ThemomentHaroldbecameconsciousofSelina’sstealthyapproach，hedroppedhispencilandflunghimselfflatuponthetable，protectingthushisliteraryeffortsfromchillingcriticismbytheinterposedthicknessofhisperson。Fromsomewhereinhisinteriorproceededaheartrendingcompoundofsquealandwhistle，asofescapingsteam，——long-drawn，earpiercing，unvaryinginnote。
　　"Ionlyjustwanttosee，"protestedSelina，strugglingtouproothissmallbodyfromthescrawlitguarded。ButHaroldclunglimpet-liketothetableedge，andhisshrillprotestcontinuedtodeafenhumanityandtothreateneventheserenitiesofOlympus。Thetimeseemedcomeforademonstrationinforce。
　　PersonallyIcaredlittlewhatsoul-outpouringsofHaroldwerepiratedbySelina——shewasprettysuretogetholdofthemsoonerorlater——andindeedIratherwelcomedthediversionasfavourabletotheundisturbedpursuitofArt。Buttheclannishnessofsexhasitsunwrittenlaws。Boys，assuch，aresufficientlyputupon，maltreated，troddenunder，asitis。
　　Shouldtheyfailtohangtogetherinperiloustimes，whatdisasters，whatignominies，maynotbelookedfor？Possiblyevenanextinctionofthetribe。Idroppedmypaintbrushandsailedshoutingintothefray。
　　Theresultforashortspacehungdubious。Thereisaperiodoflifewhenthedifferenceofayearortwoinagefaroutweighstheminoradvantageofsex。ThenthegathersofSelina’sfrockcameawaywithasoundliketherattleofdistantmusketry;andthiscalamityitwas，ratherthanmerebrutecompulsion，thatquelledherindomitablespirit。
　　Thefemaletongueismightierthanthesword，asIsoonhadgoodreasontoknow，whenSelina，herrivengarmentheldoutatlength，avengedherdiscomfiturewiththeGreek-fireofpersonalitiesandabuse。Everyblackincidentinmyshort，butnotstainless，career——everyerror，everyfolly，everypenaltyignoblysuffered——wereparadedbeforemeasinamagic-
　　lanternshow。Theinformation，however，wasnotparticularlynewtome，andtheeffectwasstaledbypreviousrehearsals。
　　Besides，avictoryremainsavictory，whateverthemoralcharacterofthetriumphantgeneral。
　　Haroldchuckledandcrowedashedroppedfromthetable，revealingthedocumentoverwhichsomanygathershadsighedtheirshortlivesout。"YOUcanreaditifyoulike，"hesaidtomegratefully。"It’sonlyaDeath-letter。"
　　IthadneverbeenpossibletosaywhatHarold’sparticularamusementofthehourmightturnouttobe。Onethingonlywascertain，thatitwouldbesomethingimprobable，unguessable，nottobeforetold。Who，forinstance，insearchofrelaxation，wouldeverdreamofchoosingthedrawing-upofatestamentarydispositionofproperty？YetthiswastheformtakenbyHarold’slatestcraze;andinjusticethismuchhadtobesaidforhim，thatinthechristeningofhisamusementhehadgonerighttotheheartofthematter。Thewords"will"and"testament"havevariousmeaningsanduses;butaboutthesignificationof"death-letter"therecanbenomannerofdoubt。
　　Ismoothedoutthecrumpledpaperandread。Inactualformitdeviatedconsiderablyfromthatusuallyadoptedbyfamilysolicitorsofstanding，theonlyresemblance，indeed，lyingintheabsenceofpunctuation。
　　"mydearedward（itran）whenIdieIleaveallmymunytoyoumywalkinstickswipsmycropmysordandgunbricksfortsandallthingsihavegoodbyemydearcharlottewhenidieIleaveyoumywachandcumpusandpencelcasemysalorsandcamperdownmypicteresandevthinggoodbyeyourlovingbrotherarmenmydearMarthaIloveyouverymuchileaveyoumygardenmymiceandrabetsmyplantsinpotswhenIdiepleasetakecareofthemmydear——"Coeteradesunt。
　　"Why，you’renotleavingmeanything！"exclaimedSelina，indignantly。"You’rearegularmeanlittleboy，andI’lltakebackthelastbirthdaypresentIgaveyou！"
　　"Idon’tcare，"saidHarold，repossessinghimselfofthedocument。"Iwasgoingtoleaveyousomething，butIsha’n’tnow，’cosyoutriedtoreadmydeath-letterbeforeIwasdead！"
　　"ThenI’llwriteadeath-lettermyself，"retortedSelina，scentinganartisticvengeance："andIsha’n’tleaveyouasinglething！"Andshewentoffinsearchofapencil。
　　Thetempestwithin-doorshadkeptmyattentionofftheconditionofthingswithout。Butnowaglancethroughthewindowtoldmethattherainhadentirelyceased，andthateverythingwasbathedinsteadinaradiantglowofsunlight，moregoldenthananygambogeofminecouldpossiblydepict。LeavingSelinaandHaroldtosettletheirfeudbyamutualdisinheritance，Islippedfromtheroomandescapedintotheopenair，eagertopickupthelooseendofmynewfriendshipjustwhereIhaddroppeditthatmorning。Inthegloriousreactionofthesunshineafterthedownpour，withitsmoistwarmsmells，bespanglementofgreenery，andinspiritingtouchofrain-washedair，theparksandpalacesoftheimaginationglowedwithalivelieriris，andtheirblurredbeautiesshoneoutagainwithfreshblushandpalpitation。AsI
　　spedalongtothetryst，againIaccompaniedmynewcomradealongthecorridorsofmypetpalaceintowhichIhadsohastilyintroducedher;andonreflectionIbegantoseethatitwouldn’tworkproperly。Ihadmadeamistake，andthosewerenotthesurroundingsinwhichshewasmostfittedtoshine。However，itreallydidnotmattermuch;Ihadotherpalacestoplaceatherdisposal——plentyof’em;andonafurtheracquaintancewithandknowledgeofhertastes，nodoubtIcouldfindsomethingtosuither。
　　TherewasarealArabianone，forinstance，whichIvisitedbutrarely——onlyjustwhenIwasinthefineOrientalmoodforit;awonderofsilkhangings，fountainsofrosewater，pavilions，andminarets。Hundredsofsilent，well-trainedslavesthrongedthestairsandalleysofthisestablishment，readytofetchandcarryforherallday，ifshewishedit;andmybravesoldierswouldbesparedtheindignity。Alsotherewereprocessionsthroughthebazaaratoddmoments——processionswithcamels，elephants，andpalanquins。Yes，shewasmoresuitedfortheEast，thisimperiousyoungperson;andIdeterminedthatthithersheshouldbepersonallyconductedassoonasevermightbe。
　　Ireachedthefenceandclimbeduptwobarsofit，andleaningoverIlookedthiswayandthatformytwin-souledpartnerofthemorning。ItwasnotlongbeforeIcaughtsightofher，onlyashortdistanceaway。Herbackwastowardsmeand——well，onecanneverforeseeexactlyhowonewillfindthings——shewastalkingtoaBoy。
　　Ofcoursethereareboysandboys，andLordknowsIwasnevernarrow。Butthiswastheparson’ssonfromanadjoiningvillage，ared-headedboyandascommonalittlebeastaseverstepped。
　　Hecultivatedferrets——hisonlygoodpoint;anditwasevidentlythroughthemediumofthisartthathewasbaselysupplantingme，forherheadwasbentabsorbedlyoversomethinghecarriedinhishands。WithsometrepidationIcalledout，"Hi！"Butanswertherewasnone。ThenagainIcalled，"Hi！"butthistimewithasickeningsenseoffailureandofdoom。Sherepliedonlybyacomplexgesture，decisiveinimportifnoteasilydescribed。A
