Theybothlaughed，andDanlookedabouttheroom，whichhefoundwasaprivatehotelparlour，softenedtoamoredomesticeffectbythesignsofitsprolongedoccupationbytworefinedwomen。Onatablestoodaleatherphotographenvelopewiththreecabinetpicturesinit。Alongthetoplayasprayofwitheredforceythia。Dan’swanderingeyesrestedonit。MissAndersonwentandsoftlyclosedthedooropeningintothenextroom。
　　“Iwasafraidourtalkingmightdisturbmyaunt。”shesaid，andonherwaybacktohimshepickedupthephotographcaseandbroughtittothelight。
　　“Thesearemyfatherandmother。WeliveatYonkers;butI’mwithmyauntagooddealofthetimeintown——evenwhenI’mathome。”Shelaughedatherowncontradictorystatement，andputthecasebackwithoutexplainingthethirdfigure——afigureinuniform。Danconjecturedamilitarybrother，orfromherindifferenceperhapsamilitiabrother，andthenforgotabouthim。ButthepartialYonkersresidenceaccountedfortraitsofunconventionalityinMissAndersonwhichhehadnotbeenabletoreconcilewiththenotionofanexclusivelyNewYorkbreeding。Hefelttherelief，thesympathy，thecertaintyofintelligencewhicheverypersonwhoselifehasbeenpartlyspentinthecountryfeelsatfindingthatasuspectedcockneyhasalsohadtheoutlookintonatureandsimplicity。
　　OntheYonkersbasistheybecamemoreintimate，morepersonal，andDantoldheraboutPonkwassetFallsandhismotherandsisters;hetoldherabouthisfather，andshesaidsheshouldliketoseehisfather;shethoughthemustbelikeherfather。
　　“Allatonce，andfornoreasonthathecouldthinkofafterward，except，perhaps，thedesiretoseethecasewithhereyes，hebegantotellherofhisaffairwithAlice，andhowandwhyitwasbrokenoff;hetoldthewholetruthinregardtothat，anddidnotsparehimself。
　　Shelistenedwithoutoncespeaking，butwithoutapparentsurpriseattheconfidence，thoughshemayhavefeltsurprised。Attimesshelookedasifherthoughtswereawayfromwhathewassaying。
　　Heendedwith，“I’msureIdon’tknowwhyI’vetoldyouallthis。ButI
　　wantedyoutoknowaboutme。Theworst。”
　　MissAndersonsaid，lookingdown，“Ialwaysthoughtshewasaveryconscientiousgiyl。”Thenafterapause，inwhichsheseemedtobeovercominganembarrassmentinbeingobligedtospeakofanotherinsuchaconviction，“Ithinkshewasverymoybid。ShewaslikeeversomanyNewEnglandgiylsthatI’vemet。Theyseemtowantsomeexcuseforsuffering;
　　andtheymustsufferevenifit’sthroughsomebodyelse。Idon’tknow;
　　they’reromantic，NewEnglandgiylsare;theyhavetoomanyideals。”
　　Danfeltabalminthis;hetoohadnoticedasuperfluityofidealsinAlice，hehadbornetheburdenofrealisingsomeofthem;theyallseemedtorelateinobjectionabledegreetohisperfectionation。Sohesaidgloomily，“Shewasverygood。AndIwastoblame。”
　　“Ohyes！“saidMissAnderson，catchingherbreathinaqueerway;“sheseyvedyouright。”
　　Sheroseabruptly，asifsheheardherauntspeak，andDanperceivedthathehadbeenmakingalongcall。
　　Hewentawaydazedanddissatisfied;heknewnowthatheoughtnottohavetoldMissAndersonabouthisaffair，unlesshemeantmorebyhisconfidencethanhereallydid——unlesshemeanttofollowitup。
　　Hetookleaveofher，andaskedhertomakehisadieuxtoheraunt;butthenextdayhecamedowntotheboattoseethemoff。Itseemedtohimthattheirinterviewhadendedtoohastily;hefeltsoreandrestlessoverit;hehopedthatsomethingmoreconclusivemighthappen。ButattheboatMissAndersonandherauntwereinseparable。MissVanHooksaidshehopedtheyshouldsoonseehimattheHygeia，andherepliedthathewasnotsurethatheshouldbeabletocomeafterall。
　　MissAndersoncalledsomethingafterhimasheturnedfromthemtogoashore。Heranbackeagerlytoknowwhatitwas。“BetterlookoutforthatMr。Lafflinofyours。”sherepeated。
　　“Oh！ohyes。”hesaid，indefinitelydisappointed。“Ishallkeepasharpeyeonhim。”Hewasdisappointed，buthecouldnothavesaidwhathehadhopedorexpectedhertosay。HewashumbledbeforehimselfforhavingtoldMissAndersonabouthisaffairwithAlice，andhadwishedshewouldsaysomethingthathemightscramblebacktohisself-esteemupon。Hehadtoldherallthatpartlyfrommereweakness，fromhislongingforthesympathywhichhewasalwayssoreadytogive，andpartlyfromthewillingnesstoposebeforeherasabrokenheart，todazzleherbytheironyandpersiflagewithwhichhecouldtreatsuchatragicalmatter;buthecouldnotfeelthathehadsucceeded。ThesumofhercommenthadbeenthatAlicehadservedhimright。Hedidnotknowwhethershereallybelievedthatormerelysaidittopunishhimforsomereason;buthecouldneverletitbethelastword。Hetingledasheturnedtowavehishandkerchieftoherontheboat，withthesuspicionthatshewaslaughingathim;andhecouldnotconsolehimselfwithanyheroofanovelwhohadgothimselfintojustsuchabox。Therewerealwayscircumstances，incidents，mitigations，thatkepttheherostillahero，andennobledtheboxintoanunjustprisoncell。
　　L。
　　OnthelongsunnypiazzaoftheHygeiaMrs。BrinkleyandMissVanHooksatandtalkedinacommunityofinterestwhichtheyhadnotdiscoveredduringthesummerbeforeatCampobello，andwithanequalityofhearingwhichthesoundofthewaveswashingalmostattheirfeetestablishedbetweenthem。
　　InthispleasantnoiseMissVanHookheardaswellasanyone，andMrs。
　　Brinkleygraduallyrealisedthatitwasthetroubleofhavingtolifthervoicethathadkeptherfromcultivatingaveryagreeableacquaintancebefore。Theladiessatinasecludedcorner，wearinglightwrapsthattheyhadoftenfoundcomfortableatCampobelloinAugust，andfromtimetotimeattestedtoeachothertheirastonishmentthattheyneedednomoreatOldPointinearlyApril。
　　Theydidthisnotonlyasajusttributetotheamiableclimate，butasarelieffromthetopicwhichhadbeenabsorbingthem，andtowhichtheyconstantlyreturned。
