BOOKI
Seldenpausedinsurprise。IntheafternoonrushoftheGrandCentralStationhiseyeshadbeenrefreshedbythesightofMissLilyBart。
ItwasaMondayinearlySeptember，andhewasreturningtohisworkfromahurrieddipintothecountry；butwhatwasMissBartdoingintownatthatseason？Ifshehadappearedtobecatchingatrain，hemighthaveinferredthathehadcomeonherintheactoftransitionbetweenoneandanotherofthecountry-houseswhichdisputedherpresenceafterthecloseoftheNewportseason；butherdesultoryairperplexedhim。Shestoodapartfromthecrowd，lettingitdriftbyhertotheplatformorthestreet，andwearinganairofirresolutionwhichmight，ashesurmised，bethemaskofaverydefinitepurpose。Itstruckhimatoncethatshewaswaitingforsomeone，buthehardlyknewwhytheideaarrestedhim。TherewasnothingnewaboutLilyBart，yethecouldneverseeherwithoutafaintmovementofinterest:itwascharacteristicofherthatshealwaysrousedspeculation，thathersimplestactsseemedtheresultoffar-reachingintentions。
Animpulseofcuriositymadehimturnoutofhisdirectlinetothedoor，andstrollpasther。Heknewthatifshedidnotwishtobeseenshewouldcontrivetoeludehim；anditamusedhimtothinkofputtingherskilltothetest。
\"Mr。Selden——whatgoodluck！\"
Shecameforwardsmiling，eageralmost，inherresolvetointercepthim。Oneortwopersons，inbrushingpastthem，lingeredtolook；forMissBartwasafiguretoarresteventhesuburbantravellerrushingtohislasttrain。
Seldenhadneverseenhermoreradiant。Hervividhead，relievedagainstthedulltintsofthecrowd，madehermoreconspicuousthaninaball-room，andunderherdarkhatandveilsheregainedthegirlishsmoothness，thepurityoftint，thatshewasbeginningtoloseafterelevenyearsoflatehoursandindefatigabledancing。Wasitreallyelevenyears，Seldenfoundhimselfwondering，andhadsheindeedreachedthenine-and-twentiethbirthdaywithwhichherrivalscreditedher？
\"Whatluck！\"sherepeated。\"Howniceofyoutocometomyrescue！\"
Herespondedjoyfullythattodosowashismissioninlife，andaskedwhatformtherescuewastotake。
\"Oh，almostany——eventosittingonabenchandtalkingtome。
Onesitsoutacotillion——whynotsitoutatrain？Itisn’tabithotterherethaninMrs。VanOsburgh’sconservatory——andsomeofthewomenarenotabituglier。\"Shebrokeoff，laughing，toexplainthatshehadcomeuptotownfromTuxedo，onherwaytotheGusTrenors’atBellomont，andhadmissedthethree-fifteentraintoRhinebeck。\"Andthereisn’tanothertillhalf-pastfive。\"Sheconsultedthelittlejewelledwatchamongherlaces。
\"Justtwohourstowait。AndIdon’tknowwhattodowithmyself。
Mymaidcameupthismorningtodosomeshoppingforme，andwastogoontoBellomontatoneo’clock，andmyaunt’shouseisclosed，andIdon’tknowasoulintown。\"Sheglancedplaintivelyaboutthestation。\"ItIShotterthanMrs。VanOsburgh’s，afterall。Ifyoucansparethetime，dotakemesomewhereforabreathofair。\"
Hedeclaredhimselfentirelyatherdisposal:theadventurestruckhimasdiverting。Asaspectator，hehadalwaysenjoyedLilyBart；andhiscourselaysofaroutofherorbitthatitamusedhimtobedrawnforamomentintothesuddenintimacywhichherproposalimplied。
\"ShallwegoovertoSherry’sforacupoftea？\"
Shesmiledassentingly，andthenmadeaslightgrimace。
\"SomanypeoplecomeuptotownonaMonday——oneissuretomeetalotofbores。I’masoldasthehills，ofcourse，anditoughtnottomakeanydifference；butifI’Moldenough，you’renot，\"
sheobjectedgaily。\"I’mdyingfortea——butisn’tthereaquieterplace？\"
Heansweredhersmile，whichrestedonhimvividly。Herdiscretionsinterestedhimalmostasmuchasherimprudences:hewassosurethatbothwerepartofthesamecarefully-elaboratedplan。InjudgingMissBart，hehadalwaysmadeuseofthe\"argumentfromdesign。\"
\"TheresourcesofNewYorkarerathermeagre，\"hesaid；\"butI’llfindahansomfirst，andthenwe’llinventsomething。\"Heledherthroughthethrongofreturningholiday-makers，pastsallow-facedgirlsinpreposteroushats，andflat-chestedwomenstrugglingwithpaperbundlesandpalm-leaffans。Wasitpossiblethatshebelongedtothesamerace？Thedinginess，thecrudityofthisaveragesectionofwomanhoodmadehimfeelhowhighlyspecializedshewas。
Arapidshowerhadcooledtheair，andcloudsstillhungrefreshinglyoverthemoiststreet。
\"Howdelicious！Letuswalkalittle，\"shesaidastheyemergedfromthestation。
TheyturnedintoMadisonAvenueandbegantostrollnorthward。Asshemovedbesidehim，withherlonglightstep，Seldenwasconsciousoftakingaluxuriouspleasureinhernearness:inthemodellingofherlittleear，thecrispupwardwaveofherhair——wasiteversoslightlybrightenedbyart？——andthethickplantingofherstraightblacklashes。Everythingaboutherwasatoncevigorousandexquisite，atoncestrongandfine。Hehadaconfusedsensethatshemusthavecostagreatdealtomake，thatagreatmanydullanduglypeoplemust，insomemysteriousway，havebeensacrificedtoproduceher。Hewasawarethatthequalitiesdistinguishingherfromtheherdofhersexwerechieflyexternal:asthoughafineglazeofbeautyandfastidiousnesshadbeenappliedtovulgarclay。Yettheanalogylefthimunsatisfied，foracoarsetexturewillnottakeahighfinish；andwasitnotpossiblethatthematerialwasfine，butthatcircumstancehadfashioneditintoafutileshape？
Ashereachedthispointinhisspeculationsthesuncameout，andherliftedparasolcutoffhisenjoyment。Amomentortwolatershepausedwithasigh。
\"Oh，dear，I’msohotandthirsty——andwhatahideousplaceNewYorkis！\"Shelookeddespairinglyupanddownthedrearythoroughfare。\"Othercitiesputontheirbestclothesinsummer，butNewYorkseemstositinitsshirtsleeves。\"Hereyeswandereddownoneoftheside-streets。\"Someonehashadthehumanitytoplantafewtreesoverthere。Letusgointotheshade。\"
\"Iamgladmystreetmeetswithyourapproval，\"saidSeldenastheyturnedthecorner。
\"Yourstreet？Doyoulivehere？\"
Sheglancedwithinterestalongthenewbrickandlimestonehouse-fronts，fantasticallyvariedinobediencetotheAmericancravingfornovelty，butfreshandinvitingwiththeirawningsandflower-boxes。
\"Ah，yes——tobesure:THEBENEDICK。Whatanice-lookingbuilding！
Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenitbefore。\"Shelookedacrossattheflat-housewithitsmarbleporchandpseudo-Georgianfacade。
\"Whichareyourwindows？Thosewiththeawningsdown？\"
\"Onthetopfloor——yes。\"
\"Andthatnicelittlebalconyisyours？Howcoolitlooksupthere！\"
Hepausedamoment。\"Comeupandsee，\"hesuggested。\"Icangiveyouacupofteainnotime——andyouwon’tmeetanybores。\"
Hercolourdeepened——shestillhadtheartofblushingattherighttime——butshetookthesuggestionaslightlyasitwasmade。
\"Whynot？It’stootempting——I’lltaketherisk，\"shedeclared。
