I
　　AgirlcameoutoflawyerRoyall’shouse，attheendoftheonestreetofNorthDormer，andstoodonthedoorstep。
　　ItwasthebeginningofaJuneafternoon。Thespringliketransparentskyshedarainofsilversunshineontheroofsofthevillage，andonthepasturesandlarchwoodssurroundingit。Alittlewindmovedamongtheroundwhitecloudsontheshouldersofthehills，drivingtheirshadowsacrossthefieldsanddownthegrassyroadthattakesthenameofstreetwhenitpassesthroughNorthDormer。Theplacelieshighandintheopen，andlacksthelavishshadeofthemoreprotectedNewEnglandvillages。Theclumpofweeping—
　　willowsabouttheduckpond，andtheNorwaysprucesinfrontoftheHatchardgate，castalmosttheonlyroadsideshadowbetweenlawyerRoyall’shouseandthepointwhere，attheotherendofthevillage，theroadrisesabovethechurchandskirtstheblackhemlockwallenclosingthecemetery。
　　ThelittleJunewind，friskingdownthestreet，shookthedolefulfringesoftheHatchardspruces，caughtthestrawhatofayoungmanjustpassingunderthem，andspunitcleanacrosstheroadintotheduck—pond。
　　AsherantofishitoutthegirlonlawyerRoyall’sdoorstepnoticedthathewasastranger，thatheworecityclothes，andthathewaslaughingwithallhisteeth，astheyoungandcarelesslaughatsuchmishaps。
　　Herheartcontractedalittle，andtheshrinkingthatsometimescameoverherwhenshesawpeoplewithholidayfacesmadeherdrawbackintothehouseandpretendtolookforthekeythatsheknewshehadalreadyputintoherpocket。Anarrowgreenishmirrorwithagilteagleoverithungonthepassagewall，andshelookedcriticallyatherreflection，wishedforthethousandthtimethatshehadblueeyeslikeAnnabelBalch，thegirlwhosometimescamefromSpringfieldtospendaweekwitholdMissHatchard，straightenedthesunburnthatoverhersmallswarthyface，andturnedoutagainintothesunshine。
　　"HowIhateeverything！"shemurmured。
　　TheyoungmanhadpassedthroughtheHatchardgate，andshehadthestreettoherself。NorthDormerisatalltimesanemptyplace，andatthreeo’clockonaJuneafternoonitsfewable—bodiedmenareoffinthefieldsorwoods，andthewomenindoors，engagedinlanguidhouseholddrudgery。
　　Thegirlwalkedalong，swingingherkeyonafinger，andlookingaboutherwiththeheightenedattentionproducedbythepresenceofastrangerinafamiliarplace。What，shewondered，didNorthDormerlookliketopeoplefromotherpartsoftheworld？Sheherselfhadlivedtheresincetheageoffive，andhadlongsupposedittobeaplaceofsomeimportance。Butaboutayearbefore，Mr。Miles，thenewEpiscopalclergymanatHepburn，whodroveovereveryotherSunday——whentheroadswerenotploughedupbyhauling——
　　toholdaserviceintheNorthDormerchurch，hadproposed，inafitofmissionaryzeal，totaketheyoungpeopledowntoNettletontohearanillustratedlectureontheHolyLand;andthedozengirlsandboyswhorepresentedthefutureofNorthDormerhadbeenpiledintoafarm—waggon，drivenoverthehillstoHepburn，putintoaway—trainandcarriedtoNettleton。
　　InthecourseofthatincredibledayCharityRoyallhad，forthefirstandonlytime，experiencedrailway—
　　travel，lookedintoshopswithplate—glassfronts，tastedcocoanutpie，satinatheatre，andlistenedtoagentlemansayingunintelligiblethingsbeforepicturesthatshewouldhaveenjoyedlookingatifhisexplanationshadnotpreventedherfromunderstandingthem。ThisinitiationhadshownherthatNorthDormerwasasmallplace，anddevelopedinherathirstforinformationthatherpositionascustodianofthevillagelibraryhadpreviouslyfailedtoexcite。ForamonthortwoshedippedfeverishlyanddisconnectedlyintothedustyvolumesoftheHatchardMemorialLibrary;thentheimpressionofNettletonbegantofade，andshefounditeasiertotakeNorthDormerasthenormoftheuniversethantogoonreading。
　　ThesightofthestrangeroncemorerevivedmemoriesofNettleton，andNorthDormershranktoitsrealsize。Asshelookedupanddownit，fromlawyerRoyall’sfadedredhouseatoneendtothewhitechurchattheother，shepitilesslytookitsmeasure。Thereitlay，aweather—beatensunburntvillageofthehills，abandonedofmen，leftapartbyrailway，trolley，telegraph，andalltheforcesthatlinklifetolifeinmoderncommunities。Ithadnoshops，notheatres，nolectures，no"businessblock";onlyachurchthatwasopenedeveryotherSundayifthestateoftheroadspermitted，andalibraryforwhichnonewbookshadbeenboughtfortwentyyears，andwheretheoldonesmoulderedundisturbedonthedampshelves。YetCharityRoyallhadalwaysbeentoldthatsheoughttoconsideritaprivilegethatherlothadbeencastinNorthDormer。Sheknewthat，comparedtotheplaceshehadcomefrom，NorthDormerrepresentedalltheblessingsofthemostrefinedcivilization。Everyoneinthevillagehadtoldhersoeversinceshehadbeenbroughtthereasachild。EvenoldMissHatchardhadsaidtoher，onaterribleoccasioninherlife："Mychild，youmustneverceasetorememberthatitwasMr。RoyallwhobroughtyoudownfromtheMountain。"
