Idedicateallthatisgoodinthisworktomymother.——C.R.，NOTE
　　THISstorywaswrittenthreeyearsago，andoneortwotopicsinitarenottreatedexactlyastheywouldbeifwrittenbythesamehandto—day.
　　Butiftheauthorhadretouchedthosepageswithhiscolorsof1853，hewould（hethinks）havedestroyedtheonlymerittheyhave，viz.，thatofcontaininggenuinecontemporaneousverdictsuponacantthatwasflourishinglikeapeony，andatruththatwasstrugglingforbarelife，intheyearoftruth1850.
　　Hepreferstodealfairlywiththepublic，and，withthisexplanationandapology，tolayatitsfeetafaultybutgenuinepieceofwork.
　　CHAPTERI.
　　VISCOUNTIPSDEN，agedtwenty—five，incomeeighteenthousandpoundsperyear，constitutionequine，wasunhappy！Thismightsurprisesomepeople;
　　buttherearecertainblessings，thenon—possessionofwhichmakesmorepeoplediscontentedthantheirpossessionrendershappy.
　　Foremostamongtheseare"WealthandRank."WereItoadd"Beauty"tothelist，suchmenandwomenasgobyfact，notbyconjecture，wouldhardlycontradictme.
　　Thefortunatemanishewho，bornpoor，ornobody，worksgraduallyuptowealthandconsideration，and，havinggotthem，diesbeforehefindstheywerenotworthsomuchtrouble.
　　LordIpsdenstartedwithnothingtowin;andnaturallylivedforamusement.Nownothingissosuretoceasetopleaseaspleasure——toamuse，asamusement.Unfortunatelyforhimselfhecouldnotatthisperiodofhislifewarmtopolitics;so，havingexhaustedhisLondonclique，herolledthroughthecitiesofEuropeinhiscarriage，andcruiseditsshoresinhisyacht.Buthewasnothappy！
　　Hewasamanoftaste，andsippedtheartsandotherknowledge，ashesaunteredEuroperound.
　　Buthewasnothappy.
　　"WhatshallIdo？"said_l’ennuye’._
　　"Distinguishyourself，"saidone.
　　"How？"
　　Noimmediateanswer.
　　"Takea_primadonna_over，"saidanother.
　　Well，themantooka_primadonna_over，whichscoldeditsmaidfromtheAlpstoDoverinthe_linguaToscana_withoutthe_boccaRomana，_andsanginLondonwithoutapplause;becausewhatgoesdownatLaScaladoesnotgenerallygodownatIlTeatrodellaRegina，Haymarket.
　　SothenmylordstrolledintoRussia;therehedroveapairofhorses，oneofwhomputhisheaddownanddidthework;theotherprancedandcapricoledalongside，allunconsciousofthetrace.Heseemedhappierthanhisworkingbrother;butthebipedwhosecareercorrespondedwiththisplayfulanimal’swasnothappy！
　　AtlengthaneventoccurredthatpromisedtoplayanadagiouponLordIpsden’smind.HefellinlovewithLadyBarbaraSinclair;andhehadnosoonerdonethisthanhefelt，asweareallapttodoonsimilaroccasions，howwiseathinghehaddone！
　　Besidesalovelyperson，LadyBarbaraSinclairhadacharacterthathesawwouldmakehim;and，infact，LadyBarbaraSinclairwas，toaninexperiencedeye，theexactoppositeofLordIpsden.
　　Hermentalimpulsewasasplethoricashiswaslanguid.
　　Shewasasenthusiasticashewascool.
　　Shetookawarminterestineverything.Shebelievedthatgovernmentisascience，andonethatgoeswith_copiaverborum._
　　Shebelievedthat，inEngland，governmentisadministered，notbyasetofmenwhosesalariesrangefromeightytofivehundredpoundsayear，andwhosenamesareneverheard，butbytheFirstLordoftheTreasury，andothergreatmen.
　　Hencesheinferred，thatitmattersverymuchtoallofusinwhosehandistherudderofthatstatevesselwhichgoesdownthewindofpublicopinion，withoutveeringapoint，letwhowillbeatthehelm.
　　Shealsocaredverymuchwhowasthenewbishop.Religion——ifnotreligion，theology——wouldbeaffectedthereby.
　　Shewasenthusiasticaboutpoets;imaginedtheirversetobesomesortofclewtotheircharacters，andsoon.
　　Shehadothertheories，whichwillbeindicatedbyandby;atpresentitisenoughtosaythathermindwasyoung，healthy，somewhatoriginal，fulloffireandfaith，andemptyofexperience.
　　LordIpsdenlovedher！itwaseasytoloveher.
　　First，therewasnot，inthewholerangeofhermindandbody，onegrainofaffectationofanysort.
　　Shewasalways，inpointoffact，undertheinfluenceofsomemalemindorother，generallysomewriter.Whatyoungwomanisnot，moreorless，amirror？Butsheneverimitatedoraffected;shewasalwaysherself，bywhomsoevercolored.
　　Thenshewasbeautifulandeloquent;muchtoohigh—bredtoputarestraintuponhernaturalmanner，shewasoftenmore_naive，_andevenbrusk，thanyourwould—bearistocratsdaretobe;butwhatacharmingabruptnessherswas！
　　Idonotexcelindescriptions，andyetIwanttogiveyousomecarnalideaofacertainpeculiarityandcharmthisladypossessed;permitmetocallasisterarttomyaid.
　　TherehaslatelysteppedupontheFrenchstageacharmingpersonage，whosemannerisquitefreefromtheaffectationthatsoilsnearlyallFrenchactresses——MademoiselleMadeleineBrohan！WhenyouseethisyoungladyplayMademoiselleLaSegli’ere，youseehigh—bredsensibilitypersonified，andyouseesomethinglikeLadyBarbaraSinclair.
　　ShewasaconnectionofLordIpsden’s，buttheyhadnotmetfortwoyears，whentheyencounteredeachotherinParisjustbeforethecommencementofthis"DramaticStory，""Novel"bycourtesy.
　　ThemonthhespentinParis，nearher，wasabrightmonthtoLordIpsden.
　　Abystanderwouldnothavegathered，fromhismanner，thathewaswarmlyinlovewiththislady;but，forallthat，hislordshipwasgraduallyuncoilinghimself，andgracefully，quietlybaskingintheraysofBarbaraSinclair.
　　Hewasalsojustbeginningtotakeaninterestinsubjectsoftheday——ministries，flatpaintings，controversialnovels，Cromwell’sspotlessintegrity，etc.——whynot？Theyinterestedher.
　　SuddenlytheladyandherfamilyreturnedtoEngland.LordIpsden，whowasgoingtoRome，cametoEnglandinstead.
　　ShehadnotbeenfivedaysinLondon，beforeshemadeherpreparationstospendsixmonthsinPerthshire.
　　Thisbroughtmatterstoaclimax.
　　LordIpsdenproposedinform.
　　LadyBarbarawassurprised;shehadnotviewedhisgracefulattentionsinthatlightatall.However，sheansweredbyletterhisproposalwhichhadbeenmadebyletter.
　　Afterafewofthosecourteouswordsaladyalwaysbestowsonagentlemanwhohasofferedherthehighestcomplimentanymanhasitinhispowertoofferanywoman，shecametothepointinthefollowingcharacteristicmanner：
　　"ThemanImarrymusthavetwothings，virtuesandvices——youhaveneither.Youdonothing，andneverwilldoanythingbutsketchandhumtunes，anddanceanddangle.Forgetthisfollythedayafterto—morrow，mydearIpsden，and，ifImayaskafavorofonetowhomIrefusethatwhichwouldnotbeakindness，bestillgoodfriendswithherwhowillalwaysbe"Youraffectionate_Cousin，_
　　"BARBARASINCLAIR."
　　SoonafterthiseffusionshevanishedintoPerthshire，leavinghercousinstunnedbyablowwhichshethoughtwouldbeonlyascratchtooneofhischaracter.
　　LordIpsdenrelapsedintogreaterlistlessnessthanbeforehehadcherishedthesecrushedhopes.Theworldnowbecamereallydarkandblanktohim.Hewastoolanguidtogoanywhereordoanything;arepublicanmighthavecomparedthesettledexpressionofhishandsome，hopelessfacewiththatofmostday—laborersofthesameage，andmoderatedhisenvyoftherichandtitled.
　　AtlasthebecamesopaleaswellaslanguidthatMr.Saundersinterfered.
