress，butnotmuchindetail。”
　　“Younevernoticedthecolorsandpatternsofherdresses？Youneverremarkedanythingcuriousaboutherornaments？Well！Idon’tbelieveyoumenknow，halfthetime，whetheraladywearsanine-
　　pennycollarorathread-lacecapeworthathousanddollars。Idon’tbelieveyouknowasilkdressfromabombazineone。Idon’tbelieveyoucantellwhetherawomanisinblackorincolors，unlessyouhappentoknowsheisawidow。ElsieVennerhasastrangetasteindress，letmetellyou。Shesendsfortheoddestpatternsofstuffs，andpicksoutthemostcuriousthingsatthejeweller’s，whenevershegoestotownwithherfather。TheysaytheoldDoctortellshimtoletherhaveherwayaboutsuchmatters。Afraidofhermind，ifsheiscontradicted，Isuppose。You’veheardabouthergoingtoschoolatthatplace，——the’Institoot，’asthosepeoplecallit？Theysayshe’sbrightenoughinherway，——hasstudiedathome，youknow，withherfatheragooddeal，knowssomemodernlanguagesandLatin，I
　　believe：atanyrate，shewouldhaveitso，——shemustgotothe’Institoot。’Theyhaveaverygoodfemaleteacherthere，Ihear；andthenewmaster，thatyoungMr。Langdon，looksandtalkslikeawell-
　　educatedyoungman。Iwonderwhatthey’llmakeofElsie，betweenthem！“
　　SotheytalkedattheJudge’s，inthecalm，judicial-lookingmansion-
　　house，inthegrave，stilllibrary，withthetroopsofwan-huedlaw-
　　booksstaringblindlyoutoftheirtitlesatthemastheytalked，liketheghostsofdeadattorneysfixedmotionlessandspeechless，eachwithathin，goldenfilmoverhisunwinkingeyes。
　　Inthemeantime，everythingwentonquietlyenoughafterCousinRichard’sreturn。Amanofsense，——thatis，amanwhoknowsperfectlywellthatacoolheadisworthadozenwarmheartsincarryingthefortressofawoman’saffections，notyours，“Astarte。”
　　noryours，“Viola。”——whoknowsthatmenarerejectedbywomeneverydaybecausethey，themen，lovethem，andareacceptedeverydaybecausetheydonot，andthereforecanstudytheartsofpleasing，——amanofsense，whenhefindshehasestablishedhissecondparalleltoosoon，retiresquietlytohisfirst，andbeginsworkingonhiscoveredwaysagain。[ThewholeartoflovemaybereadinanyEncyclopaediaunderthetitleFortification，wherethetermsjustusedareexplained。Afterthelittleadventureofthenecklace，Dickretreatedatoncetohisfirstparallel。Elsielovedriding，——andwouldgooffwithhimonagallopnowandthen。HewasamasterofallthosestrangeIndianhorseback-featswhichshamethetricksofthecircus-riders，andusedtoastonishandalmostamusehersometimesbydisappearingfromhissaddle，likeaphantomhorsemanlyingflatagainstthesideoftheboundingcreaturethatborehim，asifhewereahuntingleopardwithhisclawsinthehorse’sflankandflatteninghimselfoutagainsthisheavingribs。ElsieknewalittleSpanishtoo，whichshehadlearnedfromtheyoungpersonwhohadtaughtherdancing，andDickenlargedhervocabularywithafewsoftphrases，andwouldsingherasongsometimes，touchingtheairuponanancient-lookingguitartheyhadfoundwiththeghostlythingsinthegarret，——aquaintoldinstrument，markedE。M。ontheback，andsupposedtohavebelongedtoacertainElizabethMascarene，beforementionedinconnectionwithaworkofart，——afair，dowerlesslady，whosmiledandsungandfadedaway，unwedded，ahundredyearsago，asdowerlessladies，notafew，aresmilingandsingingandfadingnow，——GodgranteachofthemHislove，——andonehumanheartasitsinterpreter！
　　Asforschool，Elsiewentorstayedawayassheliked。Sometimes，whentheythoughtshewasatherdeskinthegreatschoolroom，shewouldbeonTheMountain，——alonealways。Dickwantedtogowithher，butshewouldneverlethim。Once，whenshehadfollowedthezigzagpathalittlewayup，shelookedbackandcaughtaglimpseofhimfollowingher。Sheturnedandpassedhimwithoutaword，butgivinghimalookwhichseemedtomakethescarsonhiswristtingle，wenttoherroom，whereshelockedherselfup，anddidnotcomeoutagaintillevening，OldSophyhavingbroughtherfood，andsetitdown，notspeaking，butlookingintohereyesinquiringly，likeadumbbeasttryingtofeelouthismaster’swillinhisface。Theeveningwasclearandthemoonshining。AsDicksatathischamber-window，lookingatthemountain-side，hesawagray-dressedfigureflitbetweenthetreesandstealalongthenarrowpathwhichledupward。
　　Elsie’spillowwasunpressedthatnight，butshehadnotbeenmissedbythehousehold，——forDickknewenoughtokeephisowncounsel。Thenextmorningsheavoidedhimandwentoffearlytoschool。ItwasthesamemorningthattheyoungmasterfoundtheflowerbetweentheleavesofhisVirgil。
　　Thegirlgotoverherangryfit，andwaspleasantenoughwithhercousinforafewdaysafterthis；butsheshunnedratherthansoughthim。Shehadtakenanewinterestinherbooks，andespeciallyincertainpoeticalreadingswhichthemasterconductedwiththeelderscholars。ThisgaveMasterLangdonagoodchancetostudyherwayswhenhereyewasonherbook，tonoticetheinflectionsofhervoice，towatchforanyexpressionofhersentiments；for，totellthetruth，hehadakindoffearthatthegirlhadtakenafancytohim，and，thoughsheinterestedhim，hedidnotwishtostudyherheartfromtheinside。
　　Themorehesawher，themorethesadnessofherbeautywroughtuponhim。Shelookedasifshemighthate，butcouldnotlove。Shehardlysmiledatanything，spokerarely，butseemedtofeelthathernaturalpowerofexpressionlayallinherbrighteyes，theforceofwhichsomanyhadfelt，butnoneperhapshadtriedtoexplaintothemselves。Apersonaccustomedtowatchthefacesofthosewhowereailinginbodyormind，andtosearchineverylineandtintforsomeunderlyingsourceofdisorder，couldhardlyhelpanalyzingtheimpressionsuchafaceproduceduponhim。Thelightofthosebeautifuleyeswaslikethelustreofice；inallherfeaturestherewasnothingofthathumanwarmthwhichshowsthatsympathyhasreachedthesoulbeneaththemaskoffleshitwears。Thelookwasthatofremoteness，ofutterisolation。Therewasinitsstonyapathy，itseemedtohim，thepathoswhichwefindintheblindwhoshownofilmorspeckovertheorgansofsight；forNaturehadmeanthertobelovely，andleftoutnothingbutlove。Andyetthemastercouldnothelpfeelingthatsomeinstinctwasworkinginthisgirlwhichwasinsomewayleadinghertoseekhispresence。Shedidnotliftherglitteringeyesuponhimasatfirst。Itseemedstrangethatshedidnot，fortheyweresurelyhernaturalweaponsofconquest。Hercolordidnotcomeandgolikethatofyounggirlsunderexcitement。Shehadaclearbrunettecomplexion，alittlesun-
