Thewholestorybegantobeputtogetherbybits，andcomprehended.OldJohnstone’sclevernesswasrecalledtomind.
　　ThefewfishermenleftatNewhavenwerereadytokillthemselves.
　　TheirwiveswerereadytodothesamegoodofficeforLaJohnstone.
　　FourIrishmerchantsagreedtoworktogether，andtomakeashowofcompetition，thebettertokeepthepricedownwithinbounds.
　　Itwashardlyfair，fourmenagainstoneinnocentunguardedfemale.
　　Butthisisawickedworld.
　　Christielanded，andproceededtoherownhouse;onthewayshewasmetbyJeanCarnie，whodebarrassedherofcertainwrappers，andahandkerchiefshehadtiedroundherhead，andinformedhershewastheprideofNewhaven.
　　Shenextmetthesefourlittlemerchants，oneafteranother.
　　Andsinceweoughttodwellaslittleaspossibleuponscenesinwhichunguardedinnocenceisexposedtoartfulconspiracies，wewillputapageortwointothebruteformofdramaticdialogue，andsosailthroughitquicker.
　　_1stMerchant._"Whereareyegoing，Meggie？"
　　_ChristieJohnstone._"Ifonybodyasksye，sayyedinnaken."
　　_1stMer._"Willyesellyourfish？"
　　_Christie._"Sunerthangiethem."
　　_1stMer._"Youwillbeaskingfifteenshillin’thecran."
　　_Christie._"Andtentothat."
　　_1stMer._"Good—morning."
　　_2dMer._"Wouldhenotgooverfifteenshillings？Oh，thethiefo’theworld！——I’llgivesixteen."
　　_3dMer._"ButI’llgiveeighteen."
　　_2dMer._"Morefoolyou！Takehimup，mygirl."
　　_Christie._"Twenty—fiveismypricetheday."
　　_3dMer._"YouwillkeepthemtillSundayweekandselltheirbones."
　　_[ExeuntthethreeMerchants.Enter4thMerchant._
　　_4thMer._"Areyourfishsold？I’llgivesixteenshillings."
　　_Christie._"I’mseekingtwenty—five，an’I’mofferedeighteen.
　　_4thMer._"Takeit."_[Exit._
　　_Christie._"Theyhaeputtentheirheadsthegither."
　　HereFluckercameuptoher，andtoldhertherewasaLeithmerchantlookingforher."And，Custy，"saidhe，"there’splentywindgettingup，yourfishwillbesairhashed;putthemoffyourhands，Iredeye."
　　_Christie._"Ay，lad！Flucker，hide，an’whenIplaymyhandsae，ye’llruninancry，’Cirsty，theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellinthecran.’"
　　_Flucker._"Yekenmairthan’sinthecatecheesm，forasreleegiousasyeare."
　　TheLeithmerchantwasMr.Miller，andthisisthewayheworked.
　　_Miller（inamellifluousvoice）._"Areyenofatigued，mydeear？"
　　_Christie（affectingfatigue）._"Indeed，sir，andIam."
　　_Miller._"ShallIhavethepleasuretodealwi’ye？"
　　_Christie._"Ifit’syourpleasure，sir.I’mseekin’twenty—fiveschellin."
　　_Miller（pretendingnottohear）._"Asyouareabeginner，Imustofferfair;twentyschellinyoushallhave，andthat’sthreeshillingsaboveDunbar."
　　_Christie._"Wadyeevencartedherrinwithmyfishcallerfra’thesea？
　　andDunbar——oh，fine！yekenthere’snaeherrinatDunbarthemorn;thisistheDunbarschulethatslippedwestward.I’mthematirket，ye’llhaetobuyo’meorgangtoyourbed"_（hereshesignaledtoFlucker）._"I’llnobeooto’minelang."
　　_EnterFluckerhastily，crying：_"Cirsty，theIrishmanwillgieyetwenty—twoschellin."
　　"I’llnotakit，"saidChristie.
　　"Theyarekeentohaethem，"saidFlucker;andhastilyretired，asiftotreatfurtherwiththesmallmerchants.
　　Onthis，Mr.Miller，pretendingtomakeforLeith，said，carelessly，"Twenty—threeshillings，ortheyarenotforme."
　　"Takthecutter’sfreightatahundre’cran，an’I’mnocaring，"saidChristie.
　　"Theyaremine！"saidMr.Miller，verysharply."HowmuchshallIgiveyoutheday？"
　　"Auchtypund，sir，ifyouplease——thelavewhenyoulike;Ikenye，Mr.
　　Miller."
　　Whilecountingherthenotes，thepurchasersaidslylytoher：
　　"There’smorethanahundredcraninthecutter，mywoman."
　　"Alittle，sir，"repliedthevender;"but，ereIcouldcountthemtillyebybaskets，theywouldlosesevenoreightcraninbook，*yourgain，myloss."
　　*Bulk.
　　"Youareavaraintelligentyoungperson，"saidMr.Miller，gravely.
　　"Yehadmeasuredthemwi’yourwalking—stick，sir;there’sjustaescaleyedidnawipeoff，thoughyeareacarefu’mon，Mr.Miller;saeIlaidthebaitforyean’fineyetookit."
　　Millertookouthissnuff—box，andtappingitsaid：
　　"Willyegointopartnershipwithme，mydear？"
　　"Ay，sir！"wasthereply."WhenI’maulderan’ye’reyounger."
　　Atthismomentthefourmerchants，believingituselesstodisguisetheirco—operation，returnedtoseewhatcouldbedone.
　　"Weshallgiveyouaguineaabarrel."
　　"Why，yeofferedhertwenty—twoshillingsbefore."
　　"Thatweneverdid，Mr.Miller."
　　"Haw！haw！"wentFlucker.
　　Christielookeddownandblushed.
　　Eyesmeteyes，andwithoutawordspokenallwascomprehendedandsilentlyapproved.Therewasnononsenseutteredaboutmoralityinconnectionwithdealing.
　　Mr.Millertookanenormouspinchofsnuff，anddrewforthebenefitofallpresentthefollowinginference：
　　MR.MILLER’SAPOTHEGM.
　　"Friendsandneighbors！whenaman’sheedisgraywithageandthoucht_（pause）_he’sjustfittogotoschuletoayounglasso’twenty."
　　Therewasacertainmiddle—agedfishwife，calledBeenyListon，atenantofChristieJohnstone’s;shehadnotpaidherrentforsometime，andshehadnotbeenpressedforit;whetherthis，orthewhiskyshewasinthehabitoftaking，rankledinhermind，certainitisshehadalwaysanillwordforherlandlady.
　　Shenowmether，enviedhersuccess，andcalledoutinacoarsetone：
　　"Oh，ye’reagallantquean;ye’llbewaurthaneverthenoo."
　　"What’swrang，ifyeplease？"saidtheJohnstone，sharply.
　　Reader，didyoueverseetwofallowbuckscommenceaduel？
　　Theystrutround，eightyardsapart，tailsup，lookcarefullyanotherwaytomaketheotherthinkitallmeansnothing，and，beingbothequallysly，theirhornscometogetherasifbyconcert.
　　Evensocommencedthisdueloftonguesbetweenthesetwoheroines.