　　“No。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withasortoffinality，“Ithinkitisthebestthingthatcouldpossiblyhavehappenedtohim。Heisbearingitinaverymanlyway，butIfancyhehasfeltitdeeply，poorfellow。He’sneverbeeninBostonsince，andIdon’tbelievehe’dcomehereifhe’danyideahowmanyBostonpeopletherewereinthehotel——weswarm！Itwouldbeverypainfultohim。”
　　“Yes。”saidMissVanHook，“youngpeopleseemtofeelthosethings。”
　　“Ofcoursehe’sgoingtogetoverit。That’swhatyoungpeopledotoo。
　　Athisagehecan’thelpbeingcaughtwitheveryprettyfaceandeveryprettyfigure，eveninthemidstofhiswoe，andit’sonlyaquestionoftimetillheseizessomeprettyhandandgetsdrawnoutofitaltogether。”
　　“Ithinkthatwouldbethecasewithmyniece，too。”saidMissVanHook，“ifshewasn’tkeptinitbyasenseofloyalty。Idon’tbelieveshereallydaresmuchforLieutenantWillinganymore;butheseesnosocietywherehe’sstationed，ofcourse，andhisconstancyisa——arebukeanda——
　　a——anincentivetoher。TheywereengagedalongtimeagojustafterheleftWestPoint——andwe’vealwaysbeeninhopesthathewouldberemovedtosomepostwherehecouldmeetotherladiesandbecomeinterestedinsomeoneelse。Butheneverhas，andsotheaffairremains。It’smostundesirabletheyshouldmarry，andinthemeantimeshewon’tbreakitoff，andit’sspoilingherchancesinlife。”
　　“Itistoobad。”sighedMrs。Brinkley，“butofcourseyoucandonothing。
　　Iseethat。”
　　“No，wecandonothing。Wehavetriedeverything。IusedtothinkitwasbecauseshewassodullthereatYonkerswithherfamily，andbroodedupontheoneideaallthetime，thatshecouldnotgetoverit;andatfirstitdidseemwhenshecametomethatshewouldgetoverit。Sheisveryfondofgaiety——ofyoungmen’ssociety，andshe’shadplentyoflittleflirtationsthatdidn’tmeananything，andneveramountedtoanything。
　　Everynowandthenaletterwouldcomefromthewildswherehewasstationed，andspoilitall。Sheseemedtofeelasortofchivalrousobligationbecausehewassofaroffandhelplessandlonely。”
　　“Yes，Iunderstand。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Whatapityshecouldn’tbemadetofeelthatthatdidn’tdeepentheobligationatall。”
　　“I’vetriedtomakeher。”saidMissVanHook，“andI’vebeeneverywherewithher。OnewinterwewereuptheNile，andanotherinNice，andlastwinterwewereinRome。Shemetyoungmeneverywhere，andhadoffersuponoffers;butitwasofnouse。Sheremainedjustthesame，andtillshemetMr。MaveringinWashingtonIdon’tbelieve——“
　　MissVanHookstopped，andMrs。Brinkleysaid，“Andyetshealwaysseemedtomeparticularlypracticalandlevel-headed——asthemensay。”
　　“Sosheis。Butsheisreallyveryromanticaboutsomethings;andwhenitcomestoamatterofthatkind，girlsareaboutallalike，don’tyouthink？”
　　“Ohyes。”saidMrs。Brinkleyhopelessly，andbothladieslookedoutoverthewater，wherethewavescamerollinginoneafteranothertowastethemselvesontheshoreasfutilelyasiftheyhadbeenlives。
　　IntheeveningMissAndersongottwolettersfromtheclerk，atthehourwhentheladiesallflockedtohisdeskwiththeeagernessforletterswhichissoengaginginthem。Oneshepulledopenandglancedatwithasortofimpassionedindifference;theothershereadinoneintensemoment，andthenranitintoherpocket，andwithherhandstillonithurriedvividlyflushingtoherroom，andreadandreaditagainwithconstantlymountingemotion。
　　“WORMLEY’sHOTEL，Washington，April7，188。
　　“DEARMISSANDERSON，——IhavebeenactingonyourpartingadvicetolookoutforthatMr。Lafflinofmine，andIhavediscoveredthatheisanunmitigatedscamp。ConsequentlythereisnothingmoretokeepmeinWashington，andIshouldnowlikeyouradviceaboutcomingtoFortressMonroe。Doyoufinditmalarial？Ontheboatyourauntaskedmetocome，butyousaidnothingaboutit，andIwaslefttosupposethatyoudidnotthinkitwouldagreewithme。Doyoustillthinkso？orwhatdoyouthink？IknowyouthinkitwasuncalledforandinextremelybadtasteformetotellyouwhatIdidtheotherday;andIhavethoughtsotoo。
　　Thereisonlyonethingthatcouldjustifyit——thatis，Ithinkitmightjustifyit——ifyouthoughtso。ButIdonotfeelsurethatyouwouldliketoknowit，or，ifyouknewit，wouldlikeit。I’vebeenratherslowcomingtotheconclusionmyself，andperhapsit’sonlythebeginningoftheend;andnottheconclusion——ifthereissuchadifference。ButthequestionnowiswhetherImaycomeandtellyouwhatIthinkitis——
　　justifymyself，ormakethingsworsethantheyarenow。Idon’tknowthattheycanbeworse，butIthinkIshouldliketotry。Ithinkyourpresencewouldinspireme。
　　“WashingtonisawildernesssinceMiss——VanHookleft。Itisnotahowlingwildernesssimplybecauseithasnotenoughleftinittohowl;
　　butithasalltheothermeritsofawilderness。
　　“Yourssincerely，“D。F。MAVERING。”
　　Afterasecondperusalofthisnote，MissAndersonrecurredtotheotherletterwhichshehadneglectedforit，andreaditwitheyesfromwhichthetearsslowlyfelluponit。Thenshesatalongtimeathertablewithbothlettersbeforeher，anddidnotmove，excepttotakeherhandkerchiefoutofherpocketanddryhereyes，fromwhichthetearsbeganatoncetodripagain。Atlastshestartedforward，andcaughtpenandpapertowardher，bitingherlipandfrowningasiftokeepherselffirm，andshesaidtothecentralfigureinthephotographcasewhichstoodatthebackofthetable，“Iwill，Iwill！Youareaman，anyway。”
　　Shesatdown，andbyaseriesofimpulsesshewrotealetter，withwhichshegaveherselfnopausetillsheputitintheclerk’shands，towhomsherandownstairswithit，kickingherskirtintowildwhirlsassheran，andcatchingherfootinitandstumbling。
　　“Willitgo——goto-night？”shedemandedtragically。