　　touched，itmaybe，——forthemasternoticedonce，whenhernecklacewasslightlydisplaced，thatafaintringorbandofalittlelightershadethantherestofthesurfaceencircledherneck。Whatwastheslightpeculiarityofherenunciation，whensheread？Notalisp，certainly，buttheleastpossibleimperfectioninarticulatingsomeofthelingualsounds，——justenoughtobenoticedatfirst，andquiteforgottenafterbeingafewtimesheard。
　　Notawordaboutthefloweroneitherside。Itwasnotuncommonfortheschoolgirlstoleavearoseorpinkorwildflowerontheteacher’sdesk。FindingitintheVirgilwasnothing，afterall；itwasalittledelicateflower，whichlookedasifitweremadetopress，anditwasprobablyshutinbyaccidentattheparticularplacewherehefoundit。Hetookitintohisheadtoexamineitinabotanicalpointofview。Hefounditwasnotcommon，——thatitgrewonlyincertainlocalities，——andthatoneofthesewasamongtherocksoftheeasternspurofTheMountain。
　　IthappenedtocomeintohisheadhowtheSwissyouthclimbthesidesoftheAlpstofindtheflowercalledtheEdelweissforthemaidenswhomtheywishtoplease。Itisaprettyfancy，thatofscalingsomedangerousheightbeforethedawn，soastogathertheflowerinitsfreshness，thatthefavoredmaidenmaywearittochurchonSundaymorning，aproofatonceofherlover’sdevotionandhiscourage。
　　Mr。Bernarddeterminedtoexploretheregionwherethisflowerwassaidtogrow，thathemightseewherethewildgirlsoughttheblossomsofwhichNaturewassojealous。
　　Itwasonawarm，fairSaturdayafternoonthatheundertookhisland-
　　voyageofdiscovery。Hehadmorecuriosity，itmaybe，thanhewouldhaveowned；forhehadheardofthegirl’swanderinghabits，andtheguessesabouthersylvanhaunts，andwasthinkingwhatthechanceswerethatheshouldmeetherinsomestrangeplace，orcomeupontracesofherwhichwouldtellsecretsshewouldnotcaretohaveknown。
　　Thewoodsareallalivetoonewhowalksthroughthemwithhismindinanexcitedstate，andhiseyesandearswideopen。Thetreesarealwaystalking，notmerelywhisperingwiththeirleaves，foreverytreetalkstoitselfinthatway，evenwhenitstandsaloneinthemiddleofapasture，butgratingtheirboughsagainsteachother，asoldhorn-handedfarmerspresstheirdry，rustlingpalmstogether，droppinganutoraleaforatwig，clickingtothetapofawoodpecker，orrustlingasasquirrelflashesalongabranch。Itwasnowtheseasonofsinging-birds，andthewoodswerehauntedwithmysterious，tendermusic。Thevoicesofthebirdswhichlovethedeepershadesoftheforestaresadderthanthoseoftheopenfields：
　　thesearethenunswhohavetakentheveil，thehermitsthathavehiddenthemselvesawayfromtheworldandtelltheirgriefstotheinfinitelisteningSilencesofthewilderness，——fortheonedeepinnersilencethatNaturebreakswithherfitfulsuperficialsoundsbecomesmultipliedastheimageofastarinruffledwaters。
　　Strange！Thewoodsatfirstconveytheimpressionofprofoundrepose，andyet，ifyouwatchtheirwayswithopenear，youfindthelifewhichisinthemisrestlessandnervousasthatofawoman：thelittletwigsarecrossingandtwiningandseparatinglikeslenderfingersthatcannotbestill；thestrayleafistobeflattenedintoitsplacelikeatruantcurl；thelimbsswayandtwist，impatientoftheirconstrainedattitude；andtheroundedmassesoffoliageswellupwardandsubsidefromtimetotimewithlongsoftsighs，and，itmaybe，thefallingofafewrain-dropswhichhadlainhiddenamongthedeepershadows。Iprayyou，notice，inthesweetsummerdayswhichwillsoonseeyouamongthemountains，thisinwardtranquillitythatbelongstotheheartofthewoodland，withthisnervousness，forIdonotknowwhatelsetocallit，ofoutermovement。Onewouldsay，thatNature，likeuntrainedpersons，couldnotsitstillwithoutnestlingaboutordoingsomethingwithherlimbsorfeatures，andthathighbreedingwasonlytobelookedforintrimgardens，wherethesoulofthetreesisillateaseperhaps，buttheirmannersareunexceptionable，andarustlingbranchorleaffallingoutofseasonisanindecorum。TherealforestishardlystillexceptintheIndiansummer；thenthereisdeathinthehouse，andtheyarewaitingforthesharpshrunkenmonthstocomewithwhiteraimentforthesummer’sburial。
　　Thereweremanyhemlocksinthisneighborhood，thegrandestandmostsolemnofalltheforest-treesinthemountainregions。Uptoacertainperiodofgrowththeyareeminentlybeautiful，theirboughsdisposedinthemostgracefulpagoda-likeseriesofcloseterraces，thickanddarkwithgreencrystallineleaflets。Inspringthetendershootscomeoutofapalergreen，finger-like，asiftheywerepointingtothevioletsattheirfeet。Butwhenthetreeshavegrownold，andtheirroughbolesmeasureayardandmorethroughtheirdiameter，theyarenolongerbeautiful，buttheyhaveasadsolemnityalltheirown，toofullofmeaningtorequiretheheart’scommenttobeframedinwords。Below，alltheirearthward-lookingbranchesaresaplessandshattered，splinteredbytheweightofmanywinters’
　　snows；above，theyarestillgreenandfulloflife，buttheirsummitsovertopallthedeciduoustreesaroundthem，andintheircompanionshipwithheaventheyarealone。Onthesethelightninglovestofall。OnesuchMr。Bernardsaw，——orrather，whathadbeenonesuch；forthebolthadtornthetreelikeanexplosionfromwithin，andthegroundwasstrewedallaroundthebrokenstumpwithflakesofroughbarkandstripsandchipsofshiveredwood，intowhichtheoldtreehadbeenrentbytheburstingrocketfromthethunder-cloud——
　　ThemasterhadstruckupTheMountainobliquelyfromthewesternsideoftheDudleymansion-house。Inthiswayheascendeduntilhereachedapointmanyhundredfeetabovetheleveloftheplain，andcommandingallthecountrybeneathandaround。Almostathisfeethesawthemansion-house，thechimneystandingoutofthemiddleoftheroof，orrather，likeablacksquareholeinit，——thetreesalmostdirectlyovertheirstems，thefencesaslines，thewholenearlyasanarchitectwoulddrawaground-planofthehouseandtheinclosuresroundit。Itfrightenedhimtoseehowthehugemassesofrockandoldforest-growthshungoverthehomebelow。Ashedescendedalittleanddrewneartheledgeofevilname，hewasstruckwiththeappearanceofalongnarrowfissurethatranparallelwithitandaboveitformanyrods，notseeminglyofveryoldstanding，——forthereweremanyfibresofrootswhichhadevidentlybeensnappedasunderwhentherenttookplace，andsomeofwhichwerestillsucculentinbothseparatedportions。
