Contents：
　　HANDSOMEISASHANDSOMEDOES
　　LOTHOW，orTHEADVENTURESOFAYOUNGGENTLEMANINSEARCHOFARELIGION
　　MUCK-A-MUCK，AMODERNINDIANNOVEL，AFTERJAMESFENIMORECOOPER
　　TERENCEDENVILLE
　　SELINASEDILIA
　　THENINETY-NINEGUARDSMEN[AFTERTHETHREEMUSKETEERS，BYDUMAS]
　　MISSMIX[AFTERCHARLOTTEBRONTE]
　　GUYHEAVYSTONE;OR，"ENTIRE。"
　　MR。MIDSHIPMANBREEZY
　　JOHNJENKINS;OR，THESMOKERREFORMED
　　NOTITLE[AFTERWILKECOLLINS]
　　Contains：
　　MARYJONES’SNARRATIVE
　　THESLIMYOUNGMAN’SSTORY
　　NO。27LIMEHOUSEROAD
　　COUNTMOSCOW’SNARRATIVE
　　DR。DIGGS’SSTATEMENT
　　MARYMCGILLUP，ASOUTHERNNOVEL，AFTERBELLEBOYD
　　HANDSOMEISASHANDSOMEDOES。
　　BYCH——SR——DE。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　TheDoddsweredead。FortwentyyeartheyhadsleptunderthegreengravesofKitterychurchyard。Thetownfolkstillspokeofthemkindly。Thekeeperofthealehouse，whereDavidhadsmokedhispipe，regrettedhimregularly，andMistressKitty，Mrs。Dodd’smaid，whosetrimfigurealwayslookedwellinhermistress’sgowns，wasinconsolable。TheHardinswereinAmerica。Rabywasaristocraticallygouty;Mrs。Raby，religious。Briefly，then，wehavedisposedof——
　　1。Mr。andMrs。Dodd（dead）。
　　2。Mr。andMrs。Hardin（translated）。
　　3。Raby，baronetfemme。（YetIdon’tknowabouttheformer;hecameofalong-livedfamily，andthegoutisanuncertaindisease。）
　　Wehaveactiveatthepresentwriting（placeauxdames）——
　　1。LadyCarolineCoventry，nieceofSirFrederick。
　　2。FaradayHuxleyLittle，sonofHenryandGraceLittle，deceased。
　　Sequiturtotheabove，AHEROANDHEROINE。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Onthedeathofhisparents，FaradayLittlewastakentoRabyHall。
　　Inacceptinghisguardianship，Mr。Rabystruggledstoutlyagainsttwoprejudices：Faradaywasplain-lookingandsceptical。
　　"Handsomeisashandsomedoes，sweetheart，"pleadedJael，intercedingfortheorphanwitharmsthatwerestillbeautiful。
　　"Dearknows，itisnothisfaultifhedoesnotlooklike——hisfather，"sheaddedwithagreatgulp。Jaelwasawoman，andvindicatedherwomanhoodbyneverentirelyforgivingaformerrival。
　　"It’snotthatalone，madam，"screamedRaby，"but，d——mit，thelittlerascal’sascientist，——anatheist，aradical，ascoffer！
　　DisbelievesintheBible，ma’am;isfullofthisDarwinianstuffaboutnaturalselectionanddescent。Descent，forsooth！Inmyday，madam，gentlemenwerecontenttotracetheirancestorsbacktogentlemen，andnotto——monkeys！"
　　"Dearheart，theboyisclever，"urgedJael。
　　"Clever！"roaredRaby;"whatdoesagentlemanwantwithcleverness？"
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　YoungLittleWASclever。Atsevenhehadconstructedatelescope;
　　atnine，aflying-machine。Attenhesavedavaluablelife。
　　NorwoodParkwastheadjacentestate，——alordlydomaindottedwithreddeerandblacktrunks，butscrupulouslykeptwithgravelledroadsashardandblueassteel。ThereLittlewasstrollingonesummermorning，meditatingonanewtopwithconcealedsprings。Atalittledistancebeforehimhesawtheflutteroflaceandribbons。Ayounglady，averyyounglady，——sayofsevensummers，——
　　trickedoutinthecryingabominationsofthepresentfashion，stoodbesidealowbush。Hernursery-maidwasnotpresent，possiblyowingtothefactthatJohnthefootmanwasalsoabsent。
　　SuddenlyLittlecametowardsher。"Excuseme，butdoyouknowwhatthoseberriesare？"Hewaspointingtothelowbushfilledwithdarkclustersofshining——suspiciouslyshining——fruit。
　　"Certainly;theyareblueberries。"
　　"Pardonme;youaremistaken。Theybelongtoquiteanotherfamily。"
　　MissImpudencedrewherselfuptoherfullheight（exactlythreefeetnineandahalfinches），and，curlinganeightofaninchofscarletlip，said，scornfully。"YOURfamily，perhaps。"
　　FaradayLittlesmiledinthesuperiorityofboyhoodovergirlhood。
　　"Ialludetotheclassification。Thatplantisthebelladonna，ordeadlynightshade。Itsalkaloidisanarcoticpoison。"
　　Saucinessturnedpale。"I——have——just——eaten——some！"Andbegantowhimper。"Odear，whatshallIdo？"Thendidit，i。e。wrunghersmallfingersandcried。
　　"Pardonmeonemoment。"Littlepassedhisarmaroundherneck，andwithhisthumbopenedwidelythepatrician-veinedlidsofhersweetblueeyes。"ThankHeaven，thereisyetnodilationofthepupil;
　　itisnottoolate！"Hecastarapidglancearound。Thenozzleandaboutthreefeetofgardenhoselaynearhim。
　　"Openyourmouth，quick！"
　　Itwasapretty，kissablemouth。ButyoungLittlemeantbusiness。
　　Heputthenozzledownherpinkthroatasfarasitwouldgo。
　　"Now，don’tmove。"
　　Hewrappedhishandkerchiefaroundahoopstick。Thenheinsertedbothintheotherendofthestiffhose。Itfittedsnugly。Heshoveditinandthendrewitback。
　　Natureabhorsavacuum。Theyoungpatricianwasasamenabletothislawasthechildofthelowestpeasant。
　　Shesuccumbed。Itwasalloverinaminute。Thensheburstintoasmallfury。
　　"Younasty，bad——UGLYboy。"
　　YoungLittlewinced，butsmiled。
　　"Stimulants，"hewhisperedtothefrightenednursery-maidwhoapproached;"goodevening。"Hewasgone。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　ThebreachbetweenyoungLittleandMr。Rabywasslowlywidening。
　　LittlefoundobjectionablefeaturesintheHall。"Thisblackoakceilingandwainscoatingisnotashealthfulasplaster;besides，itabsorbsthelight。Thebedroomceilingistoolow;theElizabethanarchitectsknewnothingofventilation。Thecolorofthatoakpanellingwhichyouadmireisduetoanexcessofcarbonandtheexuviafromtheporesofyourskin——"
　　"Leavethehouse，"bellowedRaby，"beforetherooffallsonyoursacrilegioushead！"
　　AsLittleleftthehouse，LadyCarolineandahandsomeboyofaboutLittle’sageentered。LadyCarolinerecoiled，andthen——blushed。
　　Littleglared;heinstinctivelyfeltthepresenceofarival。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　Littleworkedhard。Hestudiednightandday。Infiveyearshebecamealecturer，thenaprofessor。
　　Hesoaredashighastheclouds，hedippedaslowasthecellarsoftheLondonpoor。HeanalyzedtheLondonfog，andfoundittwopartssmoke，onedisease，oneunmentionableabominations。Hepublishedapamphlet，whichwasviolentlyattacked。Thenheknewhehaddonesomething。
　　ButhehadnotforgottenCaroline。HewaswalkingonedayintheZoologicalGardensandhecameuponaprettypicture，——fleshandbloodtoo。
　　LadyCarolinefeedingbunstothebears！Anexquisitethrillpassedthroughhisveins。Sheturnedhersweetfaceandtheireyesmet。Theyrecollectedtheirfirstmeetingsevenyearsbefore，butitwashisturntobeshyandtimid。Wonderfulpowerofageandsex！Shemethimwithperfectself-possession。
　　"Wellmeant，butindigestibleIfear"（healludedtothebuns）。
　　"Acleverpersonlikeyourselfcaneasilycorrectthat"（she，theslyboots，wasthinkingofsomethingelse）。