　　“Justintime。”saidtheclerk，withoutlookingup，andapparentlynotthinkingthathertonebetrayedanyunusualamountofemotioninaladypostingaletter;hewasusedtointensityonsuchoccasions。
　　Theletterran——
　　“DEARMR。MAVERING，——WeshallnowbeheresoshortatimethatIdonotthinkitadvisableforyoutocome。
　　“Yourletterwasratherenigmatical，andIdonotknowwhetherI
　　understooditexactly。Isupposeyoutoldmewhatyoudidforgoodreasonsofyourown，andIdidnotthinkmuchaboutit。Ibelievethequestionoftastedidnotcomeupinmymind。
　　“Myauntjoinsmeinkindestregards。
　　“Yoursverysincerely，“JULIAV。H。ANDERSON。”
　　“P。S——IthinkthatIoughttoreturnyourletter。Iknowthatyouwouldnotobjecttomykeepingit，butitdoesnotseemright。Iwishtoaskyourcongratulations。IhavebeenengagedforseveralyearstoLieutenantWilling，oftheArmy。HehasbeentransferredfromhispostinMontanatoFortHamiltonatNewYork，andwearetobemarriedinJune。
　　ThenextmorningMrs。Brinkleycameupfrombreakfastinasortofduplexexcitement，whichshetriedtoimparttoherhusband;hestoodwithhisbacktowardthedoor，bendingforwardtotheglassforamoreaccurateviewofhisface，fromwhichhehadscrapedhalfthelatherinshaving。
　　Shehadtwocardsinherhand:“MissVanHookandMissAndersonhavegone。
　　Theywentthismorning。IfoundtheirP。P。C。’sbymyplate。”
　　Mr。Brinkleymadeaninarticulatenoiseforcomment，andassumedthecontemptuoussneerwhichsomemenfindconvenientforshavingthelowerlip。
　　“Andguesswho’scome，ofallpeopleintheworld？”
　　“Idon’tknow。”saidBrinkley，seizinghischancetospeak。
　　“ThePasmers！——Aliceandhermother！Isn’titawful？”
　　Mr。Brinkleyhadentereduponaverydifficultspotatthecornerofhisleftjaw。Hefinisheditbeforehesaid，“Idon’tseeanythingawfulaboutit，solongasPasmerhasn’tcometoo。”
　　“ButDanMavering！He’sinWashington，andhemaycomedownhereanyday。
　　Justthinkhowshockingthatwouldbe！“
　　“Isn’tthatratheratheory？”askedMr。Brinkley，findingsuchopportunitiesforconversationashecould。“IdaresayMrs。Pasmerwouldbeverygladtoseehim。”
　　“I’venodoubtshewould。”saidMrs。Brinkley。Butit’stheworstthingthatcouldhappen——forhim。AndIfeellikewritinghimnottocome——
　　telegraphinghim。”
　　“YouknowhowthemanmadeafortuneinChicago。”saidherhusband，dryinghisrazortenderlyonatowelbeforebeginningtostropit。“Iadviseyoutoletthewholethingalone。Itdoesn’tconcernusinanywaywhatever。”
　　“Then。”saidMrs。Brinkley，“thereoughttobeacommitteetotakeitinhandandwarnhim。”
　　“Idaresayyoucouldmakeoneupamongtheladies。Butdon’tbethefirsttomoveinthematter。”
　　“Ireallybelieve。”saidhiswife，withhermindtakenoffthepointbytheattractivenessofasurmisewhichhadjustoccurredtoher，“thatMrs。
　　PasmerwouldbecapableoffollowinghimdownifsheknewhewasinWashington。”
　　“Yes，ifsheknow。Butsheprobablydoesn’t。”
　　“Yes。”saidMrs。Brinkleydisappointedly。“IthinkthesuddendepartureoftheVanHooksmusthavehadsomethingtodowithDanMavering。”
　　“Seemsaveryinfluentialyoungman。”saidherhusband。“Heattractsandrepelspeoplerightandleft。DidyouspeaktothePasmers？”
　　“No;you’dbetter，whenyougodown。They’vejustcomeintothedining-
　　room。Thegirllookslikedeath。”
　　“Well，I’lltalktoheraboutMavering。That’llcheerherup。”
　　Mrs。Brinkleylookedathimforaninstantasifshereallythoughthimcapableofit。Thenshejoinedhiminhislaugh。
　　Mrs。BrinkleyhadtheorisedAlicePasmerassimplyandprimitivelyselfish，liketherestofthePasmersinwhomthefamilytraitsprevailed。
　　WhenMaveringstoppedcomingtoherhouseafterhisengagementshejustlysuspectedthatitwasbecauseAlicehadforbiddenhim，andshehadrejoicedatthebrokenengagementasanescapeforDan;shehadfranklysaidso，andshehadreceivedhimbackintofullfavouratthefirstmomentinWashington。ShelikedMissAnderson，andshehadhoped，withtheinterestwhichwomenfeelineverysuchaffair，thatherflirtationwithhimmightbecomeserious。Butnowthishadapparentlynothappened。
　　JuliaAndersonwasgonewithmystifyingprecipitation，andAlicePasmerhadcomewithanunexpectednesswhichhadtheaspectoffatality。
　　Mrs。Brinkleyfeltbound，ofcourse，sincetherewasnoopenenmitybetweenthem，tomeetthePasmersontheneutralgroundoftheHygeiawithconventionalamiability。Shewasreallytouchedbytheabsentwannessofthegirlslook，andbythelater-comingrecognitionwhichshapedhermouthintoapatheticsnide。Alicedidnotlooklikedeathquite，asMrs。
　　Brinkleyhadtoldherhusband，withthenecessityhersexhasforputtingitssuperlativesbeforeitspositives;butshewaspaleandthin，andshemovedwithalanguidstepwhentheyallmetatnightafterMrs。BrinkleyhadkeptoutofthePasmers’wayduringtheday。
　　“Shehasbeenillallthelatterpartofthewinter。”saidMrs。PasmertoMrs。Brinkleythatnightinthecornerofthespreadinghotelparlours，wheretheyfoundthemselves。Mrs。Pasmerdidnotlookwellherself;shespokewithhereyesfixedanxiouslyonthedoorAlicehadjustpassedoutof。“Sheisgoingtobed，butIknowIshallfindherawakewheneverI
　　go。”
　　“Perhaps。”suggestedMrs。Brinkley，“thissoft，heavyseaairwillputhertosleep。”Shetriedtospeakdrilyandindifferently，butshecouldnot;
　　shewas，infact，verymuchinterestedbythesituation，andshewastouched，inspiteofherdistasteforthemboth，bytheevidentunhappinessofmotheranddaughter。Sheknewwhatitcamefrom，andshesaidtoherselfthattheydeservedit;butthisdidnotaltogetherfortifyheragainsttheirpathos。“Icanhardlykeepawakemyself。”sheaddedgruffly。
　　“Ihopeitmayhelpher。”saidMrs。Pasmer;“thedoctorstronglyurgedourcoming。”
　　Mr。Pasmerisn’twithyou。”saidMrs。Brinkley，feelingthatitwasdecenttosaysomethingabouthim。