　　Mr。Bernardhadmadeuphismind，whenhesetforth，nottocomebackbeforehehadexaminedthedreadedledge。Hehadhalfpersuadedhimselfthatitwasscientificcuriosity。Hewishedtoexaminetherocks，toseewhatflowersgrewthere，andperhapstopickupanadventureinthezoologicalline；forhehadonapairofhigh，stoutboots，andhecarriedastickinhishand，whichwasforkedatoneextremity，soastobeveryconvenienttoholddownacrotaluswith，ifheshouldhappentoencounterone。Heknewtheaspectoftheledgefromadistance；foritsbaldandleprous-lookingdeclivitiesstoodoutintheirnakednessfromthewoodedsidesofTheMountain，whenthiswasviewedfromcertainpointsofthevillage。Buttheneareraspectoftheblastedregionhadsomethingfrightfulinit。
　　Thecliffswerewater-worn，asiftheyhadbeengnawedforthousandsofyearsbyhungrywaves。Insomeplacestheyoverhungtheirbasesoastolooklikeleaningtowerswhichmighttoppleoveratanyminute。
　　Inotherpartstheywerescoopedintonichesorcaverns。Hereandtheretheywerecrackedindeepfissures，someofthemofsuchwidththatonemightenterthem，ifhecaredtoruntheriskofmeetingtheregulartenants，whomighttreathimasanintruder。
　　Partsoftheledgewereclovenperpendicularly，withnothingbutcracksorslightlyprojectingedgesinwhichoronwhichafootcouldfindhold。Highupononeoftheseprecipitouswallsofrockhesawsometuftsofflowers，andknewthematonceforthesamethathehadfoundbetweentheleavesofhisVirgil。Notthere，surely！Nowomanwouldhaveclungagainstthatsteep，roughparapettogatheranidleblossom。Andyetthemasterlookedroundeverywhere，andevenupthesideofthatrock，toseeiftherewerenosignsofawoman’sfootstep。Hepeeredaboutcuriously，asifhiseyemightfallonsomeofthosefragmentsofdresswhichwomenleaveafterthem，whenevertheyrunagainsteachotheroragainstanythingelse，——incrowdedballrooms，inthebrushwoodafterpicnics，onthefencesafterrambles，scatteredroundovereveryplacewhichhaswitnessedanactofviolence，whererudehandshavebeenlaiduponthem。Nothing——
　　Stop，though，onemoment。Thatstoneissmoothandpolished，asifithadbeensomewhatwornbythepressureofhumanfeet。Thereisonetwigbrokenamongthestemsofthatclumpofshrubs。Heputhisfootuponthestoneandtookholdoftheclose-clingingshrub。Inthiswayheturnedasharpangleoftherockandfoundhimselfonanaturalplatform，whichlayinfrontofoneofthewiderfissures，——
　　whetherthemouthofacavernornothecouldnotyettell。Aflatstonemadeaneasyseat，uponwhichhesatdown，ashewasverygladtodo，andlookedmechanicallyabouthim。Asmallfragmentsplinteredfromtherockwasathisfeet。Hetookitandthrewitdownthedeclivityalittlebelowwherehesat。Helookedaboutforastemorastrawofsomekindtobiteupon，——acountry-instinct，——
　　relic，nodoubt，oftheoldvegetable-feedinghabitsofEden。Isthatastemorastraw？Hepickeditup。Itwasahair-pin。
　　TosaythatMr。Langdonhadastrangesortofthrillshootthroughhimatthesightofthisharmlesslittleimplementwouldbeastatementnotatvariancewiththefactofthecase。Thatsmoothstonehadbeenoftentrodden，andbywhatfoothecouldnotdoubt。
　　Heroseupfromhisseattolookroundforothersignsofawoman’svisits。Whatifthereisacavernhere，whereshehasaretreat，fittedup，perhaps，asanchoritesfittedtheircells，——nay，itmaybe，carpetedandmirrored，andwithoneofthosetiger-skinsforacouch，suchasthey，saythegirllovestolieon？Letuslook，atanyrate。
　　Mr。Bernardwalkedtothemouthofthecavernorfissureandlookedintoit。Hislookwasmetbytheglitteroftwodiamondeyes，small，sharp，cold，shiningoutofthedarkness，butglidingwithasmooth，steadymotiontowardsthelight，andhimself。Hestoodfixed，struckdumb，staringbackintothemwithdilatingpupilsandsuddennumbnessoffearthatcannotmove，asintheterrorofdreams。Thetwosparksoflightcameforwarduntiltheygrewtocirclesofflame，andallatonceliftedthemselvesupasifinangrysurprise。ThenforthefirsttimethrilledinMr。Bernard’searsthedreadfulsoundthatnothingwhichbreathes，beitmanorbrute，canhearunmoved，——thelong，loud，stingingwhirr，asthehuge，thickbodiedreptileshookhismany-jointedrattleandadjustedhisloopsforthefatalstroke。
　　Hiseyesweredrawnaswithmagnetstowardthecirclesofflame。Hisearsrungasintheoverturetotheswooningdreamofchloroform。
　　Naturewasbeforemanwithheranaesthetics：thecat’sfirstshakestupefiesthemouse；thelion’sfirstshakedeadenstheman’sfearandfeeling；andthecrotalusparalyzesbeforehestrikes。Hewaitedasinatrance，——waitedasonethatlongstohavetheblowfall，andallover，asthemanwhoshallbeintwopiecesinasecondwaitsfortheaxetodrop。Butwhilehelookedstraightintotheflamingeyes，itseemedtohimthattheywerelosingtheirlightandterror，thattheyweregrowingtameanddull；thecharmwasdissolving，thenumbnesswaspassingaway，hecouldmoveoncemore。Heheardalightbreathingclosetohisear，and，halfturning，sawthefaceofElsieVenner，lookingmotionlessintothereptile’seyes，whichhadshrunkandfadedunderthestrongerenchantmentofherown。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　FAMILYSECRETS。
　　ItwascommonlyunderstoodinthetownofRocklandthatDudleyVennerhadhadagreatdealoftroublewiththatdaughterofhis，sohandsome，yetsopeculiar，aboutwhomthereweresomanystrangestories。Therewasnoendtothetaleswhichweretoldofherextraordinarydoings。Yethernamewasnevercoupledwiththatofanyyouthorman，untilthiscousinhadprovokedremarkbyhisvisit；
　　andeventhenitwasoftenerintheshapeofwonderingconjectureswhetherhewoulddaretomakelovetoher，thaninanypretendedknowledgeoftheirrelationstoeachother，thatthepublictongueexerciseditsvillage-prerogativeoftattle。
　　Themorecommonversionofthetroubleatthemansion-housewasthis：