　　Shehadbeen"broughtdownfromtheMountain";fromthescarredcliffthatlifteditssullenwallabovethelesserslopesofEagleRange，makingaperpetualbackgroundofgloomtothelonelyvalley。TheMountainwasagoodfifteenmilesaway，butitrosesoabruptlyfromthelowerhillsthatitseemedalmosttocastitsshadowoverNorthDormer。Anditwaslikeagreatmagnetdrawingthecloudsandscatteringtheminstormacrossthevalley。Ifever，inthepurestsummersky，theretrailedathreadofvapouroverNorthDormer，itdriftedtotheMountainasashipdriftstoawhirlpool，andwascaughtamongtherocks，tornupandmultiplied，tosweepbackoverthevillageinrainanddarkness。
　　CharitywasnotveryclearabouttheMountain;butsheknewitwasabadplace，andashametohavecomefrom，andthat，whateverbefellherinNorthDormer，sheought，asMissHatchardhadonceremindedher，torememberthatshehadbeenbroughtdownfromthere，andholdhertongueandbethankful。ShelookedupattheMountain，thinkingofthesethings，andtriedasusualtobethankful。ButthesightoftheyoungmanturninginatMissHatchard’sgatehadbroughtbackthevisionoftheglitteringstreetsofNettleton，andshefeltashamedofheroldsun—hat，andsickofNorthDormer，andjealouslyawareofAnnabelBalchofSpringfield，openingherblueeyessomewherefaroffongloriesgreaterthanthegloriesofNettleton。
　　"HowIhateeverything！"shesaidagain。
　　Halfwaydownthestreetshestoppedataweak—hingedgate。Passingthroughit，shewalkeddownabrickpathtoaqueerlittlebricktemplewithwhitewoodencolumnssupportingapedimentonwhichwasinscribedintarnishedgoldletters："TheHonoriusHatchardMemorialLibrary，1832。"
　　HonoriusHatchardhadbeenoldMissHatchard’sgreat—
　　uncle;thoughshewouldundoubtedlyhavereversedthephrase，andputforward，asheronlyclaimtodistinction，thefactthatshewashisgreat—niece。
　　ForHonoriusHatchard，intheearlyyearsofthenineteenthcentury，hadenjoyedamodestcelebrity。Asthemarbletabletintheinteriorofthelibraryinformeditsinfrequentvisitors，hehadpossessedmarkedliterarygifts，writtenaseriesofpaperscalled"TheRecluseofEagleRange，"enjoyedtheacquaintanceofWashingtonIrvingandFitz—GreeneHalleck，andbeencutoffinhisflowerbyafevercontractedinItaly。SuchhadbeenthesolelinkbetweenNorthDormerandliterature，alinkpiouslycommemoratedbytheerectionofthemonumentwhereCharityRoyall，everyTuesdayandThursdayafternoon，satatherdeskunderafreckledsteelengravingofthedeceasedauthor，andwonderedifhefeltanydeaderinhisgravethanshedidinhislibrary。
　　Enteringherprison—housewithalistlessstepshetookoffherhat，hungitonaplasterbustofMinerva，openedtheshutters，leanedouttoseeiftherewereanyeggsintheswallow’snestaboveoneofthewindows，andfinally，seatingherselfbehindthedesk，drewoutarollofcottonlaceandasteelcrochethook。Shewasnotanexpertworkwoman，andithadtakenhermanyweekstomakethehalf—yardofnarrowlacewhichshekeptwoundaboutthebuckrambackofadisintegratedcopyof"TheLamplighter。"Buttherewasnootherwayofgettinganylacetotrimhersummerblouse，andsinceAllyHawes，thepoorestgirlinthevillage，hadshownherselfinchurchwithenviabletransparenciesabouttheshoulders，Charity’shookhadtravelledfaster。Sheunrolledthelace，dugthehookintoaloop，andbenttothetaskwithfurrowedbrows。
　　Suddenlythedooropened，andbeforeshehadraisedhereyessheknewthattheyoungmanshehadseengoinginattheHatchardgatehadenteredthelibrary。
　　Withouttakinganynoticeofherhebegantomoveslowlyaboutthelongvault—likeroom，hishandsbehindhisback，hisshort—sightedeyespeeringupanddowntherowsofrustybindings。Atlengthhereachedthedeskandstoodbeforeher。
　　"Haveyouacard—catalogue？"heaskedinapleasantabruptvoice;andtheoddnessofthequestioncausedhertodropherwork。
　　"AWHAT？"
　　"Why，youknow————"Hebrokeoff，andshebecameconsciousthathewaslookingatherforthefirsttime，havingapparently，onhisentrance，includedherinhisgeneralshort—sightedsurveyaspartofthefurnitureofthelibrary。
