Nevertheless，itwasunmistakablyhot——aheathomelikeinitsintensity，yetofadifferenteffect，throwinghimintolanguidreverieratherthanfillinghisveinswithfire。Secureinhisseclusionintheleafychase，hetookoffhisjacketandrambledoninhisshirtsleeves。Throughtheopeninghepresentlysawtheabbeyagain，withtherestoredwingwherethenobleownerlivedfortwoorthreeweeksintheyear，butnowgivenovertotheprevailingsolitude。Andthen，issuingfromthechase，hecameuponabroad，moss-grownterrace。Beforehimstretchedatangledandluxuriantwildernessofshrubsandflowers，darkenedbycypressandcedarsofLebanon；itsdundepthsilluminatedbydazzlingwhitestatues，vases，trellises，andpavedpaths，chokedandlostinthetrailinggrowthsofyearsofabandonmentandforgetfulness。Heconsultedhisguide-bookagain。Itwasthe"oldItaliangarden，"
　　constructedunderthedesignofafamousItaliangardenerbythethirdduke；butitsstudiedformalitybeingdispleasingtohissuccessor，itwasallowedtofallintopicturesquedecayandnegligentprofusion，whichwerenot，however，disturbedbylaterdescendants，——afactdeploredbytheartisticwriteroftheguide-
　　book，whomournfullycalledattentiontotherarebeautyofthemarblestatues，urns，andfountains，ruinedbyneglect，althoughoneortwooftherarerobjectshadbeenremovedtoDeepDeneLodge，anotherseatofthepresentduke。
　　ItisneedlesstosaythatMr。Potterconceivedatonceahumorousoppositiontotheartisticenthusiasmofthecritic，and，plungingintothegarden，tookamischievousdelightinitswildnessandthevictoriousstruggleofnaturewiththeformalityofart。Ateverystepthroughthetangledlabyrinthhecouldseewhereprecisionandorderhadbeeninvaded，andeventherigidmasonrybrokenorupheavedbytherebelliousforce。Yethereandtherethetwopowershadcombinedtoofferanexampleofbeautyneithercouldhaveeffectedalone。Apassionvinehadoverrunandenclaspedavasewithaperfectsymmetrynosculptorcouldhaveachieved。A
　　heavybalustradewasmadeetherealwithadelicatefretworkofvegetationbetweenitsbalusterslikelace。Here，however，thelapandgurgleofwaterfellgratefullyupontheearoftheperspiringandthirstyMr。Potter，andturnedhisattentiontomorematerialthings。Followingthesound，hepresentlycameuponanenormousoblongmarblebasincontainingthreetime-wornfountainswithgroupedfigures。Thepipeswereempty，silent，andchokedwithreedsandwaterplants，butthegreatbasinitselfwasfilledwithwaterfromsomeinvisiblesource。
　　Aterracedwalkoccupiedonesideofthelongparallelogram；atintervalsandalongtheoppositebank，halfshadowedbywillows，tintedmarblefiguresoftritons，fauns，anddryadsarosehalfhiddeninthereeds。Theyweremoreorlessmutilatedbytime，andhereandthereonlytheempty，moss-coveredplinthsthathadoncesupportedthemcouldbeseen。Buttheyweresolifelikeintheirsubduedcolorintheshadethathewasforamomentstartled。
　　Thewaterlookeddeliciouslycool。Anaudaciousthoughtstruckhim。Hewasalone，andtheplacewasasecludedone。Heknewtherewerenoothervisitors；themarblebasinwasquitehiddenfromtherestofthegarden，andapproachedonlyfromthepathbywhichhehadcome，andwhoseentireviewhecommanded。Hequietlyanddeliberatelyundressedhimselfunderthewillows，andunhesitatinglyplungedintothebasin。Thewaterwasfourorfivefeetdeep，anditsextremelengthaffordedanexcellentswimmingbath，despitethewater-liliesandafewaquaticplantsthatmottleditsclearsurface，orthesedgethatclungtothebasesofthestatues。Hedisportedforsomemomentsinthedeliciouselement，andthenseatedhimselfupononeofthehalf-submergedplinths，almosthiddenbyreeds，thathadonceupheldarivergod。
　　Here，lazilyrestinghimselfuponhiselbow，halfhisbodystillbelowthewater，hisquickearwassuddenlystartledbyarustlingnoiseandthesoundoffootsteps。Foramomenthewasinclinedtodoubthissenses；hecouldseeonlytheemptypathbeforehimandthedesertedterrace。Butthesoundbecamemoredistinct，andtohisgreatuneasinessappearedtocomefromtheOTHERsideofthefringeofwillows，wheretherewasundoubtedlyapathtothefountainwhichhehadoverlooked。Hisclotheswereunderthosewillows，buthewasatleasttwentyyardsfromthebankandanequaldistancefromtheterrace。Hewasabouttoslipbeneaththewaterwhen，tohiscrowninghorror，beforehecoulddoso，ayounggirlslowlyappearedfromthehiddenwillowpathfullupontheterrace。Shewaswalkingleisurelywithaparasoloverherheadandabookinherhand。Eveninhisintenseconsternationherwholefigure——acharmingoneinitswhitedress，sailorhat，andtanshoes——wasimprintedonhismemoryassheinstinctivelyhaltedtolookuponthefountain，evidentlyanunexpectedsurprisetoher。
　　Asuddenideaflasheduponhim。Shewasatleastsixtyyardsaway；
　　hewashalfhiddeninthereedsandwellinthelongshadowsofthewillows。Ifheremainedperfectlymotionlessshemightoverlookhimatthatdistance，ortakehimforoneofthestatues。Herememberedalsothatashewasrestingonhiselbow，hishalf-
