InBostontherumourofDan’sbrokenengagementwasfollowedpromptlybyadenialofit;boththerumourandthedenialwereapparentlyauthoritative;butitgivestheeffectofalittlegreatersagacitytodistrustrumoursofallkinds，andmostpeoplewenttobed，aftertheteasanddinnersandreceptionsandclubsatwhichthefactwasfirstdebated，intheself-persuasionthatitwasnotso。Thenextdaytheyfoundtherumourstillpersistent;thedenialwasstillintheairtoo，butitseemedweaker;attheendofthethirddayithadbecomeaquestionastowhichbroketheengagement，andwhy;bytheendofaweekitwasknownthatAlicehadbrokentheengagement，butthereasoncouldnotbeascertained。
　　Thiswasnotforwantofasking，moreorlessdirect。Pasmer，ofcourse，wentandcameathisclubwithperfectimmunity。Menarequiteascuriousaswomen，buttheysetbusinessboundstotheircuriosity，anddonotdreamofpassingthese。Withwomenwhohavenobusinessoftheirown，andcannotquellthemselveswiththereflectionthatthisthingorthatisnottheiraffair，thereisnoquestionsointimatethattheywillnotputittosomeotherwoman;perhapsitisnotsointimate，orperhapsitwillnotseemso;atanyrate，theychanceit。Mrs。Pasmerwasgiveneveryopportunitytoexplainthefactstotheladieswhomshemet，andifshewasmuchafflictedbyAlice’sbehaviour，shehadameasureofconsolationinusingherskilltobaffletheresearchofheracquaintance。Aftereachencounterofthekindshehadthepleasureofreflectingthatabsolutelynothingmorethanshemeanthadbecomeknown。Thecaseneverbecamefullyknownthroughher;itwasthegirlherselfwhotoldittoMissCottoninoneofthosemomentsofconfidencewhicharenecessarytoburdenedminds;
　　anditisdoubtfulifmorethantwoorthreepeopleeverclearlyunderstoodit;mostpreferredoneorotherofseveralmistakenversionswhichsocietyfinallysettleddownto。
　　Theparoxysmofself-doubt，almostself-accusal，inwhichAlicecametoMissCotton，movedthelattertothedeepestsympathy，andleftherwithmisgivingswhichbecameanintolerableanguishtoherconscience。Thechildwassoafflictedatwhatshehaddone，notbecauseshewishedtobereconciledwithherlover，butbecauseshewasafraidshehadbeenunjust，beencruellyimpatientandperemptorywithhim;sheseemedtoMissCottonsoabsolutelyaloneandfriendlesswithhergreattrouble，shewassohelpless，sohopeless，shewassoanxioustodoright，andsofearfulshehaddonewrong，thatMissCottonwouldnothavebeenMissCottonifshehadnottakenherinherarmsandassuredherthatineverythingshehaddoneshehadbeensublimelyandnoblyright，alessontoallhersexinsuchmattersforever。Shetoldherthatshehadalwaysadmiredher，butthatnowsheidolisedher;thatshefeltlikegoingdownonherkneesandsimplyworshippingher。
　　“Oh，don’tsaythat，MissCotton！“pleadedAlice，pullingawayfromherembrace，butstillclingingtoherwithhertremulous，coldlittlehands。
　　“Ican’tbearit！I’mwickedandhardyoudon’tknowhowbadIam;andI’mafraidofbeingweak，ofdoingmoreharmyet。Oh，Iwrongedhimcruellyineverlettinghimgetengagedtome！Butnowwhatyou’vesaidwillsupportme。IfyouthinkI’vedoneright——ItmustseemstrangetoyouthatIshouldcometoyouwithmytroubleinsteadofmymother;butI’vebeentoher，and——andwethinkalikeonsofewsubjects，don’tyouknow——“
　　“Yes，yes;Iknow，dear！“saidMissCotton，inthetenderfollyofherheart，withthesatisfactionwhicheverywomanfeelsinbeingmoresufficienttoanotherintroublethanhernaturalcomforters。
　　“AndIwantedtoknowhowyousawit;andnow，ifyoufeelasyousay，I
　　canneverdoubtmyselfagain。”
　　ShetempestedoutofMissCotton’shouse，alltearfulundertheveilshehadpulleddown，andassheshutthedoorofhercoupe，MissCotton’sheartjumpedintoherthroatwithanimpulsetorunafterher，torecallher，torecant，tomodifyeverything。
　　FromthatmomentMissCotton’stroublebegan，anditbecameatormentthatmountedandgavehernopeacetillsheimpartedit。Shesaidtoherselfthatsheshouldsuffertotheutmostinthismatter，andifshespoketoanyone，itmustnotbetosameonewhohadagreedwithheraboutAlice，buttosomehard，skepticalnature，someonewhowouldlookatitfromatotallydifferentpointofview，andwouldpunishherforhererror，ifshehadcommittedanerror，insupportingandconsolingAlice。AllthetimeshewasthinkingofMrs。Brinkley;Mrs。Brinkleyhadcomeintohermindatonce;butitwasonlyafterrepeatedstrugglesthatshecouldgetthestrengthtogotoher。
　　Mrs。Brinkley，sacredlypledgedtosecrecy，listenedwithasufficientlydismayingairtothestorywhichMissCottontoldherintheextremityofherfearanddoubt。
　　“Well。”shesaidattheend，“haveyouwrittentoMr。Mavering？”
　　“WrittentoMr。Mavering？”gaspedMissCotton。
　　“Yes——totellhimshewantshimback。”
　　“Wantshimback？”MissCottonechoedagain。
　　“That’swhatshecametoyoufor。”
　　“Oh，Mrs。Brinkley！“moanedMissCotton，andshestaredatherinmutereproach。
　　Mrs。Brinkleylaughed。“Idon’tsaysheknewthatshecameforthat;butthere’snodoubtthatshedid;andshewentawaybitterlydisappointedwithyourconsolationandsupport。Shedidn’twantanythingofthekind——
　　youmaycomfortyourselfwiththatreflection，MissCotton。”
　　“Mrs。Brinkley。”saidMissCotton，withaseveritywhichoughttohavebeenextremelyeffectivefromsomildaperson，“doyoumeantoaccusethatpoorchildofdissimulation——ofdeceit——insuch——a——a——“
　　“No！“shoutedMrs。Brinkley;“shedidn’tknowwhatshewasdoinganymorethanyoudid;andshewenthomeperfectlyheart-broken;andIhopeshe’llstayso，forthegoodofallpartiesconcerned。”
　　MissCottonwassobewilderedbyMrs。Brinkley’sinterpretationofAlice’slatentmotivesthatsheletthetruculenthostilityofheraspirationpassunheeded。Shelookedhelplesslyabout，andseemedfaint，sothatMrs。
　　Brinkley，withoutappearingtonoticeherstate，interposedthequestionofalittlesherry。Whenithadbeenbrought，andMissCottonhadsippedtheglassthattrembledinonehandwhileheremotionshatteredabiscuitwiththeother，Mrs。Brinkleywenton:“I’mgladtheengagementisbroken，andIhopeitwillneverbemended。Ifwhatyoutellmeofherreasonforbreakingitistrue——“
　　“Oh，Ifeelsoguiltyfortellingyou！I’dnorightto！Pleaseneverspeakofit！“pleadedMissCotton。
　　“ThenIfeelmorethaneverthatitwasallamistake，andthattohelpitonagainwouldbea——crime。”