\"Oh，I’mnotdangerous，\"hesaidinthesamekey。Intruth，hehadneverlikedheraswellasatthatmoment。Heknewshehadacceptedwithoutafterthought:hecouldneverbeafactorinhercalculations，andtherewasasurprise，arefreshmentalmost，inthespontaneityofherconsent。
Onthethresholdhepausedamoment，feelingforhislatchkey。
\"There’snoonehere；butIhaveaservantwhoissupposedtocomeinthemornings，andit’sjustpossiblehemayhaveputoutthetea-thingsandprovidedsomecake。\"
Heusheredherintoaslipofahallhungwitholdprints。Shenoticedthelettersandnotesheapedonthetableamonghisglovesandsticks；thenshefoundherselfinasmalllibrary，darkbutcheerful，withitswallsofbooks，apleasantlyfadedTurkeyrug，alittereddeskand，ashehadforetold，atea-trayonalowtablenearthewindow。Abreezehadsprungup，swayinginwardthemuslincurtains，andbringingafreshscentofmignonetteandpetuniasfromtheflower-boxonthebalcony。
Lilysankwithasighintooneoftheshabbyleatherchairs。
\"Howdelicioustohaveaplacelikethisalltoone’sself！Whatamiserablethingitistobeawoman。\"Sheleanedbackinaluxuryofdiscontent。
Seldenwasrummaginginacupboardforthecake。
\"Evenwomen，\"hesaid，\"havebeenknowntoenjoytheprivilegesofaflat。\"
\"Oh，governesses——orwidows。Butnotgirls——notpoor，miserable，marriageablegirls！\"
\"Ievenknowagirlwholivesinaflat。\"
Shesatupinsurprise。\"Youdo？\"
\"Ido，\"heassuredher，emergingfromthecupboardwiththesought-forcake。
\"Oh，Iknow——youmeanGertyFarish。\"Shesmiledalittleunkindly。\"ButIsaidMARRIAGEABLE——andbesides，shehasahorridlittleplace，andnomaid，andsuchqueerthingstoeat。Hercookdoesthewashingandthefoodtastesofsoap。Ishouldhatethat，youknow。\"
\"Youshouldn’tdinewithheronwash-days，\"saidSelden，cuttingthecake。
Theybothlaughed，andhekneltbythetabletolightthelampunderthekettle，whileshemeasuredouttheteaintoalittletea-potofgreenglaze。Ashewatchedherhand，polishedasabitofoldivory，withitsslenderpinknails，andthesapphirebraceletslippingoverherwrist，hewasstruckwiththeironyofsuggestingtohersuchalifeashiscousinGertrudeFarishhadchosen。Shewassoevidentlythevictimofthecivilizationwhichhadproducedher，thatthelinksofherbraceletseemedlikemanacleschaininghertoherfate。
Sheseemedtoreadhisthought。\"ItwashorridofmetosaythatofGerty，\"shesaidwithcharmingcompunction。\"Iforgotshewasyourcousin。Butwe’resodifferent，youknow:shelikesbeinggood，andIlikebeinghappy。Andbesides，sheisfreeandIamnot。IfIwere，IdaresayIcouldmanagetobehappyeveninherflat。Itmustbepureblisstoarrangethefurniturejustasonelikes，andgiveallthehorrorstotheash-man。IfIcouldonlydoovermyaunt’sdrawing-roomIknowIshouldbeabetterwoman。\"
\"Isitsoverybad？\"heaskedsympathetically。
Shesmiledathimacrossthetea-potwhichshewasholdinguptobefilled。
\"Thatshowshowseldomyoucomethere。Whydon’tyoucomeoftener？\"
\"WhenIdocome，it’snottolookatMrs。Peniston’sfurniture。\"
\"Nonsense，\"shesaid。\"Youdon’tcomeatall——andyetwegetonsowellwhenwemeet。\"
\"Perhapsthat’sthereason，\"heansweredpromptly。\"I’mafraidI
haven’tanycream，youknow——shallyoumindasliceoflemoninstead？\"
\"Ishalllikeitbetter。\"Shewaitedwhilehecutthelemonanddroppedathindiskintohercup。\"Butthatisnotthereason，\"
sheinsisted。
\"Thereasonforwhat？\"
\"Foryournevercoming。\"Sheleanedforwardwithashadeofperplexityinhercharmingeyes。\"IwishIknew——IwishIcouldmakeyouout。OfcourseIknowtherearemenwhodon’tlikeme——onecantellthatataglance。Andthereareotherswhoareafraidofme:theythinkIwanttomarrythem。\"Shesmiledupathimfrankly。
\"ButIdon’tthinkyoudislikeme——andyoucan’tpossiblythinkI
wanttomarryyou。\"
\"No——Iabsolveyouofthat，\"heagreed。
\"Well，then——？\"
Hehadcarriedhiscuptothefireplace，andstoodleaningagainstthechimney-pieceandlookingdownonherwithanairofindolentamusement。Theprovocationinhereyesincreasedhisamusement——hehadnotsupposedshewouldwasteherpowderonsuchsmallgame；butperhapsshewasonlykeepingherhandin；orperhapsagirlofhertypehadnoconversationbutofthepersonalkind。Atanyrate，shewasamazinglypretty，andhehadaskedhertoteaandmustliveuptohisobligations。
\"Well，then，\"hesaidwithaplunge，\"perhapsTHAT’Sthereason。\"
\"What？\"
\"Thefactthatyoudon’twanttomarryme。PerhapsIdon’tregarditassuchastronginducementtogoandseeyou。\"Hefeltaslightshiverdownhisspineasheventuredthis，butherlaughreassuredhim。
\"DearMr。Selden，thatwasn’tworthyofyou。It’sstupidofyoutomakelovetome，anditisn’tlikeyoutobestupid。\"Sheleanedback，sippingherteawithanairsoenchantinglyjudicialthat，iftheyhadbeeninheraunt’sdrawing-room，hemightalmosthavetriedtodisproveherdeduction。
\"Don’tyousee，\"shecontinued，\"thattherearemenenoughtosaypleasantthingstome，andthatwhatIwantisafriendwhowon’tbeafraidtosaydisagreeableoneswhenIneedthem？SometimesI
havefanciedyoumightbethatfriend——Idon’tknowwhy，exceptthatyouareneitheraprignorabounder，andthatIshouldn’thavetopretendwithyouorbeonmyguardagainstyou。\"Hervoicehaddroppedtoanoteofseriousness，andshesatgazingupathimwiththetroubledgravityofachild。
\"Youdon’tknowhowmuchIneedsuchafriend，\"shesaid。\"Myauntisfullofcopy-bookaxioms，buttheywereallmeanttoapplytoconductintheearlyfifties。Ialwaysfeelthattoliveuptothemwouldincludewearingbook-muslinwithgigotsleeves。
Andtheotherwomen——mybestfriends——well，theyusemeorabuseme；buttheydon’tcareastrawwhathappenstome。I’vebeenabouttoolong——peoplearegettingtiredofme；theyarebeginningtosayIoughttomarry。\"
Therewasamoment’spause，duringwhichSeldenmeditatedoneortworepliescalculatedtoaddamomentaryzesttothesituation；
butherejectedtheminfavourofthesimplequestion:\"Well，whydon’tyou？\"
Shecolouredandlaughed。\"Ah，IseeyouAREafriendafterall，andthatisoneofthedisagreeablethingsIwasaskingfor。\"
\"Itwasn’tmeanttobedisagreeable，\"hereturnedamicably。
\"Isn’tmarriageyourvocation？Isn’titwhatyou’reallbroughtupfor？\"
Shesighed。\"Isupposeso。Whatelseisthere？\"
\"Exactly。Andsowhynottaketheplungeandhaveitover？\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。\"YouspeakasifIoughttomarrythefirstmanwhocamealong。\"
\"Ididn’tmeantoimplythatyouareashardputtoitasthat。Buttheremustbesomeonewiththerequisitequalifications。\"
Sheshookherheadwearily。\"IthrewawayoneortwogoodchanceswhenIfirstcameout——Isupposeeverygirldoes；andyouknowI
amhorriblypoor——andveryexpensive。Imusthaveagreatdealofmoney。\"
Seldenhadturnedtoreachforacigarette-boxonthemantelpiece。
\"What’sbecomeofDillworth？\"heasked。
\"Oh，hismotherwasfrightened——shewasafraidIshouldhaveallthefamilyjewelsreset。AndshewantedmetopromisethatI
