第5章

Wewerequitenearourhotel，butIthoughtitbesttowalkroundthesquareandletthemarrivefirst。OnthewayIamusedmyselfthinkinghowdifferentthegirlhadshownherselftohimfromwhatshehadevershownherselftomywifeorme。Shehadreally，thisplain-mindedgoddess，aveinofpoeticfeeling，someinnerbeautyofsoulansweringtotheouterbeautyofbody。Shehadaromanticattachmenttoherfather，andthisshedasortoflightonbothofthem，thoughIknewthatitwasnotalwaysarevelationofcharacter。 CHAPTERXIII WhenIreachedthehotelIfoundMissGageatthedoor，andKendrickscomingoutoftheofficetowardher。 \"Oh，hereheis!\"shecalledtohimatsightofme。 \"Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen？\"hedemanded。\"Ihadjustfoundoutfromtheclerkthatyouhadn\'tcomeinyet，andIwasgoingbackforyouwithasearchlight。\" \"Oh，Iwasn\'tsobadlylostasallthat，\"Ireturned。\"Imissedyouinthecrowdatthedoor，butIknewyou\'dgethomesomehow，andsoIcameonwithoutyou。Butmyagedstepsarenotsoquickasyours。\" Thewords，mechanicallyuttered，suggestedsomething，andIthoughtthatiftheywereinforweirdnessIwouldgivethemasmuchweirdnessastheycouldaskfor。\"Whenyougetalongtowardfiftyyou\'llfindthatthefootyou\'vestillgotoutofthegravedoesn\'tworksolivelyasitused。Besides，Iwasinterestedinthenighteffect。It\'ssogloriouslydark；andIhadafinesenseofisolationasIcamealong，asifIwerealtogetheroutofmyepochandmyenvironment。IfeltasiftheearthwasasortofFlyingDutchman，andIwastheonlypassenger。ItwasabouttheweirdestsensationIeverhad。Itremindedme，Idon\'tknowhow，exactlyofthefeelingIhadwhenIwasyoung，andIsawthesunsetoneeveningthroughthewoodsafterasleet-storm。\" TheystaredateachotherasIwenton，andIcouldseeKendricks\'sfineeyeskindlewithanimaginativeappreciationoftheliteraryqualityofthecoincidence。ButwhenIadded，\"DidyoueverreadapoemabouttheendoftheworldbythatCityofDreadfulNightman？\" MissGageimpulsivelycaughtmebythecoatlapelandshookme。 \"Ah，itwasyouallthetime!Iknewtherewassomebodyfollowingus，andImighthaveKNOWNwhoitwas!\" Weallgavewayinagaleoflaughter，andsatdownontheverandahandhadourjokeoutinfullrecognitionofthefact。WhenKendricksrosetogoatlast，Isaid，\"Wewon\'tsayanythingaboutthislittleincidenttoMrs。March，hey？\"Andthentheylaughedagainasifitwerethefinestwitintheworld，andMissGagebademeajoyfulgood-nightattheheadofthestairsasshewentofftoherroomandItomine。 IfoundMrs。Marchwaitingupwithabook；andassoonasIshutmyselfinwithhershesaid，awfully，\"WhatWEREyoulaughingsoabout？\" \"Laughing？Didyouhearmelaughing？\" \"Thewholehouseheardyou，I\'mafraid。Youcertainlyoughttohaveknownbetter，Basil。Itwasveryinconsiderateofyou。\"AndasI sawshewasgoingonwithmoreofthatsortofthing，todivertherthoughtsfrommycrimeItoldherthewholestory。IthadquitetheeffectIintendeduptoacertainpoint。Sheevensmiledalittle，asmuchasawomancouldbeexpectedtosmilewhowasnotoriginallyinthejoke。 \"Andtheyhadgottocomparingweirdexperiences？\"sheasked。 \"Yes；thestalenessofthethingalmostmademesick。Doyourememberwhenwefirstcomparedourweirdexperiences？ButI supposetheywillgoondoingittotheendoftime，anditwillhaveasgreatacharmforthelastmanandwomanasithadforAdamandEvewhentheycomparedTHEIRweirdexperiences。\" \"Andwasthatwhatyouwerelaughingat？\" \"WewerelaughingatthewonderfulcaseoftelepathyIputuponthem。\" Mrs。Marchfacedheropenbookdownonthetablebeforeher，andlookedatmewithprofoundsolemnity。\"Well，then，Icantellyou，mydear，itisnolaughingmatter。Iftheyhavegottotheweirditisveryserious；andhertalkingtohimaboutherfamily，andhiswantingtoknowaboutherfather，that\'sserioustoo——farmoreseriousthaneitherofthemcanunderstand。Idon\'tlikeit，Basil； wehavegotaterribleaffaironourhands。\" \"Terrible？\" \"Yes，terrible。Aslongashewasinterestedinhersimplyfromaliterarypointofview，thoughIdidn\'tlikethateither，Icouldputupwithit；butnowthathe\'sgottotellingherabouthimself，andexchangingweirdexperienceswithher，it\'sanotherthingaltogether。Oh，IneverwantedKendricksbroughtintotheaffairatall。\" \"Comenow，Isabel!Sticktothefacts，please。