CHAPTERVI.
　　ALITTLEbandofpainterscameintoEdinburghfromaprofessionalwalk.
　　ThreewereofEdinburgh——Groove，agedfifty;JonesandHyacinth，young;
　　thelatterlong—haired.
　　WiththemwasayoungEnglishman，theleaderoftheexpedition，CharlesGatty.
　　Hisstepwaselastic，andhismannerwonderfullyanimated，withoutloudness.
　　"Abrightday，"saidhe."Thesunforgotwherehewas，andshone;
　　everythingwasinfavorofart."
　　"Oh，dear，no，"repliedoldGroove，"notwhereIwas"
　　"Why，whatwasthematter？"
　　"Theflieskeptbuzzingandbiting，andstickinginthework.That’stheworstofouto’doors！"
　　"Theflies！isthatall？Swearthespidersinspecialconstablesnexttime，"criedGatty."Weshallwintheday;"andlightshoneintohishazeleye.
　　"Theworldwillnotalwaysputupwiththehumbugsofthebrush，who，toimitateNature，turntheirbackonher.Paintanouto’doorsceneindoors！Iswearbythesunit’salie！theonestupid，impudentliethatglittersamongtheliesofvulgarart，likeSatanamongBelial，Mammonandallthosebeggars.
　　"Nowlookhere;thebarrenoutlinesofascenemustbelookedat，tobedone;hencethesketchingsystemslop—sellersoftheAcademy！butthemilliondelicaciesoflight，shade，andcolorcanbetrustedtomemory，canthey？
　　"It’saliebigenoughtoshaketheearthoutofhercourse;ifanypartoftheworkcouldbetrustedtomemoryorimagination，ithappenstobethebareoutlines，andtheycan’t.Themillionsubtletiesoflightandcolor;learnthembyheart，andsaythemoffoncanvas！thehighestangelintheskymusthavehiseyeuponthem，andlookdevilishsharp，too，orheshan’tpaintthem.IgivehimCharlesGatty’swordforthat."
　　"That’sveryeloquent，Icallit，"saidJones.
　　"Yes，"saidpooroldGroove，"theladwillnevermakeapainter."
　　"Yes，Ishall，Groove;atleastIhopeso，butitmustbealongtimefirst."
　　"Ineverknewapainterwhocouldtalkandpaintboth，"explainedMr.
　　Groove.
　　"Verywell，"saidGatty."ThenI’llsaybutonewordmore，anditisthis.Theartificeofpaintingisoldenoughtodie;itistimetheartwasborn.Wheneveritdoescomeintotheworld，youwillseenomoredeadcorpsesoftrees，grassandwater，robbedoftheirlife，thesunlight，andflunguponcanvasinastudio，bythelightofacigar，andalie——and——"
　　"Howmuchdoyouexpectforyourpicture？"interruptedJones.
　　"Whathasthattodowithit？Withtheselittleswords"（wavinghisbrush），"we’llfightfornature—light，truthlight，andsunlightagainstaworldinarms——no，worse，inswaddlingclothes."
　　"Withtheselittleswerrds，"repliedpooroldGroove，"weshallcutourownthroatsifwegoagainstpeople’sprejudices."
　　Theyoungartistlaughedtheolddaubsteramerrydefiance，andthenseparatedfromtheparty，forhislodgingsweredownthestreet.
　　Hehadnotleftthemlong，beforeamostmusicalvoicewasheard，crying：
　　"Acaallerrowoo！"
　　Andtwoyoungfishwiveshoveinsight.TheboysrecognizedoneofthemasGatty’ssweetheart.
　　"Isheinlovewithher？"inquiredJones.
　　Hyacinththelong—hairedundertooktoreply.
　　"HelovesherbetterthananythingintheworldexceptArt.LoveandArtaretwobeautifulthings，"whinedHyacinth.
　　"She，too，isbeautiful.Ihavedoneher，"addedhe，withasimper.
　　"Inoil？"askedGroove.
　　"Inoil？no，inverse，here;"andhetookoutapaper.
　　"Thenhadn’twebettercut？youmightproposereadingthem，"saidpooroldGroove.
　　"Haveyouanyoysters？"inquiredJonesoftheCarnieandtheJohnstone，whowerenowalongside.
　　"Plenty，"answeredJean."Haeyeonysiller？"
　　Theartistslookedatoneanother，anddidn’tallspeakatonce.
　　"I，madam，"saidoldGroove，insinuatingly，toChristie，"amafriendofMr.Gatty’s;perhaps，onthataccount，youwould_lend_meanoysterortwo."
　　"Na，"saidJean，sternly.
　　"Hyacinth，"saidJones，sarcastically，"givethemyourverses，perhapsthatwillsoftenthem."
　　Hyacinthgavehisverses，descriptiveofherself，toChristie.Thisyoungsterwasoneofthosewhomindotherpeople’sbusiness.
　　_Alienisstudiisdelectatuscontempsitsuum._
　　Hisdestinywastobeabadpainter，sohewantedtobeanexecrablepoet.
　　Allthismorninghehadbeendoggreling，whenheoughttohavebeendaubing;andnowhewillhavetosupoffacoloredprint，ifhesupsatall.
　　Christieread，blushed，andputtheversesinherbosom.
　　"Comeawa，Custy，"saidJean.
　　"Hets，"saidChristie，"giethepuirladstwarreeoysters，whatthewaurwillwebe？"
　　Sotheyopenedtheoystersforthem;andHyacinththelong—hairedlookeddownontheotherswithsarcastico—benignantsuperiority.Hehadconductedasisterarttotheaidofhisbrotherbrushes.
　　"Thepoet’sempire，allourheartsallow;Butdoggrel’spowerwasneverknowntillnow."
　　CHAPTERVII.
　　ATthecommencementofthelastchapter，CharlesGatty，artist，wasgoingtousherinanewstateofthings，trueart，etc.WaleswastobepaintedinWales，notPolandStreet.
　　Heandfiveorsixmoreyoungstersweretobeintheforemostfilesoftruth，andtaketheworldbystorm.
　　Thiswasattwoo’clock;itisnowfive;whereuponthepostureofaffairs，theprospectsofart，thefaceoftheworld，thenatureofthings，arequitethereverse.
　　Intheartist’sroom，onthefloor，wasasmallchild，whosemovements，andtheyweremany，wereviewedwithhugedissatisfactionbyCharlesGatty，Esq.Thispersonage，pencilinhand，satslouchingandmorose，lookinggloomilyathisintractablemodel.
　　Thingsweregoingonverybadly;hehadbeenwaitingtwohoursforaninfantineposeascommonasdirt，andthelittleviperwoulddiefirst.
　　Outofdoorseverythingwasnothing，forthesunwasobscured，andtoallappearanceextinguishedforever.
　　"Ah！Mr.Groove，"criedhe，tothatworthy，whopeepedinatthatmoment;
　　youareright，itisbettertoplowawayuponcanvasblindfold，asourgrandfathers——no，grandmothers——used，thantokillourselvestoilingaftersuchcoyladiesasNatureandTruth."
　　"Aweel，Idinnaken，sirr，"repliedGroove，insmoothtones."Ididnaliketoexpressmywarmapprobationofyoubeforethelads，forfearofmakingthemjealous."
　　"Theybe——No！"
　　"Ikenwhatyewadsay，sirr，anitwadhaebeenavarajustan’
　　sprightlyobservation.Aweel，betweenoursels，Ilookuponyeasayounggentlemanofamazingtalentandmoedesty.Man，yedinnadoyourseljustice;yeshouldbeinth’Academy，atthehedeo’’t."
　　"Mr.Groove，Iamapoorfaintingpilgrimontheroad，wherestrongerspiritshavemarchederectbeforeme."
　　"Afaintin’pelgrim！Deilafrightso’ye，ye’reabriskandbonnylad.