wouldn’tdooverthedrawing-room。\"
\"Theverythingyouaremarryingfor！\"
\"Exactly。SoshepackedhimofftoIndia。\"
\"Hardluck——butyoucandobetterthanDillworth。\"
Heofferedthebox，andshetookoutthreeorfourcigarettes，puttingonebetweenherlipsandslippingtheothersintoalittlegoldcaseattachedtoherlongpearlchain。
\"HaveItime？Justawhiff，then。\"Sheleanedforward，holdingthetipofhercigarettetohis。Asshedidso，henoted，withapurelyimpersonalenjoyment，howevenlytheblacklashesweresetinhersmoothwhitelids，andhowthepurplishshadebeneaththemmeltedintothepurepallourofthecheek。
Shebegantosaunterabouttheroom，examiningthebookshelvesbetweenthepuffsofhercigarette-smoke。Someofthevolumeshadtheripetintsofgoodtoolingandoldmorocco，andhereyeslingeredonthemcaressingly，notwiththeappreciationoftheexpert，butwiththepleasureinagreeabletonesandtexturesthatwasoneofherinmostsusceptibilities。Suddenlyherexpressionchangedfromdesultoryenjoymenttoactiveconjecture，andsheturnedtoSeldenwithaquestion。
\"Youcollect，don’tyou——youknowaboutfirsteditionsandthings？\"
\"Asmuchasamanmaywhohasnomoneytospend。NowandthenI
pickupsomethingintherubbishheap；andIgoandlookonatthebigsales。\"
Shehadagainaddressedherselftotheshelves，buthereyesnowswepttheminattentively，andhesawthatshewaspreoccupiedwithanewidea。
\"AndAmericana——doyoucollectAmericana？\"
Seldenstaredandlaughed。
\"No，that’sratheroutofmyline。I’mnotreallyacollector，yousee；IsimplyliketohavegoodeditionsofthebooksIamfondof。\"
Shemadeaslightgrimace。\"AndAmericanaarehorriblydull，I
suppose？\"
\"Ishouldfancyso——excepttothehistorian。Butyourrealcollectorvaluesathingforitsrarity。Idon’tsupposethebuyersofAmericanasitupreadingthemallnight——oldJeffersonGrycecertainlydidn’t。\"
Shewaslisteningwithkeenattention。\"Andyettheyfetchfabulousprices，don’tthey？Itseemssooddtowanttopayalotforanuglybadly-printedbookthatoneisnevergoingtoread！
AndIsupposemostoftheownersofAmericanaarenothistorianseither？\"
\"No；veryfewofthehistorianscanaffordtobuythem。Theyhavetousethoseinthepubliclibrariesorinprivatecollections。
Itseemstobethemereraritythatattractstheaveragecollector。\"
Hehadseatedhimselfonanarmofthechairnearwhichshewasstanding，andshecontinuedtoquestionhim，askingwhichweretherarestvolumes，whethertheJeffersonGrycecollectionwasreallyconsideredthefinestintheworld，andwhatwasthelargestpriceeverfetchedbyasinglevolume。
Itwassopleasanttosittherelookingupather，assheliftednowonebookandthenanotherfromtheshelves，flutteringthepagesbetweenherfingers，whileherdroopingprofilewasoutlinedagainstthewarmbackgroundofoldbindings，thathetalkedonwithoutpausingtowonderathersuddeninterestinsounsuggestiveasubject。Buthecouldneverbelongwithherwithouttryingtofindareasonforwhatshewasdoing，andasshereplacedhisfirsteditionofLaBruyereandturnedawayfromthebookcases，hebegantoaskhimselfwhatshehadbeendrivingat。Hernextquestionwasnotofanaturetoenlightenhim。Shepausedbeforehimwithasmilewhichseemedatoncedesignedtoadmithimtoherfamiliarity，andtoremindhimoftherestrictionsitimposed。
\"Don’tyouevermind，\"sheaskedsuddenly，\"notbeingrichenoughtobuyallthebooksyouwant？\"
Hefollowedherglanceabouttheroom，withitswornfurnitureandshabbywalls。
\"Don’tIjust？Doyoutakemeforasaintonapillar？\"
\"Andhavingtowork——doyoumindthat？\"
\"Oh，theworkitselfisnotsobad——I’mratherfondofthelaw。\"
\"No；butthebeingtieddown:theroutine——don’tyoueverwanttogetaway，toseenewplacesandpeople？\"
\"Horribly——especiallywhenIseeallmyfriendsrushingtothesteamer。\"
Shedrewasympatheticbreath。\"Butdoyoumindenough——tomarrytogetoutofit？\"
Seldenbrokeintoalaugh。\"Godforbid！\"hedeclared。
Sherosewithasigh，tossinghercigaretteintothegrate。
\"Ah，there’sthedifference——agirlmust，amanmayifhechooses。\"Shesurveyedhimcritically。\"Yourcoat’salittleshabby——butwhocares？Itdoesn’tkeeppeoplefromaskingyoutodine。IfIwereshabbynoonewouldhaveme:awomanisaskedoutasmuchforherclothesasforherself。Theclothesarethebackground，theframe，ifyoulike:theydon’tmakesuccess，buttheyareapartofit。Whowantsadingywoman？Weareexpectedtobeprettyandwell-dressedtillwedrop——andifwecan’tkeepitupalone，wehavetogointopartnership。\"
Seldenglancedatherwithamusement:itwasimpossible，evenwithherlovelyeyesimploringhim，totakeasentimentalviewofhercase。
\"Ah，well，theremustbeplentyofcapitalonthelook-outforsuchaninvestment。Perhapsyou’llmeetyourfatetonightattheTrenors’。\"
Shereturnedhislookinterrogatively。
\"Ithoughtyoumightbegoingthere——oh，notinthatcapacity！
Buttherearetobealotofyourset——GwenVanOsburgh，theWetheralls，LadyCressidaRaith——andtheGeorgeDorsets。\"
Shepausedamomentbeforethelastname，andshotaquerythroughherlashes；butheremainedimperturbable。
\"Mrs。Trenoraskedme；butIcan’tgetawaytilltheendoftheweek；andthosebigpartiesboreme。\"
\"Ah，sotheydome，\"sheexclaimed。
\"Thenwhygo？\"
\"It’spartofthebusiness——youforget！Andbesides，ifIdidn’t，IshouldbeplayingbeziquewithmyauntatRichfieldSprings。\"
\"That’salmostasbadasmarryingDillworth，\"heagreed，andtheybothlaughedforpurepleasureintheirsuddenintimacy。
Sheglancedattheclock。
\"Dearme！Imustbeoff。It’safterfive。\"
Shepausedbeforethemantelpiece，studyingherselfinthemirrorwhilesheadjustedherveil。Theattituderevealedthelongslopeofherslendersides，whichgaveakindofwild-woodgracetoheroutline——asthoughshewereacaptureddryadsubduedtotheconventionsofthedrawing-room；andSeldenreflectedthatitwasthesamestreakofsylvanfreedominhernaturethatlentsuchsavourtoherartificiality。
Hefollowedheracrosstheroomtotheentrance-hall；butonthethresholdsheheldoutherhandwithagestureofleave-taking。
\"It’sbeendelightful；andnowyouwillhavetoreturnmyvisit。\"
\"Butdon’tyouwantmetoseeyoutothestation？\"
\"No；goodbyehere，please。\"
Sheletherhandlieinhisamoment，smilingupathimadorably。
\"Goodbye，then——andgoodluckatBellomont！\"hesaid，openingthedoorforher。
Onthelandingshepausedtolookabouther。Therewereathousandchancestooneagainsthermeetinganybody，butonecouldnevertell，andshealwayspaidforherrareindiscretionsbyaviolentreactionofprudence。Therewasnooneinsight，however，butachar-womanwhowasscrubbingthestairs。HerownstoutpersonanditssurroundingimplementstookupsomuchroomthatLily，topassher，hadtogatherupherskirtsandbrushagainstthewall。Asshedidso，thewomanpausedinherworkandlookedupcuriously，restingherclenchedredfistsonthewetclothshehadjustdrawnfromherpail。Shehadabroadsallowface，slightlypittedwithsmall-pox，andthinstraw-colouredhairthroughwhichherscalpshoneunpleasantly。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidLily，intendingbyherpolitenesstoconveyacriticismoftheother’smanner。