\" \"Nomatter!Itwasyouthatdiscoveredthegirl，andthensomethinghadtobedone。IwasperfectlyshockedwhenyoutoldmethatMr。 Kendrickswasintown，becauseIsawatoncethathewouldhavetobegotinforit；andnowwehavetothinkwhatweshalldo。\" \"Couldn\'twethinkbetterinthemorning？\" \"No；wemustthinkatonce。Ishallnotsleepto-nightanyhow。Mypeaceisgone。Ishallhavetowatchthemeveryinstant。\" \"Beginningatthisinstant。Whynotwaittillyoucanseethem？\" \"Oh，youcan\'tjokeitaway，mydear。IfIfindtheyarereallyinterestedineachotherIshallhavetospeak。Iamresponsible。\" \"Theyounglady，\"Isaid，moretogaintimethananythingelse，\"seemsquitecapableoftakingcareofherself。\" \"Thatmakesitalltheworse。DoyouthinkIcareforheronly？ It\'sKendrickstoothatIcarefor。Idon\'tknowthatIcareforheratall。\" \"Oh，thenIthinkwemayfairlyleaveKendrickstohisowndevices； andI\'mnotalarmedforMissGageeither，thoughIdocareforheragreatdeal。\" \"Idon\'tunderstandhowyoucanbesoheartlessaboutit，Basil，\" saidMrs。March，plaintively。\"Sheisayounggirl，andshehasneverseenanythingoftheworld，andofcourseifhekeepsonpayingherattentioninthiswayshecan\'thelpthinkingthatheisinterestedinher。Mennevercanseesuchthingsaswomendo。Theythinkthat，untilamanhasactuallyaskedagirltomarryhim，hehasn\'tdoneanythingtowarrantherinsupposingthatheisinlovewithher，orthatshehasanyrighttobeinlovewithhim。\" \"Thatistrue；wecan\'timaginethatshewouldbesoindelicate。\" \"Iseethatyou\'redeterminedtotease，mydear，\"saidMrs。March，andshetookupherbookwithanairofoffenceanddismissal。\"Ifyouwon\'ttalkseriously，Ihopeyouwillthinkseriously，andtrytorealisewhatwe\'vegotinfor。Suchagirlcouldn\'timaginethatwehadsimplygotMrKendrickstogoaboutwithherfromaromanticwishtomakeherhaveagoodtime，andthathewasdoingittoobligeus，andwasn\'tatallinterestedinher。\" \"Itdoeslookalittlepreposterous，eventotheoutsider，\"I admitted。 \"Iamgladyouarebeginningtoseeitinthatlight，mydear，andifyoucanthinkofanythingtodobymorningIshallbehumblythankful。_I_don\'texpectto。\" \"PerhapsIshalldreamofsomething，\"IsaidmorelightlythanI felt。\"Howwoulditdoforyoutohavealittletalkwithher——alittlemotherlytalk——andhintround，andwarnhernottoletherfeelingsrunawaywithherinKendricks\'sdirection？\"Mrs。Marchfacedherbookdowninherlap，andlistenedasiftheremightbesomereasoninthenonsenseIwastalking。\"Youmightsaythathewasasocietyman，andwasingreatrequest，andthenintimatethattherewasapriorattachment，orthathewasthekindofmanwhowouldnevermarry，butwasreallycold-heartedwithallhissweetness，andmerelyhadapassionforstudyingcharacter。\" \"Doyouthinkthatwoulddo，Basil？\"sheasked。 \"Well，Ithoughtperhapsyoumightthinkso。\" \"I\'mafraiditwouldn\'t，\"shesighed。 \"Allthatwecandonowistowatchthem，andactpromptly，ifweseethattheyarereallyinlove，eitherofthem。\" \"Idon\'tbelieve，\"Isaid，\"thatIshouldknowthattheywereinloveevenifIsawit。Ihaveforgottentheoutwardsigns，ifI everknewthem。Shouldhegiveherflowers？He\'sdoneitfromthestart；he\'sbroughtherboxesofHuylercandy，andlentherbooks； butIdaresayhe\'sbeenmerelycomplyingwithourwishesindoingit。Idoubtifloverssighnowadays。Ididn\'tsighmyself，eveninmytime；andIdon\'tbelieveanypassioncouldmakeKendricksneglecthisdress。Hekeepshiseyesonherallthetime，butthatmaybemerelyanefforttodivinehercharacter。Idon\'tbelieveI shouldknow，indeedIdon\'t。\" \"Ishall，\"saidMrs。March。 CHAPTERXIV Weweretogothenextdaytotheraces，andIwokewithmoreanxietyabouttheweatherthanaboutthelovers，orpotentiallovers。Butafterrealisingthatthedaywasbeautiful，onthatlargescaleoflovelinesswhichseemscharacteristicofthesummerdaysatSaratoga，wheretheyhavethemalmostthesizeofthesummerdaysIknewwhenIwasaboy，Iwassensibleofasecondaryworryinmymind，whichpresentlyrelateditselftoKendricksandMissGage。 Itwasahazeoftroublemerely，however，suchasburnsoff，likeamorningfog，whenthesungetshigher，anditwaschieflyonmywife\'saccount。 