　　petulanttossofthehead，ajerkoftheleftshoulder，andabackwardkickoftheleftfoot，alldeliveredatonce——thatwasall，andthatwasenough。Thered-headedboyneverevencondescendedtoglancemyway。Why，indeed，shouldhe？I
　　droppedfromthefencewithoutanothereffort，andtookmywayhomewardsalongthewearyroad。
　　Littleinclinationwaslefttome，atfirst，foranysolitaryvisittomyaccustomedpalace，thepleasuresofwhichIhadsorecentlytastedincompany;andyetafteraminuteortwoIfoundmyself，fromhabit，sneakingofftheremuchasusual。PresentlyIbecameawareofacertainsolaceandconsolationinmynewly-recoveredindependenceofaction。Quitofallfemalewhimsandfancifulrestrictions，Irowed，sailed，orpunted，justasI
　　pleased;intheChocolate-roomIcrackedandnibbledthehardsticks，withacertaincontemptforthosewhopreferredthesoft，veneeredarticle;andImixedandquaffedcountlessfizzydrinkswithoutdreadofanyprohibitionist。Finally，Iswaggeredintothepark，paradedallmysoldiersontheterrace，and，biddingthemtakethetimefromme，gavetheordertofireoffalltheguns。
　　THEMAGICRING
　　Grown-uppeoplereallyoughttobemorecareful。Amongthemselvesitmayseembutasmallthingtogivetheirwordandtakebacktheirword。Forthemtherearesomanycompensations。
　　Lifeliesattheirfeet，aparty-colouredindia-rubberball;theymaykickitthiswayorkickitthat，itturnsupblue，yellow，orgreen，butalwayscolouredandglistening。Thusoneseesithappenalmosteveryday，and，withajestandalaugh，thethingisover，andthedisappointedoneturnstofreshpleasure，lyingreadytohishand。Butwiththosewhoarebelowthem，whoselittleglobeisswayedbythem，whorushtobuildstar-pointingalhambrasontheirmostcasualword，theyreallyoughttobemorecareful。
　　Inthiscaseofthecircus，forinstance，itwasnotasifwehadleduptothesubject。Itwastheywhobeganitentirely——
　　promptedtheretobythelocalnewspaper。"What，acircus！"saidthey，intheirirritating，casualway："thatwouldbenicetotakethechildrento。Wednesdaywouldbeagoodday。SupposewegoonWednesday。Oh，andpleatsarebeingwornagain，withrowsofdeepbraid，"etc。
　　WhattheothersthoughtIknownot;whattheysaid，iftheysaidanything，Ididnotcomprehend。Formethehousewasbursting，wallsseemedtocrampandtostifle，theroofwasjumpingandlifting。Escapewastheimperativething——toescapeintotheopenair，toshakeoffbricksandmortar，andtowanderintheunfrequentedplacesoftheearth，themoreproperlytotakeinthepassionandthepromiseofthegiddysituation。
　　Natureseemedprimandstaidthatdayandtheglobegavenohintthatitwasflyingroundacircusringofitsown。Couldtheyreallybetrue，Iwondered，allthosebewilderingthingsI
　　hadheardtellofcircuses？Didlong-tailedponiesreallywalkontheirhind-legsandfireoffpistols？Wasithumanlypossibleforclownstoperformone-halfofthebewitchingdrolleriesrecordedinhistory？Andhow，oh，howdareIventuretobelievethat，fromoffthebacksofcreamyArabsteeds，ladiesofmorethanearthlybeautydischargedthemselvesthroughpaperhoops？
　　No，itwasnotaltogetherpossible，theremusthavebeensomeexaggeration。Still，Iwouldbecontentwithverylittle，I
　　wouldtakealowpercentage——averysmallproportionofthecircusmythwouldmorethansatisfyme。Butagain，evensupposingthathistorywere，onceinaway，noliar，coulditbethatImyselfwasreallyfatedtolookuponthisthinginthefleshandtolivethroughit，tosurvivetherapture？No，itwasaltogethertoomuch。Somethingwasboundtohappen，oneofuswoulddevelopmeasles，theworldwouldblowupwithaloudexplosion。Imustnotdare，Imustnotpresume，toentertainthesmallesthope。Imustendeavoursternlytothinkofsomethingelse。
　　Needlesstosay，Ithought，Idreamedofnothingelse，dayornight。Waking，Iwalkedarm-in-armwithaclown，andcrackedaportentouswhiptothebravemusicofaband。Sleeping，I
　　pursued——perchedastrideofacoal-blackhorse——aprincessallgauzeandspangles，whoalwaysmanagedtokeepjustoneunattainablelengthahead。IntheearlymorningHaroldandI，oncefullyawake，cross-examinedeachotherastothepossibilitiesofthisorthatcircustradition，andexhaustedthelorelongerethefirsthousemaidwasstirring。Inthisstateofexaltationweslippedonwardtowhatpromisedtobeadayofallwhitedays——whichbringsmerightbacktomytext，thatgrown-uppeoplereallyoughttobemorecareful。
　　Ihadknownitcouldneverreallybe;Ihadsaidsotomyselfadozentimes。Thevisionwastoosweetlyetherealforembodiment。
　　Yetthepangofthedisillusionmentwasnonethelesskeenandsickening，andthepainwasasthatofacorporealwound。Itseemedstrangeandforeboding，whenweenteredthebreakfast-
　　room，nottofindeverybodycrackingwhips，jumpingoverchairs，andwhooping。Inecstaticrehearsalofthewildrealitytocome。
　　Thesituationbecamegrimandpallidindeed，whenIcaughttheexpressions"garden-party"and"mymauvetulle，"andrealizedthattheybothreferredtothatveryafternoon。Andeveryminute，asIsatsilentandlistened，myheartsanklowerandlower，descendingrelentlesslylikeaclock-weightintomybootsoles。
　　ThroughoutmyagonyIneverdreamedofresortingtoadirectquestion，muchlessareproach。Evenduringtheperiodofjoyfulanticipationsomefearofbreakingthespellhadkeptmefromanybaldcircustalkinthepresenceofthem。ButHarold，whowasbuiltinquiteanotherway，sosoonashediscernedthedriftoftheirconversationandheardtheknellofallhishopes，filledtheroomwithwailandclamourofbereavement。Thegrinningwelkinrangwith"Circus！""Circus！"shookthewindow-panes;themockingwallsre-echoed"Circus！"Circushewouldhave，andthewholecircus，andnothingbutthecircus。Nocompromiseforhim，noevasions，nofallacious，unsecuredpromisestopay。HehaddrawnhischequeontheBankofExpectation，andithadgottobecashedthenandthere;elsehewouldyell，andyellhimselfintoafit，andcomeoutofitandyellagain。Yellingshouldbehisprofession，hisart，hismission，hiscareer。Hewasqualified，hewasresolute，andhewasinnohurrytoretirefromthebusiness。
　　Thenoisyonesoftheworld，iftheydonotalwaysshoutthemselvesintotheimperialpurple，aresureatleastofreceivingattention。Iftheycannotselleverythingattheirownprice，onething——silence——must，atanycost，bepurchasedofthem。Haroldaccordinglyhadtobeconsoledbytheemploymentofeveryspeciousfallacyandbase-borntrickknowntothosewhosedoomitistohandlechildren。Formetheirhollowcajoleryhadnointerest，IcouldplucknoconsolationoutoftheirbankruptthoughprodigalpledgesIonlywaitedtillthathateful，well-known"Someothertime，dear！"toldmethathopewasfinallydead。ThenIlefttheroomwithoutanyremark。Itmadeitworse——ifanythingcould——tohearthatstale，worn-outoldphrase，stillsupposedbythosedullardstohavesomeefficacy。