　　Saunderswasamodelvaletandfactotum;whohadbeenwithhismastereversinceheleftEton，andhadmadehimselfnecessarytohimintheirjourneys.
　　ThesaidSaunderswasreallyaninvaluableservant，and，withaworldofobsequiousness，contrivedtohavehisownwayonmostoccasions.Hehad，Ibelieve，onlyonegreatweakness，thatofimaginingabeau—idealofaristocracyandthenoutdoingitinthepersonofJohnSaunders.
　　NowthisSaunderswashuman，andcouldnotbeeightyearswiththisyounggentlemanandnottakesomelittleinterestinhim.Hewasflunky，andtookagreatinterestinhim，asstepping—stonetohisowngreatness.Sowhenhesawhimturningpaleandthin，andreadingoneletterfiftytimes，hespeculatedandinquiredwhatwasthematter.HebroughttheintellectofMr.Saunderstobearonthequestionatthefollowingangle：
　　"Now，ifIwasayounglordwith20，000poundsayear，andalltheworldatmyfeet，whatwouldmakemeinthisway？Why，theliver！Nothingelse.
　　"Andthatiswhatiswrongwithhim，youmaydepend."
　　Thisconclusionarrivedat，Mr.SaunderscoollywrotehisconvictionstoDr.Aberford，anddesiredthatgentleman’simmediateattentiontothecase.Anhourortwolater，heglidedintohislord’sroom，notwithoutsomesecrettrepidation，notraceofwhichappearedonhisface.Hepulledalonghistrioniccountenance."Mylord，"saidhe，insoft，melancholytones，"yourlordship’smelancholystateofhealthgivesmegreatanxiety;and，withmanyapologiestoyourlordship，thedoctorissentfor，mylord."
　　"Why，Saunders，youaremad;thereisnothingthematterwithme."
　　"Ibegyourlordship’spardon，yourlordshipisveryill，andDr.
　　Aberfordsentfor."
　　"Youmaygo，Saunders."
　　"Yes，mylord.Icouldn’thelpit;I’veoutsteppedmyduty，mylord，butIcouldnotstandquietandseeyourlordshipdyingbyinches."HereMr.
　　S.putacambrichandkerchiefartisticallytohiseyes，andglidedout，havingdisarmedcensure.
　　LordIpsdenfellintoareverie.
　　"Ismymindormybodydisordered？Dr.Aberford！——absurd！——Saundersisgettingtoopragmatical.Thedoctorshallprescribeforhiminsteadofme;byJove，thatwouldservehimright."Andmylordfaintlychuckled.
　　"No！thisiswhatIamillof"——andhereadthefatalnoteagain."Idonothing！——cruel，unjust，"sighedhe."Icouldhavedone，wouldhavedone，anythingtopleaseher.Donothing！nobodydoesanythingnow——thingsdon’tcomeinyourwaytobedoneastheyusedcenturiesago，orweshoulddothemjustthesame;itistheirfault，notours，"arguedhislordship，somewhatconfusedly;then，leaninghisbrowuponthesofa，hewishedtodie.For，atthatdarkmomentlifeseemedtothisfortunatemananachingvoid;aweary，stale，flat，unprofitabletale;afadedflower;
　　aball—roomafterdaylighthascreptin，andmusic，motionandbeautyarefledaway.
　　"Dr.Aberford，mylord."
　　Thisannouncement，madebyMr.Saunders，checkedhislordship’sreverie.
　　"Insultseverybody，doeshenot，Saunders？"
　　"Yes，mylord，"saidSaunders，monotonously.
　　"Perhapshewillme;thatmightamuseme，"saidtheother.
　　Amomentlaterthedoctorbowledintotheapartment，tuggingathisgloves，asheran.
　　Thecontrastbetweenhimandourpoorrichfriendisalmostbeyondhumanlanguage.
　　HerelayonasofaIpsden，oneofthemostdistinguishedyounggentlemeninEurope;acreatureincapable，bynature，ofaruggedtoneoracoarsegesture;abeingwithouttheslightestapparentpretension，butrefinedbeyondthewildestdreamofdandies.Tohim，enterAberford，perspiringandshouting.Hewasoneofthoseglobulesofhumanquicksilveroneseesnowandthenfortwoseconds;theyare，infact，twoglobules;theirheadisone，invariablybald，round，andglittering;thebodyisanotherinactivityandshape，_totusteresatquerotundus;_andinfiftyyearstheylivefivecenturies._HorumRexAberford_——oftheseourdoctorwasthechief.Hehadhardlytornoffoneglove，androlledasfarasthethirdflowerfromthedooronhislordship’scarpet，beforeheshouted：
　　"Thisismypatient，lollopinginpursuitofhealth.Yourhand，"addedhe.Forhewasatthesofalongbeforehislordshipcouldglideoffit.
　　"Tongue.Pulseisgood.Breatheinmyface."
　　"Breatheinyourface，sir！howcanIdothat？"（withanairofmilddoubt.）
　　"Byfirstinhaling，andthenexhalinginthedirectionrequired，orhowcanImakeacquaintancewithyourbowels？"
　　"Mybowels？"
　　"Theabdomen，andthegreaterandlesserintestines.Well，nevermind，I
　　cangetatthemanotherway;giveyourheartaslap，so.That’syourliver.Andthat’syourdiaphragm."
　　Hislordshiphavingfoundtherequiredspot（somepeoplethatIknowcouldnot）andslappedit，theAberfordmadeacircularspringandlistenedeagerlyathisshoulder—blade;theresultofthisscientificpantomimeseemedtobesatisfactory，forheexclaimed，nottosaybawled：
　　"Halo！hereisaviscountassoundasaroach！Now，younggentleman，"
　　addedhe，"yourorgansaresuperb，yetyouarereallyoutofsorts;itfollowsyouhavethemaladiesofidleminds，love，perhaps，amongtherest;youblush，adiagnosticofthatdisorder;makeyourmindeasy，cutaneousdisorders，suchaslove，etc.，shallneverkillapatientofminewithastomachlikeyours.So，nowtocureyou！"Andawaywentthesphericaldoctor，withhishandsbehindhim，notupanddowntheroom，butslantingandtacking，likeaknightonachess—board.Hehadnotmademanystepsbefore，turninghisupperglobule，withoutaffectinghislower，hehurledback，inacoldbusiness—liketone，thefollowinginterrogatory：
　　"Whatareyourvices？"
　　"Saunders，"inquiredthepatient，"whicharemyvices？"
　　"M’lord，lordshiphasn’tanyvices，"repliedSaunders，withdull，matter—of—factsolemnity.
　　"LadyBarbaramakesthesamecomplaint，"thoughtLordIpsden.
　　"ItseemsIhavenotanyvices，Dr.Aberford，"saidhe，demurely.
　　"Thatisbad;nothingtogetholdof.Whatinterestsyou，then？"
　　"Idon’tremember."
　　"Whatamusesyou？"
　　"Iforget."
　　"What！nowinninghorsetogallopawayyourrents？"
　　"No，sir！"
　　"Nooperagirltorunherfootandanklethroughyourpurse？"
　　"No，sir！andIthinktheiranklesarenotwhattheywere."
　　"Stuff！justthesame，fromtheiranklesuptotheirears，anddownagaintotheirmorals;itisyoureyesthataresunkdeeperintoyourhead.
　　Hum！nohorses，novices，nodancers，noyacht;youconfoundone’snotionsofnobility，andIoughttoknowthem，forIhavetopatchthemallupabitjustbeforetheygotothedeuce."
　　"ButIhave，DoctorAberford."
　　"What！"
　　"Ayacht！andaclippersheis，too."
　　"Ah！——（NowI’vegothim.）"
　　"IntheBayofBiscayshelayhalfapointnearerthewindthanLordHeavyjib."
　　"Oh！botherLordHeavyjib，andhisBayofBiscay."
　　"Withallmyheart，theyhaveoftenbotheredme."
　　"SendherroundtoGrantonPier，intheFirthofForth."
　　"Iwill，sir."
　　"Andwritedownthisprescription."Andawayhewalkedagain，thinkingtheprescription.
　　"Saunders，"appealedhismaster.
　　"Saundersbehanged."
　　"Sir！"saidSaunders，withdignity，"Ithankyou."
　　"Don’tthankme，thankyourowndeserts，"repliedthemodernChesterfield."Obligemebywritingityourself，mylord，itisallthebodilyexerciseyouwillhavehadto—day，nodoubt."