IsupposethatthegreatdifferencebetweenherconscienceandoneoriginatingoutsideofNewEngland(ifanyconsciencecanoriginateoutsideofNewEngland)isthatitcannotleavethemoralgovernmentoftheuniverseinthehandsofdivineProvidence。IwaswillingtoleavesomanythingswhichIcouldnotcontroltotheDeity，whoprobablycouldthatsheaccusedmeoffatalism，andIwasheldtobelittlebetterthanoneofthewickedbecauseIwouldnotforecasttheeffectsofwhatIdidinthelivesofothers。Iinsistedthatotherswerealsoprobablyinthehandsofthesommasapienzaeilprimoamore，andthatIwassolittleawareoftheinfluenceofotherlivesuponmyown，evenwheretherehadbeenadirectandstrenuousefforttoaffectme，thatIcouldnotreadilybelieveothershadswervedfromthelineoftheirdestinybecauseofme。 EspeciallyIprotestedthatIcouldnotholdmyselfguiltyofmisfortunesIhadnotintended，eventhoughmyfaultyconducthadcausedthem。AstothisbusinessofKendricksandMissGage，I deniedinthedisputeInowbegantacitlytoholdwithMrs。March\'sconsciencethatmyconducthadbeenfaulty。Isaidthattherewasnoearthlyharminmyhavingbeeninterestedbythegirl\'sforlornnesswhenIfirstsawher；thatIdidnotdowrongtointerestMrs。Marchinher；thatshedidnotsiningoingshoppingwithMissGageandMrs。Deering；thatwehadnotsinned，eitherofus，inrejoicingthatKendrickshadcometoSaratoga，orinlettingMrs。DeeringgohometohersickhusbandandleaveMissGageonourhands；thatwewerenotwickedinpermittingtheyoungfellowtohelpusmakeherhaveagoodtime。InthiscolloquyIdidallthereasoning，andMrs。March\'sconsciencewascompletelysilenced；butitrosetriumphantinmymiserablesoulwhenImetMissGageatbreakfast，lookingradiantlyhappy，anddisposedtofellowshipmeinanunusualconfidencebecause，asIclearlyperceived，ofourlastnight\'sadventure。Isaidtomyselfbitterlythathappinessdidnotbecomeherstyle，andIhopedthatshewouldgetawaywithherconfoundedrapturebeforeMrs。Marchcamedown。IresolvednottotellMrs。Marchifitfelloutso，butatthesametime，asasortofatonement，IdecidedtobeginkeepingthesharpestkindofwatchuponMissGagefortheoutwardsignsandtokensoflove。 Shesaid，\"Whenyoubegantotalkthatwaylastnight，Mr。March，italmosttookmybreath，andifyouhadn\'tgonesofar，andmentionedaboutthesunsetthroughthesleetytrees，Inevershouldhavesuspectedyou。\" \"Ah，that\'sthetroublewithmen，MissGage。\"AndwhenIsaid\"men\" Ifanciedsheflushedalittle。\"Weneverknowwhentostop；wealwaysoverdoit；ifitwerenotforthatweshouldbeasperfectaswomen。Perhapsyou\'llgivemeanotherchance，though。\" \"No；weshallbeonourguardafterthis。\"Shecorrectedherselfandsaid，\"Ishallalwaysbelookingoutforyounow，\"andshecertainlyshowedherselfconsciousinthebridlingglancethatmetmykeengaze。 \"Goodheavens!\"Ithought。\"Hasitreallygonesofar？\"andmorethaneverIresolvednottotellMrs。March。 Iwentouttoengageacarriagetotakeustotheraces，andtoagreewiththedriverthatheshouldwaitforusatacertaincornersomeblocksdistantfromourhotel，whereweweretowalkandfindhim。Wealwaysdidthis，becausetherewereanumberofclergymeninourhouse，andMrs。Marchcouldnotmakeitseemrighttostartfortheracesdirectfromthedoor，thoughsheheldthatitwasperfectlyrightforustogo。Forthesamereasonshemadethedriverstopshortofourdestinationonourreturn，andwalkedhometherestoftheway。AlmostthefirsttimewepractisedthisdeceptionIwasmetatthedoorbythesweetestanddearestoftheseolddivines，whosaid，\"Haveyoueverseentheraceshere？I\'mtoldthespectacleissomethingveryfine，\"andIwasobligedtoownthatIhadoncehadaglimpseofthem。ButitwasinvainthatIpleadedthisfactwithMrs。March；sheinsistedthattheappearanceofnotgoingtotheraceswassomethingthatweowedthecloth，andnoconnivanceontheirpartcoulddispenseusfromit。 AsInowwentlookingupanddownthestreetforthedriverwhowasusuallyonthewatchformeabouteleveno\'clockonafairdayoftheraces，Iturnedoverinmymindtheseveralaccidentswhichareemployedinnovelstobringyoungpeopletoarealisingsenseoftheirfeelingstowardeachother，andwonderedwhichofthemImightmostsafelyinvoke。IwasnotanxioustohaveKendricksandMissGagelovers；itwouldbealtogethersimplerforusiftheywerenot； butiftheywere，thesoonertheyknewitandweknewitthebetter。 