　　MissCottongaveasmalljumpattheword，asifshehadalreadycommittedthecrime:shehadlongedtodoit。
　　“Yes;Imeantosaythattheyarebetterpartedthanplighted。Ifmatchesaremadeinheaven，Ibelievesomeofthemareunmadetheretoo。They’renotadaptedtoeachother;there’stoogreatadisparity。”
　　“Youmean。”beganMissCotton，fromherprepossessionofAlice’ssuperiority，“thatshe’saltogetherhisinferior，intellectuallyandmorally。”
　　“Oh，Ican’tadmitthat！“criedMissCotton，gladtohaveMrs。Brinkleygotoofar，andpluckingupcouragefromherexcess。
　　“Intellectuallyandmorally。”repeatedMrs。Brinkley，withthemountingconvictionwhichladiesseemtogetfrommerepersistence。“IsawthatgirlatCampobello;Iwatchedher。”
　　“Ineverfeltthatyoudidherjustice！“criedMissCotton，withthevalourofahen-sparrow。“Therewasanantipathy。”
　　“Therecertainlywasn’tasympathy，I’mhappytosay。”retortedMrs。
　　Brinkley。“Iknowher，andIknowherfamily，rootandbranch。ThePasmersarethedullestandmostselfishpeopleintheworld。”
　　“Oh，Idon’tthinkthat’shercharacter。”saidMissCotton，rufflingherfeathersdefensively。
　　“NeitherdoI。Shehasnofixedcharacter。Nogirlhas。Nobodyhas。Weallhavetwentydifferentcharacters——morecharactersthangowns——andweputthemonandtakethemoffjustasoftenfordifferentoccasions。I
　　knowyouthinkeachpersonispermanentlythisorthat;butmyexperienceisthathalfthetimethey’retheotherthing。”
　　“Thenwhy。”saidMissCotton，winkinghard，assomeweakpeopledowhentheythicktheyaremakingapoint，“doyousaythatAliceisdullandselfish？”
　　“Idon’t——notalways，ornotsimplyso。That’sthecharacterofthePasmerblood，butit’scrossedwithtwentydifferentcurrentsinher;andfromsomebodythatthePasmerdulnessandselfishnessmusthavedrivenmadshegotacrazystreakofpiety;andthat’sgotmixedupinheragainwithanonsensicalidealofduty;andeverythingshedoesshenotonlythinksisright，butshethinksit’sreligious，andshethinksit’sunselfish。”
　　“Ifyou’dseenher，ifyou’dheardher，thismorning。”saidMissCotton，“youwouldn’tsaythat，Mrs。Brinkley。”
　　Mrs。Brinkleyrefusedthiswithanimpatientgesture。“Itisn’twhatsheisnow，orseemstobe，orthinkssheis。It’swhatshe’sgoingtofinallyhardeninto——what’sgoingtobeherprevailingcharacter。NowDanMaveringhasjustthefaultsthatwillmakesuchagirlthinkherowndefectsarevirtues，becausethey’resodifferent。ItellyouAlicePasmerhasneithertheheadnorthehearttoappreciatethegoodness，theloveliness，ofafellowlikeDanMavering。”
　　“Ithinkshefeelshissweetnessfully。”urgedMissCotton。“Butshecouldn’tendurehisuncertainty。Withherthetruthisfirstofallthings。”
　　“Thenshe’salittlegoose。Ifshehadthesensetoknowit，shewouldknowthathemightdelayandtemporiseandbeataboutthebush，buthewouldbetruewhenitwasnecessary。Ihaven’ttheleastdoubtintheworldbutthatpoorfellowwasgoingoninperfectsecurity，becausehefeltthatitwouldbesoeasyforhimtogiveup，andsupposeditwouldbejustaseasyforher。Idon’tsupposehehadamisgiving，anditmusthavecomeuponhimlikeathunder-clap。”
　　“Don’tyouthink。”timidlysuggestedMissCotton，“thattruthisthefirstessentialinmarriage？”
　　“Ofcourseitis。AndifthisgirlwasworthyofDanMavering，ifshewerecapableoflovinghimoranybodyelseunselfishly，shewouldhavefelthistruthevenifshecouldn’thaveseenit。Ibelievethisminutethatthatmanoeuvring，humbuggingmotherofhersisabetterwoman，akinderwoman，thansheis。”
　　“Alicesayshermothertookhispart。”saidMissCotton，withasigh。
　　“Shetookyourviewofit。”
　　“She’sasensiblewoman。ButIhopeshewon’tbeabletogethimintohertoilsagain。”continuedMrs。Brinkley，recurringtotheconventionalestimateofMrs。Pasmer。
　　“Ican’thelpfeeling——believing——thatthey’llcometogethersomehowstill。”murmuredMissCotton。Itseemedtoherthatshehadallalongwishedthis;andshetriedtorememberifwhatshehadsaidtocomfortAlicemightbeconstruedasadversetoareconciliation。
　　“Ihopetheywon’t，then。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“fortheycouldn’thelpbeingunhappytogether，withtheirtemperaments。There’sonething，MissCotton，that’smoreessentialinmarriagethanMissPasmer’sinstantaneoushonesty，andthat’spatience。”
　　“Patiencewithwrong？”demandedMissCotton。
　　“Yes，evenwithwrong;butImeantpatiencewitheachother。Marriageisaperpetualpardon，concession，surrender;it’saneverlastinggivingup;
　　that’sthedivinethingaboutit;andthat’sjustwhatMissPassercouldneverconceiveof，becausesheisself-righteousandconceitedandunyielding。Shewouldmakehimmiserable。”
　　MissCottonroseinabewildermentwhichdidnotpermithertogoatonce。
　　Therewassomethinginhermindwhichshewishedtourge，butshecouldnotmakeitout，thoughshefingeredinvaguegeneralities。Whenshegotablockawayfromthehouseitsuddenlycametoher。Love！Iftheylovedeachother，wouldnotallbewellwiththem？ShewouldhavelikedtorunbackandputthatquestiontoMrs。Brinkley;butjustthenshemetBrinkleylumberingheavilyhomeward;sheheardhishardbreathingfromtheexertionofbowingtoherashepassed。
　　Hiswifemethiminthehall，andwentuptokisshim。Hesmeltabominablyoftobaccosmoke。
　　“Hullo！“saidherhusband。“Whatareyouafter？”
　　“Nothing。”saidhiswife，enjoyinghisjoke。“Comeinhere;IwanttotellyouhowIhavejustsatuponMissCotton。”
　　XLVIII。
　　TherelationsbetweenDanandhisfatherhadalwaysbeenkindlyandtrustful;theynowbecame，inadegreethattouchedandflatteredtheyoungfellow，confidential。Withtherestofthefamilytheresoonceasedtobeanyreferencetohisengagement;hissisterswereglad，eachinherway，tohavehimbackagain;and，whatevertheymayhavesaidbetweenthemselves，theysaidnothingtohimaboutAlice。Hismotherappearedtohavefinishedwiththematterthefirstnight;shehadhertheory，andshediditjustice;andwhenMrs。Maveringhadoncedoneathingjustice，shedidnotbringitupagainunlesssomebodydisputedit。ButnobodyhaddefendedMrs。PasmerafterDan’sfeebleprotestinherbehalf;Mrs。
　　Mavering’stheorywasacceptedwithobedienceifnotconviction;thewholeaffairdropped，exceptbetweenDanandhisfather。