　　Ah，sirr，inmyjuveniledays，wedidnafashwinature，andtruth，anthelike."
　　"Thelike！Whatislikenatureandtruth，exceptthemselves？"
　　"Varatrue，sirr;varatrue，andsaeIdootIwillneverattaintheheighto’profeeciencyyehaereached.An’atthisvaramoment，sir，"
　　continuedGroove，withdelicioussolemnityandmystery，"yeseebeforeye，sir，amanwhaisinmaistdismalwant——o’tenshellen！"（Apause.）
　　"Ifyoursuperiortalenthasputyeinpossessionofthatsum，yewouldobleegemeinfinitelybyatemporaryaccommodation，Mr.Gaattie."
　　"Whydidyounotcometothepointatonce？"criedGatty，bruskly，"insteadofhumblingmewithundeservedpraise.There."Grooveheldouthishand，butmadeawryfacewhen，insteadofmoney，Gattyputasketchintohishand.
　　"There，"saidGatty，"thatisalie！"
　　"Howcanitbealee？"saidtheother，withsourinadvertence."Howcanitbealee，whenIhaenaspoken？"
　　"Youdon’tunderstandme.Thatsketchisalibelonapoorcowandanunfortunateoak—tree.IdidthemattheAcademy.Theyhadneverdonemeanywrong，poorthings;theysufferedunjustly.Youtakethemtoashop，sweartheyareatreeandacow，andsomefool，thatneverreallylookedintoacoworatree，willgiveyoutenshillingsforthem."
　　"Areyesure，lad？"
　　"Iamsure.Mr.Groove，sir，ifyoucannotsellaliefortenshillingsyouarenotfittoliveinthisworld;whereistheliethatwillnotsellfortenshillings？"
　　"Ishallthinkthebettero’leesallmydays;sir，yourwordsareinspeeriting."AndawaywentGroovewiththesketch.
　　Gattyreflectedandstoppedhim.
　　"Onsecondthoughts，Groove，youmustnotasktenshillings;youmustasktwentypoundsforthatrubbish."
　　"Twentypund！WhatforwillIseektwentypund？"
　　"Simplybecausepeoplethatwouldnotgiveyoutenshillingsforitwillofferyouelevenpoundsforitifyouasktwentypounds."
　　"Thefules，"roaredGroove."Twentypund！hem！"Helookedcloserintoit.
　　"Fora’，"saidhe，"Ibegintoobsairveitisaworkofgreatmerit.I’llseektwentypund，an’I’llnotaklessthanfifteenschell’n，atpresent."
　　Thevisitofthisroutinepainterdidnotcheerourartist.
　　Thesmallchildgotacoalandpoundedthefloorwithitlikeamachineincapableoffatigue.Sothewished—forposeseemedmoreremotethanever.
　　Thedaywaxeddarkerinsteadoflighter;Mr.Gatty’sreflectionstookalsoastillmoresomberhue.
　　"EvenNaturespitesus，"thoughthe，"becauseweloveher."
　　"Thencant，tradition，numbers，slangandmoneyareagainstus;theleastoftheseissinglyamatchfortruth;weshalldieofdespairorpaintcobwebsinBedlam;andIamfaint，wearyofahopelessstruggle;andoneman’sbrushistruerthanmine，another’sisbolder——myhandandeyearenotintune.Ah！no！Ishallnever，never，neverbeapainter."
　　Theselastwordsbrokeaudiblyfromhimashisheadwentdownalmosttohisknees.
　　Ahandwasplacedonhisshoulderasaflakeofsnowfallsonthewater.
　　ItwasChristieJohnstone，radiant，whohadglidedinunobserved.
　　"What’swrangwi’ye，mylad？"
　　"ThesunisgonetotheDevil，foronething."
　　"Hech！hech！ye’llnobelongahinthim;divyenothinkshame."
　　"AndIwantthatlittlebrutejusttodoso，andhe’ddiefirst."
　　"Oh，yevillain，toca’abairnabrute;there’sbutaebrutehere，an’
　　it’snoyou，Jamie，norme——isit，mylamb？"
　　Shethensteppedtothewindow.
　　"It’scleartowindward;intenminutesye’llhaeplentysun.Takyourtoolsnoo."Andatthewordshekneltonthefloor，whippedoutapaperofsugar—plumsandsaidtohimshehadchristened"Jamie.""Heb！Here’ssweetiestillye."OutwentJamie’sarms，asifhehadbeenamachineandshehadpulledtherightstring.
　　"Ah，thatwilldo，"saidGatty，andsketchedaway.
　　Unfortunately，Jamiewasquicklyarrestedonthewaytoimmortalitybyhismother，whocamein，saying：
　　"Imaunhaemybairn——hecannabeayewastinghistimehere."
　　Thissallyawakenedthesatirethateverliesreadyinpiscatorybosoms.
　　"Wastinghistime！ye’renoblate.Oh，ye’llbefortakinghimtothecollegetolaernpheesick——andteachmaenners."
　　"Yeneednabeginonme，"saidthewoman."I’mnomatchforNewhaven."
　　Sosayingshecutshortthedisputebycarryingoffthegristleofcontention.
　　"Anotherenemytoart，"saidGatty，hurlingawayhispencil.
　　Theyoungfishwifeinquirediftherewereanymoregriefs.Whatshehadheardhadnotaccounted，toherreason，forhercompanion’sdepression.
　　"Areyesick，laddy？"saidshe.
　　"No，Christie，notsick，butquite，quitedowninthemouth."
　　Shescannedhimthirtyseconds.
　　Whathadyetillyourdinner？"
　　"Iforget."
　　"Achoep，likely？"
　　"Ithinkitwas."
　　"Ormaybeitwasasteak？"
　　"Idaresayitwasasteak."
　　"Tastemygirdlecake，thatI’vebroughtforye."
　　Shegavehimapiece;heateitrapidly，andlookedgratefullyather.
　　"Noo，divyenothinkshametolookmeintheface？Yehaenadinedava."
　　Andsheworeaninjuredlook.
　　"Sityethere;it’sowerlatefordinner，butye’llgetacuptea.Dooni’themooth，naewonder，whennaethinggangsdoonyour——"
　　Inaminutesheplacedatea—tray，andranintothekitchenwithateapot.
　　Thenextmomentayellwasheard，andshereturnedlaughing，withanotherteapot.
　　"Thewifehadmaskitteatillhersel’，"saidthislawlessforager.
　　Teaandcakeonthetable——beautyseatedbyhisside——allinlessthanaminute.
　　Heofferedherapieceofcake.
　　"Na！Iamnoforany."
　　"NorIthen，"saidhe.
　　"Hets！eat，Itellye."
　　Herepliedbyputtingabittoherheavenlymouth.
　　"Ye’reawfu’opinionated，"saidshe，withacountenancethatsaidnothingshouldinduceher，andeatingitalmostcontemporaneously.
　　"Putplentysugar，"addedshe，referringtotheChineseinfusion;"mind，Ihaeasweettooth."
　　"Youhaveasweetset，"saidhe，approachinganothermorsel.
　　Theyshowedthemselvesbywayofsmile，andconfirmedtheaccusation.
　　"Aha！lad，"answeredshe;"they’vebeenthedeatho’monyaherrin’！"
　　"Now，whatdoesthatmeaninEnglish，Christie？"
　　"Mygrinders——（afullstop.）
　　"Whichyouapprove——（afullstop.）
　　"Havebeenfatal——（afullstop.）
　　"Tomanyfishes！"
　　ChristiepridedherselfonherEnglish，whichshehadculledfrombooks.
　　Thenhemadeherdrinkfromthecup，andwasostentatiousinputtinghislipstothesamepartofthebrim.
　　Thensheleftthetable，andinspectedallthings.
　　Shecametohisdrawers，openedone，andwashorror—struck.
　　Therewerecoatsandtrousers，withtheirlimbsinterchangeablyintertwined，waistcoats，shirts，andcigars，hurledintochaos.