　　BeenyListon，lookingateverybodybutChristie，addressedthenativeswhowerecongregatingthus：
　　"Dideveryehearo’adecentlasstakingtheherrin’ooto’themen’smooths？——isyonawoman’spairt，I’maskingye？"
　　Onthis，Christie，lookingcarefullyatalltheothersexceptBeeny，inquiredwithanairofsimplecuriosity：
　　"CanonybodytellmewhaListonCarnie’sdrunkenwifeisspeakin’till？
　　notoonydecentlass，though.Na！yekenshewadnahaeth’impudence！"
　　"Oh，yekenfineI’mspeakin’tillyoursel’."
　　Herethehornsclashedtogether.
　　"Tome，woman？"_（withadmirablyactedsurprise.）_"Oo，ay！itwillbeforthetwayears’rentyou’reawinme.Giest！"
　　_BeenyListon._"Ye’rejusttheimpudentestgirrli’thetoon，an’yehaeprovedittheday"（herarmsakimbo）.
　　_Christie（armsakimbo）._"Me，impudent？howdauryespeakagainstmycharackter，that’skennedfordecencyo’baithsidestheFirrth."
　　_Beeny（contemptuously）._"Oh，ye’reslyenoughtobeguilethemen，butwekenye."
　　_Christie._"I’mnosly，and"_（drawingnearandhissingthewords）_"I’mnolikethewomanJeanan’IsawinRoseStreet，deaddrunkonthecauseway，whilehermonwasworkingforheratsea.Ifye’renobenyourhooseinaeminute，I’llsaythatwillgarListonCarnieflingyeowerthepier—head，yefool—mootheddrunkenleear——Scairt！"*
　　*Alocalword;acorruptionfromtheFrench_Sortez._
　　IfmyreaderhasseenandheardMademoiselleRachelutterherfamous_Sortez，_in"Virginie，"heknowsexactlywithwhatagestureandtonetheJohnstoneutteredthisword.
　　_Beeny（inavoiceofwhiningsurprise）._"Hech！whataspiteFluckerJohnstone’sdochterhastaenagainstus."
　　_Christie._"Scairt！"
　　_Beeny（inacoaxingvoice，andmovingastep）._"Aweel！what’sa’yourpaession，myboennywoman？"
　　_Christie._"Scairt！"
　　Beenyretiredbeforethethunderandlightningofindignantvirtue.
　　Thenallthefishboysstruckupadismalchantofvictory.
　　"Yoo—hoo——Custy’swontheday——Beeny’sscair_tit，"_goinguponthelastsyllable.
　　Christiemovedslowlyawaytowardherownhouse，butbeforeshecouldreachthedoorshebegantowhimper——littlefool.
　　ThereatchorusofyoungAthenianschanted：
　　"Yu—hoo！comeback，Beeny，ye’llmaybewinyet.Custy’sawaygree_tin"_
　　_（goinguponthelastsyllable）._
　　"I’mnogreetin，yerudebairns，"saidChristie，burstingintotears，andretiringassoonasshehadeffectedthatproofofherphilosophy.
　　Itwasaboutfourhourslater;Christiehadsnatchedsomerepose.Thewind，asFluckerprognosticated，hadgrownintoaveryheavygale，andtheFirthwasbrownandboiling.
　　Suddenlyaclamorwasheardontheshore，andsoonafterafishwifemadeherappearance，withratherasingularburden.
　　Herhusband，ladies;_rienquecela._
　　Shehadhimbythescruffoftheneck;hewas_dos—’a—dos，_withhisbootedlegskickingintheair，andhisfistsmakingwarlikebutidledemonstrationsandhismouthutteringineffectualbadlanguage.
　　ThisworthyhadbeencalledacowardbySandyListon，andbeingabouttofightwithhim，andgetthrashed，hiswifehadwhippedhimupandcarriedhimaway;shenowflunghimdown，atsomeriskofhisequilibrium.
　　"Yearenotfittofeichtwi’SandyListon，"saidshe;"ifyeareforfeichtin，here’sforye."
　　Asacommenttothisproposal，shetuckedupthesleevesofhershortgown.Hetriedtorunbyher;shecaughthimbythebosom，andgavehimaviolentpush，thatsenthimseveralpacesbackward;helookedhalffierce，halfastounded;erehecouldquiterecoverhimself，hislittleservantforcedapipeintohishand，andhesmokedcontentedandpeaceable.
　　Beforetobaccotheevilpassionsfall，theytellme.
　　Thecauseofthisquarrelsoonexplaineditself;upcameSandyListon，cursingandswearing.
　　"What！yehaegottentillyourwife’s;that’stheplaceforye;tosaythere’sabrigindistress，andye’lllethergoontherocksunderyournoses.Butwhatareyeafraido’？there’snadanger？"
　　"Naedanger！"saidoneofthereproached，"areyefou？"
　　"Yearefouwi’fearyoursel’;ofa’thebeaststhatcrawltheairth，acoowardistheugliest，Ithink."
　　"Thewifeswillnoletus，"saidone，sulkily.
　　"It’sthewomaninyourhairtsthatkeepsye，"roaredSandyhoarsely;
　　"curseye，yearesuretodeeaneday，andyearesuretobe————！"（apastparticiple）"soonorlate，whatsignifieswhen？Oh！cursethehoureverIwasbornamangsicacooardlycrew."_（Gunatsea.）_
　　"There！"
　　"Shespeakstillye，hersel’;shecriesformaircy;tothinkthat，ofa’
　　thathearyecry，AlexanderListonistheonlymonmonenoughtoanswer."
　　_（Gun.）_
　　"Youaremistaken，Mr.AlexanderListon，"saidaclear，smartvoice，whoseownerhadmingledunobservedwiththethrong;"therearealwaysmentoanswersuchoccasions;now，mylads，yourboatshaveplentyofbeam，and，wellhandled，shouldliveinanysea;whovolunteerswithAlexanderListonandme？"
　　ThespeakerwasLordIpsden.
　　ThefishwivesofNewhaven，moreaccustomedtomeasurementhanpoorlittleLadyBarbaraSinclair，sawinthismanwhatinpointoffacthewas——acool，daringdevil，thanwhomnonemorelikelytoleadmenintomortaldanger，orpullthemthroughit，forthatmatter.
　　Theyrecognizedtheirnaturalenemy，andcollectedtogetheragainsthim，likehensatthesightofahawk.
　　"Andwouldyoureallyenticeourmentilltheirdeath？"
　　"Mylife’sworthasmuchastheirs，Isuppose.
　　"Nae！yourlife！it’snaworthabutton;whenyoudee，yournextkinwilldance，andwha’llgreet？butourmenhaewifeandbairnstolooktill."
　　_（Gunatsea.）_
　　"Ah！Ididn’tlookatitinthatlight，"saidLordIpsden.Hethendemandedpaperandink;ChristieJohnstone，whohadcomeoutofherhouse，supplieditfromhertreasures，andthiscoolhandactuallybegantoconveyahundredandfiftythousandpoundsaway，uponasheetofpaperblowinginthewind;whenhehadnamedhisresiduarylegatee，anddisposedofcertainlargebequests，hecametothepoint——
　　"ChristieJohnstone，whatcanthesepeopleliveon？twohundredayear？
　　livingischeaphere——confoundthewind！"
　　"Twahundred？Fifty！Vilecount."
　　"Don’tcallmevilecount.IamIpsden，andmyname’sRichard.Now，then，besmartwithyournames."
　　Threemensteppedforward，gavetheirnames，hadtheirwidowsprovidedfor，andwentfortheirsou’westers，etc.