　　Danwascertainlynotsogayasheusedtobe;hewasgladtofindthathewasnotsogay。Therehadbeenasortofmercyinthesuddennessoftheshock;itbenumbedhim，andtherealstressandpaincameduringthelongweeksthatfollowed，whennothingoccurredtovarythesituationinanymanner;hedidnothearawordaboutAlicefromBoston，noranyrumourofherpeople。
　　AtfirsthehadintendedtogobackwithBoardmanandfaceitout;butthereseemednouseinthis，andwhenitcametothepointhefounditimpossible。Boardmanwentbackalone，andheputDan’sthingstogetherinhisroomsatBostonandsentthemtohim，sothatDanremainedathome。
　　Hesetabouthelpinghisfatheratthebusinesswithunaffecteddocility。
　　Hetriednottopose，andhedidhisbesttobearhislossandhumiliationwithmanlyfortitude。Buthiswholelifehadnotsetsostronglyinonedirectionthatitcouldbesharplyturnedasidenow，andnotinmomentsofforgetfulnesspressagainstthebarriersalmosttobursting。Nowandthen，whenhecametohimselffromthewontedtendency，andrememberedthatAliceandhe，whohadbeenallinalltoeachother，werenownothing，thepainwassosharp，soastonishing，thathecouldnotkeepdownagroan，whichhethentriedtoturnoffwithacough，orasnatchofsong，orawhistle，lookingwildlyroundtoseeifanyonehadnoticed。
　　Oncethishappenedwhenhisfatherandhewerewalkingsilentlyhomefromtheworks，andhisfathersaid，withouttouchinghimorshowinghissympathyexceptinhistoneofhumorouslyfrankrecognition，“Doesitstillhurtalittleoccasionally，Dan？”
　　“Yes，sir，ithurts。”saidtheson;andheturnedhisfaceaside，andwhistledthroughhisteeth。
　　“Well，it’satrial，Isuppose。”saidhisfather，withhisgentle，softhalf-lisp。“Buttherearegreatertrials。”
　　“How，greater？”askedDan，withsadincredulity。“I’velostallthatmadelifeworthliving;andit’sallmyownfault，too。”
　　“Yes。”saidhisfather;“Ithinkshewasagoodgirl。”
　　“Good！“criedDan;thewordseemedtochokehim。
　　“Still，Idoubtifit’sallyourfault。”Danlookedroundathim。Headded，“AndIthinkit’sperhapsforthebestasitis。”
　　Danhalted，andthensaid，“Oh，Isupposeso。”withdrearyresignation，astheywalkedon。
　　“Letusgoroundbythepaddock。”saidhisfather，“andseeifPat’sputthehorsesupyet。Youcanhardlyrememberyourmother，beforeshebecameaninvalid，Isuppose。”headded，asDanmechanicallyturnedasidewithhimfromthepaththatledtothehouseintothatleadingtothebarn。
　　“No;Iwassuchalittlefellow。”saidDan。
　　“Womengiveupagreatdealwhentheymarry。”saidtheelder。“It’snotstrangethattheyexaggeratethesacrifice，andexpectmoreinreturnthanit’sinthenatureofmentogivethem。Ishouldhavebeensorrytohaveyoumarryawomanofanexactingdisposition。”
　　“I’mafraidshewasexacting。”saidDan。“Butsheneveraskedmorethanwasright。”
　　“Andit’sdifficulttodoallthat’sright。”suggestedtheelder。
　　“I’msureyoualwayshave，father。”saidtheson。
　　Thefatherdidnotrespond。“Iwishyoucouldrememberyourmotherwhenshewaswell。”hesaid。Presentlyheadded，“Ithinkitisn’tbestforawomantobetoomuchinlovewithherhusband。”
　　Dantookthistohimself，andhelaughedharshly。“She’sbeenabletodissembleherloveatlast。”
　　Hisfatherwenton，“Womenkeeptheromanticfeelinglongerthanmen;itdiesoutofusverysoon——perhapstoosoon。”
　　“YouthinkIcouldn’thavecometotime？”askedDan。“Well，asit’sturnedout，Iwon’thaveto。”
　　“Nomancanbeallawomanwisheshimtobe。”saidhisfather。“It’sbetterforthedisappointmenttocomebeforeit’stoolate。”
　　“Iwastoblame。”saidDanstoutly。“Shewasallright。”
　　“Youweretoblameintheparticularinstance。”hisfatheranswered。“Butingeneralthefaultwasinher——orhertemperament。Aslongastheromancelastedshemighthavedeludedherself，andbelievedyouwereallsheimaginedyou;butromancecan’tlast，evenwithwomen。Idonlikeyourfaults，andIdon’twantyoutoexcusethemtoyourself。Idon’tlikeyourchancingthings，andleavingthemtocomeoutallrightofthemselves;butI’vealwaystriedtomakeyouchildrenseeallyourqualitiesintheirtrueproportionandrelation。”
　　“Yes;Iknowthat，sir。”saidDan。
　　“Perhaps。”continuedhisfather，astheyswungeasilyalong，shouldertoshoulder，“ImayhavegonetoofarinthatdirectionbecauseIwasafraidthatyoumighttakeyourmothertooseriouslyintheother——thatyoumightnotunderstandthatshejudgedyoufromhernervesandnotherconvictions。It’spartofhermalady，ofhersuffering，thatherinheritedPuritanismcloudsherjudgment，andmakesherseeallfaultsasofonesizeandequallydamning。Iwishyoutoknowthatshewasnotalwaysso，butwasonceabletodistinguishdifferencesinerror，andtorealisethatevilisofill-will。”
　　“Yes;Iknowthat。”saidDan。“Sheisnow——whenshefeelswell。”
　　“Harmcomesfrommanythings，butevilisoftheheart。Iwouldn’thaveyoucondemnyourselftooseverelyforharmthatyoudidn’tintend——that’sremorse——that’sinsanity;andIwouldn’thaveyoufallunderthecondemnationofanother’sinvalidjudgment。”
　　“Thankyou，father。”saidDan。
　　Theyhadcomeuptothepaddockbehindthebarn，andtheylaidtheirarmsonthefencewhiletheylookedoveratthehorses，whichwerestillthere。
　　Thebeasts，intheirroughwintercoats，somebedaubedwithfrozenclotsofthemudinwhichtheyhadbeenrollingearlierintheafternoon，stoodmotionlessinthethin，keenbreezethatcreptoverthehillsidefromtheMarchsunset，andblewtheirmanesandtailsouttowardDanandhisfather。Dan’sponysenthimagleamofrecognitionfromunderhisfrowsybangs，butdidnotstir。
　　“Bunchlookslikeacaterpillar。”hesaid，recallingthetimewhenhisfatherhadgivenhimthepony;hewasaboythen，andtheponywasasmuchtohim，itwentthroughhismind，asAlicehadeverbeen。Wasitallajest，anirony？heaskedhimself。
　　“He’sgettingprettyold。”saidhisfather。“Let’ssee:youwereonlytwelve。”
　　“Ten。”saidDan。“We’vehadhimthirteenyears。”
　　Someofthehorsesprickeduptheirearsatthesoundoftheirvoices。
　　Oneofthembitanother’sneck;thevictimthrewuphisheelsandsquealed。
　　Patcalledfromthestable，“Heigh，youdivils！“
　　“Ithinkhe’dbettertakethemin。”saidDan’sfather;andhecontinued，asifitwereallthesamesubject，“Ihopeyou’llhaveseensomethingmoreoftheworldbeforeyoufallinlovethenexttime。”