　　Tonature，asusual，Idriftedbyinstinct，andthere，outofthetrackofhumanity，underafriendlyhedge-rowhadmyblackhourunseen。Theworldwasaglobenolonger，spacewasnomorefilledwithwhirlingcircusesofspheres。Thatdaytheoldbeliefsroseupandassertedthemselves，andtheearthwasflatagain——ditch-riddled，stagnant，anddeadlyflat。Theundeviatingroadscrawledstraightandwhite，elmsdressedthemselvesstifflyalonginflexiblehedges，allnature，centrifugalnolonger，sprawledflatlyinlinesouttoitsfarthestedge，andIfeltjustlikewalkingouttothatterminus，anddroppingquietlyoff。Then，asIsatthere，moroselychewingbitsofstick，therecollectioncamebacktomeofcertainfascinatingadvertisementsIhadspelledoutinthepapers——advertisementsofgreatandhappymen，owningbigshipsoftonnagerunningintofourfigures，whoyetcraved，totheextentofpublicsupplication，forthesympatheticco-operationofyouthsasapprentices。Ididnotrightlyknowwhatapprenticesmightbe，norwhetherIwasyetbigenoughtobestyledayouth;butonethingseemedclear，that，bysomesuchmeansasthis，whatevertheinterveninghardships，Icouldeventuallyvisitallthecircusesoftheworld——thecircusesofmerryFranceandgaudySpain，ofHollandandBohemia，ofChinaandPeru。Herewasaplanworththinkingoutinallitsbearings;forsomethinghadpresentlytobedonetoendthisintolerablestateofthings。
　　Mid-day，andevenfeeding-time，passedbygloomilyenough，tillasmalldisturbanceoccurredwhichhadtheeffectofreleasingsomeoftheelectricitywithwhichtheairwascharged。Harold，itshouldbeexplained，wasofaverydifferentmentalmould，andneverbrooded，moped，noratehisheartoutoveranydisappointment。Onewildoutburst——onedissolutionofaminuteintohisoriginalelementsofairandwater，oftearsandoutcry——somuchinsultednatureclaimed。Thenhewouldpullhimselftogether，ironouthiscountenancewithasmile，andadjusthimselftothenewconditionofthings。
　　Ifthegodsareevergratefultomanforanything，itiswhenheissogoodastodisplayashortmemory。TheOlympianswereneverslowtorecognizethisqualityofHarold’s，inwhich，indeed，theirsalvationlay，andonthisoccasiontheirgratitudehadtakenthepracticalformofafinefatorange，tough-
　　rindedasorangesofthosedayswerewonttobe。Thishehadevisceratedinthegoodold-fashionedmanner，bybitingoutaholeintheshoulder，insertingalumpofsugartherein，andthenworkingitcannilytillthewholesoulandbodyoftheorangepassedglorifiedthroughthesugarintohisbeing。Thereupon，filledfulloforange-juiceandiniquity，heconceivedadeadlysnare。Havingdeftlypattedandsqueezedtheorange-skintillitresumeditsoriginalshape，hefilleditupwithwater，insertedafreshlumpofsugarintheorifice，and，issuingforth，blandlyprofferedittomeasIsatmoodilyinthedoorwaydreamingofstrangewildcircusesundertropicskies。
　　Suchastaleolddodgeasthiswouldhardlyhavetakenmeinatordinarymoments。ButHaroldhadreckonedrightlyuponthedisturbingeffectofill-humour，andhadguessed，perhaps，thatI
　　thirstedforcomfortandconsolation，andwouldnotcriticisetoocloselythesourcefromwhichtheycame。UnthinkinglyI
　　graspedthegoldenfraud，whichcollapsedatmytouch，andsquirteditscontentsintomyeyesandovermycollar，tillthenethermostpartsofmeweredampwiththewaterthathadrundownmyneck。InaninstantIhadHarolddown，and，withalltheenergyofwhichIwascapable，devotedmyselftogrindinghisheadintothegravel;whilehe，realizingthattheclosurewasapplied，andthatthetimefordiscussionorargumentwaspast，sternlyconcentratedhispowersonkickingmeinthestomach。
　　Somepeoplecanneveralloweventstoworkthemselvesoutquietly。AtthisjunctureoneofThemswoopeddownonthescene，pouringshrill，misplacedabuseonbothofus：onmeforill-
　　treatingmyyoungerbrother，whereasitwasdistinctlyIwhowastheinjuredandthedeceived;onhimforthehighoffenceofassaultandbatteryonacleancollar——acollarwhichIhadmyselfdefloweredanddefaced，shortlybefore，insheerdesperateill-temper。Disgustedanddefiantwefledindifferentdirections，rejoiningeachotherlaterinthekitchen-garden;andaswestrolledalongtogether，ourshortfeudforgotten，Haroldobserved，gloomily："Ishouldliketobeacave-man，likeUncleGeorgewastellin’usabout：withaflinthatchetandnoclothes，andliveinacaveandnotknowanybody！"
　　"Andifanyonecametoseeuswedidn’tlike，"Ijoinedin，catchingontothepointsoftheidea，"we’dhithimontheheadwiththehatchettillhedroppeddowndead。"
　　"Andthen，"saidHarold，warmingup，"we’ddraghimintothecaveandSKINHIM！"
　　Foraspacewegloatedsilentlyoverthefairsceneourimaginationshadconjuredup。ItwasBLOODwefelttheneedofjustthen。Wewantednoluxuries，nothingdear-boughtnorfar-fetched。Justplainblood，andnothingelse，andplentyofit。
　　Blood，however，wasnottobehad。Thetimewasoutofjoint，andwehadbeenborntoolate。Sowewentofftothegreenhouse，crawledintotheheatingarrangementunderneath，andplayedatthedarkanddirtyandunrestrictedlifeofcave-mentillwewereheartilysickofit。Thenweemergedoncemoreintohistorictimes，andwentofftotheroadtolookforsomethinglivingandsentienttothrowstonesat。
　　Nature，sooftenacheerfulally，sometimessulksandrefusestoplay。Wheninthismoodshepassesthewordtoherunderlings，andallthelittlepeopleoffurandfeathertakethehintandsliphomequietlybybackstreets。Invainwescouted，lurked，crept，andambuscaded。Everythingthatusuallyscurried，hopped，orfluttered——thesmallsocietyoftheundergrowth——seemedtohaveengagementselsewhere。Thehorridthoughtthatperhapstheyhadallgoneofftothecircusoccurredtoussimultaneously，andwehumpedourselvesuponthefenceandfeltbad。Eventhesoundofapproachingwheelsfailedtostiranyinterestinus。Whenyouarebentonthrowingstonesatsomething，humanityseemsobtrusiveandbetteraway。Thensuddenlywebothjumpedoffthefencetogether，ourfacesclearing。Foroureducatedearhadtoldusthattheapproachingrattlecouldonlyproceedfromadog-cart，andwefeltsureitmustbethefunnyman。
　　Wecalledhimthefunnymanbecausehewassadandserious，andsaidlittle，butgazedrightintooursouls，andmadeustellhimjustwhatwasonourmindsatthetime，andthencameoutwithsomemagnificentlyluminoussuggestionthatclearedeverycloudaway。Whatwasmorehewouldthengooffwithusatonceandplaythethingrightouttoitsfinish，earnestlyanddevotedly，puttingallotherthingsaside。Sowecalledhimthefunnyman，meaningonlythathewasdifferentfromthoseotherswhothoughtitincumbentonthemtoplaythepainfulmummer。Theidealasopposedtotherealmanwaswhatwemeant，onlywewerenotacquaintedwiththephrase。Thoseothers，withtheirlabouredjestsandclumsycontortions，doubtlessflatteredthemselvesthatTHEYwerefunnymen;we，whohadtositthroughandapplaudthepainfulperformance，knewbetter。