　　"Stay，"saidLordIpsden，writing."ToChristinaJohnstone，outofrespectforhercharacter，onethousandpounds."
　　"Richard！dinnagang，"criedChristie，"oh，dinnagang，dinnagang，dinnagang;it’snoyourbusiness."
　　"Willyoulendmeyourpapa’sFlushingjacketandsou’wester，mydear？IfIwassuretobedrowned，I’dgo！"
　　Christieraninforthem.
　　Inthemeantime，discomposedbythewind，andbyfeelingswhoseexistenceneitherhe，norI，noranyonesuspected，Saunders，afterasorestrugglebetweenthefrailmanandtheperfectdomestic，blurtedout：
　　"Mylord，Ibegyourlordship’spardon，butitblowstempestuous."
　　"Thatiswhythebrigwantsus，"wasthereply.
　　"Mylord，Ibegyourlordship’spardon，"whimperedSaunders."But，oh！mylord，don’tgo;it’sallverywellforfishermentobedrowned;itistheirbusiness，butnotyours，mylord."
　　"Saunders，helpmeonwiththiscoat."
　　Christiehadbroughtit.
　　"Yes，mylord，"saidSaunders，briskly，hissecondnaturereviving.
　　Hislordship，whileputtingonthecoatandhat，undertooktocoolMr.
　　Saunders’saristocraticprejudices.
　　"ShouldAlexanderListonandIbedrowned，"saidhe，coolly，"whenourbonescomeashore，youwillnotknowwhicharethefisherman’sandwhichtheviscount’s."Sosaying，hejoinedtheenterprise.
　　"Ishallprayforye，lad，"saidChristieJohnstone，andsheretiredforthatpurpose.
　　Saunders，withaheavyheart，tothenearesttavern，toprepareanaccountofwhathecalled"HeroisminHighLife，"largeletters，andtheusualsignsofgreatastonishment！！！！！forthe_PolytechnicMagazine._
　　Thecommanderofthedistressedvesselhadbeenpenny—wise.HehaddeclinedapilotofftheIsleofMay，trustingtofallinwithoneclosetotheportofLeith;butaheavygaleandfoghadcomeon;heknewhimselfinthevicinityofdangerousrocks;and，tomakemattersworse，hisship，oldandsorebatteredbyalongandstormyvoyage，wasleaky;
　　andunlessapilotcamealongside，hisfatewouldbe，eithertofounder，orrunupontherocks，wherehemustexpecttogotopiecesinaquarterofanhour.
　　TheNewhavenboatlayincomparativelysmoothwater，ontheleesideofthepier.
　　Ouradventurersgotintoher，steppedthemast，setasmallsail，andranout！SandyListonheldthesheet，passedonceroundthebelaying—pin，andwheneveralargerwavethanusualcameatthem，heslackedthesheet，andtheboat，losingherway，rosegently，likeacork，uponseasthathadseemedabouttoswallowher.
　　Butseenfromtheshoreitwasenoughtomakethemostexperiencedwince;
　　socompletelywasthiswoodenshelllosttosight，asshedescendedfromawave，thateachtimeherreappearanceseemedareturnfromthedead.
　　Theweatherwasmisty——theboatwassoonlostsightof;thestoryremainsashore.
　　CHAPTERXIV.
　　ITwasanhourlater;thenativesoftheNewTownhadleftthepier，andwereabouttheirowndoors，whenthreeBuckhavenfishermencameslowlyupfromthepier;thesemenhadarrivedinoneoftheirlargefishing—boats，whichdefyallweather.
　　Themencameslowlyup;theirpetticoattrousersweredrenched，andtheirneck—handkerchiefsandhairwerewetwithspray.
　　AtthefootoftheNewTowntheystoodstillandwhisperedtoeachother.
　　TherewassomethingaboutthesementhatdrewtheeyeofNewhavenuponthem.
　　InthefirstplaceaBuckhavenmanrarelycommunicateswithnativesofNewhaven，exceptatthepier，wherehebringsinhiscodandlingfromthedeepsea，flingsthemoutlikestones，andsellsthemtothefishwives;thenupsailandawayforFifeshire.
　　Butthesemenevidentlycameashoretospeaktosomeoneinthetown.
　　Theywhisperedtogether;somethingappearedtobeproposedanddemurredto;butatlasttwowentslowlybacktowardthepier，andtheeldestremained，withafisherman’slongmackintoshcoatinhishandwhichtheothershadgivenhimastheylefthim.
　　Withthisinhishand，theBuckhavenfishermanstoodinanirresoluteposture;helookeddown，andseemedtoaskhimselfwhatcourseheshouldtake.
　　"What’swrang？"saidJeanCarnie，who，withherneighbors，hadobservedthemen;"Iwishyonmanmaynahaeillnews."
　　"Whatillnewswadhehae？"repliedanother.
　　"AreonyfreendsofListonCarniehere？"saidthefisherman.
　　"Thewife’sawa’toGranton，BeenyListontheyca’her——there’shishouse，"addedJean，pointinguptherow.
　　"Ay，"saidthefisherman，"Ikenhelivedthere."
　　"Livedthere！"criedChristieJohnstone."Oh，what’sthis？"
　　"Freends，"saidtheman，gravely，"hisboatisdrivingkeeluppermostinKircauldyBay.Wepassedhernearenoughtoreadthenameuponher."
　　"Butthemenwillhavewontoshore，pleaseGod？"
　　Thefishermanshookhishead.
　　"She’llhaecoupitamilewastInchKeith，an’thetiderinningafftheislandan’aheavyseagaun.Thisisa’Newhavenwe’llseeofthem_（holdingupthecoat）_"tilltheyrisetothetopinthreeweeks’time."
　　Themanthentookthecoat，whichwasnowseentobedrenchedwithwater，andhungituponalinenotveryfarfromitsunfortunateowner’shouse.
　　Then，inthesamegraveandsubduedtoneinwhichhehadspokenallalong，hesaid，"Wearesorrytobringsiccanataleintoyourtoon，"andslowlymovedofftorejoinhiscomrades，whohadwaitedforhimatnogreatdistance.TheythenpassedthroughtheOldTown，andinfiveminutesthecalamitywasknowntothewholeplace.
　　Afterthefirststupor，thepeopleintheNewTowncollectedintoknots，andlamentedtheirhazardouscalling，andfearedforthelivesofthosethathadjustputtoseainthisfatalgalefortherescueofstrangers，andtheolderonesfailednottomatchthispresentsorrowwithotherswithintheirrecollection.
　　Inthemiddleofthis，FluckerJohnstonecamehastilyinfromtheOldTownandtoldthemhehadseenthewife，BeenyListon，comingthroughfromGranton.
　　Thesympathyofallwasinstantlyturnedinthisdirection.
　　"Shewouldhearthenews."
　　"Itwouldfallonherlikeathunderclap."
　　"Whatwouldbecomeofher？"
　　EveryeyewasstrainedtowardtheOldTown，andsoonthepoorwomanwasseenabouttoemergefromit;butshewaswalkinginherusualway，andtheyfeltshecouldnotcarryherpersonsoifsheknew.
　　Atthelasthouseshewasseentostopandspeaktoafishermanandhiswifethatstoodattheirowndoor.
　　"Theyaretellingher，"wasthenthecry.
　　BeenyListonthenproceededonherway.