　　Thefactthat，indiscoveringher，helostthethreadofhisremark，didnotescapeherattention，andshelookeddownandsmiled。Hesmiledalso。
　　"No，Idon’tsupposeyoudoknow，"hecorrectedhimself。"Infact，itwouldbealmostapity————"
　　Shethoughtshedetectedaslightcondescensioninhistone，andaskedsharply："Why？"
　　"Becauseit’ssomuchpleasanter，inasmalllibrarylikethis，topokeaboutbyone’sself——withthehelpofthelibrarian。"
　　Headdedthelastphrasesorespectfullythatshewasmollified，andrejoinedwithasigh："I’mafraidI
　　can’thelpyoumuch。"
　　"Why？"hequestionedinhisturn;andsherepliedthatthereweren’tmanybooksanyhow，andthatshe’dhardlyreadanyofthem。"Thewormsaregettingatthem，"sheaddedgloomily。
　　"Arethey？That’sapity，forIseetherearesomegoodones。"Heseemedtohavelostinterestintheirconversation，andstrolledawayagain，apparentlyforgettingher。Hisindifferencenettledher，andshepickedupherwork，resolvednottoofferhimtheleastassistance。Apparentlyhedidnotneedit，forhespentalongtimewithhisbacktoher，liftingdown，oneafteranother，thetallcob—webbyvolumesfromadistantshelf。
　　"Oh，Isay！"heexclaimed;andlookingupshesawthathehaddrawnouthishandkerchiefandwascarefullywipingtheedgesofthebookinhishand。Theactionstruckherasanunwarrantedcriticismonhercareofthebooks，andshesaidirritably："It’snotmyfaultifthey’redirty。"
　　Heturnedaroundandlookedatherwithrevivinginterest。"Ah——thenyou’renotthelibrarian？"
　　"OfcourseIam;butIcan’tdustallthesebooks。
　　Besides，nobodyeverlooksatthem，nowMissHatchard’stoolametocomeround。"
　　"No，Isupposenot。"Helaiddownthebookhehadbeenwiping，andstoodconsideringherinsilence。ShewonderedifMissHatchardhadsenthimroundtopryintothewaythelibrarywaslookedafter，andthesuspicionincreasedherresentment。"Isawyougoingintoherhousejustnow，didn’tI？"sheasked，withtheNewEnglandavoidanceofthepropername。Shewasdeterminedtofindoutwhyhewaspokingaboutamongherbooks。
　　"MissHatchard’shouse？Yes——she’smycousinandI’mstayingthere，"theyoungmananswered;adding，asiftodisarmavisibledistrust："MynameisHarney——
　　LuciusHarney。Shemayhavespokenofme。"
　　"No，shehasn’t，"saidCharity，wishingshecouldhavesaid："Yes，shehas。"
　　"Oh，well————"saidMissHatchard’scousinwithalaugh;andafteranotherpause，duringwhichitoccurredtoCharitythatheranswerhadnotbeenencouraging，heremarked："Youdon’tseemstrongonarchitecture。"
　　Herbewildermentwascomplete：themoreshewishedtoappeartounderstandhimthemoreunintelligiblehisremarksbecame。Heremindedherofthegentlemanwhohad"explained"thepicturesatNettleton，andtheweightofherignorancesettleddownonheragainlikeapall。
　　"Imean，Ican’tseethatyouhaveanybooksontheoldhousesabouthere。Isuppose，forthatmatter，thispartofthecountryhasn’tbeenmuchexplored。TheyallgoondoingPlymouthandSalem。Sostupid。Mycousin’shouse，now，isremarkable。Thisplacemusthavehadapast——itmusthavebeenmoreofaplaceonce。"Hestoppedshort，withtheblushofashymanwhooverhearshimself，andfearshehasbeenvoluble。
　　"I’manarchitect，yousee，andI’mhuntingupoldhousesintheseparts。"
　　Shestared。"Oldhouses？Everything’soldinNorthDormer，isn’tit？Thefolksare，anyhow。"
　　Helaughed，andwanderedawayagain。
　　"Haven’tyouanykindofahistoryoftheplace？
　　Ithinktherewasonewrittenabout1840：abookorpamphletaboutitsfirstsettlement，"hepresentlysaidfromthefartherendoftheroom。
　　Shepressedhercrochethookagainstherlipandpondered。Therewassuchawork，sheknew："NorthDormerandtheEarlyTownshipsofEagleCounty。"Shehadaspecialgrudgeagainstitbecauseitwasalimpweaklybookthatwasalwayseitherfallingofftheshelforslippingbackanddisappearingifonesqueezeditinbetweensustainingvolumes。Sheremembered，thelasttimeshehadpickeditup，wonderinghowanyonecouldhavetakenthetroubletowriteabookaboutNorthDormeranditsneighbours：Dormer，Hamblin，CrestonandCrestonRiver。Sheknewthemall，merelostclustersofhousesinthefoldsofthedesolateridges：
　　Dormer，whereNorthDormerwentforitsapples;CrestonRiver，wherethereusedtobeapaper—mill，anditsgreywallsstooddecayingbythestream;andHamblin，wherethefirstsnowalwaysfell。Suchweretheirtitlestofame。
　　Shegotupandbegantomoveaboutvaguelybeforetheshelves。Butshehadnoideawhereshehadlastputthebook，andsomethingtoldherthatitwasgoingtoplayheritsusualtrickandremaininvisible。Itwasnotoneofherluckydays。