Thewoman，withoutanswering，pushedherpailaside，andcontinuedtostareasMissBartsweptbywithamurmurofsilkenlinings。Lilyfeltherselfflushingunderthelook。Whatdidthecreaturesuppose？Couldoneneverdothesimplest，themostharmlessthing，withoutsubjectingone’sselftosomeodiousconjecture？Halfwaydownthenextflight，shesmiledtothinkthatachar-woman’sstareshouldsoperturbher。Thepoorthingwasprobablydazzledbysuchanunwontedapparition。ButWERE
suchapparitionsunwontedonSelden’sstairs？MissBartwasnotfamiliarwiththemoralcodeofbachelors’flat-houses，andhercolourroseagainasitoccurredtoherthatthewoman’spersistentgazeimpliedagropingamongpastassociations。Butsheputasidethethoughtwithasmileatherownfears，andhasteneddownward，wonderingifsheshouldfindacabshortofFifthAvenue。
UndertheGeorgianporchshepausedagain，scanningthestreetforahansom。Nonewasinsight，butasshereachedthesidewalksheranagainstasmallglossy-lookingmanwithagardeniainhiscoat，whoraisedhishatwithasurprisedexclamation。
\"MissBart？Well——ofallpeople！ThisISluck，\"hedeclared；andshecaughtatwinkleofamusedcuriositybetweenhisscrewed-uplids。
\"Oh，Mr。Rosedale——howareyou？\"shesaid，perceivingthattheirrepressibleannoyanceonherfacewasreflectedinthesuddenintimacyofhissmile。
Mr。Rosedalestoodscanningherwithinterestandapproval。HewasaplumprosymanoftheblondJewishtype，withsmartLondonclothesfittinghimlikeupholstery，andsmallsidelongeyeswhichgavehimtheairofappraisingpeopleasiftheywerebric-a-brac。HeglancedupinterrogativelyattheporchoftheBenedick。
\"Beenuptotownforalittleshopping，Isuppose？\"hesaid，inatonewhichhadthefamiliarityofatouch。
MissBartshrankfromitslightly，andthenflungherselfintoprecipitateexplanations。
\"Yes——Icameuptoseemydress-maker。IamjustonmywaytocatchthetraintotheTrenors’。\"
\"Ah——yourdress-maker；justso，\"hesaidblandly。\"Ididn’tknowtherewereanydress-makersintheBenedick。\"
\"TheBenedick？\"Shelookedgentlypuzzled。\"Isthatthenameofthisbuilding？\"
\"Yes，that’sthename:Ibelieveit’sanoldwordforbachelor，isn’tit？Ihappentoownthebuilding——that’sthewayIknow。\"
Hissmiledeepenedasheaddedwithincreasingassurance:\"Butyoumustletmetakeyoutothestation。TheTrenorsareatBellomont，ofcourse？You’vebarelytimetocatchthefive-forty。
Thedress-makerkeptyouwaiting，Isuppose。\"
Lilystiffenedunderthepleasantry。
\"Oh，thanks，\"shestammered；andatthatmomenthereyecaughtahansomdriftingdownMadisonAvenue，andshehaileditwithadesperategesture。
\"You’reverykind；butIcouldn’tthinkoftroublingyou，\"shesaid，extendingherhandtoMr。Rosedale；andheedlessofhisprotestations，shesprangintotherescuingvehicle，andcalledoutabreathlessordertothedriver。
Inthehansomsheleanedbackwithasigh。Whymustagirlpaysodearlyforherleastescapefromroutine？Whycouldoneneverdoanaturalthingwithouthavingtoscreenitbehindastructureofartifice？ShehadyieldedtoapassingimpulseingoingtoLawrenceSelden’srooms，anditwassoseldomthatshecouldallowherselftheluxuryofanimpulse！Thisone，atanyrate，wasgoingtocostherrathermorethanshecouldafford。Shewasvexedtoseethat，inspiteofsomanyyearsofvigilance，shehadblunderedtwicewithinfiveminutes。Thatstupidstoryaboutherdress-makerwasbadenough——itwouldhavebeensosimpletotellRosedalethatshehadbeentakingteawithSelden！Themerestatementofthefactwouldhaverendereditinnocuous。But，afterhavingletherselfbesurprisedinafalsehood，itwasdoublystupidtosnubthewitnessofherdiscomfiture。IfshehadhadthepresenceofmindtoletRosedaledrivehertothestation，theconcessionmighthavepurchasedhissilence。Hehadhisrace’saccuracyintheappraisalofvalues，andtobeseenwalkingdowntheplatformatthecrowdedafternoonhourinthecompanyofMissLilyBartwouldhavebeenmoneyinhispocket，ashemighthimselfhavephrasedit。Heknew，ofcourse，thattherewouldbealargehouse-partyatBellomont，andthepossibilityofbeingtakenforoneofMrs。Trenor’sguestswasdoubtlessincludedinhiscalculations。Mr。Rosedalewasstillatastageinhissocialascentwhenitwasofimportancetoproducesuchimpressions。
TheprovokingpartwasthatLilyknewallthis——knewhoweasyitwouldhavebeentosilencehimonthespot，andhowdifficultitmightbetodosoafterward。Mr。SimonRosedalewasamanwhomadeithisbusinesstoknoweverythingabouteveryone，whoseideaofshowinghimselftobeathomeinsocietywastodisplayaninconvenientfamiliaritywiththehabitsofthosewithwhomhewishedtobethoughtintimate。Lilywassurethatwithintwenty-fourhoursthestoryofhervisitingherdress-makerattheBenedickwouldbeinactivecirculationamongMr。Rosedale’sacquaintances。Theworstofitwasthatshehadalwayssnubbedandignoredhim。Onhisfirstappearance——whenherimprovidentcousin，JackStepney，hadobtainedforhim(inreturnforfavourstooeasilyguessed)acardtooneofthevastimpersonalVanOsburgh\"crushes\"——Rosedale，withthatmixtureofartisticsensibilityandbusinessastutenesswhichcharacterizeshisrace，hadinstantlygravitatedtowardMissBart。Sheunderstoodhismotives，forherowncoursewasguidedbyasnicecalculations。Trainingandexperiencehadtaughthertobehospitabletonewcomers，sincethemostunpromisingmightbeusefullateron，andtherewereplentyofavailableOUBLIETTEStoswallowthemiftheywerenot。Butsomeintuitiverepugnance，gettingthebetterofyearsofsocialdiscipline，hadmadeherpushMr。RosedaleintohisOUBLIETTEwithoutatrial。Hehadleftbehindonlytherippleofamusementwhichhisspeedydespatchhadcausedamongherfriends；andthoughlater(toshiftthemetaphor)hereappearedlowerdownthestream，itwasonlyinfleetingglimpses，withlongsubmergencesbetween。
HithertoLilyhadbeenundisturbedbyscruples。InherlittlesetMr。Rosedalehadbeenpronounced\"impossible，\"andJackStepneyroundlysnubbedforhisattempttopayhisdebtsindinnerinvitations。EvenMrs。Trenor，whosetasteforvarietyhadledherintosomehazardousexperiments，resistedJack’sattemptstodisguiseMr。Rosedaleasanovelty，anddeclaredthathewasthesamelittleJewwhohadbeenservedupandrejectedatthesocialboardadozentimeswithinhermemory；andwhileJudyTrenorwasobduratetherewassmallchanceofMr。Rosedale’spenetratingbeyondtheouterlimbooftheVanOsburghcrushes。Jackgaveupthecontestwithalaughing\"You’llsee，\"and，stickingmanfullytohisguns，showedhimselfwithRosedaleatthefashionablerestaurants，incompanywiththepersonallyvividifsociallyobscureladieswhoareavailableforsuchpurposes。Buttheattempthadhithertobeenvain，andasRosedaleundoubtedlypaidforthedinners，thelaughremainedwithhisdebtor。