　　Elsiewasnotexactlyinherrightmind。Hertemperwassingular，hertasteswereanomalous，herhabitswerelawless，herantipathiesweremanyandintense，andshewasliabletoexplosionsofungovernableanger。Somesaidthatwasnottheworstofit。Atnearlyfifteenyearsold，whenshewasgrowingfast，andinanirritablestateofmindandbody，shehadhadagovernessplacedoverherforwhomshehadconceivedanaversion。Itwaswhisperedamongafewwhoknewmoreofthefamilysecretsthanothers，that，worriedandexasperatedbythepresenceandjealousoversightofthisperson，Elsiehadattemptedtogetfinallyridofherbyunlawfulmeans，suchasyounggirlshavebeenknowntoemployintheirstraits，andtowhichthesexatallageshasacertaininstinctivetendency，inpreferencetomorepalpableinstrumentsfortherightingofitswrongs。Atanyrate，thisgovernesshadbeentakensuddenlyill，andtheDoctorhadbeensentforatmidnight。OldSophyhadtakenhermasterintoaroomapart，andsaidafewwordstohimwhichturnedhimaswhiteasasheet。Assoonasherecoveredhimself，hesentSophyout，calledintheoldDoctor，andgavehimsomefewhints，onwhichheactedatonce，andhadthesatisfactionofseeinghispatientoutofdangerbeforeheleftinthemorning。Itispropertosay，that，duringthefollowingdays，themostthoroughsearchwasmadeineverynookandcrannyofthosepartsofthehousewhichElsiechieflyhaunted，butnothingwasfoundwhichmightbeaccusedofhavingbeentheintentionalcauseoftheprobablyaccidentalsuddenillnessofthegoverness。Fromthistimeforwardherfatherwasnevereasy。Shouldhekeepherapart，orshutherup，forfearofrisktoothers，andsoloseeverychanceofrestoringhermindtoitshealthytonebykindlyinfluencesandintercoursewithwholesomenatures？Therewasnoproof，onlypresumption，astotheagencyofElsieinthematterreferredto。Butthedoubtwasworse，perhaps，thancertaintywouldhavebeen，——forthenhewouldhaveknownwhattodo。
　　HetooktheoldDoctorashisadviser。Theshrewdoldmanlistenedtothefather’sstory，hisexplanationsofpossibilities，ofprobabilities，ofdangers，ofhopes。Whenhehadgotthrough，theDoctorlookedhiminthefacesteadily，asifheweresaying，Isthatall？
　　Thefather’seyesfell。Thiswasnotall。Therewassomethingatthebottomofhissoulwhichhecouldnotbeartospeakof，——nay，which，asoftenasitreareditselfthroughthedarkwavesofunwordedconsciousnessintothebreathingairofthought，hetroddownastheruinedangelstreaddownalostsoul，tryingtocomeupoutoftheseethingseaoftorture。Onlythisonedaughter！No！
　　Godneverwouldhaveordainedsuchathing。Therewasnothingeverheardoflikeit；itcouldnotbe；shewasill，——shewouldoutgrowallthesesingularities；hehadhadanauntwhowaspeculiar；hehadheardthathystericgirlsshowedthestrangestformsofmoralobliquityforatime，butcamerightatlast。Shewouldchangeallatonce，whenherhealthgotmorefirmlysettledinthecourseofhergrowth。Aretherenotroughbudsthatopenintosweetflowers？Aretherenotfruits，which，whileunripe，arenottobetastedorendured，whichmatureintotherichesttasteandfragrance？InGod’sgoodtimeshewouldcometohertruenature；hereyeswouldlosethatfrightful，coldglitter；herlipswouldnotfeelsocoldwhenshepressedthemagainsthischeek；andthatfaintbirth-mark，hermotherswoonedwhenshefirstsaw，wouldfadewhollyout，——itwaslessmarked，surely，nowthanitusedtobe！
　　SoDudleyVennerfelt，andwouldhavethought，ifhehadlethisthoughtsbreathetheairofhissoul。ButtheDoctorreadthroughwordsandthoughtsandallintothefather’sconsciousness。Therearestatesofmindwhichmaybesharedbytwopersonsinpresenceofeachother，whichremainnotonlyunworded，butunthoughted，ifsuchawordmaybecoinedforourspecialneed。Suchamutuallyinterpenetrativeconsciousnesstherewasbetweenthefatherandtheoldphysician。Byacommonimpulse，bothofthemroseinamechanicalwayandwenttothewesternwindow，whereeachstarted，ashesawtheother’slookdirectedtowardsthewhitestonewhichstoodinthemidstofthesmallplotofgreenturf。
　　TheDoctorhad，foramoment，forgottenhimselfbuthelookedupattheclouds，whichwereangry，andsaid，asifspeakingoftheweather，“Itisdarknow，butwehopeitwillclearupbyandby。
　　Thereareagreatmanymorecloudsthanrains，andmorerainsthanstrokesoflightning，andmorestrokesoflightningthantherearepeoplekilled。Wemustletthisgirlofourshaveherway，asfarasitissafe。Sendawaythiswomanshehates，quietly。Getheraforeignerforagoverness，ifyoucan，——onethatcandanceandsingandwillteachher。InthehouseoldSophywillwatchherbest。Outofityoumusttrusther，Iamafraid，——forshewillnotbefollowedround，andsheisinlessdangerthanyouthink。Ifshewandersatnight，findher，ifyoucan；thewoodsarenotabsolutelysafe。Ifshewillbefriendlywithanyyoungpeople，havethemtoseeher，——
　　youngmenespecially。Shewillnotloveanyoneeasily，perhapsnotatall；yetlovewouldbemoreliketobringherrightthananythingelse。Ifanyyoungpersonseemsindangeroffallinginlovewithher，sendhimtomeforcounsel。”
　　Dry，hardadvice，butgivenfromakindhewn，withamoisteye，andintoneswhichtriedtobecheerfulandwerefullofsympathy。Thisadvicewasthekeytothemorethanindulgenttreatmentwhich，aswehaveseen，thegirlhadreceivedfromherfatherandallabouther。
　　TheoldDoctoroftencamein，inthekindest，mostnaturalsortofway，gotintopleasantrelationswithElsiebyalwaystreatingherinthesameeasymannerasatthegreatparty，encouragingallherharmlessfancies，andrarelyremindingherthathewasaprofessionaladviser，exceptwhenshecameoutofherownaccord，asinthetalktheyhadattheparty，tellinghimofsomewildtrickshehadbeenplaying。
　　“Lethergotothegirls’school，byallmeans。”saidtheDoctor，whenshehadbeguntotalkaboutit。“Possiblyshemaytaketosomeofthegirlsoroftheteachers。Anythingtointeresther。
　　Friendship，love，religion，whateverwillsethernatureatwork。Wemusthaveheadwayon，ortherewillbenopilotingher。Actionfirstofall，andthenwewillseewhattodowithit。”
　　So，whenCousinRichardcamealong，theDoctor，thoughhedidnotlikehislooksanytoowell，toldherfathertoencouragehisstayingforatime。Ifshelikedhim，itwasgood；ifsheonlytoleratedhim，itwasbetterthannothing。
　　“Youknowsomethingaboutthatnephewofyours，duringtheselastyears，Isuppose？“theDoctorsaid。“Looksasifhehadseenlife。
　　Hasascarthatwasmadebyasword-cut，andawhitespotonthesideofhisneckthatlookslikeabullet-mark。Ithinkhehasbeenwhatfolkscalla’hardcustomer。’“