　　“Thankyou;therewon’tbeanynexttime。Butdoyouconsidertheworldsuchaschoolofmorals;then？Isupposeditwasaverybadplace。”
　　“Weseemtohavebeenallbornintoit。”saidthefather。Heliftedhisarmsfromthefence，andDanmechanicallyfollowedhimintothestable。
　　Awarm，homelysmellofhayandofhorsesfilledtheplace;alanternglimmered，afaintblot，intheloftwherePatwaspitchingsomehayforwardtotheedgeoftheboards;thenaphthagasweaklyflaredfromthejetsbesidetheharness-room，whenceasmellofleatherissuedandmingledwiththeothersmell。Thesimple，earthywholesomenessoftheplaceappealedtoDanandcomfortedhim。Thehaybegantotumblefromtheloftwithapleasantrustlingsound。
　　HisfathercalleduptoPat，“Ithinkyou’dbettertakethehorsesinnow。”
　　“Yes，sir:I’vegotthebox-stallsreadyfor’em。”
　　DanrememberedhowheandEuniceusedtogetintothebox-stallwithhispony，andplayatcircuswithit;hestooduponthepony，andhissisterwasthering-master。Thepictureofhiscarelesschildhoodreflectedadeeperpathosuponhistroubledpresent，andhesighedagain。
　　Hisfathersaid，astheymovedonthroughthebarn:“SomeofthebestpeopleI’veeverknownwerewhatwerecalledworldlypeople。Theyareapttobesincere，andtheyhavenoneofthespiritualpride，theconceitofself-righteousness，whichoftencomestopeoplewhoareshutupbyconscienceorcircumstancetothestudyoftheirownmotivesandactions。”
　　“Idon’tthinkshewasoneofthatkind。”saidDan。
　　“Oh，Idon’tknowthatshewas。Butthechancesofhappiness，ofgoodness，wouldbegreaterwithalessself-centredperson——foryou。”
　　“Ah，Yes！Forme！“saidDanbitterly。“BecauseIhadn’titinmetobefrankwithher。Withamanlikeme，awomanhadbetterbealittlescampish，too！Father，Icouldgetovertheloss;shemighthavedied，andIcouldhavegotoverthat;butIcan’tgetoverbeingtoblame。”
　　“Idon’tthinkI’dindulgeinanyremorse。”saidhisfather。“There’snothingsouseless，sodepraving，asthat。Ifyouseeyou’rewrong，it’sforyourwarning，notforyourdestruction。”
　　Danwasnotreallyfeelingveryremorseful;hehadneverfeltthathewasmuchtoblame;buthehadanintellectualperceptionofthecase，andhethoughtthatheoughttofeelremorseful;itwasthispersuasionthathetookforanemotion。Hecontinuedtolookverydisconsolate。
　　“Come。”saidhisfather，touchinghisarm，“Idon’twantyoutobrooduponthesethings。Itcandonomannerofgood。IwantyoutogotoNewYorknextweekandlookafterthatLafflinprocess。Ifit’swhathethinks——ifhecanreallycasthisbrasspatternswithoutair-holes——itwillrevolutioniseourbusiness。Iwanttogetholdofhim。”
　　ThePortuguesecookwasstandinginthebasementdoorwhichtheypassedatthebackofthehouse。Hesalutedfatherandsonwithaglitteringsmile。
　　“Hello，Joe！“saidDan。
　　“Ah，Joe！“saidhisfather;hetouchedhishattothecook，whosnatchedhiscapoff。
　　“Whatabrickyouare，father！“thoughtDan。HisheartleapedatthenotionofgettingawayfromPonkwasset;heperceivedhowithadbeenirkinghimtostay。“IfyouthinkIcouldmanageitwithLafflin“
　　“Oh，Ithinkyoucould。He’sanotherslipperychap。”
　　Danlaughedforpleasureandpainathisfather’sjoke。
　　XLIX。
　　InNewYorkDanfoundthatLafflinhadgonetoWashingtontolookupsomethinginconnectionwithhispatent。Inhiseagernesstogetawayfromhome，Danhadsupposedthathisfathermeanttomakeaholidayforhim，andhelearnedwithalittlesurprisethathewasquiteinearnestaboutgettingholdoftheinvention。hewrotehomeofLafflin’sabsence;
　　andhegotatelegraminreplyorderinghimtofollowontoWashington。
　　ThesunwasshiningwarmontheasphaltwhenhesteppedoutofthePennsylvaniaDepotwithhisbaginhishand，andputitintothehansomthatdroveupforhim。TheskyoverheadwasofanintensebluethatmadehimremembertheBostonskyaspaleandgrey;whenthehansomtiltedoutintotheAvenuehehadajoyousglimpseoftheWhiteHouse;oftheCapitolswimminglikeaballooninthecloudlessair。AkeenMarchbreezesweptthedustbeforehim，andthroughitsveiltheclassicTreasuryBuildingshowedlikeoneedificestandingperfectamidruinrepresentedbythejag-
　　toothirregularitiesofthebusinessarchitecturealongthewidestreet。
　　HehadneverbeeninWashingtonbefore，andhehadaconfusedsenseofhavinggotbacktoRome，whichherememberedfromhisboyishvisit。
　　ThroughouthisstayheseemedtobecomingupagainstthefacadeoftheTempleofNeptune;butitwasthePatentOffice，ortheTreasuryBuilding，ortheWhiteHouse，andunderthegaySouthernskythisreversiontothesensationsofahappiertimebeganatonce，andmadeitselfalastingrelief。Hefeltaliftinhisspiritsfromthefirst。TheygavehimaroomatWormley’s，wherethechairscomportedthemselvesasself-
　　respectfullyupontwoorthreelegsastheywouldhavedoneatBostonuponfour;thecookingwasexcellent，andamercenarywelcomeglitteredfromallthekindblackfacesaroundhim。AfterthequietofPonkwassetandtherushofNewYork，thelazyeaseofthehotelpleasedhim;theclackofbootsoveritspavements，thecloudsoftobaccosmoke，theSouthernandWesternaccents，thespectacleofpeopleunexpectedlyencounteringandrecognisingeachotherintheofficeandthedining-room，allhelpedtorestorehimtoahopefullermood。Withoutaskinghishearttoocuriouslywhy，hefounditlighter;hefeltthathewasstillyoung。
　　Intheweatherhehadstruckacoldwave，andthewindwasbitterinthestreets，buttheywerefullofsun;hefoundthegrassgreeninshelteredplaces，andinoneoftheCircleshepluckedablossomedsprayfromanadventurousforceythia。ThishappenedwhenhewaswalkingfromWormley’stotheArlingtonbyaroundaboutwayofhisowninvoluntaryinvention，andhehadtheflowersinhisbutton-holewhenLafflinwaspointedouttohiminthereadingroomthere，andheintroducedhimself。Lafflinhadputhishatfarbackonhishead，andwasintenselychewingatoothpick，withanairofrapturefromeverythingabouthim。HeseemedaverysimplesoultoDan’sinexperienceofmen，andtheyoungfellowhadnodifficultyincommittinghimtoafairconditionalarrangement。HewasgoingtostaysomedaysinWashington，andhepromisedotherinterviews，sothatDanthoughtitbesttostaytoo。HeusedasheetoftheArlingtonletter-