　　Inafewmomentstheywerechattinggayly。Littleeagerlydescanteduponthedifferentanimals;shelistenedwithdeliciousinterest。Anhourglideddelightfullyaway。
　　Afterthissunshine，clouds。
　　TothemsuddenlyenteredMr。Rabyandahandsomeyoungman。Thegentlemenbowedstifflyandlookedvicious，——astheyfelt。Theladyofthisquartettesmiledamiably，asshedidnotfeel。
　　"Lookingatyourancestors，Isuppose，"saidMr。Raby，pointingtothemonkeys;"wewillnotdisturbyou。Come。"AndheledCarolineaway。
　　Littlewasheart-sick。Hedarednotfollowthem。Butanhourlaterhesawsomethingwhichfilledhisheartwithblissunspeakable。
　　LadyCaroline，withadivinesmileonherface，feedingthemonkeys！
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　Encouragedbylove，Littleworkedharduponhisnewflying-machine。
　　HislaborswerelightenedbytalkingofthebelovedonewithherFrenchmaidTherese，whomhehaddiscreetlybribed。MademoiselleTheresewasvenal，likeallherclass，butinthisinstanceIfearshewasnotbribedbyBritishgold。StrangeasitmayseemtotheBritishmind，itwasBritishgenius，Britisheloquence，Britishthought，thatbroughthertothefeetofthisyoungsavan。
　　"Ibelieve，"saidLadyCaroline，oneday，interruptinghermaidinaglowingeulogiumupontheskillof"M。Leetell，"——"IbelieveyouareinlovewiththisProfessor。"AquickflushcrossedtheolivecheekofTherese，whichLadyCarolineafterwardremembered。
　　Theeventfuldayoftrialcame。Thepublicweregathered，impatientandscornfulasthepigheadedpublicareapttobe。Intheopenareaalongcylindricalballoon，inshapelikeaBolognasausage，swayedabovethemachine，fromwhich，likesomeenormousbirdcaughtinanet，ittriedtofreeitself。Aheavyropehelditfasttotheground。
　　Littlewaswaitingfortheballast，whenhiseyecaughtLadyCaroline’samongthespectators。Theglancewasappealing。Inamomenthewasatherside。
　　"Ishouldlikesomuchtogetintothemachine，"saidthearch-
　　hypocrite，demurely。
　　"AreyouengagedtomarryyoungRaby，"saidLittle，bluntly。
　　"Asyouplease，"shesaidwithacourtesy;"doItakethisasarefusal？"
　　Littlewasagentleman。Heliftedherandherlapdogintothecar。
　　"Hownice！itwon’tgooff？"
　　"No，theropeisstrong，andtheballastisnotyetin。"
　　Areportlikeapistol，acryfromthespectators，athousandhandsstretchedtograspthepartedrope，andtheballoondartedupward。
　　Onlyonehandofthatthousandcaughttherope，——Little’s！Butinthesameinstantthehorror-strickenspectatorssawhimwhirledfromhisfeetandborneupward，stillclingingtotherope，intospace。
　　CHAPTERVII。*
　　*Therightofdramatizationofthisandsucceedingchaptersisreservedbythewriter。
　　LadyCarolinefainted。Thecoldwaterynoseofherdogonhercheekbroughthertoherself。Shedarednotlookovertheedgeofthecar;shedarednotlookuptothebellyingmonsteraboveher，bearinghertodeath。Shethrewherselfonthebottomofthecar，andembracedtheonlylivingthingsparedher，——thepoodle。Thenshecried。Thenaclearvoicecameapparentlyoutofthecircumambientair：——
　　"MayItroubleyoutolookatthebarometer？"
　　Sheputherheadoverthecar。Littlewashangingattheendofalongrope。Sheputherheadbackagain。
　　Inanothermomenthesawherperplexed，blushingfaceovertheedge，——blissfulsight。
　　"O，pleasedon’tthinkofcomingup！Staythere，do！"
　　Littlestayed。Ofcourseshecouldmakenothingoutofthebarometer，andsaidso。Littlesmiled。
　　"Willyoukindlysenditdowntome？"
　　Butshehadnostringorcord。Finallyshesaid，"Waitamoment。"
　　Littlewaited。Thistimeherfacedidnotappear。Thebarometercameslowlydownattheendof——astay-lace。
　　Thebarometershowedafrightfulelevation。Littlelookedupatthevalveandsaidnothing。Presentlyheheardasigh。Thenasob。Then，rathersharply，——
　　"Whydon’tyoudosomething？"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　Littlecameuptheropehandoverhand。LadyCarolinecrouchedinthefarthersideofthecar。Fido，thepoodle，whined。"Poorthing，"saidLadyCaroline，"it’shungry。"
　　"Doyouwishtosavethedog？"saidLittle。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Givemeyourparasol。"
　　ShehandedLittleagood-sizedaffairoflaceandsilkandwhalebone。（Noneofyour"sunshades。"）Littleexamineditsribscarefully。
　　"Givemethedog。"
　　LadyCarolinehurriedlyslippedanoteunderthedog’scollar，andpassedoverherpet。
　　Littletiedthedogtothehandleoftheparasolandlaunchedthembothintospace。Thenextmomenttheywereslowly，buttranquilly，sailingtotheearth。
　　"Aparasolandaparachutearedistinct，butnotdifferent。Benotalarmed，hewillgethisdinneratsomefarm-house。"
　　"Wherearewenow？"
　　"ThatopaquespotyouseeisLondonfog。ThosetwincloudsareNorthandSouthAmerica。JerusalemandMadagascararethosespeckstotheright。"
　　LadyCarolinemovednearer;shewasbecominginterested。Thensherecalledherselfandsaidfreezingly，"Howarewegoingtodescend？"
　　"Byopeningthevalve。"
　　"Whydon’tyouopenitthen？"
　　"BECAUSETHEVALVE-STRINGISBROKEN！"
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　LadyCarolinefainted。Whenshereviveditwasdark。Theywereapparentlycleavingtheirwaythroughasolidblockofblackmarble。Shemoanedandshuddered。
　　"Iwishwehadalight。"
　　"Ihavenolucifers，"saidLittle。"Iobserve，however，thatyouwearanecklaceofamber。Amberundercertainconditionsbecomeshighlyelectrical。Permitme。"
　　Hetooktheambernecklaceandrubbeditbriskly。Thenheaskedhertopresentherknuckletothegem。Abrightsparkwastheresult。Thiswasrepeatedforsomehours。Thelightwasnotbrilliant，butitwasenoughforthepurposesofpropriety，andsatisfiedthedelicatelymindedgirl。
　　Suddenlytherewasatearing，hissingnoiseandasmellofgas。
　　Littlelookedupandturnedpale。Theballoon，atwhatIshallcallthepointedendoftheBolognasausage，wasevidentlyburstingfromincreasedpressure。Thegaswasescaping，andalreadytheywerebeginningtodescend。Littlewasresignedbutfirm。
　　"Ifthesilkgivesway，thenwearelost。UnfortunatelyIhavenoropenormaterialforbindingit。"
　　Thewoman’sinstincthadarrivedatthesameconclusionsoonerthantheman’sreason。Butshewashesitatingoveradetail。
　　"Willyougodowntheropeforamoment？"shesaid，withasweetsmile。
　　Littlewentdown。Presentlyshecalledtohim。Sheheldsomethinginherhand，——awonderfulinventionoftheseventeenthcentury，improvedandperfectedinthis：apyramidofsixteencircularhoopsoflightyetstrongsteel，attachedtoeachotherbyclothbands。
　　WithacryofjoyLittleseizedthem，climbedtotheballoon，andfittedtheelastichoopsoveritsconicalend。Thenhereturnedtothecar。
　　"Wearesaved。"