　　Theyoungviscountbowed，seatedhimselfatadesk，andwrotefromdictation：
　　"DR.ABERFORD’SPRESCRIPTION.
　　"Makeacquaintancewithallthepeopleoflowestatewhohavetimetobebotheredwithyou;learntheirways，theirminds，and，aboveall，theirtroubles."
　　"Won’tallthisboreme？"suggestedthewriter.
　　"Youwillsee.Relieveonefellow—creatureeveryday，andletMr.
　　Saundersbookthecircumstances."
　　"Ishalllikethispart，"saidthepatient，layingdownhispen."Howcleverofyoutothinkofsuchthings;maynotIdotwosometimes？"
　　"Certainlynot;onepillperday.Write，Fishtheherring！（thatbeatsdeer—stalking.）Runyournoseintoadventuresatsea;liveontenpence，andearnit.Isitdown？"
　　"Yes，itisdown，butSaunderswouldhavewrittenitbetter."
　　"Ifhehadn’theoughttobehanged，"saidtheAberford，inspectingthework."I’moff，where’smyhat？oh，there;where’smymoney？oh，here.
　　Nowlookhere，followmyprescription，andYouwillsoonhaveMenssanaincorporesano;Andnotcarewhetherthegirlssayyesorsayno;
　　neglectit，and——mygloves;oh，inmypocket——youwillbe_blase’_and_ennuye’，_and（anEnglishparticiple，thatmeanssomethingasbad）;Godblessyou！"
　　Andouthescuttled，glidedafterbySaunders，forwhomheopenedandshutthestreetdoor.
　　Neverwasagreatereffectproducedbyadoctor’svisit;patientandphysicianweremadeforeachother.Dr.AberfordwasthespecificforLordIpsden.Hecametohimlikeashowertoafaintingstrawberry.
　　Saunders，onhisreturn，foundhislordpacingtheapartment.
　　"Saunders，"saidhe，smartly，"senddowntoGravesendandordertheyachttothisplace——whatisit？"
　　"GrantonPier.Yes，mylord."
　　"And，Saunders，takeclothes，andbooks，andviolins，andtelescopes，andthings——andme——toEustonSquare，inanhour."
　　"Impossible，’mylord，"criedSaunders，indismay."Andthereisnotrainforhours."
　　Hismasterrepliedwithahundred—poundnote，andaquiet，butwickedishlook;andtheprinceofgentlemen’sgentlemanhadalltherequireditemswithhim，inaspecialtrain，withinthespecifiedtime，andawaytheyflashed，northward.
　　CHAPTERII.
　　ITissaidthatoppositecharactersmakeaunionhappiest;andperhapsLordIpsden，diffidentofhimself，feltthevaluetohimofacreaturesodifferentasLadyBarbaraSinclair;butthelady，forherpart，wasnotsodiffidentofherself，norwassheinsearchofheropposite.Onthecontrary，shewaswaitingpatientlytofindjustsuchamanasshewas，orfanciedherself，awoman.
　　Accustomedtomeasuremenbytheircharactersalone，andtotreatwithsublimecontempttheaccidentsofbirthandfortune，shehadbeenalittlestaggeredbytheassuranceofthisbutterflythathadproposedtosettleuponherhand——forlife.
　　Inaword，thebeautifulwriterofthefatalnotewashonestlyromantic，accordingtotheromanceof1848，andofgoodsociety;ofcourseshewasnotaffectedbyhairtumblingbackorplastereddownforward，andarollingeyewentnofurtherwithherthanasquintingone.
　　Herromancewasstern，notsickly.Shewasonthelookoutforironvirtues;shehadsworntobewooedwithgreatdeeds，orneverwon;onthissubjectshehadthoughtmuch，thoughnotenoughtoaskherselfwhethergreatdeedsarealwaystobegotat，howeverdisposedalovermaybe.
　　Nomatter;shekeptherselfinreserveforsomeearnestman，whowasnottocomeflatteringandfoolingtoher，butlookanotherwayanddoexploits.
　　ShelikedLordIpsden，hercousinonceremoved，butdespisedhimforbeingagreeable，handsome，clever，andnobody.
　　ShewasalsoalittlebittenwithwhatsheandotherscalledtheMiddleAges，infactwiththatpictureofthemwhichGrubStreet，imposingonthesimplicityofyouth，hadgotupforsalebyarrayingpaintedglass，giltrags，andfancy，againstfact.
　　Withthesevagueandsketchynoticeswearecompelledtopart，forthepresent，withLadyBarbara.Butitservesherright;shehasgonetoestablishhercourtinPerthshire，andleftherrejectedloveronourhands.
　　Journeysofafewhundredmilesarenolongerdescribed.
　　Youexchangeadeadchairforalivingchair，Saundersputsinyourhandanewtalelikethis;youmournthesuperstitionofbooksellers，whichstillinflictsuncutleavesuponhumanity，thoughtailorsdonotsendhomecoatswiththesleevesstitchedup，norchambermaidsputtravelersintoapple—piebedsaswellasdampsheets.Yourendandread，andareatEdinburgh，fatiguedmoreorless，butnotbythejourney.
　　LordIpsdenwas，therefore，sooninstalledbytheFirthside，fulloftheAberford.
　　Theyoungnoblemannotonlyveneratedthedoctor’ssagacity，buthalfadmiredhisbrusquerieandbustle;thingsofwhichhewashimselfneverguilty.
　　Asfortheprescription，thatwasaDelphicOracle.Worldscouldnothavetemptedhimtodeviatefromaletterinit.
　　Hewaitedwithimpatiencefortheyacht;and，meantime，itstruckhimthatthefirstpartoftheprescriptioncouldbeattackedatonce.
　　Itwastheafternoonofthedaysucceedinghisarrival.TheFifeshirehills，seenacrosstheFirthfromhiswindows，werebeginningtotaketheircharmingviolettinge，alightbreezeruffledthebluewaterintoasparklingsmile，theshorewastranquil，andtheseafullofnoiselesslife，withthecraftofallsizesglidinganddancingandcourtesyingontheirtracklessroads.
　　Theairwastepid，pureandsweetasheaven;thisbrightafternoon，Naturehadgrudgednothingthatcouldgivefreshlifeandhopetosuchdwellersindustandsmokeandviceasweretheretolookawhileonhercleanfaceanddrinkherhoneyedbreath.
　　Thisyounggentlemanwasnotinsensibletothebeautyofthescene.Hewasalittlelazybynature，andmadelazierbythemisfortuneofwealth，buthehadsensibilities;hewasanartistofgreatnaturaltalent;hadheonlybeenwithoutapenny，howhewouldhavehandledthebrush！Andthenhewasamightysailor;ifhehadsailedforbiscuitafewyears，howhewouldhavehandledaship！
　　Ashewas，hehadtheeyeofahawkforNature’sbeauties，andtheseaalwayscamebacktohimlikeafriendafteranabsence.
　　Thisscene，then，curledroundhisheartalittle，andhefeltthegoodphysicianwaswiserthanthetribethatgobythatname，andstrivetobuildhealthonthesandyfoundationofdrugs.
　　"Saunders！doyouknowwhatDr.Aberfordmeansbythelowerclasses？"
　　"Perfectly，mylord."
　　"Arethereanyabouthere？"
　　"Iamsorrytosaytheyareeverywhere，mylord."
　　"Getmesome"——_（cigarette）._
　　OutwentSaunders，withhisusualgraceful_empressement，_butaninternalshrugofhisshoulders.
　　Hewasabsentanhourandahalf;hethenreturnedwithadoubleexpressiononhisface——prideathissuccessindivingtotheverybottomofsociety，andcontemptofwhathehadfishedupthence.
　　Heapproachedhislordmysteriously，andsaid，_sottovoce，_butimpressively，"Thisislowenough，mylord."Thenglidedback，andusheredin，withpolitedisdain，twolovelierwomenthanhehadeveropenedadoortointhewholecourseofhisperfumedexistence.
　　OntheirheadstheyworecapsofDutchorFlemishorigin，withabroadlaceborder，stiffenedandarchedovertheforehead，aboutthreeincheshigh，leavingthebrowandcheeksunencumbered.