　　paperinwritinghisfatherofwhathehaddone;andthen，asLafflinhadlefthim，hepostedhisletterattheclerk’sdesk，andwanderedoutthroughacorridordifferentfromthatwhichhehadcomeinby。Itledbythedooroftheladiesparlour，andatthesoundofwomen’svoicesDanhalted。Fornootherreasonthanthatsuchvoicesalwaysirresistiblyalluredhim，hewentin，puttingonanairofhavingcometolookforsomeone。Thereweretwoorthreegroupsofladiesreceivingfriendsindifferentpartsoftheroom。Atthewindowagirl’sfiguresilhouetteditselfagainstthekeenlight，andasheadvancedintotheroom，peeringabout，itturnedwithacertainvividnessthatseemedfamiliar。Thisyounglady，whoevershewas，hadtheadvantageofDaninseeinghimwiththelightonhisface，andhewasstillinthedarkabouther，whensheadvancedswiftlyuponhim，holdingoutherhand。
　　“Youdon’tseemtoknowyouroldfriends，Mr。Mavering。”andthemanlytoneslefthimnodoubt。
　　Hefeltarushofgladness，andheclaspedherhandandclungtoitasifhewerenotgoingtoletitgoagain，bubblingoutincoherenciesofpleasureatmeetingher。“Why，MissAnderson！Youhere？”Whatapieceofluck！OfcourseIcouldn’tseeyouagainstthewindow——makeyouout！
　　Butsomethinglookedfamiliar——andthewayyouturned！Andwhenyoustartedtowardme！I’mawfullyglad！When——whereareyou——thatis——“
　　MissAndersonkeptlaughingwithhim，andbubbledbackthatshewasverygladtoo，andshewasstayingwithherauntinthathotel，andtheyhadbeenthereamonth，anddidn’thethinkWashingtonwascharming？Butitwastoobadhehadjustgottherewiththatblizzard。Theweatherhadbeenperfectlydivinetillthedaybeforeyesterday。
　　Hetookthesprayofforceythiaoutofhisbuttonhole。“Icanbelieveit。
　　Ifoundthisinone，ofthesquares，andIthinkitbelongstoyou。”He。
　　offereditwithabowandalaugh，andshetookitinthesamehumour。
　　“Whatisthelanguageofforceythia？”sheasked。
　　“Ithasnone——onlyexpressivesilence，youknow。”
　　Amiddle-agedladycamein，andMissAndersonsaid，“Myaunt，Mr。
　　Mavering。”
　　“Mr。Maveringwillhardlyrememberme。”saidthelady，givinghimherhand。Heprotestedthatheshouldindeed，butshehadreallymadebutavagueimpressionuponhimatCampobello。HeknewthatshewastherewithMissAnderson;hehadbeenpolitetoherashewastoallwomen;buthehadnotnoticedhermuch，andinhishearthehadaslightforher，ascomparedwiththeBostonpeoplehewasmorenaturallythrownwith;hecertainlyhadnotrememberedthatshewasalittlehardofhearing。
　　MissVanHookwasinasteel-greyeffectofdress，and，shehadcarriedthisupintoherhair，ofwhichsheworntwoshortverticalcurlsoneachtemple。
　　Shedidnotsitdown，andDanperceivedthattheladiesweregoingout。
　　Inhertailor-madesuitofclose-fittingsergeandherParisbonnet，carriedlikeacrestonherprettylittlehead，MissAndersonwascharming。Shehadashortveilthatcameacrossthebaseofherlivelynose，andlefthermouthandchintomakethemostofthemselves，unprejudicedbyitsirregularity。
　　Danfeltitahardshiptopartwiththem，buthepreparedtotakehimselfoff。MissAndersonaskedhimhowlonghewastobeinWashington，andsaidhemustcometoseethem;theymeanttostaytwoweeksyet，andthentheyweregoingtoOldPointComfort;theyhadtheirroomsengaged。
　　Hewalkeddowntotheircarriagewiththeladiesandputthemintoit，andMissAndersonstillkepthimtalkingthere。
　　Herauntsaid:“Whyshouldn’tyoucomewithus，Mr。Mavering？We’regoingtoMrs。SecretaryMiller’sreception。”
　　Dangavehimselfaglance。“Idon’tknow——ifyouwantme？”
　　“Wewantyou。”saidMissAnderson。“Verywell，then，I’llgo。”
　　Hegotin，andtheybeganrollingoverthatsmoothWashingtonasphaltwhichmakestalkinacarriageaseasyasinadrawing-room。Dankeptsayingtohimself，“Nowshe’sgoingtobringupCampobello;“butMissAndersonneverrecurredtotheirformermeeting，andexceptforthesenseofoldacquaintancewhichwasmanifestinhertreatmentofhimhemighthavethoughtthattheyhadnevermetbefore。ShetalkedofWashingtonanditsinformaldelights;andofthoseplanswhichheraunthadmade，likeeveryonewhospendsamonthinWashington，tospendalltheremainingwintersofherlifethere。
　　ItseemedtoDanthatMissAndersonwasavoidingCampobelloonhisaccount;heknewfromwhatAlicehadtoldhimthattherehadbeenmuchsurmiseabouttheiraffairafterhehadlefttheisland，andhesuspectedthatMissAndersonthoughtthesubjectwaspainfultohim。Hewishedtoreassureher。HeaskedatthefirstbreakinthetalkaboutWashington，“HowaretheTrevors？”
　　“Oh，quitewell。”shesaid，promptlyavailingherselfoftheopening。
　　“HaveyouseenanyofourCampobellofriendslatelyinBoston？”
　　“No;I’vebeenathomeforthelastmonth——inthecountry。”Hescannedherfacetoseeifsheknewanythingofhisengagement。ButsheseemedhonestlyignorantofeverythingsinceCampobello;shewasnotjustthekindofNewYorkgirlwhowouldvisitinBoston，orhavefriendslivingthere;probablyshehadneverheardofhisengagement。SomehowthisseemedtosimplifymattersforDan。ShedidnotaskspecificallyafterthePasmers;butthatmighthavebeenbecauseofthesortofbreakinherfriendshipwithAliceafterthatnightattheTrevors’;shedidnotaskspecificallyafterMrs。Brinkleyoranyoftheothers。
　　AtMrs。SecretaryMiller’sdoortherewasarapidarrivalanddepartureofcarriages，ofcoupes，ofhansoms，andofherdics，allmanagedbyamaninplainlivery，whoopenedandshutthedoors，andsentthedriversoffwithouttheinterventionofapoliceman;itisthegeniusofWashington，whichdistinguishesitfromeveryothercapital，fromeveryothercity，tomakenoshowofformality，ofanymannerofconstraintanywhere。Peoplewereswarminginandout;comingandgoingonfootaswellasbycarriage。
　　Theblandestofcolouredunclesreceivedtheircardsinthehallandputthemintoavasttrayheapedupwithpasteboard，smilingaffectionatelyuponthemasiftheyhaddonehimafavour。
　　“Don’tyoulikethem？”askedDanofMissAnderson;hemeanttheSouthernnegroes。
　　“Iadoyethem。”sheresponded，withequalfervour。“Youmuststudysomenewtypesherefornextsummer。”sheadded。
　　Danlaughedandwincedtoo。“Yes！“Thenbesaidsolemnly，“IamnotgoingtoCampobellonextsummer。”