　　submergedbodylyingontheplinthbelowwater，hewassomewhatintheattitudeofoneoftherivergods。Andtherewasnootherescape。Ifhedivedhemightnotbeabletokeepunderwateraslongassheremained，andanymovementheknewwouldbetrayhim。
　　Hestiffenedhimselfandscarcelybreathed。Luckilyforhimhisattitudehadbeenanaturaloneandeasytokeep。Itwaswell，too，forshewasevidentlyinnohurryandwalkedslowly，stoppingfromtimetotimetoadmirethebasinanditsfigures。Suddenlyhewasinstinctivelyawarethatshewaslookingtowardshimandevenchangingherposition，movingherprettyheadandshadinghereyeswithherhandasifforabetterview。Heremainedmotionless，scarcelydaringtobreathe。Yettherewassomethingsoinnocentlyfrankandundisturbedinherobservation，thatheknewasinstinctivelythatshesuspectednothing，andtookhimforahalf-
　　submergedstatue。Hebreathedmorefreely。Butpresentlyshestopped，glancedaroundher，and，keepinghereyesfixedinhisdirection，begantowalkbackwardsslowlyuntilshereachedastonebalustradebehindher。Onthissheleaped，and，sittingdown，openedinherlapthesketch-bookshewascarrying，and，takingoutapencil，tohishorrorbegantosketch！
　　Forawildmomentherecurredtohisfirstideaofdivingandswimmingatallhazardstothebank，buttheconvictionthatnowhisslightestmovementmustbedetectedheldhimmotionless。Hemustsaveherthemortificationofknowingshewassketchingalivingman，ifhediedforit。Shesketchedrapidlybutfixedlyandabsorbedly，evidentlyforgettingallelseinherwork。Fromtimetotimesheheldouthersketchbeforehertocompareitwithhersubject。Yetthesecondsseemedminutesandtheminuteshours。
　　Suddenly，tohisgreatrelief，adistantvoicewasheardcalling"Lottie。"Itwasawoman'svoice；byitsaccentitalsoseemedtohimanAmericanone。
　　Theyounggirlmadeaslightmovementofimpatience，butdidnotlookup，andherpencilmovedstillmorerapidly。Againthevoicecalled，thistimenearer。Theyounggirl'spencilfairlyflewoverthepaper，as，stillwithoutlookingup，sheliftedaprettyvoiceandansweredback，"Y-e-e-s！"
　　Itstruckhimthatheraccentwasalsothatofacompatriot。
　　"Whereonearthareyou？"continuedthefirstvoice，whichnowappearedtocomefromtheothersideofthewillowsonthepathbywhichtheyounggirlhadapproached。"Here，aunty，"repliedthegirl，closinghersketch-bookwithasnapandstartingtoherfeet。
　　Astoutwoman，fashionablydressed，madeherappearancefromthewillowpath。
　　"Whathaveyoubeendoingallthiswhile？"shesaidquerulously。
　　"Notsketching，Ihope，"sheadded，withasuspiciousglanceatthebook。"Youknowyourprofessorexpresslyforbadeyoutodosoinyourholidays。"
　　Theyounggirlshruggedhershoulders。"I'vebeenlookingatthefountains，"sherepliedevasively。
　　"Andhorridlookingpaganthingstheyare，too，"saidtheelderwoman，turningfromthemdisgustedly，withoutvouchsafingasecondglance。"Come。Ifweexpecttodotheabbey，wemusthurryup，orwewon'tcatchthetrain。Youruncleiswaitingforusatthetopofthegarden。"
　　And，toPotter'sintenserelief，shegraspedtheyounggirl'sarmandhurriedheraway，theirfiguresthenextmomentvanishinginthetangledshrubbery。
　　Potterlostnotimeinplungingwithhiscrampedlimbsintothewaterandregainingtheotherside。Herehequicklyhalfdriedhimselfwithsomesun-warmedleavesandbakedmosses，hurriedonhisclothes，andhastenedoffintheoppositedirectiontothepathtakenbythem，yetwithsuchcircuitousskillandspeedthathereachedthegreatgatewaywithoutencounteringanybody。Abriskwalkbroughthimtothestationintimetocatchastoppingtrain，andinhalfanhourhewasspeedingmilesawayfromDomesdayParkandhishalf-forgottenepisode……
　　Meantimethetwoladiescontinuedontheirwaytotheabbey。"I
　　don'tseewhyImayn'tsketchthingsIseeaboutme，"saidtheyoungladyimpatiently。"Ofcourse，IunderstandthatImustgothroughtherudimentarydrudgeryofmyartandstudyfromcasts，andlearnperspective，andallthat；butIcan'tseewhat'sthedifferencebetweenworkinginastuffystudiooverahandorarmthatIknowisonlyaSTUDY，andsketchingafullorhalflengthintheopenairwiththewonderfulillusionoflightandshadeanddistance——andgroupingandcombiningthemall——thatoneknowsandfeelsmakesapicture。Therealpictureonemakesisalreadyinone'sself。"
　　"Forgoodness'sake，Lottie，don'tgoonagainwithyourusualabsurdities。Sinceyouarebentonbeinganartist，andyourPopperhasconsentedandputyouunderthemostexpensivemasterinParis，theleastyoucandoistofollowtherules。AndIdaresayheonlywantedyouto'sinktheshop'incompany。It'ssuchhorridbadformforyouartisticpeopletobealwaysdraggingoutyoursketch-books。WhatwouldyousayifyourPoppercameoverhere，andbegantoexamineeverylady'sdressinsocietytoseewhatmaterialitwas，justbecausehewasabigdry-goodsdealerinAmerica？"