　　“No;hewasdetained。”Mrs。Pasmerdidnotexplainthecauseofhisdetention，andthetwoladiesslowlywavedtheirfansamomentinsilence。
　　“AretheremanyBostonPeopleinthehouse？”Mrs。Pasmerasked。
　　“It’sfullofthem。”criedMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Ihadscarcelynoticed。”sighedMrs。Pasmer;andMrs。Brinkleyknewthatthiswasnottrue。“Alicetakesupallmythoughts。”sheadded;andthismightbetrueenough。Sheleanedalittleforwardandasked，inalow，entreatingvoiceoverherfan，“Mrs。Brinkley，haveyouseenMr。Maveringlately？”
　　Mrs。Brinkleyconsideredthisalittletoobold，alittletoobrazen。HadtheyactuallycomeSouthinpursuitofhim？Itwasshameless，andsheletMrs:Pasmerknowsomethingofherfeelingintheshortnesswithwhichsheanswered，“IsawhiminWashingtontheotherday——foramoment。”SheshortenedthetimeshehadspentinDan’scompanysoastocutMrs。Pasmerofffromasmuchcomfortaspossible，andshestaredatherinopenastonishment。
　　Mrs。PasmerdroppedhereyesandfingeredtheedgeofherfanwithasubmissivenessthatseemedtoMrs。Brinkleytheperfectionofduplicity;
　　shewantedtoshakeher。“Iknew。”sighedMrs。Pasmer，“thatyouhadalwaysbeensuchafriendofhis。”
　　Itisthelaststrawwhichbreaksthecamel’sback;Mrs。Brinkleyfelthermoralvertebraegiveway;shealmostheardthemcrack;butiftherewasreallyadetonation，thedrownedthenoisewithaharshlaugh。“Oh，hehadotherfriendsinWashington。ImethimeverywherewithMissAnderson。”ThisstatementconflictedwiththetheoryofhersingleinstantwithDan，butshefeltthatinsuchacause，inthecauseofgivingpaintoawomanlikeMrs。Pasmer，thedeflectionfromexacttruthwasjustifiable。Shehurriedon:“Iratherexpectedhemightrundownhere，butnowthatthey’regone，Idon’tsupposehe’llcome。YourememberMissAnderson’saunt，MissVanHook？”
　　“Ohyes。”saidMrs。Pasmer。
　　“Shewasherewithher。”
　　“MissVanHookwassuchaNewYorktype——ofacertainkind。”saidMrs。
　　Pasmer。Sherose，withasmileatoncesoconventional，soheroic，andsopitifulthatMrs。Brinkleyfelttheremorseofagenerousvictor。
　　Shewenttoherroom，hardeningherheart，andsheburstinwithafloodofvolubleexasperationthatthreatenedalltheneighbouringroomswithoverflow。
　　“Well，shecried，“theyhaveshowntheirhandscompletely。TheyhavecomeheretohoundDanMaveringdown，andgethimintotheirtoilsagain。Why，thewomanactuallysaidasmuch！ButIfancyIhavegivenherafitofinsomniathatwillenablehertoshareherdaughter’svigils。ReallysuchimpudenceIneverheardof！“
　　“Doyouwanteverybodyinthecorridortohearofit？”askedBrinkley，frombehindanewspaper。
　　“Iknowonething。”continuedMrs。Brinkley，droppinghervoiceacoupleofoctaves。TheywillnevergethimhereifIcanhelpit。Hewon’tcome，anyway，nowMissAndersonisgone;butI’llmakeassurancedoublysurebywritinghimnottocome;I’lltellhimthey’vegone;andthanwearegoingtoo。”
　　“YouhadbetterrememberthemaninChicago。”saidherhusband。
　　“Well，thisismybusiness——orI’llmakeitmybusiness！“criedMrs。
　　Brinkley。Shewentontalkingrapidly，risingwithgreatexcitementinhervoiceattimes，andthenrememberingtospeaklower;andherhusbandapparentlyreadonthroughmostofhertalk，thoughnowandthenhemadesomecommentthatseemedofalmostinspiredaptness。
　　“Thewaytheybothmadeuptomewasdisgusting。ButIknowthegirlisjustatoolinhermother’shands。Hermotherseemedactuallypassiveincomparison。ForskilfulwheedlingIcouldfalldownandworshipthatwoman;Ireallyadmireher。Aslongasthegirlwaswithusshekeptherselfinthebackgroundandputthegirlatme。Itwassimplyamasterpiece。”
　　“Howdoyouknowsheputheratyou？”askedBrinkley。
　　“How？Bythewaysheseemednottodoit！AndbecausefromwhatIknowofthatstupidPasmerprideitwouldbeperfectlyimpossibleforanyonewhowasaPasmertotakeherdeprecatorymannertowardmeofherself。Yououghttohaveseenit！Itwassimplyperfect。”
　　“Perhaps。”saidBrinkley，witharemotedreaminess，“shewastrulysorry。”
　　“Trulystuff！No，indeed;shehatesmeasmuchasever——more！“
　　“Well，then，maybeshe’sdoingitbecauseshehatesyou——doingitforhersoul’sgood——sortofpenance，sortofatonementtoMavering。”
　　Mrs。Brinkleyturnedroundfromherdressing-tabletoseewhatherhusbandmeant，butthenewspaperhidhim。Weallknowthatourownnaturesaremixedandcontradictory，butweeachattributetoothersalogicalconsistencywhichweneverfindinanyoneoutofthenovels。AlicePasmerwascoldandreticent，andMrs。Brinkley，whohadlivedhalfacenturyinaworldfullofparadoxes，couldnotimaginehersubjecttogustsofpassionatefrankness;sheknewthegirltobeproudanddistant，andshecouldnotconceiveofanabjecthumilityandlongingforsympathyinherheart。IfAlicefelt，whenshesawMrs。Brinkley，thatshehadaprovidentialopportunitytopunishherselfforherinjusticetoDan，thefactcouldnotbeestablisheduponMrs。Brinkley’stheoryofher。Iftheasceticimpulseisthemostpurelyselfishimpulseinhumannature，Mrs。
　　Brinkleymightnothavebeenmistakeninsuspectingherofanignoblemotive，thoughitmighthavehadforthegirlthelastsublimityofself-
　　sacrifice。Thewomanwhodislikedherandpitiedherknewthatshehadnoarts，andratherthanadoptsosimpleatheoryofherbehaviourasherhusbandhadadvancedsheheldallthemorestrenuouslytoherowntheorythatAlicewaspractisinghermother’sarts。Thiswasinevitable，partlyfromthesenseofMrs。Pasmer’sartfulnesswhicheverybodyhad，andpartlyfromtheallegiancewhichwepay——andwomenespeciallyliketopay——tothetraditionoftheplaywrightsandthenovelists，thatsocialresultsofallkindsaretheworkofdeep，andmoreorlessdarkling，designonthepartofotherwomen——suchotherwomenasMrs。Pasmer。