　　"Iguessit’ssomewhere，"shesaid，toproveherzeal;
　　butshespokewithoutconviction，andfeltthatherwordsconveyednone。
　　"Oh，well————"hesaidagain。Sheknewhewasgoing，andwishedmorethanevertofindthebook。
　　"Itwillbefornexttime，"headded;andpickingupthevolumehehadlaidonthedeskhehandedittoher。
　　"Bytheway，alittleairandsunwoulddothisgood;
　　it’srathervaluable。"
　　Hegaveheranodandsmile，andpassedout。
　　II
　　ThehoursoftheHatchardMemoriallibrarianwerefromthreetofive;andCharityRoyall’ssenseofdutyusuallykeptheratherdeskuntilnearlyhalf—pastfour。
　　ButshehadneverperceivedthatanypracticaladvantagetherebyaccruedeithertoNorthDormerortoherself;andshehadnoscrupleindecreeing，whenitsuitedher，thatthelibraryshouldcloseanhourearlier。AfewminutesafterMr。Harney’sdeparturesheformedthisdecision，putawayherlace，fastenedtheshutters，andturnedthekeyinthedoorofthetempleofknowledge。
　　Thestreetuponwhichsheemergedwasstillempty：andafterglancingupanddownitshebegantowalktowardherhouse。Butinsteadofenteringshepassedon，turnedintoafield—pathandmountedtoapastureonthehillside。Sheletdownthebarsofthegate，followedatrailalongthecrumblingwallofthepasture，andwalkedontillshereachedaknollwhereaclumpoflarchesshookouttheirfreshtasselstothewind。Thereshelaydownontheslope，tossedoffherhatandhidherfaceinthegrass。
　　Shewasblindandinsensibletomanythings，anddimlyknewit;buttoallthatwaslightandair，perfumeandcolour，everydropofbloodinherresponded。Shelovedtheroughnessofthedrymountaingrassunderherpalms，thesmellofthethymeintowhichshecrushedherface，thefingeringofthewindinherhairandthroughhercottonblouse，andthecreakofthelarchesastheyswayedtoit。
　　Sheoftenclimbedupthehillandlaytherealoneforthemerepleasureoffeelingthewindandofrubbinghercheeksinthegrass。Generallyatsuchtimesshedidnotthinkofanything，butlayimmersedinaninarticulatewell—being。Todaythesenseofwell—beingwasintensifiedbyherjoyatescapingfromthelibrary。Shelikedwellenoughtohaveafrienddropinandtalktoherwhenshewasonduty，butshehatedtobebotheredaboutbooks。Howcouldsherememberwheretheywere，whentheyweresoseldomaskedfor？OrmaFryoccasionallytookoutanovel，andherbrotherBenwasfondofwhathecalled"jography，"andofbooksrelatingtotradeandbookkeeping;butnooneelseaskedforanythingexcept，atintervals，"UncleTom’sCabin，"or"OpeningofaChestnutBurr，"orLongfellow。
　　Shehadtheseunderherhand，andcouldhavefoundtheminthedark;butunexpecteddemandscamesorarelythattheyexasperatedherlikeaninjustice……
　　Shehadlikedtheyoungman’slooks，andhisshort—
　　sightedeyes，andhisoddwayofspeaking，thatwasabruptyetsoft，justashishandsweresun—burntandsinewy，yetwithsmoothnailslikeawoman’s。Hishairwassunburnt—lookingtoo，orratherthecolourofbrackenafterfrost;hiseyesgrey，withtheappealinglookoftheshortsighted，hissmileshyyetconfident，asifheknewlotsofthingsshehadneverdreamedof，andyetwouldn’tfortheworldhavehadherfeelhissuperiority。Butshedidfeelit，andlikedthefeeling;foritwasnewtoher。Poorandignorantasshewas，andknewherselftobe——humblestofthehumbleeveninNorthDormer，wheretocomefromtheMountainwastheworstdisgrace——yetinhernarrowworldshehadalwaysruled。Itwaspartly，ofcourse，owingtothefactthatlawyerRoyallwas"thebiggestmaninNorthDormer";somuchtoobigforit，infact，thatoutsiders，whodidn’tknow，alwayswonderedhowitheldhim。Inspiteofeverything——andinspiteevenofMissHatchard——lawyerRoyallruledinNorthDormer;andCharityruledinlawyerRoyall’shouse。Shehadneverputittoherselfinthoseterms;butsheknewherpower，knewwhatitwasmadeof，andhatedit。
　　Confusedly，theyoungmaninthelibraryhadmadeherfeelforthefirsttimewhatmightbethesweetnessofdependence。
　　Shesatup，brushedthebitsofgrassfromherhair，andlookeddownonthehousewheresheheldsway。Itstoodjustbelowher，cheerlessanduntended，itsfadedredfrontdividedfromtheroadbya"yard"withapathborderedbygooseberrybushes，astonewellovergrownwithtraveller’sjoy，andasicklyCrimsonRamblertiedtoafan—shapedsupport，whichMr。RoyallhadoncebroughtupfromHepburntopleaseher。Behindthehouseabitofunevengroundwithclothes—linesstrungacrossitstretcheduptoadrywall，andbeyondthewallapatchofcornandafewrowsofpotatoesstrayedvaguelyintotheadjoiningwildernessofrockandfern。