　　LadyCaroline，blushing，gatheredherslimbutantiquedraperyagainsttheotherendofthecar。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　Theywereslowlydescending。PresentlyLadyCarolinedistinguishedtheoutlinesofRabyHall。"IthinkIwillgetouthere，"shesaid。
　　Littleanchoredtheballoonandpreparedtofollowher。
　　"Notso，myfriend，"shesaid，withanarchsmile。"Wemustnotbeseentogether。Peoplemighttalk。Farewell。"
　　LittlesprangagainintotheballoonandspedawaytoAmerica。HecamedowninCalifornia，oddlyenoughinfrontofHardin’sdoor，atDutchFlat。Hardinwasjustexaminingaspecimenofore。
　　"Youareascientist;canyoutellmeifthatisworthanything？"
　　hesaid，handingittoLittle。
　　Littleheldittothelight。"Itcontainsninetypercentofsilver。"
　　Hardinembracedhim。"CanIdoanythingforyou，andwhyareyouhere？"
　　Littletoldhisstory。Hardinaskedtoseetherope。Thenheexamineditcarefully。
　　"Ah，thiswascut，notbroken！"
　　"Withaknife？"askedLittle。
　　"No。Observebothsidesareequallyindented。ItwasdonewithaSCISSORS！"
　　"JustHeaven！"gaspedLittle。"Therese！"
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　LittlereturnedtoLondon。PassingthroughLondononedayhemetadog-fancier。"Buyanicepoodle，sir？"
　　Somethingintheanimalattractedhisattention。"Fido！"hegasped。
　　Thedogyelped。
　　Littleboughthim。Ontakingoffhiscollarapieceofpaperrustledtothefloor。Heknewthehandwritingandkissedit。Itran：——
　　"TOTHEHON。AUGUSTUSRABY——Icannotmarryyou。IfImarryanyone"（slypuss）"itwillbethemanwhohastwicesavedmylife，——
　　ProfessorLittle。
　　"CAROLINECOVENTRY。"
　　Andshedid。
　　LOTHAW;
　　OR，THEADVENTURESOFAYOUNGGENTLEMANINSEARCHOFARELIGION。
　　BYMR。BENJAMINS。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　"Irememberhimalittleboy，"saidtheDuchess。"Hismotherwasadearfriendofmine;youknowshewasoneofmybridesmaids。"
　　"Andyouhaveneverseenhimsince，mamma？"askedtheoldestmarrieddaughter，whodidnotlookadayolderthanhermother。
　　"Never;hewasanorphanshortlyafter。Ihaveoftenreproachedmyself，butitissodifficulttoseeboys。"
　　Thissimpleyetfirst-classconversationexistedinthemorning-
　　roomofPlusham，wherethemistressofthepalatialmansionsatinvolvedinthesacredprivacyofacircleofhermarrieddaughters。Onedexterouslyappliedgoldenknitting-needlestothefabricationofapurseofflosssilkoftheraresttexture，whichnonewhoknewthealmostfabulouswealthoftheDukewouldbelievewaseverdestinedtoholdinitssilkenmeshesalesssumthanL1，000，000;anotheradornedaslipperexclusivelywithseedpearls;
　　athirdemblazonedapagewithrarepigmentsandthefinestqualityofgoldleaf。Beautifulformsleanedoverframesglowingwithembroidery，andbeautifulframesleanedoverformsinlaidwithmother-of-pearl。Others，moreremote，occasionallyburstintomelodyastheytriedthepassagesofanewandexclusiveairgiventotheminMS。bysometitledanddevotedfriend，fortheprivateuseofthearistocracyalone，andabsolutelyprohibitedforpublication。
　　TheDuchess，herselfthesuperlativeofbeauty，wealth，andposition，wasmarriedtothehighestnobleintheThreeKingdoms。
　　Thosewhotalkedaboutsuchmatterssaidthattheirprogenywereexactlyliketheirparents，——apeculiarityofthearistocraticandwealthy。Theyalllookedlikebrothersandsisters，excepttheirparents，who，suchwastheirpurityofblood，theperfectionoftheirmanners，andtheopulenceoftheircondition，mighthavebeentakenfortheirownchildren’seldersonanddaughter。Thedaughters，withoneexception，wereallmarriedtothehighestnoblesintheland。ThatexceptionwastheLadyCoriander，who，therebeingnovacancyaboveamarquisandarentalofL1，000，000，waited。Gatheredaroundtherefinedandsacredcircleoftheirbreakfast-table，withtheirglitteringcoronets，which，infilialrespecttotheirfather’sToryinstinctsandtheirmother’sRitualistictastes，theyalwaysworeontheirregalbrows，theeffectwasdazzlingasitwasrefined。Itwasthispeculiarityandtheirstrongfamilyresemblancewhichledtheirbrother-in-law，thegood-humoredSt。Addlegourd，tosaythat，"’Ponmysoul，youknow，thewholepreciousmoblookedlikeaghastlypackofcourtcards，youknow。"St。Addlegourdwasaradical。Havingarent-rollofL15，000，000，andbelongingtooneoftheoldestfamiliesinBritain，hecouldaffordtobe。
　　"Mamma，I’vejustdroppedapearl，"saidtheLadyCoriander，bendingoverthePersianhearthrug。
　　"Fromyourlips，sweetfriend，"saidLothaw，whocameofageandenteredtheroomatthesamemoment。
　　"No，frommywork。Itwasaveryvaluablepearl，mamma;papagaveIsaacsandSonsL50，000forthetwo。"
　　"Ah，indeed，"saidtheDuchess，languidlyrising;"letusgotoluncheon。"
　　"ButyourGrace，"interposedLothaw，whowasstillquiteyoung，andhaddroppedonall-foursonthecarpetinsearchofthemissinggem，"considerthevalue——"
　　"Dearfriend，"interposedtheDuchess，withinfinitetact，gentlyliftinghimbythetailsofhisdress-coat，"Iamwaitingforyourarm。"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Lothawwasimmenselyrich。Thepossessorofseventeencastles，fifteenvillas，nineshooting-boxes，andseventownhouses，hehadotherestatesofwhichhehadnotevenheard。
　　EverybodyatPlushamplayedcroquet，andnonebadly。Nexttotheirpurityofbloodandgreatwealth，thefamilywerefamousforthisaccomplishment。YetLothawsoontiredofthegame，andafterseriouslydamaginghisaristocraticallylargefootinanattemptto"tightcroquet"theLadyAniseed’sball，helimpedawaytojointheDuchess。
　　"I’mgoingtothehennery，"shesaid。
　　"Letmegowithyou，Idearlylovefowls——broiled，"headded，thoughtfully。
　　"TheDukegaveLadyMontairysomelargeCochinstheotherday，"
　　continuedtheDuchess，changingthesubjectwithdelicatetact。
　　"LadyMontairy，Quitecontrairy，Howdoyourcochinsgrow？"
　　sangLothawgayly。
　　TheDuchesslookedshocked。Afteraprolongedsilence，Lothawabruptlyandgravelysaid：——
　　"Ifyouplease，ma’am，whenIcomeintomypropertyIshouldliketobuildsomeimproveddwellingsforthepoor，andmarryLadyCoriander。"
　　"Youamazeme，dearfriend，andyetbothyouraspirationsarenobleandeminentlyproper，"saidtheDuchess;"Corianderisbutachild，——andyet，"sheadded，lookinggraciouslyuponhercompanion，"forthematterofthat，soareyou。"
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　Mr。PutneyGiles’swasLothaw’sfirstgranddinner-party。Yet，bycarefullywatchingtheothers，hemanagedtoacquithimselfcreditably，andavoideddrinkingoutofthefinger-bowlbyfirstsecretlytestingitscontentswithaspoon。Theconversationwaspeculiarandsingularlyinteresting。
　　"Thenyouthinkthatmonogamyissimplyaquestionofthethermometer？"saidMrs。PutneyGilestohercompanion。
