"Oh，comeinwithhim！"Bessieimplored，andatalittleyieldinginJeffherbrotheradded：
　　"Comein，youdamnjay！"HepulledatJeff。
　　Jeffmadehastetoshutthedoorbehindthem。Hewaslaughing；andifitwasfrommerebruteinsensibilitytowhatwouldhaveshockedanotherinthesituation，hisfrankrecognitionofitsgrotesquenesswasofbettereffectthananyhopelessefforttoignoreitwouldhavebeen。Peopleadjustthemselvestotheirtrials；itisthepretenceofthewitnessthatthereisnotrialwhichhurts，andBessiewasnotwoundedbyJeff’slaugh。
　　"There’safirehereinthereception—room，"shesaid。"Canyougethimin？"
　　"Iguessso。"
　　JeffliftedAlanintotheroomandstayedhimonfootthere，whilehetookoffhishatandovercoat，andthenhelethimsinkintotheloweasy—chairBessiehadjustrisenfrom。Allthetime，Alanwasbiddingherringandhavesomechampagneandcoldmeatsetoutontheside—board，andshewaslightlypromisingandcoaxing。Buthedrowsedquicklyinthewarmth，andthelastdemandforsupperdiedhalfutteredonhislips。
　　Jeffaskedacrosshim："Can’tIgethimup—stairsforyou？Icancarryhim。"
　　Sheshookherheadandwhisperedback，"Icanleavehimhere，"andshelookedatJeffwithamoment’shesitation。"Didyou——doyouthinkthat——
　　anyonenoticedhimatMrs。Enderby’s？"
　　"No；theyhadgothiminaroombyhimself——thecaterer’smenhad。"
　　"Andyoufoundhimthere？"
　　"Mr。Westoverfoundhimthere，"Jeffanswered。
　　"Idon’tunderstand。"
　　"Didn’thecometoyouafterIleft？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Itoldhimtoexcuseme——"
　　"Hedidn’t。"
　　"Well，Iguesshewasprettybadlyrattled。"Jeffstoppedhimselfinthevaguelaughofonewhorememberssomethingludicrous，andturnedhisfaceaway。
　　"Tellmewhatitwas！"shedemanded，nervously。
　　"Mr。Westoverhadbeenhomewithhimonce，andhewouldn’tstay。HemadeMr。Westovercomebackforme。"
　　"Whatdidhewantwithyou？"
　　Jeffshrugged。
　　"Andthenwhat？"
　　"Wewentouttothecarriage，assoonasIcouldgetawayfromyou；buthewasn’tinit。IsentMr。Westoverbacktoyouandsetouttolookforhim。"
　　"Thatwasverygoodofyou。AndI——thankyouforyourkindnesstomybrother。Ishallnotforgetit。AndIwishtobegyourpardon。"
　　"Whatfor？"askedJeff，bluntly。
　　"Forblamingyouwhenyoudidn’tcomebackforthedance。"
　　IfBessiehadmeantnothingbutwhatwasfittingtothemomentsomeinherentlightnessofnatureplayedherfalse。Buteventhehistrionictouchwhichshecouldnotkeepoutofhervoice，hermanner，anothersortofmanmighthavefoundmerelypathetic。
　　Jefflaughedwithsubtleintelligence。"Wereyouveryhardonme？"
　　"Very，"sheansweredinkind，forgettingherbrotherandthewholeterriblesituation。
　　"Tellmewhatyouthoughtofme，"hesaid，andhecamealittlenearertoher，lookingveryhandsomeandverystrong。"Ishouldliketoknow。"
　　"IsaidIshouldneverspeaktoyouagain。"
　　"Andyoukeptyourword，"saidJeff。"Well，that’sallright。Good—
　　night—orgood—morning，whicheveritis。"Hetookherhand，whichshecouldnotwithdraw，orfeignedtoherselfthatshecouldnotwithdraw，andlookedatherwithasilentlaugh，andahardy，scepticalglancethatshefelttakeineverydetailofherprettiness，herplainness。Thenheturnedandwentout，andsheranquicklyandlockedthedooruponhim。
　　XXXV。
　　Bessiecreptuptoherroom，whereshespenttherestofthenightinherchair，amidatumultofemotionwhichshewouldhavecalledthinking。