　　Theyounggirl，accustomedtoheraunt'sextravagances，madenoreply。Butthatnightsheconsultedhersketch，andwassofarconvincedofherowninstincts，andtheprofoundimpressionthefountainhadmadeuponher，thatshewasenabledtosecretlyfinishherinterruptedsketchfrommemory。ForMissCharlotteForrestwasabornartist，andinnomerecapricehadpersuadedherfathertoletheradopttheprofession，andacceptedthedrudgeryofanovitiate。Shelookedearnestlyuponthisfirstrealworkofherhandandfounditgood！Still，itwasbutapencilsketch，andwantedthevivificationofcolor。
　　WhenshereturnedtoParisshebegan——stillsecretly——alargerstudyinoils。Sheworkeduponitinherownroomeverymomentshecouldsparefromherstudiopractice，unknowntoherprofessor。Itabsorbedherexistence；shegrewthinandpale。Whenitwasfinished，andonlythen，sheshowedittremblinglytohermaster。
　　Hestoodsilent，inprofoundastonishment。Theeaselbeforehimshowedaforegroundoftangledluxuriance，fromwhichstretchedasheetofwaterlikeadarkenedmirror，whilethroughpartedreedsonitsglossysurfacearosethehalf-submergedfigureofarivergod，exquisiteincontour，yetwhosedelicateoutlineswerealmostavisionbythecrowningillusionoflight，shadow，andatmosphere。
　　"Itisabeautifulcopy，mademoiselle，andIforgiveyoubreakingmyrules，"hesaid，drawingalongbreath。"ButIcannotnowrecalltheoriginalpicture。"
　　"It'snocopyofapicture，professor，"saidtheyounggirltimidly，andshedisclosedhersecret。"Itwastheonlyperfectstatuethere，"sheaddeddiffidently；"butIthinkitwanted——
　　something。"
　　"True，"saidtheprofessorabstractedly。"Wheretheelbowreststhereshouldbeahalf-invertedurnflowingwithwater；butthedrawingofthatshoulderissoperfect——asisYOURstudyofit——
　　thatoneguessesthemissingforearmonecannotsee，whichclaspedit。Beautiful！beautiful！"
　　Suddenlyhestopped，andturnedhiseyesalmostsearchinglyonhers。
　　"Yousayyouhaveneverdrawnfromthehumanmodel，mademoiselle？"
　　"Never，"saidtheyounggirlinnocently。
　　"True，"murmuredtheprofessoragain。"Thesearetheclassicidealmeasurements。Therearenolimbslikethosenow。Yetitiswonderful！Andthisgem，yousay，isinEngland？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Good！Iamgoingthereinafewdays。Ishallmakeapilgrimagetoseeit。Untilthen，mademoiselle，Ibegyoutobreakasmanyofmyrulesasyoulike。"
　　Threeweekslatershefoundtheprofessoronemorningstandingbeforeherpictureinherprivatestudio。"YouhavereturnedfromEngland，"shesaidjoyfully。
　　"Ihave，"saidtheprofessorgravely。
　　"Youhaveseentheoriginalsubject？"shesaidtimidly。
　　"IhaveNOT。Ihavenotseenit，mademoiselle，"hesaid，gazingathermildlythroughhisglasses，"becauseitdoesnotexist，andneverexisted。"
　　Theyounggirlturnedpale。
　　"Listen。IhavegotoEngland。IarriveattheParkofDomesday。
　　Ipenetratethebeautiful，wildgarden。Iapproachthefountain。
　　Iseethewonderfulwater，theexquisitelightandshade，thelilies，themysteriousreeds——beautiful，yetnotasbeautifulasyouhavemadeit，mademoiselle，butnostatue——norivergod！I
　　demanditoftheconcierge。Heknowsofitabsolutelynothing。I
　　transportmyselftothenobleproprietor，MonsieurleDuc，atadistantchateauwherehehascollectedtheruinedmarbles。Itisnotthere。"
　　"YetIsawit，"saidtheyounggirlearnestly，yetwithatroubledface。"Oprofessor，"sheburstoutappealingly，"whatdoyouthinkitwas？"
　　"Ithink，mademoiselle，"saidtheprofessorgravely，"thatyoucreatedit。Believeme，itisafunctionofgenius！More，itisaproof，anecessity！Yousawthebeautifullake，theruinedfountain，thesoftshadows，theemptyplinth，curtainedbyreeds。
　　Youyourselfsayyoufeeltherewas'somethingwanting。'
　　Unconsciouslyyouyourselfsuppliedit。Allthatyouhadeverdreamtofmythology，allthatyouhadeverseenofstatuary，throngeduponyouatthatsuprememoment，and，evolvedfromyourownfancy，therivergodwasborn。Itisyourown，chereenfant，asmuchtheoffspringofyourgeniusastheexquisiteatmosphereyouhavecaught，thecharmoflightandshadowthatyouhavebroughtaway。Acceptmyfelicitations。Youhavelittlemoretolearnofme。"
　　Ashebowedhimselfoutanddescendedthestairsheshruggedhisshouldersslightly。"Sheisanadorablegenius，"hemurmured。
　　"Yetsheisalsoawoman。Beingawoman，naturallyshehasalover——thisrivergod！Whynot？"
　　TheextraordinarysuccessofMissForrest'spictureandtheinstantaneousrecognitionofhermeritasanartist，apartfromhernovelsubject，perhapswentfurthertoremoveheruneasinessthananyseriousconvictionoftheprofessor'stheory。Nevertheless，itappealedtoherpoeticandmysticimagination，andalthoughothersubjectsfromherbrushmetwithequallyphenomenalsuccess，andshewasableinayeartoreturntoAmericawithareputationassuredbeyondcriticism，sheneverentirelyforgotthestrangeincidentconnectedwithherinitialeffort。
