colouredcostumeschafferingovertheirproduce。Ilookedabovethemtothetallcampanileofthechurchwhichfilledonesideofthesquare。Irecededastepandadjustedmygunontheledgeofthewindowtomysatisfaction。Ithenlookeddownthestreetinwhichtheprisonwassituated，andwhichdebouchedonthesquare，andawaitedevents。AttenminutespasttenIsawthesoldiersatthedooroftheprisonformup，andthenIknewthatthetwentyprisonersofwhomtheyformedtheescortwerestarting;butthemomenttheybegantomoveI
　　firedatthebigbellinthecampanile，whichrespondedwithaloudclang。Allthepeopleinthesquarelookedup。Astheprisonersenteredthesquare，whichtheyhadbeguntocrossinitswholebreadth，Ifiredagainandagain。Thebellbangedtwice，andthepeoplebegantobuzzabout。"Now，"Ithought，"Imustlettheoldbellhaveit。"Bythetimefivemoreballshadstruckthebellwitharesoundingdinthewholesquarewasincommotion。Amiraclewasevidentlyinprogressorthecampanilewasbewitched。Peoplebegantorunhitherandthither;allthesoldiersformingtheescortgapedopen-mouthedatthesteepleastheclangourcontinued。AssoonasthelastshothadbeenfiredIlookeddownintothesquareandsawallthis，andIsawthattheprisonerswereattemptingtoescape，andinmorethanoneinstancehadsucceeded，forthesoldiersbegantoscatterinpursuit，andthecountrypeopletoformthemselvesintoimpedingcrowdsasthoughbyaccident;butnowherecouldIseeValeria。WhenIwasquitesureshehadescapedIwentdownandjoinedthecrowd。Isawthreeprisonerscapturedandbroughtback，andwhenI
　　askedtheofficerincommandhowmanyhadescapedhesaidthree——
　　Croppo’swife，thepriest，andanother。
　　WhenImetmycavalryfriendsatdinnerthateveningitwasamusingtohearthemspeculateupontheremarkableoccurrencewhichhad，infact，upsetthewitsofthewholetown。Priestsandvergersandsacristanshadvisitedthecampanile，andoneofthemhadbroughtawayaflattenedpieceoflead，whichlookedasifitmighthavebeenabullet;butthesuggestionthateightbulletscouldhavehitthebellinsuccessionwithoutanybodyhearingasoundwastreatedwithridicule。Ibelievethebellwassubsequentlyexorcisedwithholywater。Iwasafraidtoremainwiththeregimentwithmyair-gunafterthis，lestsomeoneshoulddiscoveritandunravelthemystery;
　　besides，Ifeltasortoftraitortothebravefriendswhohadsogenerouslyofferedmetheirhospitality;soIinventedurgentprivateaffairswhichdemandedmyimmediatereturntoNaples，andonthemorningofmydeparturefoundmyselfembracedbyalltheofficersoftheregimentfromthecoloneldownward，whointhefervouroftheirkissesthrustsixteenwaxedmoustache-pointsagainstmycheeks。
　　AbouteighteenmonthsafterthisIheardofthecaptureandexecutionofCroppo，andIknewthatValeriawasfree;butIhadunexpectedlyinheritedapropertyandwasengagedtobemarried。Iamnowacountrygentlemanwithalargefamily。Mysanctumisstockedwithvariousmementosofmyyouthfuladventures，butnoneawakensinmesuchthrillingmemoriesasareexcitedbythebreviaryofthebrigandpriestandtheportraitofthebrigand’sbride。
　　MRS。GENERALTALBOYS
　　BY
　　ANTHONYTROLLOPE
　　WhyMrs。GeneralTalboysfirstmadeuphermindtopassthewinterof1859atRomeIneverclearlyunderstood。TomyselfsheexplainedherpurposessoonafterherarrivalattheEternalCity，bydeclaring，inherownenthusiasticmanner，thatshewasinspiredbyaburningdesiretodrinkfreshatthestilllivingfountainsofclassicalpoetryandsentiment。ButIalwaysthoughtthattherewassomethingmorethanthisinit。Classicalpoetryandsentimentweredoubtlessverydeartoher，butsoalso，Iimagine，werethesubstantialcomfortsofHardoverLodge，thegeneral’shouseinBerkshire;andIdonotthinkthatshewouldhaveemigratedforthewinterhadtherenotbeensomeslightdomesticmisunderstanding。Letthis，however，befullymadeclear——
　　thatsuchmisunderstanding，ifitexisted，musthavebeensimplyanaffairoftemper。Noimproprietyofconducthas，Iamverysure，everbeenimputedtothelady。Thegeneral，asalltheworldknows，ishot;
　　andMrs。Talboys，whenthesweetriversofherenthusiasmareunfedbycongenialwaters，can，Ibelieve，makeherselfdisagreeable。
　　Butbethisasitmay，inNovember，1859，Mrs。TalboyscameamongusEnglishatRome，andsoonsucceededinobtainingforherselfacomfortablefootinginoursociety。Weallthoughthermoreremarkableforhermentalattributesthanforphysicalperfection，butneverthelessshewasinherownwayasightlywoman。Shehadnospecialbrilliance，eitherofeyeorcomplexion，suchaswouldproducesuddenflamesinsusceptiblehearts，nordidsheseemtodemandinstanthomagebytheformandstepofagoddess;butwefoundhertobeagood-lookingwomanofsomethirtyorthirty-threeyearsofage，withsoft，peach-likecheeks，——rathertoolikethoseofacherub，——
　　withsparklingeyeswhichwerehardlylargeenough，withgoodteeth，awhiteforehead，adimpledchin，andafullbust。SuchoutwardlywasMrs。GeneralTalboys。Thedescriptionoftheinwardwomanisthepurporttowhichthesefewpageswillbedevoted。
　　Therearetwoqualitiestowhichthebestofmankindaremuchsubject，whicharenearlyrelatedtoeachother，andastowhichtheworldhasnotyetdecidedwhethertheyaretobeclassedamongthegoodorevilattributesofournature。Menandwomenareundertheinfluenceofthemboth，butmenoftenestundergotheformer，andwomenthelatter。
　　Theyareambitionandenthusiasm。NowMrs。Talboyswasanenthusiasticwoman。
　　Astoambition，generallyastheworldagreeswithMarkAntonyinstigmatisingitasagrievousfault，Iammyselfclearthatitisavirtue;butwithambitionatpresentwehavenoconcern。Enthusiasmalso，asIthink，leanstovirtue’sside，or，atleast，ifitbeafault，ofallfaultsitistheprettiest。Butthen，topartakeatallofvirtueoreventobeinanydegreepretty，theenthusiasmmustbetrue。
　　Badcoinisknownfromgoodbytheringofit，andsoisbadenthusiasm。Letthecoinerbeeversocleverathisart，inthecoiningofenthusiasmthesoundoftruegoldcanneverbeimpartedtothefalsemetal;andIdoubtwhetherthecleverestsheintheworldcanmakefalseenthusiasmpalatabletothetasteofman;tothetasteofanywomantheenthusiasmofanotherwomanisneververypalatable。
　　WeunderstoodatRomethatMrs。Talboyshadaconsiderablefamily，——