　　Theyfeltintoastreamofpeopletendingtowardanarchwaybetweenthedrawing-rooms，whereMrs。SecretaryMillerstoodwithtwoladyfriendswhowerehelpingherreceive。Theysmiledwearilybutkindlyuponthecrowd，forwhomtheSecretary’swifehadalookofimpartialhospitality。Shecouldnothaveknownmorethanoneinfifty;andshemetthemallwiththislookatfirst，breakingintoincredulousrecognitionwhenshefoundafriend。“Don’tgoawayyet。”shesaidcordially，toMissVanHookandherniece，andsheheldtheirhandsforamomentwithagentlelookofreliefandappealwhichincludedDan。“LetmeintroduceyoutoMrs。TolliverandtoMissDixon。”
　　TheseladiessaidthatitwasnotnecessaryinregardtoMissAndersonandMissVanHook;andasthecrowdpushedthemon，Danfeltthattheyhadbeenreceivedwithdistinction。
　　Thecrowdexpressedthenationalvarietyofrichandpoor，plainandfashionable，urbaneandrustic;theyelbowedandshoulderedeachotheruponaperfectequalityinaplacewhereallwereasfreetocomeastotheWhiteHouse，andtheyjostledquaintgroupsofalmond-eyedlegationsintheyellowsandpurplesoftheEast，wholookeddreamilyonasifpuzzledpastallsurmisebythescene。CertainyounggentlemenwiththeunmistakableairofbeingEuropeanorSouthAmericanattachesfoundtheirwayaboutontheirlittlefeet，whichthestalwartbootsoftherepublicanmassesmusthaveimperilled;andsmiledwithafaintdiplomaticsuperiority，notvisiblyadmitted，butallthesameindisputable。SeveraloftheseseemedtoknowMissAnderson，andtookherpresentationofMaveringwithexaggeratedeffusion。
　　“Iwanttointroduceyoutomycousinoveryonder。”shesaid，gettingridofaminuteBrazilianunder-secretary，andputtingherhandonDan’sarmtodirecthim:“Mrs。JusticeAverill。”
　　MissVanHook，keepingherlookofseverevigilance，reallyfollowedherenergeticniece，whotookthelead，asayoungladymustwheneversheandherchaperonmeetonequalterms。
　　Mrs。JusticeAverill，whowasfromthefarWestsomewhere，receivedDanwiththeeaseofthefarEast，andwastalkingLondonandParistohimbeforetheendofthethirdminute。ItgaveDanasenseofliberation，ofexpansion;hefilledhislungswiththecosmopolitanairinasortofintoxication;withoutformulatingit，hefelt，withtheastonishmentwhichmustalwaysattendtheBostonian’sperceptionofthefact，thatthereisagreatsociallifeinAmericaoutsideofBoston。AtCampobellohehadthoughtMissAndersonaveryjollygirl，bright，anduptoallsortsofthings;butinthepresenceoftheportableBostontherehecouldnothelpregardingherwithasortoftolerancewhichhenowblushedfor;hethoughthehadbeenagreatass。Sheseemedtoknowallsortsofnicepeople，andshestrovewithgeneroushospitalitytomakehimhaveagoodtime。ShesaiditwasCabinetDay，andthatallthesecretaries’wiveswerereceiving，andshetoldhimhehadbettermaketheroundswiththem。
　　Heassentedverywillingly，andatsixo’clockhewasalreadysomuchinthespiritofthisfreeandsimplesociety，somuchopenerandthereforesomuchwiserthananyother，thatheprofessedaprofounddisappointmentwiththetwoorthreeCabinetladieswhosefailuretoreceivebroughthispleasuretoaprematureclose。
　　“ButIsupposeyou’regoingtoMrs。Whittington’sto-night！“MissAndersonsaidtohim，astheydroveuptoWormley’s，whereshesethimdown。MissVanHookhadlongceasedtosayanything;Danthoughtheraperfectduenna。“Youknowyoucangolatethere。”sheadded。
　　“No，Ican’tgoatall。”saidDan。“Idon’tknowthem。”
　　“They’reNewEnglandpeople。”urgedMissAnderson;asiftomakehimtrytothinkthathewasaskedtoMrs。Whittington’s。
　　“Idon’tknowmorethanhalfthepopulationofNewEngland。”saidDan，withapparentlevity，butrealforlornness。
　　“Ifyou’dliketogo——ifyou’resureyou’venootherengagement——“
　　“Oh，I’mcertainofthat？”
　　“——wewouldcomeforyou。”
　　“Do！“
　　“Athalf-pastten，then。”
　　MissAndersonexplainedtoheraunt，whocordiallyconfirmedherinvitation，andtheybothshookhandswithhimuponit，andhebackedoutofthecarriagewithagrinofhappinessonhisface;itremainedtherewhilehewroteouttheorderforhisdinner，whichtheyrequireatWormley’sinholograph。Thewaiterreflectedhissmilewithethnicalwarm-heartedness。ForamomentDantriedtothinkwhatitwashehadforgotten;hethoughtitwassomeotherdish;thenherememberedthatitwashisbrokenheart。Hetriedtosubduehimself;buttherewassomethingintheairoftheplace，theclimate，perhaps，orapleasantsenseofitsfacilesociallife，thatkepthimbuoyantinspiteofhimself。Hewentoutafterdinner，andsawpartofapoorplay，andreturnedintimetodressforhisappointmentwithMissAnderson。Herauntwaswithher，ofcourse;sheseemedtoDanmoreindefatigablethanshewasbyday。Hecouldnotthinkhersuperfluous;andshewasverygood-natured。Shemadelittleremarksfullofconventionalwisdom，andappealedtohisjudgmentonseveralpointsastheydrovealong。Whentheycametoastreetlampwhereshecouldseehim，henoddedandsaidyes，orno，respectfully。
　　BetweentimeshetalkedwithMissAnderson，wholecturedhimuponWashingtonsociety，andpreparedhimforthedifferencehewastofindbetweenMrs。Whittington’seveningofinvitedguestsandtheCabinetladies’afternoonofvolunteerguests。
　　“Volunteerguestsisgood。”helaughed。“Doyoumeanthatanybodycango？”
　　“Anybodythatisabletobeabout。ThisisCabinetDay。There’saSupremeCourtDayandaSenators’Day，andaRepresentatives’Day。Doyoumeantosayyouweren’tgoingtocalluponyourSenator？”
　　“Ididn’tknowIhadany。”
　　“NeitherdidItillIcamehere。Butyou’vegottwo;everybody’sgottwo。
　　AndthePresident’swifereceivesthreetimesaweek，andthePresidenthastwoorthreedays。TheysaythepublicdaysattheWhiteHousearegreatfun。I’vebeentosomeoftheinvited，orsemi-invitedorofficialevenings。”
　　HecouldnotseethatdifferencefromthegreatpublicreceptionswhichMissAndersonhadpromisedhimatMrs。Whittington’s，thoughhepretendedafterwardthathehaddoneso。Thepeopleweremoreuniformlywelldressed，therewerenotsomanyofthem，andthehostesswassureofknowingheracquaintancesatfirstglance;buttherewasthesameease，thesameunconstraint，thesameabsenceofprovincialanxietywhichmakesaWashingtonalighterandfriendlierLondon。Therewererathermoresallowattaches;intheirlow-cutwhitewaistcoats，withsmallbrassbuttons，theymovedmoreconsciouslyabout，andlookedweightierpersonagesthanseveralforeignministerswhowerepresent。