　　"Icertainlythinkthatpolygamyshouldbelimitedbyisothermallines，"repliedLothaw。
　　"Ishouldsayitwasamatteroflatitude，"observedaloudtalkativemanopposite。HewasanOxfordProfessorwithatasteforsatire，andhadmadehimselfveryobnoxioustothecompany，duringdinner，byspeakingdisparaginglyofaformerwell-knownChancelloroftheExchequer，——agreatstatesmanandbrilliantnovelist，——whomhefearedandhated。
　　Suddenlytherewasasensationintheroom;amongthefemalesitabsolutelyamountedtoanervousthrill。HisEminence，theCardinal，wasannounced。Heenteredwithgreatsuavityofmanner，and，aftershakinghandswitheverybody，askingaftertheirrelatives，andchuckingthemoredelicatefemalesunderthechinwithahigh-bredgracepeculiartohisprofession，hesatdown，saying，"Andhowdoweallfindourselvesthisevening，mydears？"
　　inseveraldifferentlanguages，whichhespokefluently。
　　Lothaw’sheartwastouched。Hisdeeplyreligiousconvictionswereimpressed。Heinstantlywentuptothisgiftedbeing，confessed，andreceivedabsolution。"To-morrow，"hesaidtohimself，"Iwillpartakeofthecommunion，andendowtheChurchwithmyvastestates。ForthepresentI’lllettheimprovedcottagesgo。"
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　AsLothawturnedtoleavetheCardinal，hewasstruckbyabeautifulface。Itwasthatofamatron，slimbutshapelyasanIoniccolumn。HerfacewasGrecian，withCorinthiantemples;
　　Helleniceyesthatlookedfromjuttingeyebrows，likedormer-
　　windowsinanAtticforehead，completedherperfectAthenianoutline。Sheworeablackfrock-coattightlybuttonedoverherbloomertrousers，andastandingcollar。
　　"YourLordshipisstruckbythatface，"saidasocialparasite。
　　"Iam;whoisshe？"
　　"HernameisMaryAnn。SheismarriedtoanAmerican，andhaslatelyinventedanewreligion"
　　"Ah！"saidLothaweagerly，withdifficultyrestraininghimselffromrushingtowardher。
　　"Yes;shallIintroduceyou？"
　　LothawthoughtofLadyCoriander’sHighChurchproclivities，oftheCardinal，andhesitated："No，Ithankyou，notnow。"
　　CHAPTERV。
　　Lothawwasmaturing。Hehadattendedtwowoman’srightsconventions，threeFenianmeetings，haddinedatWhite’s，andhaddancedvis-a-vistoaprinceoftheblood，andeatenoffofgoldplatesatCrecyHouse。
　　HisstableswerenearOxford，andoccupiedmoregroundthantheUniversity。Hewasdrivingoverthereoneday，whenheperceivedsomerusticsandmenialsendeavoringtostopapairofrunawayhorsesattachedtoacarriageinwhichaladyandgentlemanwereseated。Calmlyawaitingtheterminationoftheaccident，withhigh-bredcourtesyLothawforboretointerfereuntilthecarriagewasoverturned，theoccupantsthrownout，andtherunawayssecuredbytheservants，whenheadvancedandofferedtheladytheexclusiveuseofhisOxfordstables。
　　TurninguponhimafacewhoseperfectHellenicdetailsheremembered，sheslowlydraggedagentlemanfromunderthewheelsintothelightandpresentedhimwithladylikedignityasherhusband，Major-GeneralCamperdown，anAmerican。
　　"Ah，"saidLothaw，carelessly，"IbelieveIhavesomelandthere。
　　IfImistakenot，myagent，Mr。PutneyGiles，latelypurchasedtheStateof——Illinois——Ithinkyoucallit。"
　　"Exactly。AsaformerresidentofthecityofChicago，letmeintroducemyselfasyourtenant。"
　　Lothawbowedgraciouslytothegentleman，who，exceptthatheseemedbetterdressedthanmostEnglishmen，showednoothersignsofinferiorityandplebeianextraction。
　　"Wehavemetbefore，"saidLothawtotheladyassheleanedonhisarm，whiletheyvisitedhisstables，theUniversity，andotherplacesofinterestinOxford。"Praytellme，whatisthisnewreligionofyours？"
　　"ItisWomanSuffrage，FreeLove，MutualAffinity，andCommunism。
　　Embraceitandme。"
　　Lothawdidnotknowexactlywhattodo。Shehoweversoothedandsustainedhisagitatedframeandsealedwithanembracehisspeechlessform。TheGeneralapproachedandcoughedslightlywithgentlemanlytact。
　　"Myhusbandwillbetoohappytotalkwithyoufurtheronthissubject，"shesaidwithquietdignity，assheregainedtheGeneral’sside。ComewithustoOneida。BrookFarmisathingofthepast。"
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　AsLothawdrovetowardhiscountry-seat，"TheMuralEnclosure，"heobservedacrowd，apparentlyoftheworkingclass，gatheredaroundasingular-lookingmaninthepicturesquegarbofanEthiopianserenader。"Whatdoeshesay？"inquiredLothawofhisdriver。
　　Themantouchedhishatrespectfullyandsaid，"MyMaryAnn。"
　　"’MyMaryAnn！’"Lothaw’sheartbeatrapidly。Whowasthismysteriousforeigner？HehadheardfromLadyCorianderofacertainPopishplot;butcouldheconnectMr。Camperdownwithit？
　　ThespectacleoftwohundredmenatarmswhoadvancedtomeethimatthegatesofTheMuralEnclosuredroveallelsefromthestillyouthfulandimpressiblemindofLothaw。Immediatelybehindthem，onthestepsofthebaronialhalls，wererangedhisretainers，ledbythechiefcookandbottle-washer，andheadcrumb-remover。Oneithersideweretwocompaniesoflaundry-maids，precededbythechiefcrimperandfluter，supportingalongAncestralLine，onwhichdependedthefamilylinen，andunderwhichtheyouthfullordofthemanorpassedintothehallsofhisfathers。Twenty-fourscullionscarriedthemassivegoldandsilverplateofthefamilyontheirshoulders，anddepositeditatthefeetoftheirmaster。
　　Thespoonswerethensolemnlycountedbythesteward，andtheperfectceremonyended。
　　Lothawsighed。Hesoughtoutthegorgeouslygilded"Taj，"orsacredmausoleumerectedtohisgrandfatherinthesecondstoryfrontroom，andweptoverthemanhedidnotknow。Hewanderedaloneinhismagnificentpark，andthen，throwinghimselfonagrassybank，ponderedontheGreatFirstCause，andthenecessityofreligion。"IwillsendMaryAnnahandsomepresent，"saidLothaw，thoughtfully。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　"Eachofthesepearls，myLord，isworthfiftythousandguineas，"
　　saidMr。Amethyst，thefashionablejeweler，ashelightlyliftedalargeshovelfulfromaconvenientbinbehindhiscounter。
　　"Indeed，"saidLothaw，carelessly，"Ishouldprefertoseesomeexpensiveones。
　　"Somenumbersixes，Isuppose，"saidMr。Amethyst，takingacouplefromtheapexofasmallpyramidthatlaypiledontheshelf。
　　"TheseareaboutthesizeoftheDuchessofBillingsgate’s，buttheyareinfinercondition。Thefactis，herGracepermitshertwochildren，theMarquisofSmithfieldandtheDukeofSt。Giles，——
　　twosweetprettyboys，myLord，——tousethemasmarblesintheirgames。Pearlsrequiresomeattention，andIgodownthereregularlytwiceaweektocleanthem。PerhapsyourLordshipwouldlikesomeropesofpearls？"
　　"Abouthalfacable’slength，"saidLothaw，shortly，"andsendthemtomylodgings。"