　　Sheinstantlytookthedrawerbodilyout，broughtit，leaneditagainstthetea—table，pointedsilentlyintoit，withanairofmajesticreproach，andawaitedtheresult.
　　"IcanfindwhateverIwant，"saidtheunblushingbachelor，"exceptmoney."
　　"Sillerdoesnabidewi’slovens！haeyeoftensiccanagaleo’windinyourdrawer？"
　　"Everyday！SpeakEnglish！"
　　"Aweel！How_do_you_do？_that’sEnnglish！Idaursay."
　　"Jolly！"criedhe，withhismouthfull.Christiewasnowfoldingupandneatlyarranginghisclothes.
　　"Willyouever，everbeapainter？"
　　"Iamapainter！IcouldpainttheDevilpea—green！"
　　"Dinnaspeako’yonlad，Chairles，it’snocanny."
　　"No！Iamgoingtopaintanangel;theprettiest，cleverestgirlinScotland，’TheSnowdropoftheNorth.’"
　　Andhedashedintohisbedroomtofindacanvas.
　　"Hech！"reflectedChristie."ThirEnnglishhaeflatteringtongues，assureasDethe;’TheSnawdrapo’theNorrth！’"
　　CHAPTERVIII.
　　GATTY’Sbackwashardlyturnedwhenavisitorarrived，andinquired，"IsMr.Gattyathome？"
　　"What’syourwillwi’him？"wastheScottishreply.
　　"Willyougivehimthis？"
　　"Whatest？"
　　"Areyoufondofaskingquestions？"inquiredtheman.
　　"Ay！andfulescannaanswerthem，"retortedChristie.
　　Thelittledocumentwhichtheman，inretiring，leftwithChristieJohnstonepurportedtocomefromoneVictoria，whoseemed，atfirstsight，disposedtoshowCharlesGattycivilities."Victoria——toCharlesGatty，greeting！（salutem）."Christiewasmuchstruckwiththisinstanceofroyalaffability;shereadnofurther，butbegantothink，"Victoree！
　　that’sthequeenhersel.Aletterfrathequeentoapainterlad！Picterswillrisei’themairket——itwillbeanordertopaintthebairns.Ihaebroughthimluck;Iamrealpleased."AndonGatty’sreturn，canvasinhand，shewhippedthedocumentbehindher，andsaidarchly，"Ihaesomethingforye，atecketfraaleddy，ye’llnowantsillerfrathisday."
　　"Indeed！"
　　"Ay！indeed，fraagreatleddy;it’svaragudeo’metogieyeit;heh！
　　takit."
　　Hedidtakeit，lookedstupefied，lookedagain，sunkintoachair，andglaredatit.
　　"Laddy！"saidChristie.
　　"Thisisanewsteponthedownwardpath，"saidthepoorpainter.
　　"Isitnoanorrdertopainttheyoungprence？"saidChristie，faintly.
　　"No！"almostshriekedthevictim."It’sawrit！Iowealotofmoney.
　　"Oh，Chairles！"
　　"See！Iborrowedsixtypoundssixmonthsagoofafriend，sonowIoweeighty！"
　　"Allright！"giggledtheunfriendlyvisitoratthedoor，whosedeparturehadbeenmoreorlessfictitious.
　　Christie，byanimpulse，notjustifiable，butnatural，drewheroyster—knifeout，andthistimethemanreallywentaway.
　　"Hairtlessmon！"criedshe，"couldhenodohisamdirrtywork，andnogarmegiethepuirladth’action，andhelikeitmesaeweel！"andshebegantowhimper.
　　"Andloveyoumorenow，"saidhe;"don’tyoucry，dear，toaddtomyvexation."
　　"Na！I’llnoaddtoyourvexation，"andshegulpeddownhertears.
　　"Besides，Ihavepicturespaintedworthtwohundredpounds;thisisonlyforeighty.Tobesureyoucan’tsellthemfortwohundredpencewhenyouwant.SoIshallgotojail，buttheywon’tkeepmelong.
　　Thenhetookaturn，andbegantofallintotheartistic，ortrueviewofmatters，which，indeed，wasneverlongabsentfromhim.
　　"Lookhere，Christie，"saidhe，"Iamsickofconventionalassassins，humbuggingmodels，withdirtybeards，thatknittheirbrows，andtrytolookmurder;theynevermurderedsomuchasatom—cat.Ialwaysgoinfortherealthing，andhereIshallfindit."
　　"Dinnaganginthere，lad，foronyfavor."
　　"ThenIshallfindtheaccessoriesofapictureIhaveinmyhead——chainswithgenuinerustandancientmoulderingstoneswiththestainsoftime."
　　Hiseyebrightenedattheprospect.
　　"Youamongfiefs，andchains，andstanes！Ye’llbreakmyhairt，laddy，ye’llnobeeasytillyoubreakmyhairt."Andthistimethetearswouldnotbedenied.
　　"Iloveyouforcrying;don’tcry;"andhefishedfromthechaoticdraweracambrichandkerchief，withwhichhedriedhertearsastheyfell.
　　Itismyfirmbeliefshecriednearlytwiceasmuchasshereallywantedto;shecontrivedtomakethegriefhers，thesympathyhis.Suddenlyshestopped，andsaid：
　　"I’mdaft;ye’llacceptalaneo’thesillerframe，willyeno？"
　　"No！"saidhe."Andwherecouldyoufindeightypound？"
　　"Auchtypund，"criedshe，"it’snoauchtypundthatwilldingChristieJohnstone，laddy.Ihaeboatsandnetsworthtwaauchtys;andIhaefortypundlaidby;andIhaesevenhundredpundatLondon，butthatIcannameddle.Myfeytherlentitthekingorthequeen，Idinnajustlymind;
　　shepaysmetheinteresttwicetheyear.SacyekenIcouldnabesaedirtyasseekmysiller，whenshepaysmeth’interest.Totheveryday，yeken.She’sjusttheonlyoneo’a’mydebtorsthat’shoenest，butneverheed，ye’llnogangtojail."
　　"I’llholdmytongue，andsacrificemypictures，"thoughtCharles.
　　"Cheerup！"saidChristie，mistakingthenatureofhisthoughts，"foritdidnacomefraVictoreehersel’.Itwadsmello’themusk，yeken.Na，it’sjustawheenblackguardsatLondonthatmakesuseo’hernametotormentpuirfolk.Wadshepairsecuteapuirlad？Nolikely."
　　Shethenaskedquestions，someofwhichwereembarrassing.Onethinghecouldneversucceedinmakingherunderstand，how，sinceitwassixtypoundsheborrowed，itcouldbeeightypoundsheowed.
　　Thenoncemoreshepromisedhimherprotection，badehimbeofgoodcheer，andlefthim.
　　Atthedoorsheturned，andsaid："Chairles，here’sanauldwifeseekingye，"andvanished.
　　ThesetwoyoungpeoplehadfallenacquaintedataNewhavenwedding.
　　Christie，belongingtonoone，haddancedwithhimallthenight，theyhadwalkedunderthestarstocoolthemselves，fordancingreels，withheartandsoul，isnotquadrilling.
　　ThenhehadseenhisbeautifulpartnerinEdinburgh，andmadeasketchofher，whichhegaveher;andbyandbyheusedtorundowntoNewhaven，andstrollupanddownacertaingreenlanenearthetown.
　　Next，onSundayevenings，alongwalktogether，andthenitcametovisitsathisplacenowandthen.
　　Andhere.RaphaelandFornarinawereinverted，ourartistusedtowork，andChristietellhimstoriesthewhile.
　　And，ashervoicecurledroundhisheart，heusedtosmileandlook，andlayinspiredtouchesonhissubject.