　　fourorfivechildren，weweretold，——butshebroughtwithheronlyonedaughter，alittlegirlabouttwelveyearsofage。Shehadtornherselfasunder，asshetoldme，fromtheyoungernurslingsofherheart，andhadleftthemtothecareofadevotedfemaleattendant，whoselovewasallbutmaternal。Andthenshesaidawordortwoaboutthegeneralintermswhichmademealmostthinkthatthisquasi-
　　maternalloveextendeditselfbeyondthechildren。Theidea，however，wasamistakenone，arisingfromthestrengthofherlanguage，towhichIwasthenunaccustomed。IhavesincebecomeawarethatnothingcanbemoredecorousthanoldMrs。Upton，theexcellentheadnurseatHardoverLodge;andnogentlemanmorediscreetinhisconductthanGeneralTalboys。
　　AndImayaswellheredeclarealsothattherecouldbenomorevirtuouswomanthanthegeneral’swife。Hermarriagevowwastoherparamounttoallothervowsandbondswhatever。Thegeneral’shonourwasquitesafewhenhesentherofftoRomebyherself，andhenodoubtknewthatitwasso。/Illiroburetoestriplex/，ofwhichI
　　believenoweaponsofanyassailantcouldgetthebetter。Butneverthelessweusedtofancythatshehadnorepugnancetoimproprietyinotherwomen——towhattheworldgenerallycallsimpropriety。Invinciblyattachedherselftothemarriagetie，shewouldconstantlyspeakofitasbynomeansnecessarilybindingonothers;andvirtuousherselfasanygriffinofpropriety，sheconstantlypatronised，atanyrate，thetheoryofinfidelityinherneighbours。ShewasveryeagerindenouncingtheprejudicesoftheEnglishworld，declaringthatshefoundexistenceamongthemtobenolongerpossibleforherself。ShewashotagainstthesternunforgivenessofBritishmatrons，andequallyeagerinreprobatingthestiffconventionalitiesofareligioninwhichshesaidthatnoneofitsvotarieshadfaith，thoughtheyallallowedthemselvestobeenslaved。
　　WehadatthattimeasmallsetatRomeconsistingchieflyofEnglishandAmericans，whohabituallymetatoneanother’srooms，andspentmanyofoureveninghoursindiscussingItalianpolitics。Wewere，mostofus，painters，poets，novelists，orsculptors——perhapsIshouldsaywould-bepainters，poets，novelists，andsculptors，aspirantshopingtobecomesomedayrecognised;andamongusMrs。Talboystookherplacenaturallyenoughonaccountofaveryprettytasteshehadforpainting。Idonotknowthatsheeveroriginatedanythingthatwasgrand，butshemadesomenicecopiesandwasfond，atanyrate，ofartconversation。Shewroteessaystoo，whichsheshowedinconfidencetovariousgentlemen，andhadsomeideaoftakinglessonsinmodelling。
　　InallourcircleConradMackinnon，anAmerican，wasperhapsthepersonmostqualifiedtobestyleditsleader。Hewasonewhoabsolutelydidgainhisliving，andanamplelivingtoo，byhispen，andwasregardedonallsidesasaliterarylion，justifiedbysuccessinroaringatanytonehemightplease。Hisusualroarwasnotexactlythatofasuckingdoveoranightingale，butitwasagood-humouredroar，notveryoffensivetoanymanandapparentlyacceptableenoughtosomeladies。Hewasabig，burlyman，neartofifty，asIsuppose，somewhatawkwardinhisgait，andsomewhatloudinhislaugh。Butthoughnightofifty，andthusungainly，helikedtobesmiledonbyprettywomen，andliked，assomesaid，tobeflatteredbythemalso。
　　Ifsoheshouldhavebeenhappy，fortheladiesatRomeatthattimemademuchofConradMackinnon。
　　OfMrs。Mackinnonnoonedidmakeverymuch，andyetshewasoneofthesweetest，dearest，quietestlittlecreaturesthatevermadegladaman’sfireside。Shewasexquisitelypretty，alwaysingoodhumour，neverstupid，self-denyingtoafault，andyetshewasgenerallyinthebackground。Shewouldseldomcomeforwardofherownwill，butwascontentedtositbehindherteapotandhearMackinnondohisroaring。
　　HewascertainlymuchgiventowhattheworldatRomecalledflirting，butthisdidnotintheleastannoyher。Shewastwentyyearshisjunior，andyetsheneverflirtedwithanyone。Womenwouldtellher——
　　good-naturedfriends——howMackinnonwenton，butshereceivedsuchtidingsasanexcellentjoke，observingthathehadalwaysdonethesame，andnodoubtalwayswoulduntilhewasninety。Idobelievethatshewasahappywoman，andyetIusedtothinkthatsheshouldhavebeenhappier。Thereis，however，noknowingtheinsideofanotherman’shouseorreadingtheriddlesofanotherman’sjoyandsorrow。
　　Wehadalsothereanotherlion，——alioncub，——entitledtoroaralittle，andofhimalsoImustsaysomething。CharlesO’Brienwasayoungmanabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，whohadsentoutfromhisstudiointheprecedingyearacertainbustsupposedbyhisadmirerstobeunsurpassedbyanyeffortofancientormoderngenius。Iamnojudgeofsculpture，andwillnotthereforepronounceanopinion，butmanywhoconsideredthemselvestobejudgesdeclaredthatitwasa"goodishheadandshoulders"andnothingmore。Imerelymentionthefact，asitwasonthestrengthofthatheadandshouldersthatO’BrienseparatedhimselffromathrongofotherssuchashimselfinRome，walkedsolitaryduringthedays，andthrewhimselfatthefeetofvariousladieswhenthedayswereover。Hehadriddenontheshouldersofhisbustintoaprominentplaceinourcircle，andthereencounteredmuchfeminineadmiration——fromMrs。GeneralTalboysandothers。
　　SomeeighteenortwentyofususedtomeeteverySundayeveninginMrs。Mackinnon’sdrawing-room。Manyofus，indeed，wereinthehabitofseeingoneanotherdailyandofvisitingtogetherthehauntsinRomewhicharebestlovedbyart-lovingstrangers;buthereinthisdrawing-roomweweresuretocometogether，andherebeforetheendofNovemberMrs。Talboysmightalwaysbefound，notinanyaccustomedseat，butmovingabouttheroomasthedifferentmalementalattractionsofoursocietymightchancetomovethemselves。ShewasatfirstgreatlytakenbyMackinnon，whoalsowas，Ithink，alittlestirredbyheradmiration，thoughhestoutlydeniedthecharge。Shebecame，however，verydeartousallbeforesheleftus，andcertainlyweowedtoherourlove，forsheaddedinfinitelytothejoysofourwinter。
　　"Ihavecomeheretorefreshmyself，"shesaidtoMackinnononeevening——toMackinnonandmyself，forwewerestandingtogether。
　　"ShallIgetyoutea？"saidI。
　　"Andwillyouhavesomethingtoeat？"Mackinnonasked。
　　"No，no，no，"sheanswered。"Tea，yes;butforheaven’ssakeletnothingsoliddispeltheassociationsofsuchameetingasthis！"
　　"Ithoughtyoumighthavedinedearly，"saidMackinnon。NowMackinnonwasamanwhoseowndinnerwasverydeartohim。Ihaveseenhimbecomehastyandunpleasant，evenunderthepillarsoftheForum，whenhethoughtthatthepartywereplacinghisfishinjeopardybytheirdesiretolingertheretoolong。