　　Mr。Amethystbecamethoughtful。"IamafraidIhavenottheexactnumber——thatis——excusemeonemoment。IwillrunovertotheTowerandborrowafewfromthecrownjewels。"AndbeforeLothawcouldpreventhim，heseizedhishatandleftLothawalone。
　　Hispositioncertainlywasembarrassing。Hecouldnotmovewithoutsteppingoncostlygemswhichhadrolledfromthecounter;therarestdiamondslayscatteredontheshelves;untoldfortunesinpricelessemeraldslaywithinhisgrasp。Althoughsuchwasthearistocraticpurityofhisbloodandthestrengthofhisreligiousconvictionsthatheprobablywouldnothavepocketedasinglediamond，stillhecouldnothelpthinkingthathemightheaccusedoftakingsome。"Youcansearchme，ifyoulike，"hesaidwhenMr。
　　Amethystreturned;"butIassureyou，uponthehonorofagentleman，thatIhavetakennothing。"
　　"Enough，myLord，"saidMr。Amethyst，withalowbow;"weneversearchthearistocracy。"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　AsLothawleftMr。Amethyst’s，heranagainstGeneralCamperdown。
　　"HowisMaryAnn？"heaskedhurriedly。
　　"Iregrettostatethatsheisdying，"saidthegeneral，withagravevoice，asheremovedhiscigarfromhislips，andliftedhishattoLothaw。
　　"Dying！"saidLothaw，incredulously。
　　"Alas，tootrue！"repliedtheGeneral。"Theengagementsofalonglecturingseason，exposureintravellingbyrailwayduringthewinter，andtheimperfectnourishmentaffordedbytherefreshmentsalongtheroad，havetoldonherdelicateframe。Butshewantstoseeyoubeforeshedies。Hereisthekeyofmylodging。Iwillfinishmycigarouthere。"
　　LothawhardlyrecognizedthosewastedHellenicoutlinesasheenteredthedimlylightedroomofthedyingwoman。Shewasalreadyaclassicruin，——aswreckedandyetasperfectastheParthenon。
　　Hegraspedherhandsilently。
　　"Open-airspeakingtwiceaweek，andsaleratusbreadintheruraldistricts，havebroughtmetothis，"shesaidfeebly;"butitiswell。Thecauseprogresses。Thetyrantmansuccumbs。"
　　Lothawcouldonlypressherhand。
　　"Promisemeonething。Don’t——whateveryoudo——becomeaCatholic。"
　　"Why？"
　　"TheChurchdoesnotrecognizedivorce。Andnowembraceme。I
　　wouldpreferatthissuprememomenttointroducemyselftothenextworldthroughthemediumofthebestsocietyinthis。Goodby。
　　WhenIamdead，begoodenoughtoinformmyhusbandofthefact。"
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　LothawspentthenextsixmonthsonanAryanisland，inanAryanclimate，andwithanAryanrace。
　　"ThisisanAryanlandscape，"saidhishost，"andthatisaMaryAnnstatue。"Itwas，infact，afull-lengthfigureinmarbleofMrs。GeneralCamperdown！
　　"Ifyouplease，IshouldliketobecomeaPagan，"saidLothaw，oneday，afterlisteningtoanimpassioneddiscourseonGreekartfromthelipsofhishost。
　　Butthatnight，onconsultingawell-knownspiritualmedium，LothawreceivedamessagefromthelateMrs。GeneralCamperdown，advisinghimtoreturntoEngland。TwodayslaterhepresentedhimselfatPlusham。
　　"Theyoungladiesareinthegarden，"saidtheDuchess。"Don’tyouwanttogoandpickarose？"sheaddedwithagracioussmile，andthenearestapproachtoawinkthatwasconsistentwithherpatricianbearingandaquilinenose。
　　LothawwentandpresentlyreturnedwiththeblushingCorianderuponhisarm。
　　"Blessyou，mychildren，"saidtheDuchess。Then，turningtoLothaw，shesaid："Youhavesimplyfulfilledandacceptedyourinevitabledestiny。Itwasmorallyimpossibleforyoutomarryoutofthisfamily。Forthepresent，theChurchofEnglandissafe。"
　　MUCK-A-MUCK。
　　AMODERNINDIANNOVEL。
　　AFTERCOOPER。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　ItwastowardthecloseofabrightOctoberday。ThelastraysofthesettingsunwerereflectedfromoneofthosesylvanlakespeculiartotheSierrasofCalifornia。OntherightthecurlingsmokeofanIndianvillagerosebetweenthecolumnsoftheloftypines，whiletotheleftthelogcottageofJudgeTompkins，emboweredinbuckeyes，completedtheenchantingpicture。
　　Althoughtheexteriorofthecottagewashumbleandunpretentious，andinkeepingwiththewildnessofthelandscape，itsinteriorgaveevidenceofthecultivationandrefinementofitsinmates。Anaquarium，containinggoldfishes，stoodonamarblecentre-tableatoneendoftheapartment，whileamagnificentgrandpianooccupiedtheother。Thefloorwascoveredwithayieldingtapestrycarpet，andthewallswereadornedwithpaintingsfromthepencilsofVanDyke，Rubens，Tintoretto，MichaelAngelo，andtheproductionsofthemoremodernTurner，Kensett，Church，andBierstadt。AlthoughJudgeTompkinshadchosenthefrontiersofcivilizationashishome，itwasimpossibleforhimtoentirelyforegothehabitsandtastesofhisformerlife。Hewasseatedinaluxuriousarm-chair，writingatamahoganyecritoire，whilehisdaughter，alovelyyounggirlofseventeensummers，pliedhercrochet-needleonanottomanbesidehim。Abrightfireofpinelogsflickeredandflamedontheamplehearth。
　　GenevraOctaviaTompkinswasJudgeTompkins’sonlychild。HermotherhadlongsincediedonthePlains。Rearedinaffluence，nopainshadbeensparedwiththedaughter’seducation。Shewasagraduateofoneoftheprincipalseminaries，andspokeFrenchwithaperfectBeniciaaccent。Peerlesslybeautiful，shewasdressedinawhitemoireantiquerobetrimmedwithtulle。Thatsimplerosebudwithwhichmostheroinesexclusivelydecoratetheirhair，wasallsheworeinherravenlocks。
　　TheJudgewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
　　"Genevra，thelogswhichcomposeyonderfireseemtohavebeenincautiouslychosen。Thesibilationproducedbythesap，whichexudescopiouslytherefrom，isnotconducivetocomposition。"
　　"True，father，butIthoughtitwouldbepreferabletotheconstantcrepitationwhichisapttoattendthecombustionofmoreseasonedligneousfragments。"
　　TheJudgelookedadmiringlyattheintellectualfeaturesofthegracefulgirl，andhalfforgottheslightannoyancesofthegreenwoodinthemusicalaccentsofhisdaughter。Hewassmoothingherhairtenderly，whentheshadowofatallfigure，whichsuddenlydarkenedthedoorway，causedhimtolookup。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Itneededbutaglanceatthenew-comertodetectatoncetheformandfeaturesofthehaughtyaborigine，——theuntaughtanduntrammelledsonoftheforest。Overoneshoulderablanket，negligentlybutgracefullythrown，disclosedabareandpowerfulbreast，decoratedwithaquantityofthree-centpostage-stampswhichhehaddespoiledfromanOverlandMailstageafewweeksprevious。Acast-offbeaverofJudgeTompkins’s，adornedbyasimplefeather，coveredhiserecthead，frombeneathwhichhisstraightlocksdescended。Hisrighthandhunglightlybyhisside，whilehisleftwasengagedinholdingonapairofpantaloons，whichthelawlessgraceandfreedomofhislowerlimbsevidentlycouldnotbrook。