　　Andbydegreesasingularchangecameoverher。Rich，famous，andattractive，shebegantoexperienceasentimentalandromanticinterestinthatepisode。Once，whenreproachedbyherfriendsforherindifferencetoheradmirers，shehadhalflaughinglyrepliedthatshehadoncefoundher"ideal，"butneverwouldagain。Yetthejesthadscarcelypassedherlipsbeforeshebecamepaleandsilent。Withthischangecamealsoadesiretore-purchasethepicture，whichshehadsoldinherearlysuccesstoaspeculativeAmericanpicture-dealer。Oninquiryshefound，alas！thatithadbeensoldonlyadayortwobeforetoaChicagogentleman，ofthenameofPotter，whohadtakenafancytoit。
　　MissForrestcurledherprettylip，but，nothingdaunted，resolvedtoeffectherpurpose，andsoughtthepurchaserathishotel。Shewasusheredintoaprivatedrawing-room，where，onahandsomeeasel，stoodthenewlyacquiredpurchase。Mr。Potterwasout，"butwouldreturninamoment。"
　　MissForrestwasrelieved，for，aloneandundisturbed，shecouldnowletherfullsoulgoouttoherromanticcreation。Asshestoodthere，shefelttheglamouroftheoldEnglishgardencomebacktoher，theplayoflightandshadow，thesilentpool，thegodlikefaceandbust，withitscast-down，meditativeeyes，seenthroughthepartedreeds。Sheclaspedherhandssilentlybeforeher。Shouldsheneverseeitagainasthen？
　　"Praydon'tletmedisturbyou；butwon'tyoutakeaseat？"
　　MissForrestturnedsharplyround。Thenshestarted，utteredafrightenedlittlecry，andfaintedaway。
　　Mr。Potterwastouched，butamasterofhimself。Asshecameto，hesaidquietly："Icameuponyousuddenly——asyoustoodentrancedbythispicture——justasIdidwhenIfirstsawit。That'swhyI
　　boughtit。AreyouanyrelativeoftheMissForrestwhopaintedit？"hecontinued，quietlylookingathercard，whichheheldinhishand。
　　MissForrestrecoveredherselfsufficientlytoreply，andstatedherbusinesswithsomedignity。
　　"Ah，"saidMr。Potter，"THATisanotherquestion。Yousee，thepicturehasaspecialvaluetome，asIoncesawanold-fashionedgardenlikethatinEngland。Butthatchapthere，——Ibegyourpardon，Imeanthatfigure，——Ifancy，isyourowncreation，entirely。However，I'llthinkoveryourproposition，andifyouwillallowmeI'llcallandseeyouaboutit。"
　　Mr。Potterdidcall——notonce，butmanytimes——andshowedquitearemarkableinterestinMissForrest'sart。Thequestionofthesaleofthepicture，however，remainedinabeyance。Afewweekslater，afteralongercallthanusual，Mr。Pottersaid：——
　　"Don'tyouthinkthebestthingwecandoistomakeakindofcompromise，andletusownthepicturetogether？"
　　Andtheydid。
　　AROMANCEOFTHELINE
　　Asthetrainmovedslowlyoutofthestation，theWriterofStorieslookedupwearilyfromtheillustratedpagesofthemagazinesandweekliesonhislaptotheillustratedadvertisementsonthewallsofthestationslidingpasthiscarriagewindows。Itwasgettingtobemonotonous。Forawhilehehadbeenhopefullyinterestedinthebustleofthedepartingtrains，andlookedupfromhiscomfortableandearlyinvestedpositiontothelatercomerswiththatsenseofsuperioritycommontotravelers；hadwatchedtheconventionalleave-takings——alwaysfeeblyprolongedtotheuneasinessofbothparties——andcontrasteditwiththeimpassivebusinesspromptitudeoftherailwayofficials；butitwastheoldexperiencerepeated。Fallingbackontheillustratedadvertisementsagain，hewonderediftheirperpetualrecurrenceateverystationwouldnotatlastbringtothetiredtravelertheloathingofsatiety；whetherthepassengerinrailwaycarriages，continuallyofferedSomebody'soats，inks，washingblue，candles，andsoap，apparentlyasanecessaryequipmentforafewhours'journey，wouldnotthereandthereafterforeverignoretheuseofthesearticles，orrecoilfromthatparticularquality。Or，asanunbiasedobserver，hewonderedif，ontheotherhand，impressiblepassengers，afterpassingthreeorfourstations，hadeverleapedfromthetrainandrefusedtoproceedfurtheruntiltheyweresuppliedwithoneormoreofthosearticles。HadheeverknownanyonewhoconfidedtohiminamomentofexpansivenessthathehaddatedhisuseofSomebody'ssoaptoanadvertisementpersistentlyborneuponhimthroughthemediumofarailwaycarriagewindow？No！Wouldhenothaveconnectedthatmanwiththatothercertifyingindividualwhoalwaysappendsanameandaddresssingularlyobscureandunconvincing，yetwho，atsomesuprememoment，recommendsSomebody'spillstoadyingfriend，——afflictedwithasimilaraddress，——whichrestorehimtolifeandundyingobscurity。Yetthesepictorialandliteraryappealsmusthaveapotencyindependentofthewarestheyadvertise，ortheywouldn'tbethere。
　　Perhapshewasthemoresensitivetothismonotonyashewasjustthenseekingchangeandnoveltyinordertowriteanewstory。Hewasnotlookingformaterial，——hissubjectswereusuallythesame，——
　　hewasmerelyhopingforthatrelaxationanddiversionwhichshouldfreshenandfithimforlaterconcentration。Still，hehadoftenheardoftheoddcircumstancestowhichhiscraftweresometimesindebtedforsuggestion。Theinvasionofaneccentric-