　　Sheaskedherselfthemostsearchingquestions，butshegotnoverycandidanswerstothem，andshedecidedthatshemustseethewholefactwithsomeother’seyesbeforeshecouldknowwhatshehadmeantorwhatshehaddone。
　　Whensheletthedaylightintoherroom，itshowedherafaceinhermirrorthatborenotraceofconflictinganxieties。Hercomplexionfavoredthiseffectofinwardcalm；itwasalwaysthick；andhereyesseemedtoherallthebrighterfortheirvigils。
　　Asmile，even，hoveredonhermouthasshesatdownatthebreakfast—
　　table，intheprettynegligeeshehadwornallnight，andpouredoutMissLynde’scoffeeforher。
　　"That’salwaysverybecomingtoyou，Bessie，"saidheraunt。"It’sthenicestbreakfastgownyouhave。"
　　"Doyouthinkso？"Bessielookeddownatit，firstononesideandthenontheother，asawomanalwaysdoeswhenherdressisspokenof。
　　"Mr。Alansaidhewouldhavehisbreakfastinhisroom，miss，"murmuredthebutler，inhuskyrespectfulness，ashereturnedtoBessiefromcarryingMissLynde’scuptoher。"Hedon’twantanythingbutalittletoastandcoffee。"
　　Sheperceivedthatthewordsweremeanttomakeiteasyforhertoask：
　　"Isn’theverywell，Andrew？"
　　"Aboutasusual，miss，"saidAndrew，athoughtmoresepulchralthanbefore。"He’sgoingon——aboutasusual。"
　　Sheknewthistomeanthathewasgoingonfrombadtoworse，andthathislastnight’sexcesswasthebeginningofadebauchwhichcouldendonlyinoneway。Shemustsendforthedoctor；hewoulddecidewhatwasbest，whenhesawhowAlancamethroughtheday。
　　LateintheafternoonsheheardMaryEnderby’svoiceinthereception—
　　room，biddingthemansaythatifMissBessiewerelyingdownshewouldcomeuptoher，orwouldgoaway，justasshewished。Sheflewdownstairswithagladcryof"Molly！Whataninspiration！Iwasjustthinkingofyou，andwishingforyou。ButIdidn’tsupposeyouwereupyet！"
　　"It’sprettyearly，"saidMissEnderby。"ButIshouldhavebeenherebeforeifIcould，forIknewIshouldn’twakeyou，Bessie，withyourhabitofturningnightintoday，andgettingupanytimeintheforenoon。"
　　"Howdissipatedyousound！"
　　"Yes，don’tI？ButI’vebeenthinkingaboutyoueversinceIwoke，andI
　　hadtocomeandfindoutifyouwerealive，anyhow。"
　　"Comeup—stairsandsee！"saidBessie，holdingherfriend’shandonthesofawheretheyhaddroppeddowntogether，andgoingalloverthesceneoflastnightinthatplaceforthethousandthtime。
　　"No，no；Ireallymustn’t。Ihopeyouhadagoodtime？"
　　"Atyourhouse！"
　　"Howdearofyou！But，Bessie，Igottothinkingyou’dbeenrathersacrificed。ItcameintomymindtheinstantIwoke，andgavemethisseverecaseofconscience。Isupposeit’sakindofconscience。"
　　"Yes，yes。Goon！Ilikehavingbeenamartyr，ifIdon’tknowwhatabout。"
　　"Why，youknow，Bessie，orifyoudon’tyouwillpresently，thatitwasI
　　whogotmammatosendhimacard；Ifeltrathersorryforhim，thatdayatMrs。Bevidge’s，becauseshe’dsoobviouslygothimtheretousehim，andIgotmammatoaskhim。Everythingtakescareofitself，atalargeaffair，andIthoughtImighttrustinProvidencetodealwithhimafterhecame；andthenIsawyoumadeameansthewholeevening！Ididn’treflectthattherealwayshastobeameans！"
　　"It’saquestionofMr。Durgin？"saidBessie，coldlythrillingatthesoundofanamethatshepronouncedsogaylyinatoneofsympatheticamusement。
　　MissEnderbybobbedherhead。"Itshowsthatweoughtnevertodoagoodaction，doesn’tit？But，poorthing！Howyoumusthavebeenswearingoff！"