　　Theyhadcottonjackets，brightredandyellow，mixedinpatterns，confinedatthewaistbytheapron—strings，butbobtailedbelowthewaist;shortwoolenpetticoats，withbroadverticalstripes，redandwhite，mostvividincolor;whiteworstedstockings，andneat，thoughhigh—quarteredshoes.Undertheirjacketstheyworeathickspottedcottonhandkerchief，aboutoneinchofwhichwasvisibleroundthelowerpartofthethroat.Oftheirpetticoats，theouteronewaskilted，orgathereduptowardthefront，andthesecond，ofthesamecolor，hungintheusualway.
　　Oftheseyoungwomen，onehadanolivecomplexion，withtheredbloodmantlingunderit，andblackhair，andgloriousblackeyebrows.
　　Theotherwasfair，withamassivebutshapelythroat，aswhiteasmilk;
　　glossybrownhair，theloosethreadsofwhichglitteredlikegold，andablueeye，which，beingcontrastedwithdarkeyebrowsandlashes，tooktheluminouseffectpeculiartothatrarebeauty.
　　Theirshortpetticoatsrevealedaneatankle，andalegwithanobleswell;forNature，whensheisinearnest，buildsbeautyontheideasofancientsculptorsandpoets，notofmodernpoetasters，who，withtheirairy—likesylphsandtheirsmoke—likeverses，fightforwantoffleshinwomanandwantoffactinpoetryasparallelbeauties.
　　_Theyare，_mylads.——_Continuez！_
　　Thesewomenhadagrandcorporealtrait;theyhadneverknownacorset！
　　sotheywerestraightasjavelins;theycouldlifttheirhandsabovetheirheads！——actually！TheirsupplepersonsmovedasNatureintended;
　　everygesturewasease，graceandfreedom.
　　Whatwiththeirownradiance，andthesnowycleanlinessandbrightnessoftheircostume，theycamelikemeteorsintotheapartment.
　　LordIpsden，risinggentlyfromhisseat，withthesamequietpolitenesswithwhichhewouldhavereceivedtwoprincesoftheblood，said，"Howdoyoudo？"andsmiledawelcome.
　　"Fine！hoow’syoursel？"answeredthedarklass，whosenamewasJeanCarnie，andwhosevoicewasnotsosweetasherface.
　　"What’nlordareye？"continuedshe;"areyouajuke？Iwadlikefinetohaeacrackwi’ajuke."
　　Saunders，whoknewhimselfthecauseofthisquestion，replied，_sottovoce，_"Hislordshipisaviscount."
　　"Ididnaken’t，"wasJean’sremark."Butithasabonnysoond."
　　"Whatmairwouldyehae？"saidthefairbeauty，whosenamewasChristieJohnstone.Then，appealingtohislordshipasthelikeliesttoknow，sheadded，"Nobeelityisjistasoonditsel，I’mtauld."
　　Theviscount，findinghimselfexpectedtosaysomethingonatopichehadnotattendedmuchto，answereddryly："Wemustasktherepublicans，theyarethepeoplethatgivetheirmindstosuchsubjects."
　　"Andyonman，"askedJeanCarnie，"ishealord，too？"
　　"Iamhislordship’sservant，"repliedSaunders，gravely，notwithoutasecretmisgivingwhetherfatehadbeenjust.
　　"Na！"repliedshe，nottobeimposedupon，"yearestatelierandprooderthanthisane."
　　"Iwillexplain，"saidhismaster."Saundersknowshisvalue;aservantlikeSaundersisrarerthananidleviscount."
　　"Mylord，mylord！"remonstratedSaunders，withashockedandmostdisclamatorytone."Rather！"washisinwardreflection.
　　"Jean，"saidChristie，"yehaemuckletolaern.Areyeforherrin’theday，vilecount？"
　　"No！areyouforthissortofthing？"
　　Atthis，Saunders，withaworldof_empressement，_offeredtheCarniesomecakethatwasonthetable.
　　Shetookapiece，instantlyspatitoutintoherhand，andwithmoreenergythandelicacyflungitintothefire.
　　"Augh！"criedshe，"justasugarandsautbutterthegither;buynaemairatyonshoep，vilecount."
　　"Trythis，outofNature’sshop，"laughedtheirentertainer;andheofferedthem，himself，somepeachesandthings.
　　"Hech！amedi——cine！"saidChristie.
　　"Nature，mylad，"saidMissCarnie，makingherivoryteethmeetintheirfirstnectarine，"Ididnakenwhauryestoep，butyebeattheotherconfectioners，thatdivye."
　　Thefairlass，whohadwatchedtheviscountallthistimeasdemurelyasacatcream，nowapproachedhim.
　　Thisyoungwomanwasthethinker;hervoicewasalsorich，full，andmelodious，andhermannerveryengaging;itwashalfadvancing，halfretiring，noteasytoresistortodescribe.
　　"Noo，"saidshe，withaveryslightblushstealingacrossherface，"yemaunletmecatecheezeye，wullye？"
　　Thelasttwowordsweresaidinawaythatwouldhaveinducedabeartorevealhiswinterresidence.
　　Hesmiledassent.Saundersretiredtothedoor，and，excludingeveryshadeofcuriosityfromhisface，tookanattitude，halfmajesty，halfobsequiousness.
　　ChristiestoodbyLordIpsden，withonehandonherhip（theknucklesdownward），butgracefulasAntinous，andbegan.
　　"Hoomuckleisthequeengreaterthany’are？"
　　Hislordshipwasobligedtoreflect.
　　"Letmesee——asisthemoontoawaxtaper，soishermajestythequeentoyouandme，andtherest."
　　"An’whaurdoestheJuke*comein？"
　　*Buceleuch.
　　"Onthisparticularoccasion，theDuke**makesoneofus，myprettymaid."
　　**Wellington"Isee！Arenayeawfu’proodo’beingalorrd？"
　　"Whatanidea！"
　　"Hislordshipdidnotgotobedaspinning—jenny，andriseupalord，likesomeofthem，"putinSaunders.
　　"Saunders，"saidthepeer，doubtfully，"eloquenceratherborespeople."
　　"ThenImustn’tspeakagain，mylord，"saidSaunders，respectfully.
　　"Noo，"saidthefairinquisitor，"yeshalltellmehowyecametobelorrds，yourfaemily？"
　　"Saunders！"
　　"Na！yemannafleetoSandyforathing，yearenoabairn，areye？"
　　Herewasadilemma，theSaunderspropknockedrudelyaway，andobligedtothinkforourselves.
　　ButSaunderswouldcometohisdistressedmaster’sassistance.Hefurtivelyconveyedtohimaplumpbook——thiswasSaunders’smanualoffaith;theauthorwasMr.Burke，notEdmund.
　　LordIpsdenranhastilyoverthepage，closedthebook，andsaid，"Hereisthestory.
　　"Fivehundredyearsago——"
　　"Listen，Jean，"saidChristie;"we’regauntogetaboenystory.’Fivehundre’yearsago，’"addedshe，withinterestandawe.
　　"Wasagreatbattle，"resumedthenarrator，incheerfultones，asonelarkingwithhistory，"betweenakingofEnglandandhisrebels.Hewasinthethickofthefight——"
　　"That’stheking，Jean，hewasinthethicko’t."
　　"Myancestorkilledafellowwhowassneakingbehindhim，butthenextmomentaman—at—armspreparedathrustathismajesty，whohadhishandsfullwiththreeassailants."
　　"Eh！that’snofair，"saidChristie，"assureasdeeth."
　　"Myancestordashedforward，and，astheking’sswordpassedthroughoneofthem，hecloveanothertothewaistwithablow."
　　"Weeldone！weeldone！"
　　LordIpsdenlookedatthespeaker，hereyeswereglittering，andhercheekflushing.
　　"GoodHeavens！"thoughthe;"shebelievesit！"Sohebegantotakemorepainswithhislegend.
　　"Butforthespearsman，"continuedhe，"hehadnothingbuthisbody;hegaveit，itwashisduty，andreceivedthedeathleveledathissovereign."
　　"Hech！puirmon."Andtheglowingeyesbegantoglisten.
　　"Thebattleflowedanotherway，andGodgavevictorytotheright;butthekingcamebacktolookforhim，foritwasnocommonservice."
　　"Deedno！"
　　HereLordIpsdenbegantoturnhiseyeinward，andcallupthescene.Heloweredhisvoice.
　　"Theyfoundhimlyingonhisback，lookingdeathintheface.