　　lookingindividual——probablyaninnocenttradesmanintoarailwaycarriagehadgiventhehintfor"ANightwithaLunatic；"anervouslyexcitedandbelatedpassengerhadonceunconsciouslysatforanescapedforger；thepickingupofaforgottennovelintherack，withpassagesmarkedinpencil，hadaffordedtheplotofalovestory；orthegermofaromancehadbeenfoundinanobscurenewsparagraphwhich，underlesslistlessmoments，wouldhavepassedunread。Ontheotherhand，herecalledtheseinconvenientandinconsistentmomentsfromwhichtheso-called"inspiration"
　　sprang，theutterincongruityoftimeandplaceinsomebrilliantconception，andwonderedifsheervacuityofmindwerereallysofavorable。
　　Goingbacktohismagazineagain，hebegantogetmildlyinterestedinastory。Turningthepage，however，hewasconfrontedbyapictorialadvertisingleafletinsertedbetweenthepages，yetsoartisticincharacterthatitmighthavebeeneasilymistakenforanillustrationofthestoryhewasreading，andperhapswasnotmoreremoteorobscureinreferencethanmanyhehadknown。Butthenextmomentherecognizedwithdespairthatitwasonlyasmallercopyofonehehadseenonthehoardingatthelaststation。Hethrewtheleafletaside，buttheflavorofthestorywasgone。Thepeerlessdetergentoftheadvertisementhaderaseditfromthetabletsofhismemory。Heleanedbackinhisseatagain，andlazilywatchedtheflyingsuburbs。Hereweretheusualpromisingopenspacesandpatchesofgreen，quicklysucceededagainbysolidblocksofhouseswhoserearwindowsgavedirectlyupontheline，yetseldomshowedaninquisitiveface——evenofawonderingchild。Itwasastrangerevelationofthedepressingeffectsoffamiliarity。Expressesmightthunderby，goodstrainsdragtheirslowlengthalong，shuntingtrainspipealldaybeneaththeirwindows，butthetenantsheededthemnot。Here，too，wasthejunction，withitslabyrinthineinterlacingoftracksthatdazedthetiredbrain；theoverburdenedtelegraphposts，thatlookedasiftheyreallycouldnotstandanotherwire；thelonglinesofempty，homeless，anddesertedtrainsinsidingsthathadseenbetterdays；theidletrains，withstaringvacantwindows，whichwereeventuallyseizedbyapertenginehissing，"Comealong，willyou？"anddepartedwithadiscontentedgruntfromeveryindividualcarriagecoupling；theracingtrains，thatsuddenlyappearedparallelwithone'scarriagewindows，begotfalsehopesofachallengeofspeed，andthen，withoutwarning，drewcontemptuouslyand，superciliouslyaway；theswifteclipseofeverythinginatunneledbridge；thelong，slitheringpassageofan"up"express，andthentheflashofastation，incoherentandunintelligiblewithpictorialadvertisementsagain。
　　Heclosedhiseyestoconcentratehisthought，andbydegreesapleasantlanguorstoleoverhim。Thetrainhadbythistimeattainedthatrateofspeedwhichgaveitaslightswingandrolloncurvesandswitchesnotunliketherockingofacradle。Onceortwiceheopenedhiseyessleepilyuponthewaltzingtreesinthedoubleplanesofdistance，andagainclosedthem。Then，inoneoftheseslightoscillations，hefelthimselfridiculouslyslippingintoslumber，andawokewithsomeindignation。Anotherstationwaspassed，inwhichprocessthepictorialadvertisementsonthehoardingsandthepicturesinhislapseemedtohavebecomejumbledup，confused，andtodancebeforehim，andthensuddenlyandstrangely，withoutwarning，thetrainstoppedshort——atANOTHER
　　station。Andthenhearose，and——whatfiveminutesbeforeheneverconceivedofdoing——gatheredhispapersandslippedfromthecarriagetotheplatform。WhenIsay"he"Imean，ofcourse，theWriterofStories；yetthemanwhoslippedoutwashalfhisageandadifferent-lookingperson……
　　Thechangefromthemotionofthetrain——foritseemedthathehadbeentravelingseveralhours——tothefirmerplatformforamomentbewilderedhim。Thestationlookedstrange，andhefancieditlackedacertainkindofdistinctness。Butthatqualitywasalsonoticeableintheportersandloungersontheplatform。Hethoughtitsingular，untilitseemedtohimthattheywerenotcharacteristic，norinanywayimportantornecessarytothebusinesshehadinhand。Then，withaneffort，hetriedtorememberhimselfandhispurpose，andmadehiswaythroughthestationtotheopenroadbeyond。Avan，bearingtheinscription，"RemovalstoTownandCountry，"stoodbeforehimandblockedhisway，butadogcartwasinwaiting，andagrizzledgroom，whoheldthereins，touchedhishatrespectfully。Althoughstilldazedbyhisjourneyanduncertainofhimself，heseemedtorecognizeinthemanthatdistinctivecharacterwhichwaswantingintheothers。Thecorrectnessofhissurmisewasrevealedafewmomentslater，when，afterhehadtakenhisseatbesidehim，andtheywererattlingoutofthevillagestreet，themanturnedtowardshimandsaid：——
　　"Tha'llknowSirJarge？"
　　"Idonot，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Ay！buttheer'smanyascoomshereasdoan't，foralltheycooms。
　　Tha'llsayitillbecoomsmeaaswarmanandboyinSirJarge'ssarviceforfiftyyear，tosayowtagenhim，butI'mheretodoit，ortheycouldn'tfoolfiltheirbusiness。ThawasttoaxmequestionsaboutSirJargeandtheGrange，andIwortoanswersoaastomakethathinktharwassuthingwrongwi'un。HowbutImaysavethatimeandtelltheadownroightthatSirJargeforgedhisuncle'swill，andsogottentheGrange。That'eekeepshisnieceinmortalfearo'he。Thattha'llbeputinhauntedchamberwi'aboggle。"