　　Mrs。Brinkleycontinuedtotalk，butthegodspokenomorefrombehindthenewspaper;andafterwardMrs。Brinkleylayalongtimeawake;hardeningherheart。Butshewashauntedtothevergeofherdreamsbythatgirl’ssicklook，byherlanguidwalk，andbytheeffectwhichshehadseenherownwordstakeuponMrs。Pasmer——aneffectsoadmirablydisowned，soperfectlyobvious。Beforeshecouldgettosleepshewasobligedtomakeacompromisewithherheart，inpursuanceofwhich，whenshefoundMrs。
　　Pasmeratbreakfastaloneinthemorning，shewentuptoher，andsaid，holdingherhandamoment，“Ihopeyourdaughtersleptwelllastnight。”
　　“No。”saidMrs。Pasmer，slippingherhandaway，“Ican’tsaythatshedid。”Therewasprobablynoresentmentexpressedinthewayshewithdrewherhand，buttheotherthoughttherewas。
　　“IwishIcoulddosomethingforher。”shecried。
　　“Oh，thankyou。”saidMrs。Pasmer。“It’sverygoodofyou。”AndMrs。
　　Brinkleyfanciedshesmiledratherbitterly。
　　Mrs。BrinkleywentoutupontheseawardverandahofthehotelwiththisbitternessofMrs。Pasmer’ssmileinherthoughts;anditdisposedhertofeelmorekeenlythequalityofMissPasmer’ssmile。Shefoundthegirlstandingthereataremotepointofthatlongstretchofplanking，andlookingoutoverthewater;sheheldwithbothhandsacrossherbreastthesoftchuddahshawlwhichthewindcaughtandflutteredawayfromherwaist。Shewasalone，saidasMrs。Brinkley’scompunctionsgoadedhernearer，shefanciedthatthesawAlicemasteraprimarydislikeinherface，andputonalookofpatheticpropitiation。ShedidnotcomeforwardtomeetMrs。Brinkley，wholikedbetterherwaitingtobeapproached;butshesmiledgratefullywhenMrs。Brinkleyputoutherhand，andshetookitwithaverycoldone。
　　“Youmustfinditchillyhere。”saidtheelderwoman。
　　“IhadbetterbeoutintheairallIcould，thedoctorsaid。”answeredAlice。
　　“Well，then，comewithmeroundthecorner;there’sasortofrecessthere，andyouwon’tbeblowntopierces。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withauthority。Theysatdowntogetherintherecess，andsheadded:“IusedtositherewithMissVanHook;shecouldhearbetterinthenoisethewavesmade。Ihopeitisn’ttoomuchforyou。”
　　“Ohno。”saidAlice。“Mammasaidyoutoldhertheywerehere。”Mrs。
　　Brinkleyreassuredherselffromthis;MissVanHook’snamehadratherslippedout;butofcourseMrs。PasmerhadnotrepeatedwhatshehadsaidaboutDaninthisconnection。“IwishIcouldhaveseenJulia。”Alicewenton。“ItwouldhavebeenquitelikeCampobelloagain。”
　　“Oh，quite。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withashortbreath，andnotknowingwhitherthistended。Alicedidnotleaveherindoubt。
　　“Ishouldliketohaveseenher，andbeggedherforthewayItreatedherthelastpartofthetimethere。IfeelasifIcouldmakemywholelifeareparation。”sheaddedpassionately。
　　Mrs。Brinkleybelievedthatthiswasthemerefrenzyofsentimentality，theexaltationofaselfishasceticism;butatthebreakinthegirl’svoiceandtheaversionofherfaceshecouldnothelpathrillofmotherlytendernessforher。Shewantedtotellhershewasanunconscioushumbug，bentnowasalwaysonherownadvantage，andreallyindifferenttoothersshealsowantedtocomforther，andtellherthatsheexaggerated，andwasnottoblame。Shedidneither，butwhenAliceturnedherfacebacksheseemedencouragedbyMrs。Brinkley’slooktogoon:“Ididn’tappreciateherthen;shewasverygenerousandhigh-minded——toohigh-mindedformetounderstand，even。Butwedon’tseemtoknowhowgoodothersaretillwewrongthem。”
　　“Yes，thatisverytrue。”saidMrs。Brinkley。SheknewthatAlicewasobviouslyreferringtothebreachbetweenherselfandMissAndersonfollowingthenightoftheTrevortheatricals，andthedislikeforherthatshehadshownwithafranknesssomeoftheladieshadthoughtbrutal。
　　Mrs。Brinkleyalsobelievedthatherwordshadatacitmeaning，andshewouldhavelikedtohavethehardnesstosayshehadseenanunnamedvictimofAlicedoinghisbesttoconsoletheothershehadspecified。
　　Butshemerelysaiddrily，“Yes，perhapsthat’sthereasonwhywe’reallowedtoinjurepeople。”
　　“Itmustbe。”saidAlicesimply。“DidMissAndersoneverspeakofme？”
　　“No;Ican’trememberthatsheeverdid。”Mrs。BrinkleydidnotfeelboundtosaythatsheandMissVanHookhaddiscussedheratlarge，andagreedperfectlyabouther。
　　“Ishouldliketoseeher;Ishouldliketowritetoher。”
　　Mrs。Brinkleyfeltthatsheoughtnottosufferthisintimatetendencyinthetalk:
　　“Youmustfindagreatmanyotheracquaintancesinthehotel，MissPasmer。”
　　“SomeoftheFranklandgirdsarehere，andthetwoBellinghams。Ihavehardlyspokentothemyet。Doyouthinkthatwhereyouhaveevenbeenintheright，ifyouhavebeenharsh，ifyouhavebeenhasty，ifyouhaven’tmadeallowances，yououghttooffersomeatonement？”
　　“Really，Ican’tsay。”saidMrs。Brinkley，withasmileofdistaste。“I’mafraidyourquestionisn’tquiteinmylineofthinking;it’smoreinMissCotton’sway。You’dbetteraskhersometime。”
　　“No。”saidAlicesadly;“shewouldflatterme。”
　　“Ah！Ialwayssupposedshewasveryconscientious。”
　　“She’sconscientious，butshelikesmetoowell。”
　　“Oh！“commentedMrs。Brinkleytoherself，“thenyouknowIdon’tlikeyou，andyou’llusemeinoneway，ifyoucan’tinanother。Verywell！“Butshefoundthegirl’strusttouchingsomehow，thoughthesentimentalityofherappealseemedastawdryasever。
　　“Iknewyouwouldbejust。”addedAlicewistfully。
　　“Oh，Idon’tknowaboutatonements！“saidMrs。Brinkley，withaneffectofcarelessness。“Itseemstomethatweusuallymakethemforourownsake。”
　　“Ihavethoughtofthat。”saidAlice，withalookofexpectation。
　　“Andweusuallyastonishotherpeoplewhenweofferthem。”
　　“Eithertheydon’tlikeit，orelsetheydon’tfeelsomuchinjuredaswehadsupposed。”
　　“0h，butthere’snoquestion——“