　　"Thenobles，bytheking’sside，uncoveredassoonashewasfound，fortheywerebravemen，too.Therewasamoment’ssilence;eyesmeteyes，andsaid，thisisastoutsoldier’slastbattle.
　　"Thekingcouldnotbidhimlive."
　　"Na！lad，KingDeethhasowerstrongagrrip."
　　"Buthedidwhatkingscando，hegavehimtwoblowswithhisroyalsword."
　　"Oh，therobber，andhimadeeingmon."
　　"Twowordsfromhisroyalmouth，andheandwewereBaronsofIpsdenandHawthornGlenfromthatdaytothis."
　　"Butthepuirdyingcreature？"
　　"Whatpoordyingcreature？"
　　"Yourforbear，lad."
　　"Idon’tknowwhyyoucallhimpoor，madam;allthemenofthatdayaredust;theyarethegolddustwhodiedwithhonor.
　　"Helookedround，uneasily，forhisson——forhehadbutone——andwhenthatsonknelt，unwounded，byhim，hesaid，’Goodnight，BaronIpsden;’
　　andsohedied，fireinhiseye，asmileonhislip，andhonoronhisnameforever.Imeanttotellyoualie，andI’vetoldyouthetruth."
　　"Laddie，"saidChristie，halfadmiringly，halfreproachfully，"yegarthetearcomeinmyeen.Hech！lookatyonlassie！howcouldyouthinkt’eatplumsthroughsiccanabonnystory？"
　　"Hets，"answeredJean，whohad，infact，clearedtheplate，"Iayelistenbestwhenmyainmooth’sstappit."
　　"Butsee，now，"ponderedChristie，"twawordsfraaking——thirtitlesarejustbreeth."
　　"Ofcourse，"wastheanswer."Alltitlesare.Whatispopularity？askAristidesandLamartine——thebreathofamob——smellsofitssource——andisgonebeforethesuncansetonit.NowtheroyalbreathdoessmelloftheRoseandCrown，andstaysbyusfromagetoage."
　　Thestoryhadwarmedourmarbleacquaintance.Saundersopenedhiseyes，andthought，"WeshallwakeuptheHouseofLordssomeevening——_we_
　　shall."
　　Hislordshipthenadded，lesswarmly，lookingatthegirls：
　　"IthinkIshouldliketobeafisherman."
　　Sosaying，mylordyawnedslightly.
　　Tothisaspirationtheyoungfishwivesdeignednoattention，doubting，perhaps，itssincerity;andChristie，withashadeofseverity，inquiredofhimhowhecametobeavilecount.
　　"Abaron’sno’avilecount，I’msure，"saidshe;"saetellmehowyecametobeavilecount."
　　"Ah！"saidhe，"thatisbynomeansaprettystoryliketheother;youwillnotlikeit，Iamsure.
　　"Ay，willI——ay，willI;I’mayeseekingknoewledge."
　　"Well，itissoontold.Oneofussattwentyyearsononeseat，inthesamehouse，soonedayhegotupa——viscount."
　　"Owermucklepayforowerlittlewark."
　　"Nowdon’tsaythat;Iwouldn’tdoittobeEmperorofRussia."
　　"Aweel，Ihaegottenaheapouto’ye;saenoowI’llgang，sinceyearenoforherrin’;comeaway，Jean."
　　Atthistheirhostremonstrated，andinquiredwhyboresareatone’sservicenightandday，andbrightpeoplearealwaysinahurry;hewasinformedinreply，"Laboristheloto’man.Divyenokenthatmuckle？
　　Andabunea’o’women."*
　　*Alocalidea，Isuspect.——C.R.
　　"Why，whatcantwosuchprettycreatureshavetodoexcepttobeadmired？"
　　Thisquestioncomingwithinthedarkbeauty’sscope，shehastenedtoreply.
　　"Tosellourherrin’——wehaethreehundre’leftinthecreel."
　　"Whatistheprice？"
　　AtthisquestionthepoetrydiedoutofChristieJohnstone’sface，shegavehercompanionarapidlook，indiscerniblebymaleeye，andanswered：
　　"Threeapenny，sirr;theyarenoplentytheday，"addedshe，insmoothtonesthatcarriedconviction.
　　（Littleliar;theyweresellingsixapennyeverywhere.）
　　"Saunders，buythemall，andbeeversolongaboutit;countthem，orsomenonsense."
　　"He’sdaft！he’sdaft！Oh，yeken，Jean，anEnnglishmanandalorrd，twadaftthingsthegither，hecouldna’misstheroad.Coontthem，lassie."
　　"Comeaway，Sandy，tillIcountthemtillye，"saidJean.
　　SaundersandJeandisappeared.
　　Businessbeingoutofsight，curiosityrevived.
　　"An’whatbringsyeherefromLondon，ifyeplease？"recommencedthefairinquisitor.
　　"Youhaveagoodcountenance;thereissomethinginyourface.Icouldfinditinmyhearttotellyou，butIshouldboreyou."
　　"De’elafear！Boreme，boreme！wheat’sthaat，Iwonder？"
　　"Whatisyourname，madam？MineisIpsden."
　　"Theyca’meChristieJohnstone."
　　"Well，ChristieJohnstone，Iamunderthedoctor’shands."
　　"Puirlad.What’sthetrouble？"（solemnlyandtenderly.）
　　"Ennui！"（ratherpiteously.）
　　"Yawn—we？Ineverheerdtello’t."
　　"Oh，youluckygirl，"burstouthe;"butthedoctorhasundertakentocureme;inonethingyoucouldassistme，ifIamnotpresumingtoofaronourshortacquaintance.Iamtorelieveonepoordistressedpersoneveryday，butImustn’tdotwo.Isnotthatabore？"
　　"Gie’syourhand，gie’syourhand.I’mvexedforca’ingyoudaft.Hech！
　　whatasafthandyehae.Jean，I’msaying，comehere，feelthis."
　　Jean，whohadrunin，tooktheviscount’shandfromChristie.
　　"Itneverwrouchtany，"explainedJean."Andhehasbonnyhair，"saidChristie，justtouchinghislocksontheotherside.
　　"He’sabonnylad，"saidJean，inspectinghimscientifically，andpointblank.
　　"Ay，ishe，"saidtheother."Aweel，there’sJessRutherford，awiddy，wi’fourbairns，yemeichtdowaurthanwareyoursilleronher."
　　"Fivepoundstobegin？"inquiredhislordship.
　　"Fivepund！Areyemadeo’siller？Tenschell’n！"
　　Saunderswasrungfor，andproducedaone—poundnote.
　　"Theherrin’isfiveandsaxpence;it’sfourandsaxpenceI’mawinye，"
　　saidtheyoungfishwife，"andJesswillbeagladwomantheneicht."
　　Thesettlementwaseffected，andawaywentthetwofriends，saying：
　　"Good—boye，vilecount."
　　Theirhostfellintothought.
　　"WhenhaveItalkedsomuch？"askedheofhimself.
　　"Dr.Aberford，youareawonderfulman;Ilikeyourlowerclassesamazingly."
　　"Me’fiezvous，MonsieurIpsden！"shouldsomementorhavesaid.
　　AstheDevilputsintoabeginner’shandsace，queen，fivetrumps，togivehimatasteforwhist，sotheselowerclasseshaveperhapsputforwardoneoftheirbestcardstoleadyouintoafalseestimateofthestrengthoftheirhand.
　　Instead，however，ofthis，whoshouldreturn，todisturbtheequilibriumoftruth，butthisChristinaJohnstone？Shecamethoughtfullyin，andsaid：
　　"I’vebeentakingathoucht，andthisisnowhatyongudephyseecianmeaned;yearenotoflingyourchaeritylikeabanetilladoeg;ye’llgangyourseltoJessRutherford;FluckerJohnstone，that’smybrother，willconvoyye."
　　"Buthowisyourbrothertoknowme？"
　　"How？BecauseI’llgiehimasairsairhiding，ifheletsyegangby."
　　Thenshereturnedtheone—poundnote，afreshsettlementwaseffected，andshelefthim.Atthedoorshesaid："AndIammuckleobleegedtoyeforyourstoryandyourgoodness."
　　Whileutteringthesewords，shehalfkissedherhandtohim，withaloftyanddisengagedgesture，suchasonemightexpectfromaqueen，ifqueensdidnotwearstays;andwasgone.