　　DudleyVennerownedthathehadheardlittleornothingofhimoflateyears。Hehadinvitedhimself，andofcourseitwouldnotbedecentnottoreceivehimasarelative。HethoughtElsieratherlikedhavinghimaboutthehouseforawhile。Shewasverycapricious，——actedasifshefanciedhimonedayanddislikedhimthenext。Hedidnotknow，——butsometimesthoughtthatthisnephewofhismighttakeaseriouslikingtoElsie。Whatshouldhedoaboutit，ifitturnedoutso？
　　TheDoctorliftedhiseyebrowsalittle。Hethoughttherewasnofear。Elsiewasnaturallywhattheycallaman-hater，andtherewasverylittledangerofanysuddenpassionspringingupbetweentwosuchyoungpersons。Lethimstayawhile；itgiveshersomethingtothinkabout。Sohestayedawhile，aswehaveseen。
　　ThemoreMr。Richardbecameacquaintedwiththefamily，——thatis，withthetwopersonsofwhomitconsisted，——themorefavorablytheideaofapermanentresidenceinthemansion-houseseemedtoimpresshim。Theestatewaslarge，——hundredsofacres，withwoodlandsandmeadowsofgreatvalue。Thefatheranddaughterhadbeenlivingquietly，andtherecouldnotbeadoubtthatthepropertywhichcamethroughtheDudleysmusthavelargelyincreasedoflateyears。Itwasevidentenoughthattheyhadanabundantincome，fromthewayinwhichElsie’scapriceswereindulged。Shehadhorsesandcarriagestosuitherself；shesenttothegreatcityforeverythingshewantedinthewayofdress。Evenherdiamonds——andtheyoungmanknewsomethingaboutthesegems——mustbeofconsiderablevalue；andyetsheworethemcarelessly，asitpleasedherfancy。Shehadpreciousoldlaces，too，almostworththeirweightindiamonds；laceswhichhadbeensnatchedfromaltarsinancientSpanishcathedralsduringthewars，andwhichitwouldnotbesafetoleaveaduchessalonewithfortenminutes。Theoldhousewasfatwiththedepositsofrichgenerationswhichhadgonebefore。Thefamous“golden“fire-setwasapurchaseofoneofthefamilywhohadbeeninFranceduringtheRevolution，andmusthavecomefromaprincelypalace，ifnotfromoneoftheroyalresidences。Asforsilver，theironclosetwhichhadbeenmadeinthedining-roomwallwasrunningoverwithit：tea-
　　kettles，coffee-pots，heavy-liddedtankards，chafing-dishes，punch-
　　bowls，allthatalltheDudleyshadeverused，fromthecaudle-cupwhichusedtobehandedroundtheyoungmother’schamber，andtheporringerfromwhichchildrenscoopedtheirbread-and-milkwithspoonsassolidasingots，tothatominousvessel，ontheuppershelf，farbackinthedark，withaspoutlikeaslenderitalicS，outofwhichthesickanddying，allalongthelastcentury，andsince，hadtakenthelastdropsthatpassedtheirlips。Withoutbeingmuchofascholar，Dickcouldseewellenough，too，thatthebooksinthelibraryhadbeenorderedfromthegreatLondonhouses，whoseimprinttheybore，bypersonswhoknewwhatwasbestandmeanttohaveit。Amandoesnotrequiremuchlearningtofeelprettysure，whenhetakesoneofthosesolid，smooth，velvet-leavedquartos，sayaBaskervilleAddison，forinstance，boundinredmorocco，withamarginofgoldasrichastheembroideryofaprince’scollar，asVandyckdrewit，——heneednotknowmuchtofeelprettysurethatascoreortwoofshelvesfullofsuchbooksmeanthatittookalongpurse，aswellasaliterarytaste，tobringthemtogether。
　　Toalltheseattractionsthemindofthisthoughtfulyounggentlemanmaybesaidtohavebeenfullyopen。Hedidnotdisguisefromhimself，however，thattherewereanumberofdrawbacksinthewayofhisbecomingestablishedastheheiroftheDudleymansion-houseandfortune。Inthefirstplace，CousinElsiewas，unquestionably，verypiquant，veryhandsome，gameasahawk，andhardtoplease，whichmadeherworthtryingfor。ButthentherewassomethingaboutCousinElsie，——thesmall，whitescarsbeganstinging，ashesaidthistohimself，andhepushedhissleeveuptolookatthem——therewassomethingaboutCousinElsiehecouldn’tmakeout。Whatwasthematterwithhereyes，thattheysuckedyourlifeoutofyouinthatstrangeway？Whatdidshealwayswearanecklacefor？Hadshesomesuchlove-tokenonherneckastheoldDon’srevolverhadleftonhis？Howsafewouldanybodyfeeltolivewithher？Besides，herfatherwouldlastforever，ifhewaslefttohimself。Andhemaytakeitintohisheadtomarryagain。Thatwouldbepleasant！
　　SotalkedCousinRichardtohimself，inthecalmofthenightandinthetranquillityofhisownsoul。Therewasmuchtobesaidonbothsides。Itwasabalancetobestruckafterthetwocolumnswereaddedup。Hestruckthebalance，andcametotheconclusionthathewouldfallinlovewithElsieVenner。
　　Theintelligentreaderwillnotconfoundthismaturedandseriousintentionoffallinginlovewiththeyoungladywiththatmereimpulseofthemomentbeforementionedasaninstanceofmakinglove。
　　Onthecontrary，themomentMr。RichardhadmadeuphismindthatheshouldfallinlovewithElsie，hebegantobemorereservedwithher，andtotrytomakefriendsinotherquarters。Sensiblemen，youknow，careverylittlewhatagirl’spresentfancyis。Thequestionis：Whomanagesher，andhowcanyougetatthatpersonorthosepersons？Herfoolishlittlesentimentsareallverywellintheirway；butbusinessisbusiness，andwecan’tstopforsuchtrifles。
　　Theoldpoliticalwire-pullersnevergonearthemantheywanttogain，iftheycanhelpit；theyfindoutwhohisintimatesandmanagersare，andworkthroughthem。Alwayshandleanypositivelyelectricalbody，whetheritischargedwithpassionorpower，withsomenon-conductorbetweenyouandit，notwithyournakedhands——
　　Theaboveweresomeoftheyounggentleman’sworkingaxioms；andheproceededtoactinaccordancewiththem。
　　Hebeganbypayinghiscourtmoreassiduouslytohisuncle。Itwasnotveryhardtoingratiatehimselfinthatquarter；forhismannerswereinsinuating，andhisprecociousexperienceoflifemadehimentertaining。Theoldneglectedbilliard——roomwassoonputinorder，andDick，whowasamagnificentplayer，hadaseriesofgameswithhisuncle，inwhich，singularlyenough，hewasbeaten，thoughhisantagonisthadbeenoutofplayforyears。Heevincedaprofoundinterestinthefamilyhistory，insistedonhavingthedetailsofitsearlyalliances，andprofessedagreatprideinit，whichhehadinheritedfromhisfather，who，thoughhehadalliedhimselfwiththedaughterofanalienrace，hadyetchosenonewiththerealazurebloodinherveins，asproudasifshehadCastileandAragonforherdowerandtheCidforhergrand-papa。Healsoaskedagreatdealofadvice，suchasinexperiencedyoungpersonsareinneedof，andlistenedtoitwithduereverence。