　　"Why，"saidtheIndian，inalowsweettone，——"whydoesthePaleFacestillfollowthetrackoftheRedMan？Whydoeshepursuehim，evenasO-kee-chow，thewild-cat，chasesKa-ka，theskunk？
　　WhyarethefeetofSorrel-top，thewhitechief，amongtheacornsofMuck-a-muck，themountainforest？Why，"herepeated，quietlybutfirmlyabstractingasilverspoonfromthetable，——"whydoyouseektodrivehimfromthewigwamsofhisfathers？Hisbrothersarealreadygonetothehappyhunting-grounds。WillthePaleFaceseekhimthere？"And，avertinghisfacefromtheJudge，hehastilyslippedasilvercake-basketbeneathhisblanket，toconcealhisemotion。
　　"Muck-a-Muckhasspoken，"saidGenevra，softly。"Lethimnowlisten。AretheacornsofthemountainsweeterthantheesculentandnutritiousbeanofthePaleFaceminer？Doesmybrotherprizetheediblequalitiesofthesnailabovethatofthecrispandoleaginousbacon？Deliciousarethegrasshoppersthatsportonthehillside，——aretheybetterthanthedriedapplesofthePaleFaces？
　　Pleasantisthegurgleofthetorrent，Kish-Kish，butisitbetterthanthecluck-cluckofoldBourbonfromtheoldstonebottle？"
　　"Ugh！"saidtheIndian，——"ugh！good。TheWhiteRabbitiswise。
　　HerwordsfallasthesnowonTootoonolo，andtherockyheartofMuck-a-Muckishidden。WhatsaysmybrothertheGrayGopherofDutchFlat？"
　　"Shehasspoken，Muck-a-Muck，"saidtheJudge，gazingfondlyonhisdaughter。"Itiswell。Ourtreatyisconcluded。No，thankyou，——
　　youneedNOTdancetheDanceofSnowShoes，ortheMoccasinDance，theDanceofGreenCorn，ortheTreatyDance。Iwouldbealone。A
　　strangesadnessoverpowersme。"
　　"Igo，"saidtheIndian。"TellyourgreatchiefinWashington，theSachemAndy，thattheRedManisretiringbeforethefootstepsoftheadventurousPioneer。Informhim，ifyouplease，thatwestwardthestarofempiretakesitsway，thatthechiefsofthePi-UtenationareforReconstructiontoaman，andthatKlamathwillpollaheavyRepublicanvoteinthefall。"
　　Andfoldinghisblanketmoretightlyaroundhim，Muck-a-Muckwithdrew。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　GenevraTompkinsstoodatthedoorofthelog-cabin，lookingaftertheretreatingOverlandMailstagewhichconveyedherfathertoVirginiaCity。"Hemayneverreturnagain，"sighedtheyounggirlassheglancedatthefrightfullyrollingvehicleandwildlycareeringhorses，——"atleast，withunbrokenbones。Shouldhemeetwithanaccident！Imindmenowafearfullegend，familiartomychildhood。Canitbethatthedriversonthislineareprivatelyinstructedtodespatchallpassengersmaimedbyaccident，topreventtediouslitigation？No，no。Butwhythisweightuponmyheart？"
　　Sheseatedherselfatthepianoandlightlypassedherhandoverthekeys。Then，inaclearmezzo-sopranovoice，shesangthefirstverseofoneofthemostpopularIrishballads：——
　　"OArrah，madheelish，thedistantdudheenLiessoftinthemoonlight，mabouchalvourneen：
　　Thespringinggossoonsontheheatherarestill，Andthecaubeensandcolleensareheardonthehills。"
　　Butastheravishingnotesofhersweetvoicediedupontheair，herhandssanklistlesslytoherside。Musiccouldnotchaseawaythemysteriousshadowfromherheart。Againsherose。Puttingonawhitecrapebonnet，andcarefullydrawingapairoflemon-coloredglovesoverhertaperfingers，sheseizedherparasolandplungedintothedepthsofthepineforest。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　Genevrahadnotproceededmanymilesbeforeawearinessseizeduponherfragilelimbs，andshewouldfainseatherselfuponthetrunkofaprostratepine，whichshepreviouslydustedwithherhandkerchief。Thesunwasjustsinkingbelowthehorizon，andthescenewasoneofgorgeousandsylvanbeauty。"HowbeautifulisNature！"murmuredtheinnocentgirl，as，reclininggracefullyagainsttherootofthetree，shegatheredupherskirtsandtiedahandkerchiefaroundherthroat。Butalowgrowlinterruptedhermeditation。Startingtoherfeet，hereyesmetasightwhichfrozeherbloodwithterror。
　　Theonlyoutlettotheforestwasthenarrowpath，barelywideenoughforasingleperson，hemmedinbytreesandrocks，whichshehadjusttraversed。Downthispath，inIndianfile，cameamonstrousgrizzly，closelyfollowedbyaCalifornialion，awild-
　　cat，andabuffalo，therearbeingbroughtupbyawildSpanishbull。Themouthsofthethreefirstanimalsweredistendedwithfrightfulsignificance;thehornsofthelastwereloweredasominously。AsGenevrawaspreparingtofaint，sheheardalowvoicebehindher。
　　"Eternallydog-gonemyskinefthisain’ttheputtiestchanceyet。"
　　Atthesamemoment，along，shiningbarreldroppedlightlyfrombehindher，andrestedoverhershoulder。
　　Genevrashuddered。
　　"Dernye——don’tmove！"
　　Genevrabecamemotionless。
　　Thecrackofariflerangthroughthewoods。Threefrightfulyellswereheard，andtwosullenroars。Fiveanimalsboundedintotheairandfivelifelessbodieslayupontheplain。Thewell-aimedbullethaddoneitswork。Enteringtheopenthroatofthegrizzly，ithadtraversedhisbodyonlytoenterthethroatoftheCalifornialion，andinlikemannerthecatamount，untilitpassedthroughintotherespectiveforeheadsofthebullandthebuffalo，andfinallyfellflattenedfromtherockyhillside。
　　Genevraturnedquickly。"Mypreserver！"sheshrieked，andfellintothearmsofNattyBumpo，thecelebratedPikeRangerofDonnerLake。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　ThemoonrosecheerfullyaboveDonnerLake。Onitsplacidbosomadug-outcanoeglidedrapidly，containingNattyBumpoandGenevraTompkins。
　　Bothweresilent。Thesamethoughtpossessedeach，andperhapstherewassweetcompanionshipevenintheunbrokenquiet。Genevrabitthehandleofherparasolandblushed。NattyBumpotookafreshchewoftobacco。AtlengthGenevrasaid，asifinhalf-
　　spokenrevery：——
　　"Thesoftshiningofthemoonandthepeacefulrippleofthewavesseemtosaytousvariousthingsofaninstructiveandmoraltendency。"
　　"Youmaybetyerpileonthat，Miss，"saidhercompanion，gravely。
　　"It’sallthepreachin’andpsalm-singin’I’veheernsinceIwasaboy。"
　　"Noblebeing！"saidMissTompkinstoherself，glancingatthestatelyPikeashebentoverhispaddletoconcealhisemotion。
　　"Rearedinthiswildseclusion，yethehasbecomepenetratedwithvisibleconsciousnessofaGreatFirstCause。"Then，collectingherself，shesaidaloud："Methinks’twerepleasanttoglideeverthusdownthestreamoflife，handinhandwiththeonebeingwhomthesoulclaimsasitsaffinity。ButwhatamIsaying？"——andthedelicate-mindedgirlhidherfaceinherhands。
　　Alongsilenceensued，whichwasatlengthbrokenbyhercompanion。
　　"Efyoumeanyou’reonthemarry，"hesaid，thoughtfully，"Iain’tinnowisepartikler！"
　　"Myhusband，"falteredtheblushinggirl;andshefellintohisarms。