Ithoughtofacarriageaccident，inwhichheshouldseizeherandleapwithherfromtheflyingvehicle，whilethehorsesplungedmadlyon，butIdidnotknowwhatinthiscasewouldbecomeofMrs。 Marchandme。Besides，Icouldthinkofnothingthatwouldfrightenourdriver\'shorses，andIdismissedthefleetingnotionofgettinganyothersbecauseMrs。Marchlikedtheirbeingsosafe，andshehad，besides，interestedherselfparticularlyinthedriver，whohadafamilyandcounteduponourcustom。Thepoorfellowcameinsightpresently，andsmilinglymadetheusualarrangementwithme，andanhourlaterhedeliveredusallsoundinwindandlimbattheracecourse。 Iwatchedinvainforsignsofuncommontendernessinthetwoyoungpeople。Ifanythingtheywereratherstiffanddistantwitheachother，andIaskedmyselfwhetherthismightnotbefromanaccessofconsciousness。KendrickswasparticularlydevotedtoMrs。March，who，intheairydetachmentwithwhichsherespondedtohisattentions，gavemetheimpressionthatshehadabsolutelydismissedhersuspicionsofthenightbefore，orelsehadheartlesslyabandonedtheaffairtomealtogether。Ifshehadreallydonethis，thenIsawnowayoutofitformebutbyanaccidentwhichshouldrevealthemtoeachother。PerhapssomeonemightinsultMissGage—— someruffian——andKendricksmightstrikethefellow；butthisseemedtoosqualid。Theremightbeaterriblejam，andheinterposehispersonbetweenherandthedangerofherbeingcrushedtodeath； orthefloorofthegrandstandmightgiveway，andeverybodybeprecipitatedintothespacebeneath，andhefighthisway，withhersenselessformonhisarm，overthebodiesofthemangledanddying。 Anyofthesethingswouldhaveavailedinanovel，andsomethingofthekindwouldhavehappened，too。But，totellthetruth，nothingwhateverhappened，andifithadnotbeenforthatanxietyonmymindIshouldhavethoughtitmuchpleasanterso。 EvenasitwasIfeltameasureofthehilaritywhichcommonlyfillsmeatarunningrace，andIbegantoloseinthecharmofthegayscenethesenseofmyresponsibility，andlittlebylittletoabatethevigilanceapparentlyleftalltome。Thedaywasbeautiful；thelongheathadburneditselfout，andtherewasaclearsparkleinthesunshine，whichseemedblownacrossthewidespacewithintheloopofthetrackbythedelicatebreeze。Avague，remotesmellofhorseshauntedtheair，withnowandthenabreathofthepinesfromthegroveshuttingtherace-groundfromthehighway。Wegotexcellentplaces，asonealwaysmay，thegrandstandissovast，andtheyoungpeopledisposedthemselvesonthebenchinfrontofus，butsonearthatwewerenottemptedtotalkthemover。Thenewsboyscameroundwithpapers，andtheboyswhosoldprogrammesoftheraces；fromthebarbelowthereappearedfromtimetotimeshiningnegroesinwhitelinenjackets，withtraysbearingtallglassesoflemonade，andstrawstiltedintheglasses。Bookmakersfromthepool-roomstookthebetsoftheladies，whoformedbyfarthegreaterpartofthespectatorsonthegrandstand，andcontributed，withtheirsummerhatsandgowns，tothegaietyoftheensemble。Theywereofalltypes，cityandcountryboth，andoftheSoutherndarkaswellastheNorthernfaircomplexion，withsothickasprinklingofSouthAmericansthattheSpanishgutturalsmadethemselvesalmostasmuchheardastheYankeenasals。Amongthemmovedtwonunsofsomemendicantorder，receivingcharityfromthefairgamblers，whogaveforluckwithoutdistinctionofraceorreligion。 IleanedforwardandcalledKendricks\'sattentiontothenuns，andtotheadmirableliteraryqualityofthewholesituation。HewastalkingtoMissGage，andhesaidasimpatientlyasheeversufferedhimselftospeak，\"Yes，yes；tremendouslypicturesque。\" \"Yououghttogetsomethingoutofit，mydearfellow。Don\'tyoufeelcopyinit？\" \"Oh，splendid，ofcourse；butit\'syourground，Mr。March。I shouldn\'tfeelitrighttodoanythingwithSaratogaafteryouhaddiscoveredit，\"andheturnedeagerlyagaintoMissGage。 Mywifeputherhandonmysleeveandfrowned，andIhadsofarlostmyselfinmyappreciationofthescenethatIwasgoingtoaskherwhatthematterwas，whenageneralsensationaboutmemademelookatthetrack，wherethehorsesforthefirstracehadalreadyappeared，withtheirjockeysinvividsilkjacketsofvariousdyes。 Theybegantoformforthestartwiththeusualtricksandfeints，tillIbecameveryindignantwiththem，thoughIhadnobetspending，anddidnotcareintheleastwhichhorsewon。