　　"Idon’tknow。Wasitsoverybad？I’mtryingtothink，"saidBessie，thinkingthatafterthisbeginningitwouldbeimpossibletoconfideinMaryEnderby。
　　"Oh，now，Bessie！Don’tyoubepatient，orIshallbegintolosemyfaithinhumannature。JustsayatoncethatitwasanoutrageandI’llforgiveyou！Yousee，"MissEnderbywenton，"itisn’tmerelythathe’sajay；butheisn’taverynicejay。Noneofthemenlikehim——exceptFreddyLancaster，ofcourse；helikeseverybody，onprinciple；hedoesn’tcount。Ithoughtthatperhaps，althoughhe’ssocrudeandblunt，hemightbesensitiveandhigh—minded；you’realwaysreadingaboutsuchthings；buttheysayheisn’t，intheleast；oh，nottheleast！Theysayhegoeswithasetoffastjays，andthathe’sdreadful；thoughhehasaverygoodmind，andcoulddoverywellifhechose。That’swhatcousinJimsaidto—day；he’sjustbeenatourhouse；anditwassoextremelytelepathicthatIthoughtImustrunroundandpreventyourhavingthemanonyourconscienceifyoufeltyouhadhadtoomuchofhim。Youwon’tlayhimupagainstus，willyou？"Shejumpedtoherfeet。
　　"Youdear！"saidBessie，keepingMaryEnderby’shand，andpressingitbetweenbothofhersagainstherbreastastheynowstoodfacetoface，"docomeupandhavesometea！"
　　"No，no！Really，Ican’t。"
　　Theywerebothinvoluntarilysilent。Thedoorhadbeenopenedtosomeone，andtherewasabriefparley，whichendedinavoicetheyknewtobethedoctor’s，saying，"ThenI’llgorightuptohisroom。"Boththegirlsbrokeintolaughingadieux，tohidetheirconsciousnessthatthedoctorwasgoinguptoseeAlanLynde，whowasneversickexceptintheoneway。
　　MissEnderbyevensaid："IwassogladtoseeAlanlookingsowell，lastnight。"
　　"Yes，hehadsuchagoodtime，"saidBessie，andshefollowedherfriendtothedoor，whereshekissedherreassuringly，andthankedherfortakingallthetroubleshehad，biddinghernotbetheleastanxiousonheraccount。
　　Itseemedtoherthatsheshouldsinkuponthestairsinmountingthemtothelibrary。MaryEnderbyhadtoldheronlywhatshehadknownbefore；
　　itwaswhatherbrotherhadtoldher；butthenithadnotbeenpossibleforthemantosaythathehadbroughtAlanhometipsy，andbeenaloneinthehousewithheratthreeo’clockinthemorning。Hewouldnotonlyboastofittoallthatvulgarcomradehoodofhis，butitmightgetintothoseterriblepaperswhichpublishedthesocietyscandals。Therewouldbenowaybuttoappealtohispity，hisgenerosity。Shefanciedherselfwritingtohim，buthecouldshowhernote，andshemustsendforhimtocomeandseeher，andtrytoputhimonhishonor。Or，thatwouldnotdo，either。Shemustmakeithappenthattheyshouldbethrowntogether，andthenspeaktohim。Eventhatmightmakehimthinkshewasafraidofhim；orhemighttakeitwrong，andbelievethatshecaredforhim。
　　HehadreallybeenverygoodtoAlan，andshetriedtofeelsafeinthethoughtofthat。Shedidfeelsafeforamoment；butifshehadmeantnothingbuttomakehimbelievehergrateful，whatmustheinferfromhertalkingtohiminthelightwayshedidaboutforgivinghimfornotcomingbacktodancewithher。Hermanner，herlooks，hertone，hadgivenhimtherighttosaythatshehadbeenwillingtoflirtwithhimthere，atthathour，andinthosedreadfulcircumstances。
　　Shefoundherselflyinginadeeparm—chairinthelibrary，whenshewasawareofDr。Lacypausingatthedoorandlookingtentativelyinuponher。
　　"Comein，doctor，"shesaid，andsheknewthatherfacewaswetwithtears，andthatshespokewiththevoiceofweeping。