　　"Early！Yes——no;Iknownotwhenitwas。Onedinesandsleepsinobediencetothatdullclaywhichweighsdownsogenerallytheparticleofourspirit;buttheclaymaysometimesbeforgotten;hereIcanalwaysforgetit。"
　　"Ithoughtyouaskedforrefreshment，"Isaid。Sheonlylookedatme，whosesmallattemptsatprosecompositionhaduptothattimebeenaltogetherunsuccessful，andthenaddressedherselftoreplytoMackinnon。
　　"Itistheairwhichwebreathethatfillsourlungsandgivesuslifeandlight;itisthatwhichrefreshesusifpureorsinksusintostagnationifitbefoul。Letmeforawhileinhalethebreathofaninvigoratingliterature。Sitdown，Mr。Mackinnon;IhaveaquestionthatImustputtoyou。"Andthenshesucceededincarryinghimoffintoacorner。AsfarasIcouldseehewentwillinglyenoughatthattime，thoughhesoonbecameaversetoanylongretirementincompanywithMrs。Talboys。
　　Wenoneofusquiteunderstoodwhatwereherexactideasonthesubjectofrevealedreligion。Somebody，Ithink，hadtoldherthattherewereamongusoneortwowhoseopinionswerenotexactlyorthodoxaccordingtothedoctrinesoftheestablishedEnglishchurch。
　　Ifsoshewasdeterminedtoshowusthatshealsowasadvancedbeyondtheprejudicesofanoldanddryschooloftheology。"Ihavethrowndownallthebarriersofreligion，"shesaidtopoorMrs。Mackinnon，"andamlookingforthesentimentsofapureChristianity。"
　　"Throwndownallthebarriersofreligion！"saidMrs。Mackinnon，inatoneofhorrorwhichwasnotappreciated。
　　"Indeed，yes，"saidMrs。Talboys，withanexultingvoice。"Arenotthedaysforsuchtrammelsgoneby？"
　　"ButyetyouholdbyChristianity？"
　　"ApureChristianity，unstainedbybloodandperjury，byhypocrisyandverbosegenuflection。CanInotworshipandsaymyprayersamongtheclouds？"Andshepointedtotheloftyceilingandthehandsomechandelier。
　　"ButIdagoestochurch，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。IdaTalboyswasherdaughter。Nowitmaybeobservedthatmanywhothrowdownthebarriersofreligion，sofarasthosebarriersmayaffectthemselves，stillmaintainthemonbehalfoftheirchildren。"Yes，"saidMrs。Talboys;
　　"dearIda！hersoftspiritisnotyetadaptedtoreceivetheperfecttruth。Weareobligedtogovernchildrenbythestrengthoftheirprejudices。"Andthenshemovedaway，foritwasseldomthatMrs。
　　Talboysremainedlonginconversationwithanylady。
　　Mackinnon，Ibelieve，soonbecametiredofher。Helikedherflattery，andatfirstdeclaredthatshewascleverandnice，buthernicenesswastoopurelycelestialtosatisfyhismundanetastes。Mackinnonhimselfcanrevelamongthecloudsinhisownwritings，andcanleaveussometimesindoubtwhetherheevermeanstocomebacktoearth，butwhenhisfootisonterrafirmahelovestofeeltheearthysubstratumwhichsupportshisweight。Withwomenhelikesahandthatcanremainanunnecessarymomentwithinhisown，aneyethatcanglistenwiththesparkleofchampagne，aheartweakenoughtomakeitsowner’sarmtremblewithinhisownbeneaththemoonlightgloomoftheColosseumarches。Adashofsentimentthewhilemakesallthesethingsthesweeter，butthesentimentalonewillnotsufficeforhim。Mrs。
　　Talboysdid，Ibelieve，drinkherglassofchampagne，asdootherladies，butwithherithadnosuchpleasingeffect。Itloosenedonlyhertongue，butneverhereyes。Herarm，Ithink，nevertrembledandherhandneverlingered。Thegeneralwasalwayssafe，andhappyperhapsinhissolitarysafety。
　　Itsohappenedthatwehadunfortunatelyamongustwoartistswhohadquarrelledwiththeirwives。O’Brien，whomIhavebeforementioned，wasoneofthem。InhiscaseIbelievehimtohavebeenalmostasfreefromblameasamancanbewhosemarriagewasinitselfafault。
　　However，hehadawifeinIrelandsometenyearsolderthanhimself，andthoughhemightsometimesalmostforgetthefact，hisfriendsandneighbourswerewellawareofit。Intheothercasethewholefaultprobablywaswiththehusband。Hewasanill-tempered，bad-heartedman，cleverenough，butwithoutprinciple;andhewascontinuallyguiltyofthegreatsinofspeakingevilofthewomanwhosenameheshouldhavebeenanxioustoprotect。Inbothcasesourfriend，Mrs。
　　Talboys，tookawarminterest，andineachofthemshesympathisedwiththepresenthusbandagainsttheabsentwife。
　　OftheconsolationwhichsheofferedinthelatterinstanceweusedtohearsomethingfromMackinnon。Hewouldrepeattohiswifeandtomeandmywifetheconversationswhichshehadwithhim。"PoorBrown！"
　　shewouldsay;"Ipityhimwithmyveryheart’sblood。"
　　"Youareawarethathehascomfortedhimselfinhisdesolation，"
　　Mackinnonreplied。
　　"Iknowverywelltowhatyouallude。IthinkImaysaythatIamconversantwithallthecircumstancesofthisheart-blightingsacrifice。"Mrs。Talboyswasapttoboastofthethoroughconfidencereposedinherbyallthoseinwhomshetookaninterest。"Yes，hehassoughtsuchcomfortinanotherloveasthehardcruelworldwouldallowhim。"
　　"Orperhapssomethingmorethanthat，"saidMackinnon。"HehasafamilyhereinRome，youknow;twolittlebabies。"
　　"Iknowit，Iknowit，"shesaid;"cherubangels！"AndasshespokeshelookedupintotheuglyfaceofMarcusAurelius，fortheywerestandingatthemomentunderthefigureofthegreathorsemanontheCampidoglio。"Ihaveseenthem，andtheyarechildrenofinnocence。IfallthebloodofalltheHowardsranintheirveinsitcouldnotmaketheirbirthmorenoble！"
　　"NotifthefatherandmotherofalltheHowardshadneverbeenmarried，"saidMackinnon。
　　"What！thatfromyou，Mr。Mackinnon！"saidMrs。Talboys，turningherbackwithenergyupontheequestrianstatueandlookingupintothefacesfirstofPolluxandthenofCastor，asthoughfromthemshemightgainsomeinspirationonthesubject，whichMarcusAureliusinhiscoldnesshaddeniedtoher。"Fromyou，whohavesonoblyclaimedformankindthedivineattributesoffreeaction！Fromyou，whohavetaughtmymindtosoarabovethepettybondswhichonemaninhislittlenesscontrivesforthesubjectionofhisbrother。Mackinnon——youwhoaresogreat！"Andshenowlookedupintohisface。"Mackinnon，unsaythosewords。"
　　"They/are/illegitimate，"saidhe，"andiftherewasanylandedproperty——"
　　"Landedproperty！andthatfromanAmerican！"
　　"ThechildrenareEnglish，youknow。"