　　Charitycouldnotrecallherfirstsightofthehouse。
　　ShehadbeentoldthatshewasillofafeverwhenshewasbroughtdownfromtheMountain;andshecouldonlyrememberwakingonedayinacotatthefootofMrs。
　　Royall’sbed，andopeninghereyesonthecoldneatnessoftheroomthatwasafterwardtobehers。
　　Mrs。Royalldiedsevenoreightyearslater;andbythattimeCharityhadtakenthemeasureofmostthingsabouther。SheknewthatMrs。Royallwassadandtimidandweak;sheknewthatlawyerRoyallwasharshandviolent，andstillweaker。SheknewthatshehadbeenchristenedCharity（inthewhitechurchattheotherendofthevillage）tocommemorateMr。Royall’sdisinterestednessin"bringingherdown，"andtokeepaliveinherabecomingsenseofherdependence;sheknewthatMr。Royallwasherguardian，butthathehadnotlegallyadoptedher，thougheverybodyspokeofherasCharityRoyall;andsheknewwhyhehadcomebacktoliveatNorthDormer，insteadofpractisingatNettleton，wherehehadbegunhislegalcareer。
　　AfterMrs。Royall’sdeaththerewassometalkofsendinghertoaboarding—school。MissHatchardsuggestedit，andhadalongconferencewithMr。
　　Royall，who，inpursuanceofherplan，departedonedayforStarkfieldtovisittheinstitutionsherecommended。Hecamebackthenextnightwithablackface;worse，Charityobserved，thanshehadeverseenhim;andbythattimeshehadhadsomeexperience。
　　Whensheaskedhimhowsoonshewastostartheansweredshortly，"Youain’tgoing，"andshuthimselfupintheroomhecalledhisoffice;andthenextdaytheladywhokepttheschoolatStarkfieldwrotethat"underthecircumstances"shewasafraidshecouldnotmakeroomjustthenforanotherpupil。
　　Charitywasdisappointed;butsheunderstood。Itwasn’tthetemptationsofStarkfieldthathadbeenMr。
　　Royall’sundoing;itwasthethoughtoflosingher。Hewasadreadfully"lonesome"man;shehadmadethatoutbecauseshewasso"lonesome"herself。Heandshe，facetofaceinthatsadhouse，hadsoundedthedepthsofisolation;andthoughshefeltnoparticularaffectionforhim，andnottheslightestgratitude，shepitiedhimbecauseshewasconsciousthathewassuperiortothepeopleabouthim，andthatshewastheonlybeingbetweenhimandsolitude。Therefore，whenMissHatchardsentforheradayortwolater，totalkofaschoolatNettleton，andtosaythatthistimeafriendofherswould"makethenecessaryarrangements，"
　　CharitycuthershortwiththeannouncementthatshehaddecidednottoleaveNorthDormer。
　　MissHatchardreasonedwithherkindly，buttonopurpose;shesimplyrepeated："IguessMr。Royall’stoolonesome。"
　　MissHatchardblinkedperplexedlybehindhereye—
　　glasses。Herlongfrailfacewasfullofpuzzledwrinkles，andsheleantforward，restingherhandsonthearmsofhermahoganyarmchair，withtheevidentdesiretosaysomethingthatoughttobesaid。
　　"Thefeelingdoesyoucredit，mydear。"
　　Shelookedaboutthepalewallsofhersitting—room，seekingcounselofancestraldaguerreotypesanddidacticsamplers;buttheyseemedtomakeutterancemoredifficult。
　　"Thefactis，it’snotonly——notonlybecauseoftheadvantages。Thereareotherreasons。You’retooyoungtounderstand————"
　　"Oh，no，Iain’t，"saidCharityharshly;andMissHatchardblushedtotherootsofherblondecap。Butshemusthavefeltavaguereliefathavingherexplanationcutshort，forsheconcluded，againinvokingthedaguerreotypes："OfcourseIshallalwaysdowhatIcanforyou;andincase……incase……youknowyoucanalwayscometome……"
　　LawyerRoyallwaswaitingforCharityintheporchwhenshereturnedfromthisvisit。Hehadshaved，andbrushedhisblackcoat，andlookedamagnificentmonumentofaman;atsuchmomentsshereallyadmiredhim。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"isitsettled？"
　　"Yes，it’ssettled。Iain’tgoing。"
　　"NottotheNettletonschool？"
　　"Notanywhere。"
　　Heclearedhisthroatandaskedsternly："Why？"
　　"I’drathernot，"shesaid，swingingpasthimonherwaytoherroom。ItwasthefollowingweekthathebroughtheruptheCrimsonRambleranditsfanfromHepburn。Hehadnevergivenheranythingbefore。
　　Thenextoutstandingincidentofherlifehadhappenedtwoyearslater，whenshewasseventeen。LawyerRoyall，whohatedtogotoNettleton，hadbeencalledthereinconnectionwithacase。Hestillexercisedhisprofession，thoughlitigationlanguishedinNorthDormeranditsoutlyinghamlets;andforoncehehadhadanopportunitythathecouldnotaffordtorefuse。