　　Hecameforwardandlookednarrowlyather，withoutsittingdown。
　　"There’snothingtobealarmedabout，MissBessie，"hesaid。"ButI
　　thinkyourbrotherhadbetterleavehomeagain，forawhile。"
　　"Yes，"shesaid，blankly。Hermindwasnotonhiswords。
　　"Iwillmakethearrangements。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidBessie，listlessly。
　　Thedoctorhadmadeastepbackward，asifheweregoingaway，andnowhestopped。"Aren’tyoufeelingquitewell，MissBessie？"
　　"Ohyes，"shesaid，andshebegantocry。
　　Thedoctorcameforwardandsaid，cheerily："Letmesee。"Hepulledachairuptohers，andtookherwristbetweenhisfingers。"IfyouwereatMrs。Enderby’slastnight，you’llneedanothernighttoputyoujustright。Butyou’reprettywellasitis。"Heletherwristsoftlygo，andsaid："Youmustn’tdistressyourselfaboutyourbrother’scase。
　　Ofcourse，it’shardtohaveithappennowafterhe’sheldupsolong；
　　longerthanithasbeenbefore，Ithink，isn’tit？Butit’ssomethingthatithasbeensolong。Thenexttime，letushope，itwillbelongerstill。"
　　Thedoctormadeasiftorise。Bessieputherhandouttostayhim。
　　"Whatisitmakeshimdoit？"
　　"Ah，that’sagreatmystery，"saidthedoctor。"Isupposeyoumightsaytheexcitement。"
　　"Yes！"
　　"Butitseemstomeveryoften，insuchcases，asifitweretoescapetheexcitement。Ithinkyou’rebothkeyedupprettysharplybynature，MissBessie，"saidthedoctor，withthepersonalkindnesshefeltforthegirl，andthepitysofteninghisscientificspirit。
　　"Iknow！"sheanswered。"We’realike。Whydon’tItaketodrinking，too？"
　　Thedoctorlaughedatsuchaquestionfromayounglady，butwithaninnerseriousnessinhislaugh，asif，comingfromapatient，itwastobeweighed。"Well，Isupposeitisn’tthehabitofyoursex，MissBessie。"
　　"Sometimesitis。Sometimeswomengetdrunk，andthenIthinktheydolessharmthaniftheydidotherthingstogetawayfromtheexcitement。"
　　Shelongedtoconfideinhim；thewordswereonhertongue；shebelievedhecouldhelpher，tellherwhattodo；outofhisstoresofknowledgeandexperiencehemusthavesomesuggestion，someremedy；hecouldadviseher；hecouldstandherfriend，sofar。Peopletoldtheirdoctorsallkindsofthings，sillythings。Whyshouldshenottellherdoctorthis？
　　Itwouldhavebeeneasierifithadbeenanolderman，whomighthavehadadaughterofherage。Buthewasinthatperiodoftheearlyfortieswhenadoctorsometimeshasamatter—of—fact，disagreeablewifewhoseideastandsbetweenhimandthespiritualintimacyofhispatients，sothatitseemsasiftheyweredeliveringtheirconfidencesrathertoherthantohim。Hewasable，hewasgood，hewasextremelyacute，hewasevenwiththelatestfactsandtheories；butashesatstraightupinhischairhisstomachdefineditselfasahalf—moonbeforehim，andhesaidtothequiveringheapofemotionsbesidehim，"Youmeanlikebreakinghearts，andsuchlittlematters？"
　　Itwasfatallystupid，anditbeatherbackintoherself。
　　"Yes，"shesaid，withacontemptthatsheeasilyhidfromhim，"that’sworsethangettingdrunk，isn’tit？"
　　"Well，itisn’tsoregarded，"saidthedoctor，whosupposedhimselftohavemadeasprightlyanswer，andlaughedatit。"Iwish，MissBessie，you’dtakealittleremedyI’mgoingtosendyou。You’vemerelybeenuptoolate，butit’saverygoodthingforpeoplewho’vebeenuptoolate。"
　　"Thankyou。Andaboutmybrother？"
　　"Oh！I’llsendamantolookafterhimto—night，andtomorrowIreallythinkhe’dbettergo。"
　　XXXVI。