　　Everyeyewasstrained.
　　No！theyhadnottoldher.
　　Shecamegaylyon，theunconsciousobjectofeveryeyeandeveryheart.
　　Thehandsofthispeoplewerehard，andtheirtonguesrude，buttheyshrunkfromtellingthispoorwomanofherbereavement——theythoughtitkindersheshouldknowitunderherownroof，fromherfriendsorneighbors，thanfromcomparativestrangers.
　　Shedrewnearherowndoor.
　　AndnowaknotcollectedroundChristieJohnstone，andurgedhertoundertakethesadtask.
　　"Youthatspeaksalearned，Christie，yeshouldtellher;wedaurna."
　　"HowcanItellher？"saidChristie，turningpale."HowwillItellher？
　　I’setry."
　　Shetookonetremblingsteptomeetthewoman.
　　Beeny’seyefelluponher.
　　"Ay！here’stheQueeno’Newhaven，"criedshe，inaloudandrathercoarsevoice."Themenwillhaetaleavetheplacenowy’areturnedfisherman，Idaursay."
　　"Oh，dinnafieichtonme！dinnafieichtonme！"criedChristie，trembling.
　　"Maircyonus，"saidtheother，"auldFluckerJohnstone’sdochterturnedhumble.Whatnext？"
　　"I’mvexedforspeakingbacktillyethemorn，"falteredChristie.
　　"Hett，"saidthewomancarelessly，"letyonfleasticki’thewa’.I
　　fancyIbeganonye.Aweel，Cirsty，"saidshe，fallingintoafriendliertone;"it’stheplaceweliveinspoilsus——Newhaven’sanimpudenttoon，assureasdeeth.
　　"IpassedthroughtheAuldToonthenoo——aplaceIneverspeakin;an’iftheydidnagloweratmeasIhadbeenastrangebeast.
　　"Theycam’totheirverydoorstogloweratme;ifye’llbelieveme，I
　　thouchtshame.
　　"Atthehinderendmypaassiongotup，andIfacedawifeEast—by，andI
　　said，’Whatgarsyegloweratmethatway，yeignorantwoman？’yewouldnathinkit，sheansweredlikehoneyitsel’.’I’maskin’yourpaarrdon，’
　　saysshe;andhermonbyhersidesaid，’Ganghametoyourainhoose，mywoman，andGudehelpye，andhelpusa’atourneed，’thedecentmon.
　　’It’sjustthereI’mfor，’saidI，’togetmymonhisbreakfast.’"
　　Allwhoheardherdrewtheirbreathwithdifficulty.
　　Thewomanthenmadeforherownhouse，butingoingupthestreetshepassedthewetcoathangingontheline.
　　Shestoppeddirectly.
　　Theyalltrembled——theyhadforgottenthecoat——itwasallover;thecoatwouldtellthetale.
　　"Aweel，"saidshe，"Icouldsweerthat’sListonCarnie’scoat，adroukitwi’therain;thenshelookedagainatit，andadded，slowly，"ifIdidnakenhehashisawaywi’himatthepiloting."Andinanothermomentshewasinherownhouse，leavingthemallstandingtherehalfstupefied.
　　Christiehadindeedendeavoredtospeak，buthertonguehadcloventohermouth.
　　Whiletheystoodlookingatoneanother，andatBeenyListon’sdoor，avoicethatseemedincrediblyrough，loudandharsh，jarreduponthem;itwasSandyListon，whocameinfromLeith，shouting：
　　"Fiftypoundsforsalvage，lasses！isnathaatbetterthanstayingcooard—likeasidethewomen？"
　　"Whisht！whisht！"criedChristie.
　　"Weareinheavysorrow;puirListonCairnieandhissonWillyliedeedatthebottomo’theFirrth."
　　"Gudehelpus！"saidSandy，andhisvoicesank.
　　"An’，oh，Sandy，thewifedoesnaken，andit’shairt—breakingtoseeher，andhearher;wecannagethertell’t;ye’retheauldestmonhere;
　　ye’lltellher，willyeno，Sandy？"
　　"No，me，that’Iwillnot！"
　　"Oh，yes;yearekennedforyourstootheart，an’courage;yecomefra’
　　facingtheseaan’windinabityawl."
　　"Theseaandthewind，"criedhe，contemptuously;"theybe————，I’musedwi’them;buttolookawomani’theface，an’tellherhermonandhersonaredrownedsinceyestreen，Ihaenacoorageforthat."
　　Allfurtherdebatewascutshortbytheentranceofonewhocameexpresslytodischargethesaddutyallhadfoundsodifficult.ItwasthePresbyterianclergymanoftheplace;hewavedthemback."Iknow，I
　　know，"saidhe，solemnly."Whereisthewife？"
　　Shecameoutofherhouseatthismoment，asithappened，topurchasesomethingatDrysale’sshop，whichwasopposite.
　　"Beeny，"saidtheclergyman，"Ihavesorrowfultidings."
　　"Tellmethem，sir，"saidshe，unmoved."Isitadeeth？"addedshe，quietly.
　　"Itis！——death，suddenandterrible;inyourownhouseImusttellityou——（andmayGodshowmehowtobreakittoher）."
　　Heenteredherhouse.
　　"Aweel，"saidthewomantotheothers，"itmaunbesomefar—awacousin，orthelike，forListonan’mehaenaenearfreends.Meg，yeidlefuzzy，"
　　screamedshetoherservant，whowasoneofthespectators，"yourpatisnoonyet;divyethinkthemenwillnobehungrywhentheycomeinfra’
　　thesea？"
　　"Theywillneverhungernorthirstonymair，"saidJean，solemnly，asthebereavedwomanenteredherowndoor.
　　Thereensuedalistlessandfearfulsilence.
　　Everymomentsomesignofbittersorrowwasexpectedtobreakforthfromthehouse，butnonecame;andamidtheexpectationandsilencethewavesdashedlouderandlouder，asitseemed，againstthedike，consciousofwhattheyhaddone.
　　Atlast，inamoment，acryofagonyarose，soterriblethatallwhoheardittrembled，andmorethanonewomanshriekedinreturn，andfledfromthedoor，atwhich，thenextmoment，theclergymanstoodalone，collected，butpale，andbeckoned.Severalwomenadvanced.
　　"Onewoman，"saidhe.
　　JeanCarniewasadmitted;andafterawhilereturned.
　　"Sheiscometohersel’，"whisperedshe;"Iamnoweelmysel’."Andshepassedintoherownhouse.
　　ThenFluckercrepttothedoortosee.
　　"Oh，dinnaspyonher，"criedChristie.
　　"Oh，yes，Flucker，"saidmanyvoices.
　　"Heiskneelin’，"saidFlucker."Hehasherhand，togarherkneeltae——shewinna——shedoesnaseehim，norhearhim;hewillhaeher.Hehaswonhertokneel——heisprayin，an’greetinasideher.Icannaseenoo，myeen’sblinded."
　　"He’sagudemon，"saidChristie."Oh，whatwadwedowithouttheministers？"
　　SandyListonhadbeenleaningsorrowfullyagainstthewallofthenexthouse;henowbrokeout：
　　"Anauldshipmateatthewhale—fishing！！！an’noowwe’llneverliftthedredgingsangthegitheragain，inyondirtydetchthat’sdroownedhim;I
　　maunhaewhisky，an’forgetita’."