　　"Ithink，"saidtheyoungmanhesitatingly，"thattheremustbesomemistake。IdonotknowanySirGeorge，andIamNOTgoingtotheGrange。"
　　"Eay！Thentheearen'tthe'erosentdownfromLondonbythestorywriter？"
　　"NotbyTHATone，"saidtheyoungmandiffidently。
　　Theoldman'sfacechanged。Itwasnomerefigureofspeech：itactuallywasANOTHERfacethatlookeddownuponthetraveler。
　　"ThenmayhapyourhonorwillbebespokenattheAngel'sInn，"hesaid，withanentirelydistinctandolderdialect，"andafinerhostelforayounggentlemanofyourconditionye'llnotfindonthissideofOxford。Afairchamber，lookingtothesun；sheetssmellingoflavenderfromDameMargery'sownstore，and，forthematterofthat，spreadbythefairhandsofMaudlin，herdaughter——
　　thebestfavoredlassthateverdancedunderaMaypole。Ha！haveatyethere，youngsir！NottospeakoftheOctoberaleofoldGregory，herfather——ay，northerareHollands，thatneverpaidexcisedutiestotheking。"
　　"I'mafraid，"saidtheyoungtravelertimidly，"there'soveracenturybetweenus。There'sreallysomemistake。"
　　"What？"saidthegroom，"yeareNOTtheyoungsparkwhoistomarryMistressAmyattheHall，yetmakesapotherandmessofitallbyaduelwithSirRogerdeCadgerly，thewickedbaronet，forhisover-freediscoursewithourfairMaudlinthisveryeve？YeareNOTthetravelerwhosepost-chaiseisnowattheFalcon？YearenothethatwasbespokenbythestorywriterinLondon？"
　　"Idon'tthinkIam，"saidtheyoungmanapologetically。"Indeed，asIamfeelingfarfromwell，IthinkI'llgetoutandwalk。"
　　Hegotdown——thevehicleanddrivervanishedinthedistance。Itdidnotsurprisehim。"Imustcollectmythoughts，"hesaid。Hedidso。Possiblythecollectionwasnotlarge，forpresentlyhesaid，withasighofrelief：——
　　"Iseeitallnow！MynameisPaulBunker。IamoftheyoungbranchofanoldQuakerfamily，richandrespectedinthecountry，andIamonavisittomyancestralhome。ButIhavelivedsinceachildinAmerica，andamalientothetraditionsandcustomsoftheoldcountry，andevenoftheseattowhichmyfathersbelong。I
　　havebroughtwithmefromthefarWestmanypeculiaritiesofspeechandthoughtthatmaystartlemykinsfolk。ButIcertainlyshallnotaddressmyuncleas'Hoss！'norshallIsay'guess'oftenerthanisnecessary。"
　　Muchbrightenedandrefreshedbyhissettledidentity，hehadtime，ashewalkedbrisklyalong，tonoticethescenery，whichwascertainlyvariedandconflictingincharacter，andquiteinconsistentwithhispreconceivednotionsofanEnglishlandscape。
　　Onhisright，alakeofthebrightestcobaltbluestretchedbeforeamany-toweredandterracedtown，whichwasrelievedbyabackgroundofluxuriantfoliageandemerald-greenmountains；onhisleftarosearuggedmountain，whichhewassurprisedtoseewassnow-capped，albeitatunnelwasobservablemidwayofitsheight，andatrainjustissuingfromit。Almostregrettingthathehadnotcontinuedonhisjourney，ashewasfullysensiblethatitwasinsomewayconnectedwiththerailwayhehadquitted，presentlyhisattentionwasdirectedtothegatewayofahandsomepark，whosemansionwasfaintlyseeninthedistance。Hurryingtowardshim，downtheavenueoflimes，wasastrangefigure。Itwasthatofamanofmiddleage；cladinQuakergarb，yetwithanextravaganceofcutanddetailwhichseemedantiquatedevenforEngland。Hehadevidentlyseentheyoungmanapproaching，andhisfacewasbeamingwithwelcome。IfPaulhaddoubtedthatitwashisuncle，thefirstwordshespokewouldhavereassuredhim。
　　"WelcometoHawthornHall，"saidthefigure，graspinghishandheartily，"buttheewillexcusemeifIdonottarrywiththeelongatpresent，forIamhastening，evennow，withsomenourishingandsustainingfoodforGilesHayward，afarmlaborer。"Hepointedtoapackagehewascarrying。"ButtheewillfindthycousinsJaneandDorcasBunkertakingteainthesummer-house。Gotothem！
　　Nay——positively——Imaynotlinger，butwillreturntotheequickly。"
　　And，toPaul'sastonishment，hetrottedawayonhissturdy，respectablelegs，stillbeamingandcarryinghispackageinhishand。
　　"Well，I'llbedog-goned！buttheoldmanain'tgoingtobeleft，youbet！"heejaculated，suddenlyrememberinghisdialect。"He'llgetthere，whetherschoolkeepsornot！"Then，reflectingthatnooneheardhim，headdedsimply，"Hecertainlywasnotoverciviltowardsthenephewhehasneverseenbefore。Andthosegirls——whomIdon'tknow！Howveryawkward！"
　　Nevertheless，hecontinuedhiswayuptheavenuetowardsthemansion。Theparkwasbeautifullykept。RememberingthenativewildnessandvirginseclusionoftheWesternforest，hecouldnothelpcontrastingitwiththeconservativegardeningofthisprettywoodland，everyroodofwhichhadbeenpatrolledbykeepersandrangers，andpreservedandfosteredhundredsofyearsbeforehewasborn，untilwarmedforhumanoccupancy。Attimestheavenuewascrossedbygrassdrives，wheretheoriginalwoodlandhadbeendisplaced，notbytheexigencyofa"clearing"fortillage，asinhisownWest，butfortheleisurelypleasureoftheowner。Then，afewhundredyardsfromthehouseitself，——aquaintJacobeanmansion，——hecametoanopenspacewherethesylvanlandscapehadyieldedtofloralcultivation，andsofelluponacharmingsummer-