　　MissLyndehadgoneearlierthanusualtobed，whenBessieheardAlan’sdooropen，andthenheardhimfeelinghiswayfumbinglydown—stairs。Shesurmisedthathehaddrunkupallthathehadinhisroom，andwasmakingfortheside—boardinthedining—room。
　　Sheranandgotthetwodecanters—oneofwhiskeyandoneofbrandy，whichhewasinthehabitofcarryingbacktohisroomfromsuchanincursion。
　　"Alan！"shecalledtohim，inalowvoice。
　　"Whereareyou？"heansweredback。
　　"Inthelibrary，"shesaid。"Comeinhere，please。"
　　Hecame，andstoodlookinggloomilyinfromthedoorway。Hecaughtsightofthedecantersandtheglassesonthelibrarytable。"Oh！"hesaid，andgavealaughcutintwobyahiccough。
　　"Comein，andshutthedoor，Alan，"shesaid。"Let’smakeanightofit。
　　I’vegotthematerialshere。"Shewavedherhandtowardthedecanters。
　　Alanshrugged。"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。"Buthecameforward，andslouchedintooneofthedeepchairs。
　　"Well，I’lltellyouwhat，"saidBessie，withalaugh。"We’rebothexcited，andwewanttogetawayfromourselves。Isn’tthatwhat’sthematterwithyouwhenitbegins？DoctorLacythinksitis。"
　　"Doeshe？"Alanasked。"Ididn’tsupposehehadsomuchsense。Whatofit？"
　　"Nothing。MerelythatI’mgoingtodrinkaglassofwhiskeyandaglassofbrandyforeveryglassthatyoudrinkto—night。"
　　"Youmustn’tplaythefool，Bess，"saidherbrother，withdignifiedseverity。
　　"ButI’mreallyserious，Alan。ShallIgiveyousomething？Whichshallwebeginon？Andwe’dbetterbeginsoon，forthere’samancomingfromthedoctortolookafteryou，andthenyouwon’tgetanything。"
　　"Don’tberidiculous！Givemethosedecanters！"Alanstruggledoutofhischair，andtrembledovertowhereshehadthemonthetablebesideher。
　　Shecaughtthemup，oneineitherhand，andheldthemashighasshecouldliftthem。"Ifyoudon’tsitdownandpromisetokeepstill，I’llsmashthembothonthehearth。YouknowIwill。"
　　Herstrangeeyesgleamed，andhehesitated；thenhewentbacktohischair。
　　"Idon’tseewhat’sgotintoyouto—night。Idon’twantanything，"hesaid。Hetriedtobraveitout，butpresentlyhecastapiteousglanceatthedecanterswhereshehadputthemdownbesideheragain。"DoesthedoctorthinkI’dbettergoagain？"heasked。
　　"Yes。"
　　"When？"
　　"To—morrow。"
　　Helookedatthedecanters。"Andwhenisthatfellowcoming？"
　　"Hemaybehereanymoment。"
　　"It’sprettyrough，"hesighed。"Twoglassesofthatstuffwoulddriveyousowildyouwouldn’tknowwhereyouwere，Bess，"heexpostulated。
　　"Well，IwishIdidn’tknowwhereIwas。IwishIwasn’tanywhere。"Helookedather，andthendroppedhiseyes，withtheeffectofgivingupahopelessconundrum。
　　Butheasked："What’sthematter？"
　　Shescannedhimkeenlybeforesheanswered："SomethingthatIshouldliketotellyou——thatyououghttoknow。Alan，doyouthinkyouarefittojudgeofaveryseriousmatter？"
　　Helaughedpathetically。"Idon’tbelieveI’minaveryjudicialframeofmindto—night，Bess。To—morrow——"
　　"Oh，to—morrow！Wherewillyoubeto—morrow？"
　　"That’strue！Well，whatisit？I’lltrytolisten。Butifyouknewhowmynervesweregoing。"Hiseyeswanderedfromhersbacktothedecanters。"IfIhadjustoneglass——"
　　"I’llhaveone，too，"shesaid，withamotiontowardthedecanternexther。
　　Hethrewuphisarms。"Ohwell，goon。I’lllistenaswellasIcan。"
　　Hesankdowninhischairandstretchedhislittlefeetouttowardthefire。"Goon！"
　　Shehesitatedbeforeshebegan。"Doyouknowwhobroughtyouhomelastnight，Alan？"