　　ItisnotverystrangethatuncleDudleytookakinderviewofhisnephewthantheJudge，whothoughthecouldreadaquestionablehistoryinhisface，——ortheoldDoctor，whoknewmen’stemperamentsandorganizationsprettywell，andhadhisprejudicesaboutraces，andcouldtellanoldsword-cutandaballet-markintwosecondsfromascargotbyfallingagainstthefender，oramarkleftbyking’sevil。Hecouldnotbeexpectedtoshareourownprejudices；forhehadheardnothingofthewildyouth’sadventures，orhisscamperoverthePampasatshortnotice。So，then，“RichardVenner，Esquire，guestofDudleyVenner，Esquire，athiselegantmansion。”prolongedhisvisituntilhispresencebecamesomethinglikeamatterofhabit，andtheneighborsbegantothinkthatthefineoldhousewouldbeilluminatedbeforelongforagrandmarriage。
　　Hehaddoneprettywellwiththefather：thenextthingwastogainoverthenurse。OldSophywasascunningasaredfoxoragraywoodchuck。ShehadnothingintheworldtodobuttowatchElsie；
　　shehadnothingtocareforbutthisgirlandherfather。ShehadneverlikedDicktoowell；forheusedtomakefacesatherandteaseherwhenhewasaboy，andnowhewasamantherewassomethingabouthim——shecouldnottellwhat——thatmadehersuspiciousofhim。Itwasnosmallmattertogetherovertohisside。
　　Thejet-blackAfricansknowthatgoldneverlookssowellasonthefoiloftheirdarkskins。Dickfoundinhistrunkastringofgoldbeads，suchasaremanufacturedinsomeofourcities，whichhehadbroughtfromthegoldregionofChili，——sohesaid，——fortheexpresspurposeofgivingthemtooldSophy。TheseAfricans，too，haveaperfectpassionforgay-coloredclothing；beingcondemnedbyNature，asitwere，toaperpetualmourning-suit，theylovetoenlivenitwithallsortsofvariegatedstuffsofsprightlypatterns，aflamewithredandyellow。Theconsiderateyoungmanhadrememberedthis，too，andbroughthomeforSophysomehandkerchiefsofrainbowhues，whichhadbeenstrangelyoverlookedtillnow，atthebottomofoneofhistrunks。OldSophytookhisgifts，butkeptherblackeyesopenandwatchedeverymovementoftheyoungpeopleallthemoreclosely。
　　Itwasthroughherthatthefatherhadalwaysknownmostoftheactionsandtendenciesofhisdaughter。
　　InthemeantimethestrangeadventureonTheMountainhadbroughttheyoungmasterintonewrelationswithElsie。Shehadledhimoutof，danger；perhapssavedhimfromdeathbythestrangepowersheexerted。Hewasgrateful，andyetshudderedattherecollectionofthewholescene。Inhisdreamshewaspursuedbytheglareofcoldglitteringeyes，whethertheywereintheheadofawomanorofareptilehecouldnotalwaystell，theimageshadsoruntogether。
　　Buthecouldnothelpseeingthattheeyesoftheyounggirlhadbeenoften，veryoften，turneduponhimwhenhehadbeenlookingaway，andfellashisownglancemetthem。HelenDarleytoldhimveryplainlythatthisgirlwasthinkingabouthimmorethanaboutherbook。DickVennerfoundshewasgettingmoreconstantinherattendanceatschool。Helearned，oninquiry，thattherewasanewmaster，ahandsomeyoungman。Thehandsomeyoungmanwouldnothavelikedthelookthat，cameoverDick’sfacewhenheheardthisfactmentioned。
　　Inshort，everythingwasgettingtangleduptogether，andtherewouldbenochanceofdisentanglingthethreadsinthischapter。
　　CHAPTERXV。
　　PHYSIOLOGICAL。
　　IfMasterBernardfeltanaturalgratitudetohisyoungpupilforsavinghimfromanimminentperil，hewasinastateofinfiniteperplexitytoknowwhyheshouldhaveneededsuchaid。He，anactive，muscular，courageous，adventurousyoungfellow，with——astickinhishand，readytoholddowntheOldSerpenthimself，ifhehadcomeinhisway，tostandstill，staringintothosetwoeyes，untiltheycameupclosetohim，andthestrange，terriblesoundseemedtofreezehimstiffwherehestood，——whatwasthemeaningofit？Again，whatwastheinfluencethisgirlhadseeminglyexerted，underwhichthevenomouscreaturehadcollapsedinsuchasuddenway？Whetherhehadbeenawakeordreaminghedidnotfeelquitesure。HeknewhehadgoneupTheMountain，atanyrate；heknewhehadcomedownTheMountainwiththegirlwalkingjustbeforehim；——therewasnoforgettingherfigure，asshewalkedoninsilence，herbraidedlocksfallingalittle，forwantofthelosthairpin，perhaps，andlookinglikeawreathingcoilof——Shameonsuchfancies！——towrongthatsupremecrowninggiftofaboundingNature，arushofshiningblackhair，which，shakenloose，wouldcloudherallround，likeGodiva，frombrowtoinstep！Hewassurehehadsatdownbeforethefissureorcave。Hewassurethathewasledsoftlyawayfromtheplace，andthatitwasElsiewhohadledhim。Therewasthehair-pintoshowthatsofaritwasnotadream。Butbetweentheserecollectionscameastrangeconfusion；andthemorethemasterthought，themorehewasperplexedtoknowwhethershehadwakedhim，sleeping，ashesatonthestone，fromsomefrightfuldream，suchasmaycomeinaverybriefslumber，orwhethershehadbewitchedhimintoatrancewiththosestrangeeyesofhers，orwhetheritwasalltrue，andhemustsolveitsproblemashebestmight。
　　Therewasanotherrecollectionconnectedwiththismountainadventure。Astheyapproachedthemansion-house，theymetayoungman，whomMr。Bernardrememberedhavingseenonceatleastbefore，andwhomhehadheardofasacousinoftheyounggirl。AsCousinRichardVenner，thepersoninquestion，passedthem，hetookthemeasure，sotospeak，ofMr。Bernard，withalooksopiercing，soexhausting，sopractised，soprofoundlysuspicious，thattheyoungmasterfeltinaninstantthathehadanenemyinthishandsomeyouth，——anenemy，too，whowasliketobesubtleanddangerous。
　　Mr。Bernardhadmadeuphismind，that，comewhatmight，enemyornoenemy，liveordie，hewouldsolvethemysteryofElsieVenner，soonerorlater。Hewasnotamantobefrightenedoutofhisresolutionbyascowl，orastiletto，oranyunknownmeansofmischief，ofwhichawholearmorywashintedatinthatpassinglookDickVennerhadgivenhim。Indeed，likemostadventurousyoungpersons，hefoundakindofcharminfeelingthattheremightbesomedangersinthewayofhisinvestigations。SomerumorswhichhadreachedhimaboutthesupposedsuitorofElsieVenner，whowasthoughttobeadesperatekindoffellow，andwhomsomebelievedtobeanunscrupulousadventurer，addedacurious，romantickindofinteresttothecourseofphysiologicalandpsychologicalinquirieshewasaboutinstituting。