　　“IfMissAnderson——“
　　“MissAnderson？Oh——ohyes！“
　　“IfMissAndersonforexample。”pursuedMrs。Brinkley，“feltaggrievedwithyou。ButreallyI’venorighttoenterintoyouraffairs，MissPasmer。”
　　“OhYes，yes！——do！Iaskedyouto。”thegirlimplored。
　　“Idoubtifitwillhelpmattersforhertoknowthatyouregretanything;
　　andifsheshouldn’thappentohavethoughtthatyouwereunjusttoher，itwouldmakeheruncomfortablefornothing。”
　　“Doyouthinkso？”askedthegirl，withadisappointmentthatbetrayeditselfinhervoiceandeyes。
　　“IneverfeelImyselfcompetenttoadvise。”saidMrs。Brinkley。“Icancriticise——anybodycan——andIdo，prettyfreely;butadviceisamoreseriousmatter。Eachofusmustactfromherself——fromwhatshethinksisright。”
　　“Yes，Isee。Thankyousomuch，Mrs。Brinkley。”
　　“Afterall，wehavearighttodoourselvesgood，evenwhenwepretendthatit’sgoodtoothers，ifwedon’tdothemanyharm。”
　　“Yes，Isee。”Alicelookedaway，andthenseemedabouttospeakagain;
　　butoneofMrs。Brinkley’sacquaintancecameup，andthegirlrosewithafrightenedairandwentaway。
　　“Alice’stalkwithyouthismorningdidhersomuchgood！“saidMrs。
　　Pasmer，later。“ShehasalwaysfeltsobadlyaboutMissAnderson！“
　　Mrs。BrinkleysawthatMrs。PasmerwishedtoconfinethemeaningoftheirtalktoMissAnderson，andsheassented，withapenetrationofwhichshesawthatMrs。Pasmerwasgratefullyaware。
　　ShegrewmoretolerantofboththePasmersasthedangerofgreaterintimacyfromthem，whichseemedtothreatenatfirstseemedtopassaway。
　　Shehadnotrespondedtotheiradvances，buttherewasnoreasonwhysheshouldnotbeciviltothem;therehadneverbeenanyopenquarrelwiththem。Sheoftenfoundherselfintalkwiththem，andwasamusedtonotethatshewastheonlyBostonianwhomtheydidnotkeepalooffrom。
　　Itcouldnotbesaidthatshecametolikeeitherofthembetter。ShestillsuspectedMrs。Pasmerofdesign，thoughshedevelopednonebeyondmanoeuvringAliceoutofthewayofpeoplewhomshewishedtoavoid;andshestillfoundthegirl，asshealwaysthoughther，asegotist，whosebestimpulsestowardothershadafinalaiminherself。Shethoughtherverycrudeinherideas——cruderthanshehadseemedatCampobello，whereshehadperhapsbeensoftenedbyheraffinitionwiththegentlerandkindliernatureofDanMavering。Mrs。Brinkleywasnevertiredofsayingthathehadmadethemostfortunateescapeintheworld，andthoughBrinkleyownedhewastiredofhearingit，shecontinuedtosayitwithagreatvarietyofspeculation。SherecognisedthatinmostgirlsofAlice’sagemanytraitsareinsolution，waitingtheirprecipitationintocharacterbythechemicalcontactwhichtimeandchancesmustbring，andthatitwasnotfairtojudgeherbythepresentfermentofhereditarytendencies;butsherejoicedallthesamethatitwasnotDanMavering’scharacterwhichwastogivefixitytohers。Themoreshesawofthegirlthemoreshewasconvincedthattwosuchpeoplecouldonlymakeeachotherunhappy;fromdaytoday，almostfromhourtohour，sheresolvedtowritetoMaveringandtellhimnottocome。
　　ShewassurethatthePasmerswishedtohavetheaffaironagain，andpartofherfascinationwithagirlwhomsheneitherlikednorapprovedwasherbeliefthatAlice’shealthhadbrokenunderthestrainofherregretsandherdespair。Shedidnotgetbetterfromthechangeofair;shegrewmorelistlessandlanguid，andmoredependentuponMrs。Brinkley’scharysympathy。Theolderwomanaskedherselfagainandagainwhatmadethegirlclingtoher？WasshegoingtoaskherfinallytointercedewithDan？orwasitreallyadespairingatonementtohim，themostdisagreeablesacrificeshecouldoffer，asMr。Brinkleyhadstupidlysuggested？ShebelievedthatAlice’sselfishnessandmorbidsentimentwereequaltoeither。
　　Brinkleygenerallytookthegirl’spartagainsthiswife，andinaheavyjocosewaytriedtocheerherup。Hedidlittlethingsforher;fetchedandcarriedchairsandcushionsandrugs，andgavehisattentionstheairofpleasantries。Oneofhisofficeswastogettheladies’lettersforthemintheevening，andonenighthecameinbeamingwithaletterforeachofthemwheretheysattogetherintheparlour。Hedistributedthemintotheirlaps。
　　“Hello！I’vemadeamistake。”hesaid，puttingdownhisheadtotakebacktheletterhehaddroppedinMissPasmer’slap。“I’vegivenyoumywife’sletter。”
　　Thegirlglancedatit，gaveamoaningkindofcry，andfellbeakinherchair，hidingherfaceinherhands。
　　Mrs。Brinkley，possessedherselfoftheotherletter，and，thoughpasttheagewhenladieswishtokilltheirhusbandsfortheirstupidity，shegaveBrinkleyalookofmassacrewhichmystifiedevenmorethanitmurderedhisinnocence。Hehadtolearnlaterfromhiswife’smoreelicitfurywhatthewomenhadallknowninstantly。
　　HeshowedhisusefulnessingatheringAliceupandgettinghertohermother’sroom。”
　　“Oh，Mrs。Brinkley。”imploredMrs。Pasmer，followinghertothedoor，“isMr。Maveringcominghere？”
　　“Idon’tknow——Ican’tsay——Ihaven’treadtheletteryet。”
　　“Oh，doletmeknowwhenyou’vereadit，won’tyou？Idon’tknowwhatweshalldo。”
　　Mrs。Brinkleyreadtheletterinherownroom。“Yougodown。”shesaidtoherhusband，withunabatedferocity;“andtelegraphDanMaveringatWormley’snottocame。Saywe’regoingawayatonce。”
　　ThenshesentMrs。Pasmeraslipofpaperonwhichshehadwritten，“Notcoming。”
　　Ithasbeentheexperienceofeveryonetohavesomealienconcerncomeintohislifeandtormenthimwithmoreanxietythananyaffairofhisovn。Thisis，perhaps，ahintfromtheinfinitesympathywhichfeelsforusallthatnoneofuscanhopetofreehimselffromthetroublesofothers，thatweareeachboundtoeachbytieswhich，forthemostpart，wecannotperceive，butwhich，atthemomenttheirstresscomes，wecannotbreak。