　　"Yes，"heanswered，quickly，"Westover。"
　　"Yes，Mr。Westoverbroughtyon，andyouwouldn’tstay。Youdon’trememberanythingelse？"
　　"No。Whatelse？"
　　"Nothingforyou，ifyoudon’tremember。"Shesatinsilenthopelessnessforawhile，andherbrother’seyesdweltonthedecanters，whichsheseemedtohaveforgotten。"Alan！"shebrokeout，abruptly，"I’mworried，andifIcan’ttellyouaboutitthere’snooneIcan。"
　　Theappealintiervoicemusthavereachedhim，thoughheseemedscarcelytohaveheededherwords。"Whatisit？"heasked，kindly。
　　"YouwentbacktotheEnderbys’afterMr。Westoverbroughtyouhome，andthensomeoneelsehadtobringyouagain。"
　　"Howdoyouknow？"
　　"Iwasup，andletyouin——"
　　"Didyou，Bessie？Thatwaslikeyou，"hesaid，tenderly。
　　"AndIhadtolethimin，too。Youpulledhimintothehouse，andyoumadesuchadisturbanceatthedoorthathehadtocomeinforfearyouwouldbringthepolice。"
　　"Whatabeast！"saidAlan，ofhimself，asifitweresomeoneelse。
　　"Hecameinwithyou。Andyouwantedhimtohavesomesupper。Andyoufellasleepbeforethefireinthereception—room。"
　　"That——thatwasthedream！"saidAlan，severely。"Whatareyoutalkingthatstufffor，Bessie？"
　　"Ohno！"sheretorted，withalaugh，asifthepleasureofitscominginsofitlywerecompensationfortheshameofthefact。"Thedreamwaswhathappenedafterward。Thedreamwasthatyoufellasleepthere，andleftmetherewithhim——"
　　"Well，pooroldWestover；he’sagentleman！Youneedn’tbeworriedabouthim——"
　　"You’renotfit！"criedthegirl。"Igiveitup。"Shegotuponherfeetandstoodamomentlistless。
　　"No，I’mnot，Bessie。Ican’tpullmymindtogethertonight。Butlookhere！"Heseemedtolosewhathewantedtosay。Heasked："IsitsomethingI’vegotyouinfor？DoIunderstandthat？"
　　"Partly，"shesaid。
　　"Well，then，I’llhelpyouout。Youcantrustme，Bessie；youcan，indeed。Youdon’tbelieveit？"
　　"Oh，IbelieveyouthinkIcantrustyou。"
　　"Butthistimeyoucan。IfyouneedmyhelpIwillstandbyyou，rightorwrong。IfyouwanttotellmenowI’lllisten，andI’lladviseyouthebestIcan——"
　　"It’sjustsomethingI’vegotnervousabout，"shesaid，whilehereyesshonewithsuddentears。"ButIwon’ttroubleyouwithitto—night。
　　There’snosuchgreathurry。Wecantalkaboutitinthemorningifyou’rebetterthen。Oh，Iforgot！You’regoingaway！"
　　"No，"saidtheyoungman，withpatheticdignity，"I’mnotgoingifyouneedmyhelp。Butyou’rerightaboutmetonight，Bessie。I’mnotfit。
　　I’mafraidIcan’tgraspanythingto—night。Tellmeinthemorning。
　　Oh，don’tbeafraid！"hecriedoutattheglanceshegavethedecanters。
　　"That’sover，now；youcouldputtheminmyhandsandbesafeenough。
　　I’mgoingbacktobed，andinthemorning——"
　　Heroseandwenttowardthedoor。"Ifthatdoctor’smancomesto—nightyoucansendhimawayagain。Heneedn’tbother。"
　　"Allright，Alan，"shesaid，fondly。"Good—night。Don’tworryaboutme。
　　Trytogetsomesleep。"
　　"Andyoumustsleep，too。Youcantrustme，Bessie。"
　　Hecamebackafterhegotoutoftheroomandlookedin。"Bess，ifyou’reanxiousaboutit，ifyoudon’tfeelperfectlysureofme，youcantakethosethingstoyourroomwithyou。"Heindicatedthedecanterswithaglance。
　　"Ohno！Ishallleavethemhere。Itwouldn’tbeanyuseyourjustkeepingwellovernight。You’llhavetokeepwellalongtime，Alan，ifyou’regoingtohelpme。Andthat’sthereasonI’drathertalktoyouwhenyoucangiveyourwholemindtowhatIsay。"