　　house，orarbor，emboweredwithroses。Itmusthavebeentheoneofwhichhisunclehadspoken，forthere，tohiswonderingadmiration，sattwolittlemaidsbeforearustictable，drinkingteademurely，yes，withalltheevidentdelightofachildishescapadefromtheirelders。Whileinthepicturesquequaintnessoftheirattiretherewasstillaformalsuggestionofthesecttowhichtheirfatherbelonged，theirsummerfrocks——differingincolor，yeteachofthesamesubduedtint——werealikeincutandfashion，andshortenoughtoshowtheirdaintyfeetinprimslippersandsilkenhosethatmatchedtheirfrocks。Astheafternoonsunglancedthroughtheleavesupontheirpinkcheeks，tiedupinquainthatsbyribbonsundertheirchins，theymadeacharmingpicture。AtleastPaulthoughtsoasheadvancedtowardsthem，hatinhand。Theylookedupathisapproach，butagaincastdowntheireyeswithdemureshyness；yethefanciedthattheyfirstexchangedglanceswitheachother，fullofmischievousintelligence。
　　"IamyourcousinPaul，"hesaidsmilingly，"thoughIamafraidI
　　amintroducingmyselfalmostasbrieflyasyourfatherjustnowexcusedhimselftome。HetoldmeIwouldfindyouhere，buthehimselfwashasteningonaSamaritanmission。"
　　"Withaboxinhishand？"saidthegirlssimultaneously，exchangingglanceswitheachotheragain。
　　"Withaboxcontainingsomerestorative，Ithink，"respondedPaul，alittlewonderingly。
　　"Restorative！SoTHAT'Swhathecallsitnow，isit？"saidoneofthegirlssaucily。"Well，nooneknowswhat'sinthebox，thoughhealwayscarriesitwithhim。Theeneverseeshimwithoutit"——
　　"Andarollofpaper，"suggestedtheothergirl。
　　"Yes，arollofpaper——butoneneverknowswhatitis！"saidthefirstspeaker。"It'sverystrange。Butnomatternow，Paul。
　　WelcometoHawthornHall。IamJaneBunker，andthisisDorcas。"
　　Shestopped，andthen，lookingdowndemurely，added，"Theemaykissusboth，cousinPaul。"
　　Theyoungmandidnotwaitforasecondinvitation，butgentlytouchedhislipstotheirsoftyoungcheeks。
　　"TheedoesnotspeaklikeanAmerican，Paul。Istheereallyandtrulyone？"continuedJane。
　　Paulrememberedthathehadforgottenhisdialect，butitwastoolatenow。
　　"Iamreallyandtrulyone，andyourowncousin，andIhopeyouwillfindmeaverydear"——
　　"Oh！"saidDorcas，startingupprimly。"Youmustreallyallowmetowithdraw。"Totheyoungman'sastonishment，sheseizedherparasol，and，withayouthfulaffectationofdignity，glidedfromthesummer-houseandwaslostamongthetrees。
　　"Thydeclarationtomewasrathersudden，"saidJanequietly，inanswertohislookofsurprise，"andDorcasispeculiarlysensitiveandlesslikethe'world'speople'thanIam。Anditwasjustalittlecruel，consideringthatshehaslovedtheesecretlyalltheseyears，followedthyfortunesinAmericawithbreathlesseagerness，thrilledatthynarrowescapes，andweptatthyprivations。"
　　"Butshehasneverseenmebefore！"saidtheastoundedPaul。
　　"Andtheehadneverseenmebefore，andyettheehasdaredtoproposetomefiveminutesaftertheearrived，andinherpresence。"
　　"But，mydeargirl！"expostulatedPaul。
　　"Standoff！"shesaid，rapidlyopeningherparasolandinterposingitbetweenthem。"Anotherstepnearer——ay，evenanotherwordofendearment——andIshallbecompelled——nay，forced，"sheaddedinalowervoice，"toremovethisparasol，lestitshouldbecrushedandruined！"
　　"Isee，"hesaidgloomily，"youhavebeenreadingnovels；butsohaveI，andthesameones！Nevertheless，IintendedonlytotellyouthatIhopedyouwouldalwaysfindmeakindfriend。"
　　Sheshutherparasolupwithasnap。"AndIonlyintendedtotelltheethatmyheartwasgiventoanother。"
　　"YouINTENDED——andnow？"
　　"Isitthe'kindfriend'whoasks？"
　　"Ifitwerenot？"
　　"Really？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ah！"
　　"Oh！"
　　"Buttheelovesanother？"shesaid，toyingwithhercup。
　　Heattemptedtotoywithhis，butbrokeit。Amanlacksdelicacyinthiskindofpersiflage。"YoumeanIamlovedbyanother，"hesaidbluntly。
　　"Youdaretosaythat！"shesaid，flashing，inspiteofherprimdemeanor。
　　"No，butYOUdidjustnow！Yousaidyoursisterlovedme！"
　　"DidI？"shesaiddreamily。"Dear！dear！That'sthetroubleoftryingtotalklikeMr。Blank'sdelightfuldialogues。Onegetssomixed！"
　　"Yetyouwillbeasistertome？"hesaid。"'TisanoldAmericanjoke，but'twillserve。"
　　Therewasalongsilence。
　　"HadtheenotbettergotosisterDorcas？Sheisplayingwiththecows，"saidJaneplaintively。
　　"Youforget，"hereturnedgravely，"that，onpage27ofthenovelwehavebothread，atthispointheissupposedtokissher。"
　　Shehadforgotten，buttheybothrememberedintime。Atthismomentascreamcamefaintlyfromthedistance。Theybothstarted，androse。