Mr。Rosedale，itwillbeseen，wasthusfarnotafactortobefeared——unlessoneputone’sselfinhispower。AndthiswaspreciselywhatMissBarthaddone。Herclumsyfibhadlethimseethatshehadsomethingtoconceal；andshewassurehehadascoretosettlewithher。Somethinginhissmiletoldherhehadnotforgotten。Sheturnedfromthethoughtwithalittleshiver，butithungonherallthewaytothestation，anddoggedherdowntheplatformwiththepersistencyofMr。Rosedalehimself。
Shehadjusttimetotakeherseatbeforethetrainstarted；buthavingarrangedherselfinhercornerwiththeinstinctivefeelingforeffectwhichneverforsookher，sheglancedaboutinthehopeofseeingsomeothermemberoftheTrenors’party。Shewantedtogetawayfromherself，andconversationwastheonlymeansofescapethatsheknew。
Hersearchwasrewardedbythediscoveryofaveryblondyoungmanwithasoftreddishbeard，who，attheotherendofthecarriage，appearedtobedissemblinghimselfbehindanunfoldednewspaper。Lily’seyebrightened，andafaintsmilerelaxedthedrawnlinesofhermouth。ShehadknownthatMr。PercyGrycewastobeatBellomont，butshehadnotcountedontheluckofhavinghimtoherselfinthetrain；andthefactbanishedallperturbingthoughtsofMr。Rosedale。Perhaps，afterall，thedaywastoendmorefavourablythanithadbegun。
Shebegantocutthepagesofanovel，tranquillystudyingherpreythroughdowncastlasheswhilesheorganizedamethodofattack。Somethinginhisattitudeofconsciousabsorptiontoldherthathewasawareofherpresence:noonehadeverbeenquitesoengrossedinaneveningpaper！Sheguessedthathewastooshytocomeuptoher，andthatshewouldhavetodevisesomemeansofapproachwhichshouldnotappeartobeanadvanceonherpart。
ItamusedhertothinkthatanyoneasrichasMr。PercyGryceshouldbeshy；butshewasgiftedwithtreasuresofindulgenceforsuchidiosyncrasies，andbesides，histimiditymightserveherpurposebetterthantoomuchassurance。Shehadtheartofgivingself-confidencetotheembarrassed，butshewasnotequallysureofbeingabletoembarrasstheself-confident。
Shewaitedtillthetrainhademergedfromthetunnelandwasracingbetweentheraggededgesofthenorthernsuburbs。Then，asitlowereditsspeednearYonkers，sherosefromherseatanddriftedslowlydownthecarriage。AsshepassedMr。Gryce，thetraingavealurch，andhewasawareofaslenderhandgrippingthebackofhischair。Herosewithastart，hisingenuousfacelookingasthoughithadbeendippedincrimson:eventhereddishtintinhisbeardseemedtodeepen。Thetrainswayedagain，almostflingingMissBartintohisarms。
Shesteadiedherselfwithalaughanddrewback；buthewasenvelopedinthescentofherdress，andhisshoulderhadfeltherfugitivetouch。
\"Oh，Mr。Gryce，isityou？I’msosorry——Iwastryingtofindtheporterandgetsometea。\"
Sheheldoutherhandasthetrainresumeditslevelrush，andtheystoodexchangingafewwordsintheaisle。Yes——hewasgoingtoBellomont。Hehadheardshewastobeoftheparty——heblushedagainasheadmittedit。Andwashetobethereforawholeweek？
Howdelightful！
Butatthispointoneortwobelatedpassengersfromthelaststationforcedtheirwayintothecarriage，andLilyhadtoretreattoherseat。
\"Thechairnexttomineisempty——dotakeit，\"shesaidoverhershoulder；andMr。Gryce，withconsiderableembarrassment，succeededineffectinganexchangewhichenabledhimtotransporthimselfandhisbagstoherside。
\"Ah——andhereistheporter，andperhapswecanhavesometea。\"
Shesignalledtothatofficial，andinamoment，withtheeasethatseemedtoattendthefulfilmentofallherwishes，alittletablehadbeensetupbetweentheseats，andshehadhelpedMr。
Grycetobestowhisencumberingpropertiesbeneathit。
Whentheteacamehewatchedherinsilentfascinationwhileherhandsflittedabovethetray，lookingmiraculouslyfineandslenderincontrasttothecoarsechinaandlumpybread。Itseemedwonderfultohimthatanyoneshouldperformwithsuchcarelesseasethedifficulttaskofmakingteainpublicinalurchingtrain。Hewouldneverhavedaredtoorderitforhimself，lestheshouldattractthenoticeofhisfellow-passengers；but，secureintheshelterofherconspicuousness，hesippedtheinkydraughtwithadelicioussenseofexhilaration。
Lily，withtheflavourofSelden’scaravanteaonherlips，hadnogreatfancytodrownitintherailwaybrewwhichseemedsuchnectartohercompanion；but，rightlyjudgingthatoneofthecharmsofteaisthefactofdrinkingittogether，sheproceededtogivethelasttouchtoMr。Gryce’senjoymentbysmilingathimacrossherliftedcup。
\"Isitquiteright——Ihaven’tmadeittoostrong？\"sheaskedsolicitously；andherepliedwithconvictionthathehadnevertastedbettertea。
\"Idaresayitistrue，\"shereflected；andherimaginationwasfiredbythethoughtthatMr。Gryce，whomighthavesoundedthedepthsofthemostcomplexself-indulgence，wasperhapsactuallytakinghisfirstjourneyalonewithaprettywoman。
Itstruckherasprovidentialthatsheshouldbetheinstrumentofhisinitiation。Somegirlswouldnothaveknownhowtomanagehim。Theywouldhaveover-emphasizedthenoveltyoftheadventure，tryingtomakehimfeelinitthezestofanescapade。
ButLily’smethodsweremoredelicate。SherememberedthathercousinJackStepneyhadoncedefinedMr。Gryceastheyoungmanwhohadpromisedhismothernevertogooutintherainwithouthisovershoes；andactingonthishint，sheresolvedtoimpartagentlydomesticairtothescene，inthehopethathercompanion，insteadoffeelingthathewasdoingsomethingrecklessorunusual，wouldmerelybeledtodwellontheadvantageofalwayshavingacompaniontomakeone’steainthetrain。
Butinspiteofherefforts，conversationflaggedafterthetrayhadbeenremoved，andshewasdriventotakeafreshmeasurementofMr。Gryce’slimitations。Itwasnot，afterall，opportunitybutimaginationthathelacked:hehadamentalpalatewhichwouldneverlearntodistinguishbetweenrailwayteaandnectar。
Therewas，however，onetopicshecouldrelyon:onespringthatshehadonlytotouchtosethissimplemachineryinmotion。Shehadrefrainedfromtouchingitbecauseitwasalastresource，andshehadreliedonotherartstostimulateothersensations；
butasasettledlookofdulnessbegantocreepoverhiscandidfeatures，shesawthatextrememeasureswerenecessary。
\"Andhow，\"shesaid，leaningforward，\"areyougettingonwithyourAmericana？\"
Hiseyebecameadegreelessopaque:itwasasthoughanincipientfilmhadbeenremovedfromit，andshefelttheprideofaskilfuloperator。
\"I’vegotafewnewthings，\"hesaid，suffusedwithpleasure，butloweringhisvoiceasthoughhefearedhisfellow-passengersmightbeinleaguetodespoilhim。