　　Hemadeforthespirit—shoplikeamadman;buterehecouldreachthedoorahandwaslaidonhimlikeavise.ChristieJohnstonehadliterallysprungonhim.Shehatedthishorriblevice——hadoftencheckedhim;andnowitseemedsoawfulamomentforsuchasin，thatsheforgotthewildandsavagenatureoftheman，whohadstruckhisownsister，andseriouslyhurther，amonthbefore——shesawnothingbuttheviceanditsvictim，andsheseizedhimbythecollar，withagraspfromwhichheinvainattemptedtoshakehimselfloose.
　　"No！ye’llnogangthereatsiccanatime."
　　"Handsoff，yedaftjaud，"roaredhe，"orthere’llbeanotherdeethi’
　　thetoon."
　　AtthenoiseJeanCarnieranin.
　　"Lettheruffiango，"criedshe，indismay."Oh，Christie，dinnaputyourhandonalion’smane."
　　"Yes，I’llputmyhandonhismane，ereI’lllethimmakabeasto’
　　himsel’."
　　"Sandy，ifyehurther，I’llfindtwentyladsthatwilllayyedeedatherfeet."
　　"Haudyourwhisht，"saidChristie，verysharply，"he’snotobethreetened."
　　SandyListon，blackandwhitewithrage，groundhisteethtogether，andsaid，liftinghishand，"Wullyeletmego，ormustItakmyhandtillye？"
　　"No！"saidChristie，"I’llnoletyego，_saelookmei’theface;
　　Flucker’sdochter，yourauldcomrade，thatsavedyourlifeatHolyIsle，thinko’hisface——an’lookinmines——an’strikeme！！！"_
　　Theyglaredononeanother——hefiercelyandunsteadily;shefirmlyandproudly.
　　JeanCarniesaidafterward，"Hereyeswerelikecoalsoffire."
　　"Yearedoingwhatnaemoni’thetoondaur;yeareabauld，unwiselassy."
　　"It’syoumakmebauld，"wastheinstantreply."Isawyefacethemadsea，tosaveashipfra’therocks，an’willIfearamon’shand，whenI
　　cansave"_（risingtodoubleherheight）_"myfeyther’sauldfreendfra’
　　thepuirmon’senemy，theenemyo’mankind，thecursed，curseddrink？Oh，SandyListon，hoowcouldyethinktoputanenemyinyourmoothtostealawayourbrains！"
　　"This’snoNewhavenchat;whalairnsyesicwordso’power？"
　　"Adeedmon！"
　　"Iwouldnawonder，y’arenocanny;she’sta’ena’thepoowerooto’mybody，Ithink."Thensuddenlydescendingtoatoneofabjectsubmission，"What’syourpleesure，FluckerJohnstone’sdochter？"
　　Sheinstantlywithdrewtheoffendinggrasp，and，leaningaffectionatelyonhisshoulder，shemeltedintoherrichIonictones.
　　"It’snoatimeforsin;ye’llsitbymyfire，an’getyourdinner;abonnyhaggishaeIforyouan’Flucker，an’we’llimprovethissorrowfu’
　　judgment;an’ye’lltellmeo’auldtimes——o’myfeytherdear，thatlikeityeweel，Sandy——o’thestorrmsyehaeweathered，sidebyside——o’
　　themucklewhalesyekilledGreenlandway——an’abunea’，o’thelivesyehaesavedatsea，byyourdaurinan’yourskell;an’，oh，Sandy，willnathatbebetterassitan’poorleequiddamnationdoownyourthroat，an’
　　gieawathesensean’feelingo’amonforasairheedandanillname？"
　　"I’segang，mylamb，"saidtheroughman，quitesubdued;"Idaursaywhiskywillnopassmyteeththeday."
　　Andsohewentquietlyaway，andsatbyChristie’sfireside.
　　JeanandChristiewenttowardtheboats.
　　Jean，aftertakingitphilosophicallyforhalfaminute，begantowhimper.
　　"What’swrang？"saidChristie.
　　"Divyethinkmyhairt’snoinmymoothwi’yougrippingyonfiercerobber？"
　　Hereayoungfishwife，withaboxinherhand，whohadfollowedthem，pulledJeanbythecoats.
　　"Hets，"saidJean，pullingherselffree.
　　Thechildthen，withapertinacitytheselittleanimalshave，pulledChristie’scoats.
　　"Hets，"saidChristie，freeingherselfmoregently.
　　"YesuldmairryVanAmburgh，"continuedJean;"yearejustsuchalassasheisalad."
　　Christiesmiledproudly，wassilent，butdidnotdisownthecomparison.
　　Thelittlefishwife，unabletoattractattentionbypulling，openedherbox，andsaying，"Lasses，I’llletyeseemypresoner.Hech！he’sboenny！"pulledoutamousebyastringfastenedtohistailandsethiminthemidstforfriendlyadmiration.
　　"Idinnalikeit——Idinnalikeit！"screamedChristie."Jean，putitaway——itfearsme，Jean！"Thissheuttered（hereyesalmoststartingfromherheadwithunaffectedterror）atthedistanceofabouteightyards，whithershehadarrivedintwoboundsthatwouldhavedonenodiscredittoanantelope.
　　"Het，"saidJean，uneasily，"haeyecoowedyousavage，tobescaredattheweebeastie？"
　　Christie，lookingaskantattheanimal，explained："Amooseisanawesomebeast——it’snolikeamon！"andstillhereyewasfixedbyfascinationuponthefour—footeddanger.
　　Jean，whohadnotbeenherselfingenuinetranquillity，nowturnedsavagelyonthelittleWombwelless."An’divyereallythinkyearetocomeherewi’a’thebeastsi’theAirk？Come，awayego，thepairo’
　　ye."
　　Theseseverewords，andasmartpush，sentthepoorlittlebipedoffroaring，withthestringoverhershoulder，recklesslydraggingtheterrificquadruped，whichmadefruitlessgrabsattheshingle.——_Moral._
　　Don’tterrifybiggerfolkthanyourself.
　　ChristiehadintendedtogouptoEdinburghwithhereightypounds，buttherewasmoretroubleinstorethiseventfulday.
　　Fluckerwentoutafterdinner，andleftherwithSandyListon，whowasinthemiddleofayarn，whensomeonecamerunninginandtoldherFluckerwasatthepiercryingforher.Sheinquiredwhatwasthematter."Come，an’ye’llsee，"wasalltheanswer.Sherandowntothepier.TherewaspoorFluckerlyingonhisback;hehadslippedfromthepierintoaboatthatlayalongside;thefallwasconsiderable;foraminutehehadbeeninsensible，thenhehadbeendreadfullysick，andnowhewasbeginningtofeelhishurt;hewasingreatanguish;nobodyknewtheextentofhisinjuries;hewouldletnobodytouchhim;allhiscrywasforhissister.
　　Atlastshecame;theyallmadewayforher;hewascryingforherasshecameup.
　　"Mybairn！mybairn！"criedshe，andthepoorlittlefellowsmiled，andtriedtoraisehimselftowardher.
　　Sheliftedhimgentlyinherarms——shewaspowerful，andaffectionmadeherstronger;shecarriedhiminherarmsallthewayhome，andlaidhimonherownbed.WillyListon，herdiscardedsuitor，ranforthesurgeon.
　　Therewerenobonesbroken，buthisanklewasseverelysprained，andhehadaterriblebruiseontheloins;hisdark，ruddyfacewasstreakedandpale;buthenevercomplainedafterhefoundhimselfathome.