　　Hepulleduptoawalkassoonashecaughtsightofus，andthedog-cartcrawledslowlyalongtillitstoppedjustopposite。
　　Thenheleanthischinonhishandandregardeduslongandsoulfully，yetsaidheneveraword;whilewejiggedupanddowninthedust，grinningbashfullybutwithexpectation。Foryouneverknewexactlywhatthismanmightsayordo。
　　"Youlookbored，"heremarkedpresently;"thoroughlybored。Orelse——letmesee;you’renotmarried，areyou？"
　　Heaskedthisinsuchsadearnestnessthatwehastenedtoassurehimwewerenotmarried，thoughwefeltheoughttohaveknownthatmuch;wehadbeenintimateforsometime。
　　"Thenit’sonlyboredom，"hesaid。"Justsatietyandworld-
　　weariness。Well，ifyouassuremeyouaren’tmarriedyoucanclimbintothiscartandI’lltakeyouforadrive。I’mbored，too。Iwanttodosomethingdarkanddreadfulandexciting。"
　　Weclamberedin，ofcourse，yappingwithdelightandtreadingalloverhistoes;andaswesetoff，Harolddemandedofhimimperiouslywhitherhewasgoing。
　　"Mywife，"hereplied，"hasorderedmetogoandlookupthecurateandbringhimhometotea。Doesthatsoundsufficientlyexcitingforyou？"
　　Ourfacesfell。Thecurateofthehourwasnotasuccess，fromourpointofview。Hewasnotafunnyman，inanysenseoftheword。
　　"——butI’mnotgoingto，"headded，cheerfully。"ThenIwastostopatsomecottageandask——whatwasit？TherewasNETTLE-
　　RASHmixedupinit，I’msure。Butnevermind，I’veforgotten，anditdoesn’tmatter。Lookhere，we’rethreedesperateyoungfellowswhostickatnothing。Supposewegoofftothecircus？"
　　Ofcertainsuprememomentsitisnoteasytowrite。Thevaryingshadesandcurrentsofemotionmayindeedbeputintowordsbythosespeciallyskilledthatway;theyoftenare，atconsiderablelength。Butthesheer，crudearticleitself——thestrong，livethingthatleapsupinsideyouandswellsandstranglesyou，thedizzinessofrevulsionthattakesthebreathlikecoldwater——whoshalldepictthisandlive？AllIknewwasthatI
　　wouldhavediedthenandthere，cheerfully，forthefunnyman;
　　thatIlongedforredIndianstospringoutfromthehedgeonthedog-cart，justtoshowwhatIwoulddo;andthat，withallthis，Icouldnotfindtheleastlittlewordtosaytohim。
　　Haroldwaslesstaciturn。Withshrillvoice，upliftedinsolemnchant，hesangthegreatspheralcircus-song，andtheundyinggloryoftheRing。Ofitstimelessbeginninghesang，ofitsfashioningbycosmicforces，andofitsharmonywiththestellarplan。Ofhorseshesang，oftheirstrength，theirswiftness，andtheirdocilityastotricks。Ofclownsagain，ofthegloryofknavery，andoftheeternaltypethatshallendure。LastlyhesangofHer——theWomanoftheRing——flawless，complete，untrammelledineachsubtlycurvinglimb;earth’shighestoutput，time’snoblestexpression。Atleast，hedoubtlesssangallthesethingsandmore——hecertainlyseemedto;thoughallthatwasdistinguishablewas，"We’re-goin’-to-the-circus！"andthen，oncemore，"We’re-goin’-to-the-circus！"——thesweetrhythmicphraserepeatedagainandagain。ButindeedIcannotbequitesure，forIheardconfusedly，asinadream。Wingsoffiresprangfromtheoldmare’sshoulders。Wewhirledonourwaythroughpurpleclouds，andearthandtherattleofwheelswerefarawaybelow。
　　ThedreamandthedizzinesswerestillinmyheadwhenIfoundmyself，scarceconsciousofintermediatesteps，seatedactuallyinthecircusatlast，andtookinthefirstsniffofthatintoxicatingcircussmellthatwillstaybymewhilethisclayendures。Theplacewasbesetbyahumandaglitterandamist;suspensebroodedlargeo’ertheblank，mysteriousarena。
　　Strunguptothehighestpitchofexpectation，weknewnotfromwhatquarter，inwhatdivineshape，thefirstsurprisewouldcome。
　　Athudofunseenhoofsfirstsetusaquiver;thenacrashofcymbals，ajangleofbells，ahoarseapplaudingroar，andCoraliewasinthemidstofus，whirlingpast’twixtearthandsky，nowerect，flushed，radiant，nowcrouchedtotheflowingmane;swungandtossedandmouldedbythemaddeningdance-musicoftheband。
　　Themightywhipofthecountinthefrock-coatmarkedtimewithpistol-shots;hiswar-cry，whoopingclearabovethemusic，firedthebloodwithapassionforsplendiddeeds，asCoralie，laughing，exultant，crashedthroughthepaperhoops。Wegrippedtheredclothinfrontofus，andoursoulsspedroundandroundwithCoralie，leapingwithher，pronewithher，swungbymaneortailwithher。Itwasnotonlytheravishmentofherdeliriousfeats，norhercreamcolouredhorseoffairybreed，long-tailed，roe-footed，anenchantedprincesurely，ifevertherewasone！Itwashermorethanmortalbeauty——displayed，too，underconditionsnevervouchsafedtousbefore——thatheldusspell-bound。Whatprincesshadarmssodazzlinglywhite，orwentdelicatelyclothedinsuchpinkandspangles？Hithertowehadknowntheoutwardwomanasbutadrabthing，hour-glassshaped，nearlylegless，bunchedhere，constrictedthere;slowofmovement，andgiventodeprecatinglustyactionoflimb。Herewasarevelation！Fromhenceforthourimaginationswouldhavetoberevisedandcorrecteduptodate。Inoneofthoseswiftrushesthemindmakesinhigh-strungmoments，IsawmyselfandCoralie，closeenfolded，pacingtheworldtogether，o’erhillandplain，throughstoriedcities，pastrowsofapplaudingrelations，——IinmySundayknickerbockers，sheinherpinkandspangles。
　　Summerssicken，flowersfailanddie，allbeautybutridesroundtheringandoutattheportal;evensoCoraliepassedinherturn，poisedsideways，panting，onhersteed;lightlyswayedasatulip-bloom，bowingonthissideandonthatasshedisappeared;
　　andwithherwentmyheartandmysoul，andallthelightandthegloryandtheentrancementofthescene。
　　Haroldwokeupwithagasp。"Wasn’tshebeautiful？"hesaid，inquiteasubduedwayforhim。Ifeltamomentarypang。Wehadbeenfriendlyrivalsbefore，inmanyanexploit;butherewasaltogetheramoreseriousaffair。Wasthis，then，tobethebeginningofstrifeandcoldness，ofcivilwaronthehearthstoneandthesunderingofoldties？ThenIrecollectedthetruepositionofthings，andfeltverysorryforHarold;foritwasinexorablywrittenthathewouldhavetogivewaytome，sinceI
　　wastheelder。Ruleswerenotmadefornothing，inasensiblyconstructeduniverse。
　　Therewaslittlemoretowaitfor，nowCoraliehadgone;yetI
　　lingeredstill，onthechanceofherappearingagain。Nextmomenttheclowntrippedupandfellflat，withmagnificentartifice，andatoncefreshemotionsbegantostir。Lovehadendureditslittlehour，andsternambitionnowasserteditself。
　　Oh，tobeasplendidfellowlikethis，self-contained，readyofspeech，agilebeyondconception，bravingtheforcesofsociety，hishandagainsteveryone，yetalwaysgettingthebestofit！