　　Andshe，anartistofthetongue（withoutknowingherselfone），usedtomakehimgrave，orgay，orsad，atwill，andwatchtheeffectofherartuponhiscountenance;andaveryprettyartitis——the_vivavoce_
　　story—teller’s——andarareoneamongthenationsofEurope.
　　Christiehadnotlearneditinaday;whenshebegan，sheusedtotellthemliketheotherNewhavenpeople，withanobleimpartialityofdetail，wearisometothehearer.
　　Butlatterlyshehadlearnedtoseizethesalientpartsofanarrative;
　　hervoicehadcompass，and，likeallfinespeakers，shetraveledoveragreatmanynotesinspeaking;herlowtonesweregorgeouslyrich，heruppertonesfullandsweet;allthis，andherbeauty，madethehoursshegavehimverysweettoourpoorartist.
　　Hewaswonttobaskinhermusic，andtellherinreturnhowhelovedher，andhowhappytheywerebothtobeassoonashehadacquiredaname，foranamewaswealth，hetoldher.AndalthoughChristieJohnstonedidnotlethimseehowmuchshetookallthistoheartandbelievedit，itwasassweetmusictoherasherownhoneysucklebreathtohim.
　　Sheimprovedhim.
　　Hedroppedcigars，andmedicalstudents，andsimilarabominations.
　　Christie’scool，freshbreath，asshehungoverhimwhilepainting，suggestedtohimthatsmokingmight，peradventure，beasinagainstnatureaswellasagainstcleanliness.
　　Andheimprovedher;shelearnedfromarttolookintonature（theusualprocessofmind）.
　　Shehadnoticedtoolittletheflickeringgoldoftheleavesatevening，thepurplehills，andtheshiftingstoriesandgloriesofthesky;butnow，whatevershesawhimtrytoimitate，shelearnedtoexamine.Shewasawoman，andadmiredsunset，etc.，forthisboy’ssake，andherwholeheartexpandedwithanewsensationthatsoftenedhermannertoalltheworld，andbrightenedherpersonalrays.
　　Thischarmingpictureofmutualaffectionhadhithertobeenadmiredonlybythosewhofiguredinit.
　　Butavisitorhadnowarrivedonpurposetoinspectit，etc.，attractedbyreport.
　　AfriendhadconsideratelyinformedMrs.Gatty，theartist’smother，andshehadinstantlystartedfromNewcastle.
　　ThiswastheoldladyChristiediscoveredonthestairs.
　　Hersuddenappearancetookherson’sbreathaway.
　　Nohumaneventwaslesslikelythanthatsheshouldbethere，yetthereshewas.
　　Afterthefirstsurpriseandaffectionategreetings，amisgivingcrossedhim，"shemustknowaboutthewrit"——itwasimpossible;butourmindsaresoconstituted——whenweareguilty，wefearthatothersknowwhatweknow.NowGattywasparticularlyanxioussheshouldnotknowaboutthiswrit，forhehadincurredthedebtbyactingagainstheradvice.
　　LastyearhecommencedapictureinwhichwasDurhamCathedral;hismotherbadehimstayquietlyathome，andpaintthecathedralanditsbanksfromaprint，"asanyotherpainterwould，"observedshe.
　　Butthiswasnotthelad’ssystem;hespentfivemonthsonthespot，andpaintedhispicture，buthehadtoborrowsixtypoundstodothis;theconditionofthisloanwas，thatinsixmonthsheshouldeitherpayeightypounds，orfinishandhandoveracertainhalf—finishedpicture.
　　Hedidneither;hisnewsubjectthrustasidehisoldone，andhehadnomoney，ergo，hisfriend，apicture—dealer，whohadfoundartistsslipperyinmoneymatters，followedhimupsharp，aswesee.
　　"Thereisnothingthematter，Ihope，mother.Whatisit？"
　　"I’mtired，Charles."Hebroughtheraseat;shesatdown.
　　"IdidnotcomefromNewcastle，atmyage，fornothing;youhaveformedanimproperacquaintance."
　　"I，who？IsitJackAdams？"
　　"WorsethananyJackAdams！"
　　"Whocanthatbe？Jenkyns，mother，becausehedoesthesamethingsasJack，andpretendstobereligious."
　　"Itisafemale——afishwife.Oh，myson！"
　　"ChristieJohnstoneanimproperacquaintance，"saidhe;"why！IwasgoodfornothingtillIknewher;shehasmademesogood，mother;sosteady，soindustrious;youwillneverhavetofindfaultwithmeagain."
　　"Nonsense——awomanthatsellsfishinthestreets！"
　　"Butyouhavenotseenher.Sheisbeautiful，hermindisnotinfish;
　　hermindgraspsthebeautifulandthegood——sheisacompanionforprinces！WhatamIthatshewastesathoughtorarayofmusiconme？
　　Heavenblessher.Shereadsourbestauthors，andneverforgetsaword;
　　andshetellsmebeautifulstories——sometimestheymakemecry，forhervoiceisamusicthatgoesstraighttomyheart."
　　"Awomanthatdoesnotevenweartheclothesofalady."
　　"Itistheonlygenuinecostumeintheseislandsnotbeneathapainter’snotice."
　　"Lookatme，Charles;atyourmother."
　　"Yes，mother，"saidhe，nervously.
　　"Youmustpartwithher，orkillme."
　　Hestartedfromhisseatandbegantoflutterupanddowntheroom;poorexcitablecreature."Partwithher！"criedhe;"IshallneverbeapainterifIdo;whatistokeepmyheartwarmwhenthesunishid，whenthebirdsaresilent，whendifficultylooksamountainandsuccessamolehill？Whatisanartistwithoutlove？Howishetobearupagainsthisdisappointmentsfromwithin，hismortificationfromwithout？thegreatideashehasandcannotgrasp，andalltheformsofignorancethatstinghim，fromstupidinsensibilitydowntoclever，shallowcriticism？"
　　"Comebacktocommonsense，"saidtheoldlady，coldlyandgrimly.
　　Helookeduneasy.Commonsensehadoftenbeenquotedagainsthim，andcommonsensehadalwaysprovedright.
　　"Comebacktocommonsense.Sheshallnotbeyourmistress，andshecannotbearyourname;youmustpartsomeday，becauseyoucannotcometogether，andnowisthebesttime."
　　"Notbetogether？allourlives，allourlives，ay，"criedhe，risingintoenthusiasm，"hundredsofyearstocomewillwetwobetogetherbeforemen’seyes——Iwillbeanimmortalpainter，thattheworldandtimemaycherishthefeaturesIhaveloved.Iloveher，mother，"addedhe，withatearfultendernessthatoughttohavereachedawoman’sheart;
　　thenflushing，trembling，andinspired，heburstout，"AndIwishIwasasculptorandapoettoo，thatChristiemightliveinstoneandverse，aswellascolors，andallwholoveanartmightsay，’Thiswomancannotdie，CharlesGattylovedher.’"
　　Helookedinherface;hecouldnotbelieveanycreaturecouldbeinsensibletohislove，andpersisttorobhimofit.
　　Theoldwomanpaused，tolethiseloquenceevaporate.
　　Thepausechilledhim;thengentlyandslowly，butemphatically，shespoketohimthus：
　　"Whohaskeptyouonhersmallmeanseversinceyouweretenyearsandsevenmonthsold？"
　　"Youshouldknow，mother，dearmother."
　　"Answerme，Charles."
　　"Mymother."
　　"Whohaspinchedherself，ineveryearthlything，tomakeyouanimmortalpainter，and，aboveall，agentleman？"
　　"Mymother."
　　"Whoforgaveyouthelittlefaultsofyouth，beforeyoucouldaskpardon？"
　　"Mymother！Oh，mother，IaskpardonnowforallthetroubleIevergavethebest，thedearest，thetenderestofmothers."
　　"WhowillgohometoNewcastle，abroken—heartedwoman，withtheonehopegonethathaskeptherupinpovertyandsorrowsomanywearyyears，ifthisgoeson？"
　　"Nobody，Ihope."