　　"Isitsomethingsoserious？"
　　"Idon’tknow。That’sforyoutojudge。Notvery——notatall，perhaps。"
　　"ThenIwon’tfailyou，Bessie。Ishall’keepwell，’asyoucallit，aslongasyouwantme。Good—night。"
　　"Good—night。Ishallleavethesebottleshere，remember。"
　　"Youneedn’tbeafraid。Youmightputthembesidemybed。"
　　Bessiesleptsoundly，fromexhaustion，andinthatprovisionalfashioninwhichpeoplewhohavepostponedacaretoagivenmomentareabletosleep。Butshewokeearly，andcreptdown—stairsbeforeanyoneelsewasastir，andwenttothelibrary。Thedecantersstoodthereonthetable，empty。Herbrotherlayashapelessheapinoneofthedeeparm—chairs。
　　XXXVII。
　　WestovergothomefromtheEnderbydanceatlastwiththeforecastofaviolentcoldinhissystem，whichverifieditselfthenextmorning。Hehadbeenhousedaweek，whenJeffDurgincametoseehim。"Whydidn’tyouletmeknowyouweresick？"hedemanded，"I’dhavecomeandlookedafteryou。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidWestover，withasmuchstiffnessashecouldcommandinhisphysicallimpness。"Ishouldn’thaveallowedyoutolookafterme；
　　andIwantyoutounderstand，now，thattherecan’tbeanysortoffriendlinessbetweenustillyou’veaccountedforyourbehaviorwithLyndetheothernight。"
　　"Youmeanattheparty？"Jeffasked，tranquilly。
　　"Yes！"criedWestover。"IfIhadnotbeenshutupeversince，Ishouldhavegonetoseeyouandhaditoutwithyou。I’veonlyletyouin，now，togiveyouthechancetoexplain；andIrefusetohearawordfromyoutillyoudo。"Westoverdidnotthinkthatthiswasveryforcible，andhewasnotmuchsurprisedthatitmadeJeffsmile。
　　"Why，Idon’tknowwhatthereistoexplain。IsupposeyouthinkIgothimdrunk；Iknowwhatyouthoughtthatnight。Buthewasprettywellloadedwhenhestruckmychampagne。Itwasn’taquestionofwhathewasgoingtodoanylonger，buthowhewasgoingtodoit。Ikeptaneyeonhim，andattherighttimeIhelpedthecaterer’smantogethimupintothatroomwherehewouldn’tmakeanytrouble。Iexpectedtogobackandlookafterhim，butIforgothim。"
　　"Idon’tsuppose，really，thatyou’reawarewhatadevil’sargumentthatis，"saidWestover。"YougotLyndedrunk，andthenyouwentbacktohissister，andallowedhertotreatyouasifyouwereagentleman，anddidn’tdeservetobethrownoutofthehouse。"ThisatlastwassomethinglikewhatWestoverhadimaginedhewouldsaytoJeff，andhelookedtoseeithavetheimaginedeffectuponhim。
　　"Doyousuppose，"askedJeff，withcheerfulcynicism，"thatitwasthefirsttimeshewasciviltoamanherbrothergotdrunkwith？"
　　"No！Butallthemoreyououghttohaveconsideredherhelplessness。
　　Itoughttohavemadeherthemoresacred"——Jeffgaveanexasperatingshrug——"toyou，andyououghttohavekeptawayfromherfordecency’ssake。"
　　"Iwasengagedtodancewithher。"
　　"Ican’tallowyoutobetrivialwithme，Durgin，"saidWestover。
　　"You’veactedlikeablackguard，andworse，ifthereisanythingworse。"
　　Jeffstoodatacornerofthefire，leaningoneelbowonthemantel，andhenowlookedthoughtfullydownonWestover，whohadsunkweaklyintoachairbeforethehearth。"Idon’tdenyitfromyourpointofview，Mr。
　　Westover，"hesaid，withouttheleastresentmentinhistone。"Youbelievethateverythingisdonefromapurpose，orthatathingisintendedbecauseit’sdone。ButIseethatmostthingsinthisworldarenotthoughtabout，andnotintended。Theyhappen，justasmuchastheotherthingsthatwecallaccidents。"