　　HespentthreedaysinNettleton，wonhiscase，andcamebackinhighgood—humour。Itwasararemoodwithhim，andmanifesteditselfonthisoccasionbyhistalkingimpressivelyatthesupper—tableofthe"rousingwelcome"hisoldfriendshadgivenhim。Hewoundupconfidentially："IwasadamnfoolevertoleaveNettleton。ItwasMrs。Royallthatmademedoit。"
　　Charityimmediatelyperceivedthatsomethingbitterhadhappenedtohim，andthathewastryingtotalkdowntherecollection。Shewentuptobedearly，leavinghimseatedinmoodythought，hiselbowsproppedonthewornoilclothofthesuppertable。Onthewayupshehadextractedfromhisovercoatpocketthekeyofthecupboardwherethebottleofwhiskeywaskept。
　　Shewasawakenedbyarattlingatherdoorandjumpedoutofbed。SheheardMr。Royall’svoice，lowandperemptory，andopenedthedoor，fearinganaccident。
　　Nootherthoughthadoccurredtoher;butwhenshesawhiminthedoorway，arayfromtheautumnmoonfallingonhisdiscomposedface，sheunderstood。
　　Foramomenttheylookedateachotherinsilence;
　　then，asheputhisfootacrossthethreshold，shestretchedoutherarmandstoppedhim。
　　"Yougorightbackfromhere，"shesaid，inashrillvoicethatstartledher;"youain’tgoingtohavethatkeytonight。"
　　"Charity，letmein。Idon’twantthekey。I’malonesomeman，"hebegan，inthedeepvoicethatsometimesmovedher。
　　Herheartgaveastartledplunge，butshecontinuedtoholdhimbackcontemptuously。"Well，Iguessyoumadeamistake，then。Thisain’tyourwife’sroomanylonger。"
　　Shewasnotfrightened，shesimplyfeltadeepdisgust;
　　andperhapshedivineditorreaditinherface，forafterstaringatheramomenthedrewbackandturnedslowlyawayfromthedoor。Withhereartoherkeyholesheheardhimfeelhiswaydownthedarkstairs，andtowardthekitchen;andshelistenedforthecrashofthecupboardpanel，butinsteadsheheardhim，afteraninterval，unlockthedoorofthehouse，andhisheavystepscametoherthroughthesilenceashewalkeddownthepath。Shecrepttothewindowandsawhisbentfigurestridinguptheroadinthemoonlight。Thenabelatedsenseoffearcametoherwiththeconsciousnessofvictory，andsheslippedintobed，coldtothebone。
　　AdayortwolaterpoorEudoraSkeff，whofortwentyyearshadbeenthecustodianoftheHatchardlibrary，diedsuddenlyofpneumonia;andthedayafterthefuneralCharitywenttoseeMissHatchard，andaskedtobeappointedlibrarian。TherequestseemedtosurpriseMissHatchard：sheevidentlyquestionedthenewcandidate’squalifications。
　　"Why，Idon’tknow，mydear。Aren’tyourathertooyoung？"shehesitated。
　　"Iwanttoearnsomemoney，"Charitymerelyanswered。
　　"Doesn’tMr。Royallgiveyouallyourequire？NooneisrichinNorthDormer。"
　　"Iwanttoearnmoneyenoughtogetaway。"
　　"Togetaway？"MissHatchard’spuzzledwrinklesdeepened，andtherewasadistressfulpause。"YouwanttoleaveMr。Royall？"
　　"Yes：orIwantanotherwomaninthehousewithme，"
　　saidCharityresolutely。
　　MissHatchardclaspedhernervoushandsaboutthearmsofherchair。Hereyesinvokedthefadedcountenancesonthewall，andafterafaintcoughofindecisionshebroughtout："The……thehousework’stoohardforyou，I
　　suppose？"
　　Charity’sheartgrewcold。SheunderstoodthatMissHatchardhadnohelptogiveherandthatshewouldhavetofightherwayoutofherdifficultyalone。A
　　deepersenseofisolationovercameher;shefeltincalculablyold。"She’sgottobetalkedtolikeababy，"shethought，withafeelingofcompassionforMissHatchard’slongimmaturity。"Yes，that’sit，"shesaidaloud。"Thehousework’stoohardforme：I’vebeencoughingagooddealthisfall。"
　　Shenotedtheimmediateeffectofthissuggestion。MissHatchardpaledatthememoryofpoorEudora’staking—
　　off，andpromisedtodowhatshecould。Butofcoursetherewerepeopleshemustconsult：theclergyman，theselectmenofNorthDormer，andadistantHatchardrelativeatSpringfield。"Ifyou’donlygonetoschool！"shesighed。ShefollowedCharitytothedoor，andthere，inthesecurityofthethreshold，saidwithaglanceofevasiveappeal："IknowMr。Royallis……tryingattimes;buthiswifeborewithhim;andyoumustalwaysremember，Charity，thatitwasMr。
　　RoyallwhobroughtyoudownfromtheMountain。"CharitywenthomeandopenedthedoorofMr。Royall’s"office。"
　　HewassittingtherebythestovereadingDanielWebster’sspeeches。Theyhadmetatmealsduringthefivedaysthathadelapsedsincehehadcometoherdoor，andshehadwalkedathissideatEudora’sfuneral;buttheyhadnotspokenawordtoeachother。