　　Christiehoveredroundhim，aministeringangel，applyingtohimwithalightandlovinghandwhatevercouldeasehispain;andhewatchedherwithanexpressionshehadnevernoticedinhiseyebefore.
　　Atlast，aftertwohours’silence，hemadehersitinfullview，andthenhespoketoher;andwhatthinkyouwasthesubjectofhisdiscourse？
　　Heturnedtoandtoldher，oneafteranother，withoutpreface，allthelovingthingsshehaddonetohimeversincehewasfiveyearsold.Poorboy，hehadnevershownmuchgratitude，buthehadforgottennothing，literallynothing.
　　Christiewasquiteovercomewiththisunexpectedtrait;shedrewhimgentlytoherbosom，andweptoverhim;anditwassweettoseeabrotherandsistertreateachotheralmostlikelovers，asthesetwobegantodo——theywatchedeachother’seyesotenderly.
　　Thisnewcarekeptthesisterinherownhouseallthenextday;buttowardtheeveningJean，whoknewherotheranxiety，slippedinandofferedtotakeherplaceforanhourbyFlucker’sside;atthesametimeshelookedoneofthosesignalswhicharetoosubtleforanybutwomantounderstand.
　　Christiedrewheraside，andlearnedthatGattyandhismotherwerejustcomingthroughfromLeith;Christieranforhereightypounds，placedtheminherbosom，castahastyglanceatalooking—glass，littlelargerthananoyster—shell，andranout.
　　"Hech！Whatpleasedtheauldwifewillbetoseehehasalassthatcanmakauchtypundinamorning."
　　ThiswasChristie’snotion.
　　Atsightofthemshetookoutthebanknotes，andwitheyesglisteningandcheeksflushingshecried：
　　"Oh，Chairles，ye’llnogangtojail——Ihaethesiller！"andsheofferedhimthemoneywithbothhands，andalookoftendernessandmodestythatembellishedhumannature.
　　Erehecouldspeak，hismotherputoutherhand，andnotrudely，butverycoldly，repellingChristie’sarm，saidinafreezingmanner：
　　"Wearemuchobligedtoyou，butmyson’sowntalentshaverescuedhimfromhislittleembarrassment."
　　"Anoblemanhasboughtmypicture，"saidGatty，proudly.
　　"Foronehundredandfiftypounds，"saidtheoldlady，meaningtomarkthecontrastbetweenthatsumandwhatChristiehadinherhand.
　　Christieremainedlikeastatue，withherarmsextended，andthebank—notesinherhand;herfeaturesworked——shehadmuchadonottocry;
　　andanyonethathadknownthewholestory，andseenthisunmeritedrepulse，wouldhavefeltforher;butherlovecametoheraid，sheputthenotesinherbosom，sighedandsaid：
　　"Iwouldhaelikeittohaebeenthefirst，yeken，butI’mrealpleased."
　　"But，mother，"saidGatty，"itwasverykindofChristieallthesame.
　　Oh，Christie！"saidhe，inatoneofdespair.
　　AtthiskindwordChristie’sfortitudewassoretried;sheturnedawayherhead;shewasfartoodelicatetoletthemknowwhohadsentLordIpsdentobuythepicture.
　　Whilesheturnedaway，Mrs.Gattysaidinherson’sear：
　　"Now，Ihaveyoursolemnpromisetodoithere，andatonce;youwillfindmeonthebeachbehindtheseboats——doit."
　　ThereaderwillunderstandthatduringthelastfewdaysMrs.Gattyhadimprovedheradvantage，andthatCharleshadpositivelyconsentedtoobeyher;thepoorboywaswornoutwiththestruggle——hefelthemusthavepeaceordie;hewasthinandpale，andsuddentwitchescameoverhim;
　　histemperamentwasnotfitforsuchabattle;and，itistobeobserved，nearlyallthetalkwasononeside.Hehadmadeoneexpiringstruggle——hedescribedtohismotheranartist’snature;hisstrength，hisweakness——hebesoughthernottobeaslavetogeneralrules，buttoinquirewhatsortofacompaniontheindividualGattyneeded;helashedwithtruebutbrilliantsatirethesortofwifehismotherwasreadytoseehimsaddledwith——astupid，unsympathizingcreature，whosetenchildrenwould，bynature’slaw，bealsostupid，andsobeaweightonhimtillhisdyingday.HepaintedChristieJohnstone，mindandbody，inwordsastrueandbrightashiscolors;heshowedhisownweakpoints，herstrongones，andhowthelatterwouldfortifytheformer.
　　Hedisplayed，inshort，inoneminute，moreintellectthanhismotherhadexhibitedinsixtyyears;andthatdone，withallhisunderstanding，witandeloquence，hesuccumbedlikeachildtoherstrongerwill——hepromisedtobreakwithChristieJohnstone.
　　WhenChristiehadrecoveredhercomposureandturnedroundtohercompanions，shefoundherselfalonewithCharles.
　　"Chairles，"saidshe，gravely.
　　"Christie，"saidhe，uneasily.
　　"Yourmotherdoesnalikeme.Oh，yeneednadenyit;andwearenatogetherasweusedtobe，mylad."
　　"Sheisprejudiced;butshehasbeenthebestofmotherstome，Christie."
　　"Aweel."
　　"CircumstancescompelmetoreturntoEngland."
　　（Ah，coward！anythingbuttherealtruth！）
　　"Aweel，Chairles，itwillnobeforlang."
　　"Idon’tknow;youwillnotbesounhappyasIshall——atleastIhopenot."
　　"Hoowdoyekenthat？"
　　"Christie，doyourememberthefirstnightwedancedtogether？"
　　"Ay."
　　"Andwewalkedinthecoolbytheseaside，andItoldyouthenamesofthestars，andyousaidthosewerenottheirrealnames，butnicknameswegivethemhereonearth.Ilovedyouthatfirstnight."
　　"AndIfanciedyouthefirsttimeIseteyesonyou."
　　"HowcanIleaveyou，Christie？WhatshallIdo？"
　　"IkenwhatIshalldo，"answeredChristiecoolly;then，burstingintotears，sheadded，"Ishalldee！Ishalldee！"
　　"No！youmustnotsayso;atleastIwillneverloveanyonebutyou."
　　"An’I’llliveasIama’mydaysforyoursake.Oh，England！Ihaelikeityesaeweel，yesuldnarobmeo’mylad——he’sa’thejoyIhae！"
　　"Iloveyou，"saidGatty."Doyouloveme？"
　　Alltheanswerwas，herheaduponhisshoulder.
　　"Ican’tdoit，"thoughtGatty，"andIwon’t！Christie，"saidhe，"stayhere，don’tmovefromhere."Andhedashedamongtheboatsingreatagitation.
　　Hefoundhismotherrathernearthesceneofthelateconference.
　　"Mother，"saidhe，fiercely，likeacowardashewas，"askmenomore，mymindismadeupforever;Iwillnotdothisscoundrelly，heartless，beastly，ungratefulactionyouhavebeenpushingmetosolong."
　　"Takecare，Charles，takecare，"saidtheoldwoman，tremblingwithpassion，forthiswasanewtoneforhersontotakewithher."Youhadmyblessingtheotherday，andyousawwhatfollowedit;donottemptmetocurseanundutiful，disobedient，ungratefulson."
