CHAPTERI
　　ThehousesweredarkintheAugustnightandtheperspectiveofBeaconStreet，withitsdoublechainoflamps，wasaforeshorteneddesert。Theclubonthehillalone，fromitssemi-cylindricalfront，projectedaglowupontheduskyvaguenessoftheCommon，andasI
　　passeditIheardinthehotstillnesstheclickofapairofbilliard-balls。As"everyone"wasoutoftownperhapstheservants，intheextravaganceoftheirleisure，wereprofaningthetables。TheheatwasinsufferableandIthoughtwithjoyofthemorrow，ofthedeckofthesteamer，thefresheningbreeze，thesenseofgettingouttosea。IwasevengladofwhatIhadlearnedintheafternoonattheofficeofthecompany——thatattheeleventhhouranoldshipwithalowerstandardofspeedhadbeenputoninplaceofthevesselinwhichIhadtakenmypassage。Americawasroasting，Englandmightverywellbestuffy，andaslowpassage（whichatthatseasonoftheyearwouldprobablyalsobeafineone）wasaguaranteeoftenortwelvedaysoffreshair。
　　Istrolleddownthehillwithoutmeetingacreature，thoughIcouldseethroughthepalingsoftheCommonthatthatrecreativeexpansewaspeopledwithdimforms。IrememberedMrs。Nettlepoint’shouse——
　　shelivedinthosedays（theyarenotsodistant，buttherehavebeenchanges）onthewater-side，alittlewaybeyondthespotatwhichthePublicGardenterminates；andIreflectedthatlikemyselfshewouldbespendingthenightinBostonifitweretruethat，ashadbeenmentionedtomeafewdaysbeforeatMountDesert，shewastoembarkonthemorrowforLiverpool。Ipresentlysawthisappearanceconfirmedbyalightaboveherdoorandintwoorthreeofherwindows，andIdeterminedtoaskforher，havingnothingtodotillbedtime。Ihadcomeoutsimplytopassanhour，leavingmyhoteltotheblazeofitsgasandtheperspirationofitsporters；butitoccurredtomethatmyoldfriendmightveryWELLnotknowofthesubstitutionofthePatagoniafortheScandinavia，sothatIshouldbedoingheraservicetopreparehermind。Besides，Icouldoffertohelpher，tolookafterherinthemorning：lonewomenaregratefulforsupportintakingshipforfarcountries。
　　ItcametomeindeedasIstoodonherdoor-stepthatasshehadasonshemightnotafterallbesolone；yetIrememberedatthesametimethatJasperNettlepointwasnotquiteayoungmantoleanupon，having——asIatleastsupposed——alifeofhisownandtastesandhabitswhichhadlongsincedivertedhimfromthematernalside。Ifhedidhappenjustnowtobeathomemysolicitudewouldofcourseseemofficious；forinhismanywanderings——Ibelievedhehadroamedallovertheglobe——hewouldcertainlyhavelearnedhowtomanage。
　　Nonetheless，infine，IwasverygladtoshowMrs。NettlepointI
　　thoughtofher。WithmylongabsenceIhadlostsightofher；butI
　　hadlikedherofold，shehadbeenagoodfriendtomysisters，andI
　　hadinregardtoherthatsensewhichispleasanttothosewhoingeneralhavegoneastrayorgotdetached，thesensethatsheatleastknewallaboutme。IcouldtrustheratanytimetotellpeopleI
　　wasrespectable。PerhapsIwasconsciousofhowlittleIdeservedthisindulgencewhenitcameovermethatIhadn’tbeennearherforages。ThemeasureofthatneglectwasgivenbymyvaguenessofmindaboutJasper。However，Ireallybelongednowadaystoadifferentgeneration；Iwasmorethemother’scontemporarythantheson’s。
　　Mrs。Nettlepointwasathome：Ifoundherinherbackdrawing-room，wherethewidewindowsopenedtothewater。Theroomwasdusky——itwastoohotforlamps——andshesatslowlymovingherfanandlookingoutonthelittlearmoftheseawhichissoprettyatnight，reflectingthelightsofCambridgeportandCharlestown。Isupposedshewasmusingonthelovedonesshewastoleavebehind，hermarrieddaughters，hergrandchildren；butshestruckanotemorespecificallyBostonianasshesaidtome，pointingwithherfantotheBackBay：
　　"Ishallseenothingmorecharmingthanthatoverthere，youknow！"
　　Shemademeverywelcome，buthersonhadtoldheraboutthePatagonia，forwhichshewassorry，asthiswouldmeanalongervoyage。Shewasapoorcreatureinanyboatandmainlyconfinedtohercabineveninweatherextravagantlytermedfine——asifanyweathercouldbefineatsea。
　　"Ahthenyourson’sgoingwithyou？"Iasked。
　　"Herehecomes，he’lltellyouforhimselfmuchbetterthanIcanpretendto。"JasperNettlepointatthatmomentjoinedus，dressedinwhiteflannelandcarryingalargefan。"Well，mydear，haveyoudecided？"hismothercontinuedwithnoscantirony。"Hehasn’tyetmadeuphismind，andwesailatteno’clock！"
　　"Whatdoesitmatterwhenmythingsareputup？"theyoungmansaid。
　　"There’snocrowdatthismoment；therewillbecabinstospare。I’mwaitingforatelegram——thatwillsettleit。Ijustwalkeduptotheclubtoseeifitwascome——they’llsendittherebecausetheysupposethishouseunoccupied。Notyet，butIshallgobackintwentyminutes。"
　　"Mercy，howyourushaboutinthistemperature！"thepoorladyexclaimedwhileIreflectedthatitwasperhapsHISbilliard-ballsI
　　hadheardtenminutesbefore。Iwassurehewasfondofbilliards。
　　"Rush？notintheleast。Itakeituncommoneasy。"
　　"AhI’mboundtosayyoudo！"Mrs。Nettlepointreturnedwithinconsequence。Iguessedatacertaintensionbetweenthepairandawantofconsiderationontheyoungman’spart，arisingperhapsfromselfishness。Hismotherwasnervous，insuspense，wantingtobeatrestastowhethersheshouldhavehiscompanyonthevoyageorbeobligedtostrugglealone。Butashestoodtheresmilingandslowlymovinghisfanhestruckmesomehowasapersononwhomthisfactwouldn’tsittooheavily。Hewasofthetypeofthosewhomotherpeopleworryabout，notofthosewhoworryaboutotherpeople。Tallandstrong，hehadahandsomeface，witharoundheadandclose-
　　curlinghair；thewhitesofhiseyesandtheenamelofhisteeth，underhisbrownmoustache，gleamedvaguelyinthelightsoftheBackBay。Imadeoutthathewassunburnt，asifhelivedmuchintheopenair，andthathelookedintelligentbutalsoslightlybrutal，thoughnotinamoroseway。Hisbrutality，ifhehadany，wasbrightandfinished。IhadtotellhimwhoIwas，buteventhenIsawhowlittleheplacedmeandthatmyexplanationsgavemeinhismindnogreatidentityoratanyratenogreatimportance。Iforesawthathewouldinintercoursemakemefeelsometimesveryyoungandsometimesveryold，caringhimselfbutlittlewhich。Hementioned，asiftoshowourcompanionthathemightsafelybelefttohisowndevices，thathehadoncestartedfromLondontoBombayatthreequartersofanhour’snotice。
　　"Yes，anditmusthavebeenpleasantforthepeopleyouwerewith！"
　　"OhthepeopleIwaswith——！"hereturned；andhistoneappearedtosignifythatsuchpeoplewouldalwayshavetocomeoffastheycould。
　　Heaskediftherewerenocolddrinksinthehouse，nolemonade，noicedsyrups；insuchweathersomethingofthatsortoughtalwaystobekeptgoing。WhenhismotherremarkedthatsurelyattheclubtheyWEREkeptgoinghewenton："Ohyes，Ihadvariousthingsthere；butyouknowI’vewalkeddownthehillsince。Oneshouldhavesomethingateitherend。MayIringandsee？"HerangwhileMrs。Nettlepointobservedthatwiththepeopletheyhadinthehouse，anestablishmentreducednaturallyatsuchamomenttoitssimplestexpression——theywereburningupcandle-endsandtherewerenoluxuries——shewouldn’tanswerfortheservice。ThematterendedinherleavingtheroominquestofcordialswiththefemaledomesticwhohadarrivedinresponsetothebellandinwhomJasper’sappealarousednovisibleintelligence。
　　SheremainedawaysometimeandItalkedwithherson，whowassociablebutdesultoryandkeptmovingovertheplace，alwayswithhisfan，asifhewereproperlyimpatient。Sometimesheseatedhimselfaninstantonthewindow-sill，andthenImadehimoutinfactthoroughlygood-looking——afinebrowncleanyoungathlete。Hefailedtotellmeonwhatspecialcontingencyhisdecisiondepended；
　　heonlyalludedfamiliarlytoanexpectedtelegram，andIsawhewasprobablyfondatnotimeofthetroubleofexplanations。Hismother’sabsencewasasignthatwhenitmightbeaquestionofgratifyinghimshehadgrownusedtosparenopains，andIfanciedherrummaginginsomeclosestoreroom，amongoldpreserve-pots，whilethedullmaid-servantheldthecandleawry。Idon’tknowwhetherthissamevisionwasinhisowneyes；atalleventsitdidn’tpreventhissayingsuddenly，ashelookedathiswatch，thatImustexcusehim——heshouldhavetogobacktotheclub。Hewouldreturninhalfanhour——orinless。HewalkedawayandIsattherealone，conscious，onthedarkdismantledsimplifiedscene，inthedeepsilencethatrestsonAmericantownsduringthehotseason——therewasnowandthenafarcryoraplashinthewater，andatintervalsthetinkleofthebellsofthehorse-carsonthelongbridge，slowinthesuffocatingnight——ofthestrangeinfluence，half-sweet，half-sad，thatabidesinhousesuninhabitedorabouttobecomeso，inplacesmuffledandbereaved，wheretheunheededsofasandpatientbelitteredtablesseem（likethedisconcerteddogs，towhomeverythingisalikesinister）torecognisetheeveofajourney。
　　AfterawhileIheardthesoundofvoices，ofsteps，therustleofdresses，andIlookedround，supposingthesethingstodenotethereturnofMrs。Nettlepointandherhandmaidenwiththerefectionpreparedforherson。WhatIsawhoweverwastwootherfemaleforms，visitorsapparentlyjustadmitted，andnowusheredintotheroom。
　　Theywerenotannounced——theservantturnedherbackonthemandrambledofftoourhostess。Theyadvancedinawaveringtentativeunintroducedway——partly，Icouldsee，becausetheplacewasdarkandpartlybecausetheirvisitwasinitsnatureexperimental，aflightofimaginationorastretchofconfidence。Oneoftheladieswasstoutandtheotherslim，andImadesureinamomentthatonewastalkativeandtheotherreserved。Itwasfurthertobediscernedthatonewaselderlyandtheotheryoung，aswellasthatthefactoftheirunlikenessdidn’tpreventtheirbeingmotheranddaughter。
　　Mrs。Nettlepointreappearedinaveryfewminutes，buttheintervalhadsufficedtoestablishacommunication——reallycopiousfortheoccasion——betweenthestrangersandtheunknowngentlemanwhomtheyfoundinpossession，hatandstickinhand。Thiswasnotmydoing——
　　forwhathadItogoupon？——andstilllesswasitthedoingoftheyoungerandthemoreindifferent，orlesscourageous，lady。Shespokebutonce——whenhercompanioninformedmethatshewasgoingouttoEuropethenextdaytobemarried。Thensheprotested"Ohmother！"inatonethatstruckmeinthedarknessasdoublyodd，excitingmycuriositytoseeherface。
　　Ithadtakentheelderwomanbutamomenttocometothat，andtovariousotherthings，afterIhadexplainedthatImyselfwaswaitingforMrs。Nettlepoint，whowoulddoubtlesssooncomeback。
　　"Well，shewon’tknowme——Iguessshehasn’teverheardmuchaboutme，"thegoodladysaid；"butI’vecomefromMrs。AllenandIguessthatwillmakeitallright。IpresumeyouknowMrs。Allen？"
　　Iwasunacquaintedwiththisinfluentialpersonage，butIassentedvaguelytotheproposition。Mrs。Allen’semissarywasgood-humouredandfamiliar，butratherappealingthaninsistent（sheremarkedthatifherfriendHADfoundtimetocomeintheafternoon——shehadsomuchtodo，beingjustupfortheday，thatshecouldn’tbesure——itwouldbeallright）；andsomehowevenbeforeshementionedMerrimacAvenue（theyhadcomeallthewayfromthere）myimaginationhadassociatedherwiththatindefinitesociallimboknowntotheproperly-constitutedBostonmindastheSouthEnd——anebulousregionwhichcondenseshereandthereintoaprettyface，inwhichthedaughtersarean"improvement"onthemothersandaresometimesacquaintedwithgentlemenmoregloriouslydomiciled，gentlemenwhosewivesandsistersareinturnnotacquaintedwiththem。
　　WhenatlastMrs。Nettlepointcamein，accompaniedbycandlesandbyatrayladenwithglassesofcolouredfluidwhichemittedacooltinkling，Iwasinapositiontoofficiateasmasteroftheceremonies，tointroduceMrs。MavisandMissGraceMavis，torepresentthatMrs。Allenhadrecommendedthem——nay，hadurgedthem——
　　justtocomethatway，informallyandwithoutfear；Mrs。Allenwhohadbeenpreventedonlybythepressureofoccupationssocharacteristicofher（especiallywhenupfromMattapoisettforafewhours’desperateshopping）fromherselfcallinginthecourseofthedaytoexplainwhotheywereandwhatwasthefavourtheyhadtoaskofherbenevolentfriend。Good-naturedwomenunderstandeachotherevenwhensodividedastositresidentiallyaboveandbelowthesalt，aswhoshouldsay；bywhichtokenourhostesshadquicklymasteredthemainfacts：Mrs。Allen’svisitthatmorninginMerrimacAvenuetotalkofMrs。Amber’sgreatidea，theclassesatthepublicschoolsinvacation（shewasinterestedwithanequalcharitytothatofMrs。Mavis——eveninsuchweather！——inthoseoftheSouthEnd）forgamesandexercisesandmusic，tokeepthepoorunoccupiedchildrenoutofthestreets；thentherevelationthatithadsuddenlybeensettledalmostfromonehourtotheotherthatGraceshouldsailforLiverpool，Mr。Porterfieldatlastbeingready。Hewastakingalittleholiday；hismotherwaswithhim，theyhadcomeoverfromParistoseesomeofthecelebratedoldbuildingsinEngland，andhehadtelegraphedtosaythatifGracewouldstartrightofftheywouldjustfinishitupandbemarried。Itoftenhappenedthatwhenthingshaddraggedonthatwayforyearstheywereallhuddledupattheend。Ofcourseinsuchacaseshe，Mrs。Mavis，hadhadtoflyround。
　　Herdaughter’spassagewastaken，butitseemedtoodreadfulsheshouldmakeherjourneyallalone，thefirsttimeshehadeverbeenatsea，withoutanycompanionorescort。SHEcouldn’tgo——Mr。Maviswastoosick：shehadn’tevenbeenabletogethimofftotheseaside。
　　"Well，Mrs。Nettlepoint’sgoinginthatship，"Mrs。Allenhadsaid；
　　andshehadrepresentedthatnothingwassimplerthantogiveherthegirlincharge。WhenMrs。Mavishadrepliedthatthiswasallverywellbutthatshedidn’tknowthelady，Mrs。Allenhaddeclaredthatthatdidn’tmakeaspeckofdifference，forMrs。Nettlepointwaskindenoughforanything。ItwaseasyenoughtoKNOWher，ifthatwasallthetrouble！AllMrs。Maviswouldhavetodowouldbetogorightuptohernextmorning，whenshetookherdaughtertotheship（shewouldseeherthereonthedeckwithherparty）andtellherfairandsquarewhatshewanted。Mrs。Nettlepointhaddaughtersherselfandwouldeasilyunderstand。Verylikelyshe’devenlookafterGracealittleontheotherside，insuchaqueersituation，goingoutalonetothegentlemanshewasengagedto：she’djusthelpher，likeagoodSamaritan，toturnroundbeforeshewasmarried。Mr。
　　Porterfieldseemedtothinktheywouldn’twaitlong，onceshewasthere：theywouldhaveitrightoverattheAmericanconsul’s。Mrs。
　　AllenhadsaiditwouldperhapsbebetterstilltogoandseeMrs。
　　Nettlepointbeforehand，thatday，totellherwhattheywanted：thentheywouldn’tseemtospringitonherjustasshewasleaving。Sheherself（Mrs。Allen）wouldcallandsayawordforthemifshecouldsavetenminutesbeforecatchinghertrain。Ifshehadn’tcomeitwasbecauseshehadn’tsavedhertenminutesbutshehadmadethemfeelthattheymustcomeallthesame。Mrs。Mavislikedthatbetter，becauseontheshipinthemorningtherewouldbesuchaconfusion。
　　Shedidn’tthinkherdaughterwouldbeanytrouble——conscientiouslyshedidn’t。Itwasjusttohavesomeonetospeaktoherandnotsallyforthlikeaservant-girlgoingtoasituation。
　　"Isee，I’mtoactasasortofbridesmaidandtogiveheraway，"
　　Mrs。Nettlepointobliginglysaid。Kindenoughinfactforanything，sheshowedonthisoccasionthatitwaseasyenoughtoknowher。
　　Thereisnotoriouslynothinglessdesirablethananimposedaggravationofeffortatsea，butsheacceptedwithoutbetrayeddismaytheburdenoftheyounglady’sdependenceandallowedher，asMrs。Mavissaid，tohookherselfon。Sheevidentlyhadthehabitofpatience，andherreceptionofhervisitors’storyremindedmeafresh——IwasremindedofitwheneverIreturnedtomynativeland——
　　thatmydearcompatriotsarethepeopleintheworldwhomostfreelytakemutualaccommodationforgranted。Theyhavealwayshadtohelpthemselves，andhaverathermagnanimouslyfailedtolearnjustwherehelpingothersisdistinguishablefromthat。Innocountryaretherefewerformsandmorereciprocities。
　　ItwasdoubtlessnotsingularthattheladiesfromMerrimacAvenueshouldn’tfeeltheywereimportunate：whatwasstrikingwasthatMrs。Nettlepointdidn’tappeartosuspectit。However，shewouldinanycasehavethoughtitinhumantoshowthis——thoughIcouldseethatunderthesurfaceshewasamusedateverythingthemoreexpressiveofthepilgrimsfromtheSouthEndtookforgranted。I
　　scarceknowwhethertheattitudeoftheyoungervisitoraddedornottothemeritofhergoodnature。Mr。Porterfield’sintendedtooknopartinthedemonstration，scarcelyspoke，satlookingattheBackBayandthelightsonthelongbridge。Shedeclinedthelemonadeandtheothermixtureswhich，atMrs。Nettlepoint’srequest，Iofferedher，whilehermotherpartookfreelyofeverythingandIreflected——
　　forIasfreelydrainedaglassortwoinwhichtheicetinkled——thatMr。Jasperhadbetterhurrybackifhewishedtoenjoytheseluxuries。
　　Wastheeffectoftheyoungwoman’sreservemeanwhileungracious，orwasitonlynaturalthatinherparticularsituationsheshouldn’thaveaflowofcomplimentathercommand？InoticedthatMrs。
　　Nettlepointlookedatheroften，andcertainlythoughshewasundemonstrativeMissMaviswasinteresting。Thecandlelightenabledmetoseethatthoughnotintheveryfirstflowerofheryouthshewasstillfreshandhandsome。Hereyesandhairweredark，herfacewaspale，andsheheldupherheadasif，withitsthickbraidsandeverythingelseinvolvedinit，itwereanappurtenanceshewasn’tashamedof。Ifhermotherwasexcellentandcommonshewasnotcommon——notatleastflagrantlyso——andperhapsalsonotexcellent。
　　Atalleventsshewouldn’tbe，inappearanceatleast，adrearyappendage；whichinthecaseofaperson"hookingon"wasalwayssomethinggained。Wasitbecausesomethingofaromanticorpatheticinterestusuallyattachestoagoodcreaturewhohasbeenthevictimofa"longengagement"thatthisyoungladymadeanimpressiononmefromthefirst——favouredasIhadbeensoquicklywiththisglimpseofherhistory？Icouldchargehercertainlywithnopositiveappeal；sheonlyheldhertongueandsmiled，andhersmilecorrectedwhateversuggestionmighthaveforceditselfuponmethatthespiritwithinherwasdead——thespiritofthatpromiseofwhichshefoundherselfdoomedtocarryouttheletter。
　　Whatcorrecteditless，Imustadd，wasanoddrecollectionwhichgatheredvividnessasIlistenedtoit——amentalassociationevokedbythenameofMr。Porterfield。SurelyIhadapersonalimpression，over-smearedandconfused，ofthegentlemanwhowaswaitingatLiverpool，orwhopresentlywouldbe，forMrs。Nettlepoint’sprotegee。Ihadmethim，knownhim，sometime，somewhere，somehow，ontheotherside。Wasn’thestudyingsomething，veryhard，somewhere——probablyinParis——tenyearsbefore，anddidn’themakeextraordinarilyneatdrawings，linearandarchitectural？Didn’thegotoatabled’hote，attwofrancstwenty-five，intheRueBonaparte，whichIthenfrequented，anddidn’thewearspectaclesandaScotchplaidarrangedinamannerwhichseemedtosay"I’vetrustworthyinformationthatthat’sthewaytheydoitintheHighlands"？Wasn’theexemplarytopositiveirritation，andverypoor，poortopositiveoppression，sothatIsupposedhehadnoovercoatandhistartanwouldbewhathesleptunderatnight？
　　Wasn’theworkingveryhardstill，andwouldn’thebe，inthenaturalcourse，notyetsatisfiedthathehadfoundhisfeetorknewenoughtolaunchout？Hewouldbeamanoflongpreparations——MissMavis’swhitefaceseemedtospeaktooneofthat。ItstruckmethatifI
　　hadbeeninlovewithherIshouldn’thaveneededtolaysuchatrainforthecloserapproach。ArchitecturewashislineandhewasapupiloftheEcoledesBeauxArts。ThisreminiscencegrewsomuchmorevividwithmethatattheendoftenminutesIhadanoddsenseofknowing——byimplication——agooddealabouttheyounglady。
　　EvenafteritwassettledthatMrs。Nettlepointwoulddoeverythingpossibleforhertheothervisitorsatsippingouricedliquidandtellinghow"low"Mr。Mavishadbeen。Atthisperiodthegirl’ssilencestruckmeasstillmoreconscious，partlyperhapsbecauseshedeprecatedhermother’sfreeflow——shewasenoughofan"improvement"
　　tomeasurethat——andpartlybecauseshewastoodistressedbytheideaofleavingherinfirm，herperhapsdyingfather。Itwasn’tindistinguishablethattheywerepoorandthatshewouldtakeoutaverysmallpurseforhertrousseau。ForMr。Porterfieldtomakeupthesumhisowncasewouldhavehadmoreovergreatlytochange。IfhehadenrichedhimselfbythesuccessfulpracticeofhisprofessionIhadencounterednoedificehehadreared——hisreputationhadn’tcometomyears。
　　Mrs。Nettlepointnotifiedhernewfriendsthatshewasaveryinactivepersonatsea：shewaspreparedtosuffertothefullwithMissMavis，butnotpreparedtopacethedeckwithher，tostrugglewithher，toaccompanyhertomeals。Tothisthegirlrepliedthatshewouldtroubleherlittle，shewassure：shewasconvincedsheshouldproveawretchedsailorandspendthevoyageonherback。Hermotherscoffedatthispicture，prophesyingperfectweatherandalovelytime，andIinterposedtotheeffectthatifImightbetrusted，asatamebachelorfairlysea-seasoned，Ishouldbedelightedtogivethenewmemberofourpartyanarmoranyothercountenancewheneversheshouldrequireit。Boththeladiesthankedmeforthis——takingmyprofessionswithnosortofabatement——andtheelderonedeclaredthatwewereevidentlygoingtobesuchasociablegroupthatitwastoobadtohavetostayathome。SheaskedMrs。
　　Nettlepointiftherewereanyoneelseinourparty，andwhenourhostessmentionedherson——therewasachanceofhisembarkingbut（wasn’titabsurd？）hehadn’tdecidedyet——shereturnedwithextraordinarycandour："Ohdear，Idohopehe’llgo：thatwouldbesolovelyforGrace。"
　　SomehowthewordsmademethinkofpoorMr。Porterfield’startan，especiallyasJasperNettlepointstrolledinagainatthatmoment。
　　Hismotheratoncechallengedhim：itwasteno’clock；hadhebychancemadeuphisgreatmind？Apparentlyhefailedtohearher，beinginthefirstplacesurprisedatthestrangeladiesandthenstruckwiththefactthatoneofthemwasn’tstrange。Theyoungman，afteraslighthesitation，greetedMissMaviswithahandshakeanda"Ohgood-evening，howdoyoudo？"Hedidn’tutterhername——whichI
　　couldseehemusthaveforgotten；butsheimmediatelypronouncedhis，availingherselfoftheAmericangirl’sdiscretionto"present"himtohermother。
　　"Well，youmighthavetoldmeyouknewhimallthistime！"thatladyjoviallycried。ThenshehadanequalconfidenceforMrs。
　　Nettlepoint。"Itwouldhavesavedmeaworry——anacquaintancealreadybegun。"
　　"Ahmyson’sacquaintances！"ourhostessmurmured。
　　"Yes，andmydaughter’stoo！"Mrs。Mavisgailyechoed。"Mrs。Allendidn’ttellusYOUweregoing，"shecontinuedtotheyoungman。
　　"She’dhavebeencleverifshehadbeenableto！"Mrs。Nettlepointsighed。
　　"Dearmother，Ihavemytelegram，"Jasperremarked，lookingatGraceMavis。
　　"Iknowyouverylittle，"thegirlsaid，returninghisobservation。
　　"I’vedancedwithyouatsomeball——forsomesufferersbysomethingorother。"
　　"Ithinkitwasaninundationorabigfire，"shealittlelanguidlysmiled。"Butitwasalongtimeago——andIhaven’tseenyousince。"
　　"I’vebeeninfarcountries——tomyloss。Ishouldhavesaiditwasabigfire。"
　　"ItwasattheHorticulturalHall。Ididn’trememberyourname，"
　　saidGraceMavis。
　　"That’sveryunkindofyou，whenIrecallvividlythatyouhadapinkdress。"
　　"OhIrememberthatdress——yourstrawberrytarletan：youlookedlovelyinit！"Mrs。Mavisbrokeout。"Youmustgetanotherjustlikeit——ontheotherside。"
　　"Yes，yourdaughterlookedcharminginit，"saidJasperNettlepoint。
　　Thenheaddedtothegirl："Yetyoumentionedmynametoyourmother。"
　　"Itcamebacktome——seeingyouhere。Ihadnoideathiswasyourhome。"
　　"Well，Iconfessitisn’t，much。Ohtherearesomedrinks！"——heapproachedthetrayanditsglasses。
　　"Indeedthereareandquitedelicious"——Mrs。Mavislargelywipedhermouth。
　　"Won’tyouhaveanotherthen？——apinkone，likeyourdaughter’sgown。"
　　"Withpleasure，sir。Ohdoseethemover，"Mrs。Maviscontinued，acceptingfromtheyoungman’shandathirdtumbler。
　　"Mymotherandthatgentleman？Surelytheycantakecareofthemselves，"hefreelypleaded。
　　"Thenmydaughter——shehasaclaimasanoldfriend。"
　　Buthismotherhadbythistimeinterposed。"Jasper，whatdoesyourtelegramsay？"
　　Hepaidhernoheed：hestoodtherewithhisglassinhishand，lookingfromMrs。MavistoMissGrace。
　　"Ahleavehertome，madam；I’mquitecompetent，"IsaidtoMrs。
　　Mavis。
　　Thentheyoungmangavemehisattention。Thenextminuteheaskedofthegirl："Doyoumeanyou’regoingtoEurope？"
　　"Yes，tomorrow。Inthesameshipasyourmother。"
　　"That’swhatwe’vecomeherefor，toseeallaboutit，"saidMrs。
　　Mavis。
　　"Myson，takepityonmeandtellmewhatlightyourtelegramthrows，"Mrs。Nettlepointwenton。
　　"Iwill，dearest，whenI’vequenchedmythirst。"Andheslowlydrainedhisglass。
　　"Well，Ideclareyou’reworsethanGracie，"Mrs。Maviscommented。
　　"Shewasfirstonethingandthentheother——butonlyaboutuptothreeo’clockyesterday。"
　　"Excuseme——won’tyoutakesomething？"JasperinquiredofGracie；whohoweverstilldeclined，asiftomakeupforhermother’scopiousconsommation。Ifoundmyselfquiteawarethatthetwoladieswoulddowelltotakeleave，thequestionofMrs。Nettlepoint’sgoodwillbeingsosatisfactorilysettledandthemeetingofthemorrowattheshipsonearathandandIwentsofarastojudgethattheirprotractedstay，withtheirhostessvisiblyinafidget，gavethelastproofoftheirwantofbreeding。MissGraceafterallthenwasnotsuchanimprovementonhermother，forsheeasilymighthavetakentheinitiativeofdeparture，inspiteofMrs。Mavis’sevident"game"ofmakingherownabsorptionofrefreshmentlastaslongaspossible。Iwatchedthegirlwithincreasinginterest；Icouldn’thelpaskingmyselfaquestionortwoaboutherandevenperceivingalready（inadimandgeneralway）thatrathermarkedembarrassment，oratleastanxietyattendedher。Wasn’titcomplicatingthatsheshouldhaveneeded，byremaininglongenough，toassuageacertainsuspense，tolearnwhetherornoJasperweregoingtosail？Hadn’tsomethingparticularpassedbetweenthemontheoccasionorattheperiodtowhichwehadcaughttheirallusion，anddidn’tshereallynotknowhermotherwasbringinghertoHISmother’s，thoughsheapparentlyhadthoughtitwellnottobetrayknowledge？Suchthingsweresymptomatic——thoughindeedonescarceknewofwhat——onthepartofayoungladybetrothedtothatcuriouscross-barredphantomofaMr。Porterfield。ButIamboundtoaddthatshegavemenofurtherwarrantforwonderthanwasconveyedinheralltacitlyandcovertlyencouraginghermothertolinger。SomehowIhadasensethatSHEwasconsciousoftheindecencyofthis。Igotupmyselftogo，butMrs。
　　Nettlepointdetainedmeafterseeingthatmymovementwouldn’tbetakenasahint，andIfeltshewishedmenottoleavemyfellowvisitorsonherhands。Jaspercomplainedoftheclosenessoftheroom，saidthatitwasnotanighttositinaroom——oneoughttobeoutintheair，underthesky。Hedenouncedthewindowsthatoverlookedthewaterfornotopeninguponabalconyoraterrace，untilhismother，whomhehadn’tyetsatisfiedabouthistelegram，remindedhimthattherewasabeautifulbalconyinfront，withroomforadozenpeople。Sheassuredhimwewouldgoandsitthereifitwouldpleasehim。
　　"Itwillbeniceandcooltomorrow，whenwesteamintothegreatocean，"saidMissMavis，expressingwithmorevivacitythanshehadyetthrownintoanyofherutterancesmyownthoughtofhalfanhourbefore。Mrs。Nettlepointrepliedthatitwouldprobablybefreezingcold，andhersonmurmuredthathewouldgoandtrythedrawing-roombalconyandreportuponit。Justashewasturningawayhesaid，smiling，toMissMavis："Won’tyoucomewithmeandseeifit’spleasant？"
　　"Ohwell，wehadbetternotstayallnight！"hermotherexclaimed，butstillwithoutmoving。Thegirlmoved，afteramoment’shesitation；——sheroseandaccompaniedJaspertotheotherroom。I
　　sawhowherslimtallnessshowedtoadvantageasshewalked，andthatshelookedwellasshepassed，withherheadthrownback，intothedarknessoftheotherpartofthehouse。Therewassomethingrathermarked，rathersurprising——Iscarcelyknewwhy，fortheactinitselfwassimpleenough——inheracceptanceofsuchaplea，andperhapsitwasoursenseofthisthatheldtherestofussomewhatstifflysilentassheremainedaway。IwaswaitingforMrs。Mavistogo，sothatImyselfmightgo；andMrs。NettlepointwaswaitingforhertogosothatImightn’t。Thisdoubtlessmadetheyounglady’sabsenceappeartouslongerthanitreallywas——itwasprobablyverybrief。
　　Hermothermoreover，Ithink，hadnowavaguelapsefromease。
　　JasperNettlepointpresentlyreturnedtothebackdrawing-roomtoservehiscompanionwithourlucentsyrup，andhetookoccasiontoremarkthatitwaslovelyonthebalcony：onereallygotsomeair，thebreezebeingfromthatquarter。Iremembered，ashewentawaywithhistinklingtumbler，thatfromMYhand，afewminutesbefore，MissMavishadnotbeenwillingtoacceptthisinnocentoffering。A
　　littlelaterMrs。Nettlepointsaid："Well，ifit’ssopleasanttherewehadbettergoourselves。"Sowepassedtothefrontandintheotherroommetthetwoyoungpeoplecominginfromthebalcony。I
　　wastowonder，inthelightoflaterthings，exactlyhowlongtheyhadoccupiedtogetheracoupleofthesetofcanechairsgarnishingtheplaceinsummer。Ifithadbeenbutfiveminutesthatonlymadesubsequenteventsmorecurious。"Wemustgo，mother，"MissMavisimmediatelysaid；andamomentafter，withalittlerenewalofchatterastoourgeneralmeetingontheship，thevisitorshadtakenleave。JasperwentdownwiththemtothedoorandassoonastheyhadgotoffMrs。Nettlepointquiterichlyexhaledherimpression。
　　"Ahbut’llshebeabore——she’llbeaboreofbores！"
　　"Notthroughtalkingtoomuch，surely。"
　　"Anaffectationofsilenceisasbad。Ihatethatparticularpose；
　　it’scomingupverymuchnow；animitationoftheEnglish，likeeverythingelse。Agirlwhotriestobestatuesqueatsea——thatwillactonone’snerves！"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatshetriestobe，butshesucceedsinbeingveryhandsome。"
　　"Somuchthebetterforyou。I’llleavehertoyou，forIshallbeshutup。Ilikeherbeingplacedundermy’care’！"myfriendcried。
　　"She’llbeunderJasper’s，"Iremarked。
　　"Ahhewon’tgo，"shewailed——"Iwantittoomuch！"
　　"ButIdidn’tseeitthatway。Ihaveanideahe’llgo。"
　　"Whydidn’thetellmesothen——whenhecamein？"
　　"Hewasdivertedbythatyoungwoman——abeautifulunexpectedgirlsittingthere。"
　　"Divertedfromhismotherandherfondhope？——hismothertremblingforhisdecision？"
　　"Well"——Ipiecedittogether——"she’sanoldfriend，olderthanweknow。Itwasameetingafteralongseparation。"
　　"Yes，suchalotofthemashedoesknow！"Mrs。Nettlepointsighed。
　　"Suchalotofthem？"
　　"Hehassomanyfemalefriends——inthemostvariedcircles。"
　　"Well，wecancloseroundherthen，"Ireturned；"forIonmysideknow，orusedtoknow，heryoungman。"
　　"Herintended？"——shehadalightofreliefforthis。
　　"Theveryoneshe’sgoingoutto。Hecan’t，bytheway，"itoccurredtome，"beveryyoungnow。"
　　"Howodditsounds——hermuddlingafterhim！"saidMrs。Nettlepoint。
　　Iwasgoingtoreplythatitwasn’toddifyouknewMr。Porterfield，butIreflectedthatthatperhapsonlymadeitodder。Itoldmycompanionbrieflywhohewas——thatIhadmethimintheoldParisdays，whenIbelievedforafleetinghourthatIcouldlearntopaint，whenIlivedwiththejeunessedesecoles；andhercommentonthiswassimply："Well，hehadbetterhavecomeoutforher！"
　　"Perhapsso。Shelookedtomeasshesatthereasif，shemightchangehermindatthelastmoment。"
　　"Abouthermarriage？
　　"Aboutsailing。Butshewon’tchangenow。"
　　Jaspercameback，andhismotherinstantlychallengedhim。"Well，AREyougoing？"
　　"Yes，Ishallgo"——hewasfinallyatpeaceaboutit。"I’vegotmytelegram。"
　　"Ohyourtelegram！"——Iventuredalittletojeer。
　　"Thatcharminggirl’syourtelegram。"
　　Hegavemealook，butintheduskIcouldn’tmakeoutverywellwhatitconveyed。Thenhebentoverhismother，kissingher。"Mynewsisn’tparticularlysatisfactory。I’mgoingforYOU。"
　　"Ohyouhumbug！"shereplied。Butshewasofcoursedelighted。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Peopleusuallyspendthefirsthoursofavoyageinsqueezingthemselvesintotheircabins，takingtheirlittleprecautions，eithersoexcessiveorsoinadequate，wonderinghowtheycanpasssomanydaysinsuchaholeandaskingidioticquestionsofthestewards，whoappearincomparisonraremenoftheworld。Myowninitiationswererapid，asbecameanoldsailor，andso，itseemed，wereMissMavis’s，forwhenImountedtothedeckattheendofhalfanhourIfoundhertherealone，inthesternoftheship，hereyesonthedwindlingcontinent。Itdwindledveryfastforsobigaplace。Iaccostedher，havinghadnoconversationwithheramidthecrowdofleave-
　　takersandthemuddleoffarewellsbeforeweputoff；wetalkedalittleabouttheboat，ourfellow-passengersandourprospects，andthenIsaid："IthinkyoumentionedlastnightanameIknow——thatofMr。Porterfield。"
　　"OhnoIdidn’t！"sheansweredverystraightwhileshesmiledatmethroughherclosely-drawnveil。
　　"Thenitwasyourmother。"
　　"Verylikelyitwasmymother。"AndshecontinuedtosmileasifI
　　oughttohaveknownthedifference。
　　"IventuretoalludetohimbecauseI’veanideaIusedtoknowhim，"
　　Iwenton。
　　"OhIsee。"Andbeyondthisremarksheappearedtotakenointerest；
　　sheleftittometomakeanyconnexion。
　　"Thatisifit’sthesameone。"Itstruckmeasfeebletosaynothingmore；soIadded"MyMr。PorterfieldwascalledDavid。"
　　"Well，soisours。""Ours"affectedmeasclever。
　　"IsupposeIshallseehimagainifhe’stomeetyouatLiverpool，"I
　　continued。
　　"Well，itwillbebadifhedoesn’t。"
　　Itwastoosoonformetohavetheideathatitwouldbebadifhedid：thatonlycamelater。SoIremarkedthat，nothavingseenhimforsomanyyears，itwasverypossibleIshouldn’tknowhim。
　　"Well，I’venotseenhimforaconsiderabletime，butIexpectI
　　shallknowhimallthesame。"
　　"Ohwithyouit’sdifferent，"Ireturnedwithharmlesslybrightsignificance。"Hasn’thebeenbacksincethosedays？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"shesturdilyprofessed，"whatdaysyoumean。"
　　"WhenIknewhiminParis——agesago。HewasapupiloftheEcoledesBeauxArts。Hewasstudyingarchitecture。"
　　"Well，he’sstudyingitstill，"saidGraceMavis。
　　"Hasn’thelearnedityet？"
　　"Idon’tknowwhathehaslearned。Ishallsee。"Thensheaddedforthebenefitofmyperhapsunduelevity："Architecture’sverydifficultandhe’stremendouslythorough。"
　　"Ohyes，Irememberthat。Hewasanadmirableworker。Buthemusthavebecomequiteaforeignerifit’ssomanyyearssincehehasbeenathome。"
　　Sheseemedtoregardthispropositionatfirstascomplicated；butshedidwhatshecouldforme。"Ohhe’snotchangeable。Ifhewerechangeable——"
　　Then，however，shepaused。Idaresayshehadbeengoingtoobservethatifhewerechangeablehewouldlongagohavegivenherup。
　　Afteraninstantshewenton："Hewouldn’thavestucksotohisprofession。Youcan’tmakemuchbyit。"
　　Isoughttoattenuateherratheroddmaidenlygrimness。"Itdependsonwhatyoucallmuch。"
　　"Itdoesn’tmakeyourich。"
　　"Ohofcourseyou’vegottopractiseit——andtopractiseitlong。"
　　"Yes——soMr。Porterfieldsays。"
　　Somethinginthewaysheutteredthesewordsmademelaugh——theyweresocalmanimplicationthatthegentlemaninquestiondidn’tliveuptohisprinciples。ButIcheckedmyself，askingherifsheexpectedtoremaininEuropelong——towhatonemightcallsettle。
　　"Well，itwillbeagoodwhileifittakesmeaslongtocomebackasithastakenmetogoout。"
　　"AndIthinkyourmothersaidlastnightthatitwasyourfirstvisit。"
　　MissMavis，inherdeliberateway，metmyeyes。"Didn’tmothertalk！"
　　"Itwasallveryinteresting。"
　　Shecontinuedtolookatme。"Youdon’tthinkthat，"shethensimplystated。
　　"WhathaveItogainthenbysayingit？"
　　"Ohmenhavealwayssomethingtogain。"
　　"Youmakemeinthatcasefeelaterriblefailure！Ihopeatanyratethatitgivesyoupleasure，"Iwenton，"theideaofseeingforeignlands。"
　　"Mercy——Ishouldthinkso！"
　　Thiswasalmostgenial，anditcheeredmeproportionately。"It’sapityourship’snotoneofthefastones，ifyou’reimpatient。"
　　Shewassilentalittleafterwhichshebroughtout："OhIguessit’llbefastenough！"
　　ThateveningIwentintoseeMrs。Nettlepointandsatonhersea-
　　trunk，whichwaspulledoutfromundertheberthtoaccommodateme。
　　Itwasnineo’clockbutnotquitedark，asournorthwardcoursehadalreadytakenusintothelatitudeofthelongerdays。Shehadmadehernestadmirablyandnowrestedfromherlabours；shelayuponhersofainadressing-gownandacapthatbecameher。Itwasherregularpracticetospendthevoyageinhercabin，whichsmeltpositivelygood——suchwastherefinementofherart；andshehadasecretpeculiartoherselfforkeepingherportopenwithoutshippingseas。Shehatedwhatshecalledthemessoftheshipandtheidea，ifsheshouldgoabove，ofmeetingstewardswithplatesofsupererogatoryfood。Sheprofessedtobecontentwithhersituation——
　　wepromisedtolendeachotherbooksandIassuredherfamiliarlythatIshouldbeinandoutofherroomadozentimesaday——pityingmeforhavingtomingleinsociety。Shejudgedthisalimitedprivilege，foronthedeckbeforeweleftthewharfshehadtakenaviewofourfellow-passengers。
　　"OhI’maninveterate，almostaprofessionalobserver，"Ireplied，"andwiththatviceI’maswelloccupiedasanoldwomaninthesunwithherknitting。Itmakesme，inanysituation，justinordinatelyandsubmissivelySEEthings。Ishallseethemevenhereandshallcomedownveryoftenandtellyouaboutthem。You’renotinterestedtoday，butyouwillbetomorrow，foraship’sagreatschoolofgossip。Youwon’tbelievethenumberofresearchesandproblemsyou’llbeengagedinbythemiddleofthevoyage。"
　　"I？Neverintheworld！——lyingherewithmynoseinabookandnotcaringastraw。"
　　"You’llparticipateatsecondhand。You’llseethroughmyeyes，hanguponmylips，takesides，feelpassions，allsortsofsympathiesandindignations。I’veanidea，"Ifurtherdeveloped，"thatyouryounglady’sthepersononboardwhowillinterestmemost。"
　　"’Mine’indeed！Shehasn’tbeennearmesinceweleftthedock。"
　　"Thereyouare——youdofeelsheowesyousomething。Well，"Iadded，"she’sverycurious。"
　　"You’vesuchcold-bloodedterms！"Mrs。Nettlepointwailed。"Ellenesaitpasseconduire；sheoughttohavecometoaskaboutme。"
　　"Yes，sinceyou’reunderhercare，"Ilaughed。"Asforhernotknowinghowtobehave——well，that’sexactlywhatweshallsee。"
　　"Youwill，butnotI！Iwashmyhandsofher。"
　　"Don’tsaythat——don’tsaythat。"
　　Mrs。Nettlepointlookedatmeamoment。"Whydoyouspeaksosolemnly？"
　　InreturnIconsideredher。"I’lltellyoubeforeweland。Andhaveyouseenmuchofyourson？"
　　"Ohyes，hehascomeinseveraltimes。Heseemsverymuchpleased。
　　Hehasgotacabintohimself。"
　　"That’sgreatluck，"Isaid，"butI’veanideahe’salwaysinluck。
　　IwassureIshouldhavetoofferhimthesecondberthinmyroom。"
　　"Andyouwouldn’thaveenjoyedthat，becauseyoudon’tlikehim，"shetookuponherselftosay。
　　"Whatputthatintoyourhead？"
　　"Itisn’tinmyhead——it’sinmyheart，mycoeurdemere。Weguessthosethings。Youthinkhe’sselfish。Icouldseeitlastnight。"
　　"Dearlady，"Icontrivedpromptlyenoughtoreply，"I’venogeneralideasabouthimatall。He’sjustoneofthephenomenaIamgoingtoobserve。Heseemstomeaveryfineyoungman。However，"Iadded，"sinceyou’vementionedlastnightI’lladmitthatIthoughtherathertantalisedyou。Heplayedwithyoursuspense。"
　　"Whyhecameatthelastjusttopleaseme，"saidMrs。Nettlepoint。
　　Iwassilentalittle。"Areyousureitwasforyoursake？"
　　"Ah，perhapsitwasforyours！"
　　Iboreup，however，againstthisthrust，characteristicofperfidiouswomanwhenyoupresumetosidewithheragainstafondtormentor。
　　"Whenhewentoutonthebalconywiththatgirl，"Ifoundassurancetosuggest，"perhapssheaskedhimtocomeforHERS。"
　　"Perhapsshedid。Butwhyshouldhedoeverythingsheaskshim——suchassheis？"
　　"Idon’tknowyet，butperhapsIshallknowlater。Notthathe’lltellme——forhe’llnevertellmeanything：he’snot，"Iconsistentlyopined，"oneofthosewhotell。"
　　"Ifshedidn’taskhim，whatyousayisagreatwrongtoher，"saidMrs。Nettlepoint。
　　"Yes，ifshedidn’t。ButyousaythattoprotectJasper——nottoprotecther，"Ismiled。
　　"YouAREcold-blooded——it’suncanny！"myfriendexclaimed。
　　"Ahthisisnothingyet！Waitawhile——you’llsee。AtseaingeneralI’mawful——Iexceedthelimits。IfI’veoutragedherinthoughtI’lljumpoverboard。Therearewaysofasking——amandoesn’tneedtotellawomanthat——withoutthecrudewords。"