　　Whenhislordship，afewminutesafter，saunteredoutforastroll，thefirstobjecthebeheldwasanexacthumansquare，ahandsomeboy，withabodyswelledoutapparentlytothesizeofaman’s，withblueflannel，andblueclothaboveit，leaningagainstawall，withhishandsinhispockets——astatuetteof_insouciance._
　　Thismarinepuff—ballwasFluckerJohnstone，agedfourteen.
　　Stainhissister’sfacewithdilutedwalnut—juice，astheymakethestagegypsyandRedIndian（twoanimalsimaginedbyactorstobeone），andyouhaveFlucker’sface.
　　Aslightmoraldistinctionremains，nottobesoeasilygotover，
　　Shewasthebestgirlintheplace，andheabaddishboy.
　　Hewas，however，assharpinhiswayasshewasintelligentinhers.
　　Thisyouthfulmarinerallowedhislordshiptopasshim，andtaketwentysteps，butwatchedhimallthetime，andcomparedhimwithadescriptionfurnishedhimbyhissister.
　　Hethenfollowed，andbroughthimto，ashecalledit.
　　"Idaursayit’syouI’mtoconvoytoyonauldfaggitt！"saidthisbaddishboy.
　　Ontheywent，Fluckerrollingandpitchingandyawingtokeepupwiththelordlygalley，forafisherman’snaturalwaddleistwomilesanhour.
　　AttheveryentranceofNewhaven，thenewpilotsuddenlysungout，"Starboard！"
　　Starboarditwas，andtheyascendedafilthy"close，"oralleytheymountedastaircasewhichwasoutofdoors，and，withoutknocking，FluckerintroducedhimselfintoJessRutherford’shouse.
　　"Hereagentlemantospeaktillye，wife."
　　CHAPTERIII.
　　THEwidowwasweather—beatenandrough.Shesatmendinganoldnet.
　　"Thegentleman’swelcome，"saidshe;buttherewasnogratificationinhertone，andbutlittlesurprise.
　　Hislordshipthenexplainedthat，understandingtherewereworthypeopleindistress，hewasinhopeshemightbepermittedtoassistthem，andthatshemustblameaneighborofhersifhehadbrokeninuponhertooabruptlywiththisobject.Hethen，withablush，hintedattenshillings，whichhebeggedshewouldconsiderasmerelyaninstallment，untilhecouldlearntheprecisenatureofherembarrassments，andthebestwayofplacingmeansatherdisposal.
　　Thewidowheardallthiswithalacklustermind.
　　Formanyyearsherlifehadbeenunsuccessfullabor;ifanythinghadevercometoher，ithadalwaysbeenamisfortune;herincidentshadbeenthorns——herevents，daggers.
　　Shecouldnotrealizeahumanangelcomingtoherrelief，andshedidnotrealizeit，andsheworkedawayathernet.
　　Atthis，Flucker，towhomhislordship’sspeechappearedmonstrouslyweakandpointless，drewnigh，andgavethewidow，inherear，hisversion，namely，hissister’sembellished.Itwasbrieflythis：ThatthegentlemanwasadaftlordfromEngland，whohadcomewiththebankinhisbreeks，toremovepovertyfromScotland，beginningwithher."Saespeakloudaneuch，andye’llnowantsiller，"washispolitecorollary.
　　Hislordshiprose，laidacardonachair，beggedhertomakeuseofhim，etcetera;hethen，recallingtheoracularprescription，said，"Domethefavortoapplytomeforanylittlesumyouhaveausefor，and，inreturn，Iwillbegofyou（ifitdoesnotboreyoutoomuch）tomakemeacquaintedwithanylittletroublesyoumayhaveencounteredinthecourseofyourlife."
　　Hislordship，receivingnoanswer，wasabouttogo，afterbowingtoher，andsmilinggracefullyuponher.
　　Hishandwasonthelatch，whenJessRutherfordburstintoapassionoftears.
　　Heturnedwithsurprise.
　　"My_troubles，_laddie，"criedshe，tremblingallover."Thesunwadset，andrise，andsetagain，ereIcouldtellyea’thetroubleIhaecomethrough.
　　"Oh，yeneednavexyourselfforanauldwife’stears;tearsareablessin’，lad，Ishallassureye.Mony’sthetimeIhaeprayedforthem，andcouldnahaethemSityedoon！sityedoon！I’llnoletyegangframydoortillIhaethankitye——butgiemetime，giemetime.Icannagreeta’thedaysoftheweek."
　　Flucker，_aetat._14，openedhiseyes，unabletoconnecttenshillingsandtears.
　　LordIpsdensatdown，andfeltverysorryforher.
　　Andshecriedatherease.
　　Ifonetouchofnaturemakethewholeworldkin，methinksthatsweetandwonderfulthing，sympathy，isnotlesspowerful.Whatfrozenbarriers，whaticeofcenturies，itcanmeltinamoment！
　　Hisbarementionofhertroubleshadsurprisedthewidowedwoman’sheart，andnowshelookedupandexaminedhiscountenance;itwassoondone.
　　Awoman，youngorold，highorlow，candiscernandappreciatesensibilityinaman’sface，atasingleglance.
　　Whatshesawtherewasenough.Shewassureofsympathy.Sherecalledherresolve，andthetaleofhersorrowsburstfromherlikeaflood.
　　Thentheoldfishwifetoldtheyoungaristocrathowshehadbornetwelvechildren，andburiedsixasbairns;howhermanwasalwaysunlucky;howamastfellonhim，anddisabledhimawholeseason;howtheycouldbutjustkeepthepotboilingbythedeep—seafishing，andhewasnotallowedtodredgeforoysters，becausehisfatherwasnotaNewhavenman.How，whentheherringfishingcame，tomakeallright，heneverhadanotherman’sluck;howhisboat’screwwoulddrawemptynets，andaboatalongsidehimwouldbegunwaledowninthewaterwiththefish.How，atlast，onemorning，the20thdayofNovember，hisboatcameintoNewhavenPierwithouthim，andwhenhewasinquiredfor，hiscrewsaid，"Hehadstayedathome，likealazyloon，andnotsailedwiththemthenightbefore."Howshewasanxious，andhadallthepublichousessearched.
　　"Forhetookadropnowandthen，naewonder，andhimayeintheweather."Poorthing！whenhewasalivesheusedtocallhimadrunkenscoundreltohisface.How，whenthetidewentdown，amadwife，whosehusbandhadbeendrownedtwentyyearsago，pointedoutsomethingunderthepierthattheresttookforsea—weedfloating——howitwasthehairofherman’shead，washedaboutbythewater，andhewasthere，drownedwithoutacryorastruggle，byhisenormousboots，thatkepthiminanuprightposition，thoughhewasdead;therehestood——dead——drownedbyslippingfromtheslipperypier，closetohiscomrades’hands，inadarkandgustynight;howherdaughtermarried，andwaswelltodo，andassistedher;howshefellintoarapiddecline，anddied，apictureofhealthtoinexperiencedeyes.Howshe，themother，sawandknew，andwatchedthetreacherousadvanceofdiseaseanddeath;howotherssaidgayly，"Herdaughterwasbetter，"andshewasobligedtosay，"Yes."Howshehadworked，eighteenhoursaday，atmakingnets;how，whensheletouthernetstotheothermenattheherringfishing，theyalwayscheatedher，becausehermanwasgone.Howshehadmanytimeshadtochoosebetweenbegginghermealandgoingtobedwithoutit，but，thankHeaven！
　　shehadalwayschosenthelatter.
　　Shetoldhimofhunger，cold，andanguish.Asshespoketheybecamerealthingstohim;uptothatmomenttheyhadbeenthingsinastory—book.
　　Andasshespokesherockedherselffromsidetoside.
　　Indeed，shewasawoman"acquaintedwithgrief."Shemighthavesaid，"HereIandsorrowsit.Thisismythrone，bidkingscomeandbowtoit！"
　　Herhearerfeltthis，andthereforethiswoman，poor，old，andugly，becamesacredinhiseye;itwaswithastrangesortofrespectthathetriedtoconsoleher.Hespoketoherintonesgentleandsweetasthesouthwindonasummerevening.
　　"Madam，"saidhe，"letmebesohappyastobringyousomecomfort.ThesorrowsoftheheartIcannotheal;theyareforamightierhand;butapartofyourdistressappearstohavebeenpositiveneed;thatwecanatleastdisposeof，andIentreatyoutobelievethatfromthishourwantshallneverenterthatdooragain.Never！uponmyhonor！"
　　TheScotchareicebergs，withvolcanoesunderneath;thawtheScotchice，whichisverycold，andyoushallgettotheScotchfire，warmerthananysunofItalyorSpain.