　　"Imusttakemychance，"saidhe，desperately，"forIamunderacurseanyway！Iplacedmyringonherfinger，andheldupmyhandtoGodandsworesheshouldbemywife;shehasmyringandmyoath，andIwillnotperjuremyselfevenformymother."
　　"Yourring！NottherubyringIgaveyoufromyourdeadfather’sfinger——notthat！notthat！"
　　"Yes！yes！Itellyouyes！andifhewasalive，andsawher，andknewhergoodness，hewouldhavepityonme，butIhavenofriend;youseehowillyouhavemademe，butyouhavenopity;Icouldnothavebelievedit;
　　but，sinceyouhavenomercyonme，Iwillhavethemoremercyonmyself;
　　Imarryherto—morrow，andputanendtoallthisshufflingandmaneuveringagainstanangel！Iamnotworthyofher，butI’llmarryherto—morrow.Good—by."
　　"Stay！"saidtheoldwoman，inaterriblevoice;"beforeyoudestroymeandallIhavelivedfor，andsuffered，andpinchedfor，hearme;ifthatringisnotoffthehussy’sfingerinhalfanhour，andyoumysonagain，Ifallonthissandand——"
　　"ThenGodhavemercyuponme，forI’llseethewholecreationlosteternallyereI’llwrongtheonlycreaturethatisanornamenttotheworld."
　　Hewasdesperate;andtheweak，driventodesperation，aremorefuriousthanthestrong.
　　ItwasbyHeaven’smercythatneithermothernorsonhadtimetospeakagain.
　　Astheyfacedeachother，withflamingeyesandfaces，allself—commandgone，abouttoutterhastywords，andlayupregret，perhapsforalltheirlivestocome，inamoment，asifshehadstartedfromtheearth，ChristieJohnstonestoodbetweenthem！
　　Gatty’swords，and，stillmore，hishesitation，hadmadeherquickintelligencesuspect.Shehadresolvedtoknowthetruth;theboatsofferedeveryfacilityforlistening——shehadheardeveryword.
　　Shestoodbetweenthemotherandson.
　　Theywereconfused，abashed，andthehotbloodbegantoleavetheirfaces.
　　Shestooderectlikeastatue，hercheekpaleasashes，hereyesglitteringlikebasilisks，shelookedatneitherofthem.
　　Sheslowlyraisedherlefthand，shewithdrewarubyringfromit，anddroppedtheringonthesandbetweenthetwo.
　　Sheturnedonherheel，andwasgoneasshehadcome，withoutawordspoken.
　　Theylookedatoneanother，stupefiedatfirst;afteraconsiderablepausethesternoldwomanstooped，pickedupthering，and，inspiteofacertainchillthattheyoungwoman’smajesticsorrowhadgivenher，said，placingitonherownfinger，"Thisisforyourwife！！！"
　　"Itwillbeformycoffin，then，"saidherson，socoldly，sobitterlyandsosolemnlythatthemother’sheartbegantoquake.
　　"Mother，"saidhecalmly，"forgiveme，andacceptyourson’sarm.
　　"Iwill，myson！"
　　"Wearealoneintheworldnow，mother."
　　Mrs.Gattyhadtriumphed，butshefeltthepriceofhertriumphmorethanhervictory.Ithadbeendoneinonemoment，thatforwhichshehadsolabored，anditseemedthathadshespokenlongagotoChristie，insteadofCharles，itcouldhavebeendoneatanymoment.
　　Strangetosay，forsomeminutesthemotherfeltmoreuneasythanherson;shewasawoman，afterall，andcouldmeasureawoman’sheart，andshesawhowdeepthewoundshehadgivenoneshewasnowcompelledtorespect.
　　Charles，ontheotherhand，hadbeensoharassedbackwardandforward，thattohimcertaintywasrelief;itwasagreatmattertobenolongercalledupontodecide.Hismotherhadsaid，"Part，"andnowChristiehadsaid，"Part";atleasttheaffairwastakenoutofhishands，andhisfirstfeelingwasaheavenlycalm.
　　Inthisstatehecontinuedforaboutamile，andhespoketohismotherabouthisart，soleobjectnow;butafterthefirstmilehebecamesilent，_distrait;_Christie’spaleface，hermortifiedair，whenhergenerousofferwascoldlyrepulsed，filledhimwithremorse.Finally，unabletobearit，yetnotdaringtospeak，hebrokesuddenlyfromhismotherwithoutaword，andranwildlybacktoNewhaven;helookedbackonlyonce，andtherestoodhismother，pale，withherhandspiteouslyliftedtowardheaven.
　　BythetimehegottoNewhavenhewasassorryforherasforChristie.
　　Herantothehouseofthelatter;FluckerandJeantoldhimshewasonthebeach.Herantothebeach！hedidnotseeheratfirst，but，presentlylookingback，hesawher，attheedgeoftheboats，incompanywithagentlemaninaboating—dress.Helooked——couldhebelievehiseyes？hesawChristieJohnstonekissthisman’shand，whothen，takingherheadgentlyinhistwohands，placedakissuponherbrow，whilesheseemedtoyieldlovinglytothecaress.
　　Gattyturnedfaint，sick;foramomenteverythingswambeforehiseyes;
　　herecoveredhimself，theyweregone.
　　Hedartedroundtointerceptthem;Christiehadslippedawaysomewhere;
　　heencounteredthemanalone！
　　CHAPTERXV.
　　CHRISTIE’Ssituationrequirestobeexplained.
　　OnleavingGattyandhismother，shewenttoherownhouse.Flucker——whoafterlookinguponherforyearsasaninconvenientappendage，exceptatdinnertime，hadfalleninlovewithherinamannerthatwashalfpathetic，halflaughable，allthingsconsidered——sawbyherfaceshehadreceivedablow，andraisinghimselfinthebed，inquiredanxiously，"Whatailedher？"
　　Atthesekindwords，ChristieJohnstonelaidhercheekuponthepillowbesideFlucker’sandsaid：
　　"Oh，mylaamb，bekindtoyourpuirsisterfra’thishoor，forshehasnaethingi’thewarldnoobutyoursel’."
　　Fluckerbegantosobatthis.
　　Christiecouldnotcry;herheartwaslikealumpofleadinherbosom;
　　butsheputherarmroundhisneck，andatthesightofhissympathyshepantedheavily，butcouldnotshedatear——shewassorestricken.
　　PresentlyJeancamein，and，asthepoorgirl’sheadachedaswellasherheart，theyforcedhertogoandsitintheair.Shetookhercreepieandsat，andlookedonthesea;but，whethershelookedseawardorlandward，allseemedunreal;notthings，buthardpicturesofthings，somemoving，somestill.Lifeseemedended——shehadlostherlove.
　　Anhourshesatinthismiserabletrance;shewasdivertedintoabetter，becauseasomewhatlessdangerousformofgrief，byoneofthosetriflingcircumstancesthatoftenpenetratetothehumanheartwheninaccessibletogreaterthings.
　　Willythefiddlerandhisbrothercamethroughthetown，playingastheywent，accordingtocustom;theirmusicfloatedpastChristie’searslikesomedrowsychime，until，allofasudden，theystruckuptheoldEnglishair，"SpeedthePlow."
　　NowitwastothistuneCharlesGattyhaddancedwithhertheirfirstdancethenighttheymadeacquaintance.