　　Whatfreshnessofhumour，whatcourtesytodames，whattriumphantabilitytodiscomfitrivals，frock-coatedandmoustachedthoughtheymightbe！Andwhatagrand，self-
　　confidentstraddleofthelegs！Whocoulddesireafinercareerthantogothroughlifethusgorgeouslyequipped！Successwashiskey-note，adroitnesshispanoply，andthemellowmusicoflaughterhisinstantreward。EvenCoralie’simagewaveredandreceded。Iwouldcomebacktoherintheevening，ofcourse;butIwouldbeaclownalltheworkinghoursoftheday。
　　Theshortintervalwasended：theband，withlong-drawnchords，soundedapreludetouchedwithsignificance;andtheprogramme，inlettersovertoppingtheirfellows，proclaimedZephyrine，theBrideoftheDesert，inherunequalledbarebackequestrianinterlude。SosatedwasIalreadywithbeautyandwithwit，thatIhardlydaredhopeforafreshemotion。Yethertitlewastingedwithromance，andCoralie’sdisplayhadarousedinmeaninterestinhersexwhichevenherselfhadfailedtosatisfyentirely。
　　Brayedinbytrumpets，Zephyrineswungpassionatelyintothearena。Withaboundshestooderect，onefootuponeachofhersupple，plungingArabs;andatonceIknewthatmyfatewassealed，mychapterclosed，andtheBrideoftheDesertwastheonebrideforme。Blackwasherraiment，greatsilverstarsshonethroughit，caughtintheduskytwilightofhergauze;
　　blackasherownhairwerethetwomightysteedsshebestrode。
　　Inatempesttheythunderedby，inawhirlwind，asciroccooftan;hercheeksborethekissofanEasternsun，andthesand-
　　stormsofhernativedesertwerehersatellites。WhatwasCoralie，withherpinksilk，hergoldenhairandslenderlimbs，besidethismagnificent，full-figuredCleopatra？Inatwinklingwewerescouringthedesert——sheandIandthetwocoal-
　　blackhorses。Sidebyside，keepingpaceinourswinginggallop，wedistancedtheostrich，weoutstrodethezebra;and，aswewent，itseemedthewildernessblossomedliketherose……
　　Iknownotrightlyhowwegothomethatevening。Ontheroadtherewereeverywherestrangepresences，andthethudofphantomhoofsencircledus。Inmynosewasthepungentcircus-smell;thecrackofthewhipandthefranklaughoftheclownwereinmyears。Thefunnymanthoughtfullyabstainedfromconversation，andleftourillusionquitealone，sparingusalljarringcriticismandanalysis;andhegavemenochance，whenhedepositedusatourgate，togetridoftheclumsyexpressionsofgratitudeIhadbeenlaboriouslyframing。Fortherestoftheevening，distraughtandsilent，Ionlyheardthemarch-musicoftheband，playingoninsomecornerofmybrain。Whenatlastmyheadtouchedthepillow，inatriceIwaswithZephyrine，ridingtheboundlessSahara，cheektocheek，theworldwelllost;
　　whileattimes，throughthesand-cloudsthatencircledus，glimmeredtheeyesofCoralie，touched，onefancied，withsomethingofatenderreproach。
　　ITSWALLSWEREASOFJASPER
　　Inthelongwinterevenings，whenwehadthepicture-booksoutonthefloor，andsprawledtogetheroverthemwithelbowsdeepinthehearth-rug，thefirstbusinesstobegonethroughwastheprocessofallotment。Allthecharactersinthepictureshadtobeassignedanddealtoutamongus，accordingtoseniority，asfarastheywouldgo。Whenoncethathadbeensatisfactorilycompleted，thestorywasallowedtoproceed;andthereafter，inadditiontotheexcitementoftheplot，onealwayspossessedapersonalinterestinsomeparticularmemberofthecast，whosesuccessesorrebuffsonetookassomuchprivategainorloss。
　　ForEdwardthiswassatisfactoryenough。Claiminghisrightoftheeldest，hewouldannextheherointheveryfrontispiece;andfortherestofthestoryhiscareer，ifchequeredatintervals，wassureofheroicepisodesandagloriousclose。Buthisjuniors，whohadtoputupwithcharactersofaclaymoremixed——nay，sometimeswithundilutedvillainy——werehardputtoitonoccasiontodefendtheirotherselves（asitwasstrictetiquettetodo）fromignominyperhapsonlytoojustlymerited。Edwardwasindeedahopelessgrabber。
　　Inthe"Buffalo-book，"forinstance（sonamedfromthesubjectofitsprincipalpicture，thoughindeeditdealtwithvariedslaughterineveryzone），Edwardwasthestalwart，beardedfigure，withyellowleggingsandapowder-horn，whoundauntedlydischargedthefatalbulletintotheshoulderofthegreatbullbison，charginghometowithinayardofhismuzzle。Tomewasallottedthesubsidiarycharacterofthefriendwhohadsucceededinbringingdownacow;whileHaroldhadtobecontenttoholdEdward’ssparerifleinthebackground，withevidentsignsofuneasiness。Fartheron，again，wherethemagnificentchamoissprangrigidintomid-air，Edward，croucheddizzilyagainsttheprecipice-face，wasthesportsmanfromwhoseweaponapuffofwhitesmokewasfloatingaway。Abare-kneedguidewasallthatfelltomyshare，whilepoorHaroldhadtotaketheboywiththehaversack，orabandon，forthisoccasionatleast，allAlpineambitions。
　　Ofcoursethegirlsfaredbadlyinthisbook，anditwasnotsurprisingthattheypreferredthe"Pilgrim’sProgress"（forinstance），wherewomenhadafairshow，andtherewasgenerallyenoughof’emtogoround;oragoodfairystory，whereinprincessesmetwithahealthyappreciation。Butindeedwewereallbestpleasedwithapicturewhereinthecharactersjustfittedus，innumber，sex，andqualifications;andthis，tous，stoodforartisticmerit。
　　AlltheChristmasnumbers，intheirgiltframesonthenursery-
　　wall，hadbeengonethroughandallottedlongago;andinthese，soonerorlater，eachoneofusgotachancetofigureinsomesatisfactoryandbrightlycolouredsituation。Fewoftheotherpicturesaboutthehouseaffordedequalfacilities。Theyweregenerallywantinginfigures，andevenwhenthesewerepresenttheylackeddramaticinterest。InthispicturethatIhavetospeakabout，althoughthecharactershadastupidwayofnotdoinganything，andapparentlynotwantingtodoanything，therewasatleastasufficiencyofthem;soinduecoursetheywereallotted，too。
　　Initselfthepicture，which——initsebonyandtortoise-shellframe——hunginacornerofthedining-room，hadhithertopossessednospecialinterestforus，andwouldprobablyneverhavebeendealtwithatallbutforarevoltofthegirlsagainstasuccessionofbooksonsport，inwhichtheillustratorseemedtohaveforgottenthatthereweresuchthingsaswomenintheworld。Selinaaccordinglymadeforitonerainymorning，andannouncedthatshewastheladyseatedinthecentre，whosegownofrich，floweredbrocadefellinsuchstraight，severelinestoherfeet，whosecloakofdarkbluewasheldbyajewelledclasp，andwhoselong，fairhairwascrownedwithadiademofgoldandpearl。Well，wehadnoobjectiontothat;itseemedfairenough，especiallytoEdward，whopromptlyproceededto"grab"thearmour-manwhostoodleaningonhisshieldatthelady’srighthand。Adaintyanddelicatearmour-manthis！AndIconfess，thoughIknewitwasallrightandfairandorderly，IfeltaslightpangwhenhepassedoutofmyreachintoEdward’spossession。HisarmourwasjustthesortIwantedmyself——