　　DanwassoonlostfromthesideofMissAnderson，whomoreandmoreseemedtohimimportantsocially。Sheseemed，inherpresentleadership;toknowmoreoflife，thanhe;tobematurer。Butshedidnotabusehersuperiority;shekeptaneffectofherlastsummer’sfriendlinessforhimthroughout。Severaltimes，findingherselfnearhim;sheintroducedhimtopeople。
　　Guestskeptarrivingtillmidnight。Amongthelatest，whenDanhadlosthimselffarfromBostonintalkwithayoungladyfromRichmond，whospokewithaslurofhervowelsthatfascinatedhim，cameMr。andMrs。Brinkley。
　　HefelthimselfgrowpaleandinattentivetohisprettyVirginian。ThataccentofMrs。Brinkley’srecalledhimtohishistory。Hehopedthatshewouldnotseehim;butinanothermomenthewasgreetingherwithawarmthwhichBostoniansseldomshowinmeetingatBoston。
　　“WhendidyoucometoWashington？”sheasked，tryingtokeepherconsciousnessoutofhereyes，whichsheletdwellkindlyuponhim。
　　“Daybeforeyesterday——no，yesterday。Itseemsamonth，I’veseenanddonesomuch。”hesaid，withhislaugh。“MissAnderson’sbeenshowingmethewholeofWashingtonsociety。Haveyoubeenherelong？”
　　“Sincemorning。”saidMrs。Brinkley。Andsheadded，“MissAnderson？”
　　“Yes——Campobello，don’tyouknow？”
　　“Ohyes。Isshehereto-night？”
　　“Icamewithherandheraunt。”
　　“Ohyes。”
　　“HowisallBoston？”askedDanboldly。
　　“Idon’tknow;I’mjustgoingdowntoOldPointComforttoask。EveryotherhouseontheBackBayhasbeenabandonedfortheHygeia。”Mrs。
　　Brinkleystopped，andthensheasked。“Areyoujustupfromthere？”
　　“No;butIdon’tknowbutIshallgo。”
　　“Hello，Mavering！“saidMr。Brinkley，comingupandtakinghishandintohisfatgrasp。“OnyourwaytoFortressMonroe？Bettercomewithus。
　　Why;Munt！“
　　HeturnedtogreetthisotherBostonian，whohadhardlyexpressedhisjoyatmeetingwithhisfellow-townsmenwhenthehostessrustledsoftlyup，andsaid，withtheironymoreorlessfriendly，whicheverybodyusesinspeakingofBoston，orrecognisingtheintellectualpre-eminenceofitspeople，“I’mnotgoingtoletyoukeepthisfeastofreasonalltoyourselves。Iwantyoutoleaventhewholelump。”andshebegantodispersethem，andtointroducethemaboutrightandleft。
　　DantriedtofindhisVirginianagain，butshewasgone。HefoundMissAnderson;shewaswithheraunt。“Shallwebetearingyouaway？”sheasked。
　　“Ohno。I’mquitereadytogo。”
　　Hisnerveswereinatremble。ThoseBostonfacesandvoiceshadbroughtitallbackagain;itseemedasifhehadmetAlice。Hewassilentandincoherentastheydrovehome，butMissAndersonapparentlydidnotwanttotalkmuch，andapparentlydidnotnoticehisreticence。
　　Hefellasleepwiththepanginhisheartwhichhadbeentheresooften。
　　WhenDancamedowntobreakfasthefoundtheBrinkleysatapleasantplacebyoneofthewindows，andaftertheyhadexchangedapleasedsurprisewithhimthattheyshouldallhappentobeinthesamehotel，theyaskedhimtositattheirtable。
　　Therewasabrightsunshining，andtheachewasgoneoutofDan’sheart。
　　HebegantochattergailywithMrs。BrinkleyaboutWashington。
　　“Oh，bettercomeontoFortressMonroe。”saidherhusband。“Bettercomeonwithus。”
　　“No，Ican’tjustyet。”saidDan。“I’vegotsomebusinessherethatwillkeepmeforawhile。PerhapsImayrundowntherealittlelater。”
　　“MissAndersonseemstohaveagooddealofbusinessinWashingtontoo。”
　　observedBrinkley，withsomehazynotionofsayingapleasantrallyingthingtotheyoungman。Hewonderedattheglarehiswifegavehim。WiththosepannedoystersbeforehimhehadforgottenallaboutDan’sloveaffairwithMissPasmer。
　　Mrs。BrinkleyhastenedtomakethementionofMissAndersonasimpersonalaspossible。
　　“Itwassonicetomeetheragain。Sheissuchanhonest，wholesomecreature，andsobrightandfullofsense。Shealwaysmademethinkofthebroaddaylight。Ialwayslikedthatgirl。”
　　“Yes;isn’tshejolly？”saidDanjoyously。“Sheseemstoknoweverybodyhere。It’sagreatpieceofluckforme。They’regoingtotakeahouseinWashingtonnextwinter。”
　　“Yes;Iknowthatstage。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Heraunt’sanamusinglyNew-Yorkrespectability。Idon’tthinkyou’dfindjustsuchMissMitfordcurlsashersinallBoston。”
　　“Yes，theyareliketheportraits，aren’tthey？”saidDan;delighted。
　　“She’sverynice，don’tyouthink？”
　　“Very。ButMissAndersonismorethanthat。IwasdisposedtobecriticalofheratCampobelloforawhile，butsheworeextremelywell。
　　Allatonceyoufoundyourselfadmiringheruncommoncommon-sense。
　　“Yes。That’sjustit。”criedDan。“Sheissosensible！“
　　“Ithinkshe’sverypretty。”saidMrs。Brinkley。”
　　“Well，hernose。”suggestedDan。“Itseemsalittlecapricious。”
　　“It’satriflebizarre，Isuppose。Butwhatbeautifuleyes！Andherfigure！Ideclarethatgirl’scarriageissomethingsuperb。”
　　“Yes，shehasamagnificentwalk。”
　　“Walkswithhercarriage。”musedBrinkleyaloud。
　　Hiswifedidnotregardhim。“Idon’tknowwhatMissAnderson’sprinciplesare，butherpracticesareperfect。Ineverknewherdoanunkindorshabbything。Sheseemsverygoodandverywise。Andthatdeepvoiceofhershassuchacharm。It’ssorestful。Youfeelasifyoucouldreposeuponitforathousandyears。Well！Youwillgetdownbeforeweleave？”
　　“Yes，Iwill。”saidDan。“I’mhereafteramanwho’safterapatent，andassoonasIcanfinishupmybusinesswithhimIbelieveIwillrundowntoFortressMonroe。”
　　“Thiseleven-o’clocktrainwillgetyouthereatsix。”saidBrinkley。
　　“Bettertelegraphforyourrooms。”
　　“Or，letusknow。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“andwe’llsecurethemforyou。”
　　“Oh，thankyou。”saidDan。
　　Hewentaway，feelingthatMrs。Brinkleywasthepleasantestwomanheevermet。HeknewthatshehadtalkedMissAndersonsofullyinordertotakeawaytheimplicationofherhusband’sjoke，andheadmiredhertact。HethoughtofthisasheloiteredalongthestreetfromWormley’stotheArlington，wherehewasgoingtofindMissAnderson，byanappointmentofthenightbefore，andtakeawalkwithher;andthinkingoftactmadehimthinkofMrs。Pasmer。Mrs。Pasmerwasfulloftact;andhowkindshehadalwaysbeentohim！Shehadreallybeenlikeamothertohim;hewassureshehadunderstoodhim;hebelievedshehaddefendedhim;withafutilityofwhichhefeltthepathos，hemadeherdefendhimnowtoAlice。Alicewasveryhardandcold，aswhenhesawherlast;hermother’swordsfelluponherasuponastone;evenMrs。Pasmer’stears，whichDanmadehershed，hadnoeffectuponthehaughtygirl。Notthathecarednow。