　　IntenminutesmorethelovingcouplehadlandedatJudgeTompkins’s。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　Ayearhaspassedaway。NattyBumpowasreturningfromGoldHill，wherehehadbeentopurchaseprovisions。OnhiswaytoDonnerLake，rumorsofanIndianuprisingmethisears。"Derntheirpeskyskins，eftheydaretotouchmyJenny，"hemutteredbetweenhisclenchedteeth。
　　Itwasdarkwhenhereachedthebordersofthelake。Aroundaglitteringfirehedimlydiscernedduskyfiguresdancing。Theywereinwarpaint。ConspicuousamongthemwastherenownedMuck-a-
　　Muck。ButwhydidthefingersofNattyBumpotightenconvulsivelyaroundhisrifle？
　　Thechiefheldinhishandlongtuftsofravenhair。TheheartofthepioneersickenedasherecognizedtheclusteringcurlsofGenevra。Inamomenthisriflewasathisshoulder，andwithasharp"ping，"Muck-a-Muckleapedintotheairacorpse。Toknockoutthebrainsoftheremainingsavages，tearthetressesfromthestiffeninghandofMuck-a-Muck，anddashrapidlyforwardtothecottageofJudgeTompkins，wastheworkofamoment。
　　Heburstopenthedoor。Whydidhestandtransfixedwithopenmouthanddistendedeyeballs？Wasthesighttoohorribletobeborne？Onthecontrary，beforehim，inherpeerlessbeauty，stoodGenevraTompkins，leaningonherfather’sarm。
　　"Ye’rnotscalped，then！"gaspedherlover。
　　"No。IhavenohesitationinsayingthatIamnot;butwhythisabruptness？"respondedGenevra。
　　Bumpocouldnotspeak，butfranticallyproducedthesilkentresses。
　　Genevraturnedherfaceaside。
　　"Why，that’sherwaterfall！"saidtheJudge。
　　Bumposankfaintingtothefloor。
　　ThefamousPikechieftainneverrecoveredfromthedeceit，andrefusedtomarryGenevra，whodied，twentyyearsafterwards，ofabrokenheart。JudgeTompkinslosthisfortuneinWildCat。ThestagepassestwiceaweekthedesertedcottageatDonnerLake。
　　ThuswasthedeathofMuck-a-Muckavenged。
　　TERENCEDENVILLE。
　　BYCH——L——SL——V——R。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　MYHOME。
　　ThelittlevillageofPilwiddleisoneofthesmallestandobscuresthamletsonthewesterncoastofIreland。Onaloftycrag，overlookingthehoarseAtlantic，stands"Denville’sShotTower"——acorruptionbythepeasantryofD’Enville’sChateau，socalledfrommygreat-grandfather，PhelimSt。Kemyd’Enville，whoassumedthenameandtitleofaFrenchheiresswithwhomheranaway。TothisfactmyfamiliarknowledgeandexcellentpronunciationoftheFrenchlanguagemaybeattributed，aswellasmanyoftheeventswhichcoveredmyafterlife。
　　TheDenvilleswerealwayspassionatelyfondoffieldsports。Attheageoffour，Iwasalreadytheboldestriderandthebestshotinthecountry。Whenonlyeight，IwontheSt。RemyCupatthePilwiddleraces，——ridingmyfavoritebloodmareHellfire。AsI
　　approachedthestandamidsttheplauditsoftheassembledmultitude，andcriesof，"Thrueforye，MastherTerence，"and"O，butit’saDinville！"therewasaslightstiramongthegentry，whosurroundedtheLordLieutenant，andothertitledpersonageswhomtheracehadattractedthither。"Howyoungheis，——amerechild;
　　andyethownoble-looking，"saidasweetlowvoice，whichthrilledmysoul。
　　IlookedupandmetthefullliquidorbsoftheHon。BlancheFitzroySackville，youngestdaughteroftheLordLieutenant。Sheblusheddeeply。Iturnedpaleandalmostfainted。Butthecold，sneeringtonesofamasculinevoicesentthebloodbackagainintomyyouthfulcheek。
　　"VerylikelytheraggedscionofoneofthesebandittiIrishgentry，whohastakennaturallyto’theroad。’Heshouldbeatschool——thoughIwarrantmehisknowledgeofTerencewillnotextendbeyondhisownname，"saidLordHenrySomerset，aid-de-camptotheLordLieutenant。
　　AmomentandIwasperfectlycalm，thoughcoldasice。
　　Dismounting，andsteppingtothesideofthespeaker，Isaidinalow，firmvoice：——
　　"HadyourLordshipreadTerencemorecarefully，youwouldhavelearnedthatbandittiaresometimesproficientinotherartsbesidehorsemanship，"andItouchedhisholstersignificantlywithmyhand。IhadnotreadTerencemyself，butwiththeskilfulaudacityofmyraceIcalculatedthatavagueallusion，coupledwithathreat，wouldembarrasshim。Itdid。
　　"Ah——whatmeanyou？"hesaid，whitewithrage。
　　"Enough，weareobserved，"Ireplied;"FatherTomwillwaitonyouthisevening;andto-morrowmorning，mylord，intheglenbelowPilwiddlewewillmeetagain。"
　　"FatherTom——glen！"ejaculatedtheEnglishman，withgenuinesurprise。"What？dopriestscarrychallengesandactassecondsinyourinfernalcountry？"
　　"Yes！"Ianswered，scornfully，"whyshouldtheynot？Theirservicesaremoreoftennecessarythanthoseofasurgeon，"Iaddedsignificantly，turningaway。
　　Thepartyslowlyrodeoff，withtheexceptionoftheHon。BlancheSackville，wholingeredforamomentbehind。InaninstantIwasatherside。Bendingherblushingfaceovertheneckofherwhitefilly，shesaidhurriedly：——
　　"WordshavepassedbetweenLordSomersetandyourself。Youareabouttofight。Don’tdenyit——buthearme。Youwillmeethim——I
　　knowyourskillofweapons。Hewillbeatyourmercy。Ientreatyoutosparehislife！"
　　Ihesitated。"Never！"Icriedpassionately;"hehasinsultedaDenville！"
　　"Terence，"shewhispered，"Terence——FORMYSAKE？"
　　Thebloodrushedtomycheeks，andhereyessoughtthegroundinbashfulconfusion。
　　"Youlovehimthen？"Icried，bitterly。
　　"No，no，"shesaid，agitatedly，"no，youdomewrong。I——I——cannotexplainmyself。Myfather！——theLadyDowagerSackville——theestateofSackville——theborough——myuncle，FitzroySomerset。Ah！whatamIsaying？Forgiveme。OTerence，"shesaid，asherbeautifulheadsankonmyshoulder，"youknownotwhatIsuffer！"
　　Iseizedherhandandcovereditwithpassionatekisses。Butthehigh-bredEnglishgirl，recoveringsomethingofherformerhauteur，saidhastily，"Leaveme，leaveme，butpromise！"
　　"Ipromise，"Ireplied，enthusiastically;"IWILLsparehislife！"
　　"Thanks，Terence，——thanks！"anddisengagingherhandfrommylipssheroderapidlyaway。
　　Thenextmorning，theHon。CaptainHenrySomersetandmyselfexchangednineteenshotsintheglen，andateachfireIshotawayabuttonfromhisuniform。Asmylastbulletshotoffthelastbuttonfromhissleeve，Iremarkedquietly，"Youseemnow，mylord，tobealmostasraggedasthegentryyousneeredat，"androdehaughtilyaway。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　THEFIGHTINGFIFTY-SIXTH。
　　WhenIwasnineteenyearsoldmyfathersoldtheChateaud’Envilleandpurchasedmycommissioninthe"Fifty-sixth"withtheproceeds。
　　"Isay，Denville，"saidyoungMcSpadden，aboy-facedensign，whohadjustjoined，"you’llrepresenttheestateintheArmy，ifyouwon’tintheHouse。"Poorfellow，hepaidforhismeaninglessjokewithhislife，forIshothimthroughtheheartthenextmorning。
　　"You’reagoodfellow，Denville，"saidthepoorboyfaintly，asI
　　kneltbesidehim："goodby！"Forthefirsttimesincemygrandfather’sdeathIwept。IcouldnothelpthinkingthatIwouldhavebeenabettermanifBlanche——butwhyproceed？WasshenotnowinFlorence——thebelleoftheEnglishEmbassy？