　　Heglancedupinsurpriseassheentered，andshenoticedthathewasunshaved，andthathelookedunusuallyold;butasshehadalwaysthoughtofhimasanoldmanthechangeinhisappearancedidnotmoveher。ShetoldhimshehadbeentoseeMissHatchard，andwithwhatobject。Shesawthathewasastonished;
　　buthemadenocomment。
　　"Itoldherthehouseworkwastoohardforme，andI
　　wantedtoearnthemoneytopayforahiredgirl。ButIain’tgoingtopayforher：you’vegotto。Iwanttohavesomemoneyofmyown。"
　　Mr。Royall’sbushyblackeyebrowsweredrawntogetherinafrown，andhesatdrummingwithink—stainednailsontheedgeofhisdesk。
　　"Whatdoyouwanttoearnmoneyfor？"heasked。
　　"So’stogetawaywhenIwantto。"
　　"Whydoyouwanttogetaway？"
　　Hercontemptflashedout。"Doyousupposeanybody’dstayatNorthDormeriftheycouldhelpit？Youwouldn’t，folkssay！"
　　Withloweredheadheasked："Where’dyougoto？"
　　"AnywherewhereIcanearnmyliving。I’lltryherefirst，andifIcan’tdoithereI’llgosomewhereelse。I’llgouptheMountainifIhaveto。"Shepausedonthisthreat，andsawthatithadtakeneffect。"IwantyoushouldgetMissHatchardandtheselectmentotakemeatthelibrary：andIwantawomanhereinthehousewithme，"sherepeated。
　　Mr。Royallhadgrownexceedinglypale。Whensheendedhestoodupponderously，leaningagainstthedesk;andforasecondortwotheylookedateachother。
　　"Seehere，"hesaidatlengthasthoughutteranceweredifficult，"there’ssomethingI’vebeenwantingtosaytoyou;I’doughttohavesaiditbefore。Iwantyoutomarryme。"
　　Thegirlstillstaredathimwithoutmoving。"Iwantyoutomarryme，"herepeated，clearinghisthroat。
　　"Theminister’llbeupherenextSundayandwecanfixitupthen。OrI’lldriveyoudowntoHepburntotheJustice，andgetitdonethere。I’lldowhateveryousay。"Hiseyesfellunderthemercilessstareshecontinuedtofixonhim，andheshiftedhisweightuneasilyfromonefoottotheother。Ashestoodtherebeforeher，unwieldy，shabby，disordered，thepurpleveinsdistortingthehandshepressedagainstthedesk，andhislongorator’sjawtremblingwiththeeffortofhisavowal，heseemedlikeahideousparodyofthefatherlyoldmanshehadalwaysknown。
　　"Marryyou？Me？"sheburstoutwithascornfullaugh。
　　"Wasthatwhatyoucametoaskmetheothernight？
　　What’scomeoveryou，Iwonder？Howlongisitsinceyou’velookedatyourselfintheglass？"Shestraightenedherself，insolentlyconsciousofheryouthandstrength。"Isupposeyouthinkitwouldbecheapertomarrymethantokeepahiredgirl。Everybodyknowsyou’retheclosestmaninEagleCounty;butIguessyou’renotgoingtogetyourmendingdoneforyouthatwaytwice。"
　　Mr。Royalldidnotmovewhileshespoke。Hisfacewasash—colouredandhisblackeyebrowsquiveredasthoughtheblazeofherscornhadblindedhim。Whensheceasedhehelduphishand。
　　"That’lldo——that’llaboutdo，"hesaid。Heturnedtothedoorandtookhishatfromthehat—peg。Onthethresholdhepaused。"Peopleain’tbeenfairtome——
　　fromthefirsttheyain’tbeenfairtome，"hesaid。
　　Thenhewentout。
　　AfewdayslaterNorthDormerlearnedwithsurprisethatCharityhadbeenappointedlibrarianoftheHatchardMemorialatasalaryofeightdollarsamonth，andthatoldVerenaMarsh，fromtheCrestonAlmshouse，wascomingtoliveatlawyerRoyall’sanddothecooking。
　　III
　　ItwasnotintheroomknownattheredhouseasMr。
　　Royall’s"office"thathereceivedhisinfrequentclients。Professionaldignityandmasculineindependencemadeitnecessarythatheshouldhavearealoffice，underadifferentroof;andhisstandingastheonlylawyerofNorthDormerrequiredthattheroofshouldbethesameasthatwhichshelteredtheTownHallandthepost—office。
　　Itwashishabittowalktothisofficetwiceaday，morningandafternoon。Itwasonthegroundfloorofthebuilding，withaseparateentrance，andaweatheredname—plateonthedoor。Beforegoinginhesteppedintothepost—officeforhismail——usuallyanemptyceremony——saidawordortwotothetown—clerk，whosatacrossthepassageinidlestate，andthenwentovertothestoreontheoppositecorner，whereCarrickFry，thestorekeeper，alwayskeptachairforhim，andwherehewassuretofindoneortwoselectmenleaningonthelongcounter，inanatmosphereofrope，leather，tarandcoffee—beans。Mr。Royall，thoughmonosyllabicathome，wasnotaverse，incertainmoods，toimpartinghisviewstohisfellow—townsmen;perhaps，also，hewasunwillingthathisrareclientsshouldsurprisehimsitting，clerklessandunoccupied，inhisdustyoffice。