　　Theblizzardofthepreviousdayshadwhirledaway;thesunshinelaystill，withawarmglistenandsparkle，ontheasphaltwhichseemedtobaskinit，andwhichitsoftenedtothefoot。HeloiteredbythegateofthelittleparkorplantationwherethestatueofGeneralJacksonisridingacock-horsetoBanburyCross，andlookedoverattheFrench-
　　ItalianclassicismoftheWhiteHousearchitecturewithapensivejoyatfindingpleasureinit，andthenhewentontotheArlington。
　　MissAndersonwaswaitingforhimintheparlour，andtheywentalongwalkuptheavenuesandacrosshalfthealphabetinthestreets，andthroughtheprettysquaresandcircles，wherethestatuesweresometimesbeautifulandalwayspicturesque;andthesparrowsmadeavernalchirpinginthenakedtreesandonthegreengrass。Intwoorthreetheysatdownontheironbenchesandrested。
　　Theytalkedandtalked——aboutthepeopletheyknew，andofwhomtheyfoundthattheythoughtsurprisinglyalike，andaboutthemselves，whomtheyfoundsurprisinglyalikeinagreatmanythings，andthensurprisinglyunlike。Danbroughtforwardsomepointsofidentitywhichhe，andAlicehadfoundinthemselves;itwasjustthesamewithMissAnderson。Shefoundherselfratherwarmwiththeseal-skinsacqueshehadputon;shelethimcarryitonhisarmwhiletheywalked，andthenlayitoverhershoulderswhentheysatdown。Hefeltapangofself-reproach，asifhehadbeeninconstanttoAlice。Thiswasanoldhabitoffeeling，formedduringthemonthsoftheirengagement，when，atherinspiration，hewasalwaysbringinghimselftobookaboutsomething。Herepliedtoherbitterly，inthecolloquywhichbegantoholditselfinhismind，andtoldherthatshehadnoclaimuponhimnow;thatifhisthoughtswanderedfromheritwasherfault，nothis;thatsheherselfhadsetthemfree。Butinfacthewaslikeallyoungmen，withathousand，potentialitiesofloving。
　　Therewasnoaspectofbeautythatdidnottenderlymovehim;hecouldnothelpasoftthrillatthesightofanyprettyshape，thesoundofanypiquantvoice;andAlicehadmerelybeenthesynthesisofallthatwasmostcharmingtothisfancy。Thisisatruthwhichitistheconventionofthepoetsandthenoveliststodeny;butitisalsotruethatshemighthaveremainedthesumofallthatwasloveliestifshewould;orifshecould。
　　ItwaschieflybecauseshewouldnotorcouldnotthathisglancerecognisedthecharmofMissAnderson’sbackhair，bothinitsstrayinggossamerandintheloosemassinwhichitwascaughtupunderherhat，whenhelaidhersacqueonhershoulders。TheymetthatafternoonataSenator’s，andinthehouseofadistinguishedcitizen，towhosewifeDanhadbeenpresentedatMrs。Whittington’s，andwhohadsomehowgothisaddress，andsenthimacardforherevening。Theyencounteredherewithajocoseoldfriendliness，andaprofessionofbeingtiredofalwaysmeetingMissAndersonandMr。Mavering。Hebroughthersaladandice，andtheymadeanappointmentforanotherwalkinthemorning，ifitwasfine。
　　Hecarriedhersomeflowers。Asuccessionoffinedaysfollowed，andtheywalkedeverymorning。SometimesDanwaslate，andexplainedthatitwashispatent-rightmanhadkepthim。Shewasinterestedinthepatent-rightman，whomDanbegantofindnotquitesosimpleasatfirst，butshewasnotexactingwithhimabouthiswantofpunctuality;shewasveryeasy-
　　going;shewasnotalwaysreadyherself。Whenhebegantobeataboutthebush，totalkinsincerities，andtolosehimselfinintentionlessplausibilities，shewaitedwithserenepatienceforhimtohavedone，andmethimontheirhabitualgroundoffranknessandrealityasifhehadnotleftit。Hegottotellingherallhisstepswithhispatent-rightman，whoseemedtobegrowingmoteandmoreslippery，andwhopresentlydevelopedademandforfunds。Thenshegavehimsomeveryshrewd，practicaladvice，andtoldhimtogorightintothehotelofficeandtelegraphtohisfatherwhileshewasputtingonherbonnet。
　　“Yes。”hesaid，“that’swhatIthoughtofdoing。”Butheadmiredherforadvisinghim;hesaidtohimselfthatMissAndersonwasthekindofgirlhisfatherwouldadmire。Shewasgood，andshewasoftheworldtoo;
　　thatwaswhathisfathermeant。Heimaginedhimselfarrivinghomeandsaying，“Wellfather，youknowthatdespatchIsentyou，aboutLafflin’swantingmoney？”andtellinghimaboutMissAnderson。Thenhefanciedheracquaintedwithhissistersandvisitingthem，andhisfathermoreandmorefondofher，andperhapsindeclininghealth，andeagertoseehissonsettledinlife;andhepicturedhimselftellingherthathehaddonewithloveforever，butifshecouldacceptrespect，fidelity，gratitude，hewasreadytodevotehislifetoher。Sherefusedhim，buttheyalwaysremainedgoodfriendsandcomrades;shemarriedanother，perhapsBoardman，whileDanwaswritingouthistelegram，andhebrokeintowhisperedmaledictionsonhisfolly，whichattractedthenoticeoftheoperator。
　　OnemorningwhenhesentuphisnametoMissAnderson，whomhedidnotfindinthehotelparlour，theservantcamebackwithwordthatMissVanHookwouldliketohavehimcomeuptotheirrooms。ButitwasMissAndersonwhomethimatthedoor。
　　“ItseemedratherformaltosendyouwordthatMissVanHookwasindisposed，andMissAndersonwouldbeunabletowalkthismorning，andIthoughtperhapsyou’drathercomeupandgetmyregretsinperson。
　　AndIwantedyoutoseeourview。”
　　Sheledthewaytothewindowforit，buttheydidnotlookatit，thoughtheysatdownthereapparentlyforthepurpose。Danputhishatbesidehischair，andobservedsomeinattentivecivilitiesininquiringafterMissVanHook’shealth，andinhearingthatitwasmerelyabadheadache，oneofasortinwhichherniecehatedtoleavehertoserveherselfwiththewetcompresseswhichMissVanHookalwaysboreonherforeheadforit。
　　“Onething:it’sdecidedustobeoffforFortressMonroeatlast。Weshallgobytheboatto-morrow，ifmyaunt’sbetter。”
　　“To-morrow？”saidDan。“What’stobecomeofmewhenyou’regone？”
　　“Oh，weshallnottakethewholepopulationwithus。”suggestedMissAnderson。
　　“Iwishyouwouldtakeme。ItoldMrs。BrinkleyIwouldcomewhileshewasthere，butI’mafraidIcan’tgetoff。Lafflinisdevelopingintoallsortsofstrangepropositions。”
　　“Ithinkyou’dbetterlookoutforthatman。”saidMissAnderson。
　　“Oh，Idonothingwithoutconsultingmyfather。ButIshallmissyou。”
　　“Thankyou。”saidthegirlgravely。
　　“Idon’tmeaninabusinesscapacityonly。”