　　ButNapoleonhadreturnedfromElba。Europewasinablazeofexcitement。TheAllieswerepreparingtoresisttheManofDestiny。WewereorderedfromGibraltarhome，andweresoonagainenrouteforBrussels。IdidnotregretthatIwastobeplacedinactiveservice。Iwasambitious，andlongedforanopportunitytodistinguishmyself。MygarrisonlifeinGibraltarhadbeenmonotonousanddull。Ihadkilledfivemeninduel，andhadanaffairwiththecolonelofmyregiment，whohandsomelyapologizedbeforethematterassumedaseriousaspect。Ihadbeentwiceinlove。Yetthesewerebutboyishfreaksandfollies。Iwishedtobeaman。
　　Thetimesooncame，——themorningofWaterloo。Butwhydescribethatmomentousbattle，onwhichthefateoftheentireworldwashanging？TwiceweretheFifty-sixthsurroundedbyFrenchcuirassiers，andtwicedidwemowthemdownbyourfire。Ihadsevenhorsesshotunderme，andwasmountingtheeighth，whenanorderlyrodeuphastily，touchedhiscap，and，handingmeadespatch，gallopedrapidlyaway。
　　Iopenedithurriedlyandread：——
　　"LETPICTONADVANCEIMMEDIATELYONTHERIGHT。"
　　Isawitallataglance。Ihadbeenmistakenforageneralofficer。Butwhatwastobedone？Picton’sdivisionwastwomilesaway，onlyaccessiblethroughaheavycrossfireofartilleryandmusketry。Butmymindwasmadeup。
　　InaninstantIwasengagedwithanentiresquadronofcavalry，whoendeavoredtosurroundme。Cuttingmywaythroughthem，Iadvancedboldlyuponabatteryandsabredthegunnersbeforetheycouldbringtheirpiecestobear。Lookingaround，IsawthatIhadinfactpenetratedtheFrenchcentre。BeforeIwaswellawareofthelocality，IwashailedbyasharpvoiceinFrench，——
　　"Comehere，sir！"
　　Iobeyed，andadvancedtothesideofalittlemaninacockedhat。
　　"HasGrouchycome？"
　　"Notyet，sire，"Ireplied，——foritwastheEmperor。
　　"Ha！"hesaidsuddenly，bendinghispiercingeyesonmyuniform;"aprisoner？"
　　"No，sire，"Isaid，proudly。
　　"Aspy？"
　　Iplacedmyhanduponmysword，butagesturefromtheEmperorbademeforbear。
　　"Youareabraveman，"hesaid。
　　Itookmysnuff-boxfrommypocket，and，takingapinch，repliedbyhandingit，withabow，totheEmperor。
　　Hisquickeyecaughtthecipheronthelid。"What！aD’Enville？
　　Ha！thisaccountsforthepurityofyouraccent。AnyrelationtoRoderickd’Enville？"
　　"Myfather，sire。"
　　"Hewasmyschool-fellowattheEcolePolytechnique。Embraceme！"
　　AndtheEmperorfelluponmyneckinthepresenceofhisentirestaff。Then，recoveringhimself，hegentlyplacedinmyhandhisownmagnificentsnuff-box，inexchangeformine，andhanginguponmybreastthecrossoftheLegionofHonorwhichhetookfromhisown，hebadeoneofhisMarshalsconductmebacktomyregiment。
　　IwassointoxicatedwiththehonorofwhichIhadbeentherecipient，thatonreachingourlinesIutteredashoutofjoyandputspurstomyhorse。Theintelligentanimalseemedtosympathizewithmyfeelings，andfairlyflewovertheground。Onarisingeminenceafewyardsbeforemestoodagray-hairedofficer，surroundedbyhisstaff。Idon’tknowwhatpossessedme，butputtingspurstomyhorse，Irodeathimboldly，andwithoneboundclearedhim，horseandall。Ashoutofindignationarosefromtheassembledstaff。Iwheeledsuddenly，withtheintentionofapologizing，butmymaremisunderstoodme，and，againdashingforward，oncemorevaultedovertheheadoftheofficer，thistimeunfortunatelyuncoveringhimbyaviciouskickofherhoof。"Seizehim！"roaredtheentirearmy。Iwasseized。Asthesoldiersledmeaway，Iaskedthenameofthegray-hairedofficer。"That——why，that’stheDUKEOFWELLINGTON！"
　　Ifainted。
　　******
　　ForsixmonthsIhadbrain-fever。DuringmyillnesstengrapeshotwereextractedfrommybodywhichIhadunconsciouslyreceivedduringthebattle。WhenIopenedmyeyesImetthesweetglanceofaSisterofCharity。
　　"Blanche！"Istammeredfeebly。
　　"Thesame，"shereplied。
　　"Youhere？"
　　"Yes，dear;buthush！It’salongstory。Yousee，dearTerence，yourgrandfathermarriedmygreat-aunt’ssister，andyourfatheragainmarriedmygrandmother’sniece，who，dyingwithoutawill，was，accordingtotheFrenchlaw——"
　　"ButIdonotcomprehend，"Isaid。
　　"Ofcoursenot，"saidBlanche，withheroldsweetsmile;"you’vehadbrain-fever;sogotosleep。"
　　Iunderstood，however，thatBlanchelovedme;andIamnow，dearreader，SirTerenceSackville，K。C。B。，andLadyBlancheisLadySackville。
　　SELINASEDILIA。
　　BYMISSM。E。B——DD——NANDMRS。H——N——YW——D。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　ThesunwassettingoverSlopertonGrange，andreddenedthewindowofthelonelychamberinthewesterntower，supposedtobehauntedbySirEdwardSedilia，thefounderoftheGrange。InthedreamydistancearosethegildedmausoleumofLadyFeliciaSedilia，whohauntedthatportionofSediliaManor，knownas"Stiff-unsAcre。"
　　AlittletotheleftoftheGrangemighthavebeenseenamoulderingruin，knownas"Guy’sKeep，"hauntedbythespiritofSirGuySedilia，whowasfound，onemorning，crushedbyoneofthefallenbattlements。Yet，asthesettingsungildedtheseobjects，abeautifulandalmostholycalmseemeddiffusedabouttheGrange。
　　TheLadySelinasatbyanorielwindow，overlookingthepark。ThesunsankgentlyinthebosomoftheGermanOcean，andyettheladydidnotliftherbeautifulheadfromthefinelycurvedarmanddiminutivehandwhichsupportedit。Whendarknessfinallyshroudedthelandscapeshestarted，forthesoundofhorse-hoofsclatteredoverthestonesoftheavenue。Shehadscarcelyrisenbeforeanaristocraticyoungmanfellonhiskneesbeforeher。
　　"MySelina！"
　　"Edgardo！Youhere？"
　　"Yes，dearest。"
　　"And——you——you——have——seennothing？"saidtheladyinanagitatedvoiceandnervousmanner，turningherfaceasidetoconcealheremotion。
　　"Nothing——thatisnothingofanyaccount，"saidEdgardo。"Ipassedtheghostofyourauntinthepark，noticedthespectreofyouruncleintheruinedkeep，andobservedthefamiliarfeaturesofthespiritofyourgreat-grandfatherathisusualpost。Butnothingbeyondthesetrifles，mySelina。Nothingmore，love，absolutelynothing。"
　　Theyoungmanturnedhisdarkliquidorbsfondlyupontheingenuousfaceofhisbetrothed。
　　"MyownEdgardo！——andyoustillloveme？Youstillwouldmarrymeinspiteofthisdarkmysterywhichsurroundsme？Inspiteofthefatalhistoryofmyrace？Inspiteoftheominouspredictionsofmyagednurse？"
　　"Iwould，Selina";andtheyoungmanpassedhisarmaroundheryieldingwaist。Thetwoloversgazedateachother’sfacesinunspeakablebliss。SuddenlySelinastarted。
　　"Leaveme，Edgardo！leaveme！Amysterioussomething——afatalmisgiving——adarkambiguity——anequivocalmistrustoppressesme。I
　　wouldbealone！"
　　Theyoungmanarose，andcastalovingglanceonthelady。"Thenwewillbemarriedontheseventeenth。"
　　"Theseventeenth，"repeatedSelina，withamysteriousshudder。