WhatI wantedwastoseetherace，theflight，andallthismiserablemanoeuvringwasretardingit。Nowandthenajockeyrodehishorsefaroffonthetrackandcamebackbetweenthefalsestarts；nowandthenonekeptstubbornlybehindtherestandwouldnotstartwiththem。HowtheirseveralschemesandambitionswerefinallyreconciledInevercouldtell，butatlastthestarter\'sflagsweptdownandtheywerereallyoff。Everybodycouldhaveseenperfectlywellastheysat，buteverybodyroseandwatchedtheswiftswoopofthehorses，bunchedtogetherinthedistance，andscarcelydistinguishablebythecoloursoftheirriders。Thesuprememomentcameformewhentheywereexactlyoppositethegrandstand，fullhalfamileaway——themomentthatIrememberedfromyeartoyearasoneofexquisiteillusion——forthenthehorsesseemedtoliftfromtheearthaswithwings，andtoskimoverthetracklikeacoveyoflow-flyingbirds。Thefinishwastametothis。Mrs。MarchandI hadourwonteddifferenceofopinionastowhichhorsehadwon，andwewereratheruncommonlycontroversialbecausewehadbothdecideduponthesamehorse，aswefound，onlyshewastalkingofthejockey\'scolours，andIwastalkingofthehorse\'s。WeappealedtoKendricks，whosaidthatanotherhorsealtogetherhadwontherace，andthiscompromisepacifiedus。 Wewereallonfoot，andhesuggested，\"Wecouldseebetter，couldn\'twe，ifwewentfartherdowninfront？\"AndMrs。Marchanswered- \"No，weprefertostayhere；butyoutwocango。\"Andwhentheyhadpromptlyavailedthemselvesofherleave，shesaidtome，\"Thisiskillingmedead，Basil，andifitkeepsupmuchlongerIdon\'tbelieveIcanlivethroughit。Idon\'tcarenow，andIbelieveI shallthrowthemtogetherallIcanfromthisout。Thequickertheydecidewhetherthey\'reinloveornotthebetter。_I_havesomerightstoo。\" Herwhirlingwordsexpressedthefeelinginmyownmind。Ihadthesamesenseofbeingtrifledwithbytheseyoungpeople，whowouldnotbehavesoconclusivelytowardeachotherastojustifyourinterferenceonthegroundthattheywereinlove，noryettreateachothersoindifferentlyastorelieveusofthestrainofapprehension。Ihadlostallfaithinaccidentbythistime，andI wasquitewillingtoleavethemtotheirowndevices；IwassodesperatethatIsaidIhopedtheywouldgetlostfromus，astheyhadfrommethenightbefore，andnevercomeback，butjustkeeponwanderingroundforever。AllsortsofvengefulthoughtswentthroughmymindasIsawthemleaningtowardeachothertosaysomething，andthendrawingaparttolaughinwhatseemedanindefinitecomraderyinsteadofanirrepressiblepassion。Didtheythinkweweregoingtoletthissortofthinggoon？Whatdidtheysupposeournervesweremadeof？Hadtheynomercy，noconsideration？Itwasquiteliketheselfishnessofyouthtowishtocontinueinthatfool\'sparadise，buttheywouldfindoutthatmiddleagehaditsrightstoo。Ifeltcapableofaskingthembluntlywhattheymeantbyit。Butwhentheydocilelyrejoinedusattheendoftheraces，hurryingupwithsomejokeaboutnotlettingmegetlostthistime，andMissGageputherselfatmywife\'ssideandKendricksdroppedintostepwithme，allIhadbeenthinkingseemedabsurd。Theywerejusttwoyoungpeoplewhowereenjoyingaholiday-timetogether，andwewereinnowiseculpableconcerningthem。 IsuggestedthistoMrs。Marchwhenwegothome，and，intheneedofsomerelieffromthetensionshehadbeenin，shewasfaintoacceptthetheoryprovisionally，thoughIknewthatherlaterrejectionofitwouldbeallthemoreviolentforthisrespite。 CHAPTERXV TherewastobeahopattheGrandUnionthatnight，andIhadgotticketsforitinvirtueofmyrelationtoEveryOtherWeek。Imustsaytheclerkwhogavethemmewasverycivilaboutit；hesaidtheywerereallyonlyforthehotelguests，buthewasgladtogivethemtooutsiderswhoappliedwithpropercredentials；andheevenofferedmemoreticketsthanIaskedfor。 MissGagewasgettingadressforthehop，anditwastobefinishedthatday。Ithinkwomenreallylikethescareofthinkingtheirdresseswillnotbedoneforagivenoccasion，andsoarrangetohavethematthelastmoment。Mrs。Marchwentwiththegirlearlyintheafternoontohaveittriedonforthelasttime，andtheycamehomereportingthatitwasapoem。Mywifeconfidedtomethatitwasnothalfdone——merelybegun，infact——andwouldneverbefinishedintimeintheworld。