　　Christielistened，liftedupherhands，andcrying：
　　"Oh，whatwillIdo？whatwillIdo？"burstintoapassionofgrief.
　　Sheputherapronoverherhead，androckedherself，andsobbedbitterly.
　　ShewasinthissituationwhenLordIpsden，whowasprowlingabout，examiningtheproportionsoftheboats，discoveredher.
　　"Someoneindistress——thatwasallinhisway."
　　"Madam！"saidhe.
　　Sheliftedupherhead.
　　"ItisChristieJohnstone.I’msoglad;thatis，I’msorryyouarecrying，butI’mgladIshallhavethepleasureofrelievingyou;"andhislordshipbegantofeelforacheck—book.
　　"Anddivyereallythinksiller’sacureforeverygrief！"saidChristie，bitterly.
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidhislordship;"ithascuredthemallasyet."
　　"Itwillnacureme，then！"andshecoveredherheadwithherapronagain.
　　"Iamverysorry，"saidhe;"tellme"_（whispering），_"whatisit？poorlittleChristie！"
　　"Dinnaspeaktome;Ithinkshame;askJean.Oh，Richard，I’llnobelanginthiswarld！！！"
　　"Ah！"saidhe，"Iknowtoowellwhatitisnow;Iknow，bysadexperience.But，Christie，moneywillcureitinyourcase，anditshall，too;only，insteadoffivepounds，wemustputathousandpoundsortwotoyourbanker’saccount，andthentheywillallseeyourbeauty，andrunafteryou."
　　"HowdauryeeventomethatI’mseekinalad？"criedshe，risingfromherstool;"IwouldnacaresupposetherewasnaaladinBritain."Andoffsheflounced.
　　"Offendedherbymygrosswantoftact，"thoughttheviscount.
　　Shecreptback，andtwovelvetlipstouchedhishand.Thatwasbecauseshehadspokenharshlytoafriend.
　　"Oh，Richard，"saidshe，despairingly，"I’llnobelanginthiswarld."
　　Hewastouched;anditwasthenhetookherheadandkissedherbrow，andsaid："Thiswillneverdo.Mychild，gohomeandhaveanicecry，andI
　　willspeaktoJean;and，relyuponme，IwillnotleavetheneighborhoodtillIhavearrangeditalltoyoursatisfaction."
　　Andsoshewent——alittle，averylittle，comfortedbyhistoneandwords.
　　Nowthiswasallverypretty;butthenseenatadistanceoffiftyyardsitlookedveryugly;andGatty，whohadneverbeforeknownjealousy，thestrongestandworstofhumanpassions，wasripeforanything.
　　HemetLordIpsden，andsaidatonce，inhiswise，temperateway：
　　"Sir，youareavillain！"
　　_Ipsden."Plait—il？"_
　　_Gatty._"Youareavillain！"
　　_Ipsden._"Howdoyoumakethatout？"
　　_Gatty._"But，ofcourse，youarenotacoward，too."
　　_Ipsden（ironically）._"Yousurprisemewithyourmoderation，sir."
　　_Gatty._"Thenyouwillwaiveyourrank——youarealord，Ibelieve—andgivemesatisfaction."
　　_Ipsden._"Myrank，sir，suchasitis，engagesmetogiveaproperanswertoproposalsofthissort;Iamatyourorders."
　　_Gatty._"Amanofyourcharactermustoftenhavebeencalledtoanaccountbyyourvictims，so——so——"（hesitating）"perhapsyouwilltellmethepropercourse."
　　_Ipsden."I_shallsendanotetothecastle，andthecolonelwillsendmedownsomebodywithamustache;Ishallpretendtoremembermustache，mustachewillpretendheremembersme;hewillthencommunicatewithyourfriend，andtheywillarrangeitallforus."
　　_Gatty._"And，perhaps，throughyourlicentiousness，oneorbothofuswillbekilled."
　　_Ipsden._"Yes！butweneednottroubleourheadsaboutthat——thesecondsundertakeeverything."
　　_Gatty._"Ihavenopistols."
　　_Ipsden._"Ifyouwilldomethehonortouseoneofmine，itshallbeatyourservice."
　　_Gatty._"Thankyou."
　　_Ipsden._"To—morrowmorning？"
　　_Gatty._"No.Ihavefourdays’paintingtodoonmypicture，Ican’tdietillitisfinished;Fridaymorning."
　　_Ipsden._"（Heismad.）Iwishtoaskyouaquestion，youwillexcusemycuriosity.Haveyouanyideawhatweareagreeingtodifferabout？"
　　_Gatty._"Thequestiondoesyoulittlecredit，mylord;thatistoaddinsulttowrong."
　　Hewentoffhurriedly，leavingLordIpsdenmystified.
　　HethoughtChristieJohnstonewassomehowconnectedwithit;but，consciousofnowrong，hefeltlittledisposedtoputupwithanyinsult，especiallyfromthisboy，towhomhehadbeenkind，hethought.
　　Hislordshipwas，besides，oneofthosegood，simple—mindedcreatures，educatedabroad，who，wheninvitedtofight，simplybow，andloadtwopistols，andgetthemselvescalledatsix;insteadoftakingdowntomesofcasuistryandpuzzlingtheirpoorbrainstofindoutwhethertheyaregamecocksorcapons，andwhy.
　　AsforGatty，hehurriedhomeinafeverofpassion，beggedhismother’spardon，andreproachedhimselfforeverhavingdisobeyedheronaccountofsuchaperfidiouscreatureasChristieJohnstone.
　　Hethentoldherwhathehadseen，asdistanceandimaginationhadpresentedittohim;tohissurprisetheoldladycuthimshort.
　　"Charles，"saidshe，"thereisnoneedtotakethegirl’scharacteraway;
　　shehasbutonefault——sheisnotinthesameclassoflifeasyou，andsuchmarriagesalwaysleadtomisery;butinotherrespectssheisaworthyyoungwoman——don’tspeakagainsthercharacter，oryouwillmakemyfleshcreep;youdon’tknowwhathercharacteristoawoman，highorlow."
　　Bythismoderation，perhapssheheldhimstillfaster.
　　Fridaymorningarrived.Gattyhad，byhardwork，finishedhispicture，collectedhissketchesfromnature，whichwerenumerous，leftbymemorandumeverythingtohismother，andwas，orratherfelt，asreadytodieaslive.
　　Hehadhardlyspokenawordoreatenamealthesefourdays;hismotherwasinanxietyabouthim.Heroseearly，andwentdowntoLeith;anhourlater，hismother，findinghimgoneout，roseandwenttoseekhimatNewhaven.
　　MeantimeFluckerhadentirelyrecovered，buthissister’scolorhadlefthercheeks.Theboysworevengeanceagainstthecauseofherdistress.
　　OnFridaymorning，then，therepacedonLeithSandstwofigures.
　　OnewasLordIpsden.
　　Theotherseemedamilitarygentleman，whohavingswallowedthemess—roompoker，andfounditinsufficient，hadaddedtheramrodsofhiscompany.
　　ThemorehislordshipreflectedonGatty，thelessinclinedhehadfelttoinviteasatiricalyoungdogfrombarrackstocriticisesucha_rencontre;_hehadthereforeorderedSaunderstogetupasafield—marshal，orsomesuchtrifle，andwhatSaunderswouldhavecalledincomparableverticalitywastheresult.
　　Thepainterwasalsoinsight.