Shereturnedasympatheticenquiry，andgraduallyhewasdrawnontotalkofhislatestpurchases。Itwastheonesubjectwhichenabledhimtoforgethimself，orallowedhim，rather，torememberhimselfwithoutconstraint，becausehewasathomeinit，andcouldassertasuperioritythattherewerefewtodispute。HardlyanyofhisacquaintancescaredforAmericana，orknewanythingaboutthem；andtheconsciousnessofthisignorancethrewMr。Gryce’sknowledgeintoagreeablerelief。Theonlydifficultywastointroducethetopicandtokeepittothefront；mostpeopleshowednodesiretohavetheirignorancedispelled，andMr。Grycewaslikeamerchantwhosewarehousesarecrammedwithanunmarketablecommodity。
ButMissBart，itappeared，reallydidwanttoknowaboutAmericana；andmoreover，shewasalreadysufficientlyinformedtomakethetaskoffartherinstructionaseasyasitwasagreeable。
Shequestionedhimintelligently，sheheardhimsubmissively；
and，preparedforthelookoflassitudewhichusuallycreptoverhislisteners’faces，hegreweloquentunderherreceptivegaze。
The\"points\"shehadhadthepresenceofmindtogleanfromSelden，inanticipationofthisverycontingency，wereservinghertosuchgoodpurposethatshebegantothinkhervisittohimhadbeentheluckiestincidentoftheday。Shehadoncemoreshownhertalentforprofitingbytheunexpected，anddangeroustheoriesastotheadvisabilityofyieldingtoimpulseweregerminatingunderthesurfaceofsmilingattentionwhichshecontinuedtopresenttohercompanion。
Mr。Gryce’ssensations，iflessdefinite，wereequallyagreeable。
Hefelttheconfusedtitillationwithwhichthelowerorganismswelcomethegratificationoftheirneeds，andallhissensesflounderedinavaguewell-being，throughwhichMissBart’spersonalitywasdimlybutpleasantlyperceptible。
Mr。Gryce’sinterestinAmericanahadnotoriginatedwithhimself:itwasimpossibletothinkofhimasevolvinganytasteofhisown。Anunclehadlefthimacollectionalreadynotedamongbibliophiles；theexistenceofthecollectionwastheonlyfactthathadevershedgloryonthenameofGryce，andthenephewtookasmuchprideinhisinheritanceasthoughithadbeenhisownwork。Indeed，hegraduallycametoregarditassuch，andtofeelasenseofpersonalcomplacencywhenhechancedonanyreferencetotheGryceAmericana。Anxiousashewastoavoidpersonalnotice，hetook，intheprintedmentionofhisname，apleasuresoexquisiteandexcessivethatitseemedacompensationforhisshrinkingfrompublicity。
Toenjoythesensationasoftenaspossible，hesubscribedtoallthereviewsdealingwithbook-collectingingeneral，andAmericanhistoryinparticular，andasallusionstohislibraryaboundedinthepagesofthesejournals，whichformedhisonlyreading，hecametoregardhimselfasfiguringprominentlyinthepubliceye，andtoenjoythethoughtoftheinterestwhichwouldbeexcitedifthepersonshemetinthestreet，orsatamongintravelling，weresuddenlytobetoldthathewasthepossessoroftheGryceAmericana。
Mosttimiditieshavesuchsecretcompensations，andMissBartwasdiscerningenoughtoknowthattheinnervanityisgenerallyinproportiontotheouterself-depreciation。Withamoreconfidentpersonshewouldnothavedaredtodwellsolongononetopic，ortoshowsuchexaggeratedinterestinit；butshehadrightlyguessedthatMr。Gryce’segoismwasathirstysoil，requiringconstantnurturefromwithout。MissBarthadthegiftoffollowinganundercurrentofthoughtwhilesheappearedtobesailingonthesurfaceofconversation；andinthiscasehermentalexcursiontooktheformofarapidsurveyofMr。PercyGryce’sfutureascombinedwithherown。TheGryceswerefromAlbany，andbutlatelyintroducedtothemetropolis，wherethemotherandsonhadcome，afteroldJeffersonGryce’sdeath，totakepossessionofhishouseinMadisonAvenue——anappallinghouse，allbrownstonewithoutandblackwalnutwithin，withtheGrycelibraryinafire-proofannexthatlookedlikeamausoleum。
Lily，however，knewallaboutthem:youngMr。Gryce’sarrivalhadflutteredthematernalbreastsofNewYork，andwhenagirlhasnomothertopalpitateforhershemustneedsbeonthealertforherself。Lily，therefore，hadnotonlycontrivedtoputherselfintheyoungman’sway，buthadmadetheacquaintanceofMrs。Gryce，amonumentalwomanwiththevoiceofapulpitoratorandamindpreoccupiedwiththeiniquitiesofherservants，whocamesometimestositwithMrs。Penistonandlearnfromthatladyhowshemanagedtopreventthekitchen-maid’ssmugglinggroceriesoutofthehouse。Mrs。Grycehadakindofimpersonalbenevolence:casesofindividualneedsheregardedwithsuspicion，butshesubscribedtoInstitutionswhentheirannualreportsshowedanimpressivesurplus。Herdomesticdutiesweremanifold，fortheyextendedfromfurtiveinspectionsoftheservants’bedroomstounannounceddescentstothecellar；butshehadneverallowedherselfmanypleasures。Once，however，shehadhadaspecialeditionoftheSarumRuleprintedinrubricandpresentedtoeveryclergymaninthediocese；andthegiltalbuminwhichtheirlettersofthankswerepastedformedthechiefornamentofherdrawing-roomtable。
Percyhadbeenbroughtupintheprincipleswhichsoexcellentawomanwassuretoinculcate。Everyformofprudenceandsuspicionhadbeengraftedonanatureoriginallyreluctantandcautious，withtheresultthatitwouldhaveseemedhardlyneedfulforMrs。
Grycetoextracthispromiseabouttheovershoes，solittlelikelywashetohazardhimselfabroadintherain。Afterattaininghismajority，andcomingintothefortunewhichthelateMr。Grycehadmadeoutofapatentdeviceforexcludingfreshairfromhotels，theyoungmancontinuedtolivewithhismotherinAlbany；butonJeffersonGryce’sdeath，whenanotherlargepropertypassedintoherson’shands，Mrs。Grycethoughtthatwhatshecalledhis\"interests\"demandedhispresenceinNewYork。SheaccordinglyinstalledherselfintheMadisonAvenuehouse，andPercy，whosesenseofdutywasnotinferiortohismother’s，spentallhisweekdaysinthehandsomeBroadStreetofficewhereabatchofpalemenonsmallsalarieshadgrowngreyinthemanagementoftheGryceestate，andwherehewasinitiatedwithbecomingreverenceintoeverydetailoftheartofaccumulation。
AsfarasLilycouldlearn，thishadhithertobeenMr。Gryce’sonlyoccupation，andshemighthavebeenpardonedforthinkingitnottoohardatasktointerestayoungmanwhohadbeenkeptonsuchlowdiet。Atanyrate，shefeltherselfsocompletelyincommandofthesituationthatsheyieldedtoasenseofsecurityinwhichallfearofMr。Rosedale，andofthedifficultiesonwhichthatfearwascontingent，vanishedbeyondtheedgeofthought。
ThestoppingofthetrainatGarrisonswouldnothavedistractedherfromthesethoughts，hadshenotcaughtasuddenlookofdistressinhercompanion’seye。Hisseatfacedtowardthedoor，andsheguessedthathehadbeenperturbedbytheapproachofanacquaintance；afactconfirmedbytheturningofheadsandgeneralsenseofcommotionwhichherownentranceintoarailway-carriagewasapttoproduce。
Sheknewthesymptomsatonce，andwasnotsurprisedtobehailedbythehighnotesofaprettywoman，whoenteredthetrainaccompaniedbyamaid，abull-terrier，andafootmanstaggeringunderaloadofbagsanddressing-cases。