　　scallopedandflutedandshimmeringandspotless;and，thoughhewasbutaboybyhisbeardlessfaceandgoldenhair，theshatteredspear-shaftinhisgraspproclaimedhimagenuinefighterandfreshfromsomesuchagreeablework。Yes，IgrudgedEdwardthearmour-man，andwhenhesaidIcouldhavethefellowontheotherside，IhungbackandsaidI’dthinkaboutit。
　　Thisfellowhadnoarmournorweapons，butworeaplainjerkinwithaleatherpouch——amerecivilian——andwithonehandhepointedtoawoundinhisthigh。Ididn’tcareabouthim，andwhenHaroldeagerlyputinhisclaimIgavewayandlethimhavetheman。ThecauseofHarold’sanxietyonlycameoutlater。Itwasthewoundhecoveted，itseemed。Hewantedtohaveabig，sorewoundofhisveryown，andgoaboutandshowittopeople，andexcitetheirenvyorwintheirrespect。Charlottewasonlytoopleasedtotakethechild-angelseatedatthelady’sfeet，grapplingwithamusicalinstrumentmuchtoobigforher。
　　Charlottewantedwingsbadly，and，nexttothose，aguitarorabanjo。Theangel，besides，woreanambernecklace，whichtookherfancyimmensely。
　　Thisleftthepictureallotted，withtheexceptionoftwoorthreemoreangels，whopeepedorperchedbehindthemainfigureswithacertainsubdueddrolleryintheirfaces，asifthethinghadgoneonlongenough，anditwasnowtimetoupsetsomethingorkickuparowofsomesort。Weknewthesegoodfolktobesaintsandangels，becausewehadbeentoldtheywere;otherwiseweshouldneverhaveguessedit。Angels，asweknewtheminourSundaybooks，werevapid，colourless，uninterestingcharacters，withstraightup-and-downsortoffigures，whitenightgowns，whitewings，andthesamestraightyellowhairpartedinthemiddle。Theywereserious，evenmelancholy;andwehadnodesiretohaveanytrafficwiththem。Thesebrightbejewelledlittlepersons，however，piquantoffaceandradiantoffeather，wereevidentlyhatchedfromquiteadifferentegg，andwefeltwemighthaveinterestsincommonwiththem。Short-nosed，shockheaded，withmouthsthatwentupatthecornersandwithanevidentdisregardforalltheirfineclothes，theywouldbethebestofgoodcompany，wefeltsure，ifonlywecouldmanagetogetatthem。Onedoubtalonedisturbedmymind。Ingamesrequiringagility，thosewingsoftheirswouldgivethematremendouspull。Couldtheybetrustedtoplayfair？I
　　askedSelina，whorepliedscornfullythatangelsALWAYSplayedfair。ButIwentbackandhadanotherlookatthebrown-facedonepeepingoverthebackofthelady’schair，andstillIhadmydoubts。
　　WhenEdwardwentofftoschoolagreatdealofadjustmentandre-
　　allotmenttookplace，andalltheheroesofillustratedliteraturewereatmycall，didIchoosetopossessthem。Inthisparticularcase，however，Imadenohastetoseizeuponthearmour-man。PerhapsitwasbecauseIwantedaFRESHsaintofmyown，notastalesaintthatEdwardhadbeenforsolongatime。Perhapsitwasratherthat，eversinceIhadelectedtobesaintless，Ihadgotintothehabitofstrollingoffintothebackground，andamusingmyselfwithwhatIfoundthere。
　　Averyfascinatingbackgrounditwas，andheldagreatdeal，thoughsotiny。Meadow-landcamefirst，setwithflowers，blueandred，likegems。Thenawhiteroadran，withwilful，uncalled-forloops，upasteep，conicalhill，crownedwithtowers，bastionedwalls，andbelfries;anddowntheroadthelittleknightscameriding，twoandtwo。Thehillononesidedescendedtowater，tranquil，far-reaching，andblue;andaverycurlyshiplayatanchor，withonemasthavinganoddsortofcrow’s-nestatthetopofit。
　　Therewasplentytodointhispleasantland。Theannoyingthingaboutitwas，onecouldneverpenetratebeyondacertainpoint。
　　ImightwanderupthatroadasoftenasIliked，Iwasboundtobebroughtupatthegateway，thefunnygalleried，top-heavygateway，ofthelittlewalledtown。Inside，doubtless，therewerehighjinksgoingon;butthepasswordwasdeniedtome。I
　　couldgetonboardaboatandrowupasfarasthecurlyship，butaroundtheheadlandImightnotgo。Ontheotherside，ofasurety，theshippinglaythick。Themerchantswalkedonthequay，andthesailorssangastheyswungoutthecordedbales。
　　Butasforme，Imuststaydowninthemeadow，andimagineitallasbestIcould。
　　OnceIbroachedthesubjecttoCharlotte，andfound，tomysurprise，thatshehadhadthesamejoysandencounteredthesamedisappointmentsinthisdelectablecountry。She，too，hadwalkedupthatroadandflattenedhernoseagainstthatportcullis;andshepointedoutsomethingthatIhadoverlooked——towit，thatifyourowedoffinaboattothecurlyship，andgotholdofarope，andclamberedaboardofher，andswarmedupthemast，andgotintothecrow’s-nest，youcouldjustseeovertheheadland，andtakeinatyoureasethelifeandbustleoftheport。Sheproceededtodescribeallthefunthatwasgoingonthere，atsuchlengthandwithsomuchparticularitythatIlookedathersuspiciously。"Why，youtalkasifyou’dbeeninthatcrow’s-nestyourself！"Isaid。Charlotteanswerednothing，butpursedhermouthupandnoddedviolentlyforsomeminutes;andI
　　couldgetnothingmoreoutofher。Ifeltratherhurt。
　　Evidentlyshehadmanaged，somehoworother，togetupintothatcrow’s-nest。Charlottehadgotaheadofmeonthisoccasion。
　　Itwasnecessary，nodoubt，thatgrown-uppeopleshoulddressthemselvesupandgoforthtopaycalls。Idon’tmeanthatwesawanysenseinthepractice。Itwouldhavebeensomuchmorereasonabletostayathomeinyouroldclothesandplay。Butwerecognizedthatthesefolkhadtodomanyunaccountablethings，andafterallitwasTHEIRlife，andnotours，andwewerenotinapositiontocriticise。Besides，theyhadmanyhabitsmoreobjectionablethanthisone，whichtousgenerallymeantafreeanduntrammelledafternoon，whereintoplaythedevilinourownway。Thecasewasdifferent，however，whenthepress-gangwasabroad，whenprayersandexcuseswerealikedisregarded，andwewereforcedintotheservice，likenativeleviesimpelledtowardthefoelessbytheinherentrighteousnessofthecausethanbytheindisputableriflesoftheirwhiteallies。Thiswasunpardonableandaltogetherdetestable。Still，thethinghappened，nowandagain;andwhenitdid，therewasnoarguingaboutit。Theorderwasforthefront，andwejusthadtoshutupandmarch。
　　Selina，tobesure，hadasneakingfondnessfordressingupandpayingcalls，thoughshepretendedtodislikeit，justtokeeponthesoftsideofpublicopinion。SoIthoughtitextremelymeaninhertohavetheearacheonthatparticularafternoonwhenAuntElizaorderedthepony-carriageandwentonthewar-path。I
　　wasorderedalso，inthesamebreathasthepony-carriage;and，asweeventuallytrundledoff，itseemedtomethattheutterwasteofthatafternoon，forwhichIhadplannedsomuch，couldneverbemadeupnoratonedforinallthetremendousstretchofyearsthatstilllaybeforeme。