　　"Landedproperty！Thetimewillshortlycome——ay，andIseeitcoming——whenthathatefulwordshallbeexpungedfromthecalendar，whenlandedpropertyshallbenomore。What！shallthefreesoulofaGod-
　　bornmansubmititselfforevertosuchtrammelsasthat？Shallweneverescapefromtheclaywhichsolonghasmanacledthesubtlerparticlesofthedivinespirit？Ay，yes，Mackinnon！"andthenshetookhimbythearm，andledhimtothetopofthehugestepswhichleaddownfromtheCampidogliointothestreetsofmodernRome。"Lookdownuponthatcountlessmultitude。"Mackinnonlookeddown，andsawthreegroupsofFrenchsoldiers，withthreeorfourlittlemenineachgroup;hesawalsoacoupleofdirtyfriars，andthreepriestsveryslowlybeginningthesideascenttothechurchoftheAraCoeli。"Lookdownuponthatcountlessmultitude，"saidMrs。Talboys，andshestretchedherarmsoutoverthehalf-desertedcity。"Theyareescapingnowfromthosetrammels——now，now——nowthatIamspeaking。"
　　"Theyhaveescapedlongagofromallsuchtrammelsasthatoflandedproperty，"saidMackinnon。
　　"Ay，andfromallterrestrialbonds，"shecontinued，notexactlyremarkingthepithofhislastobservation;"frombondsquasi-
　　terrestrialandquasi-celestial。Thefull-formedlimbsofthepresentage，runningwithquickstreamsofgenerousblood，willnolongerbeartheligatureswhichpasttimehavewovenforthedecrepit。Lookdownuponthatmultitude，Mackinnon;theyshallallbefree。"Andthen，stillclutchinghimbythearmandstillstandingatthetopofthosestairs，shegaveforthherprophecywiththefuryofasibyl。
　　"Theyshallallbefree。ORome，thoueternalone！thouwhohastbowedthynecktoimperialprideandpriestlycraft，thouwhohassufferedsorelyeventothishour，fromNerodowntoPioNono，thedaysofthineoppressionareover。Gonefromthyenfranchisedwaysforeveristheclangofthepraetoriancohortsandthemoreodiousdroneofmeddlingmonks！"Andyet，asMackinnonobserved，therestillstoodthedirtyfriarsandthesmallFrenchsoldiers，andtherestilltoiledtheslowpriests，wendingtheirtediouswayuptothechurchoftheAraCoeli。Butthatwasthemundaneviewofthematter，aviewnotregardedbyMrs。Talboysinherecstasy。"OItalia，"shecontinued，"O
　　Italiauna，oneandindivisibleinthyrights，andindivisiblealsointhywrongs！tousisitgiventoseetheaccomplishmentofthyglory。
　　ApeopleshallarisearoundthinealtarsgreaterintheannalsoftheworldthanthyScipios，thyGracchi，orthyCaesars。Notintorrentsofbloodorwithscreamsofbereavedmothersshallthynewtriumphsbestained;butmindshalldominateovermatter，and，doomedtogetherwithpopesandBourbons，withcardinals，diplomatists，andpolicespies，ignoranceandprejudiceshallbedrivenfromthysmilingterraces。AndthenRomeshallagainbecomethefaircapitalofthefairestregionofEurope。Hithershallflocktheartisansoftheworld，crowdingintothymartsallthatGodandmancangive。Wealth，beauty，andinnocenceshallmeetinthystreets——"
　　"Therewillbeaconsiderablechangebeforethattakesplace，"saidMackinnon。
　　"Thereshallbeaconsiderablechange，"sheanswered。"Mackinnon，totheeitisgiventoreadthesignsofthetime;andhastthounotread？WhyhavethefieldsofMagentaandSolferinobeenpiledwiththecorpsesofdyingheroes？WhyhavethewatersoftheMinciorunredwiththebloodofmartyrs？ThatItalymightbeunitedandRomeimmortal。Here，standingontheCapitoliumoftheancientcity，Isaythatitshallbeso;andthou，Mackinnon，whohearestmeknowestthatmywordsaretrue。"
　　TherewasnottheninRome——ImayalmostsaytherewasnotinItaly——
　　anEnglishmanoranAmericanwhodidnotwishwelltothecauseforwhichItalywasandisstillcontending，asalsothereishardlyonewhodoesnotnowregardthatcauseaswell-nightriumphant;butneverthelessitwasalmostimpossibletosympathisewithMrs。Talboys。
　　AsMackinnonsaid，sheflewsohighthattherewasnocomfortinflyingwithher。
　　"Well，"saidhe，"Brownandtherestofthemaredownbelow。Shallwegoandjointhem？"
　　"PoorBrown！Howwasitthatinspeakingofhistroubleswewereledontothisheart-stirringtheme？Yes，Ihaveseenthem，thesweetangels;andItellyoualsothatIhaveseentheirmother。IinsistedongoingtoherwhenIheardherhistoryfromhim。"
　　"Andwhatwasshelike，Mrs。Talboys？"
　　"Well，educationhasdonemoreforsomeofusthanforothers，andtherearethosefromwhosemoralsandsentimentswemightthankfullydrawalesson，whosemannersandoutwardgesturesarenotsuchascustomhasmadeagreeabletous。You，Iknow，canunderstandthat。I
　　haveseenher，andfeelsurethatsheispureinheartandhighinprinciple。Hasshenotsacrificedherself，andisnotself-sacrificethesurestguaranteefortruenobilityofcharacter？WouldMrs。
　　Mackinnonobjecttomybringingthemtogether？"
　　Mackinnonwasobligedtodeclarethathethoughthiswifewouldobject，andfromthattimeforthheandMrs。Talboysceasedtobeverycloseintheirfriendship。ShestillcametothehouseeverySundayevening，stillrefreshedherselfatthefountainsofhisliteraryrills，butherspecialpropheciesfromhenceforthwerepouredintootherears;anditsohappenedthatO’Briennowbecameherchiefally。
　　Idonotrememberthatshetroubledherselfmuchfurtherwiththecherubangelsorwiththeirmother，andIaminclinedtothinkthat，takingupwarmlyasshedidthestoryofO’Brien’smatrimonialwrongs，sheforgotthelittlehistoryoftheBrowns。Bethatasitmay，Mrs。
　　TalboysandO’Briennowbecamestrictlyconfidential，andshewouldenlargebythehalf-hourtogetheronthemiseriesofherfriend’spositiontoanyonewhomshecouldgettohearher。
　　"I’lltellyouwhat，Fanny，"Mackinnonsaidtohiswifeoneday——tohiswifeandtomine，forwewerealltogether——"weshallhavearowinthehouseifwedon’ttakecare。O’BrienwillbemakinglovetoMrs。Talboys。"
　　"Nonsense，"saidMrs。Mackinnon;"youarealwaysthinkingthatsomebodyisgoingtomakelovetosomeone。"
　　"Somebodyalwaysis，"saidhe。
　　"She’soldenoughtobehismother，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。
　　"WhatdoesthatmattertoanIrishman？"saidMackinnon。"Besides，I
　　doubtifthereismorethanfiveyears’differencebetweenthem。"
　　"Theremustbemorethanthat，"saidmywife。"IdaTalboysistwelve，Iknow，andIamnotquitesurethatIdaistheeldest。"
　　"IfshehadasonintheGuardsitwouldmakenodifference，"saidMackinnon。"Therearemenwhoconsiderthemselvesboundtomakelovetoawomanundercertaincircumstances，lettheageoftheladybewhatitmay。O’Brienissuchaone;andifshesympathiseswithhimmuchoftenerhewillmistakethematterandgodownonhisknees。Yououghttoputhimonhisguard，"hesaid，addressinghimselftohiswife。
　　"Indeed，Ishalldonosuchthing，"saidshe;"iftheyaretwofoolstheymust，likeotherfools，paythepriceoftheirfolly。"AsaruletherecouldbenosoftercreaturethanMrs。Mackinnon，butitseemedtomethathertendernessneverextendeditselfinthedirectionofMrs。Talboys。
　　Justatthistime，towardtheend，thatis，ofNovember，wemadeapartytovisitthetombswhichliealongtheAppianWaybeyondthatmostbeautifulofallsepulchres，thetombofCeciliaMetella。Itwasadeliciousday，andwehaddrivenalongthisroadforacoupleofmilesbeyondthewallsofthecity，enjoyingthemostlovelyviewwhichtheneighborhoodofRomeaffords，lookingoverthewondrousruinsoftheoldaqueductsuptowardTivoliandPalestrina。OfalltheenvironsofRomethisis，onafairday，themostenchanting;andhereperhaps，amongaworldoftombs，thoughtsandalmostmemoriesoftheold，olddayscomeupononewiththegreatestforce。ThegrandeurofRomeisbestseenandunderstoodfrombeneaththewallsoftheColosseum，anditsbeautyamongthepillarsoftheForumandthearchesoftheSacredWay;butitshistoryandfallbecomemorepalpabletothemindandmoreclearlyrealisedouthereamongthetombs，wheretheeyesrestuponthemountains，whoseshadeswerecooltotheoldRomansastous，thananywherewithinthewallsofthecity。HerewelookoutatthesameTivoliandthesamePraenesteglitteringinthesunshine，emboweredamongthefar-offvalleys，whichweredeartothem;andthebluemountainshavenotcrumbledawayintoruins。WithinRomeitselfwecanseenothingastheysawit。
　　Ourpartyconsistedofsomedozenorfifteenpersons，and，asahamperwithluncheoninithadbeenleftonthegrassyslopeatthebaseofthetombofCeciliaMetella，theexpeditionhadinitsomethingofthenatureofapicnic。Mrs。Talboyswasofcoursewithus，andIdaTalboys。O’Brienalsowasthere。ThehamperhadbeenpreparedinMrs。
　　Mackinnon’sroomundertheimmediateeyeofMackinnonhimself，andtheythereforewereregardedasthedominantspiritsoftheparty。MywifewasleaguedwithMrs。Mackinnon，aswasusuallythecase;andthereseemedtobeageneralopinion，amongthosewhowerecloselyinconfidencetogether，thatsomethingwouldhappenintheO’Brien-
　　Talboysmatter。Thetwohadbeeninseparableonthepreviousevening，forMrs。TalboyshadbeenurgingontheyoungIrishmanhercounselsrespectinghisdomestictroubles。SirCresswellCresswell，shehadtoldhim，washisrefuge。"Whyshouldhissoulsubmittobondswhichtheworldhadnowdeclaredtobeintolerable？Divorcewasnotnowtheprivilegeofthedissoluterich。Spiritswhichwereincompatibleneednolongerbecompelledtofretbeneaththesamecouples。"Inshort，shehadrecommendedhimtogotoEnglandandgetridofhiswife，asshewouldwithalittleencouragementhaverecommendedanymantogetridofanything。Iamsurethat，hadshebeenskilfullybroughtontothesubject，shemighthavebeeninducedtopronounceaverdictagainstsuchligaturesforthebodyascoats，waistcoats，andtrousers。Heraspirationsforfreedomignoredallbounds，andintheorytherewerenobarrierswhichshewasnotwillingtodemolish。
　　PoorO’Brien，asweallnowbegantosee，hadtakenthematteramiss。
　　HehadofferedtomakeabustofMrs。Talboys，andshehadconsented，expressingawishthatitmightfindaplaceamongthosewhohaddevotedthemselvestotheenfranchisementoftheirfellow-creatures。I
　　reallythinkshehadbutlittleofawoman’scustomarypersonalvanity。Iknowshehadanideathathereyewaslightedupinherwarmermomentsbysomespecialfire，thatsparksoflibertyshoneroundherbrow，andthatherbosomheavedwithgloriousaspirations;
　　butallthesefeelingshadreferencetoherinnergenius，nottoanyoutwardbeauty。ButO’Brienmisunderstoodthewoman，andthoughtitnecessarytogazeintoherfaceandsighasthoughhisheartwerebreaking。Indeed，hedeclaredtoayoungfriendthatMrs。Talboyswasperfectinherstyleofbeauty，andbeganthebustwiththisidea。Itwasgraduallybecomingcleartousallthathewouldbringhimselftogrief;butinsuchamatterwhocancautionaman？
　　Mrs。Mackinnonhadcontrivedtoseparatetheminmakingthecarriagearrangementsonthisday，butthisonlyaddedfueltothefirewhichwasnowburningwithinO’Brien’sbosom。Ibelievethathereallydidloveherinhiseasy，eager，susceptibleIrishway。Thathewouldgetoverthelittleepisodewithoutanyseriousinjurytohisheartnoonedoubted;butthenwhatwouldoccurwhenthedeclarationwasmade？HowwouldMrs。Talboysbearit？"
　　"Shedeservesit，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。
　　"Andtwiceasmuch，"mywifeadded。Whyisitthatwomenaresospitefultooneanother？
　　EarlyinthedayMrs。Talboysclambereduptothetopofatomb，andmadealittlespeech，holdingaparasoloverherhead。Beneathherfeet，shesaid，reposedtheashesofsomebloatedsenator，somegluttonoftheempire，whohadswallowedintohismawtheprovisionnecessaryforatribe。OldRomehadfallenthroughsuchselfishnessasthat，butnewRomewouldnotforgetthelesson。Allthiswasverywell，andthenO’Brienhelpedherdown;butafterthistherewasnoseparatingthem。Forherownpart，shewouldsoonerhavehadMackinnonatherelbow;butMackinnonnowhadfoundsomeotherelbow。"Enoughofthatwasasgoodasafeast，"hehadsaidtohiswife。AndthereforeMrs。Talboys，quiteunconsciousofevil，allowedherselftobeengrossedbyO’Brien。
　　Andthen，aboutthreeo’clock，wereturnedtothehamper。Luncheonundersuchcircumstancesalwaysmeansdinner，andwearrangedourselvesforaverycomfortablemeal。TothosewhoknowthetombofCeciliaMetellanodescriptionofthesceneisnecessary，andtothosewhodonotnodescriptionwillconveyafairideaofitsreality。Itisitselfalargelowtowerofgreatdiameter，butofbeautifulproportion，standingfaroutsidethecity，closeontothesideoftheoldRomanway。Ithasbeenembattledonthetopbysomelatter-daybaroninorderthatitmightbeusedforprotectiontothecastlewhichhasbeenbuiltonandattachedtoit。IfIrememberrightly，thiswasdonebyoneoftheFrangipani，andaverylovelyruinhehasmadeofit。Iknownocastellatedoldtumble-downresidenceinItalymorepicturesquethanthisbaronialadjuncttotheoldRomantomb，orwhichbettertallieswiththeideasengenderedwithinourmindsbyMrs。Radcliffeand"TheMysteriesofUdolpho。"Itliesalongtheroad，protectedonthesideofthecitybytheproudsepulchreoftheRomanmatron，anduptothelongruinedwallsofthebackofthebuildingstretchesagrassyslope，atthebottomofwhicharetheremainsofanoldRomancircus。Beyondthatisthelong，thin，gracefullineoftheClaudianaqueduct，withSoracteinthedistancetotheleft，andTivoli，Palestrina，andFrascatilyingamongthehillswhichboundtheview。ThatFrangipanibaronwasintherightofit，andIhopehegotthevalueofhismoneyoutoftheresidencewhichhebuiltforhimself。Idoubt，however，thathedidbutlittlegoodtothosewholivedinhiscloseneighbourhood。
　　Wehadaverycomfortablelittlebanquetseatedonthebrokenlumpsofstonewhichlieaboutunderthewallsofthetomb。IwonderwhethertheshadeofCeciliaMetellawaslookingdownuponus。Wehaveheardmuchofherintheselatterdays，andyetweknownothingabouther，norcanconceivewhyshewashonouredwithabiggertombthananyotherRomanmatron。Therewerethosethenamongourpartywhobelievedthatshemightstillcomebackamongus，and，withdueassistancefromsomecognatesusceptiblespirit，explaintousthecauseofherwidowedhusband’sliberality。Alas，alas！ifwemayjudgeoftheRomansbyourselvesthetruereasonforsuchsepulchralgrandeurwouldredoundlittletothecreditoftheladyCeciliaMetellaherselfortothatofCrassus，herbereavedanddesolatelord。
　　Shedidnotcomeamongusontheoccasionofthisbanquet，possiblybecausewehadnotablestheretoturninpreparationforherpresence;buthadshedoneso，shecouldnothavebeenmoreeloquentofthingsoftheotherworldthanwasMrs。Talboys。IhavesaidthatMrs。Talboys’seyeneverglancedmorebrightlyafteraglassofchampagne，butIaminclinedtothinkthatonthisoccasionitmayhavedoneso。O’BrienenactedGanymede，andwasperhapsmoreliberalthanotherlatter-dayGanymedestowhoseservicesMrs。Talboyshadbeenaccustomed。Letitnot，however，besuspectedbyanyonethatsheexceededthelimitsofadiscreetjoyousness。Bynomeans！Thegenerouswinepenetrated，perhaps，tosomeinnercellsofherheart，andbroughtforththoughtsinsparklingwordswhichotherwisemighthaveremainedconcealed;buttherewasnothinginwhatshethoughtorspokecalculatedtogiveumbrageeithertoananchoretortoavestal。
　　Awordortwoshesaidorsungabouttheflowingbowl，andonceshecalledforFalernian;butbeyondthisherconversewaschieflyoftherightsofmanandtheweaknessofwomen，oftheironagesthatwerepast，andofthegoldentimethatwastocome。
　　Shecalledatoastanddranktothehopesofthelatterhistoriansofthenineteenthcentury。ThenitwasthatshebadeO’Brien"fillhighthebowlwithSamianwine。"TheIrishmantookheratherword，andsheraisedthebumperandwaveditoverherheadbeforesheputittoherlips。Iamboundtodeclarethatshedidnotspilladrop。"Thetrue’Falerniangrape，’"shesaid，asshedepositedtheemptybeakeronthegrassbeneathherelbow。VilerchampagneIdonotthinkIeverswallowed;butitwasthetheoryofthewine，notitspalpablebodypresentthere，asitwereintheflesh，whichinspiredher。Therewasreallysomethinggrandaboutheronthatoccasion，andherenthusiasmalmostamountedtoreality。
　　Mackinnonwasamused，andencouragedher，asImustconfessdidI
　　also。Mrs。Mackinnonmadeuselesslittlesignstoherhusband，reallyfearingthattheFalernianwoulddoitsgoodofficestoothoroughly。
　　Mywife，gettingmeapartasIwalkedroundthecircledistributingviands，remarkedthat"thewomanwasafoolandwoulddisgraceherself。"ButIobservedthatafterthedisposalofthatbumpersheworshippedtherosygodintheoryonly，andthereforesawnooccasiontointerfere。"Come，Bacchus，"shesaid，"andcome，Silenus，ifthouwilt;Iknowthatyearehoveringroundthegravesofyourdepartedfavourites。Andye，too，nymphsofEgeria，"andshepointedtotheclassicgrovewhichwasallbutclosetousaswesatthere。"Inoldendaysyedidnotalwaysdespisetheabodesofmen。Butwhyshouldweinvokethepresenceofthegods——wewhocanbecomegodlikeourselves！
　　Weourselvesarethedeitiesofthepresentage。Forusshallthetablesbespreadwithambrosia，forusshallthenectarflow。"
　　Uponthewholeitwasaverygoodfooling——forawhile;andassoonasweweretiredofitwearosefromourseatsandbegantostrollabouttheplace。Itwasbeginningtobealittleduskandsomewhatcool，buttheeveningairwaspleasant，andtheladies，puttingontheirshawls，didnotseeminclinedatoncetogetintothecarriages。Atanyrate，Mrs。Talboyswasnotsoinclined，forshestarteddownthehilltowardthelonglowwalloftheoldRomancircusatthebottom，andO’Brien，closeatherelbow，startedwithher。
　　"Ida，mydear，youhadbetterremainhere，"shesaidtoherdaughter;
　　"youwillbetiredifyoucomeasfaraswearegoing。"
　　"Ohno，mamma，Ishallnot，"saidIda;"yougettiredmuchquickerthanIdo。"
　　"Ohyes，youwill;besides，Idonotwishyoutocome。"TherewasanendofitforIda，andMrs。TalboysandO’Brienwalkedofftogether，whilewealllookedintooneanother’sfaces。
　　"Itwouldbeacharitytogowiththem，"saidMackinnon。
　　"Doyoubecharitablethen，"saidhiswife。
　　"Itshouldbealady，"saidhe。
　　"Itisapitythatthemotherofthespotlesscherubimisnotherefortheoccasion，"saidshe。"Ihardlythinkthatanyonelessgiftedwillundertakesuchaself-sacrifice。"Anyattemptofthekindwould，however，nowhavebeentoolate，fortheywerealreadyatthebottomofthehill。O’Brienhadcertainlydrunkfreelyoftheperniciouscontentsofthoselong-neckedbottles，and，thoughnoonecouldfairlyaccusehimofbeingtipsy，neverthelessthatwhichmighthavemadeothersdrunkhadmadehimbold，andhedaredtodoperhapsmorethanmightbecomeaman。IfunderanycircumstanceshecouldbefoolenoughtomakeanavowaloflovetoMrs。Talboyshemightbeexpected，asweallthought，todoitnow。
　　Wewatchedthemastheymadeforagapinthewallwhichledthroughintothelargeenclosedspaceoftheoldcircus。Ithadbeenanarenaforchariotgames，andtheyhadgonedownwiththeavowedpurposeofsearchingwheremighthavebeenthemetaandascertaininghowthedriverscouldhaveturnedwhenattheirfullspeed。Forawhilewehadheardtheirvoices，orratherhervoiceespecially。"Theheartofaman，O’Brien，shouldsufficeforallemergencies，"wehadheardhersay。Shehadassumedastrangehabitofcallingmenbytheirsimplenames，asmenaddressoneanother。WhenshedidthistoMackinnon，whowasmucholderthanherself，wehadbeenallamusedbyit，andotherladiesofourpartyhadtakentocallhim"Mackinnon"whenMrs。
　　Talboyswasnotby;butwehadfeltthecomedytobelesssafewithO’Brien，especiallywhenononeoccasionweheardhimaddressherasArabella。Shedidnotseemtobeinanywaystruckbyhisdoingso，andwesupposedthereforethatithadbecomefrequentbetweenthem。
　　WhatreplyhemadeatthemomentabouttheheartofamanIdonotknow，andtheninafewminutestheydisappearedthroughthegapinthewall。
　　Noneofusfollowedthem，althoughitwouldhaveseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtodosohadnothingoutofthewaybeenexpected。Asitwas，weremainedthereroundthetombquizzingthelittlefoiblesofourdearfriendandhopingthatO’Brienwouldbequickinwhathewasdoing。Thathewouldundoubtedlygetaslapintheface，metaphorically，weallfeltcertain，fornoneofusdoubtedtherigidproprietyofthelady’sintentions。Someofusstrolledintothebuildingsandsomeofusgotoutontotheroad，butweallofuswerethinkingthatO’BrienwasveryslowaconsiderabletimebeforewesawMrs。Talboysreappearthroughthegap。
　　Atlast，however，shewasthere，andweatoncesawthatshewasalone。Shecameon，breastingthehillwithquicksteps，andwhenshedrewnearwecouldseethattherewasafrownasofinjuredmajestyonherbrow。Mackinnonandhiswifewentforwardtomeether。Ifshewerereallyintroubleitwouldbefittinginsomewaytoassisther，andofallwomenMrs。Mackinnonwasthelasttoseeanotherwomansufferfromillusagewithoutattemptingtoaidher。"Icertainlyneverlikedher，"Mrs。Mackinnonsaidafterward，"butIwasboundtogoandhearhertalewhenshereallyhadataletotell。"
　　AndMrs。Talboysnowhadataletotell——ifshechosetotellit。TheladiesofourpartydeclaredafterwardthatshewouldhaveactedmorewiselyhadshekepttoherselfbothO’Brien’swordstoherandheranswer。"Shewaswellabletotakecareofherself，"Mrs。Mackinnonsaid;"andafterallthesillymanhadtakenananswerwhenhegotit。"Not，however，thatO’Brienhadtakenhisanswerquiteimmediately，asfarasIcouldunderstandfromwhatweheardofthematterafterward。
　　AtthepresentmomentMrs。Talboyscameuptherisinggroundallaloneandataquickpace。"Themanhasinsultedme，"shesaidaloud，aswellasherpantingbreathwouldallowher，andassoonasshewasnearenoughtoMrs。Mackinnontospeaktoher。
　　"Iamsorryforthat，"saidMrs。Mackinnon。"Isupposehehastakenalittletoomuchwine。"
　　"No;itwasapremeditatedinsult。Thebase-heartedchurlhasfailedtounderstandthemeaningoftrue，honestsympathy。"
　　"Hewillforgetallaboutitwhenheissober，"saidMackinnon，meaningtocomforther。
　　"WhatcareIwhatheremembersorwhatheforgets？"shesaid，turninguponpoorMackinnonindignantly。"Youmengrovelsoinyourideas——"
　　（"Andyet，"asMackinnonsaidafterward，"shehadbeentellingmethatIwasafoolforthelastthreeweeks。"）"Youmengrovelsoinyourideasthatyoucannotunderstandthefeelingsofatrue-heartedwoman。
　　Whatcanhisforgetfulnessorhisremembrancebetome？MustnotI
　　rememberthisinsult？IsitpossiblethatIshouldforgetit？"
　　Mr。andMrs。Mackinnononlyhadgoneforwardtomeether，butneverthelessshespokesoloudthatallheardherwhowerestillclusteredroundthespotonwhichwehaddined。
　　"WhathasbecomeofMr。O’Brien？"aladywhisperedtome。
　　Ihadafield-glasswithme，and，lookinground，Isawhishatashewaswalkinginsidethewallsofthecircusinthedirectiontowardthecity。"Andveryfoolishhemustfeel，"saidthelady。
　　"Nodoubtheisusedtoit，"saidanother。
　　"Butconsideringherage，youknow，"saidthefirst，whomighthavebeenperhapsthreeyearsyoungerthanMrs。Talboys，andwhowasnotherselfaversetotheexcitementofamoderateflirtation。Butthenwhyshouldshehavebeenaverse，seeingthatshehadnotasyetbecomesubjecttothewillofanyimperiallord？
　　"Hewouldhavefeltmuchmorefoolish，"saidthethird，"ifshehadlistenedtowhathesaidtoher。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknow，"saidthesecond;"nobodywouldhaveknownanythingaboutitthen，andinafewweekstheywouldhavegraduallybecometiredofeachotherintheordinaryway。"
　　ButinthemeantimeMrs。Talboyswasamongus。Therehadbeennoattemptatsecrecy，andshewasstillloudlyinveighingagainstthegrovellingpropensitiesofmen。"That’squitetrue，Mrs。Talboys，"
　　saidoneoftheelderladies;"butthenwomenarenotalwayssocarefulastheyshouldbe。OfcourseIdonotmeantosaythattherehasbeenanyfaultonyourpart。"
　　"Faultonmypart！Ofcoursetherehasbeenfaultonmypart。Noonecanmakeanymistakewithoutfaulttosomeextent。Itookhimtobeamanofsense，andheisafool。GotoNaplesindeed。"
　　"DidhewantyoutogotoNaples？"askedMrs。Mackinnon。
　　"Yes;thatwaswhathesuggested。WeweretoleavebythetrainforCivitaVecchiaatsixto-morrowmorning，andcatchthesteamerwhichleavesLeghornto-night。Don’ttellmeofwine。Hewaspreparedforit！"Andshelookedroundaboutonuswithanairofinjuredmajestyinherfacewhichwasalmostinsupportable。
　　"Iwonderwhetherhetooktheticketsovernight，"saidMackinnon。
　　"Naples！"shesaid，asthoughnowspeakingexclusivelytoherself，"theonlygroundinItalywhichhasasyetmadenostruggleonbehalfoffreedom——afittingresidenceforsuchadastard！"
　　"Youwouldhavefounditverypleasantatthisseason，"saidtheunmarriedladywhowasthreeyearsherjunior。
　　MywifehadtakenIdaoutofthewaywhenthefirstcomplainingnotefromMrs。Talboyshadbeenheardascendingthehill。Butnow，whenmattersbegangraduallytobecomequiescent，shebroughtherback，suggestingasshedidsothattheymightbegintothinkofreturning。
　　"Itisgettingverycold，Idadear，isitnot？"saidshe。
　　"ButwhereisMr。O’Brien？"saidIda。
　　"Hehasfled——aspoltroonsalwaysfly，"saidMrs。Talboys。Ibelieveinmyheartthatshewouldhavebeengladtohavehadhimthereinthemiddleofthecircle，andtohavetriumphedoverhimpubliclyamongusall。Nofeelingofshamewouldhavekepthersilentforamoment。
　　"Fled！"saidIda，lookingupintohermother’sface。
　　"Yes，fled，mychild。"Andsheseizedherdaughterinherarms，andpressedhercloselytoherbosom。"Cowardsalwaysfly。"
　　"IsMr。O’Brienacoward？"Idaasked。
　　"Yes，acoward，averycoward！Andhehasfledbeforetheglanceofanhonestwoman’seye。Come，Mrs。Mackinnon，shallwegobacktothecity？Iamsorrythattheamusementofthedayshouldhavereceivedthischeck。"Andshewalkedforwardtothecarriageandtookherplaceinitwithanairthatshowedthatshewasproudofthewayinwhichshehadconductedherself。
　　"Sheisalittleconceitedaboutitafterall，"saidthatunmarriedlady。"IfpoorMr。O’BrienhadnotshownsomuchprematureanxietywithreferencetothatlittlejourneytoNaples，thingsmighthavegonequietlyafterall。"
　　Buttheunmarriedladywaswronginherjudgment。Mrs。Talboyswasproudandconceitedinthematter，butnotproudofhavingexcitedtheadmirationofherIrishlover。Shewasproudofherownsubsequentconduct，andgaveherselfcreditforcomingoutstronglyasthenoble-mindedmatron。"Ibelieveshethinks，"saidMrs。Mackinnon，"thathervirtueisquiteSpartanandunique;andifsheremainsinRomeshe’llboastofitthroughthewholewinter。"
　　"Ifshedoes，shemaybecertainthatO’Brienwilldothesame，"saidMackinnon。"Andinspiteofhishavingfledfromthefield，itisuponthecardsthathemaygetthebestofit。Mrs。Talboysisaveryexcellentwoman。Shehasprovedherexcellencebeyondadoubt。Butneverthelesssheissusceptibleofridicule。"
　　WeallfeltalittleanxietytohearO’Brien’saccountofthematter，andafterhavingdepositedtheladiesattheirhomesMackinnonandI
　　wentofftohislodgings。Atfirsthewasdeniedtous，butafterawhilewegothisservanttoacknowledgethathewasathome，andthenwemadeourwayuptohisstudio。Wefoundhimseatedbehindahalf-
　　formedmodel，orratheramerelumpofclaypunchedintosomethingresemblingtheshapeofahead，withapipeinhismouthandabitofstickinhishand。Hewaspretendingtowork，thoughwebothknewthatitwasoutofthequestionthatheshoulddoanythinginhispresentframeofmind。
　　"IthinkIheardmyservanttellyouthatIwasnotathome，"saidhe。
　　"Yes，hedid，"saidMackinnon，"andwouldhaveswornittooifwewouldhavelethim。Come，don’tpretendtobesurly。"
　　"Iamverybusy，Mr。Mackinnon。"
　　"CompletingyourheadofMrs。Talboys，Isuppose，beforeyoustartforNaples。"
　　"Youdon’tmeantosaythatshehastoldyouallaboutit？"Andheturnedawayfromhiswork，andlookedupintoourfaceswithacomicalexpression，halfoffunandhalfofdespair。
　　"Everywordofit，"saidI。"Whenyouwantaladytotravelwithyouneveraskhertogetupsoearlyinwinter。"
　　"But，O’Brien，howcouldyoubesuchanass？"saidMackinnon。"Asithasturnedout，thereisnoverygreatharmdone。Youhaveinsultedarespectablemiddle-agedwoman，themotherofafamilyandthewifeofageneralofficer，andthereisanendofit——unless，indeed，thegeneralofficershouldcomeoutfromEnglandtocallyoutoaccount。"
　　"Heiswelcome，"saidO’Brienhaughtily。
　　"Nodoubt，mydearfellow，"saidMackinnon;"thatwouldbeadignifiedandpleasantendingtotheaffair。ButwhatIwanttoknowisthis：
　　whatwouldyouhavedoneifshehadagreedtogo？"
　　"Henevercalculatedonthepossibilityofsuchacontingency，"saidI。
　　"Byheavens，then，Ithoughtshewouldlikeit，"saidhe。
　　"Andtoobligeheryouwerecontenttosacrificeyourself，"saidMackinnon。
　　"Well，thatwasjustit。Whatthedeuceisafellowtodowhenawomangoesoninthatway？Shetoldmedownthere，upontheoldrace-course，youknow，thatmatrimonialbondsweremadeforfoolsandslaves。WhatwasItosupposethatshemeantbythat？But，tomakeallsure，I
　　askedherwhatsortofafellowthegeneralwas。’Dearoldman，’shesaid，claspingherhandstogether。’Hemight，youknow，havebeenmyfather。’’Iwishhewere，’saidI，’becausethenyou’dbefree。’’Iamfree，’saidshe，stampingontheground，andlookingupatmesomuchastosaythatshecaredfornoone。’Then，’saidI，’acceptallthatisleftoftheheartofWenceslausO’Brien，’andIthrewmyselfbeforeherinherpath。’Hand，’saidI，’Ihavenonetogive，butthebloodwhichrunsredthroughmyveinsisdescendedfromadoublelineofkings。’Isaidthatbecausesheisalwaysfondofridingahighhorse。
　　Ihadgottencloseunderthewallsothatnoneofyoushouldseemefromthetower。"
　　"Andwhatanswerdidshemake？"saidMackinnon。
　　"Why，shewaspleasedasPunch——gavemebothherhandsanddeclaredthatwewouldbefriendsforever。Itismybelief，Mackinnon，thatthatwomanneverheardanythingofthekindbefore。Thegeneral，nodoubt，diditbyletter。"
　　"Andhowwasitthatshechangedhermind？"
　　"Why，Igotup，putmyarmroundherwaist，andtoldherthatwewouldbeofftoNaples。I’mblessedifshedidn’tgivemeaknockintheribsthatnearlysentmebackward。Shetookmybreathaway，sothatI
　　couldn’tspeaktoher。"
　　"Andthen————"
　　"Oh，therewasnothingmore。OfcourseIsawhowitwas。SoshewalkedoffonewayandItheother。Onthewhole，IconsiderthatIamwelloutofit。"
　　"AndsodoI，"saidMackinnon，verygravely。"Butifyouwillallowmetogiveyoumyadvice，Iwouldsuggestthatitwouldbewelltoavoidsuchmistakesinfuture。"
　　"Uponmyword，"saidO’Brien，excusinghimself，"Idon’tknowwhatamanistodoundersuchcircumstances。IgiveyoumyhonourthatIdiditalltoobligeher。"
　　WethendecidedthatMackinnonshouldconveytotheinjuredladythehumbleapologyofherlateadmirer。Itwassettledthatnodetailedexcusesshouldbemade。Itshouldbelefttohertoconsiderwhetherthedeedwhichhadbeendonemighthavebeenoccasionedbywineorbythefollyofamoment，orbyherownindiscreetenthusiasm。Noonebutthetwowerepresentwhenthemessagewasgiven，andthereforewewereobligedtotrusttoMackinnon’saccuracyforanaccountofit。
　　Shestoodonveryhighgroundindeed，hesaid，atfirstrefusingtohearanythingthathehadtosayonthematter。Thefoolishyoungman，shedeclared，wasbelowherangerandbelowhercontempt。
　　"HeisnotthefirstIrishmanthathasbeenmadeindiscreetbybeauty，"saidMackinnon。
　　"Atrucetothat，"shereplied，wavingherhandwithanairofassumedmajesty。"Theincident，contemptibleasitis，hasbeenunpleasanttome。ItwillnecessitatemywithdrawalfromRome。"
　　"Ohno，Mrs。Talboys;thatwillbemakingtoomuchofhim。"
　　"Thegreatestherothatlives，"sheanswered，"mayhavehishousemadeuninhabitablebyaverysmallinsect。"Mackinnonsworethatthosewereherownwords。ConsequentlyasobriquetwasattachedtoO’Brienofwhichhebynomeansapproved，andfromthatdaywealwayscalledMrs。
　　Talboys"thehero。"
　　Mackinnonprevailedatlastwithher，andshedidnotleaveRome。ShewaseveninducedtosendamessagetoO’Brienconveyingherforgiveness。TheyshookhandstogetherwithgreateclatinMrs。
　　Mackinnon’sdrawing-room;butIdonotsupposethatsheeveragainofferedtohimsympathyonthescoreofhismatrimonialtroubles。