\"Oh，Lily——areyougoingtoBellomont？Thenyoucan’tletmehaveyourseat，Isuppose？ButIMUSThaveaseatinthiscarriage——porter，youmustfindmeaplaceatonce。Can’tsomeonebeputsomewhereelse？Iwanttobewithmyfriends。Oh，howdoyoudo，Mr。Gryce？DopleasemakehimunderstandthatImusthaveaseatnexttoyouandLily。\"
Mrs。GeorgeDorset，regardlessofthemildeffortsofatravellerwithacarpet-bag，whowasdoinghisbesttomakeroomforherbygettingoutofthetrain，stoodinthemiddleoftheaisle，diffusingaboutherthatgeneralsenseofexasperationwhichaprettywomanonhertravelsnotinfrequentlycreates。
ShewassmallerandthinnerthanLilyBart，witharestlesspliabilityofpose，asifshecouldhavebeencrumpledupandrunthrougharing，likethesinuousdraperiessheaffected。Hersmallpalefaceseemedthemeresettingofapairofdarkexaggeratedeyes，ofwhichthevisionarygazecontrastedcuriouslywithherself-assertivetoneandgestures；sothat，asoneofherfriendsobserved，shewaslikeadisembodiedspiritwhotookupagreatdealofroom。
HavingfinallydiscoveredthattheseatadjoiningMissBart’swasatherdisposal，shepossessedherselfofitwithafartherdisplacementofhersurroundings，explainingmeanwhilethatshehadcomeacrossfromMountKiscoinhermotor-carthatmorning，andhadbeenkickingherheelsforanhouratGarrisons，withouteventhealleviationofacigarette，herbruteofahusbandhavingneglectedtoreplenishhercasebeforetheypartedthatmorning。
\"AndatthishourofthedayIdon’tsupposeyou’veasingleoneleft，haveyou，Lily？\"sheplaintivelyconcluded。
MissBartcaughtthestartledglanceofMr。PercyGryce，whoseownlipswereneverdefiledbytobacco。
\"Whatanabsurdquestion，Bertha！\"sheexclaimed，blushingatthethoughtofthestoreshehadlaidinatLawrenceSelden’s。
\"Why，don’tyousmoke？Sincewhenhaveyougivenitup？What——younever——Andyoudon’teither，Mr。Gryce？Ah，ofcourse——howstupidofme——Iunderstand。\"
AndMrs。DorsetleanedbackagainsthertravellingcushionswithasmilewhichmadeLilywishtherehadbeennovacantseatbesideherown。
BridgeatBellomontusuallylastedtillthesmallhours；andwhenLilywenttobedthatnightshehadplayedtoolongforherowngood。
Feelingnodesirefortheself-communionwhichawaitedherinherroom，shelingeredonthebroadstairway，lookingdownintothehallbelow，wherethelastcard-playersweregroupedaboutthetrayoftallglassesandsilver-collareddecanterswhichthebutlerhadjustplacedonalowtablenearthefire。
Thehallwasarcaded，withagallerysupportedoncolumnsofpaleyellowmarble。Tallclumpsoffloweringplantsweregroupedagainstabackgroundofdarkfoliageintheanglesofthewalls。
Onthecrimsoncarpetadeer-houndandtwoorthreespanielsdozedluxuriouslybeforethefire，andthelightfromthegreatcentrallanternoverheadshedabrightnessonthewomen’shairandstrucksparksfromtheirjewelsastheymoved。
ThereweremomentswhensuchscenesdelightedLily，whentheygratifiedhersenseofbeautyandhercravingfortheexternalfinishoflife；therewereotherswhentheygaveasharperedgetothemeagrenessofherownopportunities。Thiswasoneofthemomentswhenthesenseofcontrastwasuppermost，andsheturnedawayimpatientlyasMrs。GeorgeDorset，glitteringinserpentinespangles，drewPercyGryceinherwaketoaconfidentialnookbeneaththegallery。
ItwasnotthatMissBartwasafraidoflosinghernewly-acquiredholdoverMr。Gryce。Mrs。Dorsetmightstartleordazzlehim，butshehadneithertheskillnorthepatiencetoeffecthiscapture。
Shewastooself-engrossedtopenetratetherecessesofhisshyness，andbesides，whyshouldshecaretogiveherselfthetrouble？Atmostitmightamusehertomakesportofhissimplicityforanevening——afterthathewouldbemerelyaburdentoher，andknowingthis，shewasfartooexperiencedtoencouragehim。Butthemerethoughtofthatotherwoman，whocouldtakeamanupandtosshimasideasshewilled，withouthavingtoregardhimasapossiblefactorinherplans，filledLilyBartwithenvy。ShehadbeenboredalltheafternoonbyPercyGryce——themerethoughtseemedtowakenanechoofhisdroningvoice——butshecouldnotignorehimonthemorrow，shemustfollowuphersuccess，mustsubmittomoreboredom，mustbereadywithfreshcompliancesandadaptabilities，andallonthebarechancethathemightultimatelydecidetodoherthehonourofboringherforlife。
Itwasahatefulfate——buthowescapefromit？Whatchoicehadshe？Tobeherself，oraGertyFarish。Assheenteredherbedroom，withitssoftly-shadedlights，herlacedressing-gownlyingacrossthesilkenbedspread，herlittleembroideredslippersbeforethefire，avaseofcarnationsfillingtheairwithperfume，andthelastnovelsandmagazineslyinguncutonatablebesidethereading-lamp，shehadavisionofMissFarish’scrampedflat，withitscheapconveniencesandhideouswall-papers。No；shewasnotmadeformeanandshabbysurroundings，forthesqualidcompromisesofpoverty。Herwholebeingdilatedinanatmosphereofluxury；itwasthebackgroundsherequired，theonlyclimateshecouldbreathein。Buttheluxuryofotherswasnotwhatshewanted。Afewyearsagoithadsufficedher:shehadtakenherdailymeedofpleasurewithoutcaringwhoprovidedit。Nowshewasbeginningtochafeattheobligationsitimposed，tofeelherselfamerepensioneronthesplendourwhichhadonceseemedtobelongtoher。Therewereevenmomentswhenshewasconsciousofhavingtopayherway。
Foralongtimeshehadrefusedtoplaybridge。Sheknewshecouldnotaffordit，andshewasafraidofacquiringsoexpensiveataste。Shehadseenthedangerexemplifiedinmorethanoneofherassociates——inyoungNedSilverton，forinstance，thecharmingfairboynowseatedinabjectraptureattheelbowofMrs。Fisher，astrikingdivorceewitheyesandgownsasemphaticasthehead-linesofher\"case。\"LilycouldrememberwhenyoungSilvertonhadstumbledintotheircircle，withtheairofastrayedArcadianwhohaspublishedchamungsonnetsinhiscollegejournal。SincethenhehaddevelopedatasteforMrs。Fisherandbridge，andthelatteratleasthadinvolvedhiminexpensesfromwhichhehadbeenmorethanoncerescuedbyharassedmaidensisters，whotreasuredthesonnets，andwentwithoutsugarintheirteatokeeptheirdarlingafloat。Ned’scasewasfamiliartoLily:shehadseenhischarmingeyes——whichhadagooddealmorepoetryinthemthanthesonnets——changefromsurprisetoamusement，andfromamusementtoanxiety，ashepassedunderthespelloftheterriblegodofchance；andshewasafraidofdiscoveringthesamesymptomsinherowncase。