　　Thehousethatwewereboundforonthisoccasionwasa"bighouse;"agenerictitleappliedbyustotheclassofresidencethathadalongcarriage-drivethroughrhododendrons;andaporticoproppedbyflutedpillars;andagravebutlerwhoboltedbackswing-doors，andcamedownsteps，andpretendedtohaveentirelyforgottenhisfamiliarintercoursewithyouatlessseriousmoments;andabighall，wherenobootsorshoesoruppergarmentswereallowedtolieaboutfranklyandeasily，aswithus;andwhere，finally，peoplewereapttositaboutdressedupasiftheyweregoingontoaparty。
　　TheladywhoreceiveduswaseffusivetoAuntElizaandhollowlygracioustome。IntensecondstheyhadtheirheadstogetherandwerehardatittalkingCLOTHES。Iwaslefthighanddryonastraight-backedchair，longingtokickthelegsofit，yetnotdaring。ForatimeIwascontenttostare;therewaslotstostareat，highandlowandaround。Thentheinevitablefidgetscameon，andscratchingone’slegsmitigatedslightly，butdidnotentirelydispersethem。Mytwowarderswerestilldeepinclothes;Islippedoffmychairandedgedcautiouslyaroundtheroom，exploring，examining，recording。
　　Manystrange，finethingslayalongmyroute——picturesandgimcracksonthewalls，trinketsandglobularoldwatchesandsnuff-boxesonthetables;andItookgoodcaretofingereverythingwithinreachthoroughlyandconscientiously。Somearticles，inaddition，Ismelt。AtlastinmyorbitIhappenedonanopendoor，halfconcealedbythefoldsofacurtain。I
　　glancedcarefullyaround。Theywerestilldeepinclothes，bothtalkingtogether，andIslippedthrough。
　　ThiswasaltogetheramoresensiblesortofroomthatIhadgotinto;forthewallswerehonestlyupholsteredwithbooks，thoughtheseforthemostpartglimmeredprovokinglythroughtheglassdoorsoftheirtallcases。Ireadtheirtitleslongingly，breathingoneveryaccessiblepaneofglass，forIdarednotattempttoopenthedoors，withtheenemyencampedsonear。Inthewindow，though，onahighsortofdesk，therelay，allbyitself，amostpromising-lookingbook，gorgeouslybound。I
　　raisedtheleavesbyonecorner，andlikescentfromapot-pourrijartherefloatedoutabriefvisionofbluesandreds，tellingofpictures，andpicturesallhighlycoloured！Herewastherightsortofthingatlast，andmyafternoonwouldnotbeentirelywasted。IinclinedaneartothedoorbywhichIhadentered。Likethebrimmingtideofafull-fedriverthegrand，eternal，inexhaustibleclothes-problembubbledandeddiedandsurgedalong。Itseemedsafeenough。Islidthebookoffitsdeskwithsomedifficulty，foritwasveryfineandlarge，andstaggeredwithittothehearthrug——theonlyfitandproperplaceforbooksofquality，suchasthis。
　　Theywereexcellenthearthrugsinthathouse;softandwide，withthethickestofpile，andone’skneessankintothemmostcomfortably。WhenIgotthebookopentherewasadifficultyatfirstinmakingthegreatstiffpagesliedown。Mostfortunatelythecoal-scuttlewasactuallyatmyelbow，anditwaseasytofindaflatbitofcoaltolayontherefractorypage。
　　Really，itwasjustasifeverythinghadbeenarrangedforme。
　　Thiswasnotsuchabadsortofhouseafterall。
　　Thebeginningsofthethingweregayborders——scrollsandstrap-
　　workanddiaperedbackgrounds，amazeofcolour，withsmallmisshapenfiguresclamberingcheerilyupanddowneverywhere。
　　ButfirstIeagerlyscannedwhattexttherewasinthemiddle，inordertogetahintofwhatitwasallabout。OfcourseIwasnotgoingtowasteanytimeinreading。Aclue，asign-board，afinger-postwasallIrequired。Tomydismayanddisgustitwasallinastupidforeignlanguage！Really，theperversityofsomepeoplemadeoneattimesalmostdespairofthewholerace。
　　However，thepicturesremained;picturesneverlied，nevershufflednorevaded;andasforthestory，Icouldinventitmyself。
　　OverthepageIwent，shiftingthebitofcoaltoanewposition;
　　and，astheschemeofthepicturedisengageditselffromoutthemedleyofcolourthatmetmydelightedeyes，firsttherewasawarmsenseoffamiliarity，thenadawningrecognition，andthen——
　　Othen！alongwithblissfulcertaintycametheimperiousneedtoclaspmystomachwithbothhands，inordertorepresstheshoutofrapturethatstruggledtoescape——itwasmyownlittlecity！
　　Iknewitwellenough，Irecognizeditatonce，thoughIhadneverbeenquitesonearitbefore。Herewasthefamiliargateway，totheleftthatstrange，slendertowerwithitsgrim，squareheadshotfarabovethewalls;totheright，outsidethetown，thehill——asofold——brokesteeplydowntothesea。
　　Butto-dayeverythingwasbiggerandfresherandclearer，thewallsseemednewlyhewn，gaycarpetswerehungoutoverthem，fairladiesandlong-hairedchildrenpeepedandcrowdedonthebattlements。Betterstill，theportculliswasup——Icouldevencatchaglimpseofthesunlitsquarewithin——andadaintycompanywastroopingthroughthegateonhorseback，twoandtwo。Theirhorses，intrappingsthatswepttheground，weregayasthemselves;andTHEYwerethegayestcrew，fordressandbearing，Ihadeveryetbeheld。Itcouldmeannothingelsebutawedding，Ithought，thisholidayattire，thisfestalandsolemnentry;and，weddingorwhateveritwas，Imeanttobethere。
　　ThistimeIwouldnotbebalkedbyanygrimportcullis;thistimeIwouldslipinwiththerestofthecrowd，findoutjustwhatmylittletownwaslike，withinthoseexasperatingwallsthathadsolongconfrontedme，and，moreover，havemyshareofthefunthatwasevidentlygoingoninside。Confident，yetbreathlesswithexpectation，Iturnedthepage。
　　Joy！AtlastIwasinit，atlastIwasontherightsideofthoseprovokingwalls;and，needlesstosay，Ilookedaboutmewithmuchcuriosity。Apublicplace，clearly，thoughnotsuchasIwasusedto。Thehousesatthebackstoodonasortofcolonnade，beneathwhichthepeoplejostledandcrowded。Theupperstorieswereallpaintedwithwonderfulpictures。Abovethestraightlineoftheroofsthedeepblueofacloudlessskystretchedfromsidetoside。Lordsandladiesthrongedtheforeground，whileonadaisinthecentreagallantgentleman，justalightedoffhishorse，stoopedtothefingersofagirlasbravelydressedoutasSelina’sladybetweenthesaints;androundaboutstoodvenerablepersonages，robedinthemostvariegatedclothing。Therewereboys，too，inplenty，withtinyredcapsontheirthickhair;andtheirshirtshadbunchedupandworkedoutatthewaist，justasmyowndidsooften，afterchasinganybody;andeachboyofthemworeanoddpairofstockings，oneblueandtheotherred。Thissystemofattirewentstraighttomyheart。Ihadtriedthesamethingsooften，andhadmetwithsomuchdiscouragement;andhere，atlast，wasmyjustification，painteddeliberatelyinagrown-upbook！I