　　"Yes，Charles;yourmother."
　　"Oh，mother;youhavebeenalwaysmybestfriend."
　　"Andamthisday."
　　"Donotbemyworstenemynow.Itisformetoobeyyou;butitisforyoutothinkwellbeforeyoudrivemetodespair."
　　Andthepoorwomanishheartleanedhisheadonthetable，andbegantosorrowoverhishardfate.
　　Mrs.Gattysoothedhim."Itneednotbedoneallinamoment.Itmustbedonekindly，butfirmly.Iwillgiveyouasmuchtimeasyoulike."
　　Thisbaittook;theweaklovetotemporize.
　　ItisdoubtfulwhetherhehonestlyintendedtopartwithChristieJohnstone;buttopacifyhismotherhepromisedtobeginandgraduallyuntietheknot.
　　"Mymotherwillgo，"whisperedhisdeceitfulheart，"and，whensheisaway，perhapsIshallfindoutthatinspiteofeveryeffortIcannotresignmytreasure."
　　Hegaveasortofhalf—promiseforthesakeofpeace.
　　Hismotherinstantlysenttotheinnforherboxes.
　　"Thereisaroominthissamehouse，"saidshe，"Iwilltakeit;Iwillnothurryyou，butuntilitisdone，Istayhere，ifitisatwelvemonthabout."
　　Heturnedpale.
　　"AndnowhearthegoodnewsIhavebroughtyoufromNewcastle."
　　Oh！theselittleironwills，howisagreatartisttofightthreehundredandsixty—fivedaysagainstsuchanantagonist？
　　Everydaysawarepetitionofthesedialogues，inwhichgeniusmadegallantburstsintotheair，andstrong，hardsensecaughthimonhisdescent，anddabbedglueonhisgauzywings.
　　Oldageandyouthseelifesodifferently.Toyouth，itisastory—book，inwhichwearetocommandtheincidents，andbethebrightexceptionstooneruleafteranother.
　　Toageitisanalmanac，inwhicheverythingwillhappenjustasithashappenedsomanytimes.
　　Toyouth，itisapaththroughasunnymeadow.
　　Toage，ahardturnpike：
　　Whosetravelersmustbeallsweatanddust，whentheyarenotinmudanddrenched：
　　Whichwantsmendinginmanyplaces，andismendedwithsharpstones.
　　GattywouldnotyieldtogodowntoNewhavenandtakeastepagainsthislove，butheyieldedsofarastoremainpassive，andseewhetherthiscreaturewasnecessarytohisexistenceornot.Mrs.G.scoutedtheidea.
　　"Hewastowork，andhewouldsoonforgether."Poorboy！hewantedtowork;hisdebtweighedonhim;aweek’sresolutelabormightfinishhisfirstpictureandsatisfyhiscreditor.Thesubjectwasaninterior.Hesettowork，hestucktowork，hegluedtowork，hisbody——buthisheart？
　　Ah，mypoorfellow，amuchslowerhorsethanGattywillgobyyou，riddenasyouarebyaleadenheart.
　　TunihilinvitafaciespingesveMinerva.
　　Itwouldnotloweramechanicaldog’sefforts，butitmustyours.
　　Hewasunhappy.Heheardonlyonesidefordays;thatsidewasrecommendedbyhisduty，filialaffection，anddiffidenceofhisowngoodsense.
　　Hewasbroughttoseehisproceedingswereeccentric，andthatitisdestructiontobeeccentric.
　　Hewasmadealittleashamedofwhathehadbeenproudof.
　　Hewasconfusedandperplexed;hehardlyknewwhattothinkordo;hecollapsed，andallhisspiritwasfastleavinghim，andthenhefeltinclinedtoleanonthefirstthinghecouldfind，andnothingcametohandbuthismother.
　　Meantime，ChristieJohnstonewasalsothinkingofhim，buthersingleanxietywastofindthiseightypoundsforhim.
　　ItisaNewhavenideathatthefemaleisthenaturalprotectorofthemale，andthisideawasstrengthenedinhercase.
　　Shedidnotfullycomprehendhischaracterandtemperament，butshesaw，byinstinct，thatshewastobetheprotector.Besides，asshewastwenty—one，andheonlytwenty—two，shefeltthedifferencebetweenherself，awoman，andhim，aboy，andtoleavehimtostruggleunaidedoutofhisdifficultiesseemedtoherheartless.
　　Twicesheopenedherlipstoengagethecharitable"vilecount"inhiscause，butshameclosedthemagain;thiswouldbeaskingapersonalfavor，andoneonsolargeascale.
　　Severaldayspassedthus;shehaddeterminednottovisithimwithoutgoodnews.
　　Shethenbegantobesurprised，sheheardnothingfromhim.
　　Andnowshefeltsomethingthatpreventedhercallingonhim.
　　ButJeanCarniewastobemarried，andthenextdaytheweddingpartyweretospendinfestivityupontheislandofInchCoombe.
　　ShebadeJeancallonhim，and，withoutmentioningher，invitehimtothisparty，fromwhich，hemustknow，shewouldnotbeabsent.
　　JeanCarnieenteredhisapartment，andatherentrancehismother，whotookforgrantedthiswashissweetheart，whisperedinhisearthatheshouldnowtakethefirststep，andlefthim.
　　WhatpassedbetweenJeanCarnieandCharlesGattyisforanotherchapter.
　　CHAPTERIX.
　　AYOUNGviscountwithincomeandpersoncannotlie_perdu_threemilesfromEdinburgh.
　　Firstonediscovershim，thenanother，thentwenty，thenalltheworld，asthewholecliqueismodestlycalled.
　　Before，however，LordIpsdenwascaught，hehadacquiredabrownertint，amoreelasticstep，andastouterheart.
　　TheAberfordprescriptionhaddonewondersforhim.
　　HecaughthimselfpassingonewholedaywithoutthinkingofLadyBarbaraSinclair.
　　ButevenAberfordhadmisledhim;therewerenoadventurestobefoundintheFirthofForth;mostofthedaystherewasnowindtospeakof;twiceitblewgreatguns，andthemenweresurprisedathislordshipgoingout，butnobodywasinanydangerexcepthimself;thefishermenhadallslippedintoportbeforematterswereserious.
　　Hefoundthemerchantmenthatcouldsailcreepingonwiththreereefsintheirmainsail;andtheDutchmenlyingtoandbreastingit，likeducksinapond，andwithnomorechanceofharm.
　　Ononeoftheseoccasionshedidobservealittlesteam—tug，goingaboutaknotanhour，androllinglikeawashing—tub.Herandowntoher，andaskedifhecouldassisther;sheanswered，throughthemediumofasootyanimalatherhelm，thatshewas（likeouruniversities）"satisfiedwithherownprogress";sheadded，beingunderintoxication，"that，ifanydangerexisted，herschemewastodrownitinthebo—o—owl;"andtwodaysafterwardhesawherpuffingandpanting，andfiercelydraggingagiganticthree—deckeroutintodeepwater，likeanindustriousfleapullinghisphaeton.
　　AndnowitismyofficetorelatehowMr.FluckerJohnstonecomportedhimselfononeoccasion.
　　AstheyachtworkedalongsideGrantonPier，beforerunningout，thesaidFluckercalmlyandscientificallydrewhislordship’sattentiontothreepoints：
　　Thedirectionofthewind——theforceofthewind——andhisopinion，asapersonexperiencedintheFirth，thatitwasgoingtobeworseinsteadofbetter;inreply，hereceivedanordertostepforwardtohisplaceinthecutter——theimmediatevicinityofthejib—boom.Onthis，Mr.Fluckerinstantlyburstintotears.
　　Hislordship，or，asFluckercalledhimeversincetheyachtcamedown，"theskipper，"deemingthatthehigherappellation，inquired，withsomesurprise，whatwasthematterwiththeboy.