Forinthelastyearshehadfoundthatherhostessesexpectedhertotakeaplaceatthecard-table。Itwasoneofthetaxesshehadtopayfortheirprolongedhospitality，andforthedressesandtrinketswhichoccasionallyreplenishedherinsufficientwardrobe。Andsinceshehadplayedregularlythepassionhadgrownonher。Onceortwiceoflateshehadwonalargesum，andinsteadofkeepingitagainstfuturelosses，hadspentitindressorjewelry；andthedesiretoatoneforthisimprudence，combinedwiththeincreasingexhilarationofthegame，drovehertoriskhigherstakesateachfreshventure。Shetriedtoexcuseherselfonthepleathat，intheTrenorset，ifoneplayedatallonemusteitherplayhighorbesetdownaspriggishorstingy；butsheknewthatthegamblingpassionwasuponher，andthatinherpresentsurroundingstherewassmallhopeofresistingit。
Tonighttheluckhadbeenpersistentlybad，andthelittlegoldpursewhichhungamonghertrinketswasalmostemptywhenshereturnedtoherroom。Sheunlockedthewardrobe，andtakingoutherjewel-case，lookedunderthetrayfortherollofbillsfromwhichshehadreplenishedthepursebeforegoingdowntodinner。
Onlytwentydollarswereleft:thediscoverywassostartlingthatforamomentshefanciedshemusthavebeenrobbed。Thenshetookpaperandpencil，andseatingherselfatthewriting-table，triedtoreckonupwhatshehadspentduringtheday。Herheadwasthrobbingwithfatigue，andshehadtogooverthefiguresagainandagain；butatlastitbecamecleartoherthatshehadlostthreehundreddollarsatcards。Shetookouthercheque-booktoseeifherbalancewaslargerthansheremembered，butfoundshehaderredintheotherdirection。Thenshereturnedtohercalculations；butfigureasshewould，shecouldnotconjurebackthevanishedthreehundreddollars。Itwasthesumshehadsetasidetopacifyherdress-maker——unlesssheshoulddecidetouseitasasoptothejeweller。Atanyrate，shehadsomanyusesforitthatitsveryinsufficiencyhadcausedhertoplayhighinthehopeofdoublingit。Butofcourseshehadlost——shewhoneededeverypenny，whileBerthaDorset，whosehusbandshoweredmoneyonher，musthavepocketedatleastfivehundred，andJudyTrenor，whocouldhaveaffordedtoloseathousandanight，hadleftthetableclutchingsuchaheapofbillsthatshehadbeenunabletoshakehandswithherguestswhentheybadehergoodnight。
AworldinwhichsuchthingscouldbeseemedamiserableplacetoLilyBart；butthenshehadneverbeenabletounderstandthelawsofauniversewhichwassoreadytoleaveheroutofitscalculations。
Shebegantoundresswithoutringingforhermaid，whomshehadsenttobed。Shehadbeenlongenoughinbondagetootherpeople’spleasuretobeconsiderateofthosewhodependedonhers，andinherbittermoodsitsometimesstruckherthatsheandhermaidwereinthesameposition，exceptthatthelatterreceivedherwagesmoreregularly。
Asshesatbeforethemirrorbrushingherhair，herfacelookedhollowandpale，andshewasfrightenedbytwolittlelinesnearhermouth，faintflawsinthesmoothcurveofthecheek。
\"Oh，Imuststopworrying！\"sheexclaimed。\"Unlessit’stheelectriclight——\"shereflected，springingupfromherseatandlightingthecandlesonthedressing-table。
Sheturnedoutthewall-lights，andpeeredatherselfbetweenthecandle-flames。Thewhiteovalofherfaceswamoutwaveringlyfromabackgroundofshadows，theuncertainlightblurringitlikeahaze；butthetwolinesaboutthemouthremained。
Lilyroseandundressedinhaste。
\"ItisonlybecauseIamtiredandhavesuchodiousthingstothinkabout，\"shekeptrepeating；anditseemedanaddedinjusticethatpettycaresshouldleaveatraceonthebeautywhichwasheronlydefenceagainstthem。
Buttheodiousthingswerethere，andremainedwithher。ShereturnedwearilytothethoughtofPercyGryce，asawayfarerpicksupaheavyloadandtoilsonafterabriefrest。Shewasalmostsureshehad\"landed\"him:afewdays’workandshewouldwinherreward。Buttherewarditselfseemedupalatablejustthen:shecouldgetnozestfromthethoughtofvictory。Itwouldbearestfromworry，nomore——andhowlittlethatwouldhaveseemedtoherafewyearsearlier！Herambitionshadshrunkgraduallyinthedesiccatingairoffailure。Butwhyhadshefailed？Wasitherownfaultorthatofdestiny？
Sherememberedhowhermother，aftertheyhadlosttheirmoney，usedtosaytoherwithakindoffiercevindictiveness:\"Butyou’llgetitallback——you’llgetitallback，withyourface。\"……Theremembrancerousedawholetrainofassociation，andshelayinthedarknessreconstructingthepastoutofwhichherpresenthadgrown。
Ahouseinwhichnooneeverdinedathomeunlesstherewas\"company\"；adoor-bellperpetuallyringing；ahall-tableshoweredwithsquareenvelopeswhichwereopenedinhaste，andoblongenvelopeswhichwereallowedtogatherdustinthedepthsofabronzejar；aseriesofFrenchandEnglishmaidsgivingwarningamidachaosofhurriedly-ransackedwardrobesanddress-closets；
anequallychangingdynastyofnursesandfootmen；quarrelsinthepantry，thekitchenandthedrawing-room；precipitatetripstoEurope，andreturnswithgorgedtrunksanddaysofinterminableunpacking；semi-annualdiscussionsastowherethesummershouldbespent，greyinterludesofeconomyandbrilliantreactionsofexpense——suchwasthesettingofLilyBart’sfirstmemories。
Rulingtheturbulentelementcalledhomewasthevigorousanddeterminedfigureofamotherstillyoungenoughtodanceherball-dressestorags，whilethehazyoutlineofaneutral-tintedfatherfilledanintermediatespacebetweenthebutlerandthemanwhocametowindtheclocks。Eventotheeyesofinfancy，Mrs。HudsonBarthadappearedyoung；butLilycouldnotrecallthetimewhenherfatherhadnotbeenbaldandslightlystooping，withstreaksofgreyinhishair，andatiredwalk。Itwasashocktohertolearnafterwardthathewasbuttwoyearsolderthanhermother。
Lilyseldomsawherfatherbydaylight。Alldayhewas\"downtown\"；andinwinteritwaslongafternightfallwhensheheardhisfaggedsteponthestairsandhishandontheschool-roomdoor。Hewouldkissherinsilence，andaskoneortwoquestionsofthenurseorthegoverness；thenMrs。Bart’smaidwouldcometoremindhimthathewasdiningout，andhewouldhurryawaywithanodtoLily。Insummer，whenhejoinedthemforaSundayatNewportorSouthampton，hewasevenmoreeffacedandsilentthaninwinter。Itseemedtotirehimtorest，andhewouldsitforhoursstaringatthesea-linefromaquietcorneroftheverandah，whiletheclatterofhiswife’sexistencewentonunheededafewfeetoff。Generally，however，Mrs。BartandLilywenttoEuropeforthesummer，andbeforethesteamerwashalfwayoverMr。Barthaddippedbelowthehorizon。SometimeshisdaughterheardhimdenouncedforhavingneglectedtoforwardMrs。Bart’sremittances；butforthemostparthewasnevermentionedorthoughtoftillhispatientstoopingfigurepresenteditselfontheNewYorkdockasabufferbetweenthemagnitudeofhiswife’sluggageandtherestrictionsoftheAmericancustom-house。
InthisdesultoryyetagitatedfashionlifewentonthroughLily’steens:azig-zagbrokencoursedownwhichthefamilycraftglidedonarapidcurrentofamusement，tuggedatbytheunderflowofaperpetualneed——theneedofmoremoney。Lilycouldnotrecallthetimewhentherehadbeenmoneyenough，andinsomevaguewayherfatherseemedalwaystoblameforthedeficiency。