　　lookedaboutformysaint-friends——thearmourmanandtheotherfellow——buttheywerenottobeseen。Evidentlytheywereunabletogetoffduty，evenforawedding，andstillstoodonguardinthatgreenmeadowdownbelow。Iwasdisappointed，too，thatnotanangelwasvisible。Oneortwoofthem，surely，couldeasilyhavebeensparedforanhour，torunupandseetheshow;
　　andtheywouldhavebeenthoroughlyathomehere，inthemidstofallthecolourandthemovementandthefun。
　　Butitwastimetogeton，forclearlytheinterestwasonlyjustbeginning。Overwentthenextpage，andtherewewere，thewholecrowdofus，assembledinanoblechurch。Itwasnoteasytomakeoutexactlywhatwasgoingon;butinthethrongIwasdelightedtorecognizemyangelsatlast，happyandverymuchathome。Theyhadmanagedtogetleaveoff，evidently，andmusthaverunupthehillandscamperedbreathlesslythroughthegate;
　　andperhapstheycriedalittlewhentheyfoundthesquareempty，andthoughtthefunmustbeallover。Twoofthemhadgotholdofagreatwaxcandleapiece，asmuchastheycouldstaggerunder，andweretitteringsidewaysateachotherasthegreaseranbountifullyovertheirclothes。Athirdhadstrolledinamongthecompany，andwaschattingtoayounggentleman，withwhomsheappearedtobeonthebestofterms。Decidedly，thiswastherightbreedofangelforus。Noneofyoursick-bedornightnurserybusinessforthem！
　　Well，nodoubttheywerenowbeingmarried，HeandShe，justasalwayshappened。Andthen，ofcourse，theyweregoingtolivehappilyeverafter;andTHATwasthepartIwantedtogetto。
　　Story-booksweresostupid，alwaysstoppingatthepointwheretheybecamereallynice;butthispicture-storywasonlyinitsfirstchapters，andatlastIwastohaveachanceofknowingHOWpeoplelivedhappilyeverafter。Wewouldallgohometogether，HeandShe，andtheangels，andI;andthearmour-manwouldbeinvitedtocomeandstay。Andthenthestorywouldreallybegin，atthepointwherethoseotheronesalwaysleftoff。Iturnedthepage，andfoundmyselffreeofthedimandsplendidchurchandoncemoreintheopencountry。
　　Thiswasallright;thiswasjustasitshouldbe。Theskywasaflecklessblue，theflagsdancedinthebreeze，andourmerrybridalparty，withjestandlaughter，joggeddowntothewater-
　　side。Iwasthroughthetownbythistime，andoutontheothersideofthehill，whereIhadalwayswantedtobe;and，sureenough，therewastheharbour，allthickwithcurlyships。Mostofthemwerepiledhighwithwedding-presents——balesofsilk，andgoldandsilverplate，andcomfortable-lookingbagssuggestingbullion;andthegayestshipofalllaycloseuptothecarpetedlanding-stage。Alreadythebridewassteppingdaintilydownthegangway，herladiesfollowingprimly，onebyone;afewminutesmoreandweshouldallbeaboard，thehawserswouldsplashinthewater，thesailswouldfillandstrain。FromthedeckI
　　shouldseethelittlewalledtownrecedeandsinkandgrowdim，whileeveryplungeofourbowsbroughtusnearertothehappyisland——itwasanislandwewereboundfor，Iknewwell！AlreadyIcouldseetheisland-peoplewavinghandsonthecrowdedquay，whencethelittlehousesranupthehilltothecastle，crowningallwithitstowersandbattlements。Oncemoreweshouldridetogether，amerryprocession，clatteringupthesteepstreetandthroughthegrimgateway;andthenweshouldhavearrived，thenweshouldalldinetogether，thenweshouldhavereachedhome！
　　Andthen——
　　OW！OW！OW！
　　Bitteritistostumbleoutofanopalescentdreamintothecolddaylight;crueltoloseinasecondasea-voyage，anisland，andacastlethatwastobepracticallyyourown;butcruellestandbitterestofalltoknow，inadditiontoyourloss，thatthefingersofanangryaunthaveyoutightbythescruffofyourneck。Mybeautifulbookwasgonetoo——ravishedfrommygraspbythedressylady，whojoinedintheoutburstofdenunciationasheartilyasifshehadbeenarelative——andnaughtwasleftmebuttoblubberdismally，awakenedofasuddentotheharshnessofrealthingsandtheunnumberedhostilitiesoftheactualworld。
　　Icaredlittlefortheirreproaches，theirabuse;butIsorrowedheartilyformylostship，myvanishedisland，myuneatendinner，andfortheknowledgethat，ifIwantedanyangelstoplaywith，Imusthenceforthputupwiththeanaemic，night-gownednonentitiesthathoveredoverthebedoftheSunday-schoolchildinthepagesoftheSabbathImprover。
　　Iwasledignominiouslyoutofthehouse，inapulpy，waterystate，whilethebutlerhandledhisswingdoorswithastony，impassivecountenance，intendedforthedeceptionoftheveryelect，thoughitdidnotdeceiveme。Iknewwellenoughthatnexttimehewasoffduty，andstrolledaroundourway，weshouldmeetinourkitchenasmantoman，andIwouldpunchhimandaskhimriddles，andhewouldteachmetrickswithcorksandbitsofstring。Sohisunsympatheticmannerdidnotaddtomydepression。
　　Imaintainedadiplomaticblubberlongafterwehadbeenpackedintoourpony-carriageandthelodge-gatehadclickedbehindus，becauseitservedasasortofarmour-platingagainsthecklingandargumentandabuse，andIwasthinkinghardandwantedtobeletalone。AndthethoughtsthatIwasthinkingweretwo。
　　FirstIthought，"I’vegotaheadofCharlotteTHIStime！"
　　AndnextIthought，"WhenI’vegrownupbig，andhavemoneyofmyown，andafull-sizedwalking-stick，Iwillsetoutearlyonemorning，andneverstoptillIgettothatlittlewalledtown。"Thereoughttobenorealdifficultyinthetask。Itonlymeantaskinghereandaskingthere，andpeoplewereveryobliging，andIcoulddescribeeverystickandstoneofit。
　　AsfortheislandwhichIhadneverevenseen，thatwasnotsoeasy。YetIfeltconfidentthatsomehow，atsometime，soonerorlater，Iwasdestinedtoarrive。
　　ASAGAOFTHESEAS
　　Ithappenedonedaythatsomeladiescametocall，whowerenotatallthesortIwasusedto。Theysufferedfromagrievance，sofarasIcouldgather，andtheburdenoftheirplaintwasMan——MeningeneralandManinparticular。（Thoughthewordswerebutspoken，IcouldclearlydiscernthecapitalMintheiracidutterance。）
　　OfcourseIwasnotpresentofficially，sotospeak。Downbelow，inmysub-worldofchair-legsandhearthrugsandtheundersidesofsofas，Iwasworkingoutmyownfloor-problems，whiletheybabbledonfarabovemyhead，consideringmeasbutachair-leg，orevensomethinglowerinthescale。YetIwaslisteninghardallthetime，withthatrespectfulconsiderationonegivestoallgrown-uppeople’sremarks，solongasoneknowsnobetter。
　　Itseemedaseriousindictmentenough，astheyrolleditout。Intact，considerateness，andrightappreciation，aswellasintasteandaestheticsensibilities——wefailedateverypoint，webreechedandbeardedprentice-jobsofNature;andIbegantofeellikecollapsingonthecarpetfromsheerspiritualanaemia。Butwhenoneofthem，withaswingofherskirt，prostratedawholeregimentofmybravetinsoldiers，andneverapologizednorevenofferedheraidtowardrevivifyingthebattle-line，Icouldnothelpfeelingthatintactfulnessandconsiderationforothersshewasstillalittletoseek。AndIsaidasmuch，withsomedirectnessoflanguage。