　　Oneofthecrew，who，bytheby，squinted，suggested，"Itwasaslightillustrationofthepassionoffear."
　　Fluckerconfirmedthetheorybygulpingout："We’llneverseeNewhavenagain."
　　Onthistheskippersmiled，andorderedhimashore，somewhatperemptorily.
　　Straightwayhebegantohowl，and，saying，"Itwasbettertobedrownedthanbethelaughing—stockoftheplace，"wentforwardtohisplace;onhissafereturntoport，thisyounggentlemanwasverysevereonopenboats，which，hesaid"bredwomanishnotionsinheartsnaturallydauntless.Givemealidtothepot，"addedhe，"andI’llsailwithOldNick，letthewindblowhighorlow."
　　TheAberfordwaswrongwhenhecalledloveacutaneousdisorder.
　　Therearecutaneousdisordersthattakethatname，buttheyarenomorelovethanverseispoetry;
　　Thanpatriotismisloveofcountry;
　　Thantheologyisreligion;
　　Thanscienceisphilosophy;
　　Thanpaintingsarepictures;
　　Thanrecitingontheboardsisacting;
　　ThanphysicismedicineThanbreadisbread，orgoldgold——inshops.
　　Loveisastateofbeing;thebelovedobjectisourcenter;andourthoughts，affections，schemesandselvesmovebutroundit.
　　Wemaydivergehitherorthither，butthegoldenthreadstillholdsus.
　　Isfairordarkbeautythefairest？Theworldcannotdecide;butloveshalldecideinamoment.
　　Ahalosurroundsherwelove，andmakesbeautifultoushermovements，herlooks，hervirtues，herfaults，hernonsense，heraffectationandherself;andthat’slove，doctor！
　　LordIpsdenwascapableoflovinglikethis;but，todoLadyBarbarajustice，shehaddonemuchtofreezethegermofnoblepassion;shehadnotkilled，butshehadbenumbedit.
　　"Saunders，"saidLordIpsden，onemorningafterbreakfast，"haveyouenteredeverythinginyourdiary？"
　　"Yes，mylord."
　　"Allthesegoodpeople’smisfortunes？"
　　"Yes，mylord."
　　"Doyouthinkyouhavespelledtheirnamesright？"
　　"Whereitwasimpossible，mylord，IsubstitutedanEnglishappellation，hidenticalinmeaning."
　　"HaveyouenteredanddescribedmyfirstinterviewwithChristieJohnstone，andsomebodysomething？"
　　"Mostminutely，mylord."
　　"HowIturnedMr.Burkeintopoetry——howshelistenedwithhereyesallglistening——howtheymademetalk——howshedroppedatear，he！he！he！atthedeathofthefirstbaron——howshockedshewasatthekingstrikinghimwhenhewasdying，tomakeaknight—banneretofthepooroldfellow？"
　　"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheparticularsexactlyrelated，"saidSaunders，withdrypomp.
　　"Howshefoundoutthattitlesarebutbreath——howIanswered——somenonsense？"
　　"Yourlordshipwillfindallthetopicsincluded."
　　"Howshetookmeforamadman？Andyouforaprig？"
　　"Thelattercircumstanceeludedmymemory，mylord."
　　"ButwhenItoldherImustrelieveonlyonepoorpersonbyday，shetookmyhand."
　　"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheitemsrealizedinthisbook，mylord."
　　"Whatabeautifulbook！"
　　"Albaareconsiderablyameliorated，mylord."
　　"Alba？"
　　"Pluralofalbum，mylord，"explainedtherefinedfactotum，"moredelicate，Iconceive，thanthevulgarreading."
　　ViscountIpsdenreadfrom"MR.SAUNDERS’SALBUM.
　　"Toillustratetheineleganceoftheinferiorclasses，twojuvenilevendersofthepiscatorytribewerethisdayusheredin，andinstantaneously，withouttheaccustomedpreliminaries，plungedintoafamiliarconversationwithLordViscountIpsden.
　　"Theirvulgarity，shockingandrepulsivetomyself，appearedtoaffordhislordshipasatisfactiongreaterthanhederivesfromthegracefulamenitiesoffashionableassociation——"
　　~"Saunders，Isuspectyouofsomething."
　　"Me，mylord！"
　　"Yes.Writinginanannual."
　　"Ido，mylord，"saidhe，withbenignant_hauteur._"Itappearseverymonth——_ThePolytechnic."_
　　"Ithoughtso！youarepolysyllabic，Saunders;_enroute！"_
　　~"InthishallucinationIfinditdifficulttoparticipate;associatedfrominfancywiththearistocracy，Ishrink，likethesensitiveplant，fromcontactwithanythingvulgar."
　　~"Isee！Ibegintounderstandyou，Saunders.Orderthedog—cart，andWordsworth’smareforleader;we’llgiveheratrial.Youareanass，Saunders."
　　"Yes，mylord;IwillorderRoberttotellJamestocomeforyourlordship’scommandsaboutyourlordship’svehicles.（Whatcouldheintendbyarecentobservationofadiscourteouscharacter？）"
　　Hislordshipsoliloquized.
　　"Ineverobserveditbefore，butSaundersisanass！LaJohnstoneisoneofNature’sduchesses，andshehasmademeknowsomepoorpeoplethatwillbericherthantherichoneday;andshehastaughtmethathoneyistobegotfrombank—notes——bymerelygivingthemaway."
　　AmongtheobjectsofcharityLordIpsdendiscoveredwasoneThomasHarvey，amakerandplayeroftheviolin.Thismanwasapersonofgreatintellect;hemasteredeverysubjectheattacked.Byacarefulexaminationofallthepointsthatvariousfine—tonedinstrumentshadincommon，hehadarrivedatatheoryofsound;hemadeviolinstocorrespond，andwasremarkablysuccessfulininsuringthatwhichhadbeentoohastilyascribedtoaccident——afinetone.
　　Thisman，whowasinneedycircumstances，demonstratedtohislordshipthattenpoundswouldmakehisfortune;becausewithtenpoundshecouldsetupashop，insteadofworkingoutoftheworld’ssightinaroom.
　　LordIpsdengavehimtenpounds！
　　Aweekafter，hemetHarvey，moreraggedanddirtythanbefore.
　　Harveyhadbeenrobbedbyafriendwhomhehadassisted.PoorHarvey！
　　LordIpsdengavehimtenpoundsmore！
　　Nextweek，Saunders，enteringHarvey’shouse，foundhiminbedatnoon，becausehehadnoclothestowear.
　　Saunderssuggestedthatitwouldbebettertogivehiswifethenextmoney，withstrictorderstoapplyitusefully.
　　Thiswasdone！
　　Thenextday，Harvey，findinghisclothesuponachair，histoolsredeemedfrompawn，andabeefsteakreadyforhisdinner，accusedhiswifeofhavingmoney，andmeanlyrefusinghimthebenefitofit.Sheacknowledgedshehadalittle，andappealedtotheimprovedstateofthingsasaproofthatsheknewbetterthanhetheuseofmoney.Hedemandedthesaidmoney.Sherefused——heleatheredher——sheputhiminprison.
　　Thiswasthebestplaceforhim.Themanwasadrunkard，andalltherichesofEgyptwouldneverhavemadehimbetteroff.
　　Andhere，gentlemenofthelowerclasses，awordwithyou.Howcanyou，withyoursmallincomes，hopetobewelloff，ifyouaremoreextravagantthanthosewhohavelargeones？
　　"Usextravagant？"youreply.