　　Atanyrate，hishourstherewerenotmuchlongerormoreregularthanCharity’satthelibrary;therestofthetimehespenteitheratthestoreorindrivingaboutthecountryonbusinessconnectedwiththeinsurancecompaniesthatherepresented，orinsittingathomereadingBancroft’sHistoryoftheUnitedStatesandthespeechesofDanielWebster。
　　SincethedaywhenCharityhadtoldhimthatshewishedtosucceedtoEudoraSkeff’sposttheirrelationshadundefinablybutdefinitelychanged。LawyerRoyallhadkepthisword。Hehadobtainedtheplaceforheratthecostofconsiderablemaneuvering，assheguessedfromthenumberofrivalcandidates，andfromtheacerbitywithwhichtwoofthem，OrmaFryandtheeldestTargattgirl，treatedherfornearlyayearafterward。AndhehadengagedVerenaMarshtocomeupfromCrestonanddothecooking。Verenawasapooroldwidow，dodderingandshiftless：Charitysuspectedthatshecameforherkeep。Mr。Royallwastoocloseamantogiveadollaradaytoasmartgirlwhenhecouldgetadeafpauperfornothing。Butatanyrate，Verenawasthere，intheatticjustoverCharity，andthefactthatshewasdeafdidnotgreatlytroubletheyounggirl。
　　Charityknewthatwhathadhappenedonthathatefulnightwouldnothappenagain。Sheunderstoodthat，profoundlyasshehaddespisedMr。Royalleversince，hedespisedhimselfstillmoreprofoundly。Ifshehadaskedforawomaninthehouseitwasfarlessforherowndefensethanforhishumiliation。Sheneedednoonetodefendher：hishumbledpridewashersurestprotection。Hehadneverspokenawordofexcuseorextenuation;theincidentwasasifithadneverbeen。
　　Yetitsconsequenceswerelatentineverywordthatheandsheexchanged，ineveryglancetheyinstinctivelyturnedfromeachother。Nothingnowwouldevershakeherruleintheredhouse。
　　OnthenightofhermeetingwithMissHatchard’scousinCharitylayinbed，herbarearmsclaspedunderherroughhead，andcontinuedtothinkofhim。ShesupposedthathemeanttospendsometimeinNorthDormer。Hehadsaidhewaslookinguptheoldhousesintheneighbourhood;andthoughshewasnotveryclearastohispurpose，orastowhyanyoneshouldlookforoldhouses，whentheylayinwaitforoneoneveryroadside，sheunderstoodthatheneededthehelpofbooks，andresolvedtohuntupthenextdaythevolumeshehadfailedtofind，andanyothersthatseemedrelatedtothesubject。
　　Neverhadherignoranceoflifeandliteraturesoweighedonherasinrelivingtheshortsceneofherdiscomfiture。"It’snousetryingtobeanythinginthisplace，"shemutteredtoherpillow;andsheshrivelledatthevisionofvaguemetropolises，shiningsuper—Nettletons，wheregirlsinbetterclothesthanBelleBalch’stalkedfluentlyofarchitecturetoyoungmenwithhandslikeLuciusHarney’s。Thensherememberedhissuddenpausewhenhehadcomeclosetothedeskandhadhisfirstlookather。Thesighthadmadehimforgetwhathewasgoingtosay;sherecalledthechangeinhisface，andjumpingupsheranoverthebareboardstoherwashstand，foundthematches，litacandle，andliftedittothesquareoflooking—glassonthewhite—washedwall。Hersmallface，usuallysodarklypale，glowedlikearoseinthefaintorboflight，andunderherrumpledhairhereyesseemeddeeperandlargerthanbyday。Perhapsafterallitwasamistaketowishtheywereblue。Aclumsybandandbuttonfastenedherunbleachednight—gownaboutthethroat。Sheundidit，freedherthinshoulders，andsawherselfabrideinlow—neckedsatin，walkingdownanaislewithLuciusHarney。Hewouldkissherastheyleftthechurch……Sheputdownthecandleandcoveredherfacewithherhandsasiftoimprisonthekiss。AtthatmomentsheheardMr。Royall’sstepashecameupthestairstobed，andafiercerevulsionoffeelingsweptoverher。Untilthenshehadmerelydespisedhim;nowdeephatredofhimfilledherheart。Hebecametoherahorribleoldman……
　　Thenextday，whenMr。Royallcamebacktodinner，theyfacedeachotherinsilenceasusual。Verena’spresenceatthetablewasanexcusefortheirnottalking，thoughherdeafnesswouldhavepermittedthefreestinterchangeofconfidences。Butwhenthemealwasover，andMr。Royallrosefromthetable，helookedbackatCharity，whohadstayedtohelptheoldwomanclearawaythedishes。
　　"Iwanttospeaktoyouaminute，"hesaid;andshefollowedhimacrossthepassage，wondering。
　　Heseatedhimselfinhisblackhorse—hairarmchair，andsheleanedagainstthewindow，indifferently。Shewasimpatienttobegonetothelibrary，tohuntforthebookonNorthDormer。
　　"Seehere，"hesaid，"whyain’tyouatthelibrarythedaysyou’resupposedtobethere？"
　　Thequestion，breakinginonhermoodofblissfulabstraction，deprivedherofspeech，andshestaredathimforamomentwithoutanswering。