ShealsoassuredMissGagethatsheneednotbetheleastuneasy；thattherewasnotanhour\'sworkonthedress；andthatthedress-maker\'sreputationwasatstake，andshewouldnotdaretofailher。Iknewshewasperfectlysincereinboththesedeclarations，whichwere，indeed，merelytheexpressionoftwomentalattitudes，andhadnorelationtothefacts。 Sheaddedtomethatshewascompletelywornoutwithanxietyandworry，andImustnotthinkofhergoingtothehop。Iwouldhavetodothechaperoningforher，andshedidhopethatIwouldnotforgetwhatIwassentfor，orgettalkingwithsomebody，andleaveMissGagealtogethertoKendricks。Shesaidthatquitelikelytheremightbefriendsoracquaintancesofhisatthehop——suchalargeaffair——whomhewouldwanttoshowsomeattention，andImusttakechargeofMissGagemyself，andtrytofindherotherpartners。ShedrilledmeinthedutiesofmypositionuntilIbelievedthatIwasletter-perfect，andthenshesaidthatshesupposedIwouldcommitsometerribleblunderthatwouldruineverything。 Ithoughtthatthiswasverylikely，too，butIwouldnotadmitit。 Thedresscamehomeatnineo\'clock，andoperatedahappydiversionfrommyimaginableshortcomings；foritappearedfromMrs。March\'sasidestomethatitwasaperfecthorrorintheset，andthateverybodycouldseethatithadbeensimplySLUNGtogetheratthelastmoment，andshewouldnever，aslongastheworldstood，gotothatwomanforanythingagain。 ImustsayIcouldnotmyselfseeanythingwrongaboutthedress。I thoughtitexquisiteintintandtexture；adelicate，pale-greenishfilmthatclungandfloated，andsetoffthegirl\'sbeautyastheleafageofaflowerheightensthelovelinessofaflower。IdidnotdaretosaythisinthefaceofMrs。March\'sprivatedespair，andI wassilentwhilethegirlsubmittedtobetwirledaboutformyinspectionlikeastatueonarevolvingpedestal。Kendricks，however，hadnosuchrestrictionsuponhim，andIcouldseehimstartwithdelightinthesplendidvisionbeforehespoke。 \"ISN\'Titapoem？\"demandedMrs。March。\"Isn\'titaperfectLYRIC？\" \"Whyshouldyouhaveallowedhertobetransportedaltogetherintotheideal？Wasn\'tshefarenoughfromusbefore？\"heasked；andI foundmyselfwishingthathewouldbeeitherlessormorearticulate。Heoughttohavebeenmutewithpassion，orelseheoughttohavebeenfranklyvolubleaboutthegirl\'sgown，andgoneonaboutitlonger。Buthesimplyleftthematterthere，andthoughIkepthimcarefullyundermyeye，Icouldnotseethathewasconcealinganyfurtheremotion。She，onherpart，neitherblushednorfrownedathiscompliment；shedidnothingbylookorgesturetoprovokemorepraise；shetookitverymuchasthebeautifuleveningmight，soundeniablyfine，soperfectinitsway。 Sheandtheeveningwereequallyfittedfortheeventtowhichtheyseemedequallydedicated。Thedancingwastobeoutofdoorsonavastplanking，orplatform，setupintheheartofthatboskycourtwhichthehotelincloses。Aroundthisplatformdroopedtheslim，tallSaratogantrees，andoverithungtheSaratogansky，ofanocturnalblueveryrareinourlatitude，withthestarsfaintinitsdepths，andbyandbyawhitemoonthatpermitteditselfamodestcompetitionwiththeelectriclightseffulgenteverywhere。 Therewasagreatcrowdofpeopleintheportico，thevestibule，andtheinnerpiazzas，andonthelawnaroundtheplatform，where\"thetroddenweed\"sentupthesweetscentofbruisedgrassinthecoolnightair。Myfoolisholdheartboundedwithapulseofyouthatthethoughtofallthegayandtenderpossibilitiesofsuchascene。 Buttheyoungpeopleundermycareseemedinnohastetomingleinit。Weoldstersarealwaysfancyingyouthimpatient，butthereisnotimeoflifewhichhassomuchpatience。Itbehavesasifithadeternitybeforeit——aneternityofyouth——insteadofafewdaysandyears，andthenthefrostypoll。Wewhoareyoungnolongerthinkwewoulddosoandsoifwewereyoung，aswomenthinktheywoulddosoandsoiftheyweremen；butifwewerereallyyoungagain，weshouldnotdoatallwhatwethink。Weshouldnothurrytoexperienceouremotions；weshouldnotpressforwardtodischargeourdutiesorrepairourmistakes；weshouldnotseizetheoccasiontomakeafriendorreconcileanenemy；weshouldletweeksandmonthsgobyintherealisationofapassion，andtrustallsortsofcontingenciesandaccidentstohelpusoutwithitsconfession。Thethoughtsofyouthareverylong，anditsconclusionsaredeliberateanddelayed，andoftenwithheldaltogether。