　　Mrs。Brinkleylayawakeandragedimpotentlyagainsthercomplicitywiththeunhappinessofthatdistastefulgirlandhermorethandistastefulmother。Inherrevoltagainstitsherenouncedtheinterestshehadfeltinthatsillyboy，andhisridiculouslovebusiness，soreallyunimportanttoherwhateverturnittook。Sheaskedherselfwhatitmatteredtoherwhetherthosechildrenmarredtheirlivesonewayoranotherway。TherewasaluridmomentbeforeshesleptwhenshewishedBrinkleytogodownandrecallhertelegram;butherefusedtobeafoolatsomuchinconveniencetohimself。
　　Mrs。BrinkleycametobreakfastfeelingsomuchmorehaggardthanshefoundeitherofthePasmerslooking，thatshewasabletothrowoffherlingeringremorseforhavingtoldMaveringnottocome。Shehadtheadvantagealsoofdoubtastoherprecisemotiveinhavingdoneso;shehadeitherdonesobecauseshehadjudgeditbestforhimnottoseeMissPasmeragain，orelseshehaddonesotorelievethegirlfromthepainofanencounterwhichhermotherevidentlydreadedforher。Ifonemotiveseemedatmomentsoutrageouslymeddlingandpresumptuous，theotherwassonoblygoodandkindthatitmorethancounterbalanceditinMrs。
　　Brinkley’smind，whoknewverywellinspiteofherdoubtthatshehad，actedfromamixtureofboth。Withthisconviction，itwasbothacomfortandapangtofindbytheregisterofthehotel，whichshefurtivelyconsulted，thatDanhadnotarrivedbythemorningboat，asshegroundlesslyfearedandhopedhemighthavedone。
　　Inanycase，however，andattheendofalltheends，shehadthatgirlonherhandsmorethanever;andbelievingasshedidthatDanandAlicehadonlytomeetinordertobereconciled，shefeltthatthegirlwhomshehadbalkedofherpreywasherinnocentvictim。Whatrighthadshetointerfere？Washenothernaturalprey？Ifhelikedbeingaprey，whowaslawfullytoforbidhim？Hewasnotperfect;hewouldknowhowtotakecareofhimselfprobably;inmarriagethingsequalisedthemselves。Shelookedatthegirl’sthincheeksandlack-lustreeyes，andpitiedandhatedherwiththatstrangemixtureoffeelingwhichourvictimsaspireinus。
　　ShewalkedoutontheverandahwiththePasmersafterbreakfast，andchattedawhileaboutindifferentthings;andAlicemadeanefforttoignoretheeventofthenightbeforewithapathoswhichwrungMrs。
　　Brinkley’sheart，andwithagayresolutionwhichoughttohavebeenagreatpleasuretosuchaveterandissemblerashermother。Shesaidshehadneverfoundtheairsodelicious;shereallybelieveditwouldbegintodohergoodnow;butitwasalittlefreshjustthere，andwithhereyessheinvitedhermothertocomewithherroundthecornerintothatshelteredrecess，andinvitedMrs。Brinkleynottocome。
　　Itwasthateffectofresentmentwhichislightereventhanatouch，thewaftofthearrow’sfeather;butitcouldwoundaguiltyheart，andMrs。
　　Brinkleysatdownwhereshewas，realisingwithapangthatthetimewhenshemighthavebeeneverythingtothisunhappygirlhadjustpassedforever，andhenceforthshecouldbenothing。Sheremainedmusingsadlyuponthecontradictionsshehadfeltinthegirl’scharacter，theconfusionofgoodandevil，thepotentialitiesofmiseryandharm，thepotentialitiesofblissandgood;andshefeltlessandlesssatisfiedwithherself。ShehadreallypresumedtointerferewithFate;perhapsshehadinterferedwithProvidence。Shewouldhavegivenanythingtorecallheract;andthenwithaflashsherealisedthatitwasquitepossibletorecallit。
　　ShecouldtelegraphMaveringtocome;andsherose，humblyandgratefully，asiffromanansweredprayer，togoanddoso。
　　Shewasnotatallayoungwoman，andmanythingshadcomeandgoneinherlifethatoughttohavefortifiedheragainstsurprise;butshewantedtoscreamlikealittlefrightenedgirlasDanMaveringsteppedoutoftheparlourdoortowardher。Thehabitofnotscreaming，however，prevailed，andshemadeatolerablysuccessfulefforttotreathimwithdecentcomposure。Shegavehimarigidhand。“Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom？Didyougetmytelegram？”
　　“No。Didyougetmyletter？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Well，ItookanotiontocomerightonafterIwrote，andIstartedonthesametrainwithit。ButtheysaiditwasnousetryingtogetintotheHygeia，andIstoppedlastnightatthelittlehotelinHampton。I’vejustwalkedover，andMr。Brinkleytoldmeyouwereoutheresomewhere。
　　That’sthewholestory，Ibelieve。”Hegavehisnervouslaugh，butitseemedtoMrs。Brinkleythatithadnotmuchjoyinit。
　　“Hush！“shesaidinvoluntarily，recedingtoherchairandsinkingbackintoitagain。Helookedsurprised。“YouknowtheVanHooksaregone？”
　　Helaughedharshly。“Ishouldthinktheyweredeadfromyourmanner，Mrs。
　　Brinkley。ButIdidn’tcometoseetheVanHooks。WhatmadeyouthinkI
　　did？”
　　Hegaveheralookwhichshefoundsodishonest，soreallyinsincere，thatsheresolvedtoabandonhimtoProvidenceassoonasshecould。“Oh，I
　　didn’tknowbuttherehadbeensomelittleunderstandingatWashington。”
　　“Perhapsontheirpart。Theywerepeoplewhoseemedtotakeagoodmanythingsforgranted，buttheycouldhardlyexpecttocontrolotherpeople’smovements。”
　　HelookedsharplyatMrs。Brinkley，asiftoquestionhowmuchsheknew;
　　butshehadnowmeasuredhim，andshesaid，“Oh！thenthevisit’stome？”
　　“Entirely。”criedDan。Theoldsweetnesscameintohislaughingeyesagain，andwenttoMrs。Brinkley’sheart。Shewishedhimtobehappy，somehow;shewouldhavedoneanythingforhim;shewishedsheknewwhattodo。OughtshetotellhimthePasmerswerethere？Oughtshetomakeupsomeexcuseandgethimawaybeforehemetthem？Shefeltherselfgettingmoreandmorebewilderedandhelpless。ThosewomenmightcomeroundthatcorneranymomentandthensheknowthefirstsightofAlice’sfacewoulddoorundoeverythingwithDan。Didshewishthemreconciled？Didshewishthemforeverparted？Shenolongerknewwhatshewished;sheonlyknewthatshehadnorighttowishanything。ShecontinuedtotalkonwithDan，whogrewmoreandmoreatease，anddidmostofthetalking，whileMrs。Brinkley’swholebeingnarroweditselftothequestion。WouldthePasmerscomebackthatway，orwouldtheygoroundthefurthercorner，andgetintothehotelbyanotherdoor？