　　Hislordshiphadrisentogo.Theoldwifehadseemedabsorbedinherowngrief;shenowdriedhertears.
　　"Bideye，sirr，"saidshe，"tillIthankye."
　　Soshebegantothankhim，rathercoldlyandstiffly.
　　"Hesaysyearealord，"saidshe;"Idinnaken，an’Idinnacare;butye’reagentleman，Idaursay，andakindheartyehae."
　　Thenshebegantowarm.
　　"Andye’llneverbeagrainthepoorerforthesilleryehaegienme;forhethatgivethtothepoorlendethtotheLord."
　　Thenshebegantoglow.
　　"Butit’snoyoursiller;dinnathinkit——na，lad，na！Oh，fine！Ikenthere’smonyasupperforthebairnsandmeinyonbitsmetal;butI
　　cannafeelyoursillerasIfeelyourwinsomesmile——thedropinyouryoungeen——an’thesweetwordsyegiedme，inthesweetmusico’yourSootherntongue，Gudeblessye！"（Wherewashericebythistime？）"Gudeblessye！andIblessye！"
　　Andshedidblesshim;andwhatablessingitwas;notamelodiousgenerality，likeastageparent’s，orpapa’sinadamsel’snovel.ItwaslikethesonofBarakonZophim.
　　Sheblessedhim，asonewhohadthepowerandtherighttoblessorcurse.
　　Shestoodonthehighgroundofherlowestate，andherafflictions——anddemandedoftheirCreatortoblessthefellow—creaturethathadcometoheraidandconsolation.
　　Thiswomanhadsufferedtothelimitsofendurance;yesterdayshehadsaid，"SurelytheAlmightydoesna_see_mea’theseyears！"
　　Sonowsheblessedhim，andherheart’sbloodseemedtogushintowords.
　　Sheblessedhimbylandandwater.
　　Sheknewmostmortalgriefs;forshehadfeltthem.
　　Shewarnedthemawayfromhimonebyone.
　　Sheknewthejoysoflife;forshehadfelttheirwant.
　　Shesummonedthemonebyonetohisside.
　　"Andafairwindtoyourship，"criedshe，"andthestormsayetenmilestoleewardo’her."
　　Manyhappydays，"an’weelspent，"shewishedhim.
　　"Hisloveshouldlovehimdearly，orabettertakeherplace."
　　"Healthtohissidebyday;sleeptohispillowbynight."
　　Athousandgoodwishescame，likeatorrentoffire，fromherlips，withapowerthateclipsedhisdreamsofhumaneloquence;andthen，changinginamomentfromthethunderofaPythonesstothetendermusicofsomepoetessmother，sheended：
　　"An’oh，myboenny，boennylad，mayyebewi’therichupontheairtha’
　　yourdays——ANDWI’THEPUIRINTHEWARLDTOCOME！"
　　Hislordship’stonguerefusedhimthethinphrasesofsociety.
　　"Farewellforthepresent，"saidhe，andhewentquietlyaway.
　　Hepacedthoughtfullyhome.
　　Hehaddrunkafactwitheverysentence;andanideawitheveryfact.
　　Fortheknowledgewehaveneverrealizedisnotknowledgetous——onlyknowledge’sshadow.
　　Withthebanishedduke，henowbegantofeel，"wearenotaloneunhappy."
　　Thisuniversalworldcontainsotherguesssorrowsthanyours，viscount——_scilicet_thanunvaryinghealth，unbrokenleisure，andincalculableincome.
　　Thenthiswoman’seloquence！blessme！hehadseenfolkmurmurpolitelyintheUpperHouse，anddroneorhammerawayattheSpeakerdownbelow，withmoreheatthanwarmth.
　　Hehadseenninehundredwildbeastsfedwithpepperedtongue，inamenageriecalled_L’Assemble’Nationale._
　　Hisearshadrungoftenenough，forthatmatter.Thistimehisheartbeat.
　　HehadbeenintheprincipalcourtsofEurope;knewwhatahandfulofgentlefolkscall"theWorld";hadexperiencedthehoneyedwordsofcourtiers，themistynothingsofdiplomatists，andtheinnocentprattleofmightykings.
　　Buthithertoheseemedtohaveundergonegibberishandjargon：
　　Gibberishandjargon——Political！
　　Gibberishandjargon——Social！
　　Gibberishandjargon——Theological！
　　Gibberishandjargon——Positive！
　　Peoplehadbeenprating——Jesshadspoken.
　　But，itistobeobserved，hewasunderthedoubleeffectofeloquenceandnovelty;and，sosituated，weoverratethings，youknow.
　　Thatnighthemadeaprovisionforthispoorwoman，incaseheshoulddiebeforenextweek.
　　"Whoknows？"saidhe，"sheissuchanunluckywoman."Thenhewenttobed，andwhetherfromthewidow’sblessing，ortheairoftheplace，hesleptlikeaplowboy.
　　LeavingRichard，LordIpsden，toworkouttheAberfordproblem——torelievepoorpeople，oneortwoofwhom，liketheRutherford，weregrateful，therestactedittothelife——toreceivenowandthenavisitfromChristinaJohnstone，whoborrowedeverymortalbookinhishouse，whosoldhimfish，invariablycheatedhimbytheindelibleforceofhabit，andthenremorsefullyundidthebargain，withapeevishentreatythat"hewouldnotbesogreen，fortherewasnodoingbusinesswithhim"——tobefasteneduponbyFlucker，who，withadmirablesmoothnessandcunning，wormedhimselfintoacabin—boyonboardtheyacht，andman—at—armsashore.
　　Tocruiseinsearchofadventures，andmeetnothingbutdisappointments;
　　toacquireabrownertint，alighterstep，andajacket，ourstorymovesforawhiletowardhumblerpersonages.
　　CHAPTERIV.
　　JESSRUTHERFORD，widowofAlexanderJohnstone——forNewhavenwives，likegreatartists，changetheirconditionswithoutchangingtheirnames——wasknowninthetownonlyasadourwife，asouroldcarline.Whosefault？
　　Dowoodenfacesandirontonguestemptsorrowtoputoutitssnails’
　　horns？
　　Shehardlyspoketoanyone，oranyonetoher，butfourdaysafterthevisitwehavedescribedpeoplebegantobendlooksofsympathyonher，tostepoutoftheirwaytogiveherakindlygood—morrow;afterabit，fishandmealusedtobeplacedonhertablebyoneneighbororanother，whenshewasout，andsoon.Shewasatfirstbehindhandinrespondingtoallthis，butbydegreesshethawedtothosewhowerethawingtoher.Next，Saunderscalledonher，andshowedherasettlement，madeforherbenefit，oncertainlandsinLanarkshire.Shewasateaseforlife.
　　TheAlmightyhadseenheralltheseyears.
　　Buthowcameherneighborstomelt？
　　Becauseanoblemanhadvisitedher.
　　Notexactly，dearnovel—reader.
　　Thiswasit.
　　Thatsamenight，byabrightfirelightingupsnowywalls，burnishedcopper，gleamingcandlesticks，andadinner—tablefloor，satthemistressofthehouse，ChristieJohnstone，andherbrother，Flucker.
　　Shewithabook，hewithhisreflectionsoppositeher.
　　"Lassie，haeyeonysillerpastye？"
　　"Ay，lad;an’Imeantokeepit！"Thebaddishboyhadregisteredavowtothecontrary，andproceededtobleedhisflint（fortodoChristiejusticetheprocesswasnotverydissimilar）.Fluckerhadaversatilegeniusformakingmoney;hehadmadeitinfortydifferentways，bylandandsea，tenpenceatatime.
　　"Ihaegottenthelifeo’JessRutherfordtillye，"saidhe.
　　"Giestthen."
　　"I’mseekinghalfacrownfor’t，"saidhe.
　　Now，heknewheshouldnevergethalfacrown，buthealsoknewthatifheaskedashilling，heshouldbebeatendowntofourpence.
　　Sohalfacrownwashisfirstbode.
　　Theenemy，withangeratherheart，calledupahumoroussmile，andsaying，"An’ye’llgetsaxpence，"wentaboutsomehouseholdmatter;inreality，toletherproposalrankleinFlucker.