Itisagewhichistremulouslyeagerinthesematters，andcannotwaitwiththefinepatienceofnatureinhergrowingmoods。 Assoon，even，asIwasinthehotelIwasimpatienttopressthroughtotheplacewherethedancingwas，andwhereIalreadyheardthebandplaying。IknewverywellthatwhenwegotthereI shouldhavetositdownsomewhereontheedgeoftheplatformwiththeotherfrumpsandfogies，andbegintakingcoldinmydress-coat，andwanttodozeoffwithoutbeingableto，whilemyyoungpeoplewerewaltzingtogether，orelsepromenadingupanddownignoringme，orrecognisingmebytheofferofafan，andthequestionwhetherI wasnotsimplymelting；Ihaveseenhowthepoorchaperonfaresatsuchtimes。Butthey，secureoftheirfun，werebynomeansdesiroustohaveitover，oreventohaveitbegin。Theydawdledthroughthethrongedhoteloffice，whereotherirresponsiblepairswerecomingandgoingundertheadmiringeyesofthehotelloungers，andtheywanderedupanddownthewasteparlours，andsatontete-a- tetesjusttotrythem，apparently；andMissGageverifiedinthemirrorsthebeautywhichwasreflectedinalleyes。Theyamusedthemselveswiththeextentoftherichly-carpetedandupholstereddesolationaroundthem，whereonlyafewlonelyandagingwomenlurkedaboutonsofasandottomans；andtheyfelltoplayingwiththeircompassionfortheplebeianspectatorsatthelongverandahwindowstryingtopenetratewiththeirforbiddeneyestothehopgoingoninthecourtfarbeyondtheintermediarydesertoftheparlours。 Whentheysignifiedatlastthattheywerereadyformetoleadthemontothedance，Iwouldsomuchratherhavegonetobedthattherearenowordsforthecomparison。Then，whenwegottotheplace，whichIshouldneverhavebeenabletoreachintheworldifithadnotbeenfortheyoungenergyandinspirationofKendricks，andtheyhadputmeinacertainseatwithMissGage\'swrapsbesidemewheretheycouldfindme，theywentoffanddancedforhoursandhours。 Forhoursandhours？Foragesandages!whileIwitheredawayamidmoulderingmothers，andsawmychargesthroughthedreadfulhalf- dreamsofsuchastatewhirlinginthewaltz，hoppinginthepolka，slidinginthegalop，andthenendlesslywalkingupanddownbetweenthedances，andeatinganddrinkingthechillrefreshmentsthatitmademyteethchattertothinkof。Isupposetheydecentlycametomefromtimetotime，thoughtheyseemedtobealwaysdancing，forI couldafterwardrememberMissGagetakingawrapfrommenowandthen，andquicklycomingbacktoshedituponmylapagain。Igotsochilledthatiftheyhadnotbeenunmistakablywomen\'swrapsI shouldhavebundledthemallaboutmyshoulders，whichIcouldalmosthearcreakwithrheumatism。Imusthavefallenintoasortofdrowseatlast；forIwashavingadisputewithsomesortofauthority，whichturnedouttobeMrs。March，andupbraidingherwiththefactthattherewerenowomen\'swrapswhichwouldalsodoforaman，whentheyoungpeoplestoodarminarmbeforeme，andMissGagesaidthatshewastiredtodeathnow，andtheyweregoing。 Butitappearedthattheywereonlygoingasfarastheparloursforthepresent；forwhentheyre-enteredthehotel，theyturnedintothem，andsatdowntherequiteasifthathadbeentheunderstanding。WhenIarrivedwiththewraps，Iwasremindedofsomething，andIsaid，\"Haveyoutwobeendancingtogetherthewholeevening？\" Theylookedateachotherasifforthefirsttimetheynowrealisedthefact，andKendrickssaid，\"Why，ofcoursewehave!Wedidn\'tknowanybody。\" \"Verywell，then，\"Isaid；\"youhavegotmeintoascrape。\" \"Oh，poorMr。March!\"criedthegirl。\"Howhavewedoneit？\" \"Why，Mrs。MarchsaidthatMr。Kendrickswouldbesuretoknownumbersofpeople，andImustgetyouotherpartners，foritwouldn\'tdoforyoutodancethewholeeveningtogether。\" Shethrewherselfbackinthechairshehadtaken，andlaughedasifthiswerethebestjokeintheworld。 Hesaidhardily，\"YouseeitHASdone。\" \"Andifitwouldn\'tdo，\"shegasped，\"whydidn\'tyoubringmetheotherpartners？\" \"BecauseIdidn\'tknowany，\"Isaid；andthisseemedtoamusethembothsomuchthatIwasafraidtheywouldnevergettheirbreath。 Shelookedbyandbyatherdancing-card，andassoonasshecouldwipethetearsfromhereyesshesaid，\"No；thereisnoothernamethere\"；andthisseemedevenabetterjokethantheotherfromthewaytheyjoinedinlaughingatit。 \"Well，now，\"Isaid，whentheywerequietagain，\"thiswon\'tdo，myyoungfriends。