　　TheafternoononTheMountainwasstillupper-mostinhismind。Ofcourseheknewthecommonstories——aboutfascination。Hehadoncebeenhimselfaneyewitnessofthecharmingofasmallbirdbyoneofourcommonharmlessserpents。Whetherahumanbeingcouldbereachedbythissubtileagency，hehadbeenskeptical，notwithstandingthemysteriousrelationgenerallyfelttoexistbetweenmanandthiscreature，“cursedaboveallcattleandaboveeverybeastofthefield。”——arelationwhichsomeinterpretasthefruitofthecurse，andothersholdtobesoinstinctivethatthisanimalhasbeenforthatreasonadoptedasthenaturalsymbolofevil。Therewasanothersolution，however，suppliedhimbyhisprofessionalreading。ThecuriousworkofMr。BraidofManchesterhadmadehimfamiliarwiththephenomenaofastatealliedtothatproducedbyanimalmagnetism，andcalledbythatwriterbythenameofhypnotism。Hefound，byreferringtohisnote-book，thestatementwas，that，byfixingtheeyesonabrightobjectsoplacedastoproduceastrainupontheeyesandeyelids，andtomaintainasteadyfixedstare，therecomesoninafewsecondsaverysingularcondition，characterizedbymuscularrigidityandinabilitytomove，withastrangeexaltationofmostofthesenses，andgenerallyaclosureoftheeyelids，——thisconditionbeingfollowedbytorpor。
　　NowthisstatementofMr。Braid’s，wellknowntothescientificworld，andthetruthofwhichhadbeenconfirmedbyMr。Bernardincertainexperimentshehadinstituted，asithasbeenbymanyotherexperimenters，wentfartoexplainthestrangeimpressions，ofwhich，wakingordreaming，hehadcertainlybeenthesubject。Hisnervoussystemhadbeeninahighstateofexaltationatthetime。Herememberedhowthelittlenoisesthatmaderingsofsoundinthesilenceofthewoods，likepebblesdroppedinstillwaters，hadreachedhisinnerconsciousness。Herememberedthatsingularsensationintherootsofthehair，whenhecameonthetracesofthegirl’spresence，remindinghimofalineinacertainpoemwhichhehadreadlatelywithanewandpeculiarinterest。Heevenrecalledacuriousevidenceofexaltedsensibilityandirritability，inthetwitchingoftheminutemusclesoftheinternalearateveryunexpectedsound，producinganoddlittlesnapinthemiddleofthehead，whichprovedtohimthathewasgettingverynervous。
　　Thenextthingwastofindoutwhetheritwerepossiblethatthevenomouscreature’seyesshouldhaveservedthepurposeofMr。
　　Braid’s“brightobject“heldveryclosetothepersonexperimentedon，orwhethertheyhadanyspecialpowerwhichcouldbemadethesubjectofexactobservation。
　　ForthispurposeMr。Bernardconsidereditnecessarytogetalivecrotalusortwointohispossession，ifthiswerepossible。Oninquiry，hefoundthattherewasacertainfamilylivingfarupthemountainside，notamilefromtheledge，themembersofwhichweresaidtohavetakenthesecreaturesoccasionally，andnottobeinanydanger，oratleastinanyfear，ofbeinginjuredbythem。Heappliedtothesepeople，andofferedarewardsufficienttosetthematworktocapturesomeoftheseanimals，ifsuchathingwerepossible。
　　Afewdaysafterthis，adark，gypsy-lookingwomanpresentedherselfathisdoor。Sheheldupherapronasifitcontainedsomethingpreciousinthebagshemadewithit。
　　“Y’wantedsomerattlers。”saidthewoman。“Heretheybe。”
　　Sheopenedherapronandshowedacoilofrattlesnakeslyingverypeaceablyinitsfold。Theyliftedtheirheadsup，asiftheywantedtoseewhatwasgoingon，butshowednosignofanger。
　　“Areyoucrazy？“saidMr。Bernard。“You’redeadinanhour，ifoneofthosecreaturesstrikesyou！“
　　Hedrewbackalittle，ashespoke；itmightbesimpledisgust；itmightbefear；itmightbewhatwecallantipathy，whichisdifferentfromeither，andwhichwillsometimesshowitselfinpaleness，andevenfaintness，producedbyobjectsperfectlyharmlessandnotinthemselvesoffensivetoanysense。
　　“Lordblessyou。”saidthewoman，“rattlersnevertouchesourfolks。
　　I’djest’zlieveshandlethemcreatursassomanystripedsnakes。”
　　Sosaying，sheputtheirheadsdownwithherhand，andpackedthemtogetherinherapronasiftheyhadbeenbitsofcart-rope。
　　Mr。Bernardhadneverheardofthepower，or，atleast，thebeliefinthepossessionofapowerbycertainpersons，whichenablesthemtohandlethesefrightfulreptileswithperfectimpunity。Thefact，however，iswellknowntoothers，andmoreespeciallytoaverydistinguishedProfessorinoneoftheleadinginstitutionsofthegreatcityoftheland，whoseexperiencesintheneighborhoodofGraylock，ashewilldoubtlessinformthecurious，wereverymuchlikethoseoftheyoungmaster。
　　Mr。Bernardhadawiredcagereadyforhisformidablecaptives，andstudiedtheirhabitsandexpressionwithastrangesortofinterest。
　　WhatdidtheCreatormeantosignify，whenhemadesuchshapesofhorror，and，asifhehaddoublycursedthisenvenomedwretch，hadsetamarkuponhimandsenthimforththeCainofthebrotherhoodofserpents？ItwasaverycuriousfactthatthefirsttrainofthoughtsMr。Bernard’ssmallmenageriesuggestedtohimwasthegrave，thoughsomewhatworn，subjectoftheoriginofevil。Thereisnowtobeseeninatallglassjar，intheMuseumofComparativeAnatomyatCantabridgeintheterritoryoftheMassachusetts，ahugecrotalus，ofaspecieswhichgrowstomorefrightfuldimensionsthanourown，underthehotterskiesofSouthAmerica。Lookatit，yewhowouldknowwhatisthetolerance，thefreedomfromprejudice，whichcansuffersuchanincarnationofallthatisdevilishtolieunharmedinthecradleofNature！Learn，too，thattherearemanythingsinthisworldwhichwearewarnedtoshun，andareevensufferedtoslay，ifneedbe，butwhichwemustnothate，unlesswewouldhatewhatGodlovesandcaresfor。