　　Thesuspenseseemedinterminable;theymusthavealreadygonethatotherway。Suddenlysheheardthepushingbackofchairsinthatrecess。Shecouldnotbearit。Shejumpedtoherfeet。
　　“Justwaitamoment，Mr。Mavering！I’lljoinyouagain。Mr。Brinkleyisexpecting——Imust——“……
　　OnemorningofthefollowingJuneMrs。BrinkleysatwellforwardinthebeautifulchurchwhereDanandAliceweretobemarried。Thelovelydaybecameastilllovelierdaywithin，enrichedbythedyesofthestainedwindowsthroughwhichitstreamed;thestillplacewasdimyetbrightwithit;thefigurespaintedonthewallshadasoftdistinctness;abodyoflightseemedtoirradiatefromthedepthsofthedomelikelamp-light。
　　Therewasasubduedmurmurofvoicesamongthepeopleinthepews:theywereinasacrededificewithoutbeingexactlyatchurch，andtheymighttalk;nowandthenamuffled，nervouslaughescaped。Adelicatescentofflowersfromthemassesinthechancelmixedwiththelightandtheprevailingsilence。Therewasasoft，continuousrustleofdraperyastheladiesadvancedupthethicklycarpetedaislesonthearmsoftheyoungushersandcompressedthemselvesintoplaceinthepews。
　　TwoorthreepeoplewhomshedidnotknowwereputintothepewwithMrs。
　　Brinkley，butshekeptherseatnexttheaisle;presentlyanusherbroughtupaladywhosatdownbesideher，andthenforamomentortwoseemedtosinkandrise，asifonthespringsofanintenseexcitement。
　　ItwasMissCotton，who，whilethisprocessofquiescinglasted，appearednottoknowMrs。Brinkley。Whenshebecameawareofher，allwaslostagain。“Mrs。Brinkley！“shecried，aswellasonecancryinwhisper。
　　“Isitpossible？”
　　“Ihavemydoubts。”Mrs。Brinkleywhisperedback。“Butwe’llsupposethecase。”
　　“Oh，it’salltoogoodtohetrue！HowIenvyyoubeingthemeansofbringingthemtogether，Mrs。Brinkley！“
　　“Means？”
　　“Yes——theyoweitalltoyou;youneedn’ttrytodenyit;he’stoldeveryone！“
　　“Iwassureshehadn’t。”saidMrs。Brinkley，rememberinghowAlicehadmarkedanincreasingignoranceofanypartshemighthavehadintheaffairfromthefirstmomentofherreconciliationwithDan;shehadtheeffectoffeelingthatshehadsacrificedenoughtoMrs。Brinkley;andMrs。Brinkleyhadbeenrestoredtoalltheoriginalstrengthofherconvictionthatshewasasolemnlittleunconsciousegotist，andDanwasasunselfishandgoodashewasunequaltoherexactions。
　　“Ohno？”saidMissCotton。“Shecouldn’t！“implyingthatAlicewouldbetoodelicatetospeakofit。
　　“Doyouseeanyofhisfamilyhere？”askedMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Yes;overthere——upfront。”MissCottonmotioned，withhereyestowardapewinwhichMrs。Brinkleydistinguishedanelderlygentleman’sdown-
　　mistedbaldheadandthebackofayounglady’sbonnet。“Hisfatherandsister;theother’sabridemaid;motherbed-riddenandcouldn’tcome。”
　　“Theymighthavebroughtherinan-arm-chair。”suggestedMrs。Brinkleyironically，“onsuchanoccasion。Butperhapstheydon’ttakemuchinterestinsuchapatched-upaffair。”
　　“Ohyes，theydo！“exclaimedMissCotton。“TheyidoliseAlice。”
　　“AndMrs。PasmerandMister，too？”
　　“Idon’tsupposethatsomuchmatters。”
　　“Theyknowhowtoacquiesce，I’venodoubt。”
　　“Ohyes！You’veheard？Theyoungpeoplearegoingabroadfirstwithherfamilyforayear，andthentheycomebacktolivewithhis——wheretheWorksare。”
　　“Poorfellow！“saidMrs。Brinkley。
　　“Why，Mrs。Brinkley，doyoustillfeelthatway？”askedMissCotton，withacertaindistress。Itseemstomethatifevertwoyoungpeoplehadthepromiseofhappiness，theyhave。Justseewhattheirlovehasdoneforthemalready！“
　　“Andyoustillthinkthatinthesecaseslovecandoeverything？”
　　MissCottonwasabouttoreply，whensheobservedthatthepeopleaboutherhadstoppedtalking。Thebridegroom，withhisbestman，inwhomhisfewacquaintancesthererecognisedBoardmanwithsomesurprise，cameoverthechancelfromoneside。
　　MissCottonbentclosetoMrs。Brinkleyandwhisperedrapidly:“AlicefoundoutMr。Maveringwishedit，andinsistedonhishavinghim。Itwasagreatconcession，butshe’sperfectlymagnanimous。Poorfellow！howhedoeslook！“
　　Alice，onherfather’sarm，withherbridemaids，ofwhomthefirstwasMinnieMavering，mountedthechancelsteps，whereMr。Pasmerremainedstandingtillheadvancedtogiveawaythebride。Hebehavedwithgreatdignity，butseemeddeeplyaffected;theladiesinthefrontpewssaidtheycouldseehisfacetwitch;butheneverlookedhandsomer。
　　Thefiveclergymencarnefromthebackofthechancelintheirwhitesurplices。Theceremonyproceededtotheend。
　　Theyoungcoupledroveatoncetothestation，wheretheyweretotakethetrainforNewYork，andwaitthereadayortwoforMrs。andMr。Pasmerbeforetheyallsailed。
　　Astheydrovealong，AliceheldDan’swristinthecoldclutchofhertremblinglittleunglovedhand，onwhichherweddingringshone。“O
　　dearest！letusbegood！“shesaid。“Iwilltrymybest。Iwilltrynottobeexactingandunreasonable，andIknowIcan。Iwon’tevenmakeanyconditions，ifyouwillalwaysbefrankandopenwithme，andtellmeeverything。”
　　Heleanedoverandkissedherbehindthedrawncurtains。“Iwill，Alice！
　　Iwillindeed！Iwon’tkeepanythingfromyouafterthis。”
　　HeresolvedtotellherallaboutJuliaAndersonattherightmoment，whenAlicewasinthemood，andassoonashethoroughlyunderstoodwhathehadreallymeanthimself。
　　Ifhehadbeendifferentshewouldnothaveaskedhimtobefrankandopen;ifshehadbeendifferent，hemighthavebeenfrankandopen。Thiswasthebeginningoftheirmarriedlife。
　　End