It\'sallverywellforyou，andyouseemtolikeit； butIamresponsibleforyourhavingpassedapropereveningundermychaperonage，andsomethinghasgottobedonetoproveit。\"Theysawthereasonablenessofthis，andtheyimmediatelybecamesober。 \"Kendricks，\"Iasked，\"can\'tyouthinkofsomething？\" No，hesaid，hecouldn\'t；andthenhebegantolaughagain。 Iappliedtoherinthesameterms；butsheonlyanswered，\"Oh，don\'taskME，\"andshewentofflaughingtoo。 \"Verywell，then，\"Isaid；\"Ishallhavetodosomethingdesperate，andIshallexpectyoubothtobearmeoutinit，andIdon\'twantanymiserablesubterfugeswhenitcomestothepointwithMrs。 March。Willyouletmehaveyourdancing-cardMissGage？\"Shedetachedit，andhandedittome。\"It\'sveryfortunatethatMr。 Kendrickswrotehisnameforthefirstdanceonly，anddidn\'tgoonandfillitup。\" \"Why，wedidn\'tthinkitwasworthwhile!\"sheinnocentlyexplained。 \"Andthat\'swhatmakesitsoperfectlyprovidential，asMrs。Marchsays。Nowthen，\"Iwenton，asIwroteinthenameofarisingyoungpolitician，whohappenedjustthentohavebeenannouncedasarrivinginSaratogatojoinsomeotherleadersinarrangingtheslateofhispartyfortheconventiontomeetamonthlater，\"wewillbeginwithagoodAmerican。\" IhandedthecardtoKendricks。\"DoyouhappentorememberthenameoftheyoungFrenchnoblemanwhodancedthethirddancewithMissGage？\" \"No，\"hesaid；\"butIthinkIcouldinventit。\"Andhedasheddownanextremelyprobablemarquis，whileMissGageclappedherhandsforjoy。 \"Oh，howglorious!howsplendid!\" Iasked，\"Willyouevergivemeawaythelongestdayyoulive？\" \"Never，\"shepromised；andIaddedthenameofaSouthAmericandoctor，oneofthosedoctorswhoseemtobealwaysbecomingthepresidentsoftheirrepublics，andorderingalltheirpatientsofoppositepoliticstobeshotintheplaza。 KendricksenteredayoungersonofanEnglishduke，andI contributedthehyphenatedsurnameofaNewYorkswell，andbetweenuswesoonhadallthedancesonMissGage\'scardtakenbythemostdistinguishedpeople。Wereallystudiedprobabilityintheforgery，andwewereproudoftheairofrealityitworeinthecarefullydifferencedhandwritings，withnationaltraitsnicelyaccentedineach。 CHAPTERXVI ThefunofitallwasthatMrs。Marchwasnotdeceivedforaninstant。\"Oh，nonsense!\"shesaid，whensheglancedatourprettydeception，whichwepresentedwithperhapstooperfectseriousness。 \"Thenyoudancedonlythefirstdance？\" \"No，no!\"MissGageprotested。\"IdancedeverydanceaslongasI stayed。\"Shelaughedwithherhandkerchieftohermouthandhereyesshiningabove。 \"Yes；Icantestifytothat，Mrs。March，\"saidKendricks，andhelaughedwildly，too。Imustsaytheirlaughterthroughoutwasfarbeyondthemirthfulnessofthefacts。Theybothprotestedthattheyhadhadthebesttimeintheworld，andthegayesttime；thatIhadbeenamirrorofchaperons，andfollowedthemroundwithmyeyeswherevertheywentlikeafamilyportrait；andthattheywerethemostexemplaryyoungcoupleatthehopintheirbehaviour。Mrs。 Marchaskedthemallaboutit，andshejoinedintheirfunwithahilaritywhichIknewfromlongexperiencebodedmenogood。 WhenKendrickshadgoneaway，andMissGagehadleftusforthenightwithanembrace，whosefondnessIwonderedat，fromMrs。 March，anawfulsilencefelluponusinthedesertedparlourwhereshehadwaitedup。 Iknewthatwhenshebrokethesilenceshewouldbeginwith，\"Well，mydear!\"andthiswaswhatshedid。Sheadded，\"Ihopeyou\'reconvincedNOW!\" Ididnotevenpretendnottounderstand。\"Youmeanthattheyareinlove？Isupposethattheirwe-ingandus-ingsomuchwouldindicatesomethingofthekind。\" \"Itisn\'tthatalone；everythingindicatesit。Shewouldhardlyletgoofhimwithhereyes。Iwish，\"sighedMrs。March，andsheletherheaddroopuponherhandamoment，\"IcouldbeassureofhimasIamofher。\" \'\'Wouldn\'tthatdoublethedifficulty？\"Iventuredtosuggest，thoughtillshespokeIhadnotdoubtedthatitwasthecase。 \"IshouldmakeyouspeaktohimifIweresureofhim；butasitisIshallspeaktoher，andthesoonerthebetter。\" \"To-night？\"Iquaked。 \"No；Ishallletthepoorthinghavehersleepto-night。ButthefirstthinginthemorningIshallspeak，andIwantyoutosendheruptomeassoonasshe\'shadherbreakfast。TellherI\'mnotwell，andshallnotbedown；Ishallnotclosemyeyesthewholenight。