　　Whateverfascinationthecreaturemightexerciseinhisnativehaunts，Mr。Bernardfoundhimselfnotintheleastnervousoraffectedinanywaywhilelookingathiscagedreptiles。Whentheircagewasshaken，theywouldlifttheirheadsandspringtheirrattles；butthesoundwasbynomeanssoformidabletolistentoaswhenitreverberatedamongthechasmsoftheechoingrocks。Theexpressionofthecreatureswaswatchful，still，grave，passionless，fate-like，suggestingacoldmalignitywhichseemedtobewaitingforitsopportunity。Theirawful，deep-cutmouthsweresternlyclosedoverthelonghollowfangswhichrestedtheirrootsagainsttheswollenpoison-gland，wherethevenomhadbeenhoardingupeversincethelaststrokehademptiedit。Theyneverwinked，forophidianshavenomovableeyelids，butkeptupthatawfulfixedstarewhichmadethetwounwinkinggladiatorsthesurvivorsoftwentypairsmatchedbyoneoftheRomanEmperors，asPlinytellsus，inhis“NaturalHistory。”Theireyesdidnotflash，butshonewithacoldstilllight。Theywereofapale-goldenorstrawcolor，horribletolookinto，withtheirstonycalmness，theirpitilessindifference，hardlyenlivenedbythealmostimperceptibleverticalslitofthepupil，throughwhichDeathseemedtobelookingoutlikethearcherbehindthelongnarrowloop-holeinablankturret-wall。Onthewhole，thecagedreptiles，horridastheywere，hardlymatchedhisrecollectionsofwhathehadseenordreamedhesaveatthecavern。
　　Theselookeddangerousenough，butyetquiet。Atreacherousstillness，however，——astheunfortunateNewYorkphysicianfound，whenheputhisfootouttowakeupthetorpidcreature，andinstantlythefangflashedthroughhisboot，carryingthepoisonintohisblood，anddeathwithit。
　　Mr。Bernardkeptthesestrangecreatures，andwatchedalltheirhabitswithanaturalcuriosity。Inanycollectionofanimalsthevenomousbeastsarelookedatwiththegreatestinterest，justasthegreatestvillainsaremostrunafterbytheunknownpublic。Nobodytroubleshimselfforacommonstripedsnakeorapettythief，butacobraorawife-killerisacentreofattractiontoalleyes。Thesecaptivesdidverylittletoearntheirliving，but，ontheotherhand，theirlivingwasnotexpensive，theirdietbeingnothingbutair，aunaturel。Monthsandmonthsthesecreatureswillliveandseemtothrivewellenough，asanyshowmanwhohastheninhismenageriewilltestify，thoughtheynevertouchanythingtoeatordrink。
　　InthemeantimeMr。Bernardhadbecomeverycuriousaboutaclassofsubjectsnottreatedofinanydetailinthosetext-booksaccessibleinmostcountry-towns，totheexclusionofthemorespecialtreatises，andespeciallyoftherareandancientworksfoundontheshelvesofthelargercity-libraries。HewasonavisittooldDr。
　　Kittredgeoneday，havingbeenaskedbyhimtocallinforafewmomentsassoonasconvenient。TheDoctorsmiledgood-humoredlywhenheaskedhimifhehadanextensivecollectionofmedicalworks。
　　“Why，no。”saidtheoldDoctor，“Ihaven’tgotagreatmanyprintedbooks；andwhatIhaveIdon’treadquiteasoftenasImight，I’mafraid。Ireadandstudiedinthetimeofit，whenIwasinthemidstoftheyoungmenwhowereallatworkwiththeirbooks；butit’samightyhardmatter，whenyougooffaloneintothecountry，tokeepupwithallthat’sgoingonintheSocietiesandtheColleges。
　　I’lltellyou，though，Mr。Langdon，whenamanthat’soncestartedrightlivesamongsickfolksforfive-and-thirtyyears，asI’vedone，ifhehasn’tgotalibraryoffive-and-thirtyvolumesboundupinhisheadattheendofthattime，he’dbetterstopdrivingroundandsellhishorseandsulky。Iknowthebiggerpartofthefamilieswithinadozenmiles’ride。Iknowthefamiliesthathaveawayoflivingthrougheverything，andIknowtheothersetthathavethetrickofdyingwithoutanykindofreasonforit。Iknowtheyearswhenthefeversanddysenteriesareinearnest，andwhenthey’reonlymakingbelieve。Iknowthefolksthatthinkthey’redyingassoonasthey’resick，andthefolksthatneverfindoutthey’resicktillthey’redead。Idon’twanttoundervalueyourscience，Mr。Langdon。
　　TherearethingsIneverlearned，becausetheycameinaftermyday，andIamverygladtosendmypatientstothosethatdoknowthem，whenIamatfault；butIknowthesepeopleabouthere，fathersandmothers，andchildrenandgrandchildren，soasallthescienceintheworldcan’tknowthem，withoutittakestimeaboutit，andseesthemgrowupandgrowold，andhowthewearandtearoflifecomestothem。Youcan’ttellahorsebydrivinghimonce，Mr。Langdon，norapatientbytalkinghalfanhourwithhim。”
　　“DoyouknowmuchabouttheVeneerfamily？“saidMr。Bernard，inanaturalwayenough，theDoctor’stalkhavingsuggestedthequestion。
　　TheDoctorliftedhisheadwithhisaccustomedmovement，soastocommandtheyoungmanthroughhisspectacles。
　　“Iknowallthefamiliesofthisplaceanditsneighborhood。”heanswered。
　　“WehavetheyoungladystudyingwithusattheInstitute。”saidMr。
　　Bernard。
　　“Iknowit。”theDoctoranswered。“Issheagoodscholar？“
　　AllthistimetheDoctor’seyeswerefixedsteadilyonMr。Bernard，lookingthroughtheglasses。
　　“Sheisagoodscholarenough，butIdon’tknowwhattomakeofher。
　　SometimesIthinksheisalittleoutofherhead。Herfather，Ibelieve，issensibleenough；——whatsortofawomanwashermother，Doctor？——Isuppose，ofcourse，yourememberallabouther？“
　　“Yes，Iknewhermother。Shewasaverylovelyyoungwoman。”——TheDoctorputhishandtohisforeheadanddrewalongbreath——“WhatisthereyounoticeoutofthewayaboutElsieVenner？“
　　“Agoodmanythings。”themasteranswered。“Sheshunsalltheothergirls。Sheisgettingastrangeinfluenceovermyfellow-teacher，ayounglady，——youknowMissHelenDarley，perhaps？Iamafraidthisgirlwillkillher。Ineversaworheardofanythinglikeit，inproseatleast；——doyouremembermuchofColeridge’sPoems，Doctor？“
　　ThegoodoldDoctorhadtopleadanegative。
　　“Well，nomatter。Elsiewouldhavebeenburnedforawitchinoldtimes。IhaveseenthegirllookatMissDarleywhenshehadnottheleastideaofit，andallatonceIwouldseehergrowpaleandmoist，andsigh，andmoverounduneasily，andturntowardsElsie，andperhapsgetupandgotoher，orelsehaveslightspasmodicmovementsthatlookedlikehysterics；——doyoubelieveintheevileye，Doctor？“
　　“Mr。Langdon。”theDoctorsaid，solemnly，“therearestrangethingsaboutElsieVeneer，——verystrangethings。ThiswaswhatIwantedtospeaktoyouabout。Letmeadviseyoualltobeverypatientwiththegirl，butalsoverycareful。Herloveisnottobedesired，and“——hespokeinalowertone——“herhateistobedreaded。DoyouthinkshehasanyspecialfancyforanybodyelseintheschoolbesidesMissDarley？“
　　Mr。BernardcouldnotstandtheoldDoctor’sspectacledeyeswithoutbetrayingalittleofthefeelingnaturaltoayoungmantowhomahomequestioninvolvingapossiblesentimentisputsuddenly。