　　Fluckerlightedhispipeslowly，asonewhowouldnotdoasistertheinjusticetonoticesotrivialaproposition.
　　Hewaitedfreshovertures.
　　Theydidnotcome.
　　Christieresumedherbook.
　　Thenthebaddishboyfixedhiseyeonthefire，andsaidsoftlyandthoughtfullytothefire，"Hech，whataheapo’troublesyonwomanhascomethrough."
　　Thisstrokeofartwasnotlost.Christielookedupfromherbook;
　　pretendedhehadspokentoher，gaveafictitiousyawn，andrenewedthenegotiationwiththeairofonedisposedtokilltime.
　　Shewasdyingforthestory.
　　Commercewastwicebrokenoffandrenewedbyeachpowerinturn.
　　Atlastthebargainwasstruckatfourteen—pence.
　　ThenFluckercameout，thehonestmerchant.
　　Hehadlistenedintently，withmercantileviews.
　　Hehadthewidow’ssorrowsalloffpat.
　　Hewasnotabitaffectedhimself，butbypurememoryherememberedwhereshehadbeenmostagitatedorovercome.
　　HegaveitChristie，wordforword，andeventhrewinwhatdramatistscall"thebusiness，"thus：
　　"Hereyesuldgreet——"
　　"Hereye’llplayyourhandlikeageraffe."
　　"Geraffe？That’sabeast，I’mthinking."
　　"Na;it’sthethingonthehillthatmakessignals."
　　"Telegraph，yefulishgoloshen！"
　　"Ooay，telegraph！Geraffe’ssunestsaidfora’."
　　ThusJessRutherford’slifecameintoChristieJohnstone’shands.
　　Shetoldittoaknotofnativesnextday;itlostnothing，forshewasawomanoffeeling，andbyintuitionanartistofthetongue.Shewasthebest_raconteur_inaplacewherethereareahundred，maleandfemale，whoattemptthatart.
　　Thenextdayshetolditagain，andtheninferiornarratorsgotholdofit，anditsooncirculatedthroughthetown.
　　AndthiswasthecauseofthesuddensympathywithJessRutherford.
　　Asourprigswouldsay：
　　"Arthadadoptedhercauseandadornedhertale."
　　CHAPTERV.
　　THEfishingvillageofNewhavenisanuniqueplace;itisacolonythatretainsdistinctfeatures;thepeopleseldomintermarrywiththeirScotchneighbors.
　　SomesaythecolonyisDutch，someDanish，someFlemish.Thecharacterandcleanlinessoftheirfemalecostumepointsrathertothelatter.
　　Fish，likehorse—flesh，corruptsthemindandmanners.
　　Afteracertainage，theNewhavenfishwifeisalwaysablackguard，andugly;butamongtheyoungerspecimens，whohavenottradedtoomuch，orcomeintomuchcontactwithlargertowns，acharmingmodesty，orelseslyness（suchasnomancandistinguishfromit，soitanswerseverypurpose），istobefound，combinedwithraregraceandbeauty.
　　Itisaraceofwomenthatthenorthernsunpeachifiesinsteadofrosewoodizing.
　　OnSundaysthemajoritysacrificeappearancetofashion;theseturnoutrainbowsofsilk，satinandlace.Intheweektheywereallgrace，andnostays;nowtheyseemallstaysandnograce.Theyneverlooksoillaswhentheychangetheir"costume"for"dress."
　　Themenaresmartfishermen，distinguishedfromtheotherfishermenoftheFirthchieflybytheir"dredgingsong."
　　Thisoldsongismoneytothem;thus：
　　Dredgingispracticallyverystiffrowingfortenhours.
　　NowboththeNewhavenmenandtheirrivalsareagreedthatthissongliftsthemthroughmoreworkthanuntunedfishermencanmanage.
　　Ihaveheardthesong，andseentheworkdonetoit;andinclinetothinkithelpstheoar，notonlybykeepingthetimetrue，andthespiritalive，butalsobyitsfavorableactiononthelungs.Itissunginapeculiarway;thesoundis，asitwere，expelledfromthechestinasortofmusicalejaculations;andthelike，weknow，wasdonebytheancientgymnasts;andisdonebytheFrenchbakers，inliftingtheirenormousdough，andbyourpaviors.
　　Thesong，initself，doesnotcontainaboveseventystockverses，buttheseperenniallinesareanucleus，roundwhichthemenimprovisethetopicsoftheday，giving，Iknownotforwhatreason，thepreferencetosuchasvergeuponindelicacy.
　　Themenandwomenaremusicalandnarrative;threeoutoffourcansingasongortellastory，andtheyomitfewopportunities.
　　Malesandfemalessuckwhiskylikemilk，andarequarrelsomeinproportion.Themenfight（round—handed），thewomenfleichtorscold，intheformofateapot——thehandlefixedandthespoutsawingtheair.
　　Asingularcustomprevailshere.
　　Themaidenshaveonlyonesweetheartapiece！！！
　　Sothewholetownisinpairs.
　　ThecourtingisalldoneonSaturdaynight，bythelady’sfire.Itishardtokeepoutofagrooveinwhichallthetownisrunning;andtheJohnstonehadpossessed，asmereproperty——alad！
　　Shewassowealthythatfewofthemcouldpretendtoaspiretoher，sosheselectedforherchattelayoungmancalledWillyListon;ayouthofanunhappyturn——hecontributednothingtohilarity，hisfacewasakill—joy——nobodylikedhim;forthisfemalereasonChristiedistinguishedhim.
　　HefoundadivinesuppereverySaturdaynightinherhouse;heate，andsighed！Christiefedhim，andlaughedathim.
　　Fluckerditto.
　　Assheneitherfednorlaughedatanyotherman，sometwentywerebitterlyjealousofWillyListon，andthisgavetheblightedyouthacheerfulmomentortwo.
　　Butthebrightalliancereceivedachecksomemonthsbeforeourtale.
　　Christiewas_heluolibrorum！_andlikeotherswhohavethattaste，andcanonlygratifyitintheintervalofmanualexercise，shereadveryintenselyinherhoursofstudy.Abookabsorbedher.Shewaslikealeechontheseoccasions，_nonmissuracutem._EvenJeanCarnie，herco—adjutoror"neebor，"astheycallit，founditbesttokeepoutofherwaytillthebookwassucked.
　　OneSaturdaynightWillyListon’sevilstarordainedthatagentlemanofFrenchoriginandSpanishdress，calledGilBlas，shouldbetheJohnstone’scompanion.
　　WillyListonarrived.
　　Christie，whohadboltedthedoor，toldhimfromthewindow，civillyenough，butdecidedly，"Shewouldexcusehiscompanythatnight."
　　"Varaweel，"saidWilly，anddeparted.
　　NextSaturday——noWillycame.
　　Dittothenext.Willywaswaitingthe_amende._
　　Christieforgottomakeit.
　　Onedayshewaspassingtheboats，Willybeckonedhermysteriously;heledhertohisboat，whichwascalled"TheChristieJohnstone";bytheboat’ssidewasapaintpotandbrush.
　　TheyhadnotsuppedtogetherforfiveSaturdays.
　　Ergo，Mr.Listonhadpaintedoutthefirstfourlettersof"Christie，"henowproceededtopaintoutthefifth，givinghertounderstand，that，ifsheallowedthewholenametogo，alettereveryblankSaturday，herimagewouldbegradually，buteffectually，obliteratedfromtheheartListonian.
　　MyreaderhasdonewhatListondidnot，anticipateheranswer.Sherecommendedhim，whilehishandwasin，topaintouttheentirename，and，withwhitepaintandasmallerbrush，tosubstitutesomeotherfemaleappellation.Sosaying，shetrippedoff.
　　Mr.Listononthiswasguiltyofthefollowinginconsistency;hepressedthepaintcarefullyoutofthebrushintothepot.Havingthuseconomizedhismaterial，hehurledthepotwhichcontainedhiseconomyat"theJohnstone，"hethenadjournedtothe"Peacock，"and"awayatoncewithloveandreason."
　　Thenceforth，whenmenaskedwhowasChristieJohnstone’slad，theanswerusedtobe，"She’sseekingane."_Quellehorreur！！_
　　Newhavendoesn’tknoweverything，butmyintelligentreadersuspects，and，ifconfirminghissuspicionscanreconcilehimtoourfacts，itwillsoonbedone.
　　ButhemustcomewithustoEdinburgh;it’sonlythreemiles.