　　Yes！yourincomeistenshillingsaweek;outofthatyouspendthreeshillingsindrink;ay！you，thesoberones.Youcan’taffordit，myboys.Findmeamanwhoseincomeisathousandayear;well，ifheimitatesyou，andspendsthreehundreduponsensuality，Ibetyoutheoddsevenhundredhedoesnotmakebothendsmeet;theproportionistoogreat.And_two—thirdsofthedistressofthelowerordersisowingtothis——thattheyaremoremadlyprodigalthantherich;intheworst，lowestandmostdangerousitemofallhumanprodigality！_
　　LordIpsdenwenttoseeMrs.Harvey;itcosthimmuchtogo;shelivedintheOldTown，andhehateddisagreeablesmells;healsoknewfromSaundersthatshehadtwoblackeyes，andhehatedwomenwithblackeyesofthatsort.Butthisgoodcreaturedidgo;didrelieveMrs.Harvey;
　　and，bare—headed，sufferedhimselftobebedewedtenminutesbyhertearfultwaddle.
　　ForonceVirtuewasrewarded.ReturningovertheNorthBridge，hemetsomebodywhombutforhischarityhewouldnothavemet.
　　Hecameinonebrightmomentplumpupon——LadyBarbaraSinclair.Sheflushed，hetrembled，andintwominuteshehadforgotteneveryhumaneventthathadpassedsincehewasbyherside.
　　Sheseemedpleasedtoseehim，too;sheignoredentirelyhisobnoxiousproposal;hewiselytookhercue，andso，onthissecretunderstanding，theywerefriends.Hemadehisarrangements，anddinedwithherfamily.
　　Itwasafamilyparty.IntheeveningLadyBarbaraallowedittotranspirethatshehadmadeinquiriesabouthim.
　　（Hewashighlyflattered.）Andshehaddiscoveredhewaslyinghidsomewhereintheneighborhood.
　　"Studyingtheguitar？"inquiredshe.
　　"No，"saidhe，"studyinganewclassofthecommunity.Doyouknowanyofwhattheycallthe’lowerclasses’？"
　　"Yes."
　　"Monstrousagreeablepeople，aretheynot？"
　　"No，verystupid！Ionlyknowtwooldwomen——excepttheservants，whohavenocharacters.Theyimitateus，Isuspect，whichdoesnotsaymuchfortheirtaste."
　　"Butsomeofmyfriendsareyoungwomen;thatmakesallthedifference."
　　"Itdoes！andyououghttobeashamed.Ifyouwantaloworderofmind，whydesertourowncircle？"
　　"Myfriendsareonlylowinstation;theyhaveratherloftyminds，someofthem."
　　"Well，amuseyourselfwiththeseloftyminds.Amusementistheendofbeing，youknow，andtheaimofallthemenofthisday."
　　"Weimitatetheladies，"saidhe，slyly.
　　"Youdo，"answeredshe，verydryly;andsothedialoguewenton，andLordIpsdenfoundthepleasureofbeingwithhiscousincompensatehimfullyforthedifferenceoftheiropinions;infact，hefounditsimplyamusingthatsokeenawitashiscousinsscouldbeentrappedintothehumorofdecryingthetimeonehappenstolivein，andadmiringanyepochoneknowsnexttonothingabout，andentrappedbythenotionofitsoriginality，aboveallthings;theideabeingthestalecommonplaceofassesineveryage，andthemannerofconveyingtheideabeingamereimitationoftheGermanwriters，notthegoodones，_bienentendu，_butthequill—drivers，thesnobsoftheTeutonicpen.
　　Buthewastolearnthatfolliesarenotalwayslaughable，that_eademsentire_isabond，andthat，whenacleverandprettywomanchoosestobeafool，herlover，ifheiswise，willbeagreater——ifhecan.
　　Thenexttimetheymet，LordIpsdenfoundLadyBarbaraoccupiedwithagentlemanwhosefirstsentenceproclaimedhimapupilofMr.ThomasCarlyle，andhehadthemortificationtofindthatshehadneitheranearnoraneyeforhim.
　　Humanopinionhassomanyshadesthatitisraretofindtwopeopleagree.
　　Buttwopeoplemayagreewonderfully，iftheywillbutletathirdthinkforthemboth.
　　Thusitwasthatthesetworansosmoothlyincouples.
　　Antiquity，theyagreed，wasthetimewhentheworldwasold，itshairgray，itsheadwise.Everyonethatsaid，"Lord，Lord！"twohundredyearsagowasaChristian.Therewerenoearnestmennow;Williams，themissionary，wholivedanddiedfortheGospel，wasnotearnestinreligion;butCromwell，whopackedajury，andsomurderedhisprisoner——Cromwell，inwhosemouthwasheaven，andinhishearttemporalsovereignty——wasthepatternofearnestreligion，or，atallevents，secondinsinceritytoMahometalone，intheabsenceofdetailsrespectingSatan，ofwhomweknowonlythathismouthisaScriptureconcordance，andhishandsthehandsofMr.Carlyle’ssaints.
　　Thentheywentbackacenturyortwo，andwereeloquentaboutthegreatantiqueheart，andthebeautyofanagewhosesampleswereAbbotSampsonandJoanofArc.
　　LordIpsdenhatedargument;butjealousyisabrassspur，itmadeeventhismanfluentforonce.
　　Hesuggested"thatfivehundredyearsaddedtoaworld’slifemadeitjustfivehundredyearsolder，notyounger——andifolder，grayer——andifgrayer，wiser.
　　"OfAbbotSampson，"saidhe，"whomIconfessbothagreatandagoodman，hisauthor，whowithallhistalentbelongstotheclassmuddle—head，tellsusthatwhenhehadbeentwoyearsinauthorityhisredhairhadturnedgray，fightingagainstthespiritofhisage;howthedeuce，then，couldhebeasampleofthespiritofhisage？
　　"JoanofArcwasburnedbyacclamationofherage，andisadmiredbyourage.Whichfactidentifiesanagemostwithaheroine，togiveheryourheart，ortogiveherablazingfagotanddeath？"
　　"AbbotSampsonandJoanofArc，"concludedhe，"provenomoreinfavoroftheirage，andnolessagainstit，thanLotdoesfororagainstSodom.
　　LotwasinSodom，butnotofit;andsowereSampsonandJoanin，butnotof，thevillainoustimestheylivedin.
　　"Theverybesttext—bookoftruereligionistheNewTestament，andI
　　gatherfromit，thatthemanwhoforgiveshisenemieswhiletheiraxdescendsonhishead，howeverpooracreaturehemaybeinotherrespects，isabetterChristianthanthemanwhohastheGodofMercyforeveronhislips，andwhosehandsareswifttoshedblood.
　　"Theearnestmenofformeragesarenotextinctinthis，"addedhe.
　　"Wheneverascaffoldiserectedoutsideaprison—door，ifyouareearnestinpursuitoftruth，andcanputupwithdisgustingobjects，youshallseearelicofancientmannershanged.
　　"Therestillexist，inpartsofAmerica，riversonwhosebanksareearnestmenwhoshalltakeyourscalp，thewife’sofyourbosom，andtheinnocentchild’sofherbosom.
　　"InEnglandweareasearnestaseverinpursuitofheaven，andofinnocentworldlyadvantages.If，whentheconsiderationoflifeanddeathinterposes，weappearlessearnestinpursuitofcomparativetriflessuchaskingdomsordogmas，itisbecausecoolerinactionwearemoreearnestinthought——becausereason，experience，andconsciencearethingsthatchecktheunscrupulousnessorbeastlyearnestnessofman.
　　"Moreover，hewhohasthesensetoseethatquestionshavethreesidesisnolongersointellectuallyaswellasmorallydegradedastobeabletocuteverythroatthatuttersanopinioncontrarytohisown.
　　"Ifthephrase’earnestman’meansmanimitatingthebeaststhataredeaftoreason，itistobehopedthatcivilizationandChristianitywillreallyextinguishthewholeraceforthebenefitoftheearth."
　　LordIpsdensucceededinannoyingthefairtheorist，butnotinconvincingher.
　　Themediaevalenthusiastslookedonhimassomeroughanimalthathadburstintosacredgroundsunconsciously，andgraduallyedgedawayfromhim.
　　CHAPTERX.
　　LORDIPSDENhadsoonthemortificationofdiscoveringthatthisMr.————
　　wasaconstantvisitoratthehouse;and，althoughhiscousingavehimherearinthisman’sabsence，onthearrivalofherfellow—enthusiasthehadeverthemortificationoffindinghimself_detrop._
　　Onceortwicehedemolishedthispersonageinargument，andwasrewardedbyfindinghimselfmore_detrop._
　　ButonedayLadyBarbara，beinginacousinlyhumor，expressedawishtosailinhislordship’syacht，andthishintsoonledtoapartybeingorganized，andasortofpicnicontheislandofInchCoombe;hislordship’scutterbeingthemodeofconveyancetoandfromthatspot.
　　NowithappenedonthatverydayJeanCarnie’smarriagewascelebratedonthatveryislandbyherrelationsandfriends.
　　SothatweshallintroduceourreaderstoTHERIVALPICNICS.
　　Webeginwith_Lesgenscommeilfaut._
　　PICNICNO.1.
　　Theservantswereemployedinputtingawaydishesintohampers.
　　Therewasacalmsilence."Hem！"observedSirHenryTalbot.
　　"Eh？"repliedtheHonorableTomHitherington.
　　"Mamma，"saidMissVere，"haveyoubroughtanywork？"
　　"No，mydear."
　　"Atapicnic，"saidMr.Hitherington，isn’titthethingforsomebody——aw——todosomething？"
　　"Ipsden，"saidLadyBarbara，"thereisanunderstanding_between_youandMr.Hitherington.IcondemnyoutoturnhimintoEnglish."
　　"Yes，LadyBarbara;I’lltellyou，hemeans———doyoumeananything，Tom？"
　　_Hitherington._"Can’tanybodyguesswhatImean？"
　　_LadyBarbara._"Guessfirstyourself，youcan’tbesuspectedofbeinginthesecret."
　　_Hither._"WhatImeanis，thatpeoplesingasong，orrunraces，orpreachasermon，ordosomethingfunnyatapicnic——aw——somebodygetsupanddoessomething."
　　_LadyBar._"ThenperhapsMissVere，whosesingingisfamous，willhavethecomplaisancetosingtous."
　　_MissVere._"Ishouldbehappy，LadyBarbara，butIhavenotbroughtmymusic."
　　_LadyBar._"Oh，wearenotcritical;thesimplestair，orevenafragmentofmelody;theseaandtheskywillbeabetteraccompanimentthanBroadwoodevermade."
　　_MissV._"Ican’tsinganotewithoutbook."
　　_SirH.Talbot._"Yourmusicisinyoursoul——notatyourfingers’ends."
　　_LordIpsden，toLadyBar._"Itisinherbook，andnotinhersoul."
　　_LadyBar.，toLordIps._"Thenithaschosenthebettersituationofthetwo."
　　_Ips._"MissVereistothefineartofmusicwhattheengrossersaretotheblackartoflaw;itallfiltersthroughthemwithoutleavinganysediment;andsothemusicofthedaypassesthroughMissVere’smind，butnoneremains——tostainitsvirginsnow."
　　Hebows，shesmiles.
　　_LadyBar.，toherself._"Insolent.Andthelittleduncethinksheiscomplimentingher."
　　_Ips._"PerhapsTalbotwillcometoourrescue——heisafiddler."
　　_Tal._"Anamateuroftheviolin."
　　_Ips._"Itisallthesamething."
　　_LadyBar._"Iwishitmayproveso."
　　[Note：originalhasmusicnotationhere]
　　_MissV._"Beautiful."
　　_Mrs.Vere._"Charming."
　　_Hither._"Superb！"
　　_Ips._"Youareawarethatgoodmusicisathingtobeweddedtoimmortalverse，shallIreciteabitofpoetrytomatchTalbot’sstrain？"
　　_MissV._"Oh，yes！hownice."
　　_Ips.（rhetorically）._"A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.P.
　　Q.R.S.T.U.V.W.X.Y.Z.Y.X.W.V.U.T.S.O.N.M.L.K.J.I.
　　H.G.F.A.M.littlep.littlet."
　　_LadyBar._"Beautiful！Superb！Ipsdenhasbeentakinglessonsonthethinkinginstrument."
　　_Hither._"Hehasbeen_perdu_amongvulgarpeople."
　　_Tal._"AndexpectsapupilofHerztoplayhimtunes！"
　　_LadyBar._"Whataretunes，SirHenry？"
　　_Tal._"SomethingIdon’tplay，LadyBarbara."
　　_LadyBar._"Iunderstandyou;somethingweoughttolike."
　　_Ips._"IhaveaStradivariusviolinathome.Itisyours，Talbot，ifyoucandefineatune."
　　_Tal._"Atuneis——everybodyknowswhat."
　　_LadyBar._"Atuneisatune，thatiswhatyoumeanttosay."
　　_Tal._"Ofcourseitis."
　　_LadyBar._"Bereasonable，Ipsden;nomancandotwothingsatonce;howcanthepupilofHerzcondemnathingandknowwhatitmeanscontemporaneously？"
　　_Ips._"Isthedrinking—songin’DerFreischutz’atune？"
　　_LadyBar._"Itis."
　　_Ips._"AndthemelodiesofHandel，aretheytunes？"
　　_LadyBar.（pathetically）._"Theyare！Theyare！"
　　_Ips._"Andthe’RussianAnthem，’andthe’Marseillaise，’and’Ah，Perdona’？"
　　_Tal._"And’YankeeDoodle’？"
　　_LadyBar._"SothatSirHenry，whopridedhimselfonhisignorance，hasawidefieldforitsdominion.
　　_Tal._"Allgoodviolinplayersdolikeme;theyprelude，notplaytunes."
　　_Ips._"ThenHeavenbethankedforourblindfiddlers.Youlikesyllablesofsoundinunmeaningrotation，andyoudespiseitswords，itspurposes，itsnarrativefeats;carryoutyourprinciple，itwillshowyouwhereyouare.Buyadirtypaletteforapicture，anddreamthealphabetisapoem."
　　_LadyBar.，toherself._"IsthismycousinRichard？"
　　_Hither._"Mind，Ipsden，youareamanofproperty，andtherearesuchthingsascommissions_delunatico."_
　　_LadyBar._"Hisdefensewillbethathisfriendspronouncedhiminsane.
　　_Ips._"No;IshallsubpoenaTalbot’sfiddle，cross—examinationwillgetnothingoutofthatbut，do，re，mi，fa."
　　_LadyBar._"Yes，itwill;fa，mi，re，do."
　　_Tal._"Violin，ifyouplease."
　　_LadyBar._"AskFiddle’spardon，directly."
　　_Soundoffiddlesisheardinthedistance._
　　_Tal._"Howluckyforyou，therearefiddlesandtunes，andthenativesyouaresaidtofavor，whynotjointhem？"
　　_Ips.（shakinghisheadsolemnly）._"Idreadtoencounteranotherprelude."
　　_Hither._"Come，Iknowyouwouldlikeit;itisawedding—party——twoseamonstershavebeenunited.Thesailorsandfishermenareallblueclothandwash—leathergloves."
　　_MissV._"He！he！"
　　_Tal._"Thefishwivesunitethecolorsoftherainbow——"
　　_LadyBar._"（Andweallknowhowhideoustheyare）——tovulgar，bloomingcheeks，staringwhiteteeth，andsky—blueeyes."
　　_Mrs.V._"Howsatiricalyouare，especiallyyou，LadyBarbara."
　　HereLordIpsden，afterawordtoLadyBarbara，theanswertowhichdidnotappeartobefavorable，rose，gavealittleyawn，lookedsteadilyathiscompanionswithoutseeingthem，anddepartedwithoutseemingawarethathewasleavinganybodybehindhim.