　　"ItissisterDorcas，"saidJane，sittingdownagainandpouringoutanothercupoftea。"IhavealwaystoldherthatoneofthoseSwisscowswouldhookher。"
　　Paulstaredatherwithastrangerevulsionoffeeling。"IcouldsaveDorcas，"hemutteredtohimself，"inlesstimethanittakestodescribe。"Hepaused，however，ashereflectedthatthiswoulddependentirelyuponthemethodsofthewriterofthisdescription。
　　"Icouldrescueher！Ihaveonlytotakethefirstclothes-linethatIfind，andwiththatknowledgeandskillwiththelassowhichIlearnedinthewildsofAmerica，Icouldstopthechargeofthemostfuriousruminant。Iwill！"andwithoutanotherwordheturnedandrushedoffinthedirectionofthesound……
　　Hehadnotgoneahundredyardsbeforehepaused，alittlebewildered。Totheleftcouldstillbeseenthecobaltlakewiththeterracedbackground；totherighttheruggedmountains。Hechosethelatter。Luckilyforhimacottager'sgardenlayinhispath，andfromalinesupportedbyasinglepoledependedthehomelylinenofthecottager。Totearthesegarmentsfromthelinewastheworkofamoment（althoughitrepresentedthewholeweek'swashing），andhastilycoilingtheropedexterouslyinhishand，hespedonward。Alreadypantingwithexertionandexcitement，afewroodsfartherhewasconfrontedwithaspectaclethatlefthimbreathless。
　　Awoman——young，robust，yetgracefullyformed——wasrunningaheadofhim，drivingbeforeherwithanopenparasolananimalwhichheinstantlyrecognizedasoneofthatsimpleyettreacherousspeciesmostfearedbythesex——knownasthe"MooCow。"
　　Foramomenthewasappalledbythespectacle。Butitwasonlyforamoment！Recallinghismanhoodandherweakness，hestopped，andbracinghisfootagainstastone，withagracefulflourishofhislassoaroundhishead，threwitintheair。Ituncoiledslowly，spedforwardwithunerringprecision，andmissed！Withthesinglecryof"Saved！"thefairstrangersankfaintinginhisarms！Heheldhercloselyuntilthecolorcamebacktoherpaleface。Thenhequietlydisentangledthelassofromhislegs。
　　"WhereamI？"shesaidfaintly。
　　"Inthesameplace，"hereplied，slowlybutfirmly。"But，"headded，"youhavechanged！"
　　Shehad，indeed，eventoherdress。Itwasnowofavividbrickred，andsomuchlongerintheskirtthatitseemedtomakehertaller。Onlyherhatremainedthesame。
　　"Yes，"shesaid，inalow，reflectivevoiceandadisregardofherpreviousdialect，asshegazedupinhiseyeswithaneloquentlucidity，"Ihavechanged，Paul！IfeelmyselfchangingatthosewordsyouutteredtoJane。Therearemomentsinawoman'slifethatmanknowsnothingof；momentsbitterandcruel，sweetandmerciful，thatchangeherwholebeing；momentsinwhichthesimplegirlbecomesaworldlywoman；momentsinwhichtheslowprocessionofheryearsisnevernoted——exceptbyanotherwoman！Momentsthatchangeheroutlookontheworldandherrelationstoit——andherhusband'srelations！Momentswhenthemaidbecomesawife，thewifeawidow，thewidoware-marriedwoman，byasimple，swiftilluminationofthefancy。Momentswhen，wroughtuponbyasingleword——alook——anemphasisandrisinginflection，alllogicalsequenceiscastaway，processesarelost——inductionsleadnowhere。
　　Momentswhentheinharmoniousbecomesharmonious，theindiscreetdiscreet，theinefficientefficient，andtheinevitableevitable。
　　Imean，"shecorrectedherselfhurriedly——"YouknowwhatImean！
　　Ifyouhavenotfeltityouhavereadit！"
　　"Ihave，"hesaidthoughtfully。"Wehavebothreaditinthesamenovel。Sheisafinewriter。"
　　"Ye-e-s。"Shehesitatedwiththatslightresentmentofpraiseofanotherwomansodelightfulinhersex。"ButyouhaveforgottentheMooCow！"andshepointedtowherethedistractedanimalwascareeringacrossthelawntowardsthegarden。
　　"Youareright，"hesaid，"theincidentisnotyetclosed。Letuspursueit。"
　　Theybothpursuedit。Discardingtheuselesslasso，hehadrecoursetoafewwell-aimedepithets。Theinfuriatedanimalswervedandmadedirectlytowardsasmallfountaininthecentreofthegarden。Inattemptingtoclearit，itfelldirectlyintothedeepcup-likebasinandremainedhelplesslyfixed，withitsfore-
　　legsprojectinguneasilybeyondtherim。
　　"Letusleaveitthere，"shesaid，"andforgetit——andallthathasgonebefore。Believeme，"sheadded，withafaintsigh，"itisbest。Ourpathsdivergefromthismoment。Igotothesummer-
　　house，andyougototheHall，wheremyfatherisexpectingyou。"
　　Hewouldhavedetainedheramomentlonger，butsheglidedawayandwasgone。
　　Lefttohimselfagain，thatslightsenseofbewildermentwhichhadcloudedhismindforthelasthourbegantoclearaway；hissingularencounterwiththegirlsstrangelyenoughaffectedhimlessstronglythanhisbriefandunsatisfactoryinterviewwithhisuncle。For，afterall，hewashishost，anduponhimdependedhisstayatHawthornHall。Themysteriousandslightingallusionsofhiscousinstotheoldman'seccentricitiesalsopiquedhiscuriosity。Whyhadtheysneeredathisdescriptionofthecontentsofthepackagehecarried——andwhatdiditreallycontain？Hedidnotreflectthatitwasnoneofhisbusiness，——peopleinhissituationseldomdo，——